Summer Recommendations

INDIEFAB Book of the Year Awards -- 2014 GOLD Winner for Adventure & Recreation Society of American Travel Writers Eastern Chapter -- Gold Award Society of American Travel Writers Foundation -- 2015 Lowell Thomas Travel Award for Best Travel Book  A hiker's dream bucket list is embodied in this lavishly illustrated celebration of more than 50,000 miles of America's most iconic trails. Celebrating the forty most important trails in America, this volume takes the reader through forty-nine states and eight national parks. Literally tens of millions of tourists and hikers visit these trails each year, some of which wind through the country's most scenic natural wonders and virtually every major ecosystem in America. Each featured trail has its own section, complete with a map and photo gallery, and the reader explores what makes it one of the most magnificent hiking experiences anywhere in the world. Trail histories accompany detailed hiker-friendly descriptions that highlight the most scenic spots, with suggestions for shorter weekend and day hikes. The stunning photographs take the reader on a visual adventure conducted by Bart Smith, the first person to hike all eleven National Scenic Trails from end to end. America's Great Hiking Trails is perfect for anyone interested in outdoor recreation and conservation.

City of Forests, City of Farms is a history of recent urban forestry and agriculture policy and programs in New York City. Centered on the 2007 initiative PlaNYC, this account tracks the development of policies that increased sustainability efforts in the city and dedicated more than $400 million dollars to trees via the MillionTreesNYC campaign. Lindsay K. Campbell uses PlaNYC to consider how and why nature is constructed in New York City. Campbell regards sustainability planning as a process that unfolds through the strategic interplay of actors, the deployment of different narrative frames, and the mobilizing and manipulation of the physical environment, which affects nonhuman animals and plants as well as the city's residents. Campbell zeroes in on a core omission in PlaNYC's original conception and funding: Despite NYC having a long tradition of community gardening, particularly since the fiscal crisis of the 1970s, the plan contained no mention of community gardens or urban farms. Campbell charts the change of course that resulted from burgeoning public interest in urban agriculture and local food systems. She shows how civic groups and elected officials crafted a series of visions and plans for local food systems that informed the 2011 update to PlaNYC. City of Forests, City of Farms is a valuable tool that allows us to understand and disentangle the political decisions, popular narratives, and physical practices that shape city greening in New York City and elsewhere.

The first history of the American hiking community and its contributions to the nation's vast network of trails. In the mid-nineteenth century urban walking clubs emerged in the United States. A little more than a century later, tens of millions of Americans were hiking on trails blazed in every region of the country. This groundbreaking book is the first full account of the unique history of the American hiking community and its rich, nationwide culture.   Delving into unexplored archives, including those of the Appalachian Mountain Club, Sierra Club, Green Mountain Club, and many others, Silas Chamberlin recounts the activities of hikers who over many decades formed clubs, built trails, and advocated for environmental protection. He also discusses the shifting attitudes of the late 1960s and early 1970s when ideas about traditional volunteerism shifted and new hikers came to see trail blazing and maintenance as government responsibilities. Chamberlin explores the implications for hiking groups, future club leaders, and the millions of others who find happiness, inspiration, and better health on America's trails.   "With rich historical context Silas Chamberlin inspires new appreciation for trailblazers, while sharing the legacy of hiking and its growing importance today, as people find their way to a new relationship with the natural world."--Richard Louv, author of Last Child in the Woods and Vitamin N   "Chamberlin has demonstrated that what at first looks simple--walking on our own two feet--has a complex history of changing cultural associations, social infrastructure, and national significance."--James Longhurst, University of Wisconsin - La Crosse

Backpacker Magazine's The Complete Guide to Backpacking combines and distills the most useful and relevant skills necessary for backpacking in one easy to use guide, from the most respected authority on backpacking-- Backpacker magazine. From detailed descriptions of what to pack and how to pack it, to navigation and campsite cooking, to managing outdoor hazards and more, The Complete Guide to Backpacking is the definitive resource for Backpacking-related know-how.

Creasey's expertise on edible plants and how to incorporate them in beautifully designed outdoor environments have been hailed by gardeners as groundbreaking. Drawing on decades of research, this highly anticipated new edition of Creasey's classic presents everything readers need to know to create a landscape which will yield mouthwatering vegetables, fruits, nuts and berries. The included Encylopaedia of Edibles - a book in itself - provides horticultural information, culinary uses, sources and recommended varieties.

Turn an urban yard or balcony into your personal vegetable farm. Vegetable gardening is back! Concern about the environment and the desire to eat food unpolluted by chemicals, to buy local and to be thrifty are some of the reasons. Urbanites who have never grown a thing are now eager to try to cultivate vegetables, herbs and fruit in back and front yards, on rooftops and on balconies -- in any suitable space they can find. Incredible Edibles is for anyone who's thinking: "I'd love to try growing some herbs and vegetables. But is it too difficult? Do I have the space? Or the time?" Sonia Day focuses on edible plants that can be easily grown in a city setting, many of which are seldom featured in gardening books. Her clear, concise advice is perfect for those who don't have the time to wade through a gardening encyclopedia or to learn by trial and error. Incredible Edibles: Provides clear, step-by-step instructions on how to start and maintain an organic edible garden Profiles 43 specially selected "hassle-free" plants Offers simple and tasty recipes Recommends the best varieties for small spaces and suggests alternatives Lists readily available sources for seeds and seedlings Includes practical tips and personal anecdotes from Day's own gardening experiences Incredible Edibles is lavishly illustrated with color photographs taken expressly for this book. It will give urban gardeners everywhere the knowledge and confidence to grow and enjoy fresh vegetables, herbs and fruit.

The urban homesteading movement is spreading rapidly across the nation. Urban Homesteading is the perfect "back-to-the-land" guide for urbanites who want to reduce their impact on the environment. Full of practical information, as well as inspiring stories from people already living the urban homesteading life, this colorful guide is an approachable guide to learning to live more ecologically in the city. The book embraces the core concepts of localization (providing our basic needs close to where we live), self-reliance (re-learning that food comes from the ground, not the grocery store; learning to do things ourselves), and sustainability (giving back at least as much as we take). Readers will find concise how-to information that they can immediately set into practice, from making solar cookers to growing tomatoes in a barrel to raising chickens in small spaces to maintaining mental serenity in the fast-paced city environment. Full of beautiful full-color photographs and illustrations, and plenty of step-by-step instructions, this is a must-have handbook for city folk with a passion for the simple life.nbsp;

Carrying only basic camping equipment and a collection of the world's great spiritual writings, Belden C. Lane embarks on solitary spiritual treks through the Ozarks and across the American Southwest. For companions, he has only such teachers as Rumi, John of the Cross, Hildegard of Bingen, Dag Hammarskjöld, and Thomas Merton, and as he walks, he engages their writings with the natural wonders he encounters--Bell Mountain Wilderness with Søren Kierkegaard, Moonshine Hollow with Thich Nhat Hanh--demonstrating how being alone in the wild opens a rare view onto one's interior landscape, and how the saints' writings reveal the divine in nature. The discipline of backpacking, Lane shows, is a metaphor for a spiritual journey. Just as the wilderness offered revelations to the early Desert Christians, backpacking hones crucial spiritual skills: paying attention, traveling light, practicing silence, and exercising wonder. Lane engages the practice not only with a wide range of spiritual writings--Celtic, Catholic, Protestant, Buddhist, Hindu, and Sufi Muslim--but with the fascination of other lovers of the backcountry, from John Muir and Ed Abbey to Bill Plotkin and Cheryl Strayed. In this intimate and down-to-earth narrative, backpacking is shown to be a spiritual practice that allows the discovery of God amidst the beauty and unexpected terrors of nature. Adoration, Lane suggests, is the most appropriate human response to what we cannot explain, but have nonetheless learned to love. An enchanting narrative for Christians of all denominations, Backpacking with the Saints is an inspiring exploration of how solitude, simplicity, and mindfulness are illuminated and encouraged by the discipline of backcountry wandering, and of how the wilderness itself becomes a way of knowing-an ecology of the soul.

Written by Donald J. Leopold, expert in horticulture, botany, forestry, and ecology No other single volume on native plants has such comprehensive horticultural coverage as Native Plants of the Northeast: A Guide for Gardening and Conservation. Nearly seven hundred species of native trees, shrubs, vines, ferns, grasses, and wildflowers from the northeastern quarter of the United States and all of eastern Canada are included. Each plant description includes information about cultivation and propagation, ranges, and hardiness. An appendix recommends particular plants for difficult situations, as well as attracting butterflies, hummingbirds, and other wildlife. 

Justin Lichter, a.k.a. Trauma, divulges hundreds of valuable tips and advice based on his more than 35,000 miles of hiking across the country and beyond. Trail Tested is a comprehensive guide to hiking and backpacking. Whether you're a new hiker looking for expert advice, an experienced hiker looking to hone your skills, or a thru-hiker gearing up for a 6-month trip, this book is packed with priceless information to make your trip a successful and comfortable one. Vibrant images from Trauma's treks will entice all readers of all skill levels to get out and enjoy the backcountry. You'll learn why getting the right gear and learning outdoor skills are integral to making the most out of your next backpacking trip. Some topics included in this guide are: * Gear advice, including backpacks, sleeping bags, tents, ultralight shetlers, and clothing * Gear maintenance and repair * Ultralight tips for novices to gram-counters * Low-impact camping and hiking * Campsite selection * Hiking with dogs * Navigating the backcountry * Winter camping * First aid * Weather forecasting * Advanced techniques for creating routes, cross-country hiking, fording rivers, multi-sport adventures, and animal encounters

"An invaluable guide...Kudos to the author for changing the narrative on inclusiveness, breaking down stereotypes, and building body positivity." --Booklist From the founder of the Fat Girls Hiking community comes an inclusive, inspiring call to the outdoors for people of all body types, sizes, and backgrounds. In a book brimming with heartfelt stories, practical advice, personal profiles of Fat Girls Hiking community members, and helpful trail reviews, Summer Michaud-Skog creates space for marginalized bodies with an insistent conviction that outdoor recreation should welcome everyone. Whether you're an experienced or aspiring hiker, you'll be empowered to hit the trails and find yourself in nature. Trails not scales!        

In Hiking through History New York, you can hike through the forest planted on orders from President Franklin Roosevelt and follow the swath cut by the 20th century's strongest and most influential First Lady. Or you can traverse the Minisink Battleground, a shady natural area once erupted in battle between British, Iroquois, and American troops. Or explore Fort Niagara and walk along lookout points that French soldiers occupied as far back as the 1600s. Hiking through History New York profiles forty hikes, going beyond stating miles and directions for each hike to include rich descriptions of the history underfoot. Whether you're a curious tourist or a local history buff, this is a comprehensive guidebook to the area's natural and human history.

Hiking the Catskills provides everything hikers need to plan day hikes in the Catskill region of New York State: a five-county area west of the Hudson River that includes parts of Delaware, Greene, Otsego, Sullivan and Ulster counties. This guide selects 40 hikes from the best among the Catskills' famous peaks above 3,500 feet, as well as more moderate trails to backcountry waterfalls, easier trails to some of the area's most spectacular viewpoints, and rail trails that provide access to fragrant woodlands and unusual geological wonders. This book provides a separate, full-color, detailed map for each hike--making it different from books by the Appalachian and Adirondack Mountain Clubs--and waypoint-by-waypoint directions to guide readers along trails with confidence. Color photos and descriptions of the history, natural wonders, and special features of each hike help readers choose the best hikes for their personal interests and skill levels. In a region largely abandoned by tourists and just now seeing renewed interest from visitors, Hiking the Catskills provides the guidance readers need to plan exciting trips into the mountains. This book leads them to the ridges, notches, and cloves that inspired a uniquely American landscape painting style, the vistas that drew thousands of vacationers here throughout the twentieth century, and the peaks that challenge the most rugged explorers. It's time to rediscover the Catskills, one of New York's most fascinating natural areas.

Garden like Mother Nature, with an organic system that's good for plants and good for people.   Say good-bye to backaches and weed problems!  Lee Reich's organic Weedless Gardening eschews the traditional yearly digging up and working over of the soil. It's is an easy-to-follow, low-impact approach to planting and maintaining a flower garden, a vegetable patch, trees, and shrubs naturally. "If you love to knock yourself out digging beds, buy a better shovel. If you're looking for a no-nonsense alternative, buy this book!" -Ketzel Levine, National Public Radio's Doyenne of Dirt) "Thoroughly practical, easy-to-follow guide to good gardening Lee Reich make it sound simple, and if you follow his methods and philosophy, it is." -Dora Galitzki, Gardening Columnist, The New York Times, and Author of The Gardener's Essential Companion "Finally, a book filled with science-based information that insures success and frees us from busywork in the garden." - Dr. H. March Cathey, President Emeritus, American Horticultural Society  

Every summer, Rose goes with her mom and dad to a lake house in Awago Beach. It's their getaway, their refuge. Rosie's friend Windy is always there, too, like the little sister she never had. But this summer is different. Rose's mom and dad won't stop fighting, and when Rose and Windy seek a distraction from the drama, they find themselves with a whole new set of problems. It's a summer of secrets and sorrow and growing up, and it's a good thing Rose and Windy have each other.In This One Summer two stellar creators redefine the teen graphic novel. Cousins Mariko and Jillian Tamaki, the team behind Skim, have collaborated on this gorgeous, heartbreaking, and ultimately hopeful story about a girl on the cusp of her teen age--a story of renewal and revelation.

Learn how to live sustainably in the city, the suburbs, or the country Many people are cutting back on consumerism and trying to simplify their lives, realizing that the ""new way"" isn't necessarily the best way. The sustainable living movement goes beyond a desire to protect the environment and practice green living; it's about rediscovering simple survival skills that, in an earlier time, were known and practiced by almost everyone. The New American Homestead gives you a wealth of information about homesteading--a lifestyle of simple, agrarian self-sufficiency--from raising chickens, bees, and other animals to gardening in earth-friendly ways to canning, preserving, home brewing, and cheese making. The book does not assume that you have a sizable parcel of land in the country; author John Tullock's techniques can be put to use in virtually any space, even a small urban plot. The book appeals to anyone who has a yard, courtyard, deck, or porch with room for gardening; wants to spend less money maintaining a household; and desires to reduce his or her carbon footprint through sustainable living The author emphasizes cultivating foods of all kinds in spaces of one-third of an acre or less, with consideration given to costs, family needs, available space, and the pleasures of the table Includes advice for achieving sustainability in other aspects of urban/suburban life Whether you're dwelling in the country, suburbs, or the city, The New American Homestead shows you how to live a more sustainable life.