Monday, September 11, 2017

New Non-fiction

School is back in session, the temperatures are getting a little cooler and everyone has busy schedules. But if you like books, you will always find a few minutes here or there to pick one up and read for a little while. Below are a few books that you will find on the new nonfiction kiosks on the main level.

And Here, 100 years of Upper Peninsula writing 1917-2017. Upper Peninsula literature has been suppressed or minimized in Michigan anthologies and Michigan literature as a whole. If you love the U.P. you will find stories that are eclectic, surprising, vivid, harsh, warm and wild. If the U.P. runs through your veins, whether you were born here or just visit, this book beautifully conveys the country through the best words and best writers of the past and present. (810.8 AN)

Happiness, a memoir, by Heather Harpham. This is a shirt-grabbing, page-turning love story that follows a one-of-a-kind family through twists of fate that require nearly unimaginable choices. With intelligence and lyricism and compassion, Harpham gives us her story of the rocky road that sometimes leads right where you want it to. At first glance, this book is a honest captivating story about parenting a sick child, but it turns out to be something even more interesting, exploring the complexities of love. (618.3 HA)

The Great Quake, how the biggest earthquake in North America changed our understanding of the planet, by Henry Fountain. On March 27, 1964 at 5:36pm a magnitude 9.2 earthquake struck the state of Alaska. This earthquake demolished the city of Valdez and swept away the island village of Chenega. It devastated the southern half of the state and killed more than 130 people. A day later, George Plafker arrived to investigate. He hunted for clues to explain how and why it took place. His fascinating scientific detective work in the months that followed helped confirm the then controversial theory of plate tectonics. Journalist Henry Fountain brings the quake and its aftermath to life in vivid detail. With reporting from Alaska and in the company of George Plafker, Fountain shows how the earthquake left its mark on the land and its people, and on science.

Everything All At Once, by Bill Nye. From his time as a young physics student to his years working as a professional engineer, Bill developed a worldview that there was no problem that could not be solved with the unique blend of curiosity, patience, and creativity. This is the story of Bill’s life thus far and a guide to honing your own nerd mindset. He moves through the moment when he fell in love with physics, math, and the power of the slide rule. He shares lessons he learned as an engineer at Boeing, a stand-up comedian, the CEO of The Planetary Society, and a beloved figure on television. This book is also a stirring call to arms, urging you to stand up and become an active, rather than passive, member of your democracy. Bill argues that deep down, we’re all nerds in a way, and nerds don’t give up. Bill teaches us that we have the ability, the power, and the responsibility to think critically and take control of the future.

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