In this "microbiography," Goodwin looks at Lovecraft's short, but incredibly important, two-year stint living in New York City. He especially explores the physical locations that impacted Lovecraft during this stretch, including where he lived, rambled, and fell in love. 

Magic, the Black Plague, gemstones: what else do you need for a compulsively readable novel? Anna's first novel explores all this and much, much more. 

We've known Diana for over 15 years and her cookbooks are a mainstay of my own cooking. I have learned so, so much from her and you will not be disappointed with Red Hot Kitchen, which teaches you how to make your own Asian hot sauces and then gives you lots of recipes for using them. From chili oil to sambal, Diana has you covered. 

Heather Wolf's latest book is packed with tips and tricks to help you become a better birder. We love Heather at the Brainery, as she has long taught classes on birding and more. This book is approachable, fun, and a great gift for any aspiring birder in your life! 

Sarah Lohman's second book takes a look at some of America's most endangered foods and culinary traditions. From date palm shakes to heirloom sugar cane, wild rice and salmon, Sarah's always lively narratives take the reader on a fun and educational journey. We've known Sarah for about 15 years and she is truly the best. 

The title really says it all for this one! We've known Jen Brown for many, many years, and she started teaching improv for communication classes back in 2013. Since then, her company, The Engaging Educator, has grown a ton, but we still love hosting their range of communication-focused improv classes. 

Diana has taught at the Brainery for over eight years, and her latest cookbook teaches you how to make homemade versions of some of your favorite Asian hot sauces. Each chapter features recipes for the sauces themselves and lots of recipes for how to use them to create great dishes at home. From XO sauce to gochujang and more, your dinners will never be boring again. 

Terrific ethnographic look at New York's graffiti scene during the early-1980s heyday of subway painting. It's rare to have such a thorough observer at the birth of a subculture.  

This is probably the most complete and readable history of Ancient Mesopotamia.

This is the book that got me excited about the food of the ancient world--really well-researched with a great range of recipes.

I thought this book was great at explaining the context for why toilets don't exist everywhere - both in terms of the technical engineering side as well as the social side. Want to understand what the current challenges are in the world with regards to toilets? Read this book?

Joseph Mitchell is one of the best writers about NYC ever - he achieves the sublime via endless fascinating detail.

A lot of people ask me, "Why are you so interested in water & sanitation?", feel like this book explains in a fantastic storytelling way why. Without understanding how diseases and biology work, like they did in the 1800s in London, people die horrible deaths. This book explains the beginning of understanding clean water and safe fecal management.

This book is a fantastically concise and understandable book. It really goes into the wide-ranging issues (and curiosities) around sanitation from different areas and times. I found the writing humorous and interesting, and whenever someone is interested in learning more about sanitation at a higher level, I eagerly nag them to read this book.

I could eat the food in this book every day! It's worth picking up a copy just for the kosambri recipe alone, but there are so many wonderful, easy dishes. Everything is vegetarian too! 

We're excited to have Emily joining us in June for an event and I can't wait to try her recipes! 

Brooke's been teaching fact-checking at the Brainery for a few years now, and it's great to see her class transformed into a full-legnth book. It's a great handbook for anyone who deals with facts! 

This book is full of wonderful, crowd-pleasing recipes. And you definitely don't need to use them only for a food swap - they're great for parties, holiday gifts, or just to spice up your pantry and fridge. I love it! 

They're not lying about calling it the BIG book of kombucha. I don't think there's a question you could possibly have about the fizzy, vinegary drink that won't be answered by this book. Essential if you want to brew at home! 

If you make your own jewelry and want to take your hobby to the next level, this book is essential. Brainery teacher Emilie Shapiro breaks down everything involved in creating a full jewelry line, from marketing to finance, production, publicity and way more. 

If, like me, you never know what flowers to pair with one another or how to make a pleasing arrangement in your vase, Carly's book will be a godsend. She gives you tons of clear recipes, telling you exactly what to buy, the difficulty level, and what your expected cost will be for each flower arrangement. There's a wide variety of styles and compositions, so it's the perfect gift for anyone.  

Heather has taught both juggling and birding at the Brainery, and her guide to the birds of Brooklyn Bridge Park is the perfect accompaniment to a morning exploration of the park. For those of us used to seeing only sparrows and pigeons, it's a great reminder of the wide variety of birds all around us.  

I love this book. It completely captures the spirit of the shop and makes you feel like you're there. Besides excellent recipes that allow you to make your favorite Ample Hills flavors at home, there are employee introductions, activities, and stories. Because the ice creams feature so many delcious mix-ins, the recipes are a bit more on the advanced side, but the book is worth adding to your shelf even if you only dream about making the recipes. 

The first book by our friend and Brainery teacher Sarah Lohman explores the history of American cuisine through eight important flavors and ingredients. It'll be out just in time for the 2016 winter holidays, and you won't want to miss it. 

Every single recipe in Nicole's looks delicious and accessible. The photography is lovely and makes leafing through a total pleasure as well!