 |
Book
Reviews,
Book Lover Resources, Advice for Writers and Publishers |
Home / Wisconsin Bookwatch |
Wisconsin Bookwatch
Table of Contents
Reviewer's Choice
Job Man: My Life in Professional Wrestling
Chris Multerer & Larry Widen
Wisconsin Historical Society Press
816 State Street, Madison, WI 53575
www.wisconsinhistory.org
9780870209253, $20.00, PB, 168pp, www.amazon.com
Synopsis: Milwaukee-native Chris Multerer wrestled for more than a decade, starting in 1978, on
professional circuits around the United States. As a "job man", Multerer made the superstars of
wrestling, such as Mad Dog Vachon and Hulk Hogan, shine. In cities around the country,
thousands of screaming fans cheered when their favorite wrestlers pinned and punished Multerer
in a variety of painful ways.
In "Job Man: My Life in Professional Wrestling", Multerer, along with his friend Larry Widen,
shows what life was like for wrestlers outside the spotlight. Long nights on the road, thoughtful
takes on some the biggest personalities in the business, and, perhaps most of all, a love for the
sport, are as much a part of Multerer's revealing and remarkable story as his time in the ring.
Critique: An inherently fascinating and engagingly informative read from first page to last, "Job
Man: My Life in Professional Wrestling" is an extraordinary and unreservedly recommended
addition to both community and academic library Contemporary American Biography
collections. It should be noted for the personal reading lists of all dedicated wrestling fans that
"Job Man: My Life in Professional Wrestling" is also readily available in a digital book format
(Kindle, $9.99).
Editorial Note: Chris Multerer is a retired professional wrestler. He worked for the American
Wrestling Association and the World Wrestling Federation. As a "job man", or a wrestler trained
to perform alongside the headliners, Multerer appeared live and on television with superstars
such as Hulk Hogan. He has run a professional training camp, and supervised the wrestling
choreography in the play Luchadora!
Larry Widen is a Milwaukee author and has been friends with Chris Multerer for more than forty
years.
RuPaul: In His Own Words
Rachel Hinton & Helena Hunt, editors
Agate B2
c/o Agate Publishing
1328 Greenleaf Street, Evanston, IL 60202
www.agatepublishing.com
9781572842793, $12.95, PB, 224pp, www.amazon.com
Synopsis: RuPaul Andre Charles (born November 17, 1960) is an American drag queen, actor,
model, singer, songwriter, and television personality. Since 2009, he has produced and hosted the
reality competition series RuPaul's Drag Race, for which he has received six Primetime Emmy
Awards, in 2016, 2017, 2018, and 2019. RuPaul is considered to be the most commercially
successful drag queen in the United States. In 2017, he was included in the annual Time 100 list
of the most influential people in the world. In 2019, Fortune noted RuPaul as "easily the world's
most famous" drag queen. (Wikipedia)
Collaboratively compiled and co-edited by Rachel Hinton and Helena Hunt, "RuPaul: In His
Own Words" is an impressive collection of quotes has been carefully curated from RuPaul's
numerous public statements including interviews, books, social media posts, television
appearances, and more. "RuPaul: In His Own Words" provides a comprehensive picture of his
decades-long career, his transformative effect on pop culture, and his wise perspective on
identity, love, and life.
Critique: Simply speaking, "RuPaul: In His Own Words" is essential reading for the legions of
RuPaul fans and will prove to be an immediate and enduringly popular addition to community,
college, and university library collections. It should be noted for the personal reading lists of all
dedicated RuPaul fans that "RuPaul: In His Own Words" is also readily available in a digital
book format (Kindle, $9.97). Now, for the first time, you can find his most inspirational,
thought-provoking quotes in one place.
The Writing/Publishing Shelf
Writer's Notebook: A Guided Journal to Plan Your Story
Liz Delton
www.lizdelton.com
Tourmaline & Quartz Publishing
9781734523102, $11.95, PB, 126pp, www.amazon.com
Synopsis: "Writer's Notebook: A Guided Journal to Plan Your Story" by Liz Delton is
specifically intended for anyone who has ever wanted to write a book. It will also have practical
value for experienced writers engaged in starting their next story.
Aspiring authors can get their thoughts on paper by writing all your story ideas in this
pre-organized journal. This notebook is part blank journal, part guided story planner. There's
plenty of room for to customize notes, and enough guidance to help figure out plot, characters,
and publishing goals.
Critique: A consumable instructional guide and thoroughly 'user friendly' DIY manual, "Writer's
Notebook: A Guided Journal to Plan Your Story " is an especially recommended and highly
valued addition to any writer's personal reference shelf.
Editorial Note: Liz Delton writes and lives in New England, with her husband and amazing son.
She studied Theater Management at the University of the Arts in Philly, always having enjoyed
the backstage life of storytelling. She loves reading and writing fantasy, especially the kind with
alternate worlds. Liz is the author of the Arcera Trilogy, and the Realm of Camellia series.
World-building is her favorite part of writing, and she is always dreaming up new fantastic
places.
The Write to Happiness
Samantha Shad
Morgan James Publishing
11815 Fountain Way, Suite 300, Newport News, VA 23606-4448
www.morganjamespublishing.com
9781642798098, $17.95, PB, 288pp, www.amazon.com
Synopsis: What happens when aspiring writers compose stories? Neuro science reveals that
writing stories transforms their brains and their minds.
"The Write to Happiness: How to Write Stories to Change Your Brain and Your Life" by
Samantha Shad is an impressively practical tool that can help writers to change their lives in the
direction they choose. In this strikingly original writing manual, Samantha Shad teaches aspiring
writers not only how to write great stories, but also how writing will change their life for the
better.
The process of changing the brain and the process of writing a great story are the same. "The
Write to Happiness" teaches professional story structure to help writers to understand and use the
power of storytelling. Those writers will also learn why gossip is central to survival, how
forgetting creates meaning, and why accurate memory is a joke!
Critique: Effective storytelling is at the heart of any writer's success in both fiction and non-
fiction. "The Write to Happiness: How to Write Stories to Change Your Brain and Your Life"
should be considered essential reading for anyone seeking to write either for their own personal
and private benefit or for publication and the benefit or entertainment of others. While
unreservedly recommended for personal, professional, community, and academic library
Writing/Publishing collections, it should be noted that "The Write to Happiness: How to Write
Stories to Change Your Brain and Your Life" is also readily available in a digital book format
(Kindle, $9.99).
Editorial Note: Samantha Shad was a member of the bar in three states and a practicing
entertainment attorney in Beverly Hills before she turned her attention to screenwriting. She
wrote twenty feature film scripts for the major studios, including Class Action (Twentieth
Century Fox), as well as feature length and episodic television for each of the major networks,
including the movie Vanished Without A Trace (NBC-Universal). Each story increased the joy in
her life. She learned how to write her story to right her life. She now teaches advanced writing
and leads seminars on how to Write to Happiness.
The Music Shelf
Mutations
Sam McPheeters
Rare Bird Books
453 S. Spring Street, Suite 302, Los Angels, CA 90013
https://rarebirdlit.com
9781947856981, $18.00, PB, 312pp, www.amazon.com
Synopsis: How can so many people pledge allegiance to punk, something with no fixed identity?
Depending on who and where you are, punk can be an outlet, excuse, lifestyle, escapism,
conversation, community, ideology, sales category, social movement, punishable offense, badge
of authenticity, reason to drink beer forever, or an aesthetic of belligerent incompetence. And if
someone has a strong belief about what punk is, odds are they have even stronger feelings about
what punk is not.
Sam McPheeters championed many different versions. Over the course of two decades, he
fronted Born Against, released dozens of records and fanzines, and toured seventeen times across
the northern hemisphere. In this collection of essays, profiles, criticism, and personal history, he
examines the diverse realms he intersected (New York hardcore, Riot Grrrl, Gilman street, the
hidden enclaves of Olympia, and New England, and downtown Los Angeles) and the forces of
mental illness and creative inspiration that drove him, and others, in the first place.
Critique: An absolutely essential study for students and fans of the Punk Rock movement in
music, "Mutations: The Many Strange Faces of Hardcore Punk" is an extraordinary and pitch-
perfect history that will prove to be an immediate and enduringly popular addition to both
community and academic library American Music History in general, and Punk Rock music
history in particular. It should be noted for the personal reading lists of students, academia, punk
rock enthusiasts, and non-specialist general readers with an interest in the subject that
"Mutations: The Many Strange Faces of Hardcore Punk" is also readily available in a digital
book format (Kindle, $10.49).
Editorial Note: In 1981, at age twelve, Sam McPheeters co-authored Travelers Tales: Rumors
and Legends of the Albany-Saratoga Region. Starting in 1989, he sang for Born Against, Men's
Recovery Project, and Wrangler Brutes, touring seventeen times across North America, Europe,
and Japan. Since 2009, he has written for Criterion, Vice, and The Village Voice, among
others.
The Pets/Wildlife Shelf
Older Dog? No Worries!
Sian Ryan
Hubble & Hattie
www.hubbleandhattie.com
9781787113664, $17.99, PB, 72pp, www.amazon.com
Synopsis: As they grow older, what dogs need will change, -- and they may not be as mentally,
physically, or emotionally robust as they once were. But as a canine companion, older dogs are a
joy and a privilege to care for, with opportunities to further strengthen a relationship with them as
we adapt to their changing needs. "Older Dog? No Worries!", part of the No Worries! series by
Sian Ryan and encourages dog owners to consider their dog's individuality, and adapt or
introduce activities that help maintain their mental agility, emotional resilience, and physical
health. Drawing upon the latest research to provide ideas for maximizing an aging dog's
well-being, the individual chapters allow the development of a personalized care plan for a dog,
that incorporates new or amended ideas into their daily routine, and to make simple changes to a
home, garden, car, and walks, to ensure that an older dog is happy, safe, and invigorated.
Critique: Profusely illustrated throughout with full color photography, "Older Dog? No Worries!:
Maintaining Physical, Mental and Emotional Well-being in Your Golden Oldie" is a thoroughly
'user friendly' instructional guide and reference. Expert advice expertly provided, "Older Dog?
No Worries!" is an extraordinary and unreservedly recommended addition to personal,
professional, and community library Pets/Wildlife collections. It should be noted for anyone with
an aging canine companion that "Older Dog? No Worries!" is also readily available in a digital
book format (Kindle, $7.99).
The Business Shelf
Essentials of Thought Leadership and Content Marketing
Paul M. Kaplan
Quill Driver Books
2006 South Mary, Fresno, CA 93721
www.quilldriverbooks.com
9781610353168, $18.95, PB, 240pp, www.amazon.com
Synopsis: What's the connection between thought leadership and increased sales? Consistent
strategy. Thought leadership and content marketing can be powerful tools for your business, but
to use them to their fullest potential, you need to have a plan. "Essentials of Thought Leadership
and Content Marketing: Boost Your Brand, Increase Your Market Share, and Generate Qualified
Leads" by Paul M. Kaplan helps businessmen and entrepreneurs to create a comprehensive and
rigorous content marketing strategy in which every piece works together to meet their business
goals.
Comprehensive, results-oriented, and practical, "Essentials of Thought Leadership and Content
Marketing" covers every aspect of content marketing: researching customer needs; identifying
your company's areas of expertise; generating thought leadership articles and other content;
communicating content through email, social media, web marketing, and traditional media;
evaluating response; generating sales leads; and measuring results.
Even more important, "Essentials of Thought Leadership and Content Marketing" shows how to
coordinate these strategic elements to an overall plan. Interviews with business leaders and case
studies show how content marketing concepts work in the real world.
Critique: Impressively informative, expertly written, organized and presented, "Essentials of
Thought Leadership and Content Marketing: Boost Your Brand, Increase Your Market Share,
and Generate Qualified Leads" is especially recommended reading for marketers, advertising
professionals, entrepreneurs, and those who work in some capacity with content marketing
whether in B2B or B2C business, for-profit or nonprofit. While unreservedly recommended for
community, corporate, and academic library Business Management & Internet Marketing
collections, it should be noted for personal reading lists that "Essentials of Thought Leadership
and Content Marketing" is also readily available in a digital book format (Kindle, $8.69).
Editorial Note: Paul M. Kaplan has worked in marketing for over fifteen years, focusing on
content marketing and thought leadership, digital media, and product strategy for
industry-leading companies, including Barnes & Noble, Inc., American Express, Broadridge
Financial Solutions, and McGraw-Hill. Kaplan earned a BA from Yale College and an MBA
from Yale School of Management.
Context Marketing Revolution
Mathew Sweezey
mathewsweezey.com
Harvard Business Review Press
60 Harvard Way, Boston, MA 02163
http://hbr.org/books
9781633694026, $32.00, HC, 240pp, www.amazon.com
Synopsis: We are in the midst of a massive media revolution. For the first time in history,
ordinary people around the world have the ability to create, distribute, and consume content
instantly, from anywhere, using connected devices. The massive increase in media "noise"
created by these consumers and devices creates an entirely new situation that makes conventional
marketing models obsolete. And yet countless companies and marketing organizations continue
to rely on traditional models, assuming that their "campaigns" will sway customers. They
couldn't be more wrong.
"Context Marketing Revolution: How to Motivate Buyers in the Age of Infinite Media" offers an
informative, provocative and practical instructional guide and manual in which salesforce
marketing maven Mathew Sweezey boldly outlines this new "infinite media" environment and
poses a profound question: In a transformed world where customers shape their own experience,
what is the key to breaking through and motivating them to buy? It is context--the close linkage
between an individual's immediate desires and the experiences a brand creates to fulfill
them.
Drawing on new research and new insights into current consumer psychology, Sweezey defines
the five key elements of context. Customer experiences must be: Available: Helping people
achieve the value they seek in the moment; Permissioned: Giving people what they've asked for,
on their terms; Personal: Going beyond how personal it is to how personally you can deliver it;
Authentic: Combining voice, empathy, and brand congruence simultaneously; Purposeful:
Creating a deeper connection to the brand, beyond the product.
Sweezey uses vivid examples to highlight a new marketing model used by high-performing
brands big and small. The final part of "Context Marketing Revolution" shifts to execution,
providing a new rule book for context-based marketing.
Critique: Exceptionally and impressively 'reader friendly' in tone, commentary, organization and
presentation, "Context Marketing Revolution: How to Motivate Buyers in the Age of Infinite
Media" is an ideal and unreservedly recommended addition to professional, community,
corporate, college, and university library Business Management & Media Marketing collections
and supplemental curriculum studies lists. It should be noted for the personal reading lists of
entrepreneurs, corporate executives, marketing managers, MBA students, academia, and non-
specialist general readers with an interest in the subject that "Context Marketing Revolution:
How to Motivate Buyers in the Age of Infinite Media" is also readily available in a digital book
format (Kindle, $18.49).
Editorial Note: A researcher, thinker, award-winning marketer, and writer who his work has
appeared in leading publications such as AdAge, Forbes, Brand Quarterly, The Economist, and
The Observer, Mathew Sweezey is the Principal of Marketing Insights for Salesforce. He is the
also author of Marketing Automation for Dummies. He keynotes at conferences around the world
and routinely works with the world's largest and most well-respected brands, including UPS,
Home Depot, AT&T, and Dell.
The Blueprint
Douglas Conant & Amy Federman
Wiley
c/o Wiley Professional Trade Group
111 River Street, Hoboken, NJ 07030-5774
www.wiley.com
9781119560029, $28.00, HC, 368pp, www.amazon.com
Synopsis: In 1984, Doug Conant was fired without warning and with barely an explanation. He
felt hopeless and stuck but, surprisingly, this defeating turn of events turned out to be the best
thing that ever happened to him. Doug began to consider what might be holding him back from
realizing his potential, fulfilling his dreams, and making a bigger impact on the world around
him.
Embarking on a journey of self-reflection and discovery, he forged a path to revolutionize his
leadership and transform his career trajectory. Ultimately, Doug was able to condense his
remarkable leadership story into six practical steps. It wasn't until Doug worked through these six
steps that he was able to lift his leadership to heights that ultimately brought him career success,
joy, and fulfillment. Those steps were: Reach High - Envision; Dig Deep - Reflect; Lay the
Groundwork - Study; Design - Plan; Build - Practice; Reinforce - Improve.
Part leadership manifesto, part practical manual, in "The Blueprint: 6 Practical Steps to Lift Your
Leadership to New Heights" Doug teaches leaders how to work through the same six steps that
he used to transform his journey. The six steps are manageable and incremental, designed to fit
practically within the pace of busy modern life. Knowing how daunting the prospect of change
can be, Doug arms readers with exercises and practices to realistically bring their foundation to
life in every situation. Now, today's leaders who feel stuck and overwhelmed finally have a
blueprint for lifting their leadership to make meaningful change in their organizations and in the
world.
Critique: Expertly and effectively written, organized and presented, "The Blueprint: 6 Practical
Steps to Lift Your Leadership to New Heights" is an extraordinary and thoroughly 'user friendly'
instructional guide and manual that is especially and unreservedly recommended for community,
corporate, and academic library Business/Entrepreneurial Development & Management
collections. It should be noted for the personal reading lists of MBA students, academia,
entrepreneurs, corporate executives, and non-specialist general readers with an interest in the
subject that "The Blueprint: 6 Practical Steps to Lift Your Leadership to New Heights" is also
readily available in a digital book format (Kindle, $11.99).
Editorial Note: Doug Conant is the Founder of ConantLeadership, a former CEO of Campbell
Soup Company, and former President of Nabisco Foods, shares transformational insights in his
new book, The Blueprint. Conant is the only former Fortune 500 CEO who is a New York Times
bestselling author, a top 50 Leadership Innovator, a Top 100 Leadership Speaker, and a Top 100
Most Influential Author in the World.
Leading with Gratitude
Adrian Gostick & Chester Elton
Harper Business
c/o HarperCollins Publishers
195 Broadway, New York, New York 10007
www.harpercollins.com
9780062965783, $29.99, HC, 272pp, www.amazon.com
Synopsis: Workers want and need to know their work is appreciated. Showing gratitude to
employees is the easiest, fastest, most inexpensive way to boost performance. New research
shows that gratitude boosts employee engagement, reduces turnover, and leads team members to
express more gratitude to one another -- strengthening team bonds. Studies have also shown that
gratitude is beneficial for those expressing it and is one of the most powerful variables in
predicting a person's overall well-being -- above money, health, and optimism. The WD-40
Company knows this firsthand. When the leadership gave thousands of managers training in
expressing gratitude to their employees, the company saw record increases in revenue.
In "Leading with Gratitude: Eight Leadership Practices for Extraordinary Business Results"
Adrian Gostick and Chester Elton introduce eight simple ways managers can show employees
they are valued. They supplement their insights and advice with stories of how many of today's
most successful leaders (such as Alan Mulally of Ford and Hubert Joly of Best Buy) successfully
incorporated gratitude into their leadership styles.
Showing gratitude isn't just about being nice, it's about being smart and successful. With
"Leading with Gratitude: Eight Leadership Practices for Extraordinary Business Results" it is a
skill that everyone can easily learn and apply.
Critique: Exceptionally well written, organized and presented, "Leading with Gratitude: Eight
Leadership Practices for Extraordinary Business Results" should be considered essential reading
for anyone charged with a management responsibility on any level. While unreservedly
recommended for community, corporate, and academic library Business Management
collections, it should be noted for personal reading lists that "Leading with Gratitude: Eight
Leadership Practices for Extraordinary Business Results" is also readily available in a digital
book format (Kindle, $15.99) and as a complete and unabridged audio book (Blackstone Audio,
9781094115337, $29.99, CD).
Editorial Note: Adrian Gostick is the coauthor of The Carrot Principle and The Orange
Revolution, a guide on workplace strategy and employee engagement. His research has been
featured in numerous national publications and endorsed by Larry King of CNN. In addition to
writing and teaching, he is a founder of the training and consulting firm The Culture Works.
Chester Elton is vice president of performance at the O. C. Tanner Company and a popular
public speaker. He has been the subject of feature articles in the New York Times and Wall
Street Journal, and he has spoken on the subject of employee recognition and motivation on
ABC, CNBC, and NPR. He is coauthor, with Adrian Gostick, of A Carrot a Day and The
24-Carrot Manager.
The General Fiction Shelf
The Road to Delano
John DeSimone
Rare Bird Books
453 S. Spring Street, Suite 302, Los Angels, CA 90013
https://rarebirdlit.com
9781644280317, $26.00, HC, 320pp, www.amazon.com
Synopsis: A high school senior, Jack Duncan dreams of playing college baseball and leaving the
political turmoil of the agricultural town Delano behind. Ever since his father, a grape grower,
died ten years earlier, he's suspected that his mother has been hiding the truth from him about the
suspicious circumstances surrounding the death.
With his family's property on the verge of a tax sale, Jack drives an old combine into town to sell
it. On the road, an old friend of his father shows up with evidence that Jack's father was
murdered. Armed with this new information, Jack embarks on a mission to discover the entire
truth, not just about his father but the corruption endemic in the Central Valley.
When Jack's girlfriend warns him not to do anything to jeopardize their post graduation plans and
refuses to help him, Jack turns to his best friend, Adrian, the son of a boycotting fieldworker who
works closely with Cesar Chavez. The boys' dangerous plan to rescue the Duncan family farm
leaves Adrian in a catastrophic situation, and Jack must step up to the plate and rescue his family
and his friend before he can make his escape from Delano.
Critique: An original and deftly crafted novel that showcases author John DeSimone's impressive
flair for originality and the kind of narrative storytelling style that keeps the reader's total
attention from cover to cover, "The Road To Delano" is certain to be an immediate and
enduringly popular addition to community library Contemporary General Fiction collections. It
should be noted for personal reading lists and community libraries that "The Road To Delano" is
also readily available as a complete and unabridged audio book (HighBridge Audio,
9781684572403, $39.99, CD).
Sharks in the Time of Saviors
Kawai Strong Washburn
Farrar, Straus & Giroux
175 Varick Street, 9th Floor, New York, NY 10014
www.fsgbooks.com
9780374272081, $27.00, HC, 384pp, www.amazon.com
Synopsis: In 1995 Kailua-Kona, Hawaii, on a rare family vacation, seven-year-old Nainoa Flores
falls overboard a cruise ship into the Pacific Ocean. When a shiver of sharks appears in the water,
everyone fears for the worst. But instead, Noa is gingerly delivered to his mother in the jaws of a
shark, marking his story as the stuff of legends.
Nainoa's family, struggling amidst the collapse of the sugarcane industry, hails his rescue as a
sign of favor from ancient Hawaiian gods -- a belief that appears validated after he exhibits
puzzling new abilities. But as time passes, this supposed divine favor begins to drive the family
apart: Nainoa, working now as a paramedic on the streets of Portland, struggles to fathom the full
measure of his expanding abilities; further north in Washington, his older brother Dean hurtles
into the world of elite college athletics, obsessed with wealth and fame; while in California,
risk-obsessed younger sister Kaui navigates an unforgiving academic workload in an attempt to
forge her independence from the family's legacy.
When supernatural events revisit the Flores family in Hawai'i (with tragic consequences) they are
all forced to reckon with the bonds of family, the meaning of heritage, and the cost of
survival.
Critique: "Sharks in the Time of Saviors" is all the more impressive when considering that is
author Kawai Strong Washburn's debut as a novelist. A compelling and original story set in
Hawaii, "Sharks in the Time of Saviors" is an inherently riveting read from beginning to end.
While certain to be an immediate and enduringly popular addition to community and academic
library Contemporary Literary Fiction collections, it should be noted for personal reading lists
that "Sharks in the Time of Saviors" is also readily available in a paperback edition
(9781786896490, $19.00) and in a digital book format (Kindle, $13.99).
What She Lost
Melissa W. Hunter
Cynren Press
9781947976191, $17.00, PB, 320pp, www.amazon.com
Synopsis: For thirteen-year-old Sarah Waldman, life in the small Polish town of Olkusz is idyllic,
grounded in her loving, close-knit family and the traditions of their Jewish faith.
But in 1939, as the Nazis come to power, a storm is gathering -- a relentless, unforgiving storm
that will sweep Sarah and her family into years of turmoil in the ghetto and concentration camps,
tearing them apart. Will Sarah's strong will and determination be enough for her to survive when
everything she loves is taken from her?
Part memoir, part fiction, "What She Lost" is the re-imagined true-life story of the author Melissa
W. Hunter's grandmother growing into a woman amid the anguish of the Holocaust. It is a tale of
resilience, of rebuilding a life, and of rediscovering love.
Critique: An inherently fascinating and deftly crafted novel that is based on real events and
people, "What She Lost" is an extraordinary read and one that will linger in the mind and
memory long after the book itself has been finished and set back upon the shelf. While
unreservedly recommended for community library collections, it should be noted for personal
reading lists that "What She Lost" is also readily available in a digital book format (Kindle,
$9.99).
Isaiah's Legacy: A Novel of Prophets and Kings
Mesu Andrews
WaterBrook Press
c/o WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group
10807 New Allegiance Drive Suite 500, Colorado Springs, CO 80921
http://waterbrookmultnomah.com
9780735291881, $16.99, PB, 400pp, www.amazon.com
Synopsis: At eight years old, Shulle has known only life in a small village with her loving but
peculiar father. When Uncle Shebna offers shelter in Jerusalem in exchange for Shulle's help
tutoring King Manasseh, Judah's five-year-old co-regent who displays the same peculiarities as
her father, she's eager to experience the royal court. But Shulle soon realizes the limits of her
father's strict adherence to Yahweh's Law when Uncle Shebna teaches her of the starry hosts and
their power.
Convinced Judah must be freed from Yahweh's chains, she begins the subtle swaying of young
Manasseh, using her charm and skills on the boy no one else understands. When King Hezekiah
dies, twelve-year-old Manasseh is thrust onto Judah's throne, bitter at Yahweh and eager to marry
the girl he adores. Assyria's crown prince favors Manasseh and twists his brilliant mind toward
cruelty, beginning Shulle's long and harrowing journey to discover the Yahweh she'd never
known, guided with loving wisdom by Manasseh's mother: Isaiah's daughter, the heartbroken
Hephzibah.
Amid Judah's dark days, a desperate remnant emerges, claiming the Lord's promise, "Though
we're helpless now, we're never hopeless -- because we serve El Shaddai." Shulle is among them,
a girl who becomes a queen through Isaiah's legacy.
Critique: A superbly crafted and biblical inspired historical novel by an author with a genuine
flair for originality and the kind of narrative storytelling that holds the reader's rapt attention
throughout, "Isaiah's Legacy" by Mesu Andrews will prove to be an enduringly popular addition
to community library collections. It should be noted for personal reading lists that "Isaiah's
Legacy" is also readily available in a digital book format ($11.99). Librarians should also be
aware that there is a large print edition of "Isaiah's Legacy" (Center Point Publishing,
9781643585970, $36.95, Library Binding, 500pp).
Irish Above All
Mary Pat Kelly
Forge Books
c/o Tor/Forge Books
175 Fifth Avenue, New York, NY 10010
www.tor-forge.com
9780765380883, $27.99, HC, 512pp, www.amazon.com
Synopsis: After ten years in Paris, where she learned photography and became part of the
movement that invented modern art, Chicago-born, Irish-American Nora Kelly is at last returning
home. Her skill as a photographer will help her cousin Ed Kelly in his rise to Mayor of Chicago.
But when she captures the moment an assassin's bullet narrowly misses President-elect Franklin
Roosevelt and strikes Anton Cermak in February 1933, she enters a world of international
intrigue and danger.
Now, she must balance family obligations against her encounters with larger-than-life historical
characters, such as Joseph Kennedy, Big Bill Thompson, Al Capone, Mussolini, and the circle of
women who surround F.D.R. Nora moves through the Roaring Twenties, the Great Depression,
and World War II, but it's her unexpected trip to Ireland that transforms her life.
Critique: An inherently interesting historical novel by Mary Pat Kelly, "Irish Above All" is the
kind of book that blockbuster movies are made. Deftly written in that kind of narrative
storytelling style that will keep and hold the reader's rapt attention from beginning to end, "Irish
Above All" is certain to be an enduringly popular addition to community library History Fiction
collections. It should be noted for personal reading lists that "Irish Above All" is also readily
available in a paperback edition (9780765380890, $17.99) and in a digital book format (Kindle,
$9.99).
Diamonds Are a Girl's Best Friend
Jenny Colgan
William Morrow & Company
c/o HarperCollins Publishers
195 Broadway New York, New York 10007
www.harpercollins.com
9780062869586, $16.99, PB, 400pp, www.amazon.com
Synopsis: Sophie Chesterton is London's "It Girl". She knows all the right people, goes to all the
right parties, and wears all the right clothes -- and her rich parents pay for everything. But deep
down she suspects that her best "friends" (and her posh lifestyle) are nothing but shallow
fakes.
Then one evening Sophie's life takes a shocking, drastic turn, and her father decides it's high time
for the party girl to make her own way in the world. Forced to earn a meager living as a lowly
assistant to a "glamour" photographer, live in a shabby flat with four smelly boys, and eating
baked beans from the can -- Sophie is desperate to get her old life back, at any cost. But does a
girl really need diamonds to be happy?
Critique: With a subtly embedded message about the pitfalls of unearned wealth and the value of
true happiness, "Diamonds Are a Girl's Best Friend" is an extraordinarily entertaining novel by
an author with a genuine gift for imaginative and engaging storytelling. While a certain and
unreservedly recommended addition to all community library Contemporary General Fiction
collections, it should be noted for personal reading lists that "Diamonds Are a Girl's Best Friend"
is also readily available in a digital book format (Kindle, $11.99) and as a complete and
unabridged audio book (Blackstone Audio, 9781094116143, $29.99, CD). Full of warmth and
sparkle, Diamonds are a Girl's Best Friend is a surprisingly winning tale about luxury, life
lessons, and the surprisingly low cost of true happiness.
Hillbilly Hustle
Wesley Browne
West Virginia University Press
1535 Mileground, Morgantown, WV 26506
www.wvupressonline.com
9781949199284, $19.99, PB, 263pp, www.amazon.com
Synopsis: Knox Thompson thinks he's working a hustle, but it's a hustle that's working him.
Trying to keep his pizza shop and parents afloat, he cleans out a backroom Kentucky poker game
only to be roped into dealing marijuana by the proprietor -- an arrangement Knox only
halfheartedly resists.
Knox's shop makes the perfect front for a marijuana operation, but his supplier turns out to be
violent and calculating, and Knox ends up under his thumb. It's not long before more than just
the pizza shop is at risk.
Critique: A deftly crafted novel by an author with a genuine flair for originality and the kind of
narrative storytelling style that keeps his reader's rapt and continuing attention from first page to
last, "Hillbilly Hustle" by Wesley Brown is an especially and unreservedly recommended
addition to community library Contemporary General Fiction collections. It should be noted for
the personal reading lists of all dedicated crime thriller fans that "Hillbilly Hustle" is also readily
available in a digital book format (Kindle, $15.99).
The Body Politic
Brian Platzer
Atria Books
c/o Simon & Schuster
1230 Avenue of the Americas, New York, NY 10020
www.simonandschuster.com
9781501180774, $27.00, HC, 320pp, www.amazon.com
Synopsis: New York City is still regaining its balance in the years following 9/11, when four
twenty-somethings (Tess, Tazio, David, and Angelica) meet in a bar, each yearning for
something: connection, recognition, a place in the world, a cause to believe in. Nearly fifteen
years later, as their city recalibrates in the wake of the 2016 election, their bond has endured --
but almost everything else has changed.
As freshmen at Cooper Union, Tess and Tazio were the ambitious, talented future of the art
world -- but by thirty-six, Tess is married to David, the mother of two young boys, and working
as an understudy on Broadway. Kind and steady, David is everything Tess lacked in her own
childhood -- but a recent freak accident has left him with befuddling symptoms, and she's still
adjusting to her new role as caretaker.
Meanwhile, Tazio (who once had a knack for earning the kind of attention that Cooper Union
students long for) has left the art world for a career in creative branding and politics. But in
December 2016, fresh off the astonishing loss of his candidate, Tazio is adrift, and not even his
gorgeous and accomplished fiancee, Angelica, seems able to get through to him. With tensions
rising on the national stage, the four friends are forced to face the reality of their shared histories,
especially a long-ago betrayal that has shaped every aspect of their friendship.
Critique: A deftly crafted novel that insightfully explores the human condition in terms of
commitments, the necessity of forgiveness, and the way that secrets will inevitably be revealed,
"The Body Politic" by Brian Platzer is an especially and unreservedly recommended addition to
community library Contemporary Literary Fiction collections. It should be noted for personal
reading lists that "The Body Politic" is also readily available in a paperback edition
(9781501180781, $17.99) and in a digital book format (Kindle, $12.99).
Two Blankets, Three Sheets
Rodaan Al Galidi, author
Jonathan Reeder, translator
World Editions
https://www.worldeditions.org
9781642860450, $16.99, PB, 356pp, www.amazon.com
Synopsis: Amsterdam Airport, 1998. Samir Karim steps off a plane from Vietnam, flushes his
fake passport down the toilet, and requests asylum. Fleeing Iraq to avoid conscription into
Saddam Hussein's army, he has spent seven years anonymously wandering through Asia. Now,
safely in the heart of Europe, he is sent to an asylum center and assigned a bed in a shared dorm -
- where he will spend the next nine years. As he navigates his way around the absurdities of
Dutch bureaucracy, Samir tries his best to get along with his 500 new housemates. Told with
compassion and a unique sense of humor, this is an inspiring tale of survival, a close-up view of
the hidden world of refugees and human smugglers, and a sobering reflection of our times.
Critique: Ably translated into English for an American readership by Jonathan Reeder, "Two
Blankets, Three Sheets" is a deftly written and engaging novel that showcases author Rodaan Al
Galidi's exceptionally effective narrative storytelling style. While especially and unreservedly
recommended for both community and academic library Contemporary Literary Fiction
collections, it should be noted for personal reading lists that "Two Blankets, Three Sheets" is also
readily available in a digital book format (Kindle, $10.69).
The Deadly Kiss-Off
Paul Di Filippo
Blackstone Publisher
31 Mistletoe Road, Ashland, OR 97520
www.BlackstoneAudio.com
9781538450291, $26.99, HC, 336pp, www.amazon.com
Synopsis: As part of their trafficking in counterfeit merchandise, consummate con-artists Glen
and Stan are looking to turn a few pallets of Grade Z computer chips into some military hardware
sure to interest dictators and despots and drug lords around the globe. Bankrolled by a greedy
local crime boss, the two of them hope to promote a half-genius, half-addlepated invention from
a naive and principled inventor into a bonanza. But no one ever counts on complications arising
from a wayward wife, some sexy Eurotrash go-betweens, and a lonely entrepreneurial girlfriend
who finds her native tropical isle conducive to a troublesome loosening of morals. Add in a most
unconventional explosives expert, and "The Deadly Kiss-Off" by Paul Di Filippo is a true page-
turner of a compulsive read from first page to last.
Critique: "The Deadly Kiss-Off" by Paul Di Filippo is another of the author's original and
thoroughly entertaining novels by a master of an impressively effective and reader engaging
narrative storytelling style. While certain to be an immediate and enduringly popular addition to
community library Contemporary General Fiction collections, it should be noted for personal
reading lists that "The Deadly Kiss-Off" is also readily available in a paperback edition
(9781094091082, $16.99), in a digital book format (Kindle, $8.69), and as a complete an
unabridged audio book (Blackstone Audio, 9781538404690, $29.95, CD).
Followers
Megan Angelo
Graydon House
http://graydonhousebooks.com
9781525836268, $26.99, HC, 384pp, www.amazon.com
Synopsis: Orla Cadden is a budding novelist stuck in a dead-end job, writing clickbait about
movie-star hookups and influencer yoga moves. Then Orla meets Floss who is a striving,
wannabe A-lister that comes up with a plan for launching them both into the high-profile lives
they dream about. So what if Orla and Floss's methods are a little shady -- and sometimes people
get hurt? Their legions of followers can't be wrong.
Thirty-five years later, in a closed California village where government-appointed celebrities live
every moment of the day on camera, a woman named Marlow discovers a shattering secret about
her past. Despite her massive popularity (twelve million loyal followers!) Marlow dreams of
fleeing the corporate sponsors who would do anything to keep her on-screen. When she learns
that her whole family history is based on a lie, Marlow finally summons the courage to run in
search of the truth, no matter the risks.
The paths of Orla, Floss and Marlow are deftly traced as they wind through time toward each
other, and toward a cataclysmic event that sends America into lasting upheaval. At turns wry and
tender, bleak and hopeful, this darkly funny story reminds us that even if we obsess over famous
people we'll never meet, what we really crave is genuine human connection.
Critique: An inherently fascinating read from cover to cover, "Followers" by Megan Angelo
showcase the author's genuine flair for originality and the kind of narrative storytelling skill set
that will fully engage the reader from beginning to end. Certain to be an immediate and
enduringly popular addition to community library Contemporary Literary Fiction collections, it
should be noted for personal reading lists that "Followers" is also readily available in a paperback
edition (9781525809965, $17.99), in a digital book format (Kindle, $9.99), and as a complete
and unabridged audio book (Blackstone Audio, 9781094097466, $39.99, MP3 CD).
Weird Pig
Robert Long Foreman
Southeast Missouri State University Press
One University Plaza, MS 2650, Cape Girardeau, MO 63701
http://www.semopress.com
9781732039971, $18.00, PB, 266pp, www.amazon.com
Synopsis: Weird Pig is a pig who wants to do right. But doing right isn't always easy. He drinks.
He eats pork chops. He rides a skateboard. He gets his fellow farm animals murdered, and fathers
an illegitimate son who has a messiah complex.
When Weird Pig leaves the farm he calls home, he inspires a series of children's books that help
bring on the end of his little world -- a farm where human and beast alike toil in the shadow of an
ever-growing factory livestock complex.
In "Weird Pig" by Robert Long Foreman, and from farm to table and beyond, readers will follow
the misadventures of Weird Pig in a kaleidoscopic portrait of America as seen through the eyes
of a crazed animal who insists on making himself at home there!
Critique: Destined to be an anthropomorphic classic along the lines of Animal Farm or Watership
Down, author Robert Foreman's "Weird Pig" is a unique and extraordinary comedic novel that
reflects all too human conditions. "Weird Pig" is an original, deftly crafted and unreservedly
recommended addition to personal reading lists, as well as both community, college, and
university library Contemporary Literary Fiction collections.
The Immortals of Tehran
Ali Araghi
Melville House
9781612198187, $27.99, HC, 400pp, www.amazon.com
Synopsis: As a child living in his family's apple orchard, Ahmad Torkash-Vand treasures his
great-great-great-great grandfather's every mesmerizing word. On the day of his father's death,
Ahmad listens closely as the seemingly immortal elder tells him the tale of a centuries-old family
curse -- and the boy's own fated role in the story.
Ahmad grows up to suspect that something must be interfering with his family, as he struggles to
hold them together through decades of famine, loss, and political turmoil in Iran. As the world
transforms around him, each turn of Ahmad's life is a surprise: from street brawler, to father of
two unusually gifted daughters; from radical poet, to politician with a target on his back. These
lives, and the many unforgettable stories alongside his, converge and catch fire at the center of
the Revolution.
Exploring the brutality of history while conjuring the astonishment of magical realism, "The
Immortals of Tehran" is a novel about the incantatory power of words and the revolutionary
sparks of love, family, and poetry -- set against the indifferent, relentless march of time.
Critique: A skillfully crafted, inherently fascinating, and thoroughly entertaining novel by an
author with a genuine flair for originality and the kind of narrative storytelling skill set that fully
engages the reader's rapt attention from beginning to end. While especially and unreservedly
recommended for community and academic library Contemporary Literary Fiction collections, it
should be noted for personal reading lists that Ali Argahi's new novel, "The Immortals of
Tehran", is also readily available in a digital book format (Kindle, $14.99).
Star of Persia: Esther's Story
Jill Eileen Smith
Fleming H. Revell Company
c/o Baker Publishing Group
6030 East Fulton, Ada, MI 49301
www.revellbooks.com
9780800737788, $26.99, HC, 354pp, www.amazon.com
Synopsis: In an effort to complete a war his father had planned to win, King Xerxes calls every
governor, satrap, and official in his vast kingdom to his palace in Susa to strategize and feast.
When they finally leave, he decides on one more week of frivolity, which ends in the banishment
of his favorite wife, something he never intended to do. But when he discovers Esther, Xerxes is
sure he has a second chance at happiness.
In her wildest dreams, Esther could never have imagined that she would end up as queen of
Persia. Yet she knows better than to become complacent. Another of Xerxes's wives is vying for
position, and his closest advisor has a deep and dangerous grudge against Esther's adoptive
father. Caught in the middle of palace politics, Esther will find herself in an impossible position:
risk her life or consign her people to annihilation.
Critique: With her impeccable research and her imaginative flair, author and novelist Jill Eileen
Smith brings to life the romantic, suspenseful, and beloved story of Esther, queen of Persia in
"Star of Persia: Esther's Story". Another of her deftly crafted and thoroughly entertaining novels,
this one will again prove to be a welcome and enduringly popular addition to community library
Historical Fiction collections. It should be noted for the personal reading lists of the growing
legion of Jill Eileen Smith fans that "Star of Persia: Esther's Story" is also readily available in a
paperback edition (9780800734718, $15.99) and in a digital book format (Kindle, $9.99).
The Romantic Fiction Shelf
The Worst Best Man
Mia Sosa
Avon Books
c/o HarperCollins Publishers
10 East 53rd Street, New York, NY 10022
www.harpercollins.com
9780062909879, $15.99, PB, 368pp, www.amazon.com
Synopsis: A wedding planner left at the altar? Yeah, the irony isn't lost on Carolina Santos,
either. But despite that embarrassing blip from her past, Lina's offered an opportunity that could
change her life. There's just one hitch -- she has to collaborate with the best (make that worst)
man from her own failed nuptials.
Marketing expert Max Hartley is determined to make his mark with a coveted hotel client
looking to expand its brand. Then he learns he'll be working with his brother's whip-smart,
stunning (and absolutely off-limits) ex-fiancee. Plus, she loathes him!
If they can nail their presentation without killing each other, they'll both come out ahead. Except
Max has been public enemy number one ever since he encouraged his brother to jilt the bride,
and Lina's ready to dish out a little payback of her own.
Soon Lina and Max discover animosity may not be the only emotion creating sparks between
them. Still, this star-crossed couple can never be more than temporary playmates because Lina
isn't interested in falling in love and Max refuses to play runner-up to his brother ever again.
Critique: A superbly scripted novel by a master of the romance fiction genre, "The Worst Best
Man" by Mia Sosa is a thoroughly entertaining and unreservedly recommended addition to the
personal reading lists of all dedicated romance fans, and certain to be an immediate and
enduringly popular addition to community library Contemporary Romance Fiction collections. It
should be noted that "The Worst Best Man" is also readily available in a digital book format
(Kindle, $10.99) and as a complete an unabridged audio book (Blackstone Audio,
9781094107684, $39.99, CD).
Out of the Embers
Amanda Cabot
Fleming H. Revell Company
c/o Baker Publishing Group
6030 East Fulton, Ada, MI 49301
www.revellbooks.com
www.dreamscapeab.com/audiobooks
9780800737801, $29.99, HC, 331pp, www.amazon.com
Synopsis: Ten years after her parents were killed, Evelyn Radcliffe is once more homeless. The
orphanage that was her refuge and later her workplace has burned to the ground, and only she and
a young orphan girl have escaped.
Convinced this must be related to her parents' murders, Evelyn flees with the girl to Mesquite
Springs in the Texas Hill Country and finds shelter in the home of Wyatt Clark, a talented horse
rancher whose plans don't include a family of his own.
At first, Evelyn is a distraction. But when it becomes clear that trouble has followed her to
Mesquite Springs, she becomes a full-blown disruption. Can Wyatt keep her safe from the man
who wants her dead? And will his own plans become collateral damage?
Critique: With a special blending of mystery and romance, "Out of the Embers" by novelist
Amanda Cabot is an extraordinarily entertaining read that is embedded with many an unexpected
twist and turn. While certain to be an immediate and enduringly popular addition to community
library collections, it should be noted for personal reading lists that "Out of the Embers" is also
readily available in a paperback edition (9780800735357, $15.99), in a digital book format
(Kindle, $9.99), and as a complete and unabridged audio book (Dreamscape Media,
9781690585244, $22.99, CD).
A Happy Catastrophe
Maddie Dawson
Lake Union Publishing
9781542006460, $14.95, PB, 381pp, www.amazon.com
Synopsis: Marnie MacGraw and Patrick Delaney have been in love for a few years now, enough
to realize that they are imperfectly perfect together. Still, there are some things that maybe need a
little attention. Marnie's ebullient; he's brooding. She thrives on change; he prefers stability. She
sees marriage and parenthood in their future, but he can't see beyond the shadow of an earlier
tragedy.
Then an eight-year-old surprise from Patrick's past shows up on their doorstep, cartwheeling into
their lives and spinning things in all directions. While it's not exactly the change she envisioned,
it looks like instant family to Marnie. But Patrick, afraid of being hurt again, retreats further into
himself. Suddenly, two very different pieces of a beautiful puzzle find it harder and harder to
fit.
How can Marnie trust in the magic of the universe when it seems to be doing its best to knock
her off her feet? But some love stories are worth waiting for. And what's love without a little
chaos anyway?
Critique: An inherently engaging and entertaining novel from cover to cover, "A Happy
Catastrophe" by Maddie Dawson will prove to be an immediate and enduringly popular addition
to community library Contemporary General Fiction collections. It should be noted for personal
reading lists that "A Happy Catastrophe" is readily available in a digital book format (Kindle,
$4.99) and as a complete and unabridged audio book (Brilliance Audio, 9781799747628, $14.99,
CD).
The Mystery/Suspense Shelf
A Shadowed Fate
Marty Ambrose
Severn House
110 East 59th Street, 22th Fl., New York, NY 10022
www.severnhouse.com
9780727889928, $28.99, HC, 192pp, www.amazon.com
Synopsis: Claire Clairmont is the last survivor of the 'haunted summer of 1816' of the
Byron/Shelley circle. Claire is now reeling from the series of events triggered by the arrival of
Michael Rosetti two weeks before, which culminated in a brutal murder and a shocking
revelation from her old friend, Edward Trewlany.
Stunned by her betrayal at the hands of those closest to her, Claire determines to travel to the
convent at Bagnacavallo near Ravenna to learn the true fate of Allegra, her daughter by Lord
Byron. But the valuable Cades sketch given to her by Rosetti is stolen, and Claire soon finds
herself shadowed at every turn and in increasing danger as she embarks on her quest. Is the theft
linked to Allegra, and can Claire uncover what really happened in Ravenna so many years
ago?
Critique: Set in 1873, Florence, "A Shadowed Fate" is a superbly crafted historical mystery by an
author with an impressive flair for the kind of narrative storytelling that will hold the reader
simply riveted from first page to last. While especially and unreservedly recommended for
community library Historical Mystery/Suspense collections, it should be noted for the personal
reading lists of all dedicated mystery buffs that "A Shadowed Fate" is also readily available in a
digital book format (Kindle, $14.99).
Ishmael Covenant
Terry Brennan
Kregel Publications
2450 Oak Industrial Drive, NE, Grand Rapids, MI 49505
www.kregel.com
9780825445309, $15.99, PB, 320pp, www.amazon.com
Synopsis: His marriage in tatters and his career ruined by lies, Diplomatic Security Service agent
Brian Mullaney is at the end of his rope. Banished to Israel as punishment by his agency, he's
assigned to guard a US ambassador and an insignificant box. Little does he know that this new
job will propel him straight into a crisis of global proportions.
Inside the box is a messianic prophecy about the fate of the world. And a dark enemy known as
The Turk and the forces of evil at his command are determined to destroy the box, the prophecy,
and the Middle East as we know it. When Ambassador Cleveland gets in the way, his life and his
daughter's life are threatened -- and Mullaney must act fast!
Now agents of three ancient empires have launched covert operations to secure nuclear weapons,
in direct defiance of the startling peace treaty Israel and its Arab neighbors have signed. And a
traitor in the US State Department is leaking critical information to a foreign power. It's up to
Mullaney (still struggling with his own broken future) to protect the embassy staff, thwart the
clandestine conspiracies, and unmask a traitor -- all before the desert is turned into a radioactive
wasteland.
Critique: A simply riveting action/adventure suspense thriller of a novel by an author with an
impressive flair for originality and the kind of deftly scripted narrative storytelling style that
holds the reader's riveting attention from beginning to end, "Ishmael Covenant" by Terry Brennan
is an especially and unreservedly recommended addition to community library Contemporary
General Fiction collections. It should be noted for personal reading lists that "Ishmael Covenant"
is also readily available in a digital book format (Kindle, $9.99).
A Cross to Kill
Andrew Huff
Kregel Publications
2450 Oak Industrial Drive, NE, Grand Rapids, MI 49505
www.kregel.com
9780825422744, $15.99, PB, 256pp, www.amazon.com
Synopsis: John Cross is a small-town pastor, bent on leading his flock to follow God's calling.
He's not the sort of man one would expect to have a checkered past. But the truth is that the man
behind the pulpit preaching to his sheep was once a wolf -- an assassin for the CIA. When John
decided to follow Christ, he put that work behind him, determined to do penance for all the lives
he took. He vowed never to kill again.
Now someone wants the peaceful pastor to pay for his sins with his own life. And when a
terrorist out for revenge walks into the church, John's secrets are laid bare. Confronted with his
past, he must face his demons and discover whether a man can truly change. Can he keep his vow
-- even when the people he loves are in mortal danger? Will his congregation and the brave
woman he's learning to care for be caught in the cross fire? In the end, John's life may be the only
sacrifice he has left to offer. . .
Critique: All the more impressive when considering that "A Cross to Kill" is author Andrew
Huff's debut as a novelist. Certain to be an immediate and enduringly popular addition to
community library Mystery/Suspense collections, "A Cross to Kill" is both a simply riveting
story of suspense and the moral quandaries facing anyone choosing to follow the path of peace in
a violent and hostile world. It should be noted for personal reading lists that "A Cross to Kill" is
also readily available in a digital book format (Kindle, $9.99).
Turn To Stone
James W. Ziskin
Seventh Street Books
c/o Prometheus Books
59 John Glenn Drive, Amherst, NY 14228
www.prometheusbooks.com
9781633885523, $15.99, PB, 344pp, www.amazon.com
Synopsis: Florence, Italy, August 1963. In Italy to accept a posthumous award for her late father's
academic work, "girl reporter" Ellie Stone is invited to spend a weekend outside Florence with
some of the scholars attending the symposium. A suspected rubella outbreak leaves the ten
friends quarantined in the bucolic setting with little to do but tell stories to entertain
themselves.
Deciding to make the best of their confinement, the men and women spin tales, gorge themselves
on fine Tuscan food and wine, and enjoy the delicious fruit of transient love. But the summer
bacchanalia takes a menacing turn when the man who organized the symposium is fished out of
the Arno. "Morto." As long-buried secrets rise to the surface, Ellie must figure out if one or more
of her newfound friends is capable of murder.
Critique: A classic 'whodunnit' style novel of mystery and suspense, "Turn To Stone" by James
W. Ziskin is another deftly crafted and impressively entertaining story from first page to last.
While very highly recommended to community library collections, it should be noted for the
personal reading lists of all dedicated mystery buffs that "Turn To Stone" is also readily available
in a digital book format (Kindle, $9.99).
A Forgotten Murder
Jude Deveraux
Mira Books
195 Broadway, 24th Floor, New York, NY 10007
www.mirabooks.com
9780778309895, $26.99, HC, 352pp, www.amazon.com
Synopsis: New York Times bestselling author Jude Deveraux has crafted another irresistible case
in her bestselling Medlar Mystery series.
After solving two murder cases in their hometown of Lachlan, Florida, Sara Medlar, her niece
Kate and their friend Jack need a change of scenery. Sara arranges for them to visit an old friend
of hers in England. Upon arrival at Oxley Manor, a centuries-old estate that has been converted
to a luxury hotel, Kate and Jack quickly realize that Sara is up to something. They learn that Sara
has also invited a number of others to join them at Oxley.
When everyone assembles, Sara lets them know why they are there. Decades earlier, two people
ran off together from Oxley and haven't been heard from since -- and Sara wants to solve the
case. As the people who were there the night the two went missing, the guests find themselves
cast in a live mystery-theater event.
In reenacting the events of that night, it becomes clear that everyone has something to hide and
no one is safe, especially when the discovery of a body makes it clear that at least one of the
people who disappeared was murdered.
Sara, Jack and Kate are once again at the heart of a mysterious case that only they are able to
solve. But someone is willing to continue to kill to keep the truth about Oxley Manor buried, and
none of the guests are safe.
Critique: A literary master of the mystery genre, "A Forgotten Murder" continues to showcase
author Jude Deveraux's genuine flair as a novelist for originality and reader engaging plot twists
and turns. While certain to be an enduringly popular addition to community library
Contemporary Mystery/Suspense collections, it should be noted for the personal reading lists of
Deveraux's legions of fans that "A Forgotten Murder" is also readily available in a paperback
edition (9780778360902, $8.99), in a digital book format (Kindle, $12.99), and as a complete
and unabridged audio book (Recorded Books, 9781980057772, $39.99, CD)
A View to a Kilt
Kaitlyn Dunnett
Kensington Publishing Corp.
119 West 40th Street, Floor 21, New York, NY 10018-2522
www.kensingtonbooks.com
9781496712653, $26.00, HC, 288pp, www.amazon.com
Synopsis: Liss has suddenly found herself in charge of the March Madness Mud Season Sale, a
town-wide celebration created to boost the local economy during the slushy weeks of early
spring. With businesses ailing after a rough winter, the pressure is on to make this year's effort
the can't-miss-event of the season. But before Liss can get her hands dirty, her husband makes a
horrifying discovery. There's a dead man on their property, and he didn't die of natural causes . .
.
Stunned by the murder mystery developing in her own backyard, Liss receives another shock.
The victim is identified as Charlie MacCrimmon, an uncle believed to have died eleven years
before Liss was born. No one has seen or heard from Charlie since he went off to fight in
Vietnam. What secrets could he have been hiding for so many years, and who would want to kill
a man long thought to be dead?
Enlisting the help of her family, Liss uncovers more questions than answers as she delves into
her uncle's murky past. One thing is clear -- before he met his end, Uncle Charlie was desperately
trying to warn her about something sinister. And unless Liss can soon track down a maniacal
criminal as elusive as the Loch Ness Monster, she just might be the next MacCrimmon to
disappear!
Critique: An expertly crafted and wonderfully entertaining 'whodunnit' mystery from an author
with an impressive and effective narrative storytelling style, "A View To A Kilt" by novelist
Kaitlyn Dunnett will prove to be an extraordinarily popular addition to community library
Contemporary Mystery/Suspense collections. It should be noted for the personal reading lists of
all dedicated mystery buffs that "A View To A Kilt" is also readily available in a digital book
format (Kindle, $12.99).
The Jerusalem Assassin
Joel C. Rosenberg
Tyndale House Publishers
351 Executive Drive, Carol Stream, IL 60188
www.tyndale.com
9781496437846, $27.99, HC, 464pp, www.amazon.com
Synopsis: Marcus Ryker has spent his entire career studying killers. One thing he knows for sure:
a peace summit is the ultimate stage for an assassination.
President Andrew Clarke is determined to announce his historic peace plan from the Temple
Mount in Jerusalem. But when senior American officials who support the plan begin violently
dying, Clarke orders Ryker and his team of CIA operatives to hunt down those responsible and
bring the killing spree to an end.
When the Palestinians denounce the American plan, the Saudis signal they may be ready to forge
a historic treaty with Israel. Could the Saudi king's support be the missing ingredient that will
lead to peace at long last?
Ryker soon uncovers a chilling plot to kill the American president. A well resourced international
alliance is dead set against the peace plan. They will stop at nothing to strike a blow against the
Americans and seize leadership of the Muslim world.
With all eyes on Jerusalem and the president in the crosshairs, it's up to Ryker to eliminate the
terrible evil that's been set in motion. The fate of the region depends on his success. He has 48
hours.
Critique: A superbly crafted suspense thriller of a novel by an author with a total mastery of the
genre and the kind of narrative storytelling style that will rivet the reader's total attention from
cover to cover, "The Jerusalem Assassin" by Joel C. Rosenberg is an extraordinary and
unreservedly recommended addition to community library Contemporary General Fiction
collections. It should be noted for the personal reading lists of all dedicated suspense/thriller fans
that "The Jerusalem Assassin" is also readily available in a digital book format (Kindle, $15.99)
and as a complete and unabridged audio book (Brilliance Audio, 9781978623460, $24.99,
CD).
Bells of Hell
Michael Kurland
Severn House
110 East 59th Street, 22th Floor, New York, NY 10022
www.severnhouse.com
9780727889690, $28.99, HC, 256pp, www.amazon.com
Synopsis: "Bells of Hell" is set in March, 1938. It's the story of Otto Lehman who arrives in New
York on the S.S. Osthafen only to be immediately confronted by two men with FBI badges. Only,
that isn't his real name and the men aren't with the FBI! The next day Lehman is found tied to a
chair, beaten to death and naked, in an abandoned Brooklyn warehouse.
The sole witness to the crime, Andrew Blake, a homeless man struggling through the Great
Depression, claims those responsible were speaking German. With the threat of the perpetrators
being Nazis, President Roosevelt's own covert counter-intelligence agent Jacob Welker is
brought in to investigate.
Welker recruits Blake along with Lord Geoffrey Saboy, a British 'cultural attache', and his wife
Lady Patricia, to help him to thwart a Nazi terrorist attack. But who exactly are the Nazis, what is
their target and when will they strike?
Critique: An inherently riveting and deftly crafted political suspense/thriller of a novel by a
master of the genre, "The Bells Of Hell" by Michael Kurland is an extraordinary and
unreservedly recommended addition to community library Mystery/Suspense collections. It
should be noted for the personal reading lists of all dedicated mystery buffs that "The Bells Of
Hell" is also readily available in a digital book format (Kindle, $14.99).
Budapest Escape
Bill Rapp
Epicenter Press
c/o Coffeetown Press
6524 NE 181st Street, Suite #2, Kenmore, WA 98028
www.camelpress.com
9781941890721, $15.95, PB, 244pp, www.amazon.com
Synopsis: CIA officer Karl Baier has been running a highly-placed source in the Communist
Party and Hungarian government from his post in Vienna for over a year. When he receives a
warning that is source is in danger, Baier knows he will have to return to Budapest to find and
rescue his agent if he is even alive. Despite resistance from CIA Headquarters in Washington,
Baier and a colleague will have to locate the Hungarian agent, overcome his reluctance and
skepticism, dodge Soviet tanks, evade Red Army patrols, escape from KGB prisons, and disobey
orders from Washington as they search for a way to freedom. Along the way he will discover
support and betrayal where he least expected it.
Critique: An inherently riveting political spy thriller of a Cold War era novel by Bill Rapp,
"Budapest Escape" has more unexpected plot twists and turns that a Coney Island roller coaster.
"Budapest Escape" is certain to be an immediate and enduringly popular addition to personal
reading lists and community library Suspense/Thriller collections.
The Familiar Dark
Amy Engel
Dutton
c/o Penguin Group USA
https://www.penguin.com
9781524745950, $26.00, HC, 256pp, www.amazon.com
Synopsis: Set in the poorest part of the Missouri Ozarks, in a small town with big secrets, The
Familiar Dark opens with a murder. Eve Taggert, desperate with grief over losing her daughter,
takes it upon herself to find out the truth about what happened.
Eve is no stranger to the dark side of life, having been raised by a hard-edged mother whose
lessons Eve tried not to pass on to her own daughter. But Eve may need her mother's cruel brand
of strength if she's going to face the reality about her daughter's death and about her own true
nature. Her quest for justice takes her from the seedy underbelly of town to the quiet woods and,
most frighteningly, back to her mother's trailer for a final lesson.
Critique: A superbly crafted dystopian noir novel of 'women doing the best they can for their
daughters in dire circumstances', "The Familiar Dark" showcases author Amy Engel's very
special and thoroughly reader engaging narrative storytelling style. While very highly
recommended for community library collections, it should be noted for the personal reading lists
of suspense/thriller fans that "The Familiar Dark" is also readily available in digital book format
(Kindle, $13.99). Librarians should be aware that there is also a large print paperback edition
(Random House Large Print, 9780593171851, $28.00, 460pp) of "The Familiar Dark" as
well.
Hid from Our Eyes
Julia Spencer-Fleming
Minotaur Books
c/o St. Martin's Publishing Group
175 Fifth Avenue, New York, NY 10010
www.minotaurbooks.com
9780312606855, $27.99, HC, 352pp, www.amazon.com
Synopsis: Readers have waited years for this newest book and Julia Spencer-Fleming delivers
with the exquisite skill and craftsmanship that have made her such a success.
In 1952, the Millers Kill Police Chief, Harry McNeil, is called to a crime scene where a woman
in a party dress has been murdered with no obvious cause of death.
Then in 1972 the Millers Kill Police Chief, Jack Liddle, is called to a murder scene of a woman
that's very similar to one he worked as a trooper in the 50s. The only difference is this time, they
have a suspect. Young Vietnam War veteran Russ van Alstyne found the body while riding his
motorcycle and is quickly pegged as the prime focus of the investigation.
Now the present-day Millers Kill Police Chief, Russ van Alstyne, gets a 911 call that a young
woman has been found dead in a party dress, the same MO as the crime he was accused of in the
70s. The pressure is on for Russ to solve the murder before he's removed from the case.
Russ will enlist the help of his police squad and Reverend Clare Fergusson, who is already
juggling the tasks of being a new mother to her and Russ's baby and running St. Alban's Church,
to finally solve these crimes.
Critique: "Hid from Our Eyes" is the latest addition to author Julia Spender-Flaming's
outstanding 'Clare Fergusson/Russ Van Alstyne' mystery series. This is mystery writing at its
very best by a novelist with a complete mastery of the genre. While unreservedly recommended
for all community library Mystery/Suspense collections, it should be noted for the personal
reading lists of all dedicated mystery buffs in general, and the legions of Julie Spencer-Fleming
fans in particular, that "Hid from Our Eyes" is also readily available in a digital book format
(Kindle, $14.99) and as a complete and unabridged audio book (Macmillan Audio,
9781250261151, $54.99, CD).
Gone with the Whisker
Laurie Cass
Berkley Prime Crime
c/o Penguin Group (USA)
www.penguin.com
9780593100134, $7.99, PB, 352pp, www.amazon.com
Synopsis: It's the summer season in Chilson, Michigan, and the town is packed with tourists
ready for a fabulous Fourth of July fireworks show. Minnie Hamilton and her rescue cat, Eddie,
have spent a busy day on the bookmobile, delivering good cheer and great reads to even the
library's most far-flung patrons. But Minnie is still up for the nighttime festivities, eager to show
off her little town to her visiting niece, Katrina.
But then, during the grand finale of the fireworks display, Katrina discovers a body. Minnie
recognizes the victim as one of the bookmobile's most loyal patrons. And she knows she (and
Eddie) will have to get to the bottom of this purr-fect crime!
Critique: The perfect mystery for cat lovers and 'whodunnit' fans alike, "Gone with the Whisker"
showcases the distinctive storytelling style of author Laurie Cass -- and her impressive originality
as a novelist. While very highly recommended for the personal reading lists of dedicated mystery
buffs and community library Mystery/Suspense collections, it should be noted that "Gone with
the Whisker" is also readily available in a digital book format (Kindle, $7.99). Librarians should
be aware that there is a large print edition of "Gone with the Whisker" (Center Point Publishing,
9781643586069, $36.95, HC, Large Print, Library Binding, 500pp).
Spitfire
M. L. Huie
Crooked Lane Books
2 Park Avenue, 10th floor, New York, NY 10016
www.crookedlanebooks.com
9781643852454, $26.99, HC, 312pp, www.amazon.com
Synopsis: It's 1946 in London. World War II has been over for a year, and former spy Livy Nash
is celebrating with her third drink before noon. She went to war to kill Nazis. Dropped behind
enemy lines as a courier, she quickly became one of the toughest agents in France. But her war
ended with betrayal and the execution of the man she loved. Now, Livy spends her days
proofreading a demeaning advice column for little ladies at home, and her nights alone with
black market vodka.
But everything changes when she meets the infamous Ian Fleming. The man who will create the
world's most sophisticated fictional secret agent has an agenda of his own and sends Livy back to
France with one task: track down the traitor who killed the only man she ever loved. Livy jumps
at the chance, heading back to Paris undercover as a journalist. But the City of Lights is teeming
with spies, and Livy quickly learns just how much the game has changed. With enemies on every
corner and ever-shifting alliances, she'll have to learn to fight a new war if she wants to conquer
the past once and for all.
Critique: A superbly crafted Livy Nash mystery by M. L. Huie, "Spirtfire" is a riveting great read
that is peppered throughout with unexpected twists and hazardous turns. While certain to be an
immediate and enduringly popular addition to community library Mystery/Suspense collections.
It should be noted for the personal reading lists of dedicated mystery buffs in general and M. L.
Huie fans in particular that "Spitfire" is also readily available in a digital book format (Kindle,
$9.99).
Hour of the Assassin
Matthew Quirk
William Morrow & Company
c/o HarperCollins Publishers
195 Broadway New York, New York 10007
www.harpercollins.com
9780062875495, $27.99, HC, 352pp, www.amazon.com
Synopsis: As a Secret Service agent, Nick Averose spent a decade protecting the most powerful
men and women in America and developed a unique gift: the ability to think like an assassin.
Now, he uses that skill in a little-known but crucial job. As a "red teamer," he poses as a threat,
testing the security around our highest officials to find vulnerabilities -- before our enemies can.
He is a mock killer, capable of slipping past even the best defenses.
His latest assignment is to assess the security surrounding the former CIA director at his DC area
home. But soon after he breaches the man's study, the home's inner sanctum, Nick finds himself
entangled in a vicious crime that will shake Washington to its foundations -- as all the evidence
points to Nick.
Nick knows he's the perfect scapegoat. But who is framing him, and why? To clear his name, he
must find the truth in a search that leads to a dark conspiracy whose roots stretch back decades.
The prize is the most powerful position in the world: the Oval Office.
To save himself and the people he loves, Nick must stop the men who rule Washington before
they bury him along with their secrets!
Critique: A pitch-perfect and high-octane conspiracy action-adventure novel by an author with an
impressive flair for original and narrative driven storytelling, "Hour of the Assassin" is a
compelling read from start to finish -- and will prove to be an immediate and enduringly popular
addition to community library collections. It should be noted for personal reading lists that "Hour
of the Assassin" is also readily available in a digital book format (Kindle, $14.99), as a complete
and unabridged audio book (Blackstone Audio, 9781094117980, $39.99, CD), and in a
HarperLuxe Large Print edition (9780062978929, $29.99, PB, 448pp).
Diver's Paradise
Davin Goodwin
Oceanview Publishing
1620 Main Street, Suite 11, Sarasota, FL 34236
www.oceanviewpub.com
9781608093830, $26.95, HC, 336pp, www.amazon.com
Synopsis: After 25 years on the job, Detective Roscoe Conklin trades his badge for a pair of
shorts and sandals and moves to Bonaire, a small island nestled in the southern Caribbean. But
the warm water, palm trees, and sunsets are derailed when his long-time police-buddy and friend
back home, is murdered.
Conklin dusts off a few markers and calls his old department, trolling for information. It's slow
going. No surprise, there. After all, it's an active investigation, and his compadres back home
aren't saying a damn thing.
He's 2,000 miles away, living in paradise. Does he really think he can help? They suggest he go
to the beach and catch some rays. For Conklin, it's not that simple. Outside looking in? Not him.
Never has been. Never will be.
When a suspicious mishap lands his significant other, Arabella, in the hospital, the island police
conduct, at best, a sluggish investigation, stonewalling progress. Conklin questions the evidence
and challenges the department's methods. Something isn't right.
Arabella wasn't the intended target -- he was!
Critique: A deftly crafted and pitch-perfect mystery novel by a master of the genre, "Diver's
Paradise" by Davin Goodwin will be an immediate and extraordinarily popular addition to
community library Contemporary Mystery/Suspense collections. It should be noted for the
personal reading lists of dedicated mystery buffs that "Diver's Paradise" is also readily available
in a digital book format (Kindle, $10.49).
Dead on the Vine
Elle Brooke White
Crooked Lane Books
2 Park Avenue, 10th floor, New York, NY 10016
www.crookedlanebooks.com
www.dreamscapeab.com/audiobooks
9781643852966, $26.99, HC, 336pp, www.amazon.com
Synopsis: Charlotte Finn never wanted to inherit the family's produce farm--much less plow a
heap of money into it. Her plan is to hammer a great big FOR SALE sign into the farm's fallow
furrows -- but Charlotte's sunny hopes of a quick sale succumb to a killing frost when she finds a
dead body entwined supine in the tomato vines. The poor man, it seems, was run through with a
pitchfork!
Now, Charlotte is stuck with running the farm in the midst of a murder investigation. Charlotte's
knowledge of farming is smaller than her bank balance, so she relies on caretakers Joe and Alice
Wong and their farmhands. Can she trust them? She doesn't know them. There's also farmer
Samuel Brown, who still carries a childhood grudge. But the case gets personal when Charlotte
learns that the victim might have been her own kin -- and seeds of suspicion grow into a fertile
field of suspects.
Charlotte turns to the farm's pig to help root out the killer. Soon, the goats, geese, and horse join
in, but will Charlotte harvest a murderer -- or buy the farm?
Critique: A deftly crafted and simply pitch-perfect mystery novel by an author with an
impressively effective and narrative driving storytelling style, "Dead On the Vine" by Elle
Brooke White is an impressively entertaining and very highly recommended addition to
community library Contemporary Mystery/Suspense collections. It should be noted for the
personal reading lists of all mystery buffs that "Dead On The Vine" is also readily available in a
digital book format (Kindle, $12.99) and as a complete and unabridged audio book (Dreamscape
Media, 9781690599173, $22.99, CD).
The Fantasy/SciFi Shelf
Castaway Resolution
Ryk E. Spoor
Baen Books
PO Box 1188, Wake Forest NC 27588
www.baen.com
9781982124410, $25.00, HC, 384pp, www.amazon.com
Synopsis: The Kimei family and the second group of castaways, led by Sergeant Campbell, had
finally joined forces after both had been forced to land on the bizarre planet Lincoln, whose
"continents" were huge floating coral colonies, inhabited by even stranger lifeforms. They had
survived crash-landings and venom-filled bites and disease, their own despair, and even the
destruction (and consumption!) of one of their floating islands, and had learned to live, even
prosper, in their strange new home.
Far away, Lieutenant Susan Fisher slowly pieces together the mystery of what happened to the
starship Outward Initiative and begins to believe that, just possibly, some of the survivors might
have escaped to a mysteriously unsuspected star system.
But even her preparations and the resourcefulness of the castaways may not be enough -- for
Lincoln has far worse in store!
Critique: Another superbly crafted science fiction novel by an author with a very special flair for
originality and the kind of narrative storytelling style that holds the reader's rapt attention from
beginning to end, "Castaway Resolution" by Ryk E. Spoor will prove to be an immediate and
enduringly popular addition to community library Science Fiction & Fantasy collections. It
should be noted for the personal reading lists of all dedicated SciFi fans that "Castaway
Resolution" is also readily available in a digital book format (Kindle, $9.99).
The Christian Studies Shelf
Character Still Counts
James Merritt
Harvest House Publishers
PO Box 41210, Eugene, OR 97404-0322
www.harvesthousepublishers.com
9780736969444, $16.99, PB, 256pp, www.amazon.com
Synopsis: How often are we as Christians are more concerned with our outward image than with
our inner qualities? Our reputation is what others think is true about us, but our character is who
we are on the inside. And in the end, it's our character that counts.
If we long to invest our life in what matters most (the content of our character), author and pastor
James Merritt examines 12 traits that are an essential part of godly living as a Christian. As we
discover from role models in the Bible, good character is built brick by brick, thought by thought,
action by action, and habit by habit on a daily basis. In "Character Still Counts: It Is Time to
Restore Our Lasting Values" we will find the keys to growing in integrity, humility, respect,
forgiveness, perseverance, self-control, honesty, loyalty, authenticity, courage, generosity, and
faithfulness.
"Character Still Counts" shows how to build up God's kind of character qualities and live a life of
authenticity. Let the past examples in Scripture inspire you today as you live out this truth:
Character still counts, and it always will.
Critique: Exceptionally well written, organized and presented, "Character Still Counts: It Is Time
to Restore Our Lasting Values" is the kind of inspired and inspiring reading that is unreservedly
recommended for all members of the Christian community regardless of denominational
affiliations, While very highly recommended for community, church, and seminary collections, it
should be noted for personal reading lists that "Character Still Counts" is also readily available in
a digital book format (Kindle, $10.99).
Editorial Note: James Merritt is a pastor, author, past president of the Southern Baptist
Convention, and host of the Touching Lives television program, seen nationwide and in 122
countries. As a national voice on faith and leadership, Merritt has been interviewed by Time, Fox
News, MSNBC, and 60 Minutes.
An Ecological Theology of Liberation
Daniel P. Castillo
Marketing Department
Orbis Books
Price Building, Box 302, Maryknoll NY 10545-0302
www.orbisbooks.com
9781626983212, $40.00, PB, 272pp, www.amazon.com
Synopsis: What is the relationship between salvation, human liberation, and care for creation? To
answer this question Daniel Castillo in "An Ecological Theology of Liberation: Salvation and
Political Ecology" expands on the ideas presented in Gustavo Gutierrez's classic work A
Theology of Liberation and proposes a novel concept: green liberation theology.
In this compelling and original work Castillo places Gutierrez in dialogue with a diverse array of
theological, ecological, and socio-scientific discourses, drawing upon the work of Jon Sobrino,
Willie James Jennings, Walter Brueggemann, Ellen Davis, and others, paying special attention to
Pope Francis' encyclical Laudato Si'.
Critique: An erudite, thoughtful and thought-provoking work of original and meticulous
theological scholarship from a Roman Catholic perspective, "An Ecological Theology of
Liberation: Salvation and Political Ecology" is an especially recommended addition to seminary,
college, and university library Contemporary Christian Liberation Theology collections and
supplemental curriculum studies lists. It should be noted for the personal reading lists of
seminary students, academia, clergy, and non-specialist general readers with an interest in the
subject that "An Ecological Theology of Liberation: Salvation and Political Ecology" is also
readily available in a digital book format (Kindle, $17.88).
Editorial Note: Daniel P. Castillo is an assistant professor of theology at Loyola University
Maryland. His work, which focuses on the confluence of liberation theology and ecological
theology, has appeared in a number of journals including Theological Studies, Political
Theology, and Scriptura.
The Unknown God
Mathew P. John
David C. Cook
c/o Cook Communications
4050 Lee Vance Dr., Colorado Springs, CO 80918
www.davidccook.org
9780830780747, $17.99, PB, 208pp, www.amazon.com
Synopsis: In "The Unknown God: A Journey with Jesus from East to West", author Mathew P.
John explores the redemptive revelations lurking in the darkness outside the boundaries of
Christian tradition. In this spiritual journey through six major world religions, readers encounter
a variety of symbols that point to the Jesus of the Bible. From Hindu avatars and Buddhist
bodhisattvas, to Sikh gurus and Muslim prophets, and the Jewish messiah, "The Unknown God"
consider how different religions attempt to answer the deep longing for a savior ingrained in the
collective conscience of humanity.
Critique: An inherently interesting and exceptionally well written, organized and presented study,
"The Unknown God: A Journey with Jesus from East to West" is an extraordinary study that is
unreservedly recommended for community, church, seminary, college, and university library
Christian Theology, Evangelical, and Christian Apologetics collections. It should be noted for the
personal reading lists of seminary students, academia, clergy, and non-specialist general readers
with an interest in the subject that "The Unknown God: A Journey with Jesus from East to West"
is also readily available in a digital book format (Kindle, $9.99).
Editorial Note: Originally an electrical engineer from India, Mathew P. John transitioned from
technology to theology with a master's degree in theological studies from the University of
Toronto (Canada) and a PhD in intercultural studies from Fuller Theological Seminary (USA).
He has acquired over two decades of teaching experience in academic as well as ecclesiastical
platforms, and has written extensively in the areas of theology, anthropology, and world
religions.
Discerning Ethics
Hak Joon Lee & Tim Dearborn, editors
InterVarsity Press
PO Box 1400, Downers Grove, IL 60515-1426
www.ivpress.com
9780830852727, $32.00, HC, 344pp, www.amazon.com
Synopsis: Racism. Immigration. Gun violence. Sexuality. Health care. The number of ethical
issues that demand a response from Christians today is sometimes overwhelming. How can
Christians navigate such matters? What are faithful responses to these questions? Edited by Hak
Joon Lee and Tim Dearborn, two theologians with pastoral experience, "Discerning Ethics:
Diverse Christian Responses to Divisive Moral Issues" invites engagement with these issues and
more by drawing on real-life experiences and offering a range of responses to some of the most
challenging moral questions confronting the church today. With an unflinching yet irenic
approach, this resource can help Christians as they seek to act justly, love mercy, and walk
humbly with God.
Critique: An absorbing, thoughtful and thought-provoking read throughout, "Discerning Ethics:
Diverse Christian Responses to Divisive Moral Issues" is an extraordinary and unreservedly
recommended addition to personal, church, seminary, college, and university library
Contemporary Christian Ethics, Morality, and Theology collections and supplemental studies
lists. It should be noted for seminary students, clergy, and non-specialist general readers with an
interest in the subject that "Discerning Ethics: Diverse Christian Responses to Divisive Moral
Issues" is also readily available in a digital book format (Kindle, $17.27).
Editorial Note: Hak Joon Lee is the Lewis B. Smedes Professor of Christian Ethics at Fuller
Theological Seminary. He is the author or editor of several books, including Intersecting
Realities: Race, Identity, and Culture in the Spiritual-Moral Life of Young Asian Americans, The
Great World House: Martin Luther King Jr. and Global Ethics, We Will Get to the Promised
Land: Martin Luther King Jr.'s Communal-Political Spirituality, and Covenant and
Communication: A Christian Moral Conversation with Jurgen Habermas.
Tim Dearborn is the former director of the Lloyd John Ogilvie Institute of Preaching at Fuller
Theological Seminary. He is the author of several books, including Short-Term Missions
Workbook, Business as a Holy Calling?, and Beyond Duty: A Passion for Christ, a Heart for
Mission.
This Life We Share
Maggie Wallem Rowe
www.MaggieRowe.com
NavPress
www.navpress.com
c/o Tyndale House Publishers, Inc.
351 Executive Drive, Carol Stream, IL 60188
www.tyndale.com
9781641580076, $17.99, HC, 288pp, www.amazon.com
Synopsis: "This Life We Share: 52 Reflections on Journeying Well with God and Others" is a
woman's guide to living well -- from the inner journey of dealing with anxiety and insecurity to
the everyday moments of waiting and distraction to practical principles for parenting,
grandparenting, and aging.
Jesus once said of the woman who anointed his feet, "She did what she could" (Mark 14:8, NIV)
-- and that is Maggie's goal for "This Life We Share" -- to provide insights and wisdom for
walking through life with the confidence that you're doing "what you can" to live well for God,
love others, and take care of yourself.
Critique: Exceptionally well written, organized and presented, "This Life We Share: 52
Reflections on Journeying Well with God and Others" is as thoughtful and thought-provoking as
it is inspired and inspiring. While especially recommended for personal, community and church
library collections, it should be noted that "This Life We Share" is also readily available in a
digital book format (Kindle, $17.99).
Editorial Note: Maggie Wallem Rowe is a national speaker, dramatist, blogger, and writer. She
performs original one-woman dramas and is passionate about connecting people to God and each
other. Maggie maintains a website at www.MaggieRowe.com
The Time Has Come
Ionut-Alexandru Tudorie
SVS Press
575 Scarsdale Road, Yonkers, NY 10707
www.svspress.com
9780881416558, $40.00, HC, 450pp, www.amazon.com
Synopsis: "The Time Has Come" has now brought back into print by SVS Press as a hardback
commemorative volume, compiled in celebration of the 50th Anniversary of the autocephaly of
the Orthodox Church in America (OCA).
Edited by St Vladimir's Academic Dean, Ionut-Alexandru Tudorie, "The Time Has Come"
contains a collection of debates over the OCA Autocephaly reflected in St Vladimir's Quarterly
(now known as the St Vladimir's Theological Journal). The various articles were written in the
years leading up to and following the Russian Orthodox Church granting the Tomos of
Autocephaly to the OCA (then known as the Russian Orthodox Greek Catholic Church of
America) in 1970.
Critique: An impressively informative and landmark volume, "The Time Has Come" is an
unreservedly recommended celebration of Orthodox Christianity and will prove to be an
enduringly welcome and appreciated addition to personal, church, seminary, and academic
library Christian Orthodox Theology & History collections. It should be noted for seminary
students, clergy, and non-specialist general readers with an interest in the subject that "The Time
Has Come" is also readily available in a digital book format (Kindle, $14.99).
Encountering Jesus: A Holy Land Experience
Vincenzo Peroni
Franciscan Media
28 West Liberty Street, Cincinnati, OH 45202
https://info.franciscanmedia.org
9781632533159, $18.99, PB, 160pp, www.amazon.com
Synopsis: Whether you have made a pilgrimage to the Holy Land or have always wanted to walk
where Jesus walked, "Encountering Jesus: A Holy Land Experience" offers a rich experience of
the many sites associated with Gospel events. In "Encountering Jesus: A Holy Land Experience"
Monsignor Vincenzo Peroni takes pilgrims on an unforgettable tour of the most important sites
in the Holy Land through beautiful guided meditations, probing questions, and sensitive prayerful
reflections. Eighteen original watercolor drawings by Alessandro Alghisi capture the beauty and
sacredness of these places. Each individual chapter also contains Scripture texts that set the
scene.
Critique: Ideal for the armchair traveler and highly recommended reading for anyone planning on
a pilgrimage to the Holy Land, "Encountering Jesus: A Holy Land Experience" is an
extraordinary and unreservedly recommended resource. While especially appropriate for church,
seminary, and academic library Christian Studies collections, it should be noted for personal
reading lists that "Encountering Jesus: A Holy Land Experience" is also readily available in a
digital book format (Kindle, $9.99).
Editorial Note: Vincenso Peroni is a priest of the Diocese of Brescia, Italy, and since 1994 he has
served pastorally in the parishes of Sarezzo and Manerbio and in various diocesan assignments.
In 2012 he obtained a License in Spiritual Theology (at the Faculty of Theology at Triveneto).
Since 2010 he has served at the Holy See in the Office for Pontifical Liturgical Celebrations and
as a Papal Master of Ceremonies since 2012. He has led numerous pilgrimages in the Holy
Land.
Evangelism and Politics
John C. Barrett
www.professorbarrett.com
Wipf and Stock Publishers
199 West 8th Avenue, Suite 3, Eugene, OR 97401-2960
http://wipfandstock.com
9781725263659, $32.00, HC, 68pp, www.amazon.com
Synopsis: In "Evangelism and Politics: A Christian Perspective on the Church and the State",
Professor John C. Barrett argues that Christians should participate in politics and government but
their ultimate goal in doing so is evangelism, not political change. The way Christians participate
in politics is therefore generally more important than the specific policies they advocate for. In
short, Christian participation in politics should be marked by the fruit of the spirit.
At the same time, Christians should not be naive in thinking godly engagement in politics
guarantees political success. Ungodly tactics are effective and Christians will be at a political
disadvantage when they refuse to use such methods. Nevertheless, Christians should refuse to use
them because they see God, not the government, as their ultimate protector and provider and
godly engagement in politics as a way of providing an evangelistic witness to society that fulfills
the Great Commission.
Critique: An impressive and timely contribution to our national dialogue regarding the
phenomena of fundamentalist Christians supporting the immoral and ethically corrupt
administration and person of Donald J. Trump for the purpose of insuring the appointments of
conservative judges in the hopes of overthrowing Roe v. Wade and other legislature they deem
hostile to their best political and commercial interests, "Evangelism and Politics: A Christian
Perspective on the Church and the State" is especially and unreservedly recommended reading by
all members of the Christian community. It should be noted for personal reading lists that
"Evangelism and Politics" is also readily available in a paperback edition (9781725263741,
$12.00).
Editorial Note: John C. Barrett is an assistant professor of political science at LeTourneau
University, a private, interdenominational Christian university in Longview, Texas. He holds a
BS in international relations from Georgetown University, an MA in international relations from
the Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Relations, and a PhD in religion, politics,
and society from Baylor University. Professor Barrett also maintains a web site at
www.professorbarrett.com.
History and Eschatology
N. T. Wright
Baylor University Press
One Bear Place, #97363, Waco, TX 76798-7363
www.baylorpress.com
9781481309622, $34.95, HC, 365pp, www.amazon.com
Synopsis: How can we know about God? That question increasingly bothered scientists and
philosophers in the modern period as they chipped away at previously imagined "certainties."
They refused to take on trust the "special revelation" of the Christian Bible, trying instead to
argue up to God from the "natural" world. That is the theme of the Gifford Lectures, inaugurated
more than 130 years ago.
This natural theology has usually bracketed out the Bible and Jesus -- and with them, usually, the
scholars who study them.
"History and Eschatology: Jesus and the Promise of Natural Theology" by Professor N. T. Wright
represents the first Gifford delivered by a New Testament scholar since Rudolf Bultmann in
1955. Against Bultmann's dehistoricized approach, Professor Wright argues that, since the
philosophical and cultural movements that generated the natural theology debates also treated
Jesus as a genuine human being (part of the "natural world") there is no reason the historical
Jesus should be off-limits. What would happen if we brought him back into the discussion?
What, in particular, might "history" and "eschatology" really mean? And what might that say
about "knowledge" itself?
"History and Eschatology:" is a lively and wide-ranging discussion that invites us to see Jesus
himself in a different light by better acquainting ourselves with the first-century Jewish world.
Genuine historical study challenges not only what we thought we knew but how we know it. The
crucifixion of the subsequently resurrected Jesus, as solid an event as any in the "natural" world,
turns out to meet, in unexpected and suggestive ways, the puzzles of the ultimate questions asked
by every culture. At the same time, these events open up vistas of the eschatological promise held
out to the entire natural order. The result is a larger vision, both of "natural theology" and of
Jesus himself, than either the academy or the church has normally expected.
Critique: Impressively thoughtful and thought-provoking, "History and Eschatology: Jesus and
the Promise of Natural Theology" is a singularly impressive work of Christian scholarship that is
enhanced for academia with the inclusion of a fourteen page Bibliography, forty pages of Notes,
a four page Index of Modern Authors, and a six page Index of Passages. While especially and
unreservedly recommended for community, church, seminary, college, and university library
Christian Theology & Philosophy collections, it should be noted for the personal reading lists of
students, academia, clergy, and non-specialist general readers with an interest in the subject that
"History and Eschatology: Jesus and the Promise of Natural Theology" is also readily available in
a digital book format (Kindle, $29.92).
Editorial Note: N. T. Wright is the former Bishop of Durham and is Research Professor of New
Testament and Early Christianity at the University of St Andrews. He is the author of more than
eighty books, including The Paul Debate: Critical Questions for Understanding the Apostle.
One Small Step
Matthew Barnett
Chosen Books
c/o Baker Publishing Group
6030 East Fulton, Ada, MI 49301
www.bakerpublishinggroup.com
9780800799571, $22.99, HC, 224pp, www.amazon.com
Synopsis: Can ordinary people make a lasting impact on the world around them? Matthew
Barnett's answer is an emphatic Yes! In "One Small Step: The Life-Changing Adventure of
Following God's Nudges", he shows that it is not as daunting as one might think. It all starts with
a heart that is open to the leading of the Holy Spirit and a willingness to do as he leads. These
small steps (most often very simple acts that can be done on a daily basis) require only our
obedience and follow-through.
With inspiring stories and biblical takeaways, Barnett calls readers to set aside their fears and
boldly embrace the life-changing adventure of becoming the hands and feet of Jesus to the
broken people right outside their front doors. His readers will soon discover that "random acts of
kindness" are not so random after all!
Critique: As thoughtful and thought-provoking as it is inspired and inspiring, "One Small Step:
The Life-Changing Adventure of Following God's Nudges" is a life-enhancing, spiritually
nourishing read and one that is unreservedly recommended for all members of the Christian
community regardless of denominational affiliations. It should be noted for personal reading lists
that "One Small Step: The Life-Changing Adventure of Following God's Nudges" is also readily
available in a digital book format (Kindle, $12.99).
Editorial Note: Matthew Barnett is senior pastor of the Los Angeles Dream Center and son of
legendary pastor Tommy Barnett. Presently, 120 Dream Centers are located across the country.
Presidents, religious leaders and many celebrities have referred to the Dream Center as a model
of community transformation and renewal.
Defeating Sin, second edition
Fr. Joseph David Huneycutt
SVS Press
575 Scarsdale Road, Yonkers, NY 10707
www.svspress.com
9780881416091, $23.00, PB, 180pp, www.amazon.com
Synopsis: Now in an newly expanded second edition that provides both the diagnosis and a
course of spiritual therapy, "Defeating Sin: Overcoming Our Passions and Changing Forever"
investigates the nature of the passions and the saving grace of the virtues.
Many fundamental questions are explored including: What led to the fall of the devil and his
angels?; What led to the fall of Adam and Eve, our first parents?; What causes our own falls?;
How can we identify the deceptions and temptations of the enemy?; How do we get up when we
fall?; How can we struggle toward God-pleasing solutions to our problems?
Critique: Written from an Orthodox Christian perspective, "Defeating Sin: Overcoming Our
Passions and Changing Forever" is an extraordinarily informative, thoughtful and thought-
provoking read throughout. While especially and unreservedly recommended for community,
church, seminary, and academic library Orthodox Christian Theology collections and
supplemental studies lists, it should be noted for seminary students, academia, clergy, and non-
specialist general readers with an interest in the subject that "Defeating Sin: Overcoming Our
Passions and Changing Forever" is also readily available in a digital book format (Kindle,
$13.99).
Editorial Note: The pastor of St Joseph Orthodox Church in Houston, Texas, and is well-known
for his blog and podcast, both called Orthodixie, the Very Rev. Joseph David Huneycutt is also
the author of One Flew Over the Onion Dome (SVS Press), and leads retreats on the passions,
the virtues, and confession across the country.
The God Who Acts in History
Craig G. Bartholomew
Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Company
4035 Park East Court SE, Grand Rapids, MI 49546
www.eerdmans.com
9780802874672, $29.99, PB, 265pp, www.amazon.com
Synopsis: Did the decisive event in the history of Israel known as the Exodus out of Egypt even
happen?
The Bible presents a living God who speaks and acts, and whose speaking and acting is
fundamental to his revelation of himself. God's action in history may seem obvious to many
Christians, but modern philosophy has problematized the idea. Today, many theologians often
use the Bible to speak of God while, at best, remaining agnostic about whether he has in fact
acted in history.
Historical revelation is central to both Jewish and Christian theology. Two major events in the
Bible showcase divine agency: the revelation at Sinai in Exodus and the incarnation of Jesus in
the gospels. Surprisingly, there is a lack of serious theological reflection on Sinai by both Jewish
and Christian scholars, and those who do engage the subject often oscillate about the historicity
of what occurred there.
In "The God Who Acts in History: The Significance of Sinai", Craig Bartholomew (who is the
Director of the Kirby Laing Institute for Christian Ethics, Tyndale House, Cambridge, UK)
explores how the early church understood divine action, looks at the philosophers who derided
the idea, and finally shows that the reasons for doubting the historicity of Sinai are not
persuasive. "The God Who Acts in History" provides compelling reasons for affirming that God
has acted and continues to act in history.
Critique: A masterpiece of biblical history combined with Christian theology and tradition, "The
God Who Acts in History: The Significance of Sinai" is an extraordinarily informed and
meticulously presented work of scholarship that is unreservedly recommended for church,
seminary, community, and academic library Old Testament Criticism & Interpretation collections
and supplemental studies lists. It should be noted for the personal reading lists of seminary
students, academia, clergy, and non-specialist general readers with an interest in the subject that
"Old Testament Criticism & Interpretation" is also available in a digital book format (Kindle,
$24.92).
Seasons of Amish Life: Rhythms of the Year
Danny Graber, photographer
Herald Press
P.O. Box 866, Harrisonburg, VA 22803
www.heraldpress.com
9781513806556, $19.99, HC, 144pp, www.amazon.com
Synopsis: An inherently fascinating project by photographer Danny Graber, "Seasons of Amish
Life: Rhythms of the Year, is a memorably vibrant photographic collection of an Amish
community through the year. Through remarkable photographs and sensitive prose, "Seasons of
Amish Life" visually showcases a snow-covered pond at dawn, when men and boys cut blocks of
ice and load them onto wagons, Amish women planting gardens in spring, and children helping
their fathers thresh oats in high summer. Then Autumn brings together the whole Amish
community to raise a barn in two days.
Critique: A beautiful book to simply browse through one charming page and image at a time,
"Seasons of Amish Life: Rhythms of the Year" is an extraordinary and highly recommended
addition to personal, community, church, and academic library Contemporary American
Photography collections in general, and Amish cultural and history reading lists in
particular.
Acres of Diamonds
Jentezen Franklin
Chosen Books
c/o Baker Publishing Group
6030 East Fulton, Ada, MI 49301
www.bakerpublishinggroup.com
9780800798673, $22.99, HC, 224pp, www.amazon.com
Synopsis: "Acres of Diamonds: Discovering God's Best Right Where You Are" by Jentezen
Franklin was written specifically for the benefit of those members of the Christian community
who are in a season of their lives where every search for direction, encouragement, or fulfillment
seems to come up empty. For those who thought God had them in a place to thrive and grow, but
who, because of their life experiences and stresses, are ready to call it quits. For those who feel
that there has to be something better.
The message embedded within the pages of "Acres of Diamonds" is that we don't need a new
garden; we just need to learn how to dig! "Acres of Diamonds" helps us to discover the
unfathomable riches Jesus Christ has for us. Rather than chase after a better life, we can celebrate
the untold spiritual provision to be found even in the midst of spiritual deprivation. Readers will
learn to cherish where God has placed them as they uncover the hidden potential within their
families, jobs, ministries, and communities -- right where they are.
Critique: As thoughtful and thought-provoking as it is inspired and inspiring, "Acres of
Diamonds: Discovering God's Best Right Where You Are" is an extraordinary and exceptionally
well written, organized and presented contribution to the growing library of Christian Spiritual
Growth books. While especially and unreservedly recommended for community and church
library Contemporary Christian Studies collections, it should be noted for the personal reading
lists of seminary students, clergy, and non-specialist general readers with an interest in the
subject that "Acres of Diamonds: Discovering God's Best Right Where You Are" is also readily
available in a digital book format (Kindle, $12.99).
Editorial Note: Jentezen Franklin is the Senior Pastor of Free Chapel, a multi-campus church.
Each week his television program Kingdom Connection is broadcast on major networks all over
the world. Jentezen has written eight books including the groundbreaking Fasting and Right
People-Right Place-Right Plan.
Giving Thanks and Letting Go
Danielle Bean
Ave Maria Press
PO Box 428, Notre Dame, IN 46556
www.avemariapress.com
9781594719455, $14.95, PB, 128pp, www.amazon.com
Synopsis: Comforting, relatable, and practical, "Giving Thanks and Letting Go: Reflections on
the Gift of Motherhood" shares Danielle Bean's personal experience of launching her children
into their adult lives. From this crucial moment in her motherhood, she offers sage advice as she
reflects on the precious years she spent raising children and learning to trust in God's
providence.
"Giving Thanks and Letting Go" reveals the freedom Danielle discovered as she tossed out old
trophies and Nordic Ware; the release she feels when she lets herself sob with abandon; the
pleasant satisfaction of extra space in her home and in her marriage; and the happy recognition of
God's abiding presence through all the years of family life.
"Giving Thanks and Letting Go" will help women to deal with: Letting yourself grieve;
Acknowledging that being a mom has never been easy; Turning to your husband; Giving up
control; Accepting the suffering with grace; Trusting in God to have the best plans; Sparking joy,
give thanks, and move on; Nourishing the soul, body, and mind.
Critique: Candid, realistic, practical, and absolute fascinating, "Giving Thanks and Letting Go:
Reflections on the Gift of Motherhood" is an extraordinary and inspiring read -- and unreservedly
recommended to the attention of all members of the Christian community. It should be noted for
personal reading lists that "Giving Thanks and Letting Go" is also readily available in a digital
book format (Kindle, $8.99).
Editorial Note: Danielle Bean is the brand manager at www.CatholicMom.com, an apostolate of
Holy Cross Family Ministries. A Catholic podcaster and cohost of The Gist on CatholicTV, she
also has served as publisher and editor-in-chief of Catholic Digest. Bean is also the author of
several books, including Small Steps for Catholic Moms, Momnipotent, and You Are Enough.
She is a retreat leader and a popular speaker on a variety of subjects related to Catholic family
life, education, marriage, and motherhood.
Post-Christian
Gene Edward Veith, Jr.
Crossway Books
1300 Crescent Street, Wheaton, IL 60187
www.crossway.org
9781433565786, $24.99, PB, 320pp, www.amazon.com
Synopsis: We live in a post-Christian world. Contemporary thought (claiming to be "progressive"
and "liberating") attempts to place human beings in God's role as creator, lawgiver, and savior.
But these post-Christian ways of thinking and living are running into dead ends and fatal
contradictions.
"Post-Christian: A Guide to Contemporary Thought and Culture" by Professor Gene Edward
Veith is a timely book that demonstrates how the Christian world view stands firm in a secular
world dedicated to constructing its own knowledge, morality, and truth. Professor Veith points
out the problems with how today's culture views humanity, God, and even reality itself. He also
offers hope-filled, practical ways believers can live out their faith in a secularist society as a way
to recover reality, rebuild culture, and revive faith.
Critique: Impressively informative, exceptionally thought-provoking, erudite in commentary,
thoroughly 'reader friendly' in organization and presentation, "Post-Christian: A Guide to
Contemporary Thought and Culture" is an extraordinary study and one that is unreservedly
recommended for church, seminary, college, and university library Contemporary Christian
Theology & Apologetics collections. It should be noted for the personal reading lists of seminary
students, academia, clergy, and non-specialist general readers with an interest in the subject that
"Post-Christian: A Guide to Contemporary Thought and Culture" is also readily available in a
digital book format (Kindle, $16.80).
Editorial Note: Gene Edward Veith is a Provost and Professor of Literature Emeritus at Patrick
Henry College. He previously worked as the culture editor of World magazine. and is the author
of Reading Between the Lines: A Christian Guide to Literature.
The Judaic Studies Shelf
Ani Maamin
Joshua Berman
Maggid Books
c/o Toby Press/Koren Publishers
PO Box 8531, New Milford, CT 06776-8531
www.korenpub.com
9781592645381, $29.95, HC, 334pp, www.amazon.com
Synopsis: For the last two centuries the academic study of the Bible has confronted the believing
Jew with the most challenging of questions: Are the accounts of the Tanakh historically
accurate? Was there an Exodus? Why does the Torah provide multiple versions of its law and its
stories? What are the warrants for believing the Torah is a divine text? Can a Jew seeking
intellectual honesty maintain fidelity to the Thirteen Principles of Faith?
The credentials Rabbi Dr. Joshua Berman brings to address these issues are unparalleled. An
internationally acclaimed speaker, writer and educator, Rabbi Berman is also a professor of
Tanakh at Bar-Ilan University and the author of two books published by Oxford University Press
on the five books of the Torah.
"Ani Maamin: Biblical Criticism, Historical Truth, and the Thirteen Principles of Faith" is a
landmark work and the first full-length treatment of these charged issues by an Orthodox thinker,
offering the believing Jew an academically and traditionally based approach of spiritual and
intellectual integrity.
Critique: An inherently interesting, impressively informative, exceptionally well organized,
thoughtful and thought-provoking read, "Ani Maamin: Biblical Criticism, Historical Truth, and
the Thirteen Principles of Faith" is an extraordinary and unreservedly recommended addition to
personal, synagogue, community, college, and university library Contemporary Judaic Studies
collections and supplemental curriculum reading lists.
Remix Judaism
Roberta Rosenthal Kwall
Rowman & Littlefield Publishing
c/o Rowman & Littlefield Publishing Group
4501 Forbes Blvd., Suite 200, Lanham, MD 20706
www.rowman.com
9781538129555, $30.00, HC, 266pp, www.amazon.com
Synopsis: "Remix Judaism: Preserving Tradition in a Diverse World" by Roberta Rosenthal
Kwall offers an eloquent and thoughtful new vision for all Jews seeking a sense of belonging in a
changing world, regardless of their current level of observance. Kwall sets out a process of
selection, rejection, and modification of rituals that allow for a focus on Jewish tradition rather
than on the technicalities of Jewish law.
Roberta's goal is not to sell her own religious practices to readers but, rather, to encourage them
to find their own personal meaning in Judaism outside the dictates of Commandment by
broadening their understanding of how law, culture and tradition fit together. In "Remix
Judaism", she inspires her audience to be intentional and mindful about the space they allocate
for these elements in defining their individual Jewish journeys and identities.
Critique: As thoughtful and thought-provoking as it is inspired and inspiring, "Remix Judaism:
Preserving Tradition in a Diverse World" is an exceptionally well written, organized and
presented study that will prove to be an enduringly popular and appreciated contribution to the
growing body of Contemporary Judaic Studies literature. While highly recommended for
community, synagogue, and academic library Judaic Studies collections, it should be noted for
personal reading lists that "Remix Judaism" is also readily available in a digital book format
(Kindle, $27.09).
Editorial Note: Roberta Rosenthal Kwall is the Raymond P. Niro Professor at DePaul University
College of Law. She earned her undergraduate degree in Religious Studies and American
Civilization from Brown University and received her law degree from the University of
Pennsylvania Law School, where she was on the Editorial Board of the Law Review and sang
with the school's light opera company. She also has a Master's Degree in Jewish Studies.
Professor Kwall is a prolific writer and lecturer whose work focuses on a wide array of topics
including Jewish tradition and American Judaism, author's rights, creativity theory, and cultural
analysis. In 2006, she was designated as one of the Ten Best Law Professors in Illinois by
Chicago Lawyer Magazine. She can be followed on twitter at @robertakwall.
To This Very Day
Amnon Bazak
Maggid Books
c/o Koren Publishers Jerusalem Ltd.
PO Box 8531, New Milford, CT 06776-8531
www.korenpub.com
9781592645152, $34.95, HC, 492pp, www.amazon.com
Synopsis: In recent generations, there has been a renaissance of Tanakh study among Jewry in
general, and in the study halls of the Religious-Zionist community in particular. This return to
in-depth study of the plain text has brought with it new challenges. How should one respond to
the complex questions raised by close textual reading, by new methodology, and by recent
discoveries?
"To This Very Day: Fundamental Questions in the Bible Study" by Rabbi Amnon Bazak (an
instructor at Yeshivat Har Etzion in Israel and a lectuerer in Bible and Oral Law at Herzog
Collge) offers a unique approach that has arisen in the current generation of Bible scholars, who
come to Tanakh study with deep, serious belief in the holiness and divine nature of the books, on
the one hand, and on the other, the understanding that new discoveries in the scholarly world
need neither be rejected out of hand nor adopted in their entirety.
Critique: An impressively written, exceptionally informative, thoughtful and thought-provoking
study, "To This Very Day: Fundamental Questions in the Bible Study" is an extraordinary and
unreservedly recommended addition to personal, rabbinical, synagogue, and academic library
Contemporary Judaic Studies collections and supplemental curriculum reading lists.
Jewish Mysticism: From Ancient Times through Today
Marvin A. Sweeney
Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Company
4035 Park East Court SE, Grand Rapids, MI 49546
www.eerdmans.com
9780802864031, $60.00, HC, 500pp, www.amazon.com
Synopsis: Questions of how the divine presence is understood and interacts within the world
have been around since the time of the biblical prophets. The Jewish mystical tradition conceives
God as active, just, powerful, and present while allowing for divine limitation so as to understand
the relationship between G-d and the Jewish people in their history.
In "Jewish Mysticism: From Ancient Times through Today" Professor Marvin Sweeney surveys
Jewish visionary and mystical experience from biblical and ancient Near Eastern times through
the modern period and the emergence of modern Hasidism. Professor Sweeney also provides a
comprehensive treatment of one of the most dynamic fields of Jewish studies in the twenty-first
century, providing an accessible overview of texts and interpretative issues.
Professor Sweeney begins with the biblical period, which most treatments of Jewish mysticism
avoid, and includes chapters on the ancient Near East, the Pentateuch, the Former Prophets and
Psalms, the Latter Prophets, Jewish Apocalyptic, the Heikhalot Literature, the Sefer Yetzirah and
early Kabbalistic Literature, the Zohar, Lurianic Kabbalah and the Shabbetean Movement, and
the Hasidic Movement.
Placing Jewish apocalyptic literature into the larger development of ancient Jewish visionary and
mystical experience, Professor Sweeney fills gaps left by the important but outdated work of
others in the field. Ideal for the scholar, student, or general reader, "Jewish Mysticism" provides
readers with a fresh understanding of the particular challenges, problems, needs, and perspectives
of Judaism throughout its history.
Critique: An impressively informative and meticulously documented work of exceptional
scholarship, "Jewish Mysticism: From Ancient Times through Today" is enhanced for academia
with the inclusion of a twelve page Bibliography, a three page Index of Authors, a two page
Index of Subjects, and an eight page Index. Simply stated, "Jewish Mysticism: From Ancient
Times through Today" is an especially and unreservedly recommended addition to personal,
community, college, and university library Contemporary Judaic History collections in general,
and Jewish Mysticism/Kabbalah supplemental studies reading lists in particular.
Editorial Note: Marvin A. Sweeney is the Professor of Hebrew Bible at the Claremont School of
Theology, where he teaches in the areas of Hebrew Bible studies and the history of Judaism and
Jewish thought. He is a specialist in Jewish biblical theology, prophetic literature, narrative
literature, and Jewish mysticism and visionary texts.
The Islamic Studies Shelf
The Many Faces of Political Islam, second edition
Mohammed Ayoob & Danielle N. Lussier
University of Michigan Press
839 Greene Street, Ann Arbor, MI 48104-3209
www.press.umich.edu
9780472037650, $29.95, PB, 258pp, www.amazon.com
Synopsis: Analysts and pundits from across the American political spectrum describe Islamic
fundamentalism as one of the greatest threats to modern, Western-style democracy. Yet very few
non-Muslims would be able to venture an accurate definition of political Islam.
Now in a fully revised and updated second edition, "The Many Faces of Political Islam: Religion
and Politics in Muslim Societies" by the team of Danielle N. Lussier (who is an Associate
Professor of Political Science at Grinnell College, Grinnell, Iowa) and Mohammed Ayoob (who
is the University Distinguished Emeritus Professor of International Relations at Michigan State
University, and a Non-Resident Senior Fellow at the Center for Global Policy, in Washington,
DC) thoroughly analyzes the many facets of this political ideology and shows its impact on
global relations.
Critique: An ideal introduction to the subject of Islamic political systems, "The Many Faces of
Political Islam: Religion and Politics in Muslim Societies" is enhanced for academia with the
inclusion of a sixteen page Bibliography, twenty-six pages of Notes, a four page Glossary, and a
fifteen page Index. While an especially and unreservedly recommended addition to community,
college, and university library Contemporary Islamic Studies & Political Science collections, it
should be noted for the personal reading lists of students, academia, governmental policy makers,
corporate executives seeking to do business in or with an Islamic country, and non-specialist
general readers with an interest in the subject that "The Many Faces of Political Islam" is also
readily available in a digital book format (eTextbook, $29.95).
The Science Shelf
IFL Science WTF Weird True Facts
Ripley Publishing
c/o Ripley Entertainment Inc.
7576 Kingspointe Pkwy - Suite 188, Orlando, FL 32819
https://www.ripleys.com/publishing
9781609913830, $19.99, PB, 192pp, www.amazon.com
Synopsis: It's weird. It's true. And in the pages of "IFL Science WTF Weird True Facts", the folks
at Ripley's Believe It or Not! have created a remarkable and memorable compendium of odd and
unusual facts.
Did you know that there may be mini black holes passing through Earth every day? Or that the
secrets of digestion were discovered by testing on a gentleman who was curiously living with a
6-inch hole in his stomach? What if we told you the color pink isn't real? These are all Weird
True Facts!
From the editors of Ripley's Believe It or Not! and IFL Science comes an unusual volume that
will not only educate but entertain, giving a deeper approach to science and wonders of the world
around us.
Critique: An inherently fascinating, informative, and entertaining read from beginning to end,
"IFL Science WTF Weird True Facts" is an extraordinary and certain to be enduringly popular
addition to personal, school and community library collections.
Editorial Note: Ripley's Believe It or Not! is globally renowned as the authority on the weird, the
eccentric, and the amazing. Ripley's Believe It or Not! provides entertaining books for children of
all ages which educates and informs them in a humorous style. Every day the researchers at
Ripley's are busy digging up the craziest true stories and the most unbelievable facts.
The Travel Shelf
Lonely Planet: Chicago
Ali Lemer, et al.
Lonely Planet Publications
150 Linden Street, Oakland CA 94607
www.lonelyplanet.com
9781787013476, $21.99, PB, 336pp, www.amazon.com
Synopsis: Lonely Planet's "Chicago" is a succinct compendium of the most relevant and
up-to-date advice on what to see and what to skip when visiting one of America's premier
cities.
This compact edition of Lonely Planet's "Chicago" includes: a new pull-out, passport-size 'Just
Landed' card with wi-fi, ATM and transportation info - all you need for a smooth journey from
airport to hotel; Full Color maps and images throughout; Highlights and itineraries to help you
tailor your trip to your personal needs and interests; Insider tips to save time and money and get
around like a local, avoiding crowds and trouble spots; Essential phone numbers, websites,
transit tips, prices; Honest reviews for all budgets for eating, sleeping, sightseeing, going out,
shopping, hidden gems that most guidebooks miss; Cultural insights give you a richer, more
rewarding travel experience - history, people, music, landscapes, wildlife, cuisine, politics.
Lonely Planet's "Chicago" also covers The Loop, Near North, Gold Coast, Old Town, Boystown,
Wrigleyville, Andersonville, Uptown, Wicker Park, Bucktown, Ukrainian Village, Logan Square,
Humboldt Park, West Loop, Pilsen, South Side, and more
Critique: Whether a native resident or just visiting for business or pleasure, this profusely
informative and exceptionally 'user friendly' edition of Lonely Planet's "Chicago" is especially
and unreservedly recommended for planning itineraries and getting the most out of your Chicago
experience. It should be noted that Lonely Planet's "Chicago" is also readily available in a digital
book format (Kindle, $13.19).
Iran, sixth edition
Bradt Guides
www.bradtguides.com
9781784775773, $26.99, PB, 392pp, www.amazon.com
Synopsis: This newly updated and expanded sixth edition of Bradt's Iran travel guide continues to
provide the most detailed background, history and cultural information available when visiting
this 'Jewel of Central Asia'. Thoroughly reviewed to provide all the latest information, including
security and language, this new edition includes expanded information on travel to western Iran,
namely Khorasan Province, which remains largely unexplored, with an emphasis on the
uniqueness of Iranian cultural heritage combined with stunning landscapes.
Also featured are new are maps of Sadosaltaheh Caravanserai, Tabriz, Kerman and Shiraz and
Tehran city centres. Travel through Iranian Kurdistan is included, as well as hiking routes in the
Alborz and Zagros Mountains and expanded practical information for independent
travellers.
Food and arts, rugs and handicrafts are all covered, plus details of recommended Iranian movies.
For outdoor enthusiasts, there are details of swimming, skiing, and desert and eco-tours.
First-hand descriptions of attractions range from the exquisite mosques of Esfahan and the
museums and palaces of Tehran to caravanserai, Nishapur, Qaleh Rudkhan and Kurdish villages
on the Silk Road Trail. Up-to-date information on all the basics - hotels, restaurants, businesses
and shops - help you to uncover the mysteries of ancient Persepolis, to enjoy a soak and scrub in
a local hamam, or to pick up a pair of giveh slippers or a Persian rug in Kirman's baazar.
Critique: Profusely illustrated, expertly written, organized and presented, "Iran" is the ideal travel
guide for getting the most out a visit to Iran whether it be for a business trip or a vacation. While
especially and unreservedly recommended for community and academic library Travel Guide
collections in general, and Iranian destination travel in particular, it should be noted for personal
reading lists that "Iran" is also readily available in a digital book format (Kindle, $22.49).
Editorial Note: Maria Oleynik is a Middle East expert and freelance translator fluent in ten
languages, including Persian and Arabic. Since her first trip to the Middle East in 2003, she has
studied in Yemen, Lebanon and Egypt. Since 2013 Iran has become her main professional and
academic interest and she has studied Persian at the University of Esfahan, completed a Persian
language teacher training course in Saadi Foundation in Tehran, studied Persian in Dekhoda
Institute in the University of Tehran and is currently undertaking a degree in Middle Eastern
Language (Persian) and Society in the University of Copenhagen. Describing Iran as the love of
her life, she endlessly researches and merges into the culture and history of this magnificent
land.
Discovering Denver Parks: A Local's Guide
Chris Englert
Mountaineers Books
1001 SW Klickitat Way, Suite 201, Seattle, WA 98134-1161
www.mountaineersbooks.org
9781680512489, $18.95, PB, 272pp, www.amazon.com
Synopsis: Compact and easy-to-use, "Discovering Denver Parks: A Local's Guide" is an
informative, and fun guidebook that covers the range of what the city of Denver, Colorado has to
offer ranging from tiny pocket parks to expansive open space, classic park facilities to
conservation zones.
"Discovering Denver Parks" even explores destination parks in the foothills just beyond the city.
Each park's listing includes: Icons for key features: accessibility, kid-friendly, dog-friendly,
views, historic significance, public art, gardens, unpaved trails, paved trails, lakefront, riverfront,
spray park/wading pool, horseback riding and--because it's Denver--winter sports; Notes for
other major amenities, such as restrooms, shelters, playgrounds, and more; Public transportation,
driving, and parking directions; Details on each park's history and size; History and descriptive
highlights such as sledding hills, water features, mountain biking paths, and more; Ways to
extend your park visit with easy add-on walks or bike rides to other nearby parks or
attractions/
Critique: Exceptionally well organized and presented, "Discovering Denver Parks: A Local's
Guide" showcases a wealth of practical and useful information that will provide locals and
visitors with a wealth of options to explore and enjoy the many and varied parks of Denver.
While very highly recommended for community library Travel Guide collections, it should be
noted for personal reading and reference lists that "Discovering Denver Parks: A Local's Guide"
is also readily available in a digital book format (Kindle, $12.61).
Editorial Note: Chris Englert moved to Denver in 2013 and decided to walk all of Denver's trails
and neighborhoods. Walking raised questions for her: why were parks named the way they were,
where could she find a good place for kids to play, and what made each park special? She has
since become the authority on Denver's parks and trails. She is also the author of Best Urban
Hikes: Denver (Colorado Mountain Club Press, 2020). Chris maintains a website at
DenverByFoot.com and can be visited on her on Instragram, Facebook and Twitter
@denverbyfoot.
Hike the Parks: Sequoia-Kings Canyon National Parks
Scott Turner
Mountaineers Books
1001 SW Klickitat Way, Suite 201, Seattle, WA 98134-1161
www.mountaineersbooks.org
9781680511543, $16.95, PB, 240pp, www.amazon.com
Synopsis: Whether you're visiting for a day or exploring for a week, "Hike the Parks:
Sequoia-Kings Canyon National Parks - Best Day Hikes, Walks, and Sights" is a compact and
easily transported travel guide that provides practical and useful information on the best hikes
and walks in the Sequoia-Kings Canyon National Parks, as well as providing views, giant trees,
camping, and more to help visitors make the most of there outdoor experiences.
All of the featured attractions are easily accessible from the parks' main roads, and the 40
carefully selected day hikes range from easy to challenging. Other features include: Park basics:
visitor centers, permits and fees, info on gateway towns, fun facts; "Must-see" sights within the
park; Overview of the parks' flora and fauna; Brief tips and advice for non-hiking activities;
Overview of park campgrounds and lodging; Park and hiking safety.
Critique: Nicely illustrated, accessibly organized and presented, "Hike the Parks: Sequoia-Kings
Canyon National Parks - Best Day Hikes, Walks, and Sights" is an ideal and unreservedly
recommended travel guide. "Hike the Parks: Sequoia-Kings Canyon National Parks - Best Day
Hikes, Walks, and Sights" is very highly recommended for both personal and community library
Travel Guide collections.
Editorial Note: Scott Turner is also the author of Hike the Parks: Joshua Tree National Park and
Hike the Parks: Zion and Bryce Canyon National Parks, both published by Mountaineers Books.
He has also contributed over 250 trail descriptions across Southern California, the Sierra Nevada,
Hawaii, Utah, Arizona, and Montana for ModernHiker.com, the West Coast's most widely read
hiking website. Scott maintains the www.OneThousandMilesBlog.wordpress.com and can be
followed on Instagram @scottturnerhikes.
The Photography Shelf
Tulips
Peter Arnold
teNeues Publishing
350 Seventh Avenue, Suite 301, New York, NY, 10011
www.teneues.com
9783961712656, $24.95, HC, 144pp, www.amazon.com
Synopsis: No flower, whether in a garden or as a cut flower in a vase, is as well-known and as
varied in shape and color as the tulip. Once the most expensive flower bulb in the world, this
ever-cheerful member of the Lily family is defined by its vibrant hues and simple sophistication
of form.
"Tulip" is a newly-designed classic of floral photography in which Peter Arnold fully captures
the tulip in all its beauty and diversity. From familiar to exotic tulip varieties, his exquisite tulip
pictures are supplemented with new texts -- including a Foreword by Sir Elton John.
Critique: A 'must' for all gardeners, flower lovers, and fans of art and flower photography,
browsing through the pages of "Tulips" is the next best thing to personally walking through the
tulip fields of Holland. A simply gorgeous photographic compendium, "Tulips" is unreservedly
recommended for personal, professional, community and academic library collections.
The Health/Medicine Shelf
The Little Book of Doctors' Rules
Clifton K. Meador, MD
Square One Publishers
115 Herricks Road, Garden City Park, NY 11040
www.squareonepublishers.com
9780757004933, $14.95, PB, 112pp, www.amazon.com
Synopsis: In "The Little Book of Doctors' Rules: A Practical Guide To The Art Of Healing", Dr.
Clifton Meador draws on his nearly sixty-year medical career for nuggets of advice with both
compassion and humor. Although there may not be a defined medical disease behind every
physical symptom, Dr. Meador reminds us that the reason behind a symptom may be found if a
doctor observes and listens carefully to a patient. He believes an effective physician treats a
patient, not just a patient's disease.
"The Little Book of Doctors' Rules" offers insightful rules that address a host of topics, which
include developing a rapport with patients, treating dementia, and prescribing drugs. Designed
for any healthcare professional, these short rules are easily understood and (mostly)
non-technical. Here is a small sampling of Dr. Meador's advice, from the sage and somber to the
clever and sometimes controversial.
Critique: Expertly written, organized and presented, "The Little Book of Doctors' Rules: A
Practical Guide To The Art Of Healing" should be considered mandatory reading by all medical
students, practicing physicians, and other members of the medical profession. "The Little Book
of Doctors' Rules" should be considered a core and unreservedly recommended addition to
college and university medical school library Health/Medicine collections and supplemental
curriculum studies lists.
Editorial Note: Clifton K. Meador, MD is a graduate of Vanderbilt University School of
Medicine. He trained at Columbia Presbyterian Hospital in New York and at Vanderbilt Medical
School, where he completed a NIH fellowship in endocrinology. After practicing medicine, he
joined the faculty of medicine at University of Alabama School, where he was professor of
medicine and then dean of the UAB School of Medicine from 1968 to 1973. He returned to
Vanderbilt and Saint Thomas Hospital, serving as chief of medicine and chief medical officer of
Saint Thomas Hospital from 1973 to 1998. He then served as the first executive director of the
Meharry-Vanderbilt Alliance from 1999 to 2012. He is professor of medicine emeritus at both
Vanderbilt School of Medicine and Meharry Medical College.
Plants for the People
Erin Lovell Verinder, author
Georgia Blackie, photographer
Thames & Hudson, Inc.
500 Fifth Avenue, New York, NY 10110-0017
www.thamesandhudsonusa.com
9781760760465, $29.95, HC, 208pp, www.amazon.com
Synopsis: Plants are our oldest source of medicine and a leading wellspring of our future cures.
"Plants for the People: A Modern Guide to Plant Medicine by master herbalist Erin Lovell
Verinder is a celebration of plants and an introduction to their healing powers. An exploration of
the plant world, combined with expert advice, "Plants for the People" deftly weaves ancient
traditional knowledge with a modern approach to plant medicine.
Including dozens of medicinal plants (ranging from aloe vera to turmeric), "Plants for the People"
introduces readers to each plant's unique personality, story, characteristics, quirks, and strengths.
"Plants for the People" also explains how to use these herbs in tinctures, teas, balms, essences,
lotions, and more. From gathering to storing, "Plants for the People" is packed from cover to
cover with captivating visuals and informative text that will give readers an insightful
understanding of plant medicines.
"Plants for the People" is a basic herbal compendium that encourages readers to explore the
world of plant medicine and expand their journey to health and wellness through nature's
bounty.
Critique: Enhanced with 80 full color photographic illustrations by Georgia Blackie, "Plants for
the People: A Modern Guide to Plant Medicine" is thoroughly 'reader friendly' in commentary,
organization and presentation, making it an ideal and unreservedly recommended addition to
personal, professional, community, college, and university library Health/Medicine collections in
general, and Herbal Medicine supplemental studies reading lists in particular.
Editorial Note: Erin Lovell Verinder is an herbalist, nutritionist, energetic healer, mentor,
wellness expert, and writer. She trained in America and Australia and has spent more than
eighteen years walking the plant path, working with natural medicine to promote health and
well-being. She has written for multiple online platforms and magazines, such as The Planthunter
and Vogue Australia.
Lipoprotein (a), the Heart's Quiet Killer
Joel K. Kahn & Beverly Lynn Bennett
The Book Publishing Company
PO Box 99, Summertown, TN 38483
www.BookPubCo.com
9781570673870, $19.95, PB, 160pp, www.amazon.com
Synopsis: A cardiologist Joel Kahn draws upon his professional experience and expertise in
"Lipoprotein (a), the Heart's Quiet Killer: A Diet & Lifestyle Guide" to create a breakthrough
book on lipoprotein(a). An estimated one in five people have elevated levels of a type of
cholesterol called lipoprotein(a) which can increase the risk for cardiovascular disease, including
blocked arteries, blood clots, and stroke.
Dr. Kahn explains how this condition is a factor of genetics rather than poor lifestyle choices,
pinpoints who needs to have their levels checked, and which types of tests to request. He also
shares research that shows plant-based diets in general provide the best defense against heart
attacks, strokes, and cardiovascular disease and can play an important role in protecting
individuals with elevated lipoprotein(a) levels.
In "Lipoprotein (a), the Heart's Quiet Killer: A Diet & Lifestyle Guide" He has partnered with
vegan expert Beverly Lynn Bennett who provides dozens of delicious, oil-free recipes that
feature foods rich in the nutrients found to be the most protective for heart-health.
Critique: A combination medical manual and cookbook, "Lipoprotein (a), the Heart's Quiet
Killer: A Diet & Lifestyle Guide" showcases beautifully and profusely illustrated recipes for
'heart healthy' dishes that will please any palate and satisfy any appetite. Exceptional in both
organization and presentation, "Lipoprotein (a), the Heart's Quiet Killer: A Diet & Lifestyle
Guide" is unreservedly recommended for personal and community library cookbook collections
and a 'must' for anyone having to deal with cholesterol issues.
The Needlecraft Shelf
Cute Crocheted Wild Animals
Emma Varnam
The GMC Group
www.gmcbooks.com
9781784945480, $19.95, PB, 128pp, www.amazon.com
Synopsis: Inspired by the imagination of children, needlecraft expert Emma Varnam likes to
make items that bring a smile. She has written a number of popular crochet books that include
Granny Squares Home, Crocheted Keyrings & Charms, Cute Crocheted Animals and How to
Crochet, all published by GMC Publications. Now with "Cute Crocheted Wild Animals" she
draws upon her years of experience and expertise to create a DIY instruction manual and guide
for creating ten adorable crocheted chums that have enviable wardrobes to mix and match. The
five pairs of animals (pandas, lions, zebras, elephants and monkeys) all have distinctive
personalities and gorgeous outfits. All the clothes can fit all of the animals, so there is lots of fun
to be had dressing them up. Each individual project comprising "Cute Crocheted Wild Animals"
is beautifully photographed and includes clear patterns and guidance. Of special note is a
techniques section that gives clear instructions on all the skills needed and necessary to
successfully make the animals and their outfits.
Critique: Thoroughly 'user friendly' in organization and presentation, "Cute Crocheted Wild
Animals" is an ideal and unreservedly recommended addition to personal, professional, and
community library Needlecraft instructional reference collections.
The Gardening Shelf
Indoor Green: Living with Plants
Bree Flaffey, author
Lauren Bamford, photographer
Thames & Hudson, Inc.
500 Fifth Avenue, New York, NY 10110-0017
www.thamesandhudsonusa.com
9780500500538, $39.95, HC, 208pp, www.amazon.com
Synopsis: For centuries, plants have transformed interiors. Today the plant-filled home is an
inspiration to every avid shelter-blog reader or expert Pinterest-board maker. In "Indoor Green:
Living with Plants", Bree Claffey journeys into the interior worlds of fellow plant lovers to
explore the enduring attraction of houseplants. From the ever-reliable peace lily and beguiling
fiddle leaf fig to the elusive Chinese money plant, "Indoor Green" makes it obvious that even the
humblest greenery can transform a home.
Houseplants encompass the art of decorative arrangement and add romance to any room. Within
the pages of "Indoor Green", Lauren Bamford's gorgeous full color photographs of interiors from
across the globe enhanced chapters such as "Plant Music," "How to Grow Fresh Air," "Plant
Portraits," and more, making the magic easy to replicate in the reader's own home.
Interviews of indoor green enthusiasts appear alongside the images, as well as tips on caring for
plants and an index of plant varieties. More than good-looking props, plants are living, growing,
joyful things rooted in community and creativity, and are easy to introduce into any home and
lifestyle.
Critique: Thoroughly inspiring and 'user friendly' in commentary, organization and presentation,
"Indoor Green: Living with Plants" is an extraordinary and unreservedly recommended addition
to community and academic library Gardening & Horticulture collections. It should be noted for
personal reading lists that "Indoor Green: Living with Plants" is also readily available in a
paperback edition (9780500501061, $29.95).
Editorial Note: Bree Claffey is the owner of Mr. Kitly, an emporium of carefully curated
ceramics, housewares, and indoor plants.
Lauren Bamford is a Melbourne-based lifestyle photographer. She regularly contributes to
national and international publications including Vogue Living Australia, Kinfolk, and the Wall
Street Journal.
Gardening Your Front Yard
Tara Nolan
Cool Springs Press
c/o Quarto Publishing Group USA
400 First Avenue North, Suite 400, Minneapolis, MN 55401-1722
www.quartoknows.com
9780760364864, $30.00, HC, 208pp, www.amazon.com
Synopsis: With her unique combination of DIY/building savvy and gardening expertise, in
"Gardening Your Front Yard: Projects and Ideas for Big and Small Spaces" author and gardener
Tara Nolan takes aspiring yard gardeners past the main pitfalls they may encounter when trying
to fit a garden or gardens between their home and the street.
Beautifully illustrated and informationally comprehensive instructional guide and manual,
"Gardening Your Front Yard" shows how to accomplish several hardscape projects including
building front patios, borders, edging, and walkways, as well as making raised beds, planting
containers, trellises, rose arbors, privacy screens, and more -- all custom-designed for the rigors
of front-yard gardening.
"Gardening Your Front Yard" also covers choosing the right plants when dealing with a small,
highly visible area with less than ideal growing conditions -- a common trait of most front
yards!
There is also practical advice on training vines up brickwork and planting around foundation
walls, planting boulevards/hell strips. Shade gardens, privacy screening, and security dos and
don'ts are covered, as well as how to intermingle edibles and landscape plants, cactus and
succulent gardens, birdbaths, and so much more.
With the sage advice and step-by-step projects of this comprehensive guide, even the most
novice of yard gardeners can successfully convert the front yard from a bland grasscape to a vital
living space.
Critique: Profusely illustrated throughout and thoroughly 'user friendly' in organization and
presentation, "Gardening Your Front Yard: Projects and Ideas for Big and Small Spaces" is an
especially recommended addition to personal, professional, community, and academic library
Gardening & Horticulture collections.
Editorial Note: Tara Nolan, author of Raised Bed Revolution, is a garden writer and editor with a
diverse background in publishing. Her work has appeared in the Toronto Star, as well as in
magazines, including Reader's Digest and Canadian Living, and on websites, like
Design*Sponge. Tara is a co-founder, with three other garden writers, of Savvy Gardening
(www.savvygardening.com) and was the award-winning web editor of Canadian Gardening
magazine's website (CanadianGardening.com) for six years. Tara does work for the Toronto
Botanical Garden and the Canadian Garden Council, and volunteers for the Royal Botanical
Garden. She is also a member of GWA: The Association for Garden Communicators.
The Poetry Shelf
A Nail the Evening Hangs On
Monica Sok
Copper Canyon Press
PO Box 271, Port Townsend, WA 98368
www.coppercanyonpress.org
9781556595608, $16.99, PB, 88pp, www.amazon.com
Synopsis: Monica Sok uses poetry to reshape a family's memory (memories that iare both real
and imagined) about the Khmer Rouge regime according to a child of refugees. Driven by
myth-making and fables, the poems examine the inheritance of the genocide and the profound
struggles of searing grief and PTSD.
Though the landscape of Cambodia is always present, it is the liminal space, the in-betweenness
of diaspora, in which younger generations must reconcile their history and create new rituals. "A
Nail the Evening Hangs On" seeks to reclaim the Cambodian narrative with tenderness and an
imagination that moves towards wholeness and possibility.
Critique: All the more impressive when considering that "A Nail the Evening Hangs On" is
Monica Sok's debut collection of her poetry, this deftly penned anthology is especially and
unreservedly recommended for personal, community, college, and university library
Contemporary Poetry collections.
Editorial Note: Monica Sok is a Cambodian American poet and the daughter of former refugees.
She is the author of Year Zero winner of a Poetry Society of America Chapbook Fellowship. Her
work has been recognized with a "Discovery" / Boston Review Poetry Prize. Currently, Sok is a
2018-2020 Stegner Fellow in Poetry at Stanford University. Residing in Oakland, California,
Monica teaches poetry to youths at Banteay Srei and the Center for Empowering Refugees and
Immigrants.
The Self-Help Shelf
How Not to Be a Hot Mess
Craig Hase & Devon Hase
www.devonandcraighase.com
Shambhala Publications, Inc.
300 Massachusetts Avenue, Boston, MA 02115-4544
www.shambhala.com
9781611807981, $18.95, HC, 176pp, www.amazon.com
Synopsis: It may seem like the world is going to hell in a hand basket right now. Whether it's big
stuff like politics and climate change, or just the daily spin of paying your bills, getting to work
on time, and fending off social media trolls, we can all admit, modern life ain't easy. "How Not to
Be a Hot Mess: A Survival Guide for Modern Life" presents six really good guiding principles to
keep you anchored and steady amidst the chaos and that are inspired from the ancient wisdom of
Buddhism and mindfulness practice.
Critique: As thoughtful and thought-provoking as it is inspired and inspiring, "How Not to Be a
Hot Mess: A Survival Guide for Modern Life" fully lives up to the promise of its title.
Exceptionally well written, organized and presented, "How Not to Be a Hot Mess: A Survival
Guide for Modern Life" is an extraordinary and unreservedly recommended addition to
community, college, and university library Self-Help/Self-Improvement collections. It should be
noted for the personal reading lists of anyone interested in a Buddhist perspective and approach
to dealing with the stresses of life that "How Not to Be a Hot Mess: A Survival Guide for
Modern Life" is also readily available in a digital book format (Kindle, $11.99).
Editorial Note: Craig and Devon Hase mentor dharma practitioners online, teach meditation on
the Simple Habit app, and lead meditation retreats throughout North America and Europe. Devon
teaches at the Insight Meditation Society and Spirit Rock and mentors mindfulness teachers for
Jack Kornfield and Tara Brach's Mindfulness Meditation Teacher Certification Program. Craig
spent six years in a Zen monastery and then completed a PhD in counseling psychology before
making his topsy-turvy transition into teaching mindfulness, meditation, and dharma full time.
They maintain a web site at www.devonandcraighase.com
Drive: 9 Lessons to Win in Business and in Life
Kelley Earnhardt Miller
Thomas Nelson Publishers
PO Box 141000, Nashville, TN 37214
www.thomasnelson.com
9780785229308, $26.99, HC, 224pp, www.amazon.com
Synopsis: Just like a race car as it takes to the track, each of us needs a certain amount of
fine-tuning for our journey through life according to Kelley Earnhardt Miller, daughter of Dale
Earnhardt Sr. and sister to Dale Jr., and grew up in the world of NASCAR. In "Drive: 9 Lessons
to Win in Business and in Life" she shares the lessons she learned about being a successful
business leader and what she discovered, often the hard way, about winning in life.
Kelley never felt she was winning at anything until she began to deal with the thoughts and
feelings that were driving her decisions and taking her in the wrong direction. Her journey of
transformation is what empowered her to run the family business in an entirely different way than
she had previously and to lead people not only with her head but also with her heart.
Critique: Exceptionally well written and as thoughtful and thought-provoking as it is
impressively insightful and ultimately inspiring, "Drive: 9 Lessons to Win in Business and in
Life" by Kelly Earnhardt Miller is an especially and unreservedly recommended addition to
personal, community, college 'Self-Help/Self-Improvement collections. It should be noted for
personal reading lists that "Drive" is also readily available in a digital book format (Kindle,
$9.99) and as a complete and unabridged audio book (Brilliance Audio, 9781799732013, $26.99,
CD).
The Biography Shelf
Mountain Climber: A Memoir
Bill Katra
McFarland & Company
PO Box 611, Jefferson NC 28640
https://mcfarlandbooks.com
9781476679631, $25.00, PB, 258pp, www.amazon.com
Synopsis: Nearing his sixth decade as a dedicated climber, William "Bill" Katra describes
himself as "not a great climber, but a persistent one." In his memoir, "Mountain Climber" he
describes his climbs in vivid detail, and features some of the world's most popular routes while
emphasizing that scenic beauty is as important to a hike as technical difficulty.
From his early partner-belayed adventures to his more recent unassisted solo "scamper-climbs,"
Bill's techniques have evolved, but his love for the experience remains steadfast. Within recent
years, Bill has again summited a few climbs from his younger days, often reflecting on where
senior climbers fit in the sport's changing social (and environmental) landscape.
"Mountain Climber" is memoir that presents the reader with a relatable and nostalgic account of
a life well-spent in nature, as Bill Katra muses on his long-past adventures enriched and nurtured
by the wisdom of the present.
Critique: An inherently fascinating and absorbing read from beginning to end, "Mountain
Climber: A Memoir" is an extraordinary account of an extraordinary life and one that is
unabashedly recommended for both community and academic library Contemporary American
Biography collections. It should be noted for the personal reading lists of all dedicated
mountaineering enthusiasts that "Mountain Climber: A Memoir" is also readily available in a
digital book format (Kindle, $13.99).
Every Little Scrap and Wonder
Carla Funk
Greystone Books
www.greystonebooks.com
9781771644662, $24.95, HC, 240pp, www.amazon.com
Synopsis: Essayist and poet Carla Funk grew up in a place of logging trucks and God, pellet guns
and parables. Every Sunday, she sat with her mother and brother in the same pew at the
Mennonite church while her dad stayed home with his cigarettes and a fridge full of
whiskey.
"Every Little Scrap and Wonder: A Small-Town Childhood" is her compendium of tender,
humorous stories in which she stitches together the wondrous and the mundane ranging from
making snow angels and carrying sacks of potatoes, to tossing pig bladders like footballs, and
vying for the Christmas pageant spotlight.
Part ode to childhood, part love letter to rural life, "Every Little Scrap and Wonder" offers an
original take on the memories, stories, and traditions we all carry within ourselves, whether we
planned to or not.
Critique: An inherently interesting and entertaining memoir from first page to last, "Every Little
Scrap and Wonder: A Small-Town Childhood" will prove to be an immediate and enduringly
popular addition to community library Contemporary Biography collections. It should be noted
for personal reading lists that "Every Little Scrap and Wonder: A Small-Town Childhood" is also
readily available in a digital book format (Kindle, $16.88).
Editorial Note: Carla Funk was born and raised in one of the earliest Mennonite settlements in
Vanderhoof, British Columbia, Canada. She is the author of five books of poetry, the former poet
laureate for the City of Victoria, and a recipient of the Malahat Review's Constance Rooke
Nonfiction Prize.
The Third Gift
J. D. McCabe & Kenny Intheam
Mascot Publishing
620 Herndon Parkway, #320, Herndon, VA 20170
http://mascotbooks.com
9781643073835, $25.95, HC, 368pp, www.amazon.com
Synopsis: J.D. Danny McCabe maintained a loving relationship with his wife for nearly twenty
years before the underpinnings of their marriage, family, and world began to crumble. Their
foundation had always been rooted in the mantra that trust is the bedrock of a healthy
relationship. Indeed, Erin had always claimed that things would not, could not work without
trust. But one day, for reasons Danny could not fathom, Erin became suspicious of his every
move. Phone calls, text messages, and work emails were manufactured into proof of infidelity,
drug addiction, and a network of lies.
Erin enlisted her mother in her efforts, and together they forged the words of family, trust and
honesty into a metaphorical hammer and beat him into the ground. Their accusations
accumulated, twisting reality and eventually resulting in Danny's involuntary hospitalization.
Danny was pushed to the edge, and was damn near ready to jump. Then, God intervened. Erin's
shocking revelation, her Third Gift, lit the blind spots in his marriage that Danny had never
before been able to reconcile.
Critique: An inherently fascinating and absorbing account, "The Third Gift: My Dance With The
Devil (And Her Mother)" is a vividly rendered and singularly remarkable memoir -- and one that
will linger in the mind and memory long after the book itself has been finished and set back upon
the shelf. While especially and unreservedly recommended for community library Contemporary
American Biography collections, it should be noted for personal reading lists that "The Third
Gift" is also readily available in a digital book format (Kindle, $9.99).
The Art Shelf
The Art of Spiral Drawing
Jonathan Stephen Harris
Walter Foster
c/o Quarto Publishing Group USA
400 First Avenue North, Suite 400, Minneapolis, MN 55401-1722
www.quartoknows.com
9781633228221, $19.99, PB, 128pp, www.amazon.com
Synopsis: Written and illustrated by Jonathan Stephen Harris, "The Art of Spiral Drawing" opens
with helpful sections on tools and materials, perspective, and shading, ensuring that beginning
artists know the basics before getting started on the step-by-step projects that follow. Instructions
for creating basic shapes, including a triangle, a circle, and a square, progress into more detailed
patterns. Instructions are also included for creating a variety of subjects, from flowers to animals,
all featuring a spiral pattern as their framework. Artists can even add color to their spiral artwork
using the tips featured in the book.
Critique: Specifically and effectively created for beginning and intermediate artists, doodlers,
optical illusionists, and anyone else who would enjoy creating their own spiral and geometric art
works, "The Art of Spiral Drawing: Learn to create spiral art and geometric drawings using
pencil, pen, and more" is impressively 'user friendly' in commentary, organization and
presentation. An ideal instructional guide and manual, "The Art of Spiral Drawing" will prove to
be an enduringly popular addition to personal, professional, community, and academic library
Pen/Pencil Drawing instructional collections.
Editorial Note: Jonathan Stephen Harris started his freelance artist career drawing portraits of
people and pets, and then moved on to creating tattoo flash (tattoo designs) for studios all over
the world. For 10 years he worked online creating custom tattoo designs. Now he spends most of
his time painting and creating fonts and typefaces for both personal and commercial use. He has
a successful YouTube channel (www.youtube.com/user/TattooWoo) showing how-to-draw
videos and the processes he takes when creating art and designs. He also maintains an
informative website at www.jonathanstephenharris.com.
The Cookbook Shelf
Real Bento
Kanae Inoue
Tuttle Publishing
364 Innovation Drive, North Clarendon, VT 05759-9436
www.tuttlepublishing.com
9784805315774, $16.99, PB, 96pp, www.amazon.com
Synopsis: Bento is a single-portion take-out or home-packed meal common in Japanese,
Taiwanese, and Chinese cuisines and other Asian cultures where rice is the main staple food. A
traditional bento holds rice or noodles, fish or meat, with pickled and cooked vegetables, in a
box. Containers range from mass-produced disposables to hand-crafted lacquerware. Bento are
readily available in many places throughout Japan, including convenience stores, bento shops,
railway stations, and department stores. However, Japanese homemakers often spend time and
energy on carefully prepared lunch boxes for their spouses, children, or themselves. Bentos can
be elaborately arranged in a style called "kyaraben" ("character bento"). Kyaraben are typically
decorated to look like popular characters from Japanese animation (anime), comic books
(manga), or video games. Another popular bento style is "oekakiben" or "picture bento". This is
decorated to look like people, animals, buildings and monuments, or items such as flowers and
plants. Contests are often held where bento arrangers compete for the most aesthetically pleasing
arrangements. (Wikipedia)
"Real Bento: Fresh and Easy Lunchbox Recipes from a Japanese Working Mom" by Japanese
housewife Kanae Inoue is packed from cover to cover with the time-saving tricks that allow even
the most novice of kitchen cooks to make bento box lunches each morning in just 10 minutes,
using ingredients and recipes that will satisfy the whole family! The recipes are presented by
flavor type and key ingredient, so it's easy for parents to find dishes their kids will love.
In "Real Bento", Inoue presents 200 recipes, divided into "main dishes" and "sides" for 22
completed bento boxes. The colorful photos and step-by-step instructions make this an incredibly
practical and easy-to-use resource for busy households! In her recipes, Inoue places great
emphasis on healthy, fresh and colorful foods that look and taste great when presented
together.
Her recipes include Japanese favorites and original recipes like: Teriyaki Chicken; Stuffed Bell
Peppers; Ginger Salmon; Broccoli and Pasta Salad; Beef and Egg Stir Fry.
Critique: Profusely and beautifully illustrated throughout, "Real Bento: Fresh and Easy Lunchbox
Recipes from a Japanese Working Mom"is the ideal beginning bento book for American family
cooks and is a perfect instructional guide and manual for this distinctive approach to a distinctive
form of Japanese cuisine. While especially recommended for community library cookbook
collections, it should be noted for personal reading lists that "Real Bento" is also readily available
in a digital book format (Kindle, $9.99).
Editorial Note: Kanae Inoue is a wife, mother of three teenagers, a well-known author of bento
cookbooks and a popular food blogger and personality in her home country of Japan. Her
delicious, economical, and family-friendly recipes for bentos have garnered her a huge
following.
Chetna's Healthy Indian Vegetarian
Chetna Makan
Mitchell Beazley
c/o Octopus Books
236 Park Avenue, New York NY 10017
www.octopusbooksusa.com
9781784726621, $29.99, HC, 208pp, www.amazon.com
Synopsis: "Chetna's Healthy Indian Vegetarian" by Chetna Makan is a celebration of Indian food
at its fresh, vibrant and supremely delicious best! Showcasing more than 80 delicious and
thoroughly 'kitchen cook friendly' recipes that vegetarian (and even the most dedicated of meat
eaters!) will enjoy, Chetna shows just how creative you can be with even the most humble
vegetable.
"Chetna's Healthy Indian Vegetarian" is packed with flavorful and innovative menu with dishes
such as: Samphire and carom seeds pakoras; Red lentils and roasted cauliflower soup; Whole
green chilli curry in a gram flour yogurt sauce; Zucchini kofta curry; Coconut and chana dal
stuffed parathas; Cashew nut paneer rice; Chocolate coconut laddos; and Cardamom and almond
bake.
Critique: Profusely and beautifully illustrated with full color photography throughout, "Chetna's
Healthy Indian Vegetarian" is an ideal resource for vegetarian menu development and certain to
be an enduringly favorite addition to personal, professional, and community library cookbook
collections. It be noted that "Chetna's Healthy Indian Vegetarian" is also readily available in a
digital book format (Kindle, $14.99).
Editorial Note: Chetna Makan was born in Jabalpur, an ancient city in central India. Chetna
reached the semi-final of The Great British Baking Show in 2014, and her first book, The
Cardamom Trail, is a celebration of baking with Indian flavors. She also has a very popular
YouTube channel 'Food with Chetna' where she shares her creative flair for food.
The Ralph Nader and Family Cookbook
Ralph Nader
Akashic Books
232 Third Street, #A115, Brooklyn, NY 11215
www.akashicbooks.com
9781617757945, $24.95, HC, 104pp, www.amazon.com
Synopsis: Nowadays, the Mediterranean diet is considered one of the healthiest on the planet, but
in the 1930s and '40s of Nader's youth it was considered by many Americans as simply strange.
Luckily for Ralph Nader and his siblings, this didn't prevent their mother, Rose, from serving the
family homemade, healthy meals -- dishes from her homeland of Lebanon. Rose didn't simply
encourage her children to eat well, she took time to discuss and explain her approach to food; she
used the family meals to connect all of her children to the traditions of their ancestors.
"The Ralph Nader and Family Cookbook: Classic Recipes from Lebanon and Beyond" shares the
cuisine of Nader's upbringing, presenting Lebanese dishes inspired by Rose's recipes that will be
both known to many, including hummus and baba ghanoush, as well as others that may be lesser
known, such as kibbe, the extremely versatile national dish of Lebanon, and sheikh al-mahshi --
"the 'king' of stuffed foods."
The cookbook also includes an introduction by Nader and anecdotes throughout. "The Ralph
Nader and Family Cookbook" will entice one's taste buds, while sharing a side of Ralph Nader
that may not be commonly known, though will not surprise anyone familiar with his decades of
activism and involvement in consumer protection.
Critique: Beautifully and profusely illustrated throughout with full color photography, "The
Ralph Nader and Family Cookbook: Classic Recipes from Lebanon and Beyond" is an
extraordinary and inspirational resource for planning palate-pleasing, appetite-satisfying, kitchen
cook friendly dishes that will make for truly memorable meals. While unreservedly
recommended for family, professional and community library cookbook collections, it should be
noted for the personal reading lists that "The Ralph Nader and Family Cookbook" is also readily
available in a digital book format (Kindle, $14.49).
Editorial Note: Ralph Nader is best-known for his social critiques and his efforts to increase
government and corporate accountability, but what some might not know about him is his
lifelong commitment to healthy eating. Born in Connecticut to Lebanese parents, Nader's
appreciation of food began at an early age, when his parents, Rose and Nathra, owned an eatery,
bakery, and delicatessen called the Highland Arms Restaurant. The family eschewed processed
foods and ate only a moderate amount of lean red meat.
The American History Shelf
Radical Seattle: The General Strike of 1919
Cal Winslow
Monthly Review Press
134 W. 29th Street, Suite 706, New York, NY 10001
www.monthlyreview.org
9781583678534, $95.00, HC, 288pp, www.amazon.com
Synopsis: On a grey winter morning in Seattle, in February 1919, 110 local unions shut down the
entire city. Shut it down and took it over, rendering the authorities helpless. For five days,
workers from all trades and sectors ranging from streetcar drivers, telephone operators, and
musicians, to miners, loggers, shipyard workers, fed the people, ensured that babies had milk,
that the sick were cared for. They did this with without the police -- and they kept the peace
themselves.
This had never happened before in the United States and has not happened since. Those five days
became known as the General Strike of Seattle. Chances are most Americans have never heard of
it. In "Radical Seattle: The General Strike of 1919", author and social/political/labor activist Cal
Winslow explains why.
Winslow describes how Seattle's General Strike was actually the high point in a long process of
early twentieth century socialist and working-class organization, when everyday people built a
viable political infrastructure that seemed, to governments and corporate bosses, radical - even
"Bolshevik."
Drawing from original research, Winslow depicts a process that, in struggle, fused the celebrated
itinerants of the West with the workers of a modern industrial city. But "Radical Seattle: The
General Strike of 1919" is not only an account of the heady days of February 1919; it is also
about the making of a class capable of launching one of America's most gripping strikes - what
E.P. Thompson once referred to as "the long tenacious revolutionary tradition of the common
people."
In these especially troubled and troubling times, reading "Radical Seattle: The General Strike of
1919" might increase the chance that something like this could happen again anywhere in
America!
Critique: A meticulously researched and detailed study, "Radical Seattle: The General Strike of
1919" is impressively informative, expertly written, and unreservedly recommended for
community and academic library 20th Century American Labor History collections and
supplemental curriculum studies lists. It should be noted for the personal reading lists of students,
academia, and non-specialist general readers with an interest in the subject that "Radical Seattle:
The General Strike of 1919" is also available from the Monthly Review Press in a paperback
edition (9781583678527, $26.00).
Editorial Note: Cal Winslow is a longtime labor activist and educator, the Director of the
Mendocino Institute, and a retired fellow in environmental history at UC Berkeley. Among his
several books are Labor's Civil War in California and Rebel Rank and File. He also edited E.P.
Thompson and the Making of the New Left.
The Metaphysical Studies Shelf
Magdalene Mysteries
Seren Bertrand & Azra Bertrand, M.D.
Bear & Company
c/o Inner Traditions International, Ltd.
One Park Street, Rochester, VT 05767
www.innertraditions.com
9781591433460, $30.00, PB, 560pp, www.amazon.com
Synopsis: A sacred priestess of the ancient Womb Rites, Mary Magdalene was at the center of a
great and enduring Mystery tradition, one that touched on a stream of perennial spiritual wisdom
as old as humanity. Worshiped as the human embodiment of the Goddess, the earthly Sophia, her
womb was the spiritual luminatrix that anointed and empowered Jesus, transforming him into the
Christ. As a priestess of the Goddess, Mary Magdalene knew how to embody the light and the
dark, how to harness the magic potency of sacred sexual energy, and how to cleanse, awaken, and
resurrect the soul. Yet, even though she sparked the creation of a worldwide religion, her story
and teachings have been forgotten because of the suppression efforts of the Roman Catholic
church.
Unveiling the lost left-hand path of the Magdalene, the Feminine Christ, authors Seren and Azra
Bertrand explore how this underground stream of knowledge has been carried forward over the
millennia through an unbroken lineage of Womb Shamans, Priestesses, Oracles, and Medicine
Women. They explain how the Magdalene Mysteries, symbolized by the Rose, have been
encoded in Gnostic codices and gospels and in the highest art, literature, and architecture of
many ages, including most significantly the Ghent Altarpiece. They examine Mary Magdalene's
connection to moon wisdom, sacred harlot archetypes, and goddesses in many traditions,
including Isis, Inanna, Asherah, Lilith, and Jezebel, and look at shamanic, tantric, and Cathar
expressions of sacred feminine mysteries as well as the Witch and Templar roots of Robin Hood
and Maid Marian.
"Magdalene Mysteries: The Left-Hand Path of the Feminine Christ" is a revelatory and magical
study showcasing the lost feminine mystery traditions of Mary Magdalene and the lineage of
Sophia. "Magdalene Mysteries" also presents an encompassing theological, historical,
mythological, and archetypal wisdom, with rituals and practices to initiate the reader into the
Womb magic of the ancient priestesses and the path of the wild feminine.
Critique: A unique, iconoclastic, inherently fascinating, exceptionally well written and
informatively detailed study from cover to cover, "Magdalene Mysteries: The Left-Hand Path of
the Feminine Christ" is unreservedly recommended for community and academic library New
Age & Metaphysical Studies collections. It should be noted for the personal reading lists of
students, academia, and non-specialist general readers with an interest in the subject that
"Magdalene Mysteries" is also readily available in a digital book format (Kindle, $20.99).
Editorial Note: Seren Bertrand is a visionary creatrix and spirit keeper with a degree in English
literature and modern philosophy who is dedicated to restoring the lost global feminine wisdom
traditions. Azra Bertrand, M.D., has a degree in biochemistry and studied at Duke University
School of Medicine, with research at the NIH. He has been a pioneering doctor and mystic for
over two decades, following the feminine pathway of alchemy. Seren Bertrand and Azra Bertrand
are also the co-authors of Womb Awakening.
The Magic of Marie Laveau
Denise Alvarado
Weiser Books
c/o Red Wheel/Weiser/Conari
65 Parker Street, Suite 7, Newburyport, MA 01950
www.redwheelweiser.com
9781578636730, $16.95, PB, 224pp, www.amazon.com
Synopsis: Marie Catherine Laveau (September 10, 1801 - June 15, 1881) may be the most
influential 19th Century American practitioner of the magical arts; certainly, she is among the
most famous. She is the subject of songs, films, and legends and the star of New Orleans ghost
tours. Her grave in New Orleans ranks among the most popular spiritual pilgrimages in the US.
Devotees venerate votive images of Laveau, who proclaimed herself the "Pope of Voodoo." She
is the subject of respected historical biographies and the inspiration for novels by Francine Prose
and Jewell Parker Rhodes. She even appears in Marvel Comics and on the television show
American Horror Story: Coven, where she was portrayed by Angela Bassett.
In "The Magic of Marie Laveau: Embracing the Spiritual Legacy of the Voodoo Queen of New
Orleans", author Denise Alvarado explores Marie Laveau's life and work as a fascinating history
and mystery. "The Magic of Marie Laveau" also gives an overview of New Orleans Voodoo, its
origins, history, and practices. It contains spells, prayers, rituals, recipes, and instructions for
constructing New Orleans voodoo-style altars and crafting a voodoo amulet known as a
gris-gris.
Critique: Exceptionally informative and thoroughly 'reader friendly' in commentary, organization
and presentation, "The Magic of Marie Laveau: Embracing the Spiritual Legacy of the Voodoo
Queen of New Orleans" is an inherently fascinating and thought-provoking read from beginning
to end. Certain to be an immediate and enduringly popular addition to both community and
academic library 19th Century American Metaphysical History collections in general, and Mary
Laveau supplemental studies reading lists in particular, it should be noted for students, academia,
metaphysical practitioners, and non-specialist general readers with an interest in the subject that
"The Magic of Marie Laveau: Embracing the Spiritual Legacy of the Voodoo Queen of New
Orleans" is also readily available in a digital book format (Kindle, $9.99).
Editorial Note: Denise Alvarado was born and raised in the rich Creole culture of New Orleans,
Louisiana. She has studied indigenous healing traditions from a personal and academic
perspective for over 4 decades and is the author of numerous books about Southern folk
traditions. She is a rootworker in the Louisiana folk magic tradition, a spiritual artist, and a
teacher of Southern conjure at Crossroads University.
Faery
John T. Kruse
Llewellyn Publications
2143 Wooddale Drive, Woodbury, MN 55125
www.llewellyn.com
9780738761893, $21.99, PB, 312pp, www.amazon.com
Synopsis: "Faery: A Guide to the Lore, Magic & World of the Good Folk" by John T. Kruse is an
impressive source of both a folkloric resource and informational guide to living and working
with our magical neighbors. Featuring an expansive look at the world of Faery and the history,
behavior, and appearance of the Good Folk, "Faery" provides detailed and practical advice based
on local legends and real encounters.
In "Faery", Kruse dives deep into the rich cultural traditions of the British Isles, revealing the
symbiotic relationship between humans and faeries. Readers can explore the magic, habits, and
culture of the Good Folk, discover the different types of faeries and how to find them, as well as
what precautions should be taken when working with them.
Respectful and thorough, "Faery" will enrich our lives as it teaches us how to truly feel the
presence of the Good Folk.
Critique: An inherently fascinating and impressively informative study from cover to cover,
"Faery: A Guide to the Lore, Magic & World of the Good Folk" will prove to be an immediate
and enduringly popular addition to personal, community, and academic library Metaphysical
Studies collections in general, and the Faery Folk supplemental studies lists in particular.
Expertly organized and presented, it should be noted that "Faery: A Guide to the Lore, Magic &
World of the Good Folk" is also readily available in a digital book format (Kindle, $12.99).
Editorial Note: John T. Kruse (London, UK) has lectured on British fairy tradition at London's
metaphysical bookstore Treadwells and is the author of British Fairies (Green Magic
Publications, 2017). He has also written for Magical Times and Witches & Pagans.
Ancient Egyptian Magic: A Hands-On Guide
Christina Riggs
Thames & Hudson, Inc.
500 Fifth Avenue, New York, NY 10110-0017
www.thamesandhudsonusa.com
9780500052129, $24.95, HC, 224pp, www.amazon.com
Synopsis: In ancient Egypt, if you needed a love charm, wanted to contact your dead wife, or
needed the ability to fly like a bird, the magicians and priests of Egypt were the ones who could
make it happen.
In "Ancient Egyptian Magic: A Hands-On Guide", Christina Riggs explores how the Egyptians
thought about magic, who performed it and why, and also helps readers understand why we have
come to think of ancient Egypt in such a mystical way.
In the pages of "Ancient Egyptian Magic: A Hands-On Guide" readers will learn how to cure
scorpion bites, discover why you might want to break the legs off your stuffed hippopotamus toy,
and uncover whether mummies really can come back to life. Readers can also learn how to save a
fortune on pregnancy tests (urinating on barley grains will answer that question) as well as how
to use the next street parade to predict the future or ensure that an annoying neighbor gets his
comeuppance.
Was magic harmless fun, heartfelt hope, or something darker? Featuring demons, dream
interpreters, the Book of the Dead, and illustrations from tomb paintings and papyrus scrolls,
"Ancient Egyptian Magic: A Hands-On Guide" breathes new life into ancient magic and uses
early texts and images to illuminate the distinctions between magic, religion, and medicine.
Critique: Enhanced for the reader with the inclusion of 95 illustrations, "Ancient Egyptian
Magic: A Hands-On Guide" is an inherently fascinating and impressively informative read that
will prove especially interesting to students of Egyptology and the Metaphysical Arts. Christina
Riggs' "Ancient Egyptian Magic: A Hands-On Guide" will prove to be an immediate and
enduringly popular addition to personal, professional, community, college, and university library
collections.
Editorial Note: Christina Riggs is a fellow of All Souls College, University of Oxford, and chair
in the history of art and archaeology, University of East Anglia. She is the author of six books,
including Ancient Egyptian Art and Architecture: A Very Short Introduction. She writes for a
range of newspapers and magazines and has appeared in radio and TV shows for the BBC,
National Geographic, and the History Channel.
The Environmental Studies Shelf
Cranky Uncle vs. Climate Change
Dr. John Cook
Citadel Press
c/o Kensington Publishing Corp.
119 West 40th Street, Floor 21, New York, NY 10018-2522
www.kensingtonbooks.com
9780806540276, $16.95, PB, 176pp, www.amazon.com
Synopsis: When it comes to climate change, this truly is a golden age -- of fake news, post-truths,
pluralistic ignorance, conspiracy theories, a willfully ignorant administration, and the Cranky
Uncle. You know him. We all have one or know of one. That exasperating blusterer who digs in
his heels even as the foundation of his denial thaws faster than the Arctic ice caps.
Written and illustrated by Dr. John Cook, a cognitive psychologist and founder of the
award-winning website Skeptical Science, "Cranky Uncle vs. Climate Change" combines humor
and science to make clear, calm, and winnable arguments in the public controversy of climate
change.
Can we change our Cranky Uncle's mind? Probably, regrettably, not. But Dr. Cook makes it
easier for us to understand him. And armed with this knowledge, prevent climate misinformation
from spreading further.
Critique: Simply stated, "Cranky Uncle vs. Climate Change: How to Understand and Respond to
Climate Science Deniers" should be a part of every persona, professional, K-12 school,
community, college, and university library Environmental Studies collection. It should be noted
for the personal reading lists of non-specialist general readers who are trying to educated their
misinformed friends, family members and colleagues about the global dangers that human
created and enhanced environmental degradations are causing (including the 6th Great Extinction
event that we are all currently living through) with respect to predicted world wide environmental
disasters ranging from rising sea levels to increasing catastrophic weather events. It should be
also be noted for personal reading lists that "Cranky Uncle vs. Climate Change" is also readily
available in a digital book format (Kindle, $9.99).
The Fishing Shelf
The Angler's Book of Favorite Fishing Quotations
Jackie Corley
Hatherleigh Press
c/o The Hatherleigh Foundation
62545 State Highway 10, Hobart, NY 13788
www.hatherleighpress.com
9781578268351, $12.50, HC, 112pp, www.amazon.com
Synopsis: Fishing is a pastime as old as humanity itself, and while the process and techniques
have changed and evolved with new technology and strategies, the simple goal of catching a fish
is timeless. Whether by yourself on a tiny boat in the middle of a lake or with a group of people
on the edge of a winding river, one only needs a simple rod, line, and bait -- as well
patience!
Expertly compiled by Jackie Corley, "The Angler's Book of Favorite Fishing Quotations: An
Inspired Collection of Wit and Wisdom for Those Who Love to Fish" captures this unique and
joyful experience with words and wisdom from writers, thinkers, and of course, anglers!
Critique: Entertaining and inspiring, and a simply pleasure to simply browse through, "The
Angler's Book of Favorite Fishing Quotations: An Inspired Collection of Wit and Wisdom for
Those Who Love to Fish" is a perfect gift for anyone who loves fishing. "The Angler's Book of
Favorite Fishing Quotations" is unreservedly recommended and will prove to be an immediate
and enduringly popular addition to any and all community library collections.
The Graphic Novel Shelf
Faschion Empire: Motel Universe 2
Joakim Drescher
Secret Acres
www.secretacres.com
9780999193570, $23.95, HC, 160pp, www.amazon.com
Synopsis: After the Skins' slave rebellion and assassination of tycoon dictator, Barton Flump, a
lone bounty hunter, Clara Constellation, searches for Captain Littlehead and the ghost of
Caligula. From Planet Pear, where screentime is all the time, to the Adonis Nebula, an empire
where the Fashion Police rule with an actual iron fist, the adventure never ends!
Critique: In "Faschion Empire: Motel Universe 2" readers will once again return to the Motel
Universe of author and illustrator Joakim Drescher. Presented in a unique and inherently
fascinating graphic novel format, "Faschion Empire: Motel Universe 2" is unreservedly
recommended for those who appreciate an avant garde approach to science fiction and will prove
to be an enduringly popular addition to personal and community library collections.
The Audiobook Shelf
Most Likely
Sarah Watson, author
Read by Christie Moreau
Hachette Audio
www.HachetteAudio.com
9781549184499 $25.00 amazon.com
Synopsis: Ava, CJ, Jordan, and Martha (listed in alphabetical order out of fairness) have been
friends since kindergarten. Now they're in their senior year, facing their biggest fears about
growing up and growing apart. But there's more than just college on the horizon. One of these
girls is destined to become the president of the United States. The mystery, of course, is which
girl gets the gig.
Is it Ava, the picture-perfect artist who's secretly struggling to figure out where she belongs? Or
could it be CJ, the one who's got everything figured out...except how to fix her terrible SAT
scores? Maybe it's Jordan, the group's resident journalist, who knows she's ready for more than
their small Ohio suburb can offer. And don't overlook Martha, who will have to overcome all the
obstacles that stand in the way of her dreams.
This is the story of four best friends who have one another's backs through every new love,
breakup, stumble, and success--proving that great friendships can help young women achieve
anything...even a seat in the Oval Office.
Critique: The debut novel of Sarah Watson, an accomplished scriptwriter and creator of the TV
series "The Bold Type", Most Likely is the story of four women who are best friends - and one of
whom is destined to be the future president of America. A dramatic, insightful, and witty that
keeps the reader guessing in its engaging tour of life's challenges great and small, Most Likely is
available as in an unabridged audiobook rendition, brought to life with the superb narration of
Christie Moreau. Highly recommended! 7 CDs, 9 hours.
Stamped: Racism, Antiracism, and You
Jason Reynolds and Ibram X. Kendi
Read by Jason Reynolds
Hachette Audio
www.HachetteAudio.com
9781549184482 $25.00
Synopsis: The construct of race has always been used to gain and keep power, to create dynamics
that separate and silence. This remarkable reimagining of Dr. Ibram X. Kendi's National Book
Award-winning Stamped from the Beginning reveals the history of racist ideas in America, and
inspires hope for an antiracist future. It takes you on a race journey from then to now, shows you
why we feel how we feel, and why the poison of racism lingers. It also proves that while racist
ideas have always been easy to fabricate and distribute, they can also be discredited.
Through a gripping, fast-paced, and energizing narrative written by beloved award-winner Jason
Reynolds, this book shines a light on the many insidious forms of racist ideas--and on ways
readers can identify and stamp out racist thoughts in their daily lives.
Critique: Now available as an unabridged audiobook, Stamped: Racism, Antiracism, and You
explores the history of racism in America's past, and how racist ideas have started, been spread,
or been successfully confronted. Yet Stamped is not primarily a history book; instead, it is a book
about making America a better place. Authors Jason Reynolds and Ibram X. Kendi discuss how
racist ideas can be identifies and shut down, paving the way toward a more equal and just future,
a future that better lives up to America's most noble ideals. Stamped is highly recommended for
both personal and public library audiobook collections. 4 CDs, 4 hours.
The Music CD Shelf
Blue Landscapes III: Frontiers
Robert Thies and Damjan Krajacic
Real Music
www.bluelandscapesmusic.com
$TBA CD / $9.49 MP3 amazon.com
Pianist Robert Thies and flutist Damjan Krajacic form the musical duo Blue Landscapes. Their
combined talent captivates the ears and the mind in Blue Landscapes III: Frontiers, a harmonious
and relaxing original album. A sumptuous listening experience that also makes an excellent gift,
Blue Landscapes III: Frontiers is highly recommended for connoisseurs of music ideal for
relaxation, meditation, or fostering creativity. The tracks are "Drifting", "Forest Path", "The
Abandoned Monastery", "Le Musicien", "The Lighthouse", "Goodbye", "Frontiers",
"Tranquility", "Take My Hand", "Infinity", "Distant Waterfall", "Waves on a Moonlit Sea", "The
Valley of Echoes", "Forgotten Memories", and "Letting Go". 74 min. 55 sec.
Rune
David Helpling
Spotted Peccary Music
www.SpottedPeccary.com
$16.99 CD / $9.49 MP3 amazon.com
Masterful music artist David Helpling presents Rune, an album of original, ambient electric
guitar songs. Although Helpling is also a virtuoso of synth-laden music, Rune is specifically
devoted exclusively to electric guitar - no keyboards, synthesizers, or computer-based sound
generation were involved in its creation. An extraordinary listening experience, heavily inspired
by the majesty of the sea, Rune is a treasure for ambient music connoisseurs and highly
recommended. The tracks are "Free Dive", "Glass", "Ascension of the Whales", "The Black
Rock", "Be", "Under Shallow Seas", "Isle in Half Light", and "The Heart of Us".
The DVD Shelf
Midsomer Murders, series 21
Acorn Media
c/o RLJ Entertainment
www.us.RLJEntertainment.com
$49.99 www.acornonline.com
Available in both DVD and Blu-ray formats, Midsomer Murders, series 21 is the latest collection
of the internationally beloved, long-running British murder mystery series. This volume features
four feature-length episodes, each a self-contained mystery. In "The Point of Balance" the arrival
of the annual 'Paramount Dance Extravaganza' has a hidden darkness. In "The Miniature
Murders", a real estate agent is killed before a crowd at the unveiling of a doll house collection.
In "The Sting of Death", a powerful family controlling a lucrative beekeeping business will go to
the most ruthless lengths to ensure their dominance. In "With Baited Breath", there is a clash in
values between fishermen and women in search of a giant fish said to lurk in a remote village
lake, and a rush of lycra-clad sporting enthusiasts eager to participate in the 'Psycho Mud Run'.
Bonus materials include a behind-the-scenes featurette. Midsomer Murders, series 21 lives up to
the quality of a top-notch, enduring favorite mystery series, and is highly recommended
especially for connoisseurs of the genre. 2 CDs, 4 episodes, 371 min., SDH subtitles.
The Theatre/Cinema Shelf
Ray Milland: The Films 1929-1984
James McKay
McFarland & Company
PO Box 611, Jefferson NC 28640
https://mcfarlandbooks.com
9781476678870, $49.95, PB, 337pp, www.amazon.com
Synopsis: With no formal training as an actor, Welsh-born Ray Milland (born Alfred Reginald
Jones; 3 January 1907 - 10 March 1986), was a former trooper in the British Army's Household
Cavalry, and enjoyed a half-century career working alongside some of the great directors and
stars from the Golden Age of cinema.
He won the Academy Award for Best Actor for his performance as the alcoholic writer in The
Lost Weekend (1945), a defining moment that enabled him to break free from romantic leads and
explore darker shades of his debonair demeanor, such as the veiled menace of his scheming
husband in Hitchcock's Dial M For Murder (1954).
A consummate professional with wide range, Milland took the directorial reins in several of his
starring vehicles in the 1950s, most notably in the intelligent Western film A Man Alone (1955).
He comfortably slipped into most genres, from romantic comedy to adventure to film noir. Later
he turned to science fiction and horror movies, including two with cult filmmaker Roger
Corman.
Critique: Compiled and edited by film buff James McKay, "Ray Milland: The Films 1929-1984"
is first complete filmography covers the actor's screen career, and features a concise introductory
biography, as well as an appendix listing his extensive radio and television credits -- making it an
especially recommended addition to personal, professional, community, and academic library
Cinematic History collections in general, and Ray Milland supplemental studies reading lists in
particular.
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
Copyright ©2001
Site design by Williams Writing, Editing &
Design