New item Tuesday

Something new is sprouting up! Stop by the Reference Desk to see the new Carnegie Sprout Seed Lending Library & don't miss the Seed Swap from 4-5:30 p.m. on Wednesday! #TuesdayNewDay #librariesofinstagram #dubuque #seedstarting #gardening

A post shared by Carnegie-Stout Public Library (@carnegiestout) on Feb 28, 2017 at 10:33am PST

Nine Books for Plant Lovers with Black Thumbs

It's the time of year that even the blackest of thumbs start thinking about gardening. We here at Carnegie-Stout are getting in the gardening spirit too with a Tin Can Planter workshop on Saturday, May 28. Attendees will decorate a recycled tin can into an attractive planter. Registration is required for this program. You can register online on our Program Calendar, or you can call the Reference Desk at 563-589-4225.

To help you brainstorm what you might grow in your tin can planter, we've put together a container gardening reading list in our catalog.

And for anyone who thinks they might prefer to put cut flowers or even artificial flowers in their tin can planter, or who would rather read about gardeners than garden themselves, we've put together a reading list of Nine Books for Plant Lovers with Black Thumbs:

The flower chef: a modern guide to do-it-yourself floral arrangements by Carly Cylinder
A modern, comprehensive guide to floral design that caters to all readers--from beginners who have never worked with flowers before and are looking for a new creative outlet, to decorators, party planners and photographers looking to liven up their spaces.

My first ladies: twenty-five years as the White House chief floral designer by Nancy Clarke
For six administrations, Clarke designed the flowers and decorations for state dinners and planned the floral arrangements for the first family's private living quarters and weddings. She describes the inside story of her remarkable life at the White House, working with each first lady to help her find her own personal style for state dinners and holiday festivities.

The flower workshop: lessons in arranging blooms, branches, fruits, and foraged materials by Ariella Chezar
A master floral designer who has appeared in numerous magazines and is known for her hands-on flower workshops at FlowerSchool New York presents this lavishly illustrated guide to creating a vast array of floral projects, for all skill levels, that will enhance any surrounding with abundant beauty.

Japanese fabric flowers: 65 decorative kanzashi flowers to make by Sylvie Blondeau
Sylvie Blondeau shows you how to make 65 of these simply stunning designs. The projects are so easy and fun to make that you will soon be making them for every occasion.

Origami ikebana: create lifelike floral sculptures from paper by Benjamin John Coleman

The Japanese art of flower arranging is an age-old practice that honors nature and creates beauty through harmony and balance. This brand new book, Origami Ikebana, shows you how to create unique ikebana-inspired paper flower arrangements any time of the year.

Bloom and Doom by Beverly Allen
As the co-owner of the Rose in Bloom, Audrey Bloom creates magnificent flower arrangements for brides to be. Though helping to plan a wedding can be stressful, it's nothing compared to the groom turning up dead.

The Language of Flowers by Vanessa Diffenbaugh
A mesmerizing, moving, and elegantly written debut novel, The Language of Flowers beautifully weaves past and present, creating a vivid portrait of an unforgettable woman whose gift for flowers helps her change the lives of others even as she struggles to overcome her own troubled past.

Thyme of Death by Susan Wittig Albert
Eager to open up an herb shop and get closer to the earth, China Bayles leaves behind her career in corporate law and moves to Pecan Springs, Texas, but a close friend's tragic death could end her happy plans.

Backyard by Norman Draper
When a local nursery introduces a gardening contest, the gardeners of Livia jump into the competition with a vengeance, including a middle-aged couple who risk their retirement savings, a garden witch, and a self-styled gardening expert.

One of the Best Books I Read in 2015: The Dirty Life by Kristin Kimball

Kristin Kimball and her now-husband Mark are the founders of Essex Farm in upstate New York. The CSA (community-supported agriculture) shares they sell to their members provide a diet for an entire year - meats, eggs, vegetables, grains, syrup and beans. They raise all of this on their 500 acres of land. The Dirty Life is the story of how Kristin and Mark met, fell in love, and made this incredible farm come into being with very little funding, even less experience, and enough enthusiasm and dedication to make up for it.

Kimball's narration of the first years of the farm and her relationship with Mark is mesmerizing. Within months, she goes from living in the East Village, to a home without electricity or toilets, to leading a team of draft horses, and everything in between. Her style is witty and descriptive, and I often had trouble putting the book down. I was captured on the first page by a mouthwatering depiction of a home-grown, home-cooked meal. There is plenty of adventure and suspense as well: although Kimball states from the beginning that she is now married to Mark, reading about the many months that planning their wedding took the back burner to farm chores was nerve-wracking. I understood how they became so distracted, though, with farm life. Kimball and her fiance barely had time to sleep between caring for the animals, staying ahead of the weather, and acquiring complicated equipment to manage their land.

Every chapter offers a new anecdote: juicy gossip among small-town neighbors, a frigid day at an Amish auction, visits from skeptical mainstream friends, and various misadventures with animals, including Kimball being charged by a bull, are just a few of my favorites. Within pages, Kimball swings from heartwarming to hilarious to heartbreaking and back again, luring you to read on and continue the cycle. Whether you're a foodie, a farmer, a vegetarian city-dweller (as Kimball was before she met Mark), or just someone who finds yourself captivated by a sunset or a birdsong, Kimball's story will keep you cozy and entertained on a long, cold winter evening.

~Rachel, Circulation

Staff Review: Homespun Mom Comes Unraveled by Shannon Hayes

If you're looking for a quick, uplifting read with a little more substance than your usual summer flicks, I have a recommendation for you! Homespun Mom Comes Unraveled is a heartwarming and thought-provoking collection of essays from self-proclaimed radical homemaker Shannon Hayes. I was particularly enthused to read this new publication of hers after finishing Radical Homemakers, Hayes' thesis in which she explores the lives of communities and individuals living and thriving on extremely low incomes. Hayes and her family follow this lifestyle as well: they grow and produce as much of their own food as they can, they give homemade gifts, use home remedies for most of their healthcare, and play their own music for entertainment.

Hayes shies away from nothing in Homespun Mom, covering topics ranging from neighborhood drama, to trying to make a living at farmers market every Saturday, to sex education for her home-schooled daughters. While these subjects may seem mundane or irrelevant in our fast-paced world, Hayes' humor and poignancy leave readers with no doubt that the struggles she faces every day are ones we can all relate to. Her family's dedication to living simply is a breath of fresh air in our culture so overwhelmed with flashy technologies that seem to change every time we blink.

Their lives are not, however, boring in the least. The stories Hayes tells are of a raucous, joyful, and complex young family who work hard to juggle the projects they've taken on, and whose lives are filled with love, meaning and adventure. Their everyday routines may indeed be radical to many readers, but Hayes has me convinced that a home made in this way is the most vibrant and fulfilling home possible.

~Rachel, Circulation

Science Friday: Underwater Greenhouses

Off the coast of Italy, a company has created underwater greenhouses, using the sea to grow plants like basil and strawberries. Read more about it here, see the livestream of the garden here, and check out some books that can help you think of creative ways to live in an environmentally-friendly way.

Aquaponic Gardening: A Step-by-Step Guide to Raising Vegetables and Fish Together by Sylvia Bernstein

The Conscious Kitchen: The New Way to Buy and Cook Food-- to Protect the Earth, Improve Your Health, and Eat Deliciously by Alexandra Zissu

The Locavore's Handbook: The Busy Person's Guide to Eating Local on a Budget by Leda Meredith

Made by Hand: Searching for Meaning in a Throwaway World by Mark Frauenfelder

Made from Scratch: Discovering the Pleasures of a Handmade Life by Jenna Woginrich

The Plundered Planet: Why We Must, and How We Can, Manage Nature for Global Prosperity by Paul Collier

Shift Your Habit: Easy Ways to Save Your Money, Simplify Your Life, and Save the Planet by Elizabeth Rogers and Colleen Howell

Urban Homesteading: Heirloom Skills for Sustainable Living by Rachel Kaplan and Ruby K. Blume

August Magazines of the Month: Vegetarian Journal & Allrecipes

August is likely peak harvest time for those of us with home gardens, or for those of us exploring the abundance of the Farmer's Market. If you're looking for new and tasty ways to use your tomatoes and zucchini, check out our magazines of the month, and the cooking display on the second floor of the library. And make sure to register for Food Preservation 101 with Cindy Baumgartner from ISU Extension on Thursday, August 14th at 6:30 p.m. Call (589-4225) or stop by the Reference Desk for more information or to register.

The Vegetarian Journal is a publication of the Vegetarian Resource Group, a non-profit group dedicated to the cause and promotion of vegetarianism. Their magazine and website provide information on nutrition, locating vegetarian and vegan foods, recipes, and more. You can check out their website here: www.vrg.org

Allrecipes magazine is published by Meredith, a media conglomerate based in Des Moines, and their first issue saw print in August of 2013. Allrecipes began life as Allrecipes.com, a site devoted to all things culinary that allows you to create a profile and join their social network. Because the recipes are posted to the site, voted on, reviewed and refined by the members of the site, readers are presented with recipes for a variety of appetites.

Garden Gate and Organic Gardening: March Magazines of the Month

Spring is finally on its way, and with the official change of season on March 20th, it's time to start planning your garden. Whether you're looking at grand landscaping or just trying to grow some potted flowers, Carnegie-Stout has the materials to help you get started.

We're highlighting two of our many gardening magazines this month:

Garden Gate began publication in 1995, and has remained a popular source for gardening advice, tips, and information. The magazine's publisher, August Home, is based in Des Moines, Iowa, and the magazine is notable for the lack of advertisements. You can check out an issue from the library, or take a look at the extra features available on their website: www.gardengatemagazine.com 

 Organic Gardening began publication in 1942, and is today part of the Rodale, which publishes several health and wellness magazines. The magazine's decades of focus on the environment provide a wealth of expertise for today's interest in sustainability and the green movement. Organic Gardening is available in both print and digital collections. To check out a digital issue of this or many other magazines through your computer or tablet, check out Zinio. Additional features and content are available through their website: www.organicgardening.com

Previous magazines of the month with a gardening theme have included: Urban Farm and Fine Gardening. Or if you find that you much prefer reading about gardening to actually getting your hands dirty, check out this list of gardening themed mysteries.

Fine Gardening is April's Magazine of the Month

It's been a long, cold winter, but we're finally seeing signs of spring, at least in the gardening section of local stores! It's time to start plotting your garden, and making sure your tools are in working order.

To get you in the spirit, we've selected Fine Gardening as our April magazine of the month!

Fine Gardening provides tips and information for yard care, landscaping, and ornamental plants. The magazine has been in publication since 1988, and you can browse through additional information on their webpage: finegardening.com

Be sure to check out last year's Gardening Spotlight blog post, or stop in to browse the shelves for new titles available here at Carnegie-Stout. Whether you kill houseplants or grow all your own food, we've got a gardening book for you!

Or if you'd rather read about someone else doing the gardening (and solving a murder to boot!) check out our list of Cozy Gardening Mysteries.

Look Alikes: Silhouettes

Sometimes books have surprisingly similar titles, and sometimes they have rather similar cover designs. Today we've gathered nine recent books that feature a silhouetted face on the cover. Cover design often give readers a hint about the sort of story can be found within their pages. The books gathered here tend to be character-driven, serious in tone, and have a setting that is historical, international, or both.

The Story of Beautiful Girl by Rachel Simon
Novelist and memoirist Rachel Simon's 2011 novel tells the moving story of love, family, and discrimination. In 1968, Lynnie, a white woman, and Homan, a black man, meet and fall in love as residents at the Pennsylvania School for the Incurable and Feebleminded. When Lynnie becomes pregnant, they escape and while on the run she gives birth to a daughter. The officials catch up with the young family hiding in rural home with a retired teacher, and the family is divided.

Little Bee by Chris Cleave
Cleave's moving second novel is the story about two very different women, who alternate narrating the cataclysmic intersection of their lives. Little Bee is a Nigerian refugee who came to England in a cargo ship with Andrew O’Rourke’s business card. Sarah is Andrew's widow. Cleave pays great attention to the voices of his characters in his moving novel. The story is often dark, but you’ll also find humor and hope.

A Teaspoon of Earth and Sea by Dina Nayeri
Iranian American author Dina Nayeri's most recent novel, A Teaspoon of Earth and Sea, is a lyrical and character-driven coming-of-age story set in a seaside village in 1980s Iran. When she is eleven, Saba's twin sister and mother disappear, and Saba spends years imagining the life they must be living in distant America, an escape from the bleak reality of Saba's life in Iran.

The Healing by Jonathan Odell
Mississippi native Jonathan Odell is the author of two richly detailed and character-driven novels about his home state's troubled past. The Healing is an atmospheric story of the complex relationships between a plantation owner and his slaves, as told by Granada midwife, former slave, and inhabitant of the former plantation in 1930s.

Clara and Mr. Tiffany by Susan Vreeland
Ms. Vreeland is the author of several lyrical novels that illustrate the worlds and minds of artists and their art. Her titles are well-researched, leisurely paced, and character-driven. Clara Driscoll, of Clara and Mr. Tiffany, was an employee of Louis Comfort Tiffany, and the creative mind behind the iconic Tiffany lamp. This lushly visual novel explores the life of the little known artist and the dynamic period at the turn of the century.

The White Garden: a novel of Virginia Woolf by Stephanie Barron
Ms. Barron is the author of intricately plotted historical fiction and mysteries, including the Jane Austen Mystery series. The White Garden is a fast-paced and suspenseful tale of gardening, suicide, and the literary world of Virginia Woolf. Jo Bellamy came to England from America to study the gardens of Vita Sackville-West, and her grandfather who worked in the gardens prior to his tragic end.

Bride of New France by Suzanne Desrochers
Canadian novels Suzanne Desrochers applies her research into Canada's history in her first novel, Bride of New France. A richly detailed tale that doesn't shy away from the grim realities of life in 17th century Canada, the story follows Laure Beausejour on her journey from Paris to the wilderness.

In Darkness by Nick Lake
Winner of the 2013 Michael L Printz Award for excellence in young adult literature, In Darkness is a gritty and character-driven novel of life after the 2010 Haitian earthquake. The story is told from the perspective of Shorty, a 15-year-old gang member trapped in the rubble. Author Nick Lake weaves the story of Haiti's fight for independence in 1804 with Shorty's life in the slums.

The House Girl by Tara Conklin
Tara Conklin's debut novel, The House Girl, is a thought-provoking look at slavery's lasting impact in the United States. This compelling and lyrical tale is split between 1852 Virginia and modern New York City. Lina Sparrow is a lawyer working to build a class-action suit to gain reparations for the descendants of slaves. Josephine Bell is a 17-year-old house slave who cares for Lu Ann Bell, an artist. A moving story of redemption, justice, love, and family.



Please stop by the Recommendations Desk on the first floor, check out NoveList Plus on the library's website, or visit W. 11th & Bluff next week for more reading suggestions. Or submit a Personal Recommendations request, and we'll create a reading list just for you!

Poorcraft by C. Spike Trotman & Diana Nock

Around the age of seven, I decided that books with pictures were for little kids who couldn't read real books yet, or boys who liked robot trucks and superheroes so much that cartoons weren't enough. The only exceptions to this rule were Garfield, The Far Side, and Calvin and Hobbes.

Luckily, by the time I got to college, dorm rooms came equipped with internet and in between working on papers I discovered webcomics. Almost always free, often created by newer, less established, or more experimental artists and writers, these were my one-page-at-a-time introduction to the world of graphic novels.

I'm still an avid reader of webcomics, which is how I came to hear of Poorcraft: funnybook fundamentals of living well on less (640 TRO). The writer, Spike Trotman, is responsible for one of my favorites, Templar, AZ (sometimes NSFW), and I've been waiting to read this graphic novel guide to living within your means since she raised the possibility.

In fact, I wish I'd had this book before I finished college, and entered the world of entry level positions, job hunting in a lukewarm economy, and graduate school. Poorcraft has everything from tips on how to make your own cleaning supplies to how to navigate the complexity of the health care system. Some of the advice my parents gave me (always keep a budget, don't buy things on credit), and some I've learned through experience (how to find a good apartment), but many elements were new for me (how to care for an iron skillet).

The art is done by Diana Nock who, among other projects, does the webcomic The Intrepid Girlbot (family friendly). The style she uses for Poorcraft reminds me of cartoons from the 1930s, very expressive and loose limbed. A callback to the Great Depression makes sense for the topic! I love the humor of the visual style (there are some very amusing background elements), and how the book is organized around Millie's navigation of the concepts of frugality with Penny's help. By having the humor and a narrative, it turns Poorcraft from a list of Dos and Don'ts into a story you'll want to read cover to cover!

I highly recommend this title for anyone looking to save a little money in their budget, whether you're just starting out, or you've been navigating adulthood for years. Poorcraft will give you a good starting point!

You can see more of Spike's work on her website: www.ironcircus.com
And more of Diana Nock's work on her website: www.jinxville.com
Both sites may include material that is NSFW.

~Sarah, Adult Services

Urban Farm is June's Magazine of the Month

Urban Farm is a new addition to Carnegie-Stout's magazine collection! Created in a response to the growing popularity of sustainability, green living, and people who keep chickens in city limits, we added Urban Farm after we received a patron request.

This magazine comes from the same publishers of Hobby Farms and Hobby Farm Home (http://www.hobbyfarms.com), but is designed for those of us who have far less than even a single acre at our disposal. Come in and check out the latest issue, or take a tour of the tips and tricks on their website: www.urbanfarmonline.com

You might also enjoy checking out our Spotlight on Gardening post, which includes more reading suggestions for the hobby farmer enthusiast!

Spotlight on Gardening

Our unseasonably warm spring has brought out the blooms and the plans for this year's garden. Whether you've a green thumb or black (or aren't sure what color your thumb may be!), Carnegie-Stout has a gardening book for you!

Be sure to check out last year's gardening post, found here:
carnegiestout.blogspot.com/2011/05/gardening-season.html

Iowa State University's Iowa Extension also has some great information for gardening in Iowa.

And don't forget our post on gardening themed cozy mysteries: carnegiestout.blogspot.com/2011/11/cozy-mysteries-gardening.html

The Hobby Farmer
Farm City by Novella Carpenter
(630.9173 CAR) Ms. Carpenter moved to downtown Oakland with her boyfriend and started a squatter garden in a neighboring vacant lot. Her garden quickly expands to include bees, chickens, turkeys, and pigs. A colorful and personal story about the modern relationship to the food we eat and its production.


Growing at the Speed of Life by Graham Kerr
(635 KER) Mr. Kerr, cookbook author and host of a cooking program, writes about his experience with his own garden, inspired by the sustainability and local food movements. In addition, his book includes tips and recipes.

The Dirty Life by Kristin Kimball
(630.92 KIM) Ms. Kimball, a Manhattan journalist, meets and falls for Mark, a farmer. They move to upstate New York to start their own farm, and experiment in community agriculture. One part hands on exploration of the sustainable movement, one part fish out of water, and one part romances makes for an entertaining read.

If you want to try your own adventure in urban or hobby farming, check out these books:

• Urban Homesteading by Rachel Kaplan (640 KAP)
• Your Farm in the City by Lisa Taylor (630.9173 TAY)
• The Joy of Hobby Farming by Michael Levatino (630.68 LEV)

How to Grow a Garden

• The Edible Front Yard: creating curb appeal with fruits, flowers, vegetables, and herbs by Ivette Soler (635 SOL)

• High-Impact, Low-Carbon Gardening: 1001 ways to garden sustainably by Alice Bowe (635.048 BOW)

• The Midwestern Native Garden: native alternatives to nonnative flowers and plants by Charlotte Adelman (635.951 ADE)

• Perennial Vegetables: from artichoke to zuiki taro, a gardener’s guide to over 100 delicious, easy-to-grow edibles by Eric Toensmeier (635 TOE)

• Slow Gardening: a no-stress philosophy for all senses and seasons by Felder Rushing (635.9 RUS)

• The Ultimate Guide to Growing Your Own Food: save money, live better, and enjoy life with food from your garden or orchard by Monte Burch (635 BUR)

• The Vegetable Gardener’s Container Bible: how to grow a bounty of food in pots, tubs, and other containers by Edward C. Smith (635 SMI)

Gardening Magazines
Horticulture
Better Homes and Gardens
Birds & Blooms
Hobby Farms
Organic Gardening
This Old House
Fine Gardening



Please stop by the Recommendations Desk on the first floor, check out NoveList Plus on the library's website, or visit W. 11th & Bluff next week for more reading suggestions. Or submit a Personal Recommendations request, and we'll create a reading list just for you!

Poinsettia Day

Photo: Poinsettia by maaco

Every year Carnegie-Stout receives a cheerful delivery from Leisure Services: Poinsettias! If you stop by the library this December you'll notice their bright red blooms sharing joy throughout the building.

Today, December 12th, just so happens to be Poinsettia Day, so what better time to share some facts and tips on these seasonal favorites? Well, perhaps December 21st, the date for this year's Poinsettia Bowl, when the TCU Horned Frogs will play football against the Louisianan Tech Bulldogs. Those aren't local teams though, so we'll stick with today.

One of the most common misconceptions is that Poinsettias (Euphorbia Pucherrima) are deadly poisonous. While it is a terrible idea to eat them because their sap can cause irritation of the skin, or vomiting, it's safe to have a poinsettia in a house with pets or small children. You can read more about poinsettia care and their Aztec origins at the University of Illinois Extension's Poinsettia Pages.

If you're concerned about your ability to care for a poinsettia, never fear! Carnegie-Stout has several books with tips on keeping house plants of all types happy and healthy:

The Complete Houseplant Survival Manual (635.9 PLE) Poinsettias on page 98

How to Grow Practically Everything (635 ALL) Poinsettias on page 393

Indoor Plants (635.965 COU) Poinsettias on page 83

And I highly recommend that you name your Poinsettia "Percy," just for luck.

The Resilient Gardener by Carol Deppe

Are you interested in moving toward a more self-reliant and sustainable life? Do you page through Mother Earth News, Hobby Farms, Backyard Poultry and Countryside, tear out articles and dream of the day your garden will feed your family? Have I got a book for you: The Resilient Gardener: Food Production and Self-Reliance in Uncertain Times including the five crops you need to survive
and thrive: potatoes, corn, beans squash, and eggs.

Carol Deppe has a BS in zoology from the University of Florida, a PhD in biology from Harvard and special dietary needs brought about by allergies to wheat, dairy and gluten. Her educational background fits well with her practical gardening experience, and when combined with her ability to write, the result is a comprehensive and useful book. She covers growing, storing and using vegetables and eggs in both good times and also when economic, climate, health issues make times uncertain. Her book is personal and global; she is realistic and optimistic. Climatology, ecology, nutrition, sustainable agriculture, health and medicine are some of the fields in the book.

The book is divided into twelve chapters. The first seven set the stage by discussing basic gardening and sustainability rules, climate change, diet, exercise, water and soil. The final five chapters are devoted to the actual crops--potatoes, squash and pumpkins, beans, corn, and my favorite, "The Laying Flock." Deppe prefers ducks to chickens; her coastal Oregon home is more hospitable to web-footed denizens. Just when you must be thinking how boring this book must be, you can learn how to zap potatoes, make duck egg hash and a perfect pumpkin pie, cook beans "for maximum flavor and minimum toot" and bake skillet cornbread.

The appendices provide citations for further reading and contact information for seed companies, including Iowa's own Seed Savers Exchange in Decorah, one of my spring pilgrimage sites for the past few years. 

This book will not appeal to all readers, but it certainly is in my top ten for 2011. It’s on my gift wish list. I’ll stick it on the shelf between the Michaels: Pollan’s Food Rules and Perry’s Coop: A Year of Poultry, Pigs and Parenting.

--Michelle