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Table of Contents
Reviewer's Choice
The Useful Book
Sharon and David Bowers
Workman Publishing Company
225 Varick Street, New York, NY 10014-4381
9780761171737 $19.95 www.workman.com
The Useful Book: 201 Life Skills They Used to Teach in Home Ec and Shop lives up to its title
as a how-to omnibus of basic techniques for cooking, sewing, laundry, home improvement,
woodworking/metalworking, plumbing, electrical (such as how to install a dimmer) and more.
Simple, monochromatic sketches help illustrate the handy tips, tricks, and practical methods. The
Useful Book is packed with so much information that even longtime jack-of-all-traders are likely
to learn new things! "[When using a dishwasher] Scrape, but don't pre-wash! Your dishes need to
be dirty in order for the detergent to clean them properly. (Enzymes in the detergent are made to
cling to food particles.) Plus, pre-washing can waste up to 6,000 extra gallons of water per year."
The Useful Book is a "must-have" for every household and an excellent resource for public and
community library collections.
The Monster Book
Nick Redfern
Visible Ink Press
43311 Joy Rd., #414, Canton, MI 48187-2075
www.visibleinkpress.com
9781578595754, $19.95, PB, 400pp, www.amazon.com
Nick Redfern is the author of 30 books on Bigfoot, lake monsters, the Abominable Snowman,
and other unexplained phenomena. His latest study and reference work is "The Monster Book:
Creatures, Beasts and Fiends of Nature", an exhaustive compendium of beasts and creatures
deftly organized into ten distinctive categories: Unearthly Cats, Deadly Dogs, Werewolves;
Nature Gone Mad; Reptiles, Amphibians, Dinosaurs, and Worms; Lake, River, and Ocean
Menaces; Cryptic Apes and Wild Men; Not So Human; Flying Beings; Vampires and
Bloodsuckers; Monsters of Magic and Mind; UFO Creatures. "The Monster Book" deftly
explores the history, mythology, pop culture, and the world of the supernatural. "The Monster
Book" is a complete and comprehensive resource revealing and defining the monster menagerie
from around the world, and drawn from every continent and culture. Of special note are the
first-person accounts of bizarre freaks of nature and spine-tingling paranormal entities.
Thoroughly 'reader friendly' in content, organization and presentation, "The Monster Book" is
unreservedly recommended for community library collections. For personal reading lists it
should be noted that "The Monster Book" is also available in a Kindle edition ($18.99).
"Birds Are People Too"
Kate Davis
Mountain Press Publishing Company
PO Box 2399, Missoula, MT 59806
9780878426690 $18.00 www.mountain-press.com
Featuring splendid photography on every page, "Birds Are People Too": Humor in the Avian
World is a unique humor book pairing striking images of wild birds with funny, all-too-human
quotes. For example, one page shows a woodpecker bringing berries to feed its child, with the
caption "Berries?! What happened to the juicy caterpillars with their zesty flavor and lovely
internal organs?" "Birds Are People Too" can be fully appreciated for its incredible photography
or its chuckle-inducing quips alone; the unique combination makes it stand out as an excellent
giftbook for bird lovers everywhere!
The Cookbook Shelf
The Fly Creek Cider Mill Cookbook
Brenda and Bill Michaels
Surrey Books
c/o Agate Publishing
1328 Greenleaf Street, Evanston, IL 60202
9781572841949 $22.95 www.agatepublishing.com
An assortment color photographs enriches The Fly Creek Cider Mill Cookbook: More than 100
Delicious Apple Recipes, a user-friendly cookbook that would make Johnny Appleseed proud.
Created in celebration of the 160th anniversary of The Fly Creek Cider Mill, this cookbook
features apple- and cider-based recipes from mill workers, friends, and associates, including
sauces, drinks, breads, soups, starters, and main courses. A few sample delicacies are "Puffy
Apple Pancakes", "Easy Bacon-Apple Pizza", "The Official New York State Apple Muffin",
"The Fly Creek Cider Mill All-Time Favorite Beef Pot Roast", "Apple Pie with Caramel Sauce",
and much more. Thoroughly accessible to cooks of all skill and experience levels, The Fly Creek
Cider Mill Cookbook is a treasure for connoisseurs and a welcome addition to specialty
cookbook shelves!
Picnics, Potlucks, & Porch Parties
Aimee Broussard
Quail Ridge Press
PO Box 123, Brandon, MS 39043
www.quailridge.com
9781938879166, $24.95, PB, 224pp, www.amazon.com
A popular food blogger, Aimee Broussard is the 2013 Dixie Crystals Cookie Bake-Off
Champion. In 2014, she co-hosted several Taste of Home Cooking School Live shows spanning
from Louisiana, Alabama, and Mississippi, while showcasing her Honey Garlic Meatballs. Now
in the pages of "Picnics, Potlucks, & Porch Parties: Recipes & Ideas for Outdoor Entertaining"
she draws upon her years of experience and expertise to create what is basically a 'how to' manual
for novice kitchen cooks and homemakers on how to create truly memorable dishes for informal
entertainment at home, at the park, or at church. Beautifully illustrated and offering complete
party and menu plans that include: Country Cozy Fried Chicken Picnic; Lovely Little Lunch on
the Porch; Muffins for Moms Recipe Exchange; Backyard BBQ Family Reunion; Easter Bunny
Brunch; Patriotic Porch party; Neighborhood Potluck Gathering; It's Tailgate Time!;
Friendsgiving Feast; and Home for the Holidays. Of special note are the recipes for unforgettable
beverages suitable for each and any occasion, from Tipsy Peach Tea and Cran-Orange Memosas,
to Southern Sweet Lemonade to Early Kickoff Bloody Marys. Thoroughly 'kitchen cook friendly'
in organization and presentation, "Picnics, Potlucks, & Porch Parties: Recipes & Ideas for
Outdoor Entertaining" will prove to be an enduringly popular and highly valued addition to
personal, family, and community library cookbook collections.
Katie Chin's Everyday Chinese Cookbook
Katie Chin, author
Masano Kawana, photographer
Tuttle Publishing
364 Innovation Drive, North Clarendon, VT 05759-9436
www.tuttlepublishing.com
9780804845229, $24.95, HC, 160pp, www.amazon.com
Katie Chin learned to cook as a young girl in her mother's kitchen. Her mother was Leeann Chin
who, born in China, came to American and became an award-winning restaurateur and cookbook
author with a special knack for demystify Chinese cooking for the American homemaker. When
Leeann passed away in 2010, her daughter Katie was determined to see her mother's recipes and
food legacy would be passed on to new and appreciative generations of kitchen cooks. The result
is "Katie Chin's Everyday Chinese Cookbook: 101 Delicious Recipes from My Mother's
Kitchen", a compendium of family recipes that includes many unique dishes that Leeann
developed during a six-decade career in the food business, including time-honored classics that
she herself learned from her own mother back in China. Some dishes reflect Leeann's
Chinese-American childhood or are recipes which Katie and Leeann developed while together.
Others are creations that Katie has developed more recently. Woven throughout the book are
fond memories and anecdotes from Katie's childhood, always involving cooking and eating with
her mom. With dishes that range from Beef with Rice Stick Noodle Soup; Chicken with Salted
Black Beans, Tomatoes and Green Peppers; Stir-Fried Pork with Asian Eggplant; and
Chinese-Style Parchment Fish; to Baby Bok Choy with Ginger and Garlic; Crystal Shrimp
Dumplings; Honey Barbecued Pork; and Napa Cabbage and Tofu Salad, "Katie Chin's Everyday
Chinese Cookbook" will prove to be an enduringly popular addition to any personal, family,
professional, or community library Chinese Cuisine cookbook collection.
Dishing Up Minnesota
Teresa Marrone
Storey Publishing
210 Mass MoCA Way, North Adams, MA 01247
www.storey.com
978161212584, $19.95, PB, 282pp, www.amazon.com
Minnesota cuisine draws from ethnically diverse generations of Minnesotans including
Scandinavian, German, Native American, Mexican, and Hmong culinary cultures. Beautifully
and profusely illustrated with full color photography throughout, the recipes reflect Minnesota's
lakes, pastures, woodlands, and festivals, featuring contributions from local farmers, foragers,
and fishermen. These thoroughly 'kitchen cook friendly' recipes comprising "Dishing Up
Minnesota: 150 Recipes from the Land of 10,000 Lakes" range from Maple-Cinnamon Applies;
Grilled Venison Loin with Honey, Juniper, and Black Pepper Gaze; Iron Skillet Pizza with Sweet
Peppers, Red Onions, and Salami; Lamb and Pork Breakfast Sausages; and Big Woods Blue
Cheesecake; to Heirloom Beans and Squash with Smoked fish and Balsam Broth; Busy-Day Pho
- Vietnamese Beef Noodle Soup; Mardi Garden Salad; Blue Ribbon Honey Pecan Pie; and Thai
Peanut-Caramel Popcorn. A pleasure to browse and inspiring to plan menus with, "Dishing Up
Minnesota" will prove to be an enduringly popular addition to personal, family, and community
library regional cookbook collections. It should be noted that "Dishing Up Minnesota" is also
available in a Kindle edition ($9.99).
The Complete Book of Pork Butchering, Smoking, Curing, Sausage Making and Cooking
Philip Hasheider
Voyageur Press
c/o Quarto Publishing Group USA
400 First Avenue North, Suite 400, Minneapolis, MN 55401-1722
9780760349960 $24.99 www.QuartoKnows.com
The Complete Book of Pork Butchering, Smoking, Curing, Sausage Making and Cooking
transcends the domain of a standard cookbook to include detailed, step-by-step instructions for
butchering pork, using pork byproducts, and making sausage and bacon, as well as a discussion
of pork's storied history as a relatively inexpensive, healthy and versatile food. The butchering
instructions are illustrated with full-color photography, although most of the pork recipes are not.
The basics of raising pigs are also discussed, and strong emphasis is placed on treating pigs
humanely, especially when the time comes to kill them for food. A "must-read" for aspiring pig
farmers and pork connoisseurs alike!
The Sports Shelf
The 1966 Green Bay Packers
George Bozeka
McFarland & Company
PO Box 611, Jefferson NC 28640
www.mcfarlandpub.com
9781476662039, $35.00, PB, 315pp, www.amazon.com
The Green Bay Packers is a unique football franchise. It is the only one owned by the people and
not vulnerable to be moved elsewhere in the country by a greedy owner. One of the consequences
of this guaranteed permanency is an absolute and enduring loyalty on the part of Green Bay
Packer fans. Interest in the history of the Green Bay Packers, its players and its coaches, has
always been very high. Now the latest contribution to the growing library of Green Bay Packer
literature is "The 1966 Green Bay Packers: Profiles of Vince Lombardi's Super Bowl I
Champions" which is compiled and edited by George Bozeka (who is the Assistant Executive
Director and Assistant Publications Director of the Professional Football Researchers
Association). Focusing on a particular and single 'Golden Age' season of Packer history, "The
1966 Green Bay Packers" the 60 articles are deftly organized into five major section: The
Organization; The 1966 Season; The Team; The Stadium; The Press. Enhanced with a two page
listing of the contributors and their credentials, and a two page Index, "The 1966 Green Bay
Packers" is an absolute 'must', both for the legions of Packer fans and inclusion into all
Wisconsin community, college, and university libraries.
The Photography Shelf
Austin: A Photographic Journey
Mike Cox, author
John R. Rogers, photographer
Rob Greebon, photographer
Farcountry Press
PO Box 5630, Helena, MT 59604
www.farcountrypress.com
9781560376637, $12.95, PB, 80pp, www.amazon.com
The full color images of photographers John R. Rogers and Rob Greebon fully capture the beauty
and unique culture of Austin, the capital city of Texas. Also known as "The Live Music Capital
of the World", with captions by Mike Cox, "Austin: A Photographic Journey" is a superbly
presented photographic tribute showcases the city's striking skyline, bridges, lakes, parks and
nature trails-a city famous for Longhorns of both the university and bovine varieties, and its
beloved weird side with vibrant festivals, a passion for music, and hipster art scene. Ideal for
armchair travelers and a delight to browse through by anyone who has ever had the privilege of
visiting this vibrant city, "Austin: A Photographic Journey" is unreservedly recommended.
Manhattan Shop Window Mannequins
Roy K. Iwaki
Outskirts Press, Inc.
10940 S. Parker Road, #515, Parker, CO 80134
9781478753018 $19.95 www.outskirtspress.com
Manhattan Shop Window Mannequins: Crossroads of the World is a full-color photographic
showcase of sometimes lifelike, sometimes cartoonish, always striking mannequins found in the
shop windows of Manhattan. No text distracts from the visuals; each page features a single,
up-close and personal photograph of a different mannequin. Some invoke the "Uncanny Valley"
shock response in full force; others exude high-class glamor; and still others are nonhuman (two
standout examples are a mannequin of stitched teddy bears, and a mannequin of a Chinese
dragon). Manhattan Shop Window Mannequins is an irresistible curiosity, and makes a unique
giftbook for photography connoisseurs intrigued by the unusual.
The Fiction Shelf
The Shadow of Nanteos
Jane Blank
Y Lolfa
c/o Dufour Editions, Inc.
PO Box 7, 124 Byers Road, Chester Springs, PA 19425-0007
www.dufoureditions.com
9781784611712, $17.00, PB, 285pp, www.amazon.com
When William Powell and his headstrong wife Elizabeth inherit the glorious Nanteos estate in
Cardiganshire, it seems their new life is everything they could wish for. Yet, as her debt-ridden
husband is snared by the land disputes and violence of the 1750s lead wars, Elizabeth is
increasingly drawn to the mysterious figure of Cai, the estate's handsome bailiff. Superstition,
tales of haunting, and the powerful Nanteos grail cast their shadow over the house and soon the
family is caught up in a vicious political and legal battle that will end in tragedy. An impressively
presented and consistently compelling novel, "The Shadow of Nanteos" is a an inherently
fascinating read that showcases author Jane Blank's exceptional storytelling skills. "The Shadows
of Nanteos" is especially recommended for community library Historical Fiction collections, and
would prove to be an enduringly popular addition the personal reading lists of anyone who
appreciates a deftly crafted work of truly entertaining originality.
Tough Luck Hero
Maisey Yates
HQN Books
c/o Harlequin Books
225 Duncan Mill Road, Don Mills, Ontario, Canada, M3B 3K9
9780373789818, $7.99, PB, 384pp, www.amazon.com
Ranching heir Colton West knew his wedding would be the talk of the town. But he didn't expect
to get left at the altar -- or to escape on the next flight to Vegas with Lydia Carpenter, the woman
who gets under his skin like no one else. The only thing crazier than honeymooning with Lydia is
waking up married to her. So why does he find himself entertaining his new wife's desire to stay
married -- and fantasizing about a real wedding night? As Copper Ridge's prospective mayor,
Lydia can't risk a divorce scandal so close to election time. But pretending to be blissfully in love
with her new husband is more confusing than she'd thought. For a man who's always rubbed her
the wrong way, Colton suddenly seems to know exactly what to do with his hands. And his lips.
Now Lydia's wildest mistake could turn out to be her luckiest move, if they're both willing to take
the ultimate gamble. "Tough Luck Hero" is another terrific read from Maisey Yates who is a true
master of the romance fiction genre. "Tough Luck Hero" is enthusiastically recommended for
community library Romance Fiction collections in general, and Maisey Yates fans in
particular.
The Alliance
Jolina Petersheim
Tyndale House Publishers
351 Executive Drive, Carol Stream, IL 60188
www.tyndale.com
9781496413994, $22.99, HC, 384pp, www.amazon.com
When Leora Ebersole sees the small plane crash in her Old Order Mennonite community, she has
no idea it's a foreshadowing of things to come. Soon after the young pilot, Moses Hughes,
regains consciousness, they realize his instruments were destroyed by the same power outage that
killed the electricity at the community store, where Englischers are stranded with dead cell
phones and cars that won't start. Moses offers a sobering theory, but no one can know how
drastically life is about to change. With the only self-sustaining food supply in the region, the
Pacifist community is forced to forge an alliance with the handful of stranded Englischers in an
effort to protect not only the food but their very lives. In the weeks that follow, Leora, Moses,
and the community will be tested as never before, requiring them to make decisions they never
thought possible. Whom will they help and whom will they turn away? When the community
receives news of a new threat, everyone must decide how far they're willing to go to protect their
beliefs and way of life. In "The Alliance", author Jolina Petersheim demonstrates an original and
exceptional storytelling talent as novelist. A riveting and thoroughly entertaining read from
beginning to end, "The Alliance" is unreservedly recommended and certain to be an enduringly
popular addition to community library General Fiction collections. For personal reading lists it
should be noted that "The Alliance" is also available in a paperback edition (9781496402219,
$14.99) and in a Kindle format ($8.46).
Escape To Redemption
Peter M. Parr
Roundfire Books
c/o John Hunt Publishing, Ltd.
Laurel House, Station Approach, Alresford, Hants, SO24 9JH, UK
www.johnhuntpublishing.com
9781785352270, $16.95, 273pp, www.amazon.com
Josie only had the gun to frighten Curtis Rook, but his son disturbed her. One startled reflex and
now he's dead. Josie flees to Poland leaving her boyfriend Snaz to take the rap. A reformed
criminal offers her refuge from the police and the chance to begin a new life, but she cannot hide
from her guilt. As the stakes rise, Josie begins to realize that only her own forgiveness can set her
free. Fast-paced and original, Peter M. Parr's contemporary take on Crime and Punishment
challenges traditional ideas about guilt and redemption, and the meaning of forgiveness. "Escape
To Redemption" is an original and compelling read from beginning to end. Clearly
demonstrating author Peter M. Parr as an exceptionally talented novelist, "Escape To
Redemption" will prove to be an enduringly popular addition to community library General
Fiction collections. For personal reading lists it should be noted that "Escape To Redemption" is
also available in a Kindle edition ($6.15).
The Turbulent Trail
Mike Thompson
Five Star Books
10 Water Street, Suite 310, Waterville, ME 04901
http://gale.cengage.com/fivestar
9781432831783, $25.95, HC, 287pp, www.amazon.com
Former soldier and Army sharpshooter turned brawler and drunk. Charlie Deegan finds himself
winding up in the Yuma Territorial Prison. Knowing he can't last the remaining nine years of his
sentence, Charlie escapes and is determined to change his life. Charlie heads north hoping to
become a cowboy. Beaten down by the harsh Sonora Desert, he discovers a mummified miner
whose hoard of supplies gives Charlie a new chance at life. He befriends a cowboy, Creed
McCall, who agrees to help him get a job on a north bound cattle drive. Untested as a cowboy,
Charlie must start as the cook's helper. As the herd heads out on the long trail drive, will he be
able to prove that he has what it takes to become a real cowboy? "The Turbulent Trail" is another
terrifically entertaining western novel from Mike Thompson and once again demonstrates the
author's total mastery of the western action/adventure genre. Unreservedly recommended for
community library Western Fiction collections, it should be noted for the personal reading lists of
western novel fans that "The Turbulent Trail" is also available in a Kindle edition ($3.99).
The Poetry Shelf
Into A New Country
Deborah Fleming
Cherry Grove Press of Cincinnati
c/o WordTech Communications LLC
9781625491718, $19.00, 106pp, www.amazon.com
A good poet is more than just a word smith able to fashion memorable and deftly attractive
phrases, a good poet must be able to have their word images resonate with the mind, the
imagination, the memory, the life experiences, the emotional state of their reader. "Into A New
Country" is an impressive compendium of poetry by Deborah Fleming (Professor of English,
Ashland University, Ashland, Ohio, and the Editor of the Ashland Poetry Press) that clearly
demonstrates her mastery of free verse poetry and is a consistently compelling and reflective read
from beginning to end. "Into A New Country" is a body of work that is very highly for personal,
community and academic library Contemporary American Poetry collections. 'Anniversary: 2013'
- In springtime wind the branches gesture / while purpose martins gurgle their mating songs. /
Twenty years ago we came here. / In springtime wind the branches gesture. / I planted spruces
that very year. / Twenty years ago we both were young. / In springtime wind the branches gesture
/ while purple martins gurgle their mating song.
American Western Love Song
Victor Pearn
Indian Paintbrush Poets
c/o Pearn & Associates, Inc.
9780989724234, $34.95, PB, 295pp, www.amazon.com
Now in a newly revised edition, "American Western Love Song" is a comprehensive
compendium of the free verse poetry of Victor Pearn. Here is a poet exhibiting an impressive
mastery of language who is able to deftly craft images that touch the emotions of his readers. A
collection of verse to be browsed through time and time again, "American Western Love Song"
is unreservedly recommended for the personal reading lists of poetry enthusiasts and will prove
to be an enduringly popular addition to community, college, and university library Contemporary
American Poetry collections. VW Heaven: all the volkswagens / died and went to / Mexico
reborn as / blue taxies in one / place green in another / then on the road / red orange yellow and
black love bugs / slim sexy bodies easy on / the gas no dents no rust / they look brand new /
polished and clean / waiting to take you / anywhere you say
The Mystery/Suspense Shelf
The Semi-Sweet Hereafter
Colette London
Kensington Publishing Corp.
119 West 40th Street, Floor 21, New York, NY 10018-2522
www.kensingtonbooks.com
9781617733499, $7.99, PB, 352pp, www.amazon.com
The third volume in Colette London's outstanding 'Chocolate Whisperer' mystery series, "The
Semi-Sweet Hereafter" find Hayden Mundy Moore in London to lend her expertise to high-street
chocolaterie-patisserie Primrose. Nothing more. Really! But when a famous culinary bad boy is
found dead under suspicious circumstances (in her lodgings!), Hayden's eagerness not to be
involved (this time) makes her the prime suspect in the ensuing investigation. "The Semi-Sweet
Hereafter" is another terrific and original mystery from the pen of Colette London, a writer who
has become a master of the mystery/suspense genre. While unreservedly recommended for
community library collections, it should be noted for the personal reading lists of dedicated
mystery buffs in general, and Colette London fans in particular, that "The Semi-Sweet Hereafter"
is also available in a Kindle edition ($5.99). Also very highly recommended are the first two
titles in this outstanding series: "Criminal Confections" (9781617733451, $7.99 PB, $5.99
Kindle) and "Dangerously Dark" (9781617733475, $7.99 PB, $5.99 Kindle).
Heart of Stone
James W. Ziskin
Seventh Street Books
c/o Prometheus Books
59 John Glenn Drive, Amherst, NY 14228
www.prometheusbooks.com
9781633881839, $15.95, PB, 290pp, www.amazon.com
In the waning days of a lazy August holiday, Ellie Stone is enjoying a bright Adirondack-lake
morning. Nearby, two men plummet to their deaths on the rocks below, just a few feet short of
the water of a dangerous diving pool. A tragic accident, it seems. But the state police quickly
establish that the two victims (one who is a stranger to the lake and the other who is a teenaged
boy from a nearby music camp) surely didn't know each other. That anomaly is strange enough,
but what really perplexes Ellie is the out-of-place station wagon parked twenty yards from the
edge of the cliff. Wading into a slippery morass of fellow travelers, free-love intellectuals, rabid
John Birchers, and charismatic evangelicals, Ellie must navigate old grudges and Cold War
passions, lost ideals and betrayed loves. She sticks her nose where it's unwanted, rattling nerves
and putting herself in jeopardy. But this time, it's her heart that's at risk. "Heart of Stone" is
another terrific read from the pen of James Ziskin and continues the mystery adventures of Ellie
Stone. While very highly recommended for community library Mystery/Suspense collections, it
should be noted for the personal reading lists of dedicated mystery fans that "Heart of Stone" is
also available in a Kindle edition ($2.99). Ziskin is a true master of the mystery genre; his first
three Ellie Stone novels are: "Styx & Stone" (9781616148195, $15.95 PB, $9.99 Kindle), "No
Stone Unturned" (9781616148836, $15.95 PB, $9.99 Kindle), and "Stone Cold Dead"
(9781633880481, $15.95 PB, $11.99 Kindle).
The Hanged Man
Gary Inbinder
Pegasus Books
80 Broad Street, 5th Floor, New York, NY 10004
www.pegasusbooks.com
9781681771649, $25.95, HC, 352pp, www.amazon.com
It is Paris in July, 1890, as Police Inspector Achille Lefebvre and his wife Adele are enjoying
their stay at a seaside resort -- until a body found hanging from a bridge in a public park demands
the Inspector's attention. Is it suicide or murder? A twisted trail of evidence draws Inspector
Lefebvre into a shadowy underworld of international intrigue, espionage, and terrorism. Time is
of the essence; pressure mounts on the Surete to get results. Achille's chief orders him to work
with his former partner, Inspector Rousseau, now in charge of a special unit in the newly formed
political brigade. But can Achille trust the detective who let him down in another case? Inspector
Lefebvre uses innovative forensics and a network of police spies to uncover a secret alliance, a
scheme involving the sale of a cutting-edge high explosive, and an assassination plot that
threatens to ignite a world war. "The Hanged Man" is another terrifically original mystery from
the fertile mind of Gary Inbinder. Deftly crafted and consistently compelling from beginning to
end, "The Hanged Many" is unreservedly recommended for community library Mystery/Suspense
collections. For the personal reading lists of dedicated Inspector Lefebvre fans it should noted
that "The Hanged Man" is also available in a Kindle edition ($12.99).
Written Off
E. J. Copperman
Crooked Lane Books
2 Park Avenue, 10th floor, New York, NY 10016
www.crookedlanebooks.com
Blackstone Audiobooks
31 Mistletoe Road, Ashland, OR 97520
www.BlackstoneAudio.com
9781629535999, $25.99, HC, 336pp, www.amazon.com
Rachel Goldman writes mysteries in which Duffy Madison, consultant to the county prosecutor's
office, helps find missing persons. Rachel is busy finishing up her next book, when a man calls
out of the blue asking for help in a missing persons case. The caller's name? Duffy Madison. Is
this real or has she lost her mind? She doesn't have much time to find out because a serial killer
is on the loose, kidnapping and murdering mystery authors. And Rachel may just be the next
target. Author E. J. Copperman is a master of the mystery/suspense genre and the publication of
"Written Off" is launching his new 'Mysterious Detective' series. Another terrific read from a
exceptionally skilled storyteller, "Written Off" is certain to be an enduringly popular addition to
community library Mystery/Suspense collections. For the personal reading lists of dedicated
mystery buffs it should be noted that "Written Off" is also available in a Kindle edition ($10.69).
Librarians should noted that "Written Off" is also available in a complete and unabridged Audio
CD format (Blackstone Audiobooks, 9781504717946, $90.00).
The Audiobook Shelf
Learning to Ride
Erin Knightly, author
Read by Courtney Patterson
Hachette Audio
237 Park Avenue, New York, NY 10017
9781478967590 $10.00 www.HachetteAudio.com
Part of the "James Patterson's Bookshots: Flames" series created especially for connoisseurs short
yet sweet original romance novels, Learning to Ride is the salaciously sexy story of rodeo king
Tanner Callen and New York beauty Madeline Harper. She never wanted to fall in love with a
cowboy, and he never wanted more than a casual fling... at first. But sometimes, love and longing
can blossom when they're the least expected! This unabridged audiobook edition is superbly
performed by Courtney Patterson, and enthusiastically recommended for fans of burning,
passionate romance. 3 hours on 3 CDs.
North By Northwest: Paula Poundstone Live!
Paula Poundstone
Highbridge Audio Books
270 Skip Jack Road, Prince Frederick, MD 20678
www.highbridgeaudio.com
9781681682228, $22.95, CD, www.amazon.com
"North By Northwest: Paula Poundstone Live!" is a two disc CD featuring two of stand-up
comedian Paula Poundstone's live performances. CD #1 is a recording of her improve ad-lib style
humor in an event in Bayfield, Wisconsin. CD #2 is a recording of her improve ad-lib style
humor in Portland, Oregon. Each performance, with the exception of a single joke (what it's like
to try and sleep with 14 cats coughing hairballs throughout the night) both performances are
unique and feature Paula's distinctive comedic stylings as she plays off members of her
audiences. Laugh-out-loud hilarious, "North By Northwest: Paula Poundstone Live!" is a must
for the legions of Paula Poundstone fans and certain to be an enduringly popular addition to
community library audio book humor collections.
The Music CD Shelf
Dedication to Sylvia Rexach
Miramar
Barbes Records
$10.99 CD / $7.99 MP3 amazon.com
Puerto Rican singer Reinaldo Alvarez and the group Miramar (their name roughly translates to
"Look at the sea") present Dedication to Sylvia Rexach, a captivating album in which they
perform songs created by the vivacious and multi-talented Syvlia Rexach (1922-1961). Rexach
was born and raised in Puerto Rico, yet during the dark days of World War II she joined the
United States Army as a member of the WACS (Women's Army Corps Service) and served as an
office clerk. Joyous, creative, and beautiful, Dedication to Sylvia Rexach is a "must" for Latin-
American music collections. The tracks are "Tus Pasos", "Alma Adentro", "Sin Ti", "Nuestra
Luna", "Di Corazon", "Estatua", "Por Siempre", "Y Entonces", "En Mis Suenos", and "Como Tu
Eres".
Awaken Me: Songs from the Heart of a Seeker
Kimberly Haynes
Kimberly Haynes Music
MusicMedicineWoman.com
$17.99 amazon.com
New Age singer/songwriter Kimberly Haynes presents her debut album Awaken Me: Songs from
the Heart of a Seeker, a gentle, heart-touching collection of original songs revealing her
mellifluous vocal talent. A handful of guest performances enrich this treasury of spiritually
uplifting songs. Highly recommended! The tracks are "Awaken Me" (7:18), "The Dream" (4:46),
"Light of my Soul" (4:52), "My Heart Knows the Way" (5:31), "Pathless Path" (6:32), "The
Jewel" (4:32), "Great Divide" (4:24), "Do I Dare" (7:45), "You're The One That I Want" (7:18),
"Come Come" (4:24), and "Do I Dare (Earth Mix)" (7:45).
The Best of Bossacucanova
Bossacucanova
Six Degrees Records
$11.72 CD / $9.49 MP3 amazon.com
The Best of Bossacucanova is an album of songs that Brazilian band Bossacucanova feel best
represent their artistic expression, including two brand new compositions. Their high-energy
music showcases Portuguese culture, Brazilian anthems, electronic beats, multipart rhythms and
harmonies, and more. The Best of Bossacucanova is a must-have for world music collections!
The tracks are "Berimbau" (4:39), "Consolacao" (3:51), "Meditacao" (4:12), "Bye Bye Brasil"
(5:36), "Agua de Beber" (5:12), "Brasilidade" (5:23), "Essa Moca ta Diferente" (4:22), "Previsao"
(3:00), "Aguas de Marco" (4:43), "Adeus America" (3:58), "E Preciso Perdoar" (4:15), "Balanca
(Nao Pode Parar!)" (3:35), "Indio Quer Apito" (3:13), and "Waldomiro Pena (Dalata Remix)"
(3:46).
Mara
Aditya Prakash Ensemble
$TBA www.akpmusic.com
Mara is a music steeped in South Indian tradition, culture, and stylings. The title refers to the
demon Mara, who tempted the Buddha and sought to keep him from attaining Enlightenment.
Mara represents the shadow self, the darkness of the mind in every human being, the inner
struggle to improve as a person. The music follows an individual as she braves this dangerous
psychological maze, flowing with vocalizations and rhythm to weave a soundscape story, ranging
in flavor from reflective to all-out dance. Mara is unique, experimental, and highly
recommended.
The DVD Shelf
Murdoch Mysteries Season 9
Acorn Media
c/o RLJ Entertainment
www.us.RLJEntertainment.com
$59.99 www.acornonline.com
Available in both DVD and Blu-ray formats, Murdoch Mysteries Season 9 collects 18 episodes
of this acclaimed Canadian mystery series, set in Toronto during the early 1900's. Murdoch
(played by Yannick Bisson) and his associates are put to the test against serial killers, bank
robbers, opium sellers, and more. They also cross paths with historical luminaries such as Lucy
Maud Montgomery (author of "Anne of Green Gables"), temperance advocate Carrie Nation, and
legendary American author/satirist Mark Twain (played by William Shatner). Wry, witty, intense,
and tightly plotted, Murdoch Mysteries Season 9 is a highly recommended for mystery
connoisseurs. Bonus features include making-of featurettes (43 min.) and a photo gallery. 18
episodes on 5 DVDs or 4 Blu-ray discs, 792 min., widescreen, SDH subtitles.
Attack the Attack
Jeff Burger
YMAA Publications
PO Box 480, Wolfeboro, NH 03894-0480
www.ymaa.com
9781594393952 $29.95 amazon.com
Attack the Attack: Split-Second Counterattacks is a martial arts DVD by Jeff Burger, who holds
a fifth-degree black belt in both Shito-ryu karate and Matsukaze-ryu ju jitsu. The primary focus is
on learning how to effectively defend oneself and counter attacks, especially by improving one's
response time. Both physical blocking techniques and psychological strategies such as the OODA
loop (Observe, Orient, Decide, and Act) are discussed. Dozens of drills are included to hone
one's body and mindset. Attack the Attack is a superb supplementary resource for anyone
practicing martial arts, whether for self-defense or sport fighting, and highly recommended. 135
min.
The Metaphysical Studies Shelf
Llewellyn's Complete Book of Tarot
Anthony Louis
Llewellyn Publications
2143 Wooddale Drive, Woodbury, MN 55125
www.llewellyn.com
9780738749082, $24.99, PB, 336pp, www.amazon.com
With occasional black-and-white illustrations, "Llewellyn's Complete Book of Tarot" is a
complete course of instruction under one cover and contains everything a tarot reader needs to
know about this arcane art. Readers will join with tarot expert Anthony Louis as he explores tarot
history, shares card meanings and spreads, and provides detailed guidance that educates and
inspires, whether you're a beginner or an advanced reader. "Llewellyn's Complete Book of Tarot"
includes basic reading techniques for a wide variety of systems, including Marseilles,
Rider-Waite, and Thoth. "Llewellyn's Complete Book of Tarot" identifies the meaning of
associations, correspondences, reversals, and dignities, and experience the ways that tarot
interacts with astrology and personal spirituality. "Llewellyn's Complete Book of Tarot" will
enable tarot practitioners to combine tarot reading with Kabbalah, numerology, Jungian
psychology, journaling, and storytelling while exploring card selection, creativity, tarot ethics,
and specialized spreads. Focusing on the use of tarot for insight, empowerment,
self-understanding, and fortunetelling, "Llewellyn's Complete Book of Tarot" provides centuries
of accumulated wisdom that will enable you to make optimal use of one of the most powerful
spiritual tools ever developed. Thoroughly 'user friendly' in tone, content, commentary,
organization and presentation, "Llewellyn's Complete Book of Tarot" is unreservedly
recommended for personal, profession, academic, and community library Metaphysical Studies
collections in general, and Tarot supplemental studies reading lists in particular.
The Needlecraft Shelf
Stitches from the Garden
Kathy Schmitz
KathySchmitz.com
Martingale
19021 - 120th Avenue NE, Suite 102, Bothell, WA 98011
9781604687767 $24.99 www.shopmartingale.com
Expert quilter Kathy Schmitz (founder of the pattern company Kathy Schmitz Studio) presents
Stitches from the Garden: Hand Embroidery Inspired by Nature, a medley of embroidery projects
inspired by charm and wonder of nature. Filled with full-color photography, traceable embroidery
patterns based on Schmitz's hand-drawn artwork, reader-friendly step-by-step instructions, and
supplemented with a helpful diagram of embroidery stitches, Stitches from the Garden is a
treasure trove of inspiration for needlecrafters! Highly recommended.
Celtic Threads: A Journey in Cape Breton Crafts
Eveline MacLeod & Daniel W. MacInnes
Cape Breton University Press
P.O. Box 5300, Sydney, Nova Scotia, Canada, B1P 6L2
www.cbupress.ca
9781897009796, $19.95, PB, 170pp, www.amazon.com
For more than sixty years, Eveline MacLeod's life has been inextricably woven into the art and
craft of weaving in Cape Breton. An avid weaver herself, Eveline became an ardent student of
the art and a teacher of the craft, tracing its roots from the glens of Cape Breton to the Highlands
of Scotland and beyond. In "Celtic Threads: A Journey in Cape Breton Crafts", Eveline draws
upon her years of experience and expertise, and with the material assistance of Daniel MacInnes
(Professor of Sociology, St. Francis Xavier university) whose research on rural life was
invaluable, has produced a beautifully illustrated, exceptionally well written, and impressively
organized and presented historical study on Cape Breton needlecrafts. Deftly blending personal
memoir with a history that ranges from the Highlands of Scotland down to present day Cape
Breton, "Celtic Threads: A Journey in Cape Breton Crafts" is an inherently fascinating and
consistently compelling read from beginning to end. Simply stated, "Celtic Threads: A Journey in
Cape Breton Crafts" is unreservedly recommended for community and academic library
collections, and will prove of special interest for non-specialist general readers with an interest in
Cape Breton contributions to fibre arts and crafts in general, and weaving in particular.
Applique for Modern Beginners
Eva Birch, Nancy Gano, Jodi Robinson
American Quilter's Society
PO Box 3290, Paducah, KY 42002-3290
www.americanquilter.com
9781683390053, $24.95, PB, 95pp, www.amazon.com
Applique Quilts take on a modern twist with quilting experts Eva Birch, Nancy Gano, and Jodi
Robinson in "Applique for Modern Beginners". Complete with modern and fresh patterns,
"Applique for Modern Beginners" features bold and graphic applique shapes are perfect for
beginner and novice quilters. Profusely illustrated step-by-step directions are clear and easy to
follow -- and do-it-yourself quilts can be made using a variety of different applique methods.
"Applique for Modern Beginners" is unreservedly recommended for personal and community
library Needlecraft instructional quilting reference collections.
The Computer Shelf
Murach's SQL Server 2016 for Developers
Bryan Syverson & Joel Murach
Mike Murach & Associates
4340 North Knoll Avenue, Fresno, CA 93722
www.murach.com
9781890774967, $57.50, PB, 672pp, www.amazon.com
A newly updated and expanded edition, "Murach's SQL Server 2016 for Developers" is a
complete and comprehensive instructional specifically designed for application developers.
Thoroughly 'user friendly' in tone, content, organization and presentation, "Murach's SQL Server
2016 for Developers" presents all of the SQL statements needed to retrieve and update the data in
a database. These are the SQL statements that you'll use every day. "Murach's SQL Server 2016
for Developers" also shows how to design a database, how to implement that design, and how to
work with database features like views, scripts, stored procedures, functions, triggers,
transactions, security, XML data, BLOB data with FILESTREAM storage, and the CLR
integration feature. With "Murach's SQL Server 2016 for Developers" even the most novice
application developers will quickly be able to create database applications that are thoroughly
professional. "Murach's SQL Server 2016 for Developers" covers the DBA-related issues that let
application development work be done efficiently and effectively. "Murach's SQL Server 2016
for Developers" is a handy instruction manual and reference that is unreservedly recommended
for personal, professional, college, and university Computer Science reference collections in
general, and application development supplemental study reading lists in particular.
The Fishing Shelf
Buoy 10: The Largest Salmon Run in the World!
Larry Ellis
Frank Amato Publications
PO Box 82112, Portland, OR 97282
www.amatobooks.com
9781571885302, $24.95, PB, 112pp, www.amazon.com
"Buoy 10: The Largest Salmon Run in the World!" by outdoor writer and accomplished angler
Larry Ellis is a comprehensive study on the Columbia River's world-famous Buoy 10. "Buoy 10"
features ten detailed maps, boat launches, techniques, rigs, safety, timing, species, weather, tides,
boats, accommodations, campgrounds tackle shops, marinas, and everything else an angler needs
to know to find success at Buoy 10 -- the home of the world's largest salmon run. Profusely
illustrated throughout, informed and informative, exceptionally well organized, thoroughly
'reader friendly' in presentation, and featuring a brief history of Buoy 10 by Frank Amato, "Buoy
10: The Largest Salmon Run in the World!" is a 'must read' for anyone contemplating taking
advantage of what Buoy 10 has to offer by way of truly memorable salmon fishing for both the
novice and the experienced angler.
The Christian Studies Shelf
A Shorter Guide to the Holy Spirit
Anthony C. Thiselton
Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Company
2140 Oak Industrial Drive, NE, Grand Rapids, MI 49505
www.eerdmans.com
9780802873491, $24.00, PB, 240pp, www.amazon.com
The seventeen chapters comprising "A Shorter Guide to the Holy Spirit: Bible, Doctrine,
Experience" by Anthony C. Thiselton (Professor Emeritus of Christian theology at the University
of Nottingham, England) is deftly organized into three major sections: The Spirit in the Biblical
Writings; Doctrinal Themes; Experience and Global Origins and Current issues among
Pentecostals. An inherently compelling read that is as informed and informative as it is
thoughtful and thought-provoking, "A Shorter Guide to the Holy Spirit" is especially commended
to both clergy and non-specialist general readers with an interest in Christian theology and
biblical doctrine. Enhanced with the inclusion of a fourteen page Bibliography; a five page Index
of Authors; a nine page Index of Subjects; and a twenty page Index of Scriptures and Other
Ancient Sources, "A Shorter Guide to the Holy Spirit" is unreservedly recommended for
personal, church, seminary, community, and academic library Christian Theology reference
collections and supplemental studies reading lists.
First Fruits
Susan Butler
Morgan James Publishing
11815 Fountain Way, Suite 300, Newport News, VA 23606-4448
www.morganjamespublishing.com
9781630477486, $48.99, HC, 496pp, www.amazon.com
Many Christians desire a deeper walk with God, but feel they are too busy to add one more thing
to their personal schedules. Because time is valuable and reading God's Word consistently takes
strong discipline, "First Fruits: Giving God Your Best 365 Days of the Year " by Susan Butler
offers a condensed explanation of specific Scripture passages for all 365 days of the year. The
Scripture and the Scripture reference is printed on each page. It's easy to open up to a single one
to share a moment with God, and perhaps, change the course of our day. "First Fruits" is written
in the first person of God, allowing ordinary Christians to understand Scripture as if in
conversation with Him. God wants nothing more than to have a personal, intimate relationship
with each soul He created. This relationship is achieved through faith in Jesus Christ as Savior,
and then believing in and depending upon the indwelling of the Holy Spirit. In "First Fruits",
Christian readers delve into not only the grace of God, but everyday issues thought by some to be
too mundane for God. Christian readers will learn what God's desires are for speech, attitude,
faith, obedience, discipline, stewardship, acts of love, and trust in Him. Christian readers will
understand the security they have as a Believer, the power and sovereignty of God, the End
Times, what to expect in Heaven, and so much more! Exceptionally well written, organized and
presented, "First Fruits" is unreservedly recommended for personal, church, seminary,
community, and academic library Christian Studies reference collections and reading lists. For
students and all members of the Christian community, it should be noted that "First Fruits" is
also available in a paperback edition (9781630477462, $24.99) and in a Kindle format
($10.69).
Lord Willing?: Wrestling with God's Role in My Child's Death
Jessica Kelley
Herald Press
1251 Virginia Avenue, Harrisonburg, VA 22802
www.heraldpress.com
9781513800196 $16.99 / $9.99 Kindle amazon.com
Author Jessica Kelley wrestles with a conundrum as old as faith itself: why does God allow
innocent lives to suffer and die? She writes not only as a Christian philosopher and theologian,
but also as a mother who lost her young son to incurable brain cancer. Her journey to understand
offers a new perspective drawn from Scripture and the teachings of Jesus Christ. For example, in
seeking wisdom from the book of Job (in which Job loses everything to tragedy, including his
family, and rails against God), Kelley states, "Job had started with the assumption that God had
single-handedly determined everything that came to pass... Because God understood Job's flawed
assumptions, he knew Job's accusations were not only logical but, more importantly, honest. He
therefore praised his servant for speaking rightly. And when Job responds, we find him repenting
from his misguided presumptions, not from the candidness of his rants." Lord Willing? offers
profound insight and is highly recommended for Christian spirituality shelves, church library
collections, and personal study.
The Travel Shelf
London Cycling Guide, updated edition
Tom Bogdanowicz
IMM Lifestyle Books
www.IMMLifestyleBooks.com
c/o Fox Chapel Publishing Company (dist.)
1970 Broad Street N., East Petersburg, PA 17520
9781504800198 $14.99 www.FoxChapelPublishing.com
Now in an updated edition with new routes and photographs, London Cycling Guide: More than
40 Great Routes for Exploring the Capital is an excellent resource for cyclists looking to make
the most of their visit to London. Detailed information and full-color maps fill this practical-
minded, user-friendly reference. The extensive photography and descriptions of landmarks make
London Cycling Guide a fine browse for armchair travelers as well!
Perth: A Guide for the Curious
Terri-Ann White, editor
UWA Publishing
c/o International Specialized Book Services
920 Northeast 58th Avenue, Suite 300, Portland, OR, 97213
www.isbs.com
9781742587554, $26.99, PB, 330pp, www.amazon.com
Perth is the capital and largest city of the Australian state of Western Australia. It is the fourth-most populous city in Australia, with an estimated population of 2.02 million living in Greater Perth. Compiled and edited by Terri-Ann White and featuring a Foreword by Perth's Lord Mayor Lisa-M. Scaffidi, "Perth: A Guide for the Curious" is comprised of twenty-four informed and informative articles contributed by an eclectic group of Perth people sharing their insights. From an architect's perspective on heritage to a historian's ruminations on Perth's swampy origins; from a walk down streets that don't exist to Noongar place names; from the union movement to public art to criminal Perth to conversational Perth, "Perth: A Guide for the Curious" encourages new encounters with the city. Indeed, "Perth: A Guide for the Curious" traverses social, cultural and political spaces as the reader traverses the streets, kindling a sense of curiosity about a city by unearthing buried treasure. "Perth: A Guide for the Curious" is not a book of nostalgia. It doesn't posit a golden age or list a series of laments. Rather it is a compendium about continuities and unfolding narratives. "Perth: A Guide for the Curious" situates the present in the past and illuminates possible futures. This is an informed and informative volume that is meant to be thumbed through in cafes, stuffed into satchels and walked around the city like a tireless companion, delighting and inspire both visitor and local alike. Thoroughly 'reader friendly' in tone, commentary, organization and presentation, "Perth: A Guide for the Curious" is unreservedly recommended for another living in and/or anticipating visiting the ever-evolving city of Perth, Australia.
The Last Road North
Robert Orrison and Den Welch
Savas Beatie
PO Box 4527, El Dorado Hills, CA 95762
9781611212433 $14.95 www.savasbeatie.com
The Last Road North: A Guide to the Gettysburg Campaign, 1863 is especially for anyone who
wants to experience the ultimate Civil War road trip. Historians Robert Orrison and Dan Welch
invite the reader to follow the patch of the Army of Northern Virginia and the Army of the
Potomac, describing historical sites and monuments with an intensity that recreates history.
Individual chapters pay especial attention to The Confederate Advance, The Union Response, Jeb
Stuart's Ride, The Battle, and The Retreat from Gettysburg. Black-and-white maps or
photography illustrate almost every page of this excellent guide, which will also appeal to
armchair travelers.
The Automotive Shelf
The Definitive Barracuda & Challenger Guide 1970-1974
Scott E. Ross
CarTech Inc.
39966 Grand Avenue, North Branch, MN 55056
9781613252369 $39.95 www.cartechbooks.com
Featuring 336 full-color photographs, The Definitive Barracuda & Challenger Guide 1970-1974
is a gorgeous in-depth showcase of these compact, lightweight, and powerful muscle cars, which
remain valued treasures to this day. Packed cover to cover with facts, figures, and history of these
cars, The Definitive Barracuda & Challenger Guide 1970-1974 does not shy from technical
details for the hardcore automotive enthusiast's reference. Casual connoisseurs will enjoy
browsing the photographic display, as well as the history behind these cars' creation,
modification, options, marketing, and sales. "The Oil Shock of 1973 had a devastating impact on
new-car sales at the time it hit in early October of that year, barely anything was moving off a
dealer's lot, regardless of how good its gas mileage was." The Definitive Barracuda & Challenger
Guide 1970-1974 is fascinating to page through, and makes an excellent giftbook for muscle car
fans.
The Pets/Wildlife Shelf
Identifying Birds of Prey
Laura Erickson
Stackpole Books
5067 Ritter Road, Mechanicsburg, PA 17055-6921
www.stackpolebooks.com
9780811716185 $9.95 amazon.com
Easy to use and concise at 60 pages, Identifying Birds of Prey: Quick Reference Guide for
Eastern North America is a user-friendly guide for birdwatchers of all skill and experience levels.
Habitat distributions and a silhouette of each species (when gliding with wings outstretched)
accompany a full-color photograph of each species. A one-page "quick index" rounds out this
excellent resource for quickly and accurately identifying these fierce and majestic avians!
The Antiques/Collectibles Shelf
The Book of Great American Firecrackers
Jack Nash
Schiffer Publishing Ltd.
4880 Lower Valley Road, Atglen, PA 19310
9780764351426 $24.99 www.schifferbooks.com
The Book of Great American Firecrackers: Cherry Bombs, M-80s, Cannon Crackers, and More is
a collector's dream catalog, showcasing a vast assortment of American firecrackers and
associated items, illustrated with 183 color and black-and-white images with vintage photographs
and packaging, and enhanced with price/value estimates. The text is a thoughtful history of the
use, sale, and regulation of firecrackers (which initially became popular as a replacement for
more dangerous celebrations of gun and cannon fire) throughout American history. Particular
attention is spent detailing all the types of firecrackers produced in the US. Anyone curious about
American fireworks is sure to enjoy paging through The Book of Great American Firecrackers
from cover to cover!
The Homeowner's Shelf
The Complete Outdoor Builder, updated edition
Black + Decker
Cool Springs Press
c/o Quarto Publishing Group USA
400 First Avenue North, Suite 400, Minneapolis, MN 55401-1722
9781591866671 $35.00 hc / $16.99 Kindle www.quartoknows.com
Now in an updated edition, The Complete Outdoor Builder is a hands-on guide to more than 150
backyard construction projects, compiled and presented by the experts of the well-known tool
brand Black + Decker. Each step of every project is illustrated with full-color photographs as
well as descriptive text, making The Complete Outdoor Builder extremely user-friendly.
Undertakings include how to build a Sandset Brick Patio, a Stone Retaining Wall, a Lean-To
Tool Bin, a Do-It-Yourself Playset, and much more. Vivid images of the finished creations make
The Complete Outdoor Builder an excellent "catalog" of beautiful and functional property
improvements one can choose from, then personally create! Highly recommended.
The Graphic Novel Shelf
To the Abandoned Sacred Beasts 2
Presented by MAYBE
Vertical, Inc.
451 Park Avenue South, 7th floor, New York, NY 10016
9781942993421 $10.95 www.vertical-inc.com
To the Abandoned Sacred Beasts 2 continues the black-and-white manga (Japanese graphic
novel) series set in a world where human soldiers were transformed into virtually mythological
monsters. Now that their long war has ended, these ferocious "Incarnates" have been losing their
humanity. Hank, a former Incarnate and once the leader and teacher of these soldiers, has taken
the sober duty to execute his former brothers-in-arms whenever they endanger or kill innocent
people. Schaal, the daughter of an Incarnate that Hank killed, has suspended her quest for
vengeance to travel with him and learn more about the Incarnates. Together, they arrive in
Whitechurch, following a report on the whereabouts of Cain Madhouse, the man who "loosed the
Beasts upon the world". But at least one other Beast is also present within the city! A strong
gothic atmosphere surrounds this thoughtful saga of morality and humanity, highly
recommended.
Devil's Line 2
Ryo Hanada
Vertical, Inc.
451 Park Avenue South, 7th floor, New York, NY 10016
9781942993384 $12.95 www.vertical-inc.com
Devil's Line 2 is the second volume of a black-and-white manga (Japanese graphic novel) set in a
Japan where vampiric, blood-thirsting "devils" walk among human beings. Most devils appear
ordinary at first glance, but exposure to human blood can drive them to insane madness, giving
theme extreme power and the psychotic urge to kill or rape. Anzai is a half-devil (presumably...)
and can also lose control after tasting blood. A mysterious blond devil (who might also be a half-
breed?) saves Anzai from a sniper's bullet by giving Anzai blood, but can Anzai learn to control
the madness that bloodthirst brings? Is it even possible for a woman and devil-halfbreed to fall in
love, or maintain any kind of happiness together? Exacerbating the situation is a mysterious
organization that appears hell-bent on unleashing blood madness in devils, beginning with a
horrific incident live on broadcast TV! Devil's Line 2 is a mature story for readers ages 13+ due
to scenes of violence.
Immortal Hounds 1
Ryo Yashohachi
Vertical, Inc.
451 Park Avenue South, 7th floor, New York, NY 10016
9781942993599 $12.95 www.vertical-inc.com
Immortal Hounds 1 is the debut volume of a violent black-and-white manga (Japanese graphic
novel) set in a bizarre reality where humans never die. Whenever humans become sick or injured,
they can simply "kill" themselves and immediately be brought back to life in perfect health. Even
drowning at the bottom of the ocean will cause them to "revive" on the shore! But a bizarre
disease, Resurrection Deficience Syndrome, has begun to creep through the population. Those
afflicted with RDS lose the ability to resurrect and will die for real when killed. All cases of RDS
are traced to mysterious "Vectors" that carry false ID cards and knowingly spread the disease.
Law enforcement agencies try to seek out and kill Vectors - but whenever a Vector is captured,
disguised men and women known as Hounds inevitably seek to free the prisoner at any cost! A
balance of mystery, sci-fi, and shocking violence, Immortal Hounds is recommended for readers
ages 16+ due to scenes of violence.
Wolfsmund 7
Mitsuhisa Kuji
Vertical, Inc.
451 Park Avenue South, 7th floor, New York, NY 10016
9781942993049 $12.95 www.vertical-inc.com
Wolfsmund 7 continues a black-and-white manga (Japanese graphic novel) series in 14th century
St. Gotthard Pass between Switzerland and Italy, an area of land also known as the Wolf's Maw.
All who seek to escape the rule of the Habsburg monarchy must flee through the pass; yet the
unspeakable atrocities of the pass' ruler has prompted a peasant uprising. In volume 7, the
peasants have seized control of Wolf's Maw, but for how long? Their former tormentor's master,
Duke Leopold, will not suffer the rebellion, and has come with an army to put it down! Although
the Wolfsmund series takes some liberties with historical events, it features a vividly (and
gruesomely) accurate depiction of medieval warfare, politics, and technology. Wolfsmund is also
a series known for savage violence and a high body count, fully reflecting the cruelty of medieval
wars. Recommended for readers ages 16+ due to scenes of violence.
The Fantasy/SciFi Shelf
World of Warcraft: Illidan
William King
Del Rey
c/o The Random House Publishing Group
1745 Broadway, 17th floor, New York, NY 10019
www.randomhouse.com
9780399177569 $27.00 hc / $13.99 Kindle amazon.com
World of Warcraft: Illidan is a fantasy novel about one of the most memorable anti-heroes from
the popular, massively multiplayer online role-playing game World of Warcraft. Illidan is the
first Demon Hunter, a ruthless night elf who chose to spearhead the resistance against the
demonic, world-destroying Burning Legion by seizing the demons' power for his own use. But
Illidan's power came at a terrible price, transforming him inside and out. He became something
no longer elven, no longer mortal. World of Warcraft: Illidan recounts the violent saga of
Illidan's life, his lost chance at love, and how he came to be called "the Betrayer" by his former
people... or was it they who betrayed him? Yet when the demons return hungry for blood, Illidan
is well-prepared to fight back! The story directly ties into the upcoming World of Warcraft game
expansion "Legion", as well as the new "Demon Hunter" player class that will be made available.
Fans of the game, or of high fantasy with a dark twist, will find World of Warcraft: Illdan a must-
read!
The Biography Shelf
Otto Binder
Bill Schelly
North Atlantic Books
2526 Martin Luther King Jr. Way, Berkeley, CA 94704-2607
www.northatlanticbooks.com
9781623170370 $19.95 pbk / $14.99 Kindle amazon.com
Otto Binder: The Life and Work of a Comic Book and Science Fiction Visionary is a thoughtful
biography of Otto Binder (1911-1974), an American immigrant and writer whose success in pulp
magazines of the 30's and 40's eventually led to his creation of some of the most popular and
enduring characters in American comic books, including Supergirl, Bizarro, and the Legion of
Super-Heroes. His incredible life story is one of hard work, survival during the dark times of the
Great Depression, family tragedy, and cultural legacy. Highly recommended!
The Jewelry Shelf
Gemstone Buying Guide, third edition
Renee Newman
www.reneenewman.com
International Jewelry Publications
9780929975511 $19.95 amazon.com
Now in an updated third edition, Gemstone Buying Guide lives up to its title as a user-friendly,
comprehensive guide to assessing the quality of colored gemstones. Full-color photographs on
virtually every page illustrate this no-nonsense introduction to gem valuation, from the four C's
(color, cut, clarity, and carat weight) to a working knowledge of gem treatments, transparency,
geographic origin, optical effects, brilliance and more. A "must" for anyone who buys, sells, or
studies precious gemstones!
The Wisconsin Shelf
Wisconsin Supper Clubs: Another Round
Ron Faiola
Midway
c/o Agate Publishing
1328 Greenleaf Street, Evanston, IL 60202
9781572841932 $35.00 www.agatepublishing.com
Illustrated with captivating photography on virtually every page, Wisconsin Supper Clubs:
Another Round is a sumptuous tour of fifty loved and frequented supper club restaurants that
help make Wisconsin's culinary scene unique, despite the ubiquitous encroachment of chain
restaurants across America. Author Ron Faiola, the award-winning filmmaker who directed an
produced the documentary "Wisconsin Supper Clubs", writes with the skill and passion of an
expert gourmand. The next best thing to visiting and tasting what these wonderful eateries have
to offer in person, Wisconsin Supper Clubs: Another Round is enthusiastically recommended for
tourists in search of palate-pleasing treasures and armchair travelers alike!
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
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