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Wisconsin Bookwatch

Volume 7, Number 3 March 2012 Home | WBW Index

Table of Contents

Reviewer's Choice Hunting/Fishing Shelf Computer Shelf
Cookbook Shelf Social Issues Shelf Biography Shelf
Homeowner's Shelf Christian Studies Shelf Judaic Studies Shelf
Buddhist Studies Shelf Fantasy/SciFi Shelf Memoir Shelf
Fiction Shelf Theatre/Cinema/TV Shelf Health/Medicine Shelf
Business Shelf Poetry Shelf Needlecraft Shelf
Agriculture Shelf Education Shelf Self-Help Shelf
Relationship Shelf Photography Shelf Art Shelf
American History Shelf Travel Shelf Law/Justice Shelf
Science Shelf Antiques/Collectibles Shelf Religion/Spirituality Shelf
Parenting Shelf Mystery/Suspense Shelf Hobby Shelf
Comix/Graphic Novel Shelf Audiobook Shelf DVD Shelf
Wine Shelf Gardening Shelf Metaphysical Studies Shelf
Jobs/Careers Shelf Autism Shelf Interior Design Shelf
Fashion Shelf Gaming Shelf Music Shelf
Political Science Shelf Wisconsin Shelf  


Reviewer's Choice

Becoming China's Bitch and Nine More Catastrophes We Must Avoid Right Now
Peter D. Kiernan
Turner Publishing Company
200 - 4th Avenue North, Suite 950
Nashville, TN 37219
9781618580054 $27.95 www.turnerpublishing.com

Becoming China's Bitch and Nine More Catastrophes We Must Avoid Right Now: A Manifesto to the Radical Center warns readers of ten threats to the modern American nation and society. In addition to the monumental debt causing America to borrow potentially crippling sums from China, the hot button issues from the extreme radical polarization of both the Democrat and the Republican party, to the aging population (which will ultimate result in budget busing Social Security and Medicare payouts), to the degree to which think tanks draft our laws and create specious arguments to push them through Congress, to the futility of fighting against the eventual legalization of gay marriage, to the massive and economic, health, and life toll that smoking takes, and much more. Written in short, caustic bursts of prose, punctuating its dire warnings with sardonic wit, Becoming China's Bitch is highly recommended as a plain-terms call to all moderates caught within the wrangling of the political left and right to band together, become more aware, and make their voices heard before it's too late. "One best solution is to negotiate unilaterally with China to create a Free Market Distortion Treaty... about how trade imbalances exceeding 50 percent are to be considered unstable long term... let's push for what I call ' Five over Five' - a five percent per year revaluation over five years, depending on certain agreed to measures of trade imbalance and comparable unemployment and GDP growth rates. I prefer an annual review to a one-time increase because it will promote ongoing dialogue and review, it is measured, and the Chinese just might find it palatable."

Honey in Your Heart
Mary Anne Radmacher
Conari Press
c/o Red Wheel/Weiser
65 Parker Street, Suite 7
Newburyport, MA 01950-4600
9781573244794, $18.95, www.redwheelweiser.com

The source of life's inspiration is our experiences, and taking the best out of them. "Honey in Your Heart: Ways to See and Savor the Simple Good Things" is an inspirational read from Mary Anne Radmacher who inspires readers to find the good things in life, telling her own stories of finding the good even when times are bad. With a dose of good humor and soul, "Honey in Your Heart" is a solid addition to any inspirational and motivational collection.

Dreamtime
Sam Pickering
University of South Carolina Press
718 Devine Street
Columbia, SC 29208
9781611170382, $24.95, www.sc.edu/uscpress

Life has a lot happening and it can always prove all too difficult to bring it all into perspective. "Dreamtime: A Happy Book" is a charming delve into human nature as Sam Pickering provides a sort of lyrical prose as he muses on the world with his essays and travels through life and the world. With a sort of infectious optimism, "Dreamtime" is a fine addition to any literary or essays collection, very much recommended reading from a highly experienced writer.

The Mindful Carnivore
Tovar Cerulli
Pegasus Books
80 Broad Street,5th Floor
New York, NY 10004
9781605982779, $26.95, www.pegasusbooks.com

What drives a vegan out to kill his own meat? "The Mindful Carnivore: A Vegetarian's Hunt for Sustenance" discusses the concepts of vegetarianism, veganism, and the more typical omnivore diets and their impact on human society, the self, and our health. Tovar Cerulli has been all over the diet spectrum, and has chosen to accept that our sustenance is driven by death, but offers much wisdom in how to gain a better understanding of what eating means. "The Mindful Carnivore" is a fascinating breakdown of the debates surrounding meat.


The Hunting/Fishing Shelf

Hatch Guide For Upper Midwest Streams
Ann R. Miller
Frank Amato Publications
PO Box 82112
Portland, OR 97282
9781571884817 $29.95 www.amatobooks.com

Part of the user-friendly "Hatch Guide" series, Hatch Guide For Upper Midwest Streams is a pocket-sized identification guide to the water and stream insects of the Upper Midwest area, featuring a full-color photograph of each insect and a brief description of its behavior and life cycle. The primary purpose of Hatch Guide For Upper Midwest Streams is to aid fishermen in crafting more lifelike (and therefore more successful) lures for fly fishing, through firsthand knowledge of the creatures that the lures are meant to imitate, amateur entymologists and any others seeking to better understand and identify insects of the region will also find it this guide practical and effective. A brief list of recommended fly patterns to imitate various different nymphs, as well as a glossary, index, and hatch chart round out this handy book especially recommended for dedicated fishermen.

Fishes of the Central United States
Joseph R. Tomelleri & Mark E. Eberle
University Press of Kansas
2501 West 15th Street
Lawrence, KS 66049
9780700618163, $24.95, www.kansaspress.ku.edu

Countless fish inhabit the rivers and lakes, numerous even when the focus is firmly on the center. "Fishes of the Central United States" is a fishing reference and identification guide from fishermen and naturalists Joseph Tomelleri and Mark E. Eberle, as they provide an informative and comprehensive guide to the many species of fish throughout, complete with full color drawings of hundreds of fish. A comprehensive reference of vital use to anyone who works with Central United States waterways, "Fishes of the Central United States" is a strong and much recommended pick not to be overlooked.

Connecticut
Ron Merly
Wilderness Adventures Press
45 Buckskin Road
Belgrade, MT 59714
9781932098891, $29.95, www.store.wildadvpress.com

Some of the best fishing in New England is to be had in Connecticut. "Flyfisher Guide to Connecticut" is a guide to the countless creeks and rivers all over the state and where to go to find the best of fishing. With countless maps as well as guides to the major fishing shops throughout the region and other facilities of interest, for anyone fishing in Connecticut, as a fishing vacation or simply as a fisherman living in the state. "Flyfisher Guide to Connecticut" is not to be missed for the fishing enthusiast.

The Art of Tying the Bass Fly
Skip Morris
Frank Amato Publications
PO Box 82112
Portland, OR 97282
9781571884848, $26.95, www.amatobooks.com

What appears to be a goofy bauble to the untrained eye may be a fisherman's secret to success. "The Art of Tying the Bass Fly" is a guide to creating these lures to bring fish closer to one's trap, to increase the amount of fish they can capture, to make their trip more fruitful. With lures for the many type of bass as well as countless designs with their own uses, "The Art of Tying the Bass Fly" is a full color guide with step by step instructions, to considered by any enthusiastic bass fisherman.


The Computer Shelf

Murach's HTML5 & CSS3
Zak Ruvalcaba & Anne Boehm
Mike Murach & Associates
4340 N. Knoll Ave.
Fresno, CA 93722
9781890774660, $54.50, www.murach.com

The language of the web grows more complex, and being at the cutting edge can give a leg up on the competition. "Murach's HTML5 & CSS3" is complete and comprehensive guide to the latest developments in the HTML language, as well as the updates in CSS. The latest entry in Murach's long line of technology manuals, Zak Ruvalcaba and Anne Boehm present everything needs to best understand the language and use it to its fullest. "Murach's HTML5 & CSS3" is a choice pick for any computers and technology community and college library collection.

HTML5
Chuck Hudson & Tom Leadbetter
Addison Wesley
c/o Pearson Technology Group
801 East 96th Street, #300
Indianapolis, IN 46240-3759
9780321769381, $39.99, www.mcp.com

HTML is known for being a major building block of the web, and it has evolved alongside the rest of the internet. "HTML5: Developer's Cookbook" is a guide to the next level of HTML, as Chuck Hudson & Tom Leadbetter walk readers through the ins and outs of understanding HTML5, with its new capabilities and language that can keep it up with the technology needed in today's competitive internet coding world. Complete and comprehensive to understanding everything one needs to know about the latest HTML release, "HTML 5" is a strongly recommended pick for community and college computer and technology collections.


The Cookbook Shelf

Fresh From the Farmstand
Vickie and JoAnn, editors
Gooseberry Patch
2500 Farmers Dr., # 110, Columbus, OH 43235
9781612810348, $16.95, www.gooseberrypatch.com

"Fresh From the Farmstand: A Gooseberry Patch Cookbook" is the latest cookbook of favorite submitted recipes using garden fresh produce from Gooseberry Patch. Here are countless creative recipes using zucchini, berries, tomatoes, peaches, apples, rhubarb, broccoli, onions, potatoes, cucumbers, and many more favorites. Recipes are divided into six categories - breakfasts, soups and breads, sides and salads, farmstand feasts, appetizers, and desserts. Whether it's Garden Mini Meat Loaves, Easy Broccoli Quiche, or Rhubarb Crunch, there is sure to be a palate-pleasing, enticing recipe to use up all that fabulous fresh produce so bountiful in the warmest months. As usual, recipes are submitted by interested readers from all over North America, and favorite anecdotes or family traditions/history that go along with each recipe are also included in little introductory anecdotes. This helps make every recipe a memory evoker, and a special gift to the cook/reader. Charming sepia and white illustrations delicately decorate the pages in a homey style, making "Fresh From the Farmstand" a sure collection of tried and true family favorites.

Southwest Comfort Food, Slow and Savory
Marilyn Noble
Rio Nuevo Publishers
P.O. Box 5250, Tucson, AZ 85703
9781933855325, $16.95, www.rionuevo.com

"Southwest Comfort Food" is a fantastic collection of Southwestern slow food recipes with tons of taste and nutrition. Beginning with Basics (with information about common ingredients in Southwestern cooking, history, cooking techniques, and tips), recipes are divided in categories of Simmer, Bake, Slow Cook, Barbecue/Smoke, Braise, and Desserts. Spectacular color photographs display star recipes such as Baked Pork Chops with Peach Whiskey Sauce, Chorizo-stuffed Artichokes, Southwest Corn Bread, and many more. Recipes are clearly displayed with ingredients listed and standard measurements on the left side of the page and instructions in paragraphs on the right. Recipes often have interesting background introductory notes. "Southwest Comfort Food" is a great companion to the slow food cooker's collection, with plenty of smoked, barbecued, and special southwestern flavors and secrets of preparation included.

Cross Creek Kitchens, updated edition
Sally Morrison
University Press of Florida
15 Northwest 15th Street
Gainesville, FL 32611-2079
9780813037998, $24.95, www.upf.com

The recipes of home invoke a time long gone past. "Cross Creek Kitchens: Seasonal Recipes and Reflections" is a cookbook from Sally Morrison looking to compile the recipes of Cross Creek and the local flavors that the community had created. This updated edition features over one hundred and fifty recipes with a focus on slow cooking and matching the dish to the season. With illustrations from Kate Barnes spread throughout, "Cross Creek Kitchens" is a choice cookbook, not to be overlooked, highly recommended.

The Twelve Cakes of Christmas
Heln Leach, Mary Browne, Raelene Inglis
Otago University Press
c/o Internatonal Specialized Book Services
920 NE 58th Ave., Suite 300
Portland, OR 97213-3786
9781877578199, $40.00, www.isbs.com

Cake has always been a sweet treat for any celebration. "The Twelve Cakes of Christmas: An Evolutionary History with Recipes" is a history of festive cakes complete with recipes as many writers come together and gain a more complete understanding of the origins of festive cakes, leading up to the modern era of fruitcakes and more standard cakes. For anyone with a strong love of cakes, "The Twelve Cakes of Christmas" is an excellent and much recommended pick that shouldn't be overlooked for cookbook collections.

The Art of Indian Sweets
Priya Dasi
Torchlight Publishing
PO Box 52
Badger, CA 93603
9780981727370, $19.95, www.torchlight.com

The sweet tooth is something that is international in scope. "The Art of Indian Sweets" is a cookbook that delves into the artistry of traditional Indian cooking when it comes to sweets and dessert foods. With full color photos accompanying each recipe, it provides a comprehensive step by step instructions as well as some thoughts on the nature of Indian cooking. "The Art of Indian Sweets" is a choice pick for any cookbook trying to expand its range of international recipes.

Secrets of the Tsil Cafe
Thomas Fox Averill
University of New Mexico Press
1312 Basehart Road SE
Albuquerque NM 87106-4363
9780826351128, $19.95, www.unmpress.com

Novels are stories of life, and cooking is a big part of life. "Secrets of the Tsil Cafe" is a unique novel that blends a cookbook between its pages. Wes Hingler, son of Foodies, finds himself stuck between the cooking styles of the Old World and New World, divided by Columbus, as the traditional cooking styles are set against one another. An intriguing, educational, and delectable book, "Secrets of the Tsil Cafe" is an excellent and much recommended pick for both fiction and cooking history collections.


The Social Issues Shelf

Our Black Year
Maggie Anderson
Public Affairs Books
250 West 57th Street, #1321
New York, NY 10107
9781610390248, $25.99, www.publicaffairsbooks.com

Giving back to your community can often prove difficult if there's no community to give to. "Our Black Year: One Family's Quest to Buy Black in America's Racially Divided Economy" is a unique memoir of social issues from Maggie Anderson, who writes of her family's efforts to buy only from black owned businesses for one year. In the process, she discovers that black businesses lag behind other ethnicities in their prominence in industry. Urging readers to encourage business through support of black business, "Our Black Year" is an intriguing discussion of business and the struggle for African American businesses to succeed.

Dream of a Nation
Tyson Miller, editor
Chelsea Green Publishing Company
85 North Main Street, Suite 120
White River Junction, VT 05001
9780615482262, $29.95, www.chelseagreen.com

The future of the country will not be determined by one individual, but the desires of a nation. "Dream of a Nation: Inspiring Ideas for a Better America" is a collection of essays compiled by Tyson Miller as he brings together many thoughts who speak on many vital issues facing the country. From problems of politics, the need for education, environmental issues, unemployment, economics, and much more, "Dream of a Nation" is a worthy read, and its proceeds will go towards the Civil Society movement.


The Biography Shelf

Archibald G. Brown: Spurgeon's Successor
Iain H. Murray
Banner of Truth
PO Box 621
Carlisle, PA 17013
9781848711396, $29.00, www.banneroftruth.org

To leave wealth and serve faith is a sacrifice not everyone can make. "Archibald G. Brown: Spurgeon's Successor" tells the story of this son of a banker and trader who used what he was given to build a church that could serve the East End of London well, that helped the people that were struggling in this modernizing period of London. Spending his life serving as a fiery preacher promoting sympathy and kindness to the people, "Archibald G. Brown" is a strong addition to any biography collection focusing on the impacts that Christians can make.

Ima Hogg
Virginia Bernhard
Texas State Historical Association
1155 Union Circle #311580
Denton, TX 76203-5017
9780876112458, $15.95, www.TSHAonline.org

Some individuals aren't satisfied with being in the shadow of a famous relative. "Ima Hogg: The Governor's Daughter" tells the story of the daughter of Texas Governor James Stephen Hogg, who sought to make her own mark through good will and promoting American and Texas history, as well as art and caring for the mentally ill. "Ima Hogg" is a fine biography with a strong message, not to be overlooked.


The Homeowner's Shelf

Home Accessibility
Shelley Peterman Schwarz
Demos Medical Publishing
11 West 42nd Street, 15th Floor
New York, NY 10036
9781936303229, $16.95, www.demosmedpub.com

With age, ability can be reduced, but one can take actions to make it more doable for them. "Home Accessibility: 300 Tips for Making Life Easier" is a collection of practical advice for those who are facing reduced ability from age, injury, disease, or any other problem and want to work to make their home more accessible and working for them as they go through life. From obvious obstacles like stairs to simple changes in doors to make it easier, "Home Accessibility" is a strong pick for those who are looking to their future with remodeling, very much recommended.


The Christian Studies Shelf

In Search Of The Whole
John C. Haughey, SJ
Georgetown University Press
3240 Prospect Street, NW
Washington, DC 20007
www.press.georgetown.edu
9781589017818, $29.95, www.amazon.com

The Jesuit Society of the Roman Catholic Church is deeply associated with Catholic higher education with an approach that emphasizes an intertwined relationship of academic rigor and spiritual development within the context of Catholic doctrine. "In Search of the Whole: Twelve Essays on Faith and Academic Life" is a 232-page compendium featuring twelve major essays by expert contributors in the field of higher education which have knowledgeably compiled and deftly edited by John C. Haughey, SJ (Senior Fellow, Woodstock Theological Center, Georgetown University). Organized into two major sections (Whole as Task; Whole as Identity), identifying, illustrating, exploring, and analyzing the meaning of 'catholic' in 'Catholic higher education'. Diversely informed and informative, "In Search of the Whole: Twelve Essays on Faith and Academic Life" is a welcome and highly recommended addition to academic library Christian Studies in general, and Catholic Education reference collections and supplemental reading lists in particular.

The Struggles of Caregiving
Nell E. Noonan
Upper Room Books
PO Box 340003
Nashville, TN 37203-0003
9780835810913, $10.00, www.upperroom.org

Caring for another can always prove somewhat difficult. "The Struggles of Caregiving" is a prayer book as Nell E. Noonan presents 28 days of prayer aimed at those who are struggling to put together their own struggles with caring for another while maintaining one's own struggles with their soul. "The Struggles of Caregiving" is a solid and much recommended read for spirituality and Christian collections.

And Jesus Said
Henry Michaelson
Ozark Mountain Publishing, Inc.
PO Box 754
Huntsville, AR 72740
9781886940314, $14.00, www.ozarkmt.com

The questions we ask of others lead to questions of the self. "And Jesus Said" blends Christian philosophy with new age philosophy as Henry Michaelson explores his own conversations with Christ and offers food for thought for those trying to gain a more complete understanding of faith and our own search for wholeness. "And Jesus Said" is a strong pick for metaphysical thinkers who want to understand Christ better by understanding themselves.

Altar'd
Jennifer Kennedy Dean
New Hope Publishers
PO Box 830711
Birmingham, AL 35283-0711
9781596693319, $14.99, www.newhopepublishers.com

As we try to put together our lives, a bit of faith can give what's needed to live life at full speed. "Altar'd : Experience the Power of Resurrection" is an inspirational Christian read from Jennifer Kennedy Dean as she encourages readers to find the altars of their life, and use forty days to reinvigorate their connections to those altars and their faith, pushing for greater reflection and considering scripture. "Altar'd" is a fine read with plenty of ideals to consider for Christians who have lost sights of those bases in their lives.

14 Secrets to Better Relationships
Dave Earley
Barbour Publishing
P.O. Box 719
Uhrichsville, OH 44683
9781616262297, $9.99, www.barbourbooks.com

The ideas behind faith can lead us all to better belief and better faith in our lives. "14 Secrets to Better Relationships: Powerful Principles from the Bible" is a guide to better Christian relationships. Encouraging partners to forge a bond through acceptance and forgiveness, stand by one another through the hard times, Pastor Dave Early encourages any budding relationship to embrace these ideals. "14 Secrets to Better Relationships" is a choice pick for Christians who want to make that relationship matter all the more.

The Lives of the Saints
Jacques Duquesne & Francois Lebrette
Duquesne University Press
600 Forbes Avenue
Pittsburgh, PA 15282
9780820704364, $29.95, www.dupress.duq.edu

Inspiration often comes from those who do great deeds, and Saints have been proven responsible for many of those. "The Lives of the Saints: Through 100 Masterpieces" chronicles the lives of many saints of the Christian faith, telling their stories and their endeavors of faith, along with a historic full color art work of said individual. "The Lives of the Saints" is a riveting compilation of classical art with an educational walk through Christian history, making for a very much recommended addition to Christian and Art collections.

Women of Faith
Richard E. Turley Jr. & Brittany A. Chapman
Deseret Books
PO Box 30178
Salt Lake City, UT 84130-0178
9781606410332, $34.99, www.deseretbook.com

Women are vital in keeping the wheels of faith turning through history. "Women of Faith in the Latter Days" is the first volume of a series looking to the women who are vital to the foundation of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and helped establish the faith through its times of hardship. It follows women who are already commonly revered within the faith, to those lesser known but exalted as models of faith. "Women of Faith in the Latter Days" is a fine pick for Christian studies collections with a focus on Mormonism.

The Bible, Disability, and the Church
Amos Yong
Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Company
2140 Oak Industrial Drive, NE
Grand Rapids, MI 49505
9780802866080, $20.00, www.eerdmans.com

What is the view of the disabled in scripture? "The Bible, Disability, and the Church: A New Vision of the People of God" discusses the place that people of disability have in the views of the Bible, as Amos Young presents a more comprehensive view of the world through these problems and how to understand God's plan for the world. "The Bible, Disability, and the Church" is a fascinating and thought provoking discussion of disabilities and Christianity, very much recommended for Christian studies collections.

The Resignation of Eve
Jim Henderson
Barna
c/o Tyndale House Publishers
351 Executive Drive
Carol Stream, IL 60188
9781414337302, $14.99, www.tyndale.com

Enthusiasm is not infinite. "The Resignation of Eve: What if Adam's Rib is No Longer Willing to be the Church's Backbone" discussions the disillusionment many women often feel with the Christian church. Jim Henderson writes that many women may be on the brink of leaving their church or the faith entirely, and states that remembering the soul of women is something many churches can do to promote renewed faith in today's world that can often be daunting. "The Resignation of Eve" is a choice and recommended pick for any Christian leader.


The Judaic Studies Shelf

Wisdom By The Week
Naftali Rothenberg
The Yeshiva University Press
c/o KTAV Publishing House
930 Newark Avenue
Jersey City, NJ 07306-6316
9781602801998, $39.50, www.ktav.com

A 693-page compendium of expert commentary and analysis by leading authorities, writers and artists which have been knowledgeably compiled and deftly edited by Naftali Rothenberg (Senior Research Fellow and Chaire of Jewish Culture and identity, Van Leer Jerusalem Institute, Israel), "Wisdom by the Week: The Weekly Torah Portion as Inspiration for Thought and Creativity" introduces insightful, inspired, and inspiring perspectives on fifty-four weekly individual Torah readings that will prove of inestimable value for scholars and non-specialist general readers alike. Beginning with an informed and informative introduction by Professor Rothenberg, "Wisdom by the Week: The Weekly Torah Portion as Inspiration for Thought and Creativity" is enhanced with the inclusion of a section of succinct biographies of Talmud authorities and a list of contributing commentary authors. "Wisdom by the Week: The Weekly Torah Portion as Inspiration for Thought and Creativity" is a model of scholarship and is to be very strongly recommended for personal and academic library Judaic Studies collections and supplemental reading lists.

Kosher Jesus
Shmuley Boteach
Gefen Books
11 Edison Place
Springfield, NJ 07081
9789652295781, $26.00, www.gefenpublishing.com

Jesus was undeniably a Jew, but what does that mean to those who remain followers of that faith? "Kosher Jesus" is a Jewish discussion of Jesus Christ from Jewish thinker Rabbi Shmuley Boteach, who discusses the figure of Jesus of Nazareth has historically and philosophically had on the Jewish faith. Looking at both historical and Christian writings, Rabbi Boteach offers many fascinating ideas, including a refutation of the legend of Jews being responsible for the death of Jesus. "Kosher Jesus" is a strong addition to Judaic Studies and general religious collections, highly recommended.


The Buddhist Studies Shelf

Buddhism Day by Day
Daisaku Ikeda
Middleway Press
606 Wilshire Boulevard
Santa Monica, CA 90401
9780972326759 $15.95 www.middlewaypress.com

Daisaku Ikeda, one of the world's most renowned living Buddhist philosophers, presents Buddhism Day by Day: Wisdom for Modern Life. This anthology offers a different quote for every day of the year; the clear, practical-minded guidance of the writings offer an invaluable and accessible message to readers of all faiths and backgrounds. For example, the May 26th entry is "There is a saying that 'Speech is silver, silence is golden.' But when you are engaged in a struggle, the opposite is true. Then, speaking out is golden and silence is defeat." A wonderful source of daily insight, highly recommended.

Middleway Press
606 Wilshire Blvd., Santa Monica, CA 90401
www.middlewaypress.com

Daisaku Ikeda is a renowned Japanese philosopher and educator, President of the Soka Gakkai International, recipient of the United Nations Peace Award, the Rosa Parks Humanitarian Award, the International Tolerance Award of the Simon Wiesenthal Center, and has authored more than sixty books. Middleway Press has published four marvelous little collections of memorable sayings by Daisaku Ikeda in an outstanding 'Buddhism For You' series consisting of "Prayer" (9780972326797, $7.95); "Love" (9780972326773, $7.95); "Determination" (9780972326780, $7.95); and "Courage" (9780972326766, $7.95). Thoughtful and though-provoking, each of these little 57-page collections offers insight, inspiration, and will make treasured additions to personal and community library Buddhist Studies collections and supplemental reading lists.


The Fantasy/SciFi Shelf

Wiccan Shadows
Lori J. Schiele
ImaJinn Books, Inc.
PO Box 74274, Phoenix, AZ 85087
9781610260022, $16.00, www.imajinnbooks.com

The end of the world can put a damper in all the work you've accomplished so far. "Wiccan Shadows" is the first entry into Lori J. Schiele's The Wiccan Sisterhood series. When the high priestess disappears, Alex Grisham and her sisters find themselves searching for the truth, rushing against Samhain, the end of their world. "Wiccan Shadows" is a riveting modern fantasy, very much worth considering for general fiction collections.

Luthor Huss
Chris Wraight
The Black Library
c/o BL Publishing
1525 Hulse Road, Unit 1
Pt. Pleasant, NJ 08742
9781849701310, $8.99, www.blacklibrary.com

As one crusades for a better future in the present, they cannot forget the past as it was left behind. "Luthor Huss" follows the warrior priest of Sigmar as he works with a witch hunter to find the source of the undead plaguing the empire. Creating a certain bond, Huss realizes he cannot run away from what he left behind, and must face it head on, for the good of himself, and for the good of the empire. "Luthor Huss" is a fine addition to any fantasy collection, a worthy expansion of the Warhammer universe.

Gem of a Ghost
Sue Ann Jaffarian
Midnight Ink
2143 Wooddale Drive, Woodbury, MN 55125-2989
9780738713816, $14.95, www.midnightbooks.com

Generations and death are nothing for family. "Gem of a Ghost" follows Emma Whitecastle as she finds that the ghosts that plague Joanna Reid can only be dealt with by her. With the help of a specter of her centuries old grandmother, Granny Apples, Emma rises to the call reluctantly, and mediate peace between the realms of the living and dead. "Gem of a Ghost" is a fine pick for fans of mystery and quirky ghost stories.


The Memoir Shelf

A Kosher Dating Odyssey
Van Wallach
CoffeeTown Press
PO Box 70515, Seattle, WA 98127
9781603811323, $12.95, www.coffeetownpress.com

The faith divide isn't as big as we sometimes think, but it is still there. "A Kosher Dating Odyssey: One Former Texas Baptist's Quest for a Naughty & Nice Jewish Girl" is a blend of humor and memoir from Van Wallach, a man born to Baptist and Jewish parents, seeking a woman like mom, as he seeks a Jewish girl to complement his raised as Baptist faith. A humorous exploration of cross-faith dating, "A Kosher Dating Odyssey" is a strong pick for any humor, memoir, or relationship collections.

Free Me from My Cage
Aubrianna Rose
Balboa Press
1663 Liberty Dr. Suite #300
Bloomington, IN 47403
9781452537924, $17.95, www.balboapress.com

One mistake can lead one to a crisis of faith. "Free Me from My Cage" is an inspirational memoir as author Aubrianna Rose shares her struggles of her horror story marriage and how she let herself rot in despair before finally gaining the courage to free herself. "Free Me from My Cage" is a strongly recommended read about a serious issue of trying to pull oneself out of a destructive relationship.

Planting Dandelions
Kyran Pittman
Riverhead Books
c/o Penguin
375 Hudson Street, New York, NY 10014
9781594485626, $15.00, www.penguin.com

Family life is anything but normal. "Planting Dandelions: Field Notes from a Semi-Domesticated Life" is a memoir from Kyran Pittman as she recollects her unique journey through life as a wife and mother in domestic life which to her has proven to be anything put. From pursuing romance with after pregnancy with the pressures of parenthood, dealing with economic fears and much more, she comes with frank knowledge and humor all throughout. "Planting Dandelions" is a fine pick for those seeking a fine memoir of life's pressures, highly recommended.

The Beauty of Poverty
Yolisa Dlepu
Dorrance Publishing
701 Smithfield Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15222
9781434910554, $28.00, www.dorrancebookstore.com

With nothing, it can hard to find something worth cherishing. "The Beauty of Poverty" is a memoir from Yolisa Dlepu, as she recalls coming up from absolutely nothing as a child in South Africa, but through family and faith, she had something truly special in her life nonetheless. Telling her story, her mother's story, and much more, "The Beauty of Poverty" is a positive and faithful read, much recommended.

Born Mad
Robyn Wheeler
Balboa Press
1663 Liberty Dr. Suite #300
Bloomington, IN 47403
9781452536408, $11.95, www.bornmad.org

Life long depression is a set back, but it can be overcome. "Born Mad" is a memoir of motivation, as Robyn Wheeler writes of her battles with her diagnosis of dysthymia, a mild form of depression that strikes chronically and throughout one's entire life. A story of faith and finding the drive to conquer depression, suicidal tendencies, and much more, "Born Mad" is a thoughtful tale with a very positive message, much recommended.


The Fiction Shelf

Paradise Misplaced
Sylvia Montgomery Shaw
Swedenborg Publishers
320 North Church Street
West Chester, PA 19380
9780877853411, $15.95, www.swedenborg.com

As justice seems lost, one man must drive to make the difference. "Paradise Misplaced" is the first book of Sylvia Montgomery Shaw's trilogy surrounding the Mexican Revolution. Benjamin Nyman Vizcarra finds himself wrongfully accused and imprisoned, faced with a serious decision to run away from it all, or fight to prove his innocence and claim the woman he loves. "Paradise Misplaced" is an excellent and much recommended pick for historical fiction collections.

Restoration
Olaf Olafsson
HarperCollins Publishers
10 East 53rd Street
New York, NY 10022-5299
9780062065650, $14.99, www.harpercollins.com

One off the beaten path decision places Alice in front of a wave of humanity. "Restoration" follows the story of Alice Orsini, who marries into a family of landowners and sets her thoughts to restoring a villa on the fringe. But as World War II begins to break out, she finds many people struggling to survive and a particularly artist catching her eye. "Restoration" is a fine work of historical and literary fiction, a choice pick for anyone looking for a soulful and person driven tale with a dose of romance, highly recommended.

Messengers
David L. Arnett
Unity Books
1901 NW Blue Parkway
Unity Village, MO 64065-0001
9780871593559, $24.95, www.unitybooks.org

When all logic declares your survival impossible, it becomes hard to accept it as is. "Messengers" follows Jake Daniels as a vicious accident leaves him somehow alive. Having a vision of a woman saving his life, he believes her to be his angel, and leaves the life he had in her efforts to find the truth of what happened to him, and in the process asks the questions of the world, finding himself straddling between the angels and demons of the world. "Messengers" is an excellent pick of spiritual fiction that offers many questions of faith and our place in the world.

Where Wildflowers Bloom
Ann Shorey
Revell
c/o Baker Publishing Group
6030 E Fulton
Ada, MI 49301
9780800720742, $14.99, www.revellbooks.com

After war strikes, the desire to move can be strong. "Where Wildflowers Bloom" is a historical romance, following the heartbreak of Faith Lindberg, a woman who wants to travel west after the war takes her family and love from her. Having to debate her grandfather to leave the family's ancestral home, she finds an old love who she thought dead returning, but she also finds that the love may no longer there. "Where Wildflowers Bloom" is a thoughtful exploration of post-civil war America and what was expected of a lady, highly recommended.

The Dave Store Massacre
Ron Ebest
Academy Chicago Publishers
363 West Erie Street
Chicago, IL 60610
9780897336147, $17.95, www.academychicago.com

Murder can be funny. "The Dave Store Massacre" is a novel from Ron Ebest taking notes on modern concerns and reflecting on history, as he tells the story of a clash between unions and the growing might of enterprise, the Dave Store, an encompassing retail outlet. A comedy with plenty of unique characters that happens to spiral into mass murder, "The Dave Store Massacre" is a humorous and much recommended addition to general fiction collections. Also from Academy Chicago Publishers is "The H-Bomb and the Jesus Rock" (9780897336116, $17.95) another off-beat take on modern issues with history blended in.

Country of the Bad Wolfes
James Carlos Blake
Cinco Puntos Press
701 Texas Avenue, El Paso, TX 79901
9781935955030, $16.95, www.cincopuntos.com

The pursuit of fortune is all too often not without bloodshed. "Country of the Bad Wolfes" is a novel following twin brothers as they head towards Mexico from New Hampshire, during Mexico's chaotic years before its ultimate independence and revolution. A story of power and what will be done to keep it, author James Carlos Blake puts together a historical novel packed cover to cover with intrigue. "Country of the Bad Wolfes" is a fine and much recommended addition to any historical fiction collection.

Out of the Gray
Manoucher Parvin
Ibex Publishers
PO Box 30087, Bethesda, MD 20824
9781588140791, $24.00, www.ibexpublishers.com

As we try to understand the complex psyche, we are only left with more questions. "Out of the Gray: A Concerto for Neurons and Synapses" is a novel from Manoucher Parvin as he creates a story of a neuroscientist and social scientist who both try to look for the ultimate explanation of human behavior, rushing against time. A riveting novel that blends many aspects of life and our struggles, "Out of the Gray" is an excellent read with plenty to consider, very much recommended reading.


The Theatre/Cinema/TV Shelf

If You Like Monty Python...
Zack Handlen
Limelight Editions
c/o Hal Leonard
Hal Leonard Performing Arts Publishing
33 Plymouth St, Suite 302
Montclair, NJ 07042
9780879103934, $14.99, www.halleonardbooks.com

There's a certain brand of absurdity that only the Pythons have brought to pop culture. "If You Like Monty Python...: Here Are Over 200 Movies, TV Shows, and Other Oddities That You Will Love" discusses the programs that have spun out of the comedy that the Monty Python troupe has brought together. From the obvious sketch comedy derivatives to legendary films of pop culture, "If You like Monty Python..." is a must read touching on the past few decades of excellent comedy.

Mime Very Own Book
Doug Jones, Eric Curtis, Scott Allen Perry, & Adam Mock
Medallion Press, Inc.
1020 Cedar Lane, No. 2N
St. Charles, IL 60174
9781605422558, $27.95, www.medallionpress.com

Not the most vocal of groups, the art of the mime is one that is truly unique. "Mime Very Own Book" is a collection of full color photographs of vignettes from an assorted gathering of mimes who present a unique brand of humor using the style of the mime to present a fascinating breakdown of the performance art. A worthy choice for art lovers who don't mind a bit of silence, "Mime Very Own Book" is very much recommended.


The Health/Medicine Shelf

Unlock your Muscle Gene
Ori Hofmekler
North Atlantic Books
PO Box 12327
Berkeley, CA 94712
9781583943090, $17.95, www.northatlanticbooks.com

The genetics for muscle growth are there, but they may be hiding from us. "Unlock Your Muscle Gene: Trigger the Biological Mechanisms That Transform Your Body and Extend Your Life" is a health guide from Ori Hofmekler, who encourages readers to seek their own way of building muscle that can lead to greater health in the long term, that embraces a certain bit of youth. "Unlock Your Muscle Gene" is very much worth considering for anyone who wants to move towards a longer life.


The Business Shelf

Lead with Purpose
John Baldoni
Amacom
1601 Broadway, New York, NY 10019
9780814417386, $23.00, www.amacombooks.org

To lead without vision is to have the blind lead the blind. "Lead with Purpose: Giving Your Organization a Reason to Believe in Itself" is an inspirational book for business leadership, encouraging managers and other leaders to push themselves forward and create a worthy purpose that pushes people within the organization to treat it as more than simply another job. "Lead with Purpose" is a driven and much recommended read for any business leader who sees the value in creating a job worth doing.


The Poetry Shelf

Blood Prism
Edward Haworth Hoeppner
Ohio State University Press
180 Pressey Hall, 1070 Carmack Road
Columbus, OH 43210-1002
www.ohiostatepress.org
9780814251812, $14.95, www.amazon.com

Poetry is the use of language to communicate in a manner that arises from the building blocks of speech but organized so that the individual words and phrases 'pack a punch' that simple conversation can't quite manage. An academician (Professor of English, Oakland University) and a published poet (Raw Through High Windows; Ancestral Radio), and a literary critic (Echoes and Moving Fields: Structure and Subjectivity in the Poetry of John Ashbery and W. S. Merwin), Edward Haworth Hoeppner has now brought forth a new volume of his poetry in the form of "Blood Prism", an 88-page compendium of his work that span a life time and is presented in three major sections: Memory; Politics; and Age. Elegantly crafted prose poems with thoughtful and thought-provoking imagery, "Blood Prism" is a superb work of imaginatively constructed word theme constructs that linger in the mind long after the poem is as much experienced as it is read. "Blood Prism" is highly recommended to any and all who admire the versatility of prose poetry to express and illuminate the human condition.

Bird of Paradise
George Young
Parallel Press
372 Memorial Library
728 State Street
Madison, WI 53575
9781934795354 $10.00 http://parallelpress.library.wisc.edu

Bird of Paradise is a free-verse poetry chapbook by retired physician, and Washington Prize- winning poet George Young. Although some poems have appeared previously in a variety of other publications, Bird of Paradise is the first to gather together all these verses that draw upon avian life as both inspiration and metaphor. Avid birdwatchers especially will find the desire to observe and reflect upon these magnificent creatures vividly portrayed in this thoughtful collection. "Poem On A Mountain Bluebird": The Navajo stones never managed such a blue as you, / nor the lips of the man / pulled from an icy river last winter. // You are a grace / never mastered by earth's bluest eye / at the foot of the glacier, open to a cloudless sky- // nor recognized by idle school children / staring out the window at what appears to be a blue ribbon / tied to a telephone wire. // You are a flash of living, breathing blue / And Lord what am I / that such a bird can escape from the cage of my skull and fly.

Useless Landscape, or A Guide for Boys
D. A. Powell
Graywolf Press
250 Third Avenue North, Suite 600
Minneapolis, MN 55401
9781555976057, $22.00, www.graywolfpress.org

The many divisions of life can often seem overwhelming. "Useless Landscape, or A Guide for Boys" is the fifth book of poetry from D. A. Powell who explores the many aspects of what we seek out of the life and the many ways we try to do so. An excellent collection of fine poetry, "Useless Landscape, or A Guide for Boys" is a fine assortment that shouldn't be overlooked. "Narcissus": Not every boy who desires fame gets it the way he wants./Not every flower, leaning vainly towards his own face/reflected in a murky puddle, gets to meditate upon himself/more than a few transitory days, before he, too, molders.//You should have stayed wild in some valley town/if that's the life you wanted. You can't have it now./Too many people know you as the affable but obvious/mussy downtown hussy. Blown limp by any passing wind.

The City, Our City
Wayne Miller
Milkweed Editions
1011 Washington Avenue South, #300
Minneapolis, MN 55415-1246
9781571314451, $16.00, www.milkweed.org

As life rolls on, the reality of the world can often seem incredibly amusing. "The City, Our City" is a collection of poetry from Wayne Miller who presents a frank and thoughtful delve into personal reflection the irony and thought of our world. With many volumes of poetry to his name, "The City, Our City" is an excellent and much recommended addition to any modern poetry collection. "Identifying the Body": At first, I pictured his thoughts/resting in there -- like coals,//which properly blown on could be brought back to fire.//Against the doctor's directions/I touched his cheek; then//I knew the body was useless./Every side of him was forever//turned inwardly away I knelt/by the cold gurney -- his last//cigarettes had filled his clothes/with smoke. That smell//was as close as I could come to hearing him speak.

White Papers
Martha Collins
University of Pittsburgh Press
3400 Forbes Avenue, 5th floor
Pittsburgh, PA 15260
9780822961840, $15.95, www.upress.pitt.edu

Award winning poet Martha Collins continues to inspire thought with "White Papers", her latest collection of poetry. Discussing the issues of race, in particular the pit falls of white privilege, "White Papers" is an excellent addition to any literary poetry collection. "42": my white I've said my/baby bed underwear tub/toilet washing machine/whatever got rid of dirt my/wedding dress veil what-/ever could hide X sheets/bleached coffin lined/against the dark dirt/banned when we started/to buy underwear in colors/even black white was on/its way out of cover over.

Winter Sun
Shi Zhi
University of Oklahoma Press
2800 Venture Drive
Norman, OK 73069
9780806142418, $19.95, www.oupress.com

Poetry can capture the spirit of the people. "Winter Sun" is a collection of poetry from Shi Zhi, whose poetry continued and spoke to those who were dissatisfied with China's Cultural Revolution, speaking to both tradition and the lost youth of a generation. A bilingual collection sharing his work in English, "Winter Sun" is a strong addition to any international poetry collections. "My Youth": In the flourishing spring of life/I met the discontentment of the era of iron and ice/The young blood in my chest froze/As my dark thoughts became poems//Like flames extinguished by a new-fallen snow/From a dark gray pile of firewood rises a twisted thread of smoke/.../...


The Needlecraft Shelf

Knits for Nerds
Toni Carr
Andrews & McMeel
1130 Walnut Street
Kansas City, MO 64106-2109
9781449407919 $16.99 www.andrewsmcmeel.com

Knits for Nerds: 30 Projects for Fans of Science Fiction, Comic Books, Fantasy lives up to its title with step-by-step instructions for handcrafting knitted projects including the red-orange- yellow "Cunning Scarf" and "Cunning Socks" featured on the "Firefly" science fiction show, to Padme's battle cape from "Star Wars", to the red-and-black crewman's shirt similar to those of "Star Trek", to manga-style leg warmers and much more. Full-color photographs and a supplemental reference section walking beginning knitters through basic knitting abbreviations and techniques round out this unique crafts guide perfect for anyone interested in creating trendy, handmade gifts for the science fiction or fantasy fan in their life! Highly recommended.

2 Piece Patchwork
Sandy Petsche
Landauer Corporation
3100 NW 101st Street, Suite A
Urbandale, Iowa 50322
9781935726036, $24.95, www.landauercorp.com

Quilts can prove to be very eye catching creations, and cozy too. "2 Piece Patchwork" is a guide for quilters who want to create magnificent designs out of simply two pieces in triangles and squares, as Sandy Petsche and the folks at Maple Hill Quilts present a full color guide with plenty of inspiration all throughout. For the rookie or veteran quilter, "2 Piece Patchwork" is sure to give plenty of ideas and what one needs to get started.


The Agriculture Shelf

The Complete Beginner's Guide to Raising Small Animals
Carlotta Cooper
Atlantic Publishing Group, Inc.
1405 S.W. 6th Avenue
Ocala, FL 34471
9781601383761, $24.95, www.atlantic-pub.com

Raising one's own livestock is slowly coming back into vogue for the self-sufficient. "The Complete Guide to Raising Small Animals: Everything You Need to Know About Raising Cows, Sheep, Chickens, Ducks, and More" is a guide for those who want to embrace raising these animals for themselves, whether they be as pets, sources of milk or eggs, or for meat. Comprehensive and practical with many informative charts, including a full color pull out for children to better understand better practices. "The Complete Guide to Raising Small Animals" is very much recommended reading for those who want to bring more agriculture and farm life back into their everyday lives.

Backyard Beekeeping
Courtenay N. Smithers
Rosenberg
c/o Internatonal Specialized Book Services
920 NE 58th Ave., Suite 300
Portland, OR 97213-3786
9781921719196, $19.95, www.isbs.com

Beekeeping sounds scary to some, but the results can be a fine way to get over that fear quickly. "Backyard Beekeeping" discusses how to create one's own hives for honey and hobby. Australian author Courtenay Smithers walks readers through keeping a small scale amount of bees near their home in urban and suburban settings. The advice covers general procedures including fallbacks for dealing with stings and other potential injuries. "Backyard Beekeeping" is an excellent pick for anyone considering this unusual yet rewarding endeavor.


The Education Shelf

Free Range Learning
Laura Grace Weldon
Hohm Press
PO Box 2501
Prescott, AZ 86302
9781935387091, $24.95, www.hohmpress.com

Natural curiosity is the biggest catalyst to education. "Free Range Learning: How Homeschooling Changes Everything" is a delve into home education from Laura Grace Weldon, as she argues that a home schooled curriculum could lead to a more complete education for children, as parents and would be educators can help children learn through their natural interest in the world. It also notes how to encourage learning in less favored subjects such as language arts and mathematics. "Free Range Learning" is a thoughtful delve into education and the thoughts connected to it, very much recommended.

Education in Small States
Michael Crossley, Mark Bray, & Steve Packer
Commonwealth Secretariat
c/o Stylus Publishing
PO Box 605, Herndon, VA 20172-0605
9781849290364, $24.95, www.thecommonwealth.org

Education is vital, no matter where in the world you are. "Education in Small States: Policies and Priorities" discusses the importance of education and its implementation all throughout the world, in particular small and remote states without massive existing infrastructure. Discussing the legal issues that lie behind these states, the push for greater education through the formation of a commonwealth, and the impact of globalization on the state of education. "Education in Small States" is an intriguing study on international academia and the nature of a globalized world, very much recommended.

Delta Publishing Company
1400 Miller Parkway
McHenry, IL 60050-7030
www.deltapublishing.com

The Delta Publishing Company is a premier producer of instructional books, manuals, and supplemental curriculum materials for learning to speak, read and write English. Specifically designed and written for advanced English language learners grades six through adult, "Three Little Words: A Foreign Student's Guide to English Articles (9780937354469, $13.00) by Elizabeth Claire is a superbly crafted workbook for those whose native languages have no articles and features more than 525 self-checking exercises. "Touchy Situations: A Conversation Text for ESL Students" (9781887744744, $18.50) by Glen Alan Penrod is a 131-page, activity- based combination textbook and workbook enabling ESL (English as a Second Language) students to speak easily and well in a variety of settings ranging from social to business settings. Each individual unit features a 'Warm Up', Conversation Strategies, 20 to 30 new vocabulary words, an illustrative situation of problem solving, and a 'Follow Up" of questions for review. " "Touchy Situations" is an ideal textbook for individual studies and for classroom curriculums. Classroom teachers and school librarians would be well advised to visit the Delta Publishing Company web site for a complete listing of their highly recommended titles which include Nancy Gallagher's "Delta's Key To The TOEFL iBT: Advanced Skill Practice" (9781936402113, $34.95); Janette Haynes' "American Handwriting: Slow and Easy" (9780937354704, $14.50); and "Reading At Home With Your Child: A Workshop for Parents" (9781932748154, $59.95).


The Self-Help Shelf

Echoes of Perennial Wisdom
Frithjof Schuon
World Wisdom
1501 East Hillside Drive
Bloomington, IN 47401
9781936597000, $16.95, www.worldwisdom.com

Wisdom knows no time and knows no language. "Echoes of Perennial Wisdom" is a fine volume of spiritual and philosophical writings from Frithjof Schuon who walks readers through the many aspects of our lives and tries to offer something simple and that would unite us all with its philosophy. A sage read from a student of life and religion, "Echoes of Perennial Wisdom" is an excellent addition to any self-help and philosophy collection, highly recommended.

Emotional Equations
Chip Conley
The Free Press
c/o Simon & Schuster
1230 Avenue of the Americas
New York, NY 10020
9781451607253, $24.00, www.simonsays.com

Understanding our emotions can be harder than any math problem, but a bit of math can help us try to get ahead of it all. "Emotional Equations: Simple Truths for Creating Happiness + Success" is an inspirational read from Chip Conley as he tries to guide readers through the ins and outs of dealing with one's emotions, by placing food for thought in equations of how we come to certain feelings that we all face throughout our life. To finding the root of experience to the dividends of happiness, "Emotional Equations" proves to be a uniquely thoughtful read that should prove a highly thoughtful read.

Source
Joseph Jaworski
Berrett-Koehler Publishers Inc.
235 Montgomery Street, Suite 650
San Francisco, CA 94104-2916
9781576759042, $26.95, www.bkconnection.com

The potential for greatness resides in us all. "Source: The Inner Path of Knowledge Creation" discusses leadership of the soul, as Joseph Jaworski as he encourages those charged with the importance of leadership to look inside themselves and find the sources of inspiration. Encouraging readers to think and keep their mind and hearts open to the world, he offers anecdotes of crossing with many thinkers and individuals in order to gain the power of visionary leadership. "Source" is a strongly recommended pick for community and library collections focused on business, inspiration, and leadership.


The Relationship Shelf

Two Plus Two
Geoffrey L. Greif & Kathleen Holtz Deal
Routledge
270 Madison Avenue
New York, NY 10016
9780414879279, $21.95, www.routledge.com

A healthy couple takes everything about their partner, including their friends. "Two Plus Two: Couples and Their Couple Friendships" discusses the concept of friendship between two couples and the impacts it can have on all involved, through decades of life and dealing with the natural progression of marriages. Aimed at both couples and therapists, Geoffrey L. Greif & Kathleen Holtz bring a fascinating read with many ideas on the impact of longtime friendship between many, making "Two Plus Two" an excellent and can't miss pick.

Stop Calling him Honey...
Maggie Arana & Julienne Davis
Health Communications, Inc.
3201 S.W. 15th Street
Deerfield Beach, FL 33442-8190
9780757315312, $14.95, www.hcibooks.com

Sex is the glue that can keep a marriage together for decades. "Stop Calling him Honey..and Start Having Sex!' is a guide for renewing passions and keeping the fires going all throughout the marriage. From avoiding the pitfalls that allow one to turn monogamy into a grind. With plenty of practical advice to keep the chemistry alive, "Stop Calling him Honey" is a powerful and much recommended read for anyone who thinks the lust is falling out of their love.

52 Things Wives Need from Their Husband
Jay Payleitner
Harvest House Publishers
990 Owen Loop North
Eugene, Oregon 97402-9173
9780736944717, $12.99, www.harvesthousepublishers.com

Relationships are a two way thing. "52 Things Wives Need From Their Husbands: What Husbands Can Do to Build a Stronger Marriage" is a faith driven guide to relationships from Jay Payleitner as he advises readers on how to build a stronger relationship, by staying true to each other, keeping the love known, and remembering that she's more than a housewife or mother. "52 Things Wives Need from Their Husbands" is a choice read for any Christian husband who wants to keep joy in marriage.

30 Ways to Better Days
Caird
New Road
c/o Smith Publicity (publicity)
1930 E. Marlton Pike, Suite I-46, Cherry Hill, NJ 08003
9780987700209, $19.95, www.newroadcoaching.com

It may feel as such at the time, but the end of a relationship isn't the end of the world. "30 Ways to Better Days: How to Rally After You've Been Dumped" is a guide to the rebound for those who have had a relationship ended on them, and want to set themselves back down on the right path to relationship success. From conquering anger and avoiding bad habits, "30 Ways to Better Days" is a choice pick for the recently dating or as a gift, much recommended reading.


The Photography Shelf

Up North
Joe Brandmeier
Tristan Publishing
2300 Louisiana Avenue North, Suite B
Golden Valley, MN 55427
9780931674600, $19.95, www.tristanpublishing.com

The simplicity of nature is enough to make one think. "Up North: Reflections, Moments, & Memories" is a full color compilation of nature photography from Joe Brandmeier as he walks readers through his breath taking photography, with dashes of inspirational thinking about forests from Brandmeier himself as well as major thinkers of history such as Ralph Waldo Emerson. "Up North" is a choice pick for anyone with a love of nature and nature photography.

Horses: Grace, Beauty, Spirit, & Fire
Willow Creek Press
PO Box 147, Minocqua, WI 54548
9781607554844, $19.95, www.amazon.com

The majesty of the horse has always captured the imagination of mankind. "Horses: Grace, Beauty, Spirit, & Fire" is a collection of photography from assorted photographers assembled by Willow Creek Press. With full color photography all the way through with intriguing passages from many thinkers on the equine race, "Horses" is a choice pick for those who have a special fascination with the equine species.

Pictures and People
Joan Liffring-Zug Bourret
Penfield Books
215 Brown Street
Iowa City, IA 52245-5801
9781932043716, $25.00, www.penfieldbooks.com

America still seems so very divided. "Pictures and People: A Search for Visual Truth and Social Justice" is a photographical memoir from Joan Liffring-Zug Bourret as she shares her journey through life and focusing on her experiences on the country divided, and the people who have been impacted by the struggles against a world that doesn't understand perhaps hates them. A fascinating journey through the middle of the twentieth century, "Pictures and People" is a strong pick for biographical and social issues collections, much recommended.


The Art Shelf

Awakening Creativity
Lily Yeh
New Village Press
PO Box 3049
Oakland, CA 94609
9780981559377, $34.95, www.newvillagepress.net

Art is in all of us, and the best seek to encourage it in others. "Awakening Creativity: Dandelion School Blossoms" is a chronicle of author Lily Yeh's journeys, offered as an example for encourage art all over the world. Focusing on her campaign in China, where she got an abandoned factory converted to encourage local middle school students, and helped them find artistic expression. Presented in full color and plenty of example art works throughout, "Awakening Creativity" is a choice pick for any educational collection dedicated to promoting the arts.

Martin Kline: Romantic Nature
Martin Kline
Hudson Hills Press
PO Box 205
74-2 Union Street
Manchester, VT 05254
9781555953485, $50.00, www.hudsonhills.com

In a flow of everything, there is truly something worth seeing. "Martin Kline: Romantic Nature" is a self-titled collection of art from Kline, who has tried to find beauty in many things that most people wouldn't dare to look. His use of imperfections and flow in greater things seeks to beg the question of how things may be similar yet so different. Full color with additional essays on the artwork, "Martin Kline" is an excellent addition to any collection focusing on modern art, and worth considering for coffee table book collections.


The American History Shelf

Blood and Bone
Jack Shuler
University of South Carolina Press
718 Devine Street, Columbia, SC 29208
www.sc.edu/uscpress
9781611170481, $29.95, www.amazon.com

The history of the 1960s Civil Rights movement in the south was a savage, violent, bloody conflict between defenders of white racial superiority against advocates of racial integration and equality. On the night of February 8, 1968, South Carolina state highway patrolmen fired on civil rights demonstrators in front of South Carolina State College, a historically black institution in the town of Orangeburg. Three young black men--Samuel Hammond, Delano Middleton, and Henry Smith--were killed, and twenty-seven other protestors were injured. "Blood and Bone: Truth and Reconciliation in a Southern Town" by Orangeburg native Jack Shuler is an informed and informative, 248-page, historical compendium focused upon why these tragic events came about in the way they did, and how those events continue to impact upon members of the community more than forty years later. Of special note is the author's insights into how such historical events such as Slavery, Reconstruction, Jim Crow laws, racial bigotry, and the Civil Rights movement continues to affect the lives of the Orangeburg citizenry to this day -- and what it might foretell for future generations. An impressive work of scholarship, written with a narrative flair and regard for historical accuracy, "Blood and Bone: Truth and Reconciliation in a Southern Town" is highly recommended reading and a core addition to the growing body of literature on 20th Century race relations in the American South.

Alpha Phi Alpha
Gregory S. Parks & Stefan M. Bradley, editor
The University Press of Kentucky
663 South Limestone Street
Lexington, KY 40508-4008
9780813134215, $39.95, www.kentuckypress.com

Although founded by black men seeking to escape oppression, Alpha Phi Alpha sought unity for all of mankind, regardless of color. "Alpha Phi Alpha: A Legacy of Greatness, the Demands of Transcendence" discusses the history behind this fraternity founded in 1906 in Cornell University, with a legacy of many black intellectuals following its ideals throughout the twentieth century and into today. An intriguing chronicle on the fraternity's impact on these men, and its impact on overall society. "Alpha Phi Alpha" is a fascinating study of the links that bring great minds together.


The Travel Shelf

US & British Virgin Islands
Karla Zimmerman
Lonely Planet Publications
150 Linden Street
Oakland CA 94607
9781741042016, $18.99, www.lonelyplanet.com

The Virgin islands have a serenity and beauty that can't be found anywhere else. "US & British Virgin Islands" is a guide for those who want to explore these tropical paradises for their own vacations, as the people at Lonely Planet look to equip readers with everything they need to know to plan and enjoy their trip to the fullest, and avoid the pitfalls of traveling to nonstandard lands. With plenty of diagrams and info on lodging, restaurants, and much more, "US & British Virgin Islands" is a strong pick for any potential tropical traveler.

Off the Beaten Path
Ruth J. Colvin
Syracuse University Press
621 Skytop Road, Suite 110
Syracuse, NY 13244-5290
9780815609933, $24.95, www.SyracuseUniversityPress.syr.edu

People are people, no matter from where in the world they come from. "Off the Beaten Path: Stories of People Around the World" is a travel memoir of Ruth J. Colvin as she shares her journey all over the world, seeing racism at its worst in South Africa, survivors of atrocity, and many other people, living their lives be it under duress or finding their own bits of joy in it all. "Off the Beaten Path" is a fascinating read of life in its many ways, a very much recommended addition to memoir and world culture collections.


The Law/Justice Shelf

The Sky's The Limit
Lise Pearlman
Regent Press
2747 Regent Street, Berkeley, CA 94705
9781587902208, $29.95, www.regentpress.net

Racism is ingrained in America's birth, and it has been a long fight against it ever since. "The Sky's the Limit: People v. Newton: The Real Trial of the 20th Century" discusses the revolutionary implications of this case, where a Black Panther revolutionary leader was put on trial for the involvement with the crimes levied against the group. Former Judge Lise Pearlman argues that this court case lead the way in the Civil Rights movement, and allowed America to eventually elect its first non-white president. "The Sky's the Limit" is a fascinating look at this very important court case of the twentieth century.

After We're Gone
Duane Ruth-Heffelbower
Mennonite Publishing Network
616 Walnut Avenue
Scottdale, PA 15683
9780836195651, $8.99, www.mpn.net

Estate planning can often prove a legal nightmare. "After We're Gone: a Christian Perspective on Estate and Life Planning for Families That Include a Dependent Member with a Disability" a Christian community guide to approaching estate planning from Duane Ruth-Heffelbower as he provides a comprehensive legal and spiritual advice for best dealing with this issue to avoid future legal struggles. "After We're Gone" is a strong pick for any Christian family for whom estate planning will prove to be a vital challenge.

Advocacy to Zealousness
Kelly Lynn Anders
Carolina Academic Press
700 Kent Street
Durham, NC 27701
9781594607981, $28.00, www.cap-press.com

Hollywood isn't the best teacher on most things, but there is still much to be learned from it all. "Advocacy to Zealousness: Learning Lawyering Skills from Classic Films" discusses what can be learned from legal dramas and thrillers about the act of law, the values and skills that care demonstrated and how they can be executed in reality. "Advocacy to Zealousness" is a strongly recommended pick for those who want to understand the passion needed to succeed as a lawyer.


The Science Shelf

Playing with Fire
Peter Heering, Olvier Hochadael, & David J. Rhees
American Philosophical Society
PO Box 617
Darby, PA 19023-0617
9781606189955, $35.00, www.amazon.com

The power of lightning should never be taken lightly. "Playing with Fire: Histories of the Lightning Rod" is an intriguing observation of the history behind this truly unique invention of mankind, which has straddled the ideas of practicality and advancement of pseudosciences. As many articles are compiled, this invention proves to be a fascinating study in the advancement and history of science. "Playing with Fire" is a strong addition to any history focusing on philosophy and science, very much recommended.


The Antiques/Collectibles Shelf

Antiques & Collectibles
Eric Bradley
Krause Publications
c/o F+W Media
4700 East Galbraith Road
Cincinnati, OH 45236
9781440216954, $21.99, www.krausebooks.com

Some treasures last forever. "Antiques & Collectibles: 2012 Price Guide" is a comprehensive reference from Eric Bradley, as he compiles the resource that covers almost any sort of collectible and relic of the past, from pottery to furniture to vintage toys, comic books and so much more. In full color with price quotes and much more, "Antiques & Collectibles" is a fine collection that shouldn't be overlooked by any enthusiastic collector who wants to know the numbers behind their hobby.


The Religion/Spirituality Shelf

Ordinary Sacred
Kent Nerburn
New World Library
14 Pamaron Way
Novato, CA 94949
9781608680771, $14.00, www.newworldlibrary.com

The little events in life can lead us to a wonderful place in our lives. "Ordinary Sacred: The Simple Beauty of Everyday Life" is an inspirational read from Kent Nerburn as he advises readers on the many aspects of life and how they should be appreciated for those who want to find something worth loving out of life. Powerful and recommended reading for those seeking fine inspiration, "Ordinary Sacred" is a strong and much recommended pick, not to be missed.

Making Zen Your Own
Janet Jiryu Abels
Wisdom Publications
199 Elm Street
Somerville, MA 02144
9780861717026, $16.95, www.wisdompubs.org

The lessons of the Zen masters offer wisdom for even those of other faiths. "Making Zen Your Own: Giving Life to Twelve Key Golden Age Ancestors" discusses the lives of the twelve key Chinese Zen masters, and the lessons learned from their lives, as author Janet Jiryu Abels encourages readers to draw from their own stories and apply it to their own lives. "Making Zen Your Own" is a strong and recommended pick for spirituality collections.


The Parenting Shelf

Rite of Passage
Jim McBride
Moody Publishers
820 N. LaSalle Blvd.
Chicago, IL 60610
9780802458803, $13.99, www.moody.edu

What is manhood in today's changing world? "Rite of Passage: A Father's Blessing" is a Christian parenting guide from Jim McBride as he presents an intriguing walk into the deeper thought and philosophy of manhood, as he urges fathers to call out the man and woman in their children to better equip them to face down life. "Rite of Passage" is a choice and much recommended pick for Christian and parenting collections with plenty of wise advice.


The Mystery/Suspense Shelf

Collision of Lies
John J. Le Beau
Oceanview Publishing
595 Bay Isles Road, 120-G
Longboat Key, FL 34228
9781608090457, $25.95, www.oceanviewpub.com

When cover up stacks upon cover up, the truth can be impossible to find. "Collision of Lies" is a tale of international mystery, as a single murder begins to spin out of control into an international plot of coverups and crime all throughout the region. As more and more corruption begins to stir into the plot, it's up to Bavarian Police Kommissar Franz Waldbaer work with the CIA and other agents to find the truth. With plenty of twists and turns, "Collision of Lies" proves a riveting and choice addition to any community library mystery and thriller novel collection.


The Hobby Shelf

Basic Model Railroad Benchwork
Jeff Wilson
Kalmbach Publishing Company
21027 Crossroads Circle
Waukesha, WI 53186
9780890248362, $19.95, www.kalmbachbooks.com

The best model railroads need a good foundation. "Basic Model Railroad Benchwork" is a guide for those who want to create a solid base for their model railroad plans, as Jeff Wilson guides readers through how to properly construct the many bits of the foundation from making a good plan to laying the finishing touches. With full color photography throughout demonstrating the processes, "Basic Model Railroad Benchwork" is a must for anyone who wants the make the whole project a do-it-yourself endeavor.


The Comix/Graphic Novel Shelf

Girl Genius Omnibus Volume One: Agatha Awakens
Phil & Kaja Foglio
Tor/Forge Books
175 Fifth Avenue
New York, NY 10010
9780765331328 $34.99 www.tor-forge.com

Girl Genius Omnibus Volume One: Agatha Awakens gathers the first three chapters ("The Beetleburg Clank", "The Airship City", and "The Monster Engine") of Phil & Kaja Foglio's multiple Hugo-Award winning steampunk comic series, set in a world where those gifted with "The Spark" can warp the laws of physics with their inventions - and win the hearts and minds of rabid followers with their unearthly charisma, no matter how severe their mad scientist proclivities! The land is beset with endless strife from experiments gone amok, belligerent Spark rulers who see their subjects as little more than overgrown lab rats, a noble caste that condemns biophysical resurrection, and worse. The Heterodyne family were once known as Sparks who championed heroism and justice, but they have vanished for twenty years, and in their place the ruthless authoritarian Baron Wulfenbach struggles to keep war and chaos at bay. Amid all this conflict, the young, kind-hearted scientist-in-training Agatha Clay has lived a mostly sheltered life in a university town, but her chance encounter with a thief kicks off a cascading escalation of disasters. Between her talents and her destiny, Agatha is about to cause endless trouble just by existing! Fully recolored and relettered, Agatha Awakens is the perfect gift for any comics fan who is new to Foglio's signature blend of caricature, action, drama and zesty humor! Highly recommended.


The Audiobook Shelf

The Third Round
Sapper
Naxos of America, Inc.
1810 Columbia Avenue, Suite 28
Franklin, TN 37064
www.naxosaudiobooks.com
NA0057, $41.98, www.amazon.com

Once again Hugh 'Bulldog' Drummond finds himself and his friends caught up in a tangled and lethally dangerous web woven by that master arch criminal Drummond only knows as 'Carl Peterson'. "The Third Round" is third in the Bulldog Drummond encounters with Peterson and revolves around a scientist's discovery of how to make exceedingly cheap artificial diamonds that are indistinguishable from the real thing -- and therefore threaten to collapse the diamond market. The heads of the diamond syndicate contract with Mr. Peterson to suppress the professor's announcement of his discovery -- even if that means eliminating the professor to do it. Peterson accepts the contract only because he has far more nefarious ideas about what to do with the professor's discovery himself! The action is fast and furious from beginning to end. This unabridged audio production of "The Third Round" is superbly narrated by Roy McMillan on 6 CDs with a total running time of 7 hours and 47 minutes, making it a highly recommended addition to personal and community library audio book collections!

Galaxy Press
7051 Hollywood Boulevard, Suite 200
Hollywood, CA 90028
www.galaxypress.com

Galaxy Press is dedicated to preserving and presenting the literary works of L. Ron Hubbard who was one of the very best of the 'Golden Age of Pulp Magazine' writers who worked in an impressive spectrum of genres and categories. Galaxy Press has converted a great many of L. Ron Hubbard's pulp magazine stories into an audio book format featuring multicast performances, sound effects, musical enhancements, and flawless production values. Two of their newest audio book titles are "Devil's Manhunt" (9781592123858, $9.95) and "A Matter Of Matter" (9781592122394, $9.95). "Devil's Manhunt" is a western collection of three Hubbard stories: 'Johnny The Town Tamer'; 'Stranger In Town'; and the title piece "Devil's Manhunt" (which was originally published in the February 1950 issue of 'Famous Western' magazine. This superbly presented, 2 CD, unabridged audio book has a total running time of two hours. "A Matter Of Matter" (9781592122394, $9.95) is a collection of four of Hubbard's science fiction yarns: 'The Conroy Diary'; 'The Planet Makers'; 'The Obsolete Weapon'; and the title piece "A Matter Of Matter". The title piece was original publishing in the August 1949 issue of 'Astounding Science Fiction' magazine. This 2 CD, unabridged collection audio book anthology has a total running time of two hours. Both of this new audio books from Galaxy Press are enthusiastically recommended 'theatre of the mind' entertainments. Community librarians seeking to build up the genre fiction audio book collections would be well advised to visit the Galaxy Press web site at www.galaxypress.com for a complete listing of all their outstanding audio book titles.


The DVD Shelf

Yang Tai Chi for Beginners
Dr. Yang, Jwing-Ming, Ph.D.
YMAA Publications
PO Box 480
Wolfeboro, NH 03894-0480
9781594392306 $29.95 www.ymaa.com

Expert Tai Chi Chuan teacher Dr. Yang, Jwing-Ming Ph.D. presents Yang Tai Chi for Beginners, a step-by-step guide to Yang Tai Chi, the most widely practiced Tai Chi style in the world. Viewers will learn the basic exercises that relax the mind and body, bolster physical health, and promote inner calm. Tai Chi is low-impact exercise, suitable for practitioners of all skill and fitness levels; both front and rear angle views the viewer in following the form demonstrations. Nearly five minutes of instructional content distinguish Yang Tai Chi for Beginners as an in- depth resource, far above and beyond most brief fitness DVDs. Yang Tai Chi for Beginners is more than an excellent supplement to any fitness video library; it's a superb guide to reaping the incalculable physical and mental benefits of an ancient cultural practice. Highly recommended. 293 min.

Dare to Cook Chocolate: Holiday Confections
With "Chocolate Man" Bill Fredericks
ChocolateMan.com
Bennet Watt HD Productions, Inc.
13021 - 244 Avenue SE
Issaquah, WA 98027
9781604900668 $34.95 www.Bennett-Watt.com

Part of the "Dare to Cook Chocolate" series, Dare to Cook Chocolate: Holiday Confections is an instructional 2-DVD set that lives up to its title with step-by-step, user-friendly instructions to creating exotic, beautiful, and incredibly tasty hand-made chocolates with a seasonal or holiday theme. Hosted by "the Chocolate Man" Bill Frederick, an internationally trained chef of 20 years' experience who specializes in scrumptious chocolate desserts, Dare to Cook Chocolate: Holiday Confections demystifies the craft of the chocolatier for viewers of all culinary backgrounds and experience levels. Viewers are walked through fork and hand dipping techniques; methods for using molds; and instructions for preparing everything from spring molds of bunnies & eggs to tuxedo strawberries, lemon ginger truffles, fondant for hand dipped cherry cordials, peanut butter cups, and much more, even "chocolate pizzas" with fruits and nuts. A wonderful choice for the adventurous chef interested in creating handmade desserts with a difference, Dare to Cook Chocolate: Holiday Confections is highly recommended.

Building an HO Layout
TM Books & Video
PO Box 9228
Michigan City, IN 46361
$14.99 www.tmbv.com

Building an HO Layout is a step-by-step DVD designed to aid model railroad enthusiasts in crafting a realistic setting for their train. Covering a wide range of activities from track plan and bench work to wiring, lighting model buildings, paint surfaces, building a trestle bridge, crafting scenery and mountains, and much more, Building an HO Layout is a comprehensive how-to guide perfect for getting started in this absorbing and delightful pastime. Highly recommended, especially for beginners just getting started in the hobby, or intermediate hobbyists seeking hands-on tips, tricks, and techniques to refine their skill. 70 min.

V.I.E.W. Video
34 East 23rd Street
New York, NY 10010
www.view.com

Featuring digitally mastered audio and video, two installments in the "Hooked On" DVD series by V.I.E.W. Video reinvent the hit songs of wildly popular bands. "Hooked on The Beatles" (0803023383, $14.98, 1 hour) offers a medley of The Beatles's greatest songs - as reinterpreted and performed by The Royal Philharmonic Orchestra and The Royal Choral Society! Conductor Louis Clark leads the grand, full-length live concert performance, attended by Paul and Linda McCartney as well as Queen Elizabeth II and The Duke of Edinburgh. In "Hooked on Queen" (0803023359, $14.98, 1 hour), The Royal Philharmonic Orchestra lends their talent to performing Queen's exciting and enduring hits, brilliantly paired with stunning live-action footage from a wide variety of sports. Both DVDs dare to transcend genres and reach out to classical and pop culture music buffs alike, daring fans of each musical type to experience and appreciate the joys of the other type. Highly recommended.


The Wine Shelf

The Wine Slinger Chronicles
Russell D. Kane
Texas Tech University Press
PO Box 41037
Lubbock, TX 79409-1037
9780896727380, $29.95, www.ttupress.org

In pursuit of that greater flavor often propels many wine enthusiasts forward. "The Wine Slinger Chronicles: Texas on the Vine" follows Russell Kane in his Texas wine country endeavors, creating a worldwide bold style that only Texas can be known for. A unique spin into the wine culture with plenty of memoir that will entertain anyone with a love of wine culture, "The Wine Slinger Chronicles" is an excellent and entertaining pick, not to be overlooked.


The Gardening Shelf

Gardening as a Sacred Art
Jeremy Naydler
Floris Books
c/o Myrick Marketing & Media
455 Sam Ridley Parkway West, PMB 248
Smyrna, TN 37167
9780863158346, $35.00, www.myrickmarketing.com

The serenity of a garden is one that will surely catch the eyes of many. "Gardening as a Sacred Art" explores the history of gardening through the writing of Jeremy Naydler as he presents a fascinating exploration of how gardening has been an art, support the beauty o f countless structures and places. A study of the beauty of gardens and how to embrace them fully, "Gardening as a Sacred Art" is a fine pick with a mixture of black and white and color artwork all throughout to make it a visual treat.


The Metaphysical Studies Shelf

Enlightenment Journal
Channelled by noraWalksInSpirit, a.k.a. Nora Anderson
Balboa Press
c/o Hay House, Inc.
PO Box 5100
Carlsbad, CA 92018-5100
9781452536224 $11.95 www.hayhouse.com

Enlightenment Journal is the firsthand spiritual experience of author and healing shaman Nora Anderson, who has contacted a Divine Presence and gained a transcendent message to pass on. Chapters discuss how to awaken one's own consciousness, understand consciousness energy fields, become and understand the flame of consciousness, and much more. The transcendent experience of being exposed to higher presences are recounted in extensive detail. "And Jesus spoke, 'I began to rearrange MY Documents and Tablets and found that for MY own understanding to teach through the infinite ONE, I shall have to realize the Consciousness Frequencies more accurately, in order that I may house this Child and move Her gracefully into Infinite Immortal Intelligence." Enlightenment Journal is a thoughtful and profound addition to metaphysical spirituality shelves.

The Pocket Book of Stones
Robert Simmons
Heaven & Earth Publishing
c/o North Atlantic Books
2526 Martin Luther King Jr. Way
Berkeley, CA 94704-2607
9781583943175 $14.95 www.northatlanticbooks.com

The Pocket Book of Stones: Who They Are & What They Teach is a pocket-sized guide to the metaphysical properties of various minerals. Featuring a full-color photograph of each stone, The Pocket Book of Stones includes a very quick "go-to" summary of the stone's basic metaphysical qualities, followed by a page-long description of the stone's composition, commonly found locations, innate spiritual qualities, and affinities with other gemstones. For example, part of the entry for Smoky Quartz reads, "Smoky Quartz has a way of drawing the ethereal into manifestation. When one is wearing or carrying a Smoky Quartz, one is actually more likely to see such phenomena as ghosts, UFOs, fairies and spirit guides... Smoky Quartz is useful for helping one bring one's most potent dreams and inspired ideas into physical reality." The Pocket Book of Stones is an excellent, easy-to-use reference ideal for supplementing personal metaphysical studies shelves.


The Jobs/Careers Shelf

Now Hiring Criminal Justice Professionals
June Werdlow Rogers, Ph.D.
Cable Publishing
14090 E. Keinenen Rd.
Brule, WI 54820
9781934980538 $17.95 www.cablepublishing.com

Although intended especially for those in search of employment in the criminal justice position, Now Hiring Criminal Justice Professionals: An Insider's Tips for Seizing the Ethical Edge is packed with invaluable tips, tricks, and techniques for job-seekers of all backgrounds and career goals. Chapters cover how to evaluate whether one is personally suited to work in the criminal justice system (individuals with an urge to gossip and the inability to keep secrets should pursue another field), the perils of effectively indissoluble electronic communications (almost any phone text, email, or embarrassing photo posted online can be dug up to scuttle one's career, and doing a Google search on prospective applicants is routine for today's employers), the importance of maintaining and even improving one's skill sets after landing the job, and much more. "Life Application Exercises" such as "Think about what others will say about your character when you retire" pepper this accessible, user-friendly career-preparation guide.


The Autism Shelf

Intimate Relationships And Sexual Health
Catherine Davies & Melissa Dubie
AAPC Publishing
PO Box 23173, Overland Park, KS 66283-0173
www.aapcpublishing.net
9781934575888, $27.95, www.amazon.com

A good sex education program is more than just 'the plumbing'. It must also incorporate awareness of the emotional component of human sexual relations, as well as health aspects and reproductive consequences. The collaborative work of academicians and educational consultants at the Indiana Resource Center for Autism at the Indiana University, Catherine Davies and Melissa Dubie have produced "Intimate Relationships and Sexual Health: A Curriculum for Teaching Adolescents/Adults with High-Functioning Autism Spectrum Disorders and Other Social Challenges", a 400-page compendium that provides a sound and comprehensive basis for a curriculum specifically designed for the autism community of adolescents and young adults. Ideal for lesson plan development and presentation, "Intimate Relationships And Sexual Health" is enhanced with the inclusion of a CD with a wealth of easily printed out forms in a pdf format, making this a highly recommended, 'user friendly', and indispensable addition to professional and academic library instructional reference collections.


The Interior Design Shelf

Bookshelf
Alex Johnson
Thames & Hudson, Inc.
500 Fifth Avenue, NY, NY 10110-0017
www.thamesandhudsonusa.com
9780500516140, $24.95, www.amazon.com

Especially and particularly recommended to anyone whose ideas of interior decoration and design include rooms of bookshelves brimming over with their life-time collections will want to browse the pages of Alex Johnson's "Bookshelf". This 272-page compendium showcases a wealth of bookshelf elements and designs superbly illustrated with 305 full color photographs. Any true bibliophile will tell you that a book shelf is far more than just a shelf upon which to stack books. It is (or at least very well could be) a work of art combining efficiency with aesthetics and as much a work of art as any painting, sculpture, or architectural nicety. The showcased shelves comprising "Bookshelf" are deftly grouped into six sections: Single Shelves; Bookshelf Furniture; Unusual Bookshelves; Bookshelves As Art; Outside The Box; and Bijou Bookshelves. If you've every wanted to make your own bookshelves, then beginning by browsing the fascinating and down-right inspiring examples that Alex Johnson has sought out and presents in the pages of "Bookshelf"!

Best of 500 Contemporary Interiors
Wim Pauwels
Beta-Plus
Termuninck 3, B-7850 Enghien, Belgium
info@betaplus.com
9789089440921, $99.50, www.amazon.com www.betaplus.com

Ably compiled by interior style writer of the outstanding Beta-Plus Home series, Wim Pauwels, "Best of 500 Contemporary Interiors" is a 526-page, tri-lingual (English/French/Dutch) compendium showcasing five hundred impressively diverse interior designs. Organized into sections devoted to Entrance Halls; Sitting Rooms; Dining Rooms; Kitchens; Bathrooms; Bedrooms; Spaces for Relaxation; and Spaces for Work; each full color photograph is accompanied by a web site address so that it can be pursued by the interested reader to greater length. Perfect for browsing by anyone seeking ideas for their own interior design ideas and adaptations, "Best of 500 Contemporary Interiors" enhanced with the inclusion of a comprehensive Index, making it highly recommended for professional architects and interior designers, community and academic library Interior Design reference collections, as well as non- professional general readers with an interest in contemporary interior design.


The Fashion Shelf

A Front Row Seat
Kirstin Sinclair
ACC Editions
c/o National Book Network
4270 Boston Way, Suite 200
Lanham, MD 20706
www.nbnbooks.com
9781851496617, $49.95, www.amazon.com

In "A Front Row Seat", fashion photographer Kirstin Sinclair has compiled a superbly illustrated, 304-page compendium of full color photographs showcasing seven years worth of her work at major fashion shows. In addition to a generous sampling of high fashion garments, her photographs also showcase the people most embedded in the world of high fashion including the designers, the models, the make-up and other behind-the-scenes people. A perfect and very highly recommended browse for anyone with an interest in the complex and ever-evolving world of high fashion, "A Front Row Seat" lays out that world both on, in front of, and in back of the runway.


The Gaming Shelf

More Hold'em Wisdom For All Players
Daniel Negreanu
Cardoza Publishing
5473 South Eastern Avenue
Las Vegas, NV 89119
www.cardozapub.com
1580422241, $14.95, www.amazon.com

Daniel Negreanu is one of professional poker's star players. Entertaining, affable, and very highly thought of by his peers in the professional poker community, Daniel Negreanu has always been a welcome and welcoming source of tips, techniques, and commentaries designed to help amateur players to improve their game. His first instructional guide "Hold'em Wisdom For All Players" (Cardoza Publishing, 9781580422109, $14.95) has been a 'best seller' in the poker community since its first publication in 1977. What players may not know is that in 2008 Daniel published a sequel that has proven to be still another invaluable and indispensable guide for anyone aspiring to improve their game. "More Hold'em Wisdom For All Players" features a wealth of experience tested tips organized into four sections: Winning Tournaments with Smart Play; Playing Your Players, Your Position and (Oh, Yes) Your Cards; Betting and Bluffing with No Fear; and What's the Best play? Using Poker Wisdom as Your Guide. A 176-page compendium of true poker wisdom, "More Hold'em Wisdom For All Players" reads just like Daniel talks -- lively, humorous, informed, informative, and an absolute 'must' for any and every dedicated fan of No Limit Texas Hold'em!


The Music Shelf

Companion to Irish Traditional Music, second edition
Fintan Vallely, editor
Cork University Press
c/o Stylus Publishing, Inc.
22883 Quicksilver Drive
Sterling, VA 20166-2012
www.styluspub.com, www.corkuniversitypress.com
9781859184509, $80.00, www.amazon.com

The "Companion To Irish Traditional Music (Second Edition)" is a complete, compact encyclopedia to the vast field of Irish traditional music in over 800 pages, heavily researched, documented, and cleverly organized with alphabetical indices, a list of abbreviations, plus introductory guide to using the Companion to find desired information. In addition to 761 pages of alphabetically arranged information entries regarding individuals, bands, performers, styles, critics, areas specialties, related literature, and much more, there is a Chronology or Timeline of Irish Music in History that spans from 5935 BC to 2011, and a list of Published Material Relating to Traditional Music, containing useful publications and resources on specific traditional instruments, collections, studies, ethnographies, overviews, popular music, song collections, and more. Filled with both black and white illustrations and succinct summaries of an unimaginable wealth of detailed information on modern and historical applications of Irish traditional music, the "Companion To Irish Traditional Music" presents a tapestry of glittering song lore in a carefully organized format. The list of contributors and acknowledgments is vast and impressive, as might be expected. Useful to the traditional Irish music student, teacher, or beneficiary ("fan"), the "Companion to Irish Traditional Music (Second Edition)" is an essential component of any music library and many private connoisseurs' collections. Many thanks are due to editor Fintan Vallely and all his contributors for this much appreciated edition.


The Political Science Shelf

Uprising
John Nichols
Nation Books
116 East 16th Street, 8th Floor
New York, NY 10003
9781568587035 $15.99 www.nationbooks.org

Uprising: How Wisconsin Renewed the Politics of Protest, from Madison to Wall Street is a close study of recent politically charged events in Wisconsin culminating in a petition of one million signatures demanding a recall election to remove Governor Scott Walker. This mobilization of an unprecedented proportion of a state's voters reflected widespread outrage against Walker's attacks on the collective bargaining rights of state unions, tax breaks to multinational corporations, and cuts to education and other services. At its height, the uprising had hundreds of thousands of Wisconsinites protesting in the streets and occupying the state capitol; their efforts arguably contributed to inspiring the Occupy Wall Street movement. Journalist John Nichols explores the history behind this popular uprising, its rationales, and its potential legacy for the future of far more than just one state. Uprising is not a politically neutral account; it harshly criticizes Walker's policies for allegedly placing greater burdens on the majority of Wisconsinites while conferring advantages to Walker's cronies - for example, refusing to accept funds to bring wireless internet service to rural Wisconsin areas was in the interests of broadband companies, while refusing to accept money to fund a competing high- speed rail transportation system benefitted automotive-related companies. Uprising ultimately tells the true story of fed-up Americans who feel increasingly squeezed by the wealthiest minority, and state policies that tax the rich less and less while demanding more and more of the middle class and poor to make up the shortfall. Highly recommended.

Wisconsin Uprising: Labor Fights Back
Michael D. Yates, editor
Monthly Review Press
146 West 29th Street, Suite 6W
New York, NY 10001
9781583672808 $18.95 www.monthlyreview.org

Wisconsin Uprising: Labor Fights Back is an anthology of essays by learned authors discussing one of the most surprising American political events of 2011: the en masse protests against Wisconsin governor Scott Walker's attempt to strip union members of their collective bargaining rights. In a modern era of declining union membership and power in America, this adamant yet peaceful movement was a startling turn of events, with a long-term impact that has yet to be fully resolved (as of this writing, Governor Walker will very likely have to face a recall election in the near future). Individual essays include "Who Were the Leaders of the Wisconsin Uprising?", "What Can We Learn from Wisconsin?", "Marching Away from the Cold War", "Building Communities of Solidarity from Madison to Bend", and much more. An excellent, in-depth cross-analysis of a highly current expression of the ongoing labor struggle, Wisconsin Uprising is a highly recommended addition especially for public and college library collections.


The Wisconsin Shelf

The Round Barn
Jacqueline Dougan Jackson
Beloit College Press
700 College Street, Beloit, WI 53511-5595
9781884941184, $29.95, www.roundbarnstories.com

Farms form a foundation of a nation, and the plights of farmers a hundred years ago can ring true even today. "The Round Barn: A Biography of an American Farm" tells the story of the Dougan Farms in the early twentieth century and the people who strove to keep their farm alive in the coming times of uncertainty. With good humor and frank recollection, "The Round Barn" is an excellent study of American history on the family level and what has become of it.

The Friday Talks
Steve Fleming
Little Creek Press
5341 Sunny Ridge Road, Mineral Point, WI 53565
9780982802380, $14.00, www.littlecreekpress.com

Friendship is a wonderful teaching tool. "The Friday Talks: One Teacher's Legacy" is a thoughtful memoir from Steve Fleming as he reflects on being a teacher in Jump River, Wisconsin. He states the most important lessons taught were those founded by bonds with his students and discussions with them, sharing his life stories and generally sharing life's discussions. "The Friday Talks" is an intriguing and much recommended pick for education and memoir collections.


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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