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Wisconsin Bookwatch

Volume 12, Number 3 March 2017 Home | WBW Index

Table of Contents

Reviewer's Choice Writing/Publishing Shelf Cookbook Shelf
Theatre/Cinema Shelf Biography Shelf Fiction Shelf
Mystery/Suspense Shelf Psychology Shelf Christian Studies Shelf
Judaic Studies Shelf Islamic Studies Shelf Buddhist Studies Shelf
Education Shelf Self-Help Shelf Comix/Graphic Novel Shelf
Audiobook Shelf Music CD Shelf DVD Shelf
Relationship Shelf Needlecraft Shelf Business Shelf
Poetry Shelf American History Shelf Metaphysical Studies Shelf
Sports Shelf Music Shelf Fantasy/SciFi Shelf
Automotive Shelf Woodworking Shelf Fishing Shelf
Philosophy Shelf Jewelry Shelf Photography Shelf
Jobs/Careers Shelf    


Reviewer's Choice

Keep Moving
Dick Van Dyke
Weinstein Books
259 West 57th Street, 15th Floor, NY, NY 10107
www.weinsteinbooks.com
9781602863118, $14.99, PB, 272pp, www.amazon.com

Dick Van Dyke, the star of Mary Poppins, Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, and The Dick Van Dyke Show, has received five Emmy awards, a Tony, and a Grammy. In 2013, he received the Screen Actors Guild Life Achievement Award.. A genuine show-business legend, Dick Van Dyke is also living proof that life does get better the longer you live it. Who better to offer instruction, advice, and humor than someone who's entering his ninth decade with a jaunty two-step? Dick Van Dyke isn't just a born song-and-dance man; his irrepressible belief in embracing the moment and unleashing his inner child has proved to be the ultimate elixir of youth. When he was injured during the filming of Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, his doctor warned him he'd be using a walker within seven years, but Dick performed a soft shoe right there and never looked back. An exceptionally well written, candid, informative, and ultimately inspiring read, "Keep Moving: And Other Tips and Truths About Living Well Longer" is certain to be an enduringly popular addition to community library collections. For personal reading lists it should be noted that "Keep Moving" is also available in a Kindle format ($9.99).

THEM: The Richer Life Found in Caring for Others
John Certalic
HenschelHAUS Publishing, Inc.
2625 S. Greeley Street, Suite 201, Milwaukee, WI 53207
http://henschelhausbooks.com
www.caringforothers.org
9781595984555, $15.95, PB, 262pp, www.amazon.com

"THEM: The Richer Life Found in Caring for Others" by John Certalic (Executive Director of Caring for Others, a missionary care ministry whose purpose is to strengthen and encourage missionaries, and those who send them) is a story of developing richer relationships by caring for others. Featuring real-life stories of people giving of themselves, expecting nothing, yet who gain everything in return that matters most, John Certalic also weaves his deeply personal story with the stories of others, to show how we can all become part of a much larger, more meaningful story than our own. Readers will be drawn into these life-giving narratives of forgiveness and reconciliation, honoring others, resolving conflict, listening well, and more. "THEM" is a story of hope found in viewing our past through the lens of grace. It is one that encourages us to recognize that when we focus on THEM, it leads to a better ME, resulting in a more fulfilling US. Thoroughly 'reader friendly' in organization and presentation, "THEM" is a life affirming and a potentially life changing read that is unreservedly recommended for both community and academic library collections. It should be noted for personal reading lists that "THEM" is also available in a Kindle format ($7.99).

Inspired Journeys
Brian Bouldrey, editor
University of Wisconsin Press
1930 Monroe Street, Third Floor, Madison, WI 53711-2059
www.uwpress.wisc.edu
9780299309404, $24.95, HC, 280pp, www.amazon.com

Knowledgeably compiled and deftly edited by Brian Bouldrey (who teaches creative writing at Northwestern University), "Inspired Journeys: Travel Writers in Search of the Muse" is comprised of seventeen erudite essays written by contributors with a remarkable knack for travel writing in a modern age dominated by the technology (air planes, trains, cars) that simply function to get the traveler from point A to point B as quickly and efficiently as possible. Organized into two major sections (Chasing the Muse and Carry the Bones), the essays range from John Beckman's At Home and Abroad with the Marquis de Sade, to Marta Maretich's The Incompetent Pilgrim, to Raphael Kadushin's Driving the Fairy-Tale Road. Enhanced with an informative introduction by Bouldrey and a complete listing of the contributors and their credentials, "Inspired Journeys" is an inherently engaging and consistently entertaining read from cover to cover. While unreservedly recommended for community and academic library collections, it should be noted for personal reading lists that "Inspired Journeys" is also available in a Kindle format ($9.99).


The Writing/Publishing Shelf

Writing Without a Parachute
Barbara Turner-Vesselago
Jessica Kingsley Publishers, Inc.
400 Market Street, Suite 400, Philadelphia, PA 19106
www.jkp.com
9781785921711, $18.95, PB, 192pp, www.amazon.com

"Writing Without a Parachute: The Art of Freefall" by published author and Freefall Writing Workshop teacher Barbara Turner-Vesselago shows both beginning and experienced writers how to get the thinking mind to step aside, so that writing becomes truly creative -- a vulnerable and open-hearted engagement with the moment. "Writing Without a Parachute" essentially presents Barbara's methods by which, for almost 30 years, she has helped hundreds of writers to publish fiction, memoir, non-fiction and poetry worldwide. By means of five simple precepts, Barbara leads the aspiring writer step by step into real trust in writing through the art of Freefall: invoking the courage to fall without a parachute into the words as they come. "Writing Without a Parachute" can be used for inspiration, as a reference, or as a sustained, twelve-month course in writing. Very highly recommended as a personal writer's reference, as well as community and academic library Writing/Publishing instructional reference collection, "Writing Without a Parachute" will help all writers to connect with their deepest intention in writing, and to write with greater authority and grace. It should be noted that "Writing Without a Parachute" is also available in a Kindle format ($9.99).

Writing Hard Stories
Melanie Brooks
Beacon Press
24 Farnsworth Street, Boston, MA 02210
www.beacon.org
9780807078815, $16.00, PB, 248pp, www.amazon.com

"Writing Hard Stories" by author and educator Melanie Brooks is specifically intended to encourage all aspiring writers of autobiographies and memoirs to be honest and engaging as they craft their personal stories. Featuring some of the country's most admired authors as they describe their own treks through dark memories and breakthrough moments and attest to the healing power of putting words to experience, "Writing Hard Stories" is especially commended as an addition to personal, community, academic Writing/Publishing collections, and professional writing workshop supplemental studies reading lists. It should be noted that "Writing Hard Stories" is also available in a Kindle format ($15.99).


The Cookbook Shelf

The Classic South African Cookbook
Melinda Roodt
Penguin Random House South Africa
c/o Casemate
1940 Lawrence Road, Havertown, PA 19083
www.casematepublishers.com
9781432306731, $26.00, HC, 320pp, www.amazon.com

A profusely and beautifully illustrated culinary compendium, "The Classic South African Cookbook" offers a cornucopia of classic South African home cooking. In line with the country's diverse cultures, which often blend most harmoniously in the kitchen, "The Classic South African Cookbook" is a kaleidoscope of modern lifestyle recipes with influences from grandma's kitchen, popular Mediterranean cuisine, as well as both Indian and African culture. But no matter what the roots may be, "The Classic South African Cookbook" sets a foundation for good, honest, carefree home cooking, incorporating all the well-loved and familiar favorites. The more than 180 recipes have been refined to guarantee mouth-watering results, no matter the skill level. Only fresh ingredients are used, while the various techniques are carefully explained a genuine boon to those just setting out on their culinary journeys. With thoroughly 'kitchen cook friendly' recipes for authentic South African dishes ranging from Blinis with Salmon and Creme Fraiche; Spicy Butternut Soup; Steak and Onion Pizza with Rocket; and Sweet Potatoes in Butter and Ginger Syrup; to White-Wine Infused Chicken Pie; Lamb Shanks Slow Cooked in Red Wine; Honey and butter Sponge Cake; and Chocolate Praline Meringue with Cherries and Berries, "The Classic South African Cookbook" will prove to be a delight to browse and inspiring to plan menus with. While very highly recommended, especially for community library cookbook collections, it should be noted that "The Classic South African Cookbook" is also available in a Kindle format ($11.49).

Gateaux: 150 Large and Small Cakes, Cookies, and Desserts
Christophe Felder & Camille Lesecq
Rizzoli
300 Park Avenue South, 3rd floor, New York, NY 10010
www.rizzoliusa.com
9780847858651, $55.00, HC, 384pp, www.amazon.com

Christophe Felder is one of the world's most respected pastry chefs, authors, and teachers. He was the pastry chef at the Hotel de Crillon for fifteen years before publishing more than twenty cookbooks in France and opening his own pastry school for home cooks. Camille Lesecq was the head pastry chef at the Hotel Meurice in Paris. Together they have created "Gateaux: 150 Large and Small Cakes, Cookies, and Desserts", a beautifully illustrated, elegant, and thoroughly 'kitchen cook friendly' volume of pastry recipes that would be particularly appropriate for any celebratory dining occasion. The dishes themselves range from Chocolate-Almond Ladyfingers; Pistachio-Hazelnut Loaves; Lemon Mousse Cake; and Vanilla, Coffee, and Chocolate Eclairs; to Zurich Cake; Caramel Brownie Cake; Old-Fashioned Fruit Tart; and Baked Chocolate Tart with Chopped Caramelized Praline. Luxurious, sumptuous, opulent, "Gateaux: 150 Large and Small Cakes, Cookies, and Desserts" is an extraordinary and highly recommended addition to personal, family, and community library cookbook collections.

Eclairs
Christophe Adam
Robert Rose Inc.
120 Eglinton Avenue East, Suite 800, Toronto, Ontario, Canada, M4P 1E2
www.robertrose.ca
9780778805670, $24.95, PB, 224pp, www.amazon.com

An eclair is an oblong pastry made with choux dough filled with a cream and topped with icing. Over the last dozen years, luxury food purveyor Christophe Adam has perfected the eclair and has turned it into a gourmet delight which marries unconventional and imaginative fruits, flavors, colors and textures, resulting in luxe eclairs that will have you reaching for seconds and thirds. In the profusely illustrated "Eclairs: Easy, Elegant and Modern Recipes", he showcases innovative recipes (both introductory and advanced) that will be perfect for creating elegant eclair based desserts suitable for everything from casual gatherings with family and friends, to formal dining and celebratory occasions. With these easy-to-follow instructions and some practice with the basic techniques even the most novice of kitchen cooks will soon be mastering these recipes as well as inventing new ones of your own. The recipes themselves range from Chocolate Coconut Eclairs; Carmel Peanut Eclairs; and Raspberry-Cherry Sugared Almond Eclairs; to Pistachio Orange Eclairs; Red Kiss Eclairs; and Vanilla Eclairs. Of special note is the section offering basic recipes including those for creating Choux Pastry and Chocolate Shells. Certain to be an enduringly popular addition to personal, professional, and community library cookbook collections, "Eclairs: Easy, Elegant and Modern Recipes" is very highly recommended.


The Theatre/Cinema Shelf

The King and I: The Complete Book and Lyrics of the Broadway Musical
Oscar Hammerstein II, author
Richard Rogers, composer
Based on the novel "Anna and the King of Siam" by Margaret Landon
Applause Theatre & Cinema Books
33 Plymouth Street, Suite 302, Montclair, NJ 07042
9781495056093 $16.99 www.applausebooks.com

Introduced by Ted Chapin of the Rodgers & Hammerstein Organization, "The King and I" is a complete manuscript of the famous Broadway musical production first brought to the stage in New York in 1951 and revived in multiple productions since that time. The manuscript and song lyrics are as performed in the original production. In addition to the two acts in 149 pages with song lyrics, "The King and I" contains at least 20 pages of black and white and color photographs of the principal actors of many productions of the play from 1951 to 2015, including the last production in which Yul Brynner played the part of the King of Siam, in 1985. "The King and I" is a matchless, colorful, bold, broad spectrum musical beloved of millions of Broadway musical fans and audiences.


The Biography Shelf

Billy Graham: America's Pastor
Janet Benge & Geoff Benge
Emerald Books
c/o YWAM Publishing
www.ywampublishing.com
9781624860249, $9.99, PB, 208pp, www.amazon.com

The oldest son of dairy farmers from Charlotte, North Carolina, young Billy Graham attended an evangelical revival meetings that inspired him for the rest of his life. As an ordained minister, he rose to prominence and would subsequently preach the Christian message to over 200 million people in 185 countries. Billy Graham championed civil rights, befriended US politicians and presidents, and traveled the world to places no one else dared to go. His life and ministry have shaped the spiritual life of America and offer hope for the future -- inspiring new generations of leaders willing to serve with courage, integrity, and vision. Exceptionally well written, organized and presented, "Billy Graham: America's Pastor" is an informative and inspiring read from cover to cover. While very highly recommended for community library American Biography collections, it should be noted for personal reading lists that "Billy Graham: America's Pastor" is also available in a Kindle format ($7.50). Librarians should be aware that there is a complete and unabridged CD audio book edition of "Billy Graham: America's Pastor" (9781624860638, $21.99).

My Prospects
Boardman W. Kathan
Biographical Publishing Company
95 Sycamore Drive, Prospect, CT 06712-1493
www.biopub.us
9780997602838, $20.00, PB, 164pp, www.amazon.com

The Rev. Boardman W. Kathan grew up in the town of Prospect, graduated from Prospect Community School and Crosby High School in Waterbury, and has degrees from Wesleyan University and Yale Divinity School. He did graduate study at the University of Connecticut, New York University, and Hartford Seminary, and won a Fulbright Scholarship for a year's study at the University of Leiden in the Netherlands. He was a member of the Prospect Library Board, secretary of the Bicentennial Committee, chairman and vice chairman of the Region 16 Board of Education, a member of the library/police department building committee, treasurer of the Prospect Land Trust, and historian of the Prospect Congregational Church. "My Prospects: Growing Up and Growing Old in a Small Connecticut Town" is his deeply personal memoir of being an ordained minister who served churches and organizations in Connecticut, Illinois, Minnesota, Massachusetts, and New York City. Along the way Kathan was a national advocate for the value of public education and the importance of the objective study of religion in public schools. In his home town Kathan helped to make dramatic changes in the community, library, church, and school district, while organizing the land trust and leading in the largest celebrations in the history of the town. An inherently compelling, ultimately inspiring read, and highly recommended read, "My Prospects" is the story of what one person can achieve.


The Fiction Shelf

The Great and the Good
Michel Deon
Gallic Books
www.gallicbooks.com
9781910477281 $14.95 pbk / $9.11 Kindle amazon.com

Set mostly during the 1950's, The Great and the Good is the story of Arthur, the son of an impoverished French widow, who accepts a scholarship and studies finance in the US in order to become wealthy and fulfill his mother's dreams of success. But can riches alone make for a satisfying life? Vivid, descriptive, and philosophical, The Great and the Good is a modern-day literary parable, highly recommended.

The Boy and the Dolphin
Dick Schmidt
http://dickschmidtbooks.com
Landslide Publishing
9780997501018, $26.95, HC, 300pp, www.amazon.com

Following the unfortunate death of his parents, young Toby Matthias finds himself living a carefree life on Piper Cay, an Out Island in the Bahamas, at his grandparents' inn. Isolated from children his own age, Toby develops a deep and lasting friendship with an unlikely companion: a bottlenose dolphin. A heartwarming tale, The Boy and the Dolphin follows the tropical adventures of Toby and Phinney as they make sense of life in the mid-fifties. When Toby is sent to complete his education in the States and Phinney immerses herself more deeply in her dolphin culture, the best friends experience ever-increasing separations. But even while Toby serves his country in the skies over Vietnam, the boy and the dolphin share an unbreakable, decade-long bond. Original and unfailingly entertaining, "The Boy and the Dolphin" is a consistently compelling read from beginning to end and will prove to be an enduringly popular addition to community library General Fiction collections. It should be noted for personal reading lists that "The Boy and the Dolphin" are also available in a paperback edition (9780997501001, $15.95) and in a Kindle format ($9.99).

The Inward Journey
Kate Evans
Breakwater Books
P.O.Box 2188, St. John's, NL A1C 6E6
www.breakwaterbooks.com
9781550816587, $19.95, PB, 256pp, www.amazon.com

Sylvia Bolfe sits in her nursing home, criticizes the food and the staff (all but her trusted confidant and registered nurse, Eleanor) and with humor and feistiness recounts her turbulent life. From an upper-class Irish family, Sylvia marries a young medical student beneath her station and leaves Ireland for Newfoundland. When her husband unexpectedly dies, she is left with the children to make her own way. A thoughtfully engaging and consistently thoughtful read from beginning to end, "The Inward Journey" is recommended for both personal reading lists and community library General Fiction collections. It should be noted that Kate Evans' "The Inward Journey" is also available in a Kindle format ($17.99).

At the Heart of the Universe
Samuel Shem
Seven Stories Press
140 Watts Street, New York, NY 10013
www.sevenstories.com
9781609806415, $26.95, HC, 320pp, www.amazon.com

"At the Heart of the Universe" by Samuel Shem is set in 1991 in Changsha, capital of Hunan province, and begins as the story of a Chinese woman who abandons her one-month-old daughter in a pile of celery in a busy market. The novel then shifts to Changsha ten years later as the daughter returns with her adopted American parents. the story moves across southern China until, high atop Emei San, one of China's "sacred mountains" with a Buddhist temple, the four are brought together in the wilderness -- a perilous and explosive time that unleashes their heartbreak and suffering and, remarkably, transcends it to shared compassion, and new beginnings. A richly texture, consistently compelling read from cover to cover, "At the Heart of the Universe" is an extraordinary and highly recommended addition to community and academic library Contemporary Literary Fiction collections. It should be noted for personal reading lists that "At the Heart of the Universe" is also available in a Kindle format ($18.99).

Moonbow Night
Laura Frantz
Revell
c/o Baker Publishing Group
6030 East Fulton, Ada, MI 49301
www.bakerbooks.com
9780800728571, $25.99, HC, 384pp, www.amazon.com

On the vast, uncharted Kentucky frontier of the 1770s, Temperance Tucker has learned to be fleet of foot, accurate with her rifle, and silent about the past. But her family secrets complicate her growing attraction to a handsome Virginia land surveyor with a harsh history of his own. Will the hurts and hardships of the past prevent them from a fulfilling future? A richly textured historical romance, "Moonbow Night" is a consistently compelling read from cover to cover, and an unfailingly entertaining novel by a master of the genre. While very highly recommended, especially for community library collections, it should be noted for personal reading lists that "Moonbow Night" is also available in a paperback edition (9780800726621, $14.99) and in a Kindle format ($8.13).

The Mule Tamer
John C. Horst
Five Star Books
10 Water Street, Suite 310, Waterville, ME 04901
http://gale.cengage.com/fivestar
9781432832780, $25.95, HC, 285pp, www.amazon.com

1896 is an election year, and the future of the fledgling Arizona Rangers, captained by Arvel Walsh and Dick Welles hangs by a political thread. The latest crisis, a greedy silver republican, bent on controlling the politics and wealth of the Arizona land and beyond, is driving a wedge between the two stellar ranger captains. Lori Parker has been savaged in a Tombstone brothel by a son of the prominent silver prospector and political operative David Gold, a well-connected businessman accustomed to buying his ne'er-do-well sons' way out of trouble as he builds his empire of corruption and avarice. Follow the Arizona Rangers as they chase deranged killers and Mexican bandits through the wilds of Arizona and Mexico, unaware that Arvel's beloved new family is to be targeted for execution. Has Gold finally met his match in the form of The Mule Tamer and his wild Mexican bride, or will this be the end of the finest law enforcement team the land has ever known? Another terrific western novel from the pen of a master of the genre, "The Mule Tamer: The Case of the Silver Republicans" is unreservedly recommended, especially for community library Western Fiction collections. It should be noted for the personal reading lists of dedicated western buffs that "The Mule Tamer" is also available in a Kindle format ($3.99).

The Geiger Counter
Matt Geiger
HenschelHAUS Publishing
2625 S. Greeley Street, Suite 201, Milwaukee, WI 53207
http://henschelhausbooks.com
9781595984968, $16.95, PB, 232pp, www.amazon.com

His little sister joins the circus. His parents buy a nerdy horse. He's surrounded by hundreds of men dressed up as Ernest Hemingway. He tries to order a monkey through the mail. And now his baby is eating dog food. "The Geiger Counter: Raised by Wolves and Other Stories" is an anthology of short stories showcasing an author with an impressive flair for originality and deftly crafted storytelling. Matt Geiger reveal the sublime in the mundane and the comical in the banal. There is existential dread. There is festivity amid detritus. There are moments of genuine introspection on what it means to be human. And it's all laugh-out-loud funny when told by a humorist who is determined to live an examined life, even if he's not always entirely sure what he's looking at. While very highly recommended, especially for community library General Fiction collections, it should be noted for personal reading lists that "The Geiger Counter: Raised by Wolves and Other Stories" is also available in a Kindle format ($9.99).

A Lady's Code of Misconduct
Meredith Duran
Pocket Books
c/o Simon & Schuster
1230 Avenue of the Americas, 13th fl., New York, NY 10020
www.pocketbooks.com
9781501139024, $7.99, PB, 400pp, www.amazon.com

Trapped in the countryside, facing an unwanted marriage and the theft of her fortune, Jane Mason is done behaving nicely. To win her freedom, she'll strike a deal with the most dangerous man she knows - a rising star in politics, whose dark good looks mask an even darker heart. The bitter past has taught Crispin Burke to trust no one. He'll gladly help a lovely young heiress, provided she pays a price. Yet when a single mistake shatters his life, it is Jane who holds the key to his salvation. And in a world that no longer makes sense, Crispin slowly realizes that she may be the only thing worth fighting for. A master of the historical romance genre, author Meredith Duran has once again written a compelling, entertaining, original novel that will hold the reader's rapt attention from cover to cover. While very highly recommended for community library Historical Romance Fiction collections, it should be noted for personal reading lists that "A Lady's Code of Misconduct" is also available in a Kindle format ($6.99).

Dead Mans Boot
Patrick Dearen
Five Star Books
10 Water Street, Suite 310, Waterville, ME 04901
http://gale.cengage.com/fivestar
9781432833084, $25.95, HC, 265pp, www.amazon.com

Clay Andrews is like a dead man, adrift in an uncaring dark. But he's also searching, and in 1869 he has ridden to the Pecos River to find answers. Back in Central Texas, Clay's sister has died, and only on this river might he learn why. The person perhaps responsible may have fled here, but no one enters this no-man's-land except at his own peril. Comanches are on the prowl, and across the Pecos, Mescalero Apaches range all the way to the mysterious Guadalupe Mountains. In a dead man's boot, Clay finds a map to rumored gold in the Guadalupes. When Comanches approach, he flees upriver and finds Lil Casner at a lone schooner. Long abused in an arranged marriage, she must fend for herself while her obsessed husband combs the Pecos for the very map Clay has discovered. Upstream at the Bar W Ranch, two other haunted figures await. One is an experienced cowboy who has come to the Pecos for reasons that strangely parallel Clay's. The other is a shiftless cowhand in whose mind lurks something evil and deadly. Comanche attacks, a kidnaping, a chase through Apache country to Skeleton Cave, and on to the Guadalupes, for Clay, the answers will never come unless he rides into a mountain range where Indian spirits may guard a golden hoard. Patrick Dearen is a veteran writer of action/adventure westerns and an acknowledge master of the genre. "Dead Man's Boots" is a simply riveting read from cover to cover and certain to be an enduringly popular addition to any and all community library Western Fiction collections. It should be noted for the personal reading lists of dedicated western buffs that "Dead Man's Boots" is also available in a Kindle format ($3.99).


The Mystery/Suspense Shelf

When the Grits Hit the Fan
Maddie Day
Kensington Publishing Corp.
119 West 40th Street, Floor 21, New York, NY 10018-2522
www.kensingtonbooks.com
9781617739293, $7.99, PB, 304pp, www.amazon.com

Before she started hosting dinners for Indiana University's Sociology Department at Pans 'N Pancakes, Robbie never imagined scholarly meetings could be so hostile. It's all due to Professor Charles Stilton, who seems to thrive on heated exchanges with his peers and underlings, and tensions flare one night after he disrespects Robbie's friend, graduate student Lou. So when Robbie and Lou go snowshoeing the next morning and find the contentious academic frozen under ice, police suspect Lou might have killed him after their public tiff. To prove her friend's innocence, Robbie is absorbing local gossip about Professor Stilton's past and developing her own thesis on the homicide -- even if that means stirring up terrible danger for herself along the way! "When the Grits Hit the Fan" is the latest addition to author Maddie Day's simply outstanding 'Country Store' series and is unreservedly recommended, especially for community library Mystery/Suspense collections. It should be noted for the personal reading lists of dedicated mystery buffs that "When the Grits Hit the Fan" is also available in a Kindle format ($5.99). Librarians should note that there is a complete and unabridged audio book edition of "When the Grits Hit the Fan" (Tantor Audio, 9781515964872, $29.99, CD).

Casting Bones
Don Bruns
Severn House
110 East 59th Street, 22th Fl., New York, NY 10022
www.severnhouse.com
9780727886361, $29.99, HC, 256pp, www.amazon.com

When a prominent New Orleans judge is brutally murdered, former Detroit cop Quentin Archer is handed the case. His enquiries will lead him into a world of darkness and mysticism which underpins the carefree atmosphere of the Big Easy. Interrogating crooked police officers, a pickpocket, a bartender with underground contacts and a swamp dweller, Archer uncovers some troubling facts about the late judge's past. But it's only when he encounters a beautiful young voodoo practitioner that he starts to make headway in the investigation. Voodoo queen Solange Cordray volunteers at the dementia centre where her mother lives. When she starts reading the mind of one of her patients, she learns that a secretive organization known as Krewe Charbonerrie may be behind the murder of the judge. And the second murder. And a third... "Casting Bones" is a truly riveting read from beginning to end and clearly showcases author Don Bruns as a master of the genre. While unreservedly recommended for community library Mystery/Suspense collections, it should be noted for the personal reading lists of dedicated mystery buffs that "Casting Bones" is also available in a Kindle format ($14.99).

Riviera Blues
Jack Batten
The Dundurn Group
3 Church Street, Suite 500, Toronto, Ontario, Canada, M5E 1M2
www.dundurn.com
9781459733282, $16.99, PB, 264pp, www.amazon.com

Like all the criminal messes Crang has ever found himself caught up in, this one begins in perfect innocence. As Crang is leaving for a holiday on the French Riviera with his movie-critic girlfriend, Annie, his rich-as-Croesus former father-in-law appears to ask if he'd mind checking up on an errant family member who is said to be hanging out in Monaco. Crang says he'll do the favor, a decision that drops him into a series of ever-tighter spots on the Cote d'Azur. Crang and Annie enjoy the Riviera's pleasures, but lurking in the background, gathering menace, is a piece of elaborate fraud and murder. Crang has no choice except to solve all the riddles, nail the murderer and, if he's adroit enough, eventually tip the scales of justice in the good guys' favor. A master of the genre, "Riviera Blues" is another outstanding title in Jack Batten's 'Crang Mystery' series. An authentically riveting read from cover to cover, "Riviera Blues" is especially recommended for community library Mystery/Suspense collections. It should be noted for the personal reading lists of dedicated mystery buffs that "Riviera Blues" is also available in a Kindle format ($2.99).

Rush of Blood
Mark Billingham
Atlantic Monthly Press
c/o Grove/Atlantic, Inc.
154 West 14th Street, 12th Floor, New York, NY 10011
www.groveatlantic.com
9780802125910, $25.00, HC, 480pp, www.amazon.com

Three British couples meet around the pool on their Florida holiday and become fast friends. But on Easter Sunday, the last day of their vacation, tragedy strikes: the fourteen-year-old daughter of an American vacationer goes missing, and her body is later found floating in the mangroves. When the shocked couples return home to the U.K., they remain in contact, and over the course of three increasingly fraught dinner parties they come to know one another better. But they don't always like what they find. Buried beneath these apparently normal exteriors are some unusual kinks and unpleasant vices. Then, a second girl goes missing, in Kent - not far from where any of the couples lives. Could it be that one of these six has a secret far darker than anybody can imagine? A deftly crafted and simply riveting read from cover to cover, "Rush of Blood" is a consistently compelling and unfailingly entertaining novel by a master of the genre. While highly recommended, especially for community library Mystery/Suspense collections, it should be noted for personal reading lists that Mark Billingham's "Rush of Blood" is also available in a Kindle format ($14.75).

Dead Cold Brew
Cleo Coyle
Berkley Books
c/o Penguin Group
375 Hudson Street, 4th floor, New York, NY 10014
www.penguin.com
9780425276112, $27.00, HC, 368pp, www.amazon.com

After everything Clare and Mike have been through, they deserve a little bit of happily ever after. So when Mike decides to put a ring on Clare's finger, Clare's eccentric octogenarian employer is there to help. She donates the perfect coffee-colored diamonds to include in the setting and the name of a world-famous jeweler who happens to be an old family friend. But while the engagement is steeped in perfection, the celebration is not long lived. First, a grim-faced attorney interrupts their party with a mysterious letter bequeathing a strange, hidden treasure to Clare's daughter. Next, the renowned jeweler who designed Clare's ring is found poisoned in his shop. Both events appear to be connected to a cold case murder involving a sunken ship, an Italian curse, a suspiciously charming jewel thief, and a shocking family secret. With deadly trouble brewing, Clare must track down clues in some of New York's most secret places before an old vendetta starts producing fresh corpses. Another riveting mystery from a true master of the genre, "Dead Cold Brew" showcases Cleo Coyle's impressive flair for original and creative storytelling. While unreservedly recommended, especially for community library Mystery/Suspense collections, it should be noted for the personal reading lists of dedicated mystery buffs that "Dead Cold Brew" is also available in a Kindle format ($13.99). Librarians should be aware that there is a complete and unabridged audio book edition of "Dade Cold Brew" (Blackstone Audio, 9781504779364, $29.95, MP3 CD).

Death in the Shadows
Paul McCusker
Lion Fiction
c/o Kregel Publications
2450 Oak Industrial Drive, NE, Grand Rapids, MI 49505
www.kregel.com
9781782641223, $14.99, PB, 304pp, www.amazon.com

When Father Gilbert traded in his detective's badge for an Anglican priest's collar, he never expected that murder would follow him. Even a church conference in the quant seaside town of Englesea offers no escape. The vision of a dead woman, water dripping from her body, draws Gilbert into a mystery that seems straightforward, but soon entangles him in a power struggle between corrupt players who want to dominate the illegal sex trade in town. The victims are pawns in a game that extends to London and across international borders. The dead cry for justice and Father Gilbert fights against forces hiding in the shadows. Can he champion the truth in time to stop more people from dying? The second in the outstanding 'Father Gilbert Mystery' series, "Death in the Shadows" is a riveting read from cover to cover and showcases author Paul McCusker's complete and impressive mastery of the genre. While very highly recommended for community library Mystery/Suspense collections it should be noted for the personal reading lists of dedicated mystery buffs that "Death in the Shadows" is available in a Kindle format ($9.99).

Dead and Breakfast
Kate Kingsbury
Crooked Lane Books
2 Park Avenue, 10th floor, New York, NY 10016
www.crookedlanebooks.com
9781683310099, $25.99, HC, 288pp, www.amazon.com

Melanie West is getting her life back on track after a messy divorce when her grandmother, Liza Harris, asks her to open a B&B with her. Together, Liza and Melanie purchase a purportedly haunted mansion on the Oregon coast and jump right into clearing out the cobwebs. But while attempting to remove wallpaper in an upstairs bedroom, the new B&B owners stumble upon a very real skeleton in their closet. The police suspect the skeleton is that of the wife of the previous owner of the B&B, but no one in town seems to want to say much about her. As the inn owners try to juggle renovations with their own amateur investigations, their grand opening looms closer and closer--and a friendly ghost in their walls starts playing tricks. But it all comes crashing to a halt when a new body is found stabbed to death on the beach below the inn--the victim chillingly close in resemblance to Melanie herself. It seems someone doesn't appreciate newcomers prying into the small town's past, and now it's up to Melanie and Liza to get to the bottom of these murders to save their business...and their lives. A consistently compelling read from cover to cover, "Dead and Breakfast" is another outstanding novel in the 'A Merry Ghost Inn Mystery' series and continues to reveal author Kate Kingsbury as a master of the genre. While very highly recommended for community library Mystery/Suspense collections, it should be noted for the personal reading lists of dedicated mystery buffs that "Dead and Breakfast" is also available in a Kindle format ($8.51). Librarians should be aware that there is a complete and unabridged audio book edition of "Dead and Breakfast" (Blackstone Audio, 9781504797986, $29.95, MP3 CD).

Marry in Haste
Susan Van Kirk
Five Star Books
10 Water Street, Suite 310, Waterville, ME 04901
http://gale.cengage.com/fivestar
www.susanvankirk.com
9781432832339, $25.95, HC, 279pp, www.amazon.com

"Marry in Haste" by Susan Van Kirk is the story of two lives lived over a hundred years apart, both of which illustrate the resilience of women in the small town of Endurance. Grace Kimball, retired teacher, is writing for the Endurance Register and dating its editor, Jeff Maitlin. When he buys a huge Victorian house and borrows money from the bank, he sets off a chain of events that puts Grace in danger. Conrad Folger, the bank president, is murdered, and his wife, Emily, becomes the prime suspect. While TJ Sweeney, Grace's friend and Endurance police detective, investigates, Grace also sets out to prove her former student innocent. If Grace is right and Emily Folger is innocent, who else had a motive to kill the bank president? TJ Sweeney investigates a list of possible suspects: spurned lovers, unhappy bank clients, and even family members. Grace and Jeff also find a diary from 1893 in Lockwood House, Jeff's newly-bought mansion. Written by a naive 17-year-old who comes to Endurance from a small farm, it tells Olivia Havelock's bittersweet story. She marries a powerful judge, and what begins as a joyous event quickly turns to terror. As Grace reads the diary, she soon sees parallels to the life of Emily Folger. Can the lessons from the past help Grace clear Emily's name? And can she do it in time, before a killer strikes again? "Marry in Haste" clearly showcases author Susan Van Kirk as a master of the genre and with a genuine flair for originality. While "Marry in Haste" is unreservedly recommended for community library Mystery/Suspense collections, it should be noted for the personal reading lists of dedicated mystery buffs that "Marry in Haste" is also available in a Kindle format ($3.99).


The Psychology Shelf

Psychology's Dream of the Courtroom
Greg Mogenson
Spring Journal Books
38 South Roadway, New Orleans, LA 70124
www.springjournalandbooks.com
9781935528777, $32.95, PB, 227pp, www.amazon.com

Psychology and the law have long maintained a collegial association with one another as adjacent disciplines. In the criminal justice system, for example, psychologists and psychiatrists serve regularly as expert witnesses, providing insight into the motivations and mental status of accused and convicted persons. But what about the reverse of this relation? What contribution has "the law" made to the work of analyst and patient in the consulting room? And what insights may be drawn from putting psychology itself on trial? "Psychology's Dream of the Courtroom" by Greg Mogenson (a registered psychotherapist and Jungian psychoanalyst practicing in London, Ontario, Canada. He is the editor of The Studies in Archetypal Psychology Series of Spring Journal Books as well as a founding member and Vice-President of The International Society for Psychology as the Discipline of Interiority) is a ground-breaking book exploring the use of legal metaphors and the courtroom analogy by Freud, Jung, and psychology more generally and examined in relation to the practice psychotherapy and analysis. In this way, psychoanalysis and analytical psychology are shown in fresh perspective to be disciplines of truth in the spirit of a trial or court proceeding. As informed and informative as it is thoughtful and thought-provoking, "Psychology's Dream of the Courtroom" is a unique and highly recommended addition to personal, professional, community, and academic library Psychology collections and supplemental studies reading lists.


The Christian Studies Shelf

Echoes of Eternity
Hal M. Helms
Paraclete Press
PO Box 1568, Orleans, MA 02653
www.paracletepress.com
9781612618401 $15.99 amazon.com

Now in its 20th anniversary edition, Echoes of Eternity is a devotional for Christians, offering a contemplation for every day of the year. Each entry is written in "the voice of God", encapsulating what the Bible tells us of God's love and wisdom in a candid, direct, first-person message. "This is my word today: carry out the gentle nudges and quiet thoughts that come to you. Do not allow your disbelief to rob you of my intended blessing. Nothing else can hinder it. Believe, act, and see." Echoes of Eternity is highly recommended as an excellent tool for making time reflect on God's will.

Theologian of Resistance
Christiane Tietz, author
Victoria J. Barnett, translator
Fortress Press
P.O. Box 1209, Minneapolis, MN 55440-1209
http://fortresspress.com
9781506408446, $23.99, HC, 150pp, www.amazon.com

Since Dietrich Bonhoeffer's death in 1945, executed by the Nazis as a political dissident, he has continued to fascinate and compel succeeding generations of readers as a theologian, witness, and martyr. Bonhoeffer's theological brilliance, committed discipleship, ecumenical insight, and courageous participation in the struggle against fascism have profoundly shaped contemporary Christian understanding and action. With his murder at the hands of the Nazi's, Bonhoeffer became the paradigmatic martyr-theologian for our time. In her new biography of Bonhoeffer, Christiane Tietz (Professor of Systematic Theology at the University of Zurich and Chairperson of the German language section of the International Bonhoeffer Society) masterfully portrays the interconnectedness of Bonhoeffer's life and thought, theology and politics, discipleship, witness, and resistance, tracing the path from his childhood to his imprisonment and execution. Brief, lucid, and imminently accessible, Tietz's new account brings Bonhoeffer's story and work to life for a new generation in a vivid retelling, unfolding his important and widely read texts, and including new, previously unseen pictures. Impressively informative, exceptionally well written, organized and presented, "Theologian of Resistance: The Life and Thought of Dietrich Bonhoeffer" is unreservedly recommended for community and academic library Christian Studies collections in general, and Dietrich Bonhoeffer supplemental studies reading lists in particular. For personal reading lists it should be noted that "Theologian of Resistance" is also available in a Kindle format ($13.49).

Jesus According To Scripture, second edition
Darrell L. Bock & Benjamin I. Simpson
Baker Academic
c/o Baker Publishing Group
6030 East Fulton, Ada, MI 49301
www.bakerpublishinggroup.com
9780801098086, $49.99, HC, 768pp, www.amazon.com

Now in a newly revised and expanded second edition, "Jesus according to Scripture: Restoring the Portrait from the Gospels" by evangelical New Testament scholar Darrell Bock (with the assistance of Benjamin I. Simpson) provides a coherent portrait of Jesus as it emerges from the four Gospels when these ancient accounts are taken seriously as historical documents. When read together, the Gospels provide a clear picture of Jesus and his unique claims to authority. "Jesus According To Scripture" surveys all the Gospel units and relates them to their parallel passages, showing how the literary and canonical relationships work. Offering up-to-date interaction with the latest discussions about Jesus, the new second edition includes three new chapters on how we got the Gospels. An exceptionally well written, organized and presented work of outstanding scholarship, "Jesus According To Scripture" is unreservedly recommended for church, seminary, community, and academic library Christian Studies collections and supplemental studies reading lists. It should be noted for personal reading lists that "Jesus According To Scripture" is also available in a Kindle format (9781493400416, $49.99).

In Defense of Jesus
Lee Strobel
Zondervan Publishing House
5300 Patterson Avenue, S.E., Grand Rapids, MI 49530
www.zondervan.com
9780310344681, $16.99, PB, 336pp, www.amazon.com

Has modern scholarship debunked the traditional Christ? Has the church suppressed the truth about Jesus to advance its own agenda? What if the real Jesus is far different from the atoning Savior worshiped through the centuries? "In Defense of Jesus: Investigating Attacks on the Identity of Christ", award-winning legal editor Lee Strobel explores such hot-button questions as: Did the church suppress ancient non-biblical documents that paint a more accurate picture of Jesus than the four Gospels?; Did the church distort the truth about Jesus by tampering with early New Testament texts?; Do new insights and explanations disprove the resurrection?; Have fresh arguments disqualified Jesus from being the Messiah?; Did Christianity steal its core ideas from earlier mythology? Readers can evaluate the arguments and evidence being advanced by prominent atheists, liberal theologians, Muslim scholars, and others. Sift through expert testimony -- then reach their own verdict. Impressively well written, organized and presented, "In Defense of Jesus" is very highly recommended. It should be noted for personal reading lists that "In Defense of Jesus" is also available in a Kindle format ($8.99).

A Faith Encouraged
Barnabas Powell
Ancient Faith Publishing
PO Box 748, Chesterton, IN 46304-0748
http://store.ancientfaith.com
9781944967154, $19.95, PB, 272pp, www.amazon.com

The journey to Orthodox Christianity for Fr. Barnabas Powell came as a result of his many years spent searching for a "lifestyle" that would be truly Christian. After years in Evangelical Protestant ministry and serving in Christian media, both radio and television, he launched Faith Encouraged Ministries to use what he learned in sharing faith through media for the Orthodox Faith. In the style of his beloved podcast, Fr. Powell offers reflections for each workday of the year to inspire us to live out our faith in the real world every day in the pages of "A Faith Encouraged: A Devotional Guide to Being Orthodox on Purpose". Comprised of brief, succinct pithy thoughts of encouragement to purposely live by each day, "A Faith Encouraged" is unreservedly recommended, especially for all members of Orthodox Christian congregations. It should be noted for personal reading lists that "A Faith Encouraged" is also available in a Kindle format ($9.99).

Always Discerning
Joseph A. Tetlow, SJ
Loyola Press
3441 North Ashland Avenue, Chicago, IL 60657
www.loyolapress.com
9780829444568, $14.95, PB, 264pp, www.amazon.com

Joseph A. Tetlow is a dedicated Jesuit who has practiced, taught, and written on discernment since before Vatican II. He is a spiritual director and has led numerous retreats for laypeople on the topic of discernment. Pope Francis has explicitly and repeatedly stated that discernment is essential for anyone who is a follower of Jesus Christ. But what, exactly, is discernment? Why must we do it? When do we do it? How should we do it? In the pages of "Always Discerning: An Ignatian Spirituality for the New Millennium ", R. Tetlow delves thoughtfully into these questions and shares how lay Christians can implement discernment into not only life's big decisions but also into the everyday, more mundane choices we constantly find ourselves having to make. Guided by Scripture, Pope Francis's own words, and Ignatian spirituality, Fr. Tetlow helps us see that the dynamic interrelationship of head, heart, and hands is crucial to the discernment process. Ultimately, "Always Discerning" provides a powerful and highly practical way for the "people of God" to pray in the new millennium, while teaching us how to recognize God's will in every area of our lives and respond to it in joy and love. Exceptionally well written, organized and presented, "Always Discerning" is unreservedly recommended for seminary and academic library Christian Studies collections. It should be noted for the personal reading lists of clergy, academics, and non-specialist general readers with an interest in the subject that "Always Discerning" is also available in a Kindle format ($9.99).

Christ the Merciful
Brother Victor-Antoine d'Avila-Latourrette
Paraclete Press
PO Box 1568, Orleans, MA 02653
www.paracletepress.com
9781612617725, $16.99, PB, 256pp, www.amazon.cm

Brother Victor-Antoine d'Avila-Latourrette is a Benedictine monk in residence at Our Lady of the Resurrection Monastery in Millbrook, New York. In "Christ the Merciful" readers can pray with Br. Victor-Antoine d'Avila-Latourrette through the many names of Jesus and encounter Christ in ways you never thought or imagined were possible. The mystery and abundance of God's grace is opened up through the Scriptures, and monastic writings from Western and Eastern Orthodox sources. Through these pages, each reader can find a unique facet of Christ's loving mercy with the power to transform the heart. Brother d'Avila-Latourrette's meditations on the many names of Jesus offers the opportunity to meet Christ anew every day as we are reminded of how much we long to hear Jesus and need to hear him speaking to us in all aspects of our life and faith. While very highly recommended to all members of the Christian community regardless of denominational affiliations, it should be noted for personal reading lists that "Christ the Merciful" is also available in a Kindle format ($9.99).

Called to Speak
Edna Ellison & Linda J. Gilden
New Hope Publishers
PO Box 830711, Birmingham, AL 35283-0711
www.newhopepublishers.com
9781625915115, $14.99 PB, $9.99 Kindle, 192pp, www.amazon.com

Collaborative compiled and written by Edna Ellison and Linda J. Gilden, "Called to Speak: Practical Tips for Women's Ministry Speakers and Teachers" is a valuable collection of essential principles to help members of the Christian community grow into the effective, life-changing orators that God wants to empower. "Called to Speak" uniquely addresses the practical call of a communicator to speak for the kingdom of God. Based on years of experience by these two veteran women's ministry speakers, "Called to Speak" is replete with personal stories and encouraging Scripture. Containing practical tips, each chapter also ends with inspiring questions to help the existing women's ministry teacher and speaker hone their skills while at the same time helping novice speakers answer the call to speak or teach. Very highly recommended to all members of the Christian community regardless of denominational affiliation, it should be noted that "Called to Speak is a companion resource to "Called to Write", which is also published by the same authors with the intent of helping writers refine their mission focus through the written word.

Jesus and the Beanstalk
Lori Stanley Roeleveld
Abingdon Press
PO Box 280988, Nashville, TN 37228-0988
www.abingdonpress.com
9781501820045, $16.99, PB, 304pp, www.amazon.com

Our ordinary lives are replete with problems and obstacles to sharing faith, barriers to peaceful lives, sources fear both expected and unexpected. But there are eight small secrets to unlocking a strength big enough to overcome whatever obstacle life may bring in Lori Stanley Roeleveld's "Jesus and the Beanstalk: Overcoming Your Giants and Living a Fruitful Life". Using allegory and a bit of humor, "Jesus and the Beanstalk" explores a passage in 2 Peter 1 to uncover eight truths that will help you unleash a larger-than-life faith. These are: Faith; Goodness; Knowledge; Self-control; Perseverance; Godliness; Affection for others; Love. Critique: Offering a creative and refreshing perspective on spiritual growth, readers will discover an unyielding strength when they tap into the power of a God who is stronger than any beanstalk and bigger than your biggest giants. Exceptionally well written from beginning to end, "Jesus and the Beanstalk" is a potentially life-changing read that is recommended to all members of the Christian community. It should be noted for personal reading lists that "Jesus and the Beanstalk" is also available in a Kindle format ($9.99).


The Judaic Studies Shelf

Modern Orthodox Judaism
Zev Eleff
Jewish Publication Society
2100 Arch Street, 2nd floor, Philadelphia PA 19103-1399
www.jewishpub.org
9780827612570, $40.00 PB, $29.60 Kindle, 570pp, www.amazon.com

"Modern Orthodox Judaism: A Documentary History" by Zev Eleff (Chief Academic Officer of the Hebrew Theological College, Chicago, Illinois) offers an extensive selection of primary texts documenting the Orthodox encounter with American Judaism that led to the emergence of the Modern Orthodox movement. Many texts in this volume are drawn from episodes of conflict that helped form Modern Orthodox Judaism. These include the traditionalists' response to the early expressions of Reform Judaism, as well as incidents that helped define the widening differences between Orthodox and Conservative Judaism in the early twentieth century. Other texts explore the internal struggles to maintain order and balance once Orthodox Judaism had separated itself from other religious movements. "Modern Orthodox Judaism" combines published documents with seldom-seen archival sources in tracing Modern Orthodoxy as it developed into a structured movement, established its own institutions, and encountered critical events and issues. A general introduction explains the rise of the movement and puts the texts in historical context. Brief introductions to each section guide readers through the documents of this new, dynamic Jewish expression. An outstanding work that is thoroughly 'reader friendly' in organization and presentation, "Modern Orthodox Judaism" is an exceptional and highly recommended addition to personal, community and academic library Judaic Studies collections.


The Islamic Studies Shelf

Is Islam an Enemy of the West?
Tamara Sonn
Polity
c/o Blackwell Publishing
350 Main Street, Malden, MA 02148
www.politybooks.com
www.blackwellpublishing.com
9781509504411, $45.00, HC, 152pp, www.amazon.com

New York, Washington, Madrid, London, Paris, and a growing list of other Western cities have been and are being targeted by radical Islamic terrorists waging global jihad. Does this extreme violence committed in the name of Islam point to a fundamental enmity between the Muslim faith and the West? "Is Islam an Enemy of the West?" is an informative, thoughtful, and compelling essay, by Tamara Sonn (who is the Hamad Bin Khalifa Al-Thani Professor in the History of Islam at the Edmund A. Walsh School of Foreign Service, Georgetown University) persuasively argues that whilst the West has many enemies among Muslims, it is politics and not religion that informs their grievances. The longer these political, social, and cultural demands remain frustrated, the more the violence has escalated and recruitment to groups like Islamic State have increased. Far from quelling the spread of Islamic extremism, Western military intervention has helped to turn nationalist movements into radical terrorist groups with international agendas. Islam, Professor Sonn concludes, is not the problem, just as war is not the solution. While a timely and unreservedly recommended addition to community and academic library Political Science and Contemporary Islamic Studies collections in general, and Radical Islamic Terrorism supplemental studies in particular, it should be noted for the personal reading lists of students and non-specialist general readers with an interest in the subject that "Is Islam an Enemy of the West?" is also available in a paperback edition (9781509504428, $12.95) and in a Kindle format ($12.30).


The Buddhist Studies Shelf

A Torch Lighting the Way to Freedom
Dudjom Rinpoche & Jigdreal Yeshe Dorje
Shambhala Publications, Inc.
300 Massachusetts Avenue, Boston, MA 02115-4544
www.shambhala.com
9781611804034, $29.95, PB, 400pp, www.amazon.com

In the pages of "A Torch Lighting the Way to Freedom: Complete Instructions on the Preliminary Practices", a highly revered Buddhist meditation master and the leader of the Nyingma lineage of Tibetan Buddhism, the late Dudjom Rinpoche (1904-1987) explains a key text attributed to Padmasambhava, the great Indian meditation master credited with bringing the Buddha's teachings to Tibet. The instructions here are clear, direct, and personal, illuminating the heart of Vajrayana Buddhist practice and philosophy. Included is the root text ("The Heart Essence of the Dakini") by Padmasambhava and a commentary by Dudjom Rinpoche. "A Torch Lighting the Way to Freedom" (this English language edition being provided by the Padmakara Translation Group), will prove to be of immense interest to practitioners of all schools of Tibetan Buddhism. While unreservedly recommended for personal, community, and academic library Buddhism collections and supplemental studies reading lists, it should be noted for students and non-specialist general readers with an interest in the subject that "A Torch Lighting the Way to Freedom" is also available in a Kindle format ($19.99).


The Education Shelf

Colleges That Pay You Back: 2017 Edition
Robert Franek, et al.
The Princeton Review
c/o Random House Inc.
1745 Broadway, New York NY 10019
www.PrincetonReview.com
9780451487490, $21.99, PB, 480pp, www.amazon.com

A college or university education is a major financial investment, and one that too many students enter into blindly. The Princeton Review erases that uncertainty with this newly updated 2017 edition of "Colleges That Pay You Back", a thoroughly 'user friendly' guide to colleges and universities where students get the best return on their tuition investment. These are the schools that offer generous financial aid, excellent academics, and valuable career-building experiences for a successful post-college outcome. "Colleges That Pay You Back" is a compendium of top-value picks which were chosen based on 40+ data points, including academics, cost of attendance, financial aid, and post-grad salary figures. Featured are Profiles of 200 schools that offer fantastic value, with insight into their career services offerings; The top 25 schools with the Best Alumni Network, Best Career Placement, Top Financial Aid, and more; The highest-paying majors and great schools that offer them; Starting and mid-career salary information for graduates of each school; Percentages of alumni who report having meaningful jobs and who majored in science/technology/engineering/math (STEM) fields. Simply stated, "Colleges That Pay You Back: 2017 Edition" is unreservedly recommended as a family, high school, and community reference collections for all college and university bound students.


The Self-Help Shelf

What Will They Say About You When You Are Gone?
Rabbi Daniel Cohen
Health Communications, Inc.
3201 S.W. 15th Street, Deerfield Beach, FL 33442-8190
www.hcibooks.com
9780757319518, $15.95, PB, 264pp, www.amazon.com

At some point in their lives, everyone has confronted the concept of their own mortality. Each of us, at some point, has faced the reality that our time on Earth is limited. But how do we lead our lives with a sense of urgency every day? How do we develop the courage to make choices not based on pressure but on principle? How do we create the sacred space to reflect on who we are and who we want to be so we can realize our innermost goals and dreams? "What Will They Say About You When You're Gone?: Creating a Life of Legacy" by Rabbi Daniel Cohen points the way. Thoroughly 'reader friendly' in organization and presentation, "What Will They Say About You When You Are Gone?" will help you rise above the distractions to tap into the best version of yourself. Through a unique blend of storytelling, practical exercises, and profound wisdom, Rabbi Cohen teaches seven transformative principles to reverse engineer our lives so that we are living with purpose and passion, so that the person we are today more closely aligns with the person we aspire to be. As informed and informative as it is thoughtful and thought-provoking, "What Will They Say About You When You Are Gone?" is a potentially life-changing read that is especially recommended for community and academic library Self-Help/Self-Improvement instructional reference collections. For personal reading lists it should be noted that "What Will They Say About You When You Are Gone?" is also available in a Kindle format ($9.99).


The Comix/Graphic Novel Shelf

Tokyo ESP 7
Hajime Segawa
Vertical, Inc.
451 Park Avenue South, 7th floor, New York, NY 10016
9781942993568 $15.95 www.vertical-inc.com

A black-and-white manga (Japanese graphic novel) featuring striking art, Tokyo ESP 7 continues the modern-day, psychic-powered saga of a handful of heroes; a monstrous, globe-spanning cartel of villains; and everyone else caught in between. Volume 7 reveals more about Ares, the criminal, mercenary organization seeking to obtain the Ark and reawaken the "Messiah" at all costs. Ares has corrupted entire governments, and the members of its inner circle are unmatched in power and guile. The valiant "white girl" Rinka can't fight an enemy this entrenched alone; she needs to ally not only with her comrades, but also her rivals, and her fierce enemy Minami! But could there be quarrels or infighting within Ares' own ranks? A fine blend of intrigue, multifaceted characters and high-impact action, the Tokyo ESP is a "must-read"!

Mysterious Girlfriend X 4
Riichi Ueshiba
Vertical, Inc.
451 Park Avenue South, 7th floor, New York, NY 10016
9781942993711 $15.95 www.vertical-inc.com

Mysterious Girlfriend X 4 is a black-and-white manga (Japanese graphic novel) continuing the saga of first love between Tsubaki, a mostly ordinary young man, and his unusual girlfriend Urabe. Drool is their bond, and their relationship has progressed slowly... not quite to the moment of their first kiss, but could that happen soon? In volume 4, Tsubaki notices a change in Urabe's behavior; she seems to be acting a lot like a high-spirited teen idol singer instead of the somewhat moody and dour self. Could Urabe have switched bodies with her emotional opposite? Then, a girl with droopy eyes seems to be quite friendly toward Tsubaki - might Urabe have a new rival for Tsubaki's affection? An off-the-wall yet ultimately heartwarming teen love story, Mysterious Girlfriend X is highly recommended.

The Legion of Regrettable Supervillains
Jon Morris
Quirk Books
215 Church Street, Philadelphia PA 19106
www.quirkbooks.com
9781594749322, $24.95, HC, 256pp, www.amazon.com

Jonathan Morris is a cartoonist, graphic designer, and author of "The League of Regret-table Superheroes" who now turns his attention to comic book villains in "The Legion of Regrettable Supervillains: Oddball Criminals from Comic Book History". It is a clearly established rule in comics (and all the other forms of fictional literature for that matter!) that every hero needs a villain. But not all villains are dangerous. Some are incompetent, comical, or just plain. weird. Jon Morris knowledgeably presents over a hundred of the strangest, most stupefying supervillains to ever see print in comics. Meet D-list rogues like Brickbat (choice of weapon: poisonous bricks), Robbing Hood (steals from the poor to give to the rich), Swarm (a crook made of bees; Nazi bees), and many more. Drawing on the entire history of the medium, "The Legion of Regrettable Supervillains" affectionately and hilariously profiles oddball criminals from the history of comics and will prove to be an enduringly popular addition to community and academic library Comics/Graphic Novels collections. It should be noted for the personal reading lists of dedicated superhero comic book fans that "The Legion of Regrettable Supervillains" is also available in a Kindle format ($18.99).

The Story of Jezebel
Elijah Brubaker
Uncivilized Books
www.uncivilizedbooks.com
9781941250167, $19.95, PB, 272pp, www.amazon.com

"The Story of Jezebel" is an inherently fascinating and consistently entertaining graphic novel by comic artist Elijah Brubaker and that takes a modern and hilarious reveal of the Old Testament tale of paganism, murder, and sex. King Ahab is arranged to marry the beautiful Jezebel, a hip chick with a short fuse, whose interest in the pagan god Baal doesn't sit well with the people. With a mix of satirist wit and visual verve, Brubaker puts his unique twist on angels, famine, war and even bear maulings, without losing touch with the biblical source material. A consistently entertaining read from cover to cover, "The Story of Jezebel" will prove to be an enduringly popular addition to personal reading lists as well as community library graphic novel collections.


The Audiobook Shelf

Right Behind You
Lisa Gardner
www.lisagardner.com
Brilliance Corporation
PO Box 887, Grand Haven, MI 49417
9781480598751 $24.99 www.brillianceaudio.com

Right Behind You is an unabridged MP3 audiobook (plays on MP3-CD enabled players or transfers to portable devices) of a dark thriller. Eight years ago, Sharlah May Nash's older brother beat their drunken father to death, in order to protect both their lives. Since then, Sharlah has been adopted by retired FBI profiler Pierce Quincy and his partner Rainie Connor. Now, word comes that Sharlah's older brother may be killing people, and a massive manhunt is out for him. Is Sharlah's big brother a hero or a serial murderer? Laced with razor-edge tension to the very end, Right Behind You is highly recommended for connoisseurs of the genre. 1 disc, 13 hours 22 min.

Archangel's Heart
Nalini Singh
Tantor Media, Inc.
6 Business Park Road, Old Saybrook, CT 06475
9781494518707, $39.99, CD, www.tantor.com

One of the most vicious archangels in the world has disappeared. No one knows if Lijuan is dead or has chosen to Sleep the long sleep of an immortal. But with her lands falling into chaos under a rising tide of vampiric bloodlust, a mysterious and ancient order of angels known as the Luminata calls the entire Cadre together to discuss the fate of her territory. Accompanying her archangelic lover Raphael to the Luminata compound, guild hunter-turned-angel Elena senses that all is not as it seems. Secrets echo from within the stone walls of the compound, and the deeper Elena goes, the uglier the darkness. But neither Raphael nor Elena is ready for the brutal truths hidden within and exposing those truths will change everything Elena thinks she knows about who she is. Nothing will ever be the same again. Another riveting story in author Nalini Singh's simply outstanding Guild Hunter series, "Archangel's Heart" is a truly riveting listening experience expertly narrated by Justine Eyre and very highly recommended, especially for community library audio book collections. (11 CDs, 13.5 Hourse, Complete & Unabridged).

Disappearing Nightly
Laura Risnick
Graphic Audio
4940 Hampden Lane, Suite 300, Bethesda, MD 20814
9781628513103, $19.99, CD, www.graphicaudio.net

Esther Diamond, a struggling actress in New York, seems destined to attract supernatural mayhem. When bizarre magical disappearances disrupt shows around the city, Esther receives a mysterious warning not to go on with her off-Broadway show. Desperate to stay on stage rather than resort to waiting tables, Esther turns to her new BFF, Dr. Maximillian Zadok, a 350-year-old mage whose day job is protecting New York from Evil. Determined to get to the bottom of this mystery without losing her job, Esther and Max team up with a conjuring cowboy, a banker with stage aspirations, and a flock of fearless drag queens. Also on the case is Detective Connor Lopez, a sexy cop who has a thing for Esther, but who fears that she and Max may be a bigger problem than the vanishing performers. Since the show must go on (and the astronomical New York rent must be paid) Esther, Max, and their friends pursue Evil to its lair in their fearless determination to find the missing performers and restore harmony to the city that never sleeps. "Disappearing Nightly" volume of the Esther Diamond series by Laura Risnick. With Graphic Audio's usual flawless production values, this multicast adaptation is an unfailingly entertaining, 'theatre of the mind' listening experience that will prove to be an enduringly popular addition to personal and community library collections -- and leave enthusiastic listeners eagerly awaiting the next Esther Diamond audio book adventure!

Gemini Cell
Myke Cole
Graphic Audio
7520 Standish Place, Suite 100, Rockville, MD 20855
9781628513141, $19.99, CD, www.graphicaudio.net

US Navy SEAL Jim Schweitzer is a consummate professional warrior and a very hard man to kill. But when he sees something he was never meant to see on a covert mission gone bad, he finds himself, his wife and his young song in the crosshairs of a nameless foe. Nothing means more to Jim than protecting his loved ones, but when the enemy brings the battle to his front door, he is overwhelmed and taken down. That should be the end of the story. But Jim is raised from the dead by a sorcerer and recruited by a top secret unit dabbling in the occult, known only as the Gemini Cell. With powers he doesn't understand, Jim is called back to duty as the ultimate undead warrior. As he wrestles with a literal inner demon called up from the abyss to co-occupy his reanimated body, Jim realizes his new superiors are determined to use him for their own ends and keep him in the dark -- especially about the fates of his wife and son. The first volume in author Myke Cole's 'The Reawakening Trilogy', "Gemini Cell" is an authentic 'theatre of the mind' listening experience of flawless production values, extraordinarily talented multi-cast performances impressively augmented with sound effects and music. A superbly presented dark fantasy action/adventure story from beginning to end, "Gemini Cell" is very highly recommended for personal and community library audio book collections, and will leave its listeners looking eagerly toward the next to installments of this outstanding audio book trilogy.


The Music CD Shelf

Road to Forever
Greg Abate with the Tim Ray Trio
Whaling City Sound
www.whalingcitysound.com
c/o Naxos of America (dist.)
www.naxosusa.com
$TBA CD / $9.99 digital, itunes.com

Road to Forever is a smooth and sexy original jazz album with a dash of bebop. Greg Abate's alto sax complements Tim Ray's piano in this rhythmic, sensuous soundscape, a treasure for connoisseurs of the genre! The tracks are "Road to Forever" (7:06), "City of 2-5s" (8:05), "The Dancing Panda" (5:39), "Take The Crowell Train" (4:58), "Farewell Phil Woods" (8:25), "Whaling City Sound" (7:04), "Red Fish Boulevard" (5:44), "Seasons" (6:50), "Buzzardology" (6:55), and "Mr. Parker" (7:44). Also highly recommended for is the adventurous double-CD music Album Weather or Not: The Music of Weather Report ($16.99 CD / $19.99 MP3), featuring a tribute CD to fusion group Weather Report and a CD of 16 songs that musician Gerry Gibbs crafted, each with its own unique feel.

Starlight
The Right Now
therightnow.com
$15.00 CD / $20.00 vinyl / $8.00 digital

Starlight is an astonishingly beautiful album blending elements of soul, R&B, disco, and pop into a resounding masterpiece. Vocalist Stefanie Berecz sings with unforgettable passion, and the music's rhythms captivate the body and the spirit. Starlight is an immersive treasure, highly recommended. The tracks are "Love You Better", "Postcard", "Up All Night", "LOVE (Lets Me Know)", "If It Was You", "Too Late", "Starlight", "That's Enough", "Everything Is Broken", and "Hooked".

Build Music
Janka Nabay and the Bubu Gang
JankaNabay.com
Luaka Bop, Inc.
LuakaBop.com
$13.99 CD / $9.49 MP3 amazon.com

Superbly performed by Janka Nabay and the Bubu Gang, Build Music draws upon the rich heritage of Bubu Music, a traditional form of folk music practiced by the Temne people of Sierra Leone. Some tracks re-imagine songs that Nabay originally recorded in the 1990's, while others have original vocals sung over "riddims" created by collaborators in Sierra Leone. Janka's unique, adventurous stylings make for a creative blend of ancient and modern, in this choice pick for world music collections. The tracks are "Kadlatu" (0:31), "Build Music" (3:32), "Santa Monica" (4:55), "Popeneh" (2:50), "Bubu Dub" (4:00), "Angbolleh" (4:25), "Game Ova" (4:46), "Sabanoh (Interlude)" (0:32), "Sabanoh 2017" (3:29), "Stop Jealous" (3:54), "Tek Lak la ghen ba Kun" (2:09), and "Combination" (3:15).


The DVD Shelf

A Place to Call Home, Season 4
Acorn Media
c/o RLJ Entertainment
www.us.RLJEntertainment.com
$59.99 www.acornonline.com

Set in 1950s Australia, A Place to Call Home, Season 4 continues the story of Sarah Nordmann (played by Marta Dusseldorp) who becomes entangled in the affairs of the wealthy Bligh family. Episodes reflect the social changes and fears of the time, as the malicious Regina (played by Jenni Baird) marries into the Bligh family and plots against Sarah, using the mounting fear of Communism as a weapon. Sarah allies with the strong-willed dowager Elizabeth (played by Noni Hazlehurst) to expose Regina, while James (played by David Berry) and his estranged wife Olivia (played by Arianwen Parkes-Lockwood) form a tenuous peace, and Anna (played by Abby Ear) struggles earn success in a literary career. A complex web of relationships between multifaceted people, A Place to Call Home is a "must" for connoisseurs of fine drama. It should be noted that A Place to Call Home is recommended for older teen or adult viewers due to the presence of violence, sexual situations, and nudity. 12 episodes on 3 DVDs, 630 min., widescreen, SDH subtitles.


The Relationship Shelf

The Two-Minute Secret for Staying in Love
Heidi Poelman
Familius
1254 Commerce Way, Sanger, CA 93657
www.familius.com
9781945547058, $15.99, PB, 184pp, www.amazon.com

We all want to marry the one we love, and love the one we marry. But that's just the beginning. Staying in love after being married turns out to be a whole lot different than just falling in love in the first place. In a world of constant distraction, marriage experts agree that the little things matter a lot. An informed and informative instruction guide to having an amazing, fantastic, loving, playful, intimate, and happy marriage, Heidi Poelman's "The Two-Minute Secret for Staying in Love" explores the little things couples think, say, and do to stay in love for the long haul. Supported by expert studies, interviews with happily married couples, and years of personal experience, Poelman shares the simple secrets that keep love alive. Whether it's choosing an attitude of gratitude, leaving a love note, giving a welcome-home hug at the door, or calling just to say "The Two-Minute Secret for Staying in Love" is packed from cover to cover of simple, practical, effective ways to love the one you married -- two minutes at a time! Thoroughly 'user friendly' in organization and presentation, "The Two-Minute Secret for Staying in Love" is very highly recommended for both community library collections and personal reading lists of any seeking to keep love alive after years and even decades of married life.


The Needlecraft Shelf

Big Knit Love: 20 Chunky Knit Fashions
Linda Zemba Burhance
The Taunton Press
63 South Main Street, Newtown, CT 06470
www.taunton.com
9781631864513, $24.95, PB, 160pp, www.amazon.com

Linda Zemba Burhance is a knitwear designer, pattern writer, and owner of Apparel Development Consulting, a product development apparel consulting business. In "Big Knit Love: 20 Chunky Knit Fashions" she draws upon her years of experience and expertise to introduce to newbies and experienced knitters alike to knitting with big needles and bulky, super bulky, and jumbo yarns with 20 patterns for gorgeous wearables. Called one of the most important knitting trends by Lion Brand Yarn, knitting with chunky yarns is less structured than knitting with standard-sized needles and yarns, making it perfect for anyone who wants to make simple yet stylish patterns in no time. In addition, this stunning and instructional collection includes a comprehensive, photograph-rich section on tools, materials, and step-by-step techniques, ensuring each pattern knits up perfectly. Thoroughly 'user friendly' in organization and presentation, "Big Knit Love: 20 Chunky Knit Fashions" is unreservedly recommended for personal and community library needlecraft instructional reference collections.


The Business Shelf

The Sustainability Edge
Suhas Apte & Jagdish N. Sheth
University of Toronto Press
10 St. Mary Street, Suite 700, Toronto, Ontario, Canada, M4Y 2W8
www.utppublishing.com
9781442650688, $32.95, HC, 264pp, www.amazon.com

Business leaders need to embrace sustainability in order to ensure the lasting success of their organizations. Co-authors Suhas Apte (a former Sustainability Officer and senior executive for the Kimberly-Clark Corporation who is also President of Apte Consultants, LLC) and Jagdish Sheth (the Charles H. Kellstadt Professor of Marketing in the Gozuieta School of Business at Emory University, as well as the Founder and Chairman of Sheth Leadership Academy) bring their expertise from practice and from academia to illustrate how business leaders can embed sustainability in a truly holistic and transformative way in "The Sustainability Edge: How to Drive Top-Line Growth with Triple-Bottom-Line Thinking". Through an examination of such companies as Walmart, AT&T, IKEA and the Tata Group, Professor Apte and Professor Sheth have developed a proven and actionable framework rooted in the real world success of these companies. The case studies reveal just how business leaders proactively engage, energize and promote market sustainability to all of their stakeholders including customers, employees, suppliers, investors and the government. "The Sustainability Edge" enables companies to critically engage their stakeholders and influence them to accept sustainability as part of their core mission. While unreservedly recommended for community, corporate, and academic library Business Management collections and supplemental studies reading lists, it should be noted for students, corporate managers, and non-specialist general readers with an interest in the subject that "The Sustainability Edge" is also available in a Kindle format ($18.12).


The Poetry Shelf

Dead Man's Float
Jim Harrison
Copper Canyon Press
PO Box 271, Port Townsend, WA 98368
www.coppercanyonpress.org
9781556594458 $23.00 hc / $8.54 Kindle amazon.com

Dead Man's Float is an anthology of free-verse poetry by the candidly honest author Jim Harrison, who reflects upon the challenges of survival, and the inevitably impending end of life - whether by crime, sickness, or old age. Raw and heartfelt, Dead Man's Float resonates with the reader, and is highly recommended. "'Daylight': Did you notice the daylight today? / These days are short in December. / It comes before dark. Sometimes it passes / in a hurry to get someplace else / more friendly, perhaps. Fiji, maybe. / We become forgetful and miss it some days."

One Man's Dark
Maurice Manning
Copper Canyon Press
PO Box 271, Port Townsend, WA 98368
www.coppercanyonpress.org
9781556594748, $23.00, HC, 110pp, www.amazon.com

Maurice Manning is the author of five previous books of poetry, including The Common Man, a 2011 Pulitzer Prize finalist, and Lawrence Booth's Book of Visions, winner of the 2000 Yale Younger Poetry Series Award, selected by W.S. Merwin. A 2011 Guggenheim Fellow, he currently teaches at Transylvania University and is on the permanent faculty of Warren Wilson College. "One Man's Dark" is his latest volume of poetry that searches through layers of dreams, imagination, and memory to reconnect with ourselves and our place in the cosmos. Drawing deep from his Kentucky roots, Manning's poems are peopled with ordinary and extraordinary rural characters, as he gives voice to a region well-loved and full of tradition. 'The Gods': If you were once just a word, once, / then, by force or by force of / strange decisions you leapt into / being real, a Kind of / proof with a starry exclamation / mark and maybe then some silence, / so whatever else there was up there / could notice exceeding change - if that / tis sort of how you did it, without / a reason, fine; then verily - / if you approve that word - I say / to you, it must be dark, something / unknowable behind the word, / whatever one you were. That's one, / one thing i wanted to say, and also / one more: Sometimes I think you might / have multiplied yourself, a second / proof, a slash and plink, and maybe / other times since then, as if you / raised you by the power of you, / which is a coincidence, because / I tried to do that, too, when I / was a boy, and one time I did.


The American History Shelf

Secret Lives of the U.S. Presidents, revised edition
Cormac O'Brien
Quirk Books
215 Church Street, Philadelphia PA 19106
www.quirkbooks.com
9781594749353 $16.95 pbk / $11.99 Kindle amazon.com

Now in a revised edition, Secret Lives of the U.S. Presidents: Strange Stories and Shocking Trivia from Inside the White House lives up to its title as a cornucopia of uncensored, little- known anecdotes about America's most powerful men. From the punch that nearly got young Donald Trump expelled from the second grade, to Gerald Ford's work as a "Cosmopolitan" magazine cover model, to Ulysses Grant's relentless drinking and smoking, to the indolence of Chester A. Arthur (likely attributed to his secret diagnosis of Bright's disease), Secret Lives of the U.S. Presidents is a fascinating expose from cover to cover. Highly recommended!

Eavesdropping on Texas History
Mary L. Scheer, editor
University of North Texas Press
1155 Union Circle #311336, Denton, TX 76203-5017
9781574416756 $29.95 www.untpress.unt.edu

Eavesdropping on Texas History is an anthology of essays by learned historians written in response to the question: what moment in Texas of history would choose to witness as a "fly on the wall", and why? Individual writings reflect on the fall of the Alamo, the moment Sam Houston refused to take a Loyalty Oath to the Confederacy, the day Lyndon Johnson became president, and much more. A handful of black-and-white photographs, extensive notes, and an index rounds out this thoughtful, engrossing, and highly recommended contribution to public and college library American History shelves.

Sutherland Springs, Texas
Richard B. McCaslin
University of North Texas Press
1155 Union Circle #311336, Denton, TX 76203-5017
9781574416732 $24.95 www.untpress.unt.edu

Researched with scholarly precision, yet thoroughly accessible to readers of all backgrounds, Sutherland Springs, Texas: Saratoga on the Cibolo details aspirations, rise, and fall of a rural community near San Antonio. Around the turn of the twentieth century, Texas real estate developers sought to take advantage of local mineral water springs and transform the farming settlement into a resort town. But when water tables declined in the late twentieth century and reduced mineral water flows, the town's influence and population faded. Sutherland Springs, Texas provides a complete history of the community from its early settlement days through the Civil War and the twentieth century, enriched with endnotes, a bibliography, and an index. Highly recommended, especially for public and college library American History collections.

Arlington: A Color Guide to America's Most Famous Cemetery
James Gindlesperger
John F. Blair, Publisher
1406 Plaza Drive, Winston-Salem, NC 27103
www.blairpub.com
9780895876775, $24.95, PB, 242pp, www.amazon.com

"Arlington: A Color Guide to America's Most Famous Cemetery" by civil war historian James Gindlesperger tells the stories of 250 different people buried in Arlington National Cemetery. Each individual entry is accompanied by a color photograph and GPS coordinate to aid in location. The entries are about battlefield heroes, people who survived the war to achieve major accomplishments, the well-known like President John Kennedy, the unknown soldiers, and the lesser-known who still led fascinating lives. A fascinating and informative volume to browse through, "Arlington: A Color Guide to America's Most Famous Cemetery" is very highly recommended for personal reading lists and is certain to be an enduringly popular addition to community and academic library American History collections.


The Metaphysical Studies Shelf

Chinese Astrology
Jonathan Dee
Red Wheel/Weiser/Conari
65 Parker Street, Suite 7, Newburyport, MA 01950
www.redwheelweiser.com
9781571747563 $14.95 pbk / $9.99 Kindle amazon.com

Professional astrologer, tarot card reader, and clairvoyant Jonathan Dee presents Chinese Astrology, Plain & Simple: The Only Book You'll Ever Need, a straightforward, thoroughly accessible, and easy-to-use guide. Chapters discuss the animal signs of the Chinese zodiac for each birthday year, month, and hour, as well as the personality traits common to each sign, how compatible signs are with one another, and the broad strokes of fortune (or misfortune) that those born under one sign may experience in everyday life during the year of another sign. Highly recommended for astrology enthusiasts of all backgrounds!

Consciousness Becomes You
Angie Aristone & Roderick Alan
www.angiearistone.com
O Books
c/o John Hunt Publishing, Ltd.
www.johnhuntpublishing.com
9781785351334, $25.95, PB, 256pp, www.amazon.com

Imagine for a moment that your consciousness could leave your brain. What could you learn and discover? What could you accomplish if your mind could travel wherever you focused it, to understand anything you desire, directly, from the inside out? How would your relationships improve? What would the world look like if we could all understand one another on such an intimate level? What if you were told that your consciousness not only can leave your brain, but that it already does, and that we are all immersed in a telepathic experience of the world, though few of us realize it? In "Consciousness Becomes You", the authors, Angie Aristone and Roderick Alan, share personal stories, grounded conversation, and scientific research to explain that part of our minds, the connected mind, is connected to everyone and everything. Beginning with how we already experience this connection in life, "Consciousness Becomes You" explores how this connection functions, its uses, and the myriad of ways we all already receive and share telepathic information. An inherently fascinating and impressively informative read from beginning to end, "Consciousness Becomes You" is unreservedly recommended for both community and academic library Contemporary Psychology collections and supplemental studies reading lists. It should be noted for students and non-specialist general readers with an interest in the subject that "Consciousness Becomes You" is also available in a Kindle format ($7.99).


The Sports Shelf

Ed Bolden and Black Baseball in Philadelphia
Courtney Michelle Smith
McFarland & Company
PO Box 611, Jefferson NC 28640
www.mcfarlandpub.com
9780786478491, $29.95, PB, 192pp, www.amazon.com

For nearly forty years, Ed Bolden dominated black baseball in Philadelphia. He owned two teams, the Darby-based Hilldale Club and the Philadelphia Stars, and briefly led the Eastern Colored League, which he founded. Winner of two championships (one with each team) Bolden experienced the highs and lows of the Negro Leagues. He remained with the Stars until his death in 1950, which foreshadowed the dissolution of the Negro Leagues in the face of Major League Baseball's integration. "Ed Bolden and Black Baseball in Philadelphia" by Courtney Michelle Smith (a native of the Philadelphia area, an avid Philadelphia sports fan, and an Associate Professor of History and Political Science at Cabrini University in Radnor, Pennsylvania) deftly examines Bolden's leadership of both teams through economic downturns, racial discrimination and two world wars. Remarkably well researched, written, organization and presented, "Ed Bolden and Black Baseball in Philadelphia" is an impressive and seminal study that is unreservedly recommended for community and academic library Black History collections in general, and American Baseball History supplemental studies reading lists in particular. It should be noted for the personal reading lists of dedicated baseball fans that "Ed Bolden and Black Baseball in Philadelphia" is also available in a Kindle format ($17.99).

The Life and Trials of Roger Clemens
Hansen Alexander
McFarland
PO Box 611, Jefferson NC 28640
www.mcfarlandpub.com
9781476665764 $29.95 pbk / $17.99 Kindle amazon.com

The Life and Trials of Roger Clemens: Baseball's Rocket Man and the Questionable Case Against Him is a fascinating biographical profile of Roger Clemens (b. 1962), a legendary pitcher who amassed 4,672 strikeouts during his professional career. Yet Clemens was also known for his high-strung temper; he got into a barroom brawl during his first semester of the University of Texas, and once he even punched out a Houston police officer, briefly landing him in jail. When he retired in 2007 at age 45, he was beset with allegations of performance- enhancing drug use. A Congressional committee questioned him about his alleged use of steroids; he was accused of perjury but later acquitted. The Life and Trials of Roger Clemens examines all of these events and more in thorough detail. Expertly researched, yet accessible to readers of all backgrounds, The Life and Trials of Roger Clemens is a welcome contribution to sports biography collections and highly recommended.


The Music Shelf

Judas!
Clinton Heylin
Route Publishing
c/o Dufour Editions, Inc.
PO Box 7, 124 Byers Road, Chester Springs, PA 19425-0007
www.dufoureditions.com
9781901927689, $25.00, PB, 318pp, www.amazon.com

In 1966 the sell-out tour to end all tours took place. That is also when Bob Dylan and The Hawks found themselves at the epicenter of a storm of controversy. Their response? To unleash a cavalcade of ferocity from Melbourne to Manchester, from Forest Hills to the Free Trade Hall. Told from eye-witnesses galore; from timely reports, both mile-wide and spot on; and from the participants themselves for the first time, the full story is now presented in the pages of Judas!: From Forest Hills to the Free Trade Hall". For this informed and informative history there is better guide than Clinton Heylin, the esteemed Dylan biographer and one of the world's leading rock historians. An absolute 'must read' for the legions of Bob Dylan fans, "Judas!" is certain to be an enduringly popular addition to community and academic library 20th Century Music History collections. It should be noted for personal reading lists that "Judas!" is also available in a Kindle format ($8.99).


The Fantasy/SciFi Shelf

Parallels
Cassandra Lynn King
CSJ King Publishing
www.csjkingpublishing.com
9780985622008, $24.99 PB, $6.99 Kindle, 748pp, www.amazon.com

Special Agent Shawn Perry of the FBI is called to Philadelphia to help with a bank robbery case. He quickly realizes there are some unusual circumstances surrounding the robbery, and begins to uncover evidence of murder conspiracies, genocide, and people with unbelievable abilities. Trusted colleagues soon come forward to admit secret connections to the main suspect, Hara, a teenage girl. As Perry uncovers more and more seemingly impossible secrets, he realizes he has walked into a battle between two mysterious societies which have been at war for decades. His investigation eventually uncovers a decades-long secret that will threaten the lives of everyone around him, and force Perry to see the world in a different light. As the clock ticks down to zero, he comes to understand that guilt and innocence, and right and wrong, are not always as clear as black and white. A simply riveting saga of a read, "Parallels" showcases author Cassandra Lynn King as an original and genuinely gifted novelist who is able to completely engage her readers attention from beginning to end. The first volume of a trilogy, "Parallels" will prove to ben an enduringly popular addition to personal reading lists and community library Science Fiction collections.

O Negative
Cassandra Lynn King
CSJ King Publishing
www.csjkingpublishing.com
9780985622022, $19.99 PB, $6.99 Kindle, 344pp, www.amazon.com

It's the year 2018, and an attempt at genetic engineering at a Philadelphia laboratory creates a virus that targets those with O negative blood. The virus quickly spreads, and those infected begin to develop superhuman abilities. While the rest of humanity begins to see the mutated individuals as a threat to them, the O Negatives, led by 18-year-old Walter Reifert, must flee from government lockup and experimental laboratories before they are annihilated by the humans. The survivors must deal with the heartbreak of losing the ones they love; but in despair there is always hope -- hope for new love, new life, and a better future for all. In this hope, the survivors discover new relationships and the true meaning of family. This sequel Cassandra Lynn King's debut novel "Parallels" is very highly recommended for community library Science Fiction collections..

A Negative
Cassandra Lynn King
CSJ King Publishing
www.csjkingpublishing.com
9780985622039, $19.99 PB, $6.99 Kindle, 438pp, www.amazon.com

Three years have passed since a man-made virus targeting O negative blood created a new divergent species of humans, the Colicians. Now, further attempts at genetic engineering have created a new virus, the Caiten Strain, which targets those with A negative blood. As more and more people are infected in a laboratory experiment gone out of control, Austin Rockwell and Miriam Lobner attempt to flee the experimentation and start a new life together. They both learn they must make personal sacrifices for a cause greater than themselves: to protect their friends and family, and to make the world safer and more peaceful for everyone. The third volume of an imaginatively original science fiction series by Cassandra Lynn King, "A Negative" continues the saga of Cassandra Lynn King's novel "Parallels" and its sequel, "O Negative", and like the first two volumes is enthusiastically recommended to the attention of all science fiction fans and community library science fiction collections.


The Automotive Shelf

Muscle Cars in Detail series
CarTech Inc.
838 Lake Street South, Forest Lake, MN 55025
www.cartechbooks.com

CarTech is the premier publisher of books on and about cars. They have now launched a new and impressively informative series called "Muscle Cars in Detail" that features an in-depth and profusely illustrated study of some of the most popular and legendary muscle cars. Each individual volume in the "Muscle Cars in Detail" series provides an introduction and historical overview, an explanation of the design and concepts involved in creating the car, a look at marketing and promotion, an in-depth study of all hardware and available options, as well as an examination of where the car is on the market today. Also included are paint and option codes, VIN and build-tag decoders, as well as production numbers. The first three titles comprising this outstanding new series include "1970 Chevrolet Chevell SS" (9781613253175, $18.95, PB, 96pp) which has one of the largest followings of any of Detroit's muscle cars; "1971 Plymouth 'Cuda'" (9781613252970, $18.95, PB, 96pp); and "1968 Shelby Mustang GT350, GT500 and GT500 KR" (9781613252925, $18.95, PB, 96pp). Impressively informed and informative, this new series from CarTech is unreservedly recommended for personal, community, and academic library Automotive History reference collections in general, and the supplemental studies reading lists of dedicated Muscle Car enthusiasts in particular.


The Woodworking Shelf

Stanley Decks
David Toht
The Taunton Press
63 South Main Street, Newtown, CT 06470
www.taunton.com
9781631864506, $24.95, PB, 240pp, www.amazon.com

Building a deck is one of the most popular outdoor projects for amateur do-it-yourself homeowners. The job takes time and effort, but anyone having some basic carpentry skills and the right tools, and willing to work slowly, carefully, and safely, can produce a great-looking deck that you can be proud of with David Toht's "Stanley Decks: A Homeowner's Guide". Drawing upon his many years of experience and expertise as a contractor and builder, Toht takes the through every illustrated step of the way, from design and planning, to choosing tools and materials, to installing footings and ledgers, to framing, to installing decking, to building stairs and railings, to adding benches, planters, and other built-ins. The heart of "Stanley Decks" is a step-by-step guide to building four different types of deck including a patio deck, a first-story deck, a raised deck, and a multi-feature deck -- which include a range of decking and railing types and special features. "Stanley Decks" concludes with a an invaluable chapter on deck maintenance and repair. Thoroughly 'user friendly' in organization and presentation, "Stanley Decks" is unreservedly recommended for personal and community library woodworking instructional reference collections.


The Fishing Shelf

Fly Fishing for Trout: The Next Level
Tom Rosenbauer
Stackpole Books
5067 Ritter Road, Mechanicsburg, PA 17055-6921
www.stackpolebooks.com
9780811713467, $29.95, PB, 176pp, www.amazon.com

Tom Rosenbauer has been a fly fisher for fifty years and was a commercial fly tier by age fourteen. He has fished extensively across North America and has also fished on Christmas Island, in the Bahamas, Belize, Kamchatka, Chile, and on the fabled English chalk streams. He has been with the Orvis Company for forty years, and while there, has been a fishing-school instructor, copywriter, public relations director, merchandise manager, and was editor of The Orvis News for ten years. He is currently marketing manager for Orvis Rod and Tackle. In "Fly Fishing for Trout: The Next Level" he draws upon his years of experience and expertise to instruct fly fishers on how they can step up their game and take their angling to the next level. Tom answers the top questions asked by anglers looking to take that next step. He offers advice on casting and rigging techniques that are beyond the basic level taught in fly-fishing schools but are essential to becoming more successful. Of special note is the inclusion of QR codes for videos of his teaching tips in action. Exceptionally well written, illustrated, organized and presented, "Fly Fishing for Trout: The Next Level" is unreservedly recommended for community library Hunting/Fishing instructional reference collections. It should be noted for the personal reading lists of dedicated anglers that "Fly Fishing for Trout" is also available in a Kindle format ($15.65).


The Philosophy Shelf

Deadpool and Philosophy
Edited by Nicolas Michaud and Jacob Thomas May
Open Court Publishing Company
70 East Lake Street, Suite 800, Chicago, IL 60601
www.opencourtbooks.com
9780812699494 $19.95 amazon.com

Part of the "Pop Culture and Philosophy" series, Deadpool and Philosophy is an anthology of scholarly essays by learned authors discussing the implications of Deadpool - a comic book villain-turned-anti-hero known for his snarky attitude, and for being fully aware that he is in a comic book (and more recently, a movie), thus utterly demolishing the fourth wall. Individual writings include "Good Citizen Deadpool?", "How to Solve the Contradictions in Deadpool", "Deadpool Kills God", and much more. As irreverent and boundary-pushing as the comic itself, Deadpool and Philosophy is highly recommended to both fans of the character and connoisseurs of critical thinking!


The Jewelry Shelf

Pearl Buying Guide, sixth edition
Renee Newmann GG
www.reneenewman.com
International Jewelry Publications
PO Box 13384, Los Angeles, CA 90013-0384
9780929975528 $19.95 amazon.com

Now in an updated sixth edition, Pearl Buying Guide: How to Identify and Evaluate Pearls features full-color photography on every page, complementing the masterful, exacting details about how to evaluate pearls, identify fake pearls, recognize pearl treatments, care for pearls, and more. Accessible to lay readers and professional gemologists alike, Pearl Buying Guide is a "must-have" for anyone intending to personally acquire or professionally work with pearl jewelry.


The Photography Shelf

Small Dreams
Jeffrey Milstein
Schiffer Publishing Ltd.
4880 Lower Valley Road, Atglen, PA 19310
9780764352478 $14.99 www.schifferbooks.com

Small Dreams: 50 Palm Springs Trailer Homes is a full-color photographic display of fifty selected and beloved mobile or trailer homes. Each is embellished with the residents' personal decorations, many so lavishly as to effectively disguise their mobile origins. There is little text, other than a brief foreword and introduction; the emphasis here is on the photographs themselves, one for each home. Small Dreams is a delight to browse, highly recommended.


The Jobs/Careers Shelf

Greening Your Hospitality Business
Jill Doucette and JC Scott
Self-Counsel Press Inc.
4152 Meridian Street, Suite 105-471, Bellingham, WA, 98226
www.self-counsel.com
9781770402508 $14.95 pbk / $8.99 Kindle amazon.com

Greening Your Hospitality Business For Accommodations, Tour Operators, and Restaurants lives up to its title as a practical guide to making one's hospitality business more environmentally friendly. The advantages to "going green" including savings on one's energy bill, good PR, and of course, the satisfaction of knowing one is doing one's part for the planet and for future generations. Chapters discuss tips, tricks, and techniques for water conservation, waste management (including food waste and kitchen waste), how to make guest accommodations green, and much more. Greening Your Hospitality Business is a "must-read" for anyone in the industry! "It is common in many kitchens to thaw food under running water. This can waste hundreds of gallons each time it is done. Instead, move frozen foods to the refrigerator to thaw."


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