Garden designer Delamain debuts with an enlightening survey of innovative gardens that support communities around the globe. Arguing that “solutions to our greatest challenges lie in the simple, ancient act of making gardens,” she demonstrates how green spaces are not only good for the planet but also empower people, provide nourishment, and boost mental health. At the Glasshouse Botanics, a garden at East Sutton Prison in the U.K., women nearing the end of their sentence receive horticultural training and employment opportunities. Working with plants, Delamain says, “restores a sense of human dignity and allows women to begin life anew.” Alla Olkhovska’s garden in Kharkiv, Ukraine, has been a “constant source of hope” amid war, offering both beauty and vital income to Olkhovska, who sells her flower seeds and photographs online. Similarly, the gardening initiative Seeds of Resilience brings vegetable crops as well as hope and agency to war-torn communities in Gaza. In Kurdistan, community gardens offer refugees a sense of place after fleeing their home countries. Filled with beautiful photos and inspiring stories, this is a moving testament to the power of gardens to change lives. (Apr.)

Reviewed on 04/03/2026 | Details & Permalink

Embroidery artist Yula’s beautiful if daunting English-language debut demonstrates how to embroider fabric with floral designs. In her discussion of tools and materials, Yula recommends stitching on linen or fine-textured cotton fabric and points out that a ballpoint pen that’s out of ink can be used in lieu of a tracer tool to trace patterns onto fabric. Among the dainty and intricate projects are embroidery hoops filled with daisies and leaves, fabric brooches featuring tiny bouquets, and gusseted pouches displaying a wintry forest scene. Readers should note that some projects, including the pouches, pen cases, and tote bags, need to be sewn from scratch in addition to embroidering the main fabric. Unfortunately for novices, there is no explainer of sewing techniques, and while Yula offers an overview of embroidery stitches, such as chain stitches and running stitches, the illustrations are occasionally unclear. Other tips and techniques, however, are explained thoroughly, including step-by-step photographs showing how to stitch miniature roses, as well as Yula’s recommended sequence for stitching (outlining first, followed by filling in areas, and finishing with finer details). Experienced crafters will get the most out of this. (May)

Reviewed on 04/03/2026 | Details & Permalink

Tenuto debuts with an empathetic guide to understanding how stress and trauma are stored in the body and how certain exercises can bring healing. A survivor of childhood sexual assault, Tenuto shares how somatic exercise—slow, mindful movements designed to regulate the nervous system—helped her release tension and reconnect with her body and emotions. She explains how constant stress and unresolved childhood trauma keep the body’s fight-or-flight response activated for long periods of time, resulting in health issues like insomnia, digestive problems, anxiety, muscle weakness, brain fog, and mood swings. To ease tension and relieve pain, Tenuto walks readers through exercises that target different parts of the body, including the hips, pelvis, back, neck, and jaw. For those feeling anxious or overwhelmed, she recommends a combination of hip rocking, heel rocking, and knee swaying. To release anger and frustration, she encourages exercises that involve slamming a pillow on the floor and stomping on the ground and swinging one’s arms. Step-by-step instructions, photos, and QR codes that lead to instructive videos elucidate the movements. Actionable and empowering, this will inspire those seeking to connect with their bodies and reclaim joy. (Apr.)

Reviewed on 04/03/2026 | Details & Permalink

Williams, the chef behind Brooklyn’s The Food Sermon, debuts with a vibrant and impressively comprehensive collection of more than 350 recipes for Caribbean fare, drawn from 28 countries. “Local food tells the story of our history, our people, and our shared heritage,” the St. Vincent native writes. Through deep dives into the region’s foodways, Williams shows how the island terrain, history of colonialism, and cultural fusion created a cuisine where “spices are the stars.” Recipes are organized by cooking methods, opening with sections on marinades and condiments, sauces, and chutneys and preserves used to build vibrant flavor. Among these are Jamaica’s Scotch bonnet–spiced Jerk seasoning, citrus and cumin marinade from Bonaire, and hibiscus flower sorrel jelly from Barbados. Classic dishes include Cuba’s ropa vieja and Haitian black rice. Seafood features heavily throughout, including in soups like Bahamian conch broth and herring broth from Martinique. Other ingredients also recur: breadfruit is fried in St. Lucia, curried in Trinidad and Tobago, or roasted with stew chicken in the Grenadines. Desserts (including candied papaya from the Dominican Republic), nonalcoholic drinks (such as pineapple and ginger juice from the U.S. Virgin Islands), and rum cocktails round things out. Ambitious, authoritative, and accessible, this flavorful guide is sure to inspire. (Mar.)

Reviewed on 04/03/2026 | Details & Permalink

German physician Enders (Gut) delivers a unique exploration of the inner workings of the human body. Learning how organs function and overcome challenges, she argues, can help people live more harmoniously: “Understanding the body isn’t just useful for preventing illness. Our organs also have a substantial say in what it means to be ourselves.” Enders explains five key parts of the body—the lungs, immune system, skin, muscles, and brain—and draws life lessons from how they work. When the skin encounters pressure or friction, for example, it hardens and creates callouses. The same happens in humans’ emotional lives: grieving people often go numb, or “develop a thick skin,” to feel secure. Turning to the lungs, Enders explains how breathing is one of the few bodily functions that is both unconscious and conscious (as when a person takes a deep breath). This means that when a person becomes anxious, they can consciously calm themselves through breathing techniques. The reverse also happens: if a person indulges in an aimless thought spiral, unconscious bodily processes might produce a yawn, regrounding them in the present. Enders’s observations are accessible and often profound (“you need your body and your body needs you”). It’s an entertaining and enlightening tour of the parts that make people whole. Illus. (Apr.)

Reviewed on 04/03/2026 | Details & Permalink

Povey, who runs the crochet fashion brand Realm Designs, debuts with a colorful collection of crochet patterns with retro flair. She provides a quick review of basic stitches, such as single crochet and half-double crochet, and offers detailed instructions for changing yarn color mid-project and joining pieces together to create a finished product. Granny squares—crocheted squares used to create patchwork designs—abound, appearing in projects like the “grandad chic” sweater vest and the “festival-ready” crossbody bag, bucket hat, and a miniskirt. Other projects include flower-patterned coasters, scarves, and tote bags. Povey suggests specific yarn types for each project, but also encourages readers to experiment with different brands. The projects range in skill level, though most are best suited for crafters who’ve already mastered the fundamentals. Beginners would do well to start with the flower bookmarks (“The first thing I ever crocheted was a flower just like this one,” Povey notes), and those wanting something more challenging will be eager to tackle the “retro flower sweater,” which involves seaming and creating sleeves. Crafters seeking to spruce up their wardrobe will want to check this out. (Apr.)

Reviewed on 04/03/2026 | Details & Permalink

In this festive collection commemorating the United States semiquincentennial, Laidlaw (Emily in Paris: The Official Cookbook) serves up 102 appealing cocktail recipes, with two drinks, one classic and one contemporary, celebrating each state, plus Washington, D.C. Classics include expected fare—a mint julep for Kentucky, sazerac for Louisiana, and a Manhattan for New York—alongside more niche local favorites like the Alaskan “Duck Fart,” a tiered shot layering Baileys, Kahlúa, and whiskey, said to originate from an Anchorage bar. A lavish Bloody Mary garnished with lobster meat evokes Maine, while a key lime blended Daiquiri toasts to Florida. Things get creative in the modern recipes: muddled corn adds sweetness to a whiskey sour ode to Iowa, complete with a charred husk as garnish, while a seaweed salt rim complements Rhode Island’s “Briny Breeze.” Throughout, Laidlaw provides fascinating historical tidbits (like how the Moscow Mule came to be associated with Connecticut) and highlights local ingredients—including West Virginian pawpaw fruit and Montanan saskatoon berries—while still providing accessible substitutions. With attractive photography and a diverse array of recipes that range from simple to showstopping, this is sure to inspire home bartenders to raise a glass to the country’s history. (Mar.)

Reviewed on 03/13/2026 | Details & Permalink

Belgian artist Platel debuts in English with a whimsical guide to collage art. Formerly a hairdresser and “go-go dancing drag queen,” Platel shares how he turned to collaging during the Covid-19 pandemic, when his scissors “were screaming to be picked up” again. He immediately fell in love with the artform, and as a gay man, found it an ideal medium for expressing queerness. Deconstructing existing images to put together a new narrative, he says, is a “queer, subversive act.” Many other artists in the LGBTQ+ community have turned to the art form, Platel demonstrates, highlighting the work of several queer collage artists, like Zach Grear and Carlos Marló. Platel walks readers through how to make their own collages, advising them to use heavyweight paper as the background, gel glue to paste images, and a roller to prevent glued images from bubbling. The images are “the heart and soul” of a collage, he explains, urging crafters to use anything that speaks to them. The book contains hundreds of images that can be cut out and arranged, including photos of drag artists, Pride flags, disco balls, crowns, flowers, butterflies, cocktails, skulls, and desserts. Filled with intriguing background on collage history and an abundance of fun and eccentric cutouts, this will resonate with queer crafters eager to express themselves. (May)

Reviewed on 03/13/2026 | Details & Permalink

This smart and funny debut guide from gastroenterologist Pasricha teaches readers the fundamentals of gut health. During her medical training, Pasricha came to realize that “people quite simply do not know how to poop,” and due to cultural taboos, many steer clear of talking about the issue. She details how the gut works and the steps required to make trips to the bathroom effortless and predictable—or, in her words, achieve “poophoria.” Debunking myths like “healthy people poop once a day” and juice cleanses “detox” the gut, she assures readers that frequency differs by person and notes that juicing removes beneficial fiber from fruits and vegetables. Elsewhere, she explains that psychological stress can cause digestive issues but it’s also possible stomach injuries impact the brain; her lab, for example, is studying how Parkinson’s disease may start in the gut. She also offers tips for healthy bowel movements and bathroom habits, like eating more whole foods as opposed to ultraprocessed ones, using a bidet to support cleanliness, and listening to music to calm nerves when attempting to poop in a public restroom. Filled with science-backed, practical advice and frank discussions of issues that can induce embarrassment, this is a comforting resource for anyone battling bathroom anxiety. (Apr.)

Reviewed on 03/13/2026 | Details & Permalink

Food stylist Mullen (That Cheese Plate Will Change Your Life) shines a spotlight on small bites in this appealing collection. Appetizers, she writes, are “arguably the best part of every meal,” offering guests a “warm welcome” to any event. Mullen’s acronym APPS (ambience, pairings, presentation, and space) provides a handy checklist for hosts to consider, and her approach is refreshingly casual and practical. A chapter on “Bites,” handheld food for easy grazing, brings bursts of flavor in crispy crostini with honey-drizzled chèvre, prosciutto, and nectarines, and pasta salad skewers of tortellini and artichoke hearts. “Bowls” include scoopable dips, salads, and soups, among them creamy tarragon egg salad, or sweet and spicy whipped brie topped with red pepper jelly. The “Boards” chapter offers step-by-step guidance for assembling beautiful arrangements of cheese, nuts, fruit, and meat, while “Beverages” includes a dirty martini three ways, and a light, refreshing grapefruit and rosemary fizz. Sample menus for seasonal parties—from poolside soirees to game day bashes—round things out. Party hosts, especially those looking for tips to streamline prep, will delight in these craveable and shareable recipes. (Mar.)

Reviewed on 03/13/2026 | Details & Permalink