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Reviewer's Choice
Truth: What It Is, How to Find It, and Why
Michael Shermer
The Johns Hopkins University Press
www.press.jhu.edu
9781421453729, $32.95, HC, 384pp
Amazon
https://www.amazon.com/Truth-What-Find-Still-Matters/dp/142145372X
Barnes & Noble
https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/truth-michael-shermer/1147834129
Synopsis: "Fake news." "Alternative facts." "Post-truth." Misinformation is everywhere, sparking public confusion and polarization.
With the publication of "Truth: What It Is, How to Find It, and Why It Still Matters" author Michael Shermer cuts through the noise to argue that not only does truth still matter -- but also that it's essential to our individual and collective flourishing. "Truth" is a sharp-sighted and accessible study that provides a framework for thinking more clearly in an age clouded by doubt and distortion.
In the pages of "Truth", Shermer, (who is also the author of "Conspiracy: Why the Rational Believe the Irrational"), explores why truth deserves our attention, how falsehoods take hold in the public's imagination, and how we can resist manipulation through reason, evidence, and open inquiry.
"Truth" introduces powerful tools for evaluating claims, including the concepts of causality, correlation, and Bayesian reasoning. Beyond these abstract ideas, Shermer also examines how we determine truth in specific domains (such as science, history, and religion) and brings clarity to hot-button topics like UFOs, conspiracy theories, miracles, mystical experiences, consciousness, morality, God, and even existence.
With his trademark wit and intellectual rigor, Shermer also reveals how even the most intelligent among us fall prey to such pitfalls as "myside bias" and motivated reasoning and how a commitment to universal realism can help push back against tribalism and misinformation.
"Truth" offers a timely antidote to cynicism and confusion. It emphasizes critical thinking and urges readers to rebuild the intellectual foundations of a functioning democracy by embracing the pursuit of truth, however complex or inconvenient it may be.
Critique: Exceptional, iconoclastic, timely, thought-provoking, and a simply fascinating and intellectually engaging read from start to finish, "Truth: What It Is, How to Find It, and Why It Still Matters" by Michael Shermer is an extraordinary and unreservedly recommended addition to personal, professional, community, and college/university library Epistemology, Psychology, Ethics, and Political Science collections and supplemental curriculum studies collections. It should be noted that this hardcover edition of "Truth: What It Is, How to Find It, and Why It Still Matters" from Johns Hopkins Press is also readily available in a digital book format (Kindle, $27.49) for students, academia, social reformers, political activists, and non-specialist general readers with an interest in the subjects of dealing with social philosophy, misinformation, disinformation, bias, and lies from both contemporary and historical sources. "Truth: What It Is, How to Find It, and Why It Still Matters" is also available as a complete and unabridged audio book (Blackstone Publishing, 9798228845312, $35.95, CD).
Editorial Note: Michael Shermer is the Founding Publisher and Editor-in-Chief of Skeptic magazine (www.skeptic.com) and the Director of The Skeptics Society. He is a Visiting Associate at the California Institute of Technology, and hosts the Skeptics Lecture Series at Cal Tech. He has authored several popular books on science, scientific history, and philosophy.
From The Depths: Dyslexia, Bipolar Disorder and the Triumph of Art
Ellen B. Cutler
https://ellenbcutler.com
LNWYD Press
9798218908539, $24.95, PB, 192pp
Amazon
https://www.amazon.com/Depths-Dyslexia-Bipolar-Disorder-Triumph/dp/B0GP35D1M5
Barnes & Noble
https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/from-the-depths-ellen-b-cutler/1149483631
Synopsis: "From The Depths: Dyslexia, Bipolar Disorder and the Triumph of Art" by Ellen B. Cutler is a biography of the artist Gary Horn (aka G Gray THorn) that explores his dyslexia, bipolar disorder, and development as a painter.
His youth in Iowa and troubled family relationships led to an impulsive enlistment in the army and service in Vietnam. The formal education he hoped would make him an artist qualified him to teach; becoming an artist was something he would learn on his own. An unloving marriage nearly derailed his ambitions and ended his hopes. Finally, there is the emergence of his distinctive art.
Horn's struggles with reading disabilities and mental illness are a theme throughout this examination of his life, as he travels from the Heartland to South Carolina, Kansas, and ultimately to New York City. The story of how he found his creative voice and survived overwhelming challenges is nothing short of inspirational.
The edition of "From The Depths: Dyslexia, Bipolar Disorder and the Triumph of Art" also features 62 color illustrations, an The Appendix, and the inclusion of a bibliography of the books, films and videos that had a significant impact on his ideas about ethics and politics, art, and his techniques and creative influences.
Critique: Meticulously researched, exceptionally well written, organized and presented, "From The Depths: Dyslexia, Bipolar Disorder and the Triumph of Art" by biographer Ellen B. Cutler is an extraordinary story of Gary Horn (aka G. Gray THorn) -- an extraordinary man and his extraordinary achievements. Fascinating and inspiring, informed and informative, "From The Depths" is especially and unreservedly recommended for personal reading lists, as well as community and college/university library American Biography/Memoir collections. It should be noted that this paperback edition of "From The Depths" from LNWYD Press is also readily available in a digital book format (Kindle, $9.95).
Editorial Note: Ellen B. Cutler (https://ellenbcutler.com) is a freelance writer, adjunct professor Maryland Institute College of Art; Art History Lecture Osher Institute for Life-Long Learning (Johns Hopkins University); and a member of Editorial Freelancers Association, Society of Children's Book Writers & Illustrators (P.A.L./Full Member), Association of Art Editors, New York State Museums (consultant referral), and the American Alliance of Museums.
Turning to the Dark Side
Gregory Diehl
Identity Publications
https://www.identitypublications.com
9781969995033, $0.99, Kindle
Amazon
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0GSQX9718
Synopsis: Thanks to the popularity of the Star Wars university, the expression 'turn to the dark side' has entered popular culture. But what does it mean for someone to 'turn to the dark side'?
With the publication of "Turning to the Dark Side: What Star Wars Teaches Us About How a Good Person Turns Bad" by Gregory V. Diehl, readers will discover a profound real-world interpretation of the Star Wars saga, exploring the seminal story of how a good person can lose themselves and what it takes to bring them back.
Through a close analysis of Episodes I - VI, the parallel arcs of Anakin and Luke Skywalker reveal how someone who feels too deeply can either surrender to fear and unresolved anger or rise above them.
"Turning to the Dark Side" is unauthorized guide demonstrates that the Dark Side of the Force is not just a cinematic evil. That in real life it represents emotional unconsciousness, resentment, and unintegrated trauma in real people, while the light symbolizes consciousness, self-awareness, and moral maturity.
The tragedy of Darth Vader offers a vital warning for everyone: Do not give in to hate. Do not choose the quick and easy path. Do not let fear and insecurity define who you become.
For millions around the world, George Lucas' vision became a meditation on mentorship, family, identity, compassion, as well as the fragile line between villain and hero. This modern myth endures in our culture because it reminds us that no matter how far we fall, returning to the light and remembering who we are is always possible.
Critique: Original, deftly crafted, insightfully thoughtful and though-provoking, "Turning to the Dark Side: What Star Wars Teaches Us About How a Good Person Turns Bad" by Gregory V. Diehl is an extraordinary study that will hold immense interest for readers concerned with Ethics/Morality as expressed in a fiction context that has real world impacts. A 'must' for the legions of Star Wars fans, "Turning to the Dark Side" will also intrigue students of psychology, philosophy, and cinematic history/criticism. A fascinating read from start to finish, "Turning to the Dark Side" is an extraordinary and unreservedly recommended pick for personal, professional, community, and college/university library collections. While currently available in a digital book format (Kindle, $0.99), "Turning to the Dark" will soon be available in print.
Along the Scarlet River of Destiny
Subir Roy
Notion Press
https://notionpress.com
9798903422715, $29.99, HC, 360pp
Amazon
https://www.amazon.com/Along-Scarlet-River-Destiny-Redemption/dp/B0GPF3VW5X
Barnes & Noble
https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/along-the-scarlet-river-of-destiny-subir-roy/1149553870
Synopsis: "Along the Scarlet River of Destiny: A Saga of Dreams, Betrayal, and Redemption" by journalist and author Subir Roy relates to the life of Prabuddha, a man whose life, like many others, has been a a spell-blinding blend of agony and ecstasy.
Born into a family of landed gentry in colonial India, his ambition was to become an academic.
"Along the Scarlet River of Destiny" narrates his struggles and the events that ultimately threw him onto the glamorous stage of the corporate world. His success generated bitter rivalry that subjected him to humiliation and despair. This compelled him to bid an untimely farewell to his job, making him feel both happy and relieved.
Critique: "Along the Scarlet River of Destiny" is author Subir Roy's debut as a novelist. Original, exceptional, and a simply compelling read from start to finish, "Along the Scarlet River of Destiny: A Saga of Dreams, Betrayal, and Redemption" is an engaging saga that is one of those deftly crafted stories that will linger in the mind and memory of the reader long after the book has been finished and set back upon the shelf. While especially and unreservedly recommended for community library collections, it should be noted for personal reading lists that this hardcover edition of "Along the Scarlet River of Destiny" from Notion Press is also readily available in paperback (9798902312666, $18.99).
Resilient Light
Graham Elliott
https://drgrahamelliott.com
Independently Published
9798349642289, $34.95, HC, 280pp
Amazon
https://www.amazon.com/Resilient-Light-Graham-Elliott/dp/B0GNCW8MF4
Barnes & Noble
https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/resilient-light-graham-elliott/1149460660
Synopsis: With the publication of "Resilient Light", author Graham Elliott continues the story of the Reverend Andrew Cowley -- a man navigating societal and religious prejudice while striving to live truthfully in a world not yet ready for his authenticity.
Set against the lingering shadows of institutional judgment and personal loss, the deftly crafted novel continues to explore the bravery it takes to remain open-hearted when faith is weaponized and compassion is scarce.
"Resilient Light" is a an extraordinary story of resilience, of those who see goodness where others refuse to look, and of the enduring power of love, hope, and moral courage. Even in the darkest tunnel, light can still be found.
Critique: A master storyteller whose narrative driven style is eloquently compelling, Graham Elliott's "Resilient Light" is exceptional, emotionally engaging, thought-provoking, and inspiring. While an exceptional and highly recommended addition to personal and community library collections, it should be noted that this hardcover edition of "Resilient Light" is also readily available in paperback (9798295623738, $26.95) and in a digital book format (Kindle, $9.95).
Editorial Note: Dr Graham Elliott (https://drgrahamelliott.com) is a British-born author, composer, and church musician. He has served as a cathedral organist, festival director, music college professor, and cultural leader on both sides of the Atlantic. His work champions the role of the arts in spiritual life and community enrichment. He lives in Virginia.
Miracle Grow of the Mind
Carol LaHines
Regal House Publishing
https://regalhousepublishing.com
9781646037704, $19.95
Amazon
https://www.amazon.com/Miracle-Grow-Mind-Carol-LaHines/dp/1646037707
Regal House Publishing
https://regal-house-publishing.mybigcommerce.com/miracle-grow-of-the-mind
The birth of a baby is supposed to be a joyous occasion, but when Amy and Michael's son Griffin is born prematurely, a host of medical issues thrust the new parents into a medical nightmare filled with difficult choices, new realizations, and a version of parenthood they'd never imagined. Miracle Grow of the Mind charts all these experiences as it focuses on Griffin's developmental delays, constant evaluations, and a host of therapeutic options that keep Griffin in the maelstrom of sometimes-conflicting choices and perspectives.
Meanwhile, life goes on. Michael's mother has a form of dementia that leads her to insist Michael is the adult version of a baby that died in infancy, Griffin's babysitter becomes embroiled in an affair with a psychoanalyst who is immersed with his special needs child, and Griffin's condition forces everyone around him to get on board the train of idealistic, hopeful thinking and alternative living. Readers who think this novel's focus will spotlight the adults' situations will be especially pleased to note that Carol LaHines takes the time to juxtapose these with Griffin's navigation of an often-confusing world:
"Michael tried to pry Griffin's hand from the toy. Griffin's grasp was exceptionally strong; his muscles rigid, spastic. The world awash in sensations he could not process, information he could not parse, words the meaning of which eluded him."
From the challenges of appearing in public and navigating meltdowns to the ultimate impact of too many choices and too much speculation about raising a special needs kid, LaHines creates a vivid story that any parent involved in medical conundrums with their children will readily recognize:
"She didn't want to think about hyperbaric treatment options, about specially-constructed furniture available from the Conductive Therapy Institute, about vestibular righting systems and orthotics designed to prevent ankle eversion. She didn't want to think about the insidious effects of Phenobarbital (nervous system depression, small teeth, hirsuteness, hirsuteness!). She didn't want to think about the benefits of brushing a hyposensitive child with horsehairs and sandpaper and other textures to awaken their deadened receptors, to contemplate a future beyond get him to Sensations, pack his gluten-free lunch, hope to avoid meltdown."
Life will throw you curveballs - and the ultimate message of Miracle Grow of the Mind is that how these are perceived, navigated, and hopefully turn out for the greater good is what living is all about. And what happens if there turns out to be an expensive miracle that insurers refuse to acknowledge or pay for? Thought-provoking questions about special needs kids, the medical system, parenting, and hope are raised that will immerse all readers - whether parents coping with special needs children or parentless readers.
Librarians and readers seeking novels that promote better understanding, hope, and new realizations about parents and families will find Miracle Grow of the Mind thought-provoking and worthy not just of individual pursuit, but book club discussion. Groups from general parenting to psychology circles addressing the needs of the special needs community will discover Miracle Grow of the Mind enlightening, realistic, and hard to put down.
The Writing/Publishing Shelf
Dust and Light: On the Art of Fact in Fiction
Andrea Barrett
W. W. Norton & Company
www.wwnorton.com
9781324123491, $17.99, PB, 208pp
Amazon
https://www.amazon.com/Dust-Light-Art-Fact-Fiction/dp/1324123494
Barnes & Noble
https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/dust-and-light-andrea-barrett/1145603420
Synopsis: Winner of the MacArthur Fellowship, the celebrated novelist Andrea Barrett has for decades reached backward to find inspiration from the past and written acclaimed and prizewinning works of historical fiction. With the publication of "Dust and Light: On the Art of Fact in Fiction" (the first work of nonfiction of her extraordinary career), Barrett draws from that deep well of experience to explore the mysteries, methods, and delights of the fiction format.
Inspiration found in the past, she argues, can illuminate fiction, just as dust scatters light and makes the unseen visible. Barrett writes of lessons gleaned from the classic work of some of her guiding lights (Willa Cather, Henry James, Leo Tolstoy, Virginia Woolf), as well as the work of such contemporary masters as Hilary Mantel, Toni Morrison, Colm Toibin, and Jesmyn Ward.
She also reveals how she created some of her own beloved works, taking readers on a fascinating journey into some of the largest questions in the genre: How does a writer find meaningful subject matter beyond the confines of their life? How are scraps of history found, used, misused, manipulated, and transformed into a fully formed narrative? And what are the perils as well as the potential of this process?
Building on pieces originally published in leading literary magazines and featured in The Best American Essays, "Dust and Light" is an elegant exploration of the hazy borderlands of fiction sewn from the materials of history. Filled with profound insights, "Dust and Light" will be a delight for any devoted fiction readers, and of great use to aspiring writers too.
Critique: A simply fascinating, insightful, and informative read from start to finish, "Dust and Light: On the Art of Fact in Fiction" by Andrea Barrett is an extraordinary and extended treatise that will be of immense value to readers and authors with an interest in reading and writing contemporary literary fiction. Originally published in hardcover (9781324036500, $26.99), this new paperback edition of "Dust and Light: On the Art of Fact in Fiction" from W.W. Norton is an especially and unreservedly recommended pick for personal reading lists and community library collections. It should also be noted that "Dust and Light: On the Art of Fact in Fiction" is also available in a digital book format (Kindle, $9.99).
Editorial Note: Andrea Barrett (https://www.andrea-barrett.com) is the author of the National Book Award - winning Ship Fever and the Pulitzer Prize finalist Servants of the Map, among other works of fiction. The recipient of a MacArthur Fellowship and a Guggenheim Award, she currently lives in the Adirondacks.
The AI Studies Shelf
Leading Enterprise AI Programs: Optimize AI Teams for Value Creation
Patrick Bangert
Kogan Page Inc.
www.koganpage.com
9781398623217, $69.00, HC, 264pp
Amazon
https://www.amazon.com/Leading-Enterprise-AI-Programs-Optimize/dp/1398623210
Barnes & Noble
https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/leading-enterprise-ai-programs-patrick-bangert/1147379509
Synopsis: Simply stated, "Leading Enterprise AI Programs: Optimize AI Teams for Value Creation" by Patrick Bangert is an essential guide to establishing and directing an agile, ethical and business-focused AI strategy and program for the whole enterprise.
"Leading Enterprise AI Programs" provides leaders with guidance on operating a portfolio of use cases delivering effective and lasting business value. "Leading Enterprise AI Programs" shows how to set up the best operating model for an organization's goals and targets, find and prioritize the right use cases for the business, and build a community of citizen data scientists.
"Leading Enterprise AI Programs" fully explains how AI can drive business success through focusing on users and interfaces, with clarity on the challenges to be solved as the primary drivers of value.
"Leading Enterprise AI Programs" provides practical frameworks and actionable advice to help leaders set up a program and project portfolio, assess costs and benefits and embed AI into an organization's value generation ecosystem. With real-world examples, helps leaders steer an enterprise AI team to lasting success.
Critique: The perfect introduction for how AI is relevant to engineering project management, artificial intelligence expert systems, and business project management, "Leading Enterprise AI Programs: Optimize AI Teams for Value Creation" by Patrick Bangert is impressively well written, and exceptionally well organized and presented. In an ideal and comprehensive DIY textbook study of an increasing important (and sometimes controversial) study of the role of AI in corporate management and entrpreneurial enterprises, "Leading Enterprise AI Programs: Optimize AI Teams for Value Creation" is a solid and recommended pick for personal, professional, community, business school, and community library Business Management collections and supplemental AI and MBA curriculum studies lists. It should be noted for MBA students, academia, corporate management, entrepreneurs, and non-specialist general readers with an interest in the growing role and impact of Artificial Intelligence that this hardcover edition of "Leading Enterprise AI Programs: Optimize AI Teams for Value Creation" from Kogan Page is also available in paperback (9781398623194, $42.99) and in a digital book format (Kindle, $38.94).
Editorial Note: Patrick Bangert is an experienced technology executive who has led AI and machine learning teams and programs for over two decades. He was named a Top 10 Influential Leader in AI and Big Data by CIOLook Magazine and is currently VP and Chief of AI at Occidental Petroleum. He was previously the SVP of AI for Samsung SDS, the founder of algorithmica technologies and the SVP of Data, Analytics, AI at Searce. (https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6107818.Patrick_Bangert)
The Education Shelf
The People's Guide to College Applications
Jill Constantino
Prometheus Books
c/o The Globe Pequot Press
https://www.globepequot.com
9781493091546, $21.95, PB, 224pp
Amazon
https://www.amazon.com/Peoples-Guide-College-Applications-Week/dp/1493091549
Barnes & Noble
https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-peoples-guide-to-college-applications-jill-constantino-phd/1147855883
Synopsis: With the publication of "The People's Guide to College Applications", Dr. Jill Constantino presents a radically compassionate, last-minute - friendly approach to college applications that honors messy lives, economic realities, and authentic stories -- especially for students and families who feel like they're late to the game.
In a weekly step-by-step process, Constantino makes this daunting task accessible for everyone. Families will build skills, curiosity, courage, and connection before young people step into independence and parents consider their own changing place in time.
"The People's Guide to College Applications" frames the application essay, not as a sales pitch, but as a chance to make meaning, claim power, and find value in a lifetime. It holds writing as the ultimate tool for self-exploration, inviting adults to become co-dreamers and scaffolds for their students in this process.
Through weekly exercises in writing, thinking, and rewriting, Constantino guides students into independence without losing their vulnerability and thoughtfulness. Meanwhile, she teaches parents to become good accountability partners by walking them through their own processes of self-definition. By encouraging audaciousness and authenticity, Constantino offers valuable insights on researching colleges, writing essays, conversing about money, and moving to a new stage in life.
Critique: An ideal and throughly 'reader/user' friendly DIY guide to crafting and presenting an application to a college or a university, "The People's Guide to College Applications" by Dr. Jill Constantino is comprehensive, exceptional in organization, and 'real world' practical in presentation and style -- making it especially and unreservedly recommended for personal, community, and college/university library College Entrance & Application instructional reference collections. It should be noted for the personal reading lists of aspiring college/university bound high school students, highschool counselors, and parents that this paperback edition of "The People's Guide to College Applications" from Prometheus Books is also readily available in a digital book format (Kindle, $15.99).
Editorial Note: Dr. Jill Constantino received her doctorate in cultural anthropology from the University of Michigan, then taught writing and anthropology at Harvard University where she was also a dean. In these roles, she became intimately familiar with student struggles and aspirations, family dreams and worries, and institutional processes. As a writing teacher at both Harvard and Michigan, she perfected the magical formulas that turn thoughts into beauty and power. (https://marsallyonliteraryagency.com/jill-constantino)
Total Participation Techniques, 3rd Edition
Persida Himmele and William Himmele, authors
ASCD
www.ascd.org
9781416634201, $39.59, PB, 257pp
Amazon
https://www.amazon.com/Total-Participation-Techniques-Student-Learner/dp/1416634207
Barnes & Noble
https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/total-participation-techniques-persida-himmele/1101324219
Synopsis: Research has shown time and again that the traditional stand-and-deliver lessons (those dreaded long, drawn-out lectures) do not help students learn.
Now in an updated and expanded third edition, "Total Participation Techniques: Making Every Student an Active Learner" again advocates that it is active participation which is the key to keeping students cognitively engaged in the learning process. Teaching and literacy experts Persida Himmele and William Himmele have continued to refine their Total Participation Techniques (TPTs) for 15 years, helping tens of thousands of K - 12 teachers transform their classrooms from passively disengaged to completely and actively engaged.
In addition to authentic classroom examples, step-by-step instructions, and reproducible blackline masters for response cards and posters, this third edition comes equipped with:
New and updated TPTs to use with students, both individually and in groups.
More information about building classroom community and checking for understanding.
Updated guidance for using TPTs with multilingual learners and students who struggle academically.
Teachers who use TPTs in their classrooms report that these strategies build student confidence because they provide compelling and safe ways to demonstrate knowledge and understanding during lessons. "Total Participation Techniques: Making Every Student an Active Learner: 3rd Edition" is an essential toolkit for teachers who want to present lessons that are relevant, engaging, and cognitively challenging so that every student can become an active learner.
Critique: Co-authored by Persida Himmele, William Himmele, this large format paperback edition of "Total Participation Techniques: Making Every Student an Active Learner: 3rd Edition) is an essential and strongly recommended addition to personal, professional, and college/university library Teacher Education collections and supplemental Education Theory & Instruction Methods curriculum studies lists. It should be noted that "Total Participation Techniques: Making Every Student an Active Learner: 3rd Edition" from ASCD is also available in a digital book format (Kindle, $38.99).
Editorial Note #1: Persida Himmele, PhD, is a professor of Teacher Education at Millersville University in Pennsylvania, where she has taught for more than 20 years. She has 10 years of public school experience as an elementary and middle school bilingual and multilingual classroom teacher in New York and California, as well as a district administrator in Pennsylvania. She has been a consultant to various school districts, the Pennsylvania Department of Education, and educational entities around the world. She is the co-author of several ASCD books and resources.
Editorial Note #2: William Himmele, PhD, is a professor of Teacher Education at Millersville University in Pennsylvania, where he has taught for more than 20 years. He was an ESL teacher and speech pathologist in New York and California. He has served as a university coordinator, creating and implementing teacher education courses and programs aimed at supporting multilingual learners' academic and sociolinguistic development in K - 12 classrooms. He has been a consultant to various school districts and educational entities around the world. He is the co-author of several ASCD books and resources.
The Science Shelf
Spinosaur Tales: The Biology and Ecology of the Spinosaurs
David Hone and Mark Witton, authors
Bloomsbury Sigma
c/o Bloomsbury Publishing
www.bloomsbury.com
9781399412469, $28.00, HC, 320pp
Amazon
https://www.amazon.com/Spinosaur-Tales-Biology-Ecology-Spinosaurs/dp/1399412469
Barnes & Noble
https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/spinosaur-tales-david-hone/1147066661
Synopsis: The giant sail-backed carnivorous dinosaur Spinosaurus is one of the most famous of all dinosaurs; a staple of documentaries, books and video games, and the beast that bested the mighty Tyrannosaurus rex in Jurassic Park III. But what do we actually know about this crocodile-headed monster and its relatives, the spinosaurs?
The spinosaurs were some of the strangest predatory dinosaurs, combining a long low skull with powerfully clawed hands. Some species had huge sails over their backs, as well as fin-like tails. A great deal of scientific mystery surrounds them. Their fossil remains are highly fragmentary, many aspects of their appearance uncertain, their evolutionary relationships elusive, and interpretations of their ecology and behavior are hotly contested.
Co-authored by palaeontologists David Hone and Mark Witton, "Spinosaur Tales: The Biology and Ecology of the Spinosaurs" explores the exciting, sometimes controversial world of spinosaur science. Bringing these creatures back to life with stunning illustrations, "Spinosaur Tales" presents the latest views on the evolution, anatomy and lifestyles of an enigmatic yet charismatic dinosaur group.
Critique: If you are interested in paleontology and dinosaurs, then "Spinosaur Tales: The Biology and Ecology of the Spinosaurs" is essential reading to keep you up to date on what's going on in the field with respect to the study of the species known as Spinosaurs. Exceptionally well written, organized and presented, "Spinosaur Tales: The Biology and Ecology of the Spinosaurs" is informatively enhanced for the reader's benefit with the inclusion of a four page Preface, a twenty page Introduction, a sixteen page listing of References, and a twelve page Index. A simply fascinating study from start to finish, "Spinosaur Tales: The Biology and Ecology of the Spinosaurs" is unreservedly recommended for personal, professional, community, and college/university library Paleontology/Dinosaur collections and supplemental curriculum studies lists. It should be noted for paleontology students, academia, and non-specialist general readers with an interest in the subject that this hardcover edition of "Spinosaur Tales: The Biology and Ecology of the Spinosaurs" from Bloomsbury Sigma is also readily available in a digital book format (Kindle, $9.99).
Editorial Note #1: David Hone (https://www.davehone.co.uk) is based at QMW in London, where he is Lecturer in Ecology, he has published more than 50 academic papers on dinosaur biology and behaviour, with a particular interest in the tyrannosaurs, while his fieldwork has included a spell working on the famous feathered dinosaur deposits of China. He writes a regular blog for the Guardian, Lost Worlds, a major source of dino-info for the general public. David includes among his writing credits the BBC's Walking with Dinosaurs. He has appeared on the Discovery Channel, BBC Radio 5Live and RTE, acted as consultant for National Geographic documentaries, and written articles for New Scientist, The Times, The Independent, The Telegraph, The New York Times, and many others.
Editorial Note #2: Mark P. Witton (https://www.markwitton.co.uk) is a palaeontologist based at the University of Portsmouth. Widely recognised as one of the world's leading paleoartists, he has also published dozens of scientific papers on dinosaurs and flying reptiles, as well as six well-received books on palaeontological science, history, and artistry.
The Psychology Shelf
The Modalities of ISA
Kristen A. Peters
Independently Published
https://isatherapy.org
9798246143469, $85.35, PB, 126pp
Amazon
https://www.amazon.com/Modalities-ISA-Multi-Modal-Neurodivergent-Foundations/dp/B0GKYHYMMR
ISA Therapy website
https://isatherapy.org/product/the-modalities-of-isa
Synopsis: With the publication of "The Modalities of ISA: A Multi-Modal Approach to Neurodivergent Care: Volume 1: Foundations of ISA Therapy", ISA Therapy founder Kristen A. Peters presents the philosophical and clinical framework of an integrated, connection first therapeutic model designed to support neurodivergent individuals across developmental stages.
Grounded in research and informed by lived clinical practice, this foundational text outlines the core principles of ISA Therapy, including relational safety, individualized engagement, and interdisciplinary collection.
This informative volume also details the intentional integration of music, art, speech language, occupational, and recreational therapies within a cohesive framework, emphasizing holistic brain body engagement and ethical, adaptive care.
Specifically designed and intended to be professional reference, the text of "The Modalities of ISA" establishes the origin framework of ISA Therapy for clinicians, educators, institutions, and interdisciplinary teams seeking a structured, neurodiversity affirming approach to therapeutic practice.
Critique: A seminal and groundbreaking study of meticulous and deftly presented research, "The Modalities of ISA: A Multi-Modal Approach to Neurodivergent Care: Volume 1: Foundations of ISA Therapy" is an extraordinary and unreservedly recommended contribution to the fields of Special Education and Holistic Psychology Therapies. Personal, professional, and college/university library collections and supplemental curriculum studies lists. Exceptionally well organized and presented, it should be noted that this paperback edition of "The Modalities of ISA" is also currently available for students, practitioners, and non-specialist general readers in an ebook format from the ISA Therapy website ($39.99 for a personal use ebook, $95.99 for a library & institutional single-user digital license).
Editorial Note: Kristen A. Peters is the founder of ISA Therapy, a neurodiversity affirming framework centered on relational safety, interdisciplinary collaboration, and individualized engagement across developmental stages. Her work integrates therapeutic disciplines including music, art, speech language, occupational, and recreational therapies within a cohesive, connection first model designed to support neurodivergent individuals, caregivers, educators, and interdisciplinary teams. Structured professional learning and formal course work in ISA Therapy are available through the official ISA Therapy learning platform. (https://isatherapy.org)
The Cookbook Shelf
Taste of Home Casseroles
Taste of Home, editor
Trusted Media Brands
https://www.trustedmediabrands.com
9798889771678, $19.99, PB, 224pp
Amazon
https://www.amazon.com/Taste-Home-Casseroles-Recipes-Chapter/dp/B0FCDCLY5S
Barnes & Noble
https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/taste-of-home-casseroles-taste-of-home/1147557106
Synopsis: Casseroles are the perfect solution for busy families and anyone craving delicious, comforting meals with minimal effort. "The Taste of Home Casseroles" cookbook is a compendium of more than 150 'kitchen cook friendly" meal-in-one recipes that will inspire and simplify your meal planning. Whether you're a fan of cheesy classics, hearty breakfasts, or lighter meat-free options, this a Taste of Home cookbook that has something for everyone.
With "Taste of Home Casseroles" you can:
Explore Variety Including Cheesy Classics, Meat-Free Options and Breakfast Casseroles.
Simplify Meal Planning with Minimal Prep and Make-Ahead Options for Extra Time.
Use Leftovers Creatively to Reduce Food Waste and Cut Grocery Costs Effortlessly.
Discover Bonus 8x8 Casseroles Chapter Ideal for Smaller Households or Less Leftovers.
Enjoy Ultimate Convenience with Over 150 Easy Meal Recipes Perfect for Busy Schedules.
"Taste of Home Casseroles" provides kitchen cooks with effortless convenience, an incredible variety of casseroles, is perfect for every sized household, and will help to reduce waste and save on food budget money because you can make the most of your leftovers and pantry staples.
Of special note is the inclusion of:
Freezer-Friendly Recipes: Look for the Freezer Icon highlighting dishes that can be stored for busy nights, complete with reheating directions for stress-free meals.
Make and Take Options: Ideal for potlucks, buffets, or church suppers, these casseroles are designed to travel well and please any crowd.
With easy-to-follow instructions, nutrition facts included for every recipe, and expert tips throughout, "Taste of Home Casseroles" is no ordinary cookbook -- rather it's a go-to DIY guide for serving up warmth, flavor, and convenience.
Critique: Ideal for time limited and budget minded family cooks, "Taste of Home Casseroles" is perfect for menu planning for all manner of family friendly dining occasions. An outstanding collection of an impressive variety of nutritious 'meal-in-one' casseroles ideas, "Taste of Home Casseroles" is a solid and enduringly popular pick for family and community library Budget Cooking cookbook collections. It should be noted that this trade paperback (7 x 0.5 x 8.94 inches, 8.7 ounces) edition of "Taste of Home Casseroles" is also readily available from Taste of Home in a digital book format (Kindle, $11.99).
Editorial Note: Taste of Home (www.tasteofhome.com) is a food/lifestyle brand, inspiring togetherness through cooking, baking and entertaining. Featuring recipes shared by today's home cooks, Taste of Home magazine has hundreds of thousands of subscribers throughout North America and publishes best-selling cookbooks and newsstand specials. The brand's web site is a top destination, featuring kitchen-tested recipes, how-to techniques, cooking videos and more. Taste of Home has more than 7 million fans on Facebook, 2.1 million followers on Instagram, 2.7 million Pinterest followers and receives more than 28 million unique monthly visitors.
Taste of Home Quick & Easy Weeknight Dinners
Taste of Home, editor
Trusted Media Brands
https://www.trustedmediabrands.com
9798889771692, $22.99, PB, 320pp
Amazon
https://www.amazon.com/Taste-Home-Quick-Weeknight-Dinners/dp/B0FCDBJ6J4
Barnes & Noble
https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/taste-of-home-quick-easy-weeknight-dinners-taste-of-home/1147557105
Synopsis: "Taste of Home Quick & Easy Weeknight Dinners" is packed from cover to cover with over 200 recipes that are specifically designed for busy home cooks looking to quickly whip up hearty, homemade meals without sacrificing taste or quality. From creamy pastas and skillet entrees to air-fried favorites and slow-cooked specialties, there's a dish for every craving and every schedule.
"Taste of Home Quick & Easy Weeknight Dinners" is DIY cookbook that caters to a busy lifestyle with recipes that are simple to shop for, fast to prepare, and delicious to eat. Look out for handy icons that highlight meals ready in 30 minutes, dishes calling for just 5 ingredients, and recipes perfect for your air fryer or slow cooker.
"Taste of Home Quick & Easy Weeknight Dinners" features:
Beef and Chicken Favorites
Meatless Marvels
Hearty Soups and Stews
Easy Extras like savory sides and bread recipes
Sweet treats to finish off your meal
Of special note are the bonus chapters like "Easy Extras" and "Speedy Sweets" offer fast additions to round out meals, including salads, side dishes, no-fuss breads, and delectable desserts.
Critique: Far more than just another cookbook, "Taste of Home Quick & Easy Weeknight Dinners" includes tried-and-tested shortcuts from the pros, along with nutrition facts for every recipe, so family cooks can make informed choices for their family. Ideal for busy nights, these are recipes that encourage families to bypass the drive-thru and enjoy hearty, homemade meals.
Critique: This large format (8.06 x 0.8 x 8.94 inches, 14.3 ounces) trade paperback edition of "Taste of Home Quick & Easy Weeknight Dinners" is an extraordinary, plushly illustrated, thoroughly 'kitchen cook friendly' compendium of wonderfully palate pleasing, appetite satisfying, health supporting, budget friendly recipes for menus that will created memorable and quality dining experiences all occasions, both formal and informal. While very highly recommended and enduringly popular picks for personal, family, and community library cookbook collections, it should be noted that "Taste of Home Quick & Easy Weeknight Dinners" is also readily available in a digital book format (Kindle, $14.99).
Editorial Note: Taste of Home (www.tasteofhome.com) is a food/lifestyle brand, inspiring togetherness through cooking, baking and entertaining. Featuring recipes shared by today's home cooks, Taste of Home magazine has hundreds of thousands of subscribers throughout North America and publishes best-selling cookbooks and newsstand specials. The brand's web site is a top destination, featuring kitchen-tested recipes, how-to techniques, cooking videos and more. Taste of Home has more than 7 million fans on Facebook, 2.1 million followers on Instagram, 2.7 million Pinterest followers and receives more than 28 million unique monthly visitors.
Ja-Purr-Nese: Adorable Cat-shaped Recipes from Sushi to Soup
Laure Kie
Mitchell Beazley
c/o Octopus Books
https://www.octopusbooks.co.uk
9781846016677, $16.99, HC, 112pp
Amazon
https://www.amazon.com/Ja-Purr-Nese-Adorable-Cat-shaped-Recipes-Sushi/dp/1846016673
Barnes & Noble
https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/ja-purr-nese-laure-kie/1148747376
Synopsis: Japanese food and Japanese culture has enjoyed an increasing popularity over the last few years, from the rise in restaurants around the globe, to the publication of bestselling cookbooks. A compendium of Japanese themed and inspired recipes, each of which is shaped like a cat, "Ja-Purr-Nese: Adorable Cat-shaped Recipes from Sushi to Soup" is collection of delicious DIY recipes that range from the savory (sushi, onigiri, gyoza and spring rolls) to the sweet (daifuku mochi, dango, matcha latte).
This collection of cat-themed Japanese recipes is the 'kawaii' trend adapted to cooking with recipes the include:
Bento boxes
Sushi
Tonkatsu burger
Kare rice
Inari-sushi
Dango
Donuts
Critique: Unique, authentic, profusely illustrated, thoroughly 'kitchen cook friendly' in organization and presentation, "Ja-Purr-Nese: Adorable Cat-shaped Recipes from Sushi to Soup" is a fun and unreservedly recommended addition to personal, professional, and community library cookbook collections. It should be noted that this hardcover edition of "Ja-Purr-Nese: Adorable Cat-shaped Recipes from Sushi to Soup" from Mitchell Beazley is also readily available in a digital book format (Kindle, $8.99).
Editorial Note: A renowned author of Japanese cookery, a listing of books by Laure Kie is available online at: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/3262182.Laure_Ki_
Loaf Tin Bakes: Easy Cakes for Every Occasion
Flavie Millet-Joannon
Hamlyn
c/o Octopus Books
https://www.octopusbooks.co.uk
9780600639626, $26.99, HC, 192pp
Amazon
https://www.amazon.com/Loaf-Tin-Bakes-Cakes-Occasion/dp/0600639622
Barnes & Noble
https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/loaf-tin-bakes-flavie-millet-joannon/1147687192
Synopsis: It's time to go beyond banana bread with "Loaf Tin Bakes: Easy Cakes for Every Occasion" by Flavie Millet-Joannon offers a new and easy way to make delicious bakes in just one tin!
"Loaf Tin Bakes" is a compendium of more than 50 recipes for cakes that can be made in a loaf tin. The recipes are divided into thematic chapters including Classics, Nuts, Chocolate, Fruits, Marbled, Patisserie, Botanicals and more.
"Loaf Tin Bakes" is specifically designed to appeal to beginner bakers with easy methods and minimal equipment, with delicious and creative ideas for the simplest piece of baking equipment -- the loaf tin!
The delicious and creative recipes comprising "Loaf Tin Bakes" ranges from Chilli and Chocolate, Mocca, and Salted Caramel, to Choco-Pistachio, Vanilla with a Hint of Rum, and Sicilian Pistachio.
All the cake recipes featured in "Loaf Tin Bakes" use a single tin -- and one tin baking is hugely popular for its ease and simplicity. They are also small enough to fit in your air fryer draw. Loaf tin bakes are the perfect way to whip up a delicious sweet bakery treat with no fuss.
Critique: Beautifully illustrated with a full color photography of finished cakes, "Loaf Tin Bakes: Easy Cakes for Every Occasion" by Flavie Millet-Joannon fully lives up to the promise of its title and is a fun resource for choosing a cake suitable for any dining occasion, formal or informal. From Birthdays to Banquets, there is a palate pleasing, appetite satisfying, memorable and 'kitchen cook friendly' cake recipes that is quick, easy, and budget friendly. While this hardcover edition of "Loaf Tin Bakes" from Hamlyn is an unreservedly recommended acquisition choice for personal, professional, and community library Cake Baking & Gluten Free cookbook collections, it should be noted that "Load Tin Bakes" is also available in a digital book format (Kindle, $13.99).
Editorial Note: Flavie Millet-Joannon (https://www.iletaitungateau.com/en/autrice) is the creator of the blog and Instagram account @Iletaitungateau, where she shares her recipes and top baking tips.
Drizzle: Olive-oil-infused Recipes from Across the Mediterranean
Sarah Fulton Vachon
Mitchell Beazley
c/o Octopus Books
https://www.octopusbooks.co.uk
9781846016196, $32.99, HC, 192pp
Amazon
https://www.amazon.com/Drizzle-Olive-oil-infused-recipes-across-Mediterranean/dp/1846016193
Barnes & Noble
https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/drizzle-sarah-fulton-vachon/1148257576
Synopsis: One of the foods of the Greek gods (and a sun-soaked superfood for today's gourmets), extra-virgin olive oil represents a delicious embarrassment of riches, poised to elevate every single meal, from Tuscan beans on garlic toast to olive oil on ice cream.
"Drizzle: Olive-oil-infused Recipes from Across the Mediterranean" by Sarah Fulton Vachon is the first book from one of the fastest growing premium olive oil brands, Citizen of Soil. it is a compendium of carefully curated collection of olive-oil drenched recipes from olive groves right across the Mediterranean.
In the beautifully illustrated pages of "Drizzle", Olive oil sommelier and Citizens of Soil founder Sarah Fulton Vachon explains all the glories of the golden liquid: how to taste, how to cook with it, and how it changes the way we eat, from our skin to our heart to our microbiome. Olive oil tasting is followed by recipes organized by occasion, including mid-morning breaks, tapas, long Sunday meals, aperitivo with friends and family suppers, all focused on the enduring dining culture of the Mediterranean.
Critique: "Drizzle: Olive-oil-infused Recipes from Across the Mediterranean" is beautifully presented and thoroughly 'kitchen cook friendly' collection of extraordinary recipes offering palate pleasing, appetite satisfying, healthy eating dishes that range from Maria's Moussaka; Pasta con le sarde; Chocolate and extra virgin olive oil on toast; and Greek Honey Cookies, to Black-Eyed Bean Soup (Soupa Louvana); Cretan Daos; Tassos's Aubergine Bake; Green Gazpacho; and Asparagus with burrata & Gremolata. Authentic, inspiring, and an ideal resource for planning memorable meals with, "Drizzle" is a welcome and exceptional pick for personal, professional, and community library cookbook collections. It should be noted that this hardcover edition of "Drizzle" from Mitchell Beazley is also readily available in a digital book format (Kindle, $16.99).
Editorial Note: Sarah Fulton Vachon is an olive oil sommelier and founder of Citizens of Soil, the Olive Oil Club and refill brand with award-winning extra virgin olive oils from regenerative farmers. She has spent her career working with food and drink brands and regularly delivers olive oil masterclasses to the likes of Fortnum and Mason and Tim Spector's Zoe team. She's made the Telegraph + NatWest "Top 100 Female Entrepreneurs to Watch" and is a member of Women in Olive Oil, a global network which empowers education and advancement of women in the industry she loves.
On Fish: A Seafood Handbook
Nathan Outlaw
Kyle Books
c/o Octopus Books
https://www.octopusbooks.co.uk
9781804193211, $39.99
Amazon
https://www.amazon.com/Nathan-Outlaw-Fish-Handbook-Techniques/dp/1804193216
On Fish: A Seafood Handbook surveys the species, techniques, and recipes that use different types of fish to best advantage. It is the perfect choice for readers who have cooked seafood, but want to expand their fish dishes with new flavor combinations and methods specific to different fish such as hake, raw tuna, mullet, or mussels. Color photos on facing pages accent such recipes as Tuna Fishballs in Tomato Sauce with Pesto & Parmesan or Smoked Mackerel and Baked Red Onions with Mint, Tarragon & Caper Crème Fraiche. These are recipes one won't find elsewhere, making this fish cookbook a standout lesson in usage and pairing fish with its best flavor accompaniments.
Eat Like a Greek
Marina Georgallides
Hamlyn
c/o Octopus Books
https://www.octopusbooks.co.uk
9780600639299, $29.99
Amazon
https://www.amazon.com/Eat-Like-Greek-Delicious-Recipes/dp/0600639290
Eat Like a Greek: 100 Quick, Easy, Delicious Recipes comes from an author whose exploration of her Greek roots reveals Greek and Cypriot dishes from her childhood. These recipes, passed through her family for generations, represent some basic dishes that will serve as a fine introduction to newcomers to Greek cuisine, pairing authenticity with dishes easy to produce and appealing to all. Facing pages of color photos of finished dishes accompany such fare as Roasted Aubergine Salad, a Cordfu Orzo Stew, and Baked Meatballs spiced with cumin, cinnamon, and chili flakes in a delicious introduction to Greek fare that should be in any library and cook's collection.
The American History Shelf
Lincoln's Speechwriter
Jan Cigliano Hartman
Post Hill Press
www.posthillpress.com
Blackstone Publishing
https://www.blackstonelibrary.com
9798895652800, $35.00, HC, 384pp
Amazon
https://www.amazon.com/Lincolns-Speechwriter-Friendship-Inspired-Eloquence/dp/B0FDGS72WM
Barnes & Noble
https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/lincolns-speechwriter-jan-cigliano-hartman/1147669549
Synopsis: John Hay's contributions to Abraham Lincoln's political oratory (including his First Inaugural of March 1861, Springfield Farewell Speech of February 1861, the Gettysburg Address of November 1863, as well as many others) uplifted the president's influence. An extraordinary transformation that appeared throughout his speeches, Hay helped launch Lincoln's Republican campaign that culminated in Lincoln being elected the 16th president of the United States.
The rhyme and language of a writer's voice is the living soul of narrative. The evolution of John Hay's voice, established during his formative and college years at Brown University and echoed during his time with Abraham Lincoln, is documented in "Lincoln's Speechwriter: John Hay and the Friendship That Inspired American Eloquence" by Jan Cigliano Hartman through evidence of Hay's distinct voice and Lincoln's ability to engage audiences, fused into something remarkable.
"Lincoln's Speechwriter" gives readers a closer look into the man behind the political voice that was Lincoln himself.
Critique: A seminal, original, and groundbreaking study, "Lincoln's Speechwriter: John Hay and the Friendship That Inspired American Eloquence" is a significant and unreservedly recommended contribution to 19th Century American Political History in general, and Lincoln Studies in particular. Informatively enhanced for the reader's benefit with the inclusion of a fourteen page Epilogue (John Hay, Poet in the Civil War White House: A Selection), forty-four pages of Notes, a three page listing of Acknowledgments, and a six page Index, "Lincoln's Speechwriter" is an essential, unique and highly recommended contribution to personal, professional, community, and college/university library Civil War Biography/History collections and supplemental curriculum studies lists. It should be noted for students, academia, Civil War buffs, and non-specialist general readers with an interest in the subject that this hardcover edition of "Lincoln's Speechwriter" from Post Hill Press is also available in a digital book format (Kindle, $16.99) and as a complete and unabridged audio book (Blackstone Publishing, 9798228929067, $45.95, CD).
The World History Shelf
The Making of the Middle Ages: An Atlas of Europe
John Haywood, author
Michael Wood, foreword
Thames & Hudson, Inc.
www.thamesandhudsonusa.com
9780500029800, $39.95, HC, 352pp
Amazon
https://www.amazon.com/Making-Middle-Ages-Atlas-Europe/dp/0500029806
Barnes & Noble
https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-making-of-the-middle-ages-john-haywood/1147800647
Synopsis: Medieval Europe remains a mystery to many, yet the relative dearth of information about the period cannot mask its crucial importance in history. Often mischaracterized as a time of darkness and decline, the period from 476 to 1000 ad was marked by turmoil, rebirth, and transformation.
From Constantine to Charlemagne and from the Huns, Goths, and Saxons to the Slavs, Franks, Vikings, Rus', Bulgars, and Magyars, "The Making of the Middle Ages: An Atlas of Europe" by author and historian John Haywood is a profusely illustrated atlas that brings to life the dynamic story of how a new Europe emerged from the ashes of a crumbling Roman empire, as well as the impact of Christianity, the emergence of Islam, the rise and fall of empires, and the birth of the leading nations of modern Europe.
"The Making of the Middle Ages: An Atlas of Europe " is a unique atlas that offers an unprecedented cartographic overview of Europe's transformation from the fall of the Roman Empire to the dawn of the first millennium. Featuring eighty--five specially commissioned maps, "The Making of the Middle Ages: An Atlas of Europe" provides a striking visual narrative of invasions, migrations, religions, kingdoms, and empires. Complemented by additional illustrations and photographs, it draws together an unparalleled survey of early medieval Europe.
Expertly written by respected historian and cartographic editor John Haywood, "The Making of the Middle Ages: An Atlas of Europe" is authoritative and stunning volume, and an essential guide for anyone seeking to understand the complex melting pot of the European continent during this era.
Critique: Impressively enhanced for the reader's benefit with the inclusion of a six page Introduction (A Time of Darkness), 175 color illustrations, a four page Epilogue (The Birth of the West), a one page Bibliography, and a seven page Index, "The Making of the Middle Ages: An Atlas of Europe" is an outstanding work of meticulous research and exhaustive scholarship, making it an exceptional and unreservedly recommended core addition to personal, professional, community, and college/university library Medieval History & Cartography collections and supplemental curriculum studies lists. It should be noted for students, academia, and non-specialist general readers with an interest in the subject that this hardcover edition of "The Making of the Middle Ages: An Atlas of Europe" from Thames & Hudson is also readily available in a digital book format (Kindle, $37.95).
Editorial Note #1: John Haywood studied at the universities of Lancaster, Cambridge, and Copenhagen. He is an expert on the history of early medieval Europe. His authorial credits include Ocean: A History of the Atlantic Before Columbus, The Historical Atlas of the Celtic World, and The Penguin Historical Atlas of the Vikings.
Editorial Note #2: Michael Wood is an historian and broadcaster who has made compelling journeys into the pas and in doing so, brought history alive for a generation of readers and viewers. He is the author of several highly praised books on English history including In Search of the Dark Ages, The Domesday Quest, In Search of England and In Search of Shakespeare. He is a Fellow of the Royal Historical Society.
The Civil War History Shelf
Desert Empire: The 1862 New Mexico Campaign
Patrick Kelly-Fischer and Phillip S. Greenwalt, authors
Savas Beatie LLC
www.savasbeatie.com
9781611217759, $16.95, PB, 192pp
Amazon
https://www.amazon.com/Desert-Empire-Mexico-Campaign-Emerging/dp/161121775X
Barnes & Noble
https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/desert-empire-patrick-kelly-fischer/1148428267
Synopsis: In late July 1861, Lieutenant Colonel John Baylor and 258 Texas cavalrymen thundered into the small village of Mesilla, tucked along the Rio Grande River in the New Mexico Territory. They skirmished with U.S. Regulars seeking to retake the town and quickly forced them to retreat. It was a small victory that fueled visions of something much larger.
These Texans were the vanguard of the newly formed Confederacy, seeking to fulfill long-held Southern dreams of expanding their influence westward to the gold fields of the Rocky Mountains and the Pacific Ocean ports of Southern California: A Confederate version of Manifest Destiny from "sea to shining sea".
The fighting at Mesilla was the opening act of one of the least-studied campaigns of the Civil War. For the next year, troops from Texas, New Mexico, Colorado, Arizona, and California would fight for control of the Southwest, its gold, and a route to the Pacific. The campaign would comprise hard miles of marching, much of it through scorching desert and mountainous terrain, struggles within the Southern ranks, confrontations with local tribes, and important battles and skirmishes while the fate of the region (and some thought, the Confederacy) hung in the balance.
In "Desert Empire: The 1862 New Mexico Campaign" historians and co-authors Patrick Kelly-Fischer and Phillip Greenwalt tackle the overlooked New Mexico Campaign of 1862 by exploring the men, battles, and politics that shaped the course of the war in the Southwest and the future of the region.
Critique: With the publication of "Desert Empire: The 1862 New Mexico Campaign" co-authors and historians Patrick Kelly-Fischer and Phillip S. Greenwalt rescue from obscurity a hitherto little known and earliest Civil War battles that took place in the American Southwest. Enhanced for the reader's benefit with B/W illustrations, maps, two Appendices (The California Column & Fort Union), a two page Order of Battle, and a two page listing of Suggested Readings, "Desert Empire: The 1862 New Mexico Campaign" is a work of meticulous and original research, making it a unique and unreservedly recommended addition to personal, professional, community, and college/university library American Civil War collections and supplemental curriculum studies lists. It should be noted for students, academia, and non-specialist general readers with an interest in the subject that this paperback edition of "Desert Empire: The 1862 New Mexico Campaign" from Savas Beatie is also readily available in a digital book format (Kindle, $10.99).
Editorial Note #1: Patrick Kelly-Fischer graduated from Bard College in 2009 with a B.A. in Political Studies and began writing for ECW in 2021. Originally from upstate New York, Pat now lives in Denver, with his wife Emily and their dog Cincy, and works for a network of nonprofits.
Editorial Note #2: Phillip S. Greenwalt is a co-founder of Emerging Revolutionary War and the author or co-author of six books on the American Revolution and Civil War. He has worked for the National Park Service throughout the United States and holds a Bachelor of History from Wheeling Jesuit University and two graduate degrees, one in American history from George Mason University and in International Affairs and Leadership from Arizona State University.
A Little Piece of Hell at Gettysburg
Scott T. Fink
Savas Beatie LLC
www.savasbeatie.com
9781611217520, $34.95, HC, 384pp
Amazon
https://www.amazon.com/Little-Piece-Hell-Gettysburg-Defense/dp/1611217520
Barnes & Noble
https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/a-little-piece-of-hell-at-gettysburg-scott-t-fink/1147486409
Synopsis: The unassuming stone farmhouse, where John and Ann Rose and their seven children lived, stood amid 230 acres of verdant land on the eastern side of the Emmitsburg Road about two miles south of Gettysburg. On July 2, 1863, this patch of ground (sandwiched between Little Round Top to the south and the Peach Orchard to the north) became a consuming vortex for tens of thousands of men as the armies renewed the second day of battle.
With the publication of "A Little Piece of Hell at Gettysburg: The Attack and Defense of the Rose Farm, July 2-3, 1863", "Scott T. Fink's presents the first full-length study of the Rose farm fighting and its significance.
Confederates under James Longstreet swept across the Rose farm from different directions in a bid to crush Maj. Gen. George Meade's left flank. The Rose land, which included the Stony Hill and the Rose Woods, saw some of the heaviest fighting of the war as thousands of Georgians and South Carolinians flooded onto the property from the west and southwest into sheets of lead and iron. One of the fields, a 20-acre plot across which some 20,000 men of both armies would march, charge, fight, and die (often in hand-to-hand combat) is better known today as the Wheatfield. Union soldiers from several corps, arriving from different parts of the field, rushed into the swirling chaos to stem the break in the line and hold fast. Heavy musketry fire and death-dealing artillery rounds littered the ground and surrounding woodlots with wounded and dead soldiers, earning it the grim distinction as the bloodiest farm in American history.
The Confederates used the house and barn for shelter and, after the fighting, as a field hospital. Between 500 and 1,000 Southerners were buried on the Rose property. Alexander Gardner took some of the most famous photographs of the war there, mostly of dead Georgians from George T. Anderson's Brigade. One of Rose's daughters suffered from chronic nightmares and bouts of hysteria (better known today as PTSD). The doctor treating her surmised she was "driven mad" and prescribed the use of a straitjacket. Her father believed the anxiety was the result of hundreds of Confederate graves littering the property.
Scott Fink's "A Little Piece of Hell at Gettysburg" draws on deep research and moving prose that carries readers through every stage of the fighting. Fink, himself a combat veteran, carefully examines the battle from the perspective of both the generals who planned it and the men in the ranks who fought it. His use of scores of archival and firsthand accounts, together with original maps, explanatory footnotes, and a keen understanding of the terrain, sheds significant new light on the experiences of these front-line troops and the iconic post-battle photographs. The fighting on the Rose farm played a critical role in the fortunes of both armies at Gettysburg. This original new study helps put the sacrifices of those who fought there in context.
Critique: Especially and unreservedly recommended for personal, professional, community, and college/university library American Civil War History collections and supplemental curriculum studies lists, "A Little Piece of Hell at Gettysburg: The Attack and Defense of the Rose Farm, July 2-3, 1863" is a seminal and groundbreaking study specifically showcasing the role played by a family farm in the closing days of the American Civil in one of the iconic and lethal battles between the Confederate and Union armies. Featuring maps, B/W historic photos, a one page listing of Abbreviations, an informative Preface, Introduction, an Appendix (Order of Battle), a ten page Bibliography, and a fifteen page Index, it should be noted for students, academia, Civil War buff, and anyone with an interest in the history of the American Civil War in general, and the Battle of Gettysburg in particular, that this hardcover edition of "A Little Piece of Hell at Gettysburg: The Attack and Defense of the Rose Farm, July 2-3, 1863" from Savas Beatie is also readily available in a digital book format (Kindle, $20.97).
Editorial Note: Scott T. Fink attended Towson University and graduated from the Washington School of Photography, both in his home state of Maryland. He served in the U.S. Army and Maryland Army National Guard for nearly 19 years and retired as a Staff Sergeant. Scott has been an avid student of the Civil War for many years and has spent much of the last decade studying Gettysburg in general, and Gettysburg photographs in particular. He has authored several articles published in Civil War Times and Gettysburg Magazine. "A Little Piece of Hell at Gettysburg" is his first book. An Iraq War veteran and Purple Heart recipient, Scott lives in Olney, Maryland, with his wife, three children, and two dogs.
Confederate General D. H. Hill: A Military Life
Chris J. Hartley
Savas Beatie LLC
www.savasbeatie.com
9781611217599, $39.95, HC, 560pp
Amazon
https://www.amazon.com/Confederate-General-D-Hill-Biography/dp/1611217598
Barnes & Noble
https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/confederate-general-d-h-hill-chris-j-hartley/1148770996
Synopsis: Daniel Harvey Hill was a devoutly religious man with an unrelenting disdain for Yankees. He was also one of the fiercest warriors to stride a battlefield. The West Point graduate celebrated for his extraordinary courage in the Mexican War carried that bravery into the Civil War, charging into the bloodiest conflicts with the Army of Northern Virginia and the Army of Tennessee. Controversy followed him relentlessly, as inescapable as his shadow. In this groundbreaking cradle-to-grave biography, award-winning author Chris J. Hartley offers a compelling military reassessment of one of the Confederacy's most enigmatic figures.
A native South Carolinian, Hill stood at the heart of the Civil War's most pivotal moments and the center of its fiercest controversies. From his reluctant assault against George B. McClellan's James River transports in 1862 to his role in negotiating the contentious prisoner cartel, Hill's actions consistently provoked the ire of his superiors. He faced blame for the loss of "Special Orders No. 191" during the Maryland Campaign, and his clashes with Gen. Robert E. Lee supposedly convinced Lee to orchestrate Hill's departure from the Army of Northern Virginia. Hill's defiance continued as he opposed Lee over reinforcements for the Gettysburg Campaign. His transfer west to command a corps in the Army of Tennessee resulted in battlefield decisions at Chickamauga that sparked debate during and after the conflict, and his involvement in the 1863 generals' revolt against Braxton Bragg strained his relationship with President Jefferson Davis. Hill ended the war in North Carolina.
Although his sharp tongue and pen often got him into problems (Robert E. Lee once remarked that Hill "croaked") many revered the polarizing figure for his unyielding spirit. Before the war, Hill shaped young minds as a professor at Davidson College. After the conflict, he left a legacy as president of the University of Arkansas and Georgia Military College. As an editor, writer, and commentator, he helped shape the Confederacy's enduring legacy.
Hartley's meticulously researched "Confederate General D. H. Hill: A Military Life" draws upon a wealth of archival records, newspapers, and other sources to reveal a far more nuanced man than traditional accounts suggest. Hill's impact on Civil War history remains undeniable and unforgettable.
Critique: A masterpiece of original and meticulous scholarship, "Confederate General D. H. Hill: A Military Life" is enhanced for the reader's benefit with a twenty-six page Bibliography and a three page Index. A seminal and groundbreaking study that is exceptionally well written, organized and presented, "Confederate General D. H. Hill: A Military Life" is unreservedly recommended as a core addition to personal, professional, community, and college/university library American Civil War History & Biography collections and supplemental curriculum studies lists. It should be noted for students, academia, and non-specialist general readers with an interest in the subject that this hardcover edition of "Confederate General D. H. Hill: A Military Life" from Savas Beatie is also readily available in a digital book format (Kindle, $23.95).
Editorial Note: Chris J. Hartley (www.hartleybooks.com) is the author of several magazine articles and three books: Stuart's Tarheels: James B. Gordon and His North Carolina Cavalry (1996 and 2011), Stoneman's Raid, 1865 (2010), and The Lost Soldier: The Ordeal of a World War II GI from the Home Front to the Hurtgen Forest (2018). His writing has garnered several awards, including the Willie Parker Peace Prize from the North Carolina Society of Historians and a Preservation Education and Publication Award from The Historic Salisbury Foundation. Hartley is a frequent speaker and battlefield tour guide.
The Wildlife Shelf
The Book of Birds: A Field Guide to Wonder and Loss
Robert Macfarlane and Jackie Morris, authors
W. W. Norton & Company
www.wwnorton.com
9781324006848, $35.00, HC, 384pp
Amazon
https://www.amazon.com/Book-Birds-Field-Guide-Wonder/dp/1324006846
Barnes & Noble
https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-book-of-birds-robert-macfarlane/1148013023
Synopsis: "The Book of Birds: A Field Guide to Wonder and Loss" by co-authors Robert Macfarlane and Jackie Morris is a birder's field guide with a difference: It shows readers not just how to identify birds, but also how to identify with them.
Macfarlane and Morris conjure the unique spirit of nearly fifty once-common species ranging from avocet to yellowhammer, kestrel to kingfisher, skylark to nightingale.
In lyrical and incantatory essays, Macfarlane describes each bird's habits and habitats, their patterns of flight and patterns of song, how they hunt or fish or scavenge or gather, how they nest and raise their chicks, the myths that attend them, the threats that shadow them - and how their lives intersect with our own.
On every page we encounter Morris's exhilarating artwork, painted from life in watercolor and gold leaf, and animated with an extraordinary attention to detail. "The Book of Birds: A Field Guide to Wonder and Loss" is an ideal introduction to the thrilling variety and mysteries of birdlife, and a clarion call to halt the rapid depletion of our skies.
Critique: Perhaps the most important book on the necessity of saving so many bird species from extinction since the publication of "Silent Spring" by Rachel Carson, "The Book of Birds: A Field Guide to Wonder and Loss" will introduce new generations to the beauty of so many types of birds, including how they live and why so many of them are in danger due to such factors as human expansion eroding native habitat, climate change, and such factors as pollution contaminating the waters and corrupting the ground. Of special note in "The Book of Birds: A Field Guide to Wonder and Loss" is the museum quality artwork of Jackie Morris that pairs so expertly with the informative commentary of Robert Macfarlane. A seminal and comprehensive study, this hardcover volume is especially and unreservedly recommended for personal, professional, community, and college/university library Ornithology & Aviary Wildlife collections. It should be noted for students, bird watchers, environmental activists, and non-specialist general readers with an interest in the subject that "The Book of Birds: A Field Guide to Wonder and Loss" from W. W. Norton is also readily available in a digital book format (Kindle, $17.96).
Editorial Note #1: Robert Macfarlane is the author of Underland, The Old Ways, and Mountains of the Mind. With the artist Jackie Morris he is the co-author of "The Lost Words" and "The Lost Spells". He is the recipient of the E. M. Forster Prize for Literature and the Henry David Thoreau Prize for Literary Excellence. (https://www.bookseriesinorder.com/robert-macfarlane)
Editorial Note #2: Jackie Morris (https://www.jackiemorris.co.uk) is a gifted artist and the co-creator of "The Lost Words" and "The Lost Spells". She lives in Wales.
The Biography/Memoir Shelf
Pursuit of the Impossible Dream
Dee Brown, CEO
https://deebrownbooks.com
Book Publishing Pulse
9781807048440, $9.99, Kindle, 127pp
Amazon
https://www.amazon.com/Pursuit-Impossible-Dream-Dee-Brown-ebook/dp/B0GS4B8LCR
Synopsis: "Pursuit of the Impossible Dream" is the motivational business memoir that chronicles the journey of Dee Brown from poverty to purpose against all odds. Born into hardship, he witnessed his mother harness education as a path to a better life. At a young age, Brown developed the mental toughness that was to propel him to the top of the real estate industry by age 25.
By 30, Brown faced significant challenges and setbacks that could have ruined his life, but he refused to be defined by failures or stereotypes. This resilience carried Brown through many dark days, including the painful experience of watching his mother die after she refused treatment for breast cancer that would have diminished her quality of life.
Brown's resilience also led to his achieving national prominence in real estate and media against all odds -- resulting in his now owning and operating a conglomerate of companies that continually achieve the impossible every day.
Critique: Candid, informative, inspiring, and a simply fascinating read from start to finish, "Pursuit Of The Impossible Dream" by successful entrepreneur Dee Brown is an extraordinarily personal account of his life and accomplishments that has a universal resonance with its true life story of working to overcome numerous familial, economic, social, and cultural obstacles. This kindle edition of "Pursuit Of The Impossible Dream" is exceptional and unreservedly recommended for personal reading lists for anyone with an interest in Contemporary American American Biographies/Memoirs in general, and award winning Real Estate moguls in particular.
Editorial Note: Dee Brown (https://deebrownbooks.com) is a multifaceted entrepreneur, award-winning producer/director, author, talk show host, and philanthropist. He is Founder and CEO of The P3 Group, Inc., the nation's largest African American - owned public-private partnership real estate development firm, leading a national platform of 32+ companies spanning real estate, community development, hospitality, and entertainment. He also owns Brownstone Country Club & Resort, becoming the first African American to own an 18-hole golf course in Arkansas and the Mid-South.
With 30+ years in real estate and infrastructure delivery, he was the first minority U.S. Department of Defense contractor to secure a federal contract with the U.S. Navy Nuclear Power Training Unit. In media, he leads Self Made Entertainment and has earned 150+ awards across 14 countries, hosting The Sky's the Limit: Beyond the Deal and PBS series Self Made and #HBCYou. A Forbes contributor and frequent national media guest, he holds a bachelor's from the University of Memphis and an MBA from Bethel University, and has received honors including SBA Tennessee Entrepreneur of the Year, the Congressional Black Caucus Presidential Corporate Philanthropy Award, President Biden's Lifetime Achievement Award, and the Thurgood Marshall Legacy Award.
Reliance Road: A Memoir
Kate Winn
HenschelHAUS Publishing, Inc.
https://henschelhausbooks.com
9798998725258, $18.95, PB, 217pp
Amazon
https://www.amazon.com/Reliance-Road-Memoir-Kate-Winn/dp/B0FPDXFCT6
Barnes & Noble
https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/reliance-road-a-memoir-kate-winn/1148171168
Synopsis: In her memoir, "Reliance Road", Kate Winn recounts her life in a collection of tender and hopeful vignettes that recall the past, shows how lessons apply to the present, and shares her life story with future generations.
In "Reliance Road", Kate captures what life was like growing up on a small Wisconsin dairy farm in the 1950s. She attended the University of Wisconsin at Madison, where she was exposed first-hand to the turbulent anti-Vietnam War protests in the late sixties and early seventies. With a degree in journalism, Kate pursued employment opportunities focused on energy-related issues at the state and national levels. After a decade of government activities, she moved into the private sector, then established her own government relations firm that she successfully operated for 25 years.
Woven throughout this memoir is the poignant and loving relationship Kate enjoyed with her mother, a farm wife and home economics teacher, who gradually faded away from the ravages of dementia. The despair at the loss of the wise and compassionate mother Kate once knew deepened as the years wore on. Throughout her memoir, Kate's reliance on her mother, and later, her mother's dementia-induced reliance on Kate, are beautifully and lovingly expressed.
Critique: A candidly personal account that has a universal resonance, "Reliance Road" by Kate Winn is a deftly crafted, informative, and inherently interesting life story from start to finish. Eloquent, exceptional, and unreservedly recommended for community and college/university library Contemporary American Biography/Memoir collections, it should be noted for personal reading lists that this paperback edition of "Reliance Road" from HenschelHAUS Publishing is also readily available in a digital book format (Kindle, $6.99).
Editorial Note: After retiring, Kate (Kay) Winn moved to southern Maryland and lives on a cliff above the Chesapeake Bay. She feels fortunate to wake up and watch the sun rise, as eagles and osprey soar overhead. Kate gets satisfaction from volunteering at food banks, women's shelters, and for Meals on Wheels.
The Prodigal's Son: Crackhead to Jesus Freak
Samantha Evans Tschritter, author
Larry J. Leech II, editor
Love SE Tschritter LLC
https://www.loveunedited.com
9798990103627, $19.99, PB, 360pp
Amazon
https://www.amazon.com/Prodigals-Son-Crackhead-Addiction-Recovery/dp/B0G6TFPRTR
Barnes & Noble
https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-prodigals-son-samantha-e-tschritter/1148969284
Synopsis: At 1:30 a.m. Sam Evans received the phone call every spouse dreads. "Mrs. Evans, this is a sergeant with the police department. There's been an accident." Six hours later, she received another call. "Mrs. Evans, this is a nurse at the hospital. We found something on the cat scan."
Instead of preaching that Sunday, Pastor Clint Evans went to jail with a BAC of .24, a cancer diagnosis, and a felony charge of fleeing police.
"The Prodigal's Son: Crackhead to Jesus Freak" by Samantha Evans Tschritter chronicles a Christian's lifelong battle against demons, addictions, and unworthiness. This deeply personal story portrays a God who steals the show with a backlash of grace toward a man whom others branded "unredeemable."
"The Prodigal's Son" flings church doors open wide to the world's misfits and challenges pew-squatter saints to stop measuring their godly perfection against the dirty, homeless and addicted. From gutter to pulpit to ditch to grace to grave, "The Prodigal's Son" speaks volumes of God's furious love for the world's castoffs.
"The Prodigal's Son" is a compelling story of a pastor arrested for drunk driving. The affects of alcoholism on families is staggering. "My wife hid her addiction from me," "My husband hid his alcoholism from me."
Millions of men and women are affected by drug addiction. Do you want to know how to find hope when battling addiction? Are you looking for support for spouses of addiction? If you just found out your husband's an addict, or your wife's an alcoholic and you're grieving your spouses addiction "The Prodigal's Son: Crackhead to Jesus Freak" will demonstrate how to find hope with an addict spouse, learn how to handle your husband's addiction, and knowing you are not alone.
Critique: Accurate, authentic, informative, inspiring, "The Prodigal's Son: Crackhead to Jesus Freak" by Samantha Evans Tschritter is deftly edited by Larry J. Leech II. The result is more than just a biography or memoir, it is a blue print for faith as an instrument for dealing with addiction and its impact upon those around the addicted. Especially and unreservedly recommended for community and college/university library Biography/Memoir and Addiction/Recovery collections and supplemental curriculum Drug/Alcoholism Dependence studies lists, it should be noted for personal reading lists that this paperback edition of "The Prodigal's Son", published by Love SE Tschritter LLC, is also available in a digital book format (Kindle, $7.99).
Editorial Note: Multi-award-winning author S.E. Tschritter (pronounced Shritter) specializes in articulating grief and loss, leading grievers toward hope and healing. Whether poetry, fiction, or non-fiction, Tschritter strives to write content readers will sink their teeth into and rest their souls within. Her 20-plus years of ministry leadership experience and contributions to over 30 books enable her to serve others, speaking truth with transparency, humor, and love. (https://www.loveunedited.com/long-bio)
Passion and Power: A Life in Three Worlds
Harriet Newman Cohen
Bloomsbury Academic
c/o Bloomsbury Publishing
www.bloomsbury.com
9798765164679, $38.00, HC, 280pp
Amazon
https://www.amazon.com/Passion-Power-Life-Three-Worlds/dp/B0F7H154N4
Barnes & Noble
https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/passion-and-power-harriet-newman-cohen/1147446255
Synopsis: "Passion and Power: A Life in Three Worlds" is the memoir of Harriet Newman Cohen, one of the nation's most celebrated divorce attorneys, as she navigated the male-dominated legal world from the 1970s to today.
This sweeping narrative details Harriet's journey through three worlds: raising a family at a time when men held all the power, graduating from law school on the cusp of the "divorce revolution", and re-fighting old battles over women's rights in today's time of reaction of retrenchment.
The frankness with which Harriet relates her own experience is matched by equally candid insights into how a legal system that often rewards bad behavior and irrational decision-making shapes the culture at large and impacts those trying to navigate their way towards a better life.
Writing with candor and humor, Harriet describes her encounters with celebrities, mentors, notable judges, allies, and adversaries. She examines many cases but describes three in almost novelistic detail, all drawn from her own practice-including her pivotal role in the "Case of a Lifetime", the focus of the three-part documentary HBO series Nuclear Family (2021).
Harriet is equally honest about the business side of the law in terms of the financial cost and psychological burden these proceedings impose on families and the sometimes heartbreaking collateral damage.
"Passion and Power" illuminates both a singular life and the legal and social revolution that changed, in fundamental ways, the sexual, financial, and cultural norms governing the most intimate relations between men and women.
Critique: Impressively informative, candidly honest, deeply personal but with a universal resonance, and a simply fascinating read from start to finish, "Passion and Power: A Life in Three Worlds" will hold a very special appeal to readers with an interest in the American legal profession and the biographically based history of one of it's pioneering female lawyers. While a uniquely prized pick for personal, professional, community, and college/university library Contemporary American Biography/Memoir collections, it should be noted that this hardcover edition of "Passion and Power" from Bloomsbury Academic is also available in a digital book format (Kindle, $18.81).
Editorial Note: Harriet Newman Cohen is a founding partner of Cohen Stine Kapoor LLP, a matrimonial and family law practice and has been practicing law since 1974. (https://www.csklawny.com/harriet-newman-cohen)
The Soulmate Strategy
Corey Seemiller
https://www.coreyseemiller.com
She Writes Press
www.shewritespress.com
9798896360681, $17.99, PB, 392pp
Amazon
https://www.amazon.com/Soulmate-Strategy-Imperfect-Conquer-Heartbreak/dp/B0FD8S2S4L
Barnes & Noble
https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-soulmate-strategy-corey-seemiller/1147633533
Synopsis: Days after Corey Seemiller's breakup, a photo of her ex wrapped in the arms of another woman goes viral on Facebook. Confronted with this gleeful boast about "happily ever after" Corey (a forty-something lesbian), decides that she can't live in a state of perpetual loneliness, plagued with the burden of her own failure in finding happiness and love.
Armed with her meticulously crafted checklist, Corey embarks on a mission to heal, move on, and find "the one". But no matter how many items she checks off her list or how faithfully she follows the sage wisdom of psychics, her breakup coach, and the legendary rapper Eminem, her hope in finding her one true love begins to fade away -- until she's suddenly torn between two.
Now, with her heart unexpectedly on the line, Corey must find out what she really wants -- and where her true happiness lies.
Critique: What reads like a dramatic work of LGBTQ+ romantic fiction, "The Soulmate Strategy: My Imperfect Plan to Conquer Heartbreak and Find True Love" is actually the personal memoir of Corey Seemiller -- her life, her experiences, her quest for love. An impressively candid, articulately presented, and simply fascinating life story that will hold a very special appeal to readers with an interest in LGBTQ+ contemporary biographies and memoirs, "The Soulmate Strategy is both intensely personal and yet has a universal resonance for anyone struggling with a midlife crisis of the heart -- straight or gay.
Editorial Note: Corey Seemiller (https://www.coreyseemiller.com) is an award-winning professor of leadership and global generational expert. She has authored several books and articles and speaks at events around the world. Her work has been featured in major news publications and media outlets such as NPR, The New York Times, Time Magazine, and Newsweek, and her highly popular TED Talk has garnered hundreds of thousands of views. An accredited life coach with specialties in Law of Attraction and intuitive development, Corey also co-hosts the Rock That Relationship! podcast, discussing debacles and successes with breakups, healing processes, dating, and relationships.
Coming Alive on the Ride
Michael Yang
https://www.michaelyang.com
Greenleaf Book Group Press
www.greenleafbookgroup.com
9798886454611, $29.95, HC, 316pp
Amazon
https://www.amazon.com/Coming-Alive-Ride-Motorcycle-Self-Discovery/dp/B0FZMQLBBS
Barnes & Noble
https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/coming-alive-on-the-ride-michael-yang/1148696715
Synopsis: When Michael Yang bought his first motorcycle, he was a teenager who'd just moved to America. He knew little English and had few friends. Still, whenever he rode that green Yamaha, he felt more in touch with life's possibilities. The bike was stolen a few months later, but Yang never forgot the feeling.
It wasn't until later in life that Yang got back on a motorcycle. By then, he'd settled into Silicon Valley amidst the technology revolution; and founded, scaled, and sold a half-billion-dollar tech startup. Then, during the upheaval of the dot-com bubble burst and a few failed attempts to get new companies off the ground, Yang felt a strong pull to re-engage with himself. Sensing that this midlife crisis was an opportunity to do something fun and exciting, he revved up his bike and began riding into unfamiliar landscapes.
Covering more than 40,000 miles of his travels, from California's coast to the upper reaches of Alaska, Canada's far eastern edge, and more, "Coming Alive on the Ride: A Memoir of Motorcycle Travel, Self-Discovery, and Korean Heritage" is Yang's personal account of his ride.
One thing about long motorcycle trips is that there's a lot of time to think. Yang describes the unique bliss of watching the miles pass beneath two wheels as he relives moments from his past -- growing up in Korea during the turbulent years after the Korean War, and moving to America as a fourteen-year-old -- all the while taking in North America's astounding scenery, from the stillness of the desert to heart-racing glimpses of a bison herds and grand mountain ranges.
Somewhere along the way, it happens: Past experiences and future aspirations converge into a present discovery. "Coming Alive on the Ride" is inspiring memoir and a reminder that, if we slow down and tune in our senses, adventure inspires and instructs the way nothing else can.
Critique: An exceptionally well written and inherently fascinating memoir that is intensely personal but with a universal resonance, "Coming Alive on the Ride: A Memoir of Motorcycle Travel, Self-Discovery, and Korean Heritage" is an especially and unreservedly recommended pick for personal reading lists, as well as community and college/university library Contemporary American Biography/Memoir collections. It should be noted that this hardcover edition of "Coming Alive on the Ride" from the Greenleaf Book Group is also readily available in a digital book format (Kindle, $9.99).
Editorial Note: Michael Yang (https://www.michaelyang.com) is a Korean American author, entrepreneur, investor, and adventure motorcycle traveler. He was born in Seoul, South Korea, in 1961, and immigrated to San Jose, California, at 14. He founded a Silicon Valley tech startup, which was successfully acquired by a large corporation. In his sixties, Michael began embarking on epic motorcycle journeys across North and South America. He's ridden from Los Angeles to Prudhoe Bay, Alaska, on the Arctic Ocean; across North America to Newfoundland, Canada; and in South America's Patagonia region from Osorno, Chile, to Ushuaia, Argentina. Riding through vast landscapes, Michael rediscovered values that shaped his life: perseverance, humility, gratitude, and an abiding sense of wonder.
A Series of Opinionated Animals
Michelle Lerner
Bancroft Press
https://bancroftpress.com
9781610887069, $27.95
Amazon
https://www.amazon.com/Opinionated-Animals-Memoir-Michelle-Lerner/dp/1610887069
A Series of Opinionated Animals is hilarious, thought-provoking, unique memoir. It follows animal lawyer Michelle Lerner's more bizarre cases, probing the psyches and conundrums of creatures whose odd habits influenced her profession and her life.
Readers who love animals (and, perhaps secondarily, the law) will relish learning about both through vignettes that romp through the animal world. From bedding in an eight-foot-tall loft to keep the dogs from joining her to canines with squirrel obsessions and building a temporary shelter space for FeLV+ cats in a detached garage, Lerner's interactions with a variety of animals and oddities translates to a rollicking, fun journey through animal and human worlds.
Her story embraces not just animal law, but the process of rescuing creatures in different ways. The descriptions are fun and revealing: "When Buddy finally recovered from his infection, though, he became a different cat. And he was bent on revenge. He took over the cat house, er, garage, with a level of dominance that surprised everyone, including me, but no one more than Simon. Though smaller than Simon, he easily called Simon's bluff, whacking him on the head and backing him into corners, proving that attitude is everything. Simon was crestfallen. "Payback's a bitch," Terry responded when I described the situation."
A special audience for this book would include not just animal lovers, but those skeptical about the fact and nature of animal personalities. From legal advocacy for animals to caring for terminal animals and care decisions that run up against the conventional management techniques of animal rescue and sanctuary groups, many issues arise in the course of Lerner's animal encounters. These offer especially thought-provoking discussion topics for book clubs and would-be vets alike.
Libraries that choose A Series of Opinionated Animals will find it can be highly recommended for a wide range of animal enthusiasts, from those interested in animal law and rescue methodology to general-interest readers seeking fun, thought-provoking stories about animal psyches, management dilemmas, and just plain entertaining stories.
The General Fiction Shelf
The Widow's Book Club
Julia Jarman
Boldwood Books
c/o Ulverscroft Large Print, Inc.
www.ulverscroft.com
9781837037070, $43.50 / $36.98, PB, Large Print, 500pp
Amazon
https://www.amazon.com/Widows-Book-Club-Julia-Jarman/dp/1837037078
Ulverscroft
https://www.ulverscroft.com/store/us/search/9781837037070
Synopsis: Janet, Viv and Zelda's monthly meet-ups have been a safe haven over the past few years: a chance to share life's ups and downs and laugh their way through widowhood with a glass of wine in hand. But when Janet's old flame Lewis walks back into her life -- still charming, still handsome, and still very much still married to his formidable wife Christobel -- the widows find themselves caught up in unexpected drama.
Keen to show they are as cultured as Lewis and Christobel's other friends, Janet fibs that the widows have a book club. So they set one up. But when Christobel demands she join and then promptly starts to take over, real life becomes much messier (and more exciting) than fiction!
What will this next chapter bring for them all?
Critique: Fun and funny, "The Widows' Book Club" by Julia Jarman is an engaging and exceptionally well written story of female friendship, romance, rivalry, and the possibility of second chances later in life. An immediate and enduringly popular pick for community library Contemporary Women's Fiction collections, it should be noted that this large print paperback edition of "The Widows' Book Club" is also readily available in a complete and unabridged audio book format.
Editorial Note: Julia Jarman (https://juliajarman.com) has been writing books for children for forty years, inspired by her children, grandchildren and young readers in schools. Her first novel "The Widows' Wine Club", a comic romance came out in 2023. Julia writes to entertain and empower readers of all ages.
The Jump
Natalie Keller Reinert
Flatiron Books
https://www.flatironbooks.com
9781250387875, $28.99, HC, 384pp
Amazon
https://www.amazon.com/Jump-Natalie-Keller-Reinert/dp/1250387876
Barnes & Noble
https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-jump-natalie-keller-reinert/1147017530
Synopsis: Brooke Haskell's got big dreams... but she's running out of time. The equestrian life Brooke craves has always been just outside her reach, and, like every horse girl, she believes that pluck, heart, and hard work can catapult anyone into greatness.
Unfortunately, her horse Roxie doesn't seem to agree. After her most disappointing horse show to date and with only one more year before graduation and real life take over, Brooke is finally upset enough to do something rash. She decides to ditch her college plans and her parents' wishes, risking everything to apprentice with one of the country's most famous equestrians, Eddie O'Neill.
As she plunges headfirst into the breakneck pace of a top training stable, Brooke finally feels like she belongs. Her fellow working student might be a trust-fund Instagram star, but they bond over their shared love of horses. And sparks fly with a colleague who seems to love this version of Brooke.
But when Roxie goes from steady improvement to angry rebellion, Brooke realizes Eddie's reputation for training winners may come at a steep price. Brooke is finally poised to have the life she always wanted -- but at what cost? Will she discover an uncomfortable truth about her idol, and what is she willing to give up in order to defend the sport she loves?
Against the riveting high-stakes backdrop of the equestrian world, in her novel Reinert expertly explores the passions that drive us, the love affairs that fuel us, and the partnerships (both animal and human) that help us thrive and find ourselves.
Critique: Part romance, part coming-of-age, "The Jump" is equestrian themed and original novel that showcases author Natalie Reinert's impressive flair for the kind of character and narrative driven storytelling style that makes for a fun and riveting read from start to finish. Extraordinary, exceptional, memorable, "The Jump" is especially and unreservedly recommended for community/public library Contemporary General Fiction collections. It should be noted for personal reading lists that this hardcover edition from Flatiron Books is also readily available in a digital book format (Kindle, $14.99).
Editorial Note: Natalie Keller Reinert (https://nataliekreinert.com) is the author of more than twenty books, including the Eventing Series and Briar Hill Farm series. Drawing on her professional experience in three-day eventing, working with Thoroughbred racehorses, mounted patrol horses, therapeutic riding, and many other equine pursuits, Natalie brings her love of equestrian life into each of her titles. She also co-hosts the equestrian humor podcast Adulting with Horses.
Little Miss Petty
Sally Kilpatrick
www.sallykilpatrick.com
Montlake
c/o Amazon Publishing
9781662532474, $12.99, PB, 317pp
Amazon
https://www.amazon.com/Little-Miss-Petty-Sally-Kilpatrick/dp/1662532474
Barnes & Noble
https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/little-miss-petty-sally-kilpatrick/1146612355
Synopsis: When Stella Stark discovers that her boyfriend is cheating, she also discovers that thirty-nine isn't too old for petty revenge. Can we say... glitter bomb? She's lost both her job and her home -- so why not broaden her professional horizons as Little Miss Petty, helping wronged women achieve karmic justice? Frankly, the demand is too great to ignore.
New friends rally around her: Havisham, a bar owner with a soft spot under her gruff exterior, and Salcedo, a college student with marketing savvy. There's just one hiccup: Getting revenge on the cheating soon-to-be ex-husband of her best-paying client is supposed to be easy. After all, he's her neighbor. But something isn't adding up.
Malone is not only intriguingly handsome. He's also a good listener, sympathetic, and adores kittens. He may look like the ex, but he isn't acting like him. And how can Stella, a woman on the rebound, be even remotely tempted by the pizza-with-benefits relationship he suggests? That would be so bad for business!
Critique: A 'must' for every reader who has ever contemplating a punking retribution to someone who has done them wrong (especially dumped them unfairly), "Little Miss Petty" is a fun and original read from start to finish. Showcasing author Sally Kilpatrick's remarkable flair for the kind of humor laced storytelling that makes her characters come alive in a kind of theatre of the mind experience for her readers, "Little Miss Petty" is an especially, unreservedly, and unique addition to personal reading lists and community library Contemporary General Fiction collections.
Editorial Note: Sally Kilpatrick (www.sallykilpatrick.com) is the author of eight novels and counting, including Nobody's Perfect and The Happy Hour Choir. She has won multiple awards, including the 2018 and 2019 Georgia Author of the Year.
Ways to Find Yourself
Angela Brown
www.angelabrownbooks.com
Little A
c/o Amazon Publishing
9781662533679, $28.99, HC, 315pp
Amazon
https://www.amazon.com/Ways-Find-Yourself-Angela-Brown/dp/1662533675
Synopsis: Grace Whittaker's life is coming apart. In the wake of her mother's death, a stalled writing career, and a slow-motion separation from her husband, Grace is more directionless than ever. But when she returns to Sea Drift, the beach town where she and her mother summered for years, Grace's life comes together in the most unexpected ways.
Soon after arriving on the picturesque coastline that meant so much to her, Grace discovers more than she remembers, and for reasons she can't possibly fathom. Amid the weathered surf shops, pastel motels, and sloping beaches, Grace begins to encounter younger versions of herself. Each one is vivid, alive, and breathtakingly real.
As she navigates this most surreal week (reconnecting with old friends, trying to solve a quiet mystery about her mother, and revisiting a love she left behind) Grace is forced to remember who she used to be. It's the only way she can figure out who she can still become.
Critique: An original, imaginative, and deftly crafted novel showcasing the remarkable and engaging narrative storytelling style of novelist Angela Brown, "Ways To Find Yourself" will hold a special appeal for readers with an interest in women's stories of self-discovery and recovery -- all with a little touch of magical realism and taking place against the background of a small town and with an memorable cast of characters. While a highly recommended pick for community library Contemporary American Fiction collections, it should be noted for personal reading lists that this hardcover edition of "Ways To Find Yourself" from Little A is also available in paperback (9781662533662, $16.99) and in a digital book format (Kindle, $5.99).
Editorial Note: Angela Brown (www.angelabrownbooks.com) is also the author of Some Other Time and Olivia Strauss Is Running Out of Time. In addition to her novels, Angela's writing has appeared in The New York Times, Real Simple, and other publications. She holds an MFA from Fairleigh Dickinson University.
Kiss, Marry, Kill
Lori Gold
Park Row Books
http://www.parkrowbooks.com
c/o HarperCollins
https://www.harpercollins.com
9780778305781, $18.99, PB, 400pp
Amazon
https://www.amazon.com/Kiss-Marry-Kill-Lori-Gold/dp/0778305783
Barnes & Noble
https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/kiss-marry-kill-lori-gold/1147299098
Synopsis: When three best friends and founders of a health and wellness app on the verge of hitting the big time play a spin on the game of "kiss, marry, kill" at their company's summer outing, they wake up the next morning in an alternate universe to discover they've each done just that.
Kiss: In the "real world," quiet, indecisive Aubrey is heartbroken over things ending with her fiance. In the new reality ushered in by the game, Aubrey finds herself in bed, naked, next to their company's newly hired graphic designer.
Marry: Practical, straight-laced Ilena, on the brink of a divorce following a stressful struggle with infertility, wakes up six months pregnant and married to their company's general counsel.
Kill: Mallory's philosophy is to ask neither forgiveness nor permission. Yet the reckless behavior of their biggest investor crosses lines even Mallory didn't know she had. Especially since she's been secretly sleeping with him for the past year. She's mad enough to kill. But in this world, he's already dead.
Told alternately from the perspectives of these three best friends, this Sliding Doors-esque story explores the nuances of ambition, the power of female friendship, and the many facets of love in our lives, ultimately asking: Do our choices define us, or do we define our choices?
Critique: A perfect blending of mystery, suspense, and 'alternate universe' style science fiction, "Kiss, Marry, Kill" by Lori Gold is authentically original, deftly scripted, and a thoroughly fun read from cover to cover. Certain to be an immediate and enduringly popular pick for personal reading lists and community library fiction collections, it should be noted that this paperback edition of "Kiss, Marry, Kill" from Park Row Books (and imprint of Harper Collins) is also readily available in a digital book format (Kindle, $12.99).
Editorial Note: Lori Gold (www.fantasticfiction.com/g/lori-gold) is the author of "Romantic Friction". She is also the author of an adult historical and four novels for young adults (all under Lori Goldstein). She currently lives outside of Boston, where she fosters a writing community through her creative writing classes, book coaching, and writing retreats.
The Historical Fiction Shelf
The Petworth Project
Nola Longhurst Sweet
https://www.nolasweet.org
NLS Publishing
9798990178236, $18.99, HC, 234pp
Amazon
https://www.amazon.com/Petworth-Project-Mrs-Longhurst-Sweet/dp/B0CYZNYMDS
Synopsis: Based on true events in 1832, "The Petworth Project" by author Nola Longhurst Sweet shadows an Earl and a Minister as they artfully maneuver social justice in the tension filled British system. By bringing together opposing social classes into a collaborative journey, will their plan save England from a similar fate as the French Revolution? Using their brazen savvy, they appeal to the pocket books of the wealthy. Driven by compassion or atonement for a flamboyant lifestyle is left for the reader to decide. "The Petworth Project" is one of the more palatable violations of social norms.
"The Petworth Project" also reveals perspectives stretching the stratus of society as readers travel along with the poverty-stricken Longhurst clan whose militia background enables them to avoid the deplorable work houses by opting to cross a turbulent sea that leaves
Joseph and Sarah Longhurst guide their nine children including their son Charles, who is torn between venturing to a New World and leaving behind the girl he loves. While many more of the impoverished venture on this journey including brothers, Luke and Billy Cooper, who are caught up in the revolutionary retaliation of the Swing riots.
What will it cost these pioneers as they risk unknown peril for a better life?
Critique: A deftly crafted saga of a Canadian and British themed historical novel that is based on genuine, authentic historical events, "The Petworth Project" is an inherently fascinating read and one that reflects author Nola Longhurst Sweet's genuine flair for the kind of character and narrative driven storytelling style that fully engages the reader's mind and imagination from start to finish. While especially and unreservedly recommended for community library Historical Fiction collections, it should be noted for personal reading lists that this hardcover edition of "The Petworth Project" from NLS Publishing is also readily available in (9798990178212, $13.99) and in a digital book format (Kindle, $3.99).
Editorial Note: Nola Longhurst Sweet (https://www.nolasweet.org) was born in rural Ontario, Canada into a large family. Her father had a wealth of information about our ancestors who emigrated from England in 1832. Nola was always interested in hearing the stories he would tell that had been passed down the generations. After retiring in 2022, Nola began intensive research on what would become The Petworth Project". Her research inspired her to write. The people are real and the events in her novel are true. Nola reports truly enjoyed weaving it into a fictional story of how it may have unfolded.
The Boleyn Curse
Alexandra Walsh
Boldwood Books
c/o Ulverscroft Large Print, Inc.
www.ulverscroft.com
9781805574637, $43.50 / $36.98, PB, Large Print, 500pp
9781805574576, $116.95 / $99.41, CD (11 Hours)
9781805574583, $116.95 / $99.41, MP3-CD (11 Hours)
Amazon
https://www.amazon.com/Boleyn-Curse-Alexandra-Walsh/dp/1805574647
Ulverscroft
https://www.ulverscroft.com/store/us/search/9781805574637
Synopsis: The court of young King Henry VIII seethes with secrets and scandals, but every ambition has its price. Elizabeth Boleyn, loyal wife to Thomas Boleyn and devoted mother to Anne, Mary and George, believes she can navigate the shifting tides of court life. But when she catches the eye of the lascivious king, Elizabeth is drawn into a perilous game and the cost of her defiance will echo through the generations.
In present day Hampshire, Tabitha Mundy has found a haven in Cerensthorpe Abbey. Since the death of her husband, her work as archivist for the abbey's owner, Edith Swanne, has been her refuge. When her research uncovers hidden clues rumoured to lead to a lost manuscript of The Canterbury Tales and a connection to the Boleyn family, Edith is eager to investigate. With the help of Gulliver, Edith's enigmatic nephew, Tabitha begins to decipher the riddles and before long a mystical thread binds Elizabeth and Tabitha across the ages -- two women destined to protect the truth.
As Henry's vengeance consumes Elizabeth, she sets his treachery down in writing, determined her voice will not be silenced. But another man's secrets mean that Elizabeth's tale has been hidden. Can Tabitha finally unlock the mysteries of the past or will the Boleyn curse haunt Cerensthorpe Abbey forever!
Critique: A deftly crafted novel set in the Tudor era of King Henry VIII and present day England, "The Boleyn Curse" demonstrates the extraordinary character and narrative driven storytelling style of author Alexandra Walsh. A memorable and fascinating read from cover to cover, this large print trade paperback edition of "The Boleyn Curse" is an extraordinary and recommended addition to personal reading lists and community library collections. It should be noted that "The Boleyn Curse" from Boldwood Books is also available in a complete and unabridged audio book format.
Between Two Fires
Christopher Buehlman
Tor Nightfire
c/o Tor/Forge Books
www.tor-forge.com
9781250439208, $29.99, HC, 448pp
Amazon
https://www.amazon.com/Between-Two-Fires-Christopher-Buehlman/dp/1250439205
Barnes & Noble
https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/between-two-fires-christopher-buehlman/1108799136
Synopsis: The year is 1348. Thomas, a disgraced knight, has found a young girl alone in a dead Norman village. An orphan of the Black Death, and an almost unnerving picture of innocence, she tells Thomas that plague is only part of a larger cataclysm -- that the fallen angels under Lucifer are rising in a second war on heaven, and that the world of men has become their battleground. Is it delirium or is it faith?
Now she has convinced the faithless Thomas to shepherd her across a depraved landscape to Avignon. There, she tells Thomas, she will fulfill her mission: to confront the evil that has devastated the earth, and give him (blood-stained and wretched as he is) a chance at redemption he long thought lost.
As hell unleashes its wrath, and as the true nature of the girl is revealed, Thomas will find himself on a macabre battleground of angels and demons, saints and the risen dead, and in the midst of a desperate struggle for nothing less than the soul of man.
Critique: A deftly blended mix of medieval action/adventure, supernatural conflict, and suspense/thriller, "Between Two Fires" by Christopher Buehlman is a simply riveting and original novel that will be of particular appeal to readers with an interest in heroic fantasy fiction with memorable characters an original storyline leading up to a memorably climatic conclusion. Combining the occult and supernatural with dark fantasy and historical adventure, "Between Two Fires" is especially and unreservedly recommended for the personal reading lists of heroic fantasy fiction fans and community library Horror/Fantasy collections. It should be noted that this hardcover edition of "Between Two Fires" from Tor Nightfire is also available in a digital book format (Kindle, $12.99).
Editorial Note: Christopher Buehlman is an author, comedian, and screenwriter from St. Petersburg, Florida, whose books include The Blacktongue Thief, and The Daughters' War. (https://christopherbuehlmanauthor.com)
Death of a Kingdom
Peter Gibbons
Boldwood Books
c/o Ulverscroft Large Print, Inc.
www.ulverscroft.com
9781835182703, $43.50/$36.98, PB, Large Print, 500pp
Amazon
https://www.amazon.com/Death-Kingdom-Peter-Gibbons/dp/1835182712
Ulverscroft
https://www.ulverscroft.com/store/us/search/9781835182703
Synopsis: 1004 AD -- The fate of a fractured and embattled nation hangs by a thread. Eadric Streona grows in power, controlling an even-weaker King Aethelred the Unready. No man dares to stand to oppose him.
King Sweyn Forkbeard of Norway has unleashed his fearless Viking warlord Thorkell the Tall upon England's shores with his eye firmly on the weakened Saxon throne. Can the Vikings unite to conquer the English and claim the crown?
Lord Beornoth, the Viking-killer lives on, beset by the ravages of age and tortured by his past, At the Kings bequest he is plunged into the brutal twilight of Saxon rule, where loyalty, courage, and sacrifice are tested on blood-soaked fields.
Armies will clash and throne of the England becomes the ultimate prize. In the face of a Viking invasion, Beornoth faces his greatest battle in this unflinching fight through the last days of Saxon England.
Will Beornoth's courage be enough to defy the storm -- or will the death of a kingdom be written in the blood of its bravest defenders?
Critique: Vividly bringing ancient Britain to life in a thriller of an action/adventure novel of warring Vikings seeking to overthrow weakening Saxon kingdoms and replace them with their own, "Death of a Kingdom" is a part of author Peter Gibbons' impressive 'Saxon Warrior' series of historical novels. An exceptionally fun and deftly crafted read from start to finish, this large print paperback edition of "Death of a Kingdom" from Boldwood Books is an ideal and guaranteed popular pick for personal reading lists and community library Historical Fiction collections. It should be noted that "Death of a Kingdom" is also readily available as a complete and unabridged audio book that is narrated by Sean Barrett (CD: 9781835182642, $111.95 & MP3-CD: 9781835182659, $95.16).
Editorial Note: Peter Gibbons (https://petermgibbons.com) is the winner of the 2022 Kindle Storyteller Literary Award, and an author based in Kildare in Ireland, with a passion for Historical Fiction, Fantasy, Science Fiction, and of course writing! His books include the Viking Blood and Blade Saga, the Saxon Warrior series, and the Chronicles of Arthur.
The Boys Who Dared Hitler
Richard Lloyd Dewey
Stratford Books Inc.
9780929753591, $22.99, PB, 403pp
Benchmark Books
https://www.benchmarkbooks.com/pages/books/40727/richard-lloyd-dewey/the-boys-who-dared-hitler-a-historical-novel-based-on-a-true-story
Synopsis: During World War II, Helmuth Hubener was a German teenager and a Mormon who secretly listened to British news on his brother's illegal shortwave radio. It opened up a whole new world for him -- he learned the Germans were losing hundreds of thousands of boys on the battlefield in a no-win war, while German radio covered it up. Then he discovered at his workplace a hidden library of forbidden books that revealed even more secrets.
He decided to wake up his countrymen. He clandestinely wrote leaflets on his church's typewriter at night, then recruited fellow teens to distribute them.
The deadliest secret state police in the world made it their mission to hunt them down. But the boys' work baffled the Nazis -- their leaflets were so brilliant, so clever, so humorous even, that the Gestapo thought they were up against a major Resistance backed by university professors and dozens of British agents -- not three teenagers.
The boys now played cat and mouse with the Gestapo. They had crucial near-misses, as they almost got caught time and time again.
Meanwhile, Helmuth had another battle brewing -- falling in love with a girl who was torn over him and his Resistance. She was already dating a young Hitler Youth leader who despised Helmuth.
Yet she was the only girl Helmuth ever loved, and he had to find a way to win her over.
Critique: Although a work of deftly crafted fiction, "The Boys Who Dared Hitler" by Richard Lloyd Dewey is inspired by, and based upon, a true story of Germans who resisted their Nazi overlords. As an author, Richard Dewey has a genuine flair for the kind of character and narrative driven storytelling style that fully engages the reader from start to finish. As an unusual historical novel, it should be noted that "The Boys Who Dared Hitler" features seventy-four pages of Author's Notes separating fiction from fact and is an inherently fascinating in providing an historical perspective and background. This trade paperback edition of "The Boys Who Dared Hitler" from Stratford Books is an especially and unreservedly recommended pick for community library Historical Fiction collections, as well as the personal reading lists of readers with an interest in World War II historical novels that are based on real people and the events that took place in that global conflict.
Editorial Note: A listing of books by Richard Lloyd Dewey is available online at Goodreads (https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/115433.Richard_Lloyd_Dewey)
The Unforgettable Mailman
April Howells
https://aprilhowells.com
Alcove Press
www.alcovepress.com
9798892425254, $29.99, HC, 336pp
Amazon
https://www.amazon.com/Unforgettable-Mailman-Novel-April-Howells/dp/B0FJDSYS2B
Barnes & Noble
https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-unforgettable-mailman-april-howells/1147870456
Synopsis: 1966, Chicago. Backlogged with millions of undelivered letters, the post office announces a temporary closure. But eighty-one-year-old Henry Walton can't stand idly by when there's mail waiting to be delivered. He believes letters are what keep people connected, and he's not about to let them get lost in the chaos.
Plus, connection keeps the mind sharp -- according to a note someone has pinned up in his kitchen.
While the post office scrambles to get things under control, Henry races against time and forgetfulness. Taking it upon himself to deliver the mail, he discovers hatred and tragedy, triumph and joy in the letters he carries and the people he meets along the way.
Critique: It should be noted that although a deftly crafted work of fiction, "The Unforgettable Mailman" by April Howells was inspired by true events. A delightful novel and a fun read laced with humor, "The Unforgettable Mailman" is one of those distinctive works of literary excellence that lingers in the mind and memory long after the book has been finished and set back upon the shelf.
Editorial Note: April Howells (https://aprilhowells.com) has a background in magazine publishing and has built a career in global communications and employer branding. "The Unforgettable Mailman" is her debut novel.
Yasuke: Dead Man Walking
Braxton A. Cosby
Cosby Media Productions. Inc.
www.cosbymediaproductions.com
9798899650789, $14.99 pbk / $4.99 eBook
Amazon
https://www.amazon.com/Yasuke-Dead-Walking-Duology-Book-ebook/dp/B0G4NSDKC2
Historical fiction readers interested in novels of 16th century Japan and the story of the world's first African samurai will relish how vividly Yasuke: Dead Man Walking captures the milieu of these times. This is done through engrossing, atmospheric "you are here" descriptions embedded into the story from its opening lines:
"The smoke from burning incense mingled with the heavy scent of sake and sweat, creating a haze that seemed to swallow the flickering candlelight whole. In the depths of the Floating Willow, one of Kyoto's most notorious pleasure quarters, the sound of shamisen strings being plucked lazily drifted through the paper-thin walls, accompanied by the soft giggles of courtesans and the drunken laughter of their patrons."
Braxton A. Cosby injects readers into 1500s Japan with a powerful blend of fine characterization and colorful description that requires no prior familiarity with the times or its history in order to prove absolutely compelling. Majok becomes a slave and is abused until he falls under the ownership and tutelage of Oda Nobunaga, the most powerful warlord in 16th-century Japan. There, he becomes Yasuke, fiercest of warriors, gaining the respect of emperors and the hatred of those who are prejudiced against Africans, slaves, and anyone who would challenge Japanese rule. How he achieves this near-impossible feat is revealed in a story which offers realistic insights into the experiences and fates of those who become slaves in foreign countries:
"Majok's patience finally wore thin. He had been excluded from a conversation about what was clearly his own fate, surrounded by armed men whose intentions were unclear, and kept in ignorance by linguistic barriers that grew more frustrating by the moment."
From secret sword training sessions with Nobutada to cross-cultural interactions that prove beneficial to warriors on both sides, Cosby crafts scenarios of achievement and overcoming different barriers as Majok transforms his life in response to impossible circumstances: "Majok's African martial arts blended surprisingly well with Japanese sword work, each teaching the other, each learning."
Majok's adaptation to his new circumstances is not without trials and grief, even as he builds his new persona and reputation: "As he walked away from the scene, the full magnitude of the loss began to settle over him. Every moment when he seemed to find peace, when acceptance and freedom appeared within reach, something terrible happened to shatter that hope. The pattern was becoming clear, and with that clarity came a burning rage that threatened to consume him."
From handling deadly ninja attackers to confronting the forces that would keep him oppressed, Majok faces struggles in which monks' refuges become ground zero for clashes, participating in battles and confronting betrayers as he steps into his Yasuke legendary persona against the playing field of temples and killing grounds.
Historical fiction readers with a special interest in early Japan receive thought-provoking moments of revelation and discovery as Majok navigates this world, librarians will appreciate the opportunity to recommend a novel that moves well beyond the usual early Japanese scenario, and leisure readers will appreciate how little prior knowledge of Japanese history is needed in order to become thoroughly engaged with the characters and conflicts in Yasuke: Dead Man Walking. Well-developed scenarios and historically realistic portraits make Yasuke: Dead Man Walking a top recommendation for any reader or library collection interested in authentic, immersive stories about adaptation, struggle, and achievement.
The LGBTQ Fiction Shelf
The Alchemist's Secret
Clare Marchant
Boldwood Books
c/o Ulverscroft Large Print, Inc.
www.ulverscroft.com
9781836030683, $43.50/$36.98, PB, Large Print, 500pp
9781836030614, $111.95/ $95.16, CD (9 hours 47 minutes)
9781836030621, $111.95/ $95.16, CD (9 hours 47 minutes)
Amazon
https://www.amazon.com/Alchemists-Secret-Clare-Marchant/dp/1836030673
Ulverscroft
https://www.ulverscroft.com/store/us/search/9781836030683
Synopsis: Present Day: When Paige returns to her ancestral family home, Woodham Hall, she's nursing an unbearable heartbreak. The man she'd thought she loved has told her the most terrible lie, one she feels she'll never recover from. The only thing that seems to be able to hold her interest is the story of a poisoning that once supposedly happened in the house -- depicted in brutal detail in a painting by an unknown artist.
1672: Jeanne's life at Woodham Hall is happy. Admittedly her brother-in-law - the lord of the manor - is unfaithful to her sister, causing terrible discord in the house. But Jeanne adores her sister, and her niece, Helene, and even though her growing feelings for another member of the household are illicit, they are bringing her great joy. That is, until Sir Robert chooses to move his mistress in.
Jeanne and her sister are to be banished to a French abbey to live out their days but all the sisters can think is how to get back to Helene, and the woman who Jeanne might just love. From the glittering court of the Sun King to the dark depths of French society and those who perform alchemy, they will do whatever they must. Even if it means murder.
Their two stories are linked across history and mystery that must be solved.
Critique: A fun and engaging read from start to finish, "The Alchemist's Secret" is original, exceptional, and showcases the impressive storytelling style of author and novelist Clare Marchant. While this large print trade paperback edition of "The Alchemist's Secret" is unreservedly recommended for the personal reading lists of readers with an interest in deftly blended LGBTQ+ themed historical and contemporary romance and mystery fiction, it should be noted by community librarians that it is also readily available in a complete and unabridged CD & MP3-CD audio book formats.
Editorial Note: Growing up in Surrey, Clare Marchant always dreamed of being a writer. Instead for many years she followed a career in IT, before moving to Norfolk where she lives with her husband and youngest child. Now writing full time, Clare's books have been translated into eight languages. She enjoys Tudor and 17th century historical mysteries and especially the forgotten stories of women throughout the centuries. Her weekends are spent researching for her historical dual timeline books amongst the local castles and monastic ruins, or visiting the nearby coast. (https://www.bookseriesinorder.com/clare-marchant)
Always, Janie
Meghan Sorley
https://meghansorley.com
Nimble Scribbler Press
9798998739019, $29.99, HC, 402pp
Amazon
https://www.amazon.com/Always-Janie-Meghan-Sorley/dp/B0GMZHL4L9
Barnes & Noble
https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/always-janie-meghan-sorley/1149364228
Synopsis: Clayton, California. Janie Harris likes her comics creepy, her music mopey, and goes along to get along with her lovingly authoritarian mother. Before the summer of 1990, she would tell you that her little Central Valley town had everything she needed. That is, until a job at the lake, promising pocket money and autonomy from her devout family, gives her relationship with her new friend Lydia unexpected options instead.
When summer brings their time together to an end, Janie entangles her best friend in a plan to deceive her family so she can maintain her relationship with Lydia until getting caught lands her in a perilous situation that upends her world. She must choose between denying herself to reclaim the comfortable life she knew or leaving everything behind.
In the decade that follows, Janie will brave a world unknown and the past she cannot outrun.
Critique: All the more impressive when considering that "Always, Janie" is author Meghan Sorley's debut as a novelist, her original and engaging story of 'first love, second chances, and the myth of closure' will hold a special appeal to readers with an interest in contemporary romance fiction with an LGBTQ+ theme. With a distinctive character and narrative driven storytelling style, "Always, Janie" is an especially and unreservedly recommended pick for community library Contemporary Romance and 'Coming-of-Age' collections. It should be noted for personal reading lists that this hardcover edition of "Always, Janie" from Nimble Scribbler Press is also readily available in paperback (9798998739002, $18.99) and in a digital book format (Kindle, $9.99).
Editorial Note: Meghan Sorley (https://meghansorley.com) writes fiction that is cinema for the mind's eye. She also believes music is only marginally less requisite than oxygen for a fulfilling life. Meghan's characters are not bound by genre, and she's not ashamed to admit that she sometimes wonders what they're up to. Meghan has written since childhood. Her family used to say she could write about anything. After years as an instructional designer, she agrees. She shares an old Victorian house in San Diego with her lovely wife, cheeky children, dogs, cats, and various vagabond creatures who wander into the yard.
Our Rogue Fates
Sarah Blenn Marsh
https://sarahglennmarsh.com
Alcove Press
www.alcovepress.com
9798892424295, $29.99, HC, 352pp
Amazon
https://www.amazon.com/Rogue-Fates-Sarah-Glenn-Marsh/dp/B0FK92SYG2
Barnes & Noble
https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/our-rogue-fates-sarah-glenn-marsh/1147918427
Synopsis: When he isn't training as a Warden to become half the hero his father was, Griff Sayer is in the business of breaking hearts all across the town of Mayfair, although that slows down after settling in with his current boyfriend. Griff's ex-best friend, Mal Pryce, meanwhile, is in business with whatever or whoever puts good money in his hands.
Now in their mid-twenties, Griff and Mal have only exchanged scathing looks and carefully barbed jabs since the fight that sent them their separate ways years ago. But all that begins to change when an attack Mal plotted for his shady boss leaves Griff near death and their childhood friend Alys as his savior, forcing them back into each other's orbit.
Livid at his boss, Mal makes a deal to earn his freedom and Griff's safety. He has just four weeks to retrieve an ancient treasure from Rotrose Mire, a remote swamp known for its ghostly and beastly dangers, the same treasure Alys's beloved father, Rhun, had been searching for when he disappeared for good. Armed with a map and a broken blade of Rhun's, Mal sets off -- with Alys and a reluctant and newly single Griff in tow.
Yet the explosive tension between the two men (along with the dangers of the mire pressing in around them) makes for a more difficult journey than any of them could have anticipated. As Griff and Mal peel back their tough facades and shared feelings heat up in unexpected ways as they learn to trust again, they also realize that someone (or something) seems to be following their path. Someone who doesn't want them to succeed, no friend to their parents' old enemies, but also no friend to would-be heroes...
Our Rogue Fates is a second-chance spicy Achillean romance with the questing spirit of Dungeons & Dragons, perfect for fans of Critical Role.
Critique: An original and deftly crafted novel of male/male romance, fantasy, a treasure quest adventure, and the paranormal, "Our Rogue Fates" by gifted storyteller Sarah Glenn Marsh is an extraordinary and fun read from start to finish. Fantasy fiction at its very best, "Our Rogue Fates" is unreservedly recommended, especially for community library LGBTQ+ Fantasy collections. It should be noted for the personal reading lists of dedicated romantic/adventure fantasy fans that this hardcover edition of "Our Rogue Fates" from Alcove Press is also available in paperback (9798892424301, $19.99) and in a digital book format (Kindle, $14.99).
Editorial Note: Sarah Glenn Marsh (https://sarahglennmarsh.com) has been an avid fantasy reader since the day her dad handed her a copy of The Hobbit and promised it would change her life. She believes we all deserve happy endings and is an author of books for everyone, including many young adult, middle grade, and picture book titles. "Our Rogue Fates" is her first adult novel.
The Literary Fiction Shelf
Alterations
Claire Ibarra
https://www.claireibarra.com
Atmosphere Press
www.atmospherepress.com
9798901740859, $15.99, PB, 154pp
Amazon
https://www.amazon.com/Alteration-Claire-Ibarra/dp/B0GR2DHRKT
Barnes & Noble
https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/alteration-claire-ibarra/1149614169
Synopsis: Margaret is an acclaimed fashion designer, devoted mother, keeper of order and elegance in a city that never slows. But one morning, she simply doesn't get out of bed. She has the startling discovery that here, within her quilted sanctuary, life feels gentler, truer, and more alive.
What begins as a quiet rebellion becomes a daring experiment in stillness. From her antique four-poster bed, Margaret receives a parade of visitors -- among them are her free-spirited best friend, fretful daughter, young neighbor, and even the echo of her late husband. As secrets and old wounds surface, she begins to confront painful truths.
With wit, wonder, and a sharp eye for the absurd, with the publication of "Alteration", author Claire Ibarra invites us to ask what happens when we stop merely performing and begin fully living -- one unexpected revelation at a time.
Critique: Original, fascinating, exceptional, "Alteration" is an entertaining, engaging, and thought-provoking read from start to finish and one that showcases author Claire Ibarra's deftly crafted, character and narrative driven storytelling style. An extraordinary and unreservedly recommended pick for community library Contemporary American Literary Fiction collections, it should be noted that this paperback edition of "Alteration" from Atmosphere Press is also readily available for personal reading lists in a digital book format (Kindle, $7.99).
Editorial Note: Claire Ibarra's debut novel "Fragile Saints" was published by Adelaide Books and was a 2022 CAL Literary Book Award Finalist. Claire's poetry chapbook "Vortex of Our Affections" was published by Finishing Line Press in 2017. She received her MFA from Florida International University. Claire's fiction and poetry have appeared in many literary journals and anthologies. (https://www.claireibarra.com)
The Last Sunday in May
Kate Clark Stone
https://www.kateclarkstone.com
Lake Union Publishing
c/o Amazon Publishing
Publication Date: May 1, 2026
9781662533525, $16.99, PB, 301pp
Amazon
https://www.amazon.com/Last-Sunday-May-Novel/dp/1662533527
Synopsis: Mack Williams was the next big thing in motorsports. Until her wild ways forced her to leave racing in her rearview mirror. Ten years later, she's a single mom in rural Indiana, with a struggling family business and a dad who needs full-time care. The fastest woman on four wheels now drives car pool -- her dreams turned to dust.
But Mack's childhood idol, Janet Joyner, still sees the spark. Famed for breaking gender barriers on the track, Janet gives Mack a last-ditch chance to qualify for the coveted Indy 500. Mack thought her days of impulsive choices were over, but she can't say no, whatever the risks -- moving in with her estranged sister, facing down her daughter's absentee father, and working with Mack's new teammate, Leo. He's gorgeous, supportive, and every kind of distraction Mack can't afford.
Juggling her personal life with a professional dream close within reach, Mack won't let a second chance slip away again. Win or lose, the stakes have never been higher.
Critique: Some authors just seem to have a genuine flair for the kind of storytelling that make for fun and memorable reads for fans of romance, action, adventure, deftly blended together, resulting in a fun read from cover to cover. Clearly, "The Last Sunday in May" establishes author Kate Clark Stone as one of those impressive novelists. While an extraordinary and recommended pick for personal reading lists, as well as community and college/university library Contemporary American Literary Fiction collections, it should be noted that this paperback edition of "The last Sunday In May" from Lake Union Press is also readily available in a digital book format (Kindle, $3.99) as well.
Editorial Note: Kate Clark Stone (https://www.kateclarkstone.com) attended her first Indianapolis 500 at six years old and wrote her first book at eleven. A former attorney, Kate relishes watching fast cars, swimming, paddleboarding, and spending time with her two very good dogs. Forever a Hoosier at heart, she lives with her family in the mountains of Tennessee.
Learning to Whistle
Tess Perko
https://tess-perk-o.blog
She Writes Press
www.shewritespress.com
9798896361169, $17.99, PB, 288pp
Amazon
https://www.amazon.com/Learning-Whistle-Novel-Tess-Perko/dp/B0FD8QT7KT
Barnes & Noble
https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/learning-to-whistle-tess-perko/1147633538
Synopsis: When she is supposed to be having the time of her life in college in California, Leonie loses her mother to breast cancer. After taking her last college course in Buenos Aires, she cashes in her return flight ticket and refuses to go home, erroneously believing that her grief will subside if she avoids her family.
Narrating in her own grief-stricken voice, Leonie travels across Argentina, makes friends, and falls in love. She discovers her vulnerability and strength while working at a winery in Mendoza, riding over the treacherous Andes Mountains, and hiking the ancient pilgrimage to Machu Picchu -- and, in doing so, slowly begins to heal.
Vividly rendered and full of heart, "Learning to Whistle" will resonate with every person who has ever been forced to venture into the world when they didn't feel ready for it -- with or without the guidance of a parent.
Critique: Original, eloquent, exceptionally well written, "Learning to Whistle" by Tess Perko is a deftly blended novel of 'coming-of-age, travel, and fictional travelogue. Written with a genuine flair for the kind of character and narrative driven storytelling style that elevates "Learning to Whistle" to an impressive level of literary excellence, "Learning to Whistle" is unreservedly recommended as a popular pick for community and college/university library Contemporary American Literary Fiction collections. It should be noted for personal reading lists that this paperback edition of "Learning to Whistle" from She Writes Press is also readily available in a digital book format (Kindle, $12.99).
Editorial Note: While Tess Perko (https://tess-perk-o.blog) is the author of several short stories and poetry, "Learning to Whistle" is her debut as a novelist. In addition to writing, Tess raises money for scholarships for college and vocational students; teaches essay and journaling workshops to emancipated foster youth.
The Surrogate
Lynn C. Miller
University of Wisconsin Press
https://uwpress.wisc.edu
9780299356644, $18.95, PB, 260pp
Amazon
https://www.amazon.com/Surrogate-Lynn-C-Miller/dp/0299356647
Barnes & Noble
https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-surrogate-lynn-c-miller/1147909740
University of Wisconsin Press
https://uwpress.wisc.edu/Books/T/The-Surrogate
Synopsis: Alex Ross is a thirty-year-old psychologist who enjoys the benefits of a close-knit family. Her mother and aunt are twins married to two close friends, and Alex and her cousins, Rolf and Stephen, grew up as if they were siblings. When Rolf is killed in a car accident, the entire family spins into grief and chaos.
Nathaniel, a mysterious art museum curator, soon enters their lives and seems to offer solace. Frannie, Rolf's mother, becomes infatuated with the young man. Alex, who split with her long-term girlfriend in the aftermath of Rolf's death, finds herself deeply attracted to him. Only Stephen mistrusts Nathaniel -- but he soon becomes consumed with the nationwide financial crisis threatening the family's stability.
Will Alex choose Nathaniel over her loyalty to Stephen? Torn between competing desires, fueled by her lifelong but unexamined love of Rolf, she must turn her own training as a psychologist on herself in order to find peace amid the turmoil.
Critique: Original, deftly crafted, and a fully engaging read from start to finish, "The Surrogate" admirably showcases author Lynn Miller's remarkable gift for the kind of character and narrative driven storytelling style that lifts her novel to an impressive level of literary elegance. While unreservedly recommended for community and college/university library Contemporary American Literary Fiction collections, it should be noted for personal reading lists that this paperback edition of "The Surrogate" from the University of Wisconsin Press is also available in a digital book format (Kindle, $18.95).
Editorial Note: Lynn C. Miller (https://www.lynncmiller.com) is the author or co-editor of seven previous books, including The Lost Archive, The Day After Death, and The Unmasking. A novelist, playwright, performer, and educator, she lives in Albuquerque and co-hosts the podcast The Unruly Muse.
The Romantic Fiction Shelf
The Summer I Found You
Jennifer O'Brien
Alcove Press
www.alcovepress.com
9798892422567, $29.99, HC, 336pp
Amazon
https://www.amazon.com/Summer-Found-You-Novel/dp/B0FH1JJS72
Barnes & Noble
https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-summer-i-found-you-jennifer-obrien/1147168763
Synopsis: When Dahlia Newberry escapes her terrible marriage and returns to Long Island's North Fork to put her family's beach house on the market, she discovers the property has fallen into disrepair, and she has no idea how she'll get it from fixer to fabulous in a month's time.
Things start to look up when she discovers her neighbor is Noah, a handsome reality TV star known for his Hamptons-set home renovation series. Noah turns out to be quite handy and pitches in to help Dahlia with the renovations and, as chemistry sparks between them, her self-discovery too.
Meanwhile, Dahlia discovers a letter from her Aunt Lil, whose dying wish was for Dahlia to find a key that unlocks a mystery spanning three generations. Soon Dahlia is unearthing mysterious clues buried in the garden that threaten to upend everything she believes about her world.
The truth is supposed to set her free, but excavated secrets have a way of shattering an already fragile life -- unless Dahlia can find a way to bloom into the woman she was always meant to be.
Critique: A deftly crafted and riveting combination of romance and suspense, "The Summer I Found You" is all the more impressive when considering that it is author Jennifer O'Brien's debut as a novelist. Original, exceptional, and a fun read from start to finish, "The Summer I Found You" is especially and unreservedly recommended for community library Contemporary Romance collections. It should be noted for the personal reading lists of dedicated romance fans that this hardcover edition of "The Summer I Found You" from Alcove Press is also readily available in paperback (9798892422796, $19.99) and in a digital book format (Kindle, $14.99).
Editorial Note: Jennifer O'Brien (https://cityfarmhouse.com/jennifer-obrien) is the founder of the popular design site City Farmhouse. After her dream of buying a fixer-upper fell through, she wrote about one instead. She lives on Long Island with her husband, two boys, and fur baby.
Whispers of Ink and Starlight
Garrett Curbow
www.garrettcurbow.com
Lake Union Publishing
c/o Amazon Publishing
9781662530081, $16.99, PB, 315pp
Amazon
https://www.amazon.com/Whispers-Ink-Starlight-Garrett-Curbow/dp/1662530080
Synopsis: In a small Georgia town, Nelle's life has been carefully scripted by her creator and captor, the reclusive author Wallace Quill. Born from ink and imagination, every breath she takes is dictated by his pen. But on a star-studded Fourth of July night, she meets James (a young man with dreams as vivid as the fireworks above them) and suddenly, the unwritten becomes possible.
As Nelle and James fall deeply in love, they embark on a breathtaking journey across Europe, each new experience a defiant stroke against the words that bind her. But freedom has a price. With every mile they travel, the ink in Nelle's veins threatens to rewrite their story. In a world where every moment could be her last, Nelle and James must fight to write their own happily ever after -- before the final page turns.
Critique: An original and deftly crafted story of fantasy and romance by Garret Curbow, "Whispers of Ink and Starlight" is a simply riveting tale of forbidden love. Unique, imaginative, and a compelling read from start to finish, "Whispers of Ink and Starlight" is an extraordinary and unreservedly recommended pick for personal reading lists and community library collections. It should be noted that this paperback edition from Lake Union Publishing is also readily available in a digital book format (Kindle, $1.99).
Editorial Note: Garrett Curbow (www.garrettcurbow.com) is also the author of the Daughter of Light trilogy, which was short-listed for the Publishers Weekly Selfies Award.
The Western Fiction Shelf
Guns Across the River
J. D. Sandon
Linford Western Library
c/o Ulverscroft Large Print, Inc.
www.ulverscroft.com
9781444857160, $26.00/$22.10, PB, Large Print, 376pp
Amazon
https://www.amazon.com/Guns-Across-River-Gringos-Sandon/dp/1444857169
Ulverscroft
https://www.ulverscroft.com/store/us/search/9781444857160
Synopsis: Revolutionary Mexico, 1913. -- Four outlaw Americans ride together, fighting for freedom, justice, and money.
Cade Onslow was once an Army major; now he has nothing to gain but vengeance. Jonas Strong was a top sergeant, but abandoned it all when he deserted alongside Onslow. Explosives expert Jamie Durham has been addicted to morphine since a mine blew away half his face, and Yates McCloud has nowhere to go but hell.
Together they are The Gringos - four men with nothing to lose but their lives.
Critique: A veritable saga of an action-adventure western by an author with a genuine flair for the kind of character and narrative driven storytelling style that is ideal for this genre, "Guns Across the River" by J. D. Sandon is a fun and absorbing read from start to finish. This large print paperback edition of "Guns Across the River" will prove to be an enduringly popular addition to community library Western Fiction and a popular pick for the personal reading lists of dedicated western fans.
Editorial Note: There is a listing of books by J. D. Sandon available online at Fantastic Fiction -- https://www.fantasticfiction.com/s/j-d-sandon
The Damned
E. Jefferson Clay
Linford Western Library
c/o Ulverscroft Large Print, Inc.
www.ulverscroft.com
9781444857214, $26.00/$22.10, PB, Large Print, 232pp
Ulverscroft
https://www.ulverscroft.com/store/us/search/9781444857214
Amazon
https://www.amazon.com/Damned-Savage-Jefferson-Clay/dp/1444857215
Synopsis: Conway Gray and Dooley Quinn, Co-Agents of Aspeth Reservation, are responsible for the welfare of the Sioux and Cheyenne tribes of the Tea Kettle Mountains, a region off-limits to white prospectors. After hearing rumors of an illicit gold mining operation in the area, Quinn is sent to Tillerman to investigate the Clearwater Ranch... and disappears.
Quinn must be found, but Gray can't leave his work, so looks to hire someone to track down his partner. Enter Clint Savage: gunslinger, brawler, hell-raiser -- and the perfect man for the job.
Critique: As an author of action packed westerns, E. Jefferson Clay is consistently among the best. His novel, "The Damned" is character and narrative driven storytelling that will fully engage the reader from start to finish. This large print paperback edition of "The Damned" from the Linford Western Library collections is highly recommended for both personal reading lists and community library Western Fiction collections.
Editorial Note: A listing of novels by E. Jefferson Clay is available online at Fantastic Fiction -- https://www.fantasticfiction.com/c/e-jefferson-clay
Day of Fury
Matthew Kirk
Linford Western Library
c/o Ulverscroft Large Print, Inc.
www.ulverscroft.com
9781444857238, $26.00/$22.10, PB, Large Print, 232pp
Amazon
https://www.amazon.com/Day-Fury-Claw-Matthew-Kirk/dp/1444857231
Synopsis: Blacksmith Tyler Wyatt was not a man to go looking for trouble, but trouble found him the day Vance Jennings and his gang hit town. They took away his wife, his home...and his left hand. They gave him in return a searing lust for death and revenge that nothing, no matter how bloody, could ever satisfy. Trained to live by the strength of his hand... he would learn to kill by the power of his claw!
Critique: Original, riveting, and of particular appeal to readers who appreciate a deftly crafted vengeance novel set in the Old West by experienced storyteller and author Matthew Kirk, "Day of Fury" will prove a highly prized and appreciated pick for the personal reading lists of western action/adventure fans and community/public library Western Fiction collections.
Editorial Note: A listing of books by Matthew Kirk is available online at Goodreads -- https://www.goodreads.com/author/list/8134375.Matthew_Kirk
The Lonely Hunt
James A. Muir
Linford Western Library
c/o Ulverscroft Large Print, Inc.
www.ulverscroft.com
9781444857177, $26.00/$22.10, PB, Large Print, 272pp
Amazon
https://www.amazon.com/Lonely-Hunt-Breed-James-Muir/dp/1444857177
Ulverscroft
https://www.ulverscroft.com/store/us/search/9781444857177
Synopsis: Beloved son of a white father and Apache mother, Matthew Gunn (known as Azul) is raised in a Chiricahua village, learning the skills of both his parents' peoples. His life is peaceful, but danger looms on the horizon, for the Mexican government pays a bounty of $100 for each Apache scalp brought to them. When his village is massacred and his parents murdered by scalp hunters, Azul swears vengeance, vowing to track down the killers and make them pay...
Critique: A quintessential, action-packed vengeance quest themed novel set in the Old West, "The Lonely Hunt" by James A. Muir is a riveting read from cover to cover. This large print paperback edition from the Linford Western Library collection is especially recommended for both personal reading lists and community library Western Fiction collections.
Editorial Note: A listing of books by James A. Muir is available online at Goodreads -- https://www.goodreads.com/author/list/1899349.James_A_Muir
The Mystery/Suspense Shelf
The Case of the Christie Curse
Kelly Oliver
Boldwood Books
c/o Ulverscroft Large Print, Inc.
www.ulverscroft.com
9781836175667, $43.50/$36.98, PB, Large Print, 500pp
Amazon
https://www.amazon.com/Case-Christie-Curse-Kelly-Oliver/dp/1836175655
Ulverscroft
https://www.ulverscroft.com/store/us/search/9781836175667
Synopsis: Mesopotamia, 1930: When Agatha Christie invites fellow members of the Detection Club to witness the famous excavations at the ruins of Ur, Dorothy L. Sayers, her quick-witted assistant Eliza Baker, and Theo Sharp expect ancient wonders -- not fresh corpses.
But when an archaeologist is found dead in the sand, whispers of a deadly curse sweep through the camp. Eliza suspects something far more dangerous than superstition. Amid glittering artifacts and fragile alliances, every guest harbors secrets: the Woolleys, whose marriage is shadowed by tragedy; a journalist hungry for scandal; even academic Max Mallowan, whose loyalties are not what they seem.
As theft, forgery, and coded messages surface, the line between archaeology and espionage blurs. And when Eliza and Theo find themselves in danger, they must face not only the truth about the murder - but also the truths they've long denied about each other. Can they uncover the killer before the desert claims another victim? Or will this dig unearth secrets too dangerous to survive?
Critique: A part of author Kelly Oliver's 'Detection Club Mystery' series, this large print paperback edition of "The Case of the Christie Curse" from Boldwood Books is a 'must' for all dedicated Agatha Christie 'whodunnit' style murder mysteries. A fun read from start to finish, Kelly Oliver has a natural gift for the Christie storytelling style. While also available in two complete and unabridged audiobook formats narrated by Penelope Rawlins (9781836175599, CD, $104.95 & 9781836175605, MP3-CD, $89.21), "The Case of the Christie Curse" will prove a very popular pick for community/public library Mystery/Suspense collections.
Editorial Note: Kelly Oliver (https://kellyoliverbooks.com) is the author of four award-winning bestselling mystery series and dozens of nonfiction books.
A Killer Guest List
Sarah Bonner
Boldwood Books
c/o Ulverscroft Large Print, Inc.
www.ulverscroft.com
9781836335634, $43.50/$36.98, PB, Large Print, 500pp
Ulverscroft
https://www.ulverscroft.com/store/us/search/9781836335634
https://www.amazon.com/Audible-A-Killer-Guest-List/dp/B0GHNXX511
Synopsis: Sadie has attended 'Murder on the Moors', at a luxury country house hotel in Dartmoor, for the past fifty years. This time, she's bringing her goddaughter. But what the girl doesn't know is that the game is merely a cover for Sadie's darker predilections...
Cassie's weekend at the hotel is more of a work trip for her wife, though she's looking forward to relaxing in the swanky surroundings, plus a little fun detective work. She doesn't realize that the game is about to reveal some shocking truths...
Because this year, someone new has taken over the murder mystery event. Someone who knows exactly who Sadie is, and who has compiled a dossier of crimes committed by the other guests. Someone with a hit list.
The only chance of staying one step ahead (and not being murdered for real) is to slay together!
Critique: A fun and fascinating read from cover to cover, this large print paperback edition of "A Killer Guest List" from Boldwood Books showcases author Srah Bonner's impressive and narrative driven storytelling talents. An original murder mystery thriller deftly laced with humor and suspense, and with a fully entertaining plot with many an unexpected twist and turn, "A Killer Guest List" is truly exceptional and strongly recommended as a pick for personal reading lists and community library Mystery/Suspense collections. It should be noted that this Boldwood Books edition of "A Killer Guest List" is also readily available as a complete and unabridged audio book (CD: 9781836335566, $104.95 & MP3-CD: 9781836335573, $89.21).
Editorial Note: Sarah Bonner grew up in Salisbury, dreaming of a career as a writer and performer. Instead, she became an accountant! After a fifteen-year career, she decided to answer her original calling and completed her first novel which was published in 2022. A listing of her books in online at: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/21758144.Sarah_Bonner
Murder on the Cricket Green
Catherine Coles
Boldwood Books
c/o Ulverscroft Large Print, Inc.
www.ulverscroft.com
9781804150924, $43.50/$36.98, PB, Large Print, 500pp
Amazon
https://www.amazon.com/Murder-Cricket-Green-Catherine-Coles/dp/1804150924
Ulverscroft
https://www.ulverscroft.com/store/us/search/9781804150924
Synopsis: Westleham Village, May 1948 -- The villagers of Westleham are excited for the first village cricket match since the end of the war. But Martha Miller has more pressing concerns - namely, the sudden reappearance of her husband, Stan, missing for two years and acting as though nothing has happened.
Martha doesn't know what to feel, especially now that his return threatens her growing fondness for the kind-hearted village vicar, Luke. Yet she's not the only one unsettled by Stan's return...
As the match begins and the crowd cheers, Stan suddenly collapses - dead before he hits the ground. And all eyes turn to Martha.
To clear her name, she must uncover the truth about Stan's missing years and his sudden reappearance. But in a village this small, everyone has something to hide. Will Martha's amateur sleuthing find the real killer or will she pay the price for someone else's deadly deed?
Critique: 'A Martha Miller Mystery' by Catherine Coles, "Murder on the Cricket Green" is a brilliantly written and fun read that is unreservedly recommended to the attention of dedicated cozy mystery fans everywhere. Original, exceptional, and a fun read from cover to cover, this large print paperback edition of "Murder on the Cricket Green" from Boldwood Books is an ideal and highly recommended addition to community library Mystery/Suspense collections. It should be noted that "Murder on the Cricket Green" is also available as a complete and unabridged audio book (CD: 9781804150856, $86.95 & MP3-CD: 9781804150863, $73.91).
Editorial Note: Catherine Coles (https://catherinescountryclub.com) writes cozy mysteries that are irresistibly British, gently humorous, and filled with the kind of secrets only found in quiet villages. Catherine creates mysteries steeped in Golden Age charm, gentle humour, and English-village intrigue. She is the author of the 1920s Tommy & Evelyn Christie Mysteries, the post-war Martha Miller Mysteries, and the Lady Matilda Investigates series featuring an aristocratic sleuth and her loyal basset hound sidekick.
Murder at Big Ben
Michelle Salter
Boldwood Books
c/o Ulverscroft Large Print, Inc.
www.ulverscroft.com
9781835613184, $43.50 / $36.98, PB, Large Print, 500pp
9781835613115, $111.95 / $95.16, CD (8 hours 54 minutes)
Amazon
https://www.amazon.com/Murder-Big-Ben-Michelle-Salter/dp/1835613179
Ulverscroft
https://www.ulverscroft.com/store/us/search/9781835613184
Synopsis: 2 April 1911 is census night, when suffragettes hide overnight in parliament to force census takers to record it as their address -- the only way women can have a place in government.
Coral Fairbanks, suffragette, actress, and artist's muse, is among the women who break into parliament. What she doesn't know is that Guy Flynn, artist and Scotland Yard detective, has been ordered to guard it that night.
When a suffragette hiding in Big Ben is poisoned, suspicion falls on the residents of two grand houses in Mayfair. The Kesbys are avant-garde artists, the Ashcourts are aristocrats fallen on hard times.
Once again, Fairbanks and Flynn put aside their differences to investigate an astonishing case of deception and murder.
Critique: A new historical mystery from novelist Michelle Salter and set in Edwardian London featuring the iconic detective duo Fairbanks and Flynn, "Murder at Big Ben" is a simply riveting read from start to finish. An original, exceptional, and fully engaging historical mystery, this large print trade paperback edition of "Murder at Big Ben" from Boldwood Books is a prized and unreservedly recommended pick for the personal reading lists of dedicated 'whodunnit' yesteryear mysteries, as well as community library Mystery/Suspense collections.
Editorial Note: Michelle Salter (https://www.michellesalter.com) is a the successful and talented author of Edwardian and 1920s murder mysteries featuring female amateur sleuths, suffragettes and Scotland Yard detectives. She combines colourful characters, fascinating British history, and will-they-won't-they romance in classic golden-age whodunnits.
A Summertime Murder
Mary Grand
Boldwood Books
c/o Ulverscroft Large Print, Inc.
www.ulverscroft.com
9781836784753, $43.50 / $36.98, PB, Large Print, 500pp
9781836784685, $111.95$95.16, CD (9 hours 42 minutes)
9781836784692, $111.95$95.16, MP3-CD (9 hours 42 minutes)
Amazon
https://www.amazon.com/Summertime-Murder-Mary-Grand/dp/1836784740
Ulverscroft
https://www.ulverscroft.com/store/us/search/9781836784753
Synopsis: Susan never imagined herself an amateur sleuth, and she certainly never goes looking for trouble, preferring days spent walking her loyal dogs Libs and Rocco, and maybe even a dip in the sea to cool off after this interminable heatwave. But when she hears of a break-in at the vet's where her new neighbour works, Susan's curiosity is piqued.
And then, a few days later, the lead vet, Peter, mysteriously disappears. They assume it's business related until his body is washed up on the beach close to his clifftop home. But Susan is convinced he was murdered and slowly discovers that each of the small group of suspects has a motive. Is the killing linked to the break-in... or is this a crime of passion?
Once again, Susan finds herself piecing together clues in her search for the truth. Can she untangle the lies before someone else dies?
Critique: This large print trade paperback edition of Mary Grand's newest cozy mystery, "A Summertime Murder", from Boldwood Books is a deftly crafted and thoroughly fun read from cover to cover. While a strongly recommended pick for the personal lists of readers with an interest in amateur female sleuths having to solve a puzzling 'whodunnit' murder mystery, it should be noted for community library collections that "A Summertime Murder" is also available as a complete and unabridged audio book.
Editorial Note: Mary Grand (https://marygrand.net) is the author of murder mysteries set in the current time but in the style of classic whodunnits. These are set on the Isle of Wight where she lives and writes, and the island landscape is an important feature of her books. The first three novels with Boldwood, starting with The House Party, are stand-alone murder mysteries. The next four are part of a series featuring amateur detective Susan Flynn, starting with A Seaside Murder (originally published as Death At Castle Cove}. Mary's writing career started with three self-published novels starting with Free to Be Tegan, which is set in Wales, where Mary was born and grew up, and two anthologies of short stories Catching the Light and Making Changes. These earlier novels are in the women's fiction genre, featuring central characters who find strength in overcoming adversity.
The Deadly Combo / One for My Dame
Jack Webb, author
Nicholas Litchfield, introduction
Stark House Crime Classics
c/o Stark House Press
www.starkhousepress.com
9798886011647, $15.95, PB, 192pp
Amazon
https://www.amazon.com/Deadly-Combo-One-My-Dame/dp/B0FNG2D8YS
Barnes & Noble
https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-deadly-combo-one-for-my-dame-webb-webb/1148138322
Synopsis: Two long out of print and time-lost crime classics by Jack Webb have now been made available to a new generation of mystery fans by the Stark House Press:
THE DEADLY COMBO
Dandy Mullens was one of the jazz greats, he and his golden horn. But that was years ago. Now Dandy lies dead in an alley, just an unkempt old man, knifed for his golden trumpet. Mac Stewart is a lover of jazz himself, and knows the scene. He's also a cop. And he makes it his mission to find out who murdered Dandy. His search takes him to all the dark little jazz clubs and strip joints in the city, even some of the high class clubs. All he knows is that he is looking for a tall, good-looking, wiry man who'd been seen with a female friend of Dandy's. Someone had obviously told the man about the golden horn, and greed had gotten the better of him. Or could it be as simple as that?
ONE FOR MY DAME
Rick Jackson has turned his back on humanity, and is quite content to run a small pet store. His best friends consist of a great Dane, a mynah bird and a spider monkey. Then he meets Carla. He stops off for a drink at his local bar, they strike up a conversation and she ends up back at his apartment. She's pretty drunk and the visit is all-too brief. Rick puts her in a taxi, contentedly uninvolved. The next morning he finds that his mystery woman has disappeared. And since he was the last one to see her, the cops are interested. And later a sexy blonde named Marty stops by - with a gun. Carla has hidden something in his apartment, and Rick has no idea what is it, nor where it is... but somebody really wants it.
Critique: Riveting reads both, 'The Deadly Combo' and 'One for My Dame' are deftly crafted 'hard-boiled' murder mysteries that nicely showcase Jack Webb's distinctive character and narrative driven storytelling skills. An extraordinary and highly recommended pick for personal reading lists and community library Mystery/Suspense collections, this paperback edition of "The Deadly Combo / One for My Dame" from Star House Press also features an informative introduction to the life and work of Jack Webb by Nicholas Litchfield. It should be noted that this paperback edition of "The Deadly Combo / One for My Dame" is also available in a digital book format (Kindle, $5.99).
Editorial Note #1: John Alfred "Jack" Webb (January 13, 1916 - February 12, 2008) had a variety of careers, including zoo bird keeper, aircraft production supervisor and technical writer before turning to full-time novel writing. Webb is best remembered for his Sammy Golden and Father Shanley mysteries which he published over a ten year span beginning in 1952 with The Big Sin. His stories appeared in crime fiction digests like Mike Shayne, Alfred Hitchcock and Manhunt, and he also wrote under the names John Farr and Tex Grady.
Editorial Note #2: Nicholas Litchfield (https://nicholaslitchfield.com) is the founder of the literary magazine Lowestoft Chronicle. He is also the author of three novels and editor of twelve literary anthologies. Additionally, he has also contributed introductions to twenty-two reprints of long-forgotten mystery novels.
Yours Always
Corinne Sullivan
Thomas & Mercer
c/o Amazon Publishing
9781662535628, $16.99, PB, 271pp
Amazon
https://www.amazon.com/Yours-Always-Corinne-Sullivan/dp/1662535627
Barnes & Noble
https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/yours-always-corinne-sullivan/1148028440
Synopsis: Talia Danvers is an engineer for a high-end dating app who hasn't managed to code her own love life. Then she reconnects with Townsend Fuller: the one who got away.
Or, more accurately, the one who left her for someone else. But Townsend swears he's a changed man, and Talia wants to believe him. Even if he is the prime suspect in the disappearance of Amanda Reade, the same woman who broke them up in the first place.
In cases like these, it's always the boyfriend. That's what Amanda's sister Kaitlyn thinks. So does Talia's colleague Meera Ratnam -- and she'll risk everything to convince Talia that she's making a deadly mistake.
Then Talia starts receiving menacing texts from Amanda. Suddenly, no one knows what to believe. Is Townsend guilty? Is Amanda alive? Or is someone playing games?
Featuring unreliable narrators and written with acid wit and creeping unease, "Yours Always" is a mind-bending tale of dangerous love.
Critique: Original, riveting, and of immense appeal to readers with an interest in deftly crafted stories of murder mysteries and suspense thriller novels, "Yours Always" by Corinne Sullivan is and extraordinary and unreservedly recommended pick for personal reading lists and community library Contemporary American Mystery/Suspense collections. It should be noted for suspense thriller fans that this paperback edition of "Yours Always" from Thomas & Mercer is also available in a digital book format (Kindle, $1.99).
Editorial Note: Corinne Sullivan is the senior news editor at Cosmopolitan, where she covers celebrity and entertainment news. She graduated from Boston College in 2014 with a degree in English and creative writing. She went on to receive her MFA in fiction from Sarah Lawrence College. Her stories have appeared in literary magazines such as Night Train, Knee-Jerk, and Pithead Chapel, among other publications, and her 2018 debut novel, Indecent, was included on several "best of" lists. Corinne lives can be followed on Instagram (@corinnzo).
You Can Tell Me
Melinda Leigh
www.melindaleigh.com
Montlake
c/o Amazon Publishing
9781662516993, $28.99, PB, 299pp
Amazon
https://www.amazon.com/You-Can-Tell-Olivia-Cruz/dp/1662517009
Barnes & Noble
https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/you-can-tell-me-melinda-leigh/1147197894
Synopsis: On the three-year anniversary of true crime writer Olivia Cruz's horrific kidnapping, she's scheduled to walk her podcaster friend Zoe March through the crime scene, but Zoe fails to show. Olivia knows Zoe would never stand her up -- not today.
Zoe's husband, who claims she never came home the night before, has reported her missing. But marital conflicts make the police suspect she has left him. Olivia thinks otherwise. The police aren't looking for Zoe, so Olivia begins her own investigation. Retracing her friend's last steps, she finds Zoe's phone and a text with one chilling word: Run.
It soon becomes apparent that Zoe has been keeping secrets, and with her true crime podcast, there's no telling what she has unearthed. To find her, Olivia must dig into her friend's past. Did Zoe vanish to escape a killer, and is Olivia walking into a deadly trap?
Critique: Featuring an original and deftly crafted roster of memorable characters embedded into an inherently fascinating story of murder, mystery and suspense, "You Can Tell Me" by Melinda Leigh will hold a very special appeal to fans of cozy mysteries featuring amateur female sleuths, a bit of romance, and a surprising number of unexpected plot twists and turns. A fun read for mystery buffs from start to finish, "You Can Tell Me" will prove an enduringly popular pick for personal reading lists and community library Mystery/Suspense collections. It should be noted that this hardcover edition of "You Can Tell Me" from Montlake is also readily available in paperback (9781662517006, $16.99) and in a digital book format (Kindle, $5.99).
Editorial Note: Melinda Leigh (www.melindaleigh.com) is also the author of Echo Road, the She Can series, the Midnight series, the Scarlet Falls series, the Morgan Dane series, the Bree Taggert series, the Olivia Cruz series, and numerous short stories, as well as the Rogue series novellas and the Widow's Island series novellas. Melinda has garnered numerous writing awards, earned two RITA nominations, and been an International Thriller Award nominee for Best First Novel. She also holds a second-degree black belt in Kenpo karate and has taught women’s self-defense.
The Monk
Tim Sullivan
Atlantic Crime
c/o Grove/Atlantic, Inc.
www.groveatlantic.com
9780802168221, $27.00 HC, $17.00 PB, $9.99 Kindle, 384pp
Amazon
https://www.amazon.com/Monk-DS-George-Cross-Mystery/dp/0802168221
Barnes & Noble
https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-monk-tim-sullivan/1148205513
Synopsis: DS George Cross has always wondered why his mother left him when he was a child. Now that she is back in his life, he suddenly has answers -- but this unexpected reunion is not anything he's used to dealing with. So when the body of a monk is found savagely beaten to death in a woodland near Bristol, Cross is eager to throw himself into the case.
The problem is, no one in the Bristol station has any leads. Nothing is known about Brother Dominic's past. How can Cross unpick a crime when they don't know anything about the victim? And why would someone want to harm a monk?
Cross's dogged investigation reveals that while the monk was a much-loved and respected friend, brother, he was also a very wealthy man -- and he sacrificed it all for his faith. For a man who has nothing, it seems strange that greed could be the motive for his murder.
But greed is a sin, after all.
Critique: The fifth novel in the 'DS George Cross Mystery' series by Tim Sullivan, "The Monk" is especially recommended to the attention of dedicated fans of police procedural style 'whodunnit' murder mysteries. A thriller of a suspense novel, "The Monk" is a fun and fascinating read from start to finish and is unreservedly recommended for personal reading lists and community library Mystery/Suspense collections.
If this is the reader's first experience with author Tim Sullivan's character and narrative driven storytelling style, the will quickly seek out his previous four novels in this original series as listed online at Book Series In Order: https://www.bookseriesinorder.com/tim-sullivan
Editorial Note: Tim Sullivan (https://timsullivan.co.uk) is an internationally bestselling author and acclaimed screenwriter, whose credits include A Handful of Dust, Where Angels Fear to Tread, Jack and Sarah, and Letters to Juliet. He is also a television director whose credits include Sherlock Holmes and Cold Feet. His DS George Cross series was a breakout success in the UK and has sold over 850,000 copies worldwide. He currently lives in England.
Served Him Right
Lisa Unger
Park Row
c/o HarperCollins Publishers
www.harpercollins.com
9780778360056, $30.00, HC, 384pp
Amazon
https://www.amazon.com/Served-Him-Right-Thriller-Long-Buried/dp/0778360059
Barnes & Noble
https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/served-him-right-lisa-unger/1147299095
Synopsis: Ana Blacksmith has gathered her closest friends and sister Vera for a brunch to celebrate her recent breakup from her boyfriend Paul. But when shocking news about Paul arrives, all eyes are on Ana, the angry ex with a bad reputation. Suspicions only intensify when Ana's best friend falls deathly ill after the brunch.
But Ana is not the only one who had a score to settle with Paul. As the investigation unfolds, rumors of a secret network that uses ancient methods to obtain justice begin to emerge. Vengeance is sweet, but it can also be deadly. Ana and Vera are determined to find the truth before Ana takes the fall and their own long-buried history comes to light.
Critique: A deftly crafted novel of vengeance and mystery, "Served Him Right" is a simply riveting read from start to finish. Showcasing author Lisa Unger's remarkable and genuine flair for the kind of character and narrative driven storytelling that fully engages the reader, this absorbing page turner of a novel will hold a particular appeal to readers with an interest in original stories of psychological suspense and thrilling cliff-hanger style mystery. While highly recommended for community library Contemporary Mystery/Suspense collections, it should be noted for the personal reading lists of 'whodunnit' mystery buffs that this hardcover edition of "Served Him Right" from Park Row Books is also readily available in paperback (9780778360070, $18.99) and in a digital book format (Kindle, $14.99).
Editorial Note: Lisa Unger (https://lisaunger.com) is an author whose books are published in 33 languages. In 2019, she received two Edgar Award nominations, an honor held by only a few writers including Agatha Christie. Her work has been named on "Best Book" lists from Today, People, GMA, EW, Amazon, IndieBound and many others. She has written for the NYT, WSJ, NPR, and Travel+Leisure.
The Bush Tea Murder
Ashley-Ruth Bernier
Crooked Lane Books
www.crookedlanebooks.com
9798892425223, $29.99, HC, 336pp
Amazon
https://www.amazon.com/Bush-Murder-Caribbean-Island-Mystery/dp/B0FJD3P2SG
Barnes & Noble
https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/only-spell-deep-ava-morgyn/1147243892
Synopsis: Food journalist Naomi Sinclair doesn't expect a side of murder with her passion fruit juice. But when her return to Saint Thomas heralds a series of troubling cases, ranging from petty theft to cold-blooded murder, that threaten her tight-knit community, that is exactly the kind of unsavory treat she must sink her teeth into.
Luckily for her neighbors, Naomi is as adept at solving puzzles as rolling johnnycake dough -- a good thing, since her island community, though small, keeps serving up plenty of trouble. With the help of her friends and her crush, Mateo, Naomi must navigate the tumultuous turquoise waters of life in the Caribbean, all as her beloved father battles an illness that keeps tugging her back to her island amid her rising career stateside.
Critique: Enhanced for the reader's benefit with mouth-watering recipes, lush landscapes, and a hefty dose of fun under the sun, "The Bush Tea Murder" by novelist Ashley-Ruth Bernier is a simply riveting and fun read highly recommended to the attention of all dedicated cozy mystery fans. A deftly crafted 'whodunnit' story set in the US Virgin Islands and featuring an amateur female sleuth having to solve an especially puzzling murder, "The Bush Tea Murder" will prove a popular pick for personal reading lists and community library Mystery/Suspense collections. It should be noted that this hardcover edition of "The Bush Tea Murder" from Crooked Lane Books is also readily available in paperback (9798892425230, $19.99) and in a digital book format (Kindle, $14.99).
Editorial Note: Ashley-Ruth M. Bernier (https://ashleyruthbernier.com) has had her short fiction published in Ellery Queen Mystery Magazine, Black Cat Weekly, Stone's Throw, Smoking Pen Press, The Best American Mystery and Suspense 2023, Malice Domestic's Mystery Most Devious and Mystery Most Humorous, and The Caribbean Writer. Originally from Saint Thomas, US Virgin Islands, Ashley-Ruth writes mysteries highlighting the vibrant culture of her home. Ashley-Ruth is a 2023 Derringer nominee (novelette category, Short Mystery Fiction Society), a 2023 and 2024 Killer Nashville Claymore finalist (Best Short Story Collection), and one of the 2024 recipients of MWA's Barbara Neely grant for Black mystery writers. She is an active member of Sisters in Crime, Crime Writers of Color, the Short Mystery Fiction Society, Mystery Writers of America, and the North Carolina Writers Network.
The Better Mother
Jennifer van der Kleut
Crooked Lane Books
www.crookedlanebooks.com
9798892424011, $29.99, HC, 336pp
Amazon
https://www.amazon.com/Better-Mother-Jennifer-van-Kleut/dp/B0F88ZNHDR
Barnes & Noble
https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-better-mother-jennifer-van-der-kleut/1148378168
Synopsis: Still recovering from a devastating breakup, 34-year-old Savannah Mitchell has finally managed to put her life back together when she gets the shock of her life -- after a brief fling with a man named Max, she is pregnant.
When she gets in touch to tell him, he reveals that he's just gotten back together with his ex, Madison, and he will need time to break it to her. Surprisingly, Madison isn't upset -- in fact, she's excited, and wants to help.
Max insists Madison has the best of intentions, but Savannah finds her efforts (popping by uninvited, demanding lifestyle changes, and pretty much trying to take over the pregnancy) anything but helpful. When Savannah finally stands up for herself, Madison's treatment of her goes from casually cruel to downright dangerous.
All Savannah wanted to do was form a friendly co-parenting relationship with the father of her child -- but his new girlfriend obviously has much more sinister plans in mind.
She has no plans to co-parent at all!
Critique: An original and deftly crafted suspense thriller of a read from start to finish, "The Better Mother" by Jennifer van der Kleut is a simply riveting read and unreservedly recommended for community library Contemporary Suspense/Thriller collections. It should be noted for the personal reading lists of readers with an interest in psychological thrillers with pulse-pounding suspense that this hardcover edition of "The Better Mother" from Crooked Lane Books is also available in paperback (9798892424028, $19.99) and in a digital book format (Kindle, $14.99).
Editorial Note: Jennifer van der Kleut (www.jennifervanderkleut.com) is a former journalist of both print and digital publications, including the DC affiliate of ABC7 News. For nearly a decade, she was the lead singer of the Bay Area-based band SweetDuration, and performed with artists like Jason Mraz, Big Country, Chantal Kreviazuk, and Stabbing Westward.
The Summer House Murder
Ava Roberts
Crooked Lane Books
www.crookedlanebooks.com
9798892424844, $29.99, HC, 320pp
Amazon
https://www.amazon.com/Summer-House-Murder-Novel/dp/B0F9V6T955
Barnes & Noble
https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-summer-house-murder-ava-roberts/1147476825
Synopsis: Sisters Esme, Piper, and Regina go on their annual visit to their remote summer house on Lake George expecting a tense vacation. Each has their own families to deal with plus their own secrets to hide.
Esme, the oldest sister, is desperate to keep up appearances after discovering her husband's infidelity with the one person who hurts her the most. Piper, the middle child, has a four-month-old baby boy and is too tired to keep playing peacekeeper to her siblings. Regina, the youngest, is a sarcastic rule breaker with a secret to hide that could cost her everything.
After tension boils over into an ugly fight late one night, the sisters go off in separate directions. Like most of their blowouts, they think they'll cool off and resume the trip like normal the next morning. Only this time when dawn comes, a young woman's body is discovered in the lake. As a criminal investigation narrows in on their family home, it becomes clear that the sister's web of lies and secrets is inextricably linked to the woman in the lake.
Critique: Original, deftly crafted, and a simply riveting read from start to finish, "The Summer House Murder" by Ava Roberts is a perfectly crafted murder mystery that will have suspense thriller fans enthralled right up to the climatic finale. An extraordinary and unreservedly recommended pick for community/public library Contemporary Mystery/Suspense Fiction collections, it should be noted for personal reading lists that this hardcover edition of "The Summer House Murder" is also readily available in paperback (9798892424851, $19.99) and in a digital book format (Kindle, $14.99).
Editorial Note: Ava Roberts (www.authoravaroberts.com) is a clinical psychologist turned author who knows that the most unsettling things often lurk just beneath the surface. She is the author of The Vanishing Neighbor, Juniper Isle, the Thistler Thrillers series.
Hollywood Payback
Jon Lindstrom
Crooked Lane Books
www.crookedlanebooks.com
9798892423991, $29.99, HC, 336pp
Amazon
https://www.amazon.com/Hollywood-Payback-Thriller-Jon-Lindstrom/dp/B0FCRG5M6F
Barnes & Noble
https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/hollywood-payback-jon-lindstrom/1147779958
Synopsis: Twenty years ago, Jake Ferguson threw his life away. Once a promising Hollywood actor, he crashed and burned the usual way: with coke, booze, and pills. When that path reached its inevitable end, he made a desperate choice, and an innocent woman was killed. Before being convicted and shipped to Folsom Prison, Jake agreed to testify against his own partners-in-crime as the star witness for the prosecution.
Now Jake is reentering society -- coming home to an LA he no longer recognizes and to a life that has lost all meaning. Then he meets Carla, a waitress who understands him better than he expects, and he begins to believe deliverance may be possible after all. Until one night, a murder is committed right in front of him, and Jake knows he's been set up.
With authorities closing in and more lives on the line, there's only one way out, for himself and for the people he cares about: revenge.
Critique: As an author of suspense thriller novels, Jon Lindstrom has an impressive talent for the kind of character and narrative driven storytelling style that is perfect for the murder mystery genre. "Hollywood Payback" continues Lindstrom's remarkable reputation for deftly crafted a riveting read from start to finish. While highly recommended for community library Mystery/Suspense collections. It should be noted for the growing legions of Jon Lindstrom fans that this hardcover edition of "Hollywood Payback" is also available for personal reading lists in paperback (9798892425094, $19.99) and in a digital book format (Kindle, $14.99).
Editorial Note: Jon Lindstrom (https://www.jonlindstrom.com) is a four-time Emmy nominee who can be found in studio movies, in independent films, and in literally thousands of hours of TV, working with several A-list directors and alongside many of Hollywood's biggest names. An award-winning filmmaker, Jon's films have won multiple film festival accolades. His writing has won recognition at the Launchpad Prose Competition twice and several top screenplay competitions. For several years, he was also the drummer for the High Lonesome, scoring two hits on the Billboard Hot 100.
House of the Rising Sun
K'wan
Akashic Books
www.akashicbooks.com
9781636142890, $26.99, HC, 200pp
Amazon
https://www.amazon.com/House-Rising-Sun-Kwan/dp/1636142893
Barnes & Noble
https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/house-of-the-rising-sun-kwan/1148277246
Synopsis: When the Howell family moves into a house on Heckler Lane, it causes quite a stir around the small town of Sunny Cove, Pennsylvania. Elise Howell, a well-known cardio surgeon, has returned home after fifteen years to fill her recently deceased mother's position at Sunny Cove General Hospital. In a town this size, it's big news. But it's Elise's new husband, Artie, who has the whole town talking.
Artie Howell is a man who always seems to be wearing a smile. He's an accomplished crime fiction writer, a soccer dad to their young son Nicky, and he volunteers his weekends teaching creative writing to youths in the local detention center. When they first arrived at Heckler Lane, the Howells had seemed like a wholesome American family.
Then came the murders.
A nun turning up missing from the Convent of St. Mary becomes the first in a string of unexplained tragedies that have befallen the town. Tragedies that all seem to be tied to scenes from Artie's novels. The writer now finds himself as the prime suspect in an investigation that threatens to not only tear apart his family, but the entire town of Sunny Cove.
Critique: Another deftly crafted suspense thriller of a novel by K'wan, "House of the Rising Sun" will prove to dedicated 'whodunnit' murder mystery and organized crime enthusiasts to be a fun and fascinating read from start to finish. An absolute 'must' for the legions of K'wan fans and an unreservedly recommended pick for community library Mystery/Suspense collections, it should be noted for personal reading lists that this hardcover edition of "House of the Rising Sun" from Akashic Books is also readily available in paperback (9781636142906, $16.99) and in a digital book format (Kindle, $16.95).
Editorial Note: K'wan (www.bookseriesinorder.com/kwan-foye) has become one of the most beloved, iconic Black writers of the last two decades with his artful, suspenseful storytelling and over a million books combined in print. He has penned more than two dozen best-selling novels, including the widely popular Animal series, as well as False Idols, The Reluctant King and Black Lotus. K'wan's writing has been featured in Vibe, Pages, King, Library Journal, Entertainment Weekly, and Time, to name a few. He was the recipient of the Street Lit Book Award Medal in adult fiction in 2012 and 2013 for Eviction Notice and Animal, and has been a recurring guest on TV One's Celebrity Crime Files.
Falls the Shadow
Mike Nicol
Catalyst Press
https://www.catalystpress.org
9781960803313, $21.95, PB, 384pp
Amazon
https://www.amazon.com/Falls-Shadow-Catalyst-International-Crime/dp/196080331X
Barnes & Noble
https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/falls-the-shadow-mike-nicol/1147044558
Synopsis: "Falls the Shadow" is about a family murder by a cop who turns the gun on himself. In the shed behind his cottage is a cache of weapons: Russian automatics, handguns, 9mils, .38s.
You don't need forensics to work out what's gone wrong. This is a cop with a side racket. Which gets the attention of Captain Zara Dewane of the Internal Crime Unit.
What she uncovers about the family murder puts her in the firing line. There are cops running guns stolen from the police armory. There are cops selling guns to gangsters. Thing is, the money chain goes deep into the police hierarchy. Even fingers the political bosses.
"Close her down," comes the order from on high. Kill her, in other words. Making Zara and her family targets. With only one way out!
Critique: A terrific pick for suspense/thriller fans, "Falls The Shadow" by novelist Mike Nicol (and the newest title in the 'Catalyst International Crime Series') is original, deftly crafted, and a simply riveting read from start to finish. While unreservedly recommended for community library Mystery/Suspense collections, it should be noted for personal reading lists that this paperback edition of "Falls The Shadow" from Catalyst Press is also readily available in a digital book format (Kindle, $10.99).
Editorial Note: Mike Nicol (www.bookseriesinorder.com/mike-nicol) is an author, journalist, editor and a teacher of creative and non-fiction narrative writing. He has published a number of crime thrillers. His thrillers have all featured on the KrimiZeit Top 10 in Germany and he has been shortlisted for the VN Thriller of the Year award in Holland and the Prix SNCF Du Polar in France. His non-fiction includes memoirs, biographies and reportage. He has also published two volumes of poetry.
One Beautiful Year of Normal
Sandra K. Griffith
https://sandrakgriffith.com
She Writes Press
www.shewritespress.com
9798896360803, $17.99, PB, 312pp
Amazon
https://www.amazon.com/One-Beautiful-Year-Normal-Novel/dp/B0FD8RGZT9
Barnes & Noble
https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/one-beautiful-year-of-normal-sandra-k-griffith/1147633531
Synopsis: Some memories protect you. Others imprison you. When August Caine receives a phone call from a Savannah attorney, she is blindsided by the news -- her Aunt Helen has passed away. But how can that be, when August's mother insisted Helen died in a car accident fifteen years ago? Determined to uncover the truth, August returns to the deep South, where the ghosts of her past (both real and imagined) await her.
Plagued by a memory splintered by her father's unsolved murder when she was a child and further tangled by psychiatric treatments for the debilitating depression she struggles with, August realizes her survival depends on unraveling the mystery surrounding her father's death. This means returning to the one safe place she remembers from the childhood she has mostly locked away inside her mind: Aunt Helen's home, and the ghost tours they created together.
A chilling exploration of mental illness, mother-daughter bonds, and generational secrets, "One Beautiful Year of Normal" follows August as she pieces together the long-buried truths that shaped her family's tragic past and confronts the question that has haunted her for years: Can the truth set her free, or will it unravel everything she thought she knew?
Critique: Original, exceptional, deftly crafted, "One Beautiful Year of Normal" by Sandra K. Griffith is a simply fascinating psychological thriller of a read from start to finish. As an author, Griffith reveals an impressively genuine flair for the kind of character and narrative driven storytelling style that provides a simply riveting read from cover to cover. While this paperback edition of "One Beautiful Year of Normal" from She Writes Press is especially and unreservedly recommended for community library Contemporary Mystery/Suspense collections, it should be noted for personal reading lists that it is also available in a digital book format (Kindle, $12.99).
Editorial Note: Sandra K. Griffith (https://sandrakgriffith.com) is a doctorate-level psychologist with extensive clinical and forensic experience, the owner of a behavioral health agency, and an adjunct instructor at Marshall University. Her expertise in mental health, trauma, and the complexities of memory informs her deeply psychological and atmospheric storytelling.
Payback
Elizabeth Rose Quinn
www.elizabethrosequinn.com
Thomas & Mercer
c/o Amazon Publishing
9781662524820, $16.99, PB, 287pp
Amazon
https://www.amazon.com/Payback-Elizabeth-Rose-Quinn/dp/166252482X
Synopsis: Welcome to Pay to Stay, Los Angeles's premier minimum-security facility where the privileged serve time Friday to Monday only.
But this New Year's weekend, seven inmates (including a driven campaign manager, a disgraced nurse, a party girl, and one mysterious male transfer) discover their abusive guard dead, wrapped in an ironic "Community Payback" vest. Now they must solve his murder before their cushy arrangement becomes a permanent stay in maximum security.
As a storm rages outside and the power fails, alliances shift within. With police knocking at their door and an emotional support iguana named Nacho as their witness, these inmates hustle to collect evidence and plan a killer party -- all while dodging suspicion. Because someone in this concrete block is a murderer. And everyone is a suspect.
But as New Year's Eve approaches and bodies pile up, these unlikely allies discover that in Pay to Stay, some debts can only be paid in blood.
Critique: A unique, fascinating, and riveting read from cover to cover, author Elizabeth Rose Quinn's new novel, "Payback" is an extraordinary and unreservedly recommended pick for the personal reading lists of humor laced psychological thriller fiction and community library Contemporary Mystery/Suspense collections. It should be noted that this paperback edition of "Payback" from Thomas & Mercer is also available to interested readers in a digital book format (Kindle, $4.99).
Editorial Note: Elizabeth Rose Quinn (www.elizabethrosequinn.com) is a novelist and screenwriter. She graduated with a BA in English from UC Berkeley and a master's degree in marriage and family therapy. Born and raised in Berkeley, California, Elizabeth lived in Los Angeles for fifteen years while working in production and writing for television. Her novel Follow Me was optioned by Amazon MGM Studios and is currently in production as a feature film. She is married with two children and lives in New Mexico.
The Roaring Ridleys
K. M. Colley
Thomas & Mercer
c/o Amazon Publishing
9781662536113, $16.99, PB, 283pp
Amazon
https://www.amazon.com/Roaring-Ridleys-Novel-K-M-Colley/dp/1662536119
Synopsis: In the glittering world of 1920s New York, the seven Ridley heirs seem to have it all: wealth, status, and protection as the city's most powerful family. But when notorious gossip columnist Dale Caimen is found dead during their family's renowned summer soiree, their carefully constructed world begins to crack.
Behind the champagne and jazz, each adopted Ridley sibling harbors secrets that could destroy them. There's Amelia, the responsible eldest trying to hold it all together; Adesua, whose artistic ambitions in the Harlem Renaissance threaten her family's expectations; and wild child Kavita, whose dangerous nights in speakeasies may have finally caught up with her.
As the murder investigation intensifies, long-buried tensions surface and family loyalties unravel. Someone knows the truth about the Ridleys -- and they're willing to kill to expose it. In a world where appearance is everything and power comes at a deadly price, the siblings must decide what matters more: protecting the family name or each other.
Critique: An original suspense thriller of a novel and laced throughout with romance, mystery and murder, "The Roaring Ridleys" by K. M. Colley is an extraordinary and fun read from start to finish. Colley's African-American character and narrative driven storytelling style makes "The Roaring Ridleys" a perfect pick for community library Contemporary Fiction collections. It should be noted for personal reading lists that this paperback edition of "The Roaring Ridleys" from Thomas & Mercer is also readily available in a digital book format (Kindle, $3.99).
Editorial Note: K. M. Colley writes thrillers, contemporary mysteries, and cinematic stories that explore legacy and ambition. Her work often centers around powerful families, glamorous settings, and complex characters. A listing of her books is available online at Goodreads (https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/58310892.K_M_Colley)
Two Truths and a Lie
Mark Stevens
Thomas & Mercer
c/o Amazon Publishing
9781662529627, $16.99, PB, 462pp
Amazon
https://www.amazon.com/Two-Truths-Lie-Thriller-Martin/dp/1662529627
Synopsis: Lambasted for a tragedy caught live on camera, then lauded for her help capturing the elusive PDQ, a serial killer, Flynn Martin's career has reached new heights. But now, the TV journalist and mother has much further to fall. And someone wants to push her over the edge.
PDQ is behind bars, for life and then some, but someone on the outside has picked up the killer's mantle. Flynn is neck-deep in an investigation when the copycat emerges, targeting her sources and delivering cryptic messages. It's clear that Flynn's stories are getting deadlier. This one proves no exception.
A family of four has gone missing, leaving behind ties to New Hope Church more tangled than they appear. The dangerous web rivals the threat in Flynn's personal life. And it's up to her to unravel each knot.
Scandal. Conspiracy. Murder. Flynn hardly knows where to begin -- and if her stalker has their way, she might not live to see the end.
Critique: "Two Truths And A Lie" is sequel to author Mark Steven's novel "No Lie Lasts Forever", and continues the adventures of TV journalist and reluctant amateur female sleuth Flynn Martin. Once again, as a novelist, Mark Stevens demonstrates his genuine flair for the kind of character and narrative driven storytelling style that is ideal for the mystery genre. "Two Truths And A Lie" from Thomas & Mercer is especially and unreservedly recommended for community library Mystery/Suspense collections. It should also be noted for personal reading lists that this paperback edition of "Two Truths And A Lie" is also available in a digital book format (Kindle, $4.99).
Editorial Note: Mark Stevens has worked both in public relations and as a reporter and national TV news producer. His 2023 title The Fireballer was named Best Baseball Fiction Book by Twin Bill literary magazine and Best Baseball Book of the Year by Spitball Magazine. Stevens is a three-time Colorado Book Award finalist and the 2015 winner for Trapline, which also earned the Colorado Authors League Award for Best Genre Fiction. His Antler Dust was a Denver Post bestseller in 2007 and 2009. Stevens has published short stories in Ellery Queen Mystery Magazine, Mystery Tribune, and Denver Noir. A two-time Rocky Mountain Fiction Writers Writer of the Year, he hosts a regular podcast for RMFW and has served as president of the Rocky Mountain chapter for Mystery Writers of America. He also writes book reviews, which are posted at https://markhstevens.wordpress.com
The Fantasy/SciFi Shelf
Tears of the Flames
Sisi Zhao
https://www.sisizhao.com
Independently Published
9798999811608, $30.99, HC, 623pp
Amazon
https://www.amazon.com/Tears-Flames-Sisi-Zhao/dp/B0GCQKBPDP
Barnes & Noble
https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/tears-of-the-flames-sisi-zhao/1148978350
Synopsis: How far would you go to save a stranger? How far would you go to save a friend? Your parents? Your children? And when the world is coming to an end, how far would you go to save their souls -- all of them, knowing there's a price for everything, even though you can simply choose to reset the entire universe?
"Tears of the Flames" by Sisi Zhao is romance-free contemporary dark fantasy that explores the purpose of life and death through a gripping story of betrayal, loss, hope, love, and sacrifice that embodies the internal conflicts and struggles of women in motherhood.
When thirteen-year-old Mira Murphy is assaulted in the woods, a terrible power awakens in her. Strange events follow, causing mass panic and unprecedented chaos in her town while Mira herself is caught in a strange fever dream that runs in a loop.
Two years later, Mira discovers that her parents are withholding a big secret from her, and her trust in them begins to crumble. She then meets Lilith, a girl from China, who soon becomes her best and only friend.
Unfortunately, the two girls find themselves trapped in a dark alley one night by a gang of thugs, and the same power awakens in Mira once more, saving Lilith from the gang and bringing the same ill fate upon their town.
Having witnessed Mira's true form, Lilith chooses to believe Mira's real identity is a mythical being that represents purity and goodness rather than evil. Yet despite Lilith's unwavering faith in Mira and her role as a savior, Mira can't help but suspect she is, in fact, the Devil.
After Mira finally confronts her parents about their big secret, a mysterious power reveals itself to her as the owner of one of the three voices she has been hearing in her head. As old memories gradually return, Mira realizes she can no longer hide from the truth.
Meanwhile, a secret organization has finally obtained the mythical Pandora's box and uncovered the identity of the hope they seek, and plans have been set in motion to secure it at all costs.
Before Mira can decide how to tell the truth about herself to Lilith, a company of heavily armed soldiers arrives in her neighborhood, ordering everyone in the area to evacuate immediately. Though both her parents and Lilith are by her side, Mira will soon have to make a series of very difficult choices...
Will Mira be able to face the truth and live up to Lilith's expectation in the end? What is the hidden meaning behind her recurring dreams? What kind of secret is being withheld from her by her parents? Who are the owners of the three voices in her head? Who are the people that are coming after her and why? Who is she, really, and what is her role in this world? And most importantly, will she be able to save the world and everyone she has come to care for -- from herself?
Critique: Original, deftly crafted, fascinating, and a simply fascinating read from start to finish, "Tears of the Flames" by novelist Sisi Zhao is an extraordinary action/adventure fantasy saga showcasing the author's genuine flair for the kind of character and narrative driven storytelling style that fully engages the reader's rapt attention throughout. While especially and unreservedly recommended for the personal reading lists of dedicated mythology/fantasy fans and community library Fantasy Fiction collections, it should be noted that this hardcover edition of "Tears of the Flames" is also readily available in paperback (9798999811684, $20.99) and in a digital book format (Kindle, $9.99).
Editorial Note: Sisi Zhao (https://www.sisizhao.com) had, in 2021, her life disrupted by the sudden onset of a health condition, amid which, she decided to write a story to inspire and, hopefully, bring a little bit of sunshine to those who are also hurting in life. Now, Sisi focuses on improving her health to embrace a new stage in womanhood and motherhood, and she continues to enjoy her love for beautiful and magical things (like animals, plants, music, art, museums, conjuring up stories, and reading) as she resumes her childhood search for a genie to grant her the wish to restore love and peace to the heart of every lonely, lost, hurt, angry, sad soul in the world.
Our Lady of Blades
Sebastien de Castell
https://decastell.com
Hachette Mobius
https://www.mobiusbooksus.com
9781787471511, $28.00, HC, 592pp
Amazon
https://www.amazon.com/Our-Lady-Blades-Sebastien-Castell/dp/1787471519
Barnes & Noble
https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/our-lady-of-blades-sebastien-de-castell/1148449187
Synopsis: Rijou's notorious Court of Blades is as corrupt as it is cutthroat, destroying lives with impunity. Now the city's all-powerful Ascendant Houses have started buying and selling verdicts to enslave and even execute those who oppose them.
Into this depraved world of licensed death comes a mysterious duelist who dares to foil the intrigues of the city's elite. They call her Lady Consequence, but years ago she had a different name, until her family was slaughtered and she was consigned to a hellish prison known as the House of Tears.
Lady Consequence means to rescue her idealistic younger brother, restore their House and wreak vengeance upon those who betrayed them. But a far more dangerous game is unfolding in the shadows, one which threatens the freedom of the entire nation.
Critique: An impressively original and deftly crafted saga of a novel, "Our Lady of Blades" (the second title in 'The Court of Shadows' series) continues to demonstrate author Sebastien de Castell's extraordinary mastery of the Epic Heroic Fantasy genre, with a genuine flair for character and narrative driven storytelling style. Readers will be plunged into an historical fantasy world and a compelling, 'point of a sword' vengeance quest replete with unexpected plot twists and turns up until the memorable finale. While an especially and unreservedly recommended pick for community library Fantasy Fiction collections, it should be noted for the personal reading lists of dedicated heroic fantasy fans that this hardcover edition of "Our Lady of Blades" from Hachette Mobius is also readily available in a digital book format (Kindle, $10.99).
Editorial Note: Sebastien de Castell (https://decastell.com) is the author of the acclaimed swashbuckling fantasy series The Greatcoats which was shortlisted for the Goodreads Choice Award for Best Fantasy, the Gemmell Morningstar Award for Best Debut, the Prix Imaginales for Best Foreign Work and the John W. Campbell Award for Best New Writer. Additionally, his YA fantasy series Spellslinger was nominated for the Carnegie Medal and is published in more than a dozen languages.
The Great When: A Long London Novel
Alan Moore
Bloomsbury Publishing
www.bloomsbury.com
9781635578843, $29.99, HC, 336pp
Amazon
https://www.amazon.com/Great-When-Long-London-Novel/dp/1635578841
Barnes & Noble
https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-great-when-alan-moore/1143774841
Synopsis: In 1949, amidst the smog of London, Dennis Knuckleyard, a hapless eighteen year-old employed by a second-hand bookshop, discovers a novel that simply does not exist. It is a fictitious book, one only existing within another novel. Yet it is physically there in his hands. How?
Dennis has stumbled on a book from the Great When, a magical version of London beyond time and space, where reality blurs with fiction and concepts such as Crime and Poetry are incarnated as wondrous, terrible beings. But this other, magical London must remain a secret: if Dennis cannot find a way to return this book to where it belongs, he risks facing gruesome and grave repercussions.
So begins a journey delving deep into the city's occult underbelly and tarrying with an eccentric cast of sorcerers, gangsters, and murderers -- some from legend, some frighteningly real, and all with plans of their own. Soon Dennis finds himself at the center of an explosive series of events that may alter and endanger both Londons forever!
Critique: Original, exceptional, extraordinary, and a simply riveting read from start to finish, "The Great When: A Long London Novel" by Alan Moore will hold immense appeal for fans of adventure packed 'alternate universe' style science fiction where the real world and fantasy world are deftly intertwined. Especially and unreservedly recommended for community/public library Science Fiction & Fantasy collections, it should be noted for personal reading lists that this hardcover edition of "The Great When: A Long London Novel" is now also available in paperback (9781639737345, $18.99) and in a digital book format (Kindle, $9.99).
Editorial Note: Alan Moore is an English writer widely regarded as the most influential writer in the history of comics. His seminal works include From Hell, Lost Girls and The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen. He is also the author of Voice of the Fire, Jerusalem, the short story collection Illuminations, and also The Great When -- the first in the five-book Long London series.
DAZI-LAND
Bogart Woodsdale
BW Publishing
9798994971512, $17.99, PB, 422pp
Amazon
https://www.amazon.com/DAZI-LAND-Bogart-Woodsdale/dp/B0GQZ2Z8MY
Synopsis: In 2020, Democratic Sozialists eked out a questionable presidential victory, pushing mild reforms at first to avoid alarming voters. But once election outcomes were secure, they unleashed their wildest ideological fantasies upon the states.
For nearly eighty years since that first election, DAZIs have held the American people captive and twisted their way of life into a grotesque caricature of what it once was. Police and justice have faded into memory. Spectacular psychos dominate entertainment.
But a challenger to the whole system has finally come of age -- the granddaughter of the country's most famous vigilante. She's ready to inherit the legacy of fighting for what's right.
Author Bogart Woodsdale makes his debut with DAZI-LAND, a dystopian satirical thriller set in a near-future United Sozialist States of America. Blending absurd humor, action, and philosophical themes, it explores power, spectacle, and the cost of resisting the architects of a world designed to fall apart.
Critique: Original, deftly crafted, thought-provoking, and an inherently riveting read from start to finish, "DAZI-LAND" will hold a special and compelling fascination for readers with an interest in dystopian novels that are direct (and indirect) extrapolations of contemporary political trends. While an especially and unreservedly recommended pick for community library Science Fiction collections, it should be noted for personal reading lists that this paperback edition of "DAZI-LAND" from BW Publishing is also readily available in a digital book format (Kindle, $4.99).
Editorial Note: Bogart Woodsdale is the pen name of a former blue-collar worker in a dangerous trade. After years of searching bestseller lists for the kind of novel he wanted to read, he decided to write one himself. It is interesting to note that "DAZI-LAND" was rewritten more than forty times before he was satisfied it matched the content and standard he had been chasing as a reader.
Only Spell Deep
Ava Morgyn
St. Martin's Griffin
c/o St. Martin's Publishing Group
https://us.macmillan.com/st-martins-griffin
9781250363763, $18.99, PB, 352pp
Amazon
https://www.amazon.com/Only-Spell-Deep-Ava-Morgyn/dp/1250363764
Barnes & Noble
https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/only-spell-deep-ava-morgyn/1147243892
Synopsis: Judeth Cole has always had certain uncanny abilities. But when she arrived at Solidago, her grandfather's estate by the sea, she was forced to keep them secret. There she lived a harsh life under his rule and the haunting legacy of her late grandmother, Aurelia. Until the fateful day she ignited a fire with her magic. It was the last time she saw her family alive.
Seventeen years later, she's living in Seattle as Jude Clark, and failing at life, when she makes a last detour through her favorite bookstore, selecting a book to read as she waits to die. But when she pulls it from the shelf, an invitation to her for a clandestine midnight meeting slips out.
Jude is quickly swept up into a world of secrets and magic, discovering a circle of powerful new companions led by the mysterious, enigmatic Arla. The source of their magic, Arla tells her, is an entity, trapped and bound, that they call The Fathom. But Jude swiftly realizes Arla wants this power all to herself, and that she's willing to kill for it.
Terrified, Jude turns to Levi, the handsome bookseller who's seen her at her worst. With his help, she begins a research journey that leads her all the way back to Solidago, the house she swore to never return to. Now, the Fathom threatening to break free and Arla on the hunt, Jude must finally face her past to save her future.
Critique: Original, compelling, and with a particular appeal to fans of fantasy, magic, wizards and witches. "Only Spell Deep" showcases novelist Ava Morgyn's flair as a storyteller for deftly crafting an introducing her readers to a very special world of suspense, danger, and the occult. While an extraordinary and unreservedly recommended pick for the personal reading lists of dedicated fantasy fans and community library Fantasy Fiction collections, it should be noted that this paperback edition of "Only Spell Deep" from St. Martin's Griffin is also readily available in a digital book format (Kindle, $11.99) and as a complete and unabridged audio book (Tantor, 9798228796294, $45.95, CD).
Editorial Note: Ava Morgyn (https://www.avamorgyn.com) grew up falling in love with all the wrong characters in all the wrong stories, then studied English writing and rhetoric at St. Edward's University. She is a lover of witchcraft, tarot, and powerful women with bad reputations, and she currently resides in Houston with her family, surrounded by antiques and dog hair. When not at her laptop spinning darkly hypnotic tales, she writes for her blog on child loss, hunts for vintage treasures, and reads the darkest books she can find. She is also the author of the adult novels The Witches of Bone Hill and The Bane Witch, as well as the young adult novels Resurrection Girls and The Salt in Our Blood.
We Become Darkness
Grace Morrow
Alcove Press
www.alcovepress.com
9798892424745, $29.99, HC, 352pp
Amazon
https://www.amazon.com/We-Become-Darkness-Grace-Morrow/dp/B0FCRG5998
Barnes & Noble
https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/we-become-darkness-grace-morrow/1147568323
Synopsis: Thalia, Princess of Agripa, has spent the last four years hunting her ex-lover, Cassius -- the man who shattered her heart and betrayed her kingdom by becoming a Vampyr.
Vampyrs and humans have had a tenuous past since Thalia's father and sister were murdered thirteen years ago. But with Agripa's ore supply (the lifeblood of human cities) running out, Thalia's mother strikes a desperate and dangerous deal: Thalia will marry a Vampyr prince in exchange for their ore.
Thalia is blindsided by the arrangement -- and horrified to find Cassius, now serving as the prince's Hand, is the man tasked with bringing her to the Vampyr kingdom safely. To save her people, she agrees to the marriage -- but she plans to dismantle the Vampyr kingdom from within by killing the prince.
The Vampyr court is rife with danger and secrets, and Cassius is always watching. When a monstrous new threat emerges, Thalia realizes the safety and security of their world is far more fragile than she ever believed.
Caught between duty and desire, Thalia must grapple with her feelings for Cassius and decide if she will fulfill her duty to the human crown or embrace the darkness within herself to protect both realms.
Critique: Original, cleverly scripted, and a simply riveting read from cover to cover, "We Become Darkness" by Grace Morrow is an impressive new addition to the ever expanding library of Vampire Fiction. With a genuine flair for the kind of character and narrative driven storytelling style that creates a tale of dark romance, action and adventure that will linger in the mind and memory of the reader long after the novel has been finished and set back upon the shelf, "We Become Darkness" is especially and unreservedly recommended for personal reading lists of vampire story fans and community library Fantasy Fiction collections. It should be noted that this hardcover edition of "We Become Darkness" from Alcove Press is also readily available in paperback (9798892424752, $19.99) and in a digital book format (Kindle, $14.99).
Editorial Note: Grace Morrow (https://authorgracemorrow.com) is an author of magic, mayhem, and mischief. As an art historian, she strives to integrate the feelings one might have when looking at a remarkable piece of art into her books.
Hell's Heart
Alexis Hall
Tor Books
c/o Tor/Forge Books
www.tor-forge.com
9781250394958, $29.99, HC, 464pp
Amazon
https://www.amazon.com/Hells-Heart-Alexis-Hall/dp/1250394953
Barnes & Noble
https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/hells-heart-alexis-hall/1146968904
Synopsis: They are monsters, legends, gods. They are our prey.
Earth is dead. Which leaves us stuck living in atmospheric domes on planets that will kill us if we blink wrong, or run out of fuel. And by "fuel" I mean "the cerebrospinal fluid of gargantuan, quasi-psychic space monsters".
I joined the hunt hoping to get paid and maybe laid, but mostly paid. Instead, I followed a captain chasing abominations in the skies of Jupiter.
We battled the Mobius Beast itself, there in the red eye of the world.
Spoiler: We lost.
Critique: As an author, Alexis Hall is as original and imaginative as he is spell-binding. "Hell's Heart" is rendered a simply riveting read from start to finish due to a genuine flair for the kind of character defining and narrative driven storytelling style that conjures an authenticity to an extended tale of iconoclastic fantasy space opera with an LGBTQ+ themed storyline. A unique and fun read, "Hell's Heart" is especially recommended to the attention of science fiction fans and community library Science Fiction/Fantasy collections. It should be noted for personal reading lists that this hardcover edition of "Hell's Heart" from Tor Books is also available in a digital book format (Kindle, $14.99).
Editorial Note: Some years ago, having little or no money in their purse, and nothing particular to interest them on shore, Alexis Hall (https://quicunquevult.com/books) thought they would sail about a little and see the watery part of the world. Unfortunately the boat they were in sank with all hands, and they were rescued only by a passing whaler. They have since become a novelist.
A Spell for Saints and Sinners
Emily Carpenter
Kensington
c/o Kensington Publishing Corp.
www.kensingtonbooks.com
9781496750587, $18.95, PB, 432pp
Amazon
https://www.amazon.com/Spell-Saints-Sinners-Emily-Carpenter/dp/1496750586
Barnes & Noble
https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/a-spell-for-saints-and-sinners-emily-carpenter/1147750273
Synopsis: In front of an elegantly shabby townhouse on a Savannah side street sits a hand-painted sign: Miss Edie, Psychic. Ingrid White inherited the house and business from her beloved grandmother, a local celebrity in town. But unless Ingrid can find a way to pay for crushing property taxes and mounting repairs, she's going to lose them both.
Ingrid has faith in the homespun witchcraft Edie passed down to her, yet hope and clients are dwindling -- until Sailor Loeffler's bachelorette party changes everything.
Sailor is local royalty (part of the vast "Savannah Sauce" empire, beautiful and wealthy beyond imagining) and Ingrid's reading is so accurate that she becomes the bride-to-be's confidante. To keep that access and all the privileges it brings, Ingrid relies more and more on hexes and dark spells -- using the baneful magic Edie always warned her against.
As Ingrid works even riskier spells, she is drawn further into the Loefflers' inner circle and the obstacles in her path melt away. But is it witchcraft or other, more earthbound forces? Ingrid can feel the lines blurring even as her powers seem to grow, until she must confront the truth about just how far some people, including herself, will go to keep the life they've always wanted...
Critique: Original, deftly crafted, and an inherently fascinating read from start to finish, "A Spell for Saints and Sinners" effectively showcases author Emily Carpenter's vividly rendered and narrative driven storytelling style -- one that fully engages the reader's attention cover to cover. While this paperback edition of "A Spell for Saints and Sinners" is especially and unreservedly recommended for community/public library contemporary fantasy laced suspense thriller collections, it should be noted for personal reading lists of mystery fans that "A Spell for Saints and Sinners" is also available from Kensington in a digital book format (Kindle, $9.99).
Editorial Note: Emily Carpenter (www.EmilyCarpenterAuthor.com) is an author of suspense novels including Burying the Honeysuckle Girls, The Weight of Lies and Gothictown.
Queen of Faces
Petra Lord
Henry Holt & Company
www.henryholt.com
9781250362971, $22.99, HC, 432pp
Amazon
https://www.amazon.com/Queen-Faces-Petra-Lord/dp/1250362970
Barnes & Noble
https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/queen-of-faces-petra-lord/1147489092
Synopsis: Anabelle Gage is trapped in a male body, and it's rotting from the inside out. But Ana can't afford to escape it, even as the wealthiest in Caimor buy and discard expensive designer bodies without a thought. When she fails to gain admittance to the prestigious Paragon Academy (and access to the healthy new forms the school provides its students) her final hope implodes. Now without options, Ana must use her illusion magic to try to steal a healthy chassis -- before her own kills her.
But Ana is caught by none other than the headmaster of Paragon Academy, who poses a brutal ultimatum: face execution for her crime or become a mercenary at his command. Revolt brews in Caimor's smog-choked underworld, and the wealthy and powerful will stop at nothing to take down the rebels and the infamous dark witch at their helm, the Black Wraith.
With no choice but to accept, Ana will steal, fight, and kill her way to salvation. But her survival depends on a dangerous band of renegades: an impulsive assassin, a brooding bombmaker, and an alluring exile who might just spell her ruin. As Ana is drawn into a tangled web of secrets, the line between villain and hero shatters -- and Ana must decide which side is worth dying for.
Critique: Original, spelling-binding, exceptional, "Queen of Faces" by Petra Lord is an extraordinarily compelling and fun read from cover to cover. As an author, Lord's impressively effective and character/narrative driven storytelling style is ideally suited to action/adventure fantasy fiction and her debut novel, "Queen of Faces" (which is Book 1 of her Queen of Faces Series) will prove to be an immediately welcome and enduringly popular pick for community library Science Fiction & Fantasy collections. It should be noted for the personal reading lists of fantasy fans that this hardcover edition of "Queen of Faces" from Henry Hold & Company is also readily available in a digital book format (Kindle, $11.99).
Editorial Note: Petra Lord (www.petralord.com) has a BFA in TV Writing from New York University, which she uses to recommend TV shows to her parents and predict the endings of movies. She can be followed on Instagram @petralordauthor
The Redline Heist
Michael Mersault
Baen Books
www.baen.com
9781668073131, $28.00
Amazon
https://www.amazon.com/Redline-Heist-Michael-Mersault/dp/1668073137
The Redline Heist is the first book in the Doomsday Artifacts series, and pairs the excitement of a thriller with the absorbing possibilities of an alien treasure hunt. Set in the Confederated Worlds which house a thief, a supersoldier survivor, and a secret, a series of clashes and encounters by Warren Springer Stowe and Cherry Aisha offer a satisfying pairing of mystery, nonstop action, and alien encounters that will keep readers thoroughly engaged. The sense of discovery and shock and awe permeate a powerful saga that proves hard to put down.
Beyond the Rift
John Ringo and Lydia Sherrer
Baen Books
www.baen.com
9781668073124, $28.00
Amazon
https://www.amazon.com/Beyond-Rift-TransDimensional-Hunter-Ringo/dp/1668073129
Beyond the Rift is a TransDimensional Hunter novel about battles, counterstrikes and forces, and Lynn Raven's realization that she isn't battling for glory, but humanity's survival. Even though her enemy can't bee seen and is hard to fight, Lynn must find a way to make her mark on their activities or feel personally responsible for the extinction of her race. A fast-paced story packed with excitement and clashes makes for an adventure that is packed with twists, turns, and moments of enlightenment and surprise.
The Poetry Shelf
Having a Kink in the 'Tale'
Margrit Dahm
Vanguard Press
c/o Pegasus Publishers
https://pegasuspublishers.com/imprints/VANGUARD-PRESS
9781836711780, $9.99, PB, 60pp
Amazon
https://www.amazon.com/Having-Kink-Tale-Margrit-Dahm/dp/1836711786
Barnes & Noble
https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/having-a-kink-in-the-tale-margrit-dahm/1148934011
Synopsis: Having a Kink in the 'Tale' is a lively and imaginative collection of poems that brings together the magic of legend with the humour of everyday life. With playful wit and a sharp eye for human (and animal) nature, these poems breathe new life into classic tales, whilst also shining a light on the quirky realities of neighbours, friendships, and far-flung travels.
From talking birds and curious fieldmice to reflections on trips to Vancouver, Germany, Durham Cathedral, and the Yorkshire Dales, the poems move freely between the mythic and the mundane. Always accessible and frequently laugh-out-loud funny, they invite readers - especially teenagers and young adults - to engage, reflect, and enjoy the rhythm and rhyme of language.
Offering poetry with personality Having a Kink in the 'Tale' is thoughtful without being heavy, clever without being cynical, and above all, delightfully entertaining.
The author says: "I wrote these poems at the crucial time in my life when I had just lost a very close and dear motherly friend. She always encouraged me to keep on writing, and so writing became part of my grieving process which, and that's the surprising bit, also brought out the funny and witty side in me. The result is this manuscript which was stuck away under my table for quite a long while before I decided that it was worth getting it published."
Critique: Poetry takes a delightfully witty turn with Having a Kink in the 'Tale', a sparkling new collection that combines the charm of familiar legends with the humour of everyday observations. This whimsical and wonderfully readable collection invites readers of all ages (especially teens) to laugh, reflect, and rediscover storytelling through rhyme.
Drawing inspiration from timeless tales like David and Goliath, The Sorcerer's Apprentice, The Lorelei, and The Dragon and the Boy, these poems don't simply retell old stories - they reframe them with a twinkle in the eye and a sharpness of wit. Alongside these reimaginings the author also shares verses that explore neighbourhood oddities, the quirks of friendship, and oddball truths of international travel.
Nudging readers to think as they are entertained, this collection is destined to find favour in educational settings, where its verse can be enjoyed aloud, discussed in groups, or simply savoured during a quiet reading time.
Featuring original color illustrations that bring key poems to life and reinforce the collection's imaginative spirit, Having a Kink in the 'Tale' invites readers to rediscover the pleasure of playful verse. It also bears all the hallmarks required to become a literary favourite in homes, classrooms and libraries alike.
Margrit Dahm's vibrant poetry collection, Having a Kink in the 'Tale' invites readers into a world where legends are turned on their heads and everyday moments sparkle with wit. Bursting with playful language, unexpected twists, and colourful characters, this book of verse is fresh, humorous and perfect for curious minds, classroom laughter, and anyone who enjoys a clever rhyme.
Editorial Note: Born and raised in Germany, Margrit Dahm has spent a life shaped by language, travel, and cross-cultural experience. After studying modern languages, she moved to London, where a new chapter began - both personally and creatively. That same year, she married and relocated to Hong Kong with her Chinese husband, an experience that broadened her worldview and deepened her appreciation for storytelling across cultures.
Following six years abroad, she returned to London, where she earned her Teacher's Certificate and went on to complete both a BA and an MA in German Literature at the University of London. It was during this time that she rediscovered her passion for poetry, a medium that allowed her to blend linguistic precision with playful imagination.
She has since taught German to adults at a language school, while continuing to write verse that delights in the quirks of daily life, the richness of legend, and the gentle humour found in human nature. Having a Kink in the 'Tale' marks a joyful return to her poetic roots, offering readers of all ages a witty, warm-hearted journey through rhyme, reflection, and reinvention.
Having a Kink in the 'Tale' is the Margrit Dahm's eleventh published book.
The Audiobook Shelf
The Vatican Conspiracy
Rob Jones, author
Simon Mattacks, narrator
Boldwood Books
c/o Ulverscroft Large Print, Inc.
www.ulverscroft.com
9781806000401, $104.95/$89.21, CD (7 Hours 42 Minutes)
Amazon
https://www.amazon.com/Vatican-Conspiracy-Rob-Jones/dp/1806000474
Ulverscroft
https://www.ulverscroft.com/store/us/search/9781806000401
Synopsis: While on official UNESCO business in The Vatican Museum, Dr Max Hunter finds himself pulled in to a dark conspiracy of Biblical proportions! Summoned to the inner sanctum of the Vatican in the middle of the night, Hunter discovers his friend and colleague, Professor Marco Vitali, has been brutally murdered, using his dying moments to draw a message on the floor in his own blood providing a clue for Max to follow!
Not only that, but a high-ranking cardinal has been kidnapped, and a ransom note left... only the Powers That Be within the Vatican are holding information back from Hunter, making his mission to bring the murderer to justice all the harder.
And so with the currently suspended HARPA team assembling and flying across the world to help Max in this most mysterious of predicaments, the race is on to solve the riddle drawn out in blood, and stop an evil older than humanity resurfacing!
Critique: Rob Jones has published over 40 novels in the genres of action-adventure, suspense-thrillers -- and "The Vatican Conspiracy" is one of his murder/conspiracy themed novels yet! Brought to life in a true theatre of the mind experience by the narrative skills of veteran voice actor Simon Mattacks, this complete and unabridged CD audio book edition (with its hard plastic clamshell casing) from Boldwood Books will prove to be an immediate and enduringly appreciated addition to personal lists and community library audio book collections. It should be noted that "The Vatican Conspiracy" is also readily available in an MP3-CD format (9781806000418, $104.95/$89.21) and in a large print paperback edition (9781806000463, $$43.50/$36.98).
Editorial Note #1: There is a listing of books by Rob Jones available online at Book Series in Order -- https://www.bookseriesinorder.com/rob-jones
Editorial Note #2: Editorial Note #2: Simon Mattacks (https://www.simonmattacks.uk) has been doing audio book voice over work for more than 30 years.
Murder at the Duomo
T. A. Williams, author
Simon Mattacks, narrator
Boldwood Books
c/o Ulverscroft Large Print, Inc.
www.ulverscroft.com
9781837031368, $86.95/$73.91, CD (6 Hours 27 Minutes)
Amazon
https://www.amazon.com/Murder-at-Duomo-T-Williams/dp/1837031436
Ulverscroft
https://www.ulverscroft.com/store/us/search/9781837031368
Synopsis: As the sticky heat of August settles over Florence, Dan Armstrong is ready for a well-earned break -- sightseeing with fiancee Anna, daughter Tricia and her fiance Shaun. But when a British man is found dead inside the city's magnificent Duomo, Dan's plans quickly change.
The victim, Tristan Angel, is a super-wealthy arms dealer with a saintly name and a devilish reputation. But what was he doing in the cathedral, and who decided to make it his final confession?
At Angel's opulent villa in the hills of Fiesole, Dan and Commissario Virgilio encounter a colorful cast of suspects -- each one hiding secrets and none too eager to talk. As tempers rise and the heat outside grows ever more intense, Dan and his four-legged sidekick, Oscar, must sniff out the truth before the killer strikes again.
Critique: Another gem of a cozy mystery from author T. A. Williams, "Murder at the Duomo" continues the adventures of retired British policeman and current Italy based Private Investigator Dan Armstrong and his faithful dog Oscar. And once again the impressive, narrative driven storytelling talents of Simon Mattacks brings the story alive, making this complete and unabridged CD edition of "Murder at the Cuomo" from Boldwood Books provides a true 'theatre of the mind' experience for the listener. While absolutely recommended for community/public library mystery/suspense audio book collections, it should also be noted that it is readily available in an MP3-CD format (9781837031375, $86.95/$73.91) and in a large print paperback edition (9781837031382, $43.50/$36.98).
Editorial Note #1: There is a listing of books by T. A. Williams available online at Book Series in Order: https://www.bookseriesinorder.com/t-a-williams
Editorial Note #2: Editorial Note #2: Simon Mattacks (https://www.simonmattacks.uk) has been doing audio book voice over work for more than 30 years.
The Maiden Bell
John Pilkington, author
Simon Mattacks, narrator
Boldwood Books
c/o Ulverscroft Large Print, Inc.
www.ulverscroft.com
9781806009176, $93.95/$79.86, CD (7 Hours 43 Minutes)
Amazon
https://www.amazon.com/Maiden-Bell-John-Pilkington/dp/1806009242
Ulverscroft
https://www.ulverscroft.com/store/uk/search/9781806009176
Synopsis: In the isolated village of Lambourn there is great excitement when a family of itinerant bell-founders arrives to forge a new church bell. But excitement soon turns to terror when Will Stubbs, a saintly old man and churchwarden, is found dead in the woods.
Thomas the Falconer is charged by his master to find answers, but instead finds himself trying to restore order in the community when the village constable is also found dead. Suspicion falls on many, and Thomas must battle ancient fears and hostilities in the hunt for a murderer.
As panic ensues, Thomas does what he does best - following the trail and hunting his prey. But will it take the raising of the great bell itself to allow the pieces to fall into place at last -- and reveal the killer?
Critique: Another Tudor era murder mystery in author John Pilkington's simply outstanding 'Thomas the Falconer' series, "The Maiden Bell" is brought vividly to life in a magnificent audio book production narrated by Simon Mattacks. A complete and unabridged CD audio book edition of "The Maiden Bell" from Boldwood Books with its a hard plastic clam shell casing for an extended shelf life is exceptionally and unreservedly recommended for community library collections. It should be noted that "The Maiden Bell" is also readily available in an MP3-CD audio book format (9781806009183, $93.95/$79.86) and in a large print paperback edition (9781806009237).
Editorial Note #1: There is a listing of books by John Pilkington available online at https://www.bookseriesinorder.com/john-pilkington-historical-fiction
Editorial Note #2: Simon Mattacks (https://www.simonmattacks.uk) has been doing audio book voice over work for more than 30 years.
The Library CD Shelf
Bright Colors on a Dark Canvas
Naseem Alatrash
https://www.alatrashmusic.com
Levantine Music
$TBA CD / $9.00 digital
Bandcamp
https://naseemalatrash.bandcamp.com/album/bright-colors-on-a-dark-canvas
Bright Colors on a Dark Canvas is an original musical suite for cello, piano, percussion, and string orchestra (violins, violas, cellos, and acoustic bass), composed by Grammy-nominated cellist Naseem Alatrash. A grand assembly of talented music artists bring the suite to life, with featured solos and performances by Naseem Alatrash on cello, Chase Morrin on piano, and George Lernis on percussion. An extraordinary balance of Arabic musical heritage, contemporary classical traditions, and jazz stylings, Bright Colors on a Dark Canvas is intensely connected to the lived experience of Palestinian citizens. The track Riwaya ("Narrative") is dedicated to Alatrash's hometown of Bethlehem; the track Ramad ("Ashes") portrays the loss and devastation of war; the track Lifta is named after a historic Palestinian village and encapsulates the weariness of displacement and endless travel; and the track Risala ("A Message") is a final, hopeful yearning for the dream of return, reunion, and rebuilding. Bright Colors on a Dark Canvas is intensely poignant and tragic, yet does not surrender to seemingly endless despair. Profound and powerful, Bright Colors on a Dark Canvas is worthy of the highest recommendation for both personal and public library music CD collections. The tracks are Prelude; Riwaya (Narrative); Ramad (Ashes); Lifta; Echoing in the Hollow; Risala (Message) - Part I; and Risala (Message) Part II.
Patterns from Nature
Quinsin Nachoff
quinsin.com
Whirlwind Recordings
www.whirlwindrecordings.com
$14.00 CD / $32.00 vinyl / $10.00 digital
Bandcamp
https://whirlwindrecordings.bandcamp.com/album/patterns-from-nature
Patterns from Nature is a 45-minute suite album composed by Quinsin Nachoff and brought to emotionally moving life by Matt Mitchell on piano; Molinari String Quartet with Satoshi Takeishi on percussion; Francois Houle on clarinet and Carlo De Rosa on bass; Quinsin Nachoff on tenor saxophone; and Ryan Keberle on trombone. The soloist "spotlight" falls on different performers during the four movements of the first half; the second half is a saxophone concerto showcasing Nachoff's consummate talent and musical expertise to the fullest. Inspired by research into pattern formation conducted by physicist Stephen Morris, Patterns from Nature is a captivating work that transcends disciplines, and is highly recommended for both personal and public library avant-garde music collections. The tracks are Patterns from Nature: Branches; Flow; Cracks; Ripples and Winding Tessellations: Winding Paths; Convergence; and Tessellations.
Easter Island Suite
John Vanore and Abstract Truth
www.johnvanore.net
Acoustical Concepts, Inc.
$12.00 CD / $12.00 digital
Bandcamp
https://johnvanore.bandcamp.com/album/easter-island-suite
Inspired by Easter Island's iconic and enigmatic stone sculptures, Easter Island Suite is an original music album composed by trumpeter John Vanore. Vanore's captivating vision is brought to life by receives a symphonic performance from Vanore on trump and the ten-member ensemble Abstract Truth on a variety of instruments - piano, French horn, tenor saxophone, guitar, drums, and more. Easter Island suite is a full-length tour de force of imagination, highly recommended for both personal and public library collections, and also makes an excellent gift for musical connoisseurs! The tracks are Discovery (12:43); Gods and Devils (7:12); The Secret Caves (10:54); and Rano Raraku (Journey to the Lake) (15:31).
Kaleidoscope
Chronotope Project
Spotted Peccary
www.SpottedPeccary.com
$16.99 CD / $9.49 MP3
Amazon
https://www.amazon.com/Kaleidoscope-Chronotope-Project/dp/B0GCH2DTLT
Kaleidoscope is the seventh release from Chronotope Project on the Spotted Peccary Music label, featuring original compositions performed, recorded, and mixed by Jeffrey Ericson Allen, with acoustic steel string guitar on "Ariadne's Thread" by C. Forrest McDowell and drums on "Enigma" by Bill Black. The songs on Kaleidoscope include remixes of the highlights of Allen's 40+ year musical career and span a diversity of musical styles, from meditative ambient music to impressionist, jazz, nouveau-raga, classical, and post-classical minimalism. Extraordinary, enriching, and adventurous, Kaleidoscope is highly recommended especially for connoisseurs of breakout creativity! The tracks are Ariadne's Thread (remix); Medicine Wheel (remix); Enigma; Zikr Dance; Erda (Raga of the Earth remix); Spirit Walk; Geosynchronous (remix); Dance of the Raven Man; Automatic Writing (remix); Longing; and Clear Bell Ringing in Empty Sky (remix).
More Country Than You
Alex Miller
alexmillercountry.com
Billy Jam Records
$14.98 CD / $29.98 vinyl
Amazon
https://www.amazon.com/More-Country-Than-Alex-Miller/dp/B0GQCFM24G
Alex Miller continues to showcase the Traditional Country genre in More Country Than You, a music album featuring both songs that Miller co-composed and songs composed entirely by others. Miller's dynamic vocal and guitar performance is supported by a grand assembly of talented musicians on drums, bass, acoustic and electric guitar, fiddle, steel guitar, keyboards, and harmony/background vocals. More Country Than You is an indispensable treasure for the modern-day country music fan, and highly recommended for both personal and public library collections. The tracks are Too Much Fun (J. Knight/C. Wright); More Country Than You (A. Miller/E.A. Roberts/B. Whyte); As Far As His Mem'ry Lets Her Go (D. Owens/J. Salley); Just A Mom (W. Newton/S. Williams); The Byrd (A. Miller/J. Salley); Why Does My Heart Ache (A. Miller/J. Salley); Money Well Wasted (R. Arthur/A. Miller/C. Sweet); Secondhand Smoke (A. Jackson/J. McBride); Memories And Gin (A. Miller/B. Whyte); and The Ones That Take Me Home (M. BonDurant/A. Miller/J. Salley).
Mysticism for Intellectuals
John Sweenie
Privately Published
$TBA CD / $8.99 CAD digital
Bandcamp
https://johnsweenie.bandcamp.com/album/mysticism-for-intellectuals-2
Recorded live over the course of two nights, Mysticism for Intellectuals is a blend of modern jazz and indie-rock music styles shaped into seven vibrant songs. All songs are the original compositions of John Sweenie, performed by John Sweenie on saxophone, Jean-Michel Pilc on piano, Remi-Jean Leblanc on electric and upright bass, and Richard Irwin on drums. Mysticism for Intellectuals draws the listener in with its refreshing, experimental soundscape, and is a choice pick for especially for nurturing creativity and insight. Highly recommended! The tracks are In Memory of Roy Batty; Additive; When You're Gone (We Sing of You); Through The Clouds; Darling, We've Grown Apart; threehundredfortythreesecondsofimprovisation; and The Heartford Line.
The Night Sky
Robert Jospe Quartet
https://www.robertjospe.com
Privately Published
$TBA CD / $TBA digital
Creator's Website
https://robertjospe.hearnow.com
The Robert Jospe Quartet consists of Robert Jospe on drums, Daniel Clarke on piano, Paul Langosch on bass, and Chris Whiteman on guitar. Together they present The Night Sky, an album featuring arrangements of nine original creations and two covers of classic favorites. A fine balance of jazz and world music, The Night Sky is immersive, mind-expanding, inspirational, and highly recommended. The tracks are Crooked Mile (Robert Jospe); Samba Sunrise (Jospe); Pyramids (Jospe/Justin Nelson); Desert Dream (Jospe/Brian Mesko); Flashback (Jospe); The Night Sky (Jospe); The Golden Hour (Jospe/Nelson); Some Other Time (Leonard Bernstein); Take The A Train (Billy Strayhorn); Southern Doodle Dandy (Daniel Clarke); and Silver Lining (Jospe).
Ode to the Possible
Tom Lippincott
Privately Published
$TBA CD / $10.00 digital
Bandcamp
https://tomlippincott.bandcamp.com/album/ode-to-the-possible
Ode to the Possible is a genre-defying, original album composed and arranged by Tom Lippincott (except for improvised interludes) and performed by Tom Lippincott on 8-string guitar and electronics; David Fernandez on tenor and soprano sax; Marty Quinn on bass; Lucas Apostoleris on drums; and Camila Meza on vocals (only for the track "Zakir"). The music captures the spirit of dreaming about the future, and the drive to make those dreams real. Ranging in tone from tranquil and meditative to exuberantly adventurous, Ode to the Possible is an epic musical journey, highly recommended. The tracks are Preface/Overture 25; Bell Tower; Interlude 1; An Inhabitant of Carcosa; Interlude 2; Sisters and Brothers; Interlude 3; Stella by Searchlight; Interlude 4; Zakir; Interlude 5; Exit Strategy; Interlude 6; Trail of Tears; Interlude 7; Rational Peace; Interlude 8; Lynchian; and Epilogue.
Brasiliana
Mark Tonelli
marktonellimusic.com
Artists Recording Collective
artistsrecordingcollective.biz
$TBA CD / $9.00 digital
Bandcamp
https://marktonelli.bandcamp.com/album/brasiliana
Brasiliana is an original Brazilian jazz/hard bop album composed by Mark Tonelli and performed by Mark Tonelli on guitar, Raphael Ferreira on tenor and soprano sax, Guilherme Ribeiro on piano, Richard Metairon on bass, and Rodrigo Braz on drums. Brasiliana is a joyous celebration featuring vibrant rhythms, vivacious melodies, and an unabashed love of Brazil's musical and cultural heritage. Highly recommended, especially for connoisseurs of the genre! The tracks are Velha Alma; Four-Sided Circle; Minha Felicidade E Estar Com Voce; A Solidao Nao Tem Cura; Doi Mas E Bom; Bloco 3M; Praca Jardim Finotti; Twenty One Biscuits; and End of An Era.
Traces of Brazil, Voices of Toronto
Ona Ensemble
onaensemble.com
Duas Trompas
$TBA CD / $9.00 CAD digital
Bandcamp
https://onaensemble.bandcamp.com/album/traces-of-brazil-voices-of-toronto
Ona Ensemble is a Canadian chamber-jazz ensemble of world-class musicians who have each earned international recognition in their careers: horn players Olivia Esther and Victor Prado; soprano sax/flute/clarinet player Colleen Allen; bassoon player Sheba Thibodeau; composer and guitar player Andre Valerio; bassist rich brown; and drummer/percussionist Alan Hetherington. They showcase their combined talent in Traces of Brazil, Voices of Toronto, a music album of Andre Valerio's original compositions, vibrantly blending elements of both classical and Brazilian music. Traces of Brazil, Voices of Toronto is exciting, innovative, and a choice pick especially for connoisseurs of genre-defying imagination. Highly recommended! The tracks are Pro Olmir; Sem Voce; Sentimental; Do Seu Olhar; and Sambado.
Hellbent Daydream
Brandon Seabrook
brandonseabrook.com
Pyroclastic Records
pyroclasticrecords.com
$18.00 CD / $12.00 digital
Bandcamp
https://brandonseabrook.bandcamp.com/album/hellbent-daydream
Hellbent Daydream is the debut performance of Brandon Seabrook's quartet: composer Brandon Seabrook on guitars and banjo; Henry Fraser on bass; Erica Dicker on violin; and Elias Stemeseder on piano and synthesizers. Together, they have created a genre-defying instrumental album that uses music to create a surreal, enticing the soundscape that draws the listener in to its unpredictable flow. Hellbent Daydream is enticing, memorable, boundary-breaking, and highly recommended especially for connoisseurs of original avant-garde music. The tracks are Name Dropping is the Lowest Form of Conversation, Waltz; Bespattered Bygones; Hellbent Daydream; I'm a Nightmare and You Know It; Existential Banger Infinite Ceiling; The Arkansas Tattler; and Autopsied Cloudburst.
What If?
Joel Miller with Resonance New Music & Silvio Pupo
https://www.joelmillermusic.com
Independently Published
c/o Leaf Music Distribution
$TBA CD / $9.00 CAD digital
Bandcamp
https://joelmillermusic.bandcamp.com/album/what-if-2
What if classical and jazz traditions coexisted as interconnecting parts of a greater musical tradition, instead of competing with one another? Composer and saxophonist Joel Miller presents What If?, a music album consisting of both original compositions and reimagined arrangements of classic works by Debussy, Chopin, Mahler and Pachelbel. Performed by Joel Miller on saxophone, Cuban-Canadian Silvio Pupo on piano, Andrew Reed Miller on acoustic bass, Dami Sametz on violin, and Joel Cormier on percussion, What If? is both an exemplary new way to re-experience timeless masterpieces, and a bold venture that tests the boundaries of modern jazz. Highly recommended! The tracks are This and That; From this Lando; Harvey; Dew Drop in; Nos etoiles; Wait for it...; 24 Preludes, Op. 28: No. 1 in C Major (Arr. by Joel Miller); What a Wonderful World; Canon in D (Arr. by Joel Miller); and Joe Chevere.
The Art Shelf
Japan: A History in Objects
Angus Lockyer
Thames & Hudson, Inc.
www.thamesandhudsonusa.com
9780500481196, $45.00, HC, 272pp
Amazon
https://www.amazon.com/Japan-History-Objects-British-Museum/dp/0500481199
Barnes & Noble
https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/japan-angus-lockyer/1147800644
Synopsis: This compelling illustrated history in objects traces Japan's complex past through its material culture. Over 350 artifacts - from the everyday to the sacred - highlight significant moments and themes from ancient times until the present, including religion and culture, agriculture and industry, urbanization and immigration, and politics and trade. This ambitious visual account, spanning over fifteen thousand years of history, examines the materials, ideas, and cross-cultural connections that continue to shape Japan.
Historian Angus Lockyer reveals the stories behind an intriguing selection of objects from the British Museum Collection. The book explores the history of the region through artifacts, from the lengthy prehistoric record, through the rise of Buddhism and a military elite in Japan's classical and medieval periods, to the economic and cultural developments of the early modern and modern eras.
Ancient flame pots and jewelry, textiles and armor, folding screens and contemporary manga provide glimpses of the lives of farmers and merchants, medieval warriors, and modern women. A wide range of ceramics and sculpture, metalwork and lacquerware, paintings, prints, and textiles provide a rich and compelling portrait of a society and culture that occupies a special place in the imagination of its citizens and visitors.
Critique: A brilliantly presented history of the Japanese archipelago through its material artifacts over fifteen millennia, "Japan: A History in Objects" by historian and museum curator Angus Lockyer is enhanced for the reader's benefit with the inclusion of 350 full color illustrations, a six page Selected Bibliography, a one page listing of Acknowledgments and Credits, and a four page Index. Drawing from The British Museum collections and with insightful, informative, and erudite commentaries, "Japan: A History in Objects" from Thames & Hudson is an extraordinary and unreservedly recommended addition to personal, professional, community, and college/university library Japanese Art & History collections.
Editorial Note: Angus Lockyer is a historian of modern Japan, who taught Japanese, East Asian, and global history at SOAS University of London. He collaborated on the redesign of the British Museum's Mitsubishi Corporation Japanese Galleries (2006) and was a co-curator of the British Museum exhibition Hokusai: Beyond the Great Wave (2017). He currently teaches at the Rhode Island School of Design (RISD).
The Journalism Shelf
Deadline
Elizabeth Atwood
University of Missouri Press
https://upress.missouri.edu
9780826223432, $45.00, HC, 318pp
Amazon
https://www.amazon.com/Deadline-Violence-Journalists-Journalism-Perspective/dp/0826223435
Barnes & Noble
https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/deadline-elizabeth-atwood/1147239770
Synopsis: With the publication of "Deadline: 200 Years of Violence Against Journalists in the United States", Elizabeth Atwood (Professor of Journalism, Hood College) offers the first comprehensive look at the history of fatal attacks against journalists in the United States between 1829 and the present. Professor Atwood describes the political, technological, and economic context of these assaults, and includes brief biographies of the victims and accounts of what happened both them and to their assailants after the attacks.
To help us understand these attacks, Professor Atwood presents a framework for categorizing them, built on John Nerone's studies on assaults on American media workers. Professor Atwood also categorizes attacks against journalists as attacks against individuals, ideas, and media institutions, and undertaken to suppress reporting on certain topics and in the context of wars and other international or conflicts. Crucially, "Deadline" utilizes this framework to offer possible solutions to the issue of violence against journalists.
Professor Atwood was inspired to explore the pressing issue of violence against American journalists after the tragic death of one of her colleagues at the Baltimore Sun, Rob Hiaasen, in the Capital Gazette shooting in 2018. Throughout, she demonstrates that distrust of the media and violence against the press in the United States are hardly new developments. Her work examines how intimidation, violence, and censorship have, in fact, been used against the American press since both its and the nation's founding.
Critique: Informatively enhanced for the reader's benefit with the inclusion of a fourteen page Introduction, twenty-three illustrations, a six page Conclusion, a six page Appendix (Journalists Killed Because of Their Work), thirty-six pages of Notes, a ten page Select Bibliography, and a thirteen page Index, "Deadline: 200 Years of Violence Against Journalists in the United States" is a meticulously exhaustive, seminal and groundbreaking study that is an absolutely essential and unreservedly recommended pick for personal, professional, community, and college/university library Journalism collections and supplemental curriculum studies lists. It should be noted for journalism students, journalists, academia, and non-specialist general readers with an interest in the subject that this hardcover edition of "Deadline: 200 Years of Violence Against Journalists in the United States" from the University of Missouri Press is also readily available in a digital book format (Kindle, $42.75).
Editorial Note: Elizabeth Atwood (https://lizatwood.com) spent nearly thirty years as a newspaper reporter and editor, including twenty-two years at the Baltimore Sun. Her first book, "Marguerite Harrison, America's First Female Foreign Intelligent Agent", was published by Naval Institute Press in 2020. Currently, Atwood is Associate Professor of journalism at Hood College in Frederick, Maryland, where her research focuses on the relationship between the news media and political and social revolutions. Her research into fatal assaults on journalists in the United States was awarded first place prize for a faculty paper in the History Division of the Association for Education in Journalism and Mass Communication in 2021. The paper was published in Journalism History in 2023. She also has written articles for the Virginia Magazine of History and Biography, American Journalism, and Newspaper Research Journal. She holds a master's degree in history from the University of Virginia and a Ph.D. in public communication from the University of Maryland, where her doctoral dissertation examined the operations of four Moscow newspapers following the fall of the Soviet Union in 1991.
The Christian Studies Shelf
Signposts: Unexpected Encounters of Grace, Mercy & Truth
Alchristian Villaruz
https://alchristianvillaruzauthor.com
Orison Publishers
https://orisonpublishers.com
9781960007988, $11.95, PB, 128pp
Amazon
https://www.amazon.com/Signposts-Unexpected-Encounters-Grace-Mercy/dp/196000798X
Barnes & Noble
https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/signposts-alchristian-villaruz/1149330256
Synopsis: Christ never avoided the mess. He stepped into it-touching the unclean, healing the sick, and lifting the afflicted. With the publication of "Signposts: Unexpected Encounters of Grace, Mercy & Truth", author Alchristian Villaruz reveals that He still steps into our messes today.
In "Signposts", readers will travel through combat zones, overcrowded emergency units, shopping malls, and everyday neighborhoods to discover a Christ who appears where life is hardest and hope is diminished.
Drawing on his own remarkable journey as an immigrant and veteran, Alchristian Villaruz shares raw, authentic stories that illuminate a God who teaches, forgives, heals, and shows His presence through the least expected people and places.
For those longing for renewed faith and deeper confidence in a Christ who meets us-not only in sacred spaces but also in the real circumstances of daily life -- "Signposts" offers a compelling reminder that God is at work in the everyday grit guiding, strengthening, and quietly transforming those willing to see.
Critique: Inspired and inspiring, "Signposts: Unexpected Encounters of Grace, Mercy & Truth" by Alchristian Villaruz showcases the active role of Jesus Christ in the lives of ordinary people in an extraordinary presentation that is both intensely personal and has a universal resonance. Exceptionally well written, organized and presented, "Signposts" is especially and unreservedly recommended for readers with an interest in the role of Jesus Christ in Christian Evangelism, Values, Faith, and Life in the world today. An original and unique addition to the personal reading lists of clergy, seminary students, and members of the Christian community regardless of denominational affiliations, it should be noted that this paperback edition of "Signposts" from Orison Publishers is also readily available in a digital book format (Kindle, $4.99).
Editorial Note: Dr. Alchristian Villaruz (https://alchristianvillaruzauthor.com) is an immigrant, husband, and father who has witnessed crises and compassion firsthand-through his service in the US Navy and his work as an emergency room physician. He has seen humanity at its most vulnerable and God at His most merciful, shaping not only his career but also his deep conviction that Christ is present in every moment.
Your Faith and the World Today
Brad Stetson
Wipf and Stock Publishers
https://wipfandstock.com
9798385263431, $39.00, HC, 160pp
Amazon
https://www.amazon.com/Your-Faith-World-Today-Encouragement/dp/B0G6SF7968
Barnes & Noble
https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/your-faith-and-the-world-today-brad-stetson/1148892932
Synopsis: When working as a prison chaplain in the 1980s and 1990s, Brad Stetson would tell the men that their Christian faith was a 24/7 calling: It was a full-time commitment that was meant to shape their lives all day, every day.
When working as a professor at Christian colleges in the 1990s and 2000s, he told his students the same thing: their faith was for every area of life and living, not just Sundays or chapel services.
Both groups uneasily wondered if their faith could pervade every behavioral and intellectual dimension of their life. Perhaps influences in their lives or their own experiences suggested to them that it couldn't, but when Stetson stressed to them that their faith equipped them with the strength and insight they would need for all of life (every season, every experience, every endeavor) they took heart, they were encouraged, and they were strengthened.
With the publication of "Your Faith and the World Today: Emails of Instruction and Encouragement to Young Christians", Brad Stetson has written a compelling, eclectic book will have the same effect on all readers, irrespective of their stage in the Christian life. Part devotional, part apologetic, part exhortation, and part social criticism, "Your Faith and the World Today" is an impressively readable work that urges readers to fully take hold of a rigorous Christian worldview in every topic it so thoughtfully engages.
Critique: Every generation faces personal, social, cultural, and technologically based issues that previous generations didn't have deal with. But every generation has the same need for faith as a means for overcoming whatever obstacles to living a Christian life may present themselves. "Your Faith and the World Today: Emails of Instruction and Encouragement to Young Christians" by Brad Stetson is articulate, insightful, thought-provoking, inspired and inspiring -- especially for the youth of today wanting to life a Christian life style in an ever troubling world of social media, never ending wars, ever increasing income inequality, clergy corruption, and more. Exceptionally well written, organized and presented, "Your Faith and the World Today" is especially and unreservedly recommended for personal, church, seminary, community, and college/university library Contemporary Christian Studies collections. It should be noted for seminary students, clergy, and non-specialist general readers with an interest in Christian Spiritual Growth, Evangelism, and Pastoral Resources that this hardcover edition of "Your Faith and the World Today" from Wipf & Stock Publishers is also available in paperback (9798385263424, $24.00) and in a digital book format (Kindle, $9.99).
Editorial Note: Formerly an Associate Professor at Azusa Pacific University, Brad Stetson has taught in the humanities and social sciences at several other schools, including Chapman University, Cal State Long Beach, Concordia University Irvine, Vanguard University, Cal State San Bernardino, Cal State Dominguez Hills and Biola University. As a funeral chaplain Stetson has written and conducted over 3,000 funerals and memorial services. He regularly assists bereaved families, and he continues to write on issues of moment.
The Money/Finance Shelf
The Index of America
Tom Bernard
Independently Published
www.indexofamerica.com
9798994722725, $19.99, HC, 172pp
Amazon
https://www.amazon.com/INDEX-AMERICA-WORKS-SHOULD-INVEST/dp/B0GR398J5S
Barnes & Noble
https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-index-of-america-tom-bernard/1149626326
Synopsis: What if wealth building was simpler? Wealth building is not a mystery. It is a system. and with the publication of "The Index of America: How The S&P 500 Works & Why You Should Invest In It", financial expert Tom Bernard reveals that system in full.
Bernard takes readers inside the engine room of the S&P 500, the benchmark that quietly powers retirement accounts, mutual funds, pensions, and trillions of dollars in global capital. But "The Index of America" is not just another generic investing guide. It is a deep, structured look at how the index was created, how companies qualify, how it is calculated, and why it has consistently outperformed the vast majority of active managers over time.
What makes "The Index of America" compelling is the insight behind the numbers. Readers will discover how market capitalization weighting truly works, how dividends and buybacks drive long term returns, how the Index Committee shapes the benchmark, and how sector shifts mirror the evolution of the American economy.
"The Index of America" deftly connects history, methodology, and modern financial infrastructure into one clear investment philosophy.
Critique: Simply stated, "The Index of America: How The S&P 500 Works & Why You Should Invest In It" by Tom Bernard should be considered to be mandatory reading for all new investors and has a great deal of practical value for the more experienced investors as well. "The Index of America" is the ideal introduction to the S&P 500 and is especially and unreservedly recommended for personal, professional, community, and college/university library Money Management & Financial Investment collections and supplemental Contemporary Capitalism curriculum studies lists. It should be noted for the personal reading lists of MBA students and non-specialist general readers with an interest in the subject of Mutual Funds, Investment Portfolio Management, and Wealth Management that this hardcover edition of "The Index of America" is also readily available in a paperback (9798994722718, $12.99) and in a digital book format (Kindle, $4.99).
Editorial Note: Tom Bernard (www.indexofamerica.com) is a finance professional with more than two decades of experience analyzing markets, taxation systems, and corporate economics. He holds an MBA from The Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania, a Master of Science in Taxation, and dual undergraduate degrees from the University of California, Berkeley. Earlier in his career he worked in financial analysis, valuation, and market research, including roles at PwC and Arthur Andersen. Tom has also taught personal finance at City College of San Francisco.
The Philosophy Shelf
The False Paradigms of Today and the Timeless Truth of Tomorrow
John Bliss
Skeptika Press
https://skeptikapress.com
9798999968708, $26.99, HC, 494pp
Amazon
https://www.amazon.com/False-Paradigms-Today-Timeless-Tomorrow/dp/B0FPPNPTN5
Synopsis: With the publication of "The False Paradigms of Today and the Timeless Truth of Tomorrow: Essays on Meaning" after 13 years of research, writing, and rewriting, author/essayist John Bliss points out that something's missing in the world today, and maybe it's been gone for centuries. The problem: most of us don't have authentic beliefs or a clear path in life.
What do we believe? Whatever they told us to believe.
What do we do? Whatever other people are doing.
How many lies have we welcomed into our lives without having seriously analyzed them?
It's the reason many of us feel empty inside -- there's nothing there but convenient mistruths, and at some level, we all know it. We then orient our lives based on these false beliefs, wasting our precious limited time among the living striving for goals that leave us ultimately unsatisfied.
"The False Paradigms of Today and The Timeless Truth of Tomorrow" examines these common delusions with 13 irreverent essays that rip and tear at the foundations of our collective worldview. Little is held sacred to Bliss.
The essays in Part 1: Your Understanding of Reality is More Fabricated Than You Think dispel our delusions one at a time, including:
our mistaken belief in progress,
our misplaced confidence in our own rational prowess,
our loss of personal identity from group identification,
our misplaced faith in science as a true representation of the world, and
our morality: what it is and where exactly it comes from.
The essays in Part 2: An Exploration of Truth Across Historical, Mystical, and Philosophical Dimensions introduces a deeper understanding of humanity based on history, mysticism, psychology and philosophy.
Some of the topics in Part 2 include:
how our religions became second-rate pathways to God,
our reliance on logic and how it warps our decision-making,
how idealism can lead to mass murder and tyranny,
the overriding importance of history, where we've been, where we are going and why,
our immaterial connection to all people living and dead - Jung's collective unconscious,
Emerson's Over-Soul, and Varro's Soul of the World, and finally the bedrock assumption that we all got wrong. Switch this out, and everything changes.
The essays comprising "The False Paradigms of Today and the Timeless Truth of Tomorrow" are filled with stories from history, including meetings of the apostles Paul and Peter with the Emperor Nero and Simon Magus the magician, the mystical transformation of Emmanuel Swedenborg, the nineteenth century German intellectual revolution, the establishment of three French religions worshipping not God but Reason and Humanity, the abdication of the World Teacher, and the genocide of the Tibetan culture.
Critique: Original, eloquent, iconoclastic, thoughtful and thought-provoking, "The False Paradigms of Today and the Timeless Truth of Tomorrow: Essays on Meaning" by John Bliss is especially and unreservedly recommended for personal, professional, community, and college/university library Philosophy, Metaphysic, and Doctrinal Ideology collections and supplemental curriculum studies lists. It should be noted for philosophy students, academia, and non-specialist general readers with an interest in the errors of contemporary thought and our understanding of reality and the misleading impact of assumptions that this hardcover edition of "The False Paradigms of Today and the Timeless Truth of Tomorrow: Essays on Meaning" from Skeptika Press is also available in a digital book format (Kindle, $6.99).
Editorial Note: John Bliss is a writer and thinker fixated on unraveling the mystery of our lives. He is at heart a skeptic, as very few authorities have provided answers that are believable. He distrusts groups of all kinds, as they are no smarter than individuals, who don't know half as much as they think they do. He even distrusts himself, as no human can understand reality.
The Business Shelf
The Emotions and Emotionality of Entrepreneurship
Chihmao Hsieh
Edward Elgar Publishing
www.e-elgar.com
9781035331277, $155.00, HC, 312pp
Amazon
https://www.amazon.com/Emotions-Emotionality-Entrepreneurship-Chihmao-Hsieh/dp/1035331276
Barnes & Noble
https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-emotions-and-emotionality-of-entrepreneurship-chihmao-hsieh/1147788479
Synopsis: With the publication of "The Emotions and Emotionality of Entrepreneurship", Professor Chihmao Hsieh brings together how emotions and emotionality relate to the entrepreneurship process and journey, at distinct stages, across a variety of contexts, and at different levels of analysis. Thoroughly reviewing decades of scholarly research, he covers the theories underlying entrepreneurial emotion and pores over the influence of affect on venture creation and development.
Professor Hsieh also inspects the roles and implications of emotions during opportunity formation, opportunity exploitation, entrepreneurial action, performance, and exit, going beyond the typical view that emotional intelligence, emotion regulation, and resilience alone suffice.
Besides addressing topics of passion and emotional exhaustion, the chapters also rigorously lay out the practical 'lessons learned' for entrepreneurs in relation to teamwork, leadership and the family context. The last part of "The Emotions and Emotionality of Entrepreneurship" depicts how emotionality differentially impacts stakeholder management, social venturing and both regional and country-level business activity.
Additionally, "The Emotions and Emotionality of Entrepreneurship" offers sophisticated insight which can benefit entrepreneurs, policymakers, and NGO directors alike. It also serves as a crucial read for scholars and students of entrepreneurship, organizational behavior, and management.
Critique: Original, exceptional, deftly written, and thoroughly 'reader friendly' in organization and presentation, "The Emotions and Emotionality of Entrepreneurship" by Professor Chihmao Hsieh is a seminal, meticulous, and groundbreaking study that will prove of immense value for readers with an interest in economics, cognitive psychology, and business entrepreneurship. While especially recommended for personal, professional, community, business school, and college/university library Entrepreneurship & Business Management collections and supplemental MBA curriculum studies lists.
Editorial Note: Chihmao Hsieh (https://www.chsieh.com) is an Associate Professor of Entrepreneurship, and Founding Director of the Center for Global Entrepreneurship, SUNY Korea.
Leadership by Design
Lamont Repollet and Robin Landa
Routledge
https://www.routledge.com
9781032889924, $200.00, HC, 210pp
Amazon
https://www.amazon.com/Leadership-Design-Lamont-Repollet/dp/1032889926
Barnes & Noble
https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/leadership-by-design-lamont-repollet/1148101171
Synopsis: In higher education it is imperative that we design the kind of leadership that the future will demand. But we do not have to choose between results and relationships, authenticity and authority, or success and sustainability. With the publication of "Leadership by Design: Winning Hearts, Building Your Brand, and Achieving Success" by co-authors Lamont Repollet and Robin Landa have provided and effective blueprint to build all three -- and without compromise.
"Leadership by Design" isn't about leadership theory. Rather it is a hands-on playbook for designing influence that lasts. Grounded in a proven three-part framework (Winning Hearts, Building Your Brand, and Achieving Success) this DIY guide will help you:
Forge real trust and an emotional connection that makes people want to follow you
Shape how your leadership is perceived through bold, intentional choices
Deliver results that matter -- measured in meaning, values, and legacy
Each strand strengthens the others, forming an unbreakable rope of leadership that holds under pressure and adapts through change.
"Leadership by Design" is an invaluable resource specifically tailored for leaders, educators, and anyone keen on navigating the dynamic crossroads of leadership and personal branding, empowering professionals to ascend to new heights.
The primary message throughout "Leadership by Design" is -- Stop improvising. Start architecting. That great leadership isn't born -- it's designed.
Critique: A seminal and groundbreaking study that is the blended result of professional experience and meticulous research, "Leadership by Design: Winning Hearts, Building Your Brand, and Achieving Success" by Lamont Repollet (the 18th president of Kean University, USA, and the university's first Black president) and Robin Landa (Distinguished Professor in the Michael Graves College at Kean University) is an essential and unreservedly recommended addition to personal, professional, and college/university library Higher Education Administration collections and supplemental curriculum studies lists.
Exceptionally comprehensive, impressively organized and presented, it should be noted for students, academia, college/university administrators/policy makers, and non-specialist general readers with an interest in the subject that this hardcover edition of "Leadership by Design" from Routledge is also readily available in paperback (9781032882215, $44.99) and in a digital book format (Kindle, $42.74).
Editorial Note #1: Lamont O. Repollet, Ed.D., a visionary educator devoted to fostering equity for all students, is the 18th president of Kean University, USA, and the university's first Black president. Prior to his appointment, he served two and a half years as the Commissioner of Education under New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy, overseeing the shift to remote education amid the COVID-19 pandemic. (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lamont_O._Repollet)
Editorial Note #2: Robin Landa (https://www.robinlanda.com) is Distinguished Professor in the Michael Graves College at Kean University, USA. She is a globally recognized ideation and creativity expert, design educator, and a best-selling author of 26 books. She has won numerous awards for research, writing, design, teaching, and humanitarian work.
Trusted Advertising: How to Harness the Value of Trust in Your Brand
Matt Bourn and James Best, authors
Kogan Page Inc.
www.koganpage.com
9781398623576, $65.00, HC, 296pp
Amazon
https://www.amazon.com/Trusted-Advertising-Harness-Value-Trust/dp/1398623571
Barnes & Noble
https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/trusted-advertising-matt-bourn/1147379502
Synopsis: With its themes of advertising strategy, brand trust, creative effectiveness, media planning, influencer marketing, AI and regulation, "Trusted Advertising: How to Harness the Value of Trust in Your Brand" is a practical guide for mid-career marketers, agency professionals and brand leaders who want to build credibility, apply evidence-based principles and deliver campaigns that drive long-term consumer trust. As advertising faces declining confidence and rising complexity, "Trusted Advertising" provides a roadmap to optimize creative effectiveness and improve decision making across channels.
Drawing on the latest research and insights from organizations including Google, WPP and the Advertising Standards Authority, in "Trusted Advertising" co-authors Matt Bourn and James Best outline how trust is created, measured and maintained in modern advertising ecosystems. Through detailed chapters, actionable tools and real-world examples from McDonald's, Tesco, Specsavers and more, "Trusted Advertising" shows how trusted communication can elevate campaign performance and strengthen brand equity.
"Trusted Advertising" shows how to:
Apply trust-building principles to improve creative strategy and execution
Implement frameworks for managing trust across media, platforms and influencer partnerships
Develop strategies to optimize campaign transparency, consistency and audience engagement
Understand the role of Gen AI, tech platforms and regulation in shaping trusted advertising
Use real-world case examples to guide decision making and strengthen professional credibility
With a deftly crafted blend of strategic insight and hands-on guidance, "Trusted Advertising" helps you develop the skills and confidence to implement campaigns that perform today and build resilient, trusted brands for the future.
Critique: An ideal introductory textbook for MBA students and supplemental Business Marketing curriculum studies lists, it should be noted for corporate advertising executives, entrepreneurs, and governmental regulators (as well as political activists and non-specialist general readers with an interest in business ethics and media communications) that this hardcover edition of co-author Matt Bourn and James Best's "Trusted Advertising: How to Harness the Value of Trust in Your Brand" from Kogan Page is also available in paperback (9781398623552, $38.99) and in a digital book format (Kindle, $$37.04).
Editorial Note #1: Matt Bourn is the Director of Communications for the Advertising Association and Ad Net Zero, based in London, UK. He steers the industry's work around Climate Action, including the formation of Ad Net Zero, providing communications support for the Inclusion workstream, All In, driving forward its Export strategy through the UK Advertising Export Group and fulfilment of the association's responsibilities as the UK representative for Cannes Lions. With 25 years' experience previously, he was Managing Director of Braben, the UK's leading PR consultancy for media, working for companies such as Sky, Channel 4, Disney and Sony. (https://www.campaignadnetzeroawards.com/matt-bourn)
Editorial Note #2: James Best is Chair of the Committees of Advertising Practice and of Credos, the advertising industry-funded think tank, based in London, UK. With 50 years' experience in the advertising industry, amongst numerous roles, he has been Chair of the Advertising Association, President of the EACA, Chief Strategy Officer of DDB Worldwide and Chair of BMP DDB. (https://scholar.google.com/citations?user=9nMdZvcAAAAJ&hl=en)
Principles of Marketing Analytics: Understand Data-Driven Decision-Making
Ijeoma Onwumere
Kogan Page Inc.
www.koganpage.com
9781398623293, $85.00, HC, 392pp
Amazon
https://www.amazon.com/Principles-Marketing-Analytics-Data-Driven-Decision-Making/dp/1398623296
Barnes & Noble
https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/principles-of-marketing-analytics-ijeoma-onwumere/1147379488
Synopsis: With the publication of "Principles of Marketing Analytics: Understand Data-Driven Decision-Making", Ijeoma Onwumere has created an introductory textbook for undergraduate and postgraduate marketing students. Onwumere takes his readers from foundational principles to applied insights of marketing analytics, developing the analytical mindset and confidence to make evidence-based marketing decisions.
"Principles of Marketing Analytics" is a introductory textbook that explains how data drives segmentation, targeting, campaign optimization, and forecasting, bridging marketing theory with analytical practice. MBA students will learn to collect, analyse and interpret data and explore how technologies such as machine learning and generative AI are transforming the discipline.
Designed for both classroom learning and independent study, and as an introductory textbook, "Principles of Marketing Analytics" aligns with undergraduate modules in marketing analytics and digital marketing including:
Frameworks including AIDA Model (Awareness, Interest, Desire, Action), CRO (conversion rate optimization) and TBL (triple bottom line) for applying analytics to marketing challenges
Real-world examples from Netflix, Walmart, Airbnb, Sephora, Nike and more that connect theory and practice and shows how data-driven insights power measurable impact
Exercises, discussion questions, and chapter summaries to consolidate learning
Key terms list and key learning points for quick review
Online resources for lecturers, including slides and a teaching guide
Whether studying marketing analytics or preparing for a data-informed career, "Principles of Marketing Analytics" equips MBA students with the skills to make confident, data-driven marketing decisions.
Critique: Comprehensive, exceptionally well written, organized and presented, "Principles of Marketing Analytics: Understand Data-Driven Decision-Making" by Ijeoma Onwumere is an essential and highly recommended pick for personal, professional, community, business school, and college/university library Business Marketing collections and supplemental MBA curriculum studies lists. It should be noted for MBA students, academia, entrepreneurs, and business executives concerned with data mining as an essential part of business decision making and corporate problem solving that this hardcover edition of "Principles of Marketing Analytics: Understand Data-Driven Decision-Making" from Kogan Page is also readily available in paperback (9781398623279, $52.00) and in a digital book format (Kindle, $46.93)
Editorial Note: Ijeoma Onwumere is Lecturer in Fashion Marketing at the Manchester Fashion Institute, Manchester Metropolitan University, and a data-driven marketing practitioner with more than ten years of experience blending commercial strategy, creative marketing practice and analytical rigor. (https://fashioninstitute.mmu.ac.uk/our-staff/ijeoma-onwumere)
Marketing Technology: Integrating Martech for Transformational Marketing
Ediz Edip Akcay
Kogan Page Inc.
www.koganpage.com
9781398625273, $95.00, HC, 416pp
Amazon
https://www.amazon.com/Marketing-Technology-Integrating-Martech-Transformational/dp/1398625272
Barnes & Noble
https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/marketing-technology-ediz-edip-akcay/1147382073
Synopsis: With the publication of "Marketing Technology: Integrating Martech for Transformational Marketing", Dr. Ediz Edip Akcay provides upper-level undergraduate and postgraduate students with a comprehensive understanding of how innovation shapes marketing strategy and practice in the modern business environment.
Blending theory, strategic models and applied insights, "Marketing Technology" explores the technologies transforming marketing from: artificial intelligence and machine learning to blockchain, automation and augmented, virtual and mixed realities. MBA students will learn how to use data and critical thinking to deliver measurable impact and build customer trust in an era of continuous digital evolution.
Designed for academic alignment, with key terms, key points, exercises, and reflective questions and real-world application, "Marketing Technology includes:
Detailed coverage of the historical connection between technology and marketing, big data, neuromarketing, smart devices for enhanced consumer engagement, Internet of Things (IoT) and their role in contemporary marketing strategy
Frameworks for optimizing campaign performance through analytics, automation and return on investment measurement
Ethical perspectives are explored in each chapter highlighting responsible and transparent use of marketing technology
Online lecturer resources include presentation slides
Whether studying digital marketing, strategic marketing or marketing management, "Marketing Technology" equips MBA students with the expertise and confidence to analyse, apply and innovate with the tools shaping the future of marketing.
Critique: An ideal introduction to the marketing technologies involved with cutting edge national and international strategies, techniques for web and E-commerce based marketing campaigns, "Marketing Technology: Integrating Martech for Transformational Marketing" is comprehensive and thoroughly 'reader friendly' in organization and presentation. While this hardcover edition of "Marketing Technology: Integrating Martech for Transformational Marketing" by Dr. Ediz Edip Akcay is an essential acquisition for personal, professional, community, business school, and college/university library Business & Marketing collections and supplemental MBA curriculum studies lists, it should be noted for MBA Students, academia, corporate sales/marketing executives, and entrepreneurs that it is also available in paperback (9781398625259, $59.00) and in a digital book format (Kindle, $53.25).
Editorial Note: Dr. Ediz Edip Akcay is a Senior Lecturer in Digital Marketing and BSc (Hons) Marketing Programme Leader at the Business School, Bournemouth University, UK. He has published work in publications including Journal of Customer Behaviour and Qualitative Market Research, across subject areas of digital advertising, cause-related marketing, user experience in mobile apps and branding. (https://staffprofiles.bournemouth.ac.uk/display/eakcay)
Data-Driven Marketing Strategy
Kamila Miller
Kogan Page Inc.
www.koganpage.com
9781398623866, $85.00, HC, 480pp
Amazon
https://www.amazon.com/Data-Driven-Marketing-Strategy-achieve-measurable/dp/1398623865
Barnes & Noble
https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/data-driven-marketing-strategy-kamila-miller/1147379504
Synopsis: With the publication of "Data-Driven Marketing Strategy: How to apply data to achieve measurable results", marketing expert Kamila Miller gives upper-level undergraduate and post-graduate MBA students a comprehensive framework for turning marketing data into creative, evidence-based strategies that deliver measurable impact.
"Data-Driven Marketing Strategy" helps MBA and undergraduate business students to move beyond understanding metrics to interpreting insights and applying them to real marketing challenges and is specifically and effectively designed to support both classroom learning and independent study.
"Data-Driven Marketing Strategy" fully aligns with undergraduate modules in Marketing Strategy and Data-Driven Marketing and includes:
Frameworks for applying data to every stage of marketing strategy
Guidance for creating personas and segmentation models
Best-practice tips for leveraging data and technology for best outcomes, practical exercises, key learning points and real-world examples including Pepsi, Netflix and HubSpot
Insights on digital marketing trends, AI, and customer experience
Online resources including lecturer slides
Whether studying marketing strategy or preparing for a data-driven career, "Data-Driven Marketing Strategy" equips students with the tools, insight and creativity to design strategies that perform.
Critique: The comprehensive undergraduate textbook guide to designing creative, data-driven marketing strategies is thoroughly 'reader friendly' in organization and presentation. While especially and unreservedly recommended for personal, professional, business school, and college/university library Business Online Web Marketing and E-commerce collections and supplemental MBA curriculum studies lists, it should be noted that this hardcover edition of "Data-Driven Marketing Strategy: How to apply data to achieve measurable results" from Kogan Page is also readily available in paperback (9781398623637, $52.00) and in a digital book format (Kindle, $47.01).
Editorial Note: Kamila Miller is a senior marketing leader, lecturer and researcher operating at the intersection of industry practice and academic rigour. With extensive experience in the marketing field, she specialises in strategic brand positioning, digital marketing, consumer psychology and the impact of artificial intelligence on digital decision-making. She is also a lecturer in Marketing, Branding and Business and currently serves as the Marketing SIG Strand Lead for AI, Innovation & Emerging Tech at the Academy of Marketing. She is a Chartered Marketer, Board Member and Communication Ambassador for the Chartered Institute of Marketing (CIM), as well as an Associate Fellow of the Higher Education Academy (AFHEA).
The Architecture Shelf
Media Matters in Landscape Architecture
Keith VanDerSys, author
Karen M'Closkey, editor
Applied Research & Design
c/o ORO Editions
www.oroeditions.com
9781957183671, $40.00, PB, 224pp
Amazon
https://www.amazon.com/Media-Matters-Landscape-Architecture-VanDerSys/dp/1957183675
Barnes & Noble
https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/media-matters-in-landscape-architecture-keith-vandersys/1146686080
Synopsis: Within STS and media studies, "environmental media" refers broadly to the relationship between environmental issues (such as pollution, biodiversity loss, climate change) and the creation and application of the tools, interfaces, and images, through which information about these issues is conveyed. "Media Matters in Landscape Architecture", written by Keith VanDerSys (and edited by Karen M'Closkey) focuses on how these two distinct understandings of environmental media coalesce within the discipline of landscape architecture and other spatial design fields.
Contributing authors from a wide-range of disciplines (landscape architecture, media studies, history of science, civil engineering, ecology, planning, and architecture) examine how the creation and use of data, images, and models acts as intermediaries -- the mediums through which a particular understanding of "environment" or "landscape" arises.
This framing of environmental media emphasizes the relationships among various design media and the specific material and social environments within which they operate.
Critique: Informatively enhanced for the reader's benefit with the inclusion of a twenty-two page Introduction, a one page listing of Acknowledgments, a five page listing of the Contributors and their credentials, a two page listing of Image Credits, and a four page Index, "Media Matters in Landscape Architecture" from Applied Research & Design is a seminal and groundbreaking study that is an extraordinary and unreservedly recommended addition to personal, professional, corporate, and college/university library Landscape Architecture collections and supplemental Architectural Criticism/Environmentalism studies lists.
Editorial Note: Karen M'Closkey and Keith VanDerSys are members of the faculty in Landscape Architecture at the University of Pennsylvania Weitzman School of Design and co-founders of PEG office of landscape + architecture and Penn's Environmental Modeling Lab (EMLab).
Their work in the EMLab specializes in environmental simulation modeling and remote sensing related to designing and monitoring natural infrastructure in coastal environments. The work has been acknowledged through numerous awards, exhibitions, and fellowships, including a PEW Fellowship in the Arts, and has appeared in over 70 design publications.
Additionally, Karen M'Closkey is an associate professor of landscape architecture at the University of Pennsylvania's Weitzman School of Design and Editor in Chief of LA+ Interdisciplinary Journal of Landscape Architecture.
The Particular and the Public
Rachaporn Choochuey, et al., authors
Nina Rappaport and Saba Salekfard, editors
Yale School of Architecture
c/o Actar Publishers
https://actar.com
9781638402275, $35.00, PB, 256pp
Amazon
https://www.amazon.com/Particular-Public-Visiting-Assistant-Professorship/dp/1638402272
Barnes & Noble
https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-particular-and-the-public-rachaporn-choochuey/1149168146
Synopsis: "The Particular and the Public" focuses on three Louis I. Kahn Visiting Assistant Professors' architecture studios at Yale including Bangkok architect Rachapoorn Choochuey, in "Going Home Again"; Carrie Norman and Thomas Kelley (Norman Kelley) of Chicago, in "A Particular (New England) Building"; and New York based practitioner Chat Travieso, in "Yes Loitering."
The students were challenged in each studio to approach the research and design process from the specific to the vernacular, or from gaining input from youth perspectives as well as historic contexts. Through distinct lenses (youth justice, informal domesticity, and regional specificity) these studios offer speculative tools for building with purpose, empathy, and precision. Each share an investment in the social and environmental contingencies that inform architectural practice today.
Critique: Original, unique, profusely illustrated, and thoroughly 'reader friendly' in organization and presentation, this large format (5.3 x 2 x 9.25 inches, 1.63 pounds) paperback edition of "The Particular and the Public" from the Yale School of Architecture is co-authored by the team of co-authors Rachaporn Choochuey, Carrie Norman, Thomas Kelley, Chat Travieso -- and is co-edited by Nina Rappaport and Saba Salekfard. "The Particular and the Public" is an especially and unreservedly recommended acquisition selection for personal, professional, college, and university library Contemporary Architecture collections and supplemental curriculum studies lists.
Editorial Note: The Yale School of Architecture (www.architecture.yale.edu) is the architecture school of Yale University, in New Haven, Connecticut. Yale's architecture programs are an outgrowth of a longstanding commitment to the teaching of the fine arts in the university.
The Cartography Shelf
Map Use: Map Reading and Design, Volume 1, ninth edition
Aileen R. Buckley, A. Jon Kimerling, and Patrick J. Kennelly
Esri Press
www.esri.com/esripress
9781589488816, $159.99, HC, 340pp
Amazon
https://www.amazon.com/Map-Use-Reading-Design/dp/1589488814
Barnes & Noble
https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/map-use-aileen-r-buckley/1148335234
Synopsis: Maps are sophisticated conceptual creations. They convey as much about how people think and communicate as they do about the mapped environment. So how do we create maps that convey essential information correctly?
Now in a fully updated and expanded ninth edition, "Map Use: Map Reading and Design, Volume 1" distills content from the classic textbook "Map Use: Reading, Analysis, Interpretation: 8th Edition". This refined ninth edition is a comprehensive primer that provides readers with the knowledge and skills to read and understand maps, design and make maps, and recognize the limitations and inaccuracies of maps.
Combining authoritative text with hundreds of stunning visuals to describe foundational cartographic concepts in the context of the industry's latest innovations, "Map Use: Map Reading and Design, Volume 1" takes the reader beyond visual representations and into the decision-making processes of cartographers.
Changes for the ninth edition include reindexing; revised datums, maps, and images; an updated map projection guide; a new state plane coordinate system; and updated text to reflect new concepts, practices, and technology. An online glossary is also now available.
The topics covered include map scale, map projections, map design, map organization and layout, qualitative and quantitative thematic maps, relief representation, imagery and maps, and
maps and reality.
"Map Use: Map Reading and Design, Volume 1" makes basic cartographic principles accessible to all, from students of cartography and GIS to motivated self-learners and seasoned mapping practitioners. It is also an invaluable companion for college-level instructors, with a thoughtful structure designed for college curricula.
Critique: Co-authored by the team of Aileen R. Buckley, A. Jon Kimerling, and Patrick J. Kennelly, this new and large format (8 x 2 x 10 inches, 2.56 pounds) hardcover edition of "Map Use: Map Reading and Design, Volume 1" from Esri Press is an ideal textbook for students, cartographers, and non-specialist general readers with an interest in improve their understanding of how maps are created, read, and applied. While especially and unreservedly recommended to personal, professional, community, governmental, and college/university library Cartography collections and supplemental Urban & Land Use Planning curriculum studies lists, it should be noted that this new 9th edition of "Map Use: Map Reading and Design, Volume 1" is also available in paperback (9781589487758, $95.99) and in a digital book format (Kindle, $95.99).
Editorial Note #1: Aileen R. Buckley is a research cartographer for Esri. She co-authored The Atlas of Oregon, second edition (University of Oregon Press, 2001).
Editorial Note #2: A. Jon Kimerling is professor emeritus of geosciences at Oregon State University in Corvallis. He co-authored Elements of Cartography, sixth edition (Wiley, 1995).
Editorial Note #3: Patrick J. Kennelly is a professor emeritus of geography at Long Island University in Brookville, New York. He is currently the GIS Program Director at Central Oregon Community College in Bend.
The Health/Medicine Shelf
In Search of FREEZER MEAT
Sharay "Punisher" Hayes
Independently Published
9798998780608, $24.99, PB, 182pp
Amazon
https://www.amazon.com/Search-FREEZER-MEAT-Erectile-Dysfunction/dp/B0F8BQ5CQX
Barnes & Noble
https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/in-search-of-freezer-meat-sharay-punisher-hayes/1147420698
Synopsis: Erectile dysfunction and low sexual confidence are killing men quietly -- and nobody's really talking about it -- except maybe in Blue Pill ads on late night television.
"In Search of FREEZER MEAT: A Story of the Male Mental Health Crisis Caused by Erectile Dysfunction and the Only True Cure No One is Talking About... a Penis Implant" is Sharay "The Punisher" Hayes's personal true story and is funny, unfiltered, and brutally real. If you think Erectile Dysfunction is just about sex -- think again. Erectile dysfunction isn't just physical, it is also mental and emotional. It affects everything about the men who have it -- their confidence, relationships, money, even self-worth.
When things stop working in the bedroom, most men stay quiet. Pills flop. Injections sting. Advice falls flat. And the harder you try to "fix it", the worse it gets. Hayes knows all of this simply because it happened to him. Once known as a sex symbol, he hit rock bottom when everything suddenly stopped working. What he discovered will sound familiar to a lot of men: the problem wasn't just physical. It was mental. And it touched every part of life.
But this isn't a pity party. "In Search of FREEZER MEAT" is part memoir, part survival guide, part wake-up call for men to take back their confidence. Hayes tells his story with impressively shocking honesty and laugh-out-loud humor -- turning this taboo topic into a lifeline for men (and their loved ones) who are struggling with Erectile Dysfunction.
For men: a straight-up self-help resource that feels like grabbing a beer with a buddy who's been there and found real answers.
For women: a candid look into what your guy may be experiencing but will never put into words.
The ultimate message of "In Search of FREEZER MEAT" is that Erectile Dysfunction isn't the end -- it is the beginning to understanding what's really going on.
Critique: Unique, candid, informative, and exceptionally well written and presented, "In Search of FREEZER MEAT: A Story of the Male Mental Health Crisis Caused by Erectile Dysfunction and the Only True Cure No One is Talking About...a Penis Implant" is an extraordinary life story that although deeply personal will have a universal resonance that makes it especially and unreservedly recommended for personal, professional, community, and college/university library Human Sexuality and Health/Medicine collections and supplemental studies lists. It should be noted that this paperback edition of "In Search of FREEZER MEAT" is also readily available in a digital book format (Kindle, $9.99).
Editorial Note: Sharay "Punisher" Hayes is an international public figure due to being a witness in the Sean "Diddy" Combs trial. His book was a key point of the trial as he chronicled his involvement with Combs and his girlfriend at the time Cassie Ventura. Hayes, a Harlem native has lived his life as a celebrity male stripper/ Reality TV personality. This life experience gave him the knowledge to jump into the male masculinity self-help field. He coaches and mentors with Erectile Dysfunction issues, relationship issues and overall mental/emotional health. Men need to support each other and create a space to be the best we can. Life is hard and you shouldn't feel alone. (https://www.instagram.com/getpunished)
The Gardening Shelf
Birds & Blooms Gardening Secrets
Birds & Blooms, editor
c/o Trusted Media Brands
https://www.trustedmediabrands.com
9798889771739, $19.99, PB, 256pp
Amazon
https://www.amazon.com/Birds-Blooms-Gardening-Secrets-All-Season/dp/B0FCDBGG2T
Barnes & Noble
https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/birds-blooms-gardening-secrets-birds-and-blooms/1147557103
Synopsis: Even the most novice of gardeners can now unlock the secrets to a thriving, beautiful garden with "Birds & Blooms Gardening Secrets" an all-season DIY guide featuring expert gardening tips and ideas for the creation and maintenance of a thriving gardens for every season of the year.
"Birds & Blooms Gardening Secrets", created by the experts of Birds and Blooms magazine, is a comprehensive DIY guide that provides clear, practical advice and innovative ideas to make gardening easier, affordable, and enjoyable. It offers:
Year-Round Guidance Breaks Down Seasonal Tasks for Planting Pruning and Growing Success
Affordable Low-Maintenance Gardening Solutions DIY Tips and Small Space Ideas
Expert Advice from Trusted Birds and Blooms Gardening Professionals and Enthusiasts
Hacks from Real Gardeners and Creative Solutions for Common Gardening Challenges
Attract Birds Bees and Butterflies by Creating Vibrant Pollinator Friendly Gardens
Featured are:
Seasonal Chapters for Year-Round Guidance -- From the blossoms of spring to the indoor greenery of winter, our chapter-by-chapter seasonal breakdown shows you exactly what to plant, prune, and harvest each month. Maximize your garden's potential no matter the time of year.
Experts and Fellow Gardeners at Your Side -- Packed with insider tips from the pro gardening team at Birds and Blooms, as well as helpful hacks from fellow gardeners. Discover solutions for everything from drought-resistant plants and composting to troubleshooting your backyard challenges.
Affordable and Practical Techniques -- Whether you're working with a small space or a tight budget, Gardening Secrets offers budget-friendly DIY projects, low-maintenance landscaping solutions, and simple steps to grow an edible garden of your own. Save time, effort, and money while nurturing your green thumb.
Create a Garden That Welcomes Wildlife -- Transform your outdoor space into a haven for birds, butterflies, and pollinators. Learn how to design a habitat they'll love while enhancing your garden's health and vibrant beauty.
Whether you're a seasoned gardener or just getting started, Birds and Blooms "Gardening Secrets" is the definitive guide to growing with confidence and thriving alongside nature.
Critique: This large format (8.13 x 0.6 x 10.88 inches, 11 ounces) trade paperback edition of "Birds & Blooms Gardening Secrets" is beautifully and profusely illustrated throughout with full color photography. Impressively comprehensive, exceptionally read/gardener friendly in organization and presentations, and featuring more than 350 professional insider tips, tricks and techniques, "Birds & Blooms Gardening Secrets" is especially and unreservedly recommended for personal, professional, and community library Instructional Gardening Book collections. It should be noted that "Birds & Blooms Gardening Secrets" is also readly available in a digital book format (Kindle, $11.99).
Editorial Note: Birds & Blooms (www.birdsandblooms.com) specializes in publishing a magazine and a series of 'how to' books for birders and gardeners. Featuring incredible nature photography, expert gardening advice and detailed accounts that are adored by today's bird and butterfly enthusiasts, Birds & Blooms magazine and books are cherished by readers throughout North America. With more than a million followers on social media, Birds & Blooms prides itself on inspiring a lifelong love of birding, gardening and nature by celebrating beauty in the backyard and beyond.
Garden for Life
Rhonda Fleming Hayes
Chelsea Green Publishing Company
www.chelseagreen.com
9781645023258, $29.95, PB, 256pp
Amazon
https://www.amazon.com/Garden-Life-Strategies-Greener-Gardening/dp/1645023257
Barnes & Noble
https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/garden-for-life-rhonda-fleming-hayes/1148002816
Synopsis: With the publication of "Garden for Life: Strategies for Easier, Greener, More Joyful Gardening as We Age", horticulturist and gardening enthusiast Rhonda Fleming Hayes brings a lifetime of gardening experience, research-based advice, and collective wisdom to older gardeners who are looking for inspiration and practical strategies.
"Garden for Life" is a delightfully comprehensive DIY guide that presents new techniques and tools to make gardening less strenuous, and highlights plants that "multitask" to make a garden more sustainable -- for both the gardener and the environment! "Garden for Life" also advises on how and when to ask for help to lighten the load so that a senior gardening enthusiast can focus on the life-enhancing aspects of spending time in the garden.
"Garden for Life" also reminds us that gardening is a simple way to answer the human need to connect with nature, a craving called biophilia, while highlighting its many proven health benefits. Gardening offers a low-intensity workout with a variety of natural movements, provides a sense of purpose while nurturing a meditative state that decreases stress, fosters improved nutrition and better brain health, and grows social connection and community. In short, gardening is excellent for health and longevity!
Critique: This large format trade paperback edition of "Garden for Life: Strategies for Easier, Greener, More Joyful Gardening as We Age" by gardening expert Rhonda Felming Hayes is informative enhanced for the reader with the inclusion of a Preface (Pour Some Tea and Walk with Me), colored illustrations throughout, a two page listing of Acknowledgments, a four page listing of Resources, two pages of Notes, and a fourteen page Index. Exceptionally well organized and presented, "Gardening for Life" is unreservedly recommended for personal, community, and Senior Citizen Center library Instructional Gardening collections. It should be noted that "Gardening for Life" from Chelsea Green Publishing is also readily available in a digital book format (Kindle, $21.99).
Editorial Note: Rhonda Fleming Hayes is the author of Pollinator Friendly Gardening: Gardening for Bees, Butterflies, and Other Pollinators and an award- winning writer and photographer applying her passion to all things plant-related. Combining a lifetime of gardening experience with wit and solid research-based advice, her stories can be found in the Minnesota Star Tribune, Northern Gardener, and Mpls/StPaul Magazine. She has also been published in Southern Living, Midwest Living, Savannah Magazine, and numerous online sites. She's a popular speaker for garden clubs and other groups with presentations covering pollinators, butterfly gardening, native plants, and the art of kitchen gardening, to name a few. Rhonda gardens in Minneapolis in an urban neighborhood surrounded by woods and water. The abundant plot is home to many bees, butterflies, birds, and beneficial insects. She has volunteered as an Extension Master Gardener since 2000. She is a member of GardenComm, the Minnesota State Horticultural Society, the Herb Society of America, and is a past trustee of the Minnesota Landscape Arboretum.
The Needlecraft Shelf
The Granny Squares Bible
Hiroko Aono-Billson
Search Press Ltd.
https://www.searchpress.com
9781800923928, $19.95, PB, 288pp
Amazon
https://www.amazon.com/Granny-Squares-Bible-Designs-Crochet/dp/1800923929
Barnes & Noble
https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-granny-squares-bible-hiroko-aono-billson/1147164134
Synopsis: A granny square is a piece of square fabric produced in crochet by working in rounds from the center outward. Granny squares are traditionally handmade as crochet and cannot be manufactured by machine. They resemble coarse lace. Although there is no theoretical limit to the maximum size of a granny square, crocheters usually create multiple small squares (called "motifs") and assemble the pieces to make clothing, purses, Afghan blankets, and other household textiles.
From classic squares to textured swatches and from geometric shapes to stunning crochet flowers, "The Granny Squares Bible: 110 Designs to Mix, Match and Crochet" is a comprehensive guide will provide you with boundless inspiration.
Written to be completely beginner-friendly, and featuring illustrated step-by-step guides to all the key stitches and techniques needed, "The Granny Squares Bible" by Hiroko Aono-Billson includes:
Guidance at every step, from selecting the right yarn and hook to understanding essential stitches like single crochet, double crochet and more advanced techniques like puff stitch, popcorn stitch and even Tunisian crochet.
How to join your squares seamlessly for a polished finish and explore exciting project ideas, including blankets, scarves, cushions and even flower garlands.
110 simple, easy-to-follow projects: every design comes with full written instructions and an illustrated crochet chart.
"The Granny Squares Bible: is more than just another pattern book. It will unlock your creative potential and help you transform your yarn stash into beautiful, personalized creations.
Critique: A flawless translation from the French edition by crafter and author Hiroko Aono-Billson, this trade paperback (7.75 x 0.98 x 7.75 inches, 1.69 pounds) edition of "The Granny Squares Bible: 110 Designs to Mix, Match and Crochet" from Search Press is a unique and thoroughly 'user friendly' step-by-step instructional guide that is an especially and unreservedly recommended acquisition for personal, professional, and community library Needlecraft collections.
Editorial Note: Hiroko Aono-Billson studied at Central Saint Martins College of Art, London UK in the early 1990s. In 1997 she founded her own company, BLUE FIELD. She designs and manufactures one-off commissioned designs and limited edition ranges of accessories, soft furnishings and clothing for retailers in the UK and Japan. After returning to the UK after four years living and working in Japan, Hiroko rediscovered the meaning of design, color and space in traditional Japanese arts. (www.milieustudios.co.uk/ceramicists/hirokoaonobillson)
The Crochet Stitch Companion for Blankets and Afghans
Anna Nikipirowicz
Search Press Ltd.
https://www.searchpress.com
9781800922938, $25.95, PB, 176pp
Amazon
https://www.amazon.com/Crochet-Stitch-Companion-Blankets-Afghans/dp/1800922930
Barnes & Noble
https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-crochet-stitch-companion-for-blankets-and-afghans-anna-nikipirowicz/1146652013
Synopsis: From bold, inspiring colorwork to snuggly, tactile textures, with the publication of "The Crochet Stitch Companion for Blankets and Afghans: 60 stitches, motifs and edges to create your perfect project", crochet expert Anna Nikipirowicz shows how to build your perfect blanket.
If you want to create your own unique blankets (perhaps as personalized gifts or to add the perfect finishing touch to your home), even the most novice of needlecrafters need look no further than this inspiring and fully illustrated collection of adaptable designs.
"The Crochet Stitch Companion for Blankets and Afghans" is specifically designed for absolute beginners and upwards. This complete DIY crochet primer is fully photographed, covering everything you need to know from start to finish: from working basic stitches to joining motifs, blocking and making pompoms. This inspiring visual directory will also build your confidence and skills, and can be referred to again and again, whenever you need ideas or advice.
"The Crochet Stitch Companion for Blankets and Afghans" features 35 stitch patterns, 15 motifs and 10 borders, each with a full written pattern and chart, along with easy-to-follow advice for working your chosen design elements into your own crochet projects. A range of stitches, including all the basics, plus tactile raised textures, mosaic color work and lightweight lacework. A range of motifs (perfect for a patchwork-style blanket) including granny squares, diamonds, triangles and hexagons. selection of edging options, from picot, spike and lace to simple double crochet borders. Plus 4 gorgeous blanket projects, to inspire you with Anna's own color and stitch combinations.
Critique: This large format paperback edition of "The Crochet Stitch Companion for Blankets and Afghans" by Anna Nikipirowicz is exceptionally effective and 'user friendly' DIY instructional guide and how to manual. With its profusely illustrated instructions, "The Crochet Stitch Companion for Blankets and Afghans" is an unreservedly recommended addition to personal, professional, and community library Needlecraft/Crocheting collections. It should be noted that this edition of "The Crochet Stitch Companion for Blankets and Afghans" from Search Press is also available in a digital book format (Kindle, $19.53).
Editorial Note: Anna Nikipirowicz (www.moochka.co.uk) is a crochet and knit designer, tutor, and author of several crochet books. Her designs are regularly featured in craft magazines such as Inside Crochet. She teaches Tunisian crochet, crochet and knitting across UK and abroad, always striving for participants to learn new skills or enhance the ones they already have. Anna lives in the UK.
The Genealogy Shelf
Ancestoring: Understanding Records, Family, and Ourselves
Darcie Hind Posz
Genealogical Publishing Company
www.genealogical.com
9780806322100, $34.95, PB, 180pp
Amazon
https://www.amazon.com/Ancestoring-Understanding-Records-Ourselves-Families/dp/0806322101
Barnes & Noble
https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/ancestoring-darcie-hind-posz/1149218211
Synopsis: "Ancestoring: Understanding Records, Family, and Ourselves" by genealogist Darcie Hind Posz is divided into three parts:
1. Understanding Records affirms the importance of placing records in their historical context.
2. Understanding Family helps us to ask the question, "Why?" and to be objective and nonjudgmental when uncovering our ancestors' decisions and actions.
3. Understanding Ourselves helps us to acknowledge our own biases in analyzing our ancestors' records and decisions.
Critique: Ideal for the novice genealogist and with great value for the more experienced family researcher, "Ancestoring: Understanding Records, Family, and Ourselves" this paperback edition from the Genealogical Publishing Company is a unique, informative, 'reader friendly' in organization and presentation, making it an unreservedly recommended addition to personal, professional, community, and college/university library Genealogical Research collections and supplemental curriculum studies lists.
Editorial Note: Darcie Hind Posz is an author, genealogist and researcher. She is a member of the Descendants of the Illegitimate Sons and Daughters of the Kings of Britain and enrolled on the list of Kana'iolowalu (the Native Hawaiian Roll Commission). She served as a verifying genealogist for both the National Society, Daughters of the American Revolution, and the National Society, Colonial Dames of the Seventeenth Century. Other genealogical employment has included, genealogist for the Office of Federal Acknowledgement at the Bureau of Indian Affairs and currently, as the eighth Executive Director for the Board for Certification of Genealogists. (https://fasg.org/fellows/fellows-darcie-hind-posz).
The Theatre/Cinema/TV Shelf
Gilmore Girls Pop Culture Reference Guide
Matt Browning
The Lyons Press
c/o The Globe Pequot Press
www.globepequot.com
9781493092444, $24.95, PB, 368pp
Amazon
https://www.amazon.com/Gilmore-Girls-Culture-Reference-Guide/dp/1493092448
Barnes & Noble
https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/gilmore-girls-pop-culture-reference-guide-matt-browning/1147495573
Synopsis: With the publication of "Gilmore Girls Pop Culture Reference Guide", Matt Browning has created an in-depth compendium that includes the thousands of topical references to people, places, movies, music, and events that make up many of the funniest lines on the ever-popular television series Gilmore Girls, bringing new and longtime fans alike in on the joke while educating readers about pop culture and world events from the turn of the twenty-first century.
Despite the timelessness of its humor and heart, however, there is one aspect of Gilmore Girls that firmly anchors it in its era: the sizable cache of dated pop culture references that were topical for the time period but leave today's viewers, especially those of younger generations, scratching their heads.
Over the course of seven seasons and 153 episodes from 2000 to 2007, followed by a four-part revival series in 2016, Gilmore Girls has become a cultural touchstone with an extraordinarily devoted fan base.
In every episode, its fast-paced style of dialogue offered biting observations and timeless humor about issues such as dating, sex, marriage, divorce, race, gender equality, gay rights, and more, while its characters offered rapid-fire pop culture references with seemingly every breath.
Every episode is laced with jokes about people, places, and events that have been blurred, or even forgotten, by time, from the Bangles to the Mothman Prophecies to the works of Shakespeare to the long-forgotten Glitter.
Meticulously researched episode by episode, the "Gilmore Girls Pop Culture Reference Guide" is an eye-opening, illuminating encyclopedia of thousands of topical jokes that will help both new and longtime fans experience their favorite show in a whole new light.
Critique: Simply stated, "Gilmore Girls Pop Culture Reference Guide" by Matt Browning is a 'must' for the legions of Gilmore Girls fans. Organized sequentially by Season, exhaustively comprehensive, and a delightful tour of Gilmore Girls style nostalgia, "Gilmore Girls Pop Culture Reference Guide" is a unique and unreservedly recommended pick for personal, community, and college/university library Television History & Reference collections. It should be noted that this trade paperback edition (6 x 1.1 x 9 inches, 1.15 pounds) of "Gilmore Girls Pop Culture Reference Guide" from Lyons Press is also readily available in a digital book format (Kindle, $17.99).
Editorial Note: Matt Browning is a lifelong television devotee and pop culture enthusiast who has watched Gilmore Girls more times than he can count. His previous book, The Definitive Golden Girls Cultural Reference Guide (Lyons Press), is a similarly veined pop culture encyclopedia of that enduringly popular series, and Gilmore Girls Pop Culture Reference Guide is a worthy sequel that gives the same treatment to a show that had even more cultural references than The Golden Girls. The Golden Girls book was an instant favorite, rising to the top of its category rank on Amazon sales and earning out its advance in its initial print run. Browning lives in West Virginia.
On the Set of Forrest Gump
Steve Starkey
The University Press of Kentucky
www.kentuckypress.com
9781985903678, $29.95, HC, 200pp
Amazon
https://www.amazon.com/Set-Forrest-Gump-Steve-Starkey/dp/1985903679
Barnes & Noble
https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/on-the-set-of-forrest-gump-steve-starkey/1147203932
Synopsis: Making movies is like a box of chocolates. You never know what you're going to get.
Forrest Gump is a beloved and frequently quoted modern classic that has captivated audiences and changed the American cultural landscape since its release. The winner of six Oscars, including Best Picture, Best Director, Best Actor, and Best Adapted Screenplay, its portrayal of American history has often sparked debate. Over the years, viewers have revisited the movie from various perspectives, comparing its sociopolitical themes to those of the current environment. There is no consensus on the exact nature of Robert Zemeckis's creation, yet its influential role in pop culture is undeniable, as is the love for the film.
With the publication of "On the Set of Forrest Gump", film producer Steve Starkey takes his readers on the set of Forrest Gump, providing a candid and nostalgic account of his personal journey during the film's production. His unique firsthand account highlights what makes this iconic movie special and outlines the filmmaking process -- from Zemeckis's early determination to "do anything" to get the film made, to discussions with studio executives about funding and creative control, to the immense effort required during production. Starkey chronicles his distinctive relationship with the film as a producer and a creative partner to Zemeckis, who recognized the film's potential from the beginning.
Featuring exclusive materials (including more than two hundred never-before-seen production stills and photographs depicting the entire cinematic process), "On the Set of Forrest Gump" is candid tell-all book, complete with a foreword by Tom Hanks.
Critique: Fascinating, informative, exceptional, "On the Set of Forrest Gump" by Steve Starkey is absolutely recommended and essential reading for the legions of movie enthusiasts in general, and Forrest Gump fans in particular. Presented in a chronological order from pre-production to release, and with cogent commentary throughout the entire movie making process and the personalities involved, "On the Set of Forrest Gump" is a very special and unreservedly recommended addition to personal, professional, community, and college/university library Cinematic History/Biography collections. It should be noted that this hardcover edition of "On the Set of Forrest Gump" is also readily available to film students and non-specialist general readers with an interest in the subject in a digital book format (Kindle, $29.95).
Editorial Note: Steve Starkey (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Steve_Starkey) is an Academy Award - winning film producer who, in addition to working closely with acclaimed director Robert Zemeckis on such films as Forrest Gump, Contact, Cast Away, What Lies Beneath, and The Polar Express, has operated in various capacities on projects such as George Lucas's original Star Wars trilogy and Ridley Scott's Matchstick Men. Starkey's production filmography includes his role as executive producer for Last Holiday and Real Steel. He began his work alongside Zemeckis as the associate producer on Who Framed Roger Rabbit and Back to the Future, parts II and III.
Maurice Tourneur: Weaver of Dreams
Christine Leteux
University of Wisconsin Press
https://uwpress.wisc.edu
9780299356408, $39.95, HC, 380pp
Amazon
https://www.amazon.com/Maurice-Tourneur-Weaver-Wisconsin-Studies/dp/029935640X
Barnes & Noble
https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/maurice-tourneur-christine-leteux/1148516305
University of Wisconsin Press
https://uwpress.wisc.edu/Books/M/Maurice-Tourneur
Synopsis: In 1914, an unknown French filmmaker arrived in New York; within four years, Maurice Tourneur (1876 - 1961) would become one of America's most acclaimed directors.
A masterful biography of this pioneer film maker, "Maurice Tourneur: Weaver of Dreams" by Christine Leteux shows how intimately connected Tourneur's life was to major events of the twentieth century as well as to the profound transformations in movie making.
A master of directing silent films, he quickly managed the transition to sound. His last major work was created for Continental Films, the German-owned firm that controlled the French film industry during the Nazi Occupation. His son, Jacques, followed in his footsteps, also becoming an acclaimed director.
Drawing heavily on previously unpublished archival documents, Leteux reinvigorates film history and demonstrates that we know far less about this era of filmmaking than we often assume. She reveals not only how Tourneur jumped from France to the United States and back again but also how he shifted from one company to another, moving quickly up the ladder to bigger productions and ever larger studios.
Tourneur's drive, insight, technical proficiency, skill with actors, ability to create new forms of storytelling, and fame on both sides of the Atlantic make it all the more surprising that he is not better known today -- an oversight that has now been corrected thanks to Leteux's impressively detailed research and nuanced storytelling.
Critique: An exceptional, seminal, and groundbreaking study of extensive research and meticulously documented scholarship, "Maurice Tourneur: Weaver of Dreams" by Christine Leteux is informatively enhanced for the reader's benefit with the inclusion of a Foreword by Robert Byrne, numerous B/W illustrations, a two page Introduction, a two page listing of Acknowledgments, twenty pages of Notes, an eighteen page Filmography, a two page Selected Bibliography, and a twelve page Index. This hardcover edition of "Maurice Tourneur: Weaver of Dreams" from the Wisconsin University Press is a unique and unreservedly recommended addition to personal, professional, community, and college/university library Film/Movie History/Criticism collections and supplemental Cinematic History/Biography curriculum studies lists.
Editorial Note: Christine Leteux is the author of Albert Capellani: Pioneer of the Silent Screen and Continental Films: French Cinema Under German Control, both self-translated into English. She is also the translator of several books by British film historian and filmmaker Kevin Brownlow. (www.goodreads.com/author/show/13495116.Christine_Leteux)
The Sports Shelf
You Can't Get There from Here
Roger N. Faulkner
Koehler Books
www.koehlerbooks.com
9798897470174, $25.95, HC, 338pp
Amazon
https://www.amazon.com/You-Cant-Get-There-Here/dp/B0G5VJDCZM
Barnes & Noble
https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/you-cant-get-there-from-here-roger-n-faulkner/1148911057
Synopsis: "You Can't Get There from Here: My Soccer Journey from Derby to Detroit" is Robert Faulkner's personal story of resilience, reinvention, and his determination to turn bold dreams into reality.
Faulkner grew up in wartime Britain as a promising tennis player, but his life took a new course when a career transfer brought him to Detroit. After years with Burroughs Corporation, he pursued his passion for soccer by co-founding the Detroit Express of the North American Soccer League with English soccer icon Jimmy Hill. Their partnership ended in turmoil, with Hill subsequently moving the team to Washington, DC, where it was to fold ignominiously in what the British press dubbed "Jimmy Hill's American disaster."
Undeterred, Faulkner later launched Detroit's bid to host matches for the 1994 World Cup. Against all odds, his daring plan to play on natural grass inside the Pontiac Silverdome stunned the world and made history. As chair of the bid and host committees, he helped deliver one of the tournament's most successful venues and later contributed to the World Cup's legacy through participation in the founding of Major League Soccer and the US Soccer Foundation.
Told with humor and candor, Faulkner's personal life story brims with unforgettable encounters ranging from Henry Kissinger to Robin Williams, and celebrates the persistence required to achieve the seemingly impossible.
Critique: An absolute 'must' for the legions of American soccer fans, Roger Faulkner's memoir, "You Can't Get There from Here: My Soccer Journey from Derby to Detroit" is a simply fascinating and informative read from start to finish. Exceptionally well written, organized and presented, "You Can't Get There from Here: My Soccer Journey from Derby to Detroit" is especially and unreservedly recommended for community and college/university library American Soccer History & Biography/Memoir collections. It should be noted for personal reading lists that this hardcover edition of "You Can't Get There from Here: My Soccer Journey from Derby to Detroit" from Koehler Books is also readily available in paperback (9798897470150, $19.95) and in a digital book format (Kindle, $9.99).
Editorial Note: Roger Faulkner is the co-founder of the Detroit Express of the North American Soccer League and a former financial consultant with Merrill Lynch. As president of the Michigan Soccer Association, Faulkner spearheaded Detroit's successful bid to host 1994 World Cup matches, and he assisted in the launch of Major League Soccer. He was a founding director of the United States Soccer Foundation and served on the investment committee from 1995 to 2018. He advised on the successful takeover of his beloved Derby County in 2008 and has been a regular soccer and tennis broadcaster both locally and nationally.
The Gaming Shelf
Borel Games
Eilon Solan
Chapman Hall Books/CRC Press
c/o Routledge
https://www.routledge.com
9781032948652, $104.99, HC, 228pp
Amazon
https://www.amazon.com/Borel-Games-Eilon-Solan/dp/1032948655
Barnes & Noble
https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/borel-games-eilon-solan/1147450032
Synopsis: Borel Games are multiplayer games with infinite horizon and general payoff functions. These types of games, first introduced by Gale and Stewart (1953), were studied within descriptive set theory in the context of two-player zero-sum games. Only recently have they attracted attention from the broader game theory community. "Borel Games" by Eilon Solan is the first attempt to present a comprehensive exploration of Borel Games in a single volume.
"Borel Games" can be used as a main text for a graduate-level course on Borel Games, or as a supplementary text for a more general course on game theory. Students are assumed to be familiar with set theory and to have a basic understanding of general game theory.
"Borel Games" is replete with exercises (with solutions available online for course instructors) and includes a selection of open problems to invite further study.
Critique: Informatively enhanced for the reader's benefit with the inclusion of a six page Bibliography and a five page Index, "Boreal Games" by Eilon Solan is a comprehensive and seminal contribution to personal, professional, and college/university library Game Theory collections and supplemental curriculum studies lists. It should be noted for fame theory students, academics, and gaming fans that this hardcover edition of "Boreal Games" from Chapman Hall/CRC Press is also readily available in a digital book format (Kindle, $73.99).
Editorial Note: Eilon Solan is a professor at the School of Mathematical Sciences at Tel Aviv University, specializing in Game Theory. He earned his Ph.D. in 1998 from the Hebrew University of Jerusalem and spent two years at the Kellogg School of Management at Northwestern University before joining Tel Aviv University. Solan's research focuses on dynamic games, including stochastic games, stopping games, games with vector payoffs, infinite horizon games with general payoffs, and dynamic decision problems. He has made significant contributions to the study of equilibrium existence in dynamic games and the impact of information in games. Solan co-authored the textbook Game Theory with Michael Maschler and Shmuel Zamir, and authored the graduate-level text Introduction to Stochastic Game Theory. (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eilon_Solan)
The Self-Help Shelf
How to Organize Yourself, 8th edition
John Caunt
Kogan Page Inc.
www.koganpage.com
9781398619982, $27.99, HC, 184pp
Amazon
https://www.amazon.com/How-Organize-Yourself-Efficiently-Creating/dp/1398619981
Barnes & Noble
https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/how-to-organize-yourself-john-caunt/1129253002
Synopsis: Now in a fully updated and expanded 8th edition, "How to Organize Yourself: Simple Ways to Take Control, Save Time and Work More Efficiently" by John Caunt now features even more practical exercises, useful templates and top tips to help you get organized, as well as content on how to deal with the ubiquitous presence of smartphones and adapt to the ever increasing scope for interruption and procrastination in our 24/7 lives.
Deftly organized into ten succinct chapters, "How to Organize Yourself" will enable you to take control of your workload, reduce stress and fatigue, and free up time for the things that really matter.
Critique: Exceptionally well written, organized and presented, this new 8th edition of "How to Organize Yourself: Simple Ways to Take Control, Save Time and Work More Efficiently" by John Caunt is an extraordinary, effective, 'real world practical', DIY instructional guide and 'how-to' manual that continues to be especially and unreservedly recommended for personal, professional, community, and college/university library Self-Help/Self-Improvement collections. Of special and particular interest to readers concerned with time management and career development issues, it should be noted that this hardcover 8th edition of "How to Organize Yourself" from Kogan Page is also available in paperback (9781398619968, $16.99) and in a digital book format (Kindle, $16.14).
Editorial Note: John Caunt (www.johncaunt.biz) is a freelance writer, drawing on his many years' experience as a senior manager, trainer and life coach. During that time and subsequently he has been concerned with the design, organisation and delivery of personal and professional development programmes for individuals and groups of all ages and backgrounds. He is also the author of Stay Confident, How to Organize Yourself, Boost Your Self-Esteem and 30 Minutes to Manage Information Overload, all published by Kogan Page.
The Metaphysical Studies Shelf
The Book of the Golden Precepts
H. P. Blavatsky
Radiant Books
https://radiantbooks.co
9781639940547, $52.00, HC, 549pp
Amazon
https://www.amazon.com/Book-Golden-Precepts-Silence-Fragments/dp/1639940545
Barnes & Noble
https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-book-of-the-golden-precepts-h-p-blavatsky/1148020326
Synopsis: In a new edition published by Radiant Books, "The Book of the Golden Precepts: The Voice of the Silence and Other Fragments of Divine Wisdom" by H. P. Blavatsky is a seminal and groundbreaking theosophical compendium comprised of:
An extensive introduction that reveals the secret powers of your heart, lays out Blavatsky's core teachings, outlines the challenges facing humanity today, and explains how you can help the world in these troubled times.
Four enlightening fragments from The Book of the Golden Precepts - The Voice of the Silence, The Two Paths, The Seven Portals, and Light on the Path - serving as keys to awaken your divine consciousness and unlock authentic transformation.
Profound commentary by assistants of His Holiness the 9th Panchen Lama, as well as by Reverend Father Anthony Elenjimittam (the last disciple of Mahatma Gandhi and a friend of Pope John XXIII) facilitating deeper understanding of the fragments.
Insightful and thought-provoking material by Blavatsky and others to help you walk a spiritual path and answer the questions that may arise as you study the fragments.
Comprehensive glossary covering topics like ancient mysteries; the past, present, and future of humanity; the secret history of the solar system; global warming; Armageddon; the Last Judgement; the Second Coming; the afterlife; karma; and cosmic laws.
Critique: Classic, iconic, and of immense interest to dedicated students of Theosophy, Mahayana Buddhism, Ancient Wisdom/Knowledge, "The Book of the Golden Precepts: The Voice of the Silence and Other Fragments of Divine Wisdom" by H. P. Blavatsky is a fundamental and unreservedly recommended addition to personal, professional, community, and college/university library Metaphysical Studies collections and supplemental curriculum lists. It should be noted that this hardcover edition of "The Book of the Golden Precepts: The Voice of the Silence and Other Fragments of Divine Wisdom" from Radiant Books is also readily available to students, academia, and non-specialist general readers with an interest in the subject that it is also readily available in paperback (9781639940554, $18.99) and in a digital book format (Kindle, $4.99).
Editorial Note #1: Helena Petrovna Blavatsky (31 July] 1831 - 8 May 1891), often known simply as Madame Blavatsky, was a Russian and American mystic and writer who co-founded the Theosophical Society in 1875. She gained an international following as the primary founder of Theosophy as a belief system.
Editorial Note #2: Theosophy is a religious movement established in the United States in the late 19th century. Founded primarily by the Russian Helena Blavatsky and based largely on her writings, it draws heavily from both older European philosophies such as Neoplatonism and Indian religions such as Hinduism and Buddhism. Although many adherents maintain that Theosophy is not a religion, it is variably categorized by religious scholars as both a new religious movement and a form of occultism from within Western esotericism. (Wikipedia).
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