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Building New Skills - Summer Adventure 2025

Whether you want to learn a new language in time for an upcoming trip or simply want to take up a new hobby to help you while away those hot Summer months, this list will provide you a range of places to start. AC Library invites everyone to participate in our 2025 Summer Adventure. Complete activities, reading, and more to receive a book gift and prize drawing entries. Start building your own Summer Adventure June 1 at any AC Library location (including our mobile library stops) and online at aclibrary.org/summer.

Alameda County Library

11 items

  • "Organized into concise and easy-to-understand sections, you will learn the most common expressions used, easy grammar with step-by-step examples, and the most used vocabulary for both Spain and Latin America via fun dialogues."
    Book, 2023Miami, FL : Penguin Random House Grupo Editorial, 2023 — 468.2421 SPANISH
  • Italian Demystified seeks to untangle the intricacies of the Italian language by reinforcing vocabulary skills with quizzes, exercises and a final exam to ensure you are on track to speaking the language before your trip to Roma.
    Book, 2016New York, New York : McGraw-Hill Education, [2016] — 458.2421 DANESI
  • Japanese

    The short course

    Heading to Tokyo? This audiobook provides learners with 8 easy lessons. Learn enough Japanese to get by in no time.
    Audiobook CD, 2001New York : Simon and Schuster Audio [producer] ; Prince Frederick, MD : Recorded Books [distributor], 2001 — CDB 495.68342 JAPANESE
  • Thailand is one of the most visited countries during the Summer months. This audiobook will help learners gain the skills to communicate as they travel throughout the country.
    Audiobook CD, 2006New York : Simon & Schuster's Pimsleur, p2006 — CDB 495.91834 CONVERSATIONAL
  • Basics With Babish

    Recipes for Screwing Up, Trying Again, and Hitting It Out of the Park

    Rea, Andrew,
    Learning to cook? Learn with YouTube star Andrew Rea! This book contains over 100 easy-to-follow recipes, from homemade classics to essential basics and much more. It's the perfect place to start for both beginners and more advanced home cooks…
    Book, 2023New York : Simon Element, 2023 — 641.5 REA
  • Perhaps gardening is more your speed. Author Miranda Smith will guide you in creating the garden of your dreams with over 30 years of experience.
    Book, 2012Upper Saddle River, NJ : Creative Homeowner Press, c2012 — 635 SMITH
  • DIY Succulents

    From Placecards to Wreaths, 35+ Ideas for Creative Projects With Succulents

    Daigle, Tawni,
    Succulents thrive in our Northern California climate. This book will provide you with over 30 ideas for decorating using these robust plants.
    Book, 2015Avon, Massachusetts : Adams Media, [2015?] — 635.9525 DAIGLE
  • DIY

    Repair, Renovate, and Decorate With Over 450 Step-by-step Projects

    Cassell, Julian,
    "Whether you need to do a quick fix or a large DIY project, find out how to tackle any DIY task with confidence following this revised and updated step-by-step guide."
    Book, 2025New York, NY : DK Publishing, 2025 — 643.7 CASSELL
  • DIY Thrift Flip

    Sewing Techniques for Transforming Old Clothes Into Fun, Wearable Fashions

    Yang, April,
    "DIY Thrift Flip teaches how to shop and sew sustainably by providing how-tos for finding, upcycling, and customizing secondhand clothing with basic sewing instructions."
    Book, 2024Beverly, MA, USA : Quarry, 2024 — 646.2044 YANG
  • From America's Test Kitchen, this book goes back to basics to make may of today's store-bought staples from scratch. It may be geared towards younger readers, but anyone can benefit from the useful tips found within.
    Book, 2020Boston, MA : America's Test Kitchen, [2020] — J641.5123 COMPLETE