It’s February, and as I write this column on Groundhog Day, Punxsutawney Phil has just predicted six more weeks of winter. Sigh …
As I think about what to read during these upcoming cold days, I’ve been trying to devise a reading plan for the month of February. One of my few new year’s resolutions that I have been able to maintain is to read more books but, most of all, intentionally read non-fiction books on subjects I need to better educate myself about, as well as explore areas in the fictional genre I have neglected in the past.
My first, and easiest choice, is to search the nonfiction collection at the Crawfordsville District Public Library as I have always been passionate about social issues, gardening, baking and cooking. February will definitely be a very eclectic reading month (take it winter!)
Here are some well-reviewed books on issues of race and equity that I am adding to my list and are available in our library collection:
• “Citizen: An American Lyric” (814.6 Ran) is an award-winning collection of poems by Jamaican author Claudia Rankine;
• “Uncomfortable Conversations with a Black Man” (305.8 Ach) by Emmanuel Acho — he also has a popular channel on YouTube (www.youtube.com/acho).
• “Say I’m Dead: A Family Memoir of Race, Secrets and Love” (306.850 Joh) by E. Dolores Johnson. This book has a local connection as the family is originally from Indianapolis. A great option for Local History fans.
Dreaming of the arrival of spring, brings the need for planning a garden — which is also on my mind. Here are some ideas if you are thinking of having a bountiful garden this spring:
• “Gardening Your Front Yard: Projects and Ideas for Big and Small Spaces” (635 Nol), by Tara Nolan, offers ideas for keeping a garden no matter how much space you have.
• “Container Gardens: Over 200 Fresh Ideas for Indoor and Outdoor Plantings” (635.986 Con). This book is for those who lack space, time and experience and need some inspiration for gardening projects. It’s produced by the editors of Southern Living magazine.
• “Growing Good Food: A Citizen’s Guide to Backyard Carbon Farming” (635.028 Tuc) by Acadia Tucker. This book is part of the “Citizen Gardening” series. Learn how to enrich your soil and plant delicious food all the while giving our love for the planet a thumbs up.
Also, look for upcoming programs related to planting and gardening offered by CDPL; they will be posted on our website and social media platforms in the near future.
Finally, together with my lingering feelings of just cozying up indoors with my books, comes my need for comfort food and, of course, baking. The following are the top three items on my reading list:
• “Modern Comfort Food: A Barefoot Contessa Cookbook” (641.5 Gar) by Ina Garten. Do I need to say more?
• “Amish Friends from Scratch Cookbook: A Collection of Over 270 Recipes for Simple Hearty Meals and More” (641.5 Bru) by Wanda E. Brunstetter. Simple and delicious meals to satisfy your cravings for comfort food.
• “Weeknight Baking: Recipes to Fit Your Schedule” (641.555 Lop) by Michelle Lopez. Want to bake your cake and eat it too? Check these recipes that will save you time to read your next book.
Well, this is it for now. Let us know what you are reading this month on your comments in our Facebook page. Still not sure what to read? Browse our catalog at www.cdpl.polarislibrary.com or give us a call at 765-362-2242, ext. 3, and we can help you find great reads for the month of February. And please answer our quick website survey about ‘online book browsing’ and how you find your favorite reads at CDPL at www.cdpl.lib.in.us.
Ivette de Assis-Wilson, Head of Reference and Local History at the Crawfordsville District Public Library, contributed this week’s Preview Shelf column.
