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California Bookwatch

Volume 3, Number 7 July 2008 Home | CALBW Index

Table of Contents

Donovan's Picks Psychology Shelf Philosophy Shelf
Environmental Studies Shelf Biography Shelf Parenting Shelf
Photography Shelf Military Shelf Music Shelf
Computer Shelf Cookbook Shelf Religion/Spirituality Shelf
Metaphysical Studies Shelf Nautical Shelf Health/Medicine Shelf
Art Shelf Education Shelf Social Issues Shelf
Business Shelf Native American Shelf Jobs/Careers Shelf
World History Shelf Judaic Studies Shelf International Studies Shelf
Fantasy/SciFi Shelf Crafts Shelf Pets/Wildlife Shelf
Fiction Shelf Comix/Graphic Novel Shelf California Shelf
Architecture Shelf Christian Studies Shelf  


Donovan's Picks

Harpoon: Into the Heart of Whaling
Andrew Darby
DaCapo Press
c/o Perseus Books Group
11 Cambridge Center, Cambridge, MA 02142
9780306816291, $25.00 www.dacapopress.com

Societies have hunted whales over the centuries. In "Harpoon: Into the Heart of Whaling" environmental reporter Andrew Darby covers the history of the commercial whaling industry around the world, from early wooden arrows to the grenade-tipped harpoons of the Japanese industry. Even more important is a survey of international debates about whaling and its ethics, making "Harpoon: Into the Heart of Whaling" a top pick for any library strong in environmental history.

How to Plan Your Own Wedding and Save Thousands Without Going Crazy
Tracy Leigh
Atlantic Publishing Group
1405 SW 6th Avenue, Ocala, FL 34471
9781601380074, $24.95 www.atlantic-pub.com

If getting married and saving money are both important, then How to Plan Your Own Wedding and Save Thousands Without Going Crazy is key reading for success – and a fine addition to any public lending library. It tells how to cut wedding expenses while retaining elegance, with chapters discussing traditions, alternative options, and sensible wedding plans. Public libraries will find How to Plan Your Own Wedding and Save Thousands Without Going Crazy a very popular lend.

NASA: The Complete Illustrated History
Michael Gorn
Merrell Publishers Limited
740 Broadway, Suite 1202, New York, NY 10003
9781858944272, $29.95 www.merrellpublishers.com

Any library strong in space science needs NASA: THE COMPLETE ILLUSTRATED HISTORY. It packs in full page black-and-white and color photos alike as it surveys NASA missions in a series of facts underlying how each mission was conceived and put into place, and it includes a satisfying blend of science and history analyzing how NASA missions worked. As a celebration of NASA objectives and achievements it's unparalleled.


The Psychology Shelf

Eleven Blunders that Cripple Psychotherapy in America
Nicholas A. Cummings & William T. O'Donohue
Routledge
270 Madison Avenue, New York, NY 10016
9780415989633, $25.95, www.routledgementalhealth.com

Why has psychotherapy faltered so much in the past four decades? "Eleven Blunders that Cripple Psychotherapy in America: A Remedial Unblundering" seeks to answer that question and turn the profession's fate as a whole around for the future. With plans to restore the faith in modern psychotherapy and condemnation for those who have brought it down, "Eleven Blunders that Cripple Psychotherapy in America" is a complete and comprehensive examination of the issue. Deftly composed, "Eleven Blunders that Cripple Psychotherapy in America" is highly recommended for college library psychology collections.

Psychotherapy with Cardiac Patients
Ellen A. Dornelas
American Psychological Association
750 First Street, NE, Washington, DC 20002
9781433803567, $59.95, www.apa.org

Few health practitioners take into account the psychological effects of heart disease. "Psychotherapy with Cardiac Patients: Behavioral Cardiology in Practice" is a scholarly examination of what both mental and physical health practitioners should take into account when treating a patient with heart problems. Also touching upon elements such as sex, obesity, drugs, and more, Psychotherapy with Cardiac Patients is a thorough guide on the topic. "Psychotherapy with Cardiac Patients: Behavioral Cardiology in Practice" is highly recommended for community library psychology collections.

Social Competence of Young Children
William H. Brown, Samuel L. Odom, & Scott R. McConnell
Paul H Brookes Publishing Co.
PO Box 10624, Baltimore, MD 21285-0624
9781557669230, $39.95, www.brookespublishing.com

Preparing a young child for the world of school and other social situations doesn't always come naturally. "Social Competence of Young Children" is a scholarly psychology manual examining the state of social competence in children below the age of five. A focus on understanding the concept and the influences from family, culture, and other sources marks this study of various disorders that may affect this first coming of age of many in life. Doubling as a guide for parents, "Social Competence of Young Children" is a highly recommended for community library Child Development and Psychology collections.

Dreamwork
Leland E. Shields
Blue Dolphin Publishing
PO Box 8, Nevada City, CA 95959
9781577331711, $19.95, www.bluedolphinpublishing.com

Dreams - many older cultures view them as visions of the future. But what does modern science make of them? "Dreamwork: Around the World and Across Time" is a scholarly look at the concept of dreams and how they are perceived in today's world. With pieces from psychologists, scientists, philosophers, and others, "Dreamwork" is an ideal read for anyone with an interest in the concept of dreams. Highly recommended for community library psychology collections.

The Forgotten Future
Deborah Clark Ebel
Outskirts Press
10940 S. Parker Rd – 515, Parker, CO 80134
9781432719357, $17.95, www.outskirtspress.com

Is it really the right answer to send a kid away from home when they have a mental problem? "The Forgotten Future: Adolescents in Crisis" is an examination of children throughout the country who are suffering from mental disorders – and are placed in mental hospitals, foster homes, boot camps, and other 'treatment' solutions so often suggested by professionals. Are these solutions actually solving anything, or could they be feeding the very problems they've set out to cure? Calling for improvements in the mental health care system, "The Forgotten Future: Adolescents in Crisis" is highly recommended for community library psychology collections.


The Philosophy Shelf

The Imperfect Friend
Wendy Olmsted
University of Toronto Press
10 St. Mary St., Suite 700, Toronto, ON M4Y 2W8
0802091369, $60.00, www.utpublishing.com

The Renaissance was an emergence of new thought in many areas, including literature. "The Imperfect Friend: Emotion & Rhetoric in Sidney, Milton, and Their Contexts" is a focus on two of the writers from the period, and their writings on emotion and rhetoric. They are Sir Philip Sydney and John Milton, and their writings from the seventeenth century still hold true in the twenty-first. The focus on the two contributes to an examination of literature in general of the period, making "The Imperfect Friend" an ideal manual for study for those learning about the writing of the era. "The Imperfect Friend: Emotion and Rhetoric in Sidney, Milton, and their Contexts" is highly recommended for community library philosophy collections.


The Environmental Studies Shelf

Rachel Carson
Lisa H. Sideris & Kathleen Dean Moore (editors)
State University of New York Press
194 Washington Ave., Suite 305, Albany, NY 12210-2384
9780791474723, $24.95, www.sunypress.edu

Rachel Carson is a world renowned environmental activist, as well as a nature and science writer. "Rachel Carson: Legacy and Challenge" is a gathering of writers, activists, and scholars examining her impact and influence on global efforts to preserve the world. With a special focus on her final days, when she knew her time was coming and wanted to leave her knowledge to the world, "Rachel Carson: Legacy and Challenge" is highly recommended for academic and community library Environmental Studies reference collections and supplemental reading lists.

Water War in the Klamath Basin
Holly Doremus & A. Dan Tarlock
Island Press
1718 Connecticut Avenue, NW, Suite 300, Washington, DC 20009
9781597263948, $30.00,www.islandpress.org

All living things need water, and no one knows this more than farmers. "Water War in the Klamath Basin: Maco Law, Combat Biology, and Dirty Politics" is a look at the drought of 2001, and how the conservation-minded policy makers were set at odds with the farmers – who needed all the water they could get to keep their livelihood alive. A thorough examination of a heavily debated issue, "Water War in the Klamath Basin" is an essential pick for academic and community library environmental studies collections and supplemental reading lists.

Yellowstone's Rebirth by Fire
Karen Wildung Reinhart
Far Country Press
PO Box 5630, Helena, MT 59604
9781560374787, $19.95, www.farcountrypress.com

The mythological phoenix, the fiery bird of rebirth is just that - a myth. But the fiery rebirth of Yellowstone's forests are a true reality. "Yellowstone's Rebirth by Fire: Rising from the Ashes of the 1988 Wildfires" is a study of the comeback of the Yellowstone wilderness after the devastating fires that covered them twenty years ago. Packed with full color photos and illustrations, "Yellowstone's Rebirth by Fire" is a testament to the resolve of mother nature to heal and recover. Enhanced with interviews from those involved in the incident, "Yellowstone's Rebirth by Fire" is highly recommended for personal and community library environmental studies collections.


The Biography Shelf

Half-Assed
Jennette Fulda
Seal Press
1700 Fourth Street, Berkeley, CA 94710
9781580052337, $15.95, www.sealpress.com

When one weighs nearly four hundred pounds, weight loss seems hopeless. "Half-Assed: A Weight Loss Memoir" is Jennette Fulda's record of losing over two hundred of her 372 pounds. The twenty-four year old, seeing a life of health problems lying ahead of her, hops on a treadmill and uses it to cut her weight in half and prolong her life. Anyone who thinks they can't do it must read "Half-Assed: A Weight Loss Memoir".

Rule 53
Andy Austin
Lake Claremont Press
1026 W. Van Buren St., 2nd Flor, Chicago, IL 60607
9781893121539, $19.95, www.lakeclaremont.com

The 1960s were a turbulent time in America, with controversy around every corner. "Rule 53: Capturing Hippies, Spies, Politicians, and Murderers in an American Courtroom" is a new perspective on the decade through the eyes of a courtroom sketch artist. The author saw countless pivotal cases and strange characters from all walks of life in an era when people began to stand up and speak out for their rights. Refreshing, charming, and packed with sketches from over the years, "Rule 53: Capturing Hippies, Spies, Politicians, and Murderers in an American Courtroom" is a top pick for community library memoir and art collections.

Wasted
Mark Johnson
Pegasus Books
45 Wall Street, Suite 1021, New York, NY 10005
9781933648828, $25.00, www.pegasusbooks.us

A life of horrors that no one should have to suffer. "Wasted: A Childhood Stolen, An Innocence Betrayed, A Life Redeemed" is the memoir of one Mark Johnson, who faced sexual and physical abuse from the age of four, and became an alcoholic by age eight, a junkie by age eleven, and a prison inmate by age eighteen. With such a nightmarish first two decades of life, trying to dig himself out of such a deep hole would seem nearly impossible, but Johnson managed to turn his life around. A solemn but ultimately optimistic tale, highly recommended for community library memoir collections.

Simone Weil
Stephen Plant
Orbis Books
Walsh Bldg, Box 308, Maryknoll, NY 10545
9781570757532, $18.00, www.orbisbooks.com

Philosopher, mystic, activist – all terms discussing one Simone Weil. "Simone Weil: A Brief Introduction" is a look at this remarkable woman who, despite never being a member of the church, is widely considered one of the most interesting religious figures of the past one hundred years. Interestingly, the author views Weil's life from both a subjective and objective viewpoint. Finely composed and compiled, "Simone Weil: A Brief Introduction" is highly recommended for community library biography collections.


The Parenting Shelf

Divine Baby Names
Eric Groves
Sellers Publishing
81 W. Commercial Street, Portland, ME 04101
9781416205111, $12.95, www.makefun.com

To every parent, their child is a gift from the divine. "Divine Baby Names" is a complete and comprehensive guide to baby names with a Olympian twist, especially names meant to instill one's hopes and dreams into one's child. Even modern common names such as Melissa and Louis have celestial origins; "Divine Baby Names" summarizes the roots of them all. An expertly compiled resource, highly recommended for community library parenting collections.

What Works for Bipolar Kids
Mani Pavuluri
The Guilford Press
72 Spring Street, New York, NY 10012
9781593854072, $15.95, www.guilford.com

Bipolar disorder is not a death sentence to a miserable life – it can be overcome. "What Works for Bipolar Kids: Help and Hope for Parents" is a complete and comprehensive handbook for parents of bipolar children. Advice for these children and their families on how to deal with the problems that the disorder presents, including aggression, sleep problems, depression and other issues, is found throughout the book. "What Works for Bipolar Kids: Help and Hope for Parents'" is highly recommended for community library parenting collections and for any parent of a bipolar child.

Adopting
Patricia Irwin Johnston
Perspective Press
PO Box 90318, Indianapolis, IN 46290
9780944934340, $26.95, www.perspectivepress.com

Raise a child who isn't biologically related to oneself as one's own is a task that only a few are up to. "Adopting: Sound Choices, Strong Families" is a complete and comprehensive guide to to the practice of adoption, with advice on whether it's right for a given set of prospective parents. Tackling all the issues and problems that commonly come along with adoptions and adoptive families, "Adopting" is truly a must-read for anyone who is honestly considering adopting a child. An essential pick for community library parenting collections.

Fighting Invisible Tigers, new edition
Earl Hipp
Free Spirit Publishing
217 Fifth Avenue North, Suite 200, Minneapolis, MN 55401-1299
9781575422824, $14.95, www.freespirit.com

The teen years are some of the more stressful of people's lives – high school, hormones ranging, preparing for the future. Now in a fully revised and informatively updated new edition, "Fighting Invisible Tigers: Stress Management for Teens" is a guide book for teenagers who need to reduce the stress in their hectic lives. "Fighting Invisible Tigers" outlines ten techniques that will assist teens in their desire to control their stress, such as breathing and relaxation exercises, time management, dealing with hostile peers/family/friends, and embracing an optimistic outlook. A top pick for community library parenting collections.

Consumer Reports Guide to Childproofing & Safety
Jamie Schaefer Wilson
Consumer Reports
101 Truman Avenue, Yonkers, New York, 10703
9781933524177, $12.95, www.consumerreports.org

Any parent who doesn't have the utmost concern for the safety of their child cannot call themselves a parent. "Consumer Reports Guide to Childproofing & Safety: 600 Tips for Keeping Kids Safe at Home and on the Go" is a complete and comprehensive guide for parents who seek to keep their child as safe as possible while they navigate one of the world's most treacherous and hazard-filled paths – life. With suggestions on avoiding bad toys or products, and how to treat common injuries, "Consumer Reports Guide to Childproofing Safety: 600 Tips for Keeping Kids Safe at Home and on the Go" is a top pick for any concerned parent and for community library parenting collections.


The Photography Shelf

British Columbia
Jean Barman
Harbour Publishing
P.O. Box 219, Madeira Park, BC, V0N 2H0
9781550174465, $49.95, www.harbourpublishing.com

"The best place on earth," is the phrase used by author Jean Barman to describe British Columbia. "British Columbia: Spirit of the People" is a complete and comprehensive history of the region through photography. Starting with the first Native Americans who set foot upon the soil approximately twenty thousand years ago, all the way to the twenty-first century, "British Columbia" features a wealth of breathtaking, full color photographs scattered throughout, "British Columbia: Spirit of the People" is highly recommended for community library photography collections and for any seeking a fresh type of coffee table book.

The Art of Black and White Photography
Torsten Andreas Hoffman
Rocky Nook
26 W. Mission St., #3, Santa Barbara, CA 93101
9781933952277, $44.95, www.rockynook.com

Black and White is not dead – it has its advantages over the world of color. "The Art of Black and White Photography: Techniques for Creating Superb Images in a Digital Workflow" is a complete and comprehensive guide to the craft of taking photos in the style of black and white. Chapters discuss when black and white should be used rather than color, how to avoid the cliches so often associated with black and white, applying new technology to improve an old art, and much more. For anyone enthusiastic about photography, "The Art of Black and White Photography: Techniques for Creating Superb Images in a Digital Workflow" is a must-have.

The Photograph: Composition and Color Design
Harald Mante
Rocky Nook
26 West Mission Street #3, Santa Barbara, CA 93101
9781933952260, $49.95 www.rockynook.com

Harald Mante is one of the most renowned teachers of photography in Germany: here he explains elements of visual design in photographs for intermediate students and practicing photographers who want to add artistic elements to their results. Chapters cover what strengthens photos, where 'art' comes into play, and how design affects how a viewer sees an image. A text suitable for college-level art and photography collections as well as for classroom assignment.

Minimalist Lighting
Kirk Tuck
Amherst Media
Box 586, Buffalo, NY 14226
9781584282303, $34.95 www.amherstmedia.com

Photographers who shoot on location with traditional studio lighting equipment may spend more time packing equipment than designing beautiful light, but photographer author Kirk Tuck has discovered a better method, using small computerized battery-powered flash units and light accessories to achieve the same results. MINIMALIST LIGHTING is a revolutionary title and a 'must have' for any serious photography library or practicing photographer's reference set. It provides all the ins and outs of acquiring and using such equipment.

Heat
Roger Camp
Charta Books Ltd.
c/o Golen West College
15744 Golden West Street, PO Box 2748
Huntington Beach, CA 92647-2748
8881586789, $27.95

Anyone who has ever subscribed to cable television but not to adult film channels has seen the field distortion screens that block clear transmissions of those adult movies. Roger Camp (a professor and director of photography at Golden West College, Huntington Beach, California) has compiled a series of amazing full color photographs of those transmission distortions in "Heat". Enhanced with a brief but informative foreword by Roger Camp, "Heat" was published in Italy commensurate with professional quality standards of photographic reproduction and printing. The resulting images comprising this outstanding and highly recommended compendium of unusual visual imaging are surreal abstractions that are as fascinating as they are provocative.


The Military Shelf

The Samurai Swordsman: Master of War
Stephen Turnbull
Tuttle Publishing
364 Innovation Drive, North Clarendon, VT 05759-9436
9784805309568, $44.95 www.tuttlepublishing.com

Military History expert Stephen Turnbull provides an excellent, expert look at how the samurai evolved from primitive 7th century fighters to an elite military caste, charting both the military evolution of Japan as a whole and instances where samurai masters pitted forces against pirates and others. From women samurai and their achievements to historical images in full color, THE SAMURAI SWORDSMAN is a powerful pick for any collection strong in either early military world history in general or Japanese history – military or not – in particular.

Historic Photos of United States Naval Academy
James W. Cheevers
Turner Publishing
200 4th Avenue North, Suite 950, Nashville, Tennessee 37219
97815965224187, $39.95, www.turnerpublishing.com

With massive coastlines bordering its territory, the United States needed a strong navy as part of its defenses. Therefore, the United States Naval Academy was formed. "Historic Photos of the United States Naval Academy" is a look at the history of this noble institution, where countless naval soldiers and admirals have been trained to defend the nation. Filled with vivid black and white photography, "Historic Photos of United States Naval Academy" is an ideal coffee table book for anyone with an appreciation for the United States Navy. Highly recommended for community library photography and military collections.

The Battlecruiser HMS Hood
Bruce Taylor
Naval Institute Pres
c/o Seaforth Publishing
47 Church Street, Bamsley, S Yorkshire S70 2AS
9781861762160, $85.00, www.seaforthpublishing.com

Thousands of tons of steel floating along the ocean to crush its enemies. It's no wonder massive warships capture the wonder of many. "The Battlecruiser HMS Hood: An Illustrated Biography 1916-1941" is a look at one of the world's most famous warships, the HMS Hood. Completely and comprehensively covering the ship's deck plans, the technology used to construct it, and its weapons, "The Battlecruiser HMS Hood" is enhanced with well over two hundred photographs in both black and white and color. "The Battlecrusier HMS Hood" is highly recommended for military, nautical, photography, and history community library collections, and to anyone who looks on these ships with awe.


The Music Shelf

No Wave
Thurston Moore & Byron Coley
Abrams Image
115 West 18th Street, New York, NY 10011
9780810995437, $24.95, www.abramsimage.com

Best described as a mish mash of art and punk rock, the No Wave movement of the late 1970s was something bizarre to behold. "No Wave: Post Punk. Underground. New York. 1976-1980." is a look at the brief movement and those who were behind it, including James Chance and Lydia Lunch among others. Collected from oral history and interviews conducted by the authors, and enhanced with dozens of black and white photographs, "No Wave: Post Punk. Underground. New York. 1976-1980." is highly recommended for community library music collections.

A History of Orchestral Conducting
Elliott W. Galkin
Pendragon
P.O. Box 190, Hillsdale, NY 12529
0918728444, $105.00, www.pendragonpress.com

Every large group of people needs a leader, and in the creation of beautiful orchestral music, the conductor is that leader. "A History of Orchestral Conducting: In Theory and Practice" is a complete and comprehensive examination of the art of conducting and its centuries-long history. With nearly nine hundred pages on the subject, it leaves little untouched. Enhanced with indexes, bibliographies and sheet music, "A History of Orchestral Conducting: In Theory and Practice" is an essential addition to any collection dedicated to classical music.

How to Be a Record Producer in the Digital Era
Megan Perry
Billboard Books
c/o Watson-Guptill Publications
770 Broadway, New York, NY 10003
9780823098965, $18.95, www.watsonguptill.com

The vinyl record is long since dead, and the compact disc's future is in question – What is the record producers role in the modern day? "How to Be a Record Producer in the Digital Era" is a complete and comprehensive guide to the role of the modern record producer: promoter, lawyer, and general man of many hats. Tackling all of the finer nuances of the profession, "How to Be a Record Producer in the Digital Era" is highly recommended for community library music collections, and to anyone who make a career out of the music they love.

Popsie: Popular Music Through the Camera Lens of William 'Popsie' Randolph
Michael Randolph
Hal Leonard
19 West 21st Street, Suite 201, New York NY 10010
1423423623, $29.95 www.halleonard.com

William 'Popsie' Randolph was one of the most prolific photographers in New York City from the 1940s to the early 1970s, documenting the music scene in all genres. While his photos have been reproduced hundreds of times, in "Popsie: Popular Music Through the Camera Lens of William 'Popsie' Randolph" they appear in the first hardcover book retrospective to cover his life and legacy. Full-page black and white and sepia images make "Popsie" a top pick for any music library strong in documentary photos.


The Computer Shelf

Thinking About GIS, third edition
Roger Tomlinson
ESRI Press
380 New York Street, Redlands, CA 92373-8100
9781589481589, $29.95 www.esri.com/esripress

The best GIS systems begin with good planning; in "Thinking About GIS" author Dr. Roger Tomlinson here shares planning techniques for building a solid GIS foundation. He developed the Canada GIS system and has consulted for over 30 years on GIS projects around the world, so his eight steps come from carefully developed and tested practices. The third edition of "Thinking About GIS" has been thoroughly updated, so that managers can plan projects appropriately.

Java Fundamentals 1 and II
LiveLessons/Deitel & Associates
Prentice Hall
c/o Pearson Technology Group
801 East 96th Street, #300, Indianapolis, IN 46240-3759
www.mcp.com 1-800-428-5331
0137131135, $99.99 www.mylivelessons.com

Instructor Paul Deitel has taught Java at organizations across the country, and here uses videos in a LiveLesson package to encourage a 'learn at your own pace' approach for anyone interested in self-taught Java education. It's video instruction at its best: self-paced, personal, and expert – and comes with a book supplement to the DVD course. An outstanding package for self-learners.


The Cookbook Shelf

One-Pot Cookbook
Jesse Ziff Cool
Chronicle Books
85th 2nd Street, San Francisco CA 94105
0811845001, $19.95 www.chroniclebooks.com

From Rack of Lamb with Truffled Potatoes to Slow-Cooked Chicken and Stove-Top Mousakka, ONE-POT COOKBOOK packs in color photos with innovative dishes and eye-catching, mouth-watering results. These aren't your normal soups and stews, but hearty meals-in-a-pot that combine readily-available ingredients for extraordinary results. Perfect for libraries seeking eye-catching cookbooks packed with quick, easy meals.

Grape Vs. Grain
Charles Bamforth
Cambridge University Press
32 Avenue of Americas, New York NY 10013
9780521849371, $27.00 www.cambridge.org

Why is wine considered the more sophisticated drink than beer, and why is it considered healthier when beer has more nutritive value? Wine and beer receive an unusual contrast in GRAPE VERSUS GRAIN, a comparative survey of the history of wine and beer over thousands of years. From technology and health issues to social value and business distribution, GRAPE VS. GRAIN discusses all aspects of beer and wine making and is a recommended pick for college-level holdings strong in food and wine education.

Face Food
Christopher D. Salyers
Mark Batty Publishers
36 West 37th Street, Penthouse, New York NY 10018
9780979048661, $12.95 www.markbattypublisher.com

FACE FOOD: THE VISUAL CREATIVITY OF JAPANESE BENTO BOXES could just as easily have been featured in our 'Arts' section: it's a fun little collection pairing color photos of creative Japanese bento box lunches with listings of the ingredients which go into them. Each bento box features 'food art' shaped into various figures that creatively fit into the small food boxes. Any library strong in food art displays will find it an unusual, inviting key to creating food art in smaller spaces than is normally featured.


The Religion/Spirituality Shelf

Politics in the Parish
Gregory Allen Smith
Georgetown University Press
3240 Prospect Street, NW, Washington, DC 20007
9781589011939, $26.95, www.press.georgetown.edu

Despite a great loss in its stature over the centuries, the Catholic church arguably remains the most powerful religious organization on the planet. "Politics in the Parish: The Political Influence of Catholic Priests" is a look at the politics of the Catholic church, and how it uses its power in the modern political world. A look at how priests shape the views of their congregations with their sermons, and how Catholics can intertwine their faith with their political beliefs, "Politics in the Parish" speaks on the issues that ignite clashes between Catholic church and both the Democrat and Republican sides of politics. "Politics in the Parish" is highly recommended for community library religious and political collections.

One Quilt Many Pieces
Margaret Loewen Reimer
Herald Press
616 Walnut Avenue, Scottsdale, PA 15683
9780836194050, $13.99, www.heraldpress.com

Life as a Mennonite is a disciplined one of non-violence and pacifism – which grows ever tougher in today's world of glorified violence. "One Quilt Many Pieces: A Guide to Mennonite Groups in Canada" is a complete and comprehensive guide to this branch of Christianity's standing in the land to the north of the American border. Covering over twenty groups, "One Quilt Many Pieces" is filled with membership facts and countless other bits of information. A top pick for Mennonites seeking new congregations or for community library religious collections.

Gandhi & Jesus
Terrence J. Rynne
Orbis Books
Wash Bldg, Box 308, Maryknoll, NY 10545
9781570757662, $20.00, www.orbisbooks.com

Gandhi and Jesus have much in common, even if they didn't preach about same god. "Gandhi & Jesus: The Saving Power of Nonviolence" is a look at the concept of nonviolence and pacifism as a fundamental dimension of peace and spirituality. Hoping to inspire readers to follow Gandhi's and Jesus' common teachings in these times of war, rising crime rates, and other terrible problems, "Gandhi & Jesus: The Saving Power of Nonviolence" is deftly written and highly recommended for community library religious collections.

Heaven and Hell: The Portable Edition
Emanuel Swedenborg, author
George F. Dole, translator
Swedenborg Publishers
320 North Church Street, West Chester, PA 19380
0877853029 www.swedenborg.com 1-800-355-3222

Skillfully translated into English by George F. Dole, Heaven and Hell: The Portable Edition is an accessible and inexpensive new edition of Emanuel Swedenborg's classic firsthand report of afterlife realms, including his conversations with angels and devils. Heaven and Hell has remained continuously in print for 250 years since its initial release; at the time of its inception, a work that did not emphasize the condemnation of a judgmental and vengeful god, preferring to celebrate the creativity and limitless potential of Heaven, was nothing less than revolutionary. Heaven and Hell: The Portable Edition numbers each passage, and is further enhanced with footnotes and an index. A highly recommended and worthy addition to spirituality shelves, as Swedenborg's insight into the beauty of what lies beyond is a message that resonates throughout the test of time.


The Metaphysical Studies Shelf

Secret History of Western Sexual Mysticism
Arthur Versluis
Destiny Books
c/o Inner Traditions
One Park Street, Rochester, VT 05767
9781594772122, $14.95 www.destinybooks.com

From the ancient Greeks to Gnosticism and early Christianity, author Arthur Versluis uncovers Western sexual mysticism's secret roots in a survey that examines divine unions inherent in sexual practices. In combining many different elements from Kabbalism to alchemical currents, SECRET HISTORY OF WESTERN SEXUAL MYSTICISM offers up a unique set of cross-connections essential to connecting spirituality with religious history. New age collections, in particular, will find it an exciting survey packed with history and religious examination.

Gift of the White Light
James N. Frey
Quill Driver Books
1254 Commerce Way, Sanger, CA 93657
1884956793, $25.00 www.quilldriverbooks.com

GIFT OF THE WHITE LIGHT: THE STRANGE AND WONDERFUL STORY OF ANNETTE MARTIN, PSYCHIC provides a biography of a noted psychic who spent over 36 years using her psychic ability to help thousands, assisting law enforcement agencies, channeling Edgar Cayce, and making accurate predictions. Her life and psychic evolution makes for fascinating, absorbing reading perfect for any collection strong in modern psychics' biography.

The World Behind the World
Michael Meade
Mosaic
4218 1/2 SW Alaska, Suite H, Seattle, WA 98116
9780976645061, $17.95 www.mosiacvoices.org

Blend mythology, psychology and philosophy into a powerful account connecting mythic tales and critical modern issues, and one has The World Behind the World: Living at the Ends of Time. These stories reflect on tragedy, loss, restoration and more. The World Behind the World offers fine inspirational reflection, especially when spiced with Michael Meade's commentary, which offers new age readers and libraries guided links to self-discovery and recognition.

Midnights with the Mystic
Cheryl Simone and Sadhguru Jaggi Vasudev
Hampton Roads Publishing Inc.
1125 Stoney Ridge Road, Charlottesville, VA 22902
9781571745613, $16.95 www.hrpub.com

MIDNIGHTS WITH THE MYSTIC: A LITTLE GUIDE TO FREEDOM AND BLISS tells of a woman who wasn't looking for a guru and resisted the idea – until she met Sadhguru, who brought his breathing-oriented Isha Yoga into her life, improving her health dramatically and leading her on new paths. Her personal experience also covers questions on money, life purpose and more and is a moving story of one woman's journey to spiritual enlightenment.


The Nautical Shelf

Endless Sea
Amyr Klink
Sheridan House
145 Palisade Street, Dobbs Ferry, NY 10522
9781574092592, $19.95, www.sheridanhouse.com

Antarctica is the one continent in the world few dare to tread. "Endless Sea: Alone Around Antarctica – as Far South as a Boat Can Sail" the story of Amyr Klink, who by his lonesome voyaged deep into the Antarctic circle and survived to tell of it. Relating the tale of his journey through this treacherous region, "Endless Sea" is highly recommended for community library Nautical and memoir collections.

Boat Green
Clyde W. Ford
New Society Publishers
Box 189, Gabriola Island, BC V0R 1X0, Canada
9780865715905, $17.95 www.newsociety.com

Boaters of all types will welcome BOAT GREEN: 50 STEPS BOATERS CAN TAKE TO SAVE OUR WATERS. It comes from an avid boater who has been long concerned about pollution, and provides field-tested solutions to common boating problems, from preventing onboard fires and using solar power to new choices for outboards. It's an outstanding recommendation for any library which sees regular interest from boater patrons.

Year of the Boat
Lawrence W. Cheek
Sasquatch Books
119 South Main #400, Seattle, WA 98104
1570615446, $23.95 www.sasquatchbooks.com

Wooden sailboat owners are in a class to themselves in the 'how-to' department, and YEAR OF THE BOAT documents the experiences of the author, who built a 13 1/2 foot sailing dinghy. More than that, he opted for 'classic' design, only to later find this little-used design had been abandoned because it was notoriously difficult to build. A fine celebration of boats, boaters and do-it-yourself evolves.


The Health/Medicine Shelf

Rejuvenation
Ken Counts
Blue Dolphin Publishing
PO Box 8, Nevada City, CA 95959
9781577331575, $17.95, www.bluedolphinpublishing.com

"Rejuvenation: A Guide to Nutrition, Exercise, and Attitude" carries the alternative title 'My Birthday-Suit Doesn't Fit Me Any More', a fitting metaphor for how some people go through their lives. With tips on improving one's physical, emotional, and psychological health, and advice on how to exercise one's body and mind, "Rejuvenation" is a guide to getting back into feeling right in one's own birthday suit. A top pick for community library health collections.

Why People Get Sick
Darian Leader & David Corfield
Pegasus Books
45 Wall Street, Suite 1021, New York, NY 10005
9781933648811, $16.95, No Web Address Given

Is it all in the head? "Why People Get Sick: Exploring the Mind-Body Connection" is a look into the power of the mind, explaining how thoughts and feelings have a massive effect on one's health and well-being. "Why People Get Sick" argues that grave and serious diseases such as cancer, heart disease, and arthritis can be made worse by the sufferer's head, but also suggests optimistically that beating illness in one's mind is the first step to beating it in one's body. A clear and comprehensive look at the mentality of health, "Why People Get Sick: Exploring the Mind-Body Connection" is highly recommended for community library health collections.

8 Weeks to Maximize Diabetes Control
Laura Hieronymous & Christine Tobin
American Diabetes Association
1701 North Beauregard Street, Alexandria, VA 22311
9781580402798, $16.95, www.diabetes.org

Diabetes is a life-changing condition. "8 Weeks to Maximizing Diabetes Control: How to Improve Your Blood Glucose and Stay Healthy with Type 2 Diabetes" says that while diabetes is a serious condition, it can be controlled. With wise advice from some of the most experienced medical professionals on the subject, "8 Weeks to Maximizing Diabetes Control" lets readers know how to manage their medications, find the right doctors, plan their meals, exercise properly, and more. A gift for anyone recently diagnosed with the condition and having trouble adjusting, "8 Weeks to Maximizing Diabetes Control: How to Improve Your Blood Glucose and Stay Healthy with Type 2 Diabetes" is highly recommended for community library health collections.

Yoga for Arthritis
Loren Fishman, MD and Ellen Saltonstall
W.W. Norton
500 – 5th Avenue, New York NY 10110
9780393330588, $18.95 www.wwnorton.com

Arthritis and yoga fit well: arthritis restricts movement, yoga increases range of motion. Here science and theory combine into a usable program to offer arthritis sufferers an opportunity to use yoga poses linked to flexibility. From the physiology of arthritis and how yoga makes a difference to exercises for all levels accompanied by black and white photos for step-by-step following, YOGA FOR ARTHRITIS is an indispensable pick for any general-interest or new age health collection.

Change in the Weather
Mark McEwen with Daniel Paisner
Gotham Books
375 Hudson, New York NY 10014
1592403714, $26.00 www.penguin.com

CHANGE IN THE WEATHER: LIFE AFTER STROKE tells of a news anchorman at the peak of his life – and enjoying it – when he suffered a stroke. Mistreatment and misdiagnosis nearly cost him his life – and this memoir documents these issues, also following his rehabilitation from a massive stroke in which he lost some of his greatest gifts. A powerful account of triumph over harrowing physical issues evolves.


The Art Shelf

Big Eye Art
Blonde Blythe
Merrell Publishers Limited
740 Broadway, Suite 1202, New York, NY 10003
9781858944364 $29.95 www.merrellpublishers.com

The 1950s fostered a new movement in mass-produced art, known as 'big eye', with artists from Margaret Keane to Mark Gleason producing wide-eyed characters to capture hearts and imaginations. Over a hundred works by over twenty fantasy artists, with new and seasoned, are featured in a survey of the emergence and trends of fantasy art, BIG EYE ART RESURRECTED & TRANSFORMED. Any serious college-level art library needs this.


The Education Shelf

Effective Classroom Management
Tim Knoster
Brookes Publishing
PO Box 10624, Baltimore, MD 21285-0624
9781557669186, $19.95, www.brookespublishing.com

The most rowdy and uncooperative employees of all – students. "The Teacher's Pocket Guide for Effective Classroom Management" is a handbook for educators who want to better control their classroom while maintaining a healthy relationship with their students, and most importantly, effectively educating them. Written in a light hearted manner sure to please educators who have been looking over thick textbooks all day, "The Teacher's Pocket Guide for Effective Classroom Management" is essential for any teacher of a primary or secondary classroom class and for community library education collections.

Teaching Students with Autism Spectrum Disorders
Roger Pierangelo and George Giuliani
Corwin Press
2455 Teller Road, Thousand Oaks, CA 91320
9781412917087, $24.95 www.corwinpress.com

In "Teaching Students with Autism Spectrum Disorders", experts in social education and psychology offer a user-friendly resource summarizing current research and reviewing how to teach students with ASD. Covering specific characteristics of ASD individuals, using a team approach to involve parents, technology options, and more, "Teaching Students with Autism Spectrum Disorders" is an excellent guide for any special education collection.


The Social Issues Shelf

Connecting People While Preserving the Planet
Jean Poulit
ESRI Press
380 New York Street, Redlands, CA 92373-8100
9781589481923, $29.95 www.esri.com/esripress

College-level collections strong in sustainable development will welcome "Connecting People While Preserving the Planet", a set of essays gathered by Jean Poulit, one of France's most recognized national and regional planning experts and based on 30 years of research and observation. Though the focus is on France and the European Union, Poulit's optimistic viewpoints and perspective hold plenty of lessons for the global community, making "Connecting People While Preserving the Planet" a 'must' for any college-level urban planning library.


The Business Shelf

Etiquette Guide to China
Boye Lafayette De Mente
Tuttle Publishing
364 Innovation Drive, North Clarendon, VT 05759-9436
9780804839433, $14.95 www.tuttlepublishing.com

Any business with regular interactions in China needs ETIQUETTE GUIDE TO CHINA: it surveys all kinds of etiquette routines, from greeting people while on a trip to behaving well in town, in the boardroom or in social situations. Easily-understood Chinese vocabulary accompanies details on everyday expressions, common faux pas, and what rules make a big difference in relations with the Chinese. Every business library – and many a general-interest collection strong in Chinese travel guides – needs this.


The Native American Shelf

The Nez Perces in the Indian Territory
J. Diane Pearson
University of Oklahoma Press
2800 Venture Drive, Norman, OK 73069
9780806139012, $34.95 www.oupress.com

The Nez Perces in the Indian Territory: Nimiipuu Survival tells of the Nimiipuu captivity and deportation after an agreement with federal agents following the Nez Perce war of 1877. Focusing on the tribe's eighty years in exile, the author describes their forced journey and incarceration and provides a powerful record of events – the only comprehensive record of this part of Nez Perce history. Any in-depth college-level Native American collection needs this.

University of Oklahoma Press
2800 Venture Drive, Norman, OK 73069
www.oupress.com

Roger L. Nichols edits THE AMERICAN INDIAN PAST AND PRESENT (9780806138565, $39.95), now in its sixth updated edition featuring 16 new contributions along with 10 classic essays. It's been widely used in Native American college-level courses and provides a broad overview of readings of indigenous peoples of North America up to modern times. Albert L. Hurtado's REFLECTIONS ON AMERICAN INDIAN HISTORY: HONORING THE PAST, BUILDING A FUTURE (9780806138961, $29.95) gathers five premiere scholars together to discuss Native history past and present. Understanding the past is key to making sense of the present, and REFLECTIONS ON AMERICAN INDIAN HISTORY delves into Native traditions and experience to draw important connections between past, present and future. Sebastian Felix Braun's BUFFALO INC.: AMERICAN INDIANS AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT (9780806139043, $39.95) surveys bison ranching and Native enterprises with a focus on the Cheyenne River Sioux Reservation's experiences. Fieldwork blends with anthropological, economic and ecological examination to consider the development of management styles, cultural influences on these styles, and more.


The Jobs/Careers Shelf

Career Quizzes
John J. Liptak
Jist Works
7321 Shadeland Station, Suite 200, Indianapolis, IN 46256
9781593574444, $14.95, www.jist.com

A job that doesn't seem like a job is a dream career. "Career Quizzes: 12 Tests to Help You Discover and Develop Your Dream Career" acts as both a guide to finding the ideal job for anyone and how to get that job successfully. Recognizing every individual as unique, the quizzes contained within are well-informed and will help anyone find the right job for themselves (which may not be what they expected!). "Career Quizzes: 12 Tests to Help You Discover and Develop Your Dream Career" is highly recommended for community library career collections.


The World History Shelf

How the Barbarian Invasions Shaped the Modern World
Thomas J. Craughwell
Fair Winds Press
c/o Quayside Publishing Group
100 Cummings Center, Suite 406-L, Beverly 01915-6106
9781592333035, $19.95, www.fairwindspress.com

Barbarians – unwashed, vicious, destroyers of Europe after the fall of the Roman Empire. They were also some of the most influential people in the history of the world. "How the Barbarian Invasions Shaped the Modern World: The Vikings, Vandals, Huns, Mongols, Goths, and Tartars Who Razed the Old World and Formed the New" is a look at the barbarians responsible for how the world is today. With examinations of the lives and actions of such brutal individuals such as Attila the Hun, Genghis Khan, and others, "How the Barbarian Invasions Shaped the Modern World" describes barbarians' nasty crusade against the civilized world and how their influence is still prevalent even today. A scholarly look at times referred to as Dark Ages by many, "How the Barbarian Invasions Shaped the Modern World" is highly recommended for community library history collections.


The Judaic Studies Shelf

Turning the Kaleidoscope
Sandra Lustig & Ian Leveson (editors)
Berghahn Books
150 Broadway, Ste 812, New York, NY 10038
9781845455354, $34.95, www.berghahnbooks.com

The Jews, while having a common culture and roots in the Torah and Talmud, are an exceedingly diverse people. "Turning the Kaleidoscope: Perspectives on European Jewry" is a focus on the Jews of Europe and the cultural differences between them as from country to country. "Turning the Kaleidoscope" also examines the future of European Jewry, their ongoing role in shaping Europe, and the effects of globalization on their culture. A complete survey of the topic, "Turning the Kaleidoscope" is highly recommended for community library Judaic studies collections.

Jewish History
Gila Gevirtz
Behrman House Publishers
11 Edison Place, Springfield, NJ 07081
9780874418385, $22.50, www.behrmanhouse.com

The Jewish religion has been around for millennia, and its history can be muddled amid intellectual writings and opinions. "Jewish History: The Big Picture" attempts to lay out the history of the people in straight and easy terms, from the biblical age to the modern era. A complete and comprehensive examination of the history which answers countless questions, "Jewish History: The Big Picture" is highly recommended for community library Judaic studies collections.

101+ Ways to Help Israel
Haskell Nussbaum
Gavel Press
66 E Walnut St, Long Beach, NY 11561
9780978682545, $10.99, www.gavelpress.com

One doesn't have to run for office or be a millionaire to show their support for Israel. "101+ Ways to Help Israel: A Guide to Doing Small Things That Can Make Big Differences" is a complete and comprehensive listing of countless things one could do to support this cause. With ideas for readers to help Israel through things so simple that even a child can do them, and packed full of appendices for easy reference, "101+ Ways to Help Israel: A Guide to Doing Small Things That Can Make Big Differences" is a must for any Israel supporter, no matter how dedicated. Highly recommended for community library Judaic Studies collections.

Genesis and Jewish Thought
Chaim Navon
KTAV Publishing House
930 Newark Avenue, Jersey City, NJ 07306
9781602800007, $35.00

The book of Genesis - no other book in the Abrahamic traditional religions brings up as much controversy. "Genesis and the Jewish Thought" is a scholarly examination of the book as a whole, addressing all of the topics it brings up such as science, morality, society, equality, and much more. An ideal gift for any Jewish religious scholar, "Genesis and the Jewish Thought" is highly recommended for community library Judaic studies collections.

Not Your Father's Antisemitism
Michael Berenbaum
Paragon House
1925 Oakcrest Avenue, Suite 7, St. Paul, MN 55113-2619
9781557788740, $21.95, www.paragonhouse.com

Anti-Semitism is sadly a concept nearly as old as Judaism itself. "Not Your Father's Anti-Semitism: Hatred of Jews in the 21st Century" is a look at the modern hatred of the people in a time where so many social strides for equality and tolerance have seemingly been made. With seventeen essays by scholars from many different backgrounds and educations, "Not Your Father's Antisemitism" carefully studies this new breed of hatred that fits the title. Highly recommended for community library Judaic studies collections.


The Science Shelf

Notes on Acoustics
Uno Ingard
Infinity Science Press
11 Leavitt Street, Hingham, MA 02043
9781934015087, $69.95, www.infinitysciencepress.com

Sound is all around us, and it's an important element for understanding physics. "Notes on Acoustics" is a look at the hard science behind the study of acoustics. Covering countless topics on the subject such as Oscillations, Sound Waves, Reflection, Duct Acoustics, and more, "Notes on Acoustics" is a seminal work on the topic. Enhanced with formerly unpublished bonus material, "Notes on Acoustics" is highly recommended for community library physics collections.

Principles and Practice of Bioanalysis, second edition
Richard F. Venn
CRC Press
270 Madison Ave, New York, NY 10016
0849338573, $89.95, www.crcpress.com

Bioanalytical usage has changed a good deal in the past seven years. Now in a newly expanded and updated second edition, "Principles and Practices of Bioanalysis" looks at the concept as a whole, examining every change that has occurred in the past couple years. "Principles and Practices of Bioanalysis" is a living guide on the subject, scrutinizing how its topics have changed over the years - mass spectronomy, immunoassay, gas chromatography and more. A scholarly, seminal piece, "Principles and Practices of Bioanalysis" is highly recommended for community library science collections.

Why Beauty is Truth
Ian Stewart
Basic Books
c/o Perseus Books Group
387 Park Avenue South, New York NY 10016
9780465082377, $16.95 www.basicbooks.com

WHY BEAUTY IS TRUTH: A HISTORY OF SYMMETRY is a fine blend of science, politics and history but deserves a place in any general interest science collection. It traces the idea of symmetry from early mathematicians of Babylon to modern times, considering how this concept and its math has proved a building block for many basic concepts of the universe. No math expertise is needed to appreciate this in-depth survey with its clear descriptions and easily understood science.


The International Studies Shelf

Freedom's Unsteady March
Tamara Cofman Wittes
Brookings Institution Press
1775 Massachusetts Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20036
9780815794943, $26.95, www.brookings.edu

Democracy in the Middle East is a difficult goal; some view it as not possible. "Freedom's Unsteady March: America's Role in Building Arab Democracy" takes the stance that America's involvement, while condemned by some, is wholly necessary in order to bring democracy and freedom to this tumultuous region. Also explaining why American apathy would be disastrous to the world as a whole, the message of "Freedom's Unsteady March" is clear, concise, and well-argued. "Freedom's Unsteady March" is highly recommended for community library political collections and for anyone studying the United States' involvement in the middle east.


The Fantasy/SciFi Shelf

Manxome Foe
John Ringo & Travis S. Taylor
Baen Books
Box 1403, Riverdale, NY 10471
1416555218, $25.00 www.baen.com

The crew of the Vorpal Blade has barely returned from their dangerous and challenging first mission before they are called back into action in "Manxome Foe". When word reaches Earth that a gate colony has been destroyed, investigation soon shows not one threat but many. The Marines and sailors of the Vorpal Blade find themselves on an impossible mission to stop a dangerous Dreen enemy in this exciting, involving military fantasy, recommended as a top pick for any lending library where military science fiction is popular.

The Jinn from Hyperspace
Martin Gardner
Prometheus Books
59 John Glenn Drive, Amherst, NY 14228-2197
9781591025658, $25.95 www.prometheusbooks.com

THE JINN FROM HYPERSPACE AND OTHER SCRIBBLINGS – BOTH SERIOUS AND WHIMSICAL blends math and science, essays and fantasy/sci fi tales in a book difficult to easily categorize, but promising to read across genres. Science fiction readers will love its possibilities, science readers will love its focus on math and probability, and even literary readers will find analysis of and references to literary topics in this satisfying, involving read perfect for both college-level science collections and general-interest lending libraries.

Kethani
Eric Brown
BL Publishing
1525 Hulse Road, Unit 1, Pt. Pleasant, NJ 08742
184416473X, $15.00 www.solarisbooks.com

When a mysterious alien race, the Kethani, offer Earthlings the gift of eternal life, they change the human world on all levels... but there is a hidden secret which will further affect how the human race decides to change. "Kethani" is a gentle yet pointed story of evolution that makes for a passionate, involving read hard to put down. A perfect addition to any science fiction lending collection.

The New Weird
Ann & Jeff Vandermeer, Editors
Tachyon Publications
1459 – 18th Street #139, San Francisco CA 94107
9781892391551, $14.95 www.tachyonpublications.com

Edgy, different science fiction that's a far throw from classic fantasy creates the so-called 'new weird' genre. "The New Weird" is an anthology of stories by diverse authors, that blends nostalgia with tales combining genres of horror, fantasy and science fiction. From deadly rituals in dangerous cities to an oozing lizard imparting pain, this strange and haunting anthology is perfect for any collection strong in horror stories.

The Hanging Mountains
Sean Williams
Pyr Books
59 John Glenn Drive, Amherst, NY 14228-2197
9781591025443, $25.00 www.pyrsf.com

Book 3 of the 'Books of the Cataclysm' requires familiarity with the prior novels to prove fully satisfying, but any reader following the saga will find THE HANGING MOUNTAINS an indispensable read. Here the Divide is flooded, the Homunculus is missing, and Sal and company are searching for the legendary Hanging Mountains to avert a crisis. Dangerous truths come to light in this active story of a desperate journey. A top pick for collections that have author Sean Williams' other books.


The Crafts Shelf

Inspired Wire
Cynthia B. Wuller
Kalmbach Books
9780871162564, $21.95 www.beadandcraftbooks.com

Learn how to twist and bend wire to make pretty wire jewelry with INSPIRED WIRE, a jewelry maker's guide using techniques perfect for newcomers to wire jewelry. A minimum of equipment is needed to produce the most complex of designs and eye-catching blends of wire and beads, making this an outstanding pick for any library strong in crafts or jewelry-making books. Large full-page color photos and easy instructions contribute to a winner.


The Pets/Wildlife Shelf

Agility Start to Finish
Diane L. Bauman with Jessica Ajoux
Alpine Publications
38262 Linman Road, Crawford, CO 81415
157779091X, $39.95 www.alpinepub.com

Agility is a dog sport which depends on human/dog body language and interactions, and AGILITY START TO FINISH is the perfect place to cover that interaction process. Four sections cover all aspects of agility, from training puppies to handling dogs through courses and understanding how obstacles are set up. All levels of dog owners will appreciate the detailed coverage, making for a top recommendation for any library strong in pet training titles.


The Fiction Shelf

Diamonds of Death
John Luck
Five Star Publications
PO Box 6698, Chandler, AZ 85246-6698
9781589851009, $15.95, www.fivestarpublications.com

A doctor's duty is to heal the sick and wounded, no matter who it is. "Diamonds of Death" follows physician Tom Slocum as he saves a close friend from the brink of death. But his act of heroism has consequences, as Tom finds himself engulfed in a Mafia war over diamonds. With only his skills as a doctor, he must evade the Mob and its deep roots within the city in order to survive. A gripping thriller, "Diamonds of Death" should be on every community library fiction shelf.

Iterations
Robert J. Sawyer
Fitzhenry & Whiteside
195 Allstate Parkway, Markham, Ontario L3R 4T8
9780889954168, $15.95, www.fitzhenry.ca

Science Fiction fans everywhere will find something to enjoy in "Iterations and Other Stories", a collection of short stories from Hugo and Nebula award winner Robert J. Sawyer. With a vast array of subjects, the short stories range in perspective from that of a T-Rex to that of the pope, and many of the tales are award winners or finalists in their own right. "Iterations and Other Stories" is a fine addition to any short fiction collection focusing on science fiction.

Bent Dreams
Richard Tinguely
University of New Mexico Press
1 University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM 87131-0001
9780826341976, $17.95, www.unmpress.com

Not every day do you encounter a desperate woman banging on your door for help. Set in a small town in the remote Sacramento mountain range, "Bent Dreams" follows Eric Frigaard as he offers shelter to Rosemarie, an ill and penniless woman who is suppose to serve as his landscaping consultant. The two slowly grow to accept one another, and love begins to bloom. "Bent Dreams" is a touching tale, highly recommended for community library fiction collections.

The Non-Pro
Adam Novak
Salvo Press
PO Box 7396, Beaverton, OR 97007
9781930486751, $15.95, www.salvopress.com

The business of movies can be deep, dark, seedy and serious. "The Non-Pro" follows Josh Makos as he finds his Hollywood insider brother Jerry dead. As badly as Josh wants to avenge his brother's death, he is reluctant to become engulfed in the same world that consumed his brother and cost him his life. But to find the killer, Josh may have no choice; there are those who want him to get involved anyway. A gripping thriller about the dark side of fame and fortune, "The Non-Pro" is highly recommended for community library thriller and mystery collections.

Ghost, Interrupted
Sonia Singh
Avon
10 East 53rd Street, New York NY 10022
9780060890223, $13.95 www.harpercollins.com

The Cold Spot is a ghost-hunting firm based in San Francisco and run by a reluctant psychic, a businessman and a telekinetic cowboy. These three band together to form a ghost-hunting business – and find themselves with more haunting than they can handle in GHOST, INTERRUPTED: a lively story with more than a dose of humor added to the ghostly mix. Perfect light reading for general-interest fiction readers.

I Never Saw Paris
Harry I. Freund
Carroll & Graf
c/o Avalon Publishing Group
245 West 17th Street, 11th floor, New York, NY 10011-5300
9780786720545, $23.00 www.carrolandgrf.com

On his way to a department store a 64-year-old businessman is killed with two others when a sleepy driver jumps the curb and kills them – but Irving finds himself on a journey to heaven instead of the Paris trip he planned with his wife, and discovers his soul is bound with the others killed for a week before they will all move on to judgment. Their life stories come to light in a funny novel of change and afterworld concerns in I NEVER SAW PARIS.


The Comix/Graphic Novel Shelf

Kirby Five-Oh!
John Morrow, Editors
TwoMorrows Publishing
10407 Bedfordtown Drive, Raleigh, NC 27614
9781893905894, $19.95 www.twomorrows.com

Jack 'King' Kirby is co-creator of the Marvel Comics line; "Kirby Five-Oh!" is a celebration of his 50-year career gathers regular columnists from the Jack Kirby Collector magazine to provide the best Kirby story published each year, from 1938-87. The oversized, mostly black-and-white reproductions include writings about Kirby's career and contributions, and makes for an outstanding analysis of his impact. Libraries will find "Kirby Five-Oh!" difficult to shelve due to its oversized format – but then, this book shouldn't disappear on a shelf; it should be displayed for eye-catching interest.

TwoMorrows Publishing
10407 Bedfordtown Drive, Raleigh, NC 27614
www.twomorrows.com

Eric Nolen-Weathington's MIKE ALLRED (189390861, $14.95) I featured in Volume 16 of the 'Modern Masters' of comic and graphic art. Comics fans may note him from his creation The Atomics and Red Rocket 7: black and white coverage of his artistry accompany interviews with Allred exploring the sources of his creations. Stan Lee, Brian Bendis and others are featured in the collection THE BEST OF WRITE NOW! (1893905926, $19.95), a compendium of interviews, writings, and more compiled and edited by Danny Fingeroth, a Marvel Comics writer and editor. It's an outstanding compendium about writing for comics and graphic novels and gathers the best of Write Now's interviews and professional tips – making it a 'must' for any who would write for the comics market, and for any library catering to graphic novel fans.


The California Shelf

For Sale By Owner in California, ninth edition
George Devine
Nolo Press
950 Parker Street, Berkeley CA 94710
1413307507, $29.99 www.nolopress.com

Any California collection strong in real estate or business will find the ninth edition of For Sale By Owner in California an invaluable guide to selling a house without broker assistance – saving an average of $36,000 in the process. The entire selling process is covered for homeowners who would work with an agent or on their own, with chapters covering everything from advertising and disclosures to negotiation and finalizing sales. An invaluable do-it-yourself guide.


The Architecture Shelf

Prescriptions For A Healthy House, third edition
Paula Baker-Laporte, Erica Elliott, & John Banta
New Society Publishers
PO Box 189, Gabriola Island, BC V0R 1X0, Canada
9780865716049, $28.95, www.newsociety.com

Home is where the heart is – and what's around the heart can make it unhealthy. Now in a newly revised, updated, and expanded third edition, "Prescriptions For A Healthy House: A Practical Guide for Architects, Builders, & Homeowners" is especially for those who are building homes. "Prescriptions For A Healthy House" discusses how to improve the physical, emotional, and spiritual health of those who would reside in the home being constructed. Looking critically at current building practices, and offering advice on how to improve one's techniques, "Prescriptions For A Healthy House" is an expert manual on so-called Bau-Biologue – building biology. Highly recommended for community library architecture collections.

Stoneview
Rob Roy
New Society Publishers
Box 189, Gabriola Island, BC V0R 1XO, Canada
9780865715974, $25.95 www.newsociety.com

If you aim to build a guesthouse and seek specific instruction, not just general design ideas, then STONEVIEW: HOW TO BUILD AN ECO-FRIENDLY LITTLE GUESTHOUSE is for you. It offers up step-by-step instructions for building an octagonal cordwood masonry guesthouse with a living roof and floating slab foundation – for under, $6,000. Whether a guest cottage or a studio, the authors 30-some years of building experience pack a fine guide filled with specifics on everything from timber framing and pouring a floating slab to making the lightweight living roof. A top pick, this offers builders far more detail than the usual general pictorial and is a highly recommended pick for any public library catering to homeowners and builders.


The Christian Studies Shelf

Prove Thyself A Man
Clay Anthony & Andy Gowins
Cold Tree Press
214 Overlook CT, Suite 253, Brentwood, TN 37207
9781583852538, $12.95, www.coldtreepress.com

Pride in one's son is pride in one's life work. "Prove Thyself a Man: Encouraging Your Son to Become a Man of Character" is a guide for fathers who want to help their sons become solid, productive members of society, living full and meaningful lives. Using the Holy Bible as a reference for setting one's children up for the future with such fundamental values such as discipline, generosity, and faithfulness, "Prove Thyself a Man: Encouraging Your Son to Become a Man of Character" is highly recommended for church and community library collections.

True Story
James Choung
Intervarsity Press
PO Box 1400, Downers Grove, IL 605151426
9780830836093, $15.00, www.intervarsitypress.com

With corruption, pedophile priests, and other stories of shame all too widespread, it isn't a shock that there are those who doubt their faith. "True Story: A Christianity Worth Believing In" is the story of Caleb and his disillusionment as he confronts his loss of faith alongside his skeptical associate Anna. With so much pain and suffering, Caleb looks for anything to give him the strength to keep his faith as he speaks to his friend, exploring the concept of Christianity inside and out in this expertly composed novel. "True Story: A Christianity Worth Believing In" is highly recommended for community library Christian fiction collections.


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