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Wisconsin Bookwatch
Table of Contents
Reviewer's Choice
Reading Together
Robert Broder, author
Melissa Larson, illustrator
Blue Star Press
https://www.bluestarpress.com
9781950968923, $18.99, HC, 32pp
https://www.amazon.com/Reading-Together-Heartwarming-Bonding-Through/dp/1950968928
Synopsis: With the publication of "Reading Together: A Heartwarming Story About Bonding with Your Child Through the Love of Reading" by the team of author/storyteller Robert Broder and artist/illustrator Melissa Larson, parents, teachers, and caregivers will help children to discover the magic of reading together with this story of a family's love for picture books and the moments of laughter, imagination, and connection they share.
Filled with playful illustrations and fond memories from classic children's tales, "Reading Together: A Heartwarming Story About Bonding with Your Child Through the Love of Reading" is a nostalgic journey through childhood, when the joys of discovering new stories together create bonds that last a lifetime.
Critique: Whether you're a parent or caregiver looking to relive the magic of reading with your child, a teacher working to install a love of reading in their young charges, or simply a lover of picture books and wanting to share that joy with a child, "Reading Together: A Heartwarming Story About Bonding with Your Child Through the Love of Reading" is specifically appropriate and unreservedly recommended for personal, professional, family, and community library collections with its theme of family bonding through the power of books and storytelling.
Editorial Note #1: Robert Broder (www.RobertBroder.com) is a children's book author and founding publisher of award-winning Ripple Grove Press. He is the writer of Patagonia's first picture book titled Better Than New. Other books include Crow & Snow (Simon and Schuster) and Our Shed (Little Bigfoot) which received a Kirkus Starred Review.
Editorial Note #2: Melissa Larson (www.melissaleannlarson.com) is the illustrator of Iver & Ellsworth, written by Casey Robinson. She lives in Oklahoma with her husband, painting small town shop windows and getting her hands into every creative project that comes her way.
Once Upon a Tome: The Misadventures of a Rare Bookseller
Oliver Darkshire
W. W. Norton & Company
www.wwnorton.com
9781324074786, $17.99, PB, 256pp
https://www.amazon.com/Once-Upon-Misadventures-Rare-Bookseller/dp/1324074787
Synopsis: Some years ago, Oliver Darkshire stepped into the hushed interior of Henry Sotheran Ltd (est. 1761) to apply for a job. Allured by the smell of old books and the temptation of a management-approved afternoon nap, Darkshire was soon unteetering stacks of first editions and placating the store's resident ghost (the late Mr. Sotheran, hit by a tram).
A novice in this ancient, potentially haunted establishment, Darkshire describes Sotheran's brushes with history (Dickens, the Titanic), its joyous disorganization, and the unspoken rules of its gleefully old-fashioned staff, whose mere glance may cause the computer to burst into flames. As Darkshire gains confidence and experience, he shares trivia about ancient editions and explores the strange space that books occupy in our lives - where old books often have strong sentimental value, but rarely a commercial one.
By turns unhinged and earnest, Once Upon a Tome is the colorful story of life in one of the world's oldest bookshops and a love letter to the benign, unruly world of antiquarian bookselling, where to be uncommon or strange is the best possible compliment.
Critique: With the publication of "Once Upon a Tome: The Misadventures of a Rare Bookseller" by Oliver Darkshire we are welcomed to Sotheran's (https://sotherans.co.uk) one of the oldest bookshops in the world, complete with its weird and wonderful clientele, suspicious cupboards, unlabeled keys, poisoned books, and some things that aren't even books -- all presided over by one deeply eccentric apprentice. A bibliophile's delight and firmly laced with humor throughout, "Once Upon a Tome" is a memoir that is inherently fascinating, impressively informative, and a fun read from start to finish. A 'must read' pick for anyone who has every daydreamed of owning a bookshop of there own, "Once Upon a Tome" is especially and unreservedly recommended for personal, community, and college/library Bookseller Biography/Memoir collections. It should be noted that "Once Upon a Tome" is also available in a digital book format (Kindle, $9.17).
Editorial Note: Oliver Darkshire (@DeathByBadger) is an antiquarian bookseller at Henry Sotheran Ltd, and the voice of @Sotherans twitter account. He lives in England, with his husband and his neglectfully curated collection of books.
The Writing/Publishing Shelf
Writing by Heart
Meredith Heller
New World Library
www.newworldlibrary.com
9781608689101, $21.95, PB, 336pp
https://www.amazon.com/Writing-Heart-Poetry-Healing-Self-Discovery/dp/1608689107
Synopsis: With the publication of "Writing by Heart: A Poetry Path to Healing and Self-Discovery", Meredith Heller invites you to write as a path toward self-understanding and as a lifelong refuge of steadfast friendship with yourself.
She herself has used the power of writing to heal and save her own life, and now she teaches others to do the same. In the pages of "Writing by Heart", Meredith shares the techniques she developed to help people from all walks of life explore their emotions, find their voice, and better navigate life's challenges.
Critique: Packed with potent DIY exercises and inspiring poems by Meredith and her students, "Writing by Heart: A Poetry Path to Healing and Self-Discovery" is essential reading for anyone, from the seasoned writer to the novice beginner, wanting to discover the transformative power of writing in the context of their own lives. While highly recommended for personal, professional, community, writer workshop, college, and university library Writing & Self-Help/Self-Improvement collections, it should be noted that "Writing by Heart: A Poetry Path to Healing and Self-Discovery" is also available in a digital book format (Kindle, $9.99).
Editorial Note: Meredith Heller (www.MeredithHeller.com) is a poet, singer-songwriter, avid nature lover, and educator with degrees in writing and education. She leads workshops at schools, women's prisons, the Institute for Poetic Medicine, creativity summits, wellness retreats, and online.
The Cookbook Shelf
Gohan: Everyday Japanese Cooking
Emiko Davies
Smith Street Books
c/o Rizzoli
www.rizzoliusa.com
9781922754523, $35.00, HC, 272pp
https://www.amazon.com/Gohan-Everyday-Japanese-Cooking-Memories/dp/1922754528
Synopsis: Gohan refers to everyday Japanese family meals. "Gohan: Everyday Japanese Cooking: Memories and Stories from My Family's Kitchen" by Emiko Davies is a dedicated cookbook on precisely this subject.
Practically any home-cooked Japanese meal revolves around rice. It sits beside miso soup, pickles, tofu, and a piece of grilled fish at breakfast. It soaks up the sauce in a comforting donburi bowl, or is wrapped in nori for the ultimate portable lunch called onigiri. And it's there for dinner, perhaps served with a pickled plum, some mild Japanese curry, braised fish, or even a Japanese-style Hamburg steak.
The everyday meals, cooked in the homes of Japanese mothers and grandmothers, is the food that Emiko Davies grew up with. They're the dishes she makes for her own children: simple, satisfying food like tamagonogohan (stir fried egg and rice), soba noodle soup, Japanese curry, yakisoba, and miso soup, prepared with whatever seasonal vegetables happen to be around.
Unlike what many people think, Japanese home cooking is not fiddly, nor time consuming. It's quick and remarkably simple, thanks to the Japanese philosophy that fresh, seasonal food doesn't need much to enhance its natural flavor.
Critique: Beautifully and profusely illustrated with full page, full color photographs of finished dishes, "Gohan: Everyday Japanese Cooking: Memories and Stories from My Family's Kitchen" is a substantial compendium of palate pleasing, appetite satisfying, authentic and family kitchen cook friendly recipes for creating Gohan dishes in American homes fully and accurately reproducing these same dishes as they would be found in Japanese homes. The recipes are deftly organized into eight sections: Home-Made Pantry Samples; Japanese Breakfast; Rice; Vegetables; Noodles & Street Food; Family Favorites; The West Meets Japan; and Sweets. This hardcover edition of Emiko Davies' "Gohan: Everyday Japanese Cooking: Memories and Stories from My Family's Kitchen" from Smith Street Books is an authentic, unique, menu inspiring, and highly recommended addition for personal, professional, and community library Ethnic Cookbook collections.
Editorial Note: Emiko Davies (www.emikodavies.com) is an Australian-Japanese food writer, photographer, and cookbook author. Growing up in a diplomatic family, she spent most of her life in countries other than her own, from China to the US. She now calls Italy home.
Asian Vegetables: A Cook's Bible
Wendy Hutton
Tuttle Publishing
www.tuttlepublishing.com
9780804857437, $19.99, PB, 240pp
https://www.amazon.com/Asian-Vegetables-Descriptions-Illustrations-Including/dp/0804857431
Synopsis: "Asian Vegetables: A Cook's Bible" by leading food expert Wendy Hutton is a complete guide to purchasing and preparing Asian vegetables and plant-based food products!
A culinary compendium offering descriptions and illustrations of 139 vegetables (including dried and preserved varieties) along with 145 authentic recipes "Asian Vegetables" provides everything you need to know about the rapidly-expanding list of Asian vegetables found in supermarkets, farmers' markets, Asian grocers and specialty gourmet stores around the globe.
With attractive watercolor illustrations and photos, the 145 recipes and 139 different vegetables showcases range from small to large dishes, sauces, soups and so much more, The recipes range from Indian Chickpeas in Spicy Tomato Sauce; Malaysian-style Cabbage Stewed in Coconut Milk' and Blanched Water Spinach and Tofu with Spicy Peanut Sauce; to Sri Lankan Breadfruit Curry; Stir-Fried Loofah with Oyster Sauce; Thai Wild Pepper Leaf Parcels; Chinese Garlic Chive Pancakes; Fresh Tuna Baked in Konbu Seaweed, Spice Indian Cauliflower, and a great many more!
From sugar peas and azuki beans to fern tips, hijiki seaweed, jackfruit and mustard cabbage "Asian Vegetables: A Cook's Bible" also offers insightful background stories about the ways Asian cultures have traditionally prepared these vegetables as well as a description of their appearance, nutritional content, flavor, selection and storage -- plus interesting information about their medicinal properties according to traditional folk beliefs. Fresh, dried, fermented, pickled and preserved Asian vegetables, tubers, herbs, mushrooms and sprouts are all described in detail.
Critique: "Asian Vegetables: A Cook's Bible" is an ideal and thoroughly 'kitchen cook friendly' reference that home cooks, epicures and professional chefs alike will want to have on hand. Fun to browse through and inspiring to plan memorable meals with for any and all dining occasions, While also available in a digital book format (Kindle, $14.99), "Asian Vegetables: A Cook's Bible" is a welcome and unreservedly recommended pick for personal, professional, and community library Ethnic Cookbook collections.
Editorial Note: Wendy Hutton is a writer specializing in food and travel, who lived in Southeast Asia for more than five decades. She has written widely on the cuisines of Southeast Asia, including cookbooks such as Green Mangoes and Lemon Grass, Tropical Asian Cooking and the highly acclaimed Singapore Food.
The Big Book of Hatch Chile
Kelley Cleary Coffeen
University of New Mexico Press
www.unmpress.com
9780826365439, $29.95, PB, 368pp
https://www.amazon.com/Big-Book-Hatch-Chile-Featuring/dp/0826365434
Synopsis: New Mexico chile or New Mexican chile (Scientific name: Capsicum annuum 'New Mexico Group'; Spanish: chile de Nuevo Mexico, (chile del norte) is a cultivar group of the chile pepper from the US state of New Mexico, first grown by Pueblo and Hispano communities throughout Santa Fe de Nuevo Mexico. These landrace chile plants were used to develop the modern New Mexico chile peppers by horticulturist Fabian Garcia and his students, including Roy Nakayama, at what is now New Mexico State University in 1894. (Wikipedia)
Simply stated, the New Mexico chile peppers grown around the village of Hatch are world famous for their culinary versatility, unique flavor, and varying levels of heat.
With the publication of "The Big Book of Hatch Chile: 180 Great Recipes Featuring the World's Favorite Chile Pepper", Kelley Cleary Coffeen offers a compendium of detailed but easy-to-use recipes for everything from chile-laced margaritas to several variations on the classic green chile cheeseburger. Here are to be found both amazing new recipes and familiar Hatch chile favorites, including weeknight time-savers and Saturday-night showstoppers. With "The Big Book of Hatch Chile" even the most novice of family cooks can spice up their home menus with everything from amazing appetizers to delicious desserts, soups and stews, Mexican classics, and so much more.
In every chapter Coffeen (who has lived in chile country for over thirty years), serves up generous helpings of Hatch chile lore and history. "The Big Book of Hatch Chile" takes the reader on a fascinating culinary trip to explore the history and evolution of Hatch chile and the flavor characteristics that make it the most versatile and sought-after chile varietal. Coffeen also profiles family farms, restaurants, and everyone and everything that makes chile central to the identity of the Hatch valley and New Mexico.
"The Big Book of Hatch Chile offers comprehensive details on chile resources, chile varieties and their flavor characteristics and nutritional value, the differences between dried chile and fresh chile, and tips for buying, roasting, and storing Hatch chile.
Critique: Featuring full color, full page sized photos of finished dishes, "The Big Book of Hatch Chile: 180 Great Recipes Featuring the World's Favorite Chile Pepper" is a chile lovers delight to simply page through one recipe at a time. Ideal for planing menus with for any dining occasion be it formal or informal, each menus if clearly laid out, step-by-step and guarantees even the most novice of family cooks a palate-pleasing, appetite-satisfying, and truly memorable dish. While especially and unreservedly recommended for personal, professional, and community library Ethnic Cookbook collections, it should be noted that "The Big Book of Hatch Chile" is also available in a digital book format (Kindle, $19.99).
Editorial Note: Kelley Cleary Coffeen (https://www.kelleycoffeen.com) is a professor at New Mexico State University. She is also a culinary expert, food consultant, and the author of five Mexican cookbooks, including Fiesta Mexicali; 300 Best Taco Recipes: From Tantalizing Tacos to Authentic Tortillas, Sauces, Cocktails and Salsas; and 200 Easy Mexican Recipes: Authentic Recipes From Burritos to Enchiladas.
Trap Kitchen: Wah Gwaan Jamaican Cookbook
Malachi Jenkins, author
Roberto Smithare, author
Kathy Landoli, author
Kingston Imperial
https://kingstonimperial.com
9781954220621, $29.99, HC, 140pp
https://www.amazon.com/Trap-Kitchen-Gwaan-Jamaican-Cookbook/dp/1954220626
Synopsis: The recipes comprising "Trap Kitchen: Wah Gwaan Jamaican Cookbook" reflect authentic an authentic Jamaican heritage as they successfully fuse Caribbean cuisine with signature Trap Kitchen sensibilities and flavors.
Within the captivating pages of "Wah Gwaan" (meaning "What's going on?" and the universal greeting in Jamaica), "Trap Kitchen" takes aspiring kitchen cooks on a whirlwind journey through the heart and soul of the island of Jamaica with more than 60 recipes, each of which are steeped in centuries of history and culture, and will unleash a sensory explosion that will leave the diner breathless.
From beloved ethnic classics like Goat Head Soup, and a succulent Oxtail that melts in your mouth, to the iconic Ackee & Saltfish, and the fiery and addictive Jerk Chicken, this Kingston Imperial edition of "Trap Kitchen: Wah Gwaan: Jamaican Cookbook" is a culinary adventure that will take you deep into the heart of Jamaican culinary traditions.
Critique: Beautifully illustrated throughout with full color, full page images of dishes ready to serve, each individual recipes comprising "Trap Kitchen: Wah Gwaan Jamaican Cookbook" is an adventure in Caribbean & West Indian cuisine. "Trap Kitchen" is an especially and unreservedly recommended addition to personal, professional, and community library Ethnic & Vegan cookbook collections.
Editorial Note: Malachi Jenkins and Roberto Smithare childhood friends from neighboring rival gangs, brought together by their two passions: food and girls. Today they are the cofounders and owners of Trap Kitchen LA. The underground culinary experience was completely fueled off Instagram. Their colorful past has made them media darlings, having appeared on the Today show, Martha & Snoop's Potluck Dinner Party, VICE, Fox 11 News, and BET.
Bubble Tea: Make Your Own at Home
Sandra Mahut
Smith Street Books
c/o Rizzoli
www.rizzoliusa.com
9781922754981, $14.95, HC, 64pp
https://www.amazon.com/Bubble-Tea-Make-Your-Home/dp/1922754986
Synopsis: Bubble tea (also known as pearl milk tea, bubble milk tea, tapioca milk tea, or boba tea) is a tea-based drink that originated in Taiwan in the early 1980s. Taiwanese immigrants brought it to the United States in the 1990s, initially in California through regions including Los Angeles County, but the drink has also spread to other countries where there is a large East Asian diaspora population. (Wikipedia)
Simply stated, "Bubble Tea: Make Your Own at Home" is the ultimate 'how to' book of bubble tea!
Readers will learn how to perfect the beloved Asian drink at home with Bubble Tea. This delicious, colorful instructional guide showcases 22 bubble tea recipes, ranging from brown sugar, matcha and jasmine, and lime to grass jelly and coconut milk, pomegranate, and grenadine and pandan jelly.
With this comprehensive and profusely illustrated step-by-step guide to making your own tapioca pearls, and with its easy-to-follow recipes for all the flavors imaginable, plus all the basics, "Bubble Tea: Make Your Own at Home" will leave you never wanting store-bought bubble tea again!
Critique: Delicious, thirst-quenching, and an ideal alternative to the usual run of coffee, tea, or sodas, "Bubble Tea: Make Your Own at Home" (as part of a meal or as a stand alone drink for the thirsty) is an unreservedly recommended and enduringly valued addition to personal, family, professional, and community library Asian or Party Time cookbook collections.
Editorial Note: Sandra Mahut (http://sandramahut.com) is a food writer, photographer, recipe developer, and food stylist living in France.
The Parenting Shelf
The Sneaky Parent
David Borgenicht, author
James Grace, author
Jason Schneider, illustrator
Quirk Books
www.quirkbooks.com
9781683694212, $16.99, HC, 176pp
https://www.amazon.com/Sneaky-Parent-Tactics-Cheerful-Cooperative/dp/168369421X
Synopsis: As a parent, you want nothing more than to keep your child fed, clothed, clean, healthy, and safe. Your kid, meanwhile, wants nothing more than to eat junk, go nude, stay up all night, and fall down a well. Begging doesn't work. Bribery isn't sustainable. You don't want to shout. It's time to get sneaky.
"The Sneaky Parent: Crafty Tactics for Raising Cheerful, Cooperative Kids" offers a full playbook of clever ploys for beating kids at their own game. With the strategies outlined in this book, you can gently guide kids toward positive choices -- all while letting them think they're the ones in control.
With the help of "The Sneaky Parent", readers will learn how to: Boost oral hygiene by pretending a toothbrush is a paintbrush for teeth; Render long plane trips painless with a game of "Name That Cloud"; Calm separation anxiety by developing fun ways to wave goodbye; Plus dozens of other clever tactics, tricks, and games!
With a little benevolent sneakiness, your child will enthusiastically try new foods, embrace bath time, go to sleep on a schedule, and other necessary but unpopular life skills. The best part? They'll be sure it was their idea.
Originally published as How to Con Your Kid (2012) this edition includes gender-neutral language, updated screen time advice, and more for today's parent.
Critique: Fun, informative, practical, and ingenious, "The Sneaky Parent: Crafty Tactics for Raising Cheerful, Cooperative Kids" by co-authors David Borgenicht and James Grace, enhanced with images by artist/illustrator Jason Schneider, is especially and unreservedly recommended reading for any and all parents having the responsibilities of raising babies, toddlers, and preschoolers. While certain to be an enduringly popular pick for community library Parenting collections, it should be noted for personal reading lists that "The Sneaky Parent: Crafty Tactics for Raising Cheerful, Cooperative Kids" is also readily available in a digital book format (Kindle, $9.99).
Editorial Note #1: David Borgenicht is a New York Times best-selling author and the creator of the iconic Worst-Case Scenario Survival Handbook series. He is also the founder of Quirk Books and, more importantly, is the father of two clever and now adult children, Sophie and Max. He lives in Pennsylvania.
Editorial Note #2: James Grace is the coauthor of several books, including the New York Times bestselling The Worst-Case Scenario Survival Handbook: Golf. He is a lawyer and runs a non-profit that supports artists and arts organizations. He lives in Massachusetts with his wife, Lisa, and is the father of three crafty and now adult kids, Avery, Cooper, and Dustin.
Editorial Note #3: Hailing from Toronto, Jason Schneider is an editorial illustrator with over 25 years of experience providing advertising, print, and web content for leading North American and European publications and clients.
The Biography Shelf
My Vietnam, Your Vietnam
Christina Vo, author
Nghia M. Vo, author
Three Rooms Press
www.threeroomspress.com
9781953103468, $17.99, PB, 318pp
https://www.amazon.com/My-Vietnam-Your-daughter-returns/dp/1953103464
Synopsis: "My Vietnam, Your Vietnam: A father flees. A daughter returns" is an unusual, captivating, and heartfelt dual memoir by Christina Vo and her father, Nghia M. Vo, who delve into themes of their identity, heritage, and the tragic multi-generational ordeals of war, with intertwined stories that present a multifaceted portrayal of Vietnam and its profound influence on shaping both familial bonds and individual identities across time.
Nghia M. Vo left Vietnam in April 1975 with only the clothes on his back, following the US withdrawal of troops and the fall of Saigon. After a harrowing two month journey, he found himself in a refugee camp outside Harrisburg, Pennsylvania where he began the painful process of reconnecting with his family and rebuilding his life as a medical doctor.
Christina Vo, Nghia's daughter, grew up in the US. As a restless young adult, she felt a longing to connect with her heritage and soon moved to Hanoi in the former North Vietnam (much to her father's distress) to discover a country that had changed dramatically since the war, yet retained many of the ancient traits experienced by her ancestors.
Captivating in its fluid movement and evocative depictions of place, "My Vietnam, Your Vietnam" offers readers a unique, rich, and multilayered exploration of Vietnam through two very distinct voices and perspectives. This seminal memoir's exploration of healing the trauma suffered by war refugees and their families echoes far beyond the personal experience of the two authors, providing a path to discussion of reconciliation and hope.
Critique: Inherently fascinating, exceptionally thoughtful and thought-provoking, impressively well written, organized and presented, "My Vietnam, Your Vietnam: A father flees. A daughter returns" is an informed and informative read from start to finish and a brilliant, unreservedly recommended pick for community and college/university library Contemporary Biography/Memoir collections. A truly memorable read, it should be noted for personal reading lists that "My Vietnam, Your Vietnam" is also available in a digital book format (Kindle, $8.99).
Editorial Note #1: Christina Vo is an author based in Santa Fe, New Mexico, where she writes and explores the interplay of culture, identity, and personal history. Her work reflects her commitment to understanding and sharing the complexities of the human experience. She is the author of the The Veil Between Two Worlds: A Memoir of Silence, Loss, and Finding Home (She Writes Press). Her second book, My Vietnam, Your Vietnam (Three Rooms Press), is an intergenerational memoir co-written with her father, Nghia M. Vo. She has worked internationally for UNICEF in Vietnam, the World Economic Forum in Switzerland, served as a consultant for nonprofits, and currently works in donor relations for Stanford University.
Editorial Note #2: Nghia M. Vo, a retired physician, is an independent researcher of Vietnamese history and culture. He has written many books on Vietnamese culture and works to document Vietnamese-American culture through conferences and publications. Recent books include The Vietnamese Boat People, Saigon: A History, and The Trung Sisters Revisited.
The General Fiction Shelf
The Outhouse Papers: Gene Shepard and the Hodag
Mike Skubal
Hodag Press
https://hodagpress.com
9780965374552, $18.00, PB, 198pp
https://www.amazon.com/Outhouse-Papers-Gene-Shepard-Hodag/dp/0965374556
Synopsis: To people living in Rhinelander, northern Wisconsin, and the Upper Peninsula of Michigan the Hodag's story is a familiar one. First discovered and then captured in the 1890s by Rhinelander's most celebrated timber cruiser and city jester, Gene Shepard, the beast connected Ojibwe legend, lumberjack lore, and city promotion to bring some notoriety to the small northern Wisconsin community.
Shepard famously displayed his captured creature (the angry spirit of a cremated lumber ox reincarnated into the body of an antediluvian monster) at county fairs, and at his Rhinelander home until it was revealed to be a hoax -- just a stump dressed up with hide and horns.
Hoax or not, since then Rhinelander has been using the Hodag to connect to its past and promote its future. But is that the full story?
With the publication of "The Outhouse Papers: Gene Shepard and the Hodag", we learn of a mysterious patron employing a retired investigative journalist to track down the truth behind the Hodag legend. The quest follows the writer as he moves beyond the well-known story to a time when Rhinelander was younger, grittier, and its saloons had spittoons instead of stools. Slowly he discovers new clues, fits pieces together, and makes connections that reveal a story much different than the one you've so often heard.
This is a masterfully told story that takes readers along with the journalist through twists and turns as he discovers connections between Rhinelander's past and the sanitized legend it advertises today. Perhaps the Hodag is a hoax, but the hoax is not what you thought it was!
Critique: Original, fascinating, and a fun read from start to finish, "The Outhouse Papers: Gene Shepard and the Hodag" by Mike Skubal is a very special and unreservedly recommended pick for personal, community, and college/university library Literary & Folklore Fiction collections. It should be noted that "The Outhouse Papers: Gene Shepard and the Hodag" is also now available in a digital book format (B0CBT9Z8B7, Kindle, $9.99).
Studies at the School by the Sea
Jenny Colgan
Avon Books
c/o HarperCollins Publishers
www.harpercollins.com
9780063359703, $30.00, HC, 288pp
https://www.amazon.com/Studies-School-Sea-Fourth-Novel/dp/0063359707
Synopsis: Beloved literature teacher Maggie Adair loves her life at the prestigious Downey House boarding school on the gloriously sunny, windy English coast. It was there that she found her footing as a teacher and fell in love with her colleague David -- the two great anchors of her life. But these days Maggie's feeling restless, lured by the promise of a different life back in her Scottish hometown. How can you follow your heart when it seems to be taking you in two directions at once?
Meanwhile, Maggie's favorite students are abuzz at the thought of graduation and set to fly the nest to their next adventure. What will life hold for mercurial Fliss, glamorous Alice, and shy, hard-working Simone when they finally finish their studies at the school by the sea? Will Maggie stay to welcome the next class of girls, or will she too graduate to new adventures?
Critique: The fourth and finale title in author Jenny Colgan's delightful 'School by the Sea' series, "Studies at the School by the Sea" is a fun read from start to finish. Once again Colgan's natural and distinctive flair for crafted novels that are of special interest to fans of contemporary women's friendship stories, "Studies at the School by the Sea" will prove a welcome and enduringly popular pick for community library collections. It should be noted for the growing legions of Jenny Colgan fans that "Studies at the School by the Sea" is also readily available in a paperback edition (9780063141858, $18.99) and in a digital book format (Kindle, $11.99).
Editorial Note: Jenny Colgan (https://www.jennycolgan.com) is the author of numerous novels, including The Christmas Bookshop, The Bookshop on the Corner, Little Beach Street Bakery, and Christmas at the Cupcake Cafe. Jenny, her husband, and three children live in a genuine castle in Scotland.
Under a Neon Sun
Kate Gale
Three Rooms Press
www.threeroomspress.com
9781953103499, $17.00, PB, 240pp
https://www.amazon.com/Under-Neon-Sun-Kate-Gale/dp/1953103499
Synopsis: For people living in houses and apartments, with stay-at-home jobs, the pandemic was inconvenient. For Mia (a student and housekeeper whose budget is so tight she lives in her car) the pandemic destroys the very source of her paltry income.
Fortunately, gutsy and funny Mia is a determined survivor. After weeks of cutting her limited spending even further, missing meals along the way, her wealthy employers become desperate for her services again. But this time, she's determined not to let them take advantage of her as they have in the past. Her newfound confidence gives her new hope as she works to escape the shackles of poverty on her own terms!
Critique: "Under a Neon Sun" is author Katie Gale's impressive debut as a novelist. Showcases her genuine flair for the kind of distinctive narrative driven storytelling that fully engages the readers attention and is an entertaining, thought-provoking, deftly crafted read from start to finish, "Under a Neon Sun" will be of particular interest to fans of contemporary women's fiction raised to an impressive level of literary excellence. While unreservedly recommended for community and college/university library Contemporary Literary Fiction collections, it should be noted for personal reading lists that "Under a Neon Sun" is also available in a digital book format (Kindle, $9.49).
Editorial Note: Kate Gale (https://kategale.com) is the co-founder and managing editor of Red Hen Press, editor of the Los Angeles Review, and a teacher in the low residency MFA program at the University of Nebraska in poetry. She is also the author of seven books of poetry including The Goldilocks Zone (University of New Mexico Press) and Echo Light (Red Mountain), and, most recently, The Loneliest Girl (University of New Mexico Press).
The Historical Fiction Shelf
The Half Life of Valery K
Natasha Pulley
Bloomsbury Press
www.bloomsbury.com
9781635573275, $28.99, HC, 384pp
https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-half-life-of-valery-k-natasha-pulley/1140323920
Synopsis: In 1963, in a Siberian prison, former nuclear specialist Valery Kolkhanov has mastered what it takes to survive: the right connections to the guards for access to food and cigarettes, the right pair of warm boots, and the right attitude toward the small pleasures of life so he won't go insane. But one day, all that changes: Valery's university mentor steps in and sweeps him from the frozen camp to a mysterious unnamed city. It houses a set of nuclear reactors, and surrounding it is a forest so damaged it looks like the trees have rusted from within.
In City 40, Valery is Dr. Kolkhanov once more, and he's expected to serve out his prison term studying the effect of radiation on local animals. His research is overseen by an imposing but surprisingly kind KGB officer, Shenkov, whose trust Valery feels a strong urge to win. But as Valery begins his work, he is struck by the questions his research raises -- questions even Shenkov is afraid to answer.
Why is there so much radiation in this area? What, exactly, is being hidden from the thousands who live in the town? And if he keeps looking for answers, will he live to serve out his sentence?
Critique: Based on real events in a surreal Soviet city, and told with novelist Natasha Pulley's distinctive narratively driven storytelling style, "The Half Life of Valery K" is an inherently fascinating, fully original, and compulsive page-turner of a read that will be of particular interest to fans of historical thrillers from the old Soviet Union era. While unreservedly recommended for community library collections, it should be noted for personal reading lists that "The Half Life of Valery K" is also available in a paperback edition (9781639733033, $18.99), in a digital book format (Kindle, $11.39), and in a large print edition (9798885786218, $34.99).
Editorial Note: Natasha Pulley (https://natashapulley.co.uk) is the author of The Watchmaker of Filigree Street, The Bedlam Stacks, The Lost Future of Pepperharrow, The Kingdoms, and The Half Life of Valery K. She has won a Betty Trask Award, been shortlisted for the Authors' Club Best First Novel Award, the Royal Society of Literature's Encore Award, and the Wilbur Smith Adventure Writing Prize, and longlisted for the Walter Scott Prize.
The LGBTQ Fiction Shelf
Unswerving
Barbara Ridley
University of Wisconsin Press
www.uwpress.wisc.edu
9780299348144, $19.95, PB, 234pp
https://www.amazon.com/Unswerving-Barbara-Ridley/dp/0299348148
Synopsis: When Tave wakes up alone in the hospital, she barely remembers the car wreck. Far from home, dazed, and despondent, she struggles to face the challenges of her new paralysis -- all while worrying about her partner, Les, also severely injured in the accident, now cared for by her homophobic parents who refuse to allow contact.
In rehab, Tave relearns life skills and comes to recognize that her future will be completely different than she'd imagined. Where will she live? How will she find the help she needs? Can her friends rise to the occasion? Or will she be forced to move back in with her mother, putting up with endless talk of faith healers?
Her one beacon of hope is Beth, her physical therapist. But Beth's relationship problems with her own girlfriend push her toward over-involvement -- and risking damaging both her career and Tave's recovery.
A story of courage, resilience, and love, "Unswerving" challenges readers' preconceived notions of disability, of limitations, and of the inevitability of fate.
Critique: It's clear that as the author of "Unswerving", novelist Barbara Ridley is able to write with definitive medical accuracy in her impressive new story by drawing on her professional experience as a former spinal-cord-injury nurse practitioner. Her deftly crafted characters combined with Ridley's distinctive and narrative driven storytelling style make "Unswerving" an especially entertaining read from start to finish. While especially and unreservedly recommended for community library Literary Fiction collections, it should be noted for personal reading lists that "Unswerving" is also readily available in a digital book format (Kindle, $18.95).
Editorial Note: Barbara Ridley (www.barbararidley.com) is also the author of When It's Over, winner of the IBPA Benjamin Franklin Silver Medal for Historical Fiction. Before turning to creative writing, she worked for many years as a spinal-cord-injury nurse practitioner.
The Romantic Fiction Shelf
Sincerely, The Duke: Say I Do
Amelia Grey
St. Martin's Press
https://us.macmillan.com/smp
9781250850430, $8.99 PB, 336pp
https://www.amazon.com/Sincerely-Duke-Say-Do/dp/1250850436
Synopsis: Miss Edwina Fine has one shot at finding a husband before the ton learns her secret. With red hair, green eyes and being one of triplets, she knows the superstitions and rumors about women like her. So when a marriage proposal from the Duke of Stonerick arrives by mail, Edwina jumps at the chance to solve her problems. But nothing could prepare her for the attraction that sparks between them when they finally meet. It will take more than Edwina's wit to navigate her past, reservations about marriage and the passion that ignites within her for the irresistible duke.
Rick, Duke of Stonerick, enjoys his life exactly as it is: honing his expert marksmanship, playing cards and fencing with his friends. He even enjoys exchanging affectionate humor with his mother about his lack of matrimonial engagement. But when a recurring illness reminds Rick he has no heir, he picks a name from the list of prospects his mother presents and writes a simple marriage proposal. Then he forgets about it - until that very lady with an iron will and breathtaking bravery shows up at his doorstep, ready to accept. Edwina tempts him like no other and suddenly, marriage doesn't seem much of an inconvenience after all. But will keeping his illness a secret cost him her love?
Critique: "Sincerely, The Duke" is the second novel in author Amelia Grey's 'Say I Do' historical romance trilogy. A fun read from start to finish, "Sincerely, The Duke" is also available for personal reading lists in a digital book format (Kindle, $8.99) and is certain to be an immediate popular pick for community library Regency Romance collections.
Editorial Note: Amelia Grey (www.ameliagrey.com) read her first romance book when she was thirteen and she's been a devoted reader of love stories ever since. Her awards include the Booksellers Best, Aspen Gold, and the Golden Quill. Writing as Gloria Dale Skinner, she won the coveted Romantic Times Award for Love and Laughter and the prestigious Maggie Award. Her books have sold to many countries in Europe, Indonesia, Turkey, Russia, and most recently to Japan. Several of her books have also been featured in Doubleday and Rhapsody Book Clubs. Amelia is the author of over twenty-five books, including the Heirs' Club trilogy and the Rakes of St. James series.
The Mystery/Suspense Shelf
The Woman Who Lowered the Boom
David Handler
The Mysterious Press
www.mysteriouspress.com
c/o Penzler Publishers
https://penzlerpublishers.com
Blackstone Audiobooks
https://www.blackstonelibrary.com
9781613165133, $26.95, HC, 284pp
https://www.amazon.com/Woman-Lowered-Boom-Stewart-Mystery/dp/1613165137
Synopsis: Stewart "Hoagy" Hoag is walking on cloud nine after a meeting with his editor, Norma Fives, where she predicts his new book is sure to establish him as the next great American author. It has been years since he has even dreamed of such success after a crippling case of writer's block limited his literary aspirations to ghostwriting celebrity memoirs. But his happiness is short-lived when at his next meeting with Norma she asks for his help in discovering who is behind a series of increasingly threatening letters sent to her attention.
Norma herself is not overly concerned about the letters but her boyfriend, Detective Lieutenant Romaine Very of the NYPD, thinks the threat of violence against Norma should not be so easily dismissed. Very feels the combination of Hoagy's detective skills and knowledge of the underbelly of the publishing world make him the perfect person to investigate the matter. Plus, Hoagy is a friend he can trust to take care of the love of his life. Hoagy agrees if for nothing else than to ease the minds of two people he cares about very much. After all, this is likely to be nothing more than a dramatic gesture from a frustrated writer.
But as Hoagy and his trusty basset hound Lulu investigate, the threats move beyond the written word, making it clear that someone out there is determined to write a vicious ending to Norma's life. Could it be the wealthy aging children's author? The unethical snake of a literary agent? Or the handsy historian? This is not the return to the literary world that Hoagy dreamed of, but he is determined to unravel the mystery before the author of these crimes gets the last word.
Critique: David Handler is a master of the 'whodunnit' mystery/suspense genre and his latest novel, "The Woman Who Lowered The Boom" is another literary gem that will prove to be of particular interest to fans of traditional detective stories that also features an amateur (and reluctant) sleuth trying to solve the mystery. A 'must' for the growing legions of David Handler fans, "The Woman Who Lowered The Boom" will also hold appeal for bibliophiles who appreciate the backgrounding of this mystery inside the publishing industry. An extraordinary and unreservedly recommended pick for community library Mystery/Suspense collections, it should be noted for personal reading lists that "The Woman Who Lowered The Boom" is also readily available in a digital book format (Kindle, $22.73) and as a complete and unabridged audio book (Blackstone Audio, 9798874724870, $36.90, CD).
Editorial Note: David Handler (https://davidhandlerbooks.com) is the Edgar Award-winning and critically acclaimed author of several bestselling mystery series. He began his career as a New York City reporter, and wrote his first two novels, "Kiddo" (1987) and "Boss" (1988), about his Los Angeles childhood. In 1988 he published "The Man Who Died Laughing", the first of his long-running series of mysteries starring ghostwriter Stuart Hoag and his faithful basset hound Lulu.
Peril in Pink
Sydney Leigh
Crooked Lane Books
www.crookedlanebooks.com
9781639106394, $29.99, HC, 304pp
https://www.amazon.com/Peril-Pink-Sydney-Leigh/dp/1639106391
Synopsis: It's the grand opening of The Pearl B&B in Hudson Valley, and owner Jess Byrne has prepared the ultimate, Insta-worthy welcome, complete with her ex-boyfriend (reality singing sensation Lars Armstrong) performing live. As guests check in and mimosas are poured, Lars arrives with his stepdad-turned-manager Bob in tow. But things go south when Bob is found dead, and Lars is the prime suspect.
After a desperate plea from Lars, and knowing the reputation of her B&B is at stake, Jess agrees to help clear Lars' name, but the more she digs, the less sure she is that he's innocent. Especially when he's found at the scene of another murder.
With the guests under lockdown, the B&B in the press for all the wrong reasons, and a killer on the loose, Jess is in over her head. With the help of her best friend and business partner Kat, Jess is determined to uncover the truth before Lars is put behind bars and The Pearl is permanently cancelled.
Critique: Cozy mystery writing at its very best, "Peril in Pink" by novelist Sydney Leigh features an amateur female sleuth reluctantly drawn into a 'whodunnit' murder mystery to clear the name of a friend -- and to protect her business! A riveting and fun read from first page to last, "Peril in Pink" successfully launches Sydney Leight's new 'Hudson Valley B&B Mysteries' series and is unreservedly recommended for the personal reading lists of cozy mystery fans, as well as a high priority recommendation for community library Mystery/Suspense collections. It should be noted that "Peril in Pink" is also available in a digital book format (Kindle, $17.99).
Editorial Note: Sydney Leigh (https://sydneyleighbooks.com) has served on the Board of Directors for Crime Writers of Canada from 2019-2021. She is a member of Sisters in Crime and International Thriller Writers.
A Deadly Endeavor
Jenny Adams
Crooked Lane Books
www.crookedlanebooks.com
9781639106950, $29.99, HC, 352pp
https://www.amazon.com/Deadly-Endeavor-Novel-Jenny-Adams/dp/1639106952
Synopsis: Philadelphia, 1921. When Edie Shippen returns home after spending years in California recovering from Influenza, she's shocked to discover that her childhood sweetheart is engaged to her twin sister. Heartbroken and adrift, Edie vows to begin living her life as a modern woman -- and to hell with anyone who gets in her way. But as young women start to disappear from the city, her newfound independence begins to feel dangerous.
Gilbert Lawless returned home from the Great War a shell of his former self. He hides away in the office of Philadelphia's Coroner, content to keep to himself until a gruesome series of corpses come into the morgue. And when his sister, Lizzie, goes missing, he risks his career to beg help from the one person Lizzie seemed to trust: her employer, Edie Shippen.
Fearing the worst, Edie and Gilbert desperately search for clues. It soon becomes clear that Lizzie's disappearance is connected to the deaths rocking the City of Brotherly Love...and it's only a matter of time until the killer strikes again.
Critique: Set in the era of the Roaring Twenties, "A Deadly Endeavor" by novelist Jenny Adms is a compelling 'page turner' of a read from start to finish that will be particularly welcome addition to the personal reading lists of dedicated cozy mystery fans and community library Mystery/Suspense collections. It should be noted for cozy mystery buffs that "A Deadly Endeavor" is also readily available in a digital book format (Kindle, $17.99) as well.
Editorial Note: Jenny Adams (https://jenny-adams.com) turned her love of books and stories into a career as a librarian and author of novels for adults. She holds degrees in Medieval Studies and Library Science from The Ohio State University and Drexel University.
Cirque du Slay
Rob Osler
Crooked Lane Books
www.crookedlanebooks.com
9781639106479, $29.99, HC, 304pp
https://www.amazon.com/Cirque-du-Slay-Rob-Osler/dp/1639106472
Synopsis: Pint-sized Seattle middle school teacher and gay dating blogger Hayden McCall and his best friend Hollister are invited to a fundraiser for Bakers Without Borders. The celebrity performer, Kennedy Osaka, is the artistic director of Mysterium, an upscale circus arts show combining magic, acrobatics, and a Michelin-star dinner. But Kennedy is a no-show -- until she's found dead in her hotel suite.
When frenemy Sarah Lee is discovered in the room with the body, Hayden and Hollister are on the case to find the real culprit before Sarah Lee is charged with the crime.
The suspects for the murder are as unique as Mysterium itself: a Russian trapeze artist, a cowgirl comedian sharp-shooter, an over-cologned operations director, a feisty, green-haired costume manager, and Adrenalin!, a sexy troop of Romanian male acrobats...If Hayden and Hollister are to clear Sarah Lee of suspicion, they'll have to outsmart a killer for whom trickery is art.
Critique: "Cirque Du Slay" by novelist Rob Osler is a masterfully crafted and original cozy murder mystery with an LGBTQ+ element. The second title in Osler's 'Hayden & Friends' mystery series from Crooked Lane, the first being "Devil's Chew Toy" (2022), "Cirque Du Slay" is laced through and through with humor and unexpected plot twists that make it a fun read from start to finish -- and with the reader looking forward to the next installment of the cozy mystery solving team of Hayden & Friends! While a welcome and recommended pick for community library Mystery/Suspense collections, it should be noted for personal reading lists that "Cirque Du Slay" is also available in a paperback edition (9781639107155, $22.99) and in a digital book format (Kindle, $13.99).
Editorial Note: Rob Osler (https://robosler.com) resides in southern California with his long-time partner and a tall, gray cat.
Crimeline Hollywood
Thomas Collins
MindStir Media
https://mindstirmedia.com
9781961532649, $18.99, PB, 344pp
https://www.amazon.com/Crimeline-Hollywood-Thomas-Collins/dp/1961532646
Synopsis: Whoever thought an astrologer's life could be so dangerous? Especially when you are "Hollywood's Astrologer to the Stars". Yet Dash Harwood found himself crawled out on a 20-story beam trying to talk down a suicidal celebrity. And when Dash gave a Vegas casino owner a costly piece of advice, he found himself the target of a hitman!
Fortunately Dash escaped -- but unfortunately only to himself embedded in still another crisis: the kidnapping of Sparklynn James, his most famous client. After the Feds falter on the case, the family asks him to assist Rebecca Fairway, a publicity-seeking P.I. (a.k.a. "The Glamorous Gumshoe) to find her. Not exactly the A Team.
But a coded ransom message from Sparklynn herself points them in the right direction -- leading Dash straight into a web of corporate evil.
Critique: An impressively original and thoroughly fun read from start to finish, "Crimeline Hollywood" by author Thomas Collins will hold a very special interest to fans of suspense thriller novels laced with humor, astrology, amateur sleuths, memorable characters, and more unexpected plot twists and turns than a Kansas tornado! A compulsive page turner of a novel from first page to last, "Crimeline Hollywood" is one of those deftly crafted stories that will linger in the mind and memory of the reader long after the book is finished and set back upon the shelf. While especially and unreservedly recommended for community library Mystery/Suspense collections, it should be noted for personal reading lists that "Crimeline Hollywood" is also currently available from Amazon.com in a digital book format (Kindle, $2.99).
Editorial Note: Thomas Collins (https://crimelinebythomascollins.com) wrote his first book, "The Adventures of Tom and Rom", at the age of ten. (Now long out of print) As an adult he gained valuable knowledge of the inner workings of big business as corporate communications director for a Fortune 500 company. "Crimeline Hollywood" is his first mystery though not his last, especially since the hitman from Crimeline is still on the loose. Like his hero, Dash Harwood, he is an Aquarian who likes to think outside the box -- once he cuts through all the packaging.
The Cat Saw Murder
Dolores Hitchens
American Mystery Classics
c/o Penzler Publishers
https://penzlerpublishers.com
9781613162132, $15.95, PB, 264pp
https://www.amazon.com/Cat-Saw-Murder-Murdock-Mysteries/dp/1613162138
Synopsis: When Rachel Murdock and her sister Jennifer receive a call for help from their favorite niece, Lilly, in Breakers Beach, CA, they quickly hop a train from Los Angeles to see her -- but not before collecting their prized cat Samantha in a picnic basket and bringing her along for the ride.
Samantha, it turns out, is an heiress, the inheritor of a fortune left by a wealthy relative, and so the attempt at the cat's life, made right after they arrive, comes as a shock. The cat survives, but unfortunately, Lilly, murdered soon thereafter, is not so lucky.
By the time the police arrive, the clues are already falling into place. The source of Lilly's trouble is revealed to be a gambling debt incurred during an attempt to cheat at bridge, and the suspects in her slaying quickly pile up. But then another corpse is discovered, buried in the nearby sand, and it becomes clear that the killing spree concerns more than just the young lady's personal money trouble.
With the authorities distracted by lurid details, it's up to Rachel and her furry friend to uncover the subtleties containing the solution to the puzzle.
Critique: A 'time lost' classic and now brought back into print for an appreciative new general of mystery enthusiasts, "The Cat Wears a Noose" by Dolores Hitchens is a fun read from start to finish. Female amateur sleuths, a plot with multiple surprises, deftly crafted characters, and Hitchens flair for originality and the kind of narrative driven storytelling style that keeps her reader's compulsive page turners, "The Cat Wears a Noose" is unreservedly recommended for community library Mystery/Suspense collections. It should be noted for the personal reading lists of dedicated 'whodunnit' murder mystery fans that "The Cat Wears a Noose" is also readily available in a digital book format (Kindle, 9.99). Librarians will want the hardcover edition (9781613162125, $21.95).
Editorial Note: Dolores Hitchens (December 25, 1907 - August 1, 1973) was a highly prolific mystery author who wrote under multiple pseudonyms and in a range of styles. A large number of her books were published under the D. B. Olsen moniker (under which her "Cat" series was originally published), but she is perhaps best remembered today for her later novel, Fool's Gold, published under her own name, which was adapted as Band a part by Jean-Luc Godard.
The Last Word
Elly Griffiths
Mariner Books
www.marinerbooks.com
c/o HarperCollins Publishers
www.harpercollins.com
9780063374720, $27.99, HC, 352pp
https://www.amazon.com/Last-Word-Novel-Elly-Griffiths/dp/0063374722
Synopsis: Natalka and Edwin are perfect if improbable partners in a detective agency. At eighty-four, Edwin regularly claims that he's the oldest detective in England. He is a master at surveillance, deploying his age as a cloak of invisibility. Natalka, Ukrainian-born and more than fifty years his junior, is a math whizz, who takes any cases concerning fraud or deception.
Despite a steady stream of minor cases, Natalka is frustrated. She loves a murder, as she's fond of saying, and none have come the agency's way. That is until local writer Melody Chambers dies.
Melody's daughters are convinced that their mother was murdered. Edwin thinks that Melody's death is linked to that of an obituary writer who predeceased many of his subjects. Edwin and Benedict go undercover to investigate and are on a creative writing weekend at isolated Battle House when another murder occurs. Are the cases linked and what is the role of a distinctly sinister book group attended by many of writers involved? By the time Edwin has infiltrated the group, he is in serious danger...
Seeking professional help, the investigators turn to their friend, detective Harbinder Kaur, and find that they have stumbled on a plot that is stranger than fiction.
Critique: A fun read for murder mystery fans from start to finish, "The Last Word" will hold a very special interest to readers of police procedural, international crime, and women sleuths trying to discover 'whodunnit'. Author Elly Griffiths is a master storyteller and "The Last Word" is a solid recommendation for community library Mystery/Suspense collections. It should be noted for personal reading lists that "The Last Word" is also readily available in a digital book format (Kindle, $14.99).
Editorial Note: Elly Griffiths (https://ellygriffiths.co.uk) is the author of the Ruth Galloway and Brighton mystery series, as well as standalone novels including: The Stranger Diaries (winner of the Edgar Award for Best Novel); The Postscript Murders; and Bleeding Heart Yard. She is the recipient of the CWA Dagger in the Library Award and the Mary Higgins Clark Award.
The Fantasy/SciFi Shelf
Empire of the Damned
Jay Kristoff
St. Martin's Press
https://us.macmillan.com/smp
9781250245335, $32.00, HC, 736pp
https://www.amazon.com/Empire-Damned-Vampire-2/dp/1250245338
Synopsis: Gabriel de Leon has saved the Holy Grail from death, but his chance to end the endless night is lost. Drawn into an uneasy alliance with the mysterious vampire Liathe, Gabriel must now deliver the Grail to ancients of the Blood Esani, and learn the truth of how Daysdeath might be finally undone.
But the Last Silversaint faces peril, within and without. Pursued by terrors of the Blood Voss, drawn into warfare between the Blood Dyvok and duskdancers of the frozen Highlands, and ravaged by his own rising bloodlust, Gabriel may not survive to see the Grail learn her truth.
And that truth may be too awful for any to imagine.
Critique: "Empire of the Damned" is the eagerly awaited sequel to author Jay Kristoff's vampire fantasy novel "Empire of the Vampire". A brilliantly original, exceptionally compelling, deftly crafted, and thoroughly fun read from start to finish, "Empire of the Damned" does not disappoint. Highly recommended for community library Fantasy Fiction collections and an absolute 'must read' pick for the growing legions of Jay Kristoff fans, it should be noted for personal reading lists that "Empire of the Damned" is also available in a digital book format (Kindle, $15.99).
Editorial Note: Jay Kristoff (https://jaykristoff.com) is an author of fantasy and science fiction, including "Empire of the Vampire". He is the winner of eight Aurealis Awards, an ABIA, has over half a million books in print and is published in over thirty five countries, most of which he has never visited. He is as surprised about all of this as you are. He is 6'7 and has approximately 11,500 days to live. He does not believe in happy endings.
Angolin
C. E. Taylor
CamCat Books
www.camcatpublishing.com
9780744306750, $29.99, HC, 400pp
https://www.amazon.com/Angolin-C-Taylor/dp/0744306752
Synopsis: The Hidden Realm of Angolin has existed in peaceful isolation for centuries, but that's about to change. The enemy across the Abyss has discovered them and is intent on conquest. Lieutenant Dharmen Tate has a great love for his homeland and a greater understanding of its position in the world. When he discovers a plot by fellow officers to join the enemy and overthrow Angolin, he and his colleagues spring into action to defend the Hidden Realm from its foes - those without, and those within. The ensuing struggle magnifies Angolin's vulnerability and exposes the collusion of a growing body of its citizens, signifying an uncertain and bloody future.
Critique: With the publication of "Angolin", author, C. E. Taylor proves to be a master of space opera style action/adventure science fiction. A fun read that will especially appeal to dedicated fans of military science fiction, "Angolin" will prove to be an immediate and enduringly popular addition to community library Science Fiction collections. It should be noted for the personal reading lists of dedicate SciFi fans that "Angolin" is also available in a digital book format (Kindle, $6.49) and in a large print paperback edition from CamCat Books (9780744306811, $30.99).
Editorial Note: C. E. Taylor (www.ce-taylor.com) is a cultural anthropologist and urban planner. His fascination for science fiction began as a child, and his interest in human culture within urban environments, along with a penchant for other worlds, places, and times led to the first book of the Angolin trilogy. When not creating fictional storylines, histories, etc., he spends his time reading science fiction and suspense novels. In one way or another, he finds a form of anthropology in everything he experiences in real life and in everything he reads, as even fiction provides insight into the human condition.
Queen Nanny & The White Witch of Rosehall
Bobby Spears Jr.
Kingston Imperial
https://kingstonimperial.com
9781954220645, $29.99, HC, 352pp
https://www.amazon.com/Queen-Nanny-White-Witch-Rosehall/dp/1954220642
Synopsis: Deep in the heart of Jamaica, the stories of insatiable bloodthirsty creatures and dark rituals brought over from the old country have been the stuff of legends for centuries. Queen Nanny, the leader of a community of Maroons, is well versed in military leadership and spiritual wisdom. But how do you beat an enemy that possesses the power over life and death?
One such figure is the enigmatic White Witch, shrouded in mystery and superstition -- some say she was once a wealthy woman who murdered her husbands, while others believe she was a powerful sorceress who used dark magic. As the White Witch threatens the safety of Queen Nanny's home, she must use every weapon at her disposal to protect her people.
Critique: A simply riveting read from start to finish, "Queen Nanny & The White Witch of Rosehall" is an original dark fantasy novel by Bobby Spears Jr. that (even though a work of deftly crafted fiction) provides an extra bonus for the reader's benefit with respect to providing a fresh perspective on Jamaica's rich cultural history. Especially and unreservedly recommended for readers with an interest in Vampire Fantasy Fiction, and Witch/Wizard thrillers, "Queen Nanny & The White Witch of Rosehall" will prove a welcome addition to community library Fantasy Fiction collections. It should be noted for personal reading lists that "Queen Nanny & The White Witch of Rosehall" is also readily available in a digital book format (Kindle, $9.99).
Editorial Note: Bobby Spears, Jr., a distinguished alumnus of Howard University, graduated with a B.A. in TV/Film production. With an innate passion for storytelling, Bobby has since ventured into the realm of writing and TV/film production, crafting narratives that resonate deeply with audiences around the world.
The Photography Shelf
The Camera Bag Companion
Benedict Brain
Ilex Press
c/o Octopus Books
https://www.octopusbooks.co.uk
9781781579299, $26.99, PB, 192pp
https://www.amazon.com/Camera-Bag-Companion-Personal-Photography/dp/1781579296
Synopsis: Imagine having your personal, professional photographer with you whenever you go out to shoot. There to guide you, share their knowledge, and inspire you to take better photographs. In his latest book, "The Camera Bag Companion: Your Personal Photography Tutor", photography expert Benedict Brain puts himself in your kitbag, with a beautifully illustrated how-to guide that's as essential as any lens or tripod, and cuts through the jargon to deliver clear advice in a friendly, conversational style.
Critique: Comprehensive, nicely illustrated, thoroughly 'user friendly' in organization and presentation, "The Camera Bag Companion: Your Personal Photography Tutor" is the ideal DIY jargon free manual that is an ideal and unreservedly recommended pick for personal, professional, community, photography club, and college/university library Photography collections. It should be noted for the personal reading lists of aspiring and practicing photographers that "The Camera Bag Companion" is also readily available in a digital book format (Kindle, $16.99).
Editorial Note: Benedict Brain (www.benedictbrain.com/#1) is a UK based photographer and journalist. He graduated from the Derby School of Art in 1991. He is an Associate of the Royal Photographic Society and sits on the society's Distinctions Advisory Panel. Benedict was the editor of Britain's best-selling consumer photography magazine, Digital Camera Magazine until 2018. He currently writes a regular column, 'The Art of Seeing', for Digital Camera magazine. Benedict is also a tour and workshop leader and is regularly asked to jduge prestigious photo competitions such as the International Garden Photographer of the Year and the British Photography Awards and is a regular speaker at shows including The Adventure Travel Show and The Photography Show.
The Theatre/Cinema/TV Shelf
The Mae West Films
James L. Neibaur
BearManor Media
www.bearmanormedia.com
9798887713946, $40.00, HC, 220pp
https://www.amazon.com/Mae-West-Films-James-Neibaur/dp/B0CTCVMQNQ
Synopsis: Mary Jane "Mae" West (August 17, 1893 - November 22, 1980) was an American actress, singer, comedian, screenwriter, and playwright whose career spanned over seven decades. Considered a sex symbol, she was known for her breezy sexual independence and her lighthearted bawdy double entendres, often delivered in a husky contralto voice. She was active in vaudeville and on stage in New York City before moving to Los Angeles to begin a career in the film industry. (Wikipedia)
It is quite true that in her time Mae West was one of the true icons of show business, enjoying success on stage and in movies. She created her own character, wrote her own dialog, and understood the value of self-promotion -- and was very, very good at it.
An innately talented entertainer, Mae began working on stage as a small child and was still pursuing creative endeavors in the last year of her life. With the publication of "The Mae West film", cinematic historian James L. Neibaur concentrates on her movie work, and although she only made 12 movies, they made her a universally recognized movie star. Her best movies were edgy and challenging along with being entertaining, and have lived on for succeeding generations of film fans as true cinematic classics.
Critique: In "The Mae West films", each of her twelve movies are critiqued. Informatively enhanced further for the reader's benefit, "The Mae West Films" includes an eight page chapter on 'Mae West Before the Movies', a six page Bibliography, and a four page Index. A 'must' for the remaining legions of Mae West fans, "The Mae West Films" is a high value pick for personal, professional, community, film school, college, and university library Cinematic History collections and supplemental curriculum studies lists. It should be noted that this BearManor Media edition of "The Mae West Films" is also available in paperback (9798887713939, $28.00) and in a digital book format (Kindle, $9.95).
Editorial Note: James L. Neibaur is a film historian and scholar who has written over 35 books and hundreds of articles, essays, and reviews for various film magazines and website blogs. (https://www.sensesofcinema.com/author/james-l-neibaur)
Nozone: Reviews of Art, Cult, and Genre Cinema, 2003-2012
Tim Lucas
BearManor Media
www.bearmanormedia.com
9798887714042, $38.00, C, 442pp
https://www.amazon.com/Nozone-Reviews-Genre-Cinema-2003-2012/dp/B0CW1RHM5N
Synopsis: As editor and chief critic of Video Watchdog ("The Perfectionist's Guide to Home Video"), Tim Lucas acquired a national reputation as the leading guide to truly underground cinema: those bizarre, elusive but revelatory movies that could then only be found through foreign and subterranean markets or swap meets.
With this notoriety in mind, he was approached in 2003 by Sight and Sound, the venerable publication of the British Film Institute, to write a monthly column reviewing the most interesting new video releases not then available for sale within the UK. This column, NoZone, became a monthly feature of the magazine for nearly ten years.
"Nozone - Reviews of Art, Cult, and Genre Cinema, 2003-2012" collects, updates, and annotates the full run of Tim Lucas' NoZone columns, while adding one previously unpublished. This is the first in a comprehensive new series from Bear Manor Media collecting the best of Tim Lucas's 50+ years of film-related writings, and the first such collection to appear in more than 30 years.
Critique: Arranged chronologically from June 2003 to September 2012, "Nozone - Reviews of Art, Cult, and Genre Cinema, 2003-2012" is concisely informative, inherently fascinating, and essential reading for film buffs and cinematic history fans. Thoroughly 'film fan friendly' in organization and presentation, "Nozone - Reviews of Art, Cult, and Genre Cinema, 2003-2012" is especially and unreservedly recommended pick for personal, professional, community, and college/university library Cinematic History & Movie Guide collections. It should be noted that "Nozone - Reviews of Art, Cult, and Genre Cinema, 2003-2012" is also available in a paperback edition (9798887714035, $37.00).
Editorial Note: Tim Lucas (https://videowatchdogblog.blogspot.com) has been reviewing films professionally, with a preference for art and exploitation cinema, since the age of 15. His work has appeared in Sight and Sound, Film Comment, Fangoria, Gorezone and numerous other books and magazines, including his own influential Video Watchdog, co-published with his wife Donna from 1990 to 2018. He is the author of the multi-award-winning Mario Bava - All the Colors of the Dark, as well as The Video Watchdog Book and monographs on Videodrome, Spirits of the Dead and Succubus.
It's That Time Again 2!
Martin Grams Jr., author
Jim Harmon, editor
BearManor Media
www.bearmanormedia.com
9798887713076, $36.00, HC, 224pp
https://www.amazon.com/Its-That-Time-Again-hardback/dp/B0CRS1P5KJ
Synopsis: Edited and with an informative Foreword by Jim Harmon "It's That Time Again Vol. 2" offers the reader with a memorable and entertaining sampling of popular old time radio shows including:
Vic and Sade (The Stembottom Situation)
William F. Nolan (Radio Detectives)
Sherlock Holmes and the Adventure of the Duplicate Daughter
The Avenger and the Maker of Werewolves
Baby Snooks (Out with Mommy)
The Whistler (For I Walk by Night)
The Adventures of Jimmie Allen In World War II)
House of Mystery (The Ghastly Dream)
Richard Diamond (Fall from Grace)
My Friend Irma (Jane's Side)
Columbia Workshop (A Drink for the Damned)
Bobby Benson and His B Bar B Riders (The Adventure of the Lady Prospector)
Jack FrenchRed Ryder (Little Beaver's Schooling)
The Man Called X (Crisis in Cairo)
Nightbeat (A Dancer, a Soldier, a Villain)
The Jack Benny Program (The Fred Allen Murder Case)
Lum and Abner (Murder in Pine Ridge)
Harold Lloyd Comedy Theatre (Maltese Omelet)
Hermit's Cave (Last of the Legares)
A Witch's Tale (The Peltonville Horror)
Lights Out (Later Than You Think)
The Great Gildersleeve (Saturday Morning)
Critique: An absolute 'must' for all fans of Old Time Radio, "It's That Time Again 2!" will prove to be a prized addition to personal, professional, community, and college/university library Radio Broadcasting History collections and supplemental curriculum studies lists. It should be noted that "It's That Time Again 2!" from BearManor Books is also readily available in a paperback edition (9781593930066, $28.00) and in a digital book format (Kindle, $6.99).
Editorial Note: Jim Harmon, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jim_Harmon) is an Old Tim Radio guru, and the author of "The Great Radio Heroes" and "The Great Radio Comedians".
The Graphic Novel Shelf
Harlem
Mikaël
NBM Publishing
www.nbmpub.com
9781681123288, $27.99, HC, 128pp
https://www.amazon.com.au/Harlem-Mikael/dp/1681123282
Synopsis: Harlem, 1931. In the heart of the Great Depression, invention is the mother of necessity to make ends meet.
Stephanie St. Clair, known as 'Queenie', had already understood this when she landed in New York almost twenty years before. Inventiveness when you are a woman and you are black is much more than a necessity. It's a question of survival.
In a few years, this young immigrant West Indian servant freed herself from the weight of ancestral servitude. Even better, she created her own American dream: the underground Harlem numbers game. Hers is an ascent that makes people cringe, both with the local authorities and the white mafia. Dutch Schultz, aka the Dutchman, an unscrupulous mafioso, intends to take control of the kingdom of the "Frenchy."
But that's without taking into account the determination and impetuosity of Queenie, whose heavy past continues to guide her steps as she rises and then falls as the boss of the Harlem numbers racket.
With the publication of "Harlem", French and Canadian artist Mikaël takes us to the Harlem of the prohibition era for the final chapter of his New York triptych in sumptuous chiaroscuro, to meet a woman as strong as she is enigmatic.
Critique: Published in a large format (22.86 x 1.52 x 30.48 cm) hardcover edition by Nantier Beall Minoustchine Publishing (NBM), there is a cinematic dynamism to this graphic novel style story based on a real life personality that was a unique woman in a man's game and up against the Mafia's attempt to take over the numbers game in Harlem. Simply stated, "Harlem" by the artist/illustrator Mikaël is an extraordinary and highly recommended addition to personal, community, and college/university library collections. It should be noted that this edition of "Harlem" is also readily available in a digital book format (Kindle, $28.20).
Editorial Note: An autodidact, French artist Mikaël, adoptive of French Canada, has illustrated award winning children's books and created graphic novels since 2001. Among his awards are 2 Grand Prizes of the City of Quebec (2015, 2016) and a special mention of the jury for youth at Ouessant, France. Since 2006 he has turned to adult comics, some in collaboration with other writers and artists. (www.europecomics.com/author/mikael)
The Audiobook Shelf
Lone Wolf: An Orphan X Novel
Gregg Hurwitz, author
Scott Brick, narrator
Macmillan Audio
www.macmillanaudio.com
9781250329486, $39.99, CD, (13 Hours 13 Minutes)
https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/lone-wolf-gregg-hurwitz/1143330012
Synopsis: Once a black ops government assassin known as Orphan X, Evan Smoak left the Program, went deep underground, and reinvented himself as someone who will go anywhere and risk everything to help the truly desperate who have nowhere else to turn. Since then, Evan has fought international crime syndicates and drug cartels, faced down the most powerful people in the world and even brought down a president.
Now struggling with an unexpected personal crisis, Evan goes back to the very basics of his mission -- and this time, the truly desperate is a little girl who wants him to find her missing dog.
Not his usual mission, and not one Evan embraces with enthusiasm, but this unlikely, tiny job quickly explodes into his biggest mission yet, one that finds him battered between twisted AI technocrat billionaires, a mysterious female assassin who seems a mirror of himself, and personal stakes so gut-wrenching he can scarcely make sense of them.
Evan's mission pushes him to his limit - he must find and take down the assassin known only as the Wolf, before she succeeds in completing her mission and killing the people who can identify her -- a teenaged daughter of her last target, and Evan himself. Matched skill for skill, instinct for instinct, Evan must outwit an opponent who will literally stop at nothing if he is to survive.
Critique: Another simply riveting Orphan X novel by Gregg Hurwitz and vividly brought to life in a true 'theatre of the mind' experience through the storytelling talents of narrator Scott Brick, this complete and unabridged (11 CD) audio book edition of "Lone Wolf" from Macmillan Audio is an ideal and enduringly popular pick for personal and community library Action/Adventure audio book collections.
Editorial Note #1: Greg Hurwitz (https://gregghurwitz.net) is the author of the New York Times bestselling Orphan X novels. Critically acclaimed, his novels have been international bestsellers, graced top ten lists, and have been published in thirty-two languages. Additionally, he's sold scripts to many of the major studios, and written, developed, and produced television for various networks.
The Fury
Alex Michaelides, author
Alex Jennings, narrator
Macmillan Audio
www.macmillanaudio.com
2940160607344, $39.99, CD, (8 Hours 8 Minute)
https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-fury-alex-michaelides/1143480580
Synopsis: Lana Farrar is a reclusive ex-movie star and one of the most famous women in the world. Every year, she invites her closest friends to escape the English weather and spend Easter on her idyllic private Greek island. But on this occasion they found themselves trapped on that island overnight. An unexpected result was that it enflamed old friendships that concealed hatred and a desire for revenge. What ensued was a battle of wits, a series of twists and turns, all building to an unforgettable (and lethal) climax. That night ended in violence and death, as one of them was found murdered.
Critique: "The Fury" by author Alex Michaelides is deftly told tale of suspicions, revenge, murder, and love. Deftly narrated by the truly impressive storytelling tales of Alex Jennings, the complete and unabridged audio book edition of "The Fury" from Macmillan Audio (7 CDs) is a welcome and unreservedly recommended pick for personal and community library Mystery/Suspense audio book collections.
Editorial Note #1: Alex Michaelides was born and raised in Cyprus. He has an M.A. in English Literature from Trinity College, Cambridge University, and an M.A. in Screenwriting from the American Film Institute in Los Angeles.
Editorial Note #2: Alex Jennings is a teacher, author, and performer living in New Orleans. His writing has appeared in strangehorizons.com, podcastle, The Peauxdunque Review, Obsidian Lit, the Locus Award-winning Luminescent Threads: Connections to Octavia Butler, and in numerous anthologies.
Identity
Nora Roberts, author
January LaVoy, narrator
Macmillan Audio
www.macmillanaudio.com
9781250871732, $39.99, CD (15 Hours 4 Minutes)
https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/identity-c-carl-roberts/1110279268
Synopsis: Former Army brat Morgan Albright has finally planted roots in a friendly neighborhood near Baltimore. Her friend and roommate Nina helps her make the mortgage payments, as does Morgan's job as a bartender. But after she and Nina host their first dinner party-attended by Luke, the flirtatious IT guy who'd been chatting her up at the bar-her carefully built world is shattered. The back door glass is broken, cash and jewelry are missing, her car is gone, and Nina lies dead on the floor.
Soon, a horrific truth emerges: It was Morgan who let the monster in. "Luke" is actually a cold-hearted con artist named Gavin who targets a particular type of woman, steals her assets and identity, and then commits his ultimate goal: murder.
What the FBI tells Morgan is beyond chilling. Nina wasn't his type. Morgan is. Nina was simply in the wrong place at the wrong time. And Morgan's nightmare is just beginning. Soon she has no choice but to flee to her mother's home in Vermont. While she struggles to build something new, she meets another man, Miles Jameson. He isn't flashy or flirtatious, and his family business has deep roots in town. But Gavin is still out there hunting new victims, and he hasn't forgotten the one who got away.
Critique: A suspense thriller of a read from start to finish, "Identity" by Nora Roberts is brought vividly to life through the narrative storytelling abilities of January LaVoy in this complete and unabridged (12 CD) audio book edition from Macmillan Audio. A 'must' for the legions of Nora Roberts fans, "Identity" will prove to be an immediate and enduringly popular addition for personal and community library Mystery/Suspense audio book collections.
Editorial Note #1: Nora Roberts (https://noraroberts.com) is the #1 New York Times bestselling author of more than 230 novels. There are more than 500 million copies of her books having been sold around the world.
Editorial Note #2: January LaVoy (www.januarylavoy.com/home/audio) is the recipient of the 2023 Helen Hayes Award for Outstanding Lead Performer (Fires in the Mirror). January made her Broadway debut in Lucy Prebble's ENRON in 2010. Along with a very successful theatrical career, she has been seen on television in "Blue Bloods", "N0S4A2", "Elementary", and "Law & Order" (classic, CI and SVU). In 2007 she created the role of Noelle Ortiz-Stubbs on "One Life to Live", which she played until 2011.
The Music CD Shelf
Jonesville: Music By And For Sam Jones
Acceleration Due to Gravity
Hot Cup Records
$15.00 vinyl / $TBA CD / $7.00 digital
https://accelerationduetogravity.bandcamp.com/album/jonesville
Jonesville: Music By And For Sam Jones is the second album by the nine-member jazz band Acceleration Due to Gravity. Four of the seven songs are by composer and bassist Moppa Elliot; the other three are arrangements of early pieces created by jazz legend Sam Jones (1924-1981). "Choice" is by Sam Jones and Tim Bradshaw, "Miami Drag" is by Sam Jones and Paul Williams, and "Stack of Dollars" is by Sam Jones and Tiny Bradshaw. Eclectic and transformative, Jonesville is both a high tribute and an adventure in spontaneous improvisations, highly recommended especially for jazz connoisseurs. The tracks are Choice, Delaware Water Gap, Miami Drag, Unity, Cedar Run, Stack of Dollars, and Jonesville.
The Door Is Open: The Music of Gregg Hill
Randy Napoleon
OA2 Records
$16.98 CD / $8.91 MP3
https://www.amazon.com/Door-Open-Music-Gregg-Hill/dp/B0CRHYJBZH
The Door Is Open: The Music of Gregg Hill is an extraordinary collaborative album. Gregg Hill sends Randy Napoleon original scores and compositions, with the blessing of freedom for interpretation and improvisation. Randy Napoleon brings the music to life on the guitar, along with Aubrey Johnson's vocals, Rick Roe on piano, Quincy Davis on drums, Rodney Whitaker and Lucas Lafave on bass, Anthony Stanco on trumpet, Walter Blanding on tenor saxophone, and Andrew Kim on trombone. The result is an extraordinary, creative musical concoction highly recommended especially for jazz connoisseurs! The tracks are The Lost Tune, The Door is Open, Escape to Cat Island, Motel Blues, Spa-Teneity, April Song, The Last Pop Tune, Skyline, and Triple Play.
Cohesion
David Larsen
www.larsenjazz.com
Privately Published
$TBA CD / $7.92 MP3
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CPP6D57B
Saxophonist, composer, and accolade-showered music artist David Larsen presents Cohesion, a collaborative jazz album created with East Coast jazz musicians Darryl Yokley on tenor sax, Zaccai Curtis on piano, Alex Apollo on bass, and Wayne Smith Jr. on drums. David Larsen plays baritone sax and personally composed the first six tracks; Darryl Yokley composed the final two tracks. Cohesion explores the intricacies of modal composition, and is a choice pick for connoisseurs of elaborate jazz. The tracks are Cohesion, Down To It, Movement, Wishing Well, Fedchock, Working Things Out, Mount Fuji, and El Duelo.
The Ways In
James Zollar
Privately Published
$TBA CD / $TBA digital
https://music.apple.com/us/album/the-ways-in/1669129526
The Ways In is a jazz album featuring trumpet and flugelhorn player James Zollar. The songs are composed by a variety of talented individuals; some are arranged James Zollar. The music is brought to vibrant life with contributions by Michael Rorby on trombone, Stefano Doglioni on bass clarinet, Nabuko Kiryu's vocals, David Hazeltine on piano, Gerald Cannon on bass, Willie Jones III on drums and more. The vibrant music, performed with grace and passion, reflects Zollar's own contemplations on "the ways in" to a lifetime of celebrating music, especially jazz. The Ways In is a treasure for jazz enthusiasts, highly recommended! The tracks are The Fruit, Peace / Blue Silver, Reflectory, The Single Pedal of a Rose, Jim Jim, Do Nothing till You Hear From Me, Swing Spring, Pat, Down Town up, and Checkered Hat.
My Daddy's Dad
Alex Miller
Billy Jam Records
billyjamrecords.com
$TBA CD / $6.45 MP3
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CW7QJNMT
My Daddy's Dad is a country music EP featuring storytelling lyrics inspired by Alex Miller's own life experiences and the classic "Western" era. The final track is a tribute to Miller's grandfather, who inspired Miller's passion for country music. My Daddy's Dad is a choice pick for connoisseurs of original country music, highly recommended. The tracks are She Makes Dirt Look Good; Oh, Odessa; The Last House in God's Country; Ain't Ever Saying Never; and My Daddy's Dad.
The Solitude Suite
Scott Marshall
scottdouglasmarshall.com
Privately Published
$TBA CD / $10.00 digital
https://scottdmarshall.bandcamp.com/album/the-solitude-suite
Saxophonist and composer Scott Marshall presents his sixth album The Solitude Suite, created with Scott Marshall on tenor and soprano saxophones, Kevin Turcotte on trumpet and flugelhorn, Mike Downs on acoustic bass, and Terry Clarke on drums. The original songs are inspired by solitude, especially the isolation imposed by the COVID-19 pandemic lockdowns and the adjustment to the "new normal" as the pandemic shifted into its endemic phase. The Solitude Suite is a contemporary jazz enthusiast's delight, showcasing talent, emotion, and creative passion in every song. The tracks are What Would Eddie Do, Optimism, Frugal Fuguel, Points of View, The Monk Trane, Reflection, Conversations, Solid Dude Debate, and That's Better.
Disaster Pony
Disaster Pony
disasterpony.com
Lovetown Records
lovetownrecords.com
$TBA CD / $9.49 MP3
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CVDLX22P
Disaster Pony is the self-titled debut album of a new jazz and electronic dance music band led by saxophonist, pianist, synthesizer player and composer Gordon Hyland. Members lend their talent on guitar, violin, electric bass, double bass, and percussion. The result is a treasure, highly recommended for connoisseurs of electronic jazz! The tracks are It's Got Tentacles; Robot Pain; Hot Like Bugs; Dead Neon & the Noon Sun; Angle Boys of the Cosmos; Fruit Flies in Cola; Sly, Dirty Machines; You're Still a Lousy Fink; and Moons Become Planets.
The Blu-ray Shelf
Otaku Elf Complete Collection
Sentai Film Works
https://www.sentaifilmworks.com
c/o RLJ Entertainment (distribution)
$59.98
https://www.sentaifilmworks.com/products/816726024462-otaku-elf-complete-collection-blu-ray
Otaku Elf Complete Collection has all twelve episodes of the anime series "Otaku Elf", following sixteen-year-old Koito Koganei who has just inherited her family's role as shrine maiden. There's one complication - the shrine's "deity", an ageless elf summoned 400 years ago, has become a completely introverted, anime-watching, video game-obsessed otaku! Can Koito coax the reclusive elf out of her shell, and persuade her to reconnect with the world at large? A whimsical comedy with a compassionate protagonist, Otaku Elf Complete Collection is a delight to watch and highly recommended. 12 episodes on two Blu-ray discs, TV-PG rating, 300 min., Japanese audio with English subtitles.
Black Bullet Complete Collection
Sentai Film Works
https://www.sentaifilmworks.com
c/o RLJ Entertainment (distribution)
$49.98
https://www.sentaifilmworks.com/products/816726026961-black-bullet-complete-collection-blu-ray
Black Bullet Complete Collection has all thirteen episodes of the anime series "Black Bullet", set in a horrific dystopian near future where the Gastrea virus has exterminated 99% of humanity. The Gastrea virus mutates the infected into murderous, nearly-unkillable abominations. Conventional weapons are nearly useless against Gastrea monsters; only the "Cursed Children", girls who have been infected but are capable of holding on to their humanity, have the power to fight the Gastrea directly. Yet the infection that gives Cursed Children power also makes them dangerous, since as time passes they risk turning into mindless Gastrea as well. In Tokyo, the Cursed Children are feared, reviled, and subject to police brutality. Rentaro Satomi is a civil servant paired with Cursed Child Enju Aihara; although Rentaro strives to protect people and forge a better future, his efforts are under brutal attack from Gastrea monsters without and human ruthlessness within! Filled with edge-of-seat action and drama, Black Bullet is rated TV-MA due to intense violence. 13 episodes on two Blu-ray discs, 325 min., English and Japanese audio with English subtitles.
The Fishing Shelf
Most Trout Don't Read
Scot Bealer, author
Lea Frye, illustrator
Sweetgrass Books
c/o Farcountry Press
www.farcountrypress.com
9781591523413, $19.95, PB, 184pp
https://www.amazon.com/Most-Trout-Dont-Read-Lessons/dp/1591523419
Synopsis: Contrary to popular belief, trout are not intellectuals! However, they are keen observers of their environment and well attuned to the elements important to their survival. If you plan on chasing them with a fly rod, you need to learn how to pay attention to those details. True mastery of the sport isn't about memorizing lots of facts, but rather having a sense of curiosity and spending time out on the water.
With the publication of "Most Trout Don't Read: Lessons from Time on the Water" Scot Bealer leads you on a journey of discovery, recalling occasions when he, or sometimes his clients, learned important lessons. His stories are warm, funny, and full of great advice to improve your skills and better enjoy your time on the water. His comments on gear, guides, and other aspects of the sport are based on decades of practical experience.
The images from photographer Lea Frye's camera vividly bring Scot's stories to life and will leave you yearning to get out there.
Critique: Impressively informative, beautifully illustrated, and a fascinating read from start to finish, "Most Trout Don't Read: Lessons from Time on the Water" is especially and unreservedly recommended reading for avid anglers who enjoy fly fishing, being outdoors, or just want to learn more about the wily trout. Thoroughly 'reader friendly' in organization and presentation, "Most Trout Don't Read: Lessons from Time on the Water" is a prized pick for personal, professional, community, and college/university library Trout Fishing collections.
Editorial Note #1: Scot Bealer's background includes teaching, guiding, and even a stint as the head instructor at the L.L. Bean Fly Fishing School. He has fished all over the country and introduced hundreds of people to the sport of fly fishing. He currently lives with his wife, Lea Frye, in Helena, Montana. When he's not out on the water fishing, Scot splits his time between helping Lea with her wildlife photography and working as an instructor in the Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks 'Hooked on Fishing' program.
Editorial Note #2: Lea Frye (https://frye-lea.pixels.com) is a wildlife and landscape photographer.
The Gaming Shelf
Master Point Press
www.masterpointpress.com
Master Point Press is the premier publisher of instructional books on and about the game of Bridge. Three of their newest titles are particularly of interest to dedicated Bridge players seeking to improve their game.
https://www.amazon.com/Bidding-at-Bridge-Barbara-Seagram/dp/1771400188
"Bidding at Bridge: A Quizbook" by Barbara Seagram & Bird David (9781771400183, $17.95, PB, 162pp) explains the sound natural bidding methods that will allow you to play in the right suit (or notrump) at the correct level. Each of the fourteen chapters comprising "Bidding at Bridge: A Quizbook" begins with three or four pages of instruction, followed by several pages of multiple-choice bidding problems, illustrating everyday situations you will face countless times at the table.
https://www.amazon.com/Declarer-Play-at-Bridge-Quizbook/dp/1897106912
"Declarer Play at Bridge: A Quizbook", by the same author team, was named Book of the Year by the American Bridge Teachers' Association. Building on the success of that title, "Bidding at Bridge: A Quizbook" gives the improving player a chance to practice the principles on which sound bidding is based, from the opening bid onward.
https://www.amazon.com/2-1-Steroids-Daniel-Solow/dp/1771402598
"2/1 On Steroids" by Daniel Solow (9781771402590, $19.95, PB, 154pp) Modern bidding systems in Bridge have evolved over the past hundred years, starting with four-card majors and culminating in 2/1, together with a plethora of conventions along the way (Stayman, transfers, Roman Key Card, to name a few).
Yet you can still encounter the occasional deficiency -- such as an ambiguous bid or ending up in the wrong contract. When this happened to Daniel Solow, he wondered if it was possible to fix some of the issues he encountered by developing a system from scratch using all of the effective bidding principles that have been developed over time, and the answer is... yes (but with some tradeoffs)!
Readers will join the Solow on a bridge cruise where they will meet some amazing women who unfold this new bidding system through illustrative hands. While no claim is made that this system should replace those currently in use, players will find the approach novel, interesting, and thought provoking.
https://www.amazon.com/Duplicate-Bridge-403-Second-seat-Interference/dp/1771402636
"Duplicate Bridge 403: Defending Second-Seat Interference" by Stephen Paul (9781771402637, $22.95, PB, 230pp) focuses on improving your partnership's ability to overcome interference which is essential for good results. Finding the right contract requires a clear understanding of the values represented by responder's bids after the opponents interfere.
Duplicate Bridge 403: Defending Second Seat Interference provides the reader with two sets of tools for this:
1.Hand valuation in competition using an algorithm developed by Lawrence and Wirgren. This method of hand evaluation provides the reader with a competitive advantage relative to older methods of estimating trick count.
2.A comprehensive set of bidding structures is provided for defending against bids made in the second seat. Where possible, alternatives are detailed giving partnerships a choice that fits their individual style. Quizzes follow each section allowing the reader to test their understanding.
"Duplicate Bridge 403: Defending Second-Seat Interference" includes defending against:
A Takeout double
Natural overcalls using Negative Doubles
Two-suited overcalls such as Unusual 2NT, Michaels, and Roman Jump Overcall
Two-level opening preempts using the Lebensohl relay
Natural overcalls of a 1NT opening (Lebensohl relay)
1NT overcalls with one known suit and one unknown suit (Lebensohl relay)
1NT overcalls with two known suits (Lebensohl relay)
It should be noted that the bidding structures for Lebensohl were based on "The Lebensohl Convention Complete" by Ron Andersen.
This text of "Duplicate Bridge 403: Defending Second-Seat Interference" is specifically meant to improve your partnership understandings in competition. Given the frequency opponents interfere in today's game a small improvement and can quickly lead to stronger results.
Critique: Each of these three seminal and ground-breaking titles are thoroughly 'user friendly' in organization and presentation, making each of them critically important an unreservedly recommended picks for personal, professional, community, and college/university library instructional Bridge book collections.
Editorial Note: Master Point Press grew out of Canadian Master Point magazine (1992-1997), which was published in Toronto, Canada by Ray and Linda Lee. The company began publishing books in 1994. While primarily interested in books on contract bridge, MPP also has published books on other games and intellectual pursuits.
The Computer Shelf
The Complete Developer
Martin Krause
No Starch Press
www.nostarch.com
9781718503281, $49.99, PB, 344pp
https://www.amazon.com/Complete-Developer-TypeScript-Next-js-MongoDB/dp/1718503288
Synopsis: With the publication of "The Complete Developer: Master the Full Stack with TypeScript, React, Next.js, MongoDB, and Docker", website building expert Martin Krause offers a hands-on, beginner-friendly approach to developing complete web applications from the ground up, using JavaScript and its most popular frameworks, including Node.js and React.js.
Whether you have been in the developer kitchen for decades or are just taking the plunge to do it yourself, "The Complete Developer" will show you how to build and implement every component of a modern stack and build it from scratch.
Reader's will go from a React-driven frontend to a fully fleshed-out backend with Mongoose, MongoDB, and a complete set of REST and GraphQL APIs, and back again through the whole Next.js stack.
This No Starch Press edition of "The Complete Developer" is comprised of easy-to-follow, step-by-step recipes will teach you how to build a web server with Express.js, create custom API routes, deploy applications via self-contained microservices, and add a reactive, component based UI. You will leverage command line tools and full-stack frameworks to build an application whose no-effort user management rides on GitHub logins.
Readers will also learn how to: Work with modern JavaScript syntax, TypeScript, and the Next.js framework; Simplify UI development with the React library; Extend an application with REST and GraphQL APIs; Manage data with the MongoDB NoSQL database; Use OAuth to simplify user management, authentication, and authorization; Automate testing with Jest, test-driven development, stubs, mocks, and fakes.
Critique: Exceptionally well written, deftly organized, and thoroughly 'user friendly' in presentation, "The Complete Developer: Master the Full Stack with TypeScript, React, Next.js, MongoDB, and Docker" is an ideal pick for both experienced software engineers and those new to DIY web development. Covering Docker, Express.js, JavaScript, Jest, MongoDB, Mongoose, Next.js, Node.js, OAuth, React, REST and GraphQL APIs, and TypeScript, "The Complete Developer" is unreservedly recommended as a core addition to personal, professional, community, college, and university library JavaScript/Web Services collections and supplemental Computer Science curriculum lists. It should be noted that "The Complete Developer" is also available in a digital book format (Kindle, $29.99).
Editorial Note: Martin Krause has been building websites from scratch for over 20 years. He has been an engineering manager at Publicis Sapient and a senior frontend architect at Razorfish, creating cutting-edge microsites and leading teams on large-scale projects.
The Music Shelf
American Hair Metal: Can't Get Enough!
Steven Blush, author
Feral House
www.feralhouse.com
9781627311489, $34.95, PB, 224pp
https://www.amazon.com/American-Hair-Metal-Cant-Enough/dp/1627311483
Synopsis: Not so long ago there was a time when pomp and spandex dominated MTV and pop radio playlists. Nearly 20 years after the first edition of "American Hair Metal" (2006) by Steven Blush, people still can't get enough hair metal! The new expanded edition of "American Hair Metal: Can't Get Enough!" visually celebrates this orgy of flamboyance, androgyny, and animal magnetism, of big-haired alpha males and the beautiful women who surrounded them. Interest in hair metal is currently exploding -- witness arena-level revival tours, reissue compilations, and documentaries and docudramas that revisit the excesses of the eighties and nineties.
The hundreds of striking photographs comprising "American Hair Metal: Can't Get Enough!" are complimented by hedonistic ephemera from bands like Poison, Cinderella, Mötley Crüe, Skid Row, and Stryper. Wild quotes from major players such as David Lee Roth, Jon Bon Jovi, Sebastian Bach, Tommy Lee, Nikki Sixx, Bret Michaels, Don Dokken, and many unsung heroes.
Critique: This newly expanded edition of "American Hair Metal: Can't Get Enough!" includes more photos, more quotes, and a new introduction by Chip Z'Nuff (Enuff Z'Nuff), as well as an informative interview with Rik Fox (WASP, Steeler). A 'must' for the legions of Heavy Metal fans, "American Hair Metal: Can't Get Enough!" is a fun read from cover to cover and highly recommended for personal, professional, community, and college/university librar Amerian Music History collections and supplemental curriculum studies lists.
Editorial Note #1: Steven Blush (https://stevenblush.com) has written five books about rock music: American Hardcore (2001), .45 Dangerous Minds (2005), the original American Hair Metal (2006), Lost Rockers (2015) and New York Rock (2016). His journalism has appeared in over 50 publications, such as Spin, Details, Interview, Village Voice, and The Times Of London, and for years was a contributing editor to Paper Magazine. He wrote and produced the theatrically released Sundance Film Festival-premiered doc film American Hardcore (Sony Pictures Classics, 2006). In 2010, Feral House published an expanded Second Edition of the American Hardcore book, which is now available in four languages.
Editorial Note 32: Chip Z'Nuff (www.enuffznuff.com) is an American singer, songwriter, bassist, producer, and radio personality. Having founded the popular glam rock band Enuff Z'Nuff in 1984 in the illustrious city of Chicago, the band saw its self-titled major label debut released in the summer of 1989.
The Business Shelf
People-centric Organizational Change
Julie Hodges
Kogan Page Inc.
www.koganpage.com
9781398612570, $173.00, HC, 288pp
https://www.amazon.com/People-Centric-Organizational-Change-Employees-Transformation/dp/139861257X
Synopsis: Written by Julie Hodges, a leading voice in the change management industry who has both academic and practitioner experience, "People-Centric Organizational Change: Engaging Employees with Business Transformation" from Kogan Page is a practical guide for change professionals and postgraduate students.
"People-Centric Organizational Change" covers everything from what people-centric change is and why it's essential to engage people with the change through to the importance of the communication of change and how to do this effectively with a distributed workforce in a hybrid working environment. Using evidence-based research, "People-Centric Organizational Change" fully explores the human dynamic of change, explains how to promote collaboration between colleagues and shows how to involve line managers in the change process. There is also advice on how to encourage staff to see change as an opportunity rather than a threat.
Of special note is that "People-Centric Organizational Change" also includes a enlightening discussion of the impact of change on employee wellbeing as well as the relationship between Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) and change. There is also advice on how to build people-centric initiatives into an overall change strategy. It is full of country agnostic tools and tips that can be used across cultures as well as frameworks and skills that can be applied in public, private and third sector settings.
Global case studies and examples throughout "People-Centric Organizational Change" effectively help to put the content into context and show how a people-first approach to change works in practice. Online resources include PowerPoint slides for each chapter.
Critique: Enhanced for the reader's benefit with a three page Glossary, a one page bibliography of Further Readings, and an eight page Index, "People-centric Organizational Change: Engaging Employees with Business Transformation" is an invaluable and strongly recommended addition to personal, professional, community, corporate, and college/university library Business Management/Leadership collections and supplemental MBA curriculum studies lists.
Editorial Note: Professor Julie Hodges is a leading international expert on change in organizations, particularly the role and impact of people during transformations. Before entering the academic world Julie worked as a business consultant for over 20 years in several profit and non-profit organizations, including PwC. At PwC Julie was responsible for organizational change and management development in a number of FTSE 100 companies. She is the author of several books including 'Consultancy, Organizational Development and Change', and ' Managing and Leading People through Change' (Kogan Page). Julie is an Academic Fellow of the ICMCI (International Council of Management Consulting Institutes), a Principal Fellow of the Higher Education Academy, and a Senior Fellow of the Foundation for Management Education (FME). She is also a member of the editorial board of the 'Management Consulting' journal.
Take the Lead
Shaheena Janjuha-Jivraj, author
Anne-Valerie Corboz, author
Delphine Mourot-Haxaire, author
Kogan Page Inc.
www.koganpage.com
9781398614147, $75.00, HC, 240pp
https://www.amazon.com/Take-Lead-Leaders-Driving-Innovation/dp/1398614149
Synopsis: Only 26% of leadership positions in business are occupied by women. Co-authored by the team of Shaheena Janjuha-Jivraj, Anne-Valerie Corboz, and Delphine Mourot-Haxaire, "Take the Lead: How Women Leaders are Driving Success through Innovation" explores how we can close this prevailing gender gap before offering practical strategies on how you can Take the Lead as a business leader.
Combining academic rigour with corporate expertise, "Take the Lead" features first-hand research and interviews with female leaders within global organizations to offer the strategies and insights that will propel you to success.
From managing conflict and building confidence to growing your network and shaping your career, "Take the Lead" offers the strategies and inspiration you need as a woman to boost your leadership skills and establish yourself as a successful and influential changemaker in a male dominated business environment.
Critique: Well written, informative, timely, and thoroughly 'reader friendly' in organization and presentation, "Take the Lead: How Women Leaders are Driving Success through Innovation" is deserving of as wide a readership as possible and a critically important pick for personal, professional, community, corporate, and college/university library collections. It should be noted for female MBA students, corporate executives, business managers, and non-specialist general readers with an interest in the subject that "Take the Lead: How Women Leaders are Driving Success through Innovation" is also available in a paperback edition (9781398614123, $19.99) and in a digital book format (Kindle, $15.99).
Survive, Reset, Thrive
Rebecca Homkes
Kogan Page Inc.
www.koganpage.com
9781398607880, $89.00, HC, 280pp
https://www.amazon.com/Survive-Reset-Thrive-Implementing-High-Growth/dp/1398607886
Synopsis: In life and in business, strategy is about making choices around where to play and where not to play, how to win, how to allocate resources among competing priorities and, critically, what to do. All these choices must be made when you never know everything you would like to know.
"Survive, Reset, Thrive: Leading Breakthrough Growth Strategy in Volatile Times" by Rebecca Homkes is about facing uncertainty head-on and then playing each round to not just survive, but thrive. Doing so only comes from the power move of executing a reset: the differentiated step where you embrace change, new insights and new opportunities to set your organization up for sustainable performance.
"Survive, Reset, Thrive" is a kind of playbook for corporate leaders and derives from Homkes first-hand experience working with and advising executive teams across industries from software, technology, retail, fashion and construction through to manufacturing. Drawing from over a decade of rich real-world experience, Homkes illustrates how to navigate the most complex strategic situations with a simple, executable approach.
Also covered in the pages of "Survive, Reset, Thrive: Leading Breakthrough Growth Strategy in Volatile Times" is how to proactively stabilize your business to withstand and grow through market shocks, reset your strategy to take account of new realities and thrive through uncertainty.
Critique: Highly recommended and invaluable reading for anyone charged with achieving corporate success in an every volatile business environment subject to the impacts of politics, advancing technologies, social/cultural unrest, and global factors ranging from climate change to supply chain interdictions, "Survive, Reset, Thrive: Leading Breakthrough Growth Strategy in Volatile Times", while unreservedly recommended for community, corporate, and college/university library Business Management/Leadership collections and supplemental MBA curriculum studies lists, it should be noted that it is also available in a digital book format (Kindle, $22.79) and in a paperback edition (9781398607866, $23.99).
Editorial Note: Rebecca Homkes is a high-growth strategy specialist and CEO and executive advisor. She is a Lecturer at the London Business School, Faculty at Duke Corporate Executive Education, and a former fellow at the London School of Economics Centre for Economic Performance. A global keynote speaker and recognized thought leader, she is also the global Faculty Director of the Active Learning Program with the Young Presidents Organization (YPO), leads several fintech accelerators, and serves on the boards of many high-growth companies. She earned her doctorate at the London School of Economics as a Marshall Scholar.
The Leadership Skills Handbook
Jo Owen
Kogan Page Inc.
www.koganpage.com
9781398615977, $74.99, HC, 336pp
https://www.amazon.com/Leadership-Skills-Handbook-Essential-Leader/dp/1398615978
Synopsis: Now in a newly revised and updated sixth edition, "The Leadership Skills Handbook: 100 Essential Skills You Need to Be A Leader" by Jo Owen gives you the 100 essential tools you will need in order to be an outstanding leader.
Taking you beyond just theory, Owen shows you what works in real life, in a concise, easy-to-follow format. Based on research from over a thousand leaders around the world, from the public, private and voluntary sectors, Owen identifies the key practical skills that will make you even more successful.
Thoroughly updated to take into account the permanent move to remote and hybrid working and the challenges raised for leadership by artificial intelligence (AI), "The Leadership Skills Handbook" shows you how you can learn to disagree well, the best ways to get things done, develop your human and political skills in an increasingly AI world and explains how leaders can add value to any organization.
Critique: Exceptionally well written, organized and presented, there is no better way to learn how to become the leader that people want to follow than with this new sixth edition of Jo Owens' "The Leadership Skills Handbook" from Kogan Page. While especially recommended for personal, professional, community, corporate, and college/university library Business Management/Leadership collections and supplemental MBA curriculum studies lists, it should be noted by MBA students, academia, business/corporate managing executives, and non-specialists general readers with an interest in the subject that "The Leadership Skills Handbook: 100 Essential Skills You Need to Be A Leader" is also available in a paperback edition (9781398615793, $19.99) and in a digital book format (Kindle, $19.99).
Editorial Note: Jo Owen (www.a-speakers.com/speakers/jo-owen) is a multi-award winning leadership author, keynote speaker and social entrepreneur. He is a founder of eight charities, including the UK's largest graduate recruiter Teach First. His books The Mindset of Success, The Leadership Skills Handbook and Management Stripped Bare, all published by Kogan Page, have been translated into eight different languages, and offer expert advice on the leadership field.
Fundamentals of Organizational Behaviour
Chia-Yu Kou-Barrett
Kogan Page Inc.
www.koganpage.com
9781398613355, $173.00, HC, 376pp
https://www.amazon.com/Fundamentals-Organizational-Behaviour-Applications-Performance/dp/1398613355
Synopsis: With the publication of "Fundamentals of Organizational Behaviour: Principles and Applications for Improving Workplace Performance", Professor Chia-You Kou-Barrett presents a hands-on and streamlined textbook exploring the workplace -- an area that can at times seem challenging and abstract.
Professor Kou-Barrett covers key areas including individual differences at work, motivation, leadership styles and conflict and negotiation, without assuming students' prior knowledge or working experience. She also explores cutting edge topics such as the implications of technology and remote working on workplace behaviour.
"Fundamentals of Organizational Behaviour: Principles and Applications for Improving Workplace Performance" is new textbook that examines in descriptive details power, status and political behaviors, organizational change and culture and organizational structure and design. It also includes real-world examples throughout and is supported by a range of features including learning outcomes, key concepts and terminology boxes and reflective exercises to aid professional development.
Critique: An essential and exceptional resource for masters level and upper-level undergraduate students on HRM and Management degrees, taking modules on Organizational Behaviour, "Fundamentals of Organizational Behaviour: Principles and Applications for Improving Workplace Performance" is recommended as an critically important addition to personal, professional, corporate, and community library Business/Corporate Management collections and supplemental MBA curriculum studies lists. It should be noted for MBA students, academia, corporate executives, business managers, entrepreneurs, and non-specialist general readers with an interest in the subject that 'Fundamentals of Organizational Behaviour: Principles and Applications for Improving Workplace Performance" is also available in a paperback edition (9781398613331, $47.99) and in a digital book format (Kindle, $47.99).
Editorial Note: Chia-Yu Kou-Barrett is Lecturer in Organizational Behaviour and Applied Psychology at Cranfield School of Management. Prior to this, she was an Assistant Professor in Organizational Behaviour at Smurfit Business School, University College Dublin. She has published her work in top-ranked peer-review journals, presented at a number of international conferences. (www.cranfield.ac.uk/som/people/dr-chiayu-koubarrett-26054945)
The Jobs/Careers Shelf
Reinvent Yourself
Susan Kahn
Kogan Page Inc.
www.koganpage.com
9781398613317, $68.00, HC, 272pp
https://www.amazon.com/Reinvent-Yourself-Psychological-Insights-Transform/dp/1398613312
Synopsis: The underlying message of "Reinvent Yourself: Psychological Insights That Will Transform Your Work Life" by Susan Kahn is that you deserve a career that allows you to fully harness your skills and lead a rewarding and satisfying life. In the pages of "Reinvent Yourself", Kahn offers original psychological insights and strategies that will show you how to focus your efforts, build your network and navigate any challenge in your work life.
Drawing upon both psychological research and first-hand stories from a diverse range of businesspeople and experts, "Reinvent Yourself" is a call-to-action for you to overcome any doubts and tap into your full potential. Break free from the grind and pursue a career that works for you through the illuminating insights, strategies and stories that comprise "Reinvent Yourself".
Critique: Timely, practical, insightful, inspiring, "Reinvent Yourself: Psychological Insights That Will Transform Your Work Life" is a potentially life-changing, life-enhancing, DIY self-help 'how-to' manual for succeeding in developing a fulfilling job or career. Exceptionally well written and thoroughly 'user friendly' in organization and presentation, "Reinvent Yourself" will prove an enduringly popular and appreciated pick for personal, professional, community, and college/university library Jobs/Careers collections. It should be noted for personal reading lists that "Reinvent Yourself" is also readily available in a paperback edition (9781398613294, $17.99) and in a digital book format (Kindle, $14.39).
Editorial Note: Dr Susan Kahn is a coach, consultant, and mediator. As a coach, she works together with individuals and their organisations to help clients develop and enhance their authentic leadership style. As a mediator, she is skilled in improving working relationships and developing common understanding between parties in toxic relationships. In addition, she is a lecturer at Birkbeck, University of London, teaching coaching and organisational psychology, and is a faculty member at the School of Life, working with businesses to develop their emotional intelligence.
The Needlecraft Shelf
Sweet Home Macrame
Casey Alberti
Walter Foster Publishing
c/o Quarto Publishing Group USA
www.quartoknows.com
9780760386156, $22.99, PB, 128pp
https://www.amazon.com/Sweet-Home-Macrame-Beginners-hangings/dp/0760386153
Synopsis: Macrame is a form of textile material produced using knotting (rather than weaving or knitting) techniques.
Whether you are a beginner to soft crafts, looking to try something new, hoping to improve upon your existing macrame techniques, a DIYer, or just in search of a beautiful coffee table book, "Sweet Home Macrame: A Beginner's Guide to Macrame" by Casey Alberti offers the step-by-step instruction and inspiration you will need to succeed -- as well as gorgeous eye candy for the dedicated needlecrafter (without the needles)!
"Sweet Home Macrame" covers: The supplies you'll need for macrame, including cord and rope; How to make the most common knots, such as lark's head, square, and gathering; Selecting a color palette; Personalizing your macrame pieces -- and so much more.
The 12 step-by-step projects show you how to make gorgeous items such as: Plant hangers; Coasters; Wall hangings; A fruit basket; A disco ball hanger; Earrings -- and more. All are done in eye-catching color schemes, such as rainbow, rose gold, black and gold, and crystal, but each item can be personalized to your own favorite colors using Alberti's expert advice.
In addition to the projects and techniques, "Sweet Home Macrame" provides helpful tips for forming an artist's community and starting your own business. Also of note are the online videos from the author, available on her social media, to boost your understanding.
Critique: This large format (8.5 x 0.32 x 11 inches, 1.25 pounds) paperback edition of Casey Alberti's "Sweet Home Macrame: A Beginner's Guide to Macrame: Learn to make jewelry, home decor, plant hangings, and more" from Walter Foster Publishing is an ideal introduction to the art and craft of macrame and highly recommended for personal, professional, and community library Needlecraft & Macrame collections. It should be noted that "Sweet Home Macrame" is also readily available in a digital book format (Kindle, $11.99) as well.
Editorial Note: Casey Alberti (www.sweethomealberti.com) is the founder of Sweet Home Alberti, a business selling macrame items and lessons, based in the Pacific Northwest. She first learned to create macrame in 2019, and soon found that she couldn't stop knotting and had more plant hangers than plants. Previously a stay-at-home mother of four, Casey started an Etsy shop, and soon, it was thriving. Casey's work has been featured online, including on Etsy. She enjoys the community of artists she's formed and with whom she shares her work and advice for starting a small business. Casey can be followed online at @sweethomealberti
The New Sashiko: A Fresh Approach to Japanese Embroidery
sashikonami
Tuttle Publishing
www.tuttlepublishing.com
9784805317914, $17.99, HC, 80pp
https://www.amazon.com/New-Sashiko-Approach-Japanese-Embroidery/dp/4805317914
Synopsis: Sashiko is a type of traditional Japanese embroidery or stitching used for the decorative and/or functional reinforcement of cloth and clothing. Owing to the relatively cheap nature of white cotton thread and the abundant nature of cheap, indigo-dyed blue cloth in historical Japan, sashiko has a distinctive appearance of white-on-blue embroidery, though some decorative pieces may also use red thread. (Wikipedia)
With the publication of "The New Sashiko: A Fresh Approach to Japanese Embroidery", prolific embroiderer, quilter and author sashikonami combines her love of sashiko with her fondness for piecework to create a whole new style of sashiko stitches and applications. Some of these patchworks give you a chance to play with patterns, colors and textures to create strikingly original bags, pouches, tableware and accessories.
The 11 sashiko stitches (three of them original) and 23 projects presented and feature: Rows of uneven running stitches to create jagged stripe and check patterns that look fantastic on any item!; Fun asymmetrical patterns created with white threads on pastel fabrics to create brightly-colored textured table settings!; Traditional stitches applied to vividly-colored fabrics (often with two different thread colors) for a radical new look!; Contrasting stitches on patches to create charming tote bags, potholders and more!
Running stitches are free and relaxed. Straight stitches form easy geometric shapes -- like a triangle with a stem to make a fun, minimalist flower. Elements from traditional patterns are recombined in fresh and exciting ways. Try them on your jeans, your floor pillows or in a full-sized quilt, and enjoy adding your own personality to these projects. There is no end to the great ideas that you will find in the pages of "The New Sashiko: A Fresh Approach to Japanese Embroidery".
Critique: Available in a large format (8.5 x 0.5 x 11.1 inches, 1.5 pounds) hardcover edition from Tuttle Publication, and featuring a profusion of clearly illustrated step-by-step instructions for each project, "The New Sashiko: A Fresh Approach to Japanese Embroidery" is a unique, unusual, and unreservedly recommended pick for personal, professional, and community library needlecraft instructional reference collections. It should be noted that "The New Sashiko: A Fresh Approach to Japanese Embroidery" is also available in a digital book format (Kindle, $13.49).
Editorial Note: Tokyo author sashikonami (https://sashikonami.shopinfo.jp) has long been a fan of combining sashiko and patchwork. She has written and co-written numerous books and articles on sashiko in her native Japan. With "freedom and fun" as her motto, she shares her creative process and tips on her website, on YouTube and on other video sharing platforms including Instagram: @sashikonami
Search Press Ltd.
https://www.searchpress.com
Search Press is a premier publisher of art and craft books. As a publisher, they specialize in producing stunning, practical books on knitting, crocheting, sewing, needlecraft -- including cross stitch and embroidery, textiles, practical art and general crafts, such as pottery and woodwork, for people of all skill levels. With a team of around 40 people, Search Press publishes up to 100 of its own titles every year, as well as distributing books for other publishers. One of their popular Needlecraft series is "All New 20 To Make" which consists of:
https://www.amazon.com/All-New-Twenty-Make-Flowers-Knit/dp/1800920873
"Flowers to Knit" by Schiyo Ishii (9781800920873, $11.95, HC, 64pp) This collection of beautiful blooms will give you something colorful all year round. Why not knit a bunch of flowers for every season, starting with a bouquet of poinsettia for Christmas? There are 20 projects to choose from including: an intricate peony; a colorful freesia; a delicate viola; the iconic English rose; and the distinctive Scotch thistle. The mix of shapes and yarns brings a bright splash of colour and the use of different textures and techniques to create both flat and 3D flowers is very appealing. Make wonderfully tactile gifts featuring a whole range of flora, or just pick and choose your favorites.
https://www.amazon.com/All-New-Twenty-Make-Festive-Decorations/dp/1800920989
"Festive Felt Decorations" by Corinne Lapierre (9781800920989, $11.95, HC, 64pp) Sew 20 stunning felt decorations - perfect for adding some sparkle to your home or for giving as gorgeous handmade gifts. Corinne Lapierre brings you 20 fantastic new festive designs! Create decorations to hang on your tree or ornaments to decorate your table and mantelpiece, including stars, trees, birds and animals. Create gorgeous family heirlooms that you will look forward to seeing year after year. All the projects are simple to make, and all the necessary templates are given at actual size.
https://www.amazon.com/All-New-Twenty-Make-Felt-Flowers/dp/1800922043
"Felt Flowers" by Jo Lochhead (9781800922044, $11.95, HC, 64pp) Craft 20 of your favorite flowers using soft and versatile felt, and adorn your space with everlasting floral beauty that will bloom all year round. Whether you're a seasoned crafter or a beginner looking to explore a new medium, this comprehensive guide has everything you need to get started. From tools and materials to simple techniques, each step is expertly explained, ensuring a seamless and enjoyable crafting experience. Plus, with full-size transfers included for each project, tracing the shapes onto your felt becomes a breeze, allowing you to focus on the fun part -- assembling your stunning floral arrangements!
https://www.amazon.com/All-New-Twenty-Make-Animal-Squares/dp/1782219811
"Animal Granny Squares" by Sarah-Jane Hicks (9781782219811, $11.95, HC, 64pp) Featuring 20 popular animals (including dogs, cats, bears, sheep, pigs, lions, turtles, ladybugs, sloths and more), this book has a 3D animal to suite every taste! Use different stitches to create textured elements such as fluffy manes, shaggy fur and frilly tentacles, and crochet three-dimensional elements such as ears, eyes, horns, beaks and wings to bring the animals to life! Make wonderfully tactile gifts featuring a whole menagerie of animal friends, or just pick and choose your favorites!
https://www.amazon.com/All-New-Twenty-Make-Amigurumi-Animals/dp/1800921608
"Amigurumi Animals" by Sarah Abbondio (9781800921603, $11.95, HC, 64pp) Showcasing 20 adorable animals to crochet and love, "Amigurumi Animals' has a cute character for everyone! Whether you want to make your favorite household pet such as a dog, cat or rabbit; explore the woodland with a brown bear or an owl; or venture into the jungle by creating elephants, monkeys and crocodiles. These quick and easy little projects are great for using up small amounts of yarn from your stash; with clear instructions and a basic body shape to get you started, you'll soon be on your way to creating the whole collection!
https://www.amazon.com/All-New-Twenty-Make-Flowers-Crochet/dp/1800921004
"Flowers To Crochet" by Sarah-Jane Hicks (9781800921009, $11.95, HC, 64pp) There are 20 stunning flowers to choose from, including a sunshine-yellow sunflower, the classic rose, a dainty daisy, a sweet snowdrop and the bumblebee's favourite: lavender. Once you've crocheted your blooms, use them to embellish clothing and accessories, or even turn them into a floral wreath and fairy lights! This is a fantastic little project book in a handy pocket-size format, so you can crochet your posies wherever you go!
https://www.amazon.com/All-New-Twenty-Make-Squares-Crochet/dp/180092139X
"Granny Squares To Crochet" by Val Pierce (9781800921399, $11.95, HC, 64pp) Granny squares are perfect for helping you become proficient in crochet, thanks to their repeating stitches and patterns. They're also excellent stashbusters and portable projects, as they use only small amounts of yarn and are relatively small in size. Once you've made the multitude of lovely squares in this instructional guide, Val Pierce has shared a number of project ideas that you can make with your newly made blocks -- from a sweet 'n simple coaster and retro cushion to pretty fingerless gloves and a beautiful baby blanket. This is a fantastic little project book in a handy pocket-size format, so you can crochet your favorite squares wherever you go!
https://www.amazon.com/All-New-Twenty-Make-Knitted-Baby/dp/1782219765
"Knitted Baby Hats" by Lynne Rowe (9781782219767, $11.95, HC, 64pp) Hats are a timeless must-have baby item -- so what could be better than making one for yourself or a friend? This cute and colorful book is filled with 20 knitted hats to keep your little one cozy as well as on-trend. Whether you fancy making a simple beanie or bonnet, a cute panda, fox or bee, a colorful watermelon or strawberry or a quirky tassel hat, this step-by-step instructional guide has it all. Choose from hats with ears, stripes, pompoms, topknots and more -- all the techniques are included!
https://www.amazon.com/All-New-Twenty-Make-Sewing-Scraps/dp/1782219676
"Sewing With Scraps" by Debbie Von Grabler-Crozier (9781782219675, $11.95, HC, 64pp) How do you keep your piles of scrap fabric from growing out of control? Sew with them, of course! "Sewing With Scraps" shows you how to stitch 20 stylish, fresh items from very small amounts of fabric. From tiny scraps that can be transformed into patchworked coasters, strips that can be made into scrap bunting and offcuts that can be used for pouches or pincushions, your treasured scraps can be given a new lease of life! An invaluable crash-course on key techniques is included at the beginning of this instructional guide and every featured project includes clear step-by-step instructions and a stunning photograph of the finished design to inspire.
Critique: Profusely illustrated, thoroughly 'user friendly' in organization and presentation, the DIY instructional 'how-to' titles comprising "All-New 20 To Make" are especially and unreservedly recommended for personal, professional, and community library Needlecraft collections. It should be noted for readers with an interest in patchwork and felting fabric art, creative sewing, crocheting, knitting, and home decorating that each one of these individual titles is also available in a digital book format (Kindle, $11.95).
The Gardening Shelf
The Succulents Design Book
Kentaro Kuroda
Tuttle Publishing
www.tuttlepublishing.com
9780804856102, $19.99, PB, 160pp
https://www.amazon.com/Succulents-Design-Book-Combinations-Year-Round/dp/0804856109
Synopsis: With the publication of "The Succulents Design Book: Container Combinations That Look Great and Thrive Together Year-Round", container gardening expert Kentaro Kuroda presents an instant DIY how-to guide to creating the succulent container gardens.
"The Succulents Design Book" shows aspiring gardeners how to group plants with compatible growing cycles in a way that balances their colors, shapes and sizes so the arrangements look beautiful all year long.
"The Succulents Design Book" presents 36 combinations presented provide design ideas for every type of space and decor. Each arrangement will thrive and look good throughout the year since the not only the shapes, sizes and colors of the plants match, but their individual growing cycles are also synchronized. There are also practical step-by-step instructions and layout diagrams make creating these arrangements foolproof.
A field guide to the 100 succulents showcased in the illustrated pages of "The Succulents Design Book" will help in the purchasing of plants with confidence. Also included is information on soils, additives, watering, fertilizing, light exposure, pest management and more.
The stunning photos throughout "The Succulents Design Book" will inspire novice and experienced gardeners alike to create unique combinations using unusual and unexpected containers, from hanging pots to old tins. And because the plants are compatible and grow well together, they will continue to look good over time.
Of special note is how expert container gardener Kentaro Kuroda emphasizes the differences between summer and winter seasonal varieties and shows you how to artfully combine them so the plants will thrive together year-round.
Critique: This large format, beautifully illustrated paperback edition of "The Succulents Design Book: Container Combinations That Look Great and Thrive Together Year-Round" provides a complete and thoroughly 'user friendly' course of instruction that will have immense appeal and value for amateur and professional gardeners alike. While especially and unreservedly recommended for personal, professional, community, and college/university library gardening collections, and readily available in a digital book format (Kindle, $14.99), the visual esthetics of container gardening as laid out in the pages of "The Succulents Design Book" will hold immense interest to interior designers as well.
Editorial Note: Kentaro Kuroda, is a horticulturist and founder of Flora Kuroda Gardening in Saitama Prefecture. He specializes in imaginative group plantings and nostalgic vignettes. He is a blogger in his native Japan, and co-author of Container Succulents (Tuttle Publishing).
The Travel Shelf
Here Not There: 100 Unexpected Travel Destinations
Andrew Nelson
National Geographic Press
www.nationalgeographic.com
9781426222580, $30.00, HC, 352pp
https://www.amazon.com/Here-Not-There-Unexpected-Destinations/dp/1426222580
Synopsis: Today many of the world's most beloved places to visit have become very expensive and overcrowded, making their celebrated allure that much harder to enjoy. But with the publication of "Here Not There: 100 Unexpected Travel Destinations", National Geographic travel writer Andrew Nelson helps the aspiring tourist to create a more robust, off-the-beaten path vacation by revealing 100 alternative destinations to the standard travel playbook -- as well as a wealth of expert tips on when to visit, where to eat, what to see, and where to stay.
A DIY collection for creating lively travel itineraries for global destinations, her to be found are authentic, unexpected, and rewarding destinations of a lifetime to add to your bucket list, including: A trip to Quito, Ecuador (instead of Lima, Peru), for iconic architecture and top-notch South American cuisine; A road trip along West Virginia's byways (instead of New England's highways) for brilliant autumn colors; A romantic rendezvous to Lecce, Italy (instead of mega-touristed Florence) for art, wine, and artifacts; A hiking excursion in Chile's Lake District (instead of England's Lake District) for an unexpected natural wonder.
Then there is a theater-infused visit to Cleveland, Ohio -- where the performances match the levels of New York City's Broadway; A tour of Portugal's Azores (rather than the Hawaiian islands), for flora, fauna, and underwater adventures; A water-filled excursion through New York's Thousand Islands -- instead of a cruise down Germany's Rhine River; A trip to Detroit to find Art Deco skyscrapers (and even a beach in Motown) that rival those of Miami, Florida -- as so much more!
Both surprising and inspiring, "Here Not There" offers its readers a chance to think beyond their typical borders and in the process, discover undreamed-of and truly memorable destinations.
Critique: Profusely and beautifully illustrated throughout with National Geographic quality, full color photography, "Here Not There: 100 Unexpected Travel Destinations" is an ideal resource for alternative travel planning for recreational purposes. A fun read from start to finish for the armchair traveler, "Here Not There" is impressively organized and presented for DIY travel itineraries and will prove to be an enduringly welcome pick for personal, professional, community, and college/university library Travel Guide collections. It should be noted for travelers and tourists that "Here Not There" is also readily available in a digital book format (Kindle, $14.99).
Editorial Note: An award-winning writer and editor for National Geographic Traveler, Andrew Nelson (http://andrewtnelson.com) has roamed all 50 states as well as numerous countries for the magazine and website. He served as director of editorial projects for National Geographic Travel in Washington, D.C., and has taught in institutions such as Loyola University New Orleans and the College of Charleston.
The Art Shelf
Dreamy Anime Hair
Mei Yan
Epic Ink
c/o Quarto Publishing Group USA
www.quartoknows.com
9780760385531, $24.99, PB, 160pp
https://www.amazon.com/Dreamy-Anime-Hair-Beloved-Characters/dp/076038553X
Synopsis: With the publication of "Dreamy Anime Hair", author/illustrator Mei Yan has created an easy-to-follow guide for everyone, from the most dedicated cosplayer to your everyday anime fan.
"Dreamy Anime Hair" includes a list of tools and basic techniques that will help you build your perfect look, and each tutorial includes simple, illustration-driven instructions, a gorgeous photo of the final style, and information about the characters, movies, and series that inspired it. This DIY guide to fun and unique hairstyles will inspire you to try something new with your look!
Some of the imaginative hairstyles featured include: Double buns (inspired by Himiko Toga from My Hero Academia); Long braid (inspired by Sophie from Howl's Moving Castle); Updo with clips (inspired by Lacus Clyne from Gundam Seed Destiny); Pigtail loops (inspired by Nurse Joy from Pokemon); and Front and back braids (inspired by Mei Mei from Jujutsu Kaisen).
With "Dreamy Anime Hair" you can be creative and find what works best for you -- or try them all out! Either way, you will be able to become your most adorable self with these gorgeous hairstyles. With everything from braids to curls, "Dreamy Anime Hair" is your one-stop shop for anime-inspired hair.
Critique: This large format ( 8 x 0.4 x 10 inches, 1.25 pounds) paperback edition of Mei Yan's "Dreamy Anime Hair" from Epic Ink is an ideal introduction and 'how to' guide for professional and non-profession illustrators and artists work in an anime format. Also readily available in a digital book format (Kindle, $11.99) and showcasing more that 30 different hair styles, "Dreamy Anime Hair" must be considered an essential, unique, and unreservedly recommended addition to personal, professional, community, and college/university library Manga Art Instruction collections.
Editorial Note: Mei Yan (www.youtube.com/c/MeiYan)" is a Chinese American and the visionary founder behind the esteemed jewelry brand, Meide Jewelry. With a strong and dedicated fan base on YouTube under the handle @meiyan and on Instagram as @princessmei, Mei Yan has garnered recognition for her expertise in intricate hair transformations, stunning recreations of anime-inspired hairstyles, and captivating makeup tutorials that have captivated audiences globally.
Squeegee Art Revolution
Clara Cristina de Souza Rego
Walter Foster Publishing
c/o Quarto Publishing Group USA
www.quartoknows.com
9780760388136, $22.99, PB, 128pp
https://www.amazon.com/Squeegee-Art-Revolution-amazing-abstract/dp/076038813X
Synopsis: Clara Cristina de Souza Rego first went viral for a squeegee painting video that she posted on social media. Her hundreds of thousands of followers frequently ask for her for tips and techniques. With the publication of "Squeegee Art Revolution: Scrape your way to amazing abstract art" from Walter Foster Publishing, Clara now offers them in abundance so aspiring and practicing artists can learn to make abstract art in her signature style.
Complete instructions for making 22 finished pieces are included in the pages of "Squeegee Art Revolution", as well as tips throughout, suggestions for creating a balanced artwork, ideas for what to do with leftover paint to reduce waste and cost, how to know when you're done painting, and much more. Each individual project can be done in minutes using affordable, accessible materials and makes perfect gifts and home decor.
Clara's pieces are beautifully photographed and styled in this highly visual book that includes the following painting projects: Dynamic shapes; Pop art; A sunrise over a mountain; Rays of color; Miniatures; A black hole; Words of encouragement -- and much more!
Clara has learned from her own mistakes when starting to paint with a squeegee and has perfected the technique so that you don't need to make the same mistakes she did. With "Squeegee Art Revolution" she features easy-to-follow instruction, beautiful photographs, and vibrant artwork from a pioneer in the fun, abstract squeegee-painting technique.
Critique: This richly illustrated, large format (8.5 x 0.32 x 11 inches, 1.2 pounds) paperback edition of "Squeegee Art Revolution: Scrape your way to amazing abstract art" is an ideal DIY instructional guide and 'how to' manual. While also available for personal use in a digital book format (Kindle, $11.99), "Squeegee Art Revolution" is unique, 'user friendly' and unreservedly recommended for amateur, professional, community, art school, and college/university library Acrylic Painting and Mixed Media Craft instructional reference collections and supplemental curriculum studies lists.
Editorial Note: Clara Cristina de Souza Rego (@aclaracris) is a Brazilian designer and an artist now living in Stuttgart, Germany. A lifelong artist from a craft-loving family, Clara got back into painting during the COVID-19 pandemic. Her goal is simple: to have fun making art! She enjoys experimenting with art and sees creating as a meditative process. Clara built her following through Instagram after her first viral video received 5 million views, and now her larger following is on TikTok, where she frequently posts videos of herself creating her signature vibrant and joyful abstract art. She uses acrylic paints, squeegees, markers, pencil, palette knives, and other materials to work on top of paper.
The Interior Design Shelf
Timeless Modern Interiors
Pilar Vilades, author
Rizzoli
www.rizzoliusa.com
9780847899500, $75.00, HC, 272pp
https://www.amazon.com/Timeless-Modern-Interiors-Roberts-Partners/dp/0847899500
Synopsis: Well-known for his subtle use of color, texture, and fabric, interior designer Rees-Roberts's creations capture the essence of modern living.
Descended from generations of painters, his love for art is an important source for his inspiration and indelibly marks the work. Functionally elegant designs are characterized by a deference to art as well as to light and the views provided by natural surroundings. Each individually and uniquely designed home reflects the owner's character as well as the needs of everyday life, incorporating custom furniture and unusual antiques.
"Timeless Modern Interiors: RRP / Rees Roberts + Partners" (bound in sumptuous cloth and wrapped in a jacket with French folds), reflects the firm's ever-present attention to detail.
With respect for the architectural style of the house or apartment within which the firm is at work, be it contemporary or historic, the interiors created are a consistently sophisticated blend of twentieth-century modernist, contemporary, and antique pieces, and elegant custom-designed upholstered furniture, along with cherished art. And no matter how glamorous the setting, these rooms, through their balance of color, texture, and furnishings, are consistently comfortable and welcoming.
Critique: Informatively enhanced for the reader's benefit with an Introduction by Lucien Rees-Roberts (a partner of Rees Roberts + Partners), this large format (12.23 x 1.2 x 9.82 inches, 4.59 pounds) hardcover coffee-table style edition of Pilar Viladas' "Timeless Modern Interiors: RRP / Rees Roberts + Partners" from Rizzoli is a fascinating, elegant and magnificent compendium of full page, full color photos of memorably artistic rooms as well as the luxuriously refined elements and details that make them truly impressive and award-winning. Perfect for browsing through in search of interior design ideas and concepts, "Timeless Modern Interiors" is a welcome and unreservedly recommended addition to personal, professional, community, and college/university library Interior Design & Residential Architecture collections and supplemental curriculum studies lists.
Editorial Note #1: Pilar Viladas is a design editor, writer, former design editor for T: The New York Times Style Magazine, contributing editor at Architectural Digest, and architecture editor at HG. (https://www.nytimes.com/by/pilar-viladas)
Editorial Note #2: Lucien Rees-Roberts (https://rrp.nyc/people) is partner of Rees Roberts + Partners. He is a 2008 inductee of the Interior Design hall of fame.
The Christian Studies Shelf
God's Goodness for the Chosen
Amanda Jenkins, author
Dallas Jenkins, author
Dr. Douglas S. Huffman, author
David C. Cook
c/o Cook Communications
www.davidccook.org
9780830784585, $17.99, PB, 144pp
https://www.amazon.com/Gods-Goodness-Chosen-Interactive-Season/dp/0830784586
Synopsis: The fourth volume in the 'The Chosen Bible Study Series' series from David C. Cook, with the publication of "God's Goodness for the Chosen: An Interactive Bible Study Season 4" is a study that teaches Christian readers how to reframe their hardships and see them as fertile soil for God's goodness to grow in their lives.
We see it over and over again in the Bible: God brings good things out of bad things for the sake of His people and for His glory. But truth be told, when we personally experience suffering, we have a difficult time actually believing it. Yet, life is challenging even for the followers of Jesus, and hardship in the twenty-first century is no exception.
"God's Goodness for the Chosen" takes Christian readers through eight lessons which reveal how God uses suffering to bring about good things in the lives of those He loves.
Death is eclipsed by life; Grief is eclipsed by praise; Questions are eclipsed by resolve; Confusion is eclipsed by grace; Temporary things are eclipsed by eternal things; Heartbreak is eclipsed by love; Sin is eclipsed by obedience; Pain is eclipsed by the fullness of God's plan.
Indeed, readers will be challenged to embrace the hard things of life, to experience more of the goodness God offers on the other side.
Critique: Inspired and inspiring, "God's Goodness for the Chosen: An Interactive Bible Study Season 4" is ideal for individual and small group studies in Christian Spiritual Growth, New Testament Commentaries, and Biblical Studies from a Christian perspectives. Highly recommended for all members of the Christian community, it should be noted for clergy, seminary students, and non-specialist general readers with an interest in the subject that "God's Goodness for the Chosen: An Interactive Bible Study Season 4" is also available in a digital book format (Kindle, $9.99).
Editorial Note #1: Amanda Jenkins is an author, speaker, and the lead creator of The Chosen's additional content. Her husband, Dallas Jenkins, son of celebrated Left Behind author Jerry Jenkins, directed and produced over a dozen feature and short films before creating The Chosen, the largest crowd-funded media project of all time. They currently live in Texas with their four children.
Editorial Note #2: Dr. Douglas S. Huffman, the evangelical biblical consultant for the television series, is Professor of New Testament and Associate Dean of Biblical and Theological Studies at Talbot School of Theology (Biola University) in California.
The Gift of Limitations
Sara Hagerty
Zondervan
https://www.zondervan.com
9780310357049, $26.99, HC, 224pp
https://www.amazon.com/Gift-Limitations-Finding-Beauty-Boundaries/dp/0310357047
Synopsis: It's all too much. Too much laundry and too many bills. Too many appointments, meetings, and open tabs on our browser. Yet in the midst of so much, we feel deprived. Limited. We make another family dinner while shelving our passion for art. We tend our tiny patch of grass while envying the time our neighbor has to garden. We go to bed exhausted, too tired to enjoy a few minutes with our own thoughts.
As a writer, speaker, and mother of seven, Sara Hagerty knows what limitations feel like. Yet she has also seen how the boundaries of our life circumstances can bring about growth and satisfaction we'd never experience otherwise. With the poetic voice, gentle validation, and deep spiritual insights that have made Sara's previous books so popular, "The Gift of Limitations: Finding Beauty in Your Boundaries" explores how to:
Name the limitations that haunt us and how we have unknowingly given them power
Open our eyes to what God can do with the weaknesses we resent
Discover what God's Word says about living within our limitations
Understand what embracing our limits looks like in everyday life
Recognize when we are pushing ourselves too far
Understand how God sees weakness and how He has used it in the lives of great believers
Dream again while remaining tethered to God's best story for us
Release the shame and frustration of our weaknesses
In reading "The Gift of Limitations", you will learn to see the beauty and peace God provides in the midst of our life circumstances -- and the deep spiritual growth we can experience through the limitations that we once thought held us back.
Critique: Beautifully written, inspired and inspiring, "The Gift of Limitations: Finding Beauty in Your Boundaries" will prove of immense interest with Christian readers aspiring to spiritual and personal growth for themselves, their families, their friends, their neighbors, their associates, and their fellow church members. While also readily available for personal reading lists in a digital book format (Kindle, $13.99), "The Gift of Limitations: Finding Beauty in Your Boundaries" is especially and unreservedly recommended for clergy, seminary students, and all members of the Christian community regardless of denominational affiliations.
Editorial Note: Sara Hagerty (https://sarahagerty.net) is a lifelong admirer of words. She's experienced their power to revive. The way she sees and crafts words comes from her love for God and his Word. She can be followed on her on Instagram at @sarahagertywrites and on Substack at sarahagerty.substack.com
I Could Be Wrong, But I Doubt It
Phil Robertson, author
Gordon Dasher, author
Thomas Nelson Publishers
www.thomasnelson.com
9781400230181, $28.99, HC, 224pp
https://www.amazon.com/Could-Be-Wrong-But-Doubt/dp/1400230187
Synopsis: Over nearly five decades of walking with God, podcaster, author and Duck Dynasty star Phil Robertson has learned a thing or two about why Jesus is the only one worth following. Of all the things we could put our trust in, only Jesus has the answers to our questions and the solutions for our problems.
Plenty of people claim to have the answers for a better life. Politicians claim they can fix our nation. Scientists and technologists trumpet the latest and greatest discoveries that'll make everything right. Self-help gurus offer one pathway to peace after another. But it's no secret that our world is increasingly divided and broken -- and we have the fear, anxiety, and hopelessness to prove it. Jesus alone can make good on the promise of lasting peace, real freedom, and life eternal.
With his trademark directness, humor, and insight, with the publication of "I Could Be Wrong, But I Doubt It: Why Jesus Is Your Greatest Hope on Earth and in Eternity", Phil will help you: Experience Jesus as the Creator and all-powerful Sustainer of all creation; Reconcile your own brokenness and sinfulness with Jesus' unending well healing, forgiveness, and peace; Develop the eyes to see Jesus for who he really is: the friend who will always be there for you, no matter what mistakes you've made; and Look to the Bible to get to know Jesus and better understand His grace and love for you.
Politics won't save you. Science can't give you the power to sidestep death. The pleasures and joys of this world are fleeting at best, damaging counterfeits at worst. But Phil has good news for you: Jesus offers life, joy, and peace, and he's never more than a prayer away.
Critique: Inspired and inspiring, given the condition of the world today, "I Could Be Wrong, But I Doubt It: Why Jesus Is Your Greatest Hope on Earth and in Eternity" is timely and unreservedly recommended reading for all members of the Christian community regardless of denominational affiliations. It should be noted for the personal reading lists of clergy, seminary student, congregational members, and non-specialist general readers with an interest in Church/State & Christian Social issues that "I Could Be Wrong, But I Doubt It: Why Jesus Is Your Greatest Hope on Earth and in Eternity" is also available in a digital book format (Kindle, $14.99).
Editorial Note: Phil Robertson (https://duckcommander.com/pages/phil-robertson) is a professional hunter who invented his own duck call and founded the successful Duck Commander company. He also starred in the popular television series on A&E, Duck Dynasty, and is now the cohost of the hugely popular podcast, Unashamed with Phil & Jase Robertson. He is a New York Times bestselling author of Jesus Politics; The Theft of America's Soul; Happy, Happy, Happy; and UnPHILtered. He and his wife, Kay, live in West Monroe, Louisiana. He has five children, nineteen grandchildren, and thirteen great-grandchildren.
The Buddhist Studies Shelf
Hakuin's Song of Zazen
Yamada Mumon Roshi, author
Norman Waddell, translator
Shambhala Publications, Inc.
www.shambhala.com
9781645471813, $24.95, PB, 448pp
https://www.amazon.com/Hakuins-Song-Zazen-Yamada-Practice/dp/1645471810
Synopsis: First published in Japan in 1962, Hakuin's Song of Zazen is a celebrated collection of short essays by Zen master Yamada Mumon Roshi. Translated into English for the first time by Norman Waddell, it introduces the story of Hakuin's early life and training, then uses his classic Zen chanting poem, Song of Zazen, to make wide-ranging considerations of the Zen tradition and its applications in modern Japanese life.
As Daisetz Suzuki remarks in his foreword, what gives Mumon's book its unique flavor and makes it different from previous works by Zen teachers are his forays into matters of ordinary, everyday life, expanding his Zen teaching to encompass interests that are closely linked with his lay audience. He responds to a news article that catches his eye in the morning paper, delivers criticism on contemporary political and social trends, explores matters as diversified as the uses of atomic energy, the court culture of seventeenth-century France, a leper hospital on an island in the Inland Sea, Albert Schweitzer and other noted Western figures -- and more.
In doing this Mumon gives readers open access to the opinions, judgements, and practical thinking of a leading Zen master -- a map of his planet, so to speak. Each brief chapter of "Hakuin's Song of Zazen: Yamada Mumon Roshi on Zen Practice" is an invitation to follow Hakuin and himself down the path of true Zen realization.
Critique: Of special interest to students and practitioners of Zen Buddhism and now available to an American readership, "Hakuin's Song of Zazen: Yamada Mumon Roshi on Zen Practice" is a seminal study that is articulate, elegant, insightful, thoughtful and thought-provoking. While also available in a digital book format (Kindle, $18.99) for the personal reading lists of students, academia, and non-specialist general readers with an interest in the subject, "Hakuin's Song of Zazen: Yamada Mumon Roshi on Zen Practice" is a very special and unreservedly recommended addition to persona, professional, community, and college/university library Buddhism collections and supplemental Buddhist Studies curriculums lists.
Editorial Note #1: Yamada Mumon (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mumon_Yamada) was born in the mountainous Aichi Prefecture of Japan in 1900. While attending high school in Tokyo, reading Confucius turned him toward the deeper questions about life. He began exposing himself to Christian and Buddhist teachers, entering a Zen monastery at the age of 19. Mumon later met his primary teacher, Seki Seisetsu Roshi, and moved into Tenry?-ju monastery, where he served the master until his death in 1945. In his fifties, Mumon became a master in his own right, serving as abbot of Shofuku-ji Temple in Kobe, where he taught both Japanese and Western students and eventually established an international network of disciples. Known for his curiosity and for his many writings on Zen, he passed away in 1988.
Editorial Note #2: Norman Wadell (www.shambhala.com/authors/u-z/norman-waddell.html) is the authoritative English translator of works by and about Hakuin. He taught at Otani University in Japan for over thirty years and was editor of the Eastern Buddhist Journal for several decades. He has published more than a dozen books on Japanese Zen Buddhism and is one of the finest translators of sacred texts of our time.
The Buddha: Life and Afterlife Between East and West
Philip C. Almond
Cambridge University Press
www.cambridge.org
9781009346795, $39.99, HC, 300pp
https://www.amazon.com/Buddha-Life-Afterlife-Between-East/dp/1009346792
Synopsis: Alongside Jesus and Muhammad, the Buddha is the most significant figure in the history of religion.
"The Buddha: Life and Afterlife Between East and West" by Professor Emeritus Philip Almond is the first to combine a history of early traditions about Siddhartha Gautama's life with an authoritative account of how he and the tantalizing philosophy inspired by him came to the attention of the West.
Professor Almond takes his reader on a remarkable journey encompassing (among other topics) Alexander the Great, the courts of the Mongol Khans, Jesuit missions to China and Japan, and intrepid European travellers and scholars from the modern era.
Deftly melding Pali and Sanskrit sources with vivid reception, Professor Almond presents the Buddha's story as multi-layered: one of transition from a world of angels and demons, water and tree spirits, to an altogether different context where Buddhism mixed with the cultural preoccupations of those who tentatively (sometimes following false trails) tried to make sense of its fascinating complexity.
Critique: Of special and particular interest to readers concerned with Buddhism and western philosophy, "The Buddha: Life and Afterlife Between East and West" by Professor Philip Almond is an extraordinary and seminal contribution that is unreservedly recommended for personal, professional, community, and college/university library Buddhism & Philosophy collections and supplemental curriculum studies lists. Exceptional in organization and presentation, "The Buddha: Life and Afterlife Between East and West" is also readily available in a digital book format (Kindle, $29.99) for students, academia, and non-specialist general readers with an interest in the subject.
Editorial Note: Philip C. Almond is Emeritus Professor in Religious Thought at the University of Queensland and a renowned specialist in the nexus between religion and the history of ideas. His recent publications include Mary Magdalene: A Cultural History (Cambridge University Press, 2022), The Antichrist: A New Biography (Cambridge University Press, 2020), God: A New Biography (I.B. Tauris, 2018); Afterlife: A History of Life after Death (I.B. Tauris, 2016), and The Devil: A New Biography (I.B. Tauris, 2014). His earlier, pioneering book The British Discovery of Buddhism (Cambridge University Press, 1988) has gained a reputation as a landmark study in comparative religion and intellectual history.
The Self-Help Shelf
The Laughter Effect
Ros Ben-Moshe
Alcove Press
www.alcovepress.com
9781639105755, $32.99, HC, 272pp
https://www.amazon.com/Laughter-Effect-Build-Resilience-Positivity/dp/1639105751
Synopsis: With the publication of "The Laughter Effect: How to Build Joy, Resilience, and Positivity in Your Life", author Ros Ben-Moshe provides a roadmap to tap into the lighter side of life with laughter therapy. Ben-Moshe shares tips and tools to achieve an intentional state of being she calls the Laughter Effect -- a way to elevate mindfulness, gratitude, and self-compassion. When used regularly, it enhances resilience to stress, enabling you to respond to adversity and bounce forward with humor, levity, and grace.
Drawing on research from around the world, practice and wisdom from humor and laughter therapy, and positive psychology and neuroscience, Ben-Moshe shows you how to use the energy of laughter and joy to counter stress hormones and stimulate a daily dose of positive wellbeing with "happy hormones."
The techniques, strategies and practices you will learn from "The Laughter Effect" can transform your physical, mental, social and emotional landscape. Viewing life through a laughter lens will awaken a positive change in yourself, how you respond to the world and, in turn, how the world responds to you.
Critique: Unique, fascinating, fun and effective, "The Laughter Effect: How to Build Joy, Resilience, and Positivity in Your Life" is thoroughly 'reader friendly' in organization and presentation. Life changing, life enhancing, life celebrating, "The Laughter Effect" is especially and unreservedly recommended for personal, professional, community, and college/university library motivational Self-Help/Self-Improvement collections. It should be noted that "The Laughter Effect" is also readily available in a digital book format (Kindle, $11.99).
Editorial Note: Ros Ben-Moshe (https://ros-benmoshe.com) is an internationally recognised laughter wellness and positivity expert. She is adjunct lecturer at La Trobe University, where she has taught positive psychology and health promotion. A Global Laughter Ambassador, Ros is a regular commentator and writer in Australian media. Her first book was "Laughing at Cancer - How to Heal with Love, Laughter and Mindfulness". She has spent over twenty years empowering people to embrace intentional smiling and laughter practices to generate positive life transformation and boost joy.
The Possible Self: A Leader's Guide to Personal Development
Maja Djikic
Berrett-Koehler Publishers Inc.
www.bkconnection.com
9781523006014, $22.95, PB, 240pp
https://www.amazon.com/Possible-Self-Leaders-Personal-Development/dp/1523006013
Synopsis: We are often told that the key to success in life involves advancing in our careers, but why do feel so stuck and unfulfilled when everything seems to be going right?
With the publication of "The Possible Self: A Leader's Guide to Personal Development", adult development expert, Professor Maja Djikic explains that in order to discover our purpose and achieve real, lasting change, we need to move beyond narrowly targeted ideas and strategies like changing our mindset or slightly altering our behavior, and instead go deeper and focus on our innate desires.
Professor Djikic claims that sustained change can only happen when all five parts of ourselves move in the same direction and at the same time. She introduces a transformational system called the Wheel of Change -- a simple, five-segment plan that corresponds with the five key parts of ourselves: Desires, Actions, Emotions, Thoughts, and Body.
By understanding the mechanisms of these five integral parts, you will be able to escape the paradox of success without happiness and move towards your own path of fulfilling self-development.
Critique: Of particular interest to readers concerned with business based motivational leadership and management, "The Possible Self: A Leader's Guide to Personal Development" by organizational behavior and human resource management expert Professor Maja Djikic is exceptionally well written, organized and presented -- making it an ideal for both professional and non-professional readers. While unreservedly recommended for personal, professional, community, corporate, and college/university library Self-Help/Self-Improvement collections and supplemental MBA curriculum studies lists, it should be noted for MBA students, academia, corporate executives, business managers, entrepreneurs, and non-specialist general readers with an interest in the subject that 'The Possible Self: A Leader's Guide to Personal Development" is also available in a digital book format (Kindle, $17.49).
Editorial Note: Maja Djikic (https://www.majadjikic.com) is an Associate Professor of Organizational Behavior and Human Resource Management, the Director of the Self-Development Laboratory, and the Academic Director of Rotman Executive Coaching Certificate program at the Rotman School of Management, University of Toronto. She has published more than 35 scientific articles and book chapters on personality development, and her research has been featured in over 50 media outlets.
The Metaphysical Studies Shelf
Sacred Geometry in Ancient Goddess Cultures
Richard Heath
Inner Traditions International, Ltd.
www.innertraditions.com
9781644116555, $48.00, HC, 256pp
https://www.amazon.com/Sacred-Geometry-Ancient-Goddess-Cultures/dp/1644116553
Synopsis: Long before Pythagoras and Plato, before arithmetic and Christianity, there existed matrilineal societies around the Mediterranean, led by women with a sophisticated understanding of astronomy and sacred science.
"Sacred Geometry in Ancient Goddess Cultures: The Divine Science of the Female Priesthood" is a detailed exploration by Richard Heath who decodes for his readers the cosmological secrets hidden by ancient goddess-centered cultures on the island of Malta, at Gobekli Tepe in Turkey, and on the Greek island of Crete.
Heath reveals how the female astronomers of Malta built megaliths to study the sun, moon, and planets, counting time as lengths and comparing lengths using geometry. He also shows how they encoded their cosmological and astronomical discoveries, their "astronomy of the goddesses", in the geometries of their temples and monuments.
Examining Maltese and Cretan artifacts, including secret calendars, Heath details how the Minoans of Crete transformed Maltese astronomy into a matriarchal religion based upon a Saturnian calendar of 364 days. He also reveals evidence of the precursors of Maltese astronomical knowledge in the monuments of Gobekli Tepe.
Looking at the shift from sacred geometry to arithmetic in ancient Mediterranean cultures, Heath parallels this change in mindset with the transition from matriarchal to patriarchal cultures. He reveals how Greek myths present a way to see the matriarchal past through patriarchal eyes, detailing how Saturn's replacement by Jupiter-Zeus symbolizes the transition from matriarchy to patriarchy.
Of special note is Heath's examination of how the early Christians helped preserve the ancient astronomy of the goddesses, due to its connections to Christ's cosmological teachings, by encoding it in the artwork of the rock-cut churches and monasteries of the Cappadocia region of Turkey.
Revealing how our planet, with its specific harmonics and geometries within our star system, is uniquely designed to support intelligent life, "Sacred Geometry in Ancient Goddess Cultures: The Divine Science of the Female Priesthood" shows how this divine spiritual truth was known to the ancient astronomers.
Critique: This large format (8 x 0.8 x 10 inches, 2.16 pounds) hardcover edition of "Sacred Geometry in Ancient Goddess Cultures: The Divine Science of the Female Priesthood" from Inner Traditions beautifully and profusely illustrated throughout and of immense value to readers with an interest in the sciences of antiquity in general, and the metaphysical history of numbers/mathematics in particular. While a unique and invaluable pick for personal, professional, community, and college/university library collections, it should be noted for historians, as well as metaphysical students and practitioners that "Sacred Geometry in Ancient Goddess Cultures: The Divine Science of the Female Priesthood" is also available in a digital book format (Kindle, $31.99).
Editorial Note: Richard Heath, M.Sc., is a system designer who studies the technical achievements of the ancient world, from those of the megalithic astronomers to sacred building design. He is the author of 5 books, including Sacred Number and the Origins of Civilization and Sacred Geometry: Language of the Angels.
The Hoodoo Tarot Workbook
Tayannah Lee McQuillar
Destiny Books
c/o Inner Traditions International, Ltd.
www.innertraditions.com
9781644116333, $19.99, PB, 192pp
https://www.amazon.com/Hoodoo-Tarot-Workbook-Rootwork-Divination/dp/1644116332
Synopsis: With the publication of "The Hoodoo Tarot Workbook: Rootwork, Rituals, and Divination", Tayannah Lee McQuillar presents a deeper understanding of the concepts, themes, and symbology featured in her Hoodoo Tarot card deck alongside rituals, botanical knowledge, and advanced practices for working with the cards.
Exploring the philosophy behind Hoodoo as well as its historical and spiritual roots, Tayannah looks at this tradition as a nature-based spiritual system, emphasizing the unique environmental features of the Deep South that have shaped what Hoodoo and rootwork are today.
She explores in depth the plants, herbs, and flowers of the Hoodoo tradition featured on the cards, as well as the animals that play a totemic role in rootworking. She also explains the three sacred circles of Hoodoo and the different groups whose spiritual traditions give this syncretic faith its complex heritage: early Black American Christianity, esoteric European traditions, and Indigenous American traditions.
She then goes on to explore dreamwork and other divination systems practiced in Hoodoo, including bibliomancy, judicial astrology, cartomancy, and cleromancy (divination with pebbles or other objects).
Looking at the Elder cards (Major Arcana) of The Hoodoo Tarot, Tayannah provides rituals to work with each of the cards and the plants, legendary figures, and spiritual concepts they represent. She offers eleven new card spreads, such as the New Moon spread, the Big House Healing Trauma spread, and the Difficult Ancestry spread. She looks closely at family card connections, explaining what particular cards reveal when they appear, and shares exercises for resolving problems and dysfunctional patterns.
Tayannah also explores the important role of rootworkers in their communities in the past and looking forward into the future.
Presenting new ways to work with The Hoodoo Tarot, this informative and instructive manual also provides a foundational introduction to the rootworking tradition, allowing divination practitioners and spiritual seekers alike to expand their journeys of growth and understanding.
Critique: Of immense value to metaphysical students and practitioners with an interest in divination tarot, "The Hoodoo Tarot Workbook: Rootwork, Rituals, and Divination" is an extraordinary and illustrated high value pick for personal, professional, community, and college/university library Tarot collections. It should be noted that "The Hoodoo Tarot Workbook" is also readily available in a digital book format (Kindle, $13.99).
Editorial Note: Tayannah Lee McQuillar is a tarot reader and researcher of religion, esoterica, and mysticism. The author of several books and divination decks, including The Hoodoo Tarot and Astrology for Mystics. (www.innertraditions.com/author/tayannah-lee-mcquillar)
When a Pagan Prays
Nimue Brown
Moon Books
c/o Collective Ink Books
https://www.collectiveinkbooks.com
9781782796336, $19.95, PB, 207pp
https://www.amazon.com/When-Pagan-Prays-Exploring-Druidry/dp/1782796339
Synopsis: When a Pagan prays, there are many uncertainties -- who we pray to, what we pray for, and what might happen to us as a consequence. Not having the same structures as other religions, Pagans cannot frame prayer in the same ways, and our experiences are likely to be wilder and more personal. "When a Pagan Prays: Exploring Prayer in Druidry and Beyond" by practicing druid Nimue Brown is both a wide ranging exploration of what prayer means in different faith and cultures, and a personal journey into a spiritual practice.
Critique: Informative, thought-provoking, fascinating, extraordinary, and especially recommended for personal, professional, community, and college/university library Druid/Paganism collections and supplemental curriculum studies lists, it should be noted that "When a Pagan Prays: Exploring Prayer in Druidry and Beyond" is also available in a digital book format (Kindle, $5.99).
Editorial Note: Druid, author, bard and dreamer. Nimue Brown is OBOD trained, a founding member of Bards of The Lost Forest, Druid Network member and previously a volunteer for The Pagan Federation. (https://druidry.org/people/nimue-brown)
James A. Cox, Editor-in-Chief
Diane C. Donovan, Editor
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