Nonfiction
Boom town : the fantastical saga of Oklahoma city, its chaotic founding... its purloined basketball team, and the dream of becoming a world-class metropolis
Sam Anderson
eBOOK
Nonfiction, Sports
"A lively and introspective look into Oklahoma City, where colorful city officials business leaders, artists, and sports fans have turned an unassuming Southwestern city into a thriving metropolis with a dazzling basketball team"--
Moneyball
Michael Lewis
eBOOK
Nonfiction, Sports
Moneyball is a quest for the secret of success in baseball. In a narrative full of fabulous characters and brilliant excursions into the unexpected, Michael Lewis follows the low-budget Oakland A's, visionary general manager Billy Beane, and the strange brotherhood of amateur baseball theorists. They are all in search of new baseball knowledge—insights that will give the little guy who is willing to discard old wisdom the edge over big money.
Michael Lewis' Moneyball popularized using analytics to build a better baseball team. -Melody
Endure : mind, body, and the curiously elastic limits of human performance
Alex Hutchinson
eBOOK
Nonfiction, Sports
"From the National Magazine Award-winning Runner's World columnist, frequent NewYorker.com contributor, and Cambridge-trained physicist: a fascinating and definitive exploration of the science of endurance and peak performance"--
Alex Hutchinson is an expert on science and athletic performance. -Melody
Vegan with a vengeance : over 150 delicious, cheap, animal-free recipes that rock
Isa Chandra Moskowitz
eBOOK
Nonfiction, Cookbooks
One thing I dream about in my imagined post-quarantine life is visiting Isa Chandra Moskowitz's restaurant Modern Love in Omaha, Nebraska. I am a big fan of her cookbooks. I've never met a recipe of hers that I didn't like. We have more of her cookbooks in print at ICPL, but I'll take this e-book while I wait to be able to hold her books with my own, garlic-scented fingers. -Melody
Big magic : creative living beyond fear
Elizabeth Gilbert
eAUDIO
Nonfiction, Self Help
"Coming September 22nd From the worldwide bestselling author of Eat Pray Love: the path to the vibrant, fulfilling life you've dreamed of. Readers of all ages and walks of life have drawn inspiration and empowerment from Elizabeth Gilbert's books for years. Now this beloved author digs deep into her own generative process to share her wisdom and unique perspective about creativity. With profound empathy and radiant generosity, she offers potent insights into the mysterious nature of inspiration. She asks us to embrace our curiosity and let go of needless suffering. She shows us how to tackle what we most love, and how to face down what we most fear. She discusses the attitudes, approaches, and habits we need in order to live our most creative lives. Balancing between soulful spirituality and cheerful pragmatism, Gilbert encourages us to uncover the "strange jewels" that are hidden within each of us. Whether we are looking to write a book, make art, find new ways to address challenges in our work, embark on a dream long deferred, or simply infuse our everyday lives with more mindfulness and passion, Big Magic cracks open a world of wonder and joy"--
If you're feeling in a rut, this book might offer the push you need. It's not preachy and it's full of good stories about the creative process. It was good on eAudio - read by the author. -Heidi K
The book of joy : lasting happiness in a changing world
Dalai Lama XIV Bstan-ʼdzin-rgya-mtsho
294.3444 /Dalai Lama
Nonfiction, Self Help, Biographies, Religion
Two leading spiritual masters share their wisdom about living with joy even in the face of adversity, sharing personal stories and teachings about the science of profound happiness and the daily practices that anchor their emotional and spiritual lives.
When Archbishop Desmond Tutu and His Holiness the Dalai Lama get together to talk about their lives, philosophies, and teachings, the result is a guidebook on how to transform joy from a fleeting emotion to a way of life. My favorite thing about this book are the funny bits of dialogue between the two men who prove that above all, they are merely human. The stories from their lives are great, and the themes discussed seem so relevant to the precarious times we have found ourselves in. -Heidi K
Yes please
Amy Poehler
eAUDIO
Nonfiction, Memoir, Humor
The actress best known for her work on "Parks and Recreation" and "Saturday Night Live" reveals personal stories and offers her humorous take on such topics as love, friendship, parenthood, and her relationship with Tina Fey.
I need a little humor these days! Amy Poehler is such a talented writer and comic actor. When Tina Fey's Bossypants isn't available, I reach for Amy's Yes Please next. -Melody
Near the exit : travels with the not-so-grim reaper
Lori Erickson
eAUDIO
Nonfiction
Near the exit examines how different cultures confront and have confronted death.
I had put “Near the Exit” on hold awhile back when I missed the chance to see Lori Erickson speak at the Iowa Book Festival last year. I finally got my hands on it and it was worth the wait! In this book, Erickson uses in-depth research, spiritual travels, interviews, and personal experience to examine how various cultures view death. I appreciated her curiosity and open-mindedness, and thoroughly enjoyed the insight and the unexpected humor in this read. -Becky
Growing the midwest garden : Regional Ornamental Gardening
Edward Lyon
eBOOK
Nonfiction, Gardening
Plant selection and garden style are deeply influenced by where we are gardening. To successfully grow a range of beautiful ornamental plants, every gardener has to know the specifics of the region's climate, soil, and geography. Growing the Midwest Garden, by Edward Lyon, the director of Wisconsin's Allen Centennial Gardens, offers an enthusiastic and comprehensive approach to ornamental gardening in the heartland. This guide features in-depth chapters on climate, soil, pests, and maintenance, along with plant profiles of the best perennials, annuals, trees, shrubs, and bulbs.
I've got sunshine in my pocket and green grass on my mind. April has been quite a cruel month (thanks, T.S. Eliot!). But there are brighter days ahead. I plan on practicing social distancing by getting dirty in my own yard. Spade? Check. Desire? Check. Plan? Well, let's see... That's what this book is for! Join me in dreaming of greener pastures and brighter flowers. -Melody
Do your om thing : bending yoga tradition to fit your modern life
Rebecca Pacheco
eBOOK
Nonfiction, Sports, Health
I haven’t read this book, but I like the idea of adapting yoga to fit my lifestyle. I’ve been doing yoga to exercise and deal with stress lately, and I want to learn more about it. This book seems like the perfect mix of learning about tradition and learning how to update it. -Hanna
Added by Melody