Search:

Finding Larkspur : a return to village life / by Needles, Dan,author.;
"Bestselling chronicler of village life Dan Needles (author of the Wingfield Farm stage plays) leads an insightful and laugh-out-loud tour through the quirks and customs of today's Canadian small town. Modern literature has not been kind to village life. For almost two centuries, small towns have been portrayed as backward, insular places needing to be escaped. But anthropologists tell us that the human species has spent more than 100,000 years living in villages of 100 to 150 people. This is where the oldest part of our brain, the limbic system, grew and adapted to become a very sophisticated instrument for reading other people's emotions and figuring out how we might cooperate to find food, shelter and protection. By comparison, the frontal cortex, which helps us do our taxes, drive a car and download cat videos, is a very recent aftermarket addition, like a sunroof. And it is the village where almost half the world's population still chooses to live. Finding Larkspur takes a walk through the Canadian village of the twenty-first century, observing customs and traditions that endure despite the best efforts of Twitter, Facebook and Amazon. The author looks at the buildings and organizations left over from the old rural community, why they were built in the first place and how they have adapted to the modern day. The post office, the general store, the church, the school and the service club all remain standing, but they operate quite differently than they did for our ancestors. Drawing from his experience working in rural communities across Canada and in other countries, Needles reveals how a national conversation may be driven by urban voices but the national character is often very much a product of its small towns and back roads."-- Provided by publisher.
Subjects: Sociology, Rural; Villages; Villages;
Available copies: 1 / Total copies: 1
unAPI

The perfect neighbors : a novel / by Pekkanen, Sarah,author.;
"The page-turning new novel from the internationally bestselling author known for her "conversational writing style and a knack for making readers care about her characters" (The Washington Post) takes us into the homes of an idyllic suburban neighborhood where we discover the burning secrets hiding just below the surface. Bucolic Newport Cove, where spontaneous block parties occur on balmy nights and all of the streets are named for flowers, is proud of its distinction of being named one the top twenty safest neighborhoods in the US. It's also one of the most secret-filled. Kellie Scott has just returned to work after a decade of being a stay-at-home mom. She's adjusting to high heels, scrambling to cook dinner for her family after a day at the office--and soaking in the dangerous attention of a very handsome, very married male colleague. Kellie's neighbor Susan Barrett begins every day with fresh resolutions: she won't eat any carbs, she'll go to bed at a reasonable hour, and she'll stop stalking her ex-husband and his new girlfriend. Gigi Kennedy seems to have it all together--except her teenage daughter has turned into a hostile stranger and her husband is running for Congress, which means her old skeletons are in danger of being brought into the light. Then a new family moves to this quiet, tree-lined cul-de-sac. Tessa Campbell seems friendly enough to the other mothers, if a bit reserved. Then the neighbors notice that no one is ever invited to Tessa's house. And soon, it becomes clear that Tessa is hiding the biggest secret of all"--
Subjects: Domestic fiction.; Interpersonal relations; Neighborhoods; Housewives;
Available copies: 1 / Total copies: 1
unAPI

Hollow Bamboo : a novel / by Ping, William,author.;
"The hilarious and heartbreaking story of two William Pings in Newfoundland--the lost millennial and the grandfather he knows nothing about. William Ping's millennial life revolves around eating at restaurants, posting online about eating at restaurants, then overanalyzing it. This changes unexpectedly when a dinner with his Chinese girlfriend's family goes sideways and his insecurity about his biracial identity and his ignorance of his own Chinese heritage overflow like lava. During a much-needed break from the dinner table, Will is visited in the men's room by a sarcastic, bullying spirit named Mo. The spirit whisks him into the past to learn about the life of his grandfather, the first William Ping, who emigrated from China to Newfoundland in 1931 to work in a laundry. Based on a true story, Hollow Bamboo recounts with humour and sympathy the often-brutal struggles, and occasional successes, faced by some of the first Chinese immigrants in Newfoundland. It is a journey of heartbreak, sacrifice, brotherhood and family ties. But most of all, it is about love and survival on the Rock. Drawing on elements of magical realism, autofiction and satire, as well as deep historical research, Hollow Bamboo is a fresh and original portrayal of our past and our present, and the debut of an extraordinary new author."--Provided by publisher.
Subjects: Domestic fiction.; Magic realist fiction.; Novels.; Chinese; Families; Grandfathers; Chinese Canadians;
Available copies: 1 / Total copies: 1
unAPI

Throne of grace : a mountain man, an epic adventure, and the bloody conquest of the American West / by Drury, Bob,author.; Clavin, Tom,1954-author.;
Includes bibliographical references and index."The explosive true saga of the legendary adventurer Jedediah Smith and the Mountain Men who explored the American frontier. It is the early 19th century, and the land recently purchased by President Thomas Jefferson stretches west for thousands of miles. Who inhabits this vast new garden of Eden? What strange beasts and natural formations can be found? Thus was the birth of Manifest Destiny and the resulting bloody battles with Indigenous tribes encountered by white explorers. Also in this volatile mix are the grizzled fur trappers and mountain men, waging war against the Native American tribes whose lands they traverse. This is the setting of this book, and the guide to this epic narrative is arguably America's greatest yet most unsung pathfinder, Jedediah Smith. His explorations into the forested frontiers on both sides of the Rocky Mountains and all the way to the West Coast would become the stuff of legend. Thanks to painstaking research and riveting writing, the story of the making of modern America is told through the eyes of both the ordinary and memorable men and women, settlers and Indigenous, who witnessed it"--
Subjects: Biographies.; Personal narratives.; Smith, Jedediah Strong, 1799-1831.; Explorers; Fur trade; Overland journeys to the Pacific.;
Available copies: 1 / Total copies: 1
unAPI

Ukraine and Russia : from civilized divorce to uncivil war / by D'Anieri, Paul J.,1965-author.;
Includes bibliographical references and index."D'Anieri explores the dynamics within Ukraine, between Ukraine and Russia, and between Russia and the West, that emerged with the collapse of the Soviet Union and eventually led to war in 2014. Proceeding chronologically, this book shows how Ukraine's separation from Russia in 1991, at the time called a 'civilized divorce', led to what many are now calling 'a new Cold War'. He argues that the conflict has worsened because of three underlying factors--the security dilemma, the impact of democratization on geopolitics, and the incompatible goals of a post-Cold War Europe. Rather than a peaceful situation that was squandered, D'Anieri argues that these were deep-seated pre-existing disagreements that could not be bridged, with concerning implications for the resolution of the Ukraine conflict. The book also shows how this war fits into broader patterns of contemporary international conflict and should therefore appeal to researchers working on the Russia-Ukraine conflict, Russia's relations with the West, and conflict and geopolitics more generally." --
Subjects: Ukraine Conflict, 2014-;
Available copies: 1 / Total copies: 1
unAPI

The forgotten letters of Esther Durrant / by Nunn, Kayte,author.;
Includes bibliographical references.1951. Esther Durrant, a young mother, is committed to an isolated mental asylum by her husband. Run by a pioneering psychiatrist, the hospital is at first Esther's prison but soon surprisingly becomes her refuge. 2018. Free-spirited marine scientist Rachel Parker embarks on a research posting in the Isles of Scilly, off the Cornish coast. When a violent storm forces her to take shelter on a far-flung island, she discovers a collection of hidden love letters. Captivated by their passion and tenderness, Rachel determines to track down the intended recipient. But she has no idea of the far-reaching consequences her decision will bring. Meanwhile, in London, Eve is helping her grandmother, a renowned mountaineer, write her memoirs. When she is contacted by Rachel, it sets in motion a chain of events that threatens to reveal secrets kept buried for more than sixty years.
Subjects: Domestic fiction.; Historical fiction.; Grandmothers; Islands; Love-letters; Nineteen fifties; Psychiatric hospital patients; Reminiscing in old age; Secrecy; Women marine scientists; Women;
Available copies: 1 / Total copies: 1
unAPI

Oven to table : over 100 one-pot and one-pan recipes for your sheet pan, skillet, dutch oven, and more / by Scott, Jan,1976-author.;
"Oven to Table takes the guesswork out of mealtime with over 100 essential, simple, and tasty one-pot and one-pan creations. At times it feels impossible to get a home-cooked meal on the table, whether feeding a busy family or hosting friends for a weekend gathering. Fortunately, there's a satisfying solution to help make stress-free, mess-free, and tasty meals a reality: one-pot cooking. Using one of six cooking vessels -- skillet, sheet pan, Dutch oven, baking pan, roasting pan, and casserole dish -- with Jan Scott's guidance and effortless recipes, you can bring a complete dish to the table using easy-to-find ingredients and a variety of foolproof cooking techniques. Preparing food in one pot not only saves time, both in the prep and post-meal clean up, but these recipes are flexible and endlessly adaptable. From Overnight French Toast Casserole to Barbecue Chicken Chili with Cornbread Dumplings and Cherry Tomato and White Bean Skillet Bruschetta to Spinach and Ricotta Wonton Mini Lasagnas, this collection of down-to-earth recipes brings ease, comfort, and bold flavours to everyday cooking. Whether braising Perfect Saucy Pulled Pork in a Dutch oven or whipping up Salted Chocolate Tahini Skillet Blondies, Oven to Table explores the versatility that can be created with just a few pieces of cookware. With dishes leaping from stove to centerpiece, Jan's wholesome recipes will streamline your kitchen routine and nourish family and friends"--
Subjects: Cookbooks.; Recipes.; One-dish meals.; Quick and easy cooking.;
Available copies: 1 / Total copies: 1
unAPI

The German heiress : a novel / by Scott, Anika,author.;
"For readers of The Alice Network and The Lost Girls of Paris, an immersive, heart-pounding debut about a German heiress on the run from British authorities, who discovers dark secrets about her family's past in post-World War II Germany"--Clara Falkenberg, once Germany's most eligible and lauded heiress, earned the nickname "the Iron Frulein" during World War II for her role operating her family's ironworks empire. It's been nearly two years since the war ended and she's left with nothing but a false identification card and a series of burning questions about her family's past. With nowhere else to run to, she decides to return home and take refuge with her dear friend, Elisa. Narrowly escaping a near-disastrous interrogation by a British officer who's hell-bent on arresting her for war crimes, she arrives home to discover the city in ruins, and Elisa missing. As Clara begins tracking down Elisa, she encounters Jakob, a charismatic young man working on the black market, who, for his own reasons, is also searching for Elisa. Clara and Jakob soon discover how they might help each other--if only they can stay ahead of the officer determined to make Clara answer for her actions during the war. Propulsive, meticulously researched, and action-fueled, The German Heiress is a mesmerizing page-turner that questions the meaning of justice and morality, deftly shining the spotlight on the often-overlooked perspective of Germans who were caught in the crossfire of the Nazi regime and had nowhere to turn.
Subjects: Historical fiction.; Heiresses;
Available copies: 1 / Total copies: 1
unAPI

Blanket toss under midnight sun : portraits of everyday life in eight Indigenous communities / by Seesequasis, Paul,author.;
Includes bibliographical references.In 2015, writer and journalist Paul Seesequasis found himself grappling with the devastating findings of Canada's Truth and Reconciliation Commission report on the residential school system. He sought understanding and inspiration in the stories of his mother, herself a residential school survivor. Gradually, Paul realized that another, mostly untold history existed alongside the official one: that of how Indigenous peoples and communities had held together during even the most difficult times. He embarked on a social media project to collect archival photos capturing everyday life in First Nations, Metis and Inuit communities from the 1920s through the 1970s. As he scoured archives and libraries, Paul uncovered a trove of candid images and began to post these on social media, where they sparked an extraordinary reaction. Friends and relatives of the individuals in the photographs commented online, and through this dialogue, rich histories came to light for the first time. Blanket Toss Under Midnight Sun collects some of the most arresting images and stories from Paul's project. While many of the photographs live in public archives, most have never been shown to the people in the communities they represent. As such, Blanket Toss is not only an invaluable historical record, it is a meaningful act of reclamation, showing the ongoing resilience of Indigenous communities, past, present-- and future.
Subjects: Native peoples; Native peoples; Native peoples; Native peoples; Native peoples; Native peoples; Native peoples; Native peoples;
Available copies: 1 / Total copies: 1
unAPI

The new populism : democracy stares into the abyss / by Revelli, Marco,author.; Broder, David,translator.; translation of:Revelli, Marco.Populismo 2.0.English.;
Includes bibliographical references and index."The word 'populism' has come to cover all manner of sins. Yet despite the prevalence of its use, it is often difficult to understand what connects its various supposed expressions. From Syriza to Trump and from Podemos to Brexit, the electoral earthquakes of recent years have often been grouped under this term. But what actually defines 'populism'? Is it an ideology, a form of organisation, or a mentality? Marco Revelli seeks to answer this question by getting to grips with the historical dynamics of so-called 'populist' movements. While in the early days of democracy, populism sought to represent classes and social layers who asserted their political role for the first time, in today's post-democratic climate, it instead expresses the grievances of those who had until recently felt that they were included. Having lost their power, the disinherited embrace not a political alternative to -isms like liberalism or socialism, but a populist mood of discontent. The new populism is the 'formless form' that protest and grievance assume in the era of financialisation, in the era where the atomised masses lack voice or organisation. For Revelli, this new populism the child of an age in which the Left has been hollowed out and lost its capacity to offer an alternative"--
Subjects: Populism.; Populism;
Available copies: 1 / Total copies: 1
unAPI