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Wisconsin Bookwatch
Table of Contents
Reviewer's Choice
Great True Hot Shot Stories: Volume 1
Ned F. Cruey
Vision Novels
www.visionnovels.com
9781941271148, $29.95, www.amazon.com
"Great True Hot Shot Stories" is an inherently fascinating and consistently compelling account
by Ned Cruey of his exotic world travel adventures and life experiences. Blending personal
memoir with travel writing, business, economics, and a bit of 'self-help', "Great True Hot Shot
Stories: Volume 1" is exceptionally well written, organized and presented. Of special note are the
chapters on Alaska Winter naval Adventures: World War II; Four Continents in 124 Days on a
Motorcycle; Traveling the Pacific Rim as a Single Man; Five-Star Living Plus Third-World
Travel; Starting and Maintaining a Taxi Company; and Enter the Love of My Life. Of special
note is the concluding multi-page section of color photographs and the single page listing of Ned
Cruey's favorite quotes. Very highly recommended for personal reading lists and certain to be an
enduringly popular addition to community library Contemporary American Biography
collections, "Great True Hot Shot Stories: Volume 1" will leave its delighted and entertained
readers looking forward to the next volume of Ned Cruey's lifetime adventures!
How to Hygge
Signe Johansen
St. Martin's Griffin
c/o St. Martin's Press
175 Fifth Avenue, New York, NY 10010
www.stmartins.com
9781250122032, $19.99, HC, 192pp, www.amazon.com
Hygge is a Danish and Norwegian word with a unique definition as a noun it includes a feeling, a
social atmosphere, and an action. "How to Hygge: The Nordic Secrets to a Happy Life" by Signe
Johansen is an aspirational lifestyle instructional guide that will inform and guide readers the
values cherishing themselves: on candlelight, bakeries, and dinner with friends; on a celebration
of experiences over possessions; as well as being kind to themselves and treasuring a sense of
community. In "How to Hygge" chef and author Johansen provides a fresh, informative,
lighthearted, fully illustrated how-to guide to hygge in the form of recipes, helpful tips for cozy
living at home, and having a lifestyle that includes a daily dose of "healthy hedonism".
Beautifully illustrated, the recipes range from Nordic Winter Salad; Roast Haddock with Bacon
& Rye Crisp; Spiced Roast Pork Belly; and Triple Cherry Glogg; to Malty Banana Chocolate
Chip Walnut Muffins; Nordic Berry, Omega & Kefir Smoothie; Salmon Burgers; and
Champagne & Hariba Candy. A thoroughly 'life changing/improving' read from beginning to end,
"How to Hygge" will prove to be an enduringly popular addition to personal and community
library collections. It should be noted that "How to Hygge" is also available in a Kindle format
($9.99).
The Cookbook Shelf
Adventure Time: The Official Cookbook
Recipes by Jordan Grosser
Text by Christopher Hastings
Photography by Andria Lo
Insight Editions
PO Box 3088, San Rafael, CA 94912
www.insighteditions.com
9781608876433 $29.99 amazon.com
Illustrated with full-color photographs of every dish (as well as whimsical color drawings of
Adventure Time characters), Adventure Time: The Official Cookbook is a delightful
compendium of recipes inspired by the popular cartoon series Adventure Time. From French
Toast Dip Sandwich, to Grass Ogre Salad, Lich King Poppers ("Let the spice that hurts your
tongue remind you that I will burn all I see, and I will see all"), Pink and Fluffy Cream Puffs, and
much more. Most dishes have Adventure Time-themed commentary, quips, or jokes in addition
to the user-friendly, step-by-step instructions. Adventure Time: The Official Cookbook is a
yummy treasure for cartoon and culinary fans of all ages, and especially recommended for
parents interested in creating a surprise treat for their children to celebrate any special
occasion!
Cooking with Coconut
Ramin Ganeshram
Storey Publishing
210 Mass MoCA Way, North Adams, MA 01247
www.storey.com
9781612126463 $18.95 pbk / $9.99 Kindle amazon.com
Cooking with Coconut: 125 Recipes for Healthy Eating, Delicious Uses for Every Form lives up
to its title as a guide to making delicious dishes with coconut oil flour, water, or milk; or with
dried and shredded coconut. Gorgeous, full-color photography illustrates such mouth-watering
dishes as Coconut Chips, Asparagus with Shallots and Shredded Coconut, Australian
Lamingtons, Coconut Cream and Chocolate Cream Layer Pie, and much more. Step-by-step,
easy-to-follow instructions make Cooking with Coconut a treasure for coconut lovers
everywhere, regardless of personal skill or experience in the kitchen!
A Rainbow of Smoothie Bowls
Leigh Weingus
Ulysses Press
PO Box 3440, Berkeley CA 94703-3440
www.ulyssespress.com
9781612436050, $14.95, PB, 128pp, www.amazon.com
In the pages of "A Rainbow of Smoothie Bowls", writer, editor, and culinary expert Leigh
Weingus showcases more than 100 amazing meal-time creations and features more than 40
gorgeous full-color photos of palate pleasing, appetite satisfying dishes, "A Rainbow of
Smoothie Bowls" serves up flavorful treats that are as nutritious as they are beautiful. Follow the
thoroughly 'kitchen cook friendly' featured recipes to combine colorful fruits, vegetables, nuts
and seeds into delicious bowls. The highlighted culinary creations include Strawberry Lemonade
Bowl; Nutty Avocado Raspberry Bowl; Very Berry Mango Bowl; Peach Cobbler Bowl; Apple
Pie Bowl; Mint Chocolate Chip Bowl; Matcha Vanilla Bowl; Blueberry Watermelon Kiwi Bowl;
and Strawberry Mint Basil Bowl. Unique and creative, "A Rainbow of Smoothie Bowls" is
especially recommended for personal, family, and community library cookbook collections. It
should be noted that "A Rainbow of Smoothie Bowls" is also available in a Kindle format
($9.99).
Chickpeas
Einate Mazor
Imagine Publishing
c/o Charlesbridge Publishing
85 Main Street, Watertown, MA 02472
www.imaginebks.com
9781623540746, $18.95, HC, 128pp, www.amazon.com
Compiled by Einate Mazor, "Chickpeas: Sweet and Savory Recipes from Hummus to Dessert"
showcases more than seventy kitchen cook friendly recipes that offer everything from spreads to
dips to entrees that would be appropriate for any and dining occasions, A truly beautiful,
photo-illustrated cookbook "Chickpeas" is an outstanding culinary compendium with dishes that
range from Italian Eggplant Wraps; Chickpea Antipasti Salad; Spicy Chickpea & Coconut Stew;
and Baked Cauliflower Patties; to Jerusalem Hummus; Mediterranean Beef Stew; Pasta
Bolognese; and Carrot Cake with Tangy Cream Cheese Frosting. Of special note is the recipe for
Chocolate & Chickpea Protein Bars! While very highly recommended, especially for personal,
family, and community library cookbook collections, it should be noted that "Chickpeas: Sweet
and Savory Recipes from Hummus to Dessert" is also available in a Kindle format ($10.99).
Blissful Basil
Ashley Melillo
BenBella Books
10300 N. Central Expressway, Suite 400, Dallas, TX 75204
www.benbellabooks.com
9781942952459, $21.95, PB, 320pp, www.amazon.com
Ashley Melillo is the writer, photographer, and recipe-creator behind Blissful Basil, a blog
dedicated to unearthing the happiest side of life through wholesome, plant-based foods. In
"Blissful Basil: Over 100 Plant-Powered Recipes to Unearth Vibrancy, Health, and Happiness"
she has created a beautifully illustrated, thoroughly 'kitchen cook friendly' compendium of simply
wonderful dishes that range from a Caramelized Banana Upside-Down Oatmeal Bake with
Chai-Based Caramel; to Roasted Yellow Pepper, Sun-Dried Tomato & Basil Portobello
Pizzettes; to a Mediterranean Millet with Lemon Hummus; to Velvety Mac 'N' Yellow Split Pea
Cheese; to Chocolate Chip coconut Oil Cookie Bars. Of special note is the recipes Homemade
Coconut Butter; 5-Minute Caramel Sauce; and Coconut Whipped Cream! A pleasure to browse
and inspiring to plan menus with, "Blissful Basil" is enthusiastically recommended for personal,
family, and community library cookbook collections. It should be noted that "Blissful Basil" is
also available in a Kindle format ($12.84).
Gravity Cakes!
Jakki Friedman & Francesca Librae
Robert Rose Inc.
120 Eglinton Avenue East, Suite 800, Toronto, Ontario, Canada, M4P 1E2
www.robertrose.ca
9780778805496, $24.95, PB, 272pp, www.amazon.com
A 'gravity cake' is a pastry delight whose construction seems to defy gravity. While elements of
the cake may seem like they're floating in thin air, it's really just simple scaffolding (plastic
balloon sticks), concealed within the cake and disguised with fondant and candy, that creates the
spellbinding illusion. These cakes are incredibly fun and beautiful, and while they may seem
complicated, they really aren't. Each one of the 45 gravity cake projects comprising this
thoroughly 'kitchen cook friendly' compendium features step-by-step instructions with a photo for
each step, making the decorating process foolproof and surprisingly easy. Here featured is a cake
for virtually every event and occasion ranging from Valentine's Day to Thanksgiving, from baby
reveals to poker parties, -- and everything in between. Once mastering the techniques, it will be
no time before even the most novice of kitchen cooks is using their imagination to create their
own unique designs. A singular and unique addition to personal, family, professional, and
community library cookbook collections, "Gravity Cakes" is unreservedly and enthusiastically
recommended.
Yum-Yum Bento All Year Round
Crystal Watanabe & Maki Ogawa
Quirk Books
215 Church Street, Philadelphia PA 19106
www.quirkbooks.com
9781594749384, $16.95, PB, 144pp, www.amazon.com
From the depths of winter to the height of summer, a beautiful lunch can brighten any day.
Japanese bento boxes are portable and pretty meals packed with healthy portions and plenty of
cheer. And they're outrageously cute! Crystal Watanabe started making bento boxes for herself as
a way to eat small healthy portions. She enjoyed it so much that she now shares her hobby with
bento fans worldwide. Maki Ogawa is a Japanese mom who loves to make cute bento boxes for
her two young boys, her husband, and herself. Together, Crystal and Maki have compiled
"Yum-Yum Bento All Year Round: Box Lunches for Every Season", a thoroughly 'kitchen cook
friendly' instructional guide to making bento boxed lunches that are suited to each season of the
year. Beautifully illustrated throughout, each unique boxed lunch is organized into four major
sections: Springtime Fun; Summertime Splash; Fall Frenzy; Winter Wonderland. Of special note
is the comprehensive 'how to' beginning section on 'Getting Started'. Enhanced with the addition
of a list of Resources, a Glossary, a Metric Conversions chart, and an Index, "Yum-Yum Bento
All Year Round" is the perfect addition to any personal, family, or community library cookbook
collection. It should be noted that "Yum-Yum Bento All Year Round" is also available in a
Kindle format ($12.99).
The Audiobook Shelf
Lawyer for the Dog
Lee Robinson, author
Narrated by Barbara McCulloh
Recorded Books, LLC
270 Skip Jack Road, Prince Frederick, MD 20678
9781501926488 $TBA www.recordedbooks.com
Lawyer for the Dog: A Sally Baynard Novel is the unabridged audiobook rendition of a tongue-
in-cheek romance with a courtroom twist. Sally Baynard is a skilled public defender and family
lawyer who couldn't bring herself to remain married to her wealthy, high-society husband, Family
Court Judge Joe Baynard. When Judge Joe assigns her to a tangled divorce case by appointing
her as the Lawyer for the Dog - Sherman, a miniature schnauzer - her life becomes complicated
by closer proximity to her ex, as well as the care of the dog, the rancor of its owners, the needs of
her aging mother with Alzheimer's, and a handsome, charming veterinarian named Tony! A
mirthfully unpredictable delight, Lawyer for the Dog is highly recommended for both personal
and public library audiobook collections. 7 CDs, 7.75 hours.
Beneath the Skin
Jonathan Maberry
Read by Ray Porter
Blackstone Audiobooks
31 Mistletoe Road, Ashland, OR 97520
www.BlackstoneAudio.com
9781481513630 $29.95
Beneath the Skin is the unabridged audiobook rendition of an anthology of short stories featuring
Sam Hunter, a low-rent PI and former Twin Cities policeman who lost his badge due to
excessive force. Sam is closet werewolf, who unleashes his animal ferocity on the worst, most
despicable human beings! But Sam also has a wolf's sense of unswerving loyalty to his clients; he
comes from a long family line known as Benandanti, or "the hounds of God". The stories in
Beneath the Skin include "Like Part of the Family", "Toby's Closet", "Crazy Town", "We All
Make Sacrifices", and "A House in Need of Children". Beneath the Skin is a juicy treat for
paranormal mystery fans to sink their teeth into, highly recommended. 4 CDs, 5 hours.
'Til Death
Ed McBain
Performed by Dick Hill
Brilliance Corporation
PO Box 887, Grand Haven, MI 49417
www.brillianceaudio.com
9781501292743 $9.99 amazon.com
'Til Death: An 87th Precinct Novel is the unabridged MP3-CD audiobook (can be played on any
MP3-CD enabled player, or transferred to a portable device) adapting Ed McBain's riveting
mystery novel. Detective Steve Carella's sister is about to be married, but someone is out to
murder her groom, setting Carella on race against time to find the killer! A gritty saga that
captures the essence of noir in a modern-day setting, 'Til Death is a "must" for connoisseurs of
the genre! 1 MP3 Disc, 6 hours.
Lord of the Privateers
Stephanie Laurens
Read by Steve West
Blackstone Audiobooks
31 Mistletoe Road, Ashland, OR 97520
www.BlackstoneAudio.com
9781504779494 $44.95
Lord of the Privateers is the audiobook rendition of fourth and concluding volume of "The
Adventurers Quartet", a sweeping, epic saga of love and daring. Royd Frobisher, the titular lord
of the privateers, works with his childhood sweetheart, ex-handfasted bride, and current business
partner Isobel Carmicheal to see a dangerous rescue mission through to its conclusion. But
freeing victims is only half of their struggle - to stop a human trafficking ring, they must hunt the
criminals on their home ground! A sweeping, passionate historical romance, Lord of the
Privateers is highly recommended to connoisseurs of the genre. 13 CDs, 16 1/2 hours.
Orphans of the Carnival
Carol Birch, author
Read by Heather Wilds
Highbridge Audio Books
270 Skip Jack Road, Prince Frederick, MD 20678
www.highbridgeaudio.com
9781681682587 $34.99 amazon.com
Orphans of the Carnival is the unabridged audiobook performance of a carnival exhibit's personal
search for love and happiness. Julia Pastrana is an extraordinary woman, fluent in English,
French, and Spanish; a talented singer; capable at riding horseback and performing a ballet
pirouette; yet her hairy face all that people notice about her. Despite a successful carnival career
that enables her tour the world, Julia longs to meet someone who accepts her as just another
human. Is love too much for one woman to hope for? And when she encounters a man who
seems to be interested in her, how can she tell whether he truly cares for her or simply wishes to
exploit her in a kinder, gentler manner? A thought-provoking, emotional page-turner, Orphans of
the Carnival is a choice pick for both personal and public library audiobook collections. 11 CDs,
13 hours.
Deathlands: Gaia's Promise
James Axler
Graphic Audio
4940 Hampden Lane, Suite 300, Bethesda, MD 20814
9781628512878, $19.99, CD, www.graphicaudio.net
Cornerstone is a ville like no other that Ryan Cawdor and his companions have ever encountered.
Hoping to find medical treatment for wounds sustained combating Magus and his creations,
especially Ryan's own debilitating injury, they have been brought to Cornerstone by their new
friends, a relationship forged from those same battles. The ville appears to be a prosperous
bastion of civilization, sheltered from the savagery of the Deathlands by virtue of the
community's relationship with an extraordinary manifestation of the will of Gaia. As the tortured
history of this ville is revealed, the companions are intrigued, to say the least. And when they
confront Cornerstone's leader, they are nothing less than astonished. Gaia's Promise is an original
Deathlands story written specifically for GraphicAudio and is available in no other format. A
riveting storyline, an entire chorus of accomplished vocal actors, music and sound effects all
combine to present what Graphic Audio is most famous for -- making a movie in your mind!
Another entry into the on-going post-apocalyptic Deathlands saga, "Gaia's Promise" is
unreservedly recommended for personal and community library audio book collections.
Approximate Running Time: 6 Hours; 6 CDs; Content Rating: Ages 18+.
No Pity for the Dead
Nancy Herriman, author
Narrated by Stina Nielsen
Recorded Books, LLC
270 Skip Jack Road, Prince Frederick, MD 20678
www.recordedbooks.com
9781490677149 $TBA
Set in 1867, No Pity for the Dead: A Mystery of Old San Francisco is the unabridged audiobook
rendition of a historical murder mystery. British-born nurse Celia Davies runs a free medical
clinic to assist poor women, but when a young orphan informs her that he discovered a corpse,
Celia seeks help from Detective Nicholas Greaves. Celia and Nick must work together to hunt
down a killer, in spite of the conflicted feelings they might be developing for one another! A
period piece that brings historic San Francisco to vivid life, No Pity for the Dead keeps the
listener guessing to the end. Highly recommended, especially for mystery connoisseurs and
public library collections. 10 CDs, 11.5 hours.
Small Admissions: A Novel
Amy Poeppel, author
Read by Carly Robins
Highbridge Audio Books
270 Skip Jack Road, Prince Frederick, MD 20678
www.highbridgeaudio.com
9781681683751 $39.99 amazon.com
Small Admissions: A Novel is the unabridged audiobook rendition of Amy Poeppel's novel about
learning to cope with rejection. Kate Pearson is a Summa Cum Laude graduate who is so
emotionally devastated by the breakup with her handsome French "almost fiance" that she falls
into a slothlike stupor, leaving her apartment only as absolutely needed. Her sister Angela tries to
help with remedies ranging from therapy to trapeze class, but when Kate lands a a job at the
prestigious Hudson Day School, she no longer has time to wallow in self-pity. Can Kate maintain
her emotional stability and get her life back on track, with the help of family and friends? And
what secret is her handsome yet annoying neighbor hiding? Does one person's happiness
necessarily require another person's misfortune? Insightful, witty, and engaging, Small
Admissions is highly recommended for both personal and public library audiobook collections. 8
CDs, 9.5 hours.
The Music CD Shelf
The Rhythm of Life
Matt Venuti
www.mattvenuti.com
Venus Central Productions
$15.00 CD / $9.99 download cdbaby.com
The Rhythm of Life is a jubilant album by singer, songwriter, and multi-instrument master Matt
Venuti. The upbeat songs remind the listener about the bonds shared between individuals and the
world as a whole. A mix of instruments ranging from keyboards and pedal steel guitar to piano
and organ, drums, cello, kora and more add spicy variety to The Rhythm of Life. The Rhythm of
Life is a positive, fulfilling, and unique experience, highly recommended! The tracks are "A
Place to Breathe" (5:35), "Afraid" (6:03), "Door of the Heart" (4:29), "The Rhythm of Life"
(5:12), "Rise" (3:57), "The All" (5:14), "Loosen the Grip" (5:06), "Desert Dreams" (5:53), "Lean
On Me" (3:54), and "Breathe Reprise" (2:00).
Leaves in the Pool
The Holdup
theholdupmusic.com
Privately Published
$TBA CD / $8.99 MP3 amazon.com
Leaves in the Pool is a full-length album from reggae band The Holdup. Spanning the gamut
from love songs to desperate dreams, Leaves in the Pool draws upon elements of hip hop and
incorporates emotional guitar stylings into a vibrant, passionate prize. It should be noted that
Leaves in the Pool has some explicit song lyrics, and is therefore recommended mature listeners.
The tracks are "Neighborhood", "Dumb Luck", "Way Too High", "Imperfections", "Spoken For",
"Right Away", "Blink of an Eye", "Hotline Interlude", "This Ain't Love", "Wait for Me",
"Nothin's On Fire", "The Truth", "Leaves in the Pool", "Almost Famous", "Come For You", and
"10 Karats".
The DVD Shelf
Herbal Pharmacy for Everyone, second edition
Gudrun Penselin and Adrian de Landa
Rainbow Healing Publishing
www.rainbowhealing.ca
www.herbalinstructions.com
9780968410813 $39.95 CAD
Now in a second edition with an updated appendix and subtitles in English, French, German, and
Spanish, Herbal Pharmacy for Everyone is a guide on DVD by Clinical Herbal Therapist Gudrun
Penselin and Traditional Mexican Healer Adrian de Landa. The program walks the viewer
through harvesting, drying, and storing herbs step-by-step, as well as how to create herbal juices,
infusions, tinctures, flower essences, poultices, and more. Herbal Pharmacy for Everyone
absolutely cannot substitute for the professional services of a doctor or pharmacist in the case of
a serious medical health problem, it's a user-friendly supplemental guide to preparing simple,
time-tested home remedies without using any expensive equipment. Highly recommended!
Joseph Conrad's The Secret Agent
Acorn Media
c/o RLJ Entertainment
www.us.RLJEntertainment.com
www.acornonline.com
$34.99 amazon.com
Joseph Conrad's The Secret Agent is the BBC adaptation of Joseph Conrad's classic novel about
a terrorist plot in Victorian London. Anton Verloc is an unremarkable shopkeeper in Soho who,
unbeknownst to anyone including his faithful wife, works for the Russian embassy as a spy. Then
his secret employers charge him to plant a bomb and pin the blame on a local group of anarchists
that the Russians want suppressed. Verloc's conscience rebels against the thought of killing
civilians, but if Verloc fails his mission, his identity as a spy will be exposed! Tense and
haunting, The Secret Agent is a "must" for connoisseurs of British drama. It should be noted that
Joseph Conrad's The Secret Agent is for mature readers or older teens, as episodes contain
violence, disturbing images, and sexual situations. 3 episodes, 178 min., widescreen, SDH
subtitles.
Jericho of Scotland Yard
Starring Robert Lindsay
Acorn Media
c/o RLJ Entertainment
www.us.RLJEntertainment.com
$49.99 www.acornonline.com
Jericho of Scotland Yard is a dark British crime drama, set in 1950's London. Chief Inspector
Michael Jericho (played by Robert Lindsay) is a Scotland Yard detective responsible for solving
high-profile murders, with help from his loyal sergeant Clive Harvey (David Troughton) and the
young, exuberant DC John Caldicott (Ciaran McMenamin). Jericho's checkered and painful past
will not stop him from extracting justice at any cost! A vivid period piece, Jericho of Scotland
Yard is a "must-see" for connoisseurs of gritty British mysteries, highly recommended. It should
be noted that Jericho of Scotland Yard contains violence, strong language, and nudity. 4 episodes
on 2 DVDs, 376 min., widescreen, SDH subtitles.
Close to the Enemy
By filmmaker Stephen Poliakoff
Acorn Media
c/o RLJ Entertainment
www.us.RLJEntertainment.com
$59.99 DVD or Blu-ray www.acornonline.com
Available in both DVD and Blu-ray formats, Close to the Enemy is a riveting British drama set
during the beginning of the Cold War. Intelligence officer Callum Ferguson is duty-bound to
persuade captured German scientist Dieter Koehler to develop a jet engine for the British
government, but Ferguson is distracted by his younger brother's mental trauma from the war.
Complicating matters further is Ferguson's growing attraction to his best friend's wife. A taut,
suspenseful story interweaving rich characterization and a complex plot, Close to the Enemy is
highly recommended. Bonus materials include 30 minutes of behind-the-scenes featurettes, 28
minutes of cast interviews, and a photo gallery. It should be noted that Close to the Enemy
contains coarse language, violence, sexual situations, and nudity. 3 discs, 7 episodes, 435 min.
plus bonus, SDH subtitles.
The Comix/Graphic Novel Shelf
Hero Cats of Stellar City: The Crow King Saga
Kyle Puttkammer and Marcus Williams
Action Lab
actionlabcomics.com
9781632291486 $11.99 pbk / $4.99 Kindle amazon.com
Hero Cats of Stellar City: The Crow King Saga is a full-color graphic novel compilation
collecting issues 7, 8, and 9 of the Hero Cats of Stellar City comic book, about a group of brave
and canny feline superheroes. The remorseless Crow King, master of dreams and nightmares,
seeks to add another world to his conquests - our world - and only the Hero Cats can stop him!
But first, they must escape the Crow King's fantastic dreamworld, in which each of them has the
illusory guide of... a human form? A new hero cat, the technologically adept master thief Bandit,
is introduced in this saga of derring do and good versus evil, highly recommended for cat lovers
of all ages!
Action Lab: Dog of Wonder, Volume One: Who Let the Dogs Out?
Vito Delsante and Scott Fogg
Action Lab
actionlabcomics.com
9781632291523 $9.99
Action Lab: Dog of Wonder, Volume One: Who Let the Dogs Out? is a full-color graphic novel
collecting issues 1, 2, and 3 of Action Lab: Dog of Wonder, a comic book series about a canine
superhero and his comrades. What makes Action Lab especially notable is its strong stance
against animal cruelty, including but not limited to the illegal practice of dogfighting. In Who Let
the Dogs Out?, Action Lab and his team accept a pampered poodle's heartfelt plea to rescue her
brother - a dog wrongly accused of biting a little girl - before he is executed! Action Lab: Dog of
Wonder is a treat for dog lovers of all ages, highly recommended.
Invader Zim Volume 2
KC Green and Eric Trueheart
Created by Jhonen Vasquez
Oni Press
www.onipress.com
9781620103364 $19.99 amazon.com
Invader Zim Volume 2 is a full-color graphic novel collecting issues #6-10 of the brand new
"Invader Zim" comic based on the popular animated cartoon about Zim, a crazed space alien with
a manic penchant for destruction, and Dib, a young paranormal investigator determined to
oppose and expose Zim at every turn! Will Zim destroy the Earth? (Maybe.) Will schoolchildren
be eaten by space monsters? (Probably.) One wild and crazy madcap after another pits Zim and
Dib against one another in this laugh-out-loud funny, over-the-top sci-fi adventure!
Oddly Normal Book 3
Otis Frampton
Image Comics
imagecomics.com
9781632156921 $9.99 pbk amazon.com
Oddly Normal Book 3 is a full-color graphic novel collecting issues #11-15 of the comic book
about Oddly Normal, an atypically-named girl stranded in the magical land of Fignation. In Book
3, Oddly braves her first Rocketball game (a sport where the rules are "chaos"), rise to the
challenge of a witch's broom race, and confronts a dark power in her quest find where her mother
and father disappeared. The bold artistic style and dramatic use of color bring this fantastic
adventure to vivid life! Highly recommended for fantasy-adventure fans of all ages.
My Neighbor Seki 8
Takuma Morishige
Vertical, Inc.
451 Park Avenue South, 7th floor, New York, NY 10016
www.vertical-inc.com
9781942993506 $10.95 / $7.99 Kindle amazon.com
My Neighbor Seki 8 continues the madcap black-and-white manga (Japanese comics) escapades
of Seki, a brilliant yet easily bored school student who amuses himself by secretly engaging in
fantastic, complex games during class. Meanwhile Yokoi, the young woman seated next to Seki,
tries to focus on studying yet inevitably becomes drawn into Seki's amazing schemes and stories!
Volume 8 also steps outside the classroom in some of its short stories, from poolside
shenanigans, to Seki's questionable designs in birdhouse construction, to the wilderness
adventures of Seki's robot-doll toys. Charming and funny, My Neighbor Seki is delightful for all
ages, and due stories' episodic format, My Neighbor Seki is an excellent jumping-on point for the
series. Highly recommended.
Nichijou My Ordinary Life 5
Keiichi Arawi
Vertical, Inc.
451 Park Avenue South, 7th floor, New York, NY 10016
9781942993346 $10.95 www.vertical-inc.com
Nichijou My Ordinary Life 5 continues the black-and-white manga (Japanese comics) series that
walks the fine line between everyday life and out-of-this-world oddity. The episodic stories flit
between a cast of quirky students and quirkier teachers. In Nichijou 5, the scarf that gave the cat
Mr. Sakamoto the ability to talk happens to be put on a black bird; a teacher with a highly
inappropriate crush is blackmailed into taking charge of the Go/Soccer club; dangerous dogs are
literally unleashed; and a young person dreams of being a frill-necked lizard (because it's an
easier future to imagine than hardcore studying and test-taking, or the pursuit of a career). A
delight for all ages, Nichijou My Ordinary Life 5 is highly recommended, and an excellent
jumping-on point to the series due to its lighthearted, episodic nature.
Ninja Slayer 6
Original Work by Bradly Bond and Philip Ninj@ Morzez
Art by Yuki Yogo
Script by Yoshiaki Tabata
Vertical, Inc.
451 Park Avenue South, 7th floor, New York, NY 10016
www.vertical-inc.com
9781942993865 $12.95 amazon.com
Ninja Slayer 6 continues the black-and-white manga (Japanese comics) set in a cyberpunk world
where "ninja souls" can possess humans, transforming them into ninja with extraordinary
superhuman abilities. The notorious Ninja Slayer, once an ordinary salaryman who lost his
family, has melded with a ninja soul; now he exists to punish criminal ninja with death! Volume
6 concludes Ninja Slayer's and Nancy Lee's conflict with the cyber-ninja Daedalus, and begins a
new saga in the badlands outside of Kyoto. The Ninja Slayer, normally a mortal enemy of other
ninja, must form a temporary truce with a Vietnam vet ninja and a zombie ninja to enact justice
upon a gang that has been exterminating entire villages, in an homage to "The Good, the Bad and
the Ugly". Pulp-fiction style, over-the-top violence is the hallmark of this action-packed series,
highly recommended for mature readers ages 16 and up.
Devil's Line 3
Ryo Hanada
Vertical, Inc.
451 Park Avenue South, 7th floor, New York, NY 10016
www.vertical-inc.com
9781942993391 $12.95 amazon.com
Devil's Line 3 continues the black-and-white manga (Japanese comics) graphic novel saga set in
a modern-day world where "devils", also known as "vampires", live among human beings and
normally appear identical to them... but they possess potentially superhuman strength and speed,
and when devils are exposed to human blood, it sparks an overwhelming lust to kill or rape.
Some devils - perhaps the majority - seek to control their destructive tendencies through
tranquilizers or other means, and the police force secretly employs certain devils (who are
invaluable protectors due to their superior senses and physical ability) to hunt down rogue devils.
But a behind-the-scenes organization is attempting to spark catastrophic bloodshed between
humans and devils! Who is pulling the strings and why? Anzai, a half-devil employed by the
police, is caught in the middle of spiraling machinations. Anzai has just learned from his unlikely
ally Lee a closely guarded secret - that drinking human blood can have regenerative or
strengthening powers on devil bodies. Lee offers to share more knowledge if Anzai will keep him
hidden. Meanwhile, the shadowy cartel makes its move to "clean house" and proceed to the next
phase of its unfathomable plan... and neither human nor devil lives are safe from its murderous
agents! Devil's Line 3 is dark fantasy exploring ethical, moral, and practical ramifications, and a
choice pick for connoisseurs of vampire literature. Recommended for readers ages 13 and up, due
to violence and mature situations.
Faith: Hollywood and Vine
Jody Houser, et al.
Valiant Entertainment, LLC
http://www.valiantentertainment.com
9781682151211, $9.99, PB, 112pp, www.amazon.com
Orphaned at a young age, Faith Herbert (a psionically gifted "psiot" discovered by the Harbinger
Foundation) has always aspired to greatness. But now this once ordinary teenager is taking
control of her destiny and becoming the hard-hitting hero she's always known she can be --
complete with a mild-mannered secret identity, unsuspecting colleagues, and a day job as a
reporter that routinely throws into her harms way! Well, at least she thought it would... When
she's not typing up listicles about cat videos, Faith makes a secret transformation to patrol the
night as the City of Angels' own leading superhero - the sky-soaring Zephyr! But flying solo is
going to be tougher than she ever thought when Zephyr uncovers a deep-rooted alien conspiracy.
Two-bit burglars and car thieves are one thing, but when the world needs a hero to stave off an
full-blown extraterrestrial invasion, will Faith find herself in over her head... or ready for her
biggest challenge yet? A unique and overweight female hero, "Faith: Hollywood and Vine" is an
anthology of four stories that are the collaborative work of science fiction author Jody Houser,
brought vividly to life by artists Francis Portela and Marguerite Sauvage and present a new
graphic novel style of the high-flying, unique, and fully relatable superheroine. A consistently
entertaining read from cover to cover, "Faith: Hollywood and Vine" will prove to be an
enduringly popular addition to personal and community library Comics/Graphic Novels
collections -- and leave readers looking eagerly toward her next set of adventures in "Faith:
California Scheming" (9781682151631, $9.99, 112pp).
Huck: All American
Mark Millar, Rafael Albuquerque, Dave McCaig
Image Comics
2701 NW Vaughn Street, Suite 780, Portland, Oregon 97210
https://imagecomics.com
9781632157294, $14.99, PB, 160pp, www.amazon.com
Huck was a seemingly abandoned baby who grew up in a small town community. But Huck has
amazing powers of strength, stamina, and an uncanny ability to find anything that is lost from car
keys to people. Huck is also extraordinary in that he is committed to doing one good deed every
day. All his life is specialness has been protected by his neighbors. But when a new neighbor
moves in she see's the possibility of making money by leaking his story to the media. The result
is an erupting media storm erupts bringing Huck unwanted fame -- and the exploitative attention
of his state's governor, security agencies of the federal government, and someone who claims to
be his long lost brother who only wants Huck to find their mother. As pieces of Huck's past begin
to resurface, it's no longer clear who his friends are - or whose lives may be in danger. A simply
riveting read from cover to cover, "Huck: All American" is a superlative graphic novel filled with
unexpected plot twists and a very surprising finale! While very highly recommended for personal
reading lists and community library Comics/Graphic Novels collections, it should also be noted
that "Huck: All American" is also available in a Kindle format ($5.99) and in a Library Binding
edition (Turtleback Books, 9780606390675, $26.95).
Bloom County Episode XI A New Hope
Berkeley Breathed
IDW Publishing
www.idwpublishing.com
9781631406997 $17.99 pbk / $4.99 Kindle amazon.com
Bloom County Episode XI A New Hope is a compilation of the renewed series of Bloom County
newspaper comic strips, with all Sunday strips in full color. Comic strip creator Berkeley
Breathed explains in the forward why he chose to create all-new comics of his popular series, years
after its suspension in the 1980's. "I am having as much fun as you are.... I can't wait to get back
to the sketchpad and make myself laugh and get it posted fast. I read all the comments and giggle
with all of you on Facebook." Bloom County's revival just happened to coincide with the period
when Donald Trump was a rising star in the presidential primaries, so expect the occasional
political jab in addition to high-rolling wheelchair adventures, gigantic anxiety closet monsters,
clueless penguins, scraggly orange cats, flowery yoga poses, accidental Twitter videos of singing
private parts (this is not graphically depicted in order to keep comic strip family-friendly) and
more out-of-control wild whimsy than a hundred buffalo in ballerina tutus! Highly
recommended.
The Fiction Shelf
The Northeast Quarter
S. M. Harris
Wheatmark
1760 East River Road, Suite 145, Tucson, Arizona 85718
www.wheatmark.com
9781627873765, $29.95, PB, www.amazon.com
The year is 1918. The place is Winfield, Iowa. Colonel Wallace Carson, the ruler of a vast
agricultural empire, asks Ann Hardy, his ten-year-old granddaughter and eventual heir, to
promise she will safeguard The Northeast Quarter, the choice piece of land from which the
empire was founded. Ann readily accepts -- little knowing what awaits her. When the Colonel is
killed unexpectedly the same afternoon, the world around Ann and her family begins to fall apart.
Against the background of America sliding from a post war boom into the Great Depression,
"The Northeast Quarter" tells the story of Ann's struggle to keep a promise no matter what. She
witnesses the remarriage of her grandmother to Royce Chamberlin, the seemingly humble banker
who institutes a reign of terror over the household and proceeds to corrupt the entire town. Over
the next ten years Ann matches wits with Chamberlin, enduring betrayal, banishment, and even
physical violence. She grows from a precocious child into a tough-minded young woman --
watching, observing her enemy, and waiting for the moment to make her move. And when the
moment comes in July 1929, life in Winfield will never be the same. An inherently riveting read
from cover to cover, "The Northeast Quarter" clearly demonstrates author S. M. Harris as a truly
gifted storyteller, and his many layered, deftly crafted novel is certain to be a highly popular
addition to personal reading lists and community library General Fiction collections.
The Wall of Storms
Ken Liu
Saga Press
c/o Simon and Schuster
1230 Avenue of the Americas, 14th fl., New York, NY 10020
www.simonandschuster.com
9781481424301, $29.99, HC, 880pp, www.amazon.com
"The Wall of Storms" is the sequel to author Ken Liu's "The Grace of Kings" (9781481424271,
$27.99 HC, $16.99 PB, $8.99 Kindle) which launched the novelist's 'The Dandelion Dynasty'
series, and continues the story of Kuni Garu who is now faced with the invasion of an invincible
army in his kingdom and must quickly find a way to defeat the intruders. Now known as
Emperor Ragin, Kuni Garu now runs the archipelago kingdom of Dara, but struggles to maintain
progress while serving the demands of the people and his vision. Then when an unexpected
invading force from the Lyucu empire in the far distant west comes to the shores of Dara massive
chaos results. But Kuni cannot go and lead his kingdom against the threat himself with his
recently healed empire fraying at the seams, so he sends the only people he trusts to be Dara's
savvy and cunning hopes against the invincible invaders: his children, now grown and ready to
make their mark on history. A superbly crafted and massive work of literary fiction, "The Wall of
Storms" is a consistently compelling and unfailingly entertaining read from cover to cover. While
very highly recommended, especially for community library General Fiction collections, it should
be noted for personal reading lists that "The Wall of Storms" is also available in a paperback
edition (9781481424318, $17.99) and in a Kindle format ($9.99).
Children and Lunatics
Megan McNamer
Black Lawrence Press
http://www.blacklawrence.com
9781625579546, $16.95, PB, 175pp, www.amazon.com
In the 21st century the political state of the world is fragile, with the center barely holding. Wars,
terrorists, and hurricanes are daily fare on TV. In ""Children and Lunatics", a silent street person
and a suburban mother share intimate spheres of love and grief and odd obsessions, although they
barely meet. As their paths converge, an eerie world hovers, casting shadows and flickering
lights, igniting fears and dreams. A deftly crafted and compelling read from beginning to end,
"Children and Lunatics" clearly showcases author Megan McNamer as an impressively talented
and original novelist with a positive flair for the creation of memorable characters and narrative
dialogue. A consistently engaging story from beginning to end, "Children and Lunatics" is an
especially recommended addition to personal, community, and academic library Literary Fiction
collections.
Stone and Honey
Christina Zempi
Arcadia Books
c/o Dufour Editions, Inc.
PO Box 7, 124 Byers Road, Chester Springs, PA 19425-0007
www.dufoureditions.com
9781910050804, $20.00, PB, 480pp, www.amazon.com
"Stone and Honey" by novelist Christina Zemp is vibrant with Greek life that captures one
person's dilemma when deciding between honor and love. Odysseas Anastasakos has spent the
past 17 years living in exile in Boston. A fatal accident when he was 15 years old forced him to
denounce his Grecian birthplace and led him in pursuit of a new life where he could escape the
demons of his past. But on his first return to Greece, Odysseas is confronted by a passionate love
that will change everything. A past and a present that will determine the future of all those
involved. "Stone and Honey" is story that is a universal and at the same time a deeply personal
tale of a love that surpasses distance, dissolves differences, and survives time. Clearly, Christina
Zempi is an author with a genuine flair for deftly created and truly memorable storytelling. While
very highly recommended and certain to be an enduringly popular addition to community library
General Fiction collections, it should be noted for personal reading lists that "Stone and Honey"
is also available in a Kindle format ($4.99).
Love Give Us One Death
Jeff P. Jones
Texas Review Press
Box 2146, Sam Houston State University, Huntsville, TX 77341-2146
http://texasreviewpress.org
9781680030976, $18.95, PB, 232pp, www.amazon.com
Bonnie Elizabeth Parker (October 1, 1910 - May 23, 1934) and Clyde Chestnut Barrow (March
24, 1909 - May 23, 1934) are the most famous outlaw couple in 20th Century American history.
They were children of the Dust Bowl, illicit lovers whose criminal run inspired fear and
admiration in a country desperate for antiheroes. Their bloody path, spoking outward from their
family homes in Dallas, ranged across the Southwest, the desiccated southern plains, and the
Midwest. Frank Hamer, the legendary Texas Ranger, was hired to stop them. The story of their
death on a lonely Louisiana back road, as well as their short and bloody life together, is a story of
a nation reaping the results of environmental degradation, injustice, and greed. That true life
story is the basis for Jeff P. Jones deftly crafted novel depicting the life and times of this
notorious couple, their friends, associates, gang members, family, and ultimate and mutual fate.
A compelling read from first page to last, "Love Give Us One Death: Bonnie and Clyde in the
Last Days" is very highly recommended for personal reading lists and community library General
Fiction collections.
Winter Sky
Chris Stewart
Shadow Mountain Publishing
P.O. Box 30178, Salt Lake City, Utah 84130-0178
www.shadowmountain.com
9781629722290, $16.99, HC, 192pp, www.amazon.com
In a bombed-out Polish village during World War II a young resistance fighter finds that he is
suddenly alone and trapped between two opposing armies. He is one of Poland's "Devil's Rebels"
fighting desperately to save his homeland, but an injury has erased his memory and his only
possession is a torn photograph of a couple he assumes are his parents. The woman appears to be
holding the hand of a young child whose image has been ripped off. Could the child be him?
Chris Stewart's "Winter Sky" is an inherently fascinating read from cover to cover and one of
those all-too-rare novels that will linger in the mind and memory of the reader long after the book
itself has been finished and set back upon the shelf. Highly recommended for community library
General Fiction collections, it should be noted for personal reading lists that "Winter Sky" is also
available in a Kindle edition ($10.99) and as a complete and unabridged CD audio book format
(9781629722979, $29.99).
The Money Shot
Glenn Deir
Breakwater Books
P.O.Box 2188, St. John's, Canada, NL A1C 6E6
1550816578, $19.95, PB, www.breakwaterbooks.com
Sebastian Hunter is a rake and womanizer. He's also a star reporter for the CBC. He has the
money shot of a luxurious house falling over a cliff, and the whole world is watching. He's about
to take down the chief of police and is working a story that could topple a government.
Everything is lining up. Engaged to the boss's daughter, Sebastian's path to the anchor seat on the
nightly news broadcast seems a foregone conclusion. But when foreign correspondent Ethan
Tremblay threatens Sebastian's rise, someone's career has to die. And if that happens on air, all
the better. "The Money Shot" by Glenn Deir offers a scathing and hilarious satire of broadcast
journalism. And in the process, he gives us Sebastian Hunter, a character that his readers will
love -- or love to hate! Written with a genuine flair for deftly crafted and memorable characters,
"The Money Shot" is an extraordinary and consistently entertaining read. While very highly
recommended for community library General Fiction collections, it should be noted for personal
reading lists that "The Money Shot" is also available from Breakwater Books in a Kindle format
($17.99).
Cat O' Nine Tales
Krystal Lawrence
Telemachus Press
7652 Sawmill Road, Suite 304, Dublin, Ohio 43016
http://www.telemachuspress.com
http://www.darksidestories.com
9781942899990, $27.95, HC, 273pp, www.amazon.com
What evil dwells within the pretty lady next door or the ordinary house cat? What happens when
you pursue your dreams into the desert after dark? Beware the man borne of your imagination.
He could seek vengeance on the one who created him. Visit a bookstore offering a most alluring
and sinister service. Journey to the dark side with ten twisted tales of horror, malevolence, and
the truly uncanny. All this and more within the pages of Krytal Lawrence's consistently
compelling anthology of ten short stories -- each one a literary gem from an impressively gifted
storyteller. Of special note are the black-and-white illustrations by Kira Sokolovskaia. While
very highly recommended and certain to become enduringly popular additions to community
library collections, it should be noted for personal reading lists that "Cat O' Nine Tales" is also
available in a Kindle format ($2.99).
The Mystery/Suspense Shelf
Another Day, Another Dali
Sandra Orchard
Revell
c/o Baker Publishing Group
6030 East Fulton, Ada, MI 49301
www.bakerbooks.com
9780800726690, $14.99, PB, 352pp, www.amazon.com
When a valuable Salvador Dali painting belonging to her grandmother's friend is mysteriously
replaced by a forgery, FBI Special Agent Serena Jones is called in to investigate. Serena hopes
finding the thief will also mean finally measuring up to Nana's expectations. But when the
evidence points to members of the owner's own household, it becomes increasingly clear that
Serena won't be winning any popularity contests. The Dali isn't the only painting that's fallen prey
to the forgery-replacing thief, raising the specter of a sophisticated theft ring--one with links to
dirty cops, an aspiring young artist, and the unsolved murder of Serena's grandfather. Another
terrifically entertaining mystery be a true master of the genre, "Another Day, Another Dali" by
Sandra Orchard will prove to be an enduringly popular addition to community library
Mystery/Suspense collections. For the personal reading lists of dedicated mystery buffs it should
be noted that "Another Day, Another Dali" is also available in a Kindle format ($5.99).
Cat Got Your Diamonds
Julie Chase
Crooked Lane Books
2 Park Avenue, 10th floor, New York, NY 10016
www.crookedlanebooks.com
9781629538426, $25.99, HC, 336pp, www.amazon.com
Grandeur and opulence are everything in the famed New Orleans Garden District where pets are
family and no bling is too big. Opening Furry Godmother, pet boutique and organic treat bakery,
is Lacy Marie Crocker's dream come true -- until the glitter gun used to make her Shih Tzu tutus
becomes a murder weapon. And Lacy becomes public enemy #1. Now Detective Jack Oliver is
hounding Lacy, and her Furry Godmother investor wants out before his name is tarnished by
association. To make matters worse, a string of jewel heists with suspicious ties to the murder
case has New Orleans residents on edge. To save her dream, Lacy must take a stand, put her keen
eyes to work, and unravel what really happened at her shop that night. But can Lacy sniff out the
killer cat burglar in time to get her tail-raising designs on the catwalk? A deftly crafted and
unfailingly entertaining mystery from cover to cover, "Cat Got Your Diamonds", is the debut
novel in what promises to be a deftly crafted new 'Kitty Couture' mystery series by author Julie
Chase. While very highly recommended and certain to prove an enduringly popular addition to
community library Mystery/Suspense collections, it should be noted for the personal reading lists
of dedicated mystery buffs that "Cat Got Your Diamonds" is also available in a paperback edition
(9781683311973, $15.99) and in a Kindle format ($9.59).
Fire in the Stars
Barbara Fradkin
The Dundurn Group
3 Church Street, Suite 500, Toronto, Ontario, Canada, M5E 1M2
www.dundurn.com
9781459732391, $19.99, PB, 328pp, www.amazon.com
After surviving a horrific trauma in Nigeria, international aid worker Amanda Doucette returns to
Canada to rebuild her life and her shaken ideals. There, the once-passionate, adventurous woman
needs all her strength and ingenuity when a friend and fellow survivor goes missing along with
his son. A trained first-aid and crisis responder, Doucette (always accompanied by her beloved
dog Kaylee) joins forces with RCMP officer Chris Tymko to discover the truth about the
disappearance. Their search leads them to the Great Northern Peninsula, a rugged landscape of
Viking history, icebergs, whales, and fierce ocean storms. Elsewhere, a body gets hauled up in a
fisherman's net, and evidence is mounting of an unsettling connection with Amanda's search for
her friend. Fradkin writes evocatively of the beautiful, often hostile, Newfoundland landscape
where Amanda soon finds herself fighting for her very survival. A simply riveting read from first
page to last by a master of the genre, Barbara Fradkin's "Fire in the Stars" will prove to be an
enduringly popular addition to community library Mystery/Suspense collections. For the personal
reading lists of dedicated mystery buffs it should be noted that "Fire in the Stars" is also available
in a Kindle format ($3.85).
El Nino
Mercedes Lambert
Stark House Press
1315 H Street, Eureka, CA 95501
www.starkhousepress.com
9781944520106, $15.95, PB, 218pp, www.amazon.com
Like her fellow attorneys, Sandy Walker has learned to distance herself from her clients, using
the law as a shield to keep their sordid crimes and their gritty lives from touching her. Sandy
fights a daily battle to keep her equilibrium in a filthy madhouse of child abuse and desperate
denial. But something or someone is trying to pry its way bast the bottles of brandy, past the
guide and self loathing, into her heart. "El Nino" is a novel by Mercedes Lambert (the
pseudonym of Douglas Anne Munson) is an unconventional and riveting read with a consistently
compelling intensity from beginning to end. Part of the outstanding Star House Noir Classics
series, "El Nino" is especially recommended for community library fiction collections. For
personal reading lists it should be noted that "El Nino" is also available in a Kindle format
($4.99).
A Christmas Message
Anne Perry, author
Ballantine Books
c/o The Random House Publishing Group
1745 Broadway, 17th floor, New York, NY 10019
www.randomhousebooks.com
9781101886380, $20.00 HC, $10.99 Kindle, 176pp, www.amazon.com
"A Christmas Message" is a holiday mystery book in the Victorian England setting of beloved
characters Charlotte and Thomas Pitt, starring series regulars Victor Narraway and Vespasia,
otherwise known as Charlotte's great aunt Vespasia. In the year 1900, Victor chooses to Vespasia
the exotic Christmas experience of a trip to Jerusalem. The story unfolds as the Narraways
encounter an intriguing fellow pilgrim in Jaffa. Unfortunately the mysterious stranger is found
murdered because of his secret mission, which involved delivering a mysterious fragment of
ancient parchment to its hidden destiny in Jerusalem. Combining suspense, mystery, faith, and
ancient secrets, "A Christmas Message" is a period thriller with a warm, rich core of wonder and
enlightenment. "A Christmas Message" is the perfect Christmas (or any other time of the year)
gift for anyone who loves a challenging period mystery to read on a cold, silent night.
The Biography Shelf
Beasts In My Belfry
Gerald Durrell
David R. Godine, Publisher
Fifteen Court Square, Suite 320, Boston, MA 02108-2536
www.godine.com
9781567925845, $16.95, PB, 210pp, www.amazon.com
Born in India, Gerald Durrell returned to England when he was three, and five years later, the
entire entourage, lead by his intrepid, imperturbable mother, went abroad again, eventually
settling in Corfu. From the age of two, he was fascinated by zoology, over the years assembling a
large, and not altogether savory, collection of pets, strays, and specimens. As his unofficial zoo
grew, so did his family's discomfort. The solution was to find another, more permanent outlet for
his passion. So in 1945 he joined Whipsnade (a new concept in open-range animal exhibits) as a
student keeper, with Albert the lion, Babs the polar bear, and a baby Pere David's deer among his
first charges. In this entertaining combination of history and memoir, Gerald fully recaptures all
the passion that permeated those early years, while conveying his insight into and affection for
both four- and two-footed creatures. "Beasts In My Belfry" is replete with larger-than-life animal
characters including: the bear who sang operatic arias with one paw clasped to his breast; his
bosom friend Billy the goat; playful zebras; and a host of equally endearing and memorable
critters. Very highly recommended for the personal reading lists of all animal enthusiasts, and
certain to be an enduringly popular addition to community and academic library
Memoir/Biography collections, "Beasts In My Belfry" is Gerald Durrell at his zoophilic
best!
Bread: A Memoir Of Hunger
Lisa Knopp
University of Missouri Press
113 Heinkel Bldg., 201 S. 7th St., Columbia, MO 65211
www.umsystem.edu/upress
9780826221025, $24.95, HC, 170pp, www.amazon.com
When she was 54, Lisa Knopp's weight dropped to a number on the scale that she hadn't seen
since seventh grade. The severe food restricting that left her thin and sick when she was 15 and
25 had returned. This time, she was determined to understand the causes of her malady and how
she could heal from a condition that is caused by a tangle of genetic, biological, familial,
psychological, cultural, and spiritual factors. "Bread: A Memoir Of Hunger" is her compelling
and intensely personal memoir that is at once a food and an illness narrative, exploring the forces
that cause eating disorders and disordered eating, including the link between those conditions in
women, middle-aged and older, and the fear of aging and ageism. While very highly
recommended, especially for community, college, and university library Contemporary American
Biography collections, it should be noted for personal reading lists that "Bread: A Memoir Of
Hunger" is also available in a Kindle format ($14.49).
The Metaphysical Studies Shelf
The Spiritual Practice of Good Actions
Greg Marcus
Llewellyn Publications
2143 Wooddale Drive, Woodbury, MN 55125
www.llewellyn.com
9780738748658, $16.99, PB, 264pp, www.amazon.com
In the pages of "The Spiritual Practice of Good Actions: Finding Balance Through the Soul
Traits of Mussar", Greg Marcus shows how to bring everyday life into alignment with
aspirational values through Mussar, a thousand-year-old Jewish practice of spiritual growth based
on mindful living. Perfect for anyone, regardless of age or experience, "The Spiritual Practice of
Good Actions" is comprehensive instructional guide that presents thirteen soul traits ranging
from humility and gratitude, to trust and honor, as well as the simple daily actions that can be
taken to develop them. Drawing on universal principles and providing grounded instruction, "The
Spiritual Practice of Good Actions" will enable the reader to deftly explore soul traits through
daily techniques and exercises, including mantras, mindful observation, and journaling. Readers
will be able to build a soul trait profile to better understand themselves. By dedicating two weeks
of practice to each trait, major changes will be seen in how to approach the world and feel
empowered to be one's very best self. Informed and informative, thoughtful and thought
provoking, inspired and inspiring, "The Spiritual Practice of Good Actions" is especially
recommended for personal and community library Self-Help/Self Improvement and Metaphysical
Studies collections. It should be noted that "The Spiritual Practice of Good Actions" is also
available in a Kindle format ($9.99).
Spirit Traveler
Sonja Grace
Findhorn Press
www.findhornpress.com
9781844096947, $17.99, PB, 176pp, www.amazon.com
Of Native American and Norwegian descent, mystic healer Sonja Grace has spent a lifetime
traveling in the angelic realms, communicating with the archangels and sharing their wisdom. In
"Spirit Traveler: Unlocking Ancient Mysteries and Secrets of the World's Great Historic Sites"
she takes a unique approach to analyzing why famous historic sites, including the Great
Pyramids, Stonehenge, Tiwanaku (Bolivia), Hagar Qim (Malta), St. Winifride's Well (Wales),
Chichen Itza (Mexico), Skellig Michael (Ireland), The Roci of Cashel (Ireland), were
constructed. "Spirit Traveler" offers a completely different and metaphysical perspective on the
purpose of these sites and the reasons for their construction and is the companion book to the
documentary film 'Spirit Traveler' which will be released around the same time as this volume.
Inherently fascinating, exceptionally well written, organized and presented, "Spirit Traveler" is
an especially recommended read for both academia and non-specialist general readers. While
certain to be an enduringly popular addition to community and academic library Metaphysical
Studies collections, it should be noted for that "Spirit Traveler" is also available in a Kindle
format ($14.99).
Runes for Beginners
Alexandra Chauran
Llewellyn Publications
2143 Wooddale Drive, Woodbury, MN 55125
www.llewellyn.com
9780738748283, $14.99, PB, 216pp, www.amazon.com
Alexandra Chauran is a second-generation fortuneteller, a high priestess of British Traditional
Wicca, and the queen of a coven. As a professional psychic intuitive for over a decade, she serves
psychic apprentices and thousands of clients. In "Runes for Beginners: Simple Divination and
Interpretation" she draws upon her years of experience and expertise to help her readers connect
with their intuition, discover more about their personality, and solve problems using the power of
runes. With "Runes for Beginners" as instructive guide, anyone can learn how to ask for and
interpret the answers to life's core questions concerning love, career, health, and many other
important subjects and issues. A solid reference for both beginners and adepts, "Runes for
Beginners" covers everything from rune meanings and memorization techniques to making runes.
With help from diagrams, practical exercises, and phonetic breakdowns for all the runic letters,
readers will be able to develop a path most beneficial to their goals and improvements to their
life. They will even be able through the use of runes to uncover traits about themselves that they
may otherwise have never known. While very highly recommended for personal, professional,
community, and academic library Metaphysical Studies collections, it should be noted that
"Runes for Beginners" is also available in a Kindle format ($9.99).
Jim's Flight
Christine Frank Petosa & Elizabeth Williams
Findhorn Press
www.findhornpress.com
9781844097067, $17.99, PB, 320pp, www.amazon.com
Is there life after death? Does Heaven really exist? Providing us with insight, wisdom and
practical knowledge, we learn from Jim Petosa's flight to Heaven and back that life exists beyond
the physical world. Written with the assistance of Elizabeth Williams (who is a light worker and
third generation Catholic Mystic, known in modern terms as a Modern Day Mystic) "Jim's Flight:
One Soul's Perspective from Heaven" is a compilation of the journey of Jim's transition to
Heaven, his wife's experience as the caretaker, and the portal to expand humanity's understanding
of it all. Riveting moments capture the reader, open the hearts of many and, truth be told,
enlighten all of us to believe that the soul lives on forever. While very highly recommended and
certain to be an enduringly popular addition to community and academic library Metaphysical
Studies collections, it should be noted for personal reading lists that "Jim's Flight: One Soul's
Perspective from Heaven" is also available in a Kindle format ($14.99).
The Fantasy/SciFi Shelf
Attack on Titan: End of the World
Created by Hajime Isayama
Novelization by Touji Asakura
Based on the screenplay by Yusuke Watanabe & Tomohiro Machiyama
Vertical, Inc.
451 Park Avenue South, 7th floor, New York, NY 10016
www.vertical-inc.com
9781945054082 $17.95 amazon.com
Attack on Titan: End of the World is the novelization of the theatrical movie adaptation of the
immensely popular Attack on Titan comic series, about a horrifying post-apocalyptic world
where the tattered remnants of humanity are little more than prey for monstrous, seemingly
mindless giants known as Titans. Humans have huddled behind the safety of massive concentric
walls for generations, but the fragile peace collapses marking the end of a once-peaceful world.
Three childhood friends, Erin, Armin, and Mikasa each brave unspeakable, horrifying nightmares
as part of humanity's last, desperate gambit for survival! A streamlined and clarified retelling of
the original saga, Attack on Titan: End of the World is an excellent introduction to this exciting,
action-packed series, especially recommended for sci-fi and horror fans alike.
Bakemonogatari Part 01: Monster Tale
Nisio Isin
Translated by Ko Ransom
Vertical, Inc.
451 Park Avenue South, 7th floor, New York, NY 10016
www.vertical-inc.com
c/o Penguin Random House (distribution)
9781942993889 $13.95 amazon.com
Smoothly translated into English from the original Japanese, Bakemonogatari Part 01: Monster
Tale is the first fantasy novel in the high-adventure series following school students in their
escapades with, and sometimes against, supernatural creatures and forces. Fan-favorite characters
from the popular animated series are here, including the winds-of-fate buffeted narrator Araragi,
the singular class president Hanekawa, the suspiciously unscrupulous problem-solver Oshino,
and a pale, blonde ex-vampire, along with Sejogahara and Hachikuji. Elements of romance,
comedy, and paranormal thriller combine in this choice pick for lending libraries and personal
reading lists. Bakemonogatari Part 01: Monster Tale is highly recommended for long-time
Bakemonogatari fans and newcomers to the series alike!
Trevelyan's Wager
David Bassano
Harvard Square Editions
2152 Beachwood Terrace, Hollywood, CA 90068
www.harvardsquareeditions.org
9781941861196, $22.95, PB, 116pp, www.amazon.com
The trillion-dollar Elysium Corporation has perfected the science of genetically-induced
immortality. Decay and death are no longer inevitable. For the right price, you can now enjoy
eternal youth, and in great luxury. This is mankind's ultimate achievement. It also proves an
irresistible lure for an indelicate journalist, who suspects that people and permanence should
never mix. All the more impressive considering that "Trevelyan's Wager" is author David
Bassano's debut as a novelist, this deftly crafted and consistently compelling read is very highly
recommended, especially for community library Science Fiction & Fantasy collections. For
personal reading lists it should be noted that "Trevelyan's Wager" is also available in a Kindle
format ($9.99).
The Poetry Shelf
Sleeping in Tall Grass
Richard Therrien
University of Alberta Press
Ring House 2, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada, T6G 2E1
www.uap.ualberta.ca
9781772121223, $19.95, PB, 88pp, www.amazon.com
A cycle of original poems by Richard Therrien, "Sleeping in Tall Grass" takes an unsparing look
at a painful, abusive, yet strangely redemptive family story enfolded within the body of the
Canadian prairie itself-at once physical, historical, and metaphysical. These intensely personal
poems reflect the complex relationships between sound and space, language and silence. Treating
time as more layered than sequential, they reflect a process of organic composition distilled from
Therrien's iterative observations and utterances. This is writing that reaches "into the very grain
of existence" -- a sonorous re-presentation of the human presence on the dispassionate, making
"Sleeping in Tall Grass" unreservedly commended for personal reading lists as well as
community and academic library Contemporary Canadian Poetry collections. -- When Gabriel
told Mohammad men sleep / and when they die they waken / this was no mere admonition / this
was practical instruction in how to see // The poet occupies the dreaming mind / his or another's /
makes no difference / not to bring the dream back / for interrogation / not to humiliate it with
interpretation / but to return with its way of looking
Take Your Hand Out of My Pocket, Shiva
Leonard Gontarek
Hanging Loose Press
231 Wyckoff Street, Brooklyn, NY 11217
www.hangingloosepress.com
9781934909898, $18.00, PB, 72pp, www.amazon.com
Leonard Gontarek is the author of seven published books of poems. "Take Your Hand Out of My
Pocket, Shiva" is his newest and highly recommended volume in which he presents an anthology
of succinct, original, observational and experientially based free verse poems. Homage: The last
time I read this poem / publicly, I was drunk, / standing on a table, / and I went home / with the
prettiest woman at the party.
The Self-Help Shelf
Overcoming Passive-Aggression, revised edition
Tim Murphy, Ph.D and Loriann Hoff Oberlin, MS, LCPC
Lifelong Books / Da Capo Press
c/o Perseus Book Group
250 W. 57th St., Suite 1500, New York, NY 10107
www.perseusbooksgroup.com
9780738219189, $15.99, PB, 336pp, www.amazon.com
Hidden anger that comes out indirectly can undermine relationships between friends, family, and
colleagues. When people feel compelled to conceal their true beliefs and emotions, there can be
serious physical and psychological results for everyone involved. Dr. Tim Murphy and Loriann
Oberlin collaborate in "Overcoming Passive-Aggression, Revised Edition: How to Stop Hidden
Anger from Spoiling Your Relationships, Career, and Happiness" to offer a clear definition of
passive aggression and show readers not only how to end the behavior but also how to avoid
falling victim to other people's hidden anger. This newly revised and updated edition of
"Overcoming Passive-Aggression" offers essential guidance for dealing with problems in the
workplace and at school; avoiding the pitfalls of social media, texting, and online
communication; and when to seek professional help. Whether you need ways to manage your
own passive aggressiveness or ways to cope with the hidden anger of others, "Overcoming
Passive Aggression" shares sage advice, practical exercises, and opportunities for personal
growth. While unreservedly recommended, especially for community and academic library
Psychology & Self/Help collections, it should be noted for both academia and non-specialist
general readers with an interest in the subject that "Overcoming Passive-Aggression" is also
available in a Kindle format ($10.99) and as a complete and unabridged CD audio book
(Blackstone Audio, 9781478975243, $35.00).
Always Balanced and Connected
Maggie Davids-Jelly, LCSW
Balboa Press
c/o Hay House, Inc.
PO Box 5100, Carlsbad, CA 92018-5100
www.balboapress.com
9781504335829, $42.95, HC, 394pp, www.amazon.com
In "Always Balanced and Connected: Daily Affirmations for Body, Mind and Spirit", author
Maggie Davis-Jelly draws upon her years of private practice experience and expertise as a
Licensed Clinical Social Worker in the New York/New Jersey metro area to provide an
exceptionally well written, organized and presented, day-by-day, year round compendium of
affirmations and succinct commentaries that are thoroughly 'reader friendly', thoughtful and
thought-provoking offerings. With careful daily readings from "Always Balanced and
Connected" anyone can develop peace of mind. Here presented is the ABCs of "Always Balanced
and Connected" summed up as: Accept who you are in the moment. Be comfortable in your own
skin and know that you are amazing. Consistency is the most important factor in maintaining
good physical, mental, and spiritual health. While very highly recommended, especially for
community, college, and university library Self-Help/Self-Improvement collections, it should be
noted for personal reading lists that "Always Balanced and Connected" is also available from
Balboa Press in a paperback edition (9781504335805, $23.99) and in a Kindle format
($3.99).
The Political Science Shelf
Is Socialist Revolution in the US Possible?
Mary-Alice Waters
Pathfinder Press
PO Box 162767, Atlanta, GA 30321-2767
www.pathfinderpress.com
9781604880908, $10.00, PB, 87pp, www.amazon.com
In the pages of "Is Socialist Revolution in the US Possible?: A Necessary Debate Among
Working People" Mary-Alice Waters (a leader of the American Socialist Workers party) is an
unhesitating Yes is the answer to the question that comprises her books title. Waters maintains
that while a socialist revolution in the United States is possible, it is not inevitable. That future
depends on the American people. "Is Socialist Revolution in the US Possible?" is a definitive
contribution to the growing discussion among working people everywhere who are looking for a
way forward in the face of sharpening capitalist crisis and spreading wars. Fighting for a society
only working people can create, it is our own capacities we will discover, not the rulers false
image of us an image that reflects their own guilt and fear. A thoughtful and thought-provoking
read, "Is Socialist Revolution in the US" Possible?" should be a part of every community,
college, and university library Contemporary Political Science collection and supplemental
studies reading list.
The Christian Studies Shelf
Being Human in God's World
J. Gordon McConville
Baker Academic
c/o Baker Publishing Group
6030 East Fulton, Ada, MI 49301
www.bakerpublishinggroup.com
9780801048968, $27.99, HC, 240pp, www.amazon.com
"Being Human in God's World: An Old Testament Theology of Humanity" by J. Gordon
McConville (Professor of Old Testament Theology, University of Gloucestershire, England) is a
major work by a widely respected Old Testament scholar and theologian provides a biblical
perspective on fundamental questions of what it means to be human. Professor McConville deftly
explores how a biblical view of humanity provides a foundation for Christian reflection on
ethics, economics, politics, and church life and practice. "Being Human in God's World" reveals
that the Old Testament's view of humanity as "earthed" and "embodied" played an essential part
in a well-rounded Christian theology and spirituality, and applies the theological concept of the
"image of God" to all areas of human existence. An impressively informed and informative
study, "Being Human in God's World" is an especially recommended addition to personal
reading lists, as well as seminary and academic library Biblical Studies collections in general,
and Christian Theology supplemental studies reading lists in particular. It should be noted that
"Being Human in God's World" is also available in a Kindle format ($15.39).
Cardinal Walter Kasper: Spiritual Writings
Patricia C. Bellm & Robert A. Krieg, editors
Orbis Books
Box 302, Maryknoll NY 10545-0302
www.orbisbooks.com
9781626981911, $22.00, PB, 192pp, www.amazon.com
Walter Kasper (born 5 March 1933) is a German bishop and theologian who has long been
regarded as a vital expositor of the gospel and one of the leading voices of church renewal and
reform. Named a cardinal in 2001, Kasper served as president of the Pontifical Council for
Promoting Christian Unity and represented the Church in advancing Jewish-Christian relations.
He assumed an especially important role under Pope Francis, who publicly endorsed Kasper's
book on Mercy, thus signaling a principle theme of his papacy. Collaboratively compiled by
Patricia C. Bellm (Co-Director of the Science and Religion Initiative with Notre Dame's Institute
for Church Life) and Robert Krieg (Professor of Theology at the University of Notre Dame)
"Cardinal Walter Kasper: Spiritual Writings" reflects the major themes of Cardinal Kasper's long
career in the Roman Catholic church. Given the breadth of his work, the selections here on God,
Jesus Christ, the Holy Spirit, the Church, Ecumenism, and Christian Hope, represent a veritable
introduction to the Christian faith. While very highly recommended for church, community, and
academic library Christian Studies collections, it should be noted for the personal reading lists of
clergy and the non-specialist general reader with an interest in Cardinal Kasper, that "Cardinal
Walter Kasper: Spiritual Writings" is also available in a Kindle format ($9.99).
All Creation Waits
Gayle Boos, author
David G. Klein, illustrator
Paraclete Press
PO Box 1568, Orleans, MA 02653
www.paracletepress.com
9781612617855, $18.99, PB, 112pp, www.amazon.com
"All Creation Waits: The Advent Mystery of New Beginnings" showcases twenty-five fresh
images of the foundational truth that lies beneath and within the Christ story. In twenty-five
portraits depicting how wild animals of the northern hemisphere ingeniously adapt when
darkness and cold descend, we see and hear as if for the first time the ancient wisdom of Advent:
The dark is not an end but the way a new beginning comes. Short, daily reflections that paint
vivid, poetic images of familiar animals, paired with charming original wood-cuts, will engage
both children and adults. Anyone who does not want to be caught, again, in the consumer hype of
"the holiday season" but rather to be taken up into the eternal truth the natural world reveals will
benefit immensely from reading "All Creation Waits". An informative and inspiring read from
cover to cover, "All Creation Waits" is especially recommended to all members of the Christian
community regardless of denominational affiliation.
Parenting Toward the Kingdom
Philip Mamalakis
Ancient Faith Publishing
PO Box 748, Chesterton, IN 46304-0748
9781944967024, $20.95, PB, 328pp, http://store.ancientfaith.com
The Orthodox Christian tradition is filled with wisdom and guidance about the biblical path of
salvation. Yet this guidance remains largely inaccessible to parents and often disconnected from
the parenting challenges we face in our homes. "Parenting Toward the Kingdom: Orthodox
Principles of Child-Rearing" will help members of Orthodox Christian communities make the
connections between the spiritual life as we understand it in the Orthodox Church and the
ongoing challenges of raising children. "Parenting Toward the Kingdom" takes the best child
development research and connects it with the timeless truths of the Orthodox Christian faith to
offer real strategies for navigating the challenges of daily life. Informed and informative,
thoughtful and thought-provoking, inspired and inspiring, it should be noted for personal reading
lists that "Parenting Toward the Kingdom" is also available in a Kindle format ($9.99).
The Light of the World
Phyllis Zagano
Twenty-Third Publications
1 Montauk Avenue, #200, New London, CT 06320
www.23rdpublications.com
9781627852128, $14.95, PB, 136pp, www.amazon.com
Dr. Phyllis Zagano is a Catholic scholar and lecturer known for her work in the fields of
contemporary spirituality and the leadership of women in the Church. Her column 'Just Catholic',
appears twice a month in the National Catholic Reporter. In the pages of "The Light of the
World" she has compiled Advent reflections that reflect our natural longing for the light -- Like
John, we can will to become quieter, slower even, pointing to the Christ who is to come. Like
[pilgrims], we can look within for ways to make our own hearts and minds more transparent,
more open, more accepting of the light. Dr. Zagano deftly explores the rich themes of this holy
season. Advent is a time of darkness and light, increase and decrease. "The Light of the World"
gently unfolds the rhythms of these sacred weeks, inviting readers into a deep and prayerful
journey to Christmas. While very highly recommended for seminary and church library
collections, it should be noted for the personal reading lists of all members of the Catholic
community that "The Light of the World" is also available in a Kindle format ($11.99).
When the Lord Speaks to Your Heart: Daily Reflections
Gaston Courtois
Pauline Books & Media
50 St. Paul's Avenue, Boston, MA 02130-3433
9780819883698, $14.95, PB, 202pp, www.amazon.com
Compiled and written by ordained priest Gaston Courtois (1897-1970), "When the Lord Speaks
to Your Heart: Daily Reflections" is a chronological, day-by-day compendium comprised of one
year's worth of the thoughts for each individual day. Each entry, though short, contain profound
material for reflection and prayer. They stand out from other daily spiritual readings in that
readers will find their minds, hearts, and souls all fully engaged in what they are reading. Inspired
and inspiring, "When the Lord Speaks to Your Heart: Daily Reflections" is very highly
recommended for all members of the Roman Catholic community.
Jesus Speaks
Mike Baker, J. K. Jones, Jim Probst
InterVarsity Press
PO Box 1400, Downers Grove, IL 60515-1426
www.ivpress.com
9780830821006, $16.00, PB, 192pp, www.amazon.com
"Hold fast" is the command of the risen Christ, the one who has eyes like flames of fire, who
holds seven stars in his right hand and who searches the minds and hearts of all humans. In
Revelation 2 - 3 the word Christ Jesus comes to us like a two-edged sword, both encouraging and
judging. Jesus calls us to hold fast in the face of temptations of all sorts, but sternly warns those
who follow false teachings. Though Jesus is speaking to seven ancient churches of Asia Minor,
his words ring true today, calling us to: patient endurance, not fearing tribulation, repenting of a
dead faith, keeping God's Word, receiving the crown of life, the blessings of conquerors. "Jesus
Speaks" combines short devotional chapters with a seven-session small group guide, which
forms a church-wide series when coupled with the companion seven-session DVD. Jesus offers
us his guidance through both the pitfalls and paths toward holiness. All that is required of us is to
be ready to listen. While very highly recommended for all members of the Christian community,
it should be noted that "Jesus Speaks" is also available in a Kindle format ($9.99).
Padre Pio and America
Frank M. Rega
TAN Books
c/o Saint Benedict Press
PO Box 410487, Charlotte, NC 28241
9780895558206, $18.95, PB, 233pp, www.SaintBenedictPress.com
Padre Pio, also known as Saint Pio of Pietrelcina (May 25, 1887 - September 23, 1968), was a
friar, priest, stigmatist, and mystic, who is now venerated as a saint of the Roman Catholic
Church. Born Francesco Forgione, he was given the name of Pius (in Italian: Pio) when he joined
the Order of Friars Minor Capuchin. Padre Pio became famous for exhibiting stigmata for most
of his life, thereby generating much interest and controversy. He was both beatified (1999) and
canonized (2002) by Pope John Paul II. "Padre Pio and America" by Frank M. Rega (a Third
Order Secular Franciscan for more than 25 years) is deftly written and biographical study of
Padre Pio as a seminarian, a young priest, and a friar. This is an impressively informed and
informative account of Padre Pio's growing influence in America even though he was restricted
from preaching, writing, or corresponding on the orders of his superiors. Inspired and inspiring,
"Padre Pio and America" is very highly recommended reading for all members of the Roman
Catholic community.
David's Successors
Garrett Galvin
Michael Glazier
c/o The Liturgical Press
2950 Saint John's Road, PO Box 7500, Collegeville, MN 56321-7500
www.litpress.org
9780814682517, $24.95, PB, 186pp, www.amazon.com
In "David's Successors: Kingship in the Old Testament", Franciscan Friar Garrett Galvin
persuasively argues for a new reading of kingship in the Old Testament. Rather than presenting
the kings as monsters (with the occasional angelic ruler) this seminal study seeks a more nuanced
version of kingship. "David's Successors" considers the original concept and context of kingship
before concentrating on five kings in particular: Jeroboam, Ahab, Hezekiah, Manasseh, and
Josiah. Much contemporary scholarship is concerned with the reconceptualization and
recontextualization of kingship that hearkens from a negative perspective on kingship, but
"David's Successors" will fully consider the positive and original vision of kingship. "David's
Successors" is ultimately rooted in a hopeful and joyful view of humanity as found in the Psalms,
Sirach, and the Chronicles. A consistently compelling, informed and informative, thoughtful and
thought-provoking read from beginning to end, "David's Successors" is very highly
recommended for seminary, community, and academic library Old Testament Studies collections.
For the personal reading lists of students and non-specialist general readers with an interest in the
subject it should be noted that "David's Successors" is also available in a Kindle format
($19.99).
Preaching the Luminous Word
Ellen F. Davis
Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Company
2140 Oak Industrial Drive, NE, Grand Rapids, MI 49505
www.eerdmans.com
9780802874238, $33.00, PB, 356pp, www.amazon.com
Inviting serious theological engagement with texts from all parts of the Christian Bible,
"Preaching the Luminous Word: Biblical Sermons and Homiletical Essays" is a collection of
fifty-one sermons and five related essays Ellen F. Davis (Amos Ragan Kearns Distinguished
Professor of Bible and Practical Theology at Duke Divinity School, Durham, North Carolina). A
brief preface to each sermon delineates its liturgical context and theological themes as well as
distinctive elements of structure and style. Arranged in canonical order, the sermons treat a wide
range of texts: Torah, Prophets, Writings, Gospels, Epistles, and Revelation. They are
complemented by essays on various aspects of biblical interpretation for preaching. At once
accessible, theologically informed, and rhetorically rich, "Preaching the Luminous Word" will
engage preachers, teachers, seminarians, church leaders, and serious lay readers, making it
unreservedly recommended for personal, church, seminary, community, and academic library
Christian Studies and Biblical Studies collections.
Leadership Mosaic
Daniel Montgomery
Crossway Books
1300 Crescent Street, Wheaton, IL 60187
www.crossway.com
9781433552557, $24.99, HC, 256pp, www.amazon.com
Challenging the conventional wisdom about what makes for a good leader, Daniel Montgomery
(Lead Pastor of Sojourn Community Church, Louisville, Kentucky) calls Christian men and
women to a countercultural perspective on leadership that is rooted in our Creator. Montgomery
presents a new framework for leadership, not just a beckoning to further pragmatism, relentless
productivity, or a reactionary cultural fad. He helps us see leadership as a mosaic of five
characteristics (conviction, creativity, courage, collaboration, and contemplation) reflective of the
very image of the triune God. Armed with this perspective, reflective readers will be able to see,
strive after, and celebrate the great and complex vision of leadership God has called us to -- for
the flourishing of our homes, churches, and workplaces. Exceptionally well written, organized
and presented, "Leadership Mosaic" is very highly recommended, especially for church,
seminary, and academic library Christian Studies collections. Informed and informative,
thoughtful and thought-provoking, it should be noted for personal reading lists that "Leadership
Mosaic" is also available in a Kindle format ($14.74).
Wait and See
Wendy Pope
David C. Cook
c/o Cook Communications
4050 Lee Vance View, Colorado Springs, CO 80918
www.cookministries.com
9780781413558, $16.99, PB, 256pp, www.amazon.com
Every woman struggles with times of waiting, whether it be for a spouse, a child, a job. In the
pages of "Wait and See: Finding Peace in God's Pauses and Plans", Wendy Pope guides her
readers to focus on the Person of their faith rather than the object of their wait. Pope draws on the
story of King David, who was anointed king nearly twenty years before he took his throne. A
deftly written, hands-on guidebook that invites readers to record their own waiting discoveries,
"Wait and See" is packed from cover to cover with practical suggestions and real-life stories.
Pope's "Wait and See" readily shows readers how they can be active in the present as they hope
for the future. While very highly recommended to all members of the Christian community
regardless of denominational affiliations, it should be noted that "Wait and See" is also available
in a Kindle format ($9.49) and as a complete and unabridged CD audio book (Oasis Audio,
9781613758687, $19.99).
Icons: The Essential Collection
Sr. Faith Riccio, CJ
Paraclete Press
PO Box 1568, Orleans, MA 02653
www.paracletepress.com
9781612618319, $16.99, HC, 128pp, www.amazon.com
Sr. Faith Ricco is an iconographer and a religious sister at the Community of Jesus on Cape Cod
in Massachusetts. She studied extensively with Ksenia Pokrovsky. Her icons can be seen in
private collections and exhibits, both nationally and internationally, and at the Church of the
Transfiguration in Orleans, MA. With "Icons: The Essential Collection" she draws upon her
years of experience and expertise to a study about approaching and praying with icons everyday
featuring more than 60 full color images of Sr. Faith's icons. Each individual icon is paired with a
scripture and an inspirational word. The reader can easily experience how these beautiful icons
help Christians to live a good life, what they have to offer, and what they did for Sr. Faith. Icons
are an invitation to go beyond our world; to take a moment to look as through a window into
heaven. The space they create gives us a wonderful and open access to reach out toward God and
know him deeply in a new way. They are meant to enrich our spiritual lives. They were created to
touch and form us and have an ability to soothe and confront where necessary. They provide a
place to gather our wandering attention and direct it toward God. "Icons: The Essential
Collection" is an extraordinary and highly recommended addition to personal, church, seminary,
community, and academic library Christian Studies collections.
Knots Untied
J. C. Ryle
Banner of Truth
PO Box 621, Carlisle, PA 17013
www.banneroftruth.org
9781848716827, $29.00, HC, 488pp, www.amazon.com
J. C. Ryle started his ministry as curate at the Chapel of Ease in Exbury, Hampshire, moving on
to become rector of St Thomas's, Winchester in 1843 and then rector of Helmingham, Suffolk the
following year. While at Helmingham he married and was widowed twice. He began publishing
popular tracts, and Matthew, Mark and Luke of his series of Expository Thoughts on the Gospels
were published in successive years (1856-1858). His final parish was Stradbroke, also in Suffolk,
where he moved in 1861, and it was as vicar of All Saints that he became known nationally for
his straightforward preaching and firm defense of evangelical principles. Originally published in
1874, "Knots Untied" is J. C. Ryle's leading work in defense of the evangelicalism of the Church
of England. By 1885 it was reprinted in a tenth edition. This current edition of "Knots Untied"
published by Banner of Truth is a classic volume in which Ryle covers the then current disputes
about various points of religion within the Church of England, advocating and defending the
evangelical position at every turn. "Knots Untied" is as relevant and inspiring today as it was
almost two centuries ago, making it very highly recommended for personal reading lists, as well
as church, seminary, and academic library 19th Century Christian History & Theology
collections.
The Judaic Studies Shelf
Neither in Dark Speeches nor in Similitudes
Barry L. Stiefel & Hernan Tesler-Mabe, editors
Wilfrid Laurier University Press
Wilfrid Laurier University, Waterloo, Ontario, Canada, N2L 3C5
wlupress.wlu.ca
9781771122313, $39.99, PB, 239pp, www.amazon.com
Barry L. Stiefel's research focuses on the preservation of Jewish heritage, on which he has
published extensively. He is the current president for the Association of Canadian Jewish
Studies. Hernan Tesler-Mabe researches Jewish history, as well as modern Europe, European
integration, and cultural history. He is a board member of the Association for Canadian Jewish
Studies. Together Stiefel and Tesler-Mabe have collaborative compiled and co-edited "Neither in
Dark Speeches nor in Similitudes: Reflections and Refractions Between Canadian and American
Jews", an interdisciplinary collaboration of Canadian and American Jewish studies scholars who
compare and contrast the experience of Jews along the chronological spectrum (1763 C.E. to the
present day) in their respective countries. Of particular interest to them is determining the factors
that shaped the Jewish communities on either side of our common border, and why they differed.
This anthology of ten erudite, informative, and insightful articles equips Canadian and American
Jewish historians to broaden their examination and ask new questions, as well as answer old
questions based on fresh comparative data. A model of seminal scholarship throughout, including
a listing of the contributors and their credentials, as well as a ten page Index, "Neither in Dark
Speeches nor in Similitudes" is unreservedly recommended for college and university library
Judaic History collections and supplemental studies reading lists.
The Parenting Shelf
The Joys and Oys of Parenting
Maurice J. Elias, Marilyn E. Gootman, Heather L. Schwartz
Behrman House Inc.
11 Edison Place, Springfield, NJ 07081
www.behrmanhouse.com
9780874419429, $15.95, PB, 264pp, www.amazon.com
The collaborative work of Maurice Elias (Professor of Psychology at Rutgers University),
educator and author Marilyn E. Gootman, mother and communications expert Healther L.
Schwartz, "The Joys and Oys of Parenting" draws on the tradition of Jewish wisdom as well as
the expertise of these three child development professionals to offer practical ideas, advice, and
inspiration for parents. Of special note are the chapters on maintaining a peaceful home,
establishing routines, fostering resilience, promoting responsibility, sparking motivation,
nurturing kindness, and cultivating gratitude emphasize being mindful of the joys involved in
parenting while helping our children learn to live with integrity. Enhanced with the inclusion of
an informative Foreword by Rabbi Kerry Olitzky, "The Joys and Oys of Parenting" includes a ten
page Discussion Guide, a four page listing of References, and a three page list of the authors
credentials in detail. While very highly recommended for community and academic library
Parenting instructional reference collections in general, and Family Relationships supplemental
studies reading lists in particular, it should be noted for personal reading lists that "The Joys and
Oys of Parenting" is also available in a Kindle format ($9.99).
The Business Shelf
Guerrilla Marketing to Heal the World
Jay Conrad Levinson & Shel Horowitz
Morgan James Publishing
11815 Fountain Way, Suite 300, Newport News, VA 23606-4448
www.morganjamespublishing.com
9781630476588, $24.95, PB, 386pp, www.amazon.com
Capitalism as an economic system and concept can be placed firmly in the service of solutions to
the whole range of social, economic, and environmental problems ranging from hunger, poverty,
and war, to violence, inequality, and catastrophic climate change while making a healthy profit
for the capitalist entrepreneur. Regardless of the product produced or the service offered, any
company or corporation can follow and apply the precepts and information found in the pages of
seasoned and successful entrepreneurs Jay Conrad Levinson and Shel Horowitz's "Guerrilla
Marketing to Heal the World: Combining Principles and Profit to Create the World We Want".
Showcasing dozens of practical examples of successful companies doing well by doing good
ranging from solo entrepreneurs to Fortune 100 global corporations) anyone with the
responsibility for any manner of commerce can learn how to heal the world while gaining the
practical marketing savvy to turn ethical and moral values into business success. "Guerrilla
Marketing to Heal the World" covers: Creating projects (and products) that accomplish social
change, profitability, and cost reduction all at once; Greening a company in ways that save
money and make money; Gaining enormous positive reputation as a visionary company worth
supporting; Expanding successfully into totally new markets through strategic thinking, powerful
partnerships, and commitment to core principles; Turning marketing from a cost to a revenue
stream; Embracing abundance and transformation --- and stop worrying about market share.
Exceptionally well written, organized and presented, thoroughly 'user friendly' in tone and
commentary, "Guerrilla Marketing to Heal the World" is unreservedly recommended for
corporate, community and academic library Business Studies & Marketing collections. For
personal reading lists it should be noted that "Guerrilla Marketing to Heal the World" is also
available in a Kindle format ($7.99).
Home Business Tax Deductions, 16th edition
Stephen Fishman, J. D.
Nolo Press
950 Parker Street, Berkeley, CA 94710
www.nolo.com
9781413322071, $34.99, PB, 488pp, www.amazon.com
For any form home business, regardless of the product produced or the service provided,
claiming all the tax deductions you are lawfully entitled to is essential to financial success. Now
in an expanded 16th edition that is fully updated for 2016 tax returns, "Home Business Tax
Deductions: Keep What You Earn" shows how to deduct for: start-up costs, home office
expenses (using new IRS rules), vehicles and travel expenses, entertainment and meals, medical
expenses under Obamacare, and retirement expenses. "Home Business Tax Deductions" also
shows how to keep accurate and thorough records in case the IRS ever comes calling. Easy to
read and full of real-life examples, "Home Business Tax Deductions" can help any home
business entrepreneur to take full and lawful advantage of all the valuable tax deductions they are
entitled to. Of special note is the information on how to avoid a home business from being
classified by the IRS as a hobby and therefor not entitled to business deductions. A very special
and unique feature to this edition of "Home Business Tax Deductions" is the accompanying web
site with hundreds of informative articles and FAQs, useful legal forms, online services allowing
the formation of an LLC or corporation quickly and easily, in-depth profiles of business and tax
lawyers around the country and in any given area. Thoroughly 'user friendly' in organization and
presentation, "Home Business Tax Deductions" should be considered an essential instructional
reference for personal, professional, community, and academic library Business Management
collections. It should be noted that "Home Business Tax Deductions" is also available in a Kindle
format ($19.99).
What Customers Crave
Nicholas J. Webb
Amacom Books
1601 Broadway, New York, NY 10019
www.amacombooks.org
9780814437810, $25.00, HC, 256pp, www.amazon.com
To be successful in a competitive marketplace, companies must discover what their customers
desire -- and then deliver it in memorable and deeply human experiences. "What Customers
Crave: How to Create Relevant and Memorable Experiences at Every Touchpoint" by Nicholas J.
Webb (who has been awarded over 45 patents by the US Patent and Trademark Office for
breakthrough technologies) examines how the hyper-connected economy is radically changing
consumer expectations, and reveals what companies need to do to stay on top. The solution rests
on two simple questions: What do your customers love? What do they hate? Find the answers,
and you're well on your way to success. Jam-packed with tools and examples, "What Customers
Crave" helps you reinvent how you engage with customers (both digitally and non-digitally) and:
Gain invaluable insights into who they are and what they care about - Use listening posts and
Contact Point Innovation to refine customer types - Engineer experiences for each micromarket
that are not only exceptional, but insanely relevant - Connect across the five most important
touchpoints - Co-create with your customers - And much more. Exceptionally well written,
organized and presented, "What Customers Crave" is unreservedly recommended, especially for
community, corporate, and academic library Business Management instructional reference
collections. For personal reading lists it should be noted that "What Customers Crave" is also
available in a Kindle edition ($14.49) and in a complete and unabridged MP3 CD audio book
format (Brilliance Audio, 9781531867928, $19.99).
The Health/Medicine Shelf
The Hashimoto's Thyroiditis Healing Diet
Kate Barrington
Ulysses Press
PO Box 3440, Berkeley CA 94703-3440
www.ulyssespress.com
9781612435961, $13.99, PB, 156pp, www.amazon.com
Hashimoto's thyroiditis, also known as chronic lymphocytic thyroiditis, is an autoimmune disease
in which the thyroid gland is gradually destroyed. In "The Hashimoto's Thyroiditis Healing Diet",
certified fitness nutrition expert and author Kate Barrinton walks the reader through the
symptoms, diagnosis and treatments for Hashimoto's Thyroiditis and provides: A path through
recognizing symptoms; Information on diagnosis & treatment plans; A guide for foods to enjoy
& foods to avoid; Over 100 wholesome & delicious recipes; Workout plans & tips. Teaching
everything the non-specialist general reader will need to know, "The Hashimoto's Thyroiditis
Healing Diet" will help them to overcome this autoimmune disease by incorporating
thyroid-healthy foods into their diet and avoiding gut-aggravating foods. Follow this program and
Hashimoto's Thyroiditis sufferers can get back to their everyday lifestyle and be symptom-free.
As informed and informative as it is thoroughly 'reader friendly' in organization and presentation,
"The Hashimoto's Thyroiditis Healing Diet" is very highly recommended for community library
Health/Medicine collections. For personal reading lists it should be noted that "The Hashimoto's
Thyroiditis Healing Diet" is also available in a Kindle format ($9.99).
Blueprint for Holistic Healing
C. Norman Shealy, MD
ARE Press
215 - 67th Street, Virginia Beach, VA 23451-2061
www.AREPress.com
9780876048092, $16.95, PB, 168pp, www.amazon.com
Dr. C. Norman Shealy (a neurosurgeon, psychologist, and founding president of the American
Holistic Medical Association) was first introduced to the work of the Edgar Cayce (known today
as the father of holistic medicine) in the early 1970s. Cayce was the inspiration for Dr. Shely's
own transformation from traditional medicine to holistic alternative therapies, which he has
pursued for more than 30 years. Now combining decades of clinical work and research with
advice from the Edgar Cayce readings, Shealy has created a blueprint for healing that each of us
can follow with questionnaires for self-assessment throughout. While very highly recommended
for community, college, and university library Health/Medicine collections in general, and
Holistic Medicine supplemental studies lists in particular, it should be noted for the personal
reading lists of medical students and non-specialist general readers with an interest in the subject
that "Blueprint for Holistic Healing: Your Practical Guide to Body-Mind-Spirit Health" is also
available in a Kindle format ($16.10).
The Gaming Shelf
Undertale Art Book
Toby Fox
Fangamer
www.fangamer.com
9781945908996 $26.00 pbk www.undertale.com
Available both in print and as a digital download, Undertale Art Book is filled with concept art,
behind-the-scenes vignettes, and more from the creator of the immensely popular indie role-
playing game Undertale. Undertale is the adventure of a young child lost in a world of magical
monsters, and playing it is highly advised for the rich storytelling experience! Undertale Art
Book is packed cover-to-cover with insights behind the game's creation, as well as ideas that
never came to be, and a wealth of captioned black-and-white and full-color illustrations.
"Temmie thought the load screen looked bad so she drew a new one. But I like it looking bad. So
I drew this." Undertale Art Book is a "must-have" for fans and connoisseurs of this wonderful
game!
Beautiful Minecraft
James Delaney
No Starch Press
245 - 8th Street, San Francisco, CO 94103-3910
www.nostarch.com
9781593277659, $19.95, HC, 112pp, www.amazon.com
Minecraft is a sandbox video game originally created by Swedish game designer Markus "Notch"
Persson, and later developed and published by Mojang. The creative and building aspects of
Minecraft enable players to build constructions out of textured cubes in a 3D procedurally
generated world. Other activities in the game include exploration, resource gathering, crafting,
and combat. James Delaney is the managing director of BlockWorks, a team of Minecraft
builders, animators, and artists from around the world. In "Beautiful Minecraft" Delaney draws
upon his years of experience and expertise to create a compendium of the stunning artwork built
in Minecraft. Using millions of blocks and spending hundreds of hours, these artists have created
floating steampunk cities, alien worlds, detailed classical sculptures, fantastical landscapes,
architectural marvels, and more. The results are simply beautiful and will provide immense
inspiration for any and all dedicated Minecraft players. Very highly recommended, especially for
personal and community library collections. It should be noted that "Beautiful Minecraft" is also
available in a Kindle format ($15.95).
101 Secrets from a Pokemon Master
Justin Ryan
Sky Pony Press
c/o Skyhorse Publishing, Inc.
307 West 36th Street, 11th Floor, New York, NY 10018
www.skyhorsepublishing.com
9781510722118, $12.99, HC, 128pp, www.amazon.com
Written for Pokemon players from ages 7 to 70, author Justin Ryan showcases 101 tips from a
professional Pokemon player in an easy-to-read format with this thoroughly 'user friendly' and
profusely illustrated instruction guide. These tips are much more advanced than the typical hack
books and are current with all the new updates to the game. "101 Secrets from a Pokemon
Master" includes tips and techniques on battling, catching, evolving, and leveling up -- things
players can't get anywhere online! While very highly recommended for school and community
library Gaming instructional reference collections, it should be noted for personal reading lists
that "101 Secrets from a Pokemon Master" is also available in a Kindle format ($9.99).
Ball-Busting Sudoku
Arnold Snyder
Cardoza Publishing
808 South Main Street, Las Vegas, NV 89108-6404
http://cardozabooks.com
9781580423397, $6.95, PB, 128pp, www.amazon.com
Sudoku is a logic-based, combinatorial number-placement puzzle game. The objective is to fill a
9 9 grid with digits so that each column, each row, and each of the nine 3 3 subgrids that
compose the grid (also called "boxes", "blocks", "regions", or "subsquares") contains all of the
digits from 1 to 9. The puzzle setter provides a partially completed grid, which for a well-posed
puzzle has a unique solution. In "Ball-Busting Sudoku", master gamesmith Arnold Snyder
showcases two hundred advanced level puzzles that he has deftly crafted by hand (no computer
programing involved!). Warning, these are real brain busters and not for the faint of heart or
fragile of ego!
The Computer Shelf
Murach's Visual Basic 2015
Anne Boehm
Mike Murach & Associates
4340 North Knoll Avenue, Fresno, CA 93722
www.murach.com
9781890774981, $57.50, PB, 906pp, www.amazon.com
Now in a newly updated and expanded sixth edition, "Murach's Visual Basic 2015" is a core
Visual Basic .NET book that has been a favorite of developers ever since the first edition came
out in 2002. "Murach's Visual Basic 2015 " is a self-paced book that shows how to use Visual
Studio 2015, VB 2015, and the .NET 4.6 classes to develop Windows Forms applications; a data
programming book that shows how to create professional database applications using data
sources, ADO.NET code, and the Entity Framework, as well as how to use LINQ to query data
structures, from collections to arrays to datasets; an object-oriented book that shows how to use
business classes, inheritance, and interfaces the way they're used in the real world. "Murach's
Visual Basic 2015" also shows how to develop 3-tiered, object-oriented Windows Forms
applications the way the best professionals do. "Murach's Visual Basic 2015" will provide the
core VB and Visual Studio skills that needed to develop any VB application whether for
Windows, the web, or mobile devices. Comprehensive and thoroughly 'user friendly' in
organization and presentation, "Murach's Visual Basic 2015" is very highly recommended for
personal, professional, community, and academic library Computer Science instructional
reference collections.
Murach's Python Progamming
Michael Urban and Joel Murach
Mike Murach & Associates
4340 North Knoll Avenue, Fresno, CA 93722
www.murach.com
9781890774974 $57.50
Murach's Python Programming is an in-depth, hands-on self-study guide to learning how to
program in Python. Written for aspiring Python programmers of all skill and experience levels,
from beginner to professional, Murach's Python Programming is an extremely useful, object-
oriented resource enhanced with 45 complete programs of increasing levels of difficulty for
practical study. Exercises, sample code, methodical instructions, black-and-white screenshots and
more make Murach's Python Programming easy to use! Highly recommended for anyone seeking
to learn or improve their ability to code in Python.
The Travel Shelf
Going Places in Northern Europe
Gloria Hoffner
Idyll Arbor, Inc.
PO Box 720, Ravensdale, WA 98051
www.idyllarbor.com
9781882883981, $24.00, PB, 355pp, www.amazon.com
So much more than just another travel guide,"Going Places in Northern Europe: Armchair
Adventures and Activities" by Gloria Hoffner discusses one of 17 countries in Northern Europe.
Each individual chapter covers a specific European country's geography, language, national
holidays, history, travel options, American roots, music and dance, food, and customs. Many
trivia questions and answers are included. There are even DVD and online video suggestions for
showing images and culture are included for each country. "Going Places in Northern Europe" is
effectively designed to be used for a travel activities lasting one hour, one day, or one week, and
spread over daily, weekly, monthly, or annual sessions. "Going Places in Northern Europe" can
also provide new ways to celebrate special events, such as holidays including St. Patrick's Day
and Bastille Day. In addition, each chapter's Game section includes a fun and easy traditional
game and a list of the cognitive and physical benefits of participation as outlined by the
International Classification of Functioning, Disability, and Health and by the guidelines of the
International Classification of Health Interventions. Exceptionally well written, organized and
presented, "Going Places in Northern Europe" is unreservedly recommended for personal,
professional, community, and academic library collections.
The Writing/Publishing Shelf
A Fairly Creative Guide to Telling Tales
Aubrey Lively
Royal Fireworks Press
First Avenue, PO Box 399, Unionville, NY 10988
www.rfwp.com
9780898245530, $12.99, PB, 154pp, www.amazon.com
Educator, author, and home-schooling parent of six children, Aubrey Lively has written "A Fairly
Creative Guide to Telling Tales", a delightfully informative guide that offers a thorough and
sophisticated introduction to creative writing in terms of prose fiction. She wittily describes the
various elements necessary to a good story, and she provides amusing examples of what to do
and (just as important) what not to do. Most of her examples come from classic fairy tales so that
readers can see how her lessons apply to the stories we all know. "A Fairly Creative Guide to
Telling Tales" is deftly organized into three parts: plot, characterization, and setting. Each
individual chapter ends with an assignment that allows writers of all ages to practice their skills
in a fun and nonthreatening way. "A Fairly Creative Guide to Telling Tales" will enable aspiring
authors to gain practical and applicable insights what will make them better writers. An
accessible resource for aspiring writers of all skill and experience levels, "A Fairly Creative
Guide to Telling Tales" especially recommended for creative writing classes in grades 7 to
12.
The Superior Person's Complete Book of Words
Peter Bowler
David R. Godine, Publisher
Fifteen Court Square, Suite 320, Boston, MA 02108-2536
www.godine.com
9781567925906 $24.95 sc amazon.com
Now available in a softcover edition, The Superior Person's Complete Book of Words: An
Orgulous Verbal Arsenal for Everyday Use is packed cover-to-cover with accessible definitions
for lesser-known English vocabulary words that demonstrate scholarship and intelligence simply
through their responsible use. "Lemniscate: n. A figure of eight drawn lying on its side. An occult
symbol for eternity and the mathematical symbol for infinity. But which infinity? The number of
odd numbers or the number of all numbers?" An especial treasure for writers seeking to expand
their verbal toolbox, The Superior Person's Complete Book of Words is highly
recommended.
The Needlecraft Shelf
Pot Holders for All Seasons
Chris Malone
Annie's
P.O. Box 8000, Big Sandy, TX 75755
www.anniescatalog.com
9781590126707 $14.99 pbk / $9.99 Kindle amazon.com
Pot Holders for All Seasons features twenty projects for quilting colorful, cheery pot holders
perfect for commemorating seasonal holidays throughout the year. Detachable, cut-out patterns
make Pot Holders for All Seasons easy to use, while methodical instructions and full-color
photography clarify how to create delightful pot holders ranging in design from a patchwork
Valentine to a black cat for Halloween to a snowman's head for the winter season! Pot Holders
for All Season is highly recommended especially to needlecrafters who wish to create unique,
memorable, and practical gifts.
Secondary Designs with Judi Madsen
Judi Madsen
American Quilter's Society
PO Box 3290, Paducah, KY 42002-3290
www.americanquilter.com
9781683390091 $24.95 amazon.com
Secondary Designs with Judi Madsen is a hands-on resource for intermediate to advanced
quilters. The focus is upon secondary designs that enliven the empty spaces of the quilt's primary
design. Step-by-step instructions and vivid, easy-to-follow color diagrams guide the quilter
through a wealth of beautiful secondary quilting designs. Author Judi Madsen also discusses the
creative process, and the importance of harmonizing the secondary design with the primary
design. A Windows and Mac compatible CD-ROM of patterns rounds out is excellent addition to
quilting and needlecraft shelves.
Melissa Leapman's Designer Crochet: Accessories
Melissa Leapman
Creative Publishing International
c/o Quarto Publishing Group USA
400 First Avenue North, Suite 400, Minneapolis, MN 55401-1722
www.quartoknows.com
9781589239289, $21.99, PB, 144pp, www.amazon.com
Melissa Leapman is the author of several bestselling knitting and crocheting books. In "Melissa
Leapman's Designer Crochet: Accessories" she draws upon her years of experience and expertise
to compile an thoroughly 'user friendly' instruction manual for creating twenty-five new designs
for women of one-of-a-kind hats, scarves, cowls, shawls, handbags, jewelry, and more! These
do-it-yourself needlecraft projects include something for crocheters of all levels, from beginners
to intermediate and advanced knitters. Crafters of all skill levels will find a a project to keep their
fingers busy. Each project offers easy-to-follow instructions, stitch diagrams using international
symbols, and a clear photo to illustrate the finished piece. The back of "Melissa Leapman's
Designer Crochet: Accessories" also includes helpful resources such as general crochet and
finishing techniques. Beautifully and profusely illustrated throughout, "Melissa Leapman's
Designer Crochet: Accessories" is an especially recommended addition to personal and
community library Needlecraft instructional reference collections.
The Sports Shelf
Coaching Better Every Season
Wade Gilbert
Human Kinetics Publishers, Inc.
PO Box 5076, Champaign, IL 61820-5076
www.HumanKinetics.com
9781492507666 $26.95 pbk / $25.60 Kindle amazon.com
Coaching Better Every Season: A Year-Round System for Athlete Development and Program
Success lives up to its title as an in-depth, easy-to-use guide to improving one's coaching
methods and practices for any sport. Chapters discuss how to build trust and cohesion in one's
sports team, optimize athletes' learning, ensure readiness before the competition, design and
implement an effective evaluation system, and much more. A thorough list of references and an
index round out this "must-have" for amateur and professional coaches alike!
The Money/Finance Shelf
2017 National Construction Estimator
Richard Pray
Craftsman Book Company
6058 Corte del Cedro, Carlsbad, CA 92009
www.craftsman-book.com
9781572183254 $87.50
2017 National Construction Estimator is the definitive, up-to-date resource for quickly
researching the costs for any residential, commercial, or industrial construction project in
America. Covering labor & material costs, manhours and city cost modifiers, and virtually every
construction project imaginable from concrete to insulation, plumbing, roofing, windows and
much more, 2017 National Construction Estimator is filled cover to cover with easy-to-use tables
for quick reference. A free estimating software download ("National Estimator '17") is included,
and quarterly price updates on the World Wide Web are both free an automatic throughout 2017.
2017 National Construction Estimator is a "must-have" for any accountant or professional who
needs to swiftly and efficiently estimate construction costs or generate invoices!
James A. Cox, Editor-in-Chief
Diane C. Donovan, Editor
Midwest Book Review
278 Orchard Drive
Oregon, WI 53575-1129
phone: 1-608-835-7937
e-mail: mbr@execpc.com
e-mail: mwbookrevw@aol.com
http://www.midwestbookreview.com
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