Nonfiction
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Gardening with Veg in Mind
It is well known that gardening tends to improve one’s quality of life. Gardening gets you out in the fresh air (while respecting social distancing), adds positive energy into your life, gives you something fun to do, and provides a new activity that the whole family can participate in. It would be best to plant… Continue reading
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Diving in to Safari Tech Books
Many of us find ourselves with extra time on our hands at the moment and this could be a great opportunity to learn new technologies or expand our current skill sets. Seattle Public Library has you covered with Safari Tech Books Online. Adobe Photoshop can be a bit overwhelming to start learning, but the 2020… Continue reading
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Mental Health during Quarantine
As someone who struggles with mental health, I know that things have been especially hard while in quarantine. Anxiety is heightened, depression flares up, and a sense of hopelessness can become overwhelming. First, please don’t judge yourself if you feel your mental health is struggling right now. Be gentle with yourself. You are not alone… Continue reading
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It Could Always Be Worse
I don’t know about you, but the idea of being quarantined for a few days sounded like a great idea with all the books and movies I have on my list. Now that I am stir crazy and want to get out of the house that is highly inadvisable, so I decided to put together… Continue reading
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My Biggest Little Obsession
Have you seen The Biggest Little Farm? If you have are you completely obsessed with it like I am? And if you haven’t seen it, you must! It is beautiful and full of hope and just gives you the happiest feeling. It has become my go to when I’m having a rough day or when… Continue reading
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Iditarod 2020: This Mush Is True
Since 1973, the Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race, has united mushers, dogs, and spectators for a 938 mile run from Anchorage to Nome, Alaska. This can take anywhere from 8 days to over 15! I’ve heard of the Iditarod, but it wasn’t until my husband started following Blair Braverman on Twitter a few years back… Continue reading
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New Nonfiction Roundup – March 2020
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The Joys of Winter Gardening
There’s nothing like a sunny Seattle day during the long dreary winter, especially for those who like to garden. The minute the sun breaks through that cloud cover, even just for a few minutes, you’ll see gardeners all over the city trying to get things in order. For those willing to brave the colder months,… Continue reading
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February is American Heart Month
Four years ago, at the age of 44, I had a heart attack. I was one of the lucky ones because women who have heart attacks are much less likely to survive. Cardiovascular disease is the No. 1 killer of women, causing 1 in 3 deaths each year. – American Heart Association A new book… Continue reading
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Mandalas, Muffins, and Mimosas
I recently took a mandala rock painting class with a bunch of girl friends last month. I was surprised at how lost we all got into painting our mandalas and how fast the two hours they had scheduled for our group went! The art studio we went to also offered us muffins and mimosas while… Continue reading
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New Nonfiction Roundup – February 2020
The shortest month of the year is filled with page-turning narrative nonfiction, new perspectives on history, revealing memoirs and politics, politics, politics. Happy reading! Peak Picks. Floret Farm’s a Year in Flowers celebrates the beauty of flower arranging from Washington’s family farm of the same name. Poet Cathy Hong Park unpacks the complexities of Asian… Continue reading
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Weird Squirrel Behavior: A Reference Question
From the Ask a Librarian Reference Desk: “The squirrels in my neighborhood are clipping little twigs off of ornamental trees and throwing them on the ground. So many twigs everywhere! Why are they doing this?” Dear Patron, Thank you for contacting The Seattle Public Library for assistance unraveling your squirrel-related mystery! Experts in squirrel behavior,… Continue reading
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Craftfulness
I recently found my crafting tote filled with two in-progress blankets, yarn, and crochet hooks. I’ve been spending my nights crocheting as a way to decompress and I’m enjoying how it has become a part of my settling in for the night. Slowing my busy mind and body to focus on the pattern I’m creating… Continue reading
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Unexpected Embroidery Content
There are times as a reader when you pick up a book and you think you know exactly what you’re getting: this is an historical romance; this is a novel about a family. And you’re right, but you also discover that it is deeply about something else. That was my experience with the two novels… Continue reading
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Upon Losing A Pet
Losing a pet is always hard. I recently lost my 20 year old cat, Stella. She was older then both of my children. Stella and my daughter had an unbreakable bond. My daughter’s first word at 8 months was “itty” as the cat would head bump against her. My daughter at times tried to say… Continue reading
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For the Love of Winter
Winter has always been the time for me to slow down, to cuddle up, to pause and recharge, especially after the holidays. But that slowing down doesn’t stop me from enjoying the season. Winterlust: Finding Beauty in the Fiercest Season by Bernd Brunner. In winter I’m not hiding out until the sun comes back–if anything… Continue reading
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Gift Books for Teens (You Only Kinda Know)
Gift books are a “thing”. They can be books that look awesome, box sets to keep readers satisfied, cutting edge content to sharpen their minds, – or some can be pretty, with unique covers or fancy bindings. Not saying that books should be all about looks, but when giving it as a gift this can… Continue reading
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New Year, Do Nothing
The refrain “new year, new you” is a popular one around the first of the year, exhorting you to fix bad habits, set new resolutions, and generally get your life in order. Maybe it’s time for a change; maybe it’s time to read some books that help you focus on the joy and purpose of… Continue reading