Here are the bestsellers this month.

The Story of Buildings: From the Pyramids to the Sydney Opera House and Beyond

by Patrick Dillon, author; Stephen Biesty, illustrator(插画家)

Hardcover $26.99; Paperback $14.80

We spend most of our lives in buildings. We make our homes in them. We go to school in them. But why and how did people start making buildings? How did they learn to make them stronger, bigger, and more comfortable? Patrick Dillon's stories of amazing buildings and the amazing people who made them celebrate the human creation.

What Were the Twin Towers?

by Jim O'Connor, author; Ted Hammond, illustrator

Library Binding(装帧)$20.64; Paperback $7.91

When the Twin Towers were built in 1973, they were described as an architectural(建筑学的)wonder. Offices and companies moved into the Towers—also known as the World Trade Center—and the buildings were seen as the economic center of the world. Discover the whole story of the Twin Towers—from their construction to their sad end.

Where Is Machu Picchu?

by Megan Stine, author; Who HQ, author; John O'Brien, illustrator

Library Binding $21.02; Paperback $8.91

Built in the fifteenth century and set in the mountains of Peru, Machu Picchu was deserted after the Spaniards controlled the Incan empire in the sixteenth century. It remained hidden until 1911 when Hiram Bingham uncovered the amazing buildings and shared his discovery with the world. Today, hundreds of thousands of people visit the site to climb the 3,000 stone steps and explore the towering monuments.

Castle

by David Macaulay, author

Hardcover $11.98; Paperback $15.80

What could be more perfect for an author/illustrator who has continually shown the mystique(神秘性)of architectural structures that have long attracted modern man? With typical interest and a sense of humor decorating his drawings, David Macaulay finds the step-by-step planning and construction of both castle and town.

Budget Hotels (经济型酒店) Ya Bloomsbury

Bloomsbury is one of the most central areas in London. There are many traditional-style small hotels.

The hotels listed below are out picks of the best budget hotels in the area.

Arosfa Hotel

Arosfa Hotel lies on the corner of Torrington Place and Gower St. The Arosfa was once the bome of the famous Pre-Raphaelite painter, Sir John Everen Millais. ’The hotel takes pride in the quality, cleanliness and value that they offer to their guests. For your comfort and safety, smoking inside the hotel is not allowed.

Address:83 Gower SiLondon,WCI

Breakfast: English breakfast

Internet service: Free WiFi and two personal computers for guests

George Hotel

The George is a friendly and comfortable smoke-free hotel on a quiet street in North Bloomsbury. All rooms have a work desk and tea/coffee facilities(设施)are provided. It’s only a l0-minute walk from King’s Cross. St Pancras railway station and Euston railway station.

Address: 58-60 Cartwright Gds, London, WCI

Breakfast: English breakfast

Internet service: Free WiFi

Ridgemount Hotel

The Ridgemount is one of the cheapest hotels in the area. A friendly place and the standard rooms with shared bathrooms are provided for guests. You can speak Welsh or English with the hotel workers. They will be happy to provide useful advice on the area.

Address: 65- 67 Gower St, London, WCI

Breakfast: English breakfast

Internet service: Free WiFi

Arran House Hotel

The Arran House is a popular family-run hotel It’s a little more expensive than the other hotels in the area Rooms with shared bathrooms are provided.

Address:77-79 Gower St,London,WCI

Breakfast: English breakfast

Internet service: Free WiFi

It’s a good idea to buy from local nursery(苗圃)to get a variety of plants that grow well in your region. Here’s our latest list of plant and garden events in the L. A. area in February.

California Native Container Plants, a class about growing native plants in pots—taught by Flora Ito, nursery sales manager at the Payne Foundation nursery, 10459 Tuxford St. in Sun Valley, from 9 to 10:15 a. m. Feb 4. Participants must have proof of full vaccination against COVID-19 or a negative COVID-19 PCR test taken within 72 hours of the class. Register online, $25, or $20 for members.

Secrets of a Healthy Vegetable Garden, a free workshop sponsored by the Orange County Organic Gardening Club and taught by Julie Bawden-Davis, master gardener and author of “Southern California Vegetable Gardening, ”at 7:30 p. m. Feb 8 in the Orange County Fairgrounds Silo Building, 88 Fair Drive in Costa Mesa.

Camellia Society’s 49th Camellia Show at Botanical Gardens, 1151 Oxford Road, San Marino, from 1 to 5 p. m. Feb. 12. The show is free to visitors after $29 admission to the gardens ($24 for seniors 65 and older, $13 ages 4-11. Members and children under age 4 enter free. ) Masks are required indoors.

Payne Foundation Winter Plant Sale at the foundation’s nursery, 10459 Tuxford St. in Sun Valley, from 8:30 a.m.to 4 p.m.Feb. 15-19. The sale includes native seeds, books and other merchandise(货物), as well as one of the region’s largest selections of native plants. Members receive a 15% discount, and nonmembers get a 10% discount on all plants and seeds.