Social Media

 

I remember disks and a choice, AOL or Prodigy.  AOL usually won out and after an eternity of waiting for dial-up, entry!  Chatrooms galore! A whole exciting world just ready and waiting for 13-year-old me to wander through and learn things, like the meanings of a/s/l, TTYL, and of course LOL, so long as nobody needed to use the phone. There was intense competition for usernames/handles, they had to be funny or interesting, or mysterious, or somehow representative of you.   I tended to go for the names of Greek goddesses.  In 1996, I added  bolt.com to my online repertoire. 2003 was MySpace and Gaia Online and Facebook, Twitter, Tumblr, Pinterest, and Instagram soon followed.   YouTube is in the mix as well but as a viewer only.  Social media has played a role in my life for nearly 30 years, (although some sources don't seem to count AOL or Prodigy as a type of social media).  It started as just something to kill time, bored, let's argue with strangers in an AOL chatroom.  Now it's a way to keep in contact with friends and loved ones, a way to share ideas and laughs, with people who are 5 states away, without having to make a dreaded phone call. To see up-to-date photos of family members in different countries. You can be amazed at the incredible accomplishments of one friend in one post and then sit back and eat popcorn when the next post just lets the drama unfold. You can learn so much about the world, social issues, and how to fact-check just about anything, (Real News/Fake News: Fact Checkers).

On June 30, 2010, Mashable launched Social Media Day, in recognition of the impact social media has had worldwide. Social media is not without its negatives.  People make choices on how to behave online.  Internet trolling, bullying, and harassment are just a few of the ways people choose to harm others online.  Other people use social media as a way to market unrealistic expectations, whether it be body image, material goods, or a fantasy lifestyle,  People with a greater influence, (more followers, money, etc.), can easily manipulate and spread misinformation.  With Twitter came the use of hashtags (#) and a whole other way to bring people together.  Beyond the use of #ThrowbackThursday and #MotivationalMonday, exists the power of #MeToo, #BlackLivesMatter, #CripTheVote #IceBucketChallenge, etc. to bring people together to share their stories, create movements, and bring awareness.

https://www.searchenginejournal.com/social-media/biggest-social-media-sites/#close

Timeline of social media

Hashtag Activism

Social Media: Facebook, Twitter, and the Modern Revolution.

"Despite its critics, social networking is our newest and most powerful expression of culture, communication, and revolution. It cannot be controlled by governments. It is faster and more viral than television or radio. It is the perfect instantiation of freedom of expression, and it rewrites all the rules"--Back cover.

Facebook: The Inside Story by Levy, Steven

"In his sophomore year of college, Mark Zuckerberg created a simple website to serve as a campus social network. The site caught on like wildfire, and soon students nationwide were on Facebook. Today, Facebook is nearly unrecognizable from Zuckerberg's first, modest iteration. It has grown into a tech giant, the largest social media platform and one of the most gargantuan companies in the world, with a valuation of more than $576 billion and almost 3 billion users. There is no denying the power and omnipresence of Facebook in American daily life. And in light of recent controversies surrounding election-influencing 'fake news' accounts, the handling of its users' personal data, and growing discontent with the actions of its founder and CEO, never has the company been more central to the national conversation. Based on years of exclusive reporting, and interviews with Facebook's key executives and employees, including Mark Zuckerberg and Sheryl Sandberg, Steven Levy's sweeping narrative digs deep into the whole story of the company that has changed the world and reaped the consequences"-- Provided by publisher.

Instagram by Herman, Jenn

"Instagram is the fastest-growing social network in the world, soaring from 500 million to 1 billion active users in just two years. Users flock to the site thanks to its simplicity and use of the most popular social media features--image and video sharing, community, and personal insight. Instagram For Dummies is here if you're ready to get acquainted with the platform or want to find ways to do more with your Instagram account. Written by an team led by top Instagram trainer Jenn Herman, this book gives you tips for creating great Instagram images, personalizing your posts, connecting with the Instagram community, and working with Stories and IGTV. Access Instagram on a computer or mobile device; Set up your profile; Connect with others; Share your stories; Shoot better Instagram images. From handling core functions to connecting with the Instagram community, this book shares the secrets you need to shine on social media like no other!" --Amazon.com.

 

The Unofficial TikTok Cookbook: 75 Internet-Breaking Recipes for Snacks, Drinks, Treats, and More! by Mussi, Valentina

"Become the next viral sensation and make some delicious dishes that will impress all your friends with The Unofficial TikTok Cookbook. From whipped coffee to pancake cereal and mug cakes to seltzer slushies, you can find all the recipes you've seen on social media and have been dying to make in one place. Featuring simple, easy-to-follow instructions, you can now create the recipes you've seen all over the internet in the comfort of your own home. Whether you want to post your cooking creations online or just share them with your friends, this book is a must-have for chefs of all ages!"--. Provided by publisher.

The Selfie Generation How Our Self Images Are Changing Our Notions of Privacy, Sex, Consent, and Culture by Eler, Alicia

Whether it's Kim Kardashian uploading picture after picture to Instagram or your roommate posting a mid-vacation shot to Facebook, selfies receive mixed reactions. But are selfies more than, as many critics lament, a symptom of a self-absorbed generation?

Alone Together: Why We Expect More From Technology and Less from Each Other by Turkle, Sherry

In "Alone Together," MIT technology and society professor Sherry Turkle explores the power of our new tools and toys to dramatically alter our social lives. It's a nuanced exploration of what we are looking for--and sacrificing--in a world of electronic companions and social networking tools, and an argument that, despite the hand-waving of today's self-described prophets of the future, it will be the next generation who will chart the path between isolation and connectivity.

Because Internet: Understanding the New Rules of Language by McCulloch, Gretchen

"A linguistically informed look at how our digital world is transforming the English language. Language is humanity's most spectacular open-source project, and the internet is making our language change faster and in more interesting ways than ever before. The programmers behind our apps and platforms decide how our conversations are structured, from the grammar of status updates to the protocols of comments and @replies. Linguistically inventive online communities spread new slang and jargon with dizzying speed. What's more, social media is a vast laboratory of unedited, unfiltered words where we can language evolve in real time. Even the most absurd-looking slang has genuine patterns behind it. Internet linguist Gretchen McCulloch explores the deep forces that shape human language and influence the way we communicate with one another. She explains how the year you first accessed the internet determines how you talk online; how ~sparkly tildes~ became widely recognized as sarcasm punctuation; whether emoji are replacing words; and why internet dialects like doge, lolspeak, and snek are linguistically significant. Because Internet is essential reading for anyone who's ever puzzled over how to punctuate a text message or wondered where memes come from. It's the perfect book for understanding how the internet is changing the English language, why that's a good thing, and what our online interactions reveal about who we are"-- Provided by publisher.

Everybody Lies: Big Data, New Data, and What the Internet Can Tell Us About Who We Really Are by Stephens-Davidowitz, Seth

A former Google data scientist presents an insider's look at what the vast, instantly available amounts of information from the Internet can reveal about human civilization and society.

Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram for Seniors by Collier, Marsha

This updated guide makes it easy to set up a Facebook or Twitter account to catch up with old friends, communicate with your family, and enjoy your online experience. You'll get hands-on guidance to connecting to the Internet with a computer or mobile device, creating social media accounts and profiles, searching for friends, joining groups, sharing photos and videos, and more. It also covers popular sites where you can read and share opinions on entertainment and travel options, view movies and television shows on your computer or mobile device, and even create your own blog.

Game, Set, Match!

 

I grew up a couple blocks from a park that had a tennis court.  At first, I thought that tennis might actually be something I could do, it didn't appear to involve much running and you got to swing a racket and if you did it successfully you would hit the tennis ball with an incredibly satisfying "thwack".   My interest in tennis was short-lived.  I believe it was a combination of my best friend losing interest, hot weather, a  lack of athleticism on my part, and a need to stop embarrassing myself in front of the older teens who hung out by the basketball hoops next to the tennis court.  

From June 27th to July 10th, the oldest tennis tournament in the world, Wimbledon, or The Championships will be taking place as it has since 1877.  The Championships come with a strict dress code on the court (white, everything must be white), Strawberries and Cream for £2.50, and a box just for the Royals.

 On April 26, 2022, it was announced that: “Following two pandemic-affected years, we are pleased to be planning for a special Wimbledon, as we celebrate the centenary of our move from Worple Road to our present location at Church Road, and the opening of Centre Court here. This stadium has witnessed not just epic matches, but many changes in the world around us and in society. This year provides an opportunity for reflection on the past, but also to envisage what is to come in the next 100 years.” -Ian Hewitt, Chairman of the All England Club (wimbledon.com).

Tennis by Dittmer, Lori

From baseball fields to volleyball courts, some of the most popular sports can be experienced worldwide. Appealing to sports enthusiasts and young participants, this new series introduces the basic gameplay of six Amazing Sports. Detailed photos and straightforward text examine the featured sport's history, equipment, primary positions, and common rules. Each book also includes a biographical story about a famous player who influenced the sport. Get the ball rolling with this high-interest introduction to tennis, the sport known for its low nets and rackets. Also included is a biographical story about professional tennis players Venus and Serena Williams.  

The Tennis Book: The Illustrated Encyclopedia of World Tennis by Parsons, John

Written by two of the game's leading authorities, The Tennis Book is the definitive work on one of the world's most exhilarating sports. Loaded with over 200 photographs, this comprehensive volume traces tennis from its aristocratic beginnings in the 1800s to the high-energy, all-action global sport of today. With profiles of court legends, insightful analysis of the greatest matches, and an in-depth look at the politics, controversies, and oddities of the game, The Tennis Book serves up an unmatched collection of aces.

Seeing Serena by Marzorati, Gerald

'Seeing Serena' is a riveting chronicle of trailblazing tennis champion and cultural icon Serena Williams' turbulent 2019 tour season and a revealing portrait of who she is, both on and off the court.

Open: An Autobiography by Agassi, Andre

From Andre Agassi, one of the most beloved athletes in history and one of the most gifted men ever to step onto a tennis court, a beautiful, haunting autobiography.

The Divine Miss Marble: A Life of Tennis, Fame, and Mystery by Weintraub, Robert

Alice Marble was the biggest tennis star of the pre-war era, famous for overcoming serious illness to win the biggest tournaments including Wimbledon. She was also a fashion designer, a contributor to a pioneering new comic called Wonder Woman, and friend to the biggest names in Hollywood. She helped integrate tennis and even coached Billie Jean King and Sally Ride. Yet her private life provoked constant speculation, and her memoirs added layers of legend upon stories. This fascinating biography reveals her mysteries and contradictions, and the truths of her unforgettable life.

All In: An Autobiography by King, Billie Jean

"In this spirited account, Billie Jean King details her life's journey to find her true self. She recounts her groundbreaking tennis career--six years as the top-ranked woman in the world, twenty Wimbledon championships, thirty-nine grand-slam titles, and her watershed defeat of Bobby Riggs in the famous "Battle of the Sexes." She poignantly recalls the cultural backdrop of those years and the profound impact on her worldview from the women's movement, the assassinations and anti-war protests of the 1960s, the civil rights movement, and, eventually, the LGBTQ+ rights movement"--. Provided by publisher.

Unstoppable: My Life So Far by Sharapova, Maria

In the middle of the night, a father and his daughter step off a Greyhound bus in Florida and head straight to the Nick Bollettieri Tennis Academy. They ring the bell, though no one is expecting them and they don't speak English. The two have arrived from Russia with only seven hundred dollars and the conviction that this six-year-old will be the next tennis star. Amazingly, they are right.

Young Maria Sharapova went on to win Wimbledon at just seventeen years old, in an astonishing upset against the reigning champion Serena Williams--the match that kicked off their legendary rivalry and placed Sharapova on the international stage. At eighteen, she reached the number one WTA ranking for the first time, and has held that ranking many times since. In this gripping autobiography, the five-time Grand Slam winner recounts the story of her phenomenal rise to success, narrated with the same no-holds-barred, fiercely provocative attitude that characterizes her tennis game. Full of thrilling, insightful episodes from her beginnings in Siberia, from career-defining games, and from her recent fight to get back on the court. Unstoppable is an inspiring tale of persistence, pulsing with fearlessness and candor. Sharapova's is an utterly unforgettable story.

Federer and Me: A Story of Obsession by Skidelsky, William

The influential sportswriter traces the career of Roger Federer and his own story against a history of professional tennis, exploring such topics as the psychology of fandom and the techniques that shaped Federer's victories and rivalries. --Publisher's description.

King Richard - DVD

Based on the true story that will inspire the world, follow the journey of Richard Williams, an undeterred father instrumental in raising two of the most extraordinarily gifted athletes of all time, who will end up changing the sport of tennis forever.

Camping

 

This year will mark my family's first camping trip in several years.  We will be camping with friends.  I will most likely be overheated, cranky, and paranoid about my kids getting too close to a river; it should be fun.   I've always had a weird relationship with camping; I enjoy it sort of, maybe, well parts of it.   I recall Indiana beach being fun until my parents discovered that our tent had been vandalized.   Wisconsin Dells was a blast, except for tiki torches nearly setting the tent on fire... The last time we attempted camping it stormed a majority of our time there.  From 7th grade through my senior year, I'd spend a week at a camp.  It was a school trip taken at the beginning of each school year and the best part of those trips was just being in Wisconsin.  I think my most successful camping trip, was when my parents would pitch a tent in the backyard and let me sleep out there, (so long as the yard was skunk free for a night).  Seriously though, this trip should be fun, really it will.

Not only is June National Camping Month but the last full week of June is National Camping Week. .  The general hope is that camping will allow people to cultivate an appreciation for outdoor activities; especially for kids.  This did not work for me but, other people may have more luck.

A Book of Camping and Survival Projects for Kids Who Love to go Wild by Owen, Ruth

"Could you survive in the wild? Young readers will be able to answer yes after tackling these engaging and educational DIY projects focused on survival. Each project is broken down into easy-to-follow steps, allowing young learners and reluctant readers to feel accomplished as they complete each achievable task. In addition, safety tips and materials lists help readers practice being prepared--a truly essential skill for survival! Featuring vivid photographs and a high-interest topic, this guide is sure to spark creativity in readers at a variety of levels"--Provided by the publisher.

Camp & Cabin Cookbook: 100 Recipes to Prepare Wherever You Go. by Bashar, Laura.  

When it's time to head out for a camping weekend, there's no reason to compromise on great food. It's easy to whip up delicious meals with the recipes in this book: instructions include supply lists and prep work that can be done ahead of time and options for cooking both out- and indoors. The Camp & Cabin Cookbook is a feast for the eyes, with gorgeous photographs of every dish, from breakfast to snacks to dinner. Don't leave home without it!

Field & Stream's Guide to Camping by Nickens, T. Edward

Camping is one activity that's much more fun when one has the right skills and know-how for the outdoors. Field & Stream's editors have collected 87 essential pieces of advice about camping that will make readers into leaders of the campground. Pitching a tent, making knots, building a fire, and cooking a delicious outdoor meal are all part of this wide-ranging guide. Visual aids and numbered directions make each skill comprehensible, while beautiful color photographs will inspire readers to pack up and head outside.

The Down and Dirty Guide to Camping with Kids: How to Plan Memorable Family Adventures and Connect Kids to Nature by Olsson, Helen

Outlines economical options for family camping vacations, sharing irreverent, anecdotal, and practical guidelines for families with young children while explaining how to select gear and address needs with a minimum of stress.

Once in a Blue Moon Lodge: a novel by Landvik, Lorna

Set adrift when her mother sells the salon that has been a neighborhood institution for decades, Nora Rolvaag takes a camping trip, intending to do nothing more than roast marshmallows over an open fire and under a starry sky. Two chance encounters, however, will have enormous consequences, and her getaway turns out to be more of a retreat from her daily life than she ever imagined. But Nora is the do-or-die-trying daughter of Patty Jane, who now must embrace the House of Curl's slogan: "Expect the Unexpected." With her trademark wit and warmth, Lorna Landvik follows Nora and an ever-growing cast of characters between city and wooded retreat, Minnesota and Norway, a past that's secret and a future that's promising, but uncertain. Responding to a mysterious letter with a Norwegian postmark, Nora's grandmother Ione travels to her native land to tend to a dying cousin and her husband-two people who played a painful, pivotal role in her past. Nora accompanies her and is surprised by her grandmother's long-ago love story-but even more surprised by the beginning of her own.

The Clover Girls by Shipman, Viola

"Elizabeth, Veronica, Rachel and Emily met at Camp Birchwood as girls in 1985, where over four summers they were the Clover Girls--inseparable for those magical few weeks of freedom--until the last summer that pulled them apart. Now approaching middle age, the women are facing challenges they never imagined as teens, struggles with their marriages, their children, their careers, and wondering who it is they see when they look in the mirror. Then Liz, V and Rachel each receive a letter from Emily with devastating news. She implores the girls who were once her best friends to reunite at Camp Birchwood one last time, to spend a week together revisiting the dreams they'd put aside and repair the relationships they'd allowed to sour. But the women are not the same idealistic, confident girls who once ruled Camp Birchwood, and perhaps some friendships aren't meant to last forever..."--. Publisher's description.

The Daydream cabin by Brown, Carolyn

"A headstrong woman discovers it's never too late for change in New York Times bestselling author Carolyn Brown's spirited novel about lost hope and second chances. Substitute counselor for wayward teens isn't how public-school teacher Jayden Bennett planned to spend her summer vacation. However reluctant, she's hiking up her jeans and heading for remote Piney Wood Academy in north Texas. Two months. Seven days a week. Few amenities. And three troubled girls daring Jayden to make a difference. She understands what she's up against. She has her own burdens to bear. Jayden's not in it alone. The devoted elderly couple who run Piney Wood trusts in Jayden's tough-love approach to get the job done. So does drill instructor Elijah Thomas, whose hardened boot-camp hide conceals a heart broken one too many times. Jayden is making it beat again. For both of them, falling in love is a risk. Because all summers must come to an end. But with each new sunrise on these rustic acres, Jayden."-- From publisher's description.

Just A Boy And A Girl In A Little Canoe by Mlynowski, Sarah

"Nineteen-year-old Sam's summer isn't off to a great start. Her boyfriend, Eli, ditched her for a European backpacking trip and now she's a counselor at Camp Blue Springs: the summer camp her eleven-year-old self swore never to return to. Sam expects the next seven weeks to be a total disaster. That is, until she meets Gavin, the camp's sailing instructor, who turns her expectations upside down. Gavin may have gotten the job just for his abs. Or that smile. Or the way he fills Sam's free time with thrilling encounters--swimming under a cascade of stars, whispering secrets over s'mores, embarking on one (very precarious) canoe ride after dark. It's absurd. After all, Sam loves Eli. But one totally absurd, compeltely off-the-wall summer may be just what Sam needs. And maybe, just maybe, it will teach her something about what she really wants."--publisher

Nothing Happened by Booth, Molly

Bee and Hana Leonato have lived their whole lives at Camp Dogberry. Their parents own the place, and every summer they look forward to leading little campers in crafts, swimming in the lake, and of course, throwing legendary counselor parties. This year Bee and longtime counselor Ben have a will-they-or-won't-they romance that's complicated by events that happened-- or didn't happen-- last summer. Meanwhile, Hana is falling hard for the kind but insecure Claudia, putting them both in the crosshairs of resident troublemaker John, who spreads a vicious rumor that could tear them apart. At the Fourth of July sparkler party, will the all find the courage to untangle the truth?

Camp by Miller, Kayla

"Olive and Willow are happy campers! Or are they? Olive is sure she'll have the best time at summer camp with her friend Willow - but while Olive makes quick friends with the other campers, Willow struggles to form connections and latches on to the only person she knows - Olive. It's s'more than Olive can handle! The stress of being Willow's living security blanket begins to wear on Olive and before long ... the girls aren't just fighting, they may not even be friends by the time camp is over. Will the two be able to patch things up before the final lights out?"--Provided by publisher.

Candy

June is National Candy Month.  According to nationaldaycalendar.com it was originally January and at some point it was May.  Although it's not listed as a reason for the celebration to be in June, there is some significant candy-related historical events that happened in June. For example, in June of 1905, Cadbury launched their Dairy Milk Bar which became their biggest seller by WWI, (https://www.cadbury.co.uk/).  That chocolate credit belongs to the UK though.  In the U.S. we have Hershey's.   In June of 1963, Hershey's bought the rights to Reese's (of Peanut Butter Cup fame).  Hershey'seems like the Disney of Candy in terms of acquisitions. They even have their own rights to a U.S. version of Cadbury, (thus inspiring the UK vs. US Cadbury taste debate: the UK's version is better you will never get me to say different - www.businessinsider.com)  Wikipedia's list of products manufactured by Hershey will take you from the original Hershey's Bar to the U.S. licensed version of Kit Kat bars, (the rest of the world gets the Nestlé version), Jolly Ranchers, Ice Breakers, Twizzlers, etc.  Although they are number 1 in the U.S.  (Thank you Reese's Peanut Butter Cups), Hershey's is number 5 in the world; the winner there is Mars with $20 billion in sales worldwide (https://www.alltopeverything.com/top-10-candy-companies/)

And with all that said and done, I not only want a Snickers but I now have "I Want Candy" running through my head.

The Liddabit Sweets Candy Cookbook by Gutman, Liz

Doing for candy making what Jeni's Splendid Ice Cream did for ice cream, The Liddabit Sweets Candy Cookbook is the perfect marriage of sugar and spice, packed with 75 foolproof recipes, full-color photographs, and lots of attitude. The approachable recipes, offbeat humor, and step-by-step photographs remind us that home
candy-making is meant to be fun. The flavor combinations, down-to-earth advice, and easy directions make this the guide to turn to whether making candy for a treat, a holiday, a gift, or a bake sale.

300 Best Homemade Candy Recipes: Brittles, Caramels, Chocolates, Fudge, Truffles & So Much More by Sharrock, Jane

The step-by-step candy bible for home candy-makers.

With hundreds of recipes for mouthwatering candies, chocolates, pralines, crèmes, fudges, toffee, holiday treats and no-bake cookies, this candy cookbook covers the traditional to the exotic.

Complete with easy-to-follow instructions and 75 step-by-step photos, this is a treasure trove of information and inspiring recipes. Although many are intimidated at the thought of making candies at home, Jane Sharrock shows how to master a few basic principles that every candy maker should know. She makes it easy to produce delicious goodies in the home kitchen.

Making Chocolate: From Bean to Bar to S'more by Masonis, Todd

A guide from the chocolate maker Dandelion Chocolate offers their approach to making chocolate with only cocoa beans and sugar and covers everything from bean-sourcing tips through their chocolate-making method, along with recipes from their kitchen.

Milton Hershey: Hershey's Chocolate Creator by Mattern, Joanne

In this title, unwrap the life of talented Hershey's chocolate creator, Milton Hershey! Readers will enjoy getting the scoop on this Food Dude, beginning with his childhood near Lancaster, Pennsylvania. Students can follow Hershey's success story from his apprenticeship at Royer's Ice Cream Parlor and Garden to his establishment of the Lancaster Caramel Company. Hershey's discovery of chocolate and determined creation of the Hershey bar also highlighted. Engaging text familiarizes readers with topics of interest including the town of Hershey, Pennsylvania, and the Milton Hershey School. An entertaining sidebar, a helpful timeline, a glossary, and an index, supplement the historical and color photos showcased in this inspiring biography. Aligned to Common Core Standards and correlated to state standards. Checkerboard Library is an imprint of Abdo Publishing, a division of ABDO.

The Chocolatier: a novel by Moran, Jan

A young widow. A husband she thought she knew. On the picturesque Italian coast of Amalfi lies a chocolatier's destiny... San Francisco, 1953: Heartbroken over the mysterious death of her husband, Celina Savoia, a second-generation chocolatier, resolves to take their young son to Italy's shimmering Amalfi coast to introduce him to his father's family. Just as she embarks on a magical, romantic life of making chocolate by the sea surrounded by a loving family, she begins to suspect that her husband had a dark secret--forged in the final days of WWII--that could destroy the relationships she's come to cherish. While a second chance at love is tempting, the mystery of her husband's true identity thwarts her efforts. Challenged to pursue the truth or lose the life she's come to love, Celina and her late husband's brother, Lauro, must trace the past to a remote, Peruvian cocoa region to face the deceit that threatens to shatter their lives.

Chocolate to Die For by Carl, JoAnna

Two for one! A delectable double layer of chocolate with two Chocoholic Mysteries, The Chocolate Puppy Puzzle and The Chocolate Mouse Trap, now in one trade paperback volume.

In The Chocolate Puppy Puzzle, the lakeside town of Warner Pier has been swept away by a visiting Hollywood producer. He says he's making a movie based on a local author's novel, but the sensible Lee McKinney smells a phony, especially when her sleuthing leads to a dead body...

In The Chocolate Mouse Trap, Lee McKinney's friend goes overboard with inspirational e-mails-enough for someone to permanently delete her! Now everyone on her friend's address list is suspect-or a potential victim. Lee needs to trap the killer, or she might be next to land in his outbox...

Lemon Drop Dead by Flower, Amanda

When a surprise guest at Emily Esh's lemon-themed baby shower claims to know about her secret shame, and then winds up dead, Emily's sister, Esther, is accused of the crime and Bailey King must put the squeeze on the real killer to keep this family together.

An Amish Candy Shop Mystery Series

The Confectioner's Tale: A Novel of Paris by Madeleine, Laura

"At the famous Patisserie Clermont, a chance encounter with the owner's daughter has given one young man a glimpse into a life he never knew existed: of sweet cream and melted chocolate, golden caramel and powdered sugar, of pastry light as air. But it is not just the art of confectionery that holds him captive, and soon a forbidden love affair begins. Almost eighty years later, an academic discovers a hidden photograph of her grandfather as a young man with two people she has never seen before. Scrawled on the back of the picture are the words "Forgive me." Unable to resist the mystery behind it, she begins to unravel the story of two star-crossed lovers and one irrevocable betrayal."-- Provided by publisher.

 

The Candy Darlings by Walde, Christine

A girl, grieving for her dead mother and emotionally detached from her father, becomes fast friends with a mysterious classmate who constantly eats sweets as the two of them battle the vicious popular girls at school and listen to the stories of an elderly patient at the hospital where they volunteer.

Candy Corn Murder: A Lucy Stone Mystery by Meier, Leslie

Covering the town's annual Giant Pumpkin Fest during the Halloween season, reporter Lucy Stone follows leads to a local general store-turned-Internet hotspot when her husband, Bill, is framed for a friend's murder.

The Summer of Cotton Candy by Viguié, Debbie

Forced by her father to get a summer job, seventeen-year-old Candace makes the most of selling cotton candy in an amusement park, despite a botched nametag, vindictive co-workers, lewd patrons, and growing distant from her best friend.

Charlie and the Chocolate Factory

Kitchen Klutzes of America Day

 

If you, like me, have ever accidentally set fire to a spoon rest, neglected to add key ingredients to Mac & Cheese, forgotten that you were boiling water and opted to take a nap,  added salt to your cereal instead of sugar, suffered colossal cake collapses, or managed to simultaneously over and under bake a batch of cookies, or constantly wonder how you'd fair on  "Worst Cooks in America" then June 13th's celebration oof  Kitchen Klutzes of America Day is for you.  

Seriously, why would anyone allow me into a kitchen...

You Suck at Cooking: The Absurdly Practical Guide to Sucking Slightly Less at Making Food.

Do you crave food all the time? Do you think you might want to eat again in the future? Do you suck at cooking? Inspired by the wildly popular YouTube channel, these 60+ recipes will help you suck slightly less. -- amazon.com

The Lazy Genius Kitchen: Have What You Need, Use What You Have, and Enjoy It Like Never Before by Adachi, Kendra

Not a cookbook, but a way to organize your kitchen-- and everything in it-- so that it will work for you. Adachi teaches you to apply a five-step process-- prioritize, essentialize, organize, personalize and systemize-- so that you can turn your hardest-working room into your favorite one, too. .-- adapted from back cover.

Clueless in the Kitchen: A Cookbook for Teens by Raab, Evelyn

• Taking a basic and humorous approach, a columnist for "Today's Parent" magazine gently leads culinary neophytes through the entire gamut of kitchen experience--from cleaning a stove to outfitting a first kitchen, from boiling an egg to planning an entire meal. Each of the 200 recipes is organized by course and main ingredient, and coded to fit the new cook's requirements.

The clueless Vegetarian: A Cookbook For the Aspiring Vegetarian by Raab, Evelyn

The Clueless Vegetarian is designed for vegetarians who love good food, cooked from scratch, but also want to have a life. If you've just switched to a vegetarian diet, The Clueless Vegetarian gives you the straightforward nutritional information you need to help you make good food choices (without obsessing). If you're a practicing vegetarian looking for some good old fashioned cooking, then this is your guide. There are lots of hints for concocting vegetarian versions of your favorite old recipes, and suggestions on preparing meals for the mixed household. You'll even find survival tips and cooking advice that's just plain useful for everyone, vegetarian or not.

Meal Prep Cookbook for Dummies by Peterson, Wendy Jo

With simple prep each week, you can stock your fridge and freezer with heat-and-eat meals for breakfast, lunch, and dinner or do partial prep and make dinnertime a breeze. Meal Prep Cookbook For Dummies can help you spend less time in the kitchen, meet health goals, save money, and just plain eat better. With over 125 recipes, plus tips and techniques for making all your favorites ahead of time, this book lets you breeze through your week. Imagine the possibilities that will open to you when you can just pop a healthy and delectable pre-made meal in the microwave, and--ding!--your made-from-scratch dinner is ready. Prep ahead and toss vegetables and your favorite protein on a sheet pan and dinner is ready in under 20 minutes. What will you do with all your extra time?

The Can't Cook Book: Recipes for the Absolutely Terrified! by Seinfeld, Jessica

"Many smart, accomplished people don't know how to cook - and they feel embarrassed and anxious about not being successful in this area of their lives. Whether they are single or raising families, they lack confidence in the most essential space in their home: the kitchen. If you add up all the take-out meals, processed snacks, and other shortcuts to good, old-fashioned "cooking" that non-cooks use, you're left with diets that are unnecessarily high in salt, fat, sugar, and monthly food bills that are through the roof. But cooking doesn't have to scary or stressful - even if you've NEVER read a recipe or used your oven. Jessica will show you how to prepare the deliciously simple food you love to order in restaurants: from caesar salad, butternut squash soup, and roasted asparagus to lemon salmon, roast chicken, and pasta with clams. Each recipe is written in Jessica's calming, confidence-building voice, which tells you up-front what the challenge will be and then shows you exactly how you overcome it in easy-to-follow, step-by-step instructions. The definitive guide to cooking, Jessica's cookbook is designed for anyone who wants to whip up delicious dinners but is fearful and intimidated. THE CAN'T COOK BOOK will empower you in the kitchen, and it can be either the first and only cookbook you ever need or the perfect prequel to the cookbooks you already own that until now, have simply been serving as coffee table decorations"-- Provided by publisher.

Simple Comforts Step-By-Step Instant Pot Cookbook: The Easiest and Most Satisfying Comfort Food Ever -- with Photographs of Every Step. by Eisner, Jeffrey

With hundreds of crystal-clear pictures guiding every step, and recipes featuring easy-to-find ingredients and even easier-to-master techniques, The Simple Comforts Step-by-Step Instant Pot Cookbook combines the magic of your favorite comfort food with the speed and simplicity of your favorite kitchen appliance. Get cooking--and put a smile on your plate.