In the UPrep Library, innovation, challenge, and an opportunity to try something new can be found in each book you open. In the list for this issue, we offer insight into the art of a talented UPrep alumna, a tasty tome about innovative cooking, a guide to local beaches, and a deep dive into nature’s best architect, the beaver!

The Loves of Our Lives
By Karsyn Wallace ’18

UPrep students are encouraged to embrace their artistic talents. We enjoy seeing their work in the hallways and on the stage. As librarians, it is extra special when we get to see a student’s work published in print. In 2021, UPrep alumna Karsyn Wallace published The Loves of Our Lives, a multigenerational account of a family’s history seen through the eyes of Black women who live in the United States. Three protagonists navigate complex emotions and scenarios across time in a novel that is fast-paced and well researched. We are so proud of Karsyn’s innovative art and
hope you enjoy it, too.

The Wok
By J. Kenji Lopez-Alt

When we heard this issue’s theme was “The Art of Innovation,” we immediately thought about local author J. Kenji Lopez-Alt’s cookbook The Food Lab, which uses science to explain the art of cooking. We were thrilled to learn his new cookbook, The Wok, came out in March! This new cookbook is full of color and techniques to use as you explore the culinary arts in the kitchen. It breaks down the science behind 200 of his favorite wok-utilizing recipes and pairs cooking techniques with raw food options. This is a great option for students who loved the Student Chef intensive.

Northwest Know-How: Beaches
By Rena Priest

August has arrived, which means it’s time to get outside and play in the sand and surf. Washington’s poet laureate penned Northwest Know-How: Beaches. This darling book is filled with local knowledge about Washington and Oregon beaches, and it includes artistic renderings by Jake Stoumbos, maps, and poetry. Although fall is almost here, the beaches described within these pages would make lovely destinations during any season.

Eager: The Surprising, Secret Life of Beavers and Why They Matter
By Ben Goldfarb

Sometimes nature is the best innovator. In Eager, author Ben Goldfarb lays out the case for beavers as important and innovative architects of our waterways. Not only do readers learn about this influential species, but they also discover how North America was colonized by beavers and how
beaver integration into environments all over the world can help us combat drought, flooding, wildfire, extinction, and the effects of climate change.