Check Out These Non-Fiction Gems at the Brighton Library

Fido’s Florida: A Dog Friendly Guide to the Sunshine State by Ginger Warder

Heading to Florida for Spring Break? Pack the squeaky toys along with your sunscreen for a Florida vacation both you and your dog will love! In Warder’s book, you will discover: that Miami has a restaurant that’s exclusively for dogs; that you and your pal can dine alfresco in Palm Beach at a restaurant owned by celebrity chef Daniel Boulud; that Tampa has a world-class art museum that hosts a weekly Yappy Hour, that Orlando hosts a pet festival almost every month of the year and much more.

Now you have no reason to leave your furry friend in a hotel room while you’re out having fun. This book includes everything from Fido-friendly beaches and bark parks to restaurants, hotels, local attractions, shopping excursions, emergency veterinarian services and doggie spas where your pooch can receive grooming and other services such as aromatherapy and blueberry facials.

Dog Days: A Year in the Oscar Mayer Wienermobile by Dave Ihlenfeld

Instead of getting a “real” job after graduating summa cum laude from the University of Missouri-Columbia, author and comedian Dave Ihlenfeld spent a year in an untraditional job. Ihlenfeld recounts his year-long journey in what is perhaps America’s most iconic and instantly recognizable vehicle, the Oscar Mayer Wienermobile. This very funny and memorable tale describes visits to the Albuquerque Balloon Festival, the Super Bowl, Mardi Gras, a U.S. military base in Germany, a Catholic school in Italy and the numerous eccentric characters he meets along the way. A thoroughly enjoyable journey for everyone who has ever owned (or wanted to own) a Weiner Whistle. 

Classroom to White House: The Presidents and First Ladies as Students and Teachers by James McMurtry Longo

Although only half of the U.S. presidents and first ladies were teachers at some point in their careers, all of them were students. Both of these roles are examined in detail in Longo’s newly published book. The book primarily tries to answer two questions: What kind of students and teachers were our presidents and first ladies? And how have students, teachers and schools changed over the years? This thoughtful and insightful narrative describes not only the experiences of the subjects, but also the education system in place during their years in the White House. This ambitious work is peppered throughout with anecdotes, analysis and actual quotes from each president and first lady. An interesting read for those interested in a seldom discussed aspect of our presidents and their spouses.