Independence Day

It’s that time of year again—when we grill out and chill out with family and friends for the Fourth of July. It’s the perfect occasion to celebrate America in all its glory. Do you ever wonder why we celebrate Independence Day? Or perhaps you are planning to host or go to a barbecue. The typical 4th of July BBQ is a day spent with family and friends, eating simple American food, celebrating our country, and lots of red, white, and blue. Whether you are a child or adult, we all look forward to this yearly holiday where we can unwind and enjoy a weekend full of festive activities.

To learn more about Independence Day, or plan your holiday barbecue, we’ve created a list of some terrific books for you to enjoy.

Books for Adults:

·         1776 by David McCullough

·         Rise to Rebellion by Jeff Shaara

·         John Adams by David McCullough

·         The Radicalism of the American Revolution by Gordon S. Wood

·         Founding Brothers by Joseph Ellis

·         Washington by Ron Chernow

·         American Sphinx by Joseph Ellis

·         Burr by Gore Vidal

·         Autobiography by Thomas Jefferson

·         Revolutionary Summer: The Birth of American Independence by Joseph Ellis

·         Bunker Hill: A City, A Siege, A Revolution by Nathaniel Philbrick

Books for Kids:

·         The Story of America’s Birthday by Patricia Pingry

·         Meet Our Flag, Old Glory by April Jones Prince

·         Read, White, and Boom! By Lee Wardlaw

·         Hurray for the Fourth of July by Wendy Watson

·         The First American Flag by Kathy Allen

·         Independence Day by Connor Dayton

·         Betsy Ross by Wil Mara

·         The Journey of the One and Only Declaration of Independence by Judith St. George

·         A is for America: A Patriotic Alphabet Book by Tanya Lee Stone

·         The Songs We Wing: Honoring Our Country by Harriet Wesolowski

BBQ Cookbooks:

·         The Barbecue Bible by Steve Raichlen

·         How to Grill Everything by Mark Bittman

·         The Ultimate Vegan Barbecue Cookbook by Nadine Horn

·         Barbecue Lovers Big Book of BBQ Sauces by Cheryl and Bill Jamison

·         Guy on Fire by Guy Fieri

·         Grill It With Levi by Levi Roots

·         The New Vegetarian Grill by Andrea Chesman

·         Emeril At the Grill by Emeril Lagasse

·         The Ultimate Guide to Grilling by Rick Brown

·         New South Grilling: Fresh and Exciting Recipes from the Third Coast by Robert St. John

Find these and more by visiting our LibraryCatalog, or look for more great books to read on our Pinterest boards!

New to the Collection

You can always get books and movies from Somers Library, but your library card can also help you get outside to play games more this summer. Somers Library now offers outdoor games that can be borrowed, taken home and played outside in your backyard with your family or at your next get together with friends.

Outdoor games and items available include:

• Bocce
• Giant Dice
• Horseshoes
• Ring Toss
• Croquet

These items join a variety of things available to library card holders that go beyond just books and movies. Cake pans, bongo drums, ukuleles, board games, knitting and crochet kits are just a few to mention. Come on in and check it out! 

Travel the World: Unusual Travel Guides

Who doesn’t love to travel? Whether you vacation frequently or are content with visiting other locales from the comfort of your home, the books on this list are delightful travel companions; and even if you aren't traveling, a good travel book can help motivate you to get out there. From coffee table books to travel guides, here are some unusual books for travel lovers of what we believe to be some the most interesting travel books out there. These are great starting points to help find inspiration to plan a trip, “get away” for a staycation, or pass the time on the train between destinations.

·        Historic New England: A Tour of the Region's Top 100 National Landmarks

·        Native American & Pioneer Sites of Upstate New York: Westward Trails from Albany to Buffalo

·        Abroad at Home: The 600 Best International Travel Experiences in North America

·        Colonial America And The American Revolution: The Best 25 Sites

·        25 Bicycle Tours in the Hudson Valley: Scenic Rides from Saratoga to Northern Westchester Country

·        North American Wine Routes: A Travel Guide to Wines and Vines, from Napa to Nova Scotia

·        Discovering Vintage New York: A Guide to the City's Timeless Shops, Bars, Delis & More

·        U.S. Highway 89: The Scenic Route to Seven Western National Parks

·        A Road Trip Into America's Hidden Heart - Traveling the Back Roads, Backwoods and Back Yards

·        Hanz Holzer's Travel Guide to Haunted Houses: A Practical Guide to Places Haunted by Ghosts, Spirits and Poltergeists

·       Where the Locals Go: More Than 300 Places Around the World to Eat, Play, Shop, Celebrate, and Relax

·        The Complete Civil War Road Trip Guide: 10 Weekend Tours and More than 400 Sites, from Antietam to Zagonyi's Charge

·        Golf Magazine Great Getaways: The Best of the Best Three and Four Day Golf Trips

·        Volunteer Vacations: Short-Term Adventures That Will Benefit You and Others

·        Secret journeys of a lifetime : 500 of the world's best hidden travel gems

·        Arizona Ghost Towns and Mining Camps: A Travel Guide to History

·        The Most Scenic Drives in America, Newly Revised and Updated: 120 Spectacular Road Trips

·        The 100 Best Art Towns in America: A Guide to Galleries, Festivals, Lodging, and Dining

·        Novel Destinations: Literary Landmarks From Jane Austen's Bath to Ernest Hemingway's Key West

·        A Travel Guide to World War II Sites in Italy: Museums, Monuments, and Battlegrounds

·        101 Baseball Places to See Before You Strike Out

·        Adventure Vacations for Animal Lovers

·        Rail-Trails Northeast: New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania

·        Architecture Walks: The Best Outings Near New York City

·        Hiking the Road to Ruins: Day Trips and Camping Adventures to Iron Mines, Old Military Sites, and Things Abandoned in the New York City Area ... and Beyond

·        Off the Beaten Page: The Best Trips for Lit Lovers, Book Clubs, and Girls on Getaways

You may place holds on any of these books by clicking here, or visit our Pinterest boards for 

additional reading recommendations.