Southwest
Neighborhood Library

Conquer Your Reading Challenge

Books under 200 pages

If you’re someone who likes to take on the annual Goodreads Reading Challenge but didn’t have as much time as you’d anticipated to read this year, you might be a bit nervous about reaching your goal before the clock strikes midnight at the end of the month. Fear not! It’s time to frontload short books to your to-be-read list and conquer your reading challenge.

Leave Me Alone!

Books about Solitude

After all the cookouts, parties, and other social events of the summer, it can be tempting to bunker down in the fall and spend some time alone. While we can’t all just drop our lives and make our merry way into the remote woods, we can escape through the power of books. Fortunately, there are plenty of books on solitude and the hermit life out there. This list will get you started.

Peace, Love, and Rock 'n' Roll

Celebrating Woodstock 50 years later

August 15, 2019 marks 50 years since the first Woodstock in Bethel, N.Y. Revisit inimitable acts such as The Who, Jimi Hendrix and The Grateful Dead to celebrate the enormous cultural impact the “three days of peace and music” had on America and the world. From nonfiction tell-alls from those who had a hand in organizing the festival to young adult novels written from today’s perspective, there’s something groovy for everyone here.

The Bullet Journal Method by Ryder Carroll

7 Books to Up Your Bullet Journal Game

Over the last several years, you may have heard about the concept of “bullet journals.” Developed by Ryder Carroll, these books, which are sort of hybrids of a traditional journal and a planner, are one of the best modern ways of organizing your life and thoughts.

Beyond To All the Boys I've Loved Before

Asian American Young Adult Novels

Readers may have been noticing something of a Korean American young adult fiction boom the last year or so, and they’re not imagining it.

Five Women Artists

"Can you name five women artists?" That question recently appeared on posters throughout the city in a campaign sponsored by the National Museum of Women In the Arts. [For the record, I could name ten offhand; after that, my knowledge of women artists is decidedly spotty.] Art historians and anthropologists agree that for as long as art has existed, it's been created by women (although often credited to men). It's past time to shine the spotlight on these remarkable painters and sculptors.

Jewish Food for Everyone

A worldwide culinary journey

From bagels to tzimmis, American cooking has been undeniably influenced by Jewish culture. And the reason why is readily apparent -- just glance through one of these amazing volumes, and you'll find a wide variety of flavors and textures. From sweet to savory, Jewish cooking is undeniably diverse and delicious!

A Brief History of Everyone Who Ever Lived by Adam Rutherford

The Stories of Our Lives

Human evolution from prehistory onward

Where do we come from? Who are we? Where are we going? These questions were famously posed by painter Paul Gauguin. And we're still asking them today. With recent advances in the fields of genetics, anthropology, and evolutionary biology, some answers are emerging. Sometimes disturbing, always fascinating, the story of our human origins has been a popular topic writers have been exploring for many years. Here are several titles that address the many questions about our human journey.

Gregg G.

#OwnVoices in Indigenous Picture Books

While there’s a wealth of picture books depicting the Native American experience, many of them are by white authors. The importance of #OwnVoices works, particularly when it comes to pieces for children who may not yet have the skills to determine what is an accurate portrayal of Native life and culture, is clear.

The Wright Stuff

Orville and Wilbur Wright and the quest for human flight

From the earliest days of recorded history, we humans have longed to fly. Although the only known flying mammals are bats, Orville and Wilbur Wright, and other twentieth century inventors, built aircraft that enabled our species to soar through the skies. These titles tell the story of their achievements and the many failures they experienced along the way.

Southwest Neighborhood Library