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Wisconsin Bookwatch

Volume 9, Number 7 July 2014 Home | WBW Index

Table of Contents

Reviewer's Choice Environmental Studies Shelf Science Shelf
Religion/Spirituality Shelf Christian Studies Shelf Judaic Studies Shelf
Buddhist Studies Shelf Architecture Shelf Cookbook Shelf
Needlecraft Shelf Computer Shelf Large Print Shelf
Crafts Shelf Humor Shelf Biography Shelf
Travel Shelf Graphic Novel Shelf Audiobook Shelf
Music CD Shelf DVD Shelf Automotive Shelf
Metaphysical Studies Shelf Business Shelf American History Shelf
Political Science Shelf Fishing Shelf Woodworking Shelf
Memoir Shelf    


Reviewer's Choice

Living On The Edge
F. J. Bohan
Paladin Press
7077 Winchester Circle, Boulder, CO 80301
www.paladin-press.com
9781610047609, $16.00, www.amazon.com

As the world descends into chaos, the survivalist movement grows every larger. "Living on the Edge: A Family's Journey to Self-Sufficiency" is the story of one family's decision to live a year of self-sufficiency and frugality and existing 'off the grid'. From creating power for a tent and then a cabin with a combination of solar panels, car batteries, generators, and oil; to heating and cooking with a woodstove; finding ways to earn money in an insular and impoverished rural area; securing water in a desert for a family of six and their animals; erecting fences for privacy and security; raising chickens, goats and ducks for food; avoiding bears, bobcats, skunks, and other unwanted critters; to home schooling the kids, "Living on the Edge: A Family's Journey to Self-Sufficiency" is both an absorbing personal account and an instruction manual. Exceptionally well written from first page to last, "Living on the Edge: A Family's Journey to Self-Sufficiency" is very highly recommended reading, would make an enduringly popular addition to community library collections, and is also available in a Kindle edition ($9.99).

A Handmade Life
William S. Coperthwaite, author
Peter Forbes, photographer
Chelsea Green Publishing Company
85 North Main Street, Suite 120
White River Junction, VT 05001
9781933392479 $25.00 www.chelseagreen.com

Part memoir, part crafter's reflection, and part philosophy, A Handmade Life: In Search of Simplicity is by teacher, builder, designer, and writer William S. Coperthwaite examines the possibilities of simplifying one's life. Living on a homestead on Maine's north coast, he explores the message of individuals as Henry David Thoreau, Emily Dickinson, and Helen and Scott Nearing. "The trap we are in is that we want to emulate the rich. Their factories produce for us, and we are their buyers, the consumers. If we refused to buy junk, they would have to produce better quality... We now have a class of people living according to a consumption pattern that exceeds that of the monarchs of previous centuries and that is rapidly devouring the world's finite resources." A handful of color photographs of beautiful Maine scenery intersperse these thoughtful and inspirational writings on how to improve the quality of one's life by freeing oneself from endless consumerism and clutter, and focusing more on community, spirituality, handcrafts, the joys of the outdoors, and helping others in their hour of greatest need. Highly recommended.


The Environmental Studies Shelf

At Pyramid Lake
Bernard Mergen
University of Nevada Press
Mail Stop 0166
Reno, NV, 89557-0166
9780874179392 $26.95 www.unpress.nevada.edu

At Pyramid Lake chronicles the history of Pyramid Lake, one of the largest lakes in the Great Basin desert oasis. Pyramid Lake existed for thousands of years before explorer John Fremont discovered it in 1844; it served as a spiritual and survival resource for the native Paiute, who depended upon the cui-ui fish (which is unique to the lake and now an endangered species). As ranchers and farmers settled the land, native peoples and farmers who needed the water to raise cattle had conflicting interests, which came to a head in the Paiute War of 1860. The lake's continued existence was in jeopardy for a time; but tribal claims, court decisions, and the rise of the environmental movement preserved it. At Pyramid Lake is more than an environmental and legal history, however; it's also a cultural history, chronicling how the lake has drawn artists, poets, sport fishermen, tourists, Hollywood filmmakers, and more to its shores. A list of references and an index round out this thoughtful account, highly recommended especially for public library shelves.


The Science Shelf

Roadside Geology Of Utah, second edition
Felicie Williams, Lucy Chronic, Halka Chronic
Mountain Press Publishing Company
PO Box 2399, Missoula, MT 59806
www.mountain-press.com
9780878426188, $26.00, www.amazon.com

Utah became the 45th state admitted to the Union on January 4, 1896. Utah is the 13th-largest, the 33rd-most populous, and the 10th-least-densely populated of the 50 United States. Utah has a population of about 2.9 million, approximately 80% of whom live along the Wasatch Front, centering on Salt Lake City, leaving vast expanses of the state nearly uninhabited. Utah is bordered by Colorado to the east, Wyoming to the northeast, Idaho to the north, Arizona to the south, and Nevada to the west. It also touches a corner of New Mexico in the southeast. The collaborative work of geologists Felicie Williams, Lucy Chronic, and Halka Chronic "Roadside Geology Of Utah" is now in a completely updated and expanded second edition. This informed and informative, profusely illustrated, 416 page compendium provides a detailed presentation of the varied geology of the state with all of its canyons, arches, breaks, mountain ranges, and desert basins. Very highly recommended for academic library Geology Studies reference collections, "Roadside Geology Of Utah" would also serve well as a supplemental travel guide for anyone touring the Utah landscape.


The Religion/Spirituality Shelf

Spiritual Guidance Across Religions
Rev. John R. Mabry, PhD, editor
Skylight Paths Publishing
Sunset Farms Offices, Route 4
PO Box 237
Woodstock, VT 05091
9781594735462 $50.00 www.skylightpaths.com

Spiritual Guidance Across Religions: A Sourcebook for Spiritual Directors & Other Professionals Providing Counsel to People of Differing Faith Traditions lives up to its title as a solid reference for chaplains, ministers, counselors, and anyone else tasked with providing interfaith spiritual guidance. Contributions from a vast array of experts in different belief traditions discuss core concepts to remember when offering counsel to individuals who believe in everything from Native religions to faiths originating in China, India, or the Middle East, different Christian denominations, and more. The plurality of faiths in today's America makes Spiritual Guidance Across Religions absolutely invaluable, worthy of the highest recommendation for spiritual directors and professionals in the field.


The Christian Studies Shelf

Why Church History Matters
Robert F. Rea
IVP Academic
c/o InterVarsity Press
PO Box 1400, Downers Grove, IL 605151426
www.ivpress.com
9780830828197, $20.00, www.amazon.com

A tradition is a belief or behavior passed down within a group or society with symbolic meaning or special significance with origins in the past. Common examples include holidays or impractical but socially meaningful clothes (like lawyer wigs or military officer spurs). Traditions can persist and evolve for thousands of years. The word "tradition" itself derives from the Latin tradere or traderer literally meaning to transmit, to hand over, to give for safekeeping. While it is commonly assumed that traditions have ancient history, many traditions have been invented on purpose, whether that be political or cultural, over short periods of time. "Why Church History Matters: An Invitation to Love and Learn from Our Past" by Robert F. Rea (Professor of Church History, Lincoln Christian University, Lincoln, Illinois) is a 235 page compendium that presents perspectives (past and present) on what a tradition is with respect to the Christian church and Christian identity. A work of impressively presented theological and historical scholarship, "Why Church History Matters: An Invitation to Love and Learn from Our Past" is enhanced with the inclusion of 'Recommended Resources for Ministry'; twenty-four pages of Notes; a Name and Subject Index, and a Scripture Index, making it an essential and valued addition to pastoral, community, and academic library Christian Studies reference collections and supplemental reading lists.

Lent and Easter Wisdom From St. Augustine
Agnes Cunningham, SSCM
Liguori Publications
www.liguori.org
9780764820311, $11.99, www.amazon.com

Lent is a solemn religious observance in the liturgical calendar of many Christian denominations that begins on Ash Wednesday and covers a period of approximately six weeks before Easter Day. The traditional purpose of Lent is the preparation of the believer through prayer, penance, repentance of sins, almsgiving, atonement and self-denial. Augustine of Hippo (13 November 354 - 28 August 430), also known as Saint Augustine was an early Christian theologian and philosopher whose writings were very influential in the development of Western Christianity and Western philosophy. Compiled by academician and Christian scholar Agnes Cunningham, "Lent and Easter Wisdom From St. Augustine" is a 128 page compendium of scriptures, prayers, and St. Augustine's commentaries, all focused on the subject of Lent, its meaning and readings, along with readings suitable for Easter celebrations within the Christian community. Very highly recommended reading for clergy and lay readers alike.

The Church Of Mercy
Pope Francis
Loyola Press
3441 North Ashland Avenue, Chicago, IL 60657
www.LoyolaBooks.org
9780829441703, $16.95, www.amazon.com

After decades of being mired in what seemed like never ending scandals and internal disputes over issues ranging from the dealing with the ever worsening shortage of qualified priests and the role of nuns, to ecclesiastical pedophilia and Catholic banking practices, the church was in dire need of a man like Pope Francis. Still another evidence of this reform minded prelate is his latest book, "The Church of Mercy", a 168 page compendium comprised of his speeches, homilies, and papers presented during the first year of his papacy. Inspired and inspiring, thoughtful and thought-provoking, "The Church Of Mercy" should be considered mandatory reading for Catholics and is very highly recommended to the attention of non-Catholics as well. It can only be hoped that "The Church of Mercy" will be followed by similar collections year by year as Pope Francis continues in his much needed ministry. It should be noted that "The Church of Mercy" is also available in a hardcover edition (9780829441680, $22.95), a Kindle edition ($9.99); and in an MP3 CD edition ($15.76).


The Judaic Studies Shelf

Turning Judaism Outwards
Rabbi Chaim Milller
Kol Menachem
827 Montgomery Street, Brooklyn, NY 11213
www.kolmenachem.com
9781934152362, $34.99, www.amazon.com

Rabbi Menachem Mendel Schneerson (April 5, 1902 OS - June 12, 1994 NS), known as the Lubavitcher Rebbe or just the Rebbe was a prominent Hasidic rabbi who was the seventh and last Rebbe (Hasidic leader) of the Chabad-Lubavitch movement. He was fifth in a direct paternal line to the third Chabad-Lubavitch Rebbe, Menachem Mendel Schneersohn. In January 1951, a year after the death of his father-in-law, Rabbi Yosef Yitzchok Schneersohn, he assumed the leadership of the Lubavitch movement. He led the movement until his death in 1994, greatly expanding its worldwide activities and founding a worldwide network of institutions to spread traditional religious practices among the Jewish people. These institutions include schools, kindergartens, synagogues and Chabad houses. He successfully built a network of more than 3,600 institutions in over 70 countries and 1000 cities around the world. During his lifetime, some of his followers considered him to be the Jewish Messiah, but Rabbi Schneerson mildly discouraged such talk. He was recognized as a contributor to Jewish continuity and religious thought, and recognized by both the Orthodox and Reform movements, as the pioneer of Jewish outreach. "Turning Judaism Outwards: A Biography of the Rebbe, Menachem Mendel Schneerson" by Rabbi Chaim Miller is a 592 page, impressively detailed, chronologically organized and deftly written account of the life and accomplishments of one of the most influential Rabbis of the 20th Century. Enhanced with the inclusion of a twelve page bibliography of cited works, ninety-six pages of notes, and a comprehensive index, "Turning Judaism Outwards: A Biography of the Rebbe, Menachem Mendel Schneerson" is very highly recommended reading and a critically important contribution to academic library Judaic Studies and 20th Century Jewish Biography reference collections and supplemental reading lists.

Redeeming Relevance in the Book of Numbers
Rabbi Francis Nataf
Urim Publications
c/o Lambda Publishers
527 Empire Boulevard
Brooklyn, New York 11225
9789655241549 $21.95 www.UrimPublications.com

Rabbi Francis Nataf presents Redeeming Relevance in the Book of Numbers, continuing his close scrutiny of the first five books of the Bible. The Book of Numbers contains parables about individuals, the greater community, religious leadership, abuse of authority, communication, and much more. Accessible to readers of all background seeking to better study and understand the Bible, Redeeming Relevance in the Book of Numbers is thought-provoking, insightful, and highly recommended for personal or scholarly religious study. "...the Torah took risks in presenting a pagan story right in the middle of one of its five books. It risked giving legitimacy to Bil'am's pagan ways... But the Torah is not afraid of the truths that rival claims possess; it would rather give us limited exposure to these claims so that we can better defend ourselves against them. Ignorance may be bliss, but it is not an effective strategy in the long term."


The Buddhist Studies Shelf

Wake Up and Laugh
Zen Master Daehaeng
Wisdom Publications
199 Elm Street
Somerville, MA 02144
9781614291220 $16.95 www.wisdompubs.org

Wake Up and Laugh: The Dharma Teachings of Zen Master Daehaeng is an anthology of Dharma talks given by Daehaeng Kun Sunim, including question-and-answer sessions with students. "Questioner 7: Who created Buddha? / Kun Sunim: All sentient beings did. / Questioner 7: It's often said that 'I' doesn't exist, but if that's true, then what is this that's speaking to you now? Kun Sunim: It's said that 'I' doesn't exist because in all the things we do there's no trace of a fixed and unchanging 'I.' When you came here, did you carry you past footsteps with you? You just walked over here; there wasn't some fixed consciousness involved in each step. Speaking is like this too, isn't it? Nothing is fixed or unchanging." A brief glossary and an index enhance this surprisingly accessible collection. Wake Up and Laugh is a choice pick not just for students and practitioners of Buddhism, but also for anyone curious to learn more about Zen philosophy. Highly recommended.

The Living Buddha
Daisaku Ikeda
Middleway Press
c/o SGI-USA
606 Wilshire Blvd., Santa Monica, CA 90401
9780977924523, $14.95, www.amazon.com

Daisaku Ikeda (born January 2, 1928, Japan) is the founder and current president of Soka Gakkai International (SGI), the international offshoot of Soka Gakkai, a Nichiren Buddhist lay association which has, by its own account, more than 12 million members. Part of the 'Soka Gakkai History of Buddhism' series, "The Living Buddha: An Interpretive Biography" by Daisaku Ikeda is ably translated into English for an American readership by Burton Watson. This 150 page compendium provides a biographical portrait of Gautama Buddha (who is also known as Siddhartha Gautama or simply the Buddha). Gautama Budda was a sage on whose teachings Buddhism was founded. He was born in the Shakya republic in the Himalayan foothills sometime between the sixth and fourth centuries and taught primarily in northeastern India. His teachings and precepts went on to become one of the major philosophies of the world and stands alongside Judaism, Christianity, and Islam as a spiritual framework for how life should be lived. Very highly recommended reading for students of Buddhism, as well as community and academic library Buddhist Studies reference collections, "The Living Buddha: An Interpretive Biography" is also available in a Kindle edition ($8.69).


The Architecture Shelf

Cool Spaces!
Stephen Chung
ORO Editions
c/o ActarBirkhauser Distribution
151 Grand Street, 5th floor, New York, NY 10013
www.actar-d.com
9781941806333, $24.95, www.amazon.com

Based on Stephen Chung's weekly television show, "Cool Spaces!: The Best New Architecture" by Stephen Chung and Sun Joo Kim is a profusely illustrated, 120 page compendium showcasing outstanding architectural examples of art spaces, library spaces, performance spaces, and healing spaces. Of special note is the inclusion of Robert ivy's 'The Case for Cool Spaces'. A masterpiece of targeted architecturally focused commentary, "Cool Spaces!: The Best New Architecture" is informed, informative, thoughtful, and thought-provoking, making it a highly recommended addition to professional, community, and academic library Architectural Studies reference collections and supplemental reading lists.


The Cookbook Shelf

Mississippi Current Cookbook
Regina Charboneau, author
Julia Reed, Foreword
Ben Fink, photographer
Lyons Press
c/o Globe Pequot Press
P.O. Box 480, Guilford, Connecticut 06437
9780762793747, $39.95, www.LyonsPress.com

"Mississippi Current Cookbook: A Culinary Journey Down America's Greatest River" is a fabulous river-regional culinary tour of the varied celebrated tastes of specialty dishes from different parts of the vast length of the Mississippi and surrounding areas. Chapters divide the Mississippi into three distinct regions: the Upper Mississippi River Region or Headwaters, from St. Paul, Minnesota to Quincy, Ill.; the Middle Mississippi River Region, or Twain Country, (from Hannibal, Missouri, to the confluence with the Arkansas River, and The Lower Mississippi, from Beale Street to the Bayou, or Memphis, Tenn., to the Gulf of Mexico. Although there are many distinctive regional dishes associated with parts of each area, the author clarifies that menus and dishes from different regions can be mixed or matched. Every chapter presents a variety of different entertainment oriented menus, from casual to formal with many tempting steps and stops in between. A plethora of tantalizing color photos of completed recipes and menu specialty ingredients adorns each chapter. From Mississippi pi Mud Cookies to Crawfish Boiled with Sea Salt and Dill Crowns, with Mock Turtle Soup and Peppadew Pimento Cheese on Fried Green Tomatoes, these recipes celebrate Mississippi regional ingredients with lashings of Southern hospitality. Chef Regina Charboneau has an exquisite cuisine style all her own, which definitely helps to take these unusual but traditional-style recipes to a whole new level of excitement. For example, who can resist the idea of Deviled Eggs with Crabmeat and Wasabi Caviar? Or how about Smoked Catfish Tamales with Jalapeno Green Salsa? Chef Charboneau is the culinary director of the American Queen, a luxury paddlewheel boat that offers travel experiences on the Mississippi River, and has many other accomplishments that revolve around distinguished epicurean experiences, particularly with Southern accents. "Mississippi Current Cookbook" is further enhanced with five or more pages of Techniques and Basics, including recipes for Oven-Smoked Tomatoes, Preserved Lemon Vinaigrette, and Herbsaint Hollandaise, and a handy Source Guide for special ingredients. "Mississippi Current Cookbook" is an indulgent experience, a guilty pleasure that deserves to be savored and shared with friends.

Stuffed: The Ultimate Comfort Food Cookbook
Dan Whalen
Page Street Publishing Company
27 Congress Street, Suite 103, Salem, MA 01970
The Trina Kaye Organization (publicity)
9781624140112, $19.99, www.amazon.com

Dan Whalen writes the influential culinary blog 'The Food in My Beard' and has published more than 700 recipes. Now he has produced "Stuffed: The Ultimate Comfort Food Cookbook: Taking Your Favorite Foods and Stuffing Them to Make New, Different and Delicious Meals", a beautifully illustrated, 208 page compendium of thoroughly 'kitchen cook recipes' that range from Cobb Summer Rolls; Parmesan Truffle French Fry Stuffed Burger; Mac and Cheese Chile Rellenos; and Jalapeno Popper Dog; to Vietnamese Burritos; Chicken Tikka Masala Ravioli; Pork Stuffed Tofu with Noodles; and Pasta Salad Stuffed Tomatoes. Of special note is the recipe for Turducken that will make 20 servings for a special dining occasion. Of great value for the novice kitchen chef is the section dedicated to Basics and a comprehensive Index. "Stuffed: The Ultimate Comfort Food Cookbook: Taking Your Favorite Foods and Stuffing Them to Make New, Different and Delicious Meals" will prove to be a popular addition to any personal, professional, family, or community library cookbook collection. It should also be noted that "Stuffed: The Ultimate Comfort Food Cookbook: Taking Your Favorite Foods and Stuffing Them to Make New, Different and Delicious Meals" is also available in a Kindle edition ($8.89).

Hidden Surprise Cakes
Angela Drake
Love Food
c/o Parragon Inc.
440 Park Avenue South, 13th Floor, NY, NY 10016
www.parragon.com/lovefood
9781472352248, $9.99, www.amazon.com

A 'surprise cake' is a cake that has some kind of filling or pattern within it that won't be revealed until the cake is cut and served. "Hidden Surprise Cakes" by Angela Drake is an 80 page compendium showcasing thoroughly 'kitchen cook friendly' recipes for twenty different surprise cakes. Ranging from a Rainbow Cake, to a Hidden Hearts Cake, to a Tropical Sunrise Cake, to a Pinata Party Cake, these are confections and desserts that will make any dining occasion very special and memorable. Of special note are the recipes for a Birthday Surprise Giant Cupcake and a Christmas Tree Wreath Cake. Unique and truly exceptional, "Hidden Surprise Cakes" will prove to be an enduringly popular addition to personal, professional, family, and community library cookbook collections.

The Magic of JELL-O
Imagine Publishing
c/o Charlesbridge Publishing
85 Main Street
Watertown, MA 02472
9781623540272 $14.95 www.imaginebks.com

The Magic of JELL-O: 100 All-Time Favorite Recipes lives up to its title as a compendium of tasty dessert treats that can be quickly and easily made with the popular JELL-O (R) brand gelatin, or pudding. From Alaskan Pudding Pies (a tasty cookie sandwich treat) to Layered Fruit Dessert, Cherry Topped Eggnog Ring, Lemon Cheese Pie and more, The Magic of JELL-O is filled with celebratory delights that will appeal to confection connoisseurs of all ages. An excellent addition to any dessert cookbook library!

Death By Burrito
Shay Ola
Mitchell Beazley
c/o Octopus Publishing
236 Park Avenue, New York NY 10017
www.octopusbooksusa.com
9781845339036, $19.99, www.amazon.com

Compiled by Shay Ola (founder of The Rebel Dining Society, a creative food events company dedicated to fine dining, "Death by Burrito: Mexican Street Food To Die For" is a beautifully illustrated, 160 page compendium showcasing some of the best Mexican cuisine that any ordinary American kitchen cook can produce just by following the step-by-step recipe directions. The dishes range from Gordita Sliders; Tamales; Baja Fish Tacos; and Carne Asada Burritos; to Baked Hominey; Chicharron with Gooseberry Compote; Drunken Beans; and Candied Pumpkin Ice Cream. Of special note and value to the novice are the clear instructions on the basics of making a burrito, an entire section on Cocktails, and twelve different recipes for salsas and moles. "Death by Burrito: Mexican Street Food To Die For" is a highly recommended, core addition to personal, professional, family, and community library Ethnic Cookbook reference collections.

Revolutionary Pizza
Dimitri Syrkin-Nikolau
Page Street Publishing
27 Congress Street, Suite 103, Salem, MA 01970
The Trina Kaye Organization (publicity)
9781624140501, $19.99, www.amazon.com

Pizza is an oven-baked flat bread typically topped with a tomato sauce, cheese and various toppings. The modern pizza was invented in Naples, Italy, and the dish has since become popular in many parts of the world. Many varieties of pizza exist worldwide, along with several dish variants based upon pizza. Pizza is cooked in various types of ovens, and a diverse variety of ingredients and toppings are utilized. Compiled by Dimitri Syrkin-Nikolau (founder of Chicago's Dimo's Pizza), "Revolutionary Pizza: Bold Pies that Will Change Your Life...and Dinner" is an impressively illustrated, 160 page compendium showcasing the versatility and variety of pizzas that, by following the clear, step-by-step recipe instructions provided, and enable even the most novice of kitchen cooks to turn out world class pizzas of all kinds. The pizzas range from The BBQ Porkabella; Skyline Chili; Jamaican Jerk Chicken; and Italian Beef; to Gyro; The Stoner Kid; Cheesy Potato; and Pumpkin Pie. Of special note are the recipes for a Spinach and Bean Quesadilla; Quacamole Burrito; and Chilaquiles. Also available in a Kindle edition ($8.89), "Revolutionary Pizza: Bold Pies that Will Change Your Life...and Dinner" is an exceptional and outstanding addition to personal, family, and community library cookbook collections.

The Cast Iron Gourmet
Matt Pelton
Cedar Fort, Inc.
2373 West 700 South, Springville, Utah 84663
www.cedarfort.com
9781599553702, $18.99, www.amazon.com

Hardcover and spiral bound so as to durably and accessibly lay flat upon a kitchen table or counter while following recipe directions, "The Cast Iron Gourmet" by culinary expert Matt Pelton is a profusely illustrated, 152 page compendium of information and recipes for preparing dishes using a Dutch Oven. Every aspect is covered including buying, seasoning, cleaning, and storing a Dutch Oven. Not to be missed is the chapter dedicated to tools for and cooking techniques with a Dutch Oven. There are Dutch Oven recipes for breakfasts, breads, soups, stews, chilies, main courses, side dishes, and even desserts. From Matt's Cinnamon Rolls; Apple Cinnamon Bread; Chicken Taco Soup; to Jambalaya; Cheesy Veggies; and Strawberry Rhubarb Pie, all of the recipes comprising this outstanding and highly recommended addition to personal and community library cookbook collections are as palate pleasing and appetite satisfying as they are kitchen cook friendly and menu planning inspirational.


The Needlecraft Shelf

Dazzling Diamond Quilts
Carolyn S. Vagts, editor
Annie's
PO Box 808, Big Sandy, TX 75755
www.AnniesWSL.com
9781573674966, $14.95, www.amazon.com

A quilt is a type of blanket, traditionally composed of three layers of fiber: a woven cloth top, a layer of batting or wadding, and a woven back, combined using the technique of quilting. A quilt is distinguishable from other types of blanket because it is pieced together with several pieces of cloth. "Dazzling Diamond Quilts" compiled and edited by quilting expert Carolyn S. Vagts is a fully illustrated manual comprised of ten do-it-yourself diamond quilt needlecraft projects that are so well presented that even the most novice of quilters will be able to turn out quality quilts that are as practical as they are beautiful. Featuring 'tear out' patterns, "Dazzling Diamond Quilts" is not appropriate for community library needlecraft collections, but it is ideal and enthusiastically recommended for personal quilting instructional reference collections.


The Computer Shelf

Penetration Testing
Georgia Weidman
No Starch Press
38 Ringold Street, San Francisco, CO 94103-4403
www.nostarch.com
9781593275648, $49.95, www.amazon.com

In the computer security context, a hacker is someone who seeks and exploits weaknesses in a computer system or computer network. Hackers may be motivated by a multitude of reasons, such as profit, protest, challenge or enjoyment. The security of computerized information storage is of paramount concern for individuals, companies, and government agencies. One of the best ways to defend against hackers is to test computer security by attempting to penetrate it. "Penetration Testing: A Hands-On Introduction to Hacking" is a 528 page instruction manual on how to do just that by learning how to crack passwords and wireless network keys with brute-forcing and wordlists; test we applications for vulnerabilities, use the Metasploit Framework to launch exploits and write Metasploit modules; automate social-engineering attacks; bypas antivirus software, turn access to one machine into total control of the enterprise in the post-exploitation phase. Also available in a Kindle edition ($28.56), "Penetration Testing: A Hands-On Introduction to Hacking" is a complete and comprehensive manual that should be a part of every computer security instructional reference collection.


The Large Print Shelf

Riders Of The Shadowlands
H. A. DeRosso
Golden West Large Print Books
c/o Ulverscroft Large Print (USA), Inc.
PO Box 1230, West Seneca, NY 14224-1230
www.ulverscroftusa.com
9781842629512, $29.99, 312pp, www.amazon.com

Synopsis: "Riders Of The Shadowlands" is a 312 page anthology comprised of ten outstanding tales of the old wild west. These stories of hard men in a hard land include: Killer; The Ways of Vengeance; Fear in the Saddle; The Return of the Arapaho Kid; Witch; Dark Purpose; The Happy Death; Bad Blood; Endless Trail; and the title piece, Riders Of The Shadowlands. Author H. A. DeRosso has a demonstrable talent for crafting memorable characters and deftly woven plots with surprising twists and turns that will keep his appreciative readers riveted attention from beginning to end. This large print edition is especially and highly recommended for community library Large Print fiction collections in general, and fans of stories about the American western frontier in particular.


The Crafts Shelf

Finding Style
Irina Miech
Kalmbach Books
21027 Crossroads Circle, Waukesha, WI 53187-1612
www.kalmbachbooks.com
9781627000581, $21.99, www.amazon.com

A fund (and potential profitable!) hobby is making jewelry in your own home and in your spare time. "Finding Style: How to Use Today's Versatile Jewelry-Making Components" by jewelry crafts expert Irina Miech is a fully illustrated, 96 page instruction guide for twenty-seven do-it-yourself projects making use of new jewelry-making products, including two-part rivets, filigree bezels, flat leather, locking crimps, texture hammers, and stamps. Informed, informative, and thoroughly 'user friendly', "Finding Style: How to Use Today's Versatile Jewelry-Making Components" will prove to be an enduringly popular addition to any dedicated jewelry making hobbyist's reference shelf and would make an invaluable addition to community library Crafts & Hobbies collection.


The Humor Shelf

Aging With Attitude
Pauline Witchurch & Evelyn Beilenson
Peter Pauper Press, Inc.
202 Mamaroneck Avenue, White Plains, NY 10601
www.peterpauper.com
9781593599768, $9.95, www.amazon.com

The collaborative work of Pauline Witchurch and Evelyn Beilenson, "Aging With Attitude: Better Than Dying With Dignity" is an 88 page compendium comprised of some of the best 'laugh out loud' witticisms showcasing senior citizen responses to life. One of my favorites is 'The upside of senility...getting to embarrass your children.' Presented as full color cartoons with the saying on the left and the cartoon drawing on the right, "Aging With Attitude: Better Than Dying With Dignity" is a very highly recommended entertainment and would prove to be an enduringly popular addition to personal and community library collections!

Warning! This Product Contains Nuttiness
Sam Venable
The University of Tennessee Press
293 Communications Building
Knoxville, TN 37996-0325
www.utpress.org
9781621900061, $24.95, www.amazon.com

Synopsis: "Warning! This Product Contains Nuttiness: A Fun Look at the Bizarre World in Which We Live" is a 312 page compilation comprised of 139 newspaper columns by Sam Venable in which he offers insightful and witty commentary on the foibles of human nature, and an impressive diversity of subjects drawn from the environmental, social, political, cultural, and peculiarities of modern life. Armed with a genuine talent for pointing out that the 'emperor has no clothes', "Warning! This Product Contains Nuttiness" documents Sam Venable as a modern day Will Rogers and is very highly recommended and entertaining reading and will prove to be an enduringly popular addition to community library collections.


The Biography Shelf

Blessed Experiences
James E. Clyburn
University of South Carolina Press
718 Devine Street, Columbia, SC 29208
www.sc.edu/uscpress
9781611173376, $34.95, www.amazon.com

James Enos "Jim" Clyburn (born July 21, 1940) is the U.S. Representative for South Carolina's 6th congressional district, serving since 1993, and the Assistant Democratic Leader since 2011. He was previously House Majority Whip, serving in that post from 2007 to 2011. He is a member of the Democratic Party. The district includes Florence, Sumter and large portions of Columbia and Charleston. "Blessed Experiences: Genuinely Southern, Proudly Black" is the autobiography of a remarkable politician who candidly tells the story of how he rose from humble beginnings in Sumter, South Carolina, during the Jim Crow-era, to become the third highest-ranking Democrat in the House of Representatives, U.S. Congressman. James E. Clyburn has led an extraordinary life as revealed in "Blessed Experiences", where he tells in his own inspirational words how an African American boy with no advantages in a time of strict racial segregation in the American South was able to 'beat the odds' and achieve personal and professional success. Inspired and inspiring, "Blessed Experiences" is informative reading and highly recommended for both community and academic library Black Studies and American Biography collections. It should be noted that "Blessed Experiences" is also available in a Kindle edition ($21.69).


The Travel Shelf

Discover USA
Regis St. Louis, et al.
Lonely Planet Publications
150 Linden Street, Oakland CA 94607
www.lonelyplanet.com
9781742205847, $28.99, www.amazon.com

A cornucopia of 'where to go, what to see, what to do' information for vacationing in America, "Discover USA" is a profusely illustrated, 512 page, compact compendium showcasing the 'must see' highlights of the most interesting places America has to offer. An invaluable guide for setting up itineraries for everything from a day trip to a full blown vacation, "Discover USA" is thoroughly 'user friendly', informed and informative that has drawn upon local experts who know there own area's offerings for sightseeing travelers. From where to eat, what to do, where to go, and how to get there, "Discover USA" is a complete resource under one cover. Of special note for novice travelers is the "How to Use This Book" instructive advisory and a comprehensive Index. "Discover USA" is enthusiastically recommended for personal, family, and community library travel guide reference collections.


The Graphic Novel Shelf

Battle Royale: Angels' Border
Koushun Takami, author
Mioko Ohnishi and Youhei Oguma, illustrators
Viz Media LLC
1355 Market Street, Ste 200
San Francisco CA 94103
9781421571683 $12.99 www.viz.com

Nearly a decade before "The Hunger Games", there was the novel Battle Royale, about a dark, alternate-timeline Japan where the autocratic government spreads fear among its own people by kidnapping junior high students and pitting them against each other in a brutal, publicly televised deathmatch, from which there can be only one survivor - at most. This wildly successful horror story struck a chord deep in readers' hearts worldwide, and has been adapted into movie and graphic novel formats. Battle Royale: Angels' Border is a black-and-white, manga (Japanese graphic novel) side-story to the original Battle Royale saga. The pages are presented right-to-left so that they can be read "unflipped", as the artists originally created them. While the deadly "experiment" rages, Yukie Utsumi and her female friends lock themselves in a lighthouse, hoping against hope for a way to survive together. As time passes, the death toll mounts, and paranoia begins feed upon each of the desperate girls. Memories of everyday life under a strict, oppressive government - the friendships formed in spite of constant "secret police" spying, government detentions, ambiguous "suicides", and the faintest whispers of possible resistance - interweave with the murderous present in this unforgettable "must-read" for anyone captivated (or terrified!) by Battle Royale. Highly recommended. Due to extreme violence and subtle references to lesbianism, Battle Royale: Angels' Border is not appropriate for young children; it's for older teen or adult readers.


The Audiobook Shelf

Kiss and Tell
Fern Michaels, author
Laural Merlington, narrator
Brilliance Corporation
PO Box 887
Grand Haven, MI 49417
9781480566255 $29.99 www.brillianceaudio.com

Kiss and Tell is the unabridged audiobook adaptation of a novel in the "Sisterhood" series. Elements of mystery and intrigue abound as Myra Rutledge and her best friend Annie de Silva discover whispers of shady dealings. Anonymous emails steer them toward a potential scheme in the works at a local assisted living facility. Emanuel Mackline is the financial big dog behind the gigantic complex, but there's a dark side to his wealth - a Ponzi scheme on the verge of collapse! Myra and Annie recognize the situation demands more justice than the law of the land can deliver, but they'll need help oppose a remorseless billionaire! Exciting to the end, Kiss and Tell is sure to prove a popular lending library pick. 8 CDs, 9 hours 28 min.

For All Time
Jude Deveraux, author
Kirsten Potter, narrator
Random House Audio Books
c/o The Random House Publishing Group
1745 Broadway, 5th floor
New York, NY 10019
9780385367592 $40.00 www.randomhouseaudio.com

The unabridged audiobook version of the second novel in the "Nantucket Brides" trilogy, For All Time is a story where love strikes as swiftly as a magic spell. Toby Wyndam has a special gift; she can distinguish Graydon from his identical twin brother. Could she be his true love, according to Graydon's family lore? Yet as heir to the Lanconian throne, Graydon is duty-bound to marry a noblewoman. Graydon resists this arrangement, asking Toby to help him hide on Nantucket for a week; in exchange, he offers to assist her with planning novelist Victoria Madsen's elaborate wedding. Can the mysterious power of Nantucket itself bend the inflexible rules that conspire to keep Toby and Graydon apart? Tender, charming, and delightful, For All Time is highly recommended. 10 CDs, 11 1/2 hours.

Have a Nice Guilt Trip
Lisa Scottoline and Francesca Serritella
Read by the authors
www.scottoline.com
www.francescaserritella.com
Macmillan Audio
175 Fifth Avenue, Suite 315, New York, NY 10010
9781427232939 $29.99 www.macmillanaudio.com

Have a Nice Guilt Trip is the unabridged audiobook rendition of the mother-daughter dual memoir by Lisa Scottoline and Francesca Serritella, touching upon suburban life, family-fostered guilt, puppies, dating, (the listener is left to judge whether the puppies or the dates are easier to train) and much more. Warm and charming, Have a Nice Guilt Trip embodies the lasting love of the bond between mother and daughter... and perhaps stirs a little reminder to call home every once in a while! Highly recommended. 6 CDs, 6.5 hours.

Ghost Ship
Clive Cussler and Graham Brown, authors
Scott Brick, narrator
Penguin Audio
c/o The Penguin Publishing Group
375 Hudson Street
New York, NY 10014
9781611762594 $39.95 http://us.penguingroup.com

Bestselling thriller author Clive Cussler (whose work with the real-life NUMA has discovered more than sixty long-lost ships) and Graham Brown present Ghost Ship, the unabridged audiobook adaptation of a new novel in an action-packed series featuring Kurt Austin and the daring NUMA team. In Ghost Ship, Kurt suffers an injury while trying to rescue the passengers of a sinking yacht. When he comes to, Kurt cannot trust his own, disjointed memories of the experience. Was the yacht abandoned, or did he see a friend drown? Kurt's search for the truth leads him dangerously close to an international human trafficking ring! Exciting from beginning to end, Ghost Ship will not disappoint fans of the genre or fans of Cussler's keen attention to detail. 10 CDs, 12.5 hours.

The Clockwork Century: Boneshaker
Cherie Priest, author
Colleen Delany, director
Graphic Audio
https://graphicaudio.zendesk.com/hc/en-us/requests/new
9781628510584, $19.99, www.graphicaudio.net

A terrific 'steam punk' science fiction story by an extraordinarily talented and original author, "The Clockwork Century: Boneshaker" by Cherie Preist is brought vividly to life within a kind of 'theatre of the mind' listening experience under the professional direction of Colleen Delany and a talented cast of more than a dozen actors. Deftly incorporating a range of digital sound effects and musical underpinnings, "The Clockwork Century: Boneshaker" is set in an alternate history where the American Civil War is still ranging after eight years and the once promising town of Seattle, Washington has been blighted with a poisonous gas breached into the city by an infamous machine tunneling underneath it. The gas kills some and produces a ravenous walking dead with others. A giant wall was hastily built around it to keep the gas and the 'Rotters' inside the city's confines. But there are still humans left in there too. A young man named Zeke finds his way into this forbidden and lethal city in search of the truth about his father and his grandfather. His mother follows with the help of the rogue captain of a Zeppelin. High adventure, plot twists, a peculiar survival communities underground, an infamous scientist, must all be negotiated if long hidden truths are to be revealed. Clearly, Graphic Audio is a premier producer of technically flawless productions. "The Clockwork Century: Boneshaker" is enthusiastically recommended for science fiction enthusiasts and community library audio book collections.

Nekropolis: Meet Matt Richter, Private Eye Zombie
Tim Waggoner, author
Ken Jackson, director
Graphic Audio
https://graphicaudio.zendesk.com/hc/en-us/requests/new
9781628510157, $19.99, www.graphicaudio.net

The slogan used by GraphicAudio is 'a movie in your mind'. This superb production of Tim Waggoner's fantasy novel, "Nekropolis: Meet Matt Richter, Private Eye Zombie" provides the listener with a true 'theatre of the mind' experience from beginning to end. Matthew Richter (a zombie private investigator who is slowly decaying), teams up with Devona (a half-woman, half-vampire hybrid), in order to find a potent artifact before it can be used to destroy the balance of power in Nekropolis -- created in another dimension to serve as a refuge for Earth's vampires, ghouls, witches, wizards, demons, devils, ghosts, and pretty much anything and everything that ever went 'bump in the night'. This technically flawless, 8 hour, 7 CD, theatrical production includes a gifted cast of twenty-five, digital sound effects, and cinematic style music. A truly extraordinary entertainment, "Nekropolis: Meet Matt Richter, Private Eye Zombie" is very highly recommended and would make an enduringly popular addition to personal and community library audio book collections.

Magical Cats Mystery series
Sofie Kelly, author
Cassandra Campbell, narrator
Books on Tape
c/o Random House Audio Books
c/o The Random House Publishing Group
1745 Broadway, 5th floor
New York, NY 10019
$45.00 each www.booksontape.com

Three unabridged audiobook adaptations of Magical Cats Mystery series will enrapture ailurophiles and mystery lovers alike. In "Curiosity Thrilled the Cat" (9780553399349, 9 CDs, 10 1/2 hours), small-town librarian Kathleen Paulson adopts two cats into her home, and is surprised to learn that her new pets have a supernatural affinity, in addition to their love of catnip. Their quasi-magical powers may be just what she needs to save her reputation and protect her town, when the specter of murder arises! In "Copycat Killing" (9780553399400, 8 CDs, 10 hours), a sudden rainstorm almost destroys the local artists' co-op - and one controversial mask-maker drowns in his basement. Paulson works with attractive detective Marcus Gordon, as well as her magically observant cats, to uncover the killer! In "Sleight of Paw" (9780553399370, 9 CDs, 10 1/2 hours), Kathleen makes it her personal mission to find out who murdered an old woman beloved by virtually the entire town. Finding a cold-blooded killer can be dangerous work; it's fortunate that she has help of both the human and feline persuasion! All three are excellent choices for fans of the genre, and sure to be popular public library picks.

The Ultimates: Against All Enemies
Alex Irvine, author
Richard Rohan, director
Graphic Audio
https://graphicaudio.zendesk.com/hc/en-us/requests/new
9781628510270, $19.99, www.graphicaudio.net

The Marvel Universe of superheros and supervillains is brought to life with "The Ultimates: Against All Enemies", a technically flawless production that features a talented cast, original theme music, and digital sound effects. Alex Irvine's story has Captain America, Iron Man Tony Stark, Shield Director Nick Fury, Hank 'Giant Man' Pym, Thor, and other members of the Avengers, pitted against shape shifting aliens bent on the destruction of the human race. "The Ultimates: Against All Enemies" is a 'must' for the legions of dedicated Marvel fans and creates a truly memorable, genuine, and thoroughly entertaining 'theatre of the mind' experience from beginning to end. This 5 CD, 6 hour, science fiction action/adventure isn't just a simple audio book -- it is a fully fleshed out radio play and would prove to be a much appreciated addition to any school or community library audio collection.

Hangman
Stephan Talty, author
David H. Lawrence XVII, narrator
Books on Tape
c/o Random House Audio Books
c/o The Random House Publishing Group
1745 Broadway, 5th floor
New York, NY 10019
9780804191470 $22.50 www.randomhouseaudio.com

Performed by veteran television and film actor David H. Lawrence XVII, Hangman is the unabridged audiobook of a dark thriller about the return of a serial child killer. Homicide cop Abbie Kearney knows the story behind a cruel serial killer who targeted teenage girls, but she never expected to be the one trying to track him down after a prison break. As the body count rises, could breaking the boundaries of the law be the only way to ensure justice? Hangman is gruesome, suspenseful, and chilling to the very end. 9 CDs, 10 1/2 hours.


The Music CD Shelf

Precious Child: Love Songs & Lullabies
Darryl Tookes and Joe Beck
MGP Records
c/o Waldmania! (publicity)
130 Maywood Drive, San Francisco, CA 94127
$12.98 www.mckennagroupproductions.com

Multiple Grammy-nominated guitarist/composer Joe Beck and vocalist/composer/pianist Darryl Tookes present Precious Child: Love Songs & Lullabies, a music CD consisting of both traditional childhood songs and original works, celebrating the universal bond of parent and child. A treasury that will stir the hearts of listeners of all ages, Precious Child is gentle, wistful, and pure in its quiet beauty. Highly recommended, especially for family gift-giving. The tracks are "Twinkle Twinkle Little Star" (4:39), "Daddy's Girl" (3:34), "The Nursery Rhyme Song" (3:29), "Only a Matter of Time" (3:55), "Precious Child" (3:28), "Daddy's Always Here" (2:30), "Rock A Bye Baby" (3:21), "Little One" (3:12), "I Love You Too Much" (5:00), and "Bye Bye Lullaby/Brahms' Lullaby" (2:47). 35 min. 57 sec.

Current Affairs
RUNA
www.runamusic.com
Hearth Music
14879 6th Ave. NE, Shoreline, WA 98155
www.hearthmusic.com
$15.00 CD / $9.99 download cdbaby.com

Award-winning Irish-American band RUNA presents Current Affairs, an album drawn from working-class folk songs, salacious family history, Celtic tradition, and the ties that bind culture across continents. A balance between traditional elements and creative experimentation, Current Affairs is especially recommended for world music collections and fans of modernized Irish and Celtic audio. The tracks are "The Banks Are Made of Marble" (3:09), "The Wife Of Usher's Well" (4:46), "The Hunter Set" (5:55), "Henry Lee" (3:25), "Black River" (3:53), "Aoidh Na Dean Cadal Idir" (5:14), "The False Knight Upon The Road" (4:38), "Ain't No Grave" (4:34), "Who Will Sing Me Lullabies" (3:20), "The Ruthless Wife" (4:59), "Land Of Sunshine Set" (5:46), "Rarie's Hill" (4:18), and "The Last Trip Home" (5:06).

Aphasia
Grey Filastine
Post World Industries
www.postworldindustries.com
c/o Press Junkie PR
9901 Brodie Lane, Suite 160, PMB 221, Austin, TX 78748
$TBA www.pressjunkiepr.com

Aphasia is an album of electronic music by talented artist Grey Filastine. Harmonic vocals blend with the software-enhanced pitch and rhythm, creating an extraordinary experience that strives to reach beyond sensory sound. The songs of Aphasia form the core of Filastine's audiovisual mapping performance, as debuting at France's largest Festival, Les Vieilles Charrues. Aphasia is especially recommended for music lovers yearning to experience something uniquely different! The tracks are "Requiem 432", "Sixty Cycle Drum", "Murka", and "Drone Silences."

Spiraling, Ascending with Prayer
Louie Gonnie
Canyon Records Productions
3131 West Clarendon Avenue
Phoenix, AZ 85017
$14.98 www.canyonrecords.com

Louie Gonnie is a singer of the Dine people (also known as "Navajo"), raised amid the songs and prayers of the Native American Church. Gonnie's talent shines through in his latest album, Spiraling, Ascending with Prayer, an anthology of spiritual and introspective songs. Listeners of all faiths and backgrounds can draw inspiration from the heartfelt love, guidance, encouragement, and reverence in this beautiful, timeless music. Highly recommended. The tracks are "Into the Spectrum" (12:20), "Upon Tranquil Waters" (9:07), "Listlessness of Winter Skies" (9:12), "Ethereal Accolades" (11:51), "Council of the Fallen" (8:42), "Tears in the Sky" (12:14), "May Your Dreams Always Come True" (3:02), and Nagamowin" (3:05).

Kihta Wasoh Wapakwani
Cree Confederation
Canyon Records Productions
3131 West Clarendon Avenue
Phoenix, AZ 85017
$14.98 www.canyonrecords.com

Kihta Wasoh Wapakwani showcases the Cree Confederation's vocals, drumming, and vibrant performance rooted in authentic Native American Pow-Wow tradition. Cree Confederation is especially known for their balance of classic Plains singing with dynamic inflection and word songs that take inspiration from contemporary styles. An energetic, pulse-pounding album, Kihta Wasoh Wapakwani is highly recommended. The tracks are "Beautiful Flower" (4:14), "Mewasin Oma" (3:37), "Good Medicine Horse" (2:59), "Short and Petite" (Side-Step, 1:52), "The Bucks" (3:30), "Twin Cities Love" (2:35), "Battle River Style" (2:41), "Bradley's Sweet Sensation" (4:33), "The Rose Part 2" (Side-Step, 2:07), "Jive Turkey" (3:28), "Makaoo" (3:19), "Owass Stick" (3:28), "Onion Lake First Nation" (3:17), "The Gambler" (4:21) and "Sid the Kid" (2:56).

La Rumba SoYo
Ricardo Lemvo & Makina Loca
Cumbancha
413 Carpenter Road, Charlotte, VT 05445
www.cumbancha.com
c/o Press Junkie PR
9901 Brodie Lane, Suite 160, PMB 221, Austin, TX 78748
www.pressjunkiepr.com
$13.98 CD / $8.99 MP3 www.amazon.com

Los Angeles-based singer Ricardo Lemvo and the band Makina Loca present La Rumba SoYo, a multinational album featuring music recorded in four different nations (U.S., Canada, France and Angola), offering a free-wheeling blend of African (Congolese) and Cuban music. Some of the songs are their take on traditional folk tunes; others are original creative expressions, not necessarily beholden to any one language (one song, "Dikulusu" is in three languages: Portuguese, Kikongo and Kimbundu). The result is a multicultural blast from beginning to end! The tracks are "Santo Antonio Do Zaire" (4:08), "Dikulusu" (4:49), "Rumba SoYo" (4:52), "Kari Kuyeye" (4:55), "E Moyo" (4:50), "Padre George" (4:45), "Bolero Medley VF" (5:52), "El Caburnacho" (4:30), "Simone CM" (4:45), "Tudia Tunua" (4:37), and "Samba Luku Samba (Rumba Remix)" (4:20).

Amor Planeta
Pacifika
Six Degrees Records
PO Box 411347, San Francisco, CA 94141-1347
www.sixdegreesrecords.com
c/o Press Junkie PR
9901 Brodie Lane, Suite 160, PMB 221, Austin, TX 78748
www.pressjunkiepr.com
$14.94 CD / $5.00 MP3 www.amazon.com

The third album by global fusion band Pacifika, Amor Planeta ("Love Planet") celebrates the joys of everyday life - from the bonds of friendship, to heartfelt love, to the sweetness of dreams. The Spanish-language songs brim with unleashed exuberance and wonder, accompanies by lively trumpet and percussion performances. Amor Planet is an energizing listening experiences, sure to enliven even the dreariest day! The tracks are "Corre Ya" (5:17), "Yo Te Amo" (2:43), "Satelites" (4:19), "So Much Here" (3:32), "Panamericana" (3:23), "Sal Y Brisa" (4:37), "Suenos" (4:48), "Las Bellezas" (5:09), "Bring It" (4:40), "Soledad" (4:03).

Long Road
Christopher Vrenios, a.k.a. "Christos DC"
www.christosdc.com
Honest Music
www.honestmusicdc.com
c/o Press Junkie PR
9901 Brodie Lane, Suite 160, PMB 221, Austin, TX 78748
www.pressjunkiepr.com
$22.27 CD / $8.99 MP3 www.amazon.com

Reggae artists Christopher Vrenois ("Christos DC") presents Long Road, an original album about the winding course of life, and how important it is to remember and help others while traveling this long road. A shadow of jazz and downtempo permeates through the soulful lyrics, which embody emotional fortitude and respect. Long Road's uplifting message transcends genres to speak freely to all listeners; highly recommended. The tracks are "Just Talk to Me ft. Kenyatta Hill", "Lovely Lady", "Same Old Sing Along", "Another Day", "Living in the Past", "Circles ft. Hugh Hall", "So Hard To Say", "10,000 Miles From Home", "Vasilikos ft. Anastasios Vrenios", "True Love", "Long Road", "Helpless", "Did You Really Get It?" and "Keep On Pushing".

Disco e Progresso
Da Cruz
Boom Jah Records
c/o Press Junkie PR (publicity)
9901 Brodie Lane, Suite 160, PMB 221
Austin, TX 78748
www.pressjunkiepr.com
$27.40 CD / $12.49 MP3 www.amazon.com

Disco e Progresso is a double-CD album by Da Cruz, the four-piece band featuring celebrated Brazilian singer Mariana Da Cruz. A joyous outpouring, Disco e Progresso fuses elements of disco, funk, dancehall, kuduro, new weave, breakbeat, samba and more into a singularly exuberant escapade. Highly recommended, especially for international music collections! The Bright Side tracks are "Bola da Discoteca" (3:59), "Nascer Livre" (3:27), "Din Din", (3:21), "Cansado de Sao Paulo" (3:57), "Tudo Flui" (3:23), "Rolar a Bola" (4:06), "Boa" (3:05), "Amanha se foi" (3:59), "Passageiros da meia Noite" (3:26), "Doralina" (3:38), and "Campari Soda" (3:42). The Dark Side tracks are "Aonde vai" (3:46), "Criancas da Revolta" (4:40), "Cala a Boca" (3:44), "Menino mau" (4:28), "Atras do Carnaval" (4:17), "A Verdade" (3:51), "Sai" (4:04), "Quase natural" (3:58), "Atras da Lua" (4:30), and "Din Din (Da Cruz Remix)" (4:14).


The DVD Shelf

Tiny: A Story About Living Small
A film by Merete Mueller and Christopher Smith
First Run Features
630 Ninth Avenue, Suite 1213
New York, NY 10036
$24.95 www.firstrunfeatures.com

Tiny: A Story About Living Small is a documentary about six people living in ultra-small homes, some no bigger than a parking space, often built on wheels to bypass building codes or zoning restrictions. These "tiny homes" have the benefits of simplifying one's life, reducing impact on the environment, and saving money. Tiny examines the design innovations that make these homes liveable, and the personal stories of the occupants who choose to eschew material consumerism and "live small." Bonus material includes an interview with the filmmakers, a behind-the-scenes segment, and bonus scenes with shorts. An intriguing, thought-provoking documentary, highly recommended especially for public library collections. 62 min., closed-captioned.

In the Footsteps of St. Paul
David Suchet
Athena
c/o Acorn Media
c/o RLJ Entertainment
9781621722168 $29.99 www.acornonline.com

David Suchet (well-known for his starring role in productions of Agatha Christie's Poirot) hosts In the Footsteps of St. Paul, a documentary quest to better understand one of early Christianity's most notable figures - St. Paul the apostle. St. Paul was controversial in his own time; today he is remembered as a former persecutor of Christians who converted to the faith through a divine miracle, and was crucial in transforming it from a small Jewish sect into a world-wide faith. St. Paul is believed to have traveled 10,000 miles by foot across the Roman Empire, let alone sea travel; Suchet seeks to retrace St. Paul's journey, and learn more about the man behind the missionary by talking to archaeologists, scholars, clerics, and local citizens. As enlightening as it is fascinating, In the Footsteps of St. Paul is highly recommended. 2 episodes, 108 min., widescreen, SDH subtitles.

Drones in My Backyard
a film by Alan Snitow
Snitow-Kaufman Productions
c/o Bullfrog Films, Inc.
PO Box 149, Oley, PA 19547
194154505X $150.00 www.bullfrogfilms.com

Licensed for public performance, Drones in My Backyard is a brief, wry DVD inspired by the day a drone appeared in filmmaker Alan Snitow's backyard, hovering over his head. Not so much a documentary as is a free-form meditation and reflection on the role of drones in war, surveillance, and perhaps everyday life (if that day in Snitow's backyard becomes a more widespread occurrence). An unforgettable short film that beautifully captures an increasingly surreal aspect of the twenty-first century, Drones in My Backyard is highly recommended. 13 min., SDH captions.

The Yoga of Awakening: Body-Mind Flow
Seane Corn
Sounds True
PO Box 8010
Boulder, CO 80306
9781622031252 $24.95 SoundsTrue.com

Volume one of a three-volume training series, The Yoga of Awakening: Body-Mind Flow is a two-DVD set that instructs the viewer in foundational Vinyasa flow yoga practices, and shows how to use yoga for stability, relaxation, balance, and greater connection between the mind and the body. Both DVDs can be used either at the beginner level or for a full-strength advanced workout. An excellent way to learn the discipline of yoga to enhance both physical and spiritual well-being, The Yoga of Awakening: Body-Mind Flow is highly recommended. 2 DVDs, 3 hours 13 min.


The Automotive Shelf

Hot Rod Gallery
Pat Ganahl
CarTech Inc.
39966 Grand Avenue, North Branch, MN 55056
www.cartechbooks.com
9781613251157, $39.95, www.amazon.com

Hot rods are typically old, classic American cars with large engines modified for linear speed. Roadsters were the cars of choice because they were light, were easy to modify, and could be bought for a low price. The term became commonplace in the 1930s or 1940s as the name of a car that had been "hopped up" by modifying the engine in various ways to achieve higher performance. "Hot Rod Gallery: A Nostalgic Look at Hot Rodding's Golden Years: 1930-1960" by automotive expert Pat Ganahl is a 192 page compendium showcasing the history of the hot road. Enhanced with 357 photos and an informed commentary, this thirty year history of a particular genre of automotive excitement is very highly recommended for car enthusiasts and community library collections.


The Metaphysical Studies Shelf

Whispers Of Love
Angela Hartfield, author
Josephine Wall, artist
Blue Angel Publishing
c/o U.S. Games Systems, Inc.
179 Ludlow Street, Stamford, CT 06902
www.usgamesinc.com
9781572817661, $21.95, www.amazon.com

In classical antiquity, an oracle was a person or agency considered to interface wise counsel or prophetic predictions or precognition of the future, inspired by the gods. As such it is a form of divination. The word oracle comes from the Latin verb orare "to speak" and properly refers to the priest or priestess uttering the prediction. Oracles were thought to be portals through which the gods spoke directly to people. In this sense they were different from seers who interpreted signs sent by the gods through bird signs, animal entrails, and other various methods. Now available for a new generation of metaphysical studies students and practitioners of oracular divination is the beautifully illustrated, highly recommended, 50 card deck called "Whispers Of Love". Enhanced for the novice with an informative guidebook, these cards are suitable for doing readings on specific questions, relationship issues, and everyday guidance.


The Business Shelf

Lean Customer Development
Cindy Alverez
O'Reilly & Associates, Inc.
1005 Gravenstein, Hwy N., Sebastopol, CA 95472-2811
www.oreilly.com
9781449356354, $24.99, www.amazon.com

It's long been accepted that to succeed as an entrepreneur it is necessary to 'find a need and then fill it'. But how to you identify a product or service and the customer base for that product or service? "Lean Customer Development: Building Products Your Customers Will Buy" by product manager Cindy Alverz (Director of user Experience and Product Design for the Microsoft company Yammer) is a thoroughly 'user friendly', 240 page compendium that is basically a complete course of 'how to' instruction under a single cover. Readers will learn how to validate or invalidate a hypothesis by talking to the right people; learn how to conduct successful customer interviews play-by-play; become able to detect a customer's behaviors, pain points, and constraints; turn interview insights into Minimum Viable Products to validate what customers will use and buy; and adapt customer development strategies for large companies, conservative industries, and existing products. Exceptionally well written, informed and informative, ""Lean Customer Development: Building Products Your Customers Will Buy" is strongly recommended for personal, professional, corporate, community, and academic library instructional Business Studies reference collections and supplemental reading lists. It should be noted that ""Lean Customer Development: Building Products Your Customers Will Buy" is also available in a Kindle edition ($11.49).

Shopper Marketing
Daniel J. Flint, et al.
FT Press
c/o Pearson Technology Group
801 East 96th Street, #300, Indianapolis, IN 46240-3759
www.pearsoned.com
9780133481426, $149.00, www.amazon.com

Shopper marketing is a business term that means properly understanding how consumers behave as shoppers, in different channels and formats, and applying this information to the benefit of all stakeholders -- brands, consumers, retailers and customers. Shopper marketing is not limited to in-store marketing activities. Shopper marketing must be part of an overall integrated marketing approach that considers the opportunities to drive consumption and identifies the shopper that would need to purchase a brand to enable that consumption. These shoppers need to be understood in terms of how well they interpret the needs of the consumer, what their own needs as a shopper are, where they are likely to shop, in which stores they can be influenced in, and what in-store activity influences them. Shopper marketing requires supply chain partners to smoothly integrate complex sets of marketing and sales tools, in order to engage shoppers, build brand equity, and persuade shoppers when they move into "shopping mode." Internally, it also demands deeper coordination of Research & Development, marketing innovation, operations, logistics, and distribution. It isn't easy, but it offers remarkable, proven results that are virtually unobtainable any other way. The collaborative work of Daniel J. Flint (Professor of Business, Department of Marketing and Supply Chain Management, University of Tennessee, Knoxville), Chris Hoyt (President of Hoyt & Company), and Nancy Swift (shopper marketing strategist and consultant), "Shopper Marketing: Profiting from the Place Where Suppliers, Brand Manufacturers, and Retailers Connect" is a 320 page manual that is a complete and extraordinarily well presented instruction course. Of special note is the chapter on 'What Do Academics Actually Do and How Do They Think?'. Each individual chapter is enhanced with an Endnotes section. Very highly recommended for professional, business, corporate, and academic Business Studies reference collections, it should be noted that "Shopper Marketing: Profiting from the Place Where Suppliers, Brand Manufacturers, and Retailers Connect" is also available in a Kindle edition ($85.49).


The American History Shelf

Farms, Factories, and Families
Anthony V. Riccio
Excelsior Editions
c/o State University of New York Press
State University Plaza
Albany, NY 12246-0001
9781438452319 $29.95 www.sunypress.edu

Farms, Factories, and Families: Italian American Women of Connecticut explores the cultural history and ongoing contributions of Italian-American working women in the state of Connecticut. Some farmed; some started their own businesses; some worked alongside men in factories and sweatshops, and many contributed to organizing labor unions. From Connecticut's pioneer days to the turn of the twentieth century, to when World War II required more women then ever to serve on the production lines while the men went off to war, Farms, Factories, and Families balances societal trends with individual voices and personal testimonies, such as "In those days, there were no restrictions on the men with the women. Some had ten, twelve kids, and they made sure they kept their wives pregnant. That was their lifestyle, not that they necessarily wanted big families. Wives carried children for twelve, fourteen years. And that was common... That's how the man lived, not like today where we plan children." A handful of vintage black-and-white photographs complement this welcome contribution to Connecticut history shelves.

...So Help Me God
Michael B. Costanzo
History Publishing Company, LLC
PO Box 700, 15 Heyhoe Woods Road
Palisades, New York 10964-0700
9781933909950 $18.95 www.historypublishingco.com

...So Help Me God: A History of American Inaugural Bibles is a unique history that scrutinizes the inaugurations of all of America's Presidents, and the Bibles used therein, from founding father George Washington to Barack Obama. "In 1967, Reagan was inaugurated Governor of California. He took his oath of office as soon as possible to get his predecessor, Edmund Brown, out of office. No other Governor of California had exercised this option before, and many believe it was because of the Reagan's belief in astrology, particularly Mrs. Reagan's." A thoroughly researched account, accessible to readers of all backgrounds, ...So Help Me God is an extraordinary publication, shedding light on a little-studied aspect of key moments of American history.


The Political Science Shelf

Twilight of Abundance
David Archibald
Regnery Publishing, Inc.
One Massachusetts Avenue, NW
Washington, DC 20001
9781621571582 $27.99 www.regnery.com

Twilight of Abundance: Why Life in the 21st Century Will Be Nasty, Brutish, and Short is a red alert about challenges that could result in widespread famine and death in the next several decades. Chapters discuss why the concept of "peak oil" is quite real, and fracking has only delayed the problem of energy scarcity; why world population growth will potentially overwhelm food supplies; the dangers of incoming climate change and weather-related disaster (emphasizing that despite current arguments over "global warming", the Earth is actually due for another ice age in the near future), and why the populous, authoritarian state of China may be driven to start a war with the United States. The reader may disagree with some of the proposed countermeasures to protect America against lean times ahead, such as fostering the undeveloped nuclear technology of thorium molten-salt reactors, or going to war with Iran in order to put China on the defensive (given how America's wars tend to consume its limited resources, from tax dollars to human lives, this latter tactic is especially questionable from a strategic perspective, let alone an ethical/moral perspective), but the underlying warning - that today's era of peace and prosperity is ending simply due to the inescapable laws of supply of demand - needs to be heeded immediately.


The Fishing Shelf

Float-Fishing for Salmon & Steelhead
Terry J. Wiest
Frank Amato Publications
PO Box 82112
Portland, OR 97282
9781571885159 $15.95 www.amatobooks.com

Terry J. Wiest, a fisher of salmon and steelhead with over 38 years of experience and author of countless published fishing articles, distills his expertise in Float-Fishing for Salmon & Steelhead, a practical-minded guide for float-fishers of all skill and experience levels. Striking, full-color photography illustrates Wiest's many tips, tricks, and techniques, from recommended knots with clear diagrams, to advice for optimal bait and location selection, to advanced strategies for reeling in the big catch! An easy-to-use index rounds out this sport fishermen's treasury.


The Woodworking Shelf

Civil War Woodworking, Volume II
A.J. Hamler
Linden Publishing
2006 South Mary
Fresno, CA 93721-9875
9781610351966 $24.95 www.woodworkerslibrary.com

Civil War Woodworking, Volume II is a hands-on resource designed especially to help woodworkers create authentic replicas of Civil War-era furniture and wooden camp gear. Such items will be especially useful to Civil War reenactors, but anyone interested in practical items that embody a little bit of America's history will enjoy the featured projects, from shipping crates to folding camp stools and tables to noisy "battle rattles" and more. Exhaustive, step-by-step instructions and full-color photography on almost every page (except for the black-and-white Civil War era-images of objects that inspire these projects) distinguish this woodworker's treasury. Also highly recommended is Hamler's previous hobbyist guide, "Civil War Woodworking: 17 Authentic Projects for Woodworkers and Reenactors" (9781933502281, $24.95).


The Memoir Shelf

Grief Sucks... But Love Bears All Things
Gayle Taylor Davis
Quill Driver Books
2006 South Mary, Fresno, CA 93721
9781610351959 $12.95 www.quilldriverbooks.com

Grief Sucks... But Love Bears All Things is a memoir recounting author Gayle Taylor Davis' struggle with tremendous grief, after her beloved husband of 32 years, and the father of her two children, died of a heart attack. Davis reveals the darkest moments of her grief, from days of crying to grim thoughts of suicide. Yet Grief Sucks... is ultimately an affirmation that recovery is possible from the most terrible of pain, how a seemingly mortal wound can slowly heal. Passages of her poetry intersperse her story of loss and the long, hard journey to acceptance, in this unforgettable and personal true-life story.


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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
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