Adult Non-Fiction

    These titles were recently added to the collection of Yakima Valley Libraries

    Photo ark : babies

    Sartore, Joel, author.

    Fall in love with rambunctious cougar kittens and playful coyote pups, fluffy pandas and curious chimps, as you explore more than 120 photographs of the youngest animals in the remarkable Photo Ark. These incredible portraits capture the curiosity of an eight-week-old white Bengal tiger cub, peer inside the egg of a yet-to-be-born eyelash frog, reveal the watchful gaze of a five-day-old white-tailed deer fawn, and more. Along the way, you’ll learn fascinating facts about parenting practices, family relationships, and complex behaviors that characterize various species from birth to fledging. ....

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    First love : guiding teens through relationships and heartbreak

    Phillips, Lisa A., author.

    Today’s young people are beginning their love lives in a time of rapidly changing ideas and ideals about identity, commitment, sexuality, and consent. For parents, the new realities of teenage relationships can be both mystifying and daunting. Lisa A. Phillips chronicles the challenges today’s adolescents face as they navigate crushes, dating, and breakups—and the challenges adults face as they strive to provide guidance and support. Phillips sheds light on how the relationships teens have today are different from their parents’ generation, including their reliance on technology and social media, the rise of young people identifying as LGBTQ+, high rates of depression and anxiety, and consent consciousness. She provides concrete strategies and insights from experts and teens themselves on ways parents and other adults can help young people cope with the timeless issues of love and heartbreak. Told from the perspective of a professor, mother, and award-winning journalist, First Love is a critical resource for parents, educators, mental health professionals, and others who want to understand the new realities of teen relationships — and help teens become caring, self-aware, and thriving young adults.....

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    Divorce after 50 : a guide to the unique legal & financial challenges of your divorce

    Green, Janice, 1948- author.

    This book is a road map for readers considering divorce later in life. It covers subjects such as: ways to divorce, including mediation, collaborative law, and litigation; marital property: what it is, what to do with it, and how to divide assets and liabilities; how to survive financially during and after, and more. The book also includes divorce survival stories that illustrate options and provide encouragement.....

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    Hope : the autobiography

    Francis, Pope, 1936- author.

    Hope is the first autobiography in history ever to be published by a Pope. Written over six years, this complete autobiography starts in the early years of the twentieth century, with Pope Francis’s Italian roots and his ancestors’ courageous migration to Latin America, continuing through his childhood, the enthusiasms and preoccupations of his youth, his vocation, adult life, and the whole of his papacy up to the present day. In recounting his memories with intimate narrative force (not forgetting his own personal passions), Pope Francis deals unsparingly with some of the crucial moments of his papacy and writes candidly, fearlessly, and prophetically about some of the most important and controversial questions of our present times: war and peace (including the conflicts in Ukraine and the Middle East), migration, environmental crisis, social policy, the position of women, sexuality, technological developments, the future of the Church and of religion in general. Hope includes a wealth of revelations, anecdotes, and illuminating thoughts. It is a thrilling and very human memoir, moving and sometimes funny, which represents the “story of a life” and, at the same time, a touching moral and spiritual testament that will fascinate readers throughout the world and will be Pope Francis’s legacy of hope for future generations.....

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    The gangs of Zion : a Black cop's crusade in Mormon country

    Stallworth, Ron, author.

    Ron Stallworth returns with another firsthand account of trailblazing police work in the most unlikely place for a Black cop in the '90s. Determined to pursue his passion for undercover work wherever it leads, Ron Stallworth finally lands in Salt Lake City, Utah. Once again, he's an outsider-not only as a Black man on a mostly white police force but also as an unapologetic nonbeliever in a state dominated by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. But soon after his first drug bust in the Beehive, Stallworth makes a startling discovery-Bloods and Crips are infiltrating Mormon Country, threatening to turn the deeply conservative community into a hotbed of crime. Kids are bombing homes while carrying pocket versions of the Book of Mormon, yet his fellow cops are in denial that gangs are wreaking havoc in their Christian town. Now Stallworth has a new mission. Whether facing off with skinheads at a downtown bar or schooling white Crips blasting "F*ck tha Police," he is intent on stemming the tide of gangs into the state. But those he expected to be his allies either have their heads in the sand or their own agendas-from the racist Mormon legislator to the community activist exploiting a fatal gang incident to spread paranoia over an imaginary race war. As he butts heads with these so-called leaders, Stallworth also realizes that gangsta rap has the key to the g-code. He becomes obsessed with-even defensive of-the music he once loathed and puts himself on the front lines of America's culture war. Now he's spitting uncensored lyrics before Congress and taking the stand in the 1993 murder case that puts hip-hop on trial. But the more Stallworth speaks truth to power, the more determined the gatekeepers in Utah are to silence him, and not even twenty-three years of police work could prepare him for how low they would stoop.....

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    Blues in stereo : the early works of Langston Hughes, 1921-1927

    Hughes, Langston, 1902-1967, author.

    Harlem Renaissance poet Langston Hughes was most well-known for his poems, novels, and plays that highlight Black American life in post-slavery America. James Mercer Langston Hughes was born on February 1, 1901, in Joplin, Missouri and began writing poetry when he moved to Lincoln, Illinois. After graduating from high school, he spent a year in Mexico followed by a year at Columbia University. During this time, he worked as an assistant cook, a launderer, and a busboy. He also traveled to Africa and Europe working as a seaman before finishing his college education at Lincoln University in Pennsylvania three years later. Setting the stage for an enduring and genre-defining career, Hughes wanted to tell the stories of his people in ways that reflected their actual culture, including their love of music, laughter, and language, alongside their suffering. He began writing short pieces in his personal notebooks before seeking a home for his resonant verse. Over the course of his four-decade career, Hughes published his first book of poetry with Knopf in 1926 as well as poems with Yale University and small, grassroots literary magazines. Today, he stands as one of the greatest literary innovators. But how did this literary giant rise to such heights? Blues in Stereo zooms in on Hughes's early work (1919-1929). National Book Award finalist Danez Smith joins as curator for this work, offering an introduction on Hughes's lyrical, evocative, and award-winning poetry and notes on the formation of his signature style and craft. Collected from libraries and little-known publications across the country, Blues in Stereo features some of Hughes's earliest undiscovered writings; the collection of his poems published in The Crisis, a monthly publication form the NAACP edited by W.E.B. DuBois from 1910-1934; and even an original unreleased play co-written with DuBois, complete with a full score. ....

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    Lincoln vs. Davis : the war of the presidents

    Hamilton, Nigel, author.

    The greatest untold story of the Civil War: how two American presidents faced off as the fate of the nation hung in the balance--and how Abraham Lincoln came to embrace emancipation as the last, best chance to save the Union... Of all the books written on Abraham Lincoln, there has been one surprising gap: the drama of how the “railsplitter” from Illinois grew into his critical role as U.S. commander-in-chief, and managed to outwit his formidable opponent, Jefferson Davis, in what remains history's only military faceoff between rival American presidents. Davis was a trained soldier and war hero; Lincoln a country lawyer who had only briefly served in the militia. Confronted with the most violent and challenging war ever seen on American soil, Lincoln seemed ill-suited to the task: inexperienced, indecisive, and a poor judge of people’s motives, he allowed his administration's war policies to be sabotaged by fickle, faithless cabinet officials while entrusting command of his army to a preening young officer named George McClellan – whose defeat in battle left Washington, the nation’s capital, at the mercy of General Robert E. Lee, Davis’s star performer. The war almost ended there. But in a Shakespearean twist, Lincoln summoned the courage to make, at last, a climactic decision: issuing as a “military necessity” a proclamation freeing the 3.5 million enslaved Americans without whom the South could not feed or fund their armed insurrection. The new war policy doomed the rebellion—which was in dire need of support from Europe, none of whose governments now would dare to recognize rebel “independence” in a war openly fought over slavery. The fate of President Davis was sealed. With a cast of unforgettable characters, from first ladies to fugitive coachmen to treasonous cabinet officials, Lincoln vs. Davis is a spellbinding dual biography from renowned presidential chronicler Nigel Hamilton: a saga that will surprise, touch, and enthrall.....

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    Parent yourself first : raise confident, compassionate kids by becoming the parent you wish you'd had

    Kappadakunnel, Bryana, author.

    Many of us didn't have a perfect childhood. But that doesn't mean we can't be good parents. Licensed family therapist Bryana Kappadakunnel argues that the secret to successful parenting is to UN-learn the unhealthy patterns you grew up with, so you can find a better way forward with your own children. Even if that means throwing out everything you think you know about raising a kid. As the founder of the popular Conscious Mommy community on Instagram, Facebook, and TikTok, Kappadakunnel explains that your upbringing is probably impacting your parenting style in ways you don't even fully recognize: from how you deal with conflict to how you praise them (or don't) when things go well. In Parent Yourself First, she shares powerful stories from parents she's counseled, in-depth research on the latest development in trauma and neuroscience, and guided exercises to put the learnings into practice. Her promise: it's never too late (or too early!) to transform into the parent you were always meant to be-grounded, present, intentional, compassionate, and confident. You can break free of past patterns that no longer serve you and shed generational trauma. Only then can you begin to truly connect with your child, understand their needs, and guide them to a happy, healthy life they deserve.....

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    How to feed the world : the history and future of food

    Smil, Vaclav, author.

    We have never had to feed as many people as we do today. And yet, we misunderstand the essentials of where our food really comes from, how our dietary requirements shape us, and why this impacts our planet in drastic ways. As a result, in our economic, political, and everyday choices, we take for granted and fail to prioritize the thing that makes all our lives possible: food. In this ambitious, myth-busting book, Smil investigates many of the burning questions facing the world today: why are some of the world’s biggest food producers also the countries with the most undernourished populations? Why do we waste so much food, and how can we solve that? Could the whole planet go vegan and be healthy? Should it? He explores the global history of food production to understand why we farm some animals and not others, why most of the world’s calories come from just a few foodstuffs, and how this might change in the future.....

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    American scary : a history of horror, from Salem to Stephen King and beyond

    Dauber, Jeremy, 1973- author.

    Americans are held captive by horror stories. They flicker on the screen of a darkened movie theater and are shared around the campfire. They blare out in tabloid true crime headlines and in the worried voices of local news anchors. They are consumed, virally, on the phones in our pockets. Like the victims in any slasher movie worth its salt, we can't escape the thrall of scary stories. In American Scary, noted cultural historian Jeremy Dauber pulls from his hugely popular Columbia University class on the history of horror to take the reader to the startling origins of American fear. Dauber draws a captivating through line that ties historical influences ranging from the Salem witch trials and enslaved-person narratives directly to the body of work we more closely associate with horror today: the weird tales of H. P. Lovecraft, the lingering fiction of Shirley Jackson, the disquieting films of Alfred Hitchcock, the up-all-night stories of Stephen King, and the gripping critiques of Jordan Peele. From "The Tell-Tale Heart" to M3gan, we begin to see why the horror genre is the perfect prism through which to view America's past and present. With the dexterous weave of insight and style that have made him one of America's leading chroniclers of popular culture, Dauber makes the haunting case that horror reveals the true depths of the American mind.....

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    The age of melt : what glaciers, ice mummies, and ancient artifacts teach us about climate, culture, and a future without ice

    Baril, Lisa, author.

    An exploration of ice-patch archaeology and the fascinating story of how glaciers play a crucial role in human culture... Glaciers figure prominently in both ancient and contemporary narratives around the world. They inspire art and literature. They spark both fear and awe. And they give and take life. In The Age of Melt, science writer Lisa Baril explores the deep-rooted cultural connection between humans and ice through time, interweaving personal travelogue, scientific journalism, and forthright, entertaining interviews. As thousands of organic artifacts emerge from patches of melting ice in mountain ranges around the world, archaeologists are in a race against time to find them before they disappear forever. In this hopeful, forward-thinking take on the effects of climate change, Baril recounts her travels from the Alps to the Andes, investigating how these artifacts offer insight into culture, wilderness, and what we gain when we rethink our relationship to both the world and ice, our most precious and ephemeral substance.....

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    Fire it up : four secrets to reigniting intimacy and joy in your relationship

    Sharp, Carolyn, author.

    Let's face it -- modern life is stressful. With constant demands on your time and attention, it's not surprising that you've neglected what used to be your North Star: your relationship. You might feel disconnected from each other and stuck in a cycle of go-nowhere arguments. Perhaps you miss the spark that made you excited to see one another at the end of the day. You might long for the time when the two of you were in sync on most things and could laugh at misunderstandings and miscommunications. Fire It Up is the solution to relationships that are struggling, feeling stale, or just in need of a little extra care. Experienced couples therapist Carolyn Sharp outlines a clear four-step process to bring back the love, connection, and vitality to any marriage, with humor and authenticity. She'll help you understand how relationships work -- and why your partner does that annoying thing. Get to the heart of the problem and empower yourself with the knowledge to make lasting change in your relationship.....

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    Martha : the cookbook : 100 favorite recipes, with lessons and stories from my kitchen

    Stewart, Martha, author.

    Martha Stewart celebrates her landmark 100th book with an intimate collection of 100 treasured recipes, along with stunning photos from her personal archives and the stories behind them. A must for anyone who has ever been inspired by the one and only Martha. Join Martha in the kitchen as she shares favorite recipes and invaluable tips. Learn how to cook her mother’s humble Potato Pierogi, her decadent Gougères, a comforting Apple Brioche Bread Pudding, and the famous Paella she makes for the luckiest friends who visit her in summer. You’ll find something to satisfy everyone’s taste, whether it’s a simple meal you make for yourself, a weeknight family dinner, or a special celebration, recipes range from breakfast & brunch to soups & salads, hors d'oeuvres, cocktails, dinner, and of course dessert. Like a scrapbook of Martha’s life in cookbook form, this is the ultimate collection for devotees as well as newer fans who want to become more confident in the kitchen and do what Martha does best: Start with the basics and elevate them. From timeless classics to contemporary delights, these recipes reflect storied moments from her legendary, trailblazing career.....

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    How to winter : harness your mindset to thrive on cold, dark, or difficult days

    Leibowitz, Kari, author.

    A blend of mindset science, original research and cultural insights into cultivating a positive "wintertime mindset," to cure winter blues and learn to find joy and comfort in dark times year-round. Do you dread the end of Daylight Savings each year and grouch about the long, chilly season of gray skies and ice? Do you reach for a lightbox to get you through January and February each year? What if there were a way to rethink this time of year? Psychologist and winter expert Kari Leibowitz's galvanizing HOW TO WINTER uses mindset science to help readers embrace winter as a season to be enjoyed, not endured--and in turn, learn powerful lessons that can impact our mental wellbeing throughout the year. Kari Leibowitz travelled to the places on earth with the coldest, darkest, longest and most intense winters, expecting to research the season's negative effects on mental health--only to find that inhabitants actually looked forward to it with vigor and enthusiasm. In Earth's most intense winters, Leibowitz discovered the power of the "wintertime mindset"--impactful adaptations that can teach us not just about braving the dark, cold months of the year, but also the darker and more difficult seasons of life. ....

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    On the hippie trail : Istanbul to Kathmandu and the making of a travel writer

    Steves, Rick, 1955- author.

    In the 1970s, the ultimate trip for any backpacker was the storied “Hippie Trail” from Istanbul to Kathmandu. A 23-year-old Rick Steves made the trek, and like a travel writer in training, he documented everything along the way: jumping off a moving train, making friends in Tehran, getting lost in Lahore, getting high for the first time in Herat, battling leeches in Pokhara, and much more. The experience ignited his love of travel and forever broadened his perspective on the world. This book contains edited selections from Rick’s journal and travel photos with a 45-years-later preface and postscript reflecting on how the journey through Turkey, Iran, Afghanistan, Pakistan, India, and Nepal changed his life.....

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