BAKING, COOKING, AND DROOLING

I like to cook and bake, but more than actually doing it, I enjoy perusing cookbooks. Photos of food perfectly laid out on plates and tables with bright, popping colors are soothing to my soul. I’ll never be able to achieve photo perfection with my own cooking, but I find it comforting to know that other people can. I brag that my food tastes good, even if it lacks in appearance.

-Thia Wrightsman, Reference Librarian

If you are a breakfast person, then you need 100 Morning Treats: with Muffins, Rolls, Biscuits, Sweet and Savory Breakfast Breads, and More by Sarah Kieffer. Kieffer is the genius behind The Vanilla Bean Blog. Her recipes are yummy, but her photos are even better. We all need photographs of beautiful Cardamom Pistachio Twists to drool over, even if we are too lazy to bake them ourselves.

The first book I used to teach myself to bake was Baking Illustrated: A Best Recipe Classic by Cook’s Illustrated. Though it doesn’t have as many photographs as I would like, it does provide superb baking instructions and delicious recipes. Need the perfect snickerdoodle or brownie recipe? Look no further.

I’m partial to Italian sweets, and this book, Dolci! American Baking with an Italian Accent by Renato Poliafito has some of the most delicious-looking photographs of my favorite Italian treats.

If you are planning a party, The Dinner Party Project by Natasha Feldman is the perfect book. Stunning photographs with great ideas for feeding groups easily.

I like to cook dinner with minimal steps and ingredients. RecipeTin Eats Dinner by Nagi Maehashi (who has a blog by the same name) has easy recipes with excellent photographs.

Deb Perelman of the Smitten Kitchen blog is the queen of making recipes with the fewest ingredients and pans possible, without losing flavor. Her book, Smitten Kitchen Every Day: Triumphant and Unfussy New Favorites, has some of her best recipes, like red lentil soup, dal style, and sizzling beef bulgogi tacos.

If you are feeling adventurous and are obsessed with Middle-Eastern food like me, then try Zaitoun by Yasmin Khan. Purchase some za’atar and sumac spices so you’re prepared and enjoy her easy, flavorful recipes. My favorites are the chicken shawarma, the roasted chicken with sumac and red onions, and the fattoush.

Scranton Selections are written by various staff members. This month’s contributor is Thia Wrightsman, Reference Librarian.

BOOKS FEATURING UNFORGETTABLE MOTHERS

In honor of Mother’s Day, we’re celebrating stories that explore the beauty, complexity, and challenges of motherhood. Whether grappling with loss, identity, or the fierce love they have for their children, these literary mothers embody the richness and nuance of what it means to be a mom.

–Emily Rush, Head of Reference

The School for Good Mothers by Jessamine Chan
This dystopian novel follows Frida Liu, a single mother who, after a moment of poor judgment, is sent to a government-run reeducation facility for “bad mothers.” In this institution, mothers are subjected to surveillance and training to prove their worthiness to regain custody of their children, raising profound questions about societal expectations and the nature of motherhood.

The Forbidden Territory of a Terrifying Woman by Molly Lynch
Here, Molly Lynch crafts a haunting narrative where mothers worldwide mysteriously disappear, intertwining motherhood, ecological collapse, and identity. The story follows Ada, a Canadian-born woman living in Michigan, who vanishes one night, leaving her husband Danny and young son Gilles in turmoil.

Chouette by Claire Oshetsky
Chouette is a surreal and darkly humorous novel that follows Tiny, a professional cellist who discovers she is pregnant, not with a human child, but with an owlet conceived during a dreamlike affair with a female owl. As Tiny’s pregnancy progresses, she faces societal rejection and her husband’s refusal to acknowledge the reality of her situation, leading her to embrace a life of nocturnal hunting and maternal devotion to her unique daughter.

The Push by Ashley Audrain
This is a psychological drama that delves into the complexities of motherhood, identity, and generational trauma. The story follows Blythe Connor, who is determined to be the nurturing mother she never had, but becomes increasingly convinced that her daughter, Violet, exhibits troubling behavior. As Blythe grapples with her suspicions, her husband dismisses her concerns, leading her to question her sanity and the nature of her daughter’s actions.

The Book Eaters by Sunyi Dean
The Book Eaters is a dark fantasy novel that introduces a secretive clan of people who sustain themselves by consuming books, absorbing their content and knowledge. Devon – a woman raised on fairy tales and cautionary stories – discovers her son, Cai, possesses a rare and dangerous hunger for human minds instead of books. As she navigates a patriarchal society that views her as a mere vessel for reproduction, Devon must make harrowing choices to protect her son and herself.

The Twelve Tribes of Hattie by Ayana Mathis
This novel traces the life of Hattie Shepherd, a determined African American woman who moves from Georgia to Philadelphia in 1923, seeking a better life. After the tragic death of her twin infants, Hattie bears nine more children, each chapter delving into the struggles and resilience of her offspring, capturing their individual stories and the overarching impact of Hattie’s own hardships.

Bright Burning Things by Lisa Harding
Here we follow Sonya, a former actress turned single mother in Dublin, as she battles alcoholism and the haunting shadows of her past. Her four-year-old son, Tommy, is her anchor, yet her addiction threatens to sever their bond, leading her to a pivotal choice: continue down a destructive path or seek redemption through rehabilitation. Harding’s narrative delves deep into the complexities of motherhood, addiction, and the pursuit of self-forgiveness.

The Leavers by Lisa Ko
The Leavers follows the life of Deming Guo, an eleven-year-old boy whose undocumented Chinese immigrant mother, Polly, disappears without a trace. After her sudden absence, Deming is adopted by a well-meaning white couple and renamed Daniel Wilkinson. He struggles to reconcile his new life with the memories of his mother and the community he left behind. The narrative unfolds from both Daniel’s perspective as he grows into a young man and Polly’s journey, exploring themes of identity, belonging, and the complexities of family and immigration.

Scranton Selections are written by various staff members. This month’s contributor is Emily Rush, Head of Reference..

There’s no better way to travel than by armchair. It certainly beats long airport lines and lost luggage. This month, we’ll travel around the world via fictional books. – Laura Kelly

First, we go to Maine and Europe (in a dual timeline) with Holland Road by Caroline Kelly: A prodigal son theme is the framework of this book. Returning home to Maine after serving as an Army medic during WW2, Richard Dare struggles to reconcile being back in his hometown with all he experienced serving in Europe. As much as he wants to slide back into his old life, Richard has to come to terms with not only his physical wounds but his deeper emotional wounds. The strong pillars of his family and his childhood love, Grace, sustain and carry him through.

On to Ireland with Foster by Claire Keegan: This is a small book packed with beauty and depth. A young girl is sent to live with foster parents and slowly begins to blossom in the warmth of their care. Written with melodic language, the author paints a beautiful picture of rural Ireland and a young girl transformed by a loving family.

Over to southern India with The Covenant of Water by Abraham Verghese: We find ourselves on the Malabar coast in the early 20th century, spanning eight decades and following three generations of a family. A generational “curse” involves an aversion to water–a medical mystery that ties together much of the narrative.

And finally, we land in Japan with What You Are Looking for Is in the Library by Michiko Aoyama. How can you go wrong with a title like this? A charming, short compilation of stories that revolve around a small Tokyo library. The librarian, Sayuri Komachi, senses exactly what visitors are looking for in life and offers just the book recommendation they never knew they needed. 

Scranton Selections are written by various staff members. This month’s contributor is Laura Kelly, Library Technical Assistant.

Scoop by Evelyn Waugh
Worldly unwise country recluse William Boot, who writes the rural column for a London newspaper, is mistakenly dispatched to cover an imminent war in East Africa. A parade of unlikely characters sees him prevail against politics, fate, and other newspapermen.

True Grit by Charles Portis
Fourteen-year-old Mattie Ross hires one-eyed Marshall Rooster Cogburn to help her track down the man who killed her father and stole the family fortune. The wit is desert dry, the writing first-rate.

Confederacy of Dunces by John Kennedy Toole
Tragicomic (but mostly comic) New Orleans classic. The hero might be compared most closely to Comic Book Store Guy on the Simpsons.

Mapp and Lucia novels by E.F. Benson
Social combat in pre-war English town of Tilling-on-Sea. Six novels were written in total, and they are so good, the BBC filmed them not once, but twice (The first foray is superior.) Other writers attempted to maintain the franchise. Stick to the originals.

Forever Rumpole: The Best of the Rumpole Stories by John Mortimer
Honestly, it doesn’t really matter which of the Rumpole collections you pick up, they’re all of high quality. He excels at character creation.

Get Real by Donald Westlake*
Master thief John Dortmunder, whose multiple capers inevitably hit snags, is hired to perform a heist on live television. It does not go well.

*The several Dortmunder books came about when Westlake writing as noir crime novelist Richard Stark began writing (another) of his Parker novels, only to find that it kept coming out funny. It is instructive to read how a true professional manages two separate voices, both equally compelling.

Breakout by Richard Stark
Master thief Parker must assemble a team to escape a correctional facility before prison officials realize he is not the man they think he is.

It’s comforting to think of something cozy to make when the weather is cold and the days are short. Here are a few of Allison’s cookbook recommendations for cozy dinners and yummy sweet treats.

Milk Street Tuesday Nights, by Christopher Kimball
The host of the Milk Street Radio podcast brings together simple yet satisfying weeknight meals that highlight quick preparation and pantry staples.

What Goes with What: 100 Recipes, 20 Charts, Endless Possibilities, by Julia Turshen
You have a fridge and pantry filled with odds and ends but don’t have a clue what to make for dinner. The author shows you how to take these seemingly boring contents and skillfully craft them into a delicious dinner.

Half-Baked Harvest Quick & Cozy: A Cookbook, by Tieghan Gerard
This cookbook showcases simple ingredients with crave-worthy sauces and one-pot production. Her recipes are comforting, quick, and worth keeping on repeat.

Dessert Person: Recipes and Guidance for Baking with Confidence, by Claire Saffitz
From Malted Forever Brownies to Sour Cherry Pie, Claire Saffitz will take you on a scrumptious baking journey. Her recipes are precise, well-crafted, and yield memorable treats.

Zoё Bakes Cookies, by Zoё François
Level up your baking game with classic recipes and new recipe creations from New York Times bestselling author Zoё François. There are countless ways to make cookies here, from thin and crispy to thick and chewy.