New Non-fiction

Now that the gifts have been exchanged and the holiday goodies consumed, why not focus your brain power on a stimulating read from the Peter White Public Library’s new non-fiction shelves.

The library’s new non-fiction book discussion group, The Human Condition, will keep you on your toes with exciting true stories that won’t let you nod off while sitting next to a warm fire. Their next selection for discussion on January 20^th at 7:00pm is The Tiger: A True Story of Vengeance and Survival. Author John Vaillant describes an incident in Russia’s Far East about a man-eating tiger on the prowl outside a remote village. The team of hunters begin to realize that the attacks are not random: the tiger is engaged in a vendetta. Jeremy Morelock, host of the discussion group, or any staff member at the PWPL reference desk can help you locate a copy of this gripping read through interlibrary loan. Just call 226-4311 for their assistance.   

A bit closer to home, Mayo Clinic’s J. Eric Ahlskog, Ph.D., M.D. is the author of New Parkinson’s Disease Treatment Book.  Widely considered to be a leading authority on this disorder, Dr. Ahlskog has more than 30 years of experience treating people with Parkinson's Disease. The book provides extensive, easy to absorb information for patients and caregivers. This title was highly recommended by a PWPL patron who has firsthand experience with Parkinson’s and found the book to be extremely useful. New non-fiction: 616.833 AH.

In light of the recent Climate Change Conference held in Paris, author Tim Flannery’s, Atmosphere of Hope, may be of interest to armchair scientists and weather watchers. An Australian scientist, explorer and conservationist, Flannery examines the human influence on our planet’s climate and gives an urgent call to action to save our global future. Flannery offers possible solutions to coping with our ever changing climate. New Nonfiction: 363.7387 FL

Nature lovers and anglers will enjoy James McClintock’s A Naturalist Goes Fishing. McClintock, an internationally recognized University of Alabama Antarctic marine biologist and professor of Polar and Marine Biology takes readers on a world tour of surprising fishing hotspots. Included are Louisiana’s marshy barrier islands recently ravaged by the Deepwater Horizon spill and New Zealand's Stewart Island where the commercial fishing industry is in decline. McMurdo Station is the setting for ice fishing for gigantic Antarctic toothfish and Alabama's Cahaba River for sea bass. At each location, the author notes the effects of sea level rise, erosion, pollution, water acidification, and overfishing on these fragile waters. New Nonfiction: 799.1 MC

If you dream of your own space to enjoy the beauty of nature, Microshelters might be the book for you. Taking off on the downsizing tiny house trend, this paperback by Derek “Deek” Diedricksen, offers economically feasible, environmentally friendly, creative building designs for people who need to get away from it all in a place all their own. Whether in the backyard or back 40, Diedricksen’s collection of 59 designs from across the nation include building tips and color photographs. Plan your funky small structure this winter to enjoy next summer! New Nonfiction: 728.37

Fiction and non-fiction readers alike will be absorbed by prolific, award winning author Joyce Carol Oates’ memoir, The Lost Landscape. Published in 2015, the book offers a rare glimpse into the early life of the beloved American writer who has published more than 40 novels, as well as plays, short stories, poetry, and nonfiction for which she has won numerous awards. Oates received her Master’s degree from the University of Wisconsin in Madison and currently teaches at Princeton University. The memoir gives a glimpse into her early life in rural upstate New York and how her hardscrabble childhood shaped her, and subsequently, her life’s work. For patrons who prefer to listen to their reads, the audiobook is also available. New Nonfiction or New Adult Book on CD: 813.54 OA

From all the staff at Peter White Public Library, best wishes for many good reads and a healthy, happy New Year!

--Margaret Boyle,Programming Coordinator