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Wisconsin Bookwatch

Volume 7, Number 1 January 2012 Home | WBW Index

Table of Contents

Reviewer's Choice Self-Help Shelf Christian Studies Shelf
Social Issues Shelf Fiction Shelf American History Shelf
World History Shelf Gardening Shelf Travel Shelf
Religion/Spirituality Shelf Pets/Wildlife Shelf Art Shelf
Poetry Shelf Memoir Shelf Business Shelf
Metaphysical Studies Shelf Crafts Shelf Photography Shelf
Judaic Studies Shelf Jobs/Careers Shelf Relationship Shelf
Needlecraft Shelf Sports Shelf Railroading Shelf
Human Sexuality Shelf Mystery/Suspense Shelf Literary Studies Shelf
Gaming Shelf Architecture Shelf Computer Shelf
Parenting Shelf Philosophy Shelf Education Shelf
Theatre/Cinema Shelf Wine/Liquor Shelf Health/Medicine Shelf
Audiobook Shelf Music CD Shelf DVD Shelf
Hunting/Fishing Shelf Interior Design Shelf Civil War Shelf
Comix/Graphic Novel Shelf Cookbook Shelf Fantasy/SciFi Shelf


Reviewer's Choice

Yoga: Philosophy for Everyone
Liz Stillwaggon Swan, editor
Wiley-Blackwell
350 Main Street
Malden, MA 02148
9780470658802 $19.95 www.wiley.com

Certified yoga instructor and philosopher Liz Stillwaggon Swan has edited Yoga: Philosophy for Everyone, an anthology of essays by a diversity of authors discussing the fitness, spiritual, psychological and personal benefits of the practice of yoga. Individual writings include "How Yoga Won the West", "Balance in Yoga and Aristotle", "Yoga and Ethics: The Importance of Practice", and many more. Yoga: Philosophy for Everyone has as much to say on the subject of philosophy as it does on the practice of yoga, yet is accessibly written for readers and yoga practitioners of all backgrounds. "...to say that all yoga practitioners ought not to drink alcohol or be vegetarians is counterproductive, as it precludes such practitioners from pursuing yogic virtue through their own life journey. Moreover, it fails to recognize the diversity of the yoga community. What may be right for one yogi may not be right for another: becoming a vegetarian, ceasing to drink alcohol and coffee, or taking a personal vow of pacifism, charity, or anti-materialism is not necessarily morally required."

Leisure Enhancement, fourth edition
Michael J. Leitner & Sara F. Leitner
Sagamore Publishing Company
1807 North Federal Drive
Urbana, IL 61801
9781571676481, $69.95, www.sagamorepub.com

Good leisure is key to a good life. "Leisure Enhancement" is the fourth edition of Michael & Sara Leitner's guides to embracing leisure time and making it truly worthy time, advocating fitness and health, as well furthering oneself, as well as relaxing well. With plenty of practical advice on making leisure more than wasted time, "Leisure Enhancement" is a fine pick and very much recommended for any who is finding their leisure anything but relaxing.

The Time Approach to Grief Support
Edmund Ng
WinePress Publishing
1730 Railroad St.
Enumclaw, WA 98022
9781606150733, $18.99, www.timeapproachtogrief.com

Grief affects us all differently. "The Time Approach to Grief Support: An Easy Technique for Every Christian" is a guide to grief from Edmund Ng, grief therapist, who advises readers that grief takes time, takes communication, and finding a way to understand it all. Stating that through time and thought, one can over come it all well, "The Time Approach to Grief Support" is an excellent and much recommended pick for community library Christian studies collections.


The Self-Help Shelf

Stunned by Grief
Judy Brizendine
BennettKnepp Publishing
PO Box 296
Lake Forest, CA 92609
9780983168812 $18.95 www.BennettKnepp.com

Stunned by Grief: Remapping Your Life When Loss Changes Everything is a serious-minded self-help book that reaches out to any who are devastated by the loss of a loved one. Faith in God is a strong component of author (and widow) Judy Brizendine's approach to slowly recovering and reorienting one's life, but there are also a plethora of more mundane and practical tips, on everything from conquering one's fear to learning to embrace solitude to the tremendous power of thoughts. A separate, consumable companion volume, Stunned by Grief Journal (9780983168805, $16.95) encourages grievers to write down reflections and offers Bible verses to ponder while working through one's pain. Stunned by Grief is highly recommended especially for Christian readers struggling with personal trauma.

Overcoming the Nevers
Teri Johnson
Advantage Publishers Group
PO Box 1090
Poway, CA 92074-1090
9781599322513, $14.99, www.pgw.com

Doubt is the biggest wall to success. "Overcoming the Nevers: by Gardening Your Life and Nurturing Seeds of Truth" is a guide to conquering negativity in one's life, and beating anxiety. One success can plant the seeds for another, and Teri Johnson comes with a positive message to help readers out of the hole of hopelessness. "Overcoming the Nevers" is a strongly recommended addition to any motivational collection.

The Life Coaching Connection
Steve Chandler
Robert D. Reed Publishers
PO Box 1992, Bandon, OR 97411
9781934759547, $14.95, www.rdrpublishers.com

A charged spirit is a great thing. "The Life Coaching Connection: How Coaching Changes Lives" discusses the impact of life coaching and how it can motivate and change lives for the better. Explaining the discipline and concepts, "The Life Coaching Connection" is a powerful read for those who are consider bringing a life coach into their life and want to make a greater difference through it all.

The Gifted One
Dr. Andy McCabe
Hay House, Inc.
PO Box 5100
Carlsbad, CA 92018-5100
9781452500454, $17.95, www.hayhouse.com

We all have talents, finding and using them is key to making one's life a success. "The Gifted One: The Journey Begins" is an motivational read from Dr. Andy McCabe, a psychologist of Special Education in New Jersey. Drawing from this experience, he applies his wisdom to anyone at any age and encourages them to find something truly worthy in life, making "The Gifted One" inspired and thoughtful, not to be overlooked.

Where Will You Go From Here?
Valorie Burton
Waterbrook Multnomah Publishing Group
12265 Oracle Boulevard, Suite 200
Colorado Springs, CO 80921
9780307729767, $14.99, www.waterbrookpress.com

Nothing ever goes as planned, which is why you plan for that. "Where Will You Go From Here?: Moving Forward When Life Doesn't Go As Planned" is an inspirational read from Valorie Burton who grants inspirational support through suggesting five important commitments of life, strategies for dealing with failure, and how to live practically and translate that to success. "Where Will You Go From Here?" is an excellent pick for those seeking practicality out of their lives.

Troubling Dreams
Sadie E. Strick
New Horizon Press
PO Box 669, Far Hills, NJ 07931-0669
9780882823669, $14.95, www.newhorizonpressbooks.com

Our dreams are a unique stew of our psyche. "Troubling Dreams: Unlocking the Door to Self-Awareness" is a discussion of dreams and their influence on our lives from Sadie E. Strick, who seeks to explain the impact that dreams have on our lives. Although Strick focuses on the psychology of women, the discussion applies to anyone in many ways, in understanding life's pressures and society and their impact on our lives. "Troubling Dreams" is a fine pick for anyone seeking to understand their mind and what it's trying to tell them.


The Christian Studies Shelf

Teaching and Christian Practices
David I. Smith & James K.A. Smith, editors
Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Company
2140 Oak Industrial Drive, NE
Grand Rapids, MI 49505
9780802866851 $27.00 www.eerdmans.com

Teaching and Christian Practices: Reshaping Faith & Learning collects essays by distinguished university professors, discussing how historic Christian practices have effected their curriculum strategies. Specific writings include "Reading Practices and Christian Pedagogy: Enacting Charity with Texts", "From Tourists to Pilgrims: Christian Practices and the First-Year Experience", "Christian Practices and Technical Courses: Making Integral Connections" and more. A thoughtful resource for examining the harmonious and potentially beneficial side of the co-existence between faith and pedagogy, Teaching and Christian Practices is especially recommended for the libraries of religious schools and colleges.

Lutheranism 101
Scot A. Kinnaman and Laura L. Lane, editors
Concordia Publishing House
3558 South Jefferson Avenue
Saint Louis, MO 63118-3968
9780758625052, $19.99, www.cph.org

Lutheranism has the distinction as the original protestant faith, but what was Luther's teachings really about? "Lutheranism 101" is a Christian reference for those who want to gain a better understanding of Lutheranism and what the church stands for. Telling the history of the faith, what differentiates it from other Christian sects, and much more, "Lutheranism 101" provides an excellent, easy to read, and fun study of the faith, a choice addition to any Christian studies collection.

Grace Notes
Brian Doyle
ACTA Publications
4848 North Clark Street
Chicago, IL 60640
9780879464349, $14.95, www.actapublications.com

The Catholic Church is more than Latin and funny hats. "Grace Notes" is a collection of thirty seven short stories by Brian Doyle, granting a vivid image of the modern Catholic, who lives his life while revering their faith. Poignant and honest, Doyle's stories seek to give understanding of modern Catholicism and what it means to their followers. "Grace Notes" is a solid addition to any Christian literary collection.

Answer to Common Questions About Jesus
H. Wayne House & Timothy J. Demy
Kregel Publications
PO Box 2607
Grand Rapids, MI 49501
9780825426544, $10.99, www.kregelpublications.com

Christ is the central figure surrounding Christianity, but even among Christians, some thins aren't universally understood. "Answer to Common Questions About Jesus" is a guide to Biblical studies from H. Wayne House & Timothy Demy as they guide readers through what they need to know about the role of Jesus in not only Christianity, but other faiths and his role in secular history. Scholarly and thoughtful from non-evangelical source, "Answer to Common Questions about Jesus" is a top pick for those who want to understand the faith from an academic standpoint.

Gospel
JD Greear
B&H Publishing Group
127 Ninth Avenue North
Nashville, TN 37234-0143
9781433673122, $14.99, www.bhpublishinggroup.com

Love is a major virtue of Christianity, but too much love has been given to the self. "Gospel: Recovering the Power that Made Christianity Revolutionary" is JD Greear's call to a return to gospel-driven faith, calling for love of others, for Christianity to live for the community, and not for himself, being critical of many of the actions of modern churches, stating the message of the gospel has fallen aside in favor of other goals. "Gospel" is worth considering for any pastor who believes the message is being lost.

Missional Spirituality
Roger Helland & Leonard Hjalmarson
InterVarsity Press
PO Box 1400
Downers Grove, IL 60515-1426
9780830838073, $16.00, www.ivpress.com

Spreading one's faith can be done in a daily manner. "Missional Spirituality: Embodying God's Love from the Inside Out" is a guide to living as a Christian outside of the Church, stating that the house of God does not end at the temple doors, is the entire world. Inspired and thoughtful amongst the world and for life, "Missional Spirituality" is inspired reading for any Christian seeking wisdom on spreading their faith beyond Sunday.

Be The Second Coming
Hopes Ive Mauran
Balboa Press
c/o Hay House
PO Box 5100
Carlsbad, CA 92018-5100
97814525536620, $13.95, www.hayhouse.com

There is more to faith than belief. "Be the Second Coming: Guidebook to the Embodiment of the Christ Within: A Personal Journey, Our Collective Destiny" is an inspirational read from Hopes Ive Mauran, as she advises readers on finding their spirit for finding Christ's teachings and being more like him in life. With wisdom and wit to help readers find their way, "Be the Second Coming" is an insightful and much recommended read, not to be overlooked for Christian readers.


The Social Issues Shelf

The Cuban Five
Mary-Alice Waters and Others
Pathfinder Press
PO Box 162767, Atlanta, GA 30321-2767
9781604880380, $5.00, www.pathfinderpress.com

Justice is sometimes too inconvenient. "The Cuban Five" discusses the case of these five Cubans who were wrongfully charged with conspiracy charges and put behind bars with the key thrown away. Drawn from the pages of the Militant, this case and the call of corruption lodged against it are explored through articles with black and white photography throughout. For those who wish to learn more about miscarriages of justice, "The Cuban Five" is an excellent start to learning about the case.

John Brown Still Lives!
R. Blakeslee Gilpin
The University of North Carolina Press
116 S. Boundary St., Chapel Hill, NC 27514-3808
9780807835012, $30.00, www.uncpress.edu

Equality is a worthy cause, and one that must still be fought for to this day. "John Brown Still Lives!: America's Long Reckoning with Violence, Equality, & Change" discusses how the principles of radical abolitionist John Brown still ring true in the modern day, leaving a legacy that calls for a greater push towards equality and facing the sins of the past head on. Showing where Brown's influence lives in today's writing, "John Brown Still Lives!" is a choice pick for any social issues community library collection, enthusiastically recommended.


The Fiction Shelf

Nowhere Else To Go
Judith Kirscht
Florida Academic Press
PO Box 357425, Gainesville, FL 32635
9781890357306, $29.95, www.amazon.com

As racial tensions rise, one can feel split by the factions that form. "Nowhere Else to Go" is a novel of high school and racial tensions after the assassination of Martin Luther King, Jr. Cassie struggles to cope with the changes of her world and seeks to understand the plight of both sides, but it proves all too difficult. "Nowhere Else to Go" is a thoughtful look at the road to segregation in America.

Unpossible and Other
Daryl Gregory
Fairwood Press
21528 105th Street Court East
Bonney Lake, WA 98391
97819338466309, $16.99, www.fairwoodpress.com

No matter what our origin may be, we try to push ourselves forward. "Unpossible and Other Stories" is a collection of short fiction from Darl Gregory, who presents many stories that touch on many genres of the imagination with characters to match, with a uniting element of humanity. "Unpossible and Other Stories" is a fascinating collection that includes two never before published stories from Gregory, very much recommended reading.

Girls in Trouble
Douglas Light
University of Massachusetts Press
PO Box 429
Amherst, MA 01004
9781558499232, $24.95, www.umass.edu/umpress

Serenity is not permanent, as something will shake your peace sooner than later. "Girls in Trouble" is a collection of short stories from Douglas Light, who focuses on many young girls becoming women in the harshest of situations. From being forgotten to violence to horrendous accidents, these events threaten to end our lives and destroy others, along with stories of fighting destiny and perhaps embracing it. "Girls in Trouble" is a fine and thoughtful collection of fiction, very much recommended.

Timber Wolf
Caroline Pignat
Red Deer Press
195 Allstate Parkway
Markham, ON Canada L3R 4T8
9780889954595, $12.95, www.fitzhenry.ca

The call of adventure is strong, but the cost can be high as well. "Timber Wolf" follows Jack Byrne as he goes into the wild north woods seeking excitement. But in the process he finds that life in the woods is not all that it's cracked up to be, and he may have gotten more than he bargained for. With a wolf on his trail, he will have to act fast to survive on his own in the harshness of the northwoods. "Timber Wolf" is a riveting and recommended read for general fiction collections.

A Song in My Heart
Roma Calatayud-Stocks
Beaver's Pond Press
7104 Ohms Lane, Suite 101
Edina, MN 55439
9781592983957, $34.95, www.BeaversPondPress.com

Blessed with fortune, we are still faced with many choices which could change our lives. "A Song in My Heart" follows Alejandra Stanford, as she pursues her dream of becoming a composer, and in her journey, goes off to see the world and everything it has to offer along the way. But in her travels, she finds her options of romance leave her confused in which way to go. A tale of history, music, art, and romance, "A Song in My Heart" is a fine novel, a first in a trilogy to look out for.

Don't Call Me Hero
Ray Villareal
Pinata Books
c/o Arte Publico Press
452 Cullen Performance Hall
Houston, TX 77204-2004
9781558857117, $10.95, www.artepublicopress.com

The price of fame is one sometimes we don't want to pay. "Don't Call Me Hero" is the story of Rawly Sanchez, who in an act of goodness, saves a woman from a flooded creek. His heroism is caught on tape, and the acclaim he gets he soon realizes is superficial. A story of coping with the pressures of sudden fame and finding one's own peace, "Don't Call Me Hero" is a fine and much recommended read.

96 Hours
Georgia Beers
Bywater Books
PO Box 3671
Ann Arbor, MI 48106
9781932859843, $14.95, www.bywaterbooks.com

Tragedy may lead to something new. "96 Hours" is a unique romance, as two women from very different avenues of life find themselves brought together first in friendship as the tragedies of 9/11 strike America and leave them together in a storm of emotion. As their concerns for the country and their people morph, they find that they have a lot more in common then they could ever imagine, bringing them ever closer. "96 Hours" is a fine choice for those seeking a drama and lesbian romance, much recommended.

Washed in the Blood
Lisa Alther
Mercer University
1400 Coleman Avenue
Macon, GA 31207-0001
9780881462579, $26.00, www.mupress.org

The lost colony of Roanoke left a legacy of people of two races, whose presence was felt for years to come. "Washed in the Blood" is a novel of the sixteenth century, and the impacts of the families in the south eastern future United States. As love and spites of love gone wrong all surround them, the truth about family and the past all too often begins to emerge and threatens the balance between it all. Daniel Hunter, a Quaker who is uncertain of his ancestry, serves as the centerpiece for this unique story. "Washed in the Blood" is a riveting story of historical drama, very much worth recommended reading.

Jingo Fever
Stephanie Golighly Lowden
Crickhollow Books
3147 S. Pennsylvania Ave.
Milwaukee, WI 53207
9781933987163, $13.95, www.crickhollowbooks.com

Pride in one's country is not a bad thing, but used incorrectly it can cause much pain to your fellow countrymen. "Jingo Fever" is a novel following a young German American girl as anti-German fever rages following World War I. The girl copes with the hatred she hears in her Northern Wisconsin hometown, struggling to find friendship in spite of her German-American heritage. "Jingo Fever" is a fine historical novel that will ring well with youthful readers who are struggling to find their place and friends as well.

Poor Banished Children
Fiorella De Maria
Ignatius Press
PO Box 1339
Fort Collins, CO 80522
9781586176327, $19.95, www.ignatius.com

Free will and drive are virtues that are not always welcomed. "Poor Banished Children" is a historical novel from Fiorella De Maria, as she presents the tale of Warda, a young girl turned woman who refuses to be pushed aside into submission due to her gender. As she proceeds through life, she finds herself continually spurned, tortured, and put through many endeavors, finding some way to survive in a cruel world. "Poor Banished Children" is a riveting read of the human drive to live and find life worth living.

A Stranger's Gift
Anna Schmidt
Barbour Publishing
P.O. Box 719
Uhrichsville, OH 44683
9781616262341, $12.99, www.barbourbooks.com

Kindness can sometimes be hard to swallow. "A Stranger's Gift" is a Christian romance, telling of strong spirited Hester Detlef, who has clashed with tradition many times. As outsider John Steiner is driven into the Amish community by disaster, Hester is the first to offer to help, but John is hesitant to join a community he doesn't understand. "A Stranger's Gift" is an enticing and much recommended pick for those looking for Christian fiction with a bit of romance stirred in.


The American History Shelf

Dearborn Inn
Jennifer Czerwick Ganem
Arcadia Publishing
420 Wando Park Blvd.
Mount Pleasant, SC 29464
9780738582702 $21.99 www.arcadiapublishing.com

Part of the Images of America series, Dearborn Inn combines a reader-friendly historical chronicle featuring vintage black-and-white photography of the Dearborn Inn, a building designed by architect Albert Kahn under the close supervision of celebrated inventor Henry Ford. Ford's genius vision stretched beyond his more well-known inspirations behind the American automobile and the assembly line; he also pioneered the modern hotel in the Dearborn Inn. The text chronicles not only the inn's early years but also the modern renovations that have revitalized it to compete in today's world as a well as serve as an unforgettable historic testimony. Highly recommended, especially to any fascinated by America's historic and trailblazing institutions.

Illinois
Gerald A. Danzer
University of Illinois Press
1325 South Oak Street
Champaign, IL 61820-6975
9780252032882, $39.95, www.press.uillinois.edu

Illinois' fertile lands have proven to be a draw for countless millennia. "Illinois: A History in Pictures" chronicles the long history of the state from its prehistoric first inhabitants up until the modern goliath of society that houses Chicago. Comprehensive in its coverage, chapters cover the many periods and aspects of the state. Discussing its geology and place in the Ice Age, its settlement by the Native people of the Americas, the arrival of Europeans, and the turbulent social conflicts since then, the photographs, charts, and illustrations provide an intriguing and far reaching picture of the state's history. "Illinois" is a strongly recommended pick for community and library history collections, especially on those who want a focus on the state.


The World History Shelf

Hearts and Minds
Dan Azoulay
University of Calgary Press
2500 University Drive, N.W.
Calgary, Alberta, Canada T2N 1N4
9781552385203 $34.95 www.uofcpress.com

Hearts and Minds: Canadian Romance at the Dawn of the Modern Era, 1900-1930 explores a different side of Canadian history: the transformation of romance, both from an idealistic and from a practical viewpoint, as the post-Victorian era replaced traditional romantic values with ones shaped by modern-day problems. Drawing upon over 20,000 letters, especially in the "correspondence columns" of two leading periodicals of the time, Montreal's "Family Herald and Weekly Star" and Winnipeg's "Western Home Monthly", Hearts and Minds explores how romance changed for Canadians in a world dramatically transformed by immigration, urbanization, industrialization, western settlement, the fallout of a devastating world war, and a cultural revolution in the definition of morals and manners. Excerpts from etiquette manuals, scholarly studies of courtship during the era, and a selection of soldier's letters and diaries covering the war years rounds out the source material that Hearts and Minds meticulously analyzes. An extraordinary study of how human beings adapted the very structure of their interpersonal relationships, Hearts and Minds is an excellent and worthy addition to Canadian and World History shelves.

Leadership & Purpose
Andrew M. Thomson
Wilfrid Laurier University Press
Wilfrid Laurier University
Waterloo, Ontario, Canada, N2L 3C5
9781554584321, $29.95, wlupress.wlu.ca

For one hundred years, Wilfrid Laurier University has been a major player in Canada's academic scene. "Leadership & Purpose: A History of Wilfrid Laurier University" details the history of the institution which started as the Evangelical Lutheran Seminary of Canada with a mere four students and single professor. From its religious roots, it has grown into something beyond what people ever expected, with thousands of students passing through annually. "Leadership & Purpose" is a fine addition to any history collections with a focus on the rise of academia and universities.

Caring and Compassion
Darlene Southwell
Harbour Publishing
PO Box 219
Madeira Park, BC, Canada, V0N 2H0
9781550175608, $29.95, www.harbourpublishing.com

For compassion, these women of faith drove through all odds to make a difference. "Caring and Compassion: A History of the Sisters of St. Ann in Health Care in British Columbia" tells the story of the Catholic Congregation of Sisters of St. Ann, led by Bishop Modeste Demers, as they rose to the need of a hospital at Fort Victoria in the middle of the nineteenth century. With a drive of faith and human kindness, their work is renown throughout British Columbia, and is still revered to this day, as one health facility honoring their legacy remains. "Caring and Compassion" is a fine pick for community and library history and Christian studies collections.


The Gardening Shelf

Writing the Garden
Elizabeth Barlow Rogers
David R. Godine
Fifteen Court Square, Suite 320
Boston, MA 02108
9781567924404, $27.95, www.godine.com

The plants that we keep near us have inspired us to understand them and what they can do for us. "Writing the Garden: A Literary Conversation Across Two Centuries" discusses writings of gardening and such from many authors of renown over the pat two hundred years, with a philosophical and thoughtful outlook of the history of man and his gardens. These writers were not professional gardeners or landscapers, but instead wrote in love of their work, bringing a certain devotion to the writing. "Writing the Garden" is an excellent pick for those who want to understand the garden and its purpose to the lives of many.


The Travel Shelf

Treasures of the Panhandle
Brian R. Rucker
University Press of Florida
University of Florida
15 Northwest 15th Street
Gainesville, FL 32611-2079
9780813037608 $29.95 www.upf.com

Brian R. Rucker (Professor of History, Penascola State College) presents Treasures of the Panhandle: A Journey through West Florida, an extraordinary guide to little-known historical sites, state parks, and natural wonders to be found in the panhandle area of Florida. County by county, Treasures of the Panhandle offers lavish description that prospective visitors and armchair travelers alike will savor, as well as a wealth of black-and-white photographs and an inset section of gorgeous color plates. The appendices are filled with contact addresses and websites for the featured locations, ideal for any reader seeking more information. Treasures of the Panhandle lives up to its title and is enthusiastically recommended to Florida natives who may not be aware of all the oft-overlooked wonders within their home state as well as to prospective vacationers.

Air Travel Handbook
Dan Poynter
Para Publishing
PO Box 8206
Santa Barbara, CA 93118-8206
9781568601502, $14.95, www.parapublishing.com

Air travel can be hectic and stressful, making the phobias surrounding it seem all the more justified. "Air Travel Handbook: Tips, Tricks, & Secrets on Flying" discusses on how to make one's next trip through the skies more effective. From spending less money to get where you want to go, understanding the language of the skies, and get more enjoyment out of it, "Air Travel Handbook" is an excellent and much recommended pick for those taking that trip to airport soon.

Exploring Wild South Florida, fourth edition
Susan D. Jewell
Pineapple Press
PO Box 3889, Sarasota, FL 34230
9781561645008, $16.95, www.pineapplepress.com

The biodiversity of southern Florida is truly a sight to behold. "Exploring Wild South Florida" is the fourth edition of the blend of nature and travel guide as Susan D. Jewell walks readers through the countless parks and natural attractions that lurk all throughout the southern tip of the state. With entries on many parks, with black and white photography used throughout, "Exploring Wild South Florida" is a choice pick for anyone with a strong interest in sampling the many natural sights around the state.

The Hula
Jerry Hopkins & Rebecca Kamili'ia Erikson
Bess Press
3565 Harding Avenue
Honolulu, Hawaii
9781573063128, $34.95, www.besspress.com

It took Hawaii a bit of time to gain its renown as the vacation destination of the world. "The Hula" discusses the Hula, the presentation of traditional Hawaiian culture to the world, tracing the dance's history from prehistoric legend towards the modern day, where a second renaissance of sorts struck the dance and returned it to its people who have forgotten it in the recent tumultuous century. Packed cover to cover with color photographs and presenting a complete and comprehensive discussion of the dance and the culture behind it, "The Hula" is not to be overlooked for those seeking a coffee table book with a Hawaiian flavor or a strong addition to community library travel, dance, and culture collections.

The Big Thicket Guidebook
Lorraine G. Bonney
University of North Texas Press
PO Box 311336
Denton, TX 76203-1336
9781574413182, $29.95, www.unt.edu/untpress

Texas, despite its always changing allegiances, has always remained loyal to Texas. "The Big Thicket Guidebook: Exploring the Backroads and History of Southeast Texas" is a focus on this region of Texas and its chaotic history, from geological history of the region, the native peoples, to arrival of Spanish missionaries, to the animals that now call the region home. An intriguing and comprehensive study of a region with a long history that is both human and natural, "The Big Thicket Guidebook" is a top pick to any natural and American history collection.


The Religion/Spirituality Shelf

Science and Eastern Orthodoxy
Efthymios Nicolaidis, author
Susan Emanuel, translator
The Johns Hopkins University Press
2715 North Charles Street
Baltimore, MD 21218-4363
9781421402987 $55.00 www.press.jhu.edu

Science and Eastern Orthodoxy From the Greek Fathers to the Age of Globalization is a scholarly analysis of the historical interplay between science and Christian Orthodoxy, the official church of the Eastern Roman Empire. Covering a time period from the fourth century to the increasingly globalized modern era, Science and Eastern Orthodoxy postulates that the conflicts between the practice of science and the faith of Greek Orthodoxy were not strictly "science versus Christianity" but rather an ecclesiastical clash of ideas with effects that rippled across civilization. Chapters address how political debates could turn scientific; the repercussions of the empire's fall on the dynamic between science and the Orthodoxy; the role science played in the Greek Enlightenment; science and religion in the modern Greek state; and much more. Science and Eastern Orthodoxy is an excellent contribution to college library world history and religious studies shelves.

Spirit of Faith: The Oneness of Religion
Baha'i Publishing
415 Linden Avenue
Wilmette, IL 60091-2844
9781931847810 $12.00 www.BahaiBooksUSA.com

The second book in the "Spirit of Faith" series, Spirit of Faith: The Oneness of Religion explores the Bahai written perspective on such deep spiritual topics as the oneness of God, the oneness of humankind, the promise of world peace, and more. Brief, numbered passages from the writings of Bahaullah (founder of the faith), the writings of the Bab, and the writings of Abdul-Baha comprise this collection; the nuggets of thoughtful reflection can be contemplated individually, or absorbed as whole. For example, one of the passages by Bahaullah reads, "Religion bestoweth upon man the most precious of all gifts, offereth the cup of prosperity, imparteth eternal life, and showereth imperishable benefits upon mankind." A moving, emotional, and humble anthology of inspirational pieces, Spirit of Faith: The Oneness of Religion bears a positive message for readers of all faiths and backgrounds. Highly recommended.

Redeeming the Southern Family
Scott Stephan
University of Georgia Press
330 Research Drive
Athens, GA, 30602-4901
9780820339801 $24.95 www.ugapress.org

Scott Stephan (associate professor of history, Ball State University) offers his theory that evangelicalism brought women in the pre-Civil War South power and influence in Redeeming the Southern Family: Evangelical Women & Domestic Devotion in the Antebellum South. Although evangelicalism often constrained women of the era in strict household functions, the value of those functions had an empowering effect in earning community respect - from aiding in childbirth to consecrating newborn children to looking after the dying. Chapters draw upon a wealth of research to paint a vivid picture of courtship, evangelical marriages, child rearing, and other crucial aspects of life in the antebellum South, revealing the role that evangelical faith had to play in women's responses to daily challenges. "Childbirth and child rearing thus formed the cornerstone of women's moral and spiritual authority within and beyond the southern home. Women claimed that the physical and spiritual trials of childbirth enriched their devotion to God, and if they survived, they simultaneously gave thanks to God and pledged their children to the ranks of the disciples." Redeeming the Southern Family is an excellent contribution to religious studies, women's studies, and American history shelves.

Called to Unite Knowledge &Vital Piety
Michael G. Cartwright and Merle D. Strege, editors
University of Indianapolis Press
1400 E. Hanna Avenue
Indianapolis, Indiana 46227
9781880938799 $29.95 www.uindy.edu/universitypress

Called to Unite Knowledge & Vital Piety: Indiana's Wesleyan-Related Universities is an anthology of essays by diverse and learned authors exploring the role of Christianity and its Wesleyan and Holiness traditions in the founding, evolution, and continued mission of seven of Indiana's private universities. Individual essays include "Who Do We Think We Are? Wesleyans on the University Stage in the 21st Century", "Change and Challenge at DePauw University from 1837 to the Present", "Place and Higher Education in the Holiness Tradition", and more. Inviting further scholarly discussion on the Wesleyan legacy for higher education in the twenty-first century, Called to Unite Knowledge & Vital Piety lives up to its title and is an excellent choice for theological discussion with an eye to practical modern necessities.

A Spiritual Evolution
Nikki Pattillo
Ozark Mountain Publishing
PO Box 754, Huntsville, AR 72740
978188694022, $14.00, www.ozarkmt.com

Looking into our spirit and embracing is the key to letting one's soul flourish. "A Spiritual Evolution" is an inspirational and spiritual guide from Nikki Pattillo states that we are all spirits, going through our human lives and letting it shape us. With charged words to find one's spirit and drive oneself forward, "A Spiritual Evolution" is a choice pick with plenty to embrace for any follower of new age spirituality.

Hitler's Theology
Rainer Bucher
Continuum International Publishing Group
80 Maiden Lane, Suite 704
New York, NY 10038
9781441141798, $34.95, www.continuumbooks.com

It's hard to understand the actions of Hitler as anything but madness. "Hitler's Theology: A Study in Religion" seeks to try to understand faith and religion behind the writings and speeches of Adolf Hitler, who used mentions of God and faith within his rallies of the German people and as fuel to push towards his atrocities. Seeking to gain an even handed understanding of Hitler's methods and use of faith within his campaigns, "Hitler's Theology" is a scholarly look into history and the abuse of religion towards cruelty.

The Intimate Life
Judith Blackstone
Sounds True Audio
413 South Arthur Avenue
Louisville, CO 80027
9781604075625, $16.95, www.soundstrue.com

Knowing oneself can lead to much joy out of life. "The Intimate Life: Awakening to the Spiritual Essence in Yourself and Others" is an inspirational and thoughtful read from clinical psychotherapist Judith Blackstone as she explores consciousness, what drives us, our connections to others, and our sexuality, and managing all these forces to take control of one's life. "The Intimate Life" is an excellent pick for those who want to create a better grasp on their lives and find their love, for themselves, for others, and for life.

The Hidden Levels of the Mind
Douglas Taylor
Swedenborg Publishers
320 North Church Street
West Chester, PA 19380
9780877853404, $12.95, www.swedenborg.com

Understanding the mind is key to understanding faith. "The Hidden Levels of the Mind" is a philosophical and spiritual discussion of the theories of scientist visionary Emanuel Swedenborg and what has been built off his work. Douglas Taylor writes on what he believes is a crucial aspects of Swedenborg's worse and how to better understand the complexities of his theological theory. "The Hidden Levels of the Mind" is a must for anyone who thinks deeply about the mind and soul and the life behind it.


The Pets/Wildlife Shelf

Cat Calls
Jeanne Adlon and Susan Logan
Square One Publishers
115 Herricks Road
Garden City Park, NY 11040
9780757003448 $14.95 www.squareonepublishers.com

Experience cat sitter Jeanne Adlon and Cat Fancy magazine editor Susan Logan present Cat Calls, an anthology of true stories from Jeanne's daily efforts to look after her charges regardless of rain, shine, or winter storms. Heartwarming anecdotes blend with practical tips on caring for cats, including feeding them, keeping a sanitary litterbox, dealing with misbehavior, and more. "To trim your cat's nails, use nail clippers specifically designed for cats. Because a cat's nails are round, human nail clippers can crush their claws." The heart of Cat Calls are the stories of playful, adventurous, recalcitrant, excited, needy, or just plain curious cats, which will delight ailurophiles everywhere.

The Healthy Bird Cookbook
Robin Deutsch
T.F.H. Publications
1 TFH Plaza, Third & Union Avenue
Neptune City, NJ 07753
9780793807161, $15.95, www.tfh.com

Good nutrition isn't something that should be exclusive to humanity. "The Healthy Bird Cookbook: A Lifesaving Nutritional Guide and Recipe Collection" is a pet cookbook from Robin Deutsch as she presents ways to keep birds healthy, how to prepare them and given them to birds, and recipes that are good for humans as well. Presented in full color with plenty of types from breads to vegetables to even pizzas, "The Healthy Bird Cookbook" is an excellent choice for anyone who wants to prepare a healthy treat for their favorite bird.


The Art Shelf

Parallel Park
Marylyn Dintenfass
Hudson Hills Press
PO Box 205
74-2 Union Street
Manchester, VT 05254
9781555953461, $50.00, www.hudsonhills.com

Artistic ambition can speak volumes. "Parallel Park" delves into the major project of Marylyn Dintenfass who crafted a 30,000 square foot frieze out of scavenged materials to create a massive monument of creativity and endeavor. Through inspiration, her work on this project is compiled in full color throughout the volume to help readers gain a comprehensive understanding of the scale and scope of the project. "Parallel Park" is a choice pick of coffee table books, and a worthy addition to any art collection.


The Poetry Shelf

The Rest of the Voyage
Bernard Noel
Graywolf Press
250 Third Avenue North, Suite 600
Minneapolis, MN 55401
9781555976002, $16.00, www.graywolfpress.org

With world renown, Bernard Noel strives to earn his acclaim. "The Rest of the Voyage" is another collection of poetry from man of literature, poet laureate of France Bernard Noel. Elena Rivera, known for many famed translations of poetry, expertly worked with Noel to bring this volume to English readers. For any international poetry collection, "The Rest of the Voyage" is a choice and much recommended addition. "Nowhere 1": no one placed their hands on the nape of my neck/so this way this absence doesn't have a face/it is simply there like a cold sensation/a reminder of that perfect solitude.

The Scientific Method
Mary Alexandra Agner
Parallel Press
372 Memorial Library
728 State Street
Madison, WI 53575
9781934795286 $TBA http://parallelpress.library.wisc.edu

The Scientific Method is a chapbook of free-verse poetry by author and scientific thinker Mary Alexandra Agner, whose accomplishments include inverting a light curve from Pluto's atmosphere and modeling a low-density residuum in the Earth's upper mantle. Her writing reflects the essence of those who use science to learn more about the world about them: a driven inquisitiveness, a strong sense of exploration, and admiration for the pioneers whose efforts bolster the eternal ongoing quest for knowledge. Highly recommended. "The Scientific Method": You're welcome to burn it: / unhook it, pull it overhead, / let your breasts slap together / as you toss it on the fire. / The idea doesn't go away. / Observe: need underwire? / Hypothesize: pull in instead / of holding up? The test: / a bodice tight around the torso. / The Scientific Bra supports you / bungee-jumping DNA, snowboarding / through a cyclotron. / Undress when appropriate but stuff a spare / inside your little black bag."

Secret Wounds
Richard M. Berlin
BkMk Press
5101 Rockhill Road
Kansas City, MO 64110
9781886157811, $14.95, www.umsystem.edu/upress

With a unique yet intriguing way of looking at the world, Richard Berlin has made much delight with his poetic styles. "Secret Wounds" looks at the wounds we all bear through our lives and our pursuits in life, he discusses how we hide them from the world. "Secret Wounds" is an excellent addition to any poetry collection, highly recommended. "If I Were a Painter": I would paint you the indigo band of blue/on the horizon, the slick strands of kelp/floating in the cove, lichen on the rocks,/lovage in the seaside garden, and sunlight/at dawn glinting off a gull's white back./If I were a painter you might love me/like the night the terns gathered in the bay/and the sun set through a sea of coral clouds./I would apint over the days I hurt you,/though I know you would say there is nothing/more I can do to color your love for me,/our marriage like an oil-on-canvas, nailed/to an outside wall, the frame warped by sun/and rain, the colors still vibrant, still true.

Confer
Ahren Warner
Bloodaxe Books
DuFour Edtions
PO Box 7, Chester Springs, PA 19425
9781852249144, $21.95, www.dufouredtions.com

London and Paris are full of history, and everything also carries untold amounts of it. "Confer" is a collection of poetry from Ahren Warner, as he recalls his journeys through the world and what he has learned in those travels. Thoughtful and recommended reading from a youthful poet, "Confer" is an excellent pick, not to be overlooked. "Grimsby": An old dock town/where the last sailor is long drowned/and the boats rot, creaking//like gravel-throated cancer patients/singing canticles, croaking/polyp-splintered, khoomei peans.

The Essential Brenden Kennelly
Brenden Kennelly
Wake Forest University Press
PO Box 7333
Winston-Salem, NC 27109
9781930630574, $15.95, www.wfu.edu/wfupress

Nothing will get better if it doesn't know what's wrong. "The Essential Brenden Kennelly" is a collection of poetry from named poet, whose work with satire and commentary has earned him quite the renown of the western world. Expertly compiled with a CD of poetry readings by Kennelly, "The Essential Brenden Kennelly" proves to be quite essential to any contemporary poetry collection. "Birthmark": 'A gentleman of the troop of the Boyles/Dropped in and cut griskins or collops/Of Williams Stewart alive;/Stuffing fire-coals into his mouth/He ripped up his belly/Wrapped his entrails about his neck./It was grisly to see/And yet in all this chopping of Mr. Stewart/I was struck by one quiet detail/As people sometimes are/In the midst of howling scenes;/A birthmark on his left breast/Shaped like a broken star.'

Mad for Meat
Kevin Simmonds
Salmon Poetry
c/o DuFour Editions
PO Box 7
Chester Springs, PA 19425-0007
9781907056826, $21.95, www.dufoureditions.com

There is more to hot dog competitions than a monument to gluttony. "Mad for Meat" is a collection of poetry from Kevin Simmonds, who writes of a wide array of subjects as a musician and man of San Francisco. With many views and many unique ways of presenting them, "Mad for Meat" is a fine read that shouldn't be overlooked by community library poetry collections. "Deliverance": Big black booming bloom/a man/fanning the blistering rod/His voice and us still passing through/the opened sea.

Hunter's Log
Timothy Murphy
Dakota Institute Press
2576 8th South West, PO Box 607
Washburn, ND 58577
9780983405900, $14.95, www.fortmandan.com

Through calm and sanity, we can gain a clear view of it all. "Hunter's Log" is a collection of poetry from Timothy Murphy, who writes of the calm nature that he often sees out of life, as a hunter and man of the land. With serenity and time to think, his poems carry a mellow, poignant vibe. "Hunter's Log" is a fine pick, not to be overlooked, highly recommended. "Elegy for Diktynna": Go if you must, and swim/the dim waters of Acheron/for Actaeon.//When my engraved grouse gun/passes to someone else's son,/I'll whistle "Come."

The Whole Shebang
Suzanne Rhodenbaugh
Word Press
PO Box 541106
Cincinnati, OH 45254-1106
9781936370160, $18.99, www.word-press.com

Poetry is a story of style and metaphor. "The Whole Shebang" is a collection of narrative poetry from Suzanne Rhodenbaugh who uses her experience and devotion to her craft, and presents poems that will keep readers reading. "The Whole Shebang" is a fine assortment of poetry and knowledge, very much recommended reading. "The Strange First King I Knew": The Florida sun leeched out the green/It bleached what blue was given./To be on the blank hot streets at noon/was to take the sun, out of ignorance./So what I loved in Florida was dark.//There were pines outside our windows,/and palmettos giving back a straw scent./We'd painted our room dark gold./His black hair fell in his face./His left shoulder twitched as he danced./He pranced around in lace-- my own.//What I loved in Florida was dark./In electric green of dusk/I watched in fear and awe/the thunderstorms of Odessa,/that place on earth most hit.

The Seasons of the Soul
Hermann Hesse
North Atlantic Books
2526 Martin Luther King Jr. Way
Berkeley, CA 94704-2607
9781583943137, $17.95, www.northatlanticbooks.com

Throughout the first half of the twentieth century, Hermann Hesse proved a force of German literature. "The Seasons of the Soul: The Poetic Guidance and Spiritual Wisdom of Hermann Hesse" discusses the works of Hesse, known for many novels and his work with mythology. A thoughtful work of literature, "The Seasons of the Soul" is a strong pick for any world literary studies and poetry collection. "Proverb": You must become brother and sister/to each and every thing/so that they flow through you/dissolving every difference/between what belongs to you and others.//No star, no leaf shall fall--/you fall with them--/to rise again/in every new beginning.


The Memoir Shelf

Raised by the Church
Edward Rohs & Judith Estrine
Fordham University Press
2546 Belmont Avenue
University Box L
Bronx, NY 10458-5172
9780823240227, $22.95, www.fordhampress.com

To be forgotten and spurned by one's parents is a cruel way to start life. "Raised by the Church: Growing Up in New York City's Catholic Orphanages" is a combination memoir and study from Edward Rohs, a young man who found his childhood in the care of the sisters of Mercy, a Catholic orphanage system in Brooklyn, New York, following World War II. Rising above his rough beginnings, he writes of what he remembers of others plight, and how he cared it going into the secular world and an origin that was not typically normal. "Raised by the Church" is a dedicated memoir about the struggles of growing up an outcast, even under the kindness of charity, much recommended.

Destined for Disease
Courtney Chambers
Balboa Press
c/o Hay House
1663 Liberty Drive
Bloomington, IN 47403
9781452535487, $13.95, www.hayhouse.com

Stress and negativity will poison you. "Destined for Disease" is the memoir of Courtney Chambers, who writes how she bottled up the negative emotions in her life and how it bombarded her with chronic health conditions and lead her to a very unhealthy state of mind. "Destined for Disease" is a strong advisory of how what we think is only in our head can cause us such pain.

Dance of the Electric Hummingbird
Patricia Walker
Rainbow Ridge Books
140 Rainbow Ridge Road
Faber, VA 22938
Square One Publishers
115 Herricks Road
Garden City Park, NY 11040
9780984495573, $17.95, www.bajarockpat.com

The life of a housewife is not completely compatible with that of a rock star. "Dance of the Electric Hummingbird" is a unique and spiritual memoir from Patricia Walker as she relays her experience that a rock concert and how it changed her life. Describing her unique and spiritual journey and how an encounter with rock star Sammy Hagar changed her life, "Dance of the Electric Hummingbird" is a uniquely spiritual read that goes where few other spiritual books have gone.

Doctrine of Injustice
Keith R. Caldwell
Ascot Media Group
PO Box 133032
The Woodlands, TX 77393
9780984646302, $19.95, www.supremecourtcorruption.com

Corruption runs deep within today's government, perhaps most shockingly in the judicial branch. "Doctrine of Injustice" is a memoir of politics and corruption through the views of Keith R. Caldwell who has worked on many high levels of government, stating he has seen the corruption of the government strongly perhaps when it comes to money and the IRS. Presenting his findings and offering some unique spins of how money runs so much, "Doctrine of Injustice" is worth considering for political discussion collections.

Back to Bizkaia
Vince J. Juaristi
University of Nevada Press
Mail Stop 0166
Reno, NV, 89557-0166
9780874178593, $21.95, www.unpress.nevada.edu

From where we once were, we forget where we came from. "Back to Bizkaia: A Basque-American Memoir" is a memoir of Joe Juaristi and his son Vince, organizing a trip with the two of them back to a reunion with their family, regaining a respect for it and a respect for life. Touching on the roots of Basque country and the American west, "Back to Bizkaia" is a fine tale of an immigrant revisiting their motherland of Spain.

The Lonesome Lowdown Long-Gone Outbound Scootertrash Blues
Mark Tiger Edmonds
Livingston Press
University of West Alabama
Station 22
Livingston, AL 35470
9781604890839, $21.00, www.livingstonpress.uwa.edu

The live for the road is to be on a constant journey. "The Lonesome Lowdown Long-Gone Outbound Scootertash Blues" is a memoir from Mark Tiger Edmonds, as he discusses his own tales, presenting a unique view of Americana from a man who has seen a lot of it, and has gathered many stories from those who he has met. For those looking for stories of life in America and on the road, "The Lonesome Lowdown Long-Gone Outbound Scootertrash Blues" is an insightful and original read, very much recommended.


The Business Shelf

Business Networking and Sex (Not What You Think)
Ivan Misner, Hazel M. Walker, & Frank J. De Raffele
Entrepreneur Press
c/o The McGraw Hill Companies
Two Penn Plaza, 11th Floor
New York, NY 10121-2298
9781599184241, $21.95, www.entrepreneurpress.com

Even in business, the signals we send can sometimes not connect. "Business Networking and Sex (Not What You Think)" discusses gender issues for business leaders and how to more effectively communicate across them. The authors discuss how this can sometimes be an issue, even when romance is not on our minds, due to the nature of men and women's approaches to business can sometimes be different. Networking is a powerful tool for success, and "Business Networking and Sex" will make sure those in charge of landing those deals don't let a silly thing like sex get in the way.

For Immediate Release
Ronn Torossian
BenBella Books
10300 N. Central Expressway, STE 400
Dallas, TX 75204
9781936661169, $24.95, www.benbellabooks.com

Public relations have gained remarkable power in the modern day. "For Immediate Release: Shape Minds, Build Brands, and Deliver Results with Game-Changing Public Relations" is a guide to better public relations for one's business. Ronn Torossian is a CEO of one of the top 25 public relations firms in America, who advises readers to control their company's image, communicate with other companies well, and create a positive connection to your clients and your employees for greater success. "For Immediate Release" is a fine pick for business reference collections, and for anyone who wants to understand why PR is so important.


The Metaphysical Studies Shelf

Monsters in America
W. Scott Poole
Baylor University Press
One Bear Place #97364
Waco, TX 76798-7363
9781602583146, $29.95, www.monstersinamerica.com

What lies unknown to us is what most fascinates us. "Monsters in America: Our Historical Obsession with the Hideous and the Haunting" discusses the history of monsters and creatures in America, and the legend they have built up, describing their routes in long standing social anxieties of race, sexuality, and religion. From aliens to science gone wrong to the undead, to flat out monsters, "Monsters in America" is a fine pick for those curious about the myths and legends that America has built up in its over two hundred year history, with much insight into their origins.

Cotton Bales, Goatmen, & Witches
Bradley T. Turner
TSTC Publishing
3801 Campus Drive, Waco, TX 76705
9781936603077, $34.95, www.publishing.tstc.edu

Legends can grow into so much more swiftly. "Cotton Bales, Goatmen, & Witches: Legends from the Heart of Texas" discusses the folklore surrounding Texas, discussing these mysteries which live on even in the face of science and the internet. With photography and stories abound, Bradley T. Turner provides the collection of legends as Mark Burdine presents the photography. For those fascinated by local legend and what it means, "Cotton Bales, Goatmen, & Witches" is a fine assortment and coffee table book, very much recommended.

The Ultimate Dictionary of Dream Language
Briceida Ryan
Hampton Roads Publishing Company
65 Parker St., Ste. 7
Newburyport, MA 01950
9781571746719, $29.95, www.hrpub.com

The symbolism of our subconscious is very strong. "The Ultimate Dictionary of Dream Language" is a guide from Briceida Ryan as she discusses the symbols within our dreams and what our minds are trying to tell us, the interpretations of what's going on within our lives, and how to use them to gain insight into what we truly want out of lives. "The Ultimate Dictionary of Dream Language" is an excellent pick for community and library spirituality and metaphysical collections, and has enough casual interest to be an excellent pick for coffee table pieces.

The Ancient Alien Question
Philip CoppensLaurie Kelly-Pye
New Page Books
c/o Career Press Inc.
PO Box 687
Franklin Lakes, NJ 07417
9781601631985, $19.99, www.newpagebooks.com

In our deep history, could beings from far off planets have played a hand in our evolution? "The Ancient Alien Question: A New Inquiry Into the Existence, Evidence, and Influence of Ancient Visitors" discusses the potential of alien visitors who may have visited ancient humanity and influenced the construction of ancient marvels. Discussing crystal skulls, the meanings behind ancient mysteries, and much more, Philip Coppens presents his evidence for a much more metaphysical pre-history for humanity. "The Ancient Alien Question" is worth considering for followers of metaphysical ideas and seeking an alternative history read.


The Crafts Shelf

A Bounty of Bead + Wire Earrings
Nathalie Mornu
Sterling Publishing Company
387 Park Avenue South
New York, NY 10016-8810
9781454700180, $19.95, www.sterlingpublishing.com

With some baubles and some wire, the possibilities are quite endless. "A Bounty of Bead + Wire Earrings: 50 Fun, Fast Jewelry Projects" is an excellent guide for those who have embraced do it yourself jewelry. Each of the fifty designs are explained step by step with full color photographs, presenting the fundamentals of their crafting to create this unique and colorful ideas. Of use for even experienced do-it-yourselfers for inspiration, "A Bounty of Bead + Wire Earrings" is an excellent pick, not to be overlooked.

Irina's Inspirations for Jewelry
Irina Miech
Kalmbach Publishing Company
21027 Crossroads Circle
Waukesha, WI 53186
9780871164025, $21.95, www.kalmbachbooks.com

Something created from one's own design is truly one's own. "Irina's Inspiration for Jewelry: From the Exotic to the Everyday" is a guide for do it yourself jewelry enthusiasts as Irina Miech presents many ideas for readers to adopt and adapt for their own creations. Presented in full color and complete with materials lists to get readers started, as well as tips on how to creatively make variations and more, "Irina's Inspiration for Jewelry" is an excellent and much recommended pick for anyone with a do it yourself drive for their own fashions.


The Photography Shelf

Final Thoughts
John Thomas Grant
Schiffer Publishing Ltd.
4880 Lower Valley Road
Atglen, PA 19310
9780764339103, $34.99, www.schifferbooks.com

Death plagues us with its uncertainty. "Final Thoughts: Eternal Beauty in Stone" is collection of photography and proverb as John Thomas Grant uses artistic photography to capture various pieces of art and dedication all throughout. In full color, he presents photography that captures a certain bit of soul, with a touch of wisdom to go along with it. "Final Thoughts" is a choice and excellent pick for anyone who is seeking a coffee table book that brings a serenity and thought to the issue of death, highly recommended.


The Judaic Studies Shelf

Teachings: In-depth Reflections on the Parshah
Rabbi Asher Brander
Mosaica Press
info@mosaicapress.com
c/o Stuart Schnee PR
stu@stuartschnee.com
Nachal Micha 11/10, Beit Shemesh, Israel
9780981497495 $24.95 www.mosaicapress.com

Rabbi Asher Brander, who has taught in Yeshiva High Schools for more than twenty years, presents Teachings: In-depth Reflections on the Parshah, an English-language core curriculum of the classic Jewish study hall (the Beit Midrash). Though scholarly and serious-minded, Teachings is deliberately presented in terms accessible to readers of all backgrounds. Rabbi Asher Brander prompts the reader to think about difficult questions and conundrums through his lessons, in a solid resource designed to prompt practical as well as theological debates and discussions. Highly recommended, especially for college library Judaic Studies shelves, but also for readers of all backgrounds seeking to better understand and interpret the Torah.

Recalling the Covenant
Moshe Shamah
KTAV Publishing House
930 Newark Avenue
Jersey City, NJ 07306-6316
9781602801844, $59.50, www.ktav.com

The Judaic faith is one that should always be questioned by its followers for much of their lives. "Recalling the Covenant: A Contemporary Commentary on the Five Books of the Torah" is a collection of commentaries discusses debates within the holy texts. Cautious of the rise of modern religious fundamentalism, the writers within stay true to Jewish tradition while also remaining true to modern scholarship. The religious scholars within present an intriguing breakdown of modern Jewish philosophy and what it means to many readers of the text. "Recalling the Covenant" is a strongly recommended read for any community or college Judaic and Religious studies collections.

Journey to Heaven
Leila Leah Bronner
Urim Publications
c/o Lambda Publishers
527 Empire Blvd.
Brooklyn, NY 11225
9789655240474, $25.95, www.urimpublications.com

Both Islam and Christianity speak in depth about the after-life, but Judaism is strangely silent. "Journey to Heaven: Exploring Jewish Views of the Afterlife" is a meeting of many Jewish theologians as they talk about the destination of the soul and fate of the being after death, which traditional Jewish texts do not speak upon. Combing through the writings of many Jewish writers throughout the ages, "Journey to Heaven" is a fascinating view for any religious thinker or religious scholar of any faith, enthusiastically recommended.

The Torah Revolution
Reuven Hammer
Jewish Lights Publishing
PO Box 237
Woodstock, VT 05091
9781580234573, $24.99, www.jewishlights.com

The Torah has more than faith for those who understand it. "The Torah Revolution: Fourteen Truths That Changed the World" is a discussion of the Torah from Rabbi Dr. Reuven Hammer, who discusses the many principles that are within the Torah, what the Torah states about humanity and the evils of the world that must be fought against. With additional thoughts on environmentalism, good will, and much more, "The Torah Revolution" is worth reading for any with an interest in philosophy, even if you are not a practitioner of the Jewish faith.


The Jobs/Careers Shelf

Dynamite Resume
Susan Tropez
Dorrance Publishing
701 Smithfield Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15222
9781434911025, $10.00, www.dorrancebookstore.com

Your resume is often your first impression to a potential employer. "Dynamite Resume: Your Calling Card to Success" discusses how to create a more excellent resume that will lead to the next step of the hiring process. From correct formatting, what to outline and emphasize and much more, Susan Tropez presents much to consider when writing one's resume. "Dynamite Resume" is much recommended.


The Relationship Shelf

When Love Stumbles
Randi Gunther
New Harbinger Press
5674 Shattuck Avenue
Oakland, CA 94609
9781572249936, $17.95, www.newharbinger.com

No love stays perfect forever. "When Love Stumbles: How to Rediscover Love, Trust, & Fulfillment in Your Relationship" is a guide to those who have lost sight of the joy and prosperity that brought them to their relationship in the first place. Going over the eight common factors that go with losing the passion, Randi Gunther advises couples to find that common ground and work together to make both of their lives better. "When Love Stumbles" is a powerful and much recommended read for community library relationship collections.


The Needlecraft Shelf

Fabric-by-Fabric One-Yard Wonders
Rebecca Yaker & Patricia Hoskins
Storey Publishing
210 Mass MoCA Way
North Adams, MA 01247
9781603425865, $29.95, www.storey.com

A needlecrafter's delight and compiled by the team of needlecraft experts Rebecca Yaker and Patricia Hoskins, "Fabric-by-Fabric One-Yard Wonders" is a fully illustrated, 416-page compendium of 101 diverse sewing projects with the single universal of using only one yard of fabric. Superbly presented and thoroughly 'user friendly' instructions lay out every single design. Spiral bound to lay out flat, "Fabric-by-Fabric One-Yard Wonders" also has a 'Pattern Pieces' section. The fabrics employed range from cottons, knits, voiles, corduroy, and fleece, to flannel, home dec, oilcloth, and wool. Of special note is the introductory chapter focused on 'Fabric Fundamentals' and laying out basic instructions for sewing. Each chapter is devoted to a specific fabric and begins with a 'Fabric Facts' section specific to that particular fabric. "Fabric-by-Fabric One-Yard Wonders" will make a prized and highly recommended addition to any personal needlecrafter's instructional reference collection.

Fresh from the Garden
Dodi Lee Poulsen
Landauer Corporation
3100 NW 101st Street, Suite A
Urbandale, Iowa 50322
9781935726111, $24.95, www.landauercorp.com

The garden represents life and vibrancy, something many wish to inspire in design. "Fresh from the Garden" is a needleworker's guide to creating many garden-inspired patterns and transforming them to many projects, such as bags, quilts, aprons, tablecloths, and much more. With eighty full color pages of information and inspiration, "Fresh from the Garden" is an inspirational and much recommended pick for those quilters looking for new ideas.

Socktopus
Alice Yu
The Taunton Press
63 South Main Street
Newtown, CT 06470
9781600854101, $19.95, www.taunton.com

Your feet are just another avenue of expression. "Socktopus: 17 Pairs of Socks to Knit and Show Off" is a guide for devoted needle-workers who want to create comfortable and fashionable socks for themselves or their friends and loved ones. With full color photographs and step by step instructions, Alice Yu presents a comprehensive guide to creating these designs or using them as inspiration for one's own. "Socktopus" is a must for anyone who wants to turn their knitting hobby to footwear.


The Sports Shelf

Tennis Skills & Drills
Joey Rive & Scott C. Williams
Human Kinetics Publishers, Inc.
PO Box 5076
Champaign, IL 61820-5076
9780736083089, $24.95, www.HumanKinetics.com

Tennis is a fast paced and exhilarating game. "Tennis Skills & Drills" is a guide for those who want to improve their tennis game for greater success, discussing the fundamentals of the game and working on them and applying them to more creative strategies. With strategies for singles plays, doubles play, and over one hundred practice drills to increase one's own versatility, "Tennis Skills & Drills" is a choice pick for any aspiring tennis player, highly recommended.


The Railroading Shelf

Electro-Motive
Brian Solomon
Voyageur
c/o Quayside Publishing Group
400 First Avenue North, Suite 300
Minneapolis, MN 55401
9780760340073, $45.00, www.voyageurpress.com

With new technology comes a new generation of creations. "Electro-Motive: E-Units and F-Units: The Illustrated History of North America's Favorite Locomotives" focuses on this specific generation of trains, known for their introduction in the 1930s and major advancement of diesel technology. Packed cover to cover with both black and white and color photography all throughout, showing these trains int heir heyday and their stoic stand against time, all across the country. "Electro-Motive" is a fine pick for any train lover's coffee table and for community library railroading collections.


The Human Sexuality Shelf

Intimate Relationships and Sexual Health
Catherine Davis & Melissa Dubie
AAPC Publishing
PO Box 23173
Shawnee Mission, KS 66283-0173
9781934575888, $27.95, www.aapcpublishing.net

Intimacy and good health are closely bound together. "Intimate Relationships & Sexual Health" discusses health concerns when teaching teenagers coming into their sexual feelings as well as autistic adults with high enough functioning to pursue sexuality. A comprehensive text, many subjects such as how to best start the curriculum in this topic that is often hard to approach, anatomy, reproductive health concerns, working with your partner, STI concerns, and much more. With a CD with even more resources to use, "Intimate Relationships & Sexual Health" is a must for anyone tasked for this tough yet vitally important topic to teach.


The Mystery/Suspense Shelf

Murder in Argeles
D-L Nelson
Five Star
c/o Gale Cengage Learning
316 East Eisenhower, Suite 200
Ann Arbor, MI 48108
9781432825515 $25.95 gale.cengage.com

Murder in Argeles is an enthralling mystery set in Southern France. When linguistically fluent history buff and technical writer Annie Young comes to visit a widely beloved priest friend Pere Yves, she finds him murdered - and then his corpse disappears during her call to summon the police! Further complicating matters is that Young's ex-boyfriend is Police Chief Roger Perrin, a man with whom she shared a loving relationship before his frequent assignments in distant lands led to their breakup. Although she gets along well with his daughter Gaelle, she resists being drawn back into his life - but such problems seem less and less important as another murder surfaces, and a stalker threatens Annie's life. A riveting novel of suspense, romance, and intrigue, Murder in Argeles is a treasure for mystery buffs and highly recommended.

The Complex
Donald W. Tucker
Dog Ear Publishing
4010 W. 86th Street, Ste H
Indianapolis, IN 46268
9781457504709, $15.99, www.dogearpublishing.net

The Secret Service is most known for protecting the president, but their duties go beyond that. "The Complex" is a thriller following Secret Service agent Wesley Charles as he takes it upon himself to work with the DEA and local authorities as a great conspiracy begins to ring out through the region. But he has to work through a corrupt bureaucracy and deal with an enemy who has no problem killing them without them even knowing who it is. "The Complex" is a riveting read for those who love spy and detective thrillers alike, highly recommended.

Car Tag
H. Lee Barnes
Virginia Avenue Press
PO Box 1582
Reno, NV 89505
9780984423248, $16.00, www.thenevadareview.com

One mistake may shatter a family. "Car Tag" is a dramatic novel following the fallout from the killing of a police officer by a young man. Over the next nine years, Drew Debecki crusades to try to save his brother from death row, going to various extent to do so. In his journey, he must remind himself of the memory of his brother in order to rescue him from his certain doom. "Car Tag" is a thoughtful novel of family and mystery, recommended.

Thorns on Roses
Randy Rawls
L&L Dream-Spell
c/o Maryglenn McCombs
2817 West End Avenue, Suite 126-274, Nashville, TN 37203 (publicity)
9781603183758, $14.95, www.lldreamspell.com

Vigilantism is a crime, but one that is often hard to condemn. "Thorns on Roses" is the tale of vengeance from Randy Rawls, as he tells the story private investigation Tom Jeffries who after an atrocity by the titular gang, he drives himself to end all of them. But the law begins to catch onto his methods...leaving his options for vengeance growing more and more limited. "Thorns on Roses" is a riveting crime thriller of personal justice in the face of the law as written.


The Literary Studies Shelf

Sylvia Plath and the Mythology of Women Readers
Janet Badia
University of Massachusetts Press
PO Box 429
Amherst, MA 01004
9781558498969 $24.95 www.umass.edu/umpress

Sylvia Plath and the Mythology of Women Readers examines how media and popular culture portray female readers of Sylvia Plath's poetry and works. Movies, television series, novels, poems, and even media reports have consistently made unflattering portrayals of Plath's readers as misguided young women who obsess over Plath almost obliviously. Author Janet Badia (associate professor and director of women's studies, Indiana University - Purdue University at Fort Wayne) examines how the collective media perception of Plath's readers has been shaped, from the public reception of Plath's writing to the Hughes family's management of Plath's literary estate, to editorials and fan tributes about Plath and more. Of especial interest is how the undercurrent of the mythology and unsupported generalizations about Plath's readers ties into the misogynistic backlash against feminism. Sylvia Plath and the Mythology of Women Readers is an excellent addition to college library literary studies shelves.

How Do I Begin?
Hmong American Writers' Circle
Heyday Books
PO Box 9145
Berkeley, CA 94709
9781597141505, $16.95, www.heydaybooks.com

Although not well known to most, the Hmong people, who natively hail from Asia, have mad their voice heard in the American literary scene. "How Do I Begin?: A Hmong American Literary Anthology" compiles works from Hmong American writers who present their experiences of coming to America, a people who have not often been heard and is sought to bring their story to the world. A fine assortment of writings to grant an excellent introspective into a people who have their own plight in their homeland and in travels through the world, "How Do I Begin?" is a must for any world fiction collection that seeks to gain a more expansive voice from immigrants.


The Gaming Shelf

A First Book of Bridge Problems
Patrick O'Connor
Master Point Press
331 Douglas Ave.
Toronto, Ontario, Canada M5M 1H2
9781897106839, $15.95, www.masterpointpress.com

The strategy to bridge isn't always apparent, but the good player can always know the value of the next move. "A First Book of Bridge Problems" is a collection of challenges and problems for the driven bridge player who wants to greatly improve their strategies for their next real game. Explaining the problems and the courses of actions that spring from it, "A First Book of Bridge Problems" is a must for anyone who wants to start taking their game to the professional level.

The Gambit Book of Instructive Chess Puzzles
Graham Burgess
Gambit Books
info@gambitbooks.com
9781906454289, $16.95, www.gambitbooks.com

Chess is a competitive puzzle, trying to solve your opponent before he solves you. "The Gambit Book of Instructive Chess Puzzles" is a guide to improving one's chess game by gaining a greater mastery over the game of chess by being faced with many scenarios and encouraged to find solutions and work through it all. With provided solutions that explain how they work and how to apply them to a standard game, "The Gambit Book of Instructive Chess Puzzles" is an excellent assortment for any player who wants an edge on their next game.


The Architecture Shelf

Fuksas: Building
Ramon Pratt, editor
Actar D
c/o ActarBirkhauser Distribution
151 Grand Street, 5th floor, NY, NY 10013
9788492861781, $59.95, www.actar-d.com

An architect of international renown, Massimilaiano Fuksas brings to his projects a descriptively unique artistry that has propelled him into being acknowledged as one of the leading architects of our day. Compiled by Ramon Pratt, "Fuksas: Building" is an impressive 520-page compendium showcasing a full color photographic record of Fuksas' architectural works and their composite elements ranging from housing projects, to commercial buildings, to church structures, to international airports, and so much more. Enhanced with informed and informative interviews, "Fuksas: Building" is a substantial monograph of the architects' impressive and diverse contributions, making it an enthusiastically recommended, core addition to professional and academic library 20th Century Architectural Studies reference collections and supplemental reading lists.

Newfoundland Modern
Robert Mellin
McGill-Queen's University Press
3430 McTavish Street
Montreal, QC, Canada, H3A 1X9
9780773539020, $59.95, www.mqup.ca

The style of Newfoundland has changed in recent years. "Newfoundland Modern" is an analysis of the evolution of the province's architecture, and its changes over the past fifty years. As modern as the rest of the western world while maintaining the rustic feel that Newfoundland has become known for. Discussing the design principles furthered by Frederick A. Colbourne and Angus J. Campbell, it shows how their ideas have shaped residences and public buildings throughout the region. "Newfoundland Modern" is packed cover to cover with full color photographs and diagrams, making for a strongly recommended pick for any interested in architecture in addition to community and college library architectural studies collections.


The Computer Shelf

Murach's Java Programming, fourth edition
Joel Murach
Murach
4340 N. Knoll Ave.
Fresno, CA 93722
9781890774653, $57.50, www.murach.com

Java is widely used throughout the internet, and mastering it has grown more important than ever for web development. "Murach's Java Programming, fourth edition" is a complete and updated guide with the quality one has grown to expect from Murach's computer and technology books. Throughout, readers are guided through how to create Java-based applications, understand the full capabilities of the most recent Java release, creating full functional user interfaces, and polishing one's product so it comes out professional, presentable, and more than meeting its purpose. "Murach's Java Programming" is a strong addition to anyone who seeks a programming reference guide or wants to get started with the platform.


The Parenting Shelf

What a Son Needs From His Dad
Michael A. O'Donnell
Baker Publishing Group
6030 E Fulton
Ada, MI 49301
9780764209697, $9.99, www.bethanyhouse.com

A good example can make the world. "What a Son Needs from His Dad: How a Man Prepares His Sons for Life" discusses fatherhood through the Christian perspective, advising fathers that good values comes from example and talking to your children, encouraging them to instill good ethics through life and how to deal with the world through friendship and romance. "What a Son Needs from His Dad" is a strongly recommended read for any Christian father.


The Philosophy Shelf

The Rolling Stones and Philosophy
Luke Dick & George A. Resich, editors
Open Court Publishing Company
70 East Lake Street, Suite 300
Chicago, IL 60601
9780812697582, $19.95, www.opencourtbooks.com

With a massive discography and worldwide acclaim, the Rolling Stones have become icons of rock and roll. "The Rolling Stones and Philosophy: It's Just a Thought Away" discusses the band, the music, and their links to philosophy on a larger scale. As many scholars of both philosophy and music come together to break down the thoughts behind the lyrics, the music, and the reflections between those and the band, it offers a unique way to look at the mainstays of popular music. "The Rolling Stones and Philosophy" is another fine entry into the pop culture and philosophy series, highly recommended.


The Education Shelf

Art Activities
Crystal Productions
PO Box 1277, Capinteria, CA 93013
9781562906627, $24.95, www.crystalproductions.com

Art is creativity, no matter the medium. "Art Activities: With Paper, Clay, Fibers, and Printmaking: Using Masterworks as Inspiration" discusses the many artistic endeavors that can be done with countless materials, aimed at educators and others who want to spread artistic traits, presenting ideas on how to work with materials for many projects. Presented in full color and advocating reproduction for materials, "Art Activities" is a must for any art educator.


The Theatre/Cinema Shelf

The Heir Apparent
Jean-Francois Regnard
Smith and Kraus
177 Lyme Road, Hanover, NH 03755
9781575258096, $11.99, www.smithandkraus.com

Money does strange things to people. "The Heir Apparent" is an adaption of the 1708 novel from Jean-Francois Regnard, adapted by David Ives for the modern theatre. A story of trying to get in the graces of a rich uncle for a piece of the family fortune, the play stays timeless and proves a worthy production in the modern day, as Ives adaption proves to be an excellent script for directors who are looking for something new for their troupe to play or for those who simply enjoy scripts. "The Heir Apparent" is an excellent addition to any community library theatre collection.

Soldiers, Rebels, and Drifters
Nir Cohen
Wayne State University Press
The Leonard N. Simons Building
4809 Woodward Avenue
Detroit, MI 48201-1309
9780814334782 $27.95 http://wsupress.wayne.edu

Soldiers, Rebels, and Drifters: Gay Representation in Israeli Cinema is a scholarly, in-depth study of how gay characters and gay identity has been portrayed in Israeli cinema since the late 1970s. Chapters include "Melodrama, Decadence, and Death in Amos Guttman's Cinema", "Gay Men and the Establishment in the Films of Eytan Fox", "Real Lives: New Israeli Nonfiction Gay Cinema", and more. A handful of black-and-white photographs, notes, a filmography, bibliography, and index round out this well-reasoned, critical analysis, especially recommended for Media Studies shelves.


The Wine/Liquor Shelf

Artisan Beer
Gary Monterosso
Burford Books
101 East State St. #301, Ithaca, NY 14850
9781580801683, $16.95, www.burfordbooks.com

Good beer is appreciated the world over. "Artisan Beer: A Complete Guide to Savoring the World's Finest Beers" is a guide for the beer lover on finding the best beers of the world, the beer made with care and personal touches the world over. Far beyond the giant packs of cans, Gary Monterosso guides readers through to find the best beers on the world, organized by their unique qualities. For those who love beer beyond its alcohol content, "Artisan Beer" is a fine pick for those who want to open themselves to a whole new world of hops.


The Health/Medicine Shelf

Sitting Kills
Joan Vernikos
Quill Driver Books
2006 South Mary Street
Fresno, CA 93721
9781610350181, $14.95, www.quilldriverbooks.com

Getting the blood flowing alone can do wonders. "Sitting Kills, Moving Heals: How Simple Everyday Movement Will Prevent Pain, Illness, and Early Death -- and Exercise Alone Won't" advocates more movement in life, no matter what one does for a living. Drawing upon her work with astronauts, author and NASA life coach Joan Vernikos argues that not moving through gravity is likened to staying in zero G, and rapid aging effects can go with it. "Sitting Kills, Moving Heals" is a unique look how to pursue greater health, very much recommended.

Breakthrough
Shea Vaughn
Health Communications, Inc.
3201 SW 15th Street
Deerfield Beach, FL 33442-8190
9780757315930, $16.95, www.hcibooks.com

If the weight of the world is pressing down on you, that can't be healthy. "Breakthrough: The 5 Living Principles to Defeat Stress, Look Great, & Find Total Well-Being" is a guide to finding greater health and wellness in our life, no matter our age. Stating that good health depends heavily on the mind set, she advises finding wellness through improving management of life. Encouraging many activities and exercises such as martial arts and ballet to find a sense of self and soul, "Breakthrough" is a fine pick and very much recommended addition for health and self-help collections.

Boomercise
David Pargman
Fitness Information Technology
c/o West Virginia University
262 Coliseum, WVU-CPASS
PO Box 6116, Morgantown, WV 26506-6116
9781935412328, $16.95, www.fitinfotech.com

Exercise is key to making a long life good. "Boomercise: Exercising As You Age" is a guide to better health and fitness for those entering the elderly state of their lives, as is the case with much of the modern baby boomer generation. Stating that keeping on top of fitness will lead to greater quality of life for years to come, "Boomercise" is an excellent pick for those seeking an age specific guide to improve their overall health.


The Audiobook Shelf

Death Benefit
Robin Cook, author
George Guidall, narrator
Penguin Audio
c/o The Penguin Publishing Group
375 Hudson Street
New York, NY 10014
9781611760194 $39.95 http://us.penguingroup.com

Death Benefit is the unabridged audiobook adapatation of a fast-paced thriller about the literally cutthroat side of the insurance industry. From a mysterious tragedy derailing research efforts into creating replacement organs for terminally ill patients, to former Wall Street geniuses who apply their ruthless talent to analyze data and securitize policies on the aged and infirm, Death Benefit tracks multiple forces conspiring to literally profit off of death. Caught in the middle are medical student Pia Grazdani and her infatuated classmate George Wilsom, as deaths mount and the stakes grow ever higher. Death Benefit keeps the reader on the edge of their seat to the very end. 10 CDs, 11 hours.

Love in a Nutshell
Janet Evanovich & Dorien Kelly
www.evanovich.com
Macmillan Audio
175 Fifth Avenue, Suite 315
New York, NY 10010
9781427214966 $29.99 www.macmillanaudio.com

Love in a Nutshell is the audiobook adaptation of a wry romance novel. Newly single Kate Appleton is desperate for a job, but the only one she can land is questionable at best. Matt Culhane wants Kate to spy on his brewery employees, and root out which one is sabotaging his company. But her task is easier said than done, especially since she hates beer, no one will let down their guard around her, and she finds herself falling in love with her boss! Even the threat of a killer can't undercut the growing attraction between Kate and Matt in this playful romance. 6 CDs, 6.5 hours.


The Music CD Shelf

12.25
Kyle Pederson
kylepederson.com
c/o The Creative Service Company
4360 Emerald Drive
Colorado Springs, CO 80918
$20.58 www.thecreativeservicecompany.com

Expert pianist Kyle Pederson presents 12.25, an album of classic Christmas hymns played as new solo piano arrangements. Recorded on a Yamaha acoustic grand piano in a church in Burnsville, 12.25 captures the beauty of the holiday season, while reworking the music in subtle new ways to delight the ear. The result is a treasure to listen to, brimming with spiritual reverence that deserves to be appreciated year round. The tracks are "O Come O Come Emmanuel", "Silent Night", "O Come All Ye Faithful", "In the Bleak Midwinter", "God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen", "Infant Holy", "Do You Hear What I Hear", "Gabriel's Message", "O Holy Night", "Lo How a Rose", and "It Came Upon a Midnight Clear".


The DVD Shelf

USS Franklin: Honor Restored
Janson Media
88 Semmens Road
Harrington Park, NJ 07640
9781568394136 $24.95 www.janson.com

USS Franklin: Honor Restored is an extraordinary documentary about the USS Franklin and her crew. The USS Franklin served the American Navy proudly during World War II, earning the moniker of "The Ship That Wouldn't Die"; but in March of 1945, an enemy dive-bomber attack started a chain reaction as the USS Franklin's own bombs began to tear the ship apart with explosions. The resulting combat at sea and rescue became tarnished when surviving crew members were charged with desertion. A gripping, powerful film, USS Franklin: Honor Restored is especially recommended for naval military history collections and public library DVD shelves. 72 min.


The Hunting/Fishing Shelf

Skeena Steelhead
R. S. Hooton
Frank Amato Publications
PO Box 82112, Portland, OR 97282
9781571884749, $34.95, www.amatobooks.com

In Canada's vast freshwater lakes, lies a famed game fish. "Skeena Steelhead: Unknown Past, Uncertain Future" discusses this species of steelhead fish, which came to attention in recent years. But as commercial overfishing struck the lakes, the future of this species seems uncertain and ultimately may not end well for their future prosperity. Encouraging those who treasure this fish to get involved and save the steelhead for future generations. A conservation guide from the perspective of the fishermen, "Skeena Steelhead" is an excellent and choice pick for environmental, hunting and fishing collections, very much recommended.


The Interior Design Shelf

Studio Spaces
Better Homes & Gardens
Wiley-Blackwell
350 Main Street
Malden, MA 02148
9781118074992, $22.99, www.wiley.com

Our surroundings are our inspiration, and bland white walls aren't very inspiring. "Studio Spaces: Projects, Inspiration, & Ideas for Your Creative Place" is a guide from the idea people at Better Homes and Gardens for turning one's creative space into something truly special and worth going to get one's ideas down and done. With plenty of full color photos and advice on organization and other factors to take into mind when planning one's thinking office, "Studio Spaces" is an excellent pick that belongs in every interior design collection.


The Civil War Shelf

Price's Lost Campaign
Mark A. Lause
University of Missouri Press
2910 LeMone Boulevard
Columbia, MO 65201
9780826219497 $29.95 www.umsystem.edu/upress

Price's Lost Campaign: The 1864 Invasion of Missouri is an in-depth study of a final, determined push made by the Confederates during the American Civil War. In the fall of 1864, General Sterling Price led tens of thousands armed men into the Shenandoah Valley, Tennessee and Missouri. His Union opponents didn't meet him until he had marched 1,500 miles - the Union tried to downplay the significance of his campaign by terming it a "raid" instead. Written in terms accessible to readers of all backgrounds, Price's Lost Campaign is a fascinating close examination of the details of these closing deadly days of the war, and a worthy addition to public and college library Civil War reference shelves.

The Story Of My Campaign
Thomas Bahde, editor
Northern Illinois University Press
2280 Bethany Road, DeKalb, IL 60115
www.niupress.niu.edu
9780875804415, $35.00, www.amazon.com

The American Civil War continues to be a fascinating period of American history that has been and continues to be investigated and reconstructed by new generations of scholars, Civil War Re-enactors, and students of 19th Century American history. Now from Northern Illinois University Press and deftly edited by historian and Civil War expert Thomas Blade, "The Story of My Campaign: The Civil War Memoir of Captain Francis T. Moore, Second Illinois Cavalry" is the newest addition to the growing body of Civil War literature. Francis Moore was 23 when the war broke out and enlisted into the Union forces that would involve him in fighting against Confederate guerillas in Missouri, Kentucky, Tennessee, Mississippi, and Louisiana. This memoir presents a compelling and first-hand chronicle of small-scale and irregular warfare which is enhanced by his personal accounts of daily life in the military. "The Story of My Campaign: The Civil War Memoir of Captain Francis T. Moore, Second Illinois Cavalry" is an compelling, informative, and strongly recommended addition to academic library Civil War Studies collections and supplemental reading lists.


The Comix/Graphic Novel Shelf

African-American Classics
Tom Pomplun and Lance Tooks, editors
Eureka Productions
8778 Oak Grove Road
Mount Horeb, WI 53572
9780982563045 $17.95 www.graphicclassics.com

Volume 22 of the "Graphic Classics" series, African-American Classics is a graphic novel anthology adapting almost two dozen great literary short stories and poems by some of America's earliest black writers, including W.E.B. DuBois, Zora Neale Hurston, Langston Hughes, and many more. The stories selected do not shy away from troubling, complex, or life-threatening matters, but are overall suitable for readers ages 12 to adult. Each story is vividly adapted in full color by a different artist with a unique style complementing the work. The result is a solid, reader-friendly introduction to African-American literary heritage, worthy of the highest recommendation especially for public and school library collections.

Salvatore Volume 2: An Eventful Crossing
Nicolas De Crecy
NBM Publishing
40 Exchange Place, Suite 1308
New York, NY 10005-2742
9781561636136 $14.99 www.nbmpublishing.com

Salvatore Volume 2: An Eventful Crossing continues the masterfully translated, English-language adaptation of a French comic saga that uses anthropomorphic characters and muted color artwork to spin the saga of a canine mechanic in search of his beloved companion. His chosen vehicle is a bizarre device, piloted with the aid of a tiny human who may as well be his pet. But one distraction after another besets him on his journey, not the least being a cute hitchhiker! Meanwhile, Madame Amadine continues the search for her lost piglet Frank, encountering an arrogant detective, while the rest of her offspring seek to make a not-so-honest living through a phony "organic" cafe and market. The absurdities mount in this wry, whimsical tale, distinctly reminiscent of the classic novella "The Wind in the Willows". Highly recommended. (Volume 2 of the English translation actually collects volumes 3 and 4 of the original French version).


The Cookbook Shelf

Sunday
Mallory Saleson
Spearhead
c/o International Publishers Marketing
22841 Quicksilver Drive
Dulles, VA 20166
9780864865298 $16.95 www.internationalpubmarket.com

Featuring full color, full page photographs of all its sumptuous dishes, Sunday is a cookbook packed cover-to-cover of savory courses so rich, so memorable, they are best served on the weekends, when friends and family members have more time to sit down and truly relish the experience! Many (but not all) of the proffered dishes are hearty main courses with meat, such as Lamb and Pepper Casserole, Veal and Pork Loaf, and Roast Marinated Spatchcock Chicken, but others are worthy side courses such as Roast Tomatoes, Peppers Provencal, Ratatouille, or Caprese Salad. A handful of cooking tips rounds out this wonderful resource of quality cuisine, highly recommended.

101 Soups, Salads & Sandwiches
Gooseberry Patch
2500 Farmers Dr., #110
Columbus, Ohio 43235
9781612810331 $14.95 www.gooseberrypatch.com

Featuring spiral binding for ease of use, glossy, high-quality paper resistant to light food or drink spills, and beautiful full color photography on every page, 101 Soups, Salads & Sandwiches lives up to its title with a plethora of mouth-watering dishes simple enough for cooks of all skill and experience levels to prepare, yet worthy of pleasing a gourmet! From Pepper Jack-Crab Bisque to Mustard & Thyme Potato Salad, Hot & Sweet Coleslaw, Party-Time Lasagna Buns and more, the recipes offer savory new twists on classic favorites. Highly recommended!

Cakebread, Puddings & Pie
Callie Maritz & Mari-Louis Guy
Struik Lifestyle
c/o The Random House Publishing Group
1745 Broadway, 17th floor
New York, NY 10019
9781770078529 $25.00 www.randomstruik.co.za www.randomhouse.com

Featuring astonishingly beautiful full color photography of every recipe, Cakebread, Puddings & Pie lives up to its title with recipes of gourmet-quality desserts. From Mulberry Almond Cream to Caramelized Onion Tart, Peanut Butter Silk Pie, Hertzoggies (a South African cookie), Apple Cakes and more, the recipes often evoke South African dessert traditions but will appeal most enthusiastically to diners of all cultural backgrounds. Most of the recipes are easy-to-follow regardless of one's personal skill and experience at crafting desserts that will be remembered with gusto long after they are enjoyed. Highly recommended, especially for cultured cookbook collections!

The Keto Cookbook
Dawn Marie Martenz & Laura Cramp
Demos Health
c/o Demos Medical Publishing
11 West 42nd St., 15th Fl., NY, NY 10036
www.health.com
9781936303236, $29.95, www.amazon.com

First developed about eighty years ago, the 'ketogenic' diet is high in fats and low in carbohydrates. This enables the body to burn fat rather than store it up, making it an effective food-based diet. "The Keto Cookbook" is the collaborative work of Dawn Marie Martenz (the mother of a child with Dravet's syndrome necessitating a ketogenic diet) and Laura Cramp (a Registered Nurse and Dietician working at the Children's National Medical Center, Washington, DC) and showcases 96 tested and approved recipes based on keto diet protocols. Enhanced with a section of full color photographs of finished dishes, "The Keto Cookbook" is enhanced with the addition of practical, 'real world' suggestion and techniques for living on a ketogenic diet and life style at home and elsewhere. Of special note are the sample forms for the Transportation Security Administration, Schools and Daycare Centers, Emergency Rooms, and primary physicians. With recipes ranging from Cinnamon Vanilla Egg Custard; Savory Turkey Hash; and Clam Chowder; to PBJ Cookies; Tacos; and Cinnamon Sugar Pecans, "The Keto Cookbook" verifies that anyone on a ketogenic diet can still have meals that would please any palate and satisfy any appetite.

Easy Does It Winners & Favorites
Patty Roper
Quail Ridge Press
PO Box 123, Brandon, MS 39043
9781934193693, $24.95, www.quailridge.com

Knowledgeably compiled and deftly presented by Patty Roper, "Easy Does It Winners & Favorites" is a compendium of superbly crafted recipes providing a distinctively southern flavor. Enhanced with more than 100 full color photographs of finished dishes, the 300+ recipes range from Mock Mint Julips; Chicken Salad with Cranberries and Pecans; Portobello Pesto Bacon Pizza with Artichokes and Parmesan; and Heirloom Tomato Pie; to Morning Glory Muffins; White Chocolate Pound Cake; Caramel Brownies; Eggplant Crosini; and Roasted Red Pepper Hummus. "Easy Does It Winners & Favorites" will easily prove to be a favorite addition to personal, family, and community library cookbook collections.

Danish Cooking And Baking Traditions
Arthur L. Meyer
Hippocrene Books, Inc.
171 Madison Avenue, New York, NY 10016
www.hippocrenebooks.com
9780781812627, $32.00, www.amazon.com

Hippocrene Books is a premier publisher of ethnic cookbooks drawn from the culinary traditions of communities and cultures around the world. Their latest effort is Arthur L. Meyer's "Danish Cooking And Baking Traditions", a 220-page compendium showcasing more than 170 recipes, each providing clear and easy, step-by-step, 'kitchen cook friendly' preparatory instructions. More than just a simple collection of authentic recipes, "Danish Cooking And Baking Traditions" is enhanced with an informed and informative introduction to the history and development of Danish cuisine. Of special note are the 45 recipes for outstanding Danish desserts and sweets. From Buttermilk Soup; Salted Herring with Cream; Danish Ham with Madeira Sauce; and Gingered Beets; to Cinnamon Sauce; Old-Fashioned Danish Black Bread; Danish Donuts; and Danish Short Bread, there are palate pleasing, appetite satisfying recipes for all formal and informal dining occasions, making "Danish Cooking And Baking Traditions" highly recommended for personal, family, and community library Ethnic Cookbook collections.

Life's Little Cookbook series
Joan Bestwick
Avery Color Studios
511 D. Avenue, Gwinn, MI 49841
$11.95 each www.averycolorstudios.com

Five softcover cookbooks by talented chef Joan Bestwick each offer 101 delicious and healthy recipes to prepare fruits and vegetables in dishes ranging from jams to breads, salads, dips, desserts, and much more. They are "Life's Little Rhubarb Cookbook" (1892384000), "Life's Little Zucchini Cookbook" (0932212948), "Life's Little Berry Cookbook" (1892384051), "Life's Little Peaches, Pears, Plums & Prunes Cookbook" (1892384116), and "Life's Little Apple Cookbook" (1892384221). Each cookbook series is packed with easy-to-follow recipes that fit neatly onto a single page, rounded out with a handful of general tips for preparing its titular ingredient and an index for easy reference. A great way to include healthy ingredients in family meal planning, the Life's Little Cookbook series is a marvelous and highly recommended addition to any cookbook collection.


The Fantasy/SciFi Shelf

World of Warcraft: Wolfheart
Richard A. Knaak
Gallery Books
c/o Simon and Schuster
1230 Avenue of the Americas, 14th fl.
New York, NY 10020
9781451605754 $26.00 www.simonandschuster.com

World of Warcraft: Wolfheart is the latest fantasy novel in a long-running series set in the lands of the immensely popular "World of Warcraft" massively multiplayer online role-playing game. Focusing on the internal strife within the Alliance faction, Wolfheart follows night elf leaders Malfurion Stormrage and Tyrande Whisperwind as they work to induct the proud and fierce worgen of Gilneas - humans transformed into werewolf shapeshifters, who only recently regained control over their feral nature - into the Alliance. But the king of Stormwind, Varian Wrynn, staunchly opposes siding with the worgen, because years ago during the Scourge invasion, they deliberately isolated themselves when the Alliance most needed their help. Strife among the night elves and the Alliance as a whole is further stirred as the ancient, magic-wielding caste of the Highborne returns to the night elves, and the eldest night elves, immortal for an eon, begin to show the ravages of old age. When a Highborne is found murdered, finding and bringing justice to the powerful and wily killer - Maiev Shadowsong, former jailor of the dread demon Illidan - proves to be a daunting task. With so many fractures threatening to rend the Alliance apart, does it have any hope of holding its own in the brutal, ongoing war with the bloodthirsty Horde and its remorseless warchief, Garrosh Hellscream? An exciting novel of intrigue, bloodshed, and valor, World of Warcraft: Wolfheart is an excellent introduction to the game's rich, evolving lore for fantasy aficionados of all backgrounds, and especially recommended for fans of the game.


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


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