Everyone expects to find the latest best sellers at the Library, but anyone might be surprised by some of the new books to be found here. Even after 25 years as a librarian, I often find myself thinking, “How did someone decide to write about that?” Of course, I usually cannot wait to skim these “odd” books. If you share my keen (and wide-ranging) curiosity, you may want to take a look at a few books recently added to the Library collection.
Jetpack Dreams: One Man’s Up and Down (But Mostly Down) Search for the Invention that Never Was by Mac Montandon. Remember Buck Rogers? James Bond? The Jetsons? Apparently, there is a jet pack subculture. Humorous pop-cultural history from this Brooklyn author.
13 Things that Don’t Make Sense: the Most Baffling Scientific Mysteries of our Time by Michael Brooks. All about phenomena that challenge accepted scientific theory. Homeopathy works. Ninety-six per cent of the universe is unobservable. Intelligent signals from space cannot be explained. And placebos, which may or may not exist, nevertheless work! You get the idea. Lots of questions; not so many answers from this PhD in quantum physics.
Lilacs: a Gardener’s Encyclopedia by John L. Fiala. A love affair with the fragrant flower from the founder of the International Lilac Society. Feast your eyes!
Batman and His Philosophy: the Dark Knight of the Soul by Mark D. White The revered super hero is unmasked by the use of ethical questions about personal identity, responsibility, free will, social obligation and political commitment to name a few. Seventy years of superhero worship are subjected to the insights of well-known philosophers to arrive at some entertaining answers.
Broadway Tails: Heartfelt Stories of Rescued Dogs who Became Showbiz Superstars by William Berloni. Thirty years on Broadway with canine co-stars you will recognize: the original Sandy – in Annie for seven years and Pi- the first dog to dance with the New York City Ballet are two “rags-to riches” clients of animal trainer Berloni.
Fat: an Appreciation of a Misunderstood Ingredient, with Recipes by Jennifer McLagan
Duck fat. Caul fat. Leaf lard. Bacon. Ghee. Suet. Schmaltz. Cracklings. Still with me here? McLagan’s 25 years in the food world lend authority to this mixture of science, cultural exploration and culinary imagination.
The Ancient World at War: a Global History edited by Philip De Souza. Military history that surveys the evolution of armies, tactics and equipment as well as strategies throughout the ancient world. Key battles are covered and 351 color illustrations include maps and 3-D battle reconstructions.
