As summer winds to a close, the holds shelf has seen a lot of trip-planning and crafting ideas. Of course, we like to think we know the library pretty well, but with more than 61,000 items in our collection – and more than 9 million across the IHLS system as a whole – we’re always seeing something fun or unexpected popping up on the holds shelf. Here are a couple of the coolest finds we’ve come across this month: 

Crochet Taxidermy: 30 Quirky Animal Projects, from Mouse to Moose, by Taylor Hart. All the fun of taxidermy with significantly less blood and guts!

A Crochet World of Creepy Creatures and Cryptids: 40 Amigurumi Patterns for Adorable Monsters, Mythical Beings and More, by Rikki Gustafson. The perfect pick for when you want to delight Cthulhu with a plushy version of itself (and hopefully not be devoured).

Bake Me a Cat: 50 Purrrfect Recipes for Edible Kitty Cakes, Cookies and More!, by Kim-Joy. A slightly more adorable alternative to edible art and baking brilliance.

Atlas Maior of 1665, by Joan Blaeu. This “greatest and finest atlas ever published” from the 17th century is the perfect choice for all your time-travelling, globe-trotting needs.

Dracopedia field guide: Dragons of the World from Amphipteridae through Wyverne, by William O’Connor. A must-have guide for anyone planning an expedition beyond the edges of the map, where There Be Dragons.

The First Cat in Space Ate Pizza, by Mac Barnett. A fantastic voyage AND a fantastic dinner!? What could be better?

The Atlas of Middle Earth, by Karen Wynn Fonstad. The perfect companion piece for anyone who likes a visual aid when they’re reading about journeys To There and Back Again.

Looking for your next read? These items (and millions more) are available here at the O’Fallon Public Library, or through Interlibrary Loan. Check one out on your online account, via our new SHARE app, or by asking one of your friendly local librarians!