by Jennifer Ackerman

For millennia, owls have captivated and intrigued us. Our fascination with these mysterious birds was first documented more than thirty thousand years ago in the Chauvet Cave paintings in southern France. With their forward gaze and quiet flight, owls are often a symbol of wisdom, knowledge, and foresight. But what does an owl really know? And what do we really know about owls? Though our fascination goes back centuries, scientists have only recently begun to understand in deep detail the complex nature of these extraordinary birds. Some two hundred sixty species of owls exist today, and they reside on every continent except Antarctica, but they are far more difficult to find and study than other birds because they are cryptic, camouflaged, and mostly active in the dark of night.

Jennifer Ackerman illuminates the rich biology and natural history of these birds and reveals remarkable new scientific discoveries about their brains and behavior. She joins scientists in the field and explores how researchers are using modern technology and tools to learn how owls communicate, hunt, court, mate, raise their young, and move about from season to season. We now know that the hoots, squawks, and chitters of owls follow sophisticated and complex rules, allowing them to express not just their needs and desires but their individuality and identity. Owls duet. They migrate. They hoard their prey. Some live in underground burrows; some roost in large groups; some dine on black widows and scorpions.

Ackerman brings this research alive with her own personal field observations about owls and dives deep into why these birds beguile us. What an Owl Knows is an awe-inspiring exploration of owls across the globe and through human history, and a spellbinding account of their astonishing hunting skills, communication, and sensory prowess. By providing extraordinary new insights into the science of owls, What an Owl Knows pulls back the curtain on the nature of the world’s most enigmatic group of birds.

Find it in print, ebook, and eaudiobook here.

Accolades

An instant New York Times bestseller!

A New York Times Notable Book of 2023

Named a Best Book of 2023 by Publishers Weekly

From the author of The Genius of Birds and The Bird Way, a brilliant scientific investigation into owls–the most elusive of birds–and why they exert such a hold on human imagination

By Adjei-Brenyah, Nana Kwame

She felt their eyes, all those executioners…

Loretta Thurwar and Hamara “Hurricane Staxxx” Stacker are the stars of the Chain-Gang All-Stars, the cornerstone of CAPE, or Criminal Action Penal Entertainment, a highly popular, highly controversial profit-raising program in America’s increasingly dominant private prison industry. It’s the return of the gladiators, and prisoners are com­peting for the ultimate prize: their freedom.

In CAPE, prisoners travel as Links in Chain-Gangs, competing in death matches before packed arenas with righteous protestors at the gates. Thur­war and Staxxx, both teammates and lovers, are the fan favorites. And if all goes well, Thurwar will be free in just a few matches, a fact she carries as heavily as her lethal hammer. As she prepares to leave her fellow Links, Thurwar considers how she might help preserve their humanity, in defiance of these so-called games. But CAPE’s corporate own­ers will stop at nothing to protect their status quo, and the obstacles they lay in Thurwar’s path have devastating consequences.

Moving from the Links in the field to the protestors, to the CAPE employees and beyond, Chain-Gang All-Stars i s a kaleidoscopic, excoriating look at the American prison system’s unholy alli­ance of systemic racism, unchecked capitalism, and mass incarceration, and a clear-eyed reckoning with what freedom in this country really means from a “new and necessary American voice” (Tommy Orange, The New York Times Book Review)

Find it in print, ebook, and eaudiobook here.

Accolades

A NEW YORK TIMES TOP TEN BOOK OF THE YEAR * FINALIST FOR THE NATIONAL BOOK AWARD IN FICTION * A READ WITH JENNA BOOK CLUB PICK * NATIONAL BESTSELLER * Two top women gladiators fight for their freedom within a depraved private prison system not so far-removed from America’s own in this explosive, hotly-anticipated debut novel from the New York Times bestselling author of Friday Black * LONGLISTED FOR THE ANDREW CARNEGIE MEDAL FOR EXCELLENCE

A Best Book of the Year: The New York Times, The Washington Post, NPR, Elle, Esquire, Chicago Tribune, Lit Hub, Kirkus Reviews

“Like Orwell’s 1984 and Atwood’s The Handmaid’s Tale, Adjei-Brenyah’s book presents a dystopian vision so…illuminating that it should permanently shift our understanding of who we are and what we’re capable of doing.” —The Washington Post

“This book will change you!…A masterpiece.” –Jenna Bush Hager, The Today Show’s #ReadWithJenna

By Ann Napolitano

William Waters grew up in a house silenced by tragedy, where his parents could hardly bear to look at him, much less love him—so when he meets the spirited and ambitious Julia Padavano in his freshman year of college, it’s as if the world has lit up around him. With Julia comes her family, as she and her three sisters are inseparable: Sylvie, the family’s dreamer, is happiest with her nose in a book; Cecelia is a free-spirited artist; and Emeline patiently takes care of them all. With the Padavanos, William experiences a newfound contentment; every moment in their house is filled with loving chaos.

But then darkness from William’s past surfaces, jeopardizing not only Julia’s carefully orchestrated plans for their future, but the sisters’ unshakeable devotion to one another. The result is a catastrophic family rift that changes their lives for generations. Will the loyalty that once rooted them be strong enough to draw them back together when it matters most?

An exquisite homage to Louisa May Alcott’s timeless classic, Little Women, Hello Beautiful is a profoundly moving portrait of what is possible when we choose to love someone not in spite of who they are, but because of it.

Find it in print, large print, ebook, and eaudiobook here.

Accolades

NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER * OPRAH’S BOOK CLUB PICK * From the author of Dear Edward comes a “powerfully affecting” (People) family story that asks: Can love make a broken person whole?

“Another tender tearjerker . . . Napolitano chronicles life’s highs and lows with aching precision.”–The Washington Post

ONE OF THE CHICAGO PUBLIC LIBRARY’S TEN BEST BOOKS OF THE YEAR 
A BEST BOOK OF THE YEAR: The New York Times Book Review, NPR, The Washington Post, Time, Vogue, Glamour, Harper’s Bazaar, New York Post, She Reads, Bookreporter

This Chinese liquor bottle from the 1880s was found by a local resident near Nay Aug mine, between Hailey and Ketchum.

Nestled within the rugged landscapes of Central Idaho lies a relic that not only speaks of cross-cultural connections, but also unveils a chapter in the state’s history marked by a significant presence of Chinese immigrants. This Chinese liquor bottle from the 1880s, discovered near Nay Aug Mine by local resident Ray Brooks, is newly acquired to the museum’s collection and serves as a symbol of a time when the Chinese immigrant population played an important role in shaping the identity of Idaho.

In the mid to late 1800s, a wave of Chinese immigrants ventured far from their homeland in search of new opportunities. Drawn by the promise of wealth and adventure, many found their way to the mining camps and frontier towns of the American West, including the vast landscapes of Central Idaho.

At its peak, the Chinese immigrant population accounted for a significant 30% of Idaho’s total residents. Their influence extended beyond the bustling mining communities, permeating the fabric of daily life in towns like Hailey, Ketchum, and beyond. As they settled, Chinese immigrants brought with them not only their labor but also their rich cultural heritage, leaving a lasting mark on the evolving identity of the region.

The discovery of this Chinese liquor bottle near Nay Aug Mine takes on a deeper significance when viewed within the context of this demographic shift. This small yet intricately crafted vessel becomes a tangible link to the daily lives of 19^th century Chinese immigrants in Idaho, offering a glimpse into their customs, tastes, and the connections they maintained with their homeland.

Chinese immigrants in Idaho were not confined to the peripheries of society. They played key roles in trade, contributing to the economic development of the region. Moreover, the Chinese brought with them their culinary traditions, creating a mix of flavors that left an enduring legacy on Idaho’s culinary landscape. Beyond these contributions, Chinese immigrants formed social networks that provided mutual support and a sense of community in a land far from home.

As we reflect on the significance of the Chinese immigrant population in Idaho, this liquor bottle becomes more than an artifact; it becomes a bridge connecting us to a time when cultures converged and intertwined on the American frontier. The Wood River Museum of History and Culture is honored to preserve this piece of history, recognizing its role in telling a more inclusive and nuanced narrative of Idaho’s past.

From the Ray Brooks Collection (2023.14), Wood River Museum of History and Culture.

…at The Community Library 

Bring your holey sweaters, socks, beanies or other knits and learn to mend them yourself in a supportive and cozy environment. Don’t have anything to darn? Check out the holey cashmere bin at The Gold Mine Thrift Store starting on November 16 at the Cashmere Event. All ages welcome. Drop in between 2:00 and 4:00 p.m. by the fireplace. Supplies provided.

One of the sweetest, softest events of the year, the Gold Mine Cashmere Event features the soft, cozy luxury of cashmere sweaters, scarves, pants, and more.

Doors open at 10:00 a.m. Gold Mine Thrift is located at 331 Walnut Avenue in Ketchum. Proceeds from the Gold Mine stores help support books, literacy, and programs at The Community Library.

While we’re obsessing about all things plaid at the Gold Mine Thrift right now, we’d be remiss to exclude these babies! Keep your ears warm and your smile sassy with this unique and stylish accessory.

Proceeds from the Gold Mine stores help support books, literacy, and programs at The Community Library. Gold Mine Thrift is open Monday-Saturday 10am – 6pm and is located at 331 Walnut Avenue in Ketchum.

More about the Gold Mine stores here.