Summertime is meant for lounging in a shaded hammock between two trees, or under a beach umbrella—and the perfect time to catch up on some reading. Here are our Summer picks.
WANDERESS
THE UNEARTH WOMEN GUIDE TO TRAVELING SMART, SAFE, AND SOLO
By Nikki Vargas and Elise Fitzsimmons
Feminism meets travel in this interactive resource for women who love to travel the world, near and far—from the co-founders of Unearth Women, a print and digital women’s travel magazine. Wanderess features expert tips from leading women in the travel industry. You’ll find everything you need to experience life-changing adventures, both near and far. And because travel is not a one-size-fits-all experience, our experts offer specific helpful advice for women. Discover your specific travel style, build your destinations wish list, find volunteer opportunities abroad, get expert tips on travel hacking, use helpful checklists, from trip planning to packing and learn how to travel solo.
THE ART OF WAVES
By Clark Little
Instagram sensation Clark Little shares his most remarkable photographs from inside the breaking wave, with a foreword by world surfing champion Kelly Slater. Surfer and photographer Clark Little creates deceptively peaceful pictures of waves by placing himself under the deadly lip as it is about to hit the sand. “Clark’s view” is a rare and dangerous perspective of waves from the inside out. Thanks to his uncanny ability to get the perfect shot–and live to share it–Little has garnered a devout audience, been the subject of award-winning documentaries, and become one of the world’s most recognizable wave photographers. Clark Little: The Art of Waves compiles over 150 of his images, including crystalline breaking waves, the diverse marine life of Hawaii, and mind-blowing aerial photography.
MI COCINA
RECIPES AND RAPTURE FROM MY KITCHEN IN MEXICO: A COOKBOOK
By Rick Martínez
Join Rick Martínez on a once-in-a-lifetime culinary journey throughout México that begins in Mexico City and continues through 32 states, in 156 cities, and across 20,000 incredibly delicious miles. In Mi Cocina, Rick shares deeply personal recipes as he re-creates the dishes and specialties he tasted throughout his journey. Inspired by his travels, the recipes are based on his taste memories and experiences. True to his spirit and reflective of his deep connections with people and places, these dishes will revitalize your pantry and transform your cooking repertoire.
PLANTS ARE MY FAVORITE PEOPLE
A RELATIONSHIP GUIDE FOR PLANTS AND THEIR PARENTS
By Alessia Resta
The plant influencer behind Apartment Botanist proves that anyone can be a plant parent, no matter where you live, how small your space is, or how busy you are. Whether you are an aspiring plant parent or already care for a junglelike brood, plant-stagram influencer Alessia Resta (aka Apartment Botanist) has distilled everything you need to know to start and grow your collection in this plant-care bible. It covers all the basics, like understanding light sources, choosing and buying plants, planning for seasonal care, and watering regimens. Alessia also dives into more sophisticated plant care, such as managing humidity, propagating, and mixing your own soil mediums.
LIFE OF FIRE
MASTERING THE ARTS OF PIT-COOKED BARBECUE, THE GRILL, AND THE SMOKEHOUSE: A COOKBOOK
By Pat Martin and Nick Fauchald
One of the few pitmasters still carrying the torch of West Tennessee whole-hog barbecue, Nashville’s Pat Martin has studied and taught this craft for years. Now he reveals all he knows about the art of barbecue and live fire cooking. Through beautiful photography and detailed instruction, the lessons start with how to prepare and feed a fire—what wood to use, how to build a pit or a grill, how to position it to account for the weather—then move into cooking through all the stages of that fire’s life. You’ll sear tomatoes for sandwiches and infuse creamed corn with the flavor of char from the temperamental, adolescent fire. Next, you’ll grill chicken with Alabama white sauce over the grown-up fire, and, of course, you’ll master pit-cooked whole hog, barbecue ribs, turkey, pork belly, and pork shoulder over the smoldering heat of mature coals. Finally, you’ll roast vegetables buried in white ash, and you’ll smoke bacon and country hams in the dying embers of the winter fire.
SUNFLOWERS BENEATH THE SNOW
Teri M. Brown
In Sunflowers Beneath the Snow, Wilmington, NC author Teri M. Brown, explores the tenacity of women, showing that even in grueling circumstances, they can, and do, experience all the good things life has to offer - compassion, joy, love, faith, and wonder. A Ukrainian rebel. Three generations of women bearing the consequences. A journey that changes everything. When Ivanna opens the door to uniformed officers, her tranquil life is torn to pieces - leaving behind a broken woman who must learn to endure cold, starvation, and the memories of a man who died in the quintessential act of betrayal. Using her thrift, ingenuity, and a bit of luck, she finds a way to survive in Soviet Ukraine, along with her daughter, Yevtsye. But the question remains, will she be strong enough to withstand her daughter’s deceit and the eventual downfall of the nation she has devoted her life to? Or will the memories of her late husband act as a shadow haunting everyone and everything she loves, including Ionna, the granddaughter that never knew him?
BOARDS - STYLISH SPREADS FOR CASUAL GATHERINGS
Elle Simone Scott
These days, a grazing board is so much more than just cheese and cured meat—it’s an interactive and low-key yet elegant way of presenting food. Boards- Stylish Spreads for Casual Gatherings will help you show off your effortless entertaining style with showstopping conversation-starting spreads that are sure to impress your guests but give you the flexibility to make or buy components as you choose. In this book, America’s Test Kitchen cast member, and entertaining enthusiast Elle Simone Scott demonstrates her food styling and shares her tips for creating photo-worthy spreads, letting you in on trade secrets ranging from plating techniques to how she keeps things looking fresh on set (and all party long). Boards has tips for hosts to shake up their own popcorn with a Movie Night Board complete with individual paper bags and a variety of sprinkle-on flavorings (ranging from Garlic-Herb to ramen seasoning) plus a DIY soda fountain with seltzer and simple syrups. Or, steps to create a low-lift Tapas Board by making our foolproof spanish tortilla and adding store-bought cheeses, olives, and tinned fish.