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Reviewer's Choice
A Grief Postponed: A Nurse Practitioner's Journey Through Delayed Grief
Jacqueline Werket
https://jacquelinewerket.com
Guardian of Light Books LLC
9798993687810, $17.99, PB, 228pp
Amazon
https://www.amazon.com/Grief-Postponed-Practitioners-Journey-Through/dp/B0GL9NC93S
Barnes & Noble
https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/a-grief-postponed-jacqueline-werket/1149479272
Synopsis: Do you struggle with unexplained body aches and relentless fatigue, only to be reassured by your doctor that
everything is normal? You may be facing the insidious grip of delayed grief, an emotion that ambushes us months or even
years after a loss.
In her personal memoir, "A Grief Postponed: A Nurse Practitioner's Journey Through Delayed Grief", Jacqueline Werket
courageously shares her life experience of suppressed grief following the death of her son a decade earlier.
Readers will join with Jacqueline as she opens her heart and invites them to a journey alongside her through her son's lost
battle with leukemia, the repressed grief that impacted her life for ten years and her path toward healing.
Her readers will discover that they are not alone in their sorrow. That Werket's transformation becomes a beacon of hope
and renewal for all seeking solace and the courage to begin again.
Critique: Authentic, deftly crafted, insightful, inspiring, "A Grief Postponed: A Nurse Practitioner's Journey Through
Delayed Grief" is an extraordinarily personal story of recovering from chronic grief that will have a universal resonance
and value for others struggling with the same issues of depression and loss. With an impressive level of eloquence, "A
Grief Postponed" will hold a special interest for readers concerned with grief, bereavement, familial conflict resolution,
and mental/spiritual healing. Exceptional, engaging, memorable, "A Grief Postponed" is especially and unreservedly
recommended for personal, professional, community, and college/university library Contemporary American
Biography/Memoir Collections and supplemental Death & Grief Counseling curriculum studies lists.
Editorial Note: Jacqueline Werket (https://jacquelinewerket.com) holds a Baccalaureate degree in nursing and a masters
degree from the University of Minnesota, Jacqueline's expertise is unmatched. She co-created the Turner Syndrome
Society of the United States, serving as its first president, and she is a certified Grief Recovery Method Specialist,
showcasing her commitment to helping others navigate their grief. Her knowledge is enriched by studies with renowned
practitioners, including Jack Canfield, the New York Times best-selling co-author of The Chicken Soup for the Soul
series, Chicken Soup for the Grieving Soul and the Success Principles, and New York Times best-selling author, Oliver
Nino, of Do This Before Bed. She honed her Qigong skills with Chi Kung Master, Binhui He, and is a certified Geo1
energy healer.
Surviving: Finding Hope After Suicide Loss
Lisa Sugarman
Familius
www.familius.com
9798893961331, $18.99, PB, 208pp
Amazon
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0FLT6LVHW
Barnes & Noble
https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/surviving-lisa-sugarman/1148019831
Synopsis: Suicide is a growing epidemic, with a staggering rate of 700,000 deaths per year globally. And for every suicide,
an average of 135 people are directly impacted. That means that worldwide an estimated 94 million people have lost
someone to suicide and are struggling to navigate the aftermath: loss, grief, unanswered questions, and how to move
forward.
Drawing on her experience as a three-time survivor of suicide loss who has turned her pain into purpose, crisis counselor
Lisa Sugarman offers a new resource that is raw, deeply personal, and practical in the pages of "Surviving: Finding Hope
After Suicide Loss".
Far from a clinical self-help book, "Surviving: Finding Hope after Suicide Loss" not only invites readers into the intimate
and poignant reality of suicide loss but offers tangible tools drawn from Sugarman's comprehensive 18-category mental
health resources platform, The HelpHUB(TM).
From managing grief and overcoming mental health challenges to moving forward and rebuilding, "Surviving: Finding
Hope After Suicide Loss" is a gentle resource is for anyone seeking to understand and heal from losing someone to suicide.
It's an essential read for survivors, mental health advocates, and anyone touched by the ripple effects of suicide.
Lisa's message is that survival is possible, and support is always within reach.
Critique: Exceptionally well written, organized and presented, "Surviving: Finding Hope After Suicide Loss" is a critically
important and unreservedly recommended addition to personal, professional, community, and college/university library
collections on the subject of coping with suicide based grief, loss, depression, and all the forms that emotional stress can
take on the mind and body. Informative, insightful, exceptional, it should be noted for psychology/counseling students,
academia, pastors/ministers/priests, and non-specialist general readers with an interest in the subject of how suicide
impacts others, be they family or friends, that this paperback edition of "Surviving: Finding Hope After Suicide Loss" from
Familius is also available in a digital book format (Kindle, $17.09).
Editorial Note: Lisa Sugarman (https://thesurvivors.net) is a three-time survivor of suicide loss. She is also the founder of
The HelpHUB (www.TheHelpHUB.co), a crisis counselor with The Trevor Project, a storyteller with the National Alliance
on Mental Illness (NAMI), a grief group facilitator for survivors of suicide loss with Samaritans, and a mental health
advocate dedicated to changing the narrative on suicide and mental illness.
Who Put the Beef Into Wellington?
James Winter
Kyle Books
c/o Octopus Publishing
https://www.octopusbooks.co.uk
9781804193709, $12.99 HC, $7.99 Kindle, 144pp
Amazon
https://www.amazon.com/Who-Put-Beef-into-Wellington/dp/1804193704
Barnes & Noble
https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/who-put-the-beef-into-wellington-james-winter/1147516570
"Who Put the Beef Into Wellington?: The Fascinating Stories Behind 50 Classic Recipes" is a culinary history that will
delight cooks and food fans who wonder how such classics as Caesar Salad and Eggs Benedict came to be. It includes
cocktail inventions, makes connections between history and culinary discovery and interpretation, and offers some
delightful, fun insights alongside recipes for these classic dishes. Its delightful special blend will lend especially well to
gift-giving to that cook who 'has everything'.
The Writing/Publishing Shelf
Invention and Craft, 2nd Edition
Ronda Leathers Dively
Anthem Press
www.anthempress.com
9781839989773, $89.95, PB, 300pp
Amazon
https://www.amazon.com/Invention-Craft-Second-Exercising-Creativity/dp/1839989777
Barnes & Noble
https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/invention-and-craft-second-edition-ronda-leathers-dively/1143330108
Synopsis: Now in a newly updated and expanded second edition, "Invention and Craft: Exercising Creativity in College
Writing and Research" by Ronda Leathers Dively is a first-year college composition textbook that employs creativity
theory to augment best practices in writing instruction.
Promoting a problem-solving, insight-driven approach to composing, it casts students in the role of meaning-makers by
pinpointing strategies for transforming knowledge, the hallmark of successful expository prose.
"Invention and Craft: 2nd Edition" offers an explicit treatment of knowledge transfer fosters recognition of patterns within
and across genres and encourages students to apply lessons learned in subsequent rhetorical situations. Furthermore,
"Invention and Craft: 2nd Edition" provides an instructional framework that maps similarities between expository writing
and creative activity in other venues as a means of demystifying the former and broadening students' repertoire of
composing strategies.
Acknowledging individual cognitive styles and diverse interests, "Invention and Craft: 2nd Edition" places a high priority
on energizing students and building their confidence as writers.
Critique: This trade paperback edition of "Invention and Craft: Exercising Creativity in College Writing and Research, 2nd
Edition" by Ronda Leathers Dively is a complete and comprehensive instructional course on how to best and successfully
write compositions and publishable papers at the college/university level. Exceptionally 'reader friendly' in organization
and presentation, the new and expanded second edition of "Invention and Craft" from Anthem Press is an especially and
unreservedly recommended addition to personal, professional, community, and college/university library
Writing/Publishing instructional reference collections and supplemental curriculum studies lists.
Editorial Note: Ronda Leathers Dively is aretired Southern Illinois University Rhetoric and Composition Professor and
writing program administrator. She is also the author of Preludes to Insight: Creativity, Incubation and Expository Writing
(Hampton Press, 2006), Invention and Craft: A Guide to College Writing (McGraw-Hill, Inc., 2016) and Creativity and the
Paris Review Interviews: A Discourse Analysis of Famous Authors' Composing Practices (Anthem Press, 2022).
Additionally, she has written numerous articles on expository writing pedagogy and writing program administration.
The Social Issues Shelf
Protest: Respect It Defend It Use It
Annie Leonard and Andre Carothers, authors
Patagonia
9781952338335, $40.00, HC, 276pp
Amazon
https://www.amazon.com/Protest-Respect-Defend-Annie-Leonard/dp/1952338336
Barnes & Noble
https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/protest-annie-leonard/1148702579
Synopsis: Our right to peaceful protest is under attack, and we must act now!
Co-authored by Annie Leonard and Andre Carothers, "Protest: Respect It Defend It Use It" offers a powerful look at the
role peaceful activism has played in advancing the public good -- and shines a light on the urgent need to protect this
democratic right. This is not a how-to guide. Rather, it is a celebration of what collective action can achieve, an invitation
to be inspired, and a reminder that each of us has the capacity to make a difference.
Featuring more than 40 iconic campaigns from around the world, "Protest: Respect It Defend It Use It" deftly combines
photos, artifacts, and memorable quotes to create a vivid testament to the power of public dissent. Guest essays from Jane
Fonda, Tennessee Representative Justin Pearson, Dolores Huerta, Nemonte Nenquimo, and others reveal how protest
shaped their own commitment to driving change. Through storytelling and first-hand reflection, readers are invited to
witness, reflect, and engage in peaceful activism -- right here, right now.
From rivers that don't catch fire, to the freedom to marry whom we love, to clean air and water, to weekends off, It's been
peaceful protest (protected in the U.S., as in many countries, as a cornerstone of participatory democracy) that helped bring
about each of these accomplishments. "Protest: Respect It Defend It Use It" documents free speech, dissent, and public
mobilization as essential tools for advancing so many causes, including environmental protection, workers' rights, human
rights, self-determination, and climate, social, and racial justice.
Yet even as protest has delivered lasting progress (and perhaps because of it) the right to speak freely and organize is
increasingly under threat. Crackdowns are no longer confined to authoritarian regimes; anti-protest sentiment is spreading
across established democracies. Activists are being vilified, targeted, and even criminalized. In the U.S., anti-protest laws
have been enacted in 49 states. SLAPP suits (meritless legal actions used to silence dissent) are on the rise. New legal
concepts like "negligent protest" are being used to hold organizers liable for damages, while violent actions by
anti-democratic forces are reframed or excused.
Published to coincide with the 250th anniversary of one of history's most consequential acts of protest (the signing of the
Declaration of Independence) "Protest: Respect It Defend It Use It" is an invitation. It invites readers to learn about the
creativity, courage, and impact of peaceful protest, to be inspired by those who came before, and to recognize that this
essential democratic right belongs to everyone -- now more than ever.
Critique: An essential part of the clarion call to defend against the erosion of constitutionally guaranteed rights in general,
and protesting against injustice in particular, "Protest: Respect It Defend It Use It" is essential reading for this current
generation of citizens seeking to preserve American Democracy, right wrongs, improve lives, protect the planet, and so
much more. Profusely illustrated throughout and unreservedly recommended for personal, professional, community, and
college/university library Civil Rights & Contemporary Social Issues collections and supplemental Political Science
studies lists, it should be note by students, academics, political activists, governmental policy makers, and non-specialist
general readers with an interest in the subject that his hardcover edition of "Protest: Respect It Defend It Use It" from
Patagonia is also readily available in a digital book format (Kindle, $14.95).
Editorial Note #1: Annie Leonard is a lifelong activist who has protested on multiple continents over many years. She
spent seventeen years with Greenpeace US, including serving as Executive Director from 2014 to 2023; created The Story
of Stuff film, book, and organization; co-launched the Jane Fonda Climate PAC; and campaigned against the international
trade in hazardous waste and technologies around the world. Annie speaks and writes frequently about environmental and
democracy issues, focusing on pollution, waste, consumerism, climate, and activism. She has appeared in numerous media,
has testified before Congress, and has received a number of awards for her work, including an honorary degree from
Vermont Law School and inclusion in Time magazine's Heroes of the Environment.
Editorial Note #2: Andre Carothers is an activist, writer, and organizer. Andre has been involved in campaigns and protests
on issues of climate change, human rights, environmental protection, and nuclear disarmament for over four decades. He
worked for Greenpeace US for thirteen years, including serving on the board of directors. He is the cofounder of the
Rockwood Leadership Institute, a training organization for activists, and works as an organizational development
consultant and coach for leaders in the social change sector. He has served as an adviser and board member of numerous
organizations, including International Rivers, the Center for Environmental Health, the Center for Investigative Reporting,
the Furthur Foundation, Rainforest Action Network, and the Story of Stuff Project
Hungry Oklahoma: Confronting Poverty and Food Insecurity
Robert Lee Maril
University of Oklahoma Press
www.oupress.com
9780806196565, $45.00, HC, 256pp
Amazon
https://www.amazon.com/Hungry-Oklahoma-Confronting-Poverty-Insecurity/dp/0806196564
Barnes & Noble
https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/hungry-oklahoma-robert-lee-maril/1148299019
Synopsis: Today in Oklahoma, one out of every six residents is poor. One in five children lives in poverty and faces food
insecurity.
With the publication of "Hungry Oklahoma: Confronting Poverty and Food Insecurity", native son and sociologist Robert
Lee Maril illuminates the currently lived experience of poverty and food insecurity in communities across the state.
Professor Maril's account is immediately personal. He begins with "guests," as shoppers are called by volunteers, waiting
in line in the sweltering heat one summer for "Thy Will Be Done," a food pantry, to open. Unable to afford air
conditioning, some guests don't buy foods that would spoil on the counter. One woman, Norma, carefully places only
canned vegetables in her cart. When she returns to her twenty-year-old pickup, in the truck bed are lawn chairs, blankets,
and pans -- everything she owns. "The landlord told us this morning we was homeless," Norma says. "I'm not thinking
straight."
Drawing on interviews and participant-observation data from his volunteer work at a food pantry, as well as census and
sociological data, Professor Maril documents in rich ethnographic detail the status of poverty and low-wage workers in the
state today and within historical context. He also explores how institutions (such as faith-based organizations, government,
and food pantries) structure and shape experiences of poverty. While Professor Maril celebrates the nonprofit and
faith-based efforts that make a difference, "Hungry Oklahoma" is also critical of conditions and stereotypes that have
entrenched poverty in the state.
"Hungry Oklahoma" ultimately suggests that persistent and pervasive poverty can be eliminated. Its moving accounts of
real Oklahomans and their experiences make it a clarion call for not only those interested in policy issues but all
Oklahomans who want a better today and tomorrow for those who call the state home.
Critique: Although focused on Oklahoma, the personal observations of local conditions in "Hungry Oklahoma:
Confronting Poverty and Food Insecurity" by Professor Robert Lee Maril will have a nationwide resonance. A seminal and
groundbreaking study of contemporary conditions arising from chronic poverty, "Hungry Oklahoma: Confronting Poverty
and Food Insecurity" is informative enhanced for the reader's benefit with the inclusion of a twenty page Bibliography, ten
pages of Notes, and a ten page Index. A timely work of meticulous research, "Hungry Oklahoma: Confronting Poverty and
Food Insecurity" is a critically important and unreservedly recommended addition to personal, professional, community,
and college/university library Contemporary Social Issues collections and supplemental curriculum studies lists. It should
be noted for students, academia, governmental policy makers, political activists, and non-specialist general readers with an
interest in American Poverty, Human Geography, and Cultural Anthropology that this hardcover edition of "Hungry
Oklahoma: Confronting Poverty and Food Insecurity" from the University of Oklahoma Press is also available in a digital
book format (Kindle, $32.00).
Editorial Note: Robert Lee Maril (https://leemaril.com) is Professor of Sociology Emeritus at East Carolina University. He
is the author of nine books, including Waltzing with the Ghost of Tom Joad: Poverty, Myth, and Low-Wage Labor in
Oklahoma.
Greater Than Gravity: How Childhood Trauma is Pulling Down Humanity
Michael J Menard, author
Allison Buehner, editor
Svetlana Hristova, illustrator
https://www.michaeljmenard.com
UACT Press
https://uactnow.com/greater-than-gravity
9781968559007, $29.99, HC, 463pp
Amazon
https://www.amazon.com/Greater-Than-Gravity-Childhood-Humanity/dp/1968559000
Barnes & Noble
https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/greater-than-gravity-michael-j-menard/1149557226
Synopsis: What if everything we think we know about America's health crisis is wrong?
Hidden in government data lies a shocking discovery: childhood trauma is responsible for 1,401 American deaths every
single day -- more than tobacco, accidents, or stroke. Among the 11.4 million Americans who experienced severe
childhood trauma, every one will die 24 years too soon. Nearly 90% of teen suicide attempts trace back to adverse
childhood experiences. And this epidemic costs America $14 trillion annually -- roughly 60% of our entire GDP.
We have been counting the bodies wrong. When someone with severe childhood trauma dies of a heart attack at 55 instead
of 75, we record it as heart disease. When they overdose, it's addiction. When they take their own life, it's suicide. But
these aren't separate epidemics --they are symptoms of the same hidden crisis that's been destroying lives for
generations.
Michael J. Menard knows this crisis firsthand. Growing up one of fourteen children in a 900 square-foot home below the
poverty line, he watched childhood trauma ripple through his family -- claiming two brothers to addiction and leaving
invisible wounds across generations.
Yet from these origins, Menard rose to become a world-renowned inventor with fourteen patents, advising NASA and the
United Nations, and serving as Vice President of Worldwide Engineering at Johnson & Johnson.
"Greater Than Gravity: How Childhood Trauma is Pulling Down Humanity" by Michael menard isn't just another trauma
book. Rather, it is a meticulously researched expose that connects dots no one else has connected -- revealing how
childhood trauma alters brain development, ravages the immune system, and creates cascading destruction across mental,
physical, spiritual, and social dimensions of life. Menard brings his engineer's mind to humanity's greatest unaddressed
public health crisis, transforming cold statistics into compelling human stories while offering concrete pathways to
healing.
With endorsements from leading trauma experts including Dr. Glenn Schiraldi, "Greater Than Gravity: How Childhood
Trauma is Pulling Down Humanity" is a groundbreaking work in direct service to three specific groups of readers:
survivors seeking hope and healing, loved ones who want to understand, and anyone ready to join a movement to end this
epidemic.
As Menard so ably points out -- The numbers are irrefutable. The suffering is real. The time for action is now.
Critique: Iconoclastic, groundbreaking, informatively insightful, simply fascinating and consistently thought-proving
throughout, "Greater Than Gravity: How Childhood Trauma is Pulling Down Humanity" is a meticulous and original work
of research based scholarship that will be of special interest for readers concerned with child abuse, psychology,
counseling, and trauma recovery. Impressively well written, organized and presented, "Greater Than Gravity: How
Childhood Trauma is Pulling Down Humanity" is an especially and unreservedly recommended pick for personal,
professional, community, and college/university library Contemporary Psychology collections and supplemental
curriculum studies lists. It should be noted for psychology students, academia, counselors, therapists, and non-specialist
general readers with an interest in the subject that this hardcover edition of "Greater Than Gravity: How Childhood
Trauma is Pulling Down Humanity" from UACT Press is also available in paperback (9781968559014, $19.95) and in a
digital book format (Kindle, $9.99).
Editorial Note: Michael J. Menard (https://www.michaeljmenard.com) is a visionary inventor, global business pioneer,
acclaimed author, and passionate social advocate whose life exemplifies the alchemy of turning adversity into
world-changing impact. At 75, he stands as a testament to resilience, having revolutionized industries while igniting a
movement against childhood trauma - the silent epidemic he calls humanity's greatest threat. He is also the Founder of
UACT (United Against Childhood Trauma), a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, where Michael advocates for awareness, healing, and
prevention -- emphasizing the "sacred 60 days" post-birth. Through keynote speaking at venues like the University of
Texas School of Social Work, he inspires transformation, proving scars can become stars that light paths for millions.
The AI Studies Shelf
The Future of Truth: How AI Reshapes Reality
Steven Rosenbaum
Matt Holt Books
c/o BenBella Books
www.benbellabooks.com
9781637749104, $30.00, HC, 288pp
Amazon
https://www.amazon.com/Future-Truth-How-Reshapes-Reality/dp/1637749104
Barnes & Noble
https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-future-of-truth-steven-rosenbaum/1148559801
Synopsis: Truth was never simple, but facts were facts. Now, even that is changing. You feel the drift (the blur) as stories
bend, facts fracture, and reality starts to feel... negotiable. That's not failure -- it's the fight for the future of Truth.
With the publication of "The Future of Truth: How AI Reshapes Reality", we go on a truth treasure hunt with author,
filmmaker, and media explorer Steven Rosenbaum as he sets out to understand how this is happening -- and what comes
next. What begins as a personal investigation becomes something stranger and more urgent: a story about systems
captured, consensus collapsing, and humans caught in the digital crossfire.
"The Future of Truth: How AI Reshapes Reality covers:
How Truth is being bent, blurred, and synthesized, and how the ways we love, work, learn, and remember are changing --
even history is no longer trusted.
Why institutions we recently trusted (medicine, education, justice, journalism) are collapsing under pressure of
fast-moving, profit-driven AI.
What happens when war is waged with data, protests are hijacked by bots, and power hides behind precision
algorithms.
How, in their hunger for clarity, robots erase Truth's messy, beautiful middle, replacing it with something cold, confident,
and designed to serve soulless AI, not the humans who built it
At the heart of "The Future of Truth: How AI Reshapes Reality" are exclusive, provocative conversations with some of the
most original thinkers of our time: wild-haired philosopher David Chalmers calls it "a simulated reality crisis." Cultural
provocateur Douglas Rushkoff says, "Truth has been coded for profit." Legal legend Larry Lessig warns of "an attention
economy built to distort." AI truth-teller Gary Marcus sees "confidence without comprehension." Gen Z literary leader
Hailey Colborn, raised inside the feed, says "Truth isn't something you find -- it's something you perform." And futurists
and reformers Juan Enriquez, Esther Dyson, Steve Fuller, and Eli Pariser each offer raw, urgent, and provocative visions
on where Truth is headed --and whether we can still catch it before it falls off a cliff.
Part cultural investigation, part memoir, and part manifesto, "The Future of Truth: How AI Reshapes Reality" is a wild
journey into the collapse -- and the humans determined to rebuild Truth into something better, before AI rewrites reality
without us.
Critique: Artificial Intellience is already busy at work shaping and directing the world we live in today. The rapidly
expanding roles of AI and equally rapid advancements of this technology will result in seismic changes in our society, our
culture, our lives, our realities. This is why "The Future of Truth: How AI Reshapes Reality" by Steven Rosenbaum is so
timely and essential a selection choice for personal, professional, community, and college/university library Artificial
Intelligence/Technology collections and supplemental curriculum studies lists. It should be noted for students, academia,
corporate executives, entrepreneurs, governmental policy makers, political activists, and non-specialist general readers
with an interest in this subject that the hardcover edition of "The Future of Truth: How AI Reshapes Reality" from Matt
Holt is also readily available in a digital book format (Kindle, $15.99).
Editorial Note: Steven Rosenbaum is the executive director of the Sustainable Media Center, a nonprofit organization
dedicated to exploring the impact of AI and social media on truth and society. An accomplished writer and commentator,
Rosenbaum has authored books such as Curation Nation and The Future of Truth, where he delves into the ethical and
societal implications of technology on media and public discourse. With a master's degree from NYU's Gallatin School
focusing on the future of truth, he is a recognized thought leader on issues related to media integrity, AI, and digital
transformation. His insights are regularly featured in publications like HuffPost, Forbes, and Fast Company, making him a
sought-after speaker on the evolving landscape of technology and truth.
(https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Steven_Rosenbaum)
Thinking AI: How Artificial Intelligence Emulates Human Understanding
John MacCormick
Princeton University Press
https://press.princeton.edu
9780691191737, $29.95, HC, 296pp
Amazon
https://www.amazon.com/Thinking-AI-Artificial-Intelligence-Understanding/dp/0691191735
Barnes & Noble
https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/thinking-ai-john-maccormick/1147513069
Synopsis: "Can machines think?"
Ever since Alan Turing posed this question in an influential 1950 paper, it has been central to research in artificial
intelligence. More than seventy-five years after Turing's paper, we grapple with it every time we wonder if Watson was
actually smarter than Jeopardy! champions, or if ChatGPT really knows what it's talking about.
With the publication of "Thinking AI: How Artificial Intelligence Emulates Human Understanding", computer scientist
Professor John MacCormick explores Turing's question from a perspective informed by a detailed understanding of the
way modern AI systems work. Professor MacCormick explains, in accessible fashion, the ideas behind the two main pillars
of the twenty-first century AI revolution: deep neural networks and reinforcement learning.
Professor MacCormick offers a tour of the most famous AI systems, including AlexNet and VGG16, deep neural networks
for object recognition that led to a Nobel prize; DeepMind's AlphaGo, which shocked AI researchers with its superhuman
performance in the game of Go; and OpenAI's ChatGPT, which stunned the world with its natural language capabilities.
He describes how each system works, and points to parallels with human brain processes.
Both human minds and computer programs, Professor MacCormick explains, can induce intelligence through emergence:
the capability for new phenomena to emerge from the interactions of many small, simple components. Does this mean that
a computer program can think like a human? In many ways, Professor MacCormick argues, the answer is yes.
In "Thinking AI: How Artificial Intelligence Emulates Human Understanding", Professor MacCormick reveals a new
landscape of emergent intelligence -- a world in which computer programs can emulate many or all aspects of human
thinking but humanity retains its meaning and purpose.
Critique: Timely, informative, thought-provoking, and an inherently fascinating read from start to finish, "Thinking AI:
How Artificial Intelligence Emulates Human Understanding" by Professor John MacCormick is an extraordinary
introduction to AI which is becoming increasingly more advanced and more integrated into human activities and
technologies with every passing day. Informatively enhanced for the reader's benefit with the inclusion of a ten page
Bibliography, ten pages of Notes, and a nine page Index, "Thinking AI: How Artificial Intelligence Emulates Human
Understanding" is an extraordinary and unreservedly recommended addition to personal, professional, community, and
college/university library Artificial Intelligence collections and supplemental curriculum studies lists. It should be noted
for students, academia, and non-specialist general readers with an interest in the subject that this hardcover edition of
"Thinking AI: How Artificial Intelligence Emulates Human Understanding" from the Princeton University Press is also
available in a digital book format (Kindle, $16.17).
Editorial Note: John MacCormick (www.dickinson.edu/johnmaccormick) is Professor of Computer Science at Dickinson
College. He is the author of "Nine Algorithms That Changed the Future: The Ingenious Ideas That Drive Today's
Computers" and "What Can Be Computed? A Practical Guide to the Theory of Computation" (both from the Princeton
University Press).
The Science Shelf
A New Theory of the Visible Universe
Joe Fisher
Leadstart Inkstate
https://www.leadstartcorp.com
9789362637581, $12.00, PB, 167pp
Amazon
https://www.amazon.com/New-Theory-Visible-Universe/dp/9362637588
Synopsis: For over a century, physicists have upheld the belief that the universe consists of both matter and space -- two
fundamental components of existence. With the publication of A New Theory of the Visible Universe, Joe Fisher boldly
challenges this long-standing assumption, proposing a revolutionary vision of reality: there has never been any "space."
Instead, there has only ever been one infinite, visible, contrasting surface -- eternal, seamless, and continuously illuminated
by an infinite form of finite non-surface light.
Fisher's radical reasoning dismantles the core principles of modern astrophysics. He asserts that the universe cannot
expand, that Einstein's curved space-time is imaginary, and that Edwin Hubble's observations were misinterpreted. The Big
Bang, Fisher argues, was an illusion -- for an infinite universe could never have a beginning, an end, nor a period of
cooling. Infinity does not explode; it endures.
In this groundbreaking study, Fisher refutes the work of Einstein, Hubble, and Hawking, as well as the theories endorsed
by NASA, Roscosmos, and the China National Space Administration. Written with clarity, conviction, and the rare
courage to question scientific orthodoxy, "A New Theory of the Visible Universe" invites readers to reexamine everything
they believe about existence itself.
"A New Theory of the Visible Universe" is not just a book about physics -- it is a call to see the universe as it truly
appears: infinite, visible, and forever alive in contrast.
Critique: An original, seminal, and iconoclastic study, "A New Theory of the Visible Universe" by Joe Fisher challenges
established/traditional views on the nature of reality. Erudite, eloquent, and exceptionally 'reader friendly' in organization
and presentation, this thoughtful and thought-provoking study is an unreservedly recommended pick for personal,
professional, community, and college/university library Philosophy of Science collections and supplemental Astrophysics
curriculum studies lists. It should be noted for students, academia, and non-specialist general readers with an interest in the
subject that this paperback edition of "A New Theory of the Visible Universe" from Leadstart Inkstate is also readily
available in a digital book format (Kindle, $6.00).
Editorial Note: Joe Fisher is also the author of "Learning and Living with AI: A Practical Guide to Curiosity in the Digital
Age" (Independently Published, 9798275614909, $9.99 PB, $5.99 Kindle, 50pp).
Spinosaur Tales: The Biology and Ecology of the Spinosaurs
Mark P. Witton
Bloomsbury Sigma
c/o Bloomsbury Publishing
www.bloomsbury.com
9781399412469, $28.00, HC, 320pp
Amazon
https://www.amazon.com/Spinosaur-Tales-Biology-Ecology-Spinosaurs/dp/1399412469
Barnes & Noble
https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/spinosaur-tales-david-hone/1147066661
Synopsis: Spinosaurs are the dinosaur group that includes the largest land predator of all time, the awe-inspiring
Spinosaurus.
The giant sail-backed carnivorous dinosaur Spinosaurus is one of the most famous of all dinosaurs; a staple of
documentaries, books and video games, and the beast that bested the mighty Tyrannosaurus rex in Jurassic Park III. But
what do we actually know about this crocodile-headed monster and its relatives, the spinosaurs?
The spinosaurs were some of the strangest predatory dinosaurs, combining a long low skull with powerfully clawed hands.
Some species had huge sails over their backs, as well as fin-like tails. A great deal of scientific mystery surrounds them.
Their fossil remains are highly fragmentary, many aspects of their appearance uncertain, their evolutionary relationships
elusive, and interpretations of their ecology and behaviour are hotly contested.
With the publication of "Spinosaur Tales: The Biology and Ecology of the Spinosaurs", paleontologists David Hone &
Mark P. Witton explore the exciting, sometimes controversial world of spinosaur science. Bringing these creatures back to
life with stunning illustrations, "Spinosaur Tales" present the latest views on the evolution, anatomy and lifestyles of an
enigmatic yet charismatic dinosaur group.
Critique: A simply fascinating and impressively informative read from start to finish, "Spinosaur Tales: The Biology and
Ecology of the Spinosaurs" is exceptionally well written, organized and presented, making it an ideal and unreservedly
recommended pick for personal, professional, community, and college/university Dinosaur collections and supplemental
Paleontology curriculum studies lists. It should be noted for students, academia, and non-specialist general readers with an
interest in the subject that this hardcover edition of "Spinosaur Tales: The Biology and Ecology of the Spinosaurs" from
Bloomsbury Sigma is also readily available in a digital book format (Kindle, $9.99).
Editorial Note #1: David Hone (www.davehone.co.uk) is rapidly becoming the 'face' of dinosaur research. Based at QMW
in London, where he is Lecturer in Ecology, he has published more than 50 academic papers on dinosaur biology and
behaviour, with a particular interest in the tyrannosaurs, while his fieldwork has included a spell working on the famous
feathered dinosaur deposits of China. He writes a regular blog for the Guardian, Lost Worlds, a major source of dino-info
for the general public. David includes among his writing credits the BBC's Walking with Dinosaurs.
Editorial Note #2: Mark P. Witton (www.markwitton.co.uk) is a palaeontologist based at the University of Portsmouth.
Widely recognized as one of the world's leading paleoartists, he has also published dozens of scientific papers on dinosaurs
and flying reptiles, as well as six well-received books on palaeontological science, history, and artistry.
The Education Shelf
Cultivating Change in Schools
Chun Sing Maxwell Ho
Edward Elgar Publishing
www.e-elgar.com
9781035366545, $145.00, HC, 230pp
Amazon
https://www.amazon.com/Cultivating-Change-Schools-Entrepreneurial-Strategies/dp/1035366541
Synopsis: A cutting-edge book illustrating the need for schools to be innovative, flexible and proactive in rapidly changing
contexts, "Cultivating Change in Schools: Entrepreneurial Strategies for Educators and Leaders" by Professor Chun Sing
Maxwell Ho suggests that by adopting an entrepreneurial mindset, schools can create environments where teachers feel
supported, students are empowered and communities become stronger.
The individual chapters comprising "Cultivating Change in Schools: Entrepreneurial Strategies for Educators and Leaders"
draw upon international research to provide practical strategies for leading change, including building teamwork, forming
community partnerships and embedding fresh ideas into daily routines.
Professor Ho combines theoretical and practical insights in a range of case studies across primary, secondary and SEN
schools, examining curriculums in self-directed learning and innovation. "Cultivating Change in Schools: Entrepreneurial
Strategies for Educators and Leaders" ably demonstrates that meaningful change in education does not come from one
leading figure but from collective leadership, trust and resilience.
"Cultivating Change in Schools: Entrepreneurial Strategies for Educators and Leaders " will prove to be a valuable
resource for students and scholars of educational leadership, management and policy. It will also benefit school
management teams, teachers, education policy and reform researchers and professional development providers.
Critique: A seminal and groundbreaking study in the field of education, "Cultivating Change in Schools: Entrepreneurial
Strategies for Educators and Leaders" by Professor Chun Sing Maxwell Ho is deftly organized into three major sections:
Catalysts of Change in Education; The Dynamics of Entrepreneurial Leadership; Embedding Entrepreneurial Leadership.
Exceptionally well written and thoroughly 'reader friendly' in organization and presentation, this hardcover edition of
"Cultivating Change in Schools: Entrepreneurial Strategies for Educators and Leaders" is especially and unreservedly
recommended for personal reading lists of educators, academia, and administrators, as well as professional and
college/university library MBA & Education Philosophy/Policy collections and supplemental curriculum studies lists.
Editorial Note: Chun Sing Maxwell Ho is an Assistant Professor, Department of Education Policy and Leadership, The
Education University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
(https://scholar.google.com/citations?user=Sy_FLtEAAAAJ&hl=zh-TW)
Bored At Home: A Language Arts Workbook
Debra A. Boyle M.Ed
https://authorwebservices-temp4.net/WestBowPress/868946
WestBow Press
c/o Thomas Nelson Publishers
www.westbowpress.com
9798385060443, $28.99, PB, 176pp
Amazon
https://www.amazon.com/Bored-At-Home-Language-Workbook/dp/B0G1CRNYPB
Barnes & Noble
https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/bored-at-home-debra-a-boyle-m-ed/1148697952
Synopsis: "Bored At Home: A Language Arts Workbook" an instructional workbook for students who don't like to
write!
Written and illustrated by language arts tutor Debra Boyle and drawing upon her more than two decades of experience
helping young students learn to write, "Bored At Home: A Language Arts Workbook" will help introduce an elementary
school student to the fun of writing and reading comprehension.
Each chapter comprising "Bored At Home: A Language Arts Workbook" contains:
A story plot surrounding a mystery to solve, humorous (bored at home) main character. Comprehension questions that
challenge young minds to remember details, draw conclusions, and form opinions.
Answers to questions for parents or students to self-check; literary terms that increase skills and knowledge for better
reading and writing; writing tasks that involve your student's personality and give them pride in their finished work.
Examples of how to write their best (as well as comparisons to poorly written work).
Simple illustrations leaving room for young imaginations to fill-in or color-complete
One full-page beautiful illustration to be inspirational or prompt curiosity
Motivation to do the best work and continue through every chapter to the end!
Critique: This consumable trade paperback (11 x 0.46 x 8.5 inches, 1.28 pounds) edition of "Bored At Home: A Language
Arts Workbook" by educator Debra A. Boyle is ideal for a classroom and home-schooling literacy development
curriculums for children ages.5-10. With it, children will learn to enjoy and engage in the language arts of poetry and
prose, storytelling and the written word. Original, extraordinary, effective, 'kid friendly' in organization and presentation,
"Bored At Home: A Language Arts Workbook" is a fun and unreservedly recommended pick for Elementary School
classroom teachers and home-schooling parents of young children.
Editorial Note: Debra Boyle is a Learning Specialist and Cognitive Developer working to assist students of all ages
through difficult areas of education. Her work has been tried with students and then modified as she sees their response to
worksheets, short stories, etc. during the last 22 years (since 1992). While she works individually on a tutorial basis or
small groups, her graphics and content is aimed at simplifying concepts to best transfer learning for all students. Boyle
holds a Master's degree in psychology and specializes in observing and discovering ways in which students learn easiest.
She also employs graphics that are both helpful and motivational.
(https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/store/debra-a-boyle-med)
Into Oblivion: The Preventable Collapse of the University of the Arts
Andrew Hanna
Independently Published
9781955144148, $39.99, HC, 250pp
Amazon
https://www.amazon.com/Into-Oblivion-Preventable-Collapse-University/dp/1955144141
Barnes & Noble
https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/into-oblivion-andrew-hanna/1148667170
Synopsis: With the publication of "Into Oblivion: The Preventable Collapse of the University of the Arts", Andrew Hanna
provides a gripping investigation into the sudden downfall of one of Philadelphia's oldest cultural and educational
institutions. Once celebrated as a hub for creativity and innovation, the University of the Arts (UARTS) closed its doors
abruptly in 2024, leaving students, faculty, and alumni stunned.
But this collapse was not inevitable -- it was preventable.
Drawing on more than a year of intensive research, Hanna uncovers the hidden decisions, financial missteps, and
administrative failures that pushed UARTS toward insolvency. From questionable donations and mounting debt, to missed
opportunities for enrollment growth, to leadership strategies that echoed failed models elsewhere, Hanna pieces together a
story of mismanagement and neglect.
Far from a dry financial audit, "Into Oblivion" offers a vivid narrative of how misaligned priorities and poor
communication can unravel even the most historic of institutions. Through careful documentation, it reveals how the
warning signs - ignored faculty concerns, unsustainable tuition strategies, and opaque capital campaigns - were visible
years before the final announcement.
More than an institutional autopsy, "Into Oblivion" asks urgent questions about the future of higher education. How do
universities balance mission and survival? What role should transparency and accountability play in nonprofit governance?
And how can communities safeguard the schools that shape culture and opportunity?
For alumni, educators, policymakers, and anyone concerned with the state of higher education, "Into Oblivion" offers both
a case study and a cautionary tale. It is an essential read for understanding not just how one university collapsed, but what
its demise means for the future of creative and academic institutions across the nation.
Critique: A seminal and groundbreaking study, "Into Oblivion: The Preventable Collapse of the University of the Arts" is
as informative as it is fascinating. Of immense interest with readers concerned with the financial state of colleges and
universities, "Into Oblivion" is a meticulous, detailed, and exhaustive study that is impressively 'reader friendly' in
organization and presentation. While especially and unreservedly recommended for personal, professional, community,
and college/university library Arts Sustainability and College/University Financing collections and supplemental
curriculum studies lists, it should be noted that this hardcover edition of "Into Oblivion" is also readily available in
paperback (9781955144155, $29.95).
Editorial Note: Andrew Hanna is a graduate student pursuing concurrent degrees in aerospace and electrical engineering.
Alongside his academic work, he has developed a strong interest in institutional accountability, financial transparency, and
the social impacts of organizational collapse.
The American History Shelf
Given No Choice: A History of Abortion Rights
Cody McDevitt
https://codymcdevitt.com
Independently Published
9798994112625, $29.99, HC, 416pp
Amazon
https://www.amazon.com/Given-No-Choice-History-Abortion/dp/B0GTL4D1WB
Barnes & Noble
https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/given-no-choice-cody-mcdevitt/1149817844
Synopsis: With the publication of "Given No Choice: A History of Abortion Rights", journalist and author Cody McDevitt
provides a sweeping narrative history of abortion rights in America that ranges from whispered remedies and underground
networks, to the legal battles, activists, and political forces that shaped modern reproductive freedom.
For more than a century, the fight for abortion access has been told in fragments -- court cases, headlines, protests, and
political battles that rarely capture the human story underneath. "Given No Choice" brings those pieces together. Drawing
on archival research, rare interviews, oral histories, legislative transcripts, and firsthand accounts, McDevitt weaves an
urgent, intimate, and deeply human history of how abortion rights were won, lost, and defended across generations.
From midwives and discreet physicians operating in the shadows, to the women forced into dangerous decisions, to the
organizers and attorneys who risked livelihoods to challenge the law, "Given No Choice" lays bare the truth: abortion in
America has never been just a medical issue -- it has always been a struggle for autonomy, dignity, and power.
Inside this groundbreaking book, readers will discover:
The hidden networks that allowed women to access abortions long before Roe v. Wade
How politicians, judges, and religious movements reshaped reproductive law
The real stories of women harmed (and sometimes saved) by the choices available to them
The rise of the anti-abortion movement and the strategies it still uses today
Exclusive interviews with doctors, activists, legal experts who witnessed the fight firsthand
What the post-Roe landscape reveals about the future of reproductive freedom
Deftly blending investigative journalism with narrative nonfiction, "Given No Choice" offers a definitive, unflinching
account of one of the most consequential civil rights battles of our time. "Given No Choice" is a vital book for anyone who
wants to understand how we got here -- and what comes next.
Critique: A seminal and groundbreaking cultural, political, and medical history of American abortion law and practices,
"Given No Choice: A History of Abortion Rights" by journalist Cody McDevitt is a meticulously presented, impressively
informative, and definitive study of one of America's most divisive and politicized social issues today. A fascinating and
unreservedly recommended addition to personal, professional, community, and college/university library Abortion/Birth
Control collections and supplemental curriculum studies lists. It should be note for students, academia, political activists,
and non-specialist general readers with an interest in the subject that this hardcover edition of "Given No Choice" that it is
also available in paperback (9798994112618, $22.99) and in a digital book format (Kindle, $9.99).
Editorial Note: Cody McDevitt (https://codymcdevitt.com) is an award-winning journalist, historian, playwright, and
author known for bringing overlooked and complex histories to life. His previous books include Banished from Johnstown,
a deeply reported history of racial expulsion in Western Pennsylvania, and Pittsburgh Drinks, a cultural history of the
region's cocktail and spirits scene. McDevitt's journalism and nonfiction writing combine investigative depth with
narrative storytelling, illuminating the human experiences behind major social and legal shifts. Alongside his books, he is
developing plays and screenplays based on true events, including the stories of Dr. Aleck Bourne, Joan Malleson, and the
Rosedale Banishment. He shares ongoing research and commentary through his newsletter, Repro Rights Now, and
continues to work on new book, theatre, and film projects.
America, But Bigger
Mark Kawar
Independently Published
https://americabutbigger.com
9798901741689, $19.99 PB, $9.99 Kindle, 409pp
Synopsis: In his first term, President Donald Trump privately raised an idea so far outside the Washington mainstream that
it shocked his inner circle. His advisers couldn't be sure at first whether he was joking or serious. Trump wanted the United
States to buy the island of Greenland. Aides were confused, then skeptical, until Trump made it clear that he was entirely
serious. He grew increasingly excited at the prospect of making the largest real estate deal of his career. It would be
America's first territorial expansion in the 21st century. Adding the world's largest island would make America the
second-largest country in the world, overtaking Canada. Borders that had seemed fixed would move again. In the republic's
early years, it grew by repeatedly buying, negotiating for, and conquering territory. So why, Trump asked, couldn't
America do it again?
Trump ended his first term in 2021 without any noticeable progress toward acquiring Greenland, and for a time, the
episode was mostly forgotten. But it made Mark Kawar wonder: What other foreign lands could have been added to the
United States? Why did America annex some places but not others? And what would the U.S. look like today if it had
gained all of the territory it could have?
Mark decided to make a post on Reddit. It would have been a map showing all of the potential annexations in America's
history. He expected it would take me about 20 minutes. He shaded today's U.S. territory in blue, and possible land
acquisitions in red.
So first, Mark colored Greenland red. Then added red to Canada and Mexico, since both have been targets of numerous
attempted land grabs. That created a large, contiguous, colored area over North America. Then he shaded Cuba, an island
in America's sights for most of the 19th century and into the 20th. And the Philippines, on the other side of the Pacific,
which the U.S. annexed but later granted its independence.
Mark also found that he would need to add all of the far-flung islands that the U.S. once claimed around the world, which
are now part of other countries. That would put little red dots across multiple oceans (plus some blue dots for the territories
that the U.S. took and kept). The map was starting to fill up. This was a bigger project than he had expected. The more
research he did, the more annexation targets he learned about: Russian Arctic islands, part of Malaysia, the Dominican
Republic, and Haiti. The red was creeping across the globe!
Mark's text accompanying the map kept growing, too, as he added more historical details. But it all remained a draft. He
couldn't post anything because there was more information he needed to include. He kept learning more stories of potential
annexations: Indonesia, Ecuador, Taiwan. The more rabbit holes Mark went down, the more history he unearthed:
America's possible annexations have been vast.
Mark had been reading about history and geography all his life, but he was surprised at how many stories he was learning
about for the first time. There was enough history here to fill a book. So he wrote "America, But Bigger".
Whether seeking natural resources, trade wealth, military advantage, slavery, humanitarian goals, or just the thrill of
conquest, both Americans and foreigners have engaged in an almost continuous effort to expand U.S. borders for over 250
years. Manifest Destiny was a 19th-century phrase, but American expansionism predates the Declaration of
Independence.
Since its founding, America has successfully acquired territory that had been held by the United Kingdom (and its
Canadian colonies), France, Spain, Mexico, Russia, independent Hawaii, Samoa, Denmark, and Japan, as well as
numerous Native nations. That's how the country grew from 13 colonies hugging the Atlantic coast to 50 states and 14
territories spanning the globe today. "America, But Bigger" isn't about the lands the nation acquired and still possesses. It's
about the might-have-beens: the annexation attempts that would have changed the size, culture, politics, and demographics
of the country (dramatically or minutely) if they had succeeded.
I learned from my research that these attempted annexations have included the territory of at least 40 of the modern
countries of the world (maybe over 60, depending on what you count). That's at least one in five countries that would be
smaller today - or not exist at all - if the annexationists had succeeded. Some of the lands were sought through war, some
by diplomacy, some by exploration. Some, like Trump's interest in Greenland, were attempted purchases. Some places had
populations that welcomed Uncle Sam's embrace or even asked to join the Union. Others tenaciously fought American
advances. Others had no population at all. Some territories were taken and then let go again, like fish caught and then
released back into the sea. Either they steadfastly resisted annexation, or America lost interest. The histories of these
unsuccessful expansions include tales of bravery, greed, altruism, hubris, racism, hucksterism, and larger-than-life
characters. They are America's history in microcosm.
Critique: "America, But Bigger" by Mark Kawar is an original, seminal, meticulous, and groundbreaking study of an
aspect of American political and imperial history that is not taught in school. It may shock the reader to learn that Donald
Trump's talk about possible going to war to against the Danish in order to obtain Greenland, or his declaration that after
kidnaping the President of Venezuela that he was now in charge of that country, is well in line with the history of
American expansion efforts -- some of which succeed and some of which failed. A unique, fascinating, informative and
iconoclastic read from start to finish, "America, But Bigger" is an extraordinary and unreservedly recommended pick for
personal, professional, community, and college/university library American History collections and supplemental
curriculum studies lists.
Editorial Note: Mark Kawar offers his online Annexation Blog which is available online at:
https://americabutbigger.com/annexation-blog
Delaware Keepers: Life at the Edge of the Sea
Dave Tabler, author
Regina Higgins, editor
Independently Published
9798992166767, $36.99, HC, 224pp
Amazon
https://www.amazon.com/Delaware-Keepers-Life-Edge-Sea/dp/B0G8S3YZCX
Barnes & Noble
https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/delaware-keepers-dave-tabler/1148984774
Synopsis: For more than 170 years, Delaware's lighthouse keepers guarded one of the most dangerous coastlines in
America. Their lives unfolded far from the spotlight, yet their work shaped maritime safety, coastal communities, and
generations of families who lived at the edge of the sea.
With the publication of "Delaware Keepers: Life at the Edge of the Sea", author Dave Tabler tells the largely untold story
of these men and women-from the first keeper appointed in 1769 to the quiet end of human watchkeeping in the
mid-twentieth century. Drawing on newspapers, government records, congressional testimony, and family histories, the
book reveals lighthouse keepers not as lonely eccentrics or tragic figures, but as skilled federal employees whose lives
blended technical responsibility, civic duty, and family endurance.
The story begins at Cape Henlopen during the colonial era, when keepers worked under primitive conditions amid political
upheaval. During the Revolutionary War, Elizabeth Dickerson reportedly burned the lighthouse rather than allow it to
guide British ships. In the early republic, keepers like Abraham Hargis pleaded with President Thomas Jefferson for relief
from isolation and financial hardship, exposing the human cost of maintaining the nation's coastal lights.
As lighthouse construction accelerated in the nineteenth century, so did the challenges. New technologies, inadequate
training, and bureaucratic neglect left many keepers struggling. Reform came in 1852 with the creation of the U.S.
Lighthouse Board, which professionalized the service and reshaped daily life at the stations. The Civil War tested that
system, while producing a generation of keepers-often war veterans-who elevated the role's public standing.
Contrary to the popular myth of light keeper isolation, most keepers lived stable lives rooted in family and community.
They raised children, joined churches and civic groups, and served for decades at the same stations. When tragedy struck,
it stemmed from specific circumstances, not inevitable madness. "Delaware Keepers: Life at the Edge of the Sea" replaces
legend with lived reality.
This maritime history also gives voice to lighthouse families. Hannah Hill's 1950 congressional testimony reveals decades
of sacrifice-dragging boats across ice, losing children at remote stations, and keeping lights burning alone during
illness-offering a rare account of life beyond official records.
The final chapters follow the profession's disappearance as automation replaced human watchfulness and the Lighthouse
Service merged into the Coast Guard in 1939. Abandoned stations were dismantled, their materials scattered, and much of
Delaware's lighthouse heritage nearly erased. Preservation efforts emerged only decades later, led by descendants,
educators, and local advocates determined to save both structures and stories.
Critique: A seminal, meticulous, comprehensive, and simply fascinating maritime history, "Delaware Keepers: Life at the
Edge of the Sea" by Dave Tabler (and with the editorial assistance of Regina Higgins), is a unique and unreservedly
recommended pick for personal, professional, community, and college/university library American Maritime History
collections and supplemental curriculum studies lists. Exceptionally well written, organized and presented, it should be
noted for students, academia, and readers with an interest in lighthouses and their history that this hardcover edition of
"Delaware Keepers: Life at the Edge of the Sea" is also readily available in a digital book format (Kindle, $9.99).
Editorial Note #1: Dave Tabler is a Delaware-focused author using his University of Maryland degrees in art history and
photojournalism to examine and explore the first state's rich history and publish works of his findings. He also manages
AppalachianHistory.net
Editorial Note #2: Regina Higgins (https://reginahiggins.wordpress.com) is a writer and editor living in Lexington,
Kentucky. She has more than twenty years of experience working with writers, publishers, universities, and nonprofits
universities, and nonprofits. Along the way, she has been a college teacher, a university administrator, and an outreach
director. But most of all, She's a worker with words and a gifted storyteller.
The World History Shelf
The Ancient Near East, Greece and Rome: A Brief History
Jack L. Schwartzwald
McFarland & Company
https://mcfarlandbooks.com
9780786478064, $39.95, PB, 232pp
Amazon
https://www.amazon.com/Ancient-Near-East-Greece-Rome/dp/0786478063
McFarland & Company
https://mcfarlandbooks.com/product/the-ancient-near-east-greece-and-rome
Synopsis: "The Ancient Near East, Greece and Rome: A Brief History" by Jack L. Schwartzwald offers a concise survey of
Western Civilization from the Stone Age through the fall of the last Western Roman Emperor in AD 476.
Each of the three sections comprising "The Ancient Near East, Greece and Rome: A Brief History" succinctly chronicles a
critical epoch in human history.
Section I encompasses man's ascent from barbarism to civilization in the Ancient Near East; Section II witnesses the
development of Western Civilization in Ancient Greece; and Section III catalogs the failed attempt to build the West's first
"nation-state" in Ancient Rome. Human foibles are abundantly portrayed but so too is the ascent of humankind.
Critique: Exceptionally well written, concise, and thoroughly 'reader friendly' in organization and presentation, "The
Ancient Near East, Greece and Rome: A Brief History" by Professor Jack L. Schwartzwald is an extraordinary and firmly
recommended pick for personal reading lists, as well as community and college/university library Antiquarian History
collections and supplemental curriculum studies lists. As an ideal introduction to the history of the Near East, Greece and
Rome, it should be noted for students, academia, and non-specialist general readers with an interest in the subject that this
paperback edition of "Jack L. Schwartzwald" from McFarland & Company is also readily available in a digital book format
(Kindle, $18.99).
Editorial Note: Jack L. Schwartzwald is a clinical assistant professor of medicine at Brown University's Warren Alpert
School of Medicine. There is an online listing of his books at Goodreaders:
https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/5860598.Jack_L_Schwartzwald
The Quest for the Hittites: Uncovering a Forgotten Civilization
Fausto Labruto
McFarland & Company
https://mcfarlandbooks.com
9781476692395, $35.99, PB, 198pp
Amazon
https://www.amazon.com/Quest-Hittites-Uncovering-Forgotten-Civilization/dp/1476692394
McFarland & Company
https://mcfarlandbooks.com/product/the-quest-for-the-hittites
Synopsis: The Hittites, one of the most powerful peoples of the ancient Near East, successfully challenged all other
nations, including almighty Egypt, from their Anatolian stronghold. Then, their empire collapsed, was consigned to
oblivion, and lay forgotten.
Three thousand years later, a motley group of scholars, archaeologists, and adventurers rediscovered the Hittites in an
enterprise spanning a century and weaving through the worlds of German kaisers, Turkish sultans, and even the Nazis.
"The Quest for the Hittites: Uncovering a Forgotten Civilization" by Fausto Labruto is the history of the rediscovery of the
Hittites. It's a true story packed with intrigue and played out against a compelling historical backdrop. It involves colorful
characters like an explorer fluent in 29 languages and an archaeologist who slept in royal tombs, along with Victorian
historians, cuneiform experts, code-crackers, and grave robbers. These unlikely sleuths uncovered the very roots of the
Hittite Empire.
Critique: An ideal introduction to the people and events related to the archaeological discovery of the ancient Hittite
empire, "The Quest for the Hittites: Uncovering a Forgotten Civilization" is a simply fascinating read from start to finish.
An impressively informative work of meticulous scholarship throughout, "The Quest for the Hittites" is enhanced for the
reader's benefit with the inclusion of a four page Introduction to the subject, as well as a three page Epilogue, ten pages of
Chapter Notes, an eight page Bibliography, and a four page Index. Thoroughly 'reader friendly' in organization and
presentation, "The Quest for the Hittites" is an impressive and unreservedly recommended addition to community and
college/university library Ancient History and Archeological collections in general, as well as supplemental Hittite
curriculum 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 this paperback edition of "The Quest for the Hittites" from
McFarland & Company" is also available in a digital book format (Kindle, $25.99).
Editorial Note: Based in Australia, Fausto Labruto is a medical doctor, associate professor of radiology, independent
researcher in history, and web educator in the field of ancient languages.
Stay Alive: Berlin, 1939-1945
Ian Buruma
The Penguin Press
c/o Penguin Group (USA)
www.penguin.com
9780593654347, $35.00, HC, 400pp
Amazon
https://www.amazon.com/dp/059365434X
Barnes & Noble
https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/stay-alive-ian-buruma/1147669576
Synopsis: In 1939, when Professor Ian Buruma's epic "Stay Alive: Berlin, 1939-1945" opens, Berlin has been under Nazi
rule for six years, and its 4.3 million people have (more or less) made their accommodations to the regime. When war
broke out with Poland in September, what was most striking at first was how little changed. Unless you were Jewish. Then
life, already hard, was soon to get unfathomably worse.
In this history of World War II Germany, Professor Buruma gives tender attention to the Jewish experience in Berlin
during the war, weaving its thread into the broader fabric of this marvelously rich and vivid mosaic of urban life. The
distillation of a broad-gauged reckoning with a vast trove of primary sources, including a surprising number of interviews
with living survivors, this history is a study in extremes -- depravity and resilience, moral blindness and moral courage,
pious bigotry and unchecked hedonism.
By 1943, with the German defeat at Stalingrad, ordinary life in Berlin would acquire an increasingly desperate cast. The
last three years of the war in Berlin are truly a descent into hell, with a deranged regime in desperate free fall, an
increasingly relentless pounding from Allied bombers, and the mounting dread of the approaching Soviet army. The
common greeting of Berliners was now not "Auf wiedersehen" or "Heil Hitler" but "Bleiben Sie ubrig" - "Stay alive." And
by war's end Berlin's population had fallen by almost half.
Among the people trying to stay alive in the city was Professor Buruma's own father, a Dutch student conscripted into
forced labor in the war economy along with 400,000 other imported workers. Buruma gives due weight to his and their
experiences, which give this history a very special added dimension. This is a history resonate with tenderness and genuine
heroism, but it is by no means sentimental: again and again we see that most people do not do the hard thing most of the
time. Most people go along. It's a lesson that has not lost its timeliness.
Critique: Unique, original, and a seminal, groundbreaking study, "Stay Alive: Berlin, 1939-1945" by Professor Ian Buruma
is an extraordinary and invaluable contribution to the growing library of World War II histories. With its focus on life in
Berlin throughout the war under the totalitarian rule of the Nazis that was so brutal and deadly that the city's population
was cut in half by the end of the war. Enhanced for the reader's benefit with the inclusion of a five page Introduction, a two
page listing of Acknowledgments, twenty-two pages of Notes, numerous B/W images, and a fourteen page Index, "Stay
Alive: Berlin, 1939-1945" is an extraordinary, deftly crafted, massively researched, and unreservedly recommended
addition to personal, professional, community, and college/university library World War II/Germany History collections
and supplemental curriculum studies lists. It should be noted for students, academia, and non-specialist general readers
with an interest in the subject that this hardcover edition of "Stay Alive: Berlin, 1939-1945" from Penguin Press is also
readily available in a digital book format (Kindle, $14.99).
Editorial Note: Ian Buruma was born in the Netherlands. He studied Chinese at Leiden University and cinema at Nihon
University, Tokyo. He has lived and worked in Tokyo, Hong Kong, London, and New York. He is a regular contributor to
Harper's and The New Yorker and writes monthly columns for Project Syndicate. He is a professor at Bard College and
lives in New York City. (https://www.bookseriesinorder.com/ian-buruma)
The Military History Shelf
Thunder Over Normandy
Joseph T. Molyson, Jr.
Stackpole Books
c/o Globe Pequot
https://www.globepequot.com
9780811777780, $34.95, HC, 352pp
Amazon
https://www.amazon.com/Thunder-Over-Normandy-Allied-Liberate/dp/0811777782
Barnes & Noble
https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/thunder-over-normandy-joseph-t-molyson-jr/1147495572
Synopsis: By June 1944, Allied air forces were ready to unleash hell on the Germans in occupied France. Massive numbers
of bombers and fighters had been assembled in the United Kingdom, as well as more than one million troops poised to
invade the continent.
With the publication of "Thunder Over Normandy", Joseph T. Molyson, Jr. tells the story of the air campaign that began on
D-Day, June 6, 1944, and culminated in the liberation of France -- one of the largest, most complex, and most successful
aerial operations in history.
In April 1944, Allied air forces in Europe (including the vaunted U.S. Eighth Air Force and RAF Bomber Command) were
placed under Dwight Eisenhower's Supreme Headquarters Allied Expeditionary Force and given a twofold mission to lay
the groundwork for D-Day: destroy the Luftwaffe's battle strength and isolate Normandy from reinforcements. American
and British heavy bombers completed these tasks with devastating effectiveness.
D-Day began with the midnight launching of 1,200 transports to drop American and British paratroopers and gliders
behind enemy lines in Normandy. In a monumental effort, the U.S. 82nd and 101st Airborne Divisions landed behind Utah
Beach and fought for towns like Carentan; the British 6th Airborne seized Pegasus Bridge and other crossings near Caen.
Toward dawn, 1,000 bombers hammered German positions along the coast, just ahead of the troops who stormed the
beaches.
As the fighting moved inland during the next two months, Allied fighters and fighter-bombers swarmed in to provide close
support for the ground forces slogging through the hedgerows of Normandy. The bombers continued to strike German
industry, but priority was now given to destroying V-1 and V-2 rocket sites as part of Operation Crossbow. Bombers were
also used tactically in conjunction with ground operations, including the heavy bombardment that preceded the breakout
from Normandy in late July.
By the time Paris was liberated in August 1944, air power (numbering thousands of sorties, hundreds of thousands of tons
of bombs) had contributed mightily to Allied victory. "Thunder Over Normandy" accurately details the air operations that
made this happen, from thundering bomb runs and low-level strafing attacks to paratrooper drops, glider flights, and
wheeling dogfights with the Luftwaffe.
During the summer of 1944, as this stirring account vividly shows, the Allies were truly masters of the air.
Critique: Enhanced with B/W illustrations, "Thunder Over Normand" is an impressively presented work of meticulous
research that is a critically important and unreservedly recommended addition to personal, professional, community, and
college/university library World War II Aviation/Combat collections and supplemental curriculum studies lists. Along with
a profusion of maps and tables, "Thunder Over Normand" features five Appendices, a one page listing of
Acknowledgments, twenty-four pages of Notes, and a fifteen page Bibliography. A seminal and groundbreaking
contribution to the history of combat aviation in the European Theatre of World War II, it should be noted for students,
academia, military aviation buff, and non-specialist general readers with an interest in the subject that this hardcover
edition of "Thunder Over Normand" from Stackpole Books is also readily available in a digital book format (Kindle,
$22.99).
Editorial Note: Joseph T. Molyson, Jr. is a thirty-year U.S. Air Force veteran who spent most of his service in intelligence
and retired as a colonel. His previous books are Six Air Forces over the Atlantic (Stackpole) and Air Battles before D-Day
(Stackpole).
The Civil War History Shelf
Mollie Brumley's Civil War
Theodore Catton
University of Oklahoma Press
www.oupress.com
9780806196503, $32.95, HC, 240pp
Amazon
https://www.amazon.com/Mollie-Brumleys-Civil-War-Surviving/dp/0806196505
Barnes & Noble
https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/mollie-brumleys-civil-war-theodore-catton/1148299014
Synopsis: Mollie Brumley was a thirteen-year-old orphan and living on a farm in the mountainous Ozarks of northwest
Arkansas when the Civil War broke out. In a borderland region on the northern periphery of slavery and the western edge
of white settlement, her corner of Arkansas saw terrible destruction -- but not primarily from fighting between opposing
armies.
Mollie Brumley's Civil War was one of guerrilla warfare and outlawry, shifting loyalties, betrayals real and imagined, and,
for some, death by starvation. In telling Mollie's story (and drawing largely upon her 1902 autobiography), with the
publication of "Mollie Brumley's Civil War: Surviving the Guerrilla War in Arkansas", author and historian Theodore
Catton offers a rare, intimate look at the heroism and desperation of war conducted on the home front -- all amidst the
anything-but-ordinary romantic adventures of an adolescent who lived during an extraordinary time.
In the course of this riveting narrative, Mollie (while still in her teens) falls in love with one Confederate soldier who is
lost in battle, marries another who joins the Rebel guerrillas, and leaves the farm to become an army laundress during
escalating guerrilla depredations against her home and family.
Intertwined with Mollie's tale is that of Parthenia Hensley, an enslaved young woman living in the same rural community.
The story of Parthenia and her white family of enslavers broadens Catton's portrait of a war-torn community of farmers on
the edge of the Slave South.
An unprecedented picture of the Civil War in the Trans-Mississippi West, "Mollie Brumley's Civil War: Surviving the
Guerrilla War in Arkansas" is also a remarkable coming-of-age story shaped by the fight against slavery -- a fight that
Mollie didn't choose but that finally influenced the person she became and the outcome of her life.
Critique: A unique and very special contribution to the growing library of American Civil War History/Biography
collections, "Mollie Brumley's Civil War: Surviving the Guerrilla War in Arkansas" is an extraordinary and seminal work
of meticulous scholarship and gifted storytelling. Informatively enhanced for the reader's benefit with the inclusion of a six
page Introduction, eighteen pages of Notes, and a five page Index, "Mollie Brumley's Civil War: Surviving the Guerrilla
War in Arkansas" is especially and unreservedly recommended addition to personal, professional, community, and
college/university library American Civil War/Biography collections and supplemental American Civil War curriculum
studies lists. It should be noted for students, academia, Civil War buffs, and non-specialist general readers with an interest
in the subject that this hardcover edition of Theodore Catton's "Mollie Brumley's Civil War: Surviving the Guerrilla War in
Arkansas" from the University of Oklahoma Press is also available in a digital book format (Kindle, $21.95).
Editorial Note: Theodore Catton is a public historian, independent scholar, historical consultant, and faculty affiliate in the
Department of History at the University of Montana.
This Great Contest Afloat
Neil P. Chatelain
Savas Beatie LLC
www.savasbeatie.com
9781611217773, $16.95, PB, 192pp
Amazon
https://www.amazon.com/This-Great-Contest-Afloat-Coastline/dp/1611217776
Barnes & Noble
https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/this-great-contest-afloat-neil-p-chatelain/1148428266
Synopsis: "History offers no example where so much was accomplished in so short a time, or where so many events were
crowded into the space of four years, in which the Navy was employed subduing a coast over four thousand miles in
length, and recapturing a river-coast of more than five thousand miles," wrote Rear Admiral David Dixon Porter in his
1886 The Naval History of the Civil War.
Porter's words demonstrate the true scale of the war's naval activity. Thousands of ships took part, fighting battles
alongside the armies and patrolling the globe. The actions of more than 100,000 sailors on both sides impacted military,
naval, economic, and diplomatic aspects, all while providing the tools to realize the Anaconda Plan of isolating and
splitting the Confederacy.
Unlike the army dividing its efforts into the Eastern, Western, and Trans-Mississippi theaters, the Civil War's naval forces
fought in four distinct theaters of conflict. The offshore blockade was an economic and logistical campaign waged to
determine whether Southern armies would remain properly supplied.
Sailors enacting that blockade worked in tandem with armies to assault cities and coastal areas to deny the Confederacy its
ports and coastal infrastructure, while Confederate sailors fought to both break the blockade and keep control of its
ports.
Meanwhile, fleets on both sides battled for control over the Mississippi River Valley in an effort to cleave off the
Trans-Mississippi Theater from the rest of the Confederacy.
Finally, an economic and diplomatic war was waged across the oceans, where Southern privateers and commerce raiders
prowled for Federal merchant ships.
With the publication of "This Great Contest Afloat: The Civil War on the Seas, Coastline, Rivers, and Oceans", historian
and academician Neil P. Chatelain unpacks each of these naval theaters. Using prolific firsthand accounts merged with
keen macro analysis, Professor Chatelain invites his readers to board blockade-runners, tread the beaches during coastal
assaults, ride on riverine ironclads, and sail on targeted merchant vessels, all the while demonstrating the extent and impact
of Civil War naval activity.
Critique: Featuring B/W illustrations throughout, "This Great Contest Afloat: The Civil War on the Seas, Coastline,
Rivers, and Oceans" by Professor Neil P. Chatelain is an extraordinary work of meticulous historical scholarship and an
unreservedly recommended addition to personal, professional, community, and college/university American Civil War
History collections and supplemental curriculum studies lists. Informatively enhanced for the reader's benefit with the
inclusion of maps, three Appendices (African American Sailors; Naval Organizations; Visiting Naval Sites); and a two
page listing of Suggested Readings, "This Great Contest Afloat: The Civil War on the Seas, Coastline, Rivers, and Oceans"
from Savas Beatie is also available in a digital book format (Kindle, $10.99).
Editorial Note: Neil P. Chatelain (https://www.neilpchatelain.com) is an associate professor of history at Lone Star College
- North Harris and vice president of Emerging Civil War. A former U.S. Navy Surface Warfare Officer, his book Treasure
and Empire in the Civil War: The Panama Route, the West and the Campaigns to Control America's Mineral Wealth won
the A.M. Pate Jr. Award in Civil War History.
The Health/Medicine Shelf
From Patient to Advocate
Tim McDonald
Independently Published
9798246377079, $17.99, PB, 180pp
Amazon
https://www.amazon.com/Patient-Advocate-Survivorship-Healthcare-Advocates/dp/B0GL3BQMH6
Synopsis: When Tim McDonald was diagnosed with stage IV colorectal cancer in 2020, he thought his life was over.
Instead, it became the beginning of something far more powerful.
Five years later, Tim serves on patient advisory councils for multiple national organizations, influences medical research,
shapes healthcare policy, and has helped save dozens of lives through screening awareness. "From Patient to Advocate:
Turning Survivorship into Impact: A Healthcare Advocate's Guide" is the roadmap he wishes he'd had.
"From Patient to Advocate" is the first comprehensive guide to healthcare advocacy for patients, survivors, and the
organizations that support them. Whether you are newly diagnosed, years into survivorship, or supporting someone with a
chronic illness, this DIY instructional guide will show you how to channel your experience into meaningful change.
"From Patient to Advocate" presents:
The four distinct forms of advocacy, and which one fits your strengths and situation
How to build credibility without formal medical credentials or training
Strategies for avoiding burnout while maintaining long-term impact
How organizations can authentically engage patient advocates as true partners
Real stories from advocates who transformed their experience into lasting influence
Your experience as a patient isn't something to overcome, it's your greatest asset for creating change. "From Patient to
Advocate" shows you how to:
Navigate the advocacy landscape and find your place
Work effectively with healthcare organizations, research institutions, and policymakers
Balance advocacy work with your health, treatment, and personal life
Measure and communicate your impact
Build sustainable advocacy practices that last
With the publication of "From Patient to Advocate", Tim McDonald draws upon 17 years of community management
experience and 5 years of healthcare advocacy work to create a truly practical and strategic guide. His roles include
Research Advocate with Fight Colorectal Cancer, Florida Chapter Leader for Man Up To Cancer, and positions on patient
advisory councils for HOPA and PAN Foundation.
Critique: Exceptionally well written, informed and informative, as well as extraordinarily 'reader friendly' in organization
and presentation, Tim McDonald's DIY 'how to" manual, "From Patient to Advocate: Turning Survivorship into Impact: A
Healthcare Advocate's Guide" is essential and an impressive compendium of 'real world' practical information pick for the
personal reading lists of medical professionals and non-specialist general readers having to deal with cancer (physically,
emotionally, mentally) afflicting themselves, a loved one, or a patient. It is especially and unreservedly recommended for
professional, community, and college/university library Medical/Health collections and supplemental Cancer Treatment
curriculum studies lists.
Editorial Note: There is an extensive onine listing of books by Tim McDonald at Goodreads:
https://www.goodreads.com/author/list/3123007.Tim_McDonald
The Cookbook Shelf
Taste of Home What Can I Bring?: Vol. 2
Taste of Home (Editor)
Trusted Media Brands
https://www.trustedmediabrands.com
https://www.tasteofhome.com
9798889771715, $22.99, PB, 320pp
Amazon
https://www.amazon.com/What-Can-Bring-Vol-Entertaining/dp/B0FCDDMZ42
Barnes & Noble
https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/taste-of-home-what-can-i-bring-vol-2-taste-of-home/1148980788
Synopsis: Wondering what dish to bring to your next big family or church gathering? "What Can I Bring?: Vol 2" from the
folks at Taste of Home is comprised of more than 300 recipes specifically tailored for potlucks, bake sales, church suppers,
and every bring-a-dish occasion. Whether you are hosting a backyard barbecue or attending a family reunion, this
compendium of 'kitchen cook friendly' recipes ensure you'll always have the perfect contribution at your fingertips.
"What Can I Bring?: Vol 2" is packed with 300+ illustrated recipes especially designed for potlucks bake sales and
gatherings and includes appetizers entrees slow cooker dishes desserts and more. It also features crowd-pleasing recipes
that are easy to transport and serve. Of special note are the handy tips to helping keep dishes fresh and organized for any
occasion -- making this a cookbook resources that is ideal for menu planning when it comes to parties, picnics and
potlucks!
Critique: With its 300+ recipes deftly organized into sections that include Snacks & Appetizers; Breakfast or Brunch; Main
Dishes; Sides & Salads; Big-Batch Dinners; Slow-Cooker Sensations; The Sweetest Treats; and No-Bake Cookies &
Treats, "What Can I Bring?: Vol 2" wonderfully showcases palate pleasing, appetite satisfying contributions to any and
every group dining occasion. A practical and unreservedly recommended pick for personal, professional, and community
library cookbook collections, it should be noted that "What Can I Bring?: Vol 2" is also readily available from Taste of
Home in a digital book format (Kindle, $14.99).
Editorial Note: Taste of Home (https://www.tasteofhome.com) is America's #1 food/lifestyle brand, inspiring togetherness
through cooking, baking and entertaining. Featuring recipes shared by today's home cooks, Taste of Home magazine has
hundreds of thousands of subscribers throughout North America and publishes best-selling cookbooks and newsstand
specials. The brand's web site is a top destination, featuring kitchen-tested recipes, how-to techniques, cooking videos and
more.
Super-Simple Comfort Foods
Gooseberry Patch (Author)
Gooseberry Patch (Publisher)
https://www.gooseberrypatch.com
c/o The Globe Pequot Press
https://www.globepequot.com
9781620936139, $18.95, Spiral Comb Binding, 224pp
Amazon
https://www.amazon.com/Super-Simple-Comfort-Foods-Gooseberry-Patch/dp/1620936135
Barnes & Noble
https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/super-simple-comfort-foods-gooseberry-patch/1146806211
Synopsis: "Super-Simple Comfort Foods" from Gooseberry Patch is a compendium of recipes for favorite dishes that are
seen as comfort foods that just seem to warm the heart and soul. But with work, school and other activities, meal planning
based on comfort foods can be a challenge! If you've been wanting to serve delicious home-cooked meals more often, then
"Super-Simple Comfort Foods" is your cookbook of choice.
"Super-Simple Comfort Foods" showcases 260 of the tastiest, most comforting recipes for every occasion dining occasion
-- formal or informal. For example -- Creamy Vanilla French Toast that gets any day off to a bright start. For lunchtime or
anytime, serving up Copycat Cheeseburger Soup -- it's like a hug in a bowl! The pair it with Simple Classic Coleslaw, or
Caramel Apple Salad for everyone's sweet tooth.
For dinner tonight, how about 30-Minute Skillet Lasagna...amazing! Really Delicious Meatloaf and Spicy Chicken Mac &
Cheese are sure to please, too. For the kiddies, whip up Barbecued Franks & Noodles...they'll love it! Round out dinner
with Laura's Creamy Potatoes, Aunt Bev's Baked Beans and Scalloped Sweet Corn...what a feast!
Casual meals and get-togethers are sure to be a hit with Grandpa Ed's Potato Chip Chicken Fingers, French Bread Pizza,
Quickie Meatballs and Jolly Dipping Sauce. You'll even find super-easy desserts like chocolatey Wacky Cake, Dreamy
Butter Cookies and Ice Cream Sandwich Cake.
Critique: With a 'laying it flat' spiral comb binding, and showcasing easy-to-follow DIY directions for each dish while
using familiar ingredients, plus lots of tips for making every meal extra special, "Super-Simple Comfort Foods" is
thoroughly 'kitchen cook friendly' in organization and presentation. An ideal and unreservedly recommended addition to
personal, professional, and community library cookbook collections, this edition of "Super-Simple Comfort Foods" from
Gooseberry Patch is also readily available in a digital book format (Kindle, $11.99).
Editorial Note: Gooseberry Patch was founded more than 40 years ago by Vickie Hutchins and JoAnn Martin, two moms
looking for a way to do what they loved and stay home with kids too. Gooseberry Patch is best known for their collection
of family-friendly, community-style cookbooks. Each book is created with today's time-strapped, budget conscious
families in mind and filled with recipes shared by cooks all across the country... with some from friends in Canada and
occasionally "across the pond". Along with treasured family recipes, each book includes the stories the go along with these
tried & true dishes.
Chetna's 5-Ingredient Indian: Delicious Recipes Made Easy
Chetna Makan
Hamlyn
c/o Octopus Books
https://www.octopusbooks.co.uk
9780600639763, $32.99, HC, 244pp
Amazon
https://www.amazon.com/Chetnas-5-Ingredient-Indian-Delicious-Recipes/dp/0600639762
Barnes & Noble
https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/chetnas-5-ingredient-indian-chetna-makan/1148680339
Synopsis: Cooking a delicious and authentic Indian meals from scratch doesn't have to be complicated. Not when Chetna
Makan's newest cookbook, "Chetna's 5-Ingredient Indian: Delicious Recipes Made Easy", you can make flavorful Indian
dishes with just five simple ingredients.
"Chetna's 5 Ingredient Indian" combines bold flavors and straightforward cooking methods, allowing you to enjoy
delicious Indian cuisine with minimal fuss. You will be amazed at what you can do with just five ingredients for salads,
dals and curries to snacks and desserts, these recipes are quick, simple and suited to every taste.
Featured are:
Spice blends such as Chaat Masala and Tandoori Masala to build your meals
Dals such as Palak Dal (Spinach Lentils) and Whole Masoor Dal (Brown Lentils)
Snacks such as Masala Papad and Sev (Gram Flour Noodles)
Main meals such as Cod Fish Curry and Tandoori Murg (Roast Chicken)
Critique: "Chetna's 5-Ingredient Indian: Delicious Recipes Made Easy" by Chetna Makan has two primary goals: For
family cooks to save time and money with delicious, home-cooked Indian meals that use just five ingredients and to
entertain friends and family with effortless yet impressive DIY recipes that bring an authentic taste of Indian cuisine into
home meals and other dining occasions both formal and informal. Featuring full page color photos of finished dishes,
"Chetna's 5-Ingredient Indian: Delicious Recipes Made Easy" also includes a one page listing of UK/US Terms and a four
page Index. Thoroughly 'kitchen cook friendly' in organization and presentation, "Chetna's 5-Ingredient Indian: Delicious
Recipes Made Easy" is a prized pick for personal, professional, and community library ethnic cuisine cookbook
collections. It should be noted that this hardcover edition of "Chetna's 5-Ingredient Indian: Delicious Recipes Made Easy"
from Hamlyn is also readily available in a digital book format (Kindle, $16.99).
Editorial Note: Chetna Makan (www.chetnamakan.co.uk) was born in Jabalpur in Central India. She has a degree in
fashion and worked in Mumbai as a fashion designer before moving to the UK in 2004. Chetna was part of The Great
British Bake Off in 2014 and since then has written 8 cookbooks. They range from baking, Indian street food, healthy
Indian food, vegetarian and quick Indian. She also has a very popular YouTube channel 'Food with Chetna' where she
shares her creative flair for all things cooking and baking.
Citrus, Illustrated: A Cookbook of 35 Sweet & Savory Recipes
George Geary, author
Rebecca Hollingsworth, illustrator
Chronicle Books
www.chroniclebooks.com
9781797235936, $19.95, HC, 168pp
Amazon
https://www.amazon.com/Citrus-Illustrated-Cookbook-Savory-Recipes/dp/1797235931
Barnes & Noble
https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/citrus-illustrated-george-geary/1147830161
Synopsis: From the ubiquitous navel orange to the lesser-known Fukushu kumquat to the straight-up-funky Buddha's hand
citron, citrus comes in many forms. Knowing exactly how and when to best harness their bright essences can be a
challenge -- until now.
"Citrus, Illustrated: A Cookbook of 35 Sweet & Savory Recipes" is handy little cookbook that offers a fascinating
exploration of more than 25 citrus varieties and their many uses, ranging from enriching simple dishes to the oils of the
peel and juice of the fruit.
Showcasing 35 sweet and savory recipes that will help you use up a bumper crop or make the most of the brightest fruits of
the season, the recipes comprising "Citrus, Illustrated" includes:
Mojito Tea Cake with Rum Glaze
Pink Grapefruit and Tomato Salsa
Buddha's Hand Vodka Martini
Kumquat and Pineapple Chutney
Tart Lemon Curd
and more!
Critique: Charming citrus-bright illustrations by Rebecca Hollingsworth throughout this dedicated citrus resource guide
(which is also packed with historical background on each fruit, attributes, nutritional and health benefits, availability, and
more) by George Geary is an inspiring and 'user friendly' pick for home cooks and bakers, fruit lovers, and anyone
interested in maximizing their use and enjoyment of luscious citrus fruits. "Citrus, Illustrated: A Cookbook of 35 Sweet &
Savory Recipes" is a mealtime celebration of citrus fruits inspired savory and sweet dishes and drinks, including
appetizers, salads, main dishes, sides, breads, desserts, and cocktails. While also available in a digital book format (Kindle,
$13.99), "Citrus, Illustrated: A Cookbook of 35 Sweet & Savory Recipes" is especially and unreservedly recommended for
personal, professional, family, and community library cookbook collections.
Editorial Note: George Geary (https://www.georgegeary.com) is known for creating iconic foods for the Walt Disney
Company, where he was the award-winning pastry chef for ten years, and for food on TV shows, such as the cheesecakes
on the hit show The Golden Girls. George is a sought-after speaker on legendary and landmark Hollywood restaurants.
"Citrus, Illustrated" is his seventeenth book.
Chillies: Recipes, Profiles & Inspiration
Sophie Dupuis-Gaulier
Mitchell Beazley
c/o Octopus Books
https://www.octopusbooks.co.uk
9781846016738, $29.99, HC, 208pp
Amazon
https://www.amazon.com/Chillies-Sophie-Dupuis-Gaulier/dp/1846016738
Barnes & Noble
https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/chillies-sophie-dupuis-gaulier/1148313465
Synopsis: With the publication of "Chillies: Recipes, Profiles & Inspiration" by Sophie Dupuis-Gaulier, novice family
cooks and seasoned professional chefs alike can dive into the bold, vibrant world of chilies with Chillies, with this ultimate
guide for spice lovers and culinary adventurers alike. In its pages waiting to be discovered are more than 20 varieties of
chilies, each carefully classified according to the Scoville scale, from mild to fiery hot, and learn how to incorporate their
unique flavors into your cooking.
Featuring nearly 80 irresistible recipes, "Chillies: Recipes, Profiles & Inspiration" offers a range of dishes to suit every
spice tolerance -- from the mild warmth of Basque-style piperade to the fiery heat of sausage rougail. Whether you are
hosting, cooking for yourself, or simply testing your abilities with spicier and spicier options, Chillies will provide you
with everything you need to know to make sure you get your spice levels just right.
Whether you are a fan of subtle heat or crave an explosive kick, "Chillies: Recipes, Profiles & Inspiration" will bring new
depth and excitement to your meals. It is especially relevant for those who love to experiment in the kitchen and explore
the diverse flavors of this incredible ingredient.
Critique: Profusely illustrated with full page, full color photos of various chillies and finished dishes, "Chillies: Recipes,
Profiles & Inspiration" is exceptionally well organized and 'kitchen cook friendly' in presentation. While a very special and
unreservedly recommended pick for personal, professional, and community library cookbook collections, it should be
noted that this hardcover edition of "Chillies: Recipes, Profiles & Inspiration" from Mitchell Beazley is also readily
available in a digital book format (Kindle, $16.99).
Editorial Note #1: Sophie Dupuis-Gaulier is a culinary stylist with a remarkable website at:
https://sophiedupuisgaulier.com
Editorial Note #2: Mitchell Beazley is a long established family reference publisher producing books on a wide range of
subjects including cookery, gardening, reference, natural history as well as leading the way with its award winning wine
titles and bestselling antiques books under the Miller brand. (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mitchell_Beazley)
The Parenting Shelf
Keep Your Cool: Anger Management for Parents
Olivia Tanner Greene
Parenting Potentials
https://parentingpotentials.net
9798991771542, $9.99, PB, 210pp
Amazon
https://www.amazon.com/Keep-Your-Cool-Anger-Management-Parents/dp/B0GLYW7G19
Synopsis: Deftly blending evidence-based strategies from the fields of Psychology, Neuroscience, and Trauma-Informed
Parenting, "Keep Your Cool: Anger Management for Parents: Proven Strategies to Stop Yelling, Understand Your
Triggers, Manage Your Emotions, and Create a Calmer, More Connected Home" by Olivia Tanner Greene will show
parents and caregivers of children how to:
Interrupt the explosion before it happens (even when you feel it coming)
Understand what's really driving your anger (hint: it's not just your kids' behavior)
Repair quickly when you do lose it -- without the shame spiral
Fill your own cup so you actually have something left to give
Break the patterns that keep you stuck in the yelling cycle
Create a home where mistakes don't mean failure and connection is always possible
Also covered is:
Why "managing" your anger isn't the same as stuffing it down and what to do instead
The specific scripts and phrases that buy you time when emotions are running high
How to tell if your anger is actually depression, anxiety, trauma, or burnout in disguise
The difference between shame and guilt -- and why one helps you change while the other keeps you stuck
How to maintain boundaries without losing your temper
What to do when you're too angry to use any of the tools
Of special note is the inclusion of a 'bonus' in the form of instant access to the online Keep Your Cool Companion Toolkit
-- practical, downloadable resources designed to help you implement these strategies in real life.
Critique: Impressively well written, organized and presented, "Keep Your Cool: Anger Management for Parents: Proven
Strategies to Stop Yelling, Understand Your Triggers, Manage Your Emotions, and Create a Calmer, More Connected
Home" by Olivia Tanner Greene is an ideal child provoked anger management resource for parents, counselors, and
non-specialist general readers with an interest in the subject. While especially and unreservedly recommended for personal,
professional, community, and college/university library Parenting & Anger Management collections and supplemental
curriculum studies lists, it should be noted that it is also available from Parenting Potentials in a digital book format
(Kindle, $2.99).
Editorial Note: Olivia Tanner Greene is the parent of two never-boring children diagnosed with ADHD and related
conditions. She has dedicated over a decade to understanding neurodivergence and finding effective solutions to make
family life work more smoothly.
Drawing from strategies including Positive Parenting, cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), and Parent Training, Olivia
distills complex information into accessible, practical guidance for parents and caregivers. She offers her readers
empathetic insights and evidence-based strategies aimed at promoting positive change in family dynamics.
Olivia's writing is informed not only by research, but also by the daily challenges and triumphs she has experienced as a
parent. She believes in the power of empathy, kindness, and positive reinforcement in helping children with ADHD and
related conditions thrive. Olivia's greatest wish is to help others transform their family life so that they find more
enjoyment and fulfillment on their parenting journeys.
The Peaceful Sleeper
Chrissy Lawler, LMFT
Jossey-Bass
c/o Wiley Professional Trade Group
www.wiley.com
9781394328864, $22.00, PB, 288pp
Amazon
https://www.amazon.com/Peaceful-Sleeper-Christine-Lawler/dp/1394328869
Barnes & Noble
https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-peaceful-sleeper-chrissy-lawler/1147919677
Synopsis: With the publication of "The Peaceful Sleeper: An Intuitive Approach to Baby Sleep", renowned family therapist
and sleep coach Chrissy Lawler offers parents an attachment-based, research-backed approach to baby sleep.
With the understanding that knowing how to help your baby get good sleep can be overwhelming given the loud,
contradictory voices doling out advice, Lawler relies on a flexible and personalized approach to share solutions that work
for you and your family.
Parents and caregivers will find insights on how to:
Use clues from your baby, plus science, to determine the best approach to sleep, allowing you to get results (and more
sleep!) as quickly and efficiently as possible.
Cut through the noise of misinformation on controversial topics like the cry-it-out method.
Rise above frustrating platitudes like "babies will be babies; just endure it until they're older, and it might get better".
Manage sleep after sleep training, and navigate challenges like regressions, teething/illness, and schedule changes (like
dropping naps).
"The Peaceful Sleeper" is essential reading and an invaluable resource for new and expecting parents who need trusted
support to improve their baby's sleep as well as their own sleep and mental health. "The Peaceful Sleeper" is also
invaluable for experienced parents who struggled with sleep with their older children during the newborn phase and are
looking for a new approach to sleep training.
Critique: Exceptionally well written, organized and presented, "The Peaceful Sleeper: An Intuitive Approach to Baby
Sleep" by infant sleep specialist Chrissy Lawler is an ideal and critically important instructional guide that is especially and
unreservedly recommended for new parents of infants with respect to getting them to sleep well and predictably. Adequate
sleep is essential for the good health of a baby. While a 'must' for personal, professional, community, and
college/university library Infant Health & Parenting collections, it should be noted for parents and caregivers that this
paperback edition of "The Peaceful Sleeper: An Intuitive Approach to Baby Sleep" from Jossey Bass is also readily
available in a digital book format (Kindle, $13.00).
Editorial Note: Chrissy Lawler, LMFT, is a licensed Marriage and Family Therapist with 15 years of experience, as well as
the owner, founder, and CEO of The Peaceful Sleeper, where she offers coaching, courses, and resources for parents to
achieve better sleep and mental health for their babies and themselves. (https://www.thepeacefulsleeper.com)
The Miswired Child
Dr. Kimberly Idoko
Alcyone Books
https://alcyonebooks.com
9798994340608, $24.99, HC, 180pp
Amazon
https://www.amazon.com/Miswired-Child-Dr-Kimberly-Idoko/dp/B0GVGC3P5Y
Barnes & Noble
https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-miswired-child-kimberly-idoko/1149794203
Synopsis: Your child didn't change overnight. The systems didn't fail all at once.
Before diagnosis, there is a losss of rhythm and a narrowing tolerance. A child's developing brain is forced to expend more
energy to achieve the same function. These early shifts are biological warning signs of a nervous system under
pressure.
With the publication of "The Miswired Child: How Modern Childhood Harms The Brain", Dr. Kimberly Idoko exposes
what unfolds beneath symptoms that are routinely misread. She traces how neurological load accumulates inside the
developing brain, then shows how modern systems compound it: Big Food that destabilizes physiology. Big Pharma that
suppresses signals without asking why. Big Medicine that waits for collapse. Big Government that enforces delay. Big
Media that profits from confusion.
Clear-eyed and unsentimental, "The Miswired Child" by neurologist Kimberly Idoko reveals why delay is never neutral,
and why a parent's noticing of pattern and loss may be the only data that arrives in time.
Critique: An informative introduction for parents and members of the medical community with an interest in the learning
disorders found in children of all ages, "The Miswired Child: How Modern Childhood Harms The Brain" by Dr. Kimberly
Idoko is especially noteworthy for its 'reader friendly' organization and presentation for the non-specialist general reader
with an interest in the subject. While this hardcover edition of "The Miswired Child" from Alcyone Books is unreservedly
recommended for personal, professional, community, and college/university library Parenting collections and supplemental
Nervous System Disease curriculum studies lists, it should be noted for parents, teachers, caregivers, and school counselors
that "The Miswired Child" is also readily available in paperback (9798994340615, $16.99) and in a digital book format
(Kindle, $9.99).
Editorial Note: Dr. Kimberly Idoko (https://drkimberlyidoko.com) is a Yale-, Penn-, Columbia-, and Stanford-educated
neurologist and attorney who works with families navigating neurodevelopmental differences. She brings a rare
combination of clinical neuroscience, systems literacy, and lived experience as a mother to the question parents are rarely
given time to ask: what is actually happening inside my child's brain? She is also a board-certified physician who cares for
thousands of patients each year. Additionally, she founded Special Parent Coach, where she helps parents interpret early
neurological signs and understand how modern systems shape outcomes.
The Grandparenting Blueprint
Richard Eyre
Familius
www.familius.com
9798893960648, $18.99,PB, 240pp
Amazon
https://www.amazon.com/Grandparenting-Blueprint-Grandchildren-Important-Lessons/dp/B0FLTFV4CK
Barnes & Noble
https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-grandparenting-blueprint-richard-eyre/1148019823
Synopsis: Seniors all over the world are looking for practical tips and proven strategies for becoming a proactive
grandparent, but what do grandchildren need the most? More important than money or fun, the best things a grandparent
could leave to their grandchildren are principles for a happy and productive life.
Drawing on 12 secrets that author Richard Eyre shared with his own grandkids, "The Grandparenting Blueprint: How to
Teach Your Grandchildren Life's Most Important Lessons" is a guide to sharing values and building bonds between
grandparent and grandchild.
Starting with building bonds as a prerequisite, this guide moves from grandparenting basics and teamwork with the parents
(your kids) to popularity and the ring of truth. With examples, questionnaires, and discussions throughout, each piece of
advice is easy to use. By the end, you will have a list of personal secrets that have shaped your own life, leading to
meaningful communication with grandchildren about life, living, and legacies.
Surveys show that a majority of grandparents consider their grandchildren to be the most delightful part of their lives. Yet
grandparenting, and doing it well (and without stepping on parental toes) can follow a difficult and tricky path.
"The Grandparenting Blueprint" is the 'how to' manual that will help you leave your grandkids the best of yourself!
Critique: A century or two back, the nuclear family once consisted of grandparents, parents, and the children all living
under the same roof. With grandparents helping parents to raise those children on an intimate and daily basis. But in
today's western culture as experienced throughout the United States, that form of nuclear family is the exception -- not the
rule. That's why "The Grandparenting Blueprint: How to Teach Your Grandchildren Life's Most Important Lessons" is so
timely, necessary and needed. Thoroughly 'reader/user' friendly in tone, comprehensiveness, style, organization and
presentation, "The Grandparenting Blueprint" by Richard Eyre is an extraordinary and unreservedly recommended pick for
personal, Senior Citizen Center, and community library Parenting instructional guide collections. It should be noted that
this paperback edition of "The Grandparenting Blueprint" from Familius is also readily available in a digital book format
(Kindle, $17.09).
Editorial Note: Richard Eyre is a New York Times #1 bestselling author with more than 50 books in print, and he speaks to
audiences all over the world in more than 60 countries. He now focuses on grandparenting and the successful management
of three-generation families. (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Richard_and_Linda_J._Eyre)
The Biography/Memoir Shelf
The Leopard and the Moon: A Journey in Dolpo, Nepal
Nigel Roberts
Imperfect Books
9798992821116, $17.99, PB, 306pp
Amazon
https://www.amazon.com/Leopard-Moon-Journey-Dolpo-Nepal/dp/B0GT6Z6BPD
Barnes & Noble
https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-leopard-and-the-moon-nigel-roberts/1149724259
Synopsis: In September 2016, at the age of 65, Nigel Roberts embarked on a two month trek through Dolpo, one of the
most remote regions in Nepal.
Following the route taken by Peter Matthiessen (The Snow Leopard) and George Schaller (Stones of Silence) over forty
years before him, Nigel was driven by a wish to make sense of illness and tragedy in his family, and to better understand
his part in those traumatic events.
A quest for clarity and candor, "The Leopard and the Moon: A Journey in Dolpo, Nepal" Nigel deftly weaves together
three different journeys: a demanding physical hike, an emotional reckoning, and Nepal's own trajectory across four
tumultuous decades.
Critique: Some memoirs just tell stories, some memoirs, like Nigel Roberts' "The Leopard and the Moon: A Journey in
Dolpo, Nepal" do far more -- they take the reader along a life journey that while intensely personal, has a universal
resonance that will linger in the mind and memory of the reader long after the book has been finished and set back upon
the shelf. Especially and unreservedly recommended as a prime pick for personal and community library Contemporary
Biography/Memoir collections, it should be noted that this paperback edition of "The Leopard and the Moon" from
Imperfect Books is also readily available in a digital book format (Kindle, $5.99).
Editorial Note: Nigel Roberts worked for thirty years for the World Bank, much of that time based in Kenya, Ethiopia,
Nepal, West Bank and Gaza, and Australia. Since retiring, he has
advised governments in Somalia, Myanmar and Afghanistan on managing the economics of war and instability. He lives in
Virginia with his wife, Sarah, and his grandson, Alex.
Castro: A Biography by Consent
Claudia Furiati
Skyhorse Publishing, Inc.
www.skyhorsepublishing.com
9781510779051, $35.00, HC, 720pp
Amazon
https://www.amazon.com/Castro-Biography-Consent-Claudia-Furiati/dp/1510779051
Barnes & Noble
https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/castro-claudia-furiati/1146675364
Synopsis: First published in Portuguese, followed by Spanish, Italian, and Chinese translations, this English translation of
"Castro: A Biography by Consent" by Claudia Furiati is the definitive chronicle of Fidel Castro's life.
"Castro: A Biography by Consent" offers the most comprehensive and in-depth life history of one of the most iconic and
controversial revolutionary leaders of the modern world. Respected by some, despised by others, Fidel Castro was a force
to reckon with, and Claudia Furiati spent nine years of intensive research unraveling and chronicling his story through
seven decades of Cuban history.
Castro granted Furiati his consent to write this biography and gave his assurance that he would not read it until the book
was completed and published. He allowed her access to his personal (confidential and secret) archives and official files.
Through these and multiple interviews with Castro's friends and enemies alike, Furiati fills in gaps missing from other
biographies and provides, through extensive narrative and photos, a powerful portrayal of this charismatic yet enigmatic
head of state.
Critique: Enhanced for the reader's benefit with a section of B/W historical photos, a thirty page Postscript, a two page
Bibliography, a three page Interview, four pages of Notes, and a fourteen page Index, "Castro: A Biography by Consent" is
the definitive biography of Fidel Castro. Comprehensive, authentic, based upon years of research and privilege of access,
"Castro: A Biography by Consent" is an especially and unreservedly recommended addition to personal, professional,
community, and college/university library Biography/Memoir collections. It should be noted for students, academia, and
non-specialist general readers with an interest in Cuban History in general, and the life of Fidel Castro in particular that
this hardcover edition of "Castro: A Biography by Consent" from Skyhorse Publishing is also readily available in a digital
book format (Kindle, $16.99).
Editorial Note: Claudia Furiati is a journalist, filmmaker, and author of "ZR Rifle: The Plot to Kill Kennedy and Castro".
She has written for most Brazilian newspapers, including O Globo, Jornal do Brasil, and Correio Braziliense. She wrote
the original Portuguese version of Fidel Castro in 2001.
Boy From Pocatello
Alan Nichols
Regent Press
www.regentpress.net
9781587906800, $69.95, HC, 690pp
Amazon
https://www.amazon.com/Boy-Pocatello-Alan-Nichols/dp/1587906805
Barnes & Noble
https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/boy-from-pocatello-alan-nichols/1148407836
Synopsis: "Boy From Pocatello" is Alan Nichols' lyrical, soul-stirring memoir. From the windswept streets of 1930s
Pocatello, Idaho, to the remote sacred peaks of the Himalayas, Andes, Alps, the San Jacintos and many other Mountains
and Mountain Ranges beyond, Alan Nichols has lived a life steeped in adventure, reverence, and wonder. This acclaimed
explorer, attorney, and lifelong seeker invites readers on an unforgettable journey across continents and cultures in pursuit
of what he calls "the Sacred Spirit and the Holy Mountains."
Part memoir, part human inquiry, "Boy From Pocatello" explores the mysterious power of mountains-from Mount Kailash
to Machu Picchu, Mount Fuji to Shasta, Sinai to Olympus. With poetic reflection and a storyteller's flair, Nichols recounts
a lifetime of climbing, cycling, and connecting with the world's most revered peaks -- often as the first Westerner or able to
do so.
Organized in six captivating parts and many tales, rich with personal anecdotes, cultural insights, and even revelations,
"Boy From Pocatello" is more than a travelogue -- rather it is a rare chronicle of one man's search for meaning on the
majesty of the Earth's highest places.
"Boy From Pocatello" is not only a story of physical ascent -- it is a meditation on wonder. On sacredness. On the wisdom
found where stone meets sky. Through six sweeping Parts, Nichols carries readers across continents and centuries,
weaving history, philosophy, and personal pilgrimage into a tapestry that speaks to the timeless human yearning for
meaning.
Written with clarity, wit, and a deep reverence for the Sacred, "Boy From Pocatello" is also a tribute to
community-particularly the tight-knit "Seventh Avenue Gang" of his Pocatello youth, whose memory and mischief echo
through the pages. His gratitude for friendship, for Mountains, for Spirit, and for learning is woven into every chapter
along with many enjoyable stories and thoughtful tales.
Additionally, Nichols reflects on his extensive global explorations of Sacred Mountains, sharing the spiritual and
philosophical insights and many unusual stories that he learned throughout his journeys. The narrative offers readers a
profound perspective on the interconnectedness of nature, spirit, personal growth and the Sacred.
Critique: Exceptionally well written, organized and presented, Alan Nichols' deftly crafted memoir, "Boy From Pocatello"
while intensely personal, exhibits a universal resonance that reader's will remember and appreciate. A veritable saga of a
life laid out in a unique six part format (then concluding with extensive End Notes, Bibliography and more), "Boy From
Pocatello" is unreservedly recommended for community and college/university library Contemporary American
Biography/Memoir collections and supplemental Environment/Ecology studies lists. It should be noted for personal
reading lists that this hardcover edition of "Boy From Pocatello" from Regent Press is also available in paperback
(9781587906817, $49.95) and in a digital book format (Kindle, $12.99).
Editorial Note: Alan H. Nichols, born on February 14, 1930, in Palo Alto, California, is an American attorney, author, and
explorer renowned for his originality and creativity about Sacred Mountains. Nichols contributed to many publications and
authored several books, including "Journey: A Bicycle Odyssey through Central Asia" and "Letters Home from the
Lafayette Flying Corps." As of April 2025, Nichols now resides back in Pocatello, Idaho, and serves as the Secretary of the
Sacred Mountain Foundation, a nonprofit organization now based in Pocatello.
Black Summers: Growing Up in the Urban Outdoors
Desiree Cooper, editor
Wayne State University Press
https://wsupress.wayne.edu
9780814352243, $24.99, PB, 224pp
Amazon
https://www.amazon.com/Black-Summers-Growing-Outdoors-Michigan/dp/0814352243
Barnes & Noble
https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/black-summers-desiree-cooper/1147922990
Synopsis: For many African-Americans, remembering frolicking outside during the long, jubilant days of summer brings a
smile to their faces. Deftly compiled and expertly edited by Desiree Cooper, "Black Summers: Growing Up in the Urban
Outdoors" is a vibrant collection from thirty-three contributors who collectively invites the reader to breathe deeply and
return to that "carefree" season of yesteryear summers.
From riding bikes with friends through the neighborhood, to hopping the ferry to Boblo Island, catching catfish along the
river, dancing on warm nights to Afrobeats and jazz music, and cooling off in the Swimmobile, those sun-drenched
memories were often clouded by racism for the Detroiters in this evocative anthology.
These emerging and award-winning creators of all ages recount the struggles and triumph of staking their claim to public
spaces. Ranging from poetry to essay, creative nonfiction to comics, this collection blends nostalgia with struggle and
resilience. Arising from the iconic city of the African American experience comes this exploration of Black joy in the
urban outdoors.
Critique: Occasionally illustrated with color photographs, "Black Summers: Growing Up in the Urban Outdoors" is part of
the Wayne State University Press 'Made in Michigan Writer Series' and showcases remembered and eloquently told
anecdotes of what it was like to be Black and experiencing summer in an urban environment. An inherently fascinating and
informative read throughout, This paperback edition of "Black Summers: Growing Up in the Urban Outdoors" from
Wayne State University Press is unreservedly recommended for personal reading lists, as well as community and
college/university library African-American Biography/History collections. It is also readily available in a digital book
format (Kindle, $23.74).
Editorial Note: Desiree Cooper (https://www.descooper.com) is a Pulitzer Prize-nominated journalist. Among her literary
honors is the 2018 Best Small Fictions; 2017 Midland Authors Award Winner in Adult Fiction; 2017 Michigan Notable
Book; 2016 Midwest Book Award Finalist; Poets and Writers 5 Over 50; 2016 Foreword Indies Book of the Year Award
Finalist
I'll See You in My Dreams: A Sister's Memoir
Larkin McPhee
Koehler Books
www.koehlerbooks.com
9798897472628, $30.95, HC, 226pp
Amazon
https://www.amazon.com/Ill-See-You-My-Dreams/dp/B0GMY2QK6H
Barnes & Noble
https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/ill-see-you-in-my-dreams-larkin-mcphee/1149450947
Synopsis: "I'll See You In My Dreams: A Sister's Memoir" is an portrait of sibling love as told by Larkin McPhee, a
Peabody and Emmy award-winning documentary filmmaker, and her dream-expert younger brother, Charles McPhee, host
of the nationally syndicated radio program The Dream Doctor Show. At forty-four, Charles's life changed forever when he
was diagnosed with the fatal neurodegenerative disease ALS.
Using remembered moments, dreams, emails, and excerpts from his radio show, Larkin looks back on the years with her
brother, both before his diagnosis and afterward, tracing a poignant but joyful journey across time as they encourage each
other's creativity and nontraditional careers. In addition to helping his radio listeners, Charles guided Larkin through her
dreams and their impact on her life, helping her discover her voice as a documentary filmmaker. And in the face of
insurmountable odds, Charles finds hope and beauty, ultimately showing Larkin, and all of us, how to live.
Critique: Emotionally compelling, deftly crafted, extraordinarily inspiring, and a life story that will linger in the mind and
memory of the reader long after the book is finished and set back upon the shelf, "I'll See You in My Dreams: A Sister's
Memoir" by Larkin McPhee is an exceptional and unreservedly recommended addition to community and
college/university library Contemporary American Biography/Memoir collections. It should be noted for the personal
reading lists of those with an interest in true life stories of sibling friendship, love and loss, death and bereavement, that
this hardcover edition of "I'll See You in My Dreams: A Sister's Memoir" from Koehler Books is also readily available in
paperback (9798897472611, $20.95).
Editorial Note: Larkin McPhee (https://larkinmcphee.com) is a Peabody and Emmy award-winning producer of
documentary films covering topics ranging from the environment to mental health to the cosmos. She has been writing
documentary scripts for over thirty years and articles related to her films for publications including the Boston Globe and
Minnesota Star Tribune. She was inspired to write I'll See You In My Dreams: A Sister's Memoir after losing her younger
brother to ALS. Charles was host of a popular radio show on dream interpretation, and his story was picked up by multiple
media outlets including spots on the Today Show, as well as several articles in the New York Times.
The General Fiction Shelf
Baker Vaughan: A Novel
Stuart Hotchkiss
https://stuarthotchkiss.com
Halsnoch (Publisher)
9798993970028, $17.95, PB, 337pp
Amazon
https://www.amazon.com/Baker-Vaughan-Running-Grief-That/dp/B0GMPKWK2Y
Barnes & Noble
https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/baker-vaughan-stuart-hotchkiss/1149670011
Synopsis: In the winter of 1985, Baker Vaughan is in his second year at Yale seminary when he his wife dies -- his partner,
the person who made the future they'd planned worth having. Suddenly, everything crumbles. He has nothing left of the
life that was supposed to be. Only pain, only emptiness, only the possibility of rebuilding, and he runs away from it
all.
By 2011, Baker has made himself a wildly successful corporate career on Madison Avenue. However, he remains haunted
by his past and incapable to face it, so spiritually bankrupt that he can't recognize the face he sees in the mirror. The
humiliating end of a rebound relationship forces him to flee.
He finds a fresh start in Idaho, joining a small community in hopes of reclaiming some part of what he once wanted. But
no path of destruction comes to an end so neatly. In a tangle of scandal, clashing instincts, and moral discord, Baker must
face what he's been running from all these years or lose his last chance at becoming whole again.
Critique: A deftly scripted and original novel about how a personal tragedy can dramatically alter a life, and how you view
yourself thereafter. "Baker Vaughan: A Novel" by Stuart Hotchkiss is the story of a life altering trauma that feels intensely
personal, yet has a universal resonance. With a writing style that is character and narrative driven, author Stuart Hotchkiss
raises "Baker Vaughan" to an impressive level of literary excellence. While also available for personal reading lists in a
digital book format (Kindle, $9.95), this paperback edition of "Baker Vaughan" from publisher Halsnoch is an especially
and unreservedly pick for community/public library Contemporary American Literary Fiction collections.
Editorial Note: H. Stuart Hotchkiss (https://stuarthotchkiss.com) is the former Executive Creative Director of Time Inc.
and President of Time Inc. Home Entertainment. He holds degrees from the University of Massachusetts at Amherst and
Columbia University, and has served as Vice-President on the Executive Council of the Episcopal Diocese of Idaho.
Elsewhere is a Place in Central Park
Harrison Rose Tate
https://www.harrisonrosetate.com
ECS Publishing
https://www.facebook.com/people/ECS-Publishing/61579110791589
9798994988008, $31.99, HC, 362pp
Amazon
https://www.amazon.com/Elsewhere-Place-Central-Park-Harrison/dp/B0GNS3FTF3
Synopsis: Sofie has been married for decades. She has not shared a life with her husband for most of them.
Raised working class in Copenhagen and later drawn into the orbit of one of Denmark's most powerful families, a single
tragic event rearranges her fate, altering the future before it has begun.
Raw and unceremonious, yet vast in consequence, "Elsewhere Is a Place in Central Park" weighs the permanent cost of
crossing thresholds that cannot be uncrossed. From embassy galas to luxury hotels, from Copenhagen to Madrid to New
York, Sofie must maintain composure while her inner life is held in silent, endless peril just beneath the surface. What
sparkles carries its own undertow. What feels like ascent can become a form of exile. Sofie learns, slowly, that the deepest
turning points in a life are often the ones no one sees.
Critique: Although a work of deftly crafted fiction, "Elsewhere Is a Place in Central Park" by Harrison Rose Tate is a novel
that is based on a true story. Original, exceptional, and an fascinating read from cover to cover, Tate as raised her
entertaining and thought-provoking novel to an impressive level of literary excellence. While an especially and
unreservedly recommended pick for community and college/university library Contemporary American Literary Fiction
collections, this hardcover edition of "Elsewhere Is a Place in Central Park" from ECS Publishing is also available in
paperback (9798998773792, $17.99).
Editorial Note: Harrison Rose Tate (https://www.harrisonrosetate.com) has played an extensive role over the last two
decades as a writer has largely been on behalf of corporations, often without a byline. Her work has appeared in essays,
articles, technical publications, and archival formats. Her academic background includes a master's degree, but most of her
insight comes from years spent inside the system; building it, running it, watching how it shapes the people who use it.
After years of ghostwriting, consulting, and building systems for others, her newest titles have special meaning. They are
the first major works published in her own name.
The House That Remembers You
Kristen A. Peters
ISA Therapy, LLC
https://isatherapy.org
9798295778476, $35.00, HC, 254pp
Amazon
https://www.amazon.com/House-That-Remembers-You/dp/B0GW9HT468
Barnes & Noble
https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-house-that-remembers-you-kristen-a-peters/1149797322
Synopsis: Annette has built a stable, carefully ordered life far from her childhood home on Blackwood Lane. Her
memories of 1994 are fragmented, sealed off, beginning only after a sudden departure she cannot fully explain. When a
meticulous local historian named Miller contacts her about the property, his interest feels less academic than personal. He
speaks of gaps, progress, and preservation, treating Annette not as a source but as a specimen.
As Annette navigates a town that no longer behaves as it should-streets looping, distances warping, familiar places subtly
misaligned-her sense of time begins to erode. Ordinary spaces become unstable. Sounds recur without sources. Memory
intrudes without invitation. With the quiet involvement of her friend Melanie, Annette is drawn back toward the history
she has avoided, guided by records, renovations, and a fragment of the house itself.
The past does not return as a single revelation, but as bleedthrough: flickering lights, the weight of stone, the presence of a
dog who once watched everything. Annette begins to understand that what she believed was forgetting may have been
containment-and that the house on Blackwood Lane did not simply witness her childhood, but participated in it.
As Miller's intentions sharpen and the boundaries between documentation and possession blur, Annette must confront what
was sealed away and why she was important enough to be remembered. The house does not want an explanation. It wants
recognition.
With the underlying concept that 'about memory as architecture-something that preserves, distorts, and waits', Kristen
Peter's novel, "The House That Remembers You" is a compellingly memorable story about trauma without spectacle,
horror without monsters, and the quiet terror of being noticed by something that never forgot you.
Critique: Impressively original, deftly crafted, compulsively compelling, and a true 'keep the lights on while reading' page
turner of a read from start to finish, "The House That Remembers You" showcases author Kristen A. Peters' genuine flair
for the kind of character and narrative driven storytelling style that is especially well suited for the psychological horror
genre. While an especially and unreservedly recommended pick for community library Contemporary Horror Fiction
collections, it should be noted for personal reading lists of dedicated fans of psychological horror fans that this hardcover
edition of "The House That Remembers You" from ISA Therapy, LLC is also readily available in paperback
(9798233923562, $25.95).
Editorial Note: Kristen A. Peters is the founder and steward of ISA Therapy, a neurodiversity affirming, multi modal
framework developed to support relational safety, interdisciplinary collaboration, and individualized engagement across
developmental stages. Her work is informed by both professional practice and lived experience as an autism parent,
grounding the framework in ethical responsibility, practical application, and long term sustainability. Peters is the author of
The Modalities of ISA: A Multi Modal Approach to Neurodivergent Care, which establishes the foundational structure of
ISA Therapy.
Promising Young Man
Elias Axel
My Delightful Life Press
https://www.mydelightfullife.com
9798992065602, $17.99, PB, 239pp
Amazon
https://www.amazon.com/Promising-Young-Man-Elias-Axel/dp/B0DVQ7LLG6
Barnes & Noble
https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/promising-young-man-elias-axel/1146973363
Synopsis: Oscar Danielsson is eighteen, brilliant, ADHD, and about to ruin his life -- again.
He looks like a promise waiting to be kept. His biggest fear is everyone discovering he's not what they expect at all.
Between his spectacular mistakes, self-medicating, and overwhelming existential dread, hiding in his room feels safe, even
if it means blowing high school graduation.
Then, one hazy mistake too many launches Oscar on a mysterious cross-country road trip with his free-wheeling Grammy,
who's done playing by the rules... and living a lie. Leaving behind his girl crush, beloved dog, and all his comforting vices
is torture. But Grammy's secret changes everything -- and Oscar discovers one of his own!
Oscar is the defiant anti-hero you can't stop rooting for. Grammy's his unlikely wingman.
Together they're almost okay.
Critique: Deftly edited by Julian Josip, "Promising Young Man" is a simply fascinating, original, and exceptional 'coming
of age' novel by Elias Axel and showcases the author's genuine flair for the kind of character and narrative driven
storytelling style that makes for a great read. Laced throughout with satire and dark humor, "Promising Young Man" is a
fun, deftly crafted, and thought-provoking novel that is especially and unreservedly recommended for highschool and
community library Contemporary Fiction collections. It should be noted for personal reading lists that this paperback
edition of "Promising Young Man" from My Delightful Life Press is also readily available in a digital book format
(Kindle, $9.99).
Editorial Note: Alias Axel has a high value website (https://eliasaxel.com) that will interest his readers as features his blog,
a section called 'Get Involved', and more.
For Love of Billie
Patricia Vido
https://patriciavido.com
Grunge Muffin Press
https://www.grungemuffinpress.com
9781971167008, $19.99, PB, 244pp
Amazon
https://www.amazon.com/Love-Billie-Patricia-Vido/dp/1971167002
Barnes & Noble
https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/for-love-of-billie-patricia-vido/1149176664
Synopsis: When twelve-year-old Finn Maguire is smitten by the beautiful Billie (his dad's young coworker and subsequent
lover) he is thrust into a rivalry with the father he idolizes and a tragedy that tears him away from her.
At nineteen, unmoored by his mother's cancer diagnosis, Finn seeks consolation from Billie, convinced she's been waiting
for him. Tempted, will he consummate the relationship that's preoccupied him for years, or overcome his obsession and
choose love with an age-appropriate partner?
Critique: An original and deftly crafted blending of a 'coming of age' story, an intergenerational familial love triangle, and
psychological suspense thriller, "For Love of Billie" by Patricia Vido is an extraordinary and riveting read from start to
finish. Showcasing Vido's impressive flair for the kind of character and narrative driven storytelling style that readers will
find riveting, "For Love of Billie" is unreservedly recommended for community library Contemporary General Fiction
collections. It should be noted for personal reading lists that this paperback edition of "For Love of Billie" from Grunge
Muffin Press is also readily available in a digital book format (Kindle, $9.99).
Editorial Note: Patricia Vido (https://patriciavido.com) honed her writing and editing skills as a reporter, features writer,
and features editor at newspapers in western Pennsylvania. She was always most interested in stories that explored (and
tried to explain) why people do what they do. She has won writing awards from three Pennsylvania press associations.
Don't Stop
Bonnie Friedman
www.bonniefriedman.com
Europa Editions
www.europaeditions.com
9798889661740, $18.00, PB, 304pp
Amazon
https://www.amazon.com/Dont-Stop-Bonnie-Friedman/dp/B0FPQ44Y18
Barnes & Noble
https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/dont-stop-bonnie-friedman/1148215005
Synopsis: Ina is a 41-year-old literary scholar on the cusp of professional success. With a coveted university job, a kind
husband, and a book on Eugene O'Neill due in months, her life appears enviably stable. But when an impulsive kiss with a
stranger shatters her self-control, Ina finds herself plunged into an erotic and emotional freefall.
She tells herself it's research -- a brief detour before returning to real life. But what begins as a flirtation becomes a
reckoning with everything Ina thought she wanted: marriage, intellect, control. As she navigates the ecstatic confusion of
newfound desire, she risks upending her work, her relationship, and her understanding of who she is.
Critique: Set in Brooklyn and Manhattan at the turn of the millennium, "Don't Stop" is a riveting read from start to finish
and provides her readers with an exploration of what happens when a woman dares to want more from life and from
herself. As an author, Bonnie Friedman reveals a genuine flair for the kind of character and narrative driven storytelling
style that raises her novel to an impressive level of literary excellence. While especially and unreservedly recommended for
community and college/university library Contemporary Literary Fiction collections, it should be noted for personal
reading lists that this paperback edition of "Don't Stop" from Europa Editions is also available in a digital book format
(Kindle, $12.99).
Editorial Note: Bonnie Friedman (www.bonniefriedman.com) is the author of Writing Past Dark -- named one of the
Essential Books for Writers by the Center for Fiction and Poets & Writers. She is also the author of The Thief of
Happiness and Surrendering Oz, a finalist for the PEN Award in the Art of the Essay. Her work has appeared in The New
York Times, Ploughshares and numerous other literary journals, and she has been named a notable essayist four times in
The Best American Essays. She has taught writing at the University of Iowa, Dartmouth, NYU, and the University of
North Texas. "Don't Stop" is her first novel.
Summer State of Mind
Kristy Woodson Harvey
Gallery Books
c/o Simon and Schuster
www.simonandschuster.com
Blackstone Publishing
https://www.blackstonelibrary.com
9781668074886, $27.99, HC, 384pp
Amazon
https://www.amazon.com/Summer-State-Kristy-Woodson-Harvey/dp/1668074885
Barnes & Noble
https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/summer-state-of-mind-kristy-woodson-harvey/1148560322
Synopsis: After the worst day in her professional life, burnt-out NICU nurse Daisy Stevens runs to Cape Carolina, North
Carolina, looking for a new life -- and possibly new romance.
But on her first day at her "simpler" job, high school baseball coach Mason Thaysden discovers an abandoned baby,
sending ripples through the entire tight-knit town of Cape Carolina.
Mason is still struggling to reconcile the scars of the injury that kept him out of the big leagues, stuck in his hometown,
and searching for a way out. This newcomer and the child they've saved together might be just the motivation he needs to
stay put. Sparks fly as Mason acquaints Daisy with Cape Carolina, introducing her to his friends and family, including his
batty Aunt Tilley, who is looking for relief from long-buried family secrets and her own fresh start.
But as Daisy becomes increasingly attached to this abandoned child, and begins facing her own demons in the process, a
startling discovery is made that threatens to rip the entire town of Cape Carolina apart, placing Daisy, Mason, and Tilley in
the center of the storm.
Critique: Original, exceptionally well written, and a fun, fascinating read from cover to cover, "Summer State of Mind" is
an extraordinary and unreservedly recommended pick for personal reading lists and community library Contemporary
General Fiction collections. Author Kristy Woodson Harvey's natural and accomplished flair for character and narrative
driven storytelling skills raise her novel to an impressive level of literary excellence. It should be noted that this hardcover
edition of "Summer State of Mind" from Gallery Books is also available in a digital book format (Kindle, $14.99) and as a
complete and unabridged audio book (Blackstone Publishing, 9781668117255, $39.99, CD).
Editorial Note: Kristy Woodson Harvey (www.KristyWoodsonHarvey.com) is the author of twelve novels of fiction and
historical fiction, including four in the Peachtree Bluff series, which is in development for television with NBC. She is the
winner of the Lucy Bramlette Patterson Award for Excellence in Creative Writing and a finalist for the Southern Book
Prize. Her books have received numerous accolades including Southern Living's Most Anticipated Beach Reads, Parade's
Big Fiction Reads, and Entertainment Weekly's Spring Reading Picks. Her writing has also appeared in online and print
publications, including Southern Living, Traditional Home, and USA Today. She is also the co-creator and co-host of the
weekly web show and podcast Friends & Fiction.
The Lifeguard
Laura Kasischke
www.laurakasischkewriter.com
Red Hen Press
www.redhen.org
9781636282893, $36.95, HC, 248pp
Amazon
https://www.amazon.com/Lifeguard-Novel-Laura-Kasischke/dp/163628289X
Barnes & Noble
https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-lifeguard-laura-kasischke/1146699666
Synopsis: In the town of Mission Hills, Michigan, an elementary school child drowns in the Olympic-sized pool at a
summer swim club. By most, but not all, the lifeguard on duty that afternoon (a teenage girl who becomes the town's
scapegoat, bearing the weight of their grief and fears) is seen as responsible for the tragedy.
In the pages of "The Lifeguard", author and storyteller Laura Kasischke deftly weaves together overlapping narratives and
shifting perspectives, gradually peeling back the layers of what really happened that day. Through poetic, sensory-rich
prose, she explores the liminal spaces between memory and reality, innocence and culpability, childhood and
adulthood.
The story also probes the arbitrary, inexorable nature of fate -- how a single moment can alter lives forever, and how the
search for answers can reveal unsettling truths about ourselves and those around us.
Critique: An original and expertly crafted novel that will hold a very special interest for fans of small town themed fiction
populated with deftly created characters and an featuring an inherently engaging story from start to finish, "The Lifeguard"
by Laura Kasischke is raised to an extraordinary level of literary excellence and is unreservedly recommended for
community and college/university library Contemporary American Literary Fiction collections. It should be noted for
personal reading lists that this hardcover edition of "The Lifeguard" from Red Hen Press is also readily available in
paperback (9781636282879, $18.95) and in a digital book format (Kindle, $9.99).
Editorial Note: Laura Kasischke (www.laurakasischkewriter.com) has published numerous novels and collections of
poetry. She has been the recipient of the National Book Critics Circle Award, the Rilke Award for Poetry, a Guggenheim
Fellowship, among other honors. Her work has been widely translated, and three of her novels have been made into
feature-length films. She teaches at the University of Michigan, where she is the Theodore Roethke Distinguished
University Professor in the Residential College.
Mom Brain
Nicole Hackett
Harper Muse
c/o HarperCollins Publishers
www.harpercollins.com
9781400350339, $18.99, PB, 368pp
Amazon
https://www.amazon.com/Mom-Brain-Novel-Nicole-Hackett/dp/1400350336
Barnes & Noble
https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/mom-brain-nicole-hackett/1147732359
Synopsis: Welcome to The Program, an immersive week-long experience set to the backdrop of the breathtaking island of
O'ahu, where mothers in all stages of crisis can come to take control of their lives. It's not exactly the type of thing Georgia
Evans (a busy working mother of two) would usually consider. However, still spiraling from a debacle that crowned her
"internet's worst mom", she is desperate enough to try anything.
Once on the island, Georgia is quickly won over by the elegant (and somewhat enigmatic) founder of The Program, Cecilia
Clements. Cecilia shows The Program's attendees how the biology of motherhood has imprisoned them. More importantly,
she promises them freedom from that prison.
Captivated by this possibility and the compelling science behind it, Georgia grows deeply involved with Cecilia's mission,
ignoring any doubt that starts to creep in. That's the whole point of The Program, after all -- you can't really trust a mom
brain.
Critique: An inherently fascinating and entertaining read from start to finish, "Mom Brain" by Nicole Hackett will hold
particular appeal for readers with an interest in original and deftly crafted psychological suspense thrillers. While an
especially and unreservedly recommended pick for community library collections, it should be noted for personal reading
lists that this paperback edition of "Mom Brain" from Harper Muse is also readily available in a digital book format
(Kindle, $9.99).
Editorial Note: Nicole Hackett (https://nicolehackettbooks.com) is the author of "The Perfect Ones". She can be followed
online on Instagram: @nicolehackettbooks and on Facebook: @nicolehackettbooks
The Historical Fiction Shelf
Ronin: The Wolf's Path
Robert Nakamura
Shadow Gate Press
9798994119204 (Paperback) $17.99
9798994119211 (Hardcover) $26.99
9798994119228 (eBook) $4.99
Publishing Release Date: September 2026
Amazon
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0D49MXZ7K
Author's Website:
https://robert-nakamura.com/takeshi-the-wolf-ronin
Synopsis: As the Izumo Empire falls into ruin, Takeshi the Wolf and his ronin band roam the shattered provinces, blades
for hire with no master and no mercy. When he slays a priest of the Black Jade Circle, a cult of forgotten horrors, Takeshi
awakens forces darker than any he has faced.
Pursued by death and despair, he finds an unexpected ally in Prince Zasuro, a leader whose dreams of unity may not
survive the coming storm. Together, they must stand against the darkness -- or be consumed by it.
Critique: "Ronin: The Wolf's Path" is a simply deftly crafted and riveting read from start to finish and one that will be of
particular interest to fans of Japanese samurai stories laced with dark magic and unexpected plot twists. Original,
exceptional, compelling, and an impressive blending of a series of different character's perspectives, "Ronin: The Wolf's
Path" clearly showcases author Robert Nakamura's genuine flair for the kind of character and narrative driving storytelling
style that is perfectly suited to riveting and original action/adventure stories set in ancient Japan.
Editorial Note: Robert D. Nakamura is a debut novelist and lifelong student of samurai history and culture. His fascination
with Japan's warrior traditions began in childhood and deepened over the years through both academic research (drawing
on historians such as Eiko Ikegami and Thomas D. Conlan) and the classic literary sources that first brought the era to life
for Western readers.
His influences span several traditions. On the Japanese side, Eiji Yoshikawa's novels Musashi and Taiko, along with
classic war chronicles such as The Tale of the Heike and the Taiheiki, shaped his understanding of the era and its warriors.
From Western fantasy, the morally complex worlds of Joe Abercrombie's The First Law trilogy, Glen Cook's The Black
Company, and Mark Lawrence's Prince of Thorns showed him how to bring that darkness to the page. And from manga,
Kentaro Miura's Berserk and Takehiko Inoue's Vagabond provided a visual and emotional language for telling stories
about broken warriors searching for meaning through violence.
The idea for Ronin first took root nearly twenty years ago and never quite let go. Over the years, between other
commitments, Nakamura returned to the story again and again: first through short stories set in the same world, then
through the novel that gradually took shape around them. The result is a grimdark fantasy set in the fictional empire of
Izumo, a world inspired by feudal Japan but shaped by its own history, politics, and mythology.
The Petworth Project
Nola Longhurst Sweet
https://www.nolasweet.org
NLS Publishing
9798990178236, $18.99, HC, 234pp
Amazon
https://www.amazon.com/Petworth-Project-Mrs-Longhurst-Sweet/dp/B0CYZNYMDS
Synopsis: Based on true events in 1832, "The Petworth Project" by author Nola Longhurst Sweet shadows an Earl and a
Minister as they artfully maneuver social justice in the tension filled British system. By bringing together opposing social
classes into a collaborative journey, will their plan save England from a similar fate as the French Revolution? Using their
brazen savvy, they appeal to the pocket books of the wealthy. Driven by compassion or atonement for a flamboyant
lifestyle is left for the reader to decide. "The Petworth Project" is one of the more palatable violations of social norms.
"The Petworth Project" also reveals perspectives stretching the stratus of society as readers travel along with the
poverty-stricken Longhurst clan whose militia background enables them to avoid the deplorable work houses by opting to
cross a turbulent sea that leaves indelible scars.
Joseph and Sarah Longhurst guide their nine children including their son Charles, who is torn between venturing to a New
World and leaving behind the girl he loves. While many more of the impoverished venture on this journey including
brothers, Luke and Billy Cooper, who are caught up in the revolutionary retaliation of the Swing riots.
What will it cost these pioneers as they risk unknown peril for a better life?
Critique: A deftly crafted saga of a British and Canadian themed historical novel that is based on genuine, authentic
historical events, "The Petworth Project" is an inherently fascinating read and one that reflects author Nola Longhurst
Sweet's genuine flair for the kind of character and narrative driven storytelling style that fully engages the reader's mind
and imagination from start to finish. While especially and unreservedly recommended for community library Historical
Fiction collections, it should be noted for personal reading lists that this hardcover edition of "The Petworth Project" from
NLS Publishing is also readily available in (9798990178212, $13.99) and in a digital book format (Kindle, $3.99).
Editorial Note: Nola Longhurst Sweet (https://www.nolasweet.org) was born in rural Ontario, Canada into a large family.
Her father had a wealth of information about our ancestors who emigrated from England in 1832. Nola was always
interested in hearing the stories he would tell that had been passed down the generations. After retiring in 2022, Nola
began intensive research on what would become The Petworth Project". Her research inspired her to write. The people are
real and the events in her novel are true. Nola reports truly enjoyed weaving it into a fictional story of how it may have
unfolded.
Enheduanna's Song from the Sands
Ellen Rachlin
Histria Books
www.histriabooks.com
9781592117543, $19.99 PB, $9.99 Kindle, 272pp
Amazon
https://www.amazon.com/Enheduannas-Song-Sands-Ellen-Rachlin/dp/1592117546
Barnes & Noble
https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/enheduannas-song-from-the-sands-ellen-rachlin/1148666398
Enheduanna's Song from the Sands is an historical fantasy surrounding the life and actions of Enheduanna, the daughter of
Sargon the Great and High Priestess of Ur, a powerful religious and business leader who lived approximately two-thousand
years before Virgil.
Ellen Rachlin entwines her history with myth in a novel about the world's first named author, who finds herself the focal
point of conflict, transformation, and choices surrounding an extraordinary power rising in ancient Mesopotamia.
From the start, the first-person story builds an evocative, compelling scenario that draws readers with passion and insight:
"Inanna, supreme in Heaven and Earth, ruler over all gods, I beg of you: restore me to my temple, bring me home! In the
ancient city of Ur, I no longer breathe the salty air, lift myself from the sacred bed or unravel Ningal's dreams for my
followers. The southern stars have slipped away from me; Now I walk the thorny brush of the northern mountainside. As I
sing your blessed song, I am dying."
A host of equally memorable characters enter Enheduanna's life and chambers, from Darda, the son of Purushanda's former
king, to her mother and father, Sargon and Tashlultum, Uanna and Nidintu, women who are part of a core circle
Enheduanna thinks she can trust, and others from different sides of an evolving rebellion. Enheduanna tries to fulfill her
destiny, but often winds up feeling isolated and uncertain: "...in this forest of knowledge, the faces of some of my closest
friends are becoming increasingly obscured."
As Enheduanna faces riots, rebels, and intrigue, her world comes to life with a host of social, political, and personal issues;
all of which she navigates with authority and, sometimes, uncertainty: "I fear we're losing real ground to our enemy."
Suffused with rage, she then documents the history of her world in vivid detail that readers will find engrossing and
realistic.
Librarians and readers seeking a story of ancient history come to life will find Enheduanna's Song from the Sands rich with
detail, personalized by the protagonist's reflections as she steps into her power and makes difficult choices. Filled with
dramatic action and confrontations with self as well as the outside world, Enheduanna's Song from the Sands will appeal
both to leisure readers and scholarly students of ancient times. The former will appreciate the high drama and personal
touches; the latter the footnotes and references which cement events and fantasy in a layer of real history.
An important footnote by the author clarifies why this novel should be in any serious collection of women's history, as well
as in fantasy and historical fiction holdings: "I stumbled across Enheduanna while researching Sargon the Great. No one I
knew, including poets, had ever heard of her or her hymns. When I began to uncover what was more broadly known about
Enheduanna, it astounded me that the first-named author in history was not only a virtual unknown, but a woman who
lived in a male-dominated culture."
With the Enduring Tides
Jane Kirkpatrick
Fleming H. Revell Company
c/o Baker Publishing Group
www.revellbooks.com
9780800747923, $29.99, HC, 304pp
Amazon
https://www.amazon.com/Enduring-Tides-Women-Cannon-Beach/dp/0800747925
Synopsis: On the rugged Oregon coast in the early 1900s, the lives of a group of women intertwine through their shared
pioneering spirit and the steadfast presence of Mary Gerritse. Struggling with her daughter Belle's desire to live with her
grandparents, Mary discovers her own mother facing illness and her father hiring a caretaker with a troubled past. Despite
tensions, Mary leaves Belle with her grandparents, feeling guilt and uncertainty. When past secrets bubble over into trouble
in the present, Mary's identity is shaken.
As Mary seeks to heal her family (and herself) her friends provide comfort even as they face challenges of their own:
Jewell explores questions about her own identity, Henrietta navigates managing a homestead, Virginia seeks refuge from
an abusive situation, and Olivia faces the heartache of lost love. The women must endure to find encouragement in each
other and refuge in the faith that brings strength amid great uncertainty.
Critique: A skillfully written and imaginative novel by a gifted novelist, "With The Enduring Tides" by Jane Kirkpatrick
will hold a very special appeal to fans of Christian historical fiction featuring women's friendships in the face of all manner
of circumstances. "With The Enduring Tides" is part of The Women of Cannon Beach series and an absorbing and
compelling read from cover to cover. While unreservedly recommended as a popular pick for community library Historical
Literary Fiction collections, it should be noted for personal reading lists that this paperback edition of "With The Enduring
Tides" from Revell is also available in a digital book format (Kindle, $11.99).
Editorial Note: Jane Kirkpatrick (www.JKBooks.com) is the author of more than forty books. Her works have won the
WILLA Literary Award, the Carol Award for Historical Fiction, and five Will Rogers Gold Medallion Awards.
Kissing the Sky
Lisa Patton
https://www.lisapatton.com
Lake Union Publishing
c/o Amazon Publishing
9781662537776, $28.99, HC, 399pp
Amazon
https://www.amazon.com/Kissing-Sky-Novel-Lisa-Patton/dp/1662537778
Synopsis: It's the summer of '69. While her peers revel in free love and rock and roll, Suzannah is home from college,
sequestered inside her conservative Southern home. Her domineering father has condemned rock music and driven away
her best friend. She's counting the days until fall.
But everything changes when her free-spirited best friend, Livy, resurfaces, urging Suzannah, a talented singer, to join her
for three days of peace and music in upstate New York. Fed up with her father's rules and fearful for her brother's fate in
Vietnam, Suzannah agrees to the road trip, sneaking off without her parents' knowledge.
Miles outside her comfort zone, the electrifying bedlam of Woodstock jolts her into a journey of self-transformation. But
it's not all incense and peppermints. Suzannah's falling hard for Leon, a boy she meets at the festival, and the seductive bud
of first love conceals a thorn of heartache. Lies uncover betrayal, and Livy's wild behavior leads to a startling
revelation.
A nostalgic trip through the turbulent '60s, "Kissing the Sky" is the story of a lovable heroine who lets go of the girl she
was to embrace the woman she's becoming while she learns to lift her voice -- for herself and perhaps for the world.
Critique: Although a deftly crafted work of fiction, "Kissing the Sky" by Lisa Patton will hold a familiar resonance with
readers who lived during those turbulent years of the 1960s. Well defined characters, an original and engaging plot,
"Kissing the Sky" is a fun read from start to finish and is an unreservedly recommended addition to personal reading lists
and community library 'Coming of Age' fiction collections.
Editorial Note: There is an online listing of books by Lisa Patton (https://www.lisapatton.com) available at Books Series In
Order: https://www.bookseriesinorder.com/lisa-patton
The Literary Fiction Shelf
Catherine: A Retelling of Wuthering Heights
Essie Fox
Charnwood Large Print
c/o Ulverscroft Large Print, Inc.
www.ulverscroft.com
9781444860429, $43.50 / $36.98, PB, Large Print, 396pp
Ulverscroft
https://www.ulverscroft.com/store/us/search/9781444860429
Synopsis: With a nature as wild as the moors she loves to roam, Catherine Earnshaw grows up alongside Heathcliff, a
foundling her father rescued from the streets of Liverpool. Their fierce, untamed bond deepens as they grow -- until Mr
Earnshaw's death leaves Hindley, Catherine's brutal brother, in control and Heathcliff reduced to servitude.
Desperate to protect him, Catherine turns to Edgar Linton, the handsome heir to Thrushcross Grange. She believes his
wealth might free Heathcliff from cruelty -- but her choice is fatally misunderstood, and their lives spiral into a storm of
passion, jealousy and revenge.
Now, eighteen years later, Catherine rises from her grave to tell her story -- and seek redemption.
Critique: With the publication "Catherine: A Retelling of Wuthering Heights", author Essie Fox brilliantly reimagines
Emily Bronte's iconic 'Wuthering Heights' with a new beauty and riveting intensity. This deftly crafted, haunting, and
atmospheric retelling of a true literary classic breathes new life into an iconic story that 'lays bare the dark heart of an
immortal love'. This large print trade paperback edition of "Catherine: A retelling of Wuthering Heights" from Charnwood
Large Print is an extraordinary and unreservedly recommended addition to personal reading lists and community library
Historical Romance & Literary Fiction collections.
Editorial Note: Essie Fox was raised in Herefordshire, on the borders of Wales. After studying English Literature at
Sheffield University she worked in magazine and book publishing, before developing a career in commercial illustration.
Always an avid reader, Essie now writes gothic novels. Her debut, The Somnambulist, was shortlisted for the 2012
National Book Awards, and featured on Channel 4's TV Book Club. This was followed by Elijah's Mermaid, and then The
Goddess and the Thief. The Last Days of Leda Grey was selected as The Times Historical Book of the Month. The
Fascination became an instant Sunday Times bestseller. Coming in April 2025 is Dangerous - a dark mystery set in Venice
and based on the life of Lord Byron.
A Moment's Surrender
John Burt
https://johndaviesburt.com
Press Americana
https://www.americanpopularculture.com/press_americana.htm
9781735360188, $22.00, PB, 332pp
Amazon
https://www.amazon.com/Moments-Surrender-John-Burt/dp/173536018X
Barnes & Noble
https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/a-moments-surrender-john-burt/1149251874
Synopsis: A Moment's Surrender by John Burt follows freshman writing instructor Paul Bishop in the aftermath of the
murder of his former best friend, the renowned poet Tom Corbin.
Haunted by guilt and bound by a devastating secret, Paul takes it upon himself to care for Tom's terminally ill widow,
Susan. But the truth he withholds -- that Tom had planned to leave Susan for another woman.
Paul's own long-ago lover Rachel Lake draws Paul into a painful triangle of loyalty, betrayal, and unresolved desire.
Caught between the two women, Paul must navigate a web of grief and deception that threatens to undo them all.
Critique: Original, exceptional, and deftly crafted from start to finish, "A Moment's Surrender" showcases author John
Burt's impressively effective character and narrative driven storytelling style that raises his inherently fascinating novel to
an impressive level of literary excellence. This paperback edition of "A Moment's Surrender" from Press Americana is
especially and unreservedly recommended for personal reading lists and community library Contemporary Literary Fiction
collections.
Editorial Note: John Burt (https://johndaviesburt.com) studied Biochemistry and English in college, and received a Ph.D in
English at Yale. He has taught at the University of Nevada at Reno, and, for more than forty years, at Brandeis University,
where he is Paul Prosswimmer Professor of American Literature. His scholarship centers on Lincoln and the political crisis
of the 1850s, and on the poet and novelist Robert Penn Warren (for whom he is literary executor). He has also published
three volume of poetry.
The Romantic Fiction Shelf
Freedom Quest: A Love Story
Debora Masterson, author
Mary Quinlan, illustrator
https://deboramasterson.com
Atmosphere Press
www.atmospherepress.com
9798901741269, $18.99, PB, 302pp
Amazon
https://www.amazon.com/Freedom-Quest-Story-Debora-Masterson/dp/B0GRKG1DHW
Barnes & Noble
https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/freedom-quest-debora-masterson/1149640063
Synopsis: Michael Griffin is a gifted musician whose journey through the Southern California music scene of the
1960s-80s becomes a cautionary tale about artistic integrity, the pursuit of stardom, and the cost of chasing dreams. From
backing up strippers in North Beach, San Francisco, to nearly landing a Capitol Records deal, from fronting his band
Freedom Quest to losing the love of his life, Grace, Michael's story captures the raw reality of what it means to live and
breathe music.
It all begins in 1965, when an instant spark ignites between the two of them in a San Fernando Valley music shop. As
Michael chases his musical destiny amid the counterculture revolution, Grace becomes his anchor, his muse -- and the love
he can't live without. But the struggle between artistic integrity and commercial success, betrayal, and the chaos of the
times tear them apart, sending each down separate and often harrowing paths of self-discovery.
Critique: An original, deftly crafted, impressively sweeping and engagingly emotional odyssey, "Freedom Quest: A Love
Story" by novelist Debora Masterson is a an inherently fascinating story a love and relationship that, while surviving
separation, success, failure, and illness, goes on to reveal the redemptive power of music -- and that timeless truth that true
love does exist in the world. Masterson's exceptional and genuine flair for the kind of character and narrative driven
storytelling style is perfectly suited to creating a 'Rockstar Romance' in the musical culture of the late 20th Century. While
unreservedly recommended for both personal reading lists and community library Historical Romance & Historical Fiction
collections, it should be noted that this paperback edition of "Freedom Quest: A Love Story" from Atmosphere Press is
also readily available in a digital book format (Kindle, $8.99).
Editorial Note: Debora Masterson (https://deboramasterson.com) is a writer, educator, producer, musician and
Francophone. Her writing has appeared in the Off-Campus Writers Workshop "About Write" publication and she is an
editor for the Chicago Writers Association "Windy City Review". Her career in the arts began in her youth as a
singer/dancer. She was recruited by Sammy Davis, Jr. as a dancer & background singer performing in major cities
throughout the USA. She transitioned into the agency business setting up Working Artists Agency. WAA was the first
boutique talent agency to represent post-production clients and expanded into developing film and television programs. As
an educator, she has taught tap, jazz and modern dance. With an MA in French, she taught high school, community college
and adult French classes and tutored Nestle executives in accent reduction. She has taught presentation skills and business
writing to CBRE management as a corporate trainer and taught a master class about the agency business to students at the
Columbia College Chicago Los Angeles location.
Everything's Grand
Freya Kennedy
Boldwood Books
c/o Ulverscroft Large Print, Inc.
www.ulverscroft.com
9781835338544, $43.50 / $36.98, PB, Large Print, 500pp
Ulverscroft
https://www.ulverscroft.com/store/us/search/9781835338544
Synopsis: Becca Burnside finally has life heading in the right direction. She's loving her new job, writing magazine
features about being a woman in her forties, her boys are happy, her romance with Conal O'Hagan is blossoming - and for
once, she actually feels like she's got it together.
But when Conal starts talking about the future, Becca's commitment collywobbles kick in with a vengeance. Add in a new
grandbaby who's as adorable as she is exhausting, a Fabulous Forties Club that refuses to organize itself, and her mum
giving her more reasons than ever to worry, Becca's 'fabulous' forties are starting to look a lot more FFS.
Meanwhile, best friend Laura is discovering there's more to life than clean laundry and home-cooked dinners. When she
finally enrols in the university course she's always dreamed of, she realises her family have been taking her for granted -
especially when they still expect dinner on the table and their pants ironed, even when she's not at home! But with a little
help from Becca and the gang, Laura's ready to remind everyone (including herself) that it's never too late to chase what
you really want.
Can Becca and Laura hold it all together - or will their fabulous forties turn into full-blown chaos?
Critique: "Everything's Grand" by novelist Freya Kennedy will hold a very special appeal for fans of 'later in life" romance
stories. Featuring clearly defined characters, women's friendship bonds, and an original and talented storytelling style by
the author, "Everything's Grand" is a thoroughly engaging read from start to finish. This large print trade paperback (5.08 x
0.68 x 7.8 inches, 9 ounces) edition of "Everything's Grand" from Boldwood Books is unabashedly recommended for both
personal reading lists and community library Romance Fiction collections.
Editorial Note: There is an online listing of books by Freya Kennedy available at FantasticFiction:
https://www.fantasticfiction.com/k/freya-kennedy
The Irish Cottage by the Sea
Clodagh Murphy
Boldwood Books
c/o Ulverscroft Large Print, Inc.
www.ulverscroft.com
9781805578116, $43.50 / $36.98, PB, Large Print, 500pp
Ulverscroft
https://www.ulverscroft.com/store/us/search/9781805578116
Synopsis: When single mum Lou moves from the chaos of Dublin to a forgotten seaside cottage in Dingle, she hopes for a
calmer life for her son, Jack -- a place where he can grow up surrounded by the warmth of a small community.
But village life isn't without its challenges. The cottage needs work and Lou needs a job, but at least Jack quickly makes
friends -- including Bo, the spirited daughter of Aidan, the head chef of the restaurant where Lou eventually finds work.
Aidan is serious, skilled, and a little distant, yet there's something about him Lou is drawn to.
Lou is firm in her decision not to get involved with anyone, not after the heartache Jack's father caused them both. But as
Lou and Aidan grow closer, they may just discover what matters most: family, community, and the unexpected joys of
opening your heart again.
Critique: Deftly crafted, compelling, emotionally engaging, and a fun read from cover to cover, this large print paperback
edition of Clogagh Murphy's new romance novel, "The Irish Cottage by the Sea" from Boldwood Books is very highly
recommended, especially for the personal reading lists of 'second chance at romance' fans, as well as community library
Romance Fiction collections.
Editorial Note: Clodagh (rhymes with Yoda) Murphy is an Irish author of romantic comedy and feel-good fiction with
sassy heroines, swoony heroes and happy (for now) endings. There is a listing of her novels at FantasticFiction:
www.fantasticfiction.com/m/clodagh-murphy
Stranger Things Have Happened
Kasie West
Saturday Books
c/o St. Martin's Publishing Group
https://us.macmillan.com/saturdaybooks
9781250349163, $20.00, PB, 352pp
Amazon
https://www.amazon.com/Stranger-Things-Have-Happened-Novel/dp/1250349168
Barnes & Noble
https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/stranger-things-have-happened-kasie-west/1147243859
Synopsis: Sutton knows she needs therapy. After all, she's managing her newly opened restaurant remotely while taking
care of her ungrateful sick mother. Plus, her boyfriend of two years just dumped her over the phone.
But does therapy with a handsome stranger, who she has to pretend to be engaged to, in order to help her friend's struggling
relationship count? Probably not. Then why did she just agree to go? Because she's had a few too many drinks? Because
this stranger, Elijah, is smug and annoying and really, really handsome? Because she feels guilty that she abandoned her
best friend, Tara, after high school and this might just make up for it?
Whatever the reason, she has committed to this unhinged plan. -- What the hell is Sutton doing?
Helping Tara prove a point: a good therapist can tell the difference between real love and fake love. That's what she's
doing. But as they attend their sessions, Sutton and Elijah only seem to be proving one thing -- the lines between pretend
desire and real desire are very blurry. This true connection forming between them is threatening to unravel everything
Sutton thought she knew about family, friendship, and her own heart.
Critique: An original and fun read from start to finish, "Strange Things Have Happened" by author/storyteller Kasie West
will hold enormous appeal for readers with an interest in a romantic comedy arising from Fake Dating unexpectedly
evolving into something a bit more authentic (and confusing!). With a distinctive and narrative driven storytelling style,
"Strange Things Have Happened" is an unreservedly recommended pick for personal reading lists and community library
Contemporary Romance Fiction collections. It should be noted that this paperback edition of"Strange Things Have
Happened" from Saturday Books is also readily available in a digital book format (Kindle, $12.99).
Editorial Note: Kasie West (https://kasiewest.com) is the author of more than fifteen (and counting) young adult novels.
Her books have been named ALA-YALSA Quick Picks, Junior Library Guild Selections, and ALA-YALSA Top Ten Best
Books for Young Adults. Her books have been translated into more than twenty languages. Kasie is also the author of We
Met Like "Stranger Things Have Happened" is her adult debut as a novelist.
How Simi Got Her Groom Back
Sonali Dev
https://sonalidev.com
Lake Union Publishing
c/o Amazon Publishing
9781662524301, $28.99, HC, 319pp
Amazon
https://www.amazon.com/How-Simi-Got-Groom-Back/dp/1662524307
Synopsis: Two sisters. One fake marriage. Zero chance of keeping the truth hidden.
The Naik sisters escaped their traumatic past in Mumbai to come to the States, but their journeys have been vastly
different. Simi is working toward a bright future as a pediatric nurse in a small town in Kentucky when Rupi shows up at
her door in distress, on the run, and as always, dragging trouble in her wake.
With Rupi's safety in jeopardy, the sisters hatch a desperate plan to keep her in the country: Rupi must get married (and
fast) even if it means Simi recruiting the man she's been secretly dating as her sister's groom. A perfect plan? Not quite.
But there aren't many alternatives.
As the big day inches closer, Simi and Rupi face a storm of wedding shenanigans and romantic surprises, not to mention
sisterly jealousies. As the stakes and tensions rise, will their secrets tear them apart or will they find a way to risk
everything for love?
Critique: Offering the reader a deftly blended story of contemporary romance and sibling conflict, "How Simi Got Her
Groom Back", novelist Sonali Dev's exceptional flair for the kind of character and narrative driven storytelling style
immensely benefits the reader with its originality. An entertaining read from start to finish, and a very highly recommended
pick for community library collections, it should be noted for personal reading lists that this hardcover edition of "How
Simi Got Her Groom Back" from Lake Union Publishing is also readily available in paperback (9781662524295, $16.99)
and in a digital book format (Kindle, $4.99).
Editorial Note: Sonali Dev (https://sonalidev.com) writes hilarious and heartwarming stories about families without
boundaries. Her novels have been named Best Books of the Year by Library Journal, NPR, The Washington Post, and
Kirkus Reviews. She has won the American Library Association's award for best in genre, the RT Reviewers' Choice
Award, and multiple RT Seals of Excellence, and she has been a RITA finalist and has been listed for the Dublin Literary
Award.
South of Somewhere
T. I. Lowe
Tyndale House Publishers
www.tyndale.com
9798400507809, $32.99, HC, 352pp
Amazon
https://www.amazon.com/South-Somewhere-T-I-Lowe/dp/B0FD7PTXRM
Barnes & Noble
https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/south-of-somewhere-ti-lowe/1147629338
Synopsis: When Juniper Wilder's grief spiraled into addiction, leading first to an arrest for drunk driving, then jail and
court-ordered rehab, she lost the most important thing in her life: her baby girl. Now, sober and on probation, Junie is
determined to prove she can be the mother Fern deserves. But she's burned a lot of bridges, ones that can't be easily
rebuilt.
Not every road is closed to her, however. Exiled to her late grandmother's South Carolina beach house, Junie starts over,
ready to pay off her debts and prove to her brother that he can safely return custody of Fern. She works hard and finds
surprising grace in an eclectic recovery community. There's an unexpected friendship, too (and maybe more) with her
neighbor, Henry, a quirky college professor who helps her believe in second chances.
Still, it's hard for Junie to imagine ever forgiving herself, let alone receiving forgiveness from those she's hurt... particularly
when her past rears its ugly head and threatens to undo every bit of progress she's made.
Critique: With the publication of "South of Somewhere", the extraordinary and narrative driven storytelling style of
novelist T. I. Lowe raises this original work of contemporary southern romance to an impressive level of literary
excellence. Deftly crafted, absorbing, and a fun read from start to finish, "South of Somewhere" is especially and
unreservedly recommended for community library Romance fiction collections. It should be noted for the personal reading
lists of dedicated fans of original, clean, and wholesome romance stories that this hardcover edition of "South of
Somewhere" from Tyndale House Publishers is also readily available in paperback (9798400507816, $18.99) and in a
digital book format (Kindle, $11.99).
Editorial Note: T. I. Lowe (https://www.tilowe.com) is an ordinary country girl who loves to tell extraordinary stories. She
is the author of 21 novels, including "Under the Magnolias" and her debut breakout "Lulu's Cafe". Her novel "Indigo Isle"
won the prestigious Christy Award in the contemporary romance category and was subsequently named Christy Award
Book of the Year.
Miriam's Little Gentleman
Anne Blackburne
Barbour Publishing
www.barbourbooks.com
9798891513679, $14.99, PB, 256pp
Amazon
https://www.amazon.com/Miriams-Little-Gentleman-Heart-Amish/dp/B0FW6QKYTK
Barnes & Noble
https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/miriams-little-gentleman-anne-blackburne/1148504781
Synopsis: Miriam Zook has loved David Miller her whole life, and she confessed her feelings the night before he moved to
Indiana and joined the Mennonite church. Miriam, having been baptized into the Amish faith, makes an income by
painting beautiful vignettes of Amish life. She has never married, since no one ever compared to David, and, as she is an
only child, this concerns the women in her family greatly. Now, seven years after leaving, David is back in Willow Creek
to embrace his Amish roots and join the church. Miriam's heart awakens, but can she dare to hope that he will also
embrace her?
Critique: Author and novelist Anne Blackburne (www.anneblackburne.com) is a master of the Amish Romance genre.
"Miriam's Little Gentleman" is another perfect example of her gifted storytelling style that lifts her books to an impressive
level of literary excellence. A fun read from start to finish, "Miriam's Little Gentleman" is the thirteenth volume in 'The
Heart of the Amish' series from Barbour Publishing and unreservedly recommended for community library Romance
Fiction collections. It should be noted for the personal reading lists of Anne Blackburne's legions of fans that this
paperback edition of "Miriam's Little Gentleman" is also readily available in a digital book format (Kindle, $14.99).
Editorial Note: There is an online listing of books by Anne Blackburne available online at FantasticFiction:
https://www.fantasticfiction.com/b/anne-blackburne
The Lacemaker's Fortune
Andrea Catalano
www.andreacatalanoauthor.com
Lake Union Publishing
c/o Amazon Publishing
9781662526015, $16.99, PB, 381pp
Amazon
https://www.amazon.com/Lacemakers-Fortune-Novel-Andrea-Catalano/dp/1662526016
Synopsis: New York City, 1879. Eileen Maguire is a factory lacemaker limited by her humble circumstances and dreaming
of a better life. Lawrence Barnard is the sole heir of one of Manhattan's wealthiest families, but his means keep him
confined by the expectations of society.
When their paths cross one fateful winter night, Eileen and Lawrence become caught under the spell of the charismatic and
enterprising Stanley Jones, who extolls the boundless opportunities awaiting in the West. The millinery shop Eileen
dreams of owning with her sister is possible, as is the freedom to make his own choices that Lawrence so craves.
What begins as an idealistic journey westward quickly becomes something unexpected and sinister once the group lands in
Leadville, Colorado, a wild silver mining boomtown high in the Rocky Mountains. A love triangle emerges, pitting
promises and passion against betrayals and lies.
With their starry-eyed intentions gone terribly awry and forbidden desires threatening to undo them, it will take heartbreak
and a shocking secret to shake Eileen and Lawrence out of their blinded stupors and remind them that their fortunes are
entirely in their own hands.
Set against the backdrop of the Gilded Age, "The Lacemaker's Fortune" is a dark tale of dangerous, suspenseful
seduction.
Critique: A deftly crafted and unreservedly recommended novel that will hold a special appeal to fans of 19th Century
historical romances set in the post-Civil War west, "The Lacemaker's Fortune" by Andrea Catalano is a fun and fascinating
read from cover to cover. Showcasing Catalano's impressive gift for imaginative and narrative driven storytelling, "The
Lacemaker's Daughter" is a solid and unreservedly recommended pick for community library collections. It should be
noted for personal reading lists that this paperback edition of "The Lacemaker's Fortune" from Lake Union Publishing is
also easily available in a digital book format (Kindle, $3.99).
Editorial Note: Andrea Catalano (www.andreacatalanoauthor.com) is the author of "The First Witch of Boston", which
was a 2025 Goodreads Choice Awards Best Historical Fiction Nominee. A historical novelist, Andrea holds a master of
philosophy in historical studies degree from University of Cambridge, UK.
The Western Fiction Shelf
The Guns of Sorrow
Neil Hunter
Linford Western Library
c/o Ulverscroft Large Print, Inc.
www.ulverscroft.com
9781444857474, $26.00 / $22.10, PB, Large Print, 192pp
Ulverscroft
https://www.ulverscroft.com/store/us/search/9781444857474
Synopsis: Bodie's trek to the town of Sorrow plunges him into all kinds of trouble. For a start, he's beginning to have
doubts as to the guilt of his prisoner, Henry Purcell - it doesn't seem likely that the man could have killed his business
partner. As Bodie rides north, the weather in the timberline becomes worse, with endless snow hampering his travel. Being
Bodie, he pushes on, encountering gunfire, treachery, and people who simply want him out of the way. With his prisoner
wounded, Bodie will take on all comers until he faces down the people behind Sorrow's troubles.
Critique: "The Guns of Sorrow" showcases western author Neil Hunter's genuine flair for the kind of character and
narrative driven storytelling style that is ideally suited for the action/adventure western genre. Original, engaging, and a
terrific read from cover to cover, this large print paperback edition of "The Guns of Sorrow" from the Linford Western
Library series is a welcome and unreservedly recommended addition to both personal reading lists and community library
Western Fiction collections.
Editorial Note: There is an extensive online listing of western novels by Neil Hunter available at Fantastic Fiction -
https://www.fantasticfiction.com/h/neil-hunter
Fire in the Wind
J. D. Sandon
Linford Western Library
c/o Ulverscroft Large Print, Inc.
www.ulverscroft.com
9781444857467, $26.00 / $22.10, PB, Large Print, 344pp
Ulverscroft
https://www.ulverscroft.com/store/us/search/9781444857467
Synopsis: Mexico, 1914. The revolution is in full, bloody spate. Zapata holds the south, Pancho Villa the north. Mexico
City is caught in the pincer grip of the rebel armies. But in Reynosa there is an answer to the government's siege: enough
explosives to blast the rebels to hell. And a way to deliver it: a bi-plane. It's a new way of making war, a way to deliver
death from the sky. But the Gringos will meet it the only way they know how...with bullets and blood!
Critique: Non-stop action adventure set agains the Mexican Revolution, "Fire in the Wind" by western author J. D. Sandon
is an extraordinary and entertaining read from cover to cover. An original, exceptional, deftly novel, this large print
paperback edition of "Fire in the Wind" from the Linford Western Library collections is a highly recommended pick for
personal reading lists and community/public library Western Fiction collections.
Editorial Note: There is an extensive online listing of books by J. D. Sandon available at:
https://www.fantasticfiction.com/s/j-d-sandon
The Silent Kill
James A. Muir
Linford Western Library
c/o Ulverscroft Large Print, Inc.
www.ulverscroft.com
9781444857481, $26.00 / $22.10, PB, Large Print, 280pp
Ulverscroft
https://www.ulverscroft.com/store/us/search/9781444857481
Synopsis: In his wake was a trail of blood which tainted his footsteps and marked him as a killer. Now he approached the
culmination of his long pursuit-vengeance! Now he would strike his blow without mercy, because he was called Breed --
and the name spelled violent death.
Critique: "The Silent Kill" reveals author James A. Muir as a master of the vengeance themed action/adventure western
genre. A deftly crafted and riveting read from start to finish, this large print paperback edition of "The Silent Kill" from the
Linford Western Library collections will prove a popular addition to both the personal reading lists of dedicated western
fans and community/public library Western Fiction collections.
Editorial Note: There is an comprehensive online listing of books by James A. Muir at Goodreads:
https://www.goodreads.com/author/list/1899349.James_A_Muir
The Death Riders
Cole Shelton
Linford Western Library
c/o Ulverscroft Large Print, Inc.
www.ulverscroft.com
9781444857498, $26.00 / $22.10, PB, Large Print, 192pp
Ulverscroft
https://www.ulverscroft.com/store/us/search/9781444857498
Synopsis: Dan Eckert was an outlaw with a desire to go straight. By selling out his companions, the notorious McCabe
gang, he earned himself a full pardon. There was just one problem.
Two decades later, the McCabe gang broke out of prison and came looking for revenge. Eckert, now the respected town
marshal of Sweetwater, knew he couldn't fight them by himself, so he hired Shane Preston and Jonah Jones to help even
the odds.
But one thing nobody anticipated was the reaction from Sweetwater itself. Fearful of the gang, the locals decided to offer
up Eckert as a sacrificial lamb!
Critique: "The Death Riders' by Cole Shelton continue the adventures of Shane Preston and his companion Jonah Jones in
still another riveting, gun blazing, compulsive page turner of a western novel by a master of the genre. This large print
paperback edition of "The Death Riders" from the Linford Western Library collection is unabashedly recommended as a
popular pick for the personal reading lists of dedicated western fans and community library Western Fiction
collections.
Editorial Note: There is an online listing of books by Cole Shelton available at FantasticFiction:
https://www.fantasticfiction.com/s/cole-shelton
Silver
Daniel Logue & Stephen Logue
https://danleelogue2008.wixsite.com/silver
Independently Published
9798377120384, $22.95, PB, 428pp
Amazon
https://www.amazon.com/Silver-Daniel-Logue/dp/B0GKFCY2ZJ
Synopsis: Jake was once the sheriff of the idyllic little town of Oak Bluff in the picturesque Arizona Territory. It has been
three years since a tragic hostage standoff led him to put down his gun and badge -- and vowing never to pick them up
again.
But when a stranger wearing a black flat-brimmed hat walks into town one stormy night, rumors of grisly murders
following him from the west, Jake discovers that the only nightmare worse than dying might be having to live again.
Co-written by Daniel and Stephen Logue, "Silver" raises questions about the very notion of what it is to be good, the
intentions of God, and what it really means to live. This is a story of the journey we all take through life, how it can turn
deadly, and, finally, how redemption can be found in the most unexpected way.
Stretching from 1764 Gevaudan, France, to the Arizona Territory of 1878, "Silver" is truly epic tale of lost innocence, what
we fear in the night, and how a monster can pull a good man back from the brink of damnation.
Critique: An original, deftly crafted, and simply riveting read from start to finish, "Silver" by co-authors Daniel and
Stephen Logue is an action/adventure novel set in France and the American West. It is raised to an impressive literary
excellence by the effective collaboration of authors with a genuine flair for the character and narrative driven arts of
storytelling. "Silver" is also the first novel in a trilogy that will follow Jake Dawson's story from the 1878 Arizona
Territory to Gevaudan, France, and back again. While an especially and unreservedly recommended pick for the personal
reading lists of western fans and community library Western Fiction collections it should be that this paperback edition of
"Silver" is also readily available in a digital book format (Kindle, $9.99).
Editorial Note #1: Daniel Logue and Stephen Logue are both electrical engineers who grew up in a log cabin built by their
father in the backwoods of Central IL. The story of "Silver" stems from those childhood years of living within the magic
that only a child's mind can bring to life.
In the Great Quiet
Laura Vogt
https://www.lauravogt.com
Lake Union Publishing
c/o Amazon Publishing
9781662535307, $16.99, PB, 331pp
Amazon
https://www.amazon.com/Great-Quiet-Novel-Laura-Vogt/dp/1662535309
Synopsis: A cannon booms at high noon, and the race begins in the Oklahoma land rush of 1893.
Amid the crowd is Minnie Hoopes. Tenacious and fiercely independent, she is determined to endure the brutal frontier and
create a life of her own. Guarding her solitude, she distances herself from bordering homesteaders and finds peace under
the starry nights of the vast frontier.
But this is outlaw country, and Minnie soon has the blood of two gunfighters on her hands. After a renegade outlaw named
Stot discovers her secrets, she forms an unlikely friendship with him. With each passing season, Minnie's past grows more
haunting and threatens the future she has risked everything to build.
Minnie raced into the Wild West alone, but her grandest journey in the frontier wilderness is one she never saw
coming.
Critique: Although a deftly crafted work of fiction, "In The Great Quiet" by Laura Vogt is based on the true story of her
own great-great-grandparents in inherently fascinating story of one woman's intense connection with the land, her future
threatening past, and an elemental search for a home against all odds. Original, compelling, and a riveting read from start
to finish, "In The Great Quiet" is unreservedly recommended for personal reading lists as well as community library
Historical Fiction/Romance/Western fiction collections. It should be noted that this paperback edition of "In The Great
Quiet" from Lake Union Publishing is also readily available in a digital book format (Kindle, $3.99).
Editorial Note: Laura Vogt (https://www.lauravogt.com) is a historian, storyteller, and poet.
The Mystery/Suspense Shelf
You Can Tell Me
Melinda Leigh
www.melindaleigh.com
Montlake
c/o Amazon Publishing
9781662516993, $28.99, HC, 299pp
Amazon
https://www.amazon.com/You-Can-Tell-Olivia-Cruz/dp/1662516991
Synopsis: On the three-year anniversary of true crime writer Olivia Cruz's horrific kidnapping, she's scheduled to walk her
podcaster friend Zoe March through the crime scene, but Zoe fails to show. Olivia knows Zoe would never stand her up --
not today!
Zoe's husband, who claims she never came home the night before, has reported her missing. But marital conflicts make the
police suspect she has left him. Olivia thinks otherwise. The police aren't looking for Zoe, so Olivia begins her own
investigation. Retracing her friend's last steps, she finds Zoe's phone and a text with one chilling word: Run.
It soon becomes apparent that Zoe has been keeping secrets, and with her true crime podcast, there's no telling what she
has unearthed. To find her, Olivia must dig into her friend's past. Did Zoe vanish to escape a killer, and is Olivia walking
into a deadly trap?
Critique: With deftly crafted characters and an original, spellbinding story that is a simply riveting read from start to finish,
"You Can Tell Me" by accomplished novelist Melinda Leigh is especially and unreservedly recommended as prized pick
for personal reading lists of suspense thriller fans and community library Contemporary Mystery/Suspense collections.
Another exceptional novel from a master of the genre from Melinda Leigh, it should be noted that this hardcover edition of
"You Can Tell Me" from Montlake is also readily available in paperback (9781662517006, $16.99) and in a digital book
format (Kindle, $5.99).
Editorial Note: Melinda Leigh (www.melindaleigh.com) is the author of Echo Road, the She Can series, the Midnight
series, the Scarlet Falls series, the Morgan Dane series, the Bree Taggert series, the Olivia Cruz series, and numerous short
stories, as well as the Rogue series novellas and the Widow's Island series novellas. Melinda has garnered numerous
writing awards, earned two RITA nominations, and been an International Thriller Award nominee for Best First
Novel.
Smoking Guns: Quitting Just Got Lethal
Matthew Bars
Independently Published
9798246691526, $22.00, HC, 311pp
Amazon
https://www.amazon.com/Smoking-Guns-Quitting-just-lethal/dp/B0GLTM12LY
Synopsis: MacArthur "Mac" Stahl stands out as the one of the world's foremost experts on treating tobacco addiction. With
his wise-cracking persona and a past steeped in the tough streets of the Bronx and Manhattan, MacArthur "Mac" Stahl is
far from your typical shrink. The son of a loan shark, he grew up surrounded by violence and criminality, shaping a tough
exterior that contrasts with his genuine desire to help others conquer their addiction.
Despite the rough edges, Mac has dedicated his life to aiding those trapped by tobacco and nicotine. His methods, crafted
over decades of experience, have garnered him a reputation in his field as wildly successful with his patients. However, his
commitment to his work has inadvertently placed him in the crosshairs of the most powerful players in the tobacco
industry.
In the sleek boardrooms of Big Tobacco, a sinister plan emerges to protect their staggering $100 billion per year empire at
any cost. As profits are threatened, they devise a chilling strategy to eliminate the world's top tobacco addiction clinicians
and researchers.
As bodies begin to drop, Mac finds himself ensnared in a deadly game of cat and mouse, grappling with his past while
navigating a threat that seems to have limitless resources and no moral compass. He isn't looking for a fight, but he isn't
walking away from one either and losing means dying.
Mac is not unfamiliar with violence and violent men. He has a brown belt in Hom Do Karate and hits the weights in the
gym like he still plays college football.
Amid the chaos, an unexpected romance develops, providing Mac with moments of hope and personal growth even as the
forces of Big Tobacco close in. With each passing day, he must summon his street smarts, fighting skills, and intellect to
survive and expose the corrupt enterprise targeting him.
In a tense climax, Mac unravels a truth more sinister than he could imagine. Faced with tough choices between
self-preservation and doing what's right, he navigates the complexities of survival in a ruthless world.
Critique: Original, deftly crafted, and a simply riveting read from start to finish, "Smoking Guns: Quitting Just Got Lethal"
by novelist Matthew Bars aptly showcases his character and narrative driven storytelling style. Drawing on the 'real world'
history of the tobacco industry's misinformation, disinformation, and political corruption activities in challenging
anti-tobacco science and medical based efforts to reveal the harmful and addictive qualities of tobacco make "Smoking
Guns: Quitting Just Got Lethal" a believable background to a fictional story of mystery, suspense, and murder.
Exceptionally well written and a true page-turner of a suspense thriller, "Smoking Guns: Quitting Just Got Lethal" is
especially and unreservedly recommended for personal reading lists and community library Mystery/Suspense collections.
It should be noted for action/adventure mystery fans that this hardcover edition of "Smoking Guns: Quitting Just Got
Lethal" is also available in paperback (9798246701706, $12.99) and in a digital book format (Kindle, $9.99).
Editorial Note: Matthew Bars is a board-certified tobacco treatment specialist, shrinkologist, and health-tech innovator,
who has spent his career on the front lines of addiction, medicine, and public policy. Known professionally as the "Chief
Quitting Officer," Bars works with the Fire Department of New York City, other patients, physicians and other clinicians,
translating addiction science into real-world outcomes. "Smoking Guns: Quitting Just Got Lethal" is his debut novel and
draws on decades of experience inside healthcare systems, regulatory battles, and the human cost of nicotine dependence.
Blending medical realism with high-stakes crime and corporate intrigue, Bars brings an insider's authenticity to a story
where science, money, power and corruption collide.
The Invisible Worm That Flies in the Night
James Dain
www.JamesDain.com
Brown & King
9798993375342, $4.99, Kindle
Amazon
https://www.amazon.com/Invisible-Worm-That-Flies-Night-ebook/dp/B0GHYCDNZH
Synopsis: In a declining steel town in western Pennsylvania in the early 1960s, a stranger arrives looking for a second
chance.
His name is Tony Pagano and he is a man on the run, determined to leave behind a past he barely understands and cannot
control. Taken in by Father Vinton, an earnest young priest who believes in redemption, Pagano finds uneasy refuge on the
margins of a tight-knit working-class community.
At the same time, eleven-year-old Francis Mozek is searching for his missing father, trying to make sense of a world
already fractured by abandonment and confusion. Drawn to Pagano's attention, the boy finds in him something he has been
missing -- understanding, protection, even affection.
Others are less certain. Francis's mother, lonely and vulnerable, offers Pagano a place to stay, while Officer Bob
Grybowski, a hard, watchful cop, begins to suspect that the newcomer carries more than he admits.
What unfolds is not sudden violence, but a slow and dangerous entanglement of need, secrecy, and self-deception, as each
character moves step by step toward consequences they neither intend nor fully comprehend.
As the line between care and exploitation begins to erode, the cost of misplaced trust becomes irreversible.
Told with unflinching psychological clarity, "The Invisible Worm that Flies in the Night" is not a sensational story, but a
serious examination of how predation takes root within ordinary lives -- and how a community, in its blindness and
longing, can become involved in its spread.
Critique: Original, deftly crafted, and a riveting read from start to finish, "The Invisible Worm That Flies in the Night"
showcases author James Dain's extraordinary flair for the kind of character and narrative driven storytelling style that is
ideal for the crime novel. His skills as a novelist working in the noir genre and raises "The Invisible Worm That Flies in
the Night" to an impressive level of literary excellence. A compelling, compulsive, page-turner of a read, "The Invisible
Worm That Flies in the Night" from Brown & King is an exceptional and unreservedly recommended pick for personal
reading lists as well as community library Mystery/Suspense collections.
Editorial Note: James Dain (www.JamesDain.com) writes character-driven thriller and suspense fiction. His work has won
multiple awards, including "Best Novel" at the Los Angeles Neo-Noir Festival. He enjoys an adventurous life in Palm
Springs, California, where he teaches college, hikes with his dog and explores the nearby mountains.
The Judas Window
Carter Dickson
Isis Large Print
c/o Ulverscroft Large Print, Inc.
www.ulverscroft.com
9781444860306, $43.50 / $36.98, PB, Large Print, 318pp
Ulverscroft
https://www.ulverscroft.com/store/us/search/9781444860306
Synopsis: Avory Hume is found stabbed to death with an arrow - in a study with bolted steel shutters and a heavy door
locked from the inside. In the same room James Caplon Answell lies unconscious, his clothes disordered as though from a
struggle, his fingerprints on the damning arrow.
Here is the unique Carter Dickson "impossible situation" - yet the great, explosive Sir Henry Merrivale gets down to
serious sleuthing and at last startles the crowd in the Old Bailey with a reconstruction of the crime along logical,
convincing lines.
Critique: A classic Carter Dickson 'locked room' murder mystery, this large print paperback edition of "The Judas
Window" is a deftly crafted and fun read from start to finish. Originally from British Library Crime Classics, this Isis Large
print edition is an unreservedly recommended for both the personal reading lists of dedicated 'whodunnit' mystery fans and
community library Mystery/Suspense collections. It should be noted that "The Judas Window" is also available in a
complete and unabridged CD (9780750552943) and MP3-CD (9780750552950) formats ($104.95 / $89.21 each).
Editorial Note: There is an extensive online listing of books by John Dickson Carr available at Books Series in Order:
https://www.bookseriesinorder.com/john-dickson-carr
Mrs Hudson and the Malabar Rose
Martin Davies
Isis Large Print
c/o Ulverscroft Large Print, Inc.
www.ulverscroft.com
9781444859805, $43.50 / $36.98, PB, Large Print, 366pp
Ulverscroft
https://www.ulverscroft.com/store/us/search/9781444859805
Synopsis: When a priceless ruby known as the Malabar Rose vanishes while being guarded by Sherlock Holmes his
assistant, Dr. Watson, and his formidable landlady Mrs. Hudson set out to give a lesson in criminal deduction for her most
famous and logical of tenants -- the master sleuth himself.
Critique: A deftly crated and thoroughly fun read from cover to cover, "Mrs Hudson and the Malabar Rose" is the second
book in the eight title 'A Holmes & Hudson Mystery' series by Martin Davies. This series is a delightful expansion of the
Sherlock Holmes canon and a 'must' for the personal reading lists of dedicated cozy mystery enthusiasts in general, and
Sherlock Holmes fans in particular. This large print paperback edition of "Mrs Hudson and the Malabar Rose" from Isis
Large Print is an extraordinary and unreservedly recommended addition to community library Mystery/Suspense
collections. It should be noted that "Mrs Hudson and the Malabar Rose" is also available as a complete and unabridged
audio book in both a CD (9780750553117) and MP3-CD (9780750553124) format ($111.95 / $95.16 each).
Murder in Barcelona
Christina Koning
Isis Large Print
c/o Ulverscroft Large Print, Inc.
www.ulverscroft.com
9781444859812, $43.50 / $36.98, PB, Large Print, 348pp
Ulverscroft
https://www.ulverscroft.com/store/uk/search/9781444859812
Synopsis: Summer, 1937. Frederick Rowlands' peaceful holiday in Cornwall is derailed when a film star is found dead in
his hotel.
The suspicious nature of Dolores La Mar's death points to murder and Rowlands soon finds himself caught up in the police
investigation. When his old flame, Secret Service agent Iris Barnes arrives, it transpires that the killing has links to the
political turmoil of the Spanish Civil War.
Rowlands and Barnes begin to follow a treacherous trail of Republican revolutionaries which leads them to the dark streets
of Barcelona, where they discover that their Cornish murder is more connected to the city than either of them realized.
As Europe inches closer towards international conflict, will Rowlands and Barnes make it out of Spain alive?
Critique: Another literary gem from the pen of Christina Koning, the newest edition to her 'The Blind Detective
Investigates' series, this large print paperback edition of "Murder In Barcelona" from Isis Large Print is another
extraordinary adventure of for the pleasure of dedicated fans of historical murder mysteries and tales of the amateur sleuth,
Frederick Rowland, as he once again finds himself facing dangerous odds. This large print paperback edition of "Murder in
Barcelona" is certain to be an immediate and enduringly popular pick for personal reading lists and community library
Mystery/Suspense collections.
Editorial Note: Christina Koning has worked as a journalist, reviewing fiction for The Times, and has taught Creative
Writing at the University of Oxford and Birkbeck, University of London. From 2013 to 2015, she was Royal Literary Fund
Fellow at Newnham College, Cambridge. She won the Encore Prize in 1999 and was long-listed for the Orange Prize in
the same year. An extensive online listing of books by Christina Koning is now available at Fantastic Fiction --
https://www.fantasticfiction.com/k/christina-koning.
A Midsummer Murder
Kate Wells
Boldwood Books
c/o Ulverscroft Large Print, Inc.
www.ulverscroft.com
9781836781561, $43.50 / $36.98, PB, Large Print, 500pp
Ulverscroft
https://www.ulverscroft.com/store/us/search/9781836781561
Synopsis: Jude Gray is delighted to hear that her friend Kerry is setting up a wellness retreat with her new boyfriend. If
anyone deserves to find peace and happiness, it's Kerry and a retreat at the foot of the Malvern Hills sounds perfect. So
Jude (as any good friend would) offers to pitch in.
But the appearance of charismatic keynote speaker Inigo Sage sets Jude's instincts on edge. With his mystical mantras and
too-perfect smile, he strikes her as more showman than spiritual guide. Still, he keeps the guests happy, and with a few
unexpected extra arrivals, Jude and Kerry certainly have their hands full.
When a fatal accident shatters the peace, the weekend of relaxation descends into anything but tranquility. And Jude learns
that Inigo's connections to many of those at the retreat go back decades, and their shared secrets have been deeply
buried.
As tensions flare and old resentments bubble to the surface, can Jude find the truth before someone else gets hurt?
Critique: With all the elements of a cozy mystery (an amateur female sleuth, 'whodunnit' suspense, a plethora of plot
twists) with the publication of her newest novel, "A Midsummer Murder", author Kate Wells once again demonstrates her
compelling flair for the kind of character and narrative driven storytelling style that is produces an original, compelling,
and fun read for the growing legions of her fans. This large print paperback edition of "A Midsummer Murder" from
Boldwood Books will prove to be an immediate and enduringly popular pick for personal reading lists, as well as
community library Mystery/Suspense collections.
Editorial Note: Kate Wells (https://www.katewellscrime.co.uk) is the author of the Malvern Farm Mystery series for
adults, she also writes books for children as Kate Poels. There is an online listing of her books at FantasicFiction:
www.fantasticfiction.com/w/kate-wells
Bullets Over Bourbon: Urban Crime Stories
David Goldstein
Crime In Progress Press
www.anotherbodyinbrooklyn.com
9798999411235, $18.99 PB, $4.99 Kindle, 420pp
Synopsis: "Bullets Over Bourbon: Urban Crime Stories" by David Goldstein is comprised of thirteen short stories each one
featuring an original, gritty, and memorable tales of urban centered crimes and the men who committed them. Some are of
stories of passion, some of greed, some of relationships gone wrong, some of balancing accounts -- one way or
another.
These stories (in roughly chronological order) includes tales set in New York and its environs: Gimme Shelter (Bed-Stuy,
Brooklyn -- 2013); Bed-Stuy Burning (Bed-Stuy, Brooklyn -- 2014); Up Close and Personal (Bed-Stuy, Brooklyn -- 2014);
Big Mac's Baggage (East New York, Brooklyn -- Late 2000's); Motel Mayhem (South Jamaica, Queens -- Mid-2010s);
Jasmine (Bed-Stuy, Brooklyn -- 2009); Bullets Over Bourbon (New York City -- 2012); Shades Of Truth And The Shot
That Couldn't Drown Out The J Train (Bed-Stuy, Brooklyn -- Late 2000's); What If I Came Knocking? (New York City --
Mid-2010's); Warrantless Entry (South Jamaica Queens -- Late 2010's).
Plus two stories set in Los Angeles: Unauthorized Donut Shops (Los Angeles -- Late 2000's); The West LA Junkett -- Late
2000's).
Critique: As an author with professional experience in law enforcement, the individual noir style short stories comprising
"Bullets Over Bourbon: Urban Crime Stories" aptly demonstrate David Goldstein's impressive flair for the kind of
character and narrative driven storytelling style that is ideal for the short story format. His deftly crafted tales are
authentically original, succinctly riveting, and will have enormous appeal to fans of contemporary crime fiction. An
entertaining, engaging, and at times simply fascinating, "Bullets Over Bourbon: Urban Crime Stories" is especially and
unreservedly recommended for both the personal reading lists of noir crime story fans and community library
Contemporary Criminal Suspense/Thriller Fiction collections.
Editorial Note: After serving as an officer in the U.S. Marine Corps, David Goldstein spent two and a half years as a patrol
officer with the LAPD in Los Angeles. He then joined the NYPD and served in high-crime areas in northern Brooklyn
before becoming a Lieutenant/Platoon Commander in South Jamaica, Queens. After retiring from the NYPD in 2020, he
served for four years as a campus police officer in Boston. David's debut crime novel, Another Body in Brooklyn, was
released in October of 2025.
Murder by Design
Lee Goldberg
www.leegoldberg.com
Thomas & Mercer
c/o Amazon Publishing
9781662533594, $28.99, HC, 239pp
Amazon
https://www.amazon.com/Murder-Design-Thriller-Edison-Bixby/dp/1662533594
Synopsis: Edison Bixby is wealthy, handsome, and, due to a traumatic brain injury, impulsively rude. He's also a brilliant
insurance investigator who solves baffling crimes by figuring out how the design of the man-made world around us makes
them possible.
Enter Wally Nash: a struggling actor hired to keep Bixby from offending everyone he meets.
Their first case together looks like a simple accident. Caroline Crowley took a nasty fall down a staircase at a shopping
mall in front of dozens of witnesses. Video clearly shows the deadly misstep. But Bixby is certain she was murdered by
design, subtly manipulated into causing her own demise. The mall itself made the crime intentional, if not inevitable.
Now Bixby must prove his outrageous theory before a very cunning killer gets others on his hit list to murder themselves,
too.
Critique: A deftly crafted mystery of conspiracy and a police procedural style suspense thriller, "Murder By Design" is an
exceptional, original, and fun read from start to finish. Author Lee Goldberg has an extraordinary character and narrative
driven storytelling style that is ideal for the 'whodunnit' murder mystery genre. While an especially and unreservedly
recommended pick for community library Mystery/Suspense collections, it should be noted for the personal reading lists of
dedicated mystery fans that this hardcover edition of "Murder By Design" from Thomas & Mercer is readily available in
paperback (9781662533617, $16.99) and in a digital book format (Kindle, $4.99).
Editorial Note: Lee Goldberg (www.leegoldberg.com) is a two-time Edgar Award and two-time Shamus Award finalist
and the author of more than sixty novels, including the Eve Ronin series, the Ian Ludlow series, the Sharpe & Walker
series, and five books (and two novellas) in the Fox and O'Hare series, which Lee coauthored with Janet Evanovich. He
has also written and/or produced many TV shows, including Diagnosis Murder, SeaQuest, and Monk, and is the co-creator
of the Hallmark movie series Mystery 101. As an international television consultant, he has advised networks and studios
in Canada, France, Germany, Spain, China, Sweden, and the Netherlands on the creation, writing, and production of
episodic series.
Dear Mother
Rea Frey
www.reafrey.com
Thomas & Mercer
c/o Amazon Publishing
9781662532283, $16.99, PB, 253pp
Amazon
https://www.amazon.com/Dear-Mother-Rea-Frey/dp/1662532288
Synopsis: After a childhood riddled with trauma and unanswered questions, Isabelle Archer vows to chase down the truth.
So when her estranged mother dies, the investigative journalist returns to the one story that still haunts her.
Isabelle was thirteen when her three foster siblings died tragically in a fire. The blaze was ruled an accident, and despite
the neglect, Isabelle never wanted to believe her mother was a killer. But twenty-five years later, the accusations
linger.
Back in Cedarloch to settle the estate, Isabelle revisits her childhood home. A familiar dread permeates the surrounding
woods. And when autopsy reports cast new suspicions, Isabelle unearths much more than just terrifying memories.
With help from her ex, Isabelle frantically digs for answers. What really happened the night of the fire? How did her
mother die? And are the two somehow connected? What they find could poison long-held memories - and incinerate
everything she thought to be true.
Critique: A deftly crafted and original psychological suspense thriller of a read from start to finish, "Dear Mother" by Rea
Frey exhibits the kind of character and narrative driven storytelling style that raptly engages the reader full attention. While
a highly recommended addition to community/public library Mystery/Suspense collections, it should be noted for personal
reading lists that this paperback edition of "Dear Mother" from Thomas & Mercer is also readily available in a digital book
format (Kindle, $3.99).
Editorial Note: Rea Frey (www.reafrey.com) is the author of several suspense, women's fiction, and nonfiction books.
Known as a "book doula," she also helps other authors birth their books into the world.
Smoke and Embers
John Lawton
Atlantic Monthly Press
c/o Grove/Atlantic, Inc.
www.groveatlantic.com
9780802164896, $28.00, HC, 416pp
Amazon
https://www.amazon.com/Smoke-Embers-Inspector-Troy-Novel/dp/0802164897
Barnes & Noble
https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/smoke-and-embers-john-lawton/1146314109
Synopsis: "Smoke and Embers" is the ninth installment of the beloved Inspector Troy series by author John Lawton and
opens in 1950, when Scotland Yard Chief Inspector Troy learns that his sergeant has been conducting an affair with the
known mistress of infamous London racketeer Otto Ohnherz.
Troy is immediately intrigued by the mysterious origins of Ohnherz's second-in-command, Jay Fabian, who is a major
contributor to all three British political parties and claims to have survived Nazi concentration camps -- yet he lacks proof
beyond his word.
Critique: So begins "Smoke and Embers", another simply riveting novel by John Lawton. A deftly crafted story that
references the Holocaust, and the reinvention of identities in the aftermath of World War II, "Smoke and Embers" exhibits
a compelling complex storytelling style replete with compellingly original dialogue, humor, and the recurrence of
characters from previous Inspector Troy novels comprising Lawton's popular series. While a highly recommended and
popular pick for community library Mystery/Suspense collections, it should be noted for the personal reading lists of
mystery and espionage thriller fans that this hardcover edition of "Smoke and Embers" from the Atlantic Monthly Press is
also readily available in paperback (9780802167446, $18.00), in a digital book format (Kindle, $10.10).
Editorial Note: John Lawton has written eight previous Inspector Troy thrillers, four Joe Wilderness novels, a standalone
novel, and a volume of history. His Inspector Troy novels have been named best books of the year by the New York
Times, Los Angeles Times, and New York Times Book Review. (https://www.bookseriesinorder.com/john-lawton)
Doocey Half-Sees Whodunnit
Tom McAndrew
Camel Press
www.camelpress.com
9781684923304, $18.95, PB, 282pp
Amazon
https://www.amazon.com/Doocey-Half-Sees-Whodunnit-Tom-McAndrew/dp/1684923301
Barnes & Noble
https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/doocey-half-sees-whodunnit-tom-mcandrew/1149617379
Synopsis: Okay, his superiors might think him a clown, and okay, he might be secretly battling his diminishing eyesight,
but Shamie Doocey is determined to prove that he's still a seriously good detective with a twenty-twenty mind's eye by
solving his first big case: the disappearance of an uptight crime writer's wife.
"Doocey Half-Sees Whodunnit" is more than just another cosy mystery with lots of intriguing twists. You as the reader
will struggle alongside Doocey to see matters clearly right up to the very end. It's the story of human courage, Irish
drollness, resilience, and ultimately transformation, in the face of adversity.
Critique: Original, deftly crafted, and a fun read from cover to cover for fans of humor laced 'whodunnit' murder mysteries
"Doocey Half-Sees Whodunnit" by Tom McAndrew features a unique and memorable sleuth. While particularly and
unreservedly recommended for the personal reading lists of dedicated mystery fans, as well as community library
Mystery/Suspense collections, it should be noted that this paperback edition of "Doocey Half-Sees Whodunnit" from
Camel Press is also available in a digital book format (Kindle, $7.99).
Editorial Note: Tom McAndrew (https://tommcandrewwriter.com) is an Irish mystery writer who grew up in a little village
(of about twelve houses) on the very edge of the West of Ireland. He has written a series of funny whodunnits which
feature a scruffy, oddball detective named Doocey who starts losing his sight just as he's assigned his first big case.
Pomona Afton Can Totally Catch a Killer
Bellamy Rose
Emily Bestler Books
c/o Atria Books
9781668075685, $18.00, PB, 272pp
Amazon
https://www.amazon.com/Pomona-Afton-Totally-Catch-Killer/dp/1668075687
Barnes & Noble
https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/pomona-afton-can-totally-catch-a-killer-bellamy-rose/1147556595
Synopsis: Pomona Afton knows how to throw a memorable party. After all, for her twenty-fifth birthday, she hosted a
global extravaganza that included a masquerade ball in a Scottish castle, clubbing in Ibiza, and skinny dipping on a private
island. So, throwing a gala for her fledgling nonprofit should be a breeze.
Unfortunately, she has to navigate the high-stakes (and snobby) world of philanthropy, a beloved boyfriend who just can't
seem to fit in, and of course, her dysfunctional family, all while planning a party that won't only affect the future of her
charity, but her own future in society.
But Pom is no quitter. She pushes forward and perseveres... until, right in the middle of her party, she discovers the body
of one of her biggest donors. Suddenly all her hard work is going up in flames. If she's going to salvage her new life path,
she must put on her (incredibly stylish) detective hat again and figure out who wants to bring her down. One more measly
little murder mystery shouldn't be that hard, right?
Critique: Original, exceptional, and a fun read from start to finish, "Pomona Afton Can Totally Catch a Killer" features a
very clever 'whodunnit' complete with an amateur female sleuth, a plethora of unexpected plot twists, and presented with
author Bellamy Rose's impressively distinctive storytelling style. Highly recommended for both personal reading lists and
community library Mystery/Suspense collections, it should be noted that this paperback edition of "Pomona Afton Can
Totally Catch a Killer" from Emily Bestler Books is also available in a digital book format (Kindle, $11.99) and as a
complete and unabridged audio book (Blackstone Publishing, 9781668118481, $39.99, CD).
Editorial Note: Bellamy Rose (www.amandaelliotbooks.com) is the pen name of the author of a romantic comedy/murder
mystery. She has never solved an actual murder. She published non-murdery rom-coms as Amanda Elliot.
The Roaring Ridleys
K. M. Colley
Thomas & Mercer
c/o Amazon Publishing
9781662536113, $16.99, PB, 283pp
Amazon
https://www.amazon.com/Roaring-Ridleys-Novel-K-M-Colley/dp/1662536119
Synopsis: In the glittering world of 1920s New York, the seven Ridley heirs seem to have it all: wealth, status, and
protection as the city's most powerful family. But when notorious gossip columnist Dale Caimen is found dead during their
family's renowned summer soiree, their carefully constructed world begins to crack.
Behind the champagne and jazz, each adopted Ridley sibling harbors secrets that could destroy them. There's Amelia, the
responsible eldest trying to hold it all together; Adesua, whose artistic ambitions in the Harlem Renaissance threaten her
family's expectations; and wild child Kavita, whose dangerous nights in speakeasies may have finally caught up with
her.
As the murder investigation intensifies, long-buried tensions surface and family loyalties unravel. Someone knows the
truth about the Ridleys -- and they're willing to kill to expose it. In a world where appearance is everything and power
comes at a deadly price, the siblings must decide what matters more: protecting the family name or each other.
Critique: Carefully crafted, impressively original, and an inherently fascinating read from start to finish, "The Roaring
Ridleys" by K. M. Colley is especially recommended for readers with an interest in novels that skillfully blend a murder
mystery thriller with romantic suspense against the background of the Roaring Twenties with all of its excesses and
changing norms for young women. While also available for personal reading lists in a digital book format (Kindle, $1.99),
this paperback edition of "The Roaring Ridleys" from Thomas & Mercer will prove a welcome and enduringly popular
pick for community library Mystery/Suspense collections.
Editorial Note: K. M. Colley writes thrillers, contemporary mysteries, and cinematic stories that explore legacy and
ambition. Her work often centers around powerful families, glamorous settings, and complex characters.
Cat on a Hot Tin Woof
Spencer Quinn
Minotaur Books
c/o St. Martin's Publishing Group
www.minotaurbooks.com
9781250331779, $28.00, HC, 320pp
Amazon
https://www.amazon.com/Cat-Hot-Tin-Woof-Mystery/dp/1250331773
Barnes & Noble
https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/cat-on-a-hot-tin-woof-spencer-quinn/1147537814
Synopsis: Chet the dog is less than enthusiastic about the Little Detective Agency's next case. Chet and his human partner,
PI Bernie Little, have been hired to find a missing person -- only the missing person is a cat. Miss Kitty, an internet
sensation, has disappeared, and Chet and Bernie have been hired to find her before her many followers realize something is
wrong.
Miss Kitty belongs to Bitty, a sweet teenage girl who lives with her mom. Bitty and her mother are struggling financially,
but the arrival of Miss Kitty and the chance discovery of her social media appeal has changed everything. Bitty now has
sponsors, a high-powered agent, and all the tools needed to thrive online, and real money is flowing in. At least, it was.
With Miss Kitty gone, the family's income is on the line.
The case presents a slew of challenges for Chet and Bernie. For one thing, a potential witness is a pig named Senor Piggy
who may be in possession of an important piece of evidence. For another, it seems like a possible perp has been killed
twice -- and there's evidence implicating Bernie in the crime!
Critique: Original, exceptional, and a fun read for mystery fans from start to finish, "Cat on a Hot Tin Woof" is the
sixteenth titles in author Spencer Quinn's 'Chet & Bernie Mystery' series. A compulsive page turner of a 'whodunnit' that
takes on the darker aspects of the internet, "Cat on a Hot Tin Woof" is a riveting and recommended pick for personal
reading lists and community library Mystery/Suspense collections. It should be noted for the growing legions of Spencer
Quinn fans that this hardcover edition of "Cat on a Hot Tin Woof" from Minotaur Books is also available in a digital book
format (Kindle, $14.99).
Editorial Note: Spencer Quinn (www.peterabrahams.com) is the pen name of Peter Abrahams, the Edgar-award winning
author of many novels, including the Chet and Bernie mystery series, Mrs. Plansky's Revenge, The Right Side, and
Oblivion, as well as the New York Times Bowser and Birdie series for younger readers. A listing of his books is available
online at Book Series in Order: https://www.bookseriesinorder.com/spencer-quinn
The Bookshop of 99 Doors
Jaime Jo Wright
Bethany House Publishers
c/o Baker Publishing Group
www.bethanyhouse.com
9780764243813, $18.99, PB, 352pp
Amazon
https://www.amazon.com/Bookshop-99-Doors-Timeline-Christian/dp/0764243810
Barnes & Noble
https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-bookshop-of-99-doors-jaime-jo-wright/1147595924
Synopsis: In 1888, Minnie Tipton finds herself beset by the dark superstitions that envelop the Pennsylvania mansion her
father bought. Convinced the vengeful spirit of a Civil War captain haunts the house and worried by her father's rapidly
worsening illness, Minnie delves into the home's fraught past in an effort to bring him peace. Yet the lingering impact of
the war and the gruesome tale of murder she uncovers only foster more fear and threaten to unravel Minnie's own
sanity.
In the present day, Triss Bellamy eagerly steps into the role of bookshop manager in the mansion-turned-museum boasting
ninety-nine doors. But Triss's dream job turns into a nightmare when havoc breaks loose with the arrival of her brother's
team of self-proclaimed paranormal investigators. Their determination to find a rumored one-hundredth door (a dangerous
portal to the madness long said to plague the mansion) results in calamity, leaving Triss no choice but to hunt down the
truth or watch her brother slip forever beyond her reach.
Critique: Original, exceptional, deftly crafted, and a fun read from start to finish, "The Book of 99 Doors" by Jaime Jo
Wright will hold a great appeal for fans of Christian historical mystery novels with a deft blending of suspense and
romance. As an accomplished author, Jaime Jo Wright demonstrates a genuinely impressive flair for the kind of
imaginative storytelling talents that are ideal for the genre. While highly recommended for personal reading lists and
community library Mystery/Suspense collections, it should be noted that this paperback edition from Bethany House
Publishers is also readily available in a digital book format (Kindle, $12.99).
Editorial Note: Jaime Jo Wright (www.JaimeWrightBooks.com) is the author of more than fifteen novels and three
novellas, including Christy Award-winner The Vanishing at Castle Moreau, Christy Award and Daphne du Maurier
Award-winner The House on Foster Hill, Christy Award-winner Night Falls on Predicament Avenue, and Carol
Award-winner The Reckoning at Gossamer Pond.
Kill Dick
Luke Goebel
https://www.lukegoebel.com
Red Hen Press
www.redhen.org
9781636284651, $26.95, HC, 280pp
Amazon
https://www.amazon.com/Kill-Dick-Novel-Luke-Goebel/dp/1636284655
Barnes & Noble
https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/kill-dick-luke-goebel/1147711140
Synopsis: At nineteen, Susie Vogelman should be coasting: she's an NYU dropout with no responsibilities, endless
prescription pills, and a Brentwood estate to waste away in. But Los Angeles has other plans. A string of brutal murders
targeting addicts spreads through the city, and Susie's ivory tower begins to crumble. The headlines point too close to
home: her father's ties to an opioid empire, a sinister secret society, and her own complicity in the systems holding it all
together.
Then there's Peter Holiday, a disgraced professor running a rehab scam so audacious it's almost admirable. When their
lives collide, Susie and Peter are dragged into a web of privilege, corruption, and violence, where every escape leads
deeper into the rot.
Dark, satirical, and razor-sharp, "Kill Dick" by Luke Goebel is a modern literary thriller that unflinchingly dissects wealth,
exploitation, and the perilous line between survival and self-destruction.
Critique: Original, deftly crafted, and a simply riveting read from start to finish, author Luke Goebel's distinctive, character
and narrative driven style brings his novel, "Kill Dick", to an impressive level storytelling excellence and one that will hold
a very special appeal to fans of contemporary suspense thrillers set against a framework of violence, addiction, and murder.
Highly recommended for community library Contemporary Mystery/Suspense collections, it should be noted for personal
reading lists that this hardcover edition of "Kill Dick" from Red Hen Press is also readily available in a digital book format
(Kindle, $9.99).
Editorial Note: Luke Goebel (https://www.lukegoebel.com) is an acclaimed author and screenwriter celebrated for his
unflinching honesty and innovative storytelling. A recipient of the prestigious Ronald Sukenick Innovative Fiction Prize
and the Joan Scott Memorial Fiction Award, his debut novel, Fourteen Stories, None of Them Are Yours, garnered critical
acclaim for its innovative and precisely lyrical, profoundly resonant exploration of love, grief, and the restless search for
identity. Goebel also co-wrote Eileen, starring Anne Hathaway and McKenzie Thompson, and Causeway, starring Jennifer
Lawrence and Brian Tyree Henry (who received an Oscar nomination for his performance). He is known as well as his role
as co-editor at The New York Tyrant and work with Tyrant Books.
The Teacher
Tim Sullivan
Atlantic Crime
c/o Grove/Atlantic, Inc.
www.groveatlantic.com
9780802168238, $27.00, HC, 384pp
Amazon
https://www.amazon.com/Teacher-DS-George-Cross-Mystery/dp/080216823X
Barnes & Noble
https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-teacher-tim-sullivan/1148205512
Synopsis: Detective Sergeant George Cross has always been a good student -- attentive, methodical, and careful to
double-check his work. So when an elderly schoolteacher is found dead at home in southwest England, Cross knows the
math isn't adding up. The angle of the man's neck suggests he fell down the stairs. But the stab wound on his body changes
the equation.
In the weeks before his murder, the reclusive Alistair Moreton seemed different. He had always kept to himself, but people
swear someone else was in the house when they checked on him. There was a reason he wouldn't let them inside.
DS George Cross has a long list of suspects. Prickly and miserable, Moreton made life hell for his neighbors and former
pupils. But every victim deserves justice -- even one who never learned an important truth: If you go through life making
enemies, you shouldn't be surprised when someone decides to teach you a lesson.
Critique: The sixth title in author Tim Sullivan's 'DC George Cross Mystery' series, "The Teacher" is a deftly scripted and
original story that will hold a special appeal for readers with an interest in Police Procedural themed murder mysteries. An
inherently riveting read from start to finish, "The Teacher" is a very highly recommended pick for the personal reading lists
of suspense/thriller fans and a welcome addition to community library Mystery/Suspense collections. It should be noted
that this hardcover edition of "The Teacher" from Atlantic Crime is readily available for Tim Sullivan fans in paperback
(9780802167750, $17.99) and in a digital book format (Kindle, $9.99).
Editorial Note: Tim Sullivan (https://timsullivanusa.com) is an author and acclaimed screenwriter whose credits include A
Handful of Dust, Where Angels Fear to Tread, Jack and Sarah, and Letters to Juliet. He is also a television director whose
credits include Sherlock Holmes and Cold Feet. There is an online listing of his books available at Book Series in Order:
https://www.bookseriesinorder.com/tim-sullivan
The Bookseller
Tim Sullivan
Atlantic Crime
c/o Grove/Atlantic, Inc.
www.groveatlantic.com
9780802168214, $27.00, HC, 384pp
Amazon
https://www.amazon.com/Bookseller-DS-George-Cross-Mystery/dp/0802168213
Barnes & Noble
https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-bookseller-tim-sullivan/1148205514
Synopsis: Detective Sergeant George Cross has a knack for dismissing red herrings: He goes by the cold hard facts, and
nothing else. But with a concerning development in his personal life, Cross is hopelessly distracted. He needs to rely on
those around him: an entirely foreign concept.
When the body of a bookseller is discovered lying in a pool of blood in his Bristol bookshop, the police have one question:
How did the man meet such a violent, murderous end in this peaceful place?
Bookselling may be a quiet profession, but it's full of ambitious characters who know the value of a rare book and the
importance of careful plotting. With their extensive reading, they might know enough to get away with murder. But will
book learning be enough to fool the tenacious DS George Cross?
Critique: The seventh title in author Tim Sullivan's popular DS George Cross Mystery series, his novel, "The Bookseller",
once again demonstrates his master of the 'whodunnit' murder mystery and suspense thriller genre. Defined characters, a
fascinating plot with many an unexpected twist and turn, "The Bookseller" is unreservedly recommended for community
library Mystery/Suspense collections. It should be noted for the growing legions of Sullivan fans that this hardcover edition
of "The Bookseller" from Atlantic Crime is also readily available in paperback (9780802167699, $17.99) and in a digital
book format (Kindle, $9.99).
Editorial Note: Tim Sullivan (https://timsullivanusa.com) is an author and acclaimed screenwriter whose credits include A
Handful of Dust, Where Angels Fear to Tread, Jack and Sarah, and Letters to Juliet. He is also a television director whose
credits include Sherlock Holmes and Cold Feet. There is an online listing of his books available at Book Series in Order:
https://www.bookseriesinorder.com/tim-sullivan
Obelists Fly High
C. Daly King, author
Otto Penzler, introduction
American Mystery Classics
c/o Penzler Publishers
https://penzlerpublishers.com
9781613167472, $25.95, HC, 312pp
Amazon
https://www.amazon.com/Obelists-High-American-Mystery-Classics/dp/1613167474
Barnes & Noble
https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/obelists-fly-high-c-daly-king/1000527371
Synopsis: 1935: A surgeon, the appropriately named Dr. Cutter, is preparing to fly cross-country in a two-propeller plane
to perform a life-and-death surgery on his brother, the Secretary of State. Just before boarding, he receives an anonymous
note that says, You will die April 13th at Noon exactly Central Time. It seems to be an absurd threat because he is
scheduled to be in mid-air in the company of a small number of passengers at that hour.
Of course, he is murdered and the only suspects are in a confined area, all swearing that they saw nothing. This is the
conundrum facing NYPD Detective Michael Lord before he, too, is threatened. Fortunately, he is accompanied by his
friend, Dr. Rees Pons, who attempts to aid him by calling on his knowledge and experience as a psychologist.
As one of the most creative writers of impossible Golden Age detective stories, C. Daly King incongruously begins with an
epilogue, concludes with a prologue, and even provides a "Clue Finder" that reveals all the hints that would have helped
the astute reader solve the crime that could not possibly have been perpetrated.
Critique: Another 'time-lost' and treasured mystery from the literary legacy of C. Daly King, "Obelists Fly High" is now
back in print to the delight of a new generation of 'whodunnit and how did they do it' murder mystery fans. Of special note
is the informative introduction by Otto Penzler. A fun read from start to finish, "Obelists Fly High" is a guaranteed popular
pick for community library Mystery/Suspense collections. It should be noted for the personal reading lists of traditional
yesteryear detective novel enthusiasts that this hardcover edition of "Obelists Fly High" from American Mystery Classics is
also readily available in paperback (9781613167489, $15.95) and in a digital format (Kindle, $11.99).
Editorial Note #1: C. Daly King (1895-1963) was an American psychologist and detective story writer. He was born in
New York City and educated at Yale University. After fighting in World War I, he worked in textiles and in advertising
before returning to school to study psychology, with a particular focus on sleep and consciousness. In the 1930s, King
published nine books that quickly established him as a master of the Golden Age mystery, but ceased writing fiction with
the advent of World War II.
Editorial Note #2: Otto Penzler, the creator of American Mystery Classics, is also the founder of the Mysterious Press
(1975); MysteriousPress.com (2011), an electronic-book publishing company; and New York City's Mysterious Bookshop
(1979). He has won a Raven, the Ellery Queen Award, two Edgars (for the Encyclopedia of Mystery and Detection, 1977,
and The Lineup, 2010), and lifetime achievement awards from Noircon and The Strand Magazine. He has edited more than
80 anthologies and written extensively about mystery fiction.
Robert B. Parker's Booked: A Sunny Randall Novel
Robert B. Parker and Alison Gaylin
G. P. Putnam's Sons
c/o Penguin Group
www.penguin.com
9780593854402, $30.00, HC, 320pp
Amazon
https://www.amazon.com/Robert-Parkers-Booked-Sunny-Randall/dp/0593854403
Barnes & Noble
https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/robert-b-parkers-booked-alison-gaylin/1146606009
Synopsis: World famous author Melanie Joan Hall asks for Sunny's help in tracking down Book Babe, the screen-name of
an enormously popular book reviewer, who has trolled her with a deeply insulting one-star review. This usually wouldn't
matter except that Book Babe has thousands of followers, and her unwarranted blast has Melanie's publisher threatening to
pull all her books.
But Sunny's investigation reveals that the reviewer and Melanie have a rich history -- in fact, she may even have good
reason to hate the torn-up author. And when Book Babe suddenly turns up dead, casting Melanie as a possible suspect,
Sunny finds herself in a complicated web, which, if she can't untangle fast enough, might just put a target on her back.
Critique: An original and deftly crafted suspense thriller of a read from start to finish, "Robert B. Parker's Booked: A
Sunny Randall Novel" by the late Robert B. Parker and Alison Gaylin is one 'can't stop' compulsive page turner of a novel
that will have immense appeal to readers with an interest in traditional detective stories of murder and mystery. Memorable
characters, a storyline with many an unexpected plot twist and turn, "Robert B. Parker's Booked" is a fun read and a prized
pick for community library Contemporary Mystery/Suspense collections. It should be noted for personal reading lists and
Robert B. Parker fans that this hardcover edition of "Robert B. Parker's Booked" from G. P. Putnam & Sons is also
available in a digital book format (Kindle, $14.99).
Editorial Note #1: Robert B. Parker (September 17, 1932 - January 18, 2010) was the author of seventy books, including
the legendary Spenser detective series, the novels featuring Police Chief Jesse Stone, and the acclaimed Virgil Cole/Everett
Hitch Westerns, as well as the Sunny Randall novels. Winner of the Mystery Writers of America Grand Master Award and
long considered the undisputed dean of American crime fiction.
Editorial Note #2: Alison Gaylin (https://www.alisongaylin.com) is an author whose novels have won the Edgar and
Shamus awards. Her work has been published in numerous countries and has been nominated for many awards, including
the Los Angeles Times Book Prize, Macavity, Anthony, ITW Thriller and Strand Book Award.
Don't Forget Me, Little Bessie
James Lee Burke
Atlantic Crime
c/o Grove/Atlantic, Inc.
www.groveatlantic.com
9780802167453, $18.00, PB, 368pp
Amazon
https://www.amazon.com/Forget-Little-Bessie-Holland-Family/dp/0802167454
Barnes & Noble
https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/dont-forget-me-little-bessie-james-lee-burke/1146316241
Synopsis: At the beginning of the twentieth century, as America grapples with forces of human and natural violence more
powerful than humanity has ever seen, Bessie Holland yearns for the love that she has never known. She finds a soulmate
and mentor in a brilliant but tormented suffragette English teacher, who inspires Bessie to fight the forces of evil that
permeate her world.
Watching the vast Texas countryside being destroyed by an oil company and a menacing figure with a violent past, Bessie
is prepared to defend her home and her family. But when she accidentally kills an unarmed man to defend her father
Hackberry, she must flee to New York. There, her older brother introduces her to boys who will grow into gangsters, but as
children admire and respect Bessie's spirit and fortitude as she is cast into a gangland that yearns for justice and
mercy.
Critique: "Don't Forget Me, Little Bessie" is the epic story of a remarkable young girl who must struggle against seemingly
overwhelming forces and is author James Lee Burke's welcome return to his popular Holland series which is, once again,
deftly populated with memorable characters that are both inspiring and despicable. Showcasing his genuine flair for the
kind of character and narrative driven storytelling style that has won him legions of dedicated fans, "Don't Forget Me,
Little Bessie" by James Lee Burke will prove an immediate and enduringly popular pick for community library
Suspense/Thriller collections. It should be noted that "Don't Foreget Me, Little Bessie" was originally published in
hardcover (Atlantic Monthly Press, 2025) and is now also readily available for personal reading lists in a digital book
format (Kindle, $22.40).
Editorial Note: James Lee Burke (www.jamesleeburke.com) is a two-time winner of the Edgar Award, winner of the CWA
Gold Dagger and the Grand Prix de Litterature Policiere, and the recipient of the Guggenheim Fellowship for Creative Arts
in Fiction. He has authored forty novels and two short story collections.
The Fantasy/SciFi Shelf
Seeker
Glenn S. Robertson
https://www.glennsrobertson.com
Echo & Ink, LLC
9798994686904, $16.99 PB
9798994686928, $4.99 Kindle
Amazon:
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0GV3PKBC2
Synopsis: More than a century after a devastating plague collapses civilization, the American West has returned to older
ways. Towns are small, the land is unforgiving, survival depends on reputation and violence, and justice can come from
the end of a rifle - or a rope.
Ghost is a Seeker, a solitary rider hired to recover lost knowledge from the ruins of the old world. When a young girl is
kidnapped by raiders from Denver, his search carries him across Wyoming's plains and mountains, where every mile tests
what remains of a person when the world strips everything else away.
"Seeker" blends post-apocalyptic survival with the soul of a western, telling a story rooted in character and place, where
the land itself shapes those who endure it.
Critique: An original and deftly crafted novel that will have immense appeal for readers with an interest in
action/adventure dystopian themed science fiction stories, "Seeker" by author Glenn S. Robertson showcases his
impressive flair for the kind of character and narrative driven storytelling style that keeps the reader fully engaged from
start to finish. A simply fascinating read from cover to cover, "Seeker" is especially and unreservedly recommended for
personal and community library Science Fiction & Fantasy collections. It should be noted for personal reading lists that
"Seeker" is also available in a Kindle edition ($4.99).
Editorial Note: Glenn S. Robertson (https://www.glennsrobertson.com) is a Wyoming-based writer and U.S. Navy veteran.
His work is shaped by the American West, an interest in survival under pressure, and a belief that place leaves an imprint
on the people who endure it. Before turning to fiction, he worked as a public affairs professional and military journalist,
with his writing published widely in newspapers and online. "Seeker" is his first novel.
The Planetary Tribunal
D. K. Locke
Rathen & Vane Press
9798992609080, $32.00, HC386pp
Amazon
https://www.amazon.com/Planetary-Tribunal-Novel-Ideas/dp/B0GSYSYNFT
Barnes & Noble
https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-planetary-tribunal-d-k-locke/1149712245
Synopsis: In a multiverse where a few ageless individuals serve as clandestine auditors for myriad worlds, Hagar is the
auditor overseeing Earth. She uncovers doctored reports, suppressed alarms, and a civilization deep into overshoot. Before
she can act, she is silenced.
Decades later, a sleeper agent succeeds in locating and releasing Hagar. Their desperate attempt to convene a planetary
hearing takes them on a tumultuous journey-from being thrown into the hold of a slave ship in the past to being thwarted
by Earth's emergent entity.
"The Planetary Tribunal" by D. K. Locke is a deftly crafted novel of ideas that are fierce in argument, unsparing in
judgment, and sweeping in scope. It stands in the tradition of The Brothers Karamazov's moral confrontation, Atlas
Shrugged's civilizational reach, The Deluge's ecological reckoning. It also offers a scathing autopsy of Earth's economic
engine, industrial agriculture, religious dogmas, mass panics-and the underlying systems that sustain them. Woven
throughout are glimpses of parallel-universe societies that chose otherwise. The fate of Earth's inhabitants hangs in the
balance as the consequences of humanity's actions are finally brought before the bench.
Critique: Original, iconoclastic, dystopian, compelling, and a simply fascinating read from start to finish, "The Planetary
Tribunal" by novelist D. K. Locke is an extraordinary example of speculative fiction drawn from the extrapolation of the
nature of mankind to the moral ambiguities of exploitation and its possible consequences. Eloquent and deftly crafted,
"The Planetary Tribunal" is one of those novels that will linger in the mind and memory of the reader long after it has been
finished and set back upon the shelf. While an especially and unreservedly recommended pick for personal reading lists
and community library Science Fiction collections, it should be noted for dedicated science fiction fans that this hardcover
edition of "The Planetary Tribunal" from the Rathen & Vane Press is also available in paperback (9798992609097, $16.99)
and in a digital book format (Kindle, $4.99).
Portraits of Decay
J. R. Blanes
https://jrblanes.com
Ruadan Books
9798991258760, $16.99, PB, 388pp
Amazon
https://www.amazon.com/Portraits-Decay-J-R-Blanes/dp/B0FJS3SK51
Barnes & Noble
https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/portraits-of-decay-j-blanes/1147900603
Synopsis: Up-and-coming young artist Jefferson Fontenot has everything going for him: The hot New Orleans art scene
has noticed him, and he's finally found his true love, Nevaeh Parker. But Fontenot's bright future hides a darkness known
as Gemma Landry -- the artist's lover and art scene influencer.
Gemma believes Jefferson's talent holds the key to her seizing control of the popular Carondelet Street Gallery. But when
Gemma discovers Jefferson's infidelity, she enslaves the artist with a poison she acquired from swamp-dwelling witch
Mirlande St. Pierre.
Now trapped in a rotting body and plagued by hellish visions, Jefferson finds himself reduced to a zombie-like servant for
his unhinged ex, while Nevaeh is forced to embrace her past, hoping to save the man she loves. As the dark curse courses
through Jefferson's veins, everyone involved soon discovers (in the most brutal of fashions) the terror that awaits when you
cross Gemma Landry.
Critique: Original, deftly crafted, and all the more impressive when considering that "Portraits of Decay" is author J. R.
Blanes debut as a novelist, this brilliantly fashioned story of the occult, witchcraft, and horror showcases Blanes' genuine
flair for the kind of character and narrative driven storytelling style that is ideal for the psychological suspense and fantasy
genres. While this paperback edition of "Portraits of Decay" from Ruadan Books is an unreservedly recommended pick for
library Contemporary Fantasy & Horror collections, it should be noted for personal reading lists that it is also readily
available in a digital book format (Kindle, $9.99).
Editorial Note: The short fiction of J. R. Blanes (https://jrblanes.com) has been published in several anthologies,
magazines, and podcasts such as Winter in the City, Tales to Terrify, The NoSleep Podcast, Thirteen, and Creepy, among
others. "Portraits of Decay" is his debut novel.
The Moon Detente
Peter Policastro
Mount Lindsey Press
9978994808207, $34.99, HC, 594pp
9798994808214, $19.99, PB, 593pp
9798994808221, $6.99, Kindle, 586pp
Publication Date: September 15, 2026
Amazon
https://www.amazon.com/Moon-Detente-Peter-Policastro-ebook/dp/B0GTJL6SKB
Synopsis: America's moment has passed -- or so the world believes. As allies slip away and enemies sharpen their
ambitions, Washington clings to comforting illusions -- blind to the storm gathering just beyond the horizon.
But one man is not fooled. Jacob P. Slake, founder of the tech empire Q Corp, wagers everything on a secret plan to
prevent global collapse. He pays for it with his life, dying aboard a colossal spacecraft as it touches down on the
Moon.
In the aftermath, the burden falls to his widow, Jayne --an unlikely leader thrust into a role that could determine humanity's
future. With only a small circle of trusted insiders (a wily general, a principled engineer, and a gregarious lawyer) she must
now lead a mission designed not to rule the world, but to save it.
Critique: Original, cleverly crafted, and with an authenticity extrapolated from the current decline of respect for America's
self-claimed role in the world today, "The Moon Detente" by Peter Policastro will prove of immense appeal to dedicated
science fiction fans. All the more impressive when considering that "The Moon Detente" is Policastro's debut as a novelist,
his genuine flair for character and narrative driven storytelling style is ideal for the action/adventure themed science fiction
genre and format making it an especially and unreservedly recommended pick for both personal reading lists and
community library Science Fiction collections.
Editorial Note: Peter Policastro is a scientist. He earned a Ph.D. in chemistry from MIT in 1983, and has worked as a
researcher, inventor, entrepreneur, biotech CEO and academician.
The Woman Who Touched The Sun
Daniel Rirdan
https://www.danielrirdan.com
Corino Press
9798992609073, $13.99, HC, 22pp
Amazon
https://www.amazon.com/Woman-Who-Touched-Sun/dp/B0GVGD4LGQ
Barnes & Noble
https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-woman-who-touched-the-sun-daniel-rirdan/1149605894
Synopsis: Nobody sees Jo leave. One moment the farm is asleep; the next, the barn roof rolls open and a hand-built iron
ship blasts its way into the sky.
A woman from Nebraska-quiet, stubborn, with a samurai's bloodline-has spent long nights with a sledgehammer and a
welding torch in her barn. Now she flies the ship past the moon, through gravity wells and solar gales, and into the blazing
fury of a star that roars in her mind and forbids her to come closer.
With a church bell welded to a railroad chain and a hymn her grandmother sang in Japan, she dares anyway.
Critique: Original, novel, and a fun read from start to finish, "The Woman Who Touched The Sun" by Daniel Rirdan
reveals a genuine and impressive character and narrative driven storytelling style that is perfectly suited for the short
story/novelette format. Imaginative and deftly crafted, "The Woman Who Touched The Sun" from Corino Press is an
extraordinary and unreservedly recommended pick for the personal reading lists of science fiction fans and will prove to be
an immediate and welcome addition to highschool and community library Science Fiction & Fantasy collections.
Editorial Note: Daniel Rirdan (https://www.danielrirdan.com) wrote his first novel, Interstellar Crew, in longhand at the
age of thirteen -- becoming Israel's youngest published novelist. At fifteen, he wrote a book on education reform,
hammering away on a rented mechanical typewriter in a laundry closet barely large enough to hold a folding table and a
chair. After military service, he moved to Australia, mastering English with jotted vocabulary lists carried everywhere from
the bathroom to tram stops. A year later, the peer-reviewed journal Foundation featured his essay on William Gibson.
Decades of detours, dead ends, and one PW-starred review environmental tome later, he returned to speculative fiction at
fifty and hasn't looked back since.
What Darkness Reveals
A. K. Folsom
Obsidian Quill Books
https://akfolsom.com
9781971298009, $17.99, PB, 396pp
Amazon
https://www.amazon.com/What-Darkness-Reveals-Ravens-Hollow/dp/197129800X
Barnes & Noble
https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/what-darkness-reveals-a-k-folsom/1149894276
Synopsis: Philip Emrick was once a man with a future, until the night everything changed. Turned into a vampire and
thrust into a hidden hierarchy of supernatural rule, Philip now reigns as the Crown Prince of North America, bound by
laws that sever him forever from the life and the woman he once loved.
When a brutal attack leaves Philip broken and exposed in the human world, secrets long buried begin to unravel. A
medical examiner who once knew him as human discovers the impossible truth, while a growing threat lurks beneath, one
that could ignite a war among vampires themselves.
Blending high-stakes supernatural politics, chilling mystery, and emotional depth, "What Darkness Reveals" is compelling
urban fantasy that reveals a world where the monsters known as vampires walk among us -- and the line between humanity
and darkness grows dangerously thin.
Critique: "What Darkness Reveals" by A. K. Folsom is an original, expertly crafted, urban vampire fantasy novel that
deftly blends vampirism, supernatural intrigue, riveting suspense, brutal conflict, and a forbidden love played out against
the backdrop of modern America. With a character and narrative driven storytelling style, Folsom has expanded the
vampire world with an imaginative prowess reminiscent of Anne Rice by way of Bram Stoker. Especially and unreservedly
recommended for the personal reading lists of vampire story fans and community library Fantasy Fiction collections, it
should be noted that this paperback edition of "What Darkness Reveals" from Obsidian Quill Books is also readily
available in a digital book format (Kindle, $7.99).
Editorial Note: A. K. Folsom (https://akfolsom.com) writes vampire fiction for readers who crave more than the familiar.
Fascinated with vampires since childhood, Folsom has spent decades exploring the folklore, history, and cultural myths
behind the world's most enduring creatures of the night. That lifelong curiosity blends with a background in technology
and data to create stories that feel grounded, immersive, and unsettlingly real. The idea for "What Darkness Reveals" came
during a fever-driven series of dreams that refused to let go, unfolding night after night until they became the foundation
for an entirely new take on vampire mythology. Since then, Folsom has focused on reimagining what vampires are, what
they could be, and the hidden worlds they might inhabit. With the tagline "Every Shadow. Every Light. Vampires retold,
reimagined," Folsom is building a body of work that spans far beyond a single series, exploring the vampire genre from
multiple angles, tones, and perspectives.
Gristholme
L. J. Byers
Proving Press
https://www.provingpress.com
9781633378384, $19.99, PB, 288pp
Amazon
https://www.amazon.com/Gristholme-L-J-Byers/dp/1633378381
Synopsis: In the mysterious and shadowy world of Gristholme College, forces of good and evil clash in a battle that has
been hidden from view for decades. Perched on a plateau above the quiet town of Newton Falls, surrounded by dense pine
forests, Gristholme is home to powerful entities both mystical and menacing.
At the heart of the conflict are the Artificers, a secretive group led by Resin Kirkbride, a campus safety officer with
mysterious eldritch powers. The Artificers are dedicated to protecting the students from arcane threats and ensuring that
dark magic does not wreak havoc on the campus.
Opposing them is the sinister Gredalia Council, which seeks to use Gristholme's students as pawns in their grand scheme
to establish a new world order through dark magic.
Lucia Frey, a young witch and student at Gristholme, finds herself caught between these two powerful factions. As a
member of both the Artificers and the Gredalia Council, Lucia faces a harrowing choice: remain a key player in the
Council's plans or embrace her role in protecting the innocent from the encroaching darkness.
Critique: "Gristholme" by L. J. Byers is an original and extraordinary mix of fantasy, magic, witchcraft and adventure. All
the more impressive when considering that "Gristholme" is Byers' debut as a novelist and a fun and riveting read from start
to finish, "Gristholme" is an especially and unreservedly recommended pick for personal reading lists and community
library Fantasy Fiction collections. It should be noted for fantasy fans of all ages that this paperback edition of
"Gristholme" from Proving Press is also readily available in a digital book format (Kindle, $9.99).
Editorial Note: L. J. Byers is an author, soccer enthusiast, avid reader, military veteran, musician, significant other, and
father who lives in central Ohio.
A New Witch in the Northwoods
Elise Posledni
Ten16 Press
9781645386667, $16.99, PB, 380pp
Publishing Release Date: September 22, 2026
Amazon
https://www.amazon.com/New-Witch-Northwoods-Elise-Posledni/dp/164538666X
Barnes & Noble
https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/a-new-witch-in-the-northwoods-elise-posledni/1149731702
Synopsis: When Mary Matherson moved into her late grandfather's house in a small town located in northern Wisconsin,
she was prepared to deal with the prying locals while digging for clues about her grandfather's curious death. What she was
not prepared for was the veil between the supernatural plane practically in her backyard.
It turns out, Mary is a witch. Her new boyfriend is a demon. The Other world is hard to resist and Mary wants to learn the
magic her grandfather kept secret from her. Instead of nosy neighbors and coffee shop gossip, Mary must deal with
supernatural politics and a threat that has hunted her family's magic for generations.
Small town life in the Wisconsin Northwoords is not like anything Mary expected.
Critique: An original and fun read from cover to cover, "A New Witch in the Northwoods" by novelist Elise Posledni will
be especially appealing to readers with an interest in contemporary romance deftly blended with fantasy and the
supernatural. With Posledni's impressive and consistent character and narrative driven storytelling style that is ideal for a
deftly crafted 'romantacy', "A New Witch in the Northwoods" is an unreservedly recommended pick for community library
Fantasy Fiction collections. It should be noted for personal reading lists that this paperback edition of "A New Witch in the
Northwoods" from Ten16 Press is also readily available in a digital book format (Kindle, $9.99).
Editorial Note: Elise Posledni (https://www.epwrites.com) is currently a bookkeeper by day and writer by weekend and
very early mornings. She has short stories featured in the Creative Wisconsin Magazine and A Wisconsin Harvest of
Horror anthology. "A New Witch in the Northwoods" is Elise's debut novel. Having lived in Wisconsin for most of her
life, she enjoys incorporating the lifestyles of the small towns and truly spectacular natural areas into her writing.
Wings of Life
Meghan Le Fay
https://meghanlefay.com
Page & Vine
https://www.pageandvine.com
9781964264578, $32.99, HC, 512pp
Amazon
https://www.amazon.com/Wings-Life-Limited-Dragonbound-Chronicles/dp/196426457X
Barnes & Noble
https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/wings-of-life-meghan-le-fay/1148965753
Synopsis: Too sharp-tongued and too curious, I am my mother's greatest lament and my father's constant frustration.
Unwilling to bow to their will, I've become expendable, worth sending on a mission doomed to fail.
Armed with nothing but a coded journal, a quill, and my wits, I'm thrust into the kingdom of our oldest enemy (a land of
storms and warriors) to wed their high dane's son. Trapped on their ruthless continent, I am no blushing bride. I'm a spy
sent to unlock Rihtlond's weaknesses... a cuckoo in the robin's nest.
But my heart still bleeds red when the weapon master of these strange people steals it away. Through him, I learn to unlock
their secrets. What I uncover is more dangerous than I ever imagined: magic thrumming in the roots of Rihtlond, a dragon
hidden in plain sight, and a love I was never meant to feel. Holding this knowledge, I am meant to return home and bind
myself to a future I was given long ago.
Now, as war rises and alliances crumble, I must choose between duty and desire, between the family who cast me aside
and the bond that awakens who I truly am. To protect what I've found (and who I become) I must risk everything. Even if it
brands me a traitor. Even if it costs me my life.
Critique: Original, exceptional, deftly crafted, and a simply riveting read from start to finish, "Wings of Life" impressively
demonstrates author Meghan Le Fay' extraordinary character and narrative storytelling style that is ideal for creating
memorable fantasy worlds that will be of special interest to fans of Sword & Sorcery Fantasy laced thoroughly with
romance, suspense, and action. While this hardcover edition of "Wings of Life" from Page & Vine is unreservedly
recommended for community library Heroic Fantasy/Romance collections, it should be noted for personal reading lists that
it is also readily available in a digital book format (Kindle, $7.99).
Editorial Note: Meghan Le Fay (https://meghanlefay.com) hails from present-day Earth, despite her lifelong dream of
being born as an elf in Middle-earth. A constant and consummate fan of fantasy, she lives, breathes, and dreams in the
spidery language of the magic. Her works are inspired by her obsessions with mythology, medieval history, and all things
magical and mystical -- especially dragons.
The Graphic Novel Shelf
The End of the Arab of the Future: A Youth in the Middle East Vol. 1
Riad Sattouf, author/illustrator
Sam Taylor, translator
Fantagraphics
www.fantagraphics.com
9798875002373, $22.99, PB, 184pp
Amazon
https://www.amazon.com/End-Arab-Future-Youth-Middle/dp/B0FW9DXQR2
Barnes & Noble
https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-end-of-the-arab-of-the-future-riad-sattouf/1148535770
Synopsis: "The End of the Arab of the Future: A Youth in the Middle East" is the story of Riad, a teenager growing up in
the French region of Brittany, where he lives with his mother and brother and attends high school in Rennes. But his
adolescence is anything but typical. Born to a Syrian father and a French mother, Riad spent much of his early childhood in
Libya, rural Syria, and France -- moving through contrasting worlds, political ideologies, and daily absurdities.
Years earlier, his father (charismatic, authoritarian, and obsessed with dictators and with building a utopian Arab society)
abducted Riad's second younger brother, Fadi, and returned to Syria, leaving behind a fractured family.
At 14, Riad navigates puberty, isolation, and the pressures of French society, while haunted by the absence of his father
and brother, and the sadness of his mother. He turns to books, heavy metal, and drawing as refuge. The tone is darkly
comic and sharply observant, capturing both the universal pains of adolescence and the surreal contradictions of the
1990s.
Blending personal story and social commentary, this stand alone graphic novel offers a biting, poignant portrait of a young
man coming of age in a world that feels both familiar and foreign.
"The End of the Arab of the Future" is the first book in a two-volume series that concludes the critically acclaimed
autobiographical graphic novel begun in "Arab of the Future".
Critique: Featuring full-color illustrations throughout, "The End of the Arab of the Future: A Youth in the Middle East"
from Fantagraphics is original, compelling, and memorable. With the text aptly translated into English by Sam Taylor, this
trade paperback (7.1 x 0.7 x 9.8 inches, 1.27 pounds) edition of "The End of the Arab of the Future: A Youth in the Middle
East" by author/illustrator Riad Sattoul is an extraordinary and unreservedly recommended addition to personal,
community, and college/university library Graphic Novel/Biography collections.
Editorial Note #1: Riad Sattouf is a French-Syrian cartoonist and filmmaker. His works often explore from an
observational lens the characteristics and contradictions of the French and Arab identities, and the meeting point between.
With his multi-volume Arab of the Future series, chronicling his upbringing in Libya, Syria and France, he received
widespread international acclaim and recognition. His comics work has won him the Rene Goscinny award at Angouleme
International Comics Festival and his work in film has won him the Cesar Award.
Editorial Note #2: Sam Taylor is a literary translator and novelist. He is the author of five novels and the translator of more
than 70 books from French, including bestsellers such as Leila Slimani's The Perfect Nanny, award winners such as Maylis
de Kerangal's The Heart, and classics such as Marcel Proust's The Seventy-Five Folios.
Lost Marvels No. 3: Savage Tales of the 1980s
Archie Goodwin &Michael Golden, authors
John Severin & John Buscema, artists
Fantagraphics
www.fantagraphics.com
9798875001390, $65.00, HC, 544pp
Amazon
https://www.amazon.com/Lost-Marvels-No-Savage-Tales/dp/B0F1DYXGBZ
Barnes & Noble
https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/lost-marvels-no-3-archie-goodwin/1147137223
Synopsis: For 13 months in the mid-1980s, Marvel assembled some of its strongest artists and writers to tell gritty,
harrowing, and blackly humorous adventure stories ranging from gangster noir to historical battlefields to the deadly old
West to post-apocalyptic futures.
Unseen for nearly 40 years, "Lost Marvels No. 3: Savage Tales of the 1980s" presents some of the most shocking work of
artists John Severin, John Buscema, Sam Glanzman, Val Mayerik, Ron Wagner, Gray Morrow, Wayne Vansant, Herb
Trimpe, Michael Golden, Joe Jusko, Mary Wilshire, Arthur Suydam, Will Jungkuntz, Vincent Waller, and Ken Steacy, and
writers Chuck Dixon, Bill Wray, Don Kraar, Robert Kanigher, Denny O'Neil, Doug Murray, and Archie Goodwin.
The stories comprising Lost Marvels No. 3: Savage Tales of the 1980s" include Severin and Dixon's "By Rail to
Vladivostock," Murray and Golden's "The Nam, 1967," Glanzman's "Of War and Peace: The Trinity," Jungkuntz's Blood
& Gutz series, and Trimpe's Skywarriors series. With a remembrance by Savage Tales editor Larry Hama.
Critique: The latest large format (8.8 x 1.9 x 11.7 inches, 5.34 pounds) hardcover volume in Fantagraphics' Lost Marvels
series, and an impressive compendium of all eight issues of the long-out-of-print, tough-minded 1980s run of Savage Tales
from Marvel Comics is a literary goldmine for the time-lost action adventure comic book fans. "Savage Tales of the
1980s" deftly reprints all 8 issues of the magazine's run. These are issues that have been out of print since 1986 -- nearly 40
years ago! They are reproduced in facsimile format, including color covers. The illustrations are in B/W with inclusion of 8
full color covers. While an absolute 'must' for dedicated comic book fans and historians, as well as community and
college/university library Graphic Novel/Comic Book collections and supplemental Graphic Novel History curriculum
studies lists, it should be noted that this hardcover edition of "Lost Marvels No. 3: Savage Tales of the 1980s" from
Fantagraphics is also readily available in a digital book format (Kindle, $45.99).
Editorial Note #1: Archie Goodwin (1937 - 1998) is best known as an editor and writer for Warren, DC, and Marvel
Comics. He co-created, with Walter Simonson, Luke Cage and Spider-Woman, and rebooted the Vampirella character. He
also wrote newspaper comic strips, notably Star Wars, drawn by Al Williamson. He won multiple awards and authored the
first graphic novel on the NYT Best-Seller list.
Editorial Note #2: John Powers Severin (1921 - 2012), who had a "realistic" comics style, specialized in war, western, and
humor comics. One of Mad's founding artists, he worked for with Cracked magazine for forty-five years.
Editorial Note #3: John Buscema (1927 - 2002) was an American comic book artist and one of the mainstays of Marvel
Comics during its 1960s and 1970s ascendancy into an industry leader and its subsequent expansion to a major pop-culture
conglomerate.
Editorial Note #4: Michael Golden is an American comic book artist and writer. He co-created characters Bucky O'Hare
with Larry Hama, and Rogue with Chris Claremont. He is known for his extensive work with Marvel and DC as a cover
artist and an interior artist, and for his work on series The 'Nam and The Micronauts.
Locas: The Maggie and Hopey Stories
Jamie Hernandez
Fantagraphics
www.fantagraphics.com
9798875001727, $49.99, HC, 720pp
Amazon
https://www.amazon.com/Locas-Maggie-Hopey-Stories-Rockets/dp/B0FDFDYVVF
Barnes & Noble
https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/locas-jaime-hernandez/1140046350
Synopsis: "Locas: The Maggie and Hopey Stories" is one of the truly great American graphic novel sagas. One of the most
imaginatively and seemingly inexhaustible artist in American popular culture, with the publication of "Locas",
author/illustrated Jamie Hernandez tells the story of Maggie Chascarrillo, a bisexual, Mexican-American woman
attempting to define herself in a community rife with class, race, and gender issues.
Maggie's story begins in the early-1980s Southern California rock scene, when it was shifting from the excesses of the
1970s to the gritty basics of punk and new wave. Hardcore punk rock came to the fore, and the teenage Maggie finds
herself drawn to the anarchy, energy, and diversity of the scene, which in Jaime's hands becomes a very real, habitable
place populated with authentic human beings rather than stereotypes. She quickly befriends Hopey Glass, a feisty
anti-authoritarian punkette who quickly becomes Maggie's on-again, off-again lover and a constant presence in her life as
they navigate a devastatingly naturalistic world.
Created over 15 years from 1981-96 in the pages of the legendary comic book series Love and Rockets Vol. I #1-50, this
new deluxe hardcover edition from Fantagraphics includes three stories that were not included in the previous edition.
Critique: Deftly illustrated in B/W, this large format (8.8 x 2.5 x 11.3 inches, 6.29 pounds) edition of "Locas: The Maggie
and Hopey Stories" by Jaime Hernandez is a simply fascinating and fun read from start to finish. A massive saga of a
graphic novel that first saw publication in the 'alternative comic book series Love and Rockets, "Locas: The Maggie and
Hopey Stories" is a unique and unreservedly commended addition to personal, professional, community, and
college/university library Graphic Novel collections and supplemental American Literary Graphic Novel curriculum
studies lists. It should be noted that this edition of "Locas: The Maggie and Hopey Stories" from Fantagraphics is also
available in a digital book format (Kindle, $35.99).
Editorial Note: There is an extensive listing of books by Jaime Hernandez available online at Goodreads
(https://www.goodreads.com/author/list/4766238.Jaime_Hern_ndez).
The Audiobook Shelf
Alfred Lord Tennyson: In Memoriam, Idylls of the King, Maud & More
Alfred Lord Tennyson / Full Cast Production
BBC Audio
c/o Ulverscroft Large Print, Inc.
www.ulverscroft.com
9781529987126, $116.95 / $99.41 CD (10 Hours 52 Minutes)
9781529987560, $116.95 / $99.41, MP3-CD (10 Hours 52 Minutes)
Ulverscroft
https://www.ulverscroft.com/store/search/alfred%20lord%20tennyson
Synopsis: Featuring a full cast of professional voice actors, "Alfred Lord Tennyson: In Memoriam, Idylls of the King,
Maud & More" is definitive collection and performance of Alfred Lord Tennyson's finest works.
Even during his own lifetime, he was considered a national institution: Queen Victoria appointed him Poet Laureate in
1850, a position he held for 42 years, and in 1884 he became the first writer to be granted a baronetcy. In a long and
fruitful career, he penned numerous classic works, and this BBC Radio collection showcases some of the very best
beginning with two of his masterpieces, dramatized by award-winning poet Michael Symmons Roberts.
The Idylls of the King is an extraordinary epic poem that infuses the legend of King Arthur with a passionate intensity.
Told here in five acts, it stars Tim Pigott-Smith. Considered one of the finest elegies, In Memoriam was written in
response to the sudden death of his friend Arthur Hallam. This drama weaves the peerless poem into the story behind it,
and stars Holliday Grainger, James Cooney and Ashley Margolis.
Crossing the Bar plunges us into Tennyson's stirring sea-narratives, with sea-songs performed by a cappella trio Coope,
Boyes and Simpson. It includes the poems 'The Kraken', 'The Sea Fairies', 'Enoch Arden', 'The Voyage of Maeldune' and
'Crossing the Bar' - read by John Dougall, Rachel Bavidge, Sam Dale, Jasmine Callan, Stuart McLoughlin and Joseph
Kloska.
In Maud, Tennyson's dark, lyrical verses tell of a disturbed young man roaming the windswept hills, madly in love and
haunted by loss. Dramatised for radio in 1969, Harold brings to life the story of England's last Anglo-Saxon King, starring
Gabriel Woolf.
Next up are readings of Tennyson's best-loved poems, including seven written in the language of his native Lincolnshire
and introduced by his great-grandson Hallam Tennyson. 'Aylmer's Field', his Victorian version of the Romeo and Juliet
story, is read by Andrew Sachs; while Peggy Ashcroft reads his celebrated lyrical ballad 'The Lady of Shalott'. 'The
Lotos-Eaters', inspired by the tale of Odysseus and his mariners, is read by Sir John Gielgud. 'The Northern Farmer', 'The
Parson's Daughter', 'The Church Warden and the Curate', 'Owd Roa,' 'The Village Wife', 'The Northern Cobbler' and 'The
Spinster's Sweet-Arts' are read by Edward Campion and Mary Wimbush. Lastly, 'The Charge of the Light Brigade' is read
by Alfred Badel, and 'The Ode on the Death of the Duke of Wellington', read by the poet's grandson Sir Charles
Tennyson.
This remarkable audio book collection concludes with a pair of fascinating documentaries exploring the poet's life and
work. Searching for Alfred in the Shadow of Tennyson sees Ruth Padel investigating the man behind the image.
In Our Time finds Melvyn Bragg discussing the poet's moving meditation on love and death.
In terms of chronological listing, the first was published 1830 ('The Kraken', 'The Sea-Fairies'), followed in 1832 ('The
Lady of Shalott', 'The Lotos-Eaters'), 1833 ('Fatima'), 1850 ('In Memoriam'), 1852 ('Ode on the Death of the Duke of
Wellington'), 1854 ('The Charge of the Light Brigade'), 1855 ('Maud'), 1859-1885 (Idylls of the King), 1864 ('Enoch
Arden', 'The Northern Farmer'), 1876 (Harold), 1880 ('The Voyage of Maeldune', 'The Village Wife', 'The Northern
Cobbler'), 1885 ('The Spinster's Sweet-Arts'), 1889 ('Crossing the Bar', 'Owd Roa'), 1891 (Alymer's Field), 1892 ('The
Church-Warden and the Curate').
Critique: An impressively 'theatre of the mind' produced collection, this complete and unabridged audio book CD &
MP3-CD editions of "Alfred Lord Tennyson: In Memoriam, Idylls of the King, Maud & More" from BBC Audio are
unreservedly recommended for personal, community, and college/university library audio book collections. Of special note
is that the 10 disc CD edition comes in a sturdy hard plastic clamshell casing for an extended shelf life.
Editorial Note: BBC Audio (https://www.bbc.co.uk/bbcaudio) has a team of 650 editorial and technical staff that creates
and delivers more than 100 hours of original audio programming every day. Their podcasts and radio programs are heard
around the world.
The Medici Bankers, Gangsters, Popes
Mike Walker / Patrick Baladi, Sirine Saba, Tom Cullen, Saran Morgan, Catrin Aaron
BBC Audio
c/o Ulverscroft Large Print, Inc.
www.ulverscroft.com
9781529987140, $79.95 / $67.96, CD (5 hours 41 minutes)
Synopsis: "The Medici Bankers, Gangsters, Popes" is Mike Walker's gripping BBC Radio drama about money, art,
religion, politics and power Florence, 1415.
Banker Cosimo Medici is looked down upon as a jumped up money-changer. Then he marries the noble Contessina de
Bardi and becomes the richest man in Europe. But his wealth and power threaten the Florentine elite, who are determined
to bring him down... However, the House of Medici cannot be crushed that easily.
Sixty years and many violent deaths later, the family are the unquestioned, ruthless rulers of Florence. They control the
government, have transformed the city through their patronage of the arts, and one of them has even been crowned Pope.
But trouble is coming in the form of the fanatical poet monk Savonarola, and the bank is in decline.
Can Lorenzo the Magnificent save anything for his dim-witted successors -- and will they even care?
With a cast of extraordinary characters including Piero the Gouty, master negotiator Lucrezia Tornabuoni and Pope Leo X,
as well as Michelangelo, Da Vinci and Artemisia Gentileschi, this fast-paced 'Renaissance Soprano' tells the thrilling story
of one of the most infamous dynasties of all time. Among the cast are Patrick Baladi, Sirine Saba, Tom Cullen, Saran
Morgan and Catrin Aaron.
Critique: Original, riveting, and offering a true 'theatre of the mind' experience, "The Medici Bankers, Gangsters, Popes" is
available in a complete and unabridged audio book CD (9781529987140) and MP3-CD (9781529987584) formats ($79.95
/ $67.96 each). Dramatically created with a BBC Radio full-cast performance, this is a simply outstanding production and a
simply fascinating presentation from start to finish making "The Medici Bankers, Gangsters, Popes" is an extraordinary
and highly recommended acquisition choice for personal and community library audio book collections.
Editorial Note: BBC Audio (https://www.bbc.co.uk/bbcaudio) has a team of 650 editorial and technical staff that creates
and delivers more than 100 hours of original audio programming every day. Their podcasts and radio programs are heard
around the world.
The Ealing Comedy Collection
Full Cast Recording
BBC Audio
c/o Ulverscroft Large Print, Inc.
www.ulverscroft.com
9781529987157, $79.95 / $67.96, CD (5 Hours 40 Minutes)
9781529987591, $79.95 / $67.96, MP3-CD (5 Hours 40 Minutes)
Ulverscroft
https://www.ulverscroft.com/store/search/the%20ealing%20comedy%20collection
Synopsis: "The Ealing Comedy Collection"is comprised of a quartet of classic Ealing comedy films, reimagined for BBC
Radio Between 1947 and 1957.
Ealing Studios produced a series of immensely popular, darkly funny film comedies that made the West London borough
famous throughout the world. Almost 50 years later, four of these timeless films were recreated for BBC Radio 4, and are
now collected together for the first time.
The Ladykillers - Eccentric elderly widow Mrs Wilberforce unwittingly foils a gang of crooks lodging in her London house
under the pretext they are a string quintet. Dramatised by award-winning playwright Bruce Bedford from the much-loved
1955 film, this captivating crime caper stars Edward Petherbridge, Donald Sinden, Margot Boyd, Johnny Morris and
Stratford Johns.
Kind Hearts and Coronets - Disinherited by his snobbish aristocratic family, Louis Mazzini sets out to gain his rightful
place as a Duke by bumping off the other eight D'Ascoyne heirs who stand ahead of him. But then he is arrested for the
one murder he didn't commit... Michael Kitchen stars as Mazzini and Harry Enfield as the various members of the
D'Ascoyne family in this brilliant dramatization of the classic 1949 comedy film.
Passport to Pimlico - When an undetonated World War Two bomb accidentally goes off, the explosion reveals a cache of
treasure - including an ancient treaty declaring that the residents of Pimlico are actually part of the Duchy of Burgundy...
Adapted by acclaimed scriptwriter John Peacock from the evergreen 1949 film, this delightful drama stars George Cole,
Louise Lombard and Sylvia Sims.
Whisky Galore - It is the middle of World War Two, and the residents of the Hebridean islands Great Todday and Little
Todday are facing a whisky drought. Then a cargo ship bound for America runs aground carrying 50,000 cases - but can
the islanders keep this unexpected bounty secret? Bernard Holley and Dolina MacLennan star in this witty dramatisation of
Compton Mackenzie and Angus MacPhail's 1949 film.
Critique: Featuring a BBC Audio full cast of actors remaking for an audio book format four classic movies, the CD and
MP3-CD editions are complete and unabridged audio books from BBC Audio. They both are flawlessly produced,
thoroughly entertaining, and unreservedly recommended additions to personal and community library audio book
collections.
Editorial Note: BBC Audio (https://www.bbc.co.uk/bbcaudio) has a team of 650 editorial and technical staff that creates
and delivers more than 100 hours of original audio programming every day. Their podcasts and radio programs are heard
around the world.
Viking Conqueror: Tyant, Ruler, Conqueror
J. C. Duncan, author
Sean Barrett, narrator
Boldwood Books
c/o Ulverscroft Large Print, Inc.
www.ulverscroft.com
9781836177791, $116.95 / $99.41, CD Audio Book (10 Hours 9 Minutes)
9781836177807, $116.95 / $99.41, MP3-CD Audio Book (10 Hours 9 Minutes)
Ulverscroft
https://www.ulverscroft.com/store/search/viking%20conqueror
Synopsis: 1066 AD, Norway
Harald Hardrada, King of Norway, the Thunderbolt of the North, reigns supreme; undefeated on the battlefield and
unchallenged at home. His banner, Land-Waster, flies triumphant everywhere he marches. Everything that was stolen from
his brother, King Olaf, has been regained.
But power does not satiate. Glory does not fill the empty void in an ambitious heart. Victory is an elixir that runs dry no
matter how freely it flows. No matter the height on which the triumphant stand, there, in the corner of his eye, is the glitter
of another conquest.
Harald has achieved more than any man of his time, but fate is not done with him. His destiny lies on the banks of a quiet
river in England's green and pleasant land - Stamford Bridge.
To finish his great story, to forge the empire he always desired, all the last Viking conqueror must do is defeat a worthy
opponent; King Harold of England, and seize his country and his crown.
Born to be king. Destined to die for glory. His life changed nations. His death will change the world.
Critique: Also readily available from Boldwood Books in a large print paperback edition (9781836177852, $43.50 /
$36.98, 500pp), "Viking Conqueror" by J. C. Duncan is vividly narrated by the talented storyteller Sean Barrett in a
flawlessly produced CD and MP3-CD audio book formats. Presented in a graphically descriptive and immersive 'theatre of
the mind" experience for the listener, "Viking Conqueror" is an unreservedly and candidly recommended pick for personal
reading lists and community library audio book collections.
Editorial Note #1: There is a listing of books by J. C. Duncan available online at FantasticFiction:
https://www.fantasticfiction.com/d/jc-duncan
Editorial Note #2: There is a listing of books narrated by Sean Barrett available online at Audible:
https://www.audible.com/search?searchNarrator=Sean+Barrett
Treaty of Blood
Michael Jecks, author
John Telfer, narrator
Boldwood Books
c/o Ulverscroft Large Print, Inc.
www.ulverscroft.com
9781837032969, $111.95 / $95.16, CD Audio Book (8 Hours 56 Minutes)
9781837032976, $111.95 / $95.16, MP3-CD Audio Book (8 Hours 56 Minutes)
Ulverscroft
https://www.ulverscroft.com/store/search/treaty%20of%20blood
Synopsis: 1359, Northern France. With the ink still drying on the Treaty of Bretigny, an agreement most believed to be
nothing more than a stalemate between King Edward III of England and John II of France, the country is left riddled with
both English and France armies - exhausted, adrift and directionless.
An atmosphere ripe for rebellion.
Berenger Fripper returns to the only life he truly understands, among the troops of Hawkwood's company. But danger and
treachery lurk around every abandoned French farm or village. When the company comes across the promise of riches
hidden in a monastery, the motley crew finally feel as though their luck is changing.
But as quickly as they find the treasure, quicker still it's stolen from under their noses, and as they seek revenge on the
unknown thief, they find themselves swept up in the might and the politics of the Great Company.
Will any of them get out alive?
Critique: Also readily available (and highly recommended) in a large print paperback edition from Boldwood Books of
"Treaty of Blood" (9781837033027, $43.50 / $36.98, 500pp) by Michael Jecks is also offered in a true 'theatre of the mind'
experience by the impressive narrative skills of vocal actor John Telfer as complete and unabridged CD and MP3-CD
audio books -- especially for readers and listeners with an interest in historical fiction and medieval knightly warfare.
"Treaty of Blood" will prove to be a welcome and enduringly popular edition to community library audio book
collections.
Editorial Note #1: There is a listing of books by Michael Jecks available online at Book Series in Order:
https://www.bookseriesinorder.com/michael-jecks
Editorial Note #2: There is a listing of books narrated by John Telfer available online at Audible:
https://www.audible.com/search?searchNarrator=John+Telfer
The Importance of Being Murdered
Debbie Young, author
Laura Kirman, narrator
Boldwood Books
c/o Ulverscroft Large Print, Inc.
www.ulverscroft.com
9781835185667, $86.95 / $73.91, CD Audio Book (6 Hours 19 Minutes)
9781835185674, $86.95 / $73.91, MP3-CD Audio Book (6 Hours 19 Minutes)
Ulverscroft
https://www.ulverscroft.com/store/search/the%20importance%20of%20being%20murdered
Synopsis: One village, ten suspects, one deadly performance. The curtain is about to rise on the Bunbury Players' latest
production, Oscar Wilde's classic comedy, The Importance of Being Earnest.
But moments before the show starts, the leading man, retired star of stage and screen Bertram Manchester, is found dead in
his dressing room.
As rumours spread throughout the Cotswold village community, Detective Constable Windermere seizes her chance to
catch a killer and secure the promotion she craves.
The trouble is, every member of the cast has something to hide.
Will her front-row seat to murder enable DC Windermere to uncover the truth ... or will she be the next person taking their
last bow?
Critique: Also readily available in a large print paperback edition (9781835185735, $43.50 / $36.98, 500pp), "The
Importance of Being Murdered" by Debbie Young is readily available as a complete and unabridged audio book in both
CD and an MP3-CD formats. A deftly crafted cozy mystery that is impressively narrated by Laura Kirman, "The
Importance of Being murdered will prove a celebrated and enduringly popular pick for personal lists and community
library audio book collections.
Editorial Note #1: There is a listing of books by Debbie Young available online at Book Series Order:
https://www.bookseriesinorder.com/debbie-young
Editorial Note #2: There is a listing of books narrated by Laura Kirman available online at Audible:
https://www.audible.com/search?searchNarrator=Laura+Kirman
Murder on the Cricket Green
Catherine Coles, author
Alex Lee, narrator
Boldwood Books
c/o Ulverscroft Large Print, Inc.
www.ulverscroft.com
9781804150856, $86.95 / $73.91, CD Audio book (6 Hours)
9781804150863, $86.95 / $73.91, MP3-CD Audio book (6 Hours)
Ulverscroft
https://www.ulverscroft.com/store/search/murder%20on%20the%20cricket%20green
Synopsis: Westleham Village, May 1948 -- The villagers of Westleham are excited for the first village cricket match since
the end of the war. But Martha Miller has more pressing concerns - namely, the sudden reappearance of her husband, Stan,
missing for two years and acting as though nothing has happened.
Martha doesn't know what to feel, especially now that his return threatens her growing fondness for the kind-hearted
village vicar, Luke. Yet she's not the only one unsettled by Stan's return...
As the match begins and the crowd cheers, Stan suddenly collapses -- dead before he hits the ground. And all eyes turn to
Martha.
To clear her name, she must uncover the truth about Stan's missing years and his sudden reappearance. But in a village this
small, everyone has something to hide. Will Martha's amatuer sleuthing find the real killer or will she pay the price for
someone else's deadly deed?
Let the investigation commence!
Critique: Also available in a large print paperback edition from Boldwood Books (9781804150924, $43.50 / $36.98,
500pp) and in both CD and an MP3-CD audio book formats, "Murder on the Cricket" by Catherine Coles is impressively
narrated by Alex Lee. Cozy, and part of the 'Martha Miller Mystery' series, "Murder on the Cricket Green" is an absolute
'must' for the legions of cozy mystery fans and fun 'theatre of the mind' experience from start to finish. This complete and
unabridged edition "Murder on the Cricket" will prove a welcome and enduringly popular addition to community library
audio book collections.
Editorial Note #1: Catherine Coles (https://catherinescountryclub.com) writes cozy mysteries that are irresistibly British,
gently humorous, and filled with the kind of secrets only found in quiet villages.
Editorial Note #2: Alex Lee (https://www.alexleeaudio.uk) has narrated some 100 titles across many different genres
including cosy murder mysteries, historical fiction, thrillers, romance, literary classics, children's literature, biographies,
adventure, comedy, science fiction and poetry.
The Library CD Shelf
Indigo Garden
Black Nile
Mass MoCA Records
$TBA CD / $9.00 digital / $25.00 vinyl
Bandcamp
https://blacknile.bandcamp.com/album/indigo-garden
Brothers and GRAMMY-nominated music artists Aaron and Lawrence Shaw formed the genesis of Black Nile, a band that
embraces original jazz music as both creative expression and as rebellion against the injustice and murder that America has
inflicted upon its black population throughout the nation's history. They recruited additional talented performers to round
out the band. Indigo Garden is their latest original album, performed by Aaron Shaw on sax, flute, bass clarinet, and ewi;
Lawrence Shaw on bass and juno; Luca Mendoza and Brian Hargove on keyboards; Myles Martin and Malachi Harvey on
drums; and Na'il Ali on guitar; and Soren Smedvig on trumpet. Passionate, grounded in Los Angeles, and speaking to
diaspora and survival, Indigo Garden is highly recommended especially for jazz connoisseurs. The tracks are Ritual of
Returning; Exposure; Skyrim; Connecting the Links at The World Stage; Day Break; City of Silent Angels; City of Fire;
Slauson Fog; The Blue Zone; Ashes In the Berkshires; Danielle; and Love at The World Stage.
Terry Callier at the Earl of Old Town
Terry Callier
Time Traveler Recordings
$23.56 CD / $14.19 MP3 / $46.02 vinyl
Amazon
https://www.amazon.com/Earl-Old-Town-Terry-Callier/dp/B0GL24WVR7
Originally recorded live at The Earl of Old Town, Chicago on October 24, 1967, Terry Callier at the Earl of Old Town is a
two-CD set capturing the stellar performance of African-American soul, folk, and jazz guitarist/singer/songwriter Terry
Callier (1945-2012). Released in cooperation with the Terry Callier Estate, Terry Callier at the Earl of Old Town is
expertly restored and mastered, with bonus liner notes by radio programmer Mark Ruffin and comments by Sunny Callier.
Terry Callier at the Earl of Old Town is a choice pick for connoisseurs of Terry Callier's "folk jazz" music and for public
library collections.
Alight Upon the Lake: Live at the Jazz Showcase
Yusef Lateef
Resonance Records
$29.99 CD / $14.99 digital
Bandcamp
https://yuseflateeflive.bandcamp.com/album/alight-upon-the-lake-live-at-the-jazz-showcase
Available in a limited edition 3-LP package with liner notes by Lateef biographer Herb Boyd as well as exclusive
interviews (as well as in a digital edition), Alight Upon the Lake: Live at the Jazz Showcase captures an extraordinary
concert by legendary African-American jazz musician Yusef Lateef (1920-2013) along with pianist Kenny Barron, bassist
Bob Cunningham, and drummer Albert "Tootie" Heath. Restored and mastered from the original 1975 tapes, Alight Upon
the Lake captures the spirit of experiencing an extraordinary live show firsthand. Exciting, dramatic, and unforgettable,
Alight Upon the Lake is worthy of the highest recommendation for both personal and public library jazz collections.
Glissement du temps (Slip of Time)
Jazzlab Orchestra
jazzlaborchestra.com
Effendi Records
effendirecords.com
$TBA CD / $9.00 CAD digital
Bandcamp
https://jazzlaborchestra.bandcamp.com/album/slip-of-time
Canada's Jazzlab Orchestra is a world-class collective that has performed over 500 international concerts. Their latest
original creation is Glissement du temps (Slip of Time), an album that weaves polyrhythmic and polytonal music into a
resonant tapestry of sound. Featuring extraordinarily talented performers on saxophones, bass clarinet, flute, trumpet,
trombone, piano, bass, and drums, Glissement du temps is an extraordinary modern masterpiece, highly recommended for
both personal and public library collections. The tracks are Thank's Collier (Michel Lambert); Amigos (Francois
Bourassa); Murs de Verre (Gentiane MG); Outer Chamber (Erik Hove); Night Bus (Claire Devlin); EMT (Pierre De
Bethmann); and La Mule (Michel Lambert).
TERR
Emie R Roussel Trio
emierroussel.com/en/home
UNI Musiqc
unimusiqc.com/en/home
$17.00 CAD CD / $10.00 CAD digital
Bandcamp
https://emierrousseltrio.bandcamp.com/album/terr
The Emie R Roussel Trio consists of Emie Rioux-Roussel on piano & keyboards, Nicolas Bedard on electric bass, and
Dominic Cloutier on drums. Together they present their sixth album, TERR, an original creation that transcends the
boundaries of traditional styles. Fusing both acoustic instruments and electric sounds into a creative whole, TERR invites
the listener on a grand journey that explores wild heights and introspective plateaus. TERR is highly recommended
especially for connoisseurs of avant-garde modern jazz. The tracks are TERR; Trois lunes; L'echo des brumes; John reve
en noir et blanc; Sous une odeur d'ozone; Lueur des feuilles ouibliees, and Klara Fardiga Ga.
Gargantua
Simon Hanes
Pyroclastic Records
pyroclasticrecords.com
$18.00 CD / $12.00 digital
Bandcamp
https://simonhanes.bandcamp.com/album/gargantua
Inspired by the work of 16th century novelist Francois Rabelais, Gargantua is an extraordinary, original album composed
by Simon Hanes and featuring three drum sets, three electric basses, three trombones, three French horns, and three
soprano voices. Bold, over-the-top, dramatic, and resonant, Gargantua is a choice pick for connoisseurs of adventurous
music, highly recommended. The tracks are A Series Of Waves Tremble In A Sea of Blood; Gigantes; Knockandrow;
Lacerated By A Flying Shard; The Number Of The Beast Is 666; Submit To The Fabulosity; Moirai; Lucifer / Aurem
Chaos; I Am; and Hekla 1970.
Jackson Plays Dylan
Javon Jackson
https://javonjackson.com
Solid Jackson Records/Palmetto Records
$16.98 CD / $9.49 digital
Amazon
https://www.amazon.com/Jackson-Plays-Dylan-Javon/dp/B0GJTT1WVG
Jackson Plays Dylan is an extraordinary tribute album to one of America's greatest songwriters. Performed by saxophonist
Javon Jackson with Jeremy Manasia on piano and Fender Rhodes, Isaac Levien on bass and electric bass, and Ryan Sands
on drums, as well as guest vocalists Lisa Fischer and Nicole Zuraitis, Jackson Plays Dylan renders ten of Dylan's classic
songs plus an original introduction "One for Bob Dylan". Jackson Plays Dylan is a treat for connoisseurs of Dylan's classic
music, highly recommended. The tracks are One for Bob Dylan; Blowin' in the Wind; Hurricane; Gotta Serve Somebody
(featuring Lisa Fischer); Lay, Lady, Lay; The Times They Are A-Changin'; Forever Young (featuring Nicole Zuraitis);
Tombstone Blues; Like a Rolling Stone; Mr. Tambourine Man; and Make You Feel My Love.
Always Ever
Alister Spence
alisterspence.com
Alister Spence Music
$20.00 AUD CD / $20.00 AUD digital
Bandcamp
https://alisterspence.bandcamp.com/album/always-ever
Australian pianist and composer Alister Spence presents Always Ever, a daring, entirely improvised piano album with a
dash of percussive flair. Drawing upon jazz traditions and taking its signature flair for improvisation to the logical extreme,
Always Ever is wild and free, consisting of sixteen relatively brief tracks that each take a different approach. Always Ever
is a choice pick especially for avant-garde music connoisseurs. The tracks are Mystic; Determination; Play of Light;
Distant Cousins; Afternoon at Rancom Street; Begin from the Middle; Rain Phase; Semi-Formal Garden; Tonal Dance;
Halo; Sparkler; Searchlight; Top Spinner; Random Access Counterpoint; Talking Slowly with Lorikeets; & Scrape Rattle
Strike.
The Vigil and the Sleeping Giant
Ron Wilkins & Rebecca Patterson
https://www.ronwilkins.com/index.html
Adhyaropa Records
www.adhyaroparecords.com
$20.00 CD / $15.00 digital
Bandcamp
https://rebeccapatterson.bandcamp.com/album/the-vigil-and-the-sleeping-giant
The Vigil and the Sleeping Giant is an original music album consisting of a four-movement suite composed by Ron
Wilkins followed by three reflective tracks composed by Rebecca Patterson, and a final track by Ron Wilkins and Morgan
King. Different songs in The Vigil and the Sleeping Giant feature contributions and solos from a wide variety of talented
music artists, in addition to Ron Wilkins' & Rebecca Patterson's stellar performances (a highlight is the fourth movement
of the suite, which has Wilkins' vocals). Imaginative, immersive, and inspirational, The Vigil and the Sleeping Giant is
highly recommended for connoisseurs of creative music. The tracks are Covid Suite Movement 1; Covid Suite Movement
2; Covid Suite Movement 3; Covid Suite Movement 4; Sulk City; Near East; Waltz Someday; and Like A Brother.
Thank You Notes: The Music of Gregg Hill
The Paul Keller Orchestra
www.gregghilljazz.com
Cold Plunge Records
www.coldplungerecords.com
$17.95 CD
Gregg Hill Jazz
https://www.gregghilljazz.com/product-page/paul-keller-orchestra-thank-you-notes
Thank You Notes: The Music of Gregg Hill celebrates the storied life and works of jazz music artist Gregg Hill through
the extraordinary talent of The Paul Keller Orchestra. Featuring a vast array of masterful performers on piano, vibraphone,
drum set, saxophones, trumpets, trombones, and vocals, Thank You Notes: The Music of Gregg Hill is an elevated homage
worthy of the highest recommendation for both personal and public library collections. The tracks are Bopportunity;
Dollah Hollah; Thank You Notes; Pop Tune; Cadillac Club; The Speckled Frog; Summer Nights; Jer's Latin Tune; La
Playa; and Sister Sue.
State of Garden and Shadow
Valerie Lacombe
www.valerielacombe.com
Rhea Records
$20.00 CAD CD / $9.00 CAD digital
Bandcamp
https://valerielacombe.bandcamp.com/album/state-of-garden-and-shadow
Named after a quote from Clarice Lispector's novel "Agua Viva", State of Garden and Shadow is the debut album of
original music composed by Montreal-based jazz drummer, and bandleader Valerie Lacombe. Featuring Valerie Lacombe
on drums, Caoilainn Power on alto sax, Camille Thurman on tenor sax, and Ira Coleman on bass, State of Garden and
Shadow is a soundscape that invites reflection on cultivation, growth, development, and creative transformation. State of
Garden and Shadow is uplifting, inspiring, and highly recommended. The tracks are Jupiter; Persona; I Found A Friend
Here; Who's Afraid Of Clarice Hana; In Case I Forget You; Out Of The Past; Later For That; and Dean Of All Deans.
The Sanctity of Rust
Hollan Holmes
Spotted Peccary
www.SpottedPeccary.com
$16.00 CD / $10.00 digital
Bandcamp
https://hollan-holmes.bandcamp.com/album/the-sanctity-of-rust
Composer and electronic music artist Hollan Holmes presents The Sanctity of Rust, a groundbreaking music album crafted
through his mastery of hardware and software tools including Korg MS20, Oberheim Matrix 12, DSI Pro-2, DSI Prophet
12, Reason Parsec, and much more. Notably, absolutely no AI (artificial intelligence) was used in the creation of The
Sanctity of Rust; all music is composed and performed by Holmes (with electric guitar contributions from Bill Porter in the
title track). The Sanctity of Rust is a cutting edge, avant-garde experiment that pushes the limits of the possible, generating
a soundscape that invites the listener to test their own boundaries. Highly recommended! The tracks are The Sanctity of
Rust; The Unstoppable March of Time; Once More Unto The Breach; Moebius Trip; Triumph Over Tragedy; Night Sky;
So Far Away; Spellbound; One Door Closes Another Opens; The Fantastic Journey; Battle Scars; and Here at The End of
All Things.
The Buddhist Studies Shelf
From Pain to Peace
Mel Harkrader Pine
Prospecta Press
https://eastonstudiopress.com/prospecta-press
9781632261786, $18.00, PB, 240pp
Amazon
https://www.amazon.com/Pain-Peace-Trauma-Tragedy-Compassion/dp/1632261782
Barnes & Noble
https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/from-pain-to-peace-mel-harkrader-pine/1149676856
Synopsis: "From Pain to Peace: How Trauma and Tragedy Teach Us Compassion and Wisdom" is the powerful spiritual
memoir of Mel Pine -- a Buddhist practitioner with nearly eight decades of life experience. In the page of "From Pain to
Peace" Mel opens his heart to share how a lifetime of traumas became stepping stones to wisdom, compassion, and
ultimately, joy.
From early childhood losses to violent crises, from caring for loved ones with mental illness to confronting his family's
Holocaust history, Pine's journey is raw, honest, and deeply human. Yet "From Pain to Peace" isn't a story of mere survival
-- rather it is a testament to transformation.
Alternating between memoir chapters and "Spiritual Interludes," Pine deftly weaves Buddhist teachings with hard-won life
lessons, showing how concepts like impermanence, equanimity, and self-compassion become practical tools for
healing.
"From Pain to Peace" offers a hopeful message: The path to peace is available to everyone.
So whether you are navigating your own grief, seeking spiritual guidance, or curious about how one man turned tragedy
into grace, "From Pain to Peace" speaks to the universal longing for healing and wholeness.
Critique: Exceptional, eloquent, deeply personal but with a universal resonance, "From Pain to Peace: How Trauma and
Tragedy Teach Us Compassion and Wisdom" is singularly extraordinary and an unreservedly recommended addition to
personal, professional, community, and college/university library Contemporary Biography/Memoir collections and the
personal reading lists of those with an interest in Tibetan Buddhism, love, loss, and the psychology of trauma. It should be
noted that this paperback edition of "From Pain to Peace: How Trauma and Tragedy Teach Us Compassion and Wisdom"
from Prospecta Press is also readily available in a digital book format (Kindle, $11.99).
Editorial Note: Mel Pine (https://melpineauthor.com) has as his end-of-life mission the sharing of the wisdom he has
gained over almost eight decades of life and four decades of Buddhist practice to relieve the suffering of others. He is a
seasoned writer, Buddhist practitioner, and spiritual communicator with six decades of experience in clear nonfiction
writing. Through his blogs and teachings, he has cultivated a substantial following across the United States and
internationally, offering accessible teachings and practices drawn from his extensive spiritual journey and Buddhist
practice.
The Architecture Shelf
Seeking Abundance: Design, Ecology and a Flourishing Planet
Alan Ricks, et al.
AXIO
c/o ORO Editions
www.oroeditions.com
9781966515029, $50.00, HC, 360pp
Amazon
https://www.amazon.com/Seeking-Abundance-Design-Ecology-Flourishing/dp/1966515022
Barnes & Noble
https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/seeking-abundance-sierra-bainbridge/1147188837
Synopsis: Regenerative architectural design is a way of building that heals our planet and our communities by halting
biodiversity loss, reversing climate change, and improving social equity.
Over the last decade, the nonprofit design practice MASS has proven that we can yield positive social, environmental, and
economic results through a series of projects in Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
"Seeking Abundance: Design, Ecology and a Flourishing Planet" by Sierra Bainbridge, Alan Ricks argues for reducing the
harm our building activities wage in our environments and that we can and must help people and the planet thrive
together.
The proof? MASS' projects represent a coherent and replicable philosophy that responds to local ecologies and transforms
lives. "Seeking Abundance: Design, Ecology and a Flourishing Planet" is a seminal and groundbreaking study enhanced by
contributions for thirty-three expertis in the field who collectively examine how the power of multidisciplinary
collaboration, regenerative practices, and community engagement can actively contribute to a healthier, more harmonious
world.
Critique: Critically important, innovative, visionary, informed and informative, "Seeking Abundance: Design, Ecology and
a Flourishing Planet" is lavishly illustrated in color throughout, and thoroughly 'reader friendly' in organization and
presentation. "Seeking Abundance" is an unique, extraordinary, and unreservedly recommended addition to personal,
professional, and college/university library collections and curriculums dedicated to Regional Architecture in general, and
Sustainability & Green Design in particular.
Editorial Note: Alan Ricks is Co-Executive Director and Founding Principal and Sierra Bainbridge is a Senior Principal
and Managing Director of MASS Design Group, a design firm that focuses on creating spaces that foster human
flourishing while considering the needs of the environment. Their work spans a variety of sectors, including education,
healthcare, and conservation, with a commitment to using architecture as a force for positive change.
Arctic Practices: Design for a Changing World
Bert De Jonghe and Elise Misao Hunchuck, editors
Actar Publishers
https://actar.com
9781638401339, $45.95, PB, 368pp
Amazon
https://www.amazon.com/Postcolonial-Arctic-Urbanization-Polyvocal-Perspectives/dp/1638401330
Barnes & Noble
https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/postcolonial-arctic-urbanization-elise-misao-hunchuck/1144449136
Synopsis: Developed as a timely contribution to literature on Arctic design, "Arctic Practices: Design for a Changing
World" covers 33 chapters and features 45 contributors, including designers, educators, artists, photographers, and
filmmakers. Among this cohort, some are Indigenous, some are residents, and some are visitors to the Circumpolar North.
But all generously share their ways of designing with or approaching, translating, seeing, or inhabiting changing Arctic
landscapes.
The contributions shared in "Arctic Practices" respond to colonial histories, foreground Indigenous livelihoods, and
demonstrate how Arctic design practices are adapting to new and changing climatic contexts. In the past, Arctic design
(e.g., Arctic architecture, landscape architecture, and urbanization) has been dominated by colonial and nation-state
interests, often influenced by design perspectives more appropriate to southern landscapes. Western-centric narratives and
design paradigms that suffered from limited understandings of the internal dynamics, unique climatic conditions, and
diversity of different people and cultures were often projected and forced (sometimes violently) onto the many different
peoples and regions of the Circumpolar North.
The contributors to "Arctic Practices" collectively believe that designers (and others) can only move forward by first
acknowledging the past; this includes taking seriously the responsibility to avoid committing the mistakes of those who
came before them. The stories and images shared in these pages were gathered by deliberately seeking out many different
forms of contributions and media in order to more adequately respond to the remarkably rich and varied histories of the
world's northernmost regions.
The collection of commentaries and works comprising "Arctic Practices" has taken great care to manifest design projects,
pedagogies, and artistic interventions that both critique the discipline's troubled history while also, in most cases,
introducing speculative ways forward into an uncertain planetary future. This polyvocal assembly is an offering to begin to
learn and unlearn so that we may share meaningful design interventions across northern lands, seas, and ice.
Critique: Expertly compiled and co-edited by the team of Bert De Jonghe and Elise Misao Hunchuck, "Arctic Practices:
Design for a Changing World" from Actar is a unique and groundbreaking volume that is especially and unreservedly
recommended for personal, professional, community, and college/university library Regional Landscape Architecture
collections and supplemental curriculum studies lists.
The Business Shelf
Win Via Trust
Michael Rabinowitz
Intelluvia Press
https://winviatrust.com
9798994727713, $29.99, HC, 210pp
Amazon
https://www.amazon.com/Win-Via-Trust-Leadership-Exceptional/dp/B0GSFH3RSD
Synopsis: What separates resilient leaders and high performing teams from the rest? Not technology, not process, but
something far more foundational -- and far more often overlooked: TRUST
Trust has become more than a leadership ideal. It has become the driving force behind organizational and individual
success. Organizations that operationalize trust as a strategic asset outperform those that simply treat it as a talking
point.
With the publication of "Win Via Trust: The Practical Leadership Framework to Build Trust, Close Deals and Deliver
Exceptional Results" by Michael Rabinowitz, you will find clear insights and practical direction that will meaningfully
elevate your leadership -- wherever you are in your leadership journey.
From closing deals, developing high-potential employees, managing crisis, optimizing remote work, and incorporating AI,
"Win Via Trust" crystallizes what you need to know as a leader and provides real-world advice you can apply
immediately.
"Win Via Trust" also introduces the Trustworthy Decision Matrix, a simple, practical 2x2 decision-making tool that helps
you determine whether a situation is trustworthy or not and assign resources with confidence.
With over 30 years' experience driving growth and value across Fortune 100 companies and startups with fewer than 25
employees, Michael Rabinowitz aptly draws upon his years of experience and expertise to share actionable insights with
relentless discipline as to why trust matters and how it should change the lens of everything you do in business.
Critique: Timely, exceptional, deftly crafted, 'real world practical', and of enormous value to readers with an interest in the
subjects of business ethics, workplace culture, entrepreneurial success, and personal accomplishment, "Win Via Trust: The
Practical Leadership Framework to Build Trust, Close Deals and Deliver Exceptional Results" is impressively 'reader
friendly' in organization and presentation -- making it an especially and unreservedly recommended pick for personal,
professional, community, business school, and college/university library Business Management collections and
supplemental MBA curriculum studies lists. It should be noted for MBA students, academia, business managers, corporate
executives, and non-specialist general readers with an interest in the subject that this hardcover edition of "Win Via Trust"
from Intelluvia Press is also readily available in paperback (9798994727706, $18.99) and in a digital book format (Kindle,
$9.99).
Editorial Note: Michael Rabinowitz is a life sciences executive who has spent over thirty years driving growth and value
for companies with over 100,000 employees and start ups as small as 25 employees. He has held C-suite, consulting, and
other leadership roles in strategy, marketing, sales, finance, and business development functions in the US and globally,
overseeing large teams or working without a staff. Michael also currently advises biotech and medtech CEOs in strategy
and partnering as Founder and Principal of Intelluvia LLC.
(https://michaelrabinowitz.blog/books-on-trust-and-leadership)
What Am I Made For? Cultivate and Grow Big and Little Ideas
Nancy Meyer, MA
Manuscripts Press
https://manuscript.press
9798901020791, $32.99, HC, 298pp
Amazon
https://www.amazon.com/What-Am-Made-Cultivate-Little/dp/B0GS78LP8V
Barnes & Noble
https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/what-am-i-made-for-nancy-meyer/1149626969
Synopsis: Each of us are born carrying ideas-quiet seeds of possibility that wait for courage, attention, and the rhythm of
our lives to coax them awake. Our stories, our losses, our inheritance, and our small, ordinary moments of wonder shape
what we create. We evolve each time we say yes to an idea that scares us, or stirs us, or calls us by name.
Growth is rarely convenient. It arrives disguised as grief, as curiosity, as a question we didn't plan to ask. It asks us to listen
to our emotions, intuition, relationships, and the wisdom that travels through our lineage.
"What Am I Made For? Cultivate and Grow Big and Little Ideas " by Nancy Meyer is a companion for those who are in
the process of fully becoming ourselves. It is a reminder that ideas are not separate from us; they are expressions of who
we are becoming. To generate, incubate, experiment, and birth an idea is to take responsibility for our own unfolding.
The contention of "What Am I Made For? Cultivate and Grow Big and Little Ideas" is that you are here to create-not
perfectly, but earnestly. To lead yourself with tenderness and truth. To shape a life that honors your worth and your
peculiar talent.
And somewhere inside that unfolding, you will glimpse the answer to the question: What am I made for?
Critique: Original, exceptional, 'real world' practical, and inspirationally motivational, "What Am I Made For? Cultivate
and Grow Big and Little Ideas" by Nancy Meyer is exceptionally well written, organized and presented, making it an ideal
and unreservedly recommended pick for personal, professional, community, and college/university library Small Business
Management and Entrepreneurial collections and supplemental MBA curriculum studies lists. It should be noted for MBA
students, self-employed entrepreneurs, corporate executives, and non-specialist general readers with an interest in the
subject that this hardcover edition of "What Am I Made For? Cultivate and Grow Big and Little Ideas" from Manuscripts
Press is also readily available in paperback (9798901020784, $19.98) and in a digital book format (Kindle, $0.99 Amazon
& eBook, $9.99 B&N).
Editorial Note: Nancy Meyer (https://wementor.com/34906) is an entrenovation mentor, author, podcaster, and founder of
WeMentor, inc., where she has spent more than three decades guiding entrepreneurs and creative leaders in developing the
self-leadership, clarity, and resilience required to bring meaningful ideas to life. Her work blends strategic thinking with
mindful practice, helping clients evolve themselves as they redesign their businesses. A former entrepreneurship and small
business finance professor at two private universities, Nancy has shaped curriculum and leadership programs that integrate
research, innovation, and emotional intelligence. She is known for uniting practical business insight with relational literacy
and a deep respect for the creative process.
Collaborating with the Enemy, 2nd edition
Adam Kahane
Berrett-Koehler Publishers Inc.
www.bkconnection.com
9798890571175, $24.95, PB, 224pp
Amazon
https://www.amazon.com/Collaborating-Enemy-Second-People-Agree/dp/B0DYHQKRGB
Barnes & Noble
https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/collaborating-with-the-enemy-second-edition-adam-kahane/1147327887
Synopsis: In today's fractured and heavily politicized world, collaboration is increasingly difficult yet more crucial than
ever. Often, to get something done that really matters, we need to work with people we don't agree with, like, or trust.
Drawing from thirty-plus years of experience working with leaders in over fifty countries, with this newly updated and
expanded second edition of "Collaborating with the Enemy: How to Work with People You Don't Agree with or Like or
Trust", Adam Kahane shows why conventional collaboration (requiring harmony and agreement) is simply obsolete.
Instead, he provides a groundbreaking approach that embraces discord, experimentation, and genuine co-creation.
Kahane introduces three key stretches to navigate difficult collaborations:
Stretch to embrace conflict and connection
Stretch to experiment and learn
Stretch to step into the game
This substantially revised second edition adds multiple new chapters exploring how to work across deepening divides and
with those we may never agree with. Using new case studies, a discussion guide, and frameworks for navigating permanent
plurality in our polarized times, Kahane continues to offer essential tools for transforming conflict into positive
change.
Critique: Working with disagreeable colleagues is an experienced almost everyone has had to do sometime (and often
many times) in the course of their work career. Now in a newly expanded, updated, and revised second edition,
"Collaborating with the Enemy: How to Work with People You Don't Agree with or Like or Trust" continues to be an ideal
'how-to' manual on dealing successful with those colleagues so that necessary business can be done -- and done well.
Thoroughly 'reader friendly' in organization and presentation, "Collaborating with the Enemy: How to Work with People
You Don't Agree with or Like or Trust, 2nd edition" is unreservedly recommended for personal, professional, community,
business school, college and university library Business Management & Conflict Resolution/Mediation collections and
supplemental MBA curriculum studies lists. It should be noted that this paperback edition from Berrett-Koehler is also
available in a digital book format (Kindle, $11.99) and as a complete and unabridged audio book (Ascent Audio,
9798228675285, $19.99, CD).
Editorial Note: Adam Kahane (www.adamkahane.com) is a Director of Reos Partners (www.reospartners.com), an
international social enterprise that helps people move forward together on their most important and intractable issues.
The LGBTQ Studies Shelf
The LGBTQ Almanac: 500 Years of Queer Culture in American History
Deborah G. Felder
Visible Ink Press
www.visibleinkpress.com
9781578598496, $79.95, HC, 656pp
Amazon
https://www.amazon.com/LGBTQ-Almanac-American-Inclusive-Collection/dp/1578598494
Barnes & Noble
https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-lgbtq-almanac-deborah-g-felder/1146916707
Synopsis: Honoring the history and the impact of LGBTQ people on the history and culture of the United States across a
variety of fields, "The LGBTQ Almanac: 500 Years of Queer Culture in American History" compiled by Deborah Feler is
an iconic and fascinating blend of biographies, little-known or misunderstood historical facts, enlightening essays on
significant legislation, and cultural changes. This exhaustive volume features a large collection of 450 biographies of both
celebrated and lesser-known influencers in the community ranging from Harvey Milk (Politician); Bessie Smith (Blues
Singer); James Beard (Chef); and Christine Abizaid (Intelligence Officer); to Billie Jean King (Tennis Player); Tammy
Baldwin (Politician); Emily Shilling (Naval Officer); Ellen DeGeneres (Actor, Comedian); June Chan (Activist,
Neurobiologist); Julie Dorf (Human Rights Activist); William Masters and Virginia Johnson (Scientists, Sexologists);
Sarah McBride (Congresswoman); and hundreds more!
Celebrating Queer history and achievements, "The LGBTQ Almanac" is a unique and valuable resource. This massive
tome is devoted to illustrating the moving and often lost history of LGBTQ people in business, politics, the military, art,
entertainment, sports, media, religion, science, and across America life and throughout its history. Commemorating and
honoring Queer achievements, honors, and influence, this important book brings to light all there is to admire and discover
about LGBTQ Americans! "The LGBTQ Almanac" is enhanced with the inclusion of numerous B/W photographs and
illustrations, a helpful bibliography, and an extensive index.
Critique: Comprehensive and thoroughly 'reader friendly' in organization and presentation, "The LGBTQ Almanac: 500
Years of Queer Culture in American History" is an informative and groundbreaking compendium of succinct biographies
showcasing the lives and accomplishments of LGBTQ men and women in all walks of life. Unreservedly recommended
for personal, professional, community, highschool, and college/university library LGBTQ History/Biography collections. It
should be noted for students, academia, political activists, members of the LGBTQ community, and non-specialist general
readers with an interest in American LGBTQ history that his hardcover edition of "The LGBTQ Almanac: 500 Years of
Queer Culture in American History" from Visible Ink Press is also available in paperback (9781578597130, $39.95) and in
a digital book format (Kindle, $24.99).
Editorial Note: Deborah G. Felder is the author of more than 20 publications, including fiction and nonfiction books and
articles for middle grade, young adult, and adult readers. Her books include "The American Women's Almanac" from
Visible Ink Press. She has also authored The 100 Most Influential Women of All Time: A Ranking Past and Present; and A
Century of Women: The Most Influential Events in Twentieth-Century Women's History. Additionally, she has written
book reviews for The New York Times Book Review, Kirkus Reviews, and Publishers Weekly.
The Philosophy Shelf
Math Heals
Tiffany Suson
Avaida Publishing
https://www.mathhealsmindset.com
9798995293002, $26.99, HC, 220pp
Amazon
https://www.amazon.com/Math-Heals-Weight-Being-Human/dp/B0GT1MHQR1
Math Heals
https://www.mathhealsmindset.com/shop
Synopsis: Math is everywhere. It measures time and distance. It traces patterns in DNA and galaxies. It builds bridges and
sends rockets into space.
So why does life feel different? Why do relationships feel harder to navigate than equations? Could emotion be pointing to
something we have not yet understood? And could math help us see it more clearly?
While most books about conflict and emotion borrow from psychology, "Math Heals: On the Gift and Weight of Being
Human" by Tiffany Suson draws from mathematics.
"Math Heals" is a work of reflective nonfiction that examines the structure beneath everyday life. Drawing from
experiences in the her own life as a physical therapist, a homeschooling mother, and a parent of a child on the autism
spectrum, Tiffany reflects on how the clarity of mathematics can illuminate the complexity of being human.
Critique: Original, extraordinary, groundbreaking, iconoclastic, thoughtful and thought-provoking, "Math Heals: On the
Gift and Weight of Being Human" by Tiffany Suson will be of special appeal and value for readers with an interest in
philosophy, metaphysics, epistemology, consciousness and thought. Impressively well written, organized and presented,
"Math Heals"deftly explores how mathematical structure and equations may offer a clearer way to understand emotions,
conflict, and the choices that shape our lives. Ideal for personal and group studies, this hardcover edition of "Math Heals"
is especially and unreservedly recommended for personal, professional, community, and college/university library
Philosophy collections and supplemental curriculum studies lists. It should also be noted that "Math Heals" from Avaida
Publishing is also readily available for philosophy and psychology students, academia, and non-specialist general readers
with an interest in the subject in paperback (9798995293019, $18.99) and in a digital book format (Kindle, $4.99).
Editorial Note: Tiffany Suson is a physical therapist and author who explores how the clarity of mathematics can
illuminate the complexity of being human. For more than twenty years she has worked closely with people navigating pain,
injury, and the changes that come with aging and illness. Her perspective has also been shaped by family life as a
homeschooling mother of five, including raising a child on the autism spectrum. These experiences led her to notice
patterns that appear in everyday life. Her book "Math Heals: On the Gift and Weight of Being Human" reflects on
experiences such as conflict, misunderstanding, growth, and decision making through the lens of mathematics. Suson lives
in Texas with her family and continues to work as a home health physical therapist while writing.
The Book of Coffee: A Philosophy
Julian Baggini
Mitchell Beazley
c/o Octopus Publishing
https://www.octopusbooks.co.uk
Amazon
https://www.amazon.com/Book-Coffee-philosophy-James-Hoffmann/dp/184601638X
Julian Baggini works with James Hoffmann to create The Book of Coffee: A Philosophy which blends philosophy with
coffee insights in a gift book that can reach both schools of thinking with unusual insights into the brew. Readers may not
think the science of drinking coffee deserves philosophical analysis, but will be delighted and surprised to learn how coffee
reflects social and human activity in an unusual way: "To appreciate the primacy of each individual's phenomenology,
nothing more is needed than your attention and something to attend to, such as a cup of coffee taken in a garden. Sitting
down to drink it, you have a background sense of being located in a much wider world. Attend to that world." A simply
wonderful title unreservedly recommended for lending libraries and individuals alike.
The Travel Shelf
Hiking Oregon's Fire Lookouts
Cheryl Hill
Mountaineers Books
www.mountaineersbooks.org
9781680517088, $26.95, PB, 256pp
Amazon
https://www.amazon.com/Hiking-Oregons-Fire-Lookouts-Cheryl/dp/1680517082
Barnes & Noble
https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/hiking-oregons-fire-lookouts-cheryl-hill/1147936715
Synopsis: "Hiking Oregon's Fire Lookouts" is a comprehensive guide to 40 still-standing lookouts and 5 scenic former
lookout sites. In it, author and fire lookout enthusiast Cheryl Hill has combined detailed trail write-ups, maps, and stunning
photography with her deep knowledge of Oregon's fire lookout history.
Each entry includes everything hikers need to plan a successful outing: driving directions, trail maps, GPS coordinates,
elevation details, permit info, and notes on wildflowers, wildlife, and wildfire history. Whether you're trekking to a
panoramic perch in the Cascades or uncovering a hidden site in the Coast Range, this guide reveals the beauty, stories, and
sweeping views found at these unique destinations.
Critique: Comprised of hikes to 45 fire lookouts across Oregon and featuring detailed maps, hike write-ups, and beautiful
photographs, this trade paperback (6.6 x 0.4 x 8.7 inches, 1.3 pounds) edition of "Hiking Oregon's Fire Lookouts" by
Cheryl Hill also includes a four page listing of Resources, an Appendix on how to rent or stay in a fire lookout, and a five
page Index. Profusely and beautifully illustrated throughout with full color photographs, "Hiking Oregon's Fire Lookouts"
is especially and unreservedly recommended addition to personal, professional, community, and college/university library
Oregon themed travel guides. It should be noted that this paperback edition of "Hiking Oregon's Fire Lookouts" is also
readily available in a digital book format (Kindle, $25.14).
Editorial Note: Cheryl Hill (https://www.cherylhill.net) has worked as a librarian in the Portland area for nearly two
decades. A writer, photographer, and avid hiker, Hill volunteers as an ambassador for Trailkeepers of Oregon, educating
hikers about hiking etiquette and Leave No Trace principles. She can be followed on Instagram @justpeachy
The Sports Shelf
American Soccer Nation
Mark C. Franek
BenBella Books
www.benbellabooks.com
9781637748640, $21.95, PB, 320pp
Amazon
https://www.amazon.com/American-Soccer-Nation-Remarkable-150-Year/dp/1637748647
Barnes & Noble
https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/american-soccer-nation-mark-c-franek/1148099572
Synopsis: Soccer is the most popular game in the world, but does it truly belong in the heart of American sports culture?
The answer is a resounding yes -- and the 150-year journey of elite men's soccer in the US is filled with drama, surprises,
reversals, and triumphs that rival any world-class match.
"American Soccer Nation: The Remarkable 150-Year History of Yanks on a Roll, from Mob Football to the Modern
Game", soccer enthusiast and historian Mark C. Franek delivers a fast-paced, foundational American soccer history that
also serves as a celebration of the sport in America.
In brisk, punchy prose that moves in a confident tiki-taka style, Franek explores:
The soccer-like games played by Native Americans long before the arrival of Europeans
How organized soccer predates gridiron football, started in American colleges, and was carried forward by immigrant
communities
Why soccer has always been more inclusive and immigrant-friendly than other professional sports
The rise and fall of the original ASL and the Golden Age of American soccer
America's Olympic and World Cup highs and lows dating back to the early 20th century
Soccer's growing popularity today, from MLS and USL to elite youth academies
The accordion-like journey of the USMNT over the past 40 years, leading to the USA's co-hosting of the 2026 World
Cup
A roadmap for how the US can go from good to great on the international stage -- based on firsthand accounts from
professional athletes and experts in the sport
With forewords by Cavan Sullivan and Tim Howard, "American Soccer Nation" is the definitive affirmation that the US
really is a soccer nation.
Critique: An original, comprehensive, seminal, and groundbreaking study, "American Soccer Nation: The Remarkable
150-Year History of Yanks on a Roll, from Mob Football to the Modern Game" by Mark C. Franek is essential reading for
the growing legions of American soccer fans, players, parents, coaches, and professionals. Exceptionally well written,
organized and presented, "American Soccer Nation" is a unique and unreservedly recommended pick for personal,
professional, community, and college/university library Sports/Soccer collections. It should be noted that this paperback
edition of "American Soccer Nation" from BenBella Books is also readily available in a digital book format (Kindle,
$14.99).
Editorial Note: Mark C Franek is an American sports writer, former attorney, and educator. Franek (JD and EdD) has
published over 75 opinion-editorials on a variety of educational and human interest topics, and has taught writing
pedagogy and sportswriting electives at the University of Pennsylvania, Thomas Jefferson University, and Cabrini College.
He currently teaches English classes and a series of electives, including a History of US Soccer course, at YSC Academy,
an independent, college-preparatory school embedded completely within Major League Soccer's Philadelphia Union
franchise.
The Needlecraft Shelf
100 Essential Embroidery Motifs
Susie Johns
The GMC Group
www.gmcbooks.com
9781784947057, $24.99, PB, 128pp
Amazon
https://www.amazon.com/100-Essential-Embroidery-Motifs-Stitches/dp/B0DZN59KND
Barnes & Noble
https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/100-essential-embroidery-motifs-susie-johns/1147882982
Synopsis: "100 Essential Embroidery Motifs" by Susie Johns is a collection of 100 colorful motifs to decorate any crafting
project.
With "100 Essential Embroidery Motifs", even the most novice of needlecrafters can create beautiful motifs to embellish
any project, big or small, with this directory of 100 embroidery designs.
Grouped by theme, the designs comprising "100 Essential Embroidery Motifs" include animals (mammals, birds and
insects), plants (flowers, fruits and vegetables), the sea, home, mythical creatures as well as some popular decorative
patterns. An ideal DIY instructional guide for adding these motifs to a patchwork quilt, gifts, framed pictures, or greetings
cards, "100 Essential Embroidery Motifs" is a perfect resource for novices, and an inspirational reference guide for more
experienced embroiderer.
Critique: This large format (8.5 x 2 x 10.8 inches, 1.22 pounds) paperback edition of Suzie Johns' "100 Essential
Embroidery Motifs" from The GMC Group is thoroughly 'user friendly' in organization and presentation making it
unreservedly recommended for personal, professional, and community library Needlecraft & Embroidery instructional
reference collections.
Editorial Note: There is an online listing books by Susie Johns available at Goodreads:
https://www.goodreads.com/author/list/166687.Susie_Johns
The Art Shelf
Flowers in Watercolour
Lois Davidson & Morgaine Davidson
The GMC Group
www.gmcbooks.com
9781784947132, $17.99, PB, 96pp
Amazon
https://www.amazon.com/Flowers-Watercolour-Techniques-Tutorials-Complete/dp/178494713X
Barnes & Noble
https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/flowers-in-watercolour-lois-davidson/1147882940
Synopsis: Offering essential advice, techniques and inspiration presented through step-by-step instruction and a variety of
templates, "Flowers in Watercolour: Techniques and Tutorials For The Complete Beginner" by Lois and Morgaine
Davidson is comprehensive guide that is specifically designed to teach aspiring artists how to paint flowers with
confidence.
"Flowers in Watercolour: Techniques and Tutorials For The Complete Beginner" includes 10 subjects to paint, including
wildflowers, garden favorites and exotic blooms. It also contains 'focus on' spreads that provide greater detail and more
advanced techniques to try. It is designed to act not only as a guide to flower painting, but an introduction to the medium of
watercolor.
The tutorials comprising "Flowers in Watercolour: Techniques and Tutorials For The Complete Beginner" include daisies,
peonies, lilies, ferns, ivy, wildflowers, and poppies.
Critique: This large format (8.62 x 0.35 x 10.79 inches, 14.8 ounces) paperback edition of "Flowers in Watercolour:
Techniques and Tutorials For The Complete Beginner" by the team of Lois and Morgaine Davidson is an ideal and
unreservedly recommended DIY instructional guide and 'how to' manual for painting in watercolor all manner of flowers.
"Flowers in Watercolour: Techniques and Tutorials For The Complete Beginner" is an ideal addition to personal,
professional, community, and art school collections and supplemental art classroom curriculums.
Editorial Note: Lois and Morgaine Davidson have an informative YouTube website at:
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCxOwiRkms9atuVFiYORU9SA
RHS Watercolour Botanical Art
Sarah Howard with Rachel Pedder-Smith
Mitchell Beazley
c/o Octopus Publishing
https://www.octopusbooks.co.uk
9781784729844, $39.99
Amazon
https://www.amazon.com/RHS-Watercolour-Botanical-Art-Artists/dp/1784729841
RHS Watercolour Botanical Art: The Complete Practical Guide for Artists by Sarah Howard with Rachel Pedder-Smith is
a handbook created with a team of artists and botany experts. It offers an unusual balance between science and art which is
not available in other art-focused books on the subject. The presumption is that artists want to be more informed about
botany in order to enrich their botanical creations, and so chapters focus on this marriage with descriptions of variations,
botanical structures, painting techniques, and step-by-step detail. Anyone interested in botanical illustrations, whether a
how-to guide or a science survey of the fine art's connection to nature, will appreciate the full-page color photos and
oversize presentation of this outstanding guide. A simply wonderful title unreservedly recommended for lending libraries
and individuals alike.
The Theatre/Cinema/TV Shelf
Japan's Anime Revolution!
Jonathan Clements
Tuttle
https://www.tuttlepublishing.com
9784805319246, $19.99 pbk / $18.99 Kindle
Amazon
https://www.amazon.com/Japans-Anime-Revolution-Animated-Changed/dp/4805319240
Synopsis: Twenty pivotal moments in anime filmmaking - and the untold drama behind them. From secret production
battles to box-office triumphs, Japan's Anime Revolution reveals how each landmark film transformed Japanese
animation
Anime expert Jonathan Clements presents game-changing moments in Japanese film history, from Japan's first
black-and-white animated feature to modern blockbusters which have redefined the art form. From box-office hits to
career-threatening flops, each of these case studies has changed the anime world in its own unique way, influencing
developments in content, production methods, or distribution, capturing all the vibrancy and diversity of this world-beating
medium.
This illuminating book describes the twenty most notable films in anime history, including:
Momotaro: Released at the end of World War II, this was Japan's first feature-length anime
My Neighbor Totoro: Miyazaki's iconic work, consciously created as an alternative to formulaic animated films with no
conflict or antagonist
Ghost in the Shell: The influential sci-fi feature that inspired The Matrix
Spirited Away: The first Oscar-winning anime and highest-grossing Japanese film of all time!
A Silent Voice: Adapted from a popular manga, an essential entry from a woman director
Street Fighter II: Proved that movies based on video games have the potential for popular and box office success
Plus 14 other landmark films!
Clements reveals behind-the-scenes decisions that changed the course of Japanese animation. Which movie was finished
by a staff of out-of-work waitresses? Which animator hated his work so much that he threatened to shave off his own
eyebrows? How did a maverick producer enlist fans to drive his movie to box-office gold? Which director learned his trade
by watching The Bad News Bears ten times?
Illustrated with full-color images, this fascinating book is a must-read for every devoted anime fan!
Critique: Japan's Anime Revolution! Twenty Animated Films That Changed the World lives up to its title as a thoughtful
discussion of how twenty select, enduring, and iconic anime (Japanese animated movies) transformed cinema worldwide.
Author and professional anime translator/voice actor/dubbing director Jonathan Clements provides his unique insights into
the evolution of an artistic medium. Thoroughly detailed yet accessible to all backgrounds, and replete with fascinating,
little-known vignettes about historic anime and the people who created them, Japan's Anime Revolution! is a "must-read"
for anime connoisseurs and highly recommended for both personal and public library theatre/cinema studies shelves. It
should be noted for personal reading lists that Japan's Anime Revolution! is also available in a Kindle edition
($18.99).
Editorial Note: Jonathan Clements is the author of Anime: A History and A Brief History of Japan. He's a contributing
editor of The Encyclopedia of Science Fiction and has worked on dozens of anime films as a translator, voice actor, or
dubbing director - including Grey: Digital Target, Sol Bianca, and Musashi: Dream of the Last Samurai. He has provided
commentary tracks to films including Vexille, Golgo 13, and Weathering with You, and has been jury chairman at the
Scotland Loves Anime film festival for the last decade.
Twin Peaks: Through the Red Curtain
Scott Ryan
BearManor Media
www.bearmanormedia.com
9798887719016, $37.00, HC, 196pp
Amazon
https://www.amazon.com/Twin-Peaks-Through-Red-Curtain/dp/B0G2JD7Q9W
Barnes & Noble
https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/twin-peaks-through-the-red-curtain-scott-ryan/1148767805
Synopsis: Ever since Twin Peaks aired on television in 1990, fans and critics have been discussing who killed Laura
Palmer, what the ceiling fan means, and wondering when that gum we like is going to come back in style.
But with the publication of "Twin Peaks: Through the Red Curtain", it is the cast and crew that get to do the talking about
what it was like to work with David Lynch and Mark Frost on one of the most influential series of all time.
On-screen stars Kyle MacLachlan, Sheryl Lee, Ray Wise, Piper Laurie, and Sherilyn Fenn join behind the scenes
participates of Mark Frost, Jennifer Lynch, and Sabrina S. Sutherland, who mix with The Return stars of George Griffith,
Amy Shiels, and Clark Middleton to bring together their shared memories of Twin Peaks, Fire Walk With Me, and The
Return.
With "Twin Peaks: Through the Red Curtain", Scott Ryan has compiled over sixty interviews drawn from ten years of
research to tell the story of the pop culture phenomena of Twin Peaks through the words of the people who created it.
Readers will learn how the famous Red Room was created, how the feature film got greenlit, and how the Showtime
reunion series of 2017 was created.
Critique: A seminal study and a fun read from cover to cover, "Twin Peaks: Through the Red Curtain" by Scott Ryan is a
'must' read for the legions of Twin Peaks fans and an unreservedly recommended pick for personal, professional,
community, and college/university library Television History/Criticism collections and supplemental curriculum studies
lists. It should be noted that this hardcover edition of "Twin Peaks: Through the Red Curtain" from BearManor Media is
also readily available in paperback (9798887719009, $26.00) and in a digital book format (Kindle, $9.950.
Editorial Note: Author Scott Ryan has danced with Ray Wise, sang at the RR Diner, and been Sheryl Lee's bodyguard. He
also wrote a few David Lynch books, but none of that is better than drinking with Charlotte Stewart after a late night
Eraserhead screening. A listing of his books is available online at:
https://www.goodreads.com/author/list/9830799.Scott_Ryan
The New Peplum
Nicholas Diak, editor
McFarland & Company
https://mcfarlandbooks.com
9781476667621, $39.95, PB, 242pp
Amazon
https://www.amazon.com/New-Peplum-Essays-Television-Programs/dp/1476667624
McFarland & Company
https://mcfarlandbooks.com/product/the-new-peplum
Synopsis: Peplum or "sword-and-sandal" films (an Italian genre of the late 1950s through the 1960s) featured ancient
Greek, Roman and Biblical stories with gladiators, mythological monsters and legendary quests.
The new wave of historic epics, known as neo-pepla, is distinctly different, embracing new technologies and storytelling
techniques to create an immersive experience unattainable in the earlier films.
"The New Peplum: Essays on Sword and Sandal Films and Television Programs Since the 1990s", deftly edited by
Nicholas Diak, is comprised of eleven new essays that explore the neo-peplum phenomenon through a range of topics,
including comic book adaptations like Hercules, the expansion of genre boundaries in Jupiter Ascending and John Carter,
depictions of Romans and slaves in Spartacus, and The Eagle and Centurion as metaphors for America's involvement in
the Iraq War.
Critique: A seminal and groundbreaking collection of eloquent and knowledgeable essays from experts in their subjects,
"The New Peplum: Essays on Sword and Sandal Films and Television Programs Since the 1990s" is an extraordinary and
collective body work that will prove to be of immense value to readers with an interest in how historical action/adventure
stories have been brought back into popularity through the improved movie and television storytelling technologies,
adaptations, and expansions into modern fable/mythology treatments in the contemporary popular culture. Eloquent,
informative, insightful, thoughtful and thought-provoking, "The New Peplum" is a simply fascinating read from start to
finish and will prove to be an enduringly popular pick for the personal reading lists, as well as community and
college/university library Cinematic History/Criticism collections and supplemental curriculum studies lists. It should be
noted for students, academia, and non-specialist general readers with an interest in the subject that this paperback edition
of "The New Peplum" from McFarland & Company is also available in a digital book format (Kindle, $25.99).
Editorial Note: Nicholas Diak (https://nickdiak.com) is a pop culture scholar specializing in Italian spy films,
post-industrial and synthwave music, and the works of H.P. Lovecraft. He has contributed essays, editorials and reviews to
a variety of books, journals, and pop culture websites.
The Antiques/Collectibles Shelf
Ancient Rings: An Illustrated Collector's Guide
T. N. Pollio
McFarland & Company
https://mcfarlandbooks.com
9781476673851, $49.95, PB, 180pp
Amazon
https://www.amazon.com/Ancient-Rings-Illustrated-Collectors-Guide/dp/1476673853
McFarland & Company
https://mcfarlandbooks.com/product/ancient-rings
Synopsis: Ancient finger rings made of base metals and low-grade silver alloys are increasingly being unearthed and sold
through a growing assortment of marketplaces worldwide. Reference material on ancient rings has focused mainly on
historic and "high-end" pieces (the precious metals and stones of royalty and the wealthy) while little has been written on
the evaluation of common rings.
With the publication of "Ancient Rings: An Illustrated Collector's Guide", T. N. Pollio has created a comprehensive guide
that describes their composition, structure and imagery, thus providing merchants, collectors and researchers with a
comprehensive reference on these ancient artifacts that, until now, have gone unexamined.
Critique: Profusely illustrated with B/W photos, "Ancient Rings: An Illustrated Collector's Guide" is a seminal and
groundbreaking study that begins with the basics of ring collecting, terminology, materials used in ring construction, and
decorative additions. While presenting the history of rings from the neolithic period to the industrial age of modern times,
ring types by period ranging from the Bronze & Iron ages to the industrial age of modern times, and cleaning/conservation
information for silver, copper, bronze and brass rings, "Ancient Rings: An Illustrated Collector's Guide" also includes for
the reader's benefit a two page Epilogue, a fourteen page Glossary, five pages of Notes, a three page Bibliography, and a
three page Index. This trade paperback (7 x 0.36 x 10 inches, 11.5 ounces) edition of "Ancient Rings: An Illustrated
Collector's Guide" is a unique and unreservedly recommended addition to personal, professional, community, and
college/university library Collectibles/Antiquities instructional reference collections.
Editorial Note: T. N. Pollio is a researcher and historian. His two previous books are "The Art of Medieval Jewelry" and
"Voices from Early American". Member of the Archaeological Institute of America, and participant in a number of online
history, antiquities and artwork forums.
The Folktale/Fairytale Shelf
Flower Fables
Louisa May Alcott
Rizzoli
www.rizzoliusa.com
9780789346193, $29.95, HC, 272pp
Amazon
https://www.amazon.com/Flower-Fables-Louisa-May-Alcott/dp/0789346192
Barnes & Noble
https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/flower-fables-louisa-may-alcott/1100088659
Synopsis: Step into a world of wonder with this deluxe illustrated edition from Rizzoli of the fairy tales and fables by
Louisa May Alcott -- an American literary icon and the beloved author of "Little Women". Celebrated for her timeless
stories of kindness, friendship, and self-discovery, Alcott's storytelling continues to inspire readers of all ages -- and her
magical collection of fairytales, "Flower Fables", is no exception.
First published in 1854, "Flower Fables" was Alcott's very first book. This beautifully produced collection from Rizzoli
brings together nine enchanting allegorical tales that remain as meaningful today as when they were first written. This new
edition features full-color illustrations for the first time, along with luxurious design details including sprayed edges, a
foiled case, and an elegant ribbon marker, making it a perfect keepsake or gift.
Through vivid imagery and captivating storytelling, you will follow sprites and fairies who wander through a richly
imagined natural world. Explore dappled woodlands filled with ferns and wildflowers, sunlit meadows, sparkling streams,
and majestic mountains. Each story celebrates the magic of nature while gently conveying enduring lessons of kindness,
love, imagination, and self-improvement. Perfect for adults, children, and fans of classic literature alike, this collector's
edition of "Flower Fables" is an ideal gift for readers who treasure illustrated classics, fairy tales, and beautifully designed
books.
Critique: As popular today as they were almost two hundred years ago, this exceptional and beautifully illustrated edition
of Louisa May Alcott's "Flower Fables", newly published by Rizzoli, is truly extraordinary and unreservedly recommended
for personal, school, community, and college/university library Folklore & Fairytale collections and supplemental Louisa
May Alcott curriculum studies lists.
Editorial Note: Louisa May Alcott (1832-1888) was an American novelist and short story writer. In addition to the beloved
classic Little Women, she wrote a variety of works, including fairy tales and other novels for young readers. Her legacy
continues to endure, and her work is still cherished by readers of all ages. Her writings remain a cornerstone of American
literature and are often celebrated for their exploration of themes like personal growth, independence, and the complexity
of family life.
The Interior Design Shelf
The Enchanting Interiors of Bunny Mellon: Paintings by Snowy Campbell
Nancy Collins, et al.
Rizzoli
www.rizzoliusa.com
9780847876358, $60.00, HC, 160pp
Amazon
https://www.amazon.com/Enchanting-Interiors-Bunny-Mellon-Paintings/dp/0847876357
Barnes & Noble
https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-enchanting-interiors-of-bunny-mellon-charlotte-moss/1147885140
Synopsis: The houses of Bunny Mellon and her husband Paul have become icons in the field of interior decoration, filled
with fine antiques, blue-chip works of art (a Van Gogh left unframed and propped on a mantel), personal mementos, and
exquisite objets d'art, all displayed in Mellon's inimitably sophisticated yet charming way.
Snowy Campbell was employed by Mellon in 1970 for six years, just after college, to document in paint several residences
of the Mellons. With the publication of "The Enchanting Interiors of Bunny Mellon: Paintings by Snowy Campbell" they
are presented to the public as a group for the first time.
"The Enchanting Interiors of Bunny Mellon: Paintings by Snowy Campbell" (a project that was started by Mellon but
never realized until now) presents Campbell's paintings that capture the colors, light, and ambiance of rooms and gardens,
as well as intricate patterns and details of furnishings in spaces put together with help from renowned decorators John
Fowler and Bruce Budd. Three residences (in New York City; Washington, DC; and Upperville, Virginia) are the focus,
with texts by society chronicler James Reginato describing Mellon's decorating style and the ways the Mellons used each
property. Opening the doors to a life of superb connoisseurship, this volume is an homage to the interiors of a renowned
couple and the extraordinary work of a young artist.
Critique: This large format hardcover edition of "The Enchanting Interiors of Bunny Mellon: Paintings by Snowy
Campbell" beautifully showcase the refined rooms of American philanthropist and aesthete Bunny Mellon (1910 - 2014).
The interiors were especially influential for their ability to combine magnificent collections of fine and decorative art with
an ambiance of comfort and ease and were each documented by artist Snowy Campbell. The result is a magnificent and
lasting tribute to Mellon's impeccable taste. Bringing new meaning to Interior Design As Art, "The Enchanting Interiors of
Bunny Mellon: Paintings by Snowy Campbell" is an especially and unreservedly recommended acquisition choice for
personal, professional, community, and college/university library Interior Design & Home Decorating collections and
supplemental Residential Architecture/Interior Design curriculum studies lists.
Editorial Note #1: Charlotte Moss is an interior designer and philanthropist.
Editorial Note #2: Peter Crane is president of the Oak Spring Garden Foundation.
Editorial Note #3: Frank Langella is an actor and longtime friend of Bunny Mellon.
Editorial Note #4: James Reginato is writer-at-large for Vanity Fair.
The Gardening Shelf
Flowering Outdoors: Gardens & Parties
Margot Shaw with Lydia Somerville, authors
Bunny Williams, foreword
Rizzoli
www.rizzoliusa.com
9780847876303, $50.00, HC, 224pp
Amazon
https://www.amazon.com/Flowering-Outdoors-Gardens-Inspiring-Entertaining/dp/0847876306
Barnes & Noble
https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/flowering-outdoors-margot-shaw/1147885126
Synopsis: "Flowering Outdoors: Gardens & Parties: Inspiring Floral Touches for Outside Spaces and Entertaining" by
Margot Shaw (Editor-n-Chief of Flower Magazine) is a simply gorgeous coffee table style volume full of inspirational
ideas as tastemakers share their joy of flowers outdoors in such spaces as terraces, dining pavilions, and loggias in a variety
of locations ranging from city balconies and country patios to mountain and seaside settings.
Such interior designers and floral and design experts as Meg Braff, Kate Rheinstein Brodsky, Zeze, Bettie Bearden Pardee,
India Hicks, and others show how to incorporate flowers in outdoor "rooms" in terra-cotta containers, metal urns, and
other types of pots, and present numerous ways to entertain alfresco with flair.
This beautifully photographed book concludes with a primer on garden elements, including architecture, statuary, furniture,
and live sculpture, as well as advice on assembling simple arrangements for parties. Inspirational and instructive, it is a
must-have for flower enthusiasts, home decorators, gardeners, and haute hosting.
Critique: This large format (8.92 x 1.02 x 11.3 inches, 1.25 pounds) hardcover edition of "Flowering Outdoors: Gardens &
Parties: Inspiring Floral Touches for Outside Spaces and Entertaining" from Rizzoli is an impressively informative and
inspiring compendium of the interior and exterior use of flowers and flower arrangements to enhance a wide variety of
living spaces. Profusely and beautifully illustrated with full color photography throughout, "Flowering Outdoors: Gardens
& Parties: Inspiring Floral Touches for Outside Spaces and Entertaining" will prove to be an immediate and enduringly
popular pick for personal, professional, community, and college/university library Interior Design, Recreational Gardening,
and Flower Arranging collections.
Editorial Note: Flower Magazine (https://flowermag.com) was founded by Margot Shaw, who has also been the editor in
chief since 2007. It has a readership of over 475,000 and is the leading authority on all things floral -- from flower
arrangements to gardens and inspired botanical decorating. Lydia Somerville is a contributing editor for Flower
magazine.
Editorial Note #2: Bunny Williams, considered one of the most talented names in design, is an accomplished
businesswoman and philanthropist. She is the author of "Bunny Williams: Life in the Garden" (Rizzoli, 2024).
Atmosfloric: Flower Colour in Home and Garden
Sean A. Pritchard
Mitchell Beazley
c/o Octopus Publishing
https://www.octopusbooks.co.uk
9781840919356, $39.99
Amazon
https://www.amazon.com/ATMOSFLORIC-Flower-Colour-Home-Garden/dp/1840919353
Sean A. Pritchard's Atmosfloric: Flower Colour in Home and Garden comes from a designer who shows how to grow
flowers for color and indoors atmosphere enhancement. The passing nature of the flower and its textures and color offers
opportunities to enhance moods, however temporarily. Pritchard shows how as he places the flowers into chapters that
explore both the process of cultivating them and the equally important nature of integrating them into an interior design.
Lovely full-page photos offer eye-catching flower decor inspiration. A simply wonderful title unreservedly recommended
for lending libraries and individuals alike.
The Photography Shelf
Picturing Prince
Steve Parke
Cassell
c/o Octopus Publishing
https://www.octopusbooks.co.uk
9781788406611, $29.99 HC, 240pp
Amazon
https://www.amazon.com/Picturing-Prince-Intimate-Featuring-Photography/dp/1788406613
Barnes & Noble
https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/picturing-prince-steve-parke/1148468018
The very specific focus of Picturing Prince: An Intimate Portrait requires that readers hold a previous affinity for the
musician. This is the best Prince coverage a reader could choose. It comes from his former creative director, the US edition
includes 16 pages of lost photos which have been recently uncovered by the author, and the combination of full-page color
images and personal reflections by Steve Parke make for an extraordinary, fun coverage which delves into the man behind
the myth. Striking images and equally compelling descriptions make this study a standout above and beyond other Prince
biographies.
The Jewelry Shelf
Women and Their Jewels
David Lelait-Helo
Mitchell Beazley
c/o Octopus Publishing
https://www.octopusbooks.co.uk
9781784729677, $39.99
Amazon
https://www.amazon.com/Women-Their-Jewels-through-jewellery/dp/1784729671
Women and Their Jewels: 15 Iconic Women Through Their Jewellery by David Lelait-Helo examines a selected list of
famous women and their jewels, from Jackie Kennedy to Elizabeth Taylor and Helena Rubenstein and Elizabeth II. It's
impossible to think of these women without their jewels, especially when this biographical history includes full-page color
and black and white images accompanying the historical reviews of significant jewelry pieces and the circumstances in
which they were displayed. Libraries strong in jewelry history and women's lives will find this survey unusual, revealing,
and attractive. A simply wonderful title unreservedly recommended for lending libraries and individuals alike.
The Religion/Spirituality Shelf
God Awaits...: The Manifesto of a Contemporary Seeker
Vanish K, author
Notion Press
https://notionpress.com
9798903626632, $29.99, HC, 378pp
Amazon
https://www.amazon.com/God-Awaits-Manifesto-Contemporary-Seeker/dp/B0GT447VM1
Synopsis: Initiated at fourteen, Vanish K has spent three decades seeking the Supreme. With the publication of "God
Awaits...: The Manifesto of a Contemporary Seeker" he presents a distillation of that journey: a compilation of thresholds
guiding readers from the recognition of the insatiable human void to the cultivation of contentment.
Drawing on the Fourth Way of Gurdjieff and Ouspensky, alongside the teachings of Meher Baba, Osho, and other masters,
the text of "God Awaits" offers a contemporary language for existential truths while honoring the awakeners who shaped
its path. Moving through centers, forces, consciousness, and ways, Vanish K deftly weaves science, mysticism, and lived
practice into a coherent invitation.
"God Awaits..." is not a manual of renunciation but a transmission of integration: awakening through daily life, wonder
through inquiry, and devotion through conscious participation. Gentle yet firm, it summons seekers and fence sitters alike
to cross into conscious evolution -- assuring that even hesitation can open the path, and that courage, honesty, and
imagination remain steadfast companions.
Critique: Thoughtful and thought provoking, inspired and inspiring, thoroughly 'reader friendly' in tone, style, organization
and presentation, "God Awaits...: The Manifesto of a Contemporary Seeker" by Vanish K will be of immense and enduring
interest for anyone concerned with spiritual growth, insight, understanding, and communion with the divine in our daily
lives. While especially and unreservedly recommended for personal, professional, community, and college/university
library Religion/Spirituality and Philosophy collections and supplemental curriculum studies lists, it should be noted for
students, academia, and non-specialist general readers with an interest in the subject that this hardcover edition of "God
Awaits...: The Manifesto of a Contemporary Seeker" is also available in paperback (9798901767801, $18.99).
Editorial Note: Vanish K is the founder of "Key to Elysium - Shared Space for Conscious Evolution"
(https://www.keytoelysium.com).
The Self-Help Shelf
Life Hacks for Healing & Harmony
Tara Mae Temple
Tara Sweet Awakening Press
9781069901903 $13.99 pbk / $3.99 Kindle
Amazon
https://www.amazon.com/Life-Hacks-Healing-Harmony-Strategies/dp/1069901903
Synopsis: Imagine a life where you don't dwell on problems, conflict, and hardship. Can you reimagine a new reality of
self-compassion, replacing your harsh inner critic? The result? Inner calm becomes your default state. What if the secret to
joy and contentment isn't hidden at all but waiting to be unlocked through a simple, transformative framework? The
Three-Elements-of-Ease will show you how to Change Your Environment to Promote Healing, Reframe Your Mindset,
and Nurture Compassion for Yourself and Others.
Whether you're at rock bottom after a recent life crisis or you've grappled with it and are ready to heal, this book is for
you. Maybe you struggle with mild to moderate mental and emotional issues like anxiety, burnout, or self-limiting beliefs.
Perhaps you are riding an emotional rollercoaster of inner turmoil, or you feel uncomfortable in your own skin. Do you
ruminate over unhelpful thoughts? Are you in a career rut? Are you searching for a purpose? Are you struggling with
complex culture dynamics, complicated parent-child relationships, invisibility, self-image issues, or a desire for approval?
Are you having an identity crisis, wrestling with your shadow self, or experiencing fear, illness, or grief? Life Hacks for
Healing & Harmony tackles all these issues head-on to help you suffer less from distorted thinking and rise to life's
challenges.
Author Tara Mae Temple has experienced the trials and tribulations she addresses in this book. She implemented the
strategies she shares and shows how they have awakened her spiritually and changed her life for the better. Trained in
sociology and human behavior, Tara is on a mission to help women attain peace. She offers tried-and-true coping strategies
and practical tips backed by research, her own experiences, and her innate wisdom.
By the end of this book, you will feel fulfilled, renewed, empowered, and at peace. You will gain valuable tools to help
you overcome mental and emotional struggles, discover your most authentic self, prioritize self-care, embrace a new
identity, channel love and acceptance, and develop a disciplined mindset.
Whether you're a mother or a woman rediscovering yourself, a professional seeking purpose beyond burnout, someone
searching for meaning, or an individual navigating family and cultural expectations, Life Hacks for Healing & Harmony
shows that wherever you are in your journey, now is the time to be brave and reach for peace.
Critique: Approaching life's difficult problems and challenges with a clear mind is the first step to solving them. Life
Hacks for Healing & Harmony is an accessible self-help guide that focuses upon learning how to stabilize and strengthen
one's mindset. Life Hacks for Healing & Harmony is not simply about controlling emotions; it is about accepting and
integrating emotions, but not letting emotions dominate when remaining balanced is vital. It is a path to peace for physical,
psychological, and spiritual well-being, the better to enjoy life, practice compassion, and work toward achieving one's
goals with inner discipline.
Chapters discuss techniques and exercises for controlling social anxiety, repairing complicated relationships, navigating an
identity crisis, coping with the grief of losing loved ones, preventing fear paralysis, and much more. Life Hacks for Healing
& Harmony is intended for extensive personal use, offering sections for journaling or other exercises where the reader is
invited to write in the book to foster their own personal reflection, insight, and growth.
A standout quote from the chapter "Becoming Visible - Conquering Invisibility" is representative of the positive,
self-empowering message of Life Hacks for Healing & Harmony: "No matter how maddening people's comments or
actions may be, you have the choice not to let their behavior bother you. Walk away. Say to yourself, 'It's not about me, it's
about them.' Those who utter insulting comments do it to mask their own pain. They're human too, so try to put yourself in
their shoes. Of course, there is no excuse to treat another human poorly, but you can choose to be better."
Life Hacks for Healing & Harmony lives up to its title and is highly recommended as an excellent contribution to
Self-Help/Self-Empowerment shelves. It should be noted for personal reading lists that Life Hacks for Healing & Harmony
is also available in a Kindle edition ($3.99).
Editorial Note: Tara Mae Temple has over fifteen years of success in advertising, communications, and healthcare
fundraising and marketing. She holds an honors Bachelor of Arts degree in Sociology and Communications, reflecting her
lifelong interest in human behavior from a sociological perspective. Tara is dedicated to finding evidence-based strategies
to help people navigate life's challenges. A nonfiction writer and the author of Life Hacks for Healing & Harmony, she is
also a developmental editor and enjoys helping other authors create their best nonfiction work. During her healing journey,
Tara discovered coping strategies that helped her navigate serious life struggles. Applying these methods, along with
wisdom, faith, and life lessons, led her to a more harmonious life, making her feel inspired for the first time in four
decades. Now, she is a passionate advocate for women's issues and committed to serving others through her writing. She is
Filipino Canadian, and as a member of an ethnic minority, Tara brings a fresh, uplifting, and insightful voice to the
self-help genre.
Rules of Resilience
Valorie Burton
Tyndale Refresh
c/o Tyndale House Publishers
www.tyndale.com
9798400510724, $29.99, HC, 256pp
Amazon
https://www.amazon.com/Rules-Resilience-Successful-People-Stronger/dp/B0DJY611GB
Synopsis: Resilience: the ability of a person to adjust to or recover readily from illness, adversity, major life changes, etc.;
buoyancy.
No matter what it is you want in life, the difference between success and failure is resilience. Fortunately, the skills of
resilience can be learned. With the publication of "Rules of Resilience: 10 Ways Successful People Get Better, Wiser, and
Stronger", Valorie Burton, (author of Successful Women Think Differently and CEO of the Coaching and Positive
Psychology Institute) teaches her readers how to build or strengthen their own personal resilience system. She also offers
practical strategies you can employ immediately to conquer obstacles, overcome setbacks, achieve greater happiness, and
succeed at higher levels than ever before.
Drawing on more than two decades of experience as a personal and executive coach, and her extensive work in the
pioneering field of applied positive psychology, Valorie Burton:
Reveals how to build a level of mental and emotional fitness and strength that will transform your work, relationships,
finances, and health.
Consolidates intriguing research into easy-to-remember rules that can be put into practice right away.
Guides readers through any current or potential challenge -- enabling them to conquer obstacles and achieve their life goals
in a healthy and meaningful way.
Once you know the rules of resilience and start practicing them, you will discover that it's possible to learn how to grow
through challenges and not just go through them. If you are ready to learn the secrets of life-changing resilience, let Valorie
Burton's "Rules of Resilience" be your guide.
Critique: Extraordinarily well written and thoroughly 'reader/user' friendly in style, organization and presentation, "Rules
of Resilience: 10 Ways Successful People Get Better, Wiser, and Stronger" is enhanced for the reader's benefit with the
inclusion of a Foreword by John C. Maxwell, an informative Introduction, a four page Epilogue (Rules as Tools), a four
page listing of Acknowledgments, and eight page of Notes. Life changing, life enhancing, life celebrating, "Rules of
Resilience" is unreservedly recommended for personal, professional, community, and college/university library
Self-Help/Self-Improvement collections and Christian Personal Growth reading lists. It should be noted that this hardcover
edition of "Rules of Resilience" from Tyndale Refresh is also readily available in paperback ( 9798400505256, $18.99)
and in a digital book format (Kindle, $11.99).
Editorial Note: Valorie Burton (https://valorieburton.com) is an author, speaker, and life coach who dedicated herself to
helping people get unstuck and be unstoppable in every area of life. She is also the founder of The Coaching and Positive
Psychology (CaPP) Institute and has served as a Certified Personal and Executive Coach to hundreds of clients in over 40
states and ten countries. For nearly 20 years, Valorie's books, speaking engagements, and coaching programs have helped
people.
Can't Break Me
Kevin "KAYR" Robinson with Elijah Anderson
https://www.kayrmotivates.com
Morgan James Publishing
www.morganjamespublishing.com
9781636988412, $18.95, PB, 220pp
Amazon
https://www.amazon.com/Cant-Break-Me-Shifted-Overcame/dp/1636988415
Barnes & Noble
https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/cant-break-me-kevin-kayr-robinson/1148540335
Synopsis: With the publication of "Can't Break Me: How I Shifted My Mindset and Overcame the Odds", Kevin "KAYR"
Robinson shares how he navigated poverty, instability, and limited opportunity to build real financial independence and
take control of his life. "Can't Break Me" is not about motivation -- it's about structure, decision-making, and doing what's
required when the odds are against you.
Through hard-earned lessons on sacrifice, self-worth, and accountability, KAYR (pronounced KAY-R) breaks down what
it actually takes to move from survival to ownership. Along the way, he shows how discipline - not circumstance - is the
foundation for lasting success.
With insights shaped by Sterling Professor Dr. Elijah Anderson, "Can't Break Me" offers readers a clear, grounded
perspective on how to think differently, act decisively, and build a life defined by results.
The primary message of "Can't Break Me" is that it's not where you start in life -- it's where you finish.
Critique: Part memoir, part self-help guide, "Can't Break Me: How I Shifted My Mindset and Overcame the Odds" is
original, deftly crafted, thoughtful, thought-provoking, and inspiringly motivational. An extraordinary life story combined
with insights into breaking free of generationally enforced habits, life styles, and dysfunctional ideas, "Can't Break Me" is
an especially and unreservedly recommended pick for personal, professional, and community African-American
Biography/Memoir and DIY self-help/self-improvement lists collections.
Editorial Note: Kevin "KAYR" Robinson (https://www.kayrmotivates.com) is a business strategist, investor, entrepreneur,
and KAYJAY Consulting cofounder who has benefitted from working on Wall Street and building a multimillion-dollar
real estate investment company from scratch. He has held positions at Goldman Sachs, Sirios Capital Management, and
Truist Securities and is a board member of Philadelphia Young Playwrights, Grove Collective Foundation, and The Great
Young Society II organization. He has been featured on MarketWatch FIRE (Financial Independence/Retire Early), and
KBS (Korean Broadcasting System).
The Metaphysical Studies Shelf
The Book of Astrological Returns
Theresa Reed
Weiser Publishers
c/o Red Wheel/Weiser
www.redwheelweiser.com
9781578639007, $19.95, PB, 240pp
Amazon
https://www.amazon.com/Book-Astrological-Returns-Complete-Guide/dp/157863900X
Barnes & Noble
https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-book-of-astrological-returns-theresa-reed/1147729646
Synopsis: "The Book of Astrological Returns: Your Complete Guide to Every Life Cycle from the Sun to Pluto" by
Theresa Reed is the DIY instructional manual every astrology enthusiast needs. No more searching through multiple titles
to get the info -- with this single volume it's all in one place as it fills in the gaps, empowering us with knowledge to
navigate all crucial life stages and prepare for the future.
You will experience many planetary returns in a lifetime, and, depending on your age, each return will be unique. As you
delve into each chapter, you'll find "Cosmic Tips" that provide actionable insights and strategies for making the most of
each return, such as how traveling on a significant return like your birthday can change your luck. These insights are
designed not only to deepen your understanding of the return but also to empower you. No more astro-excuses!
While most of the book focuses on the personal birth chart, Reed also shows us how the outer planetary returns have
profound implications for cities, countries, and even civilizations. For example, the United States finished its first Pluto
return, a 248-year cycle that saw events rotating from the Revolutionary War to the well-known contemporary political
stirrings.
"The Book of Astrological Returns" also shows how a birth chart is a living thing that matures and ages along with you, as
well as with our society at large.
Critique: Exceptionally well written and impressively 'reader friendly' in organization and presentation, "The Book of
Astrological Returns: Your Complete Guide to Every Life Cycle from the Sun to Pluto" is the ideal 'how to' instructional
guide and 'how to' manual for novice astrology students and experienced practitioners alike. A solid and unreservedly
recommended pick for personal, professional, community, and college/university library Metaphysical Studies lists, it
should be noted that this trade paperback (9781578639007, 8.1 ounces) edition of "The Book of Astrological Returns:
Your Complete Guide to Every Life Cycle from the Sun to Pluto" from Weiser Books is also readily available in a digital
book format (Kindle, $9.99).
Editorial Note: Theresa Reed (https://www.thetarotlady.com), is a professional tarot reader and the author of multiple
books. There is an online listing of her books available at Goodreads:
https://www.goodreads.com/author/list/7397863.Theresa_Reed
Witchitorium: A Glossary of Magic, Witchcraft, and Spirituality
Nixie Vale
Moon Books
c/o Collective Ink Books
https://www.collectiveinkbooks.com
9781917704380, $15.95, PB, 152pp
Amazon
https://www.amazon.com/Witchitorium-Glossary-Magic-Witchcraft-Spirituality/dp/1917704380
Barnes & Noble
https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/witchitorium-nixie-vale/1148559795
Synopsis: With the publication of "Witchitorium: A Glossary of Magic, Witchcraft, and Spirituality", practicing witch
Nixie Vale has created a unique combination of dictionary and lexicon of metaphysical terminology associated with the
manifold practices of witchcraft both ancient and contemporary. Whether you are new to witchcraft or an experienced
veteran, at times there are words and terms that catch you off guard. "Witchitorium" brings together in a single volume a
diverse collection of terms that you may come across on your path through the craft to provide insight and
understanding.
Critique: Informative enhanced for the reader's benefit with an extensive Bibliography (which includes a listing of Online
Resources), "Witchitorium: A Glossary of Magic, Witchcraft, and Spirituality" by Nixie Vale is a unique and unreservedly
recommended addition to personal, professional, community, and college/university library Metaphysical/Witchcraft
collections. It should be noted for novice and experienced students of magic that this paperback edition of "Witchitorium:
A Glossary of Magic, Witchcraft, and Spirituality" from Moon Books is also readily available in a digital book format
(Kindle, $7.99).
Editorial Note: Nixie Vale has been a practicing Witch for 20 years and created Ramblings of a Rainbow Witch in 2012.
She has a love and passion for writing and has written for Magical Recipes Online and The Spooky Isles magazines. She is
a certified crystal Healer, meditation instructor, and a High Priestess ordained to do marriages and funerals. She lives in
Leicestershire, UK. (www.goodreads.com/author/show/17422680.Nixie_Vale)
Supernatural Woman and the Male Initiate
Angel Millar
Inner Traditions International, Ltd.
www.innertraditions.com
9798888503621, $19.99, PB, 192pp
Amazon
https://www.amazon.com/Supernatural-Woman-Male-Initiate-through/dp/B0FRSNZJ9W
Barnes & Noble
https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/supernatural-woman-and-the-male-initiate-angel-millar/1148324912
Synopsis: Dealing with the metaphysical subject of spiritual transformation through sex with transcendent beings, with the
publication of "Supernatural Woman and the Male Initiate: Bonded through Dreams" Angel Millar:
Explores the supernatural woman as the active agent of the male initiate's spiritual transformation
Traces the supernatural woman's presence in ancient Greek and Zoroastrian traditions, the Eddas, the Icelandic sagas, and
the works of the great medieval English poet and author Geoffrey Chaucer
Details the similarities between sexual ecstasy and the mystical state by exploring the role of ecstasy in magical and
spiritual practice
The phenomenon of the relationship between the feminine force and her male devotee is documented in myth, religion, and
art, but the spiritual woman herself remains a mystery. As muse, sorceress, and Valkyrie, she guides the man's
development and tests his resolve. She converses through dreams, bestows poetry and prophecy, and initiates spiritual
transformation through sexual encounters.
In this study, Angel Millar explores this magical relationship by drawing upon ancient Greek and Zoroastrian traditions,
Scandinavian Eddas and sagas, and Chaucer's tale of the Wife of Bath. Millar traces evidence of the supernatural woman's
presence in fine art, ancient sexual symbolism, Wicca, Freemasonry, and psychology -- most notably Jung's theory of the
anima and animus and Freud's life and death instincts.
Comparing sexual ecstasy and the mystical state, Millar reveals the unique role of ecstasy in magical and spiritual practice.
Bringing in feminine perspectives on this radical transformation, he looks at the religious eroticism of St. Teresa and
13th-century English Christian mystic Margery Kempe as well as Aleister Crowley's Lust tarot card, illustrated by Lady
Frieda Harris. Millar then breaks down the fundamental aspects of initiation depicted in these wide-ranging examples,
showing how to welcome this mystical muse to unlock the inspiration she offers and the heroic drive within.
Critique: An original, seminal, and groundbreaking study, "Supernatural Woman and the Male Initiate: Bonded through
Dreams" by Angel Millar is an extraordinary, informative, thought-provoking, and deftly crafted contribution to the
growing body of Metaphysical Literature. Of special and particular value to readers with an interest in sacred sexuality,
ritual, mysticism, and the supernatural, "Supernatural Woman and the Male Initiate: Bonded through Dreams" is an unique
and unreservedly recommended addition to personal, professional, community, and college/university library Metaphysical
Studies collections and supplemental curriculum studies lists. This paperback edition of "Supernatural Woman and the
Male Initiate: Bonded through Dreams" from Inner Traditions is also available in a digital book format (Kindle,
$13.99).
Editorial Note: Angel Millar (https://angelmillar.com) is a certified consulting hypnotist and lecturer on spirituality,
sorcery, and self-transformation. Studying magic and trance as a young man, in 1990 he was initiated into the Illuminates
of Thanateros and is a Fellow of the Philalethes Society for Masonic Research. He is the author of The Three Stages of
Initiatic Spirituality, The Path of the Warrior Mystic, and Transcend the Chaos.
Love Philtres
Jon G. Hughes
Destiny Books
c/o Inner Traditions International, Ltd.
www.innertraditions.com
9798888501696, $32.99, HC, 288pp
Amazon
https://www.amazon.com/Love-Philtres-Magicis-Materiae-Conjurors/dp/B0FJ7DN26W
Barnes & Noble
https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/love-philtres-jon-g-hughes/1147859944
Synopsis: A 'reader/user' friendly guide to the history and practical use of love magic, "Love Philtres: The Magicis
Materiae of Witches, Cunning Folk, Druids, and Conjurors" by Jon G. Hughesw:
Explores the use of love magic since prehistoric times, throughout the ancient cultures of Babylon, Greece, and Rome, as
well as among medieval European alchemists
Presents methods for using Magicis Materiae of active botanicals, minerals, magic soil, and animal products, as well as
incantations, periapts, amulets, and poppets
Describes the rites and rituals of love magic and practices to protect oneself from love spells and counter the effects of
aphrodisiacs
"Love Philtres" is specifically designed to b a practical guide to one of the most ancient and widely used magical and
metaphysical practices in the world -- the use of devices and potions to find and keep love. From aphrodisiacs and amulets
to philtres and potions, the use of love magic dates back to the ancient civilizations of Babylon, Greece, and Rome,
throughout Hindu and Islamic cultures, and among the alchemists and occultists of medieval Europe.
With the publication of "Love Philtres", practicing Druid Jon G. Hughes explores the history of love magic, focusing on
the unique magical and druidic cultures of the British Isles and teaching readers how to carry on this tradition. Presenting
how to use the Magicis Materiae of active botanicals, minerals, magical dirt, and animal products, the author explains how
to identify these materials, details the methods to extract their potent effects, and shares the incantations and spells that
accompany their use.
Hughes also explores how to harvest materials and prepare a wide range of potions in the form of electuaries, tinctures,
elixirs, oils, and ointments. He describes the appropriate rites and rituals of love magic, including the arcane Sweaty Cake
love charm. Additionally, he also shares methods that you can use to protect yourself against love spells and how to
counteract their magical effects.
Critique: Original, fascinating, informative, thought-provoking, "Love Philtres: The Magicis Materiae of Witches, Cunning
Folk, Druids, and Conjurors" by the modern Druid, Jon G. Hughes, is an ideal and unreservedly recommended addition to
personal, professional, community, coven, and college/university library Magick & Metaphysical Studies collections. Of
special note is the inclusion of an Introduction (Everyday Magic Performed by Ordinary People), four pages of Conclusion
and Recommendations, two pages of Notes, a two page Bibliography, and a seven page Index. For metaphysical students
and practitioners it should also be noted that this hardcover edition of "Love Philtres" from Destiny Books is also readly
available in a digital book format (Kindle, $21.99).
Editorial Note: Jon G. Hughes is part of a lineage of Druids that has been practicing for five generations in a remote area of
Wales. He teaches the tradition in Ireland and gives workshops and seminars throughout Europe. He is the director of the
Irish Centre for Druidic Practices and the author of several books, including A Druid's Handbook to the Spiritual Power of
Plants and The Druidic Art of Divination. He lives in Killarney, County Kerry, Ireland.
The Many Veils of the Moon
Mitchell King
Moon Books
c/o Collective Ink Books
https://www.collectiveinkbooks.com
9781803419947, $21.95, PB, 288pp
Amazon
https://www.amazon.com/Many-Veils-Moon-Grimoire-Lunar/dp/1803419946
Barnes & Noble
https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-many-veils-of-the-moon-mitchell-king/1147738194
Synopsis: "The Many Veils of the Moon: A Grimoire of Lunar Magic for the Green Witch" by Mitchell King is a unique
and personal collection of spells, rituals, and incantations that blends Traditional Witchcraft with the author's original Twin
Moons system.
Inspired by a deeply personal journey into Green Witchcraft, this grimoire honors the light and shadow of the Full Moon
and New Moon, offering a balanced approach to magic. Rooted in the legacy passed down from the author's mother and
the sacred cycles of nature, this work invites witches to deepen their connection to the natural world and walk the Green
Path.
With practical spells for protection, beauty, and nature's enchantments, this seminal grimoire serves as a powerful tool for
witches looking to explore both the light and dark aspects of magic in harmony with the moon.
Critique: Exceptionally well written, organized and presented, "The Many Veils of the Moon: A Grimoire of Lunar Magic
for the Green Witch" by Mitchell King is an exceptional and unreservedly recommended addition to personal, professional,
community, and college/university library Metaphysical Studies collections and supplemental curriculum studies lists. It
should be noted for students and practitioners of witchcraft, magic, and pagan beliefs, that this paperback edition of "The
Many Veils of the Moon: A Grimoire of Lunar Magic for the Green Witch" from Moon Books is also readily available in a
digital book format (Kindle, $10.99).
Editorial Note: Mitchell King (www.baestjournal.com/mitchell-king) is a poet and educator living in Kansas City. He
completed his B.A. at Rockhurst University and received his MFA through Stony Brook University. His work has
appeared online and in print at BOAAT, The Adroit Journal, Gigantic Sequins, Baest, Rust+Moth, Nat. Brut and more. He
is also the author of The Mostly True Memoirs Of A Witch, Stubborn Mule Press 2020.
James A. Cox, Editor-in-Chief
Diane C. Donovan, Editor
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