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Internet Bookwatch

Volume 35, Number 1 January 2025 Home | IBW Index

Table of Contents

Reviewer's Choice Writing/Publishing Shelf Social Issues Shelf
Cookbook Shelf Health/Medicine Shelf Science Shelf
American History Shelf World History Shelf Civil War History Shelf
Military History Shelf Education Shelf Business Shelf
Money/Finance Shelf Economic Studies Shelf Biography/Memoir Shelf
General Fiction Shelf Historical Fiction Shelf LGBTQ Fiction Shelf
Literary Fiction Shelf Romantic Fiction Shelf Western Fiction Shelf
Mystery/Suspense Shelf Fantasy/SciFi Shelf Graphic Novel Shelf
Audiobook Shelf Library CD Shelf Library DVD Shelf
Photography Shelf Library Science Shelf Genealogy Shelf
Art Shelf Parenting Shelf Mathematics Shelf
Computer Shelf Pets Shelf Wildlife Shelf
Military Studies Shelf Political Science Shelf Folktale/Fairytale Shelf
Theatre/Cinema/TV Shelf Judaic Studies Shelf Architecture Shelf
Gardening Shelf Wine Shelf Railroading Shelf
Needlecraft Shelf Crafts Shelf Music Shelf
Psychology Shelf Travel Shelf Literary Studies Shelf
Self-Help Shelf Metaphysical Studies Shelf Criminology Shelf
Holocaust Studies Shelf    


Reviewer's Choice

Tokyo Tempos
Michael Pronko
Raked Gravel Press
9781942410348, $21.99 PB, $9.99 Kindle, 238pp

https://www.amazon.com/Tokyo-Tempos-Michael-Pronko/dp/1942410344

Tokyo Tempos captures life and culture in Tokyo like few others. Perhaps that's because educator Michael Pronko is no temporary resident or tourist, but an expat whose three decades of living in Tokyo allows him to capture the city's subtler undercurrents and nuances for his readers.

Pronko's documentation of daily life in his 'Tokyo Moments' series began in Motions and Moments and continued through two other books. Tokyo Tempos both enhances and expands the series with further reflections, offering invaluable observations about the impact of the pandemic years on relationship-building in general and "meishi" in particular: By the end of the pandemic, the diameters of my social circles hadn't budged. I met no one new. I know that because I didn't acquire any new meishi name cards. I didn't give or receive the small cards, about the size of three fingers and loaded with contact information, for about two years. The drought of new meishi made me miss meeting people, especially since there are so many people left to meet in Tokyo. Before the pandemic, a new meishi was clear evidence of entering into a new circle of exchange. I loved that ritual of moving from outside to inside, from not-knowing to knowing, from separate to connected. It's a way of leaping over differences and distances to enter another circle.

Pronko's observations of daily life rituals and Japanese culture offer invaluable reflections that will prove of special interest not just to prior readers of his books, but newcomers seeking accessible, inviting personal material that delves into the heart of Tokyo's rituals: On the last day of the year, my western Tokyo neighborhood fills with the hum of machines and the splash of water. The swish of brooms and the clink of laundry poles echo through the air... The last few days of the year, but especially on the last day, laundry covers the poles and not the usual laundry, but blankets, sofa covers, and futons. Everything washable gets washed. Every surface, inside and out, gets a wash, wipe, or sweep. Everyone is cleaning everything. Even the cleaning equipment gets cleaned -- gloves, mops, buckets, and rags. It's "Osoji," or "big cleaning," a ritual of energy and activity that brings the year to a close and leaves everything sparkling clean. It's a clean ending for a clean start.

These vignettes insert readers into the beating heart of Tokyo's culture, offering insights and knowledge that is nearly impossible to find in more general books about travel to Tokyo and understanding its special culture. This type of approach can only come from decades of experience -- which is why Tokyo Tempos reflects a compelling rhythm of daily life that readers will be hard-pressed to find elsewhere.

Tokyo Tempos is quite simply a blend of travelogue, history, memoir, and engrossing insights that libraries will find an especially attractive recommendation to patrons seeking a deeper view of Tokyo's atmosphere. Book clubs that look for riveting books packed with stories and insights will find Tokyo Tempos perfect for can't-put-it-down reading and thought-provoking group discussions alike.

Walt's Utopia: Disneyland and American Mythmaking, second edition
Priscilla Hobbs
McFarland & Company
https://mcfarlandbooks.com
9781476693354, $39.95, PB, 220pp

https://www.amazon.com/Walts-Utopia-Disneyland-American-Mythmaking/dp/1476693358

Synopsis: The "Happiest Place on Earth" opened in 1955 during a trying time in American life -- the Cold War. Disneyland was envisioned as a utopian resort where families could play together and escape the tension of the "real world".

Since its construction, the park has continually been updated to reflect changing American culture. The park's themed features are based on familiar Disney stories and American history and folklore. They also reflect the hopes of a society trying to understand itself in the wake of World War II.

This newly updated and revised second edition of "Walt's Utopia: Disneyland and American Mythmaking", Priscilla Hobbs expands its perspective in response to, among other things, the cultural shifts brought on by the Covid-19 pandemic. New chapters endeavor to hold the Disney corporation accountable: not accountability for misdeeds, but its accountability to include everyone -- as American mythmakers and cultural titans.

Critique: Enhanced for the reader's benefit with the inclusion of an Appendix (Key Attractions by Land), fourteen pages of Chapter Notes, an eight page Bibliography, and a five page Index, this new second edition of "Walt's Utopia: Disneyland and American Mythmaking" is an impressively informative work of meticulous and detailed scholarship. While unreservedly recommended for community and college/university library American Popular Culture & Theme Park History collections, it should be noted for the personal reading lists of dedicated Walt Disney Theme Park fans that "Walt's Utopia" is also available from McFarland & Company in a digital book format (Kindle, $25.99).

Editorial Note: Priscilla Hobbs is a senior associate dean at Southern New Hampshire University. She actively researches Disney, American popular culture, and utopianism.

The Night Garden: Of My Mother
Sandra Tyler
Pierian Springs Press
https://pierianspringspress.com
9781953136770, $29.00, HC, 288pp

https://www.amazon.com/Night-Garden-My-Mother/dp/195313677X

Synopsis: When her 86-year-old mother falls and breaks her hip, Sandra Tyler is 42, with a nursing infant and precocious toddler. Tyler's mother insists on hiring her own caregivers -- a motley patchwork of lost souls, including the too-friendly who think Scrabble is a good idea. But when she has a near-fatal fall, it is Sandra herself who hires a live-in aide, Chandice, who moves into her mother's house as if it were her own, with her KitchenAid mixer, bake pans, and apple-and-kale concoctions.

Where should Tyler's allegiance lie when her mother threatens to fire Chandice for overloading the washing machine? At what cost to their relationship should she no longer defer to her mother's staunch guidance?

As her mother's dementia worsens, Chandice warns Sandra about other daughters who have "gone crazy" watching their mothers become unrecognizable. After her mother's death, Sandra is admitted to a psychiatric ward, where she sleeps the "sleep of the dying," as her mother slept in her final weeks.

In the timelessness of this ward, Sandra wonders -- was her closeness with her mother not one of being best friends, but something inherent in their dispositions as a writer and artist-in that compulsion to be seen and heard?

With empathy and affectionate comedy, "The Night Garden: Of My Mother" candidly explores what it means for a daughter to have her focus fractured by conflicting responsibilities while still seeking, above all else, her mother's approval, protection and love.

Critique: Heartfelt, eloquent, emotionally engaging, "The Night Garden: Of My Mother" is inherently fascinating and candidly presented, making it of special value to readers with an interest in motherhood, adult children caring for parents with dementia, inevitable grief and ultimate recovery from debilitating bereavement. Exceptionally well written, organized and presented, this hardcover edition of from Pierian Springs Press of "The Night Garden: Of My Mother" by Sandra Tyler is especially and unreservedly recommended for personal reading lists as well as community and college/university library Adult Parenting collections and supplemental curriculum studies lists.

Editorial Note: Sandra Tyler (www.sandratyler.com) earned her BA from Amherst College, and her MFA in creative writing from Columbia University. She has taught creative writing at Columbia University, NY; Wesleyan University, CT; Manhattanville College, NY. She is the editor-in-chief and founder of the premier online literary and fine art magazine, The Woven Tale Press. Sandra is also the author of "Blue Glass" and "After Lyudia" -- both published by Harcourt Brace.


The Writing/Publishing Shelf

Seven Secrets to the Perfect Personal Essay
Nancy Slonim Aronie
New World Library
www.newworldlibrary.com
9781608689309, $18.95 PB, $9.99 Kindle, 240pp

https://www.amazon.com/Seven-Secrets-Perfect-Personal-Essay/dp/1608689301

Aspiring writers committed to telling their stories via the personal essay form receive important guidelines to making the most of this format in Nancy Slonim Aronie's Seven Secrets to the Perfect Personal Essay. Her guide uses examples from her own work and those of others to review quality and diverse approaches to creating a personal essay that will easily resonate with writers. Some of these include basic writing guidelines, from how to create a 'can't-put-it-down' hook from the start to employing structure and themes in a manner that elevates the personal essay's production and format. Readers interested in developing top-notch writing skills in this genre should place Seven Secrets to the Perfect Personal Essay at the top of their reading lists.

Dramatic Storytelling & Narrative Design, second edition
Ross Berger
CRC Press
c/o Routledge
https://www.routledge.com
9781032571621, $$160.00, HC, 232pp

https://www.amazon.com/Dramatic-Storytelling-Narrative-Design-Transmedia/dp/1032571624

Synopsis: Now in a newly updated and expanded second edition, "Dramatic Storytelling and Narrative Design: A Writer's Guide to Video Games and Transmedia" by Ross Berger provides an industry professional's first-hand perspective on narrative design's practical usage, day-to-day roles and responsibilities, and keys to breaking in and succeeding.

"Dramatic Storytelling and Narrative Design" also delves into the foundations of compelling storytelling through structural analysis and character archetype breakdowns.

The understanding of game narrative is widened to include examples from other media. "Dramatic Storytelling and Narrative Design" breaks down the structure of popular games and show how the structural elements are applied in practice. In addition to discussing industry trends, "Dramatic Storytelling and Narrative Design" also illustrates how the leveraging of transmedia can make a video game franchise endure over time.

This updated new edition also contains brand new chapters on Conflict and The Future of Interactive Storytelling, as well as deepened coverage on Character and World and Roles and Responsibilities. The author adds new discussion to the Analysis of Narrative in Contemporary Games through an examination of the HBO television adaption of The Last of Us.

Critique: Exceptionally well written, updated, organized and presented, this new second edition of Ross Berger's "Dramatic Storytelling and Narrative Design: A Writer's Guide to Video Games and Transmedia" from CRC Press will be of particular value and benefit to anyone with an interest in the craft of storytelling, narrative design, and game writing. Offering a complete course of insightful instruction and DIY application information, "Dramatic Storytelling and Narrative Design, second edition" is especially and unreservedly recommended as a critical and high value addition to personal, professional, community, and college/university library Writing/Publishing collections. It should be noted for students, script writers, aspiring storytellers, academia, and non-specialist general readers with an interest in the subject that this hardcover edition of "Dramatic Storytelling and Narrative Design: A Writer's Guide to Video Games and Transmedia, second edition" is also available in paperback (9781032571614, $64.99) and in a digital book format (Kindle, $51.99).

Editorial Note: Ross Berger (www.rossberger.space) is a writer, narrative designer, and transmedia strategist based in Los Angeles. Ross is a member of the Writers Guild of America West (animation caucus) and the Television Academy and is currently an adjunct professor at University of Southern California's School of Cinematic Arts and ArtCenter College of Design.


The Social Issues Shelf

Counterinsurgency Strategy: A Path to Effective Policing
Howard Rahtz
Charles C. Thomas, Publisher
https://www.ccthomas.com
9780398094539, $28.95, PB, 176pp

https://www.amazon.com/Counterinsurgency-Strategy-Path-Effective-Policing/dp/0398094535

Synopsis: "Counterinsurgency Strategy: A Path to Effective Policing" by Howard Rahtz opens with American military action in Mosul, Iraq, in 2003.

The civil authority in a city of 1.7 million people had collapsed, government ministry buildings had been looted, and criminal gangs and ethnic conflict raged out of control. General David Petraeus, utilizing the military's Counterinsurgency Doctrine (COIN), restored security, allowing the re-emergence of the local economy.

General Petraeus and his men worked with the local leaders to hold elections and, in short order, restored civil society. The COIN principles used by General Petraeus in Iraq have application to the violent crime issues plaguing cities in the United States. Increasing disorder in the face of declining police legitimacy and a growing trust gap between police and the communities they serve are analogous to the situation facing military commanders combating insurgencies.

Given the current debate on police militarization occurring across the country, "Counterinsurgency Strategy" reviews the history of police militarization, the provision of military equipment to police through the Department of Defense, and the impact of militarization on police tactics. COIN operational values in the context of the militarization debate are also reviewed.

A paradox in policing is the growth of militarism concurrent with the movement toward Community Policing. While Community Policing has received significant attention among military COIN adherents, discussion of COIN strategy among police researchers has been nearly nonexistent.

"Counterinsurgency Strategy" examines the commonalities of COIN strategy with the philosophy of Community-Oriented Policing. Effective policing efforts to reduce crime and disorder are highlighted, and the role of the COIN strategy in these efforts is reviewed. A detailed guide to adapting COIN strategy and tactics for local police departments is also provided.

"Counterinsurgency Strategy" seeks to provide for neighborhood safety based on police legitimacy, effective security, and a whole-of-government effort to address local community problems.

Critique: A seminal and ground-breaking study, "Counterinsurgency Strategy: A Path to Effective Policing" by Howard Rahtz is an extraordinary read that is informatively enhanced for the reader's benefit with the inclusion of an eight page Bibliography and an eight page Index. A complete course of instructive history and application, "Counterinsurgency Strategy--A Path to Effective Policing" is a unique and unreservedly recommended addition to personal, professional, community, police academy, military, and college/university library Law Enforcement & Counterinsurgency collections and supplemental curriculum studies lists.

Editorial Note: After a nearly 20 year career working in the addictions field, at age 42, Howard Rahtz (https://howardrahtz.com) became a Cincinnati Police Officer. His writing history began with his assignment as a Sergeant supervising the Community Policing Unit. In researching the area of Community Oriented Policing, he was surprised to see none of the writing had been done by actual police officers. This finding inspired his first book, "Community Policing: A Handbook for Beat Officers and Supervisors". During his police career, Howard served as a Police Academy Commander, Hostage Negotiator, and Commander of the Central Vice Control Unit. His experience has served as the bedrock of his writing, including "Race, Riots and The Police", which won an Indie Books award in 2016.


The Cookbook Shelf

Soul Kitchen
Wagamama
Kyle Books
c/o Octopus Books
www.octopusbooksusa.com
9781804191453, $26.27 HC, $13.99 Kindle, 192pp

https://www.amazon.com/wagamama-Soul-Kitchen-Cooking-Recipes/dp/1804191450

Soul Kitchen: The Art of Cooking and Eating in 70 Recipes travels Asia, profiling cooks from all kinds of establishments who are serving up local color and 'soul' to their communities. Americans who associate 'soul food' with Black traditions in the U.S. may be surprised at the different usage here, but the cookbook's ability to represent and embrace diversity through dishes from restaurants, street food stalls, canteens, and more offers an inviting array of recipes and appealing color photos not to be found elsewhere, from a Gochujang Chicken Rice Bowl to Fridge-Raid Fishcakes with a tangy Asian-inspired Tartare. The colorful coverage makes for a winning collection!

Open Sesame
Rachel Belle
Sasquatch Books
www.sasquatchbooks.com
9781632175274, $22.95, PB, 176pp

https://www.amazon.com/Open-Sesame-Savory-Recipes-Tahini/dp/1632175274

Synopsis: Tahini is a Middle-Eastern condiment made from ground sesame seeds.

Like a little black dress, tahini can seamlessly transition from day to night, from savory to sweet.

With the publication of "Open Sesame: 45 Sweet & Savory Recipes for Tahini & All Things Sesame" Rachel Belle shows how tahini can fit into your everyday repertoire with a distinctive culinary style and whimsy

This creamy, nutty ingredient is more than just a cult condiment du jour:

It's an allergy-friendly nut substitute!
Replaces dairy in vegan dishes!
Full of heart-healthy fats, plant-based protein, and chock-full of essential vitamins!
Adds a roasty-toasty, elevated flavor to many desserts!

Sprinkle some sesame sparkle into your life with this compendium of 45 recipes that include;

Everything-Including-the-Bagel Salad
Falafel-Spiced Tahini Deviled Eggs with Crispy Chickpeas
Chocolate Miso Whoopie Pies with Tahini Cream
Ethereally Creamy Israeli-Style Hummus

These and the rest of the forty-five inventive recipes each have a global flair and a sesame twist - plus a robust (and surprising) dessert section to hit that sweet spot to please even the most jaded tahiniphile.

Critique: Beautifully and profusely illustrated throughout with full color, full page photos of finished dishes, "Open Sesame: 45 Sweet & Savory Recipes for Tahini & All Things Sesame" is an extraordinary and very special pick for personal, family, professional, and community library Middle East and Kosher cookbook collections. It should be noted that this paperback edition of "Open Sesame" from Sasquatch Books is also readily available in a digital book format (Kindle, $9.59).

Editorial Note: Rachel Belle (www.hellorachelbelle.com) is the creator and host of Your Last Meal podcast, a James Beard Award finalist, and host of The Nosh with Rachel Belle, a food-themed TV show on Seattle's Cascade PBS. She spent twenty years as a broadcast journalist, winning the national Edward R Murrow Award for news radio feature reporting; was named Seattle's Best FM Radio Personality by Seattle Weekly; and did a bunch of food writing for many publications that no longer exist (loved you, Lucky Peach!) Rachel is an enthusiastic home cook and cookbook recipe tester who especially loves cooking in campervans and over campfires.

Adriatico
Paola Bacchia
Smith Street Books
c/o Rizzoli
www.rizzoliusa.com
9781923049529, $35.00, HC, 240pp

https://www.amazon.com/Adriatico-Puglia-Trieste-recipes-Adriatic/dp/1923049526

Synopsis: The Italian coast of the Adriatic Sea runs from the tip of the heel of the boot-shaped peninsula at the Ionian Sea to the northern waters of the Gulf of Trieste. Along its length are rugged rocky coastlines, sandy stretches of beach, lagoons and wetlands. Spindly wooden fishing piers, white-washed walls, colorful villages and sea-facing piazze dot the 750-mile coastline, with a history touched by Etruscan, Greek, Roman, Venetian and Austrian populations.

The food of the Adriatic mirrors the memories and traditions of peoples past and present who have lived on its shores, with ingredients reflecting the climate and terrain. With the publication of "Adriatico: Recipes and Stories from Italy's Adriatic Coast", readers and kitchen cooks alike will join Paola on a beautiful culinary themed journey with 80 authentic recipes from the region.

Critique: An inspiring joy to browse through and plan memorable menus with, "Adriatico: Recipes and stories from Italy's Adriatic Coast" showcases a wealth of authentic Italian coastal cuisines with thoroughly 'kitchen cook friendly' recipes ranging from Whipped Salt Cod with Polenta Grostini, Fettuccine with Radicchio and Pork Sausage, Rissoto with Asparagus and Pancetta, and Shrimps in a Busara Sauce, to Sardine and Potato Bake, Custard Pie with Peaches, Venetian Apple Cake, Spiced Pears Poached in Red Wine, and Venetian S-Shaped Biscuits. This large format (8 x 1.09 x 9.96 inches, 1.25 pounds) hardcover edition of "Adriatico: Recipes and Stories from Italy's Adriatic Coast" is an ideal and recommended addition to personal, professional, family, and community library Ethnic/Italian cookbook collections.

Editorial Note: Paola Bacchia was born to Italian migrant parents and into their food culture. Her award-winning blog, Italy on My Mind (www.italyonmymind.com.au) explores the connection between family memories and food through stories, photos, and recipes. She returns to Italy every year to expand her knowledge of Italian food and traditions. Previously, she has published At Nonna's Table (2024), Istria (2021), Italian Street Food (2021), and Adriatico (2018) with Smith Street Books.

Taste of Home Comfort Food Classics
Taste of Home, editor
Taste of Home, publisher
https://www.tasteofhome.com
c/o Trusted Media Brands
https://www.trustedmediabrands.com
9798889770978, $19.99, PB, 256pp

https://www.amazon.com/Taste-Home-Comfort-Food-Classics/dp/B0CWZ2P59S

Synopsis: Comfort food is where the heart is! Now from the comfort-food authorities at Taste of Home comes "Comfort Food Classics", the ultimate roundup of more than 200 go-to dishes for bringing joy and lifting spirits. Serve the stick-to-your-ribs greats that families clamor for from potpies, mashed potatoes and hot wing dip to chicken soup, cinnamon rolls, mac 'n' cheese, and so much more. Count your way down to the ultimate comfort as you page through the magnificent culinary compendium showcasing the Top 25 Comfort Foods of all time!

At-a-Glance Icons help you prepare foods on your timetable, and pro tips from our Test Kitchen ensure that Comfort Food Classics is one cookbook you'll enjoy reaching for time and again. Which cozy creation will steal your family's hearts? With so much hearty, wholesome dishes inside, choosing which recipe to tackle first just might be the toughest job!

Of special note is the inclusion of a Bonus Chapter celebrating every season and holiday with special-occasion menus. From glazed Easter ham and Thanksgiving pumpkin pie to Christmas cookies and burgers perfect for Independence Day. Plus dozens of tips & hints to 'Make It Your Own'.

Comfort food means different things to different families, so you'll discover lots of exciting ideas from other home cooks to personalize recipes.

Critique: Beautifully, profusely, and inspirationally illustrated throughout with full color photographs of finished dishes, each individual DIY recipes is thoroughly 'kitchen cook friendly' in organization and presentation -- allowing even the most novice of family chefs to prepare truly memorable, palate please and appetite satisfying meals for all formal and informal dining occasions. While readily available in a digital book format (Kindle, $11.99), "Taste of Home: Comfort Food Classics" is a pleasure to browse through and to plan menus with -- making it an especially and unreservedly recommended pick for family, personal, professional, and community library cookbook collections.

Editorial Note: Taste of Home is America's #1 food/lifestyle brand, inspiring togetherness through cooking, baking and entertaining. Featuring recipes shared by today's home cooks, Taste of Home magazine has hundreds of thousands of subscribers throughout North America and publishes best-selling cookbooks and newsstand specials. The brand's web site is a top destination, featuring kitchen-tested recipes, how-to techniques, cooking videos and more. Taste of Home has more than 6.4 million fans on Facebook, 2 million followers on Instagram, 2.7 million Pinterest followers and receives more than 28 million unique monthly visitors. Visit Taste of Home on Facebook, Instagram and Pinterest to learn more.

Corn Dance: Inspired First American Cuisine
Loretta Barret Oden, author
Beth Dooley, contributor
University of Oklahoma Press
www.oupress.com
9780806190785, $34.95, HC, 264pp

https://www.amazon.com/Corn-Dance-Inspired-American-Cuisine/dp/0806190787

Synopsis: Growing up in Shawnee, Oklahoma, among a host of grandmothers and aunties, Loretta Barrett Oden learned the lessons and lore of Potawatomi cooking, along with those of her father's family, whose ancestors arrived on the Mayflower. This rich cultural blend came to bear in the iconic restaurant she opened in Santa Fe, the Corn Dance Cafe, where many of the dishes showcased in "Corn Dance: Inspired First American Cuisine" had their culinary debut, setting Loretta on her path to fame as one of the most influential Native chefs in the nation, a leader in the new Indigenous food movement, and, with her Emmy Award - winning PBS series, Seasoned with Spirit: A Native Cook's Journey, a cross-cultural ambassador for First American cuisine.

"Corn Dance: Inspired First American Cuisine" tells the story of Loretta's journey and of the dishes she created along the way. Alongside recipes that combine the flavors of her Oklahoma upbringing and Indigenous heritage with the Southwest flair of her Santa Fe restaurant, Loretta offers entertaining and edifying observations about ingredients and cooking culture. What kind of quail might turn up in your vicinity, for instance; what to do with pin on nuts, sumac, or nopales (cactus paddles); when to add a bundle of pine needles or a small branch of cedar to your braise: these and many practical words of wisdom about using the fruits of the forest, stream, or plain, accompany Loretta's insights on everything from the dubious provenance of fry bread to the Potawatomi legend behind the Three Sisters -- corn, beans, and squash, the namesake ingredients of Three Sisters and Friends Salad, served at Corn Dance Cafe and now at Thirty Nine Restaurant at First Americans Museum in Oklahoma City, where Oden is the Chef Consultant.

Amply illustrated and adapted to bring the taste of Native tradition into the American home kitchen, "Corn Dance: Inspired First American Cuisine" invites kitchen cooks and their families to join Loretta Oden on her inspiring journey into the Indigenous heritage, and the exhilarating culinary future, of North America.

Critique: This large format (7 x 0.89 x 10 inches, 2.2 pounds) hardcover edition of Loretta Barrett Oden's "Corn Dance: Inspired First American Cuisine" from the University of Oklahoma Press includes contributions by Beth Dooley, a List of Notes from Loretta's Kitchen, an informative Introduction, a two page listing f Sources of Selected Ingredients, and an Index. Unique and thoroughly 'kitchen cook friendly' in organization and presentation, "Corn Dance: Inspired First American Cuisine" will prove to be an extraordinarily popular addition to personal, professional, and community library Ethnic Cookbook collections. It should be noted for those with an interest in authentic Native American cuisine that "Corn Dance: Inspired First American Cuisine" is also readily available in a digital book format (Kindle, $24.95).

Editorial Note #1: Loretta Barrett Oden is a renowned Emmy Award - winning Native American chef, food historian, lecturer, and member of the Citizen Potawatomi Nation. She currently lives in Oklahoma City. (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Loretta_Barrett_Oden)

Editorial Note #2: Beth Dooley (www.bethdooleyskitchen.com) is a James Beard Award - winning food journalist and holds an Endowed Chair at Minnesota Institute for Sustainable Agriculture. She is the author of eight cookbooks, including (with Sean Sherman) The Sioux Chef's Indigenous Kitchen: Best American Cookbook and (with Lucia Watson) Savoring the Seasons of the Northern Heartland.

Forgotten Skills of Cooking
Darina Allen
Kyle Books
c/o Octopus Books
https://www.octopusbooks.co.uk
9781804192764, $39.99, HC, 576pp

https://www.amazon.com/Forgotten-Skills-Cooking-Recipes-Time-honoured/dp/1804192767

Synopsis: Based on the hugely popular courses at Darina Allen's Ballymaloe Cookery School, "Forgotten Skills of Cooking: 700 Recipes Showing You Why the Time-honoured Ways Are the Best" is a massive cookbook that reveals the lost art of making creamy butter and yoghurt, keeping a few hens in the garden, home-curing and smoking bacon, and even foraging for food in the wild -- and so much more.

So many of our happiest childhood memories are connected to food. With "Forgotten Skills of Cooking" family cooks can rediscover the flavors of all-time favorites such as traditional stuffed roast chicken, figgy toffee pudding, and freshly baked scones with strawberry jam. Darina also offers lots of thrifty tips for using up leftovers in delicious ways.

Essential reading for urban and rural dwellers alike, "Forgotten Skills of Cooking" is the definitive modern guide to traditional cookery skills.

Critique: Also available in a digital book format (Kindle, 18.99), and enhanced for the kitchen cook's benefit with a twenty page Index (so that specific recipes can be easily found), a four page listing of Resources, and two pages of Household Tips, this hard cover edition of Darina Allen's "Forgotten Skills of Cooking: 700 Recipes Showing You Why the Time-honoured Ways Are the Best" from Kyle Books is an unreservedly recommended addition for personal, family, professional, and community library cookbook collections.

Editorial Note: Darina Allen (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Darina_Allen) is Ireland's best-known food ambassador and the bestselling author of Ballymaloe Cookery Course and Forgotten Skills of Cooking, which won the prestigious Andre Simon award in 2009. She campaigns for local produce, is a member of Slow Food Ireland and set up Ireland's first farmers' market. She has won many awards including the Guild of Food Writers' Lifetime Achievement award in 2013.


The Health/Medicine Shelf

Nursing Our Healer's Heart
Lorre Laws, Ph.D, RN
Iff Book
c/o Collective Ink Books
https://www.collectiveinkbooks.com
9781803413785, $23.95, PB, 432pp

https://www.amazon.com/Nursing-Our-Healers-Heart-Recovery/dp/1803413786

Synopsis: The nursing profession is in crisis. Within a decade, the world will have just over half the number of nurses it needs.

The global nursing workforce has experienced mass, complex trauma secondary to healthcare system inadequacies and a global pandemic. Traumatized and burned out nurses are leaving their roles or the profession in unprecedented numbers. Those who remain are stretched to or beyond their capacity.

While system-level strategies aim to address this crisis, none of them consider nurse traumatization and its impact upon patient safety, outcomes, and quality of care. We cannot wait for health systems to prioritize nurse safety. Nurses can and must come together as a global community to heal through avoidable and unavoidable nurse-specific traumatization while partnering with healthcare leaders to usher in a new era of nursing.

With the publication of "Nursing Our Healer's Heart: A Recovery Guide for Nurse Trauma & Burnout", Lorre Laws provides an actionable framework that will guide nurses in healing the traumas and hardships they've endured as individuals and nursing communities.

Grounded in the sciences of unitary caring, integrative nursing, neurophysiology, and transpersonal neurobiology, "Nursing Our Healer's Heart" supports nurses in restoring their
'healers' heart' as they come together to address the deep trauma, burnout, attrition, and presenteeism that are central to the nursing crisis.

Nurses will learn the language of their nervous system and how to navigate it as a foundational practice to support professional wellbeing. Each nurse will discover their unique innate care plan, which will guide their healing and co-healing with other nurses. By embracing the healing and practices offered in this book, nurses will learn how to support their nervous system regulation so they can thrive instead of survive in practice.

Working from their healed scars instead of their open wounds, nurses can effectively lead sustainable organizational change and health care reforms that prioritize nurse safety and professional wellbeing.

Critique: Directly addressing a critically important issue that was vividly reinforced with the global Covid pandemic, "Nursing Our Healer's Heart: A Recovery Guide for Nurse Trauma & Burnout" by Registered Nurse Lorre Laws is exceptionally well written, organized and presented. Appropriate as core textbook for Nursing Administration/Management curriculum reading lists, it should be noted that this paperback edition of "Nursing Our Healer's Heart" from Iff Books is also available in a digital book format (Kindle, $11.99) for nursing students, nurses, hospital and college/university library Health/Medicine collections, as well as governmental policy makers and non- specialist general readers with an interest in the subject.


The Science Shelf

The Blue Machine: How the Ocean Works
Helen Czerski
W. W. Norton & Company
www.wwnorton.com
9781324086345, $19.99, PB, 464pp

https://www.amazon.com/Blue-Machine-How-Ocean-Works/dp/1324086343

Synopsis: All of Earth's oceans, from the equator to the poles, are a single engine powered by sunlight, driving huge flows of energy, water, life, and raw materials. In The Blue Machine, physicist and oceanographer Helen Czerski illustrates the mechanisms behind this defining feature of our planet, voyaging from the depths of the ocean floor to tropical coral reefs, estuaries that feed into shallow coastal seas, and Arctic ice floes.

Through stories of history, culture, and animals, she explains how water temperature, salinity, gravity, and the movement of Earth's tectonic plates all interact in a complex dance, supporting life at the smallest scale (plankton) and the largest -- giant sea turtles, whales, humankind.

From the ancient Polynesians who navigated the Pacific by reading the waves, to permanent residents of the deep such as the Greenland shark that can live for hundreds of years, she introduces the messengers, passengers, and voyagers that rely on interlinked systems of vast currents, invisible ocean walls, and underwater waterfalls.

Most important, however, Czerski reveals that while the ocean engine has sustained us for thousands of years, today it is faced with urgent threats. By understanding how the ocean works, and its essential role in our global system, we can learn how to protect our blue machine. Timely, elegant, and passionately argued, "The Blue Machine" presents a fresh perspective on what it means to be a citizen of an ocean planet.

Critique: We humans are poisoning the oceans of the Earth with our plastics, creating 'dead zones' in the oceans with our garbage, and destroying ocean habitats with our human fostered climate change impacts. An articulate, informative, skillfully crafted study that is especially appropriate for the non-specialist general reader, The Blue Machine: How the Ocean Works" is a critically recommended and decidedly important addition to personal, professional, community, governmental, and college/university library Oceanographic Science collections and supplemental curriculum studies lists. It should be noted for students, environmentalists, governmental policy makers, and anyone with an interest in the health of our planetary oceans and seas that "The Blue Machine: How the Ocean Works" is also readily available in a digital book format (Kindle, $9.99).

Editorial Note: Helen Czerski (www.helenczerski.net) is a physicist and oceanographer at University College London. She is also author of "Storm in a Teacup", a columnist for the Wall Street Journal, and writes regularly about the physics of everyday life. She lives in London.


The American History Shelf

Hunting the President
Mel Ayton
Regnery History
www.regnery.com
c/o Skyhorse Publishing
www.skyhorsepublishing.com
9781621572077, $29.99, HC, 304pp

https://www.amazon.com/Hunting-President-Threats-Assassination-Attempts/dp/1621572072

Synopsis: In American history, four U.S. Presidents have been murdered at the hands of an assassin. In each case the assassinations changed the course of American history.

But most historians have overlooked or downplayed the many threats modern presidents have faced, and survived. Author Mel Ayton sets the record straight in his new book "Hunting the President: Threats, Plots and Assassination Attempts From FDR to Obama", telling the sensational story of largely forgotten or never-before revealed malicious attempts to slay America's leaders.

Supported by court records, newspaper archives, government reports, FBI files, and transcripts of interviews from presidential libraries, Hunting the President reveals:

How an armed, would-be assassin stalked President Roosevelt and spent ten days waiting across the street from the White House for his chance to shoot him

How the Secret Service foiled a plot by a Cuban immigrant who told coworkers he was going to shoot LBJ from a window overlooking the president's motorcade route

How a deranged man broke into Reagan's California home and attempted to strangle the former president before he was subdued by Secret Service agents.

In early 1992 a mentally deranged man stalking Bush turned up at the wrong presidential venue for his planned assassination attempt

The relationships presidents held with their protectors and the effect it had on the Secret Service's mission

"Hunting the President" opens the vault of stories about how many of our recent Presidents have come within a hair's breadth of assassination, leaving America's fate in the balance. Most of these stories have remained buried until now. Includes glossy photo signature of historic pictures and documents

Critique: Being president of the United States is a physically dangerous job. Even running for president can get you killed - - note the two attempted assassinations of Donald Trump, one of which came so close as to nick his ear while giving a campaign speech. "Hunting the President: Threats, Plots and Assassination Attempts--From FDR to Obama" by Mel Ayton is fascinating, informative, alarming, and highly recommended for both community and college/university library American History collections. It should be noted for personal reading lists that this hardcover edition of "Hunting the President" from Regnery History is also readily available in a paperback edition (9781510783102, $17.99) and in a digital book format (Kindle, $14.99).

Editorial Note: Mel Ayton (https://www.melayton.com) has a master's degree in history from Durham University and is a former Fulbright Teacher in the United States. He is a former deputy school principal and college lecturer in the UK. Ayton has worked as a historical consultant for the BBC, NBC News, National Geographic Channel and the Discovery Times Channel and appeared in the television documentaries, CIA - Mind Control (NBC, 2006), CIA Secret Experiments (National Geographic Channel, 2009) and Conspiracy Test: The Robert Kennedy Assassination (Discovery Channel, 2008) Ayton was interviewed for the PBS documentary 100 Days That Defined Modern History - The Assassinations of Martin Luther King & Robert F. Kennedy, broadcast in 2024.

American Visions: The United States, 1800-1860
Edward L. Ayers
W. W. Norton & Company
www.wwnorton.com
9780393881264, $32.50, HC, 368pp

https://www.amazon.com/American-Visions-United-States-1800-1860/dp/0393881261

Synopsis: With so many of our histories falling into dour critique or blatant celebration, "American Visions: The United States, 1800-1860" by Professor Edward L. Ayers offers hope as well as honesty about the American past.

The early decades of the nineteenth century saw the expansion of slavery, Native dispossession, and wars with Canada and Mexico. Mass immigration and powerful religious movements sent tremors through American society. But even as the powerful defended the status quo, others defied it: voices from the margins moved the center; eccentric visions altered the accepted wisdom, and acts of empathy questioned self-interest.

Professor Ayers's rich history examines the visions that moved Frederick Douglass, Margaret Fuller, the Native American activist William Apess, and others to challenge entrenched practices and beliefs. So, Lydia Maria Child condemned the racism of her fellow northerners at great personal cost. Melville and Thoreau, Joseph Smith and Samuel Morse all charted new paths for America in the realms of art, nature, belief, and technology. It was Henry David Thoreau who, speaking of John Brown, challenged a hostile crowd "Is it not possible that an individual may be right and a government wrong?"

Through decades of award-winning scholarship on the Civil War, Professor Ayers has himself ventured beyond the interpretative status quo to recover the range of possibilities embedded in the past as it was lived. In the pages of "American Visions: The United States, 1800-1860" he turns that distinctive historical sensibility to a period when bold visionaries and critics built vigorous traditions of dissent and innovation into the foundation of the nation. Those traditions remain alive for us today.

Critique: Featuring 8 pages of B/W historical illustrations, forty pages of Notes, and a sixteen page Index, "American Visions: The United States, 1800-1860" is as fascinating as it is informative. Exceptionally well written, organized and presented for the benefit and appreciation of American history students and non-specialist general readers with an interest in the subject, "American Visions: The United States, 1800-1860" is an especially recommended pick for personal, community and college/university library collections. It should be noted that this hardcover edition of "American Visions: The United States, 1800-1860" from W.W. Norton is also readily available in a paperback edition (9781324086307, $21.99) and in a digital book format (Kindle, $13.19).

Editorial Note: Edward L. Ayers (www.edwardayers.com), a recipient of the National Humanities Medal, has won the Bancroft and Lincoln Prizes for his innovative histories of Civil War America. He is president emeritus of the University of Richmond, where he is executive director of New American History.


The World History Shelf

After Eden: A Short History of the World
John Charles Chasteen
W. W. Norton & Company
www.wwnorton.com
9781324086475, $21.99, PB, 416pp

https://www.amazon.com/After-Eden-Short-History-World/dp/1324086475

Synopsis: With the publication of "After Eden: A Short History of the World", Latin American historian and professor emeritus John Chasteen presents a concise down-to-earth, fast-paced narrative of world history, from the Big Bang to the present, animated by stories of people from all walks of life and enriched by insightful analysis and the author's extensive world travel.

To tackle today's major problems of global inequality and environmental degradation, Professor Chasteen argues that we must first understand our shared past, both the violent and cruel dimensions ("humanity's inhumanity to itself") and the aspirational ones -- the creation of universal religions and ethical systems; the birth of the ideas of individual liberty and freedom; the resistance to the excesses of global capitalism; the civil rights and decolonization movements; and the environmental and social justice movements of today.

For Professor Chasteen, ultimate success hinges on our ability to recognize from our past experiences what is needed for us to live cooperatively and, most critically, the ways we educate our young people.

Critique: Featuring 17 B/W historical illustrations, a two page bibliography of Further Readings, and an eleven page Index, "After Eden: A Short History of the World" (which also available in a digital book format - Kindle, $13.19) is an exceptional and highly recommended pick for the personal reading lists of history students, history buffs, and anyone with an interest in how the past influences the present in ideals about national and international governance/relationships, from antiquity down to the present day. "After Eden: A Short History of the World" form W.W. Norton is an ideal addition to community and college/university library history collections.

Editorial Note: John Charles Chasteen is professor of history emeritus at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and author of Born in Blood and Fire, the best-selling history of Latin America. (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Charles_Chasteen)

The Making of the Middle Sea
Cyprian Broodbank
Thames & Hudson, Inc.
www.thamesandhudsonusa.com
9780500026441, $45.00, ;HC, 688pp

https://www.amazon.com/Making-Middle-Sea-Mediterranean-Beginning/dp/0500026440

Synopsis: For millennia, the Mediterranean has been one of the global cockpits of human endeavor. World- class interpretations exist of its classical and subsequent history, but there has been remarkably little holistic exploration of how its societies, culture, and economies first came into being, despite the fact that almost all the fundamental developments originated well before 500 BCE.

With the publication of "The Making of the Middle Sea: A History of the Mediterranean from the Beginning to the Emergence of the Classical World" by Professor Cyprian Broodbank offers a full interpretive exploration into the rise of the Mediterranean world from its beginning, before the emergence of our own species, up to the threshold of classical times.

Extensively illustrated and ranging across disciplines, subject matter, and chronology, from early humans and the origins of farming and metallurgy to the rise of civilizations (Egyptian, Levantine, Hispanic, Minoan, Mycenaean, Phoenician, Etruscan, early Greek), "The Making of the Middle Sea" is a masterpiece of archaeological and historical writing. Winner of the Wolfson History Prize, this edition of "The Making of the Middle Sea from Thames & Hudson now features a new preface exploring the most recent archaeological research on the Mediterranean world.

Critique: This large format (7.7 x 1.5 x 10 inches, 2.2 pounds) hardcover edition of "The Making of the Middle Sea: A History of the Mediterranean from the Beginning to the Emergence of the Classical World" by Professor Broodbank is visually enhanced with the inclusion 408 illustrations (49 in color), and features nineteen pages of Notes, a twenty-four page Bibliography, a two page listing of Sources of Illustration, and a sixteen page Index. Extraordinary, comprehensive, fascinating, informative, and impressively well written, organized and presented, "The Making of the Middle Sea: A History of the Mediterranean from the Beginning to the Emergence of the Classical World" is an ideal and unreservedly recommended pick for personal, professional, community, and college/university library Mediterranean history collections. It should be noted for archaeology and history students, as well as non-specialist general readers with an interest in the subject that "The Making of the Middle Sea: A History of the Mediterranean from the Beginning to the Emergence of the Classical World" is also available in a digital book format (Kindle, $34.00).

Editorial Note: Cyprian Broodbank is professor of archaeology and the director of the McDonald Institute for Archaeological Research at the University of Cambridge. He was professor of Mediterranean archaeology at the Institute of Archaeology, University College London from 1993 to 2014. His previous book, An Island Archaeology of the Early Cyclades, won the James R. Wiseman award of the Archaeological Institute of America (for all fields of archaeology), and the Runciman Prize (for all fields of Hellenic Studies). is professor of archaeology and the director of the McDonald Institute for Archaeological Research at the University of Cambridge. He was professor of Mediterranean archaeology at the Institute of Archaeology, University College London from 1993 to 2014. His previous book, An Island Archaeology of the Early Cyclades, won the James R. Wiseman award of the Archaeological Institute of America and the Runciman Prize. (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cyprian_Broodbank)

Citrus: A World History
David J. Mabberley
Thames & Hudson, Inc.
www.thamesandhudsonusa.com
9780500026366, $50.00, HC, 272pp

https://www.amazon.com/Citrus-History-David-J-Mabberley/dp/050002636X

Synopsis: With the publication of "Citrus: A World History", Professor David J. Mabberley traces the history of today's global superfood from its cultivation in the ancient world from just a handful of original wild species, via Arab trade routes, the noble collectors of medieval Europe, imperial conquerors on the high seas, and merchants betting on the highest-value fruit crop ever known.

The story of citrus permeates human history, as recorded in the literature and art of civilizations from antiquity to the present day. When Alexander the Great's army swept over the Persian Empire, they found the citron: the first citrus fruit known in the West. During the Napoleonic wars, British ships carried lemons and limes to protect their sailors against scurvy; the "Limeys" ruled the waves. As the citrus trade grew in importance in the nineteenth century, the Sicilian Mafia was established among citrus farmers, protecting their crops and their livelihoods.

Mandarin, citron, pomelo, bergamot, kumquat -- a glorious abundance of citrus fruits has delighted and stimulated ancient thinkers and explorers, Arab geographers and scientists, European royalty, artists, physicians, and plant breeders. From the art of the Renaissance to modern advertising and graphic design, this richly illustrated, invigorating cultural history reveals how these extraordinary, life-giving fruits have flavored, scented, healed, and colored our world.

Critique: Visually enhanced for the reader's benefit with 357 color illustrations, this large format (8.4 x 1.3 x 10.7 inches, 2.31 pounds) hardcover edition of Professor David J. Mabberley's "Citrus: A World History" from Thames & Hudson also includes seven page Bibliography, six pages of Notes, a two page listing of Illustration Sources, and a three page Index. Fascinating, informative, and unique, "Citrus: A World History" is an extraordinary and unreservedly recommended pick for personal, professional, community, and college/university library Natural History collections and supplemental Gastronomy curriculum studies lists. "Citrus: A World History" would make an excellent and enduringly appreciated Memorial Fund acquisition choice for community and academic library collections.

Editorial Note: David J. Mabberley is a botanist and writer. He is also an emeritus fellow at Wadham College, University of Oxford; adjunct professor at Macquarie University, Sydney; and professor emeritus at the University of Leiden. He is the author of Mabberley's Plant-book: A Portable Dictionary of Plants, their Classification and Uses, now in its fourth edition, and coauthor of Joseph Banks' Florilegium: Botanical Treasures from Cook's First Voyage. (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/David_Mabberley)


The Civil War History Shelf

The 2nd U.S. Sharpshooters at Gettysburg
Mark W. Allen
McFarland & Company
https://mcfarlandbooks.com
9781476695952, $29.95, PB, 220pp

https://www.amazon.com/2nd-U-S-Sharpshooters-Gettysburg-Perfect/dp/1476695954

Synopsis: The many works available thus far on the Battle of Gettysburg have neglected the role of the 2nd U.S. Sharpshooters, Union soldiers known for their extensive training and specialized tactics. "The 2nd U.S. Sharpshooters at Gettysburg: Like A Perfect Hornet's Nest" by Mark W. Alen is the first Civil War history to explore the their actions at Gettysburg on July 2, 1863. This unique Union Army regiment was largely composed of men from Maine, Michigan, Minnesota, New Hampshire, Pennsylvania, and Vermont.

Drawing on newly discovered primary sources, "The 2nd U.S. Sharpshooters at Gettysburg: Like A Perfect Hornet's Nest" seeks to clarify mysteries such as the identity of the non-commissioned officer who met with Company B of the 20th Maine and the location of Major Homer R. Stoughton during the battle. Following the understrength regiment as it confronts two Confederate brigades, this thorough historical narrative presents a long untold story of the Battle of Gettysburg.

Critique: With B/W illustrations throughout, "The 2nd U.S. Sharpshooters at Gettysburg: Like A Perfect Hornet's Nest" is an informative and fascinating read from start to finish. An invaluable and definitively recommended pick for personal, professional, community, and college/university library American Civil War History collections, it should be noted for students, Civil War buffs, and non-specialist general readers with an interest in the subject that "The 2nd U.S. Sharpshooters at Gettysburg: Like A Perfect Hornet's Nest" is also available from McFarland & Company in a digital book format (Kindle, $19.99).

Editorial Note: Mark W. Allen is the former military historian at the War Memorial Park in Muskogee, Oklahoma, home of the World War II fleet submarine U.S.S. Batfish (SS310). (https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/1001665.Mark_W_Allen)

Yankees in the Hill City
Clifton W. Potter, Jr.
McFarland & Company
https://mcfarlandbooks.com
9781476695884, $39.95, PB, 234pp

https://www.amazon.com/Yankees-Hill-City-Lynchburg-1862-1865/dp/1476695881

Synopsis: With three railroads and a canal passing through the city, Lynchburg, Virginia, was a major hospital center during the Civil War, far from the remote battlefields. Here also was a transit camp where Union soldiers remained before being paroled or transferred to another prison.

It opened in June 1862 at the Fair Ground, just outside the city limits. Upon arrival, the sick and wounded were assigned to one of the 32 hospitals regardless of the uniform they wore. Union POWs who died were buried in the City Cemetery by the local funeral service, which also carefully recorded their personal data. Local ministers daily performed burial services for all soldiers, regardless of their race or the color of their uniforms, and all their expenses were paid by the Confederate government.

Critique: With the publication of "Yankees in the Hill City: The Union Prisoner of War Camp in Lynchburg, Virginia, 1862-1865", Professor Clifton W. Potter, Jr. ably presents a complete history of this Union POW camp in Lynchburg: including the context of its founding, its operations, and its fate after the war. Of special note are two appendices present burial records for the POWs and Lynchburg Campaign casualties. A seminal and meticulously documented study, "Yankees in the Hill City" is an invaluable contribution to personal, professional, community, and college/university library American Civil War collections and supplemental curriculum studies lists. It should be noted that "Yankees in the Hill City" is also available from McFarland & Company in a digital book format (Kindle, $25.99).

Editorial Note: Clifton W. Potter, Jr. graduated from Lynchburg College in 1962 with a B.A. in history, magna cum laude. He was a Fulbright Fellow at Merton College, Oxford, and holds both an M.A. and Ph.D. in history from the University of Virginia. After a teaching career spanning 54 years, he retired from the University of Lynchburg with the rank of professor of history, emeritus. (https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/4839888.Clifton_W_Potter_Jr_)

United States Military Justice in the Civil War
R. Gregory Lande
McFarland & Company
https://mcfarlandbooks.com
9781476695846, $39.95, PB, 254pp

https://www.amazon.com/United-States-Military-Justice-Civil/dp/1476695849

Synopsis: Despite its relative invisibility to the public, the administration of military justice during the Civil War played a vital role in maintaining the discipline necessary for Union military success.

While some scholars have criticized the Union military courts as arbitrary and excessively harsh, others have defended it as a necessary means of maintaining order in the face of unprecedented challenges faced by the Union.

Drawing on extensive primary research, this history presents a compelling narrative based on a statistical analysis of 5,000 Union military trials, court records, historical legal publications, and insights from contemporary historians. With the publication of "United States Military Justice in the Civil War: Court-Martial Practices and Administration", R. Gregory Lande analyzes the relationship between alcohol misuse and misconduct, covers the differing approaches to sexual misconduct across the services, and exposes the uneven and sometimes unfair application of military justice.

Critique: Offering a balanced perspective on the struggle between maintaining discipline and protecting the legal rights of service members, "United States Military Justice in the Civil War: Court-Martial Practices and Administration" is a unique and recommended addition to personal, professional, community, and college/university library American Civil War collections. This paperback edition of "United States Military Justice in the Civil War: Court-Martial Practices and Administration" from McFarland & Company is also readily available in a digital book format (Kindle, $25.99).

Editorial Note: R. Gregory Lande is an adult, forensic and addiction trained psychiatrist in Orlando, Florida, a retired U.S. Army medical officer and an independent scholar whose interest in historical research focuses on the human side of America's Civil War era.

The Third Ohio Volunteer Infantry in the Civil War
David D. Perry
McFarland & Company
https://mcfarlandbooks.com
9781476695112, $39.95, PB, 213pp

https://www.amazon.com/Third-Ohio-Volunteer-Infantry-Civil/dp/1476695113

Synopsis: During three years of the Civil War, Colonel John Beatty of the Third Ohio Volunteer Infantry Regiment dealt with drunkenness, desertion, insubordination and mutiny, and at one point tied a drunken mutineer to a tree until the man sobered up. He didn't shoot or dismiss the man, because everyone was needed for service. This emblematic event and many others are detailed in "The Third Ohio Volunteer Infantry in the Civil War: "Obstinate Devils" from Middle Fork Bridge to Cedar Bluff", a Civil War history that illustrates how the Third Ohio experienced "combat" on the battlefield as well as on the campgrounds of Virginia, Alabama, Kentucky and Tennessee.

Part of a brigade commanded by Colonel Abel Streight, the Third Ohio was charged with destroying the Confederate rail junction in Rome, Georgia. However, Confederate General Nathan Bedford Forrest chased and fought the Third through Tennessee and Northern Alabama until exhaustion and wet ammunition forced the regiment to surrender to Forrest and his men on June 3, 1863. This informative study presents in full context the Third Ohio's Civil War experience, and includes a daily chronology of the regiment as well as a complete roster.

Critique: Informed and informative, and also available in a digital book format (Kindle, $25.99), "The Third Ohio Volunteer Infantry in the Civil War: "Obstinate Devils" from Middle Fork Bridge to Cedar Bluff" by David D. Perry is another seminal and ground-breaking study from McFarland & Company that is an essential and highly recommended pick for personal, professional, community, and college/university library American Civil War History/Biography collections.

Editorial Note: David D. Perry is a retired university lecturer in American and European history. He has visited and studied every major battlefield from the American Civil War to those of the Crimean, First and Second World Wars. He has been a Revolutionary and Civil War enthusiast who has marched with the celebrated Old Guard, 3rd US Infantry Regiment.


The Military History Shelf

The Unlikely War Hero
Marc Leepson
Stackpole Books
www.stackpolebooks.com
c/o Rowman & Littlefield
https://rowman.com
9780811772921, $32.95, HC, 240pp

https://www.amazon.com/Unlikely-War-Hero-Vietnam-Resilience/dp/0811772926

Synopsis: On April 6, 1967, twenty-year-old U.S. Navy Seaman Apprentice Doug Hegdahl fell off his ship, a guided-missile cruiser, in the Gulf of Tonkin. Close to exhaustion after nearly four hours in the water, he was picked up by a small fishing boat and soon found himself in Hoa Lo Prison, the notorious North Vietnamese POW camp the prisoners called the Hanoi Hilton. Under intense interrogation, Hegdahl pretended to be a country bumpkin who could barely read or write. His captors fell for the ruse, calling him "The Incredibly Stupid One."

But Doug Hegdahl was far from stupid. Possessing a razor-sharp memory, during the next two years he memorized the names of 254 fellow prisoners and senior officers ordered him to accept an early release. After coming home in August 1969, Hegdahl shocked his debriefers by rattling off the names of the men. Hanoi had admitted holding only a few dozen, although the U.S. military had reliable intel on scores of others. With Hegdahl's names, 63 missing servicemen were reclassified to Prisoners of War.

But that's not all. In addition to divulging the names, Doug Hegdahl told the Pentagon about the systematic torturing of the American POWs in Hanoi and reported many other hitherto unknown details about life inside the Hanoi POW camps. The new information became an important factor in North Vietnam's fall 1969 decision to make life immeasurably easier for the 500-plus POWs held in Hanoi and assuaged the doubts and fears of dozens of POW families.

Vividly written, "The Unlikely War Hero" is solidly based on archival research, personal interviews, and his experiences in the Vietnam War, Marc Leepson, for the first time, tells the incredible tale of the youngest and lowest-ranking American POW captured in North Vietnam. Doug Hegdahl has never been properly recognized for his extraordinary efforts, and his story has never been fully told. It's a story of survival -- has own and scores of POWs.

Critique: With the inclusion of 13 B/W historical photos, "The Unlikely War Hero: A Vietnam War POW's Story of Courage and Resilience in the Hanoi Hilton" by Marc Leepson is a simply fascinating and compelling read from start to finish. Offering an amazingly informative 'insider's' account of what life and death were like inside the infamous POW prison, ironically nicknamed the Hanoi Hotel' by the American prisoners, "The Unlikely War Hero" is a unique and unreservedly recommended addition to personal, community, and college/university library Vietnam War History/Biography/Memoir collections and supplemental 20th Century U.S. Military History curriculum studies lists. It should be noted that this hardcover edition of "The Unlikely War Hero" from Stackpole Books is also available in a digital book format (Kindle, $23.49).

Editorial Note: Marc Leepson (www.marcleepson.com) graduated from George Washington University with a history degree in 1967, served in the U.S. Army for the following two years, including a tour in Vietnam, and earned an MA in history from George Washington. He was a staff writer for Congressional Quarterly for ten years before becoming a full-time freelancer. His work has appeared in magazines such as Smithsonian, Military History, Civil War Times, American History, Vietnam, and World War II, and in newspapers such as the Washington Post, New York Times, Wall Street Journal, and USA Today. He is senior writer, arts editor, and columnist for The VVA Veteran (the magazine of Vietnam Veterans of America).

Midnight in Ironbottom Sound
Carol Engle Avriett
Regnery History
www.regnery.com
c/o Skyhorse Publishing
www.skyhorsepublishing.com
9781510781597, $32.99, HC, 256pp

https://www.amazon.com/Midnight-Ironbottom-Sound-Shark-Infested-Guadalcanal/dp/1510781595

Synopsis: In the heart of the Pacific, where the tides of World War II surged, lies a tale of heroism on the high seas -- a tale brought to life in author Carole Engle Avriett's naval history, "Midnight in Ironbottom Sound". This is the untold story of the USS Gregory (APD-3), a ship manned by unknown sailors whose bravery echoes through the annals of history.

Upon the decks of this vessel, Lieutenant Commander Harry F. Bauer and Mess Attendant Charles J. French, representing the highest and lowest ranks on the USS Gregory, become the focal points of this gripping narrative. In the turbulent waters of the Pacific, their stories, interwoven with the ship's saga (their vital mission was to transport Marine Raiders to bloody beaches) emerge as a testament to the resilience of the human spirit and the unwavering commitment to duty.

Avriett unfolds a a brief but catastrophic chapter of naval history that is often overlooked -- that of unremitting warfare during the first few weeks following the initial invasion of the Solomon Islands to the demise of the USS Gregory four weeks later. Within this crucible, the USS Gregory, marked as a "minor" player, takes center stage. The ship's designation as an APD, its brave crew, and the harrowing night of terror they faced, set the stage for an unforgettable story.

Avriett meticulously reveals their heroism and pays homage to the eternal truth that courage has neither color nor prerequisites, and that valor hails from within.

Critique: An extraordinary contribution to World War II naval combat history, "Midnight in Ironbottom Sound: The Harrowing WWII Story of Heroism in the Shark-Infested Waters of Guadalcanal" is informatively enhanced for the reader's benefit with the inclusion of a six page Family Tributes, two pages of Endnotes, a two page listing of Resources, a ten page Appendix, and a seven page Index. Combining solid research with her distinctive storytelling style, author Carole Engle Avriett's "Midnight in Ironbottom Sound" is especially and unreservedly recommended for community and college/university library World War II history collections and supplemental curriculum studies lists. It should be noted for the personal reading lists of military history buffs, students, and academia that "Midnight in Ironbottom Sound" is also available in a digital book format (Kindle, $21.99).

Editorial Note: Carole Engle Avriett is the author "Coffin Corner Boys: One Bomber, Ten Men, and their Harrowing Escape from Nazi-Occupied France". Currently, she invests her skills full time in writing Christian books and military history memoirs, as well as hosting a weekly Bible study and leading women's conferences -- often sharing her powerful testimony of personal struggle until Christ came into her life at the age of thirty.

Yukikaze's War
Brett L. Walker
Cambridge University Press
www.cambridge.org
9781108837293, $29.95, HC, 311pp

https://www.amazon.com/Yukikazes-War-Unsinkable-Japanese-Destroyer/dp/1108837298

Synopsis: Only one elite Imperial Japanese Navy destroyer survived the cruel ocean battlefields of World War II. "Yukikaze's War: The Unsinkable Japanese Destroyer and World War II in the Pacific" is her story.

Brett Walker, historian and captain, delves into questions of mechanics, armaments, navigation, training, and even indoctrination, illustrating the daily realities of war for Yukikaze and her crew.

By shifting our perspective of the Pacific War away from grand Imperial strategies, and toward the intricacies of fighting on the water, Walker allows us to see the war from Yukikaze's bridge during the most harrowing battles, from Midway to Okinawa.

Walker also uncovers the ordinary sailor's experience, and we see sailors fight while deep-running currents of Japanese history unfold before their war-weary eyes. As memories of World War II fade, Yukikaze's story becomes ever more important, providing valuable lessons in our contemporary world of looming energy shortfalls, menacing climate uncertainties, and aggressive totalitarian regimes.

Critique: Fascinating, informative, a masterpiece of World War II maritime military history, "Yukikaze's War: The Unsinkable Japanese Destroyer and World War II in the Pacific" is enhanced for the reader's benefit with the inclusion of occasional B/W historic photos, fourteen pages of Notes and a fourteen page Index. A work of exhaustive and meticulous historical scholarship, Professor Brett Walker's narrative storytelling style reads with all the engagement of a finely tuned work of literature. While especially and unreservedly recommended for community and college/university library World War II military and Pacific Theater maritime history collections and supplemental curriculum studies lists, it should be noted for the personal reading lists of students, academia, and World War II military history buffs that this hardcover edition of "Yukikaze's War: The Unsinkable Japanese Destroyer and World War II in the Pacific" from Cambridge University Press is also readily available in a digital book format (Kindle, $28.45).

Editorial Note: Brett L. Walker (www.brettlwalker.net) is Regents Professor Emeritus of History at Montana State University, Bozeman, an historian of Japan, medicine, the environment and World War II, as well as an experienced captain.


The Education Shelf

University Entrepreneurial Ecosystems
Dandiel Prokop
Edward Elgar Publishing
www.e-elgar.com
9781803924748, $105.00, HC, 146pp

https://www.amazon.com/University-Entrepreneurial-Ecosystems-Spinouts-Geography/dp/1803924748

Synopsis: With the publication of "University Entrepreneurial Ecosystems: Spinouts, Networks and Geography" Daniel Prokop (Senior Lecturer in Economic Geography, School of Geography and Planning, Cardiff University, UK) sheds light on university entrepreneurial ecosystems and how they generate spin-out companies rooted in different spatial contexts. Paying particular attention to geography and network issues, Prokop conceptualizes the varied performance of university entrepreneurial ecosystems by focusing on their actors, configurations and mechanisms.

Developing an evolving model of the university entrepreneurial ecosystem and spinout lifecycle, Prokop explores the hierarchical, nested and hybrid models of university entrepreneurial ecosystems, tracking how these relate to each other. Ultimately, "University Entrepreneurial Ecosystems" argues that the geography and configuration of university entrepreneurial ecosystems offer asymmetric opportunities for entrepreneurial activity that result in divergent development paths for local and regional economies.

Of particular interest to students and scholars of entrepreneurship, organizational innovation, economic geography and regional economics, "University Entrepreneurial Ecosystems" is innovative source of 'real world practical' information will also appeal to policymakers, academic entrepreneurs, venture capitalists and technology transfer officers seeking a greater understanding of university entrepreneurial ecosystems and spinouts.

Critique: Informatively enhanced for the reader's benefit with the inclusion of Figures, Tables, a seventeen page bibliography of References, and a three page Index, "University Entrepreneurial Ecosystems: Spinouts, Networks and Geography" is exceptionally and unreservedly recommended as a unique and prized addition to personal, professional, and college/university Contemporary Education Issues collections and supplemental curriculum studies lists.

Coaching in Home Visiting
Christa D. Haring, et al.
Brookes Publishing Company
www.brookespublishing.com
9781681257327, $39.95, PB, 264pp

https://www.amazon.com/Coaching-Home-Visiting-Supporting-Professionals/dp/1681257327

Synopsis: "Coaching in Home Visiting: Supporting Better Outcomes for Professionals and Families" from the Brookes Publishing Company is the first coaching guide specially designed for home visitors and their supervisors. This groundbreaking book answers the call for more and better training in early childhood home visiting programs. The expert and collaborative authors developed this guide for two critical purposes: to give supervisors actionable strategies as they coach home visitors, and to give home visitors principles and practices for coaching families of children from birth to 5 years.

Featuring a who's who of more than 25 interdisciplinary experts, "Coaching in Home Visiting" goes far beyond "one and done" approaches to training and illuminates the benefits of supported practice, follow-up, and reflection. Home Visitors will learn how to:

Make the most of parallel practices, in which the best strategies coaches use to partner with coachees are also used by home visitors to partner with caregivers

Use both reflective supervision and practice-based coaching to enhance work with families

Apply the principles of adult learning to build respectful and reciprocal coaching relationships

Implement research-informed coaching strategies that promote well-being for home visitors and families

Ensure culturally responsive home visiting at both the systems level and the individual home visitor level

Deliver engaging and effective virtual coaching to both home visitors and families

Collaborate with early intervention providers to support families who have children with disabilities

Use coaching to increase and monitor fidelity to evidence-based programs and practices

Critique: Ideal for use as an in-service professional development resource or as a pre-service curriculum textbook, "Coaching in Home Visiting: Supporting Better Outcomes for Professionals and Families" is truly transformative combination instructional guide and 'how-to' manual that will help both supervisors and practitioners succeed in their work to improve the lives of children and their families. While especially and unreservedly recommended for personal, professional, and college/university library Special Education collections and supplemental curriculum studies lists, it should be noted that this large format paperback edition of "Coaching in Home Visiting" is also readily available in a digital book format (Kindle, $37.95).

Editorial Note: "Coaching in Home Visiting: Supporting Better Outcomes for Professionals and Families" is the collaborative work of Christa D. Haring Ph.D. CCC-SLP (Author), Ms. Angela Rau MAT (Author), Mark Innocenti Ph.D. (Foreword), & 28 more contributors.


The Business Shelf

CEO Potential
Dave Osh
Varlinx, LLC
https://www.varlinx.com
9798991559508, $25.00, HC, 306pp

https://www.amazon.com/CEO-Potential-Transcend-Organization-Lasting/dp/B0DN3PS42W

Synopsis: With the publication of "CEO Potential: Transcend Self, Team, and Organization for Lasting Success in the New Age of AI", Dave Osh offers a transformative, step-by-step guide for leaders facing the unprecedented demands of a rapidly evolving world. As conventional strategies lose relevance, "CEO Potential" provides a clear path to elevating yourself, your team, and your organization to thrive amid AI-driven disruption and escalating challenges.

Redefining potential as a dynamic, ever-expanding capacity, "CEO Potential" introduces you to a revolutionary framework grounded in developmental psychology. Through this Potential Framework, you'll unlock seven progressive levels of potential, enabling you to boost your effectiveness and lead with impact in today's complex landscape.

Drawing from two decades of battlefield experience as a fighter pilot and air force commander with hundreds of combat and reconnaissance missions, followed by leadership roles as CFO, COO, and CEO in multinational companies, and a decade of coaching high-performance teams in high-growth organizations, Dave Osh brings his unmatched expertise to "CEO Potential." With a science-backed framework crafted from real-world, high-stakes environments, he reveals insights and strategies that have never before been shared in this way.

"CEO Potential" shows how to: Expand your leadership potential across seven levels of increasing capacity and capability to meet complex challenges; Pinpoint your current level on the potential growth continuum and identify clear next steps for advancement; Develop a targeted growth plan to continuously elevate your potential, moving through each level with practical, actionable strategies; Inspire your team to grow alongside you, fostering adaptability, creativity, and collaboration to build a resilient culture that excels in challenging environments; Transform your organization with a roadmap that aligns purpose, innovation, and performance, ensuring sustained competitiveness and impact in the AI-driven world.

Critique: Artificial Intelligence (AI) is beginning to be an implacable force for change, requiring everyone in a position of corporate leadership and business management to learn how to adapt to the very rapidly evolving impacts, challenges and opportunities its presents. Exceptionally well written and thoroughly 'reader friendly' in organization and presentation, "CEO Potential: Transcend Self, Team, and Organization for Lasting Success in the New Age of AI" must be considered essential reading and an unreservedly recommended addition to personal, professional, community, corporate, and college/university library Business Management/Leadership collections and supplemental MBA curriculum studies lists. It should be noted for MBA students, academia, corporate executives, business managers, governmental policy makers, and non-specialist general readers with an interest in the subject that this hardcover edition of Dave Osh's "CEO Potential" from Varlinx, LLC is also readily available in a paperback edition (9798991559515, $17.99) and in a digital book format (Kindle, $4.99).

Editorial Note: Dave Osh (https://www.daveosh.com/home) is the former CEO of the multinational company Qnet and the founder/CEO of the tech startup Execuvite. He has led multinational teams across 34 countries, living in Israel, Hong Kong, Malaysia, Singapore, and now the USA, where he coaches executives at Fortune 500 companies, mid-size firms, and tech startups.

The Entrepreneurial Mindset Advantage
Gary G. Schoeniger
Matt Holt Books
c/o BenBella Books
www.benbellabooks.com
9781637745779, $30.00, HC, 256pp

https://www.amazon.com/Entrepreneurial-Mindset-Advantage-Unleashes-Potential/dp/163774577X

Synopsis: Countless books have been written about the exploits of iconic entrepreneurs like Steve Jobs, Jeff Bezos, and Elon Musk. Yet when we look beyond the headlines and the hype to explore the mindset of everyday entrepreneurs, a hidden logic begins to emerge -- one that can empower ordinary people to accomplish extraordinary things.

"The Entrepreneurial Mindset Advantage: The Hidden Logic That Unleashes Human Potential" is groundbreaking book by author and entrepreneurial mindset expert Gary G. Schoeniger who deftly combines insights gleaned from hundreds of everyday entrepreneurs with cutting-edge research to create a practical how-to guide that not only shows us how to be more innovative and entrepreneurial in our own lives but also how to unlock the untapped entrepreneurial potential in others.

Drawing from real-world stories "The Entrepreneurial Mindset Advantage" shows how to: Recognize how our mindset can hinder or enhance our ability to adapt and thrive in today's rapidly changing world; Demystify the entrepreneurial mindset as a framework for thinking that anyone can embrace; Master a five-step method for identifying, evaluating, and actualizing the opportunities that exist in our everyday lives; Distinguish between entrepreneurial and managerial attitudes, behaviors, and skills and why we need both; Unlock the untapped entrepreneurial potential that lies dormant in our children, our students, our workforce, and our communities.

Ultimately, "The Entrepreneurial Mindset Advantage" shows how a subtle shift in our perspective can make a big difference in our lives. While combination of instructional guide and 'how to' manual will certainly benefit anyone wanting to start their own business. It looks beyond new venture creation to expose the entrepreneurial mindset as a teachable framework for thinking that has become essential for individuals and organizations to adapt and thrive in today's rapidly changing world.

Critique: Nicely organized into two major sections (The Entrepreneurial Person & The Entrepreneurial Process), "The Entrepreneurial Mindset Advantage: The Hidden Logic That Unleashes Human Potential" is informatively augmented for the reader's benefit by the inclusion of a two page listing of Acknowledgements, ten pages of Notes, and an eight page Index. Impressively well written, and thoroughly 'reader friendly' in organization and presentation, "The Entrepreneurial Mindset Advantage" is an ideal and unreservedly recommended addition to personal, professional, community, corporate, and college/university library Business Management & Contemporary Entrepreneurship collections and supplemental MBA curriculum studies lists. While also available as a complete and unabridged audio book (Blackstone Publishing, 9798228316713, $45.99, CD), "The Entrepreneurial Mindset Advantage" is accessible for MBA students, corporate executives, and aspiring entrepreneurs in a digital book format (Kindle, $14.99).

Editorial Note: Gary G. Schoeniger (https://garyschoeniger.com) is a globally recognized thought leader in entrepreneurial mindset education and professional development. Schoeniger is also a sought after speaker who has presented a variety of keynotes and workshops throughout the US and abroad, including Rio de Janeiro, Moscow, Johannesburg, Cape Town, Athens, London, Bogota, Buenos Aires, Mexico City, Sofia, Santiago, Aberdeen, Nicosia, Zagreb, Tbilisi, and Baku.

Business 101 for the Data Professional
Jordan Morrow
Kogan Page Inc.
www.koganpage.com
9781398617087, $92.00, HC, 248pp

https://www.amazon.com/Business-101-Data-Professional-Succeed/dp/1398617083

Synopsis: It is vital for data professionals to understand the business needs and outcomes of the organizations they work for and collaborate effectively with non-technical colleagues. "Business 101 for the Data Professional: What You Need to Know to Succeed in Business" by data literacy expert Jordan Morrow is the definitive guide for data professionals looking to upskill their organizational effectiveness and enhance their career prospects. From business strategy to different business areas such as product, marketing, sales and operations to data monetization and value, "Business 101 for the Data Professional" explains how these contribute to the business, and, crucially, the role that data plays in supporting them.

"Business 101 for the Data Professional" also explores how to navigate key challenges and pitfalls of data in business, such as bias, misuse of data and the balancing of data and technical debt. It shows how to build networking, influencing and relationship building skills and outlines the key principles of strong communication and data storytelling, explaining how these can be used to engage effectively with internal and external stakeholders such as clients. It is supported by examples, summaries of key learnings, and exercises at the end of each chapter to help readers detail their progress and map out their goals.

Critique: An ideal textbook for MBA curriculum studies lists, this hardcover edition of Jordan Morrow's "Business 101 for the Data Professional: What You Need to Know to Succeed in Business" from Kogan Page is an essential and core addition for personal, professional, corporate, and college/university library Business Communication/Decision Making collections. It should be noted for MBA students, academia, corporate executives, and non-specialist general readers with an interest in the subject that "Business 101 for the Data Professional: What You Need to Know to Succeed in Business" is also readily available in paperback (978-1398617063, $28.99) and in a digital book format (Kindle, $28.99).

Editorial Note: Jordan Morrow is known as the "Godfather of Data Literacy", having helped pioneer the field by building one of the world's first data literacy programs and driving thought leadership. He is the founder and CEO of Bodhi Data and Senior Vice President of Data and AI Transformation for AgileOne, helping to utilize data and AI in the total talent management space. Morrow is a global trailblazer in the world of data literacy and enjoys his time traveling the world speaking and/or helping companies. He served as the Chair of the Advisory Board for The Data Literacy Project, has spoken at numerous conferences around the world, and is an active voice in the data and analytics community. He has also helped companies and organizations around the world, including the United Nations, build and understand data literacy. Morrow is based near Salt Lake City, Utah and is the author of four books: Be Data Literate, Be Data Driven, Be Data Analytical, and Business 101 for the Data Professional all published by Kogan Page. (https://www.goodreads.com/author/list/20416949.Jordan_Morrow)

Fundamentals of Risk Management, seventh edition
Kate Boothroyd & Clive Thompson
Kogan Page Inc.
www.koganpage.com
9781398618688, $232.00, HC, 472pp

https://www.amazon.com/Fundamentals-Risk-Management-Understanding-Implementing/dp/1398618683

Synopsis: Effective enterprise risk management allows organizations to maximize opportunities and minimize uncertainty. Aligned with ISO 31000, the COSO ERM Framework and the UK's Orange Book, "Fundamentals of Risk Management: Understanding, Evaluating and Implementing Effective Enterprise Risk Management" by co-authors Kate Boothroyd and Clive Thompson is a comprehensive guide that covers the key principles of risk management and how to deal with the different types of risk that organizations face.

The frameworks of business continuity planning, enterprise risk management and project risk management are also covered alongside an overview of international risk management standards and frameworks, strategy and policy. The text provides a clear introduction to a variety of risk management approaches used in sectors such as insurance, banking, law, health and safety and supply chain management.

Now in its updated and expanded seventh edition, "Fundamentals of Risk Management" deftly guides readers through the steps of risk identification, risk analysis, risk description and risk estimation. This seventh edition includes new chapters covering emerging trends in risk management such as resilience, sustainability and strategic risk. It offers increased international coverage around corporate governance and real-world examples, allowing students to connect theory to practice. Supporting online resources include lecture slides with figures, tables and key points from the book.

Critique: Exceptionally 'reader friendly' in organization and presentation, "Fundamentals of Risk Management: Understanding, Evaluating and Implementing Effective Enterprise Risk Management: 7th Edition" is a critically importent and unreservedly recommended addition to professional, corporate, and college/university library Business Risk Management collections and MBA curriculum studies lists. It should be noted for MBA students, academia, corporate executives, and entrepreneurs that this hardcover edition of "Fundamentals of Risk Management: Understanding, Evaluating and Implementing Effective Enterprise Risk Management: 7th Edition" is also readily available from Kogan Page in paperback (978-1398618657, $65.00) and in a digital book format (Kindle, $64.99).

Editorial Note #1: Kate Boothroyd is the Director of KB Risk Consulting Limited, a risk management consultancy working with clients across a variety of countries and industries. She joined the Institute of Risk Management in 1992 and is an accredited IRM trainer. She previously served as Director. She was lead developer on the IRM's updated Enterprise Risk Management Certificate. She is also the Lead Examiner on the Chartered Governance Institute UK & Ireland's Qualifying Programme Risk Management Module. She is based in Huddersfield, UK.

Editorial Note #2: Clive Thompson has over 40 years of global experience in Insurance and Risk Management. He was founding Chair of the Professional Standards and the Interest Group Committees of the Institute of Risk Management (IRM) where he was Deputy Chair until 2020. As Deputy Chair, he initiated the first seminar to focus on Climate Change at the IRM and instigated the IRM's Special Interest Group on Climate Change. He is a Certified Fellow of the IRM and of the Chartered Insurance Institute. He is based in Littlehampton, UK.

Armstrong's Handbook of Strategic Human Resource Management, eighth edition
Michael Armstrong
Kogan Page Inc.
www.koganpage.com
9781398617704, $204.00, HC, 360pp

https://www.amazon.com/Armstrongs-Handbook-Strategic-Resource-Management/dp/1398617709

Synopsis: Now in a fully revised and updated eighth edition, Michael Armstrong's "Armstrong's Handbook of Strategic Human Resource Management: Improve Business Performance Through Strategic People Management" practical guide that contains new chapters on the foundation of strategic HRM, employee wellbeing strategies and HR analytics, as well as real-world examples and updated wider content to reflect the latest research and thinking.

This eighth edition of "Armstrong's Handbook of Strategic Human Resource Management" from Kogan Page includes practical insights and in-depth coverage of HRM strategies in key areas such as employee engagement, talent management and learning and development, as well as strategic HRM approaches in an international context. It's supported by key learning points, key questions and real-life examples from organizations such as Boots, UNICEF and GKN.

"Armstrong's Handbook of Strategic Human Resource Management: 8th Edition" remains an indispensable resource for both professionals and those studying HR qualifications, including undergraduate and masters' degrees and the CIPD's advanced level qualifications. Online resources include PowerPoint slides and comprehensive handbooks for lecturers and students which includes self-assessment questions, case study exercises and literature review.

Critique: An ideal MBA curriculum textbook list, this new eighth hardcover edition of "Armstrong's Handbook of Strategic Human Resource Management: Improve Business Performance Through Strategic People Management" is fully recommended an essential, core addition to professional, corporate, and college/university library collections. It should be noted for the personal reading lists of MBA students, company executives, entrepreneurs, and HR personnel managers that "Armstrong's Handbook of Strategic Human Resource Management: Improve Business Performance Through Strategic People Management: 8th Edition" is also readily available in paperback (9781398617698, $59.00) and in a digital book format (Kindle, $52.00).

Editorial Note: Michael Armstrong is a Companion and former Chief Examiner of the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD), a managing partner of E-Reward and an independent management consultant. Prior to this he was an HR director of a publishing company. He is based in London, UK.

Seeds of Leadership: Nurturing the Leader Within
Will Lukang
Emerald Lake Books
https://emeraldlakebooks.com
9781945847837, $14.99 PB, $0.99 Kindle

https://emeraldlakebooks.com/store/Seeds-of-Leadership-p706332273

Synopsis: Drawing from his years of experience and comprised from cover to cover with practical examples and actionable insights, with the publication of "Seeds of Leadership: Nurturing the Leader Within", author Will Lukang goes beyond theory to provide his readers with real-world applications with respect to effective and 'real world practical' managerial skills and practices.

Whether an aspiring leader or a seasoned professional, in "Seeds of Leadership" are to be found valuable strategies for:

Identifying and honing your unique leadership style
Communicating your vision and goals with clarity
Navigating the challenges of team dynamics
Fostering a culture of continuous improvement
Preparing the next generation of leaders

Critique: Offering a wealth of informative, skill building, and reflective exercises, "Seeds of Leadership: Nurturing the Leader Within" by Will Lukang is a comprehensive, deftly crafted and essential DIY guide to becoming a successful and effective leader in business and in life. Exceptionally 'reader friendly' in organization and presentation, "Seeds of Leadership" is an ideal and unreservedly recommended pick for personal, professional, community, corporate, and college/university library Business Management collections and supplemental MBA curriculum studies lists, it should be noted that this paperback edition for "Seeds of Leadership" from Emerald Lane Books is also readily available in a digital book format (Kindle, $0.99, Amazon.com).

Editorial Note: Will Lukang (https://iwillaim.com) attended Seton Hall University's Master of Arts in Strategic Communication and Leadership (MASCL) program, where he graduated with honors. He presented at the Learning Leaders Symposium in Fort Myers, Florida, on "Developing Talent Around Us, Strengthening Relationships One at a Time." Aside from pursuing his passion for leadership and talent development, Will is a certified project manager from PMI and an Agile Coach. Will has more than 22 years of experience in the information technology industry. He holds an MBA in information decision and technology management from IONA College, where he also graduated with honors, and a BS in commerce (majoring in accounting) from the University of Santo Tomas.


The Money/Finance Shelf

Feel-Good Finance
Aja Evans
BenBella Books
www.benbellabooks.com
9781637745434, $21.95, PB, 224pp

https://www.amazon.com/Feel-Good-Finance-Relationship-Emotional-Well-Being/dp/1637745435

Synopsis: Picture this: You're at a group dinner scanning the pricey menu in dread, knowing you have food at home. When it comes time to pay, your friend proclaims, "We should split the check!" So you hand over your card, praying it's not declined, while internally screaming, But I only got water!

If that sounds all too familiar, you're not alone. Coined the "feel-good financial therapist," Aja Evans can relate - and she wants to help. Feel-Good Finance peels away the layers of niceties that hinder our ability to get real and talk about money. Where other financial education books provide the "what," this one will give you the "why."

Based on years of clinical practice, training, and lived experiences, Evans will equip readers with an accessible, researched-based route to financial empowerment. In this book, she will uplift you to:

Understand your unique relationship with money
Learn the 6 most common financial attitudes - and the psychological basis behind them
Build generational wealth
Let go of financial beliefs that no longer serve you

Your mindset about money is more important than ever before, especially for women and people of color. Feel-Good Finance will prepare you to rewrite your wealth narrative, help you heal your relationship with money once and for all, and attain the financial freedom you deserve.

Critique: An absolute 'must' for anyone having anxiety issues over money and finance matters of any kind. Thoroughly 'reader/user' friendly in substance, style, organization and presentation, "Feel-Good Finance: Untangle Your Relationship with Money for Better Mental, Emotional, and Financial Well-Being" by Aja Evans is especially appropriate for the non- specialist general reader with little if any background in financial management. While also available in a digital book format (Kindle, $14.99) and as a complete and unabridged audio book (Blackstone Publishing, 9798228316058, $45.99, CD), "Feel-Good Finance" is especially and unreservedly recommended for personal, professional, community, and college/university library Money/Finances collections and supplemental curriculum studies lists.

Editorial Note: Aja Evans (https://ajaevanscounseling.com) is a board-certified therapist, consultant, and speaker specializing in financial therapy. With over a decade of experience in mental health, and the intimate understanding that people feel bad about their money, Aja made it a pillar in her work to help others feel supported in their financial journeys. Aja is committed to assisting people in navigating the intersection of mental health and all things "money.


The Economic Studies Shelf

Interest Rate Modeling, third edition
Lixin Wu
CRC Press
c/o Routledge
https://www.routledge.com
9781032483559, $99.99, HC, 436pp

https://www.amazon.com/Interest-Rate-Modeling-Financial-Mathematics/dp/1032483555

Synopsis: Containing many results that are new, or which exist only in recent research articles, this thoroughly revised and expanded third edition of "Interest Rate Modeling: Theory and Practice" by Professor Lixin Wu presents the theory of interest rate modeling as a three-dimensional object of finance, mathematics, and computation. It introduces all models with financial-economical justifications, develops options along the martingale approach, and handles option evaluations with precise numerical methods.

Features of "Interest Rate Modeling" include: Presenting a complete cycle of model construction and applications, showing readers how to build and use models; Providing a systematic treatment of intriguing industrial issues, such as volatility smiles and correlation adjustments; Includes exercise sets and a number of examples, with many based on real market data; Comments on cutting-edge research, such as volatility-smile, positive interest-rate models, and convexity adjustment.

While new to this third edition is: An introduction of Fed fund market and Fed fund futures; Replacement of the forward-looking USD LIBOR by the backward-looking SOFR term rates in the market model, and the deletion of dual-curve market model developed especially for the post-crisis derivatives markets; Plus new chapters on LIBOR Transition and SOFR Derivatives Markets.

Critique: A part of the Chapman & Hall/CRC Financial Mathematics series, Professor Lixin Wu's "Interest Rate Modeling: Theory and Practice, third edition" is a premier and solidly recommended acquisitions choice for corporate and college/university library Economics/Mathematics collections and as a supplemental Economics curriculum textbook. It should be noted for economics and financial mathematics students, academia, and practicing professionals, that this new third edition of "Interest Rate Modeling: Theory and Practice" is also available in a digital book format (Kindle, $71.24).

Editorial Note: Lixin Wu earned his PhD in applied mathematics from UCLA in 1991. Originally a specialist in numerical analysis, he switched his area of focus to financial mathematics in 1996. He co-developed the PDE model for soft barrier options and the finitestate Markov chain model for credit contagion. He is, perhaps, best known in the financial engineering community for a series of works on market models, including an optimal calibration methodology for the standard market model, a market model with square-root volatility, a market model for credit derivatives, a market model for in inflation derivatives, and a dual-curve SABR market model for post-crisis derivatives markets. Dr. Wu is currently a full professor at the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology.


The Biography/Memoir Shelf

This Was Toscanini: The Maestro, My Father, and Me
Samuel Antek, author
Lucy Antek Johnson, author
Brown Books Publishing Group
https://www.brownbooks.com
9781612545202, $35.95, HC, 184pp

https://www.amazon.com/This-Was-Toscanini-Maestro-Father/dp/1612545203

Synopsis: Arturo Toscanini (March 25, 1867 - January 16, 1957) is widely considered to have been the greatest conductor of the modern age and remains a towering figure in the world of classical music. His explosive passions, dynamic music making, and legendary leadership continue to inspire and influence today's musicians while still captivating new generations of enthusiastic fans as well.

"This Was Toscanini: The Maestro, My Father, and Me" is an intimate, firsthand, behind-the-scenes musical portrait of the Maestro, told from the unique perspective of first violinist Samuel Antek, who was fortunate to play under Toscanini's baton for seventeen years in the famed NBC Symphony Orchestra.

In this expanded second edition of "This Was Toscanini: The Maestro, My Father, and Me", Samuel Antek's reflections on playing with the Maestro gain sparkling new facets of insight from his daughter, Lucy Antek Johnson, as she enlightens readers with vivid recollections about her father and his most memorable musical partnership. With a foreword from acclaimed author and music historian Harvey Sachs and featuring Robert Hupka's iconic photographs throughout, this shining new edition will bring back the wonder of Toscanini's powerful style and his singular pursuit to make beautiful music.

Critique: This large format second edition of "This Was Toscanini: The Maestro, My Father, and Me" by co-authors Samuel Anteck and Lucy Antek Johnson, is essential (and nostalgic) reading for the legions of Toscanini fans. Exceptionally well written, fully updated, informative, and an inherently fascinating read from start to finish, this new and expanded edition of "This Was Toscanini" from the Brown Books Publishing Group is an ideal and unreservedly recommended addition to personal, community, and college/university library Music History/Biography collections. It should be noted that this hardcover coffee-table style volume is also readily available in a digital book format (Kindle, $11.99).

Editorial Note #1: Samuel Antek began his violin studies in Chicago and was then invited to New York to become a pupil and protege of the famous teacher Leopold Auer. He soon won a fellowship to attend the Juilliard Foundation and, following his New York debut at Town Hall, played solo concerts extensively. In 1937, Mr. Antek was selected to become a first violinist for the NBC Symphony, an orchestra specially created by RCA for the legendary conductor Arturo Toscanini. He was a member of the orchestra for all of its seventeen years, from 1937 to 1954. With the support and encouragement of the Maestro and the guidance of conductor Pierre Monteux, Antek was able to launch his own career as a conductor. While continuing to play first violin for NBC, he was appointed musical director and conductor of the New Jersey Symphony in 1947; was named the associate conductor of the Chicago Symphony under Fritz Reiner; and, after inaugurating his distinctive Young People's Concerts series in New Jersey, was soon named the director of all Young People's Concerts of the Philadelphia Orchestra. He was invited to guest conduct many of the nation's major orchestras, including the NBC Symphony, Houston Symphony, and Buffalo Philharmonic, among others. Samuel Antek died suddenly at age forty-nine in January 1958. This Was Toscanini, his unique evaluation of the Maestro, was published posthumously.

Editorial Note #2: Lucy Antek Johnson, Samuel Antek's daughter, was born and raised in New York City. After studying music, fine art, and ballet, she was drawn to the world of television production and spent her entire career in the entertainment industry, working with such producers as Martin Charnin, Harry Belafonte, David Susskind, and Roone Arledge. When she moved to Los Angeles in 1978, she produced movies for television, then joined the ranks of NBC as a network executive. She soon worked her way up to senior vice president of daytime and children's programs for CBS, a position she held for fourteen years. Lucy and her husband, Bill Klein, live in Connecticut, where she has served on the Westport Library's board of trustees and continues to work with the library on special programming projects. She paints, writes, and-every so often-gets up the nerve to sit at the piano and play a favorite Bach or Chopin prelude.

An American Story: Everyone's Invited
Wilmer Valderrama
Harper Select
c/o HarperCollins Publishers
www.harpercollins.com
9781400336579, $29.99, HC, 256pp

https://www.amazon.com/American-Story-Everyones-Invited/dp/1400336570

Synopsis: In this timely memoir, Wilmer Valderrama looks back on his journey from a tiny pueblo in Venezuela to the big city of Los Angeles -- how he discovered his calling as an actor and later as a USO Global Ambassador, found work in Hollywood as an unproven Latino actor, and used his determination and success to build a new life for himself, his family, and many others.

Raised by two hard working parents as they navigated their family through a rapidly changing country and the rise of Venezuela's controversial former leader Hugo Chavez, Valderrama delves into his family's flight from their home and the challenges of emigrating to the United States.

After being cast in a school theatre production, Valderrama knew he had found his calling and began thinking of ways to help support his struggling family. He would attempt the impossible: find work in Hollywood as an unproven Latino actor. Following countless auditions and frequent criticisms of his accent, he created the personality that would eventually land him the role as Fez on That 70s Show.

It catapulted him to stardom.

Over the coming years, he would create the smash show, Yo Mamma, voice the lead character in Disney's Encanto, and eventually join the cast of NCIS. But it was through service to others and his first USO trip where Valderrama found his further calling -- entertaining and encouraging U.S. troops around the world.

The saga of a determined soul, "An American Story: Everyone's Invited" is an exploration of America through the eyes of a young immigrant from Venezuela who had a dream to change the world, a talent for entertaining, and the resolve to build a new life, taking as many as possible with him on the journey.

Critique: Eloquently articulate, impressively informative, inherently fascinating, and a 'must' for the growing legions of Wilmer Valderrama fans, "An American Story: Everyone's Invited" is an especially and unreservedly recommended pick for community and college/university library Contemporary Biography/Memoir collections. It should be noted for personal reading lists that this hardcover edition of "An American Story: Everyone's Invited" from Harper Select is also readily available in a digital book format (Kindle, $1.99, Amazon).

Editorial Note: From his breakout role as 'Fez' on the Emmy-nominated series That '70s Show to playing Nick Torres in the #1 TV drama NCIS on CBS, actor, producer, and activist Wilmer Valderrama has been making audiences laugh, listen and think for over two decades. On the big screen, he lent his voice to the Academy Award-winning Disney animated film Encanto, which became a cultural phenomenon. Behind the camera, in 2006, Wilmer established his production company, WV Entertainment, where he continues to develop and produce projects in the alternative and scripted spaces. Valderrama is active in several philanthropic agencies. He's the co-founder of Harness, a group dedicated to connecting communities through conversation to inspire action, serves on the board of Voto Latino and sits on the National Hispanic Media Coalition's (NHMC) Visionary Alliance which aims to foster opportunities for Latinx talent in the entertainment industry through the Series Scriptwriters program and the Latinx Stream Showcase. (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wilmer_Valderrama)

Princess Victoria Ka'iulani
Ralph Thomas Kam, author
Marilyn Stassen-McLaughlin, author
McFarland & Company
https://mcfarlandbooks.com
9781476694696, $49.95, PB, 259pp

https://www.amazon.com/Princess-Victoria-Kaiulani-Hawaiian-Kingdom/dp/1476694699

Synopsis: Co-authored by Ralph Thomas Kam and Marilyn Stassen-McLaughlin, "Princess Victoria Ka'iulani: Last Heir of the Hawaiian Kingdom" is a new biography of Princess Victoria Ka'iulani and goes far beyond most accounts of her life, which tend to dwell on nostalgic recollections of what could have been rather than the reality of her life.

Many of the most cherished depictions of Ka'iulani originate from other people's reflections, rather than the actions and words of the princess herself. This new biography of Princess Victoria Ka'iulani utilizes historical documents, including archival manuscripts, Hawaiian and English-language newspapers, government records, firsthand testimonies, poetry, and mele, a factual and thoroughly supported narrative of Ka'iulani's life during tumultuous times emerges, surpassing fairy tale-like portrayals.

Critique: Featuring several B/W historical photos, a one page advisory (On the Use of the Hawaiian Language), an informative introduction (Seeing Ka'iulani with Dispassionate Eyes), fourteen pages of Chapter Notes, a twenty-page Bibliography, and a six page Index, "Princess Victoria Ka'iulani: Last Heir of the Hawaiian Kingdom" is a deftly crafted work of meticulus scholarship and a solidly recommended addition to community and college/university library Hawaiian History/Biography collections. It should be noted for personal reading lists that this paperback edition of "Princess Victoria Ka'iulani: Last Heir of the Hawaiian Kingdom" is also available in a digital book format (Kindle, $29.99) from McFarland & Company.

Editorial Note: The late Ralph Thomas Kam was the author of several articles in the Hawaiian Journal of History. He lived in Kaneohe, Hawai'i.

Editorial Note #2: Marilyn Stassen-McLaughlin is a retired Punahou teacher who has studied the life of Princess Ka'iulani and the 'Ainahau Estate for more than four decades. She has published in the Hawaiian Journal of History and Honolulu Magazine. She lives in Honolulu, Hawai'i.

Lincoln's Conservative Advisor: Attorney General Edward Bates
Mark A. Neels
Southern Illinois University Press
www.siupress.com
9780809339501, $65.00, HC, 270pp

https://www.amazon.com/Lincolns-Conservative-Advisor-Attorney-General/dp/0809339501

Synopsis: Edward Bates, a founding father of Missouri and leader of the Missouri Whig Party, served as Abraham Lincoln's attorney general during the American Civil War. The first full biography of Bates in nearly sixty years, with the publication of "Lincoln's Conservative Advisor: Attorney General Edward Bates", Professor Mark A. Neels reveals a striking portrait of this complex figure in Lincoln's cabinet.

Professor Neels begins with Bates's youth in Virginia and follows him through his political and judicial career, his candidacy as a Republican presidential nominee in 1860, and his appointment to Abraham Lincoln's cabinet as attorney general. Bates became an essential advisor to the president on key legal, military, and political matters from emancipation to civil liberties and equal rights, and his official opinion on Habeas Corpus would have a permanent effect on presidential authority and separation of powers.

When Lincoln drafted the Emancipation Proclamation, Bates found himself at odds with the president and the radical anti-slavery members of the cabinet. But more than simply highlighting the conflict within Lincoln's administration, Bates's example lays bare the strong philosophical divisions within the Republican Party during the Civil War era. These divisions were present at the party's inception, crystallized during the war, and ultimately sparked a political realignment during Reconstruction. Bates was at the center of this divide for most of its existence, and in some cases assisted in its promulgation.

Bates, a fierce opponent of radical Republicanism, embodies the conflict among Republicans over issues of slavery and citizenship. In both judicial and elective office, he was compelled by a sense of duty to defy the populism of President Andrew Jackson and Senator Thomas Hart Benton, and, later, the pro-slavery forces that threatened to tear the nation apart. Though he had owned slaves, Bates represented at least one enslaved woman's suit for freedom, released from bondage the people he had enslaved, and aided Lincoln in his efforts to end slavery nationwide.

Bates's opinion on citizenship as attorney general helped pave the way for equal rights. His opinions were not always popular with either his colleagues or the greater populace, but Bates remained true to his conservative principles (a set of values shared by a large swath of Lincoln's Republican Party) which positioned him as a leading opponent of radical Republicanism during the Reconstruction Era.

Critique: A seminal and ground-breaking biography that is informatively enhanced for the reader's benefit with the inclusion of a twenty page Bibliography, twenty-six pages of Notes, and a twelve page Index, "Lincoln's Conservative Advisor: Attorney General Edward Bates" is a significant, welcome, and unreservedly recommended addition to personal, professional, community, and college/university library American Civil War Biographies & 19th Century American History collections. It should be noted for students, academia, historians, and non-specialist general readers with an interest in the subject that this hardcover edition of Professor Mark Neels' "Lincoln's Conservative Advisor: Attorney General Edward Bates" from the University of Wisconsin Press is also readily available in paperback (9780809339495, $27.95).

Editorial Note: Mark A. Neels was the recipient of the 2017 Hay-Nicolay Dissertation Prize. He holds a doctorate in history from Southern Illinois University and currently teaches history in St. Louis, Missouri.

Finding Ruby
Richard Rothman
Independently Published
9781916797444, $24.99 HC, $14.99 PB, $5.99 Kindle, 306pp

https://www.amazon.com/Finding-Ruby-Familys-Fervent-Idealism/dp/191679744X

Synopsis: Richard Rothman never knew his grandfather, who left behind a wife and young daughter to fight-and die-in the Spanish Civil War. What drove a young, idealistic New Yorker with everything to live for to leave it all behind?

"Finding Ruby: The Bright and Dark Sides of a Family's Fervent Idealism" is a lucid investigation into a family history that will explore the social idealism and selfless passions that drew the author's grandfather into the Communist Party and, in 1937, onto the bloody front lines in Spain. But his search will also reveal the darker truths behind treasured family lore, as Rothman discovers how fervent idealism blinded not only his grandfather, but also other family members to ugly realities of the movement to which they devoted their lives.

Written with compassion and insight, "Finding Ruby" takes the reader on a journey from the trenches in the Spanish Civil War to the courtrooms of the segregated South in the epic case of the Scottsboro Boys, which helped launch the Civil Rights movement.

This deeply personal story sheds light on not only one family, but an entire generation of 20th Century American history.

Critique: Exceptionally well-crafted, reader engaging, inherently interesting, thought-provokingly memorable, author and biographer Richard Rothman's skill at storytelling raises "Finding Ruby: The Bright and Dark Sides of a Family's Fervent Idealism" to an impressive level of literary excellence and a very special, unreservedly recommended addition to community and college/university library American Biography/Memoir collections and supplemental 20th Century American History curriculum studies lists. It should be noted for personal reading lists that this hardcover edition of "Finding Ruby: The Bright and Dark Sides of a Family's Fervent Idealism" is also available in paperback (978-1916797628, $14.99) and in a digital book format (Kindle, $12.99).

Editorial Note: Richard Rothman is a New York-based lawyer. Following a successful career at one of the country's preeminent law firms, since 2017 he has devoted his professional time to representing pro bono clients, including survivors of human trafficking and domestic violence. He co-chairs the Incarcerated Gender Violence Survivors Initiative, as well as the board of Graham Windham, the nation's oldest non-sectarian child welfare agency. During the course of his career, he has served as President of the Federal Bar Foundation, Director of New York City's Legal Aid Society, Trustee and Counsel to the Board of the American Red Cross of Greater New York, and Chairman of Volunteer Lawyers for the Arts. In 2023 he received the New York Law Journal's Lifetime Achievement Award.

Endure: A Memoir of Grief, Resilience, and Love
Kelly McCoy
ei^2 collective
c/o KM Endurance
https://kmendurance.com
9798218534707, $17.99, PB, 274pp

https://www.amazon.com/Endure-Memoir-Grief-Resilience-Love/dp/B0DNRSRMND

Synopsis: Grief after losing a child, sibling, or grandchild is a rugged and intensely personal journey, one that is marked by a profound emptiness and a life forever changed.

"Endure: A Memoir of Grief, Resilience, and Love" is the story of Kelly McCoy, a father who lost his son, Cooper, at 23. Kelly invites his readers to join him in navigating the terrain of loss, resilience, and rugged hope.

Through reflections on shadow casting, crane migrations, and the hard work of spiritual edge work, Kelly offers companionship for those facing the brutal beauty of grief. "Endurance" doesn't promise a quick or easy way out of grief from the self-inflicted loss of a loved one, it does provide the emotional, mental, and spiritual tools to honor that loved one and to live alongside their loss with grace, courage, and enduring love.

Critique: Heartfelt, emotionally engaging, impressively insightful, deeply personal yet universal in theme and purpose, "Endure: A Memoir of Grief, Resilience, and Love" by mental health advocate Kelly McCoy is a deftly and candidly crafted memoir of love, loss, and recovery that is unconditionally recommended reading for anyone having to deal with and recover from the tragedy of suicide. Unique, effective, and unreservedly recommended addition to personal, community, counseling center, and college/university library Contemporary American Biography/Memoir collections in general, and to Suicide, Grief, and Bereavement Counseling collections in particular.. It should be noted for psychology students and non-specialist general readers with an interest in the subject that "Endure: A Memoir of Grief, Resilience, and Love" is also available in a digital book format (Kindle, $9.99).

Editorial Note: Kelly McCoy is an author, educator, and resilience speaker living in the Midwest with his family. He spent 25 years in the fire service before moving to higher education. Kelly received undergraduate and graduate degrees in liberal studies and education, later completing graduate work in philosophy and theology. Kelly has studied resilience through the University of Oklahoma, University of Minnesota, Dalhousie University, 02X Human Performance, and training abroad. Through his writing, he honors loved ones and supports others navigating life's challenges.

Flew Too High
Louie Mandrapilias
Book Baby Publishers
https://www.flewtoohigh.com
9798350988222, $34.00, HC, 284pp

https://www.amazon.com/Flew-Too-High-smugglers-transcendent/dp/B0DQ9KPQVL

Synopsis: Growing up in the shadow of his towering Greek father, Louie Mandrapilias is a southern gay college boy who sets out for the Big Apple where a demonic Svengali lures the naive student into the razor-wire underworld of international drug smuggling.

Upon his arrival in Bombay, Louie (now re-christened Eli) detours to the mystical ashram of guru Bhagwan Shree Rajneesh (Netflix's "Wild, Wild Country" ) and explores new possibilities. With a flawed moral compass, he's trapped in purgatory: Is it too late to walk away, or is he fated to follow in the nefarious footsteps of his father, Nick the Greek?

Woven throughout "Flew Too High: A gay drug smuggler's transcendent odyssey in the heyday of Studio 54", is Louie's proud heritage dating back to ancient Sparta, the struggle between a pious mother and rebel father, and the battle that rages on in the soul of their only son.

Critique: "Flew Too High: A gay drug smuggler's transcendent odyssey in the heyday of Studio 54" by Louie Mandrapiliais a fascinating, deftly crafted, authentic, emotionally engaging, and simply riveting memoir that will fully compel the reader's full attention from start to finish. Of special and particular relevance to readers with an interest in LGBTQ life experiences and unique/unusual life stories, "Flew Too High" is especially and unreservedly recommended for personal, community, and college/university library Contemporary American Biography/Memoir collections.

Editorial Note: Dropping out of art school, Louie Mandrapilias moved to New York City to pursue a brief career in drug smuggling, followed by a journey into the art of woodworking in a Midtown Manhattan loft. He returned to the University of Houston to complete his B.A. in Graphic Design. Louie has spent the past forty years in the world of media (including LGBTQ+ publishing pioneers The Advocate and Out magazines) and designing for luxury brands Fortuny Fabrics and Agraria Home Fragrances. An imaginary conversation with his father resulted in his memoir "Flew Too High".

Yak Publishing
https://www.yakpublishing.com

https://www.amazon.com/Misfit-Mister-John/dp/B0DH9Q9HJW

Synopsis: Misfit #1 (9798990020214, $24.95 HC, 9798990020245, $14.99 PB, 216pp)

How different? John hasn't had a home street or mailing address for over half his life. He's never made a mortgage or car payment or rented an apartment or house. He's never had children or a cup of coffee, so he doesn't know about those things either. Yet, he once held valid driver's licenses from three countries on three continents.

Does this small-town boy from humble beginnings live in another reality? Yes, after realizing at an early age that if he lived a life like most everyone, he'd get a life like most everyone. John wanted something different. John got something different, and then some, and then some more. His unique perspective on life will leave you enlightened.

From his earliest memories to his latest doings, in MISFIT, the first book in the series, John recounts 36 of his make-you-laugh, make-you-cry, make-you-think stories. Like jigsaw puzzle pieces, once you start putting them together, you'll begin to see the big picture, the story of John's life unexpected.

https://www.amazon.com/Misfit-2-Mister-John/dp/B0DHB4LP8H

Misfit #2 (9798990020252, $14.99, PB, 218pp)

Who is he? After ten years piloting a sternwheel paddleboat to pay for his higher education, then moving to the United Arab Emirates after the Gulf War, then teaching local women computers and math for 14-odd years, then retiring at 44 with his Canuck girlfriend to a mountain in Ecuador, John's a guy with even more stories than he had before.

Does this small-town boy from humble beginnings live in another reality? Yes, after realizing at an early age that if he lived a life like most everyone, he'd get a life like most everyone. John wanted something different. John got something different, and then some, and then some more. His unique perspective on life will leave you enlightened.

From his earliest memories to his latest doings, in MISFIT 2, the second book in the series, John recounts 36 more of his make-you-laugh, make-you-cry, make-you-think stories. Like jigsaw puzzle pieces, as you continue putting them together, you'll see more of the big picture, the story of John's life unexpected.

https://www.amazon.com/Misfit-3-Mister-John/dp/B0DHB7F77D

Misfit #3 (9798990020269, $14.99, PB, 218pp)

This third volume of autobiographical tales spiked with wit and wisdom finds Mister John beginning, in familiar fashion, by addressing a broad, relatable subject-in this case, his disliking the sound of his voice. From there, he proceeds in a manner that will be familiar to readers familiar with previous "Misfit" installments, telling stories about his Wisconsin childhood, his time spent teaching in the United Arab Emirates and his early retirement in rural Ecuador. Amusing asides abound, with John noting that Floridians "pick and choose what weather to brag about" and that the "they" in "they say you're supposed to spend three months' salary on [engagement] rings" certainly "wasn't a financial advisor. Or an accountant."

Several chapters deal with serious incidents: learning that his stepfather has cancer and facing the deaths of a family friend and also of a favorite teacher, whom readers of Misfit 2 will recall. These tales of loss give this collection a slightly more melancholic tone, as does the conclusion of a star-crossed romance, though that's balanced out by wry wisdom and amusing anecdotes, some putting a new spin on familiar settings, like a pungent recollection of the rigors of cleaning the facilities of a tour boat he captained.

A few stories will seem familiar to readers of earlier entries. But there are still some surprises, including how the author got a job teaching in the Middle East. And we also get a closer look at his life in Ecuador, in a house of rammed-earth walls on a road that "aspire[s] to gravel," John's manner of exposition remains as roundabout as ever, taking unpredictable swerves- a yarn about seeing a porn film in a small Midwest town begins with Jaws and ends with an aside about UAE brothels. But the journey, however elliptical, is most of the fun, and brief mentions about witnessing an execution indicate John has more yarns left to spin.

Critique: Having lived a genuinely remarkable life to the tune of a different drummer than the rest us, at the age of 62 'Mr. John' Curran has created "Misfit", a three volume (with more promised to come) series in which he has compiled 36 unique and entertaining stories for each of the three volumes -- all of which are drawn directly from his memories of life experiences with people and places that are especially noteworthy, entertaining, -- and which he hopes to pass down to generations of appreciative Readers.

From his earliest memories to his latest doings in each of the three volumes of "Misfit", John recounts 36 of humorous, reflective, inherently interesting, deftly crafted, thoughtful and thought-provoking short stories. Taken together across each of the three volumes, what emerges for the reader is essential the story of John's serendipitous life.

While each of the three "Misfit" volumes is a 'stand alone' read, they are especially and unreservedly recommended for community and college/university library collections as a set. The same is true for the personal reading lists of readers with an interest in authentic, skillfully written, memoir storytelling, This is a truly impressive and very special series that will have its readers looking forward to the next (and promised) volume of anecdotal Misfit stories from
'Mister John' Curran.

Editorial Note: John Curran's life took a sharp turn to the different on April Fools' Day 1991 when he accepted a position to teach computers and math at United Arab Emirates University located in the desert oasis city of Al Ain. On the Men's Campus my first year, he taught on the Women's Campus for the next seven, one of the first unmarried Western men permitted to do so.

He returned to the UAE in 2001 after the Higher Colleges of Technology hired him to develop a CAD/Interior Design program at Sharjah Women's College. It was there where John met Sue, a native of Canada and his wife-to-be. With the program in place, John transferred to Dubai Women's College to again teach computers and math while developing and writing subject-integrated student projects that became a model for the 12-campus system.

In 2007, Sue and John retired, moving to their riverfront property off a dead-end dirt (they aspired to gravel) road in the mountains near Vilcabamba, Ecuador, where they currently reside. In 2017, John and Sue purchased a property on the Haida Gwaii archipelago in British Columbia, Canada, where they intend one day making their last international move.


The General Fiction Shelf

Life / Insurance
Tara Deal
Regal House Publishing
https://regalhousepublishing.com
9781646034901, $17.95, PB, 166pp

https://www.amazon.com/Life-Insurance-Tara-Deal/dp/1646034902

Synopsis: The narrator of author Tara Deal's spare novella, "Life / Insurance" is a collage artist trying to piece together a life. Her husband is a composer who is unable to talk.

Even so, she keeps asking him questions, trying to figure out what he can remember, what he did, what he wants, what he means. But then she, in turn, is interrogated by the authorities, who want to know what happened here.

Everyone waits for answers. How to compensate for this disaster? What are the chances of survival? Is there solace in converting life into language? What to believe?

In prose that is sometimes suspenseful, sometimes meditative, sometimes provocative, "Life / Insurance" is a portrait of an artist confronting the problems of existence, knowledge, language, and New York City.

Critique: Original, eloquent, thought provoking, emotionally engaging, memorable, "Life / Insurance" is a brilliantly penned and inherently fascinating read from start to finish. Showcasing author Tara Deal's distinctive storytelling style that raises her novella to an impressive level of literary elegance, "Life / Insurance" is especially and unreservedly recommended for community and college/university library Contemporary Literary Fiction collections. It should be noted that this paperback edition of "Life / Insurance" from Regal House Publishing is also readily available for personal reading lists in a digital book format (Kindle, $9.99).

Editorial Note: Tara Deal (www.taradeal.com) is the author of the award-winning novellas That Night Alive (Miami University Press) and Palms Are Not Trees After All (Texas Review Press).

Gwendolyn & Eddie
Michael O.L. Seabaugh
Koehler Books
www.koehlerbooks.com
9798888245231, $29.95, HC, 278pp

https://www.amazon.com/Gwendolyn-Eddie-Michael-L-Seabaugh/dp/B0DP5RFPB7

Synopsis: It began with a monkey and ended with an inescapable tragedy.In 1957.

Gwendolyn is living the domestic dream as the prized wife of the dashing Dr. Paul Stanley Bollinger, with three beautiful, healthy children and a charming Edwardian home in the historic town of Cape Girardeau.

Enter Eddie, an inebriated monkey brought home as a poker prize by her equally drunk husband. Thus begins Gwendolyn's years long struggle to domesticate these two unruly males.

Eddie is a hilarious handful but no match for Paul Stanley and his increasing penchant for bourbon and nurses. Meanwhile, as the predictable 1950s evolve into the increasingly tumultuous '60s and beyond, as Gwendolyn finds her conservative beliefs challenged by the realities of racism, homophobia, traditional masculinity, the sexual revolution, and the struggle for women's rights.

For over forty years, a time marked by hilarity, heartbreak, and tragedy, Eddie serves as her clown prince, her unexpected confidant, and when all is said and done -- her solace. The story of Gwendolyn and Eddie is ultimately about cages-the ones we are born into, those we construct for ourselves, and the ones we impose on those we love.

Critique: Original, deftly crafted, laced with irony, humor, and the impact of social changes, "Gwendolyn & Eddie" is a fun, fascinating, and thought-provoking read from start to finish. Showcasing author Michael O.L. Seabaugh's distinctive and narrative driven storytelling style as a novelist, "Gwendolyn & Eddie" is a welcome and unreservedly recommended pick for community library Contemporary General Fiction collections. It should be noted for personal reading lists that this hardcover edition of "Gwendolyn & Eddie" from Koehler Books is also readily available in paperback (9798888245217, $19.95).

Editorial Note: Dr. Michael O.L. Seabaugh (https://michaelseabaughbooks.com) is a clinical psychologist. He is also a journalist who has written many newspaper columns and magazine articles over the years. An abiding interest in the complex stories of human struggle, conflict, and redemption has always guided his professional endeavors. After years of listening to these stories, he now turns to telling them through the artifice of fiction.

The Felstone
Trent Pettry
www.trentpettry.com
Independently Published
9798305259865, HC $TBA, PB $14.99
B0CYJVQ9QF, $5.99 Kindle

https://www.amazon.com/Felstone-Supernatural-Thriller-Legacy-Eagle-ebook/dp/B0CYJVQ9QF

Synopsis: Fifteen thousand years ago, a meteorite crashed to Earth, its strange and terrifying properties worshiped by the Neolithic people who first recovered it. Now, in the modern-day Cascades, the lost tribe has returned and unearthed the cursed stone -- seeking to unleash its mutagenic powers.

Eagle, a star high school football player and proud member of the Takhala tribe, is thrust into a fight he never asked for. Bound by his heritage and the chilling truth of his lineage, Eagle must rally his friends and his tribe to confront the lycanthropic menace stalking them. From the shadowed forests of the Cascades to the ancient lava tubes of the Newberry Volcano, the fight for survival becomes a journey of ancient prophecies, supernatural terror, and unbreakable bonds of family and friendship.

Critique: An original, inherently fascinating, and with an impressively skilled blending of fantasy with action/adventure, "The Felstone" is the first volume in author Trent Pettry's new supernatural thriller 'Legacy of the Eagle' series. A fun and compelling read from start to finish, This complete and unabridged Kindle edition of "The Felstone" showcases Pettry's distinctive, engaging, and narrative driven storytelling style. Especially and unreservedly recommended for personal and community library collections.

Editorial Note: Author Trent Pettry (https://trentpettry.carrd.co) split his time between consuming sci-fi and fantasy stories, escaping into epic RPG adventures with friends and family, and exploring the forest behind his childhood home in Charlotte, North Carolina. Trent draws many of his story ideas from his own dreams, brilliantly combining them with his adventures and memories from childhood to create the richly detailed worlds and relatable characters he's known for. A graduate of the University of North Carolina, he currently works as a professional in the IT field. When he's not busy at work or plotting out his next novel, he can be found spending time with his family or working on his many other creative endeavors.


The Historical Fiction Shelf

This Bright Dust
Nina Berkhout
Goose Lane Editions
www.gooselane.com
9781773104164, $25.00, PB, 243pp

https://www.amazon.com/This-Bright-Dust-Nina-Berkhout/dp/1773104160

Synopsis: In 1939, as the Great Depression winds down and war in Europe looms, the small Prairie community of Grayley is all but abandoned. Abel Dodds paces his family's plot, searching for gold his late father buried in an undisclosed location. When his neighbour Jake Wishart drops by to tell Abel he's leaving town and to ask if Abel can keep an eye on his sister, Una, and her son and grandfather, Abel reluctantly agrees.

Abel and the Wisharts prepare for the growing season -- their last chance to make a living on their debt-burdened farms. When they hear the news of a visit from the king and queen to rally troops, tensions rise. With little food on their tables and a land turned to dust, the unfailingly optimistic Una is convinced that the royal tour will change their lives for the better. But Abel wants a reckoning.

Critique: Deftly crafted and with a a lyrical prose that raises her novel, "This Bright Dust", to an impressive level of literary excellent, author Nina Berkhout has created an emotionally engaging story of "hope and disillusionment, of disaster and the cultivation of joy, of the relationship between people and the land they inhabit". A fascinating, entertaining, truly memorable, "This Bright Dust" is especially and unreservedly recommended for personal reading lists, as well as community and college/university library Literary Fiction collections.

Editorial Note: Nina Berkhout is the author of three previous novels, most recently Why Birds Sing, The Mosaic, and The Gallery of Lost Species. Berkhout is also the author of five poetry collections, including Elseworlds, which won the Archibald Lampman Award. Her poems have been featured in publications across Canada including the Best Canadian Poetry anthology. Originally from Albert. (https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/288793.Nina_Berkhout)

Hold Strong
Robert Dugoni, Jeff Langholz & Chris Crabtree
www.robertdugonibooks.com
Lake Union Publishing
c/o Amazon Publishing
9781662516313, $28.99, HC, 555pp

https://www.amazon.com/Hold-Strong-Novel-Robert-Dugoni/dp/1662516312

Synopsis: Sam Carlson is a projectionist in small-town Minnesota, where fantasies unspool in glorious black and white for him and for his sweetheart, college-bound math whiz Sarah Haber.

When the Japanese bomb Pearl Harbor, Sam is sent to the Philippines and captured as a POW. Brutalized but unbroken by the Bataan Death March and POW camps, Sam is one of eighteen hundred starved and weakened prisoners herded into the cargo hold of a barbaric hell ship called the Arisan Maru -- his survival is doubtful.

Determined to use her math skills on the home front, Sarah is recruited to Washington, DC, into the covert field of code breaking. When Sarah intercepts a message about a Japanese convoy, the US Navy's mission is clear: sink the Arisan Maru and send it to the bottom of the South China Sea. Now, the lives of the two young lovers are about to inadvertently collide in one of the most shocking acts of World War II.

Critique: Although a work of fiction by acclaimed novelist Robert Dugoni (and with the contributions of co-authors Jeff Langholz and Chris Crabtree) "Hold Strong" is drawn from a true historical events that took place in the Pacific Theatre of World War II. As a gifted storyteller, Dugoni and his collaborators use an original and historical fiction approach to deftly present a riveting tale of 'faith, courage, survival, and coming home against insurmountable odds'. A saga of a novel, "Hold Strong" will prove of particular interest to fans of World War II historical fiction. While also available in paperback (9781662516306, $16.99) and in a digital book format (Kindle, $5.99), this hardcover edition of "Hold Strong" from Lake Union Publishing is especially and unreservedly recommended for community and college/university library WWII themed historical fiction collections.

Editorial Note #1: Robert Dugoni (www.robertdugonibooks.com) is the author of the Tracy Crosswhite series; the Charles Jenkins series; the David Sloane series; several standalone novels, including A Killing on the Hill, The World Played Chess, and The Extraordinary Life of Sam Hell; and coauthor of the nonfiction expose The Cyanide Canary, a Washington Post Best Book of the Year. Dugoni is the recipient of the Nancy Pearl Book Award for fiction, a multi-time winner of the Friends of Mystery Spotted Owl Award for best novel set in the Pacific Northwest, and a finalist for many other awards. His books are sold in more than twenty-five countries, have been translated into more than thirty languages, and have reached millions of readers worldwide.

Editorial Note #2: Jeff Langholz, PhD, is an award-winning teacher, researcher, entrepreneur, and writer whose work has appeared in more than 250 media outlets, including the Wall Street Journal, the New York Times, National Geographic, and the Economist.

Editorial Note #3: Chris Crabtree teaches middle and high school English language arts and literature at Costa Rica International Academy in Guanacaste, Costa Rica. Chris and his wife, Vera, live in a rustic, rural town on the outskirts of Santa Cruz, Costa Rica.

The Wretched and Undone
J.E. Weiner
https://www.jeweiner.com
HTF Publishing
https://www.historythroughfiction.com/htf-publishing
9781963452105, $33.95, HC, 320pp

https://www.amazon.com/Wretched-Undone-J-Weiner/dp/1963452100

Synopsis: On the eve of the Civil War, Polish immigrants Marcin and Agnieszka Anderwald arrive in Bandera, Texas, seeking a fresh start in a new land of fertile soil and freedom. But their dreams quickly become nightmares when Marcin provokes a sinister specter hell-bent on revenge.

A battle then ensues for the hearts, minds, and souls of the Anderwalds and their extended family of immigrant outcasts, Arab camel wranglers, wounded warriors, and a songstress on the verge of madness.

As the generations unfold, each must confront its darkest fears. Can faith, love, and sacrifice overcome unrelenting evil, or will the Anderwalds remain forever wretched and undone?

Critique: A grand saga of a novel by J.E. Weiner, "The Wretched and Undone" is set in the heart of the Texas Hill Country and, although a deftly crafted work of historical fiction, was inspired by real people and historical events. Author J.E. Weiner's singularly effective and distinctive storytelling style has created an inherently fascinating and entertaining read from start to finish. One that will linger in the mind and memory long after the book is finished and set back upon the shelf. While especially and unreservedly recommended for community library Historical Fiction collections, it should be noted for personal reading lists that this hardcover edition of "The Wretched and Undone" from HTF Publishing is also readily available in a paperback edition (9781963452112, $19.95) and in a digital book format (Kindle, $9.99).

Editorial Note: J. E. Weiner (www.jeweiner.com) is a writer and novelist based in Northern California whose work has appeared in the literary journals Madcap Review, Five Minutes, and HerStry, as well as the recent grit lit anthology Red-Headed Writing (Cowboy Jamboree Press, 2024). Weiner is also a founding member of the Pacific Coast Writers Collective.


The LGBTQ Fiction Shelf

The Spring Before Obergefell
Ben Grossberg
University of Nebraska Press
www.nebraskapress.unl.edu
9781496240347, $21.95, PB, 254pp

https://www.amazon.com/Spring-before-Obergefell-Novel-McPherson/dp/1496240340

Synopsis: It's not easy for anyone to find love, let alone a middle-aged gay man in small-town America. Mike Breck works multiple part-time jobs and bickers constantly with his father, an angry conservative who moved in after Mike's mother died.

When he's not working or avoiding his father, Mike burns time on hookup apps, not looking for anything more. Then he meets a local guy, Dave, just as lonely as he is, and starts to think that maybe he doesn't have to be alone.

Mike falls hard, and in a moment of intimacy, his pent-up hopes for a relationship rush out, leading him to look more honestly at himself and his future.

Winner of the James Alan McPherson Prize for the Novel, Ben Grossberg's novel, "The Spring Before Obergefell" is about real guys who have real problems, yet still manage to find connection. Funny, serious, meditative, and hopeful, The Spring Before Obergefell is a romance -- but not a fairytale.

Critique: Eloquent, memorable, deftly crafted, thought-provoking, with the publication of "The Spring Before Obergefell" author Ben Grossberg has raised his LGBTQ novel to an impressive and award-winning level of literary excellence. While also available for personal reading ists in in a digital book format (Kindle, $10.99), this paperback edition of "The Spring Before Obergefell" is especially and unreservedly recommended for community and college/university library LGBTQ & Contemporary American Literary Fiction collections.

Editorial Note: Ben Grossberg is the author of four books of poetry, My Husband Would, Space Traveler, Underwater Lengths in a Single Breath, and Sweet Core Orchard, winner of the Lambda Literary Award. (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Benjamin_S._Grossberg)

The First Love Myth
Casey Dembowski
Red Adept Publishing
https://redadeptpublishing.com
9781958231562, $13.99, PB, 280pp

https://www.amazon.com/First-Love-Myth-Casey-Dembowski/dp/1958231568

Synopsis: Liz Madden has a storybook romance -- high school sweethearts, second chances, and a happily-ever-after. But when she finds out that her husband cheated on her, she is forced to make the hard decision and walk away. Unable to reveal the betrayal to those closest to her, Liz instead takes refuge with her father and half-sister, Zoey.

Zoey is nursing her own broken heart after a devastating end to her first love. But true to Reid-sister heritage, she's courting disaster with a no-strings-attached affair with her ex.

Liz's marital discord also brings their older sister, Cecilia, back to town. But Cecilia has complicated relationship issues of her own. She's never forgiven their father for the affair he had seventeen years ago, and she's also never accepted Zoey as part of the family.

As their respective heartbreaks draw Liz and Zoey closer together, Liz finds she is getting tired of walking the line between her two sisters.

The Reid sisters are each in over their heads. To make it through the summer, they'll have to heal the fractures between them. Sometimes, forgiveness isn't always a straight line, and letting go is the only way forward.

Critique: Original, emotionally engaging, deftly crafted with many and unexpected plot twist and turn, "The First Love Myth" by author Casey Dembowski will be of particular interest to fans of LGBTQ family life. With her distinctive, effective, and narrative driven storytelling style, Casey Dembowski has raised "The First Love Myth" to an impressive level of literary excellence. While especially and unreservedly recommended for community library collections, it should be noted for personal reading lists that this paperback edition of "The First Love Myth" from Red Adept Publishing is also readily available in a digital book format (Kindle, $2.99).

Editorial Note: Casey Dembowski (https://caseydembowski.com) loves to write stories that focus on the intricacies of relationships -- whether romantic, familial, or platonic. Her novels focus on the inner workings of women and how everything in their lives leads them to exactly where they are, whether they like it or not. She has an MFA in Fiction from Adelphi University.


The Literary Fiction Shelf

The Moldavian Gambit
Brad M. Meslin
MindStir Media
https://mindstirmedia.com
9781965340431, $41.56, HC, 402pp

https://www.amazon.com/Moldavian-Gambit-Brad-M-Meslin/dp/1965340431

Synopsis: In the summer of 1991, as the Soviet Union teeters on the edge of collapse, a violent uprising erupts in the Soviet Republic of Moldavia. Amid the chaos, a portable nuclear weapon is stolen from a secure armory by nationalist forces seeking to blackmail the Kremlin. When the weapon's location is uncovered, the world faces a terrifying threat that could draw NATO and the United States into a nuclear conflict of unprecedented scale.

A classified U.S. Nuclear Emergency Search Team is deployed to locate the weapon, as a legendary Mossad agent and a tenacious KGB investigator each uncover evidence pointing to a complex - and seemingly contradictory - international conspiracy. The final hours to the climax are a riveting blur of geopolitical brinksmanship that can change the course of history - or possibly end it.

Critique: A deftly crafted work of fiction that could well be tomorrow's reality given the rise of Putin's Russia from the ashes of Stalin's Soviet Union, "The Moldavian Gambit" is a simply riveting read from start to finish. All the more impressive when considering that it is his debut as a novelist, this consummate geopolitical thriller from author Brad M. Meslin, will hold a special and particular interest to fans of skillfully presented stories of international espionage, cliff- hanger plot twists, and cover to cover action/adventure. While also available for personal reading lists in a digital book format (Kindle, $2.99), this hardcover edition of "The Moldavian Gambit" is an unreservedly recommended addition to community library Thriller/Suspense Fiction collections.

Editorial Note: Brad M. Meslin (www.bradmeslin.com) earned a Masters in Law and Diplomacy and a Ph.D. in international security policy from the Fletcher School at Tufts University. He has worked for nearly four decades at the intersection of aerospace and defense, private equity, and national security. Advising global private equity firms in more than 1,000 merger and acquisition transactions in the national security, space, and aviation markets, Meslin has gained unique insights into the capabilities deployed by the U.S. and its allies to address geopolitical threats and crises across the globe.

The Nansen Factor: Refugee Stories
Alexandra Grabbe
Cherry Orchard Books
c/o Academic Studies Press
https://www.academicstudiespress.com/cherryorchardbooks
9798887195094, $19.95, PB, 188pp

https://bookshop.org/p/books/the-nansen-factor-refugee-stories-alexandra-grabbe/21028066

Synopsis: Norwegian diplomat Fridtjof Nansen created a passport for stateless persons used by refugees as a valid travel document from 1922-1937.

The world is all too aware of what has happened to Russia in the century since then -- Lenin, Stalin, and now Putin with his iron-fist policies and invasion of Ukraine. But what about the aristocrats whose ancestors governed Russia before Communism? How did they fare in displacement?

Civil War, Red Terror, and Bolshevik rule caused over one million to flee Russia.

Written by the daughter of one such emigre, "The Nansen Factor" traces the lives of these refugees and their descendants across a century of upheaval and displacement. From the turmoil of the Bolshevik Revolution to the echoes of the past in modern-day America, the interconnected tales comprising "The Nansen Factor" vividly portray the resilience of individuals uprooted by history at a moment when migrants are once again on the move in search of refuge, highlighting how the pain of losing one's homeland may fade, but the injury to the psyche is slow to heal.

Critique: Exceptionally well crafted, original, and inherently fascinating from start to finish, the sixteen short stories by Alexandra Grabbe and presented in "The Nansen Factor: Refugee Stories" from Cherry Orchard Books raise this work of historical fiction to an impressive level of true literary elegance. "The Nansen Factor" is one of those books that will linger in the mind and memory of the reader long after it is finished and set back upon the shelf. While especially and unreservedly recommended for personal, community, and college/university Literary Fiction & Short Story collections, it should be noted that "The Nansen Factor" is also available in a digital book format (Kindle, $15.16) as well.

Editorial Note: Alexandra Grabbe (https://alexandragrabbe.com) worked in journalism and broadcasting after graduation from Vassar College and while raising three bicultural children in Paris, France. For two decades, she ran an eco-friendly bed-and-breakfast on Cape Cod, where she edited her father's memoir. Two of his ancestors are mentioned in Tolstoy's War and Peace. Now dividing her time between Sweden and Boston, Alexandra continues her lifelong passion as an author.

Everything Flirts: Philosophical Romances
Sharon Wahl
University of Iowa Press
www.uiowapress.org
9781609389970, $18.00, PB, 172pp

https://www.amazon.com/Everything-Flirts-Philosophical-Romances-Fiction/dp/1609389972

Synopsis: At the heart of the short stories by Sharon Wahl comprising "Everything Flirts: Philosophical Romances" are asked some of life's trickiest questions: Why is it so hard to make the first move on a date? How do we find the person we will love? If you finally find a person to love, how do you convince them to love you back?

With a mixture of humor and reverence, Wahl hijacks classic works of philosophy and turns their focus to love.

The philosopher Wittgenstein helps us consider the limits of language: Does there exist an argument, a logical deduction, that will cause another person to love us?

The philosopher Zeno's laws of motion stipulate that we can only ever cross half of any distance. This principle is applied to a first date, where making a first move becomes more and more impossible because the movie this couple goes to see is a depressing mood-killer.

A woman afraid of love applies Bentham's utilitarian principles to find her perfect match, testing every man she meets until she finds one who aces every one of her tests. Nonetheless, she wonders: Is he right for her? Is she ready to fall in love forever?

The sublime and the ridiculous come together to playfully examine why love just might be a topic too hard for philosophers to explain.

Critique: Eloquent, elegant, deftly crafted, fun and fascinating, "Everything Flirts: Philosophical Romances" is an impressive short story collection that will hold special appeal for romance fans and philosophy students alike. Original and memorable, "Everything Flirts" is especially and unreservedly recommended for community and college/university library Romance & Literary Fiction collections. It should be noted for personal reading lists that "Everything Flirts" is also available in a digital book format (Kindle, $9.99).

Editorial Note: Sharon Wahl (www.sharonwahl.com) is a writer and documentary film producer. Her stories, poems, and essays have appeared in the Iowa Review, Chicago Tribune, Harvard Review, Pleiades, and Action/Spectacle, among others.

The Living and the Rest
Jose Eduardo Agualusa, author
Daniel Hahn, translator
Archipelago Books
https://archipelagobooks.org
9781962770200, $22.00, PB, 240pp

https://www.amazon.com/Living-Rest-Jose-Eduardo-Agualusa/dp/1962770206

Synopsis: A funny and lively tale about a group of writers stranded at a literary festival turns increasingly ominous as it explores the nature of life and of time, and the extraordinary power of imagination and the written word.

Writers from across Africa descend on the Isle of Mozambique to participate in the island's first literary festival. When a sudden cyclone strikes the land, they are cut off from the mainland.

One writer wakes from sleep with lines running through her head, reaching for a small red notebook with dream trash written on the cover. Another posts a picture of a writing desk gleaming in the ancient light of the Captains-General Palace, now a museum. The caption: "If I had a desk like this, I'm sure I'd write more. I'm sure I'd write better."

In his novel, "The Living and the Rest", author Jose Eduardo Agualusa traces their conversations as they wonder together whether the world they know has ended, and what, real or imagined, might come next. They talk, and set pens to paper, in this sometimes-surreal tale of how the physical world is changing rapidly around us and how we can (and must) forge new contexts.

Critique: An impressively skilled and original storyteller, author Jose Eduardo Agualusa has elevated his original and deftly crafted novel, "The Living and the Rest" to an imposing level of literary excellence. Highly recommended for personal reading lists, as well as community, and college/university library Contemporary Literary Fiction collections, it should be noted that this paperback edition of "The Living and the Rest" from Archipelago Books is also readily available in a digital book format (Kindle, $16.99).

Editorial Note #1: Jose Eduardo Agualusa is one of the leading voices in the Portuguese language today. In 2019, Agualusa received the Angolan National Prize for Culture and Arts. He won the International Dublin Literary Award in 2017 for A General Theory of Oblivion. Also available in English are Creole, The Book of Chameleons, The Society of Reluctant Dreamers; My Father's Wives; Rainy Season; and A Practical Guide to Levitation. The Living and the Rest won the 2021 Portuguese PEN Prize. (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jos%C3%A9_Eduardo_Agualusa)

Editorial Note #2: Daniel Hahn (www.danielhahn.co.uk/translation.html) is a writer, editor, and translator. He is the author of several works of non-fiction, including The Tower Menagerie. His translations (from Portuguese, Spanish, and French) include fiction from Africa, Europe and Latin America, and he has translated works by Machado de Assis, Jose Luis Peixoto, Maria Duenas, Jose Saramago, Eduardo Halfon, Corsino Fortes, and Roger Mello.


The Romantic Fiction Shelf

Beautiful Broken Love
Shanora Williams
https://www.shanorawilliams.com
Montlake
c/o Amazon Publishing
9781662518881, $16.99, PB, 384pp

https://www.amazon.com/Beautiful-Broken-Love-Shanora-Williams/dp/1662518889

Synopsis: It's been months since her dreams of forever were brutally shattered. Seven long months since her husband and soulmate, Lew, died in her arms, leaving her to carry on. Alone. And Davina Klein-Roberts still isn't sure how to move forward.

To escape her anguish, Davina throws everything into work, pushing Golden Oil Co., her self-built skin care line, to become a viral success. Now she's poised to clinch a major endorsement deal too. But it's bittersweet without Lew by her side.

A meeting with Deke Bishop, the hot NBA star she's courting for her brand, leaves Davina flustered. With his dimpled smile and warm handshake, Deke's a natural pitchman. And he's clearly interested -- and just in her lotions!

Davina soon discovers that Deke's more than just another player and carries his own pain. But as her feelings for him grow, so does her guilt. Will the pain of a future already lost keep her from embracing hope for a new one?

Critique: A fun and memorable read that is especially and unreservedly recommended for fans of contemporary romance novels that are exceptionally well written, authentically original, and the stuff of which Hallmark Channel movies are made, "Beautiful Broken Love" by novelist Shanora Williams is an ideal pick for personal reading lists and community library Romance Fiction collections. It should be noted that this paperback edition of "Beautiful Broken Love" from Montlake is also available in a digital book format (Kindle, $3.99).

Editorial Note: Shanora Williams (www.shanorawilliams.com) is the author of over thirty romance novels and diverse thrillers.

I'll Be Gone for Christmas
Georgia K. Boone
Avon Books
c/o HarperCollins Publishers
www.harpercollins.com
Blackstone Publishing
https://www.blackstonelibrary.com
9780063244023, $18.99, PB, 288pp

https://www.amazon.com/Ill-Be-Gone-Christmas-Novel/dp/0063244020

Synopsis: Bee Tyler needs a break. In the bustling San Francisco tech community, no one ever seems to stand still -- especially her perfect sister and business partner, Beth. So when her best friend suggests a getaway on the wildly popular house-swap app, Vacate, Bee decides a countryside retreat might be exactly what she needs.

Clover Mills has had a year. Between losing her mother and making the complicated decision to leave her fiance, sticking around the idyllic Christmas obsessed town of Salem, Ohio, just doesn't feel right. So when she hears about Vacate, she jumps at the chance to spend the holidays in the unfamiliar city of San Francisco.

Soon enough, Bee is living in Clover's cozy Salem cottage, and Clover is living in Bee's sleek San Francisco apartment. As Clover can't seem to stop running into Bee's frustratingly gorgeous sister, Beth, and Bee finds herself spending more and more time with Clover's ultra charming ex-fiance, Knox, the two women realize that this Christmas they may find just what they were looking for and more...

Critique: "I'll Be Gone For Christmas" by Georgia K. Boone is the stuff from which Hallmark Christmas movies are made! A fun read from start to finish, as an novelist, Georgia Boone demonstrates an impressively entertaining storytelling style - - making "I'll Be Gone For Christmas" an especially and unreservedly recommended pick for community library Contemporary Romance and LGBTQ fiction collections. It should be noted for personal reading lists that this paperback edition of "I'll Be Gone For Christmas" is also available from Avon Books in a digital book format (Kindle, $12.99) and as a complete and unabridged audio book (Blackstone Publishing, 9798874805180, $45.95, CD).

Editorial Note: Georgia K. Boone is a writer, a poet, and the daughter of storytellers. Sometimes, she writes songs she may one day share. Once, in a Brooklyn community center, she read James Baldwin's quote "You can't tell the children there's no hope," and she carries those words from the city to the desert and beyond. She currently lives on the West Coast with her family.

Christmas Catch
Toni Shiloh
Bethany House Publishers
c/o Baker Publishing Group
www.bethanyhouse.com
9780764244728, $39.43, HC, 208pp

https://www.amazon.com/Christmas-Catch-Toni-Shiloh/dp/0764244728

Synopsis: Benched with a career-ending injury, NFL wide receiver Jahleel Walker is forced to return to his hometown of Peachwood Bay, Georgia, during the holidays to heal, despite his rocky relationship with his father. Nothing shocks him more than running into Lucille "Bebe" Gordon.

Bebe Gordon came home to Peachwood Bay three years ago with a divorce certificate and her daughter. When Jahleel returns (for the first time in eight years) all the memories of the past come rushing back. The connection between them is still strong, but Jahleel has no plans to stay in Peachwood Bay, and Bebe won't risk him leaving her again.

As their hometown's Christmas festivities bring them together, Jahleel must decide if he's only home for the holidays or if the Christmas spirit that brought them together will last all through the year.

Critique: "The Christmas Catch" by novelist Toni Shiloh is the stuff of which Hallmark Channel Christmas themed romance movies are made! While the road to love is beset with unexpected twists and turns, a happy ending is assured. A fun read from start to finish, "The Christmas Catch" is a very special and recommended pick for personal reading lists and community library Contemporary Romance collections. It should be noted for all Christian & Holiday Romance fans and enthusiasts that this hardcover edition of "The Christmas Catch" is also readily available from Bethany House Publishers in a paperback edition (9780764244698, $8.99) and in a digital book format (Kindle, $8.54).

Editorial Note: Toni Shiloh (www.ToniShiloh.com) is a wife, a mom, and an award-winning Christian contemporary romance author. Her novel In Search of a Prince won the first ever Christy Amplify Award. It has also been praised by Oprah Daily, POPSUGAR, Library Journal, and Booklist, and is a Parable bestseller. A Run at Love was included in Booklist's Top 10 Romance Fiction of 2024. Her books have won the Selah Award and have been finalists for the Carol Award and the HOLT Medallion. As a member of American Christian Fiction Writers (ACFW), Toni loves connecting with readers and authors alike via social media.

Across the Ages
Gabrielle Meyer
Bethany House Publishers
c/o Baker Publishing Group
www.bethanyhouse.com
9780764244209, $17.99, PB, 384pp

https://www.amazon.com/Across-Ages-Inspirational-Historical-Time-Travel/dp/0764244205

Synopsis: Caroline holds a deep secret. Living in 1727 and 1927 simultaneously, each night she goes to sleep in one life and wakes up in the other. In search of answers to her unique existence, Caroline stumbles upon a letter from her mother hinting at her own experiences as a time-crosser, sending Caroline on a daring quest to uncover the truth. In 1727, Caroline disguises herself as a cabin boy and joins a ship sailing for the Bahamas, her mother's last known location, where she crosses paths with a ruthless but handsome pirate and is caught in a web of secrets, deception, and unexpected alliances.

In 1927 St. Paul, Minnesota, Caroline grapples with her other life as the daughter of a renowned preacher. Her two older brothers have fallen prey to the corruption rampant during Prohibition, and Caroline struggles to keep their involvement hidden to save her father's career. As her search for answers about her time-crossing leads her to the dangerous yet exciting world of speakeasies, Caroline enlists the help of a childhood friend who is now a police officer. But with her family's future at risk and their loyalties tested, Caroline faces a life-altering decision that could reshape her destiny.

Critique: A unique time-travel element to a deftly crafted blending of romance and adventure, "Across the Ages" by author Gabrielle Meyer is a simply fascinating and compelling read from first page to last. While especially and unreservedly recommended for personal reading lists and community library collections, it should be noted for historical romance and science fiction fans that this paperback edition of "Across the Ages" is also available in a digital book format (Kindle, $11.59).

Editorial Note: Gabrielle Meyer (www.GabrielleMeyer.com) is a Christy Award winner who has worked for state and local historical societies and loves writing fiction inspired by real people, places, and events.

Cloaked in Beauty
Karen Witemeyer
Bethany House Publishers
c/o Baker Publishing Group
www.bethanyhouse.com
9780764244070, $29.99, HC, 384pp

https://www.amazon.com/Cloaked-Beauty-Texas-Ever-After/dp/0764244078

Synopsis: Letty Hood has spent the last fifteen years of her life hidden away with her grandmother in the backwoods of east Texas to escape the deadly schemes of an uncle who wants her dead. Now, with her twenty-first birthday on the horizon, she is forced to accept the escort of a stranger and return to Houston in secret so she can claim a birthright that will make her one of the wealthiest women in Texas.

If she lives long enough to inherit.

Pinkerton agent Philip Carmichael has one duty: get the Radcliffe heiress home alive. Expecting a spoiled girl, Philip is surprised to encounter a woman of rare strength with a kind soul and keen wit. As they journey together, Letty's resilience wins his admiration, breaking through his hardened cynicism. Yet the threat to her survival grows more menacing with every mile, and Philip fears that keeping Letty out of harm's way may be just as impossible as keeping her out of his heart.

Critique: Deftly blending romance with suspense, danger and adventure, with the publication of "Cloaked in Beauty" author Karen Witemeyer has created a simply riveting read from start to finish. Impressively original, especially entertaining, thoroughly reader engaging from beginning to end, "Cloaked in Beauty" is unreservedly recommended for community library Christian Romance collections. It should be noted for personal reading lists that this hardcover edition of "Cloaked in Beauty" from Bethany House Publishers is also available in paperback (9780764240430, $11.99) and in a digital book format (Kindle, $11.39).

Editorial Note: Karen Witemeyer (www.KarenWitemeyer.com) offers her readers warmhearted historical romances with a flair for humor, feisty heroines, and swoon-worthy Texas heroes.

The Seaside Homecoming
Julie Klassen
Bethany House Publishers
c/o Baker Publishing Group
www.bethanyhouse.com
9780764244018, $29.99, HC, 400pp

https://www.amazon.com/Seaside-Homecoming-Historical-Sisterhood-Devonshire/dp/0764244019

Synopsis: Disgraced eldest sister Claire Summers has been living in exile as companion to a stern great-aunt in Scotland. About to lose her place and longing to be reconciled with her estranged family, Claire sees an advertisement from someone looking for a "respectable female partner" in a Sidmouth boarding house. Is it a sign? She answers the ad, hoping she has not made another reckless mistake.

When she meets the handsome, secretive proprietor, she wonders what he's hiding and if he's any more trustworthy than the nobleman who betrayed her years ago. Claire is drawn to him even though she fears he will reject her when he discovers her genteel fa ade hides a less than respectable past.

Meanwhile, the Summers family learns their great-aunt has died and Claire has disappeared without a word. The sisters rally together to find their lost sibling, but will their unexpected reunion heal old wounds and rekindle their bonds... or deepen the divide?

Critique: A deftly crafted, emotionally engaging, entertaining read from start to finish, "The Seaside Homecoming" by author Julie Klassen is an original and recommended novel of 'romance, second chances, and the enduring strength of sisterhood in the face of adversity". While a very special addition to community library Regency Romance collections, it should be noted for the personal reading lists of dedicated Christian historical romance fans that "The Seaside Homecoming" is also readily available from Bethany House Publishers in a paperback edition (9780764241017, $11.99) and in a digital book format (Kindle, $9.99).

Editorial Note: Julie Klassen (www.JulieKlassen.com) is a three-time recipient of the Christy Award for Historical Romance. The Secret of Pembrooke Park was honored with the Minnesota Book Award for Genre Fiction. Julie has also won the Midwest Book Award and Christian Retailing's Best Award and has been a finalist in the RITA and Carol Awards. A graduate of the University of Illinois, Julie worked in publishing for 16 years and now writes full-time.

The Lodge
Kayla Olson
Atria Books
c/o Simon & Schuster
www.simonandschuster.com
9781668033197, $17.99, PB, 352pp

https://www.amazon.com/Lodge-Novel-Kayla-Olson/dp/1668033194

Synopsis: Alix Morgan just got her big break as the ghostwriter of a memoir by Sebastian Green, a former member of the boy band True North. And when he offers her a penthouse at a luxurious resort in Vermont, she jumps at the chance to work far away from her noisy, cramped apartment.

Her career as an entertainment journalist has been building toward this dream job -- after all, she used to cover True North and was one of the last people to interview former front man Jett Beckett before he disappeared. As she combs through her client's voice memos, the specter of the missing lead singer remains, and fans are desperate to know the full story.

But Alix also has time for some fun at this glamorous resort, where she begins ski lessons with a handsome instructor named Tyler. As Alix and Tyler fall in love on the slopes, Alix's work takes a complicated turn - and the mystery of True North's downfall may be hers to solve.

Critique: The stuff of which the Hallmark Channel movies are made, "The Lodge" by Kayla Olson is a fun read and especially recommended to readers who appreciated the author's originality and distinctive storytelling style in fashioning a novel of romantic comedy with a bit of mystery solving -- all leading to an emotionally engaging and happy ending. While especially and unreservedly recommended for personal reading lists and community library collections, it should be noted that "The Lodge" is also available in a digital book format (Kindle, $9.99), as well as a Library Binding edition (Thorndike Press Large Print, 9781420520521, $36.99).

Editorial Note: Kayla Olson (www.KaylaOlson.com) is the author of two books for young adults and The Reunion. She can be followed on Instrgfram/TikTok @AuthorKaylaOlson

The Golden Years Glitch
Judy Smith
Wyatt-MacKenzie Publishing
http://www.wymacpublishing.com
9781954332621, $16.95, PB, 304pp

http://wymacpublishing.com/2023-2024.html

Synopsis: "The Golden Years Glitch" by novelist Judy Smith follows the life of Andi Parker, a successful businesswoman, contented mother and grandmother. She is also 70, and looking forward to her golden years with her very handsome husband, Jed. That is until after consuming one too many White Russians, Jed mistakenly communicates with his mistress openly on Facebook.

So much for the Gold Years!

Lost and betrayed, Andi struggles to decide whether to forgive Jed, continue their marriage, or face her seventies alone.

When Andi decides to take charge of her life along with her three friends, she engages in unexpected explorations, female empowerment, and sexual awareness that often leaves her daughter and granddaughters shocked -- but also impressed!

When a new love interest appears, the two men in her life clash, conflict erupts, and lines and lives are blurred.

In the end, the life that Andi thought her husband had destroyed becomes more expansive and introspective than she could have ever anticipated. While Andi's golden years may have taken an unexpected turn, she learns to embrace them and release herself from anger and self-doubt, allowing a new life to emerge.

Critique: A unique story of marital infidelity, broken dreams, and the shattered life of a woman of 70, "The Golden Years Glitch" is also the story of love rediscovered, new dreams created, and the joy of life recovered. In her novel, "The Golden Years Glitch", author Judy Smith demonstrates an impressively distinctive and reader engaging storytelling style. Original, deftly crafted, emotionally engaging, and all the more remarkable considering that its Judy's debut as a novelist, "The Golden Years Glitch" is one of those unique stories of later-in-life romance that will linger in the mind and memory of the reader long after the book is finished and set back upon the shelf. While also readily available for personal reading lists in a digital book format (Kindle, $4.99), This paperback edition of "The Golden Years Glitch" from Wyatt-MacKenzie Publishing is especially and unreservedly recommended for community library Contemporary Romance collections.

Editorial Note: Judy Smith is herself embracing her seventh decade and the author of the Life Lessons gift books. (https://jmaustinpublishing.com/meet-the-author)

The Perfect Match: A Reindeer Falls Holiday Romance
M.E. Bakos
M. E. Books
ASIN: B0DQ614QVY, $3.99, Kindle

https://www.amazon.com/Perfect-Match-Reindeer-Holiday-Romance-ebook/dp/B0DQ614QVY

Synopsis: When Merry returns to her quaint hometown of Reindeer Falls, Minnesota, with a broken heart and adopts a fiercely loyal dog, she never expected her Aunt Liz to play matchmaker. But with a promise to her late mother to see Merry happily married by 30, Aunt Liz is determined to find her a perfect mate through her Nifty Knitters club, yoga class, and pickleball players.

As Merry reluctantly goes on a series of disastrous blind dates, she finds herself drawn to her grumpy building super, Joel Connor, and his feline companion, Tom Kat. But with Joel's strict no-dog policy and the threat of eviction looming, Merry's chances at finding love seem slim.

Will she be able to overcome the obstacles and find her happily ever after, or will she be left alone and homeless?

Critique: The kind of story from which Hallmark Channel romance movies are made, "The Perfect Match: A Reindeer Falls Holiday Romance" by M. E. Bakos is a fun read from start to finish and one that is especially recommended to the attention of all who are fans of small-town romances. Original, deftly crafted, emotionally engaging, with many an unsuspected plot twist eventually leading to that Hallmark style happy ending, "The Perfect Match" is especially and unreservedly recommended for personal reading lists and community library Contemporary Romance collections.

Editorial Note: M. E. Bakos (https://mebakos.wixsite.com/author) has published several short stories in national women's magazines. Her love of mysteries has led to writing cozies. Her first mystery short story, "Carpe Diem or Murder at the Carp Fest" appeared in the Festival of Crime, a SINC Anthology. Her second, "Perfect Storm... Perfect Murder" is in Dark Side of the Loon, May, 2018 also a SINC Anthology. It was graciously reviewed by Mystery Magazine. "Champagne Wishes and Caviar Dreams" is in the Cooked to Death series, Vol. 5, with characters from her Home Renovator Mystery series (Fatal, Killer, and Mortal Flip). She is a member of Twin Cities Sisters in Crime and the author of "Deadly Flip" and "Lethal Flip".


The Western Fiction Shelf

Healer Man
Gillian F. Taylor
Linford Western Library
c/o Ulverscroft Large Print, Inc.
www.ulverscroft.com
9781444853353, $25.00, PB, Large Print, 210pp

https://www.ulverscroft.com/store/us/search/9781444853353

Synopsis: Don Manor is injured and grieving when he meets Callum McGeachin, the small Scotsman with an impish grin and a warm heart. Callum helps him to recover, and Don grows close to his new friend, even though there is something uncanny about him. Callum has a gift for healing, and a power that others can sense.

The two drift a while through Colorado, until they meet a widow with a sick child, a run-down ranch, and neighbors who want her land. They decide to help: Don, because he hates bullies - and Callum, because he's fallen in love with her at first sight.

Critique: A deftly crafted and fully entertaining read from first page to last, this large print paperback edition "Healer Man" by Gillian F. Taylor from the Linsford Western Library series is impressively original and particularly recommended for personal reading lists and community library collections.

Editorial Note: There is a lengthy listing of books by Gillian F. Taylor readily available online at https://www.goodreads.com/author/list/3092231.Gillian_F_Taylor

Trouble In Prospect Valley
Scott Connor
Linford Western Library
c/o Ulverscroft Large Print, Inc.
www.ulverscroft.com
9781444853339, $25.00, PB, Large Print, 204pp

https://www.ulverscroft.com/store/us/search/9781444853339

Synopsis: Kingsley Madsen goes to Prospect Valley to search for gold, but ends up feuding with his fellow prospectors. Before long an argument gets out of hand, leaving one man dead and another wounded. Kingsley is blamed, and after spending time in jail, he never wants to hear about Prospect Valley again.

Unfortunately, other people have plans for him, and he has to return to the place where his life took such a disastrous turn. When Kingsley learns the truth about what really happened there seven years ago, he must once again resolve the situation at the end of a gun.

Critique: With the publication of "Trouble In Prospect Valley, author Scott Connor once again demonstrated himself to be a master of the action/adventure western genre. A fun read from start to finish for the dedicated western fan, this is an original and entertaining story of western styhle gun justice that is unreservedly recommended for personal reading lists and community library collections.

Editorial Note: Ian Parnham is the author of 37 western novels published under the pen names of I. J. Parnham, Scott Connor, and Ed Law.

Ambush on the Butterfield Trail
Jay Clanton
Linford Western Library
c/o Ulverscroft Large Print, Inc.
www.ulverscroft.com
9781444853216, $25.00, PB, Large Print, 222pp

https://www.ulverscroft.com/store/us/search/9781444853216

Synopsis: Abednego Merton wants a better future for his daughter Hannah than scraping a living on an Arkansas smallholding. So he sells up, fits out a wagon, and the two strike out for California, where Hannah might have the opportunity to study in one of the big cities. But along the way, they are ambushed by Comancheros, and Hannah is kidnapped. Abe vows to find her - and to kill every man who had any part, however small, in taking his daughter from him.

Critique: An action packed and riveting read from cover to cover, "Ambush on the Butterfield Trail" showcases author Jay Clanton's distinctive storytelling style. Original, engaging, and very specially recommended for dedicated western adventure novel fans, this large print paperback edition of "Ambush on the Butterfield Trail" is a memorable and recommended pick for personal reading lists and community library collections.

Editorial Note: Jay Clanton is also the author of "Land of the Saints", "Saloon Justice", and Quincy's Quest". (https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/15688573.Jay_Clanton)

Reign of Terror
Paul Bedford
Linford Western Library
c/o Ulverscroft Large Print, Inc.
www.ulverscroft.com
9781444853209, $25.00, PB, Large Print, 246pp

https://www.ulverscroft.com/store/uk/search/9781444853209

Synopsis: Buffalo hunter Woodrow Clayton experiences the full horror of the Comanche terror at the Battle of Adobe Walls, and then again in the bloody aftermath that spreads along the frontier. He vows to help the US Army put an end to it, once and for all.

Homesteader Jared Tucker sees his wife and son slaughtered, and his daughter Lucy carried off, by Comanche raiders. From then on he is obsessed with rescuing her. Accompanied by Clayton and a bloodthirsty Tonkawa scout, he sets off to the Staked Plains of West Texas in search of Lucy.

Critique: A riveting and action packed rescue quest complete with unexpected plot twists and memorable crisis resolution, experienced western author Paul Bedford has created another gem of a western adventure with "Reign of Terror". This large print paperback edition of "Reign of Terror" is a solidly recommended pick for personal reading lists and community library Western Fiction collections.

Editorial Note: Editorial Note: Paul Bedford is the author many western novels including: Bone Treasure, Death on the Bozeman, and The Lord of the Plains. A complete listing is available online at https://www.goodreads.com/author/list/4575218.Paul_Bedford


The Mystery/Suspense Shelf

A Hush at Midnight
Marlene M. Bell
Ewephoric
9798986340968, $15.95, PB, 368pp

https://www.amazon.com/Hush-Midnight-Secrets-Scandals-Recipe/dp/B0DG8K4CQD

Synopsis: Once celebrated for her show-stopping pastries and irresistible desserts, former celebrity chef Laura Harris is now making headlines for a far darker reason. She has been accused of murder.

How could this petite chef have brutally smothered the beloved small-town matriarch and World War II ferry pilot veteran, Hattie Stenburg? Hattie wasn't just a pillar of the community; she was Laura's confidant and mentor. The shocking twist? Hattie's will contained recent changes, bypassing next-of kin and leaving her entire fortune and historic estate to Laura.

As Laura scrambles to clear her name, she uncovers sinister secrets lurking beneath the town's idyllic surface. The real murderer is always one step ahead, leaving taunting clues and threatening Laura to leave Texas - or face deadly consequences. With time not a luxury, Laura must untangle the web of deceit before the killer makes her the next victim.

Critique: An original and fun read from start to finish, "A Hush At Midnight" by Marlene M. Bell has all the makings of an outstanding cozy mystery -- an amateur female sleuth accused of murder who must clear her name and save her life from an unknown killer. Featuring many an unexpected plot twist and turn, author and storyteller Marlene Bell has raised her 'whodunnit' novel to an impressive level of literary elegance. While an especially and unreservedly recommended pick for community library Mystery/Suspense collections, it should be noted for the personal reading lists of the legions of cozy mystery fans that this paperback edition of "A Hush At Midnight" from Ewephoric is also readily available in a digital book format (Kindle, $1.99, Amazon).

Editorial Note: Marlene M. Bell (www.marlenembell.com) is the author of the Annalisse series and boasts numerous Best Mystery honors for all installments including the newest IP Best Regional Australia/New Zealand, and Global Gold Award for the fourth cozy mystery from down under. Her children's picture book, Mia and Nattie: One Great Team is a Mom's Choice Gold Award winner, and Eric Hoffer Award Grand Prize Short List winner.

The Rise and Fall of Miss Fannie's Biscuits
Wanda E. Brunstetter & Martha Bolton, authors
Barbour Publishing
www.barbourbooks.com
9798891510111, $16.99, PB, 256pp

https://www.amazon.com/Rise-Fall-Miss-Fannies-Biscuits/dp/B0CYD821C4

Synopsis: Mysteries have a way of following Fannie Miller, so when she makes it into the finals of the Tuscarawas County Baking Contest and contestants start disappearing, she calls on her old friend Foster Bates, a retired cop and part-time private investigator.

Could it be that other finalists (like the couple on verge of divorce who need the prize money. . .or the three Beiler sisters, always in a huddle whispering) are somehow responsible for these disappearances, thinning out the competition?

One thing is certain -- Foster and Fannie will stay on the case until the end, and everyone involved will learn something important about baking contests, mystery solving, and life.

Critique: A deftly crafted and original cozy mystery set in Amish countryj, "The Rise and Fall of Miss Fannie's Biscuits" by the team of author/storytellers Wanda E. Brunstetter and Martha Bolton have created a fun read for all dedicated 'whodunnit' cozy mystery fans and set in Ohio's Amish country. Certain to be an immediate and enduringly popular pick for community library Mystery/Suspense collections, it should be noted for the personal reading lists of all mystery buffs that this paperback edition of "The Rise and Fall of Miss Fannie's Biscuits" from Barbour Publishing is available in a digital book format (Kindle, $9.99) as well.

Editorial Note #1: Wanda E. Brunstetter (https://wandabrunstetter.com) is one of the founders of the Amish fiction genre. She has written more than 100 books translated in four languages.

Editorial Note #2: Martha Bolton (www.marthabolton.com/home) is the author of over eighty books of inspiration and humor and was Bob Hope's first female staff writer. Martha has received nominations for an Emmy, a WGA Writing Award, and a Dove Award. Along with composer Wally Nason, she has written ten musicals for Blue Gate Musicals, including Josiah for President, the Musical, The Confession Musical, based on Beverly Lewis' popular Amish trilogy, and Half-Stitched, the Musical, based on Wanda Brunstetter's book of the same title, and others.

Murder Happens
Jim Courter
Histria Books
www.histriabooks.com
9781592114795, $19.99, PB, 200pp

https://www.amazon.com/Murder-Happens-James-Courter/dp/1592114792

Synopsis: Solving murders isn't part of Devin Cleary's job description. As a security guard at Lincoln Court, a small boutique shopping mall in Urbana, Illinois, he has busted shoplifters, prevented the homeless from making the mall their home, and even rousted a few bathroom dope-smokers.

But when the mall becomes the site of multiple murders, Cleary finds himself caught up in a web of intrigue that may involve a contractor's ambitions for redeveloping Lincoln Court into a megamall. He is positioned to sniff out clues that the police miss.

By the world's standards, Devin Cleary is a loser. He's a college dropout. His lawyer wife left him for a colleague in her law firm. He has spent the last fifteen years in a minimum-wage, dead-end job that barely keeps him afloat. With no college degree, virtually no marketable skills, and the mall on the brink of closing for lack of business, Cleary wonders if he faces a future of sleeping outdoors in cardboard boxes and rummaging in dumpsters for meals.

The only hope for Lincoln Court's survival lies with that contractor's plans, which the owners of the mall oppose, and on support for them, if elected, of a candidate for governor who sets up campaign headquarters there -- until those murders cast a pall over that hope.

As he tries to solve them, Cleary finds himself increasingly at risk. He survives encounters with a mobster and his former mother-in-law, a knockout punch, frenzied Black Friday bargain hunters, a shooting spree, painful self-discovery, and, after unraveling a tangled skein of means, motive, and opportunity, a face-to-face encounter with the murderer.

More than just another 'whodunnit' mystery, "Murder Happens" is about a man out to prove, if only to himself, that his life has value in ways that the prevailing standards of the world don't take into account.

Critique: Skillfully crafted, impressively original, and a simply fun read from start to finish for dedicated mystery fans, "Murder Happens" is a suspense thriller of a mystery impressively elevated by author Jim Courter to an impressive level of literary excellence. While also available from Histria Books in a digital book format (Kindle, $9.99), "Murder Happens" is especially and unreservedly recommended for personal reading lists and community library Mystery/Suspense collections.

Editorial Note: Jim Courter is a writer and emeritus writing instructor at Western Illinois University. His short stories have appeared in the United States, Canada, and England. He won an Illinois Arts Council award for short fiction. His essays have appeared in The Chronicle of Higher Education, Smithsonian, and on the op-ed pages of the Chicago Tribune and The Wall Street Journal. (https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/15958181.Jim_Courter)

A Death in Diamonds
S. J. Bennett
Crooked Lane Books
www.crookedlanebooks.com
9798892420907, $29.99, HC, 320pp

https://www.amazon.com/Death-Diamonds-SJ-Bennett/dp/B0D374QCVZ

Synopsis: 1957, England. The young Queen Elizabeth II is finding her way in a postwar Europe, trying to repair friendships with foreign governments. Advised by her father's old courtiers, the Queen suspects that they may not have her best interests at heart. One of them is trying to sabotage her public appearances: that much she is sure of.

When two bodies turn up in Chelsea, the Queen finds herself unwillingly used as the alibi for somebody very close to her. With the reputation of the monarchy at stake, Elizabeth knows she can't face these challenges alone. She needs support from someone she can trust. Therefore, she enlists the help of an ex-code breaker, Joan McGraw, to uncover the truth.

But as Elizabeth and Joan are uncovering secrets from the past, the clock is ticking, and they are in more danger than they know.

Critique: An impressively original and deftly crafted 'whodunnit' cozy mystery (where the amateur female sleuth is Queen Elizabeth herself!) "A Death in Diamonds" is the fourth volume in novelist S.J. Bernnett's fabulous 'Her Majesty The Queen Investigates" series. A fun read for any and all dedicated mystery buffs, this hardcover edition of "A Death in Diamonds" from Crooked Lane Books is also available in for personal reading lists in a paperback (9781838776251, $19.99), in a digital book format (Kindle, $14.99) and is a solid pick for community library Mystery/Suspense collections.

Editorial Note: S. J. Bennett (www.sjbennettbooks.com) was born in Yorkshire, England, and lives in London. An army child, she grew up traveling around the world. Her first novel was published when she was forty-two, after a varied career and lots of procrastination. She is the award-winning author of several books for children and teaches and podcasts about writing.

Haunting and Homicide
Ava Burke
Crooked Lane Books
www.crookedlanebooks.com
Blackstone Publishing
https://www.blackstonelibrary.com
9781639109289, $29.99, HC, 272pp

https://www.amazon.com/Haunting-Homicide-Ava-Burke/dp/1639109285

Synopsis: Tallulah "Lou" Thatcher has a gift: she can see dead people. But in New Orleans, Louisiana, this is not a drawback. On the contrary, her ability to see ghosts helps her host viral ghost tours through the historic Garden District.

When rival tour guide Adam Brandt (who had accused her of faking her encounters to undercut his business) is found murdered, Lou is the only one who can see him . . . his ghost, that is.

It's no secret Adam and Lou were feuding and with the absence of a suspect, she's the only one with a clear motive. After detective Dylan Finch, Lou's longtime crush, reveals the murder weapon was a ceremonial dagger from Lou's shop, she's officially declared the prime suspect. Determined to prove her innocence, Lou starts investigating right away.

Weaving her way through Adam's business partnerships, friendships, and kinships, Lou must uncover who wished to see him dead before the killer tries to silence her forever.

Critique: Deftly blending a ghost story within the context of a cozy mystery format (amateur female sleuth having to solve a 'whodunnit' murder mystery), author Ava Burke's "Haunting and Homicide" is a uniquely original suspense thriller of a read from beginning to end and unreservedly recommended for community library collections. It should be noted for personal reading lists that this hardcover edition of "Haunting and Homicide" from Crooked Lane Books is also readily available in a digital book format (Kindle, $14.99). Librarians should note that "Haunting and Homicide" is also accessible as a complete and unabridged audio book (Blackstone Publishing, 9798228313729, $39.99, CD).

Editorial Note: Ava Burke lives in Northwest Arkansas with her family and a menagerie of animals. When she's not writing, she's usually reading, but she also enjoys hiking, kayaking, and horseback riding. (https://nextnewbooks.com/authors/ava-burke)

The Incident of the Book in the Nighttime
Vicki Delany
Crooked Lane Books
www.crookedlanebooks.com
9781639109265, $29.99, HC, 288pp

https://www.amazon.com/Incident-Nighttime-Sherlock-Bookshop-Mystery/dp/1639109269

Synopsis: Gemma Doyle and her friends have packed their bags and headed to London for her sister Pippa's wedding. Waiting for her in the hotel lobby is none other than Gemma's ex-husband, Paul Erikson. Paul has a rare book he wants her to see (calling it "the real deal") so Gemma agrees to meet him at their old shop, Trafalgar Fine Books, the following day. But when Gemma arrives, accompanied by Grant, a rare book dealer, they find Paul dead in his office.

Paul had been down on his luck, but Gemma never expected this. Had he borrowed money from people he shouldn't have? And where is the valuable book he was so anxious for Gemma to see? It's nowhere to be found in the shop. Because of their previous relationship, Gemma feels she owes something to Paul and vows to find his killer.

As Gemma and her best friend Jayne Wilson follow Paul's trail of friends, enemies, clients, and ex-lovers through London to Yorkshire, she realizes the puzzle of Paul's last days is more twisted than she originally thought.

This mystery is anything but elementary, and Gemma and Jayne have to use all their wit to get to the bottom of it before their time in London (or in life) is over.

Critique: An original and fun read from cover to cover, "The Incident of the Book in the Nighttime" is the tenth title in author Vicki Delany's 'A Sherlock Holmes Bookshop Mystery' series and prized pick for a cozy mystery fan's 'must read' list. Blending a Sherlock Holmes style story with the cozy mystery genre, "The Incident of the Book in the Nighttime" will prove to be an immediate and enduringly welcome addition to personal reading lists and community library Mystery/Suspense collections. It should be noted that this hardcover edition of "The Incident of the Book in the Nighttime" from Crooked Lane Books is also available in a digital book format (Kindle, $14.99).

Editorial Note: Vicki Delany (http://vickidelany.com) is the Canadian author of more than thirty novels/novellas in several of mystery's subgenres. Born in Manitoba and raised in Ontario, she is the former president of the Crime Writers of Canada, a member of Capital Crime Writers, and a member of Sisters in Crime.

Schooled in Murder
Victoria Gilbert
Crooked Lane Books
www.crookedlanebooks.com
9781639109234, $29.99, HC, 272pp

https://www.amazon.com/Schooled-Murder-Victoria-Gilbert/dp/1639109234

Synopsis: Jennifer "Jen" Dalton is an author and educator at Clarion University in Virginia. She loves her job, but some of her petty coworkers look down on her for writing genre fiction. As members of the English department, they wish to encourage students to pursue higher literary aspirations. When a humiliating confrontation between an uppity professor and one of Jen's students, Mia, escalates, no one thinks much of it.

Until his dead body is found along with evidence incriminating Mia.

Jen knows Mia couldn't have killed him, but Mia's suspicious disappearance might as well be a proclamation of guilt. With the sleuthing skills Jen has acquired writing murder mysteries, she's determined to solve the case and clear Mia's name.

Along with the help of her fellow sleuthers (Christine Kubiak, a cafeteria manager; Zachary Flynn, the charming but annoying campus psychologist; and Brianna Rowley, a librarian) Jen must catch the real killer before there's another murder on the books.

Critique: A cosy mystery fan's delight from start to finish, "Schooled in Murder" by novelist Victoria Gilbert features a reluctant amateur female sleuth compelled by friendship and self-preservation to solve a lethal 'whodunnit' murder mystery against all odds. Also available for personal reading lists in a digital book format (Kindle, $14.99), this hardcover edition of "Schooled in Murder" is a riveting read and unreservedly recommended for community library Contemporary Mystery/Suspense collections.

Editorial Note: Victoria Gilbert (https://victoriagilbertmysteries.com) Raised in a historic small town at the foot of the Blue Ridge Mountains, Victoria turned her early obsession with books into a dual career as an author and librarian. Now retired after over thirty years in the library field, she's worked as a reference librarian, research librarian, and university library director. Victoria writes the Blue Ridge Library Mystery series, the Booklover's B&B Mystery series, and the Hunter and Clewe traditional mystery series for Crooked Lane Books. She is a member of Mystery Writers of America, Sisters in Crime, and International Thriller Writers,

Beneath the Poet's House
Christa Carmen
www.christacarmen.com
Thomas & Mercer
c/o Amazon Publishing
9781662513275, $16.99, PB, 336pp

https://www.amazon.com/Beneath-Poets-House-Christa-Carmen/dp/1662513275

Synopsis: Unmoored by her husband's death and suffering from writer's block, novelist Saoirse White moves to Providence, and into the historic home of Sarah Helen Whitman, the nineteenth-century poet and spiritualist once courted by Edgar Allan Poe. Saoirse is certain she will find inspiration in the quiet rooms, as well as in the tucked-away rose garden and forgotten cemetery at the back of the property.

Saoirse is immediately welcomed by an effusive trio of transcendentalists obsessed with Whitman, the house, and Whitman's mystic beliefs. Saoirse, emerging from grief and loneliness, welcomes the idea of new friends taking her mind off the past -- even as they hope to summon it. When she meets Emmit Powell, a charismatic and charming prize-winning author, Saoirse thinks she's finally turned a corner.

Emboldened by new romance, Saoirse begins to write again and, through her writing, rediscover herself. But as old fears return, she finds that nothing about her new life is what it seems -- and a secret she's tried so hard to bury may not be the only thing that comes back to haunt her.

Critique: A skillfully crafted and impressively original suspense thriller of a read from start to finish, "Beneath The Poet's House" by Christa Carmen is raised to an impressive level of literary excellence by that author's distinctively effective, reader engaging, narrative driven storytelling style. While available for personal reading lists in a digital book format (Kindle, $4.99), this paperback edition of "Benath The Poet's House" from Thomas & Mercer is unreservedly recommended addition to community library Mystery/Suspense collections.

Editorial Note: Christa Carmen (www.christacarmen.com) is the author of The Daughters of Block Island, winner of the Bram Stoker Award and a Shirley Jackson Award nominee, the Indie Horror Book Award-winning Something Borrowed, Something Blood-Soaked, and the Bram Stoker Award-nominated "Through the Looking Glass and Straight into Hell" (Orphans of Bliss, Wicked Run Press). She has a BA from the University of Pennsylvania, an MA from Boston College, and an MFA from the University of Southern Maine.

The Killing Plains
Sherry Rankin
https://www.sherryrankinauthor.com
Thomas & Mercer
c/o Amazon Publishing
9781662521157, $16.99, PB, 368pp

https://www.amazon.com/Killing-Plains-Sherry-Rankin/dp/1662521154

Synopsis: Two victims. Twenty years apart. One elusive killer. In Crescent Bluff, West Texas. Everybody knows everybody. And everybody has a secret.

When a boy is found dead with the skin of a hare's head in his hand, everyone knows who killed him -- Willis Newland -- who has just been released from prison after serving twenty years for an identical murder.

But what if everyone's wrong?

Detective Colly Newland reluctantly agrees to investigate a case that seems to involve the whole town, including her dead husband's extended family. But the deeper she digs, the more secrets she unearths. And as threats against her escalate, Colly realizes someone is willing to kill to keep theirs...

Critique: All the more impressive when considering that "The Killing Plains" is author Sherry Rankin's debut as a novelist, An original suspense thriller of a murder mystery with unexpected plot twists. "The Killing Plains" is an inherently fascinating and compulsive page turner of a read from start to finish. While especially and unreservedly recommended for community library Mystery/Suspense collections, it should be noted for the personal reading lists of dedicated mystery buffs that this paperback edition of "The Killing Plains" from Thomas & Mercer is also readily available in a digital book format (Kindle, $3.99).

Editorial Note: Sherry Rankin grew up in New Jersey and has taught creative writing and literature in West Texas since 1997. After winning the Crime Writers' Association's Debut Dagger Award and being shortlisted for the Daniel Goldsmith First Novel Prize in 2017 (for an as-yet-unpublished novel), she went on to be shortlisted in the Margery Allingham Short Mystery Competition in 2019. (https://www.theplotagency.com/sherryrankin)

The Ghost
R. T. Lund
Little Creek Press
https://littlecreekpress.com
9781955656870, $17.95, PB, 278pp

https://www.amazon.com/Ghost-Lake-Superior-Mystery/dp/1955656878

Synopsis: The Lincoln Barnes saga (first introduced in author R.T. Lund's novel "Who Are You?") continues in the second installment of the novelist's Lake Superior Mystery Trilogy with the publication of "The Ghost".

In "Ghosts", we find that Barnes has left the Minneapolis PD and begins a new chapter of her life in Lake County, Minnesota, as Sheriff Sam MacDonald's chief detective. The bizarre murder of a young man on the shores of Lake Superior sets off a series of seemingly unrelated crimes that challenge Barnes and MacDonald and include the kidnapping of a mining executive and the use of deadly chemical weapons.

Despite the FBI's involvement, Barnes takes center stage with a lively cast of new characters who will keep the reader guessing and second guessing. And, of course, Barnes is still obsessed with Judge Robin Gildemeister. Is he a murderer, the man of her dreams, or both?

Critique: Another deftly crafted, impressively original, suspense thriller of a 'whodunnit' murder mystery, Minnesota author R.T. Lund's "The Ghost" (although part of what is developing as a trilogy), is an extraordinary stand alone murder mystery that can be fully enjoyed on its own. While this paperback edition of "The Ghost" from Little Creek Press is also available for personal reading lists of dedicated cozy mystery fans in a digital book format (Kindle, $8.99), it is an especially and unreservedly recommended pick for community and public library Contemporary Mystery/Suspense collections.

Editorial Note: R.T. Lund (www.rtlundauthor.com) grew up near the shores of Lake Superior. His writing is informed by a variety of mishaps and experiences, including jobs as a lawyer, judge and corporate executive, and by his love of northeastern Minnesota. A graduate of Hamilton College in upstate New York with a degree in English literature, Lund now lives in a suburb of the Twin Cities with his wife, Ann, and golden doodle, Charley.

Dangerous Visions
Liz Hartley
Rainy Valley Press
9780997438796, $19.99, PB, 434pp

https://www.amazon.com/Dangerous-Visions-Beach-Crime-Novel/dp/0997438797

Synopsis: Stacie Cappella just wants a normal life. Instead, her eerily accurate (though unpredictable) gift of Second Sight, inherited from her eccentric, fortune-telling great aunt, has given her a lifetime of embarrassment, shattered friendships, and broken hearts. She does her best to keep her inconvenient hunches to herself. But even something as simple as selling wind chimes, crystals, and tarot cards at her shop, The Bell, Book and Crystal, has opened her to charges of witchcraft.

Then the belligerent wife of a powerful city council member accuses her of fraud. Eden Beach Police Detective Ben Robard (who is a jaded Iraq war vet and skeptic of all things metaphysical), is reluctant to take on the frivolous fraud investigation, especially since a serial killer may be targeting his city. Despite signs the no-nonsense cop is the love her aunt foretold, Stacie is determined to keep a fence around her heart -- and a tight rein on her intuition.

Except for the stalker.

One chilly morning, a nightmare steps out of the fog, and Stacie must risk revealing her gift to convince Ben she's in danger. It's a move that could save more lives than hers -- but could lose her the chance at love she thought she'd never have.

Critique: Deftly blending romance and the metaphysical with an original 'whodunnit' mystery, the publication of "Dangerous Visions" showcases author Liz Hartley's memorably distinctive and fully engaging storytelling style. An impressively crafted and fun read from start to finish, "Dangerous Visions" is especially and unreservedly recommended for community library Contemporary Mystery/Suspense collections. It should be noted for the personal reading lists of dedicated mystery fans that this paperback edition of "Dangerous Visions" from Rainy Valley Press is also readily in a digital book format (Kindle, $4.99).

Editorial Note: Liz Hartley (www.lizhartleyauthor.com) is the author of two series set in the small town of Eden Beach, California: The Eden Beach Main Street Novels, and The Eden Beach Crime Novels, as well as The Route 66 Steal series.

The Poison Pen Letters
Fiona Walker
Boldwood Books
c/o Ulverscroft Large Print, Inc.
www.ulverscroft.com
9781835619360, $42.00, PB, Large Print, 534pp

https://www.ulverscroft.com/store/us/search/9781835619360

https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-poison-pen-letters-fiona-walker/1145972235

Synopsis: When crime novelist Phoebe opens the post and receives an invitation to her own funeral, she's horrified. Not least because the date of her death is marked as tomorrow!

Deciding it's nothing more than a prank from an enemy from her past, she determines to put it to the back of her mind. But the next morning, when her completely infuriating postman (who likes to think himself her number1 literary critic) rings her doorbell, a parcel of poisoned pen-nibs explodes in his face.

Forced to confront the fact her correspondence is more RIP than RSVP, Phoebe realises someone must want her dead.

Critique: An entertaining, deftly crafted, and impressively original cozy mystery with all the trimmings (amateur female sleuth, a murder to prevent/solve, a cast of memorable characters, and those unexpected plot twists and turns), this large print paperback edition of novelist Fiona Walker's "The Village Detectives & The Poison Pen Letters" is a wonderfully fun read from start to finish and a 'must' for personal reading lists and community library Mystery/Suspense collections.

Editorial Note: Fiona Walker (https://fionawalker.com) is the author of eighteen novels, from tales of flat-shares and clubbing in nineties London to today's romping, rural romances set amid shires, spires and stiles. In a career spanning over two decades, she's grown up alongside her readers, never losing her wickedly well-observed take on life, lust and the British in love. Fiona lives in Warwickshire, England.

My passion is creating imaginary worlds into which readers can escape, filled with characters to fall in love with and plot twists to delight. Over the years, I've written at kitchen tables and chilly attics as well as a glammed-up garden shed and a converted garage, usually late into the night, too lost in my plots to look at the clock. It doesn't matter where I write as long as I have a head full of ideas, a mug full of tea (make that a wine glass through the saucy bits) and a dog or two to keep me company. Authors can be terribly unreliable beasts, and my family and friends are wonderfully tolerant, even when I put them in the books. The dogs and horses all go in too...

Please click the 'follow' button, and Amazon will send you an email whenever I have a new novel out or when there's a deal on one of my books. You can find lots more information about me and my novels on my website, where I blog regularly. I'm also on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram, and love hearing from readers (although you're more likely to find me posting an accidental selfie of my nose than swapping witticisms with social media influencers).

Murder In Verona
T.A. Williams
Boldwood Books
c/o Ulverscroft Large Print, Inc.
www.ulverscroft.com
9781835187739, $42.00, PB, Large Print, 336pp

https://www.ulverscroft.com/store/uk/search/9781835187739

https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/murder-in-verona-t-a-williams/1145948998

Synopsis: When Italy's greatest opera singer, Rodolfo Argento, is killed in a terrible car accident, the police initially rule his death a tragic accident or suicide. But his elderly mother, Violetta, believes this to be poppycock! Her son was a brilliant driver and had too much to live for. She suspects foul play and turns to Private Investigator, Dan Armstrong to discover the truth.

So Dan and Oscar travel to Verona, the city of Romeo and Juliet, to find out what really happened. There Dan discovers Rodolfo's private life could have come straight out of a Shakespeare play. Although now happily married, Rodolfo was a man with a reputation to rival Casanova, his past strewn with heartbroken women. Could his death have been a star-crossed lover determined to get revenge? A family feud? Or does the truth lie much closer to home?

With his large inheritance still to be settled, the motive for Rodolfo?s murder could simply be greed. As Dan searches for suspects while staying at the Argento Opera Academy (where people randomly launch into operatic arias.) life for Dan is complicated by the fact that Oscar has a habit of joining in with the singing... Can Dan solve the case before he and his tone-deaf dog get thrown out?

Critique: The latest in the impressively popular 'Armstrong; & Oscar" cosy mystery series by T.A. Williams, "Murder in Verona" is a fun read from cover to cover and a 'must' for the growing legions of T.A. Williams fans. With an original and engaging 'whodunnit' mystery with many an expected plot twist and turn, this large print paperback edition of "Murder in Verona" from Boldwood Books will prove to be an immensely appreciated addition to personal reading lists and community library Mystery/Suspense collections.

Editorial Note: T.A. Williams (www.bookseriesinorder.com/t-a-williams) has written all sorts of thrillers, historical novels, and short stories. He is now enjoying himself writing romance and whodunnits. All of the books in his Armstrong & Oscare series are all standalone titles.

The Black Curtain
Cornell Woolrich
American Mystery Classics
c/o Penzler Publishers
https://penzlerpublishers.com
c/o W.W. Norton (distribution)
https://wwnorton.com
9781613166277, $25.95, HC, 216pp

https://www.amazon.com/Black-Curtain-Cornell-Woolrich/dp/1613166273

Synopsis: In a nightmare scenario, Frank Townsend has an apparently minor accident on his way home but he arrives to find his wife gone and doesn't recognize his apartment. He had gone to work on a normal day but didn't return for more than three years. Suffering from amnesia, he has to rediscover who he is, where he has been, and what he has done. A curtain has fallen to cut off all memories of his life.

First among the memories he wants to recover is whether he has committed the murder of which he has been accused. A mysterious stranger with a gun has been following him while he attempts to simultaneously understand what has happened in his past while doing all he can to extricate himself from a seemingly hopeless situation and regain his reputation. He does not yet know that he is in great jeopardy and there is no one he can trust to rescue him from the abyss.

The Black Curtain is the second of Cornell Woolrich's celebrated "black" books, following The Bride Wore Black, which established his reputation as America's greatest noir writer. It was adapted into film as the classic Street of Chance, starring Burgess Meredith and Claire Trevor.

Critique: A true American crime noir classic, "The Black Curtain" is an excellent introduction to a new generation of suspense thriller fans to the literary excellence of a Cornell Woolrich mystery. Originally published in 1941, American Mystery Classics once again presents another 'time lost' treasure of a mystery that is especially and unreservedly recommended for personal reading lists and community library Mystery/Suspense collections. It should be noted that this hardcover edition of "The Black Curtain" is also readily available in paperback ($15.95).

Editorial Note: Born George Hopley-Woolrich, Cornell Woolrich (December 4, 1903 - September 25, 1968) is the pen name most often employed by one of America's best crime and noir writers, whose other pseudonyms included George Hopley and William Irish, the moniker under which Waltz into Darkness was first published. His novels were among the first to employ the atmosphere, outlook, and impending sense of doom that came to be characterized as noir, and inspired some of the most famous films of the period, including Alfred Hitchcock's Rear Window, Francois Truffaut's The Bride Wore Black, The Phantom Lady, The Leopard Man and Black Angel. (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cornell_Woolrich)


The Fantasy/SciFi Shelf

Orbital
Samantha Harvey
Grove Press
c/o Grove/Atlantic, Inc.
www.groveatlantic.com
9780802163622, $17.00 PB, $8.67 Kindle, 224pp

https://www.amazon.com/Orbital-Samantha-Harvey/dp/0802163629

Synopsis: Originally published by the Atlantic Monthly Press in December, 2023, "Orbital by Samantha Harvey is slender novel of epic power and the winner of the Booker Prize 2024 that is now available in a paperback edition and a Kindle digital book format.

"Orbital" deftly snapshots one day in the lives of six women and men traveling through space. Selected for one of the last space station missions of its kind before the program is dismantled, these astronauts and cosmonauts (selected from America, Russia, Italy, Britain, and Japan) have left their lives behind to travel at a speed of over seventeen thousand miles an hour as the earth reels below.

We glimpse moments of their earthly lives through brief communications with family, their photos and talismans; we watch them whip up dehydrated meals, float in gravity-free sleep, and exercise in regimented routines to prevent atrophying muscles; we witness them form bonds that will stand between them and utter solitude.

Most of all, we are with them as they behold and record their silent blue planet. Their experiences of sixteen sunrises and sunsets and the bright, blinking constellations of the galaxy are at once breathtakingly awesome and surprisingly intimate.

Profound, contemplative, eloquent, "Orbital" is a moving elegy to our environment and planet.

Critique: Raising science fiction to an impressive level of literary excellent, "Orbital" by Samantha Harvey is especially and unreservedly recommended for personal, community, and college/university library Science Fiction & Literary Fiction collections.

Editorial Note: Living in Bath, UK, and teaching creative writing at Bath Spa University. Samantha Harvey (www.samanthaharvey.co.uk) is the author of five novels: "Orbital", "The Western Wind", "Dear Thief", "All Is Song", and "The Wilderness", plus one work of nonfiction, "The Shapeless Unease". Orbital was the winner of the Booker Prize 2024, and her other work has been shortlisted for the Women's Prize, the Guardian First Book Award, the James Tait Black Prize, and the Walter Scott Prize. The Wilderness was awarded the Betty Trask Prize.

Visions of Darkness
A.L. Jackson
https://www.aljacksonauthor.com
Montlake
c/o Amazon Publishing
9781662524943, $16.99, PB, 380pp

https://www.amazon.com/Visions-Darkness-L-Jackson/dp/1662524943

Synopsis: Aria Rialta is a girl of two realities. One she was born to. The other she was chosen for. Both are a threat.

Every night when Aria falls asleep, she enters the nightmare world of Faydor to fight a war. It's her calling to help destroy the Kruen, who feed sin and chaos to our everyday world of vulnerable humans. It would be a lonely realm in which to do battle if not for Pax, Aria's dangerously irresistible soulmate whose mere touch can kill. It's also a realm that's getting harder to escape.

Aria's hallucinations are seeping into her waking world. And the Kruen are coming for her. To help Aria, Pax must do what no one in Faydor has dared to do before -- join his soulmate in the light of day. Giving in to their forbidden attraction could be the death of them, but they might not be able to stop themselves as they embark on a cross-country journey to fight the evils hunting them.

As their desire grows, so do Aria's untapped powers, and a menacing new force far darker than the Kruen.

Critique: Deftly blending romance and fantasy with action and adventure, "Visions of Darkness" by A.L. Jackson is an impressively original and fun read from start to finish. with its memorable characters and unexpected plot twists, "Visions of Darkness" is especially recommended as a popular pick for community library Fantasy Fiction collections. It should be noted for the personal reading lists of dedicated fantasy fans that this paperback edition for "Visions of Darkness" from Montlake is also readily available in a digital book format (Kindle, $3.99).

Editorial Note: A.L. Jackson (www.aljacksonauthor.com) is the author of Give Me a Reason and numerous series, including Regret, Closer to You, Bleeding Stars, Fight for Me, Confessions of the Heart, Falling Stars, Redemption Hills, and Time River.

The Forbidden Visions of Lucius Galloway
Carrie Harris
Aconyte Books
https://aconytebooks.com
9781839083105, $16.95, PB, 320pp

https://www.amazon.com/Forbidden-Visions-Lucius-Galloway-Drowned/dp/1839083107

Synopsis: When poet Lucius Galloway is offered a prestigious position translating a mysterious ancient text at Harvard University, he is thrust into an unimaginable world of esoteric knowledge, mystical symbols and sanity-shattering nightmares.

But Lucius has no idea that his visionary anthology, The Drowned City, has revealed him to be one of the eldritch-touched, and brought him to the attention of the mysterious Abdul Alhazred, whose schemes are even now ensnaring the unwitting scholar.

Haunted by dreams of horrors lurking beneath the waves, Lucius must do everything in his power to solve the mystery at the heart of the translation before the hidden figures dogging his footsteps catch up to him and their ominous machinations transform the world forever.

Critique: A deftly crafted and original novel of occult Lovecraftian style fantasy, author Carrie Harris's "The Forbidden Visions of Lucius Galloway" is a singularly impressive expansion of the Arkham Horror 'Drowned City' series and a the kind of story that will linger in the mind, memory and dreams of its readers long after the book itself has been finished and set back upon the shelf. Especially and unreservedly recommended for community library Fantasy Fiction collections, it should be noted for the legions of Arkham fans that "The Forbidden Visions of Lucius Galloway" is also available in a digital book format (Kindle, $9.95).

Editorial Note: Carrie Harris (https://carrieharrisbooks.com) has been writing professionally since the early 2000s. She writes original and licensed books in a variety of worlds including Marvel, Warhammer 40k, the World of Darkness, and the Fate RPG. Her books Shadow Avengers: A Marvel Crisis Protocol Novel, Witches Unleashed: A Marvel Untold Novel, and Liberty and Justice for All: A Xavier's Institute Novel were Scribe award finalists for best licensed fiction, and her young adult horror comedy Bad Taste in Boys was a Quick Pick for Reluctant Readers. She is a member of the International Association of Media Tie-In Writers and the Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers Association.

Baen Books
www.baen.com

New books from Baen provide science fiction and fantasy fans with intriguing premises and involving writing.

https://www.amazon.com/Men-Bretton-1-Dream-Home/dp/1982193743

Richard Fox's Men of Bretton: Hold the Planet for Hegemony - Or Die Trying (9781982193744, $28.00) is a Dream of Home military sci-fi read that packs staccato action with planet-wide issues. The 11th Bretton Infantry has been dropped into a combat zone on Dharien with orders to forge a path to Tabuk and keep the city under the Hegemony... but for some members of the effort, the fight's more personal than that. Mason Tellec is both charged with the mission and with protecting his young brother Noah, who is also a part of it. Can a soldier afford to have family issues affecting his work, especially when the only survivor of a Flag ambush becomes part of the equation? An excellent battle-drive story emerges to delight military sci-fi audiences.

https://www.amazon.com/Graveyard-Demons-Saga-Forgotten-Warrior/dp/1982193735

Larry Correia's Graveyard of Demons (9781982193737, $30.00) adds to the Saga of the Forgotten Warrior series with a new fantasy scenario revolving around battle, rebellion, and one Ashok Vadal, who discovers that everything he's learned about his life and destiny is a lie when the Capitol teeters on the edge of collapse, calling his long-held beliefs into question. From caste system operations and issues of control to political manipulators who harbor their own disparate visions of how events should evolve, Vadal, once a ruler and now a fugitive, is in a dangerous position made all the more tenuous by his personal quest for revenge. Can a personal ambition rescue the world? Read this and find out. Fantasy and social and psychological examination are nicely entwined into the military and personal adventure for maximum impact.

Both "Men of Bretton" and "Graveyard of Demons" are excellent choices for discriminating libraries and fans of military sci-fi and fantasy.

Baen Books
www.baen.com

Two new arrivals from Baen Books present intriguing collections that stand out from the crowd.

https://www.amazon.com/Last-Train-Outta-Kepler-283c-David-ebook/dp/B0D63GKZMV

David Boop edits Last Train Outta Kepler-283c (9781982193768, $18.00), an anthology of macabre and intriguing tales of the final frontier by such Baen notable writers as Sharon Lee, D.J. Butler, and more. Prior fans of the series begun in Gunfight on Europa Station will learn that this series is a concluding presentation that features the same blend of Western themes that are developed in various sci-fi worlds, from the Liaden Universe to the Four Horsemen. Readers not hold prior familiarity with these scenarios or Boop's previous series contributions in order to appreciate the whimsy, eeriness, and engaging juxtapositions of these stories, which are highly recommended, original reads.

https://www.amazon.com/Crisis-Proxima-Orions-Travis-Taylor/dp/1982193751

Crisis at Proxima by Travis S. Taylor and Les Johnson (9781982193751, $28.00) reveals a first contact experience gone awry as the inhabitants of Proxima Centauri find them selves connected to Earth in unexpected ways when a contagion ravaging their population can't be controlled. An extinction-level struggle ensues which forces the scientists of two very different worlds to cooperate, even though the evil gods depicted in Proxima myth may challenge even the technologically-savvy earthlings. "This crew is among the best that humanity has to offer with regard to the task ahead of us." But, is this good enough? Fast-paced action and scientific and social revelations make for a thoroughly engrossing read that will appeal to a wide audience.

Both "Last Train Outta Kepler-283c" and "Crisis at Proxima" are especially and unreservedly recommended picks for personal reading lists and community library Science Fiction collections.


The Graphic Novel Shelf

Mary Shelley's Frankenstein Starring Boris Karloff
Kerry Gammill, adapter
Mary Shelley, author
El Garing, illustrator
Legendary Comics
https://www.legendary.com/comics
9781681161297, $29.99, HC, 120pp

https://www.amazon.com/Shelleys-Frankenstein-Starring-Legendary-Monsters/dp/168116129X

Synopsis: Decades before the works of Edgar Allan Poe, Jules Verne, and H.G. Wells, 18-year-old Mary Shelley wrote what many regard as the first work of science fiction when she penned Frankenstein -- or as it was titled when first published in 1818 as "The Modern Prometheus".

Over one hundred years later, in 1931, a hard-working but relatively unknown actor named Boris Karloff was cast to play Frankenstein's monster in James Whale's now classic movie adaptation. The film made Karloff a star and solidified Frankenstein's monster as an icon of the silver screen.

Now, with the publication of "Mary Shelley's Frankenstein Starring Boris Karloff", Legendary Comics is proud to bring Shelley and Karloff together for the first time in a faithful adaptation of the novel starring the iconic actor in the lead role of the fully reimagined monster. In partnership with Sara Karloff of Karloff Enterprises, and featuring the artistic talents of Kerry Gammill and El Garing, (who were also the team behind the award-winning "Bram Stoker's Dracula Starring Bela Lugosi" and published by Legendary Comics.

Critique: This large format (6.63 x 0.6 x 10.19 inches, 1.25 pounds) hardcover edition of "Mary Shelley's Frankenstein Starring Boris Karloff" from Legendary Comics is an especially and unreservedly recommended pick for personal, community, and college/university library Graphic Novel collections. It should be noted for dedicated fantasy graphic novel fans that "Mary Shelley's Frankenstein Starring Boris Karloff" is also readily available in a digital book format (Kindle, $19.99).

Editorial Note #1: Kerry Gammill began his professional art career in 1978, joining the roster of artists at Marvel Comics - working on Powerman and Iron Fist, Marvel Team-Up, Indiana Jones, Fantastic Four, Uncanny X-Men, Wonder Man, Doctor Strange, and more - and, in 1988, began drawing Superman at DC Comics. Gammill left comics in the mid-'90s to work as a conceptual artist for film, providing designs and storyboards for many sci-fi movies and TV shows including Virus, Phantoms, Species II, Stargate SGI, Alien vs. Predator, G.I. Joe: Valor vs. Venom, among many others. After several years, Gammill returned to comics and his love of horror as the publisher of critically-acclaimed horror comic books including four issues of Bela Lugosi's Tales from the Grave (inspired by a childhood of watching classic horror movies and reading Creepy magazine) and the graphic novel series Flesh and Blood.

Editorial Note #2: Mary Wollstonecraft Shelley (30 August 1797 - 1 February 1851) was an English novelist who wrote the Gothic novel Frankenstein; or, The Modern Prometheus (1818), which is considered an early example of science fiction.

Editorial Note #3: Artist El Garing loves illustrations. He migrated to the United States many years ago to follow a dream, and met his hero personally, The Great Frank Frazetta, who is always an inspiration. El was mentored by one of the best, Hal Santiago, and was taught by Philippines National Artist Francisco V. Coching. With Legendary Comics and Lugosi Enterprises, he worked on the graphic novel Bram Stoker's Dracula Starring Bela Lugosi, which won a Rondo Award in 2022.


The Audiobook Shelf

Traitor
Roberta Kray, author
Annie Aldington, narrator
Isis
c/o Ulverscroft Large Print, Inc.
www.ulverscroft.com
9781399152662, $126.95, Library CD Format, 11 CDs, (12 Hours 14 Minutes)

https://www.ulverscroft.com/store/us/search/9781399152662

https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/traitor-roberta-kray/1146024524

Synopsis: After her murderous ex-boyfriend who she turned in to the police was released from prison, Jem Byrne fled to London, desperate to hide herself. Now she spends every day waiting for him to catch up with her. But The Mansfield estate is far from a safe place to hide.

When Private Investigator Harry Lind meets Jem, he can tell she's hiding something big and he's desperate to find out what. But his talents have already been enlisted by another: an aging mother hoping to discover the truth about her daughter's disappearance.

Then there's also the two kids from The Mansfield pestering him to find their missing dad. Could Jem be the key to cracking both cases?

And then there is Philip, The Mansfield Estate's newest resident. He's lurking in the shadows, watching it all unfold. Or is he doing more than just watching?

Critique: Converted into a true 'theatre of the mind' experience by the narrative storytelling talents of Annie Aldington, this complete and unabridged Isis audio book edition of "Traitor" by Roberta Kray is a true suspense thriller from start to finish and unreservedly recommended for community and public library Mystery/Suspense audio book collections.

Editorial Note #1: Roberta Kray is a British author of fiction and nonfiction, mainly crime drama novels. She was born in Southport in 1959. Kray has worked in media research and publishing for fifteen years in London. She decided to stop working full time and write once her husband passed away. (https://www.bookseriesinorder.com/roberta-kray)

Editorial Note #2: Annie Aldington (https://www.anniealdington.co.uk) is an experienced actor and successful voice artist. She won the RNA Narrator Of The Year Award for 2021.

Isaac Newton: Master Of The Mint & Nemesis
David Ashton, author
William Gaminara, et al., narrators
BBC
c/o Ulverscroft Large Print, Inc.
www.ulverscroft.com
9781529952018, $50.95, Library CD Format, 3 CDs (2 Hours 24 Minutes)

https://www.ulverscroft.com/store/us/search/9781529952018

https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/isaac-newton-david-ashton/1142036767

Synopsis: Counterfeiters, spies, murderers... and Isaac Newton must use his brilliant mind to defeat them all in this pair of full-cast historical crime dramas.

In Master of the Mint, a new figure of justice is walking the streets of 17th-century London - Isaac Newton, scientific genius. After thirty years as a Cambridge academic, Newton takes up a new post at the Royal Mint in the Tower of London. But the work doesn't stay peaceful: soon he finds himself asking questions within drinking dens of ill-repute, in pursuit of a notorious counterfeiting gang. Can he stop their plans to set off a financial crash that will bring down the Government?

In Nemesis, Isaac Newton must contend not only with opponents to his currency plans, but also with a French secret agent who is aiding the theft of England's entire supply of silver. When a wagon of silver is stolen, and his close colleague murdered, Newton must face facts: he's been betrayed. But is he able to protect his country from the same fate?

Critique: From author David Ashton, and brilliantly brought to life by William Gaminar and a full cast of talented actors, "Isaac Newton: Master of the Mint & Nemesis) is a complete and unabridged BBC audio book featuring two fascinating and fun tales of thugs and villains, treasure and treachery, and the scientific logic which might just save an entire country! Simply stated, this BBC audio book edition is highly recommended for community and public library Mystery/Suspense audio book collections. It should be noted for personal collections that "Isaac Newton: Master of the Mint & Nemesis" is also available from BBC Audio in an MP3-CD format (9781529952469, $50.95).

Editorial Note #1: David Ashton was born in Greenock in 1941. He studied at Central Drama School, London, from 1964 to 1967, and most recently appeared in The Last King of Scotland and The Etruscan Smile. David started writing in 1984 and he has seen many of his plays and TV adaptations broadcast. He wrote early episodes of EastEnders and Casualty, and twelve McLevy series for BBC Radio 4. (https://www.goodreads.com/author/list/400916.David_Ashton)

Editorial Note #2: William Gaminara is a British actor, screenwriter and playwright, probably best known for playing pathologist Professor Leo Dalton on the television series Silent Witness, from 2002 to 2013. His plays include According to Hoyle, The Three Lions and The Nightingales. (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/William_Gaminara)

Doctor Who: Tenth Doctor Novels Volume 5
Jacqueline Rayner, et al.
Ulverscroft Large Print, Inc.
www.ulverscroft.com
9781529951660, $132.95, MP3-CD, (14 Hours 52 Minutes)

https://www.ulverscroft.com/store/us/search/9781529951660

Synopsis: In this superbly produced audio book, David Tennant, Anthony Head, Don Warrington and Shaun Dingwall perform/narrate six original stories featuring the Tenth Doctor Who.

In 'The Stone Rose', a missing boy and a strange stone effigy spell trouble for the Doctor and Rose. In 'The Feast of the Drowned', the dead crew of a naval cruiser haunt loved ones all over London. 'The Resurrection Casket' finds the Doctor and Rose in search of lost treasure, whilst 'The Nightmare of Black Island' takes them to a Welsh village where children are plagued by nightmares, and the nights are ruled by monsters. 'The Art of Destruction' is a story of alien intelligence, ancient conflict and a struggle to save the Earth, and in 'The Price of Paradise' our travelers find that a once-perfect ecosystem has become a death trap.

Presented alongside these abridged audio editions of the original BBC Books are behind-the-scenes conversations with the authors and readers.

Critique: An absolute 'must' for the legions of dedicated Dr. Who fans, this complete and unabridged MP3-CD audio book edition of "Doctor Who: Tenth Doctor Novels Volume 5" from Ulverscroft offers a true 'theatre of the mind" experience from start to finish. This latest Dr. Who production is especially and unreservedly recommended for personal and community librry Science Fiction & Fantasy audio book collections.

The Order of Grimm
Shiromi Arserio, author and narrator
Spoken Realms / Gobbolina Press
https://spokenrealms.com
Blackstone Publishing
https://www.blackstonepublishing.com
9798228358102, $45.95 CD (9 Hours 25 Minutes)
9798228358119, $35.95 MP3-CD
2940193390244, $22.95 Digital Audiobook

https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-order-of-grimm-shiromi-arserio/1146642642

https://www.amazon.com/Order-Grimm-Shiromi-Arserio/dp/B0DPPF9GFG

Synopsis: The bustling city-state of Marchen borders the seats of the Three Queens, represented by the spindle, the slipper and the apple.

But it's been a hundred years since the rule of the Three Queens. The time of the godmothers has passed. If you want access to magic you either have to be one of the few who are born with it and live in hiding. Or be extremely wealthy.

Samara Dawa is a former assassin, stolen from her family and sold to the assassin's guild when she was a child. When the opportunity to destroy the man who sold her comes up, she doesn't hesitate. Only all isn't what it seems. Soon Samara finds herself needing to infiltrate a magical auction run by the mysterious Order of Grimm.

The main item for sale: the last descendant of Queen White.

To pull off this heist she'll need to put together a crew: an inside man, an explosives expert, a kinetics expert, a master forger, and a getaway driver.

And she needs to do this all under the nose of her boss: the head of the thieves guild.

Critique: Original, riveting, fun, this deftly produced, complete and unabridged audio book edition of "The Order of Grimm" by author and narrator Shiromi Arserio provides the listener with a true 'theatre of the mind' experience -- one that will be especially appreciated by dedicated fans of the action/adventure fantasy genre. This expertly crafted production from Spoken Realms is especially and unreservedly recommended for personal and community library audio book collections. It should be noted by fantasy fans and librarians that "The Order of Grimm" is also available in a paperback edition (9798991774604, $18.99), an in a digital book format (Kindle, $5.99).

Editorial Note: Shiromi Arserio (https://www.shiromispeaks.com) is an award winning stage actor, a voice talent, and an audiobook narrator based in London. She holds a BA in theater from Rose Bruford College of Theatre and Performance. In addition to narrating hundreds of audiobooks, her voice can be heard in documentaries, e-learning projects, and video games. Prior to venturing into audiobook narration she worked as a freelance writer for publications such as Renaissance Magazine and Northwest Magazine.


The Library CD Shelf

Time & Place
Joel Jeschke
joeljeschkedrums.com
Edmonton Arts Council
$20.00 CAD CD / $10.00 CAD digital

https://joeljeschke.bandcamp.com/album/time-place

Joel Jeschke showcases his drumming and bandleading talent in Time & Place, an album of instrumental jazz songs that he personally created. Performed by Joel Jeschke on drums, Holly Sangster on saxophone, Brett Hansen on guitar, Brendan McGrath on piano, and Aretha Tillotson on bass, Time & Place explores asymmetrical time signatures, rhythm punctuated by moments of dissonance, and adventurous contrasts in the emotional mood shifts between compositions. Time & Place is an exceptional debut album and a choice pick for connoisseurs of instrumental jazz, highly recommended! The tracks are Introduction, Koskela, Nuuksio, The Number Twelve, Aviary, Mammoth, Experimentations, Song For When It Rains, and The Unknown.

Trio
Kalya Ramu
www.kalyaramu.ca
Privately Published
$TBA CD / $8.91 MP3

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0DK6FVBLT

https://kalyaramu.bandcamp.com/album/trio

Canadian jazz vocalist Kalya Ramu, guitarist Julien Bradley-Combs, and upright bass player Duncan Hopkins present Trio, a smoothly mellifluous album of iconic songs by a variety of creators. Masterfully performed and recorded, immersive, and beautiful, Trio is a choice pick for especially vocal jazz connoisseurs and highly recommended. The tracks are I'm In the Mood for Love (McHugh/Fields), Hayalda Hachi Yafa Bagan (Rechter/Geffen), If I Could Be with You (Johnson/Creamer), Caravan (Tizoi/Ellington/Mills), When The Moon Is High (Kalya Ramu), As Long as I Live (Arlen/Koehler), Out Of Nowhere (Green/Heyman), We'll Be Together Again (Fischer/Laine), and You Go to My Head (Coots/Gillespie).

For the Olives
Trendafilka
www.trendafilka.com
Privately Published
$15.00 CD / $12.00 digital / $25.00 vinyl

https://trendafilka.bandcamp.com/album/for-the-olives

New Orleans-based, eleven-piece vocal ensemble Trendafilka presents For the Olives, performances of traditional folk songs from Eastern Europe. The selected songs come from a rich heritage of polyphonic singing, and Trendafilka delivers a multilayered, world-class performance. For the Olives is highly recommended for both personal and public library international music collections, and also makes an excellent gift for vocal connoisseurs. The tracks are Chichovite Konye; Zamruknala Moma Yana; Oi Na Dubovi; Mori Aida, Aida; Joniniu Sutartine; Oi Na Ivana Na Kupala; Zaspalo E Chelbiche; Nekuo Dzeguzite; Mome Stoje; Po Moryu; Kaliora Na Houn I Elyes; and Zvezda Vechernitsa.

Particules Sonores
Alain Bedard Auguste Quartet
alainbedardauguste.com
Effendi Records
www.effendirecords.com
$TBA CD / $8.99 MP3

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0DGLC19JK

The Alain Bedard Auguste Quartet is a Canadian jazz ensemble consisting of Mario Allard on soprano, tenor, alto, and bari sax; Marie Fatima Rudolf on piano; Alain Bedard on bass; and Michel Lambert on drums. Their seventh album is Particules Sonores, a collection of original, instrumental songs composed by quartet members. Each song has a different theme, reflection, or musical story, enticing the listener into a memorable journey of the senses. Highly recommended! The tracks are Compte-Rendu III, Profumo Chaneleone, Terrain Neutre, A Goose Story, Bamboozled, Il Cappello de mia Sorella, Celestes, Mel & Less, Rescape des Temps, and Bis du Gras Mollet.

Breath of Fresh Air
Diane Roblin & Life Force
www.dianeroblin.com
Produced by George Koller
Privately Published
$TBA CD / $12.00 CAD digital

https://dianeroblin.bandcamp.com/album/breath-of-fresh-air

Breath of Fresh Air is a jazz album of original compositions by Diane Roblin (with horn arrangements on tracks 2 and 5 by Bruce Cassidy). The complex and dynamic songs are performed by a multitalented six-person ensemble: Diane Roblin on piano, rhodes, and keyboards; Kevin Turcotte on trumpet and flugelhorn; John Johnson on soprano and alto sax; Jeff LaRochelle on tenor sax and bass clarinet; George Koller on acoustic and electric bass; and Tim Shia on drums. Their masterful collaboration has created an extraordinary, multifaceted musical journey that sparks the imagination and uplifts the spirit. Highly recommended! The tracks are Ladyfinger, Breath of Fresh Air, Now, Drifting Into Dreamland, Renewed on Thanksgiving Day, and Cadenza.

Undrilling the Hole
Spinifex
TryTone Records
15.00 Euro CD / 9.00 Euro digital

https://spinifex.bandcamp.com/album/undrilling-the-hole-2

Undrilling the Hole is an album of seven original compositions by Tobias Klein. The songs are performed by the ensemble Spinifix: Tobias Klein on alto saxophone, Bart Maris on trumpet, John Dikeman on saxophone, Jasper Stadhouders on guitar, Goncalo Almeida on bass, and Philipp Moser on drums. An avant-garde work blending elements of jazz and punk rock, Undrilling the Hole is a wild, exciting plunge into the heady freedom of unfettered rhythms and creative stylings. Undrilling the Hole is choice pick for connoisseurs of cutting edge music artistry, highly recommended. The tracks are Embrace the Contradictions, Undrilling the Hole, Tatiana, Explode the Paradox, Admire the Ambiguities, Boiling Up Beautifully, and The Big Brother.

Eyes on the Horizon
Joe Fonda Quartet
With Wadada Leo Smith, Satoko Fujii, and Tiziano Tononi
www.joefonda.com
Long Song Records
13.90 Euro CD / 8.00 Euro digital

https://joefondaquarte.bandcamp.com/album/eyes-on-the-horizon

Bassist and composer Joe Fonda has collaborated with Satoko Fujii, Tiziano Tononi, and his teacher Wadada Leo Smith to create Eyes on the Horizon, a masterful performance of original compositions created in tribute to Smith. Individual tracks reflect upon time spent learning, practicing, and performing music as art itself! Inspired and inspiring, Eyes on the Horizon is vibrant, brilliantly crafted work and a timeless expression of gratitude from student to instructor, highly recommended. The tracks are Inspiration opus #1 (for Wadada Leo Smith), My song opus #2, We need members opus #4 (for Wadada Leo Smith), Like no other (for Bobby Naughton), Listen to Dr. Cornel West, Bright light opus #5 (for Wadada Leo Smith), and Eyes on the horizon opus #3 (for Wadada Leo Smith).

Christmastime in Rio
Romero Lubambo and Pamela Driggs
Sunnyside Communications, Inc.
$12.98 CD / $9.00 digital

https://romerolubambo.bandcamp.com/album/christmastime-in-rio

Christmastime in Rio is a holiday album with a Brazilian beat! The talented duo of Romero Lubambo on guitar and percussion and vocalist Pamela Driggs, supported by Peter Martin on piano, Victor Goncalves on accordion, Joe Locke on vibraphone, Itaiguara Brandao on bass, and Rafael Barata on drums, bring wintertime classics to life with a distinctly Brazilian twist to their exuberant performance! All arrangements are Romero Lubambo's masterful handiwork. Christmastime in Rio is a treasure for the holiday season or any season, and also makes an excellent gift! The tracks are Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas (Hugh Martin and Ralph Blane), I'll Be Home for Christmas (Walter Kent and Kim Gannon), Holiday of Love (Bill Driggs), Christmas Love Song (Johnny Mandel, Alan and Marilyn Bergman), Silent Night (Franz Gruber and Joseph Mohr), Presente de Natal (Nelcy Noronha), Winter Reverie (Romero Lubambo and Pamela Driggs), The Christmas Song (Mel Torme and Robert Wells), Santa Claus is Coming to Town (Haven Gillespie and J. Fred Coots), White Christmas (Irving Berlin), Jingle Bells (James Lord Pierpont), and Toyland (Victor Herbert and Glen MacDonough).

Peaks and Valleys
Teri Parker's Free Spirits
teriparkermusic.com
Modica Music
modicamusic.com
$TBA CD / $10.00 CAD digital

https://teriparker.bandcamp.com/album/peaks-and-valleys

Peaks and Valleys is the debut album of Teri Parker's Free Spirits, consisting of Teri Parker on piano (and spoken words), Allison Au on alto sax, Allison Young on alto sax and vocals, Rebecca Hennessy on trumpet and vocals, Lauren Falls on upright and electric bass, Mackenzie Longpre on drums, and Mario Allende on percussion. Originally conceived as a tribute to luminary jazz pianists Mary Lou Williams (1910-1981) and Geri Allen (1957-2017). Five tracks are Teri Parker's original creations, two are songs crafted by Geri Allen, and two are by Mary Lou Williams. Peaks and Valleys is a sweeping celebration of excellence in music, a joy to listen to, and highly recommended for both jazz connoisseurs and public library collections. The tracks are Unconditional Love (Geri Allen), Drumer's Song (Geri Allen), Gloria (Mary Lou Williams), Gemini II (T. Parker), Survival (T. Parker), Giantess (T. Parker), Bear Hug (T. Parker), Perseverance (T. Parker), and Rosa Mae (Mary Lou Williams).

Try This
Bill Moio
Three Meatballs Music
c/o ITI Records
$17.99 CD / $TBA digital

https://www.amazon.com/Try-This-Bill-Moio/dp/B0DM2N8R9D

Try This is an album of original songs written by guitarist, keyboardist, and drum programmer Bill Moio. Supported by George Whitty on keyboards and additional music artists contributing drums, bass, sax, trumpet, and trombone to various tracks, Try This is an eclectic, free-spirited album ideal for guitar aficionados and smooth jazz connoisseurs, highly recommended. The tracks are Try This, 720 Berkley, I've Heard It All Before, Need To Know, Friends Again, Chuckles, Straight Talk, Let It Begin, Struttin', and Arroz Con Pollo.

Encounters & Collisions
Sara Serpa
saraserpa.com
Biophilia Records
biophiliarecords.com
$TBA CD / $15.00 digital

https://saraserpa.bandcamp.com/album/encounters-and-collisions

Encounters & Collisions is an autobiographical music album composed and sung by acclaimed vocalist Sara Serpa, with support from Ingrid Laubrock on saxophone, Angelica Sanchez on piano, and Erik Friedlander on cello. The lyrics tell Sara's stories of migration, family, motherhood, loss, and the creation of music as art. Intense, heartrending, and beautiful, Encounters & Collisions is an extraordinary treasure, highly recommended for both personal and public library collections. The tracks are Story 1; Language; Story 2; Visa; Story 3; Things Must Move Quickly; Story 4; Between Worlds; Story 5; Labor; Story 6; A Mother's Heart; Story 7; The Phone Call; Story 8; Music Makes Me Who I Am; Story 9; and Two Cities, Many Homes.


The Library DVD Shelf

Much Ado about Dying
A film by Simon Chambers
First Run Features
FirstRunFeatures.com
$19.95

https://firstrunfeatures.com/muchadoaboutdyingvod.html

Synopsis: When the filmmaker Simon Chambers receives a call from his elderly gay uncle - "I think I may be dying!" - he takes it as a summons. As it turns out, eccentric Uncle David, a retired actor living alone in a cluttered, mouse-infested London house, is being dramatic, sort of: For the next five years, Chambers both cares for and documents him, through all his performative exuberance (constantly acting out passages of King Lear) and anarchic charisma, as various people (including a sexy young hustler) possibly take advantage of him.

As their lives become encumbered by hospital visits, a house fire, and Britain's inadequate eldercare system, the younger man (also single and queer) reflects with aching honesty on what may await him in the years to come, in this moving yet hilarious film.

Critique: Much Ado about Dying is a film about the trials and travails of elder care, as a young queer man looks after his elderly gay uncle over the course of five years. Heartrending, darkly humorous, and a stark commentary on the inadequacies of social safety nets for an aging population, Much Ado about Dying is emotional, unforgettable, and highly recommended for both personal and public library DVD collections. 84 min.


The Photography Shelf

Minnesota: A Photographic Journey
Max Foster
Farcountry Press
www.farcountrypress.com
9781560378457, $14.95, PB, 80pp

https://www.amazon.com/Minnesota-Photographic-Journey-Max-Foster/dp/156037845X

Synopsis: A pictorial compendium of Minnesota's people, places, attractions, scenery, and culture showcasing vibrant full-color and informatively captioned photographs by Max Foster, "Minnesota: A Photographic Journey" ranges from Minneapolis to Duluth, from Gooseberry Falls State Park to Tamarac National Wildlife Refuge.

Critique: A beautifully produced, organized and presented visual travel guide that is ideal for both the armchair traveler and the planning on-site visitation itineraries, professional photographer Max Foster's "Minnesota: A Photographic Journey" from Farcountry Press is highly recommended for community library American Travel Guide & Travel Photography collections and personal reading lists.

Editorial Note: Max Foster (www.maxfosterphotography.com) is a professional landscape photographer from Central Minnesota who finds his artistic inspiration in the wilderness. Immersed in the depths of Minnesota's forests, rivers, lakes, and backcountry, Max captures the essence of nature through his lens. He dedicates himself to portraying landscapes in their most captivating light, navigating the changing seasons to reveal their timeless beauty.

North Dakota: A Photographic Journey
Chuck Haney, photographer
Farcountry Press
www.farcountrypress.com
9781560378440, $14.95, PB, 80pp

https://www.amazon.com/North-Dakota-Photographic-Farcountry-Press/dp/1560378441

Synopsis: From Bismarck to Fargo and Theodore Roosevelt National Park to Scandinavian Heritage Park, "North Dakota: A Photographic Journey" is packed from cover to cover with stunningly beautiful photographs that acclaimed landscape photographer Chuck Haney has taken of everything that makes the Roughrider State unique.

Critique: A visual feast of a celebration, "North Dakota: A Photographic Journey" the captioned photographs of Chuck Haney will prove especially treasured by the armchair traveler as the beauty and variety of North Dakota landscapes are revealed. This paperback edition of "North Dakota: A Photographic Journey" from Farcountry Press is especially and unreservedly recommended for personal, community, and college/university library American State Photography/Travel collections.

Editorial Note: Chuck Haney (www.chuckhaney.com) is a professional freelance photographer and writer based in beautiful Whitefish, Montana. Chuck travels extensively across the American West, Midwest, and Canada in pursuit of the finest and most intriguing images. His provocative use of natural light in his landscape work, along with wildlife, birds, and outdoor sports images, have drawn national acclaim and landed him many prestigious assignments. Chuck also has contributed to numerous calendars and has over 150 magazine covers to his credit. Chuck keeps busy by teaching a series of photography workshops across the country and producing large fine art prints that grace many office walls and home interiors.

Weegee: Society of the Spectacle
Clement Cheroux, author
Isabell Bonnet, contributor
David Campany, contributor
Thames & Hudson, Inc.
www.thamesandhudsonusa.com
9780500029121, $60.00, HC, 208pp

https://www.amazon.com/Weegee-Society-Spectacle-Cl%C3%A9ment-Ch%C3%A9roux/dp/0500029121

Synopsis: Arthur (Usher) Fellig (June 12, 1899 - December 26, 1968), known by his pseudonym Weegee, was a photographer and photojournalist, known for his stark black and white street photography in New York City. There's a mystery to Weegee. This American photographer's career seems to be split in two.

On one side, his sensational photography printed in North American tabloids: corpses of gangsters lying in pools of their own blood; bodies trapped in battered vehicles; kingpins looking sinister behind the bars of prison wagons; dilapidated slums consumed by fire; and other harrowing evidence of the lives of the underprivileged in New York from 1935 to 1945.

On the other, the festive photographs (glamorous parties, performances by entertainers, jubilant crowds, openings, and premieres) not to mention a vast array of portraits of public figures that Weegee delighted in distorting using a rich palette of tricks between 1948 and 1951, a practice he pursued until the end of his life.

How can these diametrically opposed bodies of work coexist? Critics have enjoyed highlighting the opposition between the two periods, praising the former and disparaging the latter. Weegee: The Society of the Spectacle seeks to reconcile the two sides of Weegee by showing that, despite formal differences, the photographer's approach is critically coherent.

In the first part of his career, which coincided with the rise of the tabloid press, Weegee was an active participant in transforming news into spectacle. To show this, he often included spectators or other photographers in the foreground of his images. In the second half of his career, Weegee mocked another sort of entranced crowd: the Hollywood spectacular with its ephemeral glory, adoring crowds, and social scenes.

Some years before the Situationist International, his photography is presented an incisive critique of the Society of the Spectacle.

Critique: This large format (8.2 x 0.9 x 10.4 inches, 2.24 pounds) hardcover edition of "Weegee: Society of the Spectacle" from Thames & Hudson showcases captioned B/W photos revealing the photographer's impressive work as a photojournalist and as an experimenter in photography. Fascinating, unique, and a primer on the art of photography, "Weegee: Society of the Spectacle" by author Clement Cheroux, and with informative contributions by Isabell Bonnet and David Campany is especially and unreservedly recommended addition to personal, professional, community, and college/university library Photography collections.

Editorial Note #1: Clement Cheroux is a French photography historian and curator. He was recently named director of the Fondation Henri Cartier-Bresson in Paris; he was previously chief curator of photography at the Museum of Modern Art in New York City.

Editorial Note #2: Isabelle Bonnet is an independent curator, currently completing a thesis in history/visual culture devoted to the crime scene in contemporary photography.

Editorial Note #3: David Campany (https://davidcampany.com) is a renowned writer and curator with particular expertise in American photography. His many books include William Klein: Yes, The Open Road: Photography and the American Road Trip, and Walker Evans: the Magazine Work. He is curator at large for the International Center of Photography, New York.

Sacred Baths
Rodney Thompson
Regent Press
www.regentpress.net
97815879068438, $30.00, HC, 72pp

https://www.rodneythompson.com/sacred-baths

Synopsis: "Sacred Baths: Meditations on Hot Spring Bathing" by photographer and hot springs enthusiast Rodney Thompson combines zen-like meditations with full page B/W photographs that are as visually compelling as they are reflective and engaging - all in a celebration of experiencing a hot spring in all manner of circumstances and seasons.

Critique: This large format (8 1/2" x 11") hardcover edition of Rodney Thompson's "Sacred Baths: Meditations on Hot Spring Bathing" from Regent Press is a simply fascinating and unreservedly recommended addition to personal, professional, community, and college/university library Contemporary Photography collections and supplemental Photography as Art curriculum studies lists.

Editorial Note: A complete listing of Rodney Thompson's exhibitions, awards, publications, and professional experiences is available at: https://www.rodneythompson.com/home/my-resume


The Library Science Shelf

Practical Tips for Equality, Diversity and Inclusion in Libraries
Beth Montague-Hellen
Facet Publishing
www.facetpublishing.co.uk
9781783306015, $52.99, PB, 184pp

https://www.amazon.com/Practical-Equality-Diversity-Inclusion-Libraries/dp/1783306017

Synopsis: Increasing diversity and inclusion can help libraries to fit their collections and services to those who need them and to bring in skilled staff who may have previously been overlooked, both of which are key to serving their communities. With the publication of "Practical Tips for Equality, Diversity and Inclusion in Libraries", Beth Montague-Hellen (a librarian with a decade of experience in diversity and inclusion issues) gives clear examples of steps to take and case studies of current initiatives.

Topics covered by "Practical Tips for Equality, Diversity and Inclusion in Libraries" include: Creating a diversity and inclusion policy and ensuring the associated actions are carried out; Ensuring the library space is accessible and welcoming to all; Assessing collections to ensure they are diverse and catalogued using modern, inclusive language.

Readers will be equipped to assess their own library, talk about challenges with more confidence, and make concrete changes to improve diversity and inclusion.

Critique: Exceptionally well written, organized and presented, "Practical Tips for Equality, Diversity and Inclusion in Libraries" is an especially and unreservedly recommended addition to community and college/university Library Science collections and supplemental curriculum studies reading lists -- and as in-service training workshop textbook. It should be noted for library science students, librarians, academia, library board members, and non-specialist general readers with an interest in the subject that "Practical Tips for Equality, Diversity and Inclusion in Libraries" is also readily available from Facet Publishing in a digital book format (Kindle, $50.17).

Editorial Note: Dr. Beth Montague-Hellen is currently a Senior Research Librarian at the University of Nottingham, Beth supports D&I initiatives as well as researchers. Beth has initiated several projects to help increase the visibility, confidence, and well-being of LGBT+ individuals working in STEM subjects. In 2020 Beth won the Royal Society Athena Prize for her work in this space, and has previously been shortlisted for the Gay Times Barbara Burford Award for Excellence in STEM. (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Beth_Montague-Hellen)


The Genealogy Shelf

Storytelling for Genealogists
Doug Tattershall
Genealogical Publishing Company
www.genealogical.com
9780806321417, $18.95, PB, 90pp

https://www.amazon.com/Storytelling-Genealogists-Turning-Lineage-History/dp/0806321415

Synopsis: With the publication of "Storytelling for Genealogists: Turning Family Lineage into Family History", author and journalist Doug Tattersall has created a DIY guidebook showing the reader how to start and stay on track in transforming the raw outline of a genealogy into a well-written and engaging family story to be shared with your extended family. Chapter by chapter the author details how to create a timeline and arrange your research into a story with a clear timeline, strong characters, a good plot, and an overall theme.

Critique: Occasionally featuring B/W photographic illustrations, "Storytelling for Genealogists: Turning Family Lineage into Family History" by Doug Tattershall is impressively well organized and presented, making it ideal as an instructional guide and 'how to' manual for the amateur or non-professional genealogist in creating interesting and informative narratives drawn from family genealogical records. It is also an ideal resource for anyone wanting to learn how to transform a parent, grand-parent, or ancestor's diary/journal into a publishable biography. This paperback edition of "Storytelling for Genealogists: Turning Family Lineage into Family History" from the Genealogical Publishing Company is especially and unreservedly recommended for personal, professional, community, senior center, community, and college/university library Genealogy collections and supplemental curriculum studies lists.

Editorial Note: Doug Tattershall grew up in Lexington, Kentucky, studied journalism and political science at the University of Kentucky, and worked as a news reporter for The Advocate-Messenger in Danville, Kentucky, before working in public relations. Today, he works as a freelance writer and media relations coordinator at the Lexington Public Library.


The Art Shelf

Facial Expressions for Artists
Oliver Sin
Rockport Publishers
c/o Quarto Publishing Group USA
www.quartoknows.com
9780760382400, $26.99, PB, 160pp

https://www.amazon.com/Facial-Expressions-Artists-Techniques-Capturing/dp/0760382409

Synopsis: An accurate depiction of a subject or character's facial expression is the key to conveying their individuality as well as authentic emotion or mood. Written and illustrated by Oliver Sin, celebrated portrait artist, veteran art instructor, "Facial Expressions for Artists: Techniques for Capturing Emotion and Mood in Portrait and Character Drawings" 1. Shows how the skull and facial musculature translate into the planes of the face. 2 . Covers subtle emotions like anxiety and irritation as well as unrestrained ones like exuberance and despair. 3. Features models of all ages and a variety of facial types and ethnic and racial backgrounds

Whatever your skill level, and whether you're drawing or painting an individual's portrait or developing a character-driven story, "Facial Expressions for Artists" will inspire and inform you on how to successfully portray authentically expressive and distinctive emotions in your drawings.

Critique: A part of the 'For Artists' series of instructional guides for aspiring artists at all skill levels seeking to develop their classical drawing and painting skills in creating realistic and representational art, this large format (8.5 x 0.4 x 11 inches, 1.5 pounds) paperback edition of Oliver Sin's "Facial Expressions for Artists: Techniques for Capturing Emotion and Mood in Portrait and Character Drawings" from Rockport Publishers is a profusely illustrated and unreservedly recommended addition to personal, professional, community, and art school collections. It should be noted for art students that "Facial Expressions for Artists" is also available in a digital book format (Kindle, $12.99).

Editorial Note: Oliver Sin graduated from the Academy of Art University in San Francisco with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Illustration. He began his career as a computer games concept artist, including stints at LucasArts and 3DO, and has been teaching for the Academy's School of 2D Animation and the School of Fine Art since 2001. His award-winning portrait art has been recognized by the Portrait Society of America, and featured on ArtistsNetwork.com, in the journal The Art of the Portrait, and in International Artist and Southwest Art magazines. He is the author of Drawing the Head for Artists. Facebook: facebook.com/oliver.sin.3, Instagram: instagram.com/oliversin

How Painting Happens (and Why it Matters)
Martin Gayford
Thames & Hudson, Inc.
www.thamesandhudsonusa.com
9780500027424, $45.00, HC, 384pp

https://www.amazon.com/How-Painting-Happens-Why-Matters/dp/0500027420

Synopsis: Painting is an almost inconceivably ancient activity that remains vigorously alive in the twenty-first century. Every successful painting creates a new world, which we inhabit for as long as we care to look at it. Paintings can incorporate profound ideas and paradoxes that can be grasped without words. For those who dedicate themselves to it, the art of painting can become an all-consuming, lifelong obsession. It is a subject on which painters themselves are often the most incisive commentators.

Martin Gayford's riveting and richly illustrated history "How Painting Happens (and Why it Matters) deftly brings together numerous artists' voices, past and present. It draws on a trove of conversations conducted over more than three decades with artists including Frank Auerbach, Gillian Ayres, Frank Bowling, Cecily Brown, Peter Doig, Lucian Freud, Katharina Fritsch, David Hockney, Claudette Johnson, R. B. Kitaj, Lee Ufan, Paula Rego, Gerhard Richter, Bridget Riley, Jenny Saville, Frank Stella, Luc Tuymans, Zeng Fanzhi, and many more. Here too is Vincent van Gogh on Rembrandt, John Constable on Titian, Francis Bacon on Velazquez, Lee Krasner on Pollock, and Jean-Michel Basquiat on Picasso.

Also included are the personal reflections of these artists on their chosen medium; how and why they paint; how they came to the practice; the influence of fellow painters; and how they find creative sustenance and inspiration in their art.

"How Painting Happens" spans the centuries to give us a wealth of insights into the endlessly compelling phenomenon of painters and painting.

Critique: Enhanced for the reader's benefit with 176 color illustrations, three pages of Notes on the Text, a three page bibliography of Further Reading, a three page listing of Picture Credits, and a five page Index. Impressively informative and thoroughly 'reader friendly' in organization and presentation, "How Painting Happens (and Why it Matters)" is ideal as a textbook for Art History curriculums and readily available for personal reading lists in a digital book format (Kindle, $34.96), this hardcover edition of "How Painting Happens (and Why it Matters)" from Thames & Hudson is a very special and unreservedly recommended addition to personal, professional, community, and college/university library Art/Painting History collections.

Editorial Note: Martin Gayford (www.martingayford.co.uk) is a writer and art critic. His books include Man with a Blue Scarf: On Sitting for a Portrait by Lucian Freud; Modernists and Mavericks: Bacon, Freud, Hockney and the London Painters; A History of Pictures: From the Cave to the Computer Screen and Spring Cannot Be Cancelled: David Hockney in Normandy, both with David Hockney; Shaping the World: Sculpture from Prehistory to Now, with Antony Gormley; Love Lucian: The Letters of Lucian Freud, 1939 - 1954, with David Dawson; Venice: City of Pictures.

Debt-Free Art Degree
Marco Bucci
Rockport Publishers
c/o Quarto Publishing Group USA
www.quartoknows.com
9780760391600, $26.99, PB, 176pp

https://www.amazon.com/Debt-Free-Art-Degree-Foundations-Professional/dp/0760391602

Synopsis: Although now a successful artist, illustrator, and YouTube star, Marco Bucci once thought you had to be born with art talent and go to an expensive art school to have a career in art. Unfortunately, he couldn't draw and didn't get into art school, but he heard that drawing was something you could learn anyway, so he set off on a self-guided journey of becoming an artist.

With the publication of "Debt-Free Art Degree: Foundations in Drawing: The Affordable Way to Learn Professional Skills - Includes QR Codes to Online Tutorials", Marco shares what he learned to help other aspiring artists and illustrators to become a successful artist without having to experience the same false starts and setbacks he did.

With QR codes to video demonstrations to solidify your understanding of the techniques and concepts, this accessible yet comprehensive guide offers:

Affordable, high-level art instruction for serious beginners and seasoned artists seeking skill enhancement or a career in art

A logical curriculum that avoids information overload

Connected lessons, exercises, and demonstrations that pave the way to strong drawing skills

Instruction on essential art principles such as working with 2D and 3D shapes, gesture, form, color, and more

Advice and encouragement to develop your personal artistic vision while building foundational skills

"Debt-Free Art Degree: Foundations in Drawing" is offers a gateway to a thorough and budget-friendly art education. While you won't have a diploma to hang on your wall, you will have all the tools you need to create incredible art.

Critique: This large format (8.06 x 0.46 x 9.98 inches, 1.37 pounds) paperback edition of Marco Bucci's "Debt-Free Art Degree: Foundations in Drawing: The Affordable Way to Learn Professional Skills - Includes QR Codes to Online Tutorials" from Rockport Publishing is an ideal combination of instructional guide and 'how to' manual for learning how to draw the human figure, creating Manga style pictures, the use of color in images of humans, and so much more. Exceptionally well organized and thoroughly 'user friendly' in presentation and structure, "Debt- Free" is unreservedly recommended for personal, professional, community, art school, and college/university Instructional Art collections. It should be noted for art students and non-specialist general readers with an interest in the subject that "Debt-Free Art Degree" is also available in a digital book format (Kindle, $12.99).

Editorial Note: Marco Bucci (www.marcobucciartstore.com) makes a living as a professional artist, working on everything from feature films, to commercials, games, book covers, children's book illustration, and television with such companies as Walt Disney Publishing Worldwide, LEGO, LucasArts, Mattel Toys, Fisher-Price, and Hasbro. Marco teaches through his own platform and through other online schools, such as Proko.com and CG Master Academy, and has taught at several art colleges, both in person and online. Marco's clear, engaging instruction has received incredible endorsements from his students and subscribers.

Studios of Their Own: Where Great Artists Work
Alex Johnson, author
James Oses, illustrator
Francis Lincoln
Quarto Publishing Group USA
www.quartoknows.com
9780711293786, $26.00, HC, 192pp

https://www.amazon.com/Studios-Their-Own-Where-Artists/dp/0711293783

Synopsis: From Picasso, to Hockney, to Caravaggio, in the pages of "Studios of Their Own: Where Great Artists Work" by Alex Johnson will be discovered the eclectic creative spaces used by artistic visionaries, brought to life with evocative illustrations.

Crossing centuries, continents and genres, Johnson explores these artists' workspaces and habits. How do they practice their craft? What do they look for in a studio? Do they work in silence or with music... in a shared space or in solitude? How do they harness the light? And how do their physical spaces affect and inspire their output?

This striking collection focuses on more than 50 international artists, including:

Claude Monet, who created an inspirational garden in which to work en plein air and paint his famous water lilies

Frida Kahlo, forced to work from her bed, inspired by the lucky talismans she surrounded herself with

Jean-Michel Basquiat, working in an old stable, could turn anything into canvas, walking and lying on his works as he created them

Lee Krasner's art dramatically changed when she moved from her small studio into the larger, light-filled one that she took over when her husband, Jackson Pollock, died

In looking at the working lives of our favorite artists as visually rendered by artist/illustrator James Oses, readers will be transported to other worlds, as well as gaining a deeper insight into the creative process.

Critique: A fascinating, informative, original, and inspiring study that will hold enormous appeal to readers with an interest in the impact and influence a studio can have on the artist who creates it to work in and from, "Studios of Their Own: Where Great Artists Work" is an enduringly popular and recommended pick for personal, professional, community, and college/university Art History/Biography collections and supplemental curriculum studies lists. It should be noted for art students, artists, academia, and non-specialist general readers with an interest in the subject that this hardcover edition of "Studios of Their Own: Where Great Artists Work" from Francis Lincoln is also readily available in a digital book format (Kindle, $12.99).

Editorial Note #1: Alex Johnson is a journalist, blogger and author of Rooms of Their Own: Where Great Writers Write, Improbable Libraries and Bookshelf. There is an extended listing of his books at: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/525790.Alex_Johnson

Editorial Note #2: James Oses (www.jamesoses.co.uk) is an artist and illustrator from south London. He specializes in painting interesting places, often working in ink and watercolours. His work has been published in The New Yorker, The Guardian and Radio Times. Other clients include Borough Market, Marks & Spencer and the Poetry Society. He also teaches at Middlesex University.


The Parenting Shelf

The Imperfect Parent
Kate Hamilton
Greenleaf Book Group Press
www.greenleafbookgroup.com
9798886452037, $26.99, HC, 288pp

https://www.amazon.com/Imperfect-Parent-Nonjudgmental-Raising-Children/dp/B0D4LCVZF7

Synopsis: Every parent wants to raise independent, confident children, but unfortunately, there is no one right way to parent that everyone can all learn. Each child is unique, and each mom and dad has their own ideas on parenting, often influenced by the way they were raised.

With the publication of "The Imperfect Parent: A Nonjudgmental Guide to Raising Children in the Modern World", Kate Hamilton shows us how we can celebrate those differences, embracing the individuality of our kids, carrying on the successful practices our parents demonstrated, and learning from their (and our) mistakes.

Herself a mom of two boys, Kate is no stranger to parenting struggles, and she knows well that anyone who thinks they can parent error-free is just kidding themselves. This book is an honest look at her parenting triumphs and failures and what parents everywhere can learn from both.

In "The Imperfect Parent" Kate explains:

How to handle parenting advice from others
How to communicate well with your partner or co-parent
How to help your children discover their identities
How to have conversations with your kids about uncomfortable topics
How to let your children fail

And that just scratches the surface! Recognizing that there is no one-size-fits-all approach to raising kids, "The Imperfect Parent" shows you how to forge a path that works best for your family.

Critique: Informative enhanced for the reader's benefit with the inclusion of an Appendix (Questions on Foundational Principles), a two page bibliography of Additional Reading, and a twelve page Index, "The Imperfect Parent: A Nonjudgmental Guide to Raising Children in the Modern World" will prove of particular and special interest to readers concerned with the parenting of infants, toddlers, and school age children (boys in particular). Exceptionally 'real world practical' and impressively 'reader friendly' in organization and presentation, "The Imperfect Parent" is especially and unreservedly addition to personal, professional, community, and college/university library Parenting instructional reference collections. Of special note is that this hardcover edition of Kate Hamilton's "The Imperfect Parent" from the Greenleaf Book Group Press is also readily available in a digital book format (Kindle, $9.99).

Editorial Note: Kate Hamilton (www.kate-hamilton.com) is an unlikely writer because of her dyslexia, yet her life experiences compelled her to write this "The Imperfect Parent". She earned an MBA in international business and is a former corporate executive turned mother and entrepreneur.

Special Topics in Being a Parent
S. Bear Bergman, author
Saul Freedman-Lawson, illustrator
Arsenal Pulp Press
www.arsenalpulp.com
9781551529394, $22.99, PB, 328pp

https://www.amazon.com/Special-Topics-Being-Parent-Parenting/dp/1551529394

Synopsis: Being a parent is enormously joyful, but it is also an enormous amount of work. Parenting requires you to make dozens of decisions a day, every one of which in some way shapes the person your child will grow into. It can be difficult to know in these moments whether you're on the right track. Progressive parents especially can feel adrift when caregiving in ways that were not modeled for them.

S. Bear Bergman draws upon his experiences as an advice columnist, educator, and queer dad with fifteen years of parenting under his belt to write "Special Topics in Being a Parent: A Queer and Tender Guide to Things I've Learned About Parenting, Mostly the Hard Way", a witty and insightful collection of child-rearing tips for those in search of realistic ideas about screens and lunches that don't come with a side order of judgment.

Using his own choices (and errors) by way of example, Bergman offers suggestions for various stages of the parenting journey, from asking "Are we ready to have a kid?" to talking with children about diversity and difference, to questioning gender expectations placed on both kids and parents. Laced throughout with humor, compassion, and charming illustrations by Saul Freedman-Lawson, "Special Topics in Being a Parent" is an ideal guide in helping parents to live up to their parenting values while enabling their kids to grow their capacities, understand the world, and above all, feel connected and loved.

Critique: Exceptionally well written, illustrated, organized and 'reader friendly' in presentation, this large format (7 x 0.75 x 9.75 inches, 2.05 pounds) paperback edition of "Special Topics in Being a Parent: A Queer and Tender Guide to Things I've Learned About Parenting, Mostly the Hard Way" is a 'real world practical' and unreservedly recommended addition to professional, community, and college/university library LGBTQ family parenting collections. It should be noted for personal reading lists that "Special Topics in Being a Parent" is also available from Arsenal Pulp Press in a digital book format (Kindle, $11.99).

Editorial Note #1: S. Bear Bergman (www.sbearbergman.com) is an author, storyteller, educator, and the founder and publisher of children's book press Flamingo Rampant, which makes feminist, culturally diverse children's picture books celebrating LGBT2Q+ kids and families. He writes creative non-fiction for grown-ups, fiction for children, and the advice column "Asking Bear" and was the co-editor (along with Kate Bornstein) of Gender Outlaws: The Next Generation and the author of Special Topics in Being a Human (Arsenal Pulp Press, 2021).

Editorial Note #2: Saul Freedman-Lawson (www.sfreedmanlawson.com) is a zine-maker, camp counselor, bookseller, and the illustrator of Special Topics in Being a Human (Arsenal Pulp). They make art about queerness, transness, Judaism, disability, childhood, and other things they find beautiful and difficult. They like to draw people with big noses and big genders.


The Mathematics Shelf

Applied Mathematics: A Computational Approach
Joao Luis de Miranda
CRC Press
c/o Routledge
https://www.routledge.com
9781032595245, $130.00, HC, 350pp

https://www.amazon.com/Applied-Mathematics-Jo%C3%A3o-Lu%C3%ADs-Miranda/dp/1032595248

Synopsis: With the publication of "Applied Mathematics: A Computational Approach", Professor Joao Luis de Miranda provides a basic and self-contained introduction to Applied Mathematics within a computational environment. This hardcover edition of "Applied Mathematics: A Computational Approach" from CRC Press is of particular relevance to students, practitioners, and researchers interested in modeling real-world applications and verifying the results -- guiding its readers from the mathematical principles involved through to the completion of the practical, computational task.

"Applied Mathematics: A Computational Approach" provides a step-by-step guide to the basics of Applied Mathematics with complementary computational tools; is suitable for applied researchers from a wide range of STEM fields, and has minimal pre-requisites beyond a strong grasp of calculus.

Critique: Impressively well written, organized and presented for both the student and the professional, "Applied Mathematics: A Computational Approach" is an ideal and unreservedly recommended addition to personal, professional, and college/university library Applied Mathematics collections and as a text book for Applied Mathematics curriculum studies lists. It should be noted that this CRC Press edition of "Applied Mathematics: A Computational Approach" is also readily available in a digital book format (Kindle, $51.96).

Editorial Note: Joao Luis de Miranda is currently a Professor at ESTG-Escola Superior de Tecnologia e Gestao (IPPortalegre) and a Researcher in Optimization methods and Process Systems Engineering (PSE) at CERENA-Centro de Recursos Naturais e Ambiente (IST/ULisboa). He has been teaching for more than 25 years in the field of Mathematics (e.g., Calculus, Operations Research-OR, Management Science-MS, Numerical Methods, Quantitative Methods, Statistics) and has authored/edited several publications in Optimization, PSE, and education subjects in engineering and OR/MS contexts.


The Computer Shelf

Stochastic Methods in Scientific Computing
Massimo D'Elia, Kurt Langfeld, and Biagio Lucini, authors
CRC Press
c/o Routledge
https://www.routledge.com
9781498796330, $120.00, HC, 382pp

https://www.amazon.com/Stochastic-Methods-Advanced-Scientific-Computing/dp/1498796338

Synopsis: Stochastic is the property of being well-described by a random probability distribution. Stochasticity and randomness are technically distinct concepts: the former refers to a modeling approach, while the latter describes phenomena; in everyday conversation, however, these terms are often used interchangeably. In probability theory, the formal concept of a stochastic process is also referred to as a random process. (Wikipedia)

"Stochastic Methods in Scientific Computing: From Foundations to Advanced Techniques" introduces the reader to advanced concepts in stochastic modeling, rooted in an intuitive yet rigorous presentation of the underlying mathematical concepts. A particular emphasis is placed on illuminating the underpinning Mathematics, and yet have the practical applications in mind.

The reader will also find valuable insights into topics ranging from Social Sciences and Particle Physics to modern-day Computer Science with Machine Learning and AI in focus. "Stochastic Methods in Scientific Computing" also covers recent specialized techniques for notorious issues in the field of stochastic simulations, providing a valuable reference for advanced readers with an active interest in the field.

"Stochastic Methods in Scientific Computing" features: The; theoretical foundations and advancing to the most recent developments in the field; Is an ideal reference for post-graduates and researchers or as supplementary reading for courses in numerical methods, scientific computing, and beyond; Lays a solid ground for field-specific applications in finance, physics and biosciences on common theoretical foundations; Is replete with practical examples of applications to classic and current research problems in various fields.

Critique: The collaborative work of theoretical physics professors Massimo D'Elia, Kurt Langfeld, and Biagio Lucini, "Stochastic Methods in Scientific Computing: From Foundations to Advanced Techniques" from CRC Press is exceptionally well organized and presented, making it an ideal and unreservedly recommended textbook for college/university library instructional reference collections, as well as Computer Science, Physics, and AI technology curriculums/ It should be noted for the personal reading lists of students and academia that this hardcover edition of "Stochastic Methods in Scientific Computing: From Foundations to Advanced Techniques" is also available in a digital book format (Kindle, $66.99).

Editorial Note #1: Massimo D'Elia is Professor of Theoretical Physics at the Physics Department of the University of Pisa. Alumnus of the Scuola Normale Superiore in Pisa, he got his PhD in Physics from Pisa University in 1998. He has been Postdoctoral Fellow at the University of Cyprus and at ETH, Zurich, and Assistant Professor at the Physics Department of the University of Genoa. He is an expert in Lattice Gauge Theories and their implementation on HPC infrastructures, with interests also in Quantum Computing and numerical approaches to Quantum Gravity. He is author of two textbooks and more than 200 papers.

Editorial Note #2: Kurt Langfeld is Professor of Theoretical Physics and Head of School of Mathematics at the University of Leeds, England. His work in numerical methods for simulating Quantum Field Theories and Particle Physics is widely respected, with over 180 articles published in international journals. In 1991, he was awarded a PhD in Theoretical Physics from Technical University of Munich.

Editorial Note #3: Biagio Lucini is a Fellow of the Learned Society of Wales and a Professor of Mathematics at Swansea University. He was awarded a Ph.D. in Theoretical Particle Physics by Scuola Normale (Pisa, Italy) in 2000. To date, his scientific contributions have resulted in over 180 research papers.


The Pets Shelf

Dog Love Stories: The Canines Who Changed Me
Patricia Eagle
https://patriciaeagle.com
She Writes Press
www.shewritespress.com
9781647428525, $17.99, PB, 264pp

https://www.amazon.com/Dog-Love-Stories-Canines-Changed/dp/1647428521

Synopsis: "Dog Love Stories: The Canines Who Changed Me" is Patricia Eagle's personal account of her lifetime of relationships with dogs and reveals the clarity, strength, and wisdom she gained from them, even in the most challenging of situations.

As Eagle chronicles the lives of her ten dogs over seven decades and the lessons she's learned from them (including how to become a better dog owner and companion, and even a better human) her dogs come alive on the page, each with their own unique personality, from the feisty to the meek.

If you are a dog person, if you are considering getting a dog yourself, or if you want to better understand someone who loves dogs, "Dog Love Stories: The Canines Who Changed Me" must be considered essential reading. With the benefit of Eagle's hard-earned wisdom, readers discover how dogs can change them and can help them learn to listen better, to trust and be trusted, to nurture with devotion, and to love with all your heart.

Critique: A labor of love and practicality, "Dog Love Stories: The Canines Who Changed Me" by Patricia Eagle is a deftly crafted memoir with a purpose -- to show anyone who has (or who aspires to have) a canine companion of their own how they can enrich the quality of their lives and the lives of their four legged family members. Exceptionally well written, organized and presented, "Dog Love Stories: The Canines Who Changed Me" features an informative Introduction and Epilogue, two pages of Notes, and a two page listing of 'Gratitudes'. Informative, fascinating, 'real world' practical, and a fully engaging read from start to finish, this paperback edition of "Dog Love Stories: The Canines Who Changed Me" from She Writes Press especially and unreservedly recommended for community library Pet Care & Memoir collections. It should be noted for personal reading lists that "Dog Love Stories: The Canines Who Changed Me" is also readily available in a digital book format (Kindle, $12.99).

Editorial Note: Patricia Eagle (https://patriciaeagle.com) composed her first dog-love story at age ten and published her first book, Being Mean: A Memoir of Sexual Abuse and Survival, in her sixties. As a writer, speaker, and memorial and wedding celebrant, Patricia Eagle deftly weaves meaning into stories that acknowledge and honor our lives' paths. The death of her dog-loving spouse to cancer just prior to publication of Dog Love Stories has left Eagle to blaze a new trail (life after profound loss) with their dog, Mercy. She and Mercy live among the wonders of the San Luis Valley in South-Central Colorado.


The Wildlife Shelf

Heart of the Hive
Hilary Kearney, author
Eric Tourneret, photographer
Storey Publishing
c/o Hachette Book Group
https://www.hachettebookgroup.com
9781635864830, $28.00, HC, 200pp

https://www.amazon.com/Heart-Hive-Inside-Incredible-Colony/dp/1635864836

Synopsis: Readers of "Heart of the Hive: Inside the Mind of the Honey Bee and the Incredible Life Force of the Colony" by Hilary Kearney will be awestruck by the hive as superorganism and how the individual bee lives and behaves within it, perfectly suited to each specific job it performs. From their intricate dances and information-rich pheromones to how they sense and respond to their environment, learn, and remember, this immersive journey into the world of bees offers an entirely new perspective on the wisdom of nature and our relationship to it.

Critique: Illustrated with the extraordinary color photography of Eric Tourneret, "Heart of the Hive: Inside the Mind of the Honey Bee and the Incredible Life Force of the Colony" is a simply fascinating and impressively informative study that will be of immense value to readers with an interest in Bee Keeping, Invertebrate Zoology, and Animal Husbandry. While especially and unreservedly recommended for personal, professional, community, and college/university library collections, it should be noted for students, academia, beekeepers, and non-specialist general readers with an interest in the subject that "Heart of the Hive: Inside the Mind of the Honey Bee and the Incredible Life Force of the Colony" is also available from Storey Publishing in a digital book format (Kindle, $14.99).

Editorial Note #1: Hilary Kearney (www.hilarykearney.com) is the author of QueenSpotting and the creator of Girl Next Door Honey, a beekeeping business that offers educational opportunities to hundreds of new beekeepers each year. She maintains the blog Beekeeping Like A Girl and her writing on bees has appeared in Modern Farmer and Grit magazines. Her work has been the subject of features in Huffington Post, Vogue, Mother Earth News, and other outlets. She rescues wild bee colonies and manages around 90 hives in her hometown of San Diego, California.

Editorial Note #2: Eric Tourneret (www.thehoneybeesphotographer.com) is a freelance photographer who is recognized internationally as "the bee photographer". He presently lives in the Ardeche region of France. His childhood near Annecy, France, between lakes and mountains, attuned him to the beauty of natural settings.


The Military Studies Shelf

Handbook of Military and Defense Operations Research, second edition
Natalie M. Scala, editor
James P. Howard II, editor
CRC Press
c/o Routledge
https://www.routledge.com
9781032497488, $190.00, HC, 554pp

https://www.amazon.com/Handbook-Military-Defense-Operations-Research/dp/1032497483

Synopsis: Tracing its roots back to World War II, operations research (OR) has become a vital tool in military and defense strategy. The newly updated and expanded second edition of the "Handbook of Military and Defense Operations Research" from CRC Press highlights this evolution, showcasing how OR integrates with cutting-edge areas like artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, and big data analytics.

Collaboratively compiled and co-edited by Natalie M. Scala and James P. Howard II, "Handbook of Military and Defense Operations Research" is more than an historical account; it is a practical guide featuring expert voices and offering insights into OR applications in modern security challenges. Readers will discover a blend of theory and real-world case studies, making it an essential resource for both newcomers and seasoned defense analysis professionals.

Dive into this handbook to explore the rich, dynamic field of military and defense operations research, a discipline at the heart of global security and strategic decision-making.

New to this second edition of the "Handbook of Military and Defense Operations Research" is that is: Reorganized into a three-part structure, offers extensive revisions throughout, includes numerous new exercises, examples, and case studies, and features several new chapters.

Critique: Providing a listing of the contributors and their credentials, this newly revised and expanded second edition of "Handbook of Military and Defense Operations Research" from CRC Press will prove of immense interest and value to readers with an interest in military and defense operations research, the role of industrial production and management for the military, as well as business operations research with the military, along with military operations probability and statistics. Illustrated throughout with tables, charts and illustrations, "Handbook of Military and Defense Operations Research, second edition" is especially and unreservedly recommended for professional, corporate, governmental, and college/university library collections and supplemental curriculum studies lists and reference resources. It should be noted that "Handbook of Military and Defense Operations Research, second edition" is also available in a digital book format (Kindle, $50.49).

Editorial Note #1: Natalie M. Scala (www.drnataliescala.com) is a professor in the College of Business and Economics and a fellow of the Center for Interdisciplinary and Innovative Cybersecurity at Towson University. Her primary research is in decision analysis, with specialization in military and security issues, including risk in voting systems, attack trees and strength of threat in mail voting, integrity of votes throughout the supply chain, poll worker education, and cybersecurity metrics and best practices. Dr. Scala frequently consults for government clients and has extensive professional experience, including positions with Innovative Decisions, Inc. / ITA International, the United States Department of Defense, and the RAND Corporation, as well as a faculty affiliation with the University of Maryland's Applied Research Lab for Intelligence and Security. She is an associate editor for Military Operations Research and is a Past President of the Military and Security Society of INFORMS.

Editorial Note #2: James P. Howard, II (https://jphoward.people.unm.edu) is a multifaceted professional with extensive experience in data science, consulting, teaching, and community service. He has previously worked as a consultant to various United States government agencies, including the Securities and Exchange Commission, the Executive Office of the President, and the Department of Homeland Security. Additionally, he served as an internal consultant on scientific computing for the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System.


The Political Science Shelf

Backyard Politics, second edition
Dr. Craig B. Wiener
Torchflame Books
c/oTop Reads Publishing LLC
www.torchflamebooks.com
9781611535976, $19.99 PB, $7.99 Kindle, 314pp

https://www.amazon.com/Backyard-Politics-Psychological-Understanding-Political/dp/1611535972

Backyard Politics: A Psychological Understanding of Today's Social and Political Divide appears in its second edition to update Dr. Craig B. Wiener's approach from parenting techniques to a broader spectrum of participants in modern democratic and social processes. In so doing, he creates a formula of new approaches to dialogues that hopefully will help heal and change a divided America.

If this feels like a lofty ambition for any author... it is. Ideologies and logic receive close inspection as Wiener tackles tough subjects ranging from problems of inequality and immigration to health care, racism and affirmative action, gender disparities and women's issues, and family struggle. Each of these topics is analyzed with an attention to identifying the pivot points that divide people, communities, and the nation as a whole.

Many surprising thoughts are delivered along the way, supported by studies and research: The American Dream is now more out of reach for struggling minority groups due to the explosion of single-parent families. However, instead of malicious racism causing the problem, it occurs in relation to "two-parent privileges" and the role that helping policies contributed to family breakup (Rowe, 2020). According to Thomas Sowell, and consistent with this view, even in the 1980s, two-parent Black households were "out-earning" two-parent White households (BasicEconomics, 2012).

Wiener's psychological probes embrace the reasons behind perceptions, reactions, choices, and behaviors that may initially seem irrational, but have their roots in various forms of family and social history. Understanding this history and these precedents is a key part of healing admonitions and understanding designed to not just rationalize behaviors, but survey new approaches to typical division points in all kinds of social and personal issues.

From definitions of fairness and control efforts to how to build and understand a new social order, Wiener's vast topics and insights will prove especially valuable to book clubs and readers interested in building foundations of personal and political change.

Libraries that choose Backyard Politics for its promise of enlightenment and action will find that its psychological insights are only one piece of solving the puzzle of a divided society. The other lies in observations that support positive directions and change on all sides.

Whistling Dixie
Jonathan Bartho
University Press of Kansas
www.kansaspress.ku.edu
Tantor Media
https://tantor.com
9780700636495, $54.99, HC, 320pp

https://www.amazon.com/Whistling-Dixie-Ronald-Transformation-Republican/dp/0700636498

Synopsis: With the publication of "Whistling Dixie: Ronald Reagan, the White South, and the Transformation of the Republican Party" by Jonathan Bartho (an independent scholar and researcher who specializes in US History) explores the interdependent political relationship between Ronald Reagan and the white conservative South, a relationship that had a profound impact on Reagan's own career, on the political landscape of the South and the entire United States, and on the identity of the modern Republican Party.

Millions of southerners were attracted to the GOP by Reagan's anti-statist ideology and their affection for the man himself -- an affection that had been built over decades of appearances in the region. The support of these white southern conservatives was crucial to Reagan's political success, ultimately propelling him to the White House in 1980. Conversely, by supporting Reagan's presidential campaigns, southern conservatives were able to influence the direction of the Republican Party and begin restoring their region to a position of power in Washington.

With "Whistling Dixie", Bartho deftly provides a new perspective on Reagan's political career and the Republican Party of the Reagan era while detailing the often-rancorous philosophical differences between Reaganism and southern conservatism and the resulting political conflicts. Whistling Dixie highlights a divide in the Republican Party and in American conservatism that has often been overlooked -- a divide that laid the foundations for the GOP's southernization and ultimately led to the rise of Donald Trump.

Critique: Deftly organized into three main sections (Courting the South, Southern Interests, Southern Priorities), "Whistling Dixie: Ronald Reagan, the White South, and the Transformation of the Republican Party" is a seminal and ground-breaking study by Jonathan Bartho that is informatively enhanced for the reader's benefit with the inclusion of an Afterword (Republican Civil War in the Age of Trump), forty-eight pages of Notes, an eight page Bibliography, and an eleven page Index. A work of detailed and meticulous scholarship, "Whistling Dixie" is especially and unreservedly recommended for personal, community, and college/university library Contemporary Political Science collections. It should be noted for students, academia, political activists, and non-specialist general readers with an interest in the subject that this hardcover edition of "Whistling Dixie" from the University Press of Kansas is also available in a digital book format (Kindle, $14.99) and as a complete an unabridged audio book (Tantor Audio, 9798874763060, $45.95, CD).


The Folktale/Fairytale Shelf

Appalachian Folklore Unveiled
Darkness Prevails with Carman Carrion
Wellfleet Press
c/o Quarto Publishing Group USA
www.quartous.com
9781577154402, $19.99, HC, 208pp

https://www.amazon.com/Appalachian-Folklore-Unveiled-Mysterious-Happenings/dp/1577154401

Synopsis: With the publication of "Appalachian Folklore Unveiled: Mysterious Happenings of Folk Spirits and Mystic Shades from the Ancient Foothills", the hosts of the ever-popular horror podcast network, Eeriecast, guide the reader through the winding trails and thick forests of Appalachia, encountering the ghosts, creepy creatures, paranormal sounds, and mysterious mists that cloak and roam this rarely-accessed region.

With an emphasis on the rich history and deep cultural roots that haunt the folklore unique to Appalachia, Darkness Prevails and Carman Carrion illuminates the darkest and creepiest stories that have shaped a cryptic and essential aspect of Americana, including:

Wampus Cat
The Nunne'hi
The Story of Spearfinger
The Ghosts of Shut-in Creek
The Scorched Man

Pluse more stories that demonstrate the tapestry of cultures that make up Appalachia, including Indigenous Native American-, colonial European-, and African American-influenced lore.

Artful illustrations of each eerie story take this compilation beyond the ordinary, bringing to life the ghosts, monsters, and cryptids of the Appalachian Trail.

Critique: Exceptionally well written, organized and presented, "Appalachian Folklore Unveiled: Mysterious Happenings of Folk Spirits and Mystic Shades from the Ancient Foothills" is a compelling, riveting, fully engaging read from start to finish. An impressive compendium of Appalachian folklore, myths, and legends, "Appalachian Folklore Reveals" ie especially and unreservedly recommended pick for personal, community, and college/university library American Folklore/Mythology collections. It should be noted for personal reading lists that this hardcover edition of "Appalachian Folklore Unveiled" from Wellfleet Press is also readily available in a digital book format (Kindle, $9.99).

Editorial Note: Carman Carrion is a name synonymous with the eerie and mysterious realms of folklore and horror. As the esteemed writer and host of the popular podcasts Freaky Folklore and Destination Terror, Carman has spent a lifetime immersed in the spine-tingling tales that have captured the human imagination for generations. Working as a dedicated contributor to the Eeriecast Podcast Network, Carman's dulcet voice and captivating storytelling have brought chilling narratives to life for countless listeners. (https://www.eeriecast.com)


The Theatre/Cinema/TV Shelf

Because It's Funny!
Billy Van Zandt
Independently Published
www.vanzandtmilmore.com
9781734401752, $25.99 Hardcover, 240pp
9781734401769$19.99 Paperback, $9.99 eBook

https://www.amazon.com/Because-Its-Funny-Plays-Milmore/dp/1734401753

Because It's Funny! The Plays of Billy Van Zandt & Jane Milmore (from the author of Get in the Car, Jane) provides humor and theater enthusiasts with a zany, wild, rollicking ride through the process of writing and producing over twenty plays.

It may be hard not to arrive at this memoir without prior familiarity with the names of author Billy Van Zandt and Jane Milmore. Together, they hold nearly fifty years of experience as playwrights, actors, and producers. Anyone involved in the theater world will readily recognize them... but Because It's Funny!'s ability to reach beyond these special interests to attract general-interest audiences makes it a special acquisition.

The focus on the plays the duo wrote from 1979 to 2020 translates to a rich, decades-long observational memoir that pairs production snafus and creative experiences with fun observations: In Merrily We Dance and Sing, which is one of our show-within-a-show plays, actor Jeff Babey grabbed an unsuspecting Frank Andrews backstage and frantically screamed, "You're on!" Frank bolted onto the stage skipping in, in his Peter Pan hat and lederhosen, thinking he'd missed an entrance, entering a scene he had no place being in, yelling "Hooray!" at the top of his lungs, which is what he was supposed to do about seven minutes from then. Frank quickly saw what happened, froze, and skipped backward off the stage as if was trying to rewind the video.

Laughs abound, as important as serious portraits of the theater world and its participants. These give readers a backstage introduction to the changing milieu of writing, producing, and acting in a play. The lively tone and diversity of these experiences supercharges the memoir with fun in-depth observations which are compelling and thought-provoking all in one:

This play introduced us to Michael Kroll, another eventual staple of our company. He played Stan Kemrite, the FBI agent. A brilliant debut with us. Capturing Babu the terrorist, Stan explained that ours was a kinder and gentler country, before kneeing Babu in the crotch, handcuffing him, and violently dragging him away.

Michael has probably created the widest variety of roles for us throughout the years, playing everything from a silent movie villain, an effeminate wedding planner, a cigarette-hacking crusty old doctor, Richard Nixon, Elton John, and talk-show host Mike Douglas. (Who imitates Mike Douglas?) And every one is a home run.

Readers will not only learn about the techniques and basics of theater production, but will be entertained by its disparate participants and the manner in which they develop relationships on and off stage, handle critics and snafus, and enjoy their work. A lively sense of pleasure and fun permeates these reflections. This is why libraries seeking theater exposes which illustrate the processes, attractions, and enjoyment of this world from a long-time professional's vantage point will find Because It's Funny! a winner.

Few theater memoirs hold the ability to attract general-interest audiences as does Billy Van Zandt's engaging, vivid memoir.

Altered States of Consciousness in the Movies
John C. Stephens
McFarland & Company
https://mcfarlandbooks.com
9781476695044, $49.95, PB, 212pp

https://www.amazon.com/Altered-States-Consciousness-Movies-Brainwashing/dp/1476695040

Synopsis: Altered states of consciousness (ASCs) include dreams, hypnosis, spirit possession and brainwashing. These phenomena have long captivated contemporary culture. In the 20th century, Hollywood integrated ASCs into an array of films, reflecting society's fascination with the subject. After early cinematic portrayals laid the groundwork, the depiction of ASCs on the silver screen surged with the advent of special effects in the 1960s and are abundant in the present day.

With the publication of "Altered States of Consciousness in the Movies: Portrayals of Hypnosis, Brainwashing, Spirit Possession, Dreams and Visions Since the 1940s", Professor John C. Stephens traces the rise and proliferation of ASCs within American cinema, focusing on major studio releases from the 1940s onward.

By examining various aspects of altered consciousness, from weaponized hypnosis to spiritual encounters, the text sheds light on the cultural reception of these films, recent research on ASCs and discrepancies between scientific knowledge and cinematic representation.

Critique: A simply fascinating study, "Altered States of Consciousness in the Movies: Portrayals of Hypnosis, Brainwashing, Spirit Possession, Dreams and Visions Since the 1940s" will prove of immense appeal to readers with an interest in how Hollywood and its movie makers has included the paranormal in their cinematic projects. Along with occasional B/W photos, "Altered States of Consciousness in the Movies" includes four pages of Chapter Notes, a four page Bibliography, and three page Index. A seminal and exceptionally well presented study, "Altered States of Consciousness in the Movies" is a unique and recommended pick for personal, professional, community, and college/university library Cinematic History collections and supplemental curriculum studies lists. It should be noted for film students, critics, and fans that "Altered States of Consciousness in the Movies" this paperback edition of "Altered States of Consciousness in the Movies" from McFarland & Company is also readily available in a digital book format (Kindle, $29.99).

Editorial Note: John C. Stephens is an adjunct professor of religion at San Joaquin Delta Community College, USA, and received his PhD in the field of religious studies from the University of California, Santa Barbara. He is a specialist in the history of religions, and his work focuses on the ancient religious traditions of the West. His previous books include The Dreams and Visions of Aelius Aristides: A Case-Study in the History of Religions; Ancient Mediterranean Religions: Myth, Ritual and Religious Experience; Journeys to the Underworld and Heavenly Realm in Ancient and Medieval Literature; and The World of the Axial Sages: The Age of Awakening.

Phyllis Coates: Not Just Lois Lane
Bill Cassara
BearManor Media
www.bearmanormedia.com
9798887715452. $42.00, HC, 278pp

https://www.amazon.com/Phyllis-Coates-Just-Lois-Lane/dp/B0DCD1NZ34

Synopsis: Phyllis Coates (January 15, 1927 - October 11, 2023) was a Texas beauty with grace and a drive to succeed. Her introduction to show business was at seven years old when she impersonated Shirley Temple on stage. As an adult, she had to change her original name (Gypsie Ann Stell) to break into the movies at the end of the studio system.

Despite over 140 film and television credits, she is best remembered for her characterization as "Lois Lane" in the first season of the Adventures of Superman -- the iconic program that burst through television and into family living rooms with action, justice, and surrealism.

She is also synonymous with early television in programs such as: The Cisco Kid, The Lone Ranger, Abbott and Costello Show, Topper, Death Valley Days, Lassie, Leave It to Beaver, Gunsmoke, The Untouchables, Rawhide, and Perry Mason.

Additionally, Phyllis appeared in cult classic films: Superman and the Mole Men, I was a Teenage Frankenstein, Blues Busters, dozens of westerns, and the Behind the Eight Ball short film series.

"Phyllis Coates: Not Just Lois Lane" by biographer Bill Cassara divulges her friendship with George Reeves and her own hardships in life that would require a superwoman to get through. Feisty Phyllis stands as a true role-model and pioneer in her field, but she wasn't all peaches and screams.

Critique: Nicely enhanced for the reader's benefit with numerous B/W historical photos, an Appendix (Letter to Author from Bart Williams), and a six page Index, "Phyllis Coates: Not Just Lois Lane" is a fascinating, informative, nostalgic study of a an actress who enjoyed a successful and hard earned career in both film and television. An extraordinary and unreservedly recommended pick for community and college/university library Theatre/Cinema/Television History/Biography collections, it should be noted for the personal reading lists of students, academia, cinema/television historians, and the legions of Phyllis Coates fans that her outstanding biography is available from BearManor Press in a paperback edition (9798887715445, $30.00).

Analyzing the Marvel Universe
Douglas Brode, editor
McFarland & Company
https://mcfarlandbooks.com
9781476690667, $49.95, PB, 245pp

https://www.amazon.com/Analyzing-Marvel-Universe-Critical-Adaptations/dp/1476690669

Synopsis: Originally a comic book publisher, Marvel, like other media "universes," is a collection of highly profitable and audience-satisfying products that exist not only as individual items of popular culture but coalesce to form a unique and all-encompassing identity.

Within media studies, elements of popular culture once dismissed as low-brow entertainment are now studied with the seriousness that has always been afforded classics like Shakespeare's plays and ancient myth. Indeed, DC and Marvel might be thought of as competing myth systems.

Compiled and edited by Douglas Brode, "Analyzing the Marvel Universe: Critical Essays on the Comics and Film Adaptations" is a collection of an Introduction and 18 diverse essays covering all aspects of the Marvel Universe, from in-print graphic novels to film and television variations.

The contributors present in-depth, original and inclusive interpretations of numerous individual elements of Marvel, including analysis of key characters, themes and aesthetic elements. They also offer a vision of the essential "meaning" of Marvel, including aspects that set it apart from the DC Universe and other media.

Individual readings apply feminist, ethnic, and queer theory, among others, and deal with the lesser known aspects of Marvel's offerings in order to provide the definitive collection on this subject.

Beginning with an introduction by the editor that provides a complete overview of the Marvel canon, "Analyzing the Marvel Universe: Critical Essays on the Comics and Film Adaptations" offers the broadest and most in-depth collection on the subject to date.

Critique: An informative, insightful, thoughtful, and thought provoking read from cover to cover, and a 'must' for the legions of Marvel Universe fans, along with being unreservedly recommended for community and college/university library Cinematic History & Popular Culture collections, it should be noted for personal reading lists that this paperback edition of "Analyzing the Marvel Universe: Critical Essays on the Comics and Film Adaptations" from McFarland & Company is also available in a digital book format (Kindle, 29.99).

Editorial Note: Douglas Brode is a novelist, screenwriter, playwright, film historian, and award winning journalist. He teaches courses on various popular culture subjects at the Newhouse School of Public Communications, Department of Radio, TV and Film, at Syracuse University. (https://www.goodreads.com/author/list/113950.Douglas_Brode)

Saturday Night
Doug Hill & Jeff Weingrad
Histria A&E
c/o Histria Books
www.histriabooks.com
9781592115303, $32.99, HC, 500pp

https://www.amazon.com/Saturday-Night-Backstage-History-Live/dp/1592115306

Synopsis: Co-authored by seasoned television journalists Doug Hill and Jeff Weingrad, "Saturday Night: A Backstage History of Saturday Night Live" readers will discover the intimate and original history of the enduringly popular and long running 'Saturday Night Live' television show.

From its rebellious beginnings as an outlaw comedy program produced by an unruly band of renegades to becoming a TV institution, "Saturday Night: A Backstage History of Saturday Night Live" captures it all. Readers will learn how SNL created stars like John Belushi, Dan Aykroyd, Bill Murray, Chevy Chase, Gilda Radner, Jane Curtin, Laraine Newman, Garrett Morris, Joe Piscopo, and Eddie Murphy.

This groundbreaking study reveals what really happened behind the scenes during the first ten years of Saturday Night Live. From battles with NBC to internal conflicts within the cast and crew, "Saturday Night: A Backstage History of Saturday Night Live" reveals love affairs, betrayals, rivalries, drug problems, overnight successes, and bitter failures -- all intertwined with the creation of some of the most original and outrageous comedy ever.

The 50th Anniversary reissue of "Saturday Night: A Backstage History of Saturday Night Live" features nearly fifty photographs of the cast, crew, and sketches, providing a visual journey through the show's early years.

Critique: An absolute 'must' for the legions of SNL fans, and in an updated edition to celebrate Saturday Night Live's enduring pop culture television legacy, "Saturday Night: A Backstage History of Saturday Night Live" is a unique and especially recommended pick for personal, professional, community, and college/university library television history/comedy collections and supplemental curriculum studies lists. It should be noted that this hardcover edition of "Saturday Night: A Backstage History of Saturday Night Live" from Histria A&E is also available in paperback (9781592115365, $21.99) and in a digital book format (Kindle, $16.99).

Editorial Note: Doug Hill and Jeff Weingrad are experienced and professional television journalists who have contributed to The Associated Press, The New York Times, New York Daily News, New York Post, TV Guide, Broadcasting/Cablecasting, and Advertising Age.

Alfalfa: The Rascal You Knew, the Character You Never Knew
James Tehrani
BearManor Media
www.bearmanormedia.com
9798887716077, $46.00, HC, 422pp

https://www.amazon.com/Alfalfa-Rascal-Knew-Character-Never/dp/B0DM49M9LT

Synopsis: The country was mired in the throes of the Great Depression, and thousands of parents headed to Hollywood thinking their kid was one-in-a-million. Hoping that a better life would be possible if they could just get their son or daughter to join a gang. Not just any gang -- Hal Roach's 'Our Gang', arguably the most-famous child based comedy film series of the day, perhaps of all time.

While thousands tried out, few were Gang material. Carl Switzer was picked to be a Rascal called Alfalfa.

Like his contemporaries, Spanky, Buckwheat, Porky, Butch, The Woim, Waldo, and others, Carl's on-screen nickname, Alfalfa, has become part of pop-culture lexicon for nearly a century. As has his famous cowlick and on-screen courtship of his gal pal, Darla.

After the Our Gang comedies, Carl's career was suddenly over. He disappeared. At least that's what many would have you believe. The truth is he had a more-successful film and TV career than most of the other kids in the series even before Our Gang's rebirth as The Little Rascals in the 1950s. He even had a role in one of the most popular films of all time, It's a Wonderful Life.

But it wasn't always a wonderful life for the kid from Paris.

For the first time, in the pages of "Alfalfa - The Rascal You Knew, the Character You Never Knew" Carl Switzer's true story comes to life through extensive research and interviews conducted with people who knew him personally. With never-before-revealed information about his life and his untimely demise, this is the biography of Carl "Alfalfa" Switzer that generations of Little Rascals fans have been waiting for. This is the tale of the rascal you knew and the character you never knew.

Critique: Simply stated, "Alfalfa - The Rascal You Knew, the Character You Never Knew" by journalist and biographer James Tehrani is the first in-depth, comprehensive, and documented examination of the life and the untimely death of Carl 'Alfalfa' Switzer who became globally famous as a child actor in Hal Roach's "Our Gang/Little Rascals" movie series. Unreservedly recommended for personal, professional, community, college/university library Cinematic History/Biography collections and supplemental 20th Century Popular Culture curriculum studies reading lists, it should be noted that this hardcover edition of "Alfalfa - The Rascal You Knew, the Character You Never Knew" from BearManor Media is also available in paperback (9798887716060, $36.00).

Editorial Note: James Tehrani has won multiple awards for editorial excellence, including several Headline Writer of the Year for Non-Newspapers awards from the American Copy Editors Society. He also oversaw Workforce magazine's 90th anniversary content, which was recognized as a finalist for a prestigious Neal award. After graduating from the University of Missouri, James started his own magazine called Classic Comedian, which took a serious look at the world of comedy. He has also edited two award-winning novels, "Autobiography of a Werewolf Hunter" and "Heart of Scars".

H.M. Wynant - You Must Believe!
Steven Peros
BearManor Media
www.bearmanormedia.com
9798887715759, $38.00, HC, 22pp

https://www.amazon.com/H-M-Wynant-You-Must-Believe/dp/B0DJF6R6SW

Synopsis: Whether you are familiar with H.M. Wynant or not, "H.M. Wynant - You Must Believe!" by Steven Peros is exceptionally reading for anyone who wants to know, experience, and feel what it was like to be barely twenty years old in Manhattan in the late 1940's and early 1950's, performing on Broadway every night, dancing Jerome Robbins' choreography in his very first show, appearing on stage with Laurence Olivier, Phil Silvers, Rex Harrison, and Katharine Hepburn, while running to television studios in the daytime during the dawn of live TV dramas, to work with the likes of Charlton Heston and Boris Karloff.

This biographic history for anyone who wants to know what it was like to be not yet thirty-years-old and recruited to come out to Hollywood in the mid-1950's to not only appear in movies with Clark Gable, Burt Lancaster, Elvis Presley, Charles Bronson, and Rod Steiger, but to have juicy guest roles on quite literally all of the most famous TV dramas and Westerns (and a few of the comedies) on the air from the 1950's through the 1970's (Batman, Mission: Impossible, Gunsmoke, Rawhide, Get Smart!, I Spy, Perry Mason, The Man from U.N.C.L.E., The Wild Wild West, Hawaii Five-O, Dallas), as well as live TV dramas with George C. Scott, Mickey Rooney, Ricardo Montalban, and Jack Warden.

And of course, starring in a little piece of TV history called The Twilight Zone, a line of dialogue from which the title of this book is derived.

Critique: Illustrated with B/W photos, "H.M. Wynant - You Must Believe!" is an extraordinary, informative, and fun read for cinema, stage, and television history from a true insider's extensive and intensively perspective. This life story of a professional actor who worked with so many of the 'greats' of his era will prove to be a popular and appreciated pick for personal, professional, community, and college/university library 20th Century Theatre/Cinema/TV History/Biography collections and supplemental curriculum studies lists. It should be noted that this hardcover edition of "H.M. Wynant - You Must Believe!" from BearManor Media is also available in paperback (9798887715742, $28.00) and in a digital book format (Kindle, $9.95).

Editorial Note: Steven Peros (www.stevenperos.com) has written Film and TV scripts for NBC/Universal, AMC, Walden Media, Mandate, and others. His feature directorial debut, "Footprints" (2011), which he wrote, was called "One of the Ten Best Films So Far This Year" by the Chairman of the New York Film Critics Circle, and is available on DVD, VOD, and Download via Amazon.

Old Films, Young Eyes
Simone O. Elias
McFarland & Company
https://mcfarlandbooks.com
9781476696591, $29.95, PB, 192pp

https://www.amazon.com/Old-Films-Young-Eyes-Hollywoods/dp/1476696594

Synopsis: Why would a modern teenager find classic films enthralling? With the publication of "Old Films, Young Eyes: A Teenage Take on Hollywood's Golden Age," Simone O. Elias presents an eye-opening tour of how old movies foreshadowed, influenced (and continue to shape) popular culture in many surprising ways. From foreseeing today's image-dominated social media landscape to ushering rock music into the mainstream, and sparking elements of the #MeToo movement, classic movies remain relevant and inspiring.

Despite prevailing attitudes that old films are outdated, many dramatically broke boundaries around racism and antisemitism. They predicted current trends in divorce and sexual relations. They helped shape current icons like Taylor Swift and Lady Gaga, as well as foreshadowing more sobering events such as the Covid-19 pandemic.

A Gen Z-age cultural critic, author Simone O. Elias presents an insider's perspective on the socio-cultural impact of classic Hollywood films on a modern generation.

Critique: A seminal, exceptionally well presented, and thought-provoking study, "Old Films, Young Eyes: A Teenage Take on Hollywood's Golden Age" is an inherently fascinating study that offers an interesting perspective on the value of 'Golden Age' cinema for today's theatre going teenagers and young adults. While highly recommended as a valued addition to personal, professional, community, and college/university library Cinematic History/Criticism collections and supplemental curriculum studies lists, it should be noted for film students, academia, and non-specialist general readers with an interest in the subject that "Old Films, Young Eyes: A Teenage Take on Hollywood's Golden Age" is also readily available from McFarland & Company in a digital book format (Kindle, $10.99).

Editorial Note: Simone O. Elias (https://simoneoelias.com) started her career in podcasting: producing, and writing for Teenage Golden Age, a podcast about classic Hollywood from the teenage perspective. She focuses on classic films, screenwriting, and songwriting.


The Judaic Studies Shelf

Tradition and Transition
Andres Spokoiny
Gefen Publishing House
c/o Storch
www.gefenpublishing.com
9789657801437, $20.00, HC, 160pp

https://www.amazon.com/Tradition-Transition-Communities-Empowered-Individual/dp/9657801435

Synopsis: Since the advent of modernity, the human condition has been changing and evolving, a process that has accelerated radically in the 21st century. These transformations are revolutionizing Jewish communities throughout the world and posing momentous questions for individual Jews and Jewish leaders alike.

While Judaism has undergone many changes in its four thousand years of history, there's something particularly perplexing about our times, as the rise of the hyper-empowered individual challenges the foundations of every cultural and religious community.

Drawing on extensive research and decades of professional practice in the Jewish Community, with the publication of "Tradition and Transition. Jewish Communities and the Hyper Empowered Individual", Andres Spokoiny seeks to answer a key question: How can Jewish communities (and Judaism) thrive in our tumultuous age?

While "Tradition and Transition" focuses on Jewish communities, it also offers valuable insights for all those who study Jewish identity, belonging, and community in the 21st century.

Critique: A seminal and ground-breaking study, "Tradition and Transition. Jewish Communities and the Hyper Empowered Individual" is an extraordinarily informative, exceptionally well presented, and unreservedly recommended addition to personal, professional, synagogue, community, and college/university library Contemporary Judaism collections and supplemental curriculum studies lists. It should be noted for students, rabbis, academia, and non-specialist general readers with an interest in the subject that Andres Spokoiny's "Tradition and Transition" from Gefen Publishing House is also readily available in a digital book format (Kindle, $9.99).

Editorial Note: Andres Spokoiny (www.andres-spokoiny.com) is a longtime Jewish communal leader with a history of leading successful organizational transformations. He is the president and CEO of the Jewish Funders Network (JFN), the premier philanthropic organization of the Jewish world. Before that, Andres served as the CEO of Federation CJA in Montreal and, prior to that, he worked for the American Jewish Joint Distribution Community (JDC) in Paris, France. Andres has a multidisciplinary academic background, including business, education, and rabbinical studies in different institutions around the world.

Soviet Jewry Reborn: A Personal Journey
Asher Ostrin
Gefen Publishing House
c/o Storch
www.gefenpublishing.com
9789657801451, $29.95, HC, 298pp

https://www.amazon.com/Soviet-Jewry-Reborn-Asher-Ostrin/dp/9657801451

Synopsis: With the publication of "Soviet Jewry Reborn: A Personal Journey", Asher Ostrin tells the story of the Jewish renaissance that followed the collapse of the Soviet Union and the abolition of Communist-era policies aimed at eradicating Jewish life.

It is comprised of a series of first-hand, real-time accounts of the Ostrin's personal encounters with one of the world's largest concentration of Jews at that time who, out of choice or necessity, remained in what became known as the Former Soviet Union (FSU), while many of their brethren emigrated.

Critique: Informative enhanced for the reader's benefit with the inclusion of an informative ten page Prologue (A Personal Journey), an eight page Afterword, a two page Glossary, and a nine page Index, Asher Ostrin's "Soviet Jewry Reborn: A Personal Journey" from the Gefen Publishing House is an inherently fascinating, compelling, and illuminating read from start to finish. Exceptionally well written, organized and presented, "Soviet Jewry Reborn: A Personal Journey" is part memoir, part history. Also available in a digital book format (Kindle, $6.62), "Soviet Jewry Reborn" is unreservedly recommended for personal, community, and college/university library Contemporary Jewish History/Biography/Memoir collections.

Editorial Note: Born and raised in New York, Asher Ostrin's passion for, and commitment to, the Jewish people have been the driving force in his professional life, the centerpiece of which are his more than three decades of service with the American Jewish Joint Distribution Committee (JDC or the Joint).

In 1986, Asher moved to Vienna, Austria to direct JDC's operations aiding tens of thousands of Jewish refugees fleeing Iran, the Soviet Union, and other Eastern Bloc countries. At the same time he began to work in Jewish communities on behalf of the JDC- first in Yugoslavia and later in Hungary amidst the turmoil that would result in the collapse of Communist systems in the region.

With the fall of the Soviet Union, he was tapped to lead JDC's efforts to renew, reclaim and rebuild the Jewish communities of the Former Soviet Union, serving in that role for more than two transformational decades.

Asher went on to lead a variety of efforts to support Jewish communities in need around the globe. Those are as varied as Helsinki and Djerba, Antalya and Bratislava, Mumbai and Caracas, and more. He was the JDC'S interim CEO during the initial period of the Covid pandemic, and oversaw JDC's operations worldwide to address the devastation caused by the pandemic.

Asher and his wife Ruth moved to Jerusalem 1992. They have three children and six grandchildren, all of whom live in Israel and, in contrast to their grandfather, speak unaccented Hebrew.

Chutzpah Girls
Julie Silverstein and Tami Schlossberg Pruwer, authors
Toby Press
c/o Koren Publishers Jerusalem Ltd.
www.korenpub.com
9781592646920, $34.95, HC, 232pp

https://www.amazon.com/Chutzpah-Girls-Julie-Silverstein/dp/1592646921

Synopsis: With the publication of "Chutzpah Girls" by co-authors Julie Silverstein and Tami Schlossberg Pruwer, readers will now be able to embark on an extraordinary journey from antiquity to the present day as presented in the stories of 100 daring Jewish women who triumphed over darkness and went on to create a brighter world.

From Abigail to Zivia, "Chutzpah Girls" come from diverse communities across the globe with powerful stories to awaken Jewish pride, inspire its readers (especially women and girls) to explore their Jewish heritage, and, despite the odds, dream bigger than ever before. Of special note is the includes 100 original, full page portraits by Jewish female artists worldwide.

Critique: Exceptionally well written, organized, presented, and informatively enhanced for the reader's benefit with the inclusion of a two page Timeline, a two page Map, a four page Glossary, a two page listing of illustrators, and an attached 'place holding' ribbon, this hardcover edition of "Chutzpah Girls: 100 Tales of Daring Jewish Women" from Toby Press is an especially welcome, inspiring, and unreservedly recommended addition to family, community, and college/university library Women in Judaism History/Biography collections and supplemental curriculum studies lists. It should be noted for personal reading lists that "Chutzpah Girls: 100 Tales of Daring Jewish Women" is also available in a digital book format (Kindle, $9.99).

Editorial Note #1: Julie Silverstein co-wrote "Chutzpah Girls: 100 Tales of Daring Jewish Women" to honor the daring Jewish men and women in her life, like her grandmother, who, as a girl in Germany, bravely confronted the Nazi police to demand the release of her father from unjust detention. She hopes this book will be a key that un-locks the stories of chutzpah in your family.

Editorial Note #2: Tami Schlossberg Pruwer comes from and married into lineages of strong Jewish women. She co-[wrote "Chutzpah Girls: 100 Tales of Daring Jewish Women" in their honor and to inspire her children with the heroines of their heritage.


The Architecture Shelf

Future Offices
Ali Rahim
ORO Editions
www.oroeditions.com
9781954081581, $35.00, PB, 220pp

https://www.amazon.com/Future-Offices-Ali-Rahim/dp/1954081588

Synopsis: Rapid changes in culture, technology, society, and the recent Covid-19 pandemic, have upended longstanding notions of offices and the nature of work itself. While companies and capital around the globe have become increasingly consolidated, labor vis-a-vis technology has become increasingly decentralized. The office, traditionally a key spatial interlocutor between labor and capital is caught in an awkward position with typological considerations for architecture.

What should the future office look like? What is the future role of the headquarters? What does the office's changing role mean for urbanism? The works collected here provide frameworks for understanding the complex and multifaceted nature of contemporary work, manufacturing, and commerce, and they aspire to influence new ways of conceiving architecture at multiple scales.

Also speculated upon is a future where offices acquire new facets as resources of space, knowledge, and production that participate in local and global economic and cultural contexts in new hybridized forms. At the heart of this is a recognition that the new ways in which companies integrate into in society should be reflected in architecture itself.

Critique: This large format (9.5 x 0.75 x 9.75 inches, 2.6 pounds) paperback edition of "Future Offices" compiled and edited by Ali Rahim is profusely illustrated with B/W drawings and includes a complete listing of the contributors and their credentials. Exceptional in organization and presentation, "Future Offices" is an extraordinary and seminal volume from Oro Editons and an unreservedly recommended addition to personal, professional, corporate, and college/university library Architectural Studies collections and supplemental curriculum lists.

Editorial Note: Ali Rahim (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ali_Rahim) is Professor of Architecture and Director of Advanced Architecture Design (MSD-AAD) at the University of Pennsylvania Weitzman School of Design. He is Co-Director of the New York and Shanghai based architectural firm CAP.


The Gardening Shelf

The Secrets of Great Botanists
Matthew Biggs
EK Books
c/o Exisle Publishing
www.exislepublishing.com.au
9781923011038, $24.99, PB, 224pp

https://www.amazon.com/Secrets-Great-Botanists-Teach-Gardening/dp/1923011030

Synopsis: Botanists have been the trailblazers in discovering how plants work to benefit our species, collecting many of the plant-species we find in our gardens today from all around the world. This informative and beautiful guide presents the stories and reveals the secrets of 35 of these botanists, plant collectors and gardening pioneers of the past and present.

This includes Joseph Banks, Asa Gray and Marianne North, highlighting the qualities that brought them success. Every botanist included in "The Secrets of Great Botanists: And What They Teach Us About Gardening" was, or is, passionate about their particular specialty. Whether they were searching for plants in wild places, prescribing herbal medicines or forming new structures of plant classification, they were driven by an insatiable desire to learn and discover, so that we, as humans, might benefit from improved crops, medicines or gardens.

Through the vibrancy of botanical photographs and beautifully illustrated period botanical watercolors, "The Secrets of Great Botanists: And What They Teach Us About Gardening" by gardening expert Matthew Biggs aims to teach aspiring gardeners about the observations, ideas, secrets and discoveries of these ground-breaking botanists. Their influence on gardening and the wider world will provide inspiration and practical guidance for budding gardeners of all levels and inspire readers to try these plants and tips at home.

Critique: Beautifully and profusely illustrated throughout with full color photography and museum quality artwork, "The Secrets of Great Botanists: And What They Teach Us About Gardening" is informatively enhanced for the reader's benefit with the inclusion of a two page Bibliography and a four page Index. Informed, informative, exceptionally well written, and thoroughly 'reader friendly' in organization and presentation, "The Secrets of Great Botanists: And What They Teach Us About Gardening" is especially and unreservedly recommended for personal, professional, community, and college/university library Gardening instructional reference collections.

Editorial Note: Matthew Biggs (http://matthewbiggs.com) trained at The Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, has presented numerous TV gardening programs and is a regular on UK radio. Author of and contributor to several books and magazines, Matthew is also a highly regarded lecturer. He has traveled widely and is fascinated by global gardening.

Beyond the Root Cellar
Sam Knapp
Chelsea Green Publishing Company
www.chelseagreen.com
9781645022107, $45.00, PB, 272pp

https://www.amazon.com/Beyond-Root-Cellar-Vegetables-Off-Season/dp/1645022102

Synopsis: Sam Knapp built Offbeet Farm, a winter storage farm in interior Alaska, from the ground up. For the last four years, his success at Offbeet Farm has been a testament to the many benefits of growing crops for wintertime sales. His methods continually prove that winter storage is an excellent way to diversify a farm's offerings, spread the workload more evenly throughout the year, retain customers and employees during the off-season, and bolster local food systems.

With the publication of "Beyond the Root Cellar: The Market Gardener's Guide to Growing and Storing Vegetables for Off-Season Sales and Food Security", Sam Knapp provides a compendium of insights, advice, and instruction that draws directly from his experience -- and that of many other storage farmers Sam has met along the way. As Sam says, this is the book he wishes he had when he embarked on his own winter storage business, and that he hopes it will pave the way for growers both new and established who are interested in storage farming.

"Beyond the Root Cellar" offers tips and tools for:

Selecting crops and varieties that are best for storage
Navigating the ins and outs of storage farm financials and planning
Harvesting, processing, and moving crops into storage
Designing, creating, and managing temperature- and humidity-controlled storage areas

Also included are profiles of nine different storage farms, a crop compendium with in-depth information about eighteen storage crops, and full-color photography throughout that depicts a range of storage facilities, methods, and crops.

Critique: This large format (8 x 1 x 10 inches, 1.65 pounds) paperback edition of "Beyond the Root Cellar: The Market Gardener's Guide to Growing and Storing Vegetables for Off-Season Sales and Food Security" from Chelsea Green Publishing is also available in a digital book format (Kindle, $39.76). Nicely illustrated throughout, impressively 'reader/user' friendly in organization and presentation, "Beyond the Root Cellar" is an invaluable and unreservedly recommended addition to personal, professional, community, and college/university library Gardening/Agriculture collections and supplemental curriculum studies lists.

Editorial Note: Sam Knapp grew up in the woods near the shores of Lake Superior with little exposure to farm life. After earning degrees in physics and chemistry and starting down the career path of engineering, Sam caught the farming bug while working on a research farm in Sweden. He worked on vegetable farms in Sweden, Alaska, Michigan, and Wisconsin before starting his own Root Cellar Farm in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan to earn extra income while completing a master's degree in plant ecology. In 2020, Sam moved outside of Fairbanks, Alaska, where he built Offbeet Farm from scratch in a patch of boreal forest. Offbeet Farm provides vegetables to the Fairbanks community during the long, dark Alaskan winters through a winter-only community supported agriculture (CSA) program and sales to local groceries. Owing to his scientific background, he is a self-professed nerd when it comes to energy-efficiency, farm tools, and spreadsheets.


The Wine Shelf

Hugh Johnson's Pocket Wine Book 2025
Margaret Rand, general editor
Mitchell Beazley
c/o Octopus Books
https://www.octopusbooks.co.uk
9781784729592, $17.99, HC, 336pp

https://www.amazon.com/Hugh-Johnsons-Pocket-Wine-Book/dp/1784729590

Synopsis: The annual "Hugh Johnson's Pocket Wine Book" is the essential reference book for everyone who buys wine whether it is in shops, restaurants, or on the internet. Now in its 48th year of publication and under the general editorship of wine expert Margaret Rand, this edition of "Hugh Johnson's Pocket Wine Book 2025" by Mitchell Beazley has no rival as the comprehensive, up-to-the-minute annual guide.

Providing clear succinct facts and commentary on the wines, growers and wine regions of the whole world, this informative guide also reveals which vintages to buy, which to drink and which to cellar, which growers to look for and why. As did its predecessors, "Hugh Johnson's Pocket Wine 2025" provides clear information on grape varieties, local specialities and how to match food with wines that will bring out the best in both.

This latest 2025 edition of "Hugh Johnson's Pocket Wine" includes a color supplement on Pinot Noir, the world's most highly prized grape, discussing everything from variety and food pairings to Pinot Noir sparkling wines and how climate change has affected the production of this grape.

Critique: This highly portable and slender (4.1 x 0.9 x 7.6 inches, 12 ounces) hardcover edition of "Hugh Johnson's Pocket Wine Book 2025" is organized by a wine's country of origin and is throughly 'reader friendly' and comprehensive in descriptions and commentaries. Ideal for both the professional wine connoisseur and the non-profession wine enthusiast, "Hugh Johnson's Pocket Wine Book 2025" is an unreservedly recommended addition to community and college/university library collections. It should be noted for personal use and reference that "Hugh Johnson's Pocket Wine Book 2025" is also available from Mitchell Beazley in a digital book format (Kindle, $8.99).

Editorial Note: Margaret Rand has been general editor of Hugh Johnson's Pocket Wine Book for some 15 years and now, with Hugh's retirement, has taken over the hot seat. The book's mix of personal insight and informed recommendations have made it the world's best-selling annual wine book. Rand's curiosity about wine started several decades ago and led her to a career of writing about wine and editing wine magazines, with the occasional foray into whisky. Her books include Grapes & Wines and 101 Wines to Try Before You Die; she also writes regularly for The World of Fine Wine, timatkin.com and winesearcher.com


The Railroading Shelf

Michigan Railway Company
Norman L. Krentel
Michigan State University Press
http://msupress.org
9781611864984, $69.95, HC, 400pp

https://msupress.org/9781611864984/michigan-railway-company

Synopsis: With the publication of "Michigan Railway Company: The Northern and Southern Divisions", Norman L. Krentel provides the first comprehensive history of the Michigan United Railway Company, tracing the rise and fall of Michigan's most significant electric railway.

This illustrated and informative history covers the company's founding in local rail-based public transportation systems in Lansing, Jackson, Battle Creek, Kalamazoo, and Owosso-Corunna and ends with its eventual demise, abandoned prior to the stock market crash of 1929. Krentel then follows the fragments of lines in lower Michigan, which came together to form the MUR. He also examines the interurban lines, which were broken down into five divisions, each with a separate superintendent.

These divisions were Northern and Southern, which had formerly been Michigan United Railways; Northwestern, which had been Grand Rapids, Holland, and Chicago Railway; Western; and Northeastern.

"Michigan Railway Company: The Northern and Southern Divisions" also explores how electric railway history is intertwined with the state of Michigan. The interurban electric rail system supported automobile manufacturing, allowing for the shipment of parts supplies, and finished automobiles through Michigan, Indiana, Ohio, and Kentucky. Major auto plants like REO and Oldsmobile had rail sidetracks served by Michigan Railway's interurban freight trains. Electric railway history is thus an essential, previously overlooked factor in Michigan's industrial development.

Critique: Informatively enhanced for the reader's benefit with the inclusion of a Preface and an Introduction, a 32 page Appendix (Geographical Index of States), a two page listing of Abbreviations, twenty-two pages of Notes, a fourteen page Bibliography, and a seven page Index, this large format (8.5 x 0.8 x 11 inches, 1 pound) hardcover edition of Norman L. Krental's "Michigan Railway Company: The Northern and Southern Divisions" from Michigan State University Press is a unique and unreservedly recommended addition to personal, professional, community, and college/university library American Railroading History collections and supplemental curriculum studies lists.

Editorial Note: Norman L. Krentel is past president of the Illinois Railway Museum. He is a volunteer organizer for the Michigan Railroad History Conference and a member of the Central Electric Railfans' Association, the Railway and Locomotive Historical Society, the Pere Marquette Historical Society, and the Illinois Traction Historical Society. He has written rail history articles for the Illinois Railway Museum's Rail and Wire and for the First and Fastest.


The Needlecraft Shelf

Quarry Books
c/o Quarto Publishing Group USA
www.quartous.com

Quarry Books is a premier publisher of needlecraft instructional guides for quilting, crocheting, and sewing. Their outstanding series by Melissa Leapman, 'Essential Crocheting' offers two new titles.

https://www.amazon.com/Essential-Crochet-Starter-Stitches-Companion/dp/0760392323

"Essential Crochet Starter Stitches" (9780760392324, $16.99 PB, $9.99 Kindle, 144pp)

In a small, easy-to-tote format, "Essential Crochet Starter Stitches: Portable Stitch Companion: Solids, Shells & Fans, Openwork & Lace, and Simple Edgings" is a concise stitch dictionary featuring 100 stitch patterns for solids, shells and fans, openwork and lace, and simple edgings.

This rich library of crochet stitch designs covers a wide range of patterns, from a thicket pattern to summertime shells to clover lace. Each stitch pattern includes a photo of a finished swatch and both easy-to-read instructions and a stitch diagram using international symbols. Choose the format that makes you and your crochet hook happy. Most of the patterns are original and are accessible to most skill levels. If you've mastered looping yarn over your hook to create a simple chain, you already possess all the skills you need to create an infinite number of stitch patterns.

With information on how to read the patterns, shaping pieces, and designing from scratch, the stunning stitch patterns in "Essential Crochet Starter Stitches" will aptly serve as a launching pad for your own fun experimentation and for creating unique designs for gorgeous hats, scarves, gloves, sweaters, vests, and more!

https://www.amazon.com/Essential-Crochet-Next-Level-Stitches-Companion/dp/076039234X

"Essential Crochet Next-Level Stitches" (9780760392348, $16.99 PB, $9.99 Kindle, 144pp)

In a small, easy-to-tote format, "Essential Crochet Next-Level Stitches: Portable Stitch Companion: Textures, Colorwork, and Fancy Edgings" is a concise stitch dictionary featuring 100 stitch patterns for textures, colorwork, and fancy edgings.

This rich library of crochet stitch designs covers a wide range of patterns, from a braided cable to a reversible brocade to a delicate edging. Each stitch pattern includes a photo of a finished swatch and both easy-to-read instructions and a stitch diagram using international symbols. Choose the format that makes you and your crochet hook happy. Most of the patterns are original and accessible to most skill levels. If you've mastered looping yarn over your hook to create a simple chain, you already possess all the skills you need to create an infinite number of stitch patterns.

With information on how to read the patterns, shaping pieces, and designing from scratch, the stunning stitch patterns in "Essential Crochet Next-Level Stitches" will serve as a launching pad for your own fun experimentation when creating unique designs for gorgeous hats, scarves, gloves, sweaters, vests, and more!

Critique: In a fully user friendly and available in Essential Crochet paperback pocket guide paperback (6.3 x 0.4 x 8.1 inches, 11.2 ounces) edition and a compact book format, both "Starter Stitches" and "Next Level Stitches" are highly recommended picks for personal, professional, and community library Needlecraft/Crochet instructional guide collections.

Editorial Note: With over 1,450 designs in print, Melissa Leapman (visit melissaleapman.com) is one of the most widely published American knit and crochet designers working today. She's worked with leading ready-to-wear design houses and is the author of several best-selling knit and crochet books, including Melissa Leapman's Indispensable Stitch Collection for Crocheters, The Knit Stitch Pattern Handbook, Mastering Color Knitting, 6000+ Pullover Possibilities, Knitting Modular Shawls, InstaKnits, and InstaKnits for Baby. She can also be followed on Instagram @melissa.leapman


The Crafts Shelf

The New Art of Paper Flowers
Quynh Nguyen
Blue Star Press
https://bluestarpress.com
9781958803783, $27.95, HC, 272pp

https://www.amazon.com/New-Art-Paper-Flowers-Complete/dp/1958803782

Synopsis: Delve into the enchanting art of lifelike floral design with "The New Art of Paper Flowers: The Complete Guide to Crafting Gorgeous Crepe Paper Flowers" by Quynh Nguyen. Whether you're a novice looking to discover a gratifying new hobby or a seasoned crafter seeking inspiration, this all-inclusive handbook will equip you to cultivate lush, long-lasting blooms using colorful crepe paper.

"The New Art of Paper Flowers" features: More than 30 detailed flower tutorials with step-by-step instructions and photos: roses, dahlias, peonies, and more; A complete materials and tools list; Unique ways to use your floral creations, from bouquets and home decor to wearable flowers and sculptural art; Guidance for flower artists of any skill level that ranges from beginner-friendly techniques to tips that take your craft to the next level.

Aspiring paper flower makers will journey through every stage of the artistic process -- from choosing materials to mastering the intricate techniques that breathe life into your arrangements. With Nguyen's detailed guidance and striking photography, let your creativity flourish as you bring more handmade beauty into your life and home.

Critique: This large format (7.96 x 0.85 x 9.56 inches, 2.31 pounds) hardcover edition of Quynh Nguyen's "The New Art of Paper Flowers: The Complete Guide to Crafting Gorgeous Crepe Paper Flowers" from Blue Star Press is beautifully and instructively illustrated throughout with full color photography. Thoroughly 'user friendly' in organization, style, and presentation, "The New Art of Paper Flowers" is especially and unreservedly recommended for personal, professional, community, and college/university library Paper Art/Crafts instructional reference collections. It should be noted that "The New Art of Paper Flowers" is also readily available in a digital book format (Kindle, $9.99).

Editorial Note: Quynh D. Nguyen is the paper artist behind Pink and Posey's stunning fine art installations. Drawing on her extensive experience and educational background in marketing and finance, her goal is to empower others wherever they may be on their creative journey. She shares her knowledge about entrepreneurship and paper flower artistry through speaking engagements, workshops, online classes, and co-hosting Paper Talk Podcast. Her work has been featured in numerous media outlets. (www.PinkandPosey.com)


The Music Shelf

Superstar Guitars
Eleanor Jane
Welbeck Publishing Group
https://www.headline.co.uk
9781035421787, $59.95, HC, 240pp

https://www.amazon.com/Superstar-Guitars-Eleanor-Jane/dp/103542178X

Synopsis: Featuring an informative Foreword by James Dean Bradfield, Manic Street Preachers, "Superstar Guitars" by Eleanor James is an illustrated compendium that showcases many of the most famous six-strings in the history of music, in exquisite photographic detail.

Photographer Eleanor Jane has travelled the world, documenting the legendary guitars used to create some of the greatest music ever heard. Included are Jimi Hendrix's Woodstock Stratocaster. The guitar on which Bob Dylan 'went electric'. The Fender Mustang Kurt Cobain played in the 'Smells Like Teen Spirit' video. Explore some of the most iconic guitars in music, up close and personal. Housed in a stunning package, detailed photography explores every inch of these iconic instruments, accompanied by fascinating insights, telling the stories of the guitars that changed the world.

The guitars showcased include: Jimi Hendrix's Woodstock Stratocaster Kurt Cobain's 'Smells Like Teen Spirit' Mustang John Frusciante's Fender Stratocaster Dave Grohl's Gibson Trini Lopez Noel Gallagher's Epiphone Riviera Eric Clapton's MTV Unplugged Martin Jeff Buckley's Fender Telecaster Brian May's Red Special Tom Morello's Arm The Homeless Phoebe Bridgers' Danelectro Baritone Jack White's Airline Prince's Yellow Cloud Thurston Moore's Fender Jazzmaster David Gilmour's Black Strat Steve Vai's Ibanez JEM Matt Bellamy's Mansion DeLorean And so many more!

Critique: This large format (10 x 1.1 x 12.9 inches, 4.3 pounds) hardcover edition of Eleanor James' "Superstar Guitars" from Welbeck provides the reader with succinct commentaries on each featured musician while also providing a simply fascinating informative, and impressive tour of these major guitarists and their instruments. A unique pleasure to simply browse through one beautifully illustrated page at a time, "Superstar Guitars", a coffee-table style volume, is especially and unreservedly recommended for personal, professional, community, and college/university library Music History/Biography collections. It should be noted that "Superstar Guitars" is also readily available for rock music fans in a digital book format (Kindle, $21.99).

Editorial Note: Eleanor Jane (https://eleanorjane.co.uk) is a writer and photographer in the music industry. She specializes in photographing artist portraits and high-end vintage and culturally significant guitars. Her work has been published in various books and magazines all over the world and she is particularly known for her detailed and atmospheric photographs of iconic guitars, shot in such a way as to evoke the spirit of the instrument.


The Psychology Shelf

Being with the Body in Depth Psychology
Barbara Holifield
www.BarbaraHolifield.com
Routledge
https://www.routledge.com
9781032286082, $160.00 Hardcover/$39.95 Paperback/$35.99 eBook

https://www.routledge.com/Being-with-the-Body-in-Depth-Psychology-Development-Trauma-and-Transformation-in-the- Unspoken-Realm/Holifield/p/book/9781032286082

Being with the Body in Depth Psychology: Development, Trauma, and Transformation in the Unspoken Realm blends Jungian psychology with Relational Psychoanalysis. It is highly recommended for college-level libraries seeking a blend of well-researched neuroscience, developmental theory, and psychoanalysis.

Barbara Holifield surveys mind/body connections and what happens when these connections are broken or dysfunctional. She considers the definition and nature of depth psychology, applying its principles to trauma experiences and therapeutic approaches while juxtaposing case history vignettes with bigger-picture perspectives on healing and recovery. Surveys of experiential, pre-verbal systems move beyond the usual choice of talking about the body to consider how body and mind perceive and absorb experiences both separately and together.

This somatic approach allows readers to draw important connections between body awareness development and working wounded and disassociated parts of the self to experience a fuller sense of self separate from body identity.

Readers who anticipate that Being with the Body in Depth Psychology will be a work of scholarly analytical study should be advised that Holifield's work ideally will serve as a dynamic, interactive model for transformation. It includes a toolkit of approaches, from meditative instruction to help identify the "vibratory aliveness of your body" to tips on integrating linguistic and nonverbal modifications into the therapeutic model to encourage connection and transformative realizations: Words can be spoken, then reworked and respoken, deepening, furthering, and elaborating on experience. In this way, language does not recapture what has just occurred but furthers it, carrying experience forward, elaborating affect, meaning, and aesthetic appreciation. A deeper understanding becomes possible.

Relational sharing allows one to unfold meanings that might not have been conscious otherwise. Cultural shapings can become more explicit (apparent). This is language at its ideal, but all too frequently, this is different from what unfolds. Words function to signify and categorize. The speed of language and our pace of life rarely allow the nuances of the actual lived moment to be brought into words.

Even in the psychotherapeutic encounter, where the intent is to make room and give time for lived experience to be unpacked, much is lost in the service of understanding and the quest for meaning.

Holifield's blend of insight, philosophy, psychotherapeutic process, and contemplative practices allows for flexibility. This encourages readers versed in either science or contemplative movement or meditation practices to adapt research-oriented mindsets to draw new conclusions and insights from the therapy process.

The depth psychotherapeutic process assembles so many seemingly disparate insights under one cover that readers may at first find the expansive applications and themes to be daunting. Holifield's ability to weave these elements into a powerful overview of clinical and analytical applications to further the goal of in-depth healing creates an opportunity for interactive moments between author, subject, and real-world applications that moves Being with the Body in Depth Psychology from the realms of scholarship into the clinician's office.

College-level students of psychology as well as practicing psychotherapists and clinicians interested in connecting the dots to solidify the bodily basis of experience in their clinical practices will find Being with the Body in Depth Psychology well-researched and footnoted. It's specific in its connections between theory and the therapeutic process, which is important for anyone working with trauma victims, who are interested in a more integrative approach than most singular focuses offer.

Libraries seeking a volume that melds practical, real-world healing techniques with scientific inquiry and results will find Being with the Body in Depth Psychology a fine addition, highly recommendable to practicing clinicians working in all types of psychological settings.


The Travel Shelf

The Antipodean Express
Gregory Hill
Exisle Publishing
www.exislepublishing.com.au
9781921497155, $39.99, PB, 296pp

https://www.amazon.com/Antipodean-Express-journey-train-Zealand/dp/1921497157

Synopsis: The journey of The Antipodean Express takes in 89 days of travel, on 33 trains, through 19 countries. It begins in New Zealand's North Island, weaves past the volcanoes of Java, through East Asia and on into Europe. From hilarious miscommunications in China to cultural immersion at the Bolshoi Ballet, there are stop-offs with half a worlds worth of impressions, people, history, food, music and culture.

With the publication of "The Antipodean Express: A journey by train from New Zealand to Spain", Gregory Hill describes most of the great trains of the Eurasian hemisphere, from New Zealand's Northern Explorer to the Eurostar, and everything in between.

The culmination of these iconic railroading adventure is a day spent in the obscure Spanish village of Alaejos, locating the exact antipode of the authors living room. The perfect end to a vast expeditionary experience.

Critique: "The Antipodean Express: A journey by train from New Zealand to Spain" Gregory Hill accurately details a truly epic railroad journey from New Zealand to Spain. As a celebration of rail travel "The Antipodean Express" is a fun, informative, and inspiring read from start to finish. Ideal reading for the armchair traveler, and an unreservedly recommended pick for personal, community, and college/university library Travel Guide & Railroading History collections, it should be noted for personal reading lists that "The Antipodean Express" is also readily available from Exisle Publishing in a digital book format (Kindle, $12.99).

Editorial Note: Gregory Hill, born in Auckland, diverted from his country's obsession with sport to pursue a passion for the French horn, which eventually led to his career in the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra. Despite living in a country with a basic passenger train service, he nurtured a fascination for long-distance train travel, which he finally indulged in after his retirement. In the year between ending his career and the world coming to a standstill, Gregory undertook an epic journey by rail from New Zealand to Spain.


The Literary Studies Shelf

Nordic Terrors
Robert William Rix
Anthem Press
www.anthempress.com
9781839990458, $24.95, PB, 110pp

https://www.amazon.com/Nordic-Terrors-Scandinavian-Superstition-Literature/dp/1839990457

Synopsis: In late eighteenth- and early nineteenth-century British literature, Scandinavia emerged as a setting for Gothic terror. With the publication of "Nordic Terrors: Scandinavian Superstition in British Gothic Literature", Professor Robert William Rix explores the extensive use of Nordic superstition as it provided a vocabulary for Gothic texts, examining the cultural significance these references held for writers exploring Britain's northern heritage.

In Gothic publications, Nordic superstition sometimes parallels the representations of Catholicism, allowing writers to gloat at its phantasms and delusions. Thus, runic spells, incantations, and necromantic communications (of which Norse tradition afforded many examples) could replace practices usually assigned to Catholic superstition.

Yet Nordic lore did more than merely supplant hackneyed Gothic formulas; it presented readers with an alternative conception of 'Otherness'. Nordic texts (chiefly based on the Edda and the supernatural Scandinavian ballad tradition) were seen as pre-Christian beliefs of the Gothic (i.e., Germanic) peoples, including the Anglo-Saxons.

"Nordic Terrors" traces the development of this Nordic Gothic, situating it within wider literary, historical, political, and cultural contexts.

Critique: A part of the Anthem Press 'Studies in Gothic Literature' series, "Nordic Terrors: Scandinavian Superstition in British Gothic Literature" is a seminal and ground-breaking study that is highly documented and includes an eight page Bibliography and a two page Index. A masterpiece of academic scholarship, informed and informative, deftly organized and thoroughly 'reader friendly' in presentation, "Nordic Terrors" is especially and unreservedly recommended for college/university library Gothic Literary Criticism collections and supplemental curriculum studies lists. It should be noted for students, academia, and non-specialist general readers with an interest in the subject that "Nordic Terrors" is also readily available in a digital book format (Kindle, $23.70).

Editorial Note: Robert W. Rix is Professor and Director of Research at the University of Copenhagen. He is widely known for his numerous publications on eighteenth- and nineteenth-century literature and culture.


The Self-Help Shelf

The Happiness Formula
Alphonsus Obayuwana
Health Communications, Inc.
https://hcibooks.com
9780757325083, $15.95, PB, 224pp

https://www.amazon.com/Happiness-Formula-Scientific-Groundbreaking-Fulfillment/dp/0757325084

Synopsis: In 1979, Dr. Alphonsus Obayuwana was awarded a national research grant and Smith-Kline Medical Perspective Fellowship to develop an instrument for measuring human hope, with the purpose of detecting hopelessness early enough in troubled human individuals so assistance could be offered in time to prevent suicide.

The Hope Index Scale (HIS) that resulted from this grant became very popular with Fortune 500 companies and other institutions both in the US and in other countries. This led to the foundation of decades of research that ultimately resulted in this cutting-edge book, "The Happiness Formula: Using Science to Understand Personal Satisfaction, Human Hope, and Subjective Well-Being".

Unlike other books about happiness, which are too often filled with dos and don'ts, wishful thinking, and empty aphorisms, "The Happiness Formula" breaks new ground by introducing a universal unit of measure called the "Personal Happiness Index" or PHI. This makes it possible (for the first time ever) to calculate and assign numerical happiness scores to human individuals by plugging their unique hopes, hungers, assets, and aspirations into an equation.

Despite its title, "The Happiness Formula" is much more than a mathematical equation for measuring happiness. It is a book about life; the relationship between human hope and happiness; how to find, measure and boost them; and, most interestingly, how to confirm the happiest country in the world and even help identify the happiest living human, or HLH. It challenges the World Happiness Report of 2023, debunks three major happiness myths, and then introduces the Triple-H Equation -- the simple but profound formula about what makes life worth living. This is a book for happiness seekers and happiness advocates everywhere.

Critique: Exceptional, inspiring, informative, insightful, and impressive 'reader friendly' in style, organization and presentation, "The Happiness Formula: A Scientific, Groundbreaking Approach to Happiness and Personal Fulfillment" is a unique and 'real world practical' combination of investigative scholarship and a 'how to' manual for obtaining/reinforcing good emotional and mental health. While also available in a digital book format (Kindle, $9.99) and as a complete and unabridged audio book (HighBridge Audio, 9798874760267, $39.99, CD), "The Happiness Formula" from Health Communications is especially and unreservedly recommended for personal, professional, community, and college/university library Self-Help/Self-Improvement collections.

Editorial Note: Alphonsus Obayuwana, MD, PhD, CPC, is a physician-scientist, a happiness coach, and the founder and CEO of Triple-H Project LLC -- an entity that trains and certifies happiness coaches. He is also a Literary Titan Gold Award-winning author who has published several peer-reviewed articles in the national medical journals about human hope and happiness, including The Hope Index Scale that became widely used at the Coca-Cola company, General Motors, Veterans Administration, and many academic institutions inside and outside the United States. Additionally, he is the author of The Five Sources of Human Hope and How to Live a Life of Hope. (www.triplehproject.com)

Breaking the Patterns That Break You
Tori Hope Petersen, author
Thomas Nelson Publishers
www.thomasnelson.com
9781400250042, $19.99, PB, 240pp

https://www.amazon.com/Breaking-Patterns-That-Break-You/dp/1400250048

Synopsis: At some point everyone finds themselves wondering, Why do I keep falling into the same patterns that leave me feeling broken? Will I ever move past the pain and experience healing? Is there something wrong with me?

While Tori Hope Petersen is most known for authentically sharing her childhood journey in and out of the foster care system, in her new book, "Breaking the Patterns That Break You: Healing from the Pain of Your Past and Finding Real Hope That Lasts" she vulnerably shares the profound ways she finally found relief and healing from the pain of her past. As she marries vulnerable storytelling, therapeutic insights, and biblical teaching, Tori will make you feel as though she's sitting across from you, holding your hands, and inviting you into a journey that changed her life and can change yours.

Also in "Breaking the Patterns That Break You", Tori gently shows you why it's important to recognize the destructive personal, relational, and generational patterns in your life so you can finally find freedom. By weaving together topics many do not dare touch on, but so many struggle with, Tori compassionately helps you:

Identify and disempower destructive cycles,
Dismantle codependent tendencies in order to gain and maintain healthy relationships,
Feel less alone in your inevitable human brokenness, and
Rebuild a truer perspective of self.

Tori gives you hope that you can get unstuck while finding healing that sticks. If you are willing to do the hard work, it's possible to break the patterns that have broken us and see yourself for who you truly are -- good, safe, and loved.

Critique: Thoroughly 'reader friendly' in tone, substance, organization, presentation, and application, "Breaking the Patterns That Break You: Healing from the Pain of Your Past and Finding Real Hope That Lasts" by Tori Hope Peterson is inspirationally motivating, behaviorally insightful, and 'real world practical' in effecting positive changes in our behaviors, perceptions, and attitudes in dealing with the sometimes harsh realities of our daily lives and circumstances. Presented from a Christian perspective and universal in relevance, "Breaking the Patterns That Break You" is especially and unreservedly recommended for personal reading lists, as well as community and college/university library Self-Help/Self- Improvement collections. It should be noted that this paperback edition of "Breaking the Patterns That Break You" from Nelson Books is also available in a digital book format (Kindle, $12.99).

Editorial Note: Tori Hope Petersen (www.torihopepetersen.com) is an author, speaker, Bible teacher, and lover of people. Since coming to faith, she has shared her testimony and life as authentically as she can to help and offer hope to others. Tori is known for her fierce advocacy work for foster care, adoption, and vulnerable children.

Okay, Now What?
Kate Gladdin
www.kategladdin.com
Alcove Press
www.alcovepress.com
9781639109128, $31.99, HC, 240pp

https://www.amazon.com/Okay-Now-What-Resilient-Tough/dp/1639109129

Synopsis: Kate Gladdin was twenty years old, she woke up in the middle of the night to find out her older sister had died in a tragic road accident. Suddenly, everything she knew about her life, her future, and her family shattered in a heartbeat.

Just like Gladdin, we all face loss in different ways. Because adversity is a part of life. There's no getting around it, only through it, and the most vital tool we need to overcome the unexpected is resilience.

It was this realization that led Gladdin to become a resilience expert, life coach, and motivational speaker. Through her own proven three-step strategy using the three Rs - to recognize, reflect, and redirect - she now has the skills to use anytime she feels helpless and wants to take back control over any circumstance she faces.

It's this incredible method that Gladdin teaches in "Okay, Now What?" She shows readers how to: Recognize what's really causing them to struggle the most; Reflect on the impact of that struggle; Finally (the most important step) how to redirect toward finding the resilience they need to grow through what they go through and create good from even the worst moments in life.

Resilience isn't a fixed trait that you are born with, like your eye color or the shape of your toes. Resilience is a skill that any of us can grow and develop with practice, and in "Okay, Now What?: How to Be Resilient When Life Gets Tough" shows exactly how to do so.

Critique: Part memoir, part self-help manual, part motivational instruction guide, "Okay, Now What?: How to Be Resilient When Life Gets Tough" by motivational speaker Kate Gladdin is exceptionally 'reader/user' friendly and unreservedly recommended reading for anyone seeking personal transformation in their life. While also readily available from Alcove Press for personal reading lists in a digital book format (Kindle, $14.99) and as a complete and unabridged audio book (Tantor Audio, 9798228302051, $39.99, CD), "Okay, Now What?: How to Be Resilient When Life Gets Tough" is especially and unreservedly recommended for community and college/university library Motivational Self-Help collections and supplemental Behavior Sciences curriculum studies lists.

Editorial Note: Kate Gladdin (www.kategladdin.com) is an international speaker, certified life coach, resilience specialist, podcast host, and author of Mini Habits for Teens, The Teen's Guide to Social Skills, and The Social Skills Workbook for Teens. Through her keynote talks, online coaching, and podcast show, Okay, Now What?, Kate has helped more than 250,000 students and young adults build the social and emotional skills they need to become more resilient so they can better handle the unexpected in life.


The Metaphysical Studies Shelf

Pagan Portals - Cerridwen: Keeper of the Cauldron
Danu Forest
Moon Books
Collective Ink Books
https://www.collectiveinkbooks.com
9781789041880, $12.95, PB, 128pp

https://www.amazon.com/Pagan-Portals-Cerridwen-Keeper-Cauldron/dp/1789041880

Synopsis: Cerridwen was an enchantress in Welsh medieval legend. She was the mother of a hideous son, Mordfran, and a beautiful daughter, Creirwy. Her husband was Tegid Foel and they lived near Bala Lake (Llyn Tegid) in north Wales. Medieval Welsh poetry refers to her as possessing the cauldron of poetic inspiration (Awen) and the Tale of Taliesin recounts her swallowing her servant Gwion Bach who is then reborn through her as the poet Taliesin. Ceridwen is regarded by many modern pagans as the Celtic goddess of rebirth, transformation, and inspiration. (Wikipedia)

With the publication of "Cerridwen: Keeper of the Cauldron" Celtic scholar Danu Forest hearken's back to the call of Cerridwen, mistress of initiation and keeper of the cauldron of inspiration. Students of Celtic mythology and folklore will follow the footsteps of the bards and dive into her mysterious depths in search of the radiant brow of inner vision. Drink of her Awen, her divine brew, and sit with Taliesin, keeper of the bright knowledge of spirit.

Cerridwen has been honoured by the Welsh bards for centuries and is known most famously as the mother and initiator of the bardic poet and divine child Taliesin, whose works are the greatest treasures of Welsh medieval literature, unlocking a spiritual tradition whose roots go far back to Britain's most ancient past.

Critique: Part of the simply outstanding 'Pagan Portal' series from Moon Books, "Cerridwen: Keeper of the Cauldron" by Danu Forest is an absolutely fascinating read that includes two Appendices ('A Cerridwen Herbal' and 'Pronunciation Guide'), and a two page Bibliography. While an extraordinarily informative and unreservedly recommended pick for personal, professional, community, and college/university library Celtic Mythology/Folklore collections and supplemental curriculum studies lists, it should be noted for students and non-specialist general readers with an interest in the subject that this paperback edition of "Cerridwen: Keeper of the Cauldron" from Moon Books is also readily available in a digital book format (Kindle, $6.99).

Editorial Note: Danu Forest (www.danuforest.co.uk) is a traditional Celtic wisewoman, of half British and half Irish heritage. She is also a writer, teacher and Celtic Scholar with an MA in Celtic studies. Her thesis was on Celtic folk magic practitioners and the fairy faith. Danu lives in a cottage near Glastonbury Tor in the midst of the Avalon lakes, in the South West of England. Exploring the Celtic mysteries for over 30 years, and noted for her quality research, practical experience, as well as her deep visionary love of the land, Danu writes for numerous national and international magazines and is the author of several books. She is a respected magical teacher, healer and seer offering readings and consultations, workshops and ceremonies, as well as online courses.

Ghosted!
Brian Lythe, James Houran, and Neil Dagnall
McFarland & Company
https://mcfarlandbooks.com
9781476685779, $29.95, PB, 268pp

https://www.amazon.com/Ghosted-Exploring-Haunting-Paranormal-Encounters/dp/1476685770

Synopsis: Paranormal events are purported phenomena described in popular culture, folk, and other non-scientific bodies of knowledge, whose existence within these contexts is described as being beyond the scope of normal scientific understanding.

Reports of paranormal experiences vary tremendously, but are often associated with ghosts, haunted houses, and otherwise eerie circumstances. There exist both classic and modern texts on ghosts and haunted or possessed people, places and spaces; many discuss traditional ideas regarding such phenomena or utilize now-outdated research in highly academic and technical ways.

Co-authored by Brian Lythe, James Houran, and Neil Dagnall, "Ghosted!: Exploring the Haunting Reality of Paranormal Encounters" offers a very different approach in reviews provided by a leading-edge research program devoted to who has ghostly experiences and why.

With new insights both global in scale and multidisciplinary in scope, "Ghosted" is collaboration by five researchers in uncovering and presenting consistent evidence that anomalous experiences represent a very real "Haunted People Syndrome" (a term describing anomalous experiences that manifest recurrently to the same percipients and are interpreted as "ghostly") with implications for future research across academia.

The participation of new citizen scientists (the field investigators and researchers among us) is invited in furthering the exploration of paranormal mysteries.

Critique: Informatively enhanced for the reader's benefit with the inclusion of photos and figures illustrating concepts and models, a Foreword by Chris French, an Afterword by Loyd Auerbach, a 10 page Glossary, and a nine page Index, "Ghosted!: Exploring the Haunting Reality of Paranormal Encounters" is an inherently fascinating and iconoclastic read from start to finish. While available for personal reading lists in a digital book format (Kindle, $19.99), this paperback edition of "Ghosted!" from McFarland & Company is a welcome and recommended pick for community and college/university library Parapsychology/Metaphysical Studies collections and supplemental curriculum studies lists.

Editorial Note #1: Brian Laythe, Ph.D., is the owner of Iudicium psychological consultancy, and the director of the Institute for the Study of Religious and Anomalous Experience (I.S.R.A.E.).

Editorial Note #2: James Houran is a former faculty member of the Southern Illinois University School of Medicine (Dept. of Psychiatry) and is currently President of 2020Skills.com (TM) at HVS International--an online assessment business for human resource screening and selection.

Editorial Note #3: Neil Dagnall, Ph.D., is a reader (associate professor) in the department of psychology at Manchester Metropolitan University (UK). He has been involved with the teaching and researching of the anomalous for over 20 years and is a strong advocate of public engagement and education in science.

Angelic Vibrations Oracle
Josephine Wall
Findhorn Press
www.findhornpress.com
c/o Inner Traditions International, Ltd.
www.innertraditions.com
9798888501399, $19.99, Card Deck, 128pp

https://www.amazon.com/Angelic-Vibrations-Oracle-50-Card-Guidebook/dp/B0CSBT2WCP

Synopsis: Angels surround us always, offering signs of hope and comfort as well as messages of guidance and protection. Offering a hands-on tool to connect with the healing frequencies and loving guidance of angels, "Angelic Vibrations Oracle" is a metaphysical collection that includes 50 full-color cards featuring intricate angel images by renowned surrealist artist Josephine Wall.

An accompanying guidebook describes the wise and supportive message of each angel as well as how to use the cards for daily guidance or for insight into a specific issue

Embedded with heart-opening frequencies, the evocative portraits in this beautiful 50-card oracle deck have us connect intuitively with their celestial wisdom, support, and healing vibrations. Each of these angelic messengers brings a wise and loving message, reminding us that we are never alone and that divine guidance is always available.

The accompanying guidebook also explains how to use the cards for daily guidance or for insight on a specific issue. Whether you are looking for answers, healing, or spiritual transformation, this deck will empower you with angelic support, leading to more stability, harmony, and peace in your lives.

Critique: The gorgeous, magnificent artwork illustrating each card in Josephine Wall's "Angelic Vibrations Oracle: A 50-Card Deck and Guidebook" is an inspirational and ideal for Angel and Spirit Guide channeling and divination -- making this New Age Mysticism themed card deck unreservedly recommended addition to personal and professional Divination & Oracle card collections.

Editorial Note: Josephine Wall (https://josephinewall.co.uk) is a renowned surrealist painter, potter, sculptor, and artist who is particularly known for her intricate fantasy motifs. She lives in the south of England.


The Criminology Shelf

In the Name of God: Who Knew What When?
Christine Dolan
Histria Books
www.histriabooks.com
9781592114238, $29.99, HC, 200pp

https://www.amazon.com/Name-God-Knew-What-When/dp/1592114237

Synopsis: With the publication of "In the Name of God - Who Knew What When?", investigative journalist Christine Dolan takes her readers back to the beginning of the 2002 Catholic Church sex scandal implosion that ricocheted across the globe like breaking dominoes. -- Christine Dolan was there from before the break in the damn as an investigative journalist.

Originally from Boston, and raised in a prominent Catholic family, Christine was able to discover information that even the Massachusetts prosecutors were ignorant of in early January 2002. Her sources went deep inside the Church and when she realized the Church thought they were protected by Canon Law, she dug deeper into the criminal model whose goal was to protect the Church at all costs.

Prosecutors were negotiating with Cardinal Law's lawyers. Christine told them to pivot and seize the "historical secret archives" regardless of the statute of limitation hurdles so they understood the roadmap. Christine was able to prove with documentation that the Church leadership had such documents going back to the 3rd century.

Critique: An inherently fascinating, impressively informative, genuinely seminal and ground-breaking combination of expose and study, "In the Name of God: Who Knew What When?" is a classic example of how investigative journalism can be (and simply is) fundamental to the eradication of corruption within institutions of power and men of authority -- in this case the Roman Catholic Church and its clergy from priest to pope. While also available for personal reading lists in a digital book format (Kindle, $14.99), this hardcover edition of "In the Name of God: Who Knew What When? by Christine Dolan is especially and unreservedly recommended for personal, professional, community, church, seminary, and college/university library Investigative Journalism collections and Catholic Church Reform Issues reading lists.

Editorial Note: Christine Dolan is a broadcast and print investigative journalist, photographer, author, and recognized as one of the most seasoned investigators of human trafficking in the world. Her career has focused on US and international politics and policy, wars/conflicts, humanitarian disasters, terrorist and criminal networks. Since 2000, she has focused on human trafficking and terrorism worldwide on the street, and over the internet, as well as international politics and policy. (https://www.echoproject.com.au/christine-dolan-biography)

Meet the Kellys
Chris Enss
Citadel Press
c/o Kensington Publishing Corp.
www.kensingtonbooks.com
9780806543055, $29.00, HC, 320pp

https://www.amazon.com/Meet-Kellys-Machine-Kathryn-Thorne/dp/0806543051

Synopsis: How did a small-time, hip-pocket bootlegger become one of the most notorious gangsters in the country? For George "Machine Gun" Kelly, the answer was simple: a woman.

Her name was Kathryn Thorne, a charming, strong-minded beauty who had family connections in the crime world -- and big ambitions for the tall, handsome bootlegger. By the time she met Kelly, she was already an experienced criminal herself, divorced twice, and ready to marry a man who could give her the posh life she always dreamed of. With that in mind, she bought Kelly his first machine gun. And the rest is Prohibition era history...

George Kelly wasn't a natural-born gangster and never carried a weapon bigger than a revolver. But Kathryn changed all that. Like a mobbed-up Lady Macbeth, she pushed her husband to commit greater crimes, introducing him to her friends in the underworld and convincing him to join in a series of bank robberies. Soon, the Kellys were living large, with a house in Texas, expensive jewelry, the works. But it wasn't enough, and eventually the couple hatched a daring plot to kidnap oil tycoon Charles Urschel. Their plan worked. They collected the ransom -- in doing so captured the attention of the nation, the world... and the FBI.

A shocking story of ambition and greed, crime and punishment, with the publication of "Meet the Kellys: The True Story of Machine Gun Kelly and His Moll Kathryn Thorne" by Chris Enss offers a fascinating portrait of a reluctant gangster named after a machine gun and a scheming moll as driven as Bonnie Parker and Ma Barker.

Critique: A meticulously documented history and biography that reads like an action/adventure novel from start to finish, "Meet the Kellys: The True Story of Machine Gun Kelly and His Moll Kathryn Thorne" will be of particular appeal to readers with an interest in the outlaws that made headlines during the 'Roaring Twenties' era of the Great Depression, Prohibition Bootlegging, Notorious Bank Robbers and Kidnappers. An inherently fascinating and riveting read from start to finish, "Meet the Kellys" by Chris Enss is especially and unreservedly recommended for community and college/university library True Crime and 20th Century American History/Biography collections. It should be noted for personal reading lists that this hardcover edition of "Meet the Kellys" from Citadel Press is also readily available in a digital book format (Kindle, $14.54).

Editorial Note: Chris Enss (https://chrisenss.com) is the author of more than 50 books. Focusing on extraordinary women throughout history, her work has been honored with nine Will Rogers Medallion Awards, two Elmer Kelton Book Awards, an Oklahoma Center for the Book Award, three Foreword Review Magazine Book Awards, the Laura Downing Journalism Award, and a Willa Cather Award from Women Writing the West for scholarly nonfiction. Enss's books include The Doctor Was a Woman: Stories of the First Female Physicians on the Frontier, An Open Secret: The Story of Deadwood's Most Notorious Bordellos, Ma Barker: America's Most Wanted Mother, The Trials of Annie Oakley, and Straight Lady: The Life and Times of Margaret Dumont "The Fifth Marx Brother."


The Holocaust Studies Shelf

Tunnel of Hope
Dr. Betty Brodsky Cohen
Gefen Publishing House
c/o Storch
www.gefenpublishing.com
9789657801291, $39.95, HC, 716pp

https://www.amazon.com/Tunnel-Hope-Betty-Brodsky-Cohen/dp/965780129X

Synopsis: "Tunnel of Hope: Escape from the Novogrudok forced Labor Camp" by Dr. Betty Brodsky Cohen is the true story of what is likely to have been the greatest prisoner escape of the Holocaust through a 200 meter tunnel -- the longest hand-dug tunnel of World War II.

This escape in present-day Belarus was planned and executed by approximately 240 Jewish prisoners under the noses of their Nazi captors.

In "Tunnel of Hope", Dr. Cohen has identified most of the escapees and found that at least 133 survived the escape. With the help of a genealogist, she located their descendants all over the world in order to write their inspiring pre and post-war life stories. She has also explored the important role of the nearby Bielski partisans in triggering the escape as well as the process of interviewing the second generation survivors.

"Tunnel of Hope" is an amazing story of courage, persistence, and determination. Most of all it is a story of hope and of choosing life.

Critique: A simply fascinating read from start to finish (the author's own mother, Fanya Dunetz, was escapee #142), this hardcover edition of Dr. Betty Brodsky Cohen's comprehensive and detailed history showcased in "Tunnel of Hope: Escape from the Novogrudok forced Labor Camp" is enhanced for the reader's benefit with the inclusion of 16 pages of color photographs, 6 Appendices, 124 pages of Endnotes, and a one page bibliography listing of Books and Articles. Simply stated, this edition of Dr. Cohen's "Tunnel of Hope" is a unique, essential, and unreservedly recommended addition to personal, community, and college/university library Holocaust collections and supplemental World War II curriculum studies lists.

Editorial Note: Betty Brodsky Cohen is a doctor of clinical social work, a certified educator, and a diplomat of logotherapy who resides in Jerusalem. For well over a decade she conducted extensive interviews with both tunnel survivors and their children, whom she located worldwide with the aid of a genealogist. The result is the first book on this remarkable, unprecedented escape through the longest hand-dug tunnel of World War II.


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