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Table of Contents
Reviewer's Choice
Number One Observatory Circle
Charles Denyer
Cambridge Klein Publishers
PO Box 8338, Atlanta, GA, 31106
www.cambridgeklein.org
9780998764207, $49.99, HC, 280pp, www.amazon.com
Quietly situated on the grounds of the United States Naval Observatory (USNO) in our nation's
capital lies Number One Observatory Circle, the official residence of the vice president of the
United States. Built in 1893, the handsome and stately Queen Anne-style home is surrounded by
a forest-like setting, complete with lush greenery, wildlife, and the serene sounds of nature, yet
sits just footsteps away from the bustling traffic on Massachusetts Avenue. From
never-before-seen photos to candid conversations with former vice-presidents, family members,
political power players of their time, and others, "Number One Observatory Circle: The Home of
the Vice President of the United States" by Charles Denyer (a federal cybersecurity and national
security expert, and a noted vice-presidential historian) brings to life untold stories and
memorable moments of the three-story, green-shuttered mansion covered in layers of off-white
paint, and the people who were privileged to call it home. A unique history of a political
residence, "Number One Observatory Circle" is an extraordinarily informative and highly
recommended addition to personal, community, and academic library collections.
Good Arguments
Richard A. Holland Jr. & Benjamin K. Forrest
Baker Academic
c/o Baker Publishing Group
6030 East Fulton, Ada, MI 49301
www.bakerpublishinggroup.com
9780801097799, $17.99, PB, 160pp, www.amazon.com
The collaborative work of Richard A. Holland Jr. (Assistant Professor of Apologetics and
Theology at Liberty University School of Divinity in Lynchburg, Virginia) and Benjamin K.
Forrest (Associate Dean of the College of General Studies and Professor of Christian education
at Liberty University in Lynchburg, Virginia), "Good Arguments: Making Your Case in Writing
and Public Speaking" offers a brief introduction to making effective arguments helps readers to
understand the basics of sound reasoning and to learn how to use it to persuade others. Practical,
inexpensive, and easy-to-read, "Good Arguments" enables students in a wide variety of courses
to improve the clarity of their writing and public speaking. "Good Arguments" will equip readers
to formulate firmly grounded, clearly articulated, and logically arranged arguments, avoid
fallacious thinking, and discover how to reason well. "Good Arguments" is supplemental text
that is especially suitable for use in Christian colleges and seminaries and includes classroom
discussion questions. Whether preparing sermons for the pulpit, opinion pieces for publication,
or a persuasive book on any given social or political issue, "Good Arguments" will prove to be
exceptionally 'user friendly' in tone, organization and presentation. While very highly
recommended for community, seminary, and academic library collections, it should be noted for
the personal reading lists that "Good Arguments" is also available in a digital book format
(Kindle, $9.99).
New Views
Alastair Bonnett
Aurum Press
c/o Quarto Publishing Group USA
400 First Avenue North, Suite 400, Minneapolis, MN 55401-1722
www.quartoknows.com
9781781316399, $35.00, HC, 224pp, www.amazon.com
From charting energy networks to revealing new and emerging lands, measuring human
migration to assessing the planet's ant populations (and including the phenomena we have little
control over such as lightning strikes or asteroid impact) each one of the 52 maps comprising
"New Views: The World Mapped Like Never Before: 50 Maps Of Our Physical, Cultural And
Political World" by Alastair Bonnett (Professor of Social Geography at Newcastle University)
prompts its readers to question, wonder and look again at our rapidly changing and often
surprising world. Divided into three thematic sections: Land, Air and Sea; Human and Animal,
and Globalisation, "New Views" offers a fresh and truly global portrait of our intricately
fascinating planet. Impressively and exceptionally informative, "New Views" is unreservedly
recommended for community, school, college, and university library collections. It should be
noted for students and non-specialist general readers with an interest in the subject that "New
Views" is also available in a digital book format (Kindle, $18.29).
Top Ten Ways to Be a Great Leader
Hans Finzel
David C. Cook
c/o Cook Communications
4050 Lee Vance Dr., Colorado Springs, CO 80918
www.davidccook.com
9780781414623, $22.99, HC, 224pp, www.amazon.com
Dr. Hans Finzel knows from personal experience the key success factors in every effective
leader's journey. "Top Ten Ways to Be a Great Leader "is the sequel to his popular book, "The
Top Ten Mistakes Leaders Make". That book is about what to avoid. This one is about what to
master. In "Top Ten Ways to Be a Great Leader ", he outlines the positive traits and skills every
new leader should master. "Top Ten Ways to Be a Great Leader" shows readers: The two most
important words in a leader's vocabulary; The skills a leader needs to communicate effectively;
Why today's effective leaders lead with vulnerability; The contrast between servant leadership
and slave leadership; How to lead with both passion and humility; The difference between
making a mark and leaving a legacy. Exceptionally well written, impressively 'real world
practical' in scope and reference, "Top Ten Ways to Be a Great Leader" will prove to be of
especial interest and value for new leaders in business, education, ministry, and the church with
respect to how to lead well while loving what they do. As informed and informative as it is
thoughtful and thought-provoking, "Top Ten Ways to Be a Great Leader" is unreservedly
recommended for corporate, community, and academic library collections. For personal reading
lists it should be noted that "Top Ten Ways to Be a Great Leader" is also available in a digital
book format (Kindle, $9.99).
The Forgotten Genius of Oliver Heaviside
Basil Mahon
Prometheus Books
59 John Glenn Drive, Amherst, NY 14228-2197
www.prometheusbooks.com
9781633883314, $26.00, www.amazon.com
The Forgotten Genius of Oliver Heaviside: A Maverick of Electrical Science tells of a pioneer in
electrical science in the early 1920s whose contributions led to advancements in communications
and modern electrical engineering. Despite the fact that his name is seldom mentioned in modern
science circles, his ideas formed the foundation to many electrical science concepts, and the story
of his life and achievements is finally given the recognition it deserves in a book that is packed
with important details. No science holding should be without this biography, which also presents
a discussion of the evolution of electrical engineering as a science.
The Christmas Shelf
It's Christmas Time
Balsam Range
balsamrange.com
Mountain Home Music Company
$10.00 mountainhomemusiccompany.com
It's Christmas Time is an EP music album perfect for getting into the festive holiday spirit. Music
group Balsam Range with the Nashville Recording Orchestra perform both contemporary and
beloved traditional Christmas songs with aplomb. It's Christmas Time is a choice pick for playing
at Christmas parties, or to liven up the holidays at home or in the car. The tracks are "Christmas
Lullaby" (3:16), "The First Noel" (3:06), "Rockin' Around the Christmas Tree" (2:13), "I'm
Going Home, It's Christmas Time" (3:07), "Hark! The Herald Angels Sing" (2:39), and "Jingle
Bells" (3:18).
The Science Shelf
Hubble's Universe, second edition
Terence Dickinson
Firefly Books Ltd.
50 Staples Avenue, Unit 1, Richmond Hill, ON, Canada L4B 0A7
www.fireflybooks.com
9781770859975, $35.00, HC, 332pp, www.amazon.com
The first edition of "Hubble's Universe" displayed 300 pages of high-resolution celestial portraits
selected by bestselling astronomy writer Terence Dickinson from the initial 22 years of the
Hubble Space Telescope's exploration of distant galaxies. With the telescope now at the apex of
its imaging capabilities, this newly revised and expanded second edition adds still another
chapter featuring more than 36 completely new images, including the first publication of a
four-page fold-out of the Andromeda Galaxy, the nearest spiral galaxy to Earth, revealing more
than one million individual stars. Thanks to Dickinson's expertise with Hubble's history and
discoveries and his access to top Hubble scientists for insight and accuracy, the text of "Hubble's
Universe" includes facts and tidbits not found in any other study of this iconic space-based
instrument. Combined with 330 brilliant images, the clear, succinct and illuminating narrative
brings to life the fascinating forces at work in the universe, making "Hubble's Universe: Greatest
Discoveries and Latest Images" an absolutely essential and unreservedly recommended addition
to personal, professional, community, and academic library Contemporary Astronomy collections
and supplemental studies reading lists. It should be noted for students and non-specialist general
readers with an interest in the Hubble telescope that this new edition of "Hubble's Universe" is
also available in a digital book format (Kindle, $17.49).
Biofuels from Food Waste
Antoine P. Trzcinski
CRC Press
6000 NW Broken Sound Parkway NW, Suite 300, Boca Raton, FL 33487
www.crcpress.com
9781138093720, $69.95, HC, 135pp, www.amazon.com
According to the UN's Food & Agricultural Organization (FAO), one third of food produced
globally for human consumption (nearly 1.3 billion tons) is lost annually. Food waste has often
been incinerated with other combustible municipal wastes for possible recovery of heat or other
forms of energy, however, incineration is not cost-effective, and can cause air pollution. Due to
its organics- and nutrient-rich nature, food waste could be viewed as a useful resource for
production of high-value platform chemicals through fermentation. "Biofuels from Food Waste:
Applications of Saccharification using Fungal Solid State Fermentation" by Antoine P. Trzcinski
(who developed a novel process for producing biogas from municipal solid waste and for the
treatment of landfill leachate, and as a Senior Research Fellow in the Nanyang Environment &
Water Research Institute continued working on solid waste treatment such as waste activated
sludge and wastewater treatment in anaerobic membrane bioreactors) examines the
bioconversion of food wastes to energy and the recent developments in ethanol, hydrogen,
methane, and biodiesel production from food wastes. Exceptionally well written, documented,
organized and presented, "Biofuels from Food Waste" is especially recommended as a
curriculum supplemental studies textbook and an essential and critically important addition to
professional, college, and university library Biofuel collections. It should be noted for the
personal reading lists of students and non-specialist general readers with an interest in the subject
that "Biofuels from Food Waste" is also available in a digital book format (Kindle, $58.69).
Ethnobotany of India
T. Pullaiah, K. V. Krishnamurthy, Bir Bahadur, eds.
Apple Academic Press
c/o CRC Press
6000 NW Broken Sound Parkway NW, Suite 300, Boca Raton, FL 33487
www.crcpress.com
9781771885508, $169.95, HC, 516pp, www.amazon.com
Part of the five volume "Ethnobotany of India" series from Apple Academic Press, "Ethnobotany
of India: Western and Central Himalayas" covers the ethnobotanical aspects of many plants of
the region. Collaboratively compiled and edited by the team of T. Pullaiah (a former Professor at
the Department of Botany at Sri Krishnadevaraya University in Andhra Pradesh, India, where he
has taught for more than 35 years); K. V. Krishnamurthy (who is a former Professor and Head of
Department, Plant Sciences at Bharathidasan University in Tiruchirappalli, India, and is at
present an adjunct faculty at the Institute of Ayurveda and Integrative Medicine, Bangalore); and
Bir Bahadur, PhD, (Chairman and Head of the Department, and Dean of the Faculty of Science at
Kakatiya University in Warangal, India), "Ethnobotany of India: Western and Central Himalayas"
covers the ethnic diversity of people; ethnic food plants and food preparation; ethnomedical
aspects of plants; psychedelic plants and their possible link to soma, a vedic ritual drink whose
plant origins are a mystery; ethnoveterinary medicinal plants; ethno-conservation practices; and
biodiversity heritage sites. Also included are the details of the plants used, their scientific names,
the parts used, and how the plants are used, providing the what, how, and why of plant usage.
"Ethnobotany of India: Western and Central Himalayas" is well illustrated with 20 color and 67
b/w illustrations. While very highly recommended for academic library Ethnobotany collections
and supplemental studies reading lists, it should be noted for students and non-specialist general
readers with an interest in the subject that "Ethnobotany of India: Western and Central
Himalayas" is also available in a digital book format (Kindle, $124.17).
The Writing/Publishing Shelf
What Are You Laughing At?
Brad Schreiber
Allworth Press
www.allworth.com
c/o Skyhorse Publishing, Inc.
307 West 36th Street, 11th Floor, New York, NY 10018
www.skyhorsepublishing.com
9781621536000, $16.99, PB, 280pp, www.amazon.com
With more than seventy excerpts from such expert prose and screenwriters as Woody Allen,
Steve Martin, and Kurt Vonnegut Jr., as well as unique writing exercises for all situations, "What
Are You Laughing At?: How to Write Humor for Screenplays, Stories, and More" is a basic and
comprehensive tutorial will teach aspiring authors how to write humor prose for any literary
form, including screenwriting, story writing, theater, television, and audio/radio. Additionally,
novice writers are given sage advice on different tactics for writing comedic fiction versus
comedic nonfiction. Some of the topics discussed in "What Are You Laughing At? include: Life
experience versus imagination; How to use humor to develop theme/setting, character, and
dialogue; Rhythm and sound of words; Vulgarity and bad taste, Of special note is the information
provided on how to market humor prose in the digital market. Thoroughly revised and updated,
and with new information on writing short, humorous films, "What Are You Laughing At?" is
extraordinarily 'user friendly' in organization and presentation. While unreservedly recommended
for community and academic library Writing/Publishing collections, it should be noted for the
personal instructional reference lists of aspiring writers that "What Are You Laughing At?" is
also available in a digital book format (Kindle, $11.57).
Bring Your Fiction to Life
Karen S. Wiesner
Writer's Digest Books
c/o F+W Media
10151 Carver Road, Suite 200, Blue Ash, OH 45242
www.writersdigest.com
9781440349829, $17.99, PB, 264pp, www.amazon.com
Karen Wiesner is an accomplished author with 113 titles published in the past 18 years, which
have been nominated for or won 134 awards, and has 39 more releases contracted for spanning
many genres and formats. In "Bring Your Fiction to Life: Crafting Three-Dimensional Stories
with Depth and Complexity" to teaches aspiring authors on how to build a solid narrative
structure and layer in lush, textured scenes to create a story that rings true. "Bring Your Fiction to
Life" explains how to: Master the three-dimensional aspects of characters, plots, and settings
using detailed sketches that define the past, present, and future aspects of each element; Develop
complex opening, resolution, and bridge scenes that expertly lead readers through your fictional
world: Construct and analyze an outline for your manuscript, using tools and techniques to
analyze scenes that lack dimensionality: Brainstorm, research, and draft efficiently and
effectively, and juggle multiple projects with ease. Packed from cover to cover with
story-development charts, worksheets, and checklists, "Bring Your Fiction to Life" when enable
even the most novice and inexperience of writers just how to craft a vivid story world that
readers (and publishers!) will instantly recognize as remarkable. While especially recommended
for both community and academic library Writing/Publishing collections, it should be noted for
personal reading lists that "Bring Your Fiction to Life" is also available in a digital book format
(Kindle, $9.99).
Make a Scene, revised edition
Jordan Rosenfeld
Writer's Digest Books
c/o F+W Media
10151 Carver Road, Suite 200, Blue Ash, OH 45242
www.writersdigest.com
9781440351419, $17.99, PB, 264pp, www.amazon.com
Scenes are the building blocks for any work of fiction, basically they are the DNA sequence that
makes a novel un-put-downable and unforgettable reading experience. When writers are able to
craft effective, engaging scenes, they can develop a complete, cohesive story -- and a
mesmerizing experience for readers. Now in a significantly revised and newly expanded edition,
"Make a Scene: Writing a Powerful Story One Scene at a Time" by Jordan Rosenfeld takes
aspiring writers step-by-step through the elements of strong scene construction and demonstrates
how the essential aspects of a compelling story (including character, plot and dramatic tension)
function within the framework of individual scenes to give momentum to the whole narrative.
"Make a Scene" show how to: Craft an opening scene that hooks readers and foreshadows
conflict; Develop various scene types--from contemplative to suspenseful to flashback--that are
distinct and purposeful; Establish characters' intentions within a scene that drive the plot;
Transition into new scenes by clearly establishing details of setting, character, and point of view;
Create resonating climactic and final scenes that stay with readers long after they've finished your
story. This newly revised and expanded edition includes brand-new examples, an increased focus
on advancing plot and character development, making it an essential part of any personal,
community, or academic library's Writing/Publishing instructional reference collections. It
should be noted that "Make a Scene" is also available in a digital book format (Kindle,
$14.31).
Grammar For People Who Hate Rules
Kathleen A. Watson
Ruthless Editor Press
www.RuthlessEditor.com
9780997664607, $8.95, PB, 166pp, www.amazon.com
Writing and grammar expert Kathleen Watson, fondly known as The Ruthless Editor, has nearly
three decades of experience in the corporate and academic worlds. As a fiction and non-fiction
book editor, she has helped many authors hone their writing skills. In "Grammar For People Who
Hate Rules: Killer Tips From The Ruthless Editor" she draws upon her years of experience and
expertise to create an succinctly comprehensive instruction manual focusing on the effective use
of grammar in writing and speaking. The easy-to-follow tips in "Grammar For People Who Hate
Rules", enhance this straightforward guide that will provide practical 'real world' help in avoiding
many of today's common word and punctuation errors. Even if English is one's original language
(and even more so for those to whom English is a secondary language) English grammar and
usage can be (and all to often is) confusing! Even the best writers sometimes pause to consider
word and punctuation choices. Whether writing for work, for school, for publication, or even
creating a knockout profile for LinkedIn or a dating website -- "Grammar For People Who Hate
Rules" will bring the reader quickly up to speed with respect to today's English grammar. Writers
will build their reputation as they build their mastery, impressing their clients, their boss, their
professor, their editors, -- or maybe even their potential spouse! Exceptionally well written,
organized and presented, "Grammar For People Who Hate Rules" is thoroughly 'user friendly' in
content and tone, making it an ideal and unreservedly recommended addition to personal,
professional, community, and academic library Writing/Publishing instructional reference
collections. It should be noted that "Grammar For People Who Hate Rules" is also available in a
digital book format (Kindle, $2.99).
Children's Writer's & Illustrator's Market 2018
Cris Freese, editor
Writer's Digest Books
c/o F+W Media
10151 Carver Road, Suite 200, Blue Ash, OH 45242
www.writersdigest.com
9781440352683, $29.99, 416pp, www.amazon.com
For anyone wanting to write or illustrate books for children ranging from preschool to young
adult, this new 30th edition of a true publishing industry bible, "Children's Writer's & Illustrator's
Market 2018" is an absolute must as practical reference and resource. Listing thousands of book
publishers, magazines, contests, literary agents, and more, "Children's Writer's & Illustrator's
Market 2018" features a webinar by literary agent Jennifer De Chiara on writing query letters that
will prove invaluable. Additionally, "Children's Writer's & Illustrator's Market 2018" is replete
with basic, 'real world' advice contributed by both debut writers and award-winning authors. Of
special note throughout is a wealth of 'how to' tips on the craft of writing, as well as a one-year
access to the children's publishing content at www.writersmarket.com. Knowledgeably compiled
and deftly edited by Cris Freese (who is the managing editor for Writer's Digest Books, as well as
the editor of "Guide to Literary Agents"), "Children's Writer's & Illustrator's Market 2018" is
unreservedly and wholeheartedly recommended for personal, professional, community, and
academic library Writing/Publishing instructional reference and resource collections.
Fearless Writing
William Kenower
Writer's Digest Books
c/o F+W Media
10151 Carver Road, Suite 200, Blue Ash, OH 45242
www.writersdigest.com
9781440349836, $16.99, PB, 230pp, www.amazon.com
Whether you're a fledgling writer or a veteran with years of experience, fearlessness (that elusive
blend of self-acceptance, confidence, and curiosity) is the defining quality of those who find
fulfillment and success. Truly fearless authors banish writer's blocks with ease, receive critiques
gracefully, and infuse their passion for the craft into every word they write. Filled with insightful
wisdom and practical advice, "Fearless Writing: How to Create Boldly and Write with
Confidence" by William Kenower (who is a popular blogger and sought-after writing teacher and
has inspired writers for many year) teaches aspiring writers how to thrive as a writer, no matter
their genre or career path. "Fearless Writing" shows how to: Find and enter a Flow state in which
writing is a natural, deeply satisfying process; Quiet both internal and external critics and
embrace the inherent value in your work; Use love, emotional engagement, and curiosity as the
guiding principles for what you write and how you share it with others; Overcome rejection,
procrastination, and other obstacles that stifle literary creativity. From the blank page to the first
draft, and from querying to marketing, the writing life is filled with challenges, roadblocks, and
new experiences. "Fearless Writing" is an indispensable, 'real world practical', instructional
reference for building a lifelong literary career in the process. While very highly recommended
for community and academic library Writing/Publishing collections, it should be noted for
personal reading lists that "Fearless Writing" is also available in a digital book format (Kindle,
$9.99).
Writing Voice
Writer's Digest Editorial Staff
Writer's Digest Books
c/o F+W Media
10151 Carver Road, Suite 200, Blue Ash, OH 45242
www.writersdigest.com
9781440349126, $18.99, PB, 296pp, www.amazon.com
Writers bring a unique and diverse set of skills to their work: One author might write outstanding
characters, while another might dazzle with dialogue. While it isn't necessary that a writer master
every aspect of the craft in order to succeed, the one quality required of every successful writer is
have a compelling, original voice. This 'writer's voice', which is often difficult to define and even
more difficult to master, is what transforms writing from the pedestrian to the powerful. The
collaborative project of the editorial staff of Writer's Digest Books, "Writing Voice: The
Complete Guide to Creating a Presence on the Page and Engaging Readers" is an effective
compendium of instruction and advice drawn from best-selling authors and instructors like Donal
Maass, Adair Lara, Paula Munier, Dinty W. Moore, James Scott Bell, and many others. Also
included are exercises, techniques, and examples for making prose stand out, be it fiction or
memoir. "Writing Voice" explores the unique way you write; studies the distinctive styles of
other writers to create your own voice; provides understanding of the nuances of voice, including
the importance of word choice; will develop the right voice for working in a particular genre;
enable the crafting of excellent narration that will keep readers coming back; materially aid in
choosing the proper voice for nonfiction. Constructing the voice that fits your particular style as a
writer, as well as your audience, is paramount to crafting memorable, original work. "Writing
Voice" gives the aspiring writer the fundamental tools to not only create that voice but to perfect
it. While a core addition to both community and academic library Writing/Publishing collections,
it should be noted for personal reading lists that "Writing Voice" is also available in a digital
book format (Kindle, $9.99).
Write Naked
Jennifer Probst
Writer's Digest Books
c/o F+W Media
10151 Carver Road, Suite 200, Blue Ash, OH 45242
www.writersdigest.com
9781440347344, $16.99, PB, 240pp, www.amazon.com
Jennifer Probst is the New York Times, USA Today, and Wall Street Journal best-selling author
of sexy and erotic contemporary romance. Her work has been translated in more than a dozen
countries, has sold over a million copies, and was dubbed a "romance phenom" by Kirkus
Reviews. In "Write Naked: A Bestseller's Secrets to Writing Romance & Navigating the Path to
Success" she reveals her pathway to success, from struggling as a new writer to signing a
seven-figure deal. "Write Naked" intermingles personal essays on craft with down-to-earth
advice on writing romance in the digital age teaches how to: Commit to your current
work-in-progress, get focused, and complete it on schedule; Reveal raw emotions and thoughts
on the page to hook your readers; Assemble a street team to promote and celebrate your books;
Overcome writer's block with ease; Develop themes that tie together your books and series;
Write the most difficult elements of romance--including sex scenes--with skill and style.
Regardless of the genre, every novelist faces the difficult task of creating authentic characters and
an engaging plot. But attempting to break into the hotter-than-ever romance genre, which is
constantly flooded with new titles and fresh faces can feel impossible. This is where "Write
Naked" comes in with both example, advice, tips, tricks and techniques that comprise Jennifer's
'real world practical' lessons and craft advice that every writer needs in order to carve out a
rewarding career -- especially as a romance novelist. While an extraordinary and specialized
addition to community and academic library Writing/Publishing collections, it should be noted
for the personal reading lists of all aspiring romance novelists that "Write Naked" is also
available in a digital book format (Kindle, $9.99).
The Cookbook Shelf
The Cozy Table
Dana DeVolk
The Countryman Press
c/o W. W. Norton & Company
500 Fifth Avenue, New York, NY 10110
www.countrymanpress.com
9781682680926, $24.95, HC, 192pp, www.amazon.com
In "The Cozy Table", Dana DeVolk draws upon her years of experience and expertise as a
professionally trained chef who blogs at This Silly Girl's Kitchen to assembly a simply
outstanding compendium of palate pleasing, appetite satisfying, kitchen cook friendly recipes for
dishes that will accommodate dining for one, two, or a small gathering of friends or family and
make the meal truly memorable. Beautifully illustrated throughout, the recipes comprising "The
Cozy Table" range from a Romaine Wedge Salad; Slow Cooker Chunky Beef Stew; Caprese
Pizza; and Baked Macaroni and Cheese with Corn Bread Crust; to Hasselback Sweet Potatoes;
Fried Apple Crumble; German Chocolate Brownie Bites; and Classic Red Velvet Cupcakes. Of
special note is the section devoted to Sauces 'N' Condiments. A delight to browse through and
plan menus with, "The Cozy Table" is unreservedly recommended, especially for personal,
family, and community library cookbook collections. It should be noted that "The Cozy Table" is
also available in a digital book format (Kindle, $11.99).
The Royal Chef at Home
Darren McGrady
Bright Sky Press
2365 Rice Blvd., Suite 202, Houston, TX 77005
www.brightskypress.com
9781942945529, $32.95, HC, 224pp, www.amazon.com
An actual Royal Chef, Darren McGrady was the personal chef to Queen Elizabeth II and Princess
Diana, and in that capacity had curated and created delicious, easy recipes that add an elegant
touch to any meal without requiring hours of laboring in the kitchen. He has compiled a culinary
treasury of such recipes in the beautifully illustrated pages of "The Royal Chef at Home: Easy
Seasonal Entertaining". These are thoroughly 'kitchen cook friendly' recipes for dishes that will
prove perfect for entertaining no matter what the time of year -- all dining occasions including
midday lunches and brunches, teas, indoor and outdoor sit-down and buffet dinners, and cocktail
parties. "The Royal Chef at Home: Easy Seasonal Entertaining" is also organized by season with
events including a Children's Easter Egg Roll, Valentine's Day for Two, a proper Sunday dinner,
Christmas open house, and Thanksgiving. Of special note are the tips on ingredients,
substitutions, and alternatives, making "The Royal Chef at Home: Easy Seasonal Entertaining"
an easy but comprehensive "go-to" party-planning resource -- including the five page, 'real world
practical', "Notes on Entertaining". Simply stated, "The Royal Chef at Home: Easy Seasonal
Entertaining" will prove to be an enduringly popular and unique addition to family, personal,
professional, and community library cookbook collections.
Simple Real Food, second edition
Amanda Cushman
Privately Published
www.amandacooks.com
9780615214863, $24.95, 156pp, www.amazon.com
Now in a newly revised and expanded second edition, "Simple Real Food" provides an illustrated
culinary compendium of thoroughly 'kitchen cook friendly' recipes that even the most novice of
family chefs can take advantage of to prepare truly memorable dishes that are as palate pleasing
as they are appetite satisfying. The delicious and nutritious recipes range from Vegetable
Samosas; Arugula Watercress Salad with Lemon Vinaigrette; Asian Chicken with Soy Sesame
Glaze; and Grilled Turkey Burgers with Caramelized Onion Relish; to Pork Tenderloin with Soy
Ginger Glaze; Grilled Corn and Roasted Red Pepper Salad; Tempeh Saute with Miso Dressing;
and Stuffed Acorn Squash with parsley Walnut Pesto. Of special note are the recipes for
Chocolate Biscotti and Pear Almond Tart. Each individual recipes includes serving size, a list of
ingredients, cooking procedures. A delight to browse through and inspiring to plan menus with,
"Simple Real Food" is very highly recommended for personal, family, and community library
cookbook collections.
Don't Panic - Dinner's in the Freezer
Susie Martinez, Vanda Howell, Bonnie Garcia
Revell
c/o Baker Publishing Group
6030 East Fulton, Ada, MI 49301
www.bakerbooks.com
9780800730550, $14.95, PB, 240pp, www.amazon.com
The collaborative project of Susie Martinez (who is the elementary director of Southern Gables
Church in Littleton, Colorado), Bonnie Garcia (who is a graduate of Grace College, a pediatric
nurse, and the busy mother of three sons), Vanda Howell (who attended Colorado State
University, is a real estate appraiser, and now serves as the administrator for the performing arts
ministry at her church and sings on the praise team), "Don't Panic - Dinner's in the Freezer:
Great-Tasting Meals You Can Make Ahead" is an exceptionally well organized and presented
compendium of recipes for palate pleasing, appetite satisfying, kitchen cook friendly dishes that
can be frozen and served at any convenient meal time. The recipes range from Kansas City Hot
Wings; Orange Beef Lettuce Wraps; North Woods Wild Rice Soup; Grilled Turkey Breast with
Peanut Sauce; and Baked Steak in Tangy Tomato Sauce; to Sassy Sloppy Joes; Aunt Clara's
Dutch Apple Pie; Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookies; Gooey Caramel Cinnamon Rolls; and
Western Slope Peach Cobbler. A delight to browse through and inspiring to plan meals with,
"Don't Panic - Dinner's in the Freezer: Great-Tasting Meals You Can Make Ahead" is a truly
extraordinary and unreservedly recommended addition to personal, family, and community
library cookbook collections. It should be noted that "Don't Panic - Dinner's in the Freezer:
Great-Tasting Meals You Can Make Ahead" is also available in a digital book format (Kindle,
$9.99).
Best Simple Suppers for Two
Laura Arnold
The Countryman Press
c/o W. W. Norton & Company
500 Fifth Avenue, New York, NY 10110
www.countrymanpress.com
9781682680360, $14.95, PB, 128pp, www.amazon.com
Beautifully and profusely illustrated throughout, "Best Simple Suppers for Two: Fast and
Foolproof Recipes for One, Two, or a Few" is an impressive culinary compendium compiled by
Laura Arnold. An inherently fascinating collections of recipes to browse through, and inspiring to
plan menus with, the quick and easy dishes range from a Grilled Corn Fiesta Salad; Honey-Lime
Skewers; Blackened Tilapia with Mango; and Portobello Burgers; to Slow Cooker Pulled Pork
Sandwiches; Baked Penne with Ricotta; Watermelon Salad with Feat & Mint; Flank Steak with
Easy Chimichurri; and Shrimp Jambalaya. Of special note is an entire section of recipes devoted
to vegetarian dishes. Of particular value to any home chef with limited time available for cooking
a meal for themselves and/or a loved one, "Best Simple Suppers for Two" will prove to be an
enduringly popular addition to personal and community library cookbook collections. It should
be noted that "Best Simple Suppers for Two" is also available in a digital book format (Kindle,
$9.99).
Sushi Art Cookbook
Ken Kawasumi
Tuttle Publishing
364 Innovation Drive, North Clarendon, VT 05759-9436
www.tuttlepublishing.com
9784805314371 $18.95 amazon.com
Sushi Art Cookbook: The Complete Guide to Kazari Maki Sushi lives up to its title as a full-
color, in-depth how-to guide to creating sushi rolls that dazzle and delight with their beauty.
Individual photographs illustrate virtually every step of each sushi creation (and there are often a
dozen or more steps in total), breaking down the Japanese tradition of edible art into a process
that is thoroughly accessible to cooks of all skill and experience levels. Additional resources
include a chart of sushi rice guidelines (which lists how to create mild, standard, sweet, or strong
sushi rice), a list of standard sushi ingredients with possible substitutions, and much more. Sushi
Art Cookbook is a joy for connoisseurs to browse, and a "must-have" for anyone interested in
trying their hand at creating sushi! Highly recommended.
MaryJane's Cast Iron Kitchen
MaryJane Butters
Gibbs Smith, Publisher
PO Box 667, Layton UT 84041
www.gibbs-smith.com
9781423648031, $24.99, HC, 224pp, www.amazon.com
MaryJane Butters publishes MaryJanesFarm magazine, runs a successful organic farm, and
manages several product lines. In "MaryJane's Cast Iron Kitchen" she draws upon her years of
culinary experience and expertise to create a compendium of palate pleasing, appetite satisfying
dishes that all have one thing in common -- being prepared with a cast iron cookware. Beautifully
and profusely illustrated from cover to cover, the recipes range from Canadian-Bacon Mini
Quiches; Chicken Puffs with Onion Sauce; Ham & Lima Bean Soup; and Meatloaf Patties; to
Beef, Zucchini & Polenta Mini Casseroles with Marinated Broccoli Sprouts; Pan-Seared Steaks
with Pomegranate Mushroom Sauce; Mini Apple Pies; and Baked Churros. A pleasure to browse
through and inspiring to plan menus with, "MaryJane's Cast Iron Kitchen" is a unique and
unreservedly recommended addition to personal, professional, and community library cookbook
collections. It should be noted that "MaryJane's Cast Iron Kitchen" is also available in a digital
book format (Kindle, $9.99).
The 8G Cookbook
Dawn Russell
Random House UK
c/o Trafalgar Square Publishing
388 Howe Hill Road, North Pomfret, VT 05053
www.trafalgarbooks.com
9781848095076, $20.00, PB, 144pp, www.amazon.com
A health advocate, entrepreneur, mother, wife and former model, Dawn Russell had a family that
did not want to eat its greens. So she developed 8GREENS: a blend of spinach, kale, spirulina,
blue-green algae, barley grass, wheat grass, chlorella and aloe vera that tastes great and passed
the test of her husband and two children. She worked with five chemists, three manufacturers and
263 prototypes to get a thumbs-up from this very picky, but very normal, focus group sitting in
her own kitchen. As a result, "The 8G Cookbook" is a beautifully illustrated culinary collection
that contains more than 40 delicious recipes that all incorporate this blend of greens to make
everyday cooking taste fantastic and ensure that you, and those you love, are getting the most
important green ingredients into your diet. It also features Dawn's own inspiring story and the
hard-earned knowledge she gathered along the way. Diagnosed with stage 3 lymphatic cancer at
25, Dawn traveled the world meeting medical and nutritional experts on her journey back to
health. It was this research and personal experience that led her to develop this mix of what she
found to be the most important greens for internal health. "The 8G Cookbook" is the easy and
delicious way to get everyone on the path to a green, happy and healthy life. Although a British
publication, "The *G Cookbook" Includes U.S. measures for American kitchen cooks. Simply
stated, "The 8G Cookbook" is a unique and unreservedly recommended addition to personal,
professional, and community library cookbook collections.
Tapas: Classic Small Dishes From Spain
Elisabeth Luard
Grub Street Cookery
c/o Casemate
1940 Lawrence Road, Havertown, PA 19083
www.casematepublishers.com
9781910690345, $17.95, 176pp, www.amazon.com
Elisabeth Luard is an award-winning food writer and a winner of the much coveted Glenfiddich
Trophy and is one of the most highly respected cookery writers in Britain today. She is one of the
leading authorities on European food and cooking. Her fifteen years spent living in Spain
provided the experience and inspiration for "Tapas: Classic Small Dishes From Spain". Tapas are
the wonderfully tempting little dishes of food that are traditionally served with sherry in southern
Spain. Beautifully simple, tantalizingly delicious and easy to prepare, they are perfect for all
kinds of occasions. The recipes and suggestions in superbly organized and presented culinary
collection of kitchen cook friendly recipes aptly demonstrate how simple ingredients can be
quickly transformed into mini feasts designed to delight the senses. Among the showcased
recipes are Hot Bread with Olive Oil and Garlic; Fried Green Peppers; Monkfish Kebabs; Pork
Medallions with Lemon and Marjoram; Spiced Meat Pasties; and Salt Cod Fritters.. In addition
there is plenty of helpful advice including a selection of menus that show how to combine tapas
to provide meals for every occasion including spring, summer, autumn and winter parties,
children's tapas party, vegetarian tapas party and a no-cook tapas menu. Beautifully illustrated
throughout, "Tapas: Classic Small Dishes From Spain" is a unique and very special addition to
family, personal, professional, and community library cookbook collections. It should be noted
that "Tapas: Classic Small Dishes From Spain" is also available in a digital book format (Kindle,
$7.99).
Bollywood Kitchen
Sri Rao
Houghton Mifflin Harcourt
215 Park Avenue South, New York, NY 10003
www.hmhco.com
9780544971257, $25.00, HC, 320pp, www.amazon.com
The popularity of Indian food has grown immensely in recent years -- and for good reason. It's
perfectly suited for people who love bold flavors, as well as those looking for vegan, vegetarian,
and gluten-free meals that don't skimp on taste. But as Sri Rao points out in Bollywood Kitchen,
most Americans have probably never tasted genuine Indian food. Home-cooked Indian-American
food is surprisingly simple to make, using ingredients readily available in your local grocery
store. In "Bollywood Kitchen: Home-Cooked Indian Meals Paired with Unforgettable Bollywood
Films", Sri Rao showcases authentic Indian dinner menus and brunch menus, menus for kids and
menus for cocktail parties. Along with each healthy and easy-to-prepare meal, Sri has paired one
of his favorite Bollywood movies. Every one of these films is a musical, packed with dazzling
song-and-dance numbers that are the hallmark of Bollywood, beloved by millions of fans all over
the world. Sri will introduce each film to you, explaining why you'll love it, and letting you in on
some juicy morsels from behind the scenes. "Bollywood Kitchen" will have immense appeal to
film buffs and ethnic Indian cuisine enthusiasts. Featuring gorgeous film photographs and
colorful tablescapes, "Bollywood Kitchen" is a unique and unreservedly recommended addition
to personal, professional, family, and community library Ethnic Cookbook collections. It should
be noted that "Bollywood Kitchen" is also available in a digital book format (Kindle,
$12.99).
Leon Happy Soups
Rebecca Seal & John Vincent
Conran
c/o Octopus Publishing
236 Park Avenue, New York NY 10017
www.octopusbooksusa.com
9781840917598, $19.99, HC, 224pp, www.amazon.com
Leon, the naturally healthy fast food chain, was founded on the twin principles that food can both
taste good and do you good. In "Leon Happy Soups", culinary experts John Vincent and Jane
Baxter bring together 100 all-new, all-smiles soup recipes for all the family. Alongside the
recipes, the beautifully illustrated "Leon Happy Soups" is packed with tips and tricks for added
extras. These simply outstanding and thoroughly 'kitchen cook friendly' soup recipes range from
Roasted Red Pepper; Sicilian-Style Spicy Chicken Meatball; and Red Lentils with Spinach,
Yogurt, Pomegranate & Crispy Onions; to Perky Pea & Mint; Chilled Cherry Soup; and
Cardamom-Spiced Roasted Peach. Of special note are the chapters devoted to soup toppings
(Crunchy Tops & Swirly Swirls); sides (including breads and rolls); and broths. Whether it's a
simple soup to take to the office, or something more elaborate for supper with friends, "Leon
Happy Soups" is a must-have kitchen cookbook shelf staple and will prove to be an enduringly
favorite addition to personal, professional, and community library cookbook collections.
The Health/Medicine Shelf
Aging Well with Diabetes
Editorial Staff
Bottom Line Inc.
c/o Sourcebooks Inc.
1935 Brookdale Road, #139, Naperville, IL 60563
www.sourcebooks.com
9781492650713, $19.99, PB, 368pp, www.amazon.com
Diabetes is epidemic in the United States, especially if among men and women over the age of
50. Even if you're already being diligent about your health, a diagnosis can feel like an
overwhelming extra burden. The editors of Bottom Line Inc. present "Aging Well with Diabetes:
146 Eye-Opening and Scientifically Proven Secrets That Prevent and Control Diabetes", which is
the first instructional manual for mature men and women who are seeking to prevent and control
diabetes with insight drawn from over 500 of the world's top health experts. "Aging Well with
Diabetes" provides easy access to the trusted collection of information on a vast array of topics,
including: Foods that fight diabetes; Weight loss and exercise essentials; Heart health and blood
pressure secrets; Natural treatments and the right tests. Whether hoping to get better control of
diabetes, or facing the first shock of a diabetes diagnosis, "Aging Well with Diabetes" will enable
you to confidentially and successful deal with diabetes while living live to the fullest. Of special
note are the chapters devoted to 'Delicious Diabetes-Friendly Recipes' and 'Complications: What
Diabetes Can Cause'. While strongly and unreservedly recommended for both community and
academic library Health/Medicine collections in general, and Diabetes supplemental reading lists
in particular, it should be noted that "Aging Well with Diabetes" is also available in a digital
book format (Kindle, $9.99).
Person-Centred Healthcare Research
Brendan McCormack, et al.
Wiley-Blackwell
350 Main Street, Malden, MA 02148
www.wiley.com/wiley-blackwell
9781119099604, $63.95, PB, 240pp, www.amazon.com
"Person-Centred Healthcare Research" is a compendium of 18 erudite and insightful articles that
collectively provide an innovative and novel approach to exploring a range of research designs
and methodological approaches aimed at investigating person-centred healthcare practice within
and across healthcare disciplines. With contributions from internationally renowned experts in
the field, this engaging resource challenges existing R&D methodologies and their relevance to
advancing person-centred knowledge generation, dissemination, translation, implementation and
use. It also explores new developments in research methods and practices that open up new
avenues for advancing the field of person-centred practice. "Person-Centred Healthcare
Research" will: Enables students, practitioners, managers and researchers to gain a solid
understanding of the complexity of person-centred thinking in research designs and methods;
Explores the theories and practices underpinning a topical subject within current healthcare
practice; Is edited by an internationally recognized team who are at the forefront of
person-centered healthcare research. While unreservedly recommended as a critically important
addition to college and university library Health/Medical collections, it should be noted for
students and non-specialist general readers with an interest in the subject that "Person-Centred
Healthcare Research" is also available in a digital book format (Kindle, $41.59).
How to Help Your Friend with Cancer
Colleen Dolan Fullbright
American Cancer Society
250 Williams Street NW, Atlanta, GA 30303-1002
www.cancer.org
9781604432244, $12.95, PB, 112pp, www.amazon.com
Written by Colleen Doan Fullbright (who is a writer who was diagnosed with and treated for
breast cancer in late 2000), "How to Help Your Friend with Cancer" is specifically intended to
help anyone wanting to support a friend, family member, or colleague with a diagnosis of cancer.
All to often we are afraid that we will say or do the wrong thing. "How to Help Your Friend with
Cancer" will provide the 'real world practical' guidance needed to be the best friend we can be,
every step along the way. "How to Help Your Friend with Cancer" offers more than 100 practical
tips and suggestions anyone can use to help a friend get through the cancer experience. From
diagnosis, through treatment, and after treatment ends, "How to Help Your Friend with Cancer"
provides tips for expressing concern and helping in practical ways throughout a friend's cancer
experience. Simply stated, every hospital, medical clinic, community, and academic library
should have a copy of "How to Help Your Friend with Cancer" in their collection. It should be
noted for personal reading lists that "How to Help Your Friend with Cancer" is also available in a
digital book format (Kindle, $7.99).
The Meaty Truth
Shushana Castle & Amy-Lee Goodman
Skyhorse Publishing, Inc.
307 West 36th Street, 11th Floor, New York, NY 10018
www.skyhorsepublishing.com
9781629144276, $24.95, HC, 240pp, www.amazon.com
The collaborative work of food industry and human health experts Shushana Castle and Amy-Lee
Goodman, "The Meaty Truth: Why Our Food Is Destroying Our Health and Environment - and
Who Is Responsible" is an impressively informed and informative expose of the massive
problems caused by the American population's food supply. Water, meat, and milk and other
dairy products are filled with toxins, antibiotics, untested growth hormones, ammonia, and
animal pus and manure. The current conditions of the food production industry must drastically
improve, and until they do, it is absolutely vital to monitor what you eat. "The Meaty Truth"
takes a hard-hitting and documented look at what America is putting into its food, the negative
effects this has on the world, and the best ways to make healthy, informed decisions about eating.
As the antibiotic age ends, the rise of pandemic diseases is approaching. Approximately half of
the illnesses that claim American lives today are related to what we eat, and our health-care
system is focused on treating the sick, not preventing illnesses from occurring. To fix our health
problems, to continue feeding the world's ever-growing population, and to save our planet from
ecological destruction, we can no longer avoid making changes to how American meat and dairy
are produced. A thoroughly 'reader friendly' guide that is applicable to anyone's lifestyle, "The
Meaty Truth" is remarkably noteworthy and singularly special addition to both community and
academic library collections. It should be noted for students, academicians, and non-specialist
general readers with an interest in the subject that "The Meaty Truth" is also available in a
paperback edition (9781510719668, $16.99) and in a digital book format (Kindle, $10.97).
The Music Shelf
Completing the Circle
Bud Beyer
GIA Publications, Inc.
7404 South Mason Avenue, Chicago, IL 60638
www.giamusic.com
9781622771035, $19.95, PB, 196pp, www.amazon.com
"Completing the Circle" is amazing and practical account based upon author Bud Beyer's years of
experience while working with musicians from around the world and beginning with
Northwestern's own legendary conductor, John Paynter. The topics covered in "Completing the
Circle" include musicianship as communication, memorization, the art of practice, the act of
performance, and the connections between musicians and audiences. Central to "Completing the
Circle" are the creative exercises specifically designed to help musicians reconnect emotionally
to themselves, to their colleagues, to their work, and to their audiences. An impressively
informative and exceptionally well written, organized and presented study, "Completing the
Circle" is a truly remarkable and unreservedly recommended addition to personal, professional,
community, and academic library American Music History collections and supplemental studies
reading lists.
Blues from the Bayou
Julian C. Piper
Pelican Publishing Company
1000 Burmaster Street, Gretna, LA 70053-2246
www.pelicanpub.com
9781455623099, $24.95, PB, 176pp, www.amazon.com
Writer and blues guitarist Julian C. Piper is the reviews editor for Acoustic magazine. Since
hearing Muddy Waters as a teenager, he has been passionate about blues music. "Blues from the
Bayou: The Rhythms of Baton Rouge"is his intensely personal and entertaining account that
provides the reader with a snapshot of Blues from an outsider welcomed into the inner circles of
Southern Blues icons. In his early forties, Englishman Julian C. Piper spent a year abroad at
Louisiana State University studying and played blues primarily at the Blues Box in Baton Rouge.
There he met many of the musicians with whom he conducted interviews between 1987 and
1988. Those interviews form the basis of "Blues from the Bayou". Through his close friendship
with Blues Box owner Tabby Thomas and his son Chris, Piper collected stories of blues
luminaries including Silas Hogan, Robert Pete Williams, Huddie "Leadbelly" Ledbetter,
Lonesome Sundown, Chris Thomas King, Lightening Slim, and many more. An inherently
fascinating and informative read from cover to cover, "Blues from the Bayou" is a unique and
unreservedly recommended addition to personal, community, and academic library American
Music History collections in general, and American Blues Music supplemental studies reading
lists in particular. It should be noted for music students and non-specialist general readers with an
interest in the subject that "Blues from the Bayou" is also available in a digital book format
(Kindle, $20.14).
Billy Vera: Harlem to Hollywood
Billy Vera
Backbeat Books
c/o Hal Leonard Performing Arts Publishing Group
33 Plymouth Street, Suite 302, Montclair, NJ 07042-2677
www.halleonard.com
9781617136627, $29.99, HC, 288pp, www.amazon.com
Born into a white, suburban family, Billy Vera fell for black music as a child and started down a
winding performer's path that would buoy him the rest of his life. In the sixties, Vera paid his
bills by songwriting (for other artists) through the day and playing mobbed up clubs at night. By
1967, as Newark burned on the other side of the Hudson, he and gospel singer Judy Clay, the
first interracial duet to perform at the Apollo, tore the house down with a little ditty he wrote for
himself: "Storybook Children," a commercial hit produced by Atlantic Records. Through the
seventies, popular taste shifted drastically. As blue-eyed soul went out of fashion, Vera, like
many other musicians, found himself scrounging for survival gigs, but one crucial difference set
him apart: he abstained from the drugs and drink that fueled and eventually claimed so many of
his contemporaries. As that decade sputtered to a close, a woman by the name of Dolly Parton
recorded Vera's "I Really Got the Feeling" and hit number one on the charts. Riding the tide of
this unexpected attention, Vera hightailed it to Los Angeles, formed a new band, Billy and the
Beaters, and charted twice before the close of 1981 with songs from their eponymous album
recorded live at the Roxy. Five years later, one of these minor hits, "At This Moment", was
featured in several episodes of NBC's Family Ties . The song rocketed up the charts and a
42-year-old Vera found himself with his very own number one single. Nine visits to Carson and
an American Bandstand appearance later, Vera tasted many other flavors of success: acting both
on- and off-camera, producing records, and reissuing his own work. Today, with a star on the
Hollywood Walk and Fame and a Grammy in tow, Billy Vera is finally prepared to share his
journey in the pages of "Billy Vera: Harlem to Hollywood". Exceptionally well written, organized
and presented (including two sections of black-and-white photos), "Billy Vera: Harlem to
Hollywood" is a 'must read' for his legions of fans and would prove to be an enduringly popular
addition to both community and academic library American Music History collections. It should
be noted for personal reading lists that "Billy Vera: Harlem to Hollywood" is also available in a
digital book format (Kindle, $15.91).
The Travel Shelf
A Guide to Lincoln's Eighth Judicial Circuit
Guy C. Fraker
Southern Illinois University Press
1915 University Press Drive, SIUC Mail Code 6806, Carbondale, IL 62901
9780809336166 $21.95 www.siupress.com
A Guide to Lincoln's Eighth Judicial Circuit is a unique travel guide for history scholars and
enthusiasts. Chapters meticulously retrace the prairie roads Lincoln traveled and the towns he
regularly visited during the twenty-three years that he practiced law on the Eighth Judicial Circuit
in east central Illinois. Peppered with maps and color photographs, A Guide to Lincoln's Eighth
Judicial Circuit will appeal to armchair travelers as well as tourists, and offers amazing insights
into the conflicts and conundrums Lincoln confronted during his younger years, all of which
would help prepare him for his years as President during the American Civil War. Highly
recommended.
Cool Tokyo Guide
Abby Denson
Tuttle Publishing
364 Innovation Drive, North Clarendon, VT 05759-9436
9784805314418 $14.99 www.tuttlepublishing.com
Thoroughly accessible to readers of all ages and backgrounds, Cool Tokyo Guide: Adventures in
the City of Kawaii Fashion, Train Sushi and Godzilla is a travel guide in the format of a full-
color graphic novel. Chapters cover Tokyo-centric survival skills (such as how to use different
types of Japanese toilets), tips for staying at a Tokyo hotel, recommended historical and cultural
sites to visit, and much more. "I strongly suggest that you buy Ghibli Museum tickets. Start
looking 4-5 months in advance on JTB's website. Fans of animation and comics will want to
check this out for sure, and tickets sell out fast." Cool Tokyo Guide is a "must-read" for anyone
planning their once-in-a-lifetime trip, and also a delightful browse for armchair travelers!
Japan Traveler's Companion
Rob Goss
Tuttle Publishing
364 Innovation Drive, North Clarendon, VT 05759-9436
www.tuttlepublishing.com
9784805313886, $16.95, HC, 144pp, www.amazon.com
Rob Goss is an award-winning British writer and long-term Tokyo resident focusing on Japan,
travel writing, and creative writing that ranges from short fiction to short-form poetry. In "Japan
Traveler's Companion: Japan's Most Famous Sights From Okinawa to Hokkaido" he draws upon
his years of experience and expertise to shows tourists and other visitors where to experience the
country's rich culinary traditions, pop culture, Samurai heritage, and so much more. Delving
beyond the scope of traditional guidebooks, "Japan Traveler's Companion" showcases the
insider's Japan, offering detailed itineraries for each region as well as: Information on the
country's 100 most important tourist sights, including 22 UNESCO World Heritage Sites;
Illustrated introductions to Japanese cuisine, popular culture, and Samurai history; A map of each
region with suggested walks; Tips for getting off the beaten path and finding Japan's
lesser-known treasures, such as the contemporary "art island" of Naoshim and Yakushima's
breathtaking flora and fauna. Beautifully and profusely illustrated throughout with hundreds fo
full color photos, "Japan Traveler's Companion" is an ideal resource to plan truly memorable
experiences with the culture, history, and beauty of the Japanese islands. A fascinating and
informative browse for the armchair traveler, "Japan Traveler's Companion" is unreservedly
recommended for personal, community, and academic library World Travel instructional
reference and guide book collections.
The Metaphysical Studies Shelf
Ancestral Medicine
Daniel Foor
Bear & Company
c/o Inner Traditions International, Ltd.
One Park Street, Rochester, VT 05767
www.innertraditions.com
9781591432692, $20.00, PB, 336pp, www.amazon.com
Offering a practical guide to understanding and navigating relationships with the spirits of those
who have passed, "Ancestral Medicine: Rituals for Personal and Family Healing" by Daniel Foor
(who is a licensed psychotherapist and who holds a doctorate of psychology degree), details how
to relate safely and effectively with your ancestors for personal, family, and cultural healing. He
provides exercises and rituals, grounded in ancient wisdom traditions, to help you initiate contact
with your ancestors, find supportive ancestral guides, cultivate forgiveness and gratitude,
harmonize your bloodlines, and assist the dead who are not yet at peace. He explains how to
safely engage in lineage repair work by connecting with your more ancient ancestors before
relating with the recently deceased. He shows how, by working with spiritually vibrant ancestors,
individuals and families can understand and transform intergenerational patterns of pain and
abuse and reclaim the full blessings and gifts of their bloodlines. Ancestral repair work can also
catalyze healing breakthroughs among living family members and help children and future
generations to live free from ancestral burdens. "Ancestral Medicine" provides detailed
instructions for ways to honor the ancestors of a place, address dream visits from the dead, and
work with ancestor shrines and altars. "Ancestral Medicine" also offers guidance on preparing for
death, funeral rites, handling the body after death, and joining the ancestors. Of special note is
that "Ancestral Medicine" explains how ancestor work can help us to transform problems such as
racism, sexism, homophobia, and religious persecution. While highly recommended for both
community and academic library Metaphysical Studies and Contemporary Psychology Studies
collections, it should be noted for personal reading lists of students and non-specialist general
readers that "Ancestral Medicine" is also available in a digital book format (Kindle, $14.99).
Odin: Ecstasy, Runes, & Norse Magic
Diana L. Paxson
Weiser Publishers
c/o Red Wheel/Weiser/Conari
65 Parker Street, Suite 7, Newburyport, MA 01950
www.redwheelweiser.com
9781578636105, $22.95, PB, 320pp, www.amazon.com
Odin is arguably one of the most enigmatic and complex characters in Norse mythology. Revered
since the Viking Age, Odin has been called the greatest of the gods -- the god of words and
wisdom, runes and magic, a transformer of consciousness, and a trickster who teaches truth. He
is both war god and poetry god, and he is the Lord of Ravens, the All- Father, and the rune
master. "Odin: Ecstasy, Runes, and Norse Magic" by Diana L. Paxson (a writer, priestess, and
teacher who has been studying and teaching Germanic mythology and religion for nearly 30
years) is the first book on Odin that is both historically sourced and accessible to a general
audience. "Odin: Ecstasy, Runes, & Norse Magic" explores Odin's origins, his appearances in
sagas, old magic spells, and the Poetic Edda, and his influence on modern media, such as
Tolkien's Lord of the Rings trilogy. Each chapter features suggestions for rituals, exercises, and
music, so readers can comprehend and become closer to this complicated god. Based on a
Viking-era mythology, "Odin: Ecstasy, Runes, & Norse Magic" provides a complete portrait of
Odin and draws on both scholarship and experience to provide context, resources, and guidance
for those who are drawn to work with the Master of Ecstasy today. While unreservedly and
strongly recommended for both community and academic library Metaphysical Studies
collections in general, and Viking Mythology supplemental studies lists in particular, it should be
noted for students and non-specialist general readers with an interest in the subject that "Odin:
Ecstasy, Runes, & Norse Magic" is also available in a digital book format (Kindle, $11.99).
Keys to Perception
Ivo Dominguez Jr.
Weiser Books
c/o Red Wheel/Weiser/Conari
65 Parker Street, Suite 7, Newburyport, MA 01950
www.redwheelweiser.com
9781578636204, $18.95, PB, 256pp, www.amazon.com
Many different systems and traditions of magic, divination, spirituality, and esoteric religion
exist, but at their core, they share the need for practitioners to safely and successfully experience
the reality that lies beyond the physical senses. "Keys to Perception: A Practical Guide to Psychic
Development" by Ivo Dominguez Jr. (who is currently serves as one of the Elders of the
Assembly of the Sacred Wheel, a Wiccan syncretic tradition that draws inspiration from
Astrology, Qabala, the Western Magickal Tradition and the folk religions of Europe) is a
collection of proven and tested methods, rituals, and systems that will help you deepen and
clarify your capacity to sense and understand the rich worlds beyond the veils of the ordinary.
The material comprising "Keys to Perception" derives from decades of work by Ivo and his
students and offers the reader practical techniques for increasing psychic aptitude and ability.
There are also techniques to manage empathy and psychic sensitivity so that they are gifts rather
than burdens. Methods featured include chanting and working with crystals, chakras, oils, herbs,
and potions, as well as a variation on the Middle-Pillar Ritual. An inherently fascinating and
impressively informative read from beginning to end, "Keys to Perception" is unreservedly
recommended for both community and academic library Metaphysical Studies collections. For
the personal reading lists of students and non-specialist general readers with an interest in the
subject it should be noted that "Keys to Perception" is also available in a digital book format
(Kindle, $9.99).
The Automotive Shelf
Professional Driving Techniques, fifth edition
Anthony J. Scotti
PhotoGraphics Publishing
www.securitydriver.com
9780982973035, $22.95, PB, 298pp, www.amazon.com
"Professional Driving Techniques" by Anthony J. Scotti is an impressively well written,
organized and presented instructional textbook that walks you step by step through the intricacies
of the Driving System -- the Driver, the Vehicle and the Driving Environment. You'll learn how
to maintain your vehicle (and its driver) in optimum condition for taking to the road, and how to
maintain vehicle control in both everyday and emergency situations in a variety of road and
weather conditions. Newly added for this updated and expanded features for this fifth edition
include: Crash Prevention Systems; Tire Pressure Monitoring; Security; Potholes Covers; How to
recognize the five major accident situations and the human and mechanical failures that usually
cause them. Of special note are the sections on: The basics of vehicle dynamics and why the
vehicle sometimes does what it wants to do, not what the driver wants it to; The finer points of
vehicle control in everyday driving (timing, maneuvering, spotting hazards) and in emergency
situations such as when there are five seconds or less between the driver and a potentially serious
situation; How to operate the controls with precision, accuracy, and in the proper sequence; The
necessity of both mental and physical readiness and the adverse effects of fatigue and stress;
Road Rage, Braking and Traction Systems, including Electronic Stability Control, Air Bags, Seat
Belts and Child Safety Seats; plus Safe Driving and Auto Maintenance Tips. "Professional
Driving Techniques" is an ideal driver education curriculum textbook. Also very highly
recommended for driver education curriculums is Anthony Scotti's "Driver's Education Teacher's
Guide For Use With Professional Driving Techniques" (9780979381324, $35.00).
Formula One - The Real Score?
Brian Harvey
Veloce Publishing
www.veloce.co.uk
9781787110274, $70.00, HC, 352pp, www.amazon.com
"Formula One - The Real Score?" by Brian Harvey fills the gaps in Formula 1 records. The 70
years of F1 can be neatly divided into two eras at January 1980. At that point the terms "Grand
Prix" and "World Championship' became synonymous. Until then, over half of F1 races were not
included in the Championship for the spurious reason that each country should have just a single
race. This does a disservice to the achievements of drivers of the Fangio, Moss, Clark and
Stewart era and even more-so to the four pre-championship years which began in 1946. When a
commentator says "Rosberg's 16th win equals the F1 wins of Stirling Moss" this is manifestly
untrue. If the same drivers, in the same cars, compete at the same tracks, and over a similar
distance, then each race deserves to have its place in the records as a "Championship quality"
event. "Formula One - The Real Score?" includes such races alongside contemporary
Championship races and, combined with known figures since 1980, produces what can surely be
accepted as "The Real Score" of Formula 1. An absolutely essential read for Formula One racing
fans, "Formula One - The Real Score?" is impressively illustrated, written, organized and
presented, making it unreservedly recommended as a core addition to personal, professional,
community, and academic library Automotive Racing History collections in general, and
Formula One supplemental studies reading lists in particular.
The Woodworking Shelf
Woodland Craft
Ben Law
GMC Publications
www.thegmcgroup.com
9781861089366, $35.00, HC, 216pp, www.amazon.com
Drawing upon his many years of experience and expertise as a woodsman, "Woodland Craft" by
Ben Law is a profusely illustrated celebration the splendor of wood in the form of 'user friendly'
wood-crafting projects that range from simple woven panels, to making a functional yurt, to an
array of easy-to-follow projects that include crafts for the farm, garden, wood fuel, building and
domestic use. In fact, there's something here to satisfy all your project desires! Green wood
(wood that has been recently cut and is therefore still moisture-rich) is the predominant material
used in the projects featured in this essential guide for craftsman of all levels. With "Woodland
Craft" woodworking enthusiasts will be inspired to work with one of nature's most beautiful and
classic materials with the look and feel, and even scent, that no other natural material can
provide. With "Woodland Craft" woodworking enthusiasts wil learn all they need to know about
tools and devices, both old and new. Of special note is the handy directory of tree species and the
identification of the best uses for each. Exceptionally well written, illustrated, organized and
presented, "Woodland Craft" is a unique and unreservedly recommended addition for personal,
professional, community, and academic library Woodworking instructional reference collections
and supplemental studies lists. It should be noted for woodworking students and non-specialist
general readers with an interest in the subject that "Woodland Craft" is also available in a
paperback edition (9781784943967, $25.00).
The Fantasy/SciFi Shelf
Hook's Tale
John Leonard Pielmeier
Scribner
c/o Simon and Schuster
1230 Avenue of the Americas, 14th fl., New York, NY 10020
www.simonsays.com
9781501161056, $25.00, HC, 288pp, www.amazon.com
Long defamed as a vicious pirate, Captain James Cook (a.k.a Hook) was in fact a dazzling
wordsmith who left behind a vibrant, wildly entertaining, and entirely truthful memoir. His
chronicle offers a counter narrative to the works of J.M. Barrie, a "dour Scotsman" whose
spurious accounts got it all wrong. Now, award-winning playwright John Pielmeier is proud to
present this crucial historic artifact in its entirety for the first time. Cook's story begins in
London, where he lives with his widowed mother. At thirteen, he runs away from home, but is
kidnapped and pressed into naval service as an unlikely cabin boy. Soon he discovers a treasure
map that leads to a mysterious archipelago called the "Never-Isles" from which there appears to
be no escape. In the course of his adventures he meets the pirates Smee and Starkey, falls in love
with the enchanting Tiger Lily, adopts an oddly affectionate crocodile, and befriends a charming
boy named Peter -- who teaches him to fly. He battles monsters, fights in mutinies, swims with
mermaids, and eventually learns both the sad and terrible tale of his mother's life and the true
story of his father's disappearance. A deftly written and inherently fascinating read from
beginning to end, "Hook's Tale" is unreservedly recommended for community library collections
and is a 'must' for the legions of Never Never Land fans. It should be noted for personal reading
lists that "Hook's Tale" is also available in a digital book format (Kindle, $12.99). Librarians
should be aware that "Hook's Tale" is also available in a complete and unabridged audio book
edition (Brilliance Audio, 9781543601466, $14.99, MP3).
Chimera
C.D. Bell
Chooseco
www.cyoa.com
www.weregirl.com
9781937133580 $17.99 hc / $9.99 Kindle amazon.com
The sequel to "Weregirl", Chimera: A Weregirl Novel is written especially for young adults, yet
fantasy connoisseurs of all ages will enjoy this character-driven story of a strong-willed teenage
girl who has unexpectedly become a werewolf. In Chimera, Nessa Kurland has gained more
strength and control over her transformations, but her life becomes more complicated when her
mother is arrested by the FBI and held without bail. Anti-wolf sentiment has spread in her
hometown in the wake of wolf attacks, and the shadowy corporation Paravida has unwittingly
released genetically mutated wolves into the woods. At the crux of science and magic, a war is
brewing, with Nessa at the center of the gathering storm! A captivating read with a self-reliant
heroine, Chimera is a choice pick for public library fantasy collections and personal reading lists.
Also highly recommended is the previous novel, "Weregirl" (9781937133559 $17.99 hc / $9.99
Kindle).
Sputnik's Children
Terri Favro
ECW Press
www.ecwpress.com
9781770413412, $16.95, PB, 360pp, www.amazon.com
Cult comic book creator Debbie Reynolds Biondi has been riding the success of her Cold War
era - inspired superhero series, Sputnik Chick: Girl with No Past, for more than 25 years. But
with the comic book losing fans and Debbie struggling to come up with new plotlines for her
badass, mutant-killing heroine, she decides to finally tell Sputnik Chick's origin story. Debbie's
never had to make anything up before and she isn't starting now. Sputnik Chick is based on
Debbie's own life in an alternate timeline called Atomic Mean Time. As a teenager growing up in
Shipman's Corners (a Rust Belt town voted by Popular Science magazine as "most likely to be
nuked") she was recruited by a self-proclaimed time traveller to collapse Atomic Mean Time
before an all-out nuclear war grotesquely altered humanity. In trying to save the world, Debbie
risked obliterating everyone she'd ever loved (as well as her own past) in the process. Or so she
believes -- present-day Debbie is addicted to lorazepam and dirty, wet martinis, making her an
unreliable narrator, at best. All the more impressive when considering that "Sputnik's Children"
is author Terri Favro's debut as a science fiction novel, this narrative driven, remarkably original,
and inherently compelling read is unreservedly recommended for community library collections.
It should be noted for personal reading lists that "Sputnik's Children" is also available in a digital
book format (Kindle, $9.59).
The Sorcerer's Appendix
P. J. Brackston
Pegasus Books
80 Broad Street, 5th Floor, New York, NY 10004
www.pegasusbooks.com
9781681775302, $25.95, HC, 352pp, www.amazon.com
Gretel has never had any time for sorcerers, considering them nothing more than show-offs with
questionable fashion sense. It is with some reluctance and a deal of grumpiness, then, that she
agrees to look into the matter of a murdered magician. All that is left of him is a grisly remnant,
which the police quack confirms is the murdered man's appendix. What has become of the rest of
him is baffling the local constabulary, the Sorcerers' Society, and, not least, the hapless trickster's
widow. As Gretel delves into the facts behind his disappearance she discovers no shortage of
suspects. In fact, just about everyone she meets had reason for wanting the odious man dead. Her
only clue points in one disturbing direction: the deep dark forest. So it is that Gretel, with a
reluctant Hans as porter, must trek into the woods of her childhood trauma, braving all manner of
discomforts and dangers -- not least of which is a terrifying reminder of her past. The latest title
in author P. J. Brackston's simply outstanding fantasy action/adventure 'A Brothers Grimm
Mystery' series "The Sorcerer's Appendix" is an original and unfailingly entertaining read that is
unreservedly recommended, especially for community library Fantasy Fiction collections. It
should be noted for the personal reading lists of dedicated fantasy fans that "The Sorcerer's
Appendix" is also available in a digital book format (Kindle, $12.99).
Loved
P. C. Cast & Kristin Cast
Blackstone Publishing
31 Mistletoe Road, Ashland, OR 97520
www.BlackstoneAudio.com
9781538431122, $18.99, HC, 336pp, www.amazon.com
It's Zoey's 18th birthmas and the Nerd Herd has been scattered across the country busily adulting
for almost a year when Stark calls them back to Tulsa to surprise Z. But all is not well in T-town.
Strange, dark signs are appearing -- could it be possible Neferet is stirring? Not willing to chance
disaster striking again, Zoey calls on her newly reunited friends to circle with her and add a layer
of protection over Neferet's grotto jail. Easy-peasy, right? Wrong. Nothing at the House of Night
is ever as it seems. With rabid red vampyres closing in, Zoey and the Nerd Herd must come
together again and battle evil. But a year is a long time. Have these old friends grown too far
apart? When the world fractures and allies become enemies, will darkness devour friendships or
will light save those she's loved? "Loved" is the debut first novel in what promises to be an
outstanding 'A House of Night' series by P. C. Cast and Kristin Cast. This is the stuff of which
block-buster Hollywood movies and award-winning television mini series are made of. While
very highly and unreservedly recommended for community library collections, it should be noted
for personal reading lists that "Loved" is also available in a digital book format (Kindle, $8.79).
Librarians should be aware that "Loved" is also available as a complete and unabridged audio
book (Blackstone Audio, 9781538430002, $29.95, CD).
The Mystery/Suspense Shelf
Booking In
Jack Batten
Dundurn
c/o The Dundurn Group
3 Church Street, Suite 500, Toronto, Ontario, Canada, M5E 1M2
www.dundurn.com
9781459736917, $16.99, PB, 328pp, www.amazon.com
Fletcher Marshall is a Toronto antiquarian book dealer, internationally respected in the business.
One night, someone blows the safe in his office and makes off with the contents, which include
an infamous forged first edition of Elizabeth Barrett Browning's Sonnets from the Portuguese
that is in itself a collector's item. Fletcher, who was still in the process of verifying the book,
doesn't even know whether it was the real thing or a clever forgery (of a forgery). But rather than
summon the cops to investigate the theft, he turns to his pal Crang, the nervy criminal lawyer,
hoping he can retrieve the books before their owner gets wind of the crime. The owner happens
to be the richest woman in Canada and a tough cookie who could ruin Fletcher's career. Crang
gets on the hunt, learning much about the trade in musty books and the lucrative business it
makes for forgers. Just as he seems to be getting close to answers, a shocking development
makes things much more complicated -- and a great deal more dangerous! Another deftly crafted
mystery from the pen of Jack Batten, "Booking In" will prove to be a popular addition to every
community library Mystery/Suspense collection and is a 'must' for fans of the mystery-solving
criminal lawyer. It should be noted for personal reading lists that "Booking In" is also available
in a digital book format (Kindle, $5.38).
Montreal Noir
John McFetridge & Jacques Filippi, editors
Akashic Books
232 Third Street, #A115, Brooklyn, NY 11215
www.akashicbooks.com
9781617753459, $15.95, PB, 320pp, www.amazon.com
Collaboratively compiled and co-edited by the team of John McFetridge and Jacques filippi,
"Montreal Noir" is an anthology showcasing brand-new stories by Patrick Senecal, Tess
Fragoulis, Howard Shrier, Michel Basilieres, Robert Pobi, Samuel Archibald, Genevieve
Lefebvre, Ian Truman, Johanne Seymour, Arjun Basu, Martin Michaud, Melissa Yi, Catherine
McKenzie, Peter Kirby, and Brad Smith. One of the newest additions to the outstanding Akashic
Books 'Noir' series, "Montreal Noir" is a simply outstanding short story collection that will have
very special appeal for dedicated mystery buffs. While unreservedly recommended for
community library Mystery/Suspense collections, it should be noted for personal reading lists
that "Montreal Noir" is also available in a digital book format (Kindle, $9.99).
The Ploy
Marilyn Jax
Beaver's Pond Press
7108 Ohms Lane, Edina, MN 55439
www.BeaversPondPress.com
9781592987528, $26.00, HC, 296pp, www.amazon.com
Private investigators Claire Caswell and Gaston ''Guy'' Lombard have cracked many high-profile
cases in the past, but when Claire's friend Charlotte dies in a mysterious car crash in Miami
things get personal. With the stakes higher than ever before and only a hunch to go on, the
sleuths begin a painstaking investigation by scouring the wreckage, searching for evidence of
foul play where there appears to be none. When they uncover a pattern of strikingly similar
incidents (and a seemingly unrelated case becomes inexplicably linked) it is up to the
investigators, with the help of their intern, Jin Ikeda, to unravel this bewildering mystery. What
happened to Charlotte was no accident. And as Claire and Guy get closer to the truth, their
snooping efforts turn deadly dangerous. "The Ploy" is genuinely entertaining 'whodunit' that
holds dedicated mystery buffs captive with a wealth of knotty twists and turns, suspects who are
anything but what they seem, and answers that are just out of reach. Revealing author Marilyn
Jax's genuine flair for the genre, "The Ploy" is unreservedly recommended for community library
Mystery/Suspense collections.
House of Shadows
Nicola Cornick
Graydon House
195 Broadway, 24th Floor, New York, NY 10007
http://graydonhousebooks.com
9781525811388, $15.99, PB, 464pp, www.amazon.com
In the winter of 1662, Elizabeth Stuart, the Winter Queen, is on her deathbed. She entrusts an
ancient pearl, rumored to have magic power, to her faithful cavalier William Craven for
safekeeping. In his grief, William orders the construction of Ashdown Estate in her memory and
places the pearl at its center. One hundred and fifty years later, notorious courtesan Lavinia Flyte
hears the maids at Ashdown House whisper of a hidden treasure, and bears witness as her
protector Lord Evershot (desperate to find it) burns the building to the ground. Now, a battered
mirror and the diary of a Regency courtesan are the only clues Holly Ansell has to finding her
brother, who has gone missing researching the mystery of Elizabeth Stuart and her alleged affair
with Lord Craven. As she retraces his footsteps, Holly's quest will soon reveal the truth about
Lavinia and compel her to confront the stunning revelation about the legacy of the Winter Queen.
A deftly crafted historical mystery novel by a master of the genre, Nicola Comick's "House of
Shadows" is unreservedly recommended and would prove to be an enduringly popular addition to
community library collections. It should be noted for personal reading lists that "House of
Shadows" is also available in a digital boook format (Kindle, $9.99). Librarians should note that
"House of Shadows" is also available as a complete and unabridged audio book (Blackstone
Audio, (9781538472019, $39.99, CD).
The Outfit: Blood and Ashes
Matthew P. Mayo
Five Star Books
10 Water Street, Suite 310, Waterville, ME 04901
http://gale.cengage.com/fivestar
9781432832421, $25.95, HC, 310pp, www.amazon.com
Life at the Barr-McGee ranch has settled into a pleasant lull of work and rest for members of The
Outfit. Life should be good . . . but big Rafe Barr stews about his wife and son's murderer, and
leaves to search for resolution, revenge, reckoning. Meanwhile, Black Jack Smith attends a
high-stakes poker tournament in Santa Fe, where he encounters southern gambler Colonel Rufus
Turlington the Second, and his powerful covert Brotherhood of the Phoenix. The group plans to
make good on its rallying cry: "The South shall rise from the ashes, reborn!" in a brutal public
lynching -- with visiting President Ulysses S. Grant as its swinging centerpiece. Returning to the
ranch after dealing with the vicious killer, Knifer, and his midget partner, Plug, in Denver, Rafe
and Cookie discover a cryptic telegram from Jack, something about a phoenix, a word that
conjures specters from their secret-agent war days. The men ride for Santa Fe with Doc in tow,
driving his latest invention, Ethel the War Wagon. Stakes are high and the men bet all in hopes
they aren't too late to save the President of the United States, and prevent the rebirth of a scourge
long thought dead. It's up to Rafe, Cookie, and the rest of the outfit to extinguish the rising
flames of villainy and hatred. Another riveting western from the pen of Spur Award winning
author Matthew P. Mayo, "The Outfit: Blood and Ashes" will prove to be an enduringly popular
addition to community library collections. It should be noted for personal reading lists that "The
Outfit: Blood and Ashes" is also available in a digital book format (Kindle, $7.99).
The Fiction Shelf
13 Months in Vietnam
Bill Kroger
Black Rose Writing
PO Box 1540, Castroville, TX 78009
http://www.blackrosewriting.com
9781612969268, $17.95 PB, $6.99 Kindle, www.amazon.com
The majority of Vietnam stories take place mid-war after the fighting has begun. Relatively few
start in the early phases of the war, when soldiers were professional Army enlistees who viewed
themselves differently, and whose experiences were substantially dissimilar from soldiers who
followed in their footsteps. 13 Months in Vietnam reveals those early years as it follows a
squadron who travels the country in 1963, before the major shooting begins. The first thing to
note is that because of this pre-war story, the action is quite different than the usual Vietnam-era
saga. Although it is penned by an enlisted soldier who spent 13 months in Vietnam traveling
from Saigon to near the North Vietnam border, and is thus based on true events, it also
incorporates a sense of place, people, and social and political perspectives which are quite
different from the typical in-country story line. Readers who seek a gritty, first-person
perspective that fully embraces the evolutionary growth of boys to men under battle conditions,
and who want a better-rounded view of the culture and experiences of Vietnam than battle scenes
alone, will find 13 Months in Vietnam more than fits the bill for a thought-provoking,
extraordinary survey of responsibilities, worries, and the culture and social atmosphere of 1960s
Saigon.
Pistolero
Paul Bedford
Linford Western Library
c/o Ulverscroft Large Print (USA), Inc.
PO Box 1230, West Seneca, NY 14224-1230
www.ulverscroftusa.com
9781444830385, $20.99, PB, Large Print, 288pp, www.amazon.com
With his own hand-picked gang, deadly and ruthless gunman Brett Dalton is hired to assassinate
President Ulysses S. Grant as the president embarks on a re-election campaign across the western
states. The President will be travelling via the Union Pacific Railroad, and when his locomotive
stops to take on water at an isolated pumping station, the lethal plot will be launched. With
hostile Lakota also planning to attack the train, it is up to Thaddeus McEvoy, a special
investigator in the newly formed Department of Justice, and his partner Jud Parker, to save
Grant's life. A true master of the western genre, Paul Bedford has written an original and gripping
action/adventure story with "Pistolero" -- a novel that will prove to be an enduringly popular
addition to community library collections generally, and the personal reading lists of all
dedicated western novel fans in particular!
Garrett's Trail To Justice
Terrell L. Bowers
Linford Western Library
c/o Ulverscroft Large Print (USA), Inc.
PO Box 1230, West Seneca, NY 14224-1230
www.ulverscroftusa.com
9781444830392, $20.99, PB, 272pp, www.amazon.com
Dayton Garrett is a roving trouble-shooter, taking on jobs from town-taming to bringing down a
counterfeiting ring. Charged with searching for a missing child, he fetches up in Shilo, where his
attorney brother Knute provides him with helpful information - and requests a favour in return.
Alyson Walsh has been convicted of murder in a kangaroo court, and faces the noose in two days'
time. Knute wants her broken out of jail while he endeavors to get her a fair trial - and Dayton is
just the man for the job. But what starts out as a simple and relatively straight forward task of
finding a lost child and rescuing an unjustly condemned woman because down right complicated
when Dayton stumbles across a child slavery ring and the pleading eyes of a small girl. A riveting
western of the first order, this large print edition of "Garrett's Trail To Justice" by Terrell L.
Bowers is an especially recommended addition to community library Western Fiction collections
and a 'must' for the personal reading lists of truly dedicated fans of deftly crafted action/adventure
western novels.
The Western Star
Craig Johnson
Viking Books
c/o Penguin Group USA
375 Hudson Street, New York, NY 10014
www.penguin.com
9780525426950, $28.00, HC, 304pp, www.amazon.com
Sheriff Walt Longmire is enjoying a celebratory beer after a weapons certification at the
Wyoming Law Enforcement Academy when a younger sheriff confronts him with a photograph
of twenty-five armed men standing in front of a Challenger steam locomotive. It takes him back
to when, fresh from the battlefields of Vietnam, then-deputy Walt accompanied his mentor
Lucian to the annual Wyoming Sheriff's Association junket held on the excursion train known as
the Western Star, which ran the length of Wyoming from Cheyenne to Evanston and back.
Armed with his trusty Colt .45 and a paperback of Agatha Christie's "Murder on the Orient
Express", the young Walt was ill-prepared for the machinations of twenty-four veteran sheriffs,
let alone the cavalcade of curious characters that accompanied them. The photograph (along with
an upcoming parole hearing for one of the most dangerous men Walt has encountered in a
lifetime of law enforcement) hurtles the sheriff into a head-on collision of past and present,
placing him and everyone he cares about squarely on the tracks of runaway revenge. Another
terrifically entertaining read from the pen of author Craig Johnson, "The Western Star" is a 'must'
for the legions of Longmire fans and is unreservedly recommended for community library fiction
collections. It should be noted for personal reading lists that "The Western Star" is also available
in a digital book format (Kindle, $14.99). Librarians should be aware that there is a complete and
unabridged audio book edition of the "The Western Star" (Recorded Books, 9781501962592,
$34.99, CD).
The Captivating Lady Charlotte
Carolyn Miller
Kregel Publications
2450 Oak Industrial Drive, NE, Grand Rapids, MI 49505
www.kregel.com
9780825444517, $14.99, PB, 312pp, www.amazon.com
Lady Charlotte Featherington is destined for great things on the marriage market. After all, as the
beautiful daughter of a marquess, she should have her pick of the eligible nobility when she
debuts. She, however, has love at the top of her list of marriageable attributes. And her romantic
heart falls hard for one particularly dashing, attentive suitor. Sadly for Charlotte, her noble father
intends her betrothed to be someone far more dull. William Hartwell may be a duke, but he
knows he was Charlotte's father's pick, not the young lady's own choice. And the captivating
Lady Charlotte does not strike him as a woman who will be wooed by his wealth or title. While
she has captured his heart, he has no idea how to win hers in return--and the betrayal and scandal
his first wife put him through makes it difficult for him to believe that love can ever be trusted.
His only hope is that Charlotte's sense of responsibility will win out over her romantic notions.
Can a widowed duke and a romantically inclined lady negotiate a future and discover love
beyond duty? Will they be able to find healing and hope from the legacy of grace? Another
superbly crafted Regency romance from the pen of Carolyn Miller, "The Captivating Lady
Charlotte" is an extraordinary and consistently entertaining read from cover to cover. While very
highly recommended for community library collections, it should be noted for personal reading
lists that "The Captivating Lady Charlotte" is also available in a digital book format (Kindle,
$8.49). Librarians should be aware that there is also a large print edition of "The Captivating
Lady Charlotte" (Thorndike Press, 9781432839628, $30.99, 533pp).
Just Look Up
Courtney Walsh
Tyndale House Publishers
351 Executive Drive, Carol Stream, IL 60188
www.tyndale.com
9781496421487, $14.99, PB, 416pp, www.amazon.com
After tirelessly climbing the ranks of her Chicago-based interior design firm, Lane Kelley is
about to land her dream promotion when devastating news about her brother draws her back
home -- a quaint tourist town full of memories she'd just as soon forget. With her cell phone and
laptop always within reach, Lane aims to check on her brother while staying focused on work
which her eclectic family doesn't understand. Ryan Brooks never expected to settle down in
Harbor Pointe, Michigan, but after his final tour of duty, it was the only place that felt like home.
Now knee-deep in a renovation project that could boost tourism for the struggling town, he is
thrilled to see Lane, the girl he secretly once loved, even if the circumstances of her homecoming
aren't ideal. Their reunion gets off to a rocky start, however, when Ryan can't find a trace of the
girl he once knew in the woman she is today. As he slowly chips away at the walls Lane has
built, secrets from his past collide with a terrible truth even he is reluctant to believe. Facing a
crossroads that could define his future with Lane and jeopardize his relationship with the
surrogate family he's found in the Kelleys, Ryan hopes Lane can see that maybe what really
matters has been right in front of her all along if only she'd just look up. "Just Look Up" by
Courtney Walsh is an compelling and consistently entertaining romance novel by a master of the
genre. While unreservedly recommended, especially for community library Contemporary
Romance Fiction collections, it should be noted for personal reading lists that "Just Look Up" is
also available in a digital book format (Kindle, $9.68).
The Supremes Sing the Happy Heartache Blues
Edward Kelsey Moore
Henry Holt & Company
175 Fifth Avenue, Suite 400, New York, NY 10010-7725
www.henryholt.com
9781250107947, $28.00, HC, 320pp, www.amazon.com
When a late life love affair blooms between Mr. Forrest Payne, the owner of the Pink Slipper
Gentleman's Club, and Miss Beatrice Jordan, famous for stationing herself at the edge of the
club's parking lot and yelling warnings of eternal damnation at the departing patrons, their
wedding summons a legend to town. Mr. El Walker, the great guitar bluesman, comes home to
give a command performance in Plainview, Indiana, a place he'd sworn (and for good reason)
he'd never set foot in again. But El is not the only Plainview native with a hurdle to overcome. A
wildly philandering husband struggles at last to prove his faithfulness to the wife he's always
loved. And among those in this tightly knit community who show up every Sunday after church
for lunch at Earl's All-You-Can-Eat, are the lifelong friends, known locally as "The Supremes" --
Clarice, facing down her longing for, chance at and fear of a great career; Barbara Jean, grappling
at last with the loss of a mother whose life humiliated both of them, and Odette, reaching toward
her husband through an anger of his that she does not understand. A deftly written and
consistently compelling read from cover to cover, "The Supremes Sing the Happy Heartache
Blues" offers a rich narrative tapestry that results in one of those novels that will linger in the
mind and memory long after the book has been finished and set back upon the shelf. While
unreservedly recommended, especially for community library Contemporary General Fiction
collections, it should be noted for personal reading lists that "The Supremes Sing the Happy
Heartache Blues" is also available in a digital book format (Kindle, $14.99). Librarians should
note that "The Supremes Sing the Happy Heartache Blues" is also available in a complete and
unabridged audio book edition (Macmillan Audio, 9781427294920, $45.99, CD).
Fall from Grace
Libby Sternberg
Bancroft Press
PO Box 65360, Baltimore, MD 21209
www.bancroftpress.com
9781610882064, $25.00, HC, 288pp, www.amazon.com
Eli Baine has sinned. Spectacularly. When he's caught using a prostitution ring, the news blasts
across print and broadcast media: the son of a reality TV evangelical clan, whose Christian
lifestyle is showcased regularly in Baine Family Values television episodes, is exposed as a
hypocrite. Carted off to rehab, Eli chafes at being lumped in with molesters and serial adulterers.
But when he escapes to visit his wife, Ruth, he finds no solace there. She can hardly bear to look
at him, let alone admit him back into her life with their infant child. This sets Eli off on a hard
journey toward redemption, understanding and reconciliation. His first stop is at a mainline
Protestant church that embraces him with tolerance and support, but where he must endure
counseling from a "she-priest" and an ultimate betrayal by someone who'd offered a helping
hand. Meanwhile, Ruth herself sets out on a healing path, being counseled by a new, young
pastor at her parents' fundamentalist church who offers her more than just spiritual guidance.
Both Eli and Ruth wander in the wilderness of heartbreak, distrust, and eventual tragedy until
they finally transform into different individuals who can see the light of hope and love in their
marriage and their lives. A deftly crafted, inherently compelling, and unfailingly entertaining read
by a master of the storytelling arts, Libby Sternberg's "Fall from Grace" is unreservedly
recommended and certain to be an enduringly valued addition to community library
Contemporary General Fiction collections. It should be noted for personal reading lists that "Fall
from Grace" is also available in a digital book format (Kindle, $8.69).
South Pole Station
Ashley Shelby
Picador USA
175 Fifth Avenue, Suite 1800, New York, NY 10010
www.picadorusa.com
9781250112828, $26.00, HC, 368pp, www.amazon.com
These are some of the questions that determine if you have what it takes to survive at South Pole
Station, a place with an average temperature of -54 degrees F and no sunlight for six months a
year. Cooper Gosling has just answered five hundred of them. Her results indicate she is
abnormal enough for Polar life. Cooper's not sure if this is an achievement, but she knows she
has nothing to lose. Unmoored by a recent family tragedy, she's adrift at thirty and (despite her
early promise as a painter) on the verge of sinking her career. So she accepts her place in the
National Science Foundation's Artists & Writers Program and flees to Antarctica, where she
encounters a group of misfits motivated by desires as ambiguous as her own. The only thing the
Polies have in common is the conviction that they don't belong anywhere else. Then a fringe
scientist arrives, claiming climate change is a hoax. His presence will rattle this
already-imbalanced community, bringing Cooper and the Polies to the center of a global
controversy and threatening the ancient ice chip they call home. Written with considerable
humor, "South Pole Station" is an impressively crafted and consistently engaging read from cover
to cover. Revealing author Ashley Shelby's genuine flair for originality and compelling narration,
"South Pole Station" is an extraordinary and unreservedly recommended addition to community
library Contemporary General Fiction collections. It should be noted for personal reading lists
that "South Pole Station" is also available in a paperback edition (9781250112811, $16.00) and
in a digital book format (Kindle, $12.99).
Law and Vengeance
Mike Papantonio
SelectBooks, Inc.
87 Walker Street, Suite B1, New York City, NY 10013
www.selectbooks.com
9781590794364, $24.95, HC, 336pp, www.amazon.com
Gina Romano is a highly successful trial lawyer with Bergman/Deketomis, a firm dedicated to
protecting the public by exposing and penalizing corporate crooks and their allies in government.
Well into her thirties, Gina hasn't overcome the anger and defensiveness resulting from a bizarre
and traumatic childhood. As she contemplates whether to marry solid, attractive and loyal
veterinarian Bryan Penn or to send him packing, the murder of a friend and mentor, Angus
Moore, turns her life into a quest for vengeance. In consort with partner Nick Deketomis, Gina
runs headlong into a life and death struggle against weapons manufacturers, a gun rights lobbyist,
psychopathic Chicago police, a hi-tech genius assassin, and the U.S. Department of Justice. Still,
the most formidable and dangerous enemy she faces is herself. A skillfully crafted suspense
novel by a gifted novelist, "Law and Vengeance" by Mike Papantonio firmly grips the reader's
rapt attention from beginning to end. Simply stated, "Law and Vengeance" is an extraordinarily
entertaining and unreservedly recommended addition to personal reading lists and community
library collections.
Something Like Happy
Eva Woods
Graydon House
c/o Harlequin Books
225 Duncan Mill Road, Don Mills, Ontario, Canada, M3B 3K9
9781525811357, $26.99, HC, 432pp, www.amazon.com
Annie Hebden is stuck. Stuck in her boring job, with her irritating roommate, in a life no
thirty-five-year-old would want. But deep down, Annie is still mourning the terrible loss that tore
a hole through the perfect existence she'd once taken for granted -- and hiding away is safer than
remembering what used to be. Until she meets the eccentric Polly Leonard. Bright, bubbly,
intrusive Polly is everything Annie doesn't want in a friend. But Polly is determined to finally
wake Annie up to life. Because if recent events have taught Polly anything, it's that your time is
too short to waste a single day -- which is why she wants Annie to join her on a mission. One
hundred days. One hundred new ways to be happy. Annie's convinced it's impossible, but so is
saying no to Polly. And on an unforgettable journey that will force her to open herself to new
experiences -- and perhaps even new love with the unlikeliest of men -- Annie will slowly begin
to realize that maybe, just maybe, there's still joy to be found in the world. But then it becomes
clear that Polly's about to need her new friend more than ever. Annie will have to decide once
and for all whether letting others in is a risk worth taking! A deftly written and consistently
engaging read by a genuinely gifted novelist with an impressive flair for originality, "Something
Like Happy" is one of those rare novels that will linger in the mind and memory long after the
book itself has been finished and set back upon the shelf. While unreservedly and very strongly
recommended for community library fiction collections, it should be noted for personal reading
lists that "Something Like Happy" is also available in a paperback edition (9781525811999,
$15.99) and in a digital book format (Kindle, $12.99).
Into a Dark Frontier
John Mangan
Oceanview Publishing
595 Bay Isles Road, 120-G, Longboat Key, FL 34228
www.oceanviewpub.com
9781608092611, $26.95, HC, 323pp, www.amazon.com
In the near future, Africa collapses into an enormous failed state, leaving the continent lawless
and severely depopulated. For most, the breakdown brings horror, but for others the outcast, the
desperate, the criminal, and the insane -- it allows unparalleled opportunity: a new frontier of
danger and unlimited possibility. In America, ex-Navy SEAL Slade Crawford, emotionally
crippled after twenty years of front line combat, the dissolution of his marriage, and the
accidental death of his son, is falsely accused of terrorism. Slade flees to Africa to build a new
life and escape his past, but he is captured by an enigmatic American colonel, Gary Kraven, and
blackmailed into tracking down a blood cult that is rampaging across the sub-Sahara. Struggling
to stay alive and to free himself from Kraven's grasp, Slade pursues the cult across the lawless
African frontier. He soon learns that nothing is as it seems and that he is standing at the epicenter
of a global struggle that will determine the course of history. Slade must decide whether to fight
for his life or his honor -- he can't have both. A simply riveting read from cover to cover, "Into a
Dark Frontier" is an extraordinary novel that showcases author John Mangan's genuine flair for
originality and ability to deftly construct a truly memorable story. While very highly
recommended, especially for community library collections, it should be noted for personal
reading lists that "Into a Dark Frontier" is also available in a digital book format (Kindle,
$9.99).
The Education Shelf
Growing Global Digital Citizens
Lee Watanabe Crockett & Andrew Churches
Solution Tree
555 North Morton Street, Bloomington, IN 47404
www.solution-tree.com
9781945349119, $29.95, PB, 164pp, www.amazon.com
"Growing Global Digital Citizens: Better Practices That Build Better Learners" is practical guide
that explores how to transform education through the concept of global digital citizenship
(GDC). Embraced by thousands of schools, global digital citizenship practices empower students
to effectively and ethically participate in and contribute to the digital world around them.
"Growing Global Digital Citizens" provide a clear path for establishing a global digital
citizenship program in your school and give guidance on how K 12 teachers and administrators
can grow global citizens who are respectful and responsible critical thinkers equipped with the
21st century skills necessary for an interconnected world. "Growing Global Digital Citizens" is
deftly written guidebook will allow you to: Discover the characteristics and 21st century skills of
global digital citizens and what these citizens stand for; Consider the limitations of conventional
acceptable use policies and instead embrace ethically driven digital citizenship agreements; Learn
how to address the various stakeholder communities involved in developing students into global
digital citizens; Use tools, rubrics, and resources for gauging the effectiveness and progress of
your global digital citizenship practices; Review digital citizenship agreements for students at the
elementary, middle, and high school levels, as well as for professionals and the wider
community. Featuring an eleven page listing of References and Resources, as well as a three page
Index, "Growing Global Digital Citizens" is unreservedly recommended for college and
university library Educational Policy & Practices collections. It should be noted for the personal
reading lists of teachers, administrators, school board members, and non-specialist general
readers with an interest in the subject that "Growing Global Digital Citizens" is also available in
a digital book format (Kindle, $28.45).
Teaching Statistics: A Bag of Tricks
Andrew Gelman & Deborah Nolan
Oxford University Press
198 Madison Avenue, New York, NY 10016-4314
www.oup.com/us
9780198785699, $95.00, HC, 384pp, www.amazon.com
Students in the sciences, economics, social sciences, and medicine are required to take an
introductory statistics course. And yet statistics can be notoriously difficult for instructors to
teach and for students to learn. To help overcome these challenges, Andrew Gelman (Professor
of Statistics and Professor of Political Science and Director of the Applied Sciences Center at
Columbia University) and Deborah Nolan (Professor of Statistics at the University of California,
Berkeley), have put together "Teaching Statistics: A Bag of Tricks". Based on years of teaching
experience "Teaching Statistics: A Bag of Tricks" provides a wealth of demonstrations, activities,
examples, and projects that involve active student participation. Part I presents a large selection
of activities for introductory statistics courses and has chapters such as 'First week of class'-- with
exercises to break the ice and get students talking; then descriptive statistics, graphics, linear
regression, data collection (sampling and experimentation), probability, inference, and statistical
communication. Part II gives tips on what works and what doesn't, how to set up effective
demonstrations, how to encourage students to participate in class and to work effectively in
group projects. Course plans for introductory statistics, statistics for social scientists, and
communication and graphics are provided. Part III presents material for more advanced courses
on topics such as decision theory, Bayesian statistics, sampling, and data science. Exceptionally
well written, organized and presented, "Teaching Statistics: A Bag of Tricks" is an extraordinary
and unreservedly recommended addition to academic library collections in general, and would
prove to be an enduringly valued supplementary text book for Statistics Education curriculums.
For students and non-specialist general readers with an interest in the subject it should be noted
that "Teaching Statistics: A Bag of Tricks" is also available in a paperback edition
(9780198785705, $32.95) and in a digital book format (Kindle, $30.35).
Write This Way from the Start
Kelly Boswell
Maupin House
c/o Capstone Press
151 Good Counsel Drive, Mankato, MN 56001
www.capstonepub.com
9781496608413, $24.95, PB, 192pp, www.amazon.com
The beginning of each school year presents classroom teachers, home schooling parents, and the
conductors of writing workshops with fresh starts and opportunities. How will they build
community and create a culture that values thinking, learning, and risk-taking? How can they
create a safe environment where all young learners feel welcome and valued? Particularly for in
the task of teaching writing, it is of the utmost importance that students are launched into the
world of writing in a way that engages them and helps to build their confidence. In"Write This
Way from the Start: The First 15 Days of Writer's Workshop", Kelly Boswell draws upon her
years of experience in education as a classroom teacher, literacy coach, and district literacy
specialist to share a variety of ways to kick-start the school year or to initiate a writer workshop,
and invite students and participants to engage in meaningful, purposeful and joyful writing
experiences. Exceptionally well organized and presented, informative and 'real world practical',
"Write This Way from the Start" is unreservedly recommended for personal, professional,
community, and academic library Teacher Education and Writing/Publishing instructional
reference collections and supplemental studies reading lists.
Your 2018 Guide to College Transfer: 90 School Profiles
Nancy Lee Sanchez
Kaplan Educational Foundation
750 Third Avenue, New York, NY 10017
www.kaplan.com
9781506233918, $19.99, PB, 354pp, www.amazon.com
The Kaplan Educational Foundation, a 501(c)3 public charity, seeks to eliminate barriers to
higher education for overlooked and underserved students and develop them as world leaders and
advocates for their communities by providing a comprehensive array of financial and academic
support, transfer admissions, advising and leadership skills development. They have now
published "Your 2018 Guide to College Transfer: 90 School Profiles" by Nancy Lee Sanchez
(Executive Director for the Kaplan Educational Foundation) that profiles top transfer schools in
the U.S., and also highlights the best schools for underrepresented, first-generation,
non-traditional age, community college, military-affiliated, DACA, and undocumented students
contemplating transfer, as well as students with children. "Your 2018 Guide to College Transfer"
reveals what makes a student successful during the admissions, transfer, and enrollment
processes, and how to achieve that success in transfer from one college to another. Whether a
student, a parent, a guidance counselor, or a college adviser, Kaplan's map offers a thoroughly
'user friendly' guide to navigating the complex landscape of college transfer. Exceptionally well
organized and presented, "Your 2018 Guide to College Transfer" is unreservedly recommended
for community, college, and academic library Educational Resources instructional reference
collections.
Powerful Book Introductions
Kathleen Fay, Chrisie Moritz, Suzanne Whaley
Stenhouse Publishers
480 Congress Street, Portland, ME 04101-3451
www.stenhouse.com
9781625310507, $30.67, PB, 184pp, www.amazon.com
Effective book introductions during guided reading set the stage for young readers to navigate
new texts independently and successfully and often shape the outcome of small-group lessons.
Many teachers struggle with decisions about what these introductions should address, what they
should include, and how to conduct them. "In Powerful Book Introductions" literacy leaders
Kathleen Fay, Chrisie Moritz, and Suzanne Whaley speak to these concerns by taking a close
look at the purposeful planning that goes into preparing for this small but vital part of today's
guided reading lessons. Through relatable classroom examples and the wisdom of their shared
teaching experiences, the authors show you how to: Select texts for your small-group lessons
specifically based on your students' needs; Amplify meaning making from the first moments of
your guided reading book introductions and maintain this emphasis; Introduce visual and
structural information as a way to support your readers in meaning making. No matter where you
are in your understanding of guided reading, "Powerful Book Introductions" will help you as you
learn to craft student-centered, meaning-driven book introductions that prepare your readers for
success. The importance of instilling in a student a love of reading for both recreational and
information acquiring purposes cannot be understated. Toward that ultimate educational goal,
"Powerful Book Introductions: Leading with Meaning for Deeper Thinking" is unreservedly
recommended for academic library Teacher Education collections and supplemental studies lists,
as well as community library collections where it can be made available to home-schooling
parents.
The Photography Shelf
Villager Jim's Garden Wildlife
Villager Jim
White Owl
c/o Casemate
1940 Lawrence Road, Havertown, PA 19083
www.casematepublishers.com
9781526706713, $39.95, HC, 128pp, www.amazon.com
Over the past few years, Villager Jim has been avidly photographing wildlife in his own garden
as well as in the beautiful countryside that surrounds his home. Birds, bees, and a whole host of
other flora and fauna that share Villager Jim's garden in the tiny Peak District village of Foolow,
are featured in "Villager Jim's Garden Wildlife" which is a truly stunning book of beautiful full
color photographs. Bobbin Robin is just one of the regular visitors to the garden; she and her
friends have a huge social media audience, with tens of thousands of viewers. Now anyone can
open up "Villager Jim's Garden Wildlife" to see the daily goings on of these wildlife friends in
some of Jim's very best pictures taken in this beautiful setting. They illustrate the close
relationship Jim has formed with some of the regular wildlife visitors to his garden. His quirky
captions capture the mood and spontaneous character of each individual shot and are an essential
element of what makes Villager Jim's pictures so special. While unreservedly and
enthusiastically recommended for both community and academic library Contemporary
Photography collections, it should be noted for the personal reading lists of both photography
fans and gardening wildlife enthusiasts that "Villager Jim's Garden Wildlife" is also available in
a digital book format (Kindle, $23.97).
The Spirit of the Mountains
International Mountain Summit
Firefly Books Ltd.
50 Staples Avenue, Unit 1, Richmond Hill, ON, Canada L4B 0A7
www.fireflybooks.com
9781770859807, $40.00, HC, 296pp, www.amazon.com
The International Mountain Summit (IMS) is an independent and international festival of
mountaineers, alpinists, climbers and other mountain enthusiasts and photographers established
in 2009 by Markus Gaiser and Alex Ploner. The annual IMS Photo Contest draws participation
from more than 12,000 photographers in nearly 100 countries. "The Spirit of the Mountains" is a
compendium of the best photographs submitted to the International Mountain Summit (IMS)
photography contest from 2011 to 2016. More than 160 stunning images display mountains
around the world in their many manifestations from the violent spectacle of a volcanic eruption
to a flower-painted valley. Above them all lies the eternal universe, now clouds, now stars, in
darkness and light, embellished with northern lights, rainbows, or slashes of lightning. But more
than all of that, "The Spirit of the Mountains" is a heart-stopping reminder that humans are
absurdly insignificant in nature's design. A magnificent volume of truly memorable images, "The
Spirit of the Mountains" is unreservedly recommended for personal, professional, community,
and academic library Contemporary Photography collections.
The Gardening Shelf
The Wildlife Gardener
Kate Bradbury
White Owl Books
www.whiteowlbooks.co.uk
c/o Pen & Sword Books (distribution)
www.pen-and-sword.co.uk
9781526712899 $29.95 pbk / $19.77 Kindle amazon.com
The Wildlife Gardener is a practical, easy-to-follow guide to creating a helpful habit for wildlife
in one's own garden. Chapters cover how to ensure one's garden provides shelter, food, and water
for natural creatures; the optimal nectar and pollen plants to grow; the do's and don'ts of bird
feeding; organic methods to keep pests under control; and more. Ten step-by-step projects, a mini
field guide to identify the wild creatures attracted to one's garden, and plenty of photographs, The
Wildlife Gardener is a pleasure to browse and highly recommended especially for nature
enthusiasts.
Worms at Work
Crystal Stevens
New Society Publishers
PO Box 189, Gabriola Island, BC, Canada, V0R 1X0
www.newsociety.com
9780865718401, $19.99, www.amazon.com
Worms at Work: Harnessing the Awesome Power of Worms with Vermiculture and
Vermicomposting belongs in science and gardening collections alike, as well as many a culinary
collection, as it provides gardeners with a guide to making better soil using worms. Newcomers
to the concept of making sure soil is rich for plant growth may be surprised at this notion of
worm management, but it's long been a staple of organic gardening and farming methods. Here,
it's covered in a basic primer that's easy to understand and filled with basic knowledge about
fertilizing a garden and encouraging worm health. Newcomers to organic gardening must have
this easy survey which avoids the usual confusion inherent in a topic too often given only a
chapter in a more complex overview of gardening approaches.
The Pets/Wildlife Shelf
Wild Horse Country
David Philipps
W. W. Norton & Company
500 Fifth Avenue, New York, NY 10110
www.wwnorton.com
9780393247138, $27.95, www.amazon.com
Wild Horse Country: The History, Myth, and Future of the Mustang follows the history of wild
horses in America and threats to the wild mustang's continued existence, following all aspects of
the mustang as a horse, an American icon, and an animal which has long been persecuted
because of their population and special management issues. The dysfunctional system of
rounding up wild horses and maintaining them in non-wild holding centers in the Midwest only
exists because wildlife managers, government agencies, ranchers, and wild horse advocates can't
agree on what to do with them. This history traces the roots and fundamentals of these conflicts
and provides a powerful survey key to understanding the background and current plight of the
wild mustang in a wide-reaching survey highly recommended for any wildlife or equine
collection.
Shark Bytes
John Bantin
Fernhurst Books
c/o Casemate
1940 Lawrence Road, Havertown, PA 19083
www.casematepublishers.com
9781909911451, $30.60, PB, 224pp, www.amazon.com
The popular image of sharks, reinforced by the movies, is one of a dorsal fin cleaving the surface
as it rushes to its next kill -- but this is a very limited and limiting caricature. There are over 500
species of sharks, most of whom are far more frightened of humans than vice versa. "Shark
Bytes: Tales of Diving with the Bizarre and the Beautiful" by John Bantin (an experienced scuba
diver and the former Technical Editor of the long-established Diver magazine) is an impressively
beautiful book in which as a diving veteran he recounts many tales of his diving with several
species of sharks and other marine animals over the last 4 decades. Accompanied by his own
stunning photography, the captivating, spectacular and sometimes shocking encounters show the
reader what it is like to get up close and personal to these bizarre and beautiful creatures. The
sharks covered range from the great whale sharks to the small blacktip reef shark, in locations
extending to all corners of the globe. "Shark Bytes" is an extraordinary and informative read from
cover to cover, making it an especially recommended addition to both community and academic
library Pets/Wildlife collections in general, and Shark oriented supplemental studies lists in
particular. It should be noted for the personal reading lists of non-specialist general readers with
an interest in the subject that "Shark Bytes" is also available in a digital book format (Kindle,
$25.48).
Doggy Desserts
Cheryl Gianfrancesco
Lumina Media
http://luminamedia.com
Fox Chapel Publishing Company (distributor)
9781621871712, $10.99, PB, 112pp, www.amazon.com
Cheryl Gianfrancesco is an avid cook. She is also the owner of LMG1, formerly Kooper's
Products, an Internet business supplying recipes and health information for dogs. In "Doggy
Desserts: 125 Homemade Treats for Happy, Healthy Dogs" she draws upon her years of
experience and expertise to offers dog owners a compendium of easy-to-make recipes for treats
to spoil (and nourish) their pampered pooches. Beautifully photographed and designed, "Doggy
Desserts" presents easy-to-do, fun recipes divided into six categories: cookies, bars, drop
cookies, cakes, muffins, and frozen treats. For dog owners who are concerned about controlling
what's in their dogs' food or who are looking to find low-cal, low-fat options for their slightly
plump pups, "Doggy Desserts" provides many tasty options. From carob peanut butter crunch
balls, sweet potato biscuits and liver oatmeal bones to granola bars, apple sauce spice cake, and
watermelon dog sherbet, owners will be tempted to try each of these delectable delights before
serving to their dogs. Dog owners looking to feed their dogs healthy homemade treats will find:
How to make your own tasty, wholesome doggie snacks and desserts; More than 125 easy-to-do
recipes; Goodies your dogs will not only enjoy but are also good for them; Healthy, tasty, and
easy to make with ingredients commonly found around the house; Strategies to avoid
preservatives and ingredients that can irritate sensitive canine tummies and cause allergies and
other health problems; Low-cal, low-fat options for overweight dogs; Sections on cookies, bars,
drop cookies, cakes, muffins, and frozen treats. An absolute 'must' for anyone and everyone that
has a beloved canine companion, it should be noted that "Doggy Desserts" is also available in a
digital book format (Kindle, $7.73).
The Business Shelf
The Complete Guide to Selling a Business, fifth edition
Fred S. Steingold
Nolo Press
950 Parker Street, Berkeley, CA 94710
www.nolo.com
9781413324549, $34.99, PB, 488pp, www.amazon.com
Now in a fully updated fifth edition featuring all the latest tax considerations, "The Complete
Guide to Selling a Business" is packed from cover to cover with practical advice and invaluable
insights (as well as dozens of key legal forms) shows the non-specialist general reader how to:
get a business ready to sell; value assets; set the best price for a business; find the right buyer;
anticipate and resolve tax issues; negotiate a payment plan; limit personal liability; work with
lawyers, accountants, and brokers; and close the deal and transfer the business to its new owner.
Of special note is the provision of 'real world practical' advice on marketing the sale of any kind
of business. Impressively informative, exceptionally 'user friendly' in organization and
presentation, "The Complete Guide to Selling a Business" is an absolute 'must' as an instructional
reference for anyone contemplating the sale of a business and should be a core addition to all
community and academic library Contemporary Business Management collections.
Let the Story Do the Work
Esther K. Choy
Amacom Books
1601 Broadway, New York, NY 10019
www.amacombooks.org
9780814438015, $24.95, HC, 256pp, www.amazon.com
With respect to conducting business, if you incorporate a story, then people will remember your
message. But when you get down to crafting one, there's nothing easy about it. While material for
stories surrounds us, few people are skilled at sharing personal anecdotes and even fewer know
how to link them to professional goals. Whether you want to stand out in the interview process,
add punch to a presentation, or make a compelling case for a new initiative, "Let the Story Do the
Work: The Art of Storytelling for Business Success" shows you how to mine your experience for
simple narratives that convey who you are, what you want to achieve, and why others should
care. Packed with enlightening examples, "Let the Story Do the Work" explains how to find the
perfect hook, structure your story -- and deliver it at the right time in the right way. You'll
discover how to use stories to: Capture attention; Engage your audience; Change minds; Inspire
action; Bring facts and data to life; Clarify challenging concepts; Pitch persuasively; Fundraise
effectively, and so much more. Never underestimate the power of a great story. Learn to leverage
the elements of storytelling -- and turn everyday communications into opportunities to connect,
gain buy-in, and build lasting relationships by giving "Let the Story Do the Work" a careful read
and applying the 'real world practical' tips, tricks and techniques. While unreservedly
recommended for both community, corporate, and academic library Business Management
instructional reference collections and supplemental studies lists, it should be noted for business
students, entrepreneurs, and non-specialist general readers with an interest in the subject that "Let
the Story Do the Work" is also available in a digital book format (Kindle, $9.99). Librarians
should be aware that "Let the Story Do the Work" is also available in a complete and unabridged
audio book edition (Brilliance Audio, 9781536663228, $14.99, MP3 CD).
Lead Right for Your Company's Type
William E. Schneider
Amacom Books
1601 Broadway, New York, NY 10019
www.amacombooks.org
9780814437995, $27.95, HC, 224pp, www.amazon.com
From turf wars to low morale, most companies attempt to cure what ails them with the latest
management fad -- and fail. They are treating the symptoms while ignoring the true problem.
Success starts with knowing the kind of business you're really in. In "Lead Right for Your
Company's Type: How to Connect Your Culture with Your Customer Promise" William E.
Schneider (a consulting psychologist and co-owner of Corporate Development Group) deftly
argues that every enterprise falls into one of four categories as dictated by their customer
promise: customized (e.g. ad agency), predictable and dependable (e.g utility company),
benevolent (e.g. educational institution), and best in class (e.g. high-tech company like Apple).
When leadership practices fit the customer promise and company type, the organization thrives.
But apply the wrong practices and the mismatch pulls the enterprise apart. Example after
example exposes the fallout: A small arts college destabilized by top-down rules designed for a
predictable and dependable company; A mid-tier retail chain derailed by leadership demands for
superior products instead of reliably low prices; A software giant brought to its knees by
prioritizing profits over innovation. Insightful and 'real world' practical, "Lead Right for Your
Company's Type" offers proven tools and five-step process will help any corporate executive
diagnose their organization's ills -- and stop them at their source. While very highly
recommended for both community, corporate, and academic library Business Management
collections and supplemental studies lists, it should be noted for the personal reading lists of
entrepreneurs and business managers that "Lead Right for Your Company's Type" is also
available in a digital book format (Kindle, $15.37). It should also be noted that "Lead Right for
Your Company's Type" is available as a complete and unabridged audio book (Brilliance Audio,
9781536663198, $14.99, MP3 CD).
Fearless Growth
Amanda Setili
Career Press Inc.
12 Parish Drive, Wayne, NJ 07470
www.careerpress.com
9781632651075, $17.99, PB, 256pp, www.amazon.com
Businesses today operate in a volatile and ever changing marketplace. Packed with practical
examples, tools, and guidance, "Fearless Growth: The New Rules to Stay Competitive, Foster
Innovation, and Dominate Your Markets" by Amanda Setili (who is President of the strategy
consulting firm Setili & Associates, whose clients include Coca-Cola, Delta Air Lines, The
Home Depot, and Walmart) provides new rules to enable any company to adapt faster, move
faster, and grow faster. Corporate executives and entrepreneurs will learn how to: Capitalize on
uncertainties in their market, rather than letting those uncertainties slow them down; Leverage
the talent, assets, technology, and data that exist outside the company; Get in sync with
customers, gain early insight into changing needs, and bring the right solutions to market; Open
the floodgates of employee creativity, empowering employees to respond quickly and effectively
to emerging opportunities. Exceptionally well written, organized and presented, "Fearless
Growth" is an extraordinary and 'real world practical' read that is unreservedly recommended for
anyone charged with the responsibility for a company's success in today's unstable world. While
no corporate, community, or academic library Business Management instructional reference
collections should be without a copy of "Fearless Growth", it should be noted for the personal
reading lists of students, business owners, and non-specialist general readers with an interest in
the subject it is also available in a digital book format (Kindle, $13.60). Librarians should note
that "Fearless Growth" is also available in a complete and unabridged audio book edition
(Brilliance Audio, 9781543639506, $19.99, MP3).
The Needlecraft Shelf
Radiant Quilts
Elsie M. Campbell
Landauer Publishing
3100 100th Street, Urbandale, Iowa 50322
www.landauercorp.com
Fox Chapel Publishing Company (distributor)
9781935726982, $22.95, PB, 80pp, www.amazon.com
"Radiant Quilts: Stunning Quilts from Simple Shapes" by quilting expert Elsie M. Campbell
offers a complete guide to making gorgeous scrap quilts using just one, two, or three simple
repeated shapes. "Radiant Quilts" has a design emphasis on color and value working together to
create the illusion of depth and light; offers comprehensive information about tools and
techniques; features instructions on 3 cutting methods: cutting with scissors and templates, rotary
cutters and rulers, and die cutters; and provides practical guidance on both hand- and
machine-piecing. "Radiant Quilts" uses triangles, clamshells, half-hexagons, strips, and
diamonds to make 9 start-to-finish, stash-busting projects ranging from stunning table runners to
a gorgeous king-sized quilt. With simplicity as the basis for each piece or block, "Radiant Quilts"
shows how color, value, and contrast can work together to create the illusion of depth and light.
Of special note is Campbell's explanation of how to make fabric decisions that produce
wonderfully luminescent quilts. "Radiant Quilts" provides cutting instructions for three methods:
cutting with scissors and templates; rotary cutters and rulers; and die cutters. Inspired and
inspiring, "Radiant Quilts" is unreservedly and enthusiastically recommended for personal and
community library Needlecraft instructional reference collections for quilting enthusiasts.
Martingale & Company
19021 - 120th Avenue NE, Suite 102, Bothell, WA 98011
www.shopmartingale.com
Two fine new additions to this series are top picks for quilters at all levels of expertise, offering
specific focus and discussions that lend to quilting new projects. Katja Marek's Distinctive
Dresdens (9781604688528, $26.99) presents nearly thirty blocks in six sample projects and
shows how Dresdens can be done either via sewing machine or hand, using English paper
piecing. Both processes are covered in a colorful survey of piecing techniques that are specific to
Dresden patterns and which translate to unique, beautiful productions. Karen M. Burns compiles
the blocks in I Love Star Blocks: 16 Quilts from an All-Time Favorite Block (9781604688566,
$24.99) which come from a number of quilt designers who use start blocks in both traditional
and innovative, new ways. This makes the book accessible to all quilters who want to learn about
star blocks and how to incorporate them into a project. Color photos supplement patterns,
materials lists, cutting instructions, and assembly specifics.
The Comix/Graphic Novel Shelf
Kirby 100
Jon B. Cooke & John Morrow, Editors
TwoMorrows Publishing
10407 Bedfordtown Drive, Raleigh, NC 27614
www.twomorrows.com
9781605490786, $34.95, www.amazon.com
Kirby 100 gathers black and white and color cartoon panels from some of the top modern comics
artists today, creating a celebration of comic illustrator great Jack Kirby as it celebrates his
centennial anniversary. Over two hundred pages in full color gathers tribute artwork, memories,
discussions of Jack Kirby's lasting influence in the comic illustration and pop culture worlds, and
provide moving stories and insights that even some Kirby fans may not know. Anyone with more
than a casual interest in Jack Kirby as well as many a newcomer to his name will find Kirby 100
a keepsake edition that gathers material supporting the extent of his lasting impact on cartooning
and comics.
Adventures of Huckleberry Finn: Manga Classics
Mark Twain, author
Adapted by Crystal S. Chan
Art by Kuma Chan
Udon Entertainment
www.mangaclassics.com
9781772940169 $24.95 hc
9781772940176 $17.99 pbk amazon.com
Part of the "Manga Classics" series that faithfully adapts timeless works of great literature to
black-and-white graphic novels drawn in the style of manga (Japanese comics), Adventures of
Huckleberry Finn: Manga Classics is a new way to experience this beloved work of high
adventure and biting social satire by legendary American author Mark Twain (1835-1910).
Although the original novel has occasionally been criticized or even banned for its use of racial
slurs, such condemnation is short-sighted at best. Adventures of Huckleberry Finn is a biting
satire of the innate racism and dehumanization embedded in the slaveholding American South,
and deserves to be recognized as a groundbreaking anti-slavery and anti-racism book. The Manga
Classics vision is beautifully drawn, with expressive characters, yet stays extremely close to the
original narrative chapter by chapter (one of very few deviations from the novel is that Huck
doesn't smoke tobacco in the adaptation). The story follows young Huckleberry Finn, who
escapes from his abusive father by faking his own death, and befriends the runaway slave Jim.
Together they meet robbers and rapscallions; would-be slave catchers; viciously feuding families;
and much more. Adventures of Huckleberry Finn: Manga Classics is worthy of the highest
recommendation for public and school library collections, as well as personal reading lists.
The Stories of Edgar Allen Poe: Manga Classics
Edgar Allan Poe, author
Adapted by Stacy King
Art by Virginia-Nitouhei, Chagen, Pikomaro, Uka Nagao, and Linus Lui
Udon Entertainment
www.mangaclassics.com
9781772940206 $24.95 hc
9781772940213 $17.99 pbk amazon.com
Part of the "Manga Classics" series that faithfully adapts timeless works of great literature to
black-and-white graphic novels drawn in the style of manga (Japanese comics), The Stories of
Edgar Allen Poe presents five of the American author's best-known tales of horror and suspense,
each drawn by a different artist. The stories are "The Tell-Tale Heart", the confession of a mad
murderer; "The Cask of Amontillado", a chilling revenge story; "The Raven", Poe's classic poem
about a lover's grief over the loss of his beloved; "The Masque of the Red Death", which
personifies the horrors of plague; and "The Fall of the House of Usher", a saga of illness, mental
degeneration, and destruction. Each adaptation brilliantly captures the dark spirit of the original
work, offering a new way to experience these classics. The Stories of Edgar Allen Poe: Manga
Classics is highly recommended especially for public and school library graphic novel
collections.
For Better or For Worse: The Complete Library, Volume One 1979-1982
Lynn Johnston
IDW Publishing
2765 Truxton Road, San Diego, CA 92106
www.idwpublishing.com
9781631409820 $39.99 amazon.com
For Better or For Worse: The Complete Library, Volume One 1979-1982 is a hardcover
compilation of the first three years of the popular, long-running newspaper comic strip For Better
or For Worse, about the trials and travails of an ordinary family. The strip is especially well
known for how it showed the family age and children grow up in real time; the in first three
years, baby Elizabeth grows into a toddler and learns how to talk. Meanwhile husband John has
to balance work as a dentist and home life as a father, while wife Elly eventually becomes a
student while looking after the needs of her family and lending a ear to her friends when they
need it. "Elly: 'You didn't really appreciate me going out on the town last night, did you? But it's
perfectly all right for you to go out 'till all hours with the boys!' John: 'That's different. When I'm
out... I know where you are!'" For Better or For Worse: The Complete Library, Volume One is a
treasure sure to prove a popular lend for public library collections, and makes an excellent gift to
anyone who loves a good laugh and gentle, slice-of-life humor.
Bloom County: Brand Spanking New Day
Berkeley Breathed
IDW Publishing
2765 Truxton Road, San Diego, CA 92106
9781684050970 $19.99 www.idwpublishing.com
Bloom County: Brand Spanking New Day is a new compilation of Bloom County comic strips,
brimming with over-the-top craziness and outright absurdity. From Bill the Cat's helpful advice
about how to tell the difference between a zombie cat and a normal cat (zombie cats don't poop
in a box), to Opus' tryout for the MetLife mascot role, to a sick little boy's adoption of a crippled
shelter dog, Bloom County: Brand Spanking New Day blends wild humor with heartwarming
positive affirmations. Bloom County: Brand Spanking New Day is sure to prove a popular pick
for public library collections, and is highly recommended for personal reading lists or holiday
gift-giving.
Celebrating Snoopy
Charles M. Schulz
Andrews McMeel Publishing
1130 Walnut Street, Kansas City, MO 64106-2109
www.andrewsmcmeel.com
9781449487881, $75.00, HC, 560pp, www.amazon.com
Cartoonist Charles Schulz is a pop culture legend. He was the hand and heart behind 50 years of
Peanuts, which featured one of the world's most beloved and recognizable cast of cartoon
characters, until his death in 2000. One of the most beloved of those characters was a dog named
Snoopy. Enhanced with the inclusion of a Foreword by Michael Cavna ("ComicRiffs" columnist
for The Washington Post) and an Introduction by Steve Martino (who was the director for The
Peanuts Movie), the publishing firm of Andrews McMeel has published"Celebrating Snoopy", an
elegant boxed hardcover volume that is packed from cover to cover with memorable Snoopy
strips drawn from each of Peanuts' five decades, making this collection not only a heartwarming
tribute, but also a true collector's item. Unreservedly recommended for the personal reading lists
of all dedicated Peanuts fans, it should be noted that "Celebrating Snoopy" would be an
enduringly popular and appropriate Memorial Fund acquisition for community and academic
library collections.
Monet: Itinerant of Light
Salva Rubio and EFA
NBM Publishing
160 Broadway, Ste. 700, East Wing, New York, NY 10038
www.nbmpub.com
9781681121390 $24.99 amazon.com
Monet: Itinerant of Light is a hardcover, full-color graphic novel biography of Claude Monet
(1840-1926), a founder of French Impressionist painting. Monet's passion for his art estranged
him from established academic and professional channels, because their rigid requirements
stifled his vision. This made it very difficult for Monet to earn a living through his talent; Monet
spent much of his life in poverty, struggling to support his wife and children. In the course of his
life he experienced friendship, love, and tragic loss. Monet: Itinerant of Light takes some mild
poetic license for the sake of storytelling, and is not intended to be a strictly historic biography,
yet its candid and essentially accurate depiction of Monet's life reveals the human side of a
legendary classical artist. Monet: Itinerant of Light is highly recommended, especially for public
library graphic novel collections.
Renegade: Martin Luther
Dacia Palmerino, author
Andrea Grosso Ciponte, illustrator
Plough Publishing House
151 Bowne Drive, PO Box 398, Walden, NY 12586 USA
www.plough.com
9780874862072, $19.95, PB, 160pp, www.amazon.com
Told in a graphic novel format, "Renegade: Martin Luther" is the story of Martin Luther's
personal battles with disillusionment and doubt culminate in a cry for freedom during a time of
rampant corruption and superstition within the Roman Catholic Church. Luther's revolt against
Rome with the nailing of ninety-five theses to the church door in Wittenberg; his time spent
incognito at Wartburg Castle, where he famously throws an inkpot at the devil; his seditious
translation and publication of the Bible in the language of the people; his scandalous marriage to
former nun Katharina von Bora; and, in later years, his ugly tirades against peasants, Anabaptists,
and Jews are fully recounted. Each chapter of Luther's life comes vividly to life thanks to
cutting-edge graphic techniques of the impressively gifted artist Andrea Grosso Ciponte, and the
meticulous historical research and compelling writing Dacia Palmerino, "Renegade: Martin
Luther" is impressively informative and unreservedly recommended as an introduction to the life
and work of one of the most influential leaders of the early years of the Protestant Movement and
the founder of the Lutheran church.
Spooky & The Strange Tales: Monster Inn
Carine-M and Elian Black'more
IDW Publishing
2765 Truxton Road, San Diego, CA 92106
9781631409349 $19.99 www.idwpublishing.com
Spooky & The Strange Tales: Monster Inn is a hardcover, gothic graphic novel, set in magical
kingdom of Fairy Tales, featuring the exceptionally strange princes Spooky. The cursive-style
text and charming illustrations bring this fantastic story of creepy monsters and twisted fairy tales
to life. Spooky & The Strange Tales: Monster Inn is highly recommended for readers of all ages,
and for public library collections.
Satania
Fabien Vehlmann and Kerascoet
NBM Publishing
160 Broadway, Ste. 700, East Wing, New York, NY 10038
www.nbmpub.com
9781681121437 $24.99 hc / $9.99 Kindle amazon.com
Satania is a striking, full-color graphic novel that reinterprets the classic premise of descending
into the layers of Hell. Charlie is a woman whose scientist brother has disappeared in his quest to
prove the existence of Hell. Determined to find and rescue him, Charlie descends into the depths
of the Earth with a handful of associates who have their own motives - including a clergyman
and a fellow scientist eager to put her brother's theories to the test. The subterranean world they
find is Satania - bizarre, horrific, multifaceted, ever-changing, and enveloped in a macabre
beauty. Satania is also deadly, and pushes Charlie's survival instincts to the razor's edge!
Captivating to the final page, Satania is highly recommended for older teen and adult graphic
novel connoisseurs due the presence of some nudity and mature situations.
Streak of Chalk
Miguelanxo Prado
NBM Publishing
160 Broadway, Ste. 700, East Wing, New York, NY 10038
www.nbmpub.com
9781681121161 $19.99 amazon.com
Streak of Chalk is an award-winning, full-color graphic novel by celebrated Spanish comic artist
Miguelanxo Prado. Now in a re-released edition with new pages and a gallery of never-before-
seen material, Streak of Chalk follows a lone traveler who visits a nearly-deserted island. He
becomes intensely smitten with a beautiful, mysterious woman; he instinctively feels wary of the
local innkeeper's reserved son; and he befriends a seagull, naming it "Lucas". Then two callous,
aggressive louts arrive to stir up trouble. But how much of the lovestruck traveler's perceptions
are real, and how much are simply his imagination run wild? Vivid and compelling, Streak of
Chalk keeps the reader fascinated to the very end. It should be noted that Streak of Chalk is
intended for mature readers due to scenes of nudity, sexual situations, and violence.
The Audiobook Shelf
Fishing: How the Sea Fed Civilization
Brian Fagan, author
Read by Shaun Grindell
Tantor Media, Inc.
6 Business Park Road, Old Saybrook, CT 06475
9781541406612 $44.99 www.tantor.com
Archaeologist Brian Fagan presents Fishing: How the Sea Fed Civilization, a fascinating history
of fishing for sustenance (as opposed to fishing for sport). Unlike agriculture, which encouraged
stationary farms, fishing for food pushed individuals and civilizations to search for new and
better fishing grounds. Fishing-related technology prompted the creation of better boats, and fish
itself (when dried and salted) was an excellent, long-lasting source of nutrition for travelers,
traders, and conquering armies. This unabridged audiobook edition of Fishing: How the Sea Fed
Civilization, fluidly read by award-winning audiobook narrator Shaun Grindell, is fascinating,
edifying, and enthusiastically recommended for public library collections and personal audiobook
lists. 11 CDs, 13 hours.
The Assembled Parties
Richard Greenberg
L.A. Theatre Works
681 Venice Boulevard, Venice, CA 90291
$29.95 www.latw.org
The Assembled Parties is a "theater of the mind" audiobook of a full-cast performance of an
award-winning play. The story opens with a Christmas dinner in 1980, shared by a secular, well-
educated Jewish family. Yet buried grudges bubble to the surface, and the legacy of the family's
bitter acrimony is acutely evident twenty years later, in the year 2000, when the dinginess of the
formerly opulent apartment reveals how severely the family fortunes have declined. An intensely
character-driven drama, The Assembled Parties is a choice pick for public library and personal
audiobook collections. 2 CDs, 1 hour 47 min. Also highly recommended is "Seven" (2 CDs, 2
hours 11 min), an audiobook rendition of a theater anthology of seven brief, documentary-plays
by seven different female authors around the globe; each performance is an inspiring true story
about efforts to improve the lives of women.
Lost Boy
Christina Henry, author
Samuel Roukin, narrator
Recorded Books, LLC
270 Skip Jack Road, Prince Frederick, MD 20678
www.recordedbooks.com
9781501952470, $17.95
On an island lives a boy called Peter and his band of merry lost boys, young forever. That is
unless they get sick or killed by pirates or eaten by crocodiles, or fall victim to the many-eyes, or
unless (inexplicably) they grow old. For some of them do grow old, and nobody knows why. One
of these boys is called Jamie, and he was the first boy that Peter ever brought to the island.
Jamie's lived there for longer than he can remember, and it's not all fun and games. Peter thinks
the boys are replaceable, that if one dies or grows up, he can swap in another from the Other
Place, the place where he collects new playmates. Jamie looks out for the boys and takes care of
them. He does everything Peter does not. Jamie tries to keep them alive because to him they
matter. When Peter steals a boy named Charlie who is too young, Jamie takes the boy under his
wing. But Peter won't have that, for nobody will ever take Jamie from him. Ever. "Lost Boy: The
True Story of Captain Hook" turns the classic fantasy tale of Peter Pan upside down and inside
out, revealing the unforgettable and true origin story of Captain Hook. This complete and
unabridged audio book edition of "Lost Boy: The True Story of Captain Hook" is impressively
narrated by Samuel Roukin and will prove to be an enduringly popular addition to community
library audio book collections and an absolute 'must' for the legions of fans that have heretofore
only been exposed to a Disney version of Never Never Land and the eternal boy who lives there
still. (7 Discs, 7.75 Hours).
The Lunar Cat
Lynne Truss, author
Mike Grady, narrator
Recorded Books, LLC
270 Skip Jack Road, Prince Frederick, MD 20678
9781501967795 (CPO557), $TBA, www.recordedbooks.com
When you are an inoffensive retired librarian with bitter personal experience of Evil Talking
Cats, do you rescue a kitten from the cold on a December night? Do you follow up news items
about cats digging in graveyards? Do you inquire into long-ago cats who voyaged around the
world with Captain Cook? Well, yes. If you are Alec Charlesworth, that is precisely what you
do-with unexpected and terrifying consequences. Superbly narrated by Mike Grady, and
flawlessly produced by Recorded Books, "The Lunar Cat" by Lynne Truss offers an original,
unabridged, and exceptionally entertaining 'theatre of the mind' experience and will prove to be
an enduringly popular addition to personal and community library fantasy fiction audio book
collections. (6 CDs, 6.25 Hours).
Seeing Red: A Novel
Sandra Brown, author
Read by Victor Slezak
Hachette Audio
1290 Avenue of the Americas, New York, NY 10104
www.HachetteAudio.com
9781478916826 $35.00 amazon.com
Now in an unabridged audiobook rendition brought to life through the superb performance of
Victor Slezak, Seeing Red: A Novel is a modern thriller brimming with twists and turns. Kerra
Bailey is a television journalist seeking an interview with Major Franklin Trapper, a reclusive
national hero. She induces The Major's son, former ATF agent John Trapper, to make it happen...
but when the interview turns into a weaponized ambush, Kerra and John must search for the
killers before both of them are silenced for good! Exciting and suspenseful, with a taut dynamic
between the two lead characters, Seeing Red is highly recommended for connoisseurs of the
genre. 12 CDs, 13 hours.
Ripper
Stefan Petrucha
Graphic Audio
7520 Standish Place, Suite 100, Rockville, MD 20855
www.graphicaudio.net
9781628514476, $19.99, CD, www.graphicaudio.net
Carver Young dreams of becoming a detective, despite growing up in an orphanage with only
crime novels to encourage him. But when he is adopted by Detective Hawking of the world
famous Pinkerton Agency, Carver is given not only the chance to find his biological father, he
finds himself smack in the middle of a real life investigation: tracking down a vicious serial killer
who has thrown New York City into utter panic. When the case begins to unfold, however, it's
worse than he could have ever imagined, and his loyalty to Mr. Hawking and the Pinkertons
comes into question. As the body count rises and the investigation becomes dire, Carver must
decide where his true loyalty lies. Full of whip-smart dialogue, kid-friendly gadgets, and
featuring a then New York City Police Commissioner Teddy Roosevelt, "Ripper" is an audio
book edition of a unique novel by Stefan Petrucha that challenges everything you thought you
knew about the world's most famous serial killer. Acted out with an enormously talented caste
whose performances are enhanced further with the inclusion of music and sound effects, this
Graphic Audio edition of "Ripper" is a flawless produced, compelling and unfailingly
entertaining 'theatre of the mind' experience from beginning to end, making it unreservedly
recommended for personal and community library audio book collections. (7 CDs, 8.5
Hours).
The Library CD Shelf
Stardust
Kerani
Kerani Music Production
$15.00 CD / $11.00 download cdbaby.com
Recorded with a symphonic orchestra, a mixed vocal ensemble, and a wide range of synthesizers,
Stardust is a cosmically inspired, space-themed album by award-winning New Age pianist,
keyboardist, and composer Kerani. The sweeping flow of music inspires wonder for the grand
majesty of the universe, in this extraordinary and highly recommended contribution to personal
and public library music collections. The tracks are "Stardust" (6:09), "Cosmic Sunrise" (7:42),
"Rosetta" (8:07), "Perpetuum Mobile" (6:12), "Beyond" (6:25), "The Next Step" (5:16),
"Infinity" (5:49), "Gravity" (6:19), "Worlds Unknown" (6:34), and "Stars (Remix)" (5:31).
From the Darker Seasons
Jeff Pearce
www.jeffpearcemusic.com
Privately Published
$12.97 CD / $9.99 download cdbaby.com
From the Darker Seasons is an new age album by award-winning music artist Jeff Pearce,
featuring his signature ambient guitar stylings. Inspired by contemplating the seasons of fall and
winter, From the Darker Seasons stirs the soul with its thoughtful reflections on the beauty of
natural renewal through the quieter, colder months. Highly recommended! The tracks are "A
Walk Through the Leaves" (4:13), "Sun on Frost" (2:42), "Constellations" (6:13), "The River in
Late Autumn" (4:57), "Downdrift" (10:31), "Midnight Snow" (4:29), "A Long Winter's Sleep"
(17:45), and "Cold Comfort" (3:29).
Resonance
Peter Kater
New Earth Records
PO Box 3388, Ashland, OR 97520
www.newearthrecords.com
$15.99 CD / $9.49 MP3 amazon.com
Resonance is an astonishingly beautiful, instrumental new age album, performed with piano,
synthesizers, gongs, chimes, and sampled strings. Music artist Peter Kater has created a free-
folding soundscape, fluid and moving like waves lapping at the ocean shore. Resonance is a
choice pick for new age connoisseurs, highly recommended. The tracks are "Resonance" (5:17),
"Twilight Star" (6:37), "Echo Inside" (9:00), "Night's Cavern" (9:47), "One Flame" (6:21),
"Venus in Pisces" (9:11), "Rebirth" (9:57), and "Resonance (Reprise)" (3:55).
Bahaghari
Lea Salonga
GLP Music
https://www.glpmusic.nyc
$14.99 CD / $8.99 MP3 amazon.com
Bahaghari (meaning "Rainbow") is an album of traditional songs from the Philippines,
representing the island nation's three cultural regions and numerous languages. Singer and
Broadway star Lea Salonga, who speaks Tagalog fluently, brings these beautiful pieces to vivid
life with a stellar vocal performance. Bahaghari is a treasure for both personal and public library
multicultural music collections, highly recommended. The tracks are "Pobreng Alindahaw"
(3:08), "Paruparong Bukid" (1:55), "Tinikling" (2:37), "Atin Cu Pung Singsing" (2:31), "Bahay
Kubo" (2:38), "Magtanim ay di Biro" (2:24), "Ili Ili Tulog Anay" (2:33), "Matud Nila" (3:46),
"Sarung Banggi" (3:02), "Leron Leron Sinta" (2:04), "Pamulinawen" (3:29), "Si Filemon" (1:35),
"Sitsiritsit Alibangbang" (1:37), "Sampaguita" (3:16), and "Waray Waray" (2:49).
Onwards
Mile Twelve
www.miletwelvebluegrass.com
Privately Published
$TBA CD / $9.99 download cdbaby.com
Boston-based quintet Mile Twelve (guitarist Evan Murphy, bassist Nate Sabat, banjo player BB
Bowness, award-winning fiddle player Bronwyn Keith-Hynes, and mandolin player David
Benedict) present their debut full-length album Onwards, a celebration of Appalachian bluegrass.
The original songs energize the spirit, embodying the joy of country bluegrass while borrowing a
smattering of inspiration from indie rock, old-school jazz, or other stylings as suits the moment.
Highly recommended! The tracks are "Onwards", "Call My Soul", "Sunny Side of Town", "The
Mararet Keene", "Soldiers and Sailors", "Wickwire", "The Day You Left", "Ace of Hearts", "In
the Shade", "You Don't Even Know It Yet", "Old Tom", and "Settle Down Blues".
River of January
Dave Zinno Unisphere
Whaling City Sound
$TBA whalingcitysound.com
River of January is a Latin jazz album that adventures off the beaten path, sweeping the listener
away in a stellar journey. Lively and exciting, the songs rouse the listener's spirit and showcase
the performers' talents for creativity and improvisation. Highly recommended. The tracks are
"Babycakes" (8:27), "Remember When" (7:54), "Feir a Hippie" (6:43), "Inverno Sem Rio"
(7:39), "Little Lilli" (10:52), "Recife Blues" (6:45), "Wichita Lineman" (6:47), "South End
Blues" (6:08), "Rapanui" (3:41) and "Um a Zero" (3:28).
Stone & Sky
Crowd Company
Vintage League Music
$TBA vintageleaguemusic.com
Critically acclaimed eight-member funk soul group Crowd Company presents Stone & Sky, a
resonating funk soul album distinguished by smooth, powerful vocals supported by heady funk
rhythms. Rapturous and richly textured, Stone & Sky is a "must" for connoisseurs of the genre,
highly recommended. The tracks are "Take Off The Crown" (3:23), "Saw You Yesterday (4:33),
"Can't Get Enough" (3:36), "Soar" (5:19), "Fever" (3:14), "Away With You" (3:23), "Let Me Be"
(4:25), "Getting The Groove" (2:08), "Fast Forward" (3:25), "Summer" (4:07), "The Spark"
(6:20), "Blind Pig" (2:56), and "Station 77" (3:28).
Solstice/Equinox
Diana Panton
www.dianapanton.com
Privately Published
$12.99 CD / $9.99 download
Solstice/Equinox is the eighth album by two-time JUNO award-winning jazz artist Diana Panton.
Featuring Panton's ethereal vocals and haunting solos, the original songs revolve around the
themes of turning seasons, reflecting the cycles of love and life. An enriching, vibrant
soundscape, Solstice/Equinox is enthusiastically recommended to connoisseurs of quality
original jazz. The tracks are "They Say It's Spring", "The Heather on the Hill", "Up Jumped
Spring", "That Sunday, That Summer", "Estate (Summer)", "Manhattan", "La Fin Des
Vacances", "September in the Rain", "Tis Autumn", "September", "Cloudy Morning", "I Like
Snow", and "By the Fireside".
The Library DVD Shelf
Murder on the Orient Express
Adapted from the novel by Agatha Christie
Acorn Media
c/o RLJ Entertainment
www.us.RLJEntertainment.com
$19.99 www.acornonline.com
Murder on the Orient Express is a DVD re-release of the British television adaptation of the
(in)famous murder mystery by celebrated author Agatha Christie. The story follows the intrepid
investigator Hercule Poirot aboard a luxury train. When an unsavory businessman is stabbed to
death, Poirot searches for the culprit. Could the killer have stowed aboard in the night, or could
the killer be one of the train's passengers? A masterpiece of suspense and deduction, Murder on
the Orient Express is a "must" for connoisseurs of the genre, and sure to prove a popular library
lend. 98 min., SDH subtitles.
Gray Matters
A documentary by Marco Orsini
First Run Features
630 Ninth Avenue, Suite 1213, New York, NY 10036
$24.95 www.firstrunfeatures.com
Gray Matters is a DVD documentary about Irish architect and furniture designer Eileen Gray
(1878-1976), well known for her pioneering work in modernism. Her striking decorations
designs earned her critical acclaim before she became an architect. Though much of her work
was done privately, her visionary creations have been re-discovered and command extraordinary
market prices today. Gray Matters is a fascinating glimpse into the life of an extraordinarily
talented woman, and is highly recommended especially for public library DVD collections. 76
minutes.
The Good Karma Hospital, series 1
Acorn Media
c/o RLJ Entertainment
www.us.RLJEntertainment.com
$39.99 DVD / $39.99 Blu-ray www.acornonline.com
The Good Karma Hospital, series 1 is a medical drama set in a vibrant coastal town in southern
India. Dr. Ruby Walker (played by Amrita Acharia) has taken a job in a foreign land to escape a
ruined relationship and a stressful career in the UK. Instead of a modern urban clinic, she is
assigned to the overcrowded, underfunded Good Karma Hospital run by the imposing Dr.
Gabriel Varma (Amanda Redman). The eccentric locals, including her secretive colleague and
the nearby beach bar owner, do little to put her mind at ease! But the Good Karma Hospital just
might be the new turn in life that she needed. The Good Karma Hospital is recommended for
mature viewers due to strong language, nudity, and graphic medical situations. Bonus material
includes 21 min. of behind-the-scenes featurettes and a photo gallery. 6 episodes, 287 min. plus
bonus.
Humans 2.0
Acorn Media
c/o RLJ Entertainment
www.us.RLJEntertainment.com
$39.99 DVD / $39.99 Blu-ray www.acornonline.com
Available in both DVD and Blu-ray formats, Humans 2.0 is the uncut, complete United Kingdom
broadcast version of a science fiction drama (based on the Swedish science fiction saga "Real
Humans"), set in a near-future world where artificial humans ("synths") have begun to gain
consciousness, and a mysterious organization is hunting them. Can the remaining self-aware
synths be protected, and if so, how? Contemplative and compelling, Humans 2.0 induces the
viewer to think carefully about the true nature of consciousness. Bonus material includes 56
minutes of behind-the-scenes featurettes. Humans 2.0 is enthusiastically recommended for
science fiction connoisseurs, and sure to prove a popular public library lend. 8 episodes on 3
discs, approx. 394 min. plus bonus, widescreen, SDH subtitles.
Vera, set 7
Starring Brenda Blethyn
Acorn Media
c/o RLJ Entertainment
www.us.RLJEntertainment.com
$59.99 www.acornonline.com
Vera, set 7 continues the long-running, smash hit British detective drama series, featuring the ill-
tempered female detective Vera and her efforts to solve vicious murders in rural
Northumberland. Set 7 consists of four episodes, each one a self-contained mystery - "Natural
Selection", about the death of a wildlife ranger; "Dark Angel", in which DCI Vera Stanhope
seeks justice for a dead drug addict; "Broken Promise", about the suspicious falling death of a
gifted university student; and "The Blanket Mire", where Vera must unearth the life secrets of an
18-year-old found buried in the moors, in order to track down the killer. Vera, set 7 is a "must-
see" for connoisseurs of the genre, highly recommended. Vera, set 7 is suggested for mature
viewers, due to scenes of violence. 4 episodes on 4 DVDs, 372 min., widescreen, SDH
subtitles.
Marcella, season 1
Acorn Media
c/o RLJ Entertainment
www.us.RLJEntertainment.com
$49.99 www.acornonline.com
Marcella, season 1 is the DVD debut of a British detective drama, featuring a separated female
detective who has returned to the force after a career break to raise her children. Detective
Sergeant Marcella Backland is troubled by the seeming resurface of a serial murderer, known as
the Grove Park Killer. But the tumultuous changes in Marcella's personal life, culminating in the
abrupt end of her marriage, have left her devastated and prone to bouts of extreme rage. When a
person close to her estranged husband is murdered, Marcella fears that she could have been
involved! Suspenseful to the end, Marcella, season 1 is highly recommended for connoisseurs of
the genre. It should be noted that Marcella, season 1 is intended for mature viewers due to coarse
language, graphic violence, disturbing images, and sexual situations. 8 episodes on 2 DVDs, 378
min., SDH subtitles.
Tendu Toning: Ballerina Strong
Featuring Rachel Speck
SpeckFitness
$19.99 speckfitness.com
Tendu Toning: Ballerina Strong is the second fitness DVD by Rachel Speck that shows viewers
how to combine the toning of ballet with the strength of body building to sculpt a superb
physique without investing in years of ballet training (ballet shoes are not required either).
Simple ballet steps along with the use of inexpensive weights and resistance make for a superb
body-shaping experience! Tendu Toning: Ballerina Strong includes squats, pulses, plies, cursty
lunges, arabesque penches, chest presses, and combinations to work as many muscles as possible.
Highly recommended for fitness buffs! 1 hour.
The Christian Studies Shelf
Worn Out by Obedience
Ron Moore
Moody Publishers
820 N. LaSalle Blvd., Chicago, IL 60610
www.moodypublishers.com
9780802415387, $14.99, PB, 208pp, www.amazon.com
Many Christians have a deep desire to "turn the corner" in their walk with Jesus. Some don't
know where to start, others are held back by the past, and still others are blinded or calloused by
sin. King David, the man after God's own heart, experienced this very thing, and in "Worn Out
by Obedience: Recovering from Spiritual Fatigue" he is presented as a spiritual mentor. David is
both flawed and on fire. He is the person we are and the person we want to be. In studying his
extended stay in Ziklag (1 Samuel 27 - 30), readers will see how God often molds our hearts in
seasons of brokenness, loneliness, and disappointment -- sometimes even in our disobedience.
Written specifically for members of the Christian community who find themselves spiritually
weary, discouraged, or exhausted, "Worn Out by Obedience" will help them to keep going -- or
start moving. Of special note are the signs of spiritual fatigue and instructions on how to avoid
them. God uses all our experiences both good and bad to form Christ in us. With its message of
God's great grace of rescue, recovery, and restoration, "Worn Out by Obedience" is unreservedly
recommended reading for all members of the Christian community regardless of denominational
affiliation. It should be noted that "Worn Out by Obedience" is also available for personal
reading lists in a digital book format (Kindle, $9.01).
The Good Book
Deron Spoo
David C. Cook
c/o Cook Communications
4050 Lee Vance Drive, Colorado Springs, CO 80918
www.davidccook.com
9780781414418, $22.99, HC, 400pp, www.amazon.com
"The Good Book: 40 Chapters That Reveal the Bible's Biggest Ideas" by Deron Spoo (who is the
Pastor of First Baptist Church in Tulsa, Oklahoma) offers a user-friendly guide to the Bible's
biggest ideas. A chapter from the Bible accompanies each chapter of the book, which helps
readers understand the context and content of the Scripture passages in a way that can open the
whole Bible. Designed as a forty-day journey through forty key chapters of the Bible, "The Good
Book" will appeal to those who already love and read the Bible regularly as well as to those who
are just beginning their Christian journey. "The Good Book" is a great evangelism tool for
explaining the major themes of Scripture to those who want to know more about God, Jesus, and
the core beliefs of Christianity; gives new believers an overview of the Bible and lays a
framework to help them understand Scripture passages; helps longtime Christians rediscover the
basic themes of Scripture and experience these truths in a new way; and encourages Scriptural
literacy as it pushes readers to read both one chapter of the book and one chapter of the Bible
each day for forty days. "The Good Book" is ideal for individuals, and it can also be used by
small groups in an eight-week church-wide program or a forty-week journey that focuses on one
Bible chapter each week. "The Good Book" will help people understand and live by the
transformative truths of the Bible. While very highly recommended for all members of the
Christian community, it should be noted for personal reading lists that "The Good Book" is also
available in a digital book format (Kindle, $4.99).
In the Beauty of Holiness
David Lyle Jeffrey
Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Company
2140 Oak Industrial Drive, NE, Grand Rapids, MI 49505
www.eerdmans.com
9780802874702, $49.00, HC, 448pp, www.amazon.com
Beauty and holiness are both highly significant subjects in the Bible. "In the Beauty of Holiness:
Art and the Bible in Western Culture" by David Lyle Jeffrey (Distinguished Professor of
Literature and the Humanities at Baylor University, Waco, Texas) is comprehensive study of
Christian fine art and explores the relationship between beauty and holiness by integrating
aesthetic perspectives from the ancient Hebrew Scriptures through Augustine, Aquinas, and
Kant, down to contemporary philosophers of art. From the walls of the Roman catacombs to the
paintings of Marc Chagall, visual art in the West has consistently drawn its most profound and
generative inspiration from biblical narrative and imagery. Jeffrey guides readers through this
artistic tradition from the second century to the twenty-first, astutely pointing out its relationship
not only to the biblical sources but also to related expressions in liturgy and historical theology.
Lavishly illustrated throughout with 146 masterworks, reproduced in full color, "In the Beauty of
Holiness" is ideally suited to students of Christian fine art, to devotees of biblical studies, and to
non-specialist general readers wanting to better understand the story of Christian art through the
centuries. A masterpiece of religious and artistic scholarship, "In the Beauty of Holiness" is
enhanced for academia with the inclusion of a twelve page listing of images, a twenty-seven page
bibliography, and a fourteen page index. Exceptionally informative and impressively well
organized and presented, "In the Beauty of Holiness" is unreservedly recommended for personal,
church, seminary, community, and academic library Christian Studies, Biblical Studies, and Art
History collections and supplemental studies reading lists.
Paulos Mar Gregorios: A Reader
K. M. George
Fortress Press
P.O. Box 1209, Minneapolis, MN 55440-1209
http://fortresspress.com
9781506430164, $79.00, HC, 368pp, www.amazon.com
K. M. George served as moderator of the WCC Programme Committee (1998-2006), as
executive secretary of the NCC-India, and as principal and professor at the Orthodox Theological
Seminary in Kottayam, India. He was also professor at the Bossey Ecumenical Institute,
Switzerland (1989-94). He is a priest of the Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church in India and is
currently director and Dr. Paulos Mar Gregorios Chair of Mahatma Gandhi University, Kottayam
as well as director of the Sopana Orthodox Academy, Kottayam, India. In "Paulos Mar
Gregorios: A Reader" he has compiled selected writings of Paulos Mar Gregorios, a metropolitan
of the Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church of India and a former President of the World Council
of Churches. "Paulos Mar Gregorios: A Reader" deals with his thought in the areas of
ecumenism, orthodox theology, philosophy, interfaith dialogue, and philosophy of science.
"Paulos Mar Gregorios: A Reader" will be of special value to the students of ecumenism, Eastern
and Oriental Orthodoxy, Indian philosophy, interdisciplinary studies, and holistic education.
Inspired and inspiring, thoughtful and thought-provoking, "Paulos Mar Gregorios: A Reader" is
unreservedly recommended for personal and academic library Orthodox Christian collections and
supplemental studies reading lists.
The Political Science Shelf
From Oligarchy to Republicanism
Forrest A. Nabors
University of Missouri Press
113 Heinkel Bldg., 201 S. 7th St., Columbia, MO 65211
www.umsystem.edu/upress
9780826221353 $45.00 hc / $36.00 Kindle amazon.com
Forrest A. Nabors (Associate Professor of Political Science, University of Alaska) presents From
Oligarchy to Republicanism: The Great Task of Reconstruction, a scholarly analysis of the
American Civil War, and especially the Reconstruction afterward. From Oligarchy to
Republicanism argues that the Confederacy was in fact an oligarchy - a nation ruled by a small
group (wealthy slaveholders) - and that the goal of the Civil War and Reconstruction was to
return American governance to a true Republic, ruled by representatives of all the people.
Evidence for this claim includes the provision that slaves counted as three-fifths a human for
representation, which shifted the balance of power from areas with few slaves to areas many
slaves; the forced conscription of non-slaveholder whites into unpaid "slave catcher" patrols to
hunt down escaped slaves; and much more. Nabors also examines the writings and speeches of
Republicans in the Thirty-Eighth, Thirty-Ninth, and Fortieth Congress (1863-69) to better
understand their political view of the antebellum South. Unlike scholars who postulate that black
citizenship was the central concern of these Republicans, Nabors reveals that Southern oligarchy
(which was inextricably entwined with slavery) was the central issue of their era. From Oligarchy
to Republicanism is highly recommended especially for public and college library political
science and American history collections.
American Cities And The Politics Of Party Conventions
Eric S. Heberlig, Suzanne M. Leland, David Swindell
State University of New York Press
State University Plaza, Albany, NY 12246-0001
www.sunypress.edu
9781438466392, $90.00, HC, 243pp, www.amazon.com
"American Cities And The Politics Of Party Conventions" is the collaborative project of Eric S.
Heberlig (Professor of Political Science and Public Administration at the University of North
Carolina at Charlotte), Suzanne M. Leland (Professor of Political Science and Public
Administration at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte), and David Swindell (Director of
the Center for Urban Innovation and Associate Professor in the School of Public Affairs at
Arizona State University) and is an impressively informative study on the competitive
solicitations of how cities have gone about trying to hosting major political conventions, the
often unexpected side affects of those competitions and their aftermath, as well as how the major
political party conventions have essentially evolved into day long infomercials. A notable work
of original scholarship, "American Cities And The Politics Of Party Conventions" features thirty
pages of Appendices, twelve pages of Notes, a sixteen page Bibliography, and a six page Index.
Exceptionally well written, organized and presented, "American Cities And The Politics Of Party
Conventions" is extraordinarily informative, thoughtful and thought-provoking read and
unreservedly recommended for both community and academic library Contemporary Political
Science collections and supplemental studies lists.
Votes from Seats
Matthew S. Shugart & Rein Taagepera
Cambridge University Press
32 Avenue of the Americas, New York, NY 10013-2473
www.cambridge.org
9781108417020, $99.99, HC, 343pp, www.amazon.com
Take the number of seats in a representative assembly and the number of seats in districts
through which this assembly is elected. From just these two numbers, "Votes from Seats: Logical
Models of Electoral Systems" by Matthew S. Shugart (Professor of Political Science at the
University of California, Davis, and an Affiliated Professor of the University of Haifa, Israel) and
Rein Taagepera holds (Professor Emeritus, Department of Political Science, University of
California, Irvine, and Professor Emeritus, Skytte Institute, University of Tartu, Estonia) show
that it is possible to deduce the number of parties in the assembly and in the electorate, as well as
the size of the largest party. Inside parties, the vote distributions of individual candidates likewise
follow predictable patterns. Four laws of party seats and votes are constructed by logic and
tested, using scientific approaches rare in social sciences. Both complex and simple electoral
systems are covered, and "Votes from Seats" offers a set of 'best practices' for electoral system
design. The ability to predict so much from so little, and to apply to countries worldwide, is an
advance in the systematic analysis of a core institutional feature found in any democracy, and
points the way towards making social sciences more predictive. Set against today's emotionally
charged issues of Russian misinformation attacks seeking to manipulate the 2016 and subsequent
election cycles, and the Gerrymandering case currently in front of the U. S. Supreme court,
"Votes from Seats: Logical Models of Electoral Systems" is a timely and unreservedly
recommended addition to both community and academic library Contemporary Political Science
collections in general, and Electoral Systems supplemental studies lists in particular. It should be
noted for the personal reading lists of students, academia, and non-specialist general readers that
"Votes from Seats: Logical Models of Electoral Systems" is also available in a paperback edition
(9781108404266, $31.99) and in a digital book format (Kindle, $15.90).
In America: Tales from Trump Country
Caitriona Perry
Gill Books
c/o Dufour Editions, Inc.
PO Box 7, 124 Byers Road, Chester Springs, PA 19425-0007
www.dufoureditions.com
9780717179534, $36.00, HC, 240pp, www.amazon.com
Becoming news herself after her encounter with Trump in the Oval Office, Caitriona Perry is an
award-winning Irish journalist and Washington correspondent who has earned a reputation as a
reliable source of truth. In "In America: Tales from Trump Country", she goes beyond the news
reports and delves into the American heartland where she witnessed the rise of Trump at first
hand. Bringing to the table the voices of those who voted for Trump, Hillary Clinton's so-called
'basket of deplorables', the ones whose opinions didn't coalesce with acceptable mainstream
discourse, Perry reveals just what is really happening in America right now. You may already
know why some people didn't vote for Donald Trump; by reading "In America: Tales from
Trump Country", you will now find out why some people did. It is interesting to note that Perry
was one of the first journalists to suggest that Trump could actually win. Impressively
informative, thoughtful and thought-provoking, "In America: Tales from Trump Country" is a
timely and much appreciated contribution to the growing library of Trump Era political science
studies. While unreservedly recommended for both community and academic library collections,
it should be noted for personal reading lists that "In America: Tales from Trump Country" is also
available in a digital book format (Kindle, $12.49).
The Gaming Shelf
A Taste of Bridge
Jeff Bayone
Master Point Press
205-214 Merton Street, Toronto, Ontario, Canada, M4S 1A6
www.masterpointpress.com
9781771400343, $19.95, PB, 215pp, www.amazon.com
Jeff Bayone is the owner of Honors Bridge Club in New York, which may be the world's biggest
club. He has been teaching bridge for more than 40 years. With "A Taste of Bridge" Jeff draws
upon his years of experience and expertise to create a comprehensive instructional for beginners
that consists of a series of six lessons that have started thousands of people on the road to
enjoying the world's most popular card game. "A Taste of Bridge" is intended to give the reader a
taste of bridge, and whet the appetite for more. Exceptionally well written, organized and
presented, "A Taste of Bridge" is an ideal and highly recommended addition to personal and
community library Bridge instructional reference collections.
The Interior Design Shelf
Better Homes and Gardens Decorating Book
Better Homes and Gardens
c/o Houghton Mifflin Harcourt
215 Park Avenue South, New York, NY 10003
www.hmhco.com
9781328944986, $25.00, HC, 432pp, www.amazon.com
The "Better Homes and Gardens Decorating Book", was originally published in 1956 and would
go on to another ten editions over the years, becoming the new home bible for injecting class,
style (and the occasional misguided cowboy wallpaper) into American homes. While exploring
numerous styles, the main theme of the book is the on-trend mid-century modern sensibility, a
style as appropriate today as it was six decades. Based upon the classic design concepts, "Better
Homes and Gardens Decorating Book" is once again available to a new generation of
appreciative homeowners and is filled from cover to cover with hundreds of full-color period
photos, dozens of adorable illustrations, and decorating tips and tricks that are both helpful and
nostalgic. "Better Homes and Gardens Decorating Book" remains a fun classic that is here
reproduced exactly as it looked and read in the 1950s, making everything old, new once again.
While very highly recommended, especially for community and academic library Interior Design
reference collections, it should be noted for personal reading lists that "Better Homes and
Gardens Decorating Book" is also available in a digital book format (Kindle, $9.99).
The Biography Shelf
First Founding Father
Harlow Giles Unger
Da Capo Press
c/o Perseus Book Group
250 W. 57th St., Suite 1500, New York, NY 10107
www.perseusbooksgroup.com
9780306825613 $28.00 hc / $18.99 Kindle amazon.com
Journalist, educator, and historian Harlow Giles Unger presents First Founding Father: Richard
Henry Lee and the Call to Independence, a biography of Richard Henry Lee, one of America's
lesser-known yet vital founding fathers. Indeed, Lee is arguably the first Founding Father - he
worked with Samuel Adams to organize intelligence networks to spy on British troop
movements, joined George Washington and Patrick Henry at the First Continental Congress in
Philadelphia to back a total trade embargo on British goods, and made the resolution before
Congress in 1776 to sever ties with Britain. Congress approved Lee's resolution, and dubbed Lee
the Father of American Independence. During the Revolutionary War, Lee almost singlehandedly
supervised the fledgling American nation's military, foreign, and financial affairs, doing his best
to secure Washington's troops the supplies they needed. Despite his crippled hand, Lee personally
went into battle to stop a British landing along Chesapeake Bay in Virginia. After the Revolution,
Lee won election to the U.S. Senate and fought to amend the Constitution with a Bill of Rights to
limit federal powers and secure the people's liberty. Researched and indexed with scholarly
accuracy, yet accessible to readers of all background, First Founding Father is highly
recommended especially for public and college library biography collections.
The Ranger Ideal Volume 1
Darren L. Ivey
University of North Texas Press
1155 Union Circle #311336, Denton, TX 76203-5017
www.untpress.unt.edu
9781574416909 $39.95 hc / $31.96 Kindle amazon.com
The Ranger Ideal Volume 1: Texas Rangers in the Hall of Fame, 1823-1861 is an extensively
researched biography of the first seven inductees into the Texas Ranger Hall of Fame and
Museum. Each individual served honorably in Texas before the Civil War; volume 1 examines
the lives of Stephen F. Austin, "the Father of Texas" who established the fundamentals of Ranger
service; John C. Hays, Ben McCulloch, Samuel H. Walker, William A. A. "Bigfoot" Wallace,
John S. Ford, and Lawrence Sul Ross. The Ranger Ideal Volume 1 draws upon primary sources
and secondary sources known for their veracity, and does not include apocryphal stories with
little or no supporting evidence. A vivid glimpse into a dangerous, bygone era that required men
of courage and valor to step forth, The Ranger Ideal Volume 1 is sure to enthrall lay readers and
historians alike. Highly recommended, especially for public and college library American History
collections.
Red Robinson: The Last Deejay
Robin Brunet
Harbour Publishing
PO Box 219, Madeira Park, BC, Canada, V0N 2H0
www.harbourpublishing.com
9781550177695, $29.95, HC, 196pp, www.amazon.com
"Red Robinson: The Last Deejay" by Robin Brunet details the life and career of Red Robinson,
wh was one of Canada's most celebrated pioneers of rock and roll. Robinson began spinning hits
while in high school in the early 1950s, laying the foundation for what would become a
glamorous, impossible-to-stop and ultimately fulfilling career that has made him a household
name west of the Rockies. Raised by a single mother, Robinson worked as a delivery boy to help
support the family. From such humble beginnings, he developed a strong work ethic and
unflappable moral core that enabled him to pursue a career that has endured. Here is the account
of how Robinson pranked his way into his first radio job. Readers will be delighted by
behind-the-scenes stories from close encounters with Vancouver's visiting celebrities, like the
time Robinson spent an hour with Elvis Presley in the BC Lions dressing room talking cars,
women, movies and opera, or when Robinson nearly killed Roy Orbison and Bobby Goldsboro in
a 1962 Grand Parisienne convertible while speeding to catch the Nanaimo ferry. Robinson's vast
career highlights are remarkable, from introducing The Beatles to the stage, ushering Randy
Bachman to the status of superstardom, and as part of EXPO '86, presenting The Legends of
Rock'n'Roll featuring Ray Charles, Roy Orbison, Fats Domino, Jerry Lee Lewis and The
Righteous Brothers. Red Robinson recalls the highs, hurdles and triumphs of a celebrated time in
rock-and-roll history, presented by the man who dug into the guts, glory and glitz that only a
champion of the frontlines of music really can. An exceptionally informative, impressively well
organized and presented account of an inherently interesting man, "Red Robinson: The Last
Deejay" is an unreservedly recommended addition to community library Contemporary
Biography collections. It should be noted for personal reading lists that "Red Robinson: The Last
Deejay" is also available in a digital book format (Kindle, $20.99).
High School Dropout
Butch Rutt
Waldorf Publishing
2140 Hall Johnson Road 102-345, Grapevine, TX 76051
www.waldorfpublishing.com
9781944783532, $16.95, PB, 424pp, www.amazon.com
In his autobiography "High School Dropout: Stories of a Navy Pilot", Butch Rutt takes the reader
through the stories of his life. These are stories of family, friendship, and fortitude. Against all
odds, being a high school dropout from a broken family, Butch earned his College Degree and
Navy Pilot Wings within a four and a half year period. He flew P-3 Orion airplanes during the
Cold War, joined the U.S. Customs Service as a Special Agent and Pilot fighting in the war on
drugs in Central and South America, and later flew commercially for Northwest Airlines. Butch
takes the reader on journeys through difficult and trying times, while showing them that there is
no substitute for hard work and perseverance. Exceptionally well written, impressively candid,
and ultimately inspiring, "High School Dropout: Stories of a Navy Pilot" is unreservedly
recommended for both community and academic library Contemporary American Biography
collections. It should be noted for personal reading lists that "High School Dropout: Stories of a
Navy Pilot" is also available in a digital book format (Kindle, $5.99).
Playing with Dynamite: A Memoir
Sharon Harrigan
Truman State University Press
100 East Normal Street, Kirksville, MO 63501-4221
http://tsup.truman.edu
9781612482101, $16.95, PB, 248pp, www.amazon.com
Sharon Harrigan's father was larger than life, a brilliant but troubled man who blew off his hand
with dynamite before she was born and died in a mysterious and bizarre accident when she was
seven. The story of his death never made sense. How did he really die? And why was she so sure
that asking would be dangerous? A series of events compel her to find the answers, collecting
other people's memories and uncovering her own. Her two-year odyssey takes her from Virginia
to Detroit to Paris and finally to the wilds of northern Michigan where her father died. There, she
discovers the real danger and has to confront her fear. "Playing with Dynamite: A Memoir " is
about the family secrets that can distance us from each other and the honesty that can bring us
closer. It's about a daughter who goes looking for her father but finds her mother instead. It's
about memory and truth, grieving and growing, and what it means to go home again. An
inherently compelling read from cover to cover, "Playing with Dynamite: A Memoir" is an
extraordinary, exceptional, deftly crafted and multilayered account that will prove to be an
enduringly popular addition to community and academic library Contemporary American
Biography collections. It should be noted for personal reading lists that "Playing with Dynamite:
A Memoir" is available from the Truman State University Press in a digital book format (Kindle,
9781612482118, $9.99).
The Self-Help Shelf
The Decision Makeover
Mike Whitaker
http://mikewhitaker.com
Greenleaf Book Group Press
PO Box 91869, Austin, TX 78709
www.greenleafbookgroup.com
9781626344266, $21.95, HC, 248pp, www.amazon.com
In "The Decision Makeover: An Intentional Approach to Living the Life You Want", by Mike
Whitaker (a lifelong and successful entrepreneur who is an expert on personal and professional
decision-making, turnarounds, and strategic planning) offers a thoughtful and strategic approach
for choosing wisely in all aspects of your life whether it's about money, career, education, health,
friends, or family. With his background in both business and psychology, Whitaker deftly lays
out a decision-making process that gives you the power to achieve your dreams. He even
explains what to do if you've made some poor decisions along the way, so that you can move
ahead without regret. Whitaker emphasizes the importance of understanding the difference
between small and big decisions, and shows why defining your essential goals is the key to
overcoming the roadblocks that can derail your progress. He reveals: Why your next decision
could change your life forever; Why you make bad decisions; How to avoid self-destructive
decision-making; How to proceed confidently toward future decisions. Filled with engaging
anecdotes and interactive exercises, "The Decision Makeover" provides all the tools required to
finally achieve all that you want. Exceptionally well written, organized and presented, "The
Decision Makeover" is unreservedly recommended as a life-changing, life-enhancing read from
cover to cover. While especially appropriate for community and academic library
Self-Help/Self-Improvement collections, it should be noted for personal reading lists that "The
Decision Makeover" is also available in a digital book format (Kindle, $9.99).
The Thinly Effect: Lighten Up Your Life
Kristin Sollenne
Waldorf Publishing
2140 Hall Johnson Road 102-345, Grapevine, TX 76051
www.waldorfpublishing.com
9781684192540, $18.95, PB, 200pp, www.amazon.com
As a culinary star and Food Network Judge, chef and nutritionist, Kristin Sollenne has made
headlines for her contemporary food philosophy, lightened-up Italian fare, and approachable
cooking tips, with regular appearances on CBS, NBC, Food Network and FOX. Kristin hosts her
own show on the Health and Wellness Network, called Wellness Confidential. Sollenne, a
honoree of Zagat's Top 30 under 30, has cooked for Taylor Swift, Seth Rogan, Ed Sheeran and
the entire SNL cast. Kristin is the founder of Thinly, a healthy sustainable lifestyle company
empowering everyone to feel their best. In "The Thinly Effect: Lighten Up Your Life" Kristin
maintains that 'Thinly' is a mindset. It's how you think, eat, feel and love. By thinking Thinly you
ll have clarity, confidence and an overwhelming sense of empowerment to design the life you ve
always dreamt of. Thinly was born out of a desire to help people become their best self. In "The
Thinly Effect" Kristin takes you along on her own personal transformation journey, and in doing
so, guides you to become the best version of yourself. "The Thinly Effect" teaches you various
states of complete physical, mental and social well being as Kristin shares personal stories and
brings humor and life to "The Thinly Effect". While very highly recommended for community
library Self-Help/Self-Improvement collections, it should be noted for personal reading lists that
"The Thinly Effect" is also available in a digital book format (Kindle, $6.99).
The Technology Shelf
X-Ray Repair, third edition
Joseph J. Panichello
Charles C. Thomas, Publisher
2600 South First Street, Springfield, IL 62704
http://www.ccthomas.com
9780398091910, $49.95, PB, 304pp, www.amazon.com
Now in a newly updated and expanded third edition, "X-Ray Repair: A Comprehensive Guide to
the Installation and Servicing of Radiographic Equipment" reflects the often difficult to predict
advances in the field of radiology. The most notable change relates to the way images are
recorded and stored. Film and film processing, which had been used in the field since the very
beginning, are becoming a thing of the past. Radiography has progressed dramatically to using
digital technology, and that is the focus of this new edition. A goal of this text has always been to
prepare the student who wishes to enter the x-ray servicing profession. This third edition focuses
on equipment currently in use and to address the latest in digital imaging. In addition, with new
illustrations and a revised chapter order, "X-Ray Repair: A Comprehensive Guide to the
Installation and Servicing of Radiographic Equipment" is more approachable to students and
includes chapters on the history and development of radiographic equipment; types of equipment
found in the general radiographic room; fundamentals of radiography; safety practices in
servicing; installation processes; preventive maintenance; image quality; troubleshooting and
repair; theory, service, maintenance, and calibration of tomographic equipment; and the
servicing, electronic calibrating, and troubleshooting of mammography units. In addition, there is
expanded discussion on mobile x-ray units, paired with digital receptors, a growing trend in x-ray
services. "X-Ray Repair: A Comprehensive Guide to the Installation and Servicing of
Radiographic Equipment" is further enhanced with many illustrations, including some new to
this edition. The text continues to serve as a unique and timely universal manual for x-ray service
and biomedical engineers and students as well as a helpful resource for radiologists. Impressively
well written, organized and presented, "X-Ray Repair: A Comprehensive Guide to the
Installation and Servicing of Radiographic Equipment" is an especially recommended addition to
professional, technical college, corporate, and academic library instructional reference
collections.
Nanotechnology: Synthesis to Applications
Sunipa Roy, Chandan Kumar Ghosh, Chandan Kumar Sarkar
CRC Press
6000 NW Broken Sound Parkway NW, Suite 300, Boca Raton, FL 33487
www.crcpress.com
9781138032736, $159.95, HC, 350pp, www.amazon.com
Nano particles have created a high interest in recent years by virtue of their unusual mechanical,
electrical, optical and magnetic properties and find wide applications in all fields of engineering.
"Nanotechnology: Synthesis to Applications" is an edited volume that presents the latest trends
and updates in nanogenerators, thin film solar cells and green synthesis of metallic nanoparticles
with a focus on nanostructured semiconductor devices. Of special note is an exclusive chapter on
electrical transport of nanostructure explains device physics for material properties for reduced
dimensions. Additionally, the text of "Nanotechnology: Synthesis to Applications" deftly
describes the functionality of metallic nanoparticles and their application in molecular imaging
and optical metamaterials. Piezoelectric nanogenerators has been touched upon from the energy
perspective as well. Key features of "Nanotechnology: Synthesis to Applications" include:
Organized contents on Nanogenerators, VOC sensing, nanoelectronics, and NEMS; Discusses
eco-friendly green synthesis methods for metallic nanoparticles; Touches upon low power nano
devices (e.g. nanogenerators) for energy harvesting with quantum mechanical study; Thin
film/heterojunction based high efficiency solar cell addressed aimed at reducing global energy
consumption. Comprised of eighteen erudite articles by experts in their fields, "Nanotechnology:
Synthesis to Applications" is unreservedly recommended as a vital and core addition to
professional, corporate, college, and university library Nano Technology collections and
supplemental studies lists. It should be noted for students and non-specialist general readers with
an interest in the subject that "Nanotechnology: Synthesis to Applications" is also available in a
digital book format (eTextbook, $146.41).
Power Grid Resiliency for Adverse Conditions
Nicholas Abi-Samra
Artech House
685 Canton Street, Norwood, MA 02062
www.artechhouse.com
9781630810177, $124.00, HC, 280pp, www.amazon.com
Nicholas Abi-Samra is the president of Electric Power & Energy Consulting (EPEC) and an
adjust professor at University of California San Diego. He received his engineering degree from
American University of Beirut. In "Power Grid Resiliency for Adverse Conditions" he draws
upon his years of experience and expertise to provide a comprehensive understanding of the
impact of extreme weather and the possible effects of climate change on the power grid. The
impact and restoration of floods, winter storms, wind storms, and hurricanes as well as the effects
of heat waves and dry spells on thermal power plants is explained in detail. Power Grid
Resiliency for Adverse Conditions" explores proven practices for successful restoration of the
power grid, increased system resiliency, and ride-through after extreme weather and provides
readers with examples from super storm Sandy. Exceptionally informative and deftly organized,
"Power Grid Resiliency for Adverse Conditions" is unreservedly recommended as an essential,
core addition to professional, governmental, corporate and academic library Power Engineering
& Technology collections and supplemental studies reading lists.
From LTE to LTE-Advanced Pro and 5G
Moe Rahnema & Marcin Dryjanski
Artech House
685 Canton Street, Norwood, MA 02062
www.artechhouse.com
9781630814533, $137.52, HC, 372pp, www.amazon.com
The collaborative work of Moe Rahnema (who has served as the lead R&D engineer, design and
development engineer, technical trainer and consultant for GTE Labs, Motorola, Hughes
Network Systems and LCC International and Marcin Dryjanski (who is the cofounder of
Granmetric and currently serves as an external contractor at Huawei Technologies), "From LTE
to LTE-Advanced Pro and 5G". a practical 'hands-on' new resource that presents LTE
technologies from end-to-end, including network planning and the optimization tradeoff process.
"From LTE to LTE-Advanced Pro and 5G" examines the features of LTE-Advanced and
LTE-Advanced Pro and how they integrate into existing LTE networks. Students and
professionals will find in-depth coverage of how the air interface is structured at the physical
layer and how the related link level protocols are designed and work. "From LTE to
LTE-Advanced Pro and 5G" is a complete and comprehensive resource that highlights potential
5G solutions as considered in releases 14 and beyond, the migration paths, and the challenges
involved with the latest updates and standardization process. The latest volume in the simply
outstanding Artech House 'Mobile Communications' series, "From LTE to LTE-Advanced Pro
and 5G" is a critically important and highly recommended addition to professional, corporate,
governmental, and academic library instructional reference collections.
Understanding GIS: An ArcGIS Pro Project Workbook, third edition
David Smith, et.al.
ESRI Press
380 New York Street, Redlands, CA 92378-8100
www.esri.com/esripress
9781589484832, $79.99, www.esri.com/esripress
The updated third edition of Understanding GIS: An ArcGIS Pro Project Workbook is the only
GIS reference to cover the step-by-step creation of a GIS project from start to finish, and comes
packed with charts, instructions on making calculations and using data, opening and using project
tools, making parameters for real-world models, and more. Exercises, step-by-step directions,
color photos and GIS examples throughout, and discussions of data preparation for different
kinds of projects make this reference a powerful recommendation for any ArcGIS newcomers
who wants to get up and running with a workbook packed not just with information, but
step-by-step processes and common connections to real-world applications.
The Beer/Wine/Spirits Shelf
Fever-Tree: The Art of Mixing
Fever Tree
Mitchell Beazley
c/o Octopus Publishing
236 Park Avenue, New York NY 10017
www.octopusbooksusa.com
9781784721893, $20.00, www.amazon.com
Fever-Tree: The Art of Mixing Simple Long Drinks & Cocktails from the World's Leading Bars
packs in over 125 long drink and cocktail recipes unique to Fever-Tree, created by the world's
top bartenders. This means that the concoctions won't have common to other recipe collections,
but offers many unique drinks based on classic and contemporary recipes that pair mixers with
botanicals. From a Panacea with rum, lemon juice, honey, various bitters and Ginger Beer to
Lemon Berry Fever made with vodka, blackcurrent liqueur, lemonade and lemon peel, this
cocktail book offers a spirited collection to any who want to know more about cocktails.
Session Beers
Jennifer Talley
Brewers Publications
www.brewerspublications.com
9781938469417, $19.95, PB, www.amazon.com
Session Beers: Brewing for Flavor and Balance is for any interested in brewing beer, whether
professional or novice, and features over twenty session beer recipes along with discussions of
session beer making. These are beers of moderate strength which are lower in alcohol and higher
in flavor, attracting craft brewers who adapted stronger classic beers to the added benefit of more
flavor and less alcoholic impact. Brewers receive recipes, discussions of how to obtain beer
balance, and will appreciate the many insights into breweries known for producing session
beers.
The Way of Whisky
Dave Broom
Michael Beazley
c/o Octopus Publishing
236 Park Avenue, New York NY 10017
www.octopusbooksusa.com
9781784721428, $50.00, HC, 256pp, www.amazon.com
Since 2002 (the year it appeared on export markets) Japanese whisky has been consistently
winning major international spirits awards. As export production increases and export markets
(the USA and France in particular) open up to embrace the quality of these fine malt whiskies, all
eyes are on Japan. Award-winning author and internationally recognized whisky expert Dave
Broom has visited Japan 25 times in the past 12 years, studying and learning about its whiskies.
In this major study he shares his personal journey around Japan's whisky distilleries and the
unique whisky culture of the country. Each individual chapter details the history of the distillery
in question, its production and current whiskies (with tasting notes). "The Way of Whisky: A
Journey Around Japanese Whisky" considers along the way why Japanese whisky is different,
questions of tradition vs innovation, and how whisky links with many aspects of Japanese
culture. Breathtaking photography from Kohei Take leads the reader deeper into the philosophy
behind the drink, making "The Way of Whisky" is a must read for any whisky lover, whisky
drinker, whisky collector or Japanophile. Simply stated, "The Way of Whisky" is unreservedly
recommended and will prove to be an enduringly popular addition to personal, community, and
academic library Food & Beverage collections.
Larousse Wine
Hamlyn
c/o Octopus Publishing
236 Park Avenue, New York NY 10017
www.octopusbooksusa.com
9780600635093, $60.00, HC, 656pp, www.amazon.com
A beautifully and profusely illustrated volume, "Larousse Wine" provides comprehensive
coverage of the wine-producing regions of the world. Each individual section begins with it a
informatively descriptive presentations of the area, with the major districts, rivers, and cities
being highlighted. A short history and analysis of each region follows, with a discussion of the
types of wines produced in each district, the specific oenological properties that make the region
unique, and the appellations of the area. Boxes and features throughout also cover a vast range of
subjects such as the origins of wine, how to read a wine label, how to choose and buy a wine,
whether to decant wine, the proper storage of wine, how to taste wine, and even the great wine
waiters of the world. An absolute 'must' for novice wine enthusiasts and seasoned wine
aficionados, there is something if significant information value for everyone in the pages of
"Larousse Wine". Exceptionally well organized and presented, "Larousse Wine" is unreservedly
and wholeheartedly for personal, professional, community, and academic library Food &
Beverage collections.
The Aviation Shelf
Boeing 737: The World's Jetliner
Captain Dan Dornseif
Schiffer Publishing Ltd.
4880 Lower Valley Road, Atglen, PA 19310
www.schifferbooks.com
9780764353253, $59.99, HC, 288pp, www.amazon.com
First launched in 1965, the Boeing 737, by many measures, is the most successful and
long-standing jetliner in the history of aviation. Profusely illustrated from cover to cover,
"Boeing 737: The World's Jetliner" by Dan Dornseif (a Boeing 737 captain for a major airline,
with nearly seventeen thousand hours in aircraft ranging from jetliners to small antique aircraft)
provides an in-depth look into the story of this extremely significant jetliner and the environment
that has contributed to this amazing story. Many of the actual people who designed, marketed,
and flew this airplane have contributed greatly to this aviation history, with widespread quotes
throughout. "Boeing 737: The World's Jetliner" is a definitive study that is enriched with many
photographs and drawings that are published for the first time and take the reader deeper into the
story. Included in "Boeing 737: The World's Jetliner" is a technical chapter that defines the
systems and provides a detailed pilot's walk-around. For the hobbyist, a well detailed, pictorial
chapter demonstrates the building of airliner models, and provides many techniques for new and
experienced modelers alike. An extraordinary and exceptionally informative read from beginning
to end, "Boeing 737: The World's Jetliner" is unreservedly recommended for personal,
community, and academic library Aviation History collections in general, and Boeing 737
supplemental studies reading lists in particular.
The Hunting/Fishing Shelf
The Hunting Book
Oliver Dorn
teNeues Publishing
350 Seventh Avenue, Suite 301, New York, NY, 10011
www.teneues.com
9783961710171, $95.00, HC, 256pp, www.amazon.com
While a necessity in earlier times, hunting today provokes heated discussion between people for
and against this most ancient of activities. Regardless, the cadre of hunters only seems to grow.
"The Hunting Book" by Oliver Dorn (the co-founder and editor-in-chief of the hunt magazine,
Halali) brings the passion and excitement that fills the heart of the hunter. An acknowledged a
specialist in hunting-related matters, Dorn provides unique photos and informative text as he
discusses the historical origins of the hunt and explains its place in today's world. "The Hunting
Book" introduces well-established top companies (as well as newcomers) to the industry and
shares top tips for hunting equipment and accessories ranging from handmade guns, to
custom-fitted hunting clothing. "The Hunting Book" also covers the best hunting grounds around
the world and why various VIPs enjoy the sport of hunting. Selected tasty wild game dishes
underscores the message that hunting also serves a culinary purpose. "The Hunting Book" invites
the reader to experience everything special about the hunt and share the fascination that it still
inspires today. Beautifully and profusely illustrated throughout, impressively informed and
informative, expertly written, organized and presented, "The Hunting Book" is an extraordinary
read from cover to cover -- and would be an appropriate and highly recommended selection as a
community or academic library Memorial Fund acquisition selection.
The Money/Finance Shelf
The Capitalist Code
Ben Stein
Humanix Books
www.humanixbooks.com
9781630060848 $19.99 amazon.com
The Capitalist Code: It Can Save Your Life and Make You Very Rich! is a financial self-help
guide by conservative economist Ben Stein, known for his professional writings on finance, his
deadpan acting in television and movies, and for being one of the major busters of the junk-bond
frauds of the 1980s. Stein sharply disputes liberal claims that "capitalism is evil" or "the system
is rigged against the middle class", and instead emphasizes the importance of taking full
advantage of capitalism in order to secure a comfortable retirement. Under the capitalist system,
any individual can invest money in stocks of limited-liability corporations, and the individual
investor will not be held liable for any of company's debt - only the money spent to purchase the
stocks is at risk, nothing more. This simple and elegant system allows people of all walks of life
to benefit from investing in stocks and bonds (a diversified portfolio is crucial, so that one bad
stock choice won't necessarily wipe out one's entire investment fund). Stein emphasizes the
importance of investing for the long term, and not trying to use the stock market as a get-rich-
quick scheme. Also present are tax-saving tips, pitfalls to avoid when preparing for retirement,
lies that economics professors commonly tell their students, a glossary and index, and much
more. Highly recommended!
The Civil War Shelf
Texans at Antietam
Joe Owen, Philip McBride, and Joe Allport
Casemate
1940 Lawrence Road, Havertown, PA 19083
www.casematepublishers.com
9781625450227 $28.95 $9.99 Kindle amazon.com
Texans at Antietam: A Terrible Clash of Arms, September 16-17, 1862 offers a wealth of
primary sources written or spoken by Confederate soldiers of Hood's Texas Brigade, who fought
for the Confederacy in the battle of Antietam during the American Civil War. Here are official
reports, diary entries, interviews, newspaper articles, letters to family at home, and even
testimonials of Union soldiers who fought against soldiers of Hood's Texas Brigade. A handful
of black-and-white photographs, endnotes, a bibliography, and an index enhance this superb
historical treasury, highly recommended for public and college library Civil War shelves.
The Sports Shelf
Amazing Tales from the Chicago Bears Sideline
Steve McMichael, Phil Arvia, and John Mullin
Sports Publishing
www.sportspubbooks.com
c/o Skyhorse Publishing, Inc.
307 West 36th Street, 11th Floor, New York, NY 10018
www.skyhorsepublishing.com
9781683581192 $19.99 hc / $0.99 Kindle amazon.com
Former Chicago Bears defensive player Steve McMichael, award-winning author Phil Arvia, and
award-winning sports journalist John Mullin present Amazing Tales from the Chicago Bears
Sideline: A Collection of the Greatest Bears Stories Ever Told, an anthology of highlights from
the celebrated football team that lives up to its title. From tense overtime games to Ditka's
notorious locker room tirades to behind the scenes glimpses of a dedicated and driven team,
Amazing Tales from the Chicago Bears Sideline is a "must-read" for Bears fans! Highly
recommended.
The American History Shelf
Resistance to the Spanish-American and Philippine Wars
Charles Quince
McFarland & Company
PO Box 611, Jefferson NC 28640
www.mcfarlandpub.com
9781476669748 $35.00 pbk / $18.99 Kindle amazon.com
In 1898, after the sinking of the USS Maine in Havana Harbor, pro-war arguments in the
American press induced public opinion to favor fighting what would become the Spanish-
American War. However, not of all America were war hawks; Resistance to the Spanish-
American and Philippine Wars presents the views and voices of those members of the American
public who tried to halt the conflict. Analyzing anti-war arguments that preceded the Spanish-
American War and persisted through the war in the Philippines, Resistance to the Spanish-
American and Philippine Wars distills news articles, letters to editors, opinion pieces, and other
mouthpieces of the anti-war groups who tried and failed to stop a war with Spain. Highly
recommended, especially for public and college library American history collections.
Predicting Pearl Harbor
Ronald J. Drez
Pelican Publishing Company
1000 Burmaster Street, Gretna, LA 70053-2246
www.pelicanpub.com
9781455623150, $29.95, HC, 272pp, www.amazon.com
While it's common to say that the most predictable thing about the next war is its
unpredictability, "Predicting Pearl Harbor: Billy Mitchell and the Path to War" by author, lecturer
and historian Ronald J. Drezz reveals that this did not apply to the run-up to war with Japan.
From Commodore Matthew Perry's voyage into Japanese waters in 1853 to the attack on Pearl
Harbor in 1941, the United States and Japan were on a collision course. The saga is here brought
to vivid life using primary source documents, memoirs, and firsthand testimonies of those who
lived during that era. It was Gen. Billy Mitchell who recognized the signs and foresaw the
eventual showdown between the two nations twenty-eight years before the tragedy of Pearl
Harbor, but his spot-on predictions were dismissed out of hand. Discover one of the most
exciting periods in American history through General Mitchell's prescient reports, providing new
insight into an ages-old conflict. Even more than fifty years later, the question of whether or not
President Franklin D. Roosevelt knew ahead of time that the Japanese were going to attack Pearl
Harbor -- an even that plunged American into World War II. An inherently fascinating,
informative, documented, and compelling read from beginning to end, "Predicting Pearl Harbor"
is a welcome and valued contribution to community and academic library 20th Century American
History collections in general, and World War II supplemental studies lists in particular. It should
be noted for students and non-specialist general readers with an interest in the subject that
"Predicting Pearl Harbor" is also available in a digital book format (Kindle, $24.18).
American Freemasonry
Alain de Keghel
Inner Traditions International, Ltd.
One Park Street, Rochester, VT 05767
www.innertraditions.com
9781620556054 $30.00 hc / $19.99 Kindle amazon.com
American Freemasonry: Its Revolutionary History and Challenging Future is both an in-depth
history and a thoughtful sociological appraisal of Freemason fraternal organizations in America,
with comparisons made to French Freemason organizations. Two of the greatest differences are
that unlike French lodges, American lodges prohibit women from membership (although para-
Freemason organizations that allow female members have been established) and that belief in
God is a prerequesite for membership in American lodges. These factors and others have caused
a stark decline in Freemasonry membership over time, especially in the context of changing
American demographics and immigration patterns. Author Alain de Keghel (who served as chair
of Supreme Council of the Grand Orient of France from 2002 to 2008) examines ways in which
the principles of Freemasonry could become relevant to American society once again, centuries
after Freemasons played notable roles in the American Revolution. Extensive appendices, a
bibliography, and an index round out this highly recommended contribution to public and college
library American History shelves.
Journal of the American Revolution Annual Volume 2016
Westholme Publishing
904 Edgewood Road, Yardley, PA 19067
www.westholmepublishing.com
c/o Pen & Sword Books (distribution)
www.pen-and-sword.co.uk
9781594162534 $35.00 allthingsliberty.com
Journal of the American Revolution Annual Volume 2016 is part of an annual series published
by the online resource allthingsliberty.com, collecting research by a diverse array of professional
historians and peer-reviewed articles written by experts in American Revolution studies. The
annual volume 2016 gathers the journal's finest contributions from the previous year, offering an
excellent overview of recent scholarly findings and historical understanding of America's
founding. Individual writings include "A Fast Ship from Salem: Carrying the News of War",
"Benjamin Franklin's Failed Diplomatic Mission", "Russia and the American War for
Independence", "Enlisting Lasses: Women Who Aspired to be Soldiers", and many more. Journal
of the American Revolution Annual Volume 2016 is a welcome contribution to public and
college library history collections, highly recommended.
The World History Shelf
The Life of Saint Clement: A Translation of La Vie de Seint Clement
Daron Burrows
ACMRS
Arizona State University
PO Box 874402, Tempe, AZ 85287-4402
http://acmrs.org/publications
9780866985437, $65.00, HC, 270pp, www.amazon.com
In "The Life of Saint Clement", Daron Burrows (a Fellow of St. Peter's College and Associate
Professor of Medieval French, University of Oxford) presents the first translation of the Vie de
seint Clement, an early-thirteenth-century Anglo-Norman verse narrative which combines
versions of the Pseudo-Clementine Recognitiones and Epistola Clementis ad Iacobum and of the
Passio Petri et Pauli of Pseudo-Marcellus. With its stirring account of the separation and reunion
of the family of Pope St Clement I, and of his adventures in the company of St Peter as he battles
against the heretical necromancer Simon Magus, "The Life of Saint Clement" stands as one of
the longest and most memorable vernacular hagiographical texts composed in medieval Britain.
A truly exceptional work of seminal scholarship, "The Life of Saint Clement: A Translation of
La Vie de Seint Clement" is unreservedly recommended for college and university library
Medieval Studies reference collections and supplemental studies reading lists.
Eastern Front in World War II
Will Fowler
Amber Books
c/o Casemate
1940 Lawrence Road, Havertown, PA 19083
www.casematepublishers.com
9781782745594, $29.95, PB, 224pp, www.amazon.com
With 30 million soldiers and civilians killed, the Eastern Front proved to be World War II's
bloodiest conflict. Drawing on rare photographs from the Ukrainian State Archive, "Eastern
Front in World War II: Hitler's Russian War in Photographs" presents a unique and visually
outstanding account of one of history's most ferocious campaigns, telling the story from the
perspective of ordinary men and women, both military and civilian, who took part in the struggle.
Although major battles such as Stalingrad and Kursk are covered in some depth, "Eastern Front
in World War II" focuses on individual soldiers' points of view, with attention paid to irregular
forces such as partisans and Cossacks. Each individual chapter charts the progress of the war on
land, air, and sea, and each photograph is put in context with detailed captions. Expertly written
and featuring more than 450 rarely seen photographs, "Eastern Front in World War II" is a simply
outstanding visual history that will appeal to anyone interested in 20th century military history.
An inherently fascinating and impressively informative visual study, "Eastern Front in World
War II" is an especially recommended addition to personal, community, and academic library
World War II Military History collections and supplemental studies reading lists.
The International Studies Shelf
Restless Continent
Michael Wesley
The Overlook Press
141 Wooster Street, New York, NY 10012
www.overlookpress.com
9781468312980, $27.95, HC, 224pp, www.amazon.com
The world has never seen economic development as rapid or significant as Asia's during recent
decades. Home to 60% of the world's population, this restless continent will soon produce more
than half of the world's economic output and consume more energy than the rest of the globe
combined. But surprisingly little hard thinking has been done about the future of Asia. "Restless
Continent: Wealth, Rivalry, and Asia's New Geopolitics" by Michael Wesley (Professor of
International Affairs and Director of Coral Bell School of Asia Pacific Affairs at the Australian
National University) deftly examines the economic, social, political and strategic trends across
the world's largest continent, presenting a modern day roadmap for thinking about not only Asia's
future, but also how it affects the entire world. Professor Wesley is one of the world's leading
experts on Asian and international affairs and insightfully examines the psychology of countries
becoming newly rich and powerful, and explores the "corridors of blood" -- the geography and
politics of conflict and he makes a case for how to avert a plunge into dispute, conflict, or even
war. There is therefore no more important challenge to policymakers, academics, and the public
then understanding the drivers of Asia's new geopolitics. Impressively informative, exceptionally
well written, featuring a map of Asia's strategic geography, eighteen pages of endnotes, and an
eleven page index, "Restless Continent" is an extraordinary and unreservedly recommended
addition to community and academic library Contemporary International Studies collections. If
should be noted for the personal reading lists of students and non-specialist general readers with
an interest in the subject that "Restless Continent" is available in a digital book format (Kindle,
$23.74).
Cultural Borders of Europe
Mats Andrewn, Thomas Lindkvist, Ingmar Sohrman, Katharina Vajta, eds.
Berghahn Books
20 Jay Street, Suite 512, Brooklyn, NY 11201
www.berghahnbooks.com
9781785335907, $120.00, HC, 218pp, www.amazon.com
The cultural borders of Europe are today more visible than ever, and with them comes a sense of
uncertainty with respect to liberal democratic traditions: whether treated as abstractions or
concrete realities, cultural divisions challenge concepts of legitimacy and political representation
as well as the legal bases for citizenship. Thus, an understanding of such borders and their
consequences is of utmost importance for promoting the evolution of democracy. "Cultural
Borders of Europe: Narratives, Concepts and Practices in the Present and the Past" (the newest
volume in the 'Making Sense of History' series provides a wide-ranging exploration of these lines
of demarcation in a variety of regions and historical eras, providing essential insights into the
state of European intercultural relations today. Comprised of twelve erudite and impressively
informative articles by experts in the field which are deftly organized into four major sections:
The Challenges of Religious Borders; Linguistic Borders in Practice; Mental Spaces and
Barriers; Scholars Making Borders, "Cultural Borders of Europe" also features figures and tables,
an informative introduction, a seven page Index, and two page listing of all thirty volumes in the
outstanding Berghahn Books 'Making Sense of History' series. A seminal work of scholarship
throughout, "Cultural Borders of Europe" is an especially and unreservedly recommended
addition to both community and academic library Contemporary International Studies
collections.
The Art Shelf
Fauna: The Art of Jewelry
Patrick Mauries & Evelyne Posseme
Thames & Hudson, Inc.
500 Fifth Avenue, New York, NY 10110-0017
www.thamesandhudsonusa.com
9780500519981, $24.95, HC, 128pp, www.amazon.com
The animal kingdom has been a source of inspiration for jewelers since the days of antiquity.
Chosen for their symbolism, beauty, or personality, "Fauna: The Art of Jewelry" showcases a
whole menagerie of creatures has been depicted in gemstones and precious metals, ranging from
fantastical dragons, griffins, and sphinxes to wild beasts such as boars and big cats, to the
delicate forms of birds, fish, and even insects. The 130 pieces featured in the pages of "Fauna:
The Art of Jewelry" have been specially selected from the magnificent jewelry collection of the
Musee des Arts Decoratifs in Paris and include necklaces, earrings, bracelets, and brooches by
legendary names such as Boucheron, Falize, and Lalique. They stretch from the Renaissance
revival of the nineteenth century to the elegant lines of Art Nouveau and beyond, through to the
playful naivety of modernist designs by Jean Lurcat and Line Vautrin. Beautifully photographed
by renowned photographer Jean-Marie del Moral, "Fauna: The Art of Jewelry" is second title in
the series that began with "Flora" and is packed from cover to cover with clever and witty works
of art that will delight all lovers of jewelry and nature. Illustrated with more than 100 full color
photographs, "Fauna: The Art of Jewelry" is an inherently fascinating and impressively
informative volume that is unreservedly recommended for personal, professional, community,
and academic library Art History collections in general, and Art Jewelry supplemental studies
lists in particular.
The Psychology Shelf
A Formal Theory of Commonsense Psychology
Andrew S. Gordon & Jerry R. Hobbs
Cambridge University Press
32 Avenue of the Americas, New York, NY 10013-2473
www.cambridge.org
9781107151000, $94.99, HC, 584pp, www.amazon.com
Commonsense psychology refers to the implicit theories that we all use to make sense of people's
behavior in terms of their beliefs, goals, plans, and emotions. These are also the theories we
employ when we anthropomorphize complex machines and computers as if they had humanlike
mental lives. In order to successfully cooperate and communicate with people, these theories will
need to be represented explicitly in future artificial intelligence systems. The collaborative work
of Andrew S. Gordon (Research Associate Professor of Computer Science and Director of
Interactive Narrative Research at the Institute for Creative Technologies at the University of
Southern California) and Jerry R. Hobbs (Chief Scientist for Natural Language Processing,
Information Sciences Institute, and a Research Professor, University of Southern California) "A
Formal Theory of Commonsense Psychology: How People Think People Think" provides a
large-scale logical formalization of commonsense psychology in support of humanlike artificial
intelligence. It uses formal logic to encode the deep lexical semantics of the full breadth of
psychological words and phrases, providing fourteen hundred axioms of first-order logic
organized into twenty-nine commonsense psychology theories and sixteen background theories.
Providing an in-depth exploration of human commonsense reasoning for artificial intelligence
researchers, linguists, and cognitive and social psychologists will serve as a foundation for the
development of humanlike artificial intelligence, "A Formal Theory of Commonsense
Psychology" is an ideal curriculum textbook and unreservedly recommended for academic library
Contemporary Psychology collections. It should be noted for the personal reading lists of
students, academia, and non-specialist general readers with an interest in the subject that "A
Formal Theory of Commonsense Psychology" is also available in a digital book format (Kindle,
$57.49).
Prescriptions for Children With Psychological and Psychiatric Problems, fourth edition
David F. Bogacki, et al.
Charles C. Thomas, Publisher
2600 South First Street, Springfield, IL 62704
http://www.ccthomas.com
9780398091828, $42.95, PB, 278pp, www.amazon.com
Now in a fully updated and expanded fourth edition, "Prescriptions for Children With
Psychological and Psychiatric Problems: A Consultant's Desk Reference" is intended to fill a
specific need of school and clinical psychologists, guidance counselors, social workers, school
personnel, and graduate students with respect to medicines appropriate for use with children
experiences psychology and/or psychiatric problems. This newly revised edition of "Prescriptions
for Children with Psychological and Psychiatric Problems" now features several new chapters
that collectively reinforce what experienced psychologists know -- that even the best prescriptive
intervention will be ineffective if the teacher, parent or primary caregiver dealing with the child
who is disabled is resistant to changes or too reluctant to help the child. An ideal supplemental
curriculum textbook, "Prescriptions for Children With Psychological and Psychiatric Problems"
is especially recommended to the attention of child and adolescent psychiatrists, pediatricians,
child neurologists, and nurse practitioners working with children. Of special note is the inclusion
of a fourteen page Bibliography and a fourteen page Index. Simply stated, this new fourth edition
of "Prescriptions for Children With Psychological and Psychiatric Problems" is an essential, core
addition to both college and university library Contemporary Psychology/Psychiatric reference
collections.
Psychological Treatment of Patients With Cancer
Ellen A. Dornelas
American Psychological Association
750 First Street, NE, Washington, DC 20002-4242
www.apa.org/books
9781433828058, $54.95, PB, 159pp, www.amazon.com
Mental health providers working in oncology encounter a broad spectrum of patients and
situations. From innumerable forms of disease at various stages of progression, to the wide range
of medication side effects and varying prognoses, cancer treatment is incredibly complex. And
practitioners (just like the patients they serve) can be easily overwhelmed. "Psychological
Treatment of Patients With Cancer" by Ellen A. Dornelas (who is the director for cancer clinical
research at Hartford Healthcare Cancer Institute in Connecticut and associate professor of clinical
medicine at the University of Connecticut School of Medicine) offers a succinct but
comprehensive guide to psycho-oncological practice. Designed to build a foundation of
knowledge that tackles the depth and breadth of the field, this volume includes a range of
psychological interventions aimed at helping patients cope with cancer treatment. Individual
chapters describe assessment and treatment of common problems including depression, anxiety,
fatigue, sexual dysfunction, and cover broader themes in cancer care including the impact on
families. Brief, easy to digest, and highly approachable, "Psychological Treatment of Patients
With Cancer" is an essential resource for practitioners and advanced graduate students in the
field of psycho oncology. While an absolute 'must' for medical school, college and academic
library Contemporary Psychology collections in general, and Cancer Treatment supplemental
studies reading lists in particular, it should be noted for psychology and medical students, as well
as non-specialist general readers with an interest in the subject, the "Psychological Treatment of
Patients With Cancer" is also available in a digital book format (Kindle, $38.99).
The Agriculture Shelf
Urban Soils
Rattan Lal & B. A. Stewart, editors
CRC Press
6000 NW Broken Sound Parkway NW, Suite 300, Boca Raton, FL 33487
www.crcpress.com
9781498770095, $179.95, HC, 422pp, www.amazon.com
Urban soils are composed of geological material that has been drastically disturbed by
anthropogenic activities and compromised their role in the production of food, aesthetics of
residential areas, and pollutant dynamics. Properties of urban soils are normally not favorable to
plant growth the soils are contaminated by heavy metals and are compacted and sealed.
Therefore, the quality of urban soils must be restored to make use of this valuable resource for
delivery of essential ecosystem services (e.g., food, water and air quality, carbon sequestration,
temperature moderation, biodiversity). Part of the Advances in Soil Sciences Series, "Urban
Soils" explains properties of urban soils; assesses the effects of urbanization on the cycling of
carbon, nitrogen, and water and the impacts of management of urban soils, soil restoration, urban
agriculture, and food security; evaluates ecosystem services provisioned by urban soils, and
describes synthetic and artificial soils. Knowledgeably compiled and co-edited by Rattan Lal,
(Distinguished University Professor of Soil Science and Director of the Carbon Management and
Sequestration Center, The Ohio State University) and B.A. Stewart (Director of the Dryland
Agriculture Institute and a distinguished professor of soil science at West Texas A&M
University, Canyon, Texas), "Urban Soils" is comprised of eighteen deftly organized and
presented articles by experts in the field, making it unreservedly recommended for professional,
corporate, governmental, and academic library Agricultural Science collections in general, and
Soil Sciences supplemental studies reading lists in particular. It should be noted for students,
academia, and non-specialist general readers with an interest in the subject that "Urban Soils" is
also available in a digital book format (Kindle, $151.07).
This Blessed Earth
Ted Genoways
W. W. Norton & Company
500 Fifth Avenue, New York, NY 10110
www.wwnorton.com
9780393292572, $26.95, www.amazon.com
This Blessed Earth: A Year in the Life of an American Family Farm follows a family through a
year of farm life from fall to fall, moving beyond more studied and intellectual assessments of
family farms to get at the nuts and bolts of small-scale production. When the Hammond family
inherited 50 cows, 50 sows, and 300 acres, they entered into serious farming and also absorbed
the realities of weather, yields, crop prices, profits, climate change, changing trade policy impacts
on crops, and much more than they'd bargained for. Their revelations and experiences form the
foundation of more than a personal memoir about farming to consider the bigger picture of
traditional farming operations and the many challenges they face. Anyone interested in farming
challenges who wants a combination of personal and political perspective will relish this survey's
multifaceted approach.
The Literary Studies Shelf
A History of Children's Books in 100 Books
Roderick Cave & Sara Ayad
Firefly Books Ltd.
50 Staples Avenue, Unit 1, Richmond Hill, ON, Canada L4B 0A7
www.fireflybooks.com
9781770859579, $29.95, HC, 272pp, www.amazon.com
Roderick Cave is a print historian and librarian who has worked with rare book collections and
developed information science courses in libraries and universities around the world. In "A
History of Children's Books in 100 Books" he draws upon his years of experience and expertise
to take a global perspective and trace the development of the children's book genre from ancient
stories, such as Aesop's Fables and the Indian Panchatantra, through the Puritan primers of the
17th century to the Harry Potter series and books as technology. "A History of Children's Books
in 100 Books" is about children's books as cultural artifacts, as well as the texts they contain, and
the industry and society that produced them. It covers aspects of selection, design, production and
marketing of books for children. For the most part, illustrations are key components of children's
stories, visualizing fantastic scenes and making them instantly recognizable, and such artwork is
beautifully reproduced throughout. As inherently fascinating as it is impressively informed and
informative, "A History of Children's Books in 100 Books" is an extraordinary literary study that
is unreservedly recommended for both academia and the non-specialist general reader with an
interest in the subject. A uniquely thoughtful and thought-provoking read from beginning to end,
"A History of Children's Books in 100 Books" is unreservedly recommended for both community
and academic library collections.
The Autism Shelf
Autism: The Movement Sensing Perspective
Elizabeth B. Torres & Caroline Whyatt, editors
CRC Press
6000 NW Broken Sound Parkway NW, Suite 300, Boca Raton, FL 33487
www.crcpress.com
9781482251630, $139.95, HC, 408pp, www.amazon.com
Autism is a neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by impaired social interaction, impaired
verbal and non-verbal communication, and restricted and repetitive behavior. Parents usually
notice signs in the first two years of their child's life. These signs often develop gradually, though
some children with autism reach their developmental milestones at a normal pace and then
regress. The diagnostic criteria require that symptoms become apparent in early childhood,
typically before age three. Collaborative compiled and co-edited by Elizabeth B. Torres
(Psychology Department, Rutgers University) and Caroline Whyatt (Psychology Department,
Rutgers University), "Autism: The Movement Sensing Perspective" is comprised of twenty-seven
informative articles by experts in the field that collectively present the movement approach to
autism in a comprehensive way, integrating scientific methods and results with the experience of
affected people, ways to improve their experiences, and the societal integration of autism.
"Autism: The Movement Sensing Perspective" will assist readers in understanding how people
with autism think differently, based on how they move and are moved differently, and how, on
the basis of this novel understanding, a better fit is possible between people with autism and their
often non-autistic context. A seminal volume of simply outstanding scholarship, "Autism: The
Movement Sensing Perspective" is unreservedly recommended as a critically important and core
addition to professional and academic library Autism collections. It should be noted for the
personal reading lists of psychology students, academia, and the non-specialist general reader
with an interest in the subject that "Autism: The Movement Sensing Perspective" is also
available in a digital book format (Kindle, $95.96).
The Genealogy Shelf
Tips & Quips for the Family Historian
Elizabeth Shown Mills & Ruth Brossette Lennon
Genealogical Publishing Company
3600 Clipper Mill Road, Suite 260, Baltimore, MD 21211
www.genealogical.com
9780806320410, $14.95, HC, 173pp, www.amazon.com
"Tips & Quips for the Family Historian" is a treasury of wise words and insightful sayings for
everyone who pursues genealogy. Whether you are a researcher in need of inspiration, or a
speaker or writer in search of a zinger to punctuate your thoughts, "Tips & Quips for the Family
Historian" can be your muse. The sayings and writings found here are divided into no fewer than
86 categories relevant to genealogists. Categories from Analysis, Ethnic Research, and Genetic
Genealogy, to the Internet, Land, and Names; and from Photographs, Plagiarism, and Proof, to
Research, Sources, and Tax Records. It's easy to find just the quip you need from the book's
detailed table of contents, or you can search the author index or consult the glossary of key words
at the back. The collaborative effort of genealogists Elizabeth Shown Mills and Ruth Brossette
Lennon, "Tips & Quips for the Family Historian" is entertaining, inspiring, and informative,
making it that rarity among genealogy books -- bedside reading. Here are just one example:
Ancestors: "To forget one's ancestors is to be a brook without a source, a tree without a root." --
Chinese Proverb. Simply stated, "Tips & Quips for the Family Historian" is unreservedly and
enthusiastically recommended for personal, professional, community, and academic library
Genealogy instructional reference collections and supplemental studies reading lists.
The Architecture Shelf
Essential Sustainable Home Design
Chris Magwood
New Society Publishers
PO Box 189, Gabriola Island, BC, Canada, V0R 1X0
www.newsociety.com
9780865718500, $39.99, www.amazon.com
Essential Sustainable Home Design: A Complete Guide to Goals, Options, and the Design
Process provides a step-by-step guide to help builders work through the process of designing and
construction a sustainable structure, and is recommended for home builders who want an
overview of key ideas and basic guidelines combined with the mechanics of putting a project
together. From materials and systems options to basic building science applications and logistics,
locating alternative materials, and understanding how home systems work, this is a 'must' for
those who have some basic home building or construction savvy who want insights on concrete
sustainable approaches.
Essential Sustainable Home Design
Chris Magwood
New Society Publishers
PO Box 189, Gabriola Island, BC, Canada, V0R 1X0
www.newsociety.com
9780865718500, $39.99, PB, 232pp, www.amazon.com
In the pages of "Essential Sustainable Home Design: A Complete Guide to Goals, Options, and
the Design Process", Chris Magwood (Co-Founder and Director the Endeavour Centre for
Innovative Building and Living and Co-Editor of the Sustainable Building Essentials series from
New Society Publishers) deftly walks potential homebuilders through the process starting with
key concepts, principles, and a project vision that will guide the house to completion. "Essential
Sustainable Home Design" includes: How to clarify your ideas and create a practical pathway to
achieving your dream; A criteria matrix to guide design, material, and systems decisions;
Creating a strong, integrated design team and working with professionals and code officials to
keep the project on track from start to finish; Key building science concepts that make for a
high-performance, durable building; Primer on building logistics, material sourcing, and
protocols to ensure that the initial vision for the project comes to fruition; One-page summaries
and ratings of popular sustainable building materials and system options. Ideal for
owner-builders and sustainable building contractors working with clients aiming to design and
build a sustainable home, "Essential Sustainable Home Design" will prove to be a welcome and
enduringly valued addition to professional, community, and academic library Contemporary
American Architecture collections. It should be noted for personal reading lists that "Essential
Sustainable Home Design" is also available in a digital book format (Kindle, $31.19
The Philosophy Shelf
What Is Philosophy?
Giorgio Agamben
Stanford University Press
425 Broadway Street, Redwood City, CA 94063-3126
www.sup.org
9781503602205, $55.00, HC, 136pp, www.amazon.com
In attempting to answer the question "What Is Philosophy?', Giorgio Agamben (a contemporary
Italian philosopher and political theorist whose works have been translated into numerous
languages) does not address the idea of philosophy itself. Rather, he turns to the apparently most
insignificant of its components: the phonemes, letters, syllables, and words that come together to
make up the phrases and ideas of philosophical discourse. A summa, of sorts, of Agamben's
thought, "What Is Philosophy?" consists of five essays on five emblematic topics: the Voice, the
Sayable, the Demand, the Proem, and the Muse. In keeping with the Agamben's trademark
methodology, each of the individual essays weaves together archaeological and theoretical
investigations: to a patient reconstruction of how the concept of language was invented there
corresponds an attempt to restore thought to its place within the voice; to an unusual
interpretation of the Platonic Idea corresponds a lucid analysis of the relationship between
philosophy and science; and of the crisis that both are undergoing today. In the end, there is no
universal answer to what is an impossible or inexhaustible question, and philosophical writing (a
problem with which Agamben has never ceased to grapple with) assumes the form of a prelude
to a work that must remain unwritten. An impressively thoughtful and thought-provoking read, of
special note is the appendix entry 'The Supreme Music. Music and Politics', as well as the
inclusion of a four page Bibliography and a two page Index. While unreservedly recommended
for both community and academic library Contemporary Philosophy collections, it should be
noted for the personal reading lists of students and non-specialist general readers with an interest
in the subject that "What Is Philosophy?" is also available in a paperback edition
(9781503602212, $18.95) and in a digital book format (Kindle, $14.19).
The Theatre/Cinema Shelf
Shooting Better Movies
Paul Dudbridge
Michael Wiese Productions
12400 Ventura Blvd., #1111, Studio City, CA 91604
www.mwp.com
9781615932719, $26.95, PB, 252pp, www.amazon.com
A one-stop film school, "Shooting Better Movies: The Student Filmmakers' Guide" by British
director, producer, cinematographer, and educator Paul Dudbridge is simply packed from cover
to cover with 'real world' practical information, tips, techniques, and advice covering all aspects
of filmmaking as gathered from the author's years of experience working in short films, features,
commercials, and music videos, as well as delivering workshops and lectures to film students of
all ages. Everything the aspiring film maker needs to know, from generating an idea to delivering
a finished film, is accessibly laid out in an informal and easy to read style. Covering everything
from script formatting, choosing lenses, and location scouting, to where best to put the camera to
film your scenes, working with actors, recording sound, and editing your shots, "Shooting Better
Movies" is a complete course of instruction under one cover. While unreservedly recommended
for community and academic library film making instructional reference collections and
supplemental studies lists, it should be noted for film students and non-specialist general readers
with an interest in the subject that "Shooting Better Movies" is also available in a digital book
format (Kindle, $16.66).
The Military Shelf
In the Shadows of Victory II
Thomas D. Phillips
Casemate
1940 Lawrence Road, Havertown, PA 19083
www.casematepublishers.com
9781612005461 $32.95 hc amazon.com
In the Shadows of Victory II: America's Forgotten Military Leaders, The Spanish-American War
to World War II is the second volume in a series about the accomplishments of great American
military leaders whose achievements have been overshadowed or downplayed in the public's
consciousness. From the end of the 19th century to the mid-20th century, In the Shadows of
Victory II tells the story of 20 worthy yet oft-overlooked individuals. In the Shadows of Victory
II also notes the lesser-known yet exemplary actions of leaders whose particular renown is
closely associated with a specific war (such as John J. Pershing, who is best known for his World
War I service while his leadership in the Philippine Insurrection is largely forgotten). A list of
references, a selected bibliography, and an index round out this welcome contribution to public
and college library military history shelves. Also highly recommended is the first volume of the
series, "In the Shadows of Victory: America's Forgotten Military Leaders, 1776-1876"
(9781612003603, $32.95).
The Parenting Shelf
Raise Your Kids to Succeed
Chris Palmer
Rowman & Littlefield
c/o Rowman & Littlefield Publishing Group
4501 Forbes Blvd., Suite 200, Lanham, MD 20706
www.rowman.com
9781475829839, $59.99, HC, 168pp, www.amazon.com
Chris Palmer is a father, speaker, author, and wildlife film producer, who gives speeches and
workshops on a variety of topics, including how to achieve success and productivity, how to
parent effectively, and how to motivate and engage students. In "Raise Your Kids to Succeed:
What Every Parent Should Know" he lays out a thoroughly 'parent friendly' instruction manual
that is deftly organized into three major sections: Create a Strong Foundation for Learning; Give
Your Child a Head Start at Home; Support Your Child at School. Of special note is what Palmer
offers concerning helping a child resist bullying, the importance of reading with a child, creating
family traditions and rituals. Impressively informed and informative, exceptionally well written,
organized and presented, "Raise Your Kids to Succeed: What Every Parent Should Know" also
includes six pages of Notes and an eight page Index. While unreservedly recommended for both
community and academic library Parenting instructional reference collections, it should be noted
for personal reading lists that "Raise Your Kids to Succeed: What Every Parent Should Know" is
also available in a paperback edition (9781475829846, $27.00) and in a digital book format
(Kindle, $14.49).
The Antiques/Collectibles Shelf
Miller's Antiques Encyclopedia, fifth edition
Judith Miller, Editor
Miller's/Mitchell Beazley
c/o Octopus Publishing
236 Park Avenue, New York NY 10017
www.octopusbooksusa.com
9781784723651, $55.00, www.amazon.com
The fifth edition of Miller's Antiques Encyclopedia is a fully updated reference that was first
published in 1998 to much acclaim, and updates values, definitions, and information on antiques
and collectibles for both professional dealers and general-interest collectors. Seeking to cover all
areas of traditional collecting, readers can expect discussions about furniture, glassware, jewelry,
art, sporting memorabilia and more, all presented in an encyclopedia format organized by main
subject, subdivided by type, and cross-referenced for other areas of interest. An international
team of some 40 consultants and writers contributed to this discussion, which includes
good-sized, clear color photos throughout, color sidebars of key facts, and histories about each
piece's introduction and design. This extensive all-in-one reference is especially recommended as
a library pick for any patron looking at any aspect of general collecting.
James A. Cox, Editor-in-Chief
Diane C. Donovan, Editor
Midwest Book Review
278 Orchard Drive
Oregon, WI 53575-1129
phone: 1-608-835-7937
e-mail: mbr@execpc.com
e-mail: mwbookrevw@aol.com
http://www.midwestbookreview.com
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