From May 25th through July 26th, earn chances to win free books and our grand prize—just by reading and having fun!
You can sign up to participate from May 1st through June 30th by visiting the library, giving us a call at (606) 784-7137, or using the online form on this page.
Everyone of every age is invited! After you register, you can pick up a Summer Reading bag that includes a log sheet you'll use to track your reading and the programs or events you attend. Turn your completed log sheet in to be eligible for our prize drawings. It's that simple!
Read on for more information about how to get involved, what we've got in store for the summer, prizes, and reading recommendations!
Once you're signed up, join us for our big kickoff event on May 25th: A library carnival, complete with petting zoo!
You have to start an adventure off right, so we're beginning our journey into the jungle with games, crafts, cotton candy, popcorn, and all kinds of animals. The party goes from 12–5pm May 25th, so after you've been to the spring festival downtown, be sure to stop by for even more fun and excitement! This is especially for kids 5–12, but we're sure you'll have a great time no matter your age.
Remember to register beforehand so you've got your Summer Reading log passport, and make sure to get your first stamp at the kickoff. The adventure has just begun, so this is just a taste of what's in store!
Check out the linked event on our calendar for additional details. 👉🏽
You can also find and follow all our Summer Reading programming in the section below. Remember to sign up for email reminders so you never miss an event you want to be part of, and you can share to your social media directly from each event's page! 👇🏽
Summer Reading is here, and the adventure starts at your library!
This year's Summer Reading is all about new experiences and new horizons! An adventure doesn't have to mean going somewhere no one has gone before; it can be as simple as going someplace you've never gone: Learning a new skill, trying something you normally wouldn't, or otherwise challenging yourself is an adventure all on its own.
We've transformed the library into a jungle cruise where anything could be behind the next tree or around the next river bend! You might encounter ancient ruins, lost dinosaurs, curious cryptids, mysterious magic, or even ghosts and alien travelers on their own adventure. Mostly, we hope we can convince you to push your own boundaries and learn what new things are possible for you to achieve through all the fun programs we've got lined up!
For Children: We learn about communication, language, storytelling, and letters long before we actually learn to read and write. That's where early literacy comes in! It's never too early to work toward reading success, and kids who have been read to from an early age have a larger vocabulary, acquire better language skills, and are more likely to want to learn on their own. Summer Reading helps parents set and meet those goals for children, and it's a great opportunity to teach them about teamwork, empathy, and acceptance at the same time!
For Teens: Listen, we get it—we try to stay hip with the youth, and sometimes it's hit or miss. What matters is that teens' needs are being met just like everyone else's! If you're 13-18, you're working to gain independence, you're hunting excitement, you're figuring out who you are, and you just want to be accepted. The library might not sound like a wild time, but we're here to help you discover all possible futures for yourself. Your potential is tomorrow's reality, and Summer Reading is meant to be part of that journey. Put us on your team and let us work with you!
For Adults: Don't kid yourself, you look forward to summer as much as kids do! Maybe you're on vacation, or maybe you just like to relax and catch up on your reading. Either way, we're here for you, too! Community and support aren't just critical for teens and children; we need them more and more as we get older. Whether you're looking for a personal challenge or just for something interesting to do with friends (old or new), we've got you covered.
No matter your age, background, or identity, it takes each and every one of us to make Rowan County. So, let's make this year's Summer Reading another great one—the adventure starts at your library!
We want you to read—it doesn’t matter what! Physical books, graphic novels, ebooks, even listening to audiobooks counts. (Check out some of our recommendations in the book rivers below, to get you started!) When you register, we’ll give you the appropriate bag or log sheet for your age category:
Then, all you have to do is read age-appropriate books and attend eligible library events for your category, track them on the log sheet provided, and turn that log in at the end of our Summer Reading program! (Anyone can get a reading log, but program bags are available in limited quantity; first come, first served.)
If you prefer digital reading for any reason, give our apps a try! Check out our digital resources to get started with Libby, Hoopla, Freading, or Tumblebooks; all you need is your library card, and we’re happy to help you out in person or over the phone. There’s never been a better time to try them out (especially since they all have separate borrowing limits from your physical card)!
Eligibility for prizes is determined by the number of age-appropriate books each participant reads, plus the number of Summer Reading programs they attend. To be entered for a chance to get free books at the end, find the registrant's age group on the list below for the minimum number of books that must be read and logged:
For anyone unable to read on their own (such as toddlers), books read to them by someone else totally count! After all, books are best when they're shared.
To be eligible for our grand prize drawing, babies and children must read (or have read to them) the minimum required number of books for their age group, and also complete the path sheet provided at registration. Teens and adults will need to read at least 5 age-appropriate books and also complete their path sheet. In addition to the free books they can already earn, they’ll have a chance to receive an adventuring kit with camping gear and more! Remember to get your reading log stamped when you come to an event (or it doesn't count).
We’ll announce our winners on social media at the end of the program, and prize pickup will be July 23rd for babies and teens, and July 25th adults and children 3–12. There will also be a special closeout event at the Carl Perkins Center from 2–6pm on July 26th for all registrants!
A young bear has an imaginary adventure on a fire truck after local firefighters visit his school. Additional features to aid comprehension include a letter to educators and caregivers, an introduction to the authors and illustrator, a phonetic glossary, and an activity.
A magical adventure by the light of the moon . . .
Girl by day. Cat by night. Ready for adventure. In the third book of this engaging chapter book series about a little girl with catlike superpowers, Kitty and her feline friends discover a secret roof garden and must save it from unwelcome visitors. With dramatic two-color art on every page and an emphasis on friendship, family, and building self-confidence, the Kitty books are the perfect choice for newly independent readers and fans of Rebecca Elliott's Owl Diaries.
Kitty is special. Her mother is a superhero with catlike powers that Kitty and her little brother, Max, will someday inherit. But being a superhero involves going on daring adventures out in the dark, and Kitty doesn't know if she'll be brave enough
In Kitty and the Sky Garden, Kitty and her feline friends Pumpkin and Pixie discover a secret sky garden on a city rooftop. The garden is beautiful, and the flowers are delicate and colorful. But when Pixie tells other cats about the magical place, the secret is out, and the garden is in danger of being destroyed Will Kitty save the day and rescue the garden before it's too late?
Discover eleven truly amazing adventures through fun and lively illustrated finger mazes. Mapping and direction skills are reinforced with the inclusion of a compass rose, key, and instructions for things to look for on each adventure. Maze solutions are included.
The Kentucky Adventure is a 4th grade Kentucky history textbook. The outline for this book is based on the Kentucky State Social Studies Standards and offers a comprehensive course of study in Kentucky's geography, history, economics, culture, and government. The book places the state's historical events in the context of our nation's history. The student edition has many features such as timelines, Words to Understand, maps, charts, graphs, In-Text Activities, and What Do You Think? discussion questions that help develop critical thinking and problem-solving skills.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Chapter 1
Starting the Adventure
Chapter 2
Kentucky's Place in the World
Chapter 3
Natural Kentucky
Chapter 4
The Early People
Chapter 5
Explorers and Settlers
Chapter 6
Fighting for Freedom: The American Revolution
Chapter 7
Statehood-At Last
Chapter 8
Antebellum Kentucky: A State Divided
Chapter 9
The Civil War and Reconstruction
Chapter 10
Kentucky in the New Century
Chapter 11
Modern Kentucky
Chapter 12
Governing Kentucky
Chapter 13
Making a Living in Kentucky
The Thea sisters are off to Japan on a cultural exchange program. While they're busy exploring Kyoto and admiring the beautiful cherry blossoms, a valuable item is stolen from their friend Kumi's family. Will the five mice be able to catch the thief?
It's ADVENTURE TIME! Join Finn the Human, Jake the Dog, and Princess Bubblegum for all-new adventures through The Land of Ooo.
The totally algebraic adventures of Finn and Jake have come to the comic book page! The Lich, a super-lame, SUPER-SCARY skeleton dude, has returned to the the Land of Ooo, and he’s bent on total destruction! Luckily, Finn and Jake are on the case...but can they succeed against their most destructive foe yet? Featuring fan-favorite characters Marceline the Vampire Queen, Princess Bubblegum, Lumpy Space Princess and the Ice King!
An instant #1 New York Times bestseller!
You've never seen the Wimpy Kid World like this before--an entirely new, awesome, friendly, truly fantastic fantasy quest from #1 international bestselling author Jeff Kinney!
From the imagination of Rowley Jefferson comes an adventure of epic proportions. Join Roland and his best friend, Garg the Barbarian, as they leave the safety of their village and embark on a quest to save Roland's mom from the White Warlock. Will our heroes survive? Find out in Rowley Jefferson's Awesome Friendly Adventure!
And don't miss Rowley Jefferson's first book, the instant #1 bestseller, Diary of an Awesome Friendly Kid: Rowley Jefferson's Journal!
From the author of the 2013 Caldecott Honor Book, ONE COOL FRIEND!
Annie Grace wears her ?Adventure Annie? cape to her first day of kindergarten, and proceeds to barrel through the day, searching for adventure in every moment. Her interpretation of the class's Gold Star Rules isn't exactly what her teacher, Mr. Todd, had in mind. But somehow Annie does manage to save the day when two of her classmates get lost on their way to retrieve the afternoon snack. Spirited and funny, this is an introduction to kindergarten that will please kids and teachers alike.
Herbie is a little hedgehog who is perfectly happy at home with his mother. But one day Mommy tells Herbie that it's time to go exploring--all by himself! Herbie is so not sure, but ready or not, a westerly wind sweeps Herbie into the wide world ... and Herbie's Big Adventure begins! Little Herbie finds that he's braver than he thinks and even makes a friend before coming safely back home to Mommy.
In the newest Rip Squeak and His Friends tale Rip Squeak and his friends set sail about their ship, "Adventure." Just when they think the fog will ruin their day, the unthinkable happens! Rip falls overboard! But he's saved (of course) and out of something bad, something good happens: the adventureres make a new and most unusual friend and learn that things are not always as they appear. Kids love Rip Squeak and His Friends and will embrace the new adventure and new friend quickly!
In a world where there are dragons, wyverns, and haunted squash, you'd figure someone would have recipes for them, right?
Rutabaga and his magic cooking pot, Pot, join young adventurers Winnifred, Manny, and Beef on a quest to defeat a dragon, discover new ingredients, find monsters to have for and/or to dinner, and to save the day through cooking. Rutabaga will dare any danger to uncover new tastes, and there's a whole world full of food to try--from roasted mud leech to spider soup to peanut butter on crackers. His heroic recipes combine real ingredients, fantasy ingredients, and real ingredients that sound fantastical. Rutabaga the Adventure Chef is the perfect adventure for any kid grossed out when something weird shows up on the dinner table.
Dive into adventure! Join Noah on his underwater adventure to the depths of the ocean in this board book for kids aged 1-3, with interactive die-cuts throughout and a surprise pop-up!
Join Noah as he puts on his wetsuit and visits Earth's most mysterious environment: the ocean. Come face to face with a great white shark, join dazzling fish on a coral reef, explore the depths of the ocean in Noah's submarine, and discover your very own pirate treasure.
Die-cut board pages and a pop-up make every page an interactive experience, keeping readers guessing about what surprise awaits on the next page, while fun and informative writing explains fascinating facts about ocean animals. With its bold interactive features, beautiful illustrations, and fun story, this book is the ideal gift for young ocean lovers!
Also in the Zoom series:
Trek into the jungle! Join Lin on her journey into the Amazon rainforest in this board book for young readers aged 1-3.
Discover mischievous monkeys, slithery snakes, smiling sloths, hovering hummingbirds and delightful dolphins in one of the most exciting places on Earth. Die-cut board pages and a pop-up make every page an interactive experience, while fun and informative writing explains fascinating facts about rainforests.
With its bold interactive features, beautiful illustrations, and fun story, this book is the ideal gift for young nature enthusiasts!
Also in the Zoom series:
Blast off to adventure! Join Ava and her cat as they pilot their rocket to the furthest reaches of the solar system and beyond.
An "absolutely stellar" (Kirkus Reviews, Starred Review) board book for kids ages 1-3, with interactive die-cuts throughout and a surprise pop-up!
Join Ava and her cat on their adventure into space, where you can visit the International Space Station, ride in a moon buggy, discover a Mars rover, journey past all the planets in the Solar System, and watch the greatest show in outer space: a supernova explosion.
Board book pages with peek-a-boo holes and a pop-up make every page an interactive experience, keeping readers guessing about what surprise awaits on the next page, while fun and informative writing explains fascinating facts about space. With its bold interactive features, beautiful illustrations, and fun story, this book is the ideal gift for young space enthusiasts!
Also in the Zoom series:
Create heroic characters for the world’s greatest roleplaying game.
The Player’s Handbook is the essential reference for every Dungeons & Dragons roleplayer. It contains rules for character creation and advancement, backgrounds and skills, exploration and combat, equipment, spells, and much more. Use this book to create characters from among the most iconic D&D races and classes.
Publisher’s Weekly #1 Best Seller in Hardcover Nonfiction
Wall Street Journal #1 Best Seller in Hardcover Nonfiction
• In Dungeons & Dragons, you and your friends coauthor your own legend. Guided by a Dungeon Master, you create characters and play their roles in a story, rolling dice and navigating maps as you unfold a tale as limitless as your imagination.
• The Player’s Handbook is the first of three D&D core rulebooks, along with the Monster Manual and the Dungeon Master’s Guide. The Player’s Handbook is the cornerstone. It’s the foundational text of D&D’s fifth edition—for beginners and for veterans alike.
• The Player’s Handbook walks you through how to create a Dungeons & Dragons character—the role you’ll play in the D&D world.
• Dungeons & Dragons is the world’s greatest roleplaying game. Created in 1974, D&D transformed gaming culture by blending traditional fantasy with miniatures and wargaming.
"There have been eight previous worlds ... Each left behind remnants. People of the new world, the Ninth World, sometimes call these remnants magic, and who are we to say they're wrong? But most give a unique name to the legacies of the nigh-unimaginable past. They call them Numenera. The Ninth World is built on the bones of the previous eight. The game of Numenera is about discovering the wonders of the worlds that came before, not for their own sake, but as the means to improve the present and build a future."--from p. 4 of cover.
Will you stand against the horrors of the night? Whether learned professor, nosy journalist, or hard-hitting detective, investigators need all the help they can get. Let this book be your guide. The Investigator Handbook is an essential player's aid for the Call of Cthulhu7th Edition roleplaying game. Written for those who will be playing the roles of investigators, the Investigator Handbook contains expanded rules for creating players characters, a wealth of over 100 occupations and skill descriptions, as well as guidance on getting the most from the game. What's more, there's a range of organizations for your investigator to belong to, detailed information about the classic 1920s setting, equipment and weapons for both the 1920s and modern day, and expert tips and advice for all budding investigators. No self-respecting investigator of the Cthulhu Mythos should be without it!
Blades in the Dark is a tabletop role-playing game about a crew of daring scoundrels seeking their fortunes on the haunted streets of an industrial-fantasy city. There are heists, chases, occult mysteries, dangerous bargains, bloody skirmishes, and, above all, riches to be had--if you're bold enough to seize them. You and your fledgling crew must thrive amidst the threats of rival gangs, powerful noble families, vengeful ghosts, the Bluecoats of the city watch, and the siren song of your scoundrel's own vices. Will you rise to power in the underworld? What are you willing to do to get to the top? Inside, you'll find: Rules to create your scoundrel using the following character archetypes: The Cutter, the Hound, the Leech, the Lurk, the Slide, the Spider, or the Whisper. Rules to create your crew, built from types like Assassins, Bravos, a Cult, Hawkers, Shadows, or Smugglers. A robust core mechanic for planning crimianl operations to cut through the usual slog of planning at the game table. Rules for alchemical experiments, gadget tinkering, and weird occult powers--including rules for playing Ghosts and other strange beings. A setting guide to the haunted city of Doskvol, with all the maps, factions, NPCs, and opportunities you need to run an exciting sandbox game. --
An illustrated edition of the enchanting prequel to The Lord of the Rings, The Hobbit—the classic fantasy that inspired Peter Jackson’s major motion picture trilogy—in a newly expanded edition.
When Thorin Oakenshield and his band of dwarves embark upon a dangerous quest to reclaim the hoard of gold stolen from them by the evil dragon Smaug, Gandalf the wizard suggests an unlikely accomplice: Bilbo Baggins, an unassuming Hobbit dwelling in peaceful Hobbiton.
Along the way, the company faces trolls, goblins, giant spiders, and worse. But as they journey from the wonders of Rivendell to the terrors of Mirkwood and beyond, Bilbo will find that there is more to him than anyone—himself included—ever dreamed. Unexpected qualities of courage and cunning, and a love of adventure, propel Bilbo toward his great destiny . . . a destiny that waits in the dark caverns beneath the Misty Mountains, where a twisted creature known as Gollum jealously guards a precious magic ring.
In Beast Rider, award-winning author Tony Johnston and psychotherapistMaria Elena Fontanot de Rhoads "offer a sympathetic, illuminating portrait of the challenges faced by one undocumented immigrant" (Publishers Weekly, Starred Review).
Twelve-year-old Manuel leaves his small town in Mexico to join his older brother in Los Angeles. To cross the US border, he must become a "beast rider"--someone who hops on a train. The first time he tries, he is stopped by the Mexican police, who arrest and beat him. When he tries again, he is attacked by a Mexican gang and left for dead.
Just when Manuel is ready to turn back, he finds new hope. Villagers clothe and feed him, help him find work, and eventually boost him back onto the train. When he finally arrives in LA and is reunited with his brother, he is elated. But the longer he's there, the more he realizes that something isn't right.
Thrilling and heartfelt, Beast Rider is a coming-of-age story that reveals how a place and its people help to define you.
With bold imagery and an ear tuned to the music of Homer's epic poem, Gareth Hinds reinterprets the ancient classic as it's never been told before.
"Gareth Hinds brings THE ODYSSEY to life in a masterful blend of art and storytelling. Vivid and exciting, this graphic novel is a worthy new interpretation of Homer's epic."
--Rick Riordan, author of the Percy Jackson & the Olympians series
Fresh from his triumphs in the Trojan War, Odysseus, King of Ithaca, wants nothing more than to return home to his family. Instead, he offends the sea god, Poseidon, who dooms him to years of shipwreck and wandering. Battling man-eating monsters, violent storms, and the supernatural seductions of sirens and sorceresses, Odysseus will need all his strength and cunning--and a little help from Mount Olympus--to make his way home and seize his kingdom from the schemers who seek to wed his queen and usurp his throne. Award-winning graphic artist Gareth Hinds masterfully reinterprets a story of heroism, adventure, and high action that has been told and retold for more than 2,500 years--though never quite like this.
A beautiful and faithful graphic novel adaptation of Richard Adams’s beloved story of a group of rabbits on an epic journey in search of home.
“Every rabbit that stays behind is in great danger. We will welcome any rabbit who joins us.”
Watership Down is a classic tale of survival, hope, courage, and friendship that has delighted and inspired readers around the world for more than fifty years. Masterfully adapted by award-winning author James Sturm and gorgeously illustrated by bestselling artist Joe Sutphin, this spectacular graphic novel will delight old fans and inspire new ones, bringing the joy of Watership Down to a new generation of readers.
“The pleasures of the novel go far beyond the crackling, breathless plot and the satisfaction of watching the puzzle fall into place. The book is shot through with humor, both laugh-out-loud and subtle.” —New York Times Book Review
From National Book Award finalist and Printz Award winner Laura Ruby comes an epic alternate history series about three kids who try to solve the greatest mystery of the modern world: a puzzle and treasure hunt laid into the very streets and buildings of New York City.
It was 1798 when the Morningstarr twins arrived in New York with a vision for a magnificent city: towering skyscrapers, dazzling machines, and winding train lines, all running on technology no one had ever seen before.
Fifty-seven years later, the enigmatic architects disappeared, leaving behind for the people of New York the Old York Cipher—a puzzle laid into the shining city they constructed, at the end of which was promised a treasure beyond all imagining. By the present day, however, the puzzle has never been solved, and the greatest mystery of the modern world is little more than a tourist attraction.
Tess and Theo Biedermann and their friend Jaime Cruz live in a Morningstarr apartment—until a real estate developer announces that the city has agreed to sell him the five remaining Morningstarr buildings. Their likely destruction means the end of a dream long held by the people of New York.
And if Tess, Theo, and Jaime want to save their home, they have to prove that the Old York Cipher is real. Which means they have to solve it.
"An epic mission to solve one of the greatest mysteries of their time. I loved this book. It is full of twists and turns" (from the Brightly.com review, which named York: The Shadow Cipher one of the best books of 2017).
Nothing is overdone and not a word is out of place in this auspicious debut," wrote Kirkus in a starred review of Instead of Three Wishes, the first book by Megan Whalen Turner. Her second book more than fulfills that promise.
The king's scholar, the magus, believes he knows the site of an ancient treasure. To attain it for his king, he needs a skillful thief, and he selects Gen from the king's prison. The magus is interested only in the theif's abilities. What Gen is interested in is anyone's guess. Their journey toward the treasure is both dangerous and difficult, lightened only imperceptibly by the tales they tell of the old gods and goddesses.
Megan Whalen Turner weaves Gen's stories and Gen's story together with style and verve in a novel that is filled with intrigue, adventure, and surprise.
An instant New York Times bestseller and Michael L. Printz honor book!
Eleven best of lists including an NPR Best Book, a Goodreads Best YA Fantasy and Science Fiction Nominee, and more!
From National Book Award finalist Laini Taylor comes an epic fantasy about a mythic lost city and its dark past.
The dream chooses the dreamer, not the other way around--and Lazlo Strange, war orphan and junior librarian, has always feared that his dream chose poorly. Since he was just five years old, he's been obsessed with the mythic lost city of Weep, but it would take someone bolder than he to cross half the world in search of it. Then a stunning opportunity presents itself, in the form of a hero called the Godslayer and a band of legendary warriors, and he has to seize his chance or lose his dream forever.
What happened in Weep two hundred years ago to cut it off from the rest of the world? And who is the blue-skinned goddess who appears in Lazlo's dreams?
In this sweeping and breathtaking novel by National Book Award finalist Laini Taylor, author of the New York Times bestselling Daughter of Smoke & Bone trilogy, the shadow of the past is as real as the ghosts who haunt the citadel of murdered gods. Fall into a mythical world of dread and wonder, moths and nightmares, love and carnage.
The answers await in Weep.
Fast-paced adventure, found family, intrigue, and enemies-to-lovers romance combine in an action-packed young adult novel for fans of Firefly.
Solara Brooks needs a fresh start, someplace where nobody cares about the engine grease beneath her fingernails or the felony tattoos across her knuckles. Still, off-world travel doesn't come cheap, and Solara is left with no choice but to indenture herself in exchange for passage to the outer realm. She just wishes it could have been to anyone besides Doran Spaulding, the rich, pretty-boy quarterback who made her life miserable in school. The tables suddenly turn when Doran is framed for conspiracy on Earth, and Solara cons him into playing the role of her servant on board the Banshee. Given the price on both Doran and Solara's heads, it may just be the safest place in the universe. It's been a long time since Solara has believed in anyone, and Doran is the last person she expected to trust. But when the Banshee's dangerous enemies catch up with them, Solara and Doran must come together to protect the ship that has become their home--and the eccentric crew that feels like family.
The national Finnish epic, "The Kalevala, " is one of the most important works of Finnish literature. It was originally compiled by Elias Lonnrot in the 19th century from ancient oral poetry. Since then, it has been translated into over 45 languages. This English translation captures the magic and beauty for children and adults alike. Beginning with the world's creation, it follows the stories of Vainamoinen, a shamanistic hero of song and story; his young rival, Joukahainen; and the handsome but arrogant Lemminkainen. Their quests for love, revenge, truth, and the mysterious Sampo, the ultimate source of prosperity, have thrilled and inspired generations of readers. This vibrant translation, with shimmering illustrations by Pirkko-liisa Surojegin, is sure to attract even more fans.
What a stunning discovery: an old, coded note that actually contains directions for reaching the Earth's very core! And once he finds it, renowned geologist Professor Liedenbrock can't resist setting out with his 16-year-old nephew to go where only one man has gone before. Jules Verne takes young readers on one of the most incredible journeys ever imagined, from Iceland's frozen tundra far down into fantastic underground prehistoric worlds and back up again through the fires of an erupting volcano.
From Tamora Pierce, the first book in the Song of the Lioness Quartet, honored with the Margaret A. Edwards Award.
“From now on I’m Alan of Trebond, the younger twin. I’ll be a knight.”
In a time when girls are forbidden to be warriors, Alanna of Trebond wants nothing more than to be a knight of the realm of Tortall. So she finds a way to switch places with her twin brother, Thom. Disguised as a boy, Alanna begins her training as a page at the palace of King Roald. But the road to knighthood, as she discovers, is not an easy one. Alanna must master weapons, combat, and magic, as well as polite behavior, her temper, and even her own heart.
Filled with swords and sorcery, adventure and intrigue, good and evil, Alanna’s first adventure begins—one that will lead to the fulfillment of her dreams and make her a legend in the land.
What makes a good explorer? Adaptability, ambition, stamina, self-belief, doggedness, curiosity, optimism, authority, hardiness -- and fund-raising ability.
A powerful punch of self-help, how-to, popular history, and humor. In this celebration of the glory days of exploration, Mick Conefrey takes a new look at the larger-than-life tales of many famous American and European adventurers. He pulls practical advice from their original diaries and logs stories of endurance and survival, such as Thor Heyerdahl's crossing of the Pacific in a raft and Robert Peary's heroic North Pole adventure. All expeditions are essentially projects that have to be managed. Teams have to be selected, equipped, and motivated. Goals have to be set and crises have to be overcome. For example -- some believed that it was always important to include in an expedition someone whom everyone else disliked because it would give focus to their complaints and help them bond. The book is chuck full of useful information, such as what to do if you are attacked by an anaconda--you wait until it is has swallowed you up to your knees and then you reach down and cut its head off. The instructions are very clear about not panicking in this situation.
In addition to the wonderful characters and stories you will find many lessons on how to be an explorer and what it takes to set sail without a clear path home.
The handmade books presented here are meant to spark outings and offer creative ways for you to explore your personal style and interests: Make treasure hunts even more special with a personalized Treasure Hunt Collection Bag and Notebook. Take notes at the beach with a Waterproof Book made with Tyvek pages. Make a canvas-covered Camping Songbook to take with you to the campsite. In this collection of twenty Japanese bookbinding projects, traditional techniques meet contemporary style, from easy-to-fold accordion books to the intricate Japanese stab-stitch bindings.
Book artist Erin Zamrzla makes bookbinding easy and unintimidating. Her clear step-by-step instructions make even the more complicated stitches easy to re-create. Information on the basics of bookbinding—including terminology, tools, and techniques—is included, and many projects encourage the creative use of ordinary and recycled materials.
The projects are:
Everyday Outings
• Grocery List Pad
• Lunch Box Notes
• Necklace Book
• Cross-Stitch Cover
• Write Your Own Story Journal
Outdoor Play
• Treasure Hunt Collection Bag and Notebook
• Little League Score Book
• Waterproof Book
• Bicycle Book
• Texture Collector
Nature Excursions
• Observation Journal
• Leaf and Flower Press
• Fishing Log
• Stargazing Log
• Camping Songbook
Road Trips
• Tiny Tickets Memorabilia Book
• Photo Notes
• Notes from the Road Postcard Book
• Fold-Out Map Booklet
• Things to Check Out
A celebration of athleticism, wisdom, and skill--Women Who Hike profiles over twenty of America's most inspiring women adventurers ranging from legends to the rising stars of today. The book is both inspirational and aspirational as each adventurer tells her story in her own words through featuring their favorite hike, highlighting personal challenges, accomplishments, and philosophy, as well as providing readers with practical how-to suggestions on maximizing not only their own potential in hiking but in life. The profiles are complemented by stunning color photographs. Each profile includes a map of the hike being profiled, hike specs, miles and directions, GPS coordinates to the trailhead, and a sidebar of something noteworthy about the hike, the location, or the adventurer.
Featured adventurers:
1. Ingrid Backstrom
2. Teresa Baker
3. Gina Bégin
4. Katie Boué
5. Jainee Dial & Lindsey Elliott
6. Caroline Gleich
7. Sarah Herron
8. Shanti Hodges
9. Kristin Hostetter
10. Jen Hudak
11. Rue Mapp
12. Hilary Oliver
13. Haley Robison
14. Elyse Rylander
15. Shawnté Salabert
16. Ambreen Tariq
17. Kalen Thorien
18. Mirna Valerio
19. Jolia Varela
20. Pamela Zoolalian
Build your dream vacation with this eclectic and tantalizing collection of 1,000 life-affirming adventures spanning the 7 continents
A travel book like no other, this unique guide will inspire both seasoned trekkers and arm-chair globetrotters alike to build experiences you will treasure forever. You'll find memorable, once-in-a-lifetime activities organized by longitude and latitude (country-by-country index also included) so you can max out your itinerary with the best things to do and the best places to visit around the world.
Discover recommendations that fit every traveler's must-do list, whether you go for museums and cultural experiences, sports & adventure travel, natural wonders and monuments, or culinary delights.
Packed with over 300 remarkable photos and info on the best beaches, museums, monuments, islands, inns, restaurants, and mountains at every longitude, each chapter includes not only geographically unique ideas, but also activities you can fit in to any itinerary, for travelers of all ages:
Globetrotting: Hitchhike across a border, or stand on the International Date Line
Wildlife Encounters: Watch sea turtles lay eggs on a beach, or fish with a cormorant on the Yangtze
Extreme Sports: Rafting on the Yukon, or zipline down the Alps
Music & Dance: Learn the guitar in 7 days and perform in a public square, or find a tango partner in the street in Buenos Aires
Legacy: Volunteer at an Orangutan sanctuary in Borneo, or research your family history and visit an ancestral site
Food & Drink: Eat a beignet at Café Du Monde in New Orleans, or forage your own dinner in Central Park
A valuable reference and a wonderful gift for digital nomads, recent grads, sabbatical planners, and adventuresome retirees, fair warning: you might just find your travel bucket list getting much, much longer.
Renowned as one of the world's foremost expedition photographers, Gordon Wiltsie has climbed Himalayan mountains, mushed dogs on the frozen Arctic Ocean, skied in Antarctica, and hacked through the Amazon jungle to photograph the most remote reaches of the planet. For the last three decades he has accompanied many of the great modern explorers--Alex Lowe, Conrad Anker, Will Steger, Jon Krakauer, David Breashears, Norman Vaughan--on incredibly challenging climbs and epic adventures. Despite carrying his own share of the weight--along with cameras, film, and lenses--he has matched these companions pitch for pitch and mile for mile, photographing them every inch of the way.
In this journey through ten unique expeditions, Wiltsie illustrates the daily life of an explorer--from the thrill of summiting a virgin peak to the fear of surviving a storm, to the humorous and unexpected everyday moments of life on the edge.
From Peter Mayle, a joyous exploration and celebration of the infinite gastronomic pleasures of France.
Ranging far from his adopted Provence, Mayle now travels to every corner of the country, armed with knife, fork, and corkscrew. He takes us to tiny, out-of-the-way restaurants, starred Michelin wonders, local village markets, annual festivals, and blessed vineyards.
We visit the Foire aux Escargots at Martigny-les-Bains a whole weekend devoted to the lowly but revered snail. We observe the Marathon du Medoc, where runners passing through the great vineyards of Bordeaux refresh themselves en route with tastings of red wine (including Chateau Lafite-Rothschild!). There is a memorable bouillabaisse in a beachside restaurant on the Cute d'Azur. And we go on a search for the perfect chicken that takes us to a fair in Bourg-en-Bresse.
There is a Catholic mass in the village of Ri-cherenches, a sacred event at which thanks are given for the aromatic, mysterious, and breathtakingly expensive black truffle. We learn which is the most pungent cheese in France (it's in Normandy), witness a debate on the secret of the perfect omelette, and pick up a few luscious recipes along the way. There is even an appreciation and celebration of an essential tool for any serious food-lover in France, the "Michelin Guide."
"Here we have all the glory and pleasure of the French table in the most satisfying book yet from the toujours delightfully entertaining"
--Peter Mayle.
Examine your world to find fresh and tasty wild foods!
Stumbling upon plump wild berries on a hike or discovering succulent fresh mushrooms on the forest floor can be a welcome surprise. Turn up these happy accidents to a whole new level with the only guide on foraging you'll ever need!
Chock full of tips on finding and identifying fruits, flowers, roots, shoots, nuts, foliage, and more, this helpful guide shows you how to safely and successfully find and enjoy wild edibles.
In this Outdoor Adventure Guide, you'll find:
-Detailed descriptions of over 70 plants and wild foods you can safely pick and eat.
-Color photos of safe-to-eat plants at various stages of development.
-30 tasty recipes to transform your harvests into delicious dishes in the field.
-Tips of foraging safely, spotting possible pollutants, and protecting yourself from insects and wild animals.
-A handy calendar of when plants are available by season and region.
Welcome to a new frontier of delicious and nutritious free finds!
From planning an expedition, to packing essential kits, to discovering what to do on a trail, The Survival Handbook is an invaluable tool when you're in the great outdoors.
Among a myriad of outdoor skills, it teaches readers how to make shelters, find water, and spot, catch, and cook wild food. And if there's an emergency, it shows which essential first-aid techniques to use when, how to mount a rescue, and even how to get yourself found. Now in Paperback!
A lively collection of extraordinary stories of adventure and discovery, The Explorers tells the epic saga of the conquest and settlement of Australia. Editor Tim Flannery selects sixty-seven accounts that convey the sense of wonder and discovery, along with the human dimensions of struggle and deprivation, which occurred in the exploration of the last continent to be fully mapped by Europeans. Beginning with the story of Dutch captain Willem Janz's 1606 expedition at Cape York -- the bloody outcome of which would sadly foreshadow future relations between colonists and Aboriginal peoples -- and running through Robyn Davidson's 1977 camelback ride through the desolate Outback deserts, The Explorers bristles with the enterprise that Flannery explains as "heroic, for nowhere else did explorers face such an obdurate country."
In 1887 in Washington, DC, 33 gentlemen met to consider the advisability of organizing a society for the increase and diffusion of geographical knowledge. From that meeting grew The National Geographic Society, an institution that is recognized by almost every American.
Create heroic characters for the world’s greatest roleplaying game.
The Player’s Handbook is the essential reference for every Dungeons & Dragons roleplayer. It contains rules for character creation and advancement, backgrounds and skills, exploration and combat, equipment, spells, and much more. Use this book to create characters from among the most iconic D&D races and classes.
Publisher’s Weekly #1 Best Seller in Hardcover Nonfiction
Wall Street Journal #1 Best Seller in Hardcover Nonfiction
• In Dungeons & Dragons, you and your friends coauthor your own legend. Guided by a Dungeon Master, you create characters and play their roles in a story, rolling dice and navigating maps as you unfold a tale as limitless as your imagination.
• The Player’s Handbook is the first of three D&D core rulebooks, along with the Monster Manual and the Dungeon Master’s Guide. The Player’s Handbook is the cornerstone. It’s the foundational text of D&D’s fifth edition—for beginners and for veterans alike.
• The Player’s Handbook walks you through how to create a Dungeons & Dragons character—the role you’ll play in the D&D world.
• Dungeons & Dragons is the world’s greatest roleplaying game. Created in 1974, D&D transformed gaming culture by blending traditional fantasy with miniatures and wargaming.
"There have been eight previous worlds ... Each left behind remnants. People of the new world, the Ninth World, sometimes call these remnants magic, and who are we to say they're wrong? But most give a unique name to the legacies of the nigh-unimaginable past. They call them Numenera. The Ninth World is built on the bones of the previous eight. The game of Numenera is about discovering the wonders of the worlds that came before, not for their own sake, but as the means to improve the present and build a future."--from p. 4 of cover.
Will you stand against the horrors of the night? Whether learned professor, nosy journalist, or hard-hitting detective, investigators need all the help they can get. Let this book be your guide. The Investigator Handbook is an essential player's aid for the Call of Cthulhu7th Edition roleplaying game. Written for those who will be playing the roles of investigators, the Investigator Handbook contains expanded rules for creating players characters, a wealth of over 100 occupations and skill descriptions, as well as guidance on getting the most from the game. What's more, there's a range of organizations for your investigator to belong to, detailed information about the classic 1920s setting, equipment and weapons for both the 1920s and modern day, and expert tips and advice for all budding investigators. No self-respecting investigator of the Cthulhu Mythos should be without it!
Be inspired to take your next adventure—practical tips, fresh ideas, and stories to spark wanderlust.
There is no one way to road trip. From introspective solo journeys to romantic weekend getaways, friend-filled excursions, and more, Road Trips presents eight stories that highlight different ways to explore the world. Packed with photos and personal experiences, this inspiring and practical book also has key tips for enhancing every part of your trip, from getting out the door (with essential tips on packing and eating on the road—including recipes for car snacks) to taking in new experiences (with ideas for journaling and photographing) and bringing memories from the road back home (through creative collecting).
Road Trips is the perfect guide to inspire a life of travel. Enrich your life, deepen your relationships, and discover the world around you—it’s all just a road trip away.
Blades in the Dark is a tabletop role-playing game about a crew of daring scoundrels seeking their fortunes on the haunted streets of an industrial-fantasy city. There are heists, chases, occult mysteries, dangerous bargains, bloody skirmishes, and, above all, riches to be had--if you're bold enough to seize them. You and your fledgling crew must thrive amidst the threats of rival gangs, powerful noble families, vengeful ghosts, the Bluecoats of the city watch, and the siren song of your scoundrel's own vices. Will you rise to power in the underworld? What are you willing to do to get to the top? Inside, you'll find: Rules to create your scoundrel using the following character archetypes: The Cutter, the Hound, the Leech, the Lurk, the Slide, the Spider, or the Whisper. Rules to create your crew, built from types like Assassins, Bravos, a Cult, Hawkers, Shadows, or Smugglers. A robust core mechanic for planning crimianl operations to cut through the usual slog of planning at the game table. Rules for alchemical experiments, gadget tinkering, and weird occult powers--including rules for playing Ghosts and other strange beings. A setting guide to the haunted city of Doskvol, with all the maps, factions, NPCs, and opportunities you need to run an exciting sandbox game. --