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Reviewer's Choice
An International Circus Affair
Jeff Raz, Stephanie Greenspan, Ori Quesada, and Devin Holt
Modern Vaudeville Press
https://modernvaudevillepress.com
9781958604243, $25.00 Paperback/$9.99 ebook
https://www.amazon.com/International-Circus-Affair-Francisco-American/dp/1958604240
An International Circus Affair: How a Nanjing Acrobat in San Francisco Changed American Circus Forever captures circus history at its best, using a single acrobat's life and achievements to explore the circus atmosphere and its features and major participants. The story details how an international meeting of East and West played out in the big top arena, changing the circus world forever.
This encounter allowed circuses to develop new opportunities and attractions, leading to its survival of hard, changing times. As a participant in this process rather than an observer or reporter, author Jeff Raz holds his own claim to circus fame. His mentor, Master Trainer Lu Yi from Nanjing, China, is the main subject of the book. Lu Yi took Chinese circus techniques to Australia and America, and then worked with Raz to bring the American circus techniques back to China.
All this was accomplished in eras where East/West relationships were not always smooth. The cultural relationship between Nanjing and San Francisco that is the focus of Raz's history evolves over a 20-year period, a time of many changes both between and within America and China.
Readers might expect the lively descriptions of acrobatic prowess and circus action -- but, in fact, there is as much discussion of business models, show development, and the psychology of two cultures meeting minds over the circus world. Heavily footnoted references allow researchers to access source materials, but don't detract from the pleasure factor of delving into this world for readers who may hold less prior circus familiarity.
The insights on working with students in the Youth Circus and developing new generations of entertainers and audiences alike are particularly vivid. These hold the ability to attract not just circus professionals and participants, but viewers from outside performance circles.
Interviews with students and major participants also enhance the coverage by providing diverse insights into circus dreams, operations, changes, and challenges.
Libraries that choose An International Circus Affair will find that the book expands its audience to include business readers, cross-cultural analysts, and historians as well as general-interest readers. This gives it a strength and appeal that makes it a top choice. Performing arts libraries as well as general-interest audiences will find An International Circus Affair exceptional.
The Cookbook Shelf
Preserving
Katie Caldesi & Giancarlo Caldesi
Kyle Books
c/o Octopus Books
https://www.octopusbooks.co.uk
9781804192405, $24.99, HC, 304pp
https://www.amazon.com/Gentle-Art-Preserving-Pickling-Fermenting/dp/1909487082
Preserving: Pickling, Fermenting, Freezing, Drying, Curing and Canning represents the fruits of a two-year sojourn the authors undertook to collect various methods of conserving food. The effort combined well with their interest in Italian cured charcuterie, inspired by Giancarlo's family recipes. It thus expands the focus and variety of most similar-sounding preserving cookbooks to add an extra dimension of cultural influence and discovery to the subject, reviewing disparate preserving approaches from Turkey, Yemen, Japan, and beyond. The focus on using all parts of ingredients without throwing away something as innocuous as orange or lime peel translates to a preserving guide packed with inviting new possibilities. Preserving: Pickling, Fermenting, Freezing, Drying, Curing and Canning stands out from the crowd of typical recipes and Western-centric preserving approaches.
The Psychology Shelf
The Gamer's Journey
Daniel Kaufman, PhD
Leyline Publishing
https://shop.geektherapeutics.com
9781955406239, $19.99 Paperback and eBook
https://www.amazon.com/Gamers-Journey-Daniel-Kaufman-PhD/dp/1955406235
The Gamer's Journey belongs in any library strong in adolescent psychology and computer game analysis. It probes the underlying influences and atmosphere of a video game that holds both widespread attraction and the promise of better understanding when reaching adolescent clients. Dr. Daniel Kaufman explores not only the structure, intentions, and experiences of this game, considering the attraction and healing possibilities of video games in general.
He applies basic psychological analysis and thought to such wide-ranging subjects as spirituality and transcendence, growth opportunities, and lessons in attraction and reaction. His considerations juxtapose this specific game with broader topics that will especially intrigue adults working with a teen clients: The lessons from any range of games, from Spiritfarer to roleplaying games and beyond, can be deeply personal in their abilities to influence meaning.
While we may not notice the wonder in each nascent moment early in life, our ability to experience them is limited. The games we play represent our interests as we push through each new phase in our lifespan. We alternate between many different directives in our lives as much as we will in the metaphor of our in-game protagonists and their quest log. These insights, in turn, encourage a different form of psychological analysis and inspection that places more tools in the toolbox of counselors working with teens.
The approach injects contemporary and meaningful insights into the gaming culture, its possibilities for growth and learning, and its specific applications to adolescent audiences (although adult video game participants may also be reached via a revised understanding of gaming culture and its opportunities for healing).
The Gamer's Journey will appeal across the board to psychology, adolescent medicine, and media studies libraries. It represents a fairly unique opportunity to not only better understand video game participants and their culture, but apply the basic techniques of deeper psychological understanding to psychologist consultations.
The Psychology of The Last of Us
Dr. Anthony Bean
Leyline Publishing
https://shop.geektherapeutics.com
9781955406291, $19.99 Paperback and eBook
https://www.amazon.com/Psychology-Last-Us-Endure-Survive/dp/1955406294
The Psychology of The Last of Us: Endure and Survive tackles not just the popular video game about post-apocalyptic survival, but processes of recovery and adaptation which form intrinsic parts of the endurance process. The only prerequisite to a thorough appreciation of what Dr. Anthony Bean is achieving in his book is a reader's prior knowledge of either this video game (The Last of Us) or the spin-off TV series that evolved from it. Those with such a background will especially appreciate Dr. Bean's in-depth analysis of events, choices, and outcomes, which contributes discovery and evolutionary growth considerations to the survival process.
Dr. Bean's delves into the unique characters in the story, drawing important connections between their culture, lives, and perspectives and modern-day attitudes and experiences. This creates exceptionally insightful reading that takes a fictional environment and overlays dilemmas of modern times with new revelations: Communities that prioritize nuclear family dynamics are likely to cause cognitive dissonance, inner conflict, and isolation in queer youth - and Lev's friction with his own identity and his community is analogous to that of real-world queer youth.
If you have ever felt the expectations of a parent's worldview was at odds with what you want, or put you into a box, Lev's story likely rings true to your own lived experience. Dr. Bean's approach allows readers to more thoroughly understand not only the characters and premise of The Last of Us, but why they may resonate so deeply, given current events.
Another vivid draw of this book lies in its ability to dissect not just characters and politics, but the culture of response and discussion. This adds additional attraction to the story's plot and underlying themes: Being a fan creates identity within a group and allows for an individual to feel supported, which can reduce feelings of loneliness and other negative traits. For fans of The Last of Us, a connection to both the characters and the community took root after episode three of the series aired. This episode depicts a romantic story between characters Bill and Frank. Bill and Frank represented something not often depicted in mainstream media - a healthy, loving same-sex relationship.
This representation was not lost to fans and sparked much discussion online. The approach, in turn, translates to a much deeper inspection of not just the plot and characters, but their intrinsic attraction and connections to modern readers and their communities, lives, and choices. All these features are why The Psychology of The Last of Us: Endure and Survive is highly recommended both as a library collection addition and, in particular, for psychology, social issues, media studies, and debate classrooms. The opportunities for contrast and consideration of the many themes of The Last of Us are endless.
The Psychology of The Witcher
Dr. Anthony Bean
Leyline Publishing
https://shop.geektherapeutics.com
9781955406260, $19.99 Paperback and eBook
https://www.amazon.com/Psychology-Witcher-Never-Always-Found/dp/195540626X
Akin to Carus Publishers' series titles connecting philosophical approaches to daily life, psychology and popular culture enthusiasts will appreciate Dr. Anthony Bean's similar approach to making psychology more relevant and palatable to modern audiences, starting with The Psychology of The Witcher.
The first prerequisite for a complete appreciation of Dr. Bean's approach is familiarity with the TV drama The Witcher, a very popular Polish franchise that reaches around the world with its alluring fantasy story. Child-stealing monsters, curses, and a host of villains (both human and inhuman) abound, challenging readers to absorb underlying lessons about good, evil, and the hearts of men and monsters alike. These themes and many more are explored in The Psychology of The Witcher in a manner which invites both individual contemplation and group discussion, whether it be in a psychology, social issues, or media studies classroom or reading circles.
A review of the series setting and premise is provided that covers the foundations of this world, from its magic to its monarchs... but the meat of the analysis lies in the accompanying in-depth psychological analysis which considers why The Witcher has earned such a wide audience of dedicated fans.
Readers receive more than a psychological probe, here. Embedded into these thematic discussions are social issues and political insights that deserve slow, careful reading, contemplation, and discussion for their powerfully hard-hitting insights: The world of The Witcher shows a frightening parallel to many unthinkable behaviors in human history, set in a more digestible fantasy context. Looking for anchoring points in a chaotic environment, we may naturally want to be told who is good and who is bad.
However, just like reality, The Witcher does not afford us this luxury of being able to categorize creatures so easily. Each of us is susceptible to influences around us and capable of both helping as well as hurting. The charismatic leader may sin far more than the grotesque monster. To better understand how people make decisions that end up brutalizing one another, it helps to first understand why we allow ourselves to do this.
Readers who have become immersed in The Witcher may not have previously considered the impact and approaches of its characters, clashes, and choices. Dr. Bean's book explores and helps clarify the series' draw as a whole, as well as its ability to expand the psychological and social milieu of its setting, characters, and conundrums.
An episode-by-episode analyses leads readers to return to The Witcher from a different vantage point: Yennefer has chosen to stay with Ciri and Geralt because she wants to, so her autonomy is intact. She has discovered that her competence isn't a reflection of her magical abilities. All of her skills and abilities can demonstrate her competence as a whole person. Finally, her sense of connection is fulfilled with her role as Ciri's teacher and Geralt's friend. She isn't using either of them to accomplish some hidden agenda, and neither of them is manipulating her. Her motivation to stay with them is intrinsic and comes from Yennefer's desire to do good for her friends and herself.
All these features contribute to a discussion that should be a mainstay in any media studies, sci-fi or fantasy, psychology, or social issues library's collection. Librarians will want to very highly recommend The Psychology of The Witcher to TV show enthusiasts interested in understanding exactly why and how the series relates to and expands upon human concerns and magical connections in life.
The Wine/Liquor Shelf
One Thousand Vines
Pascaline Lepeltier
Mitchell Beazley
c/o Octopus Publishing
https://www.octopusbooks.co.uk
9781784729233, $55.00 HC, $27.99 Kindle, 352pp
https://www.amazon.com/One-Thousand-Vines-Understand-Wine/dp/178472923X
One Thousand Vines: A New Way to Understand Wine comes from a noted sommelier who provides a groundbreaking resource for better understanding the world of wines. It consists of three main parts (Reading Vines, Reading Landscapes, and Reading Wines) that offer new ideas not just about wine tasting, but grape growing and how flavors and palates are developed.
It also provides an in-depth history of changing perceptions of both, giving wine aficionados a foundation for contrasting past and present approaches to wine.
Subjects range from a revolutionary reading of terroir and viticultural landscapes to understanding different types of fermentation and the difference between a wine defect and a characteristic.
Libraries and wine enthusiasts seeking to broaden their reference collections and knowledge will find One Thousand Vines: A New Way to Understand Wine stands out from any other wine guide on the market. It's simply packed with maps, data, and lively discourses about the art and history of winemaking and wine consumption.
Larousse Cocktails
Larousse
Hamlyn
c/o Octopus Books
https://www.octopusbooks.co.uk
9780600638537, $50.00 HC, $25.99 Kindle, 352pp
https://www.amazon.com/Larousse-Cocktails-ultimate-expert-recipes/dp/0600638537
Larousse Cocktails: The Ultimate Expert Guide With More Than 200 Recipes employs the well-respected Larousse name to promote an authoritative, comprehensive recipe collection of cocktails. Libraries and readers seeking definitive collections should consider Larousse Cocktails a mainstay of cocktail creation. Nothing is left to wonder, here. Coverage includes the basics of selecting cocktail-making equipment, understanding bartending basics, employing rum, gin, vodka, cognac and more in cocktail classics, and creating non-alcoholic alternatives for those want the colorful allure of exotic cocktails without the booze. Gorgeous full-page color photos further embellish recipes which are not only enlightening, but thoroughly inviting.
The Parenting Shelf
Checkpoints and Autosaves
Dr. Anthony M. Bean, PhD
Leyline Publishers
https://shop.geektherapeutics.com
9781955406130, $19.99 Paperback/$16.99 eBook
https://www.amazon.com/Checkpoints-Autosaves-Parenting-Thrive-Geekdom/dp/1955406138
Checkpoints and Autosaves: Parenting Geeks to Thrive in the Age of Geekdom intersects themes of popular culture, parenting, and gaming into a unified theory for better understanding how young 'geeks' can benefit from geek entertainment and child development insights.
What is 'geek therapy'? Dr. Bean answers this and other questions about identifying geek culture and attractions, placing his psychological insights in line with social and community inspections that move from family to broader arenas of interaction and reaction. As he probes cosplay, video gaming, Dungeons and Dragons, anime and comic books, and other examples of geek entertainment, Dr. Bean considers how and why these influencers help craft a young person's psyche and social understanding.
Adults who work with kids, whether they be parents or counselors, in turn receive specific insights based on real-world modern attractions to young people. Case histories from his work with young people permeate these analyses with specific 'you are here' moments that marry psychological understanding and techniques with guidance strategies: The purpose was not to teach Jake he could win every time with three cards, it was to teach him he could win. And statistically, three random cards beat a high card most of the time. After he felt more empowered, we discussed how the card game relates to his life. Each card represents a person Jake can turn to for help. They are people he can trust to build his strength and overcome stronger obstacles he cannot defeat on his own. Jake listed possible party members from his own life: family, friends, teachers, and me. The card game helped Jake visualize who he can rely on and utilize when he feels overwhelmed.
Moments of clarity are sometimes presented with wry humor that blends observation with thought-provoking fun: As parents, we secretly hope our children see us as their own personal heroes. We sacrifice our time, money, and sanity for our kids, and we do our best to protect them from evil. Parenting is heroic, even though the job does not come with its own set of superpowers. We only hope our children look past our normal strength and non-laser-eyes to see SuperMom and DynoDad anyways. Unfortunately, few of us are privy to that special recognition. When I asked a client, Andy, to build his own superhero comic book, he did not base his hero on his mom or dad. He built a superhero named Chicken Nugget Man.
The result is a parenting guide that stands apart from most others; both for its foundations in psychology and analysis and for its ability to connect the dots between pop culture, child-rearing, and approaches that represent not only better understanding, but better parenting choices. This is why Checkpoints and Autosaves should be a mainstay not just in psychology libraries, but in collections catering to parents seeking new insights about and methods of reaching their children.
The Folktale/Fairytale Shelf
Wise Women
Sharon Blackie and Angharad Wynne
New World Library
www.newworldlibrary.com
9780349018317, $23.33 HC, 336pp
9781608689668, $19.95 PB, $11.49 Kindle
https://www.amazon.com/Wise-Women-Stories-Midlife-Beyond/dp/1608689662
Wise Women: Myths and Stories for Midlife and Beyond gathers stories of older female characters who hold a variety of strengths, from confronting monsters and helping young women come into their powers to transmitting the wisdom imparted by their life choices and perceptions. Sharon Blackie and Angharad Wynne move beyond the typical selection of familiar myths with an approach that represents many years of research on lesser-known European stories. These are organized by themes and accompanying commentary that links fables and legends with keys to understanding the challenges of being both female and strong. Wise Women reaches beyond mythology enthusiasts to attract women interested in stories reflecting female strengths and challenges. It will also draw discussion groups strong in women's history and issues and is a top recommendation for libraries, from general-interest public libraries to those collecting myths and stories for women-centric collections.
James A. Cox, Editor-in-Chief
Diane C. Donovan, Editor
Midwest Book Review
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