Kristen's Picks

The Earthwise Herbal Repertory: The Definitive Practitioner's Guide (Paperback)

By Matthew Wood, David Ryan (Contributions by)

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ISBN: 9781623170776

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Published: North Atlantic Books - November 1st, 2016

In The Earthwise Herbal Repertory, renowned herbalist Matthew Wood has created a powerful tool for herbalists and students of herbalism.  This 'database' of medicinal herbs allows the reader to find appropriate herbs by looking up the organ, system, or function where the problem resides - and then includes specific indications for many of the herbs listed.

The introductory material will especially appeal to those with an interest in homeopathy and how herbalism and homeopathy might complement each other.

Cleanse, Nurture, Restore with Herbal Tea (Hardcover)

By Sebastian Pole

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ISBN: 9780711238299

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Published: Frances Lincoln - January 17th, 2017

A gorgeously photographed recipe book of herbal teas (both beverage and medicinal blends).  This is a great choice for herbalists and the herbally curious who appreciate clear directions, but will also provide plenty of inspiration to those who like to formulate on the fly.  Sebastian Pole, the cofounder of Pukka, includes everything from one-ingredient classics to more unusual recipes like "Rose essence lassi."  The focus, as the title suggests, is on gentle, safe - and tasty - cleansing and nourishing teas.

Trainwreck: The Women We Love to Hate, Mock, and Fear . . . and Why (Hardcover)

By Sady Doyle

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ISBN: 9781612195636

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Published: Melville House - September 20th, 2016

Fiercely intelligent and scathingly funny, this book explores the media's treatment of famous women and our treatment of women on social media.  As deeply disturbing as this book is, it is ultimately empowering, and even as Doyle forces you to confront our culture's monsters, she always has your back.

Mr. Splitfoot (Paperback)

By Samantha Hunt

$16.99

ISBN: 9780544811812

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Published: Mariner Books - January 24th, 2017

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This is one of those novels that makes me want to say, "Just read it," and then not tell you anything about it, and let you discover the whole thing for yourself.  If you love a good roadtrip, if you love a good ghost story, if you love a book that stays with you for a long time after, this one is for you.  It's received so much praise, but the quote that comes the closest to my feelings about the book is this one:

“I'm speechless. Mr. Splitfoot is so inventive, so new; I haven’t read anything like it in years. On the surface it's about false spirituality and the most demented road trip across New York State ever attempted, but it's also about the horrible ties that bind us and the small acts of redemption that make life almost okay. On top of that, it’s a thrilling page-turner. I couldn’t stop reading it.”
– Gary Shteyngart, author of Little Failure, Super Sad True Love Story, and many others

The Shepherd's Life: Modern Dispatches from an Ancient Landscape (Paperback)

By James Rebanks

$18.99

ISBN: 9781250060266

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Published: Flatiron Books - September 27th, 2016

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The Shepherd's Life is the beautifully written yet unsentimental memoir of a man who raises sheep in England's Lake District, as his family has for generations.  With a vivid sense of place and a compelling narrative, this book is a deeply enjoyable read, but it's much more than that:  The Shepherd's Life bears witness to the importance and relevance of small-scale farming not just as a means of production but as a way of life, as a source of community and cultural identity, as a way of raising a family and of living on the land.

Reclaiming Conversation: The Power of Talk in a Digital Age (Paperback)

By Sherry Turkle

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ISBN: 9780143109792

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Published: Penguin Books - October 4th, 2016

An intriguing, inspiring book about the importance of face-to-face, human-to-human conversation in a world full of interruptions.  Well-researched and more optimistic than you might think, this book offers pragmatic recommendations for prioritizing real-life connections over digital ones.  Recommended reading for anyone with a smartphone, especially (but not limited to) parents and teachers.

Viking Economics: How the Scandinavians Got It Right-and How We Can, Too (Hardcover)

By George Lakey

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ISBN: 9781612195360

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Published: Melville House - July 12th, 2016

It's been a brutal year so far as national news, and it can be hard to feel hopeful, but this book provides a hearty dose of hope, along with a lot of supporting evidence and good sense.  Lakey is a smart, amiable and accessible author, and Viking Economics was a pleasure to read (not something you can claim about every economics book!)  His account of how the Scandinavian countries have achieved such an enviable quality of life through practical, effective policies is inspiring.  While I was researching this book, I came across the talking point "The Nordics offer free university education and health care, along with affordable day care for young children.  Full employment is normal, and poverty was virtually abolished, even though poverty was once rampant."  Can you imagine being able to say "poverty has been virtually abolished" about the U.S., or even about Vermont?  It's a worthy goal, and, as Bill McKibben said, this book "shows us there’s no reason we couldn’t be making far more progress across a wide range of problems."  Viking Economics is a great pick for those who #feelthebern and for those who just think that we could be doing a better job of things in this country.

White Trash: The 400-Year Untold History of Class in America (Hardcover)

By Nancy Isenberg

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ISBN: 9780670785971

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Published: Viking - June 21st, 2016

There are a lot of important conversations we need to have in the U.S., and the conversation about class is one of them.  The sheer weight of Isenberg's well-researched argument makes it impossible to maintain that the US has achieved, or ever had, a classless society.  As has been said, if you're afraid to have the discussion, you'll never solve the problem, and this book provides a vital piece of context to the discussion of why our country is so deeply divided.

I happened to read this book alongside Carol Anderson's White Rage: The Unspoken Truth of our Racial Divide, and found the two books, which follow the same range of history and inform each other, to be a great pairing.

DIY Bitters: Reviving the Forgotten Flavor - A Guide to Making Your Own Bitters for Bartenders, Cocktail Enthusiasts, Herbalists, and More (Hardcover)

By Jovial King, Guido Mase

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ISBN: 9781592337040

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Published: Fair Winds Press - September 15th, 2016

Trust me, bitters taste great, especially when they're mixed up by by Burlington's own Jovial King and Guido Mase.  This new book by the founders of Urban Moonshine is packed full of delicious, unusual recipes and specific, nuanced information about blending bitters, the health benefits of bitters, and a range of bitter herbs.  A brilliant choice for herbalists, foodies, and anyone interested in this fun, tasty way to support health and increase vitality.  It's also a gorgeous book, so makes a lovely gift!
—Kristen

Never Look an American in the Eye: A Memoir of Flying Turtles, Colonial Ghosts, and the Making of a Nigerian Amiercan (Hardcover)

By Okey Ndibe

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ISBN: 9781616957605

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Published: Soho Press - October 11th, 2016

Okey Ndibe, originally from Nigeria, has written a generously good-humored memoir about his move to and adjustment to living in the US.  A wonderful read, this book also offers an eye-opening perspective on many aspects of American culture.