This collection of short stories features weird and wonderful characters and surreal events that draw the reader into the story world. Many reviewers describe these stories as “fairy tales,” but while some are whimsical, they’re also dark and melancholy, like the best fairy tales for adults.
Suddenly, a Knock on the Doorby Etgar Keret
The stories in this collection by the Israeli short story writer Etgar Keret, combine absurd, humorous, and poignant themes that reveal the fierce humanity of characters in surreal situations.
Interpreter of Maladies by Jhumpa Lahiri
In nine stories imbued with the sensual details of Indian culture, Lahiri charts the emotional journeys of characters seeking love beyond the barriers of nations and generations. This short fiction collection blends elements of Indian traditions with the complexities of American culture.
A Manual for Cleaning Women: Selected Stories by Lucia Berlin
Taking place in the American Southwest, these stories showcase Lucia Berlin’s trademark blend of humor and melancholy. They find miracles in everyday life and uncover moments of grace in cafeterias, laundromats, homes of the upper class and hotel dining rooms.
before you suffocate your own fool self by Danielle Evans
Fearless, funny, and ultimately tender, Danielle Evans’s stories offer a bold new perspective on the experience of being young and African-American or mixed-race in modern-day America.
Vampires in the Lemon Grove by Karen Russell
This short story collection by Karen Russell story blends whimsy and horror in equal measure. Her dry humor and keen eye for relatable emotional experiences will lure readers deeply into these surreal vignettes.
If you like to try new recipes using cookbooks, you are probably drawn to cookbooks with appealing photos of the finished creations. Nothing gets us more excited about trying to make a new dish than seeing a mouth-watering photo in a cookbook. Here are our suggestions for a few new cookbooks to check out!
Although not every single recipe is accompanied by a photo, the majority do have a picture of the finished dish. Additionally, what we love about this cookbook is the variety of cuisines found in this cookbook, from gouda-stuffed burgers to curry-lime pork kabobs to scorched red snapper with Bahamian hot sauce.
With full color photos of each recipe on every page, this cookbook is bound to make your stomach rumble. And, one of the best features of this cookbook is that each recipe is no more than 5-7 ingredients with either pantry staples or easy to find grocery items.
Whether you are looking for an easy enhancement to cookies from a mix or a fresh from scratch recipe, this book is for you. Chocolate lovers can choose from recipes such as Chocolate-Banana Bread Cookies and Chocolate Crinkles or adorable Chocolate Reindeer Cookies that are a snap to decorate. For those looking for something a little different, you can try the Maple-Walnut Shortbread Cookies or Whoopie Pies. There are even brownie recipes in here and for those of us in a hurry, there are several delicious looking bar cookie recipes.
Though not every single recipe in this book is accompanied by a photo, the majority do have a mouth-watering photo showing the finished dish. Although the ingredients are simple and easy to find, this cookbook is full of unusual dishes not found in just any run-of-the-mill cookbook. From Fideos with Lamb Sausage, Chickpeas and Mint to California-Style Fattoush and even desserts such as DIY Chocolate Truffles with just 3 simple ingredients. Plus, with handy tips for cooking basics and easy to follow instructions, even novice cooks will enjoy trying out the new recipes here.
For anyone looking for alternatives to 50 ways to prepare tofu, this is the book for you! Focusing more on veggie heavy recipes such as Eggplant Parmesan Stacks or Vegetable-Barley Potpies and less on vegetarian staples with soy-based protein (although there are a few tofu-based recipes in here as well), this book is a great way to change things up for the vegetarian cook tired of the same old thing.
Crochet for the Absolute Beginner by Pauline Turner
How to Fix Anything: Essential Home Repairs Anyone Can Do(or 200 Home Repair Solutions that Anyone Can Do) from Popular Mechanics Press
Simple Beginnings: Beading: A Step-by-Step Guide for Creating Your Own Custom Jewelry by Suzann Sladcik Wilson
Be CentsAble: How to Cut Your Household Budget in Half by Chrissy Pate and Kristin McKee
Jemma Kidd Make-up Secrets: Solutions to Every Woman’s Beauty Issues and Make-up Dilemmas by Jemma Kidd and Zia Mattocks
Want to learn a new language? Check out Mango Languages!!! Register for this free resource using your library card and then use it from any computer or mobile device. Visit the Web Resources page on the Research section of our website. Need more help? Just ask at any desk.
Super Bowl LIII will be played on Sunday, February 3rd in Atlanta, Georgia. Whether you’re attending a Super Bowl party or just watching at home, wow your friends and family with the info you will get from these books here at MPPL!
When it Was Just a Game: Remembering the First Super Bowl by Harvey Frommer; foreword by Frank Gifford
50 Super Bowls: The Greatest Moments of the Biggest Game in Sports by Allan Maki & Dave Naylor
Super Bowl Gold: 50 Years of the Big Game foreword by Peter King
50 Years, 50 Moments: The Most Unforgettable Plays in Super Bowl History by Jerry Rice and Randy O. Williams
Beyond Broadway Joe: The Super Bowl Team that Changed Football by Bob Lederer
And, for those of you who are new to the game, grab a copy of Football for Dummies by Howie Long with John Czarnecki so that you can learn the lingo, from a pick six to icing the kicker and just who (and what) a safety is.
Whether you are looking for books to help make your holiday special or just hoping to curl up with a good holiday themed book, here are some titles to get you started.
Holiday Crafts by Gini Holland
Martha Stewart’s Handmade Holiday Crafts: 225 Inspired Projects for Year Round Celebrations
Creating Winter Crafts by Dana Meachen Rau
Winter Nights by Francis Ray, Shirley Hailstock, and Donna Hill
Burning Bright: Four Chanukah Love Stories by Megan Hart, Jennifer Gracen, Stacey Agdern, and KK Hendin
Hark! The Herald Angels Scream: An Anthology edited by Christopher Golden
