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Reviewer's Choice
Vintage Trailer Voyeur
Victoria Ocken
Schiffer Publishing Ltd.
4880 Lower Valley Road, Atglen, PA 19310
www.schifferbooks.com
9780764351280, $34.99, HC, 208pp, www.amazon.com
Readers will be taking a fanciful journey into the world of vintage camping trailers through the
stories of their owners in Victoria Ocken's "Vintage Trailer Voyeur: A Peek Inside the Unique
Custom Trailer Culture". Featuring almost 400 photos, "Vintage Trailer Voyeur" offer a unique
look at the rare, the unique, the coveted, and the just plain adorable. "Vintage Trailer Voyeur"
features a vintage trailer rally, visits an all-girls camp, and checks out the decor of these jewels
on-the-road trailers that range from original birch paneling, chenille bedspreads, and a
period-perfect Dixie stove, to a "Sharkstream" trailer-as-art-installation. Anyone with the
conviction that trailers deserve to be loved and lived in will enjoy exploring the possibilities as
they search for, renovate, or simply dream of living in their own little piece of history. An
inherently fascinating and impressively informative read from cover to cover, "Vintage Trailer
Voyeur" is unreservedly recommended for community and academic library collections, and
should be considered a "must" for anyone who has ever enjoyed a trailer of their own out on the
open road.
Toybox Time Machine
Marty Baumann
IDW Publishing
2765 Truxtun Road, San Diego, CA 92106
www.idwpublishing.com
9781631409073, $29.99, HC, 164pp, www.amazon.com
Marty Baumann is an illustrator, graphic artist, and production designer. He has contributed to
some of the most popular, Oscar-winning animated films of all time. With "Toybox Time
Machine: A Catalog of the Coolest Toys Never Made" he recaptures an innocent era of boundless
commercial creativity in a beautifully illustrated tome featuring some of the greatest toys that
were never made -- but the world would have been a better place if they had. "Toybox Time
Machine" is also a tribute to the unbridled imaginations and madcap design and illustrative skills
of the toy creators who drew inspiration from the robots, movie monsters, comic books and
military men that kids adored, as well as the limitless possibilities of the space age. Showcased in
catalogs, comics, trading cards, drug store and department store displays, somehow these
geniuses knew what we wanted before we did. Baumann has drawn inspiration from these
incredible creators and extrapolated on those outlandish and appealing ideas, developing and
illustrating an amazing array of fictional toys that reflect that optimistic era. A delight to simply
browse through, "Toybox Time Machine" is original, entertaining, and basically a nostalgic 'wish
list' for what never was but might have been. Thoroughly entertaining from cover to cover,
"Toybox Time Machine" is enthusiastically and unreservedly recommended for personal and
community library collections.
Winnie & George
Allison Murphy
Mercier Press
c/o Dufour Editions, Inc.
PO Box 7, 124 Byers Road, Chester Springs, PA 19425-0007
www.dufoureditions.com
9781781174708, $24.99, PB, 351pp, www.amazon.com
"Winnie & George: An Unlikely Union" by biography Allison Murphy is the true and previously
untold story of forbidden love in Belfast. Winnie and George were opposites in every way, in the
already divisive age of Ireland, in the early 20th century. Yet, for all their differences, what they
shared was a passion for fairness and the rights of the working class. It was this cause which
ultimately brought them into each other's lives and helped form this very unlikely union that
would last a lifetime, despite opposition from both their families. Allison Murphy, (an award
winning Belfast teacher), was introduced to George's story by her mother-in-law, who nursed him
in his last days, and who encouraged Allison to research the background and tell his story.
Allison took on the challenge and has set the story of these two remarkable characters in the
context of their time, tracing them through letters and documents and imagining conversations
that would have happened. An inherently fascinating and skillfully crafted read from beginning
to end, "Winnie & George" is very highly recommended for personal reading lists and
community library Biography collections. It should be noted that "Winnie & George" is also
available in a Kindle format ($12.99).
101 Amazing Uses for Apple Cider Vinegar
Susan Branson
Familius
1254 Commerce Way, Sanger, CA 93657
www.familius.com
9781945547140 $12.99 amazon.com
101 Amazing Uses for Apple Cider Vinegar lives up to its title as a handy compendium of
practical (and often unexpected!) uses for humble apple cider vinegar. From acne treatment to
relieving muscle pain after intense exercise to eliminating cat urine odor, killing weeds, or
crafting a simple fruit fly trap, 101 Amazing Uses for Apple Cider Vinegar is a handy resource
for getting the most out of an inexpensive home remedy! Also highly recommended is "101
Amazing Uses for Ginger" (9781945547126, $12.99).
The Homeowner's Shelf
Greywater, Green Landscape
Laura Allen
Storey Publishing
210 Mass MoCA Way, North Adams, MA 01247
www.storey.com
9781612128399, $16.95, PB, 200pp, www.amazon.com
Greywater is all wastewater generated in households or office buildings from streams without
fecal contamination, i.e. all streams except for the wastewater from toilets. Sources of greywater
include, e.g. sinks, showers, baths, clothes washing machines or dish washers. As greywater
contains fewer pathogens than domestic wastewater, it is generally safer to handle and easier to
treat and reuse onsite for toilet flushing, landscape or crop irrigation, and other non-potable uses.
Now with "Greywater, Green Landscape: How to Install Simple Water-Saving Irrigation Systems
in Your Yard", ordinary homeowners can keep a lawn and garden lush without wasting resources
by capturing and recycling the greywater that drains from sinks, showers, and washing machines.
This accessible, illustrated and detailed instructional guide walks you through each step of
planning for and installing a variety of greywater systems, including laundry-to-landscape and
branched drain gravity-fed systems. After identifying greywater sources in the home and
estimating flow rate, the reader will learn to pinpoint where to redirect the wastewater for the
greatest benefit. No matter which system you decide to build, "Greywater, Green Landscape" will
provide the information for do-it-yourself construction, or have the confidence to hire a
professional. While very highly recommended, especially for community library collections, it
should be noted for personal reading lists that "Greywater, Green Landscape" is also available in
a Kindle format ($9.99).
The Mystery/Suspense Shelf
Undertow
R. M. Greenaway
Dundrun
c/o The Dundurn Group
3 Church Street, Suite 500, Toronto, Ontario, Canada, M5E 1M2
www.dundurn.com
9781459735583, $17.99, PB, 424pp, www.amazon.com
Last summer the inlet waters washed an unnamed woman's body onto the rocks of North
Vancouver's Neptune shipyards. When RCMP Constable Cal Dion returns home after a year's
absence, he finds the case still open and grown cold. While Dion works to fit back in and put
closure to the Jane Doe drowning case, newly relocated Constable Dave Leith is learning to cope
with his first big-city posting. But they have bigger concerns: Why would anyone beat up a
young electrician, then track down his wife and baby girl to finish them off? It is a motiveless
and haunting killing that leaves behind one small witness and a handful of cryptic clues. And
who battered and asphyxiated a wealthy nightclub owner in his own garage? A case of home
invasion, by the looks of it. But Leith has a less abstract set of suspects to deal with: the victim's
business partner and his strange little clan. The North Vancouver General Investigations Section
is put to the test, with two files to solve, one tragic cold case, and Dion seemingly lost at sea. The
second volume of author R. M. Greenaway's outstanding new 'B.C. Blues Crime Novel' series,
"Undertow" is a deftly written and inherently compelling read from cover to cover. While
unreservedly recommended for community library Mystery/Suspense collections, it should be
noted for the personal reading lists of dedicated mystery buffs that "Undertow" is also available
in a Kindle format ($5.38).
Pursued
Lisa Harris
Revell
c/o Baker Publishing Group
6030 East Fulton, Ada, MI 49301
www.bakerbooks.com
9780800728564, $25.99, HC, 322pp, www.amazon.com
After a plane crash, Nikki Boyd and the Missing Persons Task Force race to find a key witness in
a high profile case before she is permanently silenced when a woman who was sitting right next
to her is nowhere to be found and whose very presence on that downed plane is being denied.
Once again author Lisa Harris demonstrates her absolute mastery of the genre and an impressive
ability to compel her readers rapt attention from beginning to end. An absolutely riveting read,
"Pursued" is very highly recommended and 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 "Pursued" is also available in a paperback edition
(9780800724207, $15.99) and in a Kindle format ($8.53).
To Hell On A Fast Horse
Peter Brandvold
Five Star Books
10 Water Street, Suite 310, Waterville, ME 04901
http://gale.cengage.com/fivestar
9781432833015, $25.95, HC, 386pp, www.amazon.com
"To Hell On A Fast Horse: A Western Duo" features two bounty hunter Lou Prophet stories
under one cover. In 'The Devil's Ambush' Prophet and his sometime-sideick, sometime-love
Louisa Bonaventure are lured to an old and abandoned cavalry outpost in southest Colorado
where they are ambushed and Louisa is badly wounded. Prophet tracks down the seven
nightriders responsible with pure and bloody vengeance on his mind. In "Bring Me The Head Of
Chaz Savidge!' Prophet and Louisa have to deal with competing bounty hunters as they track the
notorious killer and rapist Chaz Savidge from the Dakota Territory to Denver. But along the way
their most dangerous enemy is a young, grief-stricken pioneer widow whose husband and lover
lie dead on her cabin floor! Author Peter Brandvold is an acknowledged master of the western
genre and "To Hell On A Fast Horse" will prove to be an enduringly popular addition to
community library Western Fiction collections -- and a 'must read' for the legions of Peter
Brandvold fans!
Sidney Chambers and the Persistence of Love
James Runcie
Bloomsbury Press
175 Fifth Avenue, Suite 315, New York, NY 10010
www.bloomsbury.com
9781632867940, $28.00, HC, 368pp, www.amazon.com
It is May 1971 and the Cambridgeshire countryside is bursting into summer. Attending to his
paternal duties, Archdeacon Sidney Chambers is walking in the woods with his daughter Anna
and their aging Labrador, Byron, when they stumble upon a body. Beside the dead man lies a
basket of wild flowers, all poisonous. And so it is that Sidney is thrust into another murder
investigation, entering a world of hippies, folk singers, and psychedelic plants, where love
triangles and permissive behavior seem to hide something darker. The sixth book in the James
Runcie's much-loved Granchester Mystery series, full-time priest and part-time detective Sidney
Chambers plunges back into sleuthing when he discovers that body in a bluebell wood. "Sidney
Chambers and the Persistence of Love" is another "must read" title for all dedicated mystery
buffs from the pen of a true master of the genre. While certain to be an enduringly popular
addition to community Mystery/Suspense collections, it should be noted for personal reading lists
that "Sidney Chambers and the Persistence of Love" is also available in paperback edition
(9781632867957, $17.00) and in a Kindle format ($9.99).
The Devil's Country
Harry Hunsicker
Thomas & Mercer
9781503941908, $15.95, PB, 304pp, www.amazon.com
Former Texas Ranger Arlo Baines didn't come to the tiny West Texas town of Piedra Springs to
cause trouble. After his wife and children were murdered, Arlo just wants to be left alone.
Moving from place to place seems to be the only thing that eases the pain of his family's violent
end. But a chance encounter outside a bar forces him to rescue a terrified woman and her children
from mysterious attackers. When the woman turns up murdered the next day (her children
missing) Arlo becomes the primary suspect in exactly the same type of crime he is trying
desperately to forget. Haunted by the fate of his family, and with the police questioning the
existence of the dead woman's children, Arlo decides it's his duty to find them. The question is,
just how deep will he have to sink into the dusty secrets of Piedra Springs to save them and clear
his name? An inherently riveting read from cover to cover, "The Devil's Country" documents
author Harry Hunsicker's complete mastery of the western genre and a novelist of considerable
talent who is able to compel his reader's complete attention with an unpredictable storyline
replete with unexpected twists and surprising turns. While very highly recommended, especially
for community library Western Fiction collections, it should be noted for the personal reading
lists of dedicated western novel fans that "The Devil's Country" is also available in a Kindle
format ($4.99).
I Found You
Lisa Jewell
Atria Books
c/o Simon & Schuster
1230 Avenue of the Americas, New York, NY 10020
www.simonandschuster.com
9781501154591, $26.00, HC, 352pp, www.amazon.com
In a windswept British seaside town, single mom Alice Lake finds a man sitting on the beach
outside her house. He has no name, no jacket, and no idea how he got there. Against her better
judgment, she invites him inside. Meanwhile, in a suburb of London, twenty-one-year-old Lily
Monrose has only been married for three weeks. When her new husband fails to come home from
work one night she is left stranded in a new country where she knows no one. Then the police tell
her that her husband never existed. Twenty-three years earlier, Gray and Kirsty are teenagers on a
summer holiday with their parents. Their annual trip to the quaint seaside town is passing by
uneventfully, until an enigmatic young man starts paying extra attention to Kirsty. Something
about him makes Gray uncomfortable - and it's not just that he's playing the role of protective
older brother. Two decades of secrets, a missing husband, and a man with no memory are at the
heart of "I Found You", still another brilliantly crafted new novel by Lisa Jewell. While very
highly recommended, especially for community library Mystery/Suspense collections, it should
be noted for personal reading lists that "I Found You" is also available in a Kindle format
($12.99).
The Death of a Century
Daniel Robinson
Arcade Publishing
www.arcadepub.com
c/o Skyhorse Publishing, Inc.
307 West 36th Street, 11th Floor, New York, NY 10018
www.skyhorsepublishing.com
9781628725391, $24.99, HC, 280pp, www.amazon.com
Set in Greenwich, Connecticut, 1922, "The Death of a Century" by novelist Daniel Robinson is
the absorbing story of newspaper man Joe Henry who finds himself the primary suspect when his
friend, fellow reporter Wynton Gresham, is murdered. Both were veterans of French battles
during WWI -- the war that was supposed to end all wars. Unanswered questions pile up in the
wake of a violent night: Gresham lies dead in his home, a manuscript he had just completed has
gone missing, three Frenchmen lay dead in a car accident less than a mile from Gresham's home,
and a trunk full of Gresham's clothes lay neatly packed in his bedroom. Hours after his friend's
death, Henry discovers in Gresham's desk drawer a one-way ticket reserved in his friend's name
aboard a steamer ship to France. The ticket is dated for the next day. Henry steals away under
Gresham's identity, escaping the heated interrogation of the town sheriff, to Paris in the roaring
20s. In the City of Light he becomes a hunted man. To clear his name he must find the man
responsible for his friend's murder, while evading his own, and discover the deadly secret
revealed in the lost manuscript. In the process, with the help of other broken veteran expats of
Hemingway's Lost Generation living in Paris, he finds hope in a world irrevocably altered by
war. An impressively engaging, deftly crafted, thoroughly entertaining read from beginning to
end, "The Death of a Century" is very highly recommended, especially for community library
Mystery/Suspense collections. It should be noted for personal reading lists that "The Death of a
Century" is also available in a paperback edition (9781628727555, $14.99) and in a Kindle
format ($14.18).
Spine Damage
Sharon St. Geroge
Camel Press
PO Box 70515, Seattle, WA 98127
www.camelpress.com
9781603815819, $16.95, PB, 328pp, www.amazon.com
Paulo Ferrara is a young Portuguese man who lies comatose in the Intensive Care Unit of
Timbergate Medical Center. He had been shot in the spine. The neurosurgeon who would
normally be in charge of his care has left town to attend to an injured daughter, and the only other
neurosurgeon, the rude and egotistical Dr. Godfrey Carver, is about to be suspended for not
completing his continuing education requirements. The unpleasant duty of ensuring that the staff
obey the rules lies with Aimee Machado, the medical center's forensic librarian and Continuing
Education Coordinator. Aimee and her pilot boyfriend Nick live together on her grandparents'
llama farm. While dealing with Dr. Carver, Aimee learns the circumstances of Paulo's injury and
enlists Nick's help. Aimee is half Asian and half Portuguese, and her parents live on Faial, one of
the Azores Islands off the coast of Portugal. Faial is the closest neighbor to Pico, home of Paulo
and his family. Paulo came to rural Northern California in search of his fifteen-year-old sister
Liliana, who vanished two weeks ago. Nick's wealthy employer Buck Sawyer takes an interest in
the girl's plight as well, especially when they learn that she left the Azores on a superyacht. Not
only is Buck a yacht owner, but he is also on a crusade against drug trafficking, and Paulo and
Liliana have clearly stumbled onto a criminal operation of some kind. The trail leads Aimee and
Nick from Timbergate, to the Azores, to San Francisco. Paulo's condition is deteriorating, and he
might never be able to explain what got him shot. Can Aimee, her brother Harry, and Nick
unravel the mystery in time to save Liliana? In "Spine Damage", author Sharon St. George once
again demonstrates her mastery of the genre with this fourth title in her outstanding 'Aimee
Machado Mystery' series. While unreservedly recommended for community library
Mystery/Suspense collections, it should be noted for the personal reading lists of dedicated
mystery buffs in general, and Sharon St. George fans in particular, that "Spine Damage" is also
available in a Kindle format ($4.95).
Murder on the Red River
Marcie R. Rendon
Cinco Puntos Press
701 Texas, El Paso, Texas 79901
www.cincopuntos.com
9781941026526, $15.95, PB, 208pp, www.amazon.com
Cash and Sheriff Wheaton make for a strange partnership. He pulled her from her mother's
wrecked car when she was three. He's kept an eye out for her ever since. It's a tough place to live
in northern Minnesota along the Red River. Cash navigated through foster homes, and at thirteen
was working farms. She's tough as nails, five feet two inches in height, wears blue jeans, a blue
jean jacket, smokes Marlboros, drinks Bud Longnecks. She makes her living driving truck, and
plays pool on the side. While Wheaton is big lawman type, of Scandinavian stock, but with
darker skin than most. Wheaton wants Cash to take hold of her life and get into Junior College.
So there they are together, staring at the dead Indian lying in the field. Soon Cash was dreaming
the dead man's cheap house on the Red Lake Reservation, mother and kids waiting. She has that
kind of power. That's the place to start looking. There's a long and dangerous way to go to find
the men who killed him. Plus there's Jim, the married white guy. And Longbraids, the Indian guy
headed for Minneapolis to join the American Indian Movement. With an impressive attention to
background detail in "Murder on the Red River", author Marcie R. Rendon is an enrolled
member of the White Earth Anishinabe Nation and a gifted novelist with a genuine flair for
originality, memorably drawn characters, and a master of the genre. While "Murder on the Red
River" is especially recommended for community library Mystery/Suspense collections, it should
be noted for the personal reading lists of dedicated mystery buffs that "Murder on the Red River"
is also available in a Kindle format ($10.42).
Calamity at the Continental Club
Colleen J. Shogan
Camel Press
PO Box 70515, Seattle, WA 98127
www.camelpress.com
9781603813358, $15.95, PB, 272pp, www.amazon.com
The Mayflower Society is about to hold its annual meeting at Washington D.C.'s swanky
gathering place for the elite, the Continental Club. That means Kit Marshall's upper-crust future
in-laws, Buffy and Winston Hollingsworth, are coming for a visit. Annoyed that Kit has not set a
date to marry Doug, Buffy wants her to commit to a high society wedding at the club. Kit, though
chief of staff for a congresswoman, feels uncomfortable with Buffy and Winston's crowd. Kit
receives an unexpected reprieve in the form of murder. En route to her morning jog, she
encounters the corpse of the leader of the Mayflower Society, conservative multimedia tycoon
Grayson Bancroft. On the security cameras, no one was seen entering or leaving the club, which
means the culprit had to be an overnight guest. Little love was lost on Bancroft, but the police
have their prime suspect: Doug's father. Buffy and Winston, formerly disdainful of Kit's
sleuthing, urge her to investigate. With her future in-laws' freedom and reputations at stake, Kit
sets out once again to solve a murder mystery, this time aided by her fiance Doug in addition to
her friends Meg and Trevor and her dog Clarence. Her search for clues will take her from the
club to the Smithsonian Museum, the National Archives, and Mount Vernon. The third novel in
Colleen Shogan's outstanding 'Whodunit' series, "Calamity at the Continental Club" once again
reveals her genuine mastery of the genre. A consistently compelling and entertaining read from
cover to cover, "Calamity at the Continental Club" is unreservedly recommended to the attention
of dedicated mystery buffs and will prove to be an enduringly popular addition to community
library Mystery/Suspense collections.
Bound by Mystery
Diane D. DiBiase, editor
Poisoned Pen Press
6962 E. First Ave., #103, Scottsdale, AZ 85251
www.poisonedpenpress.com
9781464208324, $18.95, PB, 450pp, www.amazon.com
In celebration of their 20th anniversary, Poisoned Pen Press commissioned original short stories
from thirty-five of its authors, both past and present. The result is "Bound by Mystery:
Celebrating 20 Years of Poisoned Pen Press", an anthology celebrates Poisoned Pen Press
authors in terms of their talent, and their diversity. Some have chosen to feature characters
well-established within their own series protagonists, supporting cast, and even one
villain-turned-hero. Others have gone in totally different directions, inventing new characters and
going dark or cozy for the first time, with chilling and delightful results. Yet as different as these
authors and their stories are, they all share a common passion for finely crafted tales of crime and
murder. One of the very best mystery/suspense anthologies in the last few years, "Bound by
Mystery" is a tour-de-force and an absolute 'must' for any and all dedicated mystery buffs. Also
available in a Kindle format ($6.99), "Bound by Mystery" is unreservedly and enthusiastically
recommended, especially for community library Mystery/Suspense collections.
The Christian Studies Shelf
The Ecumenism of Beauty
Timothy Verdon, editor
Paraclete Press
PO Box 1568, Orleans, MA 02653
www.paracletepress.com
9781612619248, $28.99, HC, 128pp, www.amazon.com
Compiled and edited by Timothy Verson (Burke Professor of Art History, Stanford University
Florence Center and Director of the Museo dell-Opera del Duomon, Florence, Italy) the
contributors to "The Ecumenism of Beauty" share the belief that in this visual age, beauty and art
can bridge differences. "The Ecumenism of Beauty" is comprised of seven major essays from
Catholic, Orthodox, Anglican, and Protestant artists, scholars, clergy and theologians exploring
beauty as a means to unify the body of Christ. The occasion of the Reformation commemoration
year offers a time to reflect on the rich artistic heritage shared by all Christians and an
opportunity to learn from other traditions. Impressively informative and inherently thoughtful
and thought-provoking, "The Ecumenism of Beauty" is an extraordinary volume that is very
highly recommended for church, community, and academic library Ecumenical Christian
collections and supplemental studies lists. It should be noted for the personal reading lists of
students and non-specialist general readers with an interest in the subject that "The Ecumenism
of Beauty" is also available in a Kindle format ($9.99).
Welcome to College, second edition
Jonathan Morrow
Kregel Publications
2450 Oak Industrial Drive, NE, Grand Rapids, MI 49505
www.kregel.com
9780825444883, $21.99, PB, 400pp, www.amazon.com
One of the most important reasons for attending college is for students to determine what they
will do with their life. In college, whether they realize it or not, students will answer that question
every day with each decision. All of the new friends and new experiences of higher education
will shape their future. It's critical that students know how to handle college before they're in the
thick of it. Now in a newly updated and revised second edition, "Welcome to College: A
Christ-Follower's Guide for the Journey" by Jonathan Morrow addresses questions that arise
during these formative academic years such as: How do you grow spiritually?; How do you
manage your time to both study well and have fun?; Is all truth relative?; Are there good reasons
to be a Christian?; As a Christian, how should you view issues like dating and sex? Of special
note is the chapter on Christianity, homosexuality, and the Bible. Grounded that is grounded in
both Morrow's own extensive experience and in biblical truths. "Welcome to College" is
comprised of quick, easy-to-read chapters and excellent advice. While very highly recommended
to all college and university bound members of the Christian community (regardless of
denominational affiliations), it should be noted for personal reading lists that "Welcome to
College" is also available in a Kindle format ($17.74).
Unsinkable Faith
Tracie Miles
David C. Cook
c/o Cook Communications
4050 Lee Vance View, Colorado Springs, CO 80918
www.cookministries.com
9780781414364, $16.99, PB, 224pp, www.amazon.com
For many people, remaining optimistic and feeling positive about themselves and their lives is a
constant battle -- especially when circumstances are difficult and life is hard. For others,
negativity is something that only sneaks up from time to time, yet still wreaks havoc in their
hearts. Regardless of the root causes, once pessimistic thoughts permeate our minds, our feelings
and emotions begin to control us instead of us controlling them. Eventually it doesn't seem
possible to stay positive, happy, and full of joy, and negative thought patterns shake our faith,
causing us to sink emotionally, mentally, and spiritually over time. But it doesn't have to be that
way. Despite what storms roll in, hearts anchored in God don't sink. When we change the way we
think, we can change the way we feel and live, even if our circumstances remain the same.
Intentionally embracing the opportunity to experience a transformed heart and a renewed mind
opens the door for a changed life, because a positive mind will always lead to a more positive
life. In "Unsinkable Faith: God-Filled Strategies to Transform the Way You Think, Feel, and
Live", author and Proverbs 31 Ministries speaker Tracie Miles offers hope for women who
struggle with negativity. Each individual chapter deftly explores personal stories, showing how
women were able to rise above their circumstances by transforming and renewing their minds.
Informative and thoughtful, inspired and inspiring, "Unsinkable Faith" is a life-enhancing,
faith-affirming read from cover to cover and highly recommended reading for all members of the
Christian community regardless of denominational affiliation. It should be noted for personal
reading lists that "Unsinkable Faith" is also available in a Kindle format ($9.99).
Daniel Rudd: Calling a Church to Justice
Gary B. Agee
The Liturgical Press
2950 Saint John's Road, PO Box 7500, Collegeville, MN 56321-7500
www.litpress.org
9780814645253, $14.95, PB, 138pp, www.amazon.com
In May of 1890, The Christian Solider, an African American newspaper, identified the Catholic
journalist and activist Daniel Arthur Rudd as the "greatest negro Catholic in America". Yet many
Catholics today are unaware of Rudd's efforts to bring about positive social change during the
early decades of the Jim Crow era. In "Daniel Rudd: Calling a Church to Justice", Church of God
pastor Gary Agee (who teaches church history for the School of Theology and Christian Ministry
at Anderson University, Indian) offers a compelling look at the life and work of this visionary
who found inspiration in his Catholic faith to fight for the principles of liberty and justice. Born
into slavery, Rudd achieved success early on as the publisher of the American Catholic Tribune,
one of the most successful black newspapers of its era, and as the founder of the National Black
Catholic Congress. Even as Rudd urged his fellow black Catholics to maintain their spiritual
home within the fold of the Catholic Church, he called on that same church to live up what he
believed to be her cardinal teaching, "the Fatherhood of God and Brotherhood of Man." Rudd's
hopeful spirit lives on today in the important work of the National Black Catholic Congress, as it
carries forward his pursuit of social justice. This informed and informative account of the man
and his mission is particularly and especially recommended reading for all members of the
Catholic community and is also available in a Kindle format ($11.99).
Becoming Like a Child
Jerome W. Berryman
Church Publishing Incorporated
www.churchpublishing.org
9780819233233, $30.00, PB, 224pp, www.amazon.com
In "Becoming Like a Child: The Curiosity of Maturity beyond the Norm", Jerome W. Berryman
(who is the founder of Godly Play and Senior Fellow of the Center for the Theology of
Childhood) invites the reader into a creative process that explores what it means to be spiritually
mature, starting with Jesus' injunction to 'become like a child'. What does this mean at the literal
level? the figurative level? the mystical level? the ethical level? The structure of the process of
this study parallels the organization and the structure of Christian worship, as well as the arc of
life itself. The steps on this journey begin when we enter, and the world of childlike maturity
opens to us as we respond with inarticulate wonder and gratitude. Berryman includes stories and
examples from his long career working with children ages 2 to 18, adding to the warmth and
appeal to "Becoming Like a Child". Exceptionally well written, impressively organized and
presented, inspired and inspiring, "Becoming Like a Child" is highly recommended for all
members of the Christian community regardless of denominational affiliation. It should be noted
for personal reading lists that "Becoming Like a Child" is also available in a Kindle format
($27.00).
The Judaic Studies Shelf
Rabbi Shear Yashuv Cohen
Yechiel Frish & Yedidya HaCohen
Urim Publications
c/o Lambda Publishers
527 Empire Boulevard, Brooklyn, New York 11225
www.UrimPublications.com
9789655242539, $39.95, HC, 334pp, www.amazon.com
Although mainly known as the chief rabbi of Haifa, Rabbi Shear Yashuv Cohen, born in the year
1927, has lived an intriguing life, playing an important role in the establishment of the state of
Israel. As the son of Rabbi David Cohen (1887-1972), the legendary Nazirite of Jerusalem, Rabbi
Cohen grew up among some of Israel's greatest rabbis. Destined to become a Nazirite until the
age of sixteen, Rabbi Shear Yashuv Cohen studied under the influence of Rav Kook. During the
1948 War of Independence, Rabbi Cohen fought to defend the Old City of Jerusalem, until he
was severely wounded and taken to Jordan as a prisoner of war. After his return he became Chief
Rabbi of the Israel Air Force, and then governed as the Deputy Mayor of Jerusalem with Teddy
Kollek. Rabbi Cohen served as the Chief Rabbi of Haifa and President of their rabbinical courts
for 36 years. The details of his achievements and captivating life in this biography are further
encapsulated in excerpts of his diary, which include vivid details of the battles he fought in and
his imprisonment in Jordan. The biographers, Rabbi Yedidya HaCohen is a disciple of Rabbi
Shear Yashuv Cohen, from whom he received rabbinical ordination. While Prof. Yechiel Frish is
the President of Michlelet Shaanan (Shaanan College), a religious teachers training college
established in 1951 near Haifa, Israel. "Rabbi Shear Yashuv Cohen: Between War and Peace" is
an informed, comprehensive, and ultimately inspiring read from beginning to end and very highly
recommended for personal reading lists, as well as community and academic library
collections.
Carmel College in the Kopul Era
Rabbi Dr. Chaim Simons
Urim Publications
c/o Lambda Publishers
527 Empire Boulevard, Brooklyn, New York 11225
www.UrimPublications.com
9789655242362, $39.95, PB, 680pp, www.amazon.com
In 1947, Rabbi Kopul Rosen, a graduate of the Mir Yeshivah and the then Principal Rabbi of the
British Federation of Synagogues, began to develop his dream of establishing a residential boys
school which would combine the ideals of the British Public School with the study and practice
of traditional Judaism. As a result, Carmel College was born. Despite financial problems and
administrative obstacles, Rabbi Rosen succeeded remarkably well with his project. "Carmel
College in the Kopul Era: A History of Carmel College September 1948-March 1962" by Rabbi
Dr. Chaim Simons is the detailed and comprehensive story of Carmel College during that time.
Impressively informed and informative, exceptionally well written, organized and presented,
enhanced for scholars with the inclusion of a five page bibliography, a four page index of names
associated with Carmel College, and a section of color photos, "Carmel College in the Kopul
Era" is a very highly recommended addition to academic library 20th History Judaic Educational
History collections in general, and Carmel College History supplemental studies reading lists in
particular.
The Buddhist Studies Shelf
Emptiness: A Practical Guide for Meditators
Guy Armstrong
Wisdom Publications
199 Elm Street, Somerville, MA 02144
www.wisdompubs.org
9781614293637, $29.95, HC, 328pp, www.amazon.com
Guy Armstrong has been leading insight meditation retreats since 1984 in the U.S., Europe, and
Australia. His training included living as a monk for a year in the Thai forest lineage. Guy is a
member of the Spirit Rock Teachers Council and a guiding teacher of the Insight Meditation
Society. Within "Emptiness: A Practical Guide for Meditators", he draws upon his many years of
experience and expertise to makes difficult Buddhist topics easy to understand, weaving together
Theravada and Mahayana teachings on emptiness to show how we can liberate our minds and
manifest compassion in our lives. Enhanced with the inclusion of an informative Introduction, a
two page list of Acknowledgements, a two page listing of Sources and Abbreviations, twelve
pages of Notes, a six page Glossary of Pali and Sanskrit Words, and a twenty page Index,
"Emptiness: A Practical Guide for Meditators" is thoroughly 'reader friendly' in organization and
presentation, making it an ideal and valued addition to community and academic library
Buddhism collections in general, and Buddhist Mediation supplemental studies lists in particular.
It should be noted for Buddhism students and non-specialist general readers with an interest in
Buddhist mediation, that "Emptiness: A Practical Guide for Meditators" is also available in a
Kindle format ($17.99).
Boundless Heart
Christina Feldman
Shambhala Publications, Inc.
300 Massachusetts Avenue, Boston, MA 02115-4544
www.shambhala.com
9781611803730, $16.95, PB, 160pp, www.amazon.com
Compassion, kindness, equanimity, and joy are not only the fruits of the awakened life but also
the path to it: attitudes of mind that can be cultivated by anyone willing to set the intention for
doing so. In the pages of "Boundless Heart: The Buddha's Path of Kindness, Compassion, Joy,
and Equanimity", Christina Feldman (a prominent teacher in the Insight Meditation world in the
US and the UK, one of the Guiding Teachers of the Insight Meditation Society, Barre, MA, and
who is also cofounder of Gaia House in the UK) shows how these ennobling qualities that are
known in Buddhism as the brahma viharas (sublime abodes) or the Four Immeasurables, are far
more than simply the "feel-good" states they are sometimes mistaken for. If we pursue them
sincerely as spiritual practice, they work together, complementing and enhancing each other, to
lead us to the kind of awakening that we are compelled to share with others. Thus through the
practice of the brahma viharas we can become participants in the healing and liberation of our
world. Informative, thoughtful, insightful, inspiring, "Boundless Heart" is impressively 'reader
friendly' in tone, commentary, organization and presentation, making it very highly
recommended for personal, community, and academic library Buddhist Studies collections. It
should be noted for personal reading lists that "Boundless Heart" is also available in a Kindle
format ($12.99) and in a complete and unabridged audio book edition (Brilliance Audio,
9781543601343, $9.99, MP3 Una).
The Poetry Shelf
The Mountains Within: Poems of the Wild
Garth Gilchrist
Regent Press
2747 Regent St., Berkeley, CA 94705
9781587903540 $19.95 www.regentpress.net
Showcasing the free verse poetry of Garth Gilchrist, "The Mountains Within: Poems of the Wild"
is enhanced with the inclusion of 36 beautifully colored photographic images. In a modern world
where our days are increasingly cramped, digital, media-driven, virtual, unrelentingly stimulating
and stressful for young and old alike, we forget about nature as a part of ourselves and we lose
something essential to our humanity. The poetry of Garth Gilchrist will bring back that reflective
sensitivity to the importance of nature to our well being as humans. Enduringly memorable, "The
Mountains Within: Poems of the Wild" is unreservedly recommended for personal, community,
and academic library Contemporary American Poetry collections. 'To Now': A spruce awaits /
lifting to wind, steady in snow / life in roots // A babe suckles / milk flowing out of some / deep
source // In winter's depth / I draw from a clear / hidden spring
The Business Shelf
Listening Deeply, second edition
Howard F. Stein
University of Missouri Press
113 Heinkel Bldg., 201 S. 7th St., Columbia, MO 65211
www.umsystem.edu/upress
9780826221247, $45.00, HC, 280pp, www.amazon.com
Listening deeply is the foundation of all effective organizational management, research, and
consulting. Now in a fully updated and significantly expanded second edition, "Listening Deeply:
An Approach to Understanding and Consulting in Organizational Culture" by Howard F. Stein
(who currently serves as a facilitator at the American Indian Diabetes Prevention Center) deftly
explores the many aspects of attentive listening through storytelling and includes examples of
organizational case studies. In Stein's professional practice, listening deeply is an attitude evoked
by the psychoanalytic concept of hovering attention -- a careful attending to the person or group
one is trying to help and an equally careful attending to how one is hearing these others. The
listener's own feelings are as crucially diagnostic as what the consultant observes in other people.
This new edition of "Listening Deeply" fully updates historical context, theory, method, and
organizational stories. A psychodynamic orientation informs much of 'Listening Deeply" and the
language Stein uses is direct. His lessons are useful to the manager in any kind of organization,
as well as practitioners of psychology, sociology, business management, medicine, and
education. Well written, organized and presented, "Listening Deeply" is an extraordinary work of
exceptional scholarship and very highly recommended for corporate, community, and academic
library Business Management collections and supplemental studies reading lists. It should be
noted for students, corporate executives, and non-specialist general readers with an interest in the
subject that "Listening Deeply" is also available in a Kindle format ($32.88).
Who Knew?: It's All About You
Richard F. Libin
Automotive Profit Builders, Inc.
PO Box 2011, Natick, MA 01760
www.richardlibin.com
www. who-knew.com
9780692789353, $14.99, PB, 180pp, www.amazon.com
The selling of goods and/or services is a basic building block of civilization in general, and
capitalism as an economic system in particular. Selling is an essential skill. Poor behavior and
bad consumer experiences, however, have created negative stereotypes of commercial
salespeople. And, because business schools and universities avoid teaching students how to sell,
many sales professionals don't understand how to sell and are not trained or qualified. This only
perpetuates bad experiences and the negative stereotypes. All this can be changed by a carefully
reading of "Who Knew?: It's All About You" by president of APB and business management
expert Richard F. Libin. Thoroughly 'reader friendly' in organization and presentation, of special
note are the chapters on What Does the Brand Stand For?; First Impressions Aren't Everything;
Avoiding Culture Shock; Do You Want Customers or Clients?; and Feedback -- The Silver
Bullet. Also available in a Kindle format ($14.99), "Who Knew?: It's All About You" is very
highly recommended for personal reading lists, as well as community, corporate, and academic
library Business Management instructional reference collections.
Get Organized. Get Focused. Get Moving.
Cynthia Kyriazis
Incorgnito Publishing Press
300 E. Bellevue Drive Ste 208, Pasadena, CA 91101
http://www.incorgnitobooks.com
9781944589073, $12.95, PB, 166pp, www.amazon.com
In the pages of "Get Organized. Get Focused. Get Moving.", national productivity coach,
strategist, and trainer Cynthia Kyriazis shares with the best organization and time-management
principles of her 25-year professional career. From small business owners to Fortune 500
companies, these principles are proven, effective, and most importantly, applicable to your life,
work, and business. Kyriazis also provides coaching and instruction on how to build the
foundation for time-management success: Getting Organized. Once the reader will have mastered
this formerly 'easier-said-than-done' principle, their time and newly found focus will facilitate the
building of the things they really want to be successful at: goal-setting, prioritizing, scheduling,
communications, and delegating, to name a few. Exceptionally well written, organized and
presented, "Get Organized. Get Focused. Get Moving." is a seminal and critically important read
for both corporate executives and non-specialist general readers with an interest in the subject. It
should be noted for personal reading lists that "Get Organized. Get Focused. Get Moving." is also
available in a Kindle format ($5.99).
The Self-Help Shelf
7 Mindsets of Success
Sten Morgan
Morgan James Publishing
11815 Fountain Way, Suite 300, Newport News, VA 23606-4448
www.morganjamespublishing.com
9781683503026, $29.95, HC, 152pp, www.amazon.com
In "7 Mindsets of Success: What You Really Need to Do to Achieve Rapid, Top-Level Success"
by financial investment advisor Sten Morgan, readers will not only explore topics like embracing
discomfort, healthy conflict, time management, perspective, safety nets, and future self, but the
intrinsic motivation behind their success. They will learn secrets and steps that are easily
overlooked in business today. They will weigh the cost of their success and ask themselves, "Am
I willing to do everything it takes?" Morgan's underlying messages is that success could be as
easy as changing your mindset to see your business or job differently, and in turn, see the world
differently -- that there are seven psychological mindsets that will unlock success for his readers.
Extraordinarily 'reader friendly' in tone, commentary, organization and presentation, "7 Mindsets
of Success" will prove to be an enduringly valued and appreciated addition to community,
corporate, and academic library Business Management and Self-Help collections. It should be
noted for personal reading lists of business students and non-specialist general readers with an
interest in the subject that "7 Mindsets of Success" is also available in a paperback edition
(9781683503019, $16.95) and in a Kindle format ($7.99).
The Dog's Guide to Your Happiness
Gary McDaniel & Sharon Massen
Lumina Media
c/o Fox Chapel Publishing Company
1970 Broad Street N., East Petersburg, PA 17520
www.FoxChapelPublishing.com
9781621871682, $19.99, PB, 224pp, www.amazon.com
How do we define happiness in a world where people regularly feel rushed, stressed, and
overwhelmed by the daily demands of life? In "The Dog's Guide to Your Happiness: Seven
Secrets for a Better Life from Man's Best Friend" authors Garry McDaniel and Sharon Massen
collaborate to suggest that we look to our canine companions to learn what happiness is really
about. Based on their research and insights, as well as real-life stories about dogs and their
people, "The Dog's Guide to Your Happiness" is an informative guide that explores seven
essential traits for happiness through the eyes of our trusted furry friends including: The value of
loyalty in our personal and business relationships; Canine communication tactics - namely,
vocalizations, body language, and eye contact -- and a discussion on interpersonal
communication; The lost art of play and why it is important for people (and dogs) of all ages;
The unconditional love that dogs bestow on their humans and how it applies to our relationships
with other people; How an unwillingness to forgive others holds us back, and why dogs are able
to "forgive and forget"; How to nurture an optimistic outlook on life's ups and downs; A dog's
approach to life balance and why a lack of balance is detrimental to emotional health; Exercises,
charts, and worksheets to guide readers in self-exploration through applying the principles set
forth in each chapter; Suggestions and activities to help readers attain the seven secrets of
happiness. Extraordinary, original, and thoroughly 'reader friendly in organization and
presentation, "The Dog's Guide to Your Happiness" is very highly recommended, especially for
community library Self-Help and Pets/Wildlife collections. It should be noted for personal
reading lists that "The Dog's Guide to Your Happiness" is also available in a Kindle format
($12.91).
The Political Science Shelf
Election 2016: Democracy in Disarray
Sandra Lee Stuart & Aaron Jaffe
Barricade Books
2037 Lemoine Ave., Suite 362, Fort Lee, NJ 07024
www.barricadebooks.com
9781569808108, $19.95, PB, 250pp, www.amazon.com
When people look back at the 2016 Election, they will use many words to describe it. Among
them will not be "decorous," "thoughtful," "reasoned," and "civil". The campaign, at times, has
seemed as if it was waged in an alternate cartoon universe. It's hard to imagine Dwight
Eisenhower or Abraham Lincoln boasting in a public forum about the size of their genitals. We
have had a candidate being labeled "Lucifer in the Flesh" and the love child of Joe McCarthy and
Dracula. And an ultra-conservative billionaire who has contributed ridiculous amounts of money
to right-wingers saying a Democrat might make a better president than the Republican choices.
This has been all part of the craziness and unseemliness that has the rest of the world wondering
if we have collectively lost our sanity. A thoughtful and thought-provoking study of an
undeniably successful national political campaign for the presidency that was 'bloated with
bombastry, bigotry, and blatant lies', "Election 2016: Democracy in Disarray" offers a detailed
depiction of the campaign while also skewering those that need the pomposity punctured. In a
nation already suffering 'buyer's remorse', "Election 2016: Democracy in Disarray" is a timely
and highly recommended addition to personal reading lists, as well as community and academic
library Contemporary Political Science collections and supplemental studies lists. It should be
noted that "Election 2016: Democracy in Disarray" is also available in a Kindle format
($9.99).
Worshiping Power
Peter Gelderloos
AK Press
370 Ryan Avenue, #100, Chico, CA 95973
www.akpress.org
9781849352642, $16.98, PB, 286pp, www.amazon.com
In "Worshiping Power: An Anarchist View of Early State Formation", Peter Gelderloos (an
anarchist writer originally from Virginia) argues that Americans need to stop thinking of the
State as a potential vehicle for emancipation. From its origins, the State has never been anything
other than a tool to accumulate power. "Worshiping Power" is an innovative and partisan study
of human social complexity cuts through in-adequate theories of early state formation to uncover
social practices and institutions that have stifled egalitarian forms of self-organization throughout
history. Just as importantly, "Worshiping Power" shows that the difficulties and consequences of
state formation are not relegated to prehistory. Despite a ubiquity that renders them almost
invisible today, states are constantly trying to augment their power, and all are closer to the brink
of collapse than they would like to let on. Thoroughly 'reader friendly' in organization and
presentation, "Worshiping Power" is an original and highly recommended study and should be a
part of every community and academic library Political Science collection in general, and
Anarchy supplemental studies reading list. It should be noted for the personal reading lists of
students and non-specialist general readers with an interest in the subject that "Worshiping
Power" is also available in a Kindle format ($9.97).
The Fiction Shelf
A Fragile Hope
Cynthia Ruchti
Abingdon Press
2222 Rosa L. Parks Blvd.
PO Box 280988, Nashville, TN 37228-0988
www.abingdonpress.com
9781426791505, $14.99, PB, 320pp, www.amazon.com
Josiah Chamberlain's life's work revolves around repairing other people's marriages. When his
own is threatened by his wife's unexplained distance, and then threatened further when she's
unexpectedly plunged into an unending fog, Josiah finds his expertise, quick wit and clever quips
are no match for a relationship that is clearly broken. Feeling betrayed, confused, and
ill-equipped for a crisis this crippling, he reexamines everything he knows about the fragility of
hope and the strength of his faith and love. Love seems to have failed him. Will what's left of his
faith fail him, too? Or will it be the one thing that holds him together and sears through the
impenetrable wall that separates them? "A Fragile Hope" showcases author Cynthia Ruchti's
genuine flair for deftly created and memorable characters involved in a multilayered story of
unexpected twists and turns that are inherently compelling and provide a thoroughly entertaining
read from cover to cover. While very highly recommended for community library General
Fiction collections, it should be noted for personal reading lists that "A Fragile Hope" is also
available in a Kindle format ($9.81). Librarians should be aware that "A Fragile Hope" is
available in a large print edition as well (Thorndike Press, 9781432841706, $39.99).
A Minor Fall
Price Ainsworth
SelectBooks, Inc.
87 Walker Street, Suite B1, New York City, NY 10013
www.selectbooks.com
9781590794098, $24.95, HC, 320pp, www.amazon.com
Davy Jessie seems to have everything going for him. He's a young personal injury lawyer
working at a top Houston law firm. He has won a few cases on his own and has had the
opportunity to work closely with the firm's flashy senior partner, Tim Sullivan, who is a simply
brilliant lawyer. His undeniable gift for delivering an elegant turn of phrase, coupled with his bon
vivant lifestyle, make him the center of attention wherever he goes. He's a man of the world who
travels through life with near-mystifying facility. His charisma, command, and poise make him a
role model for everything that an aspiring attorney should want in life -- at least in the
impressionable young minds of the junior associates who are all too willing to overlook his
glaring flaws. Is Davy Jessie also about to fall under his hypnotic spell? As Jessie's orbit draws
nearer to Sullivan's shining star, the inalterable forces of tragedy are set in motion. The two men
will ultimately be set at odds while Jessie's family, career, and life careen into a downward spiral.
Original, deftly crafted, and thoroughly entertaining from beginning to end, "A Minor Fall"
reveals author and trial lawyer Price Ainsworth's genuine flair as a novelist. While very highly
recommended, especially for community library General Fiction collections, it should be noted
for personal reading lists that "A Minor Fall" is also available in a Kindle format ($9.99).
The Path of the Wind
James A. Misko
Square One Publishers
115 Herricks Road, Garden City Park, NY 11040
www.squareonepublishers.com
9780757004445, $17.95, PB, 304pp, www.amazon.com
Miles Foster is a newly minted teacher who dreams of getting a teaching job in the highly
respected and financially stable Portland, Oregon school system where everything is available,
and where he and his wife call home. But the only opening for his talents is in a remote lumber
mill town in central Oregon, two hundred miles away. It is a poor school with forty students, and
is controlled by a jealous superintendent and school board who tolerate no thinking outside the
box and who conspire to destroy his teaching career. Miles must find a way to educate students
who have been passed along regardless of what they learned, and defeat the damaging control of
the school board and superintendent without losing his marriage or his job, or both. A thoroughly
entertaining and compelling read from beginning to end, "The Path of the Wind" clearly
showcases author James Misko's undeniably flair for originality and deftly crafted storytelling.
While also available for personal reading lists in a Kindle format ($10.99), "The Path of the
Wind" is very highly recommended for community library General Fiction collections.
Under a Sardinian Sky
Sara Alexander
Kensington Publishing Corp.
119 West 40th Street, Floor 21, New York, NY 10018-2522
www.kensingtonbooks.com
9781496706362, $15.00, PB, 416pp, www.amazon.com
In 1952, Simius is a busy Sardinian town surrounded by fertile farms and orchards. Carmela
Chirigoni, a farmer's daughter and talented seamstress, is engaged to Franco, son of the area's
wealthiest family. Everyone agrees it's a good match. But Carmela's growing doubts about
Franco's possessiveness are magnified when she meets Captain Joe Kavanagh. Joe, an American
officer stationed at a local army base, is charismatic, intelligent, and married. Hired as his
interpreter, Carmela resolves to ignore her feelings, knowing that any future together must bring
upheaval and heartache to both families. Mina is a London-based travel writer, and the enigmatic
silence surrounding her aunt Carmela has become a personal obsession. Carmela disappeared
from her Italian hometown long ago and is mentioned only in fragments and whispers. Mina has
resisted prying, respectful of her family's Sardinian reserve. But now, with her mother battling
cancer, it's time to learn the truth. As Mina follows the threads of Carmela's life to uncover her
fate, she will discover a past still deeply alive in the present, revealing a story of hope, sacrifice,
and extraordinary love. Sara Alexander is a gifted novelist whose "Under a Sardinian Sky"
reveals her mastery of the Romance Suspense genre. While certain to be an enduringly popular
addition to community library collections, it should be noted for personal reading lists that
"Under a Sardinian Sky" is also available in a Kindle format ($9.99). Librarians should be aware
that there is also a large print edition of "Under a Sardinian Sky" (Thorndike Press,
9781432840464, $30.99).
Besieged
A. J. Tata
Kensington Publishing Corp.
119 West 40th Street, Floor 21, New York, NY 10018-2522
www.kensingtonbooks.com
9781496706638, $25.00, HC, 344pp, www.amazon.com
"Besieged" by A. J. Tata is a deftly crafted novel that starts with the unthinkable -- a school under
siege, a shooter in the classroom. This is a nightmare scenario that has become all too common in
today's United States. But this time, former Delta Captain Jake Mahegan is there when it
happens. Checking in on the schoolteacher daughter of a colleague, Mahegan finds himself face
to face with a merciless gunman rigged as a suicide bomber. Without warning, the school is
attacked from the outside as well -- all hell breaks loose. The teacher shoots the gunman,
Mahegan is knocked unconscious, and a twelve-year-old autistic girl named Misha is kidnaped.
When the smoke clears, Mahegan is left with a long list of unanswered questions -- and a deeply
personal mission to rescue Misha. Racing against the clock, his search will take him from the
tech-fueled think-tanks of a North Carolina factory to the top-secret nerve centers of embedded
Iranian agents. It's all part of a bigger, darker conspiracy that's taking domestic terrorism to a
whole new level. And it's up to Mahegan to stop what could be the most devastating attack in
U.S. history. A simply riveting read from cover to cover, "Besieged" is strongly and unreservedly
recommended for community library collections. It should be noted for personal reading lists that
"Besieged" is also available in a paperback edition (Pinnacle, 9780786039517, $9.99) and in a
Kindle format ($2.99).
Land of Wolves
T. J. Turner
Oceanview Publishing
595 Bay Isles Road, 120-G, Longboat Key, FL 34228
www.oceanviewpub.com
9781608092024, $26.95, HC, 304pp, www.amazon.com
T. J. Turner's deftly crafted novel, "Land of Wolves", finds Joseph Foster with Molly settling into
a new-found life in the hills of Tennessee. But Abraham Lincoln's former bodyguard, the man
who saved the President's life, cannot escape the Consortium as they come roaring back, killing
his mother, abducting his daughter -- all to coerce his Congressional testimony on their behalf.
Instead, Joseph and Molly strike the Consortium in their own safe haven of New York City. In a
Bonnie an unexpected twist, they rob from the Consortium to draw out their leader -- the
infamous General Dorsey. But the hidden plan reveals more than they counted on, exposing the
true intention to steal the Black Hills and the gold underneath from the Lakota Sioux. "Land of
Wolves" is an inherently fascinating, compelling, and fully entertaining read from cover to cover.
While unreservedly recommended, especially for community library General Fiction collections,
it should be noted for personal reading lists that "Land of Wolves" is also available in a Kindle
format ($9.99).
The Parenting Shelf
Lord, Have Mercy
Ellen Miller
Tyndale Momentum
c/o Tyndale House Publishers
351 Executive Drive, Carol Stream, IL 60188
www.tyndale.com
9781496419378, $14.99, PB, 240pp, www.amazon.com
While motherhood is often a hysterical ride of pure joy, it can also hold some of the most
mind-numbing, heartbreaking, and sacrificial moments of a woman's life. In "Lord, Have Mercy:
Help and Hope for Moms on Their Last Nerve", author Ellen Miller specifically writes to moms
who could use a good laugh (and sometimes a good cry) as they live through the trials and
triumphs of parenting in the 21st century. All-too-real, always honest, and often hilarious, each
devotional is filled with personal stories to remind mothers that God is with them in both the big
and small moments of motherhood, but most especially when the children are getting on their last
nerve! Written with practical insight, profound empathy, appreciated humor, and ultimate
inspiration, "Lord, Have Mercy" is wholeheartedly and unreservedly recommended, especially
for community library Parenting instructional reference collections. It should be noted for
personal reading lists that "Lord, Have Mercy" is also available in a Kindle format ($9.99).
The Money/Finance Shelf
How to Profit from the Next Bull Market
Alan Dustin
Dundurn
c/o The Dundurn Group
3 Church Street, Suite 500, Toronto, Ontario, Canada, M5E 1M2
www.dundurn.com
9781459737495, $24.99, PB, 272pp, www.amazon.com
Whether you're a seasoned investor or just joining the game, "How to Profit from the Next Bull
Market" by experienced financial advisor Alan Dustin will teach you valuable skills and secrets
to investing and succeeding in the Canadian stock market. Dustin shows how technical analysis
will reliably forecast when to buy and sell with certainty, interpret and understand a company's
financial statements with ease, master seven proven strategies that will protect you from losing
money in the market today, and how understanding market cycles can be used to predict the
future. "How to Profit from the Next Bull Market" shows how to research, select, and manage
their own stock portfolios using easily accessible resources, and provides an analysis of twenty
Canadian and American companies that have demonstrated their financial strength, staying
power, and incredible rates of return over repeated market cycles. Offering an honest, candid, and
understandable approach to investing, "How to Profit from the Next Bull Market" will serve
Canadian investors well for the rest of their lives. While highly recommended for personal and
academic library Money/Finance, it should be noted that "How to Profit from the Next Bull
Market" is also available in a Kindle format ($4.99).
The Cookbook Shelf
Taste of Home Brownies & Bars
Editors at Taste of Home
c/o Reader's Digest Trade Publishing
44 South Broadway, White Plains, NY 10601
www.rdtradepublishing.com
9781617656064, $15.99, PB, 256pp, www.amazon.com
No matter what the occasion, brownies and bars are universally popular as handheld treats and
after meal desserts. Exceptionally well organized and presented by Catherine Cassidy and her
editorial staff at 'Taste of Home', this dedicated culinary compendium showcases 263 homemade
brownies and bars that are certain to please any palate and enhance any dining occasion. Of
special note is the chapter devoted to speedy sweets and a "5-Ingredient" icon helping even the
most novice of time-stressed kitchen cooks to expertly whip up a favorite even when the kitchen
clock is ticking. A "Freeze It" icon even spotlights those snacks the hold up in the freezer!
Baking a sweet sensation has never been easier. Beautifully and profusely illustrated from cover
to cover, the thoroughly 'kitchen cook friendly' recipes range from Frosted Banana Bars; Swedish
Raspberry Almond Bars; Caramel Brownies; and Irish Butterscotch Bars; to Nutty Cheesecake
Squares; Frosted Peanut Butter Bars; Strawberry Almondine; Fudge Brownie Pie; and
Cherry-Coconut Chocolate Torte. An enormous pleasure to simply browse through, "Taste of
Home Brownies & Bars" is ideal for planning dessert menus with and will prove to be an
extraordinarily popular addition to personal, family, professional, and community library
cookbook collections. It should be noted that "Taste of Home Brownies & Bars" is also available
in a Kindle format ($11.99).
The Savvy Cook
Izy Hossack
Mitchell Beazley
c/o Octopus Publishing
236 Park Avenue, New York NY 10017
www.octopusbooksusa.com
9781784722708, $19.99, HC, 240pp, www.amazon.com
The recipes collected and showcased by Izy Hossack in "The Savvy Cook" were specifically
selected for those cooking for themselves for the first time, as well as for anyone who wants the
weekly budget to go a bit further without sacrificing flavor. Although many of the recipes are
gluten-free and/or vegan, "The Savvy Cook" is not about health fads, "antioxidants" or obscure
ingredients; it's about honest, nourishing and delicious cooking that will result in palate pleasing,
appetite satisfying, 'kitchen cook friendly' meals for any and all dining occasions. With recipes
ranging from profusely illustrated recipes ranging from Scrambled Chick Pea Tacos with Peach
Salsa; Sweet Miso Eggplant & Walnut Salad; Lazy Potato Hash with Kale, Pesto & Eggs; to
Easy Summer Pasta; Stir-Fry Quinoa, Pea & Broccoli; Oaty Snack Cake; and Easy Freezer
Chocolate Chip Cookies, "The Savvy Cook" is a delight to browse through and practical for
planning menus with. Other features include proposed menu plans, as well as effective ways to
cut down on meat and giving last-night's leftovers a make-over. While very highly recommended
for personal, family, and community library cookbook collections, it should be noted that "The
Savvy Cook" is also available in a Kindle format ($6.99).
Aquafabulous!
Rebecca Coleman
Robert Rose Inc.
120 Eglinton Avenue East, Suite 800, Toronto, Ontario, Canada, M4P 1E2
www.robertrose.ca
9780778805649, $19.95, PB, 192pp, www.amazon.com
Rebecca Coleman is a food blogger (Cooking by Laptop) and she works primarily with small
businesses, arts and non-profit organizations to help them to create social media marketing plans.
In "Aquafabulous!: 100+ Egg-Free Vegan Recipes Using Aquafaba" she has compiled a unique
culinary compendium of recipes based on Aquafaba which is the water that's drained off
neutral-colored beans like chickpeas, white beans and cannellini beans. Vegans have had limited
choices when it came to baked goods. The existing substitutes did not have the chemical
properties of eggs which made them integral for binding and leavening. But now there is the
perfect substitute and it's aquafaba. And it's blown open the world of vegan baking. It's proof that
you can go egg-free and still enjoy delicious recipes. The general rule of thumb is 3 tbsp of
aquafaba equals one egg. The protein in aquafaba, when mixed with some sugar and a pinch of
cream of tartar, perfectly simulates egg whites. Neutral in taste, you don't have to worry about
your dishes tasting beany. The recipes comprising "Aquafabulous!" range from a Red Pepper and
Cheese Omelet, to Pasta with Cashew Chickpea Alfredo Sauce, to Meatless Loaf with Miso
Gravy, to French Macarons. Beautifully illustrated with full color photography, "Aquafabulous!"
is an impressive collection of palate pleasing, appetite satisfying recipes, that will be appreciated
by vegans and anyone who has an allergy to dairy and eggs.
Fairy House Cooking
Liza Gardner Walsh
Down East Books
c/o Rowman & Littlefield Publishing Group
4501 Forbes Blvd., Suite 200, Lanham, MD 20706
www.rowman.com
9781608936410, $16.95, HC, 112pp, www.amazon.com
Following up on her popular Fairy House and Fairy Garden handbooks, Liza Gardner Walsh
presents a new dimension in fairy-themed cooking activities with Fairy House Cooking: Simple
Scrumptious Recipes & Fairy Party Fun!" A distinctly delightful culinary compendium, "Fairy
House Cooking " is comprised of delicious recipes ranging from pretty fairy muffins, to tiny
confetti cookies, to candied violets, and many more. There are also recipes for tiny snacks meant
for fairies, and fun recipes for treats to leave out for the animal friends of fairies. Complementing
the recipes are fun sidebars of fairy lore and guides for hosting fairy-themed teas and birthday
parties. Simple steps and easy-to-follow recipes will help kids and their parents make yummy
food for parties, friends, or just for fun. Original, unique, beautifully illustrated, and thoroughly
'user friendly' in organization and presentation, "Fairy House Cooking" will prove to be an
enduringly popular addition to family and community library cookbook collections.
Cook Lively!
Laura-Jane Koers
Lifelong Books / Da Capo Press
c/o Perseus Book Group
250 W. 57th St., Suite 1500, New York, NY 10107
www.perseusbooksgroup.com
9780738219677, $24.99, PB, 256pp, www.amazon.com
Canadian Laura-Jane Koers is a food writer, stylist, and photographer and the blogger behind
TheRawtarian.com, one of the most popular raw vegan communities online. She also hosts the
Raw Food Podcast on iTunes. In "Cook Lively!: 100 Quick and Easy Plant-Based Recipes for
High Energy, Glowing Skin, and Vibrant Living - Using 10 Ingredients or Less" she showcases
thoroughly 'kitchen cook friendly' dishes that are palate pleasing, as they are appetite satisfying.
Beautifully and profusely illustrated throughout, the "Cook Lively! recipes range from Simply
Chocolate Milk the Easy Way; Neapolitan Chia Pudding with Raspberry Cashew Cream;
Spiced-Right Yam Wedges with Paprika and Garlic Powder; and Cheesy Burrito Bowl with
Black Beans and Chopped Tomatoes; to Rich Strawberry Cheesecake with Pecan Crust; Black
Bean Cookies with Vanilla and Cinnamon; Golden Baked Bananas with Coconut Oil; and
Smooth Almond Butter. Of special note is the section offering a Gran, Lentil & Sprout Guide.
While unreservedly and enthusiastically recommended for personal, family, and community
library cookbook collections, it should be noted that "Cook Lively!" is also available in a Kindle
format ($15.99).
A Farmgirl's Table
Jessica Robinson
Gibbs Smith, Publisher
PO Box 667, Layton UT 84041
www.gibbs-smith.com
9781423642183, $24.99 HC, $9.99 Kindle, 176pp, www.amazon.com
Jessica Robinson is a New England farmgirl who was raised on a small Connecticut farm and
then found herself transplanted to a small farm in Graham, North Carolina, shares in "A
Farmgirl's Table" heartwarming stories and personal advice along with a bushel of new recipes
for using produce from the garden or farmers market, stocking a pantry with canned goods,
making homemade bread and traditional family recipes, and entertaining guests at get-togethers
with recipes for lemonades and drinks, salads, hearty main courses, pies, cakes, and more.
Profusely illustrated and showcasing recipes for dishes ranging from Red Velvet Marble Cake;
Raspberry-Apricot Jam; Heirloom Tomato Bruschetta; and Peach Sweet Tea; to Country-Style
Meatloaf; Farmhouse Sourdough Bread; Lemon-Blueberry Scones; and Strawberry Lemonade,
"A Farmgirl's Table" is certain to be an enduringly popular addition to personal, family, and
community library collections. Of special note is culinary author Jessica Robinson's popular
blog: Carolina Farmhouse Kitchen.
Bites on a Board
Anni Daulter
Gibbs Smith, Publisher
PO Box 667, Layton UT 84041
www.gibbs-smith.com
9781423645740, $24.99, HC, 176pp, www.amazon.com
In her beautifully illustrated cookbook "Bites on a Board", food stylist Anni Daulter shows
creative hosts how to make the most of their boards and serving platters with dishes that range
from classic charcuterie boards with prosciutto, olives, and roasted figs to luscious dessert boards
with mini cheesecakes and red-wine ice-cream bites. Comprised of rustic, trendy, pickled, and
even culturally-inspired boards and recipes, "Bites on a Board" reveals that the last thing any
kitchen cook will want to do when finished cooking is put away the cutting board! While very
highly recommended for personal, family, and community library cookbook collections, it should
be noted that "Bites on a Board" is also available in a Kindle format ($9.99).
The Metaphysical Studies Shelf
Kitchen Table Tarot
Melissa Cynova
Llewellyn Publications
2143 Wooddale Drive, Woodbury, MN 55125
www.llewellyn.com
9780738750774, $16.99, PB, 288pp, www.amazon.com
From the early ages of 14, Melissa Cynova has been sitting down with friends and neighbors who
are curious about the tarot. She's heard all the questions and misconceptions that can confuse
newcomers (and sometimes more experienced readers, too). Drawing upon her many years of
experience and expertise, "Mellisa has now written "Kitchen Table Tarot" as an instructional
guide and reference for anyone looking for no-nonsense lessons with a warm, friendly, and
knowledgeable teacher. Readers will benefit from Melissa's sharing of straightforward guidance
on decks, spreads, card meanings, and symbols. Filled with real-life examples and personal
explanations of what it's like to read the cards, "Kitchen Table Tarot" tells it like it is and
provides the information even the most novice of tarot readers will need to use their decks with
confidence. Impressively informative, exceptionally well written, thoroughly 'user friendly' in
organization and presentation, "Kitchen Table Tarot" is a complete course of training in the use
of the tarot under one cover. While very highly recommended for personal, community, and
academic library Metaphysical Studies collections in general, and Tarot supplemental studies
reading lists in particular, it should be noted that "Kitchen Table Tarot" is also available in a
Kindle format ($9.99).
Fortune Telling by Tarot Cards
Sasha Fenton
Hampton Roads Publishing Company
65 Parker St., Ste. 7, Newburyport, MA 01950
www.hrpub.com
9781571747679, $16.95, PB, 224pp, www.amazon.com
Knowing how to interpret tarot cards can enable us to understand ourselves and others better and
be able to accurately predict what's going to happen in the future. "Fortune Telling by Tarot
Cards" by professional astrologer, palmist, and tarot card reader Sasha Fenton is an accessible
and easy guide that teaches how to use the tarot. Fenton's guidelines combined with the reader's
intuition makes using the cards easy and fun. She provides the meaning of each card and
suggestions for spreads that can be used for a variety of purposes -- from focusing on the
consequences of a particular situation to resolving a particular question to providing clarity on
personal relationships. She also shows us how to link the cards together in a life narrative.
Thoroughly 'reader friendly' in organization and presentation, "Fortune Telling by Tarot Cards" is
an ideal instruction manual and guide for novice tarot readers and is very highly recommended
for personal, community, and academic library Metaphysical Science collections in general, and
Tarot Cards supplemental studies reading lists in particular.
Origins of the Sphinx
Robert M. Schoch & Robert Bauval
Inner Traditions International, Ltd.
One Park Street, Rochester, VT 05767
www.innertraditions.com
9781620555255, $24.95, PB, 528pp, www.amazon.com
New research and evidence that the Sphinx is thousands of years older than previously thought.
In "Origins of the Sphinx: Celestial Guardian of Pre-Pharaonic Civilization" Robert M. Schoch
(a tenured faculty member at Boston University who earned his doctorate in geology and
geophysics at Yale University, and is known for his research on the Sphinx), contrasts what
Egyptologists claim about the Sphinx with historical accounts and new research including
reanalysis of seismic studies and updates to Schoch's water weathering research and Bauval's
Orion Correlation Theory. Professor Schoch also examines how the Sphinx is contemporaneous
with Gobekli Tepe, aligned with the constellation Leo, and was recarved during the Old
Kingdom era of Egypt. Of special note is the revelation that the Sphinx was built during the
actual historical Golden Age of ancient Egypt, the period known in legend as Zep Tepi.
Impressively informed and informative, exceptionally thoughtful and thought-provoking,
thoroughly 'reader friendly' in organization and presentation, "Origins of the Sphinx" is enhanced
with illustrations, the inclusion of a twelve page Bibliography, an eleven page Index, and a one
page listing of Books Of Related Interest. While very highly recommended for both community
and academic library collections, it should be noted for the personal reading lists of students and
non-specialist general readers with an interest in the subject that "Origins of the Sphinx" is also
available in a Kindle format ($12.99).
The Needlecraft Shelf
The Fussy Cut Sampler
Nichole Ramirez & Elisabeth Woo
Lucky Spool Media
www.luckyspool.com
c/o The Taunton Press
63 South Main Street, Newtown, CT 06470
www.taunton.com
9781940655222, $27.95, PB, 144pp, www.amazon.com
A favorite part of quilting for many needlecrafters is fussy cutting -- and it usually involves
figuring out how to enhance an interesting quilt block by framing a favorite element in
most-loved fabrics! With "The Fussy Cut Sampler: 48 Quilt Blocks from Your Favorite Fabrics"
by quilting experts Nichole Ramirez and Elisabeth Wood, fussy cutting becomes more than just
showing a single design. By following along with how Nichole and Elisabeth create drastically
different samplers from each of their 48 unique patchwork blocks, quilt makers will see how
those same 9'' blocks can easily be adapted to your own personal taste. Compare their blocks (and
their samplers!) side by side, aspiring quilters will be inspired to use the fabrics they love to
create their own sampler blocks. "The Fussy Cut Sampler shows how to navigate those pesky
stripes, how to work with either a limited palette or an eclectic scrappy one, and how to
incorporate improvisational piecing to fussy cut even the smallest parts of anyone's favorite
designs. "The Fussy Cut Sampler" reveals the endless possibilities in a fabric stash and quilters
simply won't be able to resist creating a fussy-cut sampler all their own. Beautifully illustrated
and thoroughly 'user friendly' in organization and presentation, "The Fussy Cut Sampler" is very
highly recommended for personal, professional, and community library Needlecraft collections in
general, and Quilt Making supplemental studies reading lists in particular.
Pin Loom Weaving to Go
Margaret Stump
Stackpole Books
5067 Ritter Road, Mechanicsburg, PA 17055-6921
www.stackpolebooks.com
9780811716130, $17.95, PB, 120pp, www.amazon.com
Expert weaver Margaret Stump draws upon her more than forty years of experience and expertise
to provide step-by-step instructions for 25 portable pin loom weaving projects in "Pin Loom
Weaving to Go". Palm-sized weaving looms go anywhere and make just about anything
imaginable ranging from fashionable wrist cuffs to full-sized blankets. Featured are elegant
wraps, a fun fox bag, an American flag blanket, pillows, pins, stylish scarves, and more. With
beginning weavers in mind, "Pin Loom Weaving to Go" walks aspiring needlecrafters through
how to weave on a 2" and 4" loom. Once knowing how to make a basic square and connect
pieces, pin loom weavers will be well on their way to making any of these specific projects. "Pin
Loom Weaving to Go" divides the projects into those that use a 2", 4", adjustable fine-gauge, and
even a pot holder loom, and those that combine pieces from different looms, so it is easy to find a
project and get started. "Pin Loom Weaving to Go" includes all the basics of pin loom weaving,
beginning and medium level projects can be made on the go, simple weaving techniques for
portable looms, instructions for making a simple 2" loom, and projects for standard 2" and 4"
looms, as well as potholder looms and knitting looms. Unique and thoroughly 'user friendly' in
organization and presentation, "Pin Loom Weaving to Go" is very highly recommended for
community library Needlecraft collections. It should be noted for personal reading lists that "Pin
Loom Weaving to Go" is also available in a Kindle format ($16.99).
Little Loom Weaving
Andreia Gomes
Ulysses Press
PO Box 3440, Berkeley CA 94703-3440
www.ulyssespress.com
9781612436630, $16.95, PB, 128pp, www.amazon.com
Andreia Gomes is a self-taught weaver, creative thinker, compulsive maker and interior stylist.
Her work has been featured in CYL Collective, Makers Movement, Future Positive, Koel
Magazine, A Montra/The Window and more. In "Little Loom Weaving: Quick and Clever
Projects for Creating Adorable Stuff " she draws upon her years of experience and expertise to
present a beautifully and profusely illustrated instruction manual covering everything needed to
create trendy and timeless woven pieces on a small, portable loom. Packed with step-by-step
'user friendly' instructions, "Little Loom Weaving" covers such techniques as: Tabby Weave;
Looping; Hemstitch; Open Slit; Rya Knot; and Soumak. Aspiring weavers will enjoy a range of
projects that include: Wall Hangings; Bracelets; Pillows; Keychains; Recycled Materials; and
Planters. While "Little Loom Weaving" is very highly recommended for personal and community
library Needlecraft instructional reference collections, it should be noted for the personal reading
lists of aspiring little loom weavers that it is also available in a Kindle format ($9.99).
The Fantasy/SciFi Shelf
The Bones of the Past
Craig A. Munro
Inkshares
99 Linden Street, Oakland, CA 94607
https://www.inkshares.com
9781942645337, $16.99, PB, 450pp, www.amazon.com
The Night Guard walk the streets of the old kingdom of Bialta seeking out threats that are beyond
the abilities of the common soldier. As a girl changed into something "other" and on the hunt for
human souls, Nial is one such threat. Salt, a sailor recently rescued by the Night Guard, has been
inducted into their ranks. He's a quick study, but as new threats multiply all around them, will he
have what it takes to survive? Bialta is not alone in its woes. Sacral, a city that vanished in the
distant past, has reappeared where it once stood at the heart of the Wastes. Like many of Sacral's
people, Maura is content living a quiet life, ignoring the outside world. But she finds herself
desperately fighting to save her home as war comes to the city returned. Meanwhile, across the
Great Desert, creatures are stirring. Carver, the last living master of the magic known as
fleshcarving, has won the support of the tyrant of Tolrahk Esal. Together they will unleash his
twisted creations to sweep across the land and forever disrupt the balance of power. "The Bones
of the Past" is epic tale in which armies march, demons feed, and deities unleash their powers on
a world that will never be the same. Author Craig Munro demonstrates originality and a genuine
flair for deftly crafted fantasy action/adventure, making "The Bones of the Past" a very highly
recommended addition to community library Science Fiction & Fantasy collections. For the
personal reading lists of dedicated fantasy fans it should be noted that "The Bones of the Past" is
also available in a Kindle format ($9.99).
The Sacrifice of Sunshine Girl
Paige McKenzie
Weinstein Books
250 West 57th Street, 15th Floor, New York, NY 10107
www.weinsteinbooks.com
9781602862982, $17.99, HC, 336pp, www.amazon.com
Is Sunshine Griffith who she thinks she is? Now that her powers are fully awakened, and having barely survived an abyss full of demons, Sunshine must figure out who-or what-has been organizing the forces of darkness against her. Thanks to her brainiac boyfriend, Nolan, they not only unearth that Sunshine's death would trigger a calamitous event, but that all civilization depends on her survival. So when an unexpected event unleashes a fierce war between the luiseach and the demon army, Sunshine will learn a shocking truth about herself. Can she bring herself to make the ultimate sacrifice to save humankind? The third and final volume of Paige McKenzie's outstanding fantasy action/adventure trilogy will prove to be an enduringly popular addition to community library collections. It should be noted for personal reading lists that "The Sacrifice of Sunshine Girl" is also available in a Kindle format ($9.99). Also highly recommended are the first two books in the trilogy, "The Haunting of Sunshine Girl" and "The Awakening of Sunshine Girl".
The Health/Medicine Shelf
The Untold History of Healing
Wolf D. Storl
North Atlantic Books
2526 Martin Luther King Jr. Way, Berkeley, CA 94704-2607
www.northatlanticbooks.com
9781623170936, $24.95, PB, 344pp, www.amazon.com
"The Untold History of Healing: Plant Lore and Medicinal Magic from the Stone Age to Present"
by anthropologist, ethnobotanist and international natural horticulture advocate Wolf Strol takes
the reader on a exciting, expansive journey of the history of medicine from the Stone Age to
modern times, explaining that Western medicine has its true origins in the healing lore of
Paleolithic hunters and gatherers, herding nomads, and the early sedentary farmers rather than in
the academic tradition of doctors and pharmacists. This absorbing history of medicine takes the
reader on a sweeping journey from the Stone Age to modern times, showing that Western
medicine has its origins not only in the academic tradition of doctors and pharmacists, but in the
healing lore of Paleolithic hunters and gatherers, herding nomads, and the early sedentary
farmers. "The Untold History of Healing" vividly describes the many ways that ancient peoples
have used the plants in their immediate environment, along with handed-down knowledge and
traditions, to treat the variety of ailments they encountered in daily life. A truly impressive,
informative, and deftly presented work of seminal scholarship, "The Untold History of Healing"
is exceptionally well organized and is highly recommended for both scholars and non-specialist
general readers with an interest in the subject. While unreservedly recommended for both
community and academic library Health/Medicine collections, it should be noted for personal
reading lists that "The Untold History of Healing" is also available in a Kindle format
($15.99).
The Crafts Shelf
The Absolute Beginners Guide: Jewelry Making with Resin
Theresa D. Abelew
Kalmbach Books
21027 Crossroads Circle, Waukesha, WI 53187-1612
www.kalmbachstore.com
9781627004022, $21.99, PB, 96pp, www.amazon.com
Theresa D. Abelew is the Editorial Associate for Art Jewelry magazine. She sells her work in
galleries and fairs and can be found on Pinterest and Etsy (her shop is 2 Dog Studios). With "The
Absolute Beginners Guide: Jewelry Making with Resin" she draws upon her years of experience
and expertise to offer 20 projects that go beyond simple resin pourings. Aspiring resin jewelry
makers will learn to fold and form resin into lightweight and dramatic cuffs, layer colored resin
into dimensional pendants, embed bits of wood, metal, or wire into unusual rings, and so much
more. Each individual project includes clear, profusely illustrated, and easy-to-follow
instructions with step-by-step instructional color photographs that are perfect for beginners new
to the material. The focus is on the resin elements, but instructions and suggestions are included
to complete each necklace, bracelet, ring, earring, and cuff. The techniques are simple enough for
beginners to master and the results sophisticated enough to wear anywhere. An ideal instruction
guide, "The Absolute Beginners Guide: Jewelry Making with Resin" is unreservedly
recommended for personal, professional, and community library crafts collections in general, and
jewelry making supplemental studies reading lists in particular.
The Railroading Shelf
Great Western Star Class Locomotives
Laurence Waters
Pen & Sword Books
47 Church Street, Barnsley, South Yorkshire, England, S702AS
https://www.pen-and-sword.co.uk
9781473871021, $50.00, HC, 152pp, www.amazon.com
Designed by G.J. Churchward, no. 40 was constructed at Swindon in April 1906\. It was
Swindons first 4 cylinder simple engine and was the forerunner of Churchwards famous 4
cylinder Star Class 4-6-0s. Initially built as a 4-4-2 Atlantic, no. 40 was named North Star in
September 1906, rebuilt as a 4-6-0 in 1909, and renumbered 4000 in 1913. Including no. 40, the
Star class eventually numbered seventy-three locomotives, all built at Swindon in batches
between 1906 and 1923. In service the Stars proved to be both free-running and reliable
locomotives, and for many years were used to haul the Great Westerns top link services,
including the world-famous Cornish Riviera Express. The introduction of the Collett Castle
Class 4-6-0s in 1923, and the King Class 4-6-0s in 1927, saw the Stars relegated to secondary
passenger, freight and parcels services. A number of Stars were rebuilt by Collett as Castles,
including the prototype no. 4000 North Star, but the remaining Stars continued to give good
service. At Nationalisation in 1948, no less than forty-seven of these fine locomotives passed into
Western Region ownership, the last example, no. 4056 Princess Margaret, being withdrawn in
October 1957. In "Great Western Star Class Locomotives", Laurence Waters (Honorary Photo
Archivist of the Great Western Trust at the Didcot Railway Centre) deftly charts the history of
the class from the prototype, right through to the final workings in October 1957. Using many
previously unpublished photographs from the Great Western Trust photographic collection,
accompanied by informative captions, every member of the Class is illustrated. "Great Western
Star Class Locomotives" will have special appeal to those interested in the history of Great
Western locomotive development as well as dedicated railroad modelers. Impressively
informative and profusely illustrated form cover to cover, "Great Western Star Class
Locomotives" is certain to be an enduringly popular addition to personal, community, and
academic library Railroading History collections. It should be noted for personal reading lists that
"Great Western Star Class Locomotives" is also available in a Kindle format ($30.00).
The Graphic Novel Shelf
Princeless: Raven the Pirate Princess, Book 3
Action Lab Entertainment
www.actionlabcomics.com
9781632291400 $14.99 pbk / $5.99 Kindle amazon.com
Set in the fantastic world of "Princeless", where women are often (by necessity or by their own
will) as fierce and daring adventurers as men, Princeless: Raven the Pirate Princess - Two Boys,
Five Girls and Three Love Stories continues the full-color, graphic novel saga of Raven, a pirate
princess determined to take back the inheritance stolen by her violent brothers. But Ximena, one
of Raven's female crew members, has suffered an injury that may yet be fatal. Raven tries to get
medical help from the Island of Free Women, but its legendary healer hates pirates with a
passion! Two Boys, Five Girls and Three Love Stories lives up to its title with self-contained,
flashback legends and love stories that interconnect with the present-day dilemma. And there
might just be a budding love between Raven and Ximena - if Ximena doesn't die, and if Raven
doesn't chicken out! Princeless: Raven the Pirate Princess, Book 3 is a no-holds-barred adventure
for readers ages nine to ninety, highly recommended.
The Legend of Zelda: The Minish Cap / Phantom Hourglass Legendary Edition
Akira Himekawa
Viz Media LLC
1355 Market Street, Suite 200, San Francisco CA 94103
www.viz.com
9781421589626 $17.99 amazon.com
Consisting of a single omnibus volume, The Legend of Zelda: The Minish Cap / Phantom
Hourglass Legendary Edition retells the stories of two beloved Legend of Zelda video games in black-
and-white manga (Japanese graphic novel) format. Both games are part of the classic "Wind
Waker" lineage featuring cartoon-style graphics (to the extent that their rendition of the hero Link
has been informally dubbed "Toon Link"), and the free-flowing art style perfectly captures the
games' visual aesthetics. The two stories have a timeless, fairy-tale fantasy quality that will
appeal to readers of all ages. Each follows young Link on a journey to battle an evil force
plaguing the land... or the sea! A smattering of concept art and a brief "behind-the-scenes"
glimpse into the creation of other Legend of Zelda manga round out this treasure for fans of the
series.
Dragonball Super 1
Story by Akira Toriyama
Art by Toyotarou
Viz Media LLC
1355 Market Street, Suite 200, San Francisco CA 94103
9781421592541 $9.99 www.viz.com
Set after the hero Goku's epic quest to defeat the evil Boo, Dragonball Super 1 is a new black-
and-white manga (Japanese graphic novel) adventure crafted by Akira Toiryama and brought to
life with Toyotarou's dynamic artwork. Goku's peaceful days are interrupted by a new danger -
the God of Destruction, Beerus, who threatens to annihilate Earth unless provided with sufficient
entertainment! Can Goku revive the legendary "Super Sayan God" before Beerus destroys the
planet out of boredom? An action-packed saga of power that literally transcends the universe,
Dragonball Super 1 is a "must" especially for fans of the series.
Immortal Hounds 4
Ryo Yasohachi
Vertical, Inc.
451 Park Avenue South, 7th floor, New York, NY 10016
9781942993872 $12.95 www.vertical-inc.com
Immortal Hounds 4 continues the surreal, postmodern saga set in a world where all human beings
naturally resurrect from death. Resurrection is the perfect cure for every possible injury or illness,
except one: Resurrection Deficiency Syndrome, or RDS. RDS permanently takes away a person's
ability to resurrect, and often is not discovered until too late. The "vectors" who knowingly
spread RDS - supposedly by getting their victims to fall in love with them - effectively act as
serial killers in a world of immortals! Vectors come from another world, spread RDS to earn
"points" to buy immortality, and receive protection from "Escape Artists" when they are caught.
In Immortal Hounds 4, the conflict between Detective Shin'ichi Kenzaki (whose sister was
murdered by a vector) and Rin Kazama (a skilled Escape Artist) comes to a crucial turning point,
during Rin's risky attempt to rescue the vector Snow White. More is also revealed about Rin's
master, the mysterious Mama, and Rin's own blood-soaked history. Immortal Hounds is highly
recommended for mature readers ages 16+, due to scenes of violence.
Devils' Line 6
Ryo Hanada
Vertical, Inc.
451 Park Avenue South, 7th floor, New York, NY 10016
9781942993919 $12.95 www.vertical-inc.com
Devils' Line 6 continues the black-and-white manga (Japanese graphic novel) set in a world
where a fraction of the human population are "devils" or "vampires". Though devils appear like
ordinary humans at first glance, they are far stronger and more agile, and arousal or exposure to
human blood can drive them into a frenzy that causes them to kill or rape. A mysterious
organization known as the CCC is trying to incite and escalate fear of devils, and to further their
cause, the CCC will kill both humans and devils without remorse. The half-devil police officer
Anzai and his associates have acquired leverage over members of the CCC, including Seven,
who originally joined the CCC because a devil raped and murdered her mother. Volume 6
explores Seven's tragic past in-depth, and Anzai's suppressed memories bubble to the surface
with a surprising revelation. Devils' Line is a fascinating examination of the dark side of
humanity, highly recommended for readers age 13+ due to mature themes and some scenes of
graphic violence.
Red Range: A Wild Western Adventure
Joe R. Lansdale, author
Sam Glanzman, illustrator
IDW Publishing
2765 Truxtun Road, San Diego, CA 92106
www.idwpublishing.com
9781631409943, $19.99, HC, 112pp, www.amazon.com
In a tale of hope set amidst the hyper violence of America's 19th century, this new edition of
"Red Range" tells the tale of Red Mask, a tough as nails vigilante who rides to fight the tragic
racism of a Klan-dominated Texas. This simply outstanding western action/adventure story also
entails a bit of 'Hollow Earth' science fiction. Written by multiple Bram Stoker Award winner Joe
Lansdale and illustrated by Golden Age comic book master and Sam Glanzman, this outstanding
and inherently compelling graphic novel (in color for the first time) includes an informative
Introduction by Mojo Press' Richard Klaw and an Afterword by Stephen R. Bissette. As a bonus,
this edition of "Red Range" includes a little-seen story by Glanzman, "I Could Eat a Horse!" A
gripping and starkly presented tale of savage vengeance, stone cold justice, "Red Range" is an
extraordinary and highly recommended story that is especially to any and all graphic novel fans.
It should be noted that "Red Range" is also available in a Kindle format ($9.99).
Love: The Dinosaur
Frederic Brremaud and Federico Bertolucci
Magnetic Press
www.magnetic-press.com
9781942367369 $17.99 amazon.com
Fourth in the "Love" series of color graphic novels about wildlife, "Love: The Dinosaur" is
visually stunning, wordless, realistically drawn saga. No single dinosaur is the sole focus of
Love: The Dinosaur; species that appear include Bambiraptor Feinbergi, Dimetrodon, Triceratops
Horridus, the flying Cnetochasma, and the indomitable Tyrannosaurus Rex. Every day is a
struggle to survive in the prehistoric era, especially for smaller dinosaurs who are at constant risk
of being trampled or eaten! A lavish, immersive saga of predators and prey in their natural
habitat, Love: The Dinosaur is a "must-read" for dinosaur fans of all ages. Highly
recommended.
The Audiobook Shelf
The Midas Legacy: A Novel
Andy McDermott, author
Read by Gildart Jackson
HighBridge Audio Books
270 Skip Jack Road, Prince Frederick, MD 20678
9781681684758 $49.99 https://highbridgeaudio.com
Superbly performed Gildart Jackson, by The Midas Legacy is the unabridged audiobook rendition of a globe-spanning thriller. Discovering the fabled city of Atlantis was just the beginning for Nina Wilde and her ex-SAS husband Eddie Chase; for the sake of humankind, they must race against implacable enemies to uncover the truth about the legend of King Midas. Extraordinary and captivating, The Midas Legacy is highly recommended for action-intrigue connoisseurs. 17 CDs, 20.5 hours.
Enchanted Islands
Allison Amend, author
Performed by Dina Pearlman
Brilliance Corporation
PO Box 887, Grand Haven, MI 49417
$9.99 www.brillianceaudio.com
Enchanted Islands is an unabridged MP3 audiobook (plays on MP3-CD enabled players or
transfers to portable devices) of a novel following Frances Frankowski, a woman who came of
age at the beginning of the twentieth century, only to suffer bitter betrayal from her closest
female friend. As she approaches middle age, she works as a secretary for the Office of Naval
Intelligence, where she meets Ainslie Conway, an intelligence operator ten years younger. The
two are arranged to be married and carry out an operation in the Galapagos Islands. Though their
new home is beautiful, it surrounds them with daunting wildlife and unfriendly neighbors. Yet
the greatest threat does not lie without; it lies within, amid the secrets each of them harbors. A
complex, interpersonal saga, Enchanted Islands will keep the listener captivated to the very end.
1 MP3 CD, 11 hours.
The Music CD Shelf
Part of a Kindly Plan
Nathan Speir
www.nathanspeir.com
Neptic Music
$TBA CD / $9.49 MP3 amazon.com
Part of a Kindly Plan is the ninth instrumental album by music artist Nathan Speir, and features
primarily acoustic instruments including acoustic piano, steel and nylon; string acoustic guitars;
wooden flute; cello; harmonica; rain-stick and singing bowls. (A couple tunes involve
synthesizer to replicate a string-section). The result is a glowing, ambient river of mellifluous
dreams. Part of a Kindly Plan is a pleasure to experience, and highly recommended for
instrumental music connoisseurs. The tracks are "Hued Embowment" (6:10), "As We Turn"
(3:55), "Good Seasons" (4:35), "A Taste of Solace" (4:59), "Open Ranges" (6:02), "Passing
Charcoal Clouds" (3:08), "Serenity In This House" (4:58), "Praxis" (5:25), "Familiar Orbits"
(7:00), and "Breathing On The Shore" (8:55).
Nightfall London
Rick Sparks
www.ricksparksmusic.net
Privately Published
$9.99 CD / $7.99 download cdbaby.com
Nightfall London is a beautiful new age album designed to aid relaxation with its tranquil piano
music, gently arranged with synthesizer to add layers and depth. Some electronic keyboards and
individual string instruments, flutes, chimes, and choirs enrich this restful, revitalizing collection,
highly recommended especially when winding down after a long day. The tracks are "Across the
River" (5:25), "Nightfall London" (4:58), "Little Angel" (3:08), "First Love" (4:28), "Tokyo
Rain" (4:29), "Beyond the Stars" (4:03), "In the Bleak Midwinter" (4:19), "Hearts As One"
(4:29), "Highland Rose" (4:58), and "Evening Prayer" (5:28).
Open Sea / Mar Abierto
Jenny and the Mexicats
Mexciat Records
www.jennyandmexicats.com
$TBA CD / $8.99 MP3 amazon.com
Open Sea / Mar Abierto is a music CD by Jenny and the Mexicats, featuring lively, original
songs in both Spanish and English. Freely mixing elements of jazz, rockabilly, folk, flamenco,
and reggae. A flamboyant celebration open to all, Open Sea / Mar Abierto is as rich and
boundless as the ocean, and a vivacious treat for international music connoisseurs. The tracks are
"La Primera Desperada", "Boxes", "Born in the City", "Aprendimos", "La Diabla", "ApliFire",
"Lion", "Ausencia", "Fantasmas", "Canela y Azabache", "Tanto Tiempo", "Under my Skin", and
"Why Why".
Wood and Strings
John Stein and Dave Zinno
Whaling City Sound
1310 Tucker Road, No. Dartmouth, MA 02747
www.whalingcitysound.com
c/o Naxos (distribution)
www.naxosaudiobooks.com
$14.99 http://johnstein.com
Wood and Strings is a jazz album featuring an unusual duet for the genre - guitar paired with
bass, played by John Stein and Dave Zinno. An adventurous leap forward in harmony,
experimentation, and conversational interplay between instruments, Wood and Strings is unique,
exciting, and highly recommended. The tracks are "I Remember You" (4:17), "Modinha" (4:44),
"Up and at 'Em" (3:21), "Out of Nowhere" (5:37), "Switch-a-roo" (5:45, "Sarlat" (4:40), "Labor
of Love "(4:51), "Estate" (4:46), "Song for Now" (6:01), "But Beautiful" (5:51), "Beatrice"
(4:53), "Birk's Works" (5:42), "Til There Was You" (6:19), and "When Lights are Low"
(4:48).
duende libre
duende libre
Privately Published
duendelibre.rockpaperscissors.biz
$TBA CD / $9.49 MP3 amazon.com
This self-titled debut album of Latin music trio duende libre (Alex Chasey on piano and
keyboards, Farko Dosumov providing electric bass and voice, and Jeff "Bongo" Busch on drums
and percussion) is a liberating mix of creativity, community, and collective expression. Rich and
resounding, duende libre is an up-and-coming wonder highly recommended especially to
connoisseurs of the genre seeking bold, fresh new talent. The tracks are "Rio Pescadores" (6:09),
"Forgotten Well" (5:51), "Michel" (5:42), "Funkination" (6:59), "Razzle Dazzle" (4:39),
"Sevilla" (8:00), "Moon Waltz" (5:43), "For the Rekkerd" (4:20), "Salif" (4:42), "Still" (8:37),
and "Sinister Minister" (6:41).
The DVD Shelf
Tai Chi for Body and Mind Fitness
Traditional Yang Style Tai Chi with Pat Akers
White Crane Productions
9781684183647 $34.95 www.whitecranevideo.com
Hosted by traditional Yang style Tai Chi instructor Pat Akers, Tai Chi for Body and Mind Fitness
is a DVD designed for both beginner and advanced students of the art. Featuring step-by-step
instructions, front and rear demonstrations of every tai chi movement, advice for improved
balance and posture, tips especially for individuals with physical limitations, and more, Tai Chi
for Body and Mind Fitness is an excellent addition to fitness DVD collections and a great way to
learn Tai Chi for benefits in health and mental focus. Highly recommended! 2 DVDs, 283
min.
Beginner Qigong for Women
Daisy Lee, instructor
YMAA Publications
PO Box 480, Wolfeboro, NH 03894-0480
$29.95 each www.ymaa.com
Two DVDs in the Beginner Qigong for Women series demystify the ancient practice of qigong
(energy cultivation) for health, stress relief, and improved quality of life. Both feature Radiant
Lotus Women's Qigong, a practice crafted by instructor Daisy Lee after years of study with
several qigong masters, and intended especially to support women's wellness. The movements
can be performed while sitting or standing. "Radiant Lotus Healing Qigong Exercises with Daisy
Lee" is a one-hour lesson that includes shaking and cupping to bolster immunity; self-massage to
release stagnant qi; Tibetan vibrational sound healing; and more. "Radiant Lotus Medical Qigong
Forms with Daisy Lee" is a one-hour lesson that covers balancing movement; anti-aging
exercises; a bonus section on acupressure points for health and longevity; and more. Both DVDs
are a user-friendly introduction to the benefits of Qigong, and especially recommended for health
and fitness DVD collections.
Golden Years: Armed and Elderly
Acorn Media
c/o RLJ Entertainment
www.us.RLJEntertainment.com
$29.99 www.acornonline.com
Golden Years: Armed and Elderly is a feature-length British drama-comedy about an elderly
couple pushed by injustice to embark on a criminal heist. The financial industry stole their
pensions, so to make ends meet, they decide to steal their pensions back and help their
impoverished friends! High-stakes humor laces this exciting "revenge of the retied" adventure!
Bonus features include interviews with the cast and crew (15 min). 1 DVD, 96 min. plus bonus,
SDH subtitles.
Wentworth Season 3
Acorn Media
c/o RLJ Entertainment
www.us.RLJEntertainment.com
$59.99 www.acornonline.com
Wentworth Season 3 continues the acclaimed Australian television drama set in the confines of a
women's prison. Prisoner Bea Smith (played by Danielle Cormack), sentenced to life without
parole, asserts herself as the dominant alpha among the inmates; with the aid of both prisoners
and officers, she wages a cunning war against the cruel governor Joan "The Freak" Ferguson
(played by Pamela Rabe). But the conflict has damaging repercussions that neither strong-willed
woman could have anticipated! A gritty, tense story of hard choices and moral dilemmas,
"Wentworth" is a "must-see" for connoisseurs of Australian drama. Bonus materials include 44
min. of behind-the-scenes featurettes and a photo gallery. 12 episodes on 4 DVDs, 580 min plus
bonus, widescreen, SDH subtitles.
The Social Issues Shelf
Fighting the Death Penalty
Eugene G. Wanger
Michigan State University Press
1405 South Harrison Road, Suite 25, East Lansing, MI 48823-5245
www.msupress.msu.edu
9781611862317, $39.95, HC, 300pp, www.amazon.com
Michigan is the only state in the country that has a death penalty prohibition in its constitution,
and in "Fighting the Death Penalty: A Fifty-Year Journey of Argument and Persuasion" by
lawyer and longtime opponent of capital punishment Eugene G. Wanger presents a series of
compelling arguments for its abolition. The forty pieces comprising "in "Fighting the Death
Penalty" are writings created or used by Wanger, who penned the prohibition clause regarding
the death penalty, during his fifty years as a death penalty abolitionist. Wanger's extraordinary
background in forensics, law, and political activity as constitutional convention delegate and
co-chairman of the Michigan Committee Against Capital Punishment has produced this
remarkable collection. "Fighting the Death Penalty" is not only a fifty-year history of the anti -
death penalty argument in America, it also is a detailed and challenging example of how the
argument against capital punishment may be successfully made. An inherently thoughtful and
thought-provoking read from beginning to end, "Fighting the Death Penalty" is very highly
recommended for both community and academic library collections. It should be noted for the
personal reading lists of students and non-specialist general readers with an interest in the subject
that "Fighting the Death Penalty" is also available in a Kindle format ($31.95).
The Technology Shelf
The ABCs of Fiber Optic Communication
Sudhir Warier
Artech House
685 Canton Street, Norwood, MA 02062
www.artechhouse.com
9781630814144, $149.00, HC, 322pp, www.amazon.com
"The ABCs of Fiber Optic Communication" by Sudhir Warier (Principle Mentor at Cognitio) is
unique and practical handbook providing the conceptual framework and troubleshooting tactics
related to the manufacturing, selection, and installation of modern photonic networks, including
optical fiber plants, optical transceivers, test and measurement equipment, and network
architecture of SDH, OTN, IP/MPLS, FTTx networks, and PON. This resource includes the
latest technological advancements and industry applications while covering the entire fiber
ecosystem from installation to troubleshooting including the use of common tools like LPM
(laser source and power meter) to overcome common issues related to optical patching and fiber
plants and also discusses the use of specialized tools including the optical time domain
reflectometer (OTDR) for issues with fiber plants and locating fiber breaks. Readers will gain an
understanding of the architecture of core TDM, IP, and Optical Access Networks including PON.
Specific methodologies are explored for assessing OTN, DWDM, IT/MPLS, Optical Access
Networks - PON/GPON or FTTx networks. Key parameters that influence the choice of fiber
based on the network and application type are discussed. Exceptionally well organized,
presented, and unreservedly recommended for both professional and academic library
collections, "The ABCs of Fiber Optic Communication" also provides an overview of the current
and future developments in optical fibers, interfaces, transceivers and backbone networks.
The Jobs/Careers Shelf
Reinvention Roadmap
Liz Ryan
BenBella Books
10300 N. Central Expressway, Suite 400, Dallas, TX 75204
www.benbellabooks.com
9781942952688, $19.95, PB, 288pp, www.amazon.com
The underlying message of Liz Ryan in "Reinvention Roadmap: Break the Rules to Get the Job
You Want and Career You Deserve" is that traditional job-search approaches just don't work
anymore, and the days of trusting your career to your employer are long over. The
new-millennium workplace requires all of us to rewrite the rules and start treating our careers
like we're running a business - which means understanding the markets for our talents, knowing
our value, and looking out over the horizon to plot our paths going forward. A former Fortune
500 HR SVP and the world's most widely read workplace thought leader, Ryan understands the
recruiting system as only an insider can, and she shows how to stay focused on goals and
distinguish oneself from masses of competing job seekers. "Reinvention Roadmap" offers new
tools, such as a "Pain Letter" and your "Human-Voiced Resume" to land not just any job, but a
job that celebrates the readers' own unique talents and takes them to the level where they want to
be. Whether entering the workplace or looking to switch careers, with the help of "Reinvention
Roadmap" anyone can get the perfect job if they step off the beaten path and follow the
approaches insiders use to gain access to the best positions. Colorful, fun, irreverent, and a
deeply practical guide to getting the job you want and building the career of your dreams,
"Reinvention Roadmap" is thoroughly 'reader friendly' in organization and presentation, making
it very highly recommended for community and academic library Jobs/Careers instructional
reference collections. It should be noted for personal reading lists that "Reinvention Roadmap" is
also available in a Kindle format ($9.99).
The Computer Shelf
Computer Graphics Programming in OpenGL with Java
V. Scott Gordon & John Clevenger
Mercury Books
c/o International Publishers Marketing
22841 Quicksilver Drive, Dulles, VA 20166
www.internationalpubmarket.com
9781683920274, $64.95, HC, 346pp, www.amazon.com
The collaborative work of computer experts and California State Univeristy academicians V.
Scott Gordon and John Clevenger, and appropriate for both the computer science undergraduate
course in 3D graphics programming using OpenGL and for professionals who are interested in
mastering 3D graphics skills, "Computer Graphics Programming in OpenGL with Java" has been
specifically designed in a 4-color, "teach-yourself" format with numerous examples that the
reader can run just as presented. "Computer Graphics Programming in OpenGL with Java" is
unique because it teaches OpenGL programming in Java, using JOGL - a standard Java
"wrapper" for OpenGL's native C calls. Enhanced with the inclusion of companion files with
source code and images, "Computer Graphics Programming in OpenGL with Java" is
impressively 'user friendly' in organization and presentation, making it very highly recommended
for personal, professional, community and academic library Computer Science collections. For
the personal reading lists of students and non-specialist general readers with an interest in the
subject it should be noted that "Computer Graphics Programming in OpenGL with Java" is also
available in a Kindle format ($39.95).
The Beer/Wine/Spirits Shelf
The Wildcrafted Cocktail
Ellen Zachos
Storey Publishing
210 Mass MoCA Way, North Adams, MA 01247
www.storey.com
9781612127422, $18.95, HC, 240pp, www.amazon.com
Unique and profusely illustrated, "The Wildcrafted Cocktail: Make Your Own Foraged Syrups,
Bitters, Infusions, and Garnishes; Includes Recipes for 45 One-of-a-Kind Mixed Drinks" by Ellen
Zachos (who teaches mixology workshops for bartenders and a longtime instructor at the New
York Botanical Garden) combines the popular local-foods movement and craft cocktail scene to
show just how easy it is to make delicious, one-of-a-kind mixed drinks with common flowers,
berries, roots, and leaves that can be found along roadsides or in a backyard. An experienced
foraging expert, Ellen Zachos has compiled recipes for more than 50 garnishes, syrups, infusions,
juices, and bitters, including Quick Pickled Daylily Buds, Rose Hip Syrup, and
Chanterelle-infused Rum. With "The Wildcrafted Cocktail" anyone can incorporate their own
handcrafted components into 45 surprising and delightful cocktails ranging from Stinger in the
Rye, to Don't Sass Me, to Tree-tini, and more. While very highly recommended, especially for
community and academic library collections, it should be noted for personal reading lists that
"The Wildcrafted Cocktail" is also available in a Kindle format ($9.99).
The Gaming Shelf
Tricky Trivia Party Games
Birke Duncan
Northwest Folklore
PO Box 253, Poulsbo, WA 98370
9780971058231, $9.99, PB, 60pp, www.amazon.com
The word 'trivia' refers to bits of information, often of little importance, and are the basis of
popular general information-based games at home and in such public places as bars and pubs.
"Tricky Trivia Party Games" is a 60 page compilation of game-worthy trivia assembled by
author, folklorist, historian, dramatist and magician Birke Duncan. A thoroughly fun read in its
own right, "Tricky Trivia Party Games" touches upon miscellaneous facts arising from movies,
television shows, sports, politics, and more. Enhanced with the inclusion of a suggested list of
Recommended Readings and a Selected Bibliography, "Tricky Trivia Party Games" is an ideal
and highly recommended addition to community and academic library trivia reference
collections, as well as the personal reading lists of anyone wanting to conduct a trivia contest of
their own -- or simply improve their own performance at trivia contests at their favorite watering
hole.
The Sports Shelf
1001 NASCAR Facts
John Close
CarTech Inc.
838 Lake Street South, Forest Lake, MN 55025
www.cartechbooks.com
9781613253106, $24.95, PB, 376pp, www.amazon.com
Stock car racing has its origins with moonshine runners during the Prohibition era. For nearly 70
years, NASCAR has been the premier sanctioning body for organized Stock Car Racing in the
United States. During that time, the sport has grown from a Southern, regional series to a global
brand with its races telecast in more than 100 countries around the world. In "1001 NASCAR
Facts", NASCAR journalist, author, team member, race-day Spotter, and fan John Close details
the earliest races of the 20th Century that laid the groundwork for the formation of NASCAR
through today's modern events at mega-race stadiums across the country. Presented in an
easy-to-read decade-by-decade "Fact Format," "1001 NASCAR Facts" allows you to learning
about the Cars (and Trucks), Personalities, Tracks, and Milestones of NASCAR, America's most
popular and attended form of motorsports at your own pace. Enhanced with the inclusion of
dozens of rare and informative photos that take you from the famed "Beach Course" at Daytona
to the high banks of today's NASCAR tracks, "1001 NASCAR Facts" is a must read for any
NASCAR, Stock Car Racing, and American Motorsports fan and will prove to be an enduringly
popular addition for both community and academic library Automotive History collections in
general, and NASCAR History supplemental studies reading lists in particular.
St. Louis Cardinals Where Have You Gone?, revised edition
Rob Rains with Keith Schildroth
Sports Publishing
www.sportspubbooks.com
c/o Skyhorse Publishing, Inc.
307 West 36th Street, 11th Floor, New York, NY 10018
www.skyhorsepublishing.com
9781683580300 $19.99 hc / $9.99 Kindle amazon.com
Now in a newly updated and revised edition, St. Louis Cardinals Where Have You Gone?
chronicles the lives of legendary baseball stars who were once part of the St. Louis Cardinals
team. From All-Star catcher Ted Simmons, to 2011 NLDS hero Skip Schumaker, to 2014
Basball Hall of Fame inductee Tony La Russa and many more, here's the true-life scoop about
what dozens of star Cardinals players have been up to! Occasional black-and-white photographs
round out this anthology of brief yet intriguing biographies, especially recommended for
Cardinals fans.
The Interior Design Shelf
New Bathroom Idea Book
Jamie Gold
The Taunton Press
63 South Main Street, Newtown, CT 06470
www.taunton.com
9781631864056, $21.95, PB, 224pp, www.amazon.com
The bathroom continues to be one area of the house that homeowners are willing to spend money
on. This all-new edition of the Taunton Press "Bathroom Idea Book" (a virtual designer's
notebook of ideas, inspiration, and information) will be a homeowner's first step in turning a
dream bath into a real one, whether it's new construction or a remodel. Author Jamie Gold (is a
Certified Kitchen Designer and Certified Aging in Place Specialist in the greater San Diego area)
draws upon his years of experience and expertise in this lavishly illustrated (325 photos and 15
illustrations) edition of the "New Bathroom Idea Book" to provide design options for all areas of
the bathroom, ranging from vanities and countertops, to fixtures, flooring, and finish details.
Up-to-the-minute information on new trends like digital integration in the bathroom, new
materials that mimic natural materials, accessibility and aging-in-place options, and code changes
that mandate water and energy conservation make this new edition of "New Bathroom Idea
Book" is the practical go-to resource for all things bathroom. Thoroughly 'user friendly' in
organization and presentation, "New Bathroom Idea Book" is unreservedly recommended for
personal, professional, community, and academic library Interior Design reference collections in
general, and Bathroom Remodeling supplemental studies lists in particular.
The Biography Shelf
John Ringo: King of the Cowboys
David Johnson
University of North Texas Press
1155 Union Circle #311336, Denton, TX 76203-5017
www.untpress.unt.edu
9781574416725 $19.95 pbk / $11.99 Kindle amazon.com
John Ringo: King of the Cowboys is the fascinating biography of Western gunman John Ringo,
best known for backing the Cowboys against the Earps in Tombstone. His life reads like a pulp
fiction western - he was embroiled in blood fueds during his youth in post-Reconstruction Texas
and during the Mason County "Hoo Doo" War; he was part of a shootout with Victorio's raiders
in New Mexico; he championed Democratic ranchers against the Earp brothers and Doc
Holliday; and in the end, he died in the Arizona desert to mysterious circumstances. Extensive
notes and an index enrich this in-depth chronicle, written with scholarly precision yet thoroughly
accessible to readers of all backgrounds. Highly recommended, especially for public and college
library biography shelves.
A Witness to History
Janet M. Neugebauer, author
Texas Tech University Press
PO Box 41037, Lubbock, TX 79409-1037
www.ttupress.org
9780896729889, $45.00, HC, 576pp, www.amazon.com
"A Witness to History: George H. Mahon, West Texas Congressman" by Janet M. Neugebauer
(Deputy Director of the Southwest Collection at Texas Tech University) is the story of a man
who went to Congress in 1935, when the House Committee on Appropriations still allocated a
small amount of money to buy military horses. Forty-four years later, when Congressman Mahon
retired as Chairman of that same committee, the committee was debating funds to purchase a
bomber capable of traveling at 2,000 miles an hour. With a career spanning nearly a half
century-including almost the entire Cold War, Mahon grew from a West Texas country lawyer to
one of the most powerful men in the US House of Representatives, serving twenty-two
consecutive terms from 1935-1978. During his time in Congress, Mahon worked easily with the
giants of government, enjoying the friendship and confidence of seven of the eight presidents
with whom he served. He worked just as comfortably with his constituents in the Nineteenth
Congressional District of Texas. Mahon served on several Congressional committees, but it is
through his service on the House Appropriations Committee and the Subcommittee on Defense
Appropriations that he had the greatest national impact. He often bragged that under his
leadership the Subcommittee on Defense Appropriations was the most non-partisan committee in
Congress. Mahon led the subcommittee with a strong but gentle hand that earned him the respect
of all who served with him. An extraordinary, comprehensive, informed and informative political
biography that is impressively well organized and presented, "A Witness to History" is enhanced
with illustrations, fifty-two pages of Notes, a twenty page Bibliography, and a twenty-three page
Index, making is a very highly recommended addition to community and academic library
Biography and Political Science collections and supplemental studies reading lists.
Graham Barnett
James L. Coffey, Russell M. Drake, John T. Barnett
University of North Texas Press
1155 Union Circle #311336, Denton, TX 76203-5017
www.untpress.unt.edu
9781574416671, $29.95, HC, 400pp, www.amazon.com
Graham Barnett was killed in Rankin, Texas, on December 6, 1931. His death brought an end to
a storied career, but not an end to the legends that claimed he was a gunman, a hired pistolero on
both sides of the border, a Texas Ranger known for questionable shootings in Company B under
Captain Fox, a deputy sheriff, a bootlegger, and a possible "fixer" for both law enforcement and
outlaw organizations. In real life he was a good cowboy, who provided for his family the best
way he could, and who did so by slipping seamlessly between the law enforcement community
and the world of illegal liquor traffickers. Stories say he killed unnumbered men on the border,
but he stood trial only twice and was acquitted both times. Barnett lived in the twentieth century
but carried with him many of the attitudes of old frontier Texas. Among those beliefs was that if
there were problems, a man dealt with them directly and forcefully with a gun. His penchant to
settle a score with gunplay brought him into confrontation with Sheriff W. C. Fowler, a former
friend, who shot Barnett with the latter's own submachine gun on loan. One contemporary
summed it up best: "Officers in West Texas got the best sleep they had had in twenty years that
Sunday night after Fowler killed Graham." A simply riveting, comprehensively detailed, and
definitive account that is enhanced with the inclusion of illustrations, fifty-four pages of
Endnotes; an eight page Bibliography; and a ten page Index, by the team of James L. Coffey (a
former education consultant who worked with school districts in West Texas and lives in San
Angelo, Texas), Russell M. Drake (a journalist who worked in Texas and California), and John
T. Barnett (who is Graham Barnett's grandson), "Graham Barnett: A Dangerous Man" is very
highly recommended for community and academic library American Biography collections in
general, and the personal reading lists of anyone with an interest in true life stories of real Texas
gunfighters.
The Travel Shelf
Yucatan Peninsula
Liza Prado and Gary Chandler
Moon Handbooks
c/o Avalon Travel
1700 Fourth Street, Berkeley, CA 94710
www.moon.com
9781631214103 $23.99 pbk / $14.99 Kindle amazon.com
Part of the "Moon Handbooks" series of top-rate travel guides, Yucatan Peninsula is packed with
maps, color photographs, and a propensity of information about the Yucatan Peninsula in
southeastern Mexico. From the opportunity to explore Maya ruins, to the best spots for diving
and snorkeling, to wildlife tours, sunny beaches, safety tips, and more. "Beware of any taxi driver
who tries to convince you that the hotel you're going to is closed, roach infested, flooded, burned
down, has no running water... As sincere as the driver might seem, he is more often that not
retaliating against hotels that refuse to pay a finder's fee... You may have to be firm, but insist
that your driver take you to the hotel of your choice. Your best option is to call ahead for a room
reservation, which also serves to confirm that the hotel actually is open and operational."
Yucatan Peninsula is a "must-have" for anyone traveling to this gorgeous region for business or
pleasure, highly recommended.
The Writing/Publishing Shelf
The Story You Need to Tell
Sandra Marinella, MA, MEd
New World Library
14 Pamaron Way, Novato, CA 94949
www.newworldlibrary.com
9781608684830, $17.95, PB, 328pp, www.amazon.com
In the pages of "The Story You Need to Tell: Writing to Heal from Trauma, Illness, or Loss",
Sandra Marinella draws upon her many years of experience and expertise as a writing instructor
who has taught thousands of students and fellow educators and presented hundreds of workshops
to veterans, educators, and cancer patients to provide a practical and inspiring guide to
transformational personal storytelling. "The Story You Need to Tell" features riveting true stories
illustrating Marinella's methods for understanding, telling, and editing personal stories in ways
that foster resilience and renewal. She also shares her own experience of using journaling and
expressive writing to navigate challenges including breast cancer and postpartum depression.
Each of the writing techniques, prompts, and exercises she presents helps us "to unravel the knot
inside and to make sense of loss". Thoroughly 'user friendly' in organization and presentation,
"The Story You Need to Tell" is especially commended for community and academic library
Writing/Publishing instructional reference collections and supplemental studies reading lists. It
should be noted for students and non-specialist general readers with an interest in the subject that
"The Story You Need to Tell" is also available in a Kindle format ($10.97).
The Theatre/Cinema Shelf
105 Five-Minute Plays for Study and Performance
John Capecci & Irene Ziegler, editors
Smith & Kraus Publishers
177 Lyme Road, Lyme NH 03755-6610
www.smithandkraus.com
9781575259109, $24.95, PB, 524pp, www.amazon.com
A five-minute play can be as entertaining as any two-hour production. "105 Five-Minute Plays
for Study and Performance" is a compendium of 105 theatrical gems that are perfect for
classroom study or a rollicking performance evening. these short and succinct theatrical works
offer rich, complete worlds that are alternately lyrical, narrative, concrete and abstract. Some
pack a wallop with powerful images while others use crackling dialogue to quickly establish
character and motivation some move at the speed of light. Others freeze moments fo calm
meditation. Still others capture historic moments, dream states or slapstick absurdity. Along with
contemporary works by both new and established playwrights, editors Capecci and Ziegler have
gathered historical examples-such as those of the Italian Futurists and an early playlist by
Thornton Wilder-and they offer useful tips for the study and performance of these brief and
bright works. "105 Five-Minute Plays for Study and Performance" is an ideal and highly
recommended addition to school drama department, community theatre group, community and
academic library Theatrical Studies collections.
The Education Shelf
College 101, revised edition
Julie Zeilinger
Prufrock Press
PO Box 8813, Waco, TX 76714-8813
www.prufrock.com
9781618216267 $14.95 amazon.com
Now in a revised edition, College 101: A Girl's Guide to Freshman Year lives up to its title as a
no-nonsense compendium of practical advice. Chapters address the practical ramifications of
debt, balancing academics with daily life, staying healthy both physically and emotionally, and
much more. "I'm constantly astonished by how many young women I know who, although they
have taken out loans, are barely educated about the types of loans they're saddled with and how
those loans can and will impact them in the future... their financial decision could lead to
delaying motherhood, could put undue strain on their romantic relationships, could sentence
them to night after night of watching 60 Minutes on their parents' couches into their 30s."
Although College 101 is written especially for girls, young men shouldn't consider it forbidden
knowledge - college is a tough enough, and costly enough, that students of both genders need all
the help preparing for it that they can get! Highly recommended.
Colleges That Create Futures, second edition
Robert Franek
The Princeton Review
c/o Random House Inc.
1745 Broadway, New York NY 10019
www.PrincetonReview.com
9780451487834 $14.99 pbk / $9.99 Kindle amazon.com
Now in an updated second edition, Colleges That Create Futures is a solid guide to selecting the
college that will best launch one's future career. Entries for each college cover career services,
internship support, student group activity, alumni satisfaction, noteworthy facilities and
programs, and more. As college tuition continues to revise, and "return on investment" becomes
more and more important, Colleges That Create Futures is absolutely invaluable and
indispensable!
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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