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Table of Contents
Reviewer's Choice
Cooking as Therapy
Debra Borden
Alcove Press
www.alcovepress.com
9798892422031, $29.99, HC, 288pp
Amazon
https://www.amazon.com/Cooking-Therapy-Improve-Mental-Through/dp/B0DT3RGLV9
Barnes & Noble
https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/cooking-as-therapy-debra-borden/1146961209
Synopsis: With the publication of "Cooking as Therapy: How to Improve Mental Health Through Cooking", licensed
clinical social worker and sous therapist Debra Borden provides you with all the tools and techniques to have therapy
sessions in the comfort of your own kitchen.
Cooking therapy is an experiential therapy that allows you to conduct a therapy session while you cook a meal. Using
cooking processes like chopping, kneading, stirring, and more, you will develop the skills to recognize limiting patterns
and behaviors, improve self-esteem, and form healthy daily habits, and you might even have fun incorporating techniques
centered around:
mindfulness - which develops calm,
metaphor - which creates clarity, and
mastery - which sparks self-esteem.
You do not have to be a great cook to try cooking therapy -- or even like cooking. You only need an interest in
self-exploration. In the pages of "Cooking as Therapy" Borden will teach you the processes involved in preparing a recipe
or meal that trigger awareness and even "aha" moments. Unlike talk therapy, cooking therapy sessions incorporate tangible
acts. It is less about what you prepare and more of a guided journey to self-reflection through how you prepare a dish.
Critique: Featuring twenty recipes to practice on, "Cooking as Therapy: How to Improve Mental Health Through Cooking"
offers a novel but quite effective approach to DIY Self-Help/Self-Improvement programming/activities. Part therapy
handbook, part cookbook, "Cooking as Therapy" is as original and fun and it is 'reader/user' effective in organization and
presentation. Original and unique, "Cooking as Therapy" is a prized and recommended pick for personal, professional,
community, and college/university library collections. It should be noted that this hardcover edition of "Cooking as
Therapy" from Alcove Press is also readily available in paperback (9798892422895, $19.99) and in a digital book format
(Kindle, $14.99).
Editorial Note: Debra Borden (www.Debrabordenauthor.com) is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker in NY and NJ and a
novelist. Her essays and articles have appeared in Women's Health Magazine and The New York Times. A pioneer in the
field of cooking therapy, Debra is thrilled and grateful to be a part of the creative community of mental health
professionals, writers, and foodies. She can also be found online at Instagram & Facebook @debraborden as well as
TikTok @cookyourselfhappy
The Writing/Publishing Shelf
The Amazon Author Formula Workbook
Penny C. Sansevieri
www.amarketingexpert.com
Independently Published
9798282296648, $12.99, PB, 172pp
Amazon
https://www.amazon.com/Amazon-Author-Formula-Workbook-Hands/dp/B0FD3D4FZG
Synopsis: With the publication of "The Amazon Author Formula Workbook: Hands-on Exercises and Expert Tactics to
Dominate Amazon's Marketplace", book marketing expert Penny Sansevieri provides authors and independent publishers a
hands-on guide to mastering the strategies that make books sell on Amazon.
Whether you're launching your first book or refining the reach of a full series, this companion workbook to Penny's
"Amazon Author Formula" provides DIY step-by-step worksheets, guided prompts, and insider tactics to boost visibility,
improve conversions, and drive real sales.
Of special note is that every worksheet comprising this DIY workbook is yours to download for free! Use the access code
inside the book to instantly generate printable versions and get to work. Whether you prefer print or Kindle, you're
covered!
From keyword and category alignment to pricing strategy, Amazon Ads planning, and retail page optimization -- every
page is specifically designed to help you take focused, immediate action. Track your progress, fine-tune your Amazon
relevance score, and uncover what's really holding your book back from charting higher. With detailed planners, ad
campaign organizers, and expert insights, this workbook turns strategy into execution -- so you can stop guessing and start
growing your sales.
Packed with the same market-tested techniques Penny has successfully used with thousands of authors, "The Amazon
Author Formula Workbook" is the ultimate Amazon toolkit for taking your book marketing to the next level.
"The Amazon Author Formula Workbook" covers:
A comprehensive Author Bio Builder to help craft a compelling, professional Amazon bio
Step-by-step Book Description Worksheet and Checklist for high-converting sales copy
Launch Plan Template to map your release timeline and marketing efforts
ARC Tracker for managing and following up with early readers and reviews
Pricing Comparison Sheet to evaluate competitive pricing in your genre
Promotional Schedule Planner, including timing for KDP Select countdowns and free deals
Retail Page Optimization Checklist to maximize every inch of your Amazon listing
Amazon Ads Prep Checklist to ensure your book and page are ad-ready
Keyword Planner to generate 300+ keywords tailored for your Amazon Ads
Ad Strategy Worksheets to help design, test, and track ad campaigns that convert
Progress Trackers to measure improvement across your marketing efforts
Expert tips and real-world advice throughout every section
"The Amazon Author Formula Workbook" is essential to long-term success with Amazon as a vendor.
Critique: Especially and unreservedly recommended, "The Amazon Author Formula Workbook: Hands-on Exercises and
Expert Tactics to Dominate Amazon's Marketplace" is essential for anyone who seeks to utilize Amazon (the 800 lb.
gorilla of online book marketing) as a sales vendor for their book(s). Unique, comprehensive, 'real world' practical,
thoroughly 'reader/user' friendly in organization and presentation, "The Amazon Author Formula Workbook" should be a
part of any personal, professional, community, college, and university library Writing/Publishing instructional reference
collection, as well as writer workshop and curriculum studies lists. It should be noted that this paperback edition of "The
Amazon Author Formula Workbook" is also available in a digital book format (Kindle, $9.99).
Editorial Note: Penny C. Sansevieri (www.amarketingexpert.com) is exceptionally well know throughout the publishing
industry. As the Founder and CEO of Author Marketing Experts, Inc., she has revolutionized book marketing, shaping the
careers of authors and guiding them to bestseller status. Penny's influence is undeniable and she is known for her
cutting-edge Amazon campaigns and innovative strategies that catapult exceptional books onto bestseller lists.
Herself a bestselling author of 24 books, Penny's expertise spans across self-publishing, social media, and strategic book
promotion. She's a trusted voice in the publishing world, teaching self-publishing courses at NYU and hosting the top-rated
podcast Book Marketing Tips and Author Success. Her company has secured placements for dozens of books on major
bestseller lists, including The New York Times, USA Today, and the Wall Street Journal.
Penny's unique ability to turn author brands into viable business ventures in today's competitive publishing landscape has
earned her recognition as one of the industry's foremost experts.
The Education Shelf
Paying for College, 2026
Kalman Chany and Geoffrey Martz, authors
The Princeton Review
c/o Random House Inc.
www.PrincetonReview.com
9780593518786, $25.99, PB, 384pp
Amazon
https://www.amazon.com/Paying-College-2026-Everything-Admissions/dp/0593518780
Barnes & Noble
https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/paying-for-college-2026-the-princeton-review/1146867357
The Princeton Review
https://www.princetonreview.com/press/paying-for-college-2026
Synopsis: Financing a college education is a daunting task no matter your financial circumstances -- and the recent rollout
of the redesigned FAFSA hasn't made things any easier. But with th publication of "Paying for College, 2026: Everything
You Need to Maximize Financial Aid and Afford College", college finance guru Kalman Chany and the experts at The
Princeton Review have come prepared with line-by-line instructions for filling out the latest iteration of the FAFSA, and
consumer-friendly advice to minimize college costs.
Take control with "Paying for College: 2026", which will help you:
Maximize your financial aid eligibility
Explore long- and short-term strategies to reduce college costs and avoid expensive mistakes
Complete every question on the FAFSA and CSS Profile aid applications to your best advantage
Compare aid offers and learn how to appeal them if necessary
Get advice for handling the impact of FAFSA Simplification
Critique: This completely updated edition of "Paying for College, 2026: Everything You Need to Maximize Financial Aid
and Afford College" from The Princeton Review covers all the crucial 2026-2027 FAFSA changes in applying for (and
receiving) financial assistance in paying for college tuition and expenses. Exhaustively comprehensive, exceptionally
'reader/user' friendly in organization and presentation, this large format (7.79 x 0.8 x 10.25 inches, 1.69 pounds) paperback
edition of "Paying for College, 2026: Everything You Need to Maximize Financial Aid and Afford College" is an essential
and core addition to personal, professional, family, community, highschool, and college/university library Education
Financial Costs/Aids reference collections. It should be noted that "Paying for College, 2026" is also readily available in a
digital book format (Kindle, $12.99).
Editorial Note #1: Kalman Chany is the founder and president of Campus Consultants, an independent New York-based
firm that has helped thousands of families maximize their financial aid since 1984. He has authored articles on college
funding for Parade and other publications and has appeared on ABC's Good Morning America, CBS's Evening News, and
CNN's Your Money. (http://www.campusconsultants.com/kalchany.html)
Editorial Note #2: A listing of books by Geoffrey Martz is available online at Goodreads:
https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/3986787.Geoffrey_Martz
Editorial Note #3: The experts at The Princeton Review have been empowering students, parents, and teachers to achieve
their best results at every stage of the education process since 1981. The Princeton Review has helped millions succeed on
standardized tests and navigate the complexities of school admission. In addition to classroom courses in more than forty
states and twenty countries, The Princeton Review also offers online courses, one-to-one and small-group tutoring, and
online services in both admission counseling and academic homework assistance.
AI-Enhanced Literacy
Mary Ehrenworth and Philip Seyfried
ASCD
www.ascd.org
9781416633853, $35.95, PB, 195pp
Amazon
https://www.amazon.com/AI-Enhanced-Literacy-Practical-Deepening-Instruction/dp/1416633855
Barnes & Noble
https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/ai-enhanced-literacy-mary-ehrenworth/1147673454
Synopsis: The relationship between AI and literacy education isn't simple. Every tool that makes work more efficient also
requires careful consideration. With the publication of "AI-Enhanced Literacy: Practical Steps for Deepening Reading and
Writing Instruction", literacy experts Mary Ehrenworth and Philip Seyfried present a measured look at the powerful
capabilities of artificial intelligence and take K - 12 teachers on a tour of what's possible when AI tools are seamlessly
integrated into literacy teaching and learning.
Each chapter comprising "AI-Enhanced Literacy: Practical Steps for Deepening Reading and Writing Instruction"
examines AI's potential to expand literacy instruction, deepen student understanding, and make the teacher's role more
interesting and satisfying.
Presented are both theoretical approaches and practical examples to help K-12 educators to:
Understand and feel at ease with current AI tools.
Create AI-enhanced spaces in your classroom.
Harness AI as a writing coach.
Develop students' reading comprehension with digital texts and tools.
Extend multilingual competencies using AI-powered translation tools.
Build and use engaging text sets.
Teach students to think critically about and with AI.
Using AI tools to improve reading and writing instruction can feel overwhelming, but it is a critical skill for today's literacy
teachers. "AI-Enhanced Literacy: Practical Steps for Deepening Reading and Writing Instruction" illuminates a strategic
and successful path toward wise and seamless AI use by K-12 classroom teachers and their students.
Critique: As timely as it is 'real world' practical, "AI-Enhanced Literacy: Practical Steps for Deepening Reading and
Writing Instruction" is the ideal introduction for K-12 teachers and administrators to the implementation of AI based
technologies and tools into literacy curriculums for a more effective and 'student' friendly instruction and skill
development. Exceptionally well written, organized and presented by the team of educators Mary Ehrenworth and Philip
Seyfried, "AI-Enhanced Literacy: Practical Steps for Deepening Reading and Writing Instruction" is a critically important
and unreservedly recommended contribution to personal, professional, community, school district, and college/university
library Education Technology collections and supplemental school district workshop and Teacher Education curriculum
studies lists. It should be noted that this paperback edition of "AI-Enhanced Literacy: Practical Steps for Deepening
Reading and Writing Instruction" from ASCD is also readily available in a digital book format (Kindle, $31.15).
Editorial Note #1: Mary Ehrenworth, EdD, co-led a think tank on global literacy at Teachers College, Columbia
University, for 20 years. She now runs Ehrenworth Literacy Innovations, working nationally and globally to empower
teachers and students through critical literacies and collaborative inquiry. Ehrenworth's degrees include a BA in history and
literature from Harvard and an MA and EdD in curriculum and teaching from Columbia University. Her most recent
research fields are AI and literacy and vocabulary acquisition.
Editorial Note #2: Philip Seyfried is a doctoral student in curriculum and teaching at Teachers College, Columbia
University, focusing his research on the intersection of digital literacy and artificial intelligence in education. With more
than a decade of experience as a middle school language arts and literature teacher, he now supports schools and edtech
companies as a literacy and digital literacy consultant.
The Health/Medicine Shelf
Move for Life
Damien A. Joyner JD CPT
North Atlantic Books
www.northatlanticbooks.com
9798889842811, $26.95 pbk / $18.99 Kindle, 208pp
Amazon
https://www.amazon.com/Move-Life-Practical-Building-Confidence/dp/B0DRXF6FB6
Barnes & Noble
https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/move-for-life-damien-a-joyner-jd-cpt/1146766999
Synopsis: Too often, society tells you that as you age, you will become frail. You will lose your mobility. It's time to slow
down. But at a time when nearly 50 million Americans are aged 65+, these assumptions are more harmful than ever --
especially because they're wrong!
With the publication of "Move for Life: A Practical Guide to Building Everyday Strength, Balance, and Confidence for
Thriving after 65", fitness expert Damien Joyner explains which exercises are the most important to prioritize for the
movements you do every day -- whether that's standing up from a chair or getting groceries from the car into the
cabinet.
His exercises include:
Straightforward, safe, effective, and evidence-based
Clearly illustrated via helpful how-to photo guides
Tailored to meet the concerns of active agers, like improving bone density
Appropriate for beginner, intermediate, and advanced levels of fitness
For keeping fit and doing real-world, everyday tasks that help you stay active and engaged
As a fitness professional who specializes in training people who are 50+, Damien Joyner's approach in "Move for Life"
helps you build strength, increase flexibility, and work on your balance -- all while dispelling any doubts you may have
about your ability to stay active after midlife.
Critique: What as important as the length of life, is the quality of life. With "Move for Life: A Practical Guide to Building
Everyday Strength, Balance, and Confidence for Thriving after 65" expert and experienced geriatric fitness expert Damien
A. Joyner has created a thoroughly 'user friendly', DIY instructional guide and manual specif to the needs of our current
'Baby Boomer' population now achieving retirement age. Informative, motivative, 'real world' effective, "Move for Life" is
especially and unreservedly recommended for personal, professional, community, Senior Center, and community/public
library Health & Medicine collections for elder Americans seeking to live healthy and well for as long as possible. It
should be noted for personal use that this large format (6.98 x 0.45 x 9.96 inches, 13 ounces) paperback edition of "Move
for Life' is also available in a digital book format (Kindle, $18.99).
Editorial Note: Damien A. Joyner (https://incrementalfit.com) is a health coach at UC San Diego's WorkStrong Program
and a personal trainer for his business, Incremental Fitness. After earning his Juris Doctorate, he transitioned to the fitness
industry in 2016, gathering experience with the general population and eventually focusing on the active aging population
in his business. His diverse experience includes leading group classes for San Diego's Feeling Fit Club and Fitness
Specialist at Golden Door Wellness Resort. As a subject matter expert and virtual certification committee member for the
American Council on Exercise, Damien contributes to study materials, media requests, and internal discussions. He is
passionate about improving clients' quality of life and promoting mental and physical well-being through self-care.
The American History Shelf
The 1990s: A Visual History of the Decade
Henry Carroll
Thames & Hudson, Inc.
www.thamesandhudsonusa.com
9780500027370, $60.00, HC, 336pp
Amazon
https://www.amazon.com/1990s-Visual-History-Decade-Decades/dp/0500027374
Barnes & Noble
https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-1990s-henry-carroll/1147538866
Synopsis: "The 1990s: A Visual History of the Decade" by Henry Carroll is a visual celebration of a seminal decade in
American history. As the Cold War ended and a new millennium approached, grunge, hip-hop, and rave exploded in
popularity as teenagers and twenty -- somethings searched for, something real, something more meaningful. Ostentation
was out. Authenticity was in.
And so, we had the first flashes of reality TV, the O. J. Simpson trial, the rise of surveillance culture, and the internet. We
also had early wake-up calls to the world of social media as The Truman Show and The Blair Witch Project exploited the
emerging visual language of DIY video content.
We heard the rallying call of "Girl Power!" from riot grrrls and the Spice Girls. We argued over East Coast versus West
Coast rap and Biggie versus Tupac. Ice-T went from "Cop Killer" to TV detective and Will Smith went from the Fresh
Prince to a man in black.
Cults, crop circles, and conspiracy theories spread while The X-Files and The Matrix pulled back the curtain on fictional
hidden truths. It was the end of history, and it was print's last hurrah -- or so we thought.
"The 1990s: A Visual History of the Decade" deftly explores history, art, film, music, and culture in a unique, immersive,
and visual narrative of a conflicted and momentous decade. A fascinating ecosystem of influence between high and low
culture, this stimulating volume makes sense of the decade's recurring motifs, trends, and themes, from supermodels to
airport style and from the fall of the Soviet Union to the end of the world -- and more!
Critique: This large format (9 x 1.4 x 11.7 inches, 2.31 pounds) hardcover edition of "The 1990s: A Visual History of the
Decade" from Thames & Hudson is the sequel to writer and photographer Henry Carroll's "The 1980s: Image of a
Decade". Profusely illustrated throughout with the inclusion of 338 illustrations (with 311 being in color), "The 1990s: A
Visual History of the Decade" is extraordinary, informative, iconic, nostalgic, and an inherently fascinating read from start
to finish. Thoroughly 'reader friendly' in style, organization, and presentation, "The 1990s: A Visual History of the Decade"
is highly recommended as a core addition to personal, professional, community, highschool, and college/university library
20th Century American History & Popular Culture collections and supplemental curriculum studies lists.
Editorial Note: Henry Carroll (https://www.henrycarroll.co.uk) is the author of fourteen books including the Read This if
You Want to Take Great Photographs series, which has sold over one million copies across twenty-two languages. He is
also the author of Photographers on Photography, the Photographs That Make You Think series, and The 1980s: Image of
a Decade.
The Cookbook Shelf
Delicious Japanese Street Eats
Laure Kie, author
Takashi Fujii, illustrator
Tuttle Publishing
www.tuttlepublishing.com
9784805319932, $24.99, HC, 208pp
Amazon
https://www.amazon.com/Delicious-Japanese-Street-Eats-Okonomiyaki/dp/4805319933
Barnes & Noble
https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/delicious-japanese-street-eats-laure-kie/1147462797
Synopsis: Vibrant Yatai street stalls in Japan serve up all kinds of delicious dishes ranging from steaming bowls of ramen
with all your favorite fixings, to crispy gyoza dumplings and perfectly seasoned onigiri rice balls. "Delicious Japanese
Street Eats" brings the flavor and fun of those lively streets right into your kitchen.
Comprised of 60 soulful street food recipes (Yakitori, Ramen Okonomiyaki, Yakisoba, Gyoza, Onigiri, Karaage, Katsu
Sando and many more!), "Delicious Japanese Street Eats" is a new cookbook by Laure Kie (Europe's leading Japanese
cookbook author), and takes you on a colorful culinary journey through the back lanes of Tokyo, Osaka, and Kyoto where
the best street food can be found -- all while showing you how to recreate these easy, crowd-pleasing dishes at home,
including:
Yakitori: Soy-glazed chicken skewers grilled to juicy perfection - momo (thigh meat) and tebasaki (wings) are the most
popular!
Katsu Sando: Thin pork cutlets breaded and fried until crispy on the outside and tender inside, then tucked into a sandwich
with mayo and lettuce!
Okonomiyaki: This savory, stuffed pancake is loaded with cabbage, meat, and egg, then drizzled with a sweet, soy-based
sauce and plenty of toppings!
Karaage: These mouthwatering Japanese-style chicken nuggets are marinated in mirin, garlic, and soy, then coated in
potato starch for an irresistible crunch!
Onigiri: The "new sushi" and a simple kawaii treat - these versatile rice balls can be filled with anything from seafood and
seaweed to herbs and seasonal veggies!
All the recipes comprising "Delicious Japanese Street Eats" use easy-to-find ingredients and simple, step-by-step
instructions you can follow at home. Each dish is beautifully photographed in full color to inspire your cooking!
Critique: Original, unique, authentic, profusely illustrated throughout, fun to browse through and 'kitchen cook friendly' to
create memorable meals with, "Delicious Japanese Street Eats" by cookbook author Laure Kie and illustrator Takashi Fujii
is a welcome and unreservedly recommended addition to personal, professional, and community library Japanese
cookbook collections. It should be noted that this hardcover edition of "Delicious Japanese Street Eats" from Tuttle
Publishing is also readily available in a digital book format (Kindle, $14.74).
Editorial Note #1: Laure Kie was born in Tokyo to a Japanese mother and a French father. Her many trips to Japan have
taught her to appreciate the great richness of Japan's cooking culture, which she imparts in her cookbooks and cooking
classes. An English-language edition of her book Japanese Cuisine: An Illustrated Guide was published in 2021.
Editorial Note #2: Takashi Fujii is an Okayama-based illustrator who founded the food blog OKAYAMAGOGO in 2007,
which highlights the delicious specialties of his home region. He illustrates travel guides and works with editors and
publishers around the world.
Word of Mouth: Asian American Artists Sharing Recipes
Laura Kina, editor
Jave Yoshimoto, editor
The University of Arkansas Press
https://www.uapress.com
9781682262672, $44.95, PB, 146pp
Amazon
https://www.amazon.com/Word-Mouth-American-Artists-Sharing/dp/1682262677
Barnes & Noble
https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/word-of-mouth-laura-kina/1146509312
University of Arkansas Press
https://www.uapress.com/product/word-of-mouth
Synopsis: Conceived during the 2020 COVID-19 lockdown and the accompanying rise in anti-Asian bigotry, "Word of
Mouth: Asian American Artists Sharing Recipes" is an artists' themed cookbook featuring stories and artwork from
twenty-three Asian American and Asian diaspora artists from across the United States, with contributions that range from
Los Angeles - based performance artist Kristina Wong's "Recipe for Political Action" to New Orleans - based painter
Francis Wong's family recipe for stir-fried Szechuan alligator.
Collaboratively compiled and co-edited by the team of Laura Kina and Jave Yoshimoto, "Word of Mouth" was originally
published as an online exhibition through the Virtual Asian American Art Museum. This paperback print version features a
new introduction by art historian Michelle Yee, expanded essays, and brand-new recipes.
Each contribution is accompanied by an original illustration and enriched by the artist's reflections on how their cuisine has
been impacted by histories of war, migration, relocation, labor, or mixing.
A pandemic project turned illustrated cookbook, "Word of Mouth" is a unique collection that disrupts genre expectations
to celebrate how artists use food to nurture and sustain their diverse communities and artistic practices as well as to build
connection during times of isolation, grief, and loss.
Critique: Original, select, authentic, and an inspiring collection of palate pleasing, appetite satisfying, illustrated, 'kitchen
cook friendly' recipes, "Word of Mouth: Asian American Artists Sharing Recipes" is a unique compendium of 'kitchen
cook friendly' dishes that would grace any mealtime menu, and is an unreservedly recommended addition to personal,
professional, and community library Asian themed cookbook collections. It should be noted that this large format (8 x 0.35
x 10 inches, 1.2 pounds) paperback edition of "Word of Mouth" from the University of Arkansas Press is also readily
available in a digital book format (Kindle, $29.67).
Editorial Note #1: Laura Kina (https://laurakina.com) is a queer, disabled, mixed-race Okinawan American artist and
educator whose work focuses on Asian American art and identity. Kina is a Vincent de Paul Professor at the Art School at
DePaul University in Chicago and is the co-editor of War Baby / Love Child: Mixed Race Asian American Art and
Queering Contemporary Asian American Art and the illustrator of Lee A. Tonouchi's award-winning children's book
Okinawan Princess: Da Legend of Hajichi Tattoos.
Editorial Note #2: Jave Yoshimoto (https://www.javeyoshimoto.com) is a recipient of the 2015 Joan Mitchell Foundation
Grant and a recognition award from the Friends of the United Nations in New York and associate professor of art at the
University of Nebraska at Omaha where he teaches painting compositions and professional practices. He is a visual artist,
competitive axe thrower and cat lover. His works represent the visual history of humanitarian struggles.
Disney Frozen: The Official Cookbook
Daytona Danielsen, author
S. T. Bende, author
Insight Editions
www.insighteditions.com
9798886635430, $27.99, HC, 144pp
Amazon
https://www.amazon.com/Disney-Frozen-Official-Cookbook-Arendelle/dp/B0CTYHP9HW
Barnes & Noble
https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/disney-frozen-daytona-danielsen/1145069216
Synopsis: With the publication of "Disney Frozen: The Official Cookbook: A Culinary Journey through Arendelle", and
for the first time in forever, fans of Elsa, Anna, Kristoff, and Olaf will get to experience sights, smells, and tastes of
Arendelle. This all-new cookbook from co-authors Daytona Danielsen and S. T. Bende features Scandinavian recipes
celebrating some of the people and cultures that inspired Disney's Frozen and Frozen 2.
"The Tastes of Arendelle: The Official Frozen Cookbook" features step-by-step DIY instructions and full-color
photographs so chefs of any age or skill level can learn to prepare traditional Scandinavian treats. Showcasing more than
fifty-five recipes with historical tie-ins to each recipe's significance in the films and culture, this comprehensive cookbook
brings the tastes of Arendelle into your very own home.
"Disney Frozen: The Official Cookbook" includes recipes for Scandinavian dishes and delicacies such as kransekake,
inspired by the Disney animated feature film Frozen and Frozen 2. Plus more than 55 additional recipes for appetizers,
entrees, drinks, and desserts will bring Arendelle into your kitchen and dining room.
Critique: Of special note are the wealth of beautiful, full-color photos of finished dishes help ensure success for even the
most novice of kitchen cooks. Exceptional, authentic, and thoroughly 'user friendly', "Disney Frozen: The Official
Cookbook" is especially recommended for kids, adults, families, and community/public library cookbook collections.
While also available in a digital book format (Kindle, $10.99), it should be noted that "Disney Frozen: The Official
Cookbook" is a part of the Disney themed cookbook collection that includes: Disney: Cooking with Magic, Lilo & Stitch:
The Official Cookbook, Encanto: The Official Cookbook, and Coco: The Official Cookbook.
Editorial Note #1: Daytona Danielsen (www.daytonadanielsen.com) is a novelist and cookbook author whose fiction and
food writing evokes the forests, fjords, and folklore of her Norwegian heritage. She holds an MFA in Fiction from Pacific
University.
Editorial Note #2: S.T. Bende (https://www.stbende.com) is a young-adult and children's author, known for the Norse
mythology series Viking Academy and the ’re Saga. She's also written books for Disney, Lucasfilm, Pixar, The Jim
Henson Company, and Marvel. She lives on the West Coast, where she spends far too much time at Disneyland, and she
dreams of skiing on Jotunheim and Hoth.
Chef Celeste's Louisiana Kitchen
Celeste Gill
Louisiana State University Press
https://lsupress.org
9780807184974, $34.95, HC, 136pp
Amazon
https://www.amazon.com/Chef-Celestes-Louisiana-Kitchen-Simplifying/dp/0807184977
Barnes & Noble
https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/chef-celestes-louisiana-kitchen-celeste-gill/1147269275
Synopsis: Chef Celeste Gill began to learn traditional southern cooking from her mother and grandmother at the age of
four. Raised in Detroit and trained as a chef in Hawaii, she ultimately chose to make her home in South Louisiana, where
she has worked to promote farm-to-table cooking and eating, and to help fledgling chefs build their confidence to make
even the most intimidating traditional Louisiana dishes.
At the center of Chef Celeste's practice is support and mentorship for new cooks as they learn to feel comfortable in the
kitchen. With the publication of "Chef Celeste's Louisiana Kitchen: Simplifying Cajun and Creole Cuisine" she continues
this work with recipes that are easy to follow, breaking down challenging preparation procedures into manageable
directions and simple-to-understand steps.
The recipes comprising "Chef Celeste's Louisiana Kitchen: Simplifying Cajun and Creole Cuisine" celebrate the bounty of
Louisiana's native plants and animals, highlighting the use of fresh ingredients, but with adjustments possible for chefs
outside of the state or without easy access to fresh produce and meats.
Food is more than sustenance: it can be a refuge for some, therapy for others, and community for all. The simple act of
preparing and sharing a meal can forge connections, and "Chef Celeste's Louisiana Kitchen: Simplifying Cajun and Creole
Cuisine" well serves as an ideal culinary bridge to the rich world of Louisiana cuisine.
Critique: Original, authentic, profusely illustrated, exceptional, celebratory, and a guaranteed welcome to personal,
professional, and community library Ethnic & Regional Cookbook collections, "Chef Celeste's Louisiana Kitchen:
Simplifying Cajun and Creole Cuisine" is impressively 'kitchen cook friendly' in organization and presentation. Making
historically genuine Cajun/Creole dishes readily available to even the most novice of kitchen cooks, it should be noted that
this hardcover edition from the LSU Press covers soups, salads, chicken dishes, seafood palate pleasers, beef recipes,
vegetable & side dishes, and memorably delicious desserts.
Editorial Note: Celeste Gill (https://chefceleste.com) is a chef, caterer, TV personality, and the owner of the event venue
520 Spain. As a decades-long mainstay in the Baton Rouge food scene, she has offered food demonstrations at the Red
Stick Farmers' Market since its inception. She has been named Chef of the Year by the American Culinary Association and
received the Seafood Award at the Baton Rouge Capital Chefs' Showcase.
Thai Cuisine
Caroline Trieu, author
Kanchanok Inprung, illustrator
Firefly Books Ltd.
www.fireflybooks.com
9780228105848, $19.95, PB, 128pp
Amazon
https://www.amazon.com/Thai-Cuisine-Recipes-Anecdotes-Gastronomic/dp/0228105846
Barnes & Noble
https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/thai-cuisine-caroline-trieu/1147114591
Synopsis: Thai food has been popular in the west since its introduction in the 1970s. But it goes far beyond Pad Thai -- a
traditional noodle dish that is a favorite in restaurants and is also the national dish of Thailand. "Thai Cuisine: Recipes and
Anecdotes from Thai Gastronomic Culture" by Caroline Trieu is a key to open the mysteries of flavor-rich Thai
cuisine.
"Thai Cuisine: Recipes and Anecdotes from Thai Gastronomic Culture"is fully illustrated by Kanchanok Inprung and is an
ideal introduction and guide about Thai food culture beyond the recipes themselves. It informatively addresses:
What is the agriculture of Thailand and how does this influence ingredients?
What are the dominant flavors of spices and aromatic herbs?
Vegetarian or not?
Daily food: rice, noodles, vegetables, spices and condiments
Fermented fish sauces, cooking techniques and utensils
Shopping for the freshest shrimp, coconut and other ingredients
Thai table etiquette.
As well as:
The regional cuisines of Thailand
Most popular dishes
Street food of Thailand
Holiday special meals
Desserts and drinks.
"Thai Cuisine: Recipes and Anecdotes from Thai Gastronomic Culture" is particularly useful for a student of Asian food
cultures, as well as the young cook of Thai descent who wants to make the dishes "Grandma and Grandpa" made.
Critique: Unique, exceptional, authentic, and thoroughly 'kitchen cook friendly' in organization and presentation, "Thai
Cuisine: Recipes and Anecdotes from Thai Gastronomic Culture" is the collaborative effort of Thai cuisine expert Caroline
Trieu and artist/illustrator Kanchanok Inprung is especially and unreservedly recommended -- especially as a prime pick
for personal, professional, and community/public library Asian Cookbook collections in general, and Thai Cuisine
specialty collections in particular.
Editorial Note #1: Caroline Trieu is from Southeast Asia, and Thailand has been her adopted home for more than 15 years.
She learned to cook from the women in her family and is passionate about passing on traditional techniques and the right
balance of flavors at her cooking workshops in Rennes, France. She shares her recipes and cooking secrets through the
Taste of Mekong blog.
Editorial Note #2: Kanchanok Inprung, also known as "Mew," is a Thai illustrator. After a career in interior design in
Bangkok, she settled in Phetchaburi, where she has had her studio for more than 10 years. Phetchaburi is a city steeped in
history and a gastronomic capital that was recognized by UNESCO in 2021. Mew has developed a range of projects
promoting her country's cultural and gastronomic heritage. (https://www.instagram.com/mew_inp)
The Needlecraft Shelf
Crochet Your Celebrity Crush
Lee Sartori
Quarry Books
c/o Quarto Publishing Group USA
https://www.quarto.com
9780760393659, $24.99, PB, 160pp
Amazon
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0760393656
Barnes & Noble
https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/crochet-your-celebrity-crush-lee-sartori/1146793331
Synopsis: "Crochet Your Celebrity Crush: Stitch Your Very Own Amigurumi Heartthrobs, Hunks, and Hotties" by Lee
Sartori is your DIY guide to bringing your favorite celebrities to life with yarn and hook. "Crochet Your Celebrity Crush"
is an original collection that includes over a dozen amigurumi patterns inspired by beloved male celebrities, each crafted to
capture the unique look and charm of Hollywood heartthrobs, pop stars, and athletes.
With its easy-to-follow instructions and clear patterns, "Crochet Your Celebrity Crush" is suitable for crocheters of all
experience and proficiency levels, making it easy to create charming collectibles or unique gifts for fans.
"Crochet Your Celebrity Crush" features:
15 adorable amigurumi patterns: Depicting celebrities from various fields, the patterns showcase their iconic looks and
personalities.
Crochet-worthy crushes: The patterns include Ryan Gosling, Dwayne (The Rock) Johnson, Harry Styles, David Beckham,
Idris Elba, Timothee Chalamet, Jason Momoa, V (Kim Tae-hyung), Keanu Reeves, Ncuti Gatwa, Jonathan van Ness, Tom
Holland, Pedro Pascal, Sam Heughan, and Lenny Kravitz
Detailed guidance for all skill levels: Clear, step-by-step instructions ensure that every project is fun and successful.
Collectible and giftable: Whether you're making these characters for yourself or as gifts, they're guaranteed to impress.
Mix and match: In addition to making the featured crushes, you can create any custom figures you like!
Bonus content: Fascinating facts about each crush and a "Find Your Ideal Crush" quiz add to the fun.
Blending pop culture with crochet, "Crochet Your Celebrity Crush" brings a fresh and fun twist to amigurumi, making it
the ideal addition to any crafter's collection. Perfect for fans, collectors, and crochet enthusiasts, these projects are as
delightful to make as they are to display!
Critique: Original, fun, profusely illustrated throughout, and thoroughly 'reader/user' friendly in organization and
presentation, "Crochet Your Celebrity Crush: Stitch Your Very Own Amigurumi Heartthrobs, Hunks, and Hotties" is an
extraordinary and unreservedly recommended addition to personal, professional, and community library
Needlecrafting/Crochet DIY instructional reference collections.
Editorial Note: Lee Sartori is the crochet designer behind CoCo Crochet Lee. Lee's passion is designing modern, wearable
garments and adorable amigurumi. The author of several crochet books, she was formerly a guest host on the popular
PBS/CreateTV show Knit & Crochet Now, as well as a cast member of Annie's Creative Studio. Lee is the in-house
designer for Lion Brand and works with Jimmy Beans Wool, WeCrochet, and other companies. Her books include
Unofficial Taylor Swift Crochet, Unofficial Harry Styles Crochet, and Amigurumi Affirmations.
(https://www.cococrochetlee.com/about)
Contrast in Crewel Embroidery
Tatiana Popova
Search Press Ltd.
https://www.searchpress.com
9781800922716, $35.00, HC, 224pp
Amazon
https://www.amazon.com/Contrast-Crewel-Embroidery-designs-stitched/dp/180092271X
Barnes & Noble
https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/contrast-in-crewel-embroidery-tatiana-popova/1145292416
Synopsis: With the publication of "Contrast in Crewel Embroidery: Modern designs stitched on light and dark",
needlecrafter and embroidery expert Tatiana Popova invites exploring the interplay of light and dark, and experiment with
color and stitch in this stunning, practical guide to crewelwork. Through her innovative stitch designs and inimitable eye
for color, Tatiana explores how the traditional technique of crewel embroidery can be reimagined for stunning,
contemporary results.
"Contrast in Crewel Embroidery" includes:
A complete guide to the tools and materials needed.
A guide to planning successful color, thread and stitch choices - all explained with invaluable personal insights.
4 'smart doodles', which allow you to produce an accomplished finished piece while you practice your stitches.
4 paired 'light and night' embroideries: each pair uses one design but varies the colors of the threads, fabric color and
stitches used, to give two distinctly different results. Each project contains a complete thread and stitch list, which
corresponds to detailed photography of the finished embroidery, to make it as accessible as possible.
A full stitch directory with more than 130 crewelwork stitches explained step by step, from back stitch to woven
wheel.
All templates.
Critique: This large format (8.81 x 0.82 x 11.31 inches, 2.54 pounds) hardcover edition of "Contrast in Crewel
Embroidery: Modern designs stitched on light and dark" by Tatiana Popova is beautifully and profusely illustrated in full
color throughout. Inspiring, practical, and thoroughly 'user friendly' in organization and presentation, "Contrast in Crewel
Embroidery" is especially and unreservedly recommended for personal, professional, and community library
Needlecraft/Embroidery instructional reference collections. It should be noted that "Contrast in Crewel Embroidery" is also
readily available from Search Press in a digital book format (Kindle, $20.23).
Editorial Note: Tatiana Popova (www.owl-crafts.com) is a Ukrainian embroiderer. She learnt to stitch at an early age,
inspired by her mother and grandmother's embroidery, and for a time she pursued her passion for stitching by studying a
huge variety of embroidery styles and techniques, both at school and in her own time. Tatiana studied Floristry Design at
university, but soon after graduating she discovered the world of embroidery. She started her own business, Little Owl
Smart Crafts Company, producing kits for silk ribbon and crewel embroidery. Tatiana participates in a number of craft
shows all around the world, including the UK, USA and Japan, and annually teaches at the Bead & Button Show in the
USA.
Creative Modern Crochet for the Home
Lucy Djevdet
Search Press Ltd.
https://www.searchpress.com
9781800922204, $19.95, PB, 112pp
Amazon
https://www.amazon.com/Creative-Modern-Crochet-Home-techniques/dp/1800922205
Barnes & Noble
https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/creative-modern-crochet-for-the-home-lucy-djevdet/1146019309
Synopsis: "Creative Modern Crochet for the Home: Stunning projects using simple techniques" is a DIY compendium of
12 practical crocheting projects, all made from a range of contemporary textures including raffia, jute and macrame cord as
well as yarn that will spruce up your home and your mood! Fresh, bold and functional, there are homeware
patterns/projects for all levels of crochet abilities, and every technique needed is shown and clearly illustrated step by
step.
With "Creative Modern Crochet for the Home" novice and experienced crochet enthusiasts alike can:
Get organized with a stylish and practical hanging fruit basket, created from macrame cord and designed to keep your
produce fresh
Snuggle up with a cozy blanket and comfy pillow, made with chunky feather stitch for a stylish geometric finish
Use sturdy raffia yarn to create on-trend storage baskets in four different sizes - perfect for use in any room of the
house
Create a decorative doormat using jute twine for a practical, hard-wearing finish
Make do rather than buy new: update an old vase with a stylish cover, create a new shade for an old lamp and transform
used tins into stunning hanging herb planters.
For a stunningly textured, multi-craft finish, several of the projects comprising "Creative Modern Crochet for the Home"
incorporate touches of weaving and macrame, both of which are also clearly explained. Lucy's stylish designs support a
sustainable lifestyle and will inject colour and joy into any home setting.
Critique: Profusely illustrated throughout in full color, with each crochet project exceptionally 'user friendly' in
organization and DIY presentation, this large format (8.13 x 0.33 x 10.19 inches, 15.2 ounces) paperback edition of
"Creative Modern Crochet for the Home: Stunning projects using simple techniques" from Source Books is also available
in a digital book format (Kindle, $16.51) and is an ideal and unreservedly recommended addition to personal, professional,
and community library Needlecraft/Crochet instructional reference collections.
Editorial Note: Lucy Djevdet is a self-taught crafter, who currently works as a marketing manager for an estate agent. She
regularly creates patterns for leading publications such as Inside Crochet magazine and recently had a design featured on
the cover of Mollie Makes magazine. Lucy sells her patterns via Etsy and on her own website (www.craftingbylucy.co.uk).
She also regularly creates behind the scenes content for other crochet brands such as Bella Coco Crochet. In October2023,
Lucy designed a Crochet along blanket running with the UK's major craft chain Hobbycraft. Lucy lives in the UK.
Gilmore Girls: The Official Knitting Book
Tanis Gray
Insight Editions
www.insighteditions.com
9798886634747, $34.99, HC, 200pp
Amazon
https://www.amazon.com/Gilmore-Girls-Official-Knitting-Through/dp/B0CTYGXR12
Barnes & Noble
https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/gilmore-girls-tanis-gray/1145650493
Synopsis: With the publication of "Gilmore Girls: The Official Knitting Book: Knit Your Way Through Stars Hollow and
Beyond" by Tanis Gray, needlecrafting Gilmore Girls fans can now knit their way through Stars Hollow with this
compendium of easy-to-follow DIY patterns that celebrate the characters, friendships, and knits seen on Gilmore Girls
television series! From hats to scarves to decor, "Gilmore Girls: The Official Knitting Book" brings the warmth of Luke's
Diner, Sookie's kitchen, and Lorelai's inn into our closets and homes.
With "Gilmore Girls: The Official Knitting Book" fans can create one of Lorelai's iconic scarves, get fancy with Richard's
Friday Night Dinner Bowtie, and carry around drum sticks in the adorable drum stick bag inspired by Lane Kim and her
band, Hep-Alien!
Inspired by the beloved and always quirky characters of Stars Hollow, these easy-to-follow patterns feature a mix of fun
and vibrant knits in stunning full-color photography celebrating the on-screen relationships and friendships between
Lorelai, Rory, Emily, Sookie, Lane, Paris, Luke, and many others from this classic series. Fans can bring Stars Hollow to
life with the help of their knitting needles, and create clothing, home decor, holiday decorations, and more that will
transport them to the Dragonfly Inn, Luke's Diner, and beyond!
Critique: "Gilmore Girls: The Official Knitting Book" is a compendium showcasing more than 25 knitting patterns drawn
from Stars Hollow favorites ranging from Rory's Debutante Tunic to Lorelai's Stranded Colorwork Hat. "Gilmore Girls:
The Official Knitting Book" features gorgeous full-color photos of patterns to help ensure knitting success, as well as
celebrate beloved moments from the series. A must for all dedicated Gilmore Girls fans who knit, "Gilmore Girls: The
Official Knitting Book" will prove to be an enduringly welcome addition to personal and community library knitting
instructional guide collections. It should be noted that this hardcover edition of "Gilmore Girls: The Official Knitting
Book" from Insight Editions is also readily available in a digital book format (Kindle, $15.99).
Editorial Note: Tanis Gray (https://www.tanisknits.com) is the author of 11 knitting books including the international
bestseller Harry Potter: Knitting Magic and Star Wars: Knitting the Galaxy. She has over 500 published knitting patterns,
has worked for Vogue Knitting, Martha Stewart, and HBO, was a regularly featured guest on Knitting Daily TV, has
multiple stranded colorwork classes on Bluprint, and teaches knitting worldwide.
The Pets Shelf
Ursula K. Le Guin's Book of Cats
Ursula K. Le Guin
The Library of America
www.loa.org
9781598538298, $16.95, HC, 96pp
Amazon
https://www.amazon.com/Ursula-K-Guins-Book-Cats/dp/1598538292
Barnes & Noble
https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/ursula-k-le-guins-book-of-cats-ursula-k-le-guin/1146800091
Synopsis: Ursula K. Le Guin is an iconic American author. Posthumously published, "Ursula K. Le Guin's Book of Cats"
combines her illustrative artwork with her poetry and commentaries which includes the hard-to-find The Art of Bunditsu,
plus more than 30 other literary cat themed delights from a lifetime of reflection on the mystery and magic of cats
In her words: "The presence of a cat keeps me in touch with the mystery, the unreasonableness, the beauty, the stubborn
wildness of the nonhuman world." In her life as in her art, Ursula K. Le Guin was fascinated by the feline. "Ursula K. Le
Guin's Book of Cats" is an irresistible little volume of poems, meditations, and drawings dedicated to the complicated
creature that captured her imagination.
"Ursula K. Le Guin's Book of Cats" features:
The Art of Bunditsu, Le Guin's hard-to-find "tabbist" meditation on the arranging of cats
Twenty-six cat poems -- many illustrated by Le Guin herself
The Historic First Issue! of Le Guin's one-of-a-kind cat comic book, Supermouse Comix!
Cat Tai Chi, as depicted in a charming series of drawings
Cat Correspondence: letters between Le Guin's cat and those of her daughter detailing the Five Deliberations that cats
spend their lives studying
Critique: Original, unique, clever, quirky and comprised of memorable cat poems, positive meditations, and illustrative
drawings, "Ursula K. Le Guin's Book of Cats" is and a fun read and an ideal gift for cat lovers -- and a 'must' for the
legions of Ursula Le Guin fans! While very highly recommended for community and college/university library collections,
it should be noted for personal reading lists that this hardcover edition of "Ursula K. Le Guin's Book of Cats" from the
Library of American is also readily available in a digital book format (Kindle, $7.99).
Editorial Note: Ursula K. Le Guin (October 21, 1929 - January 22, 2018) was an American author, as well as the recipient
of multiple Hugo, Nebula, Locus, and World Fantasy Awards. In 2014, she was awarded the National Book Foundation
Medal for Distinguished Contribution to American Letters.
(https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/874602.Ursula_K_Le_Guin)
The General Fiction Shelf
The Secret Christmas Library
Jenny Colgan
William Morrow & Company
c/o HarperCollins Publishers
www.harpercollins.com
9780063437371, $18.99, PB, 320pp
Amazon
https://www.amazon.com/Secret-Christmas-Library-Heartwarming-Mysterious/dp/0063437376
Barnes & Noble
https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-secret-christmas-library-jenny-colgan/1146828353
Synopsis: Mirren Sutherland stumbled into a career as an antiquarian book hunter after finding a priceless antique book in
her great aunt's attic. Now, as Christmas approaches, she's been hired by Jamie McKinnon, the surprisingly young and
handsome laird of a Highland clan whose ancestral holdings include a vast crumbling castle.
Family lore suggests that the McKinnon family's collection includes a rare book so valuable that it could save the entire
estate -- if they only knew where it was. Jamie needs Mirren to help him track down this treasure, which he believes is
hidden in his own home.
But on the train to the Highlands, Mirren runs into rival book hunter Theo Palliser, and instantly knows that it's not a
chance meeting. She's all too familiar with Theo's good looks and smooth talk, and his uncanny ability to appear whenever
there's a treasure that needs locating.
Almost as soon as Mirren and Theo arrive at the castle, a deep snow blankets the Highlands, cutting off the outside world.
Stuck inside, the three of them plot their search as the wind whistles outside. Mirren knows that Jamie's grandfather, the
castle's most recent laird, had been a book collector, a hoarder, and a great lover of treasure hunts. Now they must unpuzzle
his clues, discovering the secrets of the house -- forming and breaking alliances in a race against time.
Critique: Original, featuring a roster of deftly crafted characters and a memorable roller-coaster of a plot, with the
publication of "The Secret Christmas Library", author Jenny Colgan serves up an inherently fascinating book lover themed
mystery seasoned for the season with hints of romance, intrigue, and a wealth of holiday spirit! A fun read from cover to
cover, and also available in a digital book format (Kindle, $11.99), this paperback edition of "The Secret Christmas
Library" is especially recommended for personal reading lists and community library Contemporary General Fiction
collections.
Editorial Note: Jenny Colgan (https://www.jennycolgan.com) is the New York Times bestselling author of numerous
novels, including The Christmas Bookshop, The Bookshop on the Corner, Close Knit, and The Summer Skies. Jenny, her
husband, and three children live in a genuine castle in Scotland.
As Long as You're Mine
Nekesa Afia
https://www.nekesaafia.com
Lake Union Publishing
c/o Amazon Publishing
9781662524080, $16.99, PB, 299pp
Amazon
https://www.amazon.com/As-Long-Youre-Mine-Novel/dp/1662524080
Barnes & Noble
https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/as-long-as-youre-mine-nekesa-afia/1147025094
Synopsis: Professional ballerina Thea Ross's world shatters when her screen-legend father commits suicide, leaving behind
a shocking confession to a decades-old murder. Determined to uncover the truth, Thea teams up with a relentless
journalist, following a trail of clues that leads her back to the glittering yet treacherous world of 1930s Hollywood.
There, she discovers the story of Lorelei Davies, a struggling actress willing to endure anything for her family's sake. As
Thea peels back the layers of Lorelei's life (her dreams, fears, and dangerous secrets) the connection between Lorelei's past
and Thea's present challenges everything she believes about her family history. But as she untangles all the lies, she comes
to know herself more truly than ever before.
As Thea navigates the glamorous facade of Old Hollywood, she must decide whether uncovering the truth about her father
is worth sacrificing the life she planned -- and whether some secrets are better left buried in Hollywood's golden age.
Critique: Original, cleverly scripted, and a compulsively fascinating read from start to finish, "As Long As You're Mine"
by novelist Nekesa Afia offers a deft blending of memorable characters, unexpected plot twists, and African-American
history in an historical Hollywood setting. While an extraordinary and recommended pick for both personal reading lists
and community library collections, it should be noted that this trade paperback edition of "As Long As You're Mine" is
also available from Lake Union Publishing in a digital book format (Kindle, $4.99).
Editorial Note: Nekesa Afia (https://www.nekesaafia.com) holds a degree in journalism from Toronto Metropolitan
University and a certificate in publishing from Centennial College. She is also the author of the Harlem Renaissance
Mystery series.
Last Call at the Savoy
Brisa Carleton
Grand Central Publishing
c/o Hachette Book Group
www.hachettebookgroup.com
9781538772881, $29.00, HC, 320pp
Amazon
https://www.amazon.com/Last-Call-Savoy-Brisa-Carleton/dp/1538772884
Barnes & Noble
https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/last-call-at-the-savoy-brisa-carleton/1147078647
Synopsis: Six years ago, Cinnamon Scott was a young writer on the rise in New York City. But since the sudden loss of
her parents, she's been stuck in place, retreating to a life of endless partying -- made possible by the massive fortune she's
inherited. Despite their tragic loss, she and her older sister Rosemary have always had each other to lean on. But now, with
Rosie living in London and about to give birth to twins, Cinnamon feels more lost than ever.
When Rosie is put on bedrest, Cinnamon flies to her sister's side, where she's temporarily living at The Savoy. Immediately
swept away by the beauty and history of the legendary hotel and its famed American Bar, Cinnamon finds ample
opportunity to distract herself. When the late shift bartender tells her the story of Ada Coleman, the woman who crafted the
cocktail recipes The Savoy popularized in its famous handbook a century ago, Cinnamon is inspired by the bartender's
vivid stories of Ada's fearlessness and can't understand why Ada's name is nowhere to be found.
After meeting a handsome historian researching the hotel and realizing that Ada is likely to be once again overlooked,
Cinnamon must decide if she can overcome her demons and stand up for Ada's story. And, along the way, she might just
save her own story too.
Critique: As a novelist, Brisa Carleton exhibits a genuine flair for originality and the kind of narrative driven storytelling
style that raises her novel, "Last Call At The Savoy" to an impressive level of literary excellence. A fun and fascinating
read from start to finish, "Last Call At The Savoy" will hold a very special appeal to readers with an interest in historical
fiction about two sisters, one of which is determined to rescue the Hotel Savoy's first female bartender from an undeserved
obscurity. While especially and unreservedly recommended for personal and community library General Fiction
collections, it should be noted that this hardcover edition of "Las Call At The Savoy" from Grand Central Publishing is
also readily available in a digital book format (Kindle, $15.99).
Editorial Note: Brisa Carleton (https://www.brisacarleton.com) turned her passion for musicals and "flare for the dramatic"
into an award-winning career as a Broadway producer. Three Tony's later, she's worked on numerous productions
including Hamilton, Beautiful and Moulin Rouge. In 2019 at the request of HSH Prince Albert of Monaco Brisa joined his
foundation to lead philanthropy efforts in theater, dance and film on behalf of his mother, Princess Grace Kelly. Most
recently she turned her entrepreneurial spirit to actual "spirits," launching Literati Spirits, a premium vodka created by
book lovers for book lovers. She now spends her days traveling to literary destinations with a martini in one hand and a
manuscript in the other, collecting stories with her husband Mark.
Hemlock Lane
Marshall Fine
www.marshallfine.com
Lake Union Publishing
c/o Amazon Publishing
9781662530487, $16.99, PB, 237pp
Amazon
https://www.amazon.com/Hemlock-Lane-Novel-Marshall-Fine/dp/166253048X
Synopsis: In the summer of 1967, the Levitsky family convenes for a long weekend at their home in the suburbs - an idyllic
holiday for the perfect family.
But Nora has always known better.
Growing up, she learned to tiptoe around her mother Lillian's explosive temper. Her father did the same. Nora's sole
confidante was their housekeeper, Clara, and their bond has only strengthened through the years. In fact, it's all that's
keeping Nora together for her homecoming. But under that lifetime of pressure, the facade is beginning to splinter.
Over the next four days, everyone's secrets are at risk. None more so than what Nora really wants for her life, how Clara
has helped her get it... and how they've orchestrated it all behind Lillian's back.
As the family grapples with the complex ties that bind them, Nora discovers that facing the truth (however painful) might
be the key to finally breaking free. This weekend, Nora's bravest act may be in knowing which bonds to cherish and which
ones need to be gently set aside, making room for a future of her own choosing.
Critique: Original, riveting, eloquently crafted, and an inherently fascinating 'coming of age' novel by an author with a
genuine flair for a narrative driven storytelling style that raises his novel to an impressive level of literary excellence,
"Hemlock Lane" by Marshall Fine is an extraordinary read and will prove to be an immediate and enduringly popular pick
for community library Contemporary General Fiction collections. It should be noted for the personal reading lists of
women's fiction fans that this paperback edition of "Hemlock Lane" from Lake Union Publishing is also readily available
in a digital book format (Kindle, $16.99).
Editorial Note: The career of Marshall Fine (www.marshallfine.com) as a journalist, critic, and filmmaker has spanned
fifty years. Before his successful 2024 fiction debut, "The Autumn of Ruth Winters", Fine wrote biographies of filmmakers
John Cassavetes and Sam Peckinpah, directed documentaries about film critic Rex Reed and comedian Robert Klein,
conducted the Playboy interview with Howard Stern, and chaired the New York Film Critics Circle four times.
The Historical Fiction Shelf
The Royal Artisan
Tessa Afshar
Bethany House Publishers
c/o Baker Publishing Group
www.bethanyhouse.com
9780764245572, $29.99, HC, 368pp
Amazon
https://www.amazon.com/Royal-Artisan-Historical-Fiction-Biblical/dp/0764245570
Barnes & Noble
https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-royal-artisan-tessa-afshar/1147013287
Synopsis: Sazana of Persia creates exquisite pottery that graces Susa's finest tables, but her master, Lord Haman, does not
know her secret: Sazana is one of the Jews he has vowed to eradicate. When Haman discovers her true identity, he forces
her into indentured servitude. But at Haman's sudden downfall, Queen Esther becomes the new master of the pottery
workshop, restoring Sazana to her rightful place.
Yet her troubles are not over as Haman's sons are enraged by his death, and the queen assigns one of her men to root out
any threats. Sazana is shocked to discover the identity of the queen's agent is none other than Jadon, the man who left her
heart in ruins years ago. But despite his presence, danger still lurks, and when Sazana and Jadon become entangled in the
hunt for an ancient artifact, so much more than their own hearts and lives depends on the success of their mission.
Critique: Original, deftly crafted, and a compelling read from start to finish, "The Royal Artisan" will prove to be of
particular and enthusiastic appeal to readers with an interest in Biblical themed historical fiction. A fun and entertaining
blending of romance and intrigue set in Biblical antiquity, this hardcover edition of "The Royal Artisan" from Bethany
House Publishers is especially and unreservedly recommended for community library Historical Fiction collections. It
should be noted for personal reading lists that "The Royal Artisan" is also readily available in paperback (9780764243707,
$18.99) and in a digital book format (Kindle, $18.99).
Editorial Note: Tessa Afshar (TessaAfshar.com) is the author of award-winning biblical fiction and has been on Publishers
Weekly, CBA, and ECPA bestseller lists, as well as translated into thirteen languages. Born in the Middle East, Her
conversion to Christianity in her twenties changed the course of her life. Today Tessa is self-described as being a devoted
wife, a mediocre gardener, and an enthusiastic cook of biblical recipes.
Sonora
Jennie L. Walsh
Harper Muse
c/o HarperCollins Publishers
www.harpercollins.com
9781400246779, $18.99, PB, 400pp
Amazon
https://www.amazon.com/Sonora-Novel-Jenni-L-Walsh/dp/1400246776
Barnes & Noble
https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/sonora-jenni-l-walsh/1147137164
Synopsis: Sonora Webster is penniless young woman but plucky, and despite the looming Great Depression, she follows
her wanderlust, answering an advert to dive with horses. Little does she know that she is about to be thrust into a world
teeming with danger, excitement, and fierce competition.
As Sonora delves into the cutthroat world of show business, complete with trapeze aerial acts and juggling bears, her
undeniable talent and unwavering dedication propel her into the limelight, making her a sensation, and after marrying the
show runner, her entire life becomes their act and their horses. But she soon learns that a diver (and her horse) are only as
good as their last show, a show some are hellbent on shutting down.
When a tragic accident changes her life forever, can Sonora muster the courage to climb the forty-five-foot tower and dive
again, risking her life to save the show and their horses from falling into the wrong hands?
Critique: An original and deftly crafted novel that is based on and inspired by the true story of one of the first women to
dive horses as part of an entertainment act, "Sonora" is raised to an impressive level of literary excellence by the
effectively engaging storytelling style of author Jenni L. Walsh. With an admirable attention to historical detail, "Sonora"
is an especially and unreservedly recommended pick for community library General Fiction collections. It should be noted
for personal reading lists that this paperback edition of "Sonora" from Harper Muse is also readily available in a digital
book format (Kindle, $9.99).
Editorial Note: Jenni L. Walsh (https://www.jennilwalsh.com) worked for a decade enticing readers as an award-winning
advertising copywriter before becoming an author. Her passion lies in transporting readers to another world, be it in
historical or contemporary settings. Jenni is also the author of historical novels Becoming Bonnie, Side by Side, A Betting
Woman, The Call of the Wrens, Unsinkable, and Ace, Marvel, Spy. Additionally, she writes books for children, including
the nonfiction She Dared series and historical novels Hettie and the London Blitz, I Am Defiance, By the Light of Fireflies,
Over and Out, and Operation: Happy. She can be followed on social media at @jennilwalsh
The Literary Fiction Shelf
Burner and Other Stories
Katrina Denza
https://www.katrinadenza.com
Cornerstone Press
c/o University of Wisconsin Press
9781968148126, $24.95, PB, 172pp
Amazon
https://www.amazon.com/Burner-Other-Stories-Katrina-Denza/dp/1968148124
Barnes & Noble
https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/burner-katrina-denza/1147940797
Cornerstone Press
https://bookshop.org/p/books/burner-and-other-stories-katrina-denza/beda1799cb5c3269
Synopsis: With the publication of "Burner and Other Stories", author Katrina Denza presents a series of short stories about
women in conflict: attempting to woo a man via a burner phone, discovering the best friendships are those grounded in
reality, subscribing to a hologram service to speak to a deceased husband, reclaiming power only to realize power is an
illusion, discovering there is no safe haven, confronting the frustrations of being an artist, and reckoning with mistakes
made as a mother.
Although works of carefully scripted fiction, there is an impressive authenticity in showing how women readers so often
find themselves reflected in the characters in these stories as they wrestle with connections and disconnections, highs and
lows, and the vagaries of modernity.
Critique: Original, deftly crafted, the short stories comprising "Burner and Other Stories" showcase author Katrina Denza's
exceptional storytelling skills that raise her anthology to an impressive level of literary excellence. This paperback edition
of "Burner and Other Stories" from Cornerstone Press is especially and unreservedly recommended for personal reading
lists as well as community and college/university library Contemporary Literary Fiction collections.
Editorial Note: The stories of Katrina Denza (https://www.katrinadenza.com) have appeared in Confrontation, Emerson
Review, Jabberwock Review, Nelle, New Delta Review, New World Writing, Passages North, REAL: Regarding Arts &
Letters, and The MacGuffin, among other places.
The Romantic Fiction Shelf
The Austen Affair
Madeline Bell
St. Martin's Griffin
c/o St. Martin's Publishing Group
https://us.macmillan.com/st-martins-griffin
9781250420718, $30.99, HC, 336pp
Amazon
https://www.amazon.com/Austen-Affair-Novel-Madeline-Bell/dp/1250420717
Barnes & Noble
https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-austen-affair-madeline-bell/1146657327
Synopsis: Tess Bright just scored her dream role starring in an adaptation of Jane Austen's Northanger Abbey. It's not just
the role of a lifetime, but it's also her last chance to prove herself as a serious actress (no easy feat after being fired from
her last TV gig) and more importantly, it's her opportunity to honor her mom, who was the biggest fan of Jane Austen ever.
But one thing is standing in Tess's way -- well, one very tall, annoyingly handsome person, actually: Hugh Balfour.
A serious British method actor, Hugh wants nothing to do with Tess (whose Teen Choice Awards somehow don't quite
compare to his BAFTA nominations). Hugh is a type-A, no-nonsense, Royal Academy prodigy, whereas Tess is
big-hearted, a little reckless, and admittedly, kind of a mess. But the film needs chemistry -- and Tess's career depends on
it.
Sparks fly, but not in the way Tess hoped, when an electrical accident sends the two feuding co-stars back in time to Jane
Austen's era. 200 years in the past with only each other to rely on, Tess and Hugh need to ad-lib their way through the
Regency period in order to make it back home, and hopefully not screw up history along the way. But if a certain someone
looks particularly dashing in those 19th century breeches... well, Tess won't be complaining.
Critique: Original, witty, and a deftly crafted blend of time travel science fiction, romance, and second chances, "The
Austen Affair" is a fun and fascinating read from start to finish. A 'must' for the legions of Jane Austen fans, time travel
sci-fi fans, and believers in true romance overcoming time and space, "The Austen Affair" is an ideal pick for community
library collections. It should be noted for personal reading lists that this hardcover edition of "The Austen Affair" from St.
Martin's Griffin is also available in paperback (9781250373519, $19.99) and in a digital book format (Kindle,
$11.99).
Editorial Note: Madeline Bell (https://us.macmillan.com/author/madelinebell) grew up in Poughkeepsie, NY and holds an
MFA in Creative Writing from Columbia University. Like any rom-com heroine worth her salt, she is a lovably clumsy
New Yorker with an office job in a creative field.
We Met Like This
Kasie West
Saturday Books
c/o Macmillan
www.macmillan.com
9781250349149, $19.00, HC, 368pp
Amazon
https://www.amazon.com/We-Met-Like-This-Novel/dp/1250349141
Barnes & Noble
https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/we-met-like-this-kasie-west/1146657386
Synopsis: Can a swipe right turn into swept away?
Margot Hart is a hopeless romantic. That's why she wants to be a literary agent -- to help bring romance books to the
world. It's also why she hates dating apps with all her romance loving soul. She wants her own love story to be just as
much fun as the books she reads -- a mixed up coffee order, a mistaken identity. She's not going to tell the story that she
swiped right on future husband's shirtless pic for the rest of her life.
The problem is that her most consistent relationship over the last several years is with Oliver, a guy she keeps rematching
with on the apps. They've only been on one date and it was a disaster... well, until the make out session in the car before
parting ways. But, she keeps reminding herself, a make out session does not a relationship make. And so there will not be a
date two regardless of how witty their app banter is.
When Margot gets fired from her job on the same day she meets Oliver again, her life becomes a veritable shit show. Her
dream career is dying right before her eyes, and Oliver thinks she's interested in only one thing: a repeat of the hot make
out session they had three years ago so she can get him out of her system. And maybe that is all she wants from him,
because she and Oliver are definitely not compatible -- he doesn't hit the snooze button, he runs five miles every morning,
he reads nonfiction, and worst of all, she didn't meet him in cute way!
But in her scramble to keep her dream career alive, by opening her own agency, Oliver is there with his golden retriever
energy, more steady and helpful than any man she's ever dated. Just when she thinks she's overcome her app bias, she
realizes that maybe it's not her who's holding back, but him. And his reasons are more than she bargained for.
Critique: As the impressively talented author of a number of young adult romance novels, Kasie West now turns to writing
a more adult Rom-Com story of romance, sex and laced with humor banter -- all artfully combined to present a fun read
from start to finish. Original, cleverly crafted, and a Rom-Com fan's delight, "We Met Like This" is an extraordinary and
unreservedly recommended for community library Contemporary Romance collections. It should be noted for personal
reading lists that this paperback edition of "We Met Like This" from Saturday Books is also readily available in a digital
book format (Kindle, $11.99).
Editorial Note: Kasie West (http://www.kasiewest.com) is the author of more than fifteen (and counting) young adult
novels. Her books have been named ALA-YALSA Quick Picks, Junior Library Guild Selections, and ALA-YALSA Top
Ten Best Books for Young Adults. Her books have been translated into more than twenty languages. Kasie is also the
author of We Met Like "We Met Like This" is her adult novel debut.
The Mystery/Suspense Shelf
Death at the Door
Olivia Blacke
Minotaur Books
c/o St. Martin's Publishing Group
www.minotaurbooks.com
9781250336705, $28.00, HC, 352pp
Amazon
https://www.amazon.com/Death-Door-Cordelia-Mystery-Mysteries/dp/1250336708
Barnes & Noble
https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/death-at-the-door-olivia-blacke/1146701017
Synopsis: Ruby Young is slowly adjusting to her new life in Boston. A big part of that is her unexpected roommate -- the
ghost of the woman who lived there before. For while Cordelia Graves may no longer be breathing, it is still her apartment
and Ruby is the somewhat unwanted houseguest.
They're both happy they've managed to become friends, which is a miracle considering they struggle to communicate with
each other. Cordelia even set Ruby up with her old job.
But when Ruby discovers the body of a delivery guy at work, the new life she's been building hangs in the balance. The
last time Cordelia dragged Ruby into a murder investigation, it was almost two ghosts living in the apartment, not
one.
Determined to protect Ruby, Cordelia tries to shield her from the investigation, but Ruby has other ideas. It will take both
of them working together to navigate the fine line between the dead and the living to bring a killer to light.
Critique: A delicious blending of the supernatural with the cozy mystery, "Death at the Door" by Olivia Blacke is an
original, imaginative, and just plain fun read from cover to cover. The sequel to the author's supernatural crime solving
novel, "A New Lease on Death", we are once again introduced to the unique murder mystery sleuthing team of Ruby and
Cordelia in a deftly crafted 'whodunnit' novel that will leave the reader looking eagerly toward the next thrilling adventure
of a human/ghost crime solving duo. While especially and unreservedly recommended for community library
Mystery/Suspense collections, it should be noted that this hardcover edition of "Death at the Door" is also readily available
for personal reading lists in a digital book format (Kindle, $14.99).
Editorial Note: Olivia Blacke (https://oliviablacke.com) is the Anthony Award-winning author of the Ruby and Cordelia
Mysteries, as well as the cozy Record Shop Mysteries and the Brooklyn Murder Mysteries. She had her first ghost
encounter when she was five, but wasn't involved with an active crime scene until much later, when she accidentally
stepped into a chalk outline on a Manhattan sidewalk. Armed with a Criminology degree, she channels her love of the
supernatural and passion for writing into darkly humorous supernatural mysteries.
O, Deadly Night
Vicki Delany
Crooked Lane Books
www.crookedlanebooks.com
Blackstone Publishing
https://www.blackstonelibrary.com
9798892421874, $29.99, HC, 320pp
Amazon
https://www.amazon.com/Deadly-Night-Year-Round-Christmas-Mystery/dp/B0DT3VY4ZD
Barnes & Noble
https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/o-deadly-night-vicki-delany/1147464401
Synopsis: It's Christmastime in Rudolph, New York, which means it's time for the December Santa Claus parade. This
year, shop owner Merry Wilkinson has decided to decorate her float as Santa's elves' workshop and invites her landlady,
Mabel D'Angelo, to help supervise the excited children playing the elves. But when Mrs. D'Angelo doesn't show up, Merry
begins to worry.
Worry quickly turns into frustration when Mrs. D'Angelo reveals she was delayed by new neighbors moving in. As the
center for all things gossip, Mrs. D'Angelo is determined to introduce the new arrivals to the neighborhood. As the days
pass, Mrs. D'Angelo notices strange things about the newcomers, but Merry, busier than an elf in Santa's workshop, has
little time for matters that really don't concern her. But things turn from jolly to downright concerning when Mrs. D'Angelo
disappears and Merry is forced to admit that something might be terribly wrong.
With family and friends counting on her during this stressful holiday season, it is up to Merry to make sure this Christmas
doesn't end up wrapped in blood red.
Critique: Simply stated, author Vicki Delany is a master of the cozy mystery genre and her latest novel, "O, Deadly Night:
A Year-Round Christmas Mystery" is another carefully crafted and simply riveting read from start to finish. Original
plotting, an amateur female sleuth, a puzzling murder -- all set against an Xmas backdrop, "O, Deadly Night" will prove to
be an especially popular pick for library Cozy Mystery collections all year long! Looking for a Christmas themed cozy
mystery? The be advised for the personal reading lists of dedicated Vicki Delany fans that this hardcover edition of "O,
Deadly Night" from Crooked Lane Press is also readily available in a digital book format (Kindle, $14.99) and as a
complete and unabridged audio book (Blackstone Publishing, 9798228659636, $45.20).
Editorial Note: Vicki Delany (https://vickidelany.com) is one of Canada's most prolific and varied crime writers and a
national bestseller in the US. She has written more than fifty books: clever cozies to Gothic thrillers to gritty police
procedurals to historical fiction and novellas for adult literacy. She is a past chair of the Crime Writers of Canada and
cofounder and organizer of the Women Killing It Crime Writing Festival. She is the recipient of the 2019 Derrick Murdoch
Award for contributions to Canadian crime writing. Vicki lives in Prince Edward County, Ontario.
(https://www.bookseriesinorder.com/vicki-delany)
Death on Dickens Island
Allison Brook
Crooked Lane Books
www.crookedlanebooks.com
9798892420488, $29.99, HC, 320pp
Amazon
https://www.amazon.com/Death-Dickens-Island-Books-Mystery/dp/B0DTP955N1
Barnes & Noble
https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/death-on-dickens-island-allison-brook/1147464345
Synopsis: Delia Dickens has come home to Dickens Island, a small island in the Long Island Sound, after a twelve-year
stint in Manhattan. She's looking forward to helping her father revitalize the general store that the family owns as well as
curating a small book nook. Most importantly, she wants to reunite with her fifteen-year-old son. But Dickens Island isn't
the peaceful town Delia remembers -- and she might be in more danger here than she ever was in the big city!
Delia's Aunt Reenie and Uncle Brad, both prominent community leaders, are at odds over the sale of a farm and its future
use. This has created friction, not only in their marriage, but amongst the citizens of the town. When a young woman, new
to the town council and friendly with Brad, is found murdered, everything escalates and reaches a new boiling point.
With Reenie and Brad both suspects in the case and at each other's throats, the townspeople start to take sides. When the
ghost of her grandmother visits her, Delia learns how past events have impacted the present, and it is up to her to expose
the farm's sordid secrets in order to catch a murderer and restore peace to her beloved island.
Critique: A part of author Allison Brook's 'On The Beach' mystery series, "Death On Dickens Island" is an especially well
constructed 'whodunnit' in the cozy mystery style of a murder mystery that involves an amateur female sleuth, interestingly
fashioned characters, and a wealth of unexpected plot twists and turns. Original, clever, and a fun read from cover to cover,
"Death On Dickens Island" is an especially recommended pick for community/public library Mystery/Suspense collections.
It should be noted for the personal reading lists of dedicated cozy mystery fans that this hardcover edition of "Death on
Dickens Island" from Crooked Lane Press is also readily available in paperback (9798892422536, $19.99) and in a digital
book format (Kindle, $14.99).
Editorial Note: Allison Brook (https://www.marilynlevinson.com/about) writes mysteries, romantic suspense, and novels
for young readers. She loves traveling, reading, knitting, doing Sudoku, and visiting with her grandchildren, Olivia and
Jack, on FaceTime. She lives with her feisty red cat, Sammy, on Long Island, where she writes her charming Haunted
Library mysteries. (https://cozy-mystery.com/allison-brook.html)
The Queen Who Came in from the Cold
S. J. Bennett
Crooked Lane Books
www.crookedlanebooks.com
9798892420921, $29.99, HC, 336pp
Amazon
https://www.amazon.com/Queen-Who-Came-Cold-Investigates/dp/B0DWX1PMSL
Barnes & Noble
https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-queen-who-came-in-from-the-cold-s-j-bennett/1147464343
Synopsis: 1961, England. -- Queen Elizabeth is spending a night on board the royal train with her entourage and her sister,
Princess Margaret. But before they reach their destination, an unreliable witness claims to have seen a brutal murder from
one of the carriages.
The Queen and her assistant private secretary, Joan McGraw, get to work on their second joint investigation. No one else
saw the crime. If there is a victim, could he be the missing photographer friend of Margaret's new husband, Tony
Armstrong Jones?
This time, the Cold War threatens to undermine the Queen's upcoming visit to Italy. She and Joan must tackle dark forces
that follow them all the way, in a tale of spies, lies, and treachery!
Critique: "The Queen Who Came In From The Cold" is the fifth novel comprising author S. J. Bennett's unique cozy
mystery series 'Her Majesty The Queen Investigates'. Original, deftly crafted, and a fun read from cover to cover, this latest
murder mystery solving adventure by the Queen will prove to be an immensely popular and special addition to community
library Mystery/Suspense collections. It should be noted for the personal reading lists of cozy mystery fans that this
hardcover edition of "The Queen Who Came In From The Cold" from Crooked Lane Press is also readily available in
paperback (9798892425339, $19.99) and in a digital book format (Kindle, $14.99). It of interest to those new to the gifted
storytelling style of mystery author S. J. Bennett that this first four novels comprising this series include: "The Windsor
Knot", "A Three Dog Problem", "Murder Most Royal", and "A Death in Diamonds".
Editorial Note: S. J. Bennett (https://www.sjbennettbooks.com) was born in Yorkshire, England, and lives in London. An
army child, she grew up traveling around the world. Her first novel was published when she was forty-two, after a varied
career and lots of procrastination. She is the award-winning author of several books for children and teaches and podcasts
about writing.
Dying Cry: A Timber Creek K-9 Mystery
Margaret Mizushima
Crooked Lane Books
www.crookedlanebooks.com
Dreamscape Media
https://www.dreamscapepublishing.com
9798892421959, $29.99, HC, 288pp
Amazon
https://www.amazon.com/Dying-Cry-Timber-Creek-Mystery/dp/B0DT3Z7VLT
Barnes & Noble
https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/dying-cry-margaret-mizushima/1147464432
Synopsis: Newlyweds Mattie and Cole Walker are teaching Cole's daughters how to snowshoe in a remote canyon when a
shattering scream pierces the air. They know that somewhere ahead, someone has been injured or worse. Cole takes the
girls while Mattie and Robo go deeper into the canyon to search for the source of the scream.
From a distance, Mattie and Robo see a shadowy figure at the base of a cliff, but a rockslide buries the person under layers
of stone and shale before they can provide help. Desperate to uncover the individual in case they're still alive under the
rock, their efforts are in vain. The victim is already dead. When they investigate the canyon rim from which the person fell,
they discover evidence that indicates the fall was no accident. To make matters worse, the victim was one of Cole's
friends.
The Timber Creek County investigative team springs into action, uncovering a trail of greed that leads to a killer who
threatens Mattie's cherished new family and tests her with the most difficult task she's faced in her duty as a K-9
handler.
Critique: The tenth title in author Margaret Mizushima's 'A Timber Creek K-9 Mystery' series, "Dying Cry" is another
unique, deftly crafted, and riveting novel of murder, mystery, and suspense featuring the police dog Robo. Memorable,
engaging, and a fun read for dedicated fans of animal accompanied female sleuths, crime thrillers and police procedurals,
"Dying Cry" is an ideal addition to community library Mystery/Suspense collections. It should be noted for personal
reading lists that this hardcover edition of "Dying Cry" from Crooked Lane Press is also readily available in a digital book
format (Kindle, $14.99) and as a complete and unabridged audio book (Dreamscape Media, 9798228696280, $41.99).
Editorial Note: Margaret Mizushima (https://margaretmizushima.com) writes historical novels and contemporary
mystery/suspense novels. She has authored ten novels in the Timber Creek K-9 mystery series. She has served as past
president of the Rocky Mountain Chapter of Mystery Writers of America and was elected 2019 Writer of the Year by
Rocky Mountain Fiction Writers. Her short story "Hayhook" was published in the Rocky Mountain Fiction Writers 2014
anthology, Crossing Colfax.
Murder Two Doors Down
Chuck Storla
Crooked Lane Books
www.crookedlanebooks.com
9798892423342, $29.99, HC, 304pp
Amazon
https://www.amazon.com/Murder-Two-Doors-Down-Homicide/dp/B0DT3KSSBX
Barnes & Noble
https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/murder-two-doors-down-chuck-storla/1147464300
Synopsis: Brad Hanson's life in his suburban Atlanta subdivision is unremarkable. He investigates insurance fraud, which
is as dull as it sounds, though if he's able to get a good bonus this year, his wife, Rhonda, will finally get to have her new
kitchen. His highest achievement in life is being secretary and de facto parliamentarian on the homeowners association
board, which is the center of all the neighborhood drama.
As frustrating - and heated - as the arguments over tennis court resurfacing and dog droppings may be, much like his
subdivision compatriots, Brad would never kill a neighbor, but... he might enjoy thinking about it from time to time. (Who
hasn't?)
When someone murders cranky old Inga Oskarsdotter - a frequent source of complaints to the HOA board - a literal
smoking gun turns Brad into the chief suspect. But Brad is not waiting around to be arrested - after all, he is an investigator
by trade - and he takes it upon himself to find the real killer. Then the body count starts to rise.
One thing is sure: A murderer on the block is not good for property values.
Critique: Impressively original, exceptionally compelling, deftly crafted, laced throughout with humor, originality, and
providing the reader with a first class 'whodunnit' murder mystery, "Murder Two Doors Down" by novelist and humorist
Chuck Storla is especially and unreservedly recommended for community/public library Contemporary Mystery/Suspense
collections. Clever and a fun read from cover to cover, it should be noted for the personal reading lists of dedicated
mystery fans that this hardcover edition of "Murder Two Doors Down" from Crooked Lane Press is also readily available
in paperback (9798892423366. $19.99) and in a digital book format (Kindle, $14.99).
Editorial Note: After graduating with a bachelor's degree in liberal arts, Chuck Storla considered following his muse until
he saw her checks bounce because of insufficient funds. Instead, Chuck joined a well-known and occasionally well-run
computer manufacturer. Upon leaving the corporate world, he rediscovered his inner artist. Chuck also discovered the great
thing about being a writer is that the barrier to entry is incredibly low. He has learned humor can be an effective way to
deal with anger while avoiding almost all legal consequences. His short piece of fiction, "I Chat, Therefore I Am," was
runner-up for the 2023 Terry Kay Prize. You can find other examples of his writing in past editions of The eQuill, a
publication of the Atlanta Writers Club. and visit his website at: https://www.chuckstorla.com
A Wonderful Christmas Crime
Jacqueline Frost
Crooked Lane Books
www.crookedlanebooks.com
Dreamscape Media
https://www.dreamscapepublishing.com
9798892421973, $29.99, HC, 288pp
Amazon
https://www.amazon.com/Wonderful-Christmas-Crime-Tree-Mystery/dp/B0DTPDMQXL
Barnes & Noble
https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/a-wonderful-christmas-crime-jacqueline-frost/1147464306
Synopsis: As Christmas descends on Mistletoe, Maine, Holly White has an extra gift for the season: a new baby on the
way. Her husband, Sheriff Evan Gray, has been worried about her elevated blood pressure, and Holly has agreed to take
this year easy. Being idle has never been one of Holly's gifts, so when Evan surprises her with tickets to the town-wide
dinner, she and her many cravings thank him. But when a thief tries and fails to steal an antique ornament from the dinner's
holiday display, it's clear that someone is on the naughty list.
The thief manages to escape, but after dinner, Holly spots their lifeless body. It's clear that someone in town was keen to
kill. Evan is less than jolly to find his wife at the scene of yet another holiday homicide and asks her to promise that she'll
leave the investigating to the police. But Holly has never been one to turn down a challenge and has to get creative with the
help of a few of her friends in order to find this killer.
Will she and her friends be able to stop the killer and uncover the motive behind the attempted robbery, or will the killer
strike again and paint the town a bloody red?
Critique: Simply stated, as a novelist author Jacqueline Frost is a master of the cozy mystery genre and with the publication
of "A Wonderful Christmas Crime" she once again demonstrates her originality and genuine flair for the kind of narrative
driven storytelling style that has earned her legions of devoted fans. The stuff of which Hallmark Channel Mystery Movies
are made, "A Wonderful Christmas Crime" is a fun read for mystery buffs and a prized pick for community library
Contemporary Mystery/Suspense collections. It should be noted that this hardcover edition of "A Wonderful Christmas
Crime" from Crooked Lane Press is also available in a digital book format (Kindle, $14.99) and as a complete and
unabridged audio book (Dreamscape, 9798228696297, $49.99, CD).
Editorial Note: Julie Anne Lindsey (www.julieannelindsey.com) is an award-winning author of more than fifty novels of
mystery and romantic suspense. She also writes under the pen names Bree Baker, Jacqueline Frost, and Julie Chase.
Murder Made Her Wicked
Elizabeth Hobbs
Crooked Lane Books
www.crookedlanebooks.com
Blackstone Publishing
https://www.blackstonelibrary.com
9798892423236, $29.99, HC, 336pp
Amazon
https://www.amazon.com/Murder-Made-Her-Wicked-Marigold/dp/B0DWX9LBFN
Barnes & Noble
https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/murder-made-her-wicked-elizabeth-hobbs/1146996068
Synopsis: 1894, Boston. Penniless Boston heiress and accomplished modern woman Marigold Manners has put her past to
good use, selling the story of the Great Misery Island Murders to earn enough money to resume the life she was always
meant to have and return to her studies at Wellesley College.
But her carefully laid plans for academic excellence are thrown into disarray when she stumbles across the body of a young
woman in the campus lake.
When the peace of the bucolic campus is shattered by the murder, the cloistered world of a women's college that Marigold
finds so comforting proves it is not immune to the malice and wickedness of the world. The closed community becomes a
hothouse where disparagement blooms into insult and small slights that have festered for years blossom into academic
rivalries that could spill over into something far more sinister.
Marigold must use every ounce of her logic and enlist her eccentric, colorful cast of fellow students and found family to
identify the girl and find the murderer -- before they kill again.
Critique: With all the elements for a good cozy mystery, author Elizabeth Hobbs' new novel, "Murder Made Her World" is
impressively original while blending an historical 'whodunnit' murder mystery with an amateur female sleuth who feels a
compelling necessity to tracking down the culprit to prevent further bloodshed. A fun and compulsively engaging page-
turner of a read from cover to cover, this hardcover edition of "Murder Made Her World" from Crooked Lane Press is a
welcome and recommended pick for community library Historical Mystery/Suspense Fiction collections. It should be noted
for the personal reading lists of dedicated cozy mystery and historical mystery fans that "Murder Made Her World" is also
available in paperback (9798892424837, $19.99), in a digital book format (Kindle, $14.99), and as a complete and
unabridged audio book (Blackstone Publishing, 9798228659612, $49.95, CD)
Editorial Note: Elizabeth Hobbs (https://www.elizabethhobbsauthor.com) is a New Englander born and bred who spent her
childhood roaming the woods, making up stories about characters who live far more exciting lives than she. It wasn't
always so -- long before she ever set pen to paper, Elizabeth graduated from Hollins College with a BA in classics and art
history and then earned her MA in nautical archaeology from Texas A&M University. While she loved the life of an
underwater archaeologist, she has found her true calling writing historical mysteries full of wit, wickedness, and
adventure.
The Tarot Reader
Finley Turner
Crooked Lane Books
www.crookedlanebooks.com
9798892423076, $29.99, HC, 336pp
Amazon
https://www.amazon.com/Tarot-Reader-Novel-Finley-Turner/dp/B0DP44TPY6
Barnes & Noble
https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-tarot-reader-finley-turner/1146606059
Synopsis: Twenty-five-year-old Jade Crawford spends her days selling crystals, conducting seances, and reading tarot cards
in her shop in Winston-Salem, NC. But her connection to the other side is all a facade. After losing their mother to a
terrible accident and their father serving jail time, Jade and her younger sister Stevie do what they can to survive. When a
local politician goes missing, Jade sees a lucrative opportunity to drum up new clients and inject some much-needed cash
into their pockets.
Jade submits a "psychic vision" to the police tipline only to discover that her shot in the dark is chillingly accurate when
the police find the politician's body. Caught in a media whirlwind, Jade revels in her newfound popularity and success, but
she quickly finds herself the target of not only a police investigation but of the killer who is still on the loose.
Critique: Original, clever, and one compulsive page turner of a read from start to finish, "The Tarot Reader" showcases
novelist Finley Turner's compelling and imaginative storytelling style which raises her murder mystery to an impressive
and memorable level of literary excellence. A fun and fascinating read that will hold immense appeal for suspense/thriller
fans, "The Tarot Reader" is a solid and recommended pick for community and public library Contemporary
Mystery/Suspense collections. It should be noted for personal reading lists that this hardcover edition of "The Tarot
Reader" from Crooked Lane Press is also available in paperback (9798892423076, $19.99) and in a digital book format
(Kindle, $14.99).
Editorial Note: Finley Turner (https://www.finleyturner.com) is a thriller writer. Initially convinced she wanted to be a
professor, she got her master's in religious studies at Wake Forest University, focusing on new religious movements, cults,
and religious violence. During her program, she applied for a student position in the university library and quickly realized
she would rather be an academic librarian than be at the front of a classroom teaching. She worked as an archivist at Wake
Forest University for six years after getting her master's in library and information science from UNC Greensboro. She
now writes and parents full time.
The Deadly Book Club
Lyn Liao Butler
Crooked Lane Books
www.crookedlanebooks.com
9798892422215, $29.99, HC, 320pp
Amazon
https://www.amazon.com/Deadly-Book-Club-Thriller/dp/B0DTPCH8RX
Barnes & Noble
https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-deadly-book-club-lyn-liao-butler/1147164064
Synopsis: Five of the most prominent book influencers in the US make up an exclusive virtual book club that's the envy of
the online book world. Once a month, they get on a video call to sip cocktails, chat about social media campaigns and book
events, and discuss their monthly book club pick.
Until one meeting, when all of their screens freeze, and they listen to gut wrenching screams as one of them is brutally
attacked. It feels like an eternity before the video call drops -- and thus begins the frantic texts and phone calls as they try
to figure out who was murdered and why.
As the investigation unearths secrets each of them needs to keep buried, the jealousies, hidden resentments, and trouble in
their personal lives begin to surface. The remaining four women are suspicious of each other, pointing fingers to take the
heat off their own indiscretions.
But if they want to figure out who killed their friend, they need to band together and put past hurts behind them. Or one of
them will be next.
Critique: Deftly crafted, impressively original, and an inherently fascinating read, "The Deadly Book Club" by novelist Lyn
Liao Butler is a riveting thriller of a murder mystery that will keep the reader's full and compulsive page turning attention
from cover to cover. While certain to be an immediate and enduringly popular pick for community/public library
Contemporary Mystery/Suspense collections, it should be noted for personal reading lists that this hardcover edition of
"The Deadly Book Club" from Crooked Lane Press is also available in paperback (9798892422918, $19.99) and in a
digital book format (Kindle, $14.99).
Editorial Note: Lyn Liao Butler (https://lynliaobutler.com) is a Taiwanese American author. Her thriller Someone Else's
Life was an instant Amazon bestseller and her second book Red Thread of Fate was a finalist in the WFWA Star Awards
for 2023. She and her family, including two rescue dogs and a myriad of foster animals, divide their time between New
York and Kauai.
How to Talk to Your Dog About Murder
Emily Soderberg
Crooked Lane Books
www.crookedlanebooks.com
9798892423458, $29.99, HC, 336pp
Amazon
https://www.amazon.com/How-Talk-Your-About-Murder/dp/B0DTPKB2NF
Barnes & Noble
https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/how-to-talk-to-your-dog-about-murder-emily-soderberg/1147543008
Synopsis: Nikki Jackson-Ramanathan is struggling to get her pet behaviorist business off the ground, making ends meet as
a dog walker while keeping her eyes peeled for greener pastures. An appointment in a rich suburb of Saint Louis seems to
be her ticket to success. The wealthy Mrs. Van Meer wants Nikki to help the family's old hound dog, who is grieving the
loss of his owner. But then Mrs. Van Meer turns up dead.
With a multitude of suspects like the sketchy landscaper, the judgy housekeeper, and the rest of Mrs. Van Meer's
money-obsessed family members, Nikki's happy to sit back and let the police solve the crime. Until she learns that Mrs.
Van Meer's will leaves Nikki in charge of a sizable amount of money and the police start dogging her every step.
Life would be a lot easier if she just had to deal with the animals, but Nikki resolves to catch the real culprit and convince
the cops they're barking up the wrong tree.
Critique: Original, clever, engaging, and an ideal pick for the personal reading lists of dog lovers and cozy mystery fans
alike, "How to Talk to Your Dog About Murder" is a fun read from cover to cover. Author Emily Soderberg has a
particularly effective storytelling style that fully engages her readers and will leave them looking eagerly toward's her next
'whodunnit' mystery. While especially and unreservedly recommended for community and public library Mystery/Suspense
collections, it should be noted for personal reading lists of dedicated cozy mystery enthusiasts that this hardcover edition of
"How to Talk to Your Dog About Murder" from Crooked Lane Press is also readily available in paperback
(9798892423465, $19.99) and in a digital book format (Kindle, $14.99).
Editorial Note: Emily Soderberg (https://emilysoderberg-books.com) has always loved reading and writing mysteries. She
was born and raised in Little Rock, Arkansas, only moving away for college. She graduated with honors from Washington
University in St. Louis, where she studied religious studies and German, subjects that have come in handy exactly twice in
her professional career. She's lived in St. Louis ever since, because moving seems like a huge hassle. These days, she
spends her free time up in the air as a trapeze and aerial hoop coach. She might be tempted to run off and join the circus,
but her cats prefer a more settled lifestyle.
Death on a Scottish Train
Lucy Connelly
Crooked Lane Books
www.crookedlanebooks.com
Dreamscape Media
https://www.dreamscapepublishing.com
9798892421911, $29.99, HC, 240pp
Amazon
https://www.amazon.com/Death-Scottish-Train-Isle-Mystery/dp/B0DT3MYX11
Barnes & Noble
https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/death-on-a-scottish-train-lucy-connelly/1147464303
Synopsis: Summer is coming to a close on beautiful Sea Isle in Scotland, and Dr. Emilia McRoy is celebrating one year
since her big move. With a weeklong festival to end the season, the town gathers for a magical ride on the newly
refurbished Storyteller's Train, but the launch's success is dampened by an unexpected death.
What appears to be a case of deadly allergies is soon revealed as murder. As Emilia, her assistant Abigail, and the local
constable Ewan McGregor unravel the mystery, the killer sets their murderous intentions on them.
If they want to survive, they will need the help of all of their friends -- before they become the latest victims!
Critique: "Death on a Scottish Train" is the newest addition to author Lucy Connelly's simply outstanding cozy mystery
series 'A Scottish Isle Mystery'. Played out against the backdrop of Scotland, and featuring an amateur female murder
mystery solving protagonist, along with all the essentials of a classic cozy mystery, "Death on a Scottish Train" is a fun and
absorbing read from cover to cover. While certain to be an immediate and enduringly popular pick for community and
public library Mystery/Suspense collections, it should be noted for the personal reading lists that this hardcover edition of
"Death on a Scottish Train" from Crooked Lane Press is also readily available in a digital book format (Kindle, $14.99).
For librarian be it noted that "Death on a Scottish Train" is a complete and unabridged audio book (Dreamscape Media,
9798228696235, $39.99, CD).
Editorial Note: Lucy Connelly (https://www.lucyconnelly.com) is also the author of "An American in Scotland". She
travels around the world, usually with her bossy dog in tow. Her favorite pastime is sipping tea in a quaint cafe as she turns
each passerby into a murder victim, witness, or suspect. If she stares at you strangely, don't worry. She only murdered you
in her book!
To Kill a Queen
Amie McNee
Crooked Lane Books
www.crookedlanebooks.com
9798892423557, $29.99, HC, 288pp
Amazon
https://www.amazon.com/Kill-Queen-Novel-Amie-McNee/dp/B0DWX747Q6
Barnes & Noble
https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/to-kill-a-queen-amie-mcnee/1147431766
Synopsis: London, 1579. In the treacherous alleyways of London, Jack has left behind the life of petty crime, hoping to
atone for the past by rooting out murderers. As the eldest child of a notorious and infamous figure who controls the slums,
Jack has no safe place to land and dreams of a future off the streets. When an attempt is made on the Queen's life, it falls to
Jack to catch the would-be assassin and fight for a different future.
With the help of a coroner, Damian; a sultry barmaid with a secret; and the criminal connections from Jack's past, the
unlikely investigator dives into the case. But the former thief's informants keep turning up dead, and every lead seems to
vanish just when it feels within reach. As Jack follows the trail deeper into danger, the question becomes: Who can truly be
trusted?
With the promise of security and redemption hanging overhead, Jack must uncover who orchestrated the assassination
attempt before time runs out in this historical mystery, perfect for fans of Tasha Alexander.
Critique: Exceptionally well crafted and skillfully written, "To Kill A Queen" showcases author Amie McNee's impressive
mastery of the historical mystery genre. An original and fun read from start to finish, "To Kill A Queen" is an extraordinary
and especially recommended pick for community/public library Mystery/Suspense collections. It should be noted for the
personal reading lists of dedicated historical murder mystery fans that this hardcover edition of "To Kill A Queen" from
Crooked Lane Press is also readily available in paperback (9798892423564, $19.99) and in a digital book format (Kindle,
$14.99).
Editorial Note: Amie McNee (https://www.amiemcnee.com) is an author, speaker, and podcaster. Her fiction novels
include The Rules Upheld by No One and Regrettably, I Am About to Cause Trouble, which explore the lives of women in
16-century England. In addition to her fiction, Amie is the author of We Need Your Art, a manifesto on the vital
importance of creating. Through her online platform, Inspired to Write, and her podcast, The Unpublished Podcast, Amie
shares inspirational pep-talks, guidance, resources, and teachings with a worldwide community of both aspiring and
flourishing artists. Amie currently splits her time between speaking, writing, and creating spaces for artists to thrive,
always driven by the belief that storytelling is one of humanity's most profound acts of connection.
The Lost Heiress
Elizabeth Klehfoth
https://www.elizabethklehfoth.com
Lake Union Publishing
c/o Amazon Publishing
9781662529955, $16.99, PB, 397pp
Amazon
https://www.amazon.com/Lost-Heiress-Novel-Elizabeth-Klehfoth/dp/1662529953
Barnes & Noble
https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-lost-heiress-elizabeth-klehfoth/1147226965
Synopsis: Wealthy heiress Saoirse Towers vanished during her eighteenth birthday gala four decades ago. Now her
remains have finally been found under Cliffhaven, the aristocratic family's mansion high atop the windswept Central Coast
of California. But the mystery only deepens... for her skeleton is not alone.
In 1982, Ana Rojas arrives to care for the supposedly frail Saoirse, who turns out to be a beautiful, spirited young woman
straining against her family's standards. But Ana bears secrets of her own. She's come to Cliffhaven with a hidden agenda,
one complicated by her growing feelings for Saoirse's handsome brother.
But it's formidable housekeeper Florence Talbot who truly holds the key to the past -- a locked box teeming with secret
betrayal, forbidden love, and hard-won redemption. Casting a long shadow, one tragedy binds the three women's lives
together. And as the truth about Saoirse's fate and those it entangled comes to light, the legacy of Cliffhaven will be forever
changed.
Critique: An deftly crafted work of historical fiction that blends mystery with suspense, romance and history, "The Lost
Heiress" showcases author Elizabeth Klehfoth's genuine flair for originality and the kind of storytelling style that fully
engages her reader's attention from cover to cover. Memorable and engaging, "The Lost Heiress" will prove to be a
welcome addition to community and public library Historical Mystery/Suspense collections. It should be noted for personal
reading lists that this trade paperback edition of "The Lost Heiress" from Lake Union Publishing is also readily available in
a digital book format (Kindle, $4.99).
Editorial Note: Elizabeth Klehfoth (https://www.elizabethklehfoth.com) studied creative writing, earning her BFA from
Chapman University and her MFA from Indiana University, where she also taught fiction writing and composition. An an
author, Elizabeth published her first novel, "All These Beautiful Strangers", in 2018.
Hired Lover / Summer Hotel
Orrie Hitt
Stark House Noir Classics
c/o Stark House Press
www.starkhousepress.com
9798886011142, $19.95, PB, 266pp
Amazon
https://www.amazon.com/Hired-Lover-Summer-Hotel-Orrie/dp/B0DM2PYVBF
Barnes & Noble
https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/hired-lover-summer-hotel-orrie-hitt/1146548798
Synopsis: Two time lost classics of Noir Fiction by Orrie Hitt are brought back into print for the benefit of a new
generation of appreciated readers in the form of a Stark House Press double:
Hired Lover
Mike Callahan was a drifter -- a handsome one, sure, but still just a drifter. His life lacked meaning, lacked direction...
until his path crossed that of Kitty Grey. Kitty was the complete package - a beautiful girl whose body just wouldn't quit.
From that moment Mike was captivated. With a girl like Kitty beside him, he could go places, be someone. There was only
one problem. Kitty's husband.
David Grey was an old man, dried-up, worn-out, a fabulously wealthy businessman who was sick and just waiting to die.
And that was where the second problem came into it. David Grey was taking his own sweet time about dying. Kitty wanted
to hurry that process along, give it a little... help. And if Mike provided that help, he knew he could have Kitty
forever.
All it would take was a little murder...
Summer Hotel
On the surface, the Parsons Ranch was just another summer resort. In fact it was a glorified brothel, where just about
anything went. Men and women could indulge their wildest fantasies - and they did. Mac Osmond had run a similar set up
once before, and as the manager, he was the guy who'd paid the price when the police raided the place.
That made Mac virtually unemployable... so he jumped at the chance when he was asked to manage the Parsons Ranch.
But the desirable Diana Shipton played her part, too. Mac wanted her from the minute he clapped eyes on her. The only
problem was, she was already married.
But George Shipton was an older man, and he was virtually crippled by diabetes. If someone was to hide George's insulin,
then just maybe Diana wouldn't stay married for long...
Critique: With an informative Introduction by Jeff Vorzimmer, this paperback edition of "Hired Lover / Summer Hotel" by
Orrie Hitt is a fascinating read that will be of special appeal to readers with an interest in Noir Crime Fiction by a master of
the genre. Highly recommended for community library Mystery/Suspense collections, it should be noted for personal
reading lists that this paperback edition of "Hired Lover / Summer Hotel" is also readily available from Stark House Press
in a digital book format (Kindle, $5.99).
Editorial Note: Orrie Hitt was born in Colchester, New York, on October 27, 1916. He married Charlotte Tucker in Port
Jervis, New York, where they settled and had four children. Hitt wrote approximately 150 books over a period of about 14
years while sitting at his kitchen table surrounded by iced coffee, noisy children and Winston cigarettes. In his prime, he
wrote a new novel every two weeks. Though most of his books are now categorized as sleaze novels, Orrie Hitt perfectly
captured the not-so-quiet desperation of the working class in the continual search for sex, money and happiness. He died in
a VA hospital in Montrose, New York, from cancer on September 7, 1975.
The Fantasy/SciFi Shelf
Witches of Honeysuckle House
Liz Parker
Alcove Press
www.alcovepress.com
9798892422901, $29.95, HC, 320pp
Amazon
https://www.amazon.com/Witches-Honeysuckle-House-Liz-Parker/dp/B0DTP1LQ5Z
Barnes & Noble
https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/witches-of-honeysuckle-house-liz-parker/1146801208
Synopsis: Florence and Evie Caldwell have long disagreed on how to break their family's curse, and tension has been high
since their mother's death thirteen years ago. Honeysuckle House, the family estate where every Caldwell has lived, now
only houses one of the sisters. Evie has crafted it into an enchanted bed-and-breakfast while Florence runs a magical
bookstore in town, refusing to even set foot inside Honeysuckle House.
But when the house starts behaving dangerously and catches fire, Florence and Evie must set aside their differences and
dig into past generations of their family and the town's history before the curse claims someone they love.
Critique: Original, deftly crafted, and a fun read from cover to cover, "Witches of Honeysuckle House" by novelist Liz
Parker is an impressive blending of suspense, romance, fantasy and sisterhood that makes it an ideal and welcome pick for
both personal reading lists and community library collections. It should be noted that this hardcover edition of "Witches of
Honeysuckle House" from Alcove Press is also readily available in paperback (9798892421997, $19.99) and in a digital
book format (Kindle, $14.99).
Editorial Note: Liz Parker (https://www.lizparkerwrites.com) is also the author of "In the Shadow Garden", and "The Other
March Sisters". An herbalist and a witch, Liz lives in Los Angeles and is a practitioner of tarot, of astrology, and enjoys
talking to plants.
An Amateur Witch's Guide to Murder
K. Valentin
Alcove Press
www.alcovepress.com
9798892423427, $29.99, HC, 336pp
Amazon
https://www.amazon.com/Amateur-Witchs-Guide-Murder-Novel/dp/B0DT3S7DX3
Barnes & Noble
https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/an-amateur-witchs-guide-to-murder-k-valentin/1146913080
Synopsis: Mateo's mother forbade him from ever using magic, but now that she's gone, magic's his only marketable skill,
and he'd really like an exorcism -- which costs money he doesn't have. What's the harm in making a quick buck by calling
himself an Occult Specialist and chanting a few half-remembered spells in his crappy Spanish?
Enter Topher, a naive nepo baby with a curse that keeps killing people around him. Most importantly, he's rich and too
clueless to perceive that Mateo and his astral projecting best friend Ophelia have never actually had a client before. Lifting
Topher's bad luck curse should be simple, but as luck would have it, nothing is simple, and Topher (who Mateo sort of,
kind of likes) might be at the center of a deadly magical conspiracy.
To make matters worse, the more magic Mateo does, the stronger the demon inside him grows and the more he wants to
eat people. But would caving to the urges of an ancient evil really be that bad if it helps him get a payday?
Critique: Part fantasy, part mystery, part suspense thriller, and a thoroughly fun read from start to finish, it is all the more
impressive when considering that "An Amateur Witch's Guide to Murder" is author K. Valentin's debut as a novelist.
Original, clever, deftly scripted, "An Amateur Witch's Guide to Murder" is an extraordinary and solidly recommended
addition to personal and community library Romantic Fantasy and action/adventure LGBTQ+ themed collections. It should
be noted that this hardcover edition of "An Amateur Witch's Guide to Murder" from Alcove Press is also available in
paperback (9798892423434, $19.99) and in a digital book format (Kindle, $14.99).
Editorial Note: K. Valentin (https://www.kvalentin.com) works as a senior art director in casual gaming, herding
twenty-plus amazing artists into some semblance of organization. She has been published in the Bag of Bones Horror
Anthology, the Latino Book Review, and Cosmos: An Anthology of Dark Microfiction. As a comic writer and illustrator,
her work has been published in Puerto Rico Strong and Proud: An LGBTQ+ YA Anthology. She has a BA in creative
writing from Southern New Hampshire University.
Tarou: The Fall
Dana Fredsti and David Fitzgerald
Blackstone Publishing
https://www.blackstonelibrary.com
9798874748449, $19.99, PB, 390pp
Amazon
https://www.amazon.com/Tarou-Dana-Fredsti-David-Fitzgerald/dp/B0F4GPXBTB
Barnes & Noble
https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/tarou-dana-fredsti/1147266296
Synopsis: The magnificent empire of Tarou is a panoply of dreams and wonder, the envy of the world. Its ships rule the
seas and air, its magics and science bring forth new learning, and its tutelary gods smile upon all the many peoples and
cultures of its shining lands. But even now, at the peak of its glory, the highest religious leaders of Tarou secretly dream of
even greater power--enough to wrest the empire from its rightful rulers.
Alia is a warrior without equal, but even a captain as great as she must bow to the demands of duty. With her arranged
marriage only weeks away, she, her betrothed, and their escort undertake the journey to the empire's capital--but
unexpected hazards lie in wait.
Magpie is a petty thief and con artist, hoping to score big during the Imperial Festival--though his timing could not be
worse.
However, none of them are prepared when a forbidden magical experiment goes wrong, unleashing an apocalypse that
engulfs the city. Before their paths converge, they all must face a cataclysm unlike any the world has ever seen ...
Swords, Wands, Cups, and Coins. Emperor and Empress, High Priestess and Hierophant. Light and Dark. Life and Death.
The evocative symbolism and arcana bound up within the cards of the tarot have fascinated seekers for centuries. Now the
heroic fantasy novel "Tarou: The Fall", co-authored by Dana Fredsti and David Fitzgerald, imagines the reality that
inspired the mystical -- the real fantasy world of which all our rich tarot imagery is but a shadow.
Critique: Whether it's called Heroic Fantasy, Swords & Sorcery, or Historical Fantasy, "Tarou: The Fall" clearly documents
co-authors Dana Fredsti and David Fitzgerald as masters of the genre and that their new novel (inspired by the Tarot) is a
simply riveting read from cover to cover. Original, deftly crafted, fascinating, "Tarou: The Fall" is an extraordinary and
unreservedly recommended addition to personal reading lists, as well as community/public library Fantasy Fiction
collections. It should be noted that this paperback edition of "Tarou: The Fall" from Blackstone Publishing is also available
in a digital book format (Kindle, $9.99) and as a complete and unabridged audio book (Blackstone Publishing,
9798212563680, $35.95, CD).
Editorial Note: Dana Fredsti (http://danafredsti.com) is the author of the Plague Town trilogy, and an actress with a
background in theatrical sword fighting whose screen credits include the cult classic Army of Darkness. She has been a
producer, director, and writer for stage and film. David Fitzgerald is an award-winning fiction and nonfiction author and
editor. His works include Nailed, The Complete Heretic's Guide to Western Religion, Under the Kilt, and Demon Lovers
(co-edited with Dana Fredsti).
Editorial Note #2: David Fitzgerald (https://www.davidfitzgeraldauthor.com) is an author living in Dublin, Ireland and the
founder of Dark Legend Books. A graphic designer by profession, David has been fascinated by epic fantasy from a very
young age. Dark Legend: Beyond the Mountain, is his first novel and Book One in The Dark Legend Saga. Book Two is
due to be released mid-2026.
The Coloring Book Shelf
Epic Quests
Illustrated by Sanjay Charlton
Ninth Bridge Books
c/o BenBella Books
BenBellaBooks.com
9781637747865 $16.95
Amazon
https://www.amazon.com/Epic-Quests-Coloring-Dungeons-Monsters/dp/1637747861
Synopsis: Embark on an epic coloring adventure!
Launch a thrilling and creative campaign into the pages of Epic Quests and bring RPG legend and lore to life. Venture into
the forest and brave the deepest darkest dungeons to face page after page of terrifying beasts, powerful wizards, heroic
halflings, and glorious dragons. Game masters and fans of all ages will enjoy adding a touch of color to iconic characters
and magical realms.
Encounter the ornate wonder of 38 hand-drawn fantasy illustrations
Revel in a creative coloring escape designed for true fans of role-playing games
Tear out and share your finished pieces thanks to single-sided, perforated pages
Brave the dangers that befall you and let your imagination take the lead with Epic Quests.
Critique: Inspired by role-playing games and fantasy adventures, Epic Quests is an all-ages coloring book that will
especially appeal to fans of both tabletop RPGs and video game RPGs. The 38 hand-drawn illustrations show striking
poses of heroes and monsters, as well as climactic moments of legendary battles. There are also some uniquely memorable
pictures, such as a dwarf blacksmith forging a sword with help from a shoulder-riding dragon companion, who adds a blast
of fire in just the right spot! Artist Sanjay Charlton shows his love of the genre in these high-quality images ready for just
the right splash of color from any art materials. Each illustration is on its own detachable page, ideal for display, or even
the enhancement of a weekly gaming session! Highly recommended.
Editorial Note: Sanjay Charlton is a graphic designer and illustrator for animation, advertising, and children's books.
Sanjay has been a devoted fan of comic books and fantasy since he was a young boy growing up in the countryside of
Jamaica. Today, he lives and works in Jamaica.
The Music CD Shelf
Live in St. Louis, Senegal
Raphael Pannier Quartet, Khadim Niang, & Sabar Group
https://www.raphaelpannier.com
Miel Music
$23.00 CD / $TBA digital
Raphael Pannier's Website
https://www.raphaelpannier.com/shop
French drummer, bandleader, composer, and educator Raphael Pannier presents Live in St. Louis, Senegal, an exciting live
recording of Raphael Pannier's quartet collaborating with highly skilled jazz and sabar (a type of traditional drum)
musicians in the West African nation of Senegal. They performed together during Senegal's Saint Louis International Jazz
Festival, the largest jazz festival on the continent. Live in St. Louis, Senegal is a cultural fusion that captures the musical
expression of a lifelong dream made real, and choice pick for international jazz enthusiasts. Highly recommended! The
tracks are Lonely Woman; Take Five; Xalat Bou Set; Naima; Hommage to Doudou N'Diaye Rose; Sine Saloum; and
Djolokanete!
Angel Falls
Sylvie Courvoisier, pianist and composer
Wadada Leo Smith, trumpeter and composer
Intakt Records
$TBA CD / $15.80 digital
Bandcamp
https://sylviecourvoisier.bandcamp.com/album/angel-falls-24bit-hi-res-96khz
Angel Falls is the first duo collaboration between pianist Sylvie Courvoisier and trumpeter Wadada Leo Smith. All songs
are the original creations of Courvoisier and Smith. The instrumental tracks evolve and shift, reflecting both music artists'
skill in improvisation as well as composition. Angel Falls is an enthralling tour de force, highly recommended especially
for free jazz connoisseurs. The tracks are Olo'Upnea and lightning; Naomi Peak; Whispering Images; A Line Through
Time; Vireo Bellii; Angel Falls; Sonic Utterance; and Kairos.
Contemporaneous
Pat Petrillo
https://patpdrummer.com
Innervision Records
$16.56 CD / $37.98 vinyl / $9.49 MP3
Amazon
https://www.amazon.com/Contemporaneous-Pat-Petrillo/dp/B0F6KDVK8M
Pat Petrillo's website
https://patpdrummer.com/shop
Drummer-composer Pat Petrillo presents Contemporaneous, a genre-defying jazz album of instrumental songs composed
(or co-composed) by Pat Petrillo and performed by Petrillo with a vibrant grand ensemble of world-class musicians on
bass, guitar, keys, trumpet, trombone, tenor sax, alto sax, and even more special guests. The result is an exciting,
multifaceted performance that ranges from jazz fusion to R&B/funk, and world music. Contemporaneous is an
extraordinary musical adventure that reaches beyond the limits of expectation and imagination, highly recommended
especially for connoisseurs of avant-garde artistry! The tracks are Fused (Chris Fischer/Pat Petrillo); Late Night Dinner
(Fischer/Petrillo); How's the Weather? (Ron Hayden/Petrillo); Summer in Philly feat. Will Donato (Hayden/Petrillo); On
the Regular (Hayden/Petrillo); Contemporaneous (Petrillo); Grizzle (Petrillo); Dirty Jerz (Petrillo); Sunset Sound Studios 2
(Petrillo); Weekend Vibe (Petrillo) and Glide in My Stride (Petrillo).
Octopus Dreams
Bruce Gertz quintet
brucegertz.com
Privately Published
$TBA CD / $9.03 MP3
Amazon
https://www.amazon.com/Octopus-Dreams-Bruce-Gertz-Quintet/dp/B0FC6FQRGX
Octopus Dreams, is an original, instrumental album of songs composed by Bruce Gertz and performed by the Bruce Gertz
quintet: Gertz on bass; Phil Grenadler on trumpet and flugelhorn; Rick DiMuzio on tenor saxophone; Gison Schachnik on
piano; and Gary Fieldman on drums. Together they have created a post-bob sensation brimming with timeless depth and
mysticism. A musical journey to expand the mind and soothe the spirit, Octopus Dreams is a choice pick for avant-garde
jazz connoisseurs and highly recommended. The tracks are Power Walk; Octopus Dreams; Sea Worthy; Mr. Z; I'm Busy;
Redacted; and Opening.
Take It To The Sky
Motivation
Privately Published
$TBA CD / $9.03 MP3
Amazon
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0FPPN8GHF
Take It To The Sky is an extraordinary jazz funk album performed by a talented 21-person ensemble of vocalists, horn
players, string players, piano and organ players, guitar players, bass players, and percussionists. Together they perform
rapturous renditions of songs from a variety of creators; all tracks are masterfully arranged by Bill Runge. An exciting
musical adventure in fine-tuned collaboration, Take It To The Sky is a joy to experience and highly recommended
especially for ensemble jazz enthusiasts. The tracks are T-Jam (George Duke); Prelude (William Runge); Take It To The
Sky (Maurice White/Lorenzo Russell Dunn/Charles Alexander Glenn Jr.); Skyscrapers (Eumir Deodato); Never Let Me
Go (Joseph Wade Scott); Free As The Wind (Joe Sample); and You Can't Even Walk In The Park (Johnny Pate; from
"Shaft in Africa").
Divine Apology
Saku Mantere
sakumantere.ca
Orchard of Pomegranates
$TBA CD / $10.00 CAD digital
Bandcamp
https://sakumantere.bandcamp.com/album/divine-apology
Composer, vocalist, and bandleader Saku Mantere presents Divine Apology, a vocal jazz album of original songs primarily
composed by Saku Mantere, although many tracks have co-composers. Saku Mantere's captivating vocals are supported by
Kate Wyatt on piano, Adrian Vedady on bass, Jim Doxas on drums Lex French on trumpet, Eric Hove on alto saxophone,
and Bohdanna Novak on vocals for "Not Fair". Divine Apology is both emotional and philosophical, with songs that
weave stories. What does it mean for the divine to extend an "apology", whether as a gesture of regret or as a defense of
what is? Divine Apology does not have direct answers, but the contemplative music may aid the listener in their own
journey of discovery. Divine Apology is highly recommended for both personal and public library vocal jazz collections.
The tracks are Meditation (Saku Mantere/Norman Cristofoli); Sorrow (Mantere/Cristofoli); Do Not Go Gentle Into That
Good Night (Mantere/Dylan Thomas); Lapin Aidin Kehtolaulu (Kalervo Hamalainen); Not Fair (Mantere); Velvet
(Mantere); The Last Romantic (Mantere/Cristofoli); Ensin Toinen (Mantere/Teemu Laajasalo); Emerald Angel
(Mantere/Cristofoli); and Marty's Song (Mantere/Cristofoli).
Let's Not Wait: The Music of Ed Bonoff
Greg Burrows
gregburrows.net
GreBu Records
Privately Published
$TBA CD / $12.00 digital
Bandcamp
https://gregburrows.bandcamp.com/album/lets-not-wait-the-music-of-ed-bonoff
The second music album dedicated exclusively to the compositions and arrangements of New York composer, arranger,
and drummer Ed Bonoff (the first was "The Human Factor" released in 1997 by trombonist Eddie Bert), Let's Not Wait:
The Music of Ed Bonoff is a celebration of Bonoff's storied life and sensational works. All compositions are by Ed Bonoff
unless otherwise noted in the track list. Drummer Greg Burrows, a long-time friend and musical partner of Bonoff, is the
driving force behind this incredible tribute. With Bonoff's express blessing, Burrows assembled an extraordinary lineup of
talent: Tim Armacost on tenor and soprano saxes; Gary Smulyan on baritone sax; Jon Fumasoli on trombone; Al Orlo on
guitar (for "Shout 'em, Aunt Tillie"); Hiroshi Yamazaki on piano; Rich Zurkowski on double bass; and Greg Burrows
himself on drums and percussion. A vivacious musical soundscape from first track to last, Let's Not Wait is highly
recommended. The tracks are Piazza Navona; Meatloaf and Margaux; It Just Gets Better; Shout 'Em, Aunt Tillie (Duke
Ellington); Spruce Alley; Let's Not Wait; Ellington/Strayhorn Medley (Duke Ellington/Billy Strayhorn); Le Corbeau de
Chavignol; Acadian Nights; and Mitosis.
City Lights
Anthony D'Alessandro
www.anthonydalessandro.ca
Privately Published
$25.00 CAD CD / $13.00 CAD digital
Bandcamp
https://anthonydalessandro.bandcamp.com/album/city-lights-2
Toronto-based pianist Anthony D'Alessandro presents City Lights, a jazz album of swinging original songs, including one
ballad with sublime vocals by Jennarie. All songs are composed by D'Alessandro except for the ballad "Oversight", which
is co-composed with Jennarie, and the final tracks "Charleston" and "Harlem Strut", which are composed by James P.
Johnson. In addition to D'Alessandro's masterful piano artistry, City Lights showcases the talent of a full suite of
performers: Summer Camargo on trumpet, Jacob Chung on tenor saxophone, Jonathan Chapman on bass, and Ernesto
Cervini on drums. City Lights is a rhythmic celebration of urban life and a welcome addition to jazz music libraries, highly
recommended! The tracks are Four Minute Mile; Staying the Course; Sacred Ground; City Lights; The Line Up; Oversight;
Green Sauce; Charleston; and Harlem Strut.
For the Record
Pete Mills
https://petemills.com
Mighty Ernie Records
$TBA CD / $9.49 MP3
Amazon
https://www.amazon.com/Record-Pete-Mills/dp/B0FK82F5S7
Saxophonist Pete Mills presents For the Record, a genre-defying album of original songs composed and performed by a
talented four-man band Pete Mills on tenor saxophone; Jon Eshelman on Hammond B3 organ; Tom Davis on electric
guitar; and Zach Compston on drums. Each of the four composed one or more of For the Record's instrumental tracks. For
the Record is reflects the band's years of shared artistry on stage, reflecting both their individual talents and the layered
complexity of their cohesive performance. For the Record is a choice pick, highly recommended especially for jazz
connoisseurs! The tracks are For the Record (Jon Eshelman); The Kid (Pete Mills); Bird Lives (Pete Mills); Kenny, Ken
(Tom Davis); Z is for Zadie (Zach Compston); Jammy Git (Tom Davis); The Visitor (Tom Davis); Step On It (Tom
Davis); and Baby Simon (Zach Compston).
Hieroglyph & Stuttering
Nick Joz
Endectomorph Music
https://www.endectomorph.com
$TBA CD / $12.00 digital
Bandcamp
https://nickjoz.bandcamp.com/album/hieroglyph-stuttering
Experimental bassist and composer Nick Joz presents Hieroglyph & Stuttering, an album of original songs blending
electronic and acoustic elements through extensive editing and mixing. Joz began the creative process by assembling a
talented team of music artists: Joanna Mattrey on violin, John McCowen on clarinet and other reeds, Peter Evens on
trumpet and piccolo trumpet, Mark Gardner on modular electronics, and Nick Joz himself on contra-bass and cello. The
musicians created marvels of improvisation with minimal instructions; then Joz undertook the years-long editing process
to craft an album that listeners would enjoy and want to experience repeatedly. Hieroglyph & Stuttering is a choice pick for
connoisseurs of avant-garde, multi-disciplinary electro-acoustic music, highly recommended. The tracks are Stuttering(1);
Stuttering (2); Hieroglyph(a); Stuttering(3); Hieroglyph(b); Stuttering(4); Hieroglyph(c); Stuttering(5); Hieroglyph(d);
Suttering(6); Stuttering(7); and Hieroglyph(e).
The Computer Shelf
Getting to Know ArcGIS Enterprise
Jon Emch, Diana Muresan, and Travis Ormsby
ESRI Press
www.esri.com/esripress
9781589488557, $159.99, HC, 298pp
Amazon
https://www.amazon.com/Getting-Know-ArcGIS-Enterprise-Emch/dp/1589488555
Barnes & Noble
https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/getting-to-know-arcgis-enterprise-jon-emch/1146141708
Synopsis: ArcGIS Enterprise is the foundational software system for GIS, powering mapping and visualization, analytics,
and data management. Collaboration and flexibility are central to ArcGIS Enterprise, allowing you to organize and share
your work on any device, anywhere, at any time. A thorough knowledge and understanding of ArcGIS Enterprise is
essential to increasing the ability to work with others and remain responsive and resilient in today's increasingly
demanding and changing business environment.
Co-authored by the team of Jon Emch, Diana Muresan and Travis Ormsby, "Getting to Know ArcGIS Enterprise" covers
the essential skills of planning, deploying, administering, using, and maintaining ArcGIS Enterprise. It addresses the most
common and vital workflows ArcGIS Enterprise administrators need to understand.
The topics covered by "Getting to Know ArcGIS Enterprise" include:
Understanding prerequisites and base deployment,
Security settings basics,
Managing users and content,
Publishing ArcGIS manager and user-managed data,
Maintaining data flows between the source geodatabase and clients,
Consuming web layers for editing and spatial analysis,
Sharing your work,
Collaborating with other organizations,
Troubleshooting,
Backups and restoration, -- and more!
"Getting to Know ArcGIS Enterprise" is an ideal choice for professionals, educators, and students who want to learn or
teach modern GIS skills or who may be working to become certified as an ArcGIS Enterprise Administrator through the
Esri certification program. Written by experts at Esri, Getting to Know ArcGIS Enterprise provides essential information
for modern GIS administrators.
Critique: Comprehensive, up-to-date, and thoroughly 'reader/student' friendly in organization and presentation, this large
format (7.5 x 2 x 9.25 inches, 1.74 pounds) hardcover edition of "Getting to Know ArcGIS Enterprise" is an ideal textbook
for personal, professional, and college/university library GIS Programming collections and supplemental Remote Sensing
and Geographic Information Systems (GIS) curriculum textbook studies lists.
Editorial Note #1: Jon Emch is a senior technical lead for ArcGIS Enterprise in Esri Support Services. Jon has been
working on troubleshooting ArcGIS Enterprise through technical support since 2017. He holds a degree in geography with
a minor in GIS from Virginia Polytechnic Institute.
Editorial Note #2: Diana Muresan is a product engineer on the geodatabase software development team at Esri. Diana
received a BA and MS in geomatics from Babe -Bolyai University in Romania and a MEng in civil engineering and GIS
from University of Colorado, Denver.
Editorial Note #3: Travis Ormsby is a principal technical lead on Esri's Training Services team. Travis has a BA in
anthropology from Grinnell College, an MA in teaching from the University of St. Thomas, and an MGIS from the
University of Minnesota.
The Sports Shelf
Glacier Climbing & Crevasse Rescue: Essential Skills for Snow Travel
Ian Nicholson
Mountaineers Books
www.mountaineersbooks.org
9781680516449, $34.95, PB, 336pp
Amazon
https://www.amazon.com/Glacier-Climbing-Crevasse-Rescue-Essential/dp/1680516442
Barnes & Noble
https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/glacier-climbing-crevasse-rescue-ian-nicholson/1147066085
Synopsis: Through clear text and detailed step-by-step photos, with the publication of "Glacier Climbing & Crevasse
Rescue: Essential Skills for Snow Travel", IFMGA certified guide Ian Nicholson introduces the hazards climbers face and
describes everything they need to know when scaling snow-covered mountains, including foundational ropework, the tools
of the trade (ice axes, crampons, harnesses, snow pickets, and so on), basics of footwork, essential techniques for moving
on snow and ice, trip planning and navigation, rigging ropes, building anchors, belaying, rappelling, self-rescue tips and
techniques, and more.
Beyond these fundamentals, "Glacier Climbing & Crevasse Rescue" also dives deep into methods for rescuing a climber
who has fallen into a crevasse, how skiers and snowboarders can approach such a scenario, and the hazards related to
expeditions. The inclusion of Sidebars by expert contributors highlight key takeaways from real-life stories about valuable,
life-changing lessons they've learned.
Critique: Instructively illustrated with color photography throughout, "Glacier Climbing & Crevasse Rescue: Essential
Skills for Snow Travel" by glacier climbing and rescue expert Ian Nicholson has created a comprehensive and thoroughly
'reader/user friendly' instructional how-to manual featuring each and every essential skill and technique for safely traveling
across steep snow and glaciers. Especially and unreservedly recommended for intermediate and advanced climbers,
"Glacier Climbing & Crevasse Rescue: Essential Skills for Snow Travel" is a unique and comprehensive step-by-step
instructional guide on glacier climbing and crevasse rescue. It should be noted that "Glacier Climbing & Crevasse Rescue:
Essential Skills for Snow Travel" is recommended by AMGA (American Mountain Guides Association). An essential and
basic addition to personal, professional, community, and college/university library Winter Sports & Survival collections, it
should be noted that this trade paperback (6.8 x 0.8 x 8.4 inches, 1.7 pounds) edition of "Glacier Climbing & Crevasse
Rescue: Essential Skills for Snow Travel" from Mountaineers Books is also readily available in a digital book format
(Kindle, $33.20)
Editorial Note: Ian Nicholson (www.mountaineers.org/members/ian-nicholson-2) is an IFMGA certified mountain guide
and has been guiding around the world for nearly two decades. Passionate about self-rescue, Nicholson has earned two
Denali Pro Pin Awards for helping to save other climbers and works on the National Instructor Team for both the AMGA
and AIARE.
Ralph Branca and the Meaning of Life
Bob Mitchell
McFarland & Company
https://mcfarlandbooks.com
9781476698328, $29.95, PB, 196pp
Amazon
https://www.amazon.com/Ralph-Branca-Meaning-Life-Mitchell/dp/1476698325
McFarland & Company
https://mcfarlandbooks.com/product/ralph-branca-and-the-meaning-of-life
Synopsis: Much ink has been spilled on writing about Ralph Branca, Bobby Thomson, and the famous "Miracle at
Coogan's Bluff" pennant playoff game in October of 1951.
"Ralph Branca and the Meaning of Life" by Bob Mitchell takes a novel approach to the history and context of this
venerated game, never before attempted in such terms. This bit of baseball history and biography considers that Dodgers
pitcher and that uniquely dramatic game as actual metaphors for the human condition.
In a thought-provoking odyssey, Mitchell unpeels the metaphorical layers of this baseball onion by discussing the profound
psychological effects of winning and losing in America; the concepts of shame, hope, injustice, failure, and luck; and
Branca as a conflicted and complex, flawed yet sympathetic Everyman.
And, finally, by comparing Ralph's situation (surprisingly and revealingly) to similar "crimes and punishments" in world
literature, from Biblical icons Adam and Job to the protagonists of Sophocles, Hawthorne, Dostoevsky, Kafka, and Camus,
"Ralph Branca and the Meaning of Life" is a memorable work of baseball history and analysis that stands as the only
endeavor of its kind, demonstrating the universality of America's game of baseball to the human condition.
Critique: Original, deftly crafted, thought-provoking, iconoclastic, "Ralph Branca and the Meaning of Life" by Bob
Mitchell is an extraordinary, informative, and inherently fascinating account of a life in baseball, and a baseball game that
has been rescued from obscurity and rightly classified as iconic. While this paperback edition of "Ralph Branca and the
Meaning of Life" is especially recommended for community and college/university library American Baseball
History/Biography collections, it should be noted for personal reading lists that it is also available from McFarland &
Company in a digital book format (Kindle, $19.99).
Editorial Note: Bob Mitchell (https://bobmitchellbooks.com) holds a PhD in French and Comparative Literature from
Harvard, has had careers as a French professor (Harvard, Purdue, Ohio State), is an award-winning advertising creative
director, and a teaching tennis pro. He is also the author of 13 books, including a memoir, a collection of poems, two essay
collections, and three novels about sports and life.
The Theatre/Cinema/TV Shelf
Streaming Wars
Charlotte Henry
Kogan Page Inc.
www.koganpage.com
9781398622555, $31.99, HC, 264pp
Amazon
https://www.amazon.com/Streaming-Wars-Getting-Everything-Entertainment/dp/1398622559
Barnes & Noble
https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/streaming-wars-charlotte-henry/1146743874
Synopsis: Streaming broadcasters have given consumers all the content they could ever want. But at what cost?
With the publication of "Streaming Wars: How Getting Everything We Wanted Changed Entertainment Forever",
journalist Charlotte Henry explores the seismic shifts behind the rise of platforms like Netflix, Disney+, Apple TV+,
Spotify, Amazon Prime, Paramount and more. From Hollywood's 2023 strikes to the race for sports rights, the growth of
ad-supported tiers and the decline of traditional TV, she reveals how streaming has disrupted not only media economics,
but also the power structures that define what gets made and who gets seen.
As AI, rebundling and fierce competition drive a new phase in the streaming era, "Streaming Wars" offers a sharp,
accessible look at what's next for companies, creators and audiences alike. Whether you're a casual viewer or a media
professional, "Streaming Wars" is your essential guide to the business battles transforming the entertainment industry.
Critique: Impressively comprehensive, detailed and thoroughly 'reader friendly' in organization and presentation,
"Streaming Wars: How Getting Everything We Wanted Changed Entertainment Forever" must be considered essential
reading for anyone with an interest in how this new and continuing to evolve technology will impact the entertainment
industry and consumer behavior. A fascinating, informative, and thought-provoking study, "Streaming Wars: How Getting
Everything We Wanted Changed Entertainment Forever" is a vital and unreservedly recommended addition to personal,
professional, community, corporate, and college/university library collections. It should be noted for students, academia,
entrepreneurs, film and television content producers, and non-specialist general readers with an interest in the subject that
this hardcover edition of "Streaming Wars: How Getting Everything We Wanted Changed Entertainment Forever" from
Kogan Page is also available in paperback (9781398622548, $19.99) and in a digital book format (Kindle, $19.99).
Editorial Note: Charlotte Henry is a journalist covering tech, media and politics. Her byline has appeared in publications
including City AM, the Independent on Sunday, The Times Red Box, the Telegraph, the TLS. Charlotte runs her own
media outlet, The Addition, which gives insight into the crossover of media, technology and culture. She is based in
London, UK.
Not Coming to a Theater Near You!
Bryan Kristopowitz
BearManor Media
www.bearmanormedia.com
9798887718255, $40.00, HC, 330pp
Amazon
https://www.amazon.com/Coming-Theater-Near-Direct-Video/dp/B0FS5LS38W
Barnes & Noble
https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/never-coming-to-a-theater-near-you-kenneth-turan/1006040722
BearManor Media
https://www.bearmanormedia.com/products/not-coming-to-a-theater-near-you
Synopsis: Globetrotting mercenaries! Ruthless assassins! Sci-fi apocalypses! Cyborg ninjas! Ex- Special Forces Operators!
Real badass scumbum cops! Down-and-dirty hand-to-hand martial arts brawls! Car chases! Gun battles galore! Knife
fights! Explosions! All of that (and more!) is what makes up the direct-to-video action movie genre, especially early 2000s
Direct To Video (DTV) action flicks.
But what early 2000s DTV action flicks are worth your time?
With the publication of "Not Coming to a Theater Near You!: 50 Great Direct-to-Video Action Flicks of the Early 2000s",
Cinema historian and B-movie enthusiast Bryan Kristopowitz showcases fifty full reviews of early 2000s DTV action
flicks featuring such badass action stars as Steven Seagal, Dolph Lundgren, Jean-Claude Van Damme, Wesley Snipes,
Mark Dacascos, Don "The Dragon" Wilson, "Stone Cold" Steve Austin, Scott Adkins, Olivier Gruner, and even Oscar
winner Cuba Gooding, Jr.,
"Not Coming to a Theater Near You!" will help cinema fans to discover, rediscover, and celebrate the sort of movie that
used to fill the shelves of video stores and now can usually be found on myriad streaming services. With "Not Coming to a
Theater Near You!" some of the best of the direct-to-video action movie genre will be brought to your attention in the
privacy of your own home.
Critique: The reviews for the films comprising "Not Coming to a Theater Near You!: 50 Great Direct-to-Video Action
Flicks of the Early 2000s" are deftly organized chronological by year from 2001 (Shadow Fury) to 2012 (The Girl from the
Naked Eye). Of special note is the inclusion of three interviews: Chad Law (screenwriter for Hero Wanted), Steve Latshaw
(screenwriter of Command Performance), Brett A. Hart (writer/director of Bone Dry), a three page listing of
Acknowledgments, and a thirteen-page Filmography. Fascinating, informative, iconoclastic, and eloquent, "Not Coming to
a Theater Near You!: 50 Great Direct-to-Video Action Flicks of the Early 2000s" is especially and unreservedly
recommended as a unique addition to personal, professional, community, and college/university library Cinematic
History/Criticism collections and supplemental Popular Culture/Film Studies curriculum lists. It should be noted for film
students, academia, and film buffs that this hardcover edition of "Not Coming to a Theater Near You!: 50 Great
Direct-to-Video Action Flicks of the Early 2000s" from BearManor Media is also available in paperback (9798887718248,
$29.00) and in a digital book format (Kindle, $9.95).
Editorial Note: Bryan Kristopowitz has been a regular writer for the movies section of 411mania.com since 2005, focusing
on new and old B-movies, indie genre movies, and the people that make them. He is probably best known for The
Gratuitous B-Movie Column, which he started in 2008. A graduate of Long Island University: Southampton College, he
also wants everyone to know that "B-movie" is not a slur and that the world would be better off if everyone watched more
B-movies. It just would be.
The Christian Studies Shelf
Praying with the Popes
Ave Maria Press, author
Shannon Wimp Schmidt and Eileen M. Ponder, compilers
Katie Prejean McGrady, introduction
Ave Maria Press
www.avemariapress.com
9781646804450, $16.95, PB, 192pp
Amazon
https://www.amazon.com/Praying-Popes-Words-Hope-Peace/dp/1646804457
Barnes & Noble
https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/praying-with-the-popes-ave-maria-press/1148074074
Ave Maria Press
https://www.avemariapress.com/products/praying-with-the-popes
Synopsis: "Praying with the Popes: Words of Hope and Peace from Leo XIII to Leo XIV" is a unique collection comprised
of the timeless teachings from twelve modern popes are gathered into one powerful prayer book.
"Praying with the Popes" invites you to journey through a century and a half of papal wisdom (from Leo XIII to Leo XIV)
and discover a unified witness to hope, justice, and peace, offering a window into the heart of the Vatican and the soul of
the Church.
Catholic speaker and author Katie McGrady writes in the introduction "As you pray with our popes from Leo XIII to Leo
XIV, may you discover anew the hope and peace of Christ, which compels us all to engage the social ills of our day and
move forward in making the world a better place for all people now - and for generations to come."
"Praying with the Popes" gathers powerful quotes from the writings of these successors of Peter. Their words are offered as
a source of reflection and prayer -- inviting readers to grow in hope, to deepen their understanding of the Church's vision of
peace, and to foster a Christ-centered love that moves us to daily action on behalf of justice.
At once a spiritual, theological, and doctrinal introduction to Catholic social teaching, "Praying with the Popes" also serves
as a practical guide for living it out in our world today. When Robert Francis Prevost, the first American pope, was elected
to the papacy in May 2025 and took the name Leo XIV, many recognized in his choice a clear alignment with the legacy of
Leo XIII, the final pope of the nineteenth century.
The twelve popes from Leo XIII to Leo XIV guided the Church through tremendous economic, political, and social
upheaval. In doing so, they consistently encouraged the faithful to engage more deeply with the Church's social teachings -
teachings that equip believers to live out Christ's commandment to love as he loves and to help bring about God's kingdom
of peace on earth.
Each chapter begins with a short profile of the featured pope, followed by six brief excerpts from his writings. Quotes are
paired with prompts for personal reflection, prayer, and sometimes concrete actions that embody the message of justice and
love.
The popes featured in this book served the Church from 1878 to 2025 and include:
Leo XIII
Pius X
Benedict XV
Pius XI
Pius XII
John XXIII
Paul VI
John Paul I
John Paul II
Benedict XVI
Francis
Leo XIV
Before they were bishops of Rome, the popes of the Catholic Church were first sons of God and men of prayer. Each was
uniquely gifted in mind and heart and, through those graces, led the Church - and each soul within it - closer to Christ. Let
their voices guide you into deeper prayer and greater commitment to the Gospel call to champion justice, peace, and the
dignity of every human person.
Critique: Collaboratively compiled by the team of Shannon Wimp Schmidt and Eileen M. Ponder, "Praying with the
Popes: Words of Hope and Peace from Leo XIII to Leo XIV" is impressively organized and presented. Unique,
extraordinary, thoughtful, thought-provoking, insightful, memorable, passionate, inspiring, "Praying with the Popes" an is
especially and unreservedly recommended for clergy, seminary students, and Roman Catholic parishioners. It should be
noted for personal reading lists that this succinct (4.8 x 0.6 x 6.7 inches, 5.6 oundes) paperback edition from Ave Maria
Press is also readily available in a digital book format (Kindle, $16.10).
Editorial Note #1: Shannon Wimp Schmidt is the content director of the ecumenical youth ministry collaboration TENx10,
coauthor of Fat Luther, Slim Pickin's: A Black Catholic Celebration of Faith, Tradition, and Diversity, co-host of the Plaid
Skirts and Basic Black podcast, and a founding member of Catholics United for Black Lives. Schmidt earned a bachelor's
degree in theology and Italian from the University of Notre Dame and a master's degree in pastoral studies from Catholic
Theological Union. She has more than a decade of experience in youth and pastoral ministry and has served in various
capacities, including director of OCIA, adult faith formation coordinator, diversity educator, interfaith ministry leader, and
theology teacher. Schmidt is a regular contributor to FemCatholic and U.S. Catholic magazine. Her work has been featured
in the Catholic Standard, in the National Catholic Reporter, and on CatholicTV's This Is the Day.
(https://www.avemariapress.com/pages/authors/shannon-wimp-schmidt)
Editorial Note #2: Katie Prejean McGrady earned a theology degree from the University of Dallas. She is host of the Ave
Explores podcast and The Katie McGrady Show on Sirius XM's The Catholic Channel. She is an international speaker, the
author of Room 24: Adventures of a New Evangelist and Follow: Your Lifelong Adventure with Jesus, and the coauthor of
Lent: One Day at a Time for Catholic Teens, Advent and Christmas: One Day at a Time for Catholic Teens, and First
Reconciliation and Beyond: A Family's Guide for Learning and Living Forgiveness. McGrady also serves as host of the
Like a Mother podcast and cohost of Family Mass Prep on the Hallow app. She writes for several outlets, including
Blessed is She, Our Sunday Visitor, and Aleteia, and contributes coverage on the Vatican and Church news to CNN.
Prejean McGrady has spoken at the National Catholic Youth Conference, Steubenville Youth Conferences, and the Los
Angeles Religious Education Congress, as well as in dioceses and parishes throughout the world.
The Judaic Studies Shelf
A Handbook for Keeping Kosher
Mordechai Hasofer
Gefen Publishing House
c/o Storch
www.gefenpublishing.com
9789657801765, $24.95, HC, English Edition, 158pp
Amazon
https://www.amazon.com/Handbook-Keeping-Kosher-Hebrew/dp/9657801761
Gefen Publishing House
https://www.gefenpublishing.com/product.asp?productid=3446
Synopsis: "A Handbook for Keeping Kosher" by Mordechai Hasofer is a compilation of lectures he gave on the subject of
kosher laws delivered during his tenure at the Kashrut Authority of Bnei Brak, which is recognized as the leading authority
on kashrut in Israel.
The lectures were given between the years 1998 and 2019, when Hasofer had the great privilege of working under and
being guided by the sage Rav Moshe Yehuda Leib Landa of blessed memory, the rabbi and chief rabbi of Bnei Brak. His
kosher organization was highly esteemed, known worldwide for its quality and attention to the details of halacha. HaRav
Landa's name was highly esteemed by all, and he served as a guiding beacon in many areas, especially kashrut laws.
Hasofer had the honor to serve in this important kashrut institution as the head researcher of food production and the
inspector of all the various raw materials used in the food industry. His primary job was to ensure that the process of food
production met the highest halachic standards and that all the raw materials used therein were free from any doubt of
kosher validity.
Critique: This English Language edition of Mordechai Hasofer's "A Handbook for Keeping Kosher" from the Gefen
Publishing House is comprehensive, deftly crafted, exceptionally 'reader' friendly' in organization and presentation. Of
special note is the chapter on 'Bishul Nochri: Food Cooked by a Gentile'. Enhanced for the reader's benefit with the
inclusion of an informative Introduction, a listing of Some Concept Definitions, and a Prologue, "A Handbook for Keeping
Kosher" is especially and unreservedly recommended as a core addition to personal, professional reading lists, as well as
community and college/university library Contemporary Judaic Studies collections and supplemental curriculum studies
lists.
Editorial Note: Mordechai Hasofer (https://www.mordechaihasofer.com) has a diverse educational background, having
studied at the Rabbinical College of Australia and New Zealand in Melbourne, Australia, as well as completing studies in
mechanical engineering and chemistry at NSW Technical College. He was among the pioneers of HACCP food quality
consulting in Australia and subsequently served as the manager of ingredients and food production for Harav Moshe
Yehudah Leib Landa, ztz"l, the chief rabbi of Bnei Brak, for 25 years. In this capacity, he oversaw the setup and approval
of production facilities and food ingredients for some of the largest food companies in Israel and internationally, including
Coca-Cola and Strauss Ice Cream. This role required extensive collaboration with leading international kosher certification
bodies. In addition to his professional responsibilities, he is regularly invited to deliver lectures on kosher food production,
both in Israel and internationally. He also provides consulting services to various kosher certification and information
bodies, specializing in ingredient analysis and the establishment of kosher production facilities.
The Liquor Shelf
The Whisky World Tour
Joel Harrison
Mitchell Beazley
c/o Octopus Books
https://www.octopusbooks.co.uk
9781784729653, $26.99, HC, 256pp
Amazon
https://www.amazon.com/Whisky-World-Tour-unforgettable-distilleries/dp/1784729655
Barnes & Noble
https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-whisky-world-tour-joel-harrison/1146913749
Synopsis: A curated guide to unforgettable distilleries and their whiskies, "The Whisky World Tour" takes you beyond the
glass to discover 52 of the very best whisky distilleries around the globe that are open to the public. Whiskey enthusiasts
will discover these distilleries unique stories and histories -- along with bottle recommendations, too!
Award-winning whisky writer and authority Joel Harrison begins "The Whisky World Tour" in North America, taking in
key bourbon producers, before moving on to the traditional whisky powerhouses of Ireland and Scotland. Along the way
'new world' whisky-makers from South Africa to Scandinavia are explored, before finishing in Japan, home to some of the
world's most lauded whiskies.
Featured distilleries across the globe include: USA, Canada, Scotland, Ireland, Japan, Denmark, Australia, New Zealand,
India, and China. Each stop along the way offers a window into the world of whisky, so settle in, pour a dram and allow
yourself to be taken on this grand and spirited journey!
Critique: Profusely and impressively illustrated in full color throughout, "The Whisky World Tour" by Joel Harrison is a
fun, fascinating, and informative tour-de-force that is ideal for the whiskey drinking armchair traveler or for creating on-
site itineraries from the whiskey drinking tourist! Exceptional, engaging, and thoroughly 'reader friendly' in organization
and presentation, "The Whiskey World Tour" is a welcome and unreservedly recommended addition to personal,
professional, community, and college/university library Wine/Beer/Liquor reference collections. It should be noted that
this hardcover edition of "The Whiskey World" from Mitchell Beazley is also available in a digital book format (Kindle,
$13.99).
Editorial Note: Joel Harrison is an award-winning drinks writer and presenter whose work can be seen in publications as
diverse as The Times and Wired magazine. In addition to writing, Joel appears regularly on television as a spirits and
cocktail expert and hosts tastings and events across the globe. Joel is a Keeper of the Quaich, Scotch whisky's highest
honor, is a member of the Worshipful Company of Distillers, and received the Freedom of the City of London in 2020 for
his work in drinks. He also holds titles with the Compagnie des Mousquetaires d'Armagnac and the Gin Guild. --
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joel_Harrison_(author)
The Obituary Cocktail
Sue Strachan
Louisiana State University Press
https://lsupress.org
9780807184790, $24.95, HC, 146pp
Amazon
https://www.amazon.com/Obituary-Cocktail-Iconic-Orleans-Cocktails/dp/0807184799
Barnes & Noble
https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-obituary-cocktail-sue-strachan/1147269278
Synopsis: New Orleans is a city known for celebrating life in the face of death, so it's no surprise that the funerary tradition
is honored by a drink. With the publication of "The Obituary Cocktail" author and New Orleans cocktail expert Sue
Strachan takes the reader and cocktail enthusiast on a spirited dive into New Orleans's bohemian past, chronicling how this
cocktail (made with gin, vermouth, and absinthe) became central to mid-twentieth-century cafe society before fading
temporarily into obscurity.
Like a good obituary, "The Obituary Cocktail" shares stories about the drink, beginning with its 1940s origins at Cafe
Lafitte, the oldest continuously operating gay bar in the U.S. and the stomping ground for the city's cafe society, which
included Tennessee Williams, Ella Brennan, and a rich crop of prominent New Orleans visitors.
"The Obituary Cocktail" also explores the history of the cocktail's ingredients, shares recipes for home mixologists, and
resurrects the stories of other morbidly monikered drinks. With detours into the world of secret societies, second-line
parades, and celebrations of deathly holidays like Halloween and All Saints' Day, "The Obituary Cocktail" gives new life
to this unique beverage.
Critique: Simply stated, "The Obituary Cocktail" by Sue Strachan is a succinct and fascinating history of an iconic cocktail
and 'must' reading for the legions of cocktail fans. This succinct, exceptionally well crafted, and informative little volume
(5 x 0.5 x 7 inches, 8.5 ounces) hardcover edition of "The Obituary Cocktail" from the LSU Press is an especially and
unreservedly recommended pick for personal, professional, community, and college/university library Alcoholic
Spirits/Cocktails/Mixed Drinks collections.
Editorial Note: Sue Strachan (https://www.suestrachan.com) is a social historian, journalist, and author who has written
about New Orleans culture, food, history, and current events for numerous publications. Her first book, The Cafe Br–lot,
was published in 2021.
The Travel Shelf
Arizona: Discover the Grand Canyon State
Mark Lisk
Familius
www.familius.com
9798893960631, $24.99, HC, 240pp
Amazon
https://www.amazon.com/Arizona-Discover-Grand-Canyon-State/dp/B0DWHSLV17
Barnes & Noble
https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/arizona-mark-lisk/1146960170
Synopsis: This large format (9.35 x 1.05 x 9.35 inches, 2.82 pounds) hardcover, coffee-table style edition of "Arizona:
Discover the Grand Canyon State" from the publishing house of Familius is a truly magnificent volume of simply stunning,
full color, informatively captioned photography of the state of Arizona by photographer Mark Lisk that visually transports
the browser on a fascinating and visual journey through the natural and manmade wonders of Arizona.
Critique: A unique and expertly photographed visual odyssey showcasing the natural wonders of Arizona in full page and
double-page spreads, "Arizona: Discover the Grand Canyon State" is especially, uniquely, and unreservedly recommended
for personal, professional, community, and college/university library Landscape Photography, Animal/Plant Photography,
and Travel Photography collections and supplemental curriculum studies lists. Whether an aspiring photographer, on-site
visitor or an armchair traveler, it should be noted that this hardcover edition of "Arizona: Discover the Grand Canyon
State" by Mark Lisk is also readily available in a digital book format (Kindle, $22.49).
Editorial Note: Mark Lisk (https://www.markliskphotography.com/index) has long roamed the deserts, mountains, and
river canyons of the American West by foot. A graduate of Brooks Institute of Photographic Arts, Lisk climbs from the sea
to high ridges and plains, gathering within his camera worlds of color and expanse that few ever see or capture in any form.
From dry curls of patterned lake bottoms to the tiniest brilliant lichen set before a vast line of granite peaks, Lisk's
foregrounds set him apart. His work fits whole universes of wilderness into single frames under glass. Lisk has recently
rediscovered his passion for the black-and-white image. His strong sense of composition complements black-and-white
tones, giving the viewer a sense of isolation, alone in a wide, sweeping landscape. Lisk's photographs stand alone within
ten books: Idaho Impressions (1997), Salmon River Country (2005), Desert Water (2005), Idaho: Portrait of a State (2007),
Owyhee Canyon Lands (2008), Owyhee Canyonlands: An Outdoor Adventure Guide (2013), Sawtooth/Whiteclouds
(2016), and Idaho: The Gem State (2019).
A graduate of Brooks Institute of Photographic Arts, Mark Lisk is a prolific photographer whose photos highlight the
state's most beautiful spots and famous natural landmarks. Arizona: Discover the Grand Canyon State is a must-own for
everyone in love with Arizona.
The Art Shelf
Watercolour and Beyond: Exploring the frontiers of landscape painting
David Bellamy
Search Press Ltd.
https://www.searchpress.com
9781800923003, $29.95, PB, 160pp
Amazon
https://www.amazon.com/Watercolour-Beyond-Exploring-frontiers-landscape/dp/1800923007
Barnes & Noble
https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/watercolour-and-beyond-david-bellamy/1146019313
Synopsis: David Bellamy is a successful and long-standing authority on painting the landscape in watercolor. With the
publication of "Watercolour and Beyond: Exploring the frontiers of landscape painting" he shares his extensive knowledge
and experience and encourages confident artists to explore the boundaries of watercolor and forge new creative paths for
themselves through experimentation.
Alongside over 100 inspiring examples of David's work there are more than 60 innovative approaches and exercises, with
tips, visual examples and step-by-step technique, throughout the following sections:
Starting traditional (with pure watercolor): learn how to strengthen your compositions, gain experience using just one
color, work with a limited palette, then tackle the striking results you can achieve with harmonious colors.
Innovating through practice: through short step-by-step techniques and plenty of finished, fully detailed examples, learn
how to combine watercolor with gouache and use additives, inks, collage, pastels, stamping, gesso, watercolor ground,
different surfaces, and found materials to create atmospheric, innovative results, for example for suggesting distant rain or
creating dramatic sunlight effects.
Interpreting and altering your subjects: discover how to change the light or colors in a finished painting, introduce features
that are not present or emphasize those that are, exaggerate perspective, or turn part of the composition into abstraction.
Discover also how to alter, rescue and improve a painting where you may have a problem, or decide to change a passage
on a whim.
Taking It further: The final section is devoted to projects which you might like to consider: personal projects that may
relate to your family, your holidays, volunteer work, or perhaps involving the local community or a special cause.
Critique: Essentially, this large format (8.56 x 0.46 x 11.06 inches, 1.45 pounds) paperback edition of "Watercolour and
Beyond: Exploring the frontiers of landscape painting" by David Bellamy is an innovative, illustrated, practical and 'user
friendly' combination of instructional guide and 'how to' manual, aimed at equipping even the most novice of landscape
artists with exciting new ideas and techniques. An ideal pick for personal, professional, community, art school, and
college/university library Watercolor Painting instructional reference collections and supplemental curriculum studies lists,
it should be noted that "Watercolour and Beyond: Exploring the frontiers of landscape painting" is also available from
Search Press in a digital book format (Kindle, $23.08).
Editorial Note: David Bellamy (https://www.davidbellamy.co.uk) has always been fascinated by the world's wild places.
Highly regarded as a teacher of art, he has a tremendous following among artist and leisure painters, many of whom have
attended his extremely popular courses and workshops both in the UK and overseas. He gives demonstrations and talks,
produces successful videos, has written many books on watercolor painting and is a regular contributor to art magazines.
David lives near Builth Wells, Wales.
The Business Shelf
Market and User Research Operations
Stephanie Marsh
Kogan Page Inc.
www.koganpage.com
9781398620520, $113.00, HC, 312pp
Amazon
https://www.amazon.com/Market-User-Research-Operations-Operationalize/dp/1398620521
Barnes & Noble
https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/market-and-user-research-operations-stephanie-marsh/1146743855
Synopsis: "Market and User Research Operations: Operationalize Customer Research for Scale and Impact" by Stephanie
Marsh is a practical, detailed guide designed for mid-career research managers and professionals aiming to optimize
processes and deliver consistent, high-quality insights.
As customer expectations rise, "Market and User Research Operations" will help to build credibility by applying proven
strategies and frameworks that scale your research function effectively.
"Market and User Research Operations" covers how to:
Develop repeatable, reusable insights using proven operational principles
Implement governance and planning models for on-time, on-budget delivery
Select and optimize tools and platforms tailored to your team's needs
Manage participant recruitment ethically and efficiently
Apply AI and democratize research to meet evolving business demands
Filled with practical, illustrative, real-world examples and actionable tools, "Market and User Research Operations"
empowers the reader to streamline workflows, improve research quality and create greater business value.
Critique: Exceptional, instructive, 'real world' practical, extraordinarily informative, impressively well written, organized
and presented, "Market and User Research Operations: Operationalize Customer Research for Scale and Impact" by
Stephanie Marsh is an invaluable and unreservedly recommended addition to personal, professional, community,
corporate, and college/university library Business Management and Market/Business Operations Research & Development
collections and supplemental MBA curriculum studies lists. It should be noted for MBA students, academia, corporate
executives, business managers, entrepreneurs, and non-specialist general readers with an interest in the subject that this
hardcover edition of "Market and User Research Operations: Operationalize Customer Research for Scale and Impact"
from Kogan Page is also readily available in paperback (9781398620506, $34.99) and in a digital book format (Kindle,
$34.99).
Editorial Note: Stephanie Marsh is a leading expert in UX Research and UX Research Operations based in the UK. As the
former Head of User Research and Analysis at the UK Government Digital Service and Head of Digital at the UK Ministry
of Defence, they have played a pivotal role in advancing digital innovation within the public sector. Previously a
Bunnyfoot consultant, one of the UK's leading UX consultancies, Stephanie has applied their expertise to enhance user
experiences across diverse industries. As a respected thought leader, she has contributed to peer-reviewed publications and
shared insights through speaking engagements.
(https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/13871146.Stephanie_Marsh)
The Business Plan Workbook: 11th Edition
Colin Barrow
Kogan Page Inc.
www.koganpage.com
9781398623682, $113.00, HC, 312pp
Amazon
https://www.amazon.com/Business-Plan-Workbook-Step-Step/dp/1398623687
Barnes & Noble
https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-business-plan-workbook-colin-barrow/1126320377
Synopsis: Now in a fully updated eleventh edition, "The Business Plan Workbook: A Step-By-Step Guide to Creating and
Developing a Successful Business" by Colin Barrow is a practical run-through of 26 key areas of development of strategic
planning. It will allow you to think of these areas in isolation through the use of assignments that ensure you have
stress-tested your business proposition.
This informative guide covers how to:
Come up with a winning business idea
Complete market and competitive research
Forecast watertight financials and projections
This new edition eleventh edition from Kogan Page is fully updated throughout and includes:
New real-world examples including Nubank, YuLife, Inceptio Technology, Doctolib, Livspace, Teya and Zepz,
Using AI to write business plans including how to analyze market segments, create financial projects and finesse SWOT
modelling
More on storytelling and creating a compelling narrative for investors
Thoroughly revised to reflect changes in government policies, tax regulations, trade policies, and how to anticipate and
adapt to new regulations
A deck of 80 PowerPoint slides providing resources and downloadable templates
Critique: An ideal and unreservedly recommended pick for personal, professional, community, corporate, and
college/university library Business Management & Planning collections and supplemental MBA curriculum studies lists,
Colin Barrows' "The Business Plan Workbook: A Step-By-Step Guide to Creating and Developing a Successful Business:
11th Edition" from Kogan Page is also readily available to MBA students, academia, corporate executives, business
managers, entrepreneurs, and non-specialist general readers with an interest in the subject in paperback (9781398623675,
$34.99) and in a digital book format (Kindle, $33.24).
Editorial Note: Following a career in business where Colin Barrow held senior staff and line positions, including that of
managing director of a substantial manufacturing enterprise with multi -plant and multi-country operations, he was Head of
the Enterprise Group at Cranfield School of Management, a leading European Business School, for ten years. Colin has
been a visiting professor in universities in the US, Europe and East Asia. For five years he was a non-executive director of
a high tech venture capital fund, has sat on Government task forces and is now strategic advisor to a number of business
owners. As well as his own books he currently writes freelance, ghost writing and 'Anglicising' books for American
authors and lectures extensively on business topics.
The HR Operating Model
Perry Timms
Kogan Page Inc.
www.koganpage.com
9781398622395, $134.00, HC, 296pp
Amazon
https://www.amazon.com/HR-Operating-Model-Designing-Workforce/dp/1398622397
Barnes & Noble
https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-hr-operating-model-perry-timms/1146743877
Synopsis: An ongoing corporate question and concern is whether or not their HR operating model is aligned to deliver
measurable business value?
"The HR Operating Model: Designing a People Function that Supports the Workforce and the Business" by Perry Timms
is a strategic guide for senior company leaders who want to modernize HR to drive performance, agility and strategic
impact.
Written by a leading industry voice and five-time HR Magazine Most Influential HR Thinker, "The HR Operating Model:
Designing a People Function that Supports the Workforce and the Business" replaces outdated structures with a proven
model built on people experience, data and analytics, agility, product management and technology integration.
Drawing on examples from Santander, Jaguar Land Rover, Barnardo's, Collinson Group, Novartis and NatWest, "The HR
Operating Model: Designing a People Function that Supports the Workforce and the Business" offers governance-led
frameworks for building a high-impact HR function that aligns with organizational priorities.
"The HR Operating Model: Designing a People Function that Supports the Workforce and the Business" covers:
Redesigning HR to support a high-performing, future-ready workforce
Leveraging data and analytics to inform strategic decisions
Embedding agility, technology and product thinking into HR delivery
Building people experiences that strengthen culture and business results
With strategic models, practical tools and insights from industry experts, and addressing the themes of HR transformation,
governance, data and analytics, agility, technology integration, "The HR Operating Model: Designing a People Function
that Supports the Workforce and the Business" fully equips senior HR professionals to deliver transformation, strengthen
capability and prove HR's value at enterprise level.
Critique: An ideal textbook on HR policy, practices, designs, operations, and implementation, "The HR Operating Model:
Designing a People Function that Supports the Workforce and the Business" is an effective and recommended pick for
personal, professional, community, corporate, and college/university library Human Resources & Management and
Strategic Business Planning collections and supplemental MBA curriculum studies lists. It should be noted for MBA
students, academia, entrepreneurs, business managers, union policy makers, HR staff members, corporate executives, and
non-specialist general readers with an interest in the subject that his hardcover edition of "The HR Operating Model:
Designing a People Function that Supports the Workforce and the Business" from Kogan Page is also readily available in
paperback (9781398622371, $42.99) and in a digital book format (Kindle, $40.84).
Editorial Note: Perry Timms (https://pthr.co.uk) is a renowned blogger and international conference speaker on the
transformative power of HR professionals. He is a consultant and coach based in Northamptonshire, UK, and the founder
of People and Transformational HR Ltd. Named by HR Magazine as the most influential HR thinker in 2022 and inducted
into the HR Magazine Hall of Fame in 2023, Perry is also a Visiting Fellow and Adjunct Professor at 4 UK Business
Schools, a Chartered Member of the CIPD and a fellow of the Royal Society of Arts (RSA). He is also a LinkedIn Learning
Instructor and accredited in a range of psychometric tools.
The Agriculture Shelf
Compendium of Cotton Diseases and Pests, Third Edition
Travis R. Faske, author
Terrence L. Kirkpatrick, author
Craig S. Rothrock, author
Jason E. Woodward, author
APS Press
https://www.apsnet.org/publications/apspress/Pages/default.aspx
9780890546932, $150.00/$135.00, PB, 176pp
Amazon
https://www.amazon.com/Compendium-Cotton-Diseases-Pests-Third/dp/0890546932
APS Press
https://my.apsnet.org/APSStore/APSStore/Product-Detail.aspx?iProductCode=46932
Synopsis: The collaborative work of co-authors Travis R. Faske, Terrence L. Kirkpatrick, Craig S. Rothrock, and Jason E.
Woodward, this newly expanded third edition of "Compendium of Cotton Diseases and Pests" from APS Press includes
significant updates and new content. This essential new edition delivers the most up-to-date information on cotton
diseases, arthropod pests, and abiotic disorders -- making it the most comprehensive guide of its kind to date.
Critique: This large format paperback edition of "Compendium of Cotton Diseases and Pests: 3rd Edition) from The
American Phytopathological Society is essential reading for cotton growers and a high value edition to personal,
professional, and college/university library Agricultural Studies collections and supplemental curriculum studies lists.
Editorial Note: The APS Press is the publishing imprint of The American Phytopathological Society, a nonprofit,
international organization that advances the science and practice of plant health management in agricultural, urban, and
forest settings. The Society was founded in 1908 and has grown from 130 charter members to more than 3,500 scientists
and practitioners worldwide.
The Music Shelf
Pearl Jam Live!
Selena Fragassi
Epic Ink
c/o Quarto Publishing Group
https://www.quarto.com
9780760393048, $30.00, HC, 256pp
Amazon
https://www.amazon.com/Pearl-Jam-Live-Legendary-Revolutionary/dp/0760393044
Barnes & Noble
https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/pearl-jam-live-selena-fragassi/1147123002
Synopsis: Jeff Ament, Stone Gossard, Mike McCready, Eddie Vedder, and Matt Cameron are Pearl Jam -- Seattle's own
alternative rock band that sprang to the top of the charts (and into the angsty hearts of millions of global fans) in the 1990s.
Though each of the members and the band itself has faced their ups and downs in the four decades since they came
together, they continue to release new music and maintain a loyal fan base.
On July 7, 2025, Matt Cameron made the surprise announcement that he was leaving Pearl Jam after a long 27-year run
that began back in 1998. With the publication of "Pearl Jam Live!: 35 Years of Legendary Music and Revolutionary
Shows", music journalist Selena Fragassi celebrates the many years, albums, and tours that Matt was a part of before
stepping down.
"Pearl Jam Live!" delves into the band's origins from their beginning as Green River to their earliest influences, from their
biggest successes in the '90s, to their continued achievements today and the lasting legacy they've left in the alt-rock canon.
Along the way, readers will also explore:
The creation of Pearl Jam's biggest hits, such as "Even Flow" and "Last Kiss"
The fan culture that built up around the band, from the small gigs and mall tours of their earliest years to performances at
Lollapalooza and their Gigaton tour
Pearl Jam's influences, from classic rock to pop, and their place in rock history
The lasting legacy of a band proudly celebrating their thirty-fifth anniversary
Step by step, through interviews, photos, and sidebars full of fun facts and trivia, Pearl Jam fans will learn something new
about the band on every page.
Critique: This large format (8.75 x 0.89 x 10.15 inches, 2.6 pounds) hardcover edition of Selena Fragassi's "Pearl Jam
Live!: 35 Years of Legendary Music and Revolutionary Shows" from Epic Ink is a profusely illustrated and impressively
informative 35 year history of one of grunge rock's most popular and influential bands. A simply fascinating read from
start to finish, "Pearl Jam Live!" is especially and unreservedly recommended for personal, community, college, and
university library American Popular Music/Grunge Rock collections and supplemental curriculum studies lists. It should
be noted for the legions of Pearl Jam fans that this hardcover edition of "Pearl Jam Live!" is also readily available in a
digital book format (Kindle, $11.99).
Editorial Note: Selena Fragassi is a longtime music journalist who began her career covering women in music and culture
with the beloved Venus Zine before starting her own publication, Boxx Magazine, with a mission to close the gender gap
in music editorial coverage. Her very first published piece was on an unknown Adele, and she has continued to break
emerging artists with early pieces on Grimes and Lizzo, among others. Selena is currently a featured contributor for the
Chicago Sun-Times. She is the author of the books New Kids on the Block 40th Anniversary Celebration; NSYNC 30th
Anniversary Celebration; and The Work, Life, and Style of Greta Gerwig. Selena is also a member of The Recording
Academy.
The Interior Design Shelf
Storied Style
Grace Mitchell
Harper Horizon
c/o HarperCollins Publishers
www.harpercollins.com
9781400253081, $39.99, HC, 352pp
Amazon
https://www.amazon.com/Storied-Style-About-Story-Design/dp/140025308X
Barnes & Noble
https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/storied-style-grace-mitchell/1146506620
Synopsis: Since the premiere of her first television show, interior design expert Grace Mitchell has received thousands of
messages from fans wondering how to tell their unique stories in how they design their homes.
"Storied Style: The Book About YOU, Your Story, and How to Design Your Home with It" design book gives them (and
you) the answer.
Taking you through seven essential questions, Grace showcases her exact design process to put together a home reflective
of the people living in it. Over twenty thoughtfully photographed projects, some favorites and some never-before-seen
reveals (including Grace's own home & garden!) are featured throughout "Storied Style" to showcase how answering the
seven questions leads to a home that is uniquely yours.
"Storied Style" will also take you through a deeply personal process -- personal for Grace, but also personal for you as you
take a moment to slow down and reflect on your life and what you want your space to say about who you are. You will be
motivated by Grace's simple process, along with heartfelt stories of people whose lives have been changed by following
her steps.
Using your own story to dictate the style of your home will enable you to not only share yourself in a new way with those
you welcome over, it will also help break the expensive cycle of fashioning your home around the latest trends.
The overall message of "Storied Style" is that your home can be made interesting, beautiful, timeless, and best of all,
memorable, by centering it around you!
Critique: This magnificent, large format (1 x 9 x 11 inches, 1.74 pounds), hardcover edition of "Storied Style: The Book
About YOU, Your Story, and How to Design Your Home with It" by Grace Mitchell is massively illustrated with full page
color photography throughout. Thoroughly 'reader' friendly in organization and presentation, "Storied Style" is
exceptionally informative and impressively inspiring. A thought-provoking delight to simply browse through and also
available for personal reading lists in a digital book format (Kindle, $31.99), "Storied Style" is especially and unreservedly
recommended for personal, professional, community, and college/university library Interior Design collections and
supplemental curriculum studies lists.
Editorial Note: Grace Mitchell (http://www.astoriedstyle.com) tells each homeowner's unique story in HGTV's television
series 'One of a Kind'. As a home renovator and interior designer Grace creates eclectic, imaginative spaces that illustrate
the spirit of those who live there. She turned to design and style writing and eventually began her interior design business,
Storied Style Interiors, in 2012. Her work has been featured in prestigious home decor publications including Better
Homes & Gardens, Southern Living, House Beautiful, Elle Decor, Domino Magazine, Vintage Remade Magazine,
Do-It-Yourself Magazine, as well as The Boston Globe.
The Self-Help Shelf
Hustle, Flow, or Let It Go?
Portia Preston
Fleming H. Revell Company
c/o Baker Publishing Group
www.revellbooks.com
9780800772703, $19.99, PB, 240pp
Amazon
https://www.amazon.com/Hustle-Flow-Let-Go-Shame-Free/dp/0800772709
Barnes & Noble
https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/hustle-flow-or-let-it-go-portia-preston-drph/1146440628
Synopsis: In a fast-paced world filled with distraction, it is easy to lose sight of ourselves and what we value most. We
struggle with slowing down and protecting what gives our lives pleasure and meaning. Our well-being pays the price.
With the publication of "Hustle, Flow, or Let It Go?: A Guide to Shame-Free Wellness That Honors Your Reality and
Gives You Life", Portia Preston provides you with a framework for determining what the hustle costs you, where you can
nurture flexibility, and what you need to release in your life. It also shows you how to loosen the grip of perfectionism and
societal expectations to address your authentic needs, allowing you to pursue wellness and connection with awareness and
self-compassion.
If the hustle is leaving you hopeless and exhausted, the wisdom presented in the pages comprising "Hustle, Flow, or Let It
Go?: A Guide to Shame-Free Wellness That Honors Your Reality and Gives You Life" offers a better way -- helping you
to create a customized blueprint for wellness that honors your reality and gives you life.
Critique: Original, inspirational, informative and inspiring, "Hustle, Flow, or Let It Go?: A Guide to Shame-Free Wellness
That Honors Your Reality and Gives You Life" is a life-enhancing, life-enriching, life-changing read that is exceptionally
well written, organized and presented for the non-specialist general reader with an int4erest in stress management from a
Christian perspective. Especially and unreservedly recommended for personal, professional, community, and
college/university library Self-Help/Self-Improvement collections, it should be noted that this paperback edition of
"Hustle, Flow, or Let It Go?: A Guide to Shame-Free Wellness That Honors Your Reality and Gives You Life" is also
readily available in a digital book format (Kindle, $12.99).
Editorial Note: Portia Jackson Preston, DrPH, is the founder and CEO of Empowered to Exhale, where she works with
individuals and organizations to create a culture of sustainable wellness and performance. As an associate professor of
public health at California State University, Fullerton, she focuses on inclusive approaches to wellness and creates
innovative programming to support students, faculty, and staff. Portia holds a BA in cultural and social anthropology from
Stanford University, a master's of public health from the University of Michigan, and a doctorate of public health from
UCLA.
The Metaphysical Studies Shelf
The Book of Awakening Card Deck
Mark Nepo
Red Wheel/Weiser
www.redwheelweiser.com
9781590035870, $18.95, Card Deck, 64 Cards
Amazon
https://www.amazon.com/Book-Awakening-Inspiration-Deck-Full-Color/dp/1590035879
Barnes & Noble
https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-book-of-awakening-inspiration-deck-mark-nepo/1146811785
Synopsis: Having touched the lives of hundreds of thousands of readers, Mark Nepo's wisdom continues to be a daily
guide for living life (in hard times and good times) and, most importantly, living authentically. "The Book of Wakening
Inspirational Deck" is a series of sixty-four full-color, beautifully designed inspiration cards featuring Mark Nepo's words
and will help people meet their days and inhabit their lives.
You can use these cards in a variety of ways to receive the benefits from the inspirational text by:
Reading only one card a day. If that seems too fast, try one each week. Whatever you choose, try to be consistent.
Reading the cards with an open mind. Ponder the words and see how they apply to your life. Focus on the words and see
how they benefit you.
Keeping the card visible throughout your day, especially those cards that you are most inspired or challenged by.
Taking daily positive actions.
The wisdom in Mark Nepo's "The Book of Awakening" has empowered millions to change their thinking and their lives.
"The Book of Awakening Inspiration Deck" will do the same with respect to motivating you in your journey to creating the
life of your dreams.
Critique: Beautifully illustrated, impressively meditative, inspired and inspiring, as well as thoroughly 'user friendly' in
presentation, "The Book of Awakening Inspiration Deck", comprised of 64 full color cards, is especially and unreservedly
recommended for anyone of any age or any background who are seeking personal transformation, happiness, and
metaphysical themed self-help/self-improvement.
Editorial Note: Mark Nepo (https://marknepo.com) is a poet and philosopher who has taught in the fields of poetry and
spirituality for over thirty years. He has published twelve books, and his work has been translated throughout the world. In
leading spiritual retreats, in working with healing and medical communities, and in his teachings as a poet, Mark's work is
widely accessible and used by many.
Arianrhod: Celtic Goddess of Fate, Fortune and Destiny
Kristoffer Hughes
Moon Books
c/o Collective Ink Books
https://www.collectiveinkbooks.com
9781803418278, $12.95, PB, 120pp
Amazon
https://www.amazon.com/Pagan-Portals-Arianrhod-Goddess-Fortune/dp/1803418273
Barnes & Noble
https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/pagan-portals-arianrhod-kristoffer-hughes/1146736441
Synopsis: With scholarship, vision, and practical techniques to develop devotional relationships and meaningful rituals,
with the publication of "Arianrhod: Celtic Goddess of Fate, Fortune and Destiny", Druid Kristoffer Hughes takes you on a
journey through myth and mystery to meet Arianrhod, the fiercely independent Goddess of the Silver Wheel and weaver of
fates and fortunes. With never-before-seen material in the English language (and hidden wisdom) you will be ferried across
this goddess' tumultuous seas to find her true nature beneath the starry skies of Arianrhod.
Critique: A part of the simply outstanding Pagan Portals series from Moon Books, "Arianrhod: Celtic Goddess of Fate,
Fortune and Destiny" by Kristoffer Hughes is a succinct, fascinating, and informative introduction to a remarkable Celtic
deity that will prove of immense interest to readers with an interest in Celtic Mythology. While also readily available for
personal, professional, community, and college/university library Celtic Mythology collections and supplemental
curriculum studies lists, it should be noted for students, academia, and non-specialist general readers with an interest in the
subject that this paperback edition of "Arianrhod: Celtic Goddess of Fate, Fortune and Destiny" from Moon Books is also
readily available in a digital book format (Kindle, $6.99).
Editorial Note: Kristoffer Hughes is a Chief of the Anglesey Druid Order, a first language native Welsh speaker and the
author of 9 books and Tarot decks. He is also a Welsh language television presenter and actor who lives in Isle of
Anglesey, Wales, UK.
The Spiritual Magic of Dolls
Najah Lightfoot
Weiser Books
c/o Red Wheel/Weiser
www.redwheelweiser.com
Blackstone Publishing
https://www.blackstonelibrary.com
9781578638857, $18.95, PB, 208pp
Amazon
https://www.amazon.com/Spiritual-Magic-Dolls-Najah-Lightfoot/dp/1578638852
Barnes & Noble
https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-spiritual-magic-of-dolls-najah-lightfoot/1146811764
Synopsis: Dolls have been both beloved companions and instruments of magic for millennia. With the publication of "The
Spiritual Magic of Dolls", author Najah Lightfoot bridges these two uses (companionship and magic) to enable her readers
to develop profound magical and spiritual relationships with their own dolls.
Many have beloved dolls displayed on shelves or sitting in boxes. Perhaps you still have favorite childhood dolls or have
been gifted with a doll or inherited one from a relative or friend. What if you could do more with them?
Najah shows you how you how to take that attachment to the next level, to be closer to them in magical, loving ways.
Critique: Original, fascinating, informative, and with occasional B/W illustrations, "The Spiritual Magic of Dolls" is a
unique compendium of observational/metaphysical advice and DIY how-to instructional guides. Thoroughly 'reader/user'
friendly in organization and presentation, "The Spiritual Magic of Dolls" is an ideal introduction to the use of dolls in
witchcraft and magic. Of special note is the inclusion of a one page Bibliography. While this paperback edition of "The
Spiritual Magic of Dolls" from Weiser Books is a strongly recommended and very special pick for personal, professional,
community, and college/university library Metaphysical Studies collections, it should be noted that it is also readily
available in a digital book format (Kindle, $9.95) and as a complete and unabridged audio book (Blackstone Publishing,
9798228660731, $39.99, CD).
Editorial Note: Najah Lightfoot (https://www.craftandconjure.com) is an initiated member of La Source Ancienne Ounfo, a
private Vodou society in New Orleans, Louisiana, a sister-priestess of the Divine Feminine, and an active member of the
Denver Pagan Community. She keeps her magick strong through the practice of Kung Fu, the folk magick of Hoodoo,
Pagan rituals, and her belief in the Mysteries of the Universe. Najah Lightfoot is also a regular contributing author to the
Llewellyn Almanac series.
James A. Cox, Editor-in-Chief
Diane C. Donovan, Editor
Midwest Book Review
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Oregon, WI 53575-1129
phone: 1-608-835-7937
e-mail: mbr@execpc.com
e-mail: mwbookrevw@aol.com
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