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Reviewer's Choice
Women's Entrepreneurship Policy: A Global Perspective
Colette Henry, et al.
Edward Elgar Publishing
9 Dewey Court, Northampton, MA 01060-3815
www.e-elgar.com
9781800374645, $145.00 HC / $40.00 ebook, 266pp
https://www.e-elgar.com/shop/usd/women-s-entrepreneurship-policy-9781800374645.html
Synopsis: Collaboratively compiled and co-edited by the team of Colette Henry (Adjunct Professor, Griffith University,
Australia), Susan Coleman (Professor Emerita, University of Hartford, US), and Kate V. Lewis (Reader, Newcastle
University, UK), "Women's Entrepreneurship Policy: A Global Perspective" is comprised of contributions from members of
the Global Women's Entrepreneurship Policy Research Network that explores and critiques contemporary policy
instruments while also pointing toward potential policy solutions.
Individual chapters aim to deepen understanding of women's entrepreneurship policy and raise awareness among policy
makers, programme managers and academics of the dangers associated with gender-blind entrepreneurship policies.
"Women's Entrepreneurship Policy: A Global Perspective" then concludes that 'one size fits all' policies that ignore the
gender dimension do not support women entrepreneurs effectively.
Research-based and international in approach, "Women's Entrepreneurship Policy: A Global Perspective" will be a useful
guide for academics and advanced students in the areas of entrepreneurship, gender and management, diversity and
management, and international business. It will also be beneficial for policy makers and those involved in designing and
delivering women's entrepreneurship programs.
Critique: Informatively enhanced for the readers with the inclusion of illustrations, tables, a listing of the contributors and
their credentials, and a sixty-nine page index, "Women's Entrepreneurship Policy: A Global Perspective" is an impressively
seminal work that is a particularly and unreservedly recommended addition to personal, professional, corporate, and
academic library Contemporary Women's Business & Entrepreneurship collections and supplemental MBS curriculum
studies lists. It should be noted that "Women's Entrepreneurship Policy: A Global Perspective" is also available from
Edward Elgar Publishing in a digital book format ($40.00).
100 Things to Do in Wisconsin Before You Die
Dannelle Gay
Reedy Press
PO Box 5131, St. Louis, MO 63139
www.reedypress.com
9781681064192, $22.50, PB, 192pp
https://www.amazon.com/100-Things-Wisconsin-Before-You/dp/1681064197
Synopsis: Known as the Dairy State, Wisconsin is world famous for its cheese, beer, brats, and so much more. With the
publication of "100 Things to Do in Wisconsin Before You Die", Wisconsin author Dannelle Gay has produced a
comprehensive guide to all the must-see, must-taste, and must-do activities with suggestions and ideas for the whole
family.
Readers are encouraged to don their foam cheese hat and feel the thrill of a whole state full of die-hard sports fans and Go
Packers! Experience breathtaking nature along miles of sandy beaches and take in the fresh air while hiking or biking
through one of Wisconsin's 66 state parks. Enjoy a leisurely dinner at a supper club -- a true and distinctive Wisconsin
experience.
Moreover, they can eat farm to fork in a state that boasts an amazing and diverse agricultural history that covers everything
from cranberries to goats. Sleep on a submarine or ride the only Zephyr shovel nose steamer train available in the world.
Learn about experimental aircraft in OshKosh or check out one of the dozens of living history museums like Old World
Wisconsin or Heritage Hill in Green Bay.
From outdoor activities to family fun, there's something for everyone in Wisconsin in a DIY guidebook filled with insider's
tips and itineraries for every season.
Critique: Exceptionally well organized and presented, "100 Things to Do in Wisconsin Before You Die" is an excellent and
recommended resource for planning day trips, weekend adventures, and holiday itineraries for both the native born and the
tourist visitor alike! Enhanced for the reader with the inclusion of a section of full color photography, "100 Things to Do in
Wisconsin Before You Die" is an ideal and essential addition to personal, professional, community, and academic library
Wisconsin Travel Guide collections.
Editorial Note: Dannelle Gay (https://www.facebook.com/dannelle.gay) is a Wisconsin native who has been writing about
travel for over a decade under the moniker The Traveling Cheesehead. As a professional chef who had her own restaurant,
she loves discovering different locations through their unique food. She helps others live a champagne life on a beer budget
and thinks travel should be a huge part of that. She hopes that "100 Things to Do in Wisconsin Before You Die" for
Wisconsin residents and visitors is a useful guide that helps them do just that.
Four Battlegrounds
Paul Scharre
W.W. Norton
500 Fifth Avenue New York, New York 10110
www.wwnorton.com
9780393866865, $32.50
https://www.amazon.com/Four-Battlegrounds-Power-Artificial-Intelligence/dp/0393866866
Four Battlegrounds: Power in the Age of Artificial Intelligence goes beyond the usual consideration of AI potentials and
threats to consider the underlying battle to control it which has already pitted nations against one another. It comes from a
defense expert whose position lends to an in-depth coverage of the political maneuverings and possibilities of those who
would harness AI for their own purposes, providing a framework for understanding both these rivalries and their impact on
political structures, from democratic processes to totalitarian regimes. AI is already shifting power dynamics at all levels of
society; often quite unconsciously to ordinary consumers and citizens. This is why a thorough grounding in Four
Battlegrounds is so necessary in order for everyone to understand the lines being drawn, the stakes in winning this battle,
and the intersection of AI and technology with human interests.
The Writing/Publishing Shelf
The Frugal Editor, third edition
Carolyn Howard-Johnson
Modern History Press
www.ModernHistoryPress.com
9781615996018, $41.95, HC, 296pp
https://www.amazon.com/Frugal-Editor-Do-Yourself-Secrets/dp/161599601X
Synopsis: Whether you are a new or experienced author, this updated and expanded third edition of "The Frugal Editor:
Do-It-Yourself Editing Secrets-From Your Query Letters to Final Manuscript to the Marketing of Your New Bestseller" by
veteran author, editor and book marketer Carolyn Howard-Johnson will dramatically assist aspiring and experienced authors
to present whistle-clean copy from a one-page cover letter to their entire manuscript in ways that will convince those with
the power to say "yea" or "nay" to their book.
This third edition of "The Frugal Editor", is part of Carolyn's multi award-winning HowToDoItFrugally Series of Books for
writers and has been awarded accolades from Reader Views Literary Award, Dan Poynter's Global Ebook Award, the
coveted Irwin Award, and many others. This fully updated edition includes the new help you need from managing gender
pronouns to maximizing the usefulness of front and back matter. Altogether, "The Frugal Editor" now provides 50% more
information designed for the success of an author's title.
Critique: Speaking as the editor-in-chief of the Midwest Book Review, one of the most common problems that self-
published authors exhibit is a lack of much needed editing with respect to the books they present for me review and for sale
to libraries and the general public.
While this newly revised and expanded third edition of "The Frugal Editor: Do-It-Yourself Editing Secrets-From Your
Query Letters to Final Manuscript to the Marketing of Your New Bestseller" should be considered as mandatory reading for
beginners, and even the more experienced authors will benefit substantially from the experience, expertise, wit and hard
earned wisdom of writing and publishing expert Carolyn Howard-Johnson.
While also available for personal reading lists in a paperback edition (9781615996001, $26.95) and in a digital book format
(Kindle, $8.95), "The Frugal Editor" is a seminal and unreservedly recommended addition to professional, community, and
academic library Writing/Publishing instructional reference collections and supplemental Writing/Publishing Workshop
curriculum studies lists
Editorial Note: Carolyn Howard-Johnson (www.HowToDoItFrugally.com) was the youngest person ever hired as a staff
writer for The Salt Lake Tribune where she wrote features for the society page and a column under the name of Debra Paige.
That gave her insight into the needs of editors, the very people authors must work with to get free ink and the ones likely to
spot unprofessional editing when they see it. Being familiar with the way news is handled helps her see how different books
fit into different news cycles.
Later in New York, she was an editorial assistant at Good Housekeeping Magazine. In the Big Apple she also handled
accounts for fashion publicist Eleanor Lambert who instituted the first Ten Best Dressed List. There she started writing
media releases (then called press releases) for celebrity designers of the day including Pauline Trigere, Rudy Gernreich, and
Christian Dior instead of being one of those dreaded gatekeepers of releases who get to say yay or nay.
Carolyn has worked as columnist, reviewer, and staff writer for the Pasadena Star-News, Home Decor Buyer, the Glendale
News-Press (an affiliate of the LA Times), and others. She learned marketing skills both in college (University of Utah, and
University of Southern California) and as founder and operator of a chain of retail stores. That molded her understanding of
how authors might best collaborate with retailers to affect both of their bottom lines. Carolyn's experience in journalism and
as a poet and author of fiction and nonfiction helped the multi award-winning author understand how different marketing
techniques might be used for each genre.
She was an instructor for UCLA Extension's renowned Writers' Program for nearly a decade and earned an instructor's
certificate from that school. She studied writing at Cambridge University, United Kingdom; Herzen University in St.
Petersburg, Russia; and Charles University in Prague.
Carolyn turned her knowledge toward helping other writers with her HowToDoItFrugally series of books for writers. Her
marketing campaign for the first edition of this book won Reader Views Award, USA Book News Award, and the
marketing campaign for it won the Next Generation Indie Award for marketing.
The Social Issues Shelf
Courts of Law Not Courts of Justice: Why Justice is Hard to Find in America
Eric D. Oberer
https://ericoberer.com
Atmosphere Press
www.atmospherepress.com
9781639887620, $28.99 Hardcover/$18.99 Paper
https://www.amazon.com/Courts-Law-Not-Justice-America/dp/1639887628
Unlike most critiques of America's judicial system, Courts of Law Not Courts of Justice: Why Justice is Hard to Find in
America does not assume a one-sided approach, but considers the problem of justice from a variety of viewpoints. It
provides a huge service to law readers in exposing an array of opinions, precedents, and analyses from both sides of the
legal bench, serving as a starting point of information for broader discussions about equity in judicial proceedings.
Eric D. Oberer comes not just from the usual worlds of academia or law, but spent much of his childhood in high-crime
White and African-American neighborhoods. This lent his pursuit of legal work (as a "guns, drugs, and violent crimes"
prosecutor in Baltimore) a special connection to street crime scenarios that allowed him to apply ideals of fundamental civil
rights to scenarios of crime, punishment, redemption, and innocence. The history of America's legal system and the
evolution of the modern urban criminal justice system's processes and patterns are nicely covered.
The survey probes definitions of evidence, reviews criminal investigations proceedings both within the court system and
before and after its processes, and analyzes how miscarriages of justice are perceived and committed. Especially
thought-provoking are connections between policing and racial perception which give rise to bigger pictures of social issues
embedded in and reflected by criminal justice system operations. Footnoted references from the legal world accompany
examples of court decisions, methods for generating arrests, and the limiting choices faced by the justice system in general
and Baltimore City in particular: "Baltimore City could arguably move many more cases through the system if it hired more
judges and court employees and built a new courthouse. But can you really bring thousands of citizens in each day for jury
duty?"
That Courts of Law Not Courts of Justice proves as accessible to non-legal readers of social issues as it will to those
studying criminal law and justice translates to a primer that should be in all kinds of collections, from law libraries and
college student holdings to general-interest public libraries seeing patron interest in social and racial issues. Oberer's history,
filled with case histories, commentary, and connections between past and present American judicial evolutionary processes,
is a powerful consideration of what the definition of how the ideal of "Equal Justice Under Law" actually translates in
modern American society. It's highly recommended reading for anyone either entering the justice system professionally or
looking at its results from the outside.
The Environmental Studies Shelf
Humanity's Moment
Joelle Gergis
Island Press
2000 M St NW Suite 650, Washington, DC 20036
www.islandpress.org
9781642832846, $30.00, HC, 336pp
https://www.amazon.com/Humanitys-Moment-Climate-Scientists-Case/dp/1642832847
Synopsis: When climate scientist Joelle Gergis set to work on the United Nations' Intergovernmental Panel on Climate
Change (IPCC) Sixth Assessment Report, the research she encountered kept her up at night. Through countless hours spent
with the world's top environmental scientists to piece together the latest global assessment of climate change, she realized
that the impacts were occurring faster than anyone had predicted.
With the publication of "Humanity's Moment: A Climate Scientist's Case for Hope ", Dr. Gergis takes us through the
science in the IPCC report with unflinching honesty, explaining what it means for our future, while sharing her personal
reflections on bearing witness to the heartbreak of the climate emergency unfolding in real time. But this is not a lament for
a lost world. It is an inspiring reminder that human history is an endless tug-of-war for social justice. We are each a part of
an eternal evolutionary force that can transform our world.
Dr. Gergis shows us that the solutions we need to live sustainably already exist -- we just need the social movement and
political will to create a better world. Basically, "Humanity's Moment" is a climate scientist's guide to rekindling hope, and a
call to action to restore our relationship with ourselves, each other, and our planet.
Critique: A timely and relevant study as our human community on planet Earth continues with activities that accelerate
climate change with disastrous consequences world wide, "Humanity's Moment: A Climate Scientist's Case for Hope" offers
a justified optimism that we can succeed in mitigating the consequences and impact of our all-to-rapidly changing climate.
Exceptionally well written, organized and presented, "Humanity's Moment: A Climate Scientist's Case for Hope" is a sorely
needed and unreservedly recommended addition to personal, professional, community, corporate, governmental, and
academic library Environmental Studies collections and supplemental curriculum studies lists. It should be noted for
students, academia, environmental activists, government policy makers, corporate executives, and non-specialist general
readers with an interest in the subject that "Humanity's Moment: A Climate Scientist's Case for Hope" is also available in a
digital book format (Kindle, $22.49)
Editorial Note: Dr. Joelle Gergis (https://www.joellegergis.com) is an award-winning climate scientist and writer at the
Australian National University. She served as a lead author for the IPCC Sixth Assessment Report and is the author of
"Sunburnt Country: The History and Future of Climate Change in Australia".
Toxic Timescapes
Simone M. Muller, editor
Mary-Brith Ohman Nielsen, editor
Ohio University Press
215 Columbus Road, Suite 101, Athens, OH 45701
www.ohioswallow.com
9780821425039, $64.00, HC, 388pp
https://www.ohioswallow.com/book/Toxic+Timescapes
Synopsis: While toxicity and pollution are ever present in modern daily life, politicians, juridical systems, media outlets,
scholars, and the public alike show great difficulty in detecting, defining, monitoring, or generally coming to terms with
them. Collaboratively compiled and co-edited by Simone M. Muller and Mary-Brith Ohman Nielsen, the contributors to
"Toxic Timescapes: Examining Toxicity across Time and Space" argue that the source of this difficulty lies in the struggle
to make sense of the intersecting temporal and spatial scales working on the human and more-than-human body, while
continuing to acknowledge race, class, and gender in terms of global environmental justice and social inequality.
The term 'toxic timescapes' refers to this intricate intersectionality of time, space, and bodies in relation to toxic exposure.
As a tool of analysis, it unpacks linear understandings of time and explores how harmful substances permeate temporal and
physical space as both event and process. It equips scholars with new ways of creating data and conceptualizing the past,
present, and future presence and possible effects of harmful substances and provides a theoretical framework for new
environmental narratives. To think in terms of toxic timescapes is to radically shift our understanding of toxicants in the
complex web of life.
Toxicity, pollution, and modes of exposure are never static; therefore, dose, timing, velocity, mixture, frequency, and
chronology matter as much as the geographic location and societal position of those exposed. Together, these factors create
a specific toxic timescape that lies at the heart of each contributor's narrative. With the publication of "Toxic Timescapes:
Examining Toxicity across Time and Space", erudite contributors from the disciplines of history, human geography, science
and technology studies, philosophy, and political ecology come together to demonstrate the complex reality of a toxic
existence. Their case studies span the globe as they observe the intersection of multiple times and spaces at such diverse
locations as former battlefields in Vietnam, aging nuclear-weapon storage facilities in Greenland, waste deposits in southern
Italy, chemical facilities along the Gulf of Mexico, and coral-breeding laboratories across the world.
Critique: Informatively enhanced for the reader with a six page listing of the contributors and their credentials, as well as a
seven page Index, "Toxic Timescapes: Examining Toxicity across Time and Space" is a seminal and unreservedly
recommend addition to personal, professional, community, college, and university library Environmental Studies collections
and supplemental curriculum Historical/Human Geography studies lists. It should be noted for students, academia,
environmental activists, governmental policy makers, and non-specialist general readers with an interest in the subject that
"Toxic Timescapes: Examining Toxicity across Time and Space" is also available in a paperback edition (9780821425046,
$36.95) and in a digital book format ($0.99).
Editorial Note #1: Simone M. M ler is Heisenberg Professor for Global Environmental History and Environmental
Humanities at the University of Augsburg Germany. As a historian and environmental humanities scholar, she works at the
intersection of globalization processes, discards, and environmental justice. She has a Rachel Carsen Center website at:
https://www.carsoncenter.uni-muenchen.de/staff_fellows/programs-and-projects/mueller_simone1/index.html
Editorial Note #2: May-Brith Ohman Nielsen (https://www.uia.no/kk/profil/mayon) is a professor of history and history
didactics at the University of Agder and project leader of the research group "Deadly Dreams: The Cultural History of
Poison, 1850 - 2020." Her work in environmental history and environmental humanities focuses on pesticides in social,
generational, and historical contexts. Her other research areas include the history of epidemics, everyday life, and
ideologies.
The Devil's Element
Dan Egan
W.W. Norton
500 Fifth Avenue New York, New York 10110
www.wwnorton.com
9781324002666, $30.00
https://www.amazon.com/Devils-Element-Phosphorus-World-Balance/dp/1324002662
The Devil's Element: Phosphorus and a World Out of Balance is an unusual science and social history of phosphorous, one
of the planet's most important and dangerous natural resources. It was first refined from human urine in a 18th-century lab,
and The Devil's Element follows its development and importance to human life. Today phosphorous is at the center of a
threat to environmental freshwater sources, but this is a story too often understated in popular news, which doesn't reach the
non-science reader's attention. That's why the history and science in The Devil's Element is so important to include not just
in libraries devoted to books about ecology, environment, or science; but in those reaching general-interest audiences. Its
colorful argument about the impact of human phosphorous use and its damage simply should not be missed.
The Health/Medicine Shelf
Medical Speech-Language Pathology Across the Care Continuum
Alex F. Johnson, et al.
Plural Publishing
www.pluralpublishing.com
9781635502688, $119.95, PB, 378pp
https://www.amazon.com/Medical-Speech-Language-Pathology-Across-Continuum/dp/1635502683
Synopsis: Featuring a comprehensive, engaging, and readable overview to the dynamic field of medical speech-language
pathology, "Medical Speech-Language Pathology Across the Care Continuum: An Introduction" is the first medical
speech-language pathology textbook that is not focused on the various disorders, but instead examines the scope and key
concepts of the profession, such as clinical reasoning, interprofessional practice, and the continuum of care.
"Medical Speech-Language Pathology Across the Care Continuum: An Introduction" provides an in-depth overview of
healthcare workplace settings (acute care, inpatient rehabilitation, skilled nursing, home health, outpatient care, pediatric
service delivery, pharmacology, and neuroimaging. The text also includes numerous case studies that instructors and
students can use to explore application of both clinical and setting specific principles as a primer for practice in "the real
world".
Key features of "Medical Speech-Language Pathology Across the Care Continuum: An Introduction" include: Chapters are
authored by respected experts within both academia and medical speech-language pathology; Numerous figures, tables, and
photos enhance readers' visual learning experience; Boxed focal points highlight areas of emphasis, special practice
considerations, competencies, and cases; Case studies, where students are introduced to patient assessment, treatment, and
management examples across the care continuum; An Appendix listing common medical test procedures and reference
values; PowerPoint lecture slides for instructors.
Critique: Exceptionally well organized and presented, in addition to being an ideal curriculum textbook, "Medical
Speech-Language Pathology Across the Care Continuum: An Introduction" is also helpful for speech-language pathologists
transitioning from a school based or private practice setting into health care. Collaboratively compiled and co- authored by
the team of Alex Johnson, Barbara Jacobson, Megan Schliep, and Bridget Perry, "Medical Speech-Language Pathology
Across the Care Continuum: An Introduction" is unreservedly recommended as a core addition to personal, professional,
medical school, and academic library Audiology, Speech Pathology, and Occupational Therapy collections and
supplemental curriculum studies lists.
Editorial Note #1: Alex F. Johnson, PhD, CCC-SLP, ASHA Honors, served as Provost at the MGH Institute (Boston, MA)
for 14 years. Prior to that he served as department chair at Wayne State University. In 1998, Johnson launched the Division
of Speech-Language Sciences and Disorders at the Henry Ford Medical Center i(Department of Neurology) in Detroit, MI.
Johnson's academic interests have focused on medical speech-language pathology and neurologic communication disorders.
He has been involved in the development of widely used outcome measures in voice and swallowing disorders and
communication quality. He co-edited (with Barbara Jacobson), Medical Speech-Language Pathology: A Practitioner's
Guide, now in its 3rd edition. Johnson is an ASHA Fellow, has received the Honors of ASHA and NSSLHA, and is a
Distinguished Scholar in the National Academies of Practice.
Editorial Note #2: Barbara H. Jacobson served as Associate Professor at Vanderbilt Bill Wilkerson Center for 9 years
working in medical speech-language pathology administration, clinical education, and as a clinician in acute care. Prior to
that, she was Associate Professor in the Vanderbilt Voice Center. She was a senior staff speech-language pathologist at
Henry Ford Hospital in Detroit, MI from 1988 to 2003 where she established a Voice Production Laboratory. Her clinical
and research interests are in functional and patient-reported outcomes, medical speech language pathology, and neurogenic
voice disorders. She is co-editor (with Alex Johnson) of Medical Speech Language Pathology, 3rd ed. She is a co-author of
the Voice Handicap Index (1997) and Dysphagia Handicap Index (2012). She is an ASHA Fellow.
Editorial Note #3: Megan Schliep, PhD, CCC-SLP, MPH, is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Communication
Sciences & Disorders at MGH Institute of Health Professions in Boston, MA. She also holds a clinical appointment as a
speech-language pathologist at Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital in Boston, MA. Her research focuses on post-stroke
aphasia and explores the implementation of standardized assessment practices across the care continuum and identification
of clinical predictors to inform recovery trajectory, with a focus on interdisciplinary research-practice partnerships.
Editorial Note #4: Bridget Perry, PhD, CCC-SLP, is an assistant professor in the Department of Communication Sciences
and Disorders and the program director of the Clinical Doctorate in Speech Language Pathology program at MGH Institute
of Health Professions. Her research is focused on improving patient-centered management of swallowing and speech
impairments for patients diagnosed with serious illness through the use of novel assessment and intervention
methodologies.
Prediabetes: A Complete Guide, second edition
Jill Weisenberger, MS, RDN, CDCES
BenBella Books
www.benbellabooks.com
9781637743607, $19.95, PB, 320pp
https://www.amazon.com/Prediabetes-Complete-Lifestyle-Chronic-Illnesses/dp/1637743602
Synopsis: When your doctor announces that you have prediabetes it can be scary -- but it also comes with a silver lining. It
means that you have caught the condition just in time-- before it has become a lifetime condition requiring daily treatment to
survive. It means that it is your best chance to reverse prediabetes starting now!
Now in a fully updated and expanded second edition, "Prediabetes: A Complete Guide - Your Lifestyle Reset to Stop
Prediabetes and Other Chronic Illnesses" reveals in detail what these actions are to reverse a prediabetic condition and
empower yourself to find the healthy eating and lifestyle changes that work best for you to help you achieve your health
goals.
This new, updated edition includes even more proven tools to make healthy eating easier than ever -- including simple tips
for foolproof meal planning, plus even more tasty recipes and meal ideas to cover breakfast, lunch, dinner, and snack
time.
Critique: Simply stated, this new and expanded edition of "Prediabetes: A Complete Guide - Your Lifestyle Reset to Stop
Prediabetes and Other Chronic Illnesses" is comprehensive DIY guide carefully leading you through the dozens of concrete
steps that you can take to reverse prediabetes, reduce the risk of developing type 2 diabetes, as well as other lifestyle-related
chronic diseases. by: Identifying your risks for developing type 2 diabetes; Setting personalized and meaningful behavioral
goals; Eating for weight loss and greater insulin sensitivity; Tweaking your favorite recipes to include wholesome foods;
Starting or improving upon an exercise plan; Reducing sedentary time; Organizing and tracking your progress.
Taking an individualized approach to your lifestyle "reset," it allows you to choose your own path to wellness, and maintain
a healthful lifestyle so that you can feel better than you have in years.
Critique: Impressively 'user friendly' in organization and presentation, this newly published second edition of "Prediabetes:
A Complete Guide - Your Lifestyle Reset to Stop Prediabetes and Other Chronic Illnesses" is an ideal DIY instructional
guide and 'how-to' manual and should be considered mandatory reading for anyone having a prediabetes diagnosis. It can
also prove to be a life-saving read for anyone having to deal with diabetes 1 or 2. While having the highest possible
recommended for personal, professional, and community library Health/Medical collections, it should be noted that
"Prediabetes: A Complete Guide" is also readily available in a digital book format (Kindle, $11.99).
Editorial Note: Jill Weisenberger (https://jillweisenberger.com) is an internationally recognized nutrition, diabetes, and
prediabetes expert. She has worked as a clinical dietitian and diabetes educator in a variety of settings, including hospital
inpatient and outpatient programs, private practice, and research clinics. She currently works with people with prediabetes
through her original digital course Prediabetes Turnaround. Through coaching, speaking, and working with the media, Jill
empowers people to grab control of their health one lifestyle habit at a time. Additionally, she is the author of four
well-received health and nutrition books, a freelance writer, a consultant and spokesperson to the food industry, and a
panelist for the US News & World Report Best Diet Rankings.
101 Tips for Better And More Healthy Sleep
Alan E. Smith
Loving Healing Press
5145 Pontiac Trail, Ann Arbor, MI 48105
www.lovinghealing.com
9781615997183, $24.95, PB, 56pp
https://www.amazon.com/Tips-Better-More-Healthy-Sleep/dp/1615997180
Synopsis: All of your physical and mental health are founded upon getting a good night's sleep. We all love waking up
without an alarm, feeling rested and refreshed, right? Unfortunately, many people don't sleep enough or sleep well, or both.
It may feel like your sleep is a combination lock and you can't figure out all the right numbers in the right sequence.
With the publication of "101 Tips for Better And More Healthy Sleep: Practical Advice for More Restful Nights", Alan E.
Smith provides a compendium of practical tips specifically designed to help you find the rest you deserve in the best way
possible. You will walk through all of the various factors in getting a good night's sleep, from your bed and bedroom to
relaxing before bed to solving several sleep problems.
While some of these tips have been around for hundreds or thousands of years, some are as new as they can be. We even
talk about the progress that's been made in the medical field regarding sleep in past few decades.
Whatever your sleep situation, you will probably find something here that can help you sleep even better and longer. You
just have to have the patience and dedication to solve your own sleep problems.
"101 Tips for Better And More Healthy Sleep: Practical Advice for More Restful Nights" will enable you to: Discover your
best sleep possible; See new ways to sleep better, longer; Realize all of the ways to improve your sleep; Explore techniques
from ancient to modern; Understand the real importance of sleep.
Critique: Exceptionally well organized and thoroughly 'user friendly' in presentation, "101 Tips for Better And More
Healthy Sleep: Practical Advice for More Restful Nights" should be considered mandatory reading for anyone struggling
with insomnia, having to shift their sleep schedule due to changes in their work schedule, or simply wanting to improve how
well and reliable they can fall sleep and stay asleep for good physical and mental health. While unreservedly recommended
for community library Health/Medicine collections, it should be noted for personal reading lists that "101 Tips for Better
And More Healthy Sleep: Practical Advice for More Restful Nights" is also available in a paperback edition
(9781615997176, $12.95) and in a digital book format (Kindle, $3.95).
Editorial Note: Alan Smith discovered amazing therapies to improve his own health. The more he learned the more he
wanted to share the hope for better health with others so he wrote the award-winning book UnBreak Your Health. Featuring
over 300+ therapies in more than 138 different categories, testimonials and some of the most interesting recent scientific
developments this is the place to begin a journey of healing. You can hear him hosting the free podcast program at
www.unbreakyourhealth.com.
Biomedical Device Technology: Principles and Design, third edition
Anthony Y. K. Chan
Charles C. Thomas, Publisher
2600 South First Street, Springfield, IL 62704
http://www.ccthomas.com
9780398093921, $79.95, HC, 912pp
https://www.amazon.com/Biomedical-Device-Technology-Principles-Design/dp/039809392X
Synopsis: With the publication of this newly revised and expanded third edition of "Biomedical Device Technology:
Principles and Design", Dr. Anthony Chan provides a comprehensive approach to studying the principles and design of
biomedical devices and their applications in medicine.
Written specifically for engineers and technologists who are interested in understanding the principles, design, and use of
medical device technology, "Biomedical Device Technology: Principles and Design" is also intended to be a textbook or
reference for biomedical device technology courses in universities and colleges.
Dr. Chan focuses on the applications, functions and principles of medical devices (which are the invariant components) and
uses specific designs and constructions to illustrate the concepts where appropriate. Indication of use as well as common
problems and hazards for each device type are included.
"Biomedical Device Technology: Principles and Design" selectively covers diagnostic and therapeutic devices that are either
commonly used or whose principles and design represent typical applications of the technology. For those who would like to
know more, a collection of published papers and book references has been added to the end of each chapter.
In this third edition of "Biomedical Device Technology: Principles and Design" many chapters have gone through revisions,
some with significant updates and additions, to keep up with new applications and advancements in medical technology. A
new appendix on infection prevention and control practices relating to medical devices is included. Based on requests,
review questions are added for each chapter to help readers to assess their comprehension of the content material.
Critique: Comprehensive, informative, and impressively organized, this new third edition of "Biomedical Device
Technology: Principles and Design" is an ideal curriculum textbook and professional reference with respect to contemporary
biomedical device technologies and unreservedly recommended for personal, professional, college, university, and medical
school library Contemporary Medical Technology collections.
Editorial Note: Anthony Y. K. Chan worked for a number of years as a project engineer in the field of electrical
instrumentations, control, and systems, and was the director and manager of biomedical engineering in a number of
Canadian acute care hospitals. He is currently the Program Head of the Biomedical Engineering Technology Program at the
British Columbia Institute of Technology and is an Adjunct Professor of the School of Biomedical Engineering at the
University of British Columbia. Dr. Chan is a Professional Engineer, a Chartered Engineer, and a Certified Clinical
Engineer. He is also a fellow member of CMBES, life senior member of IEEE, member of IET and HKIE.
Deep Fitness
Philip Shepherd, author
Andrei Yakovenico, author
North Atlantic Books
2526 Martin Luther King Jr. Way, Berkeley, CA 94704-2607
https://www.northatlanticbooks.com
9781623176679, $19.95, PB, 224pp
https://www.amazon.com/Deep-Fitness-Science-Based-Strength-Training-Your-Well-Being/dp/1623176670
Synopsis: Clinical research shows that we lose muscle mass as we age, and that preventing muscle loss through strength
training (more than cardio, stretching, or flexibility) is the key to staying active, healthy, and well.
With the publication of "Deep Fitness: The Mindful, Science-Based Strength-Training Method to Transform Your
Well-Being in Just 30 Minutes a Week", co-authors Philip Shepherd and Andrei Yankovenko introduce a proven, new
approach to building strength and whole-body health: Mindful Strength Training to Failure (MSTF). This science-based
method reverses muscle loss and improves overall strength in just one or two 30-minute sessions a week.
MSTF exercises are simple and effective, and can be done at home with resistance bands and bodyweight, or with the
machines at your local gym. Using slow reps, MSTF marries mindful body awareness with proven strength-training
techniques to help you become stronger at any age.
With more than 30 full-color exercises, "Deep Fitness: explains the science behind MSTF. It shows how the program boosts
longevity and healthspan; aids weight loss and fat reduction; increases overall wellness and mental health; and can improve
or reverse symptoms of: Prediabetes and diabetes; Cardiovascular disease; Metabolic syndrome; Alzheimer's and dementia;
Chronic inflammation; Osteoporosis and other chronic illnesses.
Appropriate for people of all ages and activity levels, the exercises and techniques in "Deep Fitness" are effective,
straightforward, and sustainable, helping men and women of all ages to enjoy the vibrant, fit, whole-body health they
deserve.
Critique: Impressively effective and throughout 'user friendly' in organization and presentation, "Deep Fitness: The Mindful,
Science-Based Strength-Training Method to Transform Your Well-Being in Just 30 Minutes a Week" is especially and
unreservedly recommended for personal, professional, and community library Health & Exercise collections. It should be
noted that this DIY exercise instruction manual is also available in a digital book format (Kindle, $12.99).
Editorial Note #1: Philip Shepherd is recognized as a leader in the global embodiment movement. He is the creator of The
Embodied Present Process (TEPP), a modality that uniquely combines the two resources necessary for embodiment:
effective practices (TEPP has over a hundred), and a deep understanding of our culture's blind spots, which tend to keep us
in our heads. TEPP is based on Shepherd's two books - Radical Wholeness and New Self, New World - and his forty years'
experience teaching embodiment techniques. He currently travels the world sharing workshops, and running year-long
Facilitators Trainings with his co-director and wife Allyson Woodrooffe. (https://embodiedpresent.com)
Editorial Note #2: Andrei Yakovenko (https://www.newelementtraining.com/ask-andrei) is the founder of New Element
Training and the creator of the NET Method training, which took him years of practical experience and multidisciplinary
exploration of various scientific fields to develop. The NET method is the foundation of the book. Yakovenko holds an
Honors B.Sc. degree from University of Toronto.
The Science Shelf
Quantum in Pictures
Bob Coecke and Stefano Gogioso
Cambridge Quantinuum
www.quantinuum.com
9781739214715, $19.99 PB, $4.99 Kindle, 216pp
https://www.amazon.com/Quantum-Pictures-New-Understand-World/dp/1739214714
While the line drawings throughout Quantum in Pictures and its simple language might indicate to some that this book
might be appropriate for a library's children's section, in fact, it's a primer that can be used by anyone interested in quantum
mechanics or physics, young or old. It's best audience will be those able to absorb the mathematical concepts that are
intrinsic to understanding the quantum world.
The book employs pictures alone (diagrams in black and white and color) to illustrate these basic principles, educating
readers about quantum concepts in an accessible manner that includes a solid amount of mathematical detail and references.
Amateurs and specialists alike will benefit from the authors' attention to making a complex subject surprisingly
user-friendly ("...we came up with simple, friendly names for many of the concepts involved.").
A companion to the prior Picturing Quantum Processes, this introduction creates a foundation of knowledge that can easily
serve as a stepping stone for readers who wish to take the plunge into the quantum world, whether they hold physics or
computer backgrounds, or are lay readers.
Added value is created via an online connection, as all the chapters of Quantum In Pictures are also available as videos on
Quantinuum's YouTube channel, which adds some special guests. Using pictures to talk about complex quantum subjects
enables its grasp by a far wider audience than the usual student of science. The wide range of subjects, from teleportation to
spider bites and how math formulas may be translated to and transmitted pictorially makes for an unexpectedly lively format
that is thought-provoking and attractive.
From spider and cap tests to understanding errors in visual terms, it soon becomes evident that Quantum in Pictures is
anything but a children's picture book. Its serious lesson in accessibility and visualization deserves a place in any science
library collection where quantum discussions are of interest, creating a pathway for understanding that pairs visual math
with solutions to complex problems.
The Education Shelf
Dyslexia Advocate!, second edition
Kelli Sandman-Hurley
Jessica Kingsley Publishers
www.jkp.com
9781839971709, $19.95
https://www.amazon.com/Dyslexia-Advocate-Within-Public-Education/dp/1839971703
The second edition of Dyslexia Advocate! How to Advocate for a Child with Dyslexia within the Public Education System
offers an updated toolbox of lessons about education advocacy processes. This makes it a key recommendation for libraries
strong in education, health, and social issues subjects.
Kelli Sandman-Hurley focuses on how parents and advocates can understand and apply US laws to obtain the right
educational opportunities for a dyslexic child. Case studies and examples cement lessons on techniques that work, helping
those unfamiliar with advocacy processes to absorb the strategies, language, and approaches to gaining services and support
from the educational system and the legal structures governing it.
Libraries should consider Dyslexia Advocate! a key acquisition for any collection strong in education rights issues, dyslexia,
or child education advocacy.
The Cookbook Shelf
Knead Peace: Recipes from the World's Best Bakers in Support of Ukraine
Andrew Green, editor
Kyle Books
c/o Octopus Books
236 Park Avenue, New York NY 10017
www.octopusbooksusa.com
9781804191118, $29.99 hc / $14.99 Kindle
https://www.amazon.com/Knead-Peace-Ukraine-Recipes-support/dp/1804191116
Knead Peace: Recipes from the World's Best Bakers in Support of Ukraine is edited by Andrew Green. It gathers baked
goods inspired by Anna Makievska and The Bakehouse in Kyiv, which continues to bake throughout the war. "We, the
bakers, create. And this is the opposite of what fascist aggressors do every day. We need peace, so let's knead it." This quote
from Makievska inspires this cookbook, representing a gathering of bakers who donated recipes and time to raise money
from this cookbook's sales. Besides supporting Ukraine, the recipes themselves will appeal with their variety, from savory
bakes to original sweets such as Helen Goh's Blood Orange, Filo and Custard Cake. Knead Peace is a group effort that
should be celebrated and in the collections of any culinary library and those interested in showing support for Ukraine.
70s House
Estelle Bilson
Kyle Books
c/o Octopus Books
236 Park Avenue, New York NY 10017
www.octopusbooksusa.com
9781914239694, $22.99 hc / $10.99 Kindle
https://www.amazon.com/70s-House-homage-daring-decade/dp/1914239695
70s House: A Bold Homage to the Most Daring Decade in Design by Estelle Bilson tells readers how to take 70s-style
design and incorporate it into a modern home, offering the author's expert tips and her experiences changing her
three-bedroom home into a 1970s showcase. How she created each room lies at the heart of a colorful exploration that
juxtaposes the basics of 70s and modern design concepts, creating a colorful interplay between the written advice and color
photos packed throughout. The result is a winning display that captures both the eye and the imagination.
The Vegetarian Reset
Vasudha Viswanath, author
Alexandra Shytsman, photographer
The Collective Book Studio
https://thecollectivebook.studio
https://www.thevegetarianreset.com
9781685550370, $34.99, HC, 192pp
https://www.amazon.com/Vegetarian-Reset-Low-Carb-Plant-Forward-Recipes/dp/1685550371
Synopsis: With the publication of "The Vegetarian Reset", culinary author Vasudha Viswanath celebrates a lifestyle where a
foodie sensibility intersects with healthy eating. The 75 recipes comprising "The Vegetarian Rest" collectively solve the
never-ending dilemma that all plant-based eaters face: Is life fun when you eat salad every day, or is it worth it to let your
health take a backseat to enjoy a big bowl of rice or pasta without enough protein?
In her debut cookbook, Vasudha Viswanath takes her readers on a little culinary trip around the world, drawing inspiration
from an array of traditional and global cuisines that are rich in whole foods like vegetables, legumes, and healthy fats.
Seasonal vibrant recipes are moderately low-carb and put vegetables front and center, while also being gluten-free!
Kitchen cooks will also learn to bake healthy bread from scratch, make paella out of cauliflower rice, transform paneer into
gnocchi, and sweeten brownies with dates! Whether you already follow a low-carb lifestyle or simply want to add more
healthy dishes into your rotation,
Simply stated, the purpose of "The Vegetarian Reset" is to delight and inspire vegetarians, vegans, and omnivores alike to
eat well, fully nourish, and reset their bodies.
Critique: Beautifully and profusely illustrated throughout with full color photos of finished dishes by photographer
Alexandra Shytsman, "The Vegetarian Reset: 75 Low-Carb, Plant-Forward Recipes from Around the World" from culinary
expert Vasudha Viswanath will be of special appeal and value to kitchen cooks with an interest in vegetarian cooking, as
well as Low Carb and Low Carbohydrate diets. While also available in a digital book format (Kindle, $12.99), "The
Vegetarian Reset" is an especially and unreservedly recommended addition to personal, family, professional, and
community library cookbook collections.
Editorial Note #1: Vasudha Viswanath (https://www.v8well.com/about) is the founder of We Ate Well, a community for
foodies that brings you the inside scoop on everything vegetarian. Her mission is to help you eat mindfully, joyfully, and
sustainably on a vegetarian diet. She grew up in Bangalore, India and now lives in New York City with her husband and
daughter.
Editorial Note #2: Alexandra Shytsman (https://alexandrashytsman.com) is a writer, recipe developer, food photographer,
and creator of The New Baguette, a plant-based recipe site for the veg-curious. She is the co-author of The Complete Vegan
Cookbook, and her work has been featured in national media like The Kitchn, Food52, HuffPost, and Cherry Bombe. She is
a Ukrainian immigrant and currently lives in New York City.
Broke Vegan
Sam Dixon
Aster
c/o Octopus Books
236 Park Avenue, New York NY 10017
www.octopusbooksusa.com
9781783255382, $14.99, HC, 144pp
https://www.amazon.com/Broke-Vegan-Simple-Plant-based-Recipes/dp/1783255382
Synopsis: Featuring more than 100 plant-based recipes using supermarket staples, along with hints and tips for simplifying
vegan cooking, "Broke Vegan: One Pot: Over 100 Simple Plant-based Recipes That Don't Cost The Earth" will have even
the most novice of kitchen cooks preparing delicious vegan meals time after time -- meals that save money and help the
planet. From easy weeknight meals to fancier dishes for entertaining, Broke Vegan: One Pot will help you cook sustainably
without breaking the bank.
Demystifying the vegan diet, "Broke Vegan: One Pot" shows how to can make not only delicious meals without sacrificing
any flavor, but being able to switch to a vegan diet without having to worry about extra costs. Whether taking part in
Veganuary for the first time, making the move from veggie to vegan or just trying to make grocery money go further, "Broke
Vegan: One Pot" will bring treasured variety and flavor to any meal without all the washing up!
Critique: Beautifully and profusely illustrated throughout with full color, full page photographs of finished dishes, "Broke
Vegan: One Pot: Over 100 Simple Plant-based Recipes That Don't Cost The Earth" will proved to be a prized and valued
resource for menu planning and a welcome addition to personal, professional, and community library Vegan/Vegetarian
cookbook collections.
Editorial Note: Sam Dixon (www.samdixonstylist.com) is a self-taught food stylist for cookbooks, magazines, film and TV,
learnt through industry with a background in baking. She officially started her career in food at Violet bakery in East
London. A love for seasonal ingredients, creativity and aesthetics was developed here. Since then, she has worked with
numerous publications and brands such as The Guardian, GQ, The Telegraph, Hix, the White Company, Kyle Books,
Quadrille and Hodder and Stoughton. She is also the co-creator of Studio Feast, a food photography studio in Hackney,
London.
Flavor Kitchen: Vibrant Recipes with Creative Twists
Crystelle Pereira
Kyle Books
c/o Octopus Publishing
236 Park Avenue, New York NY 10017
http://www.kylebooks.com
9781914239793, $19.99, HC, 208pp
https://www.amazon.com/Flavor-Kitchen-Creative-Recipes-Sharing/dp/1914239792
Synopsis: Cooking has always been an equal passion to baking for Crystelle Pereira, as shown by the coveted 'Hollywood
Handshake' she received for her curried chicken and potato pie on The Great British Bake Off, a dish showcasing her
Portuguese-Goan roots. Inspired by her travels and heritage, Crystelle's new cookbook, "Flavor Kitchen: Vibrant Recipes
with Creative Twists" encourages kitchen cooks to experiment with flavors and shows how (just by adding a few more
condiments to your cupboard) anyone can elevate classic dishes.
Divided into two halves (savory and sweet), "Flavor Kitchen: Vibrant Recipes with Creative Twists" showcases the baking
that took Crystelle to the final of The Great British Bake Off, as well as her flair for creative savory dishes. Drawing
inspiration from around the world, there is a flavor-packed dish for every occasion, from zingy curries, mouth-watering
pastas and zesty salads to scrumptious cakes, pull-apart breads and indulgent brownies. Featuring a handy guide to
Crystelle's hero ingredients and star seasonings (all of which feature in multiple recipes) it couldn't be easier to raise any
dedicated kitchen cook's flavor game.
Critique: As much fun to browse through as it is inspiring to plan menus with, "Flavor Kitchen: Vibrant Recipes with
Creative Twists" is beautifully and profusely illustrated throughout with full color, full page photographs of finished dishes.
Exceptionally 'kitchen cook friendly' in organization and presentation, "Flavor Kitchen: Vibrant Recipes with Creative
Twists" will prove to be an enduringly popular addition to personal, professional, and community library cookbook
collections. It should be noted that "Flavor Kitchen: Vibrant Recipes with Creative Twists" is also readily available in a
digital book format (Kindle, $12.99).
Editorial Note: Raised in London by Kenyan-born, Portuguese-Goan parents, Crystelle Pereira first showcased her baking
skills and winning flavor combinations on The Great British Bake Off. Cooking is an equal passion to baking for Crystelle,
and her dishes are known for their inventive twists and exciting flavors. Her appearance on GBBO made Vanity Fair's list of
Best Performances of 2021, and she has gone on to cook on acclaimed TV shows such as Good Morning America, The
Today Show, Sunday Brunch and ITV Lorraine. She can be followed on Instagram: @crystellepereira
Vegan Chocolate Treats
Emma Hollingsworth
Kyle Books
c/o Octopus Publishing
236 Park Avenue, New York NY 10017
http://www.kylebooks.com
9781914239564, $22.99, HC, 160pp
https://www.amazon.com/Vegan-Chocolate-Treats-gluten-free-refined-sugar-free/dp/1914239563
Synopsis: After the success of "Vegan Treats" and with the publication of "Vegan Chocolate Treats", Emma Hollingsworth
is back with an even more indulgent sequel featuring all things chocolaty. Comprised of 100 delicious dairy-free, gluten-free
and refined-sugar-free recipes based on chocolate, "Vegan Chocolate Treats" provides simple, fuss-free instructions for
memorable home-made treats created with easy to find, natural, ingredients. The focus is on confectionary, energy balls and
bars, cakes, puddings and frozen desserts. Think healthier versions of peanut butter cups, Mars Bars, chocolate spread,
Magnums and chocolate mousse as well as lots of birthday cake ideas too.
Critique: Enhanced with the inclusion of full page, full color photographs of finished treats, "Vegan Chocolate Treats" is a
chocolate lover's dream collection that will appeal to vegans and non-vegans alike! Exceptionally 'kitchen cook friendly' in
organization and presentation, "Vegan Chocolate Treats" is an extraordinary and unreservedly recommended addition to
personal, professional, and community library cookbook collections. It should be noted that "Vegan Chocolate Treats" is
also readily available in a digital book format (Kindle, $10.99).
Editorial Note: Emma Hollingsworth (https://readitandeatstore.com/pages/emma-hollingsworth) has a first in Economics
from Birmingham and also studied at Harvard. Wanting to get healthier, she cut out gluten, sugar and other allergens,
qualified as a certified health coach (IIN) and started developing healthy treats. She runs a weekly farmers' market stall, her
blog won 'best recipe blog' at the 2017 Health Blog awards, she collaborates with well-known health brands such as Ethos,
creates bespoke cakes to order and also runs workshops. Emma lives in London with her husband and daughter.
Recipes to Reconnect
Anna Boglione
Kyle Books
c/o Octopus Publishing
236 Park Avenue, New York NY 10017
http://www.kylebooks.com
9780857839961, $39.99, HC, 272pp
https://www.amazon.com/Recipes-to-Reconnect/dp/0857839969
Synopsis: Inspired by her upbringing at famed British restaurant -- Petersham Nurseries, Beautifully illustrated with full
color photos of finished dishes, "Recipes to Reconnect" is comprised of more than 60 recipes from the Petersham team and
other great chefs, alongside Anna's own home cooking.
Split into seasons these are delicious, simple dishes, created in response to wide-ranging conversations with farmers,
conservationists and nutritionists around themes such as re-wilding, community, sleep and fasting. Interviewees and chefs
featured include Isabella Tree, Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall, Bruce Parry, Jeremy Lee of Quo Vadis, Skye Gyngell of
Spring, and Simon Rogan of L'Enclume, The dishes celebrate natural ingredients and encourage you to enjoy your food all
the more having considered its origin.
Anna sees food as a way to create conversation, to bring people together and to experience the joy of nature. With the
publication of "Recipes to Reconnect", she creates a deeper consideration of nature's place in our modern lives and brings it,
quite literally, to the table.
Critique: A beautiful book to simple browse through, and ideal for planning menus with, not only will the meals be
memorable, but they will provide values opportunities for food based conversations to re-establish the relationship between
nature, food and self among those seated at the dining table. A culinary treasure, "Recipes to Reconnect" has the highest
recommendation possible for personal, professional, and community library cookbook collections. It should be noted that
"Recipes to Reconnect" is also readily available in a digital book format (Kindle, $12.99).
Editorial Note #1: Anna Boglione spent her childhood exploring the Italian alps and within London's Petersham Nurseries,
her family's restaurant, farm and garden centre. Having grown up in such organic surroundings, Anna struggled once
exposed to the food she ate outside of the home. She developed digestion issues which affected her weight, cognitive
function and later in her her spine. Anna found relief and comfort in plants and nature and launched The Gut.
https://www.wmagazine.com/story/artistic-director-anna-boglione-knows-how-to-put-on-a-show
Editorial Note #2: Petersham Nurseries, Richmond (https://petershamnurseries.com) is situated along the Thames, adjacent
to a cow field. Awarded a Green Michelin star, the seasons are reflected in the food, flowers find their way into the dishes
and the colours of each season are intertwined within the ambiance.
Taste of Home Cooking School Cookbook
Taste of Home, editor
Trusted Media Brand
https://www.trustedmediabrands.com
9781621458890, $26.99, HC, 320pp
https://www.amazon.com/Taste-Home-Cooking-School-Cookbook/dp/162145889X
Synopsis: No matter your kitchen expertise, you'll cook with confidence with Taste of Home Cooking School Cookbook at
your fingertips! Discover the step-by-step techniques every home cook needs to set delicious, hearty, memorable meals on
the table. Dozens of how-to photos, tips and hints turn you into the chef and baker you always knew you could be, and 40
QR Codes offer up free online tutorials for even more direction. From roasting a chicken and stuffing a turkey to grilling
like a pro and baking up golden yeast breads, you'll discover all the secrets today's cooks rely on most... taught by the pros
from the Taste of Home Test Kitchen. Whip up sumptuous holiday menus with all of the trimmings and impress the gang
with beautiful cakes, luscious pies and fudgy brownies too good to be true. It's easy! Let Taste of Home Cooking School
Cookbook show you how!
Critique: Profusely illustrated throughout with full color photos of finished dishes, and an ideal culinary instruction guide
and 'how-to' manual, "Taste of Home Cooking School Cookbook: Step-by-Step Instructions, How-to Photos and the Recipes
Today's Home Cooks Rely on Most" is an ideal DIY textbook for highschool and community college cooking classes, and
will prove to be a prized addition to personal, professional, and community library cookbook collections. Covering
everything from knife skills and kitchen equipment to kitchen cook friendly recipes for menu planning that will transform
ordinary meals into memorable dining occasions, it should be noted for personal reading lists that "Taste of Home Cooking
School Cookbook" is also available in a digital book format (Kindle, $14.99).
Editorial Note: Taste of Home (www.tasteofhome.com) is the leading multi-platform producer of information on food,
cooking, baking and entertaining, serving home cooks engaging media that capture the joy and comfort received from food
made with love. The Taste of Home magazine has a circulation of 1.5 million and publishes top-selling cookbooks and
newsstand specials.
Taste of Home What Can I Bring?
Taste of Home, editor
Trusted Media Brand
https://www.trustedmediabrands.com
9781621458913, $19.99, PB, 320pp
https://www.amazon.com/Taste-Home-What-Can-Bring/dp/1621458911
Synopsis: When invited to a community, church, or family gathering and food is to be served our first response almost
automatically ask the question "What Can I Bring?" All great parties, holidays, anniversaries, and communal gatherings
aspire to include tasty dishes to share, munchable snacks and impressive desserts to offer brought together by those who will
be attending and participating in the celebratory event.
Showcasing more than 360 'kitchen cook friendly' dishes suitable for parties, picnics and potlucks, "Taste of Home What
Can I Bring? is a new cookbook specifically designed to find the perfect contribution to cocktail parties, tailgates, backyard
barbecues, bridal and baby showers, Christmas buffets and other events. Each individual recipe serves a crowd, travels well
and offers the no-fuss ease today's home cooks need most. In addition to more than 360+ make-and-take dishes, there are
invaluable and 'real world practical' packing and traveling tips, suggestions for the ideal foods to bring to specific
get-togethers, and other culinary tricks for answering that ever popular and inevitable question, "What can I bring?".
Critique: Beautifully and profusely illustrated throughout with full color photos of finished dishes that will inspire and
delight for any and every communal dining occasion, "Taste of Home What Can I Bring?: 360+ Dishes for Parties, Picnics
& Potlucks" is confidently recommended for personal, professional, family, and community library cookbook collections. It
should be noted that "Taste of Home What Can I Bring?" is also available in a digital book format (Kindle, $11.99).
Editorial Note: Taste of Home (www.tasteofhome.com) is the leading multi-platform producer of information on food,
cooking, baking and entertaining, serving home cooks engaging media that capture the joy and comfort received from food
made with love. The Taste of Home magazine has a circulation of 1.5 million and publishes top-selling cookbooks and
newsstand specials.
Vietnam: Morning to Midnight
Jerry Mai
Smith Street Books
c/o Rizzoli
300 Park Avenue South, 3rd floor, New York, NY 10010
www.rizzoliusa.com
9781922754288, $29.95, HC, 192pp
https://www.amazon.com/Vietnam-Morning-Midnight-cookbook-Jerry/dp/1922754285
Synopsis: With the publication of "Vietnam: Morning to Midnight", kitchen cooks can readily join chef and author Jerry
Mai as she shares the iconic dishes and street-food eats that are enjoyed throughout Vietnam, from morning to
midnight.
As the sun rises, mornings start early in Vietnam: locals perch on plastic stools, slurping large bowls of beef pho, while
others grab a crispy pork banh mi for breakfast on the go. Lunch might include delicious grilled meats piled high onto rice,
or a cold noodle salad to help stay cool in the midday heat.
Weaving through the bustling streets, snacks are all around: rice paper rolls, savoury pancakes, sweet treats, drinks and
more. At the end of the day, grilled or barbecued savoury snacks are the perfect foil for freshly brewed beer and are the best
prelude to dinner -- a communal feast of shared dishes.
Critique: Enhanced for the kitchen cook with the inclusion of full color, full page photographs of finished dishes, "Vietnam:
Morning to Midnight" showcases authentic Vietnamese cuisine. A culinary foodie's delight in browsing through the page of,
and planning memorable menus with, "Vietnam: Morning to Midnight" is unreservedly recommended for personal,
professional, and community library Ethnic & Asian cookbook collections.
Editorial Note: Jerry Mai (https://www.smithstreetbooks.com/book-author/jerry-mai) is a Vietnamese - Australian chef
living and working in Melbourne, Australia. She has spent over twenty years working in some of Melbourne's greatest
kitchens including Longrain, Gingerboy, and Seamstress. Jerry now owns and runs two restaurants offering different
Vietnamese food experiences -- the cool, casual street-food of Pho Nom, and Annam, Jerry's pimped-up Vietnamese
restaurant showcasing her mother's recipes, all intertwined with her own unique food experiences.
The Official Disney Parks Cookbook
Pam Brandon
Disney Editions
c/o Disney Book Group
https://books.disney.com
9781368090292, $19.99, HC, 208pp
https://www.amazon.com/Official-Disney-Parks-Cookbook-Delicious/dp/136809029X
Synopsis: For more than twenty-five years, Pam Brandon has worked closely with the Disney chefs to thoughtfully take the
best dishes from Disney theme parks and resorts and serve up official recipes that are just right for prepping on a smaller
scale in home kitchens and tested by real home chefs. Now comfy classics, festival favorites, and international cuisines are
whisked together and presented in "The Official Disney Parks Cookbook", a profusely illustrated collection of memorable
dishes from the Disney recipe vault.
Of special note is the inclusion of personalized notes from the chefs who created and enhanced a particular dish, inspiring
food photos, helpful hints for easy preparation, and a little of that Disney culinary magic, showcasing 101 tried-and-true
recipes.
"The Official Disney Parks Cookbook" is an impressive and 'kitchen cook friendly' assortment of appetizers, main courses,
sides, desserts, and even joyful libations that have come from fine-dining and quick-service establishments and have wowed
guests of the Disneyland Resort; Walt Disney World Resort; Disney Cruise Line ships; and Disney Vacation Club
resorts,
Critique: A unique and impressive Disney themed cookbook whose 101 showcased recipes range from a Dagobah Slug
Slinger, Chef Mickey's Breakfast Pizza, and Flame Tree Barbecue Sauce, to Micky Mouse Beignets, Rainbow Sprinkle
Woopie Pies, Caramel Hawaiian Sweet Bread, "The Official Disney Parks Cookbook" will prove an enduringly popular
addition to personal, family, professional, and community library cookbook collections.
Editorial Note: Pam Brandon (https://winterparkmag.com/2021/12/31/a-chefs-best-pal) is the author of 20 Disney
cookbooks, including the "2017 Disney Festivals Coast to Coast," on bookshelves in August, and "Delicious Disney" with
recipes from Disneyland Park, Walt Disney World Resort, Disney Cruise Line and Aulani, on bookshelves in late 2018.
Brandon also is a food writer for the Disney Parks Blog. She began her career as a senior publicist for Walt Disney World
Resort in 1987 and has worked on public relations' food & beverage projects for Disney parks around the globe for the last
20 years, including the opening of Shanghai Disney. She also was a contributing editor to the Disney Birnbaum guidebooks
for more than 10 years. She also is managing editor of Edible Orlando magazine.
When You Fast... Recipes For Lenten Seasons
Catharine Mandell
SVS Press
575 Scarsdale Road, Yonkers, NY 10707
www.svspress.com
9780881412628, $32.00, PB, 256pp
https://svspress.com/when-you-fast-recipes-for-lenten-seasons
Synopsis: With the publication of "When You Fast... Recipes For Lenten Seasons" Catharine Mandell offers a compendium
of balanced and helpful seasonal recipes for Lent. It was born out of Catharine's nearly decade-long quest to attain a rule of
fasting for her family in accordance with the traditional Orthodox Christian discipline. Her goal was not only abstention
from meat during lenten seasons, but also abstention from dairy products, and from oils on the strictest of fast days.
The resultant of her culinary labors is "When You Fast... Recipes For Lenten Seasons" showcasing 200 recipes, each of
which will provide a variety of easy, nourishing, and appealing meals. Sprinkled among the delicious recipes are sayings
from the Mothers and Fathers of the early Church regarding how the body and soul are affected by eating habits-pithy
illuminations to accompany the appetizing recipes.
Critique: An inspirational pleasure to browse through and plan menus with, "When You Fast... Recipes For Lenten Seasons"
is a unique and very special addition recommended for personal, community, and church library cookbook collections.
The Official Cookbook of the Chile Pepper Institute
Paul W. Bosland, author
Wendy V. Hamilton, author
Carolyn Graham, photographer
University of New Mexico Press
1 University of New Mexico, Albuquerque NM 87131-0001
www.unmpress.com
9780826364555, $24.95, PB, 200pp
https://www.amazon.com/Official-Cookbook-Chile-Pepper-Institute/dp/0826364551
Synopsis: The world-famous Chile Pepper Institute (https://cpi.nmsu.edu) is the only organization devoted to the study,
cultivation, and enjoyment of the world's favorite fiery fruit, and "The Official Cookbook of the Chile Pepper Institute" is
the ideal DIY guide to cooking with and enjoying chile peppers in all their magnificent, flavorful varieties. With over eighty
recipes celebrating the world's diversity of chile peppers and more than a hundred photos of chile peppers in the field, at the
market, and on your plate, this unique and specialized cookbook is like taking a tour through the Institute's famous Teaching
Garden.
Critique: "The Official Cookbook of the Chile Pepper Institute" by co-authors Paul W. Bosland and Wendy V. Hamilton is
specifically organized to include almost every chile pepper variety worldwide. Each individual chile includes a description
of its history, where it originated and where it is grown now, and its flavor profile, heat index, and common uses. And, of
course, recipes! For those who like the flavor enhancement of chilies in the dishes they serve, "The Official Cookbook of
the Chile Pepper Institute" is unreservedly recommended for personal, professional, and community library cookbook
collections. It should be noted by kitchen cooks that "The Official Cookbook of the Chile Pepper Institute" is also available
in a digital book format (Kindle, $24.95).
Editorial Note #1: Paul W. Bosland (https://pes.nmsu.edu/faculty/emeritus/paul-w-bosland.html) is the Regents Professor of
Horticulture emeritus, a Distinguished Achievement Professor, and the former director of the Chile Pepper Institute at New
Mexico State University. He is popularly known as the "Chileman." He led the chile breeding and genetics research program
at New Mexico State University and is recognized internationally as the foremost expert on chile peppers. Bosland has
published more than 150 scientific papers and coauthored five books, including Peppers of the World: An Identification
Guide with Dave DeWitt.
Editorial Note #2: Wendy V. Hamilton is a professor emeritus at New Mexico State University and the former department
head for the New Mexico Cooperative Extension Service's Program Development and Accountability Department. She also
served as Extension's statewide program evaluation and grant development specialist until retiring in 2020.
Editorial Note #3: Carolyn Graham (https://www.unmpress.com/author/carolyn-graham) has worked for more than
twenty-five years in the publishing industry, most recently as the CEO of New Mexico Magazine. She is the author of New
Mexico Food Trails: A Road Tripper's Guide to Hot Chile, Cold Brews, and Classic Dishes from the Land of Enchantment
(UNM Press).
The World History Shelf
The Road to Barbarossa
Norman Ridley
Frontline Books
c/o Casemate Publishers
1940 Lawrence Road, Havertown, PA 19083
www.casematepublishers.com
9781399068826, $42.95, HC, 232pp
https://www.amazon.com/Road-Barbarossa-Soviet-German-Relations-1917-1941/dp/1399068822
Synopsis: Arising from the chaos of the First World War, during which Germany and Russia had fought each other to a
standstill, there emerged two societies whose diametrically opposed ideologies of communism and fascism represented the
opposite extremes of the political spectrum. Despite this, in time the governments and military establishments in both
countries were able to create an environment where political expediency led to both cooperation and an eventual
alliance.
While western democracies found both systems repellent, the two countries of Germany and the Soviet Union, embodied in
the case of the Soviets vast resources of raw materials and, in the case of Germany, huge intellectual, scientific and
industrial expertise. Both offered massive opportunities for trade, but neither made comfortable partners. Britain (whose
sympathies lay more with the Germans), and France (whose history tied them more to Eastern Europe), tended to treat both
Germany and the Soviet Union as outcast states. This created a great deal of animosity in return and ultimately drove the
outcasts into each other's arms.
while animosity was rampant on a political level, both countries, now having equal pariah status in the eyes of the Western
allies, began to see huge benefits in military and economic cooperation. Collaborative ventures for covert armament
production and training facilities were initiated in 1921. These schemes would continue, with varying degrees of success, for
more than a decade until the rise of Nazism in Germany put an end to it.
The Spanish Civil War saw not only the two rival political philosophies but opposing military doctrines also being tested
against each other on the field of battle. It is remarkable, therefore, that these two nations emerged from this maelstrom to
rediscover the 'spirit of Rapallo'. It was a spirit which culminated in the signing of the Molotov - Ribbentrop Pact in August
1939. Within weeks, both sides would display their unity as they fell together with ruthless efficiency upon the hapless
Poland.
With the publication of "The Road to Barbarossa: Soviet-German Relations, 1917 - 1941", Norman Ridley looks at how
these two 'strange bedfellows' dealt with western hostility and found ways to accommodate each other in a bid to recover
from the economic devastation and dismantling of their historic territorial boundaries. The extent to which cooperation was
achieved is unusual given the circumstances, especially as they had to contend with the machinations of the Western
Powers.
The era of the Molotov - Ribbentrop Pact proved to be a brief liaison, one that collapsed into savagery again when Hitler
launched Operation Barbarossa just a few months later.
Critique: Enhanced for the reader with the inclusion of a section of historical black/white photographs, an informative
Introduction, eight pages of Notes, a six pages listing of Sources, and a four page Index, "The Road to Barbarossa:
Soviet-German Relations, 1917 - 1941" by military historian Norman Ridley is an impressively informative and
exceptionally well written, organized and presented study which is unreservedly recommended for personal, professional,
community, college, and university library European World War II History collections and supplemental German/Russian
Pre-World War II curriculum studies lists. It should be noted for students, academia, and non-specialist general readers with
an interest in the subject that "The Road to Barbarossa" is also available in a digital book format (Kindle, $18.99).
Editorial Note: Norman Ridley (https://www.pen-and-sword.co.uk/Norman-Ridley/a/4216) is an Open University Honours
graduate and an expert on inter-war intelligence.
Picts: Scourge of Rome, Rulers of the North
Gordon Noble, author
Nicholas Evans, author
Birlinn
c/o Casemate Publishers
1940 Lawrence Road, Havertown, PA 19083
www.casematepublishers.com
9781780277783, $34.95, PB, 336pp
https://www.amazon.com/Picts-Scourge-Rome-Rulers-North/dp/1780277784
Synopsis: The Picts emerged c. AD 300 to defy the might of the Roman empire only to disappear at the end of the first
millennium AD, yet they left major legacies. They laid the foundations for the medieval Scottish kingdom and their
captivating carved stones are some of the most eye-catching yet enigmatic monuments in Europe. Until recently the Picts
have been difficult to trace due to limited archaeological investigation and documentary sources, but innovative new
research has produced critical new insights into the culture of a highly sophisticated society which defied the might of the
Roman Empire and forged a powerful realm dominating much of northern Britain.
"Picts: Scourge of Rome, Rulers of the North" by co-authors Gordon Noble and Nicholas Evans is the first dedicated book
on the Picts that covers in detail both their archaeology and their history. It examines their kingdoms, culture, beliefs and
everyday lives from their origins to their end, not only incorporating current thinking on the subject, but also offering
innovative perspectives that transform our understanding of the early history of Scotland.
Critique: Profusely illustrated with both full color and black/white images, "Picts: Scourge of Rome, Rulers of the North" is
additionally enhanced for the reader with the inclusion of a twenty-one page Bibliography, a twelve page listing of Sites to
Visit, and a nine page Index. Impressively informed and informative, exceptionally well organized and presented, "Picts:
Scourge of Rome, Rulers of the North" is a seminal work of meticulous scholarship and research. An inherently fascinating
read and an unreservedly recommended addition to personal, professional, community, and academic library Archaeology
collections, and supplemental curriculum Scottish History studies lists, it should be noted for students, academia, and non-
specialist general readers with an interest in the subject that "Picts: Scourge of Rome, Rulers of the North" is also available
in a digital book format (Kindle, $16.99).
Editorial Note #1: Gordon Noble (https://www.abdn.ac.uk/people/g.noble?count=25) is Senior Lecturer in Archaeology and
Honorary Curatorial Fellow to the University Museums at the University of Aberdeen. He has also been director of the
Rhynie Environs Archaeological Project. He is author of a number of books, including Neolithic Scotland: Timber, Stone,
Earth and Fire.
Editorial Note #2: Nicholas Evans (https://www.kcl.ac.uk/people/nick-evans) is a Research Fellow on the Leverhulme Trust
funded Comparative Kingship: the Early Medieval Kingdoms of Northern Britain and Ireland project at the University of
Aberdeen. He is a historian whose research and teaching have focussed on the medieval Celtic-speaking societies of Britain
and Ireland. He is the author of The Present and the Past in Medieval Irish Chronicles (Boydell Press, 2010), A Historical
Introduction to the Northern Picts (Aberdeen University/Tarbat Discovery Centre, 2014) and co-author of King in the North:
The Pictish Realms of Fortriu and Ce (Birlinn 2019).
The Wars of the Bruces: Scotland, England and Ireland 1306 - 1328
Colm McNamee
Birlinn Ltd.
c/o Casemate (US distribution)
www.casematepublishers.com
https://www.penandswordbooks.com
9781780276618, $21.95, PB, 368pp
https://www.amazon.com/Wars-Bruces-Scotland-England-Ireland/dp/1780276613
Synopsis: The Bruces of fourteenth-century Scotland were formidable and enthusiastic warriors. While much has been
written about events as they happened in Scotland during the chaotic years of the first part of the fourteenth century,
England's war with Robert the Bruce profoundly affected the whole of the British Isles.
Scottish raiders struck deep into the heartlands of Yorkshire and Lancashire; Robert's younger brother, Edward Bruce, was
proclaimed King of Ireland and came close to subduing the country; the Isle of Man was captured and a Welsh sea-port was
raided; and in the North Sea Scots allied with German and Flemish pirates to cripple England's vital wool trade and disrupt
its war effort.
Packed with detail and written with a strong and involving narrative thread, "The Wars of the Bruces: Scotland, England
and Ireland 1306 - 1328" by historian Colm McNamee is the first book to link up the various theaters of war and discuss the
effect of the wars of the Bruces outside Scotland.
Critique: An impressively informative, exceptionally well written, organized and presented history of 14th Century Scotland
and its wars with England, "The Wars of the Bruces: Scotland, England and Ireland 1306 - 1328" is a fascinating read and
an especially recommended addition to personal, community, and academic library Medieval/Renaissance Military History
collections.
Editorial Note: Colm McNamee is the Senior Research Officer for the Boundary Commission for Northern Ireland. He
studied at Queens' University, Belfast, and Worcester College, Oxford and has a DPhil in Medieval History.
Wars of the Roses
Paul Kendall
Frontline Books
c/o Pen & Sword Books
www.casematepublishers.com
https://www.penandswordbooks.com
9781399097512, $42.95, HC, 224pp
https://www.amazon.com/Wars-Roses-Battlefields-Yorkists-Lancastrians/dp/1399097512
Synopsis: The Wars of the Roses, which saw England and Wales ravaged by warfare for three decades and dynasties rise
and fall, decimated the nobility of an entire generation, and saw the rise of the merchant class, the decline of medieval
feudalism and opened the country to the enlightened ideals of the Renaissance. Such has been its lasting effects the red and
white rose of the Tudors is still a national symbol.
With the publication of "Wars of the Roses: The People, Places and Battlefields of the Yorkists and Lancastrians" historian
Paul Kendall provides an exploration of the buildings, monuments, towns and battlefields of that turbulent era across both
England and Wales -- places and sites that can still be visited and experienced today.
Also included are the stories of the great battles of St Albans, Stoke Field, Wakefield, Townton, Barnet, Tewksbury and, of
course, Bosworth, are told along with beautiful photographs to help guide the reader round these important sites, as well as
the dozens of smaller engagements where the supporters of the Houses of York and Lancaster fought and died.
Here are castles and manor houses galore, all of which played their part in this protracted struggle for the throne of England,
such as Richard of York's imposing powerbase of Lulow Castle and the magnificent Tudor stronghold of Bamburg. These
are compared with the scant remains of Fotheringhay Castle, the birthplace of Richard III (the man whose remains were so
dramatically uncovered in Leicester) and Micklegate Bar, York, was where Richard's head was placed on a spike.
We see the Clocktower of St Albans and 'Gabriel' the bell that was rung in 1455 alerting of the Yorkist advance, as well as
the Tower of London where Henry VI met his death and the possible burial place of the two princes.
These, and scores of other places, monuments, plaques, buildings and battlegrounds, represent not only a journey across
England and Wales, but a journey back in time to the bloody conflict that was to be forever known as the War of the
Roses.
Critique: A brilliant and unreservedly recommended addition to personal, professional, community, and academic library
English History collections, "Wars of the Roses: The People, Places and Battlefields of the Yorkists and Lancastrians" is an
ideal resource for planning travel itineraries for anyone with an interest in the history and surviving monuments associated
with the era and personalities associated with the War of the Roses. Profusely illustrated throughout with black- and-white
photography, it should be noted for personal reading lists of academia and non-specialist general readers alike that "Wars of
the Roses: The People, Places and Battlefields of the Yorkists and Lancastrians" is also readily available in a digital book
format (Kindle, $18.99).
Editorial Note: Paul Kendall (https://www.paul-kendall.co.uk) is a military historian and author from Kent specializing in
the First World War. He was educated at Queen Mary and Westfield College, University of London, where he also served as
an Honorary Midshipman with the University of London Royal Naval Unit.
Britain's Empires: A History, 1600-2020
James Heartfield
Anthem Press
www.anthempress.com
9781839987243, $150.00, HC, 506pp
https://www.amazon.com/Britains-Empires-History-1600-2020-Studies/dp/1839987243
Synopsis: With the publication of "Britain's Empires: A History, 1600-2020", author, social justice campaigner and historian
James Heartfield presents an accurate and seminal history of the many different British Empires including: the Old Colonial
System (1600 - 1776), the Empire of Free Trade (1776 - 1870), the New Imperialism (1870 - 1945), Decolonisation (1945 -
1990) and the era of humanitarian intervention (1990 - 2020).
Critique: Comprehensive, well written, accessible organized, and 'reader friendly' in presentation, and a masterpiece of
independent scholarship, "Britain's Empires: A History, 1600-2020" is a seminal study that reveals the complex and
controversial story of the Britain's colonial past as being indelible characterized by irresistible change and evolutionary
mandated re-invention. While an especially and unreservedly recommended addition to personal, professional, community,
and academic library British/English History collections and supplemental curriculum studies lists, it should be noted for
students, academia, historians, and non-specialist general readers with an interest in the subject that "Britain's Empires: A
History, 1600-2020" is also available in a digital book format (Kindle, $29.99).
Editorial Note: James Heartfield (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/James_Heartfield) wrote The British and Foreign
Anti-Slavery Society, Who's Afraid of the Easter Rising? The Equal Opportunities Revolution and many other books. James
is also a long-standing campaigner for social justice.
The Ship Beneath the Ice
Mensun Bound
Mariner Books
www.marinerbooks.com
c/o HarperCollins Publishers
www.harpercollins.com
Blackstone Audiobooks
www.blackstoneaudio.com
9780063297401, $35.00, HC, 416pp
https://www.amazon.com/Ship-Beneath-Ice-Discovery-Shackletons/dp/006329740X
Synopsis: On November 21, 1914, after sailing more than ten thousand miles from Norway to the Antarctic Ocean, the
Endurance finally succumbed to the surrounding ice. Ernest Shackleton and his crew had navigated the 144-foot,
three-masted wooden vessel to Antarctica to become the first to cross the barren continent, but early season pack ice trapped
them in place offshore. They watched in silence as the ship's stern rose twenty feet in the air and disappeared into the frigid
sea, then spent six harrowing months marooned on the ice in its wake. Seal meat was their only sustenance as Shackleton's
expedition to push the limits of human strength took a new form: one of survival against the odds.
As this legendary story entered the annals of polar exploration, it inspired a new global race to find the wrecked Endurance,
by all accounts "the world's most unreachable shipwreck." Several missions failed, thwarted, as Shackleton was, by the
unpredictable Weddell Sea. Finally, a century to the day after Shackleton's death, renowned marine archeologist Mensun
Bound and an elite team of explorers discovered the lost shipwreck. Nearly ten thousand feet below the ice lay a remarkably
preserved Endurance, its name still emblazoned on the ship's stern.
With the publication of "The Ship Beneath the Ice", Mensun Bound chronicles two dramatic expeditions to what Shackleton
called "the most hostile sea on Earth". Bound experienced failure and despair in his attempts to locate the wreck, and, like
Shackleton before him, very nearly found his vessel frozen in ice.
Enhanced for the reader with the inclusion of captivating photos from the 1914 expedition and of the wreck as Bound and
his team found it, this inspiring modern-day adventure narrative captures the intrepid spirit that joins two mariners across
the centuries -- both of whom accomplished the impossible!
Critique: An inherently fascinating and fully documented read from cover to cover, "The Ship Beneath the Ice" will be of
particular appeal to readers with an interest in Arctic/Antarctica Exploratory Expeditionary and Maritime Histories, and is
unreservedly recommended for community and academic library Travel/Explorer collections. It should be noted for personal
reading lists that "The Ship Beneath the Ice" is also available in a digital book format (Kindle, $15.99) and as a complete
and unabridged audio book (Blackstone Audio, 9798212201308, $41.99, CD).
The Civil War Shelf
Man of Fire: William Tecumseh Sherman in the Civil War
Derek D. Maxfield
Savas Beatie
PO Box 4527, El Dorado Hills, CA 95762
www.savasbeatie.com
9781611215991, $16.95, PB, 192pp
https://www.amazon.com/Man-Fire-William-Tecumseh-Emerging/dp/1611215994
Synopsis: William Tecumseh Sherman has been accused of "studied and ingenious cruelty". By turns, he has been called a
savior and a barbarian, a hero and a villain, a genius and a madman. But whatever you call General Sherman, he is arguably
one of the most fascinating character within the context of the American Civil War.
Sherman spent a lifetime in search of who he was, striving to find a place and a calling. Informally adopted by the Ewing
family of Lancaster, Ohio, when his own father died when he was just nine, the young redhead lived in a spacious mansion
just up the hill from his mother. Later, as a young man, he would marry his adopted sister, Ellen.
After attending West Point, the intrepid Ohioan found that being a soldier suited him. Yet he always seemed to miss his
opportunity. The second Seminole War was in its closing days before he saw action. When the Mexican-American War
broke out, he anticipated the opportunity to earn military glory only to be posted to Pittsburgh on recruiting duty.
Transferred to California, he arrived too late after surviving two shipwrecks, then ended up on administrative duties.
Hounded by his family to leave the military, Sherman tried banking and practicing law. Finally, he became superintendent
of a new military academy in Louisiana and thought he had found his place -- until civil war intervened.
After leading his troops at the battle of Bull Run, the anxious brigadier general was sent West to Kentucky. Apprehensive
over the situation in the Blue Grass State, suffering from stress, insomnia, and anxiety, Sherman begged to be relieved. Sent
home to recover, the newspapers announced he was insane. Colleagues concluded he was "gone in the head".
Instead, like a phoenix, he rose from the ashes to become a hero of the republic. Forging an identity in the fire of war, the
unconventional general kindled a friendship with Ulysses S. Grant and proved to everyone at Shiloh, Vicksburg,
Chattanooga, Georgia, and in the Carolinas that while he was unorthodox, he was also brilliant and creative. More than that,
he was eminently successful and played an important role in the Union's victory.
With the publication of "Man of Fire: William Tecumseh Sherman in the Civil War", Professor Derek D. Maxfield tells the
story of a man who found himself in war -- and that, in turn, secured him a place in history. Condemned for his
barbarousness or hailed for his heroics, the life of this peculiar general is nonetheless compelling and thoroughly
American.
Critique: illustrated throughout with black/white historical images, this new paperback edition of "Man of Fire: William
Tecumseh Sherman in the Civil War" from Savas Beatie must be considered a core and essential addition to personal,
professional, community, and academic library American Civil War History & Biography collections. It should be noted for
students, academia, Civil War buffs, and non-specialist general readers with an interest in the subject that "Man of Fire:
William Tecumseh Sherman in the Civil War" is also available in a digital book format (Kindle, $7.99).
Editorial Note: Derek Maxfield (https://ddmaxfield.com/about) is an Associate Professor of History at Genesee Community
College in Batavia, New York. Author of Hellmira: The Union's Most Infamous Civil War Prison Camp - Elmira, NY,
Maxfield has written for Emerging Civil War since 2015. In 2019, he was honored with the SUNY Chancellor's Award for
Excellence in Teaching, and in 2013, he was awarded the SUNY Chancellor's Award for Excellence in Scholarship and
Creative Activities.
The Military Shelf
A Pair of Aces and a Trey
Alan L. Roesler
Casemate Publishers
1940 Lawrence Road, Havertown, PA 19083
www.casematepublishers.com
9781636241876, $34.95, HC, 256pp
https://www.amazon.com/Pair-Aces-Trey-Easterbrook-Observation/dp/1636241875
Synopsis: Trained as a pursuit pilot but assigned to an observation squadron, the indefatigable Bill Erwin flew twice as
many hours over the front lines as any other pilot in the 1st Aero Squadron. His two primary observers, Byrne Baucom and
Arthur Easterbrook, were both previously Army infantry officers and deadly marksmen.
It was their dedication, bravery, and courage under fire that kept them alive throughout the Chateau-Thierry, St. Mihiel, and
Meuse-Argonne campaigns. Easterbrook scored four of his five victories while flying with Erwin, including two in one day,
while Baucom scored all three of his victories with Erwin. Even after returning in shredded Salmsons, being forced down,
and shot down on multiple occasions, all three remained relatively unscathed throughout the war.
Erwin's dramatic life culminated in his disappearance during the 1927 Dole Air Race, while Easterbrook became a respected
figure in Washington. Revered in his home state of Texas, Baucom became a pilot in the 1920s and rose to become an
instructor at an advanced flying school. He died in an aircraft crash in 1928. While Erwin became Dallas's 'favorite son' in
life, three thousand people paid tributes to Baucom at his funeral, showing his immense popularity. Easterbrook was the
only one of the three to survive to reach his military career potential, retiring as a brigadier general after World War II.
With the publication of "A Pair of Aces and a Trey: 1st Lieutenants William P. Erwin, Arthur E. Easterbrook, and Byrne V.
Baucom: America's Top Scoring World War I Observation Pilot and Observers" Alan Roesler retraces the lives and careers
of the three men in a unique joint biography.
Critique: Occasionally illustrated with black/white historic photographs, "A Pair of Aces and a Trey: 1st Lieutenants
William P. Erwin, Arthur E. Easterbrook, and Byrne V. Baucom: America's Top Scoring World War I Observation Pilot and
Observers" is an inherently fascinating read and highly recommended for personal, community, and academic library World
War I History & Biography collections. It should be noted for the personal reading lists of dedicated military history buffs
that "A Pair of Aces and a Trey" is also available in a digital book format (Kindle, $15.99).
Editorial Note: Alan Roesler is a military aviation historian. He has been a featured speaker at the U.S. Air Force Museum,
Commemorative Air Force Museum, Sharlot Hall Museum, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, and Yavapai
College.
Elephant Paths: Combat History of Sturmgeschutz-Abteilung 203
Thomas Anderson
PeKo Publishing
c/o Casemate Publishers
1940 Lawrence Road, Havertown, PA 19083
www.casematepublishers.com
9786155583759, $54.95, HC, 192pp
https://www.amazon.com/Elephant-Paths-Combat-history-Sturmgesch%C3%BCtz-Abteilung/dp/6155583757
Synopsis: "Elephant Paths" (the title of this book) refers to the unit symbol of StuGAbt 203, later redesignated StuGBrig
203, a charging elephant. The unit displayed this coat of arms proudly on their Sturmgeschutze and other vehicles during the
often hard fighting on the Eastern Front. "Elephant Paths: Combat history of Sturmgeschutz-Abteilung 203" from PeKo
Publishing is the combat history of the Abteilung presented by author Thomas Anderson and illustrated with 291 rare and
never before published photos, maps and documents.
Critique: Simply stated, "Elephant Paths: Combat History of Sturmgeschutz-Abteilung 203" by German military historian
Thomas Anderson is an inherently fascinating, impressively informative, exceptionally well presented coffee-table style
(11.5 x 0.75 x 8.5 inches, 2.3 pounds) volume that is an especially recommended addition to personal, professional,
community, and academic library World War II History collections presenting the German battlefield perspective.
Editorial Note: Thomas Anderson is a German national who specialises in German World War II vehicles. Most of his work
are derived from the Bundesarchive and other archives of various military establishments throughout Europe.
Burning Horizon
Julian Whippy
Casemate Publishers
1940 Lawrence Road, Havertown, PA 19083
www.casematepublishers.com
9781636242972, $34.95, HC, 256pp
https://www.amazon.com/Burning-Horizon-British-Veteran-Accounts/dp/1636242979
Synopsis: Codenamed Operation Telic, the British component of the invasion of Iraq in 2003 was the largest gathering of
British troops since the Second World War.
While the British public prepared for the worst as its soldiers were facing weapons of mass destruction, most servicemen
and women were under no illusion that they were invading Iraq to rid the people of Saddam Hussein.
While much has been said about WMD and Tony Blair's government, not nearly enough has been heard from those men and
women that took part in Operation Telic. Based upon dozens of veteran interviews, personal diaries and archival material,
with the publication of "Burning Horizon: British Veteran Accounts of the Iraq War, 2003", Julian Whippy presents their
stories in the veteran's own words.
From controlling the vast Allied Air Forces at 34,000 feet in an AWACS plane down to submariners beneath the warm
waves of the Persian Gulf firing Tomahawk Cruise missiles, from the steaming hot turret of a Challenger Tank as it is
peppered with RPGs, to being on your belly in a sandstorm disarming unexploded bombs -- these veteran accounts cover the
whole spectrum of experiences.
Polarized public opinion and the post-war media portrayal of the war has detracted from what was achieved by these forces,
when tasked to do so, often with insufficient or inadequate resources. These are their stories of courage, fortitude, pride, and
brotherhood amidst the harsh realities of modern asymmetric warfare.
Critique: An informative and fascinating contribution to our understanding the the Iraq War that was to topple the
dictatorship of Sadam Hussein, "Burning Horizon: British Veteran Accounts of the Iraq War, 2003" is especially and
unreservedly recommended for personal, community, and academic library Kuwait and Iraq histories in general, and the Iraq
War in particular. It should be noted for the personal reading lists of military history buffs that "Burning Horizon" is also
available from Casemate Publishers in a digital book format (Kindle, $15.99).
Editorial Note: Julian Whippy (https://www.gbg-international.com/guide/julian-whippy) served for 25 years in the British
Police, primarily with Firearms teams and as a covert surveillance officer in London. Julian's passion for military history
began when he joined the Royal Anglian Regiment as a reservist and has culminated with him owning his own battlefield
tour company and working for many years across the world as an accredited battlefield guide. A member of the British
Commission for Military History, he wrote The Greater Game, Sportsmen Killed in the Great War.
Dark Waters, Starry Skies
Jeffrey R. Cox
Osprey Publishing
4301 21st St, Suite 220B, Long Island City, NY 11101
www.ospreypublishing.com
9781472849892, $35.00, HC, 528pp
https://www.amazon.com/Dark-Waters-Starry-Skies-Guadalcanal-Solomons/dp/1472849892
Synopsis: Thousands of miles from friendly ports, the US Navy had finally managed to complete the capture of Guadalcanal
from the Japanese in early 1943. Now the Allies sought to keep the offensive momentum won at such a high cost. This is
the central plot line running through "Dark Waters, Starry Skies: The Guadalcanal-Solomons Campaign, March - October
1943" by military historian Jeffrey R. Cox.
This inherently interesting and informative history begins with the Japanese Operation I-Go and the American ambush of
Admiral Yamamoto, then continues on to the Allied invasion of New Georgia, northwest of Guadalcanal in the middle of
the Solomon Islands and the location of a major Japanese base. Determined not to repeat their mistakes at Guadalcanal, the
Allies nonetheless faltered in their continuing efforts to roll back the Japanese land, air and naval forces.
Using first-hand accounts from both sides, "Dark Waters, Starry Skies" vividly recreates all the terror and drama of the
nighttime naval battles during this phase of the Solomons campaign and the ferocious firestorm many Marines faced as they
disembarked from their landing craft. The reader is transported to the bridge to stand alongside Admiral Walden Ainsworth
as he sails to stop another Japanese reinforcement convoy for New Georgia, and vividly feels the fear of an 18-year-old
Marine as he fights for survival against a weakened but still determined enemy.
Critique: A definitive and engrossing history which that deftly weaves together both strategy and tactics, enhanced for the
reader with a blow-by-blow account of every battle at a vital point in the Pacific War, "Dark Waters, Starry Skies" is
enhanced for the reader with the inclusion of a Prologue (Via Delorosa), an Epilogue (The Akikaze Resunk), forty-eight
pages of Notes, a two page Bibliography, and a seven page Index. While also available for personal reading lists in a digital
book format (Kindle, $14.46), "Dark Waters, Starry Skies" is a welcome, valued, and unreservedly recommended addition
to personal, community, and academic library World War II History collections and supplemental curriculum studies
lists.
Editorial Note: Jeffrey R. Cox (https://ospreypublishing.com/us/author/jeffrey-cox) is a litigation attorney and an
independent military historian. A student of history, international affairs, and defence policy for most of his life, his first
book was the critically acclaimed Rising Star, Falling Skies (2014) about the Java Sea campaign. This was followed by two
volumes on the Guadalcanal-Solomons campaign: Morning Star, Midnight Sun (2018) and Blazing Star, Setting Sun
(2020).
Brotherhood of the Flying Coffin
Scott McGaugh
Osprey Publishing
4301 21st St, Suite 220B, Long Island City, NY 11101
www.ospreypublishing.com
9781472852946, $30.00, HC, 288pp
https://www.amazon.com/Brotherhood-Flying-Coffin-Glider-Pilots/dp/147285294X
Synopsis: With the publication of "Brotherhood of the Flying Coffin: The Glider Pilots of World War II", journalist and
military historian Scott McGaugh distills war down to individual young men climbing into defenseless gliders made of
plywood, ready to trust the towing aircraft that would pull them into enemy territory by a single cable wrapped with a
telephone wire. Based on their after-action reports, journals, oral histories, photos and letters home, "The Brotherhood of the
Flying Coffin" reveals every terrifying minute of their missions.
They were all volunteers, for a specialized duty that their own government projected would have a 50 percent casualty rate.
None faltered. In every major European invasion of the war they led the way. They landed their gliders ahead of the troops
who stormed Omaha Beach, and sometimes miles ahead of the paratroopers bound for the far side of the Rhine River in
Germany itself. From there, they had to hold their positions. They delivered medical teams, supplies and gasoline to troops
surrounded in the Battle of the Bulge, ahead even of Patton's famous supply truck convoy.
These all-volunteer glider pilots played a pivotal role in liberating the West from tyranny, from the day the Allies invaded
Occupied Europe to the day Germany finally surrendered. Yet the story of these anonymous heroes is virtually unknown.
Here their story is told in full -- a story which epitomizes courage, dedication and sacrifice.
Critique: Rescuing a very special World War II branch of the American military from an undeserved obscurity,
"Brotherhood of the Flying Coffin: The Glider Pilots of World War II" is an extraordinary and unreservedly recommended
addition to community and academic library American Military Aviation History collections in general, and World War II
supplemental curriculum studies lists in particular. Featuring a section of historic black-and-white photography,
"Brotherhood of the Flying Coffin" is additionally enhanced with the inclusion of a four page Glossary, a five page Select
Bibliography, thirteen pages of Endnotes, and an eight page Index. It should be noted for the personal reading lists of
students, academia, nad military history buffs that "Brootherhood of the Flying Coffin" is also available in a digital book
format (Kindle, $12.60).
Editorial Note: Scott McGaugh (http://scottmcgaugh.com) is a veteran journalist and published author of Honor Before
Glory (Da Capo, 2016), the New York Times bestseller Surgeon in Blue (Arcade, 2013), Battlefield Angels (Osprey, 2011)
and Midway Magic (CDS/Perseus, 2004). Midway Magic became the basis for a History Channel program, Hero Ship: The
USS Midway. McGaugh served as the founding marketing director of the USS Midway Museum in San Diego, the most
visited floating ship museum in the world.
Waffen-SS Dutch, Belgian, and Danish Volunteers
Ian Baxter
Pen & Sword Books
c/o Casemate (US distribution)
www.casematepublishers.com
https://www.penandswordbooks.com
9781399087629, $26.95, PB, 160pp
https://www.amazon.com/Waffen-SS-Belgian-Danish-Volunteers-Images/dp/1399087622
Synopsis: Following the German invasion of the Soviet Union, numerous Dutchmen, Belgians and Danes volunteered for
the Waffen-SS. The largest division, SS Volunteer Legion Netherlands operated in Yugoslavia and then Northern Russia. It
was later re-designated 23rd SS Volunteer Panzergrenadier Division Nederland.
Fighting alongside the Nederland formation was the SS Volunteer Legion Flanders, manned mainly with Dutch speaking
recruits from occupied Belgium. After being disbanded it was later reformed as the SS Assault Brigade Langemarck
(SS-Sturmbrigade Langemarck).
The SS Volunteer Legion Walloon, recruited from French-speaking volunteers from German occupied Belgium, was sent to
Russia and later integrated with the SS Assault Brigade Wallonia (SS-Sturmbrigade Wallonien).
Finally some 6,000 Danes served in Free Corps Denmark which went to the Eastern Front in May 1942. Within a year the
formation was disbanded into Division Nordland, known as `Regiment 24 Danemark`
Drawing on a superb collection of rare and often unpublished photographs, "Waffen-SS Dutch, Belgian, and Danish
Volunteers" is the newest addition to the Pen & Sword 'Images of War' series and describes the fighting history of each
formation, notably the 1944 battle of Narva, which was known as the battle of the European SS. As its forces were pushed
further back across a scarred and burning wasteland it describes how these Dutch, Belgian and Danish units became cut off
in the Kurland Pocket until some were evacuated by sea. The remainder were killed or captured in front of Berlin in April
1945.
Critique: One of the lesser known aspects of World War II was the success the Nazi's had in recruited men from conquered
and occupied countries to fight against Allied troops. "Waffen-SS Dutch, Belgian, and Danish Volunteers" is impressively
illustrated with historical black/white photos documented this unusual military phenomena from the German military
perspective. While also available in a digital book format (Kindle, $11.49), "Waffen-SS Dutch, Belgian, and Danish
Volunteers" is a fascinating, informative, and unreservedly recommended addition to personal, professional, community,
and academic library World War II Military History collections and supplemental curriculum studies lists.
Editorial Note: Ian Baxter (https://www.pen-and-sword.co.uk/Ian-Baxter/a/716) is a military historian who specializes in
German twentieth-century military history. He has written more than fifty books. He has also reviewed numerous military
studies for publication, supplied thousands of photographs and important documents to various publishers and film
production companies worldwide, and lectures to various schools, colleges and universities throughout the United Kingdom
and Southern Ireland.
The Biography Shelf
Grant at 200
Chris Mackowski, editor
Frank J. Scaturro, editor
Savas Beatie
PO Box 4527, El Dorado Hills, CA 95762
www.savasbeatie.com
9781611216141, $32.95, HC, 288pp
https://www.amazon.com/Grant-200-Reconsidering-Legacy-Ulysses/dp/1611216141
Synopsis: Ulysses S. Grant (April 27, 1822 - July 23, 1885) stood at the center of the American Civil War maelstrom. The
Ohio native answered his nation's call to service and finished the war as a lieutenant general in command of the U.S. Army.
Four years later, he ascended to the presidency to better secure the peace he had helped win on the battlefield. Despite his
major achievements in war and peace, political and sectional enemies battered his reputation. For nearly a century, his
military and political career remained deeply misunderstood.
Since the Civil War centennial, however, Grant's reputation has blossomed into a full renaissance. His military record
garners new respect and, more recently, an appreciation for his political career (particularly his strong advocacy for equal
rights) is quickly catching up.
Throughout these decades, his personal memoirs marking him as a significant American "Man of Letters" have never gone
out of print. Collaboratively compiled and co-edited by Chris Mackowski and Frank J. Scaturro, "Grant at 200:
Reconsidering the Life and Legacy of Ulysses S. Grant" celebrates the bicentennial of the birth of a man whose towering
impact on American history has often been overshadowed and, in many cases, ignored. This collection of essays by some of
today's leading Grant scholars offers fresh perspectives on Grant's military career and presidency, as well as underexplored
personal topics such as his faith and family life.
Critique: Featuring a complete listing of the contributors and their credentials, "Grant at 200: Reconsidering the Life and
Legacy of Ulysses S. Grant" is an extraordinarily informed and informative work of collective scholarship and unreservedly
recommended for personal, professional, community, and academic library 19th Century American Biography collections
and supplemental curriculum Civil War History studies lists. It should be noted for students, academia, Civil War history
buffs, and non-specialist general readers with an interest in the subject that "Grant at 200" is also readily available in a
digital book format (Kindle, $13.49).
Editorial Note #1: The author or co-author more than a dozen books on the Civil War, Chris Mackowski is the editor in
chief of Emerging Civil War. He is also a writing professor in the Jandoli School of Communication at St. Bonaventure
University as well as the historian-in-residence at Stevenson Ridge, a historic property on the Spotsylvania battlefield.
(authored or coauthored more than a dozen books on the Civil War)
Editorial Note #2: Frank Scaturro (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Frank_Scaturro) is an attorney and author. His previous
writings include President Grant Reconsidered (1998) and The Supreme Court's Retreat from Reconstruction (2000). He is
also the president of the Grant Monument Association, which is dedicated to the preservation of Grant's Tomb. Frank served
as Counsel for the Constitution for the Senate Judiciary Committee and as special counsel to the House Select Investigative
Panel. He currently serves as vice-president and senior counsel of the Judicial Crisis Network.
Anne Boleyn, An Illustrated Life of Henry VIII's Queen
Roland Hui
Pen & Sword Books
c/o Casemate (US distribution)
www.casematepublishers.com
https://www.penandswordbooks.com
9781399087575, $34.95, HC, 216pp
https://www.amazon.com/Boleyn-Illustrated-Henry-VIIIs-Queen/dp/1399087576
Synopsis: 'If you remember my love in your prayers as strongly as I adore you, I shall hardly be forgotten, for I am yours,' -
Henry Rex, forever
This was written by King Henry VIII to his sweetheart, the seductive and vivacious Anne Boleyn, his passion for her would
be so great that Henry would make Anne his queen, launch the Protestant church in Britain, and change the course of
English history.
But the woman whom Henry had promised to love for all time would go from palace to prison, charged with heinous
crimes. Her life ended on a bloody scaffold in the Tower of London.
Critique: The subject of numerous movies and a basic story found in many a novel and academic study, with the publication
of "Anne Boleyn, An Illustrated Life of Henry VIII's Queen", historian Roland Hui brings a new perspective to this the
dramatic story romance and tragedy that was the life and times of Anne Boleyn -- arguably the most famous and
controversial of Henry VIII's six wives. While a welcome and recommended addition to personal, community, college, and
university library British Royal Biographies, it should be noted that this exciting and profusely illustrated account of her life
told in both words and pictures is also available in a digital book format (Kindle, $12.99).
Editorial Note: Roland Hui (https://www.tudorsociety.com/roland-hui-tudor-society) received his degree in Art History
from Concordia University in Canada. After completing his studies, he went on to work for California State Parks, The U.S.
Forest Service, and The National Park Service in interpretive media. Roland is also the author of "The Turbulent Crown:
The Story of the Tudor Queens" (2017) and is the co-creator of "The Mary Queen of Scots coloring Book" (2019). He blogs
about Tudor art and personalities at Tudor Faces: https://tudorfaces.blogspot.ca
Memoirs of an Ordinary Guy
Daniel Stuart Olmes
Post Hill Press
www.posthillpress.com
9781637587317, $17.99, PB, 272pp
https://www.amazon.com/Memoirs-Ordinary-Guy-Everyday-Experiences/dp/1637587317
Synopsis: By most measures, Daniel Olmes is an ordinary guy -- but he's learned how to live an extraordinary life. With the
publication of "Memoirs of an Ordinary Guy: The Everyday Experiences that Changed My Life", Daniel asserts that we are
all capable of being extraordinary and redefines what it means to be just another ordinary person. He is living proof that
extraordinary is there for all of us.
It doesn't mean being rich or famous. It doesn't even mean to be better than others. To Daniel, "extraordinary" means
grateful, honest, happy, loving, fearless, and faithful. Doing extraordinary things is not what makes us extraordinary. Being
extraordinary is having an extraordinary perspective on our lives and the things that happen to us. Daniel's narrative will
inspire everyone to view their lives differently, remind us of the stories that we all share, and spark a renewed curiosity
about a world that's anything but ordinary.
Critique: With a very special and valued appeal to readers with an interest in Spiritual Self-Help, this extraordinary life story
of Daniel Stuart Olmes is an exceptionally well written and inherently fascinating memoir that is particularly recommended
for community library American Biography/Memoir collections. It should be noted for personal reading lists that "Memoirs
of an Ordinary Guy: The Everyday Experiences that Changed My Life" is also readily available in a digital book format
(Kindle, $9.99).
Editorial Note: Daniel Stuart Olmes is a husband, father of twins, entrepreneur, and Aerospace and Defense executive
residing outside of Washington, D.C., in the Northern Virginia suburbs. He is currently the president and chief operating
officer of a mid-sized government contractor and is an avid reader, runner, and volunteer, spending most of his time on the
baseball field as a Little League coach. He has founded two companies: Middleburg Capital being a commercial real estate
investment firm, and Hellen Systems, a technology company focused on a national security initiative to create a
ground-based back-up for the Global Positioning System (GPS).
Everything That Rises: A Climate Change Memoir
Brianna Craft
https://briannacraft.com
Lawrence Hill Press
c/o Chicago Review Press
814 North Franklin Street, Chicago, IL 60610
www.chicagoreviewpress.com
9781641608602, $28.99, HC, 288pp
https://www.amazon.com/Everything-That-Rises-Climate-Change/dp/1641608609
Synopsis: Nineteen-year-old Brianna Craft is having a panic attack. A professor's matter-of-fact explanation of the
phenomenon known as "climate change" has her white-knuckling the table in her first environmental studies lecture.
This moment changed everything for Brianna. For her first internship, she jumped at the chance to assist the Least
Developed Countries Group at the United Nations' negotiations meant to produce a new climate treaty. While working for
those most ignored yet most impacted by the climate crisis, she grappled with the negligent indifference of those who hold
the most power. This dynamic painfully reminded her of growing up in a house where the loudest voice always won and
violence silenced those in need.
Four years later, Brianna witnessed the adoption of the first universal climate treaty, the Paris Agreement. With the
publication of "Everything That Rises: A Climate Change Memoir", Brianna deftly blends the political with the personal as
she relates from her life experiences just what it means to advocate for the future, and for the people and places you love, all
while ensuring your own voice doesn't get lost in the process.
Critique: A fascinating, engaging, and impressively presented life story, "Everything That Rises: A Climate Change
Memoir" will have a very special appeal to readers with an interest in the subjects of Climate Change and Environmental
Science. While "Everything That Rises" is unreservedly recommended for community and academic library Contemporary
American Biography/Memoir collections, it should be noted for personal reading lists that it is also readily available for
personal reading lists in a digital book format (Kindle, $11.49).
Editorial Note: Brianna Craft (https://briannacraft.com) is a senior researcher at the International Institute for Environment
and Development (IIED). Craft works to further equity in the United Nations' climate change negotiations for the world's
poorest countries, which have done the least to cause the climate crisis but are the most vulnerable to its impacts. Based in
London, she researches climate diplomacy, taking specific interest in the Paris Agreement and provisions to develop and
transfer technology. Craft holds a master's degree in environmental studies from Brown University in addition to a
bachelor's degree in architectural studies and minors in urban design and planning, and environmental studies from the
University of Washington.
Harvard, Hollywood, Hitmen, and Holy Men
Paul W. Williams
The University Press of Kentucky
663 South Limestone Street, Lexington, KY 40508-4008
www.kentuckypress.com
9780813196671, $27.95, HC, 312pp
https://www.amazon.com/Harvard-Hollywood-Hitmen-Holy-Men/dp/0813196671
Synopsis: Paul Williams [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paul_Williams_(director)] is an American director, writer, producer,
and actor whose true life experiences form a unique and often wild constellation of encounters with star power, political
power, and spiritual power -- a life cycle that led to fame and fortune and to integrity and anonymity.
In a mad childhood created by an autocratic English teacher father and an infantilizing mother, he develops a precocious
visual acuity to avoid wallops and a writing ability that mollified his father. This skill set wins him a scholarship to Harvard,
where he needs to learn how the Wisemen think. He seeks out tutors who reveal themselves: Kissinger, Skinner, Galbraith,
Erikson, Alpert, Leary, the Hubleys and Jean Renoir. Howard Gardner is his roommate and Michael Crichton is an editor
friend on the college daily, The Crimson. After months, his lover reveals she is the heiress of a great American fortune.
A member of the inner circle of the "Movie Brats" who led the charge of American New Wave cinema in the 1970s,
Williams' idiosyncrasies make him a darling of the era. His stories about his pals (Scorsese, Voight, Christie, DePalma,
Coppola, Dreyfuss, Spielberg, De Niro, Lucas) shed new light on a world bursting with creativity and possibility. He helps
Terrence Malick make his first film, tries to adjust to the tyranny of the fabulously wealthy, and turns down the offer to
direct the smash hits Animal House and Stepford Wives, and to partner on a new Parisian restaurant -- The Hard Rock Cafe;
and turns down Lorne Michaels' offer to help him create Saturday Night Live.
With amazing honesty, Williams also recounts the unexpected details of making his own seminal cult classics, Out of It
(1969), The Revolutionary (1970) and Dealing (1972). And his adventures with Black Panther Eldridge Cleaver in Algiers,
Fidel Castro in Havana, Huey P. Newton in Oakland, and Pope John Paul II in Vatican City.
A seemingly larger than life, experimental, fearlessly audacious and ultimately self-knowing life story,"Harvard,
Hollywood, Hitmen, and Holy Men: A Memoir" is the extraordinary account of a genuine odyssey. Through his anecdotes,
shocking and delightful in their humor and authenticity, Williams takes readers on his unique journey to answer life's big
questions -- with aides Mescalito (the Peyote guide), Ichazo (the Gurdjieffian Sufi master), and Dilgo Khyentse (the current
Dalai Lama's principal teacher), and finally, Vivian (a transcendent love).
Critique: An inherently fascinating, impressively informative, exceptionally well written, and amazingly candid memoir that
will have a very special appeal to readers with an interest in Cinematic History/Criticism and Movie Director/Actor
Biographies/Memoirs, "Harvard, Hollywood, Hitmen, and Holy Men: A Memoir" is a welcome and unreservedly
recommended addition to personal, professional, community, and academic library American Biography and American
Cinematic History collections and supplemental curriculum studies lists. It should be noted that "Harvard, Hollywood,
Hitmen, and Holy Men: A Memoir" is also available in a digital book format (Kindle, $20.99) from the University of
Kentucky Press.
The Money/Finance Shelf
What Should I Do with My Money?
Bryan M. Kuderna
McGraw Hill Professional
1221 Avenue of the Americas, 45th Floor, New York, NY 10020
www.mhprofessional.com
9781264857937, $25.00, PB, 272pp
https://www.amazon.com/What-Should-Do-My-Money/dp/1264857934
Synopsis: Bryan M. Kuderna, is a Certified Financial Planner and nationally recognized financial advisor, who knows
first-hand that the key to wise financial decisions is a deep understanding of economics. When his clients ask him, "What
should I do with my money?" Kuderna has found the conversation quickly turns from one of personal finance to a
360-degree view of economics, illustrating why and how issues on the global stage and the kitchen table are directly
connected.
With the publication of "What Should I Do with My Money?: Economic Insights to Build Wealth Amid Chaos", Kuderna
explains how economies and markets are affected by the way people live, learn, love, work, play, and pray -- for it is these
behaviors that determine how groups, corporations, and nations make money or lose money.
Using history, storytelling, and sage insights, Kuderna takes you on a panoramic tour of the nine most important domains
impacting your wealth: Population (a rapidly growing and shifting balance of givers and takers); Entitlements (the past,
present, and future of Social Security, Medicare/Medicaid, pensions, and stimulus programs); Education (costs and benefits
of college and student loans); Economic Philosophy (political and monetary beliefs that govern our world); Environment
(the sustainability of our planet amid global warming, plastics, and finite natural resources); Tech (opportunities and threats
from the fastest-growing sector of the stock market); War (the use of proxy wars, civil military fusion, cyber, and economic
attacks); Religion (how faith has steered economies from the stone age to the space age); Personal Finance (a plan to attain
the Three I's: Impact, Independence, and Income).
Each chapter includes special features explaining the "macro" problem and what it means to your personal "micro" world --
helping you connect the dots of global issues to your own financial plan. Now more than ever you might feel overwhelmed,
the victim of existing economic structures, but wait and see how there has been no better time for you to take control and
build wealth.
Critique: In an age of governmental instability, rapid technological changes, global disaster disruptions in the form of wars
and pandemics, criminal manipulations of the marketplace ranging from Ponzi schemes to insider trading, there is a
minefield of potential problems that can and will have a detrimental (and potentiality disastrous) impact on the fortunes and
finances of unwary and inexperienced investors. "What Should I Do with My Money?: Economic Insights to Build Wealth
Amid Chaos" by investment expert Bryan M. Kuderna should be considered essential reading for anyone wanting to
effectively and profitably create personal wealth through investment, be it in stocks, bonds, or entrepreneurial start-ups.
Exceptionally well written, organized and presented, "What Should I Do with My Money" is unreservedly recommended for
personal, professional, community, and academic library Wealth Management & Investing collections. It should be noted
that "What Should I Do with My Money" is also available in a digital book format (Kindle, $22.72).
Editorial Note: Bryan M. Kuderna (https://bryankuderna.com) the founder of Kuderna Financial Team and was named one
of New Jersey's Top 10 Financial Professionals of 2021 by NJBIZ. He hosts the popular finance and business podcast, "The
Kuderna Podcast" and is a regular contributor to CNBC, Newsmax, Financial Planning Magazine, and other media. His first
book "Millennial Millionaire: A Guide to Become a Millionaire by 30" launched Kuderna as a national speaker at colleges,
hospitals, and financial institutions.
The Business Shelf
Next Generation Retail
Deborah Weinswig, author
Renee Hartmann, author
Kogan Page Inc.
8 W 38th Street, Ste 902, New York, NY 10018
www.koganpage.com
9781398609648, $80.99, HC, 240pp
https://www.amazon.com/Next-Generation-Retail-Technology-Innovate/dp/1398609641
Synopsis: While change is a constant in retail marketing, flux has accelerated in innovation, digital disruption and changing
consumer demands and expectations. Written for both digital-first and physical retailers, with the publication of "Next
Generation Retail: How to Use New Technology to Innovate for the Future" by co-authors Deborah Weinswig and Renee
Hartmann describes how to respond to the needs and expectations of today's consumers and connect with Generations Z and
Alpha in an authentic and relevant way. Highly practical in approach, Next Generation Retail" explores the latest
opportunities and pitfalls to avoid for developments including the metaverse, livestream shopping, instant commerce,
blockchain and non-fungible tokens (NFTs).
"Next Generation Retail" also describes how to create compelling content and retail media to drive commerce and monetize
data while maintaining customer trust. Featuring original research and interviews with top industry experts, "Next
Generation Retail" contains examples and case studies from a range of brands and organizations including Lancome,
Burberry, and Walmart.
Critique: An essential resource for retailers of all sizes having to adapt, compete and thrive in today's business environment
of breakneck change and innovation, "Next Generation Retail: How to Use New Technology to Innovate for the Future" is
exceptionally 'user friendly' in organization and presentation. A complete course of instruction for corporate executives,
marketing directors, advertizing managers, entrepreneurs, MBA students, and non-specialist general readers with an interest
in the subject, "Next Generation Retail" is unreservedly recommended for personal, professional, community, corporate, and
academic library Retail Marketing and Business Management collections.. It should be noted that "Next Generation Retail"
is also available in a paperback edition (9781398609631, $27.99) and in a digital book format (Kindle, $22.39).
Editorial Note #1: Deborah Weinswig (https://www.deborahweinswig.com) is the founder and CEO of Coresight Research,
a firm which helps retail clients accelerate innovation and growth. Based in New York City, New York, she was previously
Managing Director and Head of the Global Staples and Consumer Discretionary team at Citi Research. A frequent
conference keynote speaker, she sits on the advisory board of the World Retail Congress and has been recognized as a Top
Retail Influencer of 2022 by RETHINK Retail. She is frequently quoted in The Wall Street Journal, The New York Times,
Bloomberg and Forbes.
Editorial Note #2: Renee Hartmann (https://renee-hartmann.com) is the Co-Founder of CLA, a research and strategy
consulting firm that advises consumer brands which include Giorgio Armani, Fendi and Yves Saint Laurent on international
expansion and strategy. Based near Los Angeles, California, she has worked as a brand owner, retail operator, consumer
researcher and branding and market entry strategist for the last 25 years.
The Decisive Manager
Barbara Mitchell, author
Cornelia Gamlem, author
Career Press Inc.
c/o Red Wheel/Weiser
65 Parker Street, Suite 7, Newburyport, MA 01950
www.redwheelweiser.com
9781632652010, $19.95, PB, 224pp
https://www.amazon.com/Decisive-Manager-Results-Morale-Deserve/dp/1632652013
Synopsis: With respect to 'people issues' in the workplace, they often seem to arise out of nowhere and just don't go away.
It's critical that business managers handle them right.
As a manager, you need to know so many things about managing people, but you don't even know what to ask! That's where
"The Decisive Manager: Get Results, Build Morale, and Be the Boss Your People Deserve" by co-authors Barbara Mitchell
and Cornelia Gamlem can help.
With examples of typical situations that managers encounter and advice on how to handle them, "The Decisive Manager" is
an easy-to-use guide for people managers and has information on hiring to firing, and everything in between. It covers:
Finding and Hiring the Best Talent (recruiting, interviewing, job posting, job offers, onboarding, and more); Creating a
Positive Employee Experience (employee engagement, retention, and employee motivation); Paying and Rewarding
Employees (compensation transparency, employee wellness and mental health, and rewards and recognition); Helping
Employees Grow and Develop (creating a learning culture, strategies for doing so, and the manager's role in employee
development); Understanding Policies and Practices (the role of policies, applying them to specific situations, harassment
and office romance); Ensuring Graceful Endings (layoffs, terminations for cause, exit interviews and more).
The important issues surrounding remote and hybrid work are also addressed, including how to best support your staff,
onboarding from afar, and keeping accountability yet flexibility for all.
Concerned about navigating the changing workplace and avoiding legal pitfalls? There are questions and essential answers
about these issues, too. Managing people correctly is critical to every manager's success. "The Decisive Manager" will help
with those unexpected challenges that arise too often.
Critique: For both novice and experienced mangers alike, "The Decisive Manager: Get Results, Build Morale, and Be the
Boss Your People Deserve" is an essential and indispensable instructional guide and 'how-to' resource that will prove to be
enduringly valued. While also available for personal reading lists in a digital book format (Kindle, $9.99). "The Decisive
Manager" is especially and unreservedly recommended for professional, community, corporate, and academic library
Business Management collections and MBA supplemental curriculum Human Resources & Personnel Management studies
lists.
Editorial Note #1: Barbara Mitchell and Cornelia Gamlem are authors, speakers, and consultants. They bring a wealth of
business and human resources experience to their writing. Both held positions at major corporations before starting their
individual consulting practices, where each worked with a variety of organizations. Together, they wrote The Big Book of
HR, The Essential Workplace Conflict Handbook, The Conflict Resolution Handbook, the award-winning Manager's
Answer Book, and They Did What? Barbara is also the coauthor of The Essential HR Handbook.
Forward: Leading Your Team Through Change
Elizabeth Moran
https://www.elizabethmorantransformation.com
Business Books
c/o John Hunt Publishing
www.johnhuntpublishing.com
9781782792895, $19.95, PB, 200pp
https://www.amazon.com/Forward-Leading-Your-Through-Change/dp/1782792899
Synopsis: Every week thousands of leaders have to guide their teams through a change that they didn't initiate. They do what
they can, but too often they feel unprepared and pressed for time. Needing to quickly get the word out, they announce the
change through an email and hope for the best. If there's resistance, they increase the frequency and pressure in their
messages. Not surprisingly, this rarely works.
Dr. Elizabeth Moran is a self-described "change nerd" who guides some of the most successful companies in the world, and
with the publication of "Forward: Leading Your Team Through Change" outlines her practical, communication-based
approach, offering proven advice, actions, and tools to help team leaders navigate their own transformation challenges.
Grounded in neuroscience and written with humor, "Forward" is the playbook business leaders need, complete with
beginning-to-end action steps, team and individual conversation guides, and a clear approach to measuring success. Of
special note are the specific chapters helping readers tackle some of the toughest and yet most common transformation
challenges happening today in the business community, like changes that involve job loss, and how to build long-term
resilience.
Critique: Timely relevant, informative, thought-provoking, insightful, needed, "Forward: Leading Your Team Through
Change" should be considered essential reading for anyone tasked with business management responsibilities. While
unreservedly recommended for personal, professional, corporate, community, and academic library Business Decision
Making and Conflict Resolution/Mediation collections, it should be noted for the personal reading lists of MBA students,
academia, corporate executives, entrepreneurs, and non-specialist general readers with an interest in the subject that
"Forward: Leading Your Team Through Change" is also available in a digital book format (Kindle, $11.99).
Editorial Note: Elizabeth Moran (https://www.elizabethmorantransformation.com) is passionate about helping leaders,
teams, and organizations navigate and evolve through constant change. She is a consultant and executive coach, and holds
masters and doctoral degrees in clinical psychology from the California Institute of Integral Studies.
Rising Together
Sally Helgesen
Hachette Go
c/o Hachette Book Group
www.hachettebookgroup.com
Blackstone Audiobooks
www.blackstoneaudio.com
9780306828300, $30.00, HC, 240pp
https://www.amazon.com/Rising-Together-Divides-Inclusive-Workplace/dp/0306828308
Synopsis: Participants at leadership conferences often tell Sally Helgesen, "Please don't spend your time telling us why
developing and retaining a diverse workforce is important. We get it. The problem is, we don't know how to do it."
With the publication of "Rising Together: How We Can Bridge Divides and Create a More Inclusive Workplace", Sally
provides that missing 'how' in full detail by identifying both what holds us back and specific tactics that can help us move
forward.
First, Sally identifies the eight common triggers most likely to undermine our ability to collaborate across divides -- not only
of gender, but also of age, ethnicity, race, sexuality, and life experience. These triggers are widespread, yet rarely
acknowledged. They include differences in how people from different backgrounds view ambition, competence,
perceptions, fairness, communication, networks, attraction, and humor.
Second, Sally then offers specific practices designed to address these triggers: simple behavioral tweaks that we can use on a
daily basis; a method for informally enlisting allies to hold us to account; and a means for cultivating and disseminating the
dynamic power of we.
"Rising Together" is relevant for readers at every stage and level in their careers who recognize that building a broad range
of relationships is essential to their advancement, now and in the future. It also serves as an indispensable guide for HR,
diversity, and leadership professionals tasked with addressing the misunderstandings, resentments, and derailments caused
by the eight triggers. Sally's focus on behaviors (how we act and how we think) promises to redirect the inclusion
conversation in a grounded, real-world way that brings us together.
Critique: Exceptionally well written, organized and presented, "Rising Together: How We Can Bridge Divides and Create a
More Inclusive Workplace" will be of particular and practical value to readers with an interest in workplace culture. While
unreservedly recommended as a core addition to personal, professional, community, corporate, and academic library
Business Management/Human Resources collections and supplemental MBA curriculum studies lists, "Rising Together" is
also available in a digital book format (Kindle, $15.99) and as a complete and unabridged audio book (Blackstone Audio,
9781668629888, $45.00, CD) for MBA students, academia, corporate executives, Human Resource staff members, and non-
specialist general readers with an interest in the subject.
Editorial Note: Sally Helgesen (https://sallyhelgesen.com) is an internationally acclaimed author, speaker, and leadership
development consultant. Her latest book, The Female Vision: Women's Real Power at Work, explores the strategic
dimension of women's leadership. Her other books include The Female Advantage: Women's Ways of Leadership, hailed as
"the classic work" on women's leadership style, translated into 12 languages and continually in print for twenty years, and
The Web of Inclusion: A New Architecture for Building Great Organizations, cited in The Wall Street Journal as one of the
best books on leadership of all time.
Inclusion Uncomplicated
Dr. Nika White
Forbes Books
18 Broad Street, Suite 300, Charleston, SC 29401
https://books.forbes.com
9781955884150, $27.99
https://www.amazon.com/Inclusion-Uncomplicated-Transformative-Guide-Simplify/dp/1955884153
At a moment in history when institutions are collapsing, violence and injustice are skyrocketing, and the outcomes of
systemic oppression go viral on a daily basis, Dr. Nika White's, Inclusion Uncomplicated has arrived at the perfect
time.
This book is the guide you have been waiting for: one that unravels the complexity of diversity, equity, and inclusion, teases
out root causes of systemic oppression, and delivers simple, actionable tools for real change. Right now. When it's needed
the most. The wisdom contained within these pages comes from Dr. Nika's twenty-plus years of helping companies across
the globe create more inclusive, equitable, and sustainable cultures. Dr. Nika's philosophy is simple - DEI is a responsibility
we all share. It's going to take each one of us moving from passivity to impact within our unique spheres of influence.
That's why this book is written in a straight-forward, conversational style that speaks to the leader in all of us. From real-life,
workplace scenarios, to the latest research on what works and what doesn't, to strategies for untangling the gnarled threads
of bias - readers will find everything they need to become DEI allies, changemakers, and inclusive leaders, no matter where
they are on the DEI journey.
From Marginal to Mainstream
Helen Edwards
Kogan Page Inc.
8 W 38th Street, Ste 902, New York, NY 10018
www.koganpage.com
9781398604339, $84.00, HC, 256pp
https://www.amazon.com/Marginal-Mainstream-Tomorrows-Growth-Fringes/dp/139860433X
Synopsis: Mainstream brands are besieged when it comes to being innovative, developing new products and taking new
services or goods to market. Legacy brands seek out small and comfortable advantages within their market sectors and while
this may produce a small market share uplift, it will never bring about sensational brand growth.
With the publication of "From Marginal to Mainstream: Why Tomorrow's Brand Growth Will Come from the Fringes - and
How to Get There First", Helen Edwards shows why businesses, marketers and product development teams need to break
through mainstream inhibition and turn their attention to those brands that are currently in the margins -- to confront,
evaluate and embrace the strangeness of brand strategies, behaviours, ideas, marketing and the way of life at the
fringes.
This may be an unpromising, untested, weird and even sometimes frightening place, yet studying the behavior of marginal
brands (what they get right, how they engage with customers, how they develop products) can point the way to new
innovation, new routes to market and exciting new category creation.
As Helen Edwards points out -- Today's margins are tomorrow's pot of gold - if you know where and how to look!
Critique: Of special value and extraordinary relevance to readers with an interest in the subject of business marketing in
today's ever evolving and competitive market place, "From Marginal to Mainstream: Why Tomorrow's Brand Growth Will
Come from the Fringes - and How to Get There First" is deftly organized into three main sections: The Margins and Why
They Matter; How to Read the Margins; A Strategy for Growth. Informatively enhanced for the reader with the inclusion an
informative Introduction, twenty-two pages of Notes, and a five page Index, "From Marginal to Mainstream" is especially
appropriate and recommended for professional, community, corporate, and academic library Business
Management/Marketing collections. It should be noted for the personal reading lists of entrepreneurs, corporate executives,
brand development marketers, MBA students, and non-specialists with an interest in the subject that "From Marginal to
Mainstream" is also available in a paperback edition (9781398604315, $29.99) and in a digital book format (Kindle,
$22.39).
Editorial Note: Helen Edwards (https://www.marketingweek.com/columnist-helen-edwards) is a branding consultant, based
in London, UK, and an award-winning columnist at Marketing Week, focusing on brand positioning and brand strategy. She
is the director of Passionbrand, a Teaching Fellow in Marketing at London Business School and is the author of Creating
Passion Brands. She founded Passionbrand in 2005 - a boutique brand consultancy based in London, combining strategic
and creative skills. Clients include Johnson & Johnson, 3M, Avon, Tesco, MetLife, Nationwide, EDF Energy, BBC
Worldwide, Smith & Nephew, The World Economic Forum.
Breaking Through
Sally Susman
www.sallysusman.com
Harvard Business Review Press
60 Harvard Way, Boston, MA 02163
http://hbr.org/books
9781647823955, $30.00, HC, 240pp
https://www.amazon.com/Breaking-Through-Communicating-Hearts-Change/dp/1647823951
Synopsis: A global pandemic. A roller-coaster economy. Political tensions ready to ignite, and common civility at an
all-time low. For business and political leaders alike, the pressures and the stakes could not be higher. And in such a stormy,
often dangerous world, communications can no longer be considered a soft skill. The ability to reach people and drive
public conversation is a rock-hard competency.
With the publication of "Breaking Through: Communicating to Open Minds, Move Hearts, and Change the World", Sally
Susman (the renowned head of corporate affairs at global biopharmaceutical giant Pfizer), tells the fascinating story of how
the company managed the massive communications challenge that came with Covid-19 and the race to produce an effective
vaccine.
Just as crucial as creating the vaccine itself was the task of winning people's hearts and minds, and Susman highlights the
principles that enabled her to break through, connect, and help move people forward, not only at Pfizer but over a long and
stellar career. She shows how clarifying and channeling your intention is an essential first step: What are you trying to
say?
She also illustrates how leaders need to muster the courage to be candid in order to be effective and how, in order to
connect, they must both disarm with humility and delight with humor. As a gay, married woman, she talks forthrightly about
the challenges and opportunities of embracing who you are, both at home and in the workplace.
Susman's stories will draw you in with their warmth and humanity, and enlighten and motivate you with their insight and
passion.
Critique: Essential reading for any business leader, corporate executive, or politician who faces the daunting challenge of
communicating in our noisy, turbulent world, "Breaking Through: Communicating to Open Minds, Move Hearts, and
Change the World" is exceptionally well written and thoroughly 'reader friendly' in organization and presentation. While
readily available for personal reading lists in a digital book format (Kindle, $14.99), "Breaking Through" is a critically
important, timely, and unreservedly recommended addition to personal, professional, community, corporate, and community
library Public Relations, Communication Skills, and Leadership/Motivation collections and MBA supplemental curriculum
studies lists.
Editorial Note: Sally Susman (www.sallysusman.com) is Executive Vice President and Chief Corporate Affairs Officer at
Pfizer. She is also Vice Chair of the Pfizer Foundation. She leads engagement with all of Pfizer's external stakeholders,
overseeing communications, corporate responsibility, global policy, government relations, investor relations, and patient
advocacy. Before joining Pfizer in 2007, she held several senior communications and government relations roles at The
Estee Lauder Companies and American Express. Earlier in her career, she spent eight years in government service, focused
on international trade issues.
The General Fiction Shelf
Saturday Night at the Lakeside Supper Club
J. Ryan Stradal
Pamela Dorman Books
c/o Penguin Group (USA)
www.penguin.com
9781984881076, $28.00, HC, 352pp
https://www.amazon.com/Saturday-Night-Lakeside-Supper-Club/dp/1984881078
Synopsis: Mariel Prager needs a break. Her husband Ned is having an identity crisis, her spunky, beloved restaurant is
bleeding money by the day, and her mother Florence is stubbornly refusing to leave the church where she's been holed up
for more than a week. The Lakeside Supper Club has been in her family for decades, and while Mariel's grandmother
embraced the business, seeing it as a saving grace, Florence never took to it. When Mariel inherited the restaurant, skipping
Florence, it created a rift between mother and daughter that never quite healed.
Ned is also an heir (to a chain of home-style diners) and while he doesn't have a head for business, he knows his family's
chain could provide a better future than his wife's fading restaurant. In the aftermath of a devastating tragedy, Ned and
Mariel lose almost everything they hold dear, and the hard-won victories of each family hang in the balance. With their
dreams dashed, can one fractured family find a way to rebuild despite their losses, and will the Lakeside Supper Club be
their salvation?
Critique: Original, entertaining, and with a very special appeal to readers with an interest in family fiction and the slow
disappearance of the iconic midwestern supper club and the 'colorful, vanishing world of relish trays and brandy Old
Fashioneds', with the publication of "Saturday Night at the Lakeside Supper Club", novelist J. Ryan Stradal has created a
memorable novel populated by honest, lovable yet fallible Midwestern characters as they come to terms with love, loss,
marriage, and legacy. While unreservedly recommended for community library Contemporary General Fiction collections, it
should be noted for personal reading lists that "Saturday Night at the Lakeside Supper Club" is also readily available in a
digital book format (Kindle, $14.99).
Editorial Note: J. Ryan Stradal (http://www.jryanstradal.com) is the author of "Kitchens of the Great Midwest" and "The
Lager Queen of Minnesota". His writing has appeared in The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, The Guardian,
Granta, The Rumpus, and the Los Angeles Review of Books.
The Visibility of Things Long Submerged
George Looney
BOA Editions, Ltd.
250 N. Goodman St., Suite 306, Rochester, NY 14607
www.boaeditions.org
9781950774944, $17.00, PB, 184pp
https://www.amazon.com/Visibility-Things-Submerged-American-Reader/dp/1950774945
Synopsis: With the publication of "The Visibility of Things Long Submerged", Boa Editions presents a new short story
collection of short story fiction from poet George Looney featuring explorations of the essential nature of faith while
plumbing the gritty secrets of the human heart.
With swamps, alligators, revival tents, faith healers, sex, death, guilt, sin and snakes, Looney leads us through a dark
landscape brimming with the miraculous and the peculiar alike. A man from a fire shows up on someone's doorstep, covered
in ash and barely alive. One man's actions make an entire town question its own violence. A healer is bitten in half by an
alligator as a crowd looks on.
Comprised of nine short stories fairly dripping with Southern gothic, "The Visibility of Things Long Submerged" gazes at
the obscure and obscene. These are stories that are densely populated with characters that know intimately the trials of life
and the restorative powers of love. These are stories are filled with a deep longing for something beyond the restless
disquiet.
Critique: Each of the nine impressively crafted short stories anthologized in "The Visibility of Things Long Submerged" is a
literary gem and showcases author George Looney's extraordinary storytelling skills. While especially and unreservedly
recommended for both community and academic library Contemporary Literary Fiction collections, it should be noted for
personal reading lists that "The Visibility of Things Long Submerged" is also readily available in a digital book format
(Kindle, $9.99).
Editorial Note: George Looney (https://georgelooney.org) is the author of three previous collections of fiction that have won
the Leapfrog Press Fiction Award, The Elixir Press Fiction Award, and the Elixir Press Fiction Chapbook Award. He has
also published thirteen collections of poetry, including books that won The Bluestem Award, The White Pine Press Poetry
Prize, and The Red Mountain Press Poetry Prize. He is Distinguished Professor of Literature and Creative Writing at Penn
State Erie, The Behrend College, where he founded the BFA in Creative Writing Program and is editor of Lake Effect and
translation editor of Mid-American Review (where he began the ongoing Translation Chapbook Series in 1983). With Phil
Terman, he was co-founder of the original Chautauqua Writers' Festival.
The Promise of a Normal Life
Rebecca Kaiser Gibson
Arcade Publishing
www.arcadepub.com
c/o Skyhorse Publishing, Inc.
307 West 36th Street, 11th Floor, New York, NY 10018
www.skyhorsepublishing.com
9781956763331, $26.99, HC, 288pp
https://www.amazon.com/Promise-Normal-Life-Novel/dp/1956763333
Synopsis: "The Promise of a Normal Life" is a poet Rebecca Kaiser Gibson's debut as a novelist in a literary work that is so
evocative of life as lived that it transports her readers to a time and place they can practically see, touch, and feel.
The unnamed narrator is a fiercely observant, introverted Jewish-American girl who seems to exist in a private and separate
realm. She's the child of a first-generation doctor and lawyer (whose own stories have the loud grandeur of family legend) in
an America where Jews are excluded from the country club across the street. Her expectations for adulthood are often
contradictory. In the changing landscape of the 1960s, she attempts to find her way through the rituals of life, her geography
expanding across the country, across the ocean, and into multiple nations.
Along the way, she meets a glamorous hairdresser on a cruise ship to Israel, along with a cast of loopy tarot-card-reading
passengers, and Alice-in-Wonderland lawyers in Haifa. Then there is a blue-eyed all-American college boyfriend, a
mystified tourist agent in the Lofoten Islands, a handsome eligible rabbi in LA, a righteous and self-absorbed MIT professor,
and a clandestine, calculating lover in Boston. Eventually, she finds her own compass, but only after being swept to several
distant shores by many winds.
Critique: Fun, fascinating, exceptional, and original, "The Promise of a Normal Life" by Rebecca Kaiser Gibson is one of
those works of storytelling literature that will linger in the mind and memory of the reader long after the book is finished
and set back upon the shelf. While especially and unreservedly recommended for community, college, and university library
Contemporary Literary Fiction collections, it should be noted for personal reading lists that "The Promise of a Normal Life"
is also available in a digital book format (Kindle, $17.99).
Editorial Note: Rebecca Kaiser Gibson (http://rebeccakaisergibson.com) is the author of the poetry collections Girl as Birch
and Opinel. Her work has appeared in Slate, Agni, the Los Angeles Review of Books, Northwest Review, the Massachusetts
Review, Tupelo Quarterly, Harvard Review, Green Mountain Review, Pleiades, and many other magazines. She taught
creative writing at Tufts University for twenty-three years and has received writing fellowships from MacDowell, Vermont
Studio Center, the Virginia Center for Creative Arts, and the Massachusetts Cultural Council.
The Historical Fiction Shelf
The Rail Splitter
John Cribb
Republic Book Publishers
https://www.republicbookpublishers.com
9781645720645, $28.00, HC, 384pp
https://www.amazon.com/Rail-Splitter-Novel-John-Cribb/dp/1645720640
Synopsis: "The Rail Splitter" by novelist John Cribb begins with Lincoln's youth on the frontier, where he grows up with an
ax in one hand and book in the other, determined to make something of himself. He sets off on one adventure after another,
from rafting down the Mississippi River to marching in an Indian war. When he is twenty-six, the girl he hopes to marry
dies of fever. He spends days wandering the countryside in grief. A few years later, he purchases a ring inscribed with the
words "Love Is Eternal" and enters a tempestuous marriage with Mary Todd.
Lincoln literally wrestles his way to prominence on the Illinois prairies. He teaches himself the law and enters the rough and
tumble world of frontier politics. With Mary's encouragement, he wins a term in the US Congress, but his political career
falters. They are both devastated by the loss of a child. As arguments over slavery sweep the country, Lincoln finds
something worth fighting for, and his debates with brash rival Stephen Douglas catapult him toward the White House.
Part coming-of-age story, part adventure story, part love story, and part rags-to-riches story, "The Rail Splitter" is about the
making of Abraham Lincoln. The story of a rawboned youth who goes from a log cabin to the White House, this is in many
ways, the great American story. "The Rail Splitter reminds us that the country Lincoln loved is a place of wide-open dreams
where extraordinary journeys unfold.
Critique: Historical biographic fiction at its very best, "The Rail Splitter" is an entertaining and informative novel that while
a work of plausible fiction is soundly based on historical facts. A riveting read from start to finish, "The Rail Splitter" is
unreservedly recommended for community, college, and university library Biographical Historical Fiction collections. It
should be noted for the personal reading lists of all Abraham Lincoln admirers that "The Rail Splitter" is also available in a
digital book format (Kindle, $9.49).
Editorial Note: John Cribb (https://www.johncribbauthor.com) has written about subjects ranging from history to education.
Old Abe, his first novel, tells the story of the last five years of Abraham Lincoln's life. His other works include coauthoring
The American Patriot's Almanac and The Educated Child, both New York Times bestsellers; coediting The Human
Odyssey, a 3-volume world history text; and developing online history courses. His writing has been published in the Wall
Street Journal, USA Today, FoxNews.com, RealClearPolitics, and several other publications. During the Reagan
administration, he worked at the Department of Justice, the Department of Education, and the National Endowment for the
Humanities. A native of Spartanburg, SC, John studied literature at Vanderbilt University.
Jamie MacGillivray: The Renegade's Journey
John Sayles
Melville House
46 John Street, Brooklyn, NY 11201
https://www.mhpbooks.com
9781612199887, $32.00, HC, 704pp
https://www.amazon.com/Jamie-MacGillivray-Renegades-John-Sayles/dp/1612199887
Synopsis: "Jamie MacGillivray: The Renegade's Journey" by John Sayles begins in the highlands of Scotland in 1746, at the
Battle of Culloden, the last desperate stand of the Stuart 'pretender' to the throne of the Three Kingdoms, Bonnie Prince
Charlie, and his rabidly loyal supporters.
Vanquished with his comrades by the forces of the Hanoverian (and Protestant) British crown, the novel's eponymous hero,
Jamie MacGillivray, narrowly escapes a roadside execution only to be recaptured by the victors and shipped to Marshalsea
Prison (central to Charles Dickens's Hard Times) where he cheats the hangman a second time before being sentenced to
transportation and indentured servitude in colonial America "for the term of his natural life." His travels are paralleled by
those of Jenny Ferguson, a poor, village girl swept up on false charges by the English and also sent in chains to the New
World.
"Jamie MacGillivray: The Renegade's Journey" follows Jamie and Jenny through servitude, revolt, escape, and romantic
entanglements as they strive to escape being pawns in a deadly game. The two continue to cross paths with each other and
with some of the leading figures of the era- the devious Lord Lovat, future novelist Henry Fielding, the artist William
Hogarth, a young and ambitious George Washington, the doomed General James Wolfe, and the Lenape chief feared
throughout the Ohio Valley as Shingas the Terrible.
Critique: A veritable saga of a novel, "Jamie MacGillivray: The Renegade's Journey" by author John Sayles will have an
extraordinary appeal to readers with an interest in action/adventure stories replete with memorable characters, suspenseful
and unexpected plot twists and turns, and a deftly crafted historical background and context. While especially and
unreservedly recommended community and academic library Historical Fiction collections, it should be noted for personal
reading lists that "Jamie MacGillivray: The Renegade's Journey" is also readily available in a digital book format (Kindle,
$14.99.
Editorial Note: John Sayles (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Sayles) is an American independent film director,
screenwriter, actor, and novelist. He has twice been nominated for the Academy Award for Best Original Screenplay, for
Passion Fish (1992) and Lone Star (1996). He has written seven novels, the most recent being Yellow Earth (2020) and A
Moment in the Sun (2011).
High Bridge
Michael Miller
Koehler Books
3705 Shore Drive, Virginia Beach, VA 23455
www.koehlerbooks.com
9781646638130, $32.95, HC, 384pp
https://www.amazon.com/High-Bridge-Michael-Miller/dp/1646638131
Synopsis: Upstate New York in the mid-19th century was a cauldron bubbling with the lure of fast fortunes, religious
zealotry, and battles for civil liberties. This fervor centers on the Erie Canal, which successfully supports scores of villages
brimming with opportunity. One such village, Fayetteville, shapes the lives of two future American leaders.
"High Bridge" by novelist Michael Miller tells the stories of a young newlywed, the only child of freethinking abolitionists,
and a prankster lad who grows up in the large family of an austere reverend. Despite their different childhoods and
worldviews, they form an unlikely friendship. Can they combine their skills to solve a mystery and vindicate a Black man
accused of murder?
Critique: A deftly crafted and inherently absorbing read from first page to last, "High Bridge" will have a very special appeal
to readers with an interest in historical fiction and race relations in 19th Century American history. Entertaining and
thought-provoking, original and memorable, "High Bridge" is a welcome and unreservedly recommended addition to
community library American Historical Fiction collections. It should be noted for personal reading lists that "High Bridge"
is also available in a paperback edition (9781646638116, $22.95) and in a digital book format (Kindle, $7.49).
Editorial Note: Michael Miller (https://www.koehlerbooks.com/writer/michael-miller) was born in a small town in New
Jersey similar to Fayetteville, NY. He played baseball, delivered the daily newspaper, and tramped through the woods.
Through small town life, he learned to respect people regardless of their backgrounds and appreciate the gifts each person
brought to the world.
The LGBT Fiction Shelf
Tell the Rest
Lucy Jane Bledsoe
https://www.lucyjanebledsoe.com
Akashic Books
232 Third Street, #A115, Brooklyn, NY 11215
www.akashicbooks.com
9781636140797, $28.95, HC, 336pp
https://www.amazon.com/Tell-Rest-Lucy-Jane-Bledsoe/dp/1636140793
Synopsis: Delia Barnes and Ernest Wrangham met as teens at Celebration Camp, a church supported conversion therapy
program based on the dubious, unscientific, Christian practice meant to change a person's sexuality. After witnessing a
devastating tragedy, they escaped in the night, only to take separate roads to their distant homes.
They have no idea how each has fared through the years. Delia is a college basketball coach who prides herself on being an
empowering and self-possessed role model for her players. But when she gets fired from her elite East Coast college, she's
forced to return to her hometown of Rockside, Oregon, to coach at her high school alma mater.
Ernest, meanwhile, is a renowned poet with a temporary teaching job in Portland, Oregon. His work has always been
boundary-pushing, fearless. But the poem he's most wanted to write about (his dangerous escape from Celebration Camp)
remains stubbornly out of reach.
Both persist in the mission to overcome the consequences and inhumane costs of conversion therapy. As events find them
hurtling toward each other once again, they both grapple with the necessity of remaining steadfast in one's truth, no matter
how slippery that can be. Tell the Rest is a powerful novel about coming to terms, with family, history, violence, loss,
sexuality, and ultimately, with love.
Critique: With a very special and intense appeal to readers with an interest in LGBTQ fiction, "Tell The Rest" is an
extraordinary and compelling read from cover to cover. One of those riveting novels that will linger in the mind and
memory long after it has been finished and set back upon the shelf, "Tell The Rest" is unreservedly recommended for both
community and academic Contemporary Literary Fiction and LGBTQ Fiction collections. It should be noted for personal
reading lists that "Tell The Rest" is also available in a digital book format (Kindle, $14.99).
Editorial Note: Lucy Jane Bledsoe (https://www.lucyjanebledsoe.com) is the author of several works of fiction, including A
Thin Bright Line, which was a Lambda Literary Award and Ferro-Grumley Award finalist. She is the winner of an
American Library Association Stonewall Award, a Yaddo Fellowship, a California Arts Council Fellowship in Literature,
two National Science Foundation Artists & Writers Fellowships, and a finalist for the Northern California Independent
Booksellers Association Fiction Award.
Flux
Jinwoo Chong
Melville House
46 John Street, Brooklyn, NY 11201
https://www.mhpbooks.com
9781685890346, $28.99, HC, 352pp
https://www.amazon.com/Flux-Jinwoo-Chong/dp/1685890342
Synopsis: "Flux" by Jinwoo Chong is a impressively original and stylish debut novel about a young man whose reality
unravels when he suspects his mysterious employers have inadvertently discovered time travel -- and are using it to cover up
a string of violent crimes...
Four days before Christmas, 8-year-old Bo loses his mother in a tragic accident, 28-year-old Brandon loses his job after a
hostile takeover of his big-media employer, and 48-year-old Blue, a key witness in a criminal trial against an infamous
now-defunct tech startup, struggles to reconnect with his family.
So begins Jinwoo Chong's dazzling, time-bending debut that blends elements of neo-noir and speculative fiction as the lives
of Bo, Brandon, and Blue begin to intersect, uncovering a vast network of secrets and an experimental technology that
threatens to upend life itself. Intertwined with them is the saga of an iconic '80s detective show, Raider, whose star actor has
imploded spectacularly after revelations of long-term, concealed abuse.
"Flux" is a haunting and sometimes shocking exploration of the cyclical nature of grief, of moving past trauma, and of the
pervasive nature of whiteness within the development of Asian identity in America.
Critique: Original, carefully crafted, inherently fascinating and truly memorable, "Flux" is even more impressive when
considering that it is author Jinwoo Chong's debut as a novelist. While available for personal reading lists in a digital book
format (Kindle, $13.99), "Flux" is especially and unreservedly recommended as a new addition to community and academic
library Contemporary LGBTQ Literary Fiction collections.
Editorial Note: Jinwoo Chong (https://jinwoochong.com) received an MFA from Columbia University. His short stories
have appeared in The Southern Review, Chicago Quarterly Review, and Salamander.
The Literary Fiction Shelf
The Last Beekeeper
Julie Carrick Dalton
Forge Books
c/o Tor/Forge Books
www.tor-forge.com
9781250269218, $27.99, HC, 384pp
https://www.amazon.com/Last-Beekeeper-Julie-Carrick-Dalton/dp/1250269210
Synopsis: It's been more than a decade since the world has come undone, and Sasha Severn has returned to her childhood
home with one goal in mind -- to find the mythic research her father, the infamous Last Beekeeper, hid before he was
incarcerated. There, Sasha is confronted with a group of squatters who have claimed the quiet, idyllic farm as their own.
While she initially feels threatened, the group soon becomes her newfound family, offering what she hasn't felt since her
father was imprisoned: security and hope. Maybe it's time to forget the family secrets buried on the farm and focus on her
future.
But just as she settles into her new life, Sasha witnesses the impossible. She sees a honey bee, presumed extinct. People who
claim to see bees are ridiculed and silenced for reasons Sasha doesn't understand, but she can't shake the feeling that this
impossible bee is connected to her father's missing research. Fighting to uncover the truth could shatter Sasha's fragile
security and threaten the lives of her newfound family -- or it could save them all.
Critique: A celebration of found family, an exploration of truth versus power, and the triumph of hope in the face of despair,
Julie Carrick Dalton's new novel, "The Last Beekeeper", is It is a deftly crafted meditation on forgiveness and redemption
and a reminder to cherish the beauty that still exists in this fragile world. "The Last Beekeeper" will have a very special
appeal to readers with an interest in an all to plausible dystopian future. A remarkable work of original literary fiction, "The
Last Beekeeper" is unreservedly recommended for community, and academic library collections. It should be noted for
personal reading lists that "The Last Beekeeper" is also available in a digital book format (Kindle, $14.99).
Editorial Note: Julie Carrick Dalton (https://juliecarrickdalton.com) is a journalist who has published more than a thousand
articles in The Boston Globe, BusinessWeek, The Hollywood Reporter, Orion Magazine, Electric Literature, and other
publications. Dalton holds a master's degree in literature and creative writing from Harvard Extension School. She is a
frequent speaker on the topic of writing fiction in the age of climate crisis.
Don't Go
Abraham Aamidor
Stephen F. Austin University Press
https://www.sfasu.edu/sfapress
9781622889297, $18.00, PB, 188pp
https://www.amazon.com/Dont-Go-Abraham-Aamidor/dp/1622889290
Synopsis: With the publication of "Don't Go", journalist and author Abraham Aamidor showcases his extraordinary literary
storytelling skills and mastery of the short story form. "Don't Go" features speculative and realistic fiction together, creating
a balanced body of original stories.
In "John Gardner's Last Ride," the day famous writer John Gardner died in a motorcycle accident in 1982 is chronicled.
"Siddhartha," inspired by the Hermann Hesse classic, this quest for meaning begins in a trailer park with a pimply-faced
young man. In "My Stupid Life Dot Com," a computer "nerd" tries to get a date with the beautiful daughter of his landlord.
In "Sacrificing Isaac," a religious boy protests the Biblical story; why would Isaac have even submitted to his own
prescribed death?
In "Best Jewtown Hot Dogs," a wisecracking Jewish newspaper reporter in Chicago knows the Windy City better than he
knows himself. A Palestinian and a former Kibbutz volunteer meet at college in America and learn to see each other with
new eyes. In "Nietzsche's Dog," an earnest young man searches for truth and is disappointed; his hoped-for mentor may not
even be real, and he knows he must fall back on his own resources. "In the Graveyard of Past Experience" documents an
imperious psychiatrist and his failed career.
Critique: Comprised of eleven original and deftly crafted short stories and one Novella Aamidor's new anthology "Don't Go"
is a truly memorable literary experience and is an especially and unreservedly recommended addition to personal reading
lists and community/academic library Contemporary American Literary Fiction collections.
Editorial Note: Abraham 'Abe' Aamidor is an award winning feature writer at The Indianapolis Star and the author of
several books, including a biography of basketball shoe legend Chuck Taylor and a history of the British motorcycle
industry.
The Romantic Fiction Shelf
Letters of Trust
Wanda E. Brunstetter
Barbour Publishing
P.O. Box 719, 1810 Barbour Drive, Uhrichsville, OH 44683
www.barbourbooks.com
9781636093345, $16.99, PB, 320pp
https://www.amazon.com/Letters-Trust-Friendship-1/dp/1636093345
Synopsis: Life is good on their Pennsylvania Amish farm for newlyweds Vic and Eleanor Lapp -- until the day Vic's
youngest brother drowns in their pond and Vic turns to alcohol to numb the pain. Things get so bad that Vic loses his job
and their marriage is coming apart. Eleanor is desperate to help her husband and writes letters to her friend, Doretta, living
in Indiana for advice. The trust Eleanor places in her friend and the gentle words she receives in return are a balm for even
darker days to come .
Critique: Another memorable and carefully crafted romance novel, "Letters of Trust"in this first book of The Friendship
Letters, a new series by Wanda E. Brunstetter. Of special appeal to readers with an interest in Amish and Mennonite
romance novels, "Letters of Trust" is unreservedly recommended for community library Contemporary Romance Fiction
collections. It should be noted for the legions of Wanda Brunstetter fans that "Letters of Trust" is also available in a digital
book format (Kindle, $9.99) and as a complete an unabridged audio book (Oasis Audio, 9781685923440, $36.88, CD).
Librarians should note that there is also a Library Binding large print edition (Thorndike Press Large Print, 9798885788465,
$35.99) available.
Editorial Note: Wanda E. Brunstetter (www.wandabrunstetter.com) is one of the founders of the Amish fiction genre. She
has written more than 100 books translated in four languages. With over 12 million copies sold, Wanda's stories consistently
earn spots on the nation's most prestigious bestseller lists and have received numerous awards.
Match in the Making
Jen Turano
Bethany House Publishers
c/o Baker Publishing Group
6030 East Fulton Road, Ada, MI 49301
www.bethanyhouse.com
9780764241345, $26.99, HC, 358pp
https://www.amazon.com/Match-Making-Matchmakers-1/dp/0764241346
Synopsis: Miss Gwendolyn Brinley accepted a temporary paid companion position for the Newport summer season,
believing it would be a lark to spend the summer in America's most exclusive town. She suddenly finds her summer turning
anything but amusing when her employer expects her to take over responsibilities as an assistant matchmaker. Tasked with
the daunting prospect of attaining advantageous matches for her clients, Gwendolyn soon finds herself in the employ of Mr.
Walter Townsend, the catch of the Season, but a gentleman Gwendolyn finds beyond irritating.
Walter Townsend is reluctantly in search of a wife for the sake of his unruly motherless children who cannot keep a
governess for long. What he wasn't expecting was Miss Brinley, an amateur matchmaker who turns his quest for a new wife
into a complete and utter debacle. Constantly besieged by society ladies on a mission to win his affection, Walter must find
a way to overcome their inundating attention -- and his unexpected attraction toward Gwendolyn.
The more time they spend together throughout the Newport Season, the harder it is for Gwendolyn to find Walter a wife
when she realizes his perfect match might be her!
Critique: A fun read from cover to cover, "A Match in the Making" by novelist Jen Turano is a delightfully original romance
that is the stuff of which Hallmark Channel movies are made. While "A Match in the Making" is very highly recommended
as a clean, popular and worthy addition to community library Historical Romance, it should be noted for personal reading
lists that "A Match in the Making" is also readily available in a paperback edition (9780764240201, $16.99) and in a digital
book format (Kindle, $9.99).
Editorial Note: Jen Turano (www.jenturano.com) is known for penning quirky historical romances set in the Gilded Age.
Her books have earned Publishers Weekly and Booklist starred reviews, top picks from RT Book Reviews, and praise from
Library Journal. She's been a finalist twice for the RT Reviewers' Choice Awards and had two of her books listed in the top
100 romances of the past decade from Booklist. Readers can find her on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.
Yours Truly, The Duke
Amelia Grey
St. Martin's Press
https://us.macmillan.com/smp
9781250850416, $8.99, PB, 368pp
https://www.amazon.com/Yours-Truly-Duke-Say-Do/dp/125085041X
Synopsis: Fredericka Hale needs a husband, and fast. She's been caring for her deceased sister's three young children, and
now a childless cousin has petitioned the court for custody. Fredericka is powerless to stop her, but having a husband might
sway the ruling. The last thing Fredericka wants is a hurried-up marriage to a man she doesn't know -- much less love, but
she'll do it for the children. So when the handsome Duke of Wyatthaven shows up with a proposal, she accepts. He'll help
her, and in return, they'll lead separate lives. But distance cannot keep them from their powerful attraction.
At the top of his game in London, the Duke of Wyatthaven has no interest in marriage. However, if Wyatt doesn't marry by
week's end, he'll lose a sizable inheritance from his grandmother. When Wyatt's solicitor finds Miss Fredericka Hale, Wyatt
considers this little hiccup solved. Miss Hale is lovely, and intelligent. Most importantly, she prefers country life to London,
so he's free to continue his life as usual. But when circumstances force Fredericka and the children to show up at the duke's
door, Wyatt can't deny he's always been under her spell. Will the duke give up his bachelor lifestyle and give into the fiery
passion growing between them?
Critique: A fun read from first page to last, "Yours Truly, The Duke" by Amelia Grey is a Regency Romance fans pure
delight. Original, absorbing, "Yours Truly, The Duke" is unreservedly recommended for community library Romance
Fiction collections. It should be noted for personal reading lists that "Yours Truly, The Duke" is also readily available in a
digital book format (Kindle, $8.99).
Editorial Note: Amelia Grey (https://www.ameliagrey.com) is the author of over twenty-five books, including the Heirs'
Club trilogy and the Rakes of St. James series. Her awards also include the Booksellers Best, Aspen Gold, and the Golden
Quill. Writing as Gloria Dale Skinner, she won the coveted Romantic Times Award for Love and Laughter and the
prestigious Maggie Award. Several of her books have also been featured in Doubleday and Rhapsody Book Clubs.
Best Served Hot
Amanda Elliot
Berkley Books
c/o Penguin Group (USA)
www.penguin.com
9780593335734, $16.99, PB, 368pp
https://www.amazon.com/Best-Served-Hot-Amanda-Elliot/dp/0593335732
Synopsis: By day, Julie Zimmerman works as an executive assistant. After hours, she's @JulieZeeEatsNYC, a social media
restaurant reviewer with over fifty thousand followers. As much as she loves her self-employed side gig, what Julie really
wants is to be a critic at a major newspaper, like the New York Scroll. The only thing worse than the Scroll's rejection of her
application is the fact that smarmy, social-media-averse society boy Bennett Richard Macalester Wright snagged her dream
job.
While at the Central Park Food Festival, Julie confronts the annoyingly handsome Bennett about his outdated opinions on
social media and posts the resulting video footage. Julie's follower count soars -- and so does the Scroll's. Julie and Bennett
grudgingly agree to partner up for a few reviews to further their buzz. Online buzz, obviously.
Over tapas, burgers, and more, Julie and Bennett connect over their shared love of food. But when the competitive fire
between them turns extra spicy, they'll have to decide how much heat their relationship can take.
Critique: With a very special appeal to fans of romance comedy, "Best Served Hot" by Amanda Elliot is a delightfully
original and thoroughly fun read from cover to cover. Clearly novelist Amanda Elliot has a full and complete mastery of the
genre and "Best Served Hot" will prove to be an immediately popular and enduringly appreciated addition to community
library Contemporary Romance Fiction collections. It should be noted for personal reading lists that "Best Served Hot" is
also readily available in a digital book format (Kindle, $10.99).
Editorial Note: Amanda Elliot lives with her husband in New York City, where she collects way too many cookbooks for
her tiny kitchen, runs in Central Park, and writes for teens and kids as Amanda Panitch.
(www.penguinrandomhouse.com/authors/2243903/amanda-elliot)
Forged in Love
Mary Connealy
Bethany House Publishers
c/o Baker Publishing Group
6030 East Fulton Road, Ada, MI 49301
www.bethanyhouse.com
9780764241390, $29.99, HC, 304pp
https://www.amazon.com/Forged-Love-Wyoming-Sunrise-1/dp/0764241397
Synopsis: In 1870, Mariah Stover is left for dead and with no memory when the Deadeye Gang robs the stagecoach she's on,
killing her father and brother. As she takes over her father's blacksmith business and attempts to move forward, the
old-fashioned townspeople meet her new occupation with disdain.
Handsome and polished Clint Roberts escaped to Western Wyoming from the painful memories he left back east. In the
hope of a new life, he opens a diner where he creates fine dishes, but is met with a harsh welcome from the townsfolk who
prefer to stick to their old ways.
Clint and Mariah are drawn together by the similar trials they face in a new town, and Clint is determined to protect Mariah
at all costs when danger descends upon her home. As threats pursue them from every side, will they survive to build a life
forged in love?
Critique: Another finely crafted and enjoyable historic romance from the pen of Mary Connealy, "Forged in Love" is
especially recommended to the attention of readers with an interest in Christian historical fiction and western romance
novels. While unreservedly recommended for community library Romance Fiction collections, it should be noted for the
personal reading lists of the growing legion of Mary Connealy fans that "Forged in Love" is also available in a paperback
edition (9780764241130, $16.99) and in digital book format (Kindle, $9.99).
Editorial Note: Mary Connealy (www.maryconnealy.com) writes "romantic comedies with cowboys" and is celebrated for
her fun, zany, action-packed style. She has sold more than 1.5 million books. She is the author of the popular series Brothers
in Arms, Brides of Hope Mountain, High Sierra Sweethearts, The Kincaid Brides, Trouble in Texas, Lassoed in Texas,
Sophie's Daughters, and many other books. Mary lives on a ranch in eastern Nebraska with her very own romantic cowboy
hero.
The Western Fiction Shelf
Me an' Gus
James D. Crownover
Five Star Publishing
c/o Gale Cengage Learning, Inc.
20 Channel Center Street, Boston, MA 02210
https://www.gale.com/five-star
www.cengageptr.com
9781432895853, $25.95, HC, 245pp
https://www.amazon.com/Odyssey-Effie-Frost-K-Hollenbeck/dp/1432895850
Synopsis: When Comanches killed their fathers, young Sutter "Sut" Lowery and August "Gus" Bell became the primary
supporters of their families until their mothers married again. One night, Gus's mother is beaten again by her husband. Gus
kills Ben and dumps the body in a sinkhole.
That night, Sut and Gus hit out for tall cane. And thus begins the odyssey of Sut and Gus into the world of cattle drives,
rustlers, Indians, horses, and manhood.
Sut discovers he has inherited his mother's gift of prescience and rescues two white children from a Comanche trap.
At the crossing of the Arkansas, Gus and Sut work to eliminate a gang of thugs from control of the ford. In Abilene they
attempt to stop a kid from rolling a drunk -- and end up wanted by half the town and a bunch of vaqueros. They also battle
an old Mountain Man who is killing the ranch's cattle.
Sut and Gus's exploits take them far and wide in this coming-of-age adventurous saga set in the American west.
Critique: The stuff of which popular western mini-series are made for television, "Me an' Gus" clearly showcases author
James D. Crownover's storytelling skills and why he has receieved the Spur Award for his western novels. Original,
entertaining, laced with historical accuracies with respect to the handling of cattle in the west, "Me an' Gus" is a terrific read
from beginning to end and highly recommended for both the personal reading lists of dedicated western novel fans and
community library Western Fiction collections.
Editorial Note: James D. Crownover (https://historicalnovelsociety.org/by/james-d-crownover) began writing a historical
novel about four generations of a mixed Cherokee family that migrates from Tennessee to New Mexico Territory in the
nineteenth century. His novels include: "Wild Ran the Rivers" (which in 2015 won two Western Writers of America Spurs
for best historical novel and best first novel); "The Battle of Half Moon Mountain"; "Picketwire Vaquero" (which was
recognized in 2017 by True West Magazine as Best of the Rest Frontier Fiction); "Tales of the Last Frontier"; "Triple Play"
(which was finalist in the Will Rogers Medallion Awards and also the 2017 New Mexico-Arizona Book Awards); "The Ox
That Gored"; and "If These Walls Could Talk".
The Mystery/Suspense Shelf
Murder Lost And Found
Debbie Young
Boldwood Books
c/o Ulverscroft Large Print, Inc.
www.ulverscroftusa.com
9781804831168, $41.00, PB, Large Print, 332pp
https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/murder-lost-and-found-debbie-young/1139124458
Synopsis: Sophie Sayers is ready for a glorious summer, but when a dead body is found in the village school's lost property
cupboard the summer holidays take an unexpected turn. Even more shocking is when the body goes missing. Without a
body, the police refuse to investigate. That's just not good enough. Sophie is determined to get to the bottom of the mystery.
She needs to find out who has died and nab the culprit if she's going to save the village school from the threat of
closure!
Critique: Fun, original, and a pure delight for all cozy mystery fans, "Murder Lost And Found" by novelist Debbie Young
has more unexpected plot twists and turns than a Disneyland roller-coaster. This large print paperback edition of "Murder
Lost And Found" will prove to be an immediate and enduringly popular pick for community library Mystery/Suspense
collections. It should be noted for personal reading lists that "Murder Lost And Found" is also available in a digital book
format (Kindle, $2.99).
Editorial Note: Debbie Young (https://authordebbieyoung.com) writes warm, witty, feel-good contemporary fiction full of
English humor and inspired by life in the Cotswold village which has been her home for over 30 years. Originally
self-published, in 2022 she won a 13-book contract with the multiple-award-winning Boldwood Books for her novels, and a
7-book audio contract with Saga Egmont, along with a German rights deal with DP Verlag.
A Date To Die For
E. V. Hunter
Boldwood Books
c/o Ulverscroft Large Print, Inc.
www.ulverscroftusa.com
9781804835678, $41.00, PB, Large Print, 388pp
https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/a-date-to-die-for-evie-hunter/1142784173
Synopsis: When the unlikely duo of investigative journalist, Alexi Ellis falls victim to cutbacks, she and Cosmo, her
anti-social feral cat, head for beautiful Hopgood Hall, where they plan to lick their wounds in the boutique hotel run by her
old friends, Cheryl and Drew Hopgood.
But when she arrives Alexi discovers Cheryl and Drew both distraught. Their close friend, Natalie Parker, who recently
settled in the area, has gone missing. Alexi's sure the woman has just taken a trip somewhere, but she still has a nose for a
story and agrees to look into it.
So too does ex-Met Police detective turned private eye, Jack Maddox. Natalie Parker had been using his sister's online
dating agency and Jack needs to find her before his sister's business is ruined. Reluctantly, Alexi, Jack (and Cosmo!) join
forces to find out what happened to Natalie. But soon they discover secrets that someone desperately wants to make sure are
never revealed!
Critique: As a novelist, E. V. Hunter is a master of the cozy mystery format and this large print paperback edition of "A
Date To Die For" is one of her best! While unreservedly recommended for community library Mystery/Suspense collections,
it should be noted for the personal reading lists of all dedicated cozy mystery fans that "A Date To Die For' is also available
in a digital book format (Kindle, $2.99).
The Bark of Zorro
Kathleen Y'Barbo
Barbour Publishing
P.O. Box 719, 1810 Barbour Drive, Uhrichsville, OH 44683
www.barbourbooks.com
9781636095172, $14.99, PB, 256pp
https://www.amazon.com/Bark-Zorro-Gone-Dogs/dp/1636095178
Synopsis: Strange happenings are afoot in Brenham, Texas, as dogs start showing up at the Lone Star Veterinary Clinic with
a Z spray painted on them. The cops blame pranksters, while pet owners are blaming each other. Receptionist Cassidy
Carter uses her social media expertise to try to get the culprit caught on camera, but Texas game warden, Justin Cameron,
thinks online media attention is the last thing this case needs. It's bad enough he's currently being followed around by reality
TV cameras. When Cassidy's post goes viral, more dogs are found painted and her new home gets marked with a big Z too.
How could her good intentions have backfired so badly?
Critique: Featuring everything a cozy animal mystery fan would want in a fun and delightful story, "The Bark of Zorro" by
novelist Kathleen Y'Barbo is a the fourth book in the author's 'Gone to the Dogs' mystery series. Original, delightful, and an
ideal recreational read, "The Bark of Zorro" will prove to be an immediately welcome and enduringly popular addition to
community library Mystery/Suspense collections. It should be noted for the personal reading lists of all dedicated cozy
mystery readers that "The Bark of Zorro" is also readily available in a digital book format (Kindle, $9.99). "The Bark of
Zorro" will also be available in a large print hardcover edition (Center Point, 9781638087212, $38.95, 500pp).
Editorial Note: Kathleen Y'Barbo (www.kathleenybarbo.com) is the author of more than one hundred books. A
tenth-generation Texan and certified paralegal, she is a member of the Texas Bar Association Paralegal Division, Texas
A&M Association of Former Student and the Texas A&M Women Former Students (Aggie Women), Texas Historical
Society, Novelists Inc., and American Christian Fiction Writers.
The Secret of Chimneys
Agatha Christie, author
Alice H. Murray, annotator
End Game Press
PO Box 206, Nesbit, MS, 38651
https://www.endgamepress.com
9781637970584, $18.99, PB, 300pp
https://www.amazon.com/Secret-Chimneys-Alice-H-Murray/dp/1637970587
Synopsis: Originally published in the 1920s, this new edition of "The Secret of Chimneys" by that legendary mystery
novelist Agatha Christie, is informatively annotated edition by Alice H. Murray for a new generation of appreciative
readers.
The story whisks the reader off on a mental trip to faraway places (Rhodesia, the French coast, London, the English
countryside) on a rollercoaster ride to determine whodunnit and why. The story isn't just a murder mystery; it involves
romance, royalty, political intrigue, imposters, and a stolen diamond. Adding to the enjoyment of this new paperback edition
from End Game Press is enlightening bonus material about people, places, and things appearing in "The Secret of
Chimneys".
Critique: An absolutely 'must read' for the legions of Agatha Christie fans, "The Secret of Chimneys" features political
intrigue spiced with high stakes murder, blackmail, and crime. This outstanding new edition of "The Secret of Chimneys" is
unreservedly recommended as a welcome and enduringly appreciated addition to personal, community, and academic library
Mystery/Suspense collections in general, and Agatha Christie reading lists in particular.
Editorial Note #1: Agatha Christie ( 15 September 1890 - 12 January 1976) was an English writer known for her 66
detective novels and 14 short story collections, particularly those revolving around fictional detectives Hercule Poirot and
Miss Marple. She also wrote the world's longest-running play, the murder mystery The Mousetrap, which has been
performed in the West End since 1952. She is known worldwide as a major writer during the "Golden Age of Detective
Fiction". (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Agatha_Christie)
Editorial Note #2: Alice H. Murray (https://authoralicehmurray.wixsite.com/website) has always been enthusiastic about
great writing, and are privileged to have turned their passion into a thriving career as a professional Writer. Alice has two
books set for release from End Game Press in April 2023 and April 2024 respectively. She regularly contributes articles to
GO! Magazine and pens devotionals for traditional publications such as The Upper Room and various online sites. She's
also had pieces published in Chicken Soup for the Soul and the Short and Sweet series. Her wondering mind compels her to
write a weekly blog post, WONDER-ing Woman, on topics of current interest peppered with remarks from her distinctive
sense of humor.
A Killing of Innocents
Deborah Crombie
https://www.deborahcrombie.com
William Morrow & Company
c/o HarperCollins Publishers
www.harpercollins.com
Blackstone Audiobooks
www.blackstoneaudio.com
9780062993397, $30.00, HC, 368pp
https://www.amazon.com/Killing-Innocents-Duncan-Kincaid-Novels/dp/0062993399
Synopsis: On a rainy November evening, trainee doctor Sasha Johnson hurries through the evening crowd in London's
historic Russell Square. Out of the darkness, someone jostles her as they brush past. A moment later, Sasha stumbles, then
collapses. When Detective Superintendent Duncan Kincaid and his sergeant, Doug Cullen, are called to the scene, they
discover that she's been stabbed.
Kincaid immediately calls in his detective wife, Gemma James, who has recently been assigned to a task force on knife
crimes which are on the rise. Along with her partner, detective sergeant Melody Talbot, Gemma aids the investigation. But
Sasha Johnson doesn't fit the profile of the task force's typical knife crime victim. Single, successful, career-driven, she has
no history of abusive relationships or any connection to gangs. Sasha had her secrets, though, and some of them lead the
detectives uncomfortably close to home.
As the team unravels the victim's tangled connections, another murder raises the stakes. Kincaid, Gemma, and their
colleagues must put even friendships on the line to find the killer stalking the dark streets of Bloomsbury.
Critique: With a very special appeal to fans of polic procedurals and traditional detective 'whodunnit' murder mysteries, and
women sleuths, "A Killing Of Innocents" by veteran author Deborah Crombie is a highly recommended addition to
community library Mystery/Suspense collections. It should be noted for the personal reading lists of the growing legions of
Deborah Crombie fans that "A Killing Of Innocents" is also available in a digital book format (Kindle, $14.99). Librarians
should also note that "A Killing Of Innocents" has a large print edition (9780063117754, $34.00) and is also available as a
complete and unabridged audio book (Blackstone Audio, 9798212204842, $41.99, CD).
Editorial Note: Deborah Crombie (https://www.deborahcrombie.com) wrote "A Share in Death", published in 1993 and
short-listed for both Agatha and Macavity awards for Best First Novel and was awarded the Macavity. Crombie's fifth
novel, "Dreaming of the Bones", was a New York Times Notable Book in 1997, was named by the Independent Mystery
Booksellers as one of the 100 Best Crime Novels of the Century, was an Edgar nominee for Best Novel, and won the
Macavity award for Best Novel. Subsequent novels have been published to critical acclaim and in a dozen languages.
Crombie's 18th novel featuring Metropolitan Police detectives Superintendent Duncan Kincaid and Inspector Gemma James
is "A Bitter Feast".
Diamondback Revenge
Cindy Keen Reynders
Camel Press
www.camelpress.com
9781684920556, $16.95, PB, 254pp
https://www.amazon.com/Diamondback-Revenge-Reese-Golden-Mysteries/dp/1684920558
Synopsis: It's a sweltering Wyoming summer and the typically clear blue skies are clogged with smoke drifting from
encroaching wildfires. Life goes on, however, and private investigator Reese Golden remains dedicated to resolving crimes
in her hometown of Meadowlark Valley.
Currently, she seeks a local shop owner's stolen rattlesnake taxidermy display. During her investigation, fraught with twists
and turns, she exposes intrigue involving local artist Bella Northwood's drowning, and the brutal assault of the shop owner,
who happens to be Bella's father.
Danger complicates Reese's objectives as she and Police detective Jeremy Savage team up to retrieve the stolen display and
to document the events leading up to Bella's accident.
Nothing is as it seems, nevertheless, Reese is determined to uncover the facts. It is important to her to see that justice is
served, and she refuses to allow any guilty parties to go free.
After interviewing residents and availing herself of local resources, Reese's intuition kicks in, which leads her one of
Wyoming's wilderness areas with its panoramic mountain views as she encounters intrigue and danger complicating her
objectives as she and police detective Jeremy Savage pursue justice.
Critique: The second title in novelist Cindy Keen Reynders 'Reese Golden Mysterious' series, "Diamondback Revenge" is
another deftly crafted story that will have immense appeal for fans of the cozy mystery genre. With an original and
entertaining plot with more twists and turns than a Disneyland roller-coaster, "Diamondback Revenge" is unreservedly
recommended for personal and community library Mystery/Suspense collections. It should be noted that "Diamondback
Revenge" is also readily available in a digital book format (Kindle, $5.99).
Editorial Note: Cindy (www.cindykeenreynders.com) is the author of The Saucy Lucy Murders, Paws-itively Guilty and A
Killer Slice. Solstice Publishing recently released her paranormal romance The Seven-Year Witch, A Witch at Midnight and
Witch Tease. She has a blog and can be followed on Facebook.
Her Sister's Death
K. L.Murphy
CamCat Books
www.camcatpublishing.com
9780744307399, $25.99, HC, 352pp
https://www.amazon.com/Her-Sisters-Death-K-Murphy/dp/0744307392
Synopsis: When her sister is found dead in a Baltimore hotel room, reporter Val Ritter's world is turned upside down. An
empty pill bottle at the scene leads the police to believe the cause of death is suicide. With little more than her own
conviction, Val teams up with Terry Martin, a retired detective who has his own personal interest in the case, to prove that
something more sinister is possible.
In 1921, Bridget Wallace, a guest on the brink of womanhood, is getting ready to marry an eligible older man. But what
seems like a comfortable match soon takes a dark turn. Does the illustrious history of the stately Franklin hotel hide another,
lesser known history of death?
Critique: An original and deftly crafted novel that will have a special appeal to readers with an interest in historical and
supernatural mysteries starring an intrepid, amateur, and determined female sleuth, "Her Sister's Death" by K. L. Murphy is
an extraordinary and unreservedly recommended addition to community library Mystery/Suspense collections. It should be
noted for the personal reading lists of dedicated mystery buffs that "Her Sister's Death" is also available in a paperback
edition (9780744307405, $15.99) and in a digital book format (Kindle, $4.99).
Editorial Note: K. L. Murphy (https://freshfiction.com/author.php?id=41480) is the author of the Detective Cancini Mystery
Series: A Guilty Mind, Stay of Execution, and The Last Sin. Her short stories are featured in the anthologies Deadly
Southern Charm ("Burn") and Murder by the Glass ("EverUs"). She is a member of Mystery Writers of America,
International Thriller Writers, Sisters in Crime, James River Writers, and Historical Writers of America.
No Life for a Lady
Hannah Dolby
Head of Zeus
https://headofzeus.com/home
9781804544365, $27.99, HC, 400pp
https://www.amazon.com/No-Life-Lady-Hannah-Dolby/dp/1804544361
At 28, Violet's father is beginning to worry she will never find a husband. But every suitor he presents, Violet finds a new
and inventive means of rebuffing. Because Violet does not want to marry! She wants to work, and make her own way in the
world. But more than anything, she wants to find her mother Lily, who disappeared from Hastings Pier 10 years earlier.
Finding the missing is no job for a lady, but when Violet hires a seaside detective to help, she sets off a chain of events that
will put more than just her reputation at risk. Can Violet solve the mystery of Lily Hamilton's vanishing before it's too
late?
Critique: Set in 1896, novelist Hannah Dolby's "No Life for a Lady" has everything a cozy mystery fan could want -- humor,
a 'whodunit' to solve, and an amateur woman sleuth to do the solving. With many a quick and unexpected plot twist and
turn, "No Life for a Lady" is a fun read from cover to cover. While unreservedly recommended for community library
Mystery/Suspense collections, it should be noted for personal reading lists that "No Life for a Lady" is also readily available
in a paperback edition (9781804544372, $19.99) and in a digital book format (Kindle, $6.99).
Editorial Note: Hannah Dolby trained as a journalist in Hastings and has worked in PR for many years, promoting museums,
galleries, palaces, gardens and even Dolly the sheep. She completed the Curtis Brown selective three-month novel writing
course, and she won runner-up in the Comedy Women in Print Awards for this novel with the prize of a place on an MA in
Comedy Writing at the University of Falmouth. You can follow her on Twitter @LadyDolby
(https://pocketmags.com/us/writing-magazine/april-2023/articles/1277163/hannah-dolby)
Dead Man Inside
Vincent Starrett
American Mystery Classics
c/o Penzler Publishers
https://penzlerpublishers.com
9781613163917, $25.95, HC, 288pp
https://www.amazon.com/Dead-Man-Inside-Vincent-Starrett/dp/1613163916
Synopsis: A strange sight greets Chicago haberdashery clerk Rufus Ker as he prepares to begin his workday by unlocking
the door to Bluefield, Inc. A sign is attached to the glass. It reads: DEAD MAN INSIDE! I AM DEAD. THIS STORE WILL
NOT OPEN TO-DAY.
Once inside, Rufus is relieved to discover the shop is still in one piece and assumes the sign to be a prank. But no one is
laughing when Rufus realizes the dummy in the window is no dummy at all. It's the body of his boss, Amos Bluefield, and
unfortunately this is only the beginning...
Scientist, explorer, and former intelligence officer Walter Ghost has come to Chicago to research some history, but after a
stint in the hospital due to appendicitis, he quickly finds himself investigating a string of puzzling murders. Ghost is
certainly no stranger to playing detective, but if he's not careful, he's about to get more familiar with the hospital.
Critique: Originally published in 1931 and brought back into print as a treasured time-lost classic for the appreciative
benefit of a new generation of cozy mystery fans, Of special note is an informative background introduction by Otto
Penzler. "Dead Man Inside" by the late author and journalist Vincent Starrett will prove an immediately welcome and
enduringly popular addition to community library Mystery/Suspense collections. It should be noted for the personal reading
lists of time-lost mystery fans that "Dead Man Inside" is also available in a paperback edition (9781613163948, $16.95) and
in a digital book format ($1.99).
Editorial Note #1: Vincent Starrett (October 26, 1886 - January 5, 1974) was a Chicago journalist who became one of the
world's foremost experts on Sherlock Holmes. A books columnist for the Chicago Tribune, he also wrote biographies of
authors such as Robert Louis Stevenson and Ambrose Bierce, various books on books and book collecting, plus Sherlockian
pastiches and numerous short stories and novels. A founding member of the Baker Street Irregulars, he is perhaps known
best today for The Private Life of Sherlock Holmes, an imaginative biography of the great detective.
(https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vincent_Starrett)
Editorial Note #2: Otto Penzler (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Otto_Penzler) is the creator of American Mystery Classics as
well as the founder of the Mysterious Press (1975); Mysterious Press.com (2011), an electronic-book publishing company;
and New York City's Mysterious Bookshop (1979). He has won a Raven, the Ellery Queen Award, two Edgars (for the
Encyclopedia of Mystery and Detection, 1977, and The Lineup, 2010), and lifetime achievement awards from Noircon and
The Strand Magazine. He has edited more than 70 anthologies and written extensively about mystery fiction.
The Red Widow Murders
John Dickson Carr
American Mystery Classics
c/o Penzler Publishers
https://penzlerpublishers.com
9781613163900, $25.95, HC, 288pp
https://www.amazon.com/Red-Widow-Murders-Merrivale-Mystery/dp/1613163908
Synopsis: They say that Lord Mantling's mansion is haunted -- at least, one room of it is. Known as the Red Widow's
Chamber, the now-sealed quarters once housed the wife of a guillotine operator in the French Revolution, and, since her
passing, have been host to a century of unsolved horrors, including the death of a man in 1802, the death of a child in 1895,
and a number of mysterious mortalities in the years in between.
Now, in 1935, eight men and women join at the manor for a sinister experiment to determine the truth behind the haunting
once and for all: they each draw a card, and whoever pulls the Ace of Spades must spend a night in that terrifying room. But
the challenge turns fatal when the man selected for the task is found poisoned the next morning when the doors are opened.
The locked room was guarded all night, so nobody could have entered or escaped; what's more, the deadly toxin could only
have entered through a break in the skin, but no wounds were discovered on the body.
Is this evidence, at last, of a nefarious spirit at work, or of a diabolical and ingenious killer? Only Sir Henry Merrivale,
called in to take note of the night's proceedings, will be able to examine the clues and deduce the truth.
Critique: A classic 'locked room' mystery by the legendary mystery writer John Dickson Carr, "The Red Widow" (originally
published in 1935) has been brought back as a time lost classic for the benefit of a whole new generation of appreciated
mystery fans. While enhanced for the reader with an informative introduction by Tom Mead, and an unreservedly
recommended pick for community library Mystery/Suspense collections, it should be noted for the personal reading lists of
all dedicated mystery buffs that "The Red Widow" is also available in a paperback edition (9781613163955, $15.95) and in
a digital book format (Kindle, $11.99).
Editorial Note #1: John Dickson Carr (November 30, 1906 - February 27, 1977) was one of the greatest writers of the
American Golden Age mystery, and one of the only American authors to be included in England's legendary Detection Club.
Though he was born and died in the United States, Carr began his writing career while living in England, where he remained
for nearly twenty years. Under his own name and various pseudonyms, he wrote more than seventy novels and numerous
short stories, and is best known today for his locked-room mysteries. His beloved series character, Dr. Gideon Fell, was
based on author G. K. Chesterton and appeared in twenty-four novels.
(https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Dickson_Carr)
Editorial Note #2: Tom Mead (https://tommeadauthor.com) is a UK-based author specializing in crime fiction. His stories
have appeared in Ellery Queen's Mystery Magazine, Alfred Hitchcock Mystery Magazine, Litro Online, Flash: The
International Short-Short Story Magazine, Lighthouse, Mystery Scene and Mystery Weekly (among others). Several of his
pieces have also been anthologized, most recently "Heatwave" in The Best Mystery Stories of the Year 2021 (ed. Lee
Child).
Just One More
Annette Lyon
Scarlet / Penzler Publishers
https://penzlerpublishers.com
9781613163757, $26.95, HC, 312pp
https://www.amazon.com/Just-One-More-Annette-Lyon/dp/1613163754
Synopsis: Becca's life is turned upside down when she finds Jenn dead in the bathtub. Soon she begins to unspool the
secrets Jenn kept in life, including a troubled marriage to Rick and two dead wives in his past. The more Becca learns, the
more determined she becomes to get justice for Jenn, even if the clues surrounding her death aren't quite adding up.
Over a year before her death, Jenn had begun to notice her husband acting strangely. Using her skills as a librarian, she dug
down into Rick's past -- and falls down a rabbit hole far deeper and darker than she bargained for. She's already beaten the
odds by living longer than his other dead wives. But now she fears her time is up.
Critique: Original, compelling, deftly scripted, and with more unexpected plot twists and turns than a Coney Island roller-
coaster, "Just One More" is author Annette Lyon's impressive debut as a mystery writer. While unreservedly recommended
for community library Mystery/Suspense collections, it should be noted for the personal reading lists of anyone with an
interest in a riveting suspense thriller of a read that includes marriage, friendship, and motherhood, along with classic
'whodunnit' elements that "Just One More" is also available in a digital book format (Kindle, $17.49).
Editorial Note: Annette Lyon (https://annettelyon.wordpress.com) is the author of dozens of titles ranging from historical
women's fiction to nonfiction to romance. Her fiction has won nine Best of State medals in Utah, a Whitney Award, and
others.
48 Clues into the Disappearance of My Sister
Joyce Carol Oates
Mysterious Press
c/o Penzler Publishers
https://penzlerpublishers.com
9781613163818, $26.95, HC, 288pp
https://www.amazon.com/48-Clues-into-Disappearance-Sister/dp/1613163819
Synopsis: Marguerite, a beautiful woman, has disappeared from her small town in Upstate New York. But is foul play
involved? Or did she merely take an opportunity to get away for fun, or finally make the decision to leave behind her
claustrophobic life of limited opportunities?
Her younger sister Gigi wonders if the flimsy silk Dior dress, so casually abandoned on the floor, is a clue to Marguerite's
having seemingly vanished. The police examine the footprints made by her Ferragamo boots leaving the house, ending
abruptly, and puzzle over how that can help lead to her. Gigi, not so pretty as her sister, slowly reveals her hatred for the
perfect, much-loved, Marguerite.
Bit by bit, like ripping the petals off a flower blossom, revelations about both sisters are uncovered. Subtly, but with the
unbearable suspense at which Joyce Carol Oates excels, clues mount up to bring to light the fate of the missing beauty.
Critique: Masquerading as a cozy mystery, "48 Clues into the Disappearance of My Sister" is yet another literary
masterpiece by famed author Joyce Carol Oates. A deftly crafted suspense thriller of a read, "48 Clues into the
Disappearance of My Sister" will have a very special appeal to those who have an interest in amateur sleuths caught up in
'whodunnit' murder mysteries. While highly recommended, especially for community library Mystery/Suspense collections,
it should be noted for the legions of Joyce Carol Oates fans that "48 Clues into the Disappearance of My Sister" is also
available in a digital book format (Kindle, $16.99).
Editorial Note: Joyce Carol Oates (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joyce_Carol_Oates) is the author of more than 70 books,
including novels, short story collections, poetry volumes, plays, essays, and criticism, including the national bestsellers We
Were the Mulvaneys and Blonde. Among her many honors are the PEN/Malamud Award for Excellence in Short Fiction
and the National Book Award. Oates is the Roger S. Berlind Distinguished Professor of the Humanities at Princeton
University, and has been a member of the American Academy of Arts and Letters since 1978.
The Alarm of the Black Cat
Dolores Kitchens
American Mystery Classics
c/o Penzler Publishers
https://penzlerpublishers.com
9781613163924, $15.95, PB, 288pp
https://www.amazon.com/Alarm-Black-Cat-Dolores-Hitchens/dp/1613163924
Synopsis: A strange encounter with a little girl named Claudia and a dead toad sparks elderly detective fiction fan Rachel
Murdock's obsessive curiosity, and she winds up renting the house next door just to see how things play out. But soon after
she and her cat Samantha move in, Rachel realizes they've landed right in the middle of a deadly love triangle that's created
animosity among the three families who now surround her.
When Rachel finds Claudia's great-grandmother dead in her basement, she reaches out to a friend in the LAPD to solve the
crime. They soon learn the three households have been torn apart by one husband's infidelity and a complicated will that
could lead to a fortune. In a house plagued by forbidden love, regret, and greed, Rachel will have to trust her intuition, as
well as Samantha's instincts, to survive -- and keep Claudia out of the hands of a killer whose work has just begun!
Critique: Originally published in 1942, "The Alarm of the Black Cat" by Dolores Kitchens (December 25, 1907 - August 1,
1973) is an early form of what is know today as a 'Cosy Mystery' featuring an amateur female sleuth and a 'whodunnit'
mystery. A 'time lost' treasure of a read, and now brought back into print for a new generation of appreciative and dedicated
detective mystery fans, "The Alarm of the Black Cat" is highly recommended for personal reading lists and community
library Mystery/Suspense collections.
Editorial Note: Dolores Hitchens (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dolores_Hitchens) was an American mystery novelist who
wrote prolifically from 1938 until her death in 1973. She also wrote as D. B. Olsen (a version of her first married name) and
under the pseudonyms Dolan Birkley and Noel Burke.
Philanthropists: Inspector Mislan and the Executioners
Rozlan Mohd Noor
Arcade Crime
c/o Arcade Publishing
www.arcadepub.com
c/o Skyhorse Publishing, Inc.
307 West 36th Street, 11th Floor, New York, NY 10018
www.skyhorsepublishing.com
9781956763355, $26.99, HC, 264pp
https://www.amazon.com/Philanthropists-Inspector-Mislan-Executioners-5/dp/195676335X
Synopsis: Eight months after the assassination attempt that nearly ended his life, Inspector Mislan Latif is back on
twenty-four-hour duty with his assistant, Detective Sergeant Johan Kamaruddin, when the call comes in: double murder in a
house in the police district of Sentul.
The two dark-skinned men were killed identically, execution-style. In the master bedroom of the rental, in plain sight on the
bed, is almost three pounds of drugs, while no identifying documents, wallets, phones, and the like are to be found. No shots
were heard, or the neighbors won't admit to hearing them, but someone called the killings in to notify the police. In the area,
drugs are rampant and also foreign nationals, legal and illegal. If the vics were foreign, without papers, where do they
start?
Just as Mislan and Jo begin to dig into the case, they face an unprecedented hurdle. COVID-19 is spreading in the country at
an alarming rate, prompting a nationwide Movement Control Order. Pursuing their leads in spite of the new restrictions, the
investigators come into contact with members of the underworld and the refugee community, before realizing that the real
culprits may be closer than they think.
Critique: Of special appeal to readers with an interest in Police Procedural and International Murder Mysteries,
"Philanthropist" (the fifth title in novelist Rozlan Mohd Noor's 'Inspector Mislan and the Executioners' series, is an original
and deftly crafted thriller of a read from beginning to end, and an unreservedly recommended addition to community library
Mystery/Suspense collections. It should be noted for the personal reading lists of dedicated crime novel enthusiasts that
"Philanthropist" is also available in a digital book format (Kindle, $17.99).
Editorial Note: Rozlan Mohd Noor served for eleven years as a crime investigator in the CID of the Royal Malaysia Police
and a court prosecutor before joining the private sector. 21 Immortals, his first Inspector Mislan novel, was shortlisted for
the Commonwealth Writer's Best First Book Award and longlisted for the International DUBLIN Literary Award. He has
published four more Inspector Mislan novels. (www.goodreads.com/author/show/15075758.Rozlan_Mohd_Noor)
Retribution
Robert McCaw
Oceanview Publishing
1620 Main Street, Suite 11, Sarasota, FL 34236
www.oceanviewpub.com
9781608095568, $27.95, HC, 336pp
https://www.amazon.com/Retribution-Koa-Kane-Hawaiian-Mystery/dp/1608095568
Synopsis: In the back alley of a bar on Hawaii Island, a young man is found stabbed to death. When Hilo Chief Detective
Koa Kane begins investigating the crime, the murder weapon is recovered only a few feet away from the body. Crime scene
technicians find fingerprints on the knife -- and they are a perfect match for Koa's younger brother, Ikaika.
As the brothers scramble to prove Ikaika's innocence, another crime sends shockwaves through the Hilo police force. A
sniper tries to take out Makanui, Koa's closest colleague. As Koa tries to figure out whether these crimes are linked, the
sinister force continues their killing spree, threatening Koa and his loved ones at every turn.
Could Koa be the real target? If so, who is behind this trail of retribution? With his own secret criminal past, Koa confronts
an all-out offensive against those closest to him and his police force to which he has devoted his life. As the bodies pile up,
Koa finds himself the ultimate target of a ruthless adversary and must risk it all to survive.
Critique:"Retribution" (the fifth novel in author Robert McCaw's 'Koa Kane Hawaiian Mystery' series) will have a very
special appeal to fans of police procedurals and contemporary murder mysteries set in the Hawaiian Islands. Along with the
previous four volumes (Death of a Messenger; Off the Grid; Fire and Vengeance; Treachery Times Two), "Retribution" can
be read as a 'stand alone' murder mystery without reference to the other superbly crafted titles in this simply outstanding
series from Oceanview Publishing. While unreservedly recommended for community library Mystery/Suspense collections,
it should be noted for the personal reading lists of dedicated murder mystery enthusiasts that "Retribution" is also readily
available in a digital book format (Kindle, $11.49).
Editorial Note: Robert McCaw (https://robertbmccaw.com) grew up in a military family, traveling the world. He is a
graduate of Georgetown University, served as a U.S. Army lieutenant, and earned a law degree from the University of
Virginia. Having lived on the Big Island of Hawaii, McCaw's writing is imbued by his more than 20-year love affair with
this Pacific paradise.
An American in Scotland
Lucy Connelly
Crooked Lane Books
2 Park Avenue, 10th floor, New York, NY 10016
www.crookedlanebooks.com
Dreamscape Media
https://www.dreamscapepublishing.com
9781639103508, $26.99, HC, 304pp
https://www.amazon.com/American-Scotland-Scottish-Isle-Mystery/dp/1639103503
Synopsis: Sea Isle was supposed to be the fresh start Dr. Emilia McRoy dreamed of. Far from the busy emergency room
across the Atlantic in Seattle, she hoped to settle down and begin this new chapter as a small-town doctor to the quirky
residents who immediately welcomed her. When she stumbles across a dead body, she starts to think that she may not be as
Scot free of the drama and intrigue as she initially thought.
Emilia soon learns she has bigger issues at hand. It starts with realizing she'll work closely with the less than helpful local
constable, Laird Ewan Campbell. Her luck continues when she discovers that part of her new responsibilities includes being
the coroner for the very body she found. Finally, when the body goes missing before she can even begin the autopsy, Emilia
must convince the townspeople that a crime did, in fact, occur.
The deeper she digs into the picturesque town, the more suspicious she becomes. And then there are her sleep issues. It may
be due to the ever-growing list of suspects, a number of threatening letters, or the surprise visitor who breaks into her house
at night. But she's never backed down before, and she doesn't intend to start now.
Someone doesn't want this doctor to treat the ailments of Sea Isle, but Emilia McRoy is determined to find the murderer
before they kilt again.
Critique: "An American in Scotland" by Lucy Connelly is a cozy mystery lover's delight from first page to last. An original
and fun 'whodunnit', "An American in Scotland" is a certain and unreservedly recommended addition to community library
Mystery/Suspense collections. It should be noted for the legions of cozy mystery fans that "An American in Scotland" is also
readily available in a digital book format (Kindle, $13.99) and as a complete and unabridged audio book (Dreamscape
Media, 9781666630268, $22.99, CD).
Editorial Note: Lucy Connelly (https://www.lucyconnelly.com) travels around the world, usually with her bossy dog in tow.
She is always up for adventure and is constantly on the lookout for killer inspiration -- as in who will be the next killer in
her books? She has a master's degree in humanities and enjoys learning all the things.
A Wealth of Deception
Trish Esden
Crooked Lane Books
2 Park Avenue, 10th floor, New York, NY 10016
www.crookedlanebooks.com
Dreamscape Media
https://www.dreamscapepublishing.com
9781639102549, $29.99, HC, 336pp
https://www.amazon.com/Deception-Scandal-Mountain-Antiques-Mystery/dp/163910254X
Synopsis: When Vermont antique and art dealer Edie Brown discovers an unsettlingly dark collage by the famed reclusive
"outsider" artist known only as Vespa, she opens a Pandora's Box of deception and danger.
Edie teams up with Uncle Tuck and Kala to investigate the background of the collage but only uncover secrets that are more
disturbing than the artwork itself. As Edie tracks down the validity of the piece, she stumbles into an art underground where
some people are willing to kill to keep their schemes a secret.
Critique: An amateur sleuth, a small town, a 'whodunnit' murder to solve, "A Wealth of Deception" by Trish Esden has all
the elements that make an expertly crafted Cosy Mystery -- including a population of memorable characters, and a plot with
more unexpected twists and turns that a Disneyland roller-coaster. Very strongly recommended for community library
Mystery/Suspense collections, it should be noted for personal reading lists that "A Wealth of Deception" is also available in
a digital book format (Kindle, $13.99) and as a complete and unabridged audio book (Dreamscape Media, 9781666630633,
$22.99, CD).
Editorial Note: Trish Esden (https://trishesden.com) loves museums, gardens, wilderness, dogs and birds, in various order
depending on the day. She lives in Northern Vermont where she deals antiques with her husband, a profession she's been
involved with since her teens. Don't ask what her favorite type of antique is. She loves hunting down old bottles and rusty
barn junk as much as she enjoys fine art and furnishings.
You Should Have Known
Rebecca A. Keller
Crooked Lane Books
2 Park Avenue, 10th floor, New York, NY 10016
www.crookedlanebooks.com
9781639102600, $29.99, HC, 320pp
https://www.amazon.com/You-Should-Have-Known-Novel/dp/1639102604
Synopsis: When retired nurse Frannie Greene moves into a senior living apartment, she finds a compelling friendship with
her new neighbor Katherine, only to discover that Katherine is married to the judge who Frannie believes is implicated in
the death of her beloved granddaughter.
Observing the medication cart sparks Frannie's darkest imagination, and her desire for revenge combines with her medical
expertise. In one dreadful, impulsive moment, she tampers with the medicine. However, the next day, someone is dead, and
Frannie realizes the gravity of what she's done.
The police get involved, and suspicions gather around someone Frannie knows to be innocent. Wracked with remorse,
Frannie's anxiety becomes unbearable. As she works to make it right, Frannie discovers that things are more complicated
than they seem.
She's spent years aching for accountability from people in power. Is she the one who now needs to be held culpable? What
really happened that night?
Critique: All the more impressive when considering that "You Should Have Known" is author Rebecca A. Keller's debut as
a novelist, this deftly crafted thriller of a read that will have a very special appeal to fans riveting psychological suspense
fiction. While highly recommended, especially for community library Crime Fiction collections, it should be noted for
personal reading lists that "You Should Have Known Better" is also readily available in a digital book format (Kindle,
$13.99).
Editorial Note: Rebecca A. Keller (https://www.rebeccaakeller.com) is an award-winning writer, an internationally
exhibited artist, a college professor, a Fulbright Artist/Scholar, and recipient of grants from National Endowment for the
Arts, Illinois Arts Council, and College Art Association.
A Most Intriguing Lady
Sarah Ferguson
Avon Books
c/o HarperCollins Publishers
www.harpercollins.com
Blackstone Audiobooks
www.blackstoneaudio.com
9780063216822, $30.00, HC, 368pp
https://www.amazon.com/Most-Intriguing-Lady-Novel/dp/0063216825
Synopsis: Victorian London was notorious for its pickpockets. While in the country houses of the English elite, gentleman
burglars, art thieves and con men preyed on the rich and titled. Wealthy victims (with their pride and reputation at stake)
would never go to the police. What they needed was a society insider, one of their own, a person of discretion and finely
tuned powers of observation, adept at navigating intrigue.
That person was Lady Mary Montagu Douglas Scott, the youngest child of Queen Victoria's close friends the Duke and
Duchess of Buccleuch. Bookish, fiercely intelligent, and a keen observer, Mary has deliberately cultivated a mousey persona
that allows her to remain overlooked and significantly underestimated by all. It's the perfect cover for a sleuth, a role she
stumbles into when trying to assist a close friend during a house party hosted by her parents at their stately Scottish home,
Drumlanrig Castle.
It is at this party where Lady Mary also meets Colonel Walter Trefusis, a distinguished and extremely handsome war
veteran. Tortured by memories of combat, Walter, like Mary, lives a double life, with a desk job in Whitehall providing a
front for his role in the British Intelligence Service. The two form an unlikely alliance to solve a series of audacious crimes -
- and indulge in a highly charged on-off romance!
Critique: The stuff of which BBC movies and television series are made, "A Most Intriguing Lady" by Sarah Ferguson (the
Duchess of York) is a fun read from start to finish. An original historical mystery featuring one remarkable woman's ability
to be both the perfect lady and a perfectly talented detective (all while finding love as well), "A Most Intriguing Lady" will
have a very special appeal for readers with an interest in Victorian Era female sleuths. While especially and unreservedly
recommended for community library Mystery/Suspense collections, it should be noted for personal reading lists that "A
Most Intriguing Lady" is also readily available in a digital book format (Kindle, $14.99) and as a complete and unabridged
audio book (Blackstone Audio, 9798200974849, $41.99).
Editorial Note: Sarah Ferguson (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sarah,_Duchess_of_York) is the Duchess of York, and former
daughter-in-law of Queen Elizabeth II. She is also a bestselling memoirist and children's book author, film producer, and has
been a spokeswoman for Weight Watchers and Wedgewood china. These days she campaigns for her Children in Crisis
international charity and works on historical documentaries and films that draw on her deep interest in Victorian history.
The proud mother of two daughters, Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie, and grandmother of two beautiful
grandchildren, she lives in Windsor with nine frisky Norfolk terriers.
Vanishing at Castle Moreau
Jaime Jo Wright
Bethany House Publishers
c/o Baker Publishing Group
6030 East Fulton Road, Ada, MI 49301
www.bethanyhouse.com
9780764241291, $29.99, HC, 352pp
https://www.amazon.com/Vanishing-at-Castle-Moreau/dp/076424129X
Synopsis: In 1865, orphaned Daisy Francois takes a position as housemaid at a midwestern Wisconsin castle and finds that
the reclusive and eccentric Gothic authoress inside hides more than the harrowing tales in her novels. With women
disappearing from the area and a legend that seems to parallel these eerie circumstances, Daisy is thrust into a web that may
threaten to steal her sanity, if not her life.
In the present day, Cleo Clemmons is hired by the grandson of American aristocratic family the Tremblays to help his
matriarchal grandmother face her hoarding in the dilapidated Castle Moreau. But when Cleo uncovers more than just the
woman's stashes of collectibles, a century-old mystery of disappearance, insanity, and the dust of the old castle's curse
threaten to rise again, and this time, leave no one alive to tell the sordid tale.
Critique: With her latest novel, "The Vanishing at Castle Moreau", author Jaime Jo Wright draws her readers into a
seamlessly woven dual-time tale of suspense, mystery, romance, and redemption. A unique and inherently fascinating read
from first page to last, "The Vanishing at Castle Moreau" will have a particular appeal for readers who enjoy 'family
friendly' stories of suspense, romance and mystery. While especially recommended for community library Mystery/Suspense
collections it should be noted for personal reading lists that "The Vanishing at Castle Moreau" is also available in a
paperback edition (9780764238345, $16.99) and in a digital book format (Kindle, $16.99).
Editorial Note: Jaime Jo Wright (jaimewrightbooks.com) is the author of seven novels, including Christy Award winner The
House on Foster Hill and Carol Award winner The Reckoning at Gossamer Pond. She's also the Publishers Weekly and
ECPA bestselling author of two novellas.
Death of a Traitor
M. C. Beaton
Grand Central Publishing
c/o Hachette Book Group
1290 Avenue of the Americas, New York, NY 10104
www.hachettebookgroup.com
9781538746769, $27.00, HC, 240pp
https://www.amazon.com/Death-Traitor-Hamish-Macbeth-Mystery/dp/153874676X
Synopsis: Kate Hibbert is all too eager to lend a hand to her neighbors. Although she has been a resident of the sleepy
village of Lochdubh for only a year, in that time Kate has alienated one too many of its residents with her interfering (and
not entirely well-intentioned) ways. When Kate's neighbor sees her lugging a heavy suitcase to the bus stop, he hopes that
the prying woman is leaving for good. But two weeks later, Kate's cousin arrives in town with the news that Kate has gone
missing -- and she demands that the local police step in.
Sergeant Hamish Macbeth is called in to investigate the disappearance, and soon he is befuddled by a storm of lies, intrigue,
scandal, and the sneaking suspicion that Kate was someone much more sinister than she claimed. Torn between loyalty to
Lochdubh and his job, Hamish begins threading his way through a maze of deceit, quickly finding himself on the trail of a
ruthless, treacherous murderer. If he catches the killer, peace can return to the village. If he fails, he will lose everything: his
job, his home, and the life he so loves in Lochdubh.
Critique: The 35th novel in the late author M. C. Beaton's 'Hamish MacBeth Murder Mystery' series, "Death of a Traitor"
has everything a mystery buff could hopeful -- a fun read populated with interesting characters, more plot twists and turns
than a Disneyland roller-coaster ride, and a very clever finale. Along with an informative Foreword by R. W. Green, this is
M. C. Beaton at her best! While highly recommended for community library Mystery/Suspense collections, it should be
noted for the legions of M. C. Beaton fans that "Death of a Traitor" is also available in a digital book format (Kindle,
$13.99) and as a complete and unabridged audio book (Grand Central Publishing, 9781549116124, $40.00, CD).
Editorial Note: M. C. Beaton (10 June 1936 - 30/31 December 2019), hailed as the "Queen of Crime" by the Globe and
Mail, was the author of the New York Times and USA Today bestselling Agatha Raisin novels - the basis for the hit series
on Acorn TV and public television - as well as the Hamish Macbeth series. Born in Scotland, Beaton started her career
writing historical romances under several pseudonyms as well as her maiden name, Marion Chesney. Her books have sold
more than twenty-two million copies worldwide.
Editorial Note #2: R. W. Green (https://www.thebooksinorder.com/r-w-green-books-in-order) is a long-time friend of M. C.
Beaton, and has written numerous works of fiction and non-fiction.
Not the Ones Dead
Dana Stabenow
www.stabenow.com
Head of Zeus
https://headofzeus.com/home
9781804540169, $29.99, HC, 336pp
https://www.amazon.com/Ones-Dead-Kate-Shugak-Investigation/dp/1804540161
Synopsis: A mid-air collision in the Alaskan wilderness between two small aircraft leaves ten people dead. Was it a bird
strike, pilot error... or premeditated murder?
Then an eleventh body is found in the wreckage: a man shot gangland style, twice in the chest and once in the head.
In an investigation that reaches to the highest levels of government, justice may not be served, but Kate Shugak is
determined that the truth will out, even at the risk of her life and the lives of those she loves most.
Critique: Of special and particular appeal to readers with an interest in Private Investigator murder mysteries featuring
women sleuths, "Not the Ones Dead" is a fun and fascinating read with more plot twists and turns than a Disneyland roller-
coaster. While unreservedly recommended for inclusion to community library Mystery/Suspense collections it should be
noted for the personal reading lists of all dedicated mystery buffs that "Not the Ones Dead" is also available in a digital book
format (Kindle, $8.99).
Editorial Note: Dana Stabenow (www.stabenow.com) is the author of the successful Kate Shugak series, with her novel "A
Cold Day for Murder", received an Edgar Award from the Mystery Writers of America.
Good Dog, Bad Cop
David Rosenfelt
Minotaur Books
c/o St. Martin's Publishing Group
www.minotaurbooks.com
Macmillan Audio
www.macmillanaudio.com
9781250828965, $27.99, HC, 288pp
https://www.amazon.com/Good-Dog-Bad-Team-Novels/dp/1250828961
Synopsis: The K Team enjoys investigating cold cases for the Paterson Police Department. Corey Douglas, his K-9 partner
Simon Garfunkel, Laurie Collins, and Marcus Clark even get to choose which cases they'd like to pursue. When Corey sees
the latest list of possibilities, there's no question which one to look into next.
Corey's former mentor, Jimmy Dietrich, had his whole identity wrapped up in being a cop. When Jimmy retired three years
ago, his marriage quickly deteriorated and he tried (and failed) to get back on the force. Jimmy was left to try to adjust to life
as a civilian.
Not long after, two bodies were pulled from the Passaic River. A local woman, Susan Avery, and Jimmy Dietrich. With no
true evidence available, the deaths went unsolved and the case declared cold. This didn't stop the whispers: an affair gone
wrong -- of a murder-suicide committed by Jimmy.
Corey never believed it. With this case, the K Team has the opportunity to find the real murderer, and clear Jimmy's name.
Bestselling author David Rosenfelt returns in Good Dog, Bad Cop, where there's little to go on, but that won't stop Paterson,
New Jersey's favorite private investigators from sniffing out the truth.
Critique: Another finely fashioned novel by David Rosenfelt, "Good Dog, Bad Cop" will be of particular interest to fans of
Cozy Animal 'whodunnit' murder mysteries. While unreservedly recommended as a high priority addition to community
library Contemporary Mystery/Suspense collections, it should be noted for the personal reading lists of dedicated Private
Investigator fiction fans that "Good Dog, Bad Cop" is also available in a digital book format (Kindle, $14.99) and as a
complete and unabridged audio book (Macmillan Audio, 9781250880895, $29.99, CD).
Editorial Note: David Rosenfelt (https://davidrosenfelt.com) is the Edgar-nominated and Shamus Award-winning author of
more than twenty Andy Carpenter novels, including One Dog Night, Collared, and Deck the Hounds; its spinoff series, The
K-Team; the Doug Brock thriller series, which starts with Fade to Black; and stand-alone thrillers including Heart of a
Killer and On Borrowed Time.
The Last Remains
Elly Griffiths
Mariner Books
www.marinerbooks.com
c/o HarperCollins Publishers
www.harpercollins.com
Blackstone Audiobooks
www.blackstoneaudio.com
9780358726487, $30.00, HC, 368pp
https://www.amazon.com/Last-Remains-Mystery-Galloway-Mysteries/dp/0358726484
Synopsis: When builders discover a human skeleton during a renovation of a cafe, they call in archeologist Dr. Ruth
Galloway, who is preoccupied with the threatened closure of her department and by her ever-complicated relationship with
DCI Nelson. The bones turn out to be modern -- the remains of Emily Pickering, a young archaeology student who went
missing in 2002. Suspicion soon falls on Emily's Cambridge tutor and also on another archeology enthusiast who was part
of the group gathered the weekend before she disappeared -- Ruth's friend Cathbad.
As they investigate, Nelson and his team uncover a tangled web of relationships within the archeology group and look for a
link between them and the cafe where Emily's bones were found. Then, just when the team seem to be making progress,
Cathbad disappears. The trail leads Ruth a to the Neolithic flint mines in Grimes Graves. The race is on, first to find
Cathbad and then to exonerate him, but will Ruth and Nelson uncover the truth in time to save their friend?
Critique: With the publication of "The Last Remains", novelist Elly Griffiths includes everything a cozy mystery fan
requires -- a woman sleuth and a deftly crafted 'whodunnit' murder mystery to solve. Of special appeal to readers with an
interest in polic procedurals and international crime, "The Last Remains" is highly recommended as a popular addition to
community library Mystery/Suspense collections and is readily available for personal reading lists in a digital book format
($15.99) and as a complete and unabridged audio book (Blackstone Audio, 9798212217187, $41.99, CD). Librarians should
note for their collections that there is also a large print edition of "The Last Remains" (9780063297678, $34.00,
448pp).
Editorial Note: Elly Griffiths (https://ellygriffiths.co.uk) is the author of the Ruth Galloway and Brighton mystery series, as
well as the standalone novels The Stranger Diaries, winner of the Edgar Award for Best Novel, and The Postscript Murders.
She is the recipient of the CWA Dagger in the Library Award and the Mary Higgins Clark Award.
The Fantasy/SciFi Shelf
Blind Spots
Thomas Mullen
Minotaur Books
c/o St. Martin's Publishing Group
www.minotaurbooks.com
9781250842749, $27.99, HC, 320pp
https://www.amazon.com/Blind-Spots-Thomas-Mullen/dp/1250842743
Synopsis: Seven years ago, everyone in the world went blind in a matter of months. Technology helped people adjust to the
new normal, creating a device that approximates vision, downloading visual data directly to people's brains. But what
happens when someone finds a way to hack it and change what people see?
Homicide detective Mark Owens has been on the force since before The Blinding. When a scientist is murdered, and the
only witness insists the killer was blacked out of her vision, Owens doesn't believe her -- until a similar murder happens in
front of him. With suspects ranging from tech billionaires to anti-modernity cultists (and with the bodies piling up) Owens
must conduct an investigation in which he can't even trust his own eyes.
Critique: Seven years ago, everyone in the world went blind in a matter of months. Technology helped people adjust to the
new normal, creating a device that approximates vision, downloading visual data directly to people's brains. But what
happens when someone finds a way to hack it and change what people see?
Homicide detective Mark Owens has been on the force since before The Blinding. When a scientist is murdered, and the
only witness insists the killer was blacked out of her vision, Owens doesn't believe her - until a similar murder happens in
front of him. With suspects ranging from tech billionaires to anti-modernity cultists - and with the bodies piling up - Owens
must conduct an investigation in which he can't even trust his own eyes.
Critique: With the publication of "Blind Sports", novelist Thomas Mullen combines an compelling science fiction crime
story about one man's search for truth in a world of ubiquitous surveillance and calculated disinformation manipulating
perceptions of reality that's all too recognizable in the technologies of today. Original, thought-provoking, riveting, "Blind
Spots" is a thoroughly entertaining read and unreservedly recommended for community library collections. It should be
noted for the personal reading lists of mystery buffs and science fiction fans that "Blind Spots" is also available in a digital
book format (Kindle, $14.99).
Editorial Note: Thomas Mullen (http://www.thomasmullen.net) is the author of several previous novels, including
Darktown, an NPR Best Book of 2016, which was shortlisted for the Los Angeles Times Book Prize, the Southern Book
Prize, the Indies Choice Book Award, and was nominated for or won prizes in France, Sweden, and the United Kingdom.
The follow-up, Lightning Men, was named one of the Top Ten Crime Novels of 2017 by The New York Times and was
shortlisted for a CWA Dagger Award. His debut, The Last Town on Earth, set during the 1918 flu pandemic, was named
Best Debut Novel of 2006 by USA Today and was awarded the James Fenimore Cooper Prize for excellence in historical
fiction.
Silver Sable: Payback
Cath Lauria
Aconyte Books
https://aconytebooks.com
9781839082191, $16.95, PB, 320pp
https://www.amazon.com/Silver-Sable-Payback-Marvel-Heroines/dp/1839082194
Synopsis: Doctor Victor von Doom holds Symkaria in his despotic grip, selling its treasures to pay off the country's
exorbitant debt. Yet patriotic heroine Silver Sable desires its freedom. Doom doesn't do favors, so he offers her a deal: track
down the Clairvoyant (a device for seeing the future) and he'll erase her homeland's deficit.
Sable soon discovers she can't outwit someone who can predict her every move. She needs the help of someone wild and
unpredictable. Someone like Black Cat. Together they must chase down the Clairvoyant's creator, pull off the ultimate
Vegas heist, survive backstabbing exes, and outsmart one of the most powerful people on the planet. All they need now is a
little bit of luck.
Critique: A fun read from cover to cover, "Silver Sable: Payback" is a 'must read' for the legions of Marvel Universe fans.
While also available for personal reading lists in a digital book format (Kindle, $9.95), "Silver Sable: Payback" will prove to
be an immediate and enduringly popular addition to community library Science Fiction & Superhero Action/Adventure
collections.
Editorial Note: Cath Lauria (https://aconytebooks.com/?authors=cath-lauria) is a prolific author of science fiction, fantasy,
suspense and romance fiction, and has a vast collection of beautiful edged weapons.
Karma of the Sun
Brandon Yin Kit Boey
CamCat Books
www.camcatpublishing.com
9780744307603, $25.99, HC, 352pp
https://www.amazon.com/Karma-Sun-Brandon-Ying-Boey/dp/0744307600/r
Synopsis: In the isolation of the Himalayas, the snows still fall, but they are tinged with the ash of a nuclear winter; the
winds still blow, but they wail with the cries of ghosts. The seventh and final blast is near. As the world heaves its final
breaths, the people of the Tibetan plateau (civilization's final survivors) are haunted by spirits and terrorized by warlords.
Though the last of the seven prophesied cataclysms is at hand, young Karma searches for his father who had disappeared ten
years earlier and was now presumed dead.
Driven by a yearning to see his father again before the end, and called by an eerie horn unheard by anyone else, Karma
forges into the Himalayas and discovers that his father's disappearance may be linked to a mystical mountain said to connect
the physical world with the spirit lands -- and a possible way to save their doomed future.
Critique: An inherently fascinating read from cover to cover, "Karma of the Sun" by Brandon Ying Kit Boey is a 'must read'
selection for all dedicated science fiction fans with an appreciation for deftly scripted a post-apocalypse action/adventure
with more unexpected plot twists and turns than a roller-coaster. While available for personal reading lists in a paperback
edition (9780744307627, $19.99) and a digital book format (Kindle, $6.49), "Karma of the Sun" will prove to be a prized
and enduringly popular addition to community library Science Fiction collections.
Editorial Note: Brandon Ying Kit Boey (www.BrandonYingKitBoey.com) writes speculative fiction and poetry. His work
has been described as literary and atmospheric, often drawing from Asian cosmology and fantasy. His poems have been
published in literary journals and anthologies, and he is also a writer of plays and short stories. He can be followed at: IG
@boeybooks, and on Twitter @BrandonYKBoey
Claw Heart Mountain
David Oppegaard
CamCat Books
www.camcatpublishing.com
9780744307504, $25.99, HC, 320pp
https://www.amazon.com/Claw-Heart-Mountain-David-Oppegaard/dp
Synopsis: Imagine you are on the way to a remote mountain cabin with your friends. Upon arrival, you discover an
abandoned armored van with fifteen million dollars on board. Would you take the money?
Nova and her friends answer with a resounding yes. Perhaps their answer would have been different had they known that a
professional killer was already tracking down the money. Or that a legendary creature known as the Wraith roams the
mountain, ravenous with hunger.
Thinking they're safe and anonymous, Nova and her friends divvy up the stolen cash, unaware who or what is after them,
unaware that soon they will be fighting for their lives.
Critique: With a special appeal to fans of dark fantasy, horror fantasy, and the stuff of which scary movies are made, "Claw
Heart Mountain" by David Oppegaard is an original, memorable, deftly crafted, and a bone deep chill of a novel from
beginning to end. While highly recommended as an addition to community library collections, it should be noted for
personal reading lists that "Claw Heart Mountain" is also available in a paperback edition (9780744307528, $19.99) and in a
digital book format (Kindle, $3.49).
Editorial Note: David Oppegaard (https://davidoppegaard.com) is the author of The Town Built on Sorrow, The Firebug of
Balrog County, The Suicide Collectors, And the Hills Opened Up, and Wormwood, Nevada. He is also the author of the
novella Breakneck Cove. David's work is a blend of horror, literary fiction, science fiction, and dark fantasy. He has been
named a finalist for a Bram Stoker Award and a Minnesota Book Award
Waiqar
Robbie MacNiven
Aconyte Books
https://aconytebooks.com
9781839082108, $16.95, PB, 352pp
https://aconytebooks.com/shop/waiqar-by-robbie-macniven
Synopsis: Waiqar, Lord of the Mistlands, is a necromancer of supreme power, arrogance, and skill. Driven by his hunger for
absolute dominion, he has the whole of Terrinoth in his sights. But before he can raise his undead armies and march on the
Baronies, his hold on the Mistlands must be complete. Waiqar's court is rife with scheming and deception, from corrupt
vampires with plans to usurp him, to an apprentice harboring dark ambition of his own. As his enemies vie for power,
Waiqar's own plans come to fruition. For power is hard won but easily lost, and the great necromancer has more to lose than
anyone.
Critique: Another riveting fantasy novel in the Aconyte Books 'Decent: Legends of the Dark' series, "Waiqar" by Robbie
MacNiven is highly recommended to the attention of all action/adventure heroic fantasy fans and a welcome and enduringly
popular addition to community library Science Fiction & Fantasy collections.
Editorial Note: Robbie MacNiven is an author and freelance journalist living in the Highlands of Scotland and currently
enrolled as a student at the University of Edinburgh, studying History.
After They Came
Dan Harary
Genius Book Publishing
https://geniusbookpublishing.com
9781958727027, $22.95, PB, 340pp
https://www.amazon.com/After-They-Came-Dan-Harary/dp/1958727024
Synopsis: Jonathan Tuckerman, a Los Angeles man down on his luck and truly alone in life, decides to mark his 70th
birthday by drowning himself in the Pacific Ocean. Instead, he inadvertently becomes the world's "Wonder Man" after a pair
of extra-terrestrial visitors from the Pleiades interdimensional star system appear in a giant spacecraft, pluck him from the
sea, and present him to the media and the world as their sole "Ambassador to Mankind".
Jonathan's life is dramatically transformed for the better as he works closely with the magnificent Tall White aliens Jorthon
and Kalyssa to solve man's long-insurmountable problems.
Jorthon and Kalyssa aren't the only aliens visiting Earth, however. The Draconians, a long-hidden race of ancient (and
sinister) extra-terrestrials, make their presence on Earth known, livid that Jonathan and the Tall Whites have received global
accolades for their remarkable achievements. The Draconians and their heinous leader blame the Tall Whites (and God
himself) for their miserable existence, as they decide to seek recognition, retribution, and revenge.
"After They Came" author Dan Harary takes the reader - indeed, the entire human race - on a wild ride through real UFO
research and lore, global politics, climate change, religion, true love, a family reunion, and "the meaning of life itself," all
set against the backdrop of unprecedented extra-terrestrial intervention and presenting unlimited possibilities for achieving
global peace and prosperity -- dreams heretofore unattainable by man.
Critique: With a special appeal to science fiction fans interested in stories featuring UFOs, First Contact, and Alien Invasion
themes, "After They Came", as an original, narrative driven, and memorable story of 'loneliness reversed, despair erased,
and one man's wholly remarkable destiny fulfilled' is an especially and unreservedly recommended addition to community
library Science Fiction collections. It should be noted for the personal reading lists of dedicated science fiction enthusiasts
that "After They Came" is also available in a digital book format (Kindle, $7.99).
Editorial Note: Dan Harary (https://www.danhararyauthor.com) is best known for his 40-plus years of work in Hollywood as
an Entertainment Industry Publicist and owner of the boutique Asbury PR Agency in Beverly Hills (www.asburypr.com)
Dan is also the author of three other books: "Flirting with Fame", "Carrots", "My Paranormal Life: Supernational Stories
from a Hollywood Insider". Dan is a longtime UFO Researcher and experienced three UFO sightings during his life, the
first, with his father in 1970, remaining highly memorable. He is a longtime member of the MUFON/Los Angeles
organization.
Quantum Radio
A. G. Riddle
www.agriddle.com
Head of Zeus
https://headofzeus.com/home
9781803281698, $24.95, HC, 416pp
https://www.amazon.com/Quantum-Radio-Multiverse-G-Riddle/dp/1803281693
Synopsis: At CERN, a scientist has just made an incredible discovery - a breakthrough that may answer the deepest
questions about human existence. But what he's found is far more dangerous than he ever imagined!
Dr. Tyson Klein is a quantum physicist who has dedicated his entire life to his research. At CERN, he analyses data
generated by the Large Hadron Collider, the world's biggest and most powerful particle accelerator. Now, Ty believes he's
found a pattern in its output. It looks like an organised data stream, being broadcast over what he calls a quantum radio.
Could it be a signal from another universe? A message sent from the future? Or something else entirely?
As Ty peels back the layers of his discovery, he learns that what he's found isn't what he thought it was. The encoded
message is far more profound. It may alter our understanding of human existence and the universe.
But Ty is not the only one looking for it. Someone has been following his research for a long time. And they'll do anything
to prevent him from unraveling what is being broadcast by the quantum radio. Because the first one to discover the truth
may well control the future!
Critique: Having a special appeal to fans of traditional, hard core science fiction and time travel adventure enthusiasts,
"Quantum Radio" by novelist A. G. Riddle is original, entertaining, deftly crafted, and inherently fascinating read from first
page to last. While strongly recommended, especially for community library Science Fiction collections, it should be noted
for the personal reading lists of dedicated science fiction fans that "Quantum Radio" is also available in a paperback edition
(9781803281704, $22.28) and in a digital book format (Kindle, $6.15).
Editorial Note: A.G. Riddle (www.agriddle.com) spent ten years starting and running internet companies before retiring to
focus on his true passion: writing fiction. He is now an Amazon and Wall Street Journal bestselling author with nearly five
million copies sold worldwide in twenty languages.
Hopeland
Ian McDonald
TOR Books
www.tor-forge.com
9780765375551, $30.99
https://www.amazon.com/Hopeland-Ian-McDonald/dp/0765375559
Hopeland is a highly recommended pick for sci-fi readers interested in stories of time travel and futuristic struggle. It
presents the attempts of Raisa Hopeland to become the next electromancer of London, and the controversy her effort
introduces as climate change and political interests vie for control. From journeys to hidden places to dialogues between
those that move through time and special intentions to change the world and its possible futures, Ian McDonald builds a
powerful saga that is hard to predict or put down. McDonald has long been influencing the sci-fi world, and his latest new
effort doesn't disappoint. It's a thought-provoking journey that will linger in the reader's mind long after Hopeland's final
struggle takes place.
The Political Science Shelf
Handbook on Democracy and Security
Nicholas A. Seltzer, editor
Steven Lloyd Wilson, editor
Edward Elgar Publishing
9 Dewey Court, Northampton, MA 01060-3815
www.e-elgar.com
9781839100192, $270.00 HC / $65.00 ebook, 388pp
https://www.e-elgar.com/shop/usd/handbook-on-democracy-and-security-9781839100192.html
Synopsis: Collaboratively compiled and co-edited by the team of N icholas A. Seltzer (Associate Professor, University of
Nevada, Reno) and Steven Lloyd Wilson (Assistant Professor, Brandeis University, Massachusetts), "The Handbook on
Democracy and Security" offers an insightful new interpretation of the topic that reframes the contemporary challenge of
democracy away from competing ideologies or external existential threats, and centers on the security of democracy in the
minds and lived experience of its citizens.
With a global focus, the contributors to "The Handbook on Democracy and Security" collectively provide a cutting edge
understanding of contemporary developments in democratic breakdown, investigating the role of new media, social media
and the Internet. Furthermore, the expert contributors explore how democracy is affected by the resurgence of populism,
terrorism and migration alongside the decline of independent mass media and associated conspiracy theories.
"The Handbook on Democracy and Security" contributors further argues that the security of government by the people is
best understood through the security of people and examines the analysis of democratic security.
Providing a diverse range of perspectives on how democratic breakdown occurs, "The Handbook on Democracy and
Security" is an excellent read for political scientists interested in human security and the effect of social media on
democracy. Policymakers interested in policy prescriptions and stabilizing democratic backsliding will also find this an
illuminating and informative resource.
Critique: A seminal and impressively work of meticulous scholarship that is exceptionally well organized and presented,
"The Handbook on Democracy and Security" is comprised of 19 informative and thought-provoking articles, making it
especially and unreservedly recommended for personal, professional, community, college, and university library
Contemporary Political Science collections and supplemental curriculum studies lists. It should be noted that "The Handbook on Democracy and Security" is also available from Edward Elgar Publishing in a digital book format ($65.00).
A Mysterious Country
Norman Mailer, author
J. Michael Lennon, editor
John Buffalo Mailer, editor
Arcade Publishing
www.arcadepub.com
c/o Skyhorse Publishing, Inc.
307 West 36th Street, 11th Floor, New York, NY 10018
www.skyhorsepublishing.com
9781956763379, $28.99, HC, 336pp
https://www.amazon.com/Mysterious-Country-Fragility-American-Democracy/dp/1956763376
Synopsis: Published on the centenary of Norman Mailer's birth, and co-edited by his son, John Buffalo Mailer and Professor
J. Michael Lennon, "A Mysterious Country: The Grace and Fragility of American Democracy" a timely and urgent call to
preserve our democracy.
From his bestselling first novel, The Naked and the Dead, to his last work, the study of American democracy was a lifelong
project for Norman Mailer. It was his grand theme. Nearly all of his books touched on the pros and cons, the strengths and
weaknesses, the grace (to use his word) and fragility of the American experiment as well as the threats to it that ranged from
autocratic leaders and a complacent citizenry, to violent protest and radical conservative assaults on it, to "soft fascism" and
the ills of racism and poverty.
In the sharp and impassioned language of a political Cassandra and with the eye of a novelist and journalist, Norman Mailer
explored the underlying psychological, social, and economic causes of the country's fragile polity and offered urgent
prescriptions for its reinvigoration.
"A Mysterious Country" is a carefully selected collection of Mailer's most incisive (and sometimes remarkably prophetic)
commentary on American democracy and what must be done to safeguard it. This anthology of his writings draws upon
both published and unpublished sources, from Mailer's great works of narrative nonfiction and novels as well as essays,
interviews, letters, speeches, and talk show appearances. It includes pungent remarks on every president from FDR through
George W. Bush, as well as correspondence with several. Throughout, what shines through is Mailer's passion for our
democratic project (as well as the freedom that comes with it) along with a keen awareness of its potential for failure, its
virtues, and what is required of us to keep it intact.
Critique: An absolute 'must read' selection for the legions of Norman Mailer fans, "A Mysterious Country: The Grace and
Fragility of American Democracy" is impressively timely and remarkably pertinent in view of our country's current (and
hostile) political polarization that threatens to bring down and end the American experiment with democracy. While an
exceptional and unreserved recommended addition to personal, community, and academic library Political Science
collections and supplemental curriculum studies lists, it should be noted for students, academia, political activists,
governmental policy makers, and non-specialist general readers with an interest in the subject that "A Mysterious Country:
The Grace and Fragility of American Democracy" is also available in a digital book format (Kindle, $18.99).
Editorial Note #1: Norman Mailer (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Norman_Mailer) was a giant of American letters and one
of our most consequential public intellectuals of the postwar period. A two-time winner of the Pulitzer Prize and winner of
the National Book Award, he was an originator of new journalism and cofounder of the Village Voice. He was the author of
twelve novels, among them The Naked and the Dead and Harlot's Ghost, and numerous works of nonfiction, many probing
American politics and society, including The Armies of the Night, Miami and the Siege of Chicago, and TheExecutioner's
Song, as well as several plays and screenplays. He was also a lifelong activist who ran for mayor of New York City in 1969.
He died in 2007.
Editorial Note #2: J. Michael Lennon (https://jmichaellennon.com), Emeritus Professor of English at Wilkes University and
chair of the editorial board of the Mailer Review, is the author or editor of several books about Norman Mailer, including
his monumental authorized biography, Norman Mailer: A Double Life; Selected Letters of Norman Mailer; and On God: An
Uncommon Conversation, coauthored with Mailer. His work has appeared in The New Yorker, the Paris Review, New York
Review of Books, New York, Washington Post, Chicago Tribune, Times Literary Supplement, Provincetown Arts,
Hippocampus, and Mailer Review. He teaches in the Maslow Family Graduate Creative Writing Program at Wilkes
University, which he co-founded in 2005.
Editorial Note #3: John Buffalo Mailer (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Buffalo_Mailer) is the son of Norman Mailer
and also a screenwriter, journalist, playwright, actor, and producer. He is currently creative director for the development and
production company Mailer Tuchman Media and is executive-producing a feature Showtime documentary about the life of
his father. As a journalist, he has freelanced for Playboy, New York Magazine, ESPN Books, The Norman Mailer Review,
The American Conservative, Vector, and Inked Magazine, among others.
The Low Point of Labor Resistance is Behind Us
Jack Barnes, author
Steve Clark, author
Mary-Alice Waters, author/editor
Pathfinder Press
www.pathfinderpress.com
9781604881455, $10.00, PB, 148pp
https://www.amazon.com/Low-Point-Labor-Resistance-Behind/dp/1604881453
Synopsis: A decades-long retreat by the working class and unions has come to an end, as owners of capital and their parties
shift the burden of their crisis onto working people's backs. More and more workers (of all ages, skin colors, and both sexes)
are saying, "Enough is enough!" They have begun to wield the collective power of the exploited producers in response.
With the publication of "The Low Point of Labor Resistance is Behind Us: The Socialist Workers Party Looks Forward",
the team of Jack Barnes, Steve Clark, and Mary-Alice Waters draw from the trade union and broad political work of
members and followers of the Socialist Workers Party to highlight the opportunities ahead for class-conscious workers.
"The Low Point of Labor Resistance is Behind Us" sets the course of action needed to forge a labor party built on unions
that can and will fight for their members. And a mass proletarian vanguard able to lead the struggle to end capitalist rule,
opening a future for humanity. The global order imposed by victors of the inter-imperialist slaughter of World War II is
shattering, with explosive ramifications for workers and farmers worldwide.
Critique: Informatively analytical, thoughtful, thought-provoking, and politically inspiring, "The Low Point of Labor
Resistance is Behind Us: The Socialist Workers Party Looks Forward" is especially and unreservedly recommended for
community and academic library Political Science collections and for the personal reading lists of anyone with an interest in
communism, socialism, class sociology, and the evolution of political parties.
Editorial Note #1: Jack Barnes (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jack_Barnes) is the national secretary of the Socialist Workers
Party. He joined the SWP in May 1961 and has been a member of the party's National Committee since 1963 and a national
officer since 1968.
Editorial Note #2: Mary-Alice Waters is a member of the Socialist Workers Party National Committee since 1967, is
president of Pathfinder Press and editor of New International magazine.
(https://www.pathfinderpress.com/collections/mary-alice-waters)
Editorial Note #3: Steve Clark (https://www.pathfinderpress.com/collections/steve-clark) is a member of the Socialist
Workers Party National Committee since 1977, and editorial director of Pathfinder Press, as well as the managing editor of
New International magazine.
The Christian Studies Shelf
Why Did God Give My Kids Free Will?
Ken Swarner
David C. Cook
c/o Cook Communications
4050 Lee Vance Dr., Colorado Springs, CO 80918
www.davidccook.org
9780830784196, $17.00, PB, 240pp
https://www.amazon.com/Why-Give-Kids-Free-Will/dp/0830784195
Synopsis: As a parent, do you sometimes wonder about God's plan -- specifically why He gave our children free will to do
the things they do? More thoughtful and holy thinkers have tackled the question.
It's a mystery, mostly, but in its raw form, parental mishaps help us get closer to God. Consider:
Learning patience while spitwads land in your drink; Embracing the absurdity of teens wearing shorts in the winter;
Practicing gentleness as you explain (again) why it is important to restock the toilet paper.
Regret, humiliation, control -- as a parent you can let go of these when you laugh and make peace with the idea that God
may just have a sense of humor after all.
With anecdotes, prayers, devotionals, and reflections, with the publication of "Why Did God Give My Kids Free Will?",
parent and author Ken Swarner shows his readers the hilarious, spiritual journey of life with kids sure to inspire and unite
Christian parents.
Critique: Written with wit, wisdom, experience, and a sense of humor, "Why Did God Give My Kids Free Will?" is a fun,
informative, and thought-provoking read that can be unreservedly recommended for personal and community library
Parenting collections. It should be noted for the personal reading lists of anyone with an interest in a Christian perspective
on parenting that "Why Did God Give My Kids Free Will?" is also readily available in a digital book format (Kindle,
$15.04).
Editorial Note: Ken Swarner (https://kenswarner.com) is the author of Whose Kids Are These Anyway? He has been
married to his high school sweetheart for thirty-three years and counting while raising four children and three pets. While on
the front lines of child rearing (once constructing a homework jail), Ken has served as a school board member, PTA
president, Cub Master, and soccer coach. He is also in the Civilian Hall of Fame at Joint Base Lewis-McChord and one day
aspires to complete a full sentence at the family dinner table.
Grief: The Beacon of Love
Carolyn Begley Daley
Westbow Press
c/o Thomas Nelson Publishers
PO Box 141000, Nashville, TN 37214
www.westbowpress.com
9781664271784, $9.95, PB, 80pp
https://www.amazon.com/Grief-Beacon-Carolyn-Begley-Daley/dp/1664271783
Synopsis: With the publication of "Grief: The Beacon of Love", Carolyn Begley Daley reveals that grief has been her
teacher for many years in a life replete with both sorrows and joys. Carolun expounds on the way of love which leads us to
the cross and God's great love for us. She would often wonder what her life was all about with its occasions of grief born
tears?
If grief is our teacher, what do we need to learn? Her message is that grief is a journey of love that each of us has to walk
alone. While our tears drip, drop and flow, they contain our healing as well as we, each of us, walk along our individual
pilgrimages of grief that ultimately leads us to finding joy through the love of God.
Critique: Compassionate, insightful, absorbing, inspired and inspiring, "Grief: The Beacon of Love" has won Literary Titan
Silver Award and received an Honorable Mention at the New England Book Festival. While also available in a digital book
format (Kindle, $3.99), "Grief: The Beacon of Love" will have a special appeal and value for readers with an interest on a
life changing, life enhancing, Christian perspective with Personal & Spiritual Growth.
Editorial Note: Carolyn Begley Daley (https://www.carolynbegleydaley.com) was born in Hyden, Kentucky. She holds a BS
in chemistry and biology from Eastern Kentucky University and a MEd in education from the University of Louisville. She
has served on the boards of several charitable organizations and has served in leadership roles in those organizations. She
and her husband, Gil have taught Bible study and Sunday school for several years while living in Dallas and Lexington,
Kentucky.
The Church's Mission in a Polarized World
Aaron Wessman
New City Press
202 Cardinal Road, Hyde Park, NY 12538
www.newcitypress.com
9781565485495, $24.95, PB, 240pp
https://www.amazon.com/Churchs-Mission-Polarized-World-Magenta/dp/1565485491
Synopsis: The Roman Catholic Church has been riven with assaults on the integrity of its leadership in recent years with
everything from child abuse to changes in liturgy/ritual, the role of nuns, the celibacy of priests, and its role and
performance in geopolitical issues abroad and the toxic political realities her at home.
With the publication of "The Church's Mission in a Polarized World", Fr. Robert Aaron Wessman seeks to provide
perspective and faith-based inspiration for all members of the Catholic community to understand this current age from a
long-range Catholic history and contemporary application of Christian values to heal toxic polarizations that threaten to
corrupt the social fabric and unleash the forces of persecution, hatred, and discrimination upon (and within) the Catholic
community. Highly recommended as essential reading, it should be noted for clergy, seminary students, and all members of
Catholic Church that "The Church's Mission in a Polarized World" is also available in a digital book format (Kindle,
$18.95).
Editorial Note: Fr. Robert Aaron Wessman is vicar general and director of formation of the Glenmary Home Missioners. He
has a PhD from the Catholic University of Louvain (Belgium) in Systematic Theology (2019). He serves as an at-large
board member for the Conference of Major Superiors of Men Religious (CMSM) and is a guest lecturer at St. Meinrad
Seminary and School of Theology. Glenmary, the religious congregation he belongs to, is a missionary society of apostolic
life of the Catholic Church. Glenmary conducts mission in rural, poor, and non-Catholic areas of the United States,
primarily in the southeast and Appalachia. Visit www.glenmary.org for more information.
Jesus for Living: Daily Prayers, Wisdom, and Guidance
Mark Lanier
1845 Books
c/o Baylor University Press
One Bear Place, #97363, Waco, TX 76798-7363
www.baylorpress.com
9781481318808, $39.99, HC, 383pp
https://www.amazon.com/Jesus-Living-Prayers-Wisdom-Guidance/dp/1481318802
Synopsis: A trial lawyer by trade, a Christian by heart -- author and attorney Mark Lanier has trained in biblical languages
and devoted his life to studying and living the Bible. Facing daily the tension between the demands of his career and the
desire for a godly life, Lanier recognizes the importance and challenge of finding daily time to spend in God's Word. His
meditations on the Gospels reveal the need for daily devotion from the teachings of Jesus.
With the publication of "Jesus for Living: Daily Prayers, Wisdom, and Guidance", Lanier shares a year's worth of
meditations centered around the church calendar. Unlike his other devotionals, "Jesus for Living" is meant to be read
according to the rhythms of the liturgical seasons: Advent, Christmas, Lent, Easter, and Ordinary Time.
In the pages of "Jesus for Living, Lanier reflects on the actions and teachings of Jesus, offering insight on how our lives
might imitate Jesus, and concludes each reading with a prayer of encouragement.
Critique: Inspired and inspiring, thoughtful and thought-provoking, "Jesus for Living: Daily Prayers, Wisdom, and
Guidance" will be of very special interest and value to readers with an interest in Jesus as recorded in the New Testament
Gospels and Book of Acts, in Christian Meditation and Worship, and Christian Devotionals. While unreservedly
recommended for church, community, and academic library Christian Studies collections, it should be noted for the personal
reading lists of clergy, seminary students, and all members of the Christian community regardless of denominational
affiliations that "Jesus for Living" is also readily available in a paperback edition (9781481318815, $24.99).
Editorial Note: Mark Lanier is a nationally renowned trial lawyer; founder of the Lanier Theological Library and the
Christian Trial Lawyers Association; and author of Psalms for Living: Daily Prayers, Wisdom, and Guidance, Torah for
Living: Daily Prayers, Wisdom, and Guidance, and Christianity on Trial: A Lawyer Examines the Christian Faith.
From Prodigal to Priest
Fr. Goyo Hidalgo
Ave Maria Press
PO Box 428, Notre Dame, IN 46556
www.avemariapress.com
9781646802128, $14.95, PB, 218pp
https://www.amazon.com/Prodigal-Priest-Journey-Fathers-Embrace/dp/1646802128
Synopsis: Goyo Hidalgo's struggle with excess, pain, and fear plagued him for ten years. The gritty story of his unexpected
redemption started after a hard night of partying in Los Angeles and a life-changing message coming from his
television.
He woke up that April morning to the broadcast of Pope John Paul II's funeral Mass. A reflection on the now-saint's
message of "Be not afraid" awakened a deep longing in Hidalgo's soul -- a yearning that led him back to the Catholic faith of
his youth and ultimately into the priesthood.
"From Prodigal to Priest: A Journey Home to Family, Faith, and the Father's Embrace " is a memoir that takes you on
Hidalgo's journey of reconciliation with his faith and his family. He offers compassionate encouragement to those who
believe themselves unforgivable and reminds them that Jesus is always there to welcome them home to the Church.
Hidalgo's conversion story affirms the power of God's mercy and the deep transformation his grace can bring.
Hidalgo grew up in a devout Catholic family in a small town in Spain. He went to a minor seminary as a youth to begin
studies to become a priest, but left after about five years. Once he went to college, he fell away from the faith -- and
repeatedly lied to his mother about it. Hidalgo's dream was to travel the world and teach, leaving poverty behind.
With Jesus's parable of the prodigal son (Luke 15:11-32) as a companion, "From Prodigal to Priest" will have you walking
along with Hidalgo through both the joy and the difficulties he experienced as he came home to the Catholic faith of his
childhood -- confessing to his mother, relearning how to pray, going to Confession, telling his friends about his reversion,
and his call to the priesthood. And you will learn that it's important to pray, discern, trust, and be thankful to God, regardless
of the outcome.
Of special note is that each individual chapter includes prayers for both prodigal sons and daughters and those who
accompany them.
Critique: Inspired and inspiring, "From Prodigal to Priest: A Journey Home to Family, Faith, and the Father's Embrace" is
unreservedly recommended reading for all members of the Roman Catholic community. It should be noted for the personal
reading lists of clergy, seminary students, and non-specialist general readers with an interest in the subject that "From
Prodigal to Priest" is also available in a digital book format ($11.49) from Ave Maria Press.
Editorial Note: Fr. Goyo Hidalgo is a priest in the Archdiocese of Los Angeles, a singer-songwriter, and a social media
evangelist. A native of La Villa de Don Fadrique, a small town near Toledo, Spain, he attended minor seminary as a youth
to become a priest, but left after six years. He earned master's degrees in English and Spanish linguistics from Complutense
University of Madrid in 1996, after which he traveled to other countries to teach Spanish and English. He eventually became
a middle and high school teacher in the Los Angeles, California, area and released two albums of Catholic music in Spanish
and English. Hidalgo underwent a radical reversion to the faith of his youth after watching the funeral of Pope John Paul II
in 2005 and hearing his famous words: "Do not be afraid." Hidalgo earned a master of divinity degree from St. John's
seminary in Camarillo, California, and was ordained to the priesthood in 2016.
Never Cast Out
Jasmine L. Holmes
B&H Publishing Group
1 LifeWay Plaza, Nashville, TN 37234
www.bhpublishinggroup.com
9781087747163, $17.99, PB, 224pp
https://www.amazon.com/Never-Cast-Out-Gospel-Story/dp/1087747163
Synopsis: Body shaming. Marriage shaming. Single shaming. Mom shaming. Lifestyle shaming. Religious shaming. It
seems no matter which direction women today turn, they find themselves unable to shake the shame that is constantly piled
on top of them.
Author and podcaster Jasmine L. Holmes knows this struggle all too well. Though shame has been a constant companion
(and even a snare) throughout her life, God has broken the chains of shame in Jasmine's life through the power of the
gospel.
"Never Cast Out: How the Gospel Puts an End to the Story of Shame" is a Christ-centered and empowering book in which
Jasmine covers: The story of shame (where it comes from, what it is, what makes it different from guilt or conviction, and
why it's so pervasive); The problem with shame (why the typical methods of throwing off shame don't actually work); The
end of shame (how Jesus puts an end to shame by offering a better covering, a better image, and a better message than the
world can); The way to fight shame (how to use practical and powerful ways to fight shame in daily life, breaking its chains
in the power of the gospel and resting in the One who has taken all your shame away for good).
The story of shame is a powerful one. But even stronger are the arms of the One who carried your shame and will never cast
you out.
Critique: "Never Cast Out: How the Gospel Puts an End to the Story of Shame" is especially commended to the attention of
all women members of the Christian community who are ready to experience what Jesus has to offer them -- and finally be
free of unwarranted and spiritually debilitating shames imposed by our secular society. Exceptionally well written,
organized and presented, "Never Cast Out" is recommended for readers with an interest in a Christian perspective on
women's social and spiritual issues. It should be noted for personal reading lists that "Never Cast Out" is also available in a
digital book format (Kindle, $14.95).
Editorial Note: Jasmine L. Holmes (https://jasminelholmes.com) has written for The Gospel Coalition, Desiring God,
Fathom Mag, Christianity Today, and The Witness. She is also a contributing author for Identity Theft: Reclaiming the
Truth of Our Identity in Christ and His Testimonies, My Heritage: Women of Color on the Word of God. She teaches
humanities in a classical Christian school in Jackson, Mississippi, where she and her husband, Phillip, are parenting two
young sons. They are members of Redeemer Church, PCA.
The Metaphysical Studies Shelf
Spirit Speaker: A Medium's Guide to Death and Dying
Salicrow
Destiny Books
c/o Inner Traditions International, Ltd.
One Park Street, Rochester, VT 05767
www.innertraditions.com
9781644117286, $16.99, PB, 128pp
https://www.amazon.com/Spirit-Speaker-Mediums-Guide-Death/dp/1644117282
Synopsis: We are all curious about the mystery of death. Whether facing our own, assisting a loved one in their last days, or
grieving the loss of someone dear to us, we all have questions about dying and what happens to our soul after we depart
physical form.
With the publication of "Spirit Speaker: A Medium's Guide to Death and Dying", psychic medium Salicrow provides a
compassionate and straightforward guide to the spiritual process of dying and what happens after death as she answers the
most common questions asked by her clients over her decades of work as a spirit speaker.
Seeking to normalize the spiritual aspects of end-of-life care, Salicrow explains how active dying exists outside of normal
reality, in a state in which the dying person and their caregivers often experience a heightened state of consciousness.
Describing how the spirit is separate from the body and continues to exist after death, she shares thought-provoking stories
of spirit contact and synchronicities that occurred for those actively involved in the dying process.
Salicrow also reveals how these encounters are common and act as guideposts along the journey into death, helping to ease
the transition. She offers simple techniques for helping loved ones who are stuck or struggling to cross over and shares
practices designed to help honor our beloved dead and develop living relationships with our ancestral spirits.
Presenting an outline of what may be experienced during the dying process and beyond, Salicrow explores the time when a
soul is actively dying or recently departed. She explains the multiple ways spirits reach out to communicate with us and
provides a deep understanding of the signs, symbols, and sensations that spirits use to contact us as well as ways to
strengthen that connection. She also explores challenging situations such as suicide, murder, and healing unresolved issues
with the dead.
Crafted through years of spirit communication sessions, this guide details how the spirit world works while revealing the
beauty, healing, and love that exist in death.
Critique: A fascinating, informative, and thought-provoking read, "Spirit Speaker: A Medium's Guide to Death and Dying"
is an extraordinary metaphysical treatise on the sensitive subject of death and dying from the perspective of a an experienced
psychic medium. Exceptionally well written, organized and presented, "Spirit Speaker" is unreservedly recommended for
personal, professional, community, and academic library Metaphysical Studies collections. It should be noted that "Spirit
Speaker" is also readily available in a digital book format (Kindle, $11.99).
Editorial Note: Salicrow (https://www.salicrow.com) is a natural psychic medium who weaves the traditions of her Irish
Traveler and Blackfoot heritage with modern magical techniques. For more than 30 years she has worked as a spirit channel,
seer, and intuitive healer, offering readings and teaching workshops throughout the United States and internationally. She is
also the author of The Path of Elemental Witchcraft.
Crystals: An In Focus Workbook
Regina M. Bresler
Wellfleet Press
c/o Quarto Publishing Group USA
100 Cummings Center, Suite 265D, Beverly, MA 01915
www.quartoknows.com
9781577153528, $16.99, PB, 160pp
https://www.amazon.com/Crystals-Focus-Workbook-Personal-Workbooks/dp/1577153529
Synopsis: To metaphysical students and practitioners, crystals are tangible energy stores that can help you navigate and
master your body, mind, and spirit. For beginners to wielding crystal energies, "Crystals: An In Focus Workbook: A
Personal Guide to the Power of Crystals" is hands-on workbook comprising a collection of accessible and enriching
exercises that will teach you the basics of crystals and crystal healing.
This instruction manual explores: The meaning of colors; The basics of energy and spiritual healing; Tools for crystal
healing, including meditation and chakra work; Methods for crystal grids and rituals.
With easy-to-follow exercises and meditations, journaling prompts, and activities, all accompanied by calming full-color
illustrations, "Crystals: An In Focus Workbook" is an uplifting and inspiring introduction to energy healing.
Critique: An ideal DIY combination of instruction guide and 'how-to' manual this large (8.35 x 0.7 x 11 inches) paperback
edition of "Regina Bresler's Crystals: An In Focus Workbook: A Personal Guide to the Power of Crystals" from Wellfleet
Press is thoroughly 'user friendly' in organization and presentation -- making it an invaluable and highly recommended
acquisition for both the novice crystal users and the non-professional 'crystal curious'.
Editorial Note #1: Regina M. Bresler is a writer and researcher, lifelong Brooklynite, and firm believer that, if you look hard
enough, you can find magic in anything. An early interest in beading and jewelry has kept her carpets seeded in crystal chips
and her curiosity for the elements alive and well.
Editorial Note #2: The In Focus Workbooks series from Wellfleet Press presents hands-on introductions to a wide range of
mystical topics. The exercises in each book offer enlightening activities, guided journal prompts, and opportunities to
practice newfound skills in disciplines such as tarot reading and chakra healing in the real world. With full-color interiors
and beautiful illustrations, the In Focus Workbooks are attractive, practical, and fun guides for newcomers to the mystical
arts.
Crystal Basics Pocket Encyclopedia
Nicholas Pearson
Destiny Books
c/o Inner Traditions International, Ltd.
One Park Street, Rochester, VT 05767
www.innertraditions.com
9781644115039, $19.99, PB, 288pp
https://www.amazon.com/Crystal-Basics-Pocket-Encyclopedia-Energetic/dp/1644115034
Synopsis: With the publication of "Crystal Basics Pocket Encyclopedia: The Energetic, Healing, and Spiritual Power of 450
Gemstones", Nicholas Pearson offers a quick-start guide for working with crystals as well as a full-color A-to-Z
compendium of the healing properties of 450 crystals, rocks, minerals, and fossils.
Covering the basics of crystal healing, Pearson explores why crystals work, how to select stones, safe and effective
cleansing methods, and hands-on techniques and practices to harness the power of rocks and gems to transform your life. He
also looks at how to charge crystals and program them for specific purposes, and he examines crystal correspondences with
planetary, astrological, and elemental energies.
This encyclopedia of crystals includes familiar ones like agate, calcite, rose quartz, and hematite as well as rarer and more
unusual crystals, such as phenakite, cavansite, and yooperlite -- as well as some of which have never before appeared before
in print. Each entry features a beautiful color photo of the stone and defines its physical, psychological, and spiritual healing
properties and its corresponding chakra, element, planet, and zodiac sign.
Pearson also looks at the geological nature of each stone, such as its hardness and crystal structure, enabling you to explore
the connections between mineral science and the metaphysics of crystal healing.
Critique: Exceptionally well written, organized, and presented, "Crystal Basics Pocket Encyclopedia: The Energetic,
Healing, and Spiritual Power of 450 Gemstones" by crystal and gemstone expert Nicholas Pearson is profusely illustrated
and enhanced with a full color photo and an informative commentary for each one of 450 different gemstones/crystals. The
highly portable size (4.5 x 0.7 x 5.25 inches, 8.6 ounces) makes the "Crystal Basics Pocket Encyclopedia" from Destiny
Books an especially useful and unreservedly recommended addition to personal, professional, community, and academic
library Metaphysical Studies and Crystal Divination collections. It should be noted for personal reading lists and use that
"Crystal Basics Pocket Encyclopedia" is also available in a digital book format (Kindle, $13.99).
Editorial Note: Nicholas Pearson (https://theluminouspearl.com) has been immersed in all aspects of the mineral kingdom
for nearly 30 years. As one of the leading voices in crystal healing today, he offers a unique blend of science and spirituality
alongside a grounded, practical approach to working with crystals.
Meister Eckhart's Book of Darkness & Light
Meister Eckhart, author
Jon M. Sweeney, author
Marks S. Burrows, author
Hampton Roads Publishing Company
65 Parker St., Ste. 7, Newburyport, MA 01950
www.hrpub.com
9781642970456, $16.95, PB, 240pp
https://www.amazon.com/Meister-Eckharts-Book-Darkness-Light/dp/164297045X
Synopsis: Meister Eckhart (1260 - 1328) was a priest, a mystic, and nearly a heretic (he died before the Church court's
verdict). In recent centuries, the Roman Catholic establishment has rehabilitated him, and the late John Paul II spoke of his
work with fondness.
Meister Eckhart has been a huge figure in spirituality for more than eight hundred years. Many spiritual leaders such as
Eckhart Tolle, Richard Rohr, and Matthew Fox have credited Eckhart as being an important influence on their thought.
"Meister Eckhart's Book of Darkness & Light: Meditations on the Path of the Wayless Way" is comprised of Meister
Eckhart meditations and especially commended to the attention of people seeking the "wayless way".
It is not for those looking for a simple path. These fresh, stunning renderings of Eckhart's writings in poetic form bring life
to one of the great spiritual voices of any age. They reveal what it means to love God and find meaning in darkness. Not
darkness in general, but your darkness, because it is the one thing you know something about -- without facing your
darkness, you'll never know what it means to desire the light. Only when you are in the darkness, Meister says, do you have
even the possibility of seeing the light.
Critique: Thanks to co-authors Jon M. Sweeney and Mark S. Burrows, "Meister Eckhart's Book of Darkness & Light:
Meditations on the Path of the Wayless Way" will prove to be of particular appeal to readers with an interest in Mysticism,
Christian Theology, and Religious Poetry. While also readily available for personal reading lists in a digital book format
(Kindle, $9.99), "Meister Eckhart's Book of Darkness & Light: Meditations on the Path of the Wayless Way" is an
outstanding and unreservedly recommended addition to personal, professional, community, and academic library
Metaphysical Studies collections.
Editorial Note #1: Jon M. Sweeney (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jon_M._Sweeney) is an independent scholar, critic, and
writer. Several of his books have become History Book Club, BOMC, and QPB selections. His book, The Pope Who Quit,
was optioned by HBO. He served as an editor at Jewish Lights and Paraclete Press and is currently editor-at-large at Orbis
Books. He lives in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
Editorial Note #2: Mark S. Burrows (http://www.msburrows.com/about-mark-burrows) is a poet, translator, and professor
of religion and literature at the Protestant University of Applied Sciences in Bochum, Germany. His poetry has appeared in
Poetry, The Cortland Review, Southern Quarterly, Weavings, and a number of other periodicals.
Water Alchemy Oracle: A 40-Card Deck and Guidebook
Alexandra Wenman, author
Aveliya Savina, illustrator
Findhorn Press
www.findhornpress.com
c/o Inner Traditions International, Ltd.
One Park Street, Rochester, VT 05767
www.innertraditions.com
9781644117309, $25.00, Card Deck, 144pp,
https://www.amazon.com/Water-Alchemy-Oracle-40-Card-Guidebook/dp/1644117304
Synopsis: Water is the most sacred element on our planet. It is everywhere, within us and around us, and without it there can
be no life. As a spiritual element, water is closely linked with our emotional world and the powers of intuition as well as
being aligned with divine feminine wisdom. By working with the energies of water, we can discover healing,
transformation, guidance, miracles, and the manifestation of our dreams.
With the publication of the 40-card deck and guide divinatory oracle book, "Water Alchemy Oracle: A 40-Card Deck and
Guidebook" Alexandra Wenman takes you on an alchemical journey to work with the healing wisdom of water to enhance
your intuition, bring more fluidity and flexibility into your daily life, and offer personal healing energies to the polluted and
damaged waterways of our world.
The 40 high-vibration full-color cards by artist/illustrator Aveliya Savina focus on water elements from nature, such as
waterfalls, lakes, mist, ice, and sacred water sites, each beautifully illustrated with a water scene featuring magical beings,
such as nymphs, mermaids, undines, goddesses, devas, and other deities.
The accompanying guidebook offers a detailed interpretation of each card, explaining the healing and cleansing properties
of each sacred body of water along with a channeled message and guidance from the water beings, Guardians, Angels, and
Councils of Light.
"Water Alchemy Oracle" also provides engaging exercises, practical rituals, and manifesting techniques to explore the
powerful practice of Sacred Water Alchemy, a spiritual process to help you understand the depth and range of your
emotions, purify your lower self, reunite with your divine self, reveal your spiritual gifts, and create miracles.
Critique: Of special appeal to anyone with an interest in New Age Channeling, personal transformation, and angel/spirit
guides, "Water Alchemy Oracle" is a unique, beautifully designed, thoroughly 'user friendly', effective, and unreservedly
recommended addition to personal and professional Metaphysical Studies and Oracle Card collections.
Editorial Note #1: Alexandra Wenman (https://www.alexandrawenman.com) is a gifted angel communicator, spiritual
alchemist, channel, healer, poet, and presenter. The author of Archangel Fire Oracle and Archangel Alchemy Healing, she is
the creator of The Alexandra Wenman Show on YouTube. Alexandra lives in London.
Editorial Note #2: Aveliya Savina is an artist and illustrator whose inspiring graphic design compositions range from
cartoons to realism. She lives in Santiago, Chile.
The Architecture Shelf
A Book on Making a Petite Ecole
Michael Meredith, Hilary Sample, MOS
Actar D
c/o Actar Publishers
440 Park Avenue S, 17th FL, New York, NY 10016
http://actar.com
9781638400677, $48.74, HC, 158pp
https://www.amazon.com/Book-Making-Petite-%C3%89cole/dp/1638400679
Synopsis: As part of the 2019 Biennale d'architecture et de paysage in Versailles, France, MOS constructed Petite Ecole, a
small, open-air pavilion to house educational workshops for children. It is a place for looking and making, and for making
and looking, constructed with 688 aluminum pieces modeled, flattened, cut, folded, prefabricated, shipped, and then
assembled onsite. It is made to be taken down and reassembled elsewhere. It is designed to be easily understood, made of
simple building elements: a long, low roof with columns and stacked beams holding it up.
Undertaken during various design workshops, single page design exercises written by architects were assembled into a large
book and given to children. "A Book on Making a Petite Ecole" features an expanded collection of these exercises. Each
exercise includes playful illustrations of its steps, starting a conversation about how designers look at, think about, teach,
and imagine the foundations of design. Alongside these, the design process of the pavilion is included, as its own design
exercise, from colorful illustrations of each step of the pavilion's construction, to actual construction photographs and
photographs of the completed pavilion being occupied.
"A Book on Making a Petite Ecole" considers basic questions of design pedagogy, abstraction, accessibility,
experimentation, and equity, while considering and reconsidering architecture.
Critique: Novel, original, informative, and fun, "A Book on Making a Petite Ecole" is a large coffee-table style (9.5 x 0.8 x
12.8 inches, 2.5 pounds) volume, "A Book on Making a Petite Ecole" is a unique and very special addition for personal,
professional, elementary school, and community library Architecture collections in general, and Architectural collections for
children ages 3-6 in particular.
Editorial Note #1: Michael Meredith (https://soa.princeton.edu/content/michael-meredith) is a principal of MOS, an
internationally recognized architecture practice based in New York, and Professor at Princeton University School of
Architecture. His writing has appeared in Artforum, LOG, Perspecta, Praxis, Domus, and Harvard Design Magazine.
Meredith previously taught at Harvard University's Graduate School of Design, the University of Michigan, where he was
awarded the Muschenheim Fellowship, and the University of Toronto.
Editorial Note #2: Hilary Sample (https://www.arch.columbia.edu/faculty/359-hilary-sample) is the IDC Professor of
Housing Design and Sequence Director of the Core Architecture Studios at GSAPP, and Co-Founder of the New
York-based architecture and design studio MOS. Since its establishment in 2003, MOS has won major national and
international awards and been recognized in significant publications. Monographs about the studio include an issue of El
Croquis and Selected Works (Princeton Architectural Press, 2016).
An Architect's Address Book
Robert Lemon
ORO Editions
31 Commerical Blvd., Suite F, Novato, CA 94949
www.oroeditions.com
9781954081963, $45.00, HC, 300pp
https://www.amazon.com/Architects-Address-Book-places-shaped/dp/1954081960
Synopsis: "An Architect's Address Book" by Robert Lemon (an award-winning Canadian architect with a special interest in
historic buildings) is a memoir in 18 chapters of the places Robert Lemon has lived, studied, and worked over the past six
decades.
Some are of places that he has visited many times and are important to his career. Studying architecture and conservation,
Lemon has lived in Ottawa, Paris, London, Rome, and York. My work has involved projects in Vancouver, Los Angeles,
Dorset, the High Arctic, and Xi'an. Other stories are about visiting the buildings of Andrea Palladio and Carlo Scarpa in the
Veneto, Arne Jacobsen and Kay Fisker in Denmark, and five iconic 20th-century houses in France, in company of
colleagues.
Most of the chapters focus on someone influential to Lemon's career; and his vast interest in food is a thread through most
stories.
Critique: A fascinating and unusual approach to writing an autobiography or memoir, "An Architect's Address Book: The
Places That Shaped A Career" by Robert Lemon is an extraordinary, informative, and interesting life story that will have
particular appeal to readers with an interest in residential architecture, architectural project planning, and the business
aspects of architecture. "An Architect's Address Book" will prove to be a welcome and unique addition to personal,
professional, community, and academic library American Biography collections and supplemental curriculum Architecture
studies lists.
The Interior Design Shelf
Create: At Home with Old & New
Ali Heath
Mitchell Beazley
c/o Octopus Books
236 Park Avenue, New York NY 10017
www.octopusbooksusa.com
9781784728557, $40.00, HC, 224pp
https://www.amazon.com/Create-At-Home-Old-New/dp/1784728551
Synopsis: Some of the most exciting interiors around are those that combine vintage and antique finds with select
contemporary pieces. With the publication of "Create: At Home with Old & New", interior stylist and journalist Ali Heath
encourages you to think imaginatively about how to use old and new at home - introducing individuality and interest, while
incorporating the need to decorate more sustainably.
"Create: At Home with Old & New" is a visual feast divided into four engaging and informative chapters. Establishing Your
Style will fire your imagination, while Adding the Magic considers ten decorating elements, including pattern and texture,
display, lighting, and color. In Creative Spaces the homes of a maverick group of 12 antique dealers and interior designers
are shared, and the book closes with Inspirations - advice on where to buy period items and how to buy online and at
auction.
With glorious photography, original drawings and break-out ideas pages, "Create: At Home with Old & New" will give you
the confidence to nurture a home you love - one that celebrates the past while embracing the present and future.
Critique: "Create: At Home with Old & New" is a coffee-table style (8.85 x 1.1 x 11.35 inches, 2.78 pounds) volume that is
a simply and inspirational pleasure to simply browse through one fascinating page at a time. With a profusion of
illustrations supporting an informative commentary, "Create: At Home with Old & New" will have a very special appeal to
readers with an interest in interior design and home decorating. While with the highest recommendation for personal,
professional, community, and academic library Contemporary Interior Design collections, it should be noted that "Create: At
Home with Old & New" is also readily available in a digital book format (Kindle, $14.99).
Editorial Note: Ali Heath (www.aliheath.co.uk ) is a UK-based interiors journalist, stylist, creative consultant and author
and has over 17 years freelance experience, working with prestigious interior magazines, newspapers and private clients.
Her work is featured regularly in many titles that include Country Living, Elle Decoration, Elle Decoration Country, Homes
and Gardens, House & Garden, Livingetc, Modern Rustic, Red, the Telegraph and YOU Magazine. Ali collaborates with
many leading photographers and her work is represented internationally by Living Inside agency, in Milan.
The Music Shelf
Only Wanna Be with You
Tim Sommer
University of South Carolina Press
718 Devine Street, Columbia, SC 29208
www.sc.edu/uscpress
Tantor Media
https://tantor.com
9781643362755, $26.99, HC, 296pp
https://www.amazon.com/Only-Wanna-Be-You-Blowfish/dp/1643362755
Synopsis: In 1985, Mark Bryan heard Darius Rucker singing in a dorm shower at the University of South Carolina and
asked him to form a band. For the next eight years, Hootie & the Blowfish (completed with the addition of bassist Dean
Felber and drummer Soni Sonefeld) played every frat house, roadhouse, and rock club in the mid-Atlantic and Southeast,
becoming one of the biggest independent acts in the region.
With the publication of "Only Wanna Be with You: The Inside Story of Hootie & the Blowfish", Tim Sommer (the ultimate
insider who signed Hootie to Atlantic Records), pulls back the curtain on a band that defied record-industry odds to break
into the mainstream by playing hacky sack music in the age of grunge.
Sommer chronicles the band's indie days; the chart-topping success (and near-cancelation) of their major-label debut,
cracked rear view; the year of Hootie (1995) when the album reached no. 1, the "Only Wanna Be with You" music video
collaboration with ESPN's SportsCenter became a sensation, and the band inspired a plotline on the TV show Friends; the
lean years from the late 1990s through the early 2000s; Darius Rucker's history-making rise in country music; and one of the
most remarkable comeback stories of the century. Of special note is the inclusion of extensive new interviews with the band
members, some of their most famous fans, and stories from the recording studio, tour bus, and golf course.
Critique:, Exceptionally well written, organized and presented, "Only Wanna Be with You: The Inside Story of Hootie &
the Blowfish" is must be considered essential reading for the legions of Hootie fans and rock music buffs. While especially
and unreservedly recommended for professional, community, and academic library American Music History collections. It
should be noted personal reading lists that "Only Wanna Be with You" is also available in a digital book format (Kindle,
$20.49) and as a complete and unabridged audio book (Tantor Audio, 9798212170031, $41.99, CD).
Editorial Note: Tim Sommer (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tim_Sommer), is a widely published music journalist, and has
enjoyed stints as an Atlantic Records A&R representative and an MTV and VH1 news VJ and producer.
Outlaw Music in Russia: The Rise of an Unlikely Genre
Anastasia Gordienko
University of Wisconsin Press
728 State Street, Suite 443, Madison, WI 53706-1418
www.uwpress.wisc.edu
9780299340100, $89.95, HC, 336pp
https://www.amazon.com/Outlaw-Music-Russia-Unlikely-Genre/dp/0299340104
Synopsis: Russian chanson is a neologism for a musical genre covering a range of Russian songs, including city romance
songs, author song performed by singer-songwriters, and blatnaya pesnya or "criminals' songs" that are based on the themes
of the urban underclass and the criminal underworld. (Wikipedia)
The Russian shanson can be heard across the country today, on radio and television shows, at mass events like political
rallies, and even at the Kremlin. Yet despite its ubiquity, it has attracted almost no scholarly attention.
With the publication of "Outlaw Music in Russia: The Rise of an Unlikely Genre", Anastasia Gordienko (an Assistant
Professor of Russian and Slavic Studies at the University of Arizona) provides the first full history of the shanson, from its
tenuous ties to early modern criminals' and robbers' folk songs, through its immediate generic predecessors in the Soviet
Union, to its current incarnation as the soundtrack for daily life in Russia.
It is difficult to firmly define the shanson or its family of song genres, but they all have some connection, whether explicit or
implicit, to the criminal underworld or to groups or activities otherwise considered subversive. Traditionally produced by
and popular among criminals and other marginalized groups, and often marked by characters and themes valorizing illegal
activities, the songs have undergone censorship since the early nineteenth century. Technically legal only since the collapse
of the Soviet Union, the shanson is today not only broadly popular but also legitimized by Vladimir Putin's open
endorsement of the genre.
With careful research and incisive analysis, Professor Gordienko deftly details the shanson's history, development, and
social meanings. Attempts by imperial rulers, and later by Soviet leaders, to repress the songs and the lifestyles they
romanticized not only did little to discourage their popularity but occasionally helped the genre flourish. Criminals and
liberal intelligentsia mingled in the Gulag system, for instance, and this contact introduced censored songs to an educated,
disaffected populace that inscribed its own interpretations and became a major point of wider dissemination after the Gulag
camps were closed.
Professor Gordienko also investigates the shanson as it exists in popular culture today: not divorced from its criminal
undertones (or overtones) but celebrated for them. She argues that the shanson expresses fundamental themes of Russian
culture, allowing for the articulation of anxieties, hopes, and dissatisfactions that are discouraged or explicitly forbidden
otherwise.
Critique: A seminal work of simply outstanding scholarship, "Outlaw Music in Russia: The Rise of an Unlikely Genre" will
have a special value to readers with an interest in Russian popular culture and history as expressed in its underclass oriented
music and musical heritage. Informatively enhanced for the reader with the inclusion of Illustrations, 'A Note on Translation
and Transliteration', a two page Glossary, sixty-eight pages of Notes, a thirty page Bibliography, and a twenty-six page
Index, "Outlaw Music in Russia: The Rise of an Unlikely Genre" is a unique and highly recommended addition to personal,
professional, community, and academic library Ethnomusicology collections and supplemental curriculum Russian Studies
lists.
The Photography Shelf
What We See
Daniella Zaleman, curator
Sara Ickow, curator
White Lion Publishing
Quarto Publishing Group USA
100 Cummings Center, Suite 265D, Beverly, MA 01915
www.quartoknows.com
9780711278547, $30.00, HC, 244pp
https://www.amazon.com/Women-Photograph-nonbinary-perspectives-through/dp/0711278547
Synopsis: 85% of photojournalists are men. That means almost everything that is reported in the world photographically is
seen through men's eyes. Similarly, spaces and communities men don't have access to are left undocumented and forgotten.
With the camera limited to the hands of one gender, photographic 'truth' is more subjective than it seems.
To answer this serious ethical problem, "What We See: Women and Nonbinary Perspectives through the Lens" flips that
bias on its head to show what and how women and nonbinary photojournalists see.
From documenting major events such as 9/11 to capturing unseen and misrepresented communities, "What We See: Women
and Nonbinary Perspectives through the Lens" presents a revisionist contemporary history: pore over 50 years of women's
dispatches in 100 photographs. Each individual image is accompanied by 200 words from the photographer about the
experience and the subject, offering fresh insights and a much-needed perspective.
Until we have balanced, representative reporting, the camera cannot offer a mirror to our global society. To get the full
picture, we need a diverse range of people behind the lens. "What We See: Women and Nonbinary Perspectives through the
Lens" offers a first step.
Critique: A simply fascinating and richly illustrated study, "What We See: Women and Nonbinary Perspectives through the
Lens" is a core, essential, and unreservedly recommended addition to personal, professional, community, and academic
library History of Photography collections in general, and supplemental curriculum Women Photographers studies lists in
particular. Rescuing from an undeserved obscurity the visual contributions of women and nonbinary visual storytellers with
respect to the camera lens, "What We See: Women and Nonbinary Perspectives through the Lens" is also available for
photojournalism students, academia, photographers, and non-specialist general readers with an interest in the subject in a
digital book format (Kindle, $14.99).
Editorial Note #1: Daniella Zalcman (http://www.dan.iella.net/about) is the founder of Women Photograph, a global,
US-based non-profit that launched in 2017 to elevate the voices of women and nonbinary visual journalists. The private
database includes more than 1,000 independent documentary photographers based in 100+ countries. Their mission is to
shift the makeup of the photojournalism community and ensure that the industry's chief storytellers are as diverse as the
communities they hope to represent. They believe that inclusion and equity work must be fully intersectional, and are
committed to supporting and highlighting photographers across the spectrum of all identities.
Editorial Note #2: Sara Ickow (@sasickow) is the Senior Manager, Exhibitions and Collections at the International Center
of Photography. Previously, she worked as a Curatorial Assistant and Collections Manager with the Smithsonian's National
Portrait Gallery in their Department of Photographs and as a freelance collections manager. She holds an MA in art history
from NYU's Institute of Fine Arts, where she studied photography and time-based media art and wrote her thesis on Walker
Evans in the 1930s.
Athens Unveiled
Anna A. Angelidakis
ORO Editions
31 Commerical Blvd., Suite F, Novato, CA 94949
www.oroeditions.com
9781957183039, $30.00, HC, 300pp
https://www.amazon.com/Athens-Unveiled-portrait-Nineteenth-Neighborhoods/dp/1957183039
Synopsis: Every year millions of travelers arrive in Athens eager to catch a glimpse of the ancient city and savor its classical
heritage. But what about the late nineteenth century Athens with her neoclassical buildings, wide avenues and literary
salons?
An Athens where music wafted from King Otto's palace and the aristocracy waltzed under crystal chandeliers. A city of
dignitaries, scholars and architects drawing plans and reworking them, leaving their mark on every dimension of the young
capital. An Athens where commoners hovered around dimly lit fires and children played in the mud amidst the ancient
ruins. Where criminals settled disputes with drawn knives and prostitutes roamed the ports luring sailors into filthy,
smoke-filled taverns. Where Greek refugees lived in wind-swept streets with no sewers or running water, singing about their
troubles under the stars.
An Athens where intellectuals, writers, poets, and artists converged in local cafes planning the future of the newly founded
nation, discussing philosophy, literature, and their shared passion for reclaiming Greece for the Greeks.
With the publication of "Athens Unveiled: A portrait of Nineteenth Century Athens Through Her Streets and
Neighborhoods", the photography and commentary by Anna Angelidakis pays homage to the people, streets, and
neighborhoods of late nineteenth century Athens, where some of the finest neoclassical buildings still stand next to
abandoned mansions, brothels, and old factories; where people still bargain the prices of clothes and produce on the old
streets of commerce and where young artists create powerful murals, bringing everything about the city into sharp
focus.
Critique: Ideal for armchair travelers and on-site visitors alike, "Athens Unveiled: A Portrait of Nineteenth Century Athens
Through Her Streets and Neighborhoods" is unique, fascinating, informative, and unreservedly recommended for personal
reading lists, as well as community and academic library Contemporary Photography and Athens/Greece Travel Guide
collections.
Editorial Note: Anna Angelidakis is the author of Rooted in the Hood, an Intimate Portrait of New York City's Community
Gardens, winner of the IBPA Benjamin Franklin Gold Award (Regional Category) and New York City Big Book Award
(Green Category). She currently lives and travels between Athens and New York documenting her beloved cities.
Greg Williams Photo Breakdowns
Greg Williams
Cider Mill Press
c/o HarperCollins Focus
www.harpercollins.com
9781951511500, $65.00, HC, 224pp
https://www.amazon.com/Greg-Williams-Photo-Breakdowns-Celebrity/dp/1951511506
Synopsis: Have you ever wondered about the stories behind memorable photographs of some of the most famous people in
the world? Why does Joaquin Phoenix look so relaxed eating a sandwich right after winning an Academy Award? Why was
Cate Blanchett's daughter running through her legs in a hotel at Cannes?
With the publication of "Greg Williams Photo Breakdowns: The Stories Behind 100 Portraits", one of today's most
in-demand photographers, Greg Williams, brings you behind the scenes stories for over 100 intimate and revealing images
he has shot.
Readers will learn the techniques of the master and draw on key tactics and skills Williams has accumulated throughout his
extensive career. Whether describing how to frame a shot, leverage the lighting, or understand exposure, Williams
emphasizes the importance of using photography as a means to tell stories, especially the stories that you want to tell. With a
focus on authenticity, believability, and imperfection, Williams also illuminates how he achieves these staggering
shots.
As the official photographer for the Oscars and a regular contributor to magazines such as Vanity Fair, Williams has
unprecedented access to international celebrities, ranging from Brad Pitt and Daniel Craig to Beyonce, Charlize Theron, and
Adam Driver. And, more importantly, his rapport with his subjects results in singular photographs. "Photo Breakdowns"
focuses on some of his favorite moments and how he captured these incredible moments in memorable photographs.
Critique: Published in a large coffee-table style volume (10 x 2 x 13 inches, 1.48 pounds) "Greg
Williams Photo Breakdowns: The Stories Behind 100 Portraits" will have a very special appeal to readers with an interest in
celebrity portrait photography. This elegant and informative compendium of Greg Williams work is particularly and
unreservedly recommended for personal, professional, community, and academic library Contemporary Photography
collections.
Editorial Note: Greg Williams (https://gregwilliams.com) is arguably one of the most trusted and acclaimed photographers
in entertainment -- his name and candid portraiture are synonymous with authentic glamour. Williams established his
reportage style as a photojournalist in the '90s covering war zones in Burma, Chechnya, and Sierra Leone. An assignment
for the Sunday Times Magazine gave Williams his first access to the film industry and he has now shot "specials" on over
200 movies, including four poster campaigns for the Bond franchise. He has also enjoyed exclusive access to BAFTA, the
Golden Globes, and the Oscars and is a regular contributor to Vanity Fair and British Vogue.
Bighorn Visions: The Photography of Jessamine Spear Johnson
Tempe Javitz
South Dakota Historical Society Press
900 Governors Drive, Pierre, SC 57501-2217
https://www.sdhspress.com
9781941813447, $29.95, HC, 160pp
https://www.amazon.com/Bighorn-Visions-Photography-Jessamine-Johnson/dp/B0BWSNB1S5
Synopsis: Born in 1886 to pioneer parents on the eastern front of the Bighorn Mountains, Jessamine Spear Johnson would
grow up to document many of the dramatic changes that this region would see over the next century.
After first picking up a camera at the age of eleven, Johnson developed into a uniquely gifted artist, all while helping
manage the family ranch. Through her photography, Johnson captured the rapid advancements occurring around her,
especially from the 1910s through 1940s.
During these years, a burgeoning dude ranch industry brought new visitors to this remote area and technological changes
reshaped the nature of work. At the same time, the Crows and Cheyennes in the region struggled with being confined to
reservations as they sought new livelihoods to support their families, all while maintaining old traditions and establishing
new ones.
As "Bighorn Visions" shows, Johnson's camera captured not only the day-to-day nuances of ranch life but also changing
gender norms, transformations on the reservation, and the abundant natural wonders of northeastern Wyoming and
southeastern Montana. Featuring over one hundred of Jessamine Spear Johnson's photographs, this volume is the first
publication to showcase her work in detail.
Essays and captions by granddaughter Tempe Javitz, along with an intro by historian Mary Murphy, situate Johnson's life
and career in relation to broader shifts in ranching, tourism, and photography.
Critique: With a very special appeal to readers with an interest in Native American History and Women's Biographies,
"Bighorn Visions: The Photography of Jessamine Spear Johnson" is an inherently fascinating and unreservedly
recommended addition to personal, professional, community, and a academic library American Photography
collections.
Editorial Note: Tempe Javitz (https://tempejavitz.com) is Jessamine Spear Johnson's granddaughter and with "Bighorn
Visions" has compiled over one hundred of Jessamine's photographs, in the first publication to showcase her grandmother's
work is such detail.
The Travel Shelf
Always Ireland: An Insider's Tour of the Emerald Isle
Jack Kavanagh
National Geographic Press
101 West 104th Street, Suite 8, New York, NY 10025
www.nationalgeographic.com
9781426222160, $35.00, HC, 336pp
https://www.amazon.com/Always-Ireland-Insiders-Tour-Emerald/dp/1426222165
Synopsis: From the emerald green coastal cliffs to centuries-old castles, hole-in-the-wall pubs to world-renowned
distilleries, this richly illustrated narrative showcases Ireland's best sights, bites, and experiences. Written by Jack Kavanagh
(a renowned expert in all things Eire), "Always Ireland: An Insider's Tour of the Emerald Isle" celebrates the multilayered
beauty of the landscape, shines a light on the country's innovative traditions, and reveals the robust nightlife across a variety
of picturesque cities.
Featuring more than 300 glorious National Geographic images, along with recommended itineraries, practical tips, and
insightful histories, populate these informative and inspiring pages, "Always Ireland" is organized by region and allows you
to map your way through the country's well-known places and hidden treasures alike, featuring must-do experiences, scenic
destinations, and expert advice on where to stay, what to eat, and what to do. Each individual section offers in-the-know
secrets and off-the-beaten path recommendations, featuring art galleries, hiking trails, national parks, fishing villages, and
more. Of special note is the discovery of favorites from Irish luminaries who know their country best, as well as recipes
(from soda bread to Irish stew) that will bring the tastes of Ireland into your home kitchen.
Critique: Informed and informative, exceptionally well organized and presented, "Always Ireland: An Insider's Tour of the
Emerald Isle" is one-of-a-kind guided trip through Ireland that is especially recommended to the attention of on-site visitors
and armchair travelers alike. While also available for personal reading lists in a digital book format (Kindle, $15.99),
"Always Ireland: An Insider's Tour of the Emerald Isle" is a welcome and unreservedly recommended addition to
community and academic library Ireland travel guide collections.
Editorial Note: Justin "Jack" Kavanagh (http://www.jkglobaltext.com/bio) grew up in County Wicklow, the "Garden of
Ireland," where youthful weekends were spent hiking on the Wicklow Way or cycling to the ancient monastic site of
Glendalough. He studied English literature and philosophy at University College Dublin before leaving his homeland to
work in London, Tokyo, Philadelphia, New York City, and Washington D.C. He began his career in journalism at the Irish
Press in Dublin and has gone on to write widely on travel, culture, current affairs, and sports for National Geographic
Traveler, The Globalist, The Independent, and In Dublin magazine. He is currently the leader of National Geographic
Expeditions' Ireland: Tales and Treasures of the Emerald Isle tour.
The Native American Studies Shelf
Great Women of Mackinac, 1800-1950
Melissa Croghan
Michigan State University Press
1405 South Harrison Road, Suite 25, East Lansing, MI 48823-5245
http://msupress.org
9781611864533, $37.95, PB, 270pp
https://msupress.org/9781611864533/great-women-of-mackinac-1800-1950
Synopsis: With the publication of "Great Women of Mackinac, 1800 - 1950", author and Mackinac Island resident Melissa
Croghan tells the dramatic history of thirteen women leaders on Mackinac Island in the nineteenth and early twentieth
centuries. Their linked visions of family and community define this beautiful island in the western Great Lakes.
In the pages of this collective biography, Melissa reveals how central these Native American women were to the history and
literature of Mackinac. Elizabeth Bertrand Mitchell, Madeline Marcot LaFramboise, Therese Marcot Schindler, Elizabeth
Therese Baird, Agatha Biddle, and Jane Johnston Schoolcraft were Anishinaabe fur traders, farmers, memoirists, and poets
who established the nineteenth-century island community.
Among the women of Mackinac, there were also those who sang the island's praises and recorded the lively relationships of
the English, French, and American inhabitants. These writers included Juliette Magill Kinzie, Anna Brownell Jameson,
Margaret Fuller, and Constance Fenimore Woolson.
There were also community builders who founded key institutions and midwifed generations of island children: Rosa
Truscott Webb, Daisy Peck Blodgett, and Stella King.
Critique: Exceptionally well written, organized and presented, "Great Women of Mackinac, 1800 - 1950" will have a very
special relevance and appeal to readers with an interest in Native American History, Native American Women's Lives, and
Mackinac Island's storied history. Informed and informative, "Great Women of Mackinac, 1800 - 1950" is a fascinating,
informative, and memorable read from cover to cover. While highly recommended as an original and valued addition to
personal, professional, community, and academic library Native American History/Biography collections and supplemental
curriculum studies lists, it should be noted that "Great Women of Mackinac, 1800 - 1950" is also available in a digital book
format (Kindle, $37.95) for students, academia, and non-specialist general readers with an interest in the subject.
Editorial Note: Melissa Croghan's family has lived on Mackinac Island since the 1880s. She is the author of the novel, The
Tracking Heart, and the book, Cliff Walk: Mackinac Poems and Paintings. She holds a master's degree and doctorate from
the University of Pennsylvania, where she taught American literature.
Cherokee Civil Warrior
W. Dale Weeks
University of Oklahoma Press
2800 Venture Drive, Norman, OK 73069
www.oupress.com
9780806191577, $32.95, HC, 246pp
https://www.amazon.com/Cherokee-Civil-Warrior-Struggle-Sovereignty/dp/0806191570
Synopsis: For the Cherokee Nation, the American Civil War was more than a contest between the Union and the
Confederacy. It was yet another battle in the larger struggle against multiple white governments for land and tribal
sovereignty. With the publication of "Cherokee Civil Warrior: Chief John Ross and the Struggle for Tribal Sovereignty",
historian and academician W. Dale Weeks tells the story of Chief John Ross as he led the tribe in this struggle.
The son of a Scottish father and mixed-blood Indian mother, John Ross served the Cherokee Nation in a public capacity for
nearly fifty years, thirty-eight as its constitutionally elected principal chief. Professor Weeks describes Ross's efforts to
protect the tribe's interests amid systematic attacks on indigenous culture throughout the nineteenth century, from the forced
removal policies of the 1830s to the exigencies of the Civil War era. At the outset of the Civil War, Ross called for all
Cherokees, slaveholding and nonslaveholding, to remain neutral in a war they did not support -- a position that became
untenable when the United States withdrew its forces from Indian Territory. The vacated forts were quickly occupied by
Confederate troops, who pressured the Cherokees to align with the South.
Viewed from the Cherokee perspective (as Professor Weeks does in this study), these events can be seen in their proper
context, as part of the history of U.S. "Indian policy," failed foreign relations, and the Anglo-American conquest of the
American West. This approach also clarifies President Abraham Lincoln's acknowledgment of the federal government's
abrogation of its treaty obligation and his commitment to restoring political relations with the Cherokees -- a commitment
abruptly ended when his successor Andrew Johnson instead sought to punish the Cherokees for their perceived
disloyalty.
Centering a Native point of view, "Cherokee Civil Warrior: Chief John Ross and the Struggle for Tribal Sovereignty"
recasts and expands what we know about John Ross, the Cherokee Nation, its commitment to maintaining its sovereignty,
and the Civil War era in Indian Territory. Weeks also provides historical context for later developments, from the events of
Little Bighorn and Wounded Knee to the struggle over tribal citizenship between the Cherokees and the descendants of their
former slaves.
Critique: A seminal study underwritten by meticulous scholarship, "Cherokee Civil Warrior: Chief John Ross and the
Struggle for Tribal Sovereignty" by Professor W. Dale Weeks is informatively enhanced for the reader with the inclusion of
Maps, twenty-six pages of Notes, a sixteen page Bibliography, and a ten page Index. While a critically important and
unreservedly recommended addition to personal, professional, community, and academic library 19th Century Native
American History and American Civil War History collections and supplemental curriculum Native American Biography
studies lists, it should be noted for students, academia, and non-specialist general readers with an interest in the subject that
"Cherokee Civil Warrior: Chief John Ross and the Struggle for Tribal Sovereignty" is also available in a digital book format
(Kindle, $18.99).
Editorial Note: W. Dale Weeks (https://wdaleweeks.com) is a History Instructor at Blinn College in Bryan, Texas. He holds
a PhD in history from Texas A&M University.
In Defense of Sovereignty
Rebecca M. Webster
University of Wisconsin Press
728 State Street, Suite 443, Madison, WI 53706-1418
www.uwpress.wisc.edu
9780299340605, $27.95, HC, 208pp
https://www.amazon.com/Defense-Sovereignty-Protecting-Inherent-Self-Determination/dp/0299340600
Synopsis: With the publication of "In Defense of Sovereignty: Protecting the Oneida Nation's Inherent Right to
Self-Determination" Professor Rebecca M. Webster informative recounts the history of the Oneida Nation and its struggles
for self-determination.
Since the nation's removal from New York in the 1820s to what would become the state of Wisconsin, it has been engaged
in legal conflicts with US actors to retain its sovereignty and its lands. A legal scholar and former Oneida Nation senior staff
attorney, Professor Webster traces this history, including the nation's treaties with the US but focusing especially on its
relationship with the village of Hobart, Wisconsin. Since 2003 there have been six disputes that have led to litigation
between the local government and the nation. Central to these disputes are the local government's attempts to regulate the
nation and relegate its government to the position of a common landowner, subject to municipal authority.
As in so many conflicts between Indigenous nations and local municipalities, the media narrative about the Oneida Nation's
battle for sovereignty has been dominated by the local government's standpoint. "In Defense of Sovereignty" offers another
perspective, that of Native Americans directly involved in the litigation, augmented by contributions from historians,
attorneys, and a retired nation employee. This seminal history makes an important contribution to public debates about the
inherent right of Indigenous nations to continue to exist and exercise self-governance within their territories without being
challenged at every turn.
Critique: An extraordinary and seminal work of impeccable scholarship, "In Defense of Sovereignty: Protecting the Oneida
Nation's Inherent Right to Self-Determination" is informative enhanced for the reader with the inclusion of a number of
Illustrations, a four page Glossary, and a thirteen page Index. An absolutely essential and unreservedly recommended
addition to personal, professional, community, college, and university library Native American Studies collections and
supplemental curriculum studies lists, it should be noted for students, academicians, Native American political activists, and
non-specialist general readers with an interest in the subject that "In Defense of Sovereignty: Protecting the Oneida Nation's
Inherent Right to Self-Determination" is also readily available in a digital book format (Kindle, $26.55).
Editorial Note: Rebecca M. Webster (www.wisconsinacademy.org/contributor/rebecca-webster) is an Assistant Professor in
the American Indian studies department at the University of Minnesota Duluth. she was also former senior staff attorney for
the Oneida Nation. She is the co-editor of Tribal Administration and Governance Handbook, and her articles can be found
in American Indian Quarterly, Planning Theory and Practice, Wisconsin Lawyer, Ethnohistory, and the Journal of American
Indian Education.
The Art Shelf
Ateliers of Europe
John Whelan, author
Oskar Proctor, photographer
Prestel Publishing
www.prestel.com
9783791388175, $60.00, HC, 288pp
https://www.amazon.com/Ateliers-Europe-Atlas-Decorative-Workshops/dp/3791388177
Synopsis: An atelier is the private workshop or studio of a professional artist in the fine or decorative arts or an architect,
where a principal master and a number of assistants, students, and apprentices can work together producing fine art or visual
art released under the master's name or supervision. (Wikipedia)
Beginning in the Renaissance, ateliers were established as places for European artists to work and teach their crafts.
Centuries later most of these spaces have disappeared, but a select few continue to produce some of the world's most
celebrated and sought-after objects in the areas of crystal, ceramics, wrought iron, fabric, bookbinding, mosaic, wood
paneling, and more.
John Whelan and Oskar Proctor traveled throughout Europe to document these important spaces, both to celebrate them and
to preserve their disappearing ideals. Ranging from the well- known to the obscure, "Ateliers of Europe: An Atlas of
Decorative Arts Workshops" takes readers inside dozens of ateliers from Austria, England, France, Germany, Italy, Spain,
and Switzerland. Sumptuous double-page spreads feature alluring photography, and fascinating background texts tell their
stories.
By shining a light on their collective value as well as their individual expertise, "Ateliers of Europe: An Atlas of Decorative
Arts Workshops " offers both a historic evaluation of how ateliers have been shaped by modern forces -- and is also a
clarion call appealing for their preservation.
Critique: A beautiful compendium of informative captioned full page, full color photographs, "Ateliers of Europe: An Atlas
of Decorative Arts Workshops" is an impressive coffee-table style (9.81 x 0.97 x 11.31 inches, 4.19 pounds) volume that
will hold a very special appeal to students and fans of the decorative arts produced in workshops of the past and present.
This deluxe edition of "Ateliers of Europe" is a very special and highly recommended addition to personal, professional,
community, college, and university library European Art History collections and supplemental curriculum studies lists.
Editorial Note #1: Residing in Venice, Italy, John Whelan is a specialist in heritage design and creative direction. His
heritage projects include a revival of la brasserie francaise, France's most iconic culinary export, and his clients include
brands such as Cire Trudon, the oldest candlemaker in France. His work has been profiled by Architectural Digest, and
Vanity Fair.
(https://www.architecturaldigest.com/story/designer-john-whelan-restores-frances-classic-brasseries-to-their-former-glory)<
br>
Editorial Note #2: Oskar Proctor (http://oskarproctor.com) is a photographer specializing in still life and interior imagery.
He has worked with numerous magazines, museums, designers, artists and publishers, including two books by Viktor Wynd
published by Prestel. He lives in Kent, England.
Rediscovering Black Portraiture
Peter Brathwaite
Getty Publications
1200 Getty Center Drive, Suite 500, Los Angeles, CA 90049-1682
www.getty.edu/publications
9781606068168, $40.00, HC, 168pp
https://www.amazon.com/Rediscovering-Black-Portraiture-Peter-Brathwaite/dp/1606068164
Synopsis: Since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, Peter Brathwaite has thoughtfully researched and reimagined
more than one hundred artworks featuring portraits of Black sitters -- all posted to social media with the caption
"Rediscovering #blackportraiture through #gettymuseumchallenge."
"Rediscovering Black Portraiture" collects and showcases more than fifty of Brathwaite's most intriguing re-creations.
Introduced by the author and framed by contributions from experts in art history and visual culture, this fascinating book
offers a nuanced look at the complexities and challenges of building identity within the African diaspora and how such
forces have informed Black portraits over time.
The artworks featured include The Adoration of the Magi by Georges Trubert, Portrait of an Unknown Man by Jan
Mostaert, Rice n Peas by Sonia Boyce, Barack Obama by Kehinde Wiley, and many more. "Rediscovering Black
Portraiture" also invites readers behind the scenes, offering a glimpse of the elegant artifice of Brathwaite's props, setup, and
process.
An urgent and compelling exploration of embodiment, representation, and agency, "Rediscovering Black Portraiture" serves
to remind us that Black subjects have been portrayed in art for nearly a millennium and that their stories demand to be
told.
Critique: With each full color image being accompanied with succinctly captioned information, "Rediscovering Black
Portraiture" is a delight to browse through and instructively thought-provoking for readers with an interest in Black Pop
Culture Artwork and Photography. Of special note are the informative contributions of Cheryl Finley, Temi Odumosu, and
Mark Sealy."Rediscovering Black Portraiture" is a unique and highly prized addition to personal, professional, community,
and academic library Art/Photography portraiture collections.
Editorial Note #1 An exhibition of Brathwaite's re-creations is on view at the Bristol Museum & Art Gallery in Bristol, UK
from April 14 to July 23, 2023.
Editorial Note #2: Peter Brathwaite (https://www.peterbrathwaitebaritone.com) is an acclaimed baritone who performs in
operas and concerts throughout Europe. He is a presenter on BBC Radio 3 and has been shortlisted for a Royal
Philharmonic Society Award.
Art Cat: Fine Felines of the Art World
Editorial Staff
Smith Street Books
c/o Rizzoli
300 Park Avenue South, 3rd floor, New York, NY 10010
www.rizzoliusa.com
9781922754257, $16.95, HC, 96pp
https://www.amazon.com/Art-Cat-Fine-Felines-World/dp/1922754250
Synopsis: Cats have been charming us with their indifference and serving as artistic inspiration for as long as we have been
sketching on canvas. With the publication of "Art Cat: Fine Felines of the Art World", the editorial staff of Smith Street
Books offers a compendium artwork featuring cats of the past as they peer out from paintings and sketches, frescoes and
prints across art history.
"Art Cat" is a collection of these painted felines, featuring works from artists across the ages and continents. Japanese prints
and German oils, American sketches and Italian murals are all included. The work spans eras and styles, but as different as
these cats are, one thing shines through: that we have been obsessed with cats for far longer than the Internet.
Critique: A 'must' for anyone with a feline companion of their own, "Art Cat: Fine Felines of the Art World" is a simply
delightful and fascinating browse from beginning to end, and an unreservedly recommended addition to personal reading
lists and community library Animal Art and Art History collections.
Kawaii Doggies
Olive Yong
Rock Point
c/o Quarto Publishing Group USA
100 Cummings Center, Suite 265D, Beverly, MA 01915
www.quartoknows.com
9780760379851, $21.99, PB, 144pp
https://www.amazon.com/Kawaii-Doggies-Learn-Adorable-Doodle/dp/0760379858
Synopsis: With the publication of "Kawaii Doggies: Learn to Draw over 100 Adorable Pups in All their Glory", artist and
illustrator Olive Yong shows how to draw all kinds of cute dogs doing all sorts of silly things through 75 step-by-step
tutorials.
Whether you are "team dog" or "team cat", dogs have idiosyncrasies that we all find entertaining! In "Kawaii Doggies" is the
follow-up and perfect companion to "Kawaii Kitties: Learn How to Draw 75 Cats in All Their Glory " (9781631067396,
$21.99, PB, 144pp).
Popular Instagram artist Olive Yong perfectly captures these moments, including playing, sleeping, eating, digging, chasing
their tails, being good buddies, wearing cute costumes, and more, along with how to draw your favorite breeds and
puppies.
In addition to the easy-to-follow tutorials, Olive shares: An introduction to the kawaii art aesthetic; Suggestions for drawing
tools; Tips and tricks for drawing and coloring your dogs; A facial expression directory; Coloring pages swarming with pups
for you to decorate.
Critique: Fun, inspiring, and thoroughly 'user friendly' for aspiring artists and illustrators in both organization and
presentation, "Kawaii Doggies: Learn to Draw over 100 Adorable Pups in All their Glory" is a perfect DIY instructional
guide. It should be noted for personal use that "Kawaii Doggies: Learn to Draw over 100 Adorable Pups in All their Glory"
is also available in a digital book format (Kindle, $9.99).
Editorial Note: Olive Yong is a self-taught artist from Malaysia and the creator of the popular Instagram @bichi.mao.
Drawing has always been her passion, and she is focusing on building the bichi.mao brand. Olive enjoys creating funny and
relatable short comics, quotation series, animations, and illustrations about cats. Part of the charm of her artwork is in its
simplicity, making learning to draw in her style easy and fun for all ages.
Color in Reverse: Watercolor Florals
Heinke Nied
Walter Foster Publishing
c/o Quarto Publishing Group USA
100 Cummings Center, Suite 265D, Beverly, MA 01915
www.quartoknows.com
9780760383278, $14.99, PB, 96pp
https://www.amazon.com/Color-Reverse-Watercolor-creativity-delightful/dp/0760383278
Synopsis: :Color in Reverse: Watercolor Florals" by Heinke Nied (a one-line artist and illustrator who considers it her
mission to make art accessible to everyone through simple instruction and approachable one-line drawings) offers helpful
and illustrated instructions that will enable even the most novice of beginning watercoloring artists draw their own lines
over her artwork. It's satisfying, relaxing, and fun -- and packed from cover to cover with inspiring artwork featuring
flowers, plants, abstract designs, and more.
Color in Reverse: Watercolor Florals features: Sturdy paper and one-sided pages to cut out and display; Pen and watercolor
tips and techniques; Short primers on tools and color theory; Patterns, tracings, and designs that you may want to use in your
own artwork within the book.
Simply find relaxation and creative inspiration as you draw over the watercolor artwork with the drawing tool of your
choice, or cut out the pages and use them as gifts, home decor, cards for loved ones, and more. With colorful watercolor
designs to spark your creativity, your own creations will flow with ease and joy.
Critique: Offering a complete course of step-by-step instruction in the use of watercolor as a medium, "Color in Reverse:
Watercolor Florals" is thoroughly 'user friendly' in organization and presentation. Offering hours of DIY watercolor painting
fun, "Color in Reverse: Watercolor Florals" by Heinke Nied is especially recommended for personal and professional 'how-
to' instructional painting collections and as a supplemental art curriculum studies textbook on the subject of watercolor
designs.
Editorial Note: Heinke Nied (www.silberstolz.de) is a one-line artist, an illustrator, an author, and a lecturer. Since 2017,
she has taught courses and workshops on writing, drawing, and painting. In 2020, she discovered her great passion of
one-line art. Since then, she draws everything with one continuous line and especially likes to combine her motifs with
watercolor or lettering. Heinke considers it her mission to make this art form accessible to all people through simple
instructions. She also creates digital illustrations for clients, as well as portraits using digital and watercolor tools. Heinke is
also the author of "15-Minute Drawing: One-Line Drawing" (Walter Foster Publishing).
Matthew Krishanu
Matthew Krishamu, et al.
Anomie Publishing
c/o Casemate Publishers
1940 Lawrence Road, Havertown, PA 19083
www.casematepublishers.com
9781910221334, $40.00, HC, 192pp
https://www.amazon.com/Matthew-Krishanu/dp/1910221333
Synopsis: Matthew Krishanu's paintings explore topics including childhood, race, religion, art history, family, grief, and
love. His subjects (frequently non-white people, especially children) are realized with a shallow pictorial depth, delicate
washes of color, and with a sense of interior life. Through this, Krishanu questions the positions of his painterly subjects and
depictions of landscapes in relation to the legacy of European colonialism and the art historical canon. Krishanu's practice is
heavily informed by his early childhood spent in Dhaka where his parents moved in order to work for the Church of
Bangladesh.
"Matthew Krishanu", is the artist's first trade monograph and presents a number of series of Krishanu's works: Another
Country, Expatriates, Mission, House of God, Religious Workers and In Sickness and In Health. The paintings included
have been made in oil and/or acrylic on canvas, linen or board, with the earliest produced in 2007 and most recent
completed in 2022.
The publication also features informative essays by Mark Rappolt and Dorothy Price, alongside an interview with the artist
by Ben Luke. Rappolt, Editor-in-Chief at ArtReview magazine, details the various worlds present within Krishanu's
paintings. He draws out key themes within Krishanu's oeuvre such as power, religion, identity, and memory, while
highlighting its distance from didacticism, and at times, its carefully constructed ambivalence, through examination of key
works such as Mission School (2017), Mountain Tent (Two Boys) (2020) and Playground (2020). Price, Professor of
Modern and Contemporary Art and Visual Culture at The Courtauld, writes sensitively about solitude, memory, and
emotion which are palpable within Krishanu's work. In particular, is the series In Sickness and In Health, which traces a life
path of Uschi Gatward, the artist's late wife, over sixteen years to her untimely death from cancer in late 2021.
The series is foregrounded as a significant and intimate body of work that subtly shifts over the time period it depicts. In a
new interview with Luke, a critic and editor at The Art Newspaper, Krishanu discusses his practice in relation to ideas of
religion, race, global art history, photography, health, and personal experiences. Krishanu's work explores, in the artist's own
words, 'the puzzle of painting'.
The publication has been deftly edited by Georgia Griffiths and Matt Price. It has been designed by Joe Gilmore, printed and
bound by EBS, Verona, and produced by Anomie Publishing and Niru Ratnam, London. The publication has been supported
by Guy Halamish; Jhaveri Contemporary, Mumbai; Niru Ratnam, London; Taimur Hassan; and Tanya Leighton, Berlin and
Los Angeles.
Critique: Showcasing the artwork of Matthew Krishanu, this large, hardcover, coffee-table style volume (290 x 245 mm) is
an ideal and informative introduction that is especially and unreservedly recommended for personal, professional,
community, and academic library Contemporary Art collections.
Editorial Note: Matthew Krishanu (https://matthewkrishanu.com) is based in London. He completed an MA in Fine Art at
Central Saint Martins in 2009. Recent solo exhibitions include 'Playground', Niru Ratnam (2022), 'Undercurrents', LGDR,
New York (2022), 'Picture Plane', Niru Ratnam, London (2020), 'Arrow and Pulpit', Tanya Leighton, Berlin (2021),
'Corvus', Iniva, London (2019), 'A Murder of Crows', Ikon Gallery, Birmingham (2019), and 'The Sun Never Sets', Midlands
Arts Centre, Birmingham, (2019). He has recently been in the group exhibitions 'The Kingfisher's Wing', GRIMM, New
York (2022), 'Prophecy', Mead Gallery, Warwick Arts Centre (2022), 'Mixing It Up: Painting Today', Hayward Gallery,
London (2021), 'Coventry Biennial', Leamington Spa Art Gallery & Museum, Leamington Spa and Herbert Art Gallery &
Museum (2021), 'John Moores Painting Prize', Walker Art Gallery, Liverpool (2021), 'Everyday Heroes', Hayward
Gallery/Southbank Centre (2020) and 'A Rich Tapestry', Lahore Biennale (2020).
The Wine/Beer/Spirits Shelf
Making Bourbon
Karl Raitz
The University Press of Kentucky
663 South Limestone Street, Lexington, KY 40508-4008
www.kentuckypress.com
9780813197012, $40.00, PB, 656pp
https://www.amazon.com/Making-Bourbon-Geographical-Distilling-Nineteenth-Century/dp/0813197015
Synopsis: While other industries chase after the new and improved, dedicated bourbon makers celebrate traditions that
hearken back to an authentic frontier craft. Distillers enshrine local history in their branding and time-tested recipes, and
rightfully so. Kentucky's unique geography shaped the whiskeys its settlers produced, and for more than two centuries,
distilling bourbon fundamentally altered every aspect of Kentucky's landscape and culture.
With the publication of "Making Bourbon: A Geographical History of Distilling in Nineteenth-Century Kentucky",
Professor Karl Raitz illuminates how the specific geography, culture, and ecology of the Bluegrass converged and gave birth
to Kentucky's favorite barrel-aged whiskey.
Expanding on his fall 2019 release "Bourbon's Backroads", with the publication of "Making Bourbon: A Geographical
History of Distilling in Nineteenth-Century Kentucky", Professor Raitz delivers a more nuanced discussion of bourbon's
evolution by contrasting the fates of two distilleries in Scott and Nelson Counties. In the nineteenth century, distilling
changed from an artisanal craft practiced by farmers and millers to a large-scale mechanized industry. The resulting
infrastructure (farms, mills, turnpikes, railroads, steamboats, lumberyards, and cooperage shops) left its permanent mark on
the land and traditions of the commonwealth. Today, multinational brands emphasize and even construct this local
heritage.
"Making Bourbon: A Geographical History of Distilling in Nineteenth-Century Kentucky" is a unique interdisciplinary
study that deftly uncovers the complex history poured into every glass of bourbon.
Critique: Informed and informative, comprehensive and detailed, and an absolute 'must read' choice for the legions of
dedicated Kentucky bourbon enthusiasts, "Making Bourbon: A Geographical History of Distilling in Nineteenth-Century
Kentucky" is a significant and comprehensive history that is unreservedly recommended for personal, professional,
community, college, and university library collections. Originally published in hardcover (University Press of Kentucky,
2020), this new paperback edition is also readily available in a digital book format (Kindle, $11.99).
Editorial Note: Karl Raitz (https://geography.as.uky.edu/users/gegraitz) is Professor Emeritus of Geography at the
University of Kentucky and the author of :Bourbon's Backroads: A Journey through Kentucky's Distilling Landscape". He is
also co-editor of "The Great Valley Road of Virginia: Shenandoah Landscapes from Prehistory to the Present" and co-author
of "Rock Fences of the Bluegrass".
The Audiobook Shelf
Save the Cat! Goes to the Movies
Blake Snyder, author
George Newbern, narrator
Dreamscape Media
https://dreamscapepublishing.com
9781974970612, $29.99, CD (8 Hours 48 Minutes)
https://www.amazon.com/Save-Cat-Goes-Movies-Screenwriters/dp/1974970612
Synopsis: In the perfect companion piece to his first book (Save the Cat!: The Last Book on Screenwriting You'll Ever
Need), with the posthumous publication of "Save the Cat! Goes to the Movies: The Screenwriter's Guide to Every Story
Ever Told", the late Blake Snyder delivers even more insider information gleaned from a twenty-year track record as one of
Hollywood's most successful spec screenwriters.
Specifically designed for screenwriters, novelists, and movie fans, "Save the Cat! Goes to the Movies: The Screenwriter's
Guide to Every Story Ever Told" gives listeners key breakdowns of the fifty most instructional movies from the past thirty
years. From M*A*S*H to Crash, Alien to Saw, and 10 to Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind. Of special note is that
Snyder reveals how screenwriters in the past tackled the same challenges faced by screenwriters today.
Critique: Of very special appeal to anyone with an interest in screenwriting professionally, as well as film critics and movie
buffs, this complete and unabridged edition of "Save the Cat! Goes to the Movies: The Screenwriter's Guide to Every Story
Ever Told" from Dreamscape Media is deftly narrated by George Newbern and an essential, welcome addition to personal,
professional, community, and academic library Theatre/Cinema/TV collections in general, and Screenwriting supplemental
curriculum studies lists in particular.
Editorial Note #1: The late Blake Snyder (1957-2009) worked as a screenwriter and producer for twenty years. His book
"Save the Cat!: The Last Book on Screenwriting You'll Ever Need" and its sequels have guided screenwriters, novelists, and
other creative thinkers for years and continue to be bestsellers. His methodology is also used by many development
executives, managers, and producers due to its precise, easy, and honest appraisal of what it takes to write and develop
stories in any medium.
Editorial Note #2: George Newbern (https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0627624/bio) has appeared in Father of the Bride,
Father of the Bride II, Evening Star, Adventures in Babysitting, and many other films. On television, he has had roles on
Scandal, Friends, Nip/Tuck, Hot in Cleveland, CSI, and more. He is also known for providing the voice of Superman in
Justice League and for narrating audiobooks.
Directing Great Television
Dan Attias, author/narrator
Dreamscape Media
https://dreamscapepublishing.com
9781666549522, $22.99, CD, (6 Hours 29 Minutes)
https://www.amazon.com/Directing-Great-Television-Inside-Golden/dp/1666549525
Synopsis: Whether it's the high-stakes pressure of solving a last-minute problem on set, or the joy of pulling off a perfect
shot by the skin of your teeth, Attias brings you right into the director's chair, sharing his knowledge and taking you through
the process one challenging episode at a time.
Offering a fundamental focus on story, and eschewing industry language for plain talk, Attias offers in-depth guidance how
best to work with actors, how to "speak" through the camera, how to work with a showrunner, and how to be ready for the
many ways a director will be challenged, large and small.
"Directing Great Television" offers a fascinating window into television's best shows, compelling to directors and
non-directors alike. Attias's book transcends other filmmaking guides by detailing his journey to a surprising place of
self-discovery, one with applications beyond entertainment.
Critique: An Emmy nominated director, "Directing Great Television: Inside TV's Golden Age" by Dan Attias must be
considered an essential and invaluable informative resource for anyone aspiring to a television career as a program or series
director. Offering a wealth of informative insights and examples from his own illustrious career, this complete and
unabridged audio book edition of "Directing Great Television" from Dreamscape Media is highly recommended for
personal, professional, community, and academic library Theatre/Cinema/Television audio collections.
Editorial Note: Dan Attias (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dan_Attias) has worked as a director in the film and television
industry since 1984. As a director of series television, he has received the Directors Guild of America Award for
outstanding direction of dramatic television for The Wire and has been nominated for multiple Emmy awards for his
comedy directing. He continues to work on some of the most celebrated and critically acclaimed American television shows,
including Homeland, The Americans, and The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel.
Writing The TV Drama Series
Pamela Douglas, author
Charon Normand-Widmer, narrator
Dreamscape Media
https://dreamscapepublishing.com
9781666508611, $TBA, CD (13 Hours 17 Minutes)
https://dreamscapepublishing.com/catalog/audiobooks/detail/?writing-the-tv-drama-series/pamela-douglas+/&id=0001191
1
Synopsis: Expertly narrated by Charon Normand-Widmer, this complete and unabridged audio book edition of Pamela
Douglas' "Writing The TV Drama Series: How to Succeed as a Professional Writer in TV" is an invaluable informational
resource for anyone who wants to write and produce a television drama series or create an original series, as well as for
teachers in screenwriting classes and workshops.
"Writing The TV Drama Series" leads listeners step-by-step through each stage of the development and writing process,
offering practical industry information and artistic inspiration. This edition also takes listeners into the future, engaging
provocative issues about the interface between traditional TV and emerging technologies. And it's the single most
comprehensive source on what is happening in original television drama around the world, with surveys of fifteen
countries.
Critique: A complete course of instruction, the "Writing The TV Drama Series: How to Succeed as a Professional Writer in
TV" audio book is available from Dreamscape Media in both a tradition CD edition and in an MP3-CD format -- making it
an ideal and unreservedly recommended addition to personal, professional, and community library Writing/Publishing audio
book collections. It should be noted that "Writing The TV Drama Series" is also available in a digital book format (Kindle,
$19.47), as well as a Library Binding edition (9781615932078, $45.00) from Michael Wiese Productions).
Editorial Note: Pamela Douglas is an award-winning writer with numerous credits in television drama. She is also the
author of The Future of Television: Your Guide to Creating TV in the New World (MWP 2015). She consults
internationally to professional TV writers and producers, and has lectured in Africa, Europe and throughout the United
States. Douglas was awarded the Humanitas Prize for Between Mother and Daughter (CBS), an original drama that also
won nomination for a Writers Guild Award. Multiple Emmy nominations and awards, and awards from American Women
in Radio and Television went to her other dramas. She was a creator of the series Ghostwriter, and wrote for many shows
including Star Trek: The Next Generation, named one of the top 100 shows by the Writers Guild of America She has also
been a member of the Board of Directors of the Writers Guild of America, West.
Deep Sleep
Steven Konkoly, author
Seth Podowitz, narrator
Brilliance Audio
www.brillianceaudio.com
9781713623847, $14.99, MP3-CD (10 Hours 18 Minutes)
https://www.amazon.com/Deep-Sleep-Steven-Konkoly/dp/1713623846
Synopsis: Countersurveillance expert Devin Gray is unwittingly thrown headfirst into dangerous new territory after the
death of his mother. Helen Gray, a paranoid and disgraced former CIA officer, believed she was on the verge of preventing a
national catastrophe -- a mission worth dying for. Others, including Devin, believe she was chasing delusions. Until he finds
what she left behind.
With the help of longtime friend and former Marine helicopter pilot Marnie Young and a loyal team of covert operatives
Helen summoned just before her death, Devin is propelled into a high-stakes chase across the country. What he uncovers,
clue by clue, is a conspiracy more widespread and insidious than anyone could have imagined.
Now it's Devin's mission to destroy a covert network poised to deliver a fatal blow to the future of the United States. And
also to vindicate his mother, by seeing the mission through to its treacherous end.
Critique: Doing full justice to novelist Steven Konkoly's political thriller "Deep Sleep", this complete and unabridged
Brilliance audio book production deftly narrated by Seth Podowitz is a compelling 'theatre of the mind' experience and will
prove a welcome addition to personal and community library Action/Adventure Mystery audio book collections.
Editorial Note #1: Steven Konkoly (www.stevenkonkoly.com) is a graduate of the US Naval Academy, and a veteran of
several regular and elite US Navy and Marine Corps units. He has brought his in-depth military experience to bear in his
fiction, which includes The Rescue, The Raid, The Mountain, and Skystorm in the Ryan Decker series; the speculative
postapocalyptic thrillers The Jakarta Pandemic and The Perseid Collapse; the Fractured State series; the Black Flagged
series; and the Zulu Virus Chronicles.
Editorial Note #2: Seth Podowitz (https://www.sethpodowitz.com) is passionate about storytelling in audio, particularly in
audiobooks. In 2017, Seth began working in audiobooks as a director, engineer, and editor for Mosaic Audio in Los
Angeles, and he began narrating the following year. Since then he has narrated over 50 books for independent authors and
publishers such as Harper Audio, Blackstone Audio, and Dreamscape Media.
The Fashion Orphans
Randy Susan Meyers & M. J. Rose, authors
Mia Barron & Callie Beaulieu, narrators
Brilliance Audio
www.brillianceaudio.com
9781713645641, $14.99, MP3-CD (10 Hours 7 Minutes)
https://www.amazon.com/Fashion-Orphans-Randy-Susan-Meyers/dp/1713645645
Synopsis: Estranged half-sisters Gabrielle Winslow and Lulu Quattro have only two things in common: mounds of debt and
coils of unresolved enmity toward Bette Bradford, their controlling and imperious recently deceased mother.
Gabrielle, the firstborn, was raised in relative luxury on Manhattan's rarefied Upper East Side. Now, at fifty-five, her life as
a Broadway costume designer married to a heralded Broadway producer has exploded in divorce.
Lulu, who spent half her childhood under the tutelage of her working-class Brooklyn grandparents, is a grieving widow at
forty-eight. With her two sons grown, her life feels reduced to her work at the Ditmas Park bakery owned by her late
husband's family.
The two sisters arrive for the reading of their mother's will, expecting to divide a sizable inheritance, pay off their debts, and
then again turn their backs on each other. But to their shock, what they have been left is their mother's secret walk-in closet
jammed with high-end current and vintage designer clothes and accessories -- most from Chanel.
Contemplating the scale of their mother's self-indulgence, the sisters can't help but wonder if Lauren Weisberger had it
wrong: because it seems, in fact, that the devil wore Chanel. But as they being to explore their mother's collection, meet and
fall in love with her group of warm, wonderful friends, and magically find inspiring messages tucked away in her treasures -
it seems as though their mother is advising Lulu and Gabrielle from the beyond -- helping them rediscover themselves and
restore their relationship with each other.
Critique: Of special appeal to anyone with an interest in women's literature and family drama, "The Fashion Orphans by
co-authors Randy Susan Meyers and M. J. Rose is impressively performed by the vocal tales of co-narrators Mia Barron and
Callie Beaulieu in this complete and unabridged Brilliance Audio production. Original, compelling, and flawlessly
produced, "The Fashion Orphans" is unreservedly recommended for both personal and community library Contemporary
General Fiction audio book collections.
Editorial Note #1: Randy Susan Meyers (https://randysusanmeyers.com) is the author of the critically acclaimed The
Murderer's Daughters, which was chosen as a Massachusetts Center for the Book "Must-Read Book" and a finalist for the
Massachusetts Book Award.
Editorial Note #2: M.J. Rose (https://www.mjrose.com/content) has appeared in many magazines including Oprah
Magazine and The Adventurine and she has been featured in the New York Times, Newsweek, Wall Street Journal, Time,
USA Today and on The Today Show, and NPR radio. Rose is also the co-founder of 1001DarkNights.com and
TheBlueBoxPress.com
Editorial Note #3: Mia Barron (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mia_Barron) is an American actor known for her extensive
New York City theater credits, alongside her television and independent film work. She is also known as the voice of
Molotov Cocktease and Sally Impossible on the Cartoon Network's long-running comic science-fiction series,
Editorial Note #4: Callie Beaulieu (https://www.calliebeaulieu.com/audiobooks) is a NY/CT based audiobook narrator and
self-professed vintage gal with a love for narrating fiction and non-fiction titles alike. A mature voice that draws on a life
marinated in travel, adventure and experience, Callie delivers performances infused with gravitas, humor and over 30 years
of experience as an actor and storyteller.
The Lobotomist's Wife
Samantha Greene Woodruff, author
Cassandra Campbell, narrator
Brilliance Audio
www.brillianceaudio.com
9781713638155, $14.99, MP3-CD (9 Hours 3 Minutes)
https://www.amazon.com/Lobotomists-Wife-Samantha-Greene-Woodruff/dp/1713638150
Synopsis: Since her brother took his life after WWI, Ruth Emeraldine has had one goal: to help those suffering from mental
illness. Then she falls in love with charismatic Robert Apter -- who is a brilliant doctor championing a radical new
treatment, the lobotomy. Ruth believes in it as a miracle treatment and in Robert as its genius pioneer. But as her husband
spirals into deluded megalomania, Ruth can't ignore her growing suspicions. Robert is operating on patients recklessly, often
with horrific results. And a vulnerable young mother, Margaret Baxter, is poised to be his next victim.
Margaret can barely get out of bed, let alone care for her infant. When Dr. Apter diagnoses her with the baby blues and
proposes a lobotomy, she believes the procedure is her only hope. Only Ruth can save her (and scores of others) from the
harrowing consequences of Robert's ambitions.
Critique: Inspired by a genuinely shocking and quite real chapter in American medical history, "The Lobotomist's Wife" is
author Samantha Greene Woodruff debut as a published author. It is a compelling and deftly written novel of a woman
fighting against the most grievous odds, of ego, and of the best medical intentions gone horribly awry. This complete and
unabridged audio book edition of "The Lobotomist's Wife" from Brilliance Audio is vividly and effectively narrated by
Cassandra Campbell and a highly recommended addition to personal and community library General Fiction audio book
collections.
Editorial Note #1: Samantha Greene Woodruff (https://www.samanthawoodruff.com) has a BA in history from Wesleyan
University and an MBA from the NYU Stern School of Business. She spent most of her career telling stories to executives
at MTV Networks as the senior vice president of strategy and business development and, subsequently, audience research
for the Nickelodeon Kids & Family Group. After leaving corporate life, she pursued her varied passions, teaching yoga,
cooking, and taking classes at the Writing Institute at Sarah Lawrence College. It was here that she combined her
multifaceted background with her wild imagination and passion for history, reading, and writing.
Editorial Note #2: Cassandra Campbell has recorded nearly two hundred audiobooks and directed many more. She has been
nominated for and won multiple Audie Awards, as well as the prestigious Odyssey Award. She has received numerous
starred audio reviews in both Publishers Weekly and Library Journal and more than twenty AudioFile Earphones Awards.
Cassandra was also named a Best Voice by AudioFile for 2009 and 2010.
The Night Burns Bright
Rose Barkan, author
Kirby Heyborne, narrator
Brilliance Audio
www.brillianceaudio.com
9781713649892, $24.99, MP3-CD (13 Hours 17 Minutes)
https://www.amazon.com/Night-Burns-Bright-Novel/dp/1713649896
Synopsis: Lucien has everything he needs: a loving mama, a library full of books, and House of Earth, a private school
nestled safely in the woods of upstate New York. It's where Lucien is taught the importance of living in harmony with
nature and building a peaceful and sustainable future. But when his youthful curiosity draws him into town and to Gabrielle,
a public-school student living a life wholly different from his own, Lucien's inquisitiveness about life beyond the commune
and questions regarding the events of 9/11 threaten to unbalance everything he thought he knew.
Slowly, things begin to change at House of Earth. The outside world is off limits. Security measures tighten. New rules are
put in place, and anyone who violates them is asked to leave and never spoken of again.
As forbidden questions pile up, Lucien's willingness to obey weakens. Continuing to meet Gabrielle in secret only reinforces
his gnawing fear that something about his world is terribly wrong. Unable to remain silent any longer, Lucien will soon
discover that looking for answers at House of Earth may be the most dangerous rule he can break.
Critique: Of particular interest to readers with its deft blending of a coming of age story and cult oriented suspense, "The
Night Burns Bright" by novelist Ross Barkan is brought vividly to life in a true 'theatre of the mind' experience by narrator
Kirby Heyborne in this complete and unabridged audio book from Brilliance Audio. Simply stated, "The Night Burns
Bright" will prove to be an outstanding and enduringly valued addition to both personal and community library Literary
Fiction audio book collections.
Editorial Note #1: Ross Barkan (https://rossbarkan.com) is a novelist and journalist from New York City. He has published
two previous books, Demolition Night and The Prince, and his journalism and essays have appeared in a wide variety of
outlets, including the New York Times, the Nation, the Guardian, and the New Yorker.
Editorial Note #2: Kirby Heyhorne (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kirby_Heyborne) is an American actor, musician, singer,
songwriter, narrator and comedian. He is known for his work in films centered around the culture of the Church of Jesus
Christ of Latter-day Saints. Heyborne has also worked extensively as an audiobook narrator, narrating more than 300 books.
He has won two Odyssey Awards and an Audie Award for Middle Grade Title. In 2015, Booklist named him a Voice of
Choice narrator.
The Raven Spell
Luanne G. Smith, author
Susannah Jones, narrator
Brilliance Audio
www.brillianceaudio.com
9781713626206, $14.99, MP3-CD (8 Hours 54 Minutes)
https://www.amazon.com/Raven-Spell-Luanne-G-Smith/dp/1713626209
Synopsis: After a nearly fatal blow to the skull, traumatized private detective Ian Cameron is found dazed and confused on a
muddy riverbank in Victorian London. Among his effects: a bloodstained business card bearing the name of a master wizard
and a curious pocket watch that doesn't seem to tell time. To retrieve his lost memories, Ian demands answers from Edwina
and Mary Blackwood, sister witches with a murky past. But as their secret is slowly unveiled, a dangerous mystery emerges
on the darkened streets of London.
To help piece together Ian's lost time, he and Edwina embark on a journey that will take them from the river foreshore to an
East End music hall, and on to a safe house for witches in need of sanctuary from angry mortals. The clues they find suggest
a link between a series of gruesome murders, a missing person's case, and a dreadful suspicion that threatens to tear apart the
bonds of sisterhood. As the investigation deepens, could Ian and Edwina be the next to die?
Critique: Magnificently performed by the impressive vocal storytelling talents of Susannah Jones, this complete and
unabridged audio book edition of "The Raven Spell" by Luanne G. Smith will have immense appeal to historical fantasy
fans and gothic fiction enthusiasts -- making it an immediately and enduringly welcome addition to personal and community
library Victorian era fantasy fiction audio book collections.
Editorial Note #1: Luanne G. Smith (www.luannegsmith.com) is the Amazon Charts and Washington Post bestselling
author of The Vine Witch, The Glamourist, and The Conjurer.
Editorial Note #2: Susannah Jones is an audiobook narrator, writer and actress with over 150 books under her own name
and her pseudonym. Her work on "Rock Chick" by Kristen Ashley was one of the top five Audible romance listens in 2014
and she and her alter ego have two AudioFile Earphones awards.
https://www.audible.com/search?searchNarrator=Susannah+Jones
A Hard Day for a Hangover
Darynda Jones, author
Lorelei King, narrator
Macmillan Audio
www.macmillanaudio.com
9781250851987, $39.99, CD (10.5 Hours)
https://www.amazon.com/Hard-Day-Hangover-Sunshine-Vicram/dp/125085198X
Synopsis: Some people greet the day with open arms. Sheriff Sunshine Vicram would rather give it a hearty shove and get
back into bed, because there's just too much going on right now. There's a series of women going missing, and Sunny feels
powerless to stop it.
Then there is also her persistent and awesomely-rebellious daughter Auri, who's out to singlehandedly become Del Sol's
youngest and fiercest investigator.
And then there's drama with Levi Ravinder -- the guy she's loved and lusted after for years. The guy who might just be her
one and only. The guy who comes from a family of disingenuous vipers looking to oust him (and Sunshine) for good. -- The
new day can take a hike.
Critique: Darynda Jones fans are invited to spend a fun time listening to gifted narrator Lorelei King's complete and
unabridged audio book production of "A Hard Day for a Hangover" (the finale of the three-arc trilogy comprising the
Sunshine Victam series. Especially of interest to fans of cozy mysteries and police procedurals, "A Hard Day for a
Hangover" is strongly recommended as an enduringly appreciated addition to community library Mystery/Suspense audio
book collections.
Editorial Note #1: Darynda Jones (https://darynda.com) has won numerous awards for her work, including a prestigious
RITA, a Golden Heart, and a Daphne du Maurier, and her books have been translated into 17 languages. She also penned
the Charley Davidson series.
Editorial Note #2: Lorelei King (https://www.loreleiking.com/audiobooks.html) has recorded over 200 audiobooks,
including several titles from Janet Evanovich's Stephanie Plum series and Darynda Jones's Charley Davidson series. Her
many awards include the 2008 Audie Award for Female Solo Narration for Tallgrass by Sandra Dallas, the Radio Times
performer of the Year for The Blind Assassin by Margaret Atwood, and AudioFile Earphones Awards for Eleven on Top
and Twelve Sharp, both by Janet Evanovich. AudioFile also deemed her one of the "Best Voices of 2008."
Legacy: A Novel
Nora Roberts, author
January LaVoy, narrator
Macmillan Audio
www.macmillanaudio.com
9781250802354, $44.99, CD, (8 Hours)
https://us.macmillan.com/books/9781250802354/legacy
Synopsis: Adrian Rizzo was seven when she met her father for the first time. That was the day he nearly killed her -- before
her mother, Lina, stepped in.
Soon after, Adrian was dropped off at her grandparents' house in Maryland, where she spent a long summer drinking
lemonade, playing with dogs, making a new best friend - and developing the stirrings of a crush on her friend's ten-year-old
brother. Lina, meanwhile, traveled the country promoting her fitness brand and turning it into a billion-dollar business.
There was no point in dwelling on the past.
A decade later, Adrian has created her own line of yoga and workout videos, following in Lina's footsteps but intent on
maintaining creative control. And she's just as cool-headed and ambitious as her mother. They aren't close, but they're
cordial -- as long as neither crosses the other.
But while Lina dismisses the death threats that Adrian starts getting as a routine part of her daughter's growing celebrity,
Adrian can't help but find the vicious rhymes unsettling. Year after year, they keep arriving - the postmarks changing, but
the menacing tone the same. They continue after she returns to Maryland and becomes reacquainted with Raylan, her
childhood crush, all grown up and as gorgeously green-eyed as ever.
Sometimes it even seems like the terrifying messages are indeed routine, like nothing will come of them. Until the murders
start, and the escalation begins!
Critique: A 'must' for the legions of Nora Roberts fans, this complete and unabridged audio book edition of "Legacy" is
brilliantly narrated by by the vocal storytelling talents of January LaVoy. The result is a welcome, enduringly, and highly
recommended addition to personal and community library Romance audio book collections and acquisition lists.
Editorial Note #1: Nora Roberts (https://noraroberts.com) is the #1 New York Times bestselling author of more than 200
novels, including Shelter in Place, Year One, Come Sundown, and many more. She is also the author of the bestselling In
Death series written under the pen name J.D. Robb. There are more than five hundred million copies of her books in
print.
Editorial Note #2: January LaVoy (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/January_LaVoy) is an American actress and audiobook
narrator who (as an audiobook narrator), received five Audie Awards and been a finalist for nineteen. In 2013, she won
Publishers Weekly's Listen Up Award for Audiobook Narrator of the Year. In 2019, AudioFile named her a Golden Voice
narrator.
A World of Curiosities
Louise Penny, author
Robert Bathurst, narrator
Macmillan Audio
www.macmillanaudio.com
9781250887382, $39.99, CD (13.5 Hours)
https://us.macmillan.com/books/9781250887382/aworldofcuriosities
Synopsis: It's spring and Three Pines is reemerging after the harsh winter. But not everything buried should come alive
again. Not everything lying dormant should reemerge. -- But something has!
As the villagers prepare for a special celebration, Armand Gamache and Jean-Guy Beauvoir find themselves increasingly
worried. A young man and woman have reappeared in the S rete du Quebec investigators' lives after many years. The two
were young children when their troubled mother was murdered, leaving them damaged, shattered. Now they've arrived in
the village of Three Pines. -- But to what end?
Gamache and Beauvoir's memories of that tragic case, the one that first brought them together, come rushing back. Did their
mother's murder hurt them beyond repair? Have those terrible wounds, buried for decades, festered and are now about to
erupt?
As Chief Inspector Gamache works to uncover answers, his alarm grows when a letter written by a long dead stone mason is
discovered. In it the man describes his terror when bricking up an attic room somewhere in the village. Every word of the
160-year-old letter is filled with dread. When the room is found, the villagers decide to open it up.
As the bricks are removed, Gamache, Beauvoir and the villagers discover a world of curiosities. But the head of homicide
soon realizes there's more in that room than meets the eye. There are puzzles within puzzles, and hidden messages warning
of mayhem and revenge.
In unsealing that room, an old enemy is released into their world. Into their lives. And into the very heart of Armand
Gamache's home.
Critique: Robert Bathurst's impressive vocal talents and in full sway with the Macmillan audio book production of novelist
Louise Penny's "A World of Curiosities". This complete and unabridged audio book experience offers the listener Providing
several hours of an inherently compelling suspense thriller that is an especially and unreservedly recommended addition to
personal and community library Mystery/Suspense audio book collections.
Editorial Note #1: Louise Penny (https://www.louisepenny.com) is the author of the Chief Inspector Armand Gamache
novels. She has won numerous awards, including a CWA Dagger and the Agatha Award (five times) and was a finalist for
the Edgar Award for Best Novel.
Editorial Note #2: Robert Bathurst has an informative interview about his work with novelist Louise Penny at
https://audiofilemagazine.com/narrators/robert-bathurst
The Villa
Rachel Hawkins, author
Shiromi Arserio, Julia Whelan, and Kimberly Wetherell, narrators
Macmillan Audio
www.macmillanaudio.com
9781250878977, $39.99, CD (7 Hours, 57 Minutes)
https://www.amazon.com/Villa-Novel-Rachel-Hawkins/dp/1250878977
Synopsis: As kids, Emily and Chess were inseparable. But by their 30s, their bond has been strained by the demands of their
adult lives. So when Chess suggests a girls trip to Italy, Emily jumps at the chance to reconnect with her best friend.
Villa Aestas in Orvieto is a high-end holiday home now, but in 1974, it was known as Villa Rosato, and rented for the
summer by a notorious rock star, Noel Gordon. In an attempt to reignite his creative spark, Noel invites up-and-coming
musician, Pierce Sheldon to join him, as well as Pierce's girlfriend, Mari, and her stepsister, Lara. But he also sets in motion
a chain of events that leads to Mari writing one of the greatest horror novels of all time, Lara composing a platinum album -
- and ends in Pierce's brutal murder.
As Emily digs into the villa's complicated history, she begins to think there might be more to the story of that fateful
summer in 1974. That perhaps Pierce's murder wasn't just a tale of sex, drugs, and rock & roll gone wrong, but that
something more sinister might have occurred - - and that there might be clues hidden in the now-iconic works that Mari and
Lara left behind.
Yet the closer that Emily gets to the truth, the more tension she feels developing between her and Chess. As secrets from the
past come to light, equally dangerous betrayals from the present also emerge -- and it begins to look like the villa will claim
another victim before the summer ends.
Critique: This complete and unabridged audio book edition of Rachel Hawkins' novel, "The Villa" is deftly narrated by the
impressive storytelling talents of a team of truly gifted vocal actors -- Shiromi Arserio, Julia Whelan, and Kimberly M.
Wetherell. This Macmillan Audio edition of "The Villa" is a strongly recommended addition to both personal and
community library Mystery/Suspense audio book collections.
Editorial Note #1: Rachel Hawkins (https://www.rachelhawkinsbooks.com) is the author of The Wife Upstairs and Reckless
Girls, as well as multiple books for young readers. Her work has been translated in over a dozen countries. She studied
gender and sexuality in Victorian literature at Auburn University.
Editorial Note #2: Shiromi Arserio (https://www.shiromispeaks.com) has worked as a voice actor. As an audiobook narrator
she has narrated over 200 titles for major publishers. She is an Audie Finalist and recently won an Earphones Award for The
Last Garden in England which she co-narrated. She has a knack for accents and love Science Fiction & Fantasy, as well as
YA and Romance and is a member of SAG-AFTRA.
Editorial Note #3: Julia Whelan (https://jmwhelan.com/narrator) Has narrated over 400 audiobooks in all genres, She has
been repeatedly featured on Audiofile Magazine's annual Best-Of Lists. She was named Audible's Narrator of the Year in
2014 and is a Grammy-nominated audiobook director. She has acquired multiple Audies and SOVAS (Society of Voice
Arts) Awards, including for the performance of her own novel, My Oxford Year. She has won dozens of Earphone Awards,
The Audie Award for Best Female Narrator of 2019, and was presented with Audiofile Magazine's Lifetime Achievement
Golden Voice Award in 2020.
Editorial Note #4: Kimberly M. Wetherrell (http://www.voxkimberly.com) is an award-winning SAG-AFTRA audiobook
narrator and director who has worked with Penguin Random House, Macmillan, HarperCollins, Simon & Schuster, and
audiobook producers including Blackstone, Dreamscape, Deyan Audio, and Orange Sky Audio, among others.
What Rose Forgot
Nevada Barr, author
Kate Burton, narrator
Macmillan Audio
www.macmillanaudio.com
9781250240965, $39.99, CD
https://www.amazon.com/What-Rose-Forgot-Nevada-Barr/dp/1250240964
Synopsis: Rose Dennis wakes up in a hospital gown, her brain in a fog, only to discover that she's been committed to an
Alzheimer's Unit in a nursing home. With no memory of how she ended up in this position, Rose is sure that something is
very wrong. When she overhears one of the administrators saying about her that she's "not making it through the week,"
Rose is convinced that if she's to survive, she has to get out of the nursing home. She avoids taking her medication, putting
on a show for the aides, then stages her escape.
The only problem is -- how does she convince anyone that she's not actually demented? Her relatives were the ones to
commit her, all the legal papers were drawn up, the authorities are on the side of the nursing home, and even she isn't sure
she sounds completely sane. But any lingering doubt Rose herself might have had is erased when a would-be killer shows
up in her house in the middle of the night. Now Rose knows that someone is determined to get rid of her.
With the help of her computer hacker/recluse sister Marion, thirteen-year old granddaughter Mel, and Mel's friend Royal,
Rose begins to gather her strength and fight back - to find out who is after her and take back control of her own life. But
someone out there is still determined to kill Rose, and they're holding all the cards!
Critique: Author Nevada Barr's psychological thriller of a novel is vividly brought to life by the narrative storytelling styles
of vocal acting professional Kate Burton. This complete and unabridged audio book edition from Macmillan Audio is a
'must' for the legions of Nevada Barr fans and an unreservedly recommended addition to community library audio book
collections.
Editorial Note #1: Nevada Barr (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nevada_Barr) received a BA in speech and drama and her
MFA in Acting. For eighteen years she worked on stage, in commercials, industrial training films and did voice-overs for
radio. Nevada also wrote and presented campfire stories, taught storytelling and was a travel writer and restaurant critic. Her
first novel, Bittersweet was published in 1983.
Editorial Note #2: Katherine Burton (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kate_Burton_(actress) is a British/Swiss actress, the
daughter of Welsh actors Richard Burton and Sybil Christopher. On television, Burton received critical acclaim as Ellis
Grey in the Shonda Rhimes drama series Grey's Anatomy, and as Vice President Sally Langston on Scandal. She has been
nominated for three Primetime Emmy Awards and three Tony Awards.
The Library CD Shelf
African Yoga
Curated by Dan Storper and Sean Johnson
Putumayo
www.putumayo.com
$14.98 CD / $9.49 MP3
https://www.amazon.com/African-Yoga-Putumayo-Presents/dp/B0BW32LW4T
African Yoga: A Peaceful Soundtrack for Yoga and Relaxation is an international anthology of songs, each by a different
performer, co-curated by Putumayo World Music founder Dan Storper and New Orleans musician and yoga instructor Sean
Johnson. An album download card and liner notes are included with the music CD; African Yoga is also available as an
MP3 download or on streaming services. Transcendent, calming, and with beautiful lyrics in a multiplicity of languages,
African Yoga is highly recommended especially for world music connoisseurs. The tracks are Mako Mady, Birth of a River,
Kumbatia, Au Revoir, Ndikhawulele, Na, C'est La Vie, Mon Amour, Ekanasong, Miliamba, Ndikhethe Wena, and Land of
Anaka.
Mighty Poplar
Mighty Poplar
mightypoplar.com
Free Dirt Records
freedirt.net
$14.98 CD / $19.99 vinyl / $8.99 MP3
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0BRP4RYZK
Mighty Poplar is the self-titled debut bluegrass album featuring Andrew Marlin on vocals, mandolin, and guitar; Noam
Pikelny on banjo and vocals; Chris Eldridge on guitar, vocals, and mandolin; Greg Garrison on bass and vocals; and Alex
Hargreaves on fiddle. This lively performance of beloved classic roots music selections encourages the listener to hum or
move with joy. Highly recommended! The tracks are A Distant Land To Roam, Up on the Divide, Grey Eagle, Lovin' Babe,
Blackjack Davy, North Country Blues, Little Joe, Let Him Go On Mama, Kicking Up The Devil On A Holiday / Dr.
Hecock's Jig, and Story of Isaac. 42 min.
Once Upon a Summertime: The Music of Blossom Dearie
Sharon Sable and Joe Holt
SharonSableMusic.com
JoeHoltNotes.com
Privately Published
$TBA
Once Upon a Summertime: The Music of Blossom Dearie is the collaboration of Sharon Sable (vocals) and Joe Holt (piano)
presenting a new performance of timeless jazz classics immortalized by legendary singer and pianist Margrethe Blossom
Dearie (1924-2009). A rich, multilayered journey, Once Upon a Summertime is a soundscape treasure for jazz connoisseurs
and public library collections, highly recommended. The tracks are Little Jazz Bird, You Fascinate Me So, Down With
Love, Once Upon a Summertime, L'etang, They Say it's Spring, Surrey With the Fringe on Top, Inside a Silent Tear,
Gentleman Friend, Boum, Tea For Two, and I Like You You're Nice.
Opening
Chris Keefe
Zugzwangbebop Records
$13.98 CD / $6.93 MP3
https://www.amazon.com/Opening-Chris-Keefe/dp/B0BWK9G5BM
Chris Keefe on piano, Harvie S. on bass, and Adam Nussbaum on drums present Opening, an instrumental jazz album
featuring three original songs and three covers. Vivacious, evocative, and powerful, Opening is an exciting and worthy
addition to jazz connoisseur collections! The tracks are Got a Chick? Modern, Along Came Betty, I Fall in Love Too Easily,
Just in Time, Chobim, and Dream.
The Toronto Project
The Composers Collective Big Band
www.christianovertonmusic.com/ccbb
Privately Published
$TBA bandcamp.com
The Composers Collective Big Band presents their new album The Toronto Project, for which Toronto's top jazz composers
were commissioned to write about neighborhoods and aspects of Toronto that inspire them the most. The eight even-
numbered tracks are songs from various music artists celebrating life in Toronto, and the eight odd-numbered tracks are
field recordings from around Toronto. The Toronto Project encapsulates inspiration and local character in an unforgettable
expression of contemporary jazz, highly recommended especially for connoisseurs of the genre. The even-numbered tracks
are West Toronto Ode, Non-Sequitur, Spadina (Christian Overton), Finding Home, Inside the Toy Factory, Interweave, The
Commuter, and Transit.
Cannon & Sparrow
Emily Braden
emilybraden.com
Privately Published
$TBA CD / $9.49 MP3
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0BS1XZVVC
Vocalist, songwriter, and lyricist Emily Braden blends jazz and soul in Cannon & Sparrow, a music album consisting of
both original compositions and reimagined favorites. Supporting Emily Braden's memorable voice are Tatum Greenblatt on
trumpet, Freddie Bryant on guitar, Misha Piatigorsky on piano and keyboards, Danton Boller on upright bass and electric
bass, and Rudy Royston on drums. Cannon & Sparrow provides a strong, forward-looking message of hope, compassion,
and resilience in troubled times. Highly recommended! The tracks are Beautiful Friendship, Swell, Sweet Little Dream,
Superhero, On a Clear Day, How Will I Know, Everytime, Sister Sadie, Strength of Love, and Aphelion.
Underdog
Redline Trio
www.redlinetrio.com
Chronograph Records
$TBA CD / $41.80 vinyl / $6.99 MP3
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0BV7JP95G
Underdog is an instrumental music album by Redline trio - Mark DeJong on tenor saxophone, Steve Shepard on bass, and
Jeff Sulima on drums. Additional contributions from Brad Turner on trumpet and Steve Hudson on piano enrich this
original collection of adventurous jazz. Captivating and flavorful, Underdog is a choice pick for connoisseurs seeking to
experience a fresh take on the genre, highly recommended. The tracks are No Limes for Jeffery, The Waltz, Veluwe,
Douglas Firs, Galactic Diamonds, and Underdog. 40 min.
Rez-de-chaussee
Greenhouse Ensemble
www.greenhouse-ensemble.com
Privately Published
$15.00 CD / $10.00 digital (in CAD)
https://greenhouseensemble.bandcamp.com/album/rez-de-chauss-e
Rez-de-chaussee (meaning "ground floor") is the debut EP music album by Canadian jazz performers Greenhouse
Ensemble. Seven Quebec artists combine their talents: Camille Brousseau on violin, William Lussier on trumpet, Roxane
Reddy on vocals, Louis-Martin Ruest on guitar, Christophe Magnan-Bosse on piano, Benjamin Lavoie-Doyon on bass, and
Simon Desrosiers on drums. Listening to their extraordinary collaboration is like exploring a grand, beautifully historic
house for the first time. Expressive and inviting, Rez-de-chaussee is a joy for connoisseurs of the genre and highly
recommended. The tracks are Introduction, Beyond Me, The Cost of Lies, Medina, Toupet carre, and Lucioles.
Three
Eric Lilley Trio
Twin Goat Music
$TBA CD / $8.91 MP3
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0BJP95668
Three is an original, instrumental album of songs composed by Eric Lilley and performed by the Eric Lilley Trio - Mark
Diamond on bass, Tony Black on drums, and Eric Lilley on piano (Jose Espino contributes percussion to "Goats" and
"Visiting Hours"). The tracks vary in nature from solo piano, to swing, to introspective calm. Three is a spry and captivating
collection ideal for sparking inspirational creativity in the listener; highly recommended. The tracks are Goats, Jereices'
Step, Kendras' Waltz, Bill Evans, May Day, About Face, Few and Far Between, Any Day Now, and Visiting Hours.
The DVD Shelf
Aftertaste: Season 2
Acorn Media
c/o RLJ Entertainment
www.us.RLJEntertainment.com
www.acornonline.com
AMP-2974, $34.99, DVD
https://www.imdb.com/title/tt13028580/episodes?season=2
Synopsis: Satirical comedy at its best, Season 2 of "Aftertaste" is a DVD that comprises all six episodes of the second
season of this simply outstanding Australian television sitcom masterpiece that is a continuation of the adventures (and
misadventures) of chef Easton West (Erik Thomson) who had fled back to his Australian hometown after scandal for the
purpose of reinventing himself through an unlikely partnership with his 19-year-old pastry wunderkind niece (Natalie
Abbott).
For those new to "Aftertaste", Series 1 is also readily available at:
https://www.amazon.com/Episode-3/dp/B09KGJKN59
Critique: "Aftertaste: Series 1 & 2" is an Australian sitcom distinguished by culinary flair and savory wit! Certain to be an
immediately welcome and enduringly popular addition to personal and community library DVD collections, "Aftertaste:
Series 1 & 2" is wonderfully cozy and highly recommended.
The Woodworking Shelf
Bookcases, Built-Ins & Cabinets
Fine Homebuilding & Fine Woodworking
The Taunton Press
63 South Main Street, Newtown, CT 06470
www.taunton.com
9781641551878, $24.99, PB, 224pp
https://www.amazon.com/Bookcases-Built-Ins-Cabinets-Homebuilding-Woodworking/dp/1641551879
Synopsis: Everyone needs more storage -- whether for household items and kitchenwares, books and other media, or just
plain stuff. That's why building bookcases, built-ins, and cabinets is so popular among carpenters and woodworkers,
whether the project is a simple shelved built-in or a high-style bookcase. Although building a basic box is fairly easy,
constructing one that will hold a heavy load and has style takes some design savvy. Originally published in 2012, this new
edition of "Bookcases, Built-Ins & Cabinets" from Taunton Press is an invaluable collection of articles from Fine
Homebuilding and Fine Woodworking magazines, featuring some of America's most accomplished carpenters and
woodworkers who contribute their DIY advice on building sturdy bookcases, built-ins, and cabinets.
Critique: Beautifully and informative illustrated throughout, and an essential, core addition to personal, professional, and
community library woodworking collections, "Bookcases, Built-Ins & Cabinets" is an ideal DIY instructional guide and
'how-to' manual that is especially appropriate for the woodworking hobbiest and homeowner.
Editorial Note: Fine Homebuilding (www.finehomebuilding.com) has been providing information and inspiration to those
passionate about quality home improvement, renovation, and construction since 1981. Fine Woodworking
(www.finewoodworking.com) has been publishing the best woodworking information for small shop woodworkers since
1975.
The Automotive Shelf
The Van Conversion Bible
Charlie Low, author
Dale Comley, author
Hardie Grant Books
https://www.hardiegrant.com/us/books
9781784886042, $40.00, HC, 336pp
https://www.amazon.com/Van-Conversion-Bible-Converting-Campervan/dp/1784886041
Synopsis: With the publication of "The Van Conversion Bible", co-authors Charlie Low and Dale Comely provide the
ultimate DIY guide to planning, designing, and converting a campervan.
Charlie Low and Dale Comley provide definitive answers to your questions (even the ones you haven't thought of yet!) and
will be instrumental in helping you build the campervan of your dreams.
From detailed gas, water, and electrical system diagrams to a step-by-step build guide, you will find that "The Van
Conversion Bibles includes everything you need to know in order to start your own journey and hit the open road.
Critique: Exceptionally well written, organized and presented, "The Van Conversion Bible: The Ultimate Guide to
Converting a Campervan" truly lives up to its title. Profusely and informatively illustrated throughout, "The Van Conversion
Bible" is the ideal DIY instructive 'how-to' manual and an unreservedly recommended addition to personal, professional,
and community library Automotive Customization collections. It should be noted for personal reading lists that "The Van
Conversion Bible" is also available in a digital book format (Kindle, $9.99).
Editorial Note: Co-authors Charlie Low and Dale Comley (aka climbingvan.co.uk) are two climbers with a passion for
design and DIY, currently living full-time in their self-built campervan. In 2019, they converted "Ringo", an ex-DHL
delivery van into their home on wheels, however when the time came to give up their 9 - 5 office jobs for life on the road,
COVID hit. And so, with their travel plans scuppered, they decided to use their backgrounds in science and engineering to
write a book about how to convert a campervan. Since April 2021, the couple have been traveling around Europe, searching
out the best climbing spots, and working remotely with the mountains as their backdrop.
The Philosophy Shelf
The Rules of Rescue
Theron Pummer
Oxford University Press
198 Madison Avenue, New York, NY 10016-4314
www.oup.com/us
9780190884147, $29.95, HC, 264pp
https://www.amazon.com/Rules-Rescue-Distance-Effective-Altruism/dp/0190884142
Synopsis: When do you have to sacrifice life and limb, time and money, to prevent harm to others? When must you save
more people rather than fewer? These questions might arise in emergencies involving strangers drowning or trapped in
burning buildings, but they also arise in our everyday lives, in which we confront opportunities to donate time or money to
help distant strangers in need of food, shelter, or medical care. With the resources available, we can provide more help -- or
less.
With the publication of "The Rules of Rescue: Cost, Distance, and Effective Altruism", Professor Theron Pummer argues
that we are often morally required to engage in effective altruism, directing altruistic efforts in ways that help the most.
Even when the personal sacrifice involved makes it morally permissible not to help at all, he contends, it often remains
wrong to provide less help rather than more.
Using carefully crafted examples, Professor Pummer defends the view that helping distant strangers is more morally akin to
rescuing nearby strangers than most of us realize. The ubiquity of opportunities to help distant strangers threatens to make
morality extremely demanding, and Professor Pummer argues, that it is only thanks to adequate permissions grounded in
considerations of cost and autonomy that we may pursue our own plans and projects. He ultimately concludes that many of
us are required to provide no less help over our lives than we would have done if we were effective altruists.
Critique: Having a special appeal and value for readers with an interest in the philosophy underpinning ethics, philanthropy,
charity, and morality, "The Rules of Rescue: Cost, Distance, and Effective Altruism" is a seminal, thought- provoking work
which is unreservedly recommended for personal, professional, community, and academic library Contemporary Philosophy
collections. It should be noted for students, academia, and non-specialist general readers with an interest in the subject that
"The Rules of Rescue: Cost, Distance, and Effective Altruism" is also available in a digital book format (Kindle,
$19.99).
Editorial Note: Theron Pummer (https://theronpummer.com) is a Senior Lecturer in Philosophy at the University of St
Andrews, and Director of the Centre for Ethics, Philosophy and Public Affairs. Previously he was a Junior Research Fellow
in Philosophy at the University of Oxford. He received his PhD from the University of California, San Diego. Pummer's
articles have been published in such journals as The Journal of Philosophy, Ethics, Philosophy and Public Affairs, Analysis,
Philosophical Studies, Philosophy and Phenomenological Research, and Philosophical Review.
The Literary Studies Shelf
Doing Criticism: Across Literary and Screen Arts
James Chandler
Wiley-Blackwell
www.wiley.com/wiley-blackwell
9781405177795, $59.95, PB, 320pp
https://www.amazon.com/Doing-Criticism-Across-Literary-Literature/dp/1405177799
Synopsis: With the publication of "Doing Criticism: Across Literary and Screen Arts", James Chandler presents a practical
guide to engaging actively and productively with a critical object, whether a film, a novel, or a play. Going beyond the study
of lyric poetry and literature to include motion picture and dramatic arts, "Doing Criticism" offers a unique text that
provides specific advice on how to best write criticism while offering concrete illustrations of what it looks like on the
page.
Divided into two parts, "Doing Criticism" first presents an up-to-date account of the state of criticism in both
Anglo-American and Continental contexts by describing both the longstanding mission and the changing functions of
criticism over the centuries and discussing critical issues that bridge the literary and screen arts in the contemporary
world.
The second part of "Doing Criticism" features a variety of case studies of criticism across media, including works by
canonical authors such as Jane Austen, Charles Dickens, and W. B. Yeats; films such as Coppola's The Conversation and
Hitchcock's Vertigo; screen adaptations of Mary Shelley's Frankenstein and Ishiguro's The Remains of the Day; and a
concluding chapter on several of Spike Lee's film "joints" that brings several of the book's central concepts to bear on work
of a single film auteur.
Helping students of literature and cinema write well about what they find in their reading and viewing, "Doing Criticism":
Discusses how the bridging of the literary arts and screen arts can help criticism flourish in the present day; Illustrates how
the doing of criticism is in practice a particular kind of writing; Considers how to generalize the consequences of criticism
beyond personal growth and gratification; Addresses the ways the practice of criticism matters to the practice of the critical
object; Suggests that doing without criticism is not only unwise, but also perhaps impossible; Features case studies
organized under the rubrics of conversation, adaptation, genre, authorship and seriality
Critique: Comprised of six informative chapters (Doing Criticism/Doing without Criticism; Making of the Critical Essay;
Conversations; Adaptations; Genres; Authorship and Seriality) "Doing Criticism: Across Literary and Screen Arts" is
especially recommended as a curriculum textbook for students in introductory courses in criticism, literary studies, and film
studies, novice book/film/theatre reviewers. Highly recommended for personal, professional, community, and academic
library Literary Criticism collections, it should be noted for students, academic, professional reviewers, as well as general
readers with interest in the subject, that "Doing Criticism: Across Literary and Screen Arts" is also available in a digital
book format (Kindle, $48.00).
Editorial Note: James Chandler (https://english.uchicago.edu/people/james-chandler) is William K. Ogden Distinguished
Service Professor in the Departments of English and Cinema & Media Studies at the University of Chicago, USA. He has
written widely about Romanticism, British and Irish literature since the early Enlightenment, American cinema, and the
relationship of literary criticism to film criticism. He is the author of several books including England in 1819 and An
Archaeology of Sympathy: The Sentimental Mode in Literature and Cinema.
Best Minds
Stevan M. Weine
Fordham University Press
www.fordhampress.com
9781531502669, $34.95, HC, 304pp
https://www.amazon.com/Best-Minds-Ginsberg-Revolutionary-Madness/dp/1531502660
Synopsis: Allen Ginsberg's 1956 poem "Howl" opens with one of the most resonant phrases in modern poetry: "I saw the
best minds of my generation destroyed by madness." Thirty years later, Ginsberg entrusted a Columbia University medical
student with materials not shared with anyone else, including psychiatric records that documented how he and his mother,
Naomi Ginsberg, struggled with mental illness.
With the publication of "Best Minds: How Allen Ginsberg Made Revolutionary Poetry from Madness", psychiatrist,
researcher, and scholar Stevan M. Weine, M.D., who was that medical student, examines how Allen Ginsberg took his
visions and psychiatric hospitalization, his mother's devastating illness, confinement, and lobotomy, and the social
upheavals of the postwar world and imaginatively transformed them.
Though madness is often linked with hardship and suffering, Ginsberg's showed how it could also lead to profound and
redemptive aesthetic, spiritual, and social changes. Through his revolutionary poetry and social advocacy, Ginsberg
dedicated himself to leading others toward new ways of being human and easing pain.
Throughout his celebrated career Ginsberg made us feel as though we knew everything there was to know about him.
However, much has been left out about his experiences growing up with a mentally ill mother, his visions, and his
psychiatric hospitalization.
In "Best Minds", with a forty-year career studying and addressing trauma, Dr. Weine provides a groundbreaking exploration
of the poet and his creative process especially in relation to madness.
"Best Minds" examines the complex relationships between mental illness, psychiatry, trauma, poetry, and prophecy -- using
the access Ginsberg generously shared to offer new, lively, and indispensable insights into an American icon. Dr. Weine
also provides new understandings of the paternalism, treatment failures, ethical lapses, and limitations of American
psychiatry in the 1940s and 1950s.
In light of these new discoveries, the challenges Ginsberg faced appear starker and his achievements, both as a poet and an
advocate, even more remarkable.
Critique: A masterpiece of original and seminal scholarship, "Best Minds: How Allen Ginsberg Made Revolutionary Poetry
from Madness" is informatively enhanced for the reader with the inclusion of a two page listing of Acknowledgments,
nineteen pages of Notes, and an eighteen page Index. An inherently fascinating study, "Best Minds" is especially
commended to the attention of the legions of Allen Ginsberg fans and an important, unreservedly recommended addition to
both community and academic library 20th Century American Literary/Poetry Studies collections. It should be noted for
personal reading lists that "Best Minds" is also available in a digital book format (Kindle, $16.99).
Editorial Note #1: Allen Ginsberg (June 3, 1926 - April 5, 1997) was an American poet and writer. As a student at
Columbia University in the 1940s, he began friendships with William S. Burroughs and Jack Kerouac, forming the core of
the Beat Generation. He vigorously opposed militarism, economic materialism, and sexual repression, and he embodied
various aspects of this counterculture with his views on drugs, sex, multiculturalism, hostility to bureaucracy, and openness
to Eastern religions. (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Allen_Ginsberg)
Editorial Note #2: Dr. Stevan M. Weine (https://www.psych.uic.edu/profile/stevan-m-weine) is Professor of Psychiatry at
the University of Illinois at Chicago College of Medicine, where he is also Director of Global Medicine and Director of the
Center for Global Health. He is the author of two books: "When History Is a Nightmare: Lives and Memories of Ethnic
Cleansing in Bosnia-Herzegovina" and :Testimony and Catastrophe: Narrating the Traumas of Political Violence".
The Judicial Studies Shelf
The Handy Supreme Court Answer Book, second edition
David L. Hudson, Jr. J.D.
Visible Ink Press
43311 Joy Rd., #414, Canton, MI 48187-2075
www.visibleinkpress.com
9781578598236, $57.95, HC, 448pp
https://www.amazon.com/Handy-Supreme-Court-Answer-Book/dp/1578598230
Synopsis: The U.S. Supreme Court, its decisions, and its nominating process for new justices are often in the news, and
given the Trump administration and the machinations of a Republican control Senate with respect to new appointments to
the Supreme Court are increasingly controversial with respect to the American public. Maintaining that the Supreme Court
is often not well understood, with the publication of this newly revised and updated second edition, "The Handy Supreme
Court Answer Book: The History and Issues Explained", Constitutional law professor David L. Hudson, Jr., explains the
cases, processes, and important history with an in-depth primer on the U.S. Supreme Court.
How has the Supreme Court justices' thinking on gun rights, abortion, free speech, freedom of religion, and many other
controversial issues evolved? What were some of the court's most important and monumental decisions -- and failures?
Which justices have (and have had) the most influence on the court? Has the nominating process always been so political
and bitter?
Covering the history, nominating process, and court decisions on individual and other rights as well as a few fun facts, The
Handy Supreme Court Answer Book: The History and Issues Explained by David L. Hudson, Jr., J.D. provides you with
600 answers to questions ranging from: How was the U.S. Supreme Court created?, to Have any Supreme Court justices
been impeached?; to Which Supreme Court justice in the 20th century did not have a law degree?; to Which justice wrote
that he couldn't define obscenity, but "I know it when I see it"?; to When did the Supreme Court invalidate a ban on
interracial marriages? -- and so much more.
Analyzing controversial issues and various points of view, the second edition of "The Handy Supreme Court Answer Book"
sheds a light on the differing and changing interpretations of the critical issues before the court, as well as the confirmation
process and some of the court's most important justices.
Critique: Richly illustrated, and informatively enhanced for the reader with the inclusion of a helpful bibliography, a
glossary, and an extensive index, and thoroughly updated since it was last published fifteen years ago, the second edition of
"The Handy Supreme Court Answer Book" is an invaluable and unreservedly recommended addition to personal,
professional, community, and academic library American Judicial System collections and supplemental curriculum studies
lists. It should be noted for students, academia, and non-specialist general readers with an interest in the subject that the
second edition of "The Handy Supreme Court Answer Book" is also available in a paperback edition (9781578597826,
$29.95) and in a digital book format (Kindle, $11.99).
Editorial Note: David L. Hudson, Jr. (https://www.ascd.org/people/david-l.-hudson-jr.) is a First Amendment Scholar with
the First Amendment Center at Vanderbilt University. He teaches at Vanderbilt University Law School and Nashville
School of Law.
The Library Science Shelf
Thriving as a Mid-Career Librarian
Brandon K. West, editor
Elizabeth Galoozis, editor
ACRL Books Association of College & Research Libraries
c/o American Library Association
225 N. Michigan Ave., Suite 1300, Chicago, IL 60601-7616
https://www.ala.org
9780838939413, $92.00, PB, 358pp
https://www.amazon.com/Thriving-Mid-Career-Librarian-Identity-Advocacy/dp/0838939414
Synopsis: Mid-career librarianship looks different for everyone. Maybe you've worked in libraries for ten years, or you're
halfway to retirement. Maybe you've reached the highest level of a hierarchy you care to reach. Most of the literature about
mid-career librarianship tends to focus on advancing to leadership or administration, but many of us are more concerned
with how to continue to grow professionally without moving upward; how to make decisions about staying in an institution
(or the profession); sustaining yourself amid burnout, constant change, wage compression, or even boredom; and navigating
cultures of white supremacy, patriarchy, and hierarchy.
"Thriving as a Mid-Career Librarian:: Identity, Advocacy, and Pathways" presents the experiences of mid-career librarians
as they grapple with these questions and the roles that marginalized perspectives, intersectionality, and privilege have played
in their careers in four major sections, : Staying Engaged in Your Career; The Role of Identity in Shaping Mid-career
Librarianship; Being Your Own Advocate; To Lead or Not to Lead?
Individual chapters explore maintaining engagement and avoiding burnout; informal mentorships; the doctorate; union
stewardship; addressing incivility; post-tenure fatigue; balancing ambition, personal fulfillment, and life; and much
more.
It can feel like everything gets harder, more political, and further under-resourced with each passing year. "Thriving as a
Mid-Career Librarian" offers strategies of community, support, and advocacy that can help make it possible for us to thrive
and help others to thrive. At mid-career, we may not have the same bright-eyed enthusiasm we possessed as new
information professionals, but we have other things: the contributions we make to our communities and the wealth of
experience we have built up since those days.
Critique: Collaboratively compiled and co-edited by the team of Brandon K. West and Elizabeth Galoozis, "Thriving as a
Mid-Career Librarian: Identity, Advocacy, and Pathways" is an invaluable and informative resource for career librarians
working in a community or academic library setting and having to deal with the stresses that such a career is subject to in
these political, culturally, and economically volatile times. "Thriving as a Mid-Career Librarians" is an exceptional and
unreservedly recommended addition to personal, professional, community, and academic Library & Information Science
collections and supplemental curriculum Library Science studies lists.
Editorial Note #1: Brandon K. West (https://library.geneseo.edu/staff/brandon-west) is the head of Research Instruction
Services and liaison to the social sciences at the State University of New York at Geneseo's Milne Library. His research
interests include examining the intersections of information literacy and online learning, applying instructional design
principles to enhance student learning, and addressing LGBTQ+ issues in libraries. He has a MEd in educational technology
from Grand Valley State University, a MLS from Texas Woman's University, and a MS in curriculum development from the
University at Albany. He was awarded the SUNY Chancellor's Award for Excellence in Librarianship in 2019. This is his
third volume for ACRL Publications, with the former being Creative Instructional Design: Practical Applications for
Librarians (2017) and Reflections on Practitioner Research: A Practical Guide for Information Professionals (2020).
Editorial Note: Elizabeth Galoozis (https://library.claremont.edu/staff/elizabeth-galoozis) is head of Information Literacy
and Student Engagement at the Claremont Colleges Library. Her research interests include critical information literacy,
feminist pedagogy, and identity in the library workplace. Her work has appeared in Library Quarterly, In the Library with the
Lead Pipe, Library Juice Press, and at ACRL, CALM, and LOEX conferences. She is the co-editor, along with Carolyn
Caffrey and Rebecca Halpern, of Hidden Architectures of Information Literacy Programs: Structures, Practices, and
Contexts. Her creative work has been published in Phoebe, Air/Light, Sinister Wisdom, and RHINO, among others. She
advises mid-career librarians to articulate their personal values and come back to them when making decisions.
Unsettling Archival Research
Gesa E. Kirsch, et al.
Southern Illinois University Press
1915 University Press Drive, SIUC Mail Code 6806, Carbondale, IL 62901
www.siupress.com
9780809338955, $40.00, PB, 338pp
https://www.amazon.com/Unsettling-Archival-Research-Engaging-Critical/dp/0809338955
Synopsis: What would it mean to unsettle the archives? How can we better see the wounded and wounding places and
histories that produce absence and silence in the name of progress and knowledge? Collaboratively compiled and co-edited
by the team of Gesa E. Kirsch, Romeo Garcia, Caitlin Burns Allen, and Walker P. Smith, "Unsettling Archival Research:
Engaging Critical, Communal, and Digital Archives" sets out to answer these urgent questions and more, with essays that
chart a more just path for archival work.
"Unsettling Archival Research" is one of the first publications in rhetoric and writing studies dedicated to scholarship that
unsettles disciplinary knowledge of archival research by drawing on decolonial, Indigenous, antiracist, queer, and
community perspectives. Written by established and emerging scholars, essays critique not only the practices, ideologies,
and conventions of archiving, but also offer new tactics for engaging critical, communal, and digital archiving within and
against systems of power. The contributors reflect on efforts to unsettle and counteract racist, colonial histories, confront the
potentials and pitfalls of common archival methodologies, and chart a path for the future of archival research
otherwise.
"Unsettling Archival Research" intervenes in a critical issue: whether the discipline's assumptions about the archives serve
or fail the communities they aim to represent and what can be done to center missing voices and perspectives. The aim is to
explore the ethos and praxis of bearing witness in unsettling ways, carried out as a project of queering and/or decolonizing
the archives.
"Unsettling Archival Research" takes seriously the rhetorical force of place and wrestles honestly with histories that still
haunt our nation, including the legacies of slavery, colonial violence, and systemic racism.
Critique: Comprised of fifteen seminal contributions of original research and experiential insight/experience, "Unsettling
Archival Research: Engaging Critical, Communal, and Digital Archives" is especially recommended as a core addition for
personal, professional, community, and academic library collections and studies lists for Library/Information Science,
Library Management, and General Library Information Science collections and supplemental curriculum studies lists.
Editorial Note #1: Gesa E. Kirsch is professor of Rhetoric and Composition at Soka University of America. Her books
include Feminist Rhetorical Practices: New Horizons for Rhetoric, Composition, and Literacy Studies; Beyond the
Archives: Research as a Lived Process; and Ethical Dilemmas in Feminist Research.
Editorial Note #2: Romeo Garc a is assistant professor of writing and rhetoric at the University of Utah and coeditor of
Rhetorics Elsewhere and Otherwise.
Editorial Note #3: Caitlin Burns Allen is a doctoral candidate in rhetoric and composition at the University of Louisville.
Her work has appeared in Ethics and Representation in Feminist Rhetorical Inquiry and Peitho.
Editorial Note #4: Walker P. Smith holds a PhD in rhetoric and composition from the University of Louisville.
Editorial Note #5: Contributors -- Jennifer Almjeld, Sally F. Benson, Jean Bessette, Mar a P. Carvajal Regidor, Lynee
Lewis Gaillet, Tarez Samra Graban, Wendy Hayden, Deborah Hollis, Jackie M. James, Amy J. Lueck, Kathryn Manis,
Nadia Nasr, Kalyn Prince, Liz Rohan, Jessica A. Rose, Rebecca Schneider, Pamela Takayoshi, and Patty Wilde.
A Handbook of History, Theory and Practice of the Dewey Decimal Classification System
M. P. Satija, author
Alex Kyrios, author
Facet Publishing
www.facetpublishing.co.uk
9781783306107, $115.95, HC, 198pp
https://www.amazon.com/Handbook-History-Practice-Decimal-Classification/dp/1783306106
Synopsis: The Dewey Decimal Classification (DDC), colloquially known as the Dewey Decimal System, is a proprietary
library classification system which allows new books to be added to a library in their appropriate location based on subject.
It was first published in the United States by Melvil Dewey in 1876. Originally described in a 44-page pamphlet, it has been
expanded to multiple volumes and revised through 23 major editions, the latest printed in 2011. It is also available in an
abridged version suitable for smaller libraries. OCLC, a non-profit cooperative that serves libraries, currently maintains the
system and licenses online access to WebDewey, a continuously updated version for catalogers. (Wikipedia)
The Dewey Decimal Classification (DDC), currently used in 200,000 libraries across 140 countries, has entered a new age,
primarily maintained today as a continuously revised electronic system rather than an occasionally updated set of print
volumes. Its editors have added newly emerging topics and made it an increasingly faceted, semantically rich, modern
system. Simultaneously, the editorial process has become democratised and more responsive to global needs.
"A Handbook of History, Theory and Practice of the Dewey Decimal Classification System" by co-authors M. P. Satija and
Alex Kyrios is a comprehensive, practical guide to today's DDC.
Coverage includes: A brief history of the system, its editors, and its development; Specialized examinations of specific parts
of the classification; Extensive guidance on number building, with many examples; A WebDewey-specific chapter, covering
the system's benefits and features; Concise summaries of primary takeaways, a glossary, and extensive bibliography.
Critique: Also available in a paperback edition (9781783306091, $57.95) and in a digital book format (Kindle, $52.11), "A
Handbook of History, Theory and Practice of the Dewey Decimal Classification System" is an indispensable guide to
21st-century DDC, as well as an essential companion for DDC classifiers, and fully accessible for students and continuing
learners, Simply stated, "A Handbook of History, Theory and Practice of the Dewey Decimal Classification System" is
unreservedly recommended for college and university Library Science collections and is ideal for use as a supplemental
Library Science curriculum studies and in-service training workshop textbook.
Editorial Note #1: Alex Kyrios (https://sils.unc.edu/people/alumni-profiles/alex-kyrios) is the Senior Editor of the Dewey
Decimal Classification at OCLC, based out of the Library of Congress in Washington, DC USA. He is responsible for
overseeing the continuous updating and revision of the classification, and works with partners and volunteers around the
world to do so. Previously, he was a cataloguer at the Folger Shakespeare Library, Washington, D.C. and the University of
Idaho. He has an M.S. in library science from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, and a B.A. in English from
the College of William & Mary, Williamsburg, Virginia.
Editorial Note #2: M. P. Satija (https://scholar.google.com/citations?user=H8Bm5K0AAAAJ) is an Emeritus fellow in the
Department of Library & Information Science, Guru Nanak Dev University, India. In his long professional career he has
written extensively on library classification systems, especially the Dewey Decimal Classification and the Colon
Classification. He has authored textbooks on every edition of the DDC since the 19th (1979). He has collaborated with three
successive editors of the DDC and his works have been translated in many European, and Asian languages. Dr Satija serves
on the editorial boards of many international journals including the ISKO journal Knowledge Organization, and is a member
of the UDC Consortium, The Hague.
The Parenting Shelf
The Sleep Lady's Gentle Newborn Sleep Guide
Kim West, MSW
BenBella Books
www.benbellabooks.com
9781637741566, $19.95, PB, 224pp
https://www.amazon.com/Sleep-Lady%C2%AEs-Gentle-Newborn-Guide/dp/1637741561
Synopsis: Sleep training isn't recommended until your baby is 6 months old, but that doesn't mean you're powerless to help
them (and you) sleep better now. For the past three decades, Kim West, known around the world as The Sleep Lady, has
personally helped over twenty thousand families gently teach their children how to fall asleep (and fall back asleep) without
leaving them to cry it out alone.
Now, with the publication of "The Sleep Lady's Gentle Newborn Sleep Guide", Kim offers gentle, evidenced-based ways to
help newborns (and parents) get to sleep! Understand action steps you can take and learn myths you can let go of with easily
digestible chapters you can follow along monthly.
In month-by-month chapters that are easily digestible (even in the middle of the night!), Kim and her Gentle Sleep Team
share: How feeding, attachment, soothing, and temperament all factor into your infant's sleep; The key developmental
milestones from birth through five months and how to encourage sleep at every stage; Safe co-sleeping guidelines and clear
answers around this hotly debated topic; Success stories from real parents; Alternatives to the "cry it out" method for
newborns, based on an infant's developmental readiness to self-soothe; What parents need to know to make sure they're
taking care of themselves, too.
It's easy to get overwhelmed by conflicting advice on sleep training, nap coaching, sleep schedules, and more. The Sleep
Lady(R)'s Gentle Newborn Sleep Guide provides clear guidance and a safe haven free of judgment, guilt, and criticism for
parents seeking options that align with their parenting values and beliefs. Raising a newborn doesn't have to be a
sleep-deprived nightmare. Trust your instincts. Learn how to read and respond to your baby's cues with confidence. And
finally get a good night's sleep.
Critique: An absolute 'must read' combination of parental instruction manual and 'how-to' guide for moms and dads with
newborn infants, "The Sleep Lady's Gentle Newborn Sleep Guide: Trusted Solutions for Getting You and Your Baby FAST
to Sleep Without Leaving Them to Cry It Out" is exceptionally 'user friendly' in organization and presentation, While "The
Sleep Lady's Gentle Newborn Sleep Guide" is unreservedly recommended for personal, professional, community, and
academic library Parenting collections, it should be noted for personal reading lists that "The Sleep Lady's Gentle Newborn
Sleep Guide" is also readily available in a digital book format (Kindle, $9.99).
Editorial Note: Kim West (http://www.iacsc.com/kim-west) has been a practicing child and family social worker for over 25
years. She has personally helped over twenty thousand families all over the world gently teach their children how to fall
asleep -- and fall back asleep without leaving them to cry it out alone. She started training Gentle Sleep Coaches
internationally in 2010 and has appeared as a child sleep expert on numerous magazines, newspapers, and television
programs including Dr. Phil, TODAY, and Good Morning America.
The Nautical Shelf
Early Ships and Seafaring: European Water Transport
Sean McGrail
Pen & Sword Books
c/o Casemate (US distribution)
www.casematepublishers.com
https://www.penandswordbooks.com
9781399019453, $32.95, PB, 208pp
https://www.amazon.com/Early-Ships-Seafaring-European-Transport/dp/1399019457
Synopsis: "Early Ships and Seafaring: Water Transport Within Europe" builds on Professor Se n McGrail's 2006 volume
"Ancient Boats and Ships" by delving deeper into the construction and use of boats and ships between the stone age and
AD1500 in order to provide up to date information. Regions covered will include the Mediterranean and Atlantic
Europe.
"Early Ships and Seafaring: Water Transport Within Europe" is an interesting and informative volume easily accessible to
students and non-professional readers with little or no knowledge of the building and uses of boats, whether ancient or
modern.
Professor McGrail deftly introduces the reader to this relatively new ancient history discipline through the theory and
techniques used in the study of early boats as well as the many different types of evidence available to us, including
archaeological, documentary, iconographic, experimental and ethnographic, and the natural, physical laws.
Critique: Newly available in this paperback edition (as well as in a digital book format - Kindle $14.77) for students,
academia, and anyone with an interest in the subject, "Early Ships and Seafaring: European Water Transport" is an ideal and
highly recommended addition to personal, professional, community, and university library Maritime History collections and
supplemental curriculum studies lists.
Editorial Note: Professor Se n McGrail served in the Royal Navy as a seaman officer from 1946 to 1968; from 1952 he flew
as a pilot in the Fleet Air Arm. He graduated with a BA at the University of Bristol in 1971, and in 1978 gained a Ph.D. at
University College, London with a thesis on The Logboats of England and Wales. In 1988 he was awarded a D.Sc. by the
University of Oxford. (https://link.springer.com/referenceworkentry/10.1007/9781-4419-0465-2_639)
The Jobs/Careers Shelf
First, Eat Your Frog: And Other Pearls for Professional Working Mothers
Elizabeth Kagan Arleo, MD
Armin Lear Press Inc
9781956450583, $18.95
https://www.amazon.com/First-Eat-Your-Frog-Professional/dp/1956450580
First, Eat Your Frog: And Other Pearls for Professional Working Mothers centers on work/life integration processes in a
more thought-provoking, studious manner than the usual discussions of work and parenting, and will appeal to mothers who
are not just going to work, but cultivating a professional career and approach to work and life. These insights are presented
in the form of eight selected pearls of wisdom that advocate developing a growth-oriented mindset, then adopting routines
that support that process.
Working mothers well know the overwhelming feeling that is involved in giving fair time to what is, in effect, two
important jobs. First, Eat Your Frog provides the tools that can adjust and improve mindset towards better functioning in
both environments, and points out that it is possible to maintain two efforts that often seem to lead in opposite directions.
Ambitious, career-oriented women will find the nuggets of "how" embedded into a book that reviews the basic principles
that lend to better organization, time management, and prioritizing strategies.
Dr. Elizabeth Kagan Arleo doesn't claim that her book is "one size fits all." It adds to literature on the subject by
synthesizing and presenting many real-life-tested approaches to achieving balance and sanity, gathering Arleo's own
experiences and those of others to use as examples of common pitfalls and how they can be addressed. The strategies are
accompanied by a powerful note; a "...reminder to myself and others to be kind and gentle to and with yourself in terms of
planning and getting things done. We only have one life to live so we need to enjoy the process, the getting there, not just
the end result."
Illustrated examples of organization, from computerized "to do" lists to paper monthly planners, impart the basics; but the
meat of First, Eat Your Frog lies in chapters that not only provide real-world illustrations, but review the pearls of wisdom
for their underlying messages. The clarity of this process leaves no room for confusion and plenty of encouragement for
discussion not just in book clubs, but in professional and parent groups where work/life balance is a topic of concern.
Libraries and readers who choose First, Eat Your Frog will find its drive towards enlightenment and pattern adjustment
makes for a series of concrete reflections not just on the balancing act, but the process of creating more satisfying, fulfilling
dual careers in motherhood and business achievement.
The Autism Shelf
I Will Die on This Hill
Meghan Ashburn and Jules Edwards
Jessica Kingsley Publishers
www.jkp.com
9781839971686, $19.95
https://www.amazon.com/Will-Die-This-Hill-Autistic/dp/1839971681
I Will Die on This Hill: Autistic Adults, Autism Parents, and the Children Who Deserve a Better World is a powerful
examination of the divide between autistic advocates and parents of autistic kids. From crossroads after diagnosis and
life-changing realizations to parenting issues that intersect with disability justice efforts, this book's ability to explore both
sides of the communities activating for and supporting autistic children and their families makes for a powerful unification
effort that should be in any library interested in advocating for the good of a wide, diverse community.
The Fashion Shelf
Get Changed
Kat Farmer
Mitchell Beazley
c/o Octopus Books
236 Park Avenue, New York NY 10017
www.octopusbooksusa.com
9781784727789, $24.99
https://www.amazon.com/Get-Changed-Finding-through-fashion/dp/1784727784
Get Changed: Finding the New You Through Fashion comes from a digital style guru and fashion expert who covers the
basics of finding and adopting a personal style that supports a new sense of identity. Humor blends with a professional
stylist's insights throughout a coverage that blends Kat Farmer's experiences with candid discussions on how and why
fashion choices work - or don't: "People don't necessarily agree on this BUT I've always found it a great tip for the
apple-shaped and those with a tummy: jumpers and sweatshirts that have a waistband." Farmer's candid approach to typical
fashion snafus and challenges makes for a lively read that will attract even those not normally immersed in the world of
style, making Get Changed a top pick for general-interest as well as arts libraries.
The Mythology Shelf
Queer Heroes of Myth and Legend
Dan Jones
c/o Octopus Books
www.octopusbooksusa.com
9781804190463, $19.99
https://www.amazon.com/Queer-Heroes-Myth-Legend-celebration/dp/1804190462
Queer Heroes of Myth and Legend: A Celebration of Gay Gods, Sapphic Saints, & Queerness Through the Ages will prove
of special interest to libraries interested in lively discussions of queer heroes throughout time. This is achieved through fifty
profiles accompanied by black and white illustrations that bring to the forefront thousands of years of myths, legends, and
figures that come from historic and cultural icons. All this is presented in a lively, accessible format that lends to leisure
reading and browsing as much as pursuit by those interested in historical facts. The result is a romp through history that
returns the importance, impact, and presence of queer heroes to modern times.
The Genealogy Shelf
Generation by Generation
Drew Smith
Genealogical Publishing Company
3600 Clipper Mill Road, Suite 229, Baltimore, MD 21211
www.genealogical.com
9780806321271, $29.95, PB, 178pp
https://www.amazon.com/Generation-Modern-Approach-Basics-Genealogy/dp/080632127X
Synopsis: With the publication of "Generation by Generation: A Modern Approach to the Basics of Genealogy", Drew
Smith has presents the actual processes used in contemporary genealogical research: Start with yourself, then move on to
living family and relatives, and then move backwards in time, generation by generation. Each individual chapter describes a
time period and the kinds of records available for that era, allowing beginners to learn about new types of records just as
they need them.
This informative 'how-to' guide is divided into two parts. Part I discusses such things as relationships between family
members, naming practices, genealogy software, how to review existing research, and the basics of DNA testing. Part II
begins with a discussion of the major genealogy websites, and then explains the most important record categories for all
generations from the present day back to the colonial ea. There are also chapters devoted to searching for the origins of
American families in the records of Canada, Great Britain, Ireland, and non-English-speaking nations.
"Generation by Generation: A Modern Approach to the Basics of Genealogy" makes ample use of consecutive Internet
screen shots to take the mystery out of online searching. Of special not is that it is written by an expert genealogist and
teacher who is equally conversant with traditional search methods and the digital world.
Critique: An ideal instructional resource for those new to genealogical research, and with a great deal of relevance and value
for the more experienced genealogists, "Generation by Generation: A Modern Approach to the Basics of Genealogy" must
be considered an essential, core addition to personal, professional, community, college, and university library Genealogy
Research collections and supplemental curriculum studies lists.
Editorial Note: Drew Smith and his partner George G. Morgan have been podcasting about genealogy since September
2005, when they launched The Genealogy Guys Podcast (http://genealogyguys.com). Each episode includes the latest news
from genealogical companies and organizations, listener email, and other content, such as book reviews and brief
interviews.
The Criminology Shelf
Tremors in the Blood
Amit Katwala
Crooked Lane Books
2 Park Avenue, 10th floor, New York, NY 10016
www.crookedlanebooks.com
Dreamscape Media
https://www.dreamscapepublishing.com
9781639103423, $18.99, PB, 352pp
https://www.amazon.com/Tremors-Blood-Murder-Obsession-Detector/dp/1639103422
Synopsis: Late one evening in the summer of 1922, Henry Wilkens burst through the doors of the emergency room covered
in his wife's blood. But was he a grieving husband, or a ruthless killer who conspired with bandits to have her
murdered?
To find out, the San Francisco police turned to technology and a new machine that had just been invented in Berkeley by a
rookie detective, a visionary police chief, and a teenage magician with a showman's touch.
John Larson, Gus Vollmer and Leonarde Keeler hoped the lie detector would make the justice system fairer -- but their
flawed device soon grew too powerful for them to control. It poisoned their lives, turned fast friends into bitter enemies, and
as it conquered America and the world, it transformed our relationship with the truth in ways that are still being felt.
As new forms of lie detection gain momentum in the present day, with the publication of "Tremors in the Blood: Murder,
Obsession, and the Birth of the Lie Detector", author Amit Katwala reveals the incredible truth behind the creation of the
polygraph, through gripping true crime cases featuring explosive gunfights, shocking twists and high-stakes courtroom
drama.
Touching on psychology, technology and the science of the truth, "Tremors in the Blood" is a vibrant, atmospheric thriller,
and a warning from history to beware what you believe!
Critique: An exceptionally well researched, written, organized and presented contribution to the history of technology and
criminology, "Tremors in the Blood: Murder, Obsession, and the Birth of the Lie Detector" is as inherently fascinating as it
is impressively informative. Of special appeal to readers with an interest in the history of the polygraph and its impact on the
American judicial systems and use in corporate and governmental screening programs, "Tremors in the Blood" is an original
and unreservedly recommended contribution and acquisition for personal, professional, community, and academic library
Criminology collections and supplemental curriculum studies lists. It should be noted that "Tremors in the Blood" is also
available in a digital book format (Kindle, $13.99) and as a complete and unabridged audio book (Dreamscape Media,
9781666629101, $22.99, CD)
Editorial Note: Amit Katwala (https://www.amitkatwala.co.uk) is an award-winning journalist and editor. He is a senior
writer at WIRED, based in London. He writes about the collision between technology and culture, and has covered
everything from the race for quantum supremacy to the hunt for the mysterious Planet Nine. He grew up in Bournemouth,
and studied experimental psychology at Oxford University.
James A. Cox, Editor-in-Chief
Diane C. Donovan, Editor
Midwest Book Review
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