Storey's Curious Compendium of Practical and Obscure Skills

Starred review from August 1, 2020
For decades, Storey Publishing has been teaching curious readers how to garden, farm, cook, craft, build, fix, and heal. Now the makers and doers at Storey have compiled some of their favorite projects in this how-to book of how-to books, which couldn't have come at a better moment. Readers who find themselves with more time at home than ever before may just be ready for one or two . . . hundred new hobbies. These "practical and obscure skills" cover everything from changing a flat tire to bathing a chicken to shucking an oyster and building a homestead. Readers can ease in with simple tasks like making a terrarium and storing potatoes, or challenge themselves with french-braiding a horse's tail and capturing a swarm of bees. No matter how complex, each skill is broken down into simple steps and expertly explained alongside beautiful illustrations and photography. So much has been canceled or postponed lately, but the excitement for learning new things doesn't have to be one of them. Storey's Curious Compendium provides readers with the perfect book to spark a new interest or passion and have a lot of fun along the way.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2020, American Library Association.)

May 1, 2021

Pruning a shrub, French-braiding a horse's tail, replacing a bicycle chain, milking a goat, or unclogging a drain--Storey has compiled skills that will apply to a variety of readers, from would-be farmers to people tackling home improvement. Descriptive language, numbered steps, and clear illustrations guide readers through creating herbal remedies, making beer, and more. VERDICT Taking on everything from no-equipment-necessary foot massages to the relatively complex tiny shelter on wheels, this one will appeal to DIYers. Particularly useful for rural libraries.

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