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Wisconsin Bookwatch

Volume 8, Number 4 April 2013 Home | WBW Index

Table of Contents

Reviewer's Choice Business Shelf Wine Shelf
Fiction Shelf Religion/Spirituality Shelf Christian Studies Shelf
Memoir Shelf Judaic Studies Shelf Islamic Studies Shelf
Poetry Shelf Music CD Shelf Self-Help Shelf
Pets/Wildlife Shelf Mystery/Suspense Shelf Computer Shelf
American History Shelf World HistoryShelf Photography Shelf
Health/Medicine Shelf Cookbook Shelf Automotive Shelf
Fantasy/SciFi Shelf Writing/Publishing Shelf Genealogy Shelf
Psychology Shelf Metaphysical Studies Shelf Political Science Shelf
Education Shelf Theatre/Cinema Shelf Agriculture Shelf
Environmental Studies Shelf Relationship Shelf Biography Shelf
Money/Finance Shelf Comix/Graphic Novel Shelf Audiobook Shelf
DVD Shelf Native American Studies Shelf Military Shelf
Travel Shelf Needlecraft Shelf Art Shelf
Jewelry Shelf Civil War Shelf Gardening Shelf
Fishing Shelf Gaming Shelf  


Reviewer's Choice

Don't Screw It Up!
Laura Lee
Reader's Digest Trade Publishing
44 South Broadway
White Plains, NY 10601
9781621450054 $19.99 www.rdtradepublishing.com

Enhanced with the occasional color diagram or illustration, Don't Screw It Up! Avoid 434 Goofs to Save Time, Money, and Face is a humorously written yet eminently practical compendium of tips, tricks, and techniques to deal with an immense variety of everyday situations. Topics covered range from how to effectively use sunscreen, to protecting oneself from computer viruses, preventing after-party hangovers, slicing bagels without injuring one's fingers, and even how to avoid being overcharged at a hospital! "When you are admitted into the hospital, tell a staff member that you want an itemized bill brought to you each day. Hospitals are required to do this if you ask." Only a few pages highlighting the most common errors and problems are devoted to each issue, but Don't Screw It Up! is overall an excellent resource to begin preparing oneself for the foibles of daily life. Even a modern-day Renaissance man is unlikely to be familiar with every piece of cautionary advice offered, making Don't Screw It Up! an excellent giftbook for good-humored friends - or for high school graduates striking out on their own for the first time!

Power Verbs
Michael Lawrence Faulkner
FT Press
c/o Pearson Technology Group
801 East 96th Street, #300
Indianapolis, IN 46240-3759
978013158649, $22.99, www.ftpress.com

A word has power if lifted by the ones surrounding it. "Power Verbs for Presenters: Hundreds of Verbs and Phrases to Pump Up Your Speeches and Presentations" is a guide for those who want to empower their speech and allow it to more comprehensively grab the attention of listeners and use it to sell whatever your product is and get them more involved in your pitch. A focus on the power of the verb, "Power Verbs for Presenters" is a powerful and recommended read for anyone whose sales pitch is just as important as their product, highly recommended.

Bright Light City
Larry Gragg
University Press of Kansas
2501 West 15th Street
Lawrence, KS 66049
9780700619030, $34.95, www.kansaspress.ku.edu

Gambling, entertainment, wild excess. "Bright Light City: Las Vegas in Popular Culture" seeks to explore the nature of Sin City among its other countless celebrating and condemning names, and how it has reflected on popular culture in return in the forms of books, movies, television, and other mediums. From its history as a mob ruled town to a soulless monument to hedonism, to the always ever present bright lights, "Bright Light City" is a fascinating look at how art imitates life and life imitates it right back, highly recommended.


The Business Shelf

L.S. Ayres & Company
Kenneth L. Turchi
Indiana Historical Society Press
450 West Ohio Street
Indianapolis, Indiana 46202-3269
9780871953001 $29.95 www.indianahistory.org

Featuring black-and-white illustrations on almost every page, L.S. Ayres & Company: The Store at the Crossroads of America is a hardcover showcase of an enormously long-lived and tremendously Midwestern department store. From L.S. Ayres' buyout in the 1870s, to its revolutions in diversification and discounting (long before the modern era of Target and Wal-Mart), to its hallmark celebration of women's fashion, and much more. L.S. Ayers & Company remained enormously successful for a century, until its brand was subsumed by May Company's (almost) hostile takeover in the late twentieth century. Thoroughly accessible to lay people, businessmen, and economic historians alike, L.S. Ayres & Company is as much a true tale of corporate evolution through changing times as it is the chronicle of a quintessentially American business. Highly recommended!

Leadership and the Art of Struggle
Steven Snyder
Berrett-Koehler Publishers Inc.
235 Montgomery Street, Suite 650
San Francisco, CA 94104-2916
9781609946449, $19.95, www.bkconnection.com

Struggle is key to testing and improving the self. "Leadership and the Art of Struggle: How Great Leaders Grow Through Challenge and Adversity" discusses the power of pressure and how these tense situations can help us grow as leaders and allow our business to struggle yet find greater ultimate success. Drawing heavily from personal anecdotes and the stories of other business leaders, author Steven Snyder takes his expertise on leadership and presents scenarios where a leader can challenge themselves with situations and be ready for when true trouble comes. "Leadership and the Art of Struggle" is a wise and much recommended addition to business collections focusing on the importance of leadership.

Red Thread Thinking
Debra Kaye
The McGraw Hill Companies
Two Penn Plaza, 11th Floor
New York, NY 10121-2298
9780071808217, $28.00, www.books.mcgraw-hill.com

Bringing it all together is the key for business success. "Red Thread Thinking: Weaving Together Connections for Brilliant Ideas and Profitable Innovation" discusses making those business connections between concept and successful idea, working with others to help them make the connections as well. Offering many pillars of thought to help readers find the pieces of their life and bring it all together again, "Red Thread Thinking" offers much traditional and practical wisdom as well as new ways of bringing that wisdom to new life for the modern business world.


The Wine Shelf

Pairing Wine & Food
Linda Johnson-Bell
Burford Books, Inc.
101 East State Street, #301
Ithaca, NY 14850
9781580801690, $16.95, www.burfordbooks.com

Good wine should go with the perfect dish to compliment it. "Pairing Wine & Food: A Handbook for All Cuisines" is a wine enthusiasts guide for pairing the perfect wine to go with the dish they seek to make for their next big get-together meal. From meat focused dishes to soups, Linda Johnson-Bell hopes to help match color, flavor and much more to maximize to effect both dishes can have on one another. "Pairing Wine & Food" is a solid addition to any dedicated cooks reference collection.


The Fiction Shelf

Gloryland
Shelton Johnson
Sierra Club Books
85 Second Street, San Francisco, CA 94105
9781578051755, $14.95, www.sierraclubbooks.org

A place to belong is vital to our completeness. "Gloryland" is a novel from Shelton Johnson following a lost soul born into the Reconstruction south. Elijah Yancy is a young African American man with no love for the South Carolina he grows up in, and travels to the expanding west in hopes of finding something to belong to, joining the U.S. Calvary of the era, seeing his way through a tumultuous life. "Gloryland" is an enticing read of living life and looking for that spiritual bond that holds us all together.

Camp Redemption
Raymond L. Atkins
Mercer University Press
1400 Coleman Avenue
Macon, GA 31207-0001
9780881464269, $25.00, www.mupress.org

Hope is ever the purpose of redemption. "Camp Redemption" is a novel following Early and Ivy Willingham, the curious owners of Camp Redemption, a Bible camp that just was just forced to close...but people still come to them with desires to find that second chance at life. When another religious group with a more serious look on sinners, they struggle to keep their property as they employ less than Christian means. "Camp Redemption" is an enticing story of every day people finding their purpose in a life already scarred.

Living Together
Gloria Whelan
Wayne State University Press
The Leonard N. Simons Building
4809 Woodward Avenue
Detroit, MI 48201-1309
9780814338964, $18.95, http://wsupress.wayne.edu

In the silence of the country, human nature can be seen so much clearer. "Living Together" is a collection of short stories with one novella from Gloria Whelan, who uses prose to explore the nature of humanity and our unique bonds we find as we move through these poignant spots throughout our world and our country. "Living Together" is a strong addition to any contemporary literary fiction collection, highly recommended.

Nowhere is a Place
Bernice L. McFadden
Akashic Books
PO Box 1456
New York, NY 10009
9781617751318, $15.95, www.akashicbooks.com

Someplace, anyplace is often all we seek for ourselves. "Nowhere is a Place" is a novel from Bernice L. McFadden, as she tells of the lost soul Sherry, who wants nothing more than to find family and belonging in a world where there seems to be no such thing. With a good dose of poignancy about life and finding the wisdom of the world for ourselves, "Nowhere is a Place" is a fine addition to modern literary fiction collections.

The American Sun & Wind Moving Picture Company
Jay Neugeboren
Texas Tech University Press
PO Box 41037
Lubbock, TX 79409-1037
9780896727793, $24.95, www.ttupress.org

With the advent of the silent moving picture, many sought to make their fortunes in the new media. "The American Sun & Wind Moving Picture Company" is a novel from Jay Neugeboren, who tells the story of a couple from Jersey and how from their families and then out on their own, they embark on the whirlwind world of early Hollywood where everything is new and curious. "The American Sun & Wind Moving Picture Company" is an enticing novel for anyone who is a fan of early Hollywood.

Mushroom Satori
Joseph Szimhart
Aperture
547 West 27th Street, 4th Floor
New York, NY 10001
9780985002695, $15.99, www.aperture.org

Lost and looking for answers can often leave us with many curious questions about our life and what we seek out of it. "Mushroom Satori" is a novel from Joseph Szimhart following Jake, a young man plagued by crises of faith and joins an odd Buddhist sect, only to cope with the reality years later that there was some evil dwelling behind it. "Mushroom Satori" is an enticing novel of spirituality and facing the mistakes we have chosen in the past.

Prelude, A Novel
Helen Taylor Davidson
Peter E. Randall Publisher
PO Box 4726, Portsmouth, NH 03802
9781931807807, $24.95, www.PERPublisher.com

Life in the nineteenth century was so very different to the world as we know it. "Prelude, A Novel: & The 1854 Diary of Adeline Elizabeth Hoe" is a unique blend of history, autobiography, and creativity. Author Helen Taylor Davidson draws upon the real-life diary of Adeline Hoe as the source for this involving novel. A fascinating glimpse into everyday life of the period, "Prelude, A Novel & The 1854 Diary of Adeline Elizabeth Hoe" is a choice addition to historical fiction and autobiography collections.

Innocence
Louis B. Jones
Counterpoint Press
1919 Fifth Street
Berkeley, CA 94710-1916
9781619020665, $14.95, www.counterpointpress.com

To be thrust away from the Parish late in life brings one to a very strange state. "Innocence" follows John, as he leaves his parish for a secular life, but still holding his faith in high regard. Sheltered from the world, he has never had romance, so when Thalia invites herself into his life and offers him new challenges in life that may wisen him to the worldly nature in all its forms, John finds that learning the world can bring the faith in many ways. "Innocence" is a charming and worm twist of romance with a strong message.

Do Over
Shannon Guymon
Cedar Fort, Inc.
2373 West 700 South
Springville, Utah 84663
9781462111541, $13.99, www.cedarfort.com

How many chances do you give love before giving it up entirely? "Do Over" is a romance novel from Shannon Guymon tells of Trey, a man who has been barraged with the failure of love. When his friends toss him another girl, he gives it a go...but it seems destined for disaster unless they can both realize there should be such a thing as second chances. "Do Over" is a fun and enticing read that shouldn't be overlooked, highly recommended.

The Albino Album
Chavisa Woods
Seven Stories Press
140 Watts Street
New York, NY 10013
9781609804763, $19.95, www.sevenstories.com

One person's terrorist is another's crusader. "The Albino Album" is an original novel from Chavisa Woods as she presents the wanderings of a lost girl whose life brings her up against the cruel individuals who would only breed albino animals, and other bizarre individuals who would stand in her way. Exploring the many topics of the modern way that invokes the surreality of old fairy tales, "The Albino Album" is a fun and much recommended addition to literary fiction collections.

Take the Trophy & Run
Gail Sattler
B&H Publishing Group
127 Ninth Avenue North
Nashville, TN 37234-0143
9781433677298, $14.99, www.bhpublishinggroup.com

How much is fame worth in a small term? "Take the Trophy & Run" is a Christian novel following craft shop owner Amber Weathersby as she struggles with the local gardening club for her own failure at gardening, although not for lack of trying. Tensions worsen as her prized garden gnome is stolen, and she is forced to chase it down...and deal with the pressures of love at the same time. "Take the Trophy & Run" is an enticing pick for fans of Christian romance, recommended.


The Religion/Spirituality Shelf

Rastafarian Children of Solomon
Gerald Hausman
Bear & Company
c/o Inner Traditions International, Ltd.
One Park Street
Rochester, VT 05767
www.BearandCompanyBooks.com
9781591431541 $14.00 www.innertraditions.com

Award-winning author Gerald Hausman presents Rastafarian Children of Solomon: The Legacy of the Kebra Nagast and the Path to Peace and Understanding, a gathering of what he learned about Rastafarian spirituality during his 15 years of residence in Jamaica. Hausman befriended Rastafarians and rootsmen, bush doctors, preachers, fishermen, mystics, members of the Marley family, elders who knew prophet and Pan-African proponent Marcus Garvey, and more. A vivid portrait of the Rasta movement, which traces its lineage to the Kebra Nagast (the African gospel that was removed from the King James version of the Bible). True stories of the daily lives and teachings of Rastafarians, their faiths, their hopes, their veneration of equality and the Holy Spirit, and also their respect for the meditative qualities of the sacred herb of Solomon that is cannabis/marijuana, are all covered in this down-to-earth, personal testimony, illustrated with a handful of black-and-white photographs. Highly recommended, especially for any reader looking to better understand the Rastafarian way of life through the words of the people who practice it.

Nurturing the Soul of Your Family
Renee Peterson Trudeau
New World Library
14 Pamaron Way
Novato, CA 94949
9781608681587, $15.95, www.newworldlibrary.com

A personal peace can take us so very far. "Nurturing the Soul of Your Family: 10 Ways to Reconnect and Find Peace in Everyday Life" is a spiritual guide for parents on how to encourage better relationships within their family, promote peace in troubled youths, and encourage good habits that can lead to better spiritual peace for a lifetime. With plenty of practical advice on encouraging higher spirituality on many levels, "Nurturing the Soul of Your Family" is an invaluable resource for those who understand that emotional and spiritual health is necessary for human well-being.

The Hero Within
Deborah L. Grassman
Vandamere Press
PO Box 149, St. Petersburg, FL 33731
9780918339768, $19.95, www.vandamere.com

Heroism is simply the ordinary daring to be extraordinary. "The Hero Within: Redeeming the Destiny We Were Born to Fulfill" is an inspirational and faith driven read from Deborah L. Grassman who seeks to teach readers on coping with the failures in their life and driving themselves to inspire and succeed where they can. With a focus on facing past abuse and emotional wounds, there is plenty of practical advice about life and living within, making "The Hero Within" an inspirational and much recommended addition to general spirituality and wellness collections.

Soul Speak
Julia Cannon
Ozark Mountain Publishing, Inc.
PO Box 754
Huntsville, AR 72740
9781886940352, $16.00, www.ozarkmt.com

Understanding what we seek out of life is a major key to our happiness. "Soul Speak: The Language of Your Body" is a spiritual guide as Julia Cannon seeks to help readers understand how to better communicate with themselves and their deeper souls, to find a better understanding of what the body wants, what the mind wants, what the heart wants. "Soul Speak" is a strong and resonating read for the self and the soul, highly recommended.

Overcoming Anxiety, Worry, and Fear
Gregory L. Jantz
Revell
c/o Baker Publishing Group
PO Box 6287
Grand Rapids, MI 49516-6287
9780800719685, $13.99, www.bakerbooks.com

We are often our own worst enemies when it comes to facing life's difficulties. "Overcoming Anxiety, Worry, and Fear: Practical Ways to Find Peace" is a guide on trying to inspire oneself to rise up and overcome their own anxieties and fears and breaking free from the weight of constant worry and life's challenges, instead of being utterly controlled by fear. "Overcoming Anxiety, Worry, and Fear" is a powerful and recommended read for self-help and spirituality collections, recommended.


The Christian Studies Shelf

Focusing On The Message
A.B. du Toit, editor
Protea Boekhuis
c/o International Publishers Marketing
22841 Quicksilver Drive
Dulles, VA 20166
www.internationalpubmarket.com
9781869192594, $31.00, www.amazon.com

Hermeneutics is the art of text interpretation. Traditional hermeneutics is the study of the interpretation of written texts, especially texts in the areas of literature, religion and law. A type of traditional hermeneutic is biblical hermeneutics which concerns the study of the interpretation of the Bible. In religious studies and social philosophy, hermeneutics is the study of the theory and practice of interpretation. The terms exegesis and hermeneutics have been used interchangeably. However, hermeneutics is a more widely defined discipline of interpretation theory, because it includes the entire framework of the interpretive process, encompassing written, verbal, and nonverbal communication. Exegesis, on the other hand, focuses primarily on written text. Knowledgeably compiled and deftly edited by New Testament scholar Andre du Toit, "Focusing on the Message: New Testament Hermeneutics, Exgesis and Methods" is an erudite 640 page compendium fourteen informed and informative articles by experts in their fields of study and ranging from Andrie du Toit's 'New Testament exgesis in theory and practice'; to Jan van der Watt's 'Reading New Testament imagery'; to J. H. Robert's 'Bible translation - with special reference to the New Testament'. Of special note is Andries van Aarde and Stephan Jourbert joint article 'Social-scientific criticism. Enhanced with indexes of Subject, Author, and Text, "Focusing On The Message" is a highly recommended addition to personal, seminary, pastoral, and academic library Advanced New Testament Studies reference collections and supplemental reading lists.

Fleeing Herod
James Cowan
Paraclete Press
PO Box 1568
Orleans, MA 02653
9781612613048, $21.00, www.paracletepress.com

Mary and Joseph found themselves traveling often, and this didn't change when a child entered their life. "Fleeing Herod: A Journey Through Coptic Egypt with the Holy Family" seeks to travel the path through Egypt and discuss the Coptic Christian tradition, tracing the journey of the Christ child during this chaotic time. A faithful look at the Coptic sect of the Christian faith and a look at Egypt through the eyes of Christianity in general, "Fleeing Herod" is a fine addition to any international Christian studies collections.

Jesus is the Christ
Michael F. Bird
InterVarsity Press
PO Box 1400
Downers Grove, IL 60515-1426
9780830828234, $18.00, www.ivpress.com

The concept of Messiah, of savior, is not a concept promoted by Jesus himself. "Jesus is the Christ" explores the importance of the Messiah concept surrounding the story of Christ, and how it blends in with his gospel, its comparisons with Jewish interpretations, and the value of Jesus as the messiah as a bedrock of the Christian faith. "Jesus is the Christ" is a strong addition to Christian studies collections, highly recommended.

The Story Revealed
William J. Bausch
Twenty-Third Publications
PO Box 6015
New London, CT 06320
9781585958832, $29.95, www.23rdpublictions.com

Stories inspire and give people the fire to carry on in their lives. "The Story Revealed: Homilies That Sustain, Inspire, and Engage" discusses how to craft stories of faith that resonate more clearly with listeners and the power of the preacher to tell these stories. Aimed at leaders in any faith, William J. Bausch offers much in understanding what makes stories valuable. "The Story Revealed" is a must for any preacher or religious leader, written by a renown storyteller of the Catholic faith.

It's Just You & Me, Lord
Marion Stroud
Discovery House
3000 Kraft Avenue SE
Grand Rapids, MI 49512
9781572935730, $14.99, www.dhp.org

A little bit of wisdom can make the whole world seem lighter. "It's Just You & Me, Lord" is a devotional aimed at women on coping with the many struggles of everyday life from coping from the annoyances we encounter, interpersonal relationships, and forming that profound and frank connection with God. "It's Just You & Me, Lord" is a devout read that should be of powerful inspiration to many a Christian reader.

Wisdom
Richard J. Clifford
The Liturgical Press
St. John's Abbey, PO Box 7500
Collegeville, MN 56321-7500
9780814628546, $6.95, www.litpress.org

The presence of God is there to remind us of his domain in the world and his justice in our lives. "Wisdom" is a collection of Biblical commentary from Richard J. Clifford as he offers his insight on the role of God in our history, and how His influence might fall where we do not necessarily see it. With a good dose of wisdom and scripture study, "Wisdom" is a fine addition to Christian scholarship collections, highly recommended.

The Grace Walk Devotional
Steve McVey
Harvest House Publishers
990 Owen Loop North
Eugene, Oregon 97402-9173
9780736953450, $12.99, www.harvesthousepublishers.com

The grace of God waits for anyone who would accept it. "The Grace Walk Devotional" is a faith driven advisory from Steve McVey as he advocates readers take the time out of their lives to walk in God's grace, realize his inspiration and drive themselves forward, understand his plan and his love for us all. "The Grace Walk Devotional" is a spiritual and inspirational pick for Christians, very much recommended reading, not to be missed.

Fully Awake and Truly Alive
Jane E. Vennard
Skylight Paths Publishing
Sunset Farms Offices, Route 4
PO Box 237
Woodstock, VT 05091
9781594734731, $16.99, www.skylightpaths.com

When you're on auto-pilot through life, you're missing life. "Fully Awake and Truly Alive" is a spiritual inspirational read from Reverend Jane E. Vannard is a guide to finding our spiritual nature and embracing our connection to God. With advice for on finding better personal health, finding one's spirituality and sharing it with others, "Fully Awake and Truly Alive" is an inspiring and very much recommended addition to spiritual and Christian collections, not to be missed.

Beside the Still Waters
Vision Publishers
PO Box 190
Harrisonburg, VA 22803
978193276525, $12.99, www.vision-publishers.com

A daily reminder to the power of faith is what we all often seek. "Beside the Still Waters: 366 Selected Readings With One Year Bible Reading Plan" is a daily devotional read from Vision Publishers who offer a daily affirmation drawing from scripture and a piece of faith to talk about in the process. Seeking to guide the reader through the bible over the course of a year, "Beside the Still Waters" is a strong pick for Christian readers looking for a great deal of inspiration and drive, highly recommended.

Suffering and the Christian Life
Richard W. Miller
Orbis Books
PO Box 308
Maryknoll, NY 10545-0308
9781626980136, $22.00, www.orbisbooks.com

What role does suffering play in the Christian psyche? "Suffering and the Christian Life" is a collection of theology writings surrounding suffering and the Catholic Christian views on the plight, taking notes on the ideas of suffering and how they can impact our lives, as six writers compile six different essays providing much needed insight onto the idea of suffering and what it means. "Suffering and the Christian Life" is a strong recommended addition to Christian studies collections, highly recommended.


The Memoir Shelf

Turn the World Around
Blair Seitz
RB Books
109 North 3rd St., West Reading, PA 19611
97818799441460, $19.95, www.blairseitz.com

Peace is attainable if the world works towards it. "Turn the World Around: A Photojournalist Discovers Paths to Peace Traveling a War-torn Planet" is a memoir from Blair Seitz as he shares the journey through the world the people he has met, sharing their stories and how the personalities of them all has led him to believe in a better path of piece to the world. "Turn the World Around" features black-and-white photography throughout, and is not to be missed.

Recipe for Joy
Robin Davis
Loyola Press
3441 North Ashland Avenue
Chicago, IL 60657
9780829437959, $13.95, www.LoyolaBooks.org

Sometimes our happiness lies where we least expect it to. "Recipe for Joy" is a faithful and inspirational read as author and noted food critic Robin Davis shares her experiences on finding faith and love and taking her life where she never expected it to go. With an honest and frank dose of humor about facing life and living all the way through, "Recipe for Joy" is a strong addition to memoir and spirituality collections with a focus on the Catholic Christian faith.

We Walk By Faith & Not By Sight
Mary E. White
Maven Mark Books
c/o HenschelHaus Publishing
2625 S. Greeley St. Suite 201
Milwaukee, WI 53207
9781595982117, $16.95, www.henschelhausbooks.com

To take on an ailing creature takes great sacrifice. "We Walk By Faith & Not By Sight" is a memoir from Mary E. White who shares her experiences of adopting and caring for a horse who was losing her sight from a rare equine disorder, and forms a bond with a horse who under some owners may have been put down upon diagnosis, and how to horse helps her as well as the other way around. "We Walk By Faith & Not By Sight" is an insightful and very much recommended read for horse lovers.

Healer
Rudy Reed
Mill City Press
212 3rd Avenue North, Suite 290
Minneapolis, MN 55401
97819388223945, $16.99, www.millcitypublishing.com

A good doctor isn't in the job just for the money. "Healer: The Remarkable Life of a Hometown Country Doctor" is a memoir of Rudy Reed as he tells the story of holding his medical practice in a small town doctor's office and the bonds he had formed with the people there and the episodes of his life that taxed him and challenged him to save lives even when conditions were nowhere near optimal. Insightful and uplifting, "Healer" is a strong addition to memoir collections focusing on the experiences of doctors.

I'm Walking As Straight As I Can
Geri Jewell
ECW Press
2120 Queen Street East, Suite 200
Toronto, Ontario, Canada, M4E 1E2
9781550228830, $19.95, www.ecwpress.com

Disability should never be a death sentence. "I'm Walking As Straight As I Can: Transcending Disability in Hollywood and Beyond" is a memoir from Geri Jewell, an actress noted for her role on the Facts of Life and facing dual discrimination in Hollywood for both her struggles as someone with cerebral palsy and facing her inner struggles as a lesbian. "I'm Walking As Straight As I Can" is an insightful addition to memoir collections focusing on people facing disabilities.


The Judaic Studies Shelf

To Mourn a Child
Jeffrey Saks & Joel B. Wolowelsky, editors
OU Press
c/o KTAV Publishing House
930 Newark Avenue
Jersey City, NJ 07306-6316
9781602802339, $16.95, www.ktav.com

The loss a child is the loss of a life far too soon. "To Mourn a Child: Jewish Responses to Neonatal and Childhood Death" discusses the Jewish response to the loss of a child, as many thinkers in the Jewish faith come together and offer their insights on the tests that come from this sudden tragedy. Philosophy, emotional stress, and much more are discussed, a must for anyone who wants to better understand the better standards of life and living in the process. "To Mourn a Child" is a powerful and recommended addition to Judaic studies and grieving self-help collections, recommended.


The Islamic Studies Shelf

The Sons of Pigs and Apes
Neil J. Kressel
Potomac Books, Inc.
22841 Quicksilver Drive
Dulles, VA 20166-2012
9781597977029, $29.95, www.potomacbooksinc.com

Hatred is always a problem, but why does antisemitism seem so ubiquitous in Muslim culture? "The Sons of Pigs and Apes: Muslim Antisemitism and the Conspiracy of Silence" seeks to explore the history of this controversial topic that grows more relevant than ever with the current flairs of hostility throughout the Middle East. Looking at how many regimes in the region and their failures to modernize is often connected to their support of antisemitism, "The Sons of Pigs and Apes" is a curious analysis of this thorny subject of religion and culture.


The Poetry Shelf

Marrowbone of Memory
Jeri McCormick
Salmon Poetry
9781908836229 $21.95 www.salmonpoetry.com

Marrowbone of Memory is an anthology of poetry by Jeri McCormick, whose deep connection to her Appalachian and Irish heritage shows through her striking re-imaginings of the trials of her in-laws, who emigrated to escape the ravages of famine in Ireland. Drawing heavily upon stories of the terrible famine passed down through the generations, Marrowbone of Memory evokes the voices of witnesses to the tragedy (fictionalized, yet grounded firmly in a realistic understanding of world history): a baker's son, an undertaker, an orphaned girl, a workhouse guardian, a curate, and more. Powerful and profound, Marrowbone of Memory speaks to the heart of what it is to be human and struggling to survive. Highly recommended. "Scarcity has stretched its ragged shawl / across a cherished island, stifled / the famous green with pestilence and blight. // Tragedy summons ambassadors of kindness; / and news of the Irish plight engages / The Society of Friends, British and American."

To See The Queen
Allison Seay
Persea Books
277 Broadway, Suite 708
New York, NY 10007
9780892554232, $15.95, www.perseabooks.com

The entire world can seem like it's an illusion sometimes. "To See The Queen" is a collection of poetry from Allison Seay as she touches on the thoughts of the world and trying to save ourselves from the despair that often covers our lives wholly. "To See the Queen" is a fine addition to any contemporary poetry collection, recommended. "The Rescue": I wake in the middle of the night because of the cold./The house sinks with winter, shifting before dawn./The dog shivers in its sleep. The figment was here./She told a story of a woman eaten by dogs --/her neighbor's--not even wild dogs./It did not make me afraid of being killed. Instead/I aimed a pistol at the dogs/and it was the pistol in my hand that was so cold,/which is why she left,/which is how I came awake.

Marrowbone of Memory
Jeri McCormick
Salmon Poetry
c/o Dufour Editions, Inc.
PO Box 7
Chester Springs, PA 19425-0007
97819008836224, $21.95, www.dufoureditions.com

For many Americans, looking at heritage is looking at a people moving through the world. "Marrowbone of Memory" is a collection of poetry from Jeri McCormick, who shares her reflections on her heritage and history as an Irish American, looking at the roots for migration and uncertain future with hunger and famine. "Marrowbone of Memory" is an enticing assortment of verse with much insight, highly recommended. "Potato": There is something slid and right about the way this humble staple takes/subterranean shape, the slow way it musters/substance in the darkness, in the dirt. Think of/its knobbed minions, an entire subspecies coming into tuberous own beneath our surface world; think/of the laws of planting, of digging, starched across/the centuries, how they foster heft, girth, mass/in a monk-brown vegetable. Think of earthly/providence, how it takes in, holds close,/serves up its host of grimy truths.

Pinwheel
Marni Ludwig
New Issues
c/o Western Michigan University
1903 W. Michigan Ave.
Kalamazoo, MI 49008
9781936970148, $15.00, www.spdbooks.com

Our world can often seem so very hard to fully understand. "Pinwheel" is a collection of poetry from award winning poet Marni Ludwig who shares her unusual and unique viewpoint on the world twisting her viewpoints of it all and presenting new ways to see it. "Pinwheel" is a choice addition for contemporary poetry collections. "Ceremony for a Bystander": Listen, I am returning to where you are./Wisteria, wisteria,/asleep on the stalk,/show me how to keep/the mouth soft./Inside, wasps, are building cornices in the dust/and not one accurate place in the silence.

Selected Early Poems
Charles Simic
George Braziller, Inc.
174 East 74th Street, Apt 16E
New York, NY 10021-3534
9780807616208, $15.95, www.georgebraziller.com

For some eyes, there is something scary in the world around us that we just don't see. "Selected Early Poems" is a poetry anthology of the works of Charles Simic, a Pulitzer prize winner and US Poet Laureate focusing on his work over a twenty year period, showing the earlier work of the renown poet and focusing on his unique view of the world. "Selected Early Poems" is an excellent addition to any literary poetry collection, recommended. "Shirt": To get into it/As it lies/Crumpled on the floor/Without disturbing a single crease//Respectful/Of the way I threw it down/Last Night/The way it happened to land//Almost managing/The impossible contortions/Doubling back now/Through a knotted sleeve.


The Music CD Shelf

Future Memory
Stephen Savage
Danforth Music
The Creative Service Company
4360 Emerald Drive
Colorado Springs, CO 80918
www.thecreativeservicecompany.com
$14.99 CD / $9.99 MP3 cdbaby.com

Keyboardist Stephen Savage presents Future Memory, an instrumental, synergistic fusion of classical, new age, jazz, and electronica music with an outer space theme. The result is a mind-expanding listening experience that evokes wonder, reflecting the limitless possibilities of the universe. Future Memory is a choice pick for music connoisseurs in search of something far-reaching, distinctive, and uniquely memorable. The tracks are "Ruby Sapphire" (3:59), "Then There Is Here Now" (4:21), "Other Shore" (2:49), "Hold That Thought" (3:56), "Gravity" (6:02), "After the Circus" (3:27), "Future Memory" (4:32), "Riding the Cusp" (4:05), "Leaf On a Stream" (4:35), "Ponder" (4:59), "Middle of a Moment" (3:11), "Talking Rocks" (2:48), and "Lux" (5:03). 54 min., 11 sec.

Plant
Justin Ancheta
Privately Published
c/o Press Junkie PR
PO Box 156914
San Francisco, CA 94115
$12.00 CD / $10.00 http://justinancheta.bandcamp.com

Plant is the latest original music CD from musician, teacher, and artist Justin Ancheta. Drawn from Ancheta's work over the past eight years, Plant reflects elements from reggae, indie rock, funk, and jazz. Fellow musicians on the drum, djembe, clarinet, saxophone, trumpet, trombone, violin, clavinet, and guitar add to the vibrant fusion of Plant, an album that celebrates maintaining balance between nature and technology on a sustainable level for daily life. The tracks are "Forever", "Truth Existence", "Better Predicament", "Wander", "Counter Culture", "Surface of the Moon", "Simmer Down", "Outer Space", "Downward", "Feel Better", and "Livin' It Up".

Jumbie in the Jukebox
Kobo Town
www.kobotown.com
Stonetree Records
in partnership with Cumbancha
c/o Press Junkie PR
PO Box 156914
San Francisco, CA 94115
www.stonetreerecords.com www.cumbancha.com
$15.82 www.amazon.com

An energetic calypso-reggae band founded by Trinidad-born songwriter Drew Gonsalves, Kobo Town is known for their vibrant blend of social awareness and acoustic rhythm in their lively music. Jumbie in the Jukebox is their latest album, titled in reference to the boogie-man-like "jumbie" spirit of Trinidadian folklore. Dynamic and blazing, Jumbie in the Jukebox is a "must-have" for connoisseurs of calypso, highly recommended. The tracks are "Kaiso Newscast" (2:55), "Mr. Monday" (3:29), "Postcard Poverty" (3:11), "Half of the Houses" (2:53), "The Call" (3:00), "Joe the Paranoiac" (3:47), "Diego Martin" (3:19), "Road to Fyzabad" (3:39), "The Trial of Henry Marshall" (2:44), "Waiting by the Sea" (3:22), "The War Between Is and Ought" (3:36), and "Tick Tock Goes the Clock" (5:45).

Kaleidoscope
Joanna Borromeo
Canada Council for the Arts
c/o Press Junkie PR
PO Box 156914
San Francisco, CA 94115
$15.00 CAD CD / $9.00 CAD digital joannaborromeo.com

Canadian singer and pianist Joanna Borromeo presents Kaleidoscope, a luminescent fusion of soul, rhythm & blues, and pop. The dulcet smooth music caresses the ear, and leaves the listener awash with the wistful evocation of fond memories. Kaleidoscope is an evocative treasure for fans of the genre. The tracks are "Move Mountains", "No One Like You", "Outside", "Your Shoes", "Even If", "For Me", "Train Ride", "Good Times in Love", and "Wide-Eyed and in Your Arms".

Kings and Queens
John Brown's Body
Easy Star Records
PO Box 1069, Cooper Station, NY, NY 10276
c/o Press Junkie PR
PO Box 156914, San Francisco, CA 94115
$TBA CD / $9.49 MP3 www.amazon.com

Kings and Queens is the eighth studio album by reggae band John Brown's Body - eight talented musicians sharing their talent with the drums, keyboard, bass, guitar, saxophone, trumpet, trombone, and pure vocal harmony. The twelve songs of Kings and Queens draw influence from British Reggae, classic reggae, and dub experimentation; each is performed with the smooth harmony of seasoned masters. An absolute "must-have" for connoisseurs of the reggae genre! The tracks are "Step Inside" (5:01), "Invitation" (5:09), "Plantation" (5:54), "Empty Hands" (5:08), "Fall On Deep" (5:06), "Dust Bowl" (4:45), "Shine Bright" (5:16), "The Battle" (4:52), "Starver" (4:34), "Old John Brown" (5:17), "Deep Summer" (6:13), and "Searchlight" (4:48).

Bing Bang Boom!
John Stein
Whaling City Sound
1310 Tucker Road, No. Dartmouth, MA 02747
c/o Mixed Media (publicity)
20 Lockmere Road, Cranston, RI 02910
www.mixedmediapromo.com
$11.99 www.whalingcitysound.com

The fourth release in John Stein's quartet series, Bing Bang Boom! features Stein and his gung-ho band members (Brazilian drummer Ze eduardo Nazario, keyboardist Jake Sherman, and acoustic bassist John Lockwood) in enthusiastic, modern jazz collaboration. Ranging in style from blues-influenced jazz to jazz-rock and modal jazz, borrowing elements of samba and swing as suits the music, Bing Bang Boom! is a celebration that pays homage to the old while exploring the limits of the new. Lively and exciting from beginning to end, Bing Bang Boom! is especially recommended to adventurous jazz lovers everywhere. The tracks are "Sugar" (5:40), "Menina" (4:24), "Unraveled Plans" (5:02), "Bing Bang Boom!" (5:03), "Medley: Duke Ellington's Sound of Love" (7:42), "Belo Horizonte" (4:39), "Lover" (6:44), "Delilah" (5:19), "Waiting for Woody" (5:26), and "You'd Be So Nice To Come Home To" (4:02).

Infinite Reflection
Kaleidoscope Jukebox
Rhythm & Culture Music
2122 Massachusetts Ave NW #215
Washington, DC 20008
Press Junkie PR (publicity)
PO Box 156914, San Francisco, CA 94115
www.rhythmandculture.com

Music is reformed and re-sculpted in so many ways, everyone trying to find their own expression. "Infinite Reflection" is the latest album from Kaleidoscope Jukebox, who presents the stylings of DJ Clint Carty, who creates what he calls soundscapes, unique experiences of electronica that takes notes from funk and seeks to talk to people on a deeper level. "Infinite Reflection" is a great new choice for fans of electronic music, highly recommended. The tracks are "The Unpossible", "Infinite Reflection", "Vibration Science", "Double Edge Sword w/ 3rd Eye Visionaries", "Broken", "Melting Pot", "Eternal Embrace", "Shakti", "Rite of Passage", "Symmetric String Theory", "The Eye", "Of Light", "Flame Thrower", and "By the Light of Dawn".


The Self-Help Shelf

Get Back Up
Sheryl Giesbrecht
Wheatmark
1760 East River Road, Suite 145
Tucson, Arizona 85718
9781604948547, $12.95, www.wheatmark.com

Life can be cruel and clawing through that. "Get Back Up: Trusting God When Life Knocks You Down" is a faithful memoir from Sheryl Giesbrecht who shares her stories of coping with life's many pains and doing what she could to find the strength to overcome them through it all. Encouraging readers to find God's plan for them when all there seems to be is chaos, "Get Back Up" is a strong addition to general inspirational and spirituality collections.

The Power of Patience
M. J. Ryan
Red Wheel/Weiser/Conari
665 Third Street
San Francisco, CA 94107
9781573245999, $14.95, www.redwheelweiser.com

Patience is a virtue that people simply ignore. "The Power of Patience: How This Old-Fashioned Virtue Can Improve Your Life" is a guide to embracing this value and realizing its purpose in our everyday lives, where many can't realize the importance of a slow and gradual success and only seek a quick fix solution. "The Power of Patience" is an empowering and much recommended addition to self-help collections, advocating the simple importance of realizing good things can take time.

Making Hope Happen
Shane J. Lopez
Atria Books
c/o Simon & Schuster
1230 Avenue of the Americas
New York, NY 10020
9781451666229, $26.99, www.simonsays.com

One person can do so much to make the difference in the lives of other. "Making Hope Happen: Create the Future You Want for Yourself and Others" is an inspirational read from Shane J. Lopez looks into the positive force of doing good for the self by doing good for others. With stories applying to many positive aspects of life, Shane J. Lopez offers anecdotes from many settings and with a good dose true stories about real people and the power of hope. "Making Hope Happen" is a strong addition to self-help and motivational collections, not to be missed.

The Power of Peace in You
Marlise Karlin
Watkins Publishing
c/o Sterling Publishing Company
387 Park Avenue South
New York, NY 10016-8810
9781780293821, $19.95, www.sterlingpublishing.com

Simplicity seems like such a foreign concept to many. "The Power of Peace in You: A Revolutionary Tool for Hope, Healing, and Happiness in the 21st Century" presents the power of peace and the ability to find it in our lives more effectively as Marlise Karlin advocates stillness and using it as a tool to finding one's center in today's hectic world that doesn't know the meaning of the word still. "The Power of Peace in You" is a choice and not to be missed read for self-help and motivational collections, highly recommended.


The Pets/Wildlife Shelf

Sorry I Barfed On Your Bed
Jeremy Greenberg
Andrews & McMeel
1130 Walnut Street
Kansas City, MO 64106-2109
9781449427047 $9.99 www.andrewsmcmeel.com

Sorry I Barfed On Your Bed (and Other Heartwarming Letters from Kitty) is a hilarious book pairing full-color photographs of mischievous cats and brief "letters" expressing a uniquely feline point of view. For example, a photo of the cat Daisy, who is blissfully tucked under the covers of her owner's bed, is paired with a "letter" that begins, "Dear Provider of Turn-down Service, No, I'm not getting out of bed. I have accommodated your weird habit of sleeping only at night for far too long. Every kitty knows you should sleep during the day, so at night you can scare children by pawing open cabinets and making them think the house is haunted." Sorry I Barfed On Your Bed makes a great gag gift for cat lovers of all ages and backgrounds!

Canine Cuisine
Carlotta Cooper
Atlantic Publishing Group, Inc.
1405 S.W. 6th Avenue
Ocala, FL 34471
9781601383990, $24.95, www.atlantic-pub.com

Even a dog can enjoy a fine treat once in awhile. "Canine Cuisine: 101 Natural Dog Food & Treat Recipes to Make Your Dog Healthy and Happy" is a cookbook for dog owners who want to whip up something special for the canine in their life, going beyond the canned and bagged brands that usually dominate doggy cuisine, and meeting the special needs that a dog might have. For those who want to encourage a special diet for the canine palette and health, "Canine Cuisine" is not to be overlooked with black and white photography all throughout.


The Mystery/Suspense Shelf

Kill the Boss Good-By / Mission for Vengeance
Peter Rabe
Stark House Press
1315 H Street
Eureka, CA 95501
9781933586427, $19.95, www.starkhousepress.com

The gritty stories of the past always entice us with their no holds barred story telling. "Kill the Boss Good-By / Mission for Vengeance" is a pair of thrillers from renown pulp writer Peter Rabe, offering tow of his best stories under one cover. For anyone with a love for the pulpy stories of the past, "Kill the Boss Good-By / Mission for Vengeance" is a choice omnibus that should not be missed, highly recommended.

Shadows on a Cape Cod Wedding
Lea Wait
John Daniel & Company
PO Box 2790, McKinleyville, CA 95519
9781564745316, $15.95, www.danielpublishing.com

No one likes being faced with murder or trying to find out why there was a murder. "Shadows on a Cape Cod Wedding: An Antique Print Mystery" is a mystery from Lea Wait telling of Maggie Summer, who expected a quiet fall on Cape Cod for her friends. But when a neighbor turns up dead, it turns out Maggie's time won't be so quiet after all, and she has to find the truth quick, or fall to malice herself. "Shadows on a Cape Cod Wedding" is an exciting twist of mystery, very much worth considering.

Insidious Deception
Alan L. Moss
Whiskey Creek Press
PO Box 51052, Casper, WY 82605-1052
9781611605488, $19.95, www.whiskeycreekpress.com

Conspiracy runs deep and may be rooted someplace so very close to you. "Insidious Deception" is a novel of international intrigue from Alan L. Moss who tells a story of a romance between an American student and an Italian exchange student as they sneak onto a luxury yacht in the Adriatic Sea. Unknowingly, they gain knowledge of an international plot of Corporate overlords looking to use the unrest in the Middle East to sneak one of their own empty suits into the white house. "Insidious Deception" is a must for those seeking more international thrillers.

How to Greet Strangers
Joyce Thompson
Lethe Press
118 Heritage Ave, Maple Shade, NJ 08052
9781590212714, $15.00, www.lethepress.com

Twists of fates are often cruel and relentless. "How to Greet Strangers" is a novel from Joyce Thompson, spinning a story of how Aaron Barron, a spiritual man turned detective as the priestess who scammed his late boyfriend turns up dead herself and the motives point to him as the culprit. An intriguing story weaving in elements of mystery, spirituality, as well as black and gay issues, "How to Greet Strangers" is an excellent pick for fans of mysteries not afraid to walk a different path.

Kidnapped by the Cartel
Karen D. Scioscia
Two Harbors Press
212 3rd Avenue, Suite 290
Minneapolis, MN 55401
9781938690440, $15.95, www.twoharbors.com

Terror can be so very real, where death may seem to be certain. "Kidnapped by the Cartel" is drawn from a true story, as Karen D. Scioscia tells a violent yet realistic story of a young American girl is kidnapped and smuggled into Mexico and faces the constant fear of death. Based upon the very real threat of Mexican drug cartels, "Kidnapped by the Cartel" is a must for fans of suspense drawn from true events, recommended.


The Computer Shelf

Core Java: Volume II - Advanced Features, ninth edition
Cay S. Horstmann & Gary Cornell
Prentice Hall Professional
c/o Pearson Technology Group
801 East 96th Street, #300
Indianapolis, IN 46240-3759
www.mcp.com
9780137081608, $59.99, www.amazon.com

Java is a general-purpose, concurrent, class-based, object-oriented computer programming language that is specifically designed to have as few implementation dependencies as possible. It is intended to let application developers "write once, run anywhere" (WORA), meaning that code that runs on one platform does not need to be recompiled to run on another. Java applications are typically compiled to bytecode (class file) that can run on any Java virtual machine (JVM) regardless of computer architecture. Java is, as of 2012, one of the most popular programming languages in use, particularly for client-server web applications, with a reported 10 million users. Now in a completely updated and significantly expanded ninth edition, "Core Java, Volume II--Advanced Features" by Java experts Cay S. Horstmann and Gary Cornell is a 1152 page compendium specifically designed to teach Java users to create effective software with streams, files, regular xpressions, as well as XML, networking database programming facilities, JNDI/LDAP directory integration, internationalizations, advanced swing techniques, JavaBeans components, web services, advanced platform security features, annotations, distributed objects, native methods, and a great deal more. Comprehensive in scope and thoroughly 'user friendly' in practice, "Core Java, Volume II--Advanced Features" is also available in a Kindle edition (46437 KB; B00BNA1SHA; Digital List $47.99; Amazon Kindle $26.39).

Windows PowerShell 3.0
Ed Wilson
Microsoft Press
c/o O'Reilly & Associates, Inc.
1005 Gravenstein, Hwy N.
Sebastopol, CA 95472-2811
97807356663398, $54.99, www.oreilly.com

Automation is very much important to keeping modern technological systems running efficiently. "Windows PowerShell 3.0: Step By Step" is a complete and comprehensive manual for those who want to get the most out of the most recent revision of this Microsoft program focused on more efficient automation of the Windows-driven systems. Chapters include vital advice on managing systems remotely, creating efficient scripts, running multiple programs, using concurrence with other Windows-based programs, debugging, and much more. Also contained within the book's purchase are downloadable practice files in making the program run more smoothly and an e-book version. "Windows PowerShell 3.0" is a vital addition for program developers who want to master this program to its fullest extent.

Core Data, updated edition
Marcus S. Zarra
Pragmatic Programmers
P.O. Box 293325
Lewisville, TX 75029-3325
9781937785086, $33.00, www.pragprog.com

Data is the currency of technology, and managing it is key for any successful application. "Core Data: Data Storage and Management for iOS, OS X, and iCloud" is a guide for programmers on the concept of persistent data with a focus on the Apple platforms that are becoming increasingly popular. With advice on using this concept for app creation, making cross platform stuff work, this updated edition of the guide touches on using the newest tricks introduced in the most up to date releases of the operating systems. "Core Data" is a must for any programmer who wants to round out their toolbox more comprehensively, recommended.


The American History Shelf

Old Red
Heather Green Wooten
Texas State Historical Association
1155 Union Circle #311580
Denton, TX 76203-5017
9780876112540, $15.95, www.amazon.com

Saving lives is a job that's never done, even after hundreds of years of history. "Old Red: Pioneering Medical Education in Texas" tells the story of the University of Texas building which has been a major place for Medical education throughout its existence and the countless stories the building has had to tell, from its struggle for existence and funding to facing natural disasters. "Old Red" is a strong addition to Texas history collections, recommended.

Mining Childhood
Janet L. Finn
Montana Historical Society Press
PO Box 201201, Helena, MT 59620
9780980129250, $24.95, www.montanahistoricalsociety.org

Mining has always been a dominant force in Montana's history. "Mining Childhood: Growing Up in Butte, Montana, 1900-1960" seeks to analyze the evolution of childhood in the first half of the twentieth century. Growing up around the rough setting of miners and the very adult world that came with the rough figures, Janet L. Finn uses her expertise as a professor of social work and native of the state to provide an insightful and curious telling of the role children played even in shaping Montana. "Mining Childhood" is a must for any American history collection focusing on the Northwest of the country, highly recommended.


The World History Shelf

A Christmas Truce Carol
James O'Halloran
Currach Press
c/o Dufour Editions, Inc.
PO Box 7
Chester Springs, PA 19425-0007
9781856077903, $17.95, www.dufoureditions.com

War brings out the worst in humanity, especially when the soldiers fighting know it. "A Christmas Truce Carol" tells a story of conflict during World War I. Both British and German troops forced a cease fire against the will of their superiors, in order to have a moving Christmas feast and a truce just for one day. "A Christmas Truce Carol" is a touching portrayal of this heartwarming event and the triumph of the human spirit.


The Photography Shelf

Las Vegas Periphery
Laurie Brown
George F. Thompson Publishing
c/o International Publishers Marketing
22841 Quicksilver Drive, Dulles, VA 20166
www.internationalpubmarket.com
9781938086014, $60.00, www.amazon.com

Las Vegas, Nevada, is one of America's iconic cities. It is an artificial oasis in an American desert powered by the Hoover Dam and an American love of gambling. Enhanced with an informed and informative introductory essay by third-generation Nevada resident and investigative reporter Sally Denton, "Las Vegas Periphery" is a 96-page compendium showcasing the photographic talents of Laurie Brown. The full color visual theme is the country surrounding the edges of the city of Las Vegas. "Las Vegas Periphery" would make a welcome and highly recommended addition to personal, professional, and academic library Photographic Studies reference collections.

The Amana Landscape
David B. Heusinkveld
Penfield Books
215 Brown Street
Iowa City, IA 52245-5801
9781932043808, $28.00, www.penfieldbooks.com

The sights of Iowa are warm and enticing with its natural glory. "The Amana Landscape: Iowa Photographs" is a collection of full color photography from David B. Heusinkveld who offers his own insights through photography, capturing the creatures and fauna throughout the Amana colonies thousands of acres of land. Vivid and enticing photography offering an in depth view of the world through its fields, "The Amana Landscape" is a much recommended addition to general photography collections with a focus on nature.

Neihart Mining
R. L. Lansverk
Arcadia Publishing
420 Wando Park Blvd.
Mount Pleasant, SC 29464
9780738596914, $21.99, www.arcadiapublishing.com

Mining is a huge part of American history, especially in the west. "Neihart Mining: Images of America" is a collection of nineteenth century photography from R. L. Lansverk who seeks to tell the story of these Montana miners as they labored in the dangerous mines yearning for that next payday, as well as the people who followed the miners in attempts to make their fortune and success in their life. "Neihart Mining" is an excellent pick for those fascinated with the early days of the American west, the towns that sprung up, and the people who lived the life. Also from Arcadia's Images of America series is "Missoula" (9780738596440, $21.99) focusing on the early days of the Montana town with the same photographic focus as the first.


The Health/Medicine Shelf

Fitness and Health, seventh edition
Brian J. Sharkey & Steven E. Gaskill
Human Kinetics Publishers, Inc.
PO Box 5076
Champaign, IL 61820-5076
9780736099370, $37.00, www.HumanKinetics.com

Good fitness is easier than some expect, while truly great fitness requires more know-how. "Fitness and Health" is the updated seventh edition from Brian J. Sharkey and Steven E. Gaskill who provide insight on moving the self towards greater physical health and fitness, providing a complete and comprehensive breakdown on health and its many dimensions. With chapters touching on the psychology of fitness, how different sorts of fitness interact, fitness's applications for mental health, and much more, "Fitness and Health" is a scholarly and core addition to any health or exercise science collection, not to be overlooked.


The Cookbook Shelf

Eat St., Recipes from the Tastiest, Messiest, and Most Irresistible Food Trucks
James Cunningham, author
Pintail Books, Penguin Group
375 Hudson Street, New York, NY 10014
9780143187486 $20.00 www.penguin.com

In synch with the fourth season of Eat St., the wildly popular Cooking Channel culinary truck food sampler, "Eat St." the cookbook is released packed with authentic food vendor recipes from places like San Francisco, Portland, Los Angeles, Miami, Atlanta, Houston, Calgary (Alberta), Victoria (British Columbia), Las Vegas, and Kailua, Hawaii. What an astonishing assortment of delicious, multi-ethnic stand-up entrees! Here are color photo illustrated one-page recipes for exotic eating such as: Sockeye Salmon with Succotash (from Skillet Street Food in Seattle, WA), Sizzling Pork Sisig from Hey Joe! of Phoenix, AZ, Lemon Chicken Couscous from Comme Ci Comme Ca of New York City, Smoked Albacore Tuna and Green Papaya Salad from El Gastonomo Vagabundo of St. Catharine's, Ontario, Kimchi Quesadilla from Coma Food Truck of Vancouver, British Columbia, and even my favorite, Lamb Sausage and Arugula Salad from Trailer Park'D "Slow" Fast Food, Lansing, MI. Foods are categorized seven chapters titled Mobile Snacks, Burgers, Dogs & Slices, Ultimate Street Sandwiches, Tacos, Wraps & Cones, Soups, Noodles & Saucy Things, Curbside Meals, and for dessert, Sweet Wheels. From that last chapter comes Orange Cream Dream Cupcakes from the Yum Yum Cupcake Truck in Orlando, Florida. A truly international sampling, Eat St. includes entries from London, England (Chipotle Chuck Steak Burritos with Habanero Hot Sauce from Luardos), Tofino. British Columbia (Chocolate Diablo Cookies from Tacofino), and Toronto, Ontario (Nacho Grande Poutine from Smoke's Poutinerie). Recipes are condensed and presented on one page, opposite a mouth watering color photo of the food, with both standard measurements and metric in parentheses in recipes. Color printed sidebars present contextual or anecdotal information about each recipe and eating experience. Credits and thanks at the end include a Truck Finder page with names and web addresses of all the food trucks sampled, along with Twitter and Facebook acronyms. So whether or not the reader can voyage to all the trendy truck diners reviewed, they can actually recreate the fabulous eating experience at home with these nifty, creative recipes from Eat St.

Polish Classic Desserts
Laura & Peter Zeranski, authors
Bob Rock, photographer
Pelican Publishing Co.
1000 Burmaster Street, Gretna, LA 70053
9781455617265 $16.95 www.pelicanpub.com

"Polish Classic Desserts" is a fabulous ethnic cookbook that is filled with authentic recipes updated fro modern kitchens of traditional Polish desserts. The authors share these wonderful dessert recipes as a way of preserving and sharing their wonderful cultural heritage. Decorated with wonderful color photographs of finished desserts displayed on beautiful Polish pottery and special dishes, "Polish Classic Desserts" is filled with mazurkas, babas, cookies, tortes, cakes, pastries and specialty desserts. There is even a chapter of special adult beverages which sometimes complement Polish desserts beautifully. All recipes are given with standard measurements, with directions using such kitchen aids as a standing mixer with a paddle attachment and dough hook, blender, etc. Some of the classic Polish desserts offered include Lemon Torte (Torte Cytrynowy), Filled Baby Babas (Babeczki Smietankowe), Gypsy Mazurka (Mazurek Cyganski), Krakow Cheesecake (Sernik Krakowski), and Filled Donuts (Paczki). "Polish Classic Desserts" is sure to fill a special niche in cultural heritage cookbooks and specialty dessert preparation. Just to look at some of the incredible photographs of finished desserts is an exploration and education of the senses. Making and serving some of these classic desserts would indeed be a labor of love.

150 Best Ebelskiver Recipes
Camilla V. Saulsbury
Robert Rose Inc.
120 Eglinton Avenue East, Suite 800
Toronto, Ontario, Canada M4P 1E2
9780778804420 $24.95 www.robertrose.ca

"150 Best Ebelskiver Recipes" is a creative collection of ebelskiver recipes with background and history of the delicious Danish treat. An ebelskiver is a round, puffed, pancake-like treat made in a special pan with ball shaped indentations. The ebelskiver has an international background, with both sweet and savory versions. Here are well organized tips and hints to making ebelskivers plus and amazing assortment of both traditional and unusual adaptations. For the sweet toothed among us, there is Salted Caramel Ebelskivers, Raspberry Blintz Ebelskivers, and even quirky Quinoa Ebelskivers. Recipes are presented on one or two pages, with standard measurements of ingredients on the left and metric measurements on the right, and also including brief step by step instructions. More exotic versions include Lime Ebelskivers with Mango Sauce, even Sweet Rosemary Polenta Ebelskivers. For those cooks in a hurry, there are Simplified Ebelskivers, which skips the step of separating the eggs and whites and beating the egg whites, and even can be adapted to use a favorite pancake mix. More treats include Anise Mascarpone Puffs,Tiramisu Puffs, Quiche Lorraine Puffs, and even Cheesecake Ebelskivers. Some fabulous savory recipes for brunch or appetizers include Stuffed Tamale Puffs, Buckwheat Blini Puffs, Lox and Cream Cheese Ebelskivers, and even Pepperoni Pizza Puffs. More international treats include Gougere Puffs from France, Poffertjes from Holland, and Golden Sherry and orange Ebelskivers from Spain. Whatever your preference, there is an ebelskiver recipe here especially for you, from the Harcha with Za'atar Olives and Cheese from Morocco to the Katayef Puffs from the Middle East, and adapted Ramadan feast traditional recipe. Stunning full page color photos of finished recipes embellish the middle chapter divisions, and six pages of further color photos illustrate crucial ebelskiver preparation steps in the chapter titled Ebelskiver Tips. In all, it is difficult to imagine a more user friendly cookbook for the novice ebelskiver chef. So go ahead, dive in and enjoy creating a historic treat from around the world via Denmark.

D'Lish Deviled Eggs
Kathy Casey
Andrews & McMeel
1130 Walnut Street
Kansas City, MO 64106-2109
9781449427504 $14.99 www.andrewsmcmeel.com

D'Lish Deviled Eggs lives up to its title with a dazzling panoply of deviled egg delights. Each recipe has step-by-step instructions, and nearly all are illustrated with gorgeous, full-color photography. An extensive, thirty-page introductory section about cooking and filling deviled eggs is extremely helpful for cooks who are brand new to creating this sumptuous food! Individual recipes include "Thai Curry-Spiced Deviled Eggs with Shrimp", "Devilish Green Eggs & Ham", "Honey Mustard Deviled Eggs", "Caesar Salad Deviled Eggs" and much more. D'Lish Deviled Eggs is a wonderful resource for mouth-watering appetizers, holiday side dishes, and just about everyone who enjoys a creatively tasty deviled egg!

The Cracker Book: Artisanal Crackers for Every Occasion
Lee E. Cart, author
Joan Cart, illustrations
Burford Books
101 East State St., #301, Ithaca, NY 14850
9781580801706 $12.95 www.burfordbooks.com

"The Cracker Book" is a creative collection of artisanal cracker recipes accompanied by a sustaining variety of dips and spreads, also in recipe format with suggested pairings to specific crackers. Healthy cracker alternatives are suggested using a variety of whole grain flours, plus there is a standard basic gluten-free cracker recipe including millet flour, white rice flour, and almond meal. Other cracker recipes include Beer and Rye Crackers, Black Olive Crackers, Hungarian Paprika and Cornmeal Crackers, Mole Crackers, Rosewater Crackers, and even Tequila and Key Lime Crackers. There are both sweet and savory cracker recipes. All recipes are simply described, using standard measurements, and are written in a step by step format. Some of the imaginative spreads recipes are Cilantro and Lime Spread, Cucumber and Dill Spread, Green Olive and Caper Spread, Mint Spread, and White Bean and Chive Dip. For good health and nutrition, this handy collection of artisanal cracker recipes with special dips and spreads can't be beat.

If You Have a Craving, I Have a Cure
Sheri Rose Shepherd
Tyndale House Publishers
351 Executive Drive
Carol Stream, IL 60188
9781414366920, $15.99, www.tyndale.com

A recipe can be more than just a good meal. "If You Have a Craving, I Have a Cure: Experience Food, Faith, Fulfillment a Whole New Way" is a Christian cookbook from Sheri Rose Shepherd as she shares the recipes that she takes solace in, providing a bit of scripture with every recipe and telling her own story to better health physically and spiritually. "If You Have a Craving, I Have a Cure" is well worth considering for Christian cooks, highly recommended.

Slimmer
Harry Papas
Turner Publishing Company
200 4th Avenue North, Suite 950
Nashville, TN 37219
9781596528567, $26.95, www.theslimmerbook.com

Good food is essentially for a successful diet. "Slimmer: The New Mediterranean Way to Lose Weight" is a diet plan that encourages following the healthy lifestyles of Mediterranean people. Tapping into the power of a good diet, as well as understanding the psychology of losing weight make "Slimmer" an excellent blend of cookbook and health guide. "Slimmer" has no shortage of excellent recipes and meal plans; highly recommended.


The Automotive Shelf

Lost Drag Strips
Tommy Lee Byrd
CarTech Inc.
39966 Grand Avenue
North Branch, MN 55056
9781613250457, $29.95, www.cartechbooks.com

Drag racing has lost some popularity over the years, but for those dedicated, there is a rich history to explore. "Lost Drag Strips: Ghost of Quarter-Miles Past" is a collection of photography and text telling the stories of these strips in color and black and white photography where applicable. Focusing on the period of the height of the hobby where customizing cars for sheer speed alone was the ultimate goal, Tommy Lee Byrd presents an insightful and fascinating exploration of the hobby's history and peak. "Lost Drag Strips: Ghost of Quarter-Miles Past" is a strong addition to general automotive and hobbyist collections focusing on vintage topics.


The Fantasy/SciFi Shelf

Faeryland
John Matthews
With art by Matt Dangler
Harry N. Abrams, Inc.
115 West 18th Street, 6th floor
New York, NY 10011
9781419706738 $27.50 www.abramsbooks.com

Faeryland: The Secret World of the Hidden Ones is an extravagantly gorgeous illustrated hardcover tour of myths and legends about the enigmatic, magical creatures commonly called faeries. Some pages feature delicate, removable paper parts, such as a hypothetical invitation to the court of Oberon and Titania, making Faeryland unsuited for rambunctuous young children or the wear and tear of a public library collection. Yet fantasy lovers of all walks of life will enjoy the beautiful color artwork, the recounting of many different cultural traditions concerning the Fair Folk, and the retold legends. Faeryland is a wonderful book for fantasy lovers from all walks of life to browse, and makes a most delightful gift!

The Fallen
Chris Digiuseppi & Mke Force
Health Communications, Inc.
3201 S.W. 15th Street
Deerfield Beach, FL 33442-8190
9780757317132, $14.95, www.hcibooks.com

The sin of murder can unleash an apocalypse on the world. "The Fallen" is a novel following Lieutenant Alan Crane and his adviser on the topics of the supernatural, Michael Simmons, as they find four unusual deaths connected to a very dangerous prophecy that could end up with many more in their lives turning up dead. "The Fallen" is a must for those seeking suspenseful, contemporary dark fantasy, much recommended.


The Writing/Publishing Shelf

The Ten Commandments of Comedy
Gene Perret
Quill Driver Books
2006 South Mary
Fresno, CA 93721
9781610341266, $14.95, www.quilldriverbooks.com

Everyone loves to laugh, but the source of that laughter is more complex than one would think. "The Ten Commandments of Comedy" is an enticing look at what it truly takes to be funny as Gene Perret offers an array of advice, taking notes from comedy legends to help understand the format, timing, and other elements that can make comedy ultimately work. Sage and much recommended advice for would be comedians, "The Ten Commandments of Comedy" is a must for any writer who wants good laughs in their writing.


The Genealogy Shelf

Easy Family History, second edition
David Annal
The National Archives
c/o International Publishers Marketing
22841 Quicksilver Drive, Dulles, VA 20166
www.internationalpubmarket.com
9781408175705, $15.95, www.amazon.com

Genealogy is the study of families and the tracing of their lineages and history. Genealogists use oral traditions, historical records, genetic analysis, and other records to obtain information about a family and to demonstrate kinship and pedigrees of its members. The results are often displayed in charts or written as narratives. The pursuit of family history tends to be shaped by several motivations, including the desire to carve out a place for one's family in the larger historical picture, a sense of responsibility to preserve the past for future generations, and a sense of self-satisfaction in accurate storytelling. Now in a fully updated and significantly expanded second edition, "Easy Family History: The Stress-Free Guide to Starting Your Research" by David Annal is 190 page instructional guide to basic genealogy research strategies and techniques that is as comprehensive as it is 'user friendly'. Written specifically to assist aspiring family historians in the United Kingdom, "Easy Family History" is a solid template of practical information for an American readership as well. Enhanced with the inclusion of a Glossary, Useful Addresses, Useful Websites, a list for further reading, and a comprehensive index, "Easy Family History" will prove a welcome introduction and guide for any novice genealogist wanting to explore, discover, and organize their personal family history for future generations to enjoy and benefit from

Polish Genealogy Research
Rosemary A. Dembinski Chorzempa
Genealogical Publishing Company
3600 Clipper Mill Road, Suite 260
Baltimore, MD 21211
9780806319681 $8.95 www.genealogical.com

Polish Genealogy Research is not exactly a book, but rather a laminated, four-sided quick reference sheet designed to help Polish genealogy researchers of all skill and experience levels get started. The "at a glance" information includes translations of common Polish words that crop up in genealogical listings (such as chrzcielny = baptismal); a step-by-step guide to locating Polish hometowns; URLs and brief descriptions of online databases from Poland; major Polish place names in English, Latin, Polish and German; and much more. Polish Genealogy Research lives up to its title as an easy-to-use, step-one building block to begin one's search for Polish ancestors!


The Psychology Shelf

Stories We Tell Ourselves
Michelle Herman
University of Iowa Press
100 Kuhl House
119 West Park Road
Iowa City, IA 52242-1000
9781609381530, $18.00, www.uiowapress.org

Our internal narrative is vast and curious in its roots. "Stories We Tell Ourselves" is a pair of extended essays from Michelle Herman, who shares an intriguing exploration of our own dream psychology. These are the stories we write in our own minds to piece together our history, try to understand ourselves, and push towards what we seek out of life. "Stories We Tell Ourselves" is an intriguing dream psychoanalysis, very much highly recommended reading.


The Metaphysical Studies Shelf

Atlantis and the Silver City
Peter Daughtrey
Pegasus Books
80 Broad Street, 5th Floor
New York, NY 10004
9781605984155, $26.95, www.pegasusbooks.com

The legends of Atlantis has intrigued the imagination of humanity for thousands of years. "Atlantis and the Silver City" explores the legends of Atlantis, including the myths and history surrounding the reality of the facts of Plato's writings. Exploring sources from many cultures and sources, author Peter Daughtrey offers an insightful take on the reality of the legend gone true, offering intriguing new interpretations of history. "Atlantis and the Silver City" is a strong pick for those fascinating with the ancient mysteries of history.

Infinite Energy Technologies
Finley Eversole, editor
Inner Traditions International, Ltd.
One Park Street
Rochester, VT 05767
9781594773808, $18.95, www.innertraditions.com

Mankind's desire for fuel is infinite, but is the source of fuel itself? "Infinite Energy Technologies: Tesla, Cold Fusion, Antigravity, and the Future of Sustainability" is an exploration of 'new science', edited by Finley Eversole leads an assortment of writers as they discuss the future of energies and fuels, as many see the current methods as unsustainable in supply and for the planet's future in general. "Infinite Energy Technologies" is an intriguing blend of hard science and metaphysical ideas, about possible ways man can rise to the challenge for their energy independent future. Highly recommended reading.


The Political Science Shelf

More Than They Bargained For
Jason Stein and Patrick Marley
University of Wisconsin Press
1930 Monroe Street, Third Floor
Madison, WI 53711-2059
9780299293840, $26.95, uwpress.wisc.edu

The sweep of Republican power in 2010 left many bitter, and furious when they learned what it spelled out. "More Than They Bargained For: Scott Walker, Unions, and the Fight for Wisconsin" discusses fight over public employees and their collective bargaining rights and the circus that has sprawled out since them, backroom deals, dirty political tricks, and much more. "More Than They Bargained For" is a riveting and complex account of this battle that led to a recount election and is arguably still simmering.


The Education Shelf

Real Teachers
Stuart Grauer
Select Books
1 Union Square West, Suite 909
New York, NY 10003
9781590799543, $16.95, www.selectbooks.com

A passion for education is required to enter the world of teaching. "Real Teachers: True Stories of Renegade Educators" is a collection of memoirs from Stuart Grauer and others as he shares his love of teaching and where it has taken him in the desire to learn more and share that knowledge with the world. Honest and down to earth reading on the true power of teaching and what drives a teacher, "Real Teachers" is a strongly recommended addition to any memoir collection focused on why we educate.


The Theatre/Cinema Shelf

Film Noir FAQ
David J. Hogan
Applause
Hal Leonard Performing Arts Publishing
33 Plymouth St, Suite 302
Montclair, NJ 07042
9781557838551, $22.99, www.halleonardbooks.com

Noir, the gritty storytelling, has enjoyed quite the resurgence in recent years. "Film Noir FAQ: All That's Left to Know About Hollywood's Golden Age of Dames, Detectives, and Danger" discusses this genre and the age of Hollywood where it enjoyed its flourishing boom, touching on the many tropes that made it great, and the stars who kept the whole story together. A comprehensive reference for lovers of the genre with black and white photography all throughout, "Film Noir FAQ" is a strong addition to film reference and studies collections.


The Agriculture Shelf

Plowing with Pigs
Oscar H. Will & Karen K. Will
New Society Publishers
PO Box 189
Gabriola Island, BC, Canada, V0R 1X0
9780865717176, $24.95, www.newsociety.com

The old ways of the family farm are having a resurgence for many. "Plowing with Pigs: And Other Creative, Low-Budget Homesteading Solutions" is a discussion of how low budget and simpler methods are returning for many who want a more traditional agricultural life, dealing with animals in their garden, fields, old styled machines, and self-sufficiency. "Plowing with Pigs" is a strong addition to gardening and do-it-yourself oriented collections, highly recommended.


The Environmental Studies Shelf

Wilderness and Waterpower
Christopher Armstrong and H. V. Nelles
University of Calgary Press
2500 University Drive, N.W.
Calgary, Alberta, Canada T2N 1N4
9781552386347, $41.95, www.uofcpress.com

Water has untold potential for us, even as a source of power. "Wilderness and Waterpower: How Banff National Park Became a Hydroelectric Storage Reservoir" tells of how the Canadian Banff National park became a hydroelectric powerhouse for Alberta, but the process of turning it into such did not come easily, a legal battle over ownership of the river, tourism concerns, and much more. "Wilderness and Waterpower" is an essential addition to Canadian environmental and energy discussions, highly recommended reading.


The Relationship Shelf

Marriage Rescue
Gary Direnfeld
New Horizon Press
PO Box 669
Far Hills, NJ 07931
9780882824307, $14.95, www.newhorizonpressbooks.com

Relationships can be saved, but few understand what causes the problems in the first place. "Marriage Rescue: Overcoming Ten Deadly Sins in Failing Relationships" is a guide to building better marriages and relationships by understanding the value of communication and understanding the world from the perspective of your friendship. From dealing with the common demons that wreak havoc with a relationship, there is much to consider in breaking down the barriers between the both of you. "Marriage Rescue" is a strong addition to self-help and relationship collections.


The Biography Shelf

One Woman in a Hundred
Mary Sue Welsh
University of Illinois Press
1325 South Oak Street
Champaign, IL 61820-6975
9780252037368, $35.00, www.press.uillinois.edu

Breaking barriers of sex, a love of music let her flourish for decades. "One Woman in a Hundred: Edna Phillips and the Philadelphia Orchestra" is a biography of Edna Phillips as author Mary Sue Welsh digs deep to tell the story of the first woman to join a major American orchestra as she was added to the ensemble of the Philadelphia Orchestra in 1930 at the age of 23. Her talents allowed her to gain respect in the face of hazing and sexism throughout. "One Woman in a Hundred" is a moving read of one woman doing what she loves and making her mark in history because of it.


The Money/Finance Shelf

The Money Flow
Ana Weber-Haber
Morgan James Publishing
4410 E Claiborne Square, Suite 334
Hampton VA 23666-2071
9781614484936, $16.95, www.morganjamespublishing.com

Money is often the boon and bane of our lives. "The Money Flow: How to Make Money Your Friend and Ally, Have a Great Life, and Improve the World" is a guide to becoming passionate through how you earn your living, and how to turn that passion into something that can set you up for a lifetime of well-being. The goal is to use money as needed in the pursuit of happiness, but not to let money become the most important thing in one's life. "The Money Flow" is a strong and powerful read for those who want to increase their own happiness and the happiness of the world around them, recommended.


The Comix/Graphic Novel Shelf

Meet The Marvel Super Heroes
Scott Peterson
Marvel Press
c/o Disney Book Group
114 Fifth Avenue, 14th fl., NY, NY 10011
www.hyperionchildrensbooks.com
9781423161424, $12.99, www.amazon.com

Marvel inspired characters have impacted our popular culture through such mass media as comic books, graphic novels, television shows, and movies. A great many of them are household names such as Spiderman, Captain America, Iron Man, The Hulk, and Thor. Now full color, full page, portraits of more than 100 iconic Marvel super heroes are compiled the in pages of "Meet The Marvel Super Heroes", a 144 page compendium where each character is showcased with a succinct description. The super heroes are presented in alphabetical order according to their super hero names and range from Ant-Man to Wonder Man. Of special note is that the back of the book's dust jacket is also a poster featuring a group shot of all these featured super heroes. "Meet The Marvel Super Heroes" is highly recommended for community library collections in general, and all comic book enthusiasts in particular!

Unsportsmanlike Conduct
Stephan Pastis
Andrews & McMeel
1130 Walnut Street
Kansas City, MO 64106-2109
www.andrewsmcmeel.com
9781449427740 $12.99 www.pearlscomic.com

Unsportsmanlike Conduct: A Pearls Before Swine Collection is the latest collection of Stephan Pastis' popular comic strip, which has appeared in more than 600 newspapers worldwide and been named Best Comic Strip of the Year twice by the National Cartoonists Society. The cartoon cast includes a gaggle of anthropomorphic animals including an eternally hunted zebra, insensitive predatory crocodiles, an obtuse pig, a self-centered rat, and a goat who may be isolated by his relative sanity, as well as occasional "creator cameos". Unsportsmanlike Conduct is a hybrid mash-up of shaggy-dog puns, wild(ish) antics, pointless violence up to the level of incompetent animal suicide bombers, and the occasional hint of audience-trolling (the creator even tells the tongue-in-cheek story of an inflammatory "Family Circus" parody he allegedly created to maintain his status as an "edgy cartoonist"). "'Why is it that at a time when most people are hurting economically, there's this class of super-rich people who are doing better than ever? ...We should do something about it.' 'Like write your congressman?' 'Like push them into a lake.' 'Try your congressman.' 'Fine. We'll push him in too.'"


The Audiobook Shelf

The Lion's Lady
Julie Garwood, author
Susan Duerden, narrator
Brilliance Corporation
PO Box 887
Grand Haven, MI 49417
9781469261317 $29.99 www.brillianceaudio.com

The Lion's Lady is the unabridged audiobook rendition of a sensual and charged love story. Christina Bennett is a dazzling London beauty with a furtive secret. The Marquis of Lyonwood is a nobleman who can recognize the wildfire charm beneath Christina's cool exterior. A single, stolen kiss unleashes the eternal chase between them. Can the Marquis woo her away from the hidden destiny that controls her choices? The Lion's Lady is a delectable delight for fans of passionate romance! 11 CDs, 13 hours 32 min.

Prophet of Bones
Ted Kosmatka, author
Scott Sowers, narrator
Macmillan Audio
175 Fifth Avenue, Suite 315
New York, NY 10010
9781427228864 $39.99 www.macmillanaudio.com

Nebula Award-nominated author Ted Kosmatka (also known for writing video game stories for the popular company Valve) presents the unabridged audiobok rendition of Prophet of Bones, a high-stakes thriller set in a world dangerously similar to our own, where one man's scientific discoveries could spark a shocking transformation - much to the dismay of national governments, paramilitary forces, and the will of an influential billionaire! Paul Carlson is a sharp-minded young scientist, whose tour of duty at a remote Indonesian island rapidly escalates into a deadly cat-and-mouse game in which not only his life, but also the underpinnings of all human society are at stake. Despite the teachings of "modern science" that Paul has studied since a young age, could the world truly be much more ancient than 5,800 years? Excitement and intrigue combine in this edge-of-one's-seat thriller, highly recommended especially adding a measure of excitement to long trips. 10 CDs, 13 hours.

The Love Song of Jonny Valentine
Teddy Wayne, author
Kirby Heyborne, narrator
Blackstone Audio
PO Box 969, Ashland, OR 97520
9781470885243 $29.95 blackstoneaudio.com

Whiting Writers' Award-winning author Teddy Wayne presents The Love Song of Jonny Valentine: A Novel, an adventurous coming-of-age story about an eleven-year-old boy who becomes a pop culture sensation, now available as an unabridged audiobook. Young Jonny Valentine's face and voice are wildly popular with out-of-control consumer culture, but at heart he remains devoted to his mother and determined to find his father amid the thousands (millions?) of clamoring fans. A vivid portrayal of the dark side of fame and fortune, The Love Song of Jonny Valentine holds the listener's rapt attention to the very end. 10 CDs, 12 hours.

The Lost Art of Mixing
Erica Bauermeister, author
Cassandra Campbell, narrator
Books on Tape
c/o Random House Audio Books
1745 Broadway, 5th floor
New York, NY 10019
www.booksontape.com
9780385363365 $50.00 www.randomhouse.com

The unabridged audiobook adaptation of Erica Bauermeister's sequel to "The School of Essential Ingredients", The Lost Art of Mixing is a novel following Lillian and the people who come to her restaurant, whether as customers or employees. Al is an accountant who immerses himself in repetitive numbers; Al's wife Louise burns with barely curtailed rage; Chloe is a talented chef whose bitter past has taught her to trust no one; Finnegan is a giant of a man who nonetheless has an eerie talent for blending into the woodwork; and Lillian herself has to grapple with an unexpected shock in her life. Human bonds take center stage in this extraordinary tale of reconciliation, and the healing power of good cuisine shared in steadfast friendship. Highly recommended! 7 CDs, 8 hours 9 min.

Relaxation and Wellness Techniques
Mary Karapetian Alvord, Bonnie Zucker, and Bryce Alvord
Research Press
2612 North Mattis Ave.
Champaign, IL 61822
$19.95 www.researchpress.com

Relaxation and Wellness Techniques: Mastering the Mind-Body Connection is an audio CD of ten guided sessions designed to ease stress, promote inner harmony, and ultimately harness the beneficial power of the mind. Gentle and soothing, the sessions blend seamlessly with the background music composed by Bryce Alvord. Easy to use and benefit from, Relaxation and Wellness Techniques lives up to its title, and is enthusiastically recommended as an excellent way to decompress and unwind from the harrowing pressures of everyday life. 79 min.


The DVD Shelf

Jock Troup & The Fishermen's Revival
Gary Wilkinson
c/o Vision Video (distribution)
P.O. Box 540
Worcester, PA 19490
$19.99 www.visionvideo.com

Jock Troup & The Fisherman's Revival is a vivid DVD documentary about a passionate man who preached to the poor and struggling in the economically lagging fishing ports of Scotland and England, during the roaring 1920's. Originally a small-town cooper (barrel maker) from a tiny village in northern Scotland, Jock Troup carried a strong physical and personal presence, and his force of character was instrumental in sparking a Christian movement so fervent that it was dubbed the "Fisherman's Revival". Jock Troup & The Fishermen's Revival offers interviews with Bible scholars, historians, and even eyewitnesses to reveal the extraordinary true story of the spiritual transformations worked by a charismatic, passionate, and faithful leader. Jock Troup & The Fishermen's Revival offers invaluable insight about revitalizing and reviving the Church; the story of Troup's life and work holds crucial lessons for today's religious leaders. 48 min.

The Syndicate Series 1
Written by Kay Mellor
Acorn Media Group
8515 Georgia Avenue, Suite 620
Silver Spring, MD 20910-3403
9781598289404 $39.99 www.acornonline.com

The Syndicate Series 1 collects the first, five-episode season of a contemporary British drama series following five supermarket employees who are straddling the poverty line. Their store is on the verge of shutting down, when suddenly, their lottery pool hits the jackpot! But the monetary winnings come at a steep cost. One woman struggles in a disintegrating marriage; another is unable to outrun her past. The store manager suffers from a health crisis, and the repercussions of a terrible, desperate crime haunt two brothers. BAFTA-winning writer Kay Mellor has crafted an intricate and thought-provoking human drama with unforgettable, three-dimensional characters. Highly recommended. 5 episodes on 2 DVDs, 270 min., widescreen.

Shaolin Long Fist Kung Fu
Nicholas C. Yang
Special appearance by Dr. Yang, Jwing-Ming
YMAA Publications
PO Box 480
Wolfeboro, NH 03894-0480
9781594392313 $69.95 www.ymaa.com

Part 2 of the "Advanced Sequences" instructional DVD series, Shaolin Long Fist Kung Fu is an in-depth guide especially for intermediate to advanced practitioners of ancient Chinese martial arts. The two sequences presented are grounded in the Cha Quan style, and demonstrated both as exercises and with martial applications. These technique sequences are Si Lu Cha Quan ("Fourth Way of Cha's Fist") and Si Lu Ben Za ("Four Ways of Running and Smashing"); both are a wellspring resource for creating one's own techniques to apply to sparring or self-defense. An exhaustively complex and detailed resource, Shaolin Long Fist Kung Fu is a "must-have" for serious Kung Fu practitioners determined to better their understanding and execution. 2 DVDs, 490 min.

Elements of Yoga series
Tara Lee
www.taraleeyoga.com
New Shoot
www.newshoot.co.uk
c/o 411 Video Information (publicity)
PO Box 1223, Pebble Beach, CA 93953
$14.99 each www.411videoinfo.com

Registered senior teacher of the UK's Yoga Alliance Tara Lee presents the Elements of Yoga series, a set of three DVDs designed to help the viewer learn, practice, and refine their yoga techniques for strength-building, flexibility, and overall wellness. Each DVD consists of three 20-minute segments that may be undertaken individually or in sequence plus multiple bonus features (10 min. on balance, a 10 min. core workout, 10 min. of breathing exercise, and 5 min. devoted to relaxation). "Elements of Yoga: Earth Foundation" is designed for beginners, with an emphasis of learning yoga's foundational techniques; "Air & Water Flow" aids intermediate practitioners in easing tension of hips, opening the chest and heart, and linking breath and movement into an unbroken whole; and "Fire Dynamic" is ideal for intermediate to advanced practioners, with a strong emphasis on improving strength and stamina. All three "Elements of Yoga" DVDs are highly recommended for yoga enthusiasts! 95 min. each, widescreen.

Booty Boot Camp
Kenya Moore
Acacia
8515 Georgia Avenue Suite 650
Silver Spring, MD 20910
9781621720614, $16.99, www.acacialifestyle.com

Twenty minutes is all it truly takes to achieve better fitness. "Booty Boot Camp" is an exercise DVD starring 'The Real Housewives of Atlanta's' Kenya Moore, as she guides viewers through these fat burning and body toning exercises along with fitness instructor Nikki Veal. Focusing on getting the best shape where one seeks, "Booty Boot Camp" has three workouts and plenty of additional content for those looking to push themselves to better health in life. 90 minutes, color, widescreen.

Just Walk
Leslie Sansone
Anchor Bay Entertainment
2401 West Big Beaver Road, Suite 200
Troy, MI 48084-3304
013132597461, $14.98, www.anchorbayentertainment.com

A good walk can do wonders for the overall health. "Just Walk: Belly Blasting Walk" is a fitness encouraging DVD from Leslie Sansone who presents two walking-driven workouts on how to turn an everyday walk into something that burn fat and tone abdominal muscles, and increase overall fitness around the core. "Just Walk" is pick for those who want to kick their walking up a notch. 1 DVD, 54 minutes, color, widescreen.

Exhale: Core Fusion Barre Basics for Beginners
Elisabeth Halfpapp and Fred DeVito
Acacia
8515 Georgia Avenue, Suite 650
Silver Spring, MD 20910
9781621720492 $16.99 www.acacialifestyle.com

Part of the immensely popular "Exhale: Core Fusion" DVD series by Pilates, Lotte Berk Method, yoga, and fitness experts Elisabeth Halfpapp and Fred DeVito, Exhale: Core Fusion Barre Basics for Beginners is a medley of user-friendly barre workouts accessible to viewers of all skill and experience levels. The only equipment needed is a stable chair or barre, and a simple mat. Seven workouts, each ten minutes in length, target the body's different muscle groups, promoting strength and flexibility. The workouts are gathered from three previous programs in the Exhale: Core Fusion series ("Thighs & Glutes", "Pilates Plus", and "Body Sculpt") and enhanced with all-new tutorials. Exhale: Core Fusion Barre Basics for Beginners is an excellent, well-rounded resource for tone and strength conditioning. 70 min. plus tutorials, widescreen.

Prenatal Workouts
Erin O'Brien and Desi Bartlett
Acacia
8515 Georgia Ave., Suite 650
Silver Spring, MD 20910
9781621720676 $24.99 acacialifestyle.com

Prenatal Workouts is a two-DVD set of fitness workouts designed especially for pregnant women; no expensive equipment is needed for either program. "Prenatal Fitness Fix", hosted by celebrity trainer and certified prenatal exercise specialist Erin O'Brien, is a DVD of cardio, muscle-toning, and strength-building activities. A 40-minute solo workout and a 20-minute partner workout (which Erin does with her husband, "Desperate Housewives" actor James Denton) comprise this user-friendly program. "Prenatal Yoga" is a 45-minute guide to the strengthening and stress-relieving practice of Yoga especially for pregnant women; instructor Desi Bartlett guides the viewer to this physically and spiritually uplifting practice. 10 minutes of additional workouts are included. While consulting one's doctor is recommended before embarking on fitness routines during pregnancy, the value of exercise for overall health as well as preparing for the big day of delivery cannot be overstated. Highly recommended, especially as a baby shower gift! 105 min. plus bonus.


The Native American Studies Shelf

Healing Histories
Laurie Meijer Drees
University of Alberta Press
Ring House 2
Edmonton, Alberta, Canada, T6G 2E1
9780888646507, $29.95, www.uap.ualberta.ca

Tuberculosis was a once feared epidemic all over the world. "Healing Histories: Stories from Canada's Indian Hospitals" discusses Canada's Indian health services throughout the beginning of the twentieth century and discusses how the treatment of tuberculosis allowed a bridging between the first nations people and the Canadian government after decades of oppression and cultural persecution. A fascinating read of mending old broken fences, "Healing Histories" is a strong addition to any Canadian history collection focusing on relations with the first nations peoples.


The Military Shelf

They Called Them Soldier Boys
Gregory W. Ball
University of North Texas Press
PO Box 311336
Denton, TX 76203-1336
9781574415001, $29.95, www.unt.edu/untpress

War isn't the place for the farm boy. "They Called Them Soldier Boys: A Texas Infantry Regiment in World War I" tells the story of these regiments from rural Texas, telling the story of nearly 1,100 of these individuals who went to war in the first World War, joining with European armies, their unusual talents applied to war, the rise of experience, and much more throughout the war. "They Called Them Soldier Boys" is a strong addition to history collections focusing on local contributions to the first World War, highly recommended.


The Travel Shelf

New Orleans
Adam Karlin and Amy C. Balfour
Lonely Planet Publications
150 Linden Street
Oakland CA 94607
9781741797763 $19.99 www.lonelyplanet.com

New Orleans is one of Lonely Planet's top-quality, user-friendly travel guides, packed with color maps, informations, and thumbnail descriptions of places to go and things to do in this resilient and resplendent city. A handful of photographs pepper this tourist's "must-have" catalogue of the city's districts, restaurants, music and culture, options for transportation, and much more. Quick-reference symbols (especially ones that highlight such amenities as wi-fi access hotspots, vegetarian cuisine options, pet-friendly locales and much more) help one effectively plan out one's trip in advance, or quickly select an appropriate destination while on the go. Lonely Planet's New Orleans is an absolute "must-have" for anyone new to the city, and even longtime New Orleans residents are likely to find its recommendations and information useful!

Discover Las Vegas
Lonely Planet Publications
150 Linden Street
Oakland CA 94607
9781742209524 $19.99 www.lonelyplanet.com

Winner of the Tripadvisor 2012 Travelers' Choice award, Discover Las Vegas is part of publisher Lonely Planet's long and distinguished tradition of information-packed, easy-to-use reference and resource guides perfect for vacationers, business travelers, and even residents of the great city of Las Vegas! Subdivided by city region and peppered with maps throughout, Discover Las Vegas is filled cover to cover with the addresses, brief reviews, contact information, operating hours, and more of everything from nightclubs to restaurants to spas, casinos, museums, botanical gardens, and much more! A "month-by-month" summary section as well as other solid overviews is perfect to help decide how to match one's vacation against the city's seasonal highlights. Discover Las Vegas is a "must-have" for anyone paying the city a visit!


The Needlecraft Shelf

Printing On Fabric
Jen Swearington
Lark Crafts
67 Broadway
Asheville, NC 28801
9781454703945 $21.95 larkcrafts.com

Featuring more than a dozen "hands-on" projects, Printing on Fabric: Techniques with Screens, Stencils, Inks, and Dyes features meticulous "how-to" instructions for colorful, professional-quality fabric printing. Award-winning quilter and garment designer Jen Swearington covers how to get started with a fabric printing studio; create detailed ink patterns and repeats; safely handle dyes and related chemicals; and much more. Diagrams and full-color photographs on almost every page illustrate this user-friendly resource, highly recommended for anyone interested in fabric printing whether for hobbyist or professional purposes.

Easy Memorabilia Quilts
Trish Bowman
American Quilter's Society
PO Box 3290
Paducah, KY 42002-3290
9781604600568 $24.95 americanquilter.com

Easy Memorabilia Quilts: Ties, T-Shirts, Photos & More has step-by-step instructions and full-color illustrations for crafting memory quilts that display cherished images and mementos, whether from worn T-shirts or baby clothes, hats, emblems, or even awards. Offering seven layouts from wallhanging to bed quilt, Easy Memorabilia Quilts is thoroughly accessible to quilters of all skill and experience levels, even beginners! Highly recommended for needlecraft enthusiasts, especially those interested in creating distinctive and memorable gifts.


The Art Shelf

Taking the Flower Show Home
Bill Schaffer and Kristine Kratt
Schiffer Publishing
4880 Lower Valley Road
Atglen, PA 19310
9780764344305 $45.00 www.schifferbooks.com

Taking the Flower Show Home: Award-Winning Designs from Concept to Completion offers an insider's glimpse into how the authors created six, award-winning floral designs, from original concept sketches, to full-color photography of the steps of construction, to the spectacular and emotionally moving finished creations. Readers are encouraged to try their hand at recreating the designs if they so desire! An inspirational tour of the creative process, Taking the Flower Show Home is a rapturous browsing experience, and a wonderful giftbook to connoisseurs of vibrant, impermanent art.


The Jewelry Shelf

Metallic Seed Bead Splendor
Nancy Zellers
Kalmbach Publishing Company
21027 Crossroads Circle
Waukesha, WI 53186
9780871164841 $19.95 www.kalmbachbooks.com

Illustrated with diagrams and full-color photography throughout, Metallic Seed Bead Splendor is a "hands-on" guide to creating distinctive jewelry (necklaces, bracelets, earrings, and cuffs) with metallic seed beads and just a little bit of needlecraft. A straightforward introduction to the basics of metallic seed bead stitching is at the back of the book to quickly get novices up to speed, but most of Metallic Seed Bead Splendor is devoted to meticulous how-to instructions for over two-dozen handcrafted projects. Highly recommended, especially for adventurous hobbyists!

The Complete Photo Guide to Making Metal Jewelry
John Sartin
Creative Publishing International
c/o Quayside Publishing Group
33 Commercial Street
Gloucester, MA 01930
www.quaysidepublishinggroup.com
9781589237360 $24.99 www.amazon.com

The Complete Photo Guide to Making Metal Jewelry has over 700 full-color photographs illustrating the step-by-step instructions for mastering a variety of crafting techniques and applying them to ten different projects. Suitable for metal jewelry crafters of all skill and experience levels (including rank novices), The Complete Photo Guide to Making Metal Jewelry walks the reader through basic skills (sawing, drilling piercing, filing, and finishing), connections, texturing metal, forging and forming, and setting stones. A list of resources, an appendix of quick reference charts, and an index round out this absolute "must-have" for anyone intrigued by this creative hobby, ideal for designing durable, long-lasting, and distinctive handmade gifts.


The Civil War Shelf

Among the Enemy
Mark Hoffman, editor
Wayne State University Press
The Leonard N. Simons Building
4809 Woodward Avenue
Detroit, MI 48201-1309
9780814334713 $24.95 http://wsupress.wayne.edu

Among the Enemy: A Michigan Soldier's Civil War Journal is the day-by-day writings of William Horton Kimball, member of the First Michigan Engineers and Mechanics. As a military engineer, Kimball served his duty behind the battlefront most of the time, frequently in the company of pro-Confederacy civilians. Though many of his entries are brief, others give a detailed, up-close and personal view of how the Union's war policy toward occupied populations evolved, especially when guerilla warfare made targets of soldiers at the rear. A handful of simple black-and-white maps, a list of Kimball's comrades with thumbnail biographies, and an index round out this captivating and welcome addition to Civil War journal collections.


The Gardening Shelf

Victoria: The Seductress
Tomasz Anisko
Longwood Gardens
1001 Longwood Road, Kennett Square, PA 19348
Carol Morgan (publicist)

9781935442226, $69.99, www.longwoodgardens.org

Longwood Gardens consists of over 1,077 acres of gardens, woodlands, and meadows in Kennett Square, Pennsylvania, United States in the Brandywine Creek Valley. It is one of the premier botanical gardens in the United States and is open to visitors year-round to enjoy exotic plants and horticulture (both indoor and outdoor), events and performances, seasonal and themed attractions, as well as take part in educational lectures, courses, and workshops. The phrase "water lily" is used to describe aquatic plants of the following families, which have lily pads.
"Victoria: The Seductress" by Tomasz Anisko (an accomplished international plant explorer and curator of plants at the Longwood Gardens) is a superbly produced, profusely illustrated, 468 page compendium showcasing the history and beauty of Amazonian water lilies including their discovery, introduction into cultivation, the personal stories of those from around the world that studied and attempted to grow them. Enhanced with a list of References and an Index of People and Places, "Victoria: The Seductress" is informed, informative, and highly recommended for personal, community, academic library Gardening reference collections. Indeed, this elegantly illustrated coffee table book would make an especially appropriate Memorial Fund acquisition for local public library collections.


The Fishing Shelf

The Complete Book of Saltwater Fishing, revised and updated
Milt Rosko
Burford Books, Inc.
101 East State Street, #301
Ithaca, NY 14850
9781580801713 $19.95 www.burfordbooks.com

Now in a revised and updated edition with information on the latest developments in fishing tackle, technique, and conservation, The Complete Book of Saltwater Fishing is a comprehensive guide for anglers of all skill and experience levels. Author Milt Rosko's credentials include hundreds of published articles for magazines such as "Salt Water Sportsman", "Field & Stream", "Outdoor Life", and more; his lifelong love of fishing shows through in his practical-minded, step-by-step advice for everything from selecting and using the right tackle, to which baits and lures are most effective for various fish species, heavy rod-and-reel offshore fishing, wading shallow bays, fishing from jetties and bridges, and much more. Even tips on preparing one's catch for dinner and teaching one's children the joy of fishing are included! The Complete Book of Saltwater Fishing is an absolute "must-have" for any prospective or practicing saltwater fishing enthusiast.


The Gaming Shelf

Treat Your Poker Like A Business
Dusty Schmidt
Cardoza Publishing
5473 South Eastern Avenue
Las Vegas, NV 89119
www.cardozapub.com
9781580423116, $24.95, www.amazon.com

Every poker player who ever watched a televised tournament has thought at one time or another that 'I could beat those guys!". "Treat Your Poker Like A Business" by poker professional Dusty Schmidt is a 187 page compendium of practical advice and instruction on how any poker player confident in their own gaming skills can turn their part time hobby into a full time (and profitable) career. Poker players will learn the strategies and tactics of successfully managing their bankrolls, as well as rationalize variance, play more tables, move up in stakes, avoid tilt, create new sources of revenue, and ultimately make a living as a professional gambler. Of special note are the final two pages of 'Inspiration for a Better Life' quotes. Thoroughly 'user friendly' and offering sound, experience-based insights, "Treat Your Poker Like A Business" is a 'must read' instructional guide and reference for anyone giving serious consideration for becoming a professional poker player.


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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