Librarian's Favorites

            Here are some of the books that librarian Eileen has reviewed for our Adult Summer Reading Club.

            This is M. Sasek: the Extraordinary Life and Travels of the Beloved Children’s Book Illustrator, is written by Martin Salisbury. It is a fascinating biography of the artist, Miroslav Sasek, who is the creator of the bestselling “This is” series of children’s books. Chock full of illustrations, documents and fan letters from children, this oversize book is a wonderful read for those people who enjoy both beautifully illustrated children’s books and world travel!

            Appetites: a Cookbook, is written by Anthony Bourdain. In true Anthony Bourdain fashion, the author entertains with not only a memoir of his globetrotting travels but also his favorite recipes for entertaining. Full color photos enhance the classic recipes, and his irreverent chatter throughout the book serves as a way in which we are able to get to know him on a more personal level. A true “work of art!”          

            Shaya: An Odyssey of Food, My Journey Back to Israel, is written by Alon Shaya. Part cookbook and part memoir, Alon Shaya has written a book that interlaces the story of his life with the food memories that helped shape it. His recipes are simple-to-follow and the full-color photographs entice the reader to try them.

            Cuba Then: Rare and Classic Images from the Ramiro Fernandez Collection is a dazzling compilation of rare photographs and observations of “old” Cuba, and is one of the largest collections of images outside of Cuba. This will be of interest to people traveling to Cuba and others interested in Cuban-American culture.

Travel Ideas

            In the summertime, or anytime, planning a trip can be almost as much fun as the travel itself. Here are some new books for your enjoyment.

            111 Places in Queens That You Must Not Miss, written by Joe DiStefano, offers the opportunity to sample the many ethnicities of the world in one borough. Whether you are interested in food, the arts, religious edifices, shopping, and more, this concise yet informative guide, accompanied by plenty of color photos, will encourage you to visit our next-door neighbor.

            National Geographic Guide to State Parks of the United States, Fifth Edition offers concise, descriptive reviews of more than 950 parks within the United States, accompanied by full color photos of several of them. Listings are arranged by region of the country and then by state.

            Road Trips: A Guide to Travel, Adventure, and Choosing Your Own Path, is written by Jen CK Jacobs, an editorial photographer who has published work in several books and periodicals. This is a different type of travel book; it describes eight different trips, from solo traveler, to romantic getaway, to those shared by friends and gives tips on packing, snacks, photographing the sights, and more.

            The Solo Travel Handbook: Practical Tips and Inspiration for a Safe, Fun and Fearless Trip, is a Lonely Planet publication designed to answer many of the questions solo travelers have, such as managing your money, meeting people, staying connected, health, safety, and others.

Walking the Americas: 1,800 Miles, Eight Countries, and One Incredible Journey from Mexico to Colombia is written by Levison Wood, a British explorer whose previous books tell of his adventures walking the length of the Nile River and of the Himalayas. Here we follow him and his friend Alberto on a trek that took over four months and 1,800 miles, from Yucatan, Mexico to Colombia..

Enjoy Yourself When You Travel Locally

Even if you can’t afford the time or money to travel to different parts of the country or the world, there are lots of things to do when you go local. Here are some books to help you plan.

Day Trips from New York City: Getaway Ideas for the Local Traveler, written by Shandana A. Durrani, offers itineraries and recommendations for twenty-five trips in all directions from the city. Included are spooky Tarrytown and Sleepy Hollow, Gold Coast treasures of Long Island, Cape May and the wildwoods of New Jersey, coastal Greenwich and New Haven, Connecticut, and much more. Find out where to go, eat, shop, and stay (for overnighters).

Not the Met: Exploring the Smaller Museums of Manhattan, written by Janel Halpern and Harvey Appelbaum, explores the more than seventy-five museums located in all sections of Manhattan. Color photos of the museum buildings and some of their typical exhibits accompany the text detailing the collections and origins of each museum, along with location and transit directions, and hours and admission fees.

New York: a Mod Portrait of the City, written by Zdenek Mahler and illustrated by Vladimir Fuka, is a picture book for adults, originally published in 1964. Charming drawings and collages are accompanied by spirited, humorous text depicting the various sights and activities of Manhattan.

Food Lovers’ Guide to Long Island: the Best Restaurants, Markets and Local Culinary Offerings, is written by Peter M. Gianotti, a restaurant critic for Newsday. He presents descriptions and ratings of what he considers the best of Nassau and Suffolk counties’ restaurants including its foodie faves and landmarks, and specialty stores, markets and shops. Each chapter features a different town. Information on wineries and breweries also is given.

Planning Your Next Getaway

     It’s time to start planning your next vacation – either for real or in your imagination. Here are some titles to help you make your plans.

     Fodor’s 2014 Walt Disney World gives you the latest scoop on Disney World, Universal Orlando, Sea World and Discovery Cove, The Space Coast, International Drive, and more. Descriptions, recommendations, color photos and maps make this the go-to resource for Orlando.

     Ears of Steel: the Real Man’s Guide to Walt Disney World, written by Bart Scott, gives a humorous take on the sights, sounds and tastes that are especially appealing to the adult male Walt Disney World visitor. You’ll find lots of humor here but no color photos or maps.

     Birnbaum Guides 2014 Disneyland Resort offers first-hand recommendations for the California Walt Disney destination. Visit both Disneyland Park and Disney California Adventure, choose the best accommodations and meals for your pocketbook, and find out what other tourist attractions are in the area.

     Around the World in 500 Festivals: the World’s Most Spectacular Celebration, written by Steve Davey, presents the highlights of festivals worldwide. Arranged by continent/country and subject, each festival listing includes a brief description and date of occurrence. Large color photos accompany the text.

     Don’t settle for visiting tourist traps while on vacation. Get some ideas from Where the Locals Go: More than 300 Places around the World to Eat, Play, Shop, Celebrate, and Relax. Join the National Geographic Travel Team as they present tips and insider information, along with attractive color photos.

     Lonely Planet’s 1000 Ultimate Adventures from the World’s Leading Travel Authority offers the reader ideas for adventure vacations from around the world. With such chapter headings as “Mountain Quests”, “Most Excellent Equine Escapades”, “Eye-Catching Atmospheric Extravaganzas” and more, any one of these trips will make for a memorable experience.

 

Eat, Pray, Love: One Woman’s Search for Everything across Italy, India, and Indonesia

Here is author Elizabeth Gilbert’s account of her quest for spiritual, psychological and physical balance after a divorce and other personal problems upset her well-being. Ever the traveler in her work as a freelance writer, Liz plans to visit three countries over the course of a year in order to escape her deep depression and regain her joy of living. Her choices are: Italy, to sample the ultimate in fine cuisine and enjoy their effect on her five senses; India, to study at an Ashram belonging to a guru she met in Manhattan; and Indonesia, where her desire is “to learn . . . how to live in this world and enjoy its delights, but also devote my self to God”. Along the way she makes new friends and finds true love.