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California Bookwatch

Volume 5, Number 7 July 2010 Home | CALBW Index

Table of Contents

Reviewer's Choice Cookbook Shelf Biography Shelf
Business Shelf Sports Shelf Religion/Spirituality Shelf
Comix/Graphic Novel Shelf Needlecraft Shelf Reference Shelf
Automotive Shelf Music Shelf Military Shelf
American History Shelf World History Shelf Metaphysical Studies Shelf
Women's Studies Shelf Nautical Shelf Science Shelf
Environmental Studies Shelf Consumer Shelf Antiques/Collectibles Shelf
Fantasy/SciFi Shelf Political Science Shelf Philosophy Shelf
Education Shelf Photography Shelf Mystery/Suspense Shelf
Fiction Shelf Audiobook Shelf Travel Shelf
Pets/Wildlife Shelf Health/Medicine Shelf Judaic Studies Shelf
Theatre/Cinema/TV Shelf Computer Shelf Social Issues Shelf
Crafts Shelf Homeowner's Shelf Gardening Shelf
Art Shelf California Shelf  


Reviewer's Choice

Living With What You Love
Monica Rich Kosann
Clarkson Potter Publishers
c/o The Crown Publishing Group
1745 Broadway, #B1, New York, NY 10019-4305
9780307461322, $30.00 www.clarksonpotter.com

Living With What You Love: Decorating With Family Photos, Cherished Heirlooms, and Collectibles comes from a portrait photographer who has spent her career helping people add personality to their homes. Her clients want to find ways to celebrate their interests within their home decor - and here she tells how to meld family photos, heirlooms and collectibles into the home. A fine survey, this will find its place in any general lending library.

Street Fighter: The Complete History
Chris Carle
Chronicle Books
680 Second Street, San Francisco, CA 94107
9780811865005, $19.95 www.chroniclebooks.com

Street Fighter: The Complete History is packed with interviews from Capcom developers, over 200 original works of art, discussions of the characters and culture of Street Fighter, and more. The story of video game developer Capcom provides an official history of a game that continues to define the fighting genre, and will appeal to any gamer's library.

The Bible of Unspeakable Truths
Greg Gutfeld
Grand Central Publishing
c/o Hachette Book Group
237 Park Avenue, New York, NY 10017
9780446552301, $24.99 www.hachettebookgroup.com

The Bible of Unspeakable Truths comes from the host of Fox News' Red Eye and a humorous commentator who tackles pop culture, media, race, sex, and current events. It provides a series of observations and vignettes packed with comedy and deconstructs all aspects of American life and culture, making for a hilarious survey perfect for any general lending library.

Real Miracles, Divine Intervention, and Feats of Incredible Survival
Brad Steiger and Sherry Hansen Steiger
Visible Ink
43311 Joy Road #414, Canton, MI 48187-2075
9781578592142, $24.95 www.visibleink.com

Real Miracles, Divine Intervention, and Feats of Incredible Survival offers over two hundred true stories that offers insights into unexplained phenomena and survival. These are first-person accounts of survival under incredible odds: they document the abilities of people to survive under the worst of conditions and make for an inspiring collection for any general-interest library.

Be Happy
Robert Holden, Ph.D.
Hay House
PO Box 5100, Carlsbad, CA 92018-5100
9781401921811, $16.95 www.hayhouse.com

BE HAPPY: RELEASE THE POWER OF HAPPINESS IN YOU offers an eight-week happiness course tested by independent scientists for the BBC-TV documentary HOW TO BE HAPPY. It provides a step-by-step program for happiness, from defining real happiness to increasing capacity for prosperity. General libraries will find this an outstanding lend.

Hotter 'n Pecos
Bobby D. Weaver
Texas Tech University Press
2903 - 4th St. Box 41037, Lubbock, TX 79409-1037
9780896727038, $19.95 www.ttuprss.org

Hotter 'n Pecos And Other West Texas Lies is a 'must' for any collection strong in American regional folklore: it offers collected tall tales offering insights into how and why West Texans are different. Yarns offer a grain of truth and some facts and offer lively stories perfect for any collection strong in storytelling.

The World's Gone Crazy
Bathroom Reader's Institute
Box 1117, Ashland, OR 97520
1607101017, $18.95 www.bathroomreader.com

Any general lending library likely has battered copies of other Uncle John's Bathroom Readers around: it's the 'Reader's Digest' trivia book item of choice, with its outrageous collections of fun facts, and The World's Gone Crazy is no exception. From state laws on marrying cousins to odd reasons insurance companies have given not to provide coverage, this is an uproarious collection of strange-but-true facts, highly recommended as easy reading for all.

The Yes Factor
Tonya Reiman
Hudson Street Press
375 Hudson St., New York NY 10014-3658
9781594630682, $25.95 www.penguin.com

THE YES FACTOR: GET WHAT YOU WANT. SAY WHAT YOU MEAN. THE SECRETS OF PERSUASIVE COMMUNICATION is based on the author's personal journey and insights into body language and good communication. It observes not just speaking but observing skills and explains how communication works, why it fails, and how subtle signals influence others.

Hellhound on His Trail
Hampton Sides
Doubleday
c/o Random House
1745 Broadway, New York, NY 10019
9780385523929, $28.95 www.doubleday.com

HELLHOUND ON HIS TRAIL: THE STALKING OF MARTIN LUTHER KING JR. AND TH INTERNATIONAL HUNT FOR HIS ASSASSIN tells of two men - an Afro-American minister who struggled for civil rights, and an escaped thief and con man - whose paths fatally crossed. The memoir juxtaposes the lives and experiences of each man - Galt stalking King - until the drifter succeeded in a murder that would change American society. No other Martin Luther King Jr. account has the charged emotion and facts of this dual-life survey, highly recommended as a 'must' for any general lending library and those specializing in civil rights history.

Your Every Word Has Power
Yvonne Oswald, MHT, MNLP
Beyond Words
20827 NW Cornell Rd, Suite 500, Hillsboro, OR 97124
9781582702513, $29.99 www.beyondword.com

Your Every Word Has Power: Change Your Language and Create a New Life in 21 Days blends wisdom from the author's bestselling book EVERY WORD HAS POWER with Action Cards for daily inspiration and CDs to create personal focus. Daily practices from the workbook blend with a 21-day course of goals for a fine CD/book survey highly recommended for new age and self-help collections alike.

Books Do Furnish A Room
Leslie Geddes-Brown
Merrell Publishers
38 High Avenue, 4th floor, Nyack, NY 10960
www.merrellpublishers.com
9781858944913, $39.95 www.amazon.com

If a home library and its display and usage are central to a home's atmosphere, then Books Do Furnish A Room is a pick for not just arts but home and garden libraries. It shows how to use books and arrangements to create an orderly library and explores storage and lighting solutions for combining books with other objects for special effects. Color photos of rooms offer many insights and options.

What to Wear for the Rest of Your Life
Kim Johnson Gross
Springboard
c/o Hachette Book Group
237 Park Avenue, New York NY 10017
9780446534949, $24.99 www.hachettebookgroup.com

What to Wear for the Rest of Your Life: Ageless Secrets of Style offers a fine survey by a former model and fashion editor who examines shifts women experience during different phases of life and how these changes are reflected in their style choices. From simple steps a woman can follow to keep her style in tune with her changes to finding a 'style mentor' or women who demonstrate how to dress the best, this is a fine pick for arts, fashion and women's issues collections, as well as many a general lending library.

The Kinetic Years
Fletcher Benton
Hudson Hills Press
Box 205, Manchester, VT 05254-9911
9781555952952, $60.00 www.hudsonhills.com

The Kinetic Years covers kinetic artist Fletcher Benton's mobile works: some thirty years of works that would create kaleidoscope effects with moving sculptures. Essays connecting Benton to the evolution of the kinetic arts movement as a whole supplement gorgeous color photos in a catalog key to any college-level arts collection.


The Cookbook Shelf

Easy Asian Noodles
Helen Chen
Wiley
c/o Wiley Professional/Trade Group
111 River Street, Hoboken, NJ 07030-5774
9780470387559, $17.95 www.wiley.com

EASY ASIAN NOODLES offers OVER 60 recipes for noodle dishes easy for any cook - even newcomers to Asian cuisine. Many take less than half an hour from concept to table, and dishes from every corner of the continent make for a fine presentation. Add color photos and step-by-step sidebars of information and the result is an appealing pick for those new to Asian cuisine or with little access to exotic ingredients.

Homemade Living: Canning and Preserving
Ashley English
Lark Books
67 Broadway, Asheville, NC 28801
9781600594915, $19.95 www.larkbooks.com

Homemade Living: Canning and Preserving provides a fine survey of preserving and enjoying local harvests, pairing how-to steps and troubleshooting tips with discussions of the science behind the process of canning. From strawberry Jam and Pickle Relish to twists on classics, such as Lavender Butter, this is packed with color photos and insights.

Mastering the Craft of Making Sausage
Warren R. Anderson
Burford Books
32 Morris Avenue, Springfield, NJ 07081
9781580801553, $19.95 www.burfordbooks.com

Any library strong in cookbooks in general and meat books in particular will find this a fine addition, offering a comprehensive guide to making all kinds of sausages. From using cases to creating uncased sausages, this offers keys to curing, fermenting, stuffing, curing, and storing all kinds of sausages. Black and white photos throughout complete the detailed how-to information, suitable for beginners and practicing home sausage makers alike.

Eat What You Love
Marlene Koch
Running Press
2300 Chestnut St., Philadelphia, PA 19103
9780762434329, $29.95 www.runningpress.com

Eat What You Love deserves ongoing recommendation: it's packed with over 300 recipes low in sugar, fat and calories and accounts for busy family and cooking schedules as well as one-size-fits-all recipes that can be enjoyed by the entire family, not just the dieter. Color photos pepper a guide filled with mouth-watering delights.

Planet Barbecue!
Steven Raichlen
Workman Publishing
225 Varick St., New York NY 10014
9780761148012, $22.95 www.workman.com

PLANET BARBECUE is perhaps the best all-around global barbecue recipe guide in print. It packs in inspirations for all meats, starters, salads, and even sizzling desserts - all from countries around the world. From Grilled Corn Cakes With Salsa to Israeli Smoked Goose and Beer-Can Chicken with Asian 'Pesto', this is a 'must' for any barbecue collection!

Sugar: A Bittersweet History
Elizabeth Abbott
Overlook Press
141 Wooster St., New York NY 10012
9781590202975, $29.95 www.overlookpress.com

Sugar: A Bittersweet History tells the story of sugar in the world and explores how its cultivation created a new form of slavery, began the fast food industry, and has led to modern obesity dangers. From its roots in the 18th century when European businessmen turned the Caribbean islands into sugarcane farms to sugar's move from a luxury item to an everyday staple, and its influence on the concept of meals, this is a 'must' for any culinary collection.

Bromberg Bros. Blue Ribbon Cookbook
Bruce Bromberg, Eric Bromberg, Melissa Clark
Clarkson Potter Publishers
c/o The Crown Publishing Group
1745 Broadway, #B1, New York, NY 10019-4305
9780307407948, $35.00 www.clarksonpotter.com

Bromberg Bros. Blue Ribbon Cookbook showcases the authors' cooking from the late-night New York City chef hangout. Color photos pepper coverage of such innovative dishes as Sweet Frizzled Leeks, Raisin Walnut Bread, Smoky Bacon and Garlic Soup, and more. The authors specialize in elevating American homestyle dishes to the next level, making this a satisfying, fine pick for any cookbook collection.


The Biography Shelf

George Miksch Sutton
Jerome A. Jackson
University of Oklahoma Press
2800 Venture Drive, Norman, OK 73069
0806137452, $29.95 www.oupress.com

George Miksch Sutton: Artist, Scientist, and Teacher provides a fine survey telling of a Victorian gentleman trained in the sciences but at home in the arts. Jerome Jackson is a friend and colleague and uses interviews, correspondence, and personal insights to provide a fine portrait of the artist and a first biography of Sutton's contributions - beautiful bird paintings. Any library strong in science or art - or biographical sketches - will find this a lively survey.

The Way I See It
Melissa Anderson
Globe Pequot Press
Box 480, Guilford, CT 06437
9780762759705, $22.95 www.globepequot.com

THE WAY I SEE IT: A LOOK BACK AT MY LIFE ON LITTLE HOUSE offers a fine autobiography of actress Melissa Anderson's life growing up before viewers on the hit TV series Little House on the Prairie. Her life on and off set and her memories of working with big stars makes for an intriguing, lively account considering her interactions in the film business and her relationships with her co-stars in a vivid memoir suitable for any general library.

Bonhoeffer
Eric Metaxas
Thomas Nelson Publishers
PO Box 141000, Nashville, TN 37214
9781595551382, $29.99 www.thomasnelson.com

BONHOEFFER; PASTOR, MARTYR, PROPHET, SPY offers appeal not just to spirituality libraries, but to general-interest collections. It offers the first major biography of Bonhoeffer in forty years and examines his dual life as a theologian and spy, telling of evil and moral courage and using previously unavailable documents, from personal letters to journal entries and firsthand personal accounts, to document Bonhoeffer's life and beliefs.

The Other Wes Moore
Wes Moore
Spiegel & Grau
1745 Broadway, New York NY 10019
9780385528191, $25.00 www.spiegelandgrau.com

Two boys had the same name: one became the first Afro-American Rhodes Scholar, the other served a life sentence in prison. This book is written by the Rhodes Scholar - and tells of his namesake who lived in the same neighborhood and would spend his life in prison. A powerful memoir, it details two very different life courses and makes for compelling reading recommended for Afro-American and general collections alike.

Foxy: My Life in Three Acts
Pam Grier with Andrea Cagan
Springboard
c/o Hachette Book Group
237 Park Avenue, New York NY 10017
9780446548502, $24.99 www.hachettebookgroup.com

Foxy: My Life in Three Acts provides an excellent biography a bout an actress and singer who reveals childhood trials, the dangerous coming of age of a black woman in the sixties, and how she survived physical and mental trauma to become a leading actress. Included in her memoir is an unusual self-assessment of her trials and achievements, making this a fine recommendation for any general lending library.


The Business Shelf

The Encyclopedia of Money, second edition
Larry Allen
ABC-CLIO
Box 1911, Santa Barbara, CA 93116-1911
9781598842517 $95.00 www.abc-clio.com

The second updated edition of The Encyclopedia of Money is a fine pick for any college-level library, explaining financial concepts and terminology in over 350 A-Z entries on the development, functions and operations of banking, credit systems and more. Over 85 new entries to this edition accompany dozens of photos of coinage and money and a glossary of world economic terms.

Viral Explosions!
Peggy McColl
Career Press
Box 687, Franklin Lakes, NJ 07417
9781601631190, $21.99 www.careerpress.com

VIRAL EXPLOSIONS! PROVEN TECHNIQUES TO EXPAND, EXPLODE, OR IGNITE YOUR BUSINESS OR BRAND ONLINE offers a fine key to Internet growth and tells the author's story of the power of using online marketing. Specific examples and stories differentiates VIRAL EXPLOSIONS from overall coverages of online marketing's possibilities, surveying differences between online and offline marketing strategies, steps needed to build a global customer base, and more. Any business collection strong in online marketing must have this!

Audience, Relevance, and Search
James Mathewson, Frank Donatone, Cynthia Fishel
IBM Press
c/o Pearson Technology Group
801 East 96th Street, #300, Indianapolis, IN 46240-3759
0137004206, $39.99 www.ibmpressbooks.com

Audience, Relevance, and Search: Targeting Web Audiences with Relevant Content tells how to use search and social media to engage target audiences. It draws on over forty-five years of experience in Web publishing and search effectiveness to offer Web marketers, copywriters, and others insights on how to choose keywords, align content to users, and use analytical tools to measure site effectiveness. Any business targeting the internet for sales should have this.

Business Cases for Info Pros
Ulla de Stricker
Information Today
143 Old Marlton Pike, Medford, NJ 08055
9781573873352, $39.50 www.infotoday.com

BUSINESS CASES FOR INFO PROS: HERE'S WHY, HERE'S HOW discusses the psychology of decision making and offers a progression for structuring a business case, from identify a business need or opportunity to proposing solutions. Practical how-to advice is supported by case studies illustrating each concept, making for a fine 'case' for each idea. Business collections need this!

The Road to Wealth
Suze Orman
Riverhead Books
375 Hudson St., New York NY 10014-3658
9781594484582, $19.00 www.riverheadbooks.com

The Road to Wealth has been completely revised and updated for the modern world and provides key consumer advice on everything from credit cards and changes in student financial aid to mutual funds, wills, life insurance, disability and more. Any general, business or economics collection will find this a fine choice, appealing to general consumers with specific financial savvy.

Leaders as Teachers
Edward Betof
Berrett-Koehler Publishers Inc.
235 Montgomery Street, Suite 650, San Francisco, CA 94104-2916
1562865455, $39.95 www.bkconnection.com

LEADERS AS TEACHERS: UNLOCK THE TEACHING POTENTIAL OF YOUR COMPANY'S BEST AND BRIGHTEST provides a fine survey by a man who wrote and designed a unique leadership development program over an eight-year period. It offers tools to implement the model and a road map of direction for other organizations seeking to benefit from his experience, and is a 'must' for any business library.

How to Build Your Own Web Site With Little or No Money
Bruce C. Brown
Atlantic Publishing
1405 SW 6th Avenue, Ocala, FL 34471-1825
9781601383044, $29.95 www.atlantic-pub.com

How to Build Your Own Web Site With Little or No Money competes well with similar-sounding books on the market. It provides all the basics, from buying a domain name and hosting a Web site for less than, $15 to using open source software like WordPress and Joomla! Packed with free web resources and pro and con reviews of their use and effectiveness, this represents a virtual treasure trove of specifics and is a 'must' for any general lending library.

Forecasting Financial Markets
Tony Plummer
Kogan Page
525 South 4th St., Suite 241, Philadelphia, PA 19147
9780749456375, $85.00 www.koganpage.com

Forecasting Financial Markets: The Psychology of Successful Investing offers college-level readers a fine, well-detailed introduction to investment psychology. The focus here is on how group mentality and perceptions of financial wealth have serious implications for financial market swings - and it explains why trading success depends on the ability to understand finances in logical terms, recognize emotional responses to market fluctuations, and handle clues to buying and selling trends. Investment and business libraries at the college level will find this a fine classroom supplement.

Leading Outside the Lines
Jon R. Katzenbach and Zia Kahn
Jossey-Bass, Inc.
989 Market Street, 5th floor, San Francisco, CA 94103-1741
9780470589021, $27.95 www.josseybass.com

Leading Outside the Lines: How to Mobilize the (in)Formal Organization, Energize Your Team, and Get Better Results offers businesses keys to engaging their organizations, showing how to foster creativity, problem solving skills, and more. An informal organizational structure is promoted as a living network of connections, beliefs and work influences that affect the business and progress of an organization: keys to using these informal lines makes this a fine selection.

The Lords of Strategy
Walter Kiechel III
Harvard Business School Press
60 Harvard Way, Boston, MA 02163
9781591397823, $26.95 www.hbr.org/books

THE LORDS OF STRATEGY: THE SECRET INTELLECTUAL HISTORY OF THE NEW CORPORATE WORLD offers the untold history of business leaders who thought up the strategy revolution as it applied to business pursuits. Four men obsessed with discovering how businesses gain competitive advantage over others created the strategy paradigm: this history is perfect for any business library.


The Sports Shelf

Marathon: You Can Do It!, revised edition
Jeff Galloway
Shelter
Box 279, Bolinas, CA 94924
9780936070483, $18.95 www.shelterpub.com

Marathon: You Can Do It appears in a revised edition and comes from an author who developed unique training programs ten years ago showing runners how to train for and finish a marathon. This updated, revised edition shows how to set up a personal training program and stay motivated, and is key to running a successful marathon. Both sports and general libraries will find this a specific, welcome addition.

Fitness Professional's Guide To Strength Training Older Adults
Thomas R. Baechle & Wayne L. Westcott
Human Kinetics
Box 5976, Champaign, IL 61825-5076
073607581X, $34.00, www.humankinetics.com

Fitness Professional's Guide to Strength Training Older Adults was previously published as STRENGTH TRAINING FOR SENIORS, and appears in a new edition supporting health and fitness instructors at health clubs, nursing homes, and other organizations. It offers a new chapter on sport conditioning programs with specific strength exercises to boost performance, updates research on program design and performance for special senior issues, and provides the latest, specific nutrition guidelines to help seniors exercise properly. The result is an outstanding 'must' for any working with seniors.

Intermeccanica: The Story of the Prancing Bull
Andrew McCredie, as told by Paula Reisner
Veloce Publishing
Veloce House, Parkway Farm Business Park, Middle Farm Way, Poundbury, Dorchester DT1 3AR, England
www.veloce.co.uk
9781845842499, $79.95 www.amazon.com

Intermeccanica: The Story of the Prancing Bull is an exciting, top pick for any collection strong in sports car history and culture. It offers a David vs. Goliath story that spans half a century and three continents and tells of Frank Reisner, who defied the odds to keep an amazing auto company in business. Intermeccanica worked with legendary car designs and produced some extraordinary sports models: this survey documents the volatile, exciting history of the company and its operations. A key for any serious auto and sports car library, this is a top pick!


The Religion/Spirituality Shelf

After You Believe
N.T. Wright
HarperOne
c/o HarperCollins
10 E. 53rd St., New York NY 10022
9780061730559, $24.99 www.harperone.com

After You Believe: Why Christian Character Matters dispels modern misconception that Christian living is either directed or an idea of following one's heart no matter what. Instead a middle ground reveals the Bible's call for a revolution in character that moves beyond daily life and into a realization of a virtuous state of living for more fulfilling lives. Spirituality libraries will find this a fine pick.

Losing Our Religion
S.E. Cupp
Threshold Editions
c/o Simon and Schuster
1230 Avenue of the Americas, 14th fl., New York, NY 10020
9781439173169, $24.00 www.simonandschuster.com

LOSING OUR RELIGION: THE LIBERAL MEDIA'S ATTACK ON CHRISTIANITY comes from a conservative commentator who considers mainstream media's increasing disdain for Christianity, the faith of most Americans. From NPR to the New York Times, this documents 'assaults' on Christianity in the media and maintains that liberals are now part of a counter-culture and not mainstream America. An intriguing survey conservative collections can use to fuel debates.

The Genesis Genealogies
Rev. Abraham Park, D.Min., DD
Periplus
364 Innovation Dr., North Clarendon, VT 05759-9436
9780794606282, $24.95 www.periplus.com

The Genesis Genealogies: God's Administration in the History of Redemption provides a spiritual survey of the genealogies of Genesis, which consists of ten such genealogies. Libraries strong in scholarly religious survey will appreciate the in-depth study of these genealogies, a central part of Genesis and the history of redemption, and key to understanding Biblical history as a whole.

Pilgrimage: A Spiritual and Cultural Journey
Ian Bradley
Lion Hudson
c/o Trafalgar Square Publishing
814 N. Franklin Street, Chicago, IL 60610
9780745952703, $29.95 www.lionhudson.com

Pilgrimage: A Spiritual and Cultural Journey tells of the ancient spiritual practice of pilgrimage, which has enjoyed a revival in recent years. In Europe people from all walks of life have set out on pilgrimage: this book explores the concept, its origins, its expression through the years, and its modern meaning. Add coverage of modern pilgrimage sites and you have a winning survey any spiritual or general library will find appealing.

God Never Blinks
Regina Brett
Grand Central Publishing
c/o Hachette Book Group
237 Park Avenue, New York, NY 10017
9780446556521, $21.99 www.hachettebookgroup.com

God Never Blinks: 50 Lessons for Life's Little Detours offers a series of the author's personal essays based on her popular newspaper column reflecting on the 50 lessons life taught her. General as well as spiritual collections will find this a fine survey of what truly matters and offers lessons life has taught Regina - lessons that sum up what is good about life and its opportunities. A fine survey, this allows readers to reflect on what matters most.

A Positive Life
Shane Stanford
Zondervan Publishing House
5300 Patterson Avenue, S.E., Grand Rapids, MI 49530
9780310292920, $19.99 www.zondervan.com

A POSITIVE LIFE: LIVING WITH HIV AS A PASTOR, HUSBAND, AND FATHER offers nine basic lessons for living well based on the ministry of Jesus and also recounts his life after discovering he was HIV positive some twenty years ago. His choices turned a positive diagnosis at age sixteen to an opportunity for living a better life, and will prove inspirational reading for any Christian.

The World Turned Upside Down
Melanie Phillips
Encounter Books
900 Broadway, Suite 601, New York NY 10003
9781594033759, $23.95 www.encounterbooks.com

The World Turned Upside Down: The Global Battle Over God, Truth, and Power will appeal both to religious and political science libraries, offering keys to understanding conspiracy theories, cults, and the loss of religious belief in the West. Ideology and prejudice have replaced spirituality - and this book ties political trends and world encounters with the falsehoods and propaganda that cause instability in the West. A scholarly, thought-provoking tile for any spiritual library.

The Faith Factor
John C. Green
Potomac Books
22841 Quicksilver Dr., Dulles, VA 20166
9781597974301, $21.95 www.potomacbooksinc.com

THE FAITH FACTOR: HOW RELIGION INFLUENCES AMERICAN ELECTIONS is a pick for both spirituality and political issues collections from the high school level on it. It surveys poll results from recent presidential elections to examine the role religion plays in voting, showing that religion influences politics in complex ways. From issues in religion gaps to gender, age, and activism influences, this is a 'must' for any library seeking to explore connections between religion and American political processes.


The Comix/Graphic Novel Shelf

50% Wool, 50% Asinine
Scott Hilburn
Andrews McMeel
1130 Walnut St, Kansas City, MO 64106-2109
0740791540, $12.99 www.andrewsmcmeel.com

50% Wool, 50% Asinine provides a fine new Argyle Sweater collection by a cartoonist whose panels may best be described as influenced by Gary Larson of The Far Side fame. Talking animals, insects, fairy tale characters and more regularly appear in his single panels, and this full-color presentation is a fine pick for any cartoon collection.

Best Editorial Cartoons of the Year, 2010
Charles Brooks, Editor
Pelican Publishing
1000 Burmaster St., Gretna, LA 70053
9781589807532 www.pelicanpub.com

Deserving of ongoing recommendation is the 2010 edition of Best Editorial Cartoons of the Year: all that's needed for enjoyment is a knowledge of the last year's political scene. Black and white panels offer spoofs on politicians and scenarios, and make for an outstanding survey of pointed humor poking fun at political oddities and ironies. Libraries will find this a fun lend.

Conan V. 1
Roy Thomas & Barry Windsor-Smith
Dark Horse Comics
10956 SE Main St., Milwaukee, OR 97222
9781595824417, $49.99 www.darkhorse.com

Conan V. 1 is an outstanding survey: it's an all-color graphic novel based on Robert Howard's pulp character Conan the Barbarian and it offers outstanding comic adventures in hardcover book form. Any fan of comics or graphic novels in general or Conan in particular will find this an outstanding collection packaged in a keepsake edition perfect for lending libraries.

Modern Masters V. 24: Guy Davis
Eric Nolen-Weathington
TwoMorrows Publishing
10407 Bedfordtown Dr., Raleigh, NC 27614
1605490237, $15.95 www.twomorrows.com

Any graphic novel or cartoon collection will recognize the fame and name of Guy Davis, whose artwork specializes in the mysterious and macabre. His hit was Baker Street but his current Hellboy series is also notable in the world of comics and art, and this survey pairs black and white panels and comics with Guy Davis' own insights and reflections on his art, making this a pick for any graphic novel or comics collection.


The Needlecraft Shelf

How to Use, Adapt, and Design Sewing Patterns
Lee Hollahan
Barrons
250 Wireless, Hauppauge, NY 11788
0764144251, $21.99 www.barronseduc.com

How to Use, Adapt, and Design Sewing Patterns: From Store-Bought Patterns to Drafting Your Own: A Complete Guide offers keys to finding patterns that fit right and are easily adjustable, showing how to get the most from patterns and how to understand all their markings and how to translate them into shape and length suitable for body and individual style. Any general interest library or needlework collection will find this a popular pick!

Toe-Up 2-At-A-Time Socks
Melissa Morgan-Oakes
Storey Publishing
210 Mass MoCa Way, North Adams, MA 01247
9781603425339, $16.95 www.storey.com

Toe-Up 2-At-A-Time Socks expands on the author's first 2-at-a-time concept for knitting, teaching knitters how to knit socks starting from the toe rather than the cuff. By working toe-up, knitters can check sizing as they are being knit and can quickly assess yarn usage in the process. Any knitting library will find this a popular pick.

Schnibbles Times Two
Carrie Nelson
Martingale & Company
20205 - 144th Ave NE, Woodinville,WA 98072-8478
9781564779861, $26.99 www.martingale-pub.com

Schnibbles Times Two: Quilts from 5" or 10" Squares displays twelve pairs of quilts using large square, presenting the idea of building a large quilt from 10" Layer Cake squares. Each quilt includes materials and a cutting list, assembly instructions, and keys to creating a 'schnibble' using leftover fabric bits. Quilting libraries will relish this survey!

60 Quick Knits
Tanis Gray, Editor
Sixth & Spring Books
161 Avenue of Americas, New York NY 10013
9781933027975, $17.95 www.sixthandspringbooks.com

60 QUICK KNITS: 20 HATS, 20 SCARVES, 20 MITTENS IN CASCADE 220 provides knits using the Cascade 220 knitting yarns - one of the most popular yarns in the world. New designs offer both beginners and advanced knitters with 60 projects featuring colorful designs in a pick recommended for any knitting collection.

Crochet Lace Innovations
Doris Chan
Potter Craft
c/o The Crown Publishing Group
1745 Broadway, #B1, New York, NY 10019-4305
9780307463821, $21.99 www.pottercraft.com

CROCHET LACE INNOVATIONS: 20 DAZZLING DESIGNS IN BROOMSTICK, HAIRPIN, TUNISIAN, AND EXPLODED LACE offers innovations by the author, who took many traditional crochet techniques and modernized them to produce new, contemporary designs. From using a long strip of Broomstick lace to create a chic belt to blending traditional lace crochet stitches with accent beading, this packs in patterns, color photos, and outstanding lace creations in a top recommendation for any needlework library.


The Reference Shelf

Blue Book of Gun Values, 31st edition
S.P. Fjestad
Blue Book Publications
8009 - 34th Avenue South Suite 175, Minneapolis, MN 55425
1886768986, $49.95 www.bluebookinc.com

The 31st edition of Blue Book of Gun Values is a winner and a 'must' for any library catering to sports fans or gun collectors. Over 2,300 pages of updated values for antique and modern guns of all kinds follows the latest trends and details in gun collecting, offering an 80-page photo percentage grading system with color images used to ascertain any firearm's condition factor based on its original condition. Collectors will find this a 'must' basic reference.

Sustainable Event Management
Meegan Jones
Earthscan
c/o Stylus Publishing
22883 Quicksilver Drive, Sterling, VA 20166-2012
9781844077397, $47.95 www.earthscan.com

Sustainable Event Management is a 'must' acquisition for any professional business or general library strong in events planning. It coves all the basics of how to hold a 'sustainable' event, whether it be a festival or gathering, and offers event planners and students a step-by-step guide to staging and managing the impacts of all kinds of events. From transport to water safety issues, this covers it all!

Methods in Bioengineering
Arul Jayaraman and Juergen Hahn, Editors
Artech House
685 Canton St., Norwood, MA 02062
1596934069, $129.00 www.artechhouse.com

Methods in Bioengineering: Systems Analysis of Biological Networks is a top pick for any college-level biology collection. It examines two main aspects of systems biology: the design of experimental methods and the development of models to analyze data. Methods now being used in such analysis in biomedical circles are examined in a methodological examination of equations, expressions, and discussions of bioengineering processes. A technical reference 'must' not just for libraries but for classroom assignment as well.

Curious Currency
Robert D. Leonard Jr.
Whitman Publishing
3101 Clairmont Rd, Suite C, Atlanta, GA 30329
9780794822897, $12.95 www.whitmanbooks.com

CURIOUS CURRENCY: THE STORY OF MONEY FROM THE STONE AGE TO THE INTERNET AGE explores hundreds of unusual things people have used as money over the centuries. From woodpecker scalps to big stones and hippo teeth, Ostrich eggshells and tea bricks, this pairs color photos of archaeological relics with a fine history of currency's evolving value. Any library strong in archaeology and collecting will appreciate this historical survey moving from ancient to modern times!

The New York Times: The Complete Front Pages 1851-2009
Bill Keller
Black Dog & Leventhal
151 W. 19th St., New York NY 10011
www.blackdogandleventhal.com
9781579128258, $60.00, www.amazon.com

The New York Times: The Complete Front Pages 1851-2009 comes with three DVD-ROMs with all 54,693 front pages and links to the full articles. The book itself - an oversized, coffee-table production - is packed with full-page black and white facsimile page reproductions, with a magnifier included covering some 300 of the most significant New York Times pages from its first issue in 1851 to modern times.

AP Calculus, tenth edition
Shirley Hockett, MA & David Bock, MS
Barron's
250 Wireless, Hauppauge, NY 11788
0764196758, $29.99 www.barronseduc.com

The latest review tests - some eight full-length AP practice exams in all for Calculus AB and Calculus BC - offers the latest subjects and test topics and includes two full-length practice tests on CD-ROM. This does more than provide test structures: it offers extensive subject reviews of all test topics and calculus applications, making this a 'must' for any preparing for the AP Calculus exam.


The Automotive Shelf

Ultimate American V-8 Engine Data Book, second edition
Peter C. Sessler
Motorbooks
c/o Quayside Publishing Group
400 First Avenue North, Suite 300, Minneapolis, MN 55401
9780760336816, $29.99 www.motorbooks.com

The second updated and expanded edition of Ultimate American V-8 Engine Data Book is a winner, covering over a half a century of domestic passenger-car V-8s and including more details covering all major brands and independents. The arrangement by manufacturer offers complete engine breakdowns and data on ratings, internal dimensions, casting and part numbers: no automotive library should be without this fine reference.


The Music Shelf

Pro Tools LE 8 Ignite!
Andrew Hagerman
Course Technology
20 Channel Center St., Boston, MA 02210
1598638866, $34.99 www.courseptr.com

Pro Tools LE 8 Ignite!: The Visual Guide for New Users comes with a CD-ROM including appendixes for self-testing and sample audio files, and offers all the latest tips on creating music on the computer. Black and white screenshots accompany step-by-step instructions that cover all the basics of recording, editing and mixing MIDI, then move to more advanced tricks of the trade. Libraries catering to home music makers need this.

South Africa
Various Artists
Putumayo World Music
411 Lafayette, 4th Floor, New York, New York 10003
B003CJXIUK, $15.98 www.putumayo.com

This new compilation features twelve different artists or groups singing and playing many different styles of South African music. Some are as old as mabari - a style related to American swing music, which hit its peak in the 1950s - and some are more contemporary, such as reggae and rap, which get such a South African spin, you'd think they were invented in South Africa. Fans of Paul Simon's GRACELAND should find this interesting, packed with artists classic to South Africa's sounds such as the Soul Brothers or Soweto Gospel Choir. We even get the late great Miriam Makeba, doing some of her best work! Highly recommended!

Haoloto
Te Vaka
Warm Earth Records
Box 875, Five Dock, NSW 2046, Australia
warm.earth@music.tevaka.com
CD, $34.98, www.tevaka.com www.tevaka.org

The South Pacific island group Te Vaka returns with yet another hard-hitting, involving album - this even more diverse. A first listen to a few songs leads one to wonder where the classic drum beats - the signature of Te Vaka - have gone to: well, they're here, imbedded deeply in other songs. The introductory 'Ata Tou' is ethereal, gorgeous, with subdued rhythms and the sound of the sea in the background, for example. The lovely harmonies are still evident, the log drums' heart-pounding rhythms return in 'Tauasa', which holds much of the dance attraction Te Vaka is noted for. The South Pacific fusion sound is even more evident - and mature - in their latest album and Te Vaka remains a top pick for any library strong in Hawaiian and South Pacific regional music!

Return of the King
Gillian G. Gaar
Jawbone
1700 - 4th St., Berkeley, CA 94710
9781906002282, $19.95 www.jawbonepress.com

Return of the King: Elvis Presley's Great Comeback tells of a pivotal period in Elvis Presley's life. Buy 1967 he was just about a has-been - but he resisted the fade to obscurity and come roaring back, making some of his most enduring records. This focuses on his comeback and the events that fostered it, and makes for a moving, specific focus any rock music history library will want. The specific insights into the nature of Presley's comeback offers far more depth the usual, more general Presley overview.

Louis Armstrong
David Stricklin
Ivan R. Dee
1332 N. Halsted St., Chicago, IL 60642-2694
9781566638364, $26.00 www.ivanrdee.com

Louis Armstrong: The Soundtrack of the American Experience provides a fine life story of a great instrumentalist and entertainer, but it's much more than another biography of Louis Armstrong. Its survey weaves in social and cultural history and observations, showing how Armstrong was able to triumph over nearly impossible odds to become an international icon. Music and social issues collections at the college level will relish this survey.

Don Helms: Your Cheatin' Heart Steel Guitar Songbook
DeWitt Scott, Compiler/Editor
Mel Bay Publications
#4 Industrial Dr, Pacific, MO 63069
9780786682157, $19.99 www.melbay.com

Don Helms: Your Cheatin' Heart Steel Guitar Songbook is accompanied by a CD and is the perfect songbook for any steel guitar player. It offers tablature and songs for the steel guitar and comes from a stylist who brought some innovative playing choices to the steel guitar realm. Any library strong in steel guitar instruction and songs needs this.


The Military Shelf

Outnumbered
Cormac O'Brien
Fair Winds Press
c/o Quayside Publishing Group
400 First Avenue North, Suite 300, Minneapolis, MN 55401-1721
1592334059, $19.99 www.fairwindspress.com

OUTNUMBERED: INCREDIBLE STORIES OF HISTORY'S MOST SURPRISING BATTLEFIELD UPSETS details some fourteen occasions in which a smaller, weaker force prevailed in a major assault. From Alexander's plan to destroy the Persian force and its empire to General Lee's surprise strategy during the Civil War, this survey of history and strategies is a 'must' for any military history library, providing lively coverage and analysis of some major upsets.

Weapons of Delta Force
Fred J. Pushies
Zenith Press
400 1st Avenue North, Minneapolis, MN 55401
9780760338247, $19.99 www.zenithpress.com

Weapons of Delta Force is a fine 'must' for any military collection. It packs in color photos on every page and offers insights into the weaponry of a unit so secret that the U.S. Department of Defense won't acknowledge its existence. Information on the weapons and their accessories are included in a guide to the overall weaponry of the unit, from knives and sniper rifles to anti-tank weapons, mines, and night-vision equipment.

Combat Leader to Corporate Leader
Chad Storlie
Praeger Publishers
c/o ABC-CLIO
Box 1911, Santa Barbara, CA 93116-1911
9780313383328, $34.95 www.praeger.com

Combat Leader to Corporate Leader: 20 Lessons to Advance Your Civilian Career is a pick for any military veteran unsure about how to apply military training and experience to the business world. It teaches all veterans and nonmilitary professionals how to use these skills effectively to solve business problems and covers everything from the differences between a military and business environment to planning solutions, meeting goals, and improving people relationships. Very highly recommended for business and military libraries alike!

Dangerous Ground
Scott Ritter
Nation Books
387 Park Avenue South, New York NY 10016
9781568583990, $29.95 www.nationbooks.org

Dangerous Ground: America's Failed Arms Control Policy, from FDR to Obama comes from a leading expert on arms control and proliferation issues, and analyzes the deteriorating global security surrounding the nuclear bomb. Chapters cover a history of America's failed attempts at arms control, from Franklin Roosevelt to modern times, and discuss how America's own addiction to nuclear weaponry has worsened the situation. Dangerous Ground provides history and military commentary alike, and is a key acquisition for any arms control collection.

Iron Men and Tin Fish
Anthony Newpower
Naval Institute Press
291 Wood Road, Annapolis, MD 21402
9781591146230, $21.95 www.nip.org

Iron Men and Tin Fish: The Race to Build a Better Torpedo During World War II offers a fine survey of the history and roles torpedoes played during World War II. It focuses on the torpedo development of both sides in the process of offering a 'you are there' story of submarine warfare, blending the narrative with accounts of U.S. sub experiences with faulty torpedoes. An outstanding account!

Naval Miscellany
Angus Konstam
Osprey Publishing
44-02 - 23rd St., Long Island City, NY 11101
9781846039898, $15.95 www.ospreypublishing.com

Naval Miscellany offers a sailor's collection of nautical qualities and facts about the sea, blending yarns about pirates and escapades with rowdy songs and history to make for a rollicking, fun read. Any sailor will find this an outstanding presentation, and any nautical library will also relish the variety of stories and experiences.

New Dawn: The Battles for Fallujah
Richard S. Lowry
Savas Beatie
c/o Casemate Publishers
908 Darby Rd, Haverton, PA 19083
9781932714777, $29.95 www.casematepublishing.com

New Dawn: The Battles for Fallujah follows the battles that represented a months-long combat operation in 2004. It comes from a researcher who spent years studying the new battle history of Fallujah, using archival research plus the personal memoirs of nearly 200 soldiers who participated in the battles. The result is a powerful narrative history essential for any studying the Iraq conflict.


The American History Shelf

Framing the Sixties
Bernard von Bothmer
University of Massachusetts Press
PO Box 429, Amherst, MA 01004
9781558497320, $28.95 www.umass.edu/umpress

FRAMING THE SIXTIES: THE USE AND ABUSE OF A DECADE FROM RONALD REAGAN TO GEORGE W. BUSH provides a fine winning account of a decade in U.S. history. It analyzes the facts and events of both right and left sides in a study which considers Presidential strategy and the times, offering framings of how these Presidents affected choices during the sixties and helped influence social sentiments. College-level American history collections strong in political and social analysis need this.


The World History Shelf

The Rise and Fall of the Second Largest Empire in History
Thomas J. Craughwell
Fair Winds Press
c/o Quayside Publishing Group
400 First Avenue North, Suite 300, Minneapolis, MN 55401-1721
9781592333981, $19.99 www.fairwindspress.com

The Rise and Fall of the Second Largest Empire in History: How Genghis Khan's Mongols Almost Conquered the World offers a complete, lively survey of the Mongol conquests and the ascent of Genghis Khan to near world domination, following the empire's amazing expansion and rapid decline and offering history collections an exciting, solid survey. Libraries will find appealing this fine focus with its survey of social and political influences on Genghis Khan's actions.


The Metaphysical Studies Shelf

A Life Worth Breathing
Max Strom
Skyhorse Publishing
555 - 8th Avenue Suite 903, New York NY 10018
1602399808, $24.95 www.skyhorsepublishing.com

A LIFE WORTH BREATHING: A YOGA MASTER'S HANDBOOK OF STRENGTH, GRACE, AND HEALING provides fine keys to healing body and mind and comes from a renowned yoga teacher and spiritual philosopher who explains how to 'untie' confusion to arrive at one's true self. His book offers a path towards change as a way of life - as he's taught to thousands of students the last fifteen years. Wisdom and insights make this a powerful key to understanding conscious living.

The Great Oom
Robert Love
Viking Press
375 Hudson St., New York NY 10014
9780670021758, $27.95 www.penguin.com

THE GREAT OOM: THE IMPROBABLE BIRTH OF YOGA IN AMERICA offers a fine history of yoga's arrival in America, its growth, and its practices as embraced by Americans across the country. From the first ashram to how a cigar-smoking Iowa native brought yoga to America, this offers a fine and studied history that delves into the real roots and influences of yoga in this country. A 'must' for both new age and general collections.

Dreamgates
Robert Moss
New World Library
14 Pamaron Way, Novato, CA 94949
9781577318910, $15.95 www.newworldlibrary.com

DREAMGATES: EXPLORING THE WORLDS OF SOUL, IMAGINATION, AND LIFE BEYOND DEATH comes from a former professor of ancient history and an active dreaming expert who explores the potential of dreams, using shamanic traditions to examine ways to use dreams as portals to new worlds. Readers receive insights into a process that shows how to encounter departed loved ones and wise interdimensional beings, using techniques for guided dreaming that are paired with stories of the author and his students' own dreams.

The Fifth Agreement
Don Miguel Ruiz and Don Jose Ruiz
Amber-Allen Publishing
Box 6657, San Rafael, CA 94903
9781878424686, $19.95 www.amberallen.com

THE FIFTH AGREEMENT: A PRACTICAL GUIDE TO SELF-MASTERY comes from the author of the seven-year bestseller THE FOUR AGREEMENTS, that revealed how education can make us forget inner wisdom. This continues the discussion, offering a new perspective on the Four agreements and adding the fifth for a deeper awareness of the power of the Self. Collections seeing popularity from its predecessor won't want to miss THE FIFTH AGREEMENT's continuing dialogue.


The Women's Studies Shelf

Iron Butterflies
Birute Regine
Prometheus Books
59 John Glenn Drive, Amherst, NY 14228-2119
9781616141691, $19.00 www.prometheusbooks.com

IRON BUTTERFLIES: WOMEN TRANSFORMING THEMSELVES AND THE WORLD maintains that a transition is taking place in society which was once based on power over others and is now seeing a new era of community founded on the idea that power should only be exercised with and for others. The stories of sixty successful women in eight countries considers changing women's roles and role models - women who are 'Iron Butterflies' because they meld a will of iron with the grace and care of a butterfly. College-level collections strong in social issues and women's studies will relish this.

Influence
Maddy Dychtwald with Christine Larson
Voice
c/o Hyperion Books
114 - 5th Avenue, New York NY 10011
9781401341022, $24.99 www.hyperionbooks.com

INFLUENCE: HOW WOMEN'S SOARING ECONOMIC POWER WILL TRANSFORM OUR WORLD FOR THE BETTER examines the emergency of women as an economic force, considering how women are on the brink of a new financial power and how they will use it to improve society. Interviews, lively reporting, and research document a large cultural revolution in the works in this outstanding survey.


The Nautical Shelf

Piracy Today
John C. Payne
Sheridan House
145 Palisade St., Dobbs Ferry, NY 10522
9781574092912, $29.95 www.sheridanhouse.com

Piracy Today: Fighting Villainy on the High Seas provides a powerful account of modern piracy: a billion-dollar business that takes advantage of inadequate international law and under-staffed ships to make a profit. Gangs armed with AK-47s and small rocket launchers have been demanding - and receiving - big ransoms and stealing valuable cargo: PIRACY TODAY documents the problem and comes from a seaman who offers accounts from real life. Nautical collections need this!

26 Feet to the Charlottes
JuneCameron
Heritage House Publishing Company
#340 - 1105 Pandora Ave., Victoria, BC, Canada V8V 3P9
9781894974615, $19.95 www.heritagehouse.ca

26 Feet to the Charlottes: Exploring the Land of the Haida tells of a sailing journey undertaken in an old 26-foot wooden sloop to cross the Hecate Strait and explore the Queen Charlotte Islands. The author had raced her own sailboat for years and partner Paul Holsinger was a gifted mechanic - but their journey would bring with it cultural insights about the area's First Nations inhabitants as well as challenges and uncharted waters. A gripping adventure evolves.


The Science Shelf

Bursts
Albert-Laszlo Barabasi
Dutton
375 Hudson St., New York NY 10014-3657
9780525951605, $26.95 www.penguin.com

BURSTS: THE HIDDEN PATTERN BEHIND EVERYTHING WE DO comes from a researcher in network science and offers new discoveries on the 'pattern of life' that connects such seemingly disparate events as increasing world violence, stock market crashes, diseases and more. His research reveals that we go for long periods in quiet routine interrupted by loud bursts of activity, a phenomena affecting humans and animals alike. An intriguing survey, this will find a spot on general as well as science library shelves.

DNA Technology
David E. Newton
ABC-CLIO
Box 1911, Santa Barbara, CA 93116-1911
9781598843286, $65.00 www.abc-clio.com

DNA Technology: A Reference Handbook joins others in the 'Contemporary World Issues' series for college-level readers, and provides an excellent survey of politics, science, social issues, and more. Its coverage surveys the birth of genetics, the road to DNA, gene therapy's promise, forensic science's evolution and development, and many other DNA technology developments, making this key not just for science collections, but for social issues libraries as well.


The Environmental Studies Shelf

Season of the Gar
Mark Spitzer
University of Arkansas Press
201 Ozark Avenue, Fayetteville, AR 72701
1557289298, $19.95 www.uapress.com

Season of the Gar: Adventures in Pursuit of America's Mot Misunderstood Fish blends science, history, and folklore along with the author's experiences of his own pet gar - and even adds gar recipes - to tell of a fish that has been both hated and loved for centuries. The result is a fine blend of fishing, nature, and ecological history perfect for any library both general and specific to natural history.


The Consumer Shelf

The Pearl Book, fourth edition
Antoinette Matlins, PG
GemStone Press
Box 237, Woodstock, VT 05091
9780943763545, $19.99 www.gemstonepress.com

Deserving of ongoing mention is this fourth updated, expanded edition covering all the basics in THE PEARL BOOK: THE DEFINITIVE BUYING GUIDE. From selecting and buying pearls to caring for them, this offers a fine centerfold of color pearl photos to accompany all facts. There's still no comparable focus on this subject available, making this an ongoing consumer's reference.


The Antiques/Collectibles Shelf

Vintage Fashion Accessories
Stacy LoAlbo
Krause Publications
700 East State St., Iola, WI 54990-0001
9781440202513, $24.99 www.krausebooks.com

Vintage Fashion Accessories receives a dual recommendation both for collector's shelves and for any arts library where fashion is of interest. While the focus is on collectible vintage fashion accessories and their values, the wealth of color photos throughout and chapter-wide discussions of designers and their trend-setting choices makes this a top pick.


The Fantasy/SciFi Shelf

Burned
P.C. Cast & Kristin Cast
St. Martin's Press
175 - 5th Avenue, New York NY 10010
9780312606169, $17.99 www.stmartins.com

Friendship has turned dark at the House of Night: Zoey's broken heart makes her want to stay in the Otherworld and she seems unable to rejoin her friends. Stark is the only living person to help her - but he'll have to die to make that happen. Prior fans of the House of Night vampire stories will relish this intense thriller, packed with unexpected twists and turns. Libraries that see strong interest in vampire novels in general and P.C. and Kristin Cast's prior House of Night novels will find this a 'must'.

Ark
Stephen Baxter
ROC Books
c/o Penguin Publishing Group
375 Hudson St., New York NY 10014
9780451463319, $24.95 www.penguin.com

ARK provides a fine, satisfying sequel to the flood-of-the-world novel FLOOD from 2009, this set in the year 2041 when the oceans are covering the earth. A chosen few have their sights set on fleeing the planet - and Holle's entire life has been one of training for this event. ARK is a captivating, moving story no library should be without!

Robots and Magic V. 2
Lester Del Rey
NESFA
Box 809, Framingham, MA 01701
9781886778887, $29.00 www.nesfapress.com

Any serious science fiction library readily recognizes the name of classic early writer Lester Del Rey, and will want to include V. 2 of his collected short stories ROBOTS AND MAGIC in any collection. It offers over thirty of Del Rey's stories that cover science fiction and fantasy genres, includes a color cover by award-winning fantasy artist John Picacio, and offers a robot-based set of diverse, satisfying tales.

Recovering Apollo 8
Kristine Kathryn Rusch
Golden Gryphon
3002 Perkins Road., Urbana, IL 61802
1930846622, $24.95 www.goldengryphon.com

Recovering Apollo 8 offers an outstanding gathering of Kristine Kathryn Rusch's award-winning short fiction and concludes with the inspiration for her novel, DIVING INTO THE WRECK. It's a 'must' for any library strong in science fiction, highlighting the extent of a long, award-winning career with many powerful picks.

Other Worlds Than Ours
Nelson Bond
Arkham House
PO BOX 546, Sauk City, WI 53583
0870541846, $35.95 www.arkhamhouse.com

It's rare that a review turns to a book that's been on the market for several years, but deserving of repeated, ongoing recommendation is Nelson Bond's Other Worlds Than Ours. It provides a collection of previously uncollected science fiction stories from the 1940s, includes a complete novel, and covers universe to time travel. Readers will find it an outstanding, diverse selection and libraries will find repeat interest in its concepts!

The Addams Family: An Evilution
Chas Addams
Pomegranate
Box 808022, Petaluma, CA 94975-8022
9780764953880, $39.95 www.pomegranate.com

The Addams Family: An Evilution deserves a place in a wide range of collections: arts, film history, and science fiction. It packs in black and white and color plates in the first book to trace The Addams Family history, presenting over 200 cartoons created by Charles Addams throughout his career - many never published before. Very highly recommended as a definitive guide to the Addams Family culture!

At the Gates of Darkness
Raymond E. Feist
EOS
10 E. 53rd St., New York NY 10022
9780061468377, $27.99 www.eosbooks.com

Book 2 of Raymond Feist's 'Demonwar Saga' is out, and it's a top pick for any collection enjoying popularity from Book One. It begins where RIDES A DREAD LEGION left off, a decade after the conclusion of events in his three-volume Darkwar Saga. An uneasy magical alliance to protect the kingdom hasn't stopped the demonic onslaught, and the Demon Legion is taking a tool on magician Pug, who has lost nearly all he loves. A fine novel of fantasy and confrontation evolves.

Much Fall of Blood
Mercedes Lackey, Eric Flint, Dave Freer
Baen Books
Box 1403, Riverdale, NY 10471
9781439133514, $27.00 www.baen.com

MUCH FALL OF BLOOD continues the fantasy begin in THE SHADOW OF THE LION and tells of Prince Manfred and his mentor, warrior Erick Hakkonsen, who have survived supernatural and natural enemies and who embark on a new mission to escort an envoy of Mongols to the lands of the Golden Horde. The mission leads to a deadly clan civil war in this moving saga.

Directive 51
John Barnes
Ace Books
c/o Penguin Publishing Group
375 Hudson St., New York NY 10014
9780441018222, $25.95 www.penguin.com

Directive 51 tells of a special political directive claiming Federal powers in the event of a 'catastrophic emergency' - and of one Heather, investigating rumors around a terrorist and artists movement called 'Daybreak', designed to bring about the end of technology through the release of nanos. Slowly-building terror mounts in a tense story line perfect for any science fiction library.

Deceiver
C.J. Cherryh
DAW Books Inc.
c/o Penguin Publishing Group
375 Hudson St., New York NY 10014
9780756406011, $25.95 www.dawbooks.com

DECEIVER provides a fine novel of Cherryh's Foreigner Universe, and tells of the end of the civil war among the alien Atevi and dangers still posed by rebel factions. A brilliant human diplomat's alliances and peril means no peace for him, however, and threats to a former safe haven and world remain, in this tense political thriller.


The Political Science Shelf

The Struggle to Limit Government
John Samples
Cato Institute
1000 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington DC 20001
9781935308287, $24.95 www.cato.org

The Struggle to Limit Government: A Modern Political History surveys the high and low points of nearly twenty years of struggle to limit American government. Bush's willingness to expand government for political reasons represented a far extreme of political power gone awry, but other examples show that both parties need to incorporate this idea into future plans - and his focus on spending, taxation and the politics of 'entitlement' that have permeated modern government makes for eye-opening insights perfect for college-level political discussions.

Libertarianism from A to Z
Jeffrey A. Miron
Basic Books
c/o Perseus Books Group
11 Cambridge Center, Cambridge, MA 02142
9780465019434, $24.95 www.basicbooks.com

Libertarianism from A to Z offers a fine survey of how to think of all aspects of government from the libertarian perspective, offering a different view and analytical approach than the traditional left and right. It offers insights on both specific political and social acts and concepts, showing how federal involvement should be advocated if the consequences are better than those of laissez-faire. High school to college-level holdings will welcome this discussion.


The Philosophy Shelf

Anime and Philosophy: Wide-Eyed Wonder
Josef Steiff and Tristan D. Tamplin
Open Court Books
70 East Lake St. #300, Chicago, IL 60601
9780812696707, $19.95 www.opencourtbooks.com

Anime and Philosophy: Wide-Eyed Wonder will appeal to a wide contemporary audience - any who are interested in anime - and pairs the art of philosophical examination with the phenomenon of anime and its wide-ranging appeal. Anime fans receive insights into the underlying actions of their favorite films and characters, considering the psyche behind Japanese animation and providing a fine survey of the anime universe. A 'must' for any modern philosophy library or anime film collection.


The Education Shelf

The Kinesthetic Classroom
Traci Lengel and Mike Kuczala
Corwin Press
2455 Teller Road, Thousand Oaks, CA 91320
9781412979542, $28.95 www.corwin.com

The Kinesthetic Classroom uses the latest research to show how physical activity helps young learners overall. The latest educational research shows how regular physical movement increases attention span and helps the brain learn new information, with this guide offering important keys to improving student health and education perception.

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

Paul C. McCable and Steven R. Shaw's PEDIATRIC DISORDERS: CURRENT TOPICS AND INTERVENTIONS FOR EDUCATORS (9781412968744, $33.95) discusses medical issues in schools and is written for school psychologists, counselors, teachers and others working with kids. It surveys the latest issues in pediatric disorders and treatments and offers tips on prevention and wellness intervention. Carol A. Kochhar-Bryant with Angela Heishman's EFFECTIVE COLLABORATION FOR EDUCATING THE WHOLE CHILD (9781412965279, $40.95) considers the impact of collaboration between educators on kids with learning disabilities or different learning needs, and is written for K-12 general and special education teachers and administrators alike. From the roles and relationships of school professionals to case history examples and details on developmental transition points through high school and after graduation, this makes for a fine survey. Jeanne H. Purcell and Jann H. Leppien edit PARALLEL CURRICULUM UNITS FOR LANGUAGE ARTS GRADES 6-12 (9781412965385, $35.95), a fine selection of modern language arts lessons based on the Parallel Curriculum Model. It provides sample language arts units written by practicing teachers who use these guidelines to provide step-by-step lessons for creation to delivery. Highly recommended! Spencer J. Salend's CLASSROOM TESTING AND ASSESSMENT FOR ALL STUDENTS: BEYOND STANDARDIZATION (9781412966436, $30.95) tells how to give all students an equal chance at superior performance on tests. Classroom and school-based examples supplement information outlining research-based strategies for teacher implementation. Forms, stories, vignettes, and checklists guide educators in the latest techniques. Jo Blase, Joseph Blase and Dana Yon Phillips' HANDBOOK OF SCHOOL IMPROVEMENT: HOW HIGH-PERFORMING PRINCIPALS CREATE HIGH-PERFORMING SCHOOLS (9781412979979, $35.95) is written by experts in school improvement and provides a guide with unique perspectives from 20 successful principals representing a range of urban and rural schools. Real-world strategies and best practices accompany a focus on how principals balance leadership responsibilities and actively involve teachers and families in the school environment. June E. Downing's ACADEMIC INSTRUCTION FOR STUDENTS WITH MODERATE AND SEVERE INTELLECTUAL DISABILITIES IN INCLUSIVE CLASSROOMS (9781412971423, $35.95) provides resources for adapting a curriculum to meet both individual student needs and state standards. It shows how to work with other teachers and the school environment to develop assessments that determine student needs, and it shows how to chart student progress. William W. Purkey, John J. Schmidt and John M. Novak's FROM CONFLICT TO CONCILIATION: HOW TO DEFUSE DIFFICULT SITUATIONS (9781412979863, $28.95) is based on research and helps readers identify six steps for addressing actionable concerns, from basic identification to taking logical action and restoring relationships. The focus isn't just on conflict resolution: it's on preserving underlying relationships. Maria C. Grant and Douglas Fisher's READING AND WRITING IN SCIENCE: TOOLS TO DEVELOP DISCIPLINARY LITERACY (9781412956147, $23.95) helps students develop literacy tools for critical thinking in science, and provides middle to high school teachers with specific tools for building students through science. From developing science reading skills to using graphic organizers and writing-to-learn, this packs in many insights. Roberta Kaufman and Robert Wandberg's POWERFUL PRACTICES FOR HIGH-PERFORMING SPECIAL EDUCATORS (9781412968072, $31.95) provides special education teachers with valuable tools for handling the most common classroom challenges. From meeting diverse academic needs to managing behavior and blending new technology into the special education classroom, this is an outstanding survey of the latest resources and their management. Bob Algozzine, Ann P. Daunic and Stephen W. Smith's PREVENTING PROBLEM BEHAVIORS, 2ND EDITION (9781412970488, $35.95) identifies and offers the latest insights on prevention, surveying why conflict resolution and bully-proofing are key components of prevention and offering tools for using individual behavior plans to prevent problems. From new strategies to monitor student progress to updated chapters on preschool behavior support and RTI, this is packed with important ideas. Stephen S. Kaagan and Linda Headley's BRINGING YOUR LEARNING COMMUNITY TO LIFE: A ROAD MAP FOR SUSTAINABLE SCHOOL IMPROVEMENT (9781412972970, $28.95) offers a do-it-yourself guide to creating and sustaining a professional learning community in a school. It comes from leadership specialists who provide school and district leaders with tools for creating and sustaining a PLC focused on improving student learning. Tasks that help educators learn by doing accompany practice exercises for conducting meetings and building communication skills, along with case studies of common problems. Paul C. McCabe and Steven R. Shaw's GENETIC AND ACQUIRED DISORDERS: CURRENT TOPICS AND INTERVENTIONS FOR EDUCATORS (9781412968720, $33.95) provides a fine guide to helping students with genetic disorders and discusses the physical and mental impact of disorders ranging from autism and shyness to acquired disorders from drugs, alcoholism and allergies. Case studies provide a fine foundation of strategies educators will appreciate. Paul L. Kimmelman's THE SCHOOL LEADERSHIP TRIANGLE (9781412978040, $28.95) provides a fine framework for improving education based on federal policies, leadership, and innovation. Examines from business and school environments offer insights into the processes of legislators and how leaders can direct their results throughout a school. Sara Davis Powell's WAYSIDE TEACHING: CONNECTING WITH STUDENTS TO SUPPORT LEARNING (9781412972901, $30.95) provides an excellent handbook about mentoring and informal curriculum. Strategies for formal and informal settings include self-assessments and examples for all levels of school operations to help educators explore the link between productive teaching and self-knowledge.

Teaching College Writing to Diverse Student Populations
Dana R. Ferris
University of Michigan Press
839 Greene Street, Ann Arbor, MI 48104-3209
9780472033379, $27.50 www.press.umich.edu

Teaching College Writing to Diverse Student Populations provides an introduction to the topic of diverse second language student audiences in American post-secondary educational settings. It provides educators interested in working with ESL students with a fine survey of immigrant population shifts and its impact on the second language process, examining issues and offering suggestions to teachers and educators alike. Any ESL educator operating at academic levels must have this.

Catching Readers Before They Fall
Pat Johnson and Katie Keier
Stenhouse Publishers
477 Congress Street, Suite 4B, Portland, ME 04101-3451
9781571107817, $24.00 www.stenhouse.com

Catching Readers Before They Fall offers teachers an important explanation of all the sources of information readers use to solve words - and how they can respond to young reader efforts. Ways in which they can support skills and strategies accompany lessons that model how to use the latest information and teaching strategies more effectively. A fine addition for any teacher's collection.

Including One, Including All
Leslie Roffman & Todd Wanerman
Cassandra Britton
Redleaf Press
10 Yorkton Court, St. Paul, MN 55117-1065
9781605540139, $39.95 www.redleafpress.org

Including One, Including All: A Guide to Relationship-Based Early Childhood Inclusion is a fine pick for any early childhood library. It teaches how to create a program that supports kids with various behavioral and learning challenges, offering a review of inclusion, a description of the Engage-Reflect-Plan cycle, stories and tools to support kids, and more. It's a survey preschool teachers will need.

Schoolwide Physical Activity
Judith E. Rink, Tina J. Hall, Lori H. Williams
Human Kinetics
Box 5076, Champaign, IL 61825-5076
0736080600, $49.00 www.hkusa.com

Schoolwide Physical Activity: A Comprehensive Guide to Designing and Conducting Programs includes a CD-ROM with activities, forms and charts and is simply packed with details offering K-12 teachers and administrators tools needed to plan physical activity programs for students. Activities blend classroom, playground and before and after school programs and offer a logical directed guide to building a physical activity program that appeals to all age ranges and abilities, not just athletes. Any educator's library will benefit from this coverage.


The Photography Shelf

Captured By the Light
David A. Ziser
New Riders
c/o Pearson Technology Group
801 East 96th Street, #300, Indianapolis, IN 46240-3759
0321646878, $54.99 www.newriders.com

Captured By the Light comes from a renowned wedding photographer and instructor who offers a new perspective on wedding photography. This is the first to focus on specific areas wedding photographers have needed, offering keys on lighting setups, professional posing, on-location lighting, and more. Any would-be wedding photographer must have this.

After Photography
Fred Ritchin
W.W. Norton
500 - 5th Avenue, New York NY 10110
9780393337730, $19.95 www.wwnorton.com

After Photography comes from an expert in both photography and new media, and offers a fine mix of examination of how digital and photographic media has affected human consciousness, art, and ethics. The photo no longer 'captures a moment': it can be manipulated, repackaged, and shared online. The digital world thus has far-reaching ramifications over print photography and its impact, considered in AFTER PHOTOGRAPHY, makes for serious social concerns key to any high-school to college-level photography library.

The Contact Sheet
Steve Crist
Ammo Books
Box 412402, Los Angeles, CA 90041
9780978607692, $39.95 www.ammobooks.com

THE CONTACT SHEET is a fine presentation of contact sheets from over forty international photographers, and allows images taken before and after 'the moment' that are often not seen by anyone but the photographer. These sheets, paired with discussions of their sequence and evolution, provide photographers with fine insights on how final images are constructed and evolve, making this a 'must' for any photography library interested in the process of making a fine photo.

Advanced Wedding Photography
Tracy Dorr
Amherst Media
Box 586, Buffalo, NY 14226
9781584289944, $34.95 www.amherstmedia.com

Advanced Wedding Photography: Professional Techniques for Digital Photographers provides a range of ideas and tips for educating clients about photojournalism and capturing clients at their best. From verbal cues and body language to natural setups and identifying people the couple will wish to see in their wedding photos, this provides an excellent set of tips professional photographers need to advance to the next level of success.

Three Songs, No Flash!
Loe Breerens
Rocky Nook
26 West Mission St., Suite 3, Santa Barbara, CA 93101-2432
9781933952482, $24.95 www.rockynook.com

Three Songs, No Flash: Your Ultimate Guide to Concert Photography provides a fine survey from a veteran photographer of concerts who provides real clues to understanding all aspects of planning and photographing all kinds of concerts. Punk rock, classical music and all other kids are covered in a survey that discusses how the music industry is organized, how to gain access, and how to understand concert photography etiquette. Add tips on equipment and shots and you have a 'must' for any interested in concert photos.

100% Photoshop
Steve Caplin
Focal Press
30 Corporate Drive Suite 400, Burlington, MA 01803
9780240814254, $39.95 www.focalpress.com

100% Photoshop tells how to create gorgeous art - without using any photos at all! It comes from a digital artist and photomontage expert who provides keys on creating complete images from start to finish entirely within Photoshop. There's no other focus on this aspect in print, making this a 'must' for any graphic arts or Photoshop collection! Color examples liberally abound on every page.


The Mystery/Suspense Shelf

The Significant Seven
John McEvoy
Poisoned Pen Press
6962 E. First Avenue Suite 103, Scottsdale, AZ 85251
9781590587058, $24.95 www.poisonedpenpress.com

The Significant Seven provides a fine Jack Doyle mystery and is set in 2002, when seven friends get together for horse racing - and hit the jackpot. When their leader convinces them to use some of their largess to buy race horses - where they get lucky again - trouble reaches years later into 2009, when members of the group are being murdered. A fine murder mystery evolves, recommended for any mystery collection!

Berkeley Prime Crime
c/o Penguin Publishing Group
375 Hudson St., New York NY 10014
www.penguin.com

Berkeley Prime Crime has a wide range of fine mysteries, centered around themes and different scenarios. All are fine choices for any mystery library! The new releases are particularly invigorating, packed with suspense and drama. Jenn McKinlay's SPRINKLE WITH MURDER (9780425233429, $6.99) tells of two women who own a cupcake bakery who are handling their first big order - for a bride who subsequently is murdered. Sheila Connolly's RED DELICIOUS DEATH (9780425233436, $6.99) also provides a food-oriented read, this around a group of chefs newly out of cooking school seeking to open a restaurant, who find a chef's murder derails their plans. Claudia Bishop's TOAST MORTEM (9780425230282, $6.99) tells of a grouchy chef's new multi-million-dollar cooking school and his murder. Many have wished him gone - but it's up to Meg to investigate his early departure. Michelle Scott's A TOAST TO MURDER (9780425233924, $7.99) includes recipes and wine pairings as it tells of a Napa winery manager's wedding - and the mysterious messages which begin threatening their special day. It's up to Nikki to locate a murderer before her wedding day turns into disaster. Paige Shelton's FARM FRESH MURDER: A FARMER'S MARKET MYSTERY (9780425233870, $7.99) tells of Becca, who leads a simple life making jams on her own farm - until a small town murder involves her in an unusual farmer's market investigation. Fans of Victorian settings will relish Emily Brightwell's MRS. JEFFRIES SPEAKS HER MIND (9780425235249, $7.99), a survey of eccentric Olive, who has joined an odd religious group and who imagines people are trying to harm her. It's up to Mrs. Jeffries to investigate Olive's murder. E.J. Copperman's NIGHT OF THE LIVING DEED (9780425235232, $7.99) offers a fine mystery revolving around a haunted house and a new divorcee who wants a second change for her and her daughter - even if it means moving into a spirit-infested house. Diana Orgain's MOTHERHOOD IS MURDER (9780425233733, $6.99) offers a fine survey revolving around a work-from-home PI who is also a parent, bringing the baby along on stakeouts and more. Ann Purser's THE HANGMAN'S ROW ENQUIRY (9780425234730, $7.99) provides an excellent Ivy Beasley mystery and tells of an assisted living resident who teams up with another newcomer to solve a local murder. Julie Hyzy's GRACE UNDER PRESSURE (9780425235218, $7.99) tells of an elderly, reclusive heir who trusts only his aged curator - who is killed in a case of mistaken identity. Diana Killian's MURDER ON THE EIGHTFOLD PATH (9780425233917, $7.99) tells of a yoga studio inherited by A.J. Alexander, who is called upon to revive her sleuthing abilities when she stumbles upon the body of her mother's current Beau. Lucy Lawrence's CUT TO THE CORPSE (9780425233894, $6.99) tells of one Brenna Miller, a small town resident who prepares decoupage wedding favors and stumbles upon an engaged woman's fling with her fiancee's best friend. Margaret Grace's MONSTER IN MINIATURE (9780425233900, $7.99) tells of Geraldine and her granddaughter Maddie, who set out to create a haunted dollhouse complete with witches and ghosts - a venture that turns into a frightening murder. Christy E vans' LEAD-PIPE CINCH (9780425233887, $6.99) TELLS OF Georgiana, who has become a plumber's apprentice in Oregon - only to find her involvement in a new castle and murder leads to dangerous complications. All are top, recommended picks for any mystery library!

Half-Price Homicide
Elaine Viets
Obsidian
c/o Penguin Publishing Group
375 Hudson St., New York NY 10014
9780451229892, $22.95 www.penguin.com

Half-Price Homicide provides a 'Dead-End Job' mystery revolving around heroine Helen Hawthorne, still on the run from her ex-husband. Helen works at a consignment shop where designers clothes are literally to die for... she's on the run from her ex-husband but has to deal with murder first. An engrossing story of murder and social angst evolves. Any murder mystery library will relish this!

The Bordeaux Betrayal
Ellen Crosby
Pocket Books
1230 Avenue of Americas, New York NY 10020
9781439112380, $6.99 www.simonandschuster.com

THE BORDEAUX BETRAYAL combines a red wine novel with a fine murder mystery and tells of a verbal brawl with a wine critic that ends in murder. Lucie's family ties and relationship to wine take an unexpected twist of events, involving her in a wine and murder investigation with many satisfying, unpredictable turns perfect for mystery libraries!

Crimes by Moonlight
Charlaine Harris, Editor
Penguin
375 Hudson St., New York NY 10014
9780425235638, $24.95 www.penguin.com

Crimes by Moonlight: Mysteries From the Dark Side gathers new mystery stories from some of the biggest mystery novelists today, includes a new Sookie story from the author, and features some of the biggest names in crime-writing history - from Carolyn Hart and Barbara D'Amato to Lou Kemp. From a vampire attack to a ghost assigned to help humans in trouble who becomes tangled in a marital dispute, this is packed with outstanding and very different mysteries!


The Fiction Shelf

Rude Awakenings of a Jane Austin Addict
Laurie Viera Rigler
Plume
c/o Penguin Publishing Group
375 Hudson St., New York NY 10014-3658
9780452296169, $15.00 www.penguin.com

An outstanding work of fiction, Rude Awakenings of a Jane Austin Addict is funny and intriguing and tells of one Courtney Stone, a modern girl caught in Jane Austin's era. It offers the parallel story of Jane Mansfield, a gentleman's daughter from Regency England who awakens in Courtney's fast-paced modern LA life, and finds herself challenged by technology and romance alike. A fine and funny saga ensues, perfect for Jane Austin fans.


The Audiobook Shelf

Wild Ride
Jennifer Cruise and Bob Mayer
Brilliance Audio
PO Box 887, Grand Haven, MI 49417
1423376048, $32.99 www.brillianceaudio.com

Wild Ride is performed by Angela Dawe, who adds a passionate and moving voice to the story of Mary, who is hired to restore a dying amusement park only to find it's a prison for the most powerful demons in world history. Add a rocky romance into the picture and you have a supernatural mystery packed with action and swift twists of plot perfect for any audio library.

The Rapture
Liz Jensen
Clipper Audio
c/o Recorded Books
270 Skipjack Rd., Prince Frederick, MD 20678
9781407439174, $56.95 www.recordedbooks.com

THE RAPTURE enjoys a fine, professional narration by India Fisher who captures the underlying psychological tension perfectly in this story of biblical danger. Gabrielle's main concern is to rebuild her career as a psychologist after a car accident - but when she's assigned to a dangerous teen, her career takes a dangerous turn in this fine thriller, highly recommended for lending libraries with its sturdy plastic binding and unabridged presentation.

Penguin Audio
375 Hudson St., New York NY 10014
www.penguin.com

RUNNING MAN (9780142428214, $29.95) receives a fine narration by Kevin Kenerly, whose longtime association with the Oregon Shakespeare Festival and acting background lends drama to this story of an unemployed man with a sick baby who can't afford a doctor. His decision to become a contestant on a Network Game that's a live-or-die win situation makes for a gripping saga. Stephen King's ROADWORK (9780142427866, $29.95) enjoys G. Valmont Thomas' fine voice and associations with the same festival as it tells of Bart, whose home lies in the path of progress. His intention to make a 'last hurrah' before the city paves his past will have lasting results in this fine thriller. John Sandford's unabridged STORM PREY (9780142427767, $39.95) receives a fine narration by veteran Richard Ferrone, an actor and award-winning narrator. It provides a fine new Lucas Davenport thriller centered around a pharmacy robbery and the wife of investigator Lucas Davenport, who may be able to identify the thieves... and whose life is in danger because of her knowledge. A fine thriller evolves. For a shorter abridged version of the highlights (9780142427750, $29.95), Ferrone also provides the fine narration

Deliver Us from Evil
David Baldacci
Hachette Audio
237 Park Avenue, New York NY 10017
9781600249648, $39.98 www.hachetteaudio.com

Deliver Us from Evil receives an outstanding narration by Ron McLarty and includes a PDF of original photos taken by the author as it provides a tense thriller telling of a monster who has built a fortune from unscrupulous business actions. Waller's search for new opportunity leads him to a prospect that could result in millions of deaths around the world - and great profits for him. A powerful survey results: any audio library will find it a popular lend.


The Travel Shelf

Acapulco, Ixtapa & Zihuatanejo
Bruce Whipperman
Moon Handbooks
1700 - 4th Street, Berkeley, CA 94710
1598800876, $19.95 www.moon.com

Acapulco, Ixtapa & Zihuatanejo offers independent travelers to Mexico a fine survey of restaurants, sights, activities, and more. From planning the best trip to these areas to benefiting from firsthand experience and using over thirty detailed maps, this is loaded with key insights in a handy take-along-tote sized book recommended for any planning a Mexican get-away.

A Pilgrim's Guide to the Camino de Santiago, sixth edition
John Brierley
Camino Guides
c/o Findhorn Press
www.caminoguides.com
9781844091928, $29.95 info@findhornpress.com

The sixth updated edition of the fine pocket take-along tote A Pilgrim's Guide to the Camino de Santiago: The Way of St. James packs in over thirty daily stage maps, nearly three hundred color photos, and historical and spiritual notes. Add tips on hostels, local culture and more and you have a fine take-along guide not to be missed!

Canyon Wilderness of the Southwest
Jon Ortner
Welcome Books
6 West 18th St., New York NY 10011
9781599620794, $18.95 www.welcomebooks.com

Canyon Wilderness of the Southwest presents an outstanding pocket-sized hardcover tote packed with full-page, gorgeous color photos of canyons of the Southwest shot by award-winning photographer Jon Ortner. The scenes were shot in over 50 locations across a 130,000-square-mile area of Utah and Arizona and features spectacular geographic diversity. Any armchair traveler or potential visitor will relish this!

Bolivia, seventh edition
Anja Mutic, Kate Armstrong, Paul Smith
Lonely Planet
150 Linden St., Oakland, CA 94607
9781741049985, $25.99 www.lonelyplanet.com

Color highlights in each chapter and a green index identifying sustainable options accompanies a fine adventure-oriented guide for independent travelers to Bolivia. This seventh edition provides the latest advice from travel experts and is fully updated to provide the latest information on activities, regions, top itineraries, and more. A take-long 'must' for any Bolivia traveler!

I Should Have Stayed Home: Hotels
Roger Rapoport, et al.
RDR Books
1487 Glen Avenue, Muskegon, MI 49441
9781571431202, $14.95 www.rdrbooks.com

The collaborative work of Roger Rapoport, Bob Drews, and Kim Klescewski, I Should Have Stayed Home: Hotels: Hospitality Disasters at Home and Abroad deserves ongoing recommendation, providing a host of true stories of hotels from hell. This review of lodging industry disasters tours some eye-opening establishments, from a bed and breakfast inn complete with all-night freight trains to drunk proprietors to a karaoke whorehouse. A fun collection, perfect for any general lending library strong in travel literature!

Markets of New York City
Karen E. Seiger
The Little Bookroom
435 Hudson, Suite 300, New York NY 10014
9781892145857, $16.95 www.littlebookroom.com

Markets of New York City: A Guide to the Best Artisan, Farmer, Food and Flea Markets provides an excellent pocket take-along tote guide to some of the best markets in New York City. From food to designer markets attracting fashion buyers, vintage to outdoor art exhibit markets, this packs in all the specifics, from times and locations to market contents. A top pick for any New York City dweller or visitor!


The Pets/Wildlife Shelf

Homemade Living: Keeping Chickens
Ashley English
Lark Books
387 Park Avenue South, New York NY 10016
9781600594908, $19.95 www.larkbooks.com

Homemade Living: Keeping Chickens: All You Need to Know to Care for a Happy, Healthy Flock includes 9 egg recipes and plans for mobile chicken housing, and packs in a fine guide to chickens. From choosing breeds for different needs to cleaning, housing and caring for chickens, this offers plans and photos in a reference perfect for newcomers to chicken raising methods. Any rural or general library will find this a specific, practical guide packed with color photos throughout.

Atlas of Small Animal Wound Management & Reconstructive Surgery, third edition
Michael M. Pavletic, DVM
Wiley/Blackwell
10475 Crosspoint Boulevard, Indianapolis, IN 46256
9780813811246, $159.99 www.wiley.com

Now in a fully updated and expanded third edition, Atlas of Small Animal Wound Management & Reconstructive Surgery provides a key reference any practicing vet collection needs. From basics of wound healing and management and wound care products to dressings, flap techniques, and management of specific wounds, this packs in technical details any veterinary school needs - and many a vet's office should have. A top pick, unparalleled in detail, scope and the latest coverage.

Train Your Dog Like a Pro
Jean Donaldson
Howell Book House
c/o Wiley Professional/Trade Group
111 River Street, Hoboken, NJ 07030-5774
9780470616161, $24.99 www.howellbookhouse.com

A DVD training video accompanies this fine guide to dog training that covers all the tools needed to train a dog like a pro. All ages of dog are covered in this survey of instructions for teaching basic commands and handling behaviors, and include fun tricks as well as serious training. Pet owners will find this a top pick!

Scent of the Missing
Susannah Charleson
Houghton Mifflin Harcourt
222 Berkeley St., Boston, MA 02116
9780547152448, $26.00 www.hmhpub.com

SCENT OF THE MISSING: LOVE & PARTNERSHIP WITH A SEARCH-AND-RESCUE DOG recounts the author's interest in animal-fueled disaster searches, and offers a rare insight based on her volunteer work with a dog of her own. The history and actions of canine search and rescue teams - and the story of her own relationship with her canine partner - makes for a heartwarming, involving story highly recommended for any general lending library.

Bird Coloration
Geoffrey E. Hill
National Geographic Press
1145 - 17th St. NW, Washington DC 20036-4688
9781426205712, $27.50 www.nationalgeographic.com

Bird Coloration offers an analysis of how birds are colored: why some have plumage, what roles diseases and climate play, and how feathers display signals. This is the first non-academic exploration and pairs over 200 gorgeous photos with an easy exploration of bird coloration perfect for any general lending library strong on wildlife exploration.

Birdology
Sy Montgomery
Free Press
1230 Avenue of Americas, New York NY 10020
9781416569848, $25.00 www.simonandschuster.com

BIRDOLOGY: ADVENTURES WITH A PACK OF HENS, A PECK OF PIGEONS, CANTANKEROUS CROWS, FIERCE FALCONS, HIP HOP PARROTS, BABY HUMMINGBIRDS, AND ONE MURDEROUSLY BIG LIVING DINOSAUR provides general interest libraries with a fun account answering questions about avian personalities and present birds. Each chapter tells about a relationship or adventure with a bird whose species illustrates keys on what makes a bird a bird. Lively, fun leisure reading for aviary fans and general fans of wildlife evolves.

Bonobo Handshake
Vanessa Woods
Gotham Books
c/o Penguin Publishing Group
375 Hudson St., New York NY 10014-3658
9781592405466, $26.00 www.penguin.com

When author Vanessa Woods fell in love with handsome Brian - who wanted to study apes in the Congo - she never imagined she'd wind up involved with Bonobo apes, a war between humans, and an epidemic killing off the apes. BONOBO HANDSHAKE: A MEMOIR OF LOVE AND ADVENTURE IN THE CONGO is a vivid, engrossing story impossible to put down, and key for any general or wildlife lending library!

Dr. Khalsa's Natural Dog
Deva Khalsa, VMD
BowTie Inc.
3 Burroughs, Irvine, CA 92618
9781593786472, $16.95 www.bowtiepress.com

Dr. Khalsa's Natural Dog blends traditional vet medicine with tips on dog nutrition and alternative therapies, and offers keys to managing overall canine health. Its holistic approach offers the latest facts on commercial dog food, supplements, holistic strategies for maintaining health, and even includes recipes for dog treats. Simply outstanding!

Birds of Costa Rica: A Field Guide
Carrol L. Henderson
University of Texas Press
Box 7819, Austin, TX 78713-7819
9780292719651, $29.95 www.utexaspress.com

Birds of Costa Rica: A Field Guide pairs photos by the author with a fine survey of Costa Rican birds that travelers to the country are most likely to see. Over 310 birds adds over a hundred species from an earlier volume, also including natural history and insights on behavior all taken from Henderson's forty years of traveling and birding in the country. A top reference for any travel or natural history collection where Costa Rican wildlife is of interest.


The Health/Medicine Shelf

Eating Disorders, second edition
Philip S. Mehler, MD & Arnold E. Andersen, MD
Johns Hopkins University Press
2715 N. Charles St. Baltimore, MD 21218
9780801893698, $30.00, www.press.jhu.edu

The second updated edition of Eating Disorders: A Guide to Medical Care and Complications is a winner, surveying the special challenges of diagnostic and treatment challenges and identifying common medical complications that affect people with eating disorders. From ideas for treatment to chapters covering team treatment and rehabilitation, this is a key survey for any general or medical library.

Ultra Fat, Ultra Fit
Noah Walton, Ph.D.
Sentient Publications
1113 Spruce St., Boulder, CO 80302
9781591810902, $15.95 www.sentientpublications.com

Ultra Fat to Ultra Fit: A Scientist's Rational Approach to Extreme Weight Loss and Optimal Fitness begins with the author's confrontation of his overweight and limited physical condition - and concludes five years later as he qualifies for and competes in the US National Triathlon Championships. His journey blends medical insights with humor in a powerful guide.

Healing Addiction With Yoga, third edition
Annalisa Cunningham
Findhorn Press
www.findhornpress.com www.amazon.com
9781844091706, $16.95 info@findhornpress.com

Whether addiction is defined as food, gambling, drugs or alcohol, the third updated edition of Healing Addiction With Yoga provides a fine 21-day program blending affirmations with relaxation techniques, lifestyle changes, and aerobic activities in a package supporting any recovery plan. It shows how yoga can bring mind and body closer to resist addictive tendencies, and it comes packed with first-person insights into these changes paired with color photos of all yoga positions.

Cutting-Edge Therapies for Autism 2010-2011
Ken Siri and Tony Lyons
Skyhorse Publishing
555 - 8th Avenue Suite 903, New York NY 10018
1616080256, $17.95 www.skyhorsepublishing.com

Cutting-Edge Therapies for Autism 2010-2011 comes from two parents who review the latest cutting-edge therapies and comes from parents who have done research for their own children's needs. It offers a range of coping techniques and therapies ranging form animal-assisted therapy to art therapy and play therapy, and offers articles from more than eighty experts on different treatment options. A 'must' for any collection serious about autism management and medical issues, especially those catering to parents.

The Handy Anatomy Answer Book
Naomi E. Balaban and James E. Bobick
Visible Ink
43311 Joy Rd. #414, Canton, MI 48187-2075
1578591902, $21.95 www.visibleink.com

The Handy Anatomy Answer Book packs in a key to understanding over 1,200 questions about anatomy, physiology, and more. It offers over a hundred color illustrations including detailed medical charts to cover organ systems and how the body heals. Any general or medical library needs this.

Ageless Memory
Harry Lorayne
Black Dog and Leventhal
151 W. 19th St., New York NY 10011
9781579128241, $11.95 www.blackdogandleventhal.com

Ageless Memory: The Memory Expert's Prescription for a Razor-Sharp Mind provides a key to recollection that will interest our aging population, offering a system for remembering everything from names and faces to cards in a game, appointments, and more. The tips on developing a sharp, active mind are specific and make for a wonderful guide any general library will find popular for all age levels.

The Illustrated Guide to Assistive Technology and Devices
Suzanne Robitaille
Demos Health
11 W. 42nd St., 15th Floor, New York NY 10036
9781932603804, $19.95 www.demosmedpub.com

The Illustrated Guide to Assistive Technology and Devices: Tools and Gadgets for Living Independently is a 'must' for any library catering to people with disabilities, which includes the aging and those with low literacy. It provides a guide to a range of independent living options and offers assessments of a range of devices, from a small typewriter that enables the deaf to communicate over a phone line to tips on how the visually impaired can use the Internet. Highly recommended, its assessments of these devices points the way to greater independence and freedom - and involvement in society's latest greatest advancements.

Happiness Genes
James D. Baird, Ph.D. with Laurie Nadel, Ph.D.
New Page Books
Box 687, Franklin Lakes, NJ 07417
9781601631053, $15.99 www.newpagebooks.com

Happiness Genes: Unlock the Positive Potential Hidden in Your DNA examines the nature and concept of basic human happiness, from ancient times to present, providing biological research showing that DNA contains genes for natural happiness. The science of epigenetics provides insights into how this happiness can be controlled, making for a positive, enlightening guide for any general collection.

Autism and Its Medical Management
Michael G. Chez, MD
Jessica Kingsley Publishers
Box 960, Herndon, VA 02172-0960
9781849058179, $19.95 www.jkp.com

Parents and professionals who work with children will find much-needed insights and medical assessments in Autism and Its Medical Management, a guide for lay readers on the medical aspects of autism and how the latest medical knowledge can help address common concerns. From a review of autistic disorders and how they are diagnosed to new medical interventions, this offers the latest research keyed to solutions to common issues.


The Judaic Studies Shelf

Judaism: Embracing the Seeker
Rabbi Harold M. Schulweis
KTAV Publishing House Inc.
930 Newark Ave, Jersey City, NJ 07306
9781602801417, $18.95 www.ktav.com

Judaism: Embracing the Seeker is for both Jews and on-Jews who seek to understand the foundations of Jewish faith and beliefs. Nearly 60 men and women who have chosen to join the Jewish community are asked the motivation for their choice, their interactions with friends and family over their decision, and more. Personal testimony provides key insights here: perfect for any Judaic studies library.

Empowered Judaism
Rabbi Elie Kaunfer
Jewish Lights Publishing
Box 237, Woodstock, VT 05091
9781580234122, $18.99 www.jewishlights.com

Empowered Judaism: What Independent Minyanim Can Teach Us About Building Vibrant Jewish Communities discusses why thousands of young Jews have started over sixty new prayer communities across the country, growing an independent minyan movement as a solution to Jewish problems and concerns. These approaches to enlightened spirituality embrace Jewish learning and technology as well as more effective leadership examples, making this a pick not only for Jewish collections, but for any serious spirituality collection.


The Theatre/Cinema/TV Shelf

Acting for Love & Money
Paul G. Gleason & Gavin Levy
Meriwether Publishing
Box 7710, Colorado Springs, CO 80933-7710
9781566081672, $19.95 www.meriwether.com

Acting for Love & Money: Connecting the Craft to the Industry is for dedicated actors seeking to be in major productions. It offers keys to auditioning more effectively, comes packed with exercises and tips, and teaches more awareness of the craft of acting and how it's connected to industry and business concerns. Aspiring actors need this!

The Last Station: The Shooting Script
Michael Hoffman
Newmarket Press
18 E. 48th St., New York NY 10017
9781557049247, $19.95 www.newmarketpress.com

The Last Station: The Shooting Script is a fine book for any film library, offering the shooting script crafted from Jay Parini's novel. It gives movie fans a look at the last year of the life of the author of ANNA KARENINA in 1910 Russia, here revealing how they brought this story to film. Film and script collections will relish this.


The Computer Shelf

Domain-Driven Design Using Naked Objects
Dan Haywood
Pragmatic Programmers
P.O. Box 293325, Lewisville, TX 75029-3325
sales@pragmaticprogrammer.com
9781934356449, $36.95 www.pragprog.com

Programming libraries will find plenty to value in Domain-Driven Design Using Naked Objects, a survey focusing on business logical and domain applications. The idea is to write just the domain objects and let the rest of the application work: this provides tools for programmers to represent domains as plain Java objects within a Naked Objects framework, which automatically renders domain objects for rich or HTML applications.

Making it Big in Software
Sam Lightstone
Prentice Hall
c/o Pearson Technology Group
801 East 96th Street, #300, Indianapolis, IN 46240-3759
0137059671, $24.99 www.informit.com/ph

Making it Big in Software: Get the Job. Work the Org. Become Great is a fine key to obtaining a job in software development. Interviews with Steve Wozniak, plus various to-level CEOs, VPs, programmers, authors, and software architects make for a real-world collection of insights into the industry's process of recruiting and hiring. Software engineers and collections catering to them must have this!

The Internet Case Study Book
Rob Ford and Julius Wiedermann, Editors
Taschen
107 Greene St., New York NY 10012-3803
9783836518956, $39.99 www.taschen.com

The Internet Case Study Book is a top pick for business and computer collections alike. It compiles stories and statistics behind some of the most successful sites on the web, from social media to e-commerce and promotional sites. Chapters offer insights into the special challenges each company faced when creating its superior site, and provide specifics perfect for internet users and e-commerce companies seeking a better understanding of how the top-rated sites were created.

Pro Android 2
Sayed Hashimi, et.al.
Apress, Inc.
233 Spring Street, New York, NY 10013
9781430226598, $49.99 www.apress.com

Pro Android 2 covers Google's Android 2 platform and provides programmers with keys to understanding OpenGL, Widgets, and more. Chapters exploring Live Folders and more cover all the options and technical specs for programming their use, bringing many facets of Android's mobile programming options to the hands of professionals who can blend them into real-world applications. Advanced computer libraries catering to mobile programmers should have this reference.

SIP Trunking
Christina Hattingh, Darryl Sladden, ATM Zakaria Swapan
Cisco Press
c/o Pearson Technology Group
801 East 96th Street, #300, Indianapolis, IN 46240-3759
1587059444, $65.00 www.ciscopress.com

SIP TRUNKING offers the first complete guide to planning and implementing SIP trunking solutions, and is written for network architects, consultants and service providers already working with SIP operations. It covers SIP trunking technology and trends and offers insights on techniques for optimizing network design and security. Network security collections must have this.

Building Web Reputation Systems
F. Randall Farmer & Bryce Glass
O'Reilly
1005 Gravenstein Hwy North, Sebastopol, CA 95472
9780596159795, $39.99 www.oreilly.com

Building Web Reputation Systems is a recommended pick for any library strong in web development, and tells how to scale a reputation system to handle an inflow of user contributions. From assessing contribution quality and distribution to moderation tricks and how to examine reputation at social sites, this provides key tools web administrators will relish.

The Art of Enterprise Architecture
Mario Godinez, et.al.
IBM Press
c/o Pearson Technology Group
801 East 96th Street, #300, Indianapolis, IN 46240-3759
0137035713, $59.99 www.ibmpressbooks.com

The Art of Enterprise Architecture: A Systems-Based Approach for Unlocking Business Insight provides a winning survey of how to develop Enterprise Information Architecture from concept to operations. Any technical IT library will find this packed with tips on implementation, showing how to apply architecture basics to IT systems. Any advanced computer reference library needs this specific guide.

Adobe Dreamweaver CS5 On Demand
Steve Johnson
QUE
c/o Pearson Technology Group
801 East 96th Street, #300, Indianapolis, IN 46240-3759
0789744449, $34.99 www.quepublishing.com

Adobe Dreamweaver CS5 On Demand is a top pick for computer collections featuring Dreamweaver applications. It covers the latest version in a visual step-by-step format that uses lots of color to describe site setups, coding possibilities, and more. Learn how to manage sites, transfer sites, and create CSS (style sheets) in a powerful guide highly recommended for any Dreamweaver library.

The CSS Detective Guide
Denise R. Jacobs
New Riders
c/o Pearson Technology Group
801 East 96th Street, #300, Indianapolis, IN 46240-3759
0321683943, $34.99 www.newriders.com

The CSS Detective Guide teaches real-world troubleshooting skills teaching how to track clues and analyze evidence behind CSS mysteries. These mysteries take the form of 'cases' as in a detective story but covering real computer issues, from stubborn browsers to LOL layouts. From layout and coding to coding mysteries that resist resolution, this is a manual any CSS programmer needs.

Dynamic Prototyping with Sketchflow in Expression Blend
Chris Bernard and Sara Summers
QUE Publishing
c/o Pearson Technology Group
801 East 96th Street, #300, Indianapolis, IN 46240-3759
0789742799, $34.99 www.informit.com/que

Dynamic Prototyping with Sketchflow in Expression Blend is for designers, user experience pros, developers, and any who would create interactive products. Any involved in prototype language will here learn to use and apply Sketchflow to best advantage in a book from an expert with 17 years in the design and technology industry and a 13-year veteran of the design industry. A top pick for any design programming collection.

Sexy Web Design
Elliot Jay Stocks
Sitepoint
48 Cambridge St., Collingwood, Victoria, Australia 3066
9780980455236, $39.95 www.sitepoint.com

SEXY WEB DESIGN is a 'must' for any library strong in web development and programming, and tells programmers how to build fine web interfaces. From creating a fine usable web site based on foundations of solid design choices to mastering web interface concepts to create functional sites that are also artistic, this is a 'must' for any web programmer's collection.

Effective Perl Programming, second edition
Joseph N. Hall, Joshua A. McAdams, Brian D. Foy
Addison Wesley
c/o Pearson Technology Group
801 East 96th Street, #300, Indianapolis, IN 46240-3759
0321496949, $39.99 www.informit/com/esds

The second updated edition of Effective Perl Programming: Ways to Write Better, More Idiomatic Perl joins offers in the 'Effective Software Development' series, updating a classic Perl programmer's guide to nearly twice the size of the first edition. New coverage here includes expanded material spanning over a decade of Perl development, and eight now chapters on databases, distributions, files, and more.


The Social Issues Shelf

Religion and Politics in America
Robert Booth Fowler, et.al.
Westview Press
2465 Central Avenue, Boulder, CO 80301
9780813344362, $39.00 www.westviewpress.com

Religion and Politics in America: Faith, Culture and Strategic Choices provides a fine survey of the historical, cultural and legal precedents that have evolved religious political engagement in the U.S. From handling religious minority groups to the latest social and religious currents in recent elections, this is packed with key concepts college-level libraries will appreciate.

What We See
Stephen Goldsmith & Lynne Elizabeth, Editors
New Village Press
Box 3049, Oakland, CA 94609
9780981559315, $26.95 www.newvillagepress.net

WHAT WE SEE: ADVANCING THE OBSERVATIONS OF JANE JACOBS considers the future of communities through the views and insights of over thirty respected activists, scholars, planners and public figures whose work has been inspired by Jane Jacobs. Jacobs was an urbanist and activist whose work THE DEATH AND LIFE OF GREAT AMERICAN CITIES was published in 1961. Her survey of development policies of her times changed the entire discipline of urban planning and the nature of community involvement, making this assessment of her importance a key acquisition for any college-level urban planning or social issues collection.

In the Shadow of Melting Glaciers
Mark Carey
Oxford University Press
198 Madison Avenue, New York, NY 10016-4314
9780195396072, $24.95 www.oup.com

In the Shadow of Melting Glaciers: Climate Change and Andean Society provides a strong survey of the science and social impact of melting glaciers, using Andean social experience as the foundation for this survey. How glacier melt affects real people on a daily basis is presented in this focus on how the Andean people have witnessed, experienced, and handled the effects of climate change and natural disasters for more than a century. College-level collections strong in climate change and South American experiences need this.

True Food
Annie B. Bond, et al.
National Geographic Press
1145 - 17th St., N.W., Washington DC 20036-4688
9781426205941, $26.00 www.nationalgeographic.com/books

The collaborative work of Annie B. Bond, Melissa Breyer, and Wendy Gordon, TRUE FOOD: 8 SIMPLE STEPS TO A HEALTHIER YOU offers a fine guide to sustainable foods, offering up eight simple steps an average reader can begin to improve food choices. New ideas on how to shop, cook and eat are presented along with resourceful details on how the entire family can become involved in the concept of sustainable food choices, making this an outstanding pick for any general lending library.

Diet for a Hot Planet
Anna Lappe
Bloomsbury USA
175 Fifth Avenue, New York, NY 10010
9781596916593, $24.00 www.bloomsburyusa.com

Diet for a Hot Planet: The Climate Crisis at the End of Your Fork and What You Can Do About It offers strong connections between food production and global warming, predicting that unless we can radically shift what we eat and how we're producing it, food system-related greenhouse gas emissions will rise rapidly. Her survey includes economics, the politics of corporations that resist such changes, and how food companies resist system-wide reforms. Any general lending library from public to school systems needs this debate.

The Beijing Consensus
Stefan Halper
Basic Books
c/o Perseus Books Group
11 Cambridge Center, Cambridge, MA 02142
9780465013616, $28.95 www.basicbooks.com

The Beijing Consensus: How China's Authoritarian Model Will Dominate The 21st Century is a pick for any library strong in US/China relations and social issue alike, and comes from a foreign policy expert who argues about the real China threat facing America. China's new role on the global stage brings with it new Third World interactions and relationships as it funds infrastructure projects in these countries in a fraction of the time taken by the more traditional IMF or World Bank - and without demands about civil rights and internal practices. In effect China's approach marginalizes Western values, and this book is a key to understanding that process.

2048: Humanity's Agreement to Live Together
J. Kirk Boyd
Berrett-Koehler
235 Montgomery St., Suite 650, San Francisco CA 94104-2916
9781605093307, $15.95 www.bkconnection.com

2048: Humanity's Agreement to Live Together offers a visionary goal: to develop an enforceable international agreement that will create a social order based on human rights and law. The purpose of this is to safeguard the five freedoms, adding freedom for the environment to Roosevelt's Four Freedoms - of speech, religion, and from want and fear. Boyd's 2048 project aims high - and his book will be perfect classroom discussion for high school to college-level holdings.

Power Hungry
Robert Bryce
Public Affairs
250 W. 57th St., Suite 1321, New York NY 10107
9781586487898, $27.95 www.publicaffairsbooks.com

POWER HUNGRY: THE MYTHS OF 'GREEN' ENERGY AND THE REAL FUELS OF THE FUTURE offers a candid assessment of the global 'green' energy industry and movement, and surveys the fuels that power this world economy. It offers a contrarian assessment of wind and solar energy potentials for reducing carbon emissions, draws important connections between energy and power needs, and is a pick any college-level energy resources library must have!


The Crafts Shelf

Simply Stylish Chain and Metal Jewelry
BeadStyle Magazine Publishers
Kalmbach Books
21027 Crossroads Circle, Waukesha, WI 53186
9780871162977, $17.95 www.kalmbachbooks.com

Simply Stylish Chain and Metal Jewelry tells how to craft earrings, necklaces and bracelets from chain and metal, profiling over thirty projects that feature clear color photos and step-by-step easy instructions. No special metalworking skills are needed her - and most projects can be constructed using store-bought chain. A top pick for any jewelry-making collection.

Painting and Finishing Techniques
Gary Edmundson
Osprey Publishing
44-02 - 23rd St., Suite 219, Long Island City, NY 10111
9781846032639, $19.95 www.ospreypublishing.com

Painting and Finishing Techniques is a recommended pick for any library strong in modeling: it covers finishing techniques for kit modelers, offering beginners and intermediate modelers alike fine step-by-step guide to overcoming common problems in painting and finishing. A range of different models are illustrated in this fine guide, packed with color photos and insights.


The Homeowner's Shelf

Picture Perfect
Scott Sanders
Pointed Leaf Press
136 Baxter St., New York NY 10013
9780982358511, $65.00 www.pointedleafpress.com

PICTURE PERFECT: DESIGNING THE NEW AMERICAN FAMILY HOME provides a fine step-by-step survey of a perfect home. The Anderson family sought a designer that would reflect their vision of the 'perfect house'. Scott Sanders was this designer - and here provides color schematics, drawings, original floor plans, and fine photos tying it all together.

Complete Idiot's Guide to Buying a Home
Peter Richmond
Alpha
375 Hudson St., New York NY 10014
9781592578689, $18.95 www.idiotsguides.com

Complete Idiot's Guide to Buying a Home offers checklists of questions to ask Realtors, brokers, sellers, inspectors and insurance agents, blending these with tips on evaluating not just the property, but its neighborhood. Advice on the entire mortgage process makes for an outstanding guide to new home buyers who need clear instructions on the overall process.

Wood Flooring
Charles Peterson with Andy Engel
Taunton Press
Box 5507, Newtown, CT 06470-5506
9781561589852, $45.00 www.taunton.com

Wood Flooring: A Complete Guide to Layout, Installation, and Finishing provides homeowners with a quick, easy method of installing and maintaining a hardwood floor. From preparing the job site and estimating costs to installing strip and plank floors, sanding, finishing and maintaining a floor, this is packed with step-by-step DIY instructions and is color photos, making it one of the best flooring books in print and a 'must' for any homeowner's library.


The Gardening Shelf

Complete Guide to Garden Walls & Fences
Black & Decker
Creative Publishing International
400 - 1st Ave N., Suite 300, Minneapolis, MN 55401
1589235193, $24.99 www.creativepub.com

Complete Guide to Garden Walls & Fences provides ideas for creative ways to frame a yard or garden, from traditional picket fences to stone garden walls, and offers ideas on the latest trends in landscape architecture. From retaining walls to an invisible electronic dog-fence project, this packs in many outstanding ideas.

A Rare Botanical Legacy
Rick Bennett and Susan Calla, Editors
Heyday Books
Box 9145, Berkeley CA 94709
9781597141161, $35.00 www.heydaybooks.com

A Rare Botanical Legacy: The Contributions of Ruby and Arthur Van Deventer pairs an essay by David Rains Wallace with a survey of a botanist and unschooled enthusiast who got together over a passion for botanical collecting. Their research and documentation would result in over four thousand plant descriptions and an eleven-hundred-page manuscript of specimens - many of which have since been lost. Any library strong in botanical topics in general or botanical illustration in particular needs this.


The Art Shelf

Textiles
Bobbie Sumberg
Gibbs Smith
Box 667, Layton, UT 84041
1423606507, $60.00 www.gibbs-smith.com

College-level arts collections strong in textiles will relish TEXTILES: COLLECTION OF THE MUSEUM OF INTERNATIONAL FOLK ART. It features textiles and clothing on display at the museum, showing how different cultures have taken common objects and made them unique. Dress and home decor are covered in a guide to types, techniques, and different, artistic approaches. Any college arts library including references on multicultural arts will relish this!

The Pop Revolution
Alice Goldfarb Marquis
MFA Publications
465 Huntington Avenue, Boston, MA 02115
9780878467440, $29.95 www.mfa.org/publications

THE POP REVOLUTION offers a fine social history of Pop Art: both the artists and the people who made them famous. Unlike most books on the topic, this offers quite a different approach, considering the pop revolution as a reflection for the social, cultural and political changes affecting America and Europe in the late 20th century. Any arts collection needs this different analysis, especially college-level holds strong in American art history.


The California Shelf

California Rocks
Katherine J. Baylor
Mountain Press Publishing Company
PO Box 2399, Missoula, MT 59806
www.mountain-press.com
9780878425655, $16.00, www.amazon.com

From the 1849 gold rush down to the present day, California's mineral deposits have been a constant source of wealth and geologic interest. In "California Rocks: A guide to Geologic Sites in the Golden State", Katherine J. Baylor (geologist, geographer, and an hydrogeologist for the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency) has compiled a superbly illustrated, 128-page guide to geologic sites of interest organized geographically: Northeast California; North Coast; San Francisco Bay Area; Sierra Nevada; Eastern Sierra; Central Coast; South Coast; and Deserts. Enhanced with the inclusion of a Geologic Time Scale; an informative introduction to 'Plate Tectonics and California'; a glossary; site contact information; a thematically oriented bibliography for further study; and a comprehensive index, "California Rocks: A guide to Geologic Sites in the Golden State" is thoroughly 'reader friendly' and a highly recommended addition to personal, professional, academic, and community library geology reference collections.

Akashic Books
P.O. Box 1456, New York NY 10019
www.akashicbooks.com

ORANGE COUNTY NOIR (9781936070039, $15.95) edited by Gary Phillips and LOS ANGELES NOIR 2: THE CLASSICS (9781936070022, $15.95) edited by Denise Hamilton are excellent, top recommended picks for any general California lending library. Each packs in classic stories by Raymond Chandler, Leigh Brackett, Walter Mosley, Ross MacDonald, and other big names. These mysteries explore the dark side of Orange and Los Angeles counties, offering settings filled with geographic references that residents of either county will appreciate. California libraries in particular will find the combination of big-name authors, varied settings and plots, and literary quality to be compelling. Highly recommended!

Murder of a Landscape
Khaled J. Bloom
Arthur H. Clark Company
c/o Univ of Oklahoma Press (distributor)
2800 Venture Drive, Norman, OK 73069
9780870623967, $34.95 www.ahclark.com

MURDER OF A LANDSCAPE: THE CALIFORNIA FARMER-SMELTER WAR, 1897-1916 tells how air pollution from a local smelter plant severely damaged crops and timber in a remote California locale, devastating a core area of 200 square miles and creating the nation's largest man-made desert. The development of this environmental catastrophe and the struggles that ensued between farmers and government makes for an absorbing local survey of the copper industry and the farmers who tried to shut down the smelters. Any California history library - and many an environmental collection - must have this!

Arcadia Publishing
www.arcadiapublishing.com

Frank M. Roseman and Peter J. Watry's CHULA VISTA (9780738556161, $21.99) adds to the 'Then and Now' series, which specializes in local comparisons of past and present. This is much more than a historical survey, offering visual reference tracing the growth of an agricultural town on its way to becoming a bedroom community with the new construction of some 25,000 homes. Very highly recommended for any California local history library! Lawrence Tom, et.al.'s SACRAMENTO'S CHINATOWN (9780738580661, $21.99) provides a fine survey of the state capital's Chinatown history, and comes from a long-time Sacramento resident who has long been interested in the Chinese pioneers of the area. Vintage photos pack a fine survey of Chinese heritage. Kevin W. Heeteman's SACRAMENTO'S SOUTHERN PACIFIC SHOPS (9780738580524, $21.99) adds to the Images of Rail series, celebrating the history of rail's evolution in Sacramento. The collection of the California State Railroad Museum and other rail history sources provide the fine vintage photos in this top pick.


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

Diane C. Donovan, Editor & Senior Reviewer
12424 Mill Street, Petaluma, CA 94952
phone: 1-707-795-4629
e-mail: donovan@sonic.net


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