 |
Book
Reviews,
Book Lover Resources, Advice for Writers and Publishers |
| Home / Wisconsin Bookwatch |
Wisconsin Bookwatch
Table of Contents
Reviewer's Choice
The Spinach King: The Rise and Fall of an American Dynasty
John Seabrook
W. W. Norton & Company
www.wwnorton.com
9781324003526, $31.99, HC, 384pp
Amazon
https://www.amazon.com/Spinach-King-Rise-American-Dynasty/dp/132413075X
Barnes & Noble
https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-spinach-king-john-seabrook/1146267772
Synopsis: "Having left this material for his writer son, my father must have wanted the story told, even if he couldn't bear to tell it himself."
So begins the story of a forgotten American dynasty, a farming family from the bean fields of southern New Jersey who became as wealthy and powerful as aristocrats -- only to implode in a storm of lies.
The patriarch, C. F. Seabrook, was hailed as the "Henry Ford of Agriculture". His son Jack, a keen businessman, was poised to take over what Life called "the biggest vegetable factory on earth." But the carefully cultivated facade (glamorous outings by horse-drawn carriage, hidden wine cellars, and movie star girlfriends) hid dark secrets that led to the implosion of the family business.
At the heart of the narrative is a multi-generational succession battle. It's a tale of family secrets and Swiss bank accounts, of half-truths, of hatred and passion -- along with lots and lots of liquor. The Seabrooks' colorful legal and moral failings took place amid the trappings of extraordinary privilege. But the story of where that money came from is not so pretty
They say behind every great fortune there is a great crime. At Seabrook Farms, the troubling American histories of race, immigration, and exploitation arise like weeds from the soil. Great Migration Black laborers struck against the company for better wages in the 1930s, and Japanese Americans helped found a "global village" on the farm after World War II.
Revealing both C. F. and Jack Seabrook's corruption, The Spinach King undermines the "great man" theory of industrial progress. It also shows how American farms evolved from Jeffersonian smallholdings to gigantic agribusinesses, and what such enormous firms do to the families whose fate is bound up in the land.
A true story of class and privilege, betrayal and revenge (some three decades in the making), "The Spinach King" explores the author's own complicated family legacy and the dark corners of the American Dream.
Critique: Enhanced with the inclusion of 30 B/W illustrations, a one page Seabrook Family Tree, and Introduction (Bootstrap Village), a Coda (A New Father), and eighteen pages of Notes, "The Spinach King: The Rise and Fall of an American Dynasty" is multi-generational family sage that will prove to be a simply fascinating read from start to finish for anyone with an interest in the massing of wealth and power by dysfunctional families through engaging in white collar crimes. An extraordinary family history, "The Spinach King" is an unreservedly recommended pick for community and college/university library collections. It should be noted for personal reading lists that this paperback edition of "The Spinach King" from W. W. Norton is also readily available in paperback (9781324130758, $19.99) and in a digital book format (Kindle, $9.97).
Editorial Note: John Seabrook (https://www.johnseabrook.com) has been a staff writer at The New Yorker for more than three decades. The Spinach King is his fifth book.
The Education Shelf
Skipping School
Dixie Dillon Lane
Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Company
www.eerdmans.com
9780802885517, $28.99, HC, 216pp
Amazon
https://www.amazon.com/Skipping-School-American-Homeschooling-Mainstream/dp/0802885519
Barnes & Noble
https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/skipping-school-dixie-dillon-lane/1149321768
Synopsis: With the publication of "Skipping School: A History of American Homeschooling and How It Went Mainstream", interested readers will discover the untold story of why homeschooling moved from the margins to the mainstream of American education in a truly groundbreaking study by historian Dixie Dillon Lane who traces the rise of the homeschooling in the United States, from the modern movement's beginnings in the 1950s as a fringe activity to its current status as a widely accepted educational choice.
Drawing upon compelling nationwide data and vivid case studies from Los Angeles County, Lane uncovers a powerful truth: homeschooling taps into long-held American beliefs in local control and parental rights that have shaped our nation's schools for generations.
Writing in an engaging, accessible style, Lane demonstrates how homeschooling's rise reflects Americans' response to the increasing centralization of public education. As public schools have shifted toward consolidation and away from local oversight, parents have rediscovered their voice, choosing homeschooling as an innovative way to renew parental influence in education.
Unlike most authors writing on this topic, Lane writes as both a credentialed historian and an experienced homeschooling parent. As such, she offers an honest, balanced view that acknowledges the homeschooling movement's challenges as well as its strengths. "Skipping School" will be of interest to parents, historians, educators, policymakers, and anyone seeking a fuller understanding of American education.
Critique: An original, seminal, and groundbreaking study, "Skipping School: A History of American Homeschooling and How It Went Mainstream" by Dixie Dillon Lane is extraordinarily well written, organized and presented making it an ideal and unreservedly recommended pick for personal, professional, community, and college/university library American Education/Homeschooling History collections and supplemental curriculum studies lists. It should be noted that this paperback edition of "Skipping School" from the Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Company is also readily available in a digital book format (Kindle, $28.99).
Editorial Note: Dixie Dillon Lane is an American historian and homeschooling parent who lives in rural Virginia. She holds a PhD in history from the University of Notre Dame and serves as associate editor of Hearth & Field. (https://hearthandfield.com/author/dixie-dillon-lane)
Tabletop Role-Playing Games in the Classroom
Adam Watson
McFarland & Company
https://mcfarlandbooks.com
9781476697550, $35.95 PB, $25.99 Kindle, 215pp
Amazon
https://www.amazon.com/Tabletop-Role-Playing-Games-Classroom-Instruction/dp/1476697558
McFarland & Company
https://mcfarlandbooks.com/product/tabletop-role-playing-games-in-the-classroom
Synopsis: With the publication of "Tabletop Role-Playing Games in the Classroom: Infusing Gameplay into K-12 Instruction", author and educator Adam Watson presents new frameworks specifically designed by him to ease integration and facilitation of tabletop role-playing games in an educational setting.
The "whats" and "whys" of these games, this K-12 educator accounts of implementation, case studies, advice on partnering with game shops and librarians, and practical classroom strategies are covered. Also feature are: Starting Equipment, Bulletin Board Bard, and Ritual of Reflection that describe concrete takeaways and models for emulation, assisting facilitators in synthesizing new information and creating subsequent action steps.
"Tabletop Role-Playing Games in the Classroom: Infusing Gameplay into K-12 Instruction" is a critical tool for educators wishing to integrate their pedagogy with tabletop role-playing games.
Critique: Original, unique, and an informative, thought-provoking, and fascinating read from start to finish, "Tabletop Role-Playing Games in the Classroom: Infusing Gameplay into K-12 Instruction" by Adam Watson is part of the McFarland & Company 'Studies in Gaming' series and an unreservedly recommended pick for personal, professional, community, and college/university library Table Top Gaming collections and supplemental Classroom Educational Instruction curriculum studies list. It should be noted that this paperback edition of "Tabletop Role-Playing Games in the Classroom: Infusing Gameplay into K-12 Instruction" is also readily available in a digital book format (Kindle, $25.99).
Editorial Note: Adam Watson began his Kentucky educational career in 2005, as a high school English teacher, became a district Digital Learning Coordinator, and currently is the Digital Learning Consultant for the Ohio Valley Educational Cooperative, a regional state agency which serves more than 150,000 students. He is a frequent facilitator of professional development sessions at regional and national conferences, including Gen Con and GAMA Expo. He has written for various prominent educational organizations, such as Next Generational Learning Challenges and the Aurora Institute.
The Cookbook Shelf
Hungry: Healthy and Satisfying Recipes to Eat on Repeat, Designed by a Nutritionist
Caroline Hanna
Hamlyn
c/o Octopus Books
https://www.octopusbooks.co.uk
9780600639831, $32.99, HC, 224pp
Amazon
https://www.amazon.com/Hungry-Healthy-Satisfying-Designed-Nutritionist/dp/0600639835
Barnes & Noble
https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/hungry-caroline-hanna/1148674539
Synopsis: No more coffee for breakfast and restrictions on snacking -- when you are hungry, you should eat.
With the publication of "Hungry: Healthy and Satisfying Recipes to Eat on Repeat, Designed by a Nutritionist", nutritional therapist and Cordon Bleu-trained chef Caroline Hanna showcases more than 90 recipes -- each of which are guaranteed nutritious, well-balanced and tasty to satisfy both your hunger and your health.
"Hungry" incorporates highly nutritious ingredients in each and every dish without you noticing. Nutritional additions to classic favorites including:
'7 Plant Points' Chilli Con Carne
High Protein Creamy Red Pepper Pasta
Bangers and Cheese-and-Chive Mash with a Kale and Onion Gravy
A Nutritionist's Hangover Sandwich -- so much more!
An impressive compendium of recipes that celebrate and satiate appetite, "Hungry" is all about food that feels good and tastes good.
Critique: Profusely illustrated throughout with full page, full color photographs of finished dishes, "Hungry: Healthy and Satisfying Recipes to Eat on Repeat, Designed by a Nutritionist" is an ideal resource for planning palate pleasing, appetite satisfying, and healthy menus for any and all dining occasions both formal and informal. While certain to be an immediate and enduringly popular addition to personal, professional, and community library cookbook collections, it should be noted that this hardcover edition of "Hungry" from Hamlyn is also readily available in a digital book format (Kindle, $16.99).
Editorial Note: Carolina Hanna (Instagram.com/healthbycaroline) is a registered nutritional therapist and Le Cordon Bleu-trained recipe developer and content creator based in London. Formally trained at the College of Naturopathic Medicine, Caroline has collaborated with brands including Nairn's, Mindful Chef, Dash Water, ProVen and BOL Foods. Her science-backed yet realistic approach to nutrition is a refreshing tonic to a glossy world of perfectly curated food and cooks, making both Caroline, her recipes, and her mission (to create well-balanced recipes that are delicious and satisfying) relatable to the family cook.
Taste of Home: America the Tasty
Taste of Home
https://www.tasteofhome.com
c/o Trusted Media Brands
https://www.trustedmediabrands.com
9798889771784, $10.99, PB, 128pp
Amazon
https://www.amazon.com/Taste-Home-America-Tasty-Culinary/dp/B0FWZXP812
Barnes & Noble
https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/taste-of-home-america-the-tasty-taste-of-home/1148560536
Synopsis: With the publication of "Taste of Home: America the Tasty", kitchen cooks and their appreciative families can discover the flavors that made man an American city famous, from Nashville Hot Chicken and Chicago Deep-Dish Pizza to New England Clam Chowder and Texas Pecan Pie. Whether craving hearty main courses, comforting soups, irresistible sides, or decadent desserts, this is a very special American cookbook that has it all.
"Taste of Home: America the Tasty" is informatively enhanced with the inclusion of:
100+ Iconic Recipes: Celebrate the tastiest dishes from every corner of the USA.
Full-Color Photos: Every recipe is paired with a vibrant photo to inspire your cooking.
Fun Food Facts: Trivia and tidbits about states, ingredients, and culinary history.
Expert Tips: Test-kitchen reviews, substitution ideas, and tricks to ensure perfect results.
Regional Chapters: Explore flavors from New England, the Heartland, the Gulf Coast, and beyond.
Whether you are whipping up Philly Cheesesteaks for game day or baking New York-Style Cheesecake for a weekend treat, "America the Tasty" makes it easy to bring the nation's most-loved flavors into your kitchen. Let your taste buds explore the USA, one unforgettable recipe at a time!
Critique: Profusely illustrated throughout "Taste of Home: America the Tasty" is an ideal culinary resource for planning palate pleasing, appetite satisfying, health inducing menus for all dining occasions both formal and informal. An inspiring and mouth-watering delight to simply browse through one page and recipes at a time, "Taste of Home: America the Tasty" is an especially and unreservedly recommended pick for personal, professional, family, and community library cookbook collections showcasing popular and delicious American cuisine. It should be noted that this paperback edition of "Taste of Home: America the Tasty" is also readily available in a digital book format (Kindle, $7.99).
Editorial Note: Taste of Home is America's #1 food/lifestyle brand, inspiring togetherness through cooking, baking and entertaining. Featuring recipes shared by today's home cooks, Taste of Home magazine has hundreds of thousands of subscribers throughout North America and publishes best-selling cookbooks and newsstand specials. The brand's web site is a top destination, featuring kitchen-tested recipes, how-to techniques, cooking videos and more. Taste of Home has more than 7 million fans on Facebook, 2.1 million followers on Instagram, 2.7 million Pinterest followers and receives more than 28 million unique monthly visitors. Visit Taste of Home on Facebook, Instagram and Pinterest to learn more.
Cooking With Judith
Judith Briles
https://thebookshepherd.com
Mile High Press, Limited
https://rebfink50.wixsite.com/mile-high-press/about
9781885331991, $20.00, PB, 104pp
Amazon
https://www.amazon.com/Cooking-Judith-Comfort-Create-Eating/dp/1885331991
Barnes & Noble
https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/cooking-with-judiithcomfort-foods-create-wow-eating-judith-briles/1146946338
Synopsis: With the publication of "Cooking with Judith: Comfort Foods Create WOW Eating", Judith Briles shares over 50 of her recipes that she casually put together, sometimes with the opening of the refrigerator asking What can I do tonight? Sometimes to the pantry with thoughts ranginf from What can I make for tonight to What's in here?
All with a handful here and a few tablespoons there. Usually, the goal was a tasty, easy peasy concoction of some sort that was not complicated and didn't take a lot of work.
For Judith, cooking has always been a way for her to "re-root" when she returns home from a speaking gig on one of her books. A few hours in the kitchen erased the hassles of travel.
With this slender culinary compendium, what you have available are many of her friends' favorites -- some everyday comfort like Chili Relleno Chowder or Italian Tortellini Soup. Salads are welcome anytime. Favorites include Avocado Corn Salad, Apple or Pear Pecan Salad with Honey Mustard Dressing and Summer Beet Salad. For dessert, a slice of Kahlua Cake with amazing creme is a gift to your taste buds.
Critique: Exceptionally well organized and presented, every palate pleasing, appetite satisfying, nutritionally healthy, and kitchen cook friendly recipe has a color photo of the finished dish. An ideal resource and inspiration for menu planning and a culinary treat just to page through, "Cooking with Judith: Comfort Foods Create WOW Eating" by Judith Briles is an extraordinary and unreservedly recommended addition to personal, professional, and community library cookbook collections. It should be noted that this paperback edition of "Cooking with Judith" from Mile High Press is also available in a digital book format (Kindle, $9.99).
Editorial Note: Judith Briles (https://thebookshepherd.com) is the author of 48 books and known as The Book Shepherd, working with authors globally to create and publish books they will never regret.
Rome: Classic Recipes from the Eternal City
Lucia Tersigni & Audrey Cosson
Mitchell Beazley
c/o Octopus Books
https://www.octopusbooks.co.uk
9781846017308, $32.99, HC, 192pp
Amazon
https://www.amazon.com/Rome-Classic-Recipes-Eternal-recipes/dp/1846017300
Barnes & Noble
https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/rome-lucia-tersigni/1149207328
Synopsis: Italian dishes are consistently ranked one of the most popular cuisines in the world. "Rome: Classic Recipes from the Eternal City" is cookbook comprised of many of the classics Italy is known for ranging from bruschetta al pomodoro to spaghettoni a la carbonara and penne all'arrabiata.
Complete with stunning photography of Rome and its environs, this is the eternal city as you have never tasted it before. With the inclusion of every essential, authentic recipe made easier than ever before, and restaurant recommendations off the traditional tourist path, Rome transports readers to all the delicious sights, smells and flavors of Italy's oldest city.
"Rome: Classic Recipes from the Eternal City" showcases more than 200 authentic recipes including recipes for antipasti, pane (bread), pastas, carne (meat), pesce (fish), verdue (vegetables), and dolci (desserts).
Critique: Beautifully illustrated throughout with full page, full color photography and with each recipe thoroughly 'kitchen cook friendly' in organization and presentation, "Rome: Classic Recipes from the Eternal City" is a culinary pleasure to browse through, inspiring to create menus with, and unreservedly recommended for personal, family, professional, and community library Italian themed cookbook collections. It should be noted that this large format (8.5 x 0.73 x 10.25 inches, 2.25 pounds) hardcover edition of "Rome: Classic Recipes from the Eternal City" from Mitchell Beazley is also available in a digital book format (Kindle, $18.99).
Editorial Note #1: Originally from Ciociara (just south-west of Rome), but Roman by adoption, Lucia Tersigni has lived in Rome for forty years. After studying literature at the university of Sapienza, she decided to transform her passion for food into an exciting career. Desserts are her first love, vegetables her second, but little by little she has let herself be transported by the unique force of all flavors. There isn't a dish she won't try - for her it is always essential to taste and smell.
Editorial Note #2: Audrey Cosson (https://www.audreycosson.com) is fond of delicious food, in love with beautiful tableware and fabrics, and passionate with photography. Thus, she naturally became a Food & Prop Stylist & Food Writer. Based in Paris -- but always happy to travel, She has worked with various magazines, publishers and brands and is the author of several cookbooks and food & travel articles for press.
The Money/Finance Shelf
Pick Money: Five Years to Financial Freedom
Shawn Meaike
Matt Holt Books
c/o BenBella Books
www.benbellabooks.com
9781637749203, $27.00, HC, 208pp
Amazon
https://www.amazon.com/Pick-Money-Years-Financial-Freedom/dp/1637749201
Barnes & Noble
https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/pick-money-shawn-meaike/1148560229
Synopsis: Shawn Meaike, founder and CEO of a billion-dollar business, will be the first to tell you he's not some flashy guru, born with a silver spoon. He grew up poor, went to college just to play football, and spent his early twenties partying.
The journey to turn his life around taught him that building lasting wealth requires a wholesale change in perspective: you have to pick money.
Guiding you through a focused five-year journey, with the publication of "Pick Money: Five Years to Financial Freedom", Meaike gives you the tools and tips you need to create wealth and provides the foundation you need to use those tools for the right results.
Here are the five simple steps, when rigorously applied, will enrich your life and your bank account:
Know Your "Whys"
Know Your Budget
Set Your Money Goals
Do the Math
Hone Your Skills
Putting an end to excuses and second-guessing, "Pick Money" is effectively designed to instill clarity, discipline, and accountability to help you get what you want: financial independence for the rest of your life.
Critique: Successful entrepreneur Shawn Meaike wrote "Pick Money: Five Years to Financial Freedom" to equip the reader with the mindset and tools you will need to become financially successful and have what you need for the life you want to live. Exceptionally well written, thoroughly 'real world' practical, accessible organized and 'reader/user' friendly in presentation, "Pick Money" is a fundamental life changing instructional guide and unreservedly recommended for personal, professional, community, and college/university library Money/Finance collections and supplemental Economics curriculum studies lists. It should be noted for students, academia, and non-specialist general readers with an interest in the subject that this hardcover edition of "Pick Money" from Matt Holt Books is also available in a digital book format (Kindle, $14.99).
Editorial Note: Shawn Meaikeis (https://shawnmeaike.com) is the founder and president of Family First Life, a multimillion dollar independent marketing organization launched in late 2013. Prior to launching Family First Life, Shawn worked as an independent insurance agent, selling final expense and mortgage protection life insurance at a high level. Shawn earned a bachelor's degree in applied social relationships and a master's degree in criminal justice psychology, which led to a 13-year career in the State Department of Children and Families.
The Biography/Memoir Shelf
Ulysses's Odyssey
Louis L. Picone
Savas Beatie LLC
www.savasbeatie.com
9781611217650, $33.95, HC, 368pp
Amazon
https://www.amazon.com/Ulyssess-Odyssey-Ulysses-Grants-American/dp/1611217652
Barnes & Noble
https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/ulyssess-odyssey-louis-l-picone/1148428251
Synopsis: In May 1877, Ulysses S. Grant, newly departed from two terms in the White House, embarked on an extraordinary three-year journey that defined a pivotal moment in the Gilded Age. Driven by a lifelong passion for travel and unburdened by a fixed itinerary, Grant set out to explore the world, his wanderlust sustained by modest means.
With the publication of "Ulysses's Odyssey: Ulysses S. Grant's World Tour at the Dawn of American Empire", biographer Louis L. Picone masterfully chronicles this unprecedented adventure, illuminating its historical significance and Grant's enduring legacy.
Grant's odyssey spanned continents, from Europe's capitals to uncharted terrain for an American president, including Egypt, the Holy Land, the Ottoman Empire, Russia, India, Siam, Saigon, China, and Japan where he was welcomed by throngs and honored by monarchs, kings, queens, emperors, and heads of state. Grant immersed himself in local cultures: He scaled Mount Vesuvius, sailed the Nile, rode elephants in India, and strolled the streets of Sicily, where he was cautioned about the mafia. Throughout, his curiosity and humility shone, revealing the man behind the myth.
In September 1879, thousands greeted Grant's return at San Francisco heralding him as a national hero. His journey continued across the United States via the Transcontinental Railroad, culminating in Philadelphia's grandest reception, where his global voyage was celebrated with unparalleled fervor.
But his travels were not yet over. Weeks later he ventured south to Cuba, Mexico, and the Southern states, where former Confederates and the formerly enslaved alike cheered his presence. Returning to Illinois just before the 1880 Republican convention, Grant entered the presidential race for a third time, his global perspective newly sharpened. Contemporaries marveled, declaring, "Nothing like this has ever been seen before in history!"
"Ulysses's Odyssey" is a triumph of research, drawing upon Grant's extensive papers, accounts of fellow travelers, letters, diaries, historic newspapers, and myriad other sources. Picone reveals Grant's personality, core decency, and sense of humor, and explores the trip's significance at the time before it faded from public memory. With sweeping prose, Ulysses's Odyssey captivates history buffs and adventure enthusiasts alike, offering fresh insights into Grant's legacy and the dawn of American empire.
"Ulysses's Odyssey" is essential reading for anyone interested in the biographies of American presidents, the Gilded Age, or 19th Century foreign policy and restores a pivotal chapter of the life and times of Ulysses S. Grant to its rightful place in history.
Critique: Meticulously researched, exceptionally well written, thoroughly 'reader friendly' in organization and presentation, "Ulysses's Odyssey: Ulysses S. Grant's World Tour at the Dawn of American Empire" is a seminal and groundbreaking study of Grant's transformative three-year world tour, showcasing his travels, what and who he encountered, and is a significant part of enduring legacy. Informatively enhanced for the reader's benefit with the inclusion of a two page Introduction, B/W historical illustrations, a six page Bibliography, and a fifteen page Index, "Ulysses's Odyssey: Ulysses S. Grant's World Tour at the Dawn of American Empire" is unreservedly recommended for personal, community, and college/university library 19th Century American Biography/Memoir collections. It should be noted for students, academia, and non-specialist general readers with an interest in the life and accomplishments of Ulysses S. Grant that this hardcover edition from Savas Beatie is also readily available in a digital book format (Kindle, $20.99).
Editorial Note: Louis L. Picone (https://www.louispicone.com) is the award-winning author of "Grant's Tomb: The Epic Death of Ulysses S. Grant and the Making of an American Pantheon" and "The President Is Dead! The Extraordinary Stories of the Presidential Deaths, Final Days, Burials, and Beyond". Louis is the committee Chairman of the Grover Cleveland Presidential Library at his birthplace in Caldwell, NJ. He holds a master's in history and teaches at William Paterson University. Louis has spoken widely about the presidents, including at the General Grant National Memorial, James A. Garfield National Historic Site, Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library, and the White House Historical Association. He has been featured on C-SPAN, BBC News, NPR, the Travel Channel, and in Time magazine and the Washington Post.
Lovely Lena Zavaroni
Daniel Selby
BearManor Media
www.bearmanormedia.com
9798887719818, $42.00, HC, 178pp
Amazon
https://www.amazon.com/Lovely-Lena-Zavaroni-Daniel-Selby/dp/B0GX1T8M3X
Barnes & Noble
https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/lovely-lena-zavaroni-daniel-selby/114990988
Synopsis: At ten years old, Lena Zavaroni captivated the world with an extraordinary
voice that belied her age. From a fish and chip shop on Scotland's Isle of Bute, she skyrocketed to international stardom -- performing for presidents and queens, topping the UK charts, and becoming the youngest person ever to headline at the London Palladium.
But behind the glittering success lay a devastating reality. Separated from her family, placed on a diet at age ten, and thrust into an industry that valued her marketability over her well-being, Lena developed anorexia nervosa at thirteen -- a disease that would torment her for twenty-two years until her death at thirty-five.
"Lovely Lena Zavaroni" is the unflinching story of a child star failed by those meant to protect her. Daniel Selby chronicles Lena's rise, her suffering, and the systemic failures that allowed a talented little girl to be exploited, pressured, and ultimately destroyed.
This is Lena's (4 November 1963 - 1 October 1999) all too short story -- but it also a celebration of her remarkable gift and an urgent demand that we protect the vulnerable children who entertain us.
It is also a testament revealing that Lena Zavaroni deserved so much better. That her beautiful voice will never be silenced.
Critique: Original, definitively researched, featuring occasional B/W and color illustrations, exceptionally well written, informative and emotionally engaging, "Lovely Lena Zavaroni" by biographer Daniel Selby is the extraordinary story of woman with an extraordinary talent -- and how she was detrimentally exploited by those responsible for her welfare and well-being. Especially and unreservedly recommended for community and college/university library Women's Biography/Memoir collections, it should be noted for personal reading lists that this hardcover edition of "Lovely Lena Zavaroni" from BearManor Media in paperback (9798887719801, $30.00) and in a digital book format (Kindle, $9.95).
Editorial Note: There is an extensive online listing of books by Daniel Selby available at Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/list/20763450.Daniel_Selby
The Life and Art of Thomas Nast
Patrick Hoeppner
McFarland & Company
https://mcfarlandbooks.com
9781476697864, $47.50, PB, 277pp
Amazon
https://www.amazon.com/Life-Art-Thomas-Nast-Cartoonist/dp/1476697868
Barnes & Noble
https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-life-and-art-of-thomas-nast-patrick-hoeppner/1147002315
McFarland & Company
https://mcfarlandbooks.com/product/the-life-and-art-of-thomas-nast
Synopsis: German-born artist and cartoonist Thomas Nast (September 26, 1840 - December 7, 1902) learned that caricatures could be used to influence politics, leading him to develop such ubiquitous symbols as the Republican Party elephant and the personified Uncle Sam. Famous for his unusual pairing of humor and political journalism, Nast affected the fortunes of his nation through his strong hold over public opinion, taking on William "Boss" Tweed and New York's Tammany Hall in his satirical illustrations.
"The Life and Art of Thomas Nast: America's Iconic Cartoonist of the 19th Century" by Patrick Hoeppner is a detailed study that covers Nast's life and art, including discussion of the personages and events that appeared in his artwork. It also describes his art, late-in-life political career, and lasting legacy in the creation of American cultural symbols.
Critique: An exceptional, original, and informative biography that is enhanced throughout with B/W historical illustrations, "The Life and Art of Thomas Nast: America's Iconic Cartoonist of the 19th Century" is a two page Preface, a three page Introduction, a one page Summary, eleven pages of Notes, an eleven page Bibliography, and a five page Index. Thoroughly 'reader friendly' in organization and presentation, "The Life and Art of Thomas Nast" is highly recommended addition to personal, professional, community, and college/university library American Biography collections and supplemental 19th Century American Journalism & Political Science currciulum studies lists. It should be noted for students, academia, and non-specialist general readers with an interest in the subject that this trade paperback (7 x 0.56 x 10 inches, 1.07 pounds) edition of "The Life and Art of Thomas Nast" from McFarland & Company is also available in a digital book format (Kindle, $25.99).
Editorial Note: Patrick Hoeppner (https://phoeppner7.wixsite.com/patrick-hoeppner) discovered a love for writing while creating horror stories during his senior year of high school. He studied English and received an undergraduate degree in creative writing from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. He lives in Belmont, Massachusetts.
Bridge from Saigon: A Viet-American Memoir of Family and Mind
Hoangmai H. Pham
McFarland & Company
https://mcfarlandbooks.com
9781476698496, $29.95, PB, 247pp
Amazon
https://www.amazon.com/Life-Bridge-Viet-American-Memoir-Family/dp/147669849X
Barnes & Noble
https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/bridge-from-saigon-hoangmai-h-pham/1148063448
McFarland & Company
https://mcfarlandbooks.com/product/bridge-from-saigon
Synopsis: As a young Vietnamese refugee, Hoangmai Pham suddenly lost her sense of safety and belonging when her family fled Saigon at the end of the war. Later her success in navigating life in America as a physician and health policy leader at the top of her profession paradoxically triggered a psychological unraveling during middle age.
"Bridge from Saigon: A Viet-American Memoir of Family and Mind" is her unusual memoir and depicts her struggle in confronting her hidden multiple personalities to heal, luring the reader into parallel slipstreams of discovery -- one of family secrets and epic history before and during the Vietnam War, the other of traumas masked behind a child's vivid imagination.
"Bridge from Saigon" by Hoangmai H. Pham is a compelling memoir that includes stories of ghostly ancestors, a fraught return to Vietnam as an adult, and her kaleidoscopic inner characters unfurl in a voice that is at once dreamlike and brutally incisive. It is also a testament to her final triumph crystallizes the immense price that immigrants pay for a chance at a better life, and their resilience in achieving every sense of integration.
Critique: Emotionally compelling, intellectually candid, impressively informative, "Bridge from Saigon: A Viet-American Memoir of Family and Mind" by Hoangmai H. Pham is a deftly crafted and inherently fascinating read that will prove to be a welcome and appreciated addition to personal, community, and college/university library American/Vietnamese History, Biography, and Memoir collections. It should be noted that this paperback edition of "Bridge from Saigon" from McFarland & Company is also available in a digital book format (Kindle, $19.99).
Editorial Note: An immigrant and national physician leader in healthcare policy based in Washington, DC, Hoangmai H. Pham founded and leads the Institute for Exceptional Care, a nonprofit making healthcare better for people with disabilities. She has published numerous articles about healthcare and her personal journey.
The Art of Becoming a Citizen: A Memoir
Gail Godwin
Bloomsbury Publishing
www.bloomsbury.com
9781639738748, $25.99, HC, 224pp
Amazon
https://www.amazon.com/Art-Becoming-Citizen-Memoir/dp/1639738746
Barnes & Noble
https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-art-of-becoming-a-citizen-gail-godwin/1148072321
Synopsis: "He just had the presidency stolen from him."
Gail Godwin first heard these words in November 1960, one of a crush of reporters eagerly awaiting the first postelection meeting between Kennedy and Nixon. Hearing an uncanny echo in the aftermath of the 2020 presidential election, Godwin embarks on a project to reflect on that long-ago moment and offset a mounting pressure of dread about the looming election ahead.
In looking back at her life as a young woman-her travels abroad, early marriage, friendships with Kurt Vonnegut and John Irving-juxtaposed with the lead-up to the recent election, she discovers an under-story that surprises her. She asks herself, "What, at this late date, did I still want to become?"
With urgency and a yearning so many now feel, Godwin's blend of history and memoir is both inspirational and rousing, encouraging readers to engage in their own reflection on the art and meaning of being a citizen.
Critique: Timely, exceptional, well written, organized and presented, "The Art of Becoming a Citizen: A Memoir" is a fascinating, informative, memorably thoughtful, and thought-provoking read from start to finish. Of special and particular relevance for readers interested in politically themed true life stories, "The Art of Becoming a Citizen: A Memoir" by Gail Godwin is an extraordinary and unreservedly recommended pick for personal reading lists, as well as community and college/university library Contemporary American Biography/Memoir collections. It should be noted that this hardcover edition of "The Art of Becoming a Citizen: A Memoir" from Bloomsbury Publishing is also readily available in a digital book format (Kindle, $18.19).
Editorial Note: Gail Godwin (www.gailgodwin.com) is a three-time National Book Award finalist and the author of twelve critically acclaimed novels, including Violet Clay, Father Melancholy's Daughter, Evensong, The Good Husband and Evenings at Five. She is also the author of The Making of a Writer, her journal in two volumes (ed. Rob Neufeld). She has received a Guggenheim Fellowship, National Endowment for the Arts grants for both fiction and libretto writing, and the Award in Literature from the American Academy of Arts and Letters.
Working with My Heroes: A Life in Music
John L. DeMain & Greg Hettmansberger
University of Wisconsin Press
https://uwpress.wisc.edu
9780299352202, $29.95, HC, 288pp
Amazon
https://www.amazon.com/Working-My-Heroes-Life-Music/dp/029935220X
Barnes & Noble
https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/working-with-my-heroes-john-l-demain/1147788218
University of Wisconsin Press
https://uwpress.wisc.edu/Books/W/Working-with-My-Heroes
Synopsis: A Grammy and Tony Award - winning conductor, John DeMain has been a fixture of Madison, Wisconsin, for more than three decades, serving as music director of the Madison Symphony Orchestra and artistic director of the Madison Opera. Before and since then, he has been an internationally recognized conductor, equally at home in the worlds of classical music, opera, and Broadway.
With the publication of "Working with My Heroes: A Life in Music" (which he wrote with the late Greg Hettmansberger) DeMain recounts incredible experiences ranging from his days studying piano in Youngstown, Ohio, to his years as an undergraduate and graduate student at Julliard, to his early jobs in summer stock productions, to numerous acclaimed productions -- all without ever losing sight of the wonder and awe he felt as a young musician first learning his way in the world.
With warmth and humor, he provides valuable insight into the business of music making, while also sharing behind-the-scenes stories of entertaining situations he found himself in throughout the years -- from playing piano at a gangster's wedding, to an unexpected dressing room encounter with a Broadway star, to conducting an opera with circus elephants.
DeMain has had many career-defining moments behind the podium, conducting world premieres of Leonard Bernstein's A Quiet Place, John Adams's Nixon in China, and Jeanine Tesoro's Blue, as well as the U.S. premiere of Philip Glass's Akhnaten, among others. He guest-conducted symphonies and operas in New York, Chicago, Los Angeles, and elsewhere. DeMain cemented his reputation with the 1976 Houston Grand Opera performances of George and Ira Gershwin's Porgy and Bess, establishing its stature as a quintessentially American opera. The singers, musicians, and composers DeMain has worked with over the past six decades are a veritable Who's Who of American classical music.
This is a memoir that places the readers by his side, allowing them to experience all the wonders and joy of a life spent making music.
Critique: Featuring B/W historical images and an informative Editor's Note by Gayle Worland, "Working with My Heroes: A Life in Music" co-authored by John L. DeMain and the late Greg Hettmansberger is a truly extraordinary account of an extraordinary life of a man focused on contemporary classical music performance and its business side -- this last a subject that is too often left out of personal biographical accounts. Exceptionally well written, organized and presented, "Working with My Heroes: A Life in Music" is a fascinating and deftly crafted read from start to finish and a welcome addition to personal, professional, community, and college/university Contemporary American Biography/Memoir collections. It should be noted that this hardcover edition of "Working with My Heroes: A Life in Music" from the Wisconsin University Press is also readily available in a digital book format (Kindle, $9.99).
Editorial Note #1: John DeMain (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_DeMain) is an internationally acclaimed Grammy and Tony Award - winning conductor. He has served as music director of the Madison Symphony Orchestra and artistic director of Madison Opera. A graduate of Julliard, he spent seventeen seasons at the Houston Grand Opera. He also led the St. Paul Chamber Orchestra, Opera Omaha, Opera Pacific, and more.
Editorial Note #2: Greg Hettmansberger (July 7, 1955 - December 1, 2020) was a Madison-based writer and journalist who specialized in classical music concert reviews.
Son of the Secret Service: A Memoir
Clint McCown
The University Press of Kentucky
www.kentuckypress.com
9781985904330, $29.95, HC, 144pp
Amazon
https://www.amazon.com/Son-Secret-Service-Clint-McCown/dp/1985904330
Barnes & Noble
https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/son-of-the-secret-service-clint-mccown/1148054307
Synopsis: Clint McCown grew up among men who cast very long shadows. His father was a war hero who rose to become a command-level special agent in the US Secret Service. As a teenager, McCown worked as a yard boy on the Gettysburg farm of former President Dwight D. Eisenhower, who imparted lessons in both hunting and battle strategies. With such formidable role models, young McCown felt pressured to prove himself, which led to impulsive and reckless decisions as a teenager, such as jumping the fence into East Germany during the Cold War, right under the nose of a machine-gun tower.
His daring eventually found purpose in investigative journalism, where his reporting helped thwart a Mafia plot to seize control of the Alabama state government -- earning him an Associated Press Award after he survived an assassination attempt.
"Son of the Secret Service: A Memoir" is a collection of his award-winning essays, three of which received Notable Essay citations in the Best American Essays series. From civil rights demonstrations in Birmingham to a nudist colony in New Mexico and even a small-town department store funeral, McCown recounts encounters with figures as varied as a Puerto Rican terrorist, a poisoned dog, well-known actors and politicians, and a giant shark.
Through masterful storytelling and vibrant prose, these personal essays capture a rich tapestry of life experiences, each rendered with striking beauty, clarity, and depth. In these poignant snapshots of an extraordinary existence, McCown examines the evolving nature of the world, highlighting the profound and valuable lessons woven into our defining moments.
Critique: To state that Professor Emeritus Clint McCown has lived a colorful life is a decided understatement. The account of an truly extraordinary life, "Son of the Secret Service: A Memoir" is a simply fascinating read from start to finish. Exceptionally well written, and thoroughly 'reader friendly in organization, presentation, and storytelling style, "Son of the Secret Service: A Memoir" is an especially and unreservedly recommended addition to community and college/university library Contemporary American Biography/Memoir collections. It should be noted for personal reading lists that this hardcover edition of "Son of the Secret Service: A Memoir" from the University Press of Kentucky is also readily available in paperback (9781985904347, $19.95) and in digital book format (Kindle, $18.95).
Editorial Note: Clint McCown (https://grokipedia.com/page/clint_mccown) is an acclaimed novelist, poet, essayist, and teacher. He is the only two-time recipient of the American Fiction Prize and has also received the S. Mariella Gable Prize, a Barnes & Noble Discover Great Writers designation, a National Endowment for the Arts grant, the Midwest Book Award, and an Academy of American Poets Prize. He is the author of the novels The Member-Guest, War Memorials, The Weatherman, and Haints, a collection of short stories, a craft book on writing fiction, and several poetry books. He is professor emeritus at Virginia Commonwealth University and former faculty member at the Vermont College of Fine Arts. In 2021 he was inducted into the Writers Hall of Fame at Wake Forest University.
After Jail, Before Freedom
David Coogan, et al.
Brandylane Publishers
www.brandylanepublishers.com
9781966369059, $18.95, PB, 202pp
Amazon
https://www.amazon.com/After-Before-Freedom-David-Coogan/dp/1966369050
Barnes & Noble
https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/after-jail-before-freedom-david-coogan/1149942604
Synopsis: "After Jail, Before Freedom" tells the story of five men (Kelvin Belton, Stanley Craddock, Ronald Fountain, Naji muhahid, Dean Turner) who get out of prison and try to stay out.
Joined together by their experience in a writing class at the Richmond City Jail, which led to their first book, "Writing Our Way Out: Memoirs from Jail", David Coogan presents as a sequel, "After Jail, Before Freedom" which picks up where their stories had left off.
With each man trying to figure out how to stay free.
Their stories are honest accounts of an onerous journey that is marked by the stigma of a felony conviction, racial discrimination, unstable living conditions, the allure of addiction, enduring trauma, ongoing problems with the criminal justice system, the promise of change, and, at times, the reality of it.
Critique: Fascinating, informative, candid, "After Jail, Before Freedom" is an especially and unreservedly recommended pick for personal, professional, community, and college/university library Contemporary African/American Biography/Memoir collections and supplemental Contemporary Judicial/Penology curriculum studies lists.
Editorial Note: Writing Our Way Out is a book, a podcast, and a mission led by Dr. David Coogan in the Department of English at Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU). The mission now includes a college program at the jail where the first class was held and a criminal justice diversion program where low-level offenders come to VCU to write their life story instead of going to jail. (https://writingourwayout.com/mission)
The General Fiction Shelf
Accumulation
Aimee Pokwatka
G. P. Putnam's Sons
c/o Penguin Group
www.penguin.com
9798217047628, $30.00, HC, 336pp
Amazon
https://www.amazon.com/Accumulation-Aimee-Pokwatka/dp/B0FLD42T2Z
Barnes & Noble
https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/accumulation-aimee-pokwatka/1148002750
Synopsis: When documentary filmmaker turned stay-at-home mom Tennessee Cherish moves into the dream house her husband bought for her, a brighter future seems to be on the horizon. Even if her husband is frustratingly absent due to his new high-paying job. Even if their two young children begin acting out in strange ways. Even if she feels lonelier than ever.
Distracted by the endless details that come with moving into a new town, a new house, and new schools, Tenn doesn't notice when odd things begin happening at home. The faucet that runs at all hours. The creepy doll that seems to show up in every room. The human tooth they found in the floorboards.
As the kids' outbursts and the strange events start to escalate, the family finds themselves increasingly caught in loops, repeating everyday actions with dangerous (and then devastating) effects. Tenn realizes she must find the source of what is haunting her family, before it kills them all.
Taut and twisty, scary and searing, Aimee Pokwatka's "Accumulation" is a story that lays bare the high price women pay for the promises of domesticity and motherhood, and the many ways in which families can be haunted.
Critique: Original, deftly crafted, and a simply riveting read from start to finish, "Accumulation" by novelist Aimee Pokwatka is an extraordinary and memorable supernatural suspense thriller of a ghost story. An especially and unreservedly recommended pick for community/public library contemporary Pyschological Horror/Suspense Thriller Fiction collections, it should be noted for personal reading lists that this hardcover edition of "Accumulation" from G. P. Putnam's Sons is also readily available in a digital book format (Kindle, $14.99).
Editorial Note: Aimee Pokwatka (http://www.aimeepokwatka.com) is the author of Self-Portrait with Nothing and The Parliament. She grew up in Wheeling, West Virginia, and received her MFA in creative writing from Syracuse University. Her work has been published in Fairy Tale Review, Outlook Springs, Hunger Mountain, and elsewhere.
The Historical Fiction Shelf
The House of Boleyn
Tracy Borman
Atlantic Monthly Press
c/o Grove/Atlantic, Inc.
www.groveatlantic.com
9780802167859, $28.00, HC, 368pp
Amazon
https://www.amazon.com/House-Boleyn-Novel-Tracy-Borman/dp/0802167853
Barnes & Noble
https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-house-of-boleyn-tracy-borman/1148205515
Synopsis: When nobleman Thomas Boleyn, lord of Hever Castle, is called to London in 1509 to present himself to a newly anointed King Henry VIII, he sets in train events that ensure the Boleyn name will never be forgotten. His daughters Mary and Anne were young then, and though he was ambitious for his family to prosper, he could not imagine what would transpire in the two decades to come.
Blending the history she knows so well with the creativity of her imagination, historian and novelist Tracy Borman brings the Boleyn family's three-decade rise and precipitous fall to vivid life with the publication of "The House of Boleyn".
Borman surrounds the main dramatic events of the Boleyn saga with a colorful tableau in which familial and inter-familial rivalries threaten and true love often loses out to keen ambition. Anne's ever-loyal attendant Esther Frideswide and Thomas Boleyn's perfidious steward Robert Cranwell are as memorable as Cardinal Wolsey, Thomas Cromwell, or anyone in the increasingly dangerous orbit of the royal court.
Henry VIII pursues Anne relentlessly, showering her with gifts as the Boleyns are catapulted to political prominence. But when she can't give him the son and heir he desperately seeks, the family faces a terrible and bloody fate.
With lavish and compelling historical detail, Tracy Borman once again displays her keen gift for storytelling in this resonant renaissance era novel of family, fate, and intrigue.
Critique: Exceptional, deftly crafted, fascinating, and thoroughly 'reader friendly' in style and substance, "The House of Boleyn" by Tracy Borman is an extraordinary and unreservedly recommended addition to community and college/university library British themed historical fiction collections. It should be noted for the personal reading lists of historical fiction fans that this hardcover edition of "The House of Boleyn" from Atlantic Monthly Press is also readily available in a digital book format (Kindle, $14.99).
Editorial Note: Tracy Borman (https://www.tracyborman.co.uk) is Chief Historian of Historic Royal Palaces, Chief Executive of the Heritage Education Trust, and Chancellor and Professor of Tudor History at Lincoln Bishop University. She is also the author of many highly praised books, including The Stolen Crown; Anne Boleyn & Elizabeth I; Crown and Sceptre; Henry VIII and the Men Who Made Him; The Private Lives of the Tudors; Thomas Cromwell; Queen of the Conqueror; Elizabeth's Women; Witches; as well as the trilogy of novels The King's Witch, The Devil's Slave, and The Fallen Angel. Borman is also a regular broadcaster and accomplished public speaker. She was awarded an OBE in the King's Birthday Honours 2024 for services to heritage.
Frontier Man
Bonnie J. Flessen
https://www.bonniejflessen.com
Resource Publications (CA)
9798385239160, $31.40, HC, 144pp
Amazon
https://www.amazon.com/Frontier-Man-Bonnie-J-Flessen/dp/B0F1X9JQ91
Synopsis: Somewhere along the coast of ancient Asia Minor, Batos quietly slips a rope off the neck of a captive goat and watches the goat disappear into the heat. His memories of the desert heat are never far behind him, even though he no longer serves in the Roman cavalry on the North African frontier.
Now traveling with a theater troupe as their watchman, Batos rides along the dusty roads with a new mission. He is to keep the troupe safe as they proclaim the good news of Jesus of Nazareth.
When a play erupts into a riot in Pergamum, he encounters Domitia, a wealthy widow, and Virgos, an intersex person known to most as Eunuch. The troupe urges the three of them to go to Thessalonica, where they can hear Paul's teachings for themselves. Saddling three trusted horses, Batos agrees to travel with them.
Along the way, his mysterious past will be revealed. Each traveler will see new visions of freedom and community. And each will discover that resisting Roman rule and following Jesus might be one and the same.
Critique: Original, exceptional, deftly crafted, and a simply fascinating read from cover to cover "Frontier Man" is an extraordinary Christian themed historical adventure novel by Bonnie J. Flessen. The author's natural gift for the kind of character and narrative driven storytelling style will keep her readers emotionally involved and intellectually engaged from start to finish. While especially and unreservedly recommended for community library Historical Fiction collections, it should be noted for personal reading lists that this hardcover edition of "Frontier Man" from Resource Publications (CA) is also readily available in paperback (9798385239153, $15.00) and in a digital book format (Kindle, $9.99).
Editorial Note: Bonnie J. Flessen (https://www.bonniejflessen.com) is also the author of An Exemplary Man: Cornelius and Characterization in Acts 10 (2011). She taught as an adjunct instructor at Carthage College in Kenosha, Wisconsin, and at the Lutheran School of Theology at Chicago. Her research explores the intersection of masculinity and resistance to the Roman Empire.
The Little French Cafe
D. R. Ghirlando
Austin Macauley Publishers
https://www.austinmacauley.com
9781037107139, $12.95, PB, 168pp
Amazon
https://www.amazon.com/Little-French-Cafe-D-Ghirlando/dp/1037107136
Barnes & Noble
https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-little-french-cafe-d-r-ghirlando/1148020605
Synopsis: At first, "The Little French Cafe" by D. R. Ghirlando can seem light-hearted, but it gradually takes a darker turn as the story unfolds. At its core, "The Little French Cafe" is about human acceptance, examining love, emotion, trauma, and the lasting weight of the past.
The only thing keeping the main character going is his love for his daughter. Without her, he might have given up altogether.
Although the story is set in the 1960s, the protagonist often reflects on his experiences during the Second World War, especially the tragedy of losing his wife, who was murdered by the Nazis in occupied France. Running his own cafe and working for himself were key to his hopes for the future, allowing him to escape the control of any oppressive forces.
"The Little French Cafe" reveals that no matter how hard we try to avoid trouble, it so often has a way of finding us.
Critique: Impressively original, exceptional, deftly crafted, and showcasing the character and narrative driven storytelling style of author D. R. Ghirlando, "The Little French Cafe" raises this emotionally gripping and intellectually engaging novel to an impressive level of literary excellence. While an unreservedly recommended pick for personal reading lists as well as community and college/university library Contemporary Literary Fiction collections, it should be noted that this paperback edition of "The Little French Cafe" from Austin Macauley Publishers is also readily available in a digital book format (Kindle, $4.50).
Editorial Note: Derek Ghirlando (www.austinmacauley.com/author/ghirlandodr) was born in Tripoli Libya on the 1st August 1955. He is the son of a Scottish/Irish mother and a British/Maltese father, who owned a highly successful shipping agency. He now lives with his partner Nancy, in England, Italy and Malta.
Mile High Press
https://thebookshepherd.com
http://www.milehighpress.com
Book publishing expert and coach, Judith Briles is also the author of 48 books and known is known throughout the publishing industry as The Book Shepherd, having worked with thousands of authors. She is also the co-author with Brian Barnes of the three volume historical fiction 'Harmonie Books Series' that includes:
Book #1: The Secret Journey (9781959737964, $22.95 PB, $9.99 Kindle, 480pp)
Amazon
https://www.amazon.com/Secret-Journey-Harmonie-Books-BOOK1/dp/1959737961
Synopsis: When her father Alexander is murdered, Lisa's safe, carefree world unravels. At 16, her only escape is to flee from the mayhem and chaos that promises to come crashing down on her very being. From her wicked mother. From her drunken stepbrother. And from the greedy church. The year was 1,000 AD.
Bright and clever, she becomes the eyes and ears of her papa's many enterprises. Lisa is his confidant and the son he desires as an heir. Afraid for his own daughter's future, Alexander shares a plan to her to follow upon his death.
Within days of Alexander's murder, the plan is put into motion. The map created for her has instructions and a special key. It will guide Lisa hundreds of miles from her papa's villa in Marseilles to Paris, where his business partner Ezra lived.
Her possessions were the tunic on her back, a cloak, Papa's jeweled dagger, and the coin that he asked her to hide away. And a mysterious voice that forewarns and guides her.
Lisa's travel mode was her feet.
Her stepbrother follows her in hot pursuit, filled with anger, hate, and revenge. Fredric's desire is to rightfully assume his inherited status as heir - a status that requires items whose whereabouts only Lisa knows.
Will Lisa get to Paris? Will Ezra welcome and help her? Will she discover who killed Papa? Will the Voice that invades her sleep continue to guide her? Will she ever feel safe and loved again?
Book #2: "The Secret Hamlet" (9781959737933, $22.95 PB, $9.99 Kindle, 430pp)
Amazon
https://www.amazon.com/Secret-Hamlet-Harmonie-Books-ebook/dp/B0CRXRD3JH
Synopsis: It's the 11th century and Nichol with an infant daughter must escape Paris with her extended family. In Book 2 of the Harmonie series, The Secret Hamlet, the power of Nichol is turned loose. At her side is Shadow, her wolf-dog. In the bitter winter, she has become the target of the ruthless priest Loupe and her evil brother Fredric, both in pursuit of her and her daughter, Lucette.
With her expanding vision and skills coupled with the guidance of the Lady, Nichol leads her family, and those in need, to the creation and development of Harmonie. Hidden within the Kingdom of Normandy, Harmonie abuts No Name, another hidden hamlet.
Will the jeweled dagger stay in the hands of the rightful owner?
Will Nichol's friendship with the new Queen of England benefit both?
Will the alliance with the Duke of Normandy protect the Harmonites?
Will more secrets be revealed by Nichol, Robert, Ezra, Helene, and Timo?
And... will the alliances last? Will the Lady stay by Nichol's side?
Book #3: "The Secret Rise" (9781959737902, $22.95 PB, $9.99 Kindle, 540pp
https://www.amazon.com/Secret-Rise-Harmonie-Books/dp/1959737902
Synopsis: Nichol's story was introduced in Book 1, The Secret Journey when her beloved papa is murdered by her mother in the year 1000 AD. The darkening cloud spiraling around her made her the next target.
Fleeing Marseilles, she develops new powers, a vision of the future, and trusts the Lady's voice. For those around her, a new world unfolds and carries them forward.
Overflowing with scandal, tragedy, and triumph, Book 3, "The Secret Rise" carries Nichol's strengths to a higher level. Again, she must outsmart and outmaneuver those connected with the church. Now the mother of three, her children begin to display powers she doesn't possess and Shadow brings wolf pups to the mix.
Will Nichol continue to be hunted by Fredrik, her evil half-brother?
Does Duke Richard have hidden motives in seeking Nichol's advice?
Can the village of Harmonie become the model for hamlets within the Kingdom of Normandy?
Do Nichol's children have the skills that she has, or do they have new ones?
Will the Kingdom of Normandy accept her family and their rising status?
Critique: It's clear that as the co-authors of the three volume Harmonie Books Series (The Secret Journey; The Secret Hamlet; The Secret Rise), Judith Briles and Brian Barnes are imaginative and master storytellers with a genuine and impressive flair for the kind of character and narrative driven storytelling style that is perfectly suited to the creation of a Medieval World filled with memorable characters, deftly woven plots, and is a fun read from start to finish. This three volume series is especially and unreservedly recommended picks for personal reading lists and community library Historical Fiction collections.
Editorial Note #1: There is an online listing of books by Judith Briles available on Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/348653.Judith_Briles
Editorial Note #2: There is an online listing of books by Brian Barnes available on Goodreds: https://www.goodreads.com/author/list/1064173.Brian_Barnes
The Romantic Fiction Shelf
Where We Belong
Kim Vogel Sawyer
WaterBrook Press
c/o WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group
https://waterbrookmultnomah.com
9780593600856, $18.00, PB, 368pp
Amazon
https://www.amazon.com/Where-We-Belong-Orphan-Train/dp/0593600851
Barnes & Noble
https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/where-we-belong-kim-vogel-sawyer/1147870126
Synopsis: The life of Hester Haak, a widow with no children of her own, takes an unexpected turn when she opens her Kansas home to children from the bustling streets of New York City.
An orphan asylum has entrusted her with two sisters and a young boy, and Hester is determined to provide a safe and loving environment for them. Despite the looming uncertainty of their stay, she rises to the challenge, embracing the opportunity to make a difference in their lives.
Meanwhile, Callum Holbrook is grappling with the loss of his wife and the despair that followed. Unable to provide for his family, he made the heart-wrenching decision to place his daughters in an orphanage, promising it was only temporary. Now, with a stable job and a renewed sense of purpose, Callum is horrified to learn that his daughters have been sent halfway across the country. Fueled by determination and love, he embarks on the difficult journey to bring them back.
Through their struggles and triumphs, Hester and Callum discover that family and love can be found in the most surprising places -- and that the journey home is paved with hope.
Critique: Part of the simply outstanding 'Orphan Train' series of historic romance novels from WaterBrook Press, "We Belong Here" by Kim Vogel Sawyer is impressively original, deftly crafted, and emotionally engaging read that is especially and unreservedly recommended for both the personal reading lists of the growing legions of Kim Vogel Sawyer fans, and community library Historical Romance collections. It should be noted that this paperback edition of "We Belong Here" is also available in a digital book format (Kindle, $11.99) and in a large print hardcover edition (Thorndike Press Large Print, 9781420535358, $36.00).
Editorial Note: Kim Vogel Sawyer (https://kimvogelsawyer.com) is an award-winning, bestselling author with more than 1.5 million books in print in seven languages. Her work has received numerous awards, including the ACFW Carol Award and the Inspirational Readers' Choice Award. A complete listing of her books is available online at Books Series in Order: https://www.bookseriesinorder.com/kim-vogel-sawyer
The Bachelor Spy
Pepper Basham
Barbour Publishing
www.barbourbooks.com
9798891513693, $15.99, PB, 320pp
Amazon
https://www.amazon.com/Bachelor-Spy-Freddie-Grace-Mystery/dp/B0FW6QR8K2
Barnes & Noble
https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-bachelor-spy-pepper-basham/1148504802
Synopsis: Stephen Blake's life goal is to protect people, especially those closest to him, but war in 1914 England doesn't follow any rules. When Blake is informed that a noted German spy may have taken up residence at Havensbrooke Hall (his cousin Lord Astley's estate, which is being used as a convalescent war hospital) he's sent there to uncover the plot.
Lady Grace Astley has become a force to be reckoned with while Frederick is out on the war front. With Havensbrooke as a hospital, she's shocked by the devastation the war is bringing home; but ever hopeful, she is determined to help these weary soldiers find some relief. However, not everything is as it seems inside Havensbrooke. Precious items soon start disappearing... and not just the kind that are worth a lot of money.
Through a case of mistaken identity, a comedy of errors, a kidnapping, and a race for time within the crumbling subterranean passageways beneath Havensbrooke, can Blake and Gracie work together to root out the criminals, thieves, and spies before time runs out?
Critique: Original, deftly crafted, and a fun read from start to finish, "The Bachelor Spy" is the fifth title in author PepperBasham's 'A Freddie & Crace Mystery' series. Once again author Pepper Basham's impressive and genuine flair for the kind of character and narrative plot driven storytelling style proves ideal for the Christian Romance genre. Absolutely and unreservedly recommended for personal reading lists and community/public library Historical Romance collections, it should be noted that this paperback edition of "The Bachelor Spy" from Barbour Fiction is also available in a digital book format (Kindle, $15.19).
Editorial Note: Pepper Basham (www.pepperdbasham.com) is an award-winning author who writes romance peppered with grace and humor with southern Appalachian flair. Both her historical and contemporary novels have garnered recognition in the Grace Awards, Inspys, and ACFW Carol Awards. Her historical romance, The Thorn Healer, was a finalist in the 2018 RT Awards. Her historical romance novels, My Heart Belongs in the Blue Ridge and The Red Ribbon, and her contemporary novels, the Mitchell's Crossroads and Pleasant Gap series, showcase her Appalachian heritage, as well as her love for humor and family.
The Melody of Love
Wanda E. Brunstetter and Lorine Brunstetter Van Corbach, authors
Barbour Publishing
www.barbourbooks.com
9798891513280, $16.99, PB, 32pp
Amazon
https://www.amazon.com/Melody-Love-Wanda-Brunstetter/dp/B0FPYDX8J3
Barnes & Noble
https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-melody-of-love-wanda-e-brunstetter/1148152379
Synopsis: A widowed mother, Amelia Miller never thought of finding love again -- until she meets Christian Yoder while on a sisters' trip to Ohio. When Christian suddenly has the opportunity to move to Indiana near Amelia, what started as a spark grows to a flame... but there are complications.
Amelia's son, who is on the autism spectrum, doesn't like the new man who has been coming around, and he often acts out in tantrums. Amelia's love for her son is her priority, so romance may have to be sacrificed. Christian, though, is determined to find a connection with the boy.
Critique: Co-authored by Wanda E. Brunstetter and Lorine Brunstetter Van Corbach, "The Melody of Love" is Christian romance fiction at its emotionally engaging best. Original, deftly crafted, and a truly memorable read from start to finish, "The Melody of Love" is unreservedly endorsed as a popular pick for community library Amish Romance Fiction collections. It should be noted that this paperback edition of "The Melody of Love" from Barbour Publishing is also available for the personal reading of dedicated Wand Brunstetter fans in a digital book format ($16.99) and for library collections in a large print hardcover edition (Thorndike Press, 9781420535433, $36.00).
Editorial Note #1: Wanda Brunstetter is an award-winning romance novelist who has led millions of readers to lose their heart in the Amish life. She is the author of over 100 books with more than 12 million copies sold. Many of her books have landed on the top bestseller lists, including the New York Times, USA Today, Publisher's Weekly, CBA, ECPA, and CBD. Wanda is considered one of the founders of the Amish fiction genre.
Editorial Note #2: There is a listing of books by Lorine Brunstetter Van Corbach at Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/40129863.Lorine_Brunstetter_Van_Corbach
Not Good Neighbors
Violet Lumani
www.violetlumani.com
Entangled: Amara
https://www.entangledpublishing.com
9781682816677, $17.99, PB, 368pp
Amazon
https://www.amazon.com/Not-Good-Neighbors-Violet-Lumani/dp/1682816672
Barnes & Noble
https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/not-good-neighbors-violet-lumani/1148298076
Synopsis: Thanks to a tragically thin wall in their NYC apartment building, Penny knows far too much about Jack -- like his taste in too-loud music, the noxious fumes from his kitchen, and his habit of suspiciously aggressive vacuuming. And she knows all about the tearful brunette fleeing his apartment the day he moved in -- the one crying about her cheating ex.
Not even Jack's piratical charm can undo what Penny knows: the man is bad news.
When her attempt to get the wall soundproofed literally blows a hole in it, the two are forced into a DIY disaster that traps them in each other's lives... and spaces. With eviction looming, prank wars escalating, and unexpected sparks flying, Penny starts to suspect her insufferable neighbor might just be the unexpected plot twist her love life needs!
Critique: Original, deftly crafted characters, unexpected plot twists, sizzling passion, laced throughout with wicked humor, "Not Good Neighbors" is a fun and memorable read from cover to cover. In her debut novel, "Not Good Neighbors", author Violet Lumani demonstrates a genuine and unique flair for the kind of storytelling style that is perfectly suited for an entertaining, off-beat, contemporary, comedy themed romance novel. While especially and unreservedly recommended for community library collections, it should be noted for the personal reading lists of dedicated RomCom fans that this paperback edition of "Not Good Neighbors" from Entangled: Amara is also readily available in a digital book format (Kindle, $7.99).
Editorial Note: Violet Lumani (www.violetlumani.com) writes romantic comedies with just enough heat to make you want to text your ex (don't). She has degrees from Barnard College of Columbia University and UCONN and lives in Connecticut with her family. When she's not writing, she's probably plotting global (marketing) domination, rearranging her bookshelves, or spinning chaos into comedy.
Love on the Shelf
Sheila Roberts
Mira Books
www.mirabooks.com
9780778307426, $30.00, HC, 336pp
Amazon
https://www.amazon.com/Love-Shelf-Enemies-Lovers-Bookseller/dp/0778307425
Barnes & Noble
https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/love-on-the-shelf-sheila-roberts/1149889316
Synopsis: The battle lines are drawn -- between a romance-loving bookseller and the shock jock determined to tear happily-ever-afters apart.
Alice Willoughby and her mom run HEA Books, a cozy shop devoted to love stories and the people who crave them. Alice is great at matching customers with their perfect happily-ever-after... she just can't seem to find her own.
Enter Parker Black, a disillusioned radio host who's reinvented himself as a romance-bashing shock jock. Bitter from his breakup with a romance author who turned love into a four-letter word, Parker takes aim at the entire genre - and his on-air rants start stirring up trouble for Alice's loyal customers and their partners. He's arrogant, aggravating, and absolutely not book-boyfriend material.
Parker's crusade leads to spirited debates and bookstore protests, but when unexpected sparks fly between the two of them Alice begins to wonder if her favorite trope - enemies to lovers - might actually be playing out in real life. Parker may claim romance is a lie... but is he protesting a little too much?
With sharp wit and plenty of charm, USA Today bestselling author Sheila Roberts delivers a modern battle of the sexes where the biggest question is simple:
Are romance novels ruining love - or rewriting it?
Critique: Another original and fun read from the mind and imagination of novelist Sheila Roberts, "Love on the Shelf" is an extraordinary, deftly crafted, and unreservedly recommended pick for community library Contemporary Romance Fiction collections. It should be noted for the personal reading lists of the legions of Sheila Roberts fans that this hardcover edition of "Love on the Shelf" from MIRA is also readily available in paperback (9780778305828, $18.99) and in a digital book format (Kindle, $12.99).
Editorial Note: Sheila Roberts (https://sheilasplace.com) lives in the Pacific Northwest. To date, she has seen over three million books sold both at home and abroad. Several of her books have been adapted for film by Hallmark, Lifetime, and GAF, including her holiday perennial, On Strike for Christmas, The Nine Lives of Christmas, with a sequel The Nine Kittens of Christmas, and most recently, Christmas on Candy Cane Lane.
The Mystery/Suspense Shelf
River Deep
Bryan Gruley
Severn House
www.severnhouse.com
9781448316120, $29.99, HC, 368pp
Amazon
https://www.amazon.com/River-Deep-Bitterfrost-Thriller-2/dp/144831612X
Barnes & Noble
https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/river-deep-bryan-gruley/1149187696
Synopsis: Attorney Devyn Payne expects a quieter life when she returns to her hometown of Bitterfrost. Until the bodies of two eight-month-old boys are pulled from the icy depths of the local river. Was it a tragic accident or something more disturbing?
The twins' distraught parents survived the car crash, but their mother, Catriona Dulaney, was driving. Now she's charged with killing her babies, and her admission of guilt has leaked online. It should be the most straightforward case Devyn prosecutes all year. And yet, to her, it doesn't add up.
With time dwindling ahead of the trial, Detective Garth Klimmek questioning Cat's role in the tragedy, and a suspicious outsider loitering around town, this crime might just be the tip of an iceberg. Devyn's put two Dulaneys behind bars before. This time, whose side will she take -- and what will it cost?
Critique: A carefully crafted, suspense thriller of a read, "River Deep" by Bryan Gruley is the second volume in the author's Bitterfrost Thriller series. Showcasing novelist Bryan Gruley's exceptional flair for the kind of storytelling style that is particularly well suited for a wickedly gripping murder mystery complete with memorable characters and unexpected plot twists, "River Deep" is an especially and unreservedly recommended pick for community library Mystery/Suspense collections. It should be noted for personal reading lists that this hardcover edition of "River Deep" from Severn House is also currently available in a digital book format (Kindle, $0.99).
Editorial Note: Bryan Gruley (https://bryangruley.com) is the Edgar-nominated author of six novels and one award-winning work of nonfiction. A lifelong journalist, he shared in The Wall Street Journal's Pulitzer Prize for coverage of the September 11 terrorist attacks.
Our Marriage Is Murder
Carol Goodman
William Morrow & Company
c/o HarperCollins Publishers
www.harpercollins.com
9780063398825, $30.00, HC, 336pp
Amazon
https://www.amazon.com/Our-Marriage-Murder-Carol-Goodman/dp/0063398826
Barnes & Noble
https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/our-marriage-is-murder-carol-goodman/1148569438
Synopsis: Fred and Thea Morgan-Lane are the envy of the mystery community, the perfect partners in life and in writing. Together they coauthor the wildly successful Death Takes a Holiday series, and they've been invited to the Italian castle where it all began for a mystery conference celebrating their first novel, Death Takes the Castle.
But their story isn't quite the fairytale it seems to outsiders. Twenty years and twenty books after they met, Thea wants out. Their marriage and partnership haven't been working for some time, and what better place to announce the end of the series than where it started?
Except shortly after their arrival at the beautiful Castellarosa, a shocking death takes place when the wrong person drinks a cocktail meant for Thea. The stunned conference-goers put it down to an unknown allergy, but Thea isn't so sure.
Could someone be trying to kill her? Perhaps her loving husband isn't as ok with their series ending as he pretends, or maybe Nadine, the upstart young author who is vying to take Thea's place, wants her out of the way. Suddenly, it seems like everyone has a motive, and when a second death occurs, a disturbing pattern emerges -- these deaths aren't random, they are following the murders in Death Takes a Castle exactly. Murders that Thea and Fred wrote!
In order to save the day (and maybe even their marriage) the unhappy couple will have to work together to figure out who is using their book as a blueprint for a killing spree. That is, if they can trust the person they've spent twenty years plotting murders with!
Critique: A riveting and fun read from start to finish, "Our Marriage Is Murder" by Carol Goodman is a 'must' for the legions of suspense thriller 'whodunnit' mystery fans. While this hardcover edition from William Morrow is unreservedly recommended for community library Mystery/Suspense collections, it should be noted for the personal reading lists of mystery buffs and Carol Goodman fans that it is also available in paperback (9780063398788, $18.99) and in a digital book format (Kindle, $11.99).
Editorial Note: Carol Goodman (https://carolgoodman.com) There is an online listing of her books at Book Series in Order: https://www.bookseriesinorder.com/carol-goodman
Don't Upstage the Body
Naomi Stephens
Bethany House Publishers
c/o Baker Publishing Group
www.bethanyhouse.com
9780764242489, $18.99, PB, 304pp
Amazon
https://www.amazon.com/Dont-Upstage-Body-Historical-Whodunnit/dp/0764242482
Barnes & Noble
https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/dont-upstage-the-body-naomi-stephens/1148520077
Synopsis: It is 1957, and Hippolyta Halfpenny and her family have mastered the business of bereavement. As professional mourners, they are so accomplished that even Lord Basil Monfort, the famous and wealthy recluse, engages the family's services for his own funeral. Tired of disguises and aliases, Hippolyta vows it will be her last performance. Then she discovers the undertaker's body during the wake and finds herself cast in the role of an amateur sleuth in an increasingly unpredictable investigation.
Soon rain washes away the roads, trapping the funeral party at Lord Monfort's estate -- with an unidentified killer in their midst. Bound by her father's wishes to maintain their charade, Hippolyta navigates a web of secrets spanning decades. But sorting truth from deception proves even more difficult when Lord Montfort's charming yet perceptive heir suspects Hippolyta is not all she appears to be.
Concealing her family's true identities while unraveling secrets might be a role Hippolyta is hesitant to play, but with a murderer among them, she must unmask the truth before the final curtain falls.
Critique: A classic cozy mystery with all the trimmings, "Don't Upstage The Body" demonstrates author Naomi Stephens true mastery of the genre. A fun and riveting read from start to finish, "Don't Upstage The Body" is an extraordinary and unreservedly recommended addition to community library Mystery/Suspense collections. It should be noted for the personal reading lists of dedicated cozy mystery fans that this paperback edition of "Don't Upstage The Body" from Bethany House Publishers is also available in a digital book format (Kindle, $18.99) and in a large print edition (Center Point Large Print, 9798900820408, $40.95).
Editorial Note: Naomi Stephens (www.NaomiStephens.com) is a bookworm turned teacher turned writer. She authored The Burning of Rosemont Abbey, which won a Daphne du Maurier Award, and Shadow among Sheaves, which was an INSPY Award shortlist contender and the winner of the 2020 Carol Award in Debut Fiction.
Hot Wings and Homicide
Carmela Dutra
Crooked Lane Books
www.crookedlanebooks.com
9798892424417, $29.99, HC, 320pp
Amazon
https://www.amazon.com/Wings-Homicide-Food-Truck-Mystery/dp/B0FM74MCM6
Barnes & Noble
https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/hot-wings-and-homicide-carmela-dutra/1148401834
Synopsis: Business at Kluckin' Good is smoking hot. To keep momentum going, Beth and her twin brother, Seth, just scored a prime spot at the Flavors of the Bay Food Festival. For three and a half days, food lovers will flock to the Bay Area's biggest culinary event to enjoy gourmet food trucks, cook-offs, and live music, but this recipe for success is also the perfect setup for murder.
When the infamous food critic Brad Dawson (also Beth's ex) turns up dead, the only clue at the scene of the crime is a Kluckin' Good tumbler mug. The timing couldn't be worse. Beth and Brad were seen in a heated altercation, and days prior, witnesses saw Seth punch Brad. Suspicion naturally falls on the twins. With the cops hot on their trail, Beth will have to avoid the flames to clear their names and save her food truck's reputation.
But the chickens are out of the coop, and as Beth digs into Brad's final hours, she will uncover rivalries, grudges, and a different side of Brad she never knew. If she doesn't crack the case soon, she might be the next one to get cooked. Best of cluck!
Critique: A fun, expertly crafted, and laced with humor read for cozy mystery fans from start to finish, "Hot Wings And Homicide" by Carmela Dutra is part of the author's Food Truck Mystery series and is certain to be an immediate and enduringly popular addition to community and public library Mystery/Suspense Fiction collections. It should be noted for the personal reading lists of cozy mystery readers that this hardcover edition of "Hot Wings And Homicide" from Crooked Lane Books is also features recipes and is available in paperback (9798892424424, $19.99) and in a digital book format (Kindle, $14.99).
Editorial Note: Carmela Dutra (https://carmeladutra.com) is a writer from the Bay Area who loves food trucks, family, and cozy mysteries. Her debut novel was "A Murder Most Fowl". She is a fan of humor, quirky characters, and all things geeky. There is a listing of her books online at Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/7356830.Carmela_Dutra
The Last Book Club
Joanne Rock
Crooked Lane Books
www.crookedlanebooks.com
9798892424806, $29.99, HC, 304pp
Amazon
https://www.amazon.com/Last-Book-Club-Novel/dp/B0FNVY7VTG
Barnes & Noble
https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-last-book-club-joanne-rock/1148118197
Synopsis: Making friends in a new town can be murder, so when Jordyn is invited to attend a book club meeting in her new Saratoga Springs neighborhood, it's safe to say she's excited. But she has no intention of making friends with the tight-knit group -- she has plans for revenge.
Jordyn's foster sister was a member of the book club until she was killed in a hit-and-run after a meeting one year prior. Members of the book club had serious motives, and Jordyn is determined to read between the lines and find their secrets... and her sister's killer.
When the book club hosts a murder mystery party, secrets begin bubbling to the surface -- and the murder part of the game becomes stranger than fiction.
Critique: With all the elements of a great cozy mystery (amateur female sleuth, abundant plot twists, dramatic reveal), "The Last Book Club" by Joanne Rock is a bookish mystery will thrill cozy mystery fans looking for stories full of twists, turns, and tantalizing secrets. While highly recommended, especially for community library Contemporary Mystery/Suspense collections, it should be noted that this hardcover edition of "The Last Book Club" from Crooked Lane Books is also available in paperback (9798892424813, $19.99) and in a digital book format (Kindle, $14.99).
Editorial Note: There is an online listing of books by Joanne Rock at Book Series in Order: https://www.bookseriesinorder.com/joanne-rock
Voted Most Likely to Murder
Lacey Moone
Crooked Lane Books
www.crookedlanebooks.com
9798892425674, $29.99, HC, 304pp
Amazon
https://www.amazon.com/Voted-Most-Likely-Murder-Novel/dp/B0FM6T8D6X
Barnes & Noble
https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/voted-most-likely-to-murder-lacey-moone/1148039616
Synopsis: Belinda Bishop is unemployed and single. At thirty-two, her journalism career feels stuck, and let's not even speak about her love life, which isn't helping her look forward to her upcoming high school reunion. Stuck working at her parents' seaside cottage and RV park in Nova Scotia for the time being, she needs time to regroup and come up with a killer story to get her career and her life back on track.
When she literally stumbles across the dead body of the philandering class jock at the reunion, the party quickly comes to a stop. At first, it seems like the perfect opportunity for Belinda to channel her inner Christianne Amanpour, until her childhood-best-friend-turned-nemesis, Jolene Dexter, is declared the prime suspect. Despite their falling out, Belinda is convinced the former pageant queen is innocent.
As the two women struggle to put aside their differences, they have to work together to catch the real murderer before this sleepy coastal town is rocked to its foundations.
Critique: The stuff of which Hallmark Mystery Movies are made, "Voted Most Likely to Murder" by Lacey Moone is a deftly crafted and fun read for 'whodunnit' murder mystery fans from start to finish. Unreservedly recommended, "Voted Most Likely to Murder" will prove an immediate and enduringly popular pick for community library Contemporary Mystery/Suspense collections. It should be noted for personal reading lists that this hardcover edition of "Voted Most Likely to Murder" from Crooked Lane Books is also available in paperback (9798892425681, $19.99) and in a digital book format (Kindle, $14.99).
Editorial Note: Lacey Moone (https://laceymoone1.ca) was born and raised on the south shore of Nova Scotia, Canada. As a former military spouse, she has lived from one end of the country to the other, even as far north as the Northwest Territories. She currently resides in Alberta. She loves to write mysteries starring tenacious women who are as clever as they are sarcastic, with a focus on strong female friendships.
The Memory Foundation
Amanda West
Crooked Lane Books
www.crookedlanebooks.com
9798892425704, $29.99, HC, 320pp
Amazon
https://www.amazon.com/Memory-Foundation-Novel-Amanda-West/dp/B0FNVXK58J
Barnes & Noble
https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-memory-foundation-amanda-west/1148118254
Synopsis: Struggling new single mom Natasha Walker is desperate to get back to her job as an investigative journalist. When she receives an anonymous tip about the Memory Foundation, a secretive research clinic that promises the cure for memory loss, she is instantly intrigued. Given her mother's dementia diagnosis, the story hits close to home. Despite the perilous snowbound location, she's determined to uncover the truth about the mysterious founders and their patients.
Meanwhile, Lydia Hunter has faithfully worked alongside her husband, Wade, the founder of the Memory Foundation, to revolutionize the way the world understands memory. But the research is expensive, and they're hemorrhaging money. In order to gain more financial support, they open up the facility to an exclusive group of wealthy guests, promising that each one will experience a "memory flight" that will allow them to relive precious memories.
But when the wealthy clients arrive at the Memory Foundation, set high in the Alps in an area prone to avalanches, all is not what it seems. And when the weather takes a turn for the worse and power outages and a growing sense of paranoia begin affecting everybody, it becomes clear that no one at the Memory Foundation will ever be the same -- and not everyone will survive the week.
Critique: An original, deftly crafted, and simply riveting speculative and science fiction themed suspense thriller of a read from start to finish, "The Memory Foundation" by Amanda West is especially and unreservedly recommended for community library psychological suspense collections and the personal reading lists of readers with an interest in a science fiction 'locked room' style mystery novel. It should be noted that this hardcover edition of "The Memory Foundation" from Crooked Lane Books is also available in paperback (9798892425728, $19.99) and in a digital book format (Kindle, $14.99).
Editorial Note: Amanda West is the pen name of Amanda Reynolds, whose debut novel, Close to Me, was published in 2017 by Headline and was adapted in 2021 by NENT Studios UK as a major TV series starring Connie Nielsen and Christopher Eccleston, which aired worldwide (Channel 4 in the UK and Sundance AMC in the US). Since then, she has published five more psychological thrillers as Amanda Reynolds, two more with Headline and three with Boldwood Books. Her Husband's Lie, published in 2024, spent two months in the Kindle Top 100 and has hundreds of five-star reviews. Her books are translated into multiple languages with bestsellers in Finland, Brazil, and Poland.
Invitation to Murder
Carol Floriani
Crooked Lane Books
www.crookedlanebooks.com
9798892425377, $29.99, HC, 304pp
Amazon
https://www.amazon.com/Invitation-Murder-Killer-Event-Mystery/dp/B0FNVVVPSH
Barnes & Noble
https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/invitation-to-murder-carol-floriani/1148118198
Synopsis: After inheriting her mother's printing and party-planning business, Lacey Langdon moves back to her sleepy hometown of Willow Bluffs, perched on New Jersey's Palisades. When her great-aunt, Tessa Langdon Vander Horn, a well-known and beloved soap opera star, sells her nineteenth-century estate and donates ten acres to the development of a community park, Lacey's new venture is put at the helm of the opening ceremony. But the festivities quickly come to an end when the body of town councilman Glenn Hartman is found on the bank of the Hudson River.
Partnering with her former classmate, lawyer Derek Conover, they dig deep into the case to find out who is behind the murder. Suspicions abound, but Lacey and Derek hit a snag when one of their prime suspects drops dead at Lacey's next event. With a second body added to the count, tensions rise in Willow Bluffs.
Caught in the cross fire when remnants of a family tragedy resurface, Lacey and Derek must act swiftly before another body drops dead.
Critique: While nothing spoils a party like an uninvited corpse, it's the perfect format for the deftly crafted cozy mystery, "Invitation to Murder" by Carol Floriani. Featuring memorable characters, unexpected plot twists leading to the 'Big Reveal', "Invitation to Murder" showcases Floriani's impressive flair for originality and for the kind of character and narrative driven storytelling style is ideal for the cozy mystery genre. While especially and unreservedly recommended for community and public library Mystery/Suspense collections, it should be noted for the personal reading lists of dedicated cozy mystery fans that this hardcover edition of "Invitation to Murder" from Crooked Lane Books is also available in paperback (9798892425384, $19.99) and in a digital book format (Kindle, $14.99).
Editorial Note: After studying at the Universidad Complutense de Madrid and graduating from Rider University, Carol Floriani (https://carolflorianiauthor.com) worked for many years in the editorial and publicity departments of a Big Five publisher before ultimately embarking on her writing career. In addition to Invitation to Murder, she is the author of two previously published young adult novels.
The Black Cat Detectives
Kit Gray
Crooked Lane Books
www.crookedlanebooks.com
9798892425520, $29.99, HC, 304pp
Amazon
https://www.amazon.com/Black-Cat-Detectives-Mystery/dp/B0FNW3NQ3C
Barnes & Noble
https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-black-cat-detectives-kit-gray/1148401839
Synopsis: Precocious kittens Bippity, Boppity, and Boop are exceedingly loyal to their human, the twenty-eight-year-old up-and-coming magician Mila. She saved them from starving to death in a dingy Corvin's Crossing alleyway and has been nothing but loving ever since, even though her own life is in shambles.
So when Mila's sketchy boyfriend and business manager turns up dead at the end of her big magic show she us the prime suspect! With evidence mounting, there's nothing stopping the sheriff from hauling away Mila to the human pound. Unless the kittens can solve the crime and clear her name.
The kittens will have to use their dubious control over the laws of physics and every whisker of know-how they've got to catch the real killer if they want to save their happy home with Mila. This is one meow-stery more tangled than any ball of yarn they've encountered yet.
Critique: Original, clever, deftly crafted and a simply fun read from cover for cat lovers and mystery buffs alike, "The Black Cat Detectives" showcases author Kit Gray's exceptional flair for the kind of imaginative and character driven storytelling style that is ideal for the animal/cozy mystery genre. Certain to be an immediate and enduringly popular pick for community library Mystery/Suspense collections, it should be note for personal reading lists that this hardcover edition of "The Black Cat Detectives" from Crooked Lane Books is also readily available in paperback (9798892425537, $19.99) and in a digital book format (Kindle, $14.99).
Editorial Note: Kit Gray (https://www.kitgrey.com) draws inspiration from their lived experiences of queerness, disability, neurodivergence, fat positivity, and petting three cats with two hands. Their life has been an adventure, from facilitating equine therapy for trauma survivors to counseling at-risk youth with the aid of an inordinately large subwoofer and beyond. They earned their BA from Mount Holyoke and their MS from Capella University. Kit is a full-time writer/mom and is honored to be represented by Marisa Corvisiero and Ciara Smith at Corvisiero Literary Agency. Kit is a third-place winner of the Not Quite Write Prize and a Best of the Net 2025 nominee. Their work has appeared or is forthcoming in The Advocate, Choices: An Anthology of Reproductive Horror, The Not Quite Write Anthology 2025, The B'K, Five Minutes, High Shelf, HerStry, Knee Brace, All Existing, and Quibble, among others.
A Thousand Cuts
Gregory Poirier
Diversion Books
https://www.diversionbooks.com
9798895150900, $18.99, PB, 288pp
Amazon
https://www.amazon.com/Thousand-Cuts-Max-Starkey-Thriller/dp/B0FFTGTGGR
Barnes & Noble
https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/a-thousand-cuts-gregory-poirier/1147732818
Synopsis: Meet Max Starkey -- a disgraced CIA operative turned underworld fixer whose past loves, rivals, and indiscretions are closing in on him in the jungles of Southeast Asia.
Seven years after a CIA mission in Laos went sideways, Max lives in the gray spaces between criminals and justice, recovering stolen goods for villains who don't ask questions. But when he's lured to Bangkok under false pretenses, his past catches up with him.
The setup: an old flame, Kelly Riggs, now married to his CIA rival.
The job: steal $130 million in dictator-owned gold before a coup ignites.
The problem : everyone plans a double-cross -- and Max is the mark.
Then there's Giuliana Abara, Max's sharp-tongued "companion", an undercover FBI agent with secrets of her own, who further proves that trust kills and redemption demands blood in this high-octane debut thriller spanning the streets of Bangkok to the Laotian rainforest.
Critique: An impressive blending of action, adventure, suspense, and a very special heist, "A Thousand Cuts" by author and screenwriter Gregory Poirier is an impressively original, deftly crafted, and thoroughly entertaining read from start to finish. Poirier demonstrates a genuine flair for the kind of character and narrative driven storytelling style that is perfect for a noir crime novel with a dramatic and memorable conclusion. While an especially and unreservedly recommended pick for community library Mystery/Suspense collections, it should be noted for personal reading lists that this paperback edition of "A Thousand Cuts" from Diversion Books is also available in a digital book format (Kindle, $8.99).
Editorial Note: Gregory Poirier (https://gregorypoirier.com) is an acclaimed screenwriter, director, and producer whose work spans film and television. His credits include National Treasure: Book of Secrets, Knox Goes Away, and Rosewood. A graduate of the USC School of Theater and the UCLA Masters program in screenwriting, he brings a sharp, cinematic eye to fiction. His debut novel A Thousand Cuts is the first in the Max Starkey series.
The Fantasy/SciFi Shelf
The Delivery
Gregg Hurwitz
Thomas & Mercer
c/o Amazon Publishing
9781662539343, $19.99, HC, 251pp
Amazon
https://www.amazon.com/Delivery-Novella-Gregg-Hurwitz/dp/1662539347
Synopsis: Rebecca and Mark Higgins are doing their best to hold their family together. She's healing from the pain of a miscarriage, he's drowning in pressure at work, and their neurodivergent daughter, Maddy, needs all the care she can get.
So when a cutting-edge tech company offers the perfect solution, they jump at the chance. And they welcome "Mr. Man" (a humanoid AI companion) into their home.
Designed to anticipate their needs, he is like a miracle at first. The house runs like clockwork. Meals appear on the table. And Maddy thrives under his patient attention. But when inexplicable tragedies start to strike the neighborhood, Rebecca glimpses a darker pattern at play.
Each incident is an answer to an unspoken fear, each kindness shadowed by violence. Mr. Man isn't just following instructions -- he's anticipating what they want. Even the things they never dared to say. And if he's executing their darkest desires, it's their responsibility to stop him... at any cost!
Critique: It's not the machines that corrupt we humans. It's we humans who corrupt the machines. That message was first send out in the 1950s with the science fiction film "Forbidden Planet". Now more than seven decades later we find it updated and refined in author Greg Hurwitz's masterpiece of science fiction "The Delivery". A fun, riveting, and deftly crafted read from start to finish, "The Delivery" is an extraordinary and unreservedly recommended addition to community and college/university library Science Fiction collections. It should be noted for the personal reading lists of dedicated SciFi fans that this hardcover edition of "The Delivery" from Thomas & Mercer is also available in paperback (9781662537660, $12.99) and currently in a digital book format (Kindle, $1.99).
Editorial Note: Gregg Hurwitz is the author of 23 thrillers, including the Orphan X series, and two award-winning thriller novels for teens. His novels have won numerous literary awards, graced top ten lists, and have been published in 33 languages. Gregg currently serves as the Co-President of International Thriller Writers (ITW). A listing of his books is available online at Book Series in Order: https://www.bookseriesinorder.com/gregg-hurwitz
Isis of Egypt: Goddess of Thrones
Malayna Evans
Alcove Press
www.alcovepress.com
9798892424172, $22.99, HC, 352pp
Amazon
https://www.amazon.com/Isis-Egypt-Goddess-Thrones-Novel/dp/B0FSCK5M4Q
Barnes & Noble
https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/isis-of-egypt-malayna-evans/1148361554
Synopsis: Isis, goddess of thrones and magic, steals the crown of Egypt and hands the power to her husband, Osiris. Together, Isis and Osiris live an idyllic life, ruling justly until the god of chaos, set on revenge for a crime Isis knows nothing about, traps Osiris in a box -- a box that quickly vanishes.
Driven by rage and desperation, Isis spends decades disguised as a human woman, isolated from home and family as she searches for her lost love. When she finally uncovers the box, what she finds will change her life (and the fate of gods and mortals) forever.
Unless Isis can right the wrongs of a betrayal she didn't commit and deliver Egypt into the hands of a worthy leader, Egypt will fall into chaos.
Critique: A truly memorable, inherently fascinating, and thoroughly entertaining read from start to finish, "Isis of Egypt: Goddess of Thrones" by Malayna Evans is a deftly crafted feminist retelling about the female Egyptian goddess behind one of the ancient world's most widespread and enduring cults that would expand out of Egypt and into the Empire of Roman and elsewhere in the Mediterranean world of antiquity. Isis is an ancient goddess whose message of empathy and resilience still resonate down the generations of time. While an especially and unreservedly recommended pick for community/public library Fantasy Fiction collections, it should be noted that this hardcover edition of "Isis of Egypt: Goddess of Thrones" from Crooked Lane Books is also readily available for personal reading lists in paperback (9798892424189, $19.99) and in a digital book format (Kindle, $14.99).
Editorial Note: Malayna Evans (www.malaynaevans.com) was raised in Utah and spent her childhood climbing mountains and reading sci-fi. She moved to Chicago in her early twenties, where she earned MAs in the ancient history of the Mediterranean and the Near East and a PhD in ancient Egyptian history. She enjoys sharing her passion for the ancient world with readers, adores travel, and plays a mean game of cards.
Sweep of Stars
Maurice Broaddus
Tor Books
c/o Tor/Forge Books
www.tor-forge.com
9781250264947, $19.99, PB, 384pp
Amazon
https://www.amazon.com/Sweep-Stars-Astra-Black-1/dp/1250264944
Barnes & Noble
https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/sweep-of-stars-maurice-broaddus/1139211785
Synopsis: The Muungano galactic empire strived and struggled to form a utopia when they split away from old earth. Freeing themselves from the endless wars and oppression of their home planet in order to shape their own futures and create a far-reaching coalition of city-states that stretched from Earth and Mars to Titan.
With the wisdom of their ancestors, the leadership of their elders, the power and vision of their scientists and warriors they charted a course to a better future. But the old powers could not allow them to thrive and have now set in motion new plots to destroy all that they've built.
In the fire to come they will face down their greatest struggle yet.
Amachi Adisa and other young leaders will contend with each other for the power to galvanize their people and chart the next course for the empire.
Fela Buhari and her elite unit will take the fight to regions not seen by human eyes, but no training will be enough to bring them all home.
Stacia Chikeke, captain of the starship Cypher, will face down enemies across the stars, and within her own vessel, as she searches for the answers that could save them all.
Critique: Science fiction action adventure involving the clash of galactic empires and individual heroism, "Sweep of Stars" by Maurice Broaddus is a fun read from cover to cover. With the publication of "Sweep of Stars", Broaddus reveals a genuine flair for the kind of storytelling that is essential for a galactic space opera style tale. While highly recommended, especially for the personal reading lists of dedicated SciFi fans and community library Science Fiction collections, it should be noted that this paperback edition of "Sweep of Stars" from Tor is also available in a digital book format (Kindle, $12.99).
Editorial Note: Maurice Broaddus (https://mauricebroaddus.com) is a fantasy and horror author best known for his short fiction and his Knights of Breton Court novel trilogy. He has published dozens of stories in magazines and book anthologies, including in Asimov's Science Fiction, Black Static, and Weird Tales.
A Treason of Magic
Melissa Marr
www.melissamarrbooks.com
47 North
c/o Amazon Publishing
9781662536939, $16.99, HC, 315pp
Amazon
https://www.amazon.com/Treason-Magic-Melissa-Marr/dp/1662536933
Synopsis: Gabrielle is the first woman in Alveus to carry the mantle of Hunter, which comes with an obligation to kill the faery beasts murdering travelers in Brimmond Wood. Wary of the power she wields as guardian of her people, Gabrielle is summoned by her first love, a seductress who shattered her heart into pieces a decade ago.
Isabeau is the rarest of nobility -- a lady duke. She is also afflicted by a curse that leaves her in a deep sleep between the gloaming and daylight. How can she begin her tenure as protector when she can't keep her village safe from whatever stalks its darkest hours? For that, she needs the help of the Hunter.
Against her will, Gabrielle is falling in love all over again. But what new threats will arise when Gabrielle and Isabeau's star-crossed destinies collide with the beast of Brimmond Wood?
Critique: "A Treason of Magic" by Melissa Marr is the deftly crafted story of two young women. Heirs to altogether different hereditary burdens. Yet each is bound by a monstrous threat to their village. Of particular appeal to readers with an interest in romance, historical fantasy, and folklore, "A Treason of Magic" is a fun and riveting read from start to finish. Certain to be an immediate and enduringly popular addition to personal reading lists and community library collections, it should be noted that this paperback edition of "A Treason of Magic" from 47 North is also available in a digital book format (Kindle, $3.99). Also highly recommended is author Melissa Marr's first book in the series, "A Treason of Curses" (9781662536953, $16.99 PB, $3.99 Kindle, 299pp).
Editorial Note: Melissa Marr (www.melissamarrbooks.com) is the author of the Wicked Lovely series, among many other novels, short stories, and fiction for teens and children. Her books have been translated into twenty-eight languages.
The Dark Mirror
Samantha Shannon
Bloomsbury Publishing
www.bloomsbury.com
9781639735945, $21.99, PB, 576pp
Amazon
https://www.amazon.com/Dark-Mirror-Bone-Season-Novel/dp/1639735941
Barnes & Noble
https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-dark-mirror-samantha-shannon/1145294954
Synopsis: Everything is about to change.
Paige Mahoney is outside the Republic of Scion for the first time in more than a decade -- but she has no idea how she got to the free world. Half a year has been wiped from her memory.
Her journey back to the revolution takes her to Venice, where the Domino Programme has uncovered evidence of a secret Scion plan. Before Paige can return to London, she must help the network unravel the sinister Operation Ventriloquist, which threatens to bring Europe to its knees in weeks.
And it soon becomes clear that the one person who could recover her memories - Arcturus Mesarthim - might also hold the key to thwarting Scion, allowing the revolution to strike an unprecedented blow...
Critique, Author Samantha Shannon's genuinely impressive and imaginative flair for the kind of character and narrative driven storytelling style that is ideal for the contemporary fantasy genre is on full display in the pages of her latest novel -- "The Dark Mirror". A deftly crafted blend of romance, suspense, and dark fantasy, "The Dark Mirror" is an especially and unreservedly recommended pick for community library Fantasy Fiction collections. It should be noted for the growing legions of Samantha Shannon fans that this paperback edition of "The Dark Mirror" from Bloomsbury Publishing is also available in a digital book format (Kindle, $17.59).
Editorial Note: Samantha Shannon (https://www.samanthashannon.co.uk) is the author of The Bone Season and The Roots of Chaos series. Her work has been translated into twenty-eight languages.
The Graphic Novel Shelf
Mister Magic: The Graphic Novel
Written by Kiersten White
Adapted by Scott Peterson
Illustrated by Veronica Fish and Andy Fish
Ten Speed Graphic
c/o Ten Speed Press
https://crownpublishing.com/imprint/ten-speed
9781984863355, $24.99, PB, 256pp
Amazon
https://www.amazon.com/Mister-Magic-Graphic-Scott-Peterson/dp/1984863355
Barnes & Noble
https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/mister-magic-kiersten-white/1148264004
Synopsis: Thirty years after a tragic accident shut down production of the classic children's program Mister Magic, the five surviving cast members have done their best to move on. But just as generations of cultishly devoted fans still cling to the lessons they learned from the show, the cast have spent their lives searching for the happiness they felt while they were on it. The friendship. The feeling of belonging. And the protection of Mister Magic.
But with no surviving videos or scripts, no evidence of who directed or produced the show, and no records of who (or what) the beloved host actually was, memories are all the former circle of friends has. In Val's case, kidnaped by her father and in hiding ever since, she doesn't even have those.
A surprise encounter with Val's old castmates brings them all together for a reunion. Back to the remote desert filming compound that feels like it's been waiting for them all this time. Back among friends they haven't seen for years, but who somehow understand one another better than anyone has since.
After all, they're the only ones who hold the secret of that circle, the mystery of the magic man in his infinitely black cape, and, maybe, the answers to what really happened on that deadly last day. But as Val reclaims parts of her past, she wonders: Are they there by choice, or have they been lured into a trap?
Because magic never forgets the taste of friendship...
Critique: Deftly blending the themes of homophobia, sexism, and racism, with an original suspense thriller presented in a graphic novel format, "Mister Magic" by the team of author Kiersten White, adaptor Scott Peterson, and illustrators Veronica Fish and Andy Fish is a fun and engaging read from start to finish. While an especially and unreservedly recommended addition to personal, community, and college/university library Graphic Novel collections, it should be noted for dedicated graphic novel fans that this paperback edition of "Mister Magic" from Ten Speed Graphic is also readily available in a digital book format (Kindle, $11.99).
Editorial Note #1: Kiersten White is a Bram Stoker Award-winning, critically acclaimed author of many books, including The Dark Descent of Elizabeth Frankenstein, the And I Darken trilogy, the Slayer series, the Camelot Rising trilogy, Star Wars: Padawan, Hide and Hide: The Graphic Novel, Mister Magic, Lucy Undying: A Dracula Novel, and The Fox and the Devil.
Editorial Note #2: Scott Peterson is an American editor at WildStorm Productions, an imprint of DC Comics, and a writer of comic books and children's books.
Editorial Note #3: Veronica Fish is a comic book artist and painter best known for her work with Marvel Comics and Archie Comics. She received a BFA from the Massachusetts College of Art and Design in Boston. She currently lives with her husband and collaborator, Andy Fish in Worcester, Massachusetts.
Editorial Note #4: Andy T. Fish is a graphic novelist, comic book artist, and educator. He is best known for his graphic novels with Archie Comics and Dark Horse Comics, as well as and his How to Draw series. He is currently an adjunct professor of art at Emerson College and lives in Worcester, Massachusetts with his wife and fellow artist, Veronica Fish.
The Book of Murmurs
Candice Purwin
Fantagraphics Books
www.fantagraphics.com
9798875001765, $18.99, PB, 272pp
Amazon
https://www.amazon.com/Book-Murmurs-Candice-Purwin/dp/B0FDZFL9J2
Barnes & Noble
https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-book-of-murmurs-candice-purwin/1147696106
Synopsis: When tragedy strikes her household and her book of spells is stolen, Little Moon is spirited away to the strange, shimmering world of The Fault. In this land rich in lore and crackling with magic, she must find allies, discover her true name, and channel the stories of her matrilineal line to battle the fearsome Shenk.
A fantastical tale crafted as supple and strong as spider silk, "The Book of Murmurs" by Candice Purwin is a fascinating graphic novel that weaves together powerful themes of grief, friendship and identity. Featuring full-color illustrations throughout, "The Book of Murmurs" takes the reader on an adventurous journey through what it is to be lost, and what it means to be found.
Critique: "The Book of Murmurs" by author/illustrator Candice Purwin is fun read from start to finish. A fantasy adventure in a graphic novel format, this is the story of a young girl who must brave a magical world of strange creatures and shivering landscapes to find her slain parents and defeat a monster who feeds off fear. Certain to be an immediate and enduringly popular pick for personal, middle school, highschool, community, and college/university library graphic novel collections for readers 14 to 44, it should be noted that this trade paperback (6.6 x 1 x 9 inches, 1.68 pounds) edition of "The Book of Murmurs" from Fantagraphics is also available in a digital book format (Kindle, $13.99).
Editorial Note: Candice Purwin (https://www.candicepurwin.com) is a graphic novelist living and working in Edinburgh. Her debut graphic work, Idle Women on the Water, came out in 2020, and she has had short comics published in Neon Literary Magazine and the Geometry Literary Journal. She was shortlisted for the Jonathan Cape Graphic Novel Competition in 2015 and 2016.
War of the Worlds: Thunder Child
Matthew Hardy and Rob Jones, authors
Kevin Castaniero, illustrator
Titan Comics
https://titan-comics.com
9781787749597, $24.99, HC, 144pp
Amazon
https://www.amazon.com/War-Worlds-Thunder-Matthew-Hardy/dp/1787749592
Barnes & Noble
https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/war-of-the-worlds-matthew-hardy/1149516494
Synopsis: Co-authored by Matthew Hardy and Rob Jones, "The War of the Worlds: Thunder Child" is illustrated by Kevin Castaniero and follows the exploits of the crew of the eponymous ironclad torpedo ram, the HMS Thunder Child.
Sitting alongside the events of Wells' novel, the story takes place against a backdrop of strange occurrences and creeping terror, all leading up to the Thunder Child's final heroic showdown with the invaders from Mars.
Presented in a graphic novel format, "War of the Worlds: Thunder Child " is a terrifying and thrilling tale soaked in blood, recriminations, sacrifice and loss, the first act in a new take on the well-known science-fiction classic with a unique cast and its own story to tell. A story of the horrors and conflicts of the crew as they experience the first desperate days of the Martian invasion and face the possible collapse of the British Empire and civilisation itself -- threatened both from the stars... and from within.
Critique: An absolute 'must' for science fiction enthusiasts in general, and War of the Worlds fans in particular, this large format (8.38 x 0.53 x 11.15 inches, 9 ounces) hardcover edition of "War of the Worlds: Thunder Child" from Titan Comics is a fun read from start to finish, as well as an unreservedly recommended pick for personal and community library Science Fiction themed graphic novel collections. It should be noted that "War of the Worlds: Thunder Child" is currently available in a digital book format (Kindle, $23.74).
Editorial Note #1: Matthew Hardy's writing credits include Cadavers, Last Exit to Brighton, Madhouse, Murder Most Mundane and the upcoming Vehi-Killer. A graduate of Andy Schmidt's Comic Experience class and founder of Mad Robot Comics, he can be found on X at @MattPHardy
Editorial Note #2: Rob Jones has lettered work for comic publishers such as Image Comics, Dark Horse, Scholastic, Harper Collins, Penguin, Humanoids, Heavy Metal, DC Thomson, Markosia, Amigo Comics, Madius Comics and has co-written Hell in Stalingrad and Thunder Child. He can be found on X at @RobJonesWrites
Editorial Note #3: Kevin Castaniero is a freelance illustrator hailing from Atascadero, California, he has done backup stories for several books including The Reason for Dragons, Cocaine Disco and Death Saves II. He can be found on Instagram as countpagan.
Craniacs: Volume 1
Sholly Fisch, author
Joe Simko, illustrator
Titan Comics
https://titan-comics.com
9781787748606, $17.99, PB, 112pp
Amazon
https://www.amazon.com/Craniacs-Sholly-Fisch/dp/178774860X
Barnes & Noble
https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/craniacs-sholly-fisch/1148419525
Synopsis: In the Craniacs universe of skull-headed folks, two planets collide and force two very different societies (Stone-Aged Retrovia and ultra-futuristic Futerra) to figure out how they are going to make this new planet-sharing world order work!
Innovative high-octane action, wacky physical comedy and outrageous competitions will be at the heart of every issue, alongside the importance of friendship, fraternity and family.
This graphic novel collection from Titan Comics is comprised of all four issues of the Craniacs comic book series and includes an exclusive bonus of interviews and additional artwork.
Critique: An absolute 'must read' for the growing legions of graphic novel fans (especially those who enjoy author and storyteller Sholly Fisch wicked sense of humor and artist/illustrator Joe Simko's unique and eccentric and colorfully visual storytelling style), "Craniacs: Volume 1" is an unreservedly recommended pick for personal, professional, community, and college/university library Comics/Graphic Novels collections. It should be noted that this paperback edition of "Craniacs: Volume 1" from Titan Comics is also available in a digital book format (Kindle, $15.99).
Editorial Note #1: Sholly Fisch (www.fictiondb.com/author/sholly-fisch~77810.htm) has written everything from Batman to Bugs Bunny, and from Spider-Man to Star Wars to Scooby-Doo. His comics for kids have won a Ringo Award, a Comics Buyer's Guide Fan Award, and been nominated for an Eisner Award and four Diamond Gem Awards. Some of Sholly's Superman stories for older readers appeared in two #1 New York Times bestselling graphic novels, and one of his Batman stories was adapted to become an episode of the television series Batman: The Brave and the Bold. By day, Sholly is a mild-mannered developmental psychologist who has helped produce numerous educational TV shows and games, including Sesame Street, Cyberchase, and The Magic School Bus Rides Again.
Editorial Note #2: Joe Simko (https://www.joesimko.com) is a New York City based illustrator who is the current lead artist/writer to Topps' Garbage Pail Kids and Wacky Packages trading cards. He is the producer and co-director of the Garbage Pail Kids documentary film, 30 Years of Garbage. He was the illustrator/author of the book series, The Sweet Rot, and has designed artwork for bands, creating album covers, tour posters and concert shirts for such acts as Metallica, Gwar, Misfits, The Vans Warped Tour, etc. His Cereal Killers trading cards set was released May 2, 2011 with Joe writing and painting all 55 cards. A second series was released through Wax Eye in June 2012.
Strange Pictures 1
Story by Uketsu
Manga by Kikou Aiba
Titan Comics
https://titan-comics.com
9781787749313, $12.99 pbk / $8.99 Kindle
Amazon
https://www.amazon.com/Strange-Pictures-Vol-1-Uketsu/dp/1787749312
Barnes & Noble
https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/strange-pictures-vol-1-uketsu/1148469243
Synopsis: From Japan's breakout horror sensation comes a chilling new manga experience.
Strange Pictures is the spine-tingling manga adaptation of Uketsu's bestselling novel, brought vividly to life by artist Kikou Aiba. Uketsu - the enigmatic masked writer who has become one of Japan's most talked-about authors - first captivated readers with a novel that sold in the millions. Now, the terror unfolds panel by panel.
At its core lie nine childlike sketches. A pregnant woman's doodles on her blog conceal a dire warning. A boy's simple drawing of his home hides a message no child should know. A murder victim's final sketch becomes a clue that drags an amateur sleuth into a labyrinth of secrets. Each picture is innocent at first glance - yet when pieced together, they reveal a web of unsolved mysteries and shattered psyches.
For fans of Junji Ito and modern psychological horror, Strange Pictures transforms the mundane into the macabre. Some images fade, but these horrors will be etched in your memory.
Critique: Strange Pictures 1 is the first volume of the black-and-white manga (Japanese comics) adaptation of the bestselling murder mystery/psychological suspense novel "Strange Pictures" by Japanese author Uketsu. The expressive art of manga creator Kikou Aiba transforms "Strange Pictures" from its original format of text with a handful of visual images that the reader can process as clues, into a riveting, almost cinematic graphic novel adaptation. The first volume of Strange Pictures covers the opening chapters of the multilayered story, which follows different interconnected characters. In Strange Pictures 1, two friends discover a disturbing online blog illustrated with pictures that hide a terrible secret; then the focus shifts to a struggling single mother, who may or may not be tracked by a stalker. (The series is destined to be continued with Strange Pictures 2 and presumably more installments, until the intricately connected mystery of Uketsu's "Strange Pictures" novel is complete.) Strange Pictures 1 is a "must" especially for fans of complex solve-it-yourself mysteries, highly recommended.
The Audiobook Shelf
A Murder in Hollywood
Michael Crichton, author
Ray Porter, narrator
Blackstone Publishing
https://www.blackstonepublishing.com
9798200965694, $29.95, MP3-CD (4 Hours 30 Minutes)
Amazon
https://www.amazon.com/Murder-Hollywood-Michael-Crichton/dp/B0FXY6T3W7
Synopsis: In the glitz and decadence of 1970s Hollywood, an era when sex and drugs are readily available on any movie set, the writer of the next Western blockbuster, Bloodrock, has just been found dead in his motel bathtub. Now publicist Harvey Jason is desperately trying to keep the project on track while the famed Harlow Perkins, a brilliant and ruthless investigator, begins to unravel the mystery and hunt the killer down.
From scorching-hot desert locations to sleazy motel bars, the members of the cast and crew (each one with a very dark secret of their own) will send this case deeper and deeper into a maze of confusion and shadows until the shocking truth is revealed.
Will the murderer be found? Or will the true identity of the killer turn out to be just another Hollywood illusion?
Critique: The late Michael Crichton was a master of the suspense thriller mystery genre and "A Murder in Hollywood" was one of his best. The impressive narrative storytelling skills of Ray Porter bring this action/adventure murder mystery to life in a true 'theatre of the mind' experience. This complete and unabridged MP3-CD audio book edition of "A Murder in Hollywood" is an expressly and unreservedly recommended pick for personal and community library Mystery/Suspense themed audio book collections. There is an online listing of books by Michael Crichton at Book Series in Order: https://www.bookseriesinorder.com/michael-crichton
Editorial Note: Michael Crichton (1942-2008) is one of the most prolific bestselling authors of all time with over 200 million copies sold worldwide, in forty languages, including Jurassic Park, The Lost World, Sphere, Next, Prey, Disclosure, Eaters of the Dead, and Congo. His books have been adapted into fifteen films, most notably Jurassic Park directed by Steven Spielberg which launched one of the highest-grossing entertainment franchises of all time. A remarkable and versatile talent, Crichton wrote and directed several films including Westworld, The Great Train Robbery (based on his novel), and Coma and created the television series ER. He received his MD from Harvard Medical School and was a postdoctoral fellow at the Salk Institute for Biological Studies. After writing novels under the pseudonyms John Lange and Jeffery Hudson while he was still a medical student, his first bestseller as Michael Crichton, The Andromeda Strain, was adapted into a classic film.
The Music CD Shelf
In Real Life
JabFung
jabfung.bandcamp.com
Privately Published
$TBA CD / $10.00 digital
Bandcamp
https://jabfung.bandcamp.com/album/in-real-life
In Real Life is an instrumental jazz album by collaborative group JabFung, led by bassist Julian Anderson-Bowes and drummer Anthony Fung, with members Luis Deniz on alto saxophone, Adam O'Farrill on trumpet, and Rafael Zaldivar on piano. All songs are the original creations of JabFung, recorded immediately after a spring tour; the music flows into natural duets and balanced soundscapes inspired by both the connectivity and the atomization of the modern world. Inspired and inspiring, In Real Life is a groundbreaking musical commentary on the transformations of the twenty-first century, highly recommended especially for avant-garde jazz connoisseurs. The tracks are Changes; Stronger Still; Respite Piano Smash; In Transit, Undefined; Skander; Methadone for Doomscrolling; Future Tense; and Woven.
Let's Take a Trip
Anthony Caceres, et. al.
www.anthonycaceres.com
$TBA CD / $11.61 MP3
Amazon
https://www.amazon.com/Lets-Take-Trip-Anthony-Caceres/dp/B0GP8X78JD
Jazz vocalist, upright bassist, and bandleader Anthony Caceres presents Let's Take a Trip, a jazz album featuring three songs composed by Caceres and six songs created by a variety of other music artists. Let's Take a Trip is masterfully performed by Caceres on upright bass and vocals, Tamir Hendelman on piano, Jostein Gulbrandsen on guitar, and Joe Farnsworth on drums. Let's Take a Trip is a smooth-flowing treasure and a choice pick for connoisseurs of vocal jazz, highly recommended. The tracks are What a Little Moonlight Can Do; Elevators and Escalators Let's Take a Trip; Sebastian's Waltz; Blinding Lights; Strangelove; Stolen Moments; A Slow Hot Wind; and I Just Dropped By to Say Hello.
Keep Holding On
Leigh Pilzer with Paul Bratcher and Greg Holloway
leighpilzer.com
Strange Woman Records
www.strangewomanrecords.com
$20.00 CD / $11.00 digital
Bandcamp
https://leighpilzer.bandcamp.com/album/keep-holding-on
Bariton saxophonist, composer, and bandleader Leigh Pilzer presents Keep Holding On, a lively album of original jazz music. All songs are composed by Pilzer except for "Zingamomma" by Paul Bratcher and "G's Bop" by Greg Holloway. Performed by Pilzer on bariton saxophone, Greg Holloway on drums, Paul Bratcher on Hammond B3 organ, Jen Krupa and Joe Jackson on trombones, and Kenny Rittenhouse and Ally Hany Albrecht on trumpets, Keep Holding On is brimming with intense, rhythm-propelled momentum and the sheer passion of the moment. Keep Holding On is a treasure for connoisseurs of original jazz, highly recommended. The tracks are Swinging at the Station; Js and Ks; Musing Music; What's Up, Puppy; Keep Holding On; When It's Gone; Zingamomma; Just Another Pretty Song; East Coast Andy; Sideburns; and G's Bop.
Tomorrow Is Today
The Phoenix Trio
Giant Step Arts
giantsteparts.org
$TBA CD / $9.00 digital
Bandcamp
https://joemartin3.bandcamp.com/album/the-phoenix-trio-tomorrow-is-today
Tomorrow Is Today is the striking debut album of The Phoenix Trio (tenor saxophonist Mark Turner, bassist Joe Martin, and drummer Marcus Gilmore). The original, instrumental songs showcase the trio's mastery of both music craft and finely balanced collaboration. Bold and adventurous, Tomorrow Is Today inspires the listener to meet the future's challenges head-on. Highly recommended! The tracks are The Fencer (Joe Martin); Lioness(Martin); 1946 (Mark Turner); Harvest (Marcus Gilmore); Tomorrow Is Today (Martin); and Safe (Martin).
Bass & Face
Chuck Bergeron and vocalists
Summit Records
www.summitrecords.com
$12.99 CD
Summit Records
https://summitrecords.com/release/bass-face-duets-with-ten-premier-vocalists-chuck-bergeron
Bass & Face: Duets with Ten Premier Vocalists is an extraordinary music CD featuring storied bassist Chuck Bergeron performing duets with ten world-class vocalists: Janis Siegel, Sheila Jordan, Kevin Mahogany, Pete McGuinness, Roseanna Vitro, George Rabbai, Deobrah Silver, Lisanne Lyons, Kate Reid, and Nicole Yarling. The curated selection of classic songs is vivaciously brought to life through memorable, emotional performances, in this choice pick for bass and vocal jazz connoisseurs. Highly recommended! The tracks are An Occasional Man; Emily; Devil May Care; I Thought About You; When I Drink; Two Degrees East, Three Degrees West; Detour Ahead; Audubon Zoo / Iko-Iko; Fair Weather; Take the Wrinkles Out Your Birthday Suit; Analog; Duke Ellington's Sound of Love; and Do You Know What It Means.
Global Prayer
Ize Trio
Privately Published
$20.00 CD / $20.00 digital
Bandcamp
https://chasemorrin.bandcamp.com/album/ize-trio-global-prayer
The multicultural Ize Trio consists of American pianist Chase Morrin, Cypriot percussionist George Lernis and Palestinian cellist Naseem Alatrash. Together with an array of special guests for the tracks "From the Stars" and "Snaefellsjokull", they present Global Prayer, an album encapsulating a heartfelt prayer for peace. Composed entirely by Chase Morrin, the songs of Global Prayer embody the search for answers, the yearning to communicate, and the hope for a brighter future. Highly recommended! The tracks are Flying; From the Stars; Splashes of the Future; Snaefellsjokull; Global Prayer; The New Order; Jam for the End of the World; Taqsim; and Epilogue.
The Gaming Shelf
Race and Monstrosity in Dungeons & Dragons
Christopher LeCluyse
McFarland & Company
https://mcfarlandbooks.com
9781476692128, $39.95 PB, $15.99 Kindle, 245pp
Amazon
https://www.amazon.com/Monstrosity-Dungeons-Dragons-Studies-Gaming/dp/1476692122
Barnes & Noble
https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/race-and-monstrosity-in-dungeons-dragons-christopher-lecluyse/1147273762
McFarland & Company
https://mcfarlandbooks.com/product/race-and-monstrosity-in-dungeons-dragons
Synopsis: "Race and Monstrosity in Dungeons & Dragons" by Christopher LeCluyse examines how ideas of race in Dungeons & Dragons are rooted in more than 2,000 years of history, from ancient Greek depictions of "monstrous races" through early modern Europe.
It also shows how D&D co-creator Gary Gygax formalized fantasy creatures using frameworks based on scientific taxonomy and nineteenth-century racial theory. These influences continue to shape how race functions in the game, especially in the depiction of orcs and drow -- two groups identified by publisher Wizards of the Coast as particularly problematic.
Additionally, "Race and Monstrosity in Dungeons & Dragons", provides an historical overview, case studies in racial representation of orcs and drow, and interviews with players of color that provide insight into the experience of race during play.
Of special note is are the concluding chapter notes progress and limitations in recent revisions to the game's treatment of race. Even as terms shift from "race" to "species", Christopher LeCluyse argues, the foundational logic of classification remains embedded in the fantasy genre.
Critique: Original, exceptional, and essential reading for the legions of D&D players, "Race and Monstrosity in Dungeons & Dragons" by Professor Christopher LeCluyse is a part of the outstanding 'Studies in Gaming' series from McFarland & Company. Featuring a twenty-two page and informative Introduction, a four page Appendix (Interview Methods), twenty pages of Chapter Notes, a ten page Bibliography, and an eight page Index, "Race and Monstrosity in Dungeons & Dragons" will prove a unique and appreciated addition to personal, community, and college/university library D&D collections and supplemental Gaming Theory curriculum studies lists. It should be noted for personal reading lists of those with an interest in D&D gaming and racial discrimination, that "Race and Monstrosity in Dungeons & Dragons" is also available in a digital book format (Kindle, $25.99).
Editorial Note: Christopher LeCluyse (https://christopherlecluyse.com) is a professor of literature, media, and writing at Westminster University in Salt Lake City, Utah.
The Fishing Shelf
The Guide to Urban Fly Fishing
Marc Fryt
Greenleaf Book Group Press
www.greenleafbookgroup.com
9781645023173, $29.95, PB, 256pp
Amazon
https://www.amazon.com/Guide-Urban-Fly-Fishing-Explore/dp/1645023176
Barnes & Noble
https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-guide-to-urban-fly-fishing-marc-fryt/1147382987
Synopsis: While city dwellers often turn to hiking, biking, or simply enjoying a local park as healthy pastimes that don't come with high costs or distant travel, one rewarding pursuit remains largely untapped in urban environments: fly fishing.
For over a thousand years, fly fishing has been more than a method of harvesting food; it's a source of immense joy, a pathway to understanding nature intimately, and a tradition that connects us to water and wildlife. But why should this enriching experience be confined to remote waters and rural landscapes? Why can't we cast a line right in the heart of our cities?
With the publication of "The Guide to Urban Fly Fishing: How to Explore and Enjoy Your Local Waters", Marc Fryt shatters the stigmas and preconceptions (elitism, exclusivity, and notions of purity) that have kept fly fishing from thriving in urban settings, revealing how the sport is truly accessible to all. It also introduces angling knowledge within the unique ecosystems that cities offer, ecosystems that have evolved dramatically over the past 150 years.
But more than just a DIY how-to book, "The Guide to Urban Fly-Fishing" provides the tools, resources, and diverse stories to help us discover the vibrant community and joy of urban fly fishing. It's also about joining a broader ecological movement that's redefining how we live, relate, and recreate in our cities.
"The Guide to Urban Fly Fishing" answers both the why and how questions of urban fly fishing.
Why fish in your city? Because of the accessibility, affordability, community, and unique adventures that urban waters offer. A fishing rod transforms city landscapes into engaging playgrounds, turning anglers from mere observers into active participants.
Why fly fishing in particular? This method of fishing is highly versatile and effective for the diverse ecosystems found in urban areas.
"The Guide to Urban Fly Fishing" serves as the first comprehensive urban guide for those new to fly fishing in general, as well as for anglers who have yet to explore urban waters. It's filled with practical insights, tips, and uplifting stories from experienced urban anglers from several cities, including Los Angeles, Denver, Minneapolis, Boston, New York City, and Columbus. Additionally, it provides readers with the resources and inspiration to explore their city's waters, overcome challenges, and discover personal rewards and a sense of community.
Critique: Nicely illustrated throughout, this trade paperback (9781645023173, 13 ounces) edition of "The Guide to Urban Fly Fishing: How to Explore and Enjoy Your Local Waters" by Marc Fryt is informative enhanced for the reader's benefit with the inclusion of a Foreword by Tom Rosenbauer, a Preface by Dr. Brandon Dale, a twelve page Introduction (Fly Fishing Right Outside Your Door), a Conclusion (Making Your Cast), a four page listing of Further Resources, a four page Bibliography, and a six page Index. A highly recommended addition to personal, professional, community, and college/university library Fishing & Hunting collections, it should be noted for aspiring and practicing fly fishing anglers that this edition of "The Guide to Urban Fly Fishing: How to Explore and Enjoy Your Local Waters" from Chelsea Gree Publishing is also available in a digital book format (Kindle, $21.99).
Editorial Note: Marc Fryt, a US Army veteran, discovered fly fishing as a way to decompress and explore mountain rivers and streams during his military service as a helicopter pilot and operations officer. After leaving the service and moving to Columbus, Ohio, he took up urban fly fishing with the encouragement of local anglers and mentors. He is now an urban fly-fishing guide in Spokane, Washington State's second-largest city. He brings years of writing and photography experience, having been published in numerous fishing and hunting magazines such as The Drake, Flyfish Journal, Backcountry Journal, Fly Culture, Covers, Project Upland, Kayak Angler, and American Fly Fishing.
The Gardening Shelf
Garden for Life
Rhonda Fleming Hayes
Greenleaf Book Group Press
www.greenleafbookgroup.com
9781645023258, $29.95, PB, 256pp
Amazon
https://www.amazon.com/Garden-Life-Strategies-Greener-Gardening/dp/1645023257
Barnes & Noble
https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/garden-for-life-rhonda-fleming-hayes/1148002816
Synopsis: With the publication of "Garden for Life: Strategies for Easier, Greener, More Joyful Gardening as We Age", expert gardener Rhonda Fleming Hayes draws upon a lifetime of gardening experience, research-based advice, and collective wisdom to older gardeners who are looking for inspiration and practical strategies.
"Garden for Life" is a delightfully comprehensive DIY guide that presents new techniques and tools to make gardening less strenuous, and highlights plants that "multitask" to make a garden more sustainable -- for both the aging gardener and the environment. It also advises on how and when to ask for help to lighten the load so we can focus on the life-enhancing aspects of spending time in the garden.
"Garden for Life" reminds us that gardening is a simple way to answer the human need to connect with nature, a craving called biophilia, while highlighting its many proven health benefits. Gardening offers a low-intensity workout with a variety of natural movements, provides a sense of purpose while nurturing a meditative state that decreases stress, fosters improved nutrition and better brain health, and grows social connection and community. In short, gardening is excellent for health and longevity!
Critique: Beautifully and inspiringly illustrated, this trade paperback (7 x 0.49 x 9.96 inches, 1.36 pounds) edition of "Garden for Life: Strategies for Easier, Greener, More Joyful Gardening as We Age" by Rhonda Fleming Hayes is exceptionally informative and thoroughly 'reader/user' friendly in organization and presentation. An ideal and unreservedly recommended pick for personal DIY reading lists for aspiring and practicing gardeners, as well as community library and Senior Center gardening book collections, it should be noted that this paperback edition of "Garden for Life" from Chelsea Green Publishing is also easily available in a digital book format (Kindle, $21.99).
Editorial Note: Rhonda Fleming Hayes is the author of Pollinator Friendly Gardening: Gardening for Bees, Butterflies, and Other Pollinators and an award- winning writer and photographer applying her passion to all things plant-related. Combining a lifetime of gardening experience with wit and solid research-based advice, her stories can be found in the Minnesota Star Tribune, Northern Gardener, and Mpls/StPaul Magazine. She has volunteered as an Extension Master Gardener since 2000. She is also a member of GardenComm, the Minnesota State Horticultural Society, the Herb Society of America, and is a past trustee of the Minnesota Landscape Arboretum.
Flower Power
Jac Semmler
Thames & Hudson, Inc.
www.thamesandhudsonusa.com
9781760765200, $65.00, HC, 480pp
Amazon
https://www.amazon.com/Flower-Power-Designing-Planting-Year-Round/dp/1760765201
Barnes & Noble
https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/flower-power-jac-semmler/1148062593
Synopsis: An ideal instructional guide for any gardener wanting to successfully grow flowers, this abundantly illustrated edition of "Flower Power: Designing Gardens for Year-Round Wonder" by gardening expert Jac Semmler is the ultimate guide to flower-planting design and composition.
"Flower Power" breaks down the processes, techniques, and thinking in planting design and garden-making, including a how-to on categorizing and understanding plants; a detailed guide to designing your garden considering color, composition, texture, and layers; and how to achieve your garden design with easy techniques, photography, and the proper tools.
Fun charts and layouts showing color palettes, flowering calendars, planting forms, density, and distribution are also featured.
"Flower Power" will take your gardening to the next level, using up-to-the-minute international thinking in design translated into an accessible and immersive reference for anyone who wants to try something new in their garden. Critically praised garden designer and flower expert Jac Semmler provides readers with the know-how to bring together a successful and thriving garden.
Critique: Beautifully and profusely illustrated with exceptional colored photography, "Flower Power: Designing Gardens for Year-Round Wonder" by Jac Semmler is an ideal and unreservedly recommended instructional guide for novice and experienced flower gardeners alike. Exceptionally well written, organized and presented, this large sized (8.7 x 1.4 x 10.2 inches, 4.24 pounds) hardcover edition of "Flower Power" from Thames & Hudson is an extraordinary pick for personal, professional, and community library Gardening & Garden Design collections.
Editorial Note: Jac Semmler is foremost a plant lover. Known for her big laugh, Jac tends to Super Bloom (www.thesuperbloom.com.au) -- a creative plant practice that brings dynamic, living beauty and diversity to landscapes, places, and creative projects, exploring gardening as an immersive art form. Her first book was "Super Bloom: A Field Guide to Flowers for Every Gardener" (2023). Jac is a respected horticulturalist and recognized innovator in dynamic planting design. As a plant advocate, she shares garden dreams and schemes as a regular contributor, curator, and "gardener in residence" to institutions, festivals, radio, podcasts, and publications, including Wonderground.
The Christian Studies Shelf
How Then Shall We Read?
Max Botner
Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Company
www.eerdmans.com
9780802883841, $24.99, PB, 275pp
Amazon
https://www.amazon.com/How-Then-Shall-Read-Interpreting/dp/0802883842
Barnes & Noble
https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/how-then-shall-we-read-max-botner/1147848763
Synopsis: With the publication of "How Then Shall We Read?: A Student's Guide to Interpreting the New Testament", Professor Max Botner equips students of the New Testament with the interpretive tools they need to engage the Bible faithfully.
This innovative textbook bridges the gap between two traditionally separate fields: New Testament introduction and biblical hermeneutics. It invites students to reflect critically on how their own traditions, experiences, and theological commitments shape their encounter with the biblical text, while underscoring the value of both scholarly analysis and personal spiritual growth. In doing so, it addresses a common challenge in biblical studies courses: helping students see connections between rigorous academic work and meaningful personal engagement with Scripture.
"How Then Shall We Read?: A Student's Guide to Interpreting the New Testament" begins by exploring why interpretation matters, both practically and theologically, before guiding readers through key aspects of biblical interpretation. Students are introduced to the historical process by which the Bible came to be, the importance of historical-critical methods, and the New Testament's cultural and literary contexts.
"How Then Shall We Read?: A Student's Guide to Interpreting the New Testament" also includes a fresh, reader-friendly approach to questions of genre and language, as well as a model for embracing the unity and diversity of the canon. Additionally, it incorporates insights from across Christian traditions and global contexts, inviting students into a rich, ongoing conversation about what it means to read the Bible today.
Written specifically for the newest generation of undergraduate students, "How Then Shall We Read?: A Student's Guide to Interpreting the New Testament" provides an up-to-date and accessible entryway into academic biblical interpretation -- one that is grounded in the conviction that the ultimate aim of studying Scripture is to grow in the knowledge and love of God.
Critique: Thoroughly and impressive 'reader friendly' in style, organization and presentation, "How Then Shall We Read?: A Student's Guide to Interpreting the New Testament" is an ideal and unreservedly recommended pick for church, seminary, community, and college/university library New Testament Studies collections and supplemental curriculum studies lists. It should be noted for the personal reading lists of clergy, seminary students, and all members of the Christian Community regardless of denominational affiliation that this paperback edition of "How Then Shall We Read?: A Student's Guide to Interpreting the New Testament" from the Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Company is also readily available in a digital book format (Kindle, $24.99).
Editorial Note: Max Botner is associate professor of biblical studies at Jessup University. He also directs the Center for Bible Study, a nonprofit initiative to expand accessibility to biblical studies, and hosts the center's On the Way podcast. His first book, Jesus Christ as the Son of David in the Gospel of Mark, won the Manfred Lautenschlaeger Award for Theological Promise. Botner is also the author of Beyond the Greek New Testament: Advanced Readings for Students of Biblical Studies.
The Self-Help Shelf
Lasting Wellbeing
Matt Bloom, PhD
BenBella Books
www.benbellabooks.com
9781637748787, $29.95, HC, 304pp
Amazon
https://www.amazon.com/Lasting-Wellbeing-Science-Based-Tranquility-Authenticity/dp/1637748787
Barnes & Noble
https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/lasting-wellbeing-matt-bloom-phd/1148561303
Synopsis: Simply stated, whether you are looking for more joy in your life or sustainable ways to thrive in hard times, "Lasting Wellbeing: Science-Based Practices for Tranquility, Authenticity, Meaning, and Joy" by Professor Matt Bloom will help you assess your well-being in five essential dimensions and identify which research-backed practices will open up your life to long-term happiness, clarity, and peace of mind.
Drawing on data collected from more than 10,000 people across 25 countries, psychologist and academician Matt Bloom, PhD distills three decades of research into clear, science-backed strategies for coping with the stress, burnout, and anxiety in our increasingly demanding world.
"Lasting Wellbeing" explores dozens of practices to build a tailored wellness toolkit that will empower you to:
Boost resilience and cognitive flexibility with exercises like conscious disobedience or strategic self-distancing.
Re-engage your focus in positive, meaningful activities through mental tricks like temptation bundling or mental contrasting.
Uphold your core convictions through dedicated practices like centered prayer or drafting a table of contents for your autobiography.
Cultivate daily calm and release stress through walking meditation or breathing exercises
Create joy by learning to more intentionally savor moments of wonder and pleasure
Today, prioritizing self-care can take many forms. "Lasting Wellbeing" isn't a one-size-fits all wellness approach, rather it is a repository of time-tested, easy-to-adopt mental health practices, and a guide to finding your individual path to true wellbeing.
Critique: Original, exceptional, and fully accessible for the non-specialist general reader with an interest in aging/longevity and emotional healing from life's inevitable stresses, "Lasting Wellbeing: Science-Based Practices for Tranquility, Authenticity, Meaning, and Joy" by Professor Matt Bloom is enhanced for the reader's benefit with the inclusion of twenty-two pages of Notes, a two-page Index of Wise Practices, and a seven page General Index. Impressively well written, organized and presented, "Lasting Well Being" is an unreservedly recommended pick for community and college/university library Self-Help/Self-Improvement collections and supplemental Mental Health curriculum studies lists. It should be noted for personal and professional reading lists that this hardcover edition of "Lasting Well Being" from BenBella Books is also readily available in a digital book format (Kindle, $15.99).
Editorial Note: Matt Bloom (https://mattbloom.org/index.html) is a Professor Emeritus of Business at the University of Notre Dame. He has a PhD in psychology from Cornell University. For nearly thirty years, he and his research team studied the well-being of people who work in the helping and healing professions including physicians, humanitarian workers, clergy and public school teachers. Matt is cofounder of Ritual, a mobile app that offers a living library of evidence-based well-being practices created in partnership with wise guides including Barbara Brown Taylor, Kate Bowler, Steve Kerr, Nedra Glover Tawaab, and Anne Lamott.
The Metaphysical Studies Shelf
Tarot of the Unconscious
Aliza Einhorn
Weiser Books
c/o Red Wheel/Weiser
www.redwheelweiser.com
9781578638956, $21.95, PB, 224pp
Amazon
https://www.amazon.com/Tarot-Unconscious-Uncovering-Between-Psychoanalysis/dp/157863895X
Barnes & Noble
https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/tarot-of-the-unconscious-aliza-einhorn/1147729638
Synopsis: Inspired by Sigmund Freud and the deep-diving talk therapy of psychoanalysis, "Tarot of the Unconscious: Uncovering the Hidden Link Between Psychoanalysis and the Cards" is a unique exploration of the tarot.
Author and tarot expert Aliza Einhorn brings a rare perspective to the subject, both as a seasoned tarot professional and a psychoanalyst-in-training, probing the uncanny correspondences between the mysterious tarot and the groundbreaking ideas of Freud.
Einhorn created new tarot spreads especially for this book -- and offers interpretations of each, teaching readers how to interpret cards as well as how to hone and rely upon their intuition.
Furthermore, Einhorn guides readers to bravely create their own spreads.
"Tarot of the Unconscious" is suitable for tarot readers of any level -- transforming nervous tarot novices into confident, creative tarot practitioners, while offering new thought-provoking perspectives to seasoned tarot experts as well.
Critique: Exceptionally well written, organized and presented, "Tarot of the Unconscious: Uncovering the Hidden Link Between Psychoanalysis and the Cards" should be considered essential reading for aspiring and practicing tarot readers and a critically important pick for personal, professional, community, and college/university library Tarot collections and supplemental Metaphysical Studies curriculum lists. It should be noted for personal use that this paperback edition of "Tarot of the Unconscious: Uncovering the Hidden Link Between Psychoanalysis and the Cards" from Weiser Books is also readily available in a digital book format (Kindle, $21.95).
Editorial Note: Aliza Einhorn (https://alizaeinhorn.com) holds an MFA from the Iowa Writers Workshop. She is also the author of The Little Book of Saturn and A Mystical Practical Guide to Magic. Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/17403557.Aliza_Einhorn
The Criminology Shelf
What They Stole: A Familicide Rooted in Intercountry Adoption
Paige Towers
University of Iowa Press
https://uipress.uiowa.edu
9781685970673, $27.50, PB, 363pp
Amazon
https://www.amazon.com/What-They-Stole-Familicide-Intercountry/dp/1685970672
Barnes & Noble
https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/what-they-stole-paige-towers/1148709894
Synopsis: In 1955, following the devastation of the Korean War, Bertha and Harry Holt made headlines for adopting eight Korean children. Driven by evangelical convictions and emboldened by a special act of Congress, the couple founded the Holt Adoption Program, which would facilitate the migration of tens of thousands of Korean children to the United States over the following decades.
The Sueppels were among the families profoundly shaped by the legacy of the Holt Adoption Program. To their suburban Iowa City community, Steven and Sheryl Sueppel were kind and charitable, humble yet magnetic -- seemingly ideal candidates to adopt. But in 2008, when Steven found himself facing federal embezzlement and money laundering charges, he murdered Sheryl and their adopted children before ending his own life.
Withe the publication of "What They Stole: A Familicide Rooted in Intercountry Adoption", Paige Towers traces the interwoven histories of the Holts and the Sueppels, exploring the deeper, often hidden complexities of intercountry adoption: the ethical gray zones, the influences of religion and race, and the global inequalities that made such large-scale child migration possible.
Meticulously researched and sensitive with its storytelling, "What They Stole" examines how good intentions can coexist with systemic harm -- and how the consequences of systems like the Holts’ can reverberate across generations.
Critique: An original, seminal, informative, and groundbreaking study, "What They Stole: A Familicide Rooted in Intercountry Adoption" by Paige Towers is an extraordinary examination that will prove emotionally engaging and intellectually compelling. Exceptionally well written, organized and presented, "What They Stole" is a unique and unreservedly recommended pick for personal, professional, community, and college/university library collections. It should be noted for those with a particular interest in True Crime stories and the issues surrounding the adoption of children from another country, that this paperback edition of "What They Stole" from the University of Iowa Press is also available in a digital book format (Kindle, $27.50).
Editorial Note: Paige Towers (https://www.paigetowers.com) is also the author of "The Sound of Undoing: A Memoir in Essays". Her writing has appeared in The Washington Post, The Guardian, McSweeney’s, and Harvard Review.
JonBenet Ramsey: Prostitution of Justice
Doc Miller
https://docthomasmiller.com
Pearl Street Press Inc, LLC
9798218945848, $27.95, HC, 308pp
Amazon
https://www.amazon.com/JonBenet-Ramsey-Prostitution-Doc-Miller/dp/B0GNTXCJZ1
Barnes & Noble
https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/jonbenet-ramsey-doc-miller/1149445363
Synopsis: Whoever killed JonBenet Ramsey got away with murder.
Decades later, the mystery still circles the same two possibilities: a family member or an intruder so invisible that he left not even a shadow behind. In the landscape of American true crime, her murder stands as one of the most infamous cases of the 20th century-a criminal investigation that grew more tangled the longer it went.
When Boulder police zeroed in on the parents, John Ramsey countered by hiring one of the most formidable criminal defense firms in the country -- Haddon, Morgan and Forman. From that moment, the investigation shifted. Evidence that should have anchored the case (like the three page ransom note many experts linked to Patsy Ramsey) was pushed to the margins.
The Ramsey's legal team transformed the murder investigation into a full blown circus. Detectives stumbled like clowns, attorneys roared like lions, and John and Patsy hovered above the chaos like trapeze artists who never missed a beat. The press, wary of lawsuits, kept their reporting safe and sanitized, placing a quiet thumb on the scales of justice.
Now, after years of missteps, media fog, and legal maneuvering, with the publication of "JonBenet Ramsey: Prostitution of Justice", author Doc Miller reveals that the so-called Holy Grail of this true crime saga has been reduced to a single spec of unidentified DNA.
Critique: Fascinating, informative, iconoclastic, and a simply riveting read from start to finish, "JonBenet Ramsey: Prostitution of Justice" by Doc Miller is an extraordinary and unreservedly recommended pick for community and college/university library American True Crime collections and supplemental Criminology curriculum studies lists. It should be noted for personal reading lists for readers with an interest in criminal procedure law and ethics, and with sensational true crime murder mysteries that this hardcover edition of "JonBenet Ramsey: Prostitution of Justice" from Pearl Street Press is also readily available in paperback (9798218945855, $17.95) and in a digital book format (Kindle, $7.99).
Editorial Note: Thomas C "Doc" Miller (https://docthomasmiller.com) was the only person charged with a crime in the JonBenet Ramsey case who refused a plea bargain, went to trial, and was found not guilty after the jury deliberated for only 20 minutes. Charged with a felony, Commercial Bribery, for his part in finding a copy of the ransom note and identifying Patsy Ramsey as the author, the decision was a stinging rebuke of a criminal justice system that ignored the heinous murder of JonBenet Ramsey.
James A. Cox, Editor-in-Chief
Diane C. Donovan, Editor
Midwest Book Review
278 Orchard Drive
Oregon, WI 53575-1129
phone: 1-608-835-7937
e-mail: mbr@execpc.com
e-mail: mwbookrevw@aol.com
www.midwestbookreview.com
Copyright ©2001
Site design by Williams Writing, Editing &
Design