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Reviewer's Choice
The Self-Sufficiency Handbook
Alan Bridgewater & Gill Bridgewater
Lumina Media
c/o Fox Chapel Publishing Company
1970 Broad Street N., East Petersburg, PA 17520
www.FoxChapelPublishing.com
9781620082348, $19.99, PB, 240pp, www.amazon.com
The collaborative work of gardening and DIY experts Alan and Gill Bridgewater, "The
Self-Sufficiency Handbook: Your Complete Guide to a Self-Sufficient Home, Garden, and
Kitchen" was written specifically for those who are worried about ever-rising fuel bills and
longing for the day when they can be off-grid and independent; anyone who is anxious about the
quality of the food they eat and who are planning to go organic; folks yearning to get back to the
way it was but don't know where to start. Profusely illustrated throughout, "The Self-Sufficiency
Handbook" shows how to achieve the eco-friendly good life. This thoroughly 'user friendly'
instruction manual and guide covers the ecological gamut from geothermal heating, to crop
rotation, to soap making, and more. It answers such important as questions: how much land is
really needed to be self-sufficient, whether or not to depend entirely on natural forms of energy,
and which farm animals will best meet particular needs. There is even practical do-it-yourself
information on building an insulated flue pipe chimney, identifying edible wild plants, and
composting with worms. Of special note is the inclusion of recipes for jams, rhubarb wine,
cheeses, and more. Packed with full-color photographs, helpful illustrations, and diagrams, "The
Self-Sufficiency Handbook" will have practical appeal to urban and suburban residents who want
to adopt certain aspects of greener living and to serious adherents of back-to-basics living. While
unreservedly recommended for both community and academic library collections, it should be
noted for personal reading lists that "The Self-Sufficiency Handbook" is also available in a
digital book format (Kindle, $13.05).
Bookshops: A Reader's History
Jorge Carrion
Biblioasis
1520 Wyandotte Street East, Windsor, ON N9A 3L2, Canada
www.biblioasis.com
9781771961745 $24.95 / $9.99 Kindle amazon.com
Literary critic Jorge Carrion presents Bookshops: A Reader's History, an extraordinary tour of
bookstores worldwide, from Shakespeare & Company in Pans and Bertrand to Strand Bookstore
in New York City, City Lights Bookshop in San Francisco, and a multitude of others. Carrion
draws upon twenty years of journeys to personally investigate bookshops around the world,
offering a connoisseur's combination of travelogue and bibliophile's celebration. Highly
recommended.
Secrets Kids Know
Allen Klein
Viva Editions
2246 Sixth Street, Berkeley, CA 94710-2219
www.vivaeditions.com
9781632280534, $16.95, PB, 288pp, www.amazon.com
Kids have a fantastic way of looking at the world, and they are kind, curious, and completely
honest about the things they experience. We tend to lose those natural traits as we get older, but it
doesn't have to be that way. In "Secrets Kids Know... that Adults Oughta Learn: Enriching Your
Life by Viewing It Through The Eyes of a Child" by Allen Klein, parents share stories of the
lessons they've learned from their children, ranging from the hilarious anecdotes that make you
think, to the out-of-nowhere, almost melancholy thoughts on modern issues. "Secrets Kids
Know... that Adults Oughta Learn" will help you get back to your unbiased childhood mind, all
the while entertaining you with the incredible things that could only come out of the mouth of a
child. As informative and thought-provoking as it is entertaining, "Secrets Kids Know... that
Adults Oughta Learn" is an inherently fascinating read from cover to cover, and will prove to be
an enduringly popular addition to community library collections. It should be noted for personal
reading lists that "Secrets Kids Know... that Adults Oughta Learn" is also available in a digital
book format (Kindle, $11.49) and as a complete and unabridged audio book (Dreamscape Media,
9781520080369, $29.99, CD).
Bolt and Keel
Kayleen VanderRee and Danielle Gumbley
The Countryman Press
c/o W. W. Norton & Company
500 Fifth Avenue, New York, NY 10110
www.countrymanpress.com
9781682681206 $14.95 hc / $9.95 Kindle amazon.com
Bolt and Keel is a photographic showcase of furry feline Instagram stars Bolt and Keel. Their
handlers Kayleen VanderRee and Danielle Gumbley discovered the pair of orphaned kittens while
working at a summer camp, only hours before they were scheduled to backpack through the
mountains of Vancouver Island in Canada. The local shelter had just closed, so in order to save
the kittens, VanderRee and Gumbley brought them along, outfitted with tiny harnesses and
leashes to keep them safe. Bolt and Keel took to life on the trail with enthusiasm, and continue
their outdoor travel adventures to this day - lovingly protected with form-fitting leashes,
lifejackets, and scarves. Over 60 full-color photographs show Bolt and Keel redefining what it
means to be an outdoors cat, whether snuggling in sleeping bags, cruising in a kayak, or even
toboganning. A joy to browse, Bolt and Keel makes a delightful giftbook for cat lovers
everywhere!
Toybox Time Machine
Marty Baumann
IDW Publishing
2765 Truxton Road, San Diego, CA 92106
www.idwpublishing.com
9781631409073, $29.99, HC, 164pp, www.amazon.com
Readers can now recapture an innocent era of boundless commercial creativity in the pages of
"Toybox Time Machine: A Catalog of the Coolest Toys Never Made", a beautifully illustrated
tome featuring some of the greatest toys that were never actually made -- but would have made
the world a better place if they had been. "Toybox Time Machine" is also a tribute to the
unbridled imaginations and madcap design and illustrative skills of the toy creators who drew
inspiration from the robots, movie monsters, comic books and military men that kids adored, as
well as the limitless possibilities of the space age. Showcased in catalogs, comics, trading cards,
drug store and department store displays, somehow these toys were imagined by geniuses knew
what we wanted before we did. Author and illustrator Marty Baumann has drawn inspiration
from these incredible creators and extrapolated on those outlandish and appealing ideas,
developing and illustrating an amazing array of fictional toys that reflect that optimistic era. An
inherently fascinating and entertaining browse (especially for the Babyboomer generation),
"Toybox Time Machine: A Catalog of the Coolest Toys Never Made" will prove to be an
enduringly popular addition to personal and community library collections.
The Abu Dhabi Bar Mitzvah
Adam Valen Levinson
W. W. Norton & Company
500 Fifth Avenue, New York, NY 10110
9780393608366 $25.95 www.wwnorton.com
The Abu Dhabi Bar Mitzvah: Fear and Love in the Modern Middle East tells of the author's life
in 2010, when he graduated from college and obtained a job in Abu Dhabi as a program
coordinator for New York University in Abu Dhabi. In the next eighteen months he would visit
thirteen Middle Eastern countries, making use of his college Arabic and exploring Muslim lands
that are most commonly in American newspaper headlines for their violence and unrest. His road
trips led him to Oman, Taliban regions of Afghanistan, Aleppo, and more, and his penchant for
courting danger and understanding Islam and Muslim nations makes for an engrossing blend of
travelogue, cultural inspection, and the type of understanding of world dangers and possibilities
that is rarely seen these days. His vivid descriptions, encounters, and insights make for a highly
recommended survey that's hard to put down and will find a special place in any collection
seeking to explore and expose modern Muslim lifestyles and culture.
The Christmas Shelf
Christmas Birds
Kathleen R. Bates
Rising Fawn Press
www.imagesfromhome.com
9781634520461, $29.95, HC, 112pp, www.amazon.com
"Christmas Birds: Art & Inspiration for the Season and Beyond" is a beautiful holiday season
volume that showcases 25 original bird paintings and an informative text by artist/author
Kathleen R. Bates and which were originally produced as her personal Christmas cards over a 40
year period. Her paintings are paired with descriptions of bird encounters designed to focus the
reader's thoughts on the spiritual meaning of Christmas in unexpected and sometimes humorous
ways. The short messages are accompanies by a relevant scripture and could be used as Advent
readings. The poem 'Tidings of Comfort and Joy' would make a beautiful welcome or blessing
for a holiday meal. A unique and inherently fascinating read from cover to cover, "Christmas
Birds: Art & Inspiration for the Season and Beyond" is a unique, wonderfully entertaining,
ultimately inspiring, and unreservedly recommended addition to personal and community library
collections.
Lowcountry Christmans A to Z
Carole Marsh Longmeyer
Buffton Books
c/o Gallopade
PO Box 2779, Peachtree City, GA 30269
www.gallopade.com
9780635127822, $19.99, HC, 136pp, www.amazon.com
Carole Marsh is the creative force behind more than 15,000 children's books, state-aligned
curriculum, and supplemental educational materials. Now in "Lowcountry Christmans A to Z"
she presents a volume showcasing more than 400 years history, mystery, legend, lore, luscious
recipes and more related, all related to the Christmas season as celebrated in the lovely American
lowcountry of the Carolinas, Georgia, Virginia, and the Outer Banks, the marshes, sea, forts,
plantations and more. In addition to providing a wealth of trivia facts, of special note is the
inclusion of a thematically crafted Bibliography. An unreservedly recommended addition to
family and community library collections, it should be noted for personal reading lists that
"Lowcountry Christmans A to Z" is also available in a paperback edition (9780635127815,
$9.99) and in a digital book format (Kindle, $9.99).
Christmas Jars: Collector's Edition
Jason F. Wright
Shadow Mountain Publishing
P.O. Box 30178, Salt Lake City, Utah 84130-0178
www.shadowmountain.com
9781629723297, $17.99, HC, 240pp, www.amazon.com
Hope Jensen is a young, single woman and an aspiring newspaper writer, and when she receives
a much-needed but anonymous Christmas gift, she's determined to find her benefactor. That
search leads her to an unusual family with a longstanding Christmas tradition. Sensing a
front-page feature article, Hope desperately wants to publish their story, but doing so would be a
breach of trust. What she decides to do will change her life forever. "Christmas Jars" by Jason F.
Wright is now available for a new generation of appreciative readers in a beautiful hardcover
collector's edition that contains the complete text comprised of twenty true, inspiring stories of
people who have experienced the Christmas Jar miracle in their own lives by either giving or
receiving an anonymous jar full of coins. A truly classic Christmas tale that is both inspired and
inspiring, "Christmas Jars" has sparked a national phenomenon of giving and a community
tradition of generous outreach across the nation and is unreservedly recommended for personal,
community, and academic library collections. It should be noted that "Christmas Jars" is also
available in a digital book format (Kindle, $12.39).
Mrs. Claus: Not the Fairy Tale They Say
Rhonda Parrish
World Weaver Press
www.worldweaverpress.com
9780998702247, $12.95, PB, 214pp, www.amazon.com
When most of us think of Mrs. Claus, we imagine a quiet, plumb, gray haired, congenial, North
Pole homebody who finds complete fulfillment in baking cookies, petting reindeer and crafting
toys alongside elves? But in the fourteen short stories comprising "Mrs. Claus: Not the Fairy Tale
They Say " we find her as a magic-wielding ice goddess; a tough-as-nails Valkyrie; an ancient fae
of dubious intentions; a well-meaning witch; a cigar-smoking Latina; a crash-landed alien; and
more! Within these pages Mrs. Claus is a hero, a villain, a mother, a spacefarer, a monster hunter,
and more. The only thing she decidedly is not, is a sidekick. In "Mrs. Claus: Not the Fairy Tale
They Say" it is the turn of Mrs. Claus to shine while stepping out from under Santa's shadow and
into the spotlight in fourteen spectacular stories that make her the star! Featuring original short
stories by Laura VanArendonk Baugh, C.B. Calsing, DJ Tyrer, Jennifer Lee Rossman, Kristen
Lee, Randi Perrin, Michael Leonberger, Andrew Wilson, Ross Van Dusen, MLD Curelas, Maren
Matthias, Anne Luebke, Jeff Kuykendall, and Hayley Stone, "Mrs. Claus: Not the Fairy Tale
They Say" will prove to be a perennial and year round popular addition to personal and
community library collections. It should be noted for personal reading lists that "Mrs. Claus: Not
the Fairy Tale They Say" is also available in an inexpensive digital book format (Kindle,
$0.99).
Total Christmas Makeover
Melissa Spoelstra
Abingdon Press
2222 Rosa L. Parks Blvd., PO Box 280988, Nashville, TN 37228-0988
www.abingdonpress.com
9781501848704, $16.99, PB, 208pp, www.amazon.com
In the bustle of the Christmas season, it can be easy to get swept up in all of the things to do. But
it's important to pause and remember that our priority should be to spend time celebrating
Christ's birth and not forget to invite Jesus to his own party. Christmas is far more than a
celebration of an event from long ago or a modern holiday centered around shopping. Mindfully
take time to listen to how God continues to speak through the Christmas story as the Gospel
narratives centered around the birth of Jesus provide encouragement and revelation concerning
the love of God and his wisdom for us today. In "Total Christmas Makeover: 31 Devotions to
Celebrate with Purpose", author and Bible teacher Melissa Spoelstra provides a practical
approach for individuals and families to turn their attention toward God's grace day-by-day as
they prepare for Christmas. "Total Christmas Makeover" is a 31-day devotional that presents key
scriptures, ideas to implement with each reading, and questions for reflection to guide in the
rediscovery of rituals, of relationships, and of rest in order to connect more deeply with Christ
this holiday season. Exceptionally well organized and presented, inspired and inspiring, "Total
Christmas Makeover" is unreservedly recommended to all members of the Christian community
regardless of denominational affiliation. It should be noted that "Total Christmas Makeover" is
also available in a digital book format (Kindle, $9.99).
The Christmas Letters
Joel S. Goldsmith
Acropolis Books, Inc.
c/o DeVorss Publications
553 Constitution Avenue, Carmarillo, CA 93012-8510
www.devorss.com
9781939542601, $14.95, PB, 208pp, www.amazon.com
"The Christmas Letters" is a compilation of letters, each of which was written by the late Joel S.
Goldsmith for the December monthly letter that he had faithfully sent out over the many years of
his ministry and directed to his students around the world. Each individual chapter celebrates an
aspect of the universal Christ message of Christ in us. The material in "The Christmas Letters"
may feel familiar to many, or brand new to others, but what is clear is its purpose to illuminate
for the reader the ever-growing richness of his or her own awakening consciousness with its
ever-widening depths of spiritual discernment. "The Christmas Letters" touches all aspects of the
spiritual journey from sense to Soul, highlighting the profound truth that Christmas is not one
day in the year, but is the living reality hidden within each and every soul on earth. As Joel
wrote: To understand Christmas Day, then, let us understand clearly that God has planted the
seed of Himself in each of us, the seed that springs forth as the fully developed son of God whose
mission it is that our lives may be fulfilled, that we may show forth the glory of God which the
Master revealed. A simply inspired and inspiring read from cover to cover, "The Christmas
Letters" is unreservedly commended to the attention of all members of the Christian community
regardless of denominational affiliation. It should be noted for personal reading lists that "The
Christmas Letters" is also available in a digital book format (Kindle, $9.99).
Time to Get Ready: An Advent, Christmas Reader to Wake Your Soul
Mark A. Villano
Paraclete Press
PO Box 1568, Orleans, MA 02653
www.paracletepress.com
9781612615592, $16.99, PB, 192pp, www.amazon.com
For a great many Christians, Advent and Christmas have simply become just another time of
year, albeit more holiday oriented frenetic. It is particularly for their benefit that Mark Villano
has written "Time to Get Ready: An Advent, Christmas Reader to Wake Your Soul". Mark (a
native of New Haven, Connecticut, studied theology at the Catholic University of America in
Washington, D.C., where he received his Master of Divinity degree and who has ministered at
parishes and campus ministry centers across the country, including at the University of Texas,
UCLA, Ohio State University, and Yale) opens up the scriptures, themes, and liturgical traditions
of these holy seasons to better appreciate their meaning. He reveals the life-changing mystery of
Christ, the invitations of grace all around us. Consider "Time to Get Ready" as a kind of daily
retreat, a time to let go of the activity and noise of life and simply listen. "Time to Get Ready"
will become a cherished companion for many as they prepare spiritually for Christmas and
beyond. While unreservedly recommended for personal, seminary, and church library collections,
it should be noted that "Time to Get Ready" is also available in a digital book format (Kindle,
$9.95).
Christmas in London
Anita Hughes
St. Martin's Griffin
175 Fifth Avenue, New York, NY 10010
www.stmartins.com
9781250145796, $15.99, PB, 288pp, www.amazon.com
It's a week before Christmas and Louisa Graham is working twelve hour shifts at a bakery on
Manhattan's Lower East Side. When a young cooking show assistant comes in from the rain and
begs to buy all the cinnamon rolls on her tray, she doesn't know what to do. Louisa is just the
baker, and they aren't hers to sell. But the show burned the rolls they were supposed to film that
day; so she agrees. The next morning, Louisa finds out that her cinnamon rolls were a hit, but the
star of the show was allergic, and the whole crew is supposed to leave for London that afternoon.
They want Louisa to step in for their annual Christmas Eve Dinner TV special at Claridge's. It's a
great opportunity, and Digby Bunting, Louisa's famous baking idol, will be there. Even if he does
seem more interested in her than her food. And then there's Kate, the show's beautiful producer.
On their first day in London she runs into the skinny boy she jilted at St. Andrew's in Scotland
ten years ago. Now he's a handsome, brilliant mathematician, and newly divorced. Their familiar
spark is still there, but so is the scar of how they left things. Kate and Louisa are busy preparing
for the show, but old and new flames are complicating their work. Set during London's most
festive time of year and filled with delicious food Anita Hughes' "Christmas in London" is a
deftly crafted and thoroughly entertaining novel about love and friendship, and the Christmas
season's most important lesson -- learning how to ask for and give forgiveness. While
unreservedly recommended for both personal reading lists and community library General
Fiction collections, it should be noted that "Christmas in London" is also available in a digital
book format (Kindle, $9.99).
Hope at Christmas
Nancy Naigle
St. Martin's Griffin
175 Fifth Avenue, New York, NY 10010
www.stmartins.com
9781250108678, $15.99, PB, 352pp, www.amazon.com
Sydney Ragsdale is looking for a fresh start far away from her controlling ex-husband and the
self-doubt that has plagued her since the divorce. Returning to her childhood home in Hopewell,
North Carolina is just what her soul needs. Praying some Christmas magic will follow her she
moves with her daughter to a farmhouse that once belonged to her grandparents. While there
Sydney finds solace working at The Book Bea, her favorite bookstore. Single dad Kevin
MacAlea, Mac to his friends, is the local high school history teacher and baseball coach. He is
also the towns best kept secret - he has been playing Santa since his son was born twelve years
ago. Mac loves the enchantment of the season and wants his son to share in his joy. When a
catastrophe forces The Book Bea to close before the end of the year, everyone in the small town
is feeling the loss. While Sydney is already off-balance by the bad news, her ex-husband breaks a
promise to their daughter that sends her running away and threatens the relationship that she has
begun with Mac. As Sydney and Mac try to figure out what their next steps are together they will
soon discover that there's always hope at Christmas. An impressively crafted novel that reveals
author Nancy Naigle's genuine flair for originality and a truly memorable story, "Hope at
Christmas" is an extraordinarily entertaining read from cover to cover. While enthusiastically
recommended, especially for community library General Fiction collections, it should be noted
for personal reading lists that "Hope at Christmas" is also available in a digital book format
(Kindle, $5.99).
The Christmas Blessing
Melody Carlson
Revell
c/o Baker Publishing Group
6030 East Fulton, Ada, MI 49301
www.bakerbooks.com
9780800722708, $16.99, PB, 176pp, www.amazon.com
When she receives the news in late 1944 that her baby's father was shot down in the South
Pacific, Amelia Richards loses hope. Jobless and broke, she has nowhere to turn for help but her
infant's paternal grandparents. The only problem is, they don't know that she (or their grandson)
exists. When Amelia discovers that the family is wealthy and influential, dare she disclose the
truth of her relationship with their son? Or could the celebration of the arrival of another
unexpected baby nearly two thousand years ago be the answer to her dilemma? With the
publication of "The Christmas Blessing", novelist Melody Carlson has written a deftly crafted,
consistently entertaining, and ultimately inspiring story of love, hardship, and reconciliation that
will leave readers filled with Christmas joy. While very highly recommended for both personal
reading lists and community library General Fiction collections, it should be noted that "The
Christmas Blessing" is also available in a digital book format (Kindle, $9.99).
The Writing/Publishing Shelf
Writing & Selling Short Stories & Personal Essays
Windy Lynn Harris
Writer's Digest Books
c/o F+W Media
10151 Carver Road, Suite 200, Blue Ash, OH 45242
www.writersdigest.com
9781440350832, $17.99, PB, 246pp, www.amazon.com
The ability to write marketable short stories and personal essays can be significantly important in
the creation of a successful writing career. Earning bylines in magazines and literary journals is
an excellent and profitable way to get noticed and earn future opportunities in both short- and
long-form writing. "Writing & Selling Short Stories & Personal Essays: The Essential Guide to
Getting Your Work Published" by Windy Lynn Harris (herself a prolific writer, a trusted mentor,
and a frequent speaker at literary events) capitalizes on the popularity of these genres by
instructing on the two key steps to publishing short works: crafting excellent pieces and
successfully submitting them. Aspiring writers will learn how to: Develop different craft
elements--including point of view, character, dialogue, scene writing, and more -- specifically for
short stories and essays; Recognize the qualities of excellent short works, using examples from
recently published stories and essays in major journals; Understand the business of writing short,
from categorizing your work and meeting submission guidelines to networking and submitting to
writing contests; Master the five-step process for submitting and selling like a pro. "Writing &
Selling Short Stories & Personal Essays" features practical advice and 'real world' examples
drawn from a multitude of published authors. An ideal and indispensable instructional reference
for anyone seeking to publish short stories and essays, "Writing & Selling Short Stories &
Personal Essays" will prove to be an enduringly valued and often referred to addition to personal,
professional, community, and academic library Writing/Publishing collections. It should be noted
that "Writing & Selling Short Stories & Personal Essays" is also available in a digital book
format (Kindle, $9.99).
How to Write a Book Proposal, fifth edition
Jody Rein & Michael Larsen
Writer's Digest Books
c/o F+W Media
10151 Carver Road, Suite 200, Blue Ash, OH 45242
www.writersdigest.com
9781440348174, $19.99, PB, 328pp, www.amazon.com
Jody Rein, former executive editor with divisions of HarperCollins Publishers and Penguin
Random House, is the founder of boutique literary agency Jody Rein Books, Inc., and respected
publishing consulting and coaching firm Author Planet Consulting. Jody has represented,
published and coached hundreds of authors through successful publication in every form, from
e-books to international bestsellers to major motion pictures. Michael Larsen, co-director of the
San Francisco Writers Conference and the San Francisco Writing for Change Conference, is the
author or co-author of eleven books. He is an author coach and a former agent, having
co-founded the Larsen-Pomada Literary Agency, which sold books to more than 100 publishers
and imprints. Together they have collaborated to produced the newly updated and expanded fifth
edition of "How to Write a Book Proposal: The Insider's Step-by-Step Guide to Proposals that
Get You Published". If you want to publish a book, you must present it to agents and publishers
with a knock-your-socks-off proposal. Whether seeking a traditional press to publish a
self-published book or trying to win over an agent for a graphic novel, memoir, or nonfiction
title, aspiring authors need an irresistible proposal. The better the proposal, the better the editor,
publisher, and deal an author can get. Nailing a proposal requires an understanding of how
publishers work and how authors needs to brand themselves, build a platform, and structure for
their book. This new edition of "How to Write a Book Proposal" provides: Examples of
successful proposals that earned six-figure deals; Guidance from agents, publishers, and writers;
Ways to customize any proposal; Strategies for proposals in the Digital Age; Effective structures
for narrative writers; as well as A list of the "Top Ten Proposal Killers". Informative, practical,
comprehensive, instructively 'user friendly' in organization and presentation, "How to Write a
Book Proposal" is strongly recommended for personal, community, and academic library
Writing/Publishing instructional reference collections. "How to Write a Book Proposal" is also
available in a digital book format (Kindle, $9.99).
Damn Fine Story: Mastering the Tools of a Powerful Narrative
Chuck Wendig
Writer's Digest Books
c/o F+W Media
10151 Carver Road, Suite 200, Blue Ash, OH 45242
www.writersdigest.com
9781440348389, $17.99, PB, 232pp, www.amazon.com
Great storytelling is making readers care about your characters, the choices they make, and what
happens to them. It's making your audience feel the tension and emotion of a situation right
alongside your protagonist. And to tell a damn fine story, you need to understand why and how
that caring happens. Using a mix of personal stories, pop fiction examples, and traditional
storytelling terms, "Damn Fine Story: Mastering the Tools of a Powerful Narrative" by Chuck
Wendig (author of Star Wars: Aftermath) will help aspiring writers to internalize the feel of
powerful storytelling. "Damn Fine Story' explores: Freytag's Pyramid for visualizing story
structure -- and when to break away from traditional storytelling forms; Character relationships
and interactions as the basis of every strong plot - no matter the form or genre; Rising and falling
tension that pulls the audience through to the climax and conclusion of the story; Developing
themes as a way to craft characters with depth. An impressive and comprehensive course of
instruction that is specifically and emphatically recommended for writing a novel, a screenplay, a
video game, a comic, or even if just telling stories to friends and family, "Damn Fine Story" is a
funny, informative, and effective guide replete with illustrative examples about the art and craft
of storytelling. Of special note is the appendix '50 Storytelling Tips'. While highly recommended
for personal, professional, community, and academic library Writing/Publishing collections, it
should be noted for personal reading lists that "Damn Fine Story" is also available in a digital
book format (Kindle, $9.99).
Guide To Literary Agents 2018
Cris Freese
Writer's Digest Books
c/o F+W Media
10151 Carver Road, Suite 200, Blue Ash, OH 45242
www.writersdigest.com
9781440352669, $29.99, PB, 336pp, www.amazon.com
Cris Freese is the managing editor of Writer's Digest Books, the editor of Children's Writer's &
Illustrator's Market, the editor of Guide to Literary Agents, and the editor of the GLA blog at
WritersDigest.com. Now in a fully updated and expanded twenty-seventh edition, the "Guide To
Literary Agents 2018" is comprised of hundreds of current listings for literary agents, writing
conferences: An exclusive webinar on 'How to Land a Literary Agent' by Danielle Burby and
Joanna MacKenzie from the Nelson Literary Agency; and essential, 'real world practical' advice
on the use of query letters, the first page, beta readers, and critique groups. This new edition of
the "Guide To Literary Agents 2018" also features a one-year subscription to the literary agent
content on WritersMarket.com; 'New Agent Spotlights' offering targeted profiles of literary
agents who are currently actively building their client lists; instructive advice on getting the most
out of literary and publishing conferences. Of special note is the special genre section on science
fiction and fantasy. Also new is the information concerning online content that is applicable to
working with any and all literary genres. Simply stated, "Guide To Literary Agents 2018" is an
indispensable instructional reference and resource for all aspiring authors seeking to get their
work into print. Indeed, no personal, professional, community, or academic 'Writing/Publishing'
reference collection can be considered complete or comprehensive without the inclusion of the
"Guide To Literary Agents 2018". It should be noted that "Guide To Literary Agents 2018" is
also available in a digital book format (Kindle, $14.99).
The Science Shelf
Blockbuster Science
David Siegel Bernstein
Prometheus Books
59 John Glenn Drive, Amherst, NY 14228-2197
9781633883697 $24.00 www.prometheusbooks.com
Blockbuster Science: The Real Science in Science Fiction is written by a data scientist and
science fiction writer who reviews basic science principles in popular sci-fi books, movies, and
television. His book will reach any who have an affection for the genre and the scientific
concepts upon which it rests, from Orson Scott Card's Ender series and movies ranging from
Planet of the Apes to star Trek to TV shows. From the potentials of artificial intelligence and the
physics of TV adventures involving black holes to different types of possible intelligence,
Blockbuster Science's lively, scientific approach will appeal to any who enjoy popular shows and
thought-provoking discussions.
The Gaming Shelf
Georgian and Victorian Board Games
Ellen Liman
Pointed Leaf Press
136 Baxter Street, Suite 1C, New York, NY 10013
www.pointedleafpress.com
9781938461439, $65.00, HC, 152pp, www.amazon.com
As the turn of the eighteenth century approached Great Britain, more and more parents and
teachers embraced a suggestion from the philosopher John Locke: that "learning might be made a
play and recreation to children". "Victorian and Georgian Games" draws from the Liman
Collection and showcases and demonstrates the beautifully crafted board games of that era.
Presenting 60 games that were made for both instruction and delight, this superbly illustrated
volume reflects on a transatlantic market that flourished into and throughout the nineteenth
century. Although games were often printed on linen or board instead of delicate paper, many fell
apart thanks to enthusiastic use. But those that do survive open a window onto the time period in
which they were created, reflecting its social and moral priorities as well as every educational
subject. "Victorian and Georgian Games" is a unique contribution to following the course of the
Industrial Revolution and the expansion of the British empire, alongside changing attitudes
toward childhood and education. An extraordinary and highly recommended addition to personal,
community, and academic library collections, "Georgian and Victorian Board Games" shines a
very special light on a specific corner 19th century children's culture -- and the adults who
created it.
The Agriculture Shelf
Chicken DIY
Samantha Johnson, author
Daniel Johnson, photographer
Lumina Media
c/o Fox Chapel Publishing Company
1970 Broad Street N., East Petersburg, PA 17520
www.FoxChapelPublishing.com
9781620082300, $19.99, PB, 192pp, www.amazon.com
Samantha Johnson and her brother, Daniel, have collaborated on a number of rural-living
guidebooks, including "How to Raise Rabbits" and "Beginner's Guide to Beekeeping". Both
Samantha and Daniel are 4-H alumni and live on the family farm, Fox Hill Farm, in far northern
Wisconsin. In "Chicken DIY: 20 Fun-to-Make Projects for Happy and Healthy Chickens" they
focus on providing twenty of do-it-yourself projects for building chicken coops for the hobbyist.
In "Chicken DIY", aspiring chicken farmers will find creative plans and easy-to-follow
construction tips for making a safe and healthy environment for their fine-feathered friends.
Veteran farmers and poultry enthusiasts Samantha and Daniel provide complete and
easy-to-follow instructions for 20 essential projects, ranging from coops and feeders, to runs,
ramps, roosts, incubators, and more. Clear step-by-step color photographs guide the reader
through each hands-on project. "Chicken DIY" provides an informative overview of the basic
tools and skills needed to complete each project. Of special note is the section explaining the
positive benefits and satisfaction of building things yourself. Bonus chapter takes a fascinating
look at the history of chicken-keeping. Sustainable and fun, raising chickens is one of the most
interesting and rewarding backyard hobbies suitable for urban, suburban, and rural settings.
While very highly recommended, especially for community library DIY collections, it should be
noted that "Chicken DIY" is also available in a digital book format (Kindle, $15.33).
The Fantasy/SciFi Shelf
The Genius Plague
David Walton
Pyr
c/o Prometheus Books
59 John Glenn Drive, Amherst, NY 14228-2197
www.prometheusbooks.com
9781633883437 $14.95 www.pyrsf.com
The Genius Plague tells of Neil, who is a new code breaker in the NSA facing the disappearance
of his brother in the Amazon jungle. Paul does return - but with a gap in his memory and a
condition that leads him to increased memory and special abilities. Something is happening in
the jungles of South America that could change mankind: an illness that actually increases
intelligence. How could that be bad? As Neil investigates, he discovers an underlying and deadly
secret involving government collusion and danger, all centered around a fungus which may push
humans into the next stage of their evolution in a dangerous new world. The engrossing blend of
sci-fi and thriller is hard to put down and highly recommended for genre readers seeking a
crossover title that offers something quite different.
Star Trek Discovery: Desperate Hours
David Mack
Gallery Books
c/o Simon and Schuster
1230 Avenue of the Americas, 14th fl., New York, NY 10020
9781501164576 $16.00 www.simonandschuster.com
A human woman raised among Vulcans is promoted to acting first officer aboard a starship
headed by a female Captain, and must prove her prowess in her position if she's to keep it. There
are many opportunities as the Starship Shenzhou faces attacks and an ancient alien threat, and an
increasingly desperate Starfleet that realizes it may have to begin sacrificing some of its own to
survive at all. Burnham must infiltrate the alien ship, and faces her own personal struggles in the
process of protecting everything she owes allegiance to in this powerful new Star Trek story
featuring powerful female characters.
Iron Angels
Eric Flint and Alistair Kimble
Baen Books
PO Box 1188, Wake Forest NC 27588
9781481482561 $25.00 www.baen.com
Iron Angels pairs an FBI investigation with a mystery that holds supernatural overtones as a
strange kidnapping case leads to cult warfare and horrors that are escaping into the world. Agent
Jasper Wilde discovers that this is an old evil long repressed, now come to life, and they only
have limited resources and time to be sure it doesn't change the world. From the tough road of a
female investigator to strange and powerful forces that seem impervious to any control, Iron
Angels creates a gripping blend of mystery, horror, and sci-fi that crosses genres to appeal to a
wide audience.
An Unkindness of Ghosts
Rivers Solomon
Akashic Books
232 Third Street, #A115, Brooklyn, NY 11215
www.akashicbooks.com
9781617755880, $15.95, PB, 340pp, www.amazon.com
Aster has little to offer folks in the way of rebuttal when they call her ogre and freak. She's used
to the names; she only wishes there was more truth to them. If she were truly a monster, she'd be
powerful enough to tear down the walls around her until nothing remains of her world. Aster
lives in the lowdeck slums of the HSS Matilda, a space vessel organized much like the
antebellum South. For generations, Matilda has ferried the last of humanity to a mythical
Promised Land. On its way, the ship's leaders have imposed harsh moral restrictions and deep
indignities on dark-skinned sharecroppers like Aster. Embroiled in a grudge with a brutal
overseer, Aster learns there may be a way to improve her lot--if she's willing to sow the seeds of
civil war. A truly extraordinary and compelling read from cover to cover, "An Unkindness of
Ghosts" showcases author Rivers Somon's impressive flair for originality and master of the
science fiction genre. A simply riveting read from cover to cover, "An Unkindness of Ghosts" is
a 'must' for the personal reading lists of dedicated science fiction fans and will prove to be an
enduringly popular addition to community library Science Fiction collections. It should be noted
that "An Unkindness of Ghosts" is also available in a digital book format (Kindle, $9.99) and as a
complete and unabridged audio book (Blackstone Audio, 9781538474990, $34.95, CD).
Juni Taisen: Zodiac War
Story by Nisioisin
Art by Hikaru Nakamura
Translated by Nathan A. Collins
Viz Media LLC
1355 Market Street, Suite 200, San Francisco CA 94103
www.viz.com
9781421597508 $18.99 hc / $10.69 Kindle amazon.com
Juni Taisen: Zodiac War is a fast-paced novel with a fantastic premise: every twelve years, the
twelve animal-based signs of the Chinese zodiac adopt the form of human warriors and engage in
a battle royale to the death, drawing upon all the powers of their star signs. To the winner is
granted the ultimate prize - one wish. The signs of the zodiac are not necessarily malevolent
toward one another (or are they?), but with an unlimited wish at stake, they do not hold back in
the slightest! Packed cover to cover with ferocious action, Juni Taisen: Zodiac War moves at a
fast clip, and keeps the reader riveted to the final page.
Fairy Village
Debbie Schramer & Mike Schramer
Familius
1254 Commerce Way, Sanger, CA 93657
www.familius.com
9781945547386, $24.99, HC, 160pp, www.amazon.com
In the pages of "Fairy Village", readers will step into the world of fairies and little folk like never
before with an unprecedented collection of magical miniature scenes and objects made entirely
from moss, bark, flowers, and other objects found in nature. The collaborative project of Debbie
and Mike Schramer, "Fairy Village", is the highly-anticipated followup to their first volume,
"Fairy House", and features full-color photography of beautifully crafted whimsical scenes,
including a bakery, a clock makers shop, small boutiques, a village pavilion, charming homes,
and unbelievable living areas. A compendium of exquisite illustrations, anthropological notes on
fairies and their ways, and Victorian era art "Fairy Village" is a lushly illustrated artistic treasure
complete with a particularly stunning gatefold displays the full enchanting village. Inherently
fascinating from cover to cover, "Fairy Village" is unique and enthusiastically recommended for
personal and community library collections.
The American History Shelf
Revolution Song
Russell Shorto
W.W. Norton
500 Fifth Avenue, New York, NY 10110
97803493245547 $28.95 www.wwnorton.com
Revolution Song: A Story of American Freedom presents American history through a focus on
six characters of the American Revolution: George Washington, elitist Lord George Germain,
who viewed unprecedented opportunities in the war environment, Seneca tribal leader
Kayethwahkeh, Margaret Coghlan, daughter of a British officer, a newfound politician, Abraham
Yates, and Broteer Furro (aka Venture Smith), who was kidnapped from Africa, enslaved in New
York, and who became a free man who fought his own battle for freedom. Diaries, letters, and
autobiographies of these individuals provides the foundation for a refreshingly different
American Revolution history: one that approaches events from very different perspectives and
experiences to create a version of the revolution that is not to be seen elsewhere.
The Strategy of Victory
Thomas Fleming
Da Capo Press
c/o Perseus Book Group
250 W. 57th St., Suite 1500, New York, NY 10107
www.perseusbooksgroup.com
9780306824968 $28.00 hc / $18.99 Kindle amazon.com
Historian Thomas Fleming presents The Strategy of Victory: How General George Washington
Won the American Revolution, a thoughtful analysis of Washington's military efforts during the
American Revolution. Although Washington lost more battles than he won, he was instrumental
in the creation of an official, trained army for the fledgling nation of America. Despite early
victories by local militias, Washington knew from his own experience as part of the disciplined
British army that America's independence had to be secured by professional soldiers. He
persevered in his efforts to build an army despite low enlistment numbers, chronic lack of
supplies, threats of mutiny, and political resistance. Notes and an index enhance this fascinating
military history from cover to cover, thoroughly accessible to lay readers and historians alike.
The Strategy of Victory is highly recommended especially for public and college library
collections.
The Forgotten Emancipator
Rebecca E. Zietlow
Cambridge University Press
One Liberty Plaza, Fl. 20, New York, NY 10006
www.cambridge.org
9781107095274, $49.99, HC, 217pp, www.amazon.com
Congressman James M. Ashley, a member of the House of Representatives from 1858 to 1868,
and was the main sponsor of the Thirteenth Amendment to the American Constitution, which
declared the institution of slavery unconstitutional. In "The Forgotten Emancipator: James
Mitchell Ashley and the Ideological Origins of Reconstruction ", Rebecca E. Zietlow (Charles W.
Fornoff Professor of Law and Values, College of Law, University of Toledo, Toledo, Ohio) uses
Ashley's life as a unique lens through which to explore the ideological origins of Reconstruction
and the constitutional changes of this era. Professor Zietlow recounts how Ashley and his
antislavery allies shared an egalitarian free labor ideology that was influenced by the political
antislavery movement and the nascent labor movement - a vision that conflicted directly with the
institution of slavery. Ashley's story sheds important light on the meaning and power of popular
constitutionalism: how the constitution is interpreted outside of the courts and the power that
citizens and their elected officials can have in enacting legal change. "The Forgotten
Emancipator" shows how Reconstruction not only expanded racial equality but also transformed
the rights of workers throughout America. An impressively informative and original work of
seminal scholarship from beginning to end, "The Forgotten Emancipator" is unreservedly
recommended for both community and academic library 19th Century American History
collections and supplemental studies reading lists. It should be noted for the personal reading
lists of students, academia, and non-specialist general readers with an interest in the subject that
"The Forgotten Emancipator" is also available in a digital book format (Kindle, $31.20).
United Tastes
Keith Stavely and Kathleen Fitzgerald
University of Massachusetts Press
PO Box 429, Amherst, MA 01004
9781625343222 $32.95 www.umass.edu/umpress
United Tastes: The Making of the First American Cookbook is a storied history of not only the
classic cookbook "American Cookery" (first published in 1796), but also the culinary traditions
that formed part of the post-Revolutionary American effort to create a unique national identity. A
thorough study of both cultural and culinary American traditions written with scholarly precision,
yet accessible to readers of all backgrounds, United Tastes is an excellent contribution to public
and college library American History collections. Highly recommended.
The World History Shelf
Josephus Carta's Illustrated The Jewish War
R. Steven Notley, introduction
Carta Jerusalem Ltd.
www.carta-jerusalem.com
c/o Biblical Archaeology Society Press (distribution)
4710 - 41st Street, NW, Washington, DC 20016-1700
www.biblicalarchaeology.org
9789652208774, $60.00 HC, 220pp, www.amazon.com
This newest and unique edition of "Josephus Carta's Illustrated The Jewish War" by R. Stephen
Notley, handsomely augments Whiston's English translation of Josephus eyewitness account with
state-of-the-art maps, pictures, and illustrations that bring clarity and new life to this gripping
story of the final days of the Second Temple, as the reader is guided from the arrival of
Antiochus Epiphanes to the fall of Masada. "Josephus Carta's Illustrated The Jewish War"
features: 40 maps illustrating the events recorded by Josephus referenced to the latest scholarly
research (The Carta Bible Atlas, The Sacred Bridge: Carta's Atlas of the Biblical World, and
more); 175 illustrations of sites, archaeological finds, landscapes, artifacts, and artist's renditions;
Easy name search for: Persons (e.g., Vespasian); Places (e.g., Jerusalem); Loeb references, and
more. As beautifully illustrated throughout, "Josephus Carta's Illustrated The Jewish War" is
impressively informative and exceptionally well written, organized and presented. Unreservedly
recommended reading for students, academicians, and non-specialist general readers with an
interest in the subject, "Josephus Carta's Illustrated The Jewish War" is a critically important and
valued addition to personal, professional, community, and academic library World History
collections in general, and Judaic History supplemental studies reading lists in particular.
Game of Thrones and the Medieval Art of War
Ken Mondschein
McFarland & Company
PO Box 611, Jefferson NC 28640
www.mcfarlandpub.com
9780786499700, $35.00, PB, 236pp, www.amazon.com
Acclaimed and prize winning science fiction and fantasy author George R.R. Martin's "A Song of
Ice and Fire" novels which are the basis for HBO's wildly popular 'Game of Thrones' television
series depicting a medieval world at war. But how accurate are they with reference to historical
medieval warfare and culture? Ken Mondschien is an historian and medieval martial arts expert
who draws upon his years of experience and expertise to examines in detail how authentically
Martin's fictional world reflects the arms and armor, fighting techniques and siege warfare of the
Middle Ages. Along the way, Mondschien explores the concept of medievalism modern pop
culture's idea of the Middle Ages. As inherently fascinating a read as it is informed and
informative, "Game of Thrones and the Medieval Art of War" will prove to be an enduringly
popular addition to both community and academic library collections. For the personal reading
lists of the legions of "Game of Thrones" fans it should be noted that "Game of Thrones and the
Medieval Art of War" is also available in a digital book format (Kindle, $9.99).
The World Turns to War
Jay Wertz
Monroe Publications
http://www.monroepublications.com
9780998889306, $39.95, HC, 336pp, www.amazon.com
In the pages of "The World Turns to War", Jay Wertz deftly weaves stories of combat veterans
into an event-by-event history of World War II. Included are the words of veterans drawn from
all of the involved forces and in all theaters of operation. Illustrated by high-quality photographs,
full-color images and detailed maps, "The World Turns to War " presents through a wealth of
first hand accounts a complete picture of the war from those who fought it. Included are firsthand
recollections and perspectives from those who witnessed the Rise of Fascism in Europe, the
invasion of Poland, and the 1940 German Blitzkrieg across Europe. An inherently fascinating
and impressively informative read from cover to cover, "The World Turns to War" is
unreservedly recommended for both community and academic library 20th Century History and
World War II collections, as well as the personal reading lists of students and non-specialist
general readers with an interest in these subjects.
The Civil War Shelf
The Battles and Campaigns of Confederate General Nathan Bedford Forrest, 1861-1865
John R. Scales
Savas Beatie
PO Box 4527, El Dorado Hills, CA 95762
www.savasbeatie.com
9781611212846, $32.95, HC, 480pp, www.amazon.com
Nathan Bedford Forrest (July 13, 1821 - October 29, 1877), called Bedford Forrest in his
lifetime, was a Confederate Army general during the American Civil War and an early leader of
the Ku Klux Klan. "The Battles and Campaigns of Confederate General Nathan Bedford Forrest,
1861-1865" by John R. Scales (who is a past president of the Tennessee Valley Civil War
Roundtable, and leads Civil War campaign tours in Alabama, Tennessee, and Georgia) is a
careful and unique examination of Forrest's wartime activities and how his actions affected the
war in the Western Theater. Each individual chapter covers specific raids or campaigns, all
arranged chronologically. After describing the environment within which Forrest operated, which
helps readers understand the larger situation within which his movements were made and his
battles were fought, Gen. Scales narrates the decisions Forrest and his opponents made and the
actions they took. Firsthand sources, including heavy use of documents and reports from the
Official Records, coupled with 109 original maps, make it easy to understand the often complex
background, movements, and engagements involving Forrest and his command. An impressively
detailed work of outstanding scholarship, "The Battles and Campaigns of Confederate General
Nathan Bedford Forrest, 1861-1865" is an invaluable contribution to the growing library of Civil
War literature & history. While unreservedly recommended for both community and academic
library American Civil War collections in general, and Nathan Bedford Forrest supplemental
studies reading lists in particular, it should be noted for the personal reading lists of students and
non-specialist general readers with an interest in the subject that "The Battles and Campaigns of
Confederate General Nathan Bedford Forrest, 1861-1865" is also available in a digital book
format (Kindle, $19.77).
Resisting Sherman
Thomas Heard Robertson, Jr.
Savas Beatie
PO Box 4527, El Dorado Hills, CA 95762
www.savasbeatie.com
9781611212600, $26.95, HC, 192pp, www.amazon.com
Surgeon Francis Robertson fled Charleston with the Confederate garrison in 1865 in an effort to
stay ahead of General Sherman's Federal army as it marched north from Savannah. The Southern
high command was attempting to assemble General Joseph E. Johnston's force in North Carolina
for a last-ditch effort to defeat Sherman and perhaps join with General Lee in Virginia, or at least
gain better terms for surrender. Dr. Robertson, a West Pointer, physician, professor, politician,
patrician, and Presbyterian, with five sons in the Confederate army, kept a daily journal for the
final three months of the Civil War while traveling more than 900 miles through four states. His
account looks critically at the decisions of generals from a middle ranking officer's viewpoint,
describes army movements from a ground level perspective, and places the military campaign
within the everyday events of average citizens suffering under the boot of war. "Resisting
Sherman: A Confederate Surgeon's Journal and the Civil War in the Carolinas, 1865", by Francis
Marion Robertson (and edited by Thomas H. Robertson, Jr. who is his direct descendant) fills in
many of the gaps and adds tremendously to our knowledge of this region and those troubled final
days of the Confederacy by following in his ancestor's footsteps, conducting exhaustive research
to identify the people, route, and places mentioned in the journal. Sidebars on a wide variety of
related issues include coverage of politics and the Battle of Averasboro, where one of the
surgeon's sons was shot. An extensive introduction covers the military situation in and around
Charleston that led to the evacuation described so vividly by Surgeon Robertson, and an epilogue
summarizes what happened to the diary characters after the war. An invaluable contribution to
the growing body of American Civil War literature, "Resisting Sherman" is an incredibly
valuable and informative read that will have special appeal to Civil War buffs. While
unreservedly recommended for both community and academic library American Civil War
collections and supplemental studies reading lists, it should be noted that "Resisting Sherman" is
also available in a paperback edition (9781611213867, $18.95) and in a digital book format
(Kindle, $8.49).
A Strange and Blighted Land
Gregory A. Coco
Savas Beatie
PO Box 4527, El Dorado Hills, CA 95762
www.savasbeatie.com
9781611214055, $24.95, PB, 432pp, www.amazon.com
The infamous confrontation at Gettysburg (July 1-3, 1863) was the largest battle ever to be
fought on the American continent. Remarkably few who study it contemplate what came after the
armies marched away. Who would care for the tens of thousands of wounded? What happened to
the thousands of dead men, horses, and tons of detritus scattered in every direction? How did the
civilians cope with their radically changed lives? That is precisely the subject of Gregory Coco's
"A Strange and Blighted Land. Gettysburg: The Aftermath of a Battle" which offers a
comprehensive account of these and other post conflict issues. Arranged in a series of topical
chapters, "A Strange and Blighted Land" begins with a tour of the battlefield, mostly through
eyewitness accounts, of the death and destruction littering the sprawling landscape, and then
moves on to discuss the dead of Gettysburg, North and South, how their remains were handled,
and how and why the Gettysburg National Cemetery was established. The treatment of the
wounded, Union and Confederate, was organized chaos. Every house and barn became of
hospital or medical station, and the medical and surgical practices of the day were little short of
compassionate torture. "A Strange and Blighted Land" also discusses at length how prisoners
were handled and the fate of the thousands of stragglers and deserters left behind once the armies
left before concluding with the preservation efforts that culminated in the establishment of the
Gettysburg National Military Park in 1895. "A Strange and Blighted Land" is gripping, personal,
and brutally honest. There was nothing pretty or glorious or romantic about a battle -- especially
once the fighting ended. No personal, community, or academic library American Civil War
collection can be considered complete or comprehensive without the inclusion of Gregory Coco's
"A Strange and Blighted Land". Also very highly recommended is Civil War historian Gregory
Coco's "A Vast Sea of Misery: A History and Guide to the Union and Confederate Field
Hospitals at Gettysburg, July 1 - November 20, 1863" (9781611214062, $19.95, PB,
224pp).
The Biography Shelf
Our Year of War
Daniel P. Bolger
Da Capo Press
c/o Perseus Book Group
250 W. 57th St., Suite 1500, New York, NY 10107
www.perseusbooksgroup.com
9780306903267 $28.00 hc / $17.99 Kindle amazon.com
Thirty-five year Army veteran Daniel Bolger presents Our Year of War, a unique true-life story
focusing on the 1968 Vietnam war experience of two brothers - Chuck Hagel, who would later
become America's Secretary of Defense, and his brother Tom Hagel. Chuck Hagel supported the
war in Vietnam; Tom Hagel despised it. Both brothers served in war, including during the Tet
Offensive, and each saved the other's life under fire. Several pages of inset black-and-white
photographic plates illustrates this captivating, expertly researched, and thoroughly immersive
saga. A vivid glimpse into the tumultuous past, a divided America, and the sweltering jungles of
war-torn Vietnam, Our Year of War is highly recommended for public and college library
military shelves and personal reading lists.
Kane from Canada
Mary Kane, editor
ACMRS
Arizona State University
PO Box 874402, Tempe, AZ 85287-4402
http://acmrs.org/publications
9780866985680, $39.95, PB, 322pp, www.amazon.com
George Kane (1916-2008) was at heart a farm boy from Saskatchewan. In the early part of his
memoir, "Kane from Canada", he looks back on his family background, schooldays in St Peter's
Abbey in Muenster and university years in Vancouver, Toronto, and Northwestern universities
before he set off for London on an Imperial Order of Daughters of the Empire two-year graduate
scholarship in September 1938. He was never to live in Canada again. Kane spoke rarely about
his wartime years, when he served as an officer in the British Army. The greater part of his
memoir focuses on 1939-1945, giving a new picture of P.O.W. life in Germany -- and escape
attempts. In later life Kane won international acclaim as a medieval scholar. The final chapter, to
1965, includes discussion of the origins of his Piers Plowman editions. At the University of
London Kane taught in University College and later held chairs at Royal Holloway (1955-1965)
and King's College (1965-1976); afterwards he held the William Rand Kenan Jr. Professorship of
English at the University of North Carolina (1976-1987). Deftly edited by his daughter, Mary
Kane, "Kane from Canada" is an inherently fascinating and detailed account of an inherently
interesting and eventual life. "Kane from Canada" is an especially recommended addition to both
community and academic library Contemporary Biography collections.
The Worrier's Guide to the End of the World
Torre Deroche
Seal Press
c/o Hachette Book Group
1290 Avenue of the Americas, New York, NY 10104
9781580056854, $16.99, PB, 288pp, www.amazon.com
Torre DeRoche was at rock bottom following a breakup and her father's death when she crossed
paths with the goofy and spirited Masha, who is pursuing her dream of walking the world. When
Masha invites Torre to join her pilgrimage through Tuscany (drinking wine, foraging wild
berries, and twirling on hillsides) Torre straps on a pair of flimsy street shoes and gets rambling.
But the magical hills of Italy are nothing like the dusty and merciless roads of India where the
pair wind up, improvising a pilgrimage in the footsteps of Gandhi along his march to the seaside.
Hoping to catch that noble man's fearlessness by osmosis and end the journey as wise, svelte, and
kick-ass warriors, they are instead unraveled by worry that this might be one adventure too far.
Coming face-to-face with their worst fears, they discover the power of friendship to save us from
our darkest moments. Deftly written by an author with an authentic gift for engaging her reader's
full and complete attention, "The Worrier's Guide to the End of the World: Love, Loss, and Other
Catastrophes--through Italy, India, and Beyond" is an inherently fascinating, fun and informative
read from cover to cover. While unreservedly recommended, especially for community library
collections, it should be noted for personal reading lists that Torre DeRoche's The Worrier's
Guide to the End of the World: Love, Loss, and Other Catastrophes--through Italy, India, and
Beyond" is also available in a digital book format (Kindle, $11.99).
The Woodworking Shelf
Finishing Wood
Fine Woodworking Editorial Staff
The Taunton Press
63 South Main Street, Newtown, CT 06470
www.taunton.com
9781631868931, $21.95, PB, 220pp, www.amazon.com
A great finish can make even a simple project look terrific. A bad finish can ruin the most
well-built, sophisticated piece of furniture. Finishing can be a daunting and mystifying task to
many novice woodworkers who fear wrecking their projects at this late stage in the process. "The
Woodworking Shelf" is comprised of a collection of articles drawn from the pages of Fine
Woodworking magazine and collectively bring together the best information on a rich variety of
finishing techniques. Nowadays, finishing wood doesn't just embrace fine clear finishes like
shellac and French polishing, but also bright pigmented lacquers, dyes and stains, milk paint, and
"crackled" paint. "Finishing Wood" features a whole section on the hot new trend of coloring
wood. Also included is timeless information on preparing a surface before you apply a finish (a
critical first step) as well as tried-and-true methods for applying all the traditional finishes,
whether by brush or by spraying. Profusely illustrated throughout, "Finishing Wood" is an
exceptionally 'user friendly' instructional reference in content, organization, and presentation,
making it an ideal and highly recommended addition to personal, professional, highschool wood
shop, and community library Woodworking collections. It should be noted that "Finishing
Wood" is also available in a digital book format (Kindle, $15.99).
The Art of Coloring Wood
Brian Miller & Marci Crestani, authors
Marc Carter, photographer
Linden Publishing
2006 South Mary, Fresno, CA 93721-9875
www.woodworkerslibrary.com
9781610353052, $24.95, PB, 144pp, www.amazon.com
"The Art of Coloring Wood: A Woodworker's Guide to Understanding Dyes and Chemicals" by
Brian Miller (who is a Professor of Wood Technology who teaches an actual course on coloring
wood at Cerritos College in Norwalk, CA) is an instructional manual and guide for the
woodworker looking to take their woodworking skills to a higher level of craftsmanship using
chemicals and dyes instead of stains. Unlike stains that can trap light and obscure grain patterns,
chemicals and dyes, when handled properly, are one of the best methods for enhancing a wood's
color or accentuating the grain pattern. A classic technique that's been practiced for centuries,
coloring wood is a sure way to infuse a "wow" into your woodworking efforts. To keep the
information accessible and relevant, The Art of Coloring Wood focuses on the six most popular
woods used by woodworkers (maple, quartersawn white oak, mahogany, walnut, cherry and
alder) and outlines the unique characteristics with regard to coloring each. After the six woods
are outlined, "The Art of Coloring Wood" moves onto the supplies needed, including brushes,
sandpaper, and much more, before proceeding into the easy-to-follow and engaging chapters on
the different chemicals and dyes that will make your woodworking shine. Each individual
chapter offers recipes, insights, and many "a-ha!" moments that make learning about chemicals
and dyes both fascinating and within easy reach. Of special note is the inclusion of helpful
sidebars throughout "The Art of Coloring Wood" offering tips, mistakes, and countless nuggets
of information. Unique and thoroughly 'user friendly' in tone, organization and presentation, "The
Art of Coloring Wood" is an extraordinary and highly recommended addition to personal,
professional, highschool woodshop, community and academic library Woodworking instructional
reference collections. It should be noted for personal reading lists that "The Art of Coloring
Wood" is also available in a digital book format (Kindle, $9.99).
The Literary Studies Shelf
John Updike Remembered
Jack A. De Bellis, editor
McFarland & Company
PO Box 611, Jefferson NC 28640
www.mcfarlandpub.com
9781476667065, $29.95, PB, 229pp, www.amazon.com
The late John Hoyer Updike (March 18, 1932 - January 27, 2009) was an American novelist,
poet, short story writer, art critic, and literary critic. One of only three writers to win the Pulitzer
Prize for Fiction more than once, Updike published more than twenty novels, more than a dozen
short-story collections, as well as poetry, art and literary criticism and children's books during his
career. Knowledgeably compiled and deftly edited by Jack A. De Bellis, (Professor Emeritus at
Lehigh University who was a founder of the John Updike Society, served as its director from
2009-2014, and is an editor of the John Updike Review), "John Updike Remembered: Friends,
Family and Colleagues Reflect on the Writer and the Man" is comprised of fifty-three erudite and
insightful articles by individuals that collectively present a prismatic view of John Updike and
his work through anecdote and insight. Interviews and essays from family, friends and associates
reveal sides of the novelist perhaps unfamiliar to the public -- the high school prankster, the
golfer, the creator of bedtime stories, the charming ironist, the faithful correspondent with
scholars, the devoted friend and the dedicated practitioner of his craft. The contributors include
his first wife, Mary Pennington, and three of their children; high school and college friends;
authors John Barth, Joyce Carol Oates and Nicholson Baker; journalists Terri Gross and Ann
Goldstein; and scholars Jay Parini, William Pritchard, James Plath, and Adam Begley, Updike's
biographer. While unreservedly and strongly recommended for college and university library
Contemporary Literary Studies collections in general, and John Updike supplemental studies
reading lists in particular, it should be noted for students, academia, and non-specialist general
readers with an interest in the subject the "John Updike Remembered" is also available in a
digital book format (Kindle, $15.99).
The Case for Fanfiction
Ashley J. Barner
McFarland & Company
PO Box 611, Jefferson NC 28640
www.mcfarlandpub.com
9781476668772, $35.00, PB, 220pp, www.amazon.com
Fan fiction or 'fanfiction' is fiction about characters or settings from an original work of fiction,
created by fans of that work rather than by its creator. It is a popular form of fan labor,
particularly since the advent of the Internet. Fan fiction is rarely commissioned or authorized by
the original work's creator or publisher, and is rarely professionally published. It may or may not
infringe on the original author's copyright, depending on the jurisdiction and on such questions as
whether or not it qualifies as "fair use". Attitudes of authors and copyright owners of original
works to fan fiction have ranged from indifference to encouragement to rejection. Copyright
owners have occasionally responded with legal action. Fan fiction is defined by being both
related to its subject's canonical fictional universe (often referred to as "canon") and
simultaneously existing outside it. Most fan fiction writers assume that their work is read
primarily by other fans, and therefore presume that their readers have knowledge of the canon
universe (created by a professional writer) in which their works are based. Challenging readers to
rethink what they read and why, In "The Case for Fanfiction: Exploring the Pleasures and
Practices of a Maligned Craft" author Ashley J. Barner questions the aesthetic assumptions that
have led to the devaluing of fanfiction (a genre criticized as both tasteless and derivative) and
other "guilty pleasure" reading (and writing), including romance and fantasy. The complicated
relationship between "fanfic" and intellectual property rights is discussed in light of the
millennia-old tradition of derivative literature, before modern copyright law established
originality as the hallmark of great fiction. An inherently fascinating, thoughtful and
thought-provoking read from beginning to end, "The Case for Fanfiction" is a unique and very
special addition to both community and academic library Contemporary Literary Studies
collections. It should be noted for the personal reading lists of students, academia, and
non-specialist general readers with an interest in the subject that "The Case for Fanfiction" is also
available in a digital book format (Kindle, $3.99).
Star-Begotten: A Life Lived in Science Fiction
James Gunn
McFarland & Company
PO Box 611, Jefferson NC 28640
www.mcfarlandpub.com
9781476670263, $25.00, PB, 223pp, www.amazon.com
James Gunn, an emeritus professor of English at the University of Kansas, is the author or editor
of 45 books and more than 100 short stories, has been president of both the Science Fiction and
Fantasy Writers of America and the Science Fiction Research Association and has received their
lifetime awards, including the Grand Master Award of SFWA and induction into the Science
Fiction and Fantasy Hall of Fame. In "Star-Begotten: A Life Lived in Science Fiction" he
provides his legions of fans with an autobiography of his life and his work -- how each has
impacted the other. Impressively informative and (as to be expected from one of the most erudite
of the science fiction authors) exceptionally well written, organized and presented. Of special
note is the inclusion of tow appendices: 'A Speech Given at the Donation of the Theodore
Sturgeon Papers at Kansas University' and 'Publications' (which consists of a bibliographical
listing of Books Published, Books Edited, Short Fiction, and Other Publications). An inherently
fascinating read in its own right, "Star-Begotten: A Life Lived in Science Fiction" is an especially
and unreservedly recommended addition to personal, community, and academic library Literary
Studies collections in general, and James Gunn supplemental studies reading lists in particular. It
should be noted for fans, students, academia, and non-specialist general readers with an interest
in the subject that "Star-Begotten: A Life Lived in Science Fiction" is also available in a digital
book format (Kindle, $13.99).
The Self-Help Shelf
Breakup Rehab: Creating the Love You Want
Rebekah Freedom McClaskey
New World Library
14 Pamaron Way, Novato, CA 94949
www.newworldlibrary.com
9781608684892, $15.95, PB, 216pp, www.amazon.com
After her devastating breakup, counselor Rebekah Freedom McClaskey became inspired by her
work in the field of addiction recovery to craft a safe, step-by-step path to forging healthy
relationships based on honesty, love, integrity, and trust. "Breakup Rehab: Creating the Love You
Want" specifically and effectively addresses post-breakup chaos, providing clarity and direction
so that your next relationship will be your best relationship. This wise, real-world, and often
humorous guide acknowledges the state of grief or resignation that comes with a breakup and
then walks you through the stages of forgiveness and letting go. Along the way, you'll experience
a more compassionate self-awareness as you rebuild self-confidence and learn how to be loved
for who you truly are. These steps will propel you forward on your unique path, as you recognize
your life's purpose and then travel toward well-being and a love that will set you free. With
insights that are both timely and timeless, "Breakup Rehab: Creating the Love You Want" is
exceptionally well written, organized and presented, making it very highly recommended,
especially for community library Self-Help/Self-Improvement collections. It should be noted for
personal reading lists that "Breakup Rehab: Creating the Love You Want" is also available in a
digital book format (Kindle, $9.99).
The Christian Studies Shelf
Water My Soul
Darla Weaver
Herald Press
1251 Virginia Avenue, Harrisonburg, VA 22802
www.heraldpress.com
9781513802428, $25.99, HC, 200pp, www.amazon.com
In the pages of "Water My Soul", Darla Weaver (who is a homemaker, a gardener, a writer, and
herself an Old Order Mennonite living in the hills of southern Ohio) writes out of her own
struggles with Christian discipleship so that others will know Old Order Mennonites are human
too and often long to walk closer to God. She bares her heart in these 90 devotionals drawn from
her home-centered life in western Ohio's hills. While family, gardening, cooking with home
grown food, and living as naturally as possible off the land are the focus of her days, her utmost
goal is to serve and honor the Christ she loves and serves through all aspects of her life. Women
especially will relate to these meditations generously sprinkled with stories from Darla's children,
marriage, community and wider friends and family. Daily scripture readings, poignant prayers
and journal prompts or ideas for active responses are included with each inspiring devotional.
Inspired and inspiring, "Water My Soul" is truly memorable read from beginning to end and very
highly recommended to the attention of all members of the Christian community regardless of
their denominational affiliations. It should be noted for personal reading lists that "Water My
Soul" is also available in a paperback edition (9781513802411, $12.99) and in a digital book
format (Kindle, $8.99).
At Play in the Lions' Den
Jim Forrest
Orbis Books
Price Building, Box 302, Maryknoll NY 10545-0302
www.orbisbooks.com
9781626982482, $28.00, PB, 352pp, www.amazon.com
The late Daniel Berrigan (1921-2016) was a Jesuit priest and poet, and arguably one of the
preeminent Christian peacemakers of his time. After gaining notoriety in 1968 through his role,
along with his brother Philip, in destroying Vietnam-era draft files as part of the Catonsville 9, he
helped elevate the Christian conscience with regard to issues of war and violence. Resistance to
the Vietnam War was followed by decades of protest against nuclear weapons, including his
participation in the first "Plowshares" action, the symbolical disarming of nuclear warheads. But
Berrigan's efforts on behalf of life also involved care for the dying and ministry to those suffering
from AIDS. In the pages of "At Play in the Lions' Den: A Biography and Memoir of Daniel
Berrigan" biographer Jim Forest (who worked with Berrigan in building the Catholic Peace
Fellowship in the 1960s) draws on his deep friendship over five decades to provide the most
comprehensive and intimate picture yet available of this modern-day prophet. Extensive
photographs and quotations from Berrigan's writings complete the portrait. While especially
recommended for community, seminary, and academic library Contemporary American
Biography & Christian Studies collections, it should be noted for the personal reading lists of
clergy, academia, and non-specialist general readers with an interest in the life and work of
Daniel Berrigan that "At Play in the Lions' Den" is also available in a digital book format
(Kindle, $13.50).
Jesus Approaches
Elizabeth M. Kelly
Loyola Press
3441 North Ashland Avenue, Chicago, IL 60657
www.loyolapress.com
9780829444728, $16.95, PB, 200pp, www.amazon.com
In "Jesus Approaches: What Contemporary Women Can Learn about Healing, Freedom & Joy
from the Women of the New Testament", Elizabeth Kelly shares vivid stories of New Testament
women whose encounters with Jesus freed them to flourish in life. The stories are supplemented
with moving accounts from her own life, and from the lives of women like you, to demonstrate
that sometimes the best way to find healing, strength, and wholeness in Christ is, ironically, to
lead with vulnerability and openness. Ultimately, "Jesus Approaches" teaches that finding the
fullness of life for which you were created begins with bringing your brokenness to the Lord. An
erudite study that is exceptionally inspiring and biblically grounded, "Jesus Approaches" is an
extraordinary and highly recommended addition to church and seminary Christian Studies
collections. It should be noted for the personal reading lists of clergy and all members of the
Christian Community with an interest in the subject that "Jesus Approaches" is also available in a
digital book format (Kindle, $8.49).
One Life, Two Paths
Kimberly Sowell & Brian Saxon
New Hope Publishers
PO Box 830711, Birmingham, AL 35283-0711
www.newhopepublishers.com
9781625915245, $12.99, PB, 176pp, www.amazon.com
The collaborative work of Kimberly Sowell (author of the Thin Red Line Bible study series and
the founder and president of Kingdom Heart Ministries) and Brian Saxon (who currently serves
as the pastor of a growing church in South Carolina where he encourages Christ followers to live
out their maximum potential for God), "One Life, Two Paths: Life Lessons from a Fallen King"
reveals key biblical truths, spiritual markers, and principles for successful decision-making. Like
King Saul, you can unwittingly make slow, steady choices that carry you to your ruination
instead of toward God's intended success. "One Life, Two Paths" shows just how to avoid the
traps of fading from God's fellowship and favor. As thoroughly 'reader friendly' in organization
and presentation as it is inspired and inspiring in tone and content, "One Life, Two Paths" is
unreservedly recommended to all members of the Christian community regardless of
denominational affiliation. It should be noted for personal reading lists that "One Life, Two
Paths" is also available in a digital book format (Kindle, $5.59).
Saving Images
Gordan W. Lathrop
Fortress Press
P.O. Box 1209, Minneapolis, MN 55440-1209
http://fortresspress.com
9781506406336, $34.00, HC, 224pp, www.amazon.com
The Protestant Reformation emphasized the centrality of scripture to Christian life; the
twentieth-century liturgical movement emphasized the Bible's place at the heart of liturgy. But
we have not yet explored the place of the Bible as the subject of critical exegesis in contemporary
liturgy, argues Gordon W. Lathrop (who has taught liturgy at Wartburg Theological Seminary,
the Lutheran Theological Seminary at Philadelphia, Yale Divinity School, and the Virginia
Theological Seminary). In "Saving Images: The Presence of the Bible in Christian Liturgy" he
seeks to remedy that lack because it is critical historical scholarship that has shown us the
grounding of the text in the life of the assembly and the role of intertextuality in its creation.
"Saving" and revitalizing images of the past are at the heart of scripture and are the work of the
gathered community. Lathrop finds patterns in biblical narratives that suggest revising our
models of the "shape" of liturgy (Dix and Schmemann) and our understanding of baptism,
preaching, Eucharist, and congregational prayer. "Saving Images" lifts up the visual imagery at
the Dura Europos house church and elsewhere as a corrective to the supersessionist impulse in
much Christian typology. It also identifies the liturgical imperative as seriousness about the
present rather than an effort to dwell in an imagined past. Impressively informed and informative,
"Saving Images" is a call for a new, reconceived biblical-liturgical movement that takes seriously
both biblical scholarship and the mystery at the heart of worship. As thoughtful and
thought-provoking as it is inspired and inspiring, "Saving Images" is very highly recommended
for church, seminary, and academic library Christian Studies collections. It should be noted for
the personal reading lists of theology students, clergy, and non-specialist general readers with an
interest in the subject that "Saving Images" is also available in a digital book format (Kindle,
$29.57).
Philippians
Paul A. Holloway
Fortress Press
P.O. Box 1209, Minneapolis, MN 55440-1209
http://fortresspress.com
9780800660963, $49.98, HC, 286pp, www.amazon.com
Paul's letter to the Philippians offers spiritual treasures to the reader, as well as historical and
theological puzzles. In "Philippians", Paul A. Holloway (University Professor of Classics and
Ancient Christianity at Sewanee: The University of the South) treats the letter as a literary unity
and a letter of consolation, according to Greek and Roman understandings of that genre, written
probably in Rome and thus the latest of Paul's letters to come down to us. Adapting the
methodology of what Professor Holloway calls a new history of religions perspective, he attends
carefully to the religious topoi of Philippians, especially the metamorphic myth in chapter 2, and
draws significant conclusions about Paul's personalism and "mysticism". With succinct and
judicious treatments of pertinent exegetical and theological issues throughout, Professor
Holloway draws richly on Jewish, Greek, and Roman comparative material to present a complex
understanding of the apostle as a Hellenized and Romanized Jew. The newest addition to the
outstanding Fortress Press series 'Hermeneia: A Critical and Historical Commentary on the
Bible', "Philippians" is unreservedly recommended for church, seminary, college, and university
library New Testament Theology and collections in general, and Pilippians supplemental studies
reading lists in particular.
Auden, The Psalms, and Me
J. Chester Johnson
Church Publishing
PO Box 931294, Atlanta, GA 31193-1294
https://www.churchpublishing.org
9780898699647, $16.00, PB, 168pp, www.amazon.com
In the nearly 40 years since the advent of the 1979 Book of Common Prayer, the re-translation of
the Psalter created for that book has become a standard, used not only by Episcopalians, but
adopted by others into their own worship service books and liturgies. Now J. Chester Johnson,
one of the two surviving members of the Committee that produced the re-translation, has agreed
for the first time to tell the story of this Psalter and the little-known but vital part played in it by
acclaimed poet W. H. Auden, whom Johnson replaced on the committee when Auden decided to
return to live in England. Despite Auden's ambivalence about changes in the Episcopal Book of
Common Prayer, he wrote associated articles and poems, authored many letters, some of special
liturgical and spiritual significance, and attended Psalter drafting committee meetings. "Auden,
The Psalms, and Me" not only illuminates this untold part of the Episcopal Psalter story but also
describes the key elements that drove the creation of this special re-translation edition from
Church Publishing. Impressively informative and exceptionally well organized and presented,
"Auden, The Psalms, and Me" is especially commended to the attention of scholars, poets,
theologians, members of the Episcopal Church, particularly as prayer book revision becomes an
active conversation again. It should be noted for personal reading lists that "Auden, The Psalms,
and Me" is also available in a digital book format (Kindle, $9.99).
One by One
David A. Bednar
Deseret Books
57 West South Temple, Salt Lake City, UT 84101
www.deseretbook.com
9781629723822, $21.99, HC, 176pp, www.amazon.com
In Mormon theology the Lord tells his followers that "the worth of souls is great" in His sight
(Doctrine and Covenants 18:10). But how can we know what is true? How can we gain a greater
sense of the worth of every soul -- including our own? In "One by One", Elder David A. Bednar
(who was called to serve as a member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles in The Church of
Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in 2004.) offers a compelling look at a pattern the Lord uses to
bless His people: He works with us on an individual basis, one by one. Demonstrating that
pattern as it occurs throughout the scriptures, in the lives of many Church leaders, and in his own
ministry, Elder Bednar opens our hearts to the Lord's love for us. He teaches that by ministering
as the Savior does, one by one, we can be more powerful instruments in His hands to do His
work, From a "guided tour" through scriptural illustrations to an array of touching personal
accounts, "One by One" is an important new book offers hope and guidance for anyone who has
ever wondered, "Do I matter to the Lord?" While a very highly recommended, inspired and
inspiring read, it should be noted that "One by One" is also available in a digital book format
(Kindle, $12.99).
A Woman Overwhelmed
Hayley DiMarco
Abingdon Press
2222 Rosa L. Parks Blvd., PO Box 280988, Nashville, TN 37228-0988
www.abingdonpress.com
9781501840708, $16.99, PB, 208pp, www.amazon.com
The reason they say that a woman's work is never done is because it isn't! Women are often
simply overwhelmed by the demands and circumstances of life, resulting in stress, fear, worry,
impatience, fatigue, frustration, and even depression. The truth is that women (and men) were
created to be overwhelmed, not by life, but by God! When we learn to be overwhelmed by God,
the fruit in our lives goes from rotten to fragrant -- filling our days with peace, hope, love, and
joy. In "A Woman Overwhelmed: Finding God in the Messes of Life", the wife of a pastor,
Hayley DiMarco shares biblical insights and personal stories to offer a glimpse at the comedy of
an overwhelmed life while encouraging us to discover the depths and heights of God's love and
power. Her readers will be empowered to find freedom in becoming overwhelmed with who God
is by learning to focus on what we know about God so that we can hold onto faith even when it
seems that all is lost. For it is when an overwhelmed woman gives up the mission of me and
exchanges it for the mission of God that being overwhelmed becomes a good thing. The
underlying message of "A Woman Overwhelmed" is that we all can choose to bask in the
abundance of the Father as his unfathomable depths can surely replace our fathomable messes.
Exceptionally well written, organized and presented, "A Woman Overwhelmed" is inspired and
inspiring, making it unreservedly recommended to all members of the Christian community
regardless of denominational affiliations. It should be noted for personal reading lists that "A
Woman Overwhelmed" is also available in a digital book format (Kindle, $9.00) and as a
complete and unabridged audio book (9781683669647, $15.92, CD).
Pope Francis and the Caring Society
Robert M. Whaples, editor
The Independent Institute
100 Swan Way, Oakland, CA 94621-1428
www.independent.org
9781598132878, $24.95, HC, 256pp, www.amazon.com
Robert M. Whaples is a Research Fellow at the Independent Institute, Co-Editor and Managing
Editor for The Independent Review, Professor of Economics at Wake Forest University, Director
and Book Review Editor for EH.NET, and a member of the Board of Advisors for the Center on
Culture and Civil Society at the Independent Institute. He received his Ph.D. in economics from
the University of Pennsylvania. In "Pope Francis and the Caring Society" Professor Whaples
provides a thoughtful exploration of the Pope Francis's earnest call for a dialogue on building a
truly compassionate society. Pope Francis's fervent support for uplifting the poor and protecting
the environment has inspired far-reaching discussions worldwide: Do capitalism and socialism
have positive or negative social consequences? What is the most effective way to fight poverty?
And what value does a religious perspective offer in addressing moral, political, and economic
problems? "Pope Francis and the Caring Society" is an indispensable resource for consideration
of these vital questions and provides an integrated perspective on Francis and the issues he has
raised, examining the intersection of religion, politics, and economics. Readers will discover
important historical and cultural context for considering Francis's views, along with alternative
solutions for environmental preservation, a defense of Francis's criticism of power and privilege,
a case for market-based entrepreneurship and private charity as potent tools for fighting poverty,
and an examination of Francis's philosophy of the family. "Pope Francis and the Caring Society"
is essential reading for anyone interested in creating a better, more caring, and prosperous world.
While unreservedly recommended for both community, seminary, and academic library
collections, it should be noted for all members of the Catholic community, as well as
non-Catholic readers with an interest in the thought and theology of Pope Francis, that "Pope
Francis and the Caring Society" is also available in a digital book format (Kindle, $16.99).
The Judaic Studies Shelf
A Torah Giant
Rabbi Dr. Shuly Yanklowitz, editor
Urim Publications
c/o Lambda Publishers
527 Empire Boulevard, Brooklyn, New York 11225
www.UrimPublications.com
9789655242713, $28.95, HC, 320pp, www.amazon.com
In the pages of "A Torah Giant: The Intellectual Legacy of Rabbi Dr. Irving (Yitz) Greenberg",
readers will discover the breadth of wisdom provided by this generation's giant of Torah. Rabbi
Irving "Yitz" Greenberg. Rabbi Yitz is one of the most renowned leaders in contemporary Jewish
communal life. His dedication to foster a more interconnected and vibrant Judaism has been felt
across the academic and broader world. In this new study of his work as compiled and edited by
Rabbi Dr. Shmuly Yanklowitz (President & Dean of Valley Beit Midrash, the Founder &
President of Uri L'Tzedek, and Founder & CEO of Shamayim V'Aret), the legacy of Rabbi Yitz
is discussed at length by those who have been affected by his inclusive model of contemporary
Judaism, his approachable erudition, commitment to fostering meaningful interfaith dialogue,
and constant striving to make the world a more just place. These intellectual progenies divulge
the lasting impact Rabbi Yitz has had on their lives and the lives of people around the globe.
Exceptionally well organized and presented, "A Torah Giant" is unreservedly recommended for
personal, synagogue, community, and academic library Judaic Theology collections and
supplemental studies reading lists.
Of Tears and Laughter
Menachem M Schneerson
Kehot Publication Society
770 Eastern Parkway, Brooklyn, NY 11213
www.kehot.com
9780826607607, $12.95, HC, 80pp, www.amazon.com
A erudite Talmudic exegesis by the Rebbe, Rabbi Menachem M. Schneerson, "Of Tears and
Laughter" is deftly adapted from two siyumim delivered by the Rebbe (on the tractates Makkot
and Yoma). "Of Tears and Laughter" focuses on two moving Talmudic stories that occurred in
the aftermath of the destruction of the second Beit Hamikdash. With his unique, holistic
approach to Torah study, the Rebbe explores the positions taken by the leading Sages of that
time, and examines their lives and teachings. With a spotlight on Rabbi Akiva and his response,
the Rebbe searches the Talmud for laws taught by Rabbi Akiva, his life's story and allusions to
the composition of his very soul, to provide a comprehensive and insightful reasoning for Rabbi
Akiva's optimism. In the final analysis the Rebbe provides a breathtaking mosaic of the leaders of
the Jewish people in the post second Beit Hamikdash era. As informed and informative as it is
thoughtful and thought-provoking, "Of Tears and Laughter" is unreservedly recommended for
personal, synagogue, and academic library Judaic Studies collections and supplemental reading
lists.
Ceremony & Celebration
Rabbi Jonathan Sacks
Maggid
Koren Publishers Jerusalem Ltd.
c/o Toby Press
PO Box 8531, New Milford, CT 06776-8531
www.korenpub.com
9781592640256, $24.95, HC, 336pp, www.amazon.com
Rabbi Lord Jonathan Sacks is one of the world's leading Jewish thinkers and moral voices of our
time, laureate of the 2016 Templeton Prize. Educated at Oxford and Cambridge Universities,
King's College London and Jews' College, Rabbi Sacks served as chief rabbi of the United
Hebrew Congregations of the Commonwealth from 1991 until 2013. In the pages of "Ceremony
& Celebration: Introduction to the Holidays" Rabbi Sacks response to such questions as: When
did Rosh HaShana (the anniversary of creation) become a day of judgement?; How does Yom
Kippur unite the priest's atonement with the prophet's repentance?; What makes Kohelet (read on
Sukkot) the most joyful book in the Bible?; Why is the remembrance of the Pesah story so
central to Jewish morality?; Which does Shavuot really celebrate the law or the land? Bringing
together Rabbi Sacks's acclaimed introductions to the Koren Sacks Mahzorim, "Ceremony &
Celebration: Introduction to the Holidays" reveals the stunning and complex interplay of biblical
laws, rabbinic edicts, liturgical themes, communal rituals and profound religious meaning of each
of the five central Jewish holidays. While unreservedly recommended for synagogue,
community, and academic library Judaic Studies collections, it should be noted for the personal
reading lists of students, academia, and non-specialist general readers with an interest in the
subject that "Ceremony & Celebration: Introduction to the Holidays" is also available in a digital
book format (Kindle, $7.99).
#Parasha
Sivan Rahav-Meir
Menorah Books
Koren Publishers Jerusalem Ltd.
c/o Toby Press
PO Box 8531, New Milford, CT 06776-8531
www.korenpub.com
9781592644803, $24.95, HC, 350pp, www.amazon.com
For Sivan Rahav-Meir, the Torah is a fountain of wisdom for relationships, education,
government, finances, self-growth, and beyond. As a seasoned journalist in Israel, Rahav-Meir
has interviewed heads of state and senior political officials, and has uncovered exclusive stories
that have impacted the discourse in Israel. With a wealth of real-life experience, she applies her
insights to the weekly Torah portion. "#Parasha: Weekly Insights from a Leading Israeli
Journalist" is Rahav-Meir's debut book in English. Translated from her bestselling Hebrew
parasha book, Rahav-Meir shares brief reflections on the Torah from sources past and present,
infused with a thought-provoking message for the entire family. What began as short posts
shared on social media has stimulated ongoing conversation amongst religious, traditional and
progressive families. Now, she brings her inspiration to the English-speaking public. Offering
particularly informative, thoughtful, and thought-provoking perspectives, "#Parasha: Weekly
Insights from a Leading Israeli Journalist" is unreservedly recommended for both community and
academic library collections. It should be noted for personal reading lists that "#Parasha: Weekly
Insights from a Leading Israeli Journalist" is also available in a digital book format (Kindle,
$7.99).
The Buddhist Studies Shelf
Buddhas' Little Book of Life
Mark Zocchi
Red Wheel/Weiser/Conari
65 Parker Street, Suite 7, Newburyport, MA 01950
www.redwheelweiser.com
9781571747990 $16.95 pbk / $16.08 Kindle amazon.com
Buddhas' Little Book of Life: Daily Wisdom from the Great Masters, Teachers, and Writers of
All Time is an anthology of inspirational quotes selected from Gautama Buddha and other
spiritual leaders including the 14th Dalai Lama, and Thich Nhat Hanh, as well as other great
worthies including Cicero, Lao Tzu, Mother Teresa, and Shakespeare. "Pain in life is inevitable,
but misery is optional. -Henry Ward Beecher" A smattering of simple, black-and-white
brushstroke art intersperses the words of wisdom, in this excellent resource for daily inspiration
or extended contemplation. Highly recommended.
The Pets/Wildlife Shelf
Shark Attacks
Blake Chapman
CSIRO Publishing
c/o Stylus Publishing, Inc.
22883 Quicksilver Drive, Sterling, VA 20166-2012
www.styluspub.com
9781486307357, $29.95, PB, 288pp, www.amazon.com
We humans are spending more time in or on the water than ever before. We love the beach, but
for many people, getting in the water provokes a moment's hesitation ever since the launching of
the movie 'Jaws' and now the annual 'Shark Week' on television. Shark attacks are big news
events, and although the risk of shark attack on humans is incredibly low, the fact remains that
human lives are lost to sharks every year. In "Shark Attacks: Myths, Misunderstandings and
Human Fear", author and shark researcher Blacke Chapman deftly explores the tension between
risk and human fear and the need to conserve sharks and protect the important ecological roles
they play in our marine environments. A marine biologist, Blake Chapman presents scientific
information about shark biology, movement patterns, and feeding behavior. She discusses the
role of fear in the way we think about sharks and the influence of the media on public
perceptions. Moving first-hand accounts describe the deep and polarizing psychological impacts
of shark attacks from a range of perspectives. "Shark Attacks" is an education in thinking through
these emotive events and will help readers to navigate the controversial issues around mitigating
shark attacks while conserving the sharks themselves. Exceptionally well written, organized and
presented, "Shark Attacks" is an impressively informative and highly recommended addition to
both community and academic library collections, and will prove to be of special interest to
students and non-specialist general readers with an interest in the subject of sharks.
The Secret Life of Flies
Erica McAlister
Firefly Books Ltd.
50 Staples Avenue, Unit 1, Richmond Hill, ON, Canada L4B 0A7
www.fireflybooks.com
9781770858091, $29.95, HC, 248pp, www.amazon.com
Erica McAlister is curator of Diptera at the Natural History Museum, London. As a child, she
kept dead mammals to watch the maggots emerge from them, and as an adult she will admit to
"squealing like a child" when rummaging through the museum's collections. In "The Secret Life
of Flies" she takes readers into the hidden world of snail killers, con artists, crazy sex and a great
many silly names. She uses stories and science about nature's most complex, crucial and highly
adaptive insect to dispel common misconceptions about flies and reveals how truly extraordinary,
exotic and important are these misunderstood creatures. In clear language, McAlister explains
Diptera taxonomy and forensic entomology, and describes the potential of flies to transform their
relationship with humans from one of disease vector to partner in environmental preservation.
She has a wonderful knack for storytelling, deftly transforming what could be dry descriptions of
biology, reproduction and morphology into entertainment. She takes readers to piles of poo in
Ethiopia by way of underground caves, latrines and backyard gardens, and opens the drawers at
the Natural History Museum to rhapsodize over her favorite flies. While "The Secret Life of
Flies" is full of engaging stories and tongue-in-check descriptions, but the science is rigorous,
authoritative and will be enjoyed by dipterists, lepidopterists, insect enthusiasts, naturalists, and
non-specialist general readers with an interest in the subject. An inherently fascinating and
impressively informative read from cover to cover, "The Secret Life of Flies" is unreservedly
recommended for personal, community, and academic library collections.
Cloud: Wild Stallion Of The Rockies
Ginger Kathrens
Lumina Media
Fox Chapel Publishing Company
1970 Broad Street N., East Petersburg, PA 17520
www.FoxChapelPublishing.com
9781620082423, $19.99, PB, 160pp, www.amazon.com
Beautifully designed, this newly revised and updated edition of "Cloud: Wild Stallion Of The
Rockies" is elaborately photographed and divided into seventeen chapters that follow the life of a
wild stallion, just one of hundreds of horses that have roamed wild in the Rocky Mountains for
two hundred years. "Cloud: Wild Stallion Of The Rockies" begins with the birth of a helpless
white colt named Cloud. Each subsequent chapter documents Cloud's interaction with his mare
Raven, his brother Diamond, and other colts in the wild as well as his adventures encountering
dangerous predators, older stallions, and human trappers. "Cloud: Wild Stallion Of The Rockies"
follows Cloud over the course of five years, taking note of his physical and behavioral
development, as his begins to take on more of a leadership role in the band of wild bachelors he's
joined, to become a fighter, a survivor, and a father. Author Ginger Kathrens's emotional
involvement in Cloud's story is palpable, such as when she tearfully watches the young stallion
get captured by trappers. Due to his unusual coloration, he is set free, though the other members
of his band and sisters are removed and sold. Returning to the mountains every season, Ginger
continued to look for Cloud in the vast wild habitat, always relieved to find him still living,
despite fights, predators, and encounters with trappers. Ginger is later is touched to see how
Cloud, the five-year-old mare, grazes with his yearling son, the first of his new family. Ginger's
gripping observations of wild horses of the Arrowheads, their fights, struggles, and alliances,
give the reader much insight into the fascinating behavior of these wild horses. Now published in
paperback for the first time, this updated and fully redesigned volume coincides with the one year
anniversary of the last sighting of Cloud. While very highly recommended, especially for
community and academic library Pets/Wildlife collections, it should be noted for personal
reading lists that "Cloud: Wild Stallion Of The Rockies" is also available in a digital book format
(Kindle, $14.49).
The Cookbook Shelf
Vegan Richa's Everyday Kitchen
Richa Hingle
Vegan Heritage Press
P.O. Box 628, Woodstock, VA 22664-0628
9781941252390 $24.95 www.veganheritagepress.com
Vegan Richa's Everyday Kitchen: Epic Anytime Recipes with a World of Flavor pairs
easy-to-make recipes with everyday ingredients and nearly forty of the author's make-ahead
sauces to provide busy cooks with a wide range of options. This creates an unusual cookbook and
format, such as an awesome recipe for a Laksa Curry Paste filled with herbs, spices, and nuts that
produces an accompanying Laksa Curry Soup, filled with vegetables, lime juice, and more.
International influences reach around the globe to add Moroccan, Turkish, Indian, and Ethiopian
flavors into the mix, creating a vegan cookbook bursting with flavor and innovations.
The Colorful Kitchen
Ilene Godofsky Moreno
BenBella Books
10300 N. Central Expressway, Suite 400, Dallas, TX 75204
www.benbellabooks.com
9781944648411, $19.95, PB, 250pp, www.amazon.com
"The Colorful Kitchen: Simple Plant-Based Recipes for Vibrancy, Inside and Out" is the perfect
response to accusations that vegan food is tasteless, boring, mostly brown, and made from
unfamiliar ingredients that take way too long to prepare. Vegan culinary expert Ilene Godofsky
Moreno (a health coach, recipe developer, food photographer and the author of the blog The
Colorful Kitchen) shows that we don't need fancy equipment or expensive exotic ingredients to
make delicious, healthy, vegan meals at home. All of her vegan recipes comprising "The Colorful
Kitchen" emphasize vivid combinations of wholesome, plant-based ingredients full of essential
vitamins and minerals--because counting colors is way more fun than counting calories and
carbs. Ilene guides readers through easy-to-follow preparations that will make every meal as
exciting as it is nourishing with recipes for dishes that range from a Pink & Purple Coconut
Smoothie; No-Bake Trail Mix Bars; Maple-Mustard Squash Grilled Cheese; and Loaded Ranch
Potato Salad; to - Harvest Butternut Squash & Apple Burgers; Spaghetti & Tempe-Mushroom
Meatballs; - Strawberry Loaf with Cream Cheese Glaze; and Miso Tahini Cookies. Profusely and
beautifully illustrated throughout, "The Colorful Kitchen" is unreservedly recommended for
family, personal, professional, and community library cookbook collections. It should be noted
for the personal culinary reference collections of dedicated vegans that "The Colorful Kitchen" is
also available in a digital book format (Kindle, $13.10).
Fakeaway: Fast Food Made Healthy
Chef Adrian
Mercier Press
c/o Dufour Editions, Inc.
PO Box 7, 124 Byers Road, Chester Springs, PA 19425-0007
www.dufoureditions.com
9781781174906, $36.00, PB, 224pp, www.amazon.com
Author Adrian Martin is originally from Co. Cavan. He has a degree in culinary arts from the
School of Tourism in Killybegs. He worked in the award-winning restaurants, MacNean House
in Cavan and Bon Appetit in Malahide. He currently travels the country giving food education
talks in schools and hosting demonstrations for charities, GAA clubs, ICA groups, festivals and
schools. He appears weekly on TV3's 'Six O Clock Show'. With "Fakeaway: Fast Food Made
Healthy", Chef Adrian has focused on recipes that are specifically 'kitchen cook friendly' in terms
of preparation time and effort, yet incredibly palate pleasing and appetite satisfyingly appropriate
for every dining occasion. Profusely and beautifully illustrated throughout, the internationally
derived recipes range from Tandoori Halibut with Raita; Basil Pesto Linguine, Scallops with
Black Pudding; and Chow Mein; to Buffalo Chicken Wings with a Smoked Garlic and Chive
Dip; Beef Satay; and Steak with Pepper Sauce. A pure pleasure to browse through and ideal for
planning menus with, "Fakeaway: Fast Food Made Healthy" is unreservedly recommended for
personal, family, and community library cookbook collections.
The Cookery School: Donnybrook Fair
Niall Murphy
Dufour Editions, Inc.
PO Box 7, 124 Byers Road, Chester Springs, PA 19425-0007
www.dufoureditions.com
9781781174739, $35.00, HC, 288pp, www.amazon.com
The aim of the Donnybrook Fair Cookery School is to focus on expanding the customer's
knowledge around food, the importance of sourcing fresh food locally, seasonality and nutrition.
Each class will teaches how to create delicious food that is uncomplicated and at the same time,
fun! Niall Murphy is Head Chef and Manager of the Cookery School. All classes will take place
in their purpose built state of the art cookery school kitchen above our fine food store on 89
Morehampton Road, Donnybrook, Dublin 4. With the publication of "The Cookery School:
Donnybrook Fair" cookbook, Niall draws upon his years of experience and expertise to provide
an impressive and thoroughly 'kitchen cook friendly' compendium of palate pleasing, appetite
satisfying recipes for truly memorable meals and dining occasions. The recipes range from
Moroccan Orange Salad; Smoked Haddock Chowder; Pan-Roasted Cannon of Lamb; and
Mediterranean Seafood Stew; to Vietnamese Pork Balls; Field & Wild Mushrooms with Crispy
Bread; Herb-crusted hake Fillets; and Summer Berry Pudding with Vanilla Ice Cream. Of special
note are the chapters devoted to recipes for Great Start Breakfasts; The Art of Bread Making;
Jams & Chutneys; and Welcome Drinks. Beautifully illustrated throughout, a pleasure to browse
through and ideal to plan menus with, "The Cookery School: Donnybrook Fair" will prove to be
a welcome and appreciated addition to personal, professional, and community library cookbook
collections.
Betty Crocker Christmas Cookbook
Betty Crocker
Houghton Mifflin Harcourt
215 Park Avenue South, New York, NY 10003
www.hmhco.com
9781328710291, $19.99, PB, 304pp, www.amazon.com
What would be Christmas without memorable meals with family and friends? Whether making
appetizers and drinks for casual entertaining, a show-stopper meal for family, food gifts for
friends, or special cakes and desserts that only come out once a year, this outstanding edition of
the "Betty Crocker Christmas Cookbook" will have a wealth of thoroughly 'kitchen cook friendly'
recipes for any and all Christmas themed occasions. A simply delightful seasonal cookbook, the
"Betty Crocker Christmas Cookbook" combines comforting tradition with new ideas ranging
from simple Sugar Cookies and Roast Turkey with Thyme to Roasted Brined Duck with Chipotle
Glaze and Holiday Aloo Gobi. In addition, there is a profusion of truly helpful make-ahead tips
and special features to add to the holiday cheer. Even the most novice of home entertainers will
learn how to effectively set up a home bar and make an Elf-Tini, host a fondue party, as well as
fun ways to wrap and give cookies, creating new Christmas traditions, and so much more. "Betty
Crocker Christmas Cookbook" is an enticing compendium will be a go-to cookbook year after
year, proving that while Christmas is busy, it can also be delicious fun. Beautifully illustrated, a
pleasure to browse through, and inspiring to plan menus with, "Betty Crocker Christmas
Cookbook" will prove to be an enduringly popular and appreciated addition to personal, family,
and community library cookbook collections. It should be noted that this edition of the "Betty
Crocker Christmas Cookbook" is also available in a digital book format (Kindle, $9.99).
The Vermont Non-GMO Cookbook
Tracey Medeiros
Skyhorse Publishing, Inc.
307 West 36th Street, 11th Floor, New York, NY 10018
www.skyhorsepublishing.com
9781510722729, $29.99, HC, 408pp, www.amazon.com
Compiled by culinary expert Tracey Medeiros, "The Vermont Non-GMO Cookbook" is a
compendium of thoroughly 'kitchen cook friendly' recipes that connect us with local organic
farmlands and the farmers who nurture and care for them. It also serves as a guide for eating
organically and non-GMO in Vermont and celebrates the region's esteemed organic food
producers, farmers, cheesemakers, dairy farmers, and the chefs who partner with them to create
delicious, innovative, organic, and non-GMO recipes. Profusely illustrated throughout, the dishes
range from: Maple Kale Salad with Toasted Almonds, Parmigiano-Reggiano Cheese, and Rustic
Croutons; Apple-Raspberry Pie; and Roasted Rainbow Potatoes with Herb Pesto;
Baked Frittata with Baby Spinach, Roasted Red Peppers, and Quark Cheese; Grilled Beef
Tenderloin with Rutabaga Puree, Braised Cabbage, and Horseradish Cream; and Old-Fashioned
Organic Cream Cheese Cheesecake. In addition to palate pleasing and appetite satisfying recipes,
"The Vermont Non-GMO Cookbook" includes informative profiles of a hand-selected group of
pioneering organic Vermont farmers, chefs, and non-GMO artisans. A pleasure to browse
through and ideal for planning menus with, "The Vermont Non-GMO Cookbook" is an ideal and
highly recommended addition to personal, family, and community library Regional Cookbook
collections. It should be noted that "The Vermont Non-GMO Cookbook" is also available in a
digital book format (Kindle, $16.19).
The Power of Pasta
Bruno Serato
SelectBooks, Inc.
87 Walker Street, Suite B1, New York City, NY 10013
www.selectbooks.com
9781590794357, $28.95, HC, 288pp, www.amazon.com
In 1987, Italian immigrant Bruno Serato moved to Orange County, Ca. and took over the
ownership of the fine dining restaurant, which now features steak and seafood with a Northern
Italian cuisine. His award-winning excellence and signature entrees befit the establishment, and
has been hailed as bringing fine dining to Orange County. Anaheim White House Restaurant, and
his philosophy is simple: to treat each and every one of his patrons as a distinguished guest in his
home. In furtherance of this goal he now has drawn upon his years of experience and expertise to
compile a wealth of palate pleasing, appetite satisfying, kitchen cook friendly recipes showcasing
"The Power of Pasta" showcasing 43 simply outstanding recipes drawn directly from the menus
of his award-winning restaurant. After presenting his own personal and inherently fascinating life
story, the presented recipes range from Duck Legs in Potato Nests; Cheese Ravioli with Porcini
Mushroom Sauce; Italian Branzino; and Pasta Calabrese; to Penne Alla Vodka; Poached Salmon
Au Chocolat; Spaghetti Aglio E Olio; and Creme Brulee. Beautifully illustrated throughout, "The
Power of Pasta" is a truly exceptional and unreservedly recommended addition to personal,
professional, and community library cookbook collections. It should be noted that "The Power of
Pasta" is also available in a digital book format (Kindle, $9.99).
Food on Tap: Cooking with Craft Beer
Lori Rice
The Countryman Press
c/o W. W. Norton & Company
500 Fifth Avenue, New York, NY 10110
www.countrymanpress.com
9781682680766 $24.95 flexibound / $9.99 Kindle amazon.com
In the age of craft beer, the varieties seem endless. From floral IPAs to rich porters and stouts,
and tart lambic ales to gluten-free options, there is a beer for every taste. "Food on Tap: Cooking
with Craft Beer" by Lori Rice (a photographer, writer, and nutritional scientist, and the creator of
the food blog Fake Food Free) is an accessible guide to using these delicious brews to add
complex flavor and exciting twists to classic and new recipes ranging from Tomato Blue Cheese
Tarts with Belgian Golden Ale Crust; Autumn Oktoberfest Fish Stew; Lentil Burgers with Wheat
Beer Barbecue Sauce; and Pilsner Battered Fried Summer Squash Slices with Creamy Ranch
Beer Dip; to Oatmeal Raisin and Barleywine Cookies; Holiday Ale Cut-Out Cookies; Saison
Black Pepper Brownies, and Chocolate Pecan Coconut Porter Cake. A pleasure to simply browse
through, enhanced with a wealth of beautiful full color photography, and an ideal gift for any
craft beer brewer, "Food on Tap: Cooking with Craft Beer" will prove to be an enduringly
popular addition to personal, family, professional, and community library cookbook
collections.
Tasting Hygge
Leela Cyd
The Countryman Press
c/o W. W. Norton & Company
500 Fifth Avenue, New York, NY 10110
www.countrymanpress.com
9781682681725, $18.95, HC, 160pp, www.amazon.com
Hygge is a Danish and Norwegian word which can be described as a quality of cosiness and
comfortable conviviality that engenders a feeling of contentment or well-being. "Tasting Hygge:
Joyful Recipes for Cozy Days and Nights" by food, lifestyle, and travel photographer and
storyteller Leela Cyd is a beautifully and profusely illustrated compendium of recipes for fifty
dishes that would makes everyone feel warm and cared for -- which is the very essence of hygge.
Organized into five sensory experiences (Calm, Bright, Warm, Spiced, and Smooth) the
showcases recipes range from Mushroom Pate with Pickled Shallots and Thyme; Champagne
Strawberries with Molasses Cream; Glazed Turnip Soup with Parsley and Parmesan; and
Almond Sourdough Pancakes; to Baked Cannellini Beans with Tomatoes and Rosemary; Roasted
Squash and Sage Grilled Cheese; Enriched Polenta Porridge with Raspberries and Creme
Fraiche; Candied Citrus Rose Syrup; and Fairy Bowl with Ice Cream and Honey Sponge Cake.
Of special note is information on Tea Blending. A unique and thoroughly 'kitchen cook friendly'
addition to personal, family, and community library cookbook collections, "Tasting Hygge" is the
perfect introduction to Scandinavian cuisine.
The Baby-Led Feeding Cookbook
Aileen Cox Blundell
Gill & MacMillan
c/o Dufour Editions, Inc.
PO Box 7, 124 Byers Road, Chester Springs, PA 19425-0007
www.dufoureditions.com
9780717172634, $29.00, HC, 240pp, www.amazon.com
Aileen Cox Blundell is a mother of three. When her daughter, Jade, was born in 2002, the only
way to get her to eat anything was to place the food in front of her and let her take control and
feed herself. Seeing the incredible benefits of allowing her own children to experiment with food
at an early age led her to create the popular blog and website Baby-Led Feeding, which recently
won awards for both Best Irish Parenting Blog, and Best Irish Food and Drink Blog. Now with
"The Baby-Led Feeding Cookbook: A New Healthy Way of Eating For Your Baby That the
Whole Family Will Love" she draws upon her years of experience and expertise to compile a
culinary wealth of 'baby-friendly' recipes that are as kitchen cook friendly as they are palate
pleasing, appetite satisfying, wonderfully nutritious, and down right fun! From breakfast fare, to
kid-friendly lunches, to family dinners, soups and sauces, this colorfully illustrated cookbook is
certain to be an enduringly popular addition to family and community library collections, Of
special note are the sections 'Tummy Treats for Little Hands' and 'Yippee! Let's Have a Party'.
With dishes ranging from Baked French Toast; Roasted Vegetable Mini-Lasagnes; and Healthy
Chicken Nuggets with Potato Wedges; to Coconut Milk Ice-Cream Sambos; Raw Snickers Bites;
and Raspberry Frosting Birthday Cake, it should be noted that "The Baby-Led Feeding
Cookbook" is also available in a digital book format (Kindle, $7.99).
The Graphic Novel Shelf
Tekken: Blood Feud
Cavan Scott, author
Andie Tong, artist
Titan Comics
www.titan-comics.com
9781785861284 $16.99 amazon.com
Tekken: Blood Feud (also titled "Tekken Volume 1") is the full-color graphic novel compilation
of the four-issue "Tekken: Blood Feud" comic book mini-series. Based on the supremely popular
Tekken series of head-to-head fighting video games (42.5 million units sold as of this writing),
Tekken: Blood Feud brings the fast-paced, arcade battle action to glorious life with Andie Tong's
dynamic artwork. Set between the events of games Tekken 6 and the recently released Tekken 7,
the story begins with an impromptu summoning of Iron Fist fighters, including the ruthless
assassin Nina Williams, the hot-blooded brawler Paul Phoenix, the youthful martial arts prodigy
Ling Xiaoyu, and more. Jin Kazama, heir to the notorious Mishima syndicate, has assembled
them all in order to retrieve an artifact of limitless celestial power, before Jin's cruel grandfather
Heihachi Mishima can get his hands on it. But Jin is on the brink of succumbing to the devil
madness in his own blood, and Jin's father Kazuya Mishima (who has already embraced the devil
within) has his own nefarious agenda! Tekken: Blood Feud is a "must-read" for Tekken fans, and
especially recommended for connoisseurs of high-octane fighting action. Tekken: Blood Feud is
a complete, self-contained story; hopefully, the Volume 1 designation implies that more graphic
novels are to come!
Wolfenstein: The Deep
Dan Watters, author
Piotr Kowalski and Ronilson Freire, artists
Titan Comics
www.titan-comics.com
9781785863417, $16.99 pbk / $11.99 Kindle amazon.com
"Wolfenstein: The Deep" is a full-color graphic novel compilation of "Wolfenstein" issues #1-2
and the prequel to the anticipated video game "Wolfenstein: The New Colossus", forthcoming
from acclaimed software publisher Bethesda. The harrowing, bloody saga is set in an alternate-
history 1960 where Nazis won World War II, and a scarce few rebels struggle to survive in
occupied America. Tales of the mysterious fascist hunter B.J. "Terror-Billy" Blazkowicz are
virtually the only ray of hope left! Dark yet captivating, Wolfenstein: The Deep is a choice pick
for alternate-history and video game comic enthusiasts. Also highly recommended for
connoisseurs is "The Evil Within: The Interlude" (9781785863295, $16.99), a hardcover graphic
novel compilation of "The Evil Within: The Interlude" issues #1-2 and a grim prequel to the
Bethseda survival-horror video game "The Evil Within 2".
The Mercenary: The Cult of the Sacred Fire
Vincente Segrelles, author/illustrator
NBM Publishing
160 Broadway, Ste. 700, East Wing, New York, NY 10038
www.nbmpub.com
9781681121246, $17.99, HC, 64pp, www.amazon.com
Simply stated, the museum quality of Vincente Segrelles artwork is legendary and brings his
original and fascinating story of a mercenary soldier on a strange and multilayered planet vividly
to life. This new 40th Anniversary edition of "The Mercenary: The Cult of the Sacred Fire" will
bring this first volume of an epic and exquisitely graphic novel series to the attention of a whole
new generation of appreciative readers. Of very special note is the last part of "The Mercenary:
The Cult of the Sacred Fire" in which Vincente explains and illustrates in considerable
background detail how he approached drawing and writing this truly memorable and consistently
entertainingly original graphic novel -- including the use of female nudity essential germane to
the storyline of his action/adventure saga. "The Mercenary: The Cult of the Sacred Fire" is
unreservedly recommended for dedicated graphic novel fans.
Rivers of London: Detective Stories
Ben Aaronovitch, author
Lee Sullivan, illustrator
Titan Comics
https://titan-comics.com
9781785861710, $16.99, PB, 128pp, www.amazon.com
The fourth volume in the acclaimed graphic novel series "Rivers of London", CSI meets Harry
Potter in the pages of "Detective Stories", a superbly created new graphic novel written by Ben
Aaronovitch and illustrated by Lee Sullivan. "Detective Stories" features Police Constable Peter
Grant, his partner, Sahra Guleed, and their associates, as they tackle supernatural crime on the
streets of London. Tying directly into the Rivers of London continuity, "Detective Stories" is a
riveting read from beginning to end and is unreservedly recommended for the personal reading
lists of dedicated graphic novel enthusiasts and will prove to be an extraordinary and popular
addition to community library graphic novel collections. It should be noted that "Rivers of
London: Detective Stories" is also available in a digital book format (Kindle, $9.59).
Doctor Who: War Of Gods
Nick Abadzis, author
Giorgia Sposito, illustrator
Titan Comics
https://titan-comics.com
9781785860867, $22.99, HC, 112pp, www.amazon.com
Volume 7 of this particular Doctor Who series collection, "War Of Gods" showcases the epic
conclusion of the Tenth Doctor's Year Two adventures! On the Shining Horizon, Dorothy and
Gabby become concerned about Anubis' behavior -- portending the return of the terrible Sutekh!
An absolute 'must' for the legions of Doctor Who fans, "War Of Gods" continues to expand the
Doctor Who universe and is unfailingly entertaining from first page to last. Another epic Doctor
Who title from Titan Comics, "War Of Gods" is unreservedly recommended for personal reading
lists and will prove to be an exceptionally and enduringly popular addition to community library
Graphic Novel collections. It should be noted that "Doctor Who: War Of Gods" is also available
in a paperback edition (9781785860904, $16.99) and in a digital book format (Kindle,
$6.71).
Red Range: A Wild Western Adventure
Joe R. Lansdale, author
Sam Glanzman, illustrator
IDW Publishing
2765 Truxton Road, San Diego, CA 92106
www.idwpublishing.com
9781631409943, $19.99, HC, 112pp, www.amazon.com
Memorably written by multiple Bram Stoker Award winner Joe R. Lansdale, and deftly
illustrated by Golden Age comic book master and WWII veteran, Sam J. Glanzman, "Red Range:
A Wild Western Adventure" from IDW presents this classic graphic novel in color for the first
time, and includes an Introduction by Mojo Press' Richard Klaw and an Afterword by Stephen R.
Bissette. As a bonus, this edition of "Red Range: A Wild Western Adventure" contains a
little-seen story by Glanzman, "I Could Eat a Horse!" "Red Range: A Wild Western Adventure"
is a western action/adventure saga is replete with a monstrous, genre-bending story twist that is
nothing less than mind-blowing. This is a the tale of Red Mask, a tough as nails vigilante who
rides to fight the tragic racism of a Klan-dominated Texas., A tale of savage vengeance, stone
cold justice, as well as a beastly and bloody comeuppance, "Red Range: A Wild Western
Adventure" is a 'must' for graphic novel enthusiasts in general, and western graphic novel fans in
particular.
Children of the Whales Volume 1
Abi Umeda
Viz Media LLC
1355 Market Street, Suite 200, San Francisco CA 94103
www.viz.com
9781421597218 $12.99 amazon.com
Children of the Whales Volume 1 is the first manga (Japanese graphic novel) in a fantastic series
about an idyllic small community who reside on the Mud Whale, a floating island city of clay
and magic cast adrift in a sea of sand. The community knows next to nothing of its own history
prior to the 93 years of its existence, yet there remains ominous shadows of its past. Chakuro is
the archivist for the Mud Whale, who chronicles the lives and deaths of his people; he is also a
wielder of the psychokinetic power known as Thymia, though the price of his gift is a drastically
shortened lifespan (most Thymia wielders do not survive past age 30). Then the isolation of the
Mud Whale community is shattered by the arrival of a seemingly emotionless girl, who
denounces them as criminals and appears to know more of the Mud Whale's past than any of
them! Children of the Whales is recommended for older teen to adult readers due to mature
themes such as war and loss, and is highly recommended for connoisseurs of quality
storytelling.
Tokyo Ghoul :re Volume 1
Sui Ishida
Viz Media LLC
1355 Market Street, Suite 200, San Francisco CA 94103
www.viz.com
9781421594965 $12.99 amazon.com
Tokyo Ghoul :re Volume 1 begins the sequel series to the dark horror manga (Japanese graphic
novel) series "Tokyo Ghoul", set in a world where monstrous ghouls disguised as ordinary men
and women stalk and prey upon human beings. In Tokyo Ghoul :re, The Commission of Counter
Ghoul has been created to fight the ghoul menace with an unorthodox weapon - humans
implanted with a Kagune, the Ghoul organ of predation. But the procedure and the newly created
Qs Squad of ghoul-human hybrids have not been put to the test. Will the very people created and
trained to be heroes devolve into monsters? Protagonist Haise Sasaki has the duty of teaching Qs
Squad the skills of a master investigator, but Sasaki runs into trouble with the charged
personalities of his students, and his own shaky grasp of his Ghoul powers. Kicking off a brand
new arc in the violent and suspenseful world of Tokyo Ghoul, Tokyo Ghoul :re Volume 1 is
highly recommended for connoisseurs of action-horror.
Wings of Fire The Graphic Novel: The Dragonet Prophecy
Tui T. Sutherland, author
Art by Mike Holmes
Scholastic, Inc.
557 Broadway, New York, NY 10012-3999
www.scholastic.com
9780545942157 $12.99 pbk / $7.99 Kindle amazon.com
Featuring dynamic art by Mike Holmes, Wings of Fire The Graphic Novel: The Dragonet
Prophecy is the full-color graphic novel adaptation of the first novel in the Wings of Fire fantasy
series by author Tui T. Sutherland. In the Wings of Fire series, the main characters are all
dragons - some are heroes, some are villains, and some are soldiers caught up in the gathering
storm of war. Young Clay is one of five dragonets selected to fulfill a mysterious prophecy
heralding the end of the war between the dragon tribes of Pyrrhia. He is close friends with the
other dragonets, but do the five of them truly have the power to bring peace to the land?
Although the Wings of Fire series is intended to be accessible to young adults, dragon fans of all
ages will thoroughly enjoy this dragon-character-driven adventure, highly recommended for both
personal and public library collections. It should be noted for personal reading lists Wings of Fire
The Graphic Novel: The Dragonet Prophecy is also available in a Kindle edition ($7.99).
Portugal
Cyril Pedrosa
NBM Publishing
160 Broadway, Ste. 700, East Wing, New York, NY 10038
www.nbmpub.com
9781681121475, $39.99, HC, 264pp, www.amazon.com
Comics artist Simon Muchat is stuck. Suffering writer's block, uninspired, vegetating as a school
art teacher, he is losing direction and his taste for life, until one day he is invited to appear at a
comics convention in Portugal, the country his family came from and which he hadn't seen since
his childhood. Even though he is a foreigner there, so many elements of the country are familiar
to him. Meeting its lively citizens and recounting early memories brought by back his distant yet
welcoming family all prove reinvigorating -- the breath of fresh air he so badly needed.
"Portugal" is a deftly crafted graphic novel that is based on author/artist Cyril Pedrosa's own
personal experience. Using a graphic novel approach, Pedrosa deftly narrates his return to his
roots in a deeply compelling and warmly human way. Winner of the Best Graphic Novel at the
Angouleme Festival and FNAC Best GN, and an inherently fascinating read from cover to cover,
"Portugal" is an especially recommended addition to personal and community library Graphic
Novel collections.
The Forever War
Joe Haldeman, author
Marvano, illustrator
Titan Comics
https://titan-comics.com
9781785860898, $19.99, PB, 144pp, www.amazon.com
Joe Haldeman is an American science fiction author best known for his award-winning 1974
novel, "The Forever War". Now with the artistic talents of illustrator Marvano, that classic
science fiction novel has now been turned into an absolutely impressive graphic novel. "The
Forever War" is the story of extraterrestrial war in an uncaring universe where the problem of
time differentials means that while months and years pass on the far flung interstellar battle fields
against an alien race, back home on Earth centuries and even millennia come and go. A truly epic
science fiction war story spanning relativistic space and time, "The Forever War" explores one
soldier's experience as he is caught up in the brutal machinery of a war against an unknown and
unknowable alien foe that reaches across the stars. The result is an timely and timeless tale that
was originally written during the years of the Vietnam War and still feel relevant against today's
backdrop of today's American involvement with far flung battlefields around the world. While
this Titan Comics graphic novel edition of "The Forever War" is unreservedly recommended for
community library graphic novel collections, it should be noted for the personal reading lists that
it is also available in a digital book format (Kindle, $9.99).
The Man From The Great North
Hugo Pratt
IDW Publishing
2765 Truxton Road, San Diego, CA 92106
www.idwpublishing.com
9781684050581, $24.99, HC, 104pp, www.amazon.com
With "The Man From The Great North", graphic novelist Hugo Pratt, arguably known as the
"inventor of the literary comic strip", offers an provocative story whose protagonist is a
seemingly wanton murderer, driven by a religious obsession with the absolute. This is the
compelling story Jesuit Joe, a lone traveler of French-Canadian and Mohawk descent. In northern
Canada, circa 1920, he wanders the icy wastes, engaged in an obsessive religious search for the
absolute. He wears the red jacket of the Canadian Mounties that he found in a hut -- which gives
rise to a series of misunderstandings when he is mistaken for a member of the Mounted Police.
His actions in response to complex moral choices highlight his unusual ethical code and his
disturbing and complex personality. He kills with terrible ease and shows an unmatched cruelty
and ferocity, yet his mood suddenly shifts and he performs unexpected acts of kindness and
compassion. All the while, he is tracked by his nemesis, Sergeant Fox, whose mission is to
capture Jesuit Joe and bring him to justice. This IDW edition is the first English language edition
of Pratt's 1980 classic, and includes an incomplete second story of Jesuit Joe, plus Pratt's
storyboards drawn for the movie version. An absolute 'must' for all dedicated graphic novel
enthusiasts, "The Man From The Great North" is unreservedly and enthusiastically recommended
reading.
Elenora Mandragora: Daughter of Merlin
Severine Gauthier and Thomas Labourot
IDW Publishing
2765 Truxton Road, San Diego, CA 92106
www.idwpublishing.com
9781684050086 $14.99 amazon.com
Elenora Mandragora: Daughter of Merlin is a full-color, hardcover graphic novel suitable for
young adults, yet created with a timeless charm that will appeal to all ages. Elenora Mandragora
is the beloved only daughter of the legendary wizard Merlin. A tragic accident involving a
mandrake's scream abruptly kills Merlin - although his ghost lingers and insists that he can be
brought back to life, just as soon as the proper resurrection spell is found. Perhaps the correct
incantation lies in the fairy Morgana's library; unfortunately, Morgana and Merlin have been
sworn enemies for as long as anyone can remember! Can Elenora befriend Morgana and discover
a cure for death-by-mandrake before the Ankou ushers Merlin's spirit away for good? And will
Elenora's efforts to revive Merlin permanently shatter her budding friendship with Morgana? A
whimsical take on classic parables about Merlin, Elenora Mandragora: Daughter of Merlin is a
joy for fantasy connoisseurs and highly recommended for public and school library graphic novel
collections.
The Audiobook Shelf
Alexander the Great
Philip Freeman, author
Michael Page, narrator
Tantor Media, Inc.
6 Business Park Road, Old Saybrook, CT 06475
9781515919261, $44.99, CD, www.tantor.com
Alexander was born into the royal family of Macedonia as the son of the successful warlord and
Kind Philip, under whom this little northern kingdom that would soon rule over Greece. Tutored
as a boy by Aristotle, Alexander had an inquisitive mind that would serve him well when he
faced formidable obstacles during his military campaigns. Shortly after taking command of the
army, he launched an invasion of the Persian Empire, and continued his conquests as far south as
the deserts of Egypt and as far east as the mountains of present-day Pakistan and the plains of
India. In Philip Freeman's lively and authoritative biography of Alexander, he describes
Alexander's astonishing achievements and provides insight into the mercurial character of the
great conqueror. Alexander could be petty and magnanimous, cruel and merciful, impulsive and
farsighted. Above all, he was ferociously, intensely competitive and could not tolerate losing -
which he rarely did. As Freeman explains, without Alexander, the influence of Greece on the
ancient world would surely not have been as great as it was, even if his motivation was not to
spread Greek culture for its own sake but to make a name and an empire that would be renowned
for generations to come. This complete and unabridged audio book edition of "Alexander the
Great" is superbly narrated by Michael Page and will provide the listener with a wealth of
information in impressive detail about the exploits of this now legendary figure. (10 CDs, 12.5
Hours).
At the Heart of It
Tawna Fenske, author
Performed by Teri Schnaubelt
Brilliance Corporation
PO Box 887, Grand Haven, MI 49417
www.brillianceaudio.com
9781543614602 $12.99 www.tawnafenske.com
At the Heart of It is an unabridged audiobook on MP3-CD (plays on MP3-CD enabled players or
transfers to portable devices) rendition of author Tawna Fenske's volatile romance between
reality TV producer Kate Geary and the bookish (but blazing hot!) Jonah Porter, a reluctant
inductee into the world of showbiz. A blossoming bonfire of love threatens to violate both their
contracts, and it's hard to keep one's personal life private when surrounded by television cameras!
Smart and funny, At the Heart of It is a treat for connoisseurs of lighthearted love stories, highly
recommended. 1 MP3 CD, 9 hours, 36 min.
Bone Swans
C. S. E. Cooney
Tantor Media, Inc.
6 Business Park Road, Old Saybrook, CT 06475
9781515918431, $37.99, CD, www.tantor.com
C. S. E. Cooney is the author of How to Flirt in Faerieland and Other Wild Rhymes and Jack o'
the Hills. She won the 2011 Rhysling Award for her story-poem "The Sea King's Second Bride."
In this debut fantasy fiction collection from C. S. E. Cooney her short stories: Features a swan
princess hunted for her bones, a broken musician and his silver pipe, and a shape shifting rat
named Maurice who bring justice to a town under fell enchantment; A gang of courageous kids
confront both a plague-destroyed world and an afterlife infested with clowns but robbed of
laughter; An island city where the murder of a child unites two lovers, but vengeance will part
them; Only human sacrifice will save a city trapped in ice and darkness; Gold spun out of straw
has a price, but not the one you expect! Skillfully narrated by the author herself, this complete
and unabridged audio book edition is unreservedly recommended, especially for community
library collections. (10 CDs, 12 Hours).
Death on Delos
Gary Corby
Recorded Books, LLC
270 Skip Jack Road, Prince Frederick, MD 20678
9781501957093, CM0578, $TBA, CD, www.recordedbooks.com
"Death on Delos" by Gary Corby is set in Greece, 545 BC when it was illegal to die on the sacred
isle of Delos. It was also illegal to give birth there. Yet when the murder of a priest is committed,
the only available detective to solve the crime is the Athenian priestess Diotima and her husband
Nicolaos -- and Diotima is heavily pregnant! Delos is the holy birthplace of the divine twins
Apollo and Artemis, and it is an island in crisis. Not only has murder tainted the holy sanctuary,
but there are about a thousand Athenian troops on the island. The army is led by the statesman
Pericles and has come to take away the treasury of the Delian League, the defense fund of the
Greeks against the Persian Empire. The holy people are in uproar. The Athenians are
exasperated. The High Priest of the Delian Apollo is not amused. To cap it off, Nicolaos, is
implicated in dodgy dealings of having tried to bribe the murdered priest that link him to the
murder. Somehow Diotima and Nicolas must find the killer, calm the island, and. oh, yes,
Diotima have a baby with violating the sacred prohibition against having birth on the holy island
of Delos! A truly entertaining 'whodunnit' mystery that is superbly narrated by Erik Davies, this
simply outstanding audio book production of Gary Corby's historical murder mystery set in the
classical Helenic age of Pericles is unreservedly recommended and certain to be an enduringly
popular addition to community library audio book collections.
Hachette Audio
1290 Avenue of the Americas, New York, NY 10104
www.hachetteaudio.com
Sandra Brown's Seeing Red (9781478916826, $35.00) benefits from actor Victor Slezak's
engrossing, dramatic reading as it tells of Kerra Bailey, a TV journalist in search of a story who
uncovers the reason why a heroic Major has dropped out of the public eye. Her prove reveals
something dangerous and simmering in this engrossing story. James Patterson and Richard
DiLallo's The Store (9781478938811, $35.00) is read by Graham Halstead, whose evocative
voice lends passion and purpose to this haunting story of the secretive Store and what happens
when two undercover investigators writing an expose of the mysterious Store find their lives and
those of their loved ones are endangered. At some point there's no other choice but to go forward
even if everything is threatened. The story is powerfully rendered and hard to stop listening
to.
The Library CD Shelf
Global Skies
Timothy Cooper
timothycooper.net
New Piano Age Music
$12.97 CD / $9.99 download cdbaby.com
The third album by acclaimed solo pianist Timothy Cooper, Global Skies is inspired by
skyscapes around the world. The music reflects the need for compassion, education, caring for
the poor and underprivileged, and alleviating human suffering. Uplifting, mellifluous, and
inspirational, Global Skies is highly recommended for solo piano connoisseurs and public library
CD collections. The tracks are "Singapore Sunrise" (6:50), "Prague Horizons" (5:09), "Geneva
Moonlight Rainbow" (6:04), "Bangkok Rains" (7:00), "Warsaw Nights" (8:35), "Global Skies"
(7:49), "Jerusalem Dreamings" (4:00), "Geneva Moonlight Rainbow (Reprise)" (13:52), and
"The Light After" (5:43).
Andina: The Sound of the Peruvian Andes
Various Artists
Tiger's Milk/Strut Records
$14.99 CD / $8.99 MP3 amazon.com
Andina: The Sound of the Peruvian Andes - Huayno, Carnaval & Cumbia 1968 to 1978 is the
first in a three-part regional series of albums showcasing the rich and diverse musical heritage of
Peru. From big bands to down-to-earth folk, Peruvian cumbia, and more, the Spanish-language
tracks by a wealth of different performers highlight Peruvian culture in an unforgettable,
immersive audio experience. Highly recommended, especially for personal and public library
world music collections. Also a choice pick for Spanish-language music connoisseurs is Boogat's
"San Cristobal Baile Inn" ($11.49 MP3), which revels in electronic sound infused with spice
derived from rap and reggae.
Lead Me Home
Camille Nelson
Camillenelson.com
Stone Angel Music
Stoneangelmusic.com
$13.99 CD / $9.49 MP3 amazon.com
Lead Me Home is the first full-length studio album by folk artist Camille Nelson, revealing her
splendid talent for acoustic guitar. In addition to the easygoing, layered guitar melodies of both
traditional and original hymns, Lead Me Home is enriched with accompaniment from a string
ensemble by guest artists Steven Sharp Nelson of The Piano Guys, Alex Sharpe, and Ryan Shupe
of Ryan Shupe and the Rubberband. Uplifting, motivational, and expressive, Lead Me Home is
enthusiastically recommended for connoisseurs of acoustic folk music. The tracks are "Amazing
Grace", "How Great Thou Art", "Nearer My God to Thee", "Be Thou My Vision (Alex Sharpe)",
"Adelia", "Be Still My Soul", "Israel Israel God Is Calling", "Come Come ye Saints (Steven
Sharp Nelson)", "Lead Me Home", "Come Thou Fount of Every Blessing", "Patterns of Light",
and "Count Your Many Blessings". 45 min, 15 sec.
87 Keys
Philip Shpartov
HeartDance Recordings
www.heartdancerecordings.com
$TBA CD / $6.93 MP3 amazon.com
87 Keys (31 min. 3 sec) is the debut solo piano album by Moscow-based composer and pianist
Philip Shpartov. Inspired by Shpartov's labors to practice, compose, and refine his art on a piano
with a single broken key, 87 Keys is a rapturous musical tour that emphasizes how life can be
glorious in spite of imperfections. Highly recommended. The tracks are "The Film", "Elusive
Time", "87 Keys", "Imagination", "Sleeping Piano", "Tangos de Fuego", and "Your Wistful
Smile". Additional choice picks for connoisseurs of quality solo piano include Dan Chadburn's
"Held in Light" ($9.49 MP3, 56 min. 49 sec.), featuring three original creations and ten
improvised arrangements of traditional hymns, and Richard Dillon's "Ring Around the Moon"
($8.99 MP3, 46 min. 40 sec.), showcasing thirteen original compositions that evoke peace,
serenity, and a harmonious sense of well-being.
Look to the Sky
Eric Wyatt
Whaling City Sound
www.whalingcitysound.com
c/o Naxos (distribution)
www.naxos.com
$13.99 CD / $8.99 MP3 amazon.com
Look to the Sky is sumptuous jazz-bop album by saxophonist Eric Wyatt. Complemented by
pianist Gonzalez, drummers Shinnosuke Takahashi and Kyle Pool, bassist Eric Wheeler and
trumpet player Keyon Harrold, Eric Wyatt showcases his mastery of the tenor sax, alto sax, and
soprano sax, in addition to providing vocals with reverberant finesse. Look to the Sky embodies
hope, wonder, and perseverance, and is highly recommended especially for jazz connoisseurs.
The tracks are "E-Brother", "Look to the Sky - Sister Carol", "My Favorite Things", "Jolley
Charlie", "A Psalm for Phennie", "One Finger Snap", "Afro Blue", "Starting Point", and
"Tenderly". 61 min, 52 sec.
That Old Feeling
Alma Micic
Whaling City Sound
www.whalingcitysound.com
c/o Naxos (distribution)
www.naxos.com
$16.99 CD / $8.91 MP3 amazon.com
That Old Feeling is a sumptuous jazz album by the Alma Micic Quartet, featuring Alma Micic's
dulcet vocals. The songs, inspired by the joy of dancing in the moonlight, evoke a timeless sense
of exuberant wonder in the listener. Highly recommended! The tracks are "That Old Feeling"
(3:47), "Harvest Moon" (4:09), "Moonglow" (3:13), "Cry Me a River" (4:32), "Honeysuckle
Rose" (4:24), "Nezaboravi Me" (2:35), "Estate" (2:35), "Blue Moon" (3:56), and "Solnishko
(4:45).
Maya
Harini Raghavan
Privately Published
www.rinimusic.com
$TBA CD / $TBA digital
Maya is the latest music album by Chennai-born, New York-based violinist, vocalist, and
composer Harini Raghavan. Extensively trained in Carnatic music, Raghavan blends elements of
classic South Asian musical tradition with pop and jazz into a vibrant fusion. Maya also
incorporates electronic sounds front and center in the tracks, which range from a tribute to "Star
Trek" to a warning about climate change to a soothing Tamil lullaby-inspired song. The result is
eclectic, joyous, and highly recommended.
The DVD/Blu-ray Shelf
Hunter x Hunter Volume 3
Based on the manga by Yoshihiro Togashi
Viz Media LLC
1355 Market Street, Suite 200, San Francisco CA 94103
www.viz.com
$49.99 amazon.com
Hunter x Hunter Volume 3 is a Blu-ray compilation of episodes 27-50 of the Hunter x Hunter
anime (Japanese animation) TV series, which is in turn adapted from the Hunter x Hunter shonen
manga (action-packed Japanese graphic novel aimed at young adult and teenage boys). In the
world of Hunter x Hunter, people known as Hunters are awarded enormous privileges - but they
are also tasked with performing life-threatening missions, from exploring unknown and quite
possibly hostile reaches to tracking down murderous criminals. Gon Freecss is a boy who
pursued his dream of becoming a Hunter to track down his missing father; in the process, he has
befriended Killua, the middle son of a family of notorious and unstable assassins, among others.
In Volume 3, Gon and Killua venture to Heaven's Arena in search of training, then follow a tape
left by Gon's father to a shadowy auction targeted by the Phantom Troupe. When the auction
merchandise and the guests disappear, the Mafia places a bounty on the unknown assailants, and
an all-out hunt begins! Action-packed, and at times venturing into the darker side of human
nature, the Hunter x Hunter saga will appeal to fantasy-adventure connoisseurs of all ages and is
highly recommended. Special features include an art gallery, clean opening and ending songs,
trailers, and ending credits. It should be noted that Hunter x Hunter Volume 3 is rated TV-14 due
to scenes of violence. 24 episodes on 4 Blu-ray discs, English subtitles, English and Japanese
audio in stereo, 530 min.
Midsomer Murders: John Barnaby's First Cases
Acorn Media
c/o RLJ Entertainment
www.us.RLJEntertainment.com
$79.99 www.acornonline.com
Midsomer Murders: John Barnaby's First Cases collects Series 14 and Series 15 of this long-
running British murder mystery drama on DVD. John Barnaby (played by Neil Dudgeon) takes
over as Midsomer County's Detective Chief Inspector, solving grisly crimes with aid from DS
Ben Jones in his final cases as Barnaby's assistant. Bonus material includes audio commentary
for "The Dark Rider" episode, with star Neil Dudgeon and director Alex Pillai; a 15 min. behind-
the-scenes look at the episode "Death and the Divas", "Midsomer Murders in Conversation" (34
min.), and a biography of Sykes the dog. Midsomer Murders: John Barnaby's First Cases is a
"must-have" for connoisseurs of the genre, and sure to prove a popular public library lend. 14
mysteries on 7 discs, 21.5 hours plus bonus, widescreen, SDH subtitles.
Tai Chi Fit in Paradise
David-Dorian Ross
YMAA Publications
PO Box 480, Wolfeboro, NH 03894-0480
9781594395628 $29.95 www.ymaa.com
Tai Chi Fit in Paradise (60 min.) is a gorgeous fitness DVD, thoroughly accessible to newcomers
to this ancient Chinese art of meditation and movements for promoting physical and mental
health. Host David-Dorian Ross (winner of eight US gold medals, a world silver medal, and two
world bronze medals in tai chi) demonstrates tai chi moves. A mirror-view displays the moves to
the left and the right. Filmed on-location at the beach next to Diamond Head volcano in Hawaii,
Tai Chi Fit in Paradise lives up to its title and makes the viewer feel like they're enjoying a
vacation as they engage in a healthful, whole-body workout! Also highly recommended is Tai
Chi Fusion Bamboo (9781594395932, $29.95, 60 min.), also featuring David-Dorian Ross, a
fitness DVD combining yoga and tai chi into a tranquil workout that beginners to either or both
disciplines can fully enjoy, filmed in the beautiful bamboo forest at Hawaii's Moana Falls.
The Poetry Shelf
The Last Cigarette on Earth
Benjamin Alire Saenz
Cinco Puntos Press
701 Texas, El Paso, Texas 79901
www.cincopuntos.com
9781941026656, $15.95, PB, 144pp, www.amazon.com
Author Benjamin Alire Saenz is a former Associate Professor in the MFA Creative Writing Program at
the University of Texas at El Paso -- which is the only bilingual creative writing program in the
country. "The Last Cigarette on Earth" is a compilation of the best of his personal poetry arising
from an intimate but healing journey through addiction, human desire and broken love. A simple
book of extended free verse poetry -- but an extraordinary exploration into the human condition,
"The Last Cigarette on Earth" is both an emotional and intellectual tour-de-force. An inherently
fascinating, thoughtful and thought-provoking read from beginning to end, "The Last Cigarette
on Earth" is unreservedly recommended, especially for academic library Latino Poetry & Prose
collections.
The Business Shelf
The Safe Hiring Manual, third edition
Lester S. Rosen
BRB Publications
PO Box 27869, Tempe, AZ 85285
www.brbpublications.com
9781889150635, $24.95, PB, 732pp, www.amazon.com
A recognized background screening expert, Lester S. Rosen, an Attorney at Law, is the Founder
and CEO of Employment Screening Resources (ESR), a nationwide accredited background
screening company located in Novato, California. In this newly updated and expanded third
edition of "The Safe Hiring Manual" he draws upon his experience and expertise to go far
beyond the typical hiring handbook. "The Safe Hiring Manual" is a comprehensive blueprint for
developing a safe hiring program for employers, human resources, and security professionals.
"The Safe Hiring Manual" details how to exercise due diligence throughout the hiring process in
order to significantly increase an employer's chance of avoiding the financial and legal
nightmares of even one bad hiring decision. With this new edition of "The Safe Hiring Manual",
companies of all sizes can identify potential problems and insure compliant hiring practices. Of
special note is the section devoted to Job Seekers. Significant changes to the third edition include
both updated content and a re-organized flow. Updated content includes analysis of recent court
decisions and new discrimination and privacy laws affecting employers, plus new federal
guidance from the EEOC, FTC, and the Bureau of Consumer Financial Protection (CFPB).
Improvements to the 3rd edition are designed to help the reader utilize all of the books benefits
using an easy to follow flow chart. The index is a greatly improved and enhanced with legal-ease
material now grouped at the chapter ends, and best practices are visually highlighted so
employers may audit their current hiring program. Exceptionally well organized and presented,
"The Safe Hiring Manual" is unreservedly recommended for professional, corporate,
governmental, community, and academic library Business Management and Jobs/Careers
instructional reference collections.
A Guide to Federal Contracting
Dan Lindner
Bernan Press
c/o Rowman & Littlefield Publishing Group
4501 Forbes Blvd., Suite 200, Lanham, MD 20706
www.bernan.com
9781598889659 $95.00 pbk
9781598889666 $90.00 ebook
A Guide to Federal Contracting: Principles and Practices is a studious, in-depth textbook and
reference written especially for businesses that seek to engage in transactions with the American
federal government. Author Dan Lindner puts his over 30 years of experience in federal
acquisition and program management to paper, discussing the principles that shape a federal
contract, how to effectively and professionally seek a federal contract, pricing methods, steps to
take after a federal contract is awarded, and much more. A bibliography and an index rounds out
this "must-have" for business executives and aspiring leaders, as well as university School of
Business reference shelves. Highly recommended.
The Sales Survival Handbook
Ken Kupchik
Amacom Books
1601 Broadway, New York, NY 10019
www.amacombooks.org
9780814438640, $17.95, PB, 208pp, www.amazon.com
The basis for economic success of any business endeavor is the successful selling of the goods or
services offered to potential customers. But selling is also one of the highest pressure tasks that
any businessman can undertake. That's why "The Sales Survival Handbook: Cold Calls,
Commissions, and Caffeine Addiction--The Real Truth About Life in Sales" by Ken Kupchik is
so timely and timeless. Combining wit with wisdom, "The Sales Survival Handbook" shows how
to deal with: customers who lie to your face; quotas that change as soon as you hit them;
management that puts soul-crushing demands on you to produce; as well as so much pressure
you're likely to experience PSSD (Post Sales Stress Disorder). "The Sales Survival Handbook"
shows how to: Overcome objections without tears; Get out of a sales slump...legally; Make cold
call without sedatives: Effectively beg for referrals; Spot common types of customers, coworkers,
and managers; Decipher compensation plans; and Deal with the day-to-day while maintaining a
social life. Of special note is are all the do's, don'ts, quizzes, lists, and real-world advice Ken
includes to enable you to survive the agony and enjoy the ecstasy of a career in sales. While
unreservedly recommended for community, corporate, and academic library Business
Management collections and supplemental studies lists, it should be noted for personal reading
lists that "The Sales Survival Handbook" is also available in a digital book format (Kindle,
$9.99) and as a an audio book (Brilliance Audio, 9781543640830, $19.95, MP3 Una).
Get Smarter Marketing
Jill Brennan
Morgan James Publishing
11815 Fountain Way, Suite 300, Newport News, VA 23606-4448
www.morganjamespublishing.com
9781683503927, $17.95, PB, 226pp, www.amazon.com
Marketing can be confusing for the novice entrepreneur or new small business owners. That's
why Jill Brennan (who has worked in, with, and for small businesses for over 20 years, and who
as the founder of Harbren Marketing has generated thousands of leads and sales for businesses in
very competitive niches) has written "Get Smarter Marketing: The Small Business Owner's
Guide to Building a Savvy Business", a clear and concise guide to small business marketing.
Business owners can follow the simple, yet powerful, step-by-step framework for connecting
existing customers and attracting new customers to their business. Impressively informed and
informative, exceptionally 'user friendly' in organization and presentation, "Get Smarter
Marketing: The Small Business Owner's Guide to Building a Savvy Business" is unreservedly
recommended for corporate, community, and academic library Business Management collections
and supplemental studies lists. It should be noted for personal reading lists that "Get Smarter
Marketing: The Small Business Owner's Guide to Building a Savvy Business" is also available in
a digital book format (Kindle, $5.95).
Five Keys to Powerful Business Relationships
Sallie Sherman, Joseph Sperry, Steve Vucelich
McGraw Hill Education
c/o McGraw Hill Professional
1221 Avenue of the Americas, 45th Floor, New York, NY 10020
www.mhprofessional.com
9780071783880, $28.00, HC, 240pp, www.amazon.com
The success of any business fundamentally depends on relationships -- whether the relationship
is between two team members, among several divisions of a corporation, or when it spans a large
network of suppliers and customers. For almost three decades Sallie Sherman, Joseph Sperry
and, more recently, Steve Vucelich have been helping companies increase revenues, reduce costs,
and lower risk by helping firms optimize their B2B relationships. In "Five Keys to Powerful
Business Relationships: How to Become More Productive, Effective and Influential" they draw
upon their years of experience and expertise to publish a game-changing guide that will help you
leverage every critical relationship in your organization for greater success. Business managers
and executives will learn how to spot those relationships that are not generating their full power
-- and then turn them into drivers of profit and growth. "Five Keys to Powerful Business
Relationships" offers new ways to eliminate barriers to performance and boost the energy of
individuals, teams, groups, and your organization as a whole. The "Five Keys to Powerful
Business Relationships" includes: Key #1: Connect first, then focus on task; Key #2: Learn by
walking in another's shoes; Key #3: Whether people trust you is often up to you; Key #4: Share
information to increase your personal power; Key #5: Manage yourself before you manage
others. The authors present proven best practices that individuals and firms can use to form more
empowering relationships. They show you how to identify and remove barriers to relationships in
your company, whether they are caused by culture, infrastructure, or self-awareness gaps.
Providing fundamental principles of business management that are timely and timeless, "Five
Keys to Powerful Business Relationships" should be considered mandatory reading for anyone
charged with advancing the effectiveness and profitability of any corporate or business endeavor.
While very highly recommended for corporate, community, and academic library Business
Management collections and supplemental studies lists, it should be noted for personal reading
lists that "Five Keys to Powerful Business Relationships" is also available in a digital book
format (Kindle, $30.00).
The Crafts Shelf
Paper Flowers Chinese Style
Liu Fang & Yue Yunyun
Better Link Press
c/o Tuttle Publishing
364 Innovation Drive, North Clarendon, VT 05759-9436
www.tuttlepublishing.com
9781602200302, $24.95, HC, 152pp, www.amazon.com
Liu Fang is a paper-folding expert with over a decade of studying and developing paper flower
folding behind her. She is frequently invited to give lectures and demonstrations on paper flower
folding at schools and institutions. Yue Yunyun is a full-time paper flower maker. Together they
collaborate in "Paper Flowers Chinese Style: Create Handmade Gifts and Decorations" to
showcase 24 patterns which are designed to match the "24 solar terms" on the Chinese lunisolar
calendar, with six flowers for each of the four seasons. These paper flower projects are ideal for
gracing your living room, bedroom, study or hallway, as ornaments on mirrors and bookcases, or
as wall hangings and window display, or being made into bracelet, garland and hairpin
accessories. Some can look surprisingly realistic, while others are ingeniously designed, all being
great for birthday parties, family gatherings, New Year parties and weddings. Notably, each
individual design has incorporated elements of the Chinese art of flower arrangement, with
elegant simplicity and Eastern charm. This simply outstanding Chinese origami book comes with
patterns for folds for each design. Readers can either copy these patterns by hand on their
preferred paper or simply photocopy them to cut and fold paper flowers by themselves.
Thoroughly 'user friendly' in organization and presentation, "Paper Flowers Chinese Style" is
unreservedly recommended for personal and community library do-it-yourself crafts
collections.
The Railroading Shelf
Hereford Locomotive Shed
Steve Bartlett
Pen & Sword Books
https://www.pen-and-sword.co.uk
9781473875555, $50.00, HC, 232pp, www.amazon.com
Steve Bartlett is a fourth generation railwayman. In "Hereford Locomotive Shed: Engines and
Train Workings" he has published the first in a series of in-depth studies to look closely at the
changing engine allocations and operational responsibilities of motive power depots during the
latter days of steam. In Herefords case this was a varied mixture of main line passenger, freight
trip working, branch line passenger, station pilot duties and yard shunting. Unusually, the latter
remained a steam preserve until months before depot closure in November 1964\. Not forgotten
are the depots small sub-sheds, which had varying responsibilities over the years, as the district
boundaries changed at Ledbury, Leominster, Ross-on-Wye and Craven Arms. Their very
different duties were inevitably a reflection of a bygone age and an all too rapidly changing
future. Profusely illustrated with black-and-white period photography, "Hereford Locomotive
Shed" is an exceptionally informative and well written study and one that will prove to be a
critically important and core addition to personal, community, and academic library Railroading
History reference collections in general, and Hereford locomotive supplemental studies reading
lists in particular.
The Metaphysical Studies Shelf
Llewellyn's Complete Book of Divination
Richard Webster
Llewellyn Publications
2143 Wooddale Drive, Woodbury, MN 55125
www.llewellyn.com
9780738751757, $29.99, PB, 360pp, www.amazon.com
Richard Webster deftly explores the incredibly wide variety of divination systems from around
the world in "Llewellyn's Complete Book of Divination: Your Definitive Source for Learning
Predictive & Prophetic Techniques". Students of the metaphysical sciences will discover in-depth
information and how-to instruction for more than thirty divination practices, including: Tarot;
Astrology; Palmistry; Numerology; Pendulums; I Ching; Automatic Writing; Candle Reading;
Coin Divination; Flower Reading; Dowsing; Runes; Scrying; Geomancy; Bibliomancy; and so
much more! "Llewellyn's Complete Book of Divination" also features helpful tips for choosing
the best form of divination for your specific needs and preparation methods to practice before a
divination session. Learn about the history of divination and the historical figures who could see
the future. Find out how raising your intuitive skills can improve nearly every aspect of your life,
from relationships and health to money and career. Impressively comprehensive, exceptionally
well organized, and accessibly presented from beginning to end, "Llewellyn's Complete Book of
Divination" is an ideal instructional reference for the novice and offers a wealth of useful
information for even the most seasoned practitioner. While unreservedly recommended for
personal, professional, community, and academic library Metaphysical Studies collections, it
should be noted for personal reading lists that "Llewellyn's Complete Book of Divination" is also
available in a digital book format (Kindle, $17.49).
Messages From a Wonderful Afterlife
Kristy Robinett
Llewellyn Publications
2143 Wooddale Drive, Woodbury, MN 55125
www.llewellyn.com
9780738750910, $15.99, PB, 240pp, www.amazon.com
In the pages of "Messages From a Wonderful Afterlife: Signs Loved Ones Send from Beyond",
psychic medium Kristy Robinett shares personal experiences and stories from clients of how our
loved ones (including treasured pets) are communicating from the other side. "Messages From a
Wonderful Afterlife" also teaches how to identify "heaven hellos" from those in the afterlife and
interpret the different signs and symbols that often appear, such as: Finding coins or feathers;
Feeling an invisible touch or shiver down your spine; Seeing a shadow out of the corner of your
eye; Smelling a familiar scent; Hearing your deceased loved one's voice; Being visited by a
special animal or insect. "Messages from a Wonderful Afterlife" also provides advice on taking
care of yourself while you're grieving and supporting others through times of hardship. With
Kristy's guidance, you'll become more aware of your loved ones in spirit and be assured that
they're always with you. Exceptionally and thoroughly 'reader friendly' in tone, organization and
presentation, "Messages From a Wonderful Afterlife" is unreservedly recommended, especially
for community and academic library Metaphysical Studies collections. It should be noted for
personal reading lists that "Messages From a Wonderful Afterlife" is also available in a digital
book format (Kindle, $9.99).
The Political Science Shelf
The Handy American Government Answer Book
Gina Misiroglu
Visible Ink Press
43311 Joy Rd., #414, Canton, MI 48187-2075
www.visibleinkpress.com
c/o Publisher's Group West (dist.)
9781578596393 $21.95 pbk / $18.99 Kindle amazon.com
The Handy American Government Answer Book: How Washington, Politics, and Elections
Work lives up to its title as a reader-friendly guide to the how America's government operates.
Written in an accessible question-and-answer format, The Handy Government Answer Book
covers the U.S. Constitution, the three branches of government, public interest groups, political
parties, campaigns and elections, and much more. "Q: What is federalism? A: In its simplest
definition, federalism is a form of government in which a written constitution divides
governmental powers between a central government and several regional governments. In the
United States, federalism is the constitutional arrangement that divides sovereignty, or
governmental authority, between the national and state governments, each of which enforces its
own laws directly on its citizens..." The Handy American Government Answer Book is a "must-
read" for every American, and a "must-have" for public library collections. Highly
recommended!
Daring Democracy
Frances Moore Lappe & Adam Eichen
Beacon Press
24 Farnsworth Street, Boston, MA 02210
www.beacon.org
9780807023815, $15.00, PB, 176pp, www.amazon.com
With the ascendency of the Trump administration and the Republican's donor class adding
pressure for an expanding of the inequity between the ultra rich and the American middle class
and working class, we are increasingly distraught as tightly held economic and political power
drowns out ordinary voices and values. With the publication of "Daring Democracy: Igniting
Power, Meaning, and Connection for the America We Want" Frances Moore Lappe and Adam
Eichen offer a fresh, surprising, practical, and effective response to this core crisis assailing
traditional American values. This intergenerational duo opens with an essential truth: It's not the
magnitude of a challenge that crushes the human spirit. It's feeling powerless -- in this case,
fearing that to stand up for democracy is futile. It's not, Lappe and Eichen argue. With riveting
stories and little-known evidence, they demystify how we got here, exposing the
well-orchestrated effort that has robbed Americans of their rightful power. But at the heart of this
unique study are solutions. Even in this divisive time, Americans are uniting across causes and
ideologies to create a "canopy of hope" the authors call the Democracy Movement. In this
invigorating "movement of movements," millions of Americans are leaving despair behind as
they push for and achieve historic change. The movement and democracy itself are vital to us as
citizens and fulfill human needs (for power, meaning, and connection) essential to our thriving.
In this timely and necessary book, Lappe and Eichen offer proof that courage is contagious in the
daring fight for democracy. In a time where the truth of that old saying "All that is necessary for
the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing." has come home hard, all citizens who aspire
to stop the increasingly autocratic powers that are corrupting our federal government and
endangering future generations with the abolition of their civil rights should give a careful
reading to "Daring Democracy". While unreservedly and emphatically recommended for both
community and academic library Contemporary Social Issues & Political Science collections, it
should be noted for personal reading lists that "Daring Democracy" is also available in a digital
book format (Kindle, $14.99) and in a complete and unabridged audio book edition (Dreamscape
Media, 9781520090610, $24.99, CD).
The Education Shelf
Tasks Before Apps
Monica Burns
ASCD
1703 North Beauregard Street, Alexandria, VA 22311-1714
www.ascd.org
9781416624660, $22.95, PB, 108pp, www.amazon.com
Content-hosting websites, videoconferencing apps, grade- or subject-focused social media
accounts: with such a dizzying array of mechanical and virtual help at our disposal, it can be a
challenge for classroom teachers to know where to even start. That's why educator and
technology consultant Monica Burns has written "Tasks Before Apps: Designing Rigorous
Learning in a Tech-Rich Classroom", a compendium of 'real world practical' sharing of the
strategies, tools, and insights that K-12 teachers can use, regardless of subject or grade level, to
effectively incorporate technology in the classroom. "Tasks Before Apps" provides detailed
advice for (and copious examples of) tech-infused lessons that help students meet learning goals
while also developing vital digital citizenship skills; Customizable checklists and graphic
organizers for planning tech-enabled activities; choosing appropriate programs, devices, and
platforms; and setting unit and lesson goals; Recommendations for and links to apps and online
resources that can facilitate and energize learning; Reflection and brainstorming questions for use
in book clubs and PLC discussions. Knowing how to navigate technology wisely, how to
communicate effectively on posts and message boards, locate credible information on search
engines, and select efficient, cost-effective equipment, is essential for both teachers and students.
Whether you are a novice or a veteran, teach kindergarten students or high school seniors, "Tasks
Before Apps" is will prove to be an indispensable guide to furthering academic skills, social
development, and digital aptitude in the classroom. While very highly recommended for school
district, college, and university library Teacher Education instructional reference collections, it
should be noted for the personal reading lists of K-12 classroom teachers that "Tasks Before
Apps" is also available in a digital book format (Kindle, $19.94).
Getting to Where We Meant to Be
Patricia H. Hinchey & Pamela J. Konkol
Myers Education Press
Stylus Publishing, Inc.
22883 Quicksilver Drive, Sterling, VA 20166-2012
www.styluspub.com
9781975500016, $42.95, PB, 220pp, www.amazon.com
In "Getting to Where We Meant to Be: Working Toward the Educational World We Imagined",
authors and educators Patricia H. Hinchey and Pamela J. Konkol pos the question that given such
good intentions among education professionals, how is it that things in schools can (and so often
do) go so very wrong? The problem, Professors Hinchey and Konkol posit, is that unspoken and
misleading assumptions result in choices, decisions and policies with disastrous consequences
for kids. They tease out those assumptions on the key issues of school goals, curriculum,
education for citizenship, discipline, and school reform, inviting readers to think again, to
question the taken-for-granted, in the hope of better aligning intentions and outcomes. "Getting
to Where We Meant to Be" is the ideal text for both undergraduate and graduate classrooms
devoted to the study of public education. Questions at the end of each chapter point to ways for
preservice and inservice teachers, as well as administrators and other education personnel, to
advance their thinking about choices in their own contexts. In addition, suggested readings,
websites and videos offer more food for thought. Simply stated, no college or university library
Teacher Education instructional reference collections should be considered as complete,
comprehensive, or up-to-date without a copy of "Getting to Where We Meant to Be".
45 Strategies That Support Young Dual Language Learners
Shauna L. Tominey & Elisabeth C. O'Bryon
Brookes Publishing Company
PO Box 10624, Baltimore, MD 21285-0624
www.brookespublishing.com
9781681250434, $36.95, PB, 224pp, www.amazon.com
Because of immigration, both legal and illegal, the number of dual language learners in early
childhood classrooms is expanding every year -- and teachers often feel under prepared to bridge
language barriers and effectively meet these students' learning needs. In the pages of "45
Strategies That Support Young Dual Language Learners", early childhood classroom teachers
will have access to an invaluable collection of 45 practical, developmentally appropriate
strategies for teaching dual language learners (both Spanish speakers and children who speak
other languages). Real-world guidance helps teachers apply each strategy in their own
classrooms, and the activities, reflection questions, and resources in Spanish will support
educators in strengthening their current teaching practices. A much-needed resource for
in-service professional development and preservice courses, "45 Strategies That Support Young
Dual Language Learners" will help Preschool/Kindergarten teachers foster the success of
inclusive early childhood classrooms and prevent achievement gaps for dual language learners
ages 3 to 5. Teachers will learn how to: Set up and organize your learning environment to support
dual language learners; Create a diverse classroom community where children's challenges and
needs are anticipated; Use culturally responsive classroom management practices that engage
diverse learners; Strengthen social-emotional learning for dual language learners; Promote early
academic skills and make learning activities accessible to children of all cultural backgrounds;
Use music and movement to increase student engagement and boost language development;
Partner with families and engage them in children's academic and social-emotional learning.
While unreservedly recommended for school district, college, and university library Teacher
Education collections, it should be noted for personal reading lists that "45 Strategies That
Support Young Dual Language Learners" is also available in a digital book format (Kindle,
$29.59).
Developing Faculty in Liberal Arts Colleges
Vicki L. Baker, Laura Gail Lunsford, Meghan J. Pifer
Rutgers University Press
106 Somerset St., 3rd Floor, New Brunswick, NJ 08901
http://rutgerspress.rutgers.edu
9780813586816, $95.00, HC, 260pp, www.amazon.com
The collaborative work of Vicki L. Baker (Professor of Economics and Management at Albion
College, and an instructor of business administration for Penn State University's World Campus),
Laura Gail Lunsford (Director of the Swain Center in the Cameron School of Business,
University of North Carolina Wilmington), and Meghan J. Pifer (Associate Professor of Higher
Education Administration in the Department of Educational Leadership, Evaluation, and
Organizational Development at the University of Louisville), "Developing Faculty in Liberal
Arts Colleges: Aligning Individual Needs and Organizational Goals" articulately analyzes the
career stage challenges these faculty members must overcome, such as a lack of preparation for
teaching, limited access to resources and mentors, and changing expectations for excellence in
teaching, research, and service to become academic leaders in their discipline and at these
distinctive institutions. A singularly impressive work of seminal and research-based scholarship,
"Developing Faculty in Liberal Arts Colleges" features three appendices, a six page listing of
References, and a seventeen page Index. A unique, analytical, and practical study, "Developing
Faculty in Liberal Arts Colleges" is unreservedly recommended as an essential and core addition
to college and university library Educational Leadership & Management collections and
supplemental studies reading lists. It should be noted for students, academia, and non-specialist
general readers with an interest in the subject that "Developing Faculty in Liberal Arts Colleges"
is also available in a paperback edition (9780813586809, $34.95) and in a digital book format
(Kindle, $28.97).
Rejuvenating Medical Education
Robert Marshall & Alan Bleakley
Cambridge Scholars Publishing
www.cambridgescholars.com
9781443895644, $117.95, HC, 325pp, www.amazon.com
Returning to Homers Iliad and Odyssey for inspiration, "Rejuvenating Medical Education" is the
collaborative work of Robert Marshall (a consultant pathologist for 30 years at the Royal
Cornwall Hospitals, where he was Director of Postgraduate Medical Education, and is an
Honorary Associate Professor at the University of Exeter Medical School, UK) and Alan
Bleakley (Emeritus Professor of Medical Education and Medical Humanities at the University of
Plymouth Peninsula School of Medicine, UK) and uses these classic Hellenic epics as a medium
through which we might think imaginatively about key issues in contemporary medicine and
medical education. These issues addressed include doctors as heroes, and the legacy of heroic
medicine in an age of clinical teamwork, collaboration and a more feminine medicine.
"Rejuvenating Medical Education" challenge ingrained habits in medical education, such as the
way we characteristically train medical students to communicate with patients and colleagues;
the reduction of compassion to the skill of empathy; the rote recital of the medical history as a
song; and the new vogue for resilience as response to increasing levels of stress and burnout in
the profession. A Homeric lens also shows new ways of thinking about translation of medical
lingo into patients understanding, the relatively high levels of anger and error shown in clinical
interactions, and modern phenomena such as whistleblowing in the face of unacceptable error or
misbehavior. While exhaustion and burnout are becoming more common in medicine, Professors
Marshall and Bleakley join in asking if a more lyrical, rather than epic and tragic stance, might
benefit medical work. Drawing on a wealth of experience in the field, the book promotes a new
kind of medicine and medical education fit for the 21st century, but envisages these through the
ancient lens of Homers two epics. In the heroic glory elaborated in the Iliad and the themes of
homecoming and hospitality set out in the Odyssey, Homer provides a narrative arc that is a
blueprint of modern medicines development from a heroic endeavor to a contemporary
collaborative provision of hospitality, where the hospital remains true to its name and doctors
engage in work of care rather than fighting disease with the hospital as battleground. An
impressively written, organized and presented study of impeccable and seminal scholarship,
"Rejuvenating Medical Education" is enhanced with the inclusion of a thirty-three page
Bibliography and a seven page Index, making it unreservedly recommended for college and
university library Medical Education collections and supplemental studies reading lists.
Exploring The Science Of Sounds
Abigail Flesch Connors
Gryphon House, Inc.
PO Box 10, 6848 Leon's Way, Lewisville, NC 27023
www.gryphonhouse.com
9780876597316, $16.95, PB, 216pp, www.amazon.com
Most preschool teachers have musical instruments in their classrooms, but may not realize they
can use them for science explorations. Science, technology, engineering, arts, and math
(STEAM) these explorations are crucial for laying a solid foundation for later learning. Abigail
Conners is an Early Childhood Music Specialist throughout the New Jersey area. Her programs
include singing, dance, rhythm instrument activities, literacy/music activities, and listening
games. In "Exploring the Science of Sounds: 100 Musical Activities for Young Children" she
draws upon her experience and expertise to showcase 100 activities that let children ages 3 - 6
explore the science of music and sound using materials easy to find for a preschool classroom.
With "Exploring The Science Of Sounds", young children will use their bodies to create sounds,
explore the relationship between size and pitch, investigate how tempo affects the way we listen
to sounds, create musical instruments, and much more. From the drops of rainwater to the
tinkling of wind chimes, the science of sound is all around. Through playful activities children
will explore: Acoustics - what is sound?; Volume - loud and soft; Tempo - fast and slow; Timbre
- sound quality; Pitch - high and low. Exceptionally well organized and presented, "Exploring
The Science Of Sounds" is unreservedly recommended for preschool and elementary school
Music Appreciation curriculums, and is a critically important addition to college and academic
library Teacher Education instructional reference collections. It should be noted for the personal
reading lists that "Exploring The Science Of Sounds" is also available in a digital book format
(Kindle, $9.99).
The Young Artist as Scientist
Mary Jo Pollman
Teachers College Press
1234 Amsterdam Avenue, New York, NY 10027
www.tcpress.com
9780807757956, $32.95, PB, 108pp, www.amazon.com
"The Young Artist as Scientist: What Can Leonardo Teach Us?" by Mary Jo Pollman (Professor
Emerita of Early Childhood Education at Metropolitan State University of Denver and Arts, and
a STEM enrichment specialist) is the first in-depth look at the important connections between the
arts and science specifically for early childhood education (pre-K - 3rd grade). Highlighting their
many commonalities, such as the processes involved in creative problem solving, Professor
Pollman draws on what we can learn from Leonardo da Vinci as the supreme artist-scientist.
Every chapter begins with a vignette of Leonardo and relates his thinking to the development of
children's ideas in the arts and STEM (STEAM). "The Young Artist as Scientist" offers a fresh
look at the interdisciplinary connections of the arts and science offers early childhood teachers
and administrators a spectrum of tools for connecting the creative arts (art, movement, drama,
and music) to the STEM movement, 21st-century skills, and developmentally appropriate
practice. "The Young Artist as Scientist" will: Promote a more vigorous, inclusive, and diverse
early childhood curriculum needed for the 21st century; Help teachers, parents, and
administrators make connections between art and science; Examine the connection of the arts to
the Next Generation Science Standards (2013) through the Crosscutting Interdisciplinary
Concepts; Incorporate Reggio Emilia practices and includes examples from a Reggio preschool
classroom. While especially recommended for school district and academic library Teacher
Education instructional reference collections, it should noted that "The Young Artist as Scientist"
is also available for personal reading lists in a digital book format (Kindle, $31.30).
The Quest for Learning
Marie Alcock, Michael Fisher, Allison Zmuda
Solution Tree
555 North Morton Street, Bloomington, IN 47404
www.solution-tree.com
9781942496908, $29.95, PB, 176pp, www.amazon.com
It is fundamentally essential for today's classroom teachers and their students to determine
together what a student will learn and at what pace. The cooperative work of Marie Alcock
(President of Learning Systems Associates), Michael L. Fisher (an educational consultant and
instructional coach working with schools and districts in the United States, Canada, China, the
Philippines, and Thailand to facilitate curriculum upgrades, design curriculum, and modernize
instruction with immersive technology), and Allison Zmuda (a full-time educational consultant
specializing in curriculum, instruction, and assessment), "The Quest for Learning: How to
Maximize Student Engagement" focuses on a quest learning and offering a customizable inquiry
model tailored to a student's interests, needs, and abilities. "The Quest for Learning" shows how
to use questing to engross students in emotionally gripping learning experiences, engage them
with actionable goals, build 21st century skills, and promote collaboration in online and physical
spaces. Teachers will: Learn how to motivate students using the education quest model; Foster
students' 21st century learning by engaging critical thinking, creativity, collaboration, and
self-direction; Form learning partnerships with students that lead to co-teaching and co-learning;
Explore the three main design types through which students can quest to learn: (1) inquiry, (2)
network, and (3) game; Investigate the guided inquiry design decisions involved in identifying a
quest, determining checkpoints, and helping students reflect on their quest; Use formative
assessment templates for engaging students in learning. An invaluable and accessible organized
and presented instructional guide and manual, "The Quest for Learning" is especially
recommended for school district, college, and university library Teacher Education reference
collections and supplemental studies lists. It should be noted that "The Quest for Learning" is
also available in a digital book format (Kindle, $24.06).
Patterns of Power
Jeff Anderson, author
Whitney La Rocca
Stenhouse Publishers
480 Congress Street, Portland, ME 04101-3451
www.stenhouse.com
9781625311856, $50.67, PB, 416pp, www.amazon.com
Jeff Anderson and literacy coach Whitney La Rocca take teachers into primary and intermediate
classrooms where students are curious about language, engage with the world around them, and
notice and experiment with the conventions all writers use. Instead of chanting grammar rules or
completing countless convention worksheets. The first part of "Patterns of Power" introduces a
vibrant approach to grammar instruction and sets up what is needed to immerse oneself in this
special and effective process by inviting students to experiment and play with language. The
second part of "Patterns of Power" offers over seventy practical, ready-to-use lessons, including:
Extensive support materials; Over 100 mentor sentences, curated for grades 1-5; Student work
samples; Tips and power notes to facilitate a classroom teacher's own knowledge and learning
examples for application. Innovative, 'real world practical', exceptionally well organized and
presented, "Patterns of Power" is unreservedly recommended for elementary school, college, and
university Teacher Education instructional reference collections.
The Fiction Shelf
How to Find Love in a Bookshop
Veronica Henry
http://www.veronicahenry.co.uk/index.php
Pamela Dorman Books
c/o Penguin Group USA
375 Hudson Street, 4th floor, New York, NY 10014
www.penguin.com
9780735223493, $25.00, HC, 352pp, www.amazon.com
Nightingale Books, is a little bookshop that is nestled on the main street in an idyllic little village
-- and a dream come true for dedicated book lovers. Indeed, Nightingale Books is a cozy haven
and welcoming getaway for the literary-minded locals. But owner Emilia Nightingale is
struggling to keep the shop open after her beloved father's death, and the temptation to sell is
getting stronger. The property developers are circling, yet Emilia's loyal customers have become
like family, and she can't imagine breaking the promise she made to her father to keep the store
alive. There's Sarah, owner of the stately Peasebrook Manor, who has used the bookshop as an
escape in the past few years, but it now seems there's a very specific reason for all those frequent
visits. Next is roguish Jackson, who, after making a complete mess of his marriage, now looks to
Emilia for advice on books for the son he misses so much. And the forever shy Thomasina, who
runs a pop-up restaurant for two in her tiny cottage - she has a crush on a man she met in the
cookbook section, but can hardly dream of working up the courage to admit her true feelings.
Presenting Emilia and an unforgettable cast of customers whose lives she has touched, and the
books they all cherish, "How to Find Love in a Bookshop" is an extraordinarily entertaining read
from cover to cover, and reveals author Veronica Henry's impressive gift as a novelist able to
craft the kind of novel that will linger in the mind and memory long after the book has been
finished and set back upon the shelf. While unreservedly recommended for community library
General Fiction collections, it should be noted for personal reading lists that "How to Find Love
in a Bookshop" is also available in a digital book format (Kindle, $12.99).
The Hidden Thread
Liz Trenow
Sourcebooks Inc.
1935 Brookdale Road, #139, Naperville, IL 60563
www.sourcebooks.com
9781492637516, $15.99, PB, 384pp, www.amazon.com
When Anna Butterfield's mother dies, she's sent to live with her uncle, a silk merchant in
London, to make a good match and provide for her father and sister. There, she meets Henri, a
French immigrant and apprentice hoping to become a master weaver. But Henri, born into a
lower class, becomes embroiled in the silk riots that break out as weavers protest for a fair wage.
A deftly written and luminous tale of class struggle and star-crossed, forbidden love, Liz trenow's
"The Hidden Thread" is a compelling novel by gifted author with a genuine flair for originality.
The result is one of the memorable books that linger in the mind and memory long after it has
been finished and set back upon the shelf. While unreservedly recommended for community
library collections, it should be noted for personal reading lists that "The Hidden Thread" is also
available in a digital book format (Kindle, $10.07).
Galloway's Gamble
Howard Weinstein
Five Star Books
10 Water Street, Suite 310, Waterville, ME 04901
http://gale.cengage.com/fivestar
9781432837648, $25.95, HC, 314pp, www.amazon.com
After the Civil War, bickering brothers Jamey and Jake Galloway set out from Serenity Falls,
Texas to seek their fortune at poker tables across the west. Cautious Jamey prefers being a live
coward to a dead hero, but brash big brother Jake rarely backs down from a fight. Cheated out of
a fortune, they return to Texas to find their hometown threatened by a land-grabbing cattle king
and a shady banker. Can Jamey and Jake cook up a scheme to outfox dirty-dealing scoundrels
and save Serenity Falls -- without getting themselves killed? A simply riveting read from cover
to cover, "Galloway's Gamble" reveals author Howard Weinstein's impressive flair for originality
and complete master of the action/adventure western novel. While unreservedly recommended,
especially for community library collections, it should be noted for the personal reading lists of
dedicated western novel buffs that "Galloway's Gamble" is also available in a digital book format
(Kindle, $7.99).
The Good Bad Man
Max Brand
Sagebrush Large Print Westerns
c/o Ulverscroft Large Print (USA), Inc.
PO Box 1230, West Seneca, NY 14224-1230
www.ulverscroftusa.com
9781785413858, $29.99, HC, 246pp, www.amazon.com
Frederick Schiller Faust (May 29, 1892 - May 12, 1944) was an American author known
primarily for his thoughtful and literary Westerns under the pen name Max Brand. Now
published for a new generation of appreciative readers in a large print format, "The Good Bad
Man" is an anthology of three of Brand's classic short stories set in the west. 'Speedy's Desert
Dance' is the story of a man on a mule who must intercept a killer on horseback. 'A Watch and
the Wilderness' tells of a sharpshooter who threatens a trench of soldiers. 'The Good Badman' is
about an old prize-fighter has a task to perform. An absolute 'must' for the legions of Max Brand
fans, this large print edition of "The Good Bad Man" is very highly recommended for personal
reading lists and community library Western Fiction collections.
Quincy's Quest
Jay Clanton
Linford Western Library
c/o Ulverscroft Large Print (USA), Inc.
PO Box 1230, West Seneca, NY 14224-1230
www.ulverscroftusa.com
9781444830408, $20.99, PB, 230pp, www.amazon.com
Down on his luck, Martin Quincy falls in with crooked company, and agrees to participate in a
train robbery. The hold-up is successful, netting Quincy over three thousand dollars. But later
he's shocked to discover that one of the other thieves shot a woman in front of her child - and
when he castigates them, they beat him, steal his money, and leave him for dead in the desert.
Quincy, however, is made of stern stuff - and swears to track them down and kill every one of
them. Meanwhile the railroad sets one of their best detectives on the case. To complicate matters
further, Quincy feels compelled to somehow help the son of that murdered woman avoid having
to end up in an orphanage. "Quincy's Quest" is a simply compelling read with multiple and
unforseen twists and turns -- leading to a truly memorable climax. It's quite clear that author Jay
Clanton has a genuine flair for originality and has completely mastered the action/adventure
western novel format -- making it unreservedly recommended for the personal reading lists of
western novel buffs and an enduringly popular addition to community library collections.
The Fiddler Is a Good Woman
Geoff Berner
The Dundurn Group
3 Church Street, Suite 500, Toronto, Ontario, Canada, M5E 1M2
www.dundurn.com
9781459737082, $18.99, PB, 232pp, www.amazon.com
Novelist Geoff Berner has been tasked with writing a biography of DD, a mysterious,
charismatic, chimerical musician who has, it seems, dropped off the face of the earth. In the
course of his search for DD, Berner interviews her friends, ex-bandmates, ex-lovers, and others.
They paint such variable portraits of her that each successive attempt to describe her casts doubt
on the previous testimony. As his project is taken over by the lively, infuriating, entertaining
tales, a wounded, gifted, and complex DD starts to emerge from all the eyewitness accounts and
swear-to-God true stories. Who is DD? Where did she go? And why didn't that book get written?
"The Fiddler Is a Good Woman" is a deftly crafted novel that travel through a world of
knockabout musicians and chancers, on the trail of an inimitable artist who truly lives in the
moment, for better or worse. While very highly recommended, especially for community library
Contemporary General Fiction collections, it should be noted for personal reading lists that "The
Fiddler Is a Good Woman" is also available in a digital book format (Kindle, $7.99).
Rule of Law
Randy Singer
Tyndale House Publishers
351 Executive Drive, Carol Stream, IL 60188
www.tyndale.com
9781496418166, $16.99, PB, 480pp, www.amazon.com
For the members of SEAL Team Six, it was a rare mission ordered by the president, monitored in
real time from the Situation Room. The Houthi rebels in Yemen had captured an American
journalist and a member of the Saudi royal family. Their executions were scheduled for Easter
Sunday. The SEAL team would break them out. But when the mission results in spectacular
failure, the finger-pointing goes all the way to the top. Did the president play political games with
the lives of U.S. service members? Paige Chambers, a determined young lawyer, has a very
personal reason for wanting to know the answer. The case she files will polarize the nation and
test the resiliency of the Constitution. The stakes are huge, the alliances shaky, and she will be
left to wonder if the saying on the Supreme Court building still holds true. Equal justice under
law. It makes a nice motto. But will it work when one of the most powerful people on the planet
is also a defendant? A riveting read that given the White House politics of today could well have
been ripped from tomorrow's headlines, "Rule of Law" is an impressively crafted novel of
political intrigue, narrative driven suspense, and deftly crafted action. Clearly author Randy
Singer has a genuine flair for originality as a novelist. While very highly recommended,
especially for community library General Fiction collections it should be noted for personal
reading lists that "Rule of Law" is also available in a digital book format (Kindle, $9.99).
Dead Man Draw
Walt Keene
Linford Western Library
c/o Ulverscroft Large Print (USA), Inc.
PO Box 1230, West Seneca, NY 14224-1230
www.ulverscroftusa.com
9781444834505, $20.99, PB, 192pp, www.amazon.com
Retired lawman Dan Shaw and veteran gunfighter Tom ride into the sprawling town of Dead
Man Draw. Quickly hired as sheriff and deputy, and charged with collecting protection money
from town businesses, it doesn't take long to discover why their appointments were so hasty - the
place is crawling with hired killers, and two drifters are considered expendable. But these
old-timers have an ace in the hole - their friend Wild Bill Hickok has their backs. Another
riveting and original read from the pen of Walt Keene, "Dead Man Draw" is western
action/adventure at its very best. Now in a large print edition, "Dead Man Draw" is certain to be
an enduringly popular and appreciated addition to the personal reading lists of western fiction
fans and community library collections.
The King of Lighting Fixtures: Stories
Daniel A. Olivas
University of Arizona Press
Main Library Building, 5th Floor
P.O. Box 210055, Tucson, AZ 85721-0055
www.uapress.arizona.edu
9780816535620, $16.95, PB, 168pp, www.amazon.com
Comprised of short stories about wanderers and writers, gangbangers and lawyers, dreamers and
devils, "The King of Lighting Fixtures" by Daniel A. Olivas paints an idiosyncratic but honest
portrait of Los Angeles, depicting how the city both entrances and confounds. Each individual
story serves as a reflection of the City of Angels as a "magical metropolis where dreams come
true". The characters found in these memorably entertaining tales represent all walks of L.A. life,
ranging from Satan's reluctant Craigslist roommate, to a young girl coping with trauma at her
brother's wake. All of the various stories ebb and flow among various styles, including magical
realism, social realism, and speculative fiction. Like a jazz album, they glide and bop, tease and
illuminate, sadden and hearten as they navigate effortlessly from meta to fabulist, from flash
fiction to longer, more complex narratives. Collectively, these thirty literary sketches of Los
Angeles will surprise, connect, and disrupt readers who have previously entertained their own
perceptions and illusions of that fabulous and notorious city. An exceptional collection of
original and entertaining stories by a master of the short story format, "The King of Lighting
Fixtures: Stories" by Daniel A. Olivas is an extraordinary and highly recommended addition to
community and academic library Literary Fiction collections. It should be noted for personal
reading lists that "The King of Lighting Fixtures: Stories" is also available in a digital book
format (Kindle, $11.76).
The Gold
David Carpenter
Coteau Books
9781550509090, $21.95, PB, 368pp, www.coteaubooks.com
While searching for gold in Canad's north country, Joe Burbidge is blessed with resolve and with
good partners to share the load. Stinky Riley is a wrangler and bush pilot who is Joe's first
mentor in prospecting. Isidore Chartrand is a hunter and trapper who accompanies Joe on his
northernmost odyssey, and more than once, saves Joe's life. Joe has to fight to protect his claim,
and this conflict sets in motion a moral dilemma that will dog him for the rest of his life. On the
long trail from high adventure and romance to atonement, readers will meet some delightful,
complex, and sometimes malicious characters. "The Gold" is David Carpenter's latest novel and
reveals the author's genuine flair for originality and the creation of memorable characters
embedded in a narrative driven storyline with many an unexpected twist and turn. An
impressively entertaining and engaging read from cover to cover, "The Gold" is unreservedly
recommended, especially for community library General Fiction collections.
Into a Dark Frontier
John Mangan
Oceanview Publishing
595 Bay Isles Road, 120-G, Longboat Key, FL 34228
www.oceanviewpub.com
9781608092611, $26.95, HC, 323pp, www.amazon.com
In the near future, Africa collapses into an enormous failed state, leaving the continent lawless
and severely depopulated. For most, the breakdown brings horror, but for others -- the outcast,
the desperate, the criminal, and the insane -- it allows unparalleled opportunity: a new frontier of
danger and unlimited possibility. In America, ex-Navy SEAL Slade Crawford, emotionally
crippled after twenty years of front line combat, the dissolution of his marriage, and the
accidental death of his son, is falsely accused of terrorism. Slade flees to Africa to build a new
life and escape his past, but he is captured by an enigmatic American colonel, Gary Kraven, and
blackmailed into tracking down a blood cult that is rampaging across the sub-Sahara. Struggling
to stay alive and to free himself from Kraven's grasp, Slade pursues the cult across the lawless
African frontier. He soon learns that nothing is as it seems and that he is standing at the epicenter
of a global struggle that will determine the course of history. Slade must decide whether to fight
for his life or his honor -- he can't have both. Showing a genuine flair for originality and a natural
gift for narrative driven storytelling, author John Mangan's action/adventure novel is
unreservedly recommended for community library General Fiction collections. It should be noted
for personal reading lists that "Into a Dark Frontier" is also available in a digital book format
(Kindle, $9.99).
The Mystery/Suspense Shelf
The Best American Mystery Stories 2017
John Sandford
Mariner
c/o Houghton Mifflin Harcourt
215 Park Avenue South, New York, NY 10003
www.hmhco.com
9780544949089 $15.99 www.marinerbooks.com
John Sandford guest edits a fine edition adding to Houghton Mifflin's 'best of' mystery series,
offering twenty new short stories with varied themes and approaches to the genre. From Brendon
Dubois's story of a man who avenges his dead wife to works by such notable names as Jeffrey
Deaver and Loren Estleman, this collection represents a truly superior gathering of authors,
works, and diverse themes in the mystery genre, creating a powerful collection that will delight
those who look for well-crafted, literary themes.
Ghost on the Case
Carolyn Hart
Berkley Prime Crime
c/o Penguin Group (USA)
375 Hudson Street, New York, NY 10014
9780451488565 $26.00 www.penguin.com
Ghost on the Case provides a fine Bailey Ruth ghost story as it presents a new case faced by the
crime-fighting ghost Bariley Ruth. Her latest case involves a woman who has received a ransom
demand for her sister, and who is required to partake in a crime to save her. Bailey faces a
conundrum in that her heaven-sent purpose isn't in line with the events she faces. Can Bailey
employ her P.I. stills to save the day and figure out who arranged the kidnapping? As snatching
turns into murder, Bailey becomes increasingly involved in Susan's life and her own purpose in it
in another satisfying ghost-powered conundrum.
The Bloody Black Flag
Steve Goble
Seventh Street Books
c/o Prometheus Books
59 John Glenn Drive, Amherst, NY 14228
www.prometheusbooks.com
9781633883598 $15.95 www.seventhstreetbooks.com
The Bloody Black Flag tells of Spider John Rush, who operates on a pirate ship in 1722 off the
American coast. He never wanted to be a pirate, but survival dictated the rules, and he and Ezra
face death daily. He never expected his mate to be murdered by a shipmate - and it's a whodunit
mystery with quite a different setting and motive. Spider is determined to locate the killer against
all odds in this gripping saga that's highly recommended for murder mystery fans seeking a more
literary piece with a stronger and stranger historical background than most.
Anne Bonny's Wake
Dick Elam
www.dickelambooks.com
Brown Books Publishing Group
16250 Knoll Trail Drive, Suite 205, Dallas, TX 75248-2871
www.brownbooks.com
9781612549040, $22.99, HC, 224pp, www.amazon.com
It's been four years since the Anne Bonny's namesake passed, and Hersh Barstow is taking out
the sailboat one last time as a final good-bye to his departed wife. He expects the trip to be a
quiet one, but then the mysterious and seductive Maggie Adelaide Moore comes aboard. Trouble
quickly follows, and soon the two are entangled with a dangerous drug cartel. Now the criminal
justice professor needs to call on old friends from his CIA days to escape their pursuers and
riddle out Maggie's mysterious past. In the age-weathered Anne Bonny, Hersh recalls some of his
CIA training, but that may not be enough, as enemies could be lurking behind every river bend.
All the more impressive when considering that "Anne Bonny's Wake" is author Dick Elam's
debut novel, this is an ideal read for those who appreciate an original and deftly crafted story of
action, mystery, and romance -- and clearly marks his mastery of the genre. Unreservedly
recommended for the personal reading lists of dedicated mystery buffs, "Anne Bonny's Wake"
should be a part of every community library's Mystery/Suspense collection.
The Shadow List
Todd Moss
G. P. Putnam's Sons
c/o Penguin Group USA
375 Hudson Street, New York, NY 10014
www.penguin.com
9780399175947, $26.99, HC, 368pp, www.amazon.com
Most people disregard the scam email promising a windfall and wonder how anybody fall for
those things? But it is a very serious matter because it is one of the biggest organized crime
rackets in the world -- it can become deadly. Now the State Department crisis manager Judd
Ryker has fallen right into the middle of it. The disappearance of a young American in London
sends Ryker into the heart of a corruption scandal in Nigeria, at the same time his CIA agent wife
Jessica finds herself chasing a Russian master criminal known as the Bear. Unknown to either of
them, they are pulling at two ends of the same lethal thread, a staggeringly vicious enterprise of
piracy, extortion, and murder. The world is messy and dangerous, Jessica warns her husband.
More dangerous than you know. But he is about to find out. Author Todd Moss is a master of the
international crime genre and "The Shadow List" is his extraordinary novel that is a truly
gripping read from cover to cover. This original, deftly crafted, and compelling novel is
unreservedly recommended, especially for community library International Mystery/Suspense
collections. It should be noted for the personal reading lists of dedicated mystery/suspense buffs
that "The Shadow List" is also available in a digital book format (Kindle, $13.99).
Falling Back to One
Randy Mason
Archer
c/o Rare Bird Literature
453 South Spring Street, Suite 302, Los Angeles, CA 90013
www.rarebirdbooks.com
9781941729182 $26.95 hc / $6.99 Kindle amazon.com
When thirty-six-year-old Detective Sergeant James Baker finds himself at a dangerous crossroads
(facing suspension or even the end of his career) he agrees, under great duress, to an unorthodox
therapy: being the acting legal guardian of a convicted juvenile offender. But seventeen-year-old
Micki Reilly is not what he expected: she's female, far more violent, and claims to have no
memory of her past. Cynical, Baker is determined to be rid of her as quickly as possible while
she, full of dreams of a new life, sees him as her only chance. Remaining together out of
necessity, they battle each other on every level, the shrouded bridge between them rarely seen
and often missed. But the stakes are far higher than what they first appear, leaving both lives in
jeopardy -- until a tragic decision finally rips away the veil. A deftly crafted novel by a master of
the mystery/suspense genre, Randy Mason's "Falling Back to One" is an inherently fascinating,
consistently entertaining, and thoughtfully complex read from beginning to end. An original,
riveting, and unreservedly recommended addition to community library Mystery/Suspense
collections, it should be noted for personal reading lists that "Falling Back to One" is also
available in a digital book format (Kindle, $6.99).
Striking Murder
A. J. Wright
Magna Large Print
c/o Ulverscroft Large Print (USA), Inc.
PO Box 1230, West Seneca, NY 14224-1230
www.ulverscroftusa.com
9780750544603, $59.60, HC, 342pp, www.amazon.com
In the year1893, Wigan is in the grip of a harsh winter and a devastating national miners' strike.
Arthur Morris, a wealthy colliery owner whose determination to cut the miners' pay is one of the
main causes of the strike, is found brutally murdered in an alleyway. A sinister letter prompted
the victim to leave his dinner guests and hurry out into the freezing night to Scholes, a rough
working-class district where he is universally hated. Detective Sergeant Brennan is tasked with
finding the murderer and when a mysterious stranger is found bludgeoned to death, Brennan
starts to unravel a twisted thread of interwoven clues. A. J. Wright is a master of the
mystery/suspense genre with a genuine flair for originality, deftly crafted characters, and a
narrative driven 'whodunnit'. Presented in a large print format, this edition of "Striking Murder"
is very highly recommended, especially for the personal reading lists of dedicated mystery buffs,
as well as community library Mystery/Suspense collections.
A Christmas Return
Anne Perry
Ballantine Books
c/o The Random House Publishing Group
1745 Broadway, 17th floor, New York, NY 10019
www.randomhouse.com
9780425285077, $20.00, HC, 192pp, www.amazon.com
As Charlotte Pitt's grandmother Mariah Ellison finds herself investigating a long-unsolved
slaying, it becomes clear that grappling with intrigue and foul play runs in the family. A festive
Christmas package left on Mariah's doorstep contains an ominous present, sparking memories of
a twenty-year-old murder that shattered her friendship with the victim's widow. Though the gift
is a bitter reminder of that tragic time, in the spirit of the season Mariah travels to Surrey in
hopes of reconciling with her estranged friend and solving the crime that drove them apart. On
arrival, Mariah joins forces with the murdered man's grandson, a sleuth in his own right who's
discovered promising evidence as well as a suspect. But Surrey's picturesque hills conceal dark
doings and shocking revelations that could make the holiday anything but calm and bright.
Decked with intrigue and trimmed with Yuletide spirit, "A Christmas Return" is a perfectly
crafted mystery by Anne Perry who is justifiably cited as the currently reigning master of the
Victorian mystery genre. While unreservedly recommended for community library
Mystery/Suspense collections, it should be noted for the personal reading lists of dedicated
mystery buffs that "A Christmas Return" is also available in a digital book format (Kindle,
$10.99).
The Ghost of Christmas Past
Rhys Bowen
Minotaur Books
c/o St. Martin's Publishing Group
175 Fifth Avenue, New York, NY 10010
www.minotaurbooks.com
9781250125729, $24.99, HC, 272pp, www.amazon.com
Semi-retired private detective Molly Murphy Sullivan is suffering from depression after a
miscarriage following her adventure in San Francisco during the earthquake of 1906. She and her
husband, Daniel, are invited for Christmas at a mansion on the Hudson, and they gratefully
accept, expecting a peaceful and relaxing holiday season. Not long after they arrive, however,
they start to feel the tension in the house's atmosphere. Then they learn that the host couple's
young daughter wandered out into the snow ten years ago and was never seen again. Molly can
identify with the mother's pain at never knowing what happened to her child and wants to help,
but there is so little to go on. No ransom note. No body ever found. But Molly slowly begins to
suspect that the occupants of the house know more than they are letting on. Then, on Christmas
Eve, there is a knock at the door and a young girl stands there. "I'm Charlotte," she says. "I've
come home." Another masterpiece of mystery/suspense fiction from a true master of the genre,
"The Ghost of Christmas Past" by Rhys Bowen is the latest addition to her 'Molly Murphy
Mystery' series and will prove to be an extraordinarily popular addition to all community library
collections. It should be noted for the personal reading lists of dedicated mystery buffs that "The
Ghost of Christmas Past" is also available in a digital book format (Kindle, $11.99).
The Twelve Dogs of Christmas
David Rosenfelt
Minotaur Books
c/o St. Martin's Publishing Group
175 Fifth Avenue, New York, NY 10010
www.minotaurbooks.com
9781250106766, $24.99, HC, 336pp, www.amazon.com
Defense lawyer Andy Carpenter usually tries to avoid taking on new cases at all costs. But this
time, he's happy - eager, even - to take the case that's just come his way. Andy's long-time friend
Martha "Pups" Boyer takes in stray puppies that the local dog rescue center can't handle, raises
them until they're old enough to adopt, and then finds good homes for them. Not everyone
admires the work Pups does as much as Andy does, however. With Christmas just around the
corner, one of Pups's neighbors has just reported Pups to the city for having more than the legal
number of pets in her home under the local zoning laws. Andy happily takes Pups's case, and he
feels confident in a positive outcome. Who could punish someone for rescuing puppies, after all,
especially at Christmastime? But things get a lot more complicated when Randy Hennessey, the
neighbor who registered the complaint against Pups, turns up dead. Pups had loudly and publicly
threatened Hennessey after he filed his complaint, and Pups was also the one to find his body. All
the evidence seems to point to Pups as the killer, and suddenly Andy has a murder case on his
hands. He doesn't believe Pups could be guilty, but as he starts digging deeper into the truth
behind Hennessey's murder, Andy may find himself facing a killer more dangerous than he ever
imagined. While unreservedly recommended, especially for community library Mystery/Suspense
collections, it should be noted for the personal reading lists of dedicated mystery buffs who
appreciate a particularly well crafted and original read that "The Twelve Dogs of Christmas" is
also now available in a paperback edition (9781250145611, $15.99) as well as in a digital book
format (Kindle, $9.99).
A Cajun Christmas Killing
Ellen Byron
Crooked Lane Books
2 Park Avenue, 10th floor, New York, NY 10016
www.crookedlanebooks.com
9781683313052, $26.99, HC, 304pp, www.amazon.com
Maggie Crozat is back home in bayou country during the most magical time of the year. In
Pelican, Louisiana, Christmastime is a season of giant bonfires on the levee, zydeco carols, and
pots of gumbo. Except, this year, the Grinch has come to stay at the family-run Crozat Plantation
B&B. When he floods travel websites with vicious reviews, Maggie thinks she's identified him as
rival businessman Donald Baxter. That is, until he's found stabbed to death at Maggie's
workplace. And Maggie and her loved ones become top suspects. The Crozats quickly establish
alibis, but Maggie's boyfriend, Detective Bo Durand, remains under suspicion. With Bo sidelined
during the investigation, Maggie finds herself forced to work with an unlikely ally: longtime
family enemy Rufus Durand. Her sleuthing uncovers more suspects than drummers drumming,
and lands her in the crosshairs of the murderer. The sleigh bells are jingling, and the clock is
ticking for Maggie and Rufus, who must catch the killer or it will be the opposite of a Joyeux
Noel! "A Cajun Christmas Killing" is the recipe-stuffed third installment of Ellen Byron's
simply outstanding 'Cajun Country Mystery' series and is unreservedly recommended for
community library Mystery/Suspense collections. It should be noted for the personal reading lists
of dedicated mystery buffs that "A Cajun Christmas Killing" is also available in a digital book
format (Kindle, $9.99).
Twelve Slays of Christmas
Jacqueline Frost
Crooked Lane Books
2 Park Avenue, 10th floor, New York, NY 10016
www.crookedlanebooks.com
9781683313175, $26.99, HC, 320pp, www.amazon.com
When Holly White's fiance cancels their Christmas Eve wedding with less than two weeks to go,
Holly heads home with a broken heart. Lucky for her, home in historic Mistletoe, Maine is
magical during Christmastime - exactly what the doctor prescribed. Except her plan to drown her
troubles in peppermints and snickerdoodles is upended when local grouch and president of the
Mistletoe Historical Society Margaret Fenwick is bludgeoned and left in the sleigh display at
Reindeer Games, Holly's family tree farm. When the murder weapon is revealed as one of the
wooden stakes used to identify trees on the farm, Sheriff Evan Grey turns to Holly's father, Bud,
and the Reindeer Games staff. And it doesn't help that Bud and the reindeer keeper were each
seen arguing with Margaret just before her death. But Holly knows her father, and is determined
to exonerate him. The jingle bells are ringing, the clock is ticking, and if Holly doesn't watch out,
she'll end up on Santa's naughty! The debut novel in Jacqueline Frost's new 'A Christmas Tree
Farm Mystery' series, "Twelve Slays of Christmas" is a true mystery lover's delight from
beginning to end and will prove to be an enduringly popular addition to personal reading lists and
community library Mystery/Suspense collections. It should be noted that "Twelve Slays of
Christmas" is also available in a digital book format (Kindle, $9.99) and in a complete and
unabridged audio book edition (Blackstone Audiobooks, 9781538452141, $69.00, CD).
How the Finch Stole Christmas
Donna Andrews
Minotaur Books
c/o St. Martin's Publishing Group
175 Fifth Avenue, New York, NY 10010
www.minotaurbooks.com
9781250115454, $25.99, HC, 288pp, www.amazon.com
Meg's husband has decided to escalate his one-man show of Dickens' A Christmas Carol into a
full-scale production with a large cast including their sons Jamie and Josh as Tiny Tim and young
Scrooge and Meg helping as stage manager. The show must go on, even if the famous (though
slightly over-the-hill) actor who's come to town to play the starring role of Scrooge has brought a
sleigh-load of baggage and enemies with him. And why is Caerphilly suddenly overrun with a
surplus of beautiful caged finches? Another Christmas themed Meg Langslow mystery from the
pen of Donna Andrews, "How the Finch Stole Christmas!" is deftly crafted, unfailingly funny,
absolutely riveting and consistently entertaining read from cover to cover. While unreservedly
recommended for community library Mystery/Suspense collections, it should be noted for the
Christmas reading lists of dedicated mystery buffs who appreciated a lot of laughter in their
'whodunnits' that "How the Finch Stole Christmas" is also available in a digital book format
(Kindle, $12.99) and in a complete and unabridged audio book edition (Dreamscape Media,
9781520081939, $29.99, CD).
Cat Got Your Secrets
Julie Chase
Crooked Lane Books
2 Park Avenue, 10th floor, New York, NY 10016
www.crookedlanebooks.com
9781683312833, $26.99, HC, 320pp, www.amazon.com
Lacy Marie Crocker has settled into a comfortable groove back home in New Orleans, and with
Valentine's Day right around the corner, she's busier than ever running a thriving pet boutique,
helping her mother organize the upcoming National Pet Pageant, and untangling her complicated
love life. But when delivering a king-sized order of dreidel-shaped doggy biscuits for a Saint
Berdoodle's bark-mitzvah, Lacy stumbles into yet another murder scene -- and the last person to
see the victim alive was her own father. It's up to Lacy to clear her dad's name from the suspect
list before Detective Jack Oliver has to cage him for good. But just when she starts pawing at the
truth, she receives a threatening letter from a mysterious blackmailer bent on silencing her with
her own secrets. And Lacy's not the only one with bones in her closet. The third volume in author
Julie Chase's simply outstanding 'A Kitty Couture Mystery' series, "Cat Got Your Secrets" is
another riveting mead from a true master of the Mystery/Suspense genre and an 'absolute must
read" for the legions of Julie Chase fans. Of special note is the inclusion of recipes for feline
companion treats! While unreservedly recommended for community library Mystery/Suspense
collections, it should be noted for personal reading lists that "Cat Got Your Secrets" is also
available in a paperback edition (9781683316763, $15.99) and in a digital book format (Kindle,
$9.99).
Cast Iron
Peter May
Quercus
1290 Sixth Ave., NY, NY 10104
www.quercus.com
9781681441610, $26.99, HC, 400pp, www.amazon.com
In Western France, 1989, a weeping killer deposits the unconscious body of twenty-year-old
Lucie Martin, her head wrapped in a blue plastic bag, into the waters of a picturesque lake. Om
Lot-et-Garonne, 2003, some fourteen years later, a summer heat wave parches the countryside,
killing trees and bushes and drying out streams. In the scorched mud and desiccated slime of the
lake, a fisherman finds a skeleton wearing a bag over its skull. Now in Paris, October 2011, in an
elegant apartment in Paris, forensic expert Enzo Macleod, now fifty-six years old, pores over the
scant evidence of the sixth and final cold case he has been challenged to solve. The most obvious
suspect is Regis Blanc, a former pimp already imprisoned for the murders of three sex workers,
who may have been Lucie's lover in the months before her disappearance. But Regis has a solid
alibi, and Enzo has a feeling the real explanation might be more complicated. In taking on this
old and seemingly impossible-to-crack case, Enzo puts everything and everyone he holds dear in
terrible danger -- and in ways even he never could have imagined. Another riveting read from the
pen of Peter May, "Cast Iron" is a superbly crafted and entertaining novel that is unreservedly
recommended, especially for community library Mystery/Suspense collections. It should be noted
for the personal reading lists of dedicated mystery buffs that "Cast Iron" is also available in a
digital book format (Kindle, $12.99).
Eve / More Deadly Than The Male
James Hadley Chase
Stark House Press
1315 H Street, Eureka, CA 95501
www.starkhousepress.com
9781944520403, $19.95, PB, 380pp, www.amazon.com
The late James Hadley Chase (24 December 1906 - 6 February 1985) was an English writer.
While his birth name was Rene Lodge Brabazon Raymond, he was well known by his various
pseudonyms, including James Hadley Chase, James L. Docherty, Raymond Marshall, R.
Raymond, and Ambrose Grant. He was one of the best known thriller writers of all time. The
canon of James Hadley Chase, comprises some 90 titles, earning him a reputation as the king of
thriller writers in Europe. He was also one of the internationally best-selling authors, and, so far,
50 of his books have been made into films. Now as part of their outstanding 'Stark House Crime
Classics' series, and featuring an informative introduction by Gregory Shepard, two of Chase's
best short stories are once again available to a new and appreciative generation of readers. "Eve"
is the story of Clive Thurston, a man who is living a lie. Having claimed a dying playwright's
masterwork as his own, he is hailed as a brilliant, new author. Thurston is now living the good
life in Hollywood. He has a house in the country, a manservant, a beautiful fiancee... then one
night he meets Eve. Eve isn't beautiful at all, but she's got a way about her. Thurston is
captivated, and in no time, he becomes obsessed. But as everybody knows, Eve is a prostitute,
and his reputation around town begins to suffer. His fiancee has been patient, but she can take no
more. Thurston is drinking too much, and making bad decisions. But what he can't figure is why
Eve keeps rejecting him. If he can only make Eve love him, maybe his own redemption is at
hand! In "More Deadly Than The Male" George is a man who knew the exact moment when he
fell in love with Cora Brant. At one moment Cora was just someone with whom he hoped to
alleviate an hour of lonely boredom; at the next she was someone he was physically and mentally
aware of in a most overpowering way. He had bought drinks, and he had been startled that she
tackled a pint of beer. And when he looked more closely at her, he realized she was not
immaculate in the accepted sense of the word. But George was not critical. Any woman was a
novelty to him, and a girl like Cora Brant was far more than a novelty -- she was an exciting
experience." George has been living in a gangster fantasy in which he is always the hero. Now he
meets that world head on. But George's troubles have only just begun. Simply stated, This Stark
House Press edition of "Eve / More Deadly Than The Male" is unreservedly recommended,
especially for community library Mystery/Suspense collections and the personal reading lists of
dedicated crime fiction fans.
Murder of a Good Man
Teresa Trent
Camel Press
PO Box 70515, Seattle, WA 98127
www.camelpress.com
9781603816359, $15.95, PB, 256pp, www.amazon.com
When Nora Alexander arrives in Piney Woods, Texas, to fulfill her dying mother's last wish, she
has no idea what awaits her. First she is run off the road, then the sealed letter she delivers turns
out to be a scathing rebuke to the town's most beloved citizen and favored candidate for Piney
Woods Pioneer: Adam Brockwell. Next thing you know, Adam has been murdered in a nasty
knife attack. Suspicion instantly falls on Nora, one of the last people to see him alive. After all,
everyone in Piney Woods loved him. Or did they? Nora learns that her mother had a complicated
past she never shared with her daughter. Told not to leave town by Tuck the flirty sheriff, Nora
finds a job with Tuck's Aunt Marty trying to get the rundown Tunie Hotel back in the black. The
old hotel was Piney Woods' heart and soul in its heyday as an oil boomtown. Now the secrets it
harbors may be the key to getting Nora off the hook. She's going to need to solve the mystery
quickly to avoid arrest, or worse: becoming the killer's next victim. A deftly crafted novel by a
master of the mystery genre, "Murder of a Good Man" is the first in what promises to be a simply
outstanding new 'Piney Woods Mystery' series by Teresa Trent. A truly riveting 'whodunnit' read
from cover to cover, "Murder of a Good Man" is unreservedly recommended, especially for
community library Mystery/Suspense collections. For the personal reading lists of dedicated
mystery buffs it should be noted that "Murder of a Good Man" is also available in a digital book
format (Kindle, $4.95).
The Needlecraft Shelf
Fat Quarter: Christmas
Jemima Schlee
GMC Publications
c/o The GMC Group
www.thegmcgroup.com
9781784943530, $19.95, PB, 152pp, www.amazon.com
One of the reasons that dedicated needlecraft enthusiasts enjoy the Christmas season is the
endless inspiration it offers every year for needlecraft based projects. In "Fat Quarter: Christmas",
needlecraft expert Jemima Schlee presents 25 projects that even the most novice needlecrafters
can make quickly and easily from fat quarters or fabric scraps in their stash bin. Whether looking
to add a last-minute touch to Christmas gifts or wanting to deck out a home in handmade flair,
"Fat Quarter: Christmas" offers a wealth of cheery, whimsical projects, including hanging hearts,
Christmas tree bunting, fairy light shades, gift bags, card ribbons, snowflake garland, napkin
rings, mantle edging, and so much more. Profusely illustrated throughout, "Fat Quarter:
Christmas" is impressively well organized and presented, making it an ideal addition to personal
and community library Needlecraft instructional reference collections.
Radiant Quilts
Elsie M. Campbell
Landauer Publishing
3100 100th Street, Urbandale, Iowa 50322
www.landauercorp.com
9781935726982, $22.95, PB, 80pp, www.amazon.com
Elsie M. Campbell began exhibiting her quilts nationally in 1992 and has won numerous
prestigious awards. In the pages of "Radiant Quilts: Stunning Quilts from Simple Shapes" she
offers a complete guide to making gorgeous scrap quilts using just one, two, or three simple
repeated shapes. Of special note is the inclusion of: Nine projects that are both basic and boldly
sophisticated; providing easy-to-follow instructions & diagrams for making each project;
Instructions on making stunning scrap quilts using simple repeated shapes; A design emphasis on
color and value working together to create the illusion of depth and light; Comprehensive
information about tools and techniques; Clear how-to directions on 3 cutting techniques using
scissors and templates, rotary cutters and rulers, and die cutters; Guidance on both hand-piecing
and machine-piecing; and fearless stitching of Y-seams and curved pieces. Profusely and expertly
illustrated throughout, "Radiant Quilts" will prove to be an enduringly valued addition to
personal, professional, and community library quilting instructional reference collections.
Stitching Pathways
Wendy Sheppard
Landauer Publishing
3100 100th Street, Urbandale, Iowa 50322
www.landauercorp.com
9781935726937, $21.95, PB, 80pp, www.amazon.com
Get the results you love with this complete visual guide to quilting on your home sewing
machine! Expert designer, author, and blogger Wendy Sheppard original designs have been
featured in numerous quilting magazines. She also designs patterns for several major fabric
companies. In "Stitching Pathways: Successful Quilting on your Home Machine" she draws upon
her impressive experience and exceptional expertise to provide an instructional resource for
quilters of all skill levels. From straight line quilting to beautiful free-motion techniques,
Wendy's expert advice and proven methods deftly guides even the most novice of quilters
through every step of each quilting project. Beginning quilters especially will earn new skills and
build their confidence with beautiful projects, step-by-step stitch guides, detailed diagrams, and
stunning color photographs. Of special note are the chapters on 'Determining What and Where to
Quilt'; 'Quilting a Borderless Quilt'; 'Straight Line Quilting'; and 'Stitch Variations'. No personal
or community library 'how to' quilting collections can be considered complete without the
inclusion of a copy of Wendy Sheppard's "Stitching Pathways"!
Mosaic & Lace Knits
Barbara Benson
Stackpole Books
5067 Ritter Road, Mechanicsburg, PA 17055-6921
www.stackpolebooks.com
9780811716772, $24.95, PB, 128pp, www.amazon.com
Barbara Benson has been experimenting with the fusion of mosaic knitting and lace stitches over
the past few years, and has created "Mosaic & Lace Knits: 20 Innovative Patterns Combining
Slip-Stitch Colorwork and Lace Techniques", a truly impressive collection of 20 shawls, cowls,
scarves, hats, and other accessories. To make the patterns accessible to any knitter, she has added
a helpful instructional section in "Mosaic & Lace Knits" that covers the basics of knitting slip
stitches, how to read lace and mosaic charts, how to work mosaic in the round, and tips and tricks
to help you avoid potential pitfalls. The book has projects for all level knitters. Start with a
project in which the mosaic and lace are worked in different sections, such as a hat with
alternating bands of mosaic and lace. Then progress to more complex patterns where the slip
stitch and lace stitches are worked at the same time. Each stitch plays an important role -- these
patterns will keep the interest of even the most experienced knitter! Beautifully and profusely
illustrated throughout, "Mosaic & Lace Knits" is very highly recommended for community
library Needlecraft instructional reference collections. It should be noted for personal reference
collections that "Mosaic & Lace Knits" is also available in a digital book format (Kindle,
$14.39).
Utility-Style Quilts for Everyday Living
Sharon Holland
Landauer Publishing
3100 100th Street, Urbandale, Iowa 50322
www.landauercorp.com
9781935726975, $18.95, PB, 80pp, www.amazon.com
Sharon Holland's passions led her to design fabric for Art Gallery Fabrics. She created the
"Quilt-It-Today" and "Sew-It-Today" magazines, for which she has served as editor,
photographer and graphic designer. In her debut book, "Utility-Style Quilts for Everyday Living"
she aptly draws upon her years of experience and expertise to provide quilting enthusiasts with
12 well illustrated projects, ranging from table runners to a queen-sized quilt. Ideal for the novice
beginner, "Utility-Style Quilts for Everyday Living" offers a wealth of skill-building design tips
and suggestions throughout, and teaches each technique in an non-intimidating way with a focus
on the quilt's ultimate use -- not on unattainable perfection Each individual fast-pieced project is
great for beginners, with skill-building design tips and suggestions included throughout. The
results are lovely patterns making a compellingly inspired reason to dig into any stash and make a
quilt that will be used and loved for years to come. The quilts are inspired by timeless and
well-loved block patterns and use surprising fabric and color choices to put a new, modern spin
on tradition. Exceptionally well illustrated, written, organized and presented, "Utility-Style Quilts
for Everyday Living" is unreservedly recommended for personal and community library Quilting
instructional reference collections.
The Art Shelf
Egyptian Art
Bill Manley
Thames & Hudson, Inc.
500 Fifth Avenue, New York, NY 10110-0017
www.thamesandhudsonusa.com
9780500204283, $23.95, PB, 320pp, www.amazon.com
The art and architecture of Egypt during the age of the pharaohs continues to capture the
imagination of the modern world. Among the great creative achievements of ancient Egypt are a
set of constant forms: archetypes in art and architecture in which the origins of concepts such as
authority, divinity, beauty, and meaning are readily discernible. Whether adapted to fine, delicate
jewelry or colossal statues, these forms maintain a human face -- with human ideas and emotions.
These artistic templates, and the ideas they articulated, were refined and reinvented through
dozens of centuries, until scenes first created for the earliest kings, around 3000 BCE, were
eventually used to represent Roman emperors and the last officials of pre-Christian Egypt.
"Egyptian Art" by Bill Manley is a beautifully and profusely illustrated account of the art of
ancient Egypt that draws upon the finest works through more than 3,000 years and places
celebrated masterpieces, from the Narmer palette to Tutankhamun's gold mask, in their original
contexts in the tombs, temples, and palaces of the pharaohs and their citizens. While an
impressive work of scholarship in its own right with the inclusion of Notes, a Selected
Bibliography, a listing of illustrations, and an index, "Egyptian Art" is fully accessible to
academia and non-specialist general readers alike. While unreservedly recommended for
personal, community, and academic library Egyptology & Art History collections, it should be
noted that "Egyptian Art" is also available in a digital book format (Kindle, $20.98).
Teresita Fernandez: Wayfinding
Denise Markonish, editor
Prestel Publishing
900 Broadway, Suite 603, New York, NY 10003
www.prestel.com
9783791356822, $60.00, HC, 256pp, www.amazon.com
Compiled and edited by Denise Markonish (Curator at MASS MoCA in North Adams,
Massachusetts. ), "Teresita Fernandez: Wayfinding" is a visually arresting study that provides the
first complete overview of artist Teresita Fernandez's multi-faceted body of work. Teresita
Fernandez creates elaborate installations that pull viewers into other worlds and environments,
playing with scale, material and how we understand and navigate the landscape. The idea of
wayfinding (moving from place to place or even getting lost) is critical to understanding
Fernandez's approach, which incorporates unconventional materials such as graphite, pyrite, dyed
thread, polycarbonate tubes, gold and malachite to explore how we look at and process our
surroundings from land to sky, private to public. "Teresita Fernandez: Wayfinding" is a visual
journey designed as constellation of works rather than a chronological retrospective, inviting
readers to explore Fernandez's oeuvre through large, full-color illustrations; writings on place;
references to literature, film, art history, and poetry, alongside Fernandez's own writings; and
critical essays. Organized into six sections (landscape, celestial, terrestrial, subterranean,
cinematic, and radiance) which reflect themes recurring in Fernandez's practice, this superbly
produced volume spans her full career. The result is a dramatically rich experience of getting to
know an artist through her creative process, a rewarding journey that will satisfy general readers
and scholars alike. A very good candidate as a community or academic library Memorial Fund
acquisition, "Teresita Fernandez: Wayfinding" is unreservedly recommended for inclusion into a
personal, community, college, or university Art History collection in general, and Teresita
Fernandez supplemental studies list in particular.
Richard Diebenkorn: Beginnings, 1942-1955
Scott A. Shields
Pomegranate Communications, Inc.
19018 NE Portal Way, Portland, OR 97230
www.pomegranate.com
9780764979415, $50.00, HC, 240pp, www.amazon.com
Richard Diebenkorn's artistic career is best known in terms of three major evolutions: the
Sausalito, Albuquerque, Urbana, and "early Berkeley" periods of Abstract Expressionism
(1947-1955); the Berkeley figurative/representational period (1955-1966); and the Ocean Park
(1967-1988) and Healdsburg (1988-1992) series of abstractions. Yet Diebenkorn's earliest
paintings and drawings remain little known. "Richard Diebenkorn: Beginnings, 1942-1955" is a
catalogue that specifically focuses on Diebenkorn's evolution to maturity. It features nearly two
hundred paintings and drawings, many drawn from the archives of the Richard Diebenkorn
Foundation, that precede his shift to figuration. These early pieces evolved rapidly from
representational landscape scenes and portraits of military colleagues, to semiabstract and
Surrealist-inspired depictions of topography and the human form, to the artist's mature Abstract
Expressionist paintings. Many of these pieces will be unfamiliar to the general public, yet they
offer a fuller picture of Diebenkorn's precocious achievements and set the stage for what was yet
to come. The superbly reproduced works of art are informatively augmented by commentary and
captions by Scott A. Shields (The Associate Director and Chief Curator at the Crocker Art
Museum). "Richard Diebenkorn: Beginnings, 1942-1955" is unreservedly recommended for
personal, community, and academic library 20th Century American Art History collections in
general, and Richard Diebenkorn supplemental studies lists in particular.
Paper Dolls: Fragile Figures, Enduring Symbols
Katherine H. Adams & Michael L. Keene
McFarland & Company
PO Box 611, Jefferson NC 28640
www.mcfarlandpub.com
9781476669687, $49.95, PB, 240pp, www.amazon.com
Paper dolls might seem the height of simplicity -- merely a quaint but simple pastime
entertainment. But through the centuries paper figures have reflected religious and political
beliefs, notions of woman-hood, motherhood and family, the dictates of fashion, approaches to
education, individual self-image and self-esteem, and ideas about death. The collaborative work
of Katherine H. Adams (the Hutchinson Distinguished Professor of English at Loyola University
New Orleans) and Michael L. Keene (Professor Emeritus of English at the University of
Tennessee Knoxville), "Paper Dolls: Fragile Figures, Enduring Symbols" examines paper dolls
and their symbolism -- from icons made by priests in ancient China to printable Kim Kardashians
on the Internet -- to show how these ephemeral objects have an enduring and sometimes
surprising presence in history and culture. An original and seminal work of truly impressive and
informative scholarship, "Paper Dolls: Fragile Figures, Enduring Symbols" is a unique and
unreservedly recommended addition to personal, community, and academic library
collections.
The Art of Pokemon Adventures
Satoshi Yamamoto
Viz Media LLC
1355 Market Street, Suite 200, San Francisco CA 94103
www.viz.com
9781421594514 $24.99 amazon.com
Featuring a wealth of color as well as black-and-white concept art, character portraits, and more
The Art of Pokemon Adventures showcases art from the Pokemon Adventures manga (Japanese
graphic novel) series, known for closely following the stories of the Pokemon series of monster-
battling, role-playing video games. Since Pokemon Adventures has been widely translated
outside of Japan, it is the best-known manga among fans of the Pokemon franchise worldwide.
The Art of Pokemon Adventures has very little text, and is almost entirely dedicated to
showcasing the art itself. A bonus manga short story that originally appears on the Pokemon
Daisuki Club website on March 23, 2006 is included; the manga features Pokemon Rangers -
protectors of the natural world who do not keep more than one Pokemon by their side, but rather
temporarily borrow aid from wild Pokemon, and only when needed. The Art of Pokemon
Adventures is a gorgeous artbook that connoisseurs of the manga are sure to enjoy, highly
recommended.
The Coloring Book Shelf
Hello Kitty & Friends Coloring Book
Viz Media LLC
1355 Market Street, Suite 200, San Francisco CA 94103
www.viz.com
9781421592749 $16.99 amazon.com
Hello Kitty & Friends Coloring Book is a coloring book for all ages, filled with dozens of full-
page, detailed illustrations of Hello Kitty and her Sanrio friends. There is no text, simply black-
and-white pictures of frolicking, fun, and adventure. Hello Kitty & Friends Coloring Book is an
excellent giftbook for anyone who loves to color for pleasure, relaxation, or rainy-day
amusement. Highly recommended.
The Military Shelf
Dubno 1941: The Greatest Tank Battle of the Second World War
Aleksei Isaev, author
Kevin Bridge, translator
Helion & Company
c/o Casemate
1940 Lawrence Road, Havertown, PA 19083
www.casematepublishers.com
9781910777749, $69.95, HC, 226pp, www.amazon.com
In June 1941 (during the first week of the Nazi invasion in the Soviet Union) the quiet cornfields
and towns of Western Ukraine were awakened by the clanking of steel and thunder of explosions
as the greatest tank battle of the Second World War took place. About 3,000 tanks from the Red
Army Kiev Special Military District clashed with about 800 German tanks of Heeresgruppe
South. Why did the numerically superior Soviets fail? Hundreds of heavy KV-1 and KV-2 tanks,
the five-turret giant T-35 and famous T-34 failed to stop the Germans. "Dubno 1941: The
Greatest Tank Battle of the Second World War" is a detailed and definitive history of that key
battle from the perspective of it is not the tanks, but armored units, which win or lose battles. The
Germans during the Blitzkrieg era had superior T&OE for their tank forces. The German Panzer
Division could defeat their opponents not by using tanks, but by using artillery, which included
heavy artillery, motorized infantry and engineers. The Red Army's armored unit (the Mechanized
Corps) had a lot of teething troubles, as all of them lacked accompanying infantry and artillery. In
1941 the Soviet Armored Forces had to learn the difficult science (and mostly 'art') of combined
warfare. "Dubno 1941" deftly traces the role of these factors in a huge battle around the small
Ukrainian town of Dubno. Popular myths about impregnable KV and T-34 tanks are laid to rest.
In reality, the Germans in 1941 had the necessary tools to combat them. "Dubno 1941" also
defines the real achievements on the Soviet side: the Blitzkrieg in the Ukraine had been slowed
down. For the Soviet Union, the military situation in June 1941 was much worse than it was for
France and Britain during the Western Campaign in 1940. The Red Army wasn't ready to fight as
a whole and the border district's armies lacked infantry units, as they were just arriving from the
internal regions of the USSR. In this case, the Red Army tanks became the 'Iron Shield' of the
Soviet Union; they even operated as fire brigades. In many cases, the German infantry - not tanks
- became the main enemy of Soviet armored units in the Dubno battle. Poorly organized, but
fierce, tank-based counterattacks slowed down the German infantry -- and while the Soviet tanks
lost the battle, they ultimately won the war. An impressive and seminal work of military history,
"Dubno 1941: The Greatest Tank Battle of the Second World War" is a critically important
contribution to the growing body of World War II literature and highly recommended for
personal reading lists, as well as both community and academic library collections.
The Road to Passchendaele
Richard Van Emden
Pen & Sword Books
https://www.pen-and-sword.co.uk
9781473891906, $50.00, HC, 392pp, www.amazon.com
"The Road to Passchendaele: The Heroic Year in Soldiers' own Words and Photographs" by First
World War historian Richard van Emden draws upon diaries and memoirs, as well as original
photographs taken on illegally held cameras by the soldiers themselves to tells the story of one of
the bloodiest conflicts of 1917 known as the Battle of Passchendaele. van Emden draws from his
outstanding collection of over 5,000 privately taken and overwhelmingly unpublished
photographs, revealing the battle as it was seen by the men involved, an existence that was
sometimes exhilarating, too often terrifying, and occasionally even fun. Published in time for the
100th anniversary of the epic Battle of Passchendaele which began on 31st July 1917, "The Road
to Passchendaele" is a timely and timeless contribution to the growing library of World War I
histories and memoirs. While unreservedly recommended for both community and academic
library World War I Military History collections, it should be noted for personal reading lists that
"The Road to Passchendaele" is also available in a paperback edition (9781526724960, $29.95)
and in a digital book format (Kindle, $16.50).
U-Boats Off Bermuda
Eric Wiberg
Fonthill Media
c/o Casemate
1940 Lawrence Road, Havertown, PA 19083
www.casematepublishers.com
9781781556061, $35.95, HC, 256pp, www.amazon.com
The German U-Boast campaign against American shipping in the waters of Bermuda is an
obscure theater of the Second World War which is now told in great detail and comprehensively
(not just in terms of geography but also from the perspectives of both Allied and Axis
participants) in Eric Wiberg's "U-Boats off Bermuda: Patrol Summaries and Merchant Ship
Survivors Landed in Bermuda 1940-1944". This seminal study provides a wealth of details with
respect to specific U-Boat patrols and their commanders, as well as a general overview of the
situation in the theater of war around Bermuda. It is a detailed analysis of individual casualties,
broken down by a) background of ship, b) background of U-boat, c) attack method (surface
and/or submersed), d) details of survivors and their plight at sea and e) their rescue, recuperation
and repatriation. Detailed maps and illustrations provide a human face to what were often tragic
attacks with fatal consequences. Of special note are such historical facts as half a dozen German
submarines coming close enough to the Naval Operating Base in Bermuda to see Gibbs Hill;
hardy Canadians from a sunken trading schooner rowed and sailed their way to the remote island
on their own; and allied pilots based in Bermuda sank two German U-Boats, rescued dozens in
daring water landings and several crashes. A simply fascinating and impressively informative
read from cover to cover, "U-Boats off Bermuda: Patrol Summaries and Merchant Ship
Survivors Landed in Bermuda 1940-1944" is an extraordinary and unreservedly recommended
addition to both community and academic library World War II Military History collections. It
should be noted for the personal reading lists of dedicated military history buffs that "U-Boast
Off Bermuda" is also available in a digital book format (Kindle, $9.99).
The Automotive Shelf
Jeep CJ 1972-1986
Michael Hanssen
CarTech Inc.
838 Lake Street South, Forest Lake, MN 55025
www.cartechbooks.com
9781613253427, $26.95, PB, 144pp, www.amazon.com
The Jeep CJ series vehicles are arguably the most popular off-road vehicles of all time. The CJ
series started after World War II with the CJ-2A being introduced to the masses, and while the
early CJs have their share of enthusiasts, the largest group of enthusiasts began their love affair
with the AMC-powered Jeep CJ-5s beginning in 1972. Joined by the longer-wheelbase CJ-7
models introduced in 1976, the CJ models were wildly popular through their discontinuation in
1986, when the Wrangler was introduced. These were the only models originally equipped with
V-8 engines in any meaningful way. This era combined the ruggedness of the early Jeeps with
some of the advancements and horsepower of a more modern era; it makes a platform that is both
fun to own and to modify. In "Jeep CJ 1972-1986: How to Build & Modify", Jeep enthusiast and
historian Michael Hanssen covers all of the systems that can be upgraded to improve your Jeep's
performance. Upgrades include suspension components such as springs, shocks, and steering
modifications; driveline components including differentials, transmissions, transfer cases, and
axles; engine upgrades including engine swaps; wheel and tire upgrades; aftermarket accessories;
armor such as skid plates and bumpers; brake upgrades; and more. Profusely illustrated
throughout, "Jeep CJ 1972-1986: How to Build & Modify" is an ideal instructional reference for
anyone seeking to get into serious off-roading or just wanting to make their classic CJ a little
more fun. Exceptionally well written, organized and presented, "Jeep CJ 1972-1986: How to
Build & Modify" is unreservedly recommended for personal, professional, and community
library Automotive reference book collections.
New Hemi Engines: 2003 To Present
Larry Shepard
CarTech Inc.
838 Lake Street South, Forest Lake, MN 55025
www.cartechbooks.com
9781613253571, $26.95, PB, 334pp, www.amazon.com
The New Hemi engine has an aggressive persona and outstanding performance. Powering the
Challenger, Charger, Ram trucks, and other vehicles in the Chrysler lineup, this engine produces
at least one horsepower per cubic inch. Unleashed in 2003, it has been offered in 5.7-, 6.1-, 6.2-,
and now 6.4-liter displacements. With each successive engine introduction, Chrysler has
extracted more performance. And with the launch of the Hellcat and Demon 6.2-liter
supercharged engines, Chrysler built the highest horsepower production engines ever made, at
707 hp and 840 hp respectively. This third-generation Hemi carries on a high-performance
Chrysler tradition and is considered the most powerful and "buildable" new pushrod V-8 engine
on the market today. Mopar engine expert and veteran author Larry Shepard reveals up-to-date
modification techniques and products for achieving higher performance. Porting and modifying
the stock Hemi heads as well as the best flow characteristics with high lift are revealed. In
addition, guidance on aftermarket heads is provided. A supercharger is one of the most
cost-effective aftermarket add-ons, and the options and installation are comprehensively covered.
Shepard guides you through the art and science of selecting a cam, so you find a cam that meets
your airflow needs and performance goals. He details stock and forged crankshafts plus H- and
I-beam connecting rods that support the targeted horsepower, so you can choose the best rotating
assembly for your engine. In addition, intake manifold and fuel systems, ignition systems,
exhaust systems, and more are covered. With "New Hemi Engines: 2003 To Present" by Larry
Shepard (a distinguished engineer, parts manager and racing coordinator), anyone can transform
a New Hemi engine into an even more responsive and faster powerplant. With "New Hemi
Engines: 2003 To Present" anyone will be able to build the engine that suits all their
high-performance needs. Profusely illustrated throughout and exceptionally 'user friendly' in
organized and presentation, "New Hemi Engines: 2003 To Present" is very highly recommended
for personal, professional, and community library automotive instructional reference
collections.
The Health/Medicine Shelf
CBD: A Patient's Guide to Medical Cannabis
Leonard Leinow and Juliana Birnbaum
North Atlantic Books
2526 Martin Luther King Jr. Way, Berkeley, CA 94704-2607
www.northatlanticbooks.com
9781623171834 $21.95 pbk / $14.95 Kindle amazon.com
Thoroughly accessible to readers of all backgrounds, CBD: A Patient's Guide to Medical
Cannabis is a guide to CBD-dominant cannabis. CBD, or cannabidiol, is a component of
cannabis that can effectively treat seizures, pain, inflammation, anxiety, depression, arthritis, and
other issues - without necessarily inducing the euphoric "high" associated with THC. Chapters
discuss different forms of CBD medicine including oil infusions, tinctures, capsules, topicals,
and extracts; dosage suggestions; potential side effects and contraindications; case studies;
interviews with doctors who prescribe cannabidiol products; and even the use of CBD to treat
animals. Of particular note are suggestions as to how CBD may be used to fight the opioid
epidemic, since opioids - which are often prescribed as painkillers - are notoriously addictive and
cause thousands of deaths from overdose each year. CBD: A Patient's Guide to Medical Cannabis
is a "must-have" for public and college library Health/Medicine collections, highly
recommended.
Yoga 7 Minutes a Day, 7 Days a Week
Gertrud Hirschi
Red Wheel/Weiser/Conari
65 Parker Street, Suite 7, Newburyport, MA 01950
www.redwheelweiser.com
9781573246972 $14.95 pbk / $9.99 Kindle amazon.com
Yoga 7 Minutes a Day, 7 Days a Week: A Gentle Daily Practice for Strength, Clarity, and Calm
walks the reader through simple daily yoga exercises, with black-and-white photography
demonstrating yoga poses that anyone can perform regardless of personal skill or experience
level. Tips for easing stress intersperse this simple, helpful guide, thoroughly accessible to
readers of all ages. "What are you still holding on to that is really no good for you? Know what
those things are so you can avoid making the same errors. Reorganize! And then don't look back;
move forward with nothing holding you back." Highly recommended.
The Library Science Shelf
The Handbook of Art and Design Librarianship, second edition
Edited by Paul Glassman and Judy Dyki
Facet Publishing
www.facetpublishing.co.uk
c/o Bookpoint (distribution)
http://bookpoint.wp.hachette.co.uk
9781783302000 $79.17 amazon.com
Now in a second edition with new chapters, The Handbook of Art and Design Librarianship,
second edition is an anthology of scholarly essays by a diversity of learned authors written
especially for information professionals who operate in art and design environments, and who aid
and need to anticipate the needs of artists, designers, architects, and art historians. Individual
writings include "Accreditation and visual arts libraries", "Seeing the bigger picture: archival
description of visual information", "Cultural differences and information literary competencies",
"Website strategies for art and design libraries", and much more. The Handbook of Art and
Design Librarianship is a "must-have" for experts in the field, highly recommended.
The Dance Shelf
The Dance Experience, third edition
Myron Howard Nadel & Marc Raymond Strauss
Princeton Book Company
614 Route 130, Highstown, NJ 08520
www.dancehorizons.com
9780871273833, $34.95, PB, 352pp, www.amazon.com
Providing an understanding of the history, evolution, and universality of dance as an art form,
this newly updated and expanded third edition of "The Dance Experience: Insights into History,
Culture and Creativity" by the team of Myron Howard Nadel (Professor of Dance at the
University of Texas - El Paso and the founding chair of the dance department at the University of
Wisconsin - Milwaukee, the coordinator for music theatre at Carnegie Mellon University, and
chair of performing arts at Buffalo State University) and Marc Raymond Strauss (Professor of
Theater and Dance at Southeast Missouri State University) is guidebook that explores the
significance of dance in culture, the relationship of dance to other art forms, the contributions of
great pioneering choreographers, dancers, and teachers, and the creative process. Highlighting an
extensive range of types of dance (including ballet, modern, jazz, tap, folk, ethnic, and social)
"The Dance Experience" is a comprehensive collection that features a variety of engaging essays
written by experts in their respective fields. Students of dance, professionals, instructors, and
enthusiasts will learn what to look for during a performance, and how to appreciate dance styles
from around the world. Of special note is the extensive, annotated appendix of film resources
giving helpful suggestions for viewing that will enhance the dance experience. Exceptionally
well written, organized and presented, "The Dance Experience" is unreservedly recommended for
personal, professional, community, and academic library Dance Appreciation & History
collections and supplemental studies reading lists.
The Theatre/Cinema/TV Shelf
The Age of Netflix
Cory Barker & Myc Wiatrowski, editors
McFarland & Company
PO Box 611, Jefferson NC 28640
www.mcfarlandpub.com
9780786497478, $29.95, PB, 256pp, www.amazon.com
In 2016, Netflix (with an already enormous footprint in the United States) expanded its online
streaming video service to 130 new countries, adding more than 12 million subscribers in nine
months and bringing its total to 87 million. The effectiveness of Netflix's content management
lies in its ability to appeal to a vastly disparate global viewership without a unified cache of
content. Instead, the company invests in buying or developing myriad programming and uses
sophisticated algorithms to "narrowcast" to micro-targeted audience groups. Collaborative
compiled and co-edited by the team of Cory Barker (who is a Ph.D. candidate in the Department
of Communication and Culture at Indiana University) and Myc Wiatrowski (who is an analyst of
business and culture and associate instructor in the Department of Folklore and Ethnomusicology
at Indiana University in Bloomington), "The Age of Netflix: Critical Essays on Streaming Media,
Digital Delivery and Instant Access" is a collection of ten new and informative essays by
contributors that explores how Netflix has become a cultural institution and transformed the way
we consume popular media. A collective body of seminal scholarship, "The Age of Netflix:
Critical Essays on Streaming Media, Digital Delivery and Instant Access" is a critically important
and unreservedly recommended addition to both community and academic library Mass Media
and Contemporary Telecommunications reference collections and supplemental studies lists. It
should be noted for the personal reading lists of students and non-specialist general readers with
an interest in the subject that "The Age of Netflix: Critical Essays on Streaming Media, Digital
Delivery and Instant Access" is also available in a digital book format (Kindle, $8.49).
Staged Reading Magic
Carole Schweid
Smith & Kraus Publishers
177 Lyme Road, Lyme NH 03755-6610
www.smithandkraus.com
9781575259123, $16.95, PB, 87pp, www.amazon.com
Carole Schweid has directed over a hundred staged readings of short plays in her role as
co-founder and Artistic Director of Play With Your Food. She studied Theatre at Boston
University has a BFA from Julliard in Dance. On stage highlights: "Pippin" (for Bob Fosse),
"Minnie's Boys," and the original Broadway cast of the Pulitzer Prize winning "A Chorus Line".
In "Staged Reading Magic, A Play Producer's Quick Guide for Turning a Free Staged Reading
into a Hot Theater Ticket" she draws upon her years of experience and expertise to provide an
instructional guide that is simply packed with ideas, insider tips, and a touch of Broadway
gossip! "Staged Reading Magic" is a practical guide shows, step by step, how to transform simple
script readings into breathtaking, memorable, theatrical experiences -- and how to do it on a
shoestring budget. Specifically written for anyone who wants to produce a successful reading,
including professional and community theaters, actors, directors, producers, fundraisers, and
educators, "Staged Reading Magic" is that rare resource distilling 'real world practical' lessons
learned from over 100 productions by one of New England's most distinguished/premier theater
programs. An idea-packed and thoroughly 'user friendly' handbook "Staged Reading Magic" is a
theater production classic and a highly recommended addition to personal, professional,
community theatre, community library, and academic library theatrical production instructional
reference collections and supplemental studies reading lists.
The Sports Shelf
Mountaineering: The Freedom of the Hills, ninth edition
The Mountaineers Books
1001 SW Klickitat Way, Suite 201, Seattle, WA 98134-1161
www.mountaineersbooks.org
9781680510034, $49.95, HC, 624pp, www.amazon.com
The Mountaineers was established in 1906 in Washington, a state with inspiring and abundant
mountain peaks. In addition to the community of outdoor enthusiasts it fosters, the organization's
mission is to teach outdoor skills. Over the years, hundreds of thousands have learned outdoor
safety and skills from The Mountaineers, ranging from climbing to skiing to kayaking, and much
more. Now in a fully updated and significantly expanded ninth edition, they have published
"Mountaineering: The Freedom of the Hills", which was researched by a team of expert climbers
resulting in an exceptionally well written, organized and presented instructional manual for new
and intermediate climbers. Covering a complete range of topics including gear selection, belay
and repel techniques, glacier travel, rope work, to safety -- safety, and even more safety!
Significant updates to this edition include: New alignment with AAC's nationwide universal
belay standard; Expanded and more detailed avalanche safety info, including how to better
understand avalanches, evaluate hazards, travel safely in any terrain, and locate and rescue a
fellow climber in an avalanche; Newly revamped chapters on clothing and camping; All-new
illustrations reflecting the latest gear and techniques -- created by artist John McMullen, former
art director of Climbing magazine; Review of and contributions to multiple sections by
AMGA-certified guides; Fresh approach to the Ten Essentials -- now making the iconic list
easier to recall. "Mountaineering: The Freedom of the Hills" is impressively comprehensive and
a thoroughly vetted training manual for climbing. Justifiably considered to be a 'bible' for
recreational climbers, "Mountaineering: The Freedom of the Hills" is unreservedly recommended
for personal, professional, community, and academic collections.
The Music Shelf
Sense of Occasion
Harold Prince
Applause Books
c/o Hal Leonard Performing Arts Publishing Group
19 West 21st Street, Suite 201, New York, NY 10010
www.applausebooks.com
9781495013027, $29.99, HC, 343pp, www.amazon.com
"Sense of Occasion" is a fast-moving, candid, conversational, and entertaining memoir of
director/producer Harold Prince who looks back over his seventy-year (and counting!) career in
the American theater. In "Sense of Occasion", Prince offers inherently fascinating insights
cultivated through four decades of accomplishments. "Sense of Occasion" gives a true insider's
recollection of the making of such landmark musicals as West Side Story, Fiddler on the Roof,
Cabaret, Company, Follies, Sweeney Todd, Evita, and Phantom of the Opera, with Prince's
perceptive comments about his mentor George Abbott and his many celebrated collaborators,
including Leonard Bernstein, Jerome Robbins, Stephen Sondheim, John Kander, Boris Aronson,
Andrew Lloyd Webber, Angela Lansbury, Zero Mostel, Carol Burnett, and Joel Grey. As well as
detailing his own titanic successes that changed the form and content of the American musical
theater, Prince evenhandedly reflects on the shows that didn't work, most memorably and
painfully Merrily We Roll Along . Throughout, he offers invaluable insights into the way
business is conducted on Broadway, drawing sharp contrasts between past and present. A
thoughtful, complete account of one of the most legendary and long-lived careers in theater
history, written by the man who lived it, "Sense of Occasion" is an essential work of personal and
professional recollection. While an extraordinary and unreservedly recommended addition to
both community and academic library American Music History collections, it should be noted for
personal reading lists that "Sense of Occasion" is also available in a digital book format (Kindle,
$18.52).
Leading Tones
Leonard Slatkin
Amadeus Press
c/o Hal Leonard Performing Arts Publishing Group
19 West 21st Street, Suite 201, New York, NY 10010
www.halleonard.com
9781495091896, $27.99, HC, 312pp, www.amazon.com
Leonard Slatkin has conducted virtually all of the leading orchestras in the world. Currently
music director of the Detroit Symphony Orchestra, he has held directorships in New Orleans; St.
Louis; Washington, DC; London (with the BBCSO); and Lyon, France. He has also served as
principal guest conductor in Pittsburgh, Minneapolis, Los Angeles, and Cleveland. In "Leading
Tones: Reflections on Music, Musicians, and the Music Industry" he draws upon his years of
personal and professional experience, research, and expertise to give the reader a very special
glimpse into several aspects of the musical world. There are portions devoted to Leonard
Slatkin's life as a musician and conductor, portraits of some of the outstanding artists with whom
he has worked, as well as anecdotes and stories both personal and professional. Much of
"Leading Tones" discusses elements of the industry that are troubling and difficult during this
first part of the 21st century. Auditions, critics, fiscal concerns, and labor negotiations are all
matters that today's conductors must be aware of, and "Leading Tones" provides helpful
suggested solutions. Impressively informed and informative, "Leading Tones" will prove to be of
immense interest both professional musicians, as well as the music lover wanting to know more
about what goes into being a conductor. While very strongly recommended for both community
and academic library Contemporary Music Studies collections, it should be noted for personal
reading lists that "Leading Tones" is also available in a digital book format (Kindle, $15.39).
The Architecture Shelf
A View from the River, third edition
Jennifer Marjorie Bosch, author
Angie McMonigal, photographer
Pomegranate Communications, Inc.
19018 NE Portal Way, Portland, OR 97230
www.pomegranate.com
9780764979873, $15.95, PB, 96pp, www.amazon.com
The story of Chicago is the story of its river. Deftly written by Jennifer Marjorie Bosch and
enhanced with the beautiful photography of Angie McMonigal, "A View from the River: The
Chicago Architecture Foundation River Cruise aboard Chicago's First Lady Cruises" is an
essential guide to the more than 60 significant buildings and structures along the Chicago River.
This visual tour, filled with stunning contemporary photography and a variety of historical
images, serves as a companion to the Chicago Architecture Foundation River Cruise aboard
Chicago's First Lady Cruises. Since Chicago was founded in the 1830s, architects and engineers
have designed this city through a series of unforgettable engineering marvels, from the buildings
of the Chicago skyline to the Chicago River itself. The river, though a natural feature, has been
dredged, straightened, and even had its direction reversed in the past 200 years. Today, the river
flows through a canyon of skyscrapers, civic structures, waterside homes, and parks. As the city
grows and changes, the river and our understanding of it changes as well. Now in its third
edition, A View from the River is updated to reflect the city's latest developments and to further
explore Chicago's past, present, and future. A pleasure to simply browse through, "A View from
the River" is impressively informative and will prove to be an enduringly valued addition to
personal, professional, community, and academic library American Architectural Studies
collections and supplemental reading lists.
Le Corbusier: The Complete Buildings
Cemal Emden
Prestel Publishing
900 Broadway, Suite 603, New York, NY 10003
www.prestel.com
9783791384023, $49.95, HC, 232pp, www.amazon.com
Cemal Emden is an architect by trade who specializes in photographing architecture, interior
design, landscape, and furniture. His photography has been widely published in magazines,
books, and exhibitions both in his home country of Turkey and throughout the world. In the
pages of this coffee-table format visual study he draws upon his considerable experience and
expertise to give the reader a visual tour of every one of architect Le Corbusier's buildings across
the world. The most comprehensive photographic archive of the architect's work. In 2010, Cemal
Emden set out to document every one of Le Corusier's buildings. As he traveled through three
continents, Emden photographed all the 52 buildings that remain standing. Each of these
buildings is featured in this incredible volume and are captured from multiple angles, with
images revealing their exterior and interior details. Interspersed throughout this visual study are
texts by leading architects and scholars, whose commentaries are as fascinating and varied as the
buildings themselves. "Le Corbusier: The Complete Buildings" closes with an illustrated,
annotated index. From the early Villa Vallet, built in Switzerland in 1905, to his groundbreaking
Unite d'Habitation in Marseille, completed in 1947, this ambitious project presents the entirety
and diversity of Le Corbusier's architectural output. Visually arresting and endlessly engaging, it
will appeal to the architect's many fans, as well as anyone interested in the foundation of modern
architecture. A seminal work of architectural photography and an enduring celebration of a
master architect, "Le Corbusier: The Complete Buildings" is unreservedly recommended for
personal, professional, community, and academic library Architectural History collections in
general, and Le Corbusier supplemental studies lists in particular.
The Judicial Studies Shelf
Supreme Power
Ted Stewart
Shadow Mountain Publishing
P.O. Box 30178, Salt Lake City, Utah 84130-0178
www.shadowmountain.com
9781629723402, $27.99, HC, 256pp, www.amazon.com
In "Supreme Power: 7 Pivotal Supreme Court Decisions That Had a Major Impact on America",
author Ted Stewart (who was appointed as a United States District Court Judge in 1999 by
President Bill Clinton) explains how the Supreme Court and its nine appointed members now
stand at a crucial point in their power to hand down momentous and far-ranging decisions.
Today's Court affects every major area of American life, from health care to civil rights, from
abortion to marriage., "Supreme Power" is a fascinating and insightful study that reveals the
complex history of the Court as told through seven pivotal decisions. These cases originally
seemed narrow in scope, but they vastly expanded the interpretation of law. Such is the power of
judicial review to make sweeping, often unforeseen, changes in American society by revising the
meaning of our Constitution. Each chapter presents an easy-to-read brief on the case and explains
what the decisions mean and how the Court ruling, often a 5-4 split, had long-term impact. For
example, in Lochner v. New York, a widely accepted turn-of-the-twentieth--century New York
State law limited excessive overtime for bakery workers. That law was overturned by the Court
based on the due process clause of the Constitution. The very same precedents, Stewart points
out, were used by the Court seventy years later and expanded to a new right to privacy in Roe v.
Wade, making abortion legal in the nation. Offering informed and informative insights,
commentaries, and compelling stories of ordinary citizens coming to the judiciary for remedy for
the problems of their day, "Supreme Power" illustrates the magnitude of the Court's power to
interpret the Constitution and decide the law of the land. Exceptionally well written and
impressively presented, "Supreme Power" is especially recommended for both community and
academic library Judicial Studies collections. It should be noted for students and non-specialist
general readers with an interest in the subject that "Supreme Power" is also available in a digital
book format (Kindle, $15.99) and as a complete and unabridged audio book (Shadow Mountain,
9781629723600, $39.99, CD).
Failure of Justice
John Ferak
WildBlue Press
P.O. Box 102440, Denver, Colorado 80250
https://wildbluepress.com
9781942266471, $14.99, PB, 450pp, www.amazon.com
Everyone felt the same way: small-town Nebraska widow Helen Wilson didn't have an ounce of meanness inside her body. Then on February 5, 1985, one of the coldest nights on record, the sixty-eight-year-old resident was raped and murdered inside her second-floor apartment. The crime went unsolved for four years; then a total of six people, three men and three women, were arrested and charged with the widow's rape-murder. All six went to prison. The town was relieved knowing that six monsters were locked away from society for the ghastly crime. The town moved on, convinced that justice was served. For nearly twenty years, the Beatrice 6 rotted in prison, until the unthinkable occurred in 2008. Now, the red state in America's Heartland faced a real quandary that could only mean one thing: Nebraska had a colossal failure of justice on its hands. An inherently fascinating 'true crime' expose, "Failure of Justice" by John Ferak is impressively researched, written, organized and presented making it unreservedly recommended for both community and academic library Criminology and Judicial Studies collections. It should be noted for personal reading lists that "Failure of Justice" is also available in a digital book format (Kindle, $6.84).
The Philosophy Shelf
Aquinas On Virtue
Nicholas Austin, SJ
Georgetown University Press
3240 Prospect Street, NW, Washington, DC 20007
www.press.georgetown.edu
9781626164727, $104.95, HC, 260pp, www.amazon.com
"Aquinas on Virtue: A Causal Reading" by the Jesuit scholar Nicholas Austin (who teaches
theological ethics at Heythrop College, University of London) is an original interpretation of one
of the most compelling accounts of virtue in the Western tradition -- that of the great theologian
and philosopher Thomas Aquinas (1224 - 1274). Taking as its starting point Aquinas's neglected
definition of virtue in terms of its "causes," this book offers a systematic analysis of Aquinas on
the nature, genesis, and role of virtue in human life. Drawing on connections and contrasts
between Aquinas and contemporary treatments of virtue, Professor Austin argues that Aquinas's
causal virtue theory retains its normative power today. As well as providing a synoptic account of
Aquinas on virtue, "Aquinas On Virtue" includes an extended treatment of the cardinal virtue of
temperance, an argument for the superiority of Aquinas's concept of 'habit' over modern
psychological accounts, and a rethinking of the relation between grace and virtue. With an
approach that is distinctively theological yet strongly conversant with philosophy, "Aquinas On
Virtue" is a compelling study that will offer scholars and theologians a bold new interpretation of
Aquinas's virtue theory while giving students a systematic introduction with suggested readings
from his Summa Theologiae and On the Virtues. Deftly organized into three major sections
(Defining Virtue; Causal Ethics; The Causal Analysis of Virtue), and featuring an appendix
(Virtue Defined), a ten page Selected Bibliography, and a seven page index, "Aquinas On Virtue"
is a masterpiece of deliberative scholarship and unreserved recommended for both community
and academic library Philosophy collections in general, and Thomas Aquinas supplemental
studies reading lists in particular. It should be noted for students, academicians, and
non-specialist general readers with an interest in the subject that "Aquinas On Virtue" is also
available in a paperback edition ( 9781626164734, $34.95) and in a digital book format (Kindle,
$19.22).
I Am Not A Brain
Markus Gabriel
Polity
c/o Blackwell Publishing
350 Main Street, Malden, MA 02148
www.politybooks.com
9781509514755, $25.00, HC, 240pp, www.amazon.com
Many consider the nature of human consciousness to be one of the last great unsolved mysteries.
Why should the light turn on, so to speak, in human beings at all? And how is the electrical storm
of neurons under our skull connected with our consciousness? Is the self only our brain's user
interface, a kind of stage on which a show is performed that we cannot freely direct? In "I am Not
a Brain: Philosophy of Mind for the 21st Century", philosopher Markus Gabriel (who holds the
Chair for Epistemology at the University of Bonn and the Director of the International Center for
Philosophy in Bonn) challenges an increasing trend in the sciences towards neurocentrism, a
notion which rests on the assumption that the self is identical to the brain. Professor Gabriel
raises serious doubts as to whether we can know ourselves in this way. In a sharp critique of this
approach, he presents a new defense of the free will and provides a timely introduction to
philosophical thought about the self -- all with verve, humor, and surprising insights. Professor
Gabriel criticizes the scientific image of the world and takes us on an eclectic journey of
self-reflection by way of such concepts as self, consciousness, and freedom, with the aid of Kant,
Schopenhauer, and Nagel but also Dr. Who, The Walking Dead, and Fargo. A seminal work of
simply outstanding scholarship, "I Am Not A Brain" is an inherently fascinating, informative,
thoughtful and thought-provoking read. Enhanced for academia with the inclusion of twelve
pages of Notes, and a eleven page Index, "I Am Not A Brain" is unreservedly recommended for
college and university library Contemporary Philosophy collections and supplemental studies
lists. It should be noted for students, academicians, and non-specialist general readers that "I Am
Not A Brain" is also available in a digital book format (Kindle, $9.99).
The International Studies Shelf
The Last Ottoman Generation and the Making of the Modern Middle East
Michael Provence
Cambridge University Press
One Liberty Plaza, Fl. 20, New York, NY 10006
www.cambridge.org
9780521761178, $99.99, HC, 336pp, www.amazon.com
The modern Middle East emerged out of the collapse of the Ottoman Empire, when Britain and
France partitioned the Ottoman Arab lands into several new colonial states. The following period
was a charged and transformative time of unrest. Insurgent leaders, trained in Ottoman military
tactics and with everything to lose from the fall of the Empire, challenged the mandatory powers
in a number of armed revolts. "The Last Ottoman Generation and the Making of the Modern
Middle East" by Michael Provence (Department of History, University of California - San Diego)
is a definitive study of this crucial period in Middle Eastern history, tracing the period through
popular political movements and the experience of colonial rule. In doing so, Provence
emphasizes the continuity between the late Ottoman and Colonial era, explaining how national
identities emerged, and how the seeds were sown for many of the conflicts which have defined
the Middle East in the late twentieth and early twenty-first centuries. An invaluable read for
students of Middle Eastern history and politics, "The Last Ottoman Generation and the Making
of the Modern Middle East" is a work of impeccable scholarship enhanced with the inclusion of
figures, maps, tables, notes on transliteration, a ten page Select Bibliography, and a seven page
Index. While unreservedly recommended, especially for college and university library
International Studies collection in general, and the Ottoman Empire/Turkey History supplemental
studies reading lists in particular, it should be noted for the personal reading lists of students,
academia, and non-specialist general readers with an interest in the subject, that "The Last
Ottoman Generation and the Making of the Modern Middle East" is also available in a paperback
edition (9780521747516, $29.95) and in a digital book format (Kindle, $14.60).
The Social Issues Shelf
Fearless Dialogues
Gregory C. Ellison II
Westminster John Knox Press
100 Witherspoon Street, Louisville, KY 40202-1396
www.wjkbooks.com
9780664260651, $17.00, PB, 160pp, www.amazon.com
Drawing on all the community's collective voices (from "doctors to drug dealers") "Fearless
Dialogues: A New Movement for Justice" by Gregory C. Ellison II (Assistant Professor of
Pastoral Care and Counseling at Candler School of Theology) presents a groundbreaking
program that seeks real solutions to problems of chronic unemployment, violence, and
hopelessness. In cities around the United States and now the world, Ellison and his team create
conversations among community members who have never spoken to one another, the goal of
which are real, implementable, and lasting changes to the life of the community. These
community transformations are based on both face-to-face encounters and substantive analysis of
the problems the community faces. In "Fearless Dialogues", Ellison makes this same kind of
analysis available to his readers, deftly walking them through the steps that must be taken to find
common ground in our divided communities and then to implement genuine and lasting change.
Exceptionally well written, organized and presented, "Fearless Dialogues" will have special
appeal and relevance to community activists, and should be a part of every community center,
community library, and academic library Social Issues instructional reference collections and
supplemental studies list.
The Psychology Shelf
Psyched, second edition
Elisa Setmire
Kendall Hunt Publishing Company
4050 Westmark Drive, P.O. Box 1840, Dubuque, IA 52004-1840
www.kendallhunt.com
9781524924034, $115.00, PB, 493pp, www.amazon.com
Ideal for use with PowerPoint Slides, "Psyched" begins with the History and Scope of
Psychology and Psychology as a Science; then proceeds with the inclusion of individual chapters
on Biological Psychology; Sensation and Perceptions; States of Consciousness; Learning;
Memory; Cognition; Motivation; Emotions; Human Development; Personality; Stress and health;
Psychological Disorders; Therapies; and then concludes with Social Psychology. Exceptionally
well written, organized and presented, "Psyched" by Elisa Setmire (Professor of Psychology,
Moorpark College, Moorpark, California) is now in a fully updated and revised second edition,
making it an ideal textbook for college and university Psychology 101 introductory courses, and
unreservedly recommended for academic and community library Psychology/Psychiatry
collections.
The Archaeology Shelf
Zondervan Handbook of Biblical Archaeology
Randall Price & H. Wayne House
Zondervan Publishing House
5300 Patterson Avenue, S.E., Grand Rapids, MI 49530
www.zondervan.com
9780310286912, $42.99, HC, 416pp, www.amazon.com
The collaborative project of Randall Price (Distinguished Research Professor of Biblical and
Judaic Studies in the School of Divinity at Liberty University) and H. Wayne House
(Distinguished Research Professor of Biblical and Theological Studies, Faith Evangelical
College and Seminary, Tacoma, WA), "The Zondervan Handbook of Biblical Archaeology" is a
reference resource for anyone interested in archaeology and its relevance to biblical, theological,
and apologetic studies. Illustrated with full-color photos, charts, and maps, the "Zondervan
Handbook of Biblical Archaeology" is handbook provides readers with a wealth of information
that complements and supplements the historical context of the Bible. "The Zondervan
Handbook of Biblical Archaeology" includes an introduction to the field of archaeology for
readers who might not be familiar with the methods, practices, and importance of this area of
study. Included in this section is an annotated bibliography of important biblical archaeological
reports, books, and journal articles for further study. The rest of the "Zondervan Handbook of
Biblical Archaeology" is devoted to a book-by-book (Genesis through Revelation) presentation
of the most significant archaeological discoveries that enhance our understanding of the biblical
text, including a section on the intertestamental period. A rich array of visual images including
photos of excavations sites, coins, maps, artifacts, and historic structures allows readers to
immerse themselves in the world of the Bible. This monumental work gives readers the
opportunity to visit ancient sites and historical places while remaining in the comfort of their
own home. Exceptionally well organized and thoroughly 'reader friendly' in presentation,
"Zondervan Handbook of Biblical Archaeology" is unreservedly and enthusiastically
recommended as a core addition to professional, community, church, seminary, and academic
library Biblical Archaeology collections and supplemental studies reading lists. It should be
noted for students, academicians, and non-specialist general readers with an interest in the
subject that "Zondervan Handbook of Biblical Archaeology" is also available in a digital book
format (Kindle, $28.99).
Solomon's Temple and Palace
Yosef Garfinkel & Madeleine Mumcuoglu
Biblical Archaeology Society Press
4710 - 41st Street, NW, Washington, DC 20016-1700
www.biblicalarchaeology.org
9789657027301, $50.00, HC, 232pp, www.amazon.com
Solomon's Temple also known as the First Temple and royal palace from the Hebrew Bible have
been a riddle for millennia. Biblical descriptions of these structures have proven difficult to
interpret. "Solomon's Temple and Palace: New Archaeological Discoveries" is the collaborative
work of Yosef Garfinkel (Yigael Yadin Chair of Archaeology at the Hebrew University of
Jerusalem and Director of the excavations at Lachish) and Dr. Madeleine Mumcuoglu (who
participated in the Qeiyafa and Lachish excavation) have unlocked the meaning of enigmatic
Biblical passages, thanks to the discovery of a small stone Temple model at Khirbet Qeiyafa. In
"Solomon's Temple and Palace: New Archaeological Discoveries", Garfinkel and Mumcuoglu
provide a new understanding of the Biblical descriptions, allowing a new representation of
Solomon's Temple and palace as has never been seen before. Profusely illustrated throughout, the
informed and informative text is organized into six major chapters and a conclusion (The royal
Acropolis in Jerusalem). Enhanced with two pages of Notes and a four page Bibliography,
making this a truly exceptionally and core addition to personal, professional, community, and
academic library Biblical Archaeology collections and supplemental studies reading lists.
The Photography Shelf
Night Vision
Susan Tyler Hitchcock
National Geographic Press
101 West 104th Street, Suite 8, New York, NY 10025
9781426218521 $40.00 www.nationalgeographic.com
Night Vision: Magical Photographs of Life After Dark packs in over two hundred images curated
by a National Geographic editor and author and covers not only natural wonders, but human
activities after dark. At night, differences fall away. Humans join together, animals huddle or
roam, and natural and human worlds change in the absence of sunlight. The range of these lovely
full-page color photos is extraordinary: from rooftop water towers to flowers, birds, and
landscapes, Night Vision embraces nocturnal beauty and presents it in a manner that celebrates
nature and the powers of night-time photographic efforts. The lavish and gorgeous color
throughout makes for a highly recommended pick.
Polaroid
Rhiannon Adam
Thames & Hudson, Inc.
500 Fifth Avenue, New York, NY 10110-0017
www.thamesandhudsonusa.com
9780500544600 $29.95 amazon.com
Featuring demonstrative, full-color photography on every page, Polaroid: The Complete Guide to
Experimental Instant Photography lives up to its title as an in-depth textbook, manual, and
resource for amateur and professional connoisseurs of the art of instant photography. From a
comprehensive survey of instant cameras and compatible accessories, to recommendations for
adapting equipment and preserving the life of photographs, to step-by-step guides for image
manipulation, safety tips, and much more, Polaroid is also a superb resource for artists who take
photography beyond simply capturing an image. Polaroid is highly recommended for public and
college library photography collections, as well as the personal shelves of photography
enthusiasts.
The Technology Shelf
Artech House
685 Canton Street, Norwood, MA 02062
www.artechhouse.com
Two fine new references are picks for collections strong in technological advancements and
systems management. Moe Rahnema and Marcin Dryjanski's From LTE to LTE-Advanced Pro
and 5G (9781630814533, $139.00) adds to a mobile communications series with a survey that
covers LTE systems from basics to advanced network planning and optimization, and considers
the latest updates, standardization challenges, performance challenges, and planning for network
systems and architectural applications for data and voice services. Tables of information,
mathematical equations, and discussions of power controls are only a few of the many topics that
professionals will find specific and well-detailed. John Erik Hagen's Implementing e-Navigation
(9781630810993, $149.00) provides a rare and in-depth look at global e-navigation systems,
covering in depth the new technology, security and navigation challenges it poses to commercial
shipping and maritime efforts. From performance gaps and analysis systems to e-navigation
problems, solutions and standards, readers will find the new concepts and resources cover
everything from cyber security to communications and technical details, making it an excellent
and unique survey no maritime collection should be without.
The Beer/Wine/Spirits Shelf
Straight Up
Joel Harrison & Neil Ridley
Mitchell Beazley
c/o Octopus Publishing
236 Park Avenue, New York NY 10017
9781784722739 $19.99 www.octopusbooksusa.com
Straight Up: The Insider's Guide to the World's Most Interesting Bars and Drinking Experiences
covers over five hundred bars and comes from experts around the world who review them. These
range from glitzy, expensive rooftop places to converted bathhouses, a classy speakeasy, office
block and apartment building establishments, and more. Small color photos accompany
descriptions of brew bars, lounge bars, and others from Africa to Asia. No recipes, but the
enticing descriptions and in-depth drinking establishment insights will appeal to any who enjoy
food and drink.
The Aviation Shelf
1001 Aviation Facts
Mike Machat, Editor
Specialty Press
99 Spring Street, 3rd floor, New York, NY 10012
9781580072441 $24.95 www.specialtypress.com
1001 Aviation Facts gathers little-known facts about aviation history in a title that comes from
experienced aviation writers and experts in a range of fields, who offer important facts arranged
by category, from military and civilian aviation history to sport aviation, aviation personalities
and movies, and even hobbyists who build plane replicas. Peppered with vintage black and white
photos throughout, this is a powerful survey that will prove fun trivia reading for anyone with
any interest in aviation history.
The Criminology Shelf
The Anatomy of Evil
Michael H. Stone, MD
Prometheus Books
59 John Glenn Drive, Amherst, NY 14228-2197
9781633883352 $18.00 www.prometheusbooks.com
Readers of psychology and social issues who want to explore the idea of evil personalities and
behaviors in society will relish the approach of Dr. Stone in The Anatomy of Evil. He documents
a hierarchy of evil behavior, basing this on the biographies of some 600 violent criminals, and
discusses two primary personality traits common to these individuals - narcissism and
aggression. While his discussion could have been limited to the psychology alone, his wider
survey of the causes of evil's development and its impact on the justice system and society as a
whole offers important insights into how deadly patterns turn into psychopathic behaviors that
impact individuals and societies alike. This powerful discussion makes for a fine pick for
classrooms and debate groups and offers a wider-ranging inspection than readers might
anticipate.
James A. Cox, Editor-in-Chief
Diane C. Donovan, Editor
Midwest Book Review
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Oregon, WI 53575-1129
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