Return to home
page Book Reviews, Book Lover Resources, Advice for Writers and Publishers
Home / Internet Bookwatch

Internet Bookwatch

Volume 25, Number 10 October 2015 Home | IBW Index

Table of Contents

Reviewer's Choice Writing/Publishing Shelf Economic Studies Shelf
Agriculture Shelf Comix/Graphic Novel Shelf Audiobook Shelf
Library CD Shelf Library DVD Shelf Metaphysical Studies Shelf
Cookbook Shelf Mystery/Suspense Shelf Christian Studies Shelf
Judaic Studies Shelf Crafts Shelf Music Shelf
Humor Shelf Mythology Shelf Biography Shelf
Parenting Shelf Education Shelf Travel Shelf
Photography Shelf Fiction Shelf Psychology Shelf
Language Studies Shelf Health/Medicine Shelf Science Shelf
Environmental Studies Shelf Astronomy Shelf Military Shelf
Civil War Shelf Technology Shelf Literary Studies Shelf
Computer Shelf Needlecraft Shelf Fantasy/SciFi Shelf
Antiques/Collectibles Shelf Social Issues Shelf International Studies Shelf
Mathematics Shelf LGBT Studies Shelf  


Reviewer's Choice

Whoppers
Christine Seifert
Zest Books
35 Stillman Street, Suite 121
San Francisco, CA, 94107
9781936976980 $13.99 www.zestbooks.net

Today the phrase "If you believe that, I have a bridge to sell you" is a descriptive cliche about outrageous falsehoods, but in the 1920's, the con man Victor Lustig managed to "sell" the Eiffel Tower - twice! Whoppers is an eye-popping compendium of incredible liars throughout history. Some lied for money; others for prestige; others purely for fun. From famous entertainers like P.T. Barnum, to Pope Leo X (whose excesses kindled the rise of Martin Luther and the Protestant Reformation), to scientific and metaphysical hoaxes, Whoppers is as amazing as it is educational! Whoppers is suitable for readers of all ages, and especially recommended for public and high school library collections.

The Metromaniacs
David Ives
Smith & Kraus Publishers
177 Lyme Road, Lyme NH 03755-6610
www.smithandkraus.com
9781575258225, $11.95, 97pp, www.amazon.com

Mistaken identity, misplaced ardor and a right or true love ensures in "The Metromaniacs", David Ives's adaptation of the classic 1738 French farce. Would-be poet Damis has fallen for the works of a mysterious Breton poetess, not knowing she is really his host, middle-aged gentlemen Francalou. Meanwhile, Francalou's daughter Lucille has fallen for the works of Damis, but mistakes Damis's friend, the dashing and unpoetic Dorante, for Damis. A world premiere translation and adaptations, Ives's presentation of Alexis Piron's "The Metromaniacs" once again applies his brilliant sense of comedic timing to a lost classic. "The Metromaniacs" is a very highly recommended addition to community theatre and community library collections.

5@55
Judith D. Grimaldi, Esq. & Joanne Seminara, Esq. with Pierre A. Lehu
Quill Driver Books
2006 South Mary, Fresno, CA 93721
9781610352581, $12.95, www.quilldriverbooks.com

5@55: The 5 Essential Legal Documents You Need By Age 55 comes from two elder law attorneys and provides a slim but information-packed discussion of the five most important legal documents one needs at age 55: a Will, a Health Care Proxy, a Living Will, a Power of Attorney and a Digital Diary. While most will have heard of the wills and power of attorney, the latter document is something many won't know about; and by setting a age-related deadline of 55 to explain why these documents are needed and how to work with a lawyer to make sure they're in order, consumers can be assured that they will have clear coverage of all the basics in language they can readily understand.

Dutch East India Company Shipbuilding
Wendy van Duivenvoorde
Texas A&M University Press
4354 TAMU, College Station, TX 77843-4354
9781623491796, $90.00, www.tamupress.com

It was eight months into its maiden voyage when the Dutch East India Company's ship Batavia sank in 1629 off the coast of Western Australia. Not only was it lost, but the mutiny and massacre among its shipwrecked survivors became one of the most notorious tales in nautical history. The wreck of the ship and its subsequent excavation and reassembly is well known as is its history; but until now closer study of the Batavia's wooden hull has been unpublished. This book pairs historical and archaeological information with coverage of the technical processes involved in the ship's restoration. It packs in tables, drawings, and photos in the process of exploring and explains early ship construction, and is a recommended pick for any interested in shipwrecks in general, archaeological restorations, or the history of the Batavia in particular.


The Writing/Publishing Shelf

Slay the Dragon: Writing Great Video Games
Robert Denton Bryant & Keith Giglio
Michael Wiese Productions
12400 Ventura Blvd., #1111, Studio City, CA 91604
www.mwp.com
9781615932290, $24.95, 232pp, www.amazon.com

Video games are a multibillion-dollar industry. Writing video games is substantially unlike writing for any other forum, format, or medium. The collaborative work of video game writing experts Robert Bryant and Keith Giglio, "Slay the Dragon: Writing Great Video Games" will enable even the most novice of aspiring video game writers to understand the challenges and offer creative solutions to writing for a medium where the audience not only demands a great story, but to be a driving force within it. Aimed at traditional writers who want to learn interactive narrative as well as game creators who want to tell better, more emotionally involving stories, "Slay the Dragon" is comprised of informed and informative discussions, as well as self-paced exercises covering such topics as: the "no-act" structure of video games; writing great game characters; making game play emotionally meaningful; and bringing the game world alive. Thoroughly 'user friendly' in both content and tone, "Slay the Dragon" is very highly recommended for personal, professional, community, and academic library Gaming and Writing/Publishing instructional reference collections. It should be noted that "Slay the Dragon" is also available in a Kindle edition ($17.67).

Stop Talking & Start Publishing Your Book
Terrance Zepke
Safari Publishing
www.safaripublishing.net
9780990765356, $12.95, 140pp, www.amazon.com

In just 144 page, Terrance Zepke lays out everything an aspiring author needs to know about the business of book publishing including copyrights, DRM, filing taxes, distributors, book covers, aggregators, query letters, book proposals, DBAs, book pricing, EINs, LLCNs, trade discounts, Bowker, ISBNs, worldwide and territory rights, offset printing, and much more. Impressively 'user friendly' in organized and presentation, "Stop Talking & Start Publishing Your Book" is enhanced with the inclusion of a twenty-seven listing of Resources & Inspiration, and a six page Index. A very practical introduction to book publishing, "Stop Talking & Start Publishing Your Book" is enthusiastically recommended for all aspiring authors seeking to have their manuscripts become books, and their books brought to the positive attention of an intended readership. It should be noted that "Stop Talking & Start Publishing Your Book" is also available in a Kindle edition ($4.99).

Writing for the Green Light
Scott Kirkpatrick
Focal Press
c/o Taylor & Francis Group
8th Floor, 711 3rd Avenue, New York, NY 10017, USA
www.focalpress.com
9781138016460, $29.95, 202pp, www.amazon.com

Scott Kirkpatrick is the Director of Distribution for MarVista Entertainment, a Los Angeles based production and distribution company that produces original Lifetime and SyFy channel films, co-produces TV movies with Disney and Nickelodeon, and has managed international TV deals on major franchises including Mighty Morphin Power Rangers, Digimon, and Julius Jr. Scott has also produced and directed TV series and feature films including Eye for an Eye, Muslims in America, and Roadside Massacre. In "Writing for the Green Light: How to Make Your Script the One Hollywood Notices" Kirkpatrick shows the novice playwright just how to craft their screenplay so that it will sell. Aspiring playwrights will find out what Hollywood script readers, producers, and studio executives want in a screenplay (and why) from someone who's been there, as well as discover what it takes to begin a lasting career as a screenwriter. Peppered with interviews from established professionals, "Writing for the Green Light: How to Make Your Script the One Hollywood Notices" will provide playwrights a sharp competitive edge by showcasing dozens of everyday events that go on at the studios but are rarely if ever discussed in most screen writing books. With his behind-the-scenes perspective, Scott Kirkpatrick shows you why the system works the way it does and how you can use its unwritten rules to your advantage. He answers such questions as: Who actually reads your script?; How do you pique the interest of studios and decision makers?; What do agents, producers, and production companies need in a script?; How much is a script worth?; What are the best genres for new writers and why?; What are real steps you can take to 'break in' to television writing?; How do you best present or pitch a project without looking desperate?; How do you negotiate a contract without an agent?; How do you exude confidence and seal your first deal?. Simply stated, "Writing for the Green Light" is a "must read" and a "must have" addition to all personal, community, and academic library Writing/Publishing instructional reference collections. It should be noted that "Writing for the Green Light" is also available in a Kindle edition ($28.45).

The Handy English Grammar Answer Book
Christine A. Hult, Ph.D.
Visible Ink Press
43311 Joy Road #414, Canton, MI 48187-2075
9781578595204 $21.95 www.visibleinkpress.com

The Handy English Grammar Answer Book is a straightforward, accessible guide to the fundamental English grammar, including punctuation advice, insights into writing, analysis of the different parts of a sentence, organizing a well-argued essay, and much more. Created to be accessible to speakers and writers of all ages, The Handy English Grammar Answer Book is especially valuable for high school and college students, and professionals in almost all fields of work. In today's knowledge-based economy, more and more good-paying jobs require solid writing skills! Highly recommended for public and college library as well as personal reference collections.

2015 Guide to Self-Publishing
Robert Lee Brewer, editor
Writer's Digest Books
c/o F+W Media
10151 Carver Road, Suite 200, Blue Ash, OH 45242
www.WritersDigest.com
9781599638478, $29.99, www.amazon.com

Thoroughly updated and revised every year, the "2015 Guide to Self-Publishing" continues to be one of the most 'user friendly' and practical information oriented references that authors considering self-publication have available to them. Comprehensive, and deftly organized, "2015 Guide to Self-Publishing" covers all aspects of self-publication organized into seven major sections (Production; Management; Promotion, Interviews; Listings; Resources; and Index). The contributed articles comprising these sections are provided by experienced and successful men and women who emphasize the practical. Informed and informative, "2015 Guide to Self-Publishing" is a critically important and highly recommended resource for anyone considering or who are already engaged in self-publication.

So I Published A Magazine
Lorraine Phillips
360 Books, LLC
www.soipublishedamag.com
9780988953536, $44.95, www.amazon.com

"So I Published A Magazine: Conversations with Independent Publishers from Around the Globe" is a 286 page compendium based on the results of sixteen candid conversations with independent publishers from around the globe to find out exactly what it takes to start and run a magazine. The publishers were specifically asked how did you fund their magazine?. Whether or not they did they do any market research or create a business plan prior to launching?. How do they attract readers? What did they do to attract advertisers? How important is social media to their operation? Who handles their distribution? What factors do they think contribute to the success or failure of a magazine? And a great deal more. The featured magazines include: Blow, Cereal, Concrete Wave, Delayed Gratification, Disegno, HOLO, IdN, Katachi, Lionheart, Little White Lies, PAPER, Sneaker Freaker, Things & Ink, 3x3, Very Nearly Almost (VNA) and Wax Poetics. Impressively informed and informative, "So I Published A Magazine" should be considered a "must read" for anyone contemplating or already involved in establishing a magazine. Thoroughly 'reader friendly' in composition, content, and presentation, "So I Published A Magazine" is very highly recommended for professional, community, and academic library Writing/Publishing instructional reference collections.


The Economic Studies Shelf

Introducing Social Stratification
Kasturi Dasgupta
Lynne Rienner Publishers
1800 30th Street, Suite 314
Boulder, CO 80301
9781626371835 $35.00 www.rienner.com

Introducing Social Stratification: The Causes and Consequences of Inequality is a studious, systematic, data-driven analysis at ongoing economic inequality in the United States. A worrisome and ongoing American trend is stifling of social mobility, to the extent that the income of a child's parents is a strong indicator of how well the child will do for himself or herself in adulthood. Introducing Social Stratification discusses how inequality shapes life chances, how globalization has intensified inequality, how the gradual death of unions has helped keep wages suppressed, why education is no longer as effective in equalizing opportunity as it used to be, and possible ways to improve the system for all Americans - such as reining in the political power of "big money" and adopting successful aspects of the European societal model. "Conservatives have successfully rallied the masses using this platform of traditional values, which rejects abortion rights, gay rights, the teaching of evolution, gun control, taxes, and big government... However, once conservatives are elected to office, they typically drop their focus on these cultural issues and immediately turn their attention to an economic regimen of stopping increases to the minimum wage, blocking extensions of unemployment benefits, rolling back workplace standards, endorsing financial deregulation, supporting privatization of schools, busting unions, cutting corporate taxes, and then sequestering budgets so that Head Start, food stamps, education, and Medicare can be further slashed." Persuasive and thought-provoking, Introducing Social Stratification is "must-read" for anyone concerned about the widening gap between the rich and the poor.


The Agriculture Shelf

The Complete Guide To Small-Scale Farming, second edition
Melissa Nelson
Atlantic Publishing Group, Inc.
1405 S.W. 6th Avenue, Ocala, FL 34471
www.atlantic-pub.com
9781620230091, $14.99, 288pp, www.amazon.com

Now in a completely revised, updated, and expanded second edition, "The Complete Guide to Small-Scale Farming: Everything You Need to Know about Raising Beef and Dairy Cattle, Rabbits, Ducks, and Other Small Animals" by Melissa Nelson is an exceptionally well written, organized and presented instruction guide and manual that will enable even the most novice of small scale farmers to succeed in their efforts at animal husbandry. Of special note are the sections devoted to raising pigs, sheep, goats, and waterfowl. As informed and informative as it is thoroughly 'user friendly' in content and composition, "The Complete Guide to Small-Scale Farming" is very highly recommended for personal, professional, agricultural school, community, and academic library Agricultural Science reference collections and supplemental studies reading lists -- and most especially any urban or suburban dweller that would like to raise rabbits or chickens in their back yard.

Plant Diseases and Their Management in Organic Agriculture
Maria R. Finckh, Ariena H. C. van Bruggen, Lucius Tamm, editors
APS Press
3340 Pilot Knob Road, St. Paul, MN 55121
www.shopapspress.org
9780890544761, $199.00, 414pp, www.amazon.com

Collaborative compiled and co-edited by Maria R. Finckh (Faculty of Organic Agricultural Sciences, University of Kassel, Witzenhausen, Germany), Ariena H. C. van Bruggen (Emerging Pathogens Institute and Department of Plant Pathology, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida), Lucius Tamm (Research Institute of Organic Agriculture, Frick, Switzerland), "Plant Diseases and Their Management in Organic Agriculture" is the first comprehensive book that fully addresses the systems approach to organic plant disease management and is a critically important instructional reference for any researcher, student, or practitioner involved in organic agricultural research, organic agricultural production, or organic agricultural regulation. Deftly organized into five major sections (General Introduction; Organic Plant Production Practices; Plant Diseases in Organic Agriculture; Plant Disease Management in Organic Agriculture; Specific Crops), "Plant Diseases and Their Management in Organic Agriculture" will prove to be a core addition to corporate agribusiness, governmental, and academic library Agricultural reference collections and supplemental studies reading lists.


The Comix/Graphic Novel Shelf

Democracy
Alecos Papadatos, Abraham Kawa, and Annie Di Donna
Bloomsbury Press
175 Fifth Avenue, Suite 315
New York, NY 10010
9781608197194 $27.00 www.bloomsbury.com

Democracy is a full-color historical graphic novel about the inception of the political concept democracy ("government of the people") in the Greek city-state of Athens, roughly 500 years before the birth of Christ. Some elements of the story are creative license, notably the fictional main character and his closest associates, all of whom are ordinary people of Athens caught up in the tides of change. Yet Democracy makes every effort to accurately portray the daily life and culture of ancient Greece, as well as historical events and major figures of the era. An extensive afterword teaches the reader more about what history has recorded of the time, including controversies about some of the era's biggest players (even today, historians disagree whether the legendary "father of democracy" Cleisthenes was a selfless reformer, a manipulative opportunist, or somewhere in between). Democracy chronicles political assassinations and brutal power struggles. Cleisthenes was himself the maternal grandson of a former tyrant of Athens, and exiled for years; yet his reforms were shocking and unprecedented in how they shifted power away from a handful of the wealthiest families and toward the male, non-slave general population. This new form of government did not come easily to Athens; it had to be earned with blood, when Cleisthenes' political opponents attempted to subjugate Athens to the rival city-state of Sparta, primarily to enrich their own wealth and power. The superb storytelling makes ancient history come alive; Democracy is as fascinating and entertaining as it is educational, and highly recommended especially for public library graphic novel collections.

The Courageous Princess: The Unremembered Lands
Rod Espinoza
Dark Horse Comics
10956 SE Main Street, Milwaukie, OR 97222
9781616557232 $19.99 hc / $15.12 Kindle www.darkhorse.com

The second hardcover graphic novel of a trilogy, The Courageous Princess: The Unremembered Lands continues the story of the good-hearted Princess Mabelrose. Kidnaped from her home by a dragon, Mabelrose has successfully escaped her captor and freed the people of Leptia from an oppressive tyrant. Now, she embarks on the long journey home. Her father, King Jeryk, has begun his own quest to rescue her, enlisting the aid of a small group of talented and princes and adventurers. But an invading army of giants has waylaid them, and now they are the ones in need of rescue! Fantasy and drama intertwine in this exciting, original fairy tale. The Courageous Princess is suitable for all ages, and especially recommended for public and school library graphic novel collections. Also highly recommended is the first volume, "The Courageous Princess: Beyond the Hundred Kingdoms" (9781616557225, $19.99 hc / $9.99 Kindle), and the third volume "The Courageous Princess: The Dragon Queen" (9781616557249, $19.99 hc / $10.65 Kindle) is forthcoming.

Master Keaton 3
Naoki Urasawa, Hokusei Katsushika, and Takashi Nagasaki
Viz Media LLC
1355 Market Street, Suite 200
San Francisco CA 94103
9781421575926 $19.99 www.viz.com

Presented with its artwork in its original "unflipped" right-to-left state, Master Keaton 3 is the third black-and-white manga (Japanese graphic novel) chronicling the adventures of Taichi Hiraga Keaton, the son of a Japanese zoologist and a wealthy English noblewoman. Keaton himself is multitalented; he excelled as a survival skills instructor in the military, and now works as a hybrid of private investigator and diplomat for an insurance company. His greatest struggle is trying figure out just what he wants to do with his life - his job is dangerous yet pays remarkably little; his marriage ended in divorce; and his relationship with his young adult daughter fluctuates between cordial and rocky. Master Keaton uses a (mostly) self-contained episodic storytelling style, which makes volume 3 an accessible jumping-on point for readers new to the series. In volume 3, Keaton must negotiate the safety of a hostage held by greedy kidnappers; defuse a deadly bomb with help from a surprising source; help a childhood rival turned police detective identify a ruthless murderer; and much more. A fine blend of intense action, character-based drama, intrigue, and human interest, the Master Keaton series is highly recommended. Master Keaton is recommended for older teen and adult readers due to some scenes of violence.

Sky in Stereo
Mardou
Revival House Press
9781934460832 $17.95 www.amazon.com

Collecting the Ignatz Award-nominated comic series, Sky in Stereo is the first black-and-white graphic novel of a two-volume saga following a young girl in Northern England whose life is unraveling into complete disintegration. Iris, a young woman turning eighteen in early 1990's Manchester, is severely unfulfilled and disillusioned by her religious home life. Working at a burger bar at the train station, she has a blinding crush on fellow burger-flipper Glen, who introduces her to the messed-up world of illegal drugs. Iris gradually loses her grip on reality; she is obsessed with Glen, her mind is muddled by drugs, and she takes to wandering the streets, estranged from the mother who desperately wants to save her. Sky in Stereo is recommended for older teen or adult readers due to mature themes such as illegal drug usage.

Ultraman 1
Eiichi Shimuizu and Tomohiro Shimoguchi
Viz Media LLC
1355 Market Street, Suite 200
San Francisco CA 94103
9781421581828 $12.99 www.viz.com

Presented in its original "unflipped" right-to-left format, Ultraman 1 is a shonen manga (Japanese graphic novel aimed at teenaged male readers) connected to the genre-defining, long-running Ultraman franchise of television shows and movies - a Japanese pop culture phenomenon similar to America's obsession with superhero stories. In the Ultraman world, heroic individuals appropriate the superhuman powers of alien technology to battle against dangerous monsters. Decades ago, the original Ultraman fought off a terrifying invasion of gigantic Kaiju; his efforts brought many years of peace, but in the present day a renewed threat stirs. Only a new type of Ultraman can counter this menace! The revival of the Ultraman series is action-packed, featuring both titanic clashes and a human element, as the latest inheritor of the Ultraman legacy struggles to control powers he doesn't completely understand. Also highly recommended for fans of superhero-style shonen manga is Kohei Horikoshi's "My Hero Academia" (9781421582696, $9.99), about a middle school student who idolizes heroes yet possesses no powers and no prayer of admission to the prestigious U.A. High School for heroism training - until the legendary savior All Might offers him a chance to change his destiny forever!

Maid-sama! 1 & 2
Hiro Fujiwara
Viz Media LLC
1355 Market Street, Suite 200
San Francisco CA 94103
www.shojobeat.com
9781421581309 $14.99 www.viz.com

Presented in its original "unflipped" right-to-left format, Maid-sama! 1 & 2 is a black-and-white shojo manga (Japanese graphic novel aimed at teenaged female readers) compilation of the first two volumes of a lighthearted saga about a tangled relationship. Misaki Ayuzawa is the class president of a predominantly male high school, and works hard to sharpen her reputation as an academic overachiever. But Misaki has a questionable secret - she works at a maid cafe after school! Then the attractive student Takumi Usui discovers her double life, and starts showing up at the maid cafe regularly; will he reveal her secret to the public? And is he serious when he says he likes her? Perhaps he's a little too forward with his attention - such as an unexpected kiss! Also highly recommended for fans of lighthearted shojo manga is Go Ikeyamada's "So Cute it Hurts!! 2" (9781421579863, $9.99), continuing the graphic novel saga of the adorably cute Kobayashi fraternal twins, who swap clothes and identities, prompting misadventures at school. The boy Mitsuru earns the ire of a local bully, while the girl Megumu unexpectedly falls in love with a guy who seems to be allergic to girls!

Witchcraft Works 7
Ryu Mizunagi
Vertical, Inc.
451 Park Avenue South, 7th floor
New York, NY 10016
9781941220528 $12.95 www.vertical-inc.com

Presented in its original "unflipped" right-to-left format, Witchcraft Works 7 is an action-fantasy black-and-white manga (Japanese graphic novel) continuing the saga of two high school-age teenagers: Takamiya, a mostly ordinary (though perhaps not so ordinary anymore) young man, and the powerful, beautiful, and somewhat aloof witch Kagari. The two share a unique bond that bolsters Kagari's power. Takamiya finds himself attracted to Kagari, yet building up his own strength enough to hold a candle to Kagari's roaring flame is a daunting task! Furthermore, Takamiya has a dangerous entity sealed within him, and these seals are being broken one by one. Volume 7 takes place after the climactic battle with the villainous witch Weekend; with the town protected and order restored, Kagari and Takamiya have a little free time in which to think about their past and the future, in between the occasional rampaging monster or rogue's gallery witch attacks. Clues about their respective pasts leads the duo on a most unusual trip to the home of Kagari's sorcerer family, in hope of learning more. (Meanwhile, Takamiya's magically gifted little sister still has a raging, jealous complex for her oblivious big brother...). As always, Witchcraft Works is characterized by sweeping, beautiful artwork and a lighthearted mix of comedy and drama. Highly recommended!

Tokyo ESP 1
Hajime Segawa
Vertical, Inc.
451 Park Avenue South, 7th floor, New York, NY 10016
9781941220603 $15.95 www.vertical-inc.com

Showcasing its black-and-white artwork in "unflipped" original right-to-left format, Tokyo ESP 1 is a graphic novel about a young woman who suddenly gains psychic powers. Rinka Urushiba's ordinary life is completely disrupted one day, when she wakes up after literally falling through the floor. Another ESPer believes that Rinka is destined to become a hero of justice, capable of using her powers for good. Rinka's awakening comes just as greedy, destructive, and murderous opponents with frightening superpowers descend upon her home city of Tokyo. Rinka must navigate a transformed world with glowing fish flitting through the skies, a seeming roulette wheel of powers, and an ever-changing net of alliances and enemies, to protect what she holds dear! Action and emotion blend seamlessly in this suspenseful, modern-day sci-fi drama.

Ajin: Demi-Human, volume 6
Gaman Saurai
Vertical, Inc.
451 Park Avenue South, 7th floor
New York, NY 10016
9781941220887 $12.95 www.vertical-inc.com

The sixth volume of the science fiction manga (Japanese graphic novel) Ajin: Demi-Human continues the dark saga of an alternate present-day where a portion of the human population are "demi-humans". Demi-humans have two notable characteristics: they are virtually immortal (automatically resurrecting themselves after death), and they can temporarily summon dangerous, near-indestructible oozing black creatures. A demi-human's degree of control over their ability to summon, or over the creature's actions, varies greatly with the individual according to emotions, training/conditioning, and a host of other factors. Extreme discrimination against demi-humans has all but erupted into a factional civil war. Caught in the middle is Kei Nagai, a demi-human who hates almost everyone on both sides, and just wants to survive. Kei has extreme difficulty empathizing with others, yet maintains a tenuous friendship with Ko Nakano, a demi-human who has not yet given up on noble concepts such as justice. In volume 6, Kei makes a decision that, he believes, will significantly improve his and Ko's odds of survival; he chooses to ally with a power player who may be the most likely to "win", and who just might have the tiniest shred of empathy for other humans and demi-humans. (Maybe.) In their new role, Kei and Ko will both learn more about themselves and their powers than ever before. They also have to work with Izumi Shimomura, a teenaged female demi-human whose tragic past has taken its toll on her spirit, but not broken her will to live just yet. Volume 6 also contains separate sidestories about Izumi and Ko. At times bleak and disturbing, Ajin: Demi-Human is also a thoughtful parable about complicated human connections. Highly recommended for older teen and adult readers, due to some violence and mature themes.

Ninja Slayer: Machine of Vengeance 1
Original work by Bradley Bond and Philip Ninja Morzez
Art by Yuki Yogo
Script by Yoshiaki Tabata
Vertical, Inc.
451 Park Avenue South, 7th floor, New York, NY 10016
9781941220931 $12.95 www.vertical-inc.com

Presented with its black-and-white artwork "unflipped" in its original right-to-left format, Ninja Slayer: Machine of Vengeance 1 is the first volume of a shockingly violent and action-packed manga (Japanese graphic novel) set in a futuristic, crime-ridden urban landscape flooded with neon light and ruled by ruthless criminals. The most menacing of these crimelords are ninjas with superhuman powers, who war relentlessly, control the private and public sectors of everyday life, and terrify ordinary people. But one individual is determined to bring change at any cost. He is the Ninja Slayer, and he will go to any extreme to rid the world of ninjas forever! Ninja Slayer: Machine of Vengeance 1 is recommended for older readers (minimum thirteen years of age) due to its over-the-top body count, and will not disappoint fans of high-octane fighting ferocity.

Will Eisner: A Spirited Life
Bob Andelman
TwoMorrows Publishing
10407 Bedfordtown Drive, Raleigh, NC 27614
9781605490618, $39.95, www.twomorrows.com

Will Eisner: A Spirited Life appears in a deluxe edition that expands and presents in full-color a biography that's been out of print, covering the life of an artist with over seventy years in the comics industry. His direction fostered the concept of concepts for adult readers, created the first famous graphic novel, and helped influence other notable talents from Batman's creator to various underground comics icons - so the publication of this definitive survey is something that no serious comics, cartoon or graphic novel collection should bypass. Interviews, black and white and color illustrations on every page, detailed discussions of comic history and evolution that place Eisner's work in historical perspective, and more make this a 'must have' reference.


The Audiobook Shelf

In This Together
Ann Romney
Macmillan Audio
175 Fifth Avenue, Suite 315
New York, NY 10010
9781427267672 $29.99 www.macmillanaudio.com

In This Together: My Story is the unabridged audiobook rendition of the memoir of Ann Romney, former First Lady of Massachusetts (her governor husband Mitt Romney is also well- known for his unsuccessful presidential campaign) and global ambassador of the Ann Romney Center for Neurologic Diseases at Brigham and Women's Hospital in Boston. Ann met her future husband Mitt Romney when both were teenagers, and much of their life was filled with blessings: five healthy sons, wealth, and a happy household. Then in 1998, Ann was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis; no therapies or treatments could aid her. Mitt told her that they would face the disease's challenge as a team. Ann, a caregiver all her life, had to face the reality of becoming a care receiver. Candid and personal, In This Together is a powerful true story about confronting bad news head-on, as well as Ann's journey from patient to advocate for people worldwide afflicted with debilitating neurological diseases. Highly recommended. 6 CDs, 7.5 hours.

Never Enough
Michael D'Antonio, author
Read by Eric Pollins
Macmillan Audio
175 Fifth Avenue, Suite 315
New York, NY 10010
9781427274458 $39.99 www.macmillanaudio.com

A member of a Pulitzer Prize-winning team of journalists from "Newsday", Michael D'Antonio presents Never Enough: Donald Trump and the Pursuit of Success an unabridged audiobook about the meteoric rise of Donald Trump amid Republican party jockeying for the 2015 Presidential nomination. Never Enough is a stark biography that portrays Trump as a man with an insatiable appetite for wealth, attention, power, and conquest, and who views himself as decidedly superior to all (or at least, the vast majority of) other human beings. D'Antonio draws upon interviews with Trump and many of his family members, including all of his adult children, to form a vivid picture of both Trump the pugnacious and outspoken American icon, and Trump the mortal man, whose life has been marked by stormy romances and the relentless pursuit of power. Never Enough also examines how Trump's political rise is symptomatic of how modern American politics have become more and more heavily influenced by money - will all of America's highest governmental offices eventually be the exclusive domain of the super-rich? Highly recommended. 13 CDs, 16.5 hours.

Bastards: A Memoir
Mary Anna King, author
Read by Christina Delaine
Highbridge Audio Books
270 Skip Jack Road
Prince Frederick, MD 20678
9781622319459 $29.99 www.highbridgeaudio.com

Bastards: A Memoir is the unabridged audiobook presentation of a coming-of-age memoir. Author Mary Anna King was a young girl named Mary Hall in the early 1980's, born to poor California parents who were ultimately incapable of raising any of their own children. After Mary's father walked out on the family, a commune of mothers in a low-income housing complex raised her for a time; eventually, Mary's loving but overwhelmed mother sent her to Oklahoma to be raised with her maternal grandparents, whowere also raising her younger sister Rebecca. In time Mary is legally adopted by her own grandparents - an unusual situation that makes her mother her sister, and her brother her nephew. Her sisters begin to reconnect with her when she is in college, beginning a piece-by-piece family reunion. Alternately humorous and poignant, Bastards: A Memoir is about rediscovering one's family and one's center, and is highly recommended. 8 hours, 7 CDs.

Lord Jim
Joseph Conrad
Read by Ric Jerrom
Naxos of America, Inc.
1810 Columbia Avenue, Suite 28
Franklin, TN 37064
www.naxosaudiobooks.com
9781843798842, $73.98 CD / $48.00 digital

Part of Naxos' "Complete Classics" line of unabridged audiobooks, Lord Jim is a novel about pride, self-delusion, and the stumbling search for redemption. Jim is the first mate on a small steamer in the Pacific. When the ship hits floating wreckage and sinks, Jim and crew abandon it, saving their own lives but abandoning hundreds of ethnic travelers to a watery grave. Jim's ruthless actions are exposed by the court, leading to a journey that takes him to a remote, exotic locale where he is revered as Lord Jim ("Tuan Jim"). Evocative and insightful, Lord Jim is a thinking person's novel, highly recommended especially for public and college library audiobook collections. 12 CDs, 15 hours 34 min.

Born of Defiance
Sherrilyn Kenyon
Macmillan Audio
175 Fifth Avenue, Suite 315, New York, NY 10010
www.macmillanaudio.com
9781427262066, $39.99, www.amazon.com

Born a genealogical and cultural outcast, Talyn Batur has spent the whole of his life fighting against the prejudice of his people. An Andarion without a father is not something anyone wants to be. But when his companion Felisha's brother draws him into a plot against the Andarion crown, he finds himself torn between the loyalty to their planetary government that his mother has beaten into him and his own beliefs of justice and right. Now, he must decide for himself to remain a pawn of their government or to defy everything and everyone he's ever known to stand up to tyranny. It's a gamble that will either save his life or end it. And when old enemies align with new ones, it's more than just his own life at risk. And more than just his home world that will end should he fail. "Born of Defiance" is an original and exceptionally well written science fiction action/adventure novel by Sherrilyn Kenyon. With flawless production values, this Macmillan unabridged audio book edition is superbly narrated by Fred Berman and very highly recommended for both personal and community library science fiction audio book collections. 11 CDs, 13.5 Hours.

Utah Blaine
Louis L'Amour
Random House Audio Books
c/o The Random House Publishing Group
1745 Broadway, 5th floor, New York, NY 10019
www.randomhouseaudio.com
9780804192491, $30.00, www.amazon.com

Utah Blaine broke out of jail and headed north out of Mexico with nothing but the clothes on his back. Then he found new trouble struggling at the end of a noose - and stepped in just in time to save the life of a Texas rancher. The would-be executioners were the rancher's own men, looking to steal his land. Now Utah has a unique proposition: Have the wealthy Texan play dead, introduce himself as the spread's new foreman, and take care of the outlaws one by one. The wage to fight another man's war? A hundred a month plus expenses. The cost of falling in love while he earns that wage? It wasn't exactly part of the original agreement, but Utah will soon find out unless the bad guys get to him first. "Utah Blaine" is another action-packed western novel classic by the legendary Louis L'Amour. Complete and unabridged, this highly recommended audio book edition is very capably narrated by Craig Klein and certain to be an enduringly popular addition to personal and community library audio book collections. (5 CDs, 6 Hours).

Dragonbane
Sherrilyn Kenyon
Macmillan Audio
175 Fifth Avenue, Suite 315, New York, NY 10010
www.macmillanaudio.com
9781427261205, $39.99, www.amazon.com

Out of all the shape shifting creatures who call Sanctuary home, no one is more antisocial or withdrawn than Maxis Drago. But then, it's hard to blend in with the modern world when you have a fifty foot wingspan. Centuries ago, he was cursed by an enemy who swore to see him fall. An enemy who took everything from him and left him forever secluded. But Fate is a bitch, with a wicked sense of humor. And when she throws old enemies together and threatens the wife he thought had died centuries ago, he comes back with a vengeance. Modern day New Orleans has become a battleground for the oldest of evils. And two dragons will hold the line, or go down in flames, in Dragonbane, the next explosive Dark-Hunter novel by Sherrilyn Kenyon presented in a flawless produced, complete and unabridged audiobook edition deftly narrated by Holter Graham. Strongly recommended for personal and community library Science Fiction/Fantasy audio book collections. (7 CDs).

Country
Danielle Steel, author
Read by Dan John Miller
Brilliance Corporation
PO Box 887, Grand Haven, MI 49417
9781455833290 $38.99 www.brillianceaudio.com

Country is a romance novel about a middle-aged widow re-learning to enjoy the spontaneity of life. Setphanie Adams had stayed in her dull, joyless marriage for years for the sake of her children; then her fifty-two-year-old husband suddenly dies. While her children grieve, she has conflicting feelings, and struggles to resurrect her identity as an independent individual. A sudden impulse leads her on a road trip to Las Vegas, the Grand Canyon, and a chance meeting that revolutionizes her life. She meets country music star Chase Taylor, and nothing is ever the same again. Country a thoughtful story about complex characters adjusting to the turbulent changes of their lives. 8 CDs, 9 hours 29 min. Also highly recommended for fans of passionate romance is J.T. Geissinger's "Sweet as Sin" (9781491590256, $14.99, 10 CDs, 12 hours 18 min.) an intense audiobook about the passionate chemistry that develops between Hollywood makeup artist Kat Reid and a notorious rock star.

Blue
H.J. Bellus, author
Read by Maxine Mitchell and Joe Arden
Tantor Media, Inc.
6 Business Park Road, Old Saybrook, CT 06475
9781494516697 $30.39 CD / $12.50 MP3 www.tantor.com

Blue is an emotional romance that draws inspiration from the parable of Beauty and the Beast. Blue Williams is talented and celebrated at her high school - senior class valedictorian, prom queen, popular squad cheerleader, and more. Her life changes completely when she attends college; she is no longer the local celebrity, and able to blend in for the first time she can remember. Then, a brush with horror forces her to re-examine her entire life, as well as the man who rescues her; ninety percent of his body is covered with terrible scars. Can love blossom between such physical opposites? At once both passionate and thoughtful, Blue is especially recommended to romance connoisseurs.

Robert Ludlum's The Patriot Attack
Written by Kyle Mills
Read by Jeff Woodman
Hachette Audio
237 Park Avenue, New York, NY 10017
9781478979579 $30.00 www.HachetteAudio.com

Robert Ludlum's The Patriot Attack is an unabridged audiobook rendition of a modern-day work of international suspense and nuclear tension. An attack on a Japanese warship has pushed Japan and China to the brink of war, and top Covert-One operative Colonel John Smith embarks on a mission to recover material from the wreckage of the Fukushima nuclear reactor. Then Smith goes missing. CIA agent Randi Russell ventures on an unsanctioned mission to find him, and learns that the material he sought to salving may well be evidence that Japan, led by the warmongering military chief of staff Masao Takahashi, has been secretly developing next- generation weapon systems as part of their military buildup. Can Cover One prevent General Takashi from igniting a third world war fought with nuclear weapons? Exciting to the very end, Robert Ludlum's The Patriot Attack is a "must-have" for fans of the genre! 9 CDs, 10 hours.


The Library CD Shelf

The Shackleton Experience
Karl Schmaltz
Privately Published
$10.00 www.shackletonexperience.com

The creation of 19-year-old music prodigy Karl Schmaltz, The Shackleton Experience is a unique blend of music and spoken-word storytelling, reliving Sir Ernest Shackleton's effort to cross the Antarctic continent from sea to sea aboard the ship "Endurance". Inviting the listener to relive the crunch of plowing through ice blocks, exhaustive trekking across seemingly endless snow, and surviving dire peril, The Shackleton Experience is evocative, original, and highly recommended. The tracks are "Men Wanted", "Into the Weddell Sea", "Winter Months", "Ocean Camps", "Escape from the Ice", "The Boat Journey", "Across South Georgia", and "The Rescue".

Illumination of the Heart
Deuter
New Earth Records
www.NewEarthRecords.com
c/o Sounds True
413 South Arthur Avenue, Louisville, CO 80027
www.soundstrue.com
$13.99 CD / $9.49 MP3 www.amazon.com

Created by prolific New Age musician Deuter (widely considered one of the founding fathers of the genre since the release of his first album in 1971), Illumination of the Heart is an instrumental album of spiritual music featuring flute, keyboards, cello, piano, guitar, and soft vocals. Evoking emotion and reflection on the interconnectedness of all life, Illumination of the Heart is a sublime diffusion of conscious awareness, and an excellent choice for relaxation, meditation, or life therapy. Highly recommended! The tracks are "Matamua" (9:48), "Moon and Earth" (6:28), "Tonglen" (7:38), "Stern an Stern" (6:50), "Coucher de Lune" (4:46), "Schein Und Widerschein" (9:26), "Desert Dream Green" (7:37), and "Mericoeur" (8:23), 61 min.

Lights of Laniakea
Kathy Sanborn
That Other Label
$8.99 CD / $9.49 MP3 www.amazon.com

Lights of Laniakea is the seventh album by composer, singer, producer, and American Songwriting Awards Winner Kathy Sanborn. Eight of her songs have English lyrics; three others features haunting, wordless vocalizations. The fluid beauty of Lights of Laniakea hearkens to its inspiration, a recently mapped supercluster in space containing our galaxy, dubbed Laniakea (meaning "Immeasurable Heaven") by astronomers. An enchanting, cross-cultural audio experience, Lights of Laniakea is rapturously radiant. The tracks are "Star Catcher" (5:42), "Follow the Light" (5:28), "Soul Dancing" (5:28), "Someday" (4:57), "Little Candle" (6:05), "Lani Heaven" (5:53), "Immeasurable Sky" (4:57), "The Stuff of Stars" (6:03), "Abundant Love" (5:44), "Akea" (5:02), "Seeds of Hope" (4:37), and "Fantasy" (6:24).

New York Boogaloo
Spanglish Fly
Chaco World Music
$15.00 CD / $20.00 vinyl www.spanglishfly.com

New York Boogaloo is the debut album of Spanglish Fly, showcasing an American music style created by Puerto Ricans in New York and influenced by the soul, rock, and pop of the 1960's. Boogaloo shifts freely from English to Spanish; thoughts its character is Latin, it welcomes musicians of all heritages to share and experiment. Spanglish Fly recaptures the high-flying spirit of Boogaloo in its lively performance featuring wurlitzer and brass, funky bass, congas and timbales, and more. The result is just plain fun to experience! The tracks are "Esta Tierra" [a re- imagining of Woody Guthrie's "This Land is Your Land"], "Bump (And Let It Slide)", "Return of the Po-Po", "Martian Boogaloo", "Mira Ven Aca", "42 (El Cuarenta Y Dos)", "Love Graffiti Me", "Me Gusta Mi Bicicleta", "Cuidate Hermana", and "Brooklyn Boogaloo".

True North
The Stetson Family
www.thestetsonfamily.com
$15.00 AUD CD / $12.00 AUD download

Acoustic, five-piece bluegrass and folk Americana band The Stetson Family presents True North, an album of original songs, each of which tells its own story. The Stetson Family is based in Australia, but the rugged, down-to-earth charm of their music is universal. A "must-have" especially for fans of country and its creative offshoots! The tracks are "Hey Bartender" (2:50), "Run Daddy Run" (3:27), "Every Second Beat Of My Heart" (4:28), "Lover Where You Going" (3:15), "Man and a Pretty Girl" (3:56), "Billy" (4:11), "Travelin' Man" (3:35), "Top of the Mountain" (3:03), "Don't Look Back" (4:07), "Haunted Hills" (3:13), "Let It Ride" (4:59), and "How Mountain Girls Can Love" (2:43).

Fantasy Reality
Salvador Santana
Privately Published
$TBA CD / $9.99 download www.itunes.com

The second full length album by Grammy Award Winner Salvador Santana, Fantasy Reality is inspired by a timeless Walt Disney Quote: "When we do fantasy, we must not lose sight of reality." Fantasy Reality connects the raw elements of rhythm with emotionally moving melodies, and lyrics with a strong positive message. Inspirational and supportive, Fantasy Reality stimulates the imagination while reminding the listener of the quintessential human condition. The tracks are "Be the Change", "Till the Mornin' Light", "Somethin' That's Real", "Change Is Gonna Come", "Here With You Tonight", "Keep Pressin' On", "Let The Wall Down" "Love Is Peach", "Fantasy Reality", "Sound Physician", "Visualize Strength", and "I Don't Want It To End".


The Library DVD Shelf

Statue of Liberty & New York City
Bennett Watt HD Productions, Inc.
13021 - 244 Avenue SE
Issaquah, WA 98027
9781604901801 $24.95 www.Bennett-Watt.com

Part of the "Discoveries... America National Parks" series of documentary/travel video essays (available in both DVD and Blu-ray format), Statue of Liberty & New York City is magnificent tour of historical and recreational sites in New York, including the Statue of Liberty National Monument, Ellis Island, Grant's Tomb National Memorial, Theodore Roosevelt Birthplace Home National Historic Site, 9/11 Memorial, and much more. Beautiful footage and enlightening background information make Statue of Liberty & New York City the next best thing to visiting these evocative places in person. Highly recommended, especially for public library DVD collections. 50 min.

George Gently Series 7
Starring Martin Shaw, Lee Ingleby, and Lisa McGrillis
Acorn Media
c/o RLJ Entertainment
9781621724384 $59.99 DVD and Blu-ray, www.acornonline.com

Available in both DVD and Blu-ray formats, George Gently Series 7 collects four all-new, feature-length mysteries featuring Detective Chief Inspector George Gently (played by Martin Shaw), who strives to keep the peace and catch criminals in North East of England during the socially turbulent 1960's. Gently works with Detective Sergeant John Bacchus (played by Lee Ingleby) and Constable Rachel Coles (played by Lisa McGrillis) to solve crimes of violence, as cultural, economic, and social revolutions transform the world around them. Yet Gently and Bacchus each harbor their own dark secrets, which could potentially bring them disgrace and destroy their careers! Bonus features include interviews with star Martin Shaw and guest actors Jim Moir and Lesley Nicol. George Gently Series 7 is a "must-have" for connoisseurs of dramatic British mysteries! 4 mysteries on 4 discs, 371 min. plus bonus, widescreen, SDH subtitles.

The Secrets of the Pack Line Pressure Defense
Matt Woodley
Championship Productions
2730 Graham Street, Ames, IA 50010
$49.99 www.ChampionshipProductions.com

The Secrets of the Pack Line Pressure Defense is an instructional DVD concerning one of the most effective defensive strategies in basketball. Expert coach Matt Woodley (former Head Coach at Truman State) teaches viewers how to learn the pack line defense through a series of breakdown drills, how to quickly build the pack line defense in transition, apply the concept of "tagging" on basket cuts to prevent easy baskets, and more. On-court demonstrations, meticulous analysis, and extensive instruction distinguishes this "must-have" for any coach or basketball team determined to elevate their gameplay to the next level.

Just Walk: Walk to the Hits - All Time Favorites
Leslie Sansone
www.walkathome.com
Anchor Bay Entertainment
2401 West Big Beaver Road, Suite 200
Troy, MI 48084-3304
$14.98 www.anchorbayentertainment.com

Part of the "Just Walk" series of fitness DVDs, Just Walk: Walk to the Hits - All Time Favorites blends energetic music and High Intensity Interval Training (HIIT) to create a fun, completely accessible exercise program that anyone can participate in. The core program is a 3-mile walk routine that guides the viewer to step, tap, kick, and twist to old favorites, in this great way to get moving. Highly recommended especially for people who have trouble getting motivated to stay in shape! The tracks are "Warm Up Walk" (6 min.), "Speed Segment 1" (5 min.), "HIIT Session 2" (12 min.), "Speed Segment 2" (5 min.), "HIIT Session 2" (12 min.), and "Cool Down Walk & Stretch" (8 min.). 56 min. widescreen.


The Metaphysical Studies Shelf

The Haunted House Diaries
William J. Hall
New Page Books
c/o Career Press Inc.
220 West Parkway, Unit 12, Pompton Plains, NJ 07444
9781632650061, $16.99, www.newpagebooks.com

The Haunted House Diaries: The True Story of a Quiet Connecticut Town in the Center of a Paranormal Mystery tells of an author drawn to investigate a notorious, haunted farmhouse in his home state. As his research led him to discover the 1790s house was built on a paranormal crossroads where supernatural forces converged, he culled facts from the private diary of one of the house's residents that detailed five decades of frightening encounters, and paired these with interviews of neighbors and house inhabits to create this powerful collection. Any with an interest in true ghost stories and ghostly encounters will find this takes the subject a step further, creating a powerfully compelling read that's eerily hard to put down.

The Witch's Oracle
Marla Brooks and Tania Kahn
Schiffer Publishing
4880 Lower Valley Road, Atglen, PA 19310
9780764349317, $24.99, www.schifferbooks.com

The Witch's Oracle provides a 45-card oracle deck with each card including a magical incantation to provide energy and support the card's underlying message, and is a recommended deck for any new age tarot reader or oracle user. It's designed to be a divination deck for Witches and non-Pagans alike and holds the ability to appeal to beginners and those well versed in Tarot and other decks. The lovely artwork of the cards is supplemented by a guide that addresses the symbolism of the deck and its interpretations, making for an excellent collection for any using oracle decks.

Feng Shui from the Inside, Out
Victoria Pendragon
Ozark Mountain Publishing, Inc.
PO Box 754, Huntsville, AR 72740
9781940265094 $16.00 www.ozarkmt.com

Professional residential and commercial Feng Shui consultant Victoria Pendragon presents Feng Shui from the Inside, Out. Pendragon does not advocate Feng Shui as the complete solution to all of life's problems; rather, it is only one technique to help the user prepare for and capitalize on good happenings. Pendragon combines basic Feng Shui tenets with self-help principles that she dubs "Sleep Magic" to improve one's self-awareness, become more receptive and alert, and transform one's life for the better. "One of the least followed tenets of excellent Feng Shui is a mirror-free bedroom. A bedroom should be mirror-free for a very good reason: bedrooms are supposed to be places of peace and stillness; mirrors bring a vibration very much the opposite of that, amplifying light energy in the pace throughout the day and turning the bedroom into a kind of battery, buzzing with vibration when it should be a place of calm." Accessible and user- friendly, Feng Shui from the Inside, Out is a choice self-help guide especially recommended for practical-minded individuals seeking the benefits of Feng Shui.

True Tales from the Edgar Cayce Archives
Sidney Kirpatrick & Nancy Kirkpatrick
A. R. E. Press
215 - 67th Street, Virginia Beach, VA 23451-2061
www.edgarcayce.org
9780876048269, $17.95, 272pp, www.amazon.com

Edgar Cayce (March 18, 1877 - January 3, 1945) was an American mystic (nicknamed The Sleeping Prophet) who answered questions on subjects as varied as healing, reincarnation, wars, Atlantis and future events while in a trance. "True Tales from the Edgar Cayce Archives: Lives Touched and Lessons Learned from the Sleeping Prophet" explores the intricate details and eye-opening stories of the people who received his readings. Sidney and Nancy Kirkpatrick, with their decades of experience and research, take the reader on a journey into the archives and history of these psychic passages, finding the most interesting case studies and exploring the most astounding results of the Cayce work in so many people's lives. Their findings are presented in a way that reads like a whodunit that is an absolutely absorbing read from beginning to end. "True Tales from the Edgar Cayce Archives" is enthusiastically recommended to students of Metaphysical Studies in general, and the life and work of Edgar Cayce in particular. It should be noted that "True Tales from the Edgar Cayce Archives" is also available in a Kindle edition ($12.56).


The Cookbook Shelf

Kitchen Gypsy
Joanne Weir
Oxmoor House
PO Box 361095, Des Moines, IA 50336-1095
www.timeincbooks.com
9780848746032, $35.00, 288pp, www.amazon.com

The author of seventeen previous cookbooks, Joanne Weir is a James Beard Award-winning cookbook author, international cooking teacher and chef. In her award-winning PBS series, "Joanne Weir's Cooking Class," "Joanne Weir's Cooking Confidence" and her new series "Joanne Weir Gets Fresh". Once again she brings her experience and expertise to bear in "Kitchen Gypsy: Recipes and Stories from a Lifelong Romance with Food". Beautifully illustrated in full color throughout, the thoroughly 'kitchen cook friendly' recipes range from Chicken Legs Stuffed with Blue Cheese and Walnuts; Rhubarb Crostata with Chestnut Honey Ice Cream; Salmon with Cucumber and Mint Fettuccine; Farmers' Market Risotto with Squash Blossoms; and Lavender Lime Souffle; to Moroccan-Style Lamb Burgers with Cucumber-Ginger Yogurt; Spiced Papas Bravas with Avocado Crema; Oaxacan Chocolate Milk Shakes; Sparkling Rose Petal Sorbet; and Friday-Night Potato Pancakes. Of special note are all the inherently interesting little commentaries throughout. "Kitchen Gypsy" is guaranteed to be an enduringly popular addition to personal, professional, family, and community library cookbook collections. It should be noted that "Kitchen Gypsy" is also available in a Kindle edition ($18.29).

100 Recipes
America's Test Kitchen
17 Station Street, Brookline, MA 02445
www.americastestkitchen.com
9781940352015, $40.00, www.amazon.com

Each individual recipe comprising "100 Recipes" has been tested, written, and edited by the test cooks, editors, food scientists, tasters, and cookware specialists at America's Test Kitchen, a 2,500-square-foot kitchen located just outside Boston. Beautifully and profusely illustrated throughout, this 368 page compendium of thoroughly 'kitchen cook friendly' recipes showcases nutritious and delicious dishes that range from Stir Fried Beef and Brocoli with Oyster Sauce; Sweet and Tangy Barbecued Chicken; Skillet Meaty Lasagna; and Best Vegetarian Chili; to Creamy Parmesan Polenta; Pork and Cabbage Potstickers; and Italian Almond Cake. Every recipe includes serving size information, an ingredients list, and clear step-by-step instructions. "100 Recipes" will prove to be an enduringly popular addition to personal, family, professional, and community library cookbook collections. It should be noted that "100 Recipes" is also available in a Kindle edition ($21.00).

Simply In Season
Mary Beth Lind & Cathleen Hockman-Wert
Herald Press
1251 Virginia Avenue, Harrisonburg, VA 22802
www.heraldpress.com
9780836199123, $24.99, 384pp, www.amazon.com

Now newly released in a tenth anniversary edition, "Simply In Season" is the collaborative work of dietitian and nutritional consultant Mary Beth Lind and journalist/avid farmers market shopper Cathleen Hockman-Wert. This beautifully illustrated, 384 page culinary compendium showcases recipes that emphasize the use of fresh, local foods. Seasonally organized (Spring, Summer, Autumn, Winter, and a concluding section for All Seasons), the palate pleasing, appetite satisfying dishes range from Sugared Asparagus; Greek Tomato Salad; Slow Cooker Enchiladas; and Butternut Harvest Stew; to Apple Lentil Salad; Easy Homemade Sauerkraut; Chunky Crunchy Granola; and Scandinavian Sweet Soup. A truly impressive assembly of thoroughly 'kitchen cook friendly' recipes, "Simply In Season" is as much fun to browse through as it is simple and easy to plan seasonally appropriate meals with, giving it the highest possible recommendation for personal, family, and community library cookbook collections. It should be noted that "Simply In Season" is also available in a paperback addition (9780836199130, $19.99).

The How Can It Be Gluten Free Cookbook: Volume 2
America's Test Kitchen
17 Station Street, Brookline, MA 02445
www.americastestkitchen.com
www.howcanitbeglutenfree.com
9781936493982, $26.95, 328pp, www.amazon.com

The second volume of America's Test Kitchen "The How Can It Be Gluten Free Cookbook" features some 190 all-new landmark recipes, including more than seventy-five dairy-free recipes, along with an emphasis on a new whole-grain flour blend. The nutritious and delicious, kitchen cook friendly recipes range from Whole Grain Waffles; Rainbow Quinoa Pilaf; Batter Fried Fish; and Flourless Nut and Seed Loaf; to Rosemary Focaccia; Linzer Cookies; Coconut Cream Pie; and New York Style Cheesecake. From breakfast treats, to comfort food, to main meal entres, to simply wonderful desserts, "The How Can It Be Gluten Free Cookbook: Volume 2" is certain to be an enduringly popular addition to personal, family, and community library collections. It should be noted that this second volume in the "The How Can It Be Gluten Free Cookbook" series is also available in a Kindle edition ($16.49).

The Mindfulness Cookbook
Dr. Patrizia Collard & Helen Stephenson
Hamlyn
c/o Octopus Publishing
236 Park Avenue, New York NY 10017
9780600632610 $12.99 www.octopusbooksusa.com

Illustrated with full-color photography throughout, The Mindfulness Cookbook: Recipes, Tips and Plans for Mindful Eating is a health-conscious cookbook that does not involve calorie- counting, dieting, or fasting. Rather, the mindful approach is all about tuning into one's own "body wisdom", and learning to enjoy food to the fullest. This enables one to reduce portion sizes and focus on nourishing foods; by paying attention to and savoring the food one eats, one feels completely satiated while pursuing a weight-loss regimen and a lifelong balance. Tips, tricks, and techniques to transform one's eating habits for the better are interspersed among such recipes as "Spinach & lima bean frittata", "Greek country salad with halloumi", "Quick prosciutto & arugula pizza", "Malaysian rendang lamb", "Broiled fruits with palm sugar" and much more. The Mindfulness Cookbook is an excellent tool to make restructuring one's culinary habits practical and fun, as well as a gourmand's delight!

Italy from the Source
Lonely Planet Publications
150 Linden Street, Oakland CA 94607
9781743607619 $24.99 lonelyplanet.com

Featuring full-color photography on almost every other page, Italy from the Source is a sumptuous cookbook of Italian cuisine. The recipes and images are all directly from locations in Italy itself, and shared by families who invented or inherited them. Enhanced with numerous descriptive culinary asides, Italy from the Source is as much a gustatory tour of Italy as it is a showcase of appetizing recipes, and enthusiastically recommended for international cookbook collections. Dishes include "Pumpkin Tortelli", "Olive Mill-Style Soup", "Octopus Stew with Tomatoes, Aromatic Herbs & Potatoes", "Pasta with Tomatoes & Aubergine", and much more.

The Cheese Lover's Cookbook
Emily Chambers and Whitney Lindsley, authors
Mysha Denson and Nicole Fernley, photography
Front Table Books
c/o Cedar Fort, Inc
2373 W. 700 South, Springville, Utah 84663
9781462115907, $16.99, www.cedarfort.com

"The Cheese Lover's Cookbook" has a plethora of delicious new cheese recipes for appetizers, sides, salads, main dishes, and desserts, appealing to a wide variety of palates. Each recipe has a colored sidebar highlighted list of ingredients and measurements, and most recipes have mouth-watering color photos of the finished product. Many are simple and easy to make. Here are some tasty examples: Mozzarella Caprese Salad with Balsamic Vinaigrette, Cheesy Spinach Artichoke Dip, Iceberg Wedge Salad with Blue Cheese Dressing, Baked Five-Cheese Ziti, Goat Cheese and Cabbage Tacos, Baked Reuben Braid (at truly majestic, festive dish), Ultimate Grilled Cheese Variations (Three-Cheese, Caprese, and Bacon Cheddar), Pastitsio (Greek Lasagna), and Cream Cheese Stuffed French Toast. All recipes are clearly explained and very family friendly. For dessert, there is Berry Mascarpone Trifle, Hazelnut Cocoa Tiramisu, and the reviewer's favorite, Dulce de Leche Cheesecake. Everybody enjoys cheese as a great source of energy and protein, so "The Cheese Lover's Cookbook" is a sure winner, with something scrumptious for everyone.

From the Source - Thailand
Austin Bush & Mark Wiens
Lonely Planet Publications
150 Linden Street, Oakland CA 94607
www.lonelyplanet.com
9781743607633, $24.99, 272pp, www.amazon.com

Lonely Planet Publications is best know as the world's leading travel guide publisher. Their 'From the Source' series focuses on the ethnic cuisines that food lovers and travel enthusiasts will encounter when traveling abroad and who want to replicate those dishes at home in their American kitchens. "From the Source - Thailand" showcases 70 authentic local dishes of Thailand. Beautifully enhanced with full color photography throughout, as well as featuring inside stories and tips from the world's best local cooks, from street-food vendors, and even Michelin-starred chef patrons. From Central Thailand's sophisticated, cosmopolitan cuisine layered with Chinese and Muslim influences, to Northern Thailand's mild, seasonal dishes with ancient roots, to Northeastern Thailand's full-flavored, rustic cooking that doesn't skimp on spice, and to Southern Thailand's spicy offerings, with an emphasis on seafood, chillies and salt, "From the Source - Thailand" is a culinary cornucopia with recipes ranging from Stir-Fried Prawns with Thai Herbs; Jasmine-Infused Agar-Agar with Tropical Fruit Salad; and Tapioca Dumplings in Coconut Cream, to Slow-Cooked Beef in Herbs; Southern Thai Dry Pork Curry; and Steamed Cassava & Coconut Cake. Thoroughly 'kitchen cook friendly', "From the Source - Thailand" is very highly recommended and certain to be an enduringly popular addition to personal, family, professional, and community library cookbook collections.

Grandbaby Cakes
Jocelyn Delk Adams
Agate Publishing
1328 Greenleaf Street, Evanston, IL 60202
www.agatepublishing.com
9781572841734, $22.95, 224pp, www.amazon.com

Grandbaby Cakes: Modern Recipes, Vintage Charm, Soulful Memories is the debut cookbook from sensational food writer, Jocelyn Delk Adams. Since founding her popular recipe blog Grandbaby Cakes in 2012, Adams has been putting fresh twists on old favorites. Adams has earned praise from critics and the adoration of bakers both young and old for her easygoing advice, rich photography, and the heartwarming memories she shares of her family's generations-old love of baking. Beautifully and profusely illustrated, "Grandbaby Cakes: Modern Recipes, Vintage Charm, Soulful Memories" is a culinary treasury of outstanding recipes for pound cakes, layer cakes, sheet cakes, baby cakes, celebration cakes, and cakes for all manner of seasons and holidays. Thoroughly 'kitchen cook friendly' in content and presentation, the recipes range from a Cinnamon Roll Pound Cake; a Red Velvet Cake with Blackberry-Cream Cheese Whipped Frosting; and a Marble Texas Sheet Cake; to Roasted-Raspberry Cupcakes; a Strawberry Sundae Cake; and a Watermelon-Berry-Lime Icebox Cake. Very highly recommended, "Grandbaby Cakes: Modern Recipes, Vintage Charm, Soulful Memories" is certain to be an enduringly popular addition to family and community library cookbook collections! It should be noted that "Grandbaby Cakes" is also available in a Kindle edition ($13.77).

Cupcakery
Toni Miller
Cedar Fort, Inc.
2373 West 700 South, Springville, Utah 84663
www.cedarfort.com
9781462116263, $19.99, 160pp, www.amazon.com

Who doesn't like cupcakes -- those smaller and bite sized versions of their larger pastry brethren! Comprised of a culinary wealth of kitchen cook friendly recipes, the beautifully illustrated cup cake recipes comprising "Cupcakery: Party-Perfect Cupcakes in a Flash" are certain to please any palate. Toni Miller's is a self-taught home cake baker and decorater who quickly grew her hobby into a successful baking blog and a love for all things adorable sweet. Her work can be found on many websites and publications around the world, including Better Homes and Gardens, Good Housekeeping, Today, Yahoo!, and more. After an informative introduction and a very useful instructional guide covering cupcake tools, ingredients and supplies, baking, frosting, toppings, and more, the individual cupcake recipes in "Cupcakery" range from Blueberry-Stuffed French Toast; Cherry Cheesecake; Chocolate Caramel Irish Cream; and Lemon Pudding; to Cinnamon Eggnog; Caramel Popcorn; Ice Cream Sundae; and Blue Velvet Coconut. Guaranteed to be an enduringly popular addition to personal, family, and community library cookbook collections, it should be noted that "Cupcakery" is also available in a Kindle edition ($6.15).


The Mystery/Suspense Shelf

The Man Who Fell from the Sky
Margaret Coel
Berkley Prime Crime
c/o Penguin Group (USA)
375 Hudson Street, New York, NY 10014
9780425280300, $26.95, www.penguin.com

The Man Who Fell from the Sky tells of what first appears to be an accidental death when Robert Walking Bear's body is found in the mountains. The only suspicion comes from the fact that he was hot on the trail of buried treasure when he seemingly fell - and when rumors begin to circulate that he was murdered by family members, Vicky and Father John find themselves involved when an anonymous witness pops up to support that theory. The real conviction that something's wrong begins when another family member has an accident - and now a murder spree prompted by greed seems more likely and even more deadly. Mystery fans who love Hillerman and other Native American-based sagas - including prior Coel fans - will relish this latest story.

Sense of Deception
Victoria Laurie
Obsidian Mysteries
c/o Penguin Group (USA)
375 Hudson Street, New York, NY 10014
9780451473868, $24.95, www.penguin.com

Sense of Deception offers a fine new 'Psychic Eye' mystery and continues to pair intrigue with the paranormal as Abby Cooper senses that a convicted killer is innocent, but just needs proof. Further complicating her case is an angry judge, the truth surrounding a woman who faces the death penalty, and an investigation largely based on intuition which leads Abby directly into a search for the real killer that runs up against an execution deadline. Mystery readers will find the light psychic addition just the ticket for producing a compelling read; especially when added into the mix of an impossible judge, an impossible deadline, and deadly dangers.

Night of the Horns / Cry Wolfram
Douglas Sanderson
Stark House Press
1315 H Street, Eureka, CA 95501
www.starkhousepress.com
9781933586724, $20.95, 262pp, www.amazon.com

Doug Sanderson isn't well known but he should be. He wrote a series of white hot thrillers in the 1950s which were published under his two pseudonyms, Martin Brett and Malcolm Douglas. But he also published a good many novels under his own name, and Stark House has now published two of Doug Sanderson's time-lost classics. "Night of the Horn" is the seedy tale of a Southern California lawyer whose life is ripped apart when he agrees to do a job for a racketeer. "Cry Wolfram" is the story of cross-and-double-cross affair that takes place on the coast of Spain. Exceptionally well written, action-packed, fast paced, and thoroughly entertaining, "Night of the Horns / Cry Wolfram" is very highly recommended reading and will ably serve to introduce a whole new generation of appreciative readers. Of special note is the inclusion of a complete Douglas Sanderson Bibliography which also includes his books under his two pseudonyms.

Chicago Noir: The Classics
Joe Meno, editor
Akashic Books
232 Third Street, #A115, Brooklyn, NY 11215
www.akashicbooks.com
9781617753770, $29.95, 288pp, www.amazon.com

Noir fiction is a literary genre closely related to hard-boiled genre with a distinction that the protagonist is not a detective, but instead either a victim, a suspect, or a perpetrator. Other common characteristics include the self-destructive qualities of the protagonist. A typical protagonist of the Noir fiction is dealing with the legal, political or other system that is no less corrupt than the perpetrator by whom the protagonist is either victimized and/or has to victimize others on a daily basis. The fifteen short stories comprising "Chicago Noir: The Classics", which are knowledgeably compiled and deftly edited by Joe Meno, are true gems of the noir literary tradition. "Chicago Noir: The Classics" features classic noir tales by Harry Stephen Keeler, Sherwood Anderson, Max Allan Collins, Richard Wright, Nelson Algren, Fredric Brown, Patricia Highsmith, Barry Gifford, Stuart M. Kaminsky, Libby Fischer Hellmann, Sara Paretsky, Percy Spurlark Parker, Sandra Cisneros, Hugh Holton, and Stuart Dybek. The fifteen stories anthologized in "Chicago Noir: The Classics" are deftly presented in three major sections: The Jazz Age; Noir & Neo-Noir; Modern Crime. "Chicago Noir: The Classics" is a consistently entertaining and will prove to be an enduringly popular addition to community library Mystery/Suspense collections. It is also highly recommended for academic library Literary Studies collections as well. It should be noted for personal reading lists that "Chicago Noir: The Classics" is also available in a paperback edition (9781617752940, $15.95) and in a Kindle format ($12.28).


The Christian Studies Shelf

As the Sun Has Risen
H. Dennis Fisher
Discovery House
3000 Kraft Avenue SE
Grand Rapids, MI 49512
9781627073486 $19.99 www.dhp.org

As the Sun Has Risen: Scriptural Reflections on C.S. Lewis' Life and Literature explores the Christian and spiritual themes in C.S. Lewis' classic works, from autobiographical writings to essays to literature. Writings contemplated include "All My Road Before Me: The Diary of C.S. Lewis 1922-1927", "The Chronicles of Narnia" young adult fantasy epic, "Mere Christianity", "The Screwtape Letters", "The Space Trilogy" and many more. Nearly every reflection is succinctly stated on a single page, along with an appropriate reference to Scripture, making As the Sun Has Risen ideal for browsing, or as a supplement to daily prayer. "Our Lord seemed to give C.S. Lewis sensitivity for bringing the truth to hurting people at their point of need. Often this happened through letter writing - of which he once told a friend: 'My correspondence involves a great number of theological letters already which can't be neglected because they are answers to people in great need of help and often in great misery.'"

The Defense Never Rests, second edition
Craig A. Parton
Concordia Publishing House
3558 South Jefferson Avenue, Saint Louis, MO 63118-3968
www.cph.org
9780758650429, $12.99, 176pp, www.amazon.com

"The Defense Never Rests" by Craig A. Parton is an informed and informative analysis of contemporary American Christianity as well as chronicling the personal spiritual pilgrimage of one man as well as providing an impressive defense of the pure Christian Gospel. Divided into two major parts, "The Defense Never Rests" is a kind of spiritual autobiography of the author, describing his journey from unbelief to American Evangelicalism and Campus Crusade staff work, to his true home in the Lutheran church. "The Defense Never Rests" is also a deftly crafted critique of shallow, pop-style Christian worship and theology. Now in a newly revised and expanded second edition, "The Defense Never Rests" contains new sections dealing with the challenges of New Atheism, Bart Ehrman and the new wave of biblical criticism. A truly exceptional work, "The Defense Never Rests" is especially recommended to the attention of all members of the Christian community regardless of their denominational affiliation. It should be noted for personal reading lists that "The Defense Never Rests" is also available in a Kindle edition ($9.99).

St. Paul's
2187 Victory Boulevard, Staten Island, NY 10314
stpauls.us

Four titles from St. Paul's (a non-profit apostolate of the Pious Society of St. Paul in the United States) offer spiritual guidance to Christian readers. Patricia McCarthy's "The Girl Who Learned How To Kneel: The Story of Etty Hillesum" (9780818913594, $4.95) is the powerful story of the conversion, faith, and martyrdom of a young Dutch woman of Jewish descent, who struggled with daily horrors during World War II and ultimately perished in Auschwitz. Enzo Bianchi's "Why Pray, How to Pray" (9780818913662, $12.95) is a philosophical defense of prayer in today's era, when some Christians question whether prayer is an "escape" from social responsibility, or even a waste of time given God's seeming indifference to horrors such as the Holocaust. Bianchi examines these objections, and refutes them by demonstrating the quintessential nature of prayer as a cornerstone of Christian life and connection to God. Robert Letellier's "The Bible and Covenant: Using Sacred Text and Images to Understand Salvation History" (9780818913600, $16.95) cross-examines the meaning of spiritual covenants with God, including both those mentioned in the Old Testament and the new covenant sealed with the blood of Christ. Letellier advances that no covenant with God is ever "replaced"; rather, all are fulfilled in Jesus, who himself embodies the essence of the covenant. Friar Guy Lespinay's "Introduction to Religious Life" (9780818913754, $12.95) is an accessible guide to understanding and following the precepts of religious life as a personal commitment to following in the footsteps of Jesus Christ and the earliest Christian communities, specifically by joining a monastic order or an apostolic institute. Introduction to Religious Life is especially recommended to anyone considering such a life path for themselves, as well as friends and family who wish to better understand a loved one with the calling, or anyone else who seeks to learn more about the subject. All four titles are eruditely written, and especially recommended for church library collections or private study.


The Judaic Studies Shelf

613 Mitzvot
Ronald L. Eisenberg
Schreiber Publishing
c/o Casemate-IPM
22841 Quicksilver Drive, Dulles, VA 20166
www.casematepublishers.com
9780884003335, $25.95, www.amazon.com

The Hebrew word 'mitzvah' refers to precepts and commandments as commanded by God. It is used in rabbinical Judaism to refer to the 613 commandments given in the Torah at biblical Mount Sinai and the seven rabbinic commandments instituted later for a total of 620. The 613 commandments divided into two categories: 365 negative commandments and 248 positive commandments. According to the Talmud, all moral laws are, or are derived from, divine commandments. In "613 Mitzvot: A Contemporary Guide to the Commandments of Judaism" by Ronald L. Eisenberg (a student of Jewish law, history, and culture for many years), the 613 commandments embodied in the Torah are presented in layman's language, making them quite easy to look up and readily understand. It should be noted that commentaries from the Mishnah and the Talmud to present- day interpretations are included. Thoroughly 'reader friendly' in composition, organization, and presentation, "613 Mitzvot" is very highly recommended for personal, community, and academic library Judaic Studies reference collections.


The Crafts Shelf

The Art of Paper Weaving
Anna Schepper and Lene Schepper
Quarry Books
c/o Quarto Publishing Group USA
400 First Avenue North, Suite 400, Minneapolis, MN 55401-1722
www.quartous.com
9781631590399, $24.99, www.craftside.net

The Art of Paper Weaving: 46 Colorful, Dimensional Projects includes full-sized templates and online support, plus paper for one project, as it covers techniques for a craft that has its roots in traditional Danish and German woven paper designs. It comes from paper artists who have a successful blog and shows crafters how to begin learning paper weaving, presenting projects that begin simply and teach the techniques needed to move into more advanced circles. The result is a recommendation for any crafts collection, pairing full-page color images with easy step-by-step instructions beginners can access.

LaFosse & Alexander's Origami Jewelry
Michael G. LaFosse & Richard L. Alexander
Tuttle Publishing
364 Innovation Drive, North Clarendon, VT 05759-9436
www.tuttlepublishing.com
9784805311516, $16.95, 80pp, www.amazon.com

"LaFosse & Alexander's Origami Jewelry: Easy-to-Make Paper Pendants, Bracelets, Necklaces and Earrings" Is a new paper craft book from world renowned origami artists, Michael G. LaFosse and Richard L. Alexander. Even the most novice crafter will be delighted to discover how quick, fun and inexpensive it is to make durable DIY jewelry that can actually be worn! "LaFosse & Alexander's Origami Jewelry" shows step-by-step how to create 3D designs to go with hair, skin, and wardrobe by customizing the components to a personal fashion. A full-color easy-to-follow book, clear diagrams and the included DVD provides thoroughly 'user friendly' guidance to creating lovely pendants, medallions, charms, bracelets, necklaces and earrings in minutes. The origami paper and other materials needed are inexpensive and available in any craft store and a simple starch-based paste will provide do-it-yourself jewelry with remarkable strength to last for years. Very highly recommended and a great deal of fun, it should be noted that "LaFosse & Alexander's Origami Jewelry" is also available in a Kindle edition ($11.99).


The Music Shelf

Music Theory For Beginners
R. Ryan Endris, author
Joe Lee, illustrator
For Beginners LLC
155 Main Street, Suite 211, Danbury, CT 06810
Red Wheel/Weiser/Conari (distribution)
65 Parker Street, Suite 7, Newburyport, MA 01950
www.redwheelweiser.com
9781939994462, $15.95, www.forbeginnersbooks.com

"Music Theory for Beginners" presents in spare, witty, condensed chapters the basics of music theory for the untutored in five chapters and 115 pages. Richly illustrated with comic black and white drawings, "Music Theory for Beginners" is an ideal text manual for anyone wanting to become fluent in reading and understanding music notation, for purposes of composition or performance or enjoyment. Part of the For Beginners series, "Music Theory for Beginners" presents a step by step introduction to the complex components of music theory, using comic black and white illustrations to exemplify and enlighten with humor and charm. It is a great self educational manual for motivated and untrained music lover. Chapters unfold on rhythm (beat, tempo, meter), musical notation, scales and keys, intervals and harmony, and putting music theory into practice. The use of shaded sidebars presents exciting supplemental information, such as composer bio-profiles, (Richard Wagner, Arnold Schoenberg, more) and musical concepts or types of music (such as blues). A pair of comic caricatures of Beethoven, Bach, Mozart, Elvis and others peps up dialogue and narrative and helps lock down reader attention. An Epilogue, Glossary, and Further Reading resource list complete this succinct, elegant mini- music theory manual for beginners, compacting a large amount of useful information into a clear, user friendly reader format.

What Is Punk?
Eric Morse, author
Anny Yi, illustrator
Black Sheep
c/o Akashic Books
232 Third Street, #A115, Brooklyn, NY 11215
www.akashicbooks.com
9781617753923, $15.95, www.amazon.com

"What Is Punk?" is a creative claymation-influenced illustrated condensed history of punk rock for kids. Written in witty narrative verse, "What Is Punk?" traces the beginnings of the music movement in new York City, Chicago, London, and more. Groups like the Sex Pistols, Buzzcocks, and the Clash defined a new sound and promoted songs for the working class and the idea of equality for all. American bands like Talking Heads, the Velvet Underground, the New York Dolls, and Blondie, as well as the Ramones brought a new punk sound to the U.S. Iggy Pop brought punk to the Middle West, shirtless or not. After the initial bands broke the ground with their sound, female punk bands and stars took off, as well as L. A. Bands like the Descendents and the Dickies, Circle Jerks, Germs, and Weirdos. More punk bands played in Washington D. C. And elsewhere. Punk can be a sound, loud and fast, or a movement. Punk culture has evolved into many other forms and versions of punk, but "if you really want to know punk...You just have to listen." This highly imaginative narrative verse condensation of Punk history is ideally illustrated with detailed clay figures and objects that define state of the art punk in a truly unique and fun, zany way. Just like Punk.


The Humor Shelf

King of the Comics
Stephan Pastis
www.pearlscomic.com
Andrews McMeel Publishing
1130 Walnut Street
Kansas City, MO 64106-2109
9781449458287 $14.99 www.andrewsmcmeel.com

King of the Comics: A Pearls Before Swine Collection is an anthology of newspaper comic strips from the popular, if notoriously uncouth "Pearls Before Swine" series. Daily strips are in their original black-and-white, while Sunday strips are reproduced in full color. Comic creator Stephan Pastis is notable for his self-depreciating humor (taken to extremes whenever his author avatar joins the anthropomorphic cast), savage predator-prey jokes, and shaggy dog stories culminating in extravagant puns. For example, a Sunday strip in which Superintendent Cali and his doe lawyer Allie warn Goat that he's about to be evicted because his building is fragile and has been listed for sale culminates in "'Super Cali... Fragile? List it?!' 'Expect Allie.' 'Doe, shush!'" (Then Rat tells Pastis' author avatar, "Mary Poppins asked me to kick your @#@"). Other slightly offensive yet hilariously funny material includes lemmings that cry "Wheeee" when they leap to their deaths (one strip admits that lemming suicide is a myth perpetuated by a 1960's Disney documentary), a penguin-devouring polar bear bizarrely out of place in the Antarctic, and an absurdly prideful skin-tight-suit cyclist. The laughs come fast and furious, in this spare-no-sensibilities collection!

The Future and Why We Should Avoid It
Scott Feschuk
Douglas & McIntyre
PO Box 219, Madeira Park, BC, Canada, V0N 2H0
9781771620338 $22.95 www.douglas-mcintyre.com

The Future and Why We Should Avoid It is a wry, tongue-in-cheek look at the future's myriad dark possibilities - aging, death, technology that devours jobs, questionable inventions, projected political misadventures, and more. Author Scott Feschuk hypothesizes about the next Apple invention (iCap? iSnuggie? iCouch, a platform ideal for updating Facebook with one's ass?), the 2056 race for the White House (contenders include Zombie Hillary Clinton and Deep Blue 7.0, in beta), and strategies for keeping one's job in an increasingly automated workforce ("Make yourself indispensable.... It's probably easier just to swallow the CFO's hard drive. Also, there's hostage-taking - a surprisingly effective attention-getter in the short term. And remember: prison offers solitude and none of the hassle of vetting whom/what you have sex with.") Keen-edged satire and laugh-out-loud silliness will hopefully help readers face their terrifying future with smile - or at least a strained grimace!


The Mythology Shelf

The Bigfoot Book
Nick Redfern
Visible Ink Press
43311 Joy Road #414, Canton, MI 48187-2075
9781578595617 $19.95 www.visibleinkpress.com

Featuring nearly 200 alphabetized entries and 120 black-and-white photographs, The Bigfoot Book is an incredible encyclopedia of folklore, legends, eyewitness accounts, and more about the mythologized "Bigfoot" - supposedly a lurking, hairy, humanoid monster that subsists in remote areas on the fringes of society. Could such creatures truly exist? After all, shambling, bipedal primates are a common occurrence in folklore, in North America and beyond. The Bigfoot Book covers everything from history and tall tales about Bigfoot, to pop culture representations, television shows on Animal Planet, Discovery Channel, and National Geographic channel, and the results of scientific study. Thoroughly accessible to readers of all backgrounds, The Bigfoot Book lives up to its title and is highly recommended.


The Biography Shelf

Henry Clay: America's Greatest Statesman
Harlow Giles Unger
Da Capo Press
c/o Perseus Book Group
250 W. 57th St., Suite 1500, New York, NY 10107
9780306823916 $25.99 www.perseusbooksgroup.com

Henry Clay: America's Greatest Statesman is the biography Henry Clay (1777-1852), a statesman who served America for over fifty years. He was the youngest-ever speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives; a crusader against the corruption and slavery; an inspiring hero to President Abraham Lincoln; and a survivor of great personal tragedy, including ill health and the death of his daughters. His support of the abolition movement very likely cost him the presidential election on four occasions. Yet to this day, he is best known as "The Great Compromiser", a man who pulled the young nation back from the brink of civil war with delicately balanced compromises on five separate, historic occasions (in 1820, 1821, 1833, 1836, and 1850). Though the American Civil War ultimately erupted after Clay's passing, his efforts held America together long enough for strong economic, political, and social ties to grow, to the point that separation became unthinkable. Notes, a bibliography, and an index round out this meticulously researched, reader-friendly life story of a truly remarkable politician. Highly recommended, especially for public and college library biography collections.

Brummett Echohawk
Kristin M. Youngbull
University of Oklahoma Press
2800 Venture Drive
Norman, OK 73069
9780806148267 $24.95 www.oupress.com

Brummett Echohawk: Pawnee Thunderbird and Artist is the first book-length biography of World War II hero, painter, writer, humorist, and actor Brummett Echohawk. A member of the Pawnee tribe of Native Americans, Echohawk served on the European battlefields of World War II, counted coup as his grandfather had done during the Indian wars of the previous century, and drew combat sketches as well as portraits of Allied and enemy soldiers, some of which appeared in the "Detroit Free Press" in 1944. After the war, and without support from the GI Bill, Echohawk studies at the Art Institute of Chicago for three years and secured work as a staff artist for multiple Chicago newspapers. Eight of Echohawk's paintings are reproduced in full color in this thoughtful, detailed, and candid life story. Highly recommended, especially for public and college library biography and Native American studies shelves.

The Only Woman in the Room
Rita Lakin
Applause Books
c/o Hal Leonard Performing Arts Publishing Group
19 West 21st Street, Suite 201, New York, NY 10010
9781495014055 $29.99 www.halleonard.com

The Only Woman in the Room: Episodes in My Life and Career as a Television Writer is the memoir of Rita Lakin, whose career writing and producing for television spanned 25 years. The worked on shows such as "Dr Kildare", "Peyton Place", "Mod Squad", and "Dynasty", eventually creating her own shows: "The Rookies", "Flamingo Road", and "Nightengales" as well as Movies of the Week and mini-series. Her many awards include Emmy nominations and the Mystery Writer's of America's Edgar Allen Poe award. She was essentially a feminist before feminism became mainstream (and before she herself realized that she fit the definition), personally defying stereotypes, introducing women to the male-dominated business, and advocating for women's rights. The Only Woman in the Room is an extraordinary true story of lifetime accomplishment, highly recommended.

Developing the Pacific Northwest
William H. Wilson
Washington State University Press
PO Box 645910, Pullman, WA 99164-5910
9780874223316 $29.95 www.wsupress.wsu.edu

Developing the Pacific Northwest: The Life and Work of Asahel Curtis is an in-depth biography of photographer Asahel Curtis (1875-1941). Curtis began his photography career at his older brother Edward's photography studio, and then joined the Klondike gold rush with a box camera, preserving images of the trail, miners, gold creeks, and Dawson city. But when Curtis returned home, conflict brewed over these photographs, leading to Curtis' estrangement from his own brother. In time, Curtis opened his own studio and earned a living as a commercial photographer, yet he had passions beyond his daily job. He married and purchased a farm in the Yakima Valley; he belonged to Washington's good roads movement to promote economic development and tourism; and he helped found the Seattle Mountaineers Club as well as chair the Mount Rainier Advisory Board. Notes, a list of sources, and an index round out this thoughtful and detailed portrait.


The Parenting Shelf

Your New Pregnancy Bible, fourth edition
Joanne Stone, MD and Keith A. Eddleman, MD, Editors
Hamlyn
c/o Octopus Publishing
236 Park Avenue, New York NY 10017
9780600631590, $34.99, www.octopusbooksusa.com

There are so very many books on pregnancy and health on the market today that one might wonder at the need for yet another; but in fact Your New Pregnancy Bible: The Experts' Guide to Pregnancy and Early Parenthood represents a fully revised, updated fourth edition of a world-wide best-seller and is really the only book a prospective parent will need on the subject. It synthesizes the advise of experts into a discussion of all the major issues of pregnancy, provides practical tips on what to expect during different stages of pregnancy, and surveys health care routines, exercise, emotional changes during pregnancy, and more. A section enhanced by 3-D images even follows the weekly progress of an unborn child, while discussions include future fathers and their roles. Any new to parenting and pregnancy will find Your New Pregnancy Bible the perfect starting point for complete, easy understanding of the process of bringing a baby to term.

Common Sense Parenting series
Boys Town Press
14100 Crawford Street, Boys Town, NE 68010
$15.95 each www.boystownpress.org

The Common Sense Parenting series from Boy's Town Press is a guide filled with research-tested methods, adaptive skills, tips, tricks, and techniques for parents of children. Focusing on teaching and discipline rather than rewards/punishments, and aimed at strengthening family relationships, the Common Sense Parenting series is thoroughly accessible and practical. "Common Sense Parenting of Toddlers and Preschoolers, second edition" by Bridget A. Barnes, M.S. and Steven M. York, M.H.D. (9781934490716) offers strategies for dealing with tantrums, recommendations for motivating one's child, suggestions for teaching social skills to children, and much more. "Common Sense Parenting, fourth edition" by Ray Burke, Ph.D., Ron Herron, and Bridget A. Barnes, M.S. (9781934490815) covers the entire process of raising school-aged children, from learning how to communicate clearly to correcting problem behavior to helping children handle peer pressure and more. Both are highly recommended for parents everywhere, as well as public library collections.


The Education Shelf

The Preschool Inclusion Toolbox
Erin E. Barton and Barbara J. Smith
Brookes Publishing Company
PO Box 10624, Baltimore, MD 21285-0624
9781599576672, $36.95, www.brookespublishing.com

The Preschool Inclusion Toolbox provides a fine how-to book for preschool administrators, child care directors, and staff, discussing how to chart and guide the process of early childhood inclusion through wide changes of school systems and approaches to preschool. It provides a checklist of problems, solutions, and actions that can be put into place based upon the latest research and best practices, includes handouts and tools teachers can use in a preschool program, and is loaded with solid action plans for success. No preschool leader should be without this specific, powerful guide.

Corwin Press, Inc.
2455 Teller Road, Thousand Oaks, CA 91320-2218
www.corwin.com

With the multitude of books about common core practices and applications on the market today, the appearance of more might suggest redundancy; but there's nothing redundant about a book that narrows the focus to integrating common core writing standards with an applications that promises to reach struggling students, making this a winning guide blending the UDL framework with common core goals. Sally A. Spencer's Making the Common Core Writing Standards Accessible Through Universal Design for Learning (9781483369471, $34.95) tells how UDL can overcome common roadblocks to success, provides dozens of classroom activities, discusses resources, and provides teachers with all the tools necessary to translate common core standards to classroom goals. Teachers will find this a solid guide packed with practical suggestions for success and advancement. Rae Pica's What If Everybody Understood Child Development? Straight Talk About Bettering Education and Children's Lives (9781483381548, $21.00) imparts the basics of connections between how kids grow and how they learn, and comes from an educator with over thirty-five years in the education field. Her contention is simple: there's a break in understanding between how children learn and how they develop - a disconnect that can be filled with actionable lesson plans and approaches to education. Nearly thirty short essays offer discussions of best practices in both child development and education processes, blending the opinions of experts with the latest research. Educators will find this a solid approach to improving teaching.

Redleaf Press
10 Yorkton Court, St. Paul, MN 55117-1065
www.redleafpress.org

Allen C. Rosales's Mathematizing: An Emergent Math Curriculum Approach for Young Children (9781605543956, $29.95) offers strategies for building children's math skills through a process of immersing kids in a program connecting math to everyday experiences. It's a style that blends lessons and case studies with illustrations and charts unavailable elsewhere and specific to this customized style of teaching, and offers educators a concrete program of learning based on the author's twenty-plus years of experience as an early childhood educator. The result is a highly recommended approach. Deborah Hirschland's When Young Children Need Help: Understanding and Addressing Emotional, Behavioral, and Developmental Challenges (9781605542386, $34.95) explores the fundamentals of how to support three- to six-year-olds who have emotional and behavioral problems, and provides ideas that can be used in a busy classroom environment. From handling kids with histories of neglect to helping when language is limited, this book is a 'must' for teachers and childcare providers working in diverse classrooms or situations.

Teaching and Learning in Bilingual Classrooms: New Scholarship
Kristin J. Mulrooney, Editor
Gallaudet University Press
800 Florida Avenue, NE, Washington, DC 20002-3695
9781563686238, $80.00, www.gupress.gallaudet.edu

Teaching and Learning in Bilingual Classrooms: New Scholarship examines classroom interaction using research by five professors who adopted SoTL methods in their own classrooms at Gallaudet University to blend a bilingual approach incorporating American Sign Language and written English, and is a scholarly examination recommended for ASL teachers and scholars. Scholars assessed common problems in classes on ASL linguistics and criminal justice to consider how providing educational materials in ASL and English resulted in better educational quality. The result is a solid study in education and effectiveness that is recommended for any collection strong in ASL studies.

Well Played
Linda Dacey, Karen Gartland & Jayne Bamford Lynch
Stenhouse Publishers
480 Congress Street, Portland, ME 04101-3451
9781625310323, $25.00, www.stenhouse.com

Well Played: Building Mathematical Thinking Through Number Games and Puzzles Grades 3-5 offers a rich presentation of puzzles that go beyond fun activities to prove key to teaching basic math concepts, and is recommended not only for classroom teachers but for homeschooling parents as well. Explanations of the foundations of math theory involved in each puzzle accompany games, variations on themes, step-by-step directions, and sample classroom models for integrating the puzzle or game into an overall curriculum approach. From how to teach using these puzzles to handling diverse classrooms and using the reproducibles in the book, this is a top recommendation for any teacher who would use a child's interest in games to reinforce basic math skills.

Finding Your U
Katrin Muir Lau and Judith Widener Muir
Bright Sky Press
2365 Rice Blvd., Suite 202, Houston, TX 77005
9781939055989 $19.95 www.brightskypress.com

Written by professional college counselors, Finding Your U: Navigating the College Admission Process distills thirty years' of wisdom in the field, hundreds of college campus visits, and uncountable conversations with college deans and reps into an accessible, user-friendly guide to understanding the ecomplex process of choosing a university best suited to one's needs, and earning admission. College applicants learn about how colleges decide who gets in (from standardized tests to winning essays to letters of recommendation), options to pursue when deciding on a possible degree, the process of applying for financial assistance, and much more. "In your communications with the school, avoid being inappropriate. Use conventional grammar and spelling, not what is used in texts and social media. Double-check grammar, punctuation, and spelling. Make sure your email address is appropriate. It may feel like a casual email, but it will become a permanent part of your life." A "must-have" for every high school student contemplating a college education - which is more essential than ever for earning a living wage in today's economy.

Colleges That Create Futures, 2016 Edition
Robert Franek
The Princeton Review
c/o Random House Inc.
1745 Broadway, New York NY 10019
9780804126083 $14.99 www.PrincetonReview.com

Colleges That Create Futures: 50 Schools That Launch Careers By Going Beyond the Classroom, 2016 Edition profiles fifty colleges that go the extra mile to empower students with notable research, internship, and hands-on learning programs. Each scrutinized institution has a several- pages-long entry providing contact information, an a succinct summary of each aspect that makes it stand out. Colleges That Create Futures is an excellent resource for ambitious students seeking the ideal school to realize their lifelong goals.


The Travel Shelf

Ecuador & the Galapagos Islands, 10th edition
Regis St. Louis, Greg Benchwick, Michael Grosberg, & Luke Waterson
Lonely Planet Publications
150 Linden Street, Oakland CA 94607
9781742207858 $24.99 www.lonelyplanet.com

Now in an updated tenth edition, Ecuador & the Galapagos Islands is a "must-have" travel guide, assembled to Lonely Planet's exactingly high standards. Packed with information about local delights, hotels and restaurants, outdoor activities, resources for planning one's itinerary, a wealth of maps in full color, recommendations for safe travel, information about indigenous Ecuador, wildlife guides, an index, and much more. Accessible and user-friendly, Ecuador & the Galapagos Islands is highly recommended for anyone traveling to the region, whether for business or pleasure.


The Photography Shelf

What They Didn't Teach You in Photo School
Demetrius Fordham
Ilex
c/o Octopus Publishing
236 Park Avenue, New York NY 10017
www.octopusbooksusa.com
9781781572696, $19.99, www.ilex-press.com

What They Didn't Teach You in Photo School: What You Actually Need to Know to Succeed in the Industry passes on lessons the author learned from his successful career in commercial photography, and discusses topics often left out of photography books. These include how to gain internships, build an impressively professional portfolio, how to cement client relationships that result in ongoing work, and how to build a career in the industry. As chapters move from building contacts to getting paid for the process of taking pictures - such as travel expense - they provide a solid review of industry processes, standards, and how the aspiring photographer fits into that business picture. The result should be given to any college-level photography student looking to make a career out of their art.

Amherst Media Inc.
175 Rano Street, Suite 200, Buffalo, NY 14207-2176
www.amherstmedia.com

Jeff Smith's Pricing Your Portraits: High-Profit Strategies for Photographers (9781608958719, $34.95) teaches photographers how to develop pricing strategies that avoid common errors and allow flexibility to meet both customer expectations and market demands, and offers a set of insights into how photography is priced. From planning sessions in advance with pricing in mind to understanding how session fees operate and how to streamline the process, this book is packed with insights on how to control imaging and equipment costs, how to create a profitable workflow, and how to sell digital and print files. Any photographer looking to move into the profit-making realm of the business will find this essential to understanding the difference between profit and loss. The Essential Photographer Workbook: The Beginner's Guide to Creating Impressive Digital Photos by Stephen Dantzig and Joan Dantzig (9781608958634, $27.95) teaches the basics of taking shooting skills to a new level and is recommended for photographers who already have the basics down, but wish to move from snapshots to design. Lessons are blended into forty exercises that encourage photographers to learn new techniques and approaches, making for a fine guide that beginners can easily access and understand. Stan Trampe's Fine Art Nudes: Lighting and Posing for Black & White Photography (9781608959013, $27.95) comes from a fine art photographer who covers sixty of his favorite shoots, providing step-by-step coverage on how he conceived image concepts and worked them into a polished piece. Studio and location shots involve composition, lighting, and posing skills: all are discussed here with a focus on simple props and sets and working with models for optimum results. While beginners will find this accessible; ideally the book is recommended for those with basic photography and model-shooting skills, who are ready to take their business pursuits in fine art nudes to the next level. Jennifer Emery's Lighting Design for Commercial Portrait Photography (9781608958955, $34.95) surveys the world of commercial photography and lighting challenges involved in portraiture, and comes from a photographer and educator whose work in the field is successful and outstanding. Specifics covered in her book range from production skills needed to produce better shots to shooting for magazines or movie posters, using multiple-light setups, handling group shots, and applying negative fill to best advantage. The result is a powerful survey highly recommended for any commercial portrait photographer; especially those who have basic skills but want more specifics on producing professional results.

Ernst Haas: On Set
Ernst Haas, photographer
Steidl
c/o Distributed Art Publishers
155 Sixth Avenue, 2nd floor, New York, NY 10013-1507
www.artbook.com
9783869305875, $268.00, www.amazon.com

Ernst Haas (March 2, 1921 - September 12, 1986) was a photojournalist and a pioneering color photographer. During his 40-year career, the Austrian-born artist bridged the gap between photojournalism and the use of photography as a medium for expression and creativity. In addition to his prolific coverage of events around the globe after World War II, Haas was an early innovator in color photography. His images were widely disseminated by magazines like Life and Vogue and, in 1962, were the subject of the first single-artist exhibition of color photography at New York's Museum of Modern Art. "Ernst Haas: On Set" is a 287 page coffee table book impressively showcasing theatrical and cinematic photographic images taken by Ernst Haas on filming locations. Beginning with in an informative Introduction and two informed Essays ('Ernst Haas: On Set' by John P. Jacob and 'Ernst Haas: Moving Pictures' by Walter Moser), "Ernst Haas: On Set" covers twenty-three major films ranging from The Third Man (1949), to West Side Story (1961), to Little Big Man (1970), to Quest for Fire (1981). The photography includes both color and black-and-white images. an impressive body of work, "Ernst Haas: On Set" is very highly recommended for personal, community, and academic library Photography and Cinematic History reference collections.

David Busch's Nikon D750 Guide to Digital SLR Photography
David D. Busch
Cengage Learning, Inc.
200 First Stamford Place, Stamford, CT 06902
9781305629646 $32.99 www.cengage.com

Packed with full-color photography to illustrate its steps and guidelines, David Busch's Nikon D750 Guide to Digital SLR Photography is a comprehensive user manual to one of the most advanced digital SLR cameras made by Nikon. The Nikon D750 has 24 megapixels of resolution, automatic focus, Wi-Fi capabilities for real-time streaming to a smartphone/tablet/computer, and the first-ever tilting screen on a Nikon full frame camera. Written by a professional photojournalist, for photography professionals and dedicated amateurs, David Busch's Nikon D750 Guide to Digital SLR Photography extensive, meticulous, user-friendly and highly recommended. "Today shift/tilt photography is so popular that Nikon and other vendors are building a faux perspective/focus control capability right into the camera as a 'Miniature Effect' retouching aid. While lenses like Nikon's PC-E line are still useful for their original purpose - perspective control - I've seen some absolutely brilliant portrait and wedding photography that uses tilt/shift capabilities as a dreamy focus control."


The Fiction Shelf

The Trees Beneath Us
Darren R. Leo
Stark House Press
1315 H Street, Eureka, CA 95501
www.starkhousepress.com
9781933586731, $15.95, 172pp, www.amazon.com

Although a work of fiction, "The Trees Beneath Us" by Darren R. Leo deftly touches upon a universal themes of self-discovery, love, and loss in a most realistic manner -- all in the form of one man's decision to take a grueling trek down the famed Appalachian Trail. Author Darren R. Leo manifests an impressive roster of storytelling skills that includes originality, wit and wisdom, the development of a complex character, and the creation of an absorbing read from beginning to end. This is the kind of novel that will linger in the reader's mind and memory long after the book itself is finished and set back upon the shelf. "The Trees Beneath Us" is very highly recommended for personal reading lists, as well as community and academic library Literary Fiction collections.


The Psychology Shelf

Understanding OCD
Leslie J. Shapiro
Praeger Publishers
c/o ABC-CLIO
PO Box 1911, Santa Barbara, CA 93116-1911
www.abc-clio.com
c/o Gulotta Communications (publicity)
9781440832116, $48.00, 203pp, www.amazon.com

Leslie J. Shapiro is considered to be one of the most experienced and successful therapists in the country for treatment-resistant obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD). In "Understanding OCD: Skills to Control the Conscience and Outsmart Obsessive Compulsive Disorder" she draws upon her many years of experience and expertise to deftly explain OCD, the OCD treatments available, and the skills needed to overcome and outsmart OCD. "Understanding OCD" includes a list of normal "bad" thoughts versus obsessions; features tests to rate one's guilt, scrupulosity, and OCD; examines the ways in which guilt is an interfering factor in OCD treatment and recovery; and covers effective strategies for controlling the conscience-related aspects of the disease. Impressively well written, exceptionally well organized, and deftly presented, "Understanding OCD" is highly recommended for professional and academic library Psychology/Psychiatry instructional reference collections. For personal reading lists it should be noted that "Understanding OCD" is also available in a Kindle edition ($36.96).


The Language Studies Shelf

A Historical and Etymological Dictionary of American Sign Language
Emily Shaw and Yves Delaporte
Gallaudet University Press
800 Florida Avenue, NE, Washington, DC 20002-3695
9781563686214, $75.00, www.gupress.gallaudet.edu

A Historical and Etymological Dictionary of American Sign Language discusses how ASL came to be developed, and follows its evolution from early ASL creation until the late 19th century. This history has plenty of data but until now, no single reference has gathered, under one cover, all the known texts featuring illustrations of early ASL and accompanying images of French Sign Language (LSF) and related them to modern signing. The blend of field research through France and the U.S. and analysis of cultures, language lexicons, and ASL sign regional variations lends to an alphabetical text of signs accompanied by origin notes, making for a powerful and unique reference no ASL language collection should be without.

Lectiones Memorabiles
Marianthe Colakis & Yasuko Taoka
Bolchazy-Carducci Publishers
1570 Baskin Road, Mundelein, IL 60060
www.bolchazy.com www.amazon.com

The premier source for Latin language studies curriculum materials and publications, Bolchazy-Carducci Publishers now presented a two volume compendium comprised of excerpts from classic Latin literature. Volume 1 (9780865168299, $20.59, 341pp) by academician author of numerous pedagogical materials Marianthe Colakis is comprised of selections from Catullus, Cicero, Livy, Ovid, Propertius, Tibullus, and Vergil. Volume 2 (9780865168305, $20.59, 157pp) by Yasuko Taoka (Associate Professor of Classics, Southern Illinois University - Carbondale) features selections taken from Horace, Lucretius, Seneca, Suetonius, and Tacitus. Ideal for Latin language studies curriculums, "Lectiones Memorabiles: Volumes 1 & 2" are very highly recommended for academic library Latin instructional reference collections and supplemental studies reading lists.

Grammatica: Latin Grammar Lessons for 4th-8th Grades
Kristin Tracy
Pieces of Learning
1990 Market Road, Marion, IL 62959
9781632790422, $14.95, 168pp, www.piecesoflearning.com

"Grammatica" is specifically designed to give late elementary/early middle school students an age-appropriate overview of the structure of the Latin language, basic Latin grammatical concepts, and Latin vocabulary. "Grammatica" is separated into a Teacher's Section and 6 Student Chapters. The Teacher's Section includes Notes to the Teacher, Optional Student Checklists, Answer Keys for Student Chapters, Exams, and Answer Keys for the Exams. The student chapters are broken down as follows:

Chapter 1: Nouns, action verbs, word order, transitive sentences, and diagrams
Chapter 2: Intransitive Sentences
Chapter 3: Coordinating Conjunctions, gapping, and asyndeton
Chapter 4: Noun cases, five declensions, and dictionary work
Chapter 5: Four genders and nominative/accusative forms of neuter nouns
Chapter 6: Personal pronouns and personal endings.

Spiral bound making it able to lay flat upon the desk or table, "Grammatica" is an ideal Latin Studies curriculum workbook for students in grandes 4 through 8.


The Health/Medicine Shelf

Transplantation Ethics
Robert M. Veatch & Lainie F. Ross
Georgetown University Press
3240 Prospect Street, NW, Washington, DC 20007
9781626161672, $39.95, www.press.georgetown.edu

Transplantation Ethics appears in its second updated edition to cover the latest cutting edge research in medicine and bioethics, and reflects vast changes in the field of transplantation ethics during just the last fifteen years. From living donors and face transplants and their challenge to personal identity to new transplantation policies and concerns, Transplantation Ethics covers everything from new creating a new definition-of-death law to ethics of third-party risks and agreements between donor and recipient, accountability issues in health-risky behaviors, constitutional issues surrounding death, and more. No college-level medical reference library should be without this.

Molecular Approaches to Reproductive and Newborn Medicine
Diana W. Bianchi & Errol R. Norwitz, editors
Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory Press
500 Sunnyside Boulevard, Woodbury NY 11797-2924
www.cshlpress.com
9781621820895, $135.00, 300pp, www.amazon.com

Compiled and co-edited by Diana W. Bianchi (Tufts University School of Medicine) and Errol R. Norwitz (Tufts University School of Medicine), "Molecular Approaches to Reproductive and Newborn Medicine" is a collection of scholarly articles written by experts in the field of reproductive medicine and newborn medical care. This collection from the Cold Spring Harbor 'Perspectives in Medicine' reviews our understanding of the molecular mechanisms involved in conception, pregnancy, labor, and birth, and how molecular techniques are being applied to reproductive and perinatal health. The contributors discuss the gene expression profiles and epigenetic characteristics of sperm, the ovary, the endometrium, and the placenta, as well as the molecules involved in feto-maternal communication, including various endocrine, vascular, and immune factors. They also consider how we can harness this knowledge to improve fertility, conception rates, and embryo implantation success, leading to healthy, full-term pregnancies. The contributors also review innovative technologies to diagnose genetic disorders at the fetal and neonatal stages and the social and ethical dilemmas these pose. "Molecular Approaches to Reproductive and Newborn Medicine" is an indispensable reference for all scientists and physicians interested in deepening our understanding of human reproductive biology and improving our chances of having healthy children, making it a critically important addition to academic library and medical school reference collections and reproductive medicine supplemental studies reading lists.

Alcoholism Sourcebook, fourth edition
Omnigraphics, Inc.
Keith Jones, editor
155 W. Congress, Suite 200, Detroit, MI 48226
www.omnigraphics.com
9780780813755, $95.00, www.amazon.com

Now in a fully updated and significantly expanded fourth edition, "Alcoholism Sourcebook" is a 600 page compendium of basic consumer health information about the use and abuse of alcohol, psychological and medical factors associated with alcoholism, the role of family history and environmental influences with respect to alcoholism, facts and statistics, prevention strategies and risk factors, recovery and coping strategies and therapies, and so much more. Enhanced with the inclusion of a directory of support groups for alcohol related concerns, as well as a glossary of terms related to alcoholism, "Alcoholism Sourcebook" is a very highly recommended and core addition to personal, medical clinic, counseling center, community, and academic library Alcoholism Studies reference collections.


The Science Shelf

Humankind
Alexander H. Harcourt
Pegasus Books
80 Broad Street, 5th Floor, New York, NY 10004
9781605987842, $27.95, www.pegasusbooks.us

Humankind: How Biology and Geography Shape Human Diversity is for any reader interested in either biology or sociology, and considers how the evolution of humans has been shaped by a diverse assembly of influences, from anatomy and culture to geographic and population changes. It follows the human species around the planet in a history that considers how environmental constraints lends to differing features and psyches of human beings around the world, and it considers the interactions and connections between all these facets of humanity in a wide-reaching survey recommended not just for college-level students of the sciences, but for general-interest audiences with a particular interest in human evolution and diversity.

The Sociology of Deviance, second edition
Robert J. Franzese
Charles C. Thomas, Publisher
2600 South First Street, Springfield, IL 62704
9780398090791, $64.95, 398pp, www.ccthomas.com

Now in a revised and expanded second edition, "Sociology of Deviance: Differences, Tradition, and Stigma" by Robert J. Franzese is dedicated to a sociological analysis of deviance, a term reframed to imply differences. Deviance is approached from the outset as meaning differences: differences in attitudes, behaviors, lifestyles, and values of people. The terms 'deviance' or 'deviant behavior' are understood as labels themselves and are used sparingly. 'Tradition' means traditional topics are covered such as suicide, mental disorders and physical disabilities, addictions and substance abuse and use, criminal behaviors, and sexual behaviors and differences. 'Stigma' is a mark of disgrace or infamy; a stain or reproach, as on one's reputation. "The Sociology of Deviance" is an exemplary work of impressively accessible scholarship organized and presented in three major section: Background (The Nature of Deviance; Studying Deviance); Theories (An Overview of and Introduction to Sociological Theories of Deviance; Anomie and Structural Theories Extended - Strain Theories; Control Theories; Societal Reaction and Other Social Processes Theories; Conflict and Feminist Theories); Substantive Areas (Suicide; Criminal Behaviors; Addictions and the Use and Abuse of Substances; Sexual Behaviors and Differences; Elite and Power Deviance). enhanced with a eighteen pages of References; a six page Name Index; and a twenty-five page Subject Index, "The Sociology of Deviance" is strongly recommended as a core contribution to professional and academic library Sociology, Psychology, and Psychiatry reference collections and supplemental studies reading lists.


The Environmental Studies Shelf

Ocean Solutions Earth Solutions
Dawn Wright, Editor
ESRI Press
380 New York Street, Redlands, CA 92378-8100
9781589483637, $59.99, www.esri.com/esripress

Ocean Solutions Earth Solutions is a recommendation for marine science, government, and research and resources managers alike, and provides a compendium of GIS best practices as they relate to these fields. Articles come from over fifty authors and include digital story maps and online solutions for protecting the ocean and managing ocean resources. Additional data supporting this book are available online, but the heart of the collection lies in abstracts and discussions that discuss mapping as it relates to ocean study, data assessments and research. The wealth of information culled from various resources makes this a top pick for any collection concerned with either ocean resources study and management or GIS applications.

Critical Government Documents on the Environment
Don Philpott
Bernan Press
c/o Rowman & Littlefield Publishing Group
4501 Forbes Blvd., Suite 200, Lanham, MD 20706
9781598887471 $50.00 hc
9781598887488 $49.99 ebook www.bernan.com

Part of the informative and non-partisan "Critical Government Documents" series, Critical Government Documents on the Environment presents arguments for and against leading environmental issues of the present day. All material is from published sources, including the Environmental Protection Agency, the Department of the Interior, the Department of Energy, the Department of Agriculture, the Department of Health and Human Services, the White House, the National Aeronautics and Space Administration, the National Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration, and more. Topics discussed include global warming, greenhouse gases, the Keystone Pipeline, mining, water/air/marine pollution, renewable energy, and more. Critical Government Documents on the Environment does not seek to advocate any individual position or offer new science, but rather collects information to enable the reader to make their own, carefully evaluated judgement. Highly recommended, especially for public and college library Environmental Studies collections.


The Astronomy Shelf

The Astronomy Bible
Heather Couper & Nigel Henbest
Firefly Books Ltd.
50 Staples Avenue, Unit 1
Richmond Hill, ON, Canada L4B 0A7
9781770854826 $19.95 www.fireflybooks.com

Featuring striking, full-color photography of stars and planets and throughout, The Astronomy Bible: The Definitive Guide to the Night Sky and the Universe is a compact-sized, comprehensive guide to this ancient science. Chapters discuss the long history of humankind's observation of the sun, the moon, constellations, planets, comets, and more. Reference pages (including a list of forthcoming eclipses for the next five years) and an index round out this fascinating resource, thoroughly accessible to novice and veteran stargazers alike. Highly recommended.


The Military Shelf

Torch: North Africa and the Allied Path to Victory
Vincent P. O'Hara
Naval Institute Press
291 Wood Road, Annapolis, MD 21402
9781612518237 $49.95 hc / $31.10 Kindle www.nip.org

Torch: North Africa and the Allied Path to Victory is an in-depth, scholarly analysis of a critical aspect of World War II. Operation Torch was the first combined Allied offensive, a British- American invasion of French North Africa during the North African campaign, starting in November of 1942. The reasoning behind the operation was to aid Russia by creating a new front in the battle, and to move American troops into the war against Germany. To this day, historians debate whether Operation Torch improved the Allies' standing in the war, or whether it prolonged the war by wasting Allied soldiers and resources. Torch: North Africa and the Allied Path to Victory scrutinizes the operation's five landings (Port Lyautey, Fedala, and Safi in Morocco, and Oran and Algiers in Algeria), as well as air and ground actions. The operation's context within the World War II as a whole, as well as the French perspective, are also considered at length. Notes, a bibliography, and an index round out this studious and welcome addition to public and college library military history shelves.


The Civil War Shelf

Civil War Nurse Narratives 1863-1870
Daneen Wardrop
University of Iowa Press
100 Kuhl House, 119 West Park Road
Iowa City, IA 52242-1000
9781609383671 $55.00 www.uiowapress.org

Daneen Wardrop (Professor of English, Western Michigan University) presents Civil War Nurse Narratives 1863-1870, a close analysis of the first wave of autobiographical narratives written by northern female nurses, and published both during and shortly after the American Civil War. The scrutinized writings include those of Louisa May Alcott, Elvira Powers, Julia Wheelock, and more. These true-life stories are notable for their realistic reporting of medicine on the battlefield. Although they generally avoided discussions of military strategy or Congressional politics, these Civil War nurse narratives did challenge widespread and entrenched prejudices about gender, culture, race, and class. Civil War Nurse Narratives 1863-1870 is a welcome and highly recommended addition to public and college library Civil War shelves.


The Technology Shelf

Geo Power
Donal Blaise Lloyd
PixyJack Press
PO Box 149, Masonville, CO 80541
www.PixyJackPress.com
9781936555581, $19.95, 208pp, www.amazon.com

Geothermal energy is thermal energy generated and stored in the Earth. Thermal energy is the energy that determines the temperature of matter. The geothermal energy of the Earth's crust originates from the original formation of the planet and from radioactive decay of materials. The geothermal gradient, which is the difference in temperature between the core of the planet and its surface, drives a continuous conduction of thermal energy in the form of heat from the core to the surface. "Geo Power: Stay Warm, Keep Cool and Save Money with Geothermal Heating & Cooling" is an impressively informed and informative work explaining why ground-source heat pumps (GHPs) are the best choice for heating and cooling new or existing homes in any climate and how this reliable, silent, non-polluting way of extracting free energy from the earth saves money year after year. Ideal for homeowners, anyone training for the geothermal industry, and home-building partners (including architects, builders, lenders, inspectors), "Geo Power" goes over various GHP system options and why installing a geothermal system is a smart investment. "Geo Power" goes one step further and provides insights into the simple science of this proven heat-pump technology. "Geo Power" is very highly recommended for non-specialist general readers with an interest in the application geothermal power, as well as a critically important contribution to both community and academic library Alternative Energy reference collections in general, and Geothermal Power supplemental studies lists in particular.


The Literary Studies Shelf

Palimpsest: A History of the Written Word
Matthew Battles
W. W. Norton & Company
500 Fifth Avenue, New York, NY 10110
9780393058857, $26.95, www.wwnorton.com

Palimpsest: A History of the Written Word considers why writing exists, what it means in human culture, and how it has evolved from myth and technology to become an intrinsic part of human culture. Here Battles provides a compelling examination of this written word, considering why it exists, its meaning, and its magic. From ancient to modern times, the history of writing receives a lively survey that circles the globe in its consideration of how writing developed and revolutionized not just local communities but the human race as a whole. Coming from a former antiquarian librarian, this represents a powerful and lively discussion that invites reflection from all kinds of literary circles, from historians and librarians to calligraphers and fans of the written word.

The Beat Generation FAQ
Rich Weidman
Backbeat Books
c/o Hal Leonard Performing Arts Publishing Group
33 Plymouth Street, Suite 302
Montclair, NJ 07042-2677
9781617136016 $19.99 www.halleonard.com

Part of a series of pop culture "FAQ" titles from Backbeat Books, The Beat Generation FAQ: All That's Left To Know About The Angleheaded Hipsters examines a literary movement that arose as counterculture to the stifling repressions and conformity that saturated post World War II life in the United States. Beat Generation writers embraced controversy; works such as "Naked Lunch" and "Howl" led to obscenity trials, while Jack Kerouac's 1957 novel "On the Road" became notorious for allegedly corrupting the nation's youth. The literature Beat writers often featured an organic use of language, and expressions of spontaneity evocative of improvisational jazz music. A diversity of authors and their classic literary works are profiled. A timeline, bibliography, and index round out this excellent addition to literary studies shelves.


The Computer Shelf

Web Security: A WhiteHat Perspective
Hanqing Wu and Liz Zhao
CRC Press
6000 NW Broken Sound Parkway NW, Suite 300, Boca Raton, FL 33487
9781466592612, $79.95, www.crcpress.com

Web Security: A WhiteHat Perspective is for any company looking to improve their information security strategies, and provides an in-depth guide to the topic designed for managers who want to build a more effective security system. It comes from an expert who explains how hackers work, why companies of differing sizes and approaches need different security measures, and provides coverage of everything from client script security and Internet company security operations to click jacking, injection attacks, authentication, and much more. Solutions to a range of known vulnerabilities accompany coverage that considers the wider ramifications of web security as it applies to bigger-picture thinking and smaller-scale companies, creating an accessible discussion suitable for web security experts and managers alike.

Sams Teach Yourself Javascript in 24 Hours, sixth edition
Phil Ballard
Sams
c/o Pearson Technology Group
801 East 96th Street, #300, Indianapolis, IN 46240-3759
9780672337383, $34.99, www.informit.com/sams

Sams Teach Yourself Javascript in 24 Hours appears in its sixth updated edition to cover the basics of JavaScript programming, offering lessons geared to beginners with no prior programming experience and offering a complete 'classroom in a book' discussion. Directions cover the most common JavaScript programming tasks and include quizzes, self-test, exercises, tips, and examples from real-world JavaScript applications. Updated basics and lessons that serve as stepping stones of knowledge make for a key lesson plan highly recommended for any who would learn the program with no assumption of prior programming skills.

Addison Wesley
c/o Pearson Technology Group
801 East 96th Street, #300, Indianapolis, IN 46240-3759
www.informit.com/aw, www.amazon.com

Roger Sedgewick, et.al.'s Introduction to Programming in Python (9780134076430, $69.99) uses examples of real-world programming to impart the basics of Python's features and its applicability to engineering, business, and science projects alike, and blends a format ripe with Q&As, exercises, and opportunities for diverse practice with algorithms, applied math and physics examples, and source code specific with Python 2 and 3. No light treatment, Introduction to Programming in Python takes the introduction from basics to advanced applications, in effect creating a 'classroom in a book' for any programmer who would learn and apply Python's basics. Martin L. Abbott and Michael T. Fisher's The Art of Scalability: Scalable Web Architecture, Processes, and Organizations for the Modern Enterprise (9780134032801, $44.95) is a recommendation for any involved in web programming or providing web services, and comes from two leading scalability consultants who discuss the basics of how to tailor such products and services. This edition represents an extensive revision covering new technologies, strategies, and lessons and adds new case studies from the authors' consulting practice. It's written with decision makers in mind and covers the basics of structuring organizations for maximum agility and scalability, discussing how issues commonly begin with such structures, spill over into technological answers, and how to meet the growing challenge of changing organizations as well as technological responses to user needs. Hal Fulton and Andre Arko's The Ruby Way (9780321714633, $49.99) appears in its third updated edition to show Ruby programmers who to achieve specific solutions to coding issues. From best practices for regular expressions to storing data, automating system administration, measuring Ruby performance, and using toolkits to build GUIs, this reference comes with downloadable source code supporting the book's text and covers Ruby 2.1 using over four hundred examples answering basic questions to using Ruby for specific routines. The result is a 'must' for any Ruby code programmer who wants a combination of reference and how-to manual. Dan Sullivan's NoSQL for Mere Mortals (9780134023212, $49.99) provides a basic primer on solving problems with NoSQL, from getting started and choosing between NoSQL databases to documenting databases, creating column family databases, understanding document and collections terms, and designing tables using best practices guidelines. The depth of detail and information makes for a powerful recommendation for any new to NoSQL or for programmers who want to build upon its special capabilities.


The Needlecraft Shelf

Free Range Triangle Quilts
Gwen Marston and Cathy Jones
American Quilter's Society
PO Box 3290, Paducah, KY 42002-3290
9781604602111, $24.95, www.americanquilter.com

Free Range Triangle Quilts provides a new book of projects with lessons that blend traditional methods and styles with updated quilt patterns, and is a pick for any who would use quilt projects to teach the basics of using the classic triangle in new ways. A display of quilts made using the 'free range' concept of the triangle blends with good-sized color photos throughout to create a quilter's guide packed with ideas for innovative triangle results. Quilters who already have the basics down but who seek innovations on themes will be especially happy to have this guide, which covers all the options and possibilities. The 'Lessons Learned at Granny's Knee' provides many tips and discusses and contrasts Liberated and other techniques.

Crochet for Christmas
Salena Baca
Stackpole Books
5067 Ritter Road, Mechanicsburg, PA 17055-6921
9780811714785, $21.95, www.stackpolebooks.com

Crochet for Christmas: 29 Patterns for Handmade Holiday Decorations and Gifts arrives just in time for needleworkers to put their skills together in time for the holidays, and offers seasonal items ranging from tree skirts and reindeer baskets to a hedgehog door stopper. Because many of these items are more seasonal than religious, a wide of users looking for seasonal themes will find the crochet projects varied and to their liking, from Poinsettia balls to crocheted coffee cup sleeves for warm beverages, making for a top pick for any holiday needleworker.

Style and Swing
Susan Dunlop
Martingale & Company
19021 Avenue NE, Bothell, WA 98011
9781604654674, $26.99, www.shopmartingale.com

Style and Swing: 12 Structured Handbags for Beginners and Beyond provides keys to making a wide range of colorful and practical handbags, from totes and clasp purses to market bags and satchels, and is recommended for beginning to advanced sewers who want twelve specific projects covering a range of shapes and styles. Each project enjoys small color photos, full-page patterns, and an easy step-by-step series of instructions that not only cover the basics but tell why a particular strap or form is recommended for a particular style. With its clear directions and unusually inviting blend of color and practicality, Style and Swing stands out from other primers on producing totes.

2016 Quilting Calendars
Martingale & Company
19021 Avenue NE, Bothell, WA 98011
www.martingale.com

Two excellent wall calendars from Martingale are recommended picks for any looking to pair quilting instructions with the handy date blocks of a wall calendar, and will make for good gifts for any quilter. Sue Spargo's Stitches to Savor (9781604667156, $22.99) features her designs and comes from a folk artist and designer who packs in over 250 photo close-ups of her stitches, techniques, and approaches. It is both a showcase of Spargo's artistic works and quilting embellishments and an inspirational starting point for quilters to hone their skills. The Quilt Calendar 2016 (9781604687088, $16.99) includes instructions for each project and provides 12 designs by a variety of quilting artists, along with a pull-out booklet of step-by-step illustrated instructions for every design. These lovely projects range from bed quilts to wall hangings and sewing machine covers, making for a varied and inspirational collection of projects for all skill sets.


The Fantasy/SciFi Shelf

Dragon in Exile
Sharon Lee & Steve Miller
Baen Books
PO Box 1188, Wake Forest NC 27588
9781476780719, $26.00, www.baen.com

Dragon in Exile provides a new Liaden Universe story as it tells of Clan Korval, which has been convicted of crimes against the homeworld - even if part of the crime involved saving the planet. The Council of Clans doesn't care: they just want the Korvan family out - but their allies enter the picture and they are banished rather than executed. Political alliances, clan efforts to recruit new allies and return to the fold, a dangerous game that is being played on and off-world, and a series of political interactions that threaten to bring everything down makes for a powerful survey especially recommended for prior fans of the Liaden Universe and its intricate progression.


The Antiques/Collectibles Shelf

A Guide Book of Mercury Dimes, Standing Liberty Quarters, and Liberty Walking Half Dollars
Q. David Bowers
Whitman Publishing
4001 Helton Drive, Florence, Alabama, 35630
079484314X, $29.95, www.whitmanbooks.com

Coin collectors seeking specific guides will welcome over three hundred pages of pricing, grading directions, history and collector insights to the mercury dime, standing liberty quarter and liberty walking half dollars, which were minted between 1916 and 1947 and can be found in many old-time collections. Thousands of coin collectors seek them and this new guide is the reference to have in hand for both avid collectors and relative newcomers. With its full color images, including some high-resolution enlargements for overdates and other die varieties, this book includes any data needed to make value and build a coin collection with these pieces.


The Social Issues Shelf

The Ville, updated edition
Greg Donaldson
Empire State Editions
c/o Fordham University Press
2546 Belmont Avenue, University Box L, Bronx, NY 10458-5172
www.fordhampress.com
9780823265671, $29.95, www.empirestateeditions.com

The updated edition of The Ville features a new epilogue by the author and presents a powerful story from a longtime Brooklyn school teacher who considers a Housing Authority police officer who is struggling with guns and crack and a talented teen who is working to escape his neighborhood, among others. It charts the politics and evolution of drug culture in a New York inner city neighborhood, it details messages, chaos, and cultures under fire, and it ultimately succeeds in creating a powerful saga that compelling, revealing, and offers up much food for thought on the social processes involved in urban neighborhoods. Other books have attempted what The Ville achieves: a well-rounded set of perspectives covering not one viewpoint, but all the issues.


The International Studies Shelf

The Tail Wags the Dog
Efraim Karsh
Bloomsbury Press
175 Fifth Avenue, Suite 315, New York, NY 10010
www.bloomsbury.com
9781632861184, $28.00, www.bloomsbury.com

The Tail Wags the Dog: International Politics and the Middle East refutes the common notion that Middle Eastern history is based on the region's interactions with the west, and offers a different idea: that such history has actually been formed more by trends and behavior patterns within the region than dictated by encounters from the outside. His focus on its political development argues that only a different perspective of the peoples and their evolution can ultimately lead to a better relationship between the Middle East and the West, and chapters consider international political approaches to the region which have not fostered this possibility. Any studying Middle East history and politics will find this different perspective refreshing and enlightening, and a 'must' for any real understanding of the traditional approaches and their failures.

The Challenges of Nuclear Non-Proliferation
Richard D. Burns and Philip E. Coyle II
Rowman & Littlefield
c/o Rowman & Littlefield Publishing Group
4501 Forbes Blvd., Suite 200, Lanham, MD 20706
9781442223752, $29.95, www.rowman.com

The Challenges of Nuclear Non-Proliferation joins others in Rowman and Littlefield's 'Weapons of Mass Destruction' series to survey the many aspects of non-proliferation agreements and how they work - or don't work. It reviews nuclear programs in different countries and their different approaches, considers rogue states and technological advancements in delivery and nuclear systems, analyzes the political and economic influences behind decision-making processes, and in general reviews the key issues involved in worldwide nuclear security. No student of nuclear arms issues should be without this hard-hitting discussion.


The Mathematics Shelf

Numbers: Their Tales, Types, and Treasures
Alfred S. Posamentier & Bernd Thaller
Prometheus Books
59 John Glenn Drive, Amherst, NY 14228-2197
9781633880306, $19.00, www.prometheusbooks.com

Numbers: Their Tales, Types, and Treasures gathers under one cover a wide range of number facts and mathematics oddities and crease a lively discussion to foster reader interest in numbers and their unique attributes. One needn't be a mathematician nor even have a strong prior affection for numbers in order to appreciate this book's approach, which blends math concepts with trivia and fun facts to make discussions energetic and relevant. From the finer arts of combinations and counting to the development of various math systems in different cultures and special calculation systems, Numbers: Their Tales, Types, and Treasures offers more insights than most in a fun survey highly recommended for any general-interest collection.


The LGBT Studies Shelf

No House to Call My Home
Ryan Berg
Nation Books
c/o Perseus Book Group
250 W. 57th St., Suite 1500, New York, NY 10107
9781568585093, $25.99, www.nationbooks.org

No House to Call My Home: Love, Family, and other Transgressions considers the lives of LGBTQ teens and comes from a caseworker at a group home who worked with young people who were abandoned, abused, or regulated to the streets as a result of being LGBTQ. From a transgender woman who dreams of a fine house but lives on crack and prostitution to encounters with parents who have rejected their children to the point of denying that they have produced them, No House to Call My Home consists not of dispassionate analysis but of poignant case histories of children, parents and households the author encountered in the course of his work. It's a moving, serious saga that's hard to put down and filled with psychological and social insights.


James A. Cox, Editor-in-Chief
Diane C. Donovan, Editor
Midwest Book Review
278 Orchard Drive
Oregon, WI 53575-1129
phone: 1-608-835-7937
e-mail: mbr@execpc.com
e-mail: mwbookrevw@aol.com
http://www.midwestbookreview.com


Copyright ©2001

Site design by Williams Writing, Editing & Design