Blog: Nonfiction

Invented in the USA

If you've had an idea to solve a common problem, you’ll appreciate the lengths these American inventors took to make their ideas into reality.

Best Books on Crafts You Didn’t Know Existed

Bored with traditional crafting possibilities? Have we got the books for you! Check out these great books on unusual (yet still delightful!) ways to be creative and find your next favorite hobby.

Happy Earth Day!

Earth Day is April 22! Roll up your sleeves and do the work to keep our planet healthy!

Fun Books to Identify Your Treasured Collectibles

Older collectibles books are great places to find pictures of unusual items that can be difficult to find online where image searching can be hit-or-miss. We try to keep a selection on a variety of collectible themes, and they can also be fun ways to see and remember old toys or things you had as a child. Take a look!

Blog! From New York! It’s Saturday Night!

"Saturday Night Live" is fifty years old this year, and if you've been paying attention to the media at all you know nobody's more excited about that fact than "Saturday Night Live." Celebrate by brushing off your catchphrases and reading a few cue cards.

100 Years of Sleeping Car Porters

For nearly 100 years, sleeping car porters prevailed in service and style when it came to providing railroad luxuries to working class individuals

Chillax with the Best Books on Pop Culture Life in the 1990s

It's always fun to look back at pop culture from the decades and wonder what the heck we were thinking at the time. Here's a great list of titles on the 1990s sure to make you nostalgic if you were there, or puzzled and amused if you weren't. As if!!

Totally Tubular Books about Pop Culture Life in the 1980s

Living in the 1980s was truly the end of an innocent era when we could take the phone off the hook or just go outside and be completely unreachable by anyone. Seriously: people would dial our number (which they either had to already know or get from something called a phone book), get no answer or a "busy signal" (look it up) and they'd think, "Gosh, I'll just have to call back later." It was AWESOME. Here are some great books on other bizarro aspects of life during that amazing era.

Best Travel Guides for Great Road Trips

Fall is a wonderful time to hit the road and see what's around us. Here are some great guides to plan anything from an afternoon drive to a long vacation on wheels.

5 Titles to Start Your Environmental Feminist Journey

Local environmental activist, Angie Fitzpatrick, kicks off our discussion of Feminism and the Environment that will continue at the Sylvania Branch on (Tu) August 20 at 6 p.m. Local sustainability advocates will lead a discussion on their journeys to sustainability and what women in Lucas County can do to help.

Be Transported by the Top 20 Titles for World UFO Day

June 24th AND July 2nd are both referred to as World UFO Day (it's complicated). Whichever one you celebrate, shine up your tin foil hat and Mork up your Nanoo, we have a lot of great books and documentaries on extraterrestrials and unidentified objects to share the wonder.

Commemorating Juneteenth

Juneteenth celebrates the official date, June 19th 1865, when all slaves in Confederate states were officially freed. It has become America's second Independence Day holdiay, and we've gathered some great books to learn about this important day.

D-Day for Young Readers

The 80th anniversary of the Normandy Landings is June 6th. Here are 10 books for curious minds to learn more about it and the war in general.

100 Years of Summer: 1945-1964

It's the 100th year of Summer Read! Here are books popular from 1945-1964. You're sure to recognize some of these classics!

15 Books for New Dog Owners

To all the dog parents out there, here are some recommendations for you and your kiddos on raising your newest addition to the family!

10 Incredible Real Life Mysteries

May is National Mystery Month! Learn about incredible heists, mysterious places, disappearances, and unexpected discoveries with these books.

Who Ya Gonna Call? TLCPL!

In case you're in for spooks, specters, or ghosts-- TLCPL has you covered! Check out our inventory of all things Ghostbusters!

10 Vocabulary Building Books for Rising Readers

One of the many ways we can improve reading comprehension is to strengthen children’s vocabulary and background knowledge. Try these tips from the Library's Ready to Read team to raise a confident reader.

9 Television Stars Who Left Us in 2023

Television personalities face the threat of cancellation but also enjoy the possibility of immortality through reruns and binge-watching. In that sense, these nine figures will always be with us.

Brewing Knowledge: 10 Must-Read Books About Kombucha

Dive into the world of kombucha with books that offer a blend of beginner-friendly insights and expert techniques. Uncover the secrets to mastering the art of fermentation and crafting your perfect batch of probiotic goodness.

20 Hockey Books for Kids

It's Hockey Night in Toledo as we welcome the Walleye back to the ice. Before enjoying a little family fun at the Huntington Center, be sure to share a few great hockey books with the young skaters and readers in your life.

5 Books to Help You Knit Socks – The Possibly (Im)perfect Last Minute Holiday Gift

Early Christmas morning / Sneaky as can be / I creep across the carpet / And I peek under the tree / Pick out a gift from Mom to me / And bring it to my ear / Give it a little shimmy shake and what do I hear? / Socks / This is the worst gift I ever got / It doesn't beep or buzz or bop or rattle in the box / Hey, why'd you waste the paper on a lousy pair of socks? - J.D. McPherson, 'Socks'

The First: Remembering Sandra Day O’Connor with 5 Books

"Sandra Day O'Connor blazed an historic trail as our nation's first female justice," Chief Justice John Roberts said in a statement. "She met that challenge with undaunted determination, indisputable ability, and engaging candor."

15 Titles to Combat Violence Against Women

International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women was November 25. These titles lean on personal experience, statistics, and work being done by women worldwide to end this crisis.

World Nursery Rhyme Week

Help children learn to read by celebrating World Nursery Rhyme week singing or rhyming your favorite rhymes!

LGBTQIA+ Nonfiction for Beginners

Talking about feelings is hard. Talking about feelings when you don't have the right vocabulary to describe them is even harder. And it's hardest when you don't know if those feelings are okay to have. (Hint: They are).

Sinéad O’Connor (1966-2023)

The Irish musician Sinéad O'Connor had one massive hit and a lifetime of influence. Regrettably for those of us who were fans, July 26 was the last day of our acquaintance.

15 Tony Award Winners

This Sunday night is the 76th Tony Awards, the biggest night in American theater. Or at least the biggest night in a certain fourteen-square-block section of American theater.

Leaving Funky Town: So Long, Winkerbean

The newspaper comic strip Funky Winkerbean has been telling stories about its Ohio-based characters day by day for fifty years. But at the end of this month, that all changes.

8 Books to Help You Make Comics

Your one-stop-shop to get you started making your first comic or graphic novel. Writing, storyboarding, drawing, and publishing!

9 Books to Read If You Like Better Call Saul

The Breaking Bad saga is wrapping up with the final season of Better Call Saul. If you're looking to recapture the edge of your seat twists and turns that show provides, these are the books for you.

5 Books with Terrible Hotels

Have you ever listened to friends complaining about a disappointing hotel or a vacation spot? Well, the people in these books have entered the chat.

Rethinking World War II 80 Years On

Two University of Toledo professors choose their top book picks for look at how WWII and the events of 1941 are remembered 80 years later. Here are their top book picks.

Inspiring Prison Memoirs

Out of the stark and brutal conditions of prison, come inspiring stories of faith, redemption and hope. Get a glimpse of this world from authors who have lived it.

Humor and Laughter

Humor is something I have shared with family and laughter is a strong glue that binds us. Laughter can help us cope with pain and recover more quickly from hardship.

Children’s Library & Teen Recommends – Summer 2021

Youth Services Librarians love to read, too! Check out what your favorite Children’s and Teen Librarians at Main Library are reading, whether it be a picture book about penguins, a middle grade adventure in a treehouse, vampires in Louisiana, or a time-traveling phone booth!

Discover Dolly!

Here is a selection of available materials at TLCPL of all things Dolly!

End of Life Memoirs

Authors who write about the last months of their lives offer perspective and inspiration.

True Stories of Dreamers

Our vast resources include true stories of immigrants past and present and vital information and resources that Dreamers and new immigrants may need.

Red or White?

Unfortunately, this blog is not about Italian Chianti or Chardonnay. It is about Mother's Day.

Rural Relocation

City dwellers find themselves relocated to new zip codes involving barns, chickens and dirt roads.

Grow Your Own Food at Home

Creating a kitchen garden is not only a fun hobby, but can provide your home with fresh produce all year long.

Ohioana Book Festival Books for Adults

Since its start in 2007, The Ohioana Book Festival provides readers opportunities to connect with Ohio writers. Check out this list of adult titles from the 2021 festival!

A Plethora of Poetry Books to Celebrate National Poetry Month

National Poetry Month is the largest literary celebration in the world, with tens of millions of readers, students, K-12 teachers, librarians, booksellers, literary events curators, publishers, bloggers, and, of course, poets marking poetry’s important place in our culture and our lives every April.

March is Disability Awareness Month

March is a month of many observances.  Though maybe not as well known as Women’s History Month, St. Patrick’s Day or the beginning of spring, Disability Awareness Month is certainly as important.

Books for Bibliophiles

If you've somehow run out of books or recommendations, first of all, I commend you. Second, these titles should help you stock back up.

UFO’s: Out of this World

UFO’s are getting a lot of attention recently. Although I have never seen a UFO, I often look up at the sky hoping one is there! Check out these books, documentaries, and feature movies to open your mind to the world of ufology.

Motivation for Runners

Whether you’re a newbie runner, training for a 5K or going the distance, we’ve got you covered with helpful resources in multiple formats. Runners, take your marks!

Celebrate Toni Morrison Day!

On December 21, 2020, Governor Mike DeWine signed House Bill 325 declaring Toni Morrison’s birthday, February 18, Toni Morrison Day in Ohio.

A Happiness Reading List

Here are a few books that may help you keep a lookout for the small moments, practices, and words in life to lift spirits and find the wonder in the world around us.

Homeschooling Resources for Grades PreK-12

Below are just some of the materials that may be helpful to teaching children at home. Whether you’re new or experienced, there are resources available to help you. The Independent Learner’s Guide to Successful

1920s America: A Decade of Great Change

In the Fact and Fiction department at the Main Library we field a variety of questions. Every day brings new inquiries from people doing research and/or folks simply trying to gain a better understanding

New Year’s Intention: Get Organized

Want to leave 2020 in the dust? Set an intention this new year to declutter! A home or workspace in disarray can cause added stress and anxiety that chips away at our mental health.

Wartime Entertainment for the Troops and Their Families

On Veteran’s Day, we honor those who served in the United States military. Among the Library's extensive government documents collection the following listed, physical items are not linked in our catalog and are not available for check out consists of pamphlets, manuals and booklets that were published to aid and support military personnel and their families, most notably during World War II.

Rachel Recommends

“October is crisp days and cool nights, a time to curl up around the dancing flames and sink into a good book.” ~John Sinor

Our Favorite Apple Books

Sit down with your family, one of these books, and a mug of hot apple cider for a fantastic (and warm) fall experience.

Presidents in Picture Books

When you're President of the United States, you not only get use of a plane and an in-house bowling alley, you may also wind up the star of a children's picture book, possibly alongside a talking aardvark.

3:18, The Milky Way And Non-Fiction

The overwhelming consensus for the best viewing of dark sky areas in the U.S. is in the western United States. There is one more place in the U.S. that should be put on the dark sky list and that is in rural Michigan. At 3:18 am to be precise in the farmlands of nowhere, on a cool, clear morning.

Where the Crawdads Sing Read-Alikes by Theme

Since finishing Where the Crawdads Sing, I've scoured the internet looking for an exact replica story to fill the void. As a result, I've put together my own read-alikes - breaking it down into pivotal aspects of the novel.

Spend Your New Year – At the Library

Happy New Year from your Library! Make 2020 your best year yet by taking advantage of the many resources, materials and programs we offer. We hope to see you often!

Exploring Toledo Through Its Architecture

"Architecture of Northwest Ohio," a digital library devoted to sharing and preserving Toledo's rich architectural heritage, hit a milestone of uploading its 100th unique commission.

Flashlight Frenzy Fun

Toledo Library partnering with Metroparks Toledo for another year of Flashlight Frenzy.

Up Lit: 15 Feel Good Fiction Novels

Novels designed to boost your mood and leave you smiling. Up Lit are uplifting, life-affirming stories chock full of humor, hope, kindness, compassion, empathy, love and joy.

25 Fascinating Nonfiction Reads

Let's get real! Interested in crime, history, memoirs and more? We have it all here! Fascinating Nonfiction Reads Autobiographies / Biographies / Memoirs Becoming by Michelle Obama An intimate and uplifting memoir by the

Mental Health Awareness

May is Mental Health Month. Here are some ways you can use the Library to support your mental health.

Rachel Recommends: 2019 Spring Edition

The long climb from spring to sandal season requires a little pampering of the spirit. This list should not incite tension or anxiety, but, rather a sense of mellow peace.

4 Episodes to Get You Hooked on Podcasts

If you aren’t already a podcast listener, it can be a little daunting to look at all the podcasts available. Here are 4 great episodes from some of my favorite podcasts to get you started.

Mindfulness and Buddhism 101

Mindfulness, meditation and other Eastern philosophical ideals are everywhere these days. It can be overwhelming to find readable basic information on what true mindfulness really means. Where does one begin? Glad you asked! Start here....

HerStory: Intersectional Feminism

In celebration of Women's History Month, join the Steinem Sisters Collection for HerStory: Intersectional Feminism. Featuring four of the Toledo region’s most celebrated women’s activists and forward-thinkers, this special program will investigate how the feminist movement can be more diverse and inclusive through a renewed focus on intersectionality.

Equal Pay Day: An Intersectional Approach

Equal Pay Day is the symbolic marker of how long it takes for women to earn as much as men did the preceding year. Continue reading to learn more about this incredibly important issue that should concern everyone in our modern society.

We Dig Archaeology

Archaeology is not what you find, it’s what you find out - David Hurst Thomas

Interesting Stories for Outdoor Enthusiasts

From living secluded in a tent for almost three decades, to climbing a 3,200 foot wall without ropes, this list highlights some of my favorite titles where people do some really incredible (and maybe a few ill-advised) things outside.

Yoga @ the Library

The Library has programs and resources designed to help the entire family on their wellness journey.

The Human-Nature Connection

The Library and Metroparks are great community resources that enrich the quality of life in the communities in which they serve.

10 Best Biographies of 2018

Biographies, autobiographies, essays and memoirs from famous and not so famous, but very interesting people sharing intimate details of their lives.

A Life Examined: Philosophy for Everyday Life

Philosophy can help you become a better critical thinker, sort through information and live with a sense of meaning. And the Library has resources for all of your philosophical needs!

Start a Book Club with Your Partner

Life gets busy as an adult and there isn't always time to read. Starting a two-person book club with your partner can be a fun way to connect with each other and share the books you love.

How to Find a Good Book to Read

All things are relative - including what constitutes a "good book," but finding books you'll enjoy is easy with the right tools.

Two Librarians, Too Many Books: Summer Reads

We're back! This time, we're obsessing over what we consider the best "summer reads" around. Read on for our lightly-edited-for-clarity conversation about what titles we think you should plop down on a beach with or stay safely-contained within your air-conditioned home with. We don't judge.

Small-Space Gardening

Small-Space Gardening is an activity everyone can enjoy with just a little creativity! With specialized small-space garden kits available commercially at local home stores for do-it-yourselfers, this can be done in even the smallest spaces with some ingenuity.

DIY Booklists

Share your best reads list with friends so they can borrow confidently.

November Thankful Reads

Whether or not one chooses to gorge on Thanksgiving, fall is a fantastic time to reflect upon the importance of gratitude in our lives.

Obsessed with Living in a Dream

As I first started reading Patti Smith’s work, M Train, I was torn. Torn because I loved to get lost in her world, and also upset because she had the luxury of being lost in it on a daily basis, and well, I didn’t.

Nobel Prize Winners

The Nobel Peace Prize has an interesting history - continue reading to learn more about it and check out a selection of books by some of the recipients.

Graphic Novel Memoirs

Weaving together art and words, these graphic novel memoirs are sure to expand your literary horizons.

Read the Movie, Watch the Book: Part Two!

Which is better - the book or the film? Each version always has its champion. For the most part, seeing a visual interpretation of a book is worth the time spent. Continue reading to explore a selection of book to film adaptations coming out in 2017.

Read the Movie, Watch the Book

There are a number of popular films coming out soon based on even more popular books - check out this blog post to explore the top 11 titles due out this year.

Sports Roundup

Do you have a favorite sport or are you one of those sports-in-general fans? One thing’s for sure, if you’re not playing it, or watching it, there’s always something to be learned from sports books and movies.

All Things Sherlock

Sherlock Holmes is one of the most famous detectives of all-time. Explore this blog post to learn more about the history and works inspired by the infamous character created by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle.

Best Nonfiction Books of 2016

The best of the best in biographies, memoirs, business, leadership, history, poetry, science, and general nonfiction books of the year.

The Wrong Side of Magic

I found a charming magic in a new book, a magic that leaps off the page with humor and heart in Janette Rallison’s latest novel The Wrong Side of Magic.

Seekers and Sages: Spirituality Selections

Many seek a mindful, simple path on the road to a deeper spirituality. The titles featured in this post explore the virtues of gratitude, grace, and compassion in that journey.

In The Mood For True Crime?

Looking for something creepy to curl up with? Just be warned, even on a bright summer day you might find yourself locking your doors and drawing the shades.

A Buffet Of Romance Novels

Whether you like to gobble up contemporary romance, historical romance, romantic suspense or inspirational romance there is a buffet of romance subgenres to satisfy anyone’s taste.

BlueSky