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Small Press Bookwatch

Volume 12, Number 1 January 2013 Home | SPBW Index

Table of Contents

Reviewer's Choice Architecture Shelf Social Issues Shelf
Economic Studies Shelf Parenting Shelf Fantasy/SciFi Shelf
Fiction Shelf Self-Help Shelf Memoir Shelf
Mystery/Suspense Shelf Poetry Shelf Women's Studies Shelf
Crafts Shelf Money/Finance Shelf Business Shelf
World History Shelf Cookbook Shelf African-American Studies Shelf
Gaming Shelf Religion/Spirituality Shelf Pets/Wildlife Shelf
Travel Shelf Humor Shelf Biography Shelf
Psychology Shelf Judaic Studies Shelf Health/Medicine Shelf
Metaphysical Studies Shelf LGBT Shelf Philosophy Shelf
Relationship Shelf Photography Shelf Computer Shelf


Reviewer's Choice

The Fast Track Guide to Speaking in Public
Jan Yager
Hannacroix Creek Books
1127 High Ridge Road, #110
Stamford, CT 06905
9781889262680, $19.95, www.hannacroixcreekbooks.com

Speaking in public is something many of us must face, and paralyzes just as many. "The Fast Track Guide to Speaking in Public: Mastering Keynote Addresses, Half-Day or All-Day Seminars, Introductions, or Media Interviews" is a motivational guide from Jan Yager who advises readers to piece together their confidence, be prepared, and deliver their message clearly and concisely and avoid the pitfalls of first time speakers. "The Fast Track Guide to Speaking in Public" is a strong addition to self-help and inspirational collections, highly recommended.

Once Upon a Rock Star
Rita Rae Roxx
Arbor Oak Books
13518 L Street, Omaha, NE 68137
9781936840168, $21.95, www.onceuponarockstarbook.com

There are people who love music, and those who really love the music and everything surrounding it. "Once Upon a Rock Star: Backstage Passes in the Heavy Metal Eighties - Big Hair, Bad Boys (and One Bad Girl)" is the memoir from Rita Rae Roxx, who shares her journey through the eighties and the youth spent chasing rock stars and getting back stage passes with connections to the countless stars throughout the eighties, getting close to the rock immortals and telling all that saw and felt. "Once Upon a Rock Star" is filled with humor and very personal stories, a must for those who are nostalgic for the wild days of rock and roll, highly recommended.

My CIA
Katherine McCord
Telling Our Stories
7490 Wind Swept Court, Sykesville, MD 2178
9780982922842, $14.99, www.tellingourstoriespress.com

Lies and secrecy are just everyday things when you live so close to the CIA. "My CIA" is a memoir from Katherine McCord who shares her stories of growing up so close to the CIA, as her father's missions kept them in the dark about his actions and fate, and an odd air of uncertainty even as they lived in the quiet Midwest. A familial tale of being so close to the CIA, "My CIA" is an informative and curious read.

The Bard Eternal
Robert Burns
New Voices
c/o Lady Bug Press
16964 Columbia Drive
Sonora, CA 95370-9111
1889409774, $25.00, www.ladybugpress.com

The romances of Shakespeare have touched many in the centuries following his physical demise. "The Bard Eternal: A Love Story" is twist of poetry and prose from Robert Burns as he presents his take on the journeys of the bard through history through the eyes of Thomas Tuck, presenting a love story throughout time and that should never fade. For fans of Shakespeare and his unique style, "The Bard Eternal" should prove very much a treat.

Widow
Joanna Romer
MSI Press
1761-F Airline Hwy, Hollister, CA 95023
9781933455242, $14.95, www.msipress.com

The loss of one so close to you is a pain few want to endure. "Widow: A Survival Guide for the First Year" is a self-help and inspirational guide for those who are coping with the loss of a soulmate. Advising how to best cope with the emotional overload, dealing with practical matters such as the leftovers of physical possessions, and most importantly, finding the way to keep living life when it seems like the last thing you want to do. "Widow" is a powerful and much recommended addition to self-help collections, enthusiastically recommended.


The Architecture Shelf

Green Building Strategies
Jeannie Leggett Sikora
National Association of Home Builders
1201 15th Street, NW
Washington, DC 20005-2800
9780867186796 $44.95 www.BuilderBooks.com

Energy efficiency consultant Jeannie Leggett Sikora presents Green Building Strategies: From Plan to Profit, an up-to-date guide (illustrated with occasional black-and-white photographs) concerning the best available practices for designing, constructing, testing, and ensuring durability in modern homes. Straightforward methodology for each component of the building process (including design, site development and construction, quality assurance, marketing, and customer service) makes Green Building Strategies an accessible and resourceful "must-have" for aspiring and practicing professionals in the field. "A home's construction should prevent indoor air from entering the wall cavity and the attic. Creating a barrier to prevent interior air from escaping is beneficial - especially in cold climates - because air entering wall cavities can filter through fibrous insulation, reducing its effective R-value and contributing to leakage to the outdoors."


The Social Issues Shelf

The Work of Hope
Richard C. Harwood
Kettering Foundation Press
200 Commons Road, Dayton, OH 45459
978092399345, $10.00, www.theharwoodinstitute.org

Most of mankind wishes to help others and live up to their standards, although doing good often proves very difficult. "The Work of Hope: How Individuals & Organizations Can Authentically Do Good" is a positive read from Richard C. Harwood as he analyzes the nature of mankind and businesses and their push to do better in their lives in the face of many bad deeds and exploitations on many levels. "The Work of Hope" is a fine collection of inspiration and wisdom for those who want to drive themselves to succeed further.

Lawful Abuse
Robert Flynn
Wings Press
627 E. Guenther
San Antonio, TX 78210
9781609402778, $16.95, www.wingspress.com

Corporatism has gained a firm grasp on America as we know it. "Lawful Abuse: How the Century of the Child Became the Century of the Corporation" is an analysis of the rise of corporatism in America, as author Robert Flynn plots the chart of how the first half of the century brought so many advancements to improve the life of the child and their future, and how Reagan and the 1980s brought an end to that and have given huge concessions to the corporations that the first half tried so hard to fight. "Lawful Abuse" is an analysis of how corporate child abuse has taken so much hold on America, will worth considering for social issues and studies collections.


The Economic Studies Shelf

After Capitalism
Dada Maheshvarananda
Inner World Publications
PO Box 1613, San German, Puerto Rico, 00683
9781881717140, $19.95, www.aftercapitalism.org

The growing dissatisfaction throughout the world has begun to place the blame upon Capitalism. "After Capitalism: Economic Democracy in Action" discusses the rise of economy democracy as Dada Maheshvarananda terms it, touching on the rise of cooperatives and other organizations in response to the failings of capitalism. Discussing six successes in the push for economic democracy on many continents, "After Capitalism" provides a knowledgeable look at international economics and the future of a world changing capitalism as we know it.


The Parenting Shelf

Raising Teens in the 21st Century
James G. Wellborn, PhD
12 Mile Bayou Press
330 Franklin Road, Suite 135A-225
Brentwood, TN 37027-3282
9780985661403, $17.99, www.drjameswellborn.com

Technology and a rapidly changing culture make parenting a whole different animal compared to past generations. "Raising Teens in the 21st Century: A Practical Guide to Effective Parenting" is a parenting guide from James G. Wellborn who offers his own advice on guiding teenagers through life by focusing on being an active participant in their lives and being honest with them about many topics. "Raising Teens in the 21st Century" is worth considering for those seeking parenting advice for dealing with the slew of technology in the modern era, and the issues that are universal.

The Body Image Survival Guide
Marci Warhaft-Nadler
Eifrig Publishing
PO Box 66, 701 Berry Street
Lemont, PA 16851
9781936172580, $14.99, www.eifrigpublishing.com

A healthy body image is hard to keep in mind where perfection lurks everywhere we turn. "The Body Image Survival Guide: For Parents, Helping Toddlers, Tweens, and Teens Thrive" is a parent's guide to helping their children develop into men and women who aren't stressed out by the fact they aren't muscle men or twiggy models. With plenty of wisdom to encourage good health for a lifetime and help dispel the media's idealization of the human form, "The Body Image Survival Guide" is very much worth considering for fighting shame.

It's Not About You, Except When It Is
Barbara Victoria
Central Recovery Press
3321 N. Buffalo Drive
Las Vegas, NV 89129
9781936290949, $15.95, www.centralrecoverypress.com

Addiction can tear apart families, no matter who holds the disease. "It's Not About You, Except When It Is: A Field Manual for Parents of Addicted Children" is a guide for parents who want to lend their children that reliable shoulder to help them in their fight against their own life's addictions, helping them overcome them and get their lives on track. Strong advice for stressed parents, "It's Not About You, Except When It Is" is a must for parenting and addiction recovery collections.


The Fantasy/SciFi Shelf

Ravenwild
Peter J. Plasse
Inkwell Productions
10869 N. Scottsdale Rd. #103-128
Scottsdale, AZ 85254-5280
9780985250119 $19.50 www.inkwellproductions.com

Ravenwild is an epic fantasy of ordinary people suddenly thrust into an incredible, alien world. When medical doctor Blake Lee Strong pauses to help a downed motorcyclist in need, it kicks off a chain of events that transports him and his family to the planet Inam'Ra, with a medieval society populated by a medley of races - trolls, gnomes, elves, dwarves, humans, and incredible, fantastic beasts. Survival itself is difficult enough in this challenging environment, but a terrible threat casts a shadow over the country of Ravenwild, and Doctor Strong and his family are caught up in the tremendous fight to prevent protect all! Highly recommended, especially for fans of high fantasy adventure.

The Shapeshifters' Library Released
Amber Polo
Blue Merle Publishing
Drawer Box H
Mountain City, Georgia 30562
9780977329663 $16.95 www.bluemerlepublishing.com

The Shapeshifters' Library Released is a fantastic novel that will appeal especially to book lovers and dog lovers. In humble Shipsfeather, Ohio, an ancient race of were-dog scholars protect a library filled with the accumulated knowledge of the world. But they're opposed by a nefarious cabal of book-burning werewolves, and for years a curse has imprisoned the dog-shifters in the basement of the town library. Can they convince the librarian and her eccentric staff to believe in magic and set them free? A delightful adventure, The Shapeshifters' Library Released is a fantastic giftbook, especially recommended as a gift for people who treasure their furry canine friends!

Terrifying Transformation
Alexis Easley & Shannon Scott, editors
Valancourt Books
PO Box 8852, Kansas City, MO 64114
9781934555804, $14.99, www.valancourtbooks.com

The werewolf romances much of us with the ideas of man and beast, and the blurred line between. "Terrifying Transformations: An Anthology of Victorian Werewolf Fiction" is a collection of short fiction from the nineteenth century, capturing the Victorian era's fascination with the idea of wolf men. The short stories are compiled from many writers, including horror legend Bram Stoker and non-horror but famed authors Rudyard Kipling and Arthur Conan Doyle. "Terrifying Transformations" is a must for those who want a taste of the classic origins of the genre, highly recommended.

Shifter
Steven D. Jackson
Rhemala Publishing
PO Box 1790, Moses Lake, WA 98837
9781936850495, $13.99, www.rhemalda.com

To alter reality as we know it is not a talent to be taken lightly. "Shifter" follows John Davis as comes to realize his potential in changing the world around him, or 'shifting' it. His new found talents get him targeted by those who view such powers as dangerous, and with his life on the line, he has to master the very power of his persecution. "Shifter" is a riveting blend of fantasy and thriller, recommended.

Some Distant Shore
Dave Creek
Yard Dog Press
710 W. Redbud Lane
Alma, AR 72921-7247
9781937105327, $14.00, www.yarddogpress.com

Some jobs you have to learn and master fast. "Some Distant Shore" is a science fiction adventure following Mike Christopher as crisis hits Earth and its neighbors, and he finds the newest ambassador to Earth under his instruction. Dealing with a personal romance gone sour, and alien treachery among him, "Some Distant Shore" is a fine science fiction adventure that shouldn't be overlooked.

Foreseen
Terri-Lynne Smiles
Platforge
1650 Lake Shore Drive, Suite 225
Columbus, OH 43204
9781937979058, $12.95, www.plotforge.com

Those with unnatural talents use them, for good or for ill. "Foreseen" is a blend of fantasy and political thriller, telling of the clash of 'adepts' who have grown to using the political powers of the world to assist their own. Kinzie Nicolosi, a college student who always felt an other, realizes his own potential power and finds them as much a blessing as a curse. "Foreseen" is an adventurous twist of genre, much recommended.

The White Thread
K. B. Hoyle
The Writer's Coffee Shop Publishing House
PO Box 2116, Waxahachie, TX 75168
9781612131078, $23.99, www.thewriterscoffeeshop.com

When we seek to break the status quo, there are always problems and resistance to the matter. "The White Thread" is the third book in K. B. Hoyle's Gateway Chronicles series. "The White Thread" follows Darcy Pennington, a traveler between worlds, as she agonizes over what she has faced so far in her life. As she returns to the Cedar Cove Family Camp, she realizes she has much to endure surrounding her friendships and a rescue she needs to make. "The White Thread" is a choice and recommended addition to fantasy and fiction collections.

Tycho
William Woodall
Jeremiah Press
PO Box 121, Antoine, AR 71922
9780983329831, $8.97, www.williamwoodall.org

The power of science must be handled gently. "Tycho" follows the titular character, who in 2154, discovers and unleashes a new disease that threatens to wipe out humanity in mere days. Having to escape to the moon to avoid the plague, and the side effects of the virus may linger on for quite some time to come, and the moon, despite all of the efforts, isn't yet completely hospitable to mankind. A science fiction adventure of survival, "Tycho" is worth considering for genre fans.


The Fiction Shelf

Queen Kinni
Beverly A. B Urchett & Fatou K. Goumbala
Black Currant Press
116-35 194th Street, Saint Albans, NY 11412
9780981711119, $12.50, www.blackcurrantpress.com

Against thousands of years of tradition, one young woman has to shake off the will of the past. "Queen Kinni" is a novel of how ancient African traditions affect Harlem girl Kinni Bargia, who finds the spectres of her ancestral homeland reaching out through history to bring her down, despite her fierce independence, and the pressures of her family. Against many odds, keeping her will strong may be harder for Kinni than she knows. "Queen Kinni" is an enticing read, not to be missed.

All the Wrong Places
Pam Glenn
Class Action Ink
950 SW 21st Avenue #1012, Portland, OR 97205
9780984153022, $12.95, www.classactionink.com

The search for love often goes sour. "All the Wrong Places: Mrs. Frog's Improbable Search for Love" is a humorous novel from Pam Glenn, exploring romance through the eyes of a single amphibian trying to find a mate and a life worth living. An amusing parable, "All The Wrong Places" is tartly tongue-in-cheek, and very much worth considering.

Life's Attic
Elizabeth Ely
Barbauld Publishing
1877 San Pedro Avenue
Victoria, BC Canada, V8N 2G7
9780987790804, $15.95, www.barbauldpublishing.com

Love can bloom anywhere, even when it may be problematic. "Life's Attic" is a novel from Elizabeth Ely, who tells of Leanne Porter and her romance with Jay Hanson. They grow to find love, but Jay's condition of carrying AIDS threatens their future and potential for love and family. An insightful story of facing hardship as a couple and coping with mortality, "Life's Attic" is a fine addition to any contemporary collection of fiction, recommended.

The Spare Room
Jenny Land
Voyage
c/o Brigantine Media
211 North Avenue, St. Johnsbury, VT 05819
9781938406010, $14.95, www.brigantinemedia.com

Standing against slavery seems so simple now, but in the 1840s, such a stand was a tougher one to take. "The Spare Room" is a novel of Pre-Civil War America, as those in the north who wanted to fight to abolish slavery. But to take those who are fleeing oppression is not an easy stand to take, as one may have to gamble their own life to make a difference. "The Spare Room" is a must for historical fiction collections, with plenty to consider, very much recommended reading.

Background Noise
Peter DeMarco
Pangea Books
PO Box 818, 31 Vose Avenue
South Orange, NJ 07079-0818
9781938545139, $8.99, www.pangeabooks.net

The ideals of the hero are always tested. "Background Noise" is a novel following the dedicated Henry Walker, a man disillusioned with his town, in his efforts to clean it up. Fascinated with his own ideals of revenge, his acts of cleaning the town are stressed in their own ways. "Background Noise" is a riveting novel that should prove hard to put down.

Motorcycle High
Dave Harrold
Viveca Smith Publishing
PO Box #131, 3001 S. Hardin Blvd., Ste. 110
McKinney, TX 75070
9780974055145, $24.99, www.vivecapublishing.com

The open road and the world ahead of you, adventure is the calling of the motorcyclist. "Motorcycle High: The Adventures of Rock Pounder" is an adventure novel following world traveling motorcycle legend Rock Pounder as he embarks on his epic journey around the world filled with intrigue, women, and everything else you see going around the world. For those seeking a riveting story of cycling round the world, "Motorcycle High" is a pulpy adventure to be savored!

Edge of Oblivion
J.T. Geissinger
Montlake Romance
PO Box 400818, Las Vegas, NV 89140
9781612184197, $12.95, www.wunderkind-pr.com

One last chance to save a life, with a mission that may mean death in itself. "Edge of Oblivion" is a novel of fantasy and adventure. Morgan Montgomery, a woman with a death sentence, is charged with her mission of mercy, infiltrate the Expurgari, the enemies of the group that views her as a traitor, the Ikati. Her mission isn't easy, and the clash with the deadly Expurgari enforcer Xander and the allure that he brings doesn't soften things. "Edge of Oblivion" is an enticing story of thrill and romance, not to be overlooked.

Garbage Night at the Opera
Valerie Fioravanti
BkMk Press
University House, 5105 Rockhill Road
Kansas City, MO 64110-2499
9781886157842, $15.95, www.umkc.edu

To get out of Brooklyn is the dream of many who call Brooklyn home. "Garbage Night at the Opera" is a collection of short fiction from Valerie Fioravanti who compiles a collection of fiction focusing on the working class of New York City, struggling through their lives of work and love in the streets of the neighborhood, living in the shadow of a once prosperous area. With poignancy and a certain level of humor, "Garbage Night at the Opera" is an excellent addition to any short fiction collection focusing on the lives of New York.

The Portable Son
Barrett Hathcock
Aqueous Books
PO Box 12784, Pensacola, FL 32591
9780982673485, $14.00, www.aqueousbooks.com

A series of events makes us into what we will ultimately become. "The Portable Son" is a collection of short fiction from Barrett Hathcock, focusing on the stories of Peter Traxler, a young boy of Mississippi coming of age and dealing with the world changing around him, his family changing, his friends changing, and trying to understand what it means for him. With the humor of life, the tale is told in a series of stories, making "The Portable Son" an enticing and insightful collection, not to be missed.

The Conjurer & Other Azorean Tales
Darrell Kastin
Tagus Press
285 Old Westport Road
North Damouth MA 02747-2300
9781933227412, $19.95, www.portstudies.umass.edu

The mysticism that lies within the land draws us to it. "The Conjurer & Other Azorean Tales" is a collection of short fiction surrounding the Azorean Islands and the island's certain beauty and majesty, and the wisdom that seems to float about it. Drawing on the naturally supernatural, "The Conjurer & Other Azorean Tales" is an enticing collection of short fiction, very much recommended reading.

Loving Therese
Ju Ephraime
Envision School Publishing
23 Kimberly Avenue, Second Floor, Front
West Haven, CT 06516
9780983602927, $9.99, www.envisionschoolpublishing.com

Love and hate are so often closer together than we think. "Loving Therese" tells of the unusual romance on the island of Martinique, between Therese and Foxx, who have had their love before, only for it to go so sour. Foxx wants vengeance the second time around, but quickly finds that vengeance is less appealing when love is in front of him. "Loving Therese" is a choice pick for lovers of romance, recommended.

It Takes You Over
Nick Healy
New Rivers Press
1104 7th Avenue South
Moorhead, MN 56563
9780898232639, $14.95, www.newriverspress.com

Even the simplest things in our lives can become something so much greater. "It Takes You Over" is a collection of short fiction from Nick Healy who presents stories of simple everyday people swept up into something greater than themselves and their search for something more out of their lives and their living. "It Takes You Over" is a choice and recommended addition to general fiction collections, not to be missed.

Balance
Bob Freeland
Prose Press
75 Red Maple Drive
Pawleys Island, SC 29585
9780985188931, $15.95, www.prosepress.biz

To be at war for so long is paid for something that isn't tangible. "Balance" is a novel following troubled veteran Gabe Quinn who can't readjust to civilian life. As a new opportunity in Iraq emerges for him, he seeks to finish what he started to get his own humanity back. "Balance" is an adventure novel drawn from author Bob Freeland's own experiences, and is well worth considering.

Jonah the Woodchopper
Joshua Rubin
Penlight
527 Empire Blvd., Brooklyn, NY 11225
9780983868514, $14.95, www.Penlightpublications.com

We cannot run from society forever. "Jonah the Woodchopper" follows a man, who when spurned by his life wholly, decides to leave society for the peace of living alone. When he seeks to rejoin society, he comes with wisdom of his deep thoughts, and Joshua Robin uses a short story narrative format to tell of Jonah's encounters with many and what he learns and what he teaches. "Jonah the Woodchopper" is a riveting and insightful read, not to be overlooked.

Chasing Sylvia Beach
Cynthia Morris
Original Impulse
PO Box 300044, Denver, CO 80203
9780975922439, $15.00, www.ChasingSylviaBeach.com

The romance of Paris allures many, but reality is always so much more sour. "Chasing Sylvia Beach" follows Lily Heller as her fascination with the Paris leads her to visit the city, and find herself tossed through time and into the twilight of her favorite era, Paris between the two world wars. Without strong communication, she experiences much she has sought, rubbing elbows with literary legends... but also facing the chances at affecting literature as she knows it. "Chasing Sylvia Beach" is an insightful delve into the fantasy of Paris, a much recommended pick.

That Cloud Looks Like Jesus
Marc Berlin
BB Books
201 Bingham Rd., Carlisle, MA 01741
9780985962401, $9.99, www.amazon.com

The world doesn't make as much sense as we want it to be. "That Cloud Looks Like Jesus... Plus 53 Other Strange, Bizarre (and Possibly True) Stories You'll Never See in the New York Times" is a collection of flash fiction from Marc Berlin who touches on the vaguely plausible yet vaguely absurd notions that may fill the papers of the near future. With a unique sense of humor, "That Cloud Looks Like Jesus" is worth considering for fans of flash fiction.

The Master of Evolution
Gregory Hatton
Universal Wisdom Publications
PO Box 59029, Burnaby, BC Canada V5E 2T9
9780988027527, $34.95, www.themasterofevolution.com

The nature of mankind, its faith and science unite in its origins. "The Master of Evolution" is a curious exploration of the metaphysical from Gregory Hatton as he uses a novel to create a discussion of the origins of mankind and the coding of God in science and evolution. Looking into the stars and presenting an intriguing interpretation of the universe and the ultimate destiny of mankind, "The Master of Evolution" is a strong pick for those who want much to consider for metaphysical spirituality collections, highly recommended.


The Self-Help Shelf

Make Your Shift
Beverly D. Flaxington
ATA Press
c/o C. S. Lewis & Co Publicists
19 Cardinal Drive, Woodstock, NY 12498
9780983762027, $15.95, www.clewispublicity.om

Small moves in our life push us towards better success and what we seek. "Make Your Shift: The Five Most Powerful Moves You Can Make to Get Where You Want to Go" is an inspirational and motivational guides as Beverly D. Flaxington advises readers to push their goals and ideas in their lives and allow themselves to piece together their goals and move toward them slowly but surely. "Make Your Shift" is inspirational and highly recommended addition to self-help and motivational collections, not to be missed.

How To Lose Your Mind In No Time
Hanaan Rosenthal
TMI Publishing
61 Doyle Avenue, Providence, RI 02906
9781938371011, $15.00, www.timipublishing.com

Going a little bit crazy in life is just part of the natural order of things. "How To Lose Your Mind In No Time" is a guide to finding life's enlightenment when dealing with an unstable existence where not everything is always a certainty. With plenty to ponder on the nature of life and change, and the pursuit of happiness on a spiritual and universal level. With plenty to ponder on the ideas of life and living, "How To Lose Your Mind In No Time" is well recommended reading.

Pack Leader Psychology
Harper West
Dog Ear Publishing
4010 W. 86th Street, Ste H
Indianapolis, IN 46268
Wingpath Media (publicity)
3128 Walton Blvd., Suite 279
Rochester Hills, MI 48309
9781457511219, $12.99, www.dogearpublishing.net

Leadership is as old as humanity itself, perhaps older. "Pack Leader Psychology" explores the primal psychology that humans and animals, with a focus on dogs, have to blaze their own trail through life. Channeling these primal emotions into leadership qualities and minimizing the primal instincts that can lead us into poor decisions. With plenty to consider to become a stronger leader in the workplace and in life, "Pack Leader Psychology" is well worth considering.


The Memoir Shelf

Brush with Haiti
Kathleen A. Tobin
Millcity Press
212 3rd Avenue North, Suite 290
Minneapolis, MN 55401
9781938223853, $22.00, www.millcitypublishing.com

We learn much from those around us, as they teach us through experience. "Brush with Haiti" is a memoir from Kathleen A. Tobin, reflecting on her journeys to the small island nation of Haiti, touching on the traits that unite the two nations in history and culture, and as just people. Poignant and intriguing writing of a comparison between nations, "Brush with Haiti" is a strong addition to memoir and cultural studies collections, not to be missed.

Chief Complaint Brain Tumor
John Kerstas
Sunstone Press
PO Box 2321, Santa Fe, NM 87504-2321
9780865349087, $16.95, www.sunstonepress.com

Life makes anything a price worth paying. "Chief Complaint Brain Tumor" is a memoir from John Kerstas as he shares his plight of being diagnosed with a brain tumor, and the life that followed from that news. Facing infections, life changes, sensory loss, and much more, Kerstas chooses humor as a coping and healing weapon. "Chief Complaint Brain Tumor" is a strong addition to any cancer or trauma memoir collection, especially those focusing on the power of laughter.

The Eighties
Tom Harvey
Just Load the Wagon Publishing
PO Box 2093, Kirkland, WA 98083
9780982874202, $14.95, www.authortomharvey.com

The eighties are time revered and reviled equally from those who experienced it. "The Eighties" is a memoir from Tom Harvey as he recounts his own personal journey through the decade and becoming an adult throughout it all, twisting his years in high school and college among the very unusual backdrop. Sure to poke nostalgia in more than one way for many a reader, "The Eighties" is a choice pick for those seeking a coming of age memoir, recommended.

When I Met Food
Kathy Sidell
Bibliomotion
33 Manchester Road, Brookline, MA 02446
9781937134310, $24.95, www.bibliomotion.com

Food is a major part of everyone's lives, and to some, making a living in this primal pleasure is a dream come true. "When I Met Food: Living the American Restaurant Dream" is the personal memoirs of Kathy Sidell who tells her life as a foodie to foodie parents, and how her life's path brought her back to the big part of her life, as she found success as a restauranteur in Boston. "When I Met Food" is a moving story of doing what you love to do, highly recommended.

Journey Man
William Claassen
Cornel & Williams
PO Box 1964, Columbia, MO 65205-1964
9780615608488, $15.95, www.williamclaassen.com

There's a lot of world to see, and not a lot of time to do it in. "Journey Man: A World Calling" is a memoir from world traveler William Claassen as he recounts his world travels taking up work on farms around the world, learning many lessons of life from across cultures and finding himself in the middle of violent conflicts as much as the peace of the farmlands. "Journey Man" is an enticing pick for those who enjoy tales of world travel, highly recommended.

A Life in Parts
Vicki Bennington & Daniel Brannan
Stonebrook Publishing
PO Box 6813, Saint Louis, MO 63006
9780983080022, $18.99, www.stonebrookpublishing.net

A minor injury can spiral into so much more. "A Life in Parts" is a memoir from Loretta Goebel as her story is told about how a minor injury spun out of control and claimed her legs, her hands, and her fingers, leaving her life irrevocably changed. Having to relearn how to simply live life, learning how to do many simple things taken for granted once more, "A Life in Parts" is a story of tragedy and triumph over tragedy, much recommended.

Thou Shalt Not Steal
Bill "Ready" Cash
Love Eagle Books
PO Box 609, Lansdowne, PA 19050
9780615445465, $11.95, www.readytoplayball.com

While some look back at the Negro Leagues as a time of unjustified segregation, others remember their time with the fond memories that did come. "Thou Shalt Not Steal: The Baseball Life and Times of a Rifle-Armed Negro League Catcher" is a memoir of Bill 'Ready' Cash, who had much success in the league throughout the 1940s, recalling his own journey into the league, describing life before, during, and after his time. "Thou Shalt Not Steal" is a moving memoir of a Negro league all-star, recommended.

My Father's Room
Roland Salazar Rose
Ramblin/Rose Publishing
265 Main Street, Studio 2
Biddeford, ME 04005
9780981862798, $19.95

When a familial relationship fails, we often wonder why. "My Father's Room" is a memoir from artist Roland Salazar Rose who draws on his life's history and the relationship with his father, which has been strained and the impact of his divorce in the process. In the included companion work "The Four Seasons of the Master Myth", he discusses his influences as an artist. With much to ponder about what creates us, "My Father's Room" is a strong addition to memoir and art collections.

Inspired By Loss
Joy Kalajainen Johnson
Warren Publishing
13420 Reese Blvd. West, Huntersville, NC 28078
9780985309459, $49.95, www.warrenpublishing.net

In the face of the worst of times, we can always come out ahead by embracing our spirits fully. "Inspired by Loss: Amazing Ways People Find the Strength to Go On" is a collection of memoirs and stories of people facing the devastating impact of loss and putting their shattered lives back together and succeeding in spite of it. Heartfelt with much to consider, "Inspired by Loss" has full color artwork all throughout as well as a CD designed to inspire as one copes, enhancing the verse and thought found throughout the book.


The Mystery/Suspense Shelf

The Boogie Trapp
Kerry Copeland Smith
The Peppertree Press, LLC
1269 First Street, Suite 7
Sarasota, Florida 34236
c/o Maryglenn McCombs (publicity)
2817 West End Avenue, Suite 126-274
Nashville, TN 37203
9781614931126 $29.95 www.peppertreepublishing.com

The Boogie Trapp is a dark and suspenseful novel about a thread connecting the present and the past. In Alabama 1949, Boogie and Trapper were two inseparable, if somewhat vitriolic best buds. But a horrendous moment of violence forced a deadly choice upon them. This horrendous incident comes to the fore decades later, when a 72-year-old Boogie learns that Trapper has passed away... leaving behind a letter warning that Boogie must complete "the last and most important mission" of his life. A dark and thrilling saga, The Boogie Trapp keeps the reader hooked to the very last page.

Malena
Edgardo David Holzman
Nortia Press
2321 E 4th Street, C-219
Santa Ana, CA 92705
9780984225279, $14.95, www.nortiapress.com

Eliminate those who oppose you is often a habit of those who seek power at any cost. "Malena" is a novel of political unrest in Argentina following American interpreter Kevin Solorzano as he navigates the tumultuous and deadly political minefield of Argentina where dissent is dealt with swiftly. Creating a bond with an Argentine army general who wants to stop the purges, "Malena" is a strong pick for those who enjoy political thrillers and adventure, much recommended.

Moon Hoax
Paul Gillebaard
Dream Access Books
22431 Antonio Parkway, Department, B160-433
Rancho Santa Margarita, CA 92688
9780615455761, $25.95, www.dreamaccessbooks.com

America's national pride is at stake. "Moon Hoax" is an international thriller as China convinces the world that America never landed on the moon, and son of an astronaut in Peter Novak leads the charge to restore his father's honor as a second space race emerges to restore America's honor and claim as the first nation to put a man on the moon. "Moon Hoax" tells of a modern space race between America and China, a riveting read of intrigue and excitement, much recommended.

So West: Desert Justice
Sisters in Crime Desert Sleuths
DS Publishing
PO Box 9352, Phoenix, AZ 85068
9780982877425, $14.95, www.desertsleuths.com

The law can only go so far, and sometimes it needs to be taken to the next step. "So West: Desert Justice" is a collection of short fiction spanning the American West following the Desert Sleuth Sisters as they travel through the region dispensing law and order through the wide vast wastes and deserts. An adventurous read for those who like a pulpy flavor to their mysteries, "So West" is a treat not to be overlooked.

Fit to Kill
Donnie Ray Whetstone
Stonecart Books
PO Box 249, Littlerock, WA 98556
9781470107741, $15.00, www.donniewhetstone.com

All the fitness in the world won't help you if you're dead. "Fit to Kill" is a mystery novel following Tara Tanner, a detective who a bit of pride in her cases, and demons surrounding her failures in spite of all of her successes. As a serial killer targets La Flore, a city with a strong renown for its fitness, Tara sees an unusual and cruelly ironic pattern of those targeted, and may have to act quickly before more lives are lost. "Fit to Kill" is an exciting twist of mystery and thriller, highly recommended.

The Illusion of Secondhand Smoke
Janice M. Van Dyck
Winston-Higgins Press
262 South Washington Boulevard, #262
Sarasota, FL 34236
9780982614051, $12.50, www.amazon.com

A tragic murder spins the lives of a small town's citizens out of control. "The Illusion of Secondhand Smoke" is a novel set amongst the late 70s where a teenager is murdered due to rumors of his homosexuality. From that event, lives fall apart due to the secrets held. Decades later, a dying man reveals said secrets, as the lives that have followed try to cope and deal with what they had lost. "The Illusion of Secondhand Smoke" is an insightful novel with quite a story to tell, highly recommended.

The Hoarde
Tim Curran
Darkfuse
PO Box 338, North Webster, IN 46555
9781937771386, $15.99, www.darkfuse.com

What is forgotten can often take control of our very souls. "The Hoarde" is a novel of dark terror, as Anna Grish, an aging compulsive hoarder, unknowingly invites evil into her massive belongings. When she is forced to move in with her son, she brings a certain level of horror into his life. "The Hoarde" is a chilling novel with strong psychological elements, exploring the ancient terrors that hold their fear over us.


The Poetry Shelf

Ekaterinoslav
Jane Yolen
Holy Cow! Press
PO Box 3170, Mount Royal Station
Duluth, MN 55803
9780983325468, $15.95, www.holycowpress.org

Many people left their lives and world behind for the simple chance at a better life. Author Jane Yolen uses poetry in "Ekaterinoslav: One Family's Passage to America" to trace her family's roots from Eastern Europe to America, touching on what drove them from their homeland, and how the supposed land of milk and honey was anything but. Poignant and thoughtful, "Ekaterinoslav" is a must for memoir and poetry collections, not to be missed.

Murmur & Crush
Maya Janson
Hedgerow Books
c/o Levellers Press
71 South Pleasant Street
Amherst, MA 01002
9781937146184, $17.00, www.levellerspress.com

Just because the world often makes no sense doesn't mean it's not worth loving. "Murmur & Crush" is a collection of poetry from Maya Janson as she presents her own take on the love of the world, accepting the world for all its joy and ill. "Murmur & Crush" is strongly recommended for poetry lovers. "Lying on a Hill Under Stars: None of It is Enough./Not the sheep as they drink/from the millpond/cloven hooves crushing bluets,/the homely thunk of their bells.//Not the blue at the heart of it.//We are like the girl in the rhyme/calling where o where,/hands deep in the fleece of ourselves,/wanting someone/with verbena-scented hair/and fine-boned wrists/to lift us up, the whole of us/containable, not yet broken.

Seven Places in America
Miriam Sagan
Sherman Asher Publishing
126 Candelario St., Santa Fe, NM 87501
9781890932428, $15.95, www.shermanasher.com

America is a landscape of different places, and each have their own allure. "Seven Places in America" is a collection of poetry from Miriam Sagan who explores the country through seven sites and offers insightful commentary as well as moving poetry. "Seven Places in America" is a strong addition to any poetry collection, recommended. "Stone Quarry Hill": In the late afternoon thunder/Green fields turn greener/And lightning strikes/A little too close./I go downstairs and heat water/For tea on glowing coils/If this poem were Chinese/I'd say my hair is gray (which it is)/And that I haven't heard/News of you for a long time.

Figures of the Muse
Thomas Sanfilip
Ara Pacis
PO Box 1202, Des Plaines, IL 60017-1202
9780962530685, $22.95, www.arapacispublishers.om

What connects us to our ancient ancestors? "Figures of the Muse" is a collection of poetry from Thomas Sanfilip focusing on the bigger picture of human history, looking at the experiences that tie the history all together. Insightful as well as riveting verse, "Figures of the Muse" is a solid addition to poetry collections, not to be missed. A sample: There is a song, maybe one you hear,/the one I carve, the one wind that lowers me to earth/that faintly arrives on my lips,/the one kiss from your mouth/as night pours into us holding fast your melodies that arrive,/the dance you seek, the cancion you memorize/the one we hear crying victimless/in my pain.

Old Well Salted Wounds
Richard K. Tobin
Biographical Publishing Company
95 Sycamore Drive
Prospect, CT 06712-1493
9781929882786 $12.00 www.biopub.co.cc

Old Well Salted Wounds: A Slim Volume of Poetry is a brief yet strikingly original collection of free-verse poetry, drawing upon the contemporary challenges of everyday life. Many poems feature a brief text introduction describing their inspiration or spirit. From a pop-culture view askew of "Peanuts", to a tribute in honor of Canada's upcoming 150th birthday, to the bitter aftermath of a tumultuous romance gone bad, poems in Old Well Salted Wounds span the gamut of emotion from joy to pain. An experimental poetry lover's delight! "The Island of Sweet Breezes": The roiling blue seas / Spewing their eternal breezes / My soul aches to escape, / To do the other thing. / I once presumed, / Yet now I reminisce, / The young have soft hearts / Youth not wasted on they. / Puppy dogs are happy, / Stars come out in the dark; / If we knew, if only we did. / The wind is soft / And breast milk warm.

Dark Elderberry Branch
Ilya Kaminsky & Jean Valentine
Alice James Books
238 Main Street Farmington, ME 04938
9781882295944, $15.00, www.alicejamesbooks.org

Capturing the essence of words is often more important than fully translating it. "Dark Elderberry Branch" is a 'reading' of Marina Tsvetaeva's poetry, as Ilya Kaminsky and Jean Valentine discuss the Russian's poets work as they interpret her words and provide insight on her meaning and her words. With much to ponder on the soul of the poet worldwide, "Dark Elderberry Branch" is a must for international poetry and literary studies collections.

Song of the Owashtanong
David Cope
Ridgeway Press
PO Box 120, Roseville, MI 48066
9781564391353, $12.95, www.poetspath.com

The land and rivers brought people to Michigan, and its presence is still revered in history. "Song of the Owashtanong: Grand Rapids Poetry in the 21st Century" is a collection of poetry compiled by David Cope, capturing the voices of the Grand Rapids and sharing their tales throughout the history of the region, from the first settlers to those fighting its conflicts in the Civil War, to the stories of those who have left it behind as a home. Poignant and insightful poetry from the region, "Song of the Owashtanong" is a choice and much recommended addition to poetry collections, not to be missed. "Afternoon Nap": Don't want to got to sleep/Naked, alone/so I slip into your old cut off faded Laker shorts/They hold no scent/Don't want cold sheet toughing/my curves,/reminding me/you're somewhere at work/Wasting bodyheat into thin air.

Twofold Consciousness
Victor Marshall Depta
Blair Mountain Press
114 East Campbell Street
Frankfort, KY 40601
9780976881773, $15.00, www.blairmtp.net

The Buddha's way is not to provide the answers, but encourage people to find the answers of their own making. "Twofold Consciousness" is a collection of poetry and essays from Victor Marshall Depta as he ponders Buddhist spirituality and thought on many levels, exploring the concepts of self, reality, and the pursuit of enlightenment. With much to think about for Buddhist philosophers, "Twofold Consciousness" is a strong addition to poetry collections focusing on spirituality.

8 Voices
Baskerville Publishers
9112 Camp Bowie West #214
Fort Worth, TX 76116
9781880909799, $21.95, www.baskervillepublishers.com

The wide open spaces and freedom of the American Southwest can breed a different sort of mindset. "8 Voices: Contemporary Poetry from the American Southwest" seeks to demonstrate the best of the Southwestern poetry flavor, bring many poems from eight poets who have been exemplified in representing the region. "8 Voices" is a strongly recommended addition to American poetry collections. "Silence": Earth fills the silence with all things growing./We sit by the creek; our ears full of creeping thyme,/and blossoms,//and sinking rain./The deep breathing of the oaks,/inhaling our worries, blurring the distinction/between heaven//and earth. See how we burst, like squirrel-deep,/sprouting walnuts! Life is no greater than one perfect moment.//I hear you, my beloved, in thick honeysuckle/winds; my heart reaching for you, like the slow green curl of a fern.


The Women's Studies Shelf

Gathering Strength
Peggy Kelsey
Pomegranate Grove Press
c/o Stephanie Barko (publicity)
166100 Crystal Hills, Austin, TX 78737
9780985750206, $19.00, www.pomgrovepress.com

To break free from oppression takes time, and many Afghan women are experiencing rapid changes in their society. "Gathering Strength: Conversation with Afghan Women" is a collection of deeply personal stories, as Peggy Kelsey seeks to gain an understanding of Afghani women, by sharing her discussions with them, as well as their faces, talking with them in both 2003 and 2010. "Gathering Strength" provides a vivid picture of changing times in Afghanistan from a woman's perspective, much recommended reading.


The Crafts Shelf

Modern Mod Podge
Kimberly Mueller
Annies Catalog
306 East Parr Road, Berne, IN 46711
9781596355552, $9.95, www.anniescatalog.com

Modding has become its own style in itself. "Modern Mod Podge" is a guide to unique modification styles and design in getting the most out of artistic design and practical use out of random items throughout one's home, with ideas for everything from book cases to unique photographs to jewelry. With full color photography all throughout, "Modern Mod Podge" is a choice collection and is not to be overlooked, highly recommended.


The Money/Finance Shelf

Clutter-Free Wealth
Liz Miller
Booktiq
c/o Summit Place Financial Advisors
18 Bank Street, Suite 2000, Summit, NJ 07901
9780985568405, $24.00, www.summitplacefinancial.com

Success can be burdensome if one allows it to be. "Clutter-Free Wealth: A Goal-Oriented Guide to Gaining Control of Your Affluence" is a guide to better managing one's own successes in their life as Liz Miller touches on her own success with sage advice on building a more effective life with one's success for the self and those they love. Encouraging an elegant simplicity, "Clutter-Free Wealth" is a well worth considering for personal finance and estate planning, recommended.


The Business Shelf

You and Your Partner, Inc.
Miriam Hawley & Jeffrey McIntyre
Enlightenment Press
1770 Massachusetts Avenue #132
Cambridge, MA 02140-2808
9780615648972, $22.95, www.youandyourpartnerinc.com

A lover can be your best friend, your soul mate... your business partner? "You and Your Partner, Inc.: Entrepreneurial Couples Succeeding in Business, Life, & Love" is an advice guide for couples looking into going into business together as 'copreneurs', and understanding what such an undertaking can do to the business, and the relationship with the stress it brings. With plenty of sage advice on understanding what this does to the personal and business lives, "You and Your Partner, Inc" is a much recommended addition to personal finance and relationship collections.


The World History Shelf

Syria, A Decade of Lost Chances
Carsten Wieland
Cune Press
PO Box 31024, Seattle, WA 98103
9781614570028, $19.95, www.cunepress.net

Syria has been a nation at conflict for much of recent history. "Syria: A Decade of Lost Chances - Repression and Revolution from Damascus Spring to Arab Spring" discusses the root of the Syria's woes and rebellion, as part of the surge of revolution wave that has struck many Middle Eastern countries. Analyzing the Asad regime and how it has inspired such fierce opposition and uprising, the role of faith, history, and international pressures on the conflict. "Syria" offers an educated breakdown of the conflict and better and more completely understanding it, a core addition to international history collections.

Crucial Coalition
Kjeld Hald Galster
Legacy Books Press
RPO Princess, Box 21031, 445 Princess Street
Kingston, ON K7L 5P5, Canada
9780988019287, $23.95, www.legacybookspress.com

Cooperation is essential for many nations for military success. "Crucial Coalition: Anglo-Danish Military Collaboration and the Message of History" discusses the union of the Netherlands and the United Kingdom in Afghanistan, as they have taken charge with organizing Afghani police and military with quite some difficulty, and facing the growing opposition of the Taliban in the region. Author Kjeld Hald Galster discusses the coalition and the role of coalitions throughout history from ancient times to the modern day. "Crucial Coalition" is a scholarly look at military alliance and cooperation and why it is so vital in history, highly recommended.


The Cookbook Shelf

Whole Heap of Goodness
Chad Thilborger
Whole Heap, LLC
100 NE 30th St.
Wilton Manors, FL 33334
9780985172602 $24.95 www.awholeheap.com

Striking color photography intersperses Whole Heap of Goodness, a hardcover cookbook collection of recipes treasured by author Chad Thilborger and his family. Simple, step-by-step instructions along with tips, tricks, techniques and jovial anecdotes make Whole Heap of Goodness as fun to browse as it is to cook from! Recipes include mouth-watering delights such as "Sausage Balls", "Spinach Shells", "Creamy Waldorf Salad", "Sweet Potato Casserole", "Chicken and Sundried Tomatoes", "Pecan Tarts", and much more. The uncomplicated dishes are bursting with taste-tested flavor; in this excellent compendium that kitchen cooks of all skill and experience levels will enjoy. Highly recommended.

Little Flower
Christine Moore
Prospect Park Books
969 South Raymond Avenue, Pasadena, CA 91105
9780983459484, $25.00, www.prospectparkbooks.com

Cafes tend to carry their own touch of flavor and love in their dishes. "Little Flower: Recipes from the Cafe" is a collection of recipes from Christine Moore outlining how to get the most out of the cafe flavor of light snacks and meals, from blueberry muffins to curry vegetable stew to broccolini & burrata sandwiches and much more. "Little Flower" is presented in full color and has no shortage of wise ideas all throughout for those who love the cafe flavor, highly recommended.

Weeknight Dinners
Gooseberry Patch
2500 Farmers Dr. #110
Columbus, OH 43235
1620930080, $16.95, www.nbnbooks.com

Everyday life is hectic, and cooking a good meal always proves to be much harder than we anticipate. "Weeknight Dinners" is a cookbook and guide to easy to make recipes and make those weekdays a bit more enticing. With ideas ranging from Meatless Monday to Just For Fun Fridays, the recipes range from Soft Sesame Bread Sticks to Slow Cooked Pork Ribs to Santa Fe-Chicken & Potatoes. "Weeknight Dinners" is an enticing and easy to follow guide for the weeknight chef, highly recommended.

Maple on Tap
Rich Finzer
Acres USA
PO Box 301209, Austin, TX 78703
9781601730343, $15.95, www.acresusa.com

Maple syrup is a delicious touch of sweetness to many meals. "Maple on Tap: Making Your Own Maple Syrup" is a guide to producing one's own maple syrup and from scratch. Guiding the reader from purchasing the tree to tapping the trees personally, to turning that sap into the maple syrup we all know and love. With color photography and in-depth technical information all throughout, "Maple on Tap" is a choice and much recommended addition to any enthusiastic do-it-yourselfer collection, highly recommended.


The African-American Studies Shelf

Black Firsts
Jessie Carney Smith
Visible Ink Press
43311 Joy Road #414, Canton, MI 48187-2075
97815785933699, $24.95, www.visibleinkpress.com

Challenging the racist notion of inferiority has lead many people to great success. "Black Firsts: 4,000 Ground-Breaking and Pioneering Historical Events" is a collection of history touching on important events and individuals who dared to live like as if they were any other skin color. From the first black Americans on postal stamps to sports records, to smaller victories like first black tax collectors in Texas. "Black Firsts" is a strong addition to any collection focusing on black American history collections.


The Gaming Shelf

The Mathematics of Lottery Games
Samuel W. Valenza, Jr.
Intergalactic Publishing Company
15 West Main Street, Marlton, NJ 08053-0487
9780936918112, $14.95, www.profgoogol.com

For some, the lottery is their only path to the fabulous wealth they often dream of. "The Mathematics of Lottery Games: How the Games Work The Structure of Three and Four Digit and Lotto Games: Seven Year Study of Lotto Outcomes in the U.S.A" is the study of the lottery numbers from Samuel W. Valenza, who provides his own inspection of the numbers behind the games and the trends he has noticed in building a more complete mastery of the game. "The Mathematics of Lottery Games" is well worth considering for those who want a more complete understanding of the long game.


The Religion/Spirituality Shelf

Near-Death Experiences As Evidence for the Existence of God and Heaven
J. Steve Miller
Wisdom Creek Press
5814 Sailboat Pointe, NW
Acworth, GA 30101
www.wisdomcreekpress.com
9780988304857 $9.95 pbk. / $3.99 Kindle www.amazon.com

Near-Death Experiences As Evidence for the Existence of God and Heaven: A Brief Introduction in Plain Language presents a case for personal testimonies of near-death experiences (NDEs) as evidence of God. A nontechnical resource accessible to readers of all backgrounds, Near-Death Experiences As Evidence for the Existence of God and Heaven examines 35 years of research by doctors and professionals (with full documentation), compares NDEs with Christian teachings, explores what can be learned from NDEs, and much more. An exhaustive set of appendices explores other articles and perspectives upon NDEs, including a critical cross-examination of Blackmore's "Dying Brain Hypothesis", and a guide to further teachings. A reader-friendly that nonetheless holds to rigorous logical and scientific standards in order to make its case, Near-Death Experiences As Evidence for the Existence of God and Heaven is highly recommended especially for curious individuals and public library religious studies shelves.

Authentic Spirituality
Christine Green
WiseWoman Press
c/o Sacred Heart Ministries
PO Box 3422, Portland, OR 97208
0945385420, $15.95, www.wisewomanpress.com

Our soul is the key to a life with purpose for many of us. "Authentic Spirituality: A Woman's Guide to Living an Empowered Life" is an inspirational spiritual read from Christine Green as she advises women to find their own nature and faith in God to help them connect with the world around them, find their warmth, and share that warmth with others to live a happier and more enthusiastic life. "Authentic Spirituality" is a must for spirituality and inspirational collections, not to be missed.

The 32 Keys
Gayle Swift
Sukha Press
5759 Bennett Valley Rd.
Santa Rosa, CA 95404
9780983043201, $18.05, www.amazon.com

Our soul holds much power to our own personal successes if we fully realize it. "The 32 Keys: Awakening to Soul" is a spiritual inspirational guide to one's own soul and spirituality in the increasingly soulless 21st century. From realizing one's potential, finding the ways to express oneself, and finding that purpose to bring the self forward, "The 32 Keys" is a powerful read with much to consider for finding the drive to flourish and succeed in one's life.


The Pets/Wildlife Shelf

Explore The West Coast National Marine Sanctuaries
Jean Michel Cousteau
Ocean Publishing
PO Box 1080, Flagler Beach, FL 32136-1080
9780982694022, $19.95, www.oceanpublishing.org

The coasts hold many curious and fascinating creatures. "Explore The West Coast National marine Sanctuaries With Jean-Michel Costeau" reveals the natural wonders and natural sanctuaries that sit off the western coast of the United States, he offers sights that divers can see off the coasts, these curious creatures, offering full color photography of these creatures and the oceans and the skies they dwell in. For anyone with strong curiosity about the marine world, "Explore the West Coast National Marine Sanctuaries" is a choice and recommended pick, not to be missed.

Taming Me
Cathy Unruh
Collage Books, Inc.
4244 Corporate Square, Naples, FL 34104
9780938728153, $12.95, www.collagebooks.com

To be born feral is to face a world where survival is always the top priority. "Taming Me" is a memoir by Cathy Unruh, writing for her beloved pet Lucy, telling her story from being on an island as a feral kitten, her capture, and her adoption by her owner which gave her a new chance at life, with her own troubles in life. "Taming Me" is a choice pick for cat lovers, written by someone very enthusiastic about animal welfare.


The Travel Shelf

Discovering England
Jim Payne
Lytton Publishing Company
PO Box 1212, Sandpoint, ID 83864
9780915728008, $10.95, www.lyttonpublishing.com

The long history of England is the history of many Americans. "Discovering England: From One Inch Above the Thames" is a traveling memoir from Jim Payne, who explores the river and the culture surrounding it that connects the metropolis of London to the rural areas of London. An entertaining exploration of English culture and its people, "Discovering England" is a must for anyone who enjoys reading about travel adventures via kayak.

Ashland, Oregon
David Vokac & Joan Vokac
West Press
PO Box 99717, San Diego, CA 92169
9780930743253, $6.95, www.greattowns.com

Quiet, yet enough to keep the adventurous active. "Ashland, Oregon" is a travel guide from David & Joan Vokac as they advise couples and families seeking to see some more out of America to see what one of the great 100 towns of America has to offer for them. With information surrounding lodging, cuisine, attractions, and much more, "Ashland, Oregon" is a must for those who want to see more of America's small towns throughout the country.


The Humor Shelf

Finding Your Inner Moose
Susan Poulin
Islandport Press
PO Box 10, Yarmouth, ME 04096
9781934031919, $16.95, www.islandportpress.com

Understanding of the important questions and life is a must for finding better happiness. "Finding Your Inner Moose: Ida leClair's Guide to Livin' the Good Life" is a character memoir and humor book from Susan Poulin, who offers insights into life through her locally popular character Ida LeClair, who offers her insights on the world and the lack of justice in life and trying to be a modern woman. With plenty of wisdom in life that can be safely ignored, "Finding Your Inner Moose" is well worth considering for those seeking a dose of humor in the form of an elder woman that all of us know in some form.


The Biography Shelf

Natalie Portman's Stark Reality
James L. Dickerson
Sartoris Literary Group
PO Box 4185, Brandon, MS 39047
9780985513597, $14.95, www.amazon.com

A child actor who kept her stardom in adulthood, Natalie Portman's resume grows her into a future film legend. "Natalie Portman's Stark Reality" is a biography of the young Hollywood starlet and her youth into her career that spans many popular films as well as her tough personal challenges as they came. "Natalie Portman's Stark Reality" is a must for Hollywood memoir and biography collections, not to be missed.


The Psychology Shelf

The Immortality Complex
Jerome L. Schulte
Inkwell Productions
10869 N. Scottsdale Rd., #103-128
Scottsdale, AZ 85254-5280
9780988356818, $19.00, www.inkwellproductions.com

We have needs in our life, and fulfilling those needs is core to happiness. "The Immortality Complex: Becoming a Creative Human Being Versus Developing a Criminal Personality" explores the psychology of need and how throughout our lives if these needs are fulfilled can determine our paths and cause the issues with love and sexuality in ourselves and promoting better mental health. "The Immortality Complex" presents an intriguing take on the self and what drives us forward, recommended.


The Judaic Studies Shelf

Huldah
Preston Kavanagh
Pickwick
c/o Wipf and Stock
199 W. 8th Avenue, Suite 3
Eugene, OR 97401
9781610971959, $24.00, www.wipfandstock.com

One of the most vital scholars of the Old Testament, Huldah is not widely known. "Huldah: The Prophet Who Wrote Hebrew Scripture" discusses the figure of Huldah, an ancient woman who composed the Shema, spoken by millions of Jews in prayer throughout the history of the faith. An influential figure whose intellect and insight brought down judgments based on her gender, "Huldah" is a strong addition to any Judaic or Old Testament study collection, highly recommended.


The Health/Medicine Shelf

Once Upon a Crisis
William May
Mindstir Media
PO Box 1681, Hampton, NH 03843
9780988316201, $12.99, www.mindstirmedia.com

There are horrible things people see, and coping with them can often be all too much. "Once Upon a Crisis: A Look at Post-Traumatic Stress in Emergency Services From the Inside Out" tells the story of William May, as he recounts his experiences of being barraged with trauma throughout his life as a police officer and emergency responder, coping with his own stress as well as the stress of others. A vital read on PTSD, "Once Upon a Crisis" brings light to very important topics, highly recommended.

Me, Myself, & Food
Diana Hunter
Consumer Press
13326 Southwest 28 Street, Suite 102
Fort Lauderdale, FL 33330
9781891264689, $12.95, www.consumerpress.com

Food is awesome, and that is the problem many see as they seek better health. "Me, Myself, & Food: Conquering the Struggle Against Overweight and Obesity Without Dieting" is a guide to creating a lifestyle around food that fights obesity and promotes a healthy lifestyle. Encouraging good practices that help find a healthier weight, the importance of willpower, tips on good habits for success and how to avoid the failure, and adjusting for a life time, "Me, Myself, & Food" is a strong addition to health and wellness collections, not to be missed.

Obesity Genes and Their Epigenetic Modifiers
James D. Baird, Ph.D.
www.happinessgenes.com
HWL Inc.
934 Cherry Hills Lane
Naperville, IL 60563
9781477420140 $8.95 print / $8.99 Kindle www.amazon.com

Obesity Gemes and Their Epigenetic Modifiers tacked head-on a pervasive conundrum - how can people who have obesity programmed into their very genetic makeup improve their weight and their health? Millennia of natural evolution have favored the survival of human beings whose bodies stored as much fat as possible to sustain them through lean times. Fad or gimmick diets can have little to no effect against such powerful Darwinian forces. However, recent discoveries of the process of epigentics indicates that humans are be able to counteract the impulses of their very genes through the proper mental exercises, as well as improving their diet (by slightly reducing calories and choosing more nutritious foods), and engaging in regular physical exercise. Obesity Genes and Their Epigenetic Modifiers shows the way, by revealing the flaws in popular "weight loss" programs that can prompt a yo-yo effect, studying the world's longest-lived peoples, promoting "mindful eating" (being aware of and enjoying one's food choices, rather than zoning out or being distracted), offering guidelines for incorporating vigorous exercise into one's routine, and even laying out a sample day-by-day menu for four weeks. Obesity Genes and Their Epigenetic Modifiers is a solid guide to countering obesity on both physical and mental fronts, and worthy of extended consideration especially by anyone who has struggled with diets in the past.


The Metaphysical Studies Shelf

Ambassadors Between Worlds
Damiana Sage Miller
New Atlantean Press
PO Box 9638, Santa Fe, NM 87504
9781881217381, $15.95, www.new-atlantean.com

Good will is a wonderful thing and shouldn't be restricted to only those like us. "Ambassadors Between Worlds" is a spiritual and metaphysical read from Damiana Sage Miller as she shares her perspectives on how we should approach other worlds, worlds where we may not be bound by a physical body and the laws of Earth do not apply. A very different look at the universe and the sense of soul, "Ambassadors Between Worlds" is worth considering for metaphysical collections, recommended.


The LGBT Shelf

Gay Press, Gay Power
Tracy Baim, editor
Prairie Avenue Productions and Windy City Media Group
1900 South Prairie Avenue
Chicago, IL 60616-1321
9781480080522 $25.00

Gay Press, Gay Power: The Growth of LGBT Community Newspapers in America is an in-depth history of media and journalism in America's gay community, focusing primarily upon the evolution of print newspapers, although essays by several commentators at the end discuss the role of LGBT media in the Internet and the blogosphere as well. Chapters cover the origins of American LGBT journalism in the mid-twentieth century, notable journalists who covered LGBT issues, long-running newspapers such as New York City's "Gay City News" and Chicago's "Windy City Times", and much more. Black-and-white photographs, brief excerpts from individual papers, highlights and summaries of individual issues, and more enhance this reference and resource that strives to chart not only where LGBT journalism has been, but also where it's going. Highly recommended.


The Philosophy Shelf

The Inner Philosopher
Lou Marinoff & Daisaku Ikeda
Dialogue Path Press
396 Harvard Street, Cambridge, MA 02138
9781887917094, $12.95, www.Ikedacenter.org

A clear head can do much for the soul. "The Inner Philosopher" is a spiritual and philosophical read from Lou Marinoff and Daisaku Ikeda as they present the ideas of Eastern philosophy as well as Western philosophy, highlighting the value of their words in helping us find our paths through life in the modern day, and considering their words for a better future for ourselves as well as others. "The Inner Philosopher" is well worth considering for contemporary philosophy compilations.


The Relationship Shelf

How to Have a Match Made in Heaven
Ariel & Shya Kane
ASK Productions
c/o Sgarlat Publicity
PO Box 4204, Charlottesville, VA 22905-4204
9781888043020, $15.95, www.transformationmadeeasy.com

A relationship that lasts a life time is what we all seek. "How to Have a Match Made in Heaven" is a guide to building these life long relationships and love, touching on the practical steps of finding those relationships and building them, and doing the maintenance to make all of them matter, and forges a life with one another for a life time. "How to Have a Match Made in Heaven" is a strong addition to general relationship collections, highly recommended.


The Photography Shelf

Fragments of Peace in a World at War
John Candler "Jock" Cobb
Animist Press
HC 81, Box 628, Questa, New Mexico 87556
c/o KSB Promotions (publicity)
55 Honey Creek Ave NE, Ada, MI 49301-9768
www.ksblinks.com
9780976053958 $29.95 www.rennyrussell.com

Fragments of Peace in a World at War: Photographs, Poetry, and Perspective is an extraordinary record by conscientious objector John Candler Cobb, who served as an ambulance driver during World War II. A student of photography (taught by the acclaimed Laura Gilpin), he converted his ambulance into a field darkroom and snapped more than a thousand black-and-white images documenting the people and events of the war. Sixty years later, Cobb returned to the box and its sometimes painful memories. Fragments of Peace in a World at War pairs Cobb's emotionally moving photographs with brief poetry haikus pertaining to that image's significance and moment in time. For example, one photograph of a devastated coastal village is accompanied by the poem, "train tracks hang useless / over ruined Ortona / and calm boatless sea". A small amount of additional background information concerning the haunting images is nestled in the back of the book, as are a few additional poems and thoughts by Charles Pastene Edwards, "The Fox", a pacifist and Cobb's lifelong friend. Fragments of Peace in a World at War is utterly unforgettable, a tribute to human bravery as well as testimony to the terrible cost of conflict, and highly recommended.

Celebrity: Guess Who I Bumped Into?
Robert C. Pritikin
Regent Press
2747 Regent Street
Berkeley, CA 94705
9781587901980 $29.95 www.regentpress.net

Celebrity: Guess Who I Bumped Into is an eclectic fusion of photography and memoir, packed with author Robert C. Pritkin's memories of rubbing elbows with a variety of Hollywood's most celebrated elite entertainers during the 1950's through the 1970's. Ingrid Bergman, Johnny Cash, Jack Benny, Willie Brown, and many more each have their own brief section: a colorful photograph, a thumbnail biography, and a page of Pritikin's reminiscences. (Even Adolf Hitler is mentioned - not in tribute, but in condemnation of the monstrous acts that Hitler committed; Pritikin bid upon a globe that once belonged to Hitler, and later regretted it). The result is a conversation-starting coffee table book, filled with amusing anecdotes and certain to trigger fond memories of anyone who loved Hollywood's heyday.


The Computer Shelf

The Structure of Digital Computing
Robert L. Grossman
Open Data Press
400 Lathrop Ave, Suite 90
River Forest, IL 60305
9781936298006, $14.95, www.amazon.com

The past century has seen wide strides in technology. "The Structure of Digital Computing: From Mainframes to Big Data" looks at computing in history, and how the changes in how we acquire information and knowledge has rapidly changed the way we do things as human beings from a business and research perspective. An intriguing study of data and how it has evolved, "The Structure of Digital Computing" is well worth considering, highly recommended.


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


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