In these wry and explosively funny essays, nature obsessive Charles Hood reveals his abiding affection for the overlooked and undervalued parts of the natural world. Like a Bill Bryson of the Mojave exurbs, Hood takes us on a joyride through the obscure, finding wilderness in Hollywood palms, the airports of Alaska, and the empty lots of Palmdale. In a zinger-filled whirl of literary and artistic allusions, he celebrates Audubon's droopy condor, the world-changing history of a cactus parasite, and the weird art of natural history dioramas. This debut collection of creative nonfiction from a widely published poet, photographer, and wildlife guide unveils the wonderment of nature's underbelly with poetic vision and singular wit.

This is a great guide for people who are often active outdoors, and who are usually curious about birds that they encounter, but are not always dedicated birdwatchers

Bauer, the author of "The Wall Street Diet," returns with this solution to readers' diet saboteurs. She and co-author Matthews show readers how to identify the top 10 Diet Devils that challenge healthy eating, break bad habits, and much more.

As a child Stephanie Lucianovic lived for years on grilled cheese and created an elaborate system for disposing of revolting food involving bookshelves, holiday centerpieces, and, later, boyfriends. She agonized not over meeting her future in-laws, but over the peaches they served her. As an adult, this picky eater found herself in the most unlikely of circumstances: a graduate of culinary school who became a cheesemonger and then a food writer. Along the way, she realized just how common her plight was. It wasn’t surprising to discover that picky eating is an issue for millions of kids, but who knew there are even support groups for adults who can’t overcome it? Yet remarkably little is known about the science of picky eating, and cultural and historical questions abound. Are picky eaters destined to ascend to a higher plane of existence, and what happens when picky eaters fall in love or go to restaurants? How can you tell if you’re a “supertaster”? How does the gag reflex affect pickiness (and what secrets do sword swallowers impart to help overcome it)? Suffering Succotash is a wide-angle look into the world of picky eating, told by a writer who’s been in the culinary trenches. With wit and charm, through visits to laboratories specializing in genetic analysis, attempts to infiltrate the inner workings of a “feeding” clinic, and interviews with fellow picky eaters and adventurous foodies young and old, Stephanie explores her own food phobias and gets to the bottom of what repulses us about certain foods, what it really means to be a picky eater, and what we can do about it.

An essential resource for your health―if we are what we eat, let’s make every (delicious) bite count! This cookbook will no doubt transform your kitchen, bringing new plant-based, whole food ideas to the table and offering easy yet healthy recipe solutions for everything from celebratory meals to rushed weeknight dinners. Ashley Madden is a pharmacist turned plant-based chef, certified holistic nutritional consultant, and devoted health foodie. A diagnosis of multiple sclerosis changed her whole life and approach to food, eventually shaping a new food philosophy and inspiring this book. The Plant-Based Cookbook is especially helpful for those with dietary requirements or food allergies as all recipes are vegan, dairy-free, gluten-free, and oil-free without compromising on taste or relying on packaged and processed ingredients. All-natural recipes include: One-pot creamy pasta Vibrant nourish bowls Decadent no-bake cinnamon rolls A show-stopping cheese ball Life-changing carrot cake And so much more! Whether you consider yourself an amateur home cook or a Michelin Star chef, this collection of recipes will inspire you to turn whole foods into magical, mouthwatering meals and give you confidence to prepare plants in creative and health-supportive ways.

We Have Always Lived in the Castle is a deliciously unsettling novel about a perverse, isolated, and possibly murderous family and the struggle that ensues when a cousin arrives at their estate.

Los Angeles may have a reputation as a concrete jungle, but in reality, it’s incredibly biodiverse, teeming with an amazing array of animals and plants. You just need to know where to find them. Wild LA—from the experts at the Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County—is the guidebook you’ve been waiting for. Equal parts natural history book, field guide, and trip planner, Wild LA has something for everyone. You’ll learn about the factors shaping LA nature—including flood, fire, and climate change—and find profiles of over one hundred local species, from sea turtles to rare plants to Hollywood's famous mountain lion, P-22. Also included are day trips that detail which natural wonders you can experience on hiking trails, in public parks, and in your own backyard.