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Reviewer's Choice
Whoppers
Christine Seifert
Zest Books
35 Stillman Street, Suite 121
San Francisco, CA, 94107
9781936976980 $13.99 www.zestbooks.net
Today the phrase "If you believe that, I have a bridge to sell you" is a descriptive cliche about
outrageous falsehoods, but in the 1920's, the con man Victor Lustig managed to "sell" the Eiffel
Tower - twice! Whoppers is an eye-popping compendium of incredible liars throughout history.
Some lied for money; others for prestige; others purely for fun. From famous entertainers like
P.T. Barnum, to Pope Leo X (whose excesses kindled the rise of Martin Luther and the Protestant
Reformation), to scientific and metaphysical hoaxes, Whoppers is as amazing as it is
educational! Whoppers is suitable for readers of all ages, and especially recommended for public
and high school library collections.
The Metromaniacs
David Ives
Smith & Kraus Publishers
177 Lyme Road, Lyme NH 03755-6610
www.smithandkraus.com
9781575258225, $11.95, 97pp, www.amazon.com
Mistaken identity, misplaced ardor and a right or true love ensures in "The Metromaniacs",
David Ives's adaptation of the classic 1738 French farce. Would-be poet Damis has fallen for the
works of a mysterious Breton poetess, not knowing she is really his host, middle-aged gentlemen
Francalou. Meanwhile, Francalou's daughter Lucille has fallen for the works of Damis, but
mistakes Damis's friend, the dashing and unpoetic Dorante, for Damis. A world premiere
translation and adaptations, Ives's presentation of Alexis Piron's "The Metromaniacs" once again
applies his brilliant sense of comedic timing to a lost classic. "The Metromaniacs" is a very
highly recommended addition to community theatre and community library collections.
5@55
Judith D. Grimaldi, Esq. & Joanne Seminara, Esq. with Pierre A. Lehu
Quill Driver Books
2006 South Mary, Fresno, CA 93721
9781610352581, $12.95, www.quilldriverbooks.com
5@55: The 5 Essential Legal Documents You Need By Age 55 comes from two elder law
attorneys and provides a slim but information-packed discussion of the five most important legal
documents one needs at age 55: a Will, a Health Care Proxy, a Living Will, a Power of Attorney
and a Digital Diary. While most will have heard of the wills and power of attorney, the latter
document is something many won't know about; and by setting a age-related deadline of 55 to
explain why these documents are needed and how to work with a lawyer to make sure they're in
order, consumers can be assured that they will have clear coverage of all the basics in language
they can readily understand.
Dutch East India Company Shipbuilding
Wendy van Duivenvoorde
Texas A&M University Press
4354 TAMU, College Station, TX 77843-4354
9781623491796, $90.00, www.tamupress.com
It was eight months into its maiden voyage when the Dutch East India Company's ship Batavia
sank in 1629 off the coast of Western Australia. Not only was it lost, but the mutiny and
massacre among its shipwrecked survivors became one of the most notorious tales in nautical
history. The wreck of the ship and its subsequent excavation and reassembly is well known as is
its history; but until now closer study of the Batavia's wooden hull has been unpublished. This
book pairs historical and archaeological information with coverage of the technical processes
involved in the ship's restoration. It packs in tables, drawings, and photos in the process of
exploring and explains early ship construction, and is a recommended pick for any interested in
shipwrecks in general, archaeological restorations, or the history of the Batavia in particular.
The Writing/Publishing Shelf
Slay the Dragon: Writing Great Video Games
Robert Denton Bryant & Keith Giglio
Michael Wiese Productions
12400 Ventura Blvd., #1111, Studio City, CA 91604
www.mwp.com
9781615932290, $24.95, 232pp, www.amazon.com
Video games are a multibillion-dollar industry. Writing video games is substantially unlike
writing for any other forum, format, or medium. The collaborative work of video game writing
experts Robert Bryant and Keith Giglio, "Slay the Dragon: Writing Great Video Games" will
enable even the most novice of aspiring video game writers to understand the challenges and
offer creative solutions to writing for a medium where the audience not only demands a great
story, but to be a driving force within it. Aimed at traditional writers who want to learn
interactive narrative as well as game creators who want to tell better, more emotionally involving
stories, "Slay the Dragon" is comprised of informed and informative discussions, as well as
self-paced exercises covering such topics as: the "no-act" structure of video games; writing great
game characters; making game play emotionally meaningful; and bringing the game world alive.
Thoroughly 'user friendly' in both content and tone, "Slay the Dragon" is very highly
recommended for personal, professional, community, and academic library Gaming and
Writing/Publishing instructional reference collections. It should be noted that "Slay the Dragon"
is also available in a Kindle edition ($17.67).
Stop Talking & Start Publishing Your Book
Terrance Zepke
Safari Publishing
www.safaripublishing.net
9780990765356, $12.95, 140pp, www.amazon.com
In just 144 page, Terrance Zepke lays out everything an aspiring author needs to know about the
business of book publishing including copyrights, DRM, filing taxes, distributors, book covers,
aggregators, query letters, book proposals, DBAs, book pricing, EINs, LLCNs, trade discounts,
Bowker, ISBNs, worldwide and territory rights, offset printing, and much more. Impressively
'user friendly' in organized and presentation, "Stop Talking & Start Publishing Your Book" is
enhanced with the inclusion of a twenty-seven listing of Resources & Inspiration, and a six page
Index. A very practical introduction to book publishing, "Stop Talking & Start Publishing Your
Book" is enthusiastically recommended for all aspiring authors seeking to have their manuscripts
become books, and their books brought to the positive attention of an intended readership. It
should be noted that "Stop Talking & Start Publishing Your Book" is also available in a Kindle
edition ($4.99).
Writing for the Green Light
Scott Kirkpatrick
Focal Press
c/o Taylor & Francis Group
8th Floor, 711 3rd Avenue, New York, NY 10017, USA
www.focalpress.com
9781138016460, $29.95, 202pp, www.amazon.com
Scott Kirkpatrick is the Director of Distribution for MarVista Entertainment, a Los Angeles
based production and distribution company that produces original Lifetime and SyFy channel
films, co-produces TV movies with Disney and Nickelodeon, and has managed international TV
deals on major franchises including Mighty Morphin Power Rangers, Digimon, and Julius Jr.
Scott has also produced and directed TV series and feature films including Eye for an Eye,
Muslims in America, and Roadside Massacre. In "Writing for the Green Light: How to Make
Your Script the One Hollywood Notices" Kirkpatrick shows the novice playwright just how to
craft their screenplay so that it will sell. Aspiring playwrights will find out what Hollywood
script readers, producers, and studio executives want in a screenplay (and why) from someone
who's been there, as well as discover what it takes to begin a lasting career as a screenwriter.
Peppered with interviews from established professionals, "Writing for the Green Light: How to
Make Your Script the One Hollywood Notices" will provide playwrights a sharp competitive
edge by showcasing dozens of everyday events that go on at the studios but are rarely if ever
discussed in most screen writing books. With his behind-the-scenes perspective, Scott
Kirkpatrick shows you why the system works the way it does and how you can use its unwritten
rules to your advantage. He answers such questions as: Who actually reads your script?; How do
you pique the interest of studios and decision makers?; What do agents, producers, and
production companies need in a script?; How much is a script worth?; What are the best genres
for new writers and why?; What are real steps you can take to 'break in' to television writing?;
How do you best present or pitch a project without looking desperate?; How do you negotiate a
contract without an agent?; How do you exude confidence and seal your first deal?. Simply
stated, "Writing for the Green Light" is a "must read" and a "must have" addition to all personal,
community, and academic library Writing/Publishing instructional reference collections. It
should be noted that "Writing for the Green Light" is also available in a Kindle edition
($28.45).
The Handy English Grammar Answer Book
Christine A. Hult, Ph.D.
Visible Ink Press
43311 Joy Road #414, Canton, MI 48187-2075
9781578595204 $21.95 www.visibleinkpress.com
The Handy English Grammar Answer Book is a straightforward, accessible guide to the
fundamental English grammar, including punctuation advice, insights into writing, analysis of
the different parts of a sentence, organizing a well-argued essay, and much more. Created to be
accessible to speakers and writers of all ages, The Handy English Grammar Answer Book is
especially valuable for high school and college students, and professionals in almost all fields of
work. In today's knowledge-based economy, more and more good-paying jobs require solid
writing skills! Highly recommended for public and college library as well as personal reference
collections.
2015 Guide to Self-Publishing
Robert Lee Brewer, editor
Writer's Digest Books
c/o F+W Media
10151 Carver Road, Suite 200, Blue Ash, OH 45242
www.WritersDigest.com
9781599638478, $29.99, www.amazon.com
Thoroughly updated and revised every year, the "2015 Guide to Self-Publishing" continues to be
one of the most 'user friendly' and practical information oriented references that authors
considering self-publication have available to them. Comprehensive, and deftly organized, "2015
Guide to Self-Publishing" covers all aspects of self-publication organized into seven major
sections (Production; Management; Promotion, Interviews; Listings; Resources; and Index). The
contributed articles comprising these sections are provided by experienced and successful men
and women who emphasize the practical. Informed and informative, "2015 Guide to
Self-Publishing" is a critically important and highly recommended resource for anyone
considering or who are already engaged in self-publication.
So I Published A Magazine
Lorraine Phillips
360 Books, LLC
www.soipublishedamag.com
9780988953536, $44.95, www.amazon.com
"So I Published A Magazine: Conversations with Independent Publishers from Around the
Globe" is a 286 page compendium based on the results of sixteen candid conversations with
independent publishers from around the globe to find out exactly what it takes to start and run a
magazine. The publishers were specifically asked how did you fund their magazine?. Whether or
not they did they do any market research or create a business plan prior to launching?. How do
they attract readers? What did they do to attract advertisers? How important is social media to
their operation? Who handles their distribution? What factors do they think contribute to the
success or failure of a magazine? And a great deal more. The featured magazines include: Blow,
Cereal, Concrete Wave, Delayed Gratification, Disegno, HOLO, IdN, Katachi, Lionheart, Little
White Lies, PAPER, Sneaker Freaker, Things & Ink, 3x3, Very Nearly Almost (VNA) and Wax
Poetics. Impressively informed and informative, "So I Published A Magazine" should be
considered a "must read" for anyone contemplating or already involved in establishing a
magazine. Thoroughly 'reader friendly' in composition, content, and presentation, "So I Published
A Magazine" is very highly recommended for professional, community, and academic library
Writing/Publishing instructional reference collections.
The Economic Studies Shelf
Introducing Social Stratification
Kasturi Dasgupta
Lynne Rienner Publishers
1800 30th Street, Suite 314
Boulder, CO 80301
9781626371835 $35.00 www.rienner.com
Introducing Social Stratification: The Causes and Consequences of Inequality is a studious,
systematic, data-driven analysis at ongoing economic inequality in the United States. A
worrisome and ongoing American trend is stifling of social mobility, to the extent that the
income of a child's parents is a strong indicator of how well the child will do for himself or
herself in adulthood. Introducing Social Stratification discusses how inequality shapes life
chances, how globalization has intensified inequality, how the gradual death of unions has helped
keep wages suppressed, why education is no longer as effective in equalizing opportunity as it
used to be, and possible ways to improve the system for all Americans - such as reining in the
political power of "big money" and adopting successful aspects of the European societal model.
"Conservatives have successfully rallied the masses using this platform of traditional values,
which rejects abortion rights, gay rights, the teaching of evolution, gun control, taxes, and big
government... However, once conservatives are elected to office, they typically drop their focus
on these cultural issues and immediately turn their attention to an economic regimen of stopping
increases to the minimum wage, blocking extensions of unemployment benefits, rolling back
workplace standards, endorsing financial deregulation, supporting privatization of schools,
busting unions, cutting corporate taxes, and then sequestering budgets so that Head Start, food
stamps, education, and Medicare can be further slashed." Persuasive and thought-provoking,
Introducing Social Stratification is "must-read" for anyone concerned about the widening gap
between the rich and the poor.
The Agriculture Shelf
The Complete Guide To Small-Scale Farming, second edition
Melissa Nelson
Atlantic Publishing Group, Inc.
1405 S.W. 6th Avenue, Ocala, FL 34471
www.atlantic-pub.com
9781620230091, $14.99, 288pp, www.amazon.com
Now in a completely revised, updated, and expanded second edition, "The Complete Guide to
Small-Scale Farming: Everything You Need to Know about Raising Beef and Dairy Cattle,
Rabbits, Ducks, and Other Small Animals" by Melissa Nelson is an exceptionally well written,
organized and presented instruction guide and manual that will enable even the most novice of
small scale farmers to succeed in their efforts at animal husbandry. Of special note are the
sections devoted to raising pigs, sheep, goats, and waterfowl. As informed and informative as it
is thoroughly 'user friendly' in content and composition, "The Complete Guide to Small-Scale
Farming" is very highly recommended for personal, professional, agricultural school, community,
and academic library Agricultural Science reference collections and supplemental studies reading
lists -- and most especially any urban or suburban dweller that would like to raise rabbits or
chickens in their back yard.
Plant Diseases and Their Management in Organic Agriculture
Maria R. Finckh, Ariena H. C. van Bruggen, Lucius Tamm, editors
APS Press
3340 Pilot Knob Road, St. Paul, MN 55121
www.shopapspress.org
9780890544761, $199.00, 414pp, www.amazon.com
Collaborative compiled and co-edited by Maria R. Finckh (Faculty of Organic Agricultural
Sciences, University of Kassel, Witzenhausen, Germany), Ariena H. C. van Bruggen (Emerging
Pathogens Institute and Department of Plant Pathology, University of Florida, Gainesville,
Florida), Lucius Tamm (Research Institute of Organic Agriculture, Frick, Switzerland), "Plant
Diseases and Their Management in Organic Agriculture" is the first comprehensive book that
fully addresses the systems approach to organic plant disease management and is a critically
important instructional reference for any researcher, student, or practitioner involved in organic
agricultural research, organic agricultural production, or organic agricultural regulation. Deftly
organized into five major sections (General Introduction; Organic Plant Production Practices;
Plant Diseases in Organic Agriculture; Plant Disease Management in Organic Agriculture;
Specific Crops), "Plant Diseases and Their Management in Organic Agriculture" will prove to be
a core addition to corporate agribusiness, governmental, and academic library Agricultural
reference collections and supplemental studies reading lists.
The Comix/Graphic Novel Shelf
Democracy
Alecos Papadatos, Abraham Kawa, and Annie Di Donna
Bloomsbury Press
175 Fifth Avenue, Suite 315
New York, NY 10010
9781608197194 $27.00 www.bloomsbury.com
Democracy is a full-color historical graphic novel about the inception of the political concept
democracy ("government of the people") in the Greek city-state of Athens, roughly 500 years
before the birth of Christ. Some elements of the story are creative license, notably the fictional
main character and his closest associates, all of whom are ordinary people of Athens caught up in
the tides of change. Yet Democracy makes every effort to accurately portray the daily life and
culture of ancient Greece, as well as historical events and major figures of the era. An extensive
afterword teaches the reader more about what history has recorded of the time, including
controversies about some of the era's biggest players (even today, historians disagree whether the
legendary "father of democracy" Cleisthenes was a selfless reformer, a manipulative opportunist,
or somewhere in between). Democracy chronicles political assassinations and brutal power
struggles. Cleisthenes was himself the maternal grandson of a former tyrant of Athens, and exiled
for years; yet his reforms were shocking and unprecedented in how they shifted power away from
a handful of the wealthiest families and toward the male, non-slave general population. This new
form of government did not come easily to Athens; it had to be earned with blood, when
Cleisthenes' political opponents attempted to subjugate Athens to the rival city-state of Sparta,
primarily to enrich their own wealth and power. The superb storytelling makes ancient history
come alive; Democracy is as fascinating and entertaining as it is educational, and highly
recommended especially for public library graphic novel collections.
The Courageous Princess: The Unremembered Lands
Rod Espinoza
Dark Horse Comics
10956 SE Main Street, Milwaukie, OR 97222
9781616557232 $19.99 hc / $15.12 Kindle www.darkhorse.com
The second hardcover graphic novel of a trilogy, The Courageous Princess: The Unremembered
Lands continues the story of the good-hearted Princess Mabelrose. Kidnaped from her home by a
dragon, Mabelrose has successfully escaped her captor and freed the people of Leptia from an
oppressive tyrant. Now, she embarks on the long journey home. Her father, King Jeryk, has
begun his own quest to rescue her, enlisting the aid of a small group of talented and princes and
adventurers. But an invading army of giants has waylaid them, and now they are the ones in need
of rescue! Fantasy and drama intertwine in this exciting, original fairy tale. The Courageous
Princess is suitable for all ages, and especially recommended for public and school library
graphic novel collections. Also highly recommended is the first volume, "The Courageous
Princess: Beyond the Hundred Kingdoms" (9781616557225, $19.99 hc / $9.99 Kindle), and the
third volume "The Courageous Princess: The Dragon Queen" (9781616557249, $19.99 hc /
$10.65 Kindle) is forthcoming.
Master Keaton 3
Naoki Urasawa, Hokusei Katsushika, and Takashi Nagasaki
Viz Media LLC
1355 Market Street, Suite 200
San Francisco CA 94103
9781421575926 $19.99 www.viz.com
Presented with its artwork in its original "unflipped" right-to-left state, Master Keaton 3 is the
third black-and-white manga (Japanese graphic novel) chronicling the adventures of Taichi
Hiraga Keaton, the son of a Japanese zoologist and a wealthy English noblewoman. Keaton
himself is multitalented; he excelled as a survival skills instructor in the military, and now works
as a hybrid of private investigator and diplomat for an insurance company. His greatest struggle
is trying figure out just what he wants to do with his life - his job is dangerous yet pays
remarkably little; his marriage ended in divorce; and his relationship with his young adult
daughter fluctuates between cordial and rocky. Master Keaton uses a (mostly) self-contained
episodic storytelling style, which makes volume 3 an accessible jumping-on point for readers
new to the series. In volume 3, Keaton must negotiate the safety of a hostage held by greedy
kidnappers; defuse a deadly bomb with help from a surprising source; help a childhood rival
turned police detective identify a ruthless murderer; and much more. A fine blend of intense
action, character-based drama, intrigue, and human interest, the Master Keaton series is highly
recommended. Master Keaton is recommended for older teen and adult readers due to some
scenes of violence.
Sky in Stereo
Mardou
Revival House Press
9781934460832 $17.95 www.amazon.com
Collecting the Ignatz Award-nominated comic series, Sky in Stereo is the first black-and-white
graphic novel of a two-volume saga following a young girl in Northern England whose life is
unraveling into complete disintegration. Iris, a young woman turning eighteen in early 1990's
Manchester, is severely unfulfilled and disillusioned by her religious home life. Working at a
burger bar at the train station, she has a blinding crush on fellow burger-flipper Glen, who
introduces her to the messed-up world of illegal drugs. Iris gradually loses her grip on reality; she
is obsessed with Glen, her mind is muddled by drugs, and she takes to wandering the streets,
estranged from the mother who desperately wants to save her. Sky in Stereo is recommended for
older teen or adult readers due to mature themes such as illegal drug usage.
Ultraman 1
Eiichi Shimuizu and Tomohiro Shimoguchi
Viz Media LLC
1355 Market Street, Suite 200
San Francisco CA 94103
9781421581828 $12.99 www.viz.com
Presented in its original "unflipped" right-to-left format, Ultraman 1 is a shonen manga (Japanese
graphic novel aimed at teenaged male readers) connected to the genre-defining, long-running
Ultraman franchise of television shows and movies - a Japanese pop culture phenomenon similar to
America's obsession with superhero stories. In the Ultraman world, heroic individuals
appropriate the superhuman powers of alien technology to battle against dangerous monsters.
Decades ago, the original Ultraman fought off a terrifying invasion of gigantic Kaiju; his efforts
brought many years of peace, but in the present day a renewed threat stirs. Only a new type of
Ultraman can counter this menace! The revival of the Ultraman series is action-packed, featuring
both titanic clashes and a human element, as the latest inheritor of the Ultraman legacy struggles
to control powers he doesn't completely understand. Also highly recommended for fans of
superhero-style shonen manga is Kohei Horikoshi's "My Hero Academia" (9781421582696,
$9.99), about a middle school student who idolizes heroes yet possesses no powers and no prayer
of admission to the prestigious U.A. High School for heroism training - until the legendary savior
All Might offers him a chance to change his destiny forever!
Maid-sama! 1 & 2
Hiro Fujiwara
Viz Media LLC
1355 Market Street, Suite 200
San Francisco CA 94103
www.shojobeat.com
9781421581309 $14.99 www.viz.com
Presented in its original "unflipped" right-to-left format, Maid-sama! 1 & 2 is a black-and-white
shojo manga (Japanese graphic novel aimed at teenaged female readers) compilation of the first
two volumes of a lighthearted saga about a tangled relationship. Misaki Ayuzawa is the class
president of a predominantly male high school, and works hard to sharpen her reputation as an
academic overachiever. But Misaki has a questionable secret - she works at a maid cafe after
school! Then the attractive student Takumi Usui discovers her double life, and starts showing up
at the maid cafe regularly; will he reveal her secret to the public? And is he serious when he says
he likes her? Perhaps he's a little too forward with his attention - such as an unexpected kiss!
Also highly recommended for fans of lighthearted shojo manga is Go Ikeyamada's "So Cute it
Hurts!! 2" (9781421579863, $9.99), continuing the graphic novel saga of the adorably cute
Kobayashi fraternal twins, who swap clothes and identities, prompting misadventures at school.
The boy Mitsuru earns the ire of a local bully, while the girl Megumu unexpectedly falls in love
with a guy who seems to be allergic to girls!
Witchcraft Works 7
Ryu Mizunagi
Vertical, Inc.
451 Park Avenue South, 7th floor
New York, NY 10016
9781941220528 $12.95 www.vertical-inc.com
Presented in its original "unflipped" right-to-left format, Witchcraft Works 7 is an action-fantasy
black-and-white manga (Japanese graphic novel) continuing the saga of two high school-age
teenagers: Takamiya, a mostly ordinary (though perhaps not so ordinary anymore) young man,
and the powerful, beautiful, and somewhat aloof witch Kagari. The two share a unique bond that
bolsters Kagari's power. Takamiya finds himself attracted to Kagari, yet building up his own
strength enough to hold a candle to Kagari's roaring flame is a daunting task! Furthermore,
Takamiya has a dangerous entity sealed within him, and these seals are being broken one by one.
Volume 7 takes place after the climactic battle with the villainous witch Weekend; with the town
protected and order restored, Kagari and Takamiya have a little free time in which to think about
their past and the future, in between the occasional rampaging monster or rogue's gallery witch
attacks. Clues about their respective pasts leads the duo on a most unusual trip to the home of
Kagari's sorcerer family, in hope of learning more. (Meanwhile, Takamiya's magically gifted
little sister still has a raging, jealous complex for her oblivious big brother...). As always,
Witchcraft Works is characterized by sweeping, beautiful artwork and a lighthearted mix of
comedy and drama. Highly recommended!
Tokyo ESP 1
Hajime Segawa
Vertical, Inc.
451 Park Avenue South, 7th floor, New York, NY 10016
9781941220603 $15.95 www.vertical-inc.com
Showcasing its black-and-white artwork in "unflipped" original right-to-left format, Tokyo ESP 1
is a graphic novel about a young woman who suddenly gains psychic powers. Rinka
Urushiba's ordinary life is completely disrupted one day, when she wakes up after literally falling
through the floor. Another ESPer believes that Rinka is destined to become a hero of justice,
capable of using her powers for good. Rinka's awakening comes just as greedy, destructive, and
murderous opponents with frightening superpowers descend upon her home city of Tokyo. Rinka
must navigate a transformed world with glowing fish flitting through the skies, a seeming
roulette wheel of powers, and an ever-changing net of alliances and enemies, to protect what she
holds dear! Action and emotion blend seamlessly in this suspenseful, modern-day sci-fi
drama.
Ajin: Demi-Human, volume 6
Gaman Saurai
Vertical, Inc.
451 Park Avenue South, 7th floor
New York, NY 10016
9781941220887 $12.95 www.vertical-inc.com
The sixth volume of the science fiction manga (Japanese graphic novel) Ajin: Demi-Human
continues the dark saga of an alternate present-day where a portion of the human population are
"demi-humans". Demi-humans have two notable characteristics: they are virtually immortal
(automatically resurrecting themselves after death), and they can temporarily summon dangerous,
near-indestructible oozing black creatures. A demi-human's degree of control over their ability to
summon, or over the creature's actions, varies greatly with the individual according to emotions,
training/conditioning, and a host of other factors. Extreme discrimination against demi-humans
has all but erupted into a factional civil war. Caught in the middle is Kei Nagai, a demi-human
who hates almost everyone on both sides, and just wants to survive. Kei has extreme difficulty
empathizing with others, yet maintains a tenuous friendship with Ko Nakano, a demi-human who
has not yet given up on noble concepts such as justice. In volume 6, Kei makes a decision that, he
believes, will significantly improve his and Ko's odds of survival; he chooses to ally with a
power player who may be the most likely to "win", and who just might have the tiniest shred of
empathy for other humans and demi-humans. (Maybe.) In their new role, Kei and Ko will both
learn more about themselves and their powers than ever before. They also have to work with
Izumi Shimomura, a teenaged female demi-human whose tragic past has taken its toll on her
spirit, but not broken her will to live just yet. Volume 6 also contains separate sidestories about
Izumi and Ko. At times bleak and disturbing, Ajin: Demi-Human is also a thoughtful parable
about complicated human connections. Highly recommended for older teen and adult readers,
due to some violence and mature themes.
Ninja Slayer: Machine of Vengeance 1
Original work by Bradley Bond and Philip Ninja Morzez
Art by Yuki Yogo
Script by Yoshiaki Tabata
Vertical, Inc.
451 Park Avenue South, 7th floor, New York, NY 10016
9781941220931 $12.95 www.vertical-inc.com
Presented with its black-and-white artwork "unflipped" in its original right-to-left format, Ninja
Slayer: Machine of Vengeance 1 is the first volume of a shockingly violent and action-packed
manga (Japanese graphic novel) set in a futuristic, crime-ridden urban landscape flooded with
neon light and ruled by ruthless criminals. The most menacing of these crimelords are ninjas with
superhuman powers, who war relentlessly, control the private and public sectors of everyday life,
and terrify ordinary people. But one individual is determined to bring change at any cost. He is
the Ninja Slayer, and he will go to any extreme to rid the world of ninjas forever! Ninja Slayer:
Machine of Vengeance 1 is recommended for older readers (minimum thirteen years of age) due
to its over-the-top body count, and will not disappoint fans of high-octane fighting ferocity.
Will Eisner: A Spirited Life
Bob Andelman
TwoMorrows Publishing
10407 Bedfordtown Drive, Raleigh, NC 27614
9781605490618, $39.95, www.twomorrows.com
Will Eisner: A Spirited Life appears in a deluxe edition that expands and presents in full-color a
biography that's been out of print, covering the life of an artist with over seventy years in the
comics industry. His direction fostered the concept of concepts for adult readers, created the first
famous graphic novel, and helped influence other notable talents from Batman's creator to
various underground comics icons - so the publication of this definitive survey is something that
no serious comics, cartoon or graphic novel collection should bypass. Interviews, black and white
and color illustrations on every page, detailed discussions of comic history and evolution that
place Eisner's work in historical perspective, and more make this a 'must have' reference.
The Audiobook Shelf
In This Together
Ann Romney
Macmillan Audio
175 Fifth Avenue, Suite 315
New York, NY 10010
9781427267672 $29.99 www.macmillanaudio.com
In This Together: My Story is the unabridged audiobook rendition of the memoir of Ann
Romney, former First Lady of Massachusetts (her governor husband Mitt Romney is also well-
known for his unsuccessful presidential campaign) and global ambassador of the Ann Romney
Center for Neurologic Diseases at Brigham and Women's Hospital in Boston. Ann met her future
husband Mitt Romney when both were teenagers, and much of their life was filled with
blessings: five healthy sons, wealth, and a happy household. Then in 1998, Ann was diagnosed
with multiple sclerosis; no therapies or treatments could aid her. Mitt told her that they would
face the disease's challenge as a team. Ann, a caregiver all her life, had to face the reality of
becoming a care receiver. Candid and personal, In This Together is a powerful true story about
confronting bad news head-on, as well as Ann's journey from patient to advocate for people
worldwide afflicted with debilitating neurological diseases. Highly recommended. 6 CDs, 7.5
hours.
Never Enough
Michael D'Antonio, author
Read by Eric Pollins
Macmillan Audio
175 Fifth Avenue, Suite 315
New York, NY 10010
9781427274458 $39.99 www.macmillanaudio.com
A member of a Pulitzer Prize-winning team of journalists from "Newsday", Michael D'Antonio
presents Never Enough: Donald Trump and the Pursuit of Success an unabridged audiobook
about the meteoric rise of Donald Trump amid Republican party jockeying for the 2015
Presidential nomination. Never Enough is a stark biography that portrays Trump as a man with
an insatiable appetite for wealth, attention, power, and conquest, and who views himself as
decidedly superior to all (or at least, the vast majority of) other human beings. D'Antonio draws
upon interviews with Trump and many of his family members, including all of his adult children,
to form a vivid picture of both Trump the pugnacious and outspoken American icon, and Trump
the mortal man, whose life has been marked by stormy romances and the relentless pursuit of
power. Never Enough also examines how Trump's political rise is symptomatic of how modern
American politics have become more and more heavily influenced by money - will all of
America's highest governmental offices eventually be the exclusive domain of the super-rich?
Highly recommended. 13 CDs, 16.5 hours.
Bastards: A Memoir
Mary Anna King, author
Read by Christina Delaine
Highbridge Audio Books
270 Skip Jack Road
Prince Frederick, MD 20678
9781622319459 $29.99 www.highbridgeaudio.com
Bastards: A Memoir is the unabridged audiobook presentation of a coming-of-age memoir.
Author Mary Anna King was a young girl named Mary Hall in the early 1980's, born to poor
California parents who were ultimately incapable of raising any of their own children. After
Mary's father walked out on the family, a commune of mothers in a low-income housing complex
raised her for a time; eventually, Mary's loving but overwhelmed mother sent her to Oklahoma to
be raised with her maternal grandparents, whowere also raising her younger sister Rebecca. In
time Mary is legally adopted by her own grandparents - an unusual situation that makes her
mother her sister, and her brother her nephew. Her sisters begin to reconnect with her when she is
in college, beginning a piece-by-piece family reunion. Alternately humorous and poignant,
Bastards: A Memoir is about rediscovering one's family and one's center, and is highly
recommended. 8 hours, 7 CDs.
Lord Jim
Joseph Conrad
Read by Ric Jerrom
Naxos of America, Inc.
1810 Columbia Avenue, Suite 28
Franklin, TN 37064
www.naxosaudiobooks.com
9781843798842, $73.98 CD / $48.00 digital
Part of Naxos' "Complete Classics" line of unabridged audiobooks, Lord Jim is a novel about
pride, self-delusion, and the stumbling search for redemption. Jim is the first mate on a small
steamer in the Pacific. When the ship hits floating wreckage and sinks, Jim and crew abandon it,
saving their own lives but abandoning hundreds of ethnic travelers to a watery grave. Jim's
ruthless actions are exposed by the court, leading to a journey that takes him to a remote, exotic
locale where he is revered as Lord Jim ("Tuan Jim"). Evocative and insightful, Lord Jim is a
thinking person's novel, highly recommended especially for public and college library audiobook
collections. 12 CDs, 15 hours 34 min.
Born of Defiance
Sherrilyn Kenyon
Macmillan Audio
175 Fifth Avenue, Suite 315, New York, NY 10010
www.macmillanaudio.com
9781427262066, $39.99, www.amazon.com
Born a genealogical and cultural outcast, Talyn Batur has spent the whole of his life fighting
against the prejudice of his people. An Andarion without a father is not something anyone wants
to be. But when his companion Felisha's brother draws him into a plot against the Andarion
crown, he finds himself torn between the loyalty to their planetary government that his mother
has beaten into him and his own beliefs of justice and right. Now, he must decide for himself to
remain a pawn of their government or to defy everything and everyone he's ever known to stand
up to tyranny. It's a gamble that will either save his life or end it. And when old enemies align
with new ones, it's more than just his own life at risk. And more than just his home world that
will end should he fail. "Born of Defiance" is an original and exceptionally well written science
fiction action/adventure novel by Sherrilyn Kenyon. With flawless production values, this
Macmillan unabridged audio book edition is superbly narrated by Fred Berman and very highly
recommended for both personal and community library science fiction audio book collections. 11
CDs, 13.5 Hours.
Utah Blaine
Louis L'Amour
Random House Audio Books
c/o The Random House Publishing Group
1745 Broadway, 5th floor, New York, NY 10019
www.randomhouseaudio.com
9780804192491, $30.00, www.amazon.com
Utah Blaine broke out of jail and headed north out of Mexico with nothing but the clothes on his
back. Then he found new trouble struggling at the end of a noose - and stepped in just in time to
save the life of a Texas rancher. The would-be executioners were the rancher's own men, looking
to steal his land. Now Utah has a unique proposition: Have the wealthy Texan play dead,
introduce himself as the spread's new foreman, and take care of the outlaws one by one. The
wage to fight another man's war? A hundred a month plus expenses. The cost of falling in love
while he earns that wage? It wasn't exactly part of the original agreement, but Utah will soon find
out unless the bad guys get to him first. "Utah Blaine" is another action-packed western novel
classic by the legendary Louis L'Amour. Complete and unabridged, this highly recommended
audio book edition is very capably narrated by Craig Klein and certain to be an enduringly
popular addition to personal and community library audio book collections. (5 CDs, 6
Hours).
Dragonbane
Sherrilyn Kenyon
Macmillan Audio
175 Fifth Avenue, Suite 315, New York, NY 10010
www.macmillanaudio.com
9781427261205, $39.99, www.amazon.com
Out of all the shape shifting creatures who call Sanctuary home, no one is more antisocial or
withdrawn than Maxis Drago. But then, it's hard to blend in with the modern world when you
have a fifty foot wingspan. Centuries ago, he was cursed by an enemy who swore to see him fall.
An enemy who took everything from him and left him forever secluded. But Fate is a bitch, with
a wicked sense of humor. And when she throws old enemies together and threatens the wife he
thought had died centuries ago, he comes back with a vengeance. Modern day New Orleans has
become a battleground for the oldest of evils. And two dragons will hold the line, or go down in
flames, in Dragonbane, the next explosive Dark-Hunter novel by Sherrilyn Kenyon presented in a
flawless produced, complete and unabridged audiobook edition deftly narrated by Holter
Graham. Strongly recommended for personal and community library Science Fiction/Fantasy
audio book collections. (7 CDs).
Country
Danielle Steel, author
Read by Dan John Miller
Brilliance Corporation
PO Box 887, Grand Haven, MI 49417
9781455833290 $38.99 www.brillianceaudio.com
Country is a romance novel about a middle-aged widow re-learning to enjoy the spontaneity of
life. Setphanie Adams had stayed in her dull, joyless marriage for years for the sake of her
children; then her fifty-two-year-old husband suddenly dies. While her children grieve, she has
conflicting feelings, and struggles to resurrect her identity as an independent individual. A
sudden impulse leads her on a road trip to Las Vegas, the Grand Canyon, and a chance meeting
that revolutionizes her life. She meets country music star Chase Taylor, and nothing is ever the
same again. Country a thoughtful story about complex characters adjusting to the turbulent
changes of their lives. 8 CDs, 9 hours 29 min. Also highly recommended for fans of passionate
romance is J.T. Geissinger's "Sweet as Sin" (9781491590256, $14.99, 10 CDs, 12 hours 18 min.)
an intense audiobook about the passionate chemistry that develops between Hollywood makeup
artist Kat Reid and a notorious rock star.
Blue
H.J. Bellus, author
Read by Maxine Mitchell and Joe Arden
Tantor Media, Inc.
6 Business Park Road, Old Saybrook, CT 06475
9781494516697 $30.39 CD / $12.50 MP3 www.tantor.com
Blue is an emotional romance that draws inspiration from the parable of Beauty and the Beast.
Blue Williams is talented and celebrated at her high school - senior class valedictorian, prom
queen, popular squad cheerleader, and more. Her life changes completely when she attends
college; she is no longer the local celebrity, and able to blend in for the first time she can
remember. Then, a brush with horror forces her to re-examine her entire life, as well as the man
who rescues her; ninety percent of his body is covered with terrible scars. Can love blossom
between such physical opposites? At once both passionate and thoughtful, Blue is especially
recommended to romance connoisseurs.
Robert Ludlum's The Patriot Attack
Written by Kyle Mills
Read by Jeff Woodman
Hachette Audio
237 Park Avenue, New York, NY 10017
9781478979579 $30.00 www.HachetteAudio.com
Robert Ludlum's The Patriot Attack is an unabridged audiobook rendition of a modern-day work
of international suspense and nuclear tension. An attack on a Japanese warship has pushed Japan
and China to the brink of war, and top Covert-One operative Colonel John Smith embarks on a
mission to recover material from the wreckage of the Fukushima nuclear reactor. Then Smith
goes missing. CIA agent Randi Russell ventures on an unsanctioned mission to find him, and
learns that the material he sought to salving may well be evidence that Japan, led by the
warmongering military chief of staff Masao Takahashi, has been secretly developing next-
generation weapon systems as part of their military buildup. Can Cover One prevent General
Takashi from igniting a third world war fought with nuclear weapons? Exciting to the very end,
Robert Ludlum's The Patriot Attack is a "must-have" for fans of the genre! 9 CDs, 10 hours.
The Library CD Shelf
The Shackleton Experience
Karl Schmaltz
Privately Published
$10.00 www.shackletonexperience.com
The creation of 19-year-old music prodigy Karl Schmaltz, The Shackleton Experience is a unique
blend of music and spoken-word storytelling, reliving Sir Ernest Shackleton's effort to cross the
Antarctic continent from sea to sea aboard the ship "Endurance". Inviting the listener to relive the
crunch of plowing through ice blocks, exhaustive trekking across seemingly endless snow, and
surviving dire peril, The Shackleton Experience is evocative, original, and highly recommended.
The tracks are "Men Wanted", "Into the Weddell Sea", "Winter Months", "Ocean Camps",
"Escape from the Ice", "The Boat Journey", "Across South Georgia", and "The Rescue".
Illumination of the Heart
Deuter
New Earth Records
www.NewEarthRecords.com
c/o Sounds True
413 South Arthur Avenue, Louisville, CO 80027
www.soundstrue.com
$13.99 CD / $9.49 MP3 www.amazon.com
Created by prolific New Age musician Deuter (widely considered one of the founding fathers of
the genre since the release of his first album in 1971), Illumination of the Heart is an instrumental
album of spiritual music featuring flute, keyboards, cello, piano, guitar, and soft vocals. Evoking
emotion and reflection on the interconnectedness of all life, Illumination of the Heart is a sublime
diffusion of conscious awareness, and an excellent choice for relaxation, meditation, or life
therapy. Highly recommended! The tracks are "Matamua" (9:48), "Moon and Earth" (6:28),
"Tonglen" (7:38), "Stern an Stern" (6:50), "Coucher de Lune" (4:46), "Schein Und Widerschein"
(9:26), "Desert Dream Green" (7:37), and "Mericoeur" (8:23), 61 min.
Lights of Laniakea
Kathy Sanborn
That Other Label
$8.99 CD / $9.49 MP3 www.amazon.com
Lights of Laniakea is the seventh album by composer, singer, producer, and American
Songwriting Awards Winner Kathy Sanborn. Eight of her songs have English lyrics; three others
features haunting, wordless vocalizations. The fluid beauty of Lights of Laniakea hearkens to its
inspiration, a recently mapped supercluster in space containing our galaxy, dubbed Laniakea
(meaning "Immeasurable Heaven") by astronomers. An enchanting, cross-cultural audio
experience, Lights of Laniakea is rapturously radiant. The tracks are "Star Catcher" (5:42),
"Follow the Light" (5:28), "Soul Dancing" (5:28), "Someday" (4:57), "Little Candle" (6:05),
"Lani Heaven" (5:53), "Immeasurable Sky" (4:57), "The Stuff of Stars" (6:03), "Abundant Love"
(5:44), "Akea" (5:02), "Seeds of Hope" (4:37), and "Fantasy" (6:24).
New York Boogaloo
Spanglish Fly
Chaco World Music
$15.00 CD / $20.00 vinyl www.spanglishfly.com
New York Boogaloo is the debut album of Spanglish Fly, showcasing an American music style
created by Puerto Ricans in New York and influenced by the soul, rock, and pop of the 1960's.
Boogaloo shifts freely from English to Spanish; thoughts its character is Latin, it welcomes
musicians of all heritages to share and experiment. Spanglish Fly recaptures the high-flying spirit
of Boogaloo in its lively performance featuring wurlitzer and brass, funky bass, congas and
timbales, and more. The result is just plain fun to experience! The tracks are "Esta Tierra" [a re-
imagining of Woody Guthrie's "This Land is Your Land"], "Bump (And Let It Slide)", "Return of
the Po-Po", "Martian Boogaloo", "Mira Ven Aca", "42 (El Cuarenta Y Dos)", "Love Graffiti
Me", "Me Gusta Mi Bicicleta", "Cuidate Hermana", and "Brooklyn Boogaloo".
True North
The Stetson Family
www.thestetsonfamily.com
$15.00 AUD CD / $12.00 AUD download
Acoustic, five-piece bluegrass and folk Americana band The Stetson Family presents True North,
an album of original songs, each of which tells its own story. The Stetson Family is based in
Australia, but the rugged, down-to-earth charm of their music is universal. A "must-have"
especially for fans of country and its creative offshoots! The tracks are "Hey Bartender" (2:50),
"Run Daddy Run" (3:27), "Every Second Beat Of My Heart" (4:28), "Lover Where You Going"
(3:15), "Man and a Pretty Girl" (3:56), "Billy" (4:11), "Travelin' Man" (3:35), "Top of the
Mountain" (3:03), "Don't Look Back" (4:07), "Haunted Hills" (3:13), "Let It Ride" (4:59), and
"How Mountain Girls Can Love" (2:43).
Fantasy Reality
Salvador Santana
Privately Published
$TBA CD / $9.99 download www.itunes.com
The second full length album by Grammy Award Winner Salvador Santana, Fantasy Reality is
inspired by a timeless Walt Disney Quote: "When we do fantasy, we must not lose sight of
reality." Fantasy Reality connects the raw elements of rhythm with emotionally moving melodies,
and lyrics with a strong positive message. Inspirational and supportive, Fantasy Reality
stimulates the imagination while reminding the listener of the quintessential human condition.
The tracks are "Be the Change", "Till the Mornin' Light", "Somethin' That's Real", "Change Is
Gonna Come", "Here With You Tonight", "Keep Pressin' On", "Let The Wall Down" "Love Is
Peach", "Fantasy Reality", "Sound Physician", "Visualize Strength", and "I Don't Want It To
End".
The Library DVD Shelf
Statue of Liberty & New York City
Bennett Watt HD Productions, Inc.
13021 - 244 Avenue SE
Issaquah, WA 98027
9781604901801 $24.95 www.Bennett-Watt.com
Part of the "Discoveries... America National Parks" series of documentary/travel video essays
(available in both DVD and Blu-ray format), Statue of Liberty & New York City is magnificent
tour of historical and recreational sites in New York, including the Statue of Liberty National
Monument, Ellis Island, Grant's Tomb National Memorial, Theodore Roosevelt Birthplace Home
National Historic Site, 9/11 Memorial, and much more. Beautiful footage and enlightening
background information make Statue of Liberty & New York City the next best thing to visiting
these evocative places in person. Highly recommended, especially for public library DVD
collections. 50 min.
George Gently Series 7
Starring Martin Shaw, Lee Ingleby, and Lisa McGrillis
Acorn Media
c/o RLJ Entertainment
9781621724384 $59.99 DVD and Blu-ray, www.acornonline.com
Available in both DVD and Blu-ray formats, George Gently Series 7 collects four all-new,
feature-length mysteries featuring Detective Chief Inspector George Gently (played by Martin
Shaw), who strives to keep the peace and catch criminals in North East of England during the
socially turbulent 1960's. Gently works with Detective Sergeant John Bacchus (played by Lee
Ingleby) and Constable Rachel Coles (played by Lisa McGrillis) to solve crimes of violence, as
cultural, economic, and social revolutions transform the world around them. Yet Gently and
Bacchus each harbor their own dark secrets, which could potentially bring them disgrace and
destroy their careers! Bonus features include interviews with star Martin Shaw and guest actors
Jim Moir and Lesley Nicol. George Gently Series 7 is a "must-have" for connoisseurs of dramatic
British mysteries! 4 mysteries on 4 discs, 371 min. plus bonus, widescreen, SDH subtitles.
The Secrets of the Pack Line Pressure Defense
Matt Woodley
Championship Productions
2730 Graham Street, Ames, IA 50010
$49.99 www.ChampionshipProductions.com
The Secrets of the Pack Line Pressure Defense is an instructional DVD concerning one of the
most effective defensive strategies in basketball. Expert coach Matt Woodley (former Head
Coach at Truman State) teaches viewers how to learn the pack line defense through a series of
breakdown drills, how to quickly build the pack line defense in transition, apply the concept of
"tagging" on basket cuts to prevent easy baskets, and more. On-court demonstrations, meticulous
analysis, and extensive instruction distinguishes this "must-have" for any coach or basketball
team determined to elevate their gameplay to the next level.
Just Walk: Walk to the Hits - All Time Favorites
Leslie Sansone
www.walkathome.com
Anchor Bay Entertainment
2401 West Big Beaver Road, Suite 200
Troy, MI 48084-3304
$14.98 www.anchorbayentertainment.com
Part of the "Just Walk" series of fitness DVDs, Just Walk: Walk to the Hits - All Time Favorites
blends energetic music and High Intensity Interval Training (HIIT) to create a fun, completely
accessible exercise program that anyone can participate in. The core program is a 3-mile walk
routine that guides the viewer to step, tap, kick, and twist to old favorites, in this great way to get
moving. Highly recommended especially for people who have trouble getting motivated to stay
in shape! The tracks are "Warm Up Walk" (6 min.), "Speed Segment 1" (5 min.), "HIIT Session
2" (12 min.), "Speed Segment 2" (5 min.), "HIIT Session 2" (12 min.), and "Cool Down Walk &
Stretch" (8 min.). 56 min. widescreen.
The Metaphysical Studies Shelf
The Haunted House Diaries
William J. Hall
New Page Books
c/o Career Press Inc.
220 West Parkway, Unit 12, Pompton Plains, NJ 07444
9781632650061, $16.99, www.newpagebooks.com
The Haunted House Diaries: The True Story of a Quiet Connecticut Town in the Center of a
Paranormal Mystery tells of an author drawn to investigate a notorious, haunted farmhouse in his
home state. As his research led him to discover the 1790s house was built on a paranormal
crossroads where supernatural forces converged, he culled facts from the private diary of one of
the house's residents that detailed five decades of frightening encounters, and paired these with
interviews of neighbors and house inhabits to create this powerful collection. Any with an
interest in true ghost stories and ghostly encounters will find this takes the subject a step further,
creating a powerfully compelling read that's eerily hard to put down.
The Witch's Oracle
Marla Brooks and Tania Kahn
Schiffer Publishing
4880 Lower Valley Road, Atglen, PA 19310
9780764349317, $24.99, www.schifferbooks.com
The Witch's Oracle provides a 45-card oracle deck with each card including a magical
incantation to provide energy and support the card's underlying message, and is a recommended
deck for any new age tarot reader or oracle user. It's designed to be a divination deck for Witches
and non-Pagans alike and holds the ability to appeal to beginners and those well versed in Tarot
and other decks. The lovely artwork of the cards is supplemented by a guide that addresses the
symbolism of the deck and its interpretations, making for an excellent collection for any using
oracle decks.
Feng Shui from the Inside, Out
Victoria Pendragon
Ozark Mountain Publishing, Inc.
PO Box 754, Huntsville, AR 72740
9781940265094 $16.00 www.ozarkmt.com
Professional residential and commercial Feng Shui consultant Victoria Pendragon presents Feng
Shui from the Inside, Out. Pendragon does not advocate Feng Shui as the complete solution to all
of life's problems; rather, it is only one technique to help the user prepare for and capitalize on
good happenings. Pendragon combines basic Feng Shui tenets with self-help principles that she
dubs "Sleep Magic" to improve one's self-awareness, become more receptive and alert, and
transform one's life for the better. "One of the least followed tenets of excellent Feng Shui is a
mirror-free bedroom. A bedroom should be mirror-free for a very good reason: bedrooms are
supposed to be places of peace and stillness; mirrors bring a vibration very much the opposite of
that, amplifying light energy in the pace throughout the day and turning the bedroom into a kind
of battery, buzzing with vibration when it should be a place of calm." Accessible and user-
friendly, Feng Shui from the Inside, Out is a choice self-help guide especially recommended for
practical-minded individuals seeking the benefits of Feng Shui.
True Tales from the Edgar Cayce Archives
Sidney Kirpatrick & Nancy Kirkpatrick
A. R. E. Press
215 - 67th Street, Virginia Beach, VA 23451-2061
www.edgarcayce.org
9780876048269, $17.95, 272pp, www.amazon.com
Edgar Cayce (March 18, 1877 - January 3, 1945) was an American mystic (nicknamed The
Sleeping Prophet) who answered questions on subjects as varied as healing, reincarnation, wars,
Atlantis and future events while in a trance. "True Tales from the Edgar Cayce Archives: Lives
Touched and Lessons Learned from the Sleeping Prophet" explores the intricate details and
eye-opening stories of the people who received his readings. Sidney and Nancy Kirkpatrick, with
their decades of experience and research, take the reader on a journey into the archives and
history of these psychic passages, finding the most interesting case studies and exploring the
most astounding results of the Cayce work in so many people's lives. Their findings are presented
in a way that reads like a whodunit that is an absolutely absorbing read from beginning to end.
"True Tales from the Edgar Cayce Archives" is enthusiastically recommended to students of
Metaphysical Studies in general, and the life and work of Edgar Cayce in particular. It should be
noted that "True Tales from the Edgar Cayce Archives" is also available in a Kindle edition
($12.56).
The Cookbook Shelf
Kitchen Gypsy
Joanne Weir
Oxmoor House
PO Box 361095, Des Moines, IA 50336-1095
www.timeincbooks.com
9780848746032, $35.00, 288pp, www.amazon.com
The author of seventeen previous cookbooks, Joanne Weir is a James Beard Award-winning
cookbook author, international cooking teacher and chef. In her award-winning PBS series,
"Joanne Weir's Cooking Class," "Joanne Weir's Cooking Confidence" and her new series "Joanne
Weir Gets Fresh". Once again she brings her experience and expertise to bear in "Kitchen Gypsy:
Recipes and Stories from a Lifelong Romance with Food". Beautifully illustrated in full color
throughout, the thoroughly 'kitchen cook friendly' recipes range from Chicken Legs Stuffed with
Blue Cheese and Walnuts; Rhubarb Crostata with Chestnut Honey Ice Cream; Salmon with
Cucumber and Mint Fettuccine; Farmers' Market Risotto with Squash Blossoms; and Lavender
Lime Souffle; to Moroccan-Style Lamb Burgers with Cucumber-Ginger Yogurt; Spiced Papas
Bravas with Avocado Crema; Oaxacan Chocolate Milk Shakes; Sparkling Rose Petal Sorbet; and
Friday-Night Potato Pancakes. Of special note are all the inherently interesting little
commentaries throughout. "Kitchen Gypsy" is guaranteed to be an enduringly popular addition to
personal, professional, family, and community library cookbook collections. It should be noted
that "Kitchen Gypsy" is also available in a Kindle edition ($18.29).
100 Recipes
America's Test Kitchen
17 Station Street, Brookline, MA 02445
www.americastestkitchen.com
9781940352015, $40.00, www.amazon.com
Each individual recipe comprising "100 Recipes" has been tested, written, and edited by the test
cooks, editors, food scientists, tasters, and cookware specialists at America's Test Kitchen, a
2,500-square-foot kitchen located just outside Boston. Beautifully and profusely illustrated
throughout, this 368 page compendium of thoroughly 'kitchen cook friendly' recipes showcases
nutritious and delicious dishes that range from Stir Fried Beef and Brocoli with Oyster Sauce;
Sweet and Tangy Barbecued Chicken; Skillet Meaty Lasagna; and Best Vegetarian Chili; to
Creamy Parmesan Polenta; Pork and Cabbage Potstickers; and Italian Almond Cake. Every
recipe includes serving size information, an ingredients list, and clear step-by-step instructions.
"100 Recipes" will prove to be an enduringly popular addition to personal, family, professional,
and community library cookbook collections. It should be noted that "100 Recipes" is also
available in a Kindle edition ($21.00).
Simply In Season
Mary Beth Lind & Cathleen Hockman-Wert
Herald Press
1251 Virginia Avenue, Harrisonburg, VA 22802
www.heraldpress.com
9780836199123, $24.99, 384pp, www.amazon.com
Now newly released in a tenth anniversary edition, "Simply In Season" is the collaborative work
of dietitian and nutritional consultant Mary Beth Lind and journalist/avid farmers market shopper
Cathleen Hockman-Wert. This beautifully illustrated, 384 page culinary compendium showcases
recipes that emphasize the use of fresh, local foods. Seasonally organized (Spring, Summer,
Autumn, Winter, and a concluding section for All Seasons), the palate pleasing, appetite
satisfying dishes range from Sugared Asparagus; Greek Tomato Salad; Slow Cooker Enchiladas;
and Butternut Harvest Stew; to Apple Lentil Salad; Easy Homemade Sauerkraut; Chunky
Crunchy Granola; and Scandinavian Sweet Soup. A truly impressive assembly of thoroughly
'kitchen cook friendly' recipes, "Simply In Season" is as much fun to browse through as it is
simple and easy to plan seasonally appropriate meals with, giving it the highest possible
recommendation for personal, family, and community library cookbook collections. It should be
noted that "Simply In Season" is also available in a paperback addition (9780836199130,
$19.99).
The How Can It Be Gluten Free Cookbook: Volume 2
America's Test Kitchen
17 Station Street, Brookline, MA 02445
www.americastestkitchen.com
www.howcanitbeglutenfree.com
9781936493982, $26.95, 328pp, www.amazon.com
The second volume of America's Test Kitchen "The How Can It Be Gluten Free Cookbook"
features some 190 all-new landmark recipes, including more than seventy-five dairy-free recipes,
along with an emphasis on a new whole-grain flour blend. The nutritious and delicious, kitchen
cook friendly recipes range from Whole Grain Waffles; Rainbow Quinoa Pilaf; Batter Fried Fish;
and Flourless Nut and Seed Loaf; to Rosemary Focaccia; Linzer Cookies; Coconut Cream Pie;
and New York Style Cheesecake. From breakfast treats, to comfort food, to main meal entres, to
simply wonderful desserts, "The How Can It Be Gluten Free Cookbook: Volume 2" is certain to
be an enduringly popular addition to personal, family, and community library collections. It
should be noted that this second volume in the "The How Can It Be Gluten Free Cookbook"
series is also available in a Kindle edition ($16.49).
The Mindfulness Cookbook
Dr. Patrizia Collard & Helen Stephenson
Hamlyn
c/o Octopus Publishing
236 Park Avenue, New York NY 10017
9780600632610 $12.99 www.octopusbooksusa.com
Illustrated with full-color photography throughout, The Mindfulness Cookbook: Recipes, Tips
and Plans for Mindful Eating is a health-conscious cookbook that does not involve calorie-
counting, dieting, or fasting. Rather, the mindful approach is all about tuning into one's own
"body wisdom", and learning to enjoy food to the fullest. This enables one to reduce portion sizes
and focus on nourishing foods; by paying attention to and savoring the food one eats, one feels
completely satiated while pursuing a weight-loss regimen and a lifelong balance. Tips, tricks, and
techniques to transform one's eating habits for the better are interspersed among such recipes as
"Spinach & lima bean frittata", "Greek country salad with halloumi", "Quick prosciutto &
arugula pizza", "Malaysian rendang lamb", "Broiled fruits with palm sugar" and much more. The
Mindfulness Cookbook is an excellent tool to make restructuring one's culinary habits practical
and fun, as well as a gourmand's delight!
Italy from the Source
Lonely Planet Publications
150 Linden Street, Oakland CA 94607
9781743607619 $24.99 lonelyplanet.com
Featuring full-color photography on almost every other page, Italy from the Source is a
sumptuous cookbook of Italian cuisine. The recipes and images are all directly from locations in
Italy itself, and shared by families who invented or inherited them. Enhanced with numerous
descriptive culinary asides, Italy from the Source is as much a gustatory tour of Italy as it is a
showcase of appetizing recipes, and enthusiastically recommended for international cookbook
collections. Dishes include "Pumpkin Tortelli", "Olive Mill-Style Soup", "Octopus Stew with
Tomatoes, Aromatic Herbs & Potatoes", "Pasta with Tomatoes & Aubergine", and much
more.
The Cheese Lover's Cookbook
Emily Chambers and Whitney Lindsley, authors
Mysha Denson and Nicole Fernley, photography
Front Table Books
c/o Cedar Fort, Inc
2373 W. 700 South, Springville, Utah 84663
9781462115907, $16.99, www.cedarfort.com
"The Cheese Lover's Cookbook" has a plethora of delicious new cheese recipes for appetizers,
sides, salads, main dishes, and desserts, appealing to a wide variety of palates. Each recipe has a
colored sidebar highlighted list of ingredients and measurements, and most recipes have
mouth-watering color photos of the finished product. Many are simple and easy to make. Here
are some tasty examples: Mozzarella Caprese Salad with Balsamic Vinaigrette, Cheesy Spinach
Artichoke Dip, Iceberg Wedge Salad with Blue Cheese Dressing, Baked Five-Cheese Ziti, Goat
Cheese and Cabbage Tacos, Baked Reuben Braid (at truly majestic, festive dish), Ultimate
Grilled Cheese Variations (Three-Cheese, Caprese, and Bacon Cheddar), Pastitsio (Greek
Lasagna), and Cream Cheese Stuffed French Toast. All recipes are clearly explained and very
family friendly. For dessert, there is Berry Mascarpone Trifle, Hazelnut Cocoa Tiramisu, and the
reviewer's favorite, Dulce de Leche Cheesecake. Everybody enjoys cheese as a great source of
energy and protein, so "The Cheese Lover's Cookbook" is a sure winner, with something
scrumptious for everyone.
From the Source - Thailand
Austin Bush & Mark Wiens
Lonely Planet Publications
150 Linden Street, Oakland CA 94607
www.lonelyplanet.com
9781743607633, $24.99, 272pp, www.amazon.com
Lonely Planet Publications is best know as the world's leading travel guide publisher. Their
'From the Source' series focuses on the ethnic cuisines that food lovers and travel enthusiasts will
encounter when traveling abroad and who want to replicate those dishes at home in their
American kitchens. "From the Source - Thailand" showcases 70 authentic local dishes of
Thailand. Beautifully enhanced with full color photography throughout, as well as featuring
inside stories and tips from the world's best local cooks, from street-food vendors, and even
Michelin-starred chef patrons. From Central Thailand's sophisticated, cosmopolitan cuisine
layered with Chinese and Muslim influences, to Northern Thailand's mild, seasonal dishes with
ancient roots, to Northeastern Thailand's full-flavored, rustic cooking that doesn't skimp on spice,
and to Southern Thailand's spicy offerings, with an emphasis on seafood, chillies and salt, "From
the Source - Thailand" is a culinary cornucopia with recipes ranging from Stir-Fried Prawns with
Thai Herbs; Jasmine-Infused Agar-Agar with Tropical Fruit Salad; and Tapioca Dumplings in
Coconut Cream, to Slow-Cooked Beef in Herbs; Southern Thai Dry Pork Curry; and Steamed
Cassava & Coconut Cake. Thoroughly 'kitchen cook friendly', "From the Source - Thailand" is
very highly recommended and certain to be an enduringly popular addition to personal, family,
professional, and community library cookbook collections.
Grandbaby Cakes
Jocelyn Delk Adams
Agate Publishing
1328 Greenleaf Street, Evanston, IL 60202
www.agatepublishing.com
9781572841734, $22.95, 224pp, www.amazon.com
Grandbaby Cakes: Modern Recipes, Vintage Charm, Soulful Memories is the debut cookbook
from sensational food writer, Jocelyn Delk Adams. Since founding her popular recipe blog
Grandbaby Cakes in 2012, Adams has been putting fresh twists on old favorites. Adams has
earned praise from critics and the adoration of bakers both young and old for her easygoing
advice, rich photography, and the heartwarming memories she shares of her family's
generations-old love of baking. Beautifully and profusely illustrated, "Grandbaby Cakes: Modern
Recipes, Vintage Charm, Soulful Memories" is a culinary treasury of outstanding recipes for
pound cakes, layer cakes, sheet cakes, baby cakes, celebration cakes, and cakes for all manner of
seasons and holidays. Thoroughly 'kitchen cook friendly' in content and presentation, the recipes
range from a Cinnamon Roll Pound Cake; a Red Velvet Cake with Blackberry-Cream Cheese
Whipped Frosting; and a Marble Texas Sheet Cake; to Roasted-Raspberry Cupcakes; a
Strawberry Sundae Cake; and a Watermelon-Berry-Lime Icebox Cake. Very highly
recommended, "Grandbaby Cakes: Modern Recipes, Vintage Charm, Soulful Memories" is
certain to be an enduringly popular addition to family and community library cookbook
collections! It should be noted that "Grandbaby Cakes" is also available in a Kindle edition
($13.77).
Cupcakery
Toni Miller
Cedar Fort, Inc.
2373 West 700 South, Springville, Utah 84663
www.cedarfort.com
9781462116263, $19.99, 160pp, www.amazon.com
Who doesn't like cupcakes -- those smaller and bite sized versions of their larger pastry brethren!
Comprised of a culinary wealth of kitchen cook friendly recipes, the beautifully illustrated cup
cake recipes comprising "Cupcakery: Party-Perfect Cupcakes in a Flash" are certain to please any
palate. Toni Miller's is a self-taught home cake baker and decorater who quickly grew her hobby
into a successful baking blog and a love for all things adorable sweet. Her work can be found on
many websites and publications around the world, including Better Homes and Gardens, Good
Housekeeping, Today, Yahoo!, and more. After an informative introduction and a very useful
instructional guide covering cupcake tools, ingredients and supplies, baking, frosting, toppings,
and more, the individual cupcake recipes in "Cupcakery" range from Blueberry-Stuffed French
Toast; Cherry Cheesecake; Chocolate Caramel Irish Cream; and Lemon Pudding; to Cinnamon
Eggnog; Caramel Popcorn; Ice Cream Sundae; and Blue Velvet Coconut. Guaranteed to be an
enduringly popular addition to personal, family, and community library cookbook collections, it
should be noted that "Cupcakery" is also available in a Kindle edition ($6.15).
The Mystery/Suspense Shelf
The Man Who Fell from the Sky
Margaret Coel
Berkley Prime Crime
c/o Penguin Group (USA)
375 Hudson Street, New York, NY 10014
9780425280300, $26.95, www.penguin.com
The Man Who Fell from the Sky tells of what first appears to be an accidental death when Robert
Walking Bear's body is found in the mountains. The only suspicion comes from the fact that he
was hot on the trail of buried treasure when he seemingly fell - and when rumors begin to
circulate that he was murdered by family members, Vicky and Father John find themselves
involved when an anonymous witness pops up to support that theory. The real conviction that
something's wrong begins when another family member has an accident - and now a murder
spree prompted by greed seems more likely and even more deadly. Mystery fans who love
Hillerman and other Native American-based sagas - including prior Coel fans - will relish this
latest story.
Sense of Deception
Victoria Laurie
Obsidian Mysteries
c/o Penguin Group (USA)
375 Hudson Street, New York, NY 10014
9780451473868, $24.95, www.penguin.com
Sense of Deception offers a fine new 'Psychic Eye' mystery and continues to pair intrigue with
the paranormal as Abby Cooper senses that a convicted killer is innocent, but just needs proof.
Further complicating her case is an angry judge, the truth surrounding a woman who faces the
death penalty, and an investigation largely based on intuition which leads Abby directly into a
search for the real killer that runs up against an execution deadline. Mystery readers will find the
light psychic addition just the ticket for producing a compelling read; especially when added into
the mix of an impossible judge, an impossible deadline, and deadly dangers.
Night of the Horns / Cry Wolfram
Douglas Sanderson
Stark House Press
1315 H Street, Eureka, CA 95501
www.starkhousepress.com
9781933586724, $20.95, 262pp, www.amazon.com
Doug Sanderson isn't well known but he should be. He wrote a series of white hot thrillers in the
1950s which were published under his two pseudonyms, Martin Brett and Malcolm Douglas. But
he also published a good many novels under his own name, and Stark House has now published
two of Doug Sanderson's time-lost classics. "Night of the Horn" is the seedy tale of a Southern
California lawyer whose life is ripped apart when he agrees to do a job for a racketeer. "Cry
Wolfram" is the story of cross-and-double-cross affair that takes place on the coast of Spain.
Exceptionally well written, action-packed, fast paced, and thoroughly entertaining, "Night of the
Horns / Cry Wolfram" is very highly recommended reading and will ably serve to introduce a
whole new generation of appreciative readers. Of special note is the inclusion of a complete
Douglas Sanderson Bibliography which also includes his books under his two pseudonyms.
Chicago Noir: The Classics
Joe Meno, editor
Akashic Books
232 Third Street, #A115, Brooklyn, NY 11215
www.akashicbooks.com
9781617753770, $29.95, 288pp, www.amazon.com
Noir fiction is a literary genre closely related to hard-boiled genre with a distinction that the
protagonist is not a detective, but instead either a victim, a suspect, or a perpetrator. Other
common characteristics include the self-destructive qualities of the protagonist. A typical
protagonist of the Noir fiction is dealing with the legal, political or other system that is no less
corrupt than the perpetrator by whom the protagonist is either victimized and/or has to victimize
others on a daily basis. The fifteen short stories comprising "Chicago Noir: The Classics", which
are knowledgeably compiled and deftly edited by Joe Meno, are true gems of the noir literary
tradition. "Chicago Noir: The Classics" features classic noir tales by Harry Stephen Keeler,
Sherwood Anderson, Max Allan Collins, Richard Wright, Nelson Algren, Fredric Brown,
Patricia Highsmith, Barry Gifford, Stuart M. Kaminsky, Libby Fischer Hellmann, Sara Paretsky,
Percy Spurlark Parker, Sandra Cisneros, Hugh Holton, and Stuart Dybek. The fifteen stories
anthologized in "Chicago Noir: The Classics" are deftly presented in three major sections: The
Jazz Age; Noir & Neo-Noir; Modern Crime. "Chicago Noir: The Classics" is a consistently
entertaining and will prove to be an enduringly popular addition to community library
Mystery/Suspense collections. It is also highly recommended for academic library Literary
Studies collections as well. It should be noted for personal reading lists that "Chicago Noir: The
Classics" is also available in a paperback edition (9781617752940, $15.95) and in a Kindle
format ($12.28).
The Christian Studies Shelf
As the Sun Has Risen
H. Dennis Fisher
Discovery House
3000 Kraft Avenue SE
Grand Rapids, MI 49512
9781627073486 $19.99 www.dhp.org
As the Sun Has Risen: Scriptural Reflections on C.S. Lewis' Life and Literature explores the
Christian and spiritual themes in C.S. Lewis' classic works, from autobiographical writings to
essays to literature. Writings contemplated include "All My Road Before Me: The Diary of C.S.
Lewis 1922-1927", "The Chronicles of Narnia" young adult fantasy epic, "Mere Christianity",
"The Screwtape Letters", "The Space Trilogy" and many more. Nearly every reflection is
succinctly stated on a single page, along with an appropriate reference to Scripture, making As
the Sun Has Risen ideal for browsing, or as a supplement to daily prayer. "Our Lord seemed to
give C.S. Lewis sensitivity for bringing the truth to hurting people at their point of need. Often
this happened through letter writing - of which he once told a friend: 'My correspondence
involves a great number of theological letters already which can't be neglected because they are
answers to people in great need of help and often in great misery.'"
The Defense Never Rests, second edition
Craig A. Parton
Concordia Publishing House
3558 South Jefferson Avenue, Saint Louis, MO 63118-3968
www.cph.org
9780758650429, $12.99, 176pp, www.amazon.com
"The Defense Never Rests" by Craig A. Parton is an informed and informative analysis of
contemporary American Christianity as well as chronicling the personal spiritual pilgrimage of
one man as well as providing an impressive defense of the pure Christian Gospel. Divided into
two major parts, "The Defense Never Rests" is a kind of spiritual autobiography of the author,
describing his journey from unbelief to American Evangelicalism and Campus Crusade staff
work, to his true home in the Lutheran church. "The Defense Never Rests" is also a deftly crafted
critique of shallow, pop-style Christian worship and theology. Now in a newly revised and
expanded second edition, "The Defense Never Rests" contains new sections dealing with the
challenges of New Atheism, Bart Ehrman and the new wave of biblical criticism. A truly
exceptional work, "The Defense Never Rests" is especially recommended to the attention of all
members of the Christian community regardless of their denominational affiliation. It should be
noted for personal reading lists that "The Defense Never Rests" is also available in a Kindle
edition ($9.99).
St. Paul's
2187 Victory Boulevard, Staten Island, NY 10314
stpauls.us
Four titles from St. Paul's (a non-profit apostolate of the Pious Society of St. Paul in the United
States) offer spiritual guidance to Christian readers. Patricia McCarthy's "The Girl Who Learned
How To Kneel: The Story of Etty Hillesum" (9780818913594, $4.95) is the powerful story of the
conversion, faith, and martyrdom of a young Dutch woman of Jewish descent, who struggled
with daily horrors during World War II and ultimately perished in Auschwitz. Enzo Bianchi's
"Why Pray, How to Pray" (9780818913662, $12.95) is a philosophical defense of prayer in
today's era, when some Christians question whether prayer is an "escape" from social
responsibility, or even a waste of time given God's seeming indifference to horrors such as the
Holocaust. Bianchi examines these objections, and refutes them by demonstrating the
quintessential nature of prayer as a cornerstone of Christian life and connection to God. Robert
Letellier's "The Bible and Covenant: Using Sacred Text and Images to Understand Salvation
History" (9780818913600, $16.95) cross-examines the meaning of spiritual covenants with God,
including both those mentioned in the Old Testament and the new covenant sealed with the blood
of Christ. Letellier advances that no covenant with God is ever "replaced"; rather, all are fulfilled
in Jesus, who himself embodies the essence of the covenant. Friar Guy Lespinay's "Introduction
to Religious Life" (9780818913754, $12.95) is an accessible guide to understanding and
following the precepts of religious life as a personal commitment to following in the footsteps of
Jesus Christ and the earliest Christian communities, specifically by joining a monastic order or an
apostolic institute. Introduction to Religious Life is especially recommended to anyone
considering such a life path for themselves, as well as friends and family who wish to better
understand a loved one with the calling, or anyone else who seeks to learn more about the
subject. All four titles are eruditely written, and especially recommended for church library
collections or private study.
The Judaic Studies Shelf
613 Mitzvot
Ronald L. Eisenberg
Schreiber Publishing
c/o Casemate-IPM
22841 Quicksilver Drive, Dulles, VA 20166
www.casematepublishers.com
9780884003335, $25.95, www.amazon.com
The Hebrew word 'mitzvah' refers to precepts and commandments as commanded by God. It is
used in rabbinical Judaism to refer to the 613 commandments given in the Torah at biblical
Mount Sinai and the seven rabbinic commandments instituted later for a total of 620. The 613
commandments divided into two categories: 365 negative commandments and 248 positive
commandments. According to the Talmud, all moral laws are, or are derived from, divine
commandments. In "613 Mitzvot: A Contemporary Guide to the Commandments of Judaism" by
Ronald L. Eisenberg (a student of Jewish law, history, and culture for many years), the 613
commandments embodied in the Torah are presented in layman's language, making them quite
easy to look up and readily understand. It should be noted that commentaries from the Mishnah
and the Talmud to present- day interpretations are included. Thoroughly 'reader friendly' in
composition, organization, and presentation, "613 Mitzvot" is very highly recommended for
personal, community, and academic library Judaic Studies reference collections.
The Crafts Shelf
The Art of Paper Weaving
Anna Schepper and Lene Schepper
Quarry Books
c/o Quarto Publishing Group USA
400 First Avenue North, Suite 400, Minneapolis, MN 55401-1722
www.quartous.com
9781631590399, $24.99, www.craftside.net
The Art of Paper Weaving: 46 Colorful, Dimensional Projects includes full-sized templates and
online support, plus paper for one project, as it covers techniques for a craft that has its roots in
traditional Danish and German woven paper designs. It comes from paper artists who have a
successful blog and shows crafters how to begin learning paper weaving, presenting projects that
begin simply and teach the techniques needed to move into more advanced circles. The result is a
recommendation for any crafts collection, pairing full-page color images with easy step-by-step
instructions beginners can access.
LaFosse & Alexander's Origami Jewelry
Michael G. LaFosse & Richard L. Alexander
Tuttle Publishing
364 Innovation Drive, North Clarendon, VT 05759-9436
www.tuttlepublishing.com
9784805311516, $16.95, 80pp, www.amazon.com
"LaFosse & Alexander's Origami Jewelry: Easy-to-Make Paper Pendants, Bracelets, Necklaces
and Earrings" Is a new paper craft book from world renowned origami artists, Michael G.
LaFosse and Richard L. Alexander. Even the most novice crafter will be delighted to discover
how quick, fun and inexpensive it is to make durable DIY jewelry that can actually be worn!
"LaFosse & Alexander's Origami Jewelry" shows step-by-step how to create 3D designs to go
with hair, skin, and wardrobe by customizing the components to a personal fashion. A full-color
easy-to-follow book, clear diagrams and the included DVD provides thoroughly 'user friendly'
guidance to creating lovely pendants, medallions, charms, bracelets, necklaces and earrings in
minutes. The origami paper and other materials needed are inexpensive and available in any craft
store and a simple starch-based paste will provide do-it-yourself jewelry with remarkable
strength to last for years. Very highly recommended and a great deal of fun, it should be noted
that "LaFosse & Alexander's Origami Jewelry" is also available in a Kindle edition ($11.99).
The Music Shelf
Music Theory For Beginners
R. Ryan Endris, author
Joe Lee, illustrator
For Beginners LLC
155 Main Street, Suite 211, Danbury, CT 06810
Red Wheel/Weiser/Conari (distribution)
65 Parker Street, Suite 7, Newburyport, MA 01950
www.redwheelweiser.com
9781939994462, $15.95, www.forbeginnersbooks.com
"Music Theory for Beginners" presents in spare, witty, condensed chapters the basics of music
theory for the untutored in five chapters and 115 pages. Richly illustrated with comic black and
white drawings, "Music Theory for Beginners" is an ideal text manual for anyone wanting to
become fluent in reading and understanding music notation, for purposes of composition or
performance or enjoyment. Part of the For Beginners series, "Music Theory for Beginners"
presents a step by step introduction to the complex components of music theory, using comic
black and white illustrations to exemplify and enlighten with humor and charm. It is a great self
educational manual for motivated and untrained music lover. Chapters unfold on rhythm (beat,
tempo, meter), musical notation, scales and keys, intervals and harmony, and putting music
theory into practice. The use of shaded sidebars presents exciting supplemental information, such
as composer bio-profiles, (Richard Wagner, Arnold Schoenberg, more) and musical concepts or
types of music (such as blues). A pair of comic caricatures of Beethoven, Bach, Mozart, Elvis
and others peps up dialogue and narrative and helps lock down reader attention. An Epilogue,
Glossary, and Further Reading resource list complete this succinct, elegant mini- music theory
manual for beginners, compacting a large amount of useful information into a clear, user friendly
reader format.
What Is Punk?
Eric Morse, author
Anny Yi, illustrator
Black Sheep
c/o Akashic Books
232 Third Street, #A115, Brooklyn, NY 11215
www.akashicbooks.com
9781617753923, $15.95, www.amazon.com
"What Is Punk?" is a creative claymation-influenced illustrated condensed history of punk rock
for kids. Written in witty narrative verse, "What Is Punk?" traces the beginnings of the music
movement in new York City, Chicago, London, and more. Groups like the Sex Pistols,
Buzzcocks, and the Clash defined a new sound and promoted songs for the working class and the
idea of equality for all. American bands like Talking Heads, the Velvet Underground, the New
York Dolls, and Blondie, as well as the Ramones brought a new punk sound to the U.S. Iggy Pop
brought punk to the Middle West, shirtless or not. After the initial bands broke the ground with
their sound, female punk bands and stars took off, as well as L. A. Bands like the Descendents
and the Dickies, Circle Jerks, Germs, and Weirdos. More punk bands played in Washington D.
C. And elsewhere. Punk can be a sound, loud and fast, or a movement. Punk culture has evolved
into many other forms and versions of punk, but "if you really want to know punk...You just have
to listen." This highly imaginative narrative verse condensation of Punk history is ideally
illustrated with detailed clay figures and objects that define state of the art punk in a truly unique
and fun, zany way. Just like Punk.
The Humor Shelf
King of the Comics
Stephan Pastis
www.pearlscomic.com
Andrews McMeel Publishing
1130 Walnut Street
Kansas City, MO 64106-2109
9781449458287 $14.99 www.andrewsmcmeel.com
King of the Comics: A Pearls Before Swine Collection is an anthology of newspaper comic strips
from the popular, if notoriously uncouth "Pearls Before Swine" series. Daily strips are in their
original black-and-white, while Sunday strips are reproduced in full color. Comic creator Stephan
Pastis is notable for his self-depreciating humor (taken to extremes whenever his author avatar
joins the anthropomorphic cast), savage predator-prey jokes, and shaggy dog stories culminating
in extravagant puns. For example, a Sunday strip in which Superintendent Cali and his doe
lawyer Allie warn Goat that he's about to be evicted because his building is fragile and has been
listed for sale culminates in "'Super Cali... Fragile? List it?!' 'Expect Allie.' 'Doe, shush!'" (Then
Rat tells Pastis' author avatar, "Mary Poppins asked me to kick your @#@"). Other slightly
offensive yet hilariously funny material includes lemmings that cry "Wheeee" when they leap to
their deaths (one strip admits that lemming suicide is a myth perpetuated by a 1960's Disney
documentary), a penguin-devouring polar bear bizarrely out of place in the Antarctic, and an
absurdly prideful skin-tight-suit cyclist. The laughs come fast and furious, in this
spare-no-sensibilities collection!
The Future and Why We Should Avoid It
Scott Feschuk
Douglas & McIntyre
PO Box 219, Madeira Park, BC, Canada, V0N 2H0
9781771620338 $22.95 www.douglas-mcintyre.com
The Future and Why We Should Avoid It is a wry, tongue-in-cheek look at the future's myriad
dark possibilities - aging, death, technology that devours jobs, questionable inventions, projected
political misadventures, and more. Author Scott Feschuk hypothesizes about the next Apple
invention (iCap? iSnuggie? iCouch, a platform ideal for updating Facebook with one's ass?), the
2056 race for the White House (contenders include Zombie Hillary Clinton and Deep Blue 7.0, in
beta), and strategies for keeping one's job in an increasingly automated workforce ("Make
yourself indispensable.... It's probably easier just to swallow the CFO's hard drive. Also, there's
hostage-taking - a surprisingly effective attention-getter in the short term. And remember: prison
offers solitude and none of the hassle of vetting whom/what you have sex with.") Keen-edged
satire and laugh-out-loud silliness will hopefully help readers face their terrifying future with
smile - or at least a strained grimace!
The Mythology Shelf
The Bigfoot Book
Nick Redfern
Visible Ink Press
43311 Joy Road #414, Canton, MI 48187-2075
9781578595617 $19.95 www.visibleinkpress.com
Featuring nearly 200 alphabetized entries and 120 black-and-white photographs, The Bigfoot
Book is an incredible encyclopedia of folklore, legends, eyewitness accounts, and more about the
mythologized "Bigfoot" - supposedly a lurking, hairy, humanoid monster that subsists in remote
areas on the fringes of society. Could such creatures truly exist? After all, shambling, bipedal
primates are a common occurrence in folklore, in North America and beyond. The Bigfoot Book
covers everything from history and tall tales about Bigfoot, to pop culture representations,
television shows on Animal Planet, Discovery Channel, and National Geographic channel, and
the results of scientific study. Thoroughly accessible to readers of all backgrounds, The Bigfoot
Book lives up to its title and is highly recommended.
The Biography Shelf
Henry Clay: America's Greatest Statesman
Harlow Giles Unger
Da Capo Press
c/o Perseus Book Group
250 W. 57th St., Suite 1500, New York, NY 10107
9780306823916 $25.99 www.perseusbooksgroup.com
Henry Clay: America's Greatest Statesman is the biography Henry Clay (1777-1852), a statesman
who served America for over fifty years. He was the youngest-ever speaker of the U.S. House of
Representatives; a crusader against the corruption and slavery; an inspiring hero to President
Abraham Lincoln; and a survivor of great personal tragedy, including ill health and the death of
his daughters. His support of the abolition movement very likely cost him the presidential
election on four occasions. Yet to this day, he is best known as "The Great Compromiser", a man
who pulled the young nation back from the brink of civil war with delicately balanced
compromises on five separate, historic occasions (in 1820, 1821, 1833, 1836, and 1850). Though
the American Civil War ultimately erupted after Clay's passing, his efforts held America together
long enough for strong economic, political, and social ties to grow, to the point that separation
became unthinkable. Notes, a bibliography, and an index round out this meticulously researched,
reader-friendly life story of a truly remarkable politician. Highly recommended, especially for
public and college library biography collections.
Brummett Echohawk
Kristin M. Youngbull
University of Oklahoma Press
2800 Venture Drive
Norman, OK 73069
9780806148267 $24.95 www.oupress.com
Brummett Echohawk: Pawnee Thunderbird and Artist is the first book-length biography of
World War II hero, painter, writer, humorist, and actor Brummett Echohawk. A member of the
Pawnee tribe of Native Americans, Echohawk served on the European battlefields of World War
II, counted coup as his grandfather had done during the Indian wars of the previous century, and
drew combat sketches as well as portraits of Allied and enemy soldiers, some of which appeared
in the "Detroit Free Press" in 1944. After the war, and without support from the GI Bill,
Echohawk studies at the Art Institute of Chicago for three years and secured work as a staff artist
for multiple Chicago newspapers. Eight of Echohawk's paintings are reproduced in full color in
this thoughtful, detailed, and candid life story. Highly recommended, especially for public and
college library biography and Native American studies shelves.
The Only Woman in the Room
Rita Lakin
Applause Books
c/o Hal Leonard Performing Arts Publishing Group
19 West 21st Street, Suite 201, New York, NY 10010
9781495014055 $29.99 www.halleonard.com
The Only Woman in the Room: Episodes in My Life and Career as a Television Writer is the
memoir of Rita Lakin, whose career writing and producing for television spanned 25 years. The
worked on shows such as "Dr Kildare", "Peyton Place", "Mod Squad", and "Dynasty", eventually
creating her own shows: "The Rookies", "Flamingo Road", and "Nightengales" as well as Movies
of the Week and mini-series. Her many awards include Emmy nominations and the Mystery
Writer's of America's Edgar Allen Poe award. She was essentially a feminist before feminism
became mainstream (and before she herself realized that she fit the definition), personally
defying stereotypes, introducing women to the male-dominated business, and advocating for
women's rights. The Only Woman in the Room is an extraordinary true story of lifetime
accomplishment, highly recommended.
Developing the Pacific Northwest
William H. Wilson
Washington State University Press
PO Box 645910, Pullman, WA 99164-5910
9780874223316 $29.95 www.wsupress.wsu.edu
Developing the Pacific Northwest: The Life and Work of Asahel Curtis is an in-depth biography
of photographer Asahel Curtis (1875-1941). Curtis began his photography career at his older
brother Edward's photography studio, and then joined the Klondike gold rush with a box camera,
preserving images of the trail, miners, gold creeks, and Dawson city. But when Curtis returned
home, conflict brewed over these photographs, leading to Curtis' estrangement from his own
brother. In time, Curtis opened his own studio and earned a living as a commercial photographer,
yet he had passions beyond his daily job. He married and purchased a farm in the Yakima Valley;
he belonged to Washington's good roads movement to promote economic development and
tourism; and he helped found the Seattle Mountaineers Club as well as chair the Mount Rainier
Advisory Board. Notes, a list of sources, and an index round out this thoughtful and detailed
portrait.
The Parenting Shelf
Your New Pregnancy Bible, fourth edition
Joanne Stone, MD and Keith A. Eddleman, MD, Editors
Hamlyn
c/o Octopus Publishing
236 Park Avenue, New York NY 10017
9780600631590, $34.99, www.octopusbooksusa.com
There are so very many books on pregnancy and health on the market today that one might
wonder at the need for yet another; but in fact Your New Pregnancy Bible: The Experts' Guide to
Pregnancy and Early Parenthood represents a fully revised, updated fourth edition of a
world-wide best-seller and is really the only book a prospective parent will need on the subject. It
synthesizes the advise of experts into a discussion of all the major issues of pregnancy, provides
practical tips on what to expect during different stages of pregnancy, and surveys health care
routines, exercise, emotional changes during pregnancy, and more. A section enhanced by 3-D
images even follows the weekly progress of an unborn child, while discussions include future
fathers and their roles. Any new to parenting and pregnancy will find Your New Pregnancy Bible
the perfect starting point for complete, easy understanding of the process of bringing a baby to
term.
Common Sense Parenting series
Boys Town Press
14100 Crawford Street, Boys Town, NE 68010
$15.95 each www.boystownpress.org
The Common Sense Parenting series from Boy's Town Press is a guide filled with research-tested
methods, adaptive skills, tips, tricks, and techniques for parents of children. Focusing on teaching
and discipline rather than rewards/punishments, and aimed at strengthening family relationships,
the Common Sense Parenting series is thoroughly accessible and practical. "Common Sense
Parenting of Toddlers and Preschoolers, second edition" by Bridget A. Barnes, M.S. and Steven
M. York, M.H.D. (9781934490716) offers strategies for dealing with tantrums, recommendations
for motivating one's child, suggestions for teaching social skills to children, and much more.
"Common Sense Parenting, fourth edition" by Ray Burke, Ph.D., Ron Herron, and Bridget A.
Barnes, M.S. (9781934490815) covers the entire process of raising school-aged children, from
learning how to communicate clearly to correcting problem behavior to helping children handle
peer pressure and more. Both are highly recommended for parents everywhere, as well as public
library collections.
The Education Shelf
The Preschool Inclusion Toolbox
Erin E. Barton and Barbara J. Smith
Brookes Publishing Company
PO Box 10624, Baltimore, MD 21285-0624
9781599576672, $36.95, www.brookespublishing.com
The Preschool Inclusion Toolbox provides a fine how-to book for preschool administrators, child
care directors, and staff, discussing how to chart and guide the process of early childhood
inclusion through wide changes of school systems and approaches to preschool. It provides a
checklist of problems, solutions, and actions that can be put into place based upon the latest
research and best practices, includes handouts and tools teachers can use in a preschool program,
and is loaded with solid action plans for success. No preschool leader should be without this
specific, powerful guide.
Corwin Press, Inc.
2455 Teller Road, Thousand Oaks, CA 91320-2218
www.corwin.com
With the multitude of books about common core practices and applications on the market today,
the appearance of more might suggest redundancy; but there's nothing redundant about a book
that narrows the focus to integrating common core writing standards with an applications that
promises to reach struggling students, making this a winning guide blending the UDL framework
with common core goals. Sally A. Spencer's Making the Common Core Writing Standards
Accessible Through Universal Design for Learning (9781483369471, $34.95) tells how UDL can
overcome common roadblocks to success, provides dozens of classroom activities, discusses
resources, and provides teachers with all the tools necessary to translate common core standards
to classroom goals. Teachers will find this a solid guide packed with practical suggestions for
success and advancement. Rae Pica's What If Everybody Understood Child Development?
Straight Talk About Bettering Education and Children's Lives (9781483381548, $21.00) imparts
the basics of connections between how kids grow and how they learn, and comes from an
educator with over thirty-five years in the education field. Her contention is simple: there's a
break in understanding between how children learn and how they develop - a disconnect that can
be filled with actionable lesson plans and approaches to education. Nearly thirty short essays
offer discussions of best practices in both child development and education processes, blending
the opinions of experts with the latest research. Educators will find this a solid approach to
improving teaching.
Redleaf Press
10 Yorkton Court, St. Paul, MN 55117-1065
www.redleafpress.org
Allen C. Rosales's Mathematizing: An Emergent Math Curriculum Approach for Young Children
(9781605543956, $29.95) offers strategies for building children's math skills through a process
of immersing kids in a program connecting math to everyday experiences. It's a style that blends
lessons and case studies with illustrations and charts unavailable elsewhere and specific to this
customized style of teaching, and offers educators a concrete program of learning based on the
author's twenty-plus years of experience as an early childhood educator. The result is a highly
recommended approach. Deborah Hirschland's When Young Children Need Help: Understanding
and Addressing Emotional, Behavioral, and Developmental Challenges (9781605542386,
$34.95) explores the fundamentals of how to support three- to six-year-olds who have emotional
and behavioral problems, and provides ideas that can be used in a busy classroom environment.
From handling kids with histories of neglect to helping when language is limited, this book is a
'must' for teachers and childcare providers working in diverse classrooms or situations.
Teaching and Learning in Bilingual Classrooms: New Scholarship
Kristin J. Mulrooney, Editor
Gallaudet University Press
800 Florida Avenue, NE, Washington, DC 20002-3695
9781563686238, $80.00, www.gupress.gallaudet.edu
Teaching and Learning in Bilingual Classrooms: New Scholarship examines classroom
interaction using research by five professors who adopted SoTL methods in their own classrooms
at Gallaudet University to blend a bilingual approach incorporating American Sign Language and
written English, and is a scholarly examination recommended for ASL teachers and scholars.
Scholars assessed common problems in classes on ASL linguistics and criminal justice to
consider how providing educational materials in ASL and English resulted in better educational
quality. The result is a solid study in education and effectiveness that is recommended for any
collection strong in ASL studies.
Well Played
Linda Dacey, Karen Gartland & Jayne Bamford Lynch
Stenhouse Publishers
480 Congress Street, Portland, ME 04101-3451
9781625310323, $25.00, www.stenhouse.com
Well Played: Building Mathematical Thinking Through Number Games and Puzzles Grades 3-5
offers a rich presentation of puzzles that go beyond fun activities to prove key to teaching basic
math concepts, and is recommended not only for classroom teachers but for homeschooling
parents as well. Explanations of the foundations of math theory involved in each puzzle
accompany games, variations on themes, step-by-step directions, and sample classroom models
for integrating the puzzle or game into an overall curriculum approach. From how to teach using
these puzzles to handling diverse classrooms and using the reproducibles in the book, this is a top
recommendation for any teacher who would use a child's interest in games to reinforce basic
math skills.
Finding Your U
Katrin Muir Lau and Judith Widener Muir
Bright Sky Press
2365 Rice Blvd., Suite 202, Houston, TX 77005
9781939055989 $19.95 www.brightskypress.com
Written by professional college counselors, Finding Your U: Navigating the College Admission
Process distills thirty years' of wisdom in the field, hundreds of college campus visits, and
uncountable conversations with college deans and reps into an accessible, user-friendly guide to
understanding the ecomplex process of choosing a university best suited to one's needs, and
earning admission. College applicants learn about how colleges decide who gets in (from
standardized tests to winning essays to letters of recommendation), options to pursue when
deciding on a possible degree, the process of applying for financial assistance, and much more.
"In your communications with the school, avoid being inappropriate. Use conventional grammar
and spelling, not what is used in texts and social media. Double-check grammar, punctuation,
and spelling. Make sure your email address is appropriate. It may feel like a casual email, but it
will become a permanent part of your life." A "must-have" for every high school student
contemplating a college education - which is more essential than ever for earning a living wage
in today's economy.
Colleges That Create Futures, 2016 Edition
Robert Franek
The Princeton Review
c/o Random House Inc.
1745 Broadway, New York NY 10019
9780804126083 $14.99 www.PrincetonReview.com
Colleges That Create Futures: 50 Schools That Launch Careers By Going Beyond the Classroom,
2016 Edition profiles fifty colleges that go the extra mile to empower students with notable
research, internship, and hands-on learning programs. Each scrutinized institution has a several-
pages-long entry providing contact information, an a succinct summary of each aspect that makes
it stand out. Colleges That Create Futures is an excellent resource for ambitious students seeking
the ideal school to realize their lifelong goals.
The Travel Shelf
Ecuador & the Galapagos Islands, 10th edition
Regis St. Louis, Greg Benchwick, Michael Grosberg, & Luke Waterson
Lonely Planet Publications
150 Linden Street, Oakland CA 94607
9781742207858 $24.99 www.lonelyplanet.com
Now in an updated tenth edition, Ecuador & the Galapagos Islands is a "must-have" travel guide,
assembled to Lonely Planet's exactingly high standards. Packed with information about local
delights, hotels and restaurants, outdoor activities, resources for planning one's itinerary, a wealth
of maps in full color, recommendations for safe travel, information about indigenous Ecuador,
wildlife guides, an index, and much more. Accessible and user-friendly, Ecuador & the
Galapagos Islands is highly recommended for anyone traveling to the region, whether for
business or pleasure.
The Photography Shelf
What They Didn't Teach You in Photo School
Demetrius Fordham
Ilex
c/o Octopus Publishing
236 Park Avenue, New York NY 10017
www.octopusbooksusa.com
9781781572696, $19.99, www.ilex-press.com
What They Didn't Teach You in Photo School: What You Actually Need to Know to Succeed in
the Industry passes on lessons the author learned from his successful career in commercial
photography, and discusses topics often left out of photography books. These include how to gain
internships, build an impressively professional portfolio, how to cement client relationships that
result in ongoing work, and how to build a career in the industry. As chapters move from
building contacts to getting paid for the process of taking pictures - such as travel expense - they
provide a solid review of industry processes, standards, and how the aspiring photographer fits
into that business picture. The result should be given to any college-level photography student
looking to make a career out of their art.
Amherst Media Inc.
175 Rano Street, Suite 200, Buffalo, NY 14207-2176
www.amherstmedia.com
Jeff Smith's Pricing Your Portraits: High-Profit Strategies for Photographers (9781608958719,
$34.95) teaches photographers how to develop pricing strategies that avoid common errors and
allow flexibility to meet both customer expectations and market demands, and offers a set of
insights into how photography is priced. From planning sessions in advance with pricing in mind
to understanding how session fees operate and how to streamline the process, this book is packed
with insights on how to control imaging and equipment costs, how to create a profitable
workflow, and how to sell digital and print files. Any photographer looking to move into the
profit-making realm of the business will find this essential to understanding the difference
between profit and loss. The Essential Photographer Workbook: The Beginner's Guide to
Creating Impressive Digital Photos by Stephen Dantzig and Joan Dantzig (9781608958634,
$27.95) teaches the basics of taking shooting skills to a new level and is recommended for
photographers who already have the basics down, but wish to move from snapshots to design.
Lessons are blended into forty exercises that encourage photographers to learn new techniques
and approaches, making for a fine guide that beginners can easily access and understand. Stan
Trampe's Fine Art Nudes: Lighting and Posing for Black & White Photography
(9781608959013, $27.95) comes from a fine art photographer who covers sixty of his favorite
shoots, providing step-by-step coverage on how he conceived image concepts and worked them
into a polished piece. Studio and location shots involve composition, lighting, and posing skills:
all are discussed here with a focus on simple props and sets and working with models for
optimum results. While beginners will find this accessible; ideally the book is recommended for
those with basic photography and model-shooting skills, who are ready to take their business
pursuits in fine art nudes to the next level. Jennifer Emery's Lighting Design for Commercial
Portrait Photography (9781608958955, $34.95) surveys the world of commercial photography
and lighting challenges involved in portraiture, and comes from a photographer and educator
whose work in the field is successful and outstanding. Specifics covered in her book range from
production skills needed to produce better shots to shooting for magazines or movie posters,
using multiple-light setups, handling group shots, and applying negative fill to best advantage.
The result is a powerful survey highly recommended for any commercial portrait photographer;
especially those who have basic skills but want more specifics on producing professional
results.
Ernst Haas: On Set
Ernst Haas, photographer
Steidl
c/o Distributed Art Publishers
155 Sixth Avenue, 2nd floor, New York, NY 10013-1507
www.artbook.com
9783869305875, $268.00, www.amazon.com
Ernst Haas (March 2, 1921 - September 12, 1986) was a photojournalist and a pioneering color
photographer. During his 40-year career, the Austrian-born artist bridged the gap between
photojournalism and the use of photography as a medium for expression and creativity. In
addition to his prolific coverage of events around the globe after World War II, Haas was an early
innovator in color photography. His images were widely disseminated by magazines like Life and
Vogue and, in 1962, were the subject of the first single-artist exhibition of color photography at
New York's Museum of Modern Art. "Ernst Haas: On Set" is a 287 page coffee table book
impressively showcasing theatrical and cinematic photographic images taken by Ernst Haas on
filming locations. Beginning with in an informative Introduction and two informed Essays ('Ernst
Haas: On Set' by John P. Jacob and 'Ernst Haas: Moving Pictures' by Walter Moser), "Ernst
Haas: On Set" covers twenty-three major films ranging from The Third Man (1949), to West
Side Story (1961), to Little Big Man (1970), to Quest for Fire (1981). The photography includes
both color and black-and-white images. an impressive body of work, "Ernst Haas: On Set" is
very highly recommended for personal, community, and academic library Photography and
Cinematic History reference collections.
David Busch's Nikon D750 Guide to Digital SLR Photography
David D. Busch
Cengage Learning, Inc.
200 First Stamford Place, Stamford, CT 06902
9781305629646 $32.99 www.cengage.com
Packed with full-color photography to illustrate its steps and guidelines, David Busch's Nikon D750 Guide to Digital SLR Photography is a comprehensive user manual to one of the most advanced digital SLR cameras made by Nikon. The Nikon D750 has 24 megapixels of resolution, automatic focus, Wi-Fi capabilities for real-time streaming to a smartphone/tablet/computer, and the first-ever tilting screen on a Nikon full frame camera. Written by a professional photojournalist, for photography professionals and dedicated amateurs, David Busch's Nikon D750 Guide to Digital SLR Photography extensive, meticulous, user-friendly and highly recommended. "Today shift/tilt photography is so popular that Nikon and other vendors are building a faux perspective/focus control capability right into the camera as a 'Miniature Effect' retouching aid. While lenses like Nikon's PC-E line are still useful for their original purpose - perspective control - I've seen some absolutely brilliant portrait and wedding photography that uses tilt/shift capabilities as a dreamy focus control."
The Fiction Shelf
The Trees Beneath Us
Darren R. Leo
Stark House Press
1315 H Street, Eureka, CA 95501
www.starkhousepress.com
9781933586731, $15.95, 172pp, www.amazon.com
Although a work of fiction, "The Trees Beneath Us" by Darren R. Leo deftly touches upon a
universal themes of self-discovery, love, and loss in a most realistic manner -- all in the form of
one man's decision to take a grueling trek down the famed Appalachian Trail. Author Darren R.
Leo manifests an impressive roster of storytelling skills that includes originality, wit and wisdom,
the development of a complex character, and the creation of an absorbing read from beginning to
end. This is the kind of novel that will linger in the reader's mind and memory long after the book
itself is finished and set back upon the shelf. "The Trees Beneath Us" is very highly
recommended for personal reading lists, as well as community and academic library Literary
Fiction collections.
The Psychology Shelf
Understanding OCD
Leslie J. Shapiro
Praeger Publishers
c/o ABC-CLIO
PO Box 1911, Santa Barbara, CA 93116-1911
www.abc-clio.com
c/o Gulotta Communications (publicity)
9781440832116, $48.00, 203pp, www.amazon.com
Leslie J. Shapiro is considered to be one of the most experienced and successful therapists in the
country for treatment-resistant obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD). In "Understanding OCD:
Skills to Control the Conscience and Outsmart Obsessive Compulsive Disorder" she draws upon
her many years of experience and expertise to deftly explain OCD, the OCD treatments available,
and the skills needed to overcome and outsmart OCD. "Understanding OCD" includes a list of
normal "bad" thoughts versus obsessions; features tests to rate one's guilt, scrupulosity, and
OCD; examines the ways in which guilt is an interfering factor in OCD treatment and recovery;
and covers effective strategies for controlling the conscience-related aspects of the disease.
Impressively well written, exceptionally well organized, and deftly presented, "Understanding
OCD" is highly recommended for professional and academic library Psychology/Psychiatry
instructional reference collections. For personal reading lists it should be noted that
"Understanding OCD" is also available in a Kindle edition ($36.96).
The Language Studies Shelf
A Historical and Etymological Dictionary of American Sign Language
Emily Shaw and Yves Delaporte
Gallaudet University Press
800 Florida Avenue, NE, Washington, DC 20002-3695
9781563686214, $75.00, www.gupress.gallaudet.edu
A Historical and Etymological Dictionary of American Sign Language discusses how ASL came
to be developed, and follows its evolution from early ASL creation until the late 19th century.
This history has plenty of data but until now, no single reference has gathered, under one cover,
all the known texts featuring illustrations of early ASL and accompanying images of French Sign
Language (LSF) and related them to modern signing. The blend of field research through France
and the U.S. and analysis of cultures, language lexicons, and ASL sign regional variations lends
to an alphabetical text of signs accompanied by origin notes, making for a powerful and unique
reference no ASL language collection should be without.
Lectiones Memorabiles
Marianthe Colakis & Yasuko Taoka
Bolchazy-Carducci Publishers
1570 Baskin Road, Mundelein, IL 60060
www.bolchazy.com www.amazon.com
The premier source for Latin language studies curriculum materials and publications,
Bolchazy-Carducci Publishers now presented a two volume compendium comprised of excerpts
from classic Latin literature. Volume 1 (9780865168299, $20.59, 341pp) by academician author
of numerous pedagogical materials Marianthe Colakis is comprised of selections from Catullus,
Cicero, Livy, Ovid, Propertius, Tibullus, and Vergil. Volume 2 (9780865168305, $20.59, 157pp)
by Yasuko Taoka (Associate Professor of Classics, Southern Illinois University - Carbondale)
features selections taken from Horace, Lucretius, Seneca, Suetonius, and Tacitus. Ideal for Latin
language studies curriculums, "Lectiones Memorabiles: Volumes 1 & 2" are very highly
recommended for academic library Latin instructional reference collections and supplemental
studies reading lists.
Grammatica: Latin Grammar Lessons for 4th-8th Grades
Kristin Tracy
Pieces of Learning
1990 Market Road, Marion, IL 62959
9781632790422, $14.95, 168pp, www.piecesoflearning.com
"Grammatica" is specifically designed to give late elementary/early middle school students an
age-appropriate overview of the structure of the Latin language, basic Latin grammatical
concepts, and Latin vocabulary. "Grammatica" is separated into a Teacher's Section and 6
Student Chapters. The Teacher's Section includes Notes to the Teacher, Optional Student
Checklists, Answer Keys for Student Chapters, Exams, and Answer Keys for the Exams. The
student chapters are broken down as follows:
Chapter 1: Nouns, action verbs, word order, transitive sentences, and diagrams
Chapter 2: Intransitive Sentences
Chapter 3: Coordinating Conjunctions, gapping, and asyndeton
Chapter 4: Noun cases, five declensions, and dictionary work
Chapter 5: Four genders and nominative/accusative forms of neuter nouns
Chapter 6: Personal pronouns and personal endings.
Spiral bound making it able to lay flat upon the desk or table, "Grammatica" is an ideal Latin
Studies curriculum workbook for students in grandes 4 through 8.
The Health/Medicine Shelf
Transplantation Ethics
Robert M. Veatch & Lainie F. Ross
Georgetown University Press
3240 Prospect Street, NW, Washington, DC 20007
9781626161672, $39.95, www.press.georgetown.edu
Transplantation Ethics appears in its second updated edition to cover the latest cutting edge
research in medicine and bioethics, and reflects vast changes in the field of transplantation ethics
during just the last fifteen years. From living donors and face transplants and their challenge to
personal identity to new transplantation policies and concerns, Transplantation Ethics covers
everything from new creating a new definition-of-death law to ethics of third-party risks and
agreements between donor and recipient, accountability issues in health-risky behaviors,
constitutional issues surrounding death, and more. No college-level medical reference library
should be without this.
Molecular Approaches to Reproductive and Newborn Medicine
Diana W. Bianchi & Errol R. Norwitz, editors
Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory Press
500 Sunnyside Boulevard, Woodbury NY 11797-2924
www.cshlpress.com
9781621820895, $135.00, 300pp, www.amazon.com
Compiled and co-edited by Diana W. Bianchi (Tufts University School of Medicine) and Errol R.
Norwitz (Tufts University School of Medicine), "Molecular Approaches to Reproductive and
Newborn Medicine" is a collection of scholarly articles written by experts in the field of
reproductive medicine and newborn medical care. This collection from the Cold Spring Harbor
'Perspectives in Medicine' reviews our understanding of the molecular mechanisms involved in
conception, pregnancy, labor, and birth, and how molecular techniques are being applied to
reproductive and perinatal health. The contributors discuss the gene expression profiles and
epigenetic characteristics of sperm, the ovary, the endometrium, and the placenta, as well as the
molecules involved in feto-maternal communication, including various endocrine, vascular, and
immune factors. They also consider how we can harness this knowledge to improve fertility,
conception rates, and embryo implantation success, leading to healthy, full-term pregnancies. The
contributors also review innovative technologies to diagnose genetic disorders at the fetal and
neonatal stages and the social and ethical dilemmas these pose. "Molecular Approaches to
Reproductive and Newborn Medicine" is an indispensable reference for all scientists and
physicians interested in deepening our understanding of human reproductive biology and
improving our chances of having healthy children, making it a critically important addition to
academic library and medical school reference collections and reproductive medicine
supplemental studies reading lists.
Alcoholism Sourcebook, fourth edition
Omnigraphics, Inc.
Keith Jones, editor
155 W. Congress, Suite 200, Detroit, MI 48226
www.omnigraphics.com
9780780813755, $95.00, www.amazon.com
Now in a fully updated and significantly expanded fourth edition, "Alcoholism Sourcebook" is a
600 page compendium of basic consumer health information about the use and abuse of alcohol,
psychological and medical factors associated with alcoholism, the role of family history and
environmental influences with respect to alcoholism, facts and statistics, prevention strategies
and risk factors, recovery and coping strategies and therapies, and so much more. Enhanced with
the inclusion of a directory of support groups for alcohol related concerns, as well as a glossary
of terms related to alcoholism, "Alcoholism Sourcebook" is a very highly recommended and core
addition to personal, medical clinic, counseling center, community, and academic library
Alcoholism Studies reference collections.
The Science Shelf
Humankind
Alexander H. Harcourt
Pegasus Books
80 Broad Street, 5th Floor, New York, NY 10004
9781605987842, $27.95, www.pegasusbooks.us
Humankind: How Biology and Geography Shape Human Diversity is for any reader interested in
either biology or sociology, and considers how the evolution of humans has been shaped by a
diverse assembly of influences, from anatomy and culture to geographic and population changes.
It follows the human species around the planet in a history that considers how environmental
constraints lends to differing features and psyches of human beings around the world, and it
considers the interactions and connections between all these facets of humanity in a
wide-reaching survey recommended not just for college-level students of the sciences, but for
general-interest audiences with a particular interest in human evolution and diversity.
The Sociology of Deviance, second edition
Robert J. Franzese
Charles C. Thomas, Publisher
2600 South First Street, Springfield, IL 62704
9780398090791, $64.95, 398pp, www.ccthomas.com
Now in a revised and expanded second edition, "Sociology of Deviance: Differences, Tradition,
and Stigma" by Robert J. Franzese is dedicated to a sociological analysis of deviance, a term
reframed to imply differences. Deviance is approached from the outset as meaning differences:
differences in attitudes, behaviors, lifestyles, and values of people. The terms 'deviance' or
'deviant behavior' are understood as labels themselves and are used sparingly. 'Tradition' means
traditional topics are covered such as suicide, mental disorders and physical disabilities,
addictions and substance abuse and use, criminal behaviors, and sexual behaviors and
differences. 'Stigma' is a mark of disgrace or infamy; a stain or reproach, as on one's reputation.
"The Sociology of Deviance" is an exemplary work of impressively accessible scholarship
organized and presented in three major section: Background (The Nature of Deviance; Studying
Deviance); Theories (An Overview of and Introduction to Sociological Theories of Deviance;
Anomie and Structural Theories Extended - Strain Theories; Control Theories; Societal Reaction
and Other Social Processes Theories; Conflict and Feminist Theories); Substantive Areas
(Suicide; Criminal Behaviors; Addictions and the Use and Abuse of Substances; Sexual
Behaviors and Differences; Elite and Power Deviance). enhanced with a eighteen pages of
References; a six page Name Index; and a twenty-five page Subject Index, "The Sociology of
Deviance" is strongly recommended as a core contribution to professional and academic library
Sociology, Psychology, and Psychiatry reference collections and supplemental studies reading
lists.
The Environmental Studies Shelf
Ocean Solutions Earth Solutions
Dawn Wright, Editor
ESRI Press
380 New York Street, Redlands, CA 92378-8100
9781589483637, $59.99, www.esri.com/esripress
Ocean Solutions Earth Solutions is a recommendation for marine science, government, and
research and resources managers alike, and provides a compendium of GIS best practices as they
relate to these fields. Articles come from over fifty authors and include digital story maps and
online solutions for protecting the ocean and managing ocean resources. Additional data
supporting this book are available online, but the heart of the collection lies in abstracts and
discussions that discuss mapping as it relates to ocean study, data assessments and research. The
wealth of information culled from various resources makes this a top pick for any collection
concerned with either ocean resources study and management or GIS applications.
Critical Government Documents on the Environment
Don Philpott
Bernan Press
c/o Rowman & Littlefield Publishing Group
4501 Forbes Blvd., Suite 200, Lanham, MD 20706
9781598887471 $50.00 hc
9781598887488 $49.99 ebook www.bernan.com
Part of the informative and non-partisan "Critical Government Documents" series, Critical
Government Documents on the Environment presents arguments for and against leading
environmental issues of the present day. All material is from published sources, including the
Environmental Protection Agency, the Department of the Interior, the Department of Energy, the
Department of Agriculture, the Department of Health and Human Services, the White House, the
National Aeronautics and Space Administration, the National Oceanic & Atmospheric
Administration, and more. Topics discussed include global warming, greenhouse gases, the
Keystone Pipeline, mining, water/air/marine pollution, renewable energy, and more. Critical
Government Documents on the Environment does not seek to advocate any individual position or
offer new science, but rather collects information to enable the reader to make their own,
carefully evaluated judgement. Highly recommended, especially for public and college library
Environmental Studies collections.
The Astronomy Shelf
The Astronomy Bible
Heather Couper & Nigel Henbest
Firefly Books Ltd.
50 Staples Avenue, Unit 1
Richmond Hill, ON, Canada L4B 0A7
9781770854826 $19.95 www.fireflybooks.com
Featuring striking, full-color photography of stars and planets and throughout, The Astronomy
Bible: The Definitive Guide to the Night Sky and the Universe is a compact-sized,
comprehensive guide to this ancient science. Chapters discuss the long history of humankind's
observation of the sun, the moon, constellations, planets, comets, and more. Reference pages
(including a list of forthcoming eclipses for the next five years) and an index round out this
fascinating resource, thoroughly accessible to novice and veteran stargazers alike. Highly
recommended.
The Military Shelf
Torch: North Africa and the Allied Path to Victory
Vincent P. O'Hara
Naval Institute Press
291 Wood Road, Annapolis, MD 21402
9781612518237 $49.95 hc / $31.10 Kindle www.nip.org
Torch: North Africa and the Allied Path to Victory is an in-depth, scholarly analysis of a critical
aspect of World War II. Operation Torch was the first combined Allied offensive, a British-
American invasion of French North Africa during the North African campaign, starting in
November of 1942. The reasoning behind the operation was to aid Russia by creating a new front
in the battle, and to move American troops into the war against Germany. To this day, historians
debate whether Operation Torch improved the Allies' standing in the war, or whether it
prolonged the war by wasting Allied soldiers and resources. Torch: North Africa and the Allied
Path to Victory scrutinizes the operation's five landings (Port Lyautey, Fedala, and Safi in
Morocco, and Oran and Algiers in Algeria), as well as air and ground actions. The operation's
context within the World War II as a whole, as well as the French perspective, are also
considered at length. Notes, a bibliography, and an index round out this studious and welcome
addition to public and college library military history shelves.
The Civil War Shelf
Civil War Nurse Narratives 1863-1870
Daneen Wardrop
University of Iowa Press
100 Kuhl House, 119 West Park Road
Iowa City, IA 52242-1000
9781609383671 $55.00 www.uiowapress.org
Daneen Wardrop (Professor of English, Western Michigan University) presents Civil War Nurse
Narratives 1863-1870, a close analysis of the first wave of autobiographical narratives written by
northern female nurses, and published both during and shortly after the American Civil War. The
scrutinized writings include those of Louisa May Alcott, Elvira Powers, Julia Wheelock, and
more. These true-life stories are notable for their realistic reporting of medicine on the battlefield.
Although they generally avoided discussions of military strategy or Congressional politics, these
Civil War nurse narratives did challenge widespread and entrenched prejudices about gender,
culture, race, and class. Civil War Nurse Narratives 1863-1870 is a welcome and highly
recommended addition to public and college library Civil War shelves.
The Technology Shelf
Geo Power
Donal Blaise Lloyd
PixyJack Press
PO Box 149, Masonville, CO 80541
www.PixyJackPress.com
9781936555581, $19.95, 208pp, www.amazon.com
Geothermal energy is thermal energy generated and stored in the Earth. Thermal energy is the
energy that determines the temperature of matter. The geothermal energy of the Earth's crust
originates from the original formation of the planet and from radioactive decay of materials. The
geothermal gradient, which is the difference in temperature between the core of the planet and its
surface, drives a continuous conduction of thermal energy in the form of heat from the core to the
surface. "Geo Power: Stay Warm, Keep Cool and Save Money with Geothermal Heating &
Cooling" is an impressively informed and informative work explaining why ground-source heat
pumps (GHPs) are the best choice for heating and cooling new or existing homes in any climate
and how this reliable, silent, non-polluting way of extracting free energy from the earth saves
money year after year. Ideal for homeowners, anyone training for the geothermal industry, and
home-building partners (including architects, builders, lenders, inspectors), "Geo Power" goes
over various GHP system options and why installing a geothermal system is a smart investment.
"Geo Power" goes one step further and provides insights into the simple science of this proven
heat-pump technology. "Geo Power" is very highly recommended for non-specialist general
readers with an interest in the application geothermal power, as well as a critically important
contribution to both community and academic library Alternative Energy reference collections in
general, and Geothermal Power supplemental studies lists in particular.
The Literary Studies Shelf
Palimpsest: A History of the Written Word
Matthew Battles
W. W. Norton & Company
500 Fifth Avenue, New York, NY 10110
9780393058857, $26.95, www.wwnorton.com
Palimpsest: A History of the Written Word considers why writing exists, what it means in human
culture, and how it has evolved from myth and technology to become an intrinsic part of human
culture. Here Battles provides a compelling examination of this written word, considering why it
exists, its meaning, and its magic. From ancient to modern times, the history of writing receives a
lively survey that circles the globe in its consideration of how writing developed and
revolutionized not just local communities but the human race as a whole. Coming from a former
antiquarian librarian, this represents a powerful and lively discussion that invites reflection from
all kinds of literary circles, from historians and librarians to calligraphers and fans of the written
word.
The Beat Generation FAQ
Rich Weidman
Backbeat Books
c/o Hal Leonard Performing Arts Publishing Group
33 Plymouth Street, Suite 302
Montclair, NJ 07042-2677
9781617136016 $19.99 www.halleonard.com
Part of a series of pop culture "FAQ" titles from Backbeat Books, The Beat Generation FAQ: All
That's Left To Know About The Angleheaded Hipsters examines a literary movement that arose
as counterculture to the stifling repressions and conformity that saturated post World War II life
in the United States. Beat Generation writers embraced controversy; works such as "Naked
Lunch" and "Howl" led to obscenity trials, while Jack Kerouac's 1957 novel "On the Road"
became notorious for allegedly corrupting the nation's youth. The literature Beat writers often
featured an organic use of language, and expressions of spontaneity evocative of improvisational
jazz music. A diversity of authors and their classic literary works are profiled. A timeline,
bibliography, and index round out this excellent addition to literary studies shelves.
The Computer Shelf
Web Security: A WhiteHat Perspective
Hanqing Wu and Liz Zhao
CRC Press
6000 NW Broken Sound Parkway NW, Suite 300, Boca Raton, FL 33487
9781466592612, $79.95, www.crcpress.com
Web Security: A WhiteHat Perspective is for any company looking to improve their information
security strategies, and provides an in-depth guide to the topic designed for managers who want
to build a more effective security system. It comes from an expert who explains how hackers
work, why companies of differing sizes and approaches need different security measures, and
provides coverage of everything from client script security and Internet company security
operations to click jacking, injection attacks, authentication, and much more. Solutions to a range
of known vulnerabilities accompany coverage that considers the wider ramifications of web
security as it applies to bigger-picture thinking and smaller-scale companies, creating an
accessible discussion suitable for web security experts and managers alike.
Sams Teach Yourself Javascript in 24 Hours, sixth edition
Phil Ballard
Sams
c/o Pearson Technology Group
801 East 96th Street, #300, Indianapolis, IN 46240-3759
9780672337383, $34.99, www.informit.com/sams
Sams Teach Yourself Javascript in 24 Hours appears in its sixth updated edition to cover the
basics of JavaScript programming, offering lessons geared to beginners with no prior
programming experience and offering a complete 'classroom in a book' discussion. Directions
cover the most common JavaScript programming tasks and include quizzes, self-test, exercises,
tips, and examples from real-world JavaScript applications. Updated basics and lessons that
serve as stepping stones of knowledge make for a key lesson plan highly recommended for any
who would learn the program with no assumption of prior programming skills.
Addison Wesley
c/o Pearson Technology Group
801 East 96th Street, #300, Indianapolis, IN 46240-3759
www.informit.com/aw, www.amazon.com
Roger Sedgewick, et.al.'s Introduction to Programming in Python (9780134076430, $69.99) uses
examples of real-world programming to impart the basics of Python's features and its
applicability to engineering, business, and science projects alike, and blends a format ripe with
Q&As, exercises, and opportunities for diverse practice with algorithms, applied math and
physics examples, and source code specific with Python 2 and 3. No light treatment, Introduction
to Programming in Python takes the introduction from basics to advanced applications, in effect
creating a 'classroom in a book' for any programmer who would learn and apply Python's basics.
Martin L. Abbott and Michael T. Fisher's The Art of Scalability: Scalable Web Architecture,
Processes, and Organizations for the Modern Enterprise (9780134032801, $44.95) is a
recommendation for any involved in web programming or providing web services, and comes
from two leading scalability consultants who discuss the basics of how to tailor such products
and services. This edition represents an extensive revision covering new technologies, strategies,
and lessons and adds new case studies from the authors' consulting practice. It's written with
decision makers in mind and covers the basics of structuring organizations for maximum agility
and scalability, discussing how issues commonly begin with such structures, spill over into
technological answers, and how to meet the growing challenge of changing organizations as well
as technological responses to user needs. Hal Fulton and Andre Arko's The Ruby Way
(9780321714633, $49.99) appears in its third updated edition to show Ruby programmers who to
achieve specific solutions to coding issues. From best practices for regular expressions to storing
data, automating system administration, measuring Ruby performance, and using toolkits to build
GUIs, this reference comes with downloadable source code supporting the book's text and covers
Ruby 2.1 using over four hundred examples answering basic questions to using Ruby for specific
routines. The result is a 'must' for any Ruby code programmer who wants a combination of
reference and how-to manual. Dan Sullivan's NoSQL for Mere Mortals (9780134023212,
$49.99) provides a basic primer on solving problems with NoSQL, from getting started and
choosing between NoSQL databases to documenting databases, creating column family
databases, understanding document and collections terms, and designing tables using best
practices guidelines. The depth of detail and information makes for a powerful recommendation
for any new to NoSQL or for programmers who want to build upon its special capabilities.
The Needlecraft Shelf
Free Range Triangle Quilts
Gwen Marston and Cathy Jones
American Quilter's Society
PO Box 3290, Paducah, KY 42002-3290
9781604602111, $24.95, www.americanquilter.com
Free Range Triangle Quilts provides a new book of projects with lessons that blend traditional
methods and styles with updated quilt patterns, and is a pick for any who would use quilt projects
to teach the basics of using the classic triangle in new ways. A display of quilts made using the
'free range' concept of the triangle blends with good-sized color photos throughout to create a
quilter's guide packed with ideas for innovative triangle results. Quilters who already have the
basics down but who seek innovations on themes will be especially happy to have this guide,
which covers all the options and possibilities. The 'Lessons Learned at Granny's Knee' provides
many tips and discusses and contrasts Liberated and other techniques.
Crochet for Christmas
Salena Baca
Stackpole Books
5067 Ritter Road, Mechanicsburg, PA 17055-6921
9780811714785, $21.95, www.stackpolebooks.com
Crochet for Christmas: 29 Patterns for Handmade Holiday Decorations and Gifts arrives just in
time for needleworkers to put their skills together in time for the holidays, and offers seasonal
items ranging from tree skirts and reindeer baskets to a hedgehog door stopper. Because many of
these items are more seasonal than religious, a wide of users looking for seasonal themes will
find the crochet projects varied and to their liking, from Poinsettia balls to crocheted coffee cup
sleeves for warm beverages, making for a top pick for any holiday needleworker.
Style and Swing
Susan Dunlop
Martingale & Company
19021 Avenue NE, Bothell, WA 98011
9781604654674, $26.99, www.shopmartingale.com
Style and Swing: 12 Structured Handbags for Beginners and Beyond provides keys to making a
wide range of colorful and practical handbags, from totes and clasp purses to market bags and
satchels, and is recommended for beginning to advanced sewers who want twelve specific
projects covering a range of shapes and styles. Each project enjoys small color photos, full-page
patterns, and an easy step-by-step series of instructions that not only cover the basics but tell why
a particular strap or form is recommended for a particular style. With its clear directions and
unusually inviting blend of color and practicality, Style and Swing stands out from other primers
on producing totes.
2016 Quilting Calendars
Martingale & Company
19021 Avenue NE, Bothell, WA 98011
www.martingale.com
Two excellent wall calendars from Martingale are recommended picks for any looking to pair
quilting instructions with the handy date blocks of a wall calendar, and will make for good gifts
for any quilter. Sue Spargo's Stitches to Savor (9781604667156, $22.99) features her designs and
comes from a folk artist and designer who packs in over 250 photo close-ups of her stitches,
techniques, and approaches. It is both a showcase of Spargo's artistic works and quilting
embellishments and an inspirational starting point for quilters to hone their skills. The Quilt
Calendar 2016 (9781604687088, $16.99) includes instructions for each project and provides 12
designs by a variety of quilting artists, along with a pull-out booklet of step-by-step illustrated
instructions for every design. These lovely projects range from bed quilts to wall hangings and
sewing machine covers, making for a varied and inspirational collection of projects for all skill
sets.
The Fantasy/SciFi Shelf
Dragon in Exile
Sharon Lee & Steve Miller
Baen Books
PO Box 1188, Wake Forest NC 27588
9781476780719, $26.00, www.baen.com
Dragon in Exile provides a new Liaden Universe story as it tells of Clan Korval, which has been
convicted of crimes against the homeworld - even if part of the crime involved saving the planet.
The Council of Clans doesn't care: they just want the Korvan family out - but their allies enter the
picture and they are banished rather than executed. Political alliances, clan efforts to recruit new
allies and return to the fold, a dangerous game that is being played on and off-world, and a series
of political interactions that threaten to bring everything down makes for a powerful survey
especially recommended for prior fans of the Liaden Universe and its intricate progression.
The Antiques/Collectibles Shelf
A Guide Book of Mercury Dimes, Standing Liberty Quarters, and Liberty Walking Half
Dollars
Q. David Bowers
Whitman Publishing
4001 Helton Drive, Florence, Alabama, 35630
079484314X, $29.95, www.whitmanbooks.com
Coin collectors seeking specific guides will welcome over three hundred pages of pricing,
grading directions, history and collector insights to the mercury dime, standing liberty quarter
and liberty walking half dollars, which were minted between 1916 and 1947 and can be found in
many old-time collections. Thousands of coin collectors seek them and this new guide is the
reference to have in hand for both avid collectors and relative newcomers. With its full color
images, including some high-resolution enlargements for overdates and other die varieties, this
book includes any data needed to make value and build a coin collection with these pieces.
The Social Issues Shelf
The Ville, updated edition
Greg Donaldson
Empire State Editions
c/o Fordham University Press
2546 Belmont Avenue, University Box L, Bronx, NY 10458-5172
www.fordhampress.com
9780823265671, $29.95, www.empirestateeditions.com
The updated edition of The Ville features a new epilogue by the author and presents a powerful
story from a longtime Brooklyn school teacher who considers a Housing Authority police officer
who is struggling with guns and crack and a talented teen who is working to escape his
neighborhood, among others. It charts the politics and evolution of drug culture in a New York
inner city neighborhood, it details messages, chaos, and cultures under fire, and it ultimately
succeeds in creating a powerful saga that compelling, revealing, and offers up much food for
thought on the social processes involved in urban neighborhoods. Other books have attempted
what The Ville achieves: a well-rounded set of perspectives covering not one viewpoint, but all
the issues.
The International Studies Shelf
The Tail Wags the Dog
Efraim Karsh
Bloomsbury Press
175 Fifth Avenue, Suite 315, New York, NY 10010
www.bloomsbury.com
9781632861184, $28.00, www.bloomsbury.com
The Tail Wags the Dog: International Politics and the Middle East refutes the common notion
that Middle Eastern history is based on the region's interactions with the west, and offers a
different idea: that such history has actually been formed more by trends and behavior patterns
within the region than dictated by encounters from the outside. His focus on its political
development argues that only a different perspective of the peoples and their evolution can
ultimately lead to a better relationship between the Middle East and the West, and chapters
consider international political approaches to the region which have not fostered this possibility.
Any studying Middle East history and politics will find this different perspective refreshing and
enlightening, and a 'must' for any real understanding of the traditional approaches and their
failures.
The Challenges of Nuclear Non-Proliferation
Richard D. Burns and Philip E. Coyle II
Rowman & Littlefield
c/o Rowman & Littlefield Publishing Group
4501 Forbes Blvd., Suite 200, Lanham, MD 20706
9781442223752, $29.95, www.rowman.com
The Challenges of Nuclear Non-Proliferation joins others in Rowman and Littlefield's 'Weapons
of Mass Destruction' series to survey the many aspects of non-proliferation agreements and how
they work - or don't work. It reviews nuclear programs in different countries and their different
approaches, considers rogue states and technological advancements in delivery and nuclear
systems, analyzes the political and economic influences behind decision-making processes, and
in general reviews the key issues involved in worldwide nuclear security. No student of nuclear
arms issues should be without this hard-hitting discussion.
The Mathematics Shelf
Numbers: Their Tales, Types, and Treasures
Alfred S. Posamentier & Bernd Thaller
Prometheus Books
59 John Glenn Drive, Amherst, NY 14228-2197
9781633880306, $19.00, www.prometheusbooks.com
Numbers: Their Tales, Types, and Treasures gathers under one cover a wide range of number
facts and mathematics oddities and crease a lively discussion to foster reader interest in numbers
and their unique attributes. One needn't be a mathematician nor even have a strong prior affection
for numbers in order to appreciate this book's approach, which blends math concepts with trivia
and fun facts to make discussions energetic and relevant. From the finer arts of combinations and
counting to the development of various math systems in different cultures and special calculation
systems, Numbers: Their Tales, Types, and Treasures offers more insights than most in a fun
survey highly recommended for any general-interest collection.
The LGBT Studies Shelf
No House to Call My Home
Ryan Berg
Nation Books
c/o Perseus Book Group
250 W. 57th St., Suite 1500, New York, NY 10107
9781568585093, $25.99, www.nationbooks.org
No House to Call My Home: Love, Family, and other Transgressions considers the lives of
LGBTQ teens and comes from a caseworker at a group home who worked with young people
who were abandoned, abused, or regulated to the streets as a result of being LGBTQ. From a
transgender woman who dreams of a fine house but lives on crack and prostitution to encounters
with parents who have rejected their children to the point of denying that they have produced
them, No House to Call My Home consists not of dispassionate analysis but of poignant case
histories of children, parents and households the author encountered in the course of his work. It's
a moving, serious saga that's hard to put down and filled with psychological and social
insights.
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
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