Surf your way through these titles for a summer refresh!

Did you know that 114.6 million people visited New Jersey in 2022, or that Newark’s airport set a record number of travelers in 2023 with 49.1 million passengers? It's summertime in the Garden State and for many, including this writer, that means vacation and relaxation. Whether you're planning to travel locally, abroad, participate in some of NJ's community events this summer, go for a swim at the public pool, or want to capture the allure of the shore in the comfort of your own home, this collection of MCLS titles offers fun and exciting ways to compliment your summer. Here’s six different ways to get started!

The Jersey Shore Cookbook: Fresh Summer Flavors from the Boardwalk and Beyond
ISBN: 9781594748721
Call Number: 641.5974 SMI 2016
Catalog: Quick Link
With this photo-packed title covering New Jersey towns from Keyport to Cape May Point, you can capture the taste of “summer all year long with 50 recipes contributed by well-loved shore town restaurants, bakeries, markets and more.” Includes Breakfasts, Starters and Sides, Soups and Salads, Main Courses and Desserts. Spotlighted recipes feature blueberry scones from Mueller’s Bakery in Bay Head (page 24), the golden tilefish sandwich from Joe’s Fish Co in Wildwood (page 118), lobster mac and cheese from Labrador Lounge in Normandy Beach (page 130), and peach panna cotta from Porta in Asbury Park (page 165). Feature segments highlight the backstories of the shops contributing to this collection.

Hungry for exercise? Get back into the swim of things with Fitness Swimming.

Fitness Swimming
ISBN: 9780736074575
Call Number: 797.21 HIN 2008
Catalog: Quick Link
If you’re looking to dive into the pool or the ocean this summer, this title can help you “assess your swimming fitness” and develop a variety of workouts to improve your skills in the water. Fitness Swimming has been used as a “textbook for college swimming and coaching courses” and demonstrates that “technique, not physical conditioning, limits most swimmers”. Coverage includes the benefits of swimming, “choosing proper equipment to fit your needs”, methods for determining your skill and conditioning level, and defines and demonstrates different strokes, workouts, and programs. Sample swimming programs included are Beginning and Easy-Swimming (Laps), Frequent-Swimming (Precompetitive), and Intense-Swimming Programs (Competitive).

Travelers and tourists in New Jersey spent a collected total of $45.4 billion dollars in 2022. Mindful of your wallet and want to make every dollar count? The Travel Hack Handbook has your back.

The Travel Hack Handbook: How to Plan the Best Trip for Your Travel Budget
ISBN: 9781837580613
Call Number: 910.202 TRA 2023
Catalog:Quick Link

An all-purpose travel guide that helps “your money to go further, prepare departure checklists, and learn how to spend ethically and avoid scams”.Travel Hack runs the gamut from choosing your mode of travel to stress-free sightseeing, finding a place to stay, making the most of your meals, budget safety, health tips, and sample destinations where you can put these lessons into practice. Highlights include “Twelve things you need in your pack” (page 26), “Top tips for finding flights” (page 38), “Discount cards and other ways to save” (page 70), “How to always get a table” (page 96), and “Be document smart” (page 121).

Interested in not only taking care of your summer vacation budget, but also the planet? Try The Bikepackers’ Guide to the World.

The Bikepackers’ Guide to the World
ISBN: 9781838695019
Call Number: 910.4 BIK 2023
Catalog:Quick Link
If international travel is your aim this summer, Bikepackers’ Guide offers a “sustainable and social way to explore everywhere from remote regions to lively cities”. Beginning with an introduction to the concept of travelling by bike, along with the logistics involved and spectrum of travel styles. Types of bikes are matched against different road surfaces before you take the plunge. Trips are organized by region of the world: Africa, Asia, Oceania, Europe, and the Americas. Each visit contains a walkthrough with photos, maps, statistics about the route that outline distance, ascent, difficulty and elevation tracks, alongside how to plan and prepare for that specific trip. Highlights include the Shiretoko Loop in Hokkaidô (page 46), the Goldfields Track in Australia (page 52), the Wild Atlantic Way in Ireland (page 184), and the Tuscany Trail in Italy (page 204).

Want to try something a little closer to home? Be sure to check out these upcoming local summer events:

Challenge New Jersey State
Entering its 18^th year, formerly known as the New Jersey State Triathlon, this competition takes place at Mercer County Park this year on July 20^th and 21^st. There's both a 3.1-mile Sprint and 6.2-mile Olympic version, each with a Swim, Bike, and Run Course. The Swim Course takes place at Lake Mercer with a length of 500 meters Sprint and 1,500 meters Olympic. Challenge’s Bike Course features a single 11.5-mile Sprint loop/double 25.2-mile Olympic track loop that exits the park and is “flat, fast, and scenic”. A map is available on the website. The Run Course takes participants through the trails running parallel to Lake Mercer and Paxson Ave with the Olympic version’s length extended from the Sprint version. In addition to competitors and spectators, Challenge New Jersey State offers opportunities to volunteer. The full itinerary along with all additional information on the event can be found at Challenge New Jersey.

Summer Fireworks
Upcoming Independence Day fireworks displays can be found in several locations across Mercer County this late June and early July including East Windsor’s Etra Lake Park FireworksSaturday, July 6^th, with a rain date of Saturday, July 13^th; the Fourth of July Jubilee at Morven Museum and Garden in Princeton; Lawrence’s Fireworks Display held at Rider University on Friday, June 28^th with a rain date of June 29^th; and Ewing’s Independence Day Fireworks Celebration at TCNJ Green Lane Soccer Fields. Dates are subject to change, please check with your local township for updates.

- by Lauren, Hickory Corner Branch