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Library Bookwatch

Volume 3, Number 10 October 2008 Home | LBW Index

Table of Contents

Reviewer's Choice Literary Shelf Social Issues Shelf
Health/Medicine Shelf Biography Shelf Education Shelf
Christian Studies Shelf Mystery/Suspense Shelf Poetry Shelf
Art Shelf Business Shelf Sports Shelf
Parenting Shelf Language Studies Shelf Travel Shelf
Self-Help Shelf Judaic Studies Shelf Environmental Studies Shelf
World History Shelf Religion/Spirituality Shelf Fiction Shelf
Pets/Wildlife Shelf International Studies Shelf Computer Shelf
Psychology Shelf Cookbook Shelf Fantasy/SciFi Shelf
Writing/Publishing Shelf Library CD Music Shelf Audiobook Shelf
Library DVD Shelf Library Science Shelf  


Reviewer's Choice

How to Get Rich As a Televangelist or Faith Healer
Bill Wilson
Paladin Press
7077 Winchester Circle, Boulder CO, 80301
9781581606546, $25.00, www.paladin-press.com

When P. T. Barnum stated that "there's a sucker born every minute" – he never meant that those 'suckers' weren't good people, simply that they were capable of being deceived by the unscrupulous. "How to Get Rich As a Televangelist or Faith Healer" is Bill Wilson's expose on this special brand of confidence trickster. Pointing out how these wildly charismatic and greedy con men exploit a religion known for love and charity to only divert that charity and love to themselves. "How to Get Rich As a Televangelist or Faith Healer" tells of how these people exploit religious tax-free status and other loop holes to make their millions off of the gullible and trusting. Warning readers that if there is a Christian hell, "How to Get Rich" underscores that using the tactics of the hypocritical televangelist is also a sure and certain way to have God prepare a first class ticket to the domain of Satan when the time comes. "How to Get Rich As a Televangelist or Faith Healer" is strongly recommended reading and an important addition to personal, academic, and community library collections.


The Literary Shelf

Chasing the Sun
Edward Joseph Beverly
Sunstone Press
PO Box 2321, Santa Fe, NM 87504-2321
9780865346031, $34.95, www.sunstonepress.com

The wild west has captivated the hearts of millions of Americans. "Chasing the Sun: A Reader's Guide to Novels Set in the American West" boasts more than thirteen hundred entries to enlighten western fiction fans about books set in their favorite setting. With summaries outlining info such as the books' plot and year of publication, it outlines everything a reader needs to know to guess if a book is right for them. "Chasing the Sun" is an invaluable reference for any western fiction fan.

The Chicago/Latino Literary Prize
Stephanie Fetta, editor
Arte Publico Press
University of Houston, 452 Cullen Performance Hall, Houston, TX 77204-2004
9781558855113, $21.95, www.artepublicopress.com

A wide sampling of thoughts and ideas from multiple generations of Hispanic writers, "The Chicago/Latino Literary Prize: An Anthology of Prize-Winning Fiction, Poetry, and Drama" is a compilation of over a quarter century of writing. The exhibited examples are varied in subject, style, and take form in multiple formats. Along with those multiple formats, there are multiple languages – while majority is in English, there is a dose of Spanish and even an inherently fascinating mix of the two. A highly recommended addition to personal, academic, and community bi-lingual collections, "The Chicago/Latino Literary Prize" is a testament to the America's Hispanic literary accomplishments.

The Aunt Lute Anthology of U.S. Women Writers, volume two
Lisa Maria Hogeland & Shay Brawn, editors
Aunt Lute Books
PO Box 410687, San Francisco, CA 94141
9781879960770, $45.00, www.auntlute.com

Women have been writing throughout history, providing a window to the past and a view of culture throughout history. "The Aunt Lute Anthology of U.S. Women Writers" is in its second volume, focusing on the female writers of the twentieth century. Prolific women writers who wrote after the year 1900 fill this volume. Notable names include Gertrude Stein, Ayn Rand, and Aimee Phan; bits of their work are arranged throughout the compendium in chronological order. "The Aunt Lute Anthology of U.S. Women Writers" is a great reference for community library women's studies collection or any women seeking something to be proud of their gender for.

The Rubaiyat of Omar Khayyam Explained
Paramhansa Yogananda
Crystal Clarity Publishers
14618 Tyler Foote Road, Nevada City, CA 95959
9781565892279, $16.95, www.crystalclarity.com

Poetry can mean many things, but occasionally, the intention is missed. "The Rubaiyat of Omar Khayyam Explained" is a scholarly examination of the work from some of the best minds of Yoga walking the earth today. In the west, it's a poem of sensual delight, in the east it's a poem of a relationship with God – who has it right, if any of them? A deeply philosophical set of writing that will surely please a great many readers, "The Rubaiyat of Omar Khayyam Explained" will enlighten and educate.

Children's Literature and Learning
Barbara A. Lehman
Teachers College Press
1234 Amsterdam Avenue, New York, NY 10027
9780807748237, $22.95, www.tcpress.com

If a child doesn't enjoy the book they are reading, then they'll see little point to continue to do so. "Children's Literature and Learning: Literary Study Across the Curriculum" is a guide for librarians who want to give their child patrons the best experience possible to promote literacy and books to them. With an ideal model for matching children with the right book and annotations and references for well over one hundred children's books, "Children's Literature and Learning" is a must for any child-oriented librarian.

Encyclopedia of Ancient Literature
James Wyatt Cook
Facts on File
c/o Infobase Publishing
132 West 31st Street, 17th Floor, New York, NY 10001
9780816064755, $70.00, www.factonfile.com

The art of story telling is as old as the world itself. "Encyclopedia of Ancient Literature" is a complete and comprehensive reference tackling the vast amount of ancient literature available to the modern reader. With writers from all over the world from Ancient Greece to Ancient China to Ancient Japan to Ancient Rome, it is a hugely inclusive guide. With articles on the many writers detailing their life and work, it leaves no region out in recognizing humanity's earliest creations. "Encyclopedia of Ancient Literature" is a must for any community or college library collection covering ancient literature around the world.

Conrad's Trojan Horses
Tom Henthorne
Texas Tech University Press
PO Box 41037, Lubbock, TX 79409-1037
9780896726338, $40.00, www.ttup.ttu.edu

Joseph Conrad is one of the twentieth century's most beloved literary figures, "Conrad's Trojan Horses: Imperialism, Hybridity, and the Postcolonial Aesthetic" is a scholarly look at the works of Conrad, comparing him to his other literary contemporaries in the early 1900s such as Plaatje and Ghosh. It looks at the political messages of his work, and how they were subtly included in his works. With fresh outlooks on his most important and vital works such as the Heart of Darkness, "Conrad's Trojan Horses" is entertaining and enlightening, sure to give new explanations of an important figure's work.

Words of Love and Love of Words
Albrecht Classen, editor
Arizona Center for Medieval and Renaissance Studies
PO Box 874402, Tempe, AZ 85287-4402
9780866983952, $65.00

Love and Art are an inseparable couple and have been throughout history. "Words of Love and Love of Words: In the Middle Ages and the Renaissance" looks at literary endeavors and love in their relation throughout the middle ages. Philosophical, beautiful, even erotic were all forms of writing put down during the time about love, and many's love was simply writing about it. Many wrote simply because they had love to be the desire of human existence, with all the happiness, joy, and harmony that come along with it. A work of history focusing on literature, "Words of Love and Love of Words" is a scholarly and deftly crafted examination of love in writing during the time period.


The Social Issues Shelf

Stealing from Each Other
Edgar K. Browning
Praeger
88 Post Road West, Westport, CT 06881
Adventures in Media, Inc.
4927 Bridgeville Lane, Spring, TX 77388
9780313348228, $44.95, www.praeger.com

Could the answer to America's economic problems be using the model of a government of one hundred and eight years ago? "Stealing From Each Other: How the Welfare State Robs Americans of Money and Spirit" is Edgar K. Browning's, a professor of Economics at Texas A&M University, solution to America's woes by calling out the welfare state. Stating that America as a whole is harmed more than helped by the policies, he calls for a removal of them, including social security. A collection of unique, but financially sound ideas for America, "Stealing From Each Other" is a must for community library economics and social issues collections.

The Bill of Rights in Modern America
David J. Bodenhamer & James W. Ely, editor
Indiana University Press
601 N. Morton Street, Bloomington, IN 47404
9780253219916, $21.95, www.iupress.indiana.edu

How much does the Bill of Rights really mean to the United States? Now in a fully revised and significantly expanded second edition, "The Bill of Rights in Modern America" is a critical examination of the bill of rights and what exactly it all means to modern American society. Aimed at a general audience, it's easily accessible to non-specialist general readers and offers much food for thought of how many contemporary political debates involve or dis-involve something our very country is built on. Knowledgeably compiled and expertly edited by the team of David J. Bodenhamer and James W. Ely, "The Bill of Rights in Modern America" is a great centerpiece for discussion for any group.

Kafka Comes to America
Steven T. Wax
Other Press
2 Park Avenue, 24th Floor, New York, NY 10016
9781590512951, $25.95, www.otherpress.com

Everyone is entitled to a fair and just trial, even suspected terrorists, right? "Kafka Comes to America: Fighting for Justice in the War on Terror" takes a look at the state of civil liberties in this tumultuous time of the war on terror. Arguing that some of the measures that have been put in place in the call for justice in this post-9/11 world are in fact against what America's most treasured document the Bill of Rights in the name of false security, Wax paints a picture of several cases of justice that readers will find surprising to read. "Kafka Comes to America" is a grand and important must read for anyone questioning the protection of our civil liberties.

Crusading Realism
Lamont Colucci
University Press of America
4501 Forbes Boulevard, Suite 200, Lanham, MD 20706
9780761841302, $36.00, www.univpress.com

What has 9/11 done to the foreign policy of America? "Crusading Realism: The Bush Doctrine and American Core Values After 9/11" is a look at the emergence of the Bush doctrine and how it has taken shape over the past few years. Looking to explain it while trying to maintain the political roots of the country and their relevance to Bush's actions, "Crusading Realism" is a deft and scholarly explanation of international affairs in a post 9/11 world.

How to Fix Medicare
Roger Feldman
AEI
1150 Seventeenth Street, N.W. Washington, D.C. 20036
9780844742656, $15.00, www.aei.org

Does the answer to America's health care crisis lie in a budget for patients? "How to Fix Medicare: Let's Pay Patients, Not Physicians" is a unique proposal calling for a revamp of the current medicare system. The current system has physicians getting paid, no matter their charge – but Feldman proposes that giving each patient a fixed amount, more if they are in need of it, would encourage them to shop around and therefore encourage physicians to lower their own prices. Unusual but thought provoking food for thought, "How to Fix Medicare" is a good pick for any debating America's health care.


The Health/Medicine Shelf

Getting Whole, Getting Well
Iris R. Bell
Morgan James
1225 Franklin Ave, Suite 325, Garden City, NY 11530
9781600373879, $14.95, www.gettingwhole.com

The side effects of the drugs to treat chronic illness can be as bad as the illness itself. "Getting Whole, Getting Well: Healing Holistically from Chronic Illness" is a collection of remedies and medicines to help readers deal with chronic illness, where traditional medicine has failed or exacerbated the problem. Chronic conditions such as Asthma, Arthritis, fatigue, and other ailments many face daily, the remedies prescribed within are designed to lessen the effects so readers can live much better lives without pain. "Getting Whole, Getting Well" is recommended reading for any constant pain sufferer.

Living With Progressive Multiple Sclerosis
Patricia K. Coyle & June Halper
Demos Medical Publishing
386 Park Avenue South, Suite 301, New York, NY 10016
9781932603477, $24.95, www.demosmedpub.com

Multiple Sclerosis can make life seem unlivable. "Living with Progressive Multiple Sclerosis: Overcoming the Challenges" is a complete and comprehensive guide to dealing with the challenges multiple sclerosis presents to simply living life. Educating readers on diagnosing this strand of the disorder, treating it, and what is most important, dealing with the chronic symptoms so every day isn't an effort in fighting agony. "Living with Progressive Multiple Sclerosis" is an absolute high recommendation to any who feel they may be facing this demon in the future.

Get On It!
Jane Aronovitch, Miriane Taylor, & Colleen Craig
Ulysses Press
PO Box 3440, Berkeley, CA 94703
9781569755891, $14.95, www.ulyssespress.com

A Bosu balance trainer doesn't appear to be much, but with the right ingenuity, it can be a full and complete workout. "Get On It! Bosu Balance Trainer: Workouts for Core Strength and a Super-Toned Body" is a guide to using the seemingly unsuspecting half-sphere as a full-blown work out. The exercises outlined within can offer many types of workouts promoting weight loss, conditioning, toning; all are easy to use for lay people without degrees in exercise science. A must for anyone looking to master it, "Get On It! Bosu Balance Trainer" is enthusiastically recommended.

The Independent Medical Transcriptionist
Donna Avila-Weil & Mary Glaccum
Rayve Productions
PO Box 726, Windsor, CA 95492
9781877810046, $54.95, www.rayvepro.com

Transcriptionists can make quite the living establishing themselves in the medical field. Now in a fully updated fifth edition, "The Independent Medical Transcriptionist: The Comprehensive Guidebook for Career Success in a Medical Transcription Business" is a manual anyone in the field needs to get started and make themselves profitable. With tips on turning it from just another job to a full-fledged dream job, and using technology to increase efficiency, it leaves nothing to guesswork. With opportunities all around, including chances to travel the world, "The Independent Medical Transcriptionist" is required reading for any who want to take part in the profession.


The Biography Shelf

Without Risk, There's No Reward
Robert Mayer
Seven Locks Press
PO Box 25689, Santa Ana, CA 92799
9780980127096, $23.95, www.sevenlockspublishing.com

Nothing ventured, nothing gained, so it takes a certain type to break out and risk it all. "Without Risk, There's No Reward: Tales, Trials, and Truisms from the Amazing Life of a Pioneering Southern California Developer" is the life story of the magnificent business man Robert Mayer. Starting as a laborer, he climbed up through the ranks of society to earn everything he has made. A story that will give readers many tips for making the most of their lives and their finances, "Without Risk, There's No Reward" is a strong choice for any biography fan.

Royal Monastic
Bev. Cooke
Conciliar Press Ministries, Inc.
PO Box 76, Ben Lomond, CA 95005-0076
9781888212327, $15.95, www.conciliarpress.com

Princesses are often depicted as fluffy, pampered, and spoiled. "Royal Monastic: Princess Ileana of Romania" tells of Princess Ileana of Romania, who served as a leader of her people through two world wars and a communist overthrow of her government. A story of hardship and a harsh life through harsh times, "Royal Monastic" is a story about a princess that few would expect.

There I Grew Up
William E. Bartelt
Indiana Historical Society Press
450 West Ohio Street, Indianapolis, IN 46202-3269
9780871952639, $27.95, www.indianahistory.org

It takes a village to raise a child. "There I Grew Up: Remembering Abraham Lincoln's Indiana Youth" is a look at the Indiana of our sixteenth president's childhood. In his own biography, Lincoln barely spoke of his childhood, but Bartelt hopes to inform and educate readers of Lincoln's youth and the place he was raised. Drawn from first person interviews among other sources, "Here I Grew Up" is a thorough and complete look at a man through his environment.

A London Scrapbook
Polly Grose
Beaver's Pond Press
7104 Ohms Lane, Edina, MN 55439
1592982336, $16.95, www.beaverspondpress.com

What drives someone to move four thousand miles east and cross an ocean? "A London Scrapbook" is Polly Grose's memoir of taking the journey from Minneapolis to starting her life anew in London. While usually such a move is to escape tragedy and bad memories, in this case, it is not – so what inspired such a random move from a Minnesotan community leader? "A London Scrapbook" is a unique look at a strange move in life, highly recommended to readers who suffer from a mild case of Anglophilia themselves.

Challenges
Sarah Caldwell
Wesleyan University Press
215 Long Lane, Middletown, CT 06459
9780819568854, $27.95, www.wesleyan.edu/wespress

Opera is an art form cherished by many Americans, and Sarah Caldwell gives readers a look into the business with "Challenges: A Memoir of My Life in Opera". A conductor and founder of the long running Opera Company of Boston, and the first woman to conduct a Metropolitan Opera, she speaks as her times in the field, and earning many honors and awards along the way. "Challenges" is a must for any opera fan who wants to know more about how one of the most vital people in the orchestra lives her life.

Lois Hole Speaks
Lois Hole
The University of Alberta Press
Ring House 2, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada, T6G 2EI
0888644884, $24.95, www.uap.ualberta.ca

Caring is something the world needs more of. "Lois Hole Speaks: Words That Matter" is a collection of speeches about a woman who does care – about life, education, and her country. A university chancellor, gardener, and lieutenant governor, she made a career out of caring, and despite passing away in 2005, her speeches and writings have been collected. Inspiring and moving, "Lois Hole Speaks" is a must for those who want to bring caring into their government.

The Love of Impermanent Things
Mary Rose O'Reilley
Milkweed Editions
1011 Washington Avenue South, Suite 300, Minneapolis, MN 55415
9781571313126, $16.00, www.milkweed.org

As one begins to age, all that's left to do is look back and wonder what has went by. "The Love of Impermanent Things: A Threshold Ecology" consists Mary Rose O'Reilley looking back at the remains of her long life and trying to make sense of this crazy thing called life. Her language and writing is humorous, enlightening, entertaining, and most of all poignant. "The Love of Imperfect Things" is highly recommended reading, with much readers will relate to.

Lost in the Fog
Rachel Van Meers
Academy Chicago Publishers
363 West Erie Street, Chicago, IL 60610
9780897335713, $15.95, www.academychicago.com

Not only were the Jews under pressure from the Nazi aggression – but many gentile families were as well. "Lost in the Fog: Memoir of a Bastard" tells of Rachel Van Meers and her time as a girl growing up in Belgium, a country quickly conquered by Germany shortly after the start of World War II. Daniel Chase sat down with her and recorded hundreds of hours of interviews, and transcribing her long and heartfelt story. A tale of how a family is torn apart by world both physically and emotionally, "Lost in the Fog" is highly recommended reading for anyone who wants an understanding from another perspective in World War II.


The Education Shelf

100+ Educational Strategies To Teach Children of Color
Jawanza Kunjufu
African American Images
PO Box 1799, Chicago Heights, IL 60412
9781934155110, $14.95, www.africanamericanimages.com

Different upbringing brings different educational needs. "100+ Educational Strategies To Teach Children of Color" is a guide to dealing with students of color and their special needs versus other students. With guides on understanding cultural differences and using it to motivate students as well as countless other tips and advice for teachers on dealing with problems that would arise with students of color that would not typically arise otherwise. "100+ Educational Strategies to Teach Children of Color" is a solid book for any educator.

The Grammar Detective
Gillian Hanson
Continuum Press
80 Maiden Lane, Suite 704, New York, NY 10038
9780826498076, $14.95, www.continuum-books.com

The English language is a complex and complicated thing, almost like a mystery. "The Grammar Detective: Solving the Mysteries of Basic Grammar" is a way to teach students their grammar skills in a unique and creative way that will sure to get them excited over learning and make them better writers in the future. Also viable for those who just need a reminder, "The Grammar Detective" is highly recommended to any educator who wants a little spin on the lesson plan.

Writing Intervention Kit for High School
Nancy Dean
Maupin House
2416 NW 71 Place, Gainesville, FL 32653
9781934338346, $299.00, www.maupinhouse.com

Writing is a valuable skill no matter what career one is planning to go into. "Writing Intervention Kit for High School" is a guide for teachers to help their high school students who seem to have fallen behind the rest of the pack when it comes to competent writing skills. Offering a full curriculum meant to be spaced out more than four and a half months, it is expertly and scholarly designed to help even the most behind student writers to catch up and have the ability to pass state assessment exams. It also includes activities for small groups, tutoring, and advice for student's practicing on their own time. Enhanced with CD with reproducible worksheets and other invaluable resources, "Writing Intervention Kit for High School" is a solid and enthusiastically recommended acquisition for educators and administrators outfitting their schools with teaching aides.

If Holden Caulfield Were in My Classroom
Bernie Schein
Sentient Publications
1113 Spruce Street, Boulder, CO 80302
Booth Media Group (publicity)
1386 Nightshade Road, Carlsbad, CA 92011
9781591810766, $18.95, www.sentientpublications.com

Catcher in the Rye protagonist Holden Caulfield was a classic example of an introverted child who showed no enthusiasm for his schoolwork. "If Holden Caulfield Were in my Classroom: Inspiring Love, Creativity, and Intelligence in Middle School Kids" is a guide for teachers who want to reach out for these children who are trapped in their own shells. With plenty of tips to approach these children carefully so that they don't retreat further, "If Holden Caulfield Were in my Classroom" grants everything educators need to reach the hardest to reach kids, enthusiastically recommended.

The Collaborative Teacher
Cassandra Erkens & collaborators
Solution Tree
304 West Kirkwood Avenue, Bloomington, IN 47404-5132
9781934009369, $29.95, www.solution-tree.com

Very few students really have only a single teacher, so a student's education is a community effort. "The Collaborative Teacher: Working Together as a Professional Learning Community" is a guide to creating the most efficient teaching community possible to give students the education opportunities they deserve. Following their own format, each of the topics taught within are covered by a different educational professional. "The Collaborative Teacher" is an excellent pick for any teacher who wants to improve their teaching environment.


The Christian Studies Shelf

Ecclesiology for a Global Church
Richard R. Gaillardetz
Orbis Books
PO Box 308, Maryknoll, NY 10545-0308
9781570757693, $30.00, www.maryknoll.org

Christianity has spread around the world, with churches on nearly every corner of the globe. "Ecclesiology for a Global Church: A People Called and Sent" is a look at how Christianity grew to a world wide religion. Looking at how Christianity as a whole can use this united bond to help the lives of its patrons and the world around them, it's a call for a more charitable religion all around. "Ecclesiology for a Global Church" is intriguing and unique in its approach, highly recommended.

Jubilee
Mel Lawrenz
Regal
c/o Gospel Light
1957 Eastman Avenue, Ventura, CA 93003
0830746366, $14.99, www.regalbooks.com

A spiritual renewal is what is offered yearly, which some people need when faced with the abuse of spirit that comes with everyday life. "Jubilee: A Season of Spiritual Renewal" is a guide to the event of Jubilee, an event to renewing the faith of Christians. With 50 days of events that deal with the important themes of Christianity, Sabbath, and redemption, among others, "Jubilee" is highly recommended to those who want complete and comprehensive guide to Jubilee.

On the Wings of the Wind
Patricia Eytcheson Taylor & James C. Taylor
LangMarc Publishing
PO Box 90488, Austin, TX 78709-0488
1880292335, $14.95, www.langmarc.com

While sometimes horrible things come out of nowhere, greatness can as well. "On the Wings of the Wind: A Journey to Faith" tells of a grandmother who finds herself married once more to a military chaplain, who follows him abroad. Encouraging readers to embrace God and appreciate the joy that goes into their lives, it's an intriguing and inspiring book. Patricia's journey will prove moving to many readers, making "On the Wings of the Wind" highly recommended to Christian readers everywhere.

Primary Source Readings in Christian Morality
Thaddeus Ostrowski
Saint Mary's Press
702 Terrace Heights, Winona, MN 55987-1318
9780884899891, $11.95, www.smp.org

What Would Jesus Do? The line written on many a wristband on T-shirt, and the calling many Christians follow. "Primary Source Readings in Christian Morality" is a collection of writings from many of the great Christian writers of the world who speak out on morality. The words within should prove inspired and inspiring to religious readers, giving "Primary Source Readings in Christian Morality" a high recommendation.

The Church in Her House
Marjorie Procter-Smith
The Pilgrim Press
700 Prospect Avenue, Cleveland, OH 44115
9780829817010, $22.00, www.thepilgrimpress.com

Can a woman be both Christian and a feminist? "The Church in Her House: A Feminist Emancipatory Prayer Book for Christian Communities" says yes and quotes scripture to show how it is such. Seeking to empower women in general and especially Christian women, "The Church in Her House" is a must for any forward thinking woman who wants to keep herself, her family, and her community moving forward in thought, while keeping in touch with their beliefs.

Christ in the Gospels of the Liturgical Year
Raymond E. Brown
Liturgical Press
PO Box 7500, Collegeville, MN 56321-7500
9780814618608, $29.95, www.litpress.org

The liturgical calendar is a core element of worship, ritual, remembrance and celebration for the Christian community. "Christ in the Gospels of the Liturgical Year" is a collection of the writings of the prolific and highly educated biblical scholar Raymond E. Brown. Despite departing the world ten years ago, his works are still of undeniably and enduring value in studying the Bible. An ultimate compendium of Brown's work through the years, "Christ in the Gospels of the Liturgical Year" is recommended for religiously educated readers and a welcome addition to theological library collections and supplemental reading lists.

What Size are God's Shoes?
Tim Schenck
Morehouse Publishing
4775 Linglestown Road, Harrisburg, PA 17105
9780819223128, $12.00, www.churchpublishing.org

Kids are full of questions and curiosity about the world around them, even the supernatural. "What Size Are God's Shoes?: Kids, Chaos, and the Spiritual Life" is a guide to introducing one's children to religion and fielding the questions that inevitably follow along with it. Telling how to weave the spiritual into the mundane to religiously educate one's offspring, "What Size Are God's Shoes?" is a useful and enlightening book for Christian parents.

Banners for Visual Worship
Carla Krazl
Concordia Publishing House
3558 S. Jefferson Avenue, St. Louis, MO 63118-3968
9780758615046, $19.99, www.cph.org

There are many ways to practice one's belief, and many artists have created new ways. "Banners for Visual Worship" contains seventy designs for Christian craftspeople who want to create their own way to declare their devotion to God. The creations are simple and express their intent simply and sincerely. Enhanced with a bonus CD containing patterns and samples, "Banners for Visual Worship" is highly recommended for artists who love their faith.

Designing Contemporary Congregations
Laurene Beth Bowers
The Pilgrim Press
700 Prospect Avenue, Cleveland, OH 44115
9780829817898, $14.00, www.thepilgrimpress.com

It is not uncommon for people to reach adulthood then lose interest in the church. "Designing Contemporary Congregations: Strategies to Attract Those Under 50" is a guide for advertising one's congregation to a group woefully under represented in many a congregation. Calling for a revamp of churches, it offers advice on modernizing one's church without losing what's most important to many Christians – their soul. "Designing Contemporary Congregations" is a prime choice for any pastor or other Christian leader who doesn't want to lose their members to disinterest.

John
Robert J. Karris
New City Press
202 Cardinal Rd., Hyde Park, NY 12538
9781565482975, $15.95, www.newcitypress.com

The book of John is one of the most cherished and important books of the Bible. "John: Stories of the Word and Faith" is a collection of writings on the book. Containing the full text, broken into sections with writings discussing that particular part of the book, it is a dissection and educational look at one of the major books of the Bible. A must for any Bible study group, "John" is a fantastic selection.


The Mystery/Suspense Shelf

Indigo Christmas
Jeanne M. Dams
Perseverance Press
PO Box 2790, McKinleyville, CA 95519
9781880284957, $14.95, www.danielpublishing.com

Christmas is a time for giving and caring for your fellow man, not a time for murder. "Indigo Christmas" is a Hilda Johansson mystery, following married woman Hilda. Her marriage left her to leave her friends, but despite departing her beloved, they still need her. She goes to her old friend's aid, with Christmas quickly approaching. "Indigo Christmas" is a great choice for mystery fans, highly recommended.

Hearts
Perry E. Zenon
Bedside Books
c/o American Book Publishing
5442 So. 900 East#146, Salt Lake City, UT 84117-7204
1589823516, $18.00, www.american-book.com

What drives a man to the sadism needed to remove the hearts from living people? "Hearts" is a mystery following a serial killer who has earned quite the infamous name for himself doing just that. Two detectives, Callow and Smith, are left on a trail to track down this killer who has escaped their grasps and has continued with his grisly method of slaughter. "Hearts" is a gripping mystery that will start readers reading and keep them going until the last page.


The Poetry Shelf

The World Waiting to Be
Louis Daniel Brodsky
Time Being Books
10411 Clayton Road, Suites 201-203, Saint Louis, MO 63141
9781568091204, $15.95, www.timebeing.com

Brainstorming is a long and complicated process where many ideas go in and out of one's head. "The World Waiting to Be: Poems About the Creative Process" is a collection of poetry from award winning and widely published poet Louis Daniel Brodsky speaking on something he must deal with daily, along with many other writers – the creative process. "The World Waiting to Be" is sure to please and inspire writers as they stew about what to write next. "The Light of the World": The pen sputters like a wet match,/As I draw it across imagination's strip./Reluctantly, it throws off ineffectual sparks, While I start over repeatedly./Finally, the ineffable flame explodes at its tip, Illuminating all that my eyes hold focused/Before my trembling mind-/ the metaphor ignited.

The New Life
Richard Tillinghast
Copper Beech Press
PO Box 2578, Providence, RI 02906
9780914278832, $13.00, www.copperbeechpress.com

Love, death, friendship, just a few of the topics touched upon in Richard Tillinghast's "The New Life". This compilation of his reflections on his voyage through life and reflections on the various problems and notes of interest he counters is deftly communicated through the medium of his poetry. Tillinghast's ideas are fresh and insightful, making "The New Life" is a top pick for poetry enthusiasts. "Hotel Room": In this room I laid out my prayer rug/and greeted the sun./On the one-chair balcony I sat out/from dinner till late at night.//and watched the domes of great mosques/turn liquid with moonlight/as if filling up from within-/silver like the nightingale's tongue.//First the epic journey,/the last mad dash down a mountainside,/arriving hollow-eyed and sunburned,/then this room.

You Are the Business
Caroline Dubois
Burning Deck
71 Elmgrove Avenue, Providence, RI 02906
Small Press Distribution (distribution)
1341 Seventh Street, Berkeley, CA 94710
9781886224865, $14.00, www.burningdeck.com

How is writing crafted? In "You Are The Business" prolific and experienced French poet Caroline Dubois has compiled a book of her poetry in which she asks such questions as where to the ideas truly come from, what's real and what's fake. Expertly translated into English by Cole Sweensen, Dubois's poetry is unique, highly entertaining, and enthusiastically recommended reading.

Wide Open
Dawna Markova
Red Wheel Weiser / Conari
65 Parker Street, Suite 7, Newburyport, MA 01950
9781573243643, $16.95, www.dawnamarkova.com

Has passion left your life? "Wide Open: On Living with Passion and Purpose" is an inspiring book of wisdom coupled with full color and gorgeous floral photography. Readers will find much food for thought from Dawna Markova's musings, arranged in small, easy to digest chunks. "Wide Open" is recommended for anyone seeking more passion in any avenue of their life.

In Memory of The Fast Break
Michael Sweeney
Plain View Press
PO Box 42255, Austin, TX 78704
9781891386718, $14.95, www.plainviewpress.net

Poetry and the world of sports rarely collide, but Michael Sweeney brings them together anyway. "In Memory of the Fast Break" is his award winning collection of poetry for readers who are seeking a new and unique book of poetry. A breath of fresh air in the world poetry grants "In the Memory of Fast Break" a top recommendation. "When Giants Walked the Earth": They stood out even through the static, rabbit ears bent/on the old Zenith, plastic whipped from the window panes//staple by staple: arthritic Russell barely twitching his beard/toward the inbounds pass, Reggie Harding leaning with him//just as Russell soars the other ways, catching the lob/two feet above the rim & jamming it – the old dummy play!

Peace
Hugh Fox
Higganum Hill Books
PO Box 666, Higganum, CT 06441
9781605851815, $12.95, www.ipgbook.com

Highly educated, prolific, and experienced man of the world Hugh Fox, a longtime critic of literature and writing, brings readers his experience in the field of poetry as he offers up his own in "Peace". With a tinge of French sprinkled in, his experience brings much to the table and much to enjoy for readers. "Peace" is an enthusiastic recommendation for poetry lovers.

Hawking Moves
Richard Alan Bunch
Goose River Press
3400 Friendship Road, Waldoboro, ME 04572
9781597130523, $14.95, www.gooseriverpress.com

Experienced and highly prolific poet and short story writer brings fans another treat with "Hawking Moves: Plays, Poems, and Stories" a compilation of creative writing from him. All intriguing and of great quality writing, Bunch proves himself to be a very talented writer indeed. Readers who enjoy more than one format will relish "Hawking Moves" for the variety of forms in which Richard Alan Bunch has set his verse. "Embrace Metaphors": Unclear Jellyfish in the reeds I am,/ That mighty zero, primal astronomy.//Your disappearing fact, an atlas in stages,/A phrase within a phase, my blue fountain://This collection of cravings, one last kiss, An extended family in ecstatic prayer.//I'm in transition, a ghost perky in levitation,/A melody within a malady.

Down to the Quick
Nancy Scott
Plain View Press
1509 Dexter Street, Austin, TX 78704
9781891386633, $14.95, www.plainviewpress.net

Prolific and experienced poet Nancy Scott comes to readers with a new volume of poetry in "Down to the Quick". She has spent much of her life in service to children in need as a foster parent, and her poetry reflects on her life in the service of these children. "Down to the Quick" is moving and inspiring, recommended. "The Sixth Child": She lived in a crib her first three years,/in a closet, often not fed./Mom said she only had five./When rescued, Annie could barely sit.//Today, with thin arms, she circles her food/and waits./If she thinks you're not looking,/she squirrels away cheese, raisins, grapes,//deep in her pockets, under the rug,/between the cushions./You give Annie what she wants,/and don't let on.

Jealous Witness
Andrei Codrescu
Coffee House Press
79 Thirteenth Avenue, NE, Suite 110, Minneapolis, MN 55413
9781566892179, $19.95, www.coffeehousepress.com

Hurricane Katrina truly devastated New Orleans, leaving it so it'll never be the same again. "Jealous Witness" is a collection of poetry from Romanian born Andrei Codrescu, who adopted the Big Easy as his home when he immigrated there. The poetry focusing on the loss of their homes and the ongoing reconstruction of what was lost. Enhanced with a music CD from the New Orleans Klezmer Allstars, "Jealous Witness" is a grand blend of music and poetry, sure to please those who want a taste of the indomitable spirit of New Orleans. "Morning": sometimes when they shut off the faucets/i think of the Chinese mailmen/how they must feel holding/birds full of letters./i would like to walk with them/into the small/circumcisions/at the top of the houses/through which hands protrude waiting/for telegrams./because this is a country of telegrams/we emerge from holding shocked doorknobs/between our knees.


The Art Shelf

West Point Points West
The Institute of Western Art
Denver Art Museum
100 West 14th Avenue Parkway, Denver, CO 80204-2788
University of Oklahoma Press (distribution)
2800 Venture Drive, Norman, OK 73069
9780806199689, $21.95, www.oupress.com

A wild untamed country lying toward the west, it is no wonder it has been and still is such a focal point of inspiration for so many artists. "West Point Points West" is a book filled with photographs and paintings of the Military Academy at West Point's desire to push westward and map the frontier that laid across those fields. Accompanied by essays on the subject to compliment the art, "West Point Points West" is a great choice for a coffee table book or fans of the old west in general.

Evan Macdonald
Flora Macdonald Spencer
Wilfrid Laurier University Press
75 University Avenue West, Waterloo, ON, Canada, N2L 3C5
9781554580484, $29.95, www.wlupress.wlu.ca

What creates an artist? "Evan Macdonald: A Painter's Life:" is the biography of the life of one of the best known Canadian artists in the twentieth century. Covering his life from his birth in 1905 and through his war time work, it gives a vivid picture of a man who truly loved his craft. Laced through the biographical text are full-color reproductions of Macdonald's work, helping one understand the man. Any art history buff, especially those with a focus on Canada, needs "Evan Macdonald".


The Business Shelf

1,000 Dollars & An Idea
Sam Wyly
Newmarket Press
18 East 48th Street, New York, NY 10017
9781557048035, $24.95, www.1000dollarsandanidea.com

Everyone starts with just about nothing. "1,000 Dollars & an Idea: Entrepreneur to Billionaire" tells Sam Wyly's story of risking his entire savings on a gamble of starting up a new business. Now one of the wealthiest people on the planet, this biographical account is helpful with tips and advice on how to establish one's own business when one doesn't have much to play with. Entering the mind of a financial genius, "1,000 Dollars & an Idea" is solid and highly recommended to aspiring business people.

Creating the Intrapreneur
Victoria C. DePaul
Synergy Books
PO Box 80107, Austin, TX 78758
Phenix & Phenix Literary Publicists
2100 Kramer Lane, Suite 300, Autin, TX 78758
9781934454183, $15.95, www.synergybooks.net

Entrepreneurs are those who take charge, but an 'intrapreneur' is someone who does it in a way the world has yet to see. "Creating the Intrapreneur: The Search for Leadership Excellence' is a guide for entrepreneurs looking to step up their ideas. Describing the premise of the 'intrapreneur', becoming a leader, and succeeding with one's business, its fresh approaches to business that even established business people can draw ideas from. "Creating the Intrapreneur" is highly recommended to anyone who wants to try a new approach to their company and a welcome addition to personal, professional, academic, and community library Business & Management reference collections and supplemental reading lists.

The Age of Heretics
Art Kleiner
Jossey-Bass
c/o Wiley
989 Market Street, Fifth Floor, San Francisco, CA 94103-1741
9780470190708, $29.95, www.josseybass.com

Jesus was considered a Heretic by the religious establishment of his time. He also had some radical ideas about wealth, economics, and the personal finances of his followers. "The Age of Heretics: A History of Radical Thinkers Who Reinvented Corporate Management" is a compelling and informative look at those who dared to be different and changed the way their company and possibly the world does business. Rejected in their times, these are men and women who are now retroactively honored for their ideas and innovation in the modern era. Many of today's business practices are very much due to their own once 'heretical' ideas. A highly recommended addition to personal, corporate, academic, and community library Business Studies reference collections, "The Age of Heretics" is inspiring and enlightening reading for any business person who fears their ideas may face initial rejection.

Customer Service in an Instant
Keith Bailey
Career Press
3 Tice Road, PO Box 687, Franklin, NJ 07417
9781601630131, $11.99, www.careerpress.com

A happy customer is a regular customer. "Customer Service in an Instant: 60 Ways to Win Customers and Keep Them Coming Back" is a guide to one of the most vital aspects to business, customer service. Boasting sixty tips and techniques to keep the customer happy and how to apply them in the quickest and most effective ways possible, it's invaluable in building relationships and bonds with customers, even when having to refuse a request. "Customer Service in an Instant" is highly recommended reading for any business manager who values the power of customer service.


The Sports Shelf

The Birth of Dirt
Frank J. Berto
Van der Plas Publications
1282 7th Avenue, San Francisco, CA 94122
9781892495617, $18.95, www.cyclingpublishing.com

Biking is a great source of exercise, and for some, a great source of adventure. "The Birth of Dirt: Origins of Mountain Biking" is Frank J. Berto's journey to track down the origins of adventurous biking and the bike created to facilitate that purpose. With plenty of full color and black and white photographs tracing the history of the mountain bike, it's intriguing to see the progression of the bike variation. "The Birth of Dirt" is highly recommended to anyone who wants to know the origins of their favorite hobby.

Loyal Sons
Jim Lefebvre
Great Day Press
c/o ACTA Publications (distribution)
5559 West Howard Street, Skokie, IL 60077
9780981884103, $24.95 www.actapublications.com 1-800-397-2282

Award-winning journalist and sports historian Jim Lefebvre presents Loyal Sons: The Story of The Four Horsemen and Notre Dame Football's 1924 Champions, the first book-length look at the famous Notre Dame football team and its 1924 victory over Army. Reconstructing the daily life of team members, and taking an especial note of how the competitive team became a source of pride for Catholics across America, Loyal Sons is an engaging read for anyone curious about what university football was like a century ago. Especially recommended for football enthusiasts with a passion for the history of the sport.


The Parenting Shelf

What Happy Parents Do
Carol J. Bruess & Anna D.H. Kudak
Fairview Press
2450 Riverside Avenue, Minneapolis, MN 55454
9781577491774, $14.95, www.fairviewpress.org

Children are the joy of their parents' lives, but there are still other things important to them – like each other. "What Happy Parents Do: The Loving Little Rituals of a Child-Proof Marriage" is an informative and 'user friendly' guide for parents about dealing with what is so often forgotten in raising their child the best they can be. The key to staying together and giving a child both parents through adolescence and onwards is to keep the passion and love alive. Unique in its approach and truthful in its content, "What Happy Parents Do" is highly recommended reading indeed for parents wanting their marriages to be as fulfilling for them when raising their children as when the kids are no longer around.

101 Ways To Tell Your Child "I Love You"
Vicki Lansky
Book Peddlers
2828 Hedberg Drive, Minnetonka, MN 55305
9781931863513, $8.95, www.bookpeddlers.com

The best thing a parent can do to insure an emotionally health child grows up to be an emotionally healthy adult is to consistently and continually express affection for that child in both word and deed. That's the basic premise for Vicki Lansky's "101 Ways To Tell Your Child "I Love You", a small volume ideas and encouragements ranging from waking up a child with a kiss, to cuddling with a child and a good book, to bringing home to a child a small token such as a flower. Enhanced with some 'fill in the blank' redeemable 'Love Coupons', "101 Ways To Tell Your Child "I Love You" is an ideal gift for a new parent and a welcome addition to any family with children of any age. Also highly recommended for parents are Vicki Lansky's previous titles including "Feed Me! I'm Yours", "Practical Parenting Tips For The First Five Years", "Toilet Training: A Practical Guide to Daytime And Nighttime Training", "Baby Proofing Basics", and "Games Babies Play".

How to Talk to Your Child's Doctor
Christopher M. Johnson
Prometheus Books
59 John Glenn Drive, Amherst, NY 14228-2119
9781591026198, $18.95, www.prometheusbooks.com

When it comes to one's child, communication should not be an issue. "How to Talk to Your Child's Doctor: A Handbook for Parents" is a guide for parents who want to ensure they get their doctor's best for the sake of their child. Seeking to conserve time and avoid the bureaucracy of the medical profession, the ideas laid within are there to help parents speed along while not sacrificing quality. "How to Talk to Your Child's Doctor" is a must for parents who want to help their doctor help their child.


The Language Studies Shelf

Strange Harbors
World Writing in Translation
Center for the Art of Translation
c/o University of Washington Press
PO Box 50096, Seattle, WA 98145-5096
9781931883153, $14.95, www.catranslation.org

There's more to translation than opening up to a wider audience. "Strange Harbors" is a collection of writings and poems spread across the world and in several languages, translated from other languages. For comparison, each work is in English and its language of origin. Translation allows English speakers to see into the minds of those who they wouldn't be able to carry on a conversation with, to understand why they do the things they do. "Strange Harbors" is a unique and highly appealing poetry book, sure to please many a reader.


The Travel Shelf

The GPS Handbook
Robert I. Egbert & Joseph E. King
Burford Books
PO Box 388, Short Hills, NJ 07078
9781580801492, $16.95, www.burfordbooks.com

Getting lost in the woods is no fun for anyone. Now in a thoroughly revised, updated, and expanded edition, "The GPS Handbook: A Guide for the Outdoors" by the team of Robert I. Egbert and Joseph E. King, is dedicated to assisting those who love the outdoors to improve their experience for maximum safety through the advantages of a global positioning system. A thoroughly 'user friendly' plain language guide to using the GPS to its fullest, "The GPS Handbook" covers the GPS's many abilities ranging from linking with other devices to being used stand alone. An essential addition to community library reference collections, all dedicated hiker, camper, sportsmen, and outdoor enthusiasts should have a copy of "The GPS Handbook".

Speak the Culture Spain
Andrew Whittaker
Thorogood Publishing
c/o Stylus Publishing
PO Box 605, Herndon, VA 20172-0605
1854186051, $24.95, www.thorogoodpublishing.co.uk

There's more to understanding people than language. "Speak the Culture: Spain" is a guide to those who may be visiting the land of Spain in the future. A guide to understanding the Spanish people, their culture, and how to avoid cultural misunderstandings, as well as what to expect, the contents within are as vital as a fluent grasp of the Spanish language. Also serving as a book of history, "Speak the Culture: Spain" is highly recommended to armchair and onsite world travelers alike.

Nevada Trails: Western Region
Peter Massey, Angela Titus, Jeanne Wilson
Adler Publishing Company
PO Box 519, Castle Rock, CO 80104
9781930193154, $24.95, www.4WDbooks.com, 1-800-660-5107

The western state of Nevada offers a wealth of outdoor adventuring for visitors and residents of all ages, interests, and backgrounds. The team of Peter Massey, Angela Titus, and Jeanne Wilson have collaborated to create "Nevada Trails: Western Region", a thoroughly 'user friendly', superbly illustrated, detailed, 263-page compendium of practical information on backroads and 4-wheel drive trails, ghost towns and mining camps, campsites and hiking trails around such landmark destinations as Reno, Carson City, Lake Tahoe, Tonopah, and Hawthorne. Perfect for itinerary planning for anything from a simple day trip to an extended outdoor vacation, "Nevada Trails: Western Region" is enhanced with in-depth trail descriptions, integrated GPS coordinates, mile-by-mile directions, and maps for each showcased trail. Nevada Trails: Western Edition" is an ideal and enthusiastically recommended reference for scenic drivers, trail hikers, mountain bikers, 4-wheel vehicle excursionists and arm-chair travelers!

Hiking, Cycling, & Canoeing in Maryland
Bryan MacKay
The John Hopkins University Press
2715 N. Charles Street, Baltimore, MD 21218
9780801887673, $20.95, www.press.jhu.edu

Maryland is a diverse state, locally referred to as Little America, for having every geographical terrain in the United States outside Deserts. Now in a newly updated second edition "Hiking, Cycling, & Canoeing in Maryland: A Family Guide" by Bryan MacKay is a thoroughly 'user friendly' guide to taking advantage of this vast and beautiful array of nature available in a small area. Covering over twenty hikes, sixteen cycling paths, and nearly twenty rivers worth considering to canoe, "Hiking, Cycling, & Canoeing in Maryland" is a must for any outdoors lover who is either living in or planning to visit the state.


The Self-Help Shelf

The 10 Best-Ever Anxiety Management Techniques
Margaret Wehrenberg
W.W. Norton
500 Fifth Avenue, New York, NY 10110
9780393705560, $17.95, www.wwnorton.com

Anxiety taken to the extreme can be a disabling disability, but one that can be managed like anything else. Licenced psychologist Margaret Wehrenberg's "The 10 Best-Ever Anxiety Management Techniques: Understanding How Your Brain Makes You Anxious & What You Can Do to Change It" is a thoroughly 'user friendly' instructional guide for facing anxiety and dealing with it on a day to day basis. Over forty million Americans deal with this problem daily, and "The 10 Best-Ever Anxiety Management Techniques" offers plenty of fresh advice for managing it the best one can. The ten tips are sure to help many, making "The 10 Best-Ever Anxiety Management Techniques" is a 'must read' for anyone suffering from a condition of chronic anxiety whether it is a low-level condition or a traumatically crippling one.

The Change Cycle
Ann Salerno & Lillie Brock
Berrett-Koehler Publishers
235 Montgomery Street, Suite 650, San Francisco, CA 94104-2916
9781576754986, $19.95, www.bkconnection.com

Life never sits still, so neither does business. "The Change Cycle: How People Can Survive and Thrive in Organizational Change" is a guide to dealing with change in the world of business without losing one's head. Covering six aspects that range from loss to integration, it's a seminal guide to going with the flow of time, instead of foolishly standing in the way of it. "The Change Cycle" is solid reading for anyone who has trouble keeping up with a changing world in business.

Being with Dying
Joan Halifax
Shambhala
300 Massachusetts Ave, Boston, MA 02115
9781570624698, $22.95, www.shambhala.com

Death is as much a part of life as living, but most people do not fear life. "Being with Dying: Cultivating Compassion and Fearlessness in the Presence of Death" is Joan Halifax's explanation why one should not fear death. A Buddhist teacher who has worked with the dying for much of her life, she uses the teachings of her religion to help inspire those of any faith to be better be prepared for what is inevitable, and live for the time they have now. "Being With Dying" is informed and inspiring, making it a recommendation for those who want to further appreciate life.

Turn it Up!
Jeffery Spencer
Health Communications, Inc.
3201 S.W. 15th Street, Deerfield Beach, FL 33442
9780757306181, $15.95, www.hcibooks.com

Top of the line performance isn't something restricted solely to Olympic athletes. "Turn It Up!: How to Perform At Your Highest Level For a Lifetime" is a guide to being the best one can be. Although written by a former Olympian and athlete, the principles outlined in the book are not strictly for athletes; the advice and motivation can be applied to many avenues of life. For business, creativity, any avenue, "Turn it Up!" is an inspirational must for any reader.


The Judaic Studies Shelf

Why Hebrew Goes from Right to Left
Ronald H. Isaacs
KTAV
930 Newark Avenue, Jersey City, NJ 07306
9781602800311, $18.95, www.ktav.com

With more than four millennia of existence, Judaism has much history and culture to learn about. "Why Hebrew Goes from Right to Left: 201 Things You Never Knew About Judaism" is an infinitely interesting compendium of knowledge and facts about one of the world's oldest religions. Touching on the language of Hebrew, Judaic holy days, Jewish superstitions, supernatural beings, prayer, education, womanhood, and more, "Why Hebrew Goes From Right to Left" is highly recommended for personal, synagogue, and community library Judaic Studies reference collections.

1001 Questions and Answers on Pesach
Jeffrey M. Cohen
Valentine Mitchell
950 NE 58th Avenue, Suite 300, Portland, OR 97213-3786
International Specialized Book Services (distribution)
920 NE 58th Ave. Suite 300, Portland, OR 97213-3786
9780853038085, $54.95, www.vmbooks.com

Pesach is a lesser known Jewish festival, so when a gentile learns of it, out come the questions. "1001 Questions and Answers on Pesach" is a complete and comprehensive guide to the festival, with the thousand and one questions broken down into twenty two sections covering each of the overlying subjects within. They cover everything from the deep rich history to customs and how they apply to modern day Jews who cherish following orthodox methods of their faith. "1001 Questions and Answers on Pesach" is a must for any curious on the festival and want a full and total understanding of it all, and a core addition to academic, synagogue and community library Judaic Studies reference collections.


The Environmental Studies Shelf

Climate Change and Forests
Charlotte Streck & Collaborators, editors
Brookings Institution Press
PO Box 50370, Baltimore, MD 21211-4370
9780815781929, $69.95, www.brookings.edu

Could the ultimate and most effective weapon against global warming be smart business? "Climate Change and Forests: Emerging Policy and Market Opportunities" is a collection of essays focusing on environmental policies after the Kyoto Protocol expires in 2012. Looking at land use and calling upon the minds of many writers to put forth their ideas and experiences into a brain trust that readers can read over and have much to think about themselves. With a partially optimistic yet wholly realistic approach to environmental conservation that believes good business is the best way for a greener tomorrow, "Climate Change and Forests" is an absolute must for any environmental discussion and for community and college library environmental collections.

Going Green
Sally & Sadie Kneidel
Fulcrum Publishing
4690 Table Mountain Drive, Suite 100, Golden, CO 80403
9781555915988, $19.95, www.fulcrumbooks.com

America has the biggest carbon footprint than any other country in the world – how can the everyday citizens do their part to reduce it? "Going Green: A Wise Consumer's Guide to a Shrinking Planet" is an informed and informative guide from a mother daughter team dedicated to saving the environment. Explaining the ecological costs of everyday items that you wouldn't think have much effect and alternatives available to each of them, "Going Green" is ideal reading for any consumer who worries about the world of tomorrow. Critically important, "Going Green" is an enlightening and educational work that should be a part of all academic and community library Environmental Studies reference collections and supplemental reading lists.


The World History Shelf

Faith and Fatherland
Kyle Jantzen
Fortress Press
c/o Augsburg Fortress
PO Box 59304, Minneapolis, MN 55459-0304
9780800623586, $22.00, www.fortresspress.com

What went on in the protestant churches of Germany during Adolph Hitler's reign of terror? "Faith and Fatherland: Parish Politics in Hitler's Germany" looks at the grand range of resistance that these Lutheran churches offered the regime. Some embraced Nazism, some fought vehemently to resist it, granting readers a deep look into the spiritual side of Nazi Germany. "Faith and Fatherland" is intriguing and educational, a grade-A choice for history readers in general, and students of the role of Christianity in 20th Century Germany in particular.

Citizens to Lords
Ellen Meiksins Wood
Verso
20 Jay Street, Suite 1010, Brooklyn, NY 11201
9781844672431, $29.95, www.versobooks.com

What if what we know about history is wrong? "Citizens to Lords: A Social History of Western Political Thought from Antiquity to the Middle Ages" seeks to give a new explanation to how mankind views its past thinkers. Offering new views of thinkers from Socrates, St. Augustine, and many others, this examination of ancient political minds is fresh and food for thought. "Citizens to Lords" should be required reading and would make for good discussion for many a college political philosophy class.

Empire, Colony, Genocide
A. Dirk Moses
Berghahn Books
PO Box 605, Herndon, VA 20172-0605
9781845454524, $95.00, www.berghahnbooks.com

To deliberately wipe out an entire people is what is referred to as 'Genocide'. "Empire, Colony, Genocide: Conquest, Occupation, and Subaltern Resistance in World History" is a meticulously researched and deftly edited scholarly reference by A. Dirk Moses which provides a history of the genocides which have taken place around the world. Writings and commentaries are drawn from scholars, anthropologists, and historians who speak out at how the practices of genocide have turned many nations into mass murderers ranging from Adolph Hitler's Nazi Regime and Holocaust, to such lesser known but still world changing events such as Cambodia The Great Rebellion in the Southern Andes, and so many other tragedies. Offering historical insights into humanity's murderous follies and what causes such harsh actions of repression and attempted extinctions, "Empire, Colony, Genocide" is strongly recommended to community library history collections and any non-specialist general reader with a strong interest in world history.


The Religion/Spirituality Shelf

Modern Spiritual Masters
Robert Ellsberg, editor
Orbis Books
Walsh Bldg, PO Box 308, Maryknoll, NY 10545
9781570757884, $18.00, www.orbisbooks.com

Spirituality is not dead and many writers have put their pen to motivating the spiritual side of many souls. "Modern Spiritual Masters: Writing on Contemplation and Compassion" is a masterful anthology of spiritual writers ranging from unknown to Mother Teresa, all speak on the heart and soul of humanity. Inspiring and enlightening as it intends to be, "Modern Spiritual Masters" is a 'must have' addition to personal and seminar reference collection and reading lists.

Tai Chi Dynamics
Robert Chuckrow
YMAA Publication Center
PO Box 480, 23 N. Main Street, Suite C, Wolfeboro, NH 03894
9781594391163, $20.95, www.ymaa.com

Tai Chi helps many people relax and meditate – but why does it do what it does? "Tai Chi Dynamics: Principles of Natural Movement, Health, & Self-Development" tries to apply science to the art. Looking at the common moves and how the human body and mind reacts to them, author and Tai Chi expert Robert Chuckrow puts a fine science to what many people regard as simply spirituality. Fascinating, enlightening, and highly recommended reading for students and practitioners of this ancient Chinese exercise, "Tai Chi Dynamics" is highly recommended to those who want to know why and how Tai Chi does what it does for the body and for the soul.

A Meeting of Mystic Paths
Justin O'Brien
Yes International Publishers
1317 Summit Avenue, St. Paul, MN 55105-2602
0936663146, $16.95, www.yespublishers.com

Could the five millenniums old art of Yoga be key to better understanding Christianity? "A Meeting of Mystic Paths: Christianity and Yoga" is Justin O'Brien's desire to combine the two disciplines in creating a more complete spirituality. The two, although at first sight very different, there is much in common with them despite thousands of miles and thousands of years difference in origin. With the idea that Jesus himself may have heard some of the ideas of Yoga makes "A Meeting of Mystic Paths" a fresh set of ideas, sure to interest even those who don't follow Yoga or Christianity.

Selfless Spirit, Selfish Ego
John Cord
Blue Dolphin Publishing
PO Box 8, Nevada City, CA 95959
9781577332299, $12.95, www.bluedolphinpublishing.com

Is it all really the same God? "Selfless Spirit, Selfish Ego: The Way to Everlasting Peace for Judaism, Christianity, and Islam" is a look at the three relationships and why peace and harmony between them is possible. Explaining such modern critical issues such as homosexuality, abortion, secularization, and others – and how each of the three religions view them in a similar light, it's an eye opening account that we aren't all so different, "Selfless Spirit, Selfish Ego" is especially recommended reading for students of religion, as well as non-specialist general readers with an interest in the subject.


The Fiction Shelf

The Emerald Angel
Wilma L. Derksen
Herald Press
616 Walnut Avenue, Scottsdale, PA 15683-1999
9780836193954, $11.99

There's something that few people do, but everyone is capable of. "The Emerald Angel" tells of Ava and her grandmother. People visit Ava's grandmother by the dozens, but Ava doesn't seem to understand why. Ava finds the truth and it's not what she expects, as her Grandmother offers the service of simply listening to what her visitors have to say. "The Emerald Angel" is a story of compassion and understanding, a strong choice for any literary fiction reader.

Inherited Sins
Paula Paul
University of New Mexico Press
1 University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM 87131-0001
9780826344960, $18.95, www.unmpress.com

With friendship, comes sharing the burden of the friend. "Inherited Sins" is a moving tale of Reverend Fletcher and his relationship with Johnnie Marie. Together they hoist their collective burden, Fletcher of his loss of his son, and Marie of her dark past and horrible relationship with her father. The strength they gain through each other is inspiring and prove that sometimes secrets are worth revealing. "Inherited Sins" is a solid story, sure to touch readers and pull at their heart strings.

The Four Lost Men
Arlyn & Matthew J. Bruccoli, editor
The University of South Carolina Press
1600 Hampton Street, 5th Floor, Columbia, SC 29208
9781570037337, $21.95, www.sc.edu/uscpress

Thomas Wolfe's literary classic "The Four Lost Men: The Previously Unpublished Long Version" was published as a short story in 1934, with a length of only seven thousand words. Now republished with a literary critique from Arlyn & Matthew J. Bruccolli, the story sports a full length of well over twenty thousand words. A story set in the days of World War I with characters such as four 19th Century presidents, it's a tale sure to please readers of any era. "The Four Lost Men" is a recommended consideration for any community or college library collection of enduring literary works.

The Jewel of Gresham Green
Lawana Blackwell
Bethany House
11400 Hampshire Ave., S. Bloomington, MN 55438
9780764205118, $13.99, www.bethanyhouse.com

In fleeing from problems, one often finds more. "The Jewel of Gresham Green" tells of Jewel Libby fleeing her home village to protect her daughter. But as she leaves that trouble, she finds the quiet village has many problems of its own. Dominating wives who prevent a father's treatment, coupled with desire for solitude that is hurting family bonds, lead Jewel to being the only one who can save a family from falling apart. A romance done with unique concepts, "The Jewel of Gresham Green" is highly recommended reading and would make a popular addition to community library collections.

Blood Brothers
Rick Acker
Kregel Publications
PO Box 2607, Grand Rapids, MI 49501
Glass Road Public Relations (publicity)
danielle@glassroadpr.com
9780825420078, $14.99, www.glassroadpr.com

Family is supposed to look out for one another right? "Blood Brothers" is a tale of a business gone exceptionally horrible. Karl and Gunnar Bjornsen made themselves rich with a pharmaceutical empire. With the introduction of a new drug and potential for further profit than either have seen, Lawyer Ben Corbin finds himself stuck between the two. Business turns dirty, far less civil than one would expect between brothers. "Blood Brothers" is a riveting thriller of drugs and business gone bad, a grade-A pick.

Martha, Jack, & Shanco
Caryl Lewis
Parthian
c/o Dufour Editions
PO Box 7, Chester Springs, PA 19425
9781905762316, $19.95, www.parthianbooks.co.uk

The relationship between brothers and sisters is a unique one, unlike any other blood tie. "Martha, Jack, & Shanco" is the story of these Welsh siblings living in the home of their departed parents, eerily feeling they are being haunted by them. Their relationship is the story and the story is a look into on sibling relationships and the Welsh country side. Masterfully translated from the original Welsh by Gwen Davis, "Martha, Jack, & Shanco" is a strong choice for anyone seeking literary Welsh fiction.


The Pets/Wildlife Shelf

Best Hikes with Dogs Boston & Beyond
Jenna Ringelheim
The Mountaineers Books
1001 SW Klickitat Way, Suite 201, Seattle, WA 98134
9781594850523, $16.95, www.mountaineersbooks.org

Hiking with one's dog can be an exciting experience for both dog and owner. "Best Hikes with Dogs: Boston & Beyond" offers an array of hikes for hikers that facilitate the accompaniment of their dog. Offering fifty trails, both urban and rural, that give plenty of varieties for hikers and their canine friends, Best Hikes with Dogs Boston & Beyond is an absolute must for hikers who are also pet owners who reside in Boston and the Massachusetts area. "Best Hikes with Dogs: Boston & Beyond" is a top notch acquisition that is as practical as it is informative.

The Dog Trainer's Resource 2
Mychelle Blake, editor
Dogwise
403 S. Mission St., Wenatchee, WA 98801
9781929242573, $26.95, www.dogwise.com

Dog Training is a lucrative business, and "The Dog Trainer's Resource 2: The APDT Chronicle of the Dog Collection" is a solid reference for dog trainers who want an encyclopedia reference available for them. With theories touching upon dog psychology, socialization, and more, it also touches on the business model suggestions for this business. With additional asides on training not just the dog, but the dog owner, "The Dog Trainer's Resource 2" is a must for any dog trainer looking to turn it into business.


The International Studies Shelf

Mistaking Africa
Curtis Keim
Westview Press
c/o Perseus Books Group
2465 Central Avenue, Boulder, CO 80301
9780813343860, $32.00, www.perseusacademic.com

'Spearchuckers' who dance around fires, elephants and lions trampling through Jungles, all are examples of the most obvious exaggerations Americans have come to believe in about Africa due to so many Hollywood movies and lurid novel depictions. Now in an updated and expanded second edition, "Mistaking Africa: Curiosities and Inventions of the American Mind" is a look at the myths, legends, and flat our lies that so many so often hear about the continent that holds the cradle of civilization on its shores. Covering all misconceptions to common myth to advertisement's use of Africa to move products, "Mistaking Africa" is a must for anyone who wants to know what the real Africa is.

Africa in World Politics
John W. Harbeson & Donald Rothchild
Westview Press
2465 Central Avenue, Boulder, CO 80301
9780813343648, $42.00, www.westviewpress.com

Africa south of the Sahara is usually wrongfully ignored when it comes to world politics. "Africa in World Politics: Reforming Political Order" is an examination of Africa's current political troubles and how it can shake off its current turmoil and move ahead and embrace prosperity, something it has struggled to do since the Europeans have departed around fifty years ago. Critical of Africa's problems but rife with optimism for the future, "Africa in World Politics" is a good read for anyone who to be educated on the governments of this great continent.


The Computer Shelf

Getting Started With Flex 3
Jack D. Herrington & Emily Kim
O'Reilly
1005 Gravenstein Highway North, Sebastopol, CA 95472
9780596520649, $19.99, www.oreilly.com

Flex is short for flexible, a title the program Flex 3 rightfully deserves. "Getting Started with Flex 3: An Adobe Developer Library Pocket Guide" is a handbook filled with all one needs to gain a complete understanding and mastery of Flex 3. Covering user interfaces, controls both commercial and open source, integration, and so much more that this little program can do. "Getting Started With Flex 3" is a must for anyone dealing with the program and wants to do more.

The Ida Pro Book
Chris Eagle
No Starch Press
555 De Haro Street, Suite 250, San Francisco, CA 94107
9781593271787, $59.95, www.nostarch.com

Usually to get things done in programming already established programs, you need the source code. "The Ida Pro Book: The Unofficial Guide to the World's Most Popular Disassembler" is a guide to that common remedy for those problems, Ida Pro. Covering many unknown yet useful techniques to use with the disassembler, it touches on subjects such as routines, processor and file types, plug-ins, debuggers, and so much more. Time saving, efficiency increasing, and skill enhancing, there is little reason for any Ida Pro user to not pick up "The Ida Pro Book".


The Psychology Shelf

The ABCs of Human Behavior
Jonas Ramnero & Niklas Torneke
New Harbinger Publications
5674 Shattuck Avenue, Oakland, CA 94609
9781572245389, $49.95, www.newharbinger.com

Humans are strange creatures whose behavior often baffles and confuses other humans. "The ABCs of Human Behavior: Behavior Principles for the Practicing Clinician" is a guidebook for those who want to embark on the monumental task of trying to understand why mankind does the things it does. Offering the basics of psychology so that the practicing clinician can get a working grasp on understanding, it tries to explain the human mind to readers. Utterly fascinating, "The ABCs of Human Behavior" has an intended audience, but there is much to draw in non-specialist general readers as well.

First Impressions
Nalini Ambady & John J. Skowronski
The Guilford Press
72 Spring Street, New York, NY 10012
9781593857165, $45.00, www.guilford.com

When meeting someone for the first time, one commonly assumes a lot and passes many a judgment without a word being spoken. Why is this? "First Impressions" seeks to answer the question of why humanity does this. Breaking down the explanations into the biological nature of this, how sometimes one's assumptions are right and it keeps us assuming, cultural programming, and much more. Revealing how much a person tells without even moving their mouth, "First Impressions" is a riveting and interesting psychological text that works as a book for learning, or a casual reading for a non specialist general reader.


The Cookbook Shelf

The Pavlova Story
Helen Leach
Otago University Press
c/o International Specialized Book Services
920 NE 58th Avenue, Suite 300, Portland, OR 97213-3786
9781877372575, $40.00, www.amazon.com

Who exactly invented the Pavlova cake? Deftly written by Helen Leach, "The Pavlova Story: A Slice of New Zealand's Culinary History" focuses on the cake, and looks at how three different cakes have taken on the name of the famous dancer. Showing the evolution of the three variations of this specific culinary delight, through how creative innovation from carious chefs have altered the cake forever, and how sometimes the professional cook altering historic recipe can be an everyday housewife, "The Pavlova Story" is an informative and entertaining look at New Zealand cuisine through one of their most treasured national dishes.

Potluck Survival Guide
Cherie Kimmons
Five Star Publications
1193-392nd Road, Utica, NE 68456
9781589850736, $24.95, www.potlucksurvivalguide.com

Potlucks, a gathering of people bringing many dishes, random is the very definition. "Potluck Survival Guide: Care & Feeding of the Athletic Supporter" is a cookbook aimed at tailgaters and those who commonly attend other potlucks aimed at supporting athletic events. Although aimed at that demographic, the contents inside can be applied to any such situation which calls for a potluck. Containing information pertaining to his type of event such as quantity concerns, elusive components, and presentation, it leaves nothing to guess work. "Potluck Survival Guide" is a must for any common attender of such events.


The Fantasy/SciFi Shelf

The Viper of Portello
James C. Glass
Fairwood Press
21528 104th Street, Ct. E, Bonney Lake, WA 98391
9780978907877, $17.99, www.fairwoodpress.com

Peace is what those involved in war so often seek. "The Viper of Portello" follows one Eduardo Cabral as he deals with the betrayal of the government he fought for. All he seeks to do is reunite with his art, but it seems the only way to do that is to go with the other thing he's good at – warfare. A story of a conflicted man who must do what he hates, "The Viper of Portello" is an intriguing and entertaining science fiction political thriller.


The Writing/Publishing Shelf

Words to Inspire Writers
Gregory Victor Babic
F.C. Sach & Sons Publishers
info@fcsachandsonspublishers.com
9780980372205, $20.00, fcsachandsonspublishers.com

Writing is a mentally draining job, and inspiration is the fuel to keep that tank filled. "Words to Inspire Writers" is the battery many writers will enjoy. With quotes to help with every stage of writing to pondering a concept, putting it to paper, or editing it down, the book will prove to be many a writer's best friend. "Words to Inspire Writers" is a strong choice for a gift to any writer.

Spider Speculations
Jo Carson
Theatre Communications Group
520 Eighth Avenue, 24th Floor, New York, NY 10018-4156
9781559362832, $16.95, www.tcg.org

What really makes a good story? "Spider Speculations: A Physics and Biophysics of Storytelling" is a collection of writings from Jo Carson seeking to answer those questions and dive into the bare science of storytelling. The dissection will intrigue and inform readers, and grant them many a tip on improving their own writing, through understanding the audience, much like a cook would benefit from knowing who he is cooking for. "Spider Speculations" contains invaluable advice for writers, granting it an enthusiastic recommendation.

Silence, Language, & Society
Robert Hartwell Fiske
Vocabula Books
5A Holbrook Court, Rockport, MA 01966
9780977436873, $12.95, www.vocabula.com

Language not only expresses out thoughts, it shapes them as well. Robert Hartwell Fiske has a very special expertise with language as the editor and publisher of 'The Vocabula Review', a publication dedicated to the study of language. He applies that expertise in "Silence, Language, & Society: A Guide To Style And Meaning, Grace And Compassion", a pocket-sized compendium of information and insight that will prove invaluable for students of the English language, as well as writers aspiring to a deft and definitive elegance in whatever they choose to write about. How words, language and thoughts intermingle, their relationship with 'silence and society' is the focus of this remarkable little volume that continues definitions, word usage examples, and such miscellanea as imprecations and misspent words. "Silence, Language, & Society" is a treat for anyone who finds the study of the English language to be of interest either as a pastime or a profession.

You Can Be Famous!
Danek S. Kaus
Robert D. Reed Publishers
PO Box 1992, 1380 Face Rock Drive, Bandon, OR 97411
9781934759110, $14.95 www.rdrpublishers.com

You Can Be Famous! Insider Secrets to Getting Free Publicity is a practical, no-nonsense guide for anyone in search of publicity, whether an author trying to get the word out for their book, an employee seeking to promote their company, an aspiring actor or actress trying to get their name out there, or anyone else yearning to make a well-known name for themselves. Chapters discuss the positive benefits and negative consequences of fame, how to get on a journalists' good side (be aware that most journalists are under deadline pressure, so always be respectful of their time - be concise, polite, keep your appointments, and ask their permission to make a follow-up call one or two weeks later), the right way to pitch oneself, how to prepare for an interview, how to dress in a manner that's camera-friendly, and much more. Other matters such as harnessing the Internet to its maximum potential, creating a quality publicity release, or holding a charity event to garner a buzz are also discussed. A user-friendly, easy-to-follow guide, enthusiastically recommended for anyone seeking fame, especially if seeking to promote their artistic creation or business product.

Hebrew Writers on Writing
Peter Cole, editor
Trinity University Press
One Trinity Place, San Antonio, Texas 78212-7200
9781595340528, $24.95 www.trinity.edu/tupress

Hebrew Writers on Writing is an anthology of tracts from a vast array of Hebrew writers, about the wonder of finding one's voice through writing, the spiritual dimensions of communication, the nuances of how language changes with time, the impact that modern technology and record keeping abilities have on the evolution of writing, and much more, all from a distinctly Jewish perspective. Each short piece is prefaced with a brief biography of the author. A deeply thought-provoking collection of reflections that amateur and professional writers alike are sure to find inspirational. "Hebrew, a synchronic language, holds certain precise ethical and philosophical value concepts that belong only to Hebrew and to Judaism that are really untranslatable. Such words cannot be learned simply as words, without their philosophical context. Some are whole teachings. Thus the concept teshuva (repentance) is not what we think of today as repentance, or more commonly, becoming religious. In Judaism it covers a process involving a complete change of personality - sometimes even a change of name, work, and address. This significance is all but lost in its modern usage." A welcome addition to Hebrew and Judaic Studies shelves, as well as being a worthy contribution to "The Writer's World" series.


The Library CD Music Shelf

Heute Nacht Oder Nie / Tonight or Never
Max Raabe & Palast Orchester
SPV Recordings
c/o Rock Paper Scissors
511 West 4th Street, Suite 2, Bloomington, IN 47404
CD, $19.98 www.rockpaperscissors.biz

Heute Nacht Oder Nie (meaning "Tonight or Never") is a two-CD recording of Max Raabe and Palast Orchester's sold-out performance at Carnegie Hall in New York. The suave singing duo project clarity and energy into nostalgic hits from the 20's and early 30's. Songs range from Cuban rumbas to fast-paced foxtrots and courtly tangos. An utterly rapturous celebration of the most beloved musical styles of nearly a century ago, yet presented with the blood-firing enthusiasm and smooth, sensual appeal worthy of modern rock stars, Tonight or Never is a welcome addition to personal and library music CD collections and highly recommended.

Cada Dia un Regalo / Each Day a Gift
Sol y Canto
MusicAmador Productions
199 Pemberton Street, Cambridge, MA 02140
$16.00 www.musicamador.com

Cada Dia un Regalo / Each Day a Gift is the latest album by the ensemble Sol y Canto, featuring their unique blend of original creativity, folk music, and Latin music roots. The songs range from an amusing allegory of American democracy to a caution about the endless cycle of vengeance to a stand against extremist fundamentalism of all types. A rousing and passionate album devoted to social justice, Each Day a Gift is a treasure to listen to, highly recommended. The tracks are "An Eye for an Eye", "Obsession", "Ghost", "Image of You", "Credo", "The Weeping Woman", "To the Moon", "Discreet Kiss", "Manifesto", "The Hive", "Your Garden", and "Like Flying".

Encounterpoint
John Stein
Whaling City Sound
1178 Tucker Road, No. Dartmouth, MA 02747
$16.98 www.whalingcitysound.com www.johnstein.com

Encounterpoint is the seventh album by jazz artist John Stein, performed in tandem with fellow bassist John Lockwood, drummer Ze Eduardo Nazario, and keyboard player Koichi Sato. Together they have created an assembly of songs that rotate their musical focus from piece to piece, while maintaining a uniform soul-moving, free-flowing pulse. The tracks are Jordu (5:13), Line Drive (6:58), The Roundabout (5:31), Dindi (5:50), Close Your Eyes (4:20), Trois (5:00), Half-Whole Blues (8:51), So Danco Samba (5:20), and You Don't Know What Love Is (6:56). A worthy addition to jazz connoisseur collections and library music CD shelves.

Green Memories
Azam Ali, Keyavash Nourai, & Shahrokh Yadegari
LilaSound Productions
c/o Rock Paper Scissors
511 West 4th Street, Suite 2, Bloomington, IN 47404
$17.99 www.rockpaperscissors.biz

Green Memories is a hauntingly beautiful music CD inspired by the poetry of Forough Farrokhzad, one of Iran's most notable contemporary poets, well known for her philosophical views of modern social and political issues. Featuring the dulcet vocals of Azam Ali, who sings beautifully in words that do not belong to any natural language, as well as the emotional violin of Keyavash Nourai, Green Memories blends both through the processing of the computer music instrument dubbed "Lila" by recording artist Shahrokh Yadegari. The result is a transcendent experience that calls for renewed awareness that humankind is not utterly divided from its environment, but is so deeply interconnected that treating all life and objects with respect is, ultimately, the same as showing respect to one's ancestors, comrades, and generations to come. A poignantly mellifluous album, highly recommended. The tracks are Vidya (9:30), Mithra (7:57), Maya (6:45), Samsara (6:17), Nirvana (5:17), Homa (6:43), and Mantra (5:33).


The Audiobook Shelf

Resort to Murder
Lorna Landvik, introduction
Holton House Audio
3090 Mildred Drive, Roseville, MN 55113
0981749119, $29.95

Resort to Murder: Thirteen Tales of Mystery by Minnesota's Premier Writers is an audiobook anthology of mystery stories, all set in Minnesota and written by Minnesota authors. All of the mysteries have the common thread that they take place in a fictional, eerie Minnesota resort. A spine-chilling collection, perfect for stoking fears, Resort to Murder is the perfect gift for crime fiction lovers of any state. Highly recommended. 5 CDs, 5 hours 50 minutes.

Bloodsucking Fiends
Christopher Moore, author
Susan Bennett, narrator
Recorded Books, LLC
270 Skip Jack Road, Prince Frederick, MD 20678
9781436107440, $92.75 www.recordedbooks.com 1-800-638-1304

Bloodsucking Fiends is the unabridged audiobook rendition a dark, gritty vampire story with a wicked sense of humor. When Jody wakes up in a dumpster with a heady craving for blood, she realizes she's a vampire and can't live an ordinary life. Enlisting the help of a "minion" (well, can run errands during the day), she charts out a new plan for her unlife - but powerful, evil forces begin toying with her and her new best friend; together they must track down a serial killing vampire! Author Christopher Moore writes with a tongue-in-cheek gift of gab, and the humor is brought to the fore through Susan Bennett's exquisite storytelling. Highly recommended especially for vampire fans who don't think that undeath should necessarily be depressing! 8 CDs, 9.5 hours.

Babbitt
Sinclair Lewis
L.A. Theatre Works
681 Venice Boulevard, Venice, CA 90291
1580813216, $109.95 www.latw.org 1-800-708-8863

Babbitt is the full-cast audiobook production of Sinclair Lewis' classic satirical tale following real estate agent George F. Babbitt. Scathing and relentless in its mockery of the mindless conformity of small-town, middle-class, white-collar America, Babbitt reflected the dark side of America's economic boom of the early 1920's. The amazing and seasoned voice cast includes Edward Asner as Babbitt and dozens of other great names, from Rene Auberjonois to Ed Begley Jr. to Ted Danson, Helen Hunt, Judge Reinhold, and many more. Highly recommended for public library collections as well as private enjoyment.

Fleet of Worlds
Larry Niven and Edward M. Lerner, authors
Tom Weiner, narrator
Blackstone Audiobooks
PO Box 969, Ashland, OR 97520
9781433229428, $80.00 www.BlackstoneAudio.com 1-800-729-2665

Fleet of Worlds is the unabridged audiobook rendition of Larry Niven and Edward M. Lerner's joint science fiction prequel to Niven's first Ringworld novel. The intelligent and driven Kirsten Quinn-Kovacs serves the Citizens, a gentle race that rescued her ancestors from a dying starship out of gratitude; when a cosmic catastrophe threatens all life in the galaxy, the Citizens flee along with their planets, the Fleet of Worlds. Kirsten and her crew volunteer to serve the Fleet as a scout, but their search to uncover possible threats bears unexpected fruit, revealing a hidden secret that will transform all they know about the galaxy and its inhabitants. Larry Niven lives up to his award-winning reputation in this enthralling saga sure to please science fiction fans everywhere. 9 1/2 hours, 8 CDs.

The Dreaming Void
Peter F. Hamilton, author
John Lee, narrator
Tantor Media, Inc.
2 Business Park Road, Unit 2, Old Saybrook, CT 06475
9781400107278, $54.99 www.tantor.com 1-877-782-6867

The Dreaming Void is the unabridged audiobook rendition of the first volume in a new science fiction trilogy set in the same universe as the widely appreciated Commonwealth saga. Within the core of the galaxy is the Void, a self-contained microuniverse that is steadily expanding and absorbing all in its path, including planets, stars, and civilizations. One astrophysicist studying the Void starts to dream of humans living within it, and through the neural network that keeps humans connected, his dreams spread into the foundation of a new religion. When the prophet that sparked the religion vanishes mysteriously, an unknown Second Dreamer steps up to take his place. Followers embark on a great pilgrimage into the Void, but there is a terrible risk that by attempting to enter they could trigger the catastrophic destruction of thousands of worlds! Meanwhile, within the Void, a cosmic entity has shifted its attention outward. It's a race against time to find Inigo and the Second Dreamer, in this epic saga of galactic proportions. 18 CDs, 22.5 hours.


The Library DVD Shelf

Four Minutes
Wolfe Video LLC
PO Box 64, New Almaden, Ca 95042
WOL4478D, $24.95, www.WolfeVideo.com

Traude Kruger taught piano at a women's prison for more than sixty years. But her inmate Jenny, a convicted killer with a history of beating people for simple amusement, is unique. Once a great musical talent she could be trained to participate in and wine a prestigious piano contest -- despite her prison sentence. Traude's problem is how to inspire Jenny to act out with her music rather than her fists. "Four Minutes" is a riveting story, superbly performed, and the conclusion is truly memorable. The German with subtitles DVD format is enhanced with such bonus features as the Theatrical Trailer, a Widescreen Presentation, Dolby 2.0 Audio sound. Total Running Time: 112 minutes; full color. Also highly recommended from Wolfe Video is "Shelter Me" (WOL4531D, $24.95), the story of Anna and Mara, a lesbian couple who inadvertently smuggle a young Moroccan boy across the border into Italy.

First Run Features
630 Ninth Avenue, Suite 1213, New York, NY 10036
www.firstrunfeatures.com

First Run Features is a premier source for foreign movies, documentaries, and independent film productions. Six of their newest releases underscores the diversity of genres and subject matter that have made First Run Features a unique source for personal, academic, and community library DVD collections. "The Trials Of Henry Kissinger" is an 80 minute documentary on Kissinger's role as part of the Johnson administration during the Viet Nam conflict. "The Sacred Family (La Sagrada Familia) is a 99 minute Spanish comedy combining sex, black humor, and emotional candor. "Television Under The Swastika" is a Michael Kloft's 52 minute documentary telling the story of Germany's pioneer work in television that began in March 1935 and whose broadcasts continued through September 1944. "Please Vote For Me" is a 58 minute documentary by Weijun Chen on an elementary school election for class president held in the city of Wuhan in central China. "Enough! (Barakat!)" is a 94 minute full color film set in the Algerian civil war during the 1990s. The DVD format allows for each of these titles to be enhanced with bonus materials that include such items as Director Notes, Filmographies, Photo Galleries, Audio Commentaries, and Theatrical Trailers. Film enthusiasts, academic and community librarians are encouraged to visit the First Run Features website at www.firstrunfeatures.com for a complete listing of the massive film library.

Ranma 1/2 Season 7: Ranma Forever
Viz Communications Inc.
295 Bay Street, San Francisco, CA 94133
DVD, $119.98 www.viz.com 1-800-394-3042

The thinpack boxed set of the seventh and final season of the wildly popular Ranma 1/2 anime television series, based on the equally beloved Japanese manga by Rumiko Takahashi (whose other works include Inu-Yasha and Maison Ikkoku), is an absolute must-have for every self-professed anime fan. A lighthearted, episodic martial arts comedy with extra emphasis on the comedy, Ranma 1/2 follows the (mis)adventurous daily life of Ranma, gifted with the extraordinary ability to assimilate new martial arts techniques but afflicted with a curse that makes him transform into a girl whenever he is splashed with cold water, until he can find hot water and change back into a guy! Ranma's friends, enemies, and rivals range from his short-tempered fiancee Akane (who genuinely cares for him underneath the bluster, but whose cooking is potentially toxic to human life), to his diminutive yet lecherous master Happosai, to the fiercely antagonistic Ryoga (whose curse periodically transforms him into a small black pig) and many more. Like the series as a whole, Ranma 1/2 Season 7 includes episodes that directly adapt Takahashi's work, episodes that add extra nuance and depth to the original manga, and even some episodes created just for television. Though suggested for "older teen" audiences, Ranma 1/2 merely has comedy violence mixed with a hint of mature innuendo (and perhaps some nudity), and is certainly far more family-friendly than any number of modern PG-13 movies. Highly recommended for anyone who enjoys animated comedy; since the series does not have an arc-style plot or excessive emphasis on continuity, Season 7 is just as good a jumping-on point to the wonderful world of Ranma 1/2 as Season 1. Japanese & English with English subtitles, 625 minutes, color.

Hollywood Singing and Dancing: A Musical History
c/o 411 Video Information
PO Box 1223, Pebble Beach, CA 93953
$29.99 www.411videoinfo.com www.hollywoodsinginganddancing.com

Hosted by Academy Award winning stage, screen, and TV star Shirley Jones, Hollywood Singing and Dancing: A Musical History is a celebration of Hollywood musicals throughout history up to the present day. From the exciting choreography that brought cheer to the darkest times of the Great Depression, to wartime showtunes that fired up America's fighting spirit, to modern smash hits such as "Chicago" and "Dreamgirls", Hollywood Singing and Dancing is an amazing tour. Worthy to be the centerpiece of any Hollywood history DVD shelf, Hollywood Singing and Dancing: A Musical History comes highly recommend. 108 minutes, with 120 minutes of bonus footage.

Our Spirits Don't Speak English
Rich-Heape Films, Inc.
c/o 411 Video Information (publicity)
PO Box 1223, Pebble Beach, CA 93953
$29.95 www.411videoinfo.com www.richheape.com

Our Spirits Don't Speak English: Indian Boarding School is a DVD documentary of the true-life stories of Native American children who were forcibly taken from their homes and families and educated in boarding schools, as part of a governmental policy to "kill the Indian and spare the man". From 1869 through the late 1960's, more than 100,000 Native Americans had been compelled to attend Indian Boarding School. Our Spirits Don't Speak English tells of growing up in a harsh world of strict rules, where speaking tribal languages was severely punished. A vivid reminder that America, land of the free, was not so free for some of its citizens until relatively recently in its history. 80 minutes, closed captioned.

Adventures in Voice Acting Volume One
Bang Zoom! Entertainment
1100 North Hollywood Way, Burbank, CA 91505
1576406478, $29.95 www.AdventuresInVoiceActing.com

Adventures in Voice Acting Volume One is an exciting behind-the-scenes DVD tour of the voice acting industry, a vital part of both games and animated television shows. Featuring professional voice actors such as Tom Kenny (Spongebob Squarepants), Michelle Rodriguez (Halo 2), Lance Henricksen (Mass Effect), Wendee Lee, Steve Blum, and more, Adventures in Voice Acting Volume One teaches aspiring voice actors how to break into the industry. Among the tips and discussed include techniques to use while in the booth, how to prepare for an audition, what to expect on one's first day in the studio, and more. An absolute "must-see" for anyone curious about voice acting as a career. 130 minutes plus 32 minutes of extras, color.

John Deere Country Part 1: How a Combine is Made
TM Books & Video
PO Box 279, New Buffalo, MI 49117
9781932291216, $14.95 www.tmbv.com 1-800-892-2822

John Deere Country Part 1: How a Combine is Made is a DVD that lives up to its title, bringing the viewer on a step-by-step tour of precisely how a John Deere combine is crafted. From how lasers cut sheets of metal into the thousands of parts needed, to the process of bending, punching, and welding together the pieces, and adding internal working such as cylinder, cleaning shoe, and grain bend. A truly amazing look at the efficiency of modern technology, supplemented with the human ingenuity and hard work, John Deere Country Part 1 is a treat for young and old alike with an interest in the inner workings of farm equipment. 1 hour 20 minutes, color.

The Dhamma Brothers
Produced by Jenny Phillips & Anne Marie Stein
Bullfrog Films, Inc.
PO Box 149, Oley, PA 19547
1594587752, $275.00 www.bullfrogfilms.com 1-800-543-3764

Intended for viewers in grades ten to adult, The Dhamma Brothers: East Meets West in the Deep South is a true-life documentary set behind the walls of an Alabama maximum-security prison, which became the first correctional institution of its kind to hold an extended Vipassana retreat. The participants engaged in an emotionally and physically taxing course of silent meditation for ten days, a process that yields dramatic results. The Dhamma Brothers is not just the story of a prison program, but also the human ability to accept responsibility for the most terrible of offenses. Ultimately an inspirational chronicle of hope, The Dhamma Brothers is highly recommended as an example of how meditative discipline can harness the positive side of the human spirit even in the most unlikely of places. 76 minutes, subtitles, color.

Ripple Effect
a film by Philippe Caland
Monterey Media Inc.
566 St. Charles Drive, Thousand Oaks, CA 91360-3901
9781569946589, $24.95 www.montereymedia.com 1-800-424-2593

Ripple Effect is the DVD presentation of an award-winning film starring Academy Award winner Forest Whitaker, Academy Award nominee Virginia Madsen and Academy award nominee Minnie Driver. Weaving the tale of African-American cutting-edge clothing designer Amer Atrash, Ripple Effect explores a burgeoning crisis that threatens to destroy Atrash's business and his marriage. Re-examining himself, Atrash reasons that the source of his ills comes from a detrimental deed he committed fifteen years earlier, and sets out to atone for his wrong. In the process he undergoes a revitalization of the spirit, awakening to the value of compassion. An enduring and positive tale of human redemption, highly recommended. 83 minutes, 16:9 aspect ratio, color.

Al Foster Quintet
MVD Entertainment Group
H-840 North Circle Drive, Oaks, PA 19456
$19.95 www.MVDb2b.com

Al Foster Quintet is a DVD capturing a 2007 performance of drummer Al Foster, along with his musical quintet of pianists Aron Goldberg and George Callaghan, sax player Eli Degibri, bassist Doug Weiss, and trumpet player Dr. Eddie Henderson. Together, the team exults in musical styles ranging from bebop to jazz to rock and more. The songs played are "So What", "So Near So Far", "Shed", "Missing Miles", "Cantaloupe Island", "Aloysius", "Peter's Mood", "The Chief", "Tune Up", and "Jean-Pierre". Recorded live, Al Foster Quintet is enthusiastically recommended as the perfect gift for modern music lovers who enjoy rhythm & groove. 97 minutes, 16:9 aspect ratio, color.

The Complete Fit & Healthy Pregnancy Workout
Gabrielle Reece
Anchor Bay Entertainment
1699 Stutz Drive, Troy, MI 48084
$19.98 www.anchorbayentertainment.com

Created by Gabrielle Reece during and after her pregnancy with the help of certified personal trainer Mike Monroe, and approved by OBGYN Vivian Dickerson, The Complete Fit & Healthy Pregnancy Workout is a DVD of twelve fifteen-minute workouts, three for each trimester of pregnancy and three to help trim down after giving birth. A few pieces of inexpensive exercise equipment are recommended to tap the full potential of The Complete Fit & Healthy Pregnancy Workout: no more than an exercise ball, fitness band, and small hand weights. The primary focus is on strengthening and stretching moves, ideal keeping one's muscles strong and ready to reclaim one's figure. With the caveat that any expectant mother should consult her doctor before undertaking an exercise regimen, The Complete Fit & Healthy Pregnancy Workout is an excellent choice for expectant or aspiring mothers, and also highly recommended as a baby shower gift! 258 minutes, color.

Yoga with Your Baby
c/o 411 Video Information
PO Box 1223, Pebble Beach, CA 93953
$19.95 www.yogawithyourbaby.com www.411videoinfo.com

Yoga with Your Baby is a DVD for parents of children age 3 months to 4 years. Together, parents and baby can engage in yoga postures, sing songs, and explore the joy of moving and stretching one's body. The DVD features 20 yoga practices designed for the parent, 15 for the baby, soothing songs ideal to sing, mindfulness-based parenting practices, meditation and relaxation exercises, and more. A wonderful, easy-to-use method to work fitness into one's busy lifestyle even when taking care of small children. 100 minutes, color.

Rain Shadow Series 1
Acorn Media Group
8515 Georgia Avenue, Suite 620, Silver Spring, MD 20910-3403
$39.99 www.acornmedia.com

Rain Shadow Series 1 collects the first six episodes of a dramatic series following the small Australian farming town of Paringa. Battered first by drought, then an outbreak of disease among its sheep, Paringa is on the verge of dissolving; veterinarian Kate McDonald (played by Golden Globe nominee Rachel Ward) and her plucky assistant (played by Victoria Thaine) fight to save their community. Filmed on location in the Adelaide Hills, Rain Shadow is a poignant drama of hope, and the determination to fight for one's way of life, as well as the strong wills of two women resisting the odds against them. An excellent gift for anyone who enjoys fine drama. 16:9 widescreen, 326 minutes, color.


The Library Science Shelf

The Public Library Policy Writer
Jeanette C. Larson & Herman L. Totten
Neal-Schuman Publishers
100 William Street, Suite 2004, New York, NY 10038
9781555706036, $75.00, www.neal-schuman.com

A public library, although purely nonprofit and benevolent, still must be dealt with like a business. "The Public Library Policy Writer: A Guidebook with Model Policies on CD-ROM" is a guidebook for those librarians to create solid policies to make their libraries run as harmoniously as possible. Covering each job that needs to be done to make a library successful, also covering summarizations, skills, experience, licensing, knowledge, and more, it covers what librarians need to know. Enhanced with a CD-ROM with examples, "The Public Library Policy Writer" is a strong choice for any library administrator.

The Small Public Library Survival Guide
Herbert B. Landau
ALA Editions
50 East Huron Street, Chicago, IL 60611
9780838935750, $38.00, www.alastore.ala.org

Librarians love books – but most serve small libraries, so resources must be carefully managed. "The Small Public Library Survival Guide: Thriving on Less" is a guide for smaller libraries who still want to be successful. An overwhelming majority of libraries fall into this category, With basic and advanced techniques on building a successful library, it's a must for any library administrator of a fledgling library, giving "The Small Public Library Survival Guide" a grand recommendation.

Information Literacy
Zorana Ercegovac
Linworth Books
3650 Olentangy River Road, Suite 250, Columbus, OH 43214
1586833324, $39.95, www.linworth.com

Being able to find the answers is just as useful as knowing the answer. Now in a newly updated and expanded second edition, "Information Literacy: Search Strategies, Tools, & Resources for High School Students and College Freshmen" is a manual for fine-tuning one's research skills to increase one's learning experience. With ideas from learning theories, proven skills and plans, "Information Literacy" is a book that's recommended to anyone who wants to improve one's study and research skills.

Re-Designing The High School Library For The Forgotten Half
Margie J. Klink Thomas
Libraries Unlimited
88 Post Road West, Westport, CT 06881
9781591584766, $45.00, www.greenwood.com, www.lu.com

One of the principle functions of the high-school library is to provide non-college bound students with the kinds of books, periodicals, and curriculum supplemental materials that will prepare them for alternatives to university educations upon graduation from high school. Indeed, to build and maintain a collection that will promote the concept of life-long learning will prove of enduring value for all elements of a high school's student population wither students decide to go directly into the workforce, enlist in the military, take an entrepreneurial venture, or attend a trade school, enrol in an apprenticeship program, or attend a community college. It will even prove invaluable for those students going on to pursue degrees at colleges and universities. Librarians needing to accommodate non-college bound high school students have an superbly organized and comprehensive 'how to' guide with "Re-Designing The High School Library For The Forgotten Half: The Information needs Of The Non-College Bound Student" by high school librarian Margie J. Klink Thomas, who draws upon her many years of experience and expertise working in special, academic, and public library systems. This thoroughly 'user friendly' instructional guide should be a part of every college and university's "Library Science" reference collection and supplemental reading list.


James A. Cox, Editor-in-Chief
Diane C. Donovan, Editor
Midwest Book Review
278 Orchard Drive
Oregon, WI 53575-1129
phone: 1-608-835-7937
e-mail: mbr@execpc.com
e-mail: mwbookrevw@aol.com
http://www.midwestbookreview.com


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