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Internet Bookwatch

Volume 27, Number 4 April 2017 Home | IBW Index

Table of Contents

Reviewer's Choice Biography Shelf Science Shelf
Fantasy/SciFi Shelf Theatre/Cinema/TV Shelf Fiction Shelf
Mystery/Suspense Shelf Graphic Novel Shelf Audiobook Shelf
Library CD Shelf Library DVD Shelf Relationship Shelf
Writing/Publishing Shelf Cookbook Shelf Needlecraft Shelf
Woodworking Shelf Photography Shelf Christian Studies Shelf
Poetry Shelf Sports Shelf Parenting Shelf
American History Shelf World History Shelf Civil War Shelf
Metaphysical Studies Shelf Social Issues Shelf Economic Studies Shelf
Literary Studies Shelf Political Science Shelf Interior Design Shelf
Education Shelf Psychology Shelf Art Shelf
Pets/Wildlife Shelf Library Science Shelf Jewelry Shelf
Health/Medicine Shelf Language Studies Shelf Nautical Shelf
Agriculture Shelf Environmental Studies Shelf Architecture Shelf
Beer/Wine/Spirits Shelf Self-Help Shelf Automotive Shelf


Reviewer's Choice

Your Right To Privacy
Jim Bronskill & David McKie
Self-Counsel Press Inc.
4152 Meridian Street, Suite 105-471, Bellingham, WA, 98226
www.self-counsel.com
9781770402638, $14.95, PB, 144pp, www.amazon.com

Jim Bronskill is a reporter in the Ottawa bureau of The Canadian Press news agency, specializing in security and intelligence, the RCMP and justice-related issues. David McKie teaches data journalism and research methods at Algonquin College, the University of King's College, and Carleton University. In "Your Right To Privacy: Minimize Your Digital Footprint" they team up to draw upon their experience and expertise with respect to the use of the Internet to hack, snoop, and invade people's privacy for nefarious and often criminal purposes. Your personal information can be seen and shared and your privacy can be violated. "Your Right To Privacy" is a definitive guide to minimizing your digital footprint, protecting your vital information, and prevent that Internet-based information from being misused. Bronskill and McKie persuasively argue there are steps each of us can take to keep our important data out of reach while still participating fully in new technologies. They identify the pitfalls we can make and the small moves that will help us avoid them. "Your Right To Privacy" makes an important, significant, practical contribution in enforcing our right to privacy at a time when governments, special interests and others are trying to watch everything we do. "Your Right To Privacy" outlines in detail how to keep your information as safe as possible in an age of hacking, sharing and surveillance. "Your Right To Privacy" is the definitive guide on how to minimize your digital footprint and protect your privacy in the digital age. Thoroughly 'user friendly' in organization and presentation, "Your Right To Privacy" is unreservedly recommended for community and academic library collections. For personal reading lists it should be noted that "Your Right To Privacy" is also available in a Kindle format ($8.69).

Global Sustainability
Mark Lefko
Morgan James Publishing
11815 Fountain Way, Suite 300, Newport News, VA 23606-4448
www.morganjamespublishing.com
9781683501770, $29.95, HC, 172pp, www.amazon.com

Mark Lefko has coached and mentored more than 100 CEOs and company presidents, bringing with him 35 years of real-world C-level business experience. In "Global Sustainability: 21 Leading CEOs Show How to Do Well by Doing Good" he draws upon both his many years of experience and expertise, as well as that of twenty-one others, to explore how the Global Sustainability movement is shaping the growth of the most profitable companies around the world; how a company can participate fully in this movement -- and profit from its participation; and how the guiding ethical principles of the CEO can shape a company's identity -- and why they're vital to corporate survival and progress. As Mark Lefko emphasizes in this exceptionally well organized and presented volume -- "Global Sustainability is about more than just doing good; it's about doing well by doing good. While very highly recommended for community, corporate, and academic library Business Management collections and supplemental studies reading lists, it should be noted for student and non-specialist general readers with an interest in the subject that "Global Sustainability" is also available in a paperback edition (9781683501763, $17.95) and in a Kindle format ($9.99).

The Complete Temples of Ancient Egypt
Richard H. Wilkinson
Thames & Hudson, Inc.
500 Fifth Avenue, New York, NY 10110-0017
www.thamesandhudsonusa.com
9780500051009, $39.95, HC, 256pp, www.amazon.com

Profusely illustrated throughout with 535 images (173 of which are in color), "The Complete Temples of Ancient Egypt " by Richard H. Wilkinson (Director of the University of Arizona's Egyptian Expedition) is a comprehensive survey of all Egypt's temples, from Luxor and Karnak to those in the delta, oases and Nubia. "The Complete Temples of Ancient Egypt" deftly traces the processes of building and decorating, how they functioned, and what happened when they were robbed and desecrated. A comprehensive history of the evolution Egyptian temples, "The Complete Temples of Ancient Egypt" also discusses the Egyptian pantheon, rites and festivals. Exceptionally well written, organized and presented, impressively informed and informative, "The Complete Temples of Ancient Egypt" is an especially recommended addition to community and academic library Egyptology collections and supplemental studies reading lists. It should be noted for students and non-specialist general readers with an interest in the subject that "The Complete Temples of Ancient Egypt" is now newly available in a paperback edition (9780500283967, $26.95).

Bataan Survivor
David L. Hardee, author
Frank A. Blazich, Jr., editor
University of Missouri Press
113 Heinkel Bldg., 201 S. 7th St., Columbia, MO 65211
www.umsystem.edu/upress
9780826220820 $50.00 amazon.com

Bataan Survivor: A POW's Account of Japanese Captivity in World War II is the personal, firsthand account of Colonel David L. Hardee, dictated and written at sea in April-May of 1945, directly after his liberation from Japanese captivity. Hardee was captured in April 1942 after the American surrender to the Japanese on Bataan during World War II. Hardee survived the Bataan Death March and life in a series of prison camps. Because a hernia made him too ill to travel to Japan in 1944, he was one of the few lieutenant colonels to remain in the Philippines and survive the war. Hardee's memoir is vivid, fresh from the extended horror of his captivity, and skillfully edited by historian Frank A. Blazich, Jr. A handful of black-and-white photographs, extensive notes, a bibliography, and an index round out this unforgettable true-life story, highly recommended especially for public and college library collections.

Wish You Were Here
Zachary Michael Jack
Truman State University Press
100 East Normal Street, Kirksville, MO 63501-4221
http://tsup.truman.edu
9781612481708 $19.95 pbk / $9.99 Kindle amazon.com

Wish You Were Here is an anthology of essays about life in the Midwest heartland, from the viewpoint of award-winning, seventh-generation rural author Zachary Michael Jack. Jack challenges the stereotypes of rural living, and presents why he loves the land and the tight-knit communities of the countryside. Heartwarming, candid, and penned directly the depths of the soul, Wish You Were Here is highly recommended.

Garden in the East
Angela Doll Carlson
Ancient Faith Publishing
PO Box 748, Chesterton, IN 46304-0748
http://store.ancientfaith.com
9781944967031, $17.95, PB, 176pp, www.amazon.com

Angela Doll Carlson is a poet, fiction writer and essayist whose work has appeared in publications such as St. Katherine Review, Rock & Sling Journal, Ruminate Magazine, Ink & Letters, Whale Road Review, Elephant Journal, Relief Journal, and Art House America. With "Garden in the East: The Spiritual Life of the Body", she addresses such issues as: How we care for and nurture our bodies, which has implications for all areas of our development physical, emotional, and even spiritual. The physical human body is a living and organic revelation of the unseen spirit inside a kind of garden. "Garden in the East" is a deftly crafted and poetic exploration of how the care of the body can lead us to wholeness and wellness in every area of our lives. Thoughtful and thought-provoking, inspired and inspiring, thoroughly 'reader friendly' in tone, organization and presentation, "Garden in the East" is very highly recommended. It should be noted that "Garden in the East" is also available in a Kindle format ($9.99).

Walking to Listen
Andrew Forsthoefel
Bloomsbury Press
175 Fifth Avenue, Suite 315, New York, NY 10010
9781632867001, $28.00, www.bloomsbury.com

Walking to Listen: 4,000 Miles Across America, One Story at a Time is an autobiographical travel guide that tells of how twenty-three-year-old author Andrew Forsthoefel left his Pennsylvania home with a backpack, audio recorder, and a sign that read 'Walking to Listen'. His uncertainty about what he wanted to do with his life led to this pilgrimage and a projected walk across the country collecting everyday peoples' stories. What evolved was a journey that would challenge him physically and psychologically, and which led to thousands of shared stories that led to wider questions about unity and prosperity in America. This book offers no easy answers but it does offer important insights on the value of listening and the lessons to be learned from such efforts. Highly recommended for general-interest readers, armchair travelers, psychologists, social science students, and any would receive a combination of travelogue and enlightenment.


The Biography Shelf

Mudeater
John D. Pihach
University of Regina Press
University of Regina, 3737 Wascana Parkway, Regina, Saskatchewan, Canada, S4S 0A2
www.uofrpress.ca
9780889774582 $22.95 amazon.com

Mudeater: An American Buffalo Hunter and the Surrender of Louis Riel is the biography of a multitalented survivor of the Old West. Born as the son of a Wyandot Chief in 1849, Irvin Mudeater was a great and remarkably adaptable frontiersman. He ran wagon trains to Santa Fe, fought off "Indian attacks", survived the American Civil War, drove a stagecoach, and lived as a plainsman on the frontier. He was also known as a renowned buffalo hunter, and engaged in the wasteful practice of mass slaughter - allegedly killing 126 head of buffalo in just one day. In 1882, Mudeater moved to Canada, where he assumed the name "Robert Armstrong" and a white identity, and played a crucial role in bringing the fugitive Metis leader Louis Riel into custody. Mudeater is a true-life saga that reads like a Wild West adventure novel, and highly recommended especially for public and college library biography collections.

From the Tundra to the Trenches
Eddy Weetaltuk
University of Manitoba Press
301 St. John's College, Winnipeg, MB, Canada, R3T 2M5
www.uofmpress.ca
9780887558221 $27.95 pbk / $24.99 Kindle amazon.com

From the Tundra to the Trenches is the autobiography of Eddy Weetaltuk, a Canadian Inuk (member of indigenous people native to the arctic regions of Greenland, Canada, and Alaska). Growing up, he had Canadian government label E9-422 (E for "Eskimo", a term the Inuit consider pejorative; 9 for his community, and 422 to identify him). In 1951, he decided to leave the North. Since the Canadian government forbid this of Inuit at the time, he changed his name, assuming the new identity of Eddy Vital SC-17515, and enlisted in the Canadian Forces. During his fifteen years of service, he fought in the Korean War; afterward, he worked with Inuit youth afflicted with drug and alcohol addiction. Featuring a handful of color drawings recreating key moments from Weetaltuk's life, From the Tundra to the Trenches is an absorbing, true-life story of war, courage, and the determination to be the master of one's own destiny. Highly recommended.

A Boy from Botwood
Bryan Davies and Andrew Traficante, editors
The Dundurn Group
3 Church Street, Suite 500, Toronto, Ontario, Canada, M5E 1M2
www.dundurn.com
9781459736719 $22.99 pbk / $11.99 Kindle amazon.com

A Boy from Botwood: Pte. A.W. Manuel, Royal Newfoundland Regiment, 1914-1919 is a memoir of the First World War. A.W. Manuel was an impoverished Newfoundland youth, who enlisted with the Royal Newfoundland Regiment in late 1914. He survived the ill-fated 1915 Gallipoli campaign, and the Regiment's near-annihilation at Beaumont-Hamel. He was captured on the Passchendaele battlefield in 1917, and endured seventeen months as a German POW, although he nearly escaped from a forced labor camp. Manuel's story vividly describes his hatred of war, his contempt for leaders on both sides that allowed the bloodletting to drag on, and his empathy for common soldiers on both sides. Brief notes and a conclusion enrich this compelling and highly recommended true-life war story.


The Science Shelf

The Oceanographer's Companion
George A. Maul
CRC Press
6000 NW Broken Sound Parkway NW, Suite 300, Boca Raton, FL 33487
www.crcpress.com
9781498773065, $119.95, PB, 206pp, www.amazon.com

Scientists and engineers embarking on their first voyage for oceanographic or meteorological research are often unprepared for the experience. Going to sea involves learning a new language - that of the seaman. A working knowledge of the specialized language related to seafaring is necessary for clear communications, as well as for the safety and well-being of the members of the scientific party and the ship's crew. Drawing upon his years of experience and expertise teaching oceanographers, ocean engineers, marine meterorologists at the Florida Institute of Technology, George A. Maul's "The Oceanographer's Companion" is intended to familiarize students, scientists, and non-specialist general readers with the basics of navigation, seamanship, marine engineering, communications, safety-of-life-at-sea, shiphandling, knots and splices, first aid, and so much more. A complete course of practical instruction, "The Oceanographer's Companion" is profusely illustrated throughout and exceptionally well organized and presented, offering the reader a very practical manual and guide replete with illustrative examples, making it very highly recommended for personal, professional, community, and academic library Oceanography collections in general, and supplemental studies reading lists in particular.

Amazing Stories of the Space Age
Rod Pyle
Prometheus Books
59 John Glenn Drive, Amherst, NY 14228-2197
www.prometheusbooks.com
9781633882218 $18.00 pbk. / $11.99 Kindle amazon.com

Amazing Stories of the Space Age is a nonfiction anthology that reads like pulp sci-fi. Here are extraordinary true tales of the twentieth century space race, from literal spacefaring Nazis, to the design of an inflatable space station, the extreme perils of atmospheric re-entry after space travel, and much more, Amazing Stories of the Space Age lives up to its title. Amazing Stories of the Space Age is a choice pick for public library science collections!


The Fantasy/SciFi Shelf

Kill Before Dying
Travis S. Taylor
Baen Books
PO Box 1188, Wake Forest NC 27588
9781476782072, $25.00, www.baen.com

Kill Before Dying is part of the Tau Ceti Agenda series, and represents military sci-fi at its best. General Alexander Moore has saved the human race, but his work is not done yet. The fight continues, the alien Chiata are far from conquered, and Moore receives a tip from another alien that a strange discovery could help humanity win its ongoing struggle. So he sets out to explore - and comes up against a hostile planet that challenges his own daughter to survive against impossible odds. Action is swift and driven by a combination of military confrontation, strategy, and personal struggles to survive against all odds in this vivid story, recommended for military sci-fi enthusiasts.

The God Wave
Patrick Hemstreet
Harper Voyageur
c/o HarperCollins Publishers
10 East 53rd Street, New York, NY 10022-5299
9780062419521, $15.99, www.harpercollins.com

The God Wave blends fiction, spirituality and science in a story of speculative science fiction that considers the results of scientists who uncover the key to harnessing the dormant brain power occupying ninety percent of the human brain. This leads to abilities that are godlike in nature, and which hold not only implications for human evolution, but for discerning the very nature of God. As corporate and political interests become involved in this revolutionary discovery, a host of special challenges emerges that holds many implications for all of society. Sci-fi readers who enjoy a powerful inspection of science and faith will find this a revealing, compelling story.

Question and Answer
Poul Anderson
NESFA Press
PO Box 809, Framingham, MA 01701
www.nesfapress.com
9781610373135, $32.00, HC, 550pp, www.amazon.com

Poul William Anderson (November 25, 1926 - July 31, 2001) was an American science fiction author who began his career during the Golden Age of the genre and continued to write and remain popular into the 21st century. Anderson also authored several works of fantasy, historical novels, and a prodigious number of short stories. He received numerous awards for his writing, including seven Hugo Awards and three Nebula Awards. "Question and Answer" is the seventh volume in the NESFA Press project to bring his entire canon into print for the benefit of current and future generations of science fiction enthusiasts. Comprised of twelve of Anderson's short stories, "Question and Answer" is enhanced further with the inclusion of an informative Editor's Introduction; Vincent Di Fate's article 'Poul Anderson'; and 'Editorial Thank You', and a listing of other NESFA Press Books currently available. Simply stated, "Question and Answer" is unreservedly recommended to the attention of the legions of Poul Anderson fans, and will prove to be an enduringly popular addition to both community and academic library Science Fiction collections.

The Lovecraft Code
Peter Levenda
Ibis Press
c/o Red Wheel/Weiser/Conari
65 Parker Street, Suite 7, Newburyport, MA 01950
www.redwheelweiser.com
9780892542178, $27.95, HC, 400pp, www.amazon.com

Gregory Angell, the present-day descendant of George Angell in Lovecraft's "Call of Cthulhu," is summoned by a nameless covert agency of the US government to retrieve a sacred book from the grasp of an Islamist terror network operating out of northern Iraq, in the land of the Yezidi. Practitioners of a monotheistic religion with mystical traditions, the Yezidi are all that's left of an ancient sect that possessed the key to the origins of the human race and was in conflict with another, more ancient civilization from beyond the stars. Impressively well written and a consistently compelling read from cover to cover, "The Lovecraft Code" by Peter Levenda is a 'must read' for the legions of Philip Lovecraft fans, 'Da Vinci Code' enthusiasts, and anyone who appreciates a cleverly crafted novel by a master of the conspiracy thriller genre. While unreservedly recommended and certain to be an enduringly popular addition to community library collections, it should be noted for personal reading lists that "The Lovecraft Code" is also available in a Kindle format ($14.99).

The Last Machine in the Solar System
Matthew Isaac Sobin
Inkshares
99 Linden Street, Oakland, CA 94607
www.inkshares.com
9781942645191, $9.98, PB, 80pp, www.amazon.com

Nearly three billion years into the future, the solar system is a very different place. Earth is long gone, and the sun is a gray, shrunken dwarf. All that remains of humanity and conscious thought is Jonathan -- the last machine. Created to survive Earth's destruction by our ever-expanding sun, Jonathan witnessed the end of life on Earth. "The Last Machine in the Solar System" is his story and that of his creator, Nikolai. It is also the story of the human race, which failed to disentangle its destiny from the star that gave rise to all life-forms on Earth. A deftly crafted, impressively original, consistently compelling read from cover to cover, "The Last Machine in the Solar System" demonstrates author Matthew Isaac Sobin's genuine flair for creative storytelling and is very highly recommended for community library Science Fiction collections.


The Theatre/Cinema/TV Shelf

Encyclopedia of American Film Serials
Geoff Mayer
McFarland & Company
PO Box 611, Jefferson NC 28640
www.mcfarlandpub.com
9780786477623, $75.00, PB, 316pp, www.amazon.com

One of the 'yesteryear joys' of going to the movies on a Saturday afternoon were the weekly cliff-hanger serials. From their heyday in the 1910s to their lingering demise in the 1950s, American film serials delivered excitement in weekly installments for millions of moviegoers, despite minuscule budgets, nearly impossible shooting schedules and the disdain of critics. Early heroines like Pearl White, Helen Holmes and Ruth Roland broke gender barriers and ruled the screen. Through both world wars, such serials as Spy Smasher and Batman were vehicles for propaganda. Smash hits like Flash Gordon and The Lone Ranger demonstrated the enduring mass appeal of the genre. Providing insight into early 20th century American culture, "Encyclopedia of American Film Serials" by Geoff Mayer analyzes four decades of productions from Pathe, Universal, Mascot and Columbia, and all 66 Republic serials. Simply stated, no personal, professional, community, or academic library American Film Industry History collection or supplemental studies reading lists would be considered comprehensive or complete without including a copy of the "Encyclopedia of American Film Serials"

Making it Big in Shorts
Kim Adelman
Michael Wiese Productions
12400 Ventura Blvd., #1111, Studio City, CA 91604
www.mwp.com
9781615932566, $16.95, PB, 160pp, www.amazon.com

Each year 8,000+ short films compete to fill 60 slots at the Sundance Film Festival. On an average day, 792 film and video projects vie for funding on Kickstarter. And every minute 300 hours of video are uploaded to YouTube. In this competitive environment, a short filmmaker can no longer invest time, money, and dreams of glory in the theory that "if you build it, they will come." The challenge is making the right kind of short: one that will make a splash. Covering the nuts-and-bolts of production while stressing the importance of artistic expression, this invaluable handbook shows a first-time filmmaker how to make a buzzworthy little film that could launch a lucrative Hollywood career. Packed with over 75 photos and insider advice from dozens of high-profile professionals, including Sundance and Tribeca festival programmers and Academy Award winners and nominees, "Making It Big in Shorts" puts the emphasis on making films shorter, faster, and cheaper. Thoroughly 'user friendly' in organization and presentation, "Making it Big in Shorts" is a critically important and core addition to personal, professional, community, and academic library Performance Arts instructional reference collections in general, and Film/Video Production supplemental studies reading lists in particular.

Making the Elephant Man: A Producer's Memoir
Jonathan Sanger
McFarland & Company
PO Box 611, Jefferson NC 28640
www.mcfarlandpub.com
9781476666624, $29.95, PB, 208pp, www.amazon.com

The true story of John (Joseph) Merrick--a.k.a. the Elephant Man, has captured the imagination of generations of audiences, critics, actors and filmmakers. In 1978, producer Jonathan Sanger (an Academy Award-winning producer, film, theater and television producer and director, media advisor, and entertainment financial consultant) received a screenplay from two unknown writers about a hideously disfigured man who refused to fall victim to despair and instead exemplified human dignity. Reading it (twice), Sanger was determined that Merrick's story would be told. "Making the Elephant Man: A Producer's Memoir" is Sanger's unvarnished first-person account of how The Elephant Man (1980) was made. His adventure in filmmaking (itself a study in triumph over despair) involved special effects nightmares, scheduling conflicts, location issues and many risky decisions. Assembling a team that included Mel Brooks (executive producer), David Lynch (director) and actors John Hurt and Anthony Hopkins, Sanger persevered in making this inspiring, award-winning film. An exceptional, insightful, compelling, and impressively informative account, "Making the Elephant Man: A Producer's Memoir" is very highly recommended for both community and academic library Cinematic History collections and supplemental studies reading lists. It should be noted for students and non-specialist general readers with an interest in the subject that 'Making the Elephant Man: A Producer's Memoir" is also available in a Kindle format ($9.99).

High Noon
Glenn Frankel
Bloomsbury Press
175 Fifth Avenue, Suite 315, New York, NY 10010
9781620409480, $28.00, www.bloomsbury.com

High Noon: The Hollywood Blacklist and the Making of an American Classic is as much a social history as it is a film history, and is thus recommended for audiences with an interest in either topic. It uses the making of the Western movie High Noon and the political milieu under which it was created as a foundation for examining the effects of the Hollywood blacklist. As screenwriter Foreman was making the film, he was forced to t4stify before the House Committee on Un-American Activities about his involvement in the Communist Party. When he refused information, he was fired from the production by his friend, Stanley Kramer. Gary Cooper, John Wayne, and other actors became involved on both sides of the question, and this survey uses newly available archival materials and interviews to document the swirl of controversy and angst that surrounded everyone involved. It holds many powerful messages for our times that should find renewed interest among many, from fans of Western film history to readers of social issues.


The Fiction Shelf

The Insurrectionist
Herb Karl
Academy Chicago Publishers
c/o Chicago Review Press
814 North Franklin Street, Chicago, IL 60610
www.chicagoreviewpress.com
9781613736333, $15.99, PB, 336pp, www.amazon.com

"The Insurrectionist" by Herb Karl is a deftly crafted historical novel that follows the militant abolitionist John Brown from his involvement in Bleeding Kansas to the invasion of Harpers Ferry and the dramatic conclusion of his subsequent trial. In this consistently compelling work of fiction, Karl carefully blends historical detail with dramatic personal descriptions to reveal critical episodes in Brown's life, illuminating his character and the motives that led up to the Harpers Ferry invasion, giving readers a complete picture of the man who has too often been dismissed as hopelessly fanatical. Brown's friendship with Frederick Douglass and their ongoing debate on how to end slavery, his devoted family, who stand by him despite the danger, and his struggles to secure funding and political favor for his cause against deeply entrenched politicians all make for a surprisingly contemporary story of family, passion, race, and politics. A riveting read from cover to cover, "The Insurrectionist" reveals the author's genuine storytelling skills and impressive attention to historical detail. While very highly recommended, especially for community and academic library American Historical Fiction collections, it should be noted for personal reading lists that "The Insurrectionist" is also available in a Kindle format ($9.99).

The Gardens of Consolation
Parisa Reza
Europa Editions
214 West 29th Street, Suite 1003, New York, N.Y. 10001
www.europaeditions.com
9781609453503, $16.00, PB, 208pp, www.amazon.com

In the early 1920s, in the remote village of Ghamsar, Talla and Sardar were two teenagers who dreamed of a better life, fell in love and married. Sardar brings his young bride with him across the mountains to the suburbs of Tehran, where the couple settles down and builds a home. From the outskirts of the capital city, they will watch as the Qajar dynasty falls and Reza Khan rises to power as Reza Shah Pahlavi. Into this family of illiterate shepherds is born Bahram, a boy whose brilliance and intellectual promise are apparent from a very young age. Through his education, Bahram will become a fervent follower of reformer Mohammad Mosaddegh and will participate first-hand in his country's political and social upheavals. Aptly translated from French into English for an American readership by Adriana Hunter, "The Gardens of Consolation" is a deftly crafted and consistently compelling novel that will linger in the mind and memory long after the book is finished and set back upon the shelf. While very highly recommended for community and academic library Literary Fiction collections, it should be noted for personal reading lists that "The Gardens of Consolation" is also available in a Kindle format ($9.99).

Texas Vengeance
Ralph Hayes
Lindford Western Library
c/o Ulverscroft Large Print (USA), Inc.
PO Box 1230, West Seneca, NY 14224-1230
www.ulverscroftusa.com
9781444830781, $20.99, PB, Large Print, www.amazon.com

Luther Bastian's younger brother was murdered by outlaws. Now Bastian is a black-clad bounty hunter, and outlaws know that he comes to kill - not capture. He cannot be reasoned with, persuaded or bought-off. So, when a gang of lawless men boldly and brutally kill a Texas Ranger in the remote town of Medicine Bend, Captain Mallory knows just the man hunter to call. But this time, during his pursuit of his prey, Bastian is befriended by a small boy and a young woman. Can they help him see the world as a better place, and put an end to his quest for retribution? Author Ralph Hayes is a master of the western action/adventure genre and "Texas Vengeance" is a compelling and superbly crafted entertainment from cover to cover. This large print edition of "Texas Vengeance" is very highly recommended, especially for community library collections and dedicated western fans.

Forever a Hero
Linda Lael Miller
Harlequin Books
225 Duncan Mill Road, Don Mills, Ontario, Canada, M3B 3K9
9780373789702 $7.99 pbk / $6.49 Kindle amazon.com

Forever a Hero is the third novel in "The Carsons of Mustang Creek" romance trilogy, but the story is sufficiently self-contained to welcome newcomers to the series. Mace Carson, a cowboy- turned-vinter tries to persuade urban corporate executive Kelly Wright to buy a share of his business - but even though the two have led dramatically different lives, they just might have more in common than either one of them could have dreamed. By chance, Mace rescued Kelly from a stalker ten years ago; now, her attacker has been released from prison, and wants revenge on both of them! Vivid and passionate from cover to cover, Forever a Hero is a choice pick for romance connoisseurs.

Distress Signals
Catherine Ryan Howard
Blackstone Publishing
31 Mistletoe Road, Ashland, OR 97520
www.BlackstoneAudio.com
9781504757522, $24.99, HC, 368pp, www.amazon.com

The day Adam Dunne's girlfriend, Sarah, fails to return from a Barcelona business trip, his perfect life begins to fall apart. Days later, the arrival of her passport and a note that reads ''I'm sorry -- S'' sets off real alarm bells. He vows to do whatever it takes to find her. Adam is puzzled when he connects Sarah to a cruise ship called the Celebrate -- and to a woman, Estelle, who disappeared from the same ship in eerily similar circumstances almost exactly a year before. All the more impressive when considering that "Distress Signals" is author Catherine Ryan Howard's debut as a novelist, this exceptionally well crafted and compelling read is very highly recommended for both personal reading lists and community library General Fiction collections. It should be noted that "Distress Signals" is also available in a Kindle format ($9.99).

Things Unsaid
Diana Y. Paul
She Writes Press
www.shewritespress.com
9781631528125, $16.95, PB, 270pp, www.amazon.com

Jules, her sister Joanne, and her brother Andrew all grew up in the same household -- but their varying views of and reactions to their experiences growing up have made them all very different people. Now, as adults with children of their own, they are all faced with the question of what to do to help their parents, who insist on maintaining the upscale lifestyle they're accustomed to despite their mounting debts. In "Things Unsaid", novelist Diana Paul provides a deft exploration of the ever-shifting covenants between parents and children. "Things Unsaid" is a ferocious tale of family love, dysfunction, and sense of duty over forty years. A story of the complexity of the bonds between parents and children and how difficult it can be to escape them, "Things Unsaid" is a highly charged family saga of characters fighting for space to breathe. A consistently compelling and engaging read from cover to cover, "Things Unsaid" is very highly recommended, especially for community and academic library Contemporary General Fiction collections. It should be noted for personal reading lists that "Things Unsaid" is also available in a Kindle format ($6.29).

The Twilight Tsunami
Shelby Londyn-Heath
SLH Productions
https://shelbylondynheath.wordpress.com
9781941861257, $22.95, PB, 294pp, www.amazon.com

A hard-hitting foster care worker who removes babies and children from dangerous drugged parents, violent homes, and families in criminal gangs. He is unstoppable until a new social worker enters his department. She is hungry for power and position, and challenges him in malevolent and unexpected ways. As he yanks newborns from mothers, confronts irate parents, and lives through suicides of foster children aging out of the system, he meets his nemesis. In order to confront her, he must find the "Achilles Heel" of this truly power-hungry woman and his inner truth. One of them must be destroyed. Because of her own background as a counselor, social worker, and teacher, author Shelby Londyn-Heath brings a genuine realism to her compelling narrative in the pages of "The Twilight Tsunami". A compelling read from cover to cover, "The Twilight Tsunami" is very highly recommended for community and academic library Contemporary Fiction collections. It should be noted for personal reading lists that "The Twilight Tsunami" is also available in a Kindle format ($9.99).

Angel's Flight
Lou Cameron
Black Gat Books
c/o Stark House Press
1315 H Street, Eureka, CA 95501
www.starkhousepress.com
9781944520182, $9.99, PB, 240pp, www.amazon.com

The first time Ben Parker meets Johnny Angel, Ben is blowing bass with Daddy Halloway and the Hot Babies. Angel angles into the band by acing out the drummer. Parker's got a bad feeling about Angel, but has to hire him anyway. Johnny Angel, raised from the school of hard knocks, doesn't let anyone or any scruple get in his way. First, he steals Daddy's band, then he steals his daughter, Blanche. Then WWII happens Parker serves, but Johnny cops a gay plea and gets out. When Parker gets back he hooks up with a talented but tubercular composer named Con Conners. And a sultry singer, Ginger. But Johnny Angel is right behind him, ready to do whatever it takes to climb to the top on someone else's talent, be it beg, borrow or steal... even kill. Introducing a whole new generation of mystery/suspense fans to the creative writing talent of the late Lou Cameron to a whole new generation of appreciated readers, "Angel's Flight" is a ruthless story of the music business told from the inside, starting from the days of swing jazz to bebop, all the way to rock n roll. Another 'timeless classic', "Angel's Flight" is unreservedly recommended for personal reading lists and community library collections.

Pretty Little World
Elizabeth LaBan & Melissa DePino
Lake Union Publishing
9781503941021, $14.95, PB, 320pp, www.amazon.com

On a cozy street in Philadelphia, three neighboring families have become the best of friends. They can't imagine life without one another -- until one family outgrows their tiny row house. In a bid to stay together, a crazy idea is born: What if they tear down the walls between their homes and live together under one roof? And so an experiment begins. Celia and Mark now have the space they need. But is this really what Celia's increasingly distant husband wants? Stephanie embraces the idea of one big, happy family, but has she considered how it may exacerbate the stark differences between her and her husband, Chris? While Hope always wanted a larger family with Leo, will caring for all the children really satisfy that need? Behind closed doors, they strive to preserve the closeness they treasure. But when boundaries are blurred, they are forced to question their choices... and re-imagine the true meaning of family. An exceptionally well written, consistently engaging, and purely entertaining read from cover to cover, "Pretty Little World" is especially recommended for community library General Fiction collections. It should be noted for personal reading lists that "Pretty Little World" is also available in a Kindle format ($4.99).

The Making of Mickey Bell
Kellan Macinnes
Sandstone Press
c/o Dufour Editions, Inc.
124 Byers Road, Chester Springs, PA 19425-0007
www.dufoureditions.com
9781910985274, $15.00, PB, 320pp, www.amazon.com

Mickey Bell's sick alright, just not as sick as the government benefits agency thinks he is. Now his psychotic ex, Tommy, has reported him to the benefit fraud hotline, and Mickey needs to make a sharp exit. Where better to hide than up in the mountains, in the Munros? With faithful wee dog Tyke at his heels, Mickey flees a Glasgow rife with referendum fever for a country where crows and collie dogs can speak. A wicked queen, a gay hell's angel, and a total disregard for the legal implications of love could be just what Mickey needs to turn his life around. With its background a celebration of Scotland's landscape, this novel illuminates Mickey's personal journey from a life on benefits to a brighter future, and mirrors Scotland's journey towards independence. A consistently compelling and deftly crafted read from beginning to end, "The Making of Mickey Bell" clearly reveals author Kellan Macinnes' genuine and impressive flair for originality. While very highly recommended, especially for community library General Fiction collections, it should be noted for personal reading lists that "The Making of Mickey Bell" is also available in a Kindle format ($9.99).

Because I Had To
David Bulitt
www.davidbulitt.com
Roundfire Books
c/o John Hunt Publishing, Ltd.
www.johnhuntpublishing.com
9781785355516, $16.95, PB, 240pp, www.amazon.com

Jess Porter spent her childhood bouncing from therapist to therapist and prescription to prescription. An outcast at school and a misfit at home, the only solace she ever found was in her relationship with her dad, Tom. Now he's dead. Feeling rejected by her adopted mom and her biological twin sister, Jess runs off to South Florida. But she can't outrun her old life. Watching the blood drip down her arm after her latest round of self-inflicted cutting, she decides her only choice is to find and face what frightens her most. Because I Had To takes the reader inside the worlds of adoption, teen therapy, family law, and the search for a biological family. With a cast of finely drawn, complicated characters, "Because I Had To" asks us to consider: can the present ever heal the past? A simply riveting read from cover to cover, "Because I Had To" is a deftly crafted, thoughtful and thought-provoking novel that is unreservedly recommended for community library General Fiction collections. For personal reading lists it should be noted that "Because I Had To" is also available in a Kindle format ($6.15).

I Found You
Lisa Jewell
Atria Books
c/o Simon & Schuster
1230 Avenue of the Americas, New York, NY 10020
www.simonsays.com
9781501154591, $26.00, HC, 352pp, www.amazon.com

In a windswept British seaside town, single mom Alice Lake finds a man sitting on the beach outside her house. He has no name, no jacket, and no idea how he got there. Against her better judgment, she invites him inside. Meanwhile, in a suburb of London, twenty-one-year-old Lily Monrose has only been married for three weeks. When her new husband fails to come home from work one night she is left stranded in a new country where she knows no one. Then the police tell her that her husband never existed. Twenty-three years earlier, Gray and Kirsty are teenagers on a summer holiday with their parents. Their annual trip to the quaint seaside town is passing by uneventfully, until an enigmatic young man starts paying extra attention to Kirsty. Something about him makes Gray uncomfortable - and it's not just that he's playing the role of protective older brother. Two decades of secrets, a missing husband, and a man with no memory are at the heart of "I Found You" and clearly reveal author Lisa Jewell as a genuinely original and skilled novelist with an impressive flair for deftly crafted narratives and surprising plot development. While very highly recommended, especially for community library General Fiction collections, it should be noted for personal reading lists that "I Found You" is also available in a Kindle format ($12.99). Librarians please note that there is a complete and unabridged CD audio book edition of "I Found You" (Dreamscape Media, 9781520068374, $29.99).

Mongrels
Stephen Graham Jones
William Morrow & Company
c/o HarperCollins Publishers
10 East 53rd Street, New York, NY 10022-5299
9780062412704, $14.99, www.harpercollins.com

Mongrels tells of a young man who, along with his family, lives in poverty on the 'wrong side of the tracks'. As 'mongrels' or those of mixed blood, they seem to belong nowhere. For ten years he and his family have kept on the move and ahead of legal pursuit; but something is coming closer every day - and the boy who lives with his aunt and uncle faces a decision that could change all of their lives. A powerful story, Mongrels offers much food for thought as it traverses the underbelly of American society.


The Mystery/Suspense Shelf

Pekoe Most Poison
Laura Childs
Berkley Books
c/o Penguin Group (USA)
375 Hudson Street, 4th floor, New York, NY 10014
9780425291680, $26.00, www.penguin.com

Pekoe Most Poison includes recipes and tea time serving ideas as it adds to Laura Childs' Tea Shop Mystery series, telling of a tea shop owner who is invited to an unusual "rat tea". Intrigued by this idea - which involves servers dressed in rodent costumes - Theo learns some unexpected tea time history but becomes involved in a dire state of affairs when a fire begins at one of the tables as a man drops dead. Has his tea been poisoned - and is there something else going on at this particular tea event? Theo finds herself pursuing far more than teatime gossip and recipes in this fast-paced mystery, recommended for mystery enthusiasts who like food-oriented stories in general and the prior Tea Shop Mysteries in particular.

Old Bones Never Die
Lesley A. Diehl
Camel Press
PO Box 70515, Seattle, WA 98127
www.camelpress.com
9781603813174, $15.95, PB, 272pp, www.amazon.com

Just before Walter Egret is killed in a hit-and-run, he phoned his half-brother Sammy to report that he'd unearthed their missing father's pocket watch, along with a pile of human bones. The project is put on hold until it can be determined if the site is an Indian burial ground. Then the bones disappear. Now Sammy and his brother's three orphaned children want Eve Appel to go pro, applying her innate snoopiness to the trade of private investigator. Eve already has her hands full with her two consignment stores. What is she going to do? Sammy and Walter are Miccosukee Indians, and Walter was employed as a backhoe operator on a construction site for a sportsmen's resort. Was Walter's death murder or an accident? If the bones belong to Sammy's father, how did they get there? Delving into these mysteries, Eve is aided by her usual crew of friends and family. This adventure will not only up the stakes for Eve as an investigator, but it will also open her eyes to life possibilities she never imagined. Still another terrifically entertaining read from a master of the genre, "Old Bones Never Die" is the fifth book in author Lesley Diehl's 'Eve Appel Mystery' and unreservedly recommended for community library Mystery/Suspense collections and the personal reading lists of all dedicated mystery buffs!

Where I Can See You
Larry D. Sweazy
Seventh Street Books
c/o Prometheus Books
59 John Glenn Drive, Amherst, NY 14228
www.prometheusbooks.com
9781633882119, $15.95, PB, 255pp, www.amazon.com

Haunted by the disappearance of his mother when he was eight years old, detective Hud Matthews begins his own investigation to find out what really happened so many years before. When a rare murder occurs in the lakeside community, Hud's veteran skills are called upon to capture the killer. Pulled deep into the threads of the community with ties to the past, Hud quickly becomes a target, not only of the killer, but of those who wish the past to be left alone. As Hud gets closer to discovering the truth about the crimes, he has to face a choice of enforcing the law, or stepping outside of it to make sure that his version of justice is served. A deftly crafted and riveting read from cover to cover, "Where I Can See You" is especially recommended for community library Mystery/Suspense collections. For the personal reading lists of dedicated mystery buffs it should be noted that "Where I Can See You" is also available in a Kindle format ($9.99).

K Street
M. A. Lawson
Blue Rider Press
c/o Penguin Group USA
375 Hudson Street, New York, NY 10014
www.us.penguingroup.com
9780399573842, $28.00, HC, 304pp, www.amazon.com

It's been almost a year since Kay Hamilton was fired from the DEA for going rogue. Since then, she's been employed by the Callahan Group, a covert intelligence agency based in Washington, D.C. Her job description is as dubious as the people she works for, and the undercover mission that nearly killed her in Viking Bay has Hamilton questioning the legitimacy of her employers. When Hamilton arrives at the Callahan Group's K Street office to tender her resignation, she unwittingly interrupts a deadly heist during which the robbers have stolen the company safe and left her boss gravely injured. She knows that Thomas Callahan doesn't keep much cash in the safe - the men must have been after something other than money. But before Callahan slips into a coma, he whispers a name that will lead Kay to an organization even more secretive than the Callahan Group: the NSA. An author with a genuine flair for original and deftly crafted storytelling, M. A. Lawson's "K Street" is the third in the outstanding 'Kay Hamilton' series featuring a tough, gun-toting, and fearless heroine who she sets out to find answers and exact revenge. While very highly recommended, especially for community library collections, it should be noted for personal reading lists that "K Street" is also available in a Kindle format ($14.99).

A Cotswold Casebook
Rebecca Tope
Allison & Busby
Casemate
1940 Lawrence Road, Havertown, PA 19083
www.casematepublishers.com
9780749020040, $25.00, HC, 320pp, www.amazon.com

"A Cotswold Casebook" is an anthology of twelve short stories by Rebecca Tope that are set in the rolling hills and villages of the Cotswolds and brimming with warmth and intrigue. The familiar characters and places are drawn from her popular Cotswold Mystery novels and include a suspicious funeral, a fatal encounter at a garden center, and a country walk marred by the discovery of a hidden corpse are just some of the perplexing situations with which Thea Osborne, her friends, and a further cast of characters must contend in this expanded view of the Cotswold Mystery world. Also included are"The Blockley Discovery" and "With Slaughter in Mind". "A Cotswold Casebook" reveals that death and crime will visit even the most idyllic of country villages! An author with a genuine flair for original and deftly crafted storytelling (and a master of the short story format), Rebecca Tope's "A Cotswold Casebook" is very highly recommended, especially for community library collections. It should be noted for the personal reading lists of Rebecca Tope fans that "A Cotswold Casebook" is also available in a paperback edition (9780749020149, $12.95) and in a Kindle format ($9.99).

Paris Spring
James Naughtie
The Overlook Press
141 Wooster Street, New York, NY 10012
www.overlookpress.com
9781468311761, $26.95, HC, 336pp, www.amazon.com

Freddy Craven is the hero and mentor Flemyng would trust with his life, but when he is tempted into a dark, Cold War labyrinth, he chooses the dangerous path and plays his game alone. And when glamorous, globe-trotting journalist Grace Quincy, in pursuit of a big story, is found dead in the Pere Lachaise cemetery, the question is raised what side was she on? Certainly she knew too much, and had become dangerous. But to whom? The bizarre murder reveals a web of secrets, and Fleming's loyalty to family and friends is tested as never before. As the streets of Paris become a smoke-filled battleground, Flemyng, like his friends and enemies, discovers that where secrets are at stake, lives are too. Author James Naughtie is a master of the suspense/thriller genre and his latest novel, "Paris Spring" continues to showcase a writer with a genuine flair for original and deftly crafted storytelling. While "Paris Spring" is unreservedly recommended for community library collections, it should be noted for personal reading lists that there is also a Kindle edition ($12.99).


The Graphic Novel Shelf

To the Abandoned Sacred Beasts 4
MAYBE
Vertical, Inc.
451 Park Avenue South, 7th floor, New York, NY 10016
www.vertical-inc.com
9781945054037 $10.95 amazon.com

To the Abandoned Sacred Beasts 4 continues the black-and-white manga (Japanese graphic novel) gothic fantasy series, set in a colonized nation badly scarred by recent civil war. During the war, soldiers were transformed into Incarnates, or "Sacred Beasts", supremely powerful living superweapons in the image of mythological monsters. Yet one by one, each of the Sacred Beasts is destined to lose their humanity and become little more than a rampaging killing machine. Hank, once the commander of the Incarnates, made a vow to kill his former comrades-in-arms rather than allow them to lose their humanity - but Hank is himself an Incarnate, and at risk for succumbing to the same feral drives. Nancy Schaal, the daughter of an Incarnate and prior blood enemy of Hank, has reconsidered her former hatred for the man who killed her Incarnate father. Now, Schaal is traveling with the military unit tasked to exterminate all Incarnates, including Hank. Is any outcome other than bloodshed and death possible for Hank, for the Incarnates, or for the entire war-ravaged nation? A fine balance of character-driven storytelling and ferocious action, To the Abandoned Sacred Beasts is highly recommended.

Ajin 9
Gamon Sakurai
Vertical, Inc.
451 Park Avenue South, 7th floor, New York, NY 10016
www.vertical-inc.com
9781945054198 $12.95 amazon.com

Ajin 9 continues the black-and-white manga (Japanese graphic novel) series set in a modern world where a small number of "demi-humans" are gifted with seemingly supernatural immortality - including the ability to regenerate after death, and the ability to summon a shadowy figure that may or may not fight according to their will. But this immortality makes them the perfect guinea pigs, to be sold as commodities to unscrupulous governments or corporations. Kei Nagai is a demi-human who seeks only to have a normal life, while the criminal demi-human Sato openly spreads murder and terror. Kei has attempted to construct a trap with Sato's next target as the bait. But Kei underestimated the lengths to which Sato would go, and now Kei's plan to cage Sato is unraveling at the seams! Part pitched battle, part speculative morality study, Ajin is a "must-read" for connoisseurs of action-packed manga. Highly recommended!

Devil's Line 5
Ryo Hanada
Vertical, Inc.
451 Park Avenue South, 7th floor, New York, NY 10016
www.vertical-inc.com
9781942993629 $12.95 amazon.com

Devil's Line 5 continues the black-and-white manga (Japanese graphic novel) series set in a modern world similar to ours, except that a portion of the everyday population is born as "devils" or "vampires", who spiral into a crazed killing rampage over the sight or scent of blood - or through sexual desire. In volume 5, Anzai, a half-devil who works for the police, has an unsuspecting "chance meeting" with his mother. Secrets are revealed about the mysterious half- devil Lee, and his troubled past with ONLO. Devil's Line 5 is a compelling modern fantasy, recommended for readers at least 13 years or older due to mature themes and scenes - including an intimate encounter between Anzai and his girlfriend, which by necessity is closely monitored and supervised!

Blame! 3
Tsutomu Nihei
Vertical, Inc.
451 Park Avenue South, 7th floor, New York, NY 10016
www.vertical-inc.com
9781942993797 $34.95 amazon.com

Blame! 3 Master Edition continues the black-and-white manga (Japanese graphic novel) set in a cyberpunk, post-apocalyptic world where artificial beings called "silicon life" threaten to exterminate the last remnants of humanity. Stoic protagonist Kyrii is searching for the Net Terminal gene, humanity's last hope, while Cibo assists him to the best of her ability, both through her talent for cybernetic hacking and in open combat. In volume three, the two encounter one of the last functional artificial intelligences that is not entirely hostile to humans, but the murderous threat of silicon lifeforms is ever-present! Sweeping artwork and pulse-pounding battles are the hallmark of this visually stunning sci-fi series, highly recommended for connoisseurs of intense action.


The Audiobook Shelf

The Six-Day War
Guy Laron
Read by William Hughes
Blackstone Audiobooks
31 Mistletoe Road, Ashland, OR 97520
9781538400906 $34.95 www.BlackstoneAudio.com

The Six-Day War: The Breaking of the Middle East is the unabridged audiobook rendition of an in-depth study of the Six-Day War of June 1967, when Israel clashed with the military might of Egypt, Jordan, and Syria, and emerged victorious in a conflict that redrew the map of the Middle East. Author and lecturer Guy Laron examines the root causes of this conflict, refuting that it was solely prompted by regional tensions and focusing on how American and Soviet policies, a global economic crisis, and especially Syria's actions led up to the hostilities. The Six-Day War marked the downfall of Arab nationalism, the growth of Islamic extremism, and animosity between Jews and Palestinians that continues to the present day. Drawing upon interdisciplinary knowledge and exhaustive archival research, The Six-Day War is a sober, edifying, and highly recommended contribution to public and college library audiobook collections. 13 CDs, 15 hours 30 min.

Washington Square
Henry James
Read by Adam Sims
Naxos of America, Inc.
1810 Columbia Avenue, Suite 28, Franklin, TN 37064
www.naxosaudiobooks.com
9781843799801 $41.98 CD / $28.00 download

Washington Square is the unabridged audiobook rendition of the classic, tragicomedy novel by Henry James, originally published as a serial story in 1880. Set in New York City during the 1840s, Washington Square follows the kindly heiress Catherine Sloper and her fortune-seeking suitor Morris Townsend. Sloper's father distrusts Townsend and seeks to thwart his romantic pursuits, while Sloper's busybody aunt encourages the budding relationship. But amid all the antics and deceit, young Sloper gradually begins to think for herself and find the resolve to make her own decisions. Performed by screen and theater actor Adam Sims, Washington Square is a timeless work of literature about inner growth and resolve, highly recommended especially for public library audiobook collections. 6 CDs, 6 hours 43 min. 38 sec.

Abby's Journey
Steena Holmes
www.steenaholmes.com
Brilliance Corporation
PO Box 887, Grand Haven, MI 49417
www.brillianceaudio.com
9781531863579 $9.99 amazon.com

Abby's Journey is an unabridged MP3 audiobook (playable on MP3-CD enabled players, or transferrable to portable devices) of a twenty-year-old young woman raised by her loving but stifling, overprotective widower father. Abigail Turner was born with a condition that makes her particularly susceptible to diseases such as pneumonia, but she longs to see the world outside her shut-in home. When her Abby's doctor gives her a clean bill of health (for now), her grandmother Millie insists on a trip to Europe to experience the Christmas markets that her mother once loved and wrote about in travel journals. Through her travels, Abby has the opportunity to connect more deeply with the mother she never knew. Poignant and emotionally moving, Abby's Journey is highly recommended. 1 disc, 6 hours 42 min.

Power Game: A GhostWalker Novel
Christine Feehan, author
Jim Frangione, narrator
Recorded Books, LLC
270 Skip Jack Road, Prince Frederick, MD 20678
$TBA www.recordedbooks.com

Power Game: A GhostWalker Novel is the unabridged audiobook rendition of a thriller novel featuring protagonists who were enhanced through experiments to create supersoldiers - or superspies. Captain Ezekiel Fortunes will needs every advantage he can get when he is called to lead a team to rescue members of a United Nations joint security force, captured by radical terrorists in Indonesia. He encounters the genetically engineered spy Bellisia, and there might even be the possibility of mutual attraction... if the two of them can manage to survive! Superbly narrated by Jim Frangione, Power Game is a fine balance of character-driven intrigue and pulse- quickening action, highly recommended. 10 CDs, 12 hours 15 min.

Death of a Ghost
M.C. Beaton
MCBeaton.com
Read by Graeme Malcolm
Hachette Audio
1290 Avenue of the Americas, New York, NY 10104
9781478938958 $30.00 www.HachetteAudio.com

Death of a Ghost: A Hamish Macbeth Mystery is the unabridged audiobook rendition of a murder mystery in author M.C. Beaton's series featuring Sergeant Hamish Macbeth, a sharp-as-a- tack yet utterly unambitious Scottish policeman. Investigating reports of a "haunted" castle near Drim, Hamish and fellow policeman Charlie "Clumsy" Carson discover a murdered body... yet the corpse disappears just before help can arrive! (While Hamish and Carson were taking a break to eat bacon baps, no less). Can Hamish and Carson find this "ghost" before it spreads more death and mystification? Superbly performed by Graeme Malcolm, Death of a Ghost is a choice pick for murder mystery connoisseurs. 5 hours 30 min.

Bones Would Rain from the Sky
Suzanne Clothier, author
Read by Pam Ward
Tantor Media, Inc.
6 Business Park Road, Old Saybrook, CT 06475
www.tantor.com
9781515916031 $44.99 amazon.com

Bones Would Rain from the Sky: Deepening Our Relationships with Dogs, by dog trainer and award-winning author Suzanne Clothier, shows readers how dogs perceive the world, and how to enrich their friendship with loyal canine companions. Dog owners can connect more closely with their beloved pets by understanding them, and the "laws" of canine culture. In particular, Clothier's understanding of what prompts canine aggression can help dog owners prevent tragedy. Although Bones Would Rain from the Sky isn't quite a typical dog training manual, it's insightful wisdom is a "must-read" for dog owners everywhere. Highly recommended! 11 CDs, 14 hours.

The Secret of the Dark Forest
Vasily Mahanenko, author
Jonathan Yen, narrator
Tantor Media, Inc.
6 Business Park Road, Old Saybrook, CT 06475
www.tantor.com
9781515953630, $34.99, CD, www.amazon.com

The virtual world of Barliona is a place of rest and entertainment-but not for everyone. It has become a survival arena for Daniel Mahan after he was sentenced to eight years in its virtual jail. Mahan has been through it all: the back-breaking work in the mines, betrayal by other prisoners, and finally, the retrial which has released him into Barliona's common world. What more could one want? Mahan could have kept a low profile and enjoyed relative freedom while serving the rest of his time. But being a Shaman, he can't help himself. Soon he's a clan leader, taking fifty of the continent's top players to claim the secrets of the Dark Forest. The third volume in Vasily Mahanenko's outstanding 'Way of the Shamen' series, "The Secret of the Dark Forest" has it all -- gods, vampires, spirits, magic users, fighters and, of course, the Emperor. This cliff hanger of an action/adventure fantasy is deftly narrated by Jonathan Yen who brings Mahanenko's deftly crafted characters and plot twists fully to life in a kind of theatre of the mind experience for the listener. Of particular and special interest to anyone who role play games online or table-top, "The Secret of the Dark Forest" is unreserved recommended for personal and community library Fantasy Fiction audio book collections. (15 CDs, 19 Hours, Complete & Unabridged).

Hachette Audio
c/o Hachette Book Group
1290 Avenue of the Americas, New York, NY 10104
www.hachetteaudio.com

Carl Weber's Man on the Run (9781478909583, $30.00) is read by Kevin Free, Jo Jackson, Ron Butler and Marcus Brown and tells of Jay, who has spent a long time paying for a crime he didn't commit - some ten years in prison. He's been patiently waiting for his innocence to come to light, but when his family is threatened, it will require the help of three good friends who run up against murder and more. This powerful story turns friendships and motives upside down and makes for a vividly narrated, compelling audio listen. Kamal Ravikant's Rebirth: A Fable of Love, Forgiveness, and Following Your Heart (9781478940616, $30.00) is read by David Pittu and includes a foreword read by the author as it discusses a deathbed promise, a journey, and a pilgrimage that challenges one Amit to move beyond his home and comfort zone. This novel's spiritual and philosophical reflections are based on the author's experience of walking the Camino de Santiago and offers an evocative, reflective story of transformation and spirituality.


The Library CD Shelf

The Land of Nod
Richard Dillon
www.richarddillonpiano.com
Privately Published
$12.97 CD / $9.99 download cdbaby.com

The Land of Nod: Lullabies for the Listless is a music CD of original solo piano lullabies, designed to aid relaxation and peaceful sleep. Beautiful and expressive, The Land of Nod will help listeners of all ages unwind. The tracks are "The Land Above The Sky" (3:34), "No More Tears" (2:30), "Jouet Triste (Sad Toy)" (3:00), "Rocking Chair" (2:59), "Kainehe (Whispering Sea, Rumbling Sea)" (4:48), "Marmalade Skies" (4:21), "Sea of Forgetfulness" (3:33), "La Luna (The Moon)" (2:11), "Looking Glass River" (3:35), "My Bed Is A Boat" (3:09), "Shadows On The Wall" (3:31), "Papillon (Butterfly)" (2:39), "The Land of Nod" (3:01), "Moonrise" (4:19), and "Sleepyhead" (4:23).

Vintage Italia
Putumayo World Music
122 Industrial Avenue, New Orleans, Louisiana 70121
www.putumayo.com
$14.98 itunes.com

Vintage Italia is an anthology popular and classic Italian songs, presented by a variety of talented performers. Some of the treasured favorites date back to the 1950s and 1960s, while others are newer recordings by nostalgic music artists. Vintage Italia is a treasure for world music connoisseurs, highly recommended for both personal and public library music collections. The tracks are "Boccuccia di Rosa" (2:17), "Ba... Ba... Baciami Piccina" (2:33), "T'ho Voluto Bene (Non Dimenticar)" (3:35), "Accarezzame" (3:07), "Musetto" (1:39), "Piccolissima Serenata" (3:00), "Roma Nun Fa la Stupida Stasera" (3:11), "Ninna Nanna" (4:40), "Dimestichezze d'Amor" (3:28), "Cristina's World" (3:55), and "Torna A Surriento" (3:01).

Souvenir D'Italia
Elizabeth Naccarato
Jarrell's Cove Publishing/ASCAP
$12.97 CD / $9.99 download cdbaby.com

American pianist and composer Elizabeth Naccarato presents her sixth album, Souvenir D'Italia, an anthology of instrumental tunes in homage to the adventure, romance, and beauty of Italy. Inspired by Naccarato's numerous travels throughout Italy, Souvenir D'Italia is an expressive ode borne of love, highly recommended. The tracks are "Waltz Italiano", "Assisi", "Spanish Steps", "Summer's End", "Natasha", "Serenade", "Romance", "Tango", "Andrea's Forest", "Intermezzo", "Venetian Boat Song", and "That's Amore".

Songs of Potential Embrace
David Franklin
Privately Published
$TBA www.davidfranklin.com

Songs of Potential Embrace is an avant-garde new age album, the ninth music CD by talented multi-instrumentalist David Franklin. Mixing and fusing the sounds of avant-garde, new age, and ambient music, Songs of Potential Embrace includes original compositions as well as tracks originally created to accompany the performances of a San Francisco dance troupe, and a couple remixes of songs from Franklin's previous album "Shadowlands". Some are acoustic piano; a few are entirely synthesizer; others incorporate piano and guitar music. Songs of Potential Embrace is a uniquely creative joy to experience, highly recommended. The tracks are "The Failed Experiment of Consciousness" (4:45), "Calling" (4:17), "Allowing" (3:36), "Shade & Shadow" (3:32), "Shade & Darkness" (3:20), "Whirling" (3:27), "Mourning in America" (2:07), "So Far Below" (4:42), "Swamps Of Jersey (re-mix)" (3:17), "Inbal's Theme" (7:07), "Ambient Fog" (5:08), "Piece For Vacuum And 3 Voices (re-mix)" (3:06), "RH Factor (re-mix)" (2:35), "Quotes" (re-mix) (3:10), "The Wilderness" (0:57), and "XaS10shl" (5:43).

Tastes Like L.A.
Las Cafeteras
lascafeteras.com
Privately Published
$15.00 CD / $10.00 digital https://lascafeteras.bandcamp.com

Tastes Like L.A. is a music album celebrating the diversity and political activity of the East Los Angeles neighborhood. The songs express personal stories about where members of the band were raised, and an abiding love for the hardworking men and women of the community. Perhaps one of the most iconic songs on the album is "If I was President", a song that encourages the listener to answer the question "What would you do if you were president?" for themselves. Socially conscious, eclectic, and heartfelt, Tastes Like L.A. is a mind-expanding music experience, highly recommended. The tracks are "Tiempos de Amor", "Vamos to the Beach", "Paletero", "This Land is Your Land", "Apache", "La Morena", "Senor Presidente", "If I was President", "El Feo Mas Belio", and "Two More Days".

New Day
Flyjack
www.flyjackmusic.com
Bean Pie Records
PO Box 6231, Austin, Texas 78762-6231
$TBA CD / $9.49 digital amazon.com

The third album from rhythm & blues band Flyjack, New Day is an homage to late 60's and early 70's groove, soul, and funk. Inspired in part by the 1973 funk protest song "It's a New Day" by Skull Snaps, New Day is a call to young and old to take a stand against injustice. New Day is vibrant, powerful, and highly recommended. The tracks are "It's a New Day", "Motherlode", "Soulful Proclamation", "Flame Thrower", "The Jungle", "Everybody Has Some Dues to Pay", "The Worm", "Gossip", "Steam Train", "Funky Fast Bump", "Plums", and "The Master".


The Library DVD Shelf

Great Basin: Caves, Trains & Wide Open Spaces
Bennet Watt HD Productions, Inc.
13021 - 244th Avenue SE, Issaquah, WA 98027
9781604902112 $24.95 DVD
9781604902341 $24.95 Blu-ray www.Bennett-Watt.com

Part of the "Discoveries... America National Parks" series of beautiful, high-definition video essays showcasing America's natural splendors, Great Basin: Caves, Trains & Wide Open Spaces is a virtual tour of this spectacular area of high desert and mountains. Spotlights include the Great Basin National Park of Nevada; the Nevada Northern Railway National Historic Landmark, a museum that invites visitors to take a walking tour through old railroad buildings, and observe living, breathing locomotives from the 19th century; and the Nevada Northern Railway, one of the most complete rail facilities still in existence. A treasure for admirers of nature's breathtaking splendor and railroading fans alike, Great Basin is enthusiastically recommended for public library collections, gift-giving, or simply savoring the next best thing to a personal cross-country vacation! 56 min., available in both DVD and Blu-ray format.

Historic Massachusetts: Pilgrims to the 21st Century
Bennet Watt HD Productions, Inc.
13021 - 244th Avenue SE, Issaquah, WA 98027
9781604902105 $24.95 DVD
9781604902334 $24.95 Blu-ray www.Bennett-Watt.com

Part of the "Discoveries... America National Parks" series of high-definition DVDs showcasing key natural and historical locations in America, Historic Massachusetts: Pilgrims to the 21st Century tours heritage trails, museums, and much more in the Massachusetts area. Fourteen national parks are spotlighted, including Boston National Historical Park, New Bedford Whaling National Historical Park, John Fitzgerald Kennedy National Historic Site, Minuteman National Historical Park, Salem Maritime National Historic Site, and much more. Edifying, educational, and the next best thing to touring these venerable locations in person, Historic Massachusetts: Pilgrims to the 21st Century is highly recommended especially for public library collections. 51 min.

The Reinhold Niebuhr Story
A film by Martin Doblmeier
www.journeyfilms.com
First Run Features
630 Ninth Avenue, Suite 1213, New York, NY 10036
$24.95 www.firstrunfeatures.com

Reinhold Niebuhr (1892-1971) was an American Protestant theologian, professor at the Union Theological Seminary for more than 30 years, and a leading public intellectual of the 20th century. His writings, including "Serenity Prayer", "Moral Man and Immoral Society", and "The Nature and Destiny of Man" hold timeless influence as a voice of American conscience. The Reinhold Niebuhr Story is a DVD documentary from award-winning director Martin Doblmeier, dedicated to Reinhold Niebuhr's life, work, and philosophy. Brimming with archival material and featuring new interviews with former president Jimmy Carter, civil rights leader Andrew Young, "New York Times" writer David Brooks, author Susannah Heschel, and more historians and theologians, The Reinhold Niebuhr Story is edifying, enlightening, and highly recommended for public library DVD collections. 60 min., optional English subtitles.

The Brokenwood Mysteries, series 3
Acorn Media
c/o RLJ Entertainment
www.us.RLJEntertainment.com
$59.99 www.acornonline.com

The Brokenwood Mysteries, series 3 continues the popular New Zealand detective series, featuring mismatched protagonists Detective Senior Sergeant Mike Shepherd and his assistant, Detective Kristin Sims. Both have been transferred from the big city to the slow-paced country town of Brokenwood. Beneath the town's quiet surface, passions have culminated into murders that the two must solve. Series 3 presents four, feature-length mysteries, including the sudden death of a "Lord of the Ringz" tour guide, a real-life "Clue" board game gone horribly wrong, the murder of a classic car enthusiast, and a Christmas-related death. Tautly written, The Brokenwood Mysteries is a "must-see" for connoisseurs of the genre. It should be noted that The Brokenwood Mysteries, series 3 is recommended for mature viewers, due to the presence of disturbing images. 369 min.

Jack Taylor, set 3
Starring Iain Glen
Based on the novels by Ken Bruen
Acorn Media
c/o RLJ Entertainment
www.us.RLJEntertainment.com
$49.99 DVD www.acornonline.com

Jack Taylor, set 3 presents three feature-length mysteries based on the popular crime novels by author Ken Bruen. Actor Iain Glen (known for his roles in "Game of Thrones" and "Downton Abbey) plays the role of Jack Taylor, a self-destructive, intransigent ex-cop turned private investigator, teetering on the knife-edge between working class and poverty in his native Galway. One of the few friends that he hasn't pushed away with his manifestly cynical personality is detective Kate Noonan (played by Siobhan O'Kelly). Jacks latest cases are as gruesome and horrifying as the worst he encountered in his years on the force - a young man is crucified; corporate espionage turns deadly; and an old nemesis is kidnapped. And when ill fortune befalls Kate, Jack Taylor must choose whether to focus on helping her or cracking his latest case. The Jack Taylor series brings hard-boiled, modern-day detective stories to vivid life, and is a "must" for connoisseurs of the genre! It should be noted that Jack Taylor, set 3 is intended for mature viewers, due to the presence of coarse language, violence, sexual situations and disturbing images. 282 min.


The Relationship Shelf

808 Conversation Starters for Couples
Robin Westen
Ulysses Press
PO Box 3440, Berkeley CA 94703-3440
www.ulyssespress.com
9781612436470, $12.95, PB, 224pp, www.amazon.com

"808 Conversation Starters for Couples" is the perfect resource for conversation starters in any social occasion whether its between family members, friends, or strangers. Flip open to any page and you'll find deftly crafted questions that will start an interesting new conversation with anyone, anywhere, anytime. The questions range from What would be the title of your autobiography?; to Would you say you were born in the wrong decade?; to What TV show is your guilty pleasure?, to What are three jobs you definitely couldn't do?; to What's the most important piece of advice you ever received?; to What's the very first memory you can recall? -- and, quite literally, hundreds more. Although author Robin Western intended "808 Conversation Starters for Couples" to be a conversational resource for two people, her compendium of conversation starter questions is suitable for starting up entertaining and engaging communications with small groups of people at any party or recreational gathering. While very highly recommended for community and academic library collections, it should be noted for personal reading lists that "808 Conversation Starters for Couples" is also available in a Kindle format ($9.99).


The Writing/Publishing Shelf

Video Game Writing from Macro to Micro, second edition
Maurice Suckerling and Marek Walton
Mercury Learning
PO Box 605, Herndon, VA 20172-0605
9781683920298, $44.95, www.merclearning.com

The second updated edition of Video Game Writing from Macro to Micro reviews the history of game writing from the 1960s to modern times and consider not only the evolution of specific games and styles, but the changes involved in programming them. Students involved in writing such games will find a solid foundation that covers everything from collaborative processes and the basics of design, plot, and editing to contracts, screenplay terminology, text types and game-oriented approaches, and more. From terminology to macro and micro concerns, this wide-ranging blend of history and how-to applications is especially recommended for beginners new to the gaming environment who want a quick understanding of options and challenges specific to the video game writer's environment.

Expressive Type
Alex Fowkes
Rockport Publishers
c/o Quayside Publishing Group
400 - 1st Avenue North, Suite 300, Minneapolis, MN 55401-1721
www.quaysidepublishinggroup.com
9781631592737, $30.00, PB, 160pp, www.amazon.com

Alex Fowkes is a freelance designer based in London, UK. While working full time Alex completed lots of typography-based briefs in his spare time, from personal pieces to commissions and album covers. His work varies from hand-drawn type to digital typography, but he always tries to retain a human element to his work. In "Expressive Type" he draws upon his years of experience and expertise to showcase the work of major international designers working with typography in branding and advertising, environment, packaging and products, and self-initiated projects. "Expressive Type" concludes with a workbook section featuring four real-world "briefs" related to each category. A unique and thoroughly 'reader friendly' instructional, "Expressive Type" will prove to be of immense interest and practical value for anyone engaged in typographic design in sketchbooks, in print publications, and on location in any urban, suburban, or rural setting.


The Cookbook Shelf

Everyday Diabetes Meals: Cooking for One or Two
Laura Cipullo & Lisa Mikus
Robert Rose Inc.
120 Eglinton Avenue East, Suite 800, Toronto, Ontario, Canada, M4P 1E2
www.robertrose.ca
9780778805663, $24.95, PB, 288pp, www.amazon.com

Careful meal planning is critically important to successfully managing diabetes. Collaboratively compiled by Laura Cipullo (NYC's expert Registered Dietitian, Certified Diabetes Educator, Certified Eating Disorder Registered Dietitian, Registered Yoga Teacher and President of the International Association of Eating Disorder Professionals) and Lisa Mikus (a Registered Dietitian and a Certified Nutrition Support Clinician), "Everyday Diabetes Meals: Cooking for One or Two" is comprised of 150 recipes and 14-day meal plan specifically designed for just one or two servings. Each individual recipe meets the American Diabetes Association's recommendation standard of 45 gram to 60 gram carbohydrate allotment. These are recipes for dishes that will eliminate or decrease risk of insulin resistance, eliminate or decrease hypoglycemic and hyperglycemic episodes and decrease risk for the health issues associated with diabetes. Additional benefits of "Everyday Diabetes Meals" is a reduction in food bills, slimming waistlines, and improved blood sugar management! The 'diabetes friendly' dishes range from Overnight Oats with Peanut Butter; Blackberry Coffee Cake Muffins; Garlicky Tofu and Green Beans; Weeknight Salmon Patties; and Angel-Hair Pasta with Shrimp, Sun-Dried Tomatoes and Peppers; to Shrimp Pad Thai; Browned Beef Chili; Beet and Goat Cheese Salad; Fennel Sweet Potato Salad; and Dark Hot Chocolate. "Everyday Diabetes Meals" also offers [practical information on the many faces of diabetes, the complications associated with diabetes and when to screen for them, and the connection between inflammation, obesity and diabetes and much more. It should be noted that the recipes are designed for one or two people, but can be easily scaled up for large dining/entertaining occasions. Thoroughly 'kitchen cook friendly', "Everyday Diabetes Meals" is especially recommended for the cookbook collections of families with diabetic members, as well as certain to be an enduringly popular addition to community library cookbook collections.

Low-Fodmap and Vegan
Jo Stepaniak
The Book Publishing Company
PO Box 99, Summertown, TN 38483
www.BookPubCo.com
9781570673375, $17.95, PB, 144pp, www.amazon.com

The term FODMAP is an acronym, derived from "Fermentable, Oligo-, Di-, Mono-saccharides And Polyols". FODMAPs are short chain carbohydrates that are poorly absorbed in the small intestine. Pinpointing and eliminating FODMAPs while maintaining nutritional excellence can be especially challenging for vegans, because FODMAPs are found in an extensive range of common vegan foods and ingredients. In this groundbreaking resource and cookbook, Jo Stepaniak is the author and coauthor of more than two dozen books on vegan cuisine, health, and compassionate living. In "Low-Fodmap and Vegan: What to Eat When You Can't Eat Anything", Jo lays bare not only the FODMAPs vegans with IBS need to avoid, but also the wide assortment of nutritious plant-based foods that are generally well tolerated. Easy-to-read tables and shopping lists arm readers with all the information they need to navigate the supermarket and purchase kind-to-the-gut fruits, vegetables, grains, nuts, seeds, beverages, and condiments. Over 100 scrumptious low-FODMAP recipes will help readers prepare spectacular seasonings as well as mainstays for breakfast, lunch, dinner, and snacks, so they can stay healthy and satisfied while pampering their delicate digestive systems. More information can be found on www.ibsvegan.com. Informed and informative, "Low-Fodmap and Vegan" is impressively well written, organized and presented, making it an ideal and much needed addition to community and academic library vegan-based dietary and cookbook collections. It should be noted for personal reading lists that "Low-Fodmap and Vegan" is also available in a Kindle format ($7.99).

Our Best Bites
Sara Wells & Kate Jones
Shadow Mountain Publishing
P.O. Box 30178, Salt Lake City, Utah 84130-0178
www.shadowmountain.com
9781629722634, $21.99, PB, 272pp, www.amazon.com

Sara Wells and Kate Jones are two moms who love to cook. As busy wives and mothers, they began their popular cooking blog based on the philosophy that cooking good food for your family doesn't have to be complicated or expensive. Together, they draw upon their years of experience and expertise in "Now Our Best Bites" to showcase 150 recipes intermingled with favorite blog requests with each individual and thoroughly 'kitchen cook friendly' recipes being accompanied by a mouth-watering, full-color photo, beautifully illustrated, step-by-step tutorials. Of special note are the ideas for using leftover ingredients, as well as the shortcuts and tips for cooking, and serving suggestions. The recipes themselves range from Sour Cream Pound Cake; Cilantro-Lime Vinaigreete; Sweet and Sour Meatballs; Indian-Spiced Pork Skewers; and Chicken Tortilla Soup; to Baby Back Ribs; Pesto Pasta with Roasted Tomatoes; Louisiana-Style Red Beans and Rice; Mini Cheesecake Tarts; Texas Sheet Cakes; and Cherry Chocolate Ice Cream. A pure culinary pleasure to browse and a cornucopia of menu planning ideas, "Our Best Bites" is enthusiastically recommended as an enduringly popular addition to personal and community library cookbook collections.

From Cabela's Kitchen Table
Cabela's Outfitters
Whitman Publishing
4001 Helton Drive, Florence, Alabama, 35630
www.whitman.com
9780794843274, $19.95, Spiral Bound PB, 224pp, www.amazon.com

Based in Sidney, Nebraska, Cabela's Inc. is an American direct marketer and specialty retailer of hunting, fishing, boating, camping, shooting, and related outdoor recreation merchandise. "From Cabela's Kitchen Table" a collection of recipes provided by Cabela's Outfitters, drawing upon culinary contributions by their employees who work to help our customer across these United States of America. Profusely and beautifully illustrated throughout, and featuring more than 200 recipes and DIY tips on how to prepare game and other wild edibles, the recipes comprising "From Cabela's Kitchen Table" range from Bananas Overload; Venison Stew; Duck-Stuffed Peppers; Roasted Goose Breasts; Pheasant Enchiladas; and Turkey Galantine; to Three-Meat Wild Chili; Maple-Glazed Ham; Broiled Fish with Tomatoes & Olive Relish; Citrus Campfire Fish; Smoked Salmon Jerky; Grilled Oysters, Shrimp & Spiny Lobster; and Wild Rice Stuffing. Of special and particular interest to outdoors sports enthusiasts, "From Cabela's Kitchen Table" is enthusiastically recommended for personal, family, and community library cookbook collections.

Zoe's Ghana Kitchen
Zoe Adjonyoh
Mitchell Beazley
c/o Octopus Publishing
236 Park Avenue, New York NY 10017
www.octopusbooksusa.com
9781784721633, $29.99, HC, 256pp, www.amazon.com

Zoe Adjonyoh is a writer and cook from South-East London. Her pop-up restaurant and supper club have been making waves in the foodie scene - both in London and Berlin - bringing traditional and contemporary Ghanaian food to an audience outside of the Ghanaian community. "Zoe's Ghana Kitchen" was a pop-up restaurant in the UK that grew into a huge success by word-of-mouth. Drawing upon her years of culinary experience and expertise in this cookbook, Zoe takes traditional Ghanaian recipes and re-mixes them for the modern kitchen. The result is a compendium of palate pleasing, appetite satisfying, kitchen cook friendly recipes for dishes that range from Pan-Fried Tilapia Fillets; Cocoyam & Sweet Potato Curry; and Jollof Fried Chicken; to Veggie Jollof; Suya Spiced Lamb Meatballs or Koftas; and Cubed Spiced Shortbread. Beautifully and profusely illustrated throughout, "Zoe's Ghana Kitchen" will prove to be an enduringly popular and unique addition to personal, family, and community library cookbook collections! It should be noted that "Zoe's Ghana Kitchen" is also available in a Kindle format ($9.99).

Uncle Eggbert's Egg Book
Eggbert Fowler, author
David Tank, editor
Planert Creek Press
E4843 - 395th Avenue, Menomonie, WI 54751
www.planertcreekpress.com
9780996221887, $21.95, Spiral Binding, 100pp, www.amazon.com

Profusely illustrated throughout, "Uncle Eggbert's Egg Book" showcases recipes for eggs that range from Boiled Eggs (Hard or Soft); Baked Eggs in Hash Nests; Egg & Cheddar Cheese Puff; Egg Drop Soup; and Cheesy Egg Casserole; to such egg based dishes as Darn Near Anything Skillet Frittata; Baked Custard; Homemade Tom & Jerry Eggnog; and Flour-Free Monster Cookies. Of special note are the recipes for Pickled Beets and Eggs; 'Egg, Sausage, Biscuit Casserole; and Kick-Butt Deviled Eggs! All these nutritious and delicious, palate pleasing and appetite recipes (and so many more kitchen cook friendly egg-based dishes!) make "Uncle Eggbert's Egg Book" a 'must' for personal, family, and community library cookbook collections.

Skinny Slow Cooker
Taste of Home Editors
Reader's Digest Trade Publishing
44 South Broadway, White Plains, NY 10601
www.rdtradepublishing.com
9781617655807, $15.99, PB, 256pp, www.amazon.com

Slow cookers or crock-pots are one of the most useful kitchen tools for modern time-stressed family cooks. For those who are also concerned about preparing heart-health friendly dishes using their slow cookers, the editorial staff of Taste of Home magazine has created an impressively collection of recipes for some 278 palate pleasing, appetite satisfying dishes that are all under 450 calories a serving! The recipes comprising "Skinny Slow Cooker" range from Broccoli Potato Soup; Black-Eyed Peas & Ham; Meatball Cabbage Rolls; and Tangy Tropical Chicken; to Glazed Rosemary Pork Roast; Lamb with Orzo; Warm Spiced Cider Punch; Honey-Thyme Butternut Squash; and Chocolate Angel Cupcakes with Coconut Cream Frosting. Of special note is that all recipes include complete nutrition facts, and there are tips and hints for trimming down dishes. An extraordinary and beautifully illustrated culinary volume, "Skinny Slow Cooker" is unreservedly recommended for personal, family, and community library cookbook collections.

Our Sweet Basil Kitchen
Cade Cheney & Carrian Cheney
Shadow Mountain Publishing
P.O. Box 30178, Salt Lake City, Utah 84130-0178
www.shadowmountain.com
9781629722900, $23.99, HC, 192pp, www.amazon.com

Cade and Carrian Cheney are the husband-and-wife team behind the popular Oh, Sweet Basil food blog. In "Our Sweet Basil Kitchen: Fresh Twists on Family Favorites With Recipe Mashups and Unique Flavor Combinations" they present more than 100 recipes that combine their love of fresh ingredients with unexpected flavor combinations and mashups of tried-and-true family favorites. Their innovative dishes will elevate and reinvigorate everyday recipes for palate pleasing, appetite satisfying, kitchen cook friendly dining for any and all occasions. All the recipes are exclusive to this cookbook and range from Pumpkin Spice Pancakes with Cinnamon Syrup; Golden Loaded Baked Potato Soup; Broccoli with Cheese Sauce; and Roasted Root Vegetables; to Easy Sausage Alfredo; Greek Citrus Chicken; Lemon-Strawberry Shortcakes; and Churro-Style Bread Pudding. Beautifully illustrated throughout, "Our Sweet Basil Kitchen" is an especially recommended cookbook for both personal and community library collections. It should be noted that "Our Sweet Basil Kitchen" is also available in a Kindle format ($16.80).

Justin Wilson Looking Back: A Cajun Cookbook
Justin Wilson
Pelican Publishing Company
1000 Burmaster Street, Gretna, LA 70053-2246
www.pelicanpub.com
9781455623136, $24.95, PB, 256pp, www.amazon.com

Justin Wilson made his mark as a storyteller and humorist and is widely considered to be an effective goodwill ambassador with respect to the Cajun culture of South Louisiana. He took a culture slur and made it a label of distinction, proudly identifying himself, and his cooking, as "Cajun". "Justin Wilson Looking Back: A Cajun Cookbook" is his final retrospective, in which he reminisces about times gone by, the recipes he created, and the evolution of his cooking style. He features delicious original recipes, including some healthy and convenient options, and his famously funny anecdotes. Complementing such tasty tidbits are duotone photos that capture the essence of this loveable Cajun icon. The featured recipes range from Seafood Gumbo with Okra; Chicken Jambalaya; Rabbit Sauce Piquante; to Pot Roast Magnifique; Peppy Pickled Eggs; Ham Souffle; and Louisiana Pecan Pie. Of special interest are the unique recipes for Sawmill Gravy, Chow Chow, Pepper Jelly, and Apple Butter. Packed from cover to cover with palate pleasing, appetite satisfying, kitchen cook friendly recipes, "Justin Wilson Looking Back: A Cajun Cookbook" is a truly unique and very highly recommended addition to personal, family, and community library cookbook collections.

Dinner Deja Vu
Jennifer Hill Booker
Pelican Publishing Company
1000 Burmaster Street, Gretna, LA 70053-2246
www.pelicanpub.com
9781455622924, $28.95, HC, 208pp, www.amazon.com

Southern-born Jennifer Hill Booker traveled to Paris to study French cooking at Le Cordon Bleu College of Culinary Arts only to realize that rustic French and Southern dishes use many of the same ingredients. Using this as the basis for culinary exploration she has compiled a cornucopia of kitchen cook friendly recipes in "Dinner Deja Vu: Southern Tonight, French Tomorrow" each of which uses one list of fresh ingredients to create two meals, one Southern and one French. Combined grocery lists provide time-saving tools for recipes from cocktails to desserts and everything in between, drawing on the strengths of both regions. Beautifully illustrated throughout and showcasing recipes that range from Pickled Vidalia Onions; Duchess Potatoes; Artichoke & Crab Souffle; Pork En Croute with Apple Duxelle; and Braised Rabbit with Wild Mushrooms & Thyme; to Fried Chicken Salad with Fresh Grapes & Toasted Almonds; Profiteroles with Brandied cherry Sauce; Deep Dish Bourbon Pecan Pie; Black Berry Simple Syrup; and Peppered Vinegar. Unique to "Dinner Deja Vu: Southern Tonight, French Tomorrow" is a list of essentials for the pantry, a kitchen conversion for dry and liquid volume measurements, a one page kitchen equipment list, an eight page combined grocery listings, a one page glossary, and a four page index. A delight to browse through and ideal for planning memorable menus with, "Dinner Deja Vu: Southern Tonight, French Tomorrow" is also very highly recommended for personal, family, and community library cookbook collections. It should be noted that "Dinner Deja Vu: Southern Tonight, French Tomorrow" is also available in a Kindle format ($19.25).

Plenish: Fuel Your Ambition
Kara M. Rosen
Aster
c/o Octopus Publishing
236 Park Avenue, New York NY 10017
9781784721411, $16.99, www.octopusbooksusa.com

Plenish: Fuel Your Ambition details plant-based juices and meals and comes from the UK organic, cold-pressed juice brand Plenish, which advocates cleansing programs using these ingredients. Some 40 recipes for juice and vegetable-based dishes promote weight loss and brain-healthy foods and are designed to make the most of high-energy nutrients. Organic ingredients are encouraged, discussions of nutrition include fiber and well-balanced diets, and the recipes include fare for festive occasions and entertainment as well as everyday enjoyment.

Chocolat
Pierre Marcolini
Rizzoli International
300 Park Avenue South, 3rd floor, New York, NY 10010
9780847859283, $40.00, www.rizzoliusa.com

Chocolat From the Cocoa Bean to the Chocolate Bar is edited by Chae Rin Vincent and packed with color photos by Marie Pierre Morel, and comes from Belgium's famous chocolatier. His confections have received world acclaim, but readers who would duplicate some of his recipes will find this techniques and recipes thoroughly covered in a cookbook packed with 170 of his creations that come with trade secrets for choosing, working with, and making exceptional desserts from chocolate. Marcolini's unique philosophy and his recipes for sauces, candies, cakes, and even savory dishes makes the most of different kinds of chocolate, but requires a cook dedicated to the idea of meticulous choosing of ingredients and their handling. From a review of ten cocoa terroirs around the world to winning, unique chocolate dishes, cooks with more than a casual interest in baking and chocolate will find this an exceptional production.


The Needlecraft Shelf

Thimbleberries Quilts with a New Attitude
Lynette Jensen, author
Doris Brunnette, editor
Landauer Publishing
c/o Fox Chapel Publishing Company
1970 Broad Street N., East Petersburg, PA 17520
www.FoxChapelPublishing.com
978193572692, $24.95, PB, 144pp, www.amazon.com

New Thimbleberries patterns with a contemporary twist by quilting designer Lynette Jensen comprise "Thimbleberries Quilts with a New Attitude". Jensen deftly showcases pairs of projects made with her own classic fabrics and Cotton + Steel fabrics -- the results are simply stunning! Profusely illustrated, thoroughly 'user friendly' in organization and presentation, "Thimbleberries Quilts with a New Attitude" will enable even the most novice of quilting enthusiasts to produce twenty-three quilt designs using both modern and traditional fabrics. Of special note is the section devoted to General instructions & Glossary. Simply stated, "Thimbleberries Quilts with a New Attitude" will prove to be an enduringly popular and appreciated addition to personal and community library needlecraft instructional reference collections.

The Versatile Nine Patch
Joan Ford
The Taunton Press
63 South Main Street, Newtown, CT 06470
www.taunton.com
9781631866753 $24.95 amazon.com

The Versatile Nine Patch features 18 designs for transforming fabric scraps into delightful quilts, bags, and home decoration projects. Featuring full-color photography and piecing diagrams to illustrate the step-by-step instructions, The Versatile Nine Patch is brimming with tips, tricks, and techniques for refining one's sewing mastery. Projects include "Button Collection Pillow", "Cross-Body Market Sack", "Sneaky Peek Project Pouches", and much more. Highly recommended!

Cottage-Style Charm
Natalie Bird
That Patchwork Place
c/o Martingale & Company
19021 - 120th Avenue NE, Suite 102, Bothell, WA 98011
9781604688290, $24.99, www.shopmartingale.com

Cottage-Style Charm: Simply Sweet Designs to Quilt and Embroider offers home decor designs and plenty of options and instructions for customizing them, and shows how embroidery can enhance the charm of home decor. No prior embroidery or sewing knowledge is presumed, here: tips for beginners include how to prepare the templates, assembly and applique directions, basic cutting, piecing and finishing directions, and more. Between the large-size color photos and easy step-by-step directions, there's not much left to guesswork.

That Patchwork Place
c/o Martingale & Company
19021 - 120th Avenue NE, Suite 102, Bothell, WA 98011
www.shopmartingale.com

Martingale's The Big Book of Table Toppers (9781604688481, $27.99) offers nearly sixty patterns for various table topper projects that range from scrappy quilt productions to geometric designs that blend with a home theme, and provides both general and holiday table toppers that are various sizes and lengths and different approaches. Each project includes materials lists, cutting instructions, and assembly directions, and includes a full-page color photo and smaller photos and illustrations, and each pairs step-by-step directions with a survey of how to effectively piece together the project. For ideas that include table runners but expand into pillows and other home decor, Terry Atkinson's Simple, Fun & Quickly Done: 18 Easy-to-Sew Table Runners, Bags, Pillows and More (9781604688344, $24.99) gathers projects that are easy to reproduce and comes from a seamstress and designer who offers new ideas for joining creative stitching to embellish projects. Hot pads, napkin holders, and other home pieces accompany projects for handbags and accessories that can all be made as a weekend project. Materials, finished sizes, options and patterns include measurements and step-by-step directions throughout, with color photos adding both detail and embellishment. These are project guides packed with ideas that needleworkers and quilters will appreciate.


The Woodworking Shelf

Joinery
Fine Woodworking Editors
The Taunton Press
63 South Main Street, Newtown, CT 06470
www.taunton.com
9781631864483, $24.95, PB, 224pp, www.amazon.com

All professional woodworkers worth their sawdust know that joinery (good, bad, or indifferent) tells the unvarnished truth; how well a piece is made and how skilled the maker is. Over the decades, no one has proven better at teaching readers how to make beautiful, enduring joinery than the editors and contributors to Fine Woodworking magazine. The collaborative effort of the editorial staff of Fine Woodworking, "Joinery" is a comprehensive and practical instruction manual that demystifies the all-important subject of choosing, designing, and cutting woodworking joints. It's packed from cover to cover with insightful information and tricks of the trade that will advance the work of novices and seasoned craftsmen alike. Because whatever your skill level, there's always room for improvement when it comes to joinery. Profusely illustrated throughout, "Joinery" includes such topic as: Laying out and cutting accurate dovetails; Fixing common joinery mistakes; Cutting a mortise in minutes; Creating a versatile jig for miters; Joining curved parts with ease; Building strong pocket-hole joints, and more. Impressively organized and presented, "Joinery" is strongly recommended for personal, professional, community, technical college, and university library Woodworking instructional reference collections and supplemental studies reading lists.


The Photography Shelf

The Photo Ark
Joel Sartore
National Geographic Press
101 West 104th Street, Suite 8, New York, NY 10025
www.nationalgeographic.com
9781426217777, $35.00, HC, 400pp, www.amazon.com

"The Photo Ark: One Man's Quest to Document the World's Animals" is lush book of photography that represents National Geographic's Photo Ark, a major cross-platform initiative and lifelong project by nature photographer Joel Sartore to make portraits of the world's animals -- especially those that are endangered as a species. Sartore's powerful visual message, that to know these animals is to save them, is conveyed with humor, compassion, and imaged art Sartore circled the earth, visiting zoos and wildlife rescue centers, to create studio portraits of 12,000 species, with an emphasis on those facing extinction. He has photographed more than 6,000 already and now, thanks to a multi-year partnership with National Geographic, he may reach his goal. "The Photo Ark" wonderfully showcases his animal portraits: from tiny to mammoth, from the Florida grasshopper sparrow to the greater one-horned rhinoceros. Paired with the eloquent prose of veteran wildlife writer Douglas Chadwick, "The Photo Ark" presents a thought-provoking argument for saving all the species of our planet that is unreservedly recommended for personal, community, college, and university library Contemporary Photography collections in general, and Wildlife Preservation supplemental studies reading lists in particular.

Yellowstone: A Photographic Journey
Stephen C. Hinch
Farcountry Press
PO Box 5630, Helena, MT 59604
www.farcountrypress.com
9781560376668, $12.95, PB, 80pp, www.amazon.com

Award-winning photographer Steve Hinch is a full-time resident in Yellowstone National Park. He draws upon his years of experience, observation and expertise to takes the reader on an insider's tour of his home park in "Yellowstone: A Photographic Journey". Comprised of 112 stunning full-color images and lively text, Stephen Hinch shares unique views of the park's abundant wildlife, beautiful lakes and waterfalls, historic landmarks, and world-famous thermal features and offers unforgettable, intimate glimpses of Yellowstone's wildlife in their natural habitat. His breathtaking, full color images of the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone, Lower Falls, and the park's remarkable geothermal features (including Old Faithful, Great Fountain Geyser, the strikingly colorful Grand Prismatic, and a rare view of the northern lights over White Dome Geyser) wonderfully capture that magical quality that makes our nation's first national park a one-of-a-kind, world-renowned destination. With its flawlessly produced images, "Yellowstone: A Photographic Journey" is an especially recommended addition to personal, community, and academic library Yellowstone Park and Contemporary Nature Photography collections.


The Christian Studies Shelf

25 Life-Changing Questions from the Gospels
Allan F. Wright
Ave Maria Press
PO Box 428, Notre Dame, IN 46556
www.avemariapress.com
9781594716751 $15.95 pbk / $10.99 Kindle amazon.com

25 Life-Changing Questions from the Gospels: Letting Jesus Lead You through the Stages of Spiritual Growth is a spiritual guide created especially for Catholic readers that uses questions from Scripture as a thought-provoking instructional tool. Inquiries such as "If even the smallest things are beyond your control, why are you anxious about the rest?" and "Why do you notice the splinter in your brother's eye, but do not perceive the wooden beam in your own eye?" are a potential pathway to a deeper understanding of faith and connection with God. 25 Life-Changing Questions from the Gospels is highly recommended for both personal and church library collections.

More Than Enchanting
Jo Saxton
InterVarsity Press
PO Box 1400, Downers Grove, IL 60515-1426
www.ivpress.com
9780830843312, $16.00, PB, 206pp, www.amazon.com

Jo Saxton is a pastor, missional leader, speaker, and author. In "More Than Enchanting: Breaking Through Barriers to Influence Your World" shoe notes that women have always wielded enormous influence, whether in their homes, their jobs, their communities, or their churches. But as women lean into those God-given opportunities, they often experience substantial barriers, whether from other people and systems around them or from their own insecurities and struggles. Saxton has faced her own challenges in her journey of uncovering her leadership potential. But she also knows what can happen in the church and the world when women are empowered and released to maximize their giftedness. If women have ever wondered whether God can use them to have a greater impact in the world, if women have faced challenges in using their gifts for the church, or if women are weary of battling against those who want to quell their voice and ministry passions, then "More Than Enchanting" will prove to be a rewarding, informative, and inspired read -- a welcome source of encouragement, inspiration, and strength to break through the barriers that are keeping them from exerting their full influence for God and his kingdom. Exceptionally well written, organized and presented, "More Than Enchanting" is very highly recommended for personal reading lists, as well as church and seminary library collections.

Eden: The Animals Parable
Keith Korman, author
Lisa Paris, illustrator
Liberty Island Media Group
www.libertyislandmag.com
9781504035101, $11.99, PB, 183pp, www.amazon.com

"Eden: The Animals Parable" by literary agent and novelist Keith Korman is beautifully inspired retelling of the Gospels, in which we see Jesus and his disciples in the Holy Land through the eyes of the animals -- especially his intrepid and loyal dog, Eden. With a wise, old donkey, innocent lambs, and legions of curious field mice, the animals follow their master's journey across Galilee and onto Jerusalem, rapt with awe and wonder and bearing great tidings -- even if they don't fully comprehend the divine events they witness. Simple, clear, and spiritually profound, "Eden: The Animals Parable" is for Christian readers of all ages, and an artful retelling is captivating, moving, and alive with the joy. While highly recommended to all members of the Christian community, regardless of denominational affiliation, it should be noted for personal reading lists that "Eden: The Animals Parable" is also available in a Kindle format ($6.99).

Jesus Stories: Traveling Toward Testimony
H. Stephen Shoemaker
Judson Press
PO Box 851, Valley Forge, PA 19482-0851
www.judsonpress.com
9780817017743, $17.99, PB, 210pp, www.amazon.com

The "historical Jesus", is the figure who lived in first-century CE Galilee as best as Biblical scholarship can reconstruct from available records. Contemporary Christians know the more-than-historical Jesus who is in search of us, alive to us in the Spirit of God. "Jesus Stories: Traveling Toward Testimony" by Stephen Shoemaker (Assistant Professor of Religion at Johnson C. Smith University in Charlotte, NC) is ushers today's disciples of Christ on a journey that moves from history into testimony seeking with respect to the man Jesus in order to embrace the savior we call the Risen Christ. There is history here. There is the Professor Shoemaker's personal testimony as well, a story of faith and experience. And there is an invitation to piece out of that history and story your own testimony, your own story of how you have come to recognize the historic Jesus at work in your life and faith. Exceptionally 'reader friendly' in organization and presentation, "Jesus Stories: Traveling Toward Testimony" is unreservedly recommended to all members of the Christian community.


The Poetry Shelf

The Way Under The Way
Mark Nepo
Sounds True
PO Box 8010, Boulder, CO 80306
www.soundstrue.com
9781622037544, $22.95, HC, 328pp, www.amazon.com

Mark Nepo is a poet and philosopher who has taught in the fields of poetry, health, and spirituality for forty years. In 1987, Mark was diagnosed with a rare form of lymphoma. The heart of that journey and its aftermath has greatly informed his work and his poetry. "The Way Under The Way" is a compendium of 217 of his poetry and his essays that will prove to be a consistently compelling read from first page to last. 'Lesson Plan': The Lost bird remembers how to sing / as it splashes in a puddle / and forgets how to fly. // This was the teacher's answer / to his student's complaints / about living on Earth. -- While very highly recommended for both community and academic library collections, it should be noted for personal reading lists that "The Way Under The Way" is also available in a Kindle format ($11.99).


The Sports Shelf

Strength Training, second edition
Lee E. Brown, Editor
Human Kinetics Publishers, Inc.
PO Box 5076, Champaign, IL 61820-5076
9781492522089, $24.95, www.humankinetics.com

The second updated edition of Strength Training is an authoritative (branded by the National Strength and Conditioning Association) instructional guide to the exercises, equipment, nutritional approaches and routines involved in strength training muscle development, and is written by a team of experts chosen by the NSCA. Chapters consider the different approaches to gaining the rest results in strength training, and go beyond exercise descriptions to tell how to prevent injuries, strengthen the entire body, and improve overall performance through techniques developed by these experts. Charts, references and color photos throughout lend to an excellent survey highly recommended for any sports reference collection in general and for strength trainers in particular.

Hal Trosky: A Baseball Biography
William H. Johnson
McFarland & Company
PO Box 611, Jefferson NC 28640
www.mcfarlandpub.com
9781476666457, $29.95, PB, 184pp, www.amazon.com

Hal Trosky played first base (and was team captain) for the Cleveland Indians during the Great Depression. His career stretched from the heyday of Babe Ruth through the end of World War II. It was a time when the American League had perhaps the three greatest ever first basemen (Lou Gehrig, Jimmie Foxx and Hank Greenberg) whose feats consigned Trosky to the footnotes of history. Yet at his peak he played comparably to other pros, leading the American League in RBIs in 1936. Trosky left baseball at 34, his career cut short by migraine headaches, and was elected to the Indians' All-Time team in 1969. Drawing on family archives and exhaustive research, this first ever biography by William H. Johnson covers his early years in Iowa, his Major League career and his post-baseball life. Exceptionally informative, thoroughly 'reader friendly' in organization and presentation, "Hal Trosky: A Baseball Biography" is an unreservedly recommended addition to community and academic library American Sports Biography collections and American Baseball History supplemental studies reading lists. It should be noted for personal reading lists that "Hal Trosky: A Baseball Biography" is also available in a Kindle format ($17.99).

Tales form the Cincinnati Reds Dugout
Tom Browning with Dann Stupp
Sports Publishing
www.sportspubbooks.com
c/o Skyhorse Publishing, Inc.
307 West 36th Street, 11th Floor, New York, NY 10018
www.skyhorsepublishing.com
9781683580133 $19.99 hc / $17.14 Kindle amazon.com

Former professional baseball pitcher Tom Browning presents Tales form the Cincinnati Reds Dugout: A Collection of the Greatest Reds Stories Ever Told, a true-life sports biography emphasizing his ten years with the Cincinnati Reds (1984-1994). Chapters recount Browning's rise through the ranks of the Red's farm system, his memories of Cincinnati legends such as Lou Piniell and Barry Larkin, his extraordinary perfect game against Los Angeles Dodgers on September 16, 1988, and his role in the Reds' 1990 World Series victory. A handful of black- and-white photographs illustrate this captivating, true-life sports story, highly recommended especially for baseball fans.


The Parenting Shelf

Untying Parent Anxiety
Lisa Sugarman
Familius
1254 Commerce Way, Sanger, CA 93657
www.familius.com
9781944822576, $16.99, PB, 184pp, www.amazon.com

Raising the perfect child is the aspiration of all parents. But the reality is: the perfect child doesn't exist. Yet parents everywhere are putting the full-court press on their kids to be perfect, fixating on raising them to be smarter, faster, more successful, and more popular than their peers. And that's making today's parents and their children crazy. In "Untying Parent Anxiety (Years 5-8): 18 Myths that Have You in Knots - And How to Get Free" by nationally syndicated humor columnist and author Lisa Sugarman reminds us that our kids aren't supposed to be perfect -- and neither are we as their parents. Our kids are going to screw up, make mistakes, and lose their way. And as soon as we embrace the idea that parenthood is not a straight line, we unlock everyone's full potential. Drawing on own her life as the perfectly imperfect mother of two daughters and more than a decade of working in the school system, Sugarman deftly deconstructs some of the biggest myths facing parents and offers advice and strategies to help soothe anxious moms and dads. Cycling through everything from friend drama and separation anxiety to playing nice and emotional development, "Untying Parent Anxiety" is a funny but honest journey through the most common stages of raising kids that reinforces that parenthood is a beautiful, imperfect work in progress. Simply stated, "Untying Parent Anxiety" is a highly recommended addition to personal reading lists of parents with children between the ages of 5 and 8, as well as community library Parenting Skills collections.

Gifts
Edited by Kathryn Lynard
Woodbine House
6510 Bells Mill Road, Bethesda, MD 20817
www.woodbinehouse.com
9781606132760 $21.95 amazon.com

Now republished in a 10th anniversary edition, Gifts: Mothers Reflect on How Children with Down Syndrome Enrich Their Lives is an anthology of uplifting personal testimonies from mothers whose children have Down syndrome. A pre- or post-natal diagnosis of Down syndrome is all too often met with abject horror; Gifts provides a different, positive-focused perspective. "...my baby is not a diagnosis, not a list of her potential woes. She is a beautiful person, full of laughter and grins. There is a world of possibilities laid out before her, and I love exploring those possibilities with her." Gifts is highly recommended for public library collections and the personal reading list of any parent or parent-to-be confronting the possibility of a Down's syndrome diagnosis for their child.


The American History Shelf

The Hello Girls: America's First Women Soldiers
Elizabeth Cobbs
Harvard University Press
79 Garden Street, Cambridge, MA 02138
www.hup.harvard.edu
9780674971479 $29.95 amazon.com

Just as America became involved in World War I, U.S. General John Pershing urged a handful of specially qualified women to volunteer as well. These women were trained experts in the most advanced communications technology of the era - the telephone switchboard. The Hello Girls: America's First Women Soldiers is the story of these women. They were America's first female soldiers, although their struggle for recognition as military veterans was destined to last another sixty years. The Hello Girls is not just a military history; it tells the story of these courageous women in the context of the women's suffrage movement and the communications revolution. Extensive notes and an index round out this superb contribution to public and college library American History collections.

Bold Women in Montana History
Beth Judy
Mountain Press Publishing Company
PO Box 2399, Missoula, MT 59806
www.mountain-press.com
9780878426768 $14.00 amazon.com

The state-by-state "Bold Women" series is designed to be thoroughly accessible to teens and young adults, yet readers of all ages will enjoy their true tales of daring, independent women who shaped history. The sixth book in the series, Bold Women in Montana History presents the stories of Blackfeet warrior Running Eagle; Native American rights champion Elouise Cobell; the bronc-riding Greenough sisters; Jeannette Rankin, America's first congresswoman; and much more. A handful of black-and-white photographs, an index, and a list of suggested websites to visit round out this superb historical anthology, especially recommended for high school and public library American History collections.

100 Days in the Life of Rutherford Hayes
Eric Ebinger
Orange Frazer Press
PO Box 214, Wilmington, OH 45177
9781939710451 $15.99 www.orangefrazer.com

The first of the "100 Days" historical series, 100 Days in the Life of Rutherford Hayes is an eclectic glimpse into the numerous contributions of reformer, three-term governor of Ohio, and 19th President of the United States Rutherford B. Hayes (1822-1893). From his service as a volunteer officer in the Civil War (he was wounded four times, and had five horses shot out from under him); to his work for the causes of equal rights, prison reform, and industrial education for youth; his efforts to reform Civil Service and provide education to former slaves; his establishment of the Ohio State University; and much more, 100 Days in the Life of Rutherford Hayes highlights the enlightened contributions of an American leader. 100 Days in the Life of Rutherford Hayes is especially recommended for public and community library American history collections.


The World History Shelf

An Illustrated Brief History of China
Wang Jian & Fang Xiaoyan
Tuttle Publishing
364 Innovation Drive, North Clarendon, VT 05759-9436
www.tuttlepublishing.com
9781602201569, $19.95, PB, 128pp, www.amazon.com

As a major cradle of human civilization, China has maintained its cohesion and cultural identity for thousands of years. With China's historical evolution as a backdrop, each section comprising "An Illustrated Brief History of China: Culture, Religion, Art, Invention" by Wang Jian and Fang Xiaoyan focuses on the outstanding achievements of the period it covers and clearly sets out the long-established and profound cultural development of the Chinese nation. A profusely and beautifully illustrated Chinese history, this impressively informed and informative study takes the reader on a visual journey of the most brilliant and significant segments of Chinese civilization over the course of five thousand years. Exceptionally well written, organized and presented, "An Illustrated Brief History of China" will prove to be an enduringly popular and appreciated addition to personal, community, and academic library Chinese History collections and supplemental studies reading lists.

Stilwell and Mountbatten in Burma
Jonathan Templin Ritter
University of North Texas Press
1155 Union Circle #311336, Denton, TX 76203-5017
9781574416749 $29.95 hc
9781574416862 $TBA ebook www.untpress.unt.edu

Stilwell and Mountbatten in Burma: Allies at War, 1943-1944 examines the unusually contentious relationship between American General Joseph "Vinegar Joe" Stilwell and British Admiral Lord Louis Mountbatten in the China-Burma-India Theater and the South East Asia Command for a twelve-month period during World War II. Ritter was notoriously anti-British, as Stilwell and Mountbatten in Burma demonstrates with original archival material - yet additional archival refutes the accusation that Stilwell's hatred of the British led him to wastefully sacrifice the lives of his men during the 1944 North Burma Campaign. Appendices, extensive endnotes, an annotated bibliography and an index round out this transfixing, informative, and highly recommended contribution to public and college library world history collections.

Truman, Franco's Spain, and the Cold War
Wayne H. Bowen
University of Missouri Press
113 Heinkel Bldg., 201 S. 7th St., Columbia, MO 65211
www.umsystem.edu/upress
9780826221179 $50.00 amazon.com

Truman, Franco's Spain, and the Cold War is a scholarly analysis of the rocky diplomatic relationship between America and Spain during Truman's presidency (1945-1953). Truman held Francisco Franco's fascist dictatorship in low regard, yet the State Department and the Department of Defense urged President Truman to form an alliance with Spain to gain a strategic advantage in the Cold War. Although an alliance eventually formed in 1953, its long delay was a detriment to U.S. plans for the defense of Europe. Extensive notes, a bibliography, and an index round out this erudite chronicle, highly recommended for public and college library World History collections.


The Civil War Shelf

The Maryland Campaign of September 1862, Volume III
Ezra A. Carman, author
Thomas Clemes, editor
Savas Beatie
PO Box 4527, El Dorado Hills, CA 95762
www.savasbeatie.com
9781611213027 $32.95 hc / $9.99 Kindle amazon.com

The Maryland Campaign of September 1862, Volume III: Shepherdstown Ford and the End of the Campaign is the third and final volume of an in-depth analysis of the Maryland Campaign (also known as the Antietam Campaign) of the American Civil War. Originally authored by Union army officer Ezra Carman (1834-1909), the trilogy has been painstakingly edited by Thomas Clemens, and enriched with the additions of bibliographical and genealogical reference material, a statistical study of casualties, a scholarly analysis of Lincoln's decision to relieve General McClellan of his command, Clemens' executive summary of the entire campaign, and much more. All three volumes of this invaluable primary testimony are highly recommended for public and college library collections. The first two volumes are The Maryland Campaign of September 1862: Volume 1, South Mountain (9781932714814, $37.50 hc / $9.99 Kindle) and The Maryland Campaign of September 1862. Volume II: Antietam (9781611211146, $37.50 hc / $9.99 Kindle).

Determined to Stand and Fight
Ryan T. Quint, author
Foreword by Ted Alexander
Savas Beatie
PO Box 4527, El Dorado Hills, CA 95762
www.savasbeatie.com
c/o Casemate (dist.)
1940 Lawrence Road, Havertown, PA 19083
www.casematepublishers.com
9781611213461 $14.95 pbk / $7.53 Kindle amazon.com

Part of the award-winning "Emerging Civil War" series, Determined to Stand and Fight: The Battle of Monocacy, July 9, 1864 analyzes a critical engagement of the American Civil War. Major General Lew Wallace of the Union prepared a desperate, last-ditch defense on the banks of the Monocacy River to protect the capital of Washington, D.C. Although Wallace ultimately had to retreat, he successfully delayed Lieutenant General Jubal Early for a day, buying precious time for Union reinforcements to arrive. Filled with maps and vintage black-and-white photographs on almost every page, Determined to Stand and Fight details this violent, pivotal battle in depth. Determined to Stand and Fight is highly recommended for historians, lay readers, and public and college library Civil War shelves.


The Metaphysical Studies Shelf

Practical Spellcraft
Leanna Greenaway
Red Wheel/Weiser/Conari
65 Parker Street, Suite 7, Newburyport, MA 01950
www.redwheelweiser.com
9781571747549 $16.95 pbk / $9.99 Kindle amazon.com

Written by practicing witch Leanna Greenaway, Practical Spellcraft: A First Course in Magic is an easy-to-follow introductory guide to the art of Wiccan spellcasting. Chapters discuss the general tools and concepts of spellcasting, as well specific spells for love, money, fertility, and health, and a chapter devoted to crafting one's own spells. Written in full context of the needs of 21st century life, Practical Spellcraft is a welcome contribution to metaphysical studies shelves.


The Social Issues Shelf

How to Kill a City
Peter Moskowitz
Nation Books
c/o Perseus Book Group
250 W. 57th St., Suite 1500, New York, NY 10107
9781568585239 $26.99 www.nationbooks.org

Gentrification is the process by which an influx of affluent residents drives up the value of a city's property. This often has the unfortunate side effect of forcing working-class community residents to move out because they can no longer afford to pay skyrocketing rents or property taxes. How to Kill a City: Gentrification, Inequality, and the Fight for the Neighborhood is a scathing criticism of the negative effects gentrification has had on American cities, with case studies of New Orleans, Detroit, San Francisco, and New York. Attracting wealthy residents to Detroit may seem beneficial at first glance, but when a sizeable portion of Detroit's cash-strapped budget is spent subsidizing its most well-off residents (in the form of tax breaks and other financial incentives) while the poor and working-class struggle to pay astronomically high water bills, something is clearly amiss and unjust. Freelance journalist Peter Moskowitz explores the role that race and class have played in gentrification, and predicts a bleak future if nothing is done to mitigate current trends. What will happen to American society as more and more impoverished people are forced to move to the suburbs, which have fewer social services, no public transportation, and a decided lack of employment opportunities for anyone who can't afford to own a car? Notes and an index round out this persuasive case for more public involvement in city government, a national rent regulation law, and more protection of public lands (among other suggested measures) before America's cities become the primary domain of capital instead of people. Highly recommended.

How Soon is Now?
Daniel Pinchbeck
Watkins Publishing
Angel Business Club
9781780289724, $24.95, www.watkinspublishing.com

How Soon is Now? From Personal Initiation to Global Transformation comes from a radical philosopher who considers the state of humanity today, and its future, and blends research in numerous disciplines to consider the spiritual, political, and social changes on the horizon and why change is needed on a global scale. From the technology that has allowed the human race to make leaping transitions to issues of industrial development, climate change, philosophical and ethical revolutions in morals and values, and more, Daniel Pinchbeck analyzes the roots of transformation, advocates a more ecological awareness about the interconnectedness of the planet and its inhabitants, and proposes a number of changes that are sweeping in nature yet logical and necessary in content. Any reader interested in the processes and possibilities of global transformation must consider the arguments and approaches in this book.


The Economic Studies Shelf

Buddhist Economics
Clair Brown, PhD
Bloomsbury Press
175 Fifth Avenue, Suite 315, New York, NY 10010
9781632863669, $23.00, www.bloomsbury.com

Buddhist Economics: An Enlightened Approach to the Dismal Science comes from an economist at UC Berkeley who also is a practicing Buddhist. The synthesis of her interests forms the foundation for quite a different approach to economics than the usual dry financial style - and is, therefore, reviewed here, in the 'Spirituality Shelf' section, and recommended for its unusual combination of philosophy, spirituality, and economic thinking. 'Buddhist economics' advocates a mindful sense of responsibility and connections to daily life and encourages different forms of financial and social interaction. Chapters show how to use economics to make life more meaningful and, conversely, how to inject meaning into economic savvy. The result hold wide-ranging implications for financial and spiritual readers alike.

Disaster Capitalism
Antony Loewenstein
Verso
20 Jay Street, 10th Floor, Brooklyn, NY 11201-8346
www.versobooks.com
9781784781156, $26.95, HC, 384pp, www.amazon.com

Independent Australian journalist, documentary maker and blogger Antony Loewenstein traveled across the US, Britain, Afghanistan, Pakistan, Haiti, Papua New Guinea and Australia to witness the reality of Disaster Capitalism -- the hidden world of privatized detention centers and militarized private security, formed to protect corporations as they profit from war zones. He visits Britain's immigration detention centers, tours the prison system in the United States, and digs into the underbelly of the companies making a fortune from them. In the pages of "Disaster Capitalism: Making a Killing Out of Catastrophe", Loewenstein reveals the dark history of how large multinational corporations have become more powerful than governments, supported by media and political elites. Extraordinary, compelling, informative, thought-provoking, unsettling, "Disaster Capitalism" is a critically important and highly recommended addition to community and academic library Economics collections and Contemporary Social Issues supplemental studies reading lists. It should be noted for students and non-specialist general readers with an interest in the subject that "Disaster Capitalism" is also available in a paperback edition (9781784781187, $16.95) and in Kindle format ($8.99).


The Literary Studies Shelf

Towards Sherlock Holmes
Stephen Knight
McFarland & Company
PO Box 611, Jefferson NC 28640
www.mcfarlandpub.com
9781476666167, $35.00, PB, 236pp, www.amazon.com

Crime fiction is the literary product of the burgeoning metropolis of the 19th century and features specialists who identify criminals to protect an anxious citizenry. Before detectives came to play the central role, the protagonists tended to be lawyers or other professionals. Major English writers like Gaskell, Dickens and Collins contributed to the genre (Fergus Hume's "The Mystery of a Hansom Cab" was a best-seller in 1887) and American and French authors created new forms. "Towards Sherlock Holmes: A Thematic History of Crime Fiction in the 19th Century World" by Stephen Knight (a Research Professor in English Literature at the University of Melbourne, Australia) deftly explores thematic aspects of 19th century crime fiction's complex history, including various social and gender roles between different time periods and settings, and the imperial elements that made Sherlock Holmes seem dynamically contemporary. An inherently fascinating literary study, "Towards Sherlock Holmes " is impressively informative and a seminal work of outstanding scholarship. Enhanced with ten pages of Notes, an eight page Bibliography, and a five page Index, "Towards Sherlock Holmes" is unreservedly recommended for community and academic library Literary Studies collections. For the personal reading lists of students and non-specialist general readers with an interest in the subject, it should be noted that "Towards Sherlock Holmes" is also available in a Kindle format ($9.99).


The Political Science Shelf

U.S. Foreign Policy and the Other
Michael Patrick Cullinane & David Ryan, editors
Berghahn Books
20 Jay Street, Suite 512, Brooklyn, NY 11201
www.berghahnbooks.com
9781782384397, $120.00, HC, 280pp, www.amazon.com

John Quincy Adams warned Americans not to search abroad for monsters to destroy, yet such figures have frequently habituated the discourses of U.S. foreign policy. Collaboratively compiled and co-edited by Michael Patrick Cullinane ( Reader in U.S. history at Northumbria University, Newcastle upon Tyne in the North East of England) and David Ryan (Professor and Chair of Modern History at University College Cork, Ireland), "U.S. Foreign Policy and the Other" is collection of essays focuses on counter-identities in American consciousness to explain how foreign policies and the discourse surrounding them develop. Whether it is the seemingly ubiquitous evil of Hitler during World War II or the more complicated perceptions of communism throughout the Cold War, these essays illuminate the cultural contexts that constructed rival identities. The essay contributors challenge our understanding of "others", looking at early applications of the concept in the eighteenth century to recent twenty-first century conflicts, establishing how this phenomenon is central to decision making through centuries of conflict. Exceptionally well written, organized and presented, "U.S. Foreign Policy and the Other" is unreservedly recommended for both community and academic library Political Science collections and supplemental studies lists. It should be noted for students and non-specialist general readers with an interest in the subject that "U.S. Foreign Policy and the Other" is also available in a paperback edition (9781785333507, $34.95).

Lobbycratic Governance
Godfrey Harris
The Americas Group
520 South Sepulveda Blvd., Suite 204, Los Angeles, CA 90049-3534
www.americasgroup.com
9780935047868, $24.95, PB, 290pp, www.amazon.com

After the Kennedy assassination, the loss of the Vietnam War, and the Nixon resignation, many disillusioned voters dropped out of active involvement with government. This permitted large corporation backed organizations and multi-millionaire/billionaires to fill the void, aided by term limits and Citizens United, which in turn allowed lobbyists and technocrats to use their legal power and unlimited funds to takeover the machinery of government. With well funded lobbyists and technocrats, supported by their lawyers, controlling government operations, elected politicians on both a state and a federal level have functionally become mere concierges and enablers, not policy makers. Given this state of affairs, voters have effectively lost the ability to influence government through their representatives. But in the pages of "Lobbycratic Governance" by Godrey Harris (who has been a public policy consultant based in Los Angeles, California, since 1968, and began consulting on government affairs after teaching American and comparative government at UCLA and Rutgers) they now have a chance to get that influence back by bringing to the fore a controversial, but effective, electoral technique. Now with the rise of the 'indivisible' political protest movement, "Lobbycratic Governance" will prove to be an invaluable instructional guide for anyone seeking to wrest our political democracy from the corruptive influence and control of Big Money. Simply stated, every community and academic library should have a copy of "Lobbycratic Governance" as part of their Political Science collection.


The Interior Design Shelf

Kelly Hoppen: The Art of Interior Design
Kelly Hoppen
Rizzoli
300 Park Avenue South, 3rd floor, New York, NY 10010
www.rizzoliusa.com
9780847848942, $60.00, HC, 328pp, www.amazon.com

In "Kelly Hoppen: The Art of Interior Design", this South African interior designer draws upon her many years of experience and expertise to offer insightful, practical, inspiring advice on achieving a personal signature style. A profusely and beautifully illustrated do-it-yourself course in home design, "Kelly Hoppen: The Art of Interior Design" is a must for any aspiring home decorator wanting to give their home or apartment a touch of Hoppen's distinctive style that is the perfect combination of luxury and simplicity. In the pages of "Kelly Hoppen: The Art of Interior Design" Hoppen reveals her trade secrets and shares her expert knowledge to ensure that her reader's own decorating projects, however big or small in scale, runs smoothly, stays within budget, and achieves the look that is wanted. In part one of the book, The Groundwork, she advises on basics, setting out the design process and weighing the choices, analyzing space, and working out what to do to improve the ergonomics of a home. She also identifies personal requirements and personal style. In the section Getting Started she looks at each room or key area in the home in detail, offering advice and ideas, highlighting the key issues and fundamental design principles applicable to each space, and providing helpful hints and guidelines on all aspects of decorating and furnishing that room. Ending with an invaluable address book of some of Hoppen's favorite sources, and with space to add the reader's own contacts and recommendations, "Kelly Hoppen: The Art of Interior Design" is an essential companion to any DIY home decorating project. Exceptionally well written and thoroughly 'user friendly' in organization and presentation, "Kelly Hoppen: The Art of Interior Design" is very highly recommended for personal, professional, community, and academic library Interior Design instructional reference collections and supplemental studies reading lists.


The Education Shelf

Take 5! for the Language Arts
Kaye Hagler
Capstone Press
151 Good Counsel Drive, Mankato, MN 56001
www.capstonepub.com
9781496608086 $23.95 pbk / $9.99 Kindle amazon.com

Part of the excellent Take 5! series for professional educators, Take 5! for the Language Arts: Writing that Builds Critical-Thinking Skills is designed to aid instructors of children in grades K- 2 teach the basics of writing and clear-minded reasoning. Packed with mini-lessons, guidelines on the different purposes of writing (informative, narrative, opinion, and descriptive writing), and ready-to-use daily writing prompts (enriched with links and digital resources) that can kick off each classroom day with fun and thought-provoking activities, Take 5! for the Language Arts is a "must-have" for early education teachers. Also highly recommended is Take Five! for Language Arts: 180 Bell-ringers That Build Critical-Thinking Skills (9781937412036, $23.95).

Inspiring Young Minds
Julie Smart
Redleaf Press
10 Yorkton Court, St. Paul, MN 55117-1065
www.redleafpress.org
9781605545189, $29.95, PB, 200pp, www.amazon.com

"Inspiring Young Minds: Scientific Inquiry in the Early Years" by Julie Smart (Professor of Math and Science Education at Clemson University, Clemson, South Carolina) provides educators a concrete guide for using research-based principles of inquiry to help children ages 3 to 8 in exploring their world. Using real-life examples and discussions on facilitating and guiding children, you will be able to engage and maximize STEM learning. "Inspiring Young Minds" uses case studies to focus on the teacher's interaction with children and includes how to use inquiry-based practice, in addition to why you should use this method. Web content and reproducible lesson plans make it easy to begin using proven inquiry-based instruction. Detailed accounts of conversations with children about science will help classroom teachers to understand different methods and tools that will enrich and inspire young minds with inquiry-based instruction. Thoroughly 'user friendly' in organization and presentation, "Inspiring Young Minds" is very highly recommended for academic library Teacher Education collections and supplemental studies reading lists.

Compassionate Critical Thinking
Ira Rabois
Rowman & Littlefield
c/o Rowman & Littlefield Publishing Group
4501 Forbes Blvd., Suite 200, Lanham, MD 20706
www.rowman.com
9781475828818, $44.00, HC, 146pp, www.amazon.com

Teachers can't add any more minutes to a school day, but with mindfulness they can add depth to the moments they do have with students in their classroom. "Compassionate Critical Thinking: How Mindfulness, Creativity, Empathy, and Socratic Questioning Can Transform Teaching by Ira Rabois (recently retired from the Lehman Alternative Community School, a public secondary school in Ithaca, NY, where he taught English, Philosophy, History, Drama, Karate, and Psychology for 27 years) demonstrates how to use mindfulness with instructional effectiveness to increase student participation and decrease classroom stress, and it turns the act of teaching into a transformational practice. Many books teach mindfulness, but few provide a model for teaching critical thinking and integrating it across the curriculum. The purpose of "Compassionate Critical Thinking" is to show teachers how to create a classroom culture of compassionate critical thinking. When students feel a lack of meaning and purpose in their school lives, they resist learning. Using a Socratic style of inquiry, "Compassionate Critical Thinking" changes the classroom dynamic to encourage self-reflection, insight, and empathy. Vignettes capture dialogue between teacher and students to illustrate how mindfulness practices elicit essential questions which stimulate inquiry and direct discovery. What bigger mystery is there, what more interesting and relevant story, than the story of one's own mind and heart and how they relate us to the world? Impressively written, organized and presented, "Compassionate Critical Thinking" is especially recommended for college and university library Teacher Education collections in general, and student teacher supplemental studies reading lists in particular. For the personal reading lists of classroom teachers and school district in-service training curriculums, it should be noted that "Compassionate Critical Thinking" is also available in a paperback edition (9781475828825, $22.00) and in a Kindle format ($13.19).

Bold Moves for Schools
Heidi Hayes Jacobs & Marie Hubley Alcock
ASCD
1703 North Beauregard Street, Alexandria, VA 22311-1714
www.ascd.org
9781416623052, $31.95, PB, 200pp, www.amazon.com

"Bold Moves for Schools: How We Create Remarkable Learning Environments" by the team of Heidi Hayes Jacobs (Founder and President of Curriculum Designers providing professional services to schools, organizations and agencies to create modern learning environments, upgrade curriculum and support teaching strategies to meet the needs of contemporary learners) and Marie Hubley Alcock (President of Learning Systems Associates, an education consulting company, and founder of Tomorrow's Education Network, which is a nonprofit association dedicated to improving literacy development) focuses on how educators can transform old schools into remarkable learning environments. Packed from cover to cover with fresh ideas and action strategies for teachers, leaders, and policy makers, "Bold Moves for Schools" offers a compelling vision from the research and hands-on work of two internationally recognized educators, authors, and thought leaders."Bold Moves for Schools" proposes a new approach to pedagogy as the basis for the bold moves teachers and leaders need to make to engage all learners and prepare them for now and into the future. It examines every aspect of K - 12 education, including teacher roles, curriculum, instruction, and assessment, as well as the physical and virtual learning spaces that engage 21st century teachers and learners. With thought-provoking proposals and practical strategies for change, "Bold Moves for Schools" sets educators on the path of redefining and re-energizing their profession and creating exciting new learning environments that truly work in today's and tomorrow's dynamic environments. Exceptionally and impressively well written, organized and presented, "Bold Moves for Schools" is strongly recommended for school district, college, and university library Teacher Education collections and supplemental studies reading lists.

Barron's AP Biology, sixth edition
Deborah T. Goldberg, M.S.
Barron's
250 Wireless Boulevard, Hauppauge, NY 11788
9781438008684, $18.99, www.barronseduc.com

The sixth updated edition of Barron's AP Biology provides the latest review and practice tests for this exam and pairs these with online support, discussions designed to increase student understanding of basic AP biology ideas, and more. Hundreds of illustrations accompany a powerful study guide that includes definitions, theories, short and long free-response questions, and exercises designed to test knowledge intrinsic to the AP exam.

Becoming a Literacy Leader, second edition
Jennifer Allen
Stenhouse Publishers
480 Congress Street, Portland, ME 04101-3451
9781625310965, $33.33, www.stenhouse.com

The second updated edition of Becoming a Literacy Leader: Supporting Learning and Change provides a revised new edition of her basic work, which detailed the author's move to a new school and job as a literacy specialist which required she put the most basic of teaching environments into place. This revision ten years later reflects new developments in the field of literacy teaching and new ideas she has designed as her profession evolved, and shares with other teachers the basics of both professional development and the process of building a student literacy framework. Chapters include discussion questions of literacy meetings, consider the key components of such processes as literacy intervention rooms, and assess progress and programs with a two-year track record and how data indicates the reading and writing development process. The result goes far beyond the first edition, making this a winner for aspiring literacy teachers who want field-tested assessments of what works and the challenges involved in shaping effective literacy programs.

The Formative 5
Francis (Skip) Fennell, Beth McCord Kobett, Jonathan A. Wray
Corwin Press, Inc.
2455 Teller Road, Thousand Oaks, CA 91320-2218
9781506337500, $30.95, www.corwin.com

K-8 teachers of math will find The Formative 5: Everyday Assessment Techniques for Every Math Classroom offers a range of tasks and assessment techniques that teachers can apply to their daily classroom strategies, and provide insights on how math teachers can use the most effective approaches to make the most out of integrated standards and teaching methods. The book includes templates, a companion website supporting materials with downloadable tools, and a discussion that is based on using formative assessment techniques to build and teach math. The result is a solid collection of teaching methods that will appeal to K-8 instructors.


The Psychology Shelf

The Art and Science of Mindfulness
Shauna L. Shapiro & Linda E. Carlson
American Psychological Association
750 First Street, NE, Washington, DC 20002-4242
www.apa.org/books
9781433804656, $59.95, HC, 194pp, www.amazon.com

Drawing from Buddhist teachings and psychological theory, "The Art and Science of Mindfulness: Integrating Mindfulness Into Psychology and the Helping Professions" by the team of Shauna L. Shapiro (Clinical Psychologist and Professor of Psychology, Santa Clara University, California) and Linda E. Carlson (Enbridge Research Chair in Psychosocial, Department of Psychology, University of Calgary, Alberta, Canada) explores why mindful awareness is integral to the therapeutic healing process and shows clinicians how to connect with this deeper awareness. "The Art and Science of Mindfulness" deftly integrates the art and science of mindfulness to engender greater well-being in both clinicians and their patients. Enhanced for academia with the inclusion of four appendices, a three page list of references, and a three page index, "The Art and Science of Mindfulness" is unreservedly recommended for professional, college, and university library Psychology/Psychiatry collections and supplemental studies reading lists. It should be noted for students and non-specialist general readers with an interest in the subject that "The Art and Science of Mindfulness" is also available in Kindle format ($59.95).

Jessica Kingsley Publishers, Inc.
400 Market Street, Suite 400, Philadelphia, PA 19106
www.jkp.com

Two excellent new titles provide new insights into autism and dementia and are highly recommended acquisitions for health and psychology reference collections. Luke Beardon, PhD and Dean Worton edit Love, Partnership, or Singleton on the Autism Spectrum (9781785922060, $18.95), a collection of real-world stories about love, marriage, and being single that comes from nearly thirty authors on the autism spectrum. They present their own experiences and discuss ways autism affects relationships and romance, and tackles many different areas of concern and insights in a presentation that is especially recommended for young adults and adults with autism and the parents who are raising them. Dr. Shibley Rahman's Enhancing Health and Wellbeing in Dementia: A Person-Centered Integrated Care Approach (9781785920370, $34.95) comes from a dementia researcher who examines the types of integrated care requirements that lend to living with dementia, and goes beyond family support systems to consider technologies, coordinating services, and even spiritual concerns and dying well. Chapters discuss various kinds of therapy, physical approaches including massage, and issues of independence as options and lifestyles become more limited. The result is a powerful survey recommended not just for health collections and professionals, but for families dealing with dementia in a loved one.


The Art Shelf

Sculptural Secrets for Mosaics
Julee Latimer
Scribner
c/o Simon and Schuster
1230 Avenue of the Americas, 14th fl., New York, NY 10020
www.simonsays.com
9780764352447, $19.99, HC, 80pp, www.amazon.com

Julee Latimer is an internationally recognized artist with a full-time studio in Melbourne, Australia. For the past ten years, her practice has revolved exclusively around sculpture for mosaic art. With easy-to-follow guidance and more than 175 photos, her instruction manual and guide will help mosaic artists meet the challenge of creating 3-D substrates. "Sculptural Secrets for Mosaics" explains various approaches to issues ranging from reaching the needed levels of density and strength to applying tesserae to coils, twists, and spheres. Latimer also offers a behind-the-scenes look at her experiences with six of her sculptures, from the starting moments of inspiration to their completion. She demonstrates the techniques on a variety of interior and exterior works, both freestanding and wall mounted. From an undulating wall sculpture's base of chicken wire, plaster bandages, and thinset, to a large outdoor armchair sculpture's base of foam, fiberglass mesh, and concrete, this guide will help to demystify 3-D structures for aspiring sculptors and mosaic artists. Of special note is a gallery section of sculptures to enjoy and study offers additional inspiration to mosaic makers and enthusiasts alike. Profusely illustrated and thoroughly 'user friendly' in organization and presentation, "Sculptural Secrets for Mosaics" is especially recommended for personal, community, technical college, and university library instructional art collections in general, and mosaics creation projects supplemental studies reading lists in particular.

The Animator's Sketchbook
Tony White
CRC Press
6000 NW Broken Sound Parkway NW, Suite 300, Boca Raton, FL 33487
www.crcpress.com
9781498774017, $49.95, PB, 328pp, www.amazon.com

"The Animator's Sketchbook: How to See, Interpret & Draw Like a Master Animator" by British Academy Award-winning animation director, animator, author and educator Tony White will teach students of animation how to improve their work through observation and drawing. "The Animator's Sketchbook" will show readers how to access their inner "animator". With over 60 different gesture and drawing exercises, instruction manual and guide enhances vision, analysis, understanding, and the core skills required to become a master animator. Filled with extensive practice pages, "The Animator's Sketchbook" invites students to demonstrate what they learn. Each individual exercise is timed, so that the skills acquired, are optimized for efficiency and comprehension. The style and technique of the art produced will be entirely up to the reader, thus making no two sketchbooks alike. Comprehensive, practical, and thoroughly 'user friendly' in organization and presentation, "The Animator's Sketchbook" is a 'consumable' and very highly recommended for personal instructional reference collections, and would prove an ideal academic art class animation curriculum textbook.


The Pets/Wildlife Shelf

Innocent Heroes
Sigmund Brouwer
Tundra Books
350 Front Street West, Suite 1400, Toronto, ON, Canada M5V 3B6
9781101918463, $16.99, www.penguinrandomhouse.ca

Innocent Heroes: Stories of Animals in the First World War celebrates the dogs of the era who supported military efforts and is published on the 100th anniversary of Vimy Ridge - but readers of all ages shouldn't expect a nonfiction history. This collection combines fiction and nonfiction as it chronicles both real events and retells stories of bonds between soldiers and their animals, with a special focus on the battle of Vimy Ridge and its significance. Though this book was devised with young adults in mind, plenty an adult reader with affection for either World War I history or animals in the military will find it an absorbing, revealing collection.

Loyal
Rebecca Ascher-Walsh
National Geographic Press
101 West 104th Street, Suite 8, New York, NY 10025
9781426217739, $14.95, www.nationalgeographic.com/books

Loyal: 38 Inspiring Tales of Bravery, Heroism, and the Devotion of Dogs comes from a journalist and dog enthusiast who pairs photos with stories of 'hero dogs' who have worked in the military, as disaster rescuers, and more. Each story is designed to show how a dog changes one's life, and creates a profile of the animal's history, its challenges, and its amazing effects upon people from all walks of life. From a dog able to detect cancer in firemen to a shepherd who was a faithful canine partner on a small-town police force, these are lovely, inspiring stories especially recommended for prior fans of the canine.

Assessing Aggression Thresholds in Dogs
Sue Sternberg
Dogwise Publishing
403 South Mission Street, Wenatchee WA 98801
9781617812033, $19.95, PB, 152pp, www.dogwisepublishing.com

Sue Sternberg has devoted her personal and professional life to helping dogs and people live together happily. Sue is known internationally for developing testing procedures to improve the odds of successful dog adoptions. In "Assessing Aggression Thresholds in Dogs", Sue draws upon her years of experience and expertise to prove new testing and assessment methods for canine shelter workers and both amateur and professional dog trainers! Sue has been developing and refining these assessment techniques for decades to help shelter workers and trainers determine the likelihood that a dog will engage in aggressive behaviors. "Assessing Aggression Thresholds in Dogs" also includes Sue's newest protocols based on the theory that sociability is the key predictor of a dog's potential for aggression. In addition to a number of step-by-step tests for shelter workers to use, Sue has included a section for trainers and behaviorists for use in home visitations to better design training and management programs for their clients. Informed and informative, "Assessing Aggression Thresholds in Dogs" is comprehensive and thoroughly 'user friendly' in both organization and presentation, making it an ideal and highly recommended addition to personal, professional, community, and academic library dog training and behavior instructional reference collections. It should be noted for personal reading lists that "Assessing Aggression Thresholds in Dogs" is also available in a Kindle format (9781617812033, $18.95).


The Library Science Shelf

Library Partnerships With Writers and Poets
Carol Smallwood & Vera Gubnitskaia, editors
McFarland & Company
PO Box 611, Jefferson NC 28640
www.mcfarlandpub.com
9781476665399, $55.00, PB, 248pp, www.amazon.com

Libraries and writers have always had a close working relationship. Rapid advances in technology have not changed the nontechnical basis of that cooperation: author talks, book signings and readings are as popular as ever, as are workshops and festivals. Compiled and edited by the team of Carol Smallwood (a recipient of multiple Pushcart nominations, and the author of journal articles, as well as editor of numerous books, including one in Poets & Writers Magazine List of Best Books for Writers) and Vera Gubnitskaia (a reference librarian at Valencia College, Winter Park, Florida, who has worked in public and academic libraries in Russia and the United States, and has given talks at Florida Library Association and Florida Literacy conferences), "Library Partnerships With Writers and Poets: Case Studies" is compendium of 29 new essays from nearly 50 contributors from across the United States presents a variety of projects, programs and services to help librarians establish relationships with the literary world, promote literature to the public and foster creativity in their communities. Exceptionally well organized and presented, "Library Partnerships With Writers and Poets" is unreservedly recommended for college and university Library Science collections and supplemental studies reading lists. It should be noted for the personal reading lists of students, community librarians, published authors and non-specialist general readers with an interest in the subject that "Library Partnerships With Writers and Poets" is also available in a Kindle format ($29.99).

The Good, the Great, and the Unfriendly
Sally Gardner Reed
ALA Editions
c/o American Library Association
50 East Huron Street, Chicago, IL 60611
www.alastore.ala.org
9780838914984, $57.00, PB, 168pp, www.amazon.com

Simply stated, Friends of the Library groups are fundamental to the success of any and all community libraries. Executive Director of United for Libraries and former Executive Director of Friends of Libraries U.S.A., Sally Gardner Reed has decades of experience liaising between Friends groups and the libraries that they support, serve, and (sometimes) exasperate. In "The Good, the Great, and the Unfriendly: A Librarian's Guide to Working with Friends Groups" she cuts to chase of building and maintaining these important relationships, showing not only how to effectively harness Friends' goodwill and enthusiasm but also sharing tactful techniques for steering an ineffective or unfriendly group down the right path. Her pragmatic approach will resonate with public and academic library directors, volunteer coordinators, and other library staff who work with Friends. Written with knowing humor and focused on getting positive results, "The Good, the Great, and the Unfriendly" provides guidance for developing a Friends group for public and academic libraries; explains how to merge a Friends group with a foundation; gives pointers on encouraging Friends to attract new and active members, working with the Friends board to develop leadership skills, and other crucial partnership strategies; addresses the sticky situation of "unfriendly" Friends, with sage advice on handling Friends who seem unmotivated when it comes to fundraising or advocacy, are uncommunicative, overstep their bounds, and other difficult issues; and shares fundraising, advocacy, programs, and membership development best practices from Friends groups across the country. Tailored specifically to librarians' perspective, "The Good, the Great, and the Unfriendly" will inform and empower libraries to work effectively with Friends groups for greater fundraising, engagement, and advocacy outcomes. An absolutely vital addition to the Library Science college and university collections, as well as the instructional reference collections of all community and academic librarians, "The Good, the Great, and the Unfriendly" would make an especially appropriate and invaluable librarian in-house workshop curriculum supplement.


The Jewelry Shelf

Flora: The Art of Jewelry
Patrick Mauries & Evelyne Posseme
Thames & Hudson, Inc.
500 Fifth Avenue, New York, NY 10110-0017
www.thamesandhudsonusa.com
9780500519424, $24.95, HC, 128pp, www.amazon.com

For many centuries, flowers have provided a source of inspiration for jewelers. The sumptuous selection of floral pieces showcased in the pages of "Flora: The Art of Jewelry" have all been selected from the magnificent jewelry collection of the Musee des Arts Decoratifs in Paris, and range from the seventeenth century to the present day. In the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries, flowers were imitated in enamel or used as motifs for elaborate bodice ornaments made of gemstones. Brooches, pendants, and rings took the form of bouquets or flower baskets. The stylized blooms of the Empire style were followed by the highly naturalistic blossoms of the later nineteenth century. Flowers continued to flourish in the sinuous shapes of Art Nouveau, the geometric designs of Art Deco, and the sculptural simplicity of modernism, with great artists including Rene Lalique and Georges Fouquet constantly reworking nature's forms for their style-conscious clientele. Now, contemporary designers such as Claude Lalanne, Lorenz Baumer, and JAR continue to create floral jewelry for today's trend setters. Enhanced with 112 beautifully photographed illustrations of simply elegant pieces of flower themed jewelry selected by Evelyne Posseme (Chief Curator at the Musse des Arts Decoratifs in Paris, France) with articulate descriptive commentaries by author and fashion expert Patrick Mauries, "Flora: The Art of Jewelry" is exceptionally well organized and presented, making it unreservedly recommended for the personal reading lists of professional jewelry makers and non-specialist general readers with an interest in the subject, as well as both community and academic library Art History collections in general, and 17th-18th Century Jewelry Making supplemental studies reading lists in particular.


The Health/Medicine Shelf

Abuse and Violence Information for Teens, second edition
Keith Jones
Omnigraphics, Inc.
155 W. Congress, Suite 200, Detroit, MI 48226
www.omnigraphics.com
9780780814561, $69.00, HC, 340pp, www.amazon.com

Now in a fully updated and expanded second edition, "Abuse And Violence Information For Teens" is a comprehensive work that discusses contributing factors and warning signs for the most commonly experienced types of abuse and violence toward adolescents and young adults. Facts about seeking medical care and mental health services for the physical and emotional consequences are also included. A section on prevention and safety suggests ways teens can help prevent violence and offers guidelines for staying out of harm's way. In addition, information about victims' rights is provided, and "Abuse and Violence Information for Teens" concludes with a resource section featuring statistical data, directories of organizations and agencies able to offer assistance, and suggestions for additional reading. This new edition of "Abuse and Violence Information for Teens" is critically important and core addition to community, college, and university library collections.

Tobacco Information for Teens, third edition
Keith Jones
Omnigraphics, Inc.
155 W. Congress, Suite 200, Detroit, MI 48226
www.omnigraphics.com
9780780813878, $69.00, HC, 376pp, www.amazon.com

A critically important and impressively comprehensive reference which is now in a newly updated and significantly expanded third edition, "Tobacco Information For Teens" offers updated information about the health consequences associated with smoking and other forms of tobacco use. It explains some of the cultural influences that can make tobacco use seem attractive and how teen curiosity can lead to nicotine-related problems. The various methods by which nicotine is consumed, including different types of cigarettes, cigars, hookah pipes, smokeless products, and even secondhand smoke, are explained. A section on cancers associated with tobacco describes the organs most commonly affected. A section on other health concerns related to tobacco use discusses some of the most common smoking-related diseases, including those that impact the heart, lungs, circulatory system, eyes, and sex organs. For teens who want to stop smoking (or seek to help a friend or family member quit) facts about smoking cessation are included along with tips for dealing with the effects of nicotine withdrawal. Simply stated, no community, college, or university library Health/Medicine collection should be without a copy of this new edition of "Tobacco Information for Teens".

Diet Information for Teens, fourth edition
Keith Jones
Omnigraphics, Inc.
155 W. Congress, Suite 200, Detroit, MI 48226
www.omnigraphics.com
9780780813861, $69.00, HC, 392pp, www.amazon.com

With the rising rates of juvenile diabetes, with the chronic struggle against adolescent bulimia and anorexia, this newly updated and expanded fourth edition of "Diet Information For Teens" provides updated information about healthy eating patterns and making smart dietary choices, including facts from the recently released Dietary Guidelines for Americans and the MyPlate food guidance system. The book discusses the essential components of a well-constructed diet and explains how major food groups - such as grains, vegetables, fruits, and protein foods - play an important role in providing the vitamins and minerals needed to maintain good health. Dietary elements that may need to be limited, such as caffeine, sugar, fat, and salt, are also discussed along with tips for reducing screen time, staying active, and addressing weight-related concerns. A special section on eating and disease provides information about foodborne illness, eating disorders, and disorders where dietary choices are an essential part of disease management procedures. The book concludes with cooking tips and directories of resources for dietary and fitness information. Thoroughly 'reader friendly' in organization and presentation, "Diet Information for Teens" is an unreservedly recommended addition to community, college, and university library Health/Medicine instructional reference collections.


The Language Studies Shelf

Talking Back, Talking Black
John McWhorter
Bellevue Literary Press
c/o NYU School of Medicine
550 First Ave., OBV A612, New York, NY 10016
www.blpress.org
9781942658207 $19.99 hc / $10.27 Kindle amazon.com

Talking Back, Talking Black is a scholarly, in-depth analysis of Black English - its form, structure, development, and history, in full context of the cultural, educational, and political issues that have worked against the study of Black English as a dialect in its own right. Linguistics and Western Civilization instructor John McWhorter applies his expertise this fascinating study of the elements that distinguish Black English. Talking Back, Talking Black is especially recommended for college library Language Studies collections.


The Nautical Shelf

Tin Can Titans
John Wukovits
Da Capo Press
c/o Perseus Book Group
250 W. 57th St., Suite 1500, New York, NY 10107
9780306824302 $28.00 / $18.99 Kindle amazon.com

Military historian John Wukovits presents Tin Can Titans: The Heroic Men and Ships of World War II's Most Decorated Navy Destroyer Squadron, a detailed accounting of the officers and sailors whose efforts made Destroyer Squadron 21 (Desron 21) the most acclaimed of the war. Desron 21's success came at a high cost. Of twelve destroyers, only three survived bombing raids, torpedoes, and kamikaze attacks; 372 crewmembers lost their lives, and many more were wounded. Tin Can Titans draws on diaries and letters of crew members and personal interviews with Desron 21 survivors, revealing the naval aspect of the Pacific war through the eyes and ears of those who fought it. Highly recommended, especially for public and college library nautical and military history collections.


The Agriculture Shelf

Postharvest, sixth edition
Ron Wills and John Golding
CABI
745 Atlantic Avenue, 8th Floor, Boston, MA 02111
www.cabi.org
9781786391483 $75.00 amazon.com

Postharvest: An Introduction to the Physiology and Handling of Fruit and Vegetables is the definitive, scholarly, instructional textbook addressing critical concepts and practical technologies pertinent to handling harvested produce and slowing decay as much as possible. Enhanced with an index for ease of use, Postharvest covers issues of packaging, transport, temperature management, the control of pests and diseases, and more. Now in an updated sixth edition with new information the impact of convenience marketing of fresh-cut produce, sustainability in pest control systems, a discussion of "superfoods" and other topics, Postharvest is a definitive agricultural text. Postharvest is a "must-have" for college library agricultural studies collections, highly recommended.


The Environmental Studies Shelf

Atomic Geography
Melvin R. Adams
Washington State University Press
PO Box 645910, Pullman, WA 99164-5910
www.wsupress.wsu.edu
9780874223415 $22.95 amazon.com

Award-winning author Melvin Adams presents Atomic Geography: A Personal History of the Hanford Nuclear Reservation, a serious-minded reflection on the immense effort that has been put into cleaning up the contamination of Hanford Nuclear Reservation, also known as the Hanford Site. Hanford was home to the first full-scale plutonium production reactor in the world, and today it is the most contaminated nuclear site in the United States. Yet Hanford is also a wildlife refuge, and home to some plant and animal species found nowhere else in the world. A handful of black-and-white and color photographs, a glossary, a list of references, and an index enrich this testimony of an extremely difficult environmental restoration task that is still ongoing today. Highly recommended, especially for public and college library environmental studies collections.


The Architecture Shelf

Giraffes, Telegraphs And Hero Of Alexandria
Sabine Mueller & Andreas Quednau, editors
Ruby Press
www.ruby-press.com
9783944074139, $50.00, PB, 430pp, www.amazon.com

Architects Sabine Mueller and Andreas Quednau of the German architectural firm SMAQ approach design through the use of narrative, telling stories about their projects contexts in order to accommodate the diverse and conflicting scales of contemporary urbanity. This monograph presents a selection of SMAQ projects in a way that brings this narrative quality to the fore. Interweaving short stories, project drawings, and photographs shed light on how design solutions gradually evolved out of the process, while three linked essays explain the guiding principles behind the firm's work, intriguingly named Giraffe, Telegraph, and Hero of Alexandria. A profusely illustrated volume that will be of particular and special interest to architectural students and practitioners, "Giraffes, Telegraphs And Hero Of Alexandria: Urban Design By Narration" is an especially and unreservedly recommended addition to professional, college, and university library Architectural Design collections in general, and supplemental studies reading lists in particular.


The Beer/Wine/Spirits Shelf

Rum: The Manual
Dave Broom
Mitchell Beazley
c/o Octopus Publishing
236 Park Avenue, New York NY 10017
9781845339623, $19.99, www.octopuspublishing.com

Rum: The Manual joins other books on the topic of rum, offering a third volume in Dave Broom's Manual series and offering an in-depth examination of the history and styles of rum and how to drink it. The idea is not to provide recipes, but insights into how various kinds of rum may be best appreciated. Chapters include tasting notes for over 100 different rums, considers how rum can best be incorporated into different drinks, and lends many insights into its various flavors and applications. Any fan of rum - especially newcomers who would gain a special appreciation for its history and applications - will find this a warm, lively consideration.


The Self-Help Shelf

Fierce Optimism
Leeza Gibbons
Dey Street
c/o HarperCollins Publishers
10 East 53rd Street, New York, NY 10022-5299
9780062432537, $15.99, www.harpercollins.com

Fierce Optimism: Seven Secrets for Playing Nice and Winning Big comes from a former TV host of Entertainment Tonight who outlines her basic tenants for a life well lived: ones which have successfully shaped her career and built a strong platform of conviction and high performance. Fierce Optimism is about how to navigate a life filled with obstacles to such success, and tells how to handle business, personal, and political challenges. These assume the form of stories of situations she's personally dealt with, and provide many powerful, personal lessons about resilience in the face of disappointment and confrontation. Any who would develop a positive perspective in life needs this blend of lesson plan and autobiography.


The Automotive Shelf

CarTech Inc.
838 Lake Street South, Forest Lake, MN 55025
www.cartechbooks.com

Two books by Pat Ganahl about hot rod history are companion volumes that together provide an in-depth survey of hot rodding to delight prior enthusiasts of the subject, but their greatest achievement lies not just in compiling a history, but in packing vintage black and white and contemporary color photos into their productions. Hot Rod Gallery: A Nostalgic Look at Hot Rodding's Golden Years: 1930-1960 (9781613252826, $34.95) selects images from a large collection of vintage photos the author has been gathering for decades, using them to tell the story of hot rodding's early years, its evolution, and how the custom car movement began and evolved from the 1920s through the 1950s. Even avid fans may not have seen many of these photos, making this book a 'must' for seasoned enthusiasts and newcomers alike. The companion Hot Rod Gallery II: More Great Photos and Stories from Hot Rodding's Golden Years (9781613252819, $39.95) continues the format and style of the first book but follows through with more images from the author's extensive personal collection. After the choice images from the first book, it's hard to realize that there would be even more rare images, but only some 350 were chosen for the first book from some 30-40K images in the archive, which the author has collected for over forty years. Given the extent of this collection, it should be no surprise that Hot Rod Gallery II is just as, if not more, compelling than the first book - and that the possibility exists for even more books.


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Diane C. Donovan, Editor
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