an accessible guide to building a home bar one bottle at a time, this book gives readers tools for mixing fantastic cocktails without investing time and money in niche single-use ingredients.

there's a basic cocktail formula for building a bar that is anything but ordinary:

spirit + sugar + acidity/bitterness = tasty cocktail

instead of drawing on esoteric bottles of liquor, complicated syrups, and obscure sodas, this book takes readers through the home bar bottle by bottle, ensuring that every ingredient is versatile enough to be used to the last drop.

real queer america: lgbt stories from red states is a road trip memoir through the bible belt, deep south, and beyond — where queer joy and resistance bloom in the least expected places. journalist samantha allen sets out with her motto “something gay every day,” capturing powerful stories of lgbt life in communities often overlooked, yet full of pride, love, and grit.

paperback. may contain a sharpie mark on the top or bottom edge and show mild signs of shelfwear.

sex talk shows how opening up discussions on bodies, sexuality and pleasure can lead to much, much better sex and self-esteem, by the eminent french feminist pornographer olympe de ge and feminist writer stephanie estournet.

sex talk has a clear mission – breaking the taboo of taboos – by opening up the discussion of sex and desire in a clear, engaging and motivational way. the book takes the reader on a journey of self-discovery through nine chapters, discussing everything from self-stimulation, exploring sexual orientation, communicating wants and desires with a partner, staying safe online when sexting, exploring erotica and porn and creating private content – but at the core is the pervading importance of owning your sexual self.

shaking the gates of hell: a search for family and truth is a deeply personal and powerful account of reckoning with silence, faith, and the legacy of the civil rights movement. growing up in alabama, journalist john archibald reflects on his father’s quiet pulpit during a time of southern unrest and racial injustice. why didn’t his father, a methodist minister, speak out more forcefully against the wrongs surrounding them?

this affecting memoir explores the weight of inherited silence, the cost of complicity, and the journey toward truth and accountability—both personal and collective.

paperback
published by vintage
this title may contain a sharpie mark on the top or bottom edge and may show mild signs of shelfwear.

she come by it natural: dolly parton and the women who lived her songs: in this insightful biography, new york times bestselling author sarah smarsh examines the life and career of dolly parton, one of america's most beloved icons. smarsh explores how parton's songs have validated the voices of women who often go unheard, and how parton's rise from humble beginnings to stardom in nashville and hollywood defines her as a true feminist figure. this book delves into the intersections of gender, class, and culture, highlighting parton's contributions to social progress and her unique embodiment of organic feminism.

hardcover

she votes is a vibrant, intersectional story of the women who fought for suffrage and those who continue to raise their voices for equality. from the first female principal chief of the cherokee nation to the first woman to wear pants on the senate floor, author bridget quinn shines a spotlight on the trailblazers who broke down barriers. this deluxe edition also celebrates the 100th anniversary of the nineteenth amendment, featuring illustrations by 100 women artists.

• a colorful, intersectional account of the struggle for women’s rights in the u.s.
• heart-pounding scenes and keenly observed portraits of groundbreaking women from elizabeth cady stanton to audre lorde.
• beautifully illustrated by 100 women artists, making it a visual as well as a historical treasure.

she votes is a refreshing, illuminating read for feminists of all kinds—celebrating the voices that fought and continue to fight for equality.

ten beautifully illustrated essays tell the stories of handcrafted objects and their makers, providing inspiration and insight into Black history and craftsmanship.

black artisans have long been central to american art and design, creating innovative and highly desired work against immense odds. atlanta-based chairmaker and scholar robell awake explores the stories behind ten cornerstones of black craft, including:

• the celebrated wooden chairs of richard poynor, an enslaved craftsman who began a dynasty of tennessee chairmakers.
• the elegant wrought-iron gates of philip simmons, seen to this day throughout charleston, south carolina, whose work features motifs from the low country.
• the inventive assemblage art and yard shows of joe minter, james hampton, bessie harvey, and others, who draw on african spiritual traditions to create large-scale improvisational art installations.

The Short Story of Queer Art presents a comprehensive overview of art history by highlighting the obstacles overcome and pioneering achievements of queer artists. It emphasizes their significant roles in major artistic movements and shines a light on overlooked creators who are currently being recognized and reevaluated.

this book thoughtfully examines more than 40 significant artworks and artists from diverse regions and historical periods, connecting them to pivotal movements, themes, and innovations in art. it showcases a varied selection, including aubrey beardsley's the peacock skirt, frida kahlo's self-portrait with cropped hair, cecil beaton's stephen tennant in costume as prince charming, and tamara de lempicka's autoportrait.

clear and succinct yet richly illustrated, this book uncovers the links across various eras, artists, and styles, offering readers an in-depth appreciation of the diverse accomplishments of queer artists within genres such as classical art, art nouveau, pop art, street art, and video installations.

cold war: simple history series zine #10: in this zine, j. gerlach covers the cold war, an era of paranoia, nuclear threats, and global tensions. spanning major events like the bay of pigs, perestroika, and post-war reconstruction in europe and asia, gerlach explores how the cold war was marked by a series of dangerous “what-ifs” and pivotal moments that shaped the modern world. written in an engaging and accessible style, this zine offers a clear overview of the cold war’s key conflicts and consequences.

published by microcosm!
zine / pamphlet

100 years of modern iran: simple history series zine #6 is a concise and compelling overview of a century of political upheaval, revolution, and transformation in iran. covering the years 1891–1991, this zine explores the fall of the monarchy, foreign coups, and the rise of the world’s first islamic theocracy.

part of the simple history series by j. gerlach and published by microcosm, it offers sharp insight into how iran’s modern history connects with the judeo-christian west’s ongoing tensions with the islamic world.

a fast, thoughtful read for curious minds.

zine / pamphlet
published by microcosm

what do you want to eat when you have no demands from family or friends? what is your idea of a meal that is all delight and zero obligation? maybe it’s fresh tomato and melted cheese on sliced sourdough; or tuna hand-rolls made ingeniously with tinned fish; hummus topped with a fragrant mix of spiced nuts and raisins; or, for a splurge, caviar sandwiched between toast points. snacking dinners are the ultimate form of self-care, a meal of favorite foods expanded to be balanced and perfectly satisfying, magical in their simplicity and promise, and both a delicious treat and a cooking shortcut.

with over 50 recipes that are endlessly versatile, accommodating of any food preferences, perfect for one, but easy to scale up for sharing with family and friends, snacking dinners is your blueprint for dinner tonight, tomorrow, or any time you want to truly take care of yourself. 

by emma yau, raina lampkins-fielder, rebecca bray

a wide-ranging survey of black art in the american south, from thornton dial and nellie mae rowe to the quilters of gee's bend

for generations, black artists from the american south have forged a unique art tradition. working in near isolation from established practices, they have created masterpieces in clay, driftwood, roots, soil, and recycled and cast-off objects that articulate america's painful past--the inhuman practice of enslavement, the cruel segregationist policies of the jim crow era and institutionalized racism. their works respond to issues ranging from economic inequality, oppression and social marginalization to sexuality, the influence of place and ancestral memory.
among the sculptures, paintings, reliefs and drawings included here--the majority from the souls grown deep foundation in atlanta--are works by thornton dial, lonnie holley, ronald lockett, hawkins bolden, bessie harvey, charles williams, mary t. smith, purvis young, mose tolliver, nellie nae rowe, mary lee bendolph, marlene bennett jones, martha jane pettway, loretta pettway and henry and georgia speller. also featured are the celebrated quiltmakers of gee's bend, alabama, and work from the neighboring communities of rehoboth and alberta.

*hardcover

southerners adore their appetizers, and this collection of 60 recipes—served up with a healthy dose of southern hospitality—shows why. smoked pecans on the sideboard, cheese straws on the coffee table, an array of hot dips on the dining table, and pickled shrimp on the porch are just some of the myriad dishes found in this volume that prove food is the life of the party. tips on creating the ideal party flow, being a gracious host, arranging flowers, sending out invitations, and planning the perfect menu ensure any event will go off without a hitch. both a lovely hostess gift and a party-planning idea book, southern appetizers is all anyone needs for a successful gathering with southern style.

"don't mind if i do . . . " welcome to one of the south's most cherished traditions—the cocktail hour. this charming volume overflows with southern spirit, from classics like the mint julep and the hurricane to new concoctions like the blueberry martini and the peach mojito. each drink is as relaxing as a riverboat ride down the mississippi. a checklist of bar necessities ensures that there will be more than southern comfort in the cupboard when company calls, and recipes like devilish eggs or sweet and sassy pecans will keep hunger at bay until dinner. raise a toast to old-time southern hospitality.