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Volume 20, Number 5 May 2010 Home | IBW Index

Table of Contents

Reviewer's Choice Library Science Shelf Library DVD Shelf
Writing/Publishing Shelf Audiobook Shelf Library CD Music Shelf
World History Shelf Journalism Shelf Metaphysical Studies Shelf
Criminology Shelf Theatre/Cinema/TV Shelf Fiction Shelf
American History Shelf Biography Shelf Art Shelf
Political Science Shelf Civil War Shelf Native American Shelf
Agricultural Studies Shelf Literary Studies Shelf Religion/Spirituality Shelf
Military Shelf Poetry Shelf Social Issues Shelf
Humor Shelf Philosophy Shelf Self-Help Shelf
Women's Studies Shelf Marriage Shelf Money/Finance Shelf
Health/Medicine Shelf Education Shelf Pets/Wildlife Shelf
Gardening Shelf Sports Shelf Psychology Shelf
Jobs/Careers Shelf Economics Shelf Christian Studies Shelf
Business Shelf Fantasy/SciFi Shelf Architecture Shelf
Computer Shelf Environmental Studies Shelf Needlecraft Shelf
Cookbook Shelf Mystery/Suspense Shelf Science Shelf
Nautical Shelf Photography Shelf Real Estate Shelf
Hunting/Fishing Shelf Judaic Studies Shelf Woodworking Shelf
Hobby Shelf Gaming Shelf Music Shelf
Travel Shelf Interior Design Shelf Botany Shelf
Parenting Shelf Automotive Shelf  


Reviewer's Choice

The Dead Sea Scrolls, second edition
James C. VanderKam
Wm E. Eerdmans Publishing Co.
2140 Oak Industrial Drive NE, Grand Rapids, MI 49505
9780802864352, $21.00, www.eerdmans.com

The Dead Sea Scrolls have sparked a good deal of interest for those curious about the mysteries of the Bible. "The Dead Sea Scrolls Today" is the second edition update to the study of the Dead Seas Scrolls, manuscripts which provide a decidedly different and insightful view of the Bible. The original volume won awards when it was published sixteen years ago, and with new research and updates, author James C. VanderKam makes the update just as valuable reading even if one has read the original. "The Dead Sea Scrolls Today" is a valuable addition to any biblical archeology and history collection.

The Story Of Jules Verne
Wayne Caldwell Simmons
Highlander Farm Press
200 Albert Avenue, Shreveport, LA 71105
9780615289915, $29.95, www.amazon.com

There are many fine books celebrating a canine companion. There are many excellent volumes comprised of fine art in celebration of dogs. "The Story of Jules Verne: A Watch Pocket Dog" by Wisconsin author and artist Wayne Caldwell Simmons brings together in a single 100-page volume a series of superbly written and intensely personal stories of his association with a seemingly rather ordinary and unimpressive canine foundling that grew to be an extraordinary and genuinely impressive hunting dog. Chronicling a ten-year relationship between Simmons and his dog Jules Verne, the engaging short story sequences are interspersed with superb reproductions of Simmons' paintings -- each of which is thematically appropriate to the chapters they so beautifully enhance. An engaging, entertaining, and occasionally inspiring read, ""The Story of Jules Verne: A Watch Pocket Dog" is especially recommended for personal and community library collections -- and a 'must' for anyone who has ever felt their canine companion to have been an integral part of their life.

House of Havoc
Marni Jameson
DaCapo Lifelong
c/o Perseus Publishing Group
2300 Chestnut St. #200, Philadelphia, PA 19103
9780738213118, $16.95 www.dacapopress.com

House of Havoc: How to make - and Keep - a Beautiful Home Despite Cheap Spouses, Messy Kids, and Other Difficult Roommates comes from a syndicated home columnist who shows readers how to take control over home clutter and chaos. Her simple tips tell how to do everything from choose wine glasses that give better drinking experiences to giving rooms spring cleaning or facelifts to make them more practical. Any home and garden collection will find this attractive.

The Future History of the Arctic
Charles Emmerson
Public Affairs
250 West 57th St. Suite 1321, New York NY 10107
9781586486365, $28.95 www.publicaffairsbooks.com

The Future History of the Arctic comes from a geopolitics expert who offers an intellectual journey through the history, literature and politics of the Arctic, offering insights into the political and environmental forces that have shaped the region. In so doing, he explains connections that will likely evolve in the future, and provides a social and political history of the Arctic especially recommended for college-level collections interested in Arctic climate and culture.

Sexually, I'm More of a Switzerland
David Rose
Scribner
c/o Simon & Schuster
1230 Avenue of Americas, New York NY 10020
9781439125649, $16.00 www.simonandschuster.com

Sexually, I'm More of a Switzerland offers a fine gathering of bawdy and absurd personal ads from a lonely-hearts column in Britain. Lively and funny reading. Anything but your usual want ads, these promise hours of fun and plenty of food for thought.

The Bag Lady Papers
Alexandra Penney
Voice
c/o Hyperion Books
77 West 66th Street, NY, NY 10023-6298
9781401341183, $23.99 www.hyperionbooks.com

The Bag Lady Papers: The Priceless Experience of Losing it All comes from a successful career woman whose money one day vanished overnight in Bernard Madoff's Ponzi scheme. She lost every cent she ever saved - and in the process of sorting through her financial crisis, she learned a lot about 'bag lady' money management and recovery. Any collection will find this an appealing, strong read.

National Parks, fourth edition
Alfred Runte
Taylor Trade
c/o Rowman & Littlefield Publishing Group
4501 Forbes Boulevard, Suite 200, Lanham, MD 20706
9781589794757, $16.95, www.rlpgtrade.com

National parks are a reminder to the natural wonder of America's natural environment. "National Parks: The American Experience" is the fourth edition of the history of America' parks and how they came to be. Tracing the history from how they first came into need to conservation efforts through the twenty first century and how they will be handled in the future, Alfred Runte gives a comprehensive discussion of America's parks. "National Parks" is a choice and solidly recommended addition to natural history collections.


The Library Science Shelf

Practical and Effective Management of Libraries
Richard J. Moniz
Chandos Publishing
c/o Neal-Schuman Publishers
100 William Street, Suite 2004, New York, NY 10038
9781843345787, $115.00, www.chandospublishing.com

Practicality is a virtue that must never be forgotten when trying to manage anything. "Practical and Effective Management of Libraries: Integrating Case Studies, General management theory, and Self-understanding" is a complete and comprehensive guide to simple library management principles that can stand the tests of time. Richard J. Moniz Jr, a long time library director, applies his expertise well, giving advice on how to recognize one's weaknesses as a manager, inspire employees, keep up with the times, keep the lines of communication strong, and more. With plenty of examples and enhanced with useful appendix resources, "Practical and Effective Management of Libraries" is a solid addition to any library science collection focused on leadership and management.

Solving The Reading Riddle
Rita Soltan
Libraries Unlimited
c/o ABC-CLIO
Box 1911, Santa Barbara, CA 93116-1911
www.abc-clio.com
9781591588443, $40.00, www.amazon.com

One of the primary responsibilities of the librarians (especially in the children's department or school media center) is to assist their young patrons with reading advice and selection compatible with that child's needs for such assistance. It is incumbent upon the librarian to work with parents and teachers in helping children learn to read by providing information and suggestions appropriate to motivating a child to read, as well as materials suitable for that purpose. In "Solving The Reading Riddle: The Librarian's Guide to Reading Instruction", independent library youth services consultant and children's book reviewer Rita Soltan has written a 120-page handbook of information, advice, and instruction on reading instruction theories and practices ranging form early literacy initiatives and read-aloud programs, to parent workshops and data collection. Very nicely organized and thoroughly 'user friendly', "Solving The Reading Riddle" is an ideal Library Science curriculum textbook and a highly recommended addition to academic library Science reference collections and professional reading lists.

Countdown To A New Library, second edition
Jeannette Woodward
ALA Editions
c/o American Library Association
50 East Huron Street, Chicago, IL 60611
www.alastore.ala.org
9780838910122, $75.00, www.amazon.com

Now in a newly updated and expanded second edition, "Countdown to a New Library: Managing the Building Project", in which librarian and author Jeannette Woodward draws upon her many years of experience and expertise, continues to be an indispensable instructional guide for anyone charged with the responsibility of building, remodeling, or expanding a library to meet the growing demands of the community they serve. Taking the reader step-by-step through the entire process from beginning to end, this new edition of Countdown to a New Library: Managing the Building Project" is replete with useful checklists and practical worksheets. Librarians and library board members alike, will appreciate the updated references, standards, materials, and resources; the tips on efficient HVAC systems, as well as the evolving rules for LEED certification. Of special note is the up-to-date information on current technological issues. Thoroughly 'user friendly' from beginning to end, "Countdown to a New Library: Managing the Building Project" should be considered mandatory reading and an invaluable instructional guide for those charged with building a community library that will be up to code, within budget, and adequate to their community's needs.

Recommended Reference Books, tenth edition
Shannon Graff Hysell, editor
Libraries Unlimited
c/o ABC-CLIO
Box 1911, Santa Barbara, CA 93116-1911
www.abc-clio.com
9781598845921, $75.00, www.amazon.com

Now in a newly updated and significantly expanded tenth edition, "Recommended Reference Books For Small And Medium-Sized Libraries And Media Centers" continues to be a bedrock professional acquisition reference, especially for libraries and library systems service rural and suburban populations with limited budgetary resources. Superbly organized lists are deftly organized into four major sections dedicated to general reference works, the social sciences, the humanities, science and technology. Enhanced with both an Author/Title Index and a Subject Index, this thoroughly 'user friendly', 350-page compendium will prove to be an indispensable reference, making it strongly recommended for both academic and community libraries and library systems.

How To Pay For your Degree In Library & Information Studies 2010-2012
Gail A. Schlachter & R. David Weber
Reference Service Press
5000 Windplay Drive, Suite 4, El Dorado Hills, CA 95762
www.rspfunding.com
1588412156, $30.00, www.amazon.com

Becoming a university trained librarian takes years of study and a great deal of money. A very special resource for students aspiring to enroll in a Library Studies course seeking a degree in Library Science, "How to Pay for Your Degree in Library & Information Studies 2010-2012", the collaborative project of Gail A. Schlachter and R. David Weber, is a 266-page compendium of financial resources. Providing thoroughly 'student friendly' information on hundreds of financial aid programs dedicated specifically for students seeking a Library Science degree, "How to Pay for Your Degree in Library & Information Studies 2010-2012" brings together under a single cover detailed descriptions of funding resources made easily accessible through detailed indexes enabling the student to search for funding by degree level, program title, sponsor, funded activity, library specialty, where the student resides, student diversity, and application dates. Unique and invaluable, "How to Pay for Your Degree in Library & Information Studies 2010-2012" is an impressive and highly recommended specialized funding reference and recommended for personal, academic, and community library Jobs/Careers reference collections in general, and Library Science educational funding resource lists in particular.

The Shoestring Library
Sheryl Kindle Fullner
Linworth Books
c/o ABC-CLIO
PO Box 1911, Santa Barbara, CA 93116-1911
9781586835200, $30.00, www.amazon.com

From the small town library to urban metropolis library systems, every library building, including its layout, support functions, even its physical plant, will eventually need to be upgraded, re-arranged, augmented, and improved to provide more services for a growing patronage their evolving demands. What is also inevitable is that libraries today are often operating on minimal and shrinking budgets. That's why "The Shoestring Library" by Sheryl Kindle Fullner who draws upon her many years of experience and expertise as a librarian at Corban University, Salem, Oregon, and then as a librarian at the Nooksack Valley Middle School in Everson, Washington, to compile a 137-page compendium of some three hundred specific suggestions and ideas to accomplish a library 'makeover' with a minimum of financial investment. It should be noted that 114 of these practical ideas are especially environmentally friendly. With respect to services, "The Shoestring Library" covers everything from time-management issues, to the utilization of substitutes, to contests, diversity projects. Focusing on the library building, "The Shoestring Library" ranges from painting and the use of color, to increasing seating, to shelving and desks, to lighting, walls, windows, and more. Nicely illustrated throughout, "The Shoestring Library" is as informed and informative as it is practical and 'user friendly', making it an ideal and highly useful addition to both academic library science collections and on-site reading lists for librarians and library policy makers.


The Library DVD Shelf

Careers in Art
Crystal Productions
PO Box 2159, Glenview, IL 60025-6159
9781562906122 $29.95 www.crystalproductions.com 1-800-255-8629

The DVD complement to Crystal Productions' "Careers in Art" poster series, Careers in Art is an educational DVD for students that reveals how modern-day professionals work in the visual arts as careers. Experts speak of their jobs as architects, art educators, fashion designers, framers, gallery owners, graphic designers, painters, photographers, publication designers, urban planners and more. A wealth of insights perfect for starting a discussion about planning a budding artist's future, Careers in Art is an excellent and highly recommended addition to grade school DVD libraries. 29 minutes.

Foyle's War, Set 6
Acorn Media Group
8515 Georgia Avenue, Suite 620, Silver Spring, MD 20910-3403
9781598284300 $49.99 www.acornmedia.com

Foyle's War, Set 6 is a 3-DVD set collecting three episodes of the compelling British mysteries set in the British coastal town of Hastings, shortly after the devastation of World War II. DCS Christopher Foyle is a police investigator whose yearning for retirement is belayed by unfolding cases of military racism, international conflict, even an accused traitor unwilling to resist the sentence of the gallows. The episodes are "The Russian House", in which the escape of a Russian POW brings calamity and murder, igniting division between Foyle and a former subordinate; "Killing Time" about the prospect of absolute disaster involving African American GIs who want to return home; and "The Hide", a tale about a young woman's murder and an accused traitor who will not defend himself. Superb acting is the hallmark of this captivating series, highly recommended especially for aficionados of British mysteries. 300 minutes, widescreen, SDH subtitles.

The Buddha: The Story of Siddhartha
a film by David Grubin
PBS Home Video
c/o SSA Public Relations
15260 Ventura Boulevard, Suite 1730, Sherman Oaks, CA 91403
9781608831951 $24.99 www.shopPBS.org

Emmy-award winning filmmaker David Grubin presents The Buddha: The Story of Siddhartha, a two-hour documentary chronicling the life of the holy man of India, who achieved enlightenment - a way to escape the eternal suffering cycle of death and rebirth. Having found this path to Nirvana, he proceeded to teach others, and his wisdom guides all who will listen to the importance of following the Middle Way. Original animation, classic paintings and sculptures, the testimony of modern-day Buddhists including Pulitzer Prize-winning poet WS Merwin and his Holiness the Dalai Lama enhance this extraordinary presentation. The Buddha: The Story of Siddhartha is especially recommended for public library collections, and is a "must-see" for anyone curious about Buddhism or the noble man who founded it. 2 hours, descriptive video available for the visually impaired, subtitles available in English as well as Chinese Mandarin Traditional & Simplified.

RX Nutrition
Dr. Rick Kattouf II
TeamKattouf, Inc.
209 North Main Street #218, Greenville, SC 29601
$49.95 www.teamkattouf.com

RX Nutrition: Eating for Improved Performance in Life, Fitness and Sport is a three-DVD series meant to promote healthier living by changing the way viewers eat and think about food. Dr. Rick Kattouf II applies his expertise in nutrition and sports nutrition, coaching and food psychology, explaining that simply "eating healthy" is not enough - one must "eat right" to promote better personal fitness and improved performance in sports. The result is a helpful program recommending positive lifestyle changes, suitable for both athletes and ordinary people struggling to lose weight. A solid, easy-to-follow presentation of key nutritional principles that readers of all backgrounds need to know in order to improve their dietary habits, RX Nutrition is highly recommended. 3 DVDs, 90 minutes.

The Reluctant Saint
Starring Maximilian Schell, Ricardo Montalban, Lea Padovani, and Akim Tamiroff
Ignatius Press
PO Box 1339, Fort Collins, CO 80522
9781586174576 $19.95 www.ignatius.com 1-800-651-1531

Now available in a new DVD transfer from the original archived master copy, The Reluctant Saint is a classic black-and-white movie about the "flying friar" St. Joseph of Cupertino, a 17th century Franciscan friar who earned sainthood. From his acceptance into the monastery at a young age, to his abiding personal piety, to denouncements by his rival Don Raspi (played by Ricardo Montalban) claiming that his powers came from the Devil, not God - an accusation that would require nothing less than a miracle to disprove - The Reluctant Saint is the amazing dramatization of an extraordinary man's life, seasoned with dashes of wry humor. A 16-page collector's booklet with an essay by film critic Steven Greydanus and a biography of St. Joseph of Cupertino enhances this excellent addition to personal and church library DVD collections. 104 minutes, black-and-white, widescreen, English with optional subtitles in English or Spanish. Also highly recommended from Ignatius Press is the DVD movie "Paul VI: The Pope in the Tempest" (9781586174781, $24.95, 200 minutes).

Body by Bethenny
Bethenny Frankel
Acacia
c/o Acorn Media Group
8515 Georgia Avenue, Suite 620, Silver Spring, MD 20910-3403
9781598284409 $16.99 www.acornmedia.com

Hosted by the natural food chef, TV star, and bestselling author of "The Skinnygirl Dish" Bethenny Frankel, Body by Bethenny is a yoga fitness program on DVD ideal for cultivating a limber and stronger body. The workout tones the abs, thighs, glutes, and arms while promoting balance, with a strength-training segment to improve one's body. A program designed to work for viewers of all fitness levels, Body by Bethenny requires no expensive equipment - only light hand weights and a mat. Recipes from Bethenny's "The Skinnygirl Dish" round out this excellent, easy-to-use addition to personal fitness DVD libraries. 55 minutes, widescreen.

The Great American West
Jason Robards
Janson Media
88 Semmens Road, Harrington Park, NJ 07640
9781568393504 $19.95 www.janson.com

Originally filmed for release in IMAX theaters, The Great American West is the extraordinary true saga of the settling of America's western frontier. Panoramic Western scenery is combined with a historical chronicle of the major events in the taming of the West - from the Louisiana Purchase to the Census Bureau's determination in 1890 that there was no more frontier to settle. Smoothly narrated by Jason Robards, The Great American West is a captivating tribute to the labor of those who transformed the nation, as well as an exciting glimpse into the highlights of history's wheel turning. The Great American West is a joy for viewers of all ages and backgrounds, and is especially recommended for public library DVD collections. 49 minutes.

What Darwin Never Knew
PBS Home Video
c/o SSA Public Relations
15260 Ventura Boulevard, Suite 1730, Sherman Oaks, CA 91403
9781608830985 $24.99 www.shopPBS.org

Coinciding with the 150th anniversary of Darwin's publication of "On the Origin of Species", What Darwin Never Knew is an episode of the acclaimed documentary series NOVA on DVD, exploring the latest breakthroughs in the mysteries that Darwin himself could not explain. A new science, playfully nicknamed "evo devo", links the mystery of evolution with the development of the embryo, revealing how closely the two mirror one another. Taking the viewer on a tour to the Galapagos Islands and the Arctic, What Darwin Never Knew shows scientists pursuing research in an effort to unlock genetic secrets and reveal how the extraordinary diversity of life on the planet came to be. An extraordinary revelation of scientific discoveries in the making, What Darwin Never Knew is a choice pick for public library DVD shelves. Also highly recommended is the PBS Home Video DVD "Faces of America with Henry Louis Gates, Jr." (9781608832026, $24.99).

Testament
Athena
c/o Acorn Media Group
8515 Georgia Avenue, Suite 620, Silver Spring, MD 20910-3403
9781598283792 $59.99 www.acornmedia.com

As originally shown on the Discovery channel, Testament is a seven-part series on DVD revealing what archaeology and the evidence of history can tell us about the Bible, especially the stories of Abraham, the Exodus, and Jesus of Nazareth. Host and expert archaeologist John Romer shows the viewer dig sites at Jericho, Jerusalem, and elsewhere in his quest to unravel the hidden mysteries of scripture. An extraordinary presentation intended for believers and non-believers alike, Testament is highly recommended, especially for public library DVD collections. 3 DVDs, 363 minutes, full screen, SDH subtitles.

Pilates! A Gentle Formula To A Strong Body
Risa Sheppard
The Sheppard Method, Inc.
411 Video Information (publicity)
PO Box 1223, Pebble Beach, CA 93953
$19.95 www.411videoinfo.com

Intended for viewers aged 16 to 96, Pilates! A Gentle Formula To A Strong Body is a mat workout DVD developed by Risa Sheppard (a Pilates teacher of 30 years experience), and hosted by instructors Risa and Gidget. Two thirty-minute workouts are offered, one for Pilates beginners and one for intermediate practitioners. The step-by-step guidance through moves that promote flexibility, strength, and overall health. A challenging routine that nonetheless involves grace and precision, Pilates! A Gentle Formula To A Strong Body lives up to its title and is a welcome and worthy addition to DVD fitness libraries. 60 minutes, 16:9 aspect ratio.

We'll Meet Again
Acorn Media Group
8515 Georgia Avenue, Suite 620, Silver Spring, MD 20910-3403
9781598283839 $59.99 www.acornmedia.com

As originally seen on PBS, We'll Meet Again collects thirteen episodes of the British drama set four years into World War II, when the sleepy English village of Market Wetherby is rocked to its foundation by the arrival of American troops - who are, in the opinion of many locals, "overpaid, oversexed, and over here." The "Yanks" and villagers quickly take to butting heads over various issues, but not all the relationships formed are those of conflict - local doctor Helen Dereham (played by Oscar nominee Susannah York) and base commander Major James Kylie (played by Michael J. Shannon) find a connection with one another, an event that has repercussions on the whole town. A blend of drama, romance, intrigue, and character foils, succinctly written and superbly acted, We'll Meet Again is a treasure for anyone who loves the best of British drama. 4 DVDs, 679 minutes, 4:3 full screen.

The Brain: Developing Memory in Developing Brains
Learning ZoneXPress
PO Box 1022, Owatonna, MN 55060
1571759506 $49.95 www.learningzoneexpress.com 1-888-455-7003

Intended for viewers in grades 7 and up, as well as adults, The Brain: Developing Memory in Developing Brains Birth to Five Years is an educational DVD designed to help parents and caregivers understand what they can do to facilitate healthy brain development in very young children. Opening with a quick review of the main parts of the brain, as well as the difference between short and long term memory, The Brain: Developing Memory in Developing Brains progresses into practical things parents and caregivers can do to stimulate children's thoughts and learning skills - finger plays, action songs, baby massage, and more. The values of multi-sensory learning, repetition, and encouraging children's self-confidence are also discussed in this invaluable resource, especially recommended for homeroom viewing in public schools and public library DVD collections. 21 minutes, closed captioned.


The Writing/Publishing Shelf

Tales from the Script
Peter Hanson, director
First Run Features
630 Ninth Avenue, Suite 1213, New York, NY 10036
$24.95 www.firstrunfeatures.com www.talesfromthescript.com

Tales from the Script is an extraordinary documentary about the art, craft, and business of screenwriting, particularly for Hollywood movies. Consisting of the firsthand testimonies from a wealth of minds behind big-budget screenplays - some beloved classics, some icons of pop culture, and some horrendous bombs or flops (the author of the "Bloodrayne" screenplay would like it noted that roughly 20% of her original work survived what Uwe Boll did to it). These men and women recall what it was like trying to break into the business, trying to make enough money to survive while writing professionally, working with directors and actors, honing one's craft, and more. The special features include a twelve-minute segment featuring the wisdom of author/screenwriter William Goldman, and a nine-minute section expressly consisting of advice for novice screenwriters. A candid, forthright, no-nonsense collection, Tales from the Script is an absolute "must-see" for anyone interested in breaking into (or trying to advance their position within) the screenplay business. 105 minutes. Also highly recommended is the First Run Features documentary "The Tiger Next Door" ($24.95, 86 minutes).

Great Little Last-Minute Editing Tips For Writers
Carolyn Howard-Johnson
How To Do it Frugally Publishing
HoJoNews@aol.com
www.HowToDoItFrugally.com
9781450507653, $6.95, www.amazon.com

A successful author, editor, writing and publishing consultant, Carolyn Howard-Johnson draws upon her many years of experience and expertise to compile a 56-page compendium of 'user friendly' and immanently practical advice that will enable writers to avoid commonly encountered errors of spelling and thereby making their work, be it a blog, a letter, or the next Great American Novel, to be all that it should. From adapting/adopting to wreak/reek, "Great Little Last-Minute Editing Tips For Writers" is highly recommended reading for anyone preparing to write pretty much anything -- and a fascinating read in its own right for those who appreciate word-play and the occasionally encountered dilemmas of the English language!

The Weekend Novelist Re-Writes the Novel
Robert J. Ray
Watson Guptill Publications
1745 Broadway, New York, NY 10019
www.wgpub.com
9780823084432, $16.99, www.amazon.com

The Weekend Novelist Re-Writes the Novel provides a follow-up to the best-seller WEEKEND NOVELIST and offers writers of all levels additional details on crafting their novel. You've finished the first draft: now it's time to apply the principles presented in The Weekend Novelist Re-Writes the Novel. It's all about revising and changing a manuscript for maximum impact: perfect for general or school lending libraries.


The Audiobook Shelf

The True Story of Butterfish
Nick Earls, author
David Tredinnick, narrator
Bolinda Publishing
186 S Long Swamp Rd, Jackson, ME 04921
9781742146553 $87.95 www.bolinda.com

The True Story of Butterfish is the unabridged audiobook adaptation of Nick Earls' thoughtful story of Curtis Holland, who has spent years touring the world with his band Butterfish. Now his extraordinary life on the road is about to be one-upped by two very ordinary woman, a divorced mother Kate and her sixteen-year-old daughter Annaliese. Invited to dinner by Kate, he gradually finds himself drawn into this quite normal yet ultimately extraordinary family - extraordinary in the sense that all human beings have, in their power to draw out meaning and purpose in one another's lives. Superbly performed by David Tredinnick, The True Story of Butterfish is highly recommended. 8 CDs, 9 hours 6 minutes, tracks every 3 minutes for easy bookmarking.

An Iron Rose
Peter Temple, author
Marco Chiappi, narrator
Bolinda Publishing
186 S Long Swamp Rd, Jackson, ME 04921
9781742146621 $77.95 www.bolinda.com

An Iron Rose is the unabridged audiobook rendition of Peter Temple's suspenseful novel of country blacksmith Mac Faraday, who carries a burden from his life before he adopted a quiet profession in an out-of-the-way locale. When his best friend is found dead from a noose, Mac cannot believe it is the result of suicide. Secrets from his past bubble to the surface, and murder threatens those he considers most dear - to defend his life and the lives of those he cares about, he will have to confront the dangerous life he left behind, and every last vigilant advantage he can extract from it. A gripping story through and through, expertly brought to life by award-winning actor Marco Chiappi, and especially recommended for playing on long car or plane trips. 8 CDs, 7 hours 12 minutes, tracks every three minutes for easy bookmarking.

Pope Joan
Donna Woolfolk Cross, author
Barbara Rosenblat, narrator
Recorded Books, LLC
270 Skip Jack Road, Prince Frederick, MD 20678
9781440707971 $123.75 www.recordedbooks.com 1-800-638-1304

Skillfully narrated by award-winning performer Barbara Rosenblat, Pope Joan is the unabridged audiobook adaptation of Donna Woolfolk Cross' historical novel set in the harsh Dark Ages. In an era when women are considered to be the origin of sin and evil, Pope Joan tells of a woman who passes herself off as male - assuming her murdered brother's identity of John Anglicus - to join a monastery. Her intelligence makes her a gifted scholar and healer; she makes her way to Rome, hiding her secret amid political intrigue - and even achieves the Papacy. An extraordinarily rich saga grounded in exhaustive historical research and detail, Pope Joan is surprising, challenging, and fascinating to the very end. 17 CDs, 19.5 hours, with tracks every 3 minutes for easy bookmarking.

Happy
Ian K. Smith, M.D., author & narrator
Macmillan Audio
175 Fifth Avenue, Suite 315, New York, NY 10010
9781427208644 $24.99 www.macmillanaudio.com www.happysimplesteps.com

Read aloud by author and medical/diet expert Ian K. Smith, Happy: Simple Steps to Get the Most Out of Life is the unabridged audiobook rendition of a solid self-help manual to improving the quality of one's life. Happiness, explains Smith, doesn't come from material possessions or status symbols; it comes from within, in molding oneself into the person one wants to be - and therefore, a person that others will also want to be with. Chapters teach the listener that optimism and realism are not opposites; how to free oneself from the endless cycle of pushing oneself to get the money to buy more useless stuff; the value of savoring the simple pleasures of life; lessons in happiness one can learn from the nation of Denmark; and much more. An excellent motivational and insightful self-help guide, Happy lives up to its title. Disc 1 includes a bonus .pdf file of Smith's "Happiness Test" and easy-to-use "Happy Plan". 4 CDs, 5 hours.

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

Tim LaHaye and Jerry B. Jenkins's MATTHEW'S STORY: THE JESUS CHRONICLES (9780143145431, $39.95) offers a new book in the series and receives Robertson Dean's fine account of Levi, who is studying to be a priest until tragedy causes him to turn his back on his faith and pursue riches. His discovery of prophetic Jesus leads him to a quest that shakes his foundations - and leads Jesus to rename him Matthew in this spiritual, spirited story of one man's calling based on the historic Biblical text. Clive Cussler and Jack Du Brul's THE SILENT SEA (9780143145417, $29.95 - abridged, 9780143145400, $39.95 - unabridged) is a pick whether you choose the abridged narration by Jason Culp, a gifted actor who translates high drama to the tale, or unabridged with actor Scott Brick, who does a fine job with the complete version. Either way, the story revolving around the Oregon and a discovery linking a crashed satellite in Argentine to an ages-old mystery makes for a gripping thriller. Kimberly Alexis adds spice and drama to Laurel K. Hamilton's BLUE MOON (9780143144083, $39.95), a fine Anita Blake vampire novel continuing her gripping search for vampires and her efforts to keep the world safe - even as she loves a vampire of her own.

Beautiful Things Happen When a Woman Trusts God
Sheila Walsh
Thomas Nelson Publishers
PO Box 141000, Nashville, TN 37214
9781400316243, $24.99 www.thomasnelson.com

Beautiful Things Happen When a Woman Trusts God offers a fine audio book about trust, safety, and religious belief, and is a fine pick for any spirituality library. It offers insights from the author's own lifelong battle with trust and choices made to follow God, and is inspirational listening for any religious listener and libraries catering to them.

Shamanic Meditations
Sandra Ingerman
Sounds True
PO Box 8010, Boulder, CO 80306
9781591797579, $19.95 www.soundstrue.com

Shamanic Meditations offers six guided journeys for deepening connections to spirit, showing how to connect with helping spirits and how to experience true self beyond body and mind. The reader is a licensed therapist and shamanic practitioner who teaches workshops on shamanism: her guided journeys are a top recommendation for any new age or meditation collection.

Brilliance Audio
PO Box 887, Grand Haven, MI 49417
www.brillianceaudio.com

Susan Ericksen performs Kristin Hannah's WINTER GARDEN (1423325192, $36.99), a fine survey of very different sisters who come together as adults when their father falls ill. His final request to his wife will lead to a fantastic revelation for the sisters - a story that will take them around the world and foster an obsession to uncover the truth of their heritage in this warm, revealing novel. Stephen Coonts' DEEP BLACK: SEA OF TERROR (1423344146, $36.99) comes to life under the seasoned, professional voice of Phil Gigante, who spices the story of two massive ships on a dual path to destruction. Japanese eco-terrorists and Middle East extremists have joined forces to infiltrate the ships in this fine thriller. John Joseph Adams edits stories by various writers in THE IMPROBABLE ADVENTURES OF SHERLOCK HOLMES (1441839070, $29.99), packing in nearly thirty tales of mystery with Holmes as the key. Simon Vance and Anne Flosnik provide fine dual narrations here. Andrew Vachss' FLOOD (1441817042, $29.99) receives Christopher Lane's smooth narration and background as an award-winning audio reader as it tells of a woman named Flood who wants Burke to find a monster for her - so she can kill him herself. A fine mystery and thriller evolves.

Switch
Chip Heath and Dan Heath
Random House Audio
c/o The Random House Publishing Group
1745 Broadway, 8th floor, New York, NY 10019
9780739376966, $35.00 www.randomhouseaudio.com

SWITCH: HOW TO CHANGE THINGS WHEN CHANGE IS HARD receives a fine reading by Charles Kahlenberg who spices an account of how to make meaningful change in companies, communities and personal lives. It covers connections uniting emotional and rational minds for best results, and is a powerful pick for any general lending library.

Hachette Audio
237 Park Avenue, New York NY 10017
www.hachetteaudio.com

Sheena Iyengar's THE ART OF CHOOSING (9781600248108, $34.98) receives Orlagh Cassidy's Broadway credits and experience as it considers the desire for choice and whether this desire is of cultural or innate origin. There's a complex line between choice and freedom and one doesn't necessarily link to the other: this tells why. James Patterson offers another Maximum Ride novel with FANG (9781600247897, $22.98), read by voice-over artist Jill Apple and telling of Fang, Max's best friend and soul mate, who will be first to die in her quest to save the world from evil. A newly created winged boy will replace him - and the evolving battle will consume the world in this tense thriller.


The Library CD Music Shelf

Something to Live For
Barbara Carroll trio ith Ken Peplowski
Harbinger Records Ltd.
344 West 49th Street, New York, NY 10019
Miller Wright & Associates, Inc.
1650 Broadway, Suite 1210, New York, NY 10019
$15.98 www.barbaracarrolljazz.com www.millerwright.com

Something to Live For: Live at Dizzy's Club Coca-Cola is a new CD by beloved piano jazz player and vocalist Barbara Carroll, whose storied career began in a 1951 Manhattan nightclub. Jay Leon on bass and Alvin Atkinson on drums, and special guest star Ken Peplowski on tenor saxophone and clarinet lend their talents to this elegant, sweeping, and rapturous collection. Highly recommended, especially for jazz enthusiasts. The tracks are "All I Need Is The Girl" (6:05), "Lonely Town" (7:45), "I Wanna Be Yours" (3:43), "How Could You Do A Thing Like That To Me?" (7:06), "Single Petal Of A Rose" (1:50), "In A Sentimental Mood" (2:40), "Mood Indigo" (3:37), "Things Ain't What They Used To Be" (5:15), "How About You?" (4:13), "Something To Live For" (2:08), "Lotus Blossom" (5:25), and "A Night In Tunisia" (5:48).

Quiet Now
Tutu Puoane
Music & Words
Maanlander 41, 3824MN Amersfoort, the Netherlands
info@musicwords.nl
$18.99 www.musicwords.nl www.tutupuoane.info www.saphrane.com

Award-winning South African vocalist Tutu Puoane presents Quiet Now, an album that focuses more on original repertoire than covers, especially songs written by her partner and pianist Ewout Pierreux and bass player Nicolas Thys. Some songs have lyrics in both English and Sepedi, Tutu's native tongue. At times highly personal and emotional, Quiet Now is an extraordinary work of beauty, highly recommended. The tracks are "You Taught My Heart To Sing" (5:57), "I Know You Know" (6:10), "Quiet Now" (4:53), "Mangakane" (6:46), "Baby, Baby, Baby" (4:53), "Hlompha Bophelo" (6:20), "Old Man River / Perfect Life (7:13), "I Don't Know Where I Stand" (3:07), "Mpho" (8:05), "Love Is The Simple Truth" (6:55), and "Wayne" (3:45).

Hymns for the Rebel Soul
Rocky Dawuni
P&C Aquarian Records
PO Box 1510, Pacific Palisades, CA 90272
Rock Paper Scissors
511 West 4th Street, Suite 2, Bloomington, IN 47404
$9.99 www.rockydawuni.com www.rockpaperscissors.biz

Ghanaian reggae performer Rocky Dawuni presents Hymns for the Rebel Soul, an album that reflects his musical influences from travels around the world. The songs range from "Jerusalem", a song that combines Middle Eastern harmonic sense in its guitar, and Arabic Dumbek rhythm in counterpart to Dawuni's lyrics; to "Take it Slow (Love Love Love)" that was composed during a tour with Finnish pop stars, and involves Scandinavian rhythms and harmonies, even a Finnish folk flute. Hymns for the Rebel Souls reflects the artist's drive to not only create memorable music, but also to spread a message of social justice and the value of working for a better world - his involvement on behalf of African causes such as UNICEF, the Carter Center, and Product (Red) in an effort to combat poverty and the spread of AIDS is well known. An emotional, passionate, and eclectic album, highly recommended. The tracks are "Download the Revolution", "African Reggae Fever", "Extraordinary Woman", "Walls Tumblin Down", "Master Plan", "Road to Destiny", "Freefall", "Jerusalem", "Walk the Talk", "Heads Up High", and "Take It Slow" (Love Love Love).

Bad Reputation
Pierre de Gaillande, singer
Barbes Records
193 18th St., Brooklyn, NY 11215
Rock Paper Scissors
511 West 4th Street, Suite 2, Bloomington, IN 47404
$TBA www.barbesrecords.com www.rockpaperscissors.biz

In the music CD album Bad Reputation, Paris-born, California-raised singer, musician, composer, and translator Pierre de Gaillande brings the wondrous, vivid, and at times bawdy world of Georges Brassens to English-speaking audiences. Skillfully translated and performed by Gaillande, Bad Reputation sometimes uses off-color language to convey its wicked insights, but is ultimately a celebration of pop culture's on-the-pulse insights into everyday life. Bad Reputation is for mature listeners only - and decidedly worth listening to. The tracks are "The Princess and the Troubadour", "To Die For Your Ideas", "Penelope", "Don Juan", "Song for the Countryman", "Ninety-Five Percent", "I Made Myself Small", "Philistines", "Trumpets of Fortune and Fame", "Public Benches", "Absolutely Nothing", "The Pornographer", and "Bad Reputation".

Woman In Sin
Fishtank Ensemble
c/o Rock Paper Scissors (publicity)
511 West 4th Street, Suite 2, Bloomington, IN 47404
$15.00 www.rockpaperscissors.biz fishtankensemble.com

Fishtank Ensemble, the band best known for their music drawn from folk and gypsy traditions, presents their latest album - Woman In Sin, a medley of diverse and wonderful songs. From "Nadim", a tune inspired by a Kurdish melody, to "Djordje's Rachenitza", a unique spin on a Balkan dance form, to "O Dewel", a musical prayer with lyrics in Romanes (a West European dialect of the Roma language), Woman In Sin brims with extraordinary harmony and deserves to be a crown jewel among international music CD libraries. Highly recommended. The tracks are Woman In Sin, Espagnolette, After You've Gone, Am Furat de la Haidouks, Fever, Djordje's Rachenitza, Pena Andalue, CouCou, Kolo Suite, O Dewel, Opa Opa, and Nedim.

Adje! Adje!
Elikeh
Azalea City Recordings
c/o Rock Paper Scissors
511 West 4th Street, Suite 2, Bloomington, IN 47404
$TBA www.rockpaperscissors.biz

"Adje! Adje!" is a music CD album by the ensemble band Elikeh, who take their name from an African word meaning "rooted-ness". Togolese-born singer, guitarist, composer, and Elikeh's founder Massama Dogo sings in a hybrid dialect used only in Togo's capital, accompanied by guitars, flute, and a music style that blends traditional African and contemporary elements into a polyrhythmic whole. Driving the album is a strong theme of social justice, and how important it is for people to band together against corruption and excessive greed, whether perpetuated by the state itself or private corporations. A powerful, invigorating call to participate in making the world a better place, "Adje! Adje!" is highly recommended. The tracks are "Adje! Adje!", "Oleblemi", "Djalele", "Novi Nye", "Get Ready", "Let's March", "Lonlon", "Aiko", "Jondji", and "Madjo".


The World History Shelf

Posting It
Catherine J. Golden
University Press of Florida
15 Northwest 15th Street, Gainesville, FL 32611-2079
9780813033792, $69.95, www.upf.com

Long distance communication started the change towards the modern day. "Posting It: The Victorian Revolution in Letter Writing" discusses how cheap, efficient post changed the way the English kept in touch with one another. The Penny Post, which allowed the people of Britain to pay a single penny to send letters. Covering the development of the system, the controversy created, and focusing mainly on how it changed society, Catherine J. Golden provides much scholarly insight. Its history is an intriguing one, and it's told well, making "Posting It" an excellent text, and a core addition to community and college library history collections.

Germany's Western Front 1915
Mark Osborne Humphries and John Maker, editors
Wilfrid Laurier University Press
Wilfrid Laurier University, Waterloo, Ontario, Canada, N2L 3C5
9781554580514 $85.00 www.wlupress.wlu.ca

Germany's Western Front 1915 is part of a multi-volume series collecting the first English translation of "Der Weltkrieg", the German official history of the First World War, originally produced between 1925 and 1944 with classified archival records destroyed in the chaos following the Second World War. As an account penned by historians, Germany's Western Front is particularly valuable when studying the war as embedded in the consciousness and perspective of Weimar and Nazi Germany. Germany's Western Front 1915 focuses on the beginning of trench warfare, when poison gas became a war weapon for the first time (used against the French and Canadian troops at Ypres). There was turmoil among the German High Command concerning the direction of the war, and the seeds were laid for a bloodbath at Verdun. A captivating historical account of particularly immense value to any studying the history of those who wrote it, Germany's Western Front 1915 and companion volumes in the series are highly recommended especially for college library world history collections.

Pythagoras
Thomas Stanley
Ibis Press
PO Box 540206, Lake Worth, FL 33454-0206
9780892541607, $24.95, www.ibispress.net

One of the great mathematicians and philosophers, the life of Pythagoras serves as a history of classical thinking. "Pythagoras: His Life and Teachings" looks at the man who is most known for his work in the fields of mathematics and philosophy, but did much in many other intellectuals fields of the time. From religion to nutrition, Pythagoras pursued anything his mind drifted too and much of his discoveries still hold true to this day. "Pythagoras" is a key read and addition to any history or biography collection, highly recommended.

Daughters of Artemis
Richard Almond
Boydell & Brewer
668 Mt. Hope Ave, Rochester, NY 14620-2731
9781843842026, $90.00, www.boydellandbrewer.com

Women were never as homebound as history books would leave you to believe. "Daughters of Artemis: The Huntress in the Middle Ages and Renaissance" is a scholarly text that delves into history and looks at the roots of the history of women as hunters and strong independent figures in history, through prehistory and the middle ages where even in spite of a male dominated society. Richard Almond discusses the topic in historical context, the mythology of the huntress, the sexuality behind it, and the frequency of it all in reality. "Daughters of Artemis" is a vital addition to any historical collection focusing on the roles of women in society.

Eden to Armageddon
Roger Ford
Pegasus Books
80 Broad Street, 5th Floor, New York, NY 10004
9781605980911 $35.00 www.pegasusbooks.com

Eden to Armageddon: World War I in the Middle East is a heavily researched chronicle of the history of World War I in the Middle East, from how the Ottoman Empire entered the deadly conflict, to the four-year quagmire and its horrendous toll upon human life for both sides, to how the Ottomans established themselves in the Caucasus after the fall of Imperial Russia, and much more. A precise, scholarly work that is nonetheless accessible to lay historians, Eden to Armageddon is captivating and enlightening reading. Highly recommended, especially for public and college library history shelves.

Icelanders in the Viking Age
William R. Short
McFarland & Company
PO Box 611, Jefferson, NC 28640
9780786447275, $35.00, www.mcfarlandpub.com

Commonly written off as Barbarians, the people of Iceland were nothing but. "Icelanders in the Viking Age: The People of the Sagas" is a historical look at the people of Iceland during the heights of the Viking age, from about 800 to 1100 where Norwegian sailors found Iceland and claimed it as their own, developing their own version of the Viking culture. A land of art, society, and literature that revered war, "Icelanders in the Viking Age" is a riveting exploration of these peoples, a solid addition to any world history collections focusing on the Middle Ages.

Birthright: The True Story That Inspired Kidnapped
Roger Ekirch
W.W. Norton
500 - 5th Avenue, New York NY 10110
9780393066159, $24.95 www.wwnorton.com

Birthright: The True Story That Inspired Kidnapped is a pick for both history and literary collections, and offers the story of an orphaned aristocrat freed from years of labor in America to claim his place in 18th century British society. His true story inspired five novels, including Robert Lewis Stevenson's KIDNAPPED - and BIRTHRIGHT provides the reality behind the myth. Any general library or literary collection will find this revealing.


The Journalism Shelf

Capturing the News
Anthony Collings
University of Missouri Press
2910 LeMone Boulevard, Columbia, MO 65201
9780826218810 $29.95 www.umsystem.edu/upress

Capturing the News: Three Decades of Reporting Crisis and Conflict is the true-life memoir of veteran newsman Anthony Collings, and lives up to its title with stories ranging from when Collings was captured by Syrians in Lebanon to when he was "detained" by the KGB in Moscow in 1967, while he was filing news stories about Soviet dissidents. Collins has traveled the globe and confronted life-threatening peril to bring solid reporting to the public; now, he supplements his memoir with perspectives on how to confront modern-day ethical crises affecting the news media. Absolutely compelling from first read to last, Capturing the News is as highly recommended to lay readers as it is to any and all involved in the field of journalism.


The Metaphysical Studies Shelf

Real Zombies
Brad Steiger
Visible Ink
43311 Joy Road #414, Canton, MI 48187-2075
9781578592968, $19.95, www.visibleink.com

The zombie has captivated the American imagination, but where is the basis in reality? "Real Zombies: The Living Dead, and Creatures of the Apocalypse" journeys through history into accounts of real zombies. Witchcraft, voodoo, necromancy have all been practiced in someway around the world, and Brad Steiger argues that there may be more to it than many think. From relation to vampires and mummies, to the zombie army of Hitler, many out there theories and ideas are presented, making "Real Zombies" a truly fascinating read.

Daily OM: Learning to Live
Madisyn Taylor
Hay House
Box 5100, Carlsbad, CA 92018-5100
9781401925581, $19.95 www.hayhouse.com

Daily OM: Learning to Live is based on the website DailyOM and comes from its co-fonder, who blends inspirational thoughts with her honest personal story revealing experiences behind the DailyOM messages. Any interested in spiritual enlightenment and where, when and how to gain inspiration (whether it be from life or nature) needs this key. New age collections in particular will relish its message.

Chants of a Lifetime
Krishan Das
Hay House
Box 5100, Carlsbad, CA 92018-5100
9781401920227, $24.95 www.hayhouse.com

CHANTS OF A LIFETIME: SEARCHING FOR A HEART OF GOLD pairs a collection of insights and stories with teachings from Krisha Das, who has been termed the 'chant master of American yoga' by the New York Times. His CDs bringing traditional Indian chats to Western ears have long been popular: CHANTS OF A LIFETIME includes photos from his India years, includes a CD only available with the book, and is a top pick for any new age library.

Awakening to the Spirit World
Sandra Ingerman and Hank Wesselman
Sounds True Audio
413 South Arthur Avenue, Louisville, CO 80027
9781591797500, $19.95 www.soundstrue.com

Awakening to the Spirit World examines sources of invisible power in daily living, from listening to the natural world and understanding death to using shamanism as a method to see the world, combined with a focused intention. A powerful spiritual awakening evolves in this link between spirit and daily worlds.

Spiritual Partnership
Gary Zukav
HarperOne
c/o HarperCollins Publishers
10 East 53rd Street, New York, NY 10022-5299
Goldberg McDuffie Communications, Inc. (publicity)
444 Madison Ave., Suite 3300, New York, NY 10022
9780061458507 $25.99 www.harpercollins.com

Spiritual Partnership: The Journey to Authentic Power is a dynamic guide to spiritual self-improvement through greater connection with and perception of our fellow human beings. Author Gary Zukav contends that spiritual partnerships are not only for married couples; any two human beings who choose to engage as equals with the goal of spiritual development can create them. The key lies within the choice to grow spiritually with interactions defined by experience in multisensory dimensions (not confined to merely the five senses), and the mutual choice to grow spiritually with interactions rather than descent into blame, judgment, and hostility. A life-transforming book, highly recommended.

The Dreamer's Almanac
Sasha Parker
Thunder Bay Press
c/o Advanced Marketing Group
13475 Danielson Street, Suite 140, Poway, CA 92064-8850
9781607100799 $14.95 www.thunderbaybooks.com

Featuring colorful photographs on virtually every page, The Dreamer's Almanac: Understanding the Messages from Your Subconscious lives up to its title by offering the most common meanings associated with hundreds of symbols, items, and encounters common in dreams. One simply looks up the most prominent feature in one's dream by category (categories include "emotions", "people", "places", "archtypes", "abstracts", "actions" and more), and browse the one-page summary of what that feature's presence often suggests. An excellent, easy-to-use resource for anyone interested in better understanding their own dreams. For example, under the category of "weather" is "Avalanches: Because avalanches dislodge masses of ice and snow, a dream in which one thundered its way down an icy mountaintop may have expressed a fear of bearing the brunt of someone's devastating emotional coldness (perhaps a spouse's) and the destruction of the close relationship in the real world. So, if you dreamed that you were engulfed in an avalanche, your unconscious may have been warning you that the foundations of your waking life are in danger of being swept away while you are powerless to stop them."


The Criminology Shelf

Shocking Cases from Dr. Henry Lee's Forensic Files
Dr. Henry Lee and Jerry Labriola, MD
Prometheus Books
59 John Glenn Drive, Amherst, NY 14228-2119
9781591027751, $26.00 www.prometheusbooks.com

Shocking Cases from Dr. Henry Lee's Forensic Files tells of an experienced forensic scientist who has received public acclaim through his investigation of sensational criminal cases. This surveys his studies, documenting five notorious incidents from the Phil Spector case to the shooting of a Connecticut state trooper and detailing his forensic science methods and achievements in the process. Any collection strong in law enforcement and true crime will find this involving.

Apparent Danger
David Stokes
4876 Mayde Court, Fairfax, Virginia 22030
Bascom Hill Books
212 3rd Avenue North, Suite 290, Minneapolis, MN 55401
9781935456117 $24.95 www.bascomhillpublishing.com

Apparent Danger: The Pastor of America's First Megachurch and the Texas Murder Trial of the Decade in the 1920s is a juxtaposition of the scholarly and the lurid, chronicling the murder trial of Reverend Doctor J. Frank Norris. Norris was a pastor of America's first megachurch, a publisher, and a broadcaster; yet as the Roaring Twenties reached their peak, he sealed his place in infamy by shooting an unarmed critic to death. Apparent Danger draws from more than 6,000 pages of newspaper articles, court records, and other published works to assemble a portrait of what really happened on the day of the crime, and during the subsequent, dramatic trial. The result is an exceptional and worthy contribution to true crime shelves.


The Theatre/Cinema/TV Shelf

Costume Design 101, second edition
Richard La Motte
Michael Wiese Productions
3940 Laurel Canyon Boulevard, #1111, Studio City, CA 91604
9781932907698 $24.95 www.mwp.com 1-800-833-5738

Now in a newly updated second edition, Costume Design 101 distills the wisdom of industry professional Richard La Motte, who has worked in the field for forty years. The new second edition adds chapters on personal marketing and breaking into the business of costume design for film and television, all of which is "need-to-know" information for anyone serious about turning their love of costumes into a career. From conducting interviews and making costume presentations, to breaking down scripts for requirements, hiring and running costume departments, working with rental companies, running on-set production, staying within a budget, and much more, Costume Design 101 spells out business basics in plain terms. An absolute "must-have" for aspiring industry professionals, and even veterans in the business are likely to find valuable tips, tricks, techniques, and gems of advice within.

Film Noir: The Encyclopedia
Alain Silver, et al.
The Overlook Press
141 Wooster Street, New York, NY 10012
www.overlookny.com
9781590201442, $45.00, www.amazon.com

'Film Noir' is a French phrase used to describe a particular genre of movies -- dark explorations of the human condition, a cinematic world largely populated by hard-boiled detectives, ruthless gangsters, and deadly but beautiful women. Knowledgeably compiled and expertly edited by the team of Alain Silver, Elizabeth Ward, James Ursini, and Robert Porfirio, "Film Noir: The Encyclopedia" is a comprehensive, nicely illustrated, 464-page compilation that organizes the film into 'The Classic Period' and the 'Neo-Noir' productions. In addition to listing the films in each section alphabetically, "Film Noir" includes numerous sidebars, an extensive bibliography, and a comprehensive index. With its thoroughly 'user friendly' format and all inclusive content, "Film Noir" is strongly recommended for personal, professional, academic, and community library Theatre/Cinema reference collections.

Smith & Kraus Publishers
PO Box 127, Lyme NH 03768
www.smithandkraus.com

Newly published by Smith & Kraus is a remarkable twenty-seven title series titled 'Playwrights in an Hour'. Each of these 100-page books is dedicated to a particular playwright and the series itself is organized into four major sections: Ancient Greek, Renaissance, Modern, and Contemporary. Of special note is how each showcased playwright is presented in their historical, social, and literary context. Enhanced with an 'In a Minute' chronology giving a succinct view of global events that influenced the playwrights world view; a complete listing of the playwright's work; a list of the playwright's contemporaries in all fields; excerpts from the playwright's most significant works; an extensive bibliography grouped according to type of reader; and an index of the main essay, this outstanding, yet inexpensive series ($9.99 per title), ranging from Sophocles and Shakespear, to Miller and A. Wilson, is informed, informative, and thoroughly 'reader friendly', making it a strongly recommended supplement for academic curriculums, community theater groups, and public library collections.


The Fiction Shelf

Dino's Story
Paul Salsini
iUniverse, Inc.
c/o Author House
1663 Liberty Dr. Suite #300, Bloomington, IN 47403
www.iuniverse.com
9781450210805, $20.95, www.amazon.com

The concluding volume to Wisconsin author Paul Salsini's superb Tuscan trilogy, "Dino's Story: A Novel of 1960s Tuscany" continues to present fascinating and engaging perspectives on 20th Century Florence through his carefully detailed characters and attention riveting story lines. Now focusing on a generation just being born in his first novel of this series, the setting is the turbulent 60s where changes are rapidly transforming the city's culture, and the city itself is devastatingly impacted by a ruinous flood. The central character is Dino Sporenza, a young man newly arrived in Florence to study art, and finds himself caught up in studying the lives of an impoverished citizenry as well. In "Dino's Story", with its memorable cast of characters, Paul Salsini continues to document himself as a gifted and imaginative storyteller of the first order. Readers appreciating well-crafted fiction, and Wisconsin's community libraries, will want to read all three titles in this simply outstanding series: "The Cielo: A Novel of Wartime Tuscany" (9781605280097, $18.95); "Sparrow's Revenge: A Novel of Postwar Tuscany" (9780595522392, $17.95); and now "Dino's Story: A Novel of 1960s Tuscany" (9781450210805, $20.95).

Baba Yaga Laid an Egg
Dubravka Ugresic
Canongate
841 Broadway, New York, NY 10003
9780802119278, $23.00, www.groveatlantic.com

There is much to be drawn from the story of a resourceful witch. "Baba Yaga Laid an Egg" is a collection of short stories from Dubravka Ugresic, as she tells the tales of four modern Eastern European women as they make their way through the world, using the Slavic myth of Baba Yaga as the foundation for these tales. An original blend of mythology and modern fiction, "Baba Yaga Laid an Egg" is a read that shouldn't be overlooked.

Spirit Falls
Robert E. Townsend
Dog Ear Publishing
4010 W. 86th Street, Ste H, Indianapolis, IN 46268
160844158X, $14.95

The son of an immigrant finds himself at odds with the old and new worlds. "Spirit Falls" tells the story of Ricky Belisle, a young man grappling with his first generation immigrant parents and his life in the North central United States, in Michigan and Wisconsin. When he finds himself responsible for the survival of another during a great storm in Lake Superior, he learns the harsh realities of life quickly. "Spirit Falls" is a riveting read that shouldn't be missed.

The Little Known
Janice Daugharty
Belle Bridge Books
PO Box 900321, Memphis, TN 38130
9780984125852, $14.95, www.bellbridgebooks.com

Optimism can't solve everything, even with cash. "The Little Known" tells the story of Knot Crews, a young man who finds a small fortune of money, lost by a thoughtless crook. Knot tries to use the money to anonymously help the people of his town, hoping it will unite the segregated town of Statenville, but he soon finds that there is more to money in the world. Charming and intriguing, "The Little Known" is a fine work of literary fiction.

Lily's Journey
Tania Cross
Magna Large Print
c/o Ulverscroft Large Print (USA), Inc.
Box 1230, West Seneca, NY 14224-1230
www.ulverscroftusa.com
9780750531771, $32.50, www.amazon.com

Lily Hayes is fifteen when her mother dies and she is compelled to leave London to live with her father in Dartmoor. The change form a dynamic urban life to the hardships of living in a remote and primitive cottage are compounded as she learns of her family's dark secrets. But she does find friendship with Edwin Franfield. Then tragedy strikes again and it is only with the unexpected aid of a stranger that Lily may triumph. This large print edition of Tania Cross' compelling novel is a highly recommended and thoroughly entertaining read from first page to last. Also very highly recommended as additions to community library large print collections are "Stay With Me" (9780750531894, $32.50) by Jessica Blair; "Dream Breakers" (9780750531948, $32.50) by Elizabeth Gill; "Mariana" (9780750531719, $32.50) by Susanna Kearsley; and "The Road Taken" (9780753185308, $32.50) by Michael Foss.

Galaxy Press
7051 Hollywood Boulevard, Suite 200, Hollywood, CA 90028
www.galaxypress.com

Galaxy Press is dedicated to publishing the huge volume of literary works written by L. Ron Hubbard. Four of their latest titles offer a new generation of appreciative readers long out-of-print stories that first appeared in the Golden Age of pulp magazines. "The Crossroads" (9781592123681, $9.95) is a science fiction yarn that first appeared in the February 1941 issue of 'Unknown' magazine. "Destiny's Drum" (9781592123216, $9.95) is a thrilling action/adventure story taken from the March 1935 issue of 'Five Novels Monthly', while "Sea Fangs" (9781592122509, $9.95) is one of Hubbard's signature sea faring adventures from the June 1934 issue of 'Five Novels Monthly'. Hubbard, a master of every form of genre fiction, is perhaps best known as an author for his science fiction stories such as 'A Matter of Matter" (9781592123667, $9.95), originally published in the August 1949 issue of 'Astounding Science Fiction'. All four of these classic Hubbard stories are a 'must' for his legions of fans and an impressive tribute to his storytelling skills in the heyday of pulp magazine fiction!

Following Richard Brautigan
Corey Mesler
Livingston Press
University of West Alabama, Station 22, Livingston, AL 35470
9781604890471 $16.95 www.livingstonpress.uwa.edu

Following Richard Brautigan is a one-of-a-kind novel that ponders, "What if Richard Brautigan's life had not ended prematurely, and he had continued to create passionate, individual, distinctive novels?" Part extrapolation of the kind of works Brautigan might have made had he been granted more time on Earth, part reflective personal inner journey, Following Richard Brautigan carries the charm of eccentric personality on every page. Passages flow like moments of time; the discrete blocks of text encapsulate the emotion of passing instants and move on. An exceptional read brimming with hidden insight, especially recommended as tribute and celebration of Brautigan's genius. Following Richard Brautigan speaks to all whose lives have been touched by Brautigan's classic works.

Ask Alice
D. J. Taylor
Pegasus Books
80 Broad Street, Fifth Floor, New York, NY 10004
9781605980867, $24.95, www.pegasusbooks.us

Going from a woman of the world to the social elite is a huge leap. "Ask Alice" tells the story of Alice Keach, a woman who has risen up to prominence in London from her roots traveling across the American heartland. Her tale is an original and intriguing one, one which many women will take comfort and relevance in. "Ask Alice" is a choice pick for general fiction readers, and it shouldn't be missed.

Toad's Museum of Freaks and Wonders
Goldie Goldbloom
New Issues
c/o Western Michigan University
1903 W. Michigan Ave., Kalamazoo, MI 49008
9781930974883, $26.00, www.wmich.edu/newissues

When you have nothing left to turn to, you find comfort in the strangest of places. "Toad's Museum of Freaks and Wonders" tells the story of Gin, an albino pianist whose hopes of a greater career are thwarted by fate. Living on a farm in western Australia, facing life in a nontraditional marriage until an Italian gentleman named Antonio arrives, and just may change her life forever. "Toad's Museum of Freaks and Wonders" is a fascinating tale of small town life in Australia and romance, highly recommended.

The Late Work of Margaret Kroftis
Mark Gluth
Akashic Books
PO Box 1456, New York, NY 10009
9781933354941, $14.95, www.akashicbooks.com

When you're alone, your thoughts and anxieties seem to take a stronger grasp of your life. "The Late Work of Margaret Kroftis" tells the story of this woman through the pen of Mark Gluth, who paints this individual as a troubled woman coping with her own grief, trying to come to terms with her life. A tale that will resonate with many readers, "The Late Work of Margaret Kroftis" is a fine read that shouldn't be missed.

O'Leary, Kat, and Cary Grant
Audrey McClellan
Amber Skye Publishing
1935 Berkshire Drive, Eagan, MN 55122
9780981986005, $15.95, www.amberskyepublishing.com

Writing the great American novel is nothing simple to do, especially when you have a peculiar cat causing trouble for you. "O'Leary, Kat, and Cary Grant: Adventures with a Paranormal Cat" is the tale of Kat Hannessey and her cat O'Leary, as she copes with O'Leary's unusual psychic nature that leads her through the paranormal in her basement. Dealing with these concerns as well as the introduction of a new bachelor in her life, Kat's life seems to not have time for her to perfect that novel. "O'Leary, Kat, and Cary Grant" is a choice and very highly recommended pick for cat lovers. Also from Amber Skye Publishing is "Up the Green River Without a Paddle" (9780981986029, $15.95), a historical novel from Arvid Lloyd Williams.


The American History Shelf

Monster Fire at Minong
Bill Matthias
Wisconsin Historical Society Press
816 State Street, Madison, WI 53575
9780870204470 $14.95 www.wisconsinhistory.org

Volunteer firefighter Bill Matthias presents Monster Fire at Minong: Wisconsin's Five Mile Tower Fire of 1977, the true story of one of the largest wildfires in Wisconsin's history, a blaze that destroyed more than 13,000 acres and sixty-three edifices. More than just a historical chronicle, Monster Fire at Minong reveals the heroic actions of volunteers who dared to combat the ferocity of a deadly blaze to defend the homes and the lives of their fellow human beings. A handful of black-and-white photographs illustrates this captivating true story of men vs. nature.

The Missouri Mormon Experience
Thomas M. Spencer, editor
University of Missouri Press
2910 LeMone Boulevard, Columbia, MO 65201
9780826218872 $34.95 www.umsystem.edu/upress

Thomas M. Spencer (Associate Professor of History, Northwest Missouri State University) lends his editing expertise to The Missouri Mormon Experience, a collection of essays by learned authors discussing the Mormon presence in Missouri during the nineteenth century - and the violence that resulted. Mistrust flared into open conflict, and by 1838, there was a three-month "Mormon War". Governor Lilburn Boggs made the personal decree that the Mormons had to be "exterminated or driven from the state". Reconstructing historical events with a keen eye toward understanding human motives in the context of the time, The Missouri Mormon Experience also reveals that the bloodshed - and subsequent Mormon expulsion - might have been avoided had Joseph Smith chosen the more tolerant Columbia as his new Zion, rather than Jackson County. Extensive notes and an index round out this fascinating historical chronicle of a chapter of strife that pushed the Mormons to ultimately move to Utah - repercussions remain to this modern day and age, for even today many Mormons are suspicious of the state of Missouri. Highly recommended, especially for college library religious studies and American History shelves.

Bloodshed at Little Bighorn
Tim Lehman
The Johns Hopkins University Press
2715 North Charles Street, Baltimore, MD 21218-4363
9780801895012 $19.95 www.press.jhu.edu

Bloodshed at Little Bighorn: Sitting Bull, Custer, and the Destinies of Nations is a historical chronicle of one of the most pivotal - and widely remembered - conflicts between the U.S. military and Native Americans. In 1876, General George Armstrong Custer led the U.S. Army's seventh Calvary into an utterly doomed assault against vastly superior numbers of Sioux and Cheyenne. The lost battle had severe repercussions - it encouraged further rebellion among Native Americans, and in response the U.S. military enacted a series of severe retaliatory strikes. Bloodshed at Little Bighorn carefully examines the unfolding of this crucial battle, in terms accessible to lay readers and historians alike, with a far-reaching eye to the conflict's legacy. Highly recommended.

Upstaging the Cold War
Andrew J. Falk
University of Massachusetts Press
PO Box 429, Amherst, MA 01004
9781558497283 $34.95 www.umass.edu/umpress 1-800-537-5487

Upstaging the Cold War: American Dissent and Cultural Diplomacy, 1940-1960 is a unique look at the American politics of dissent in the years when tensions ran high due to the Cold War between the United States and the Soviet Union. Popular memory recalls how anti-communist censorship (particularly against public writers, artists, and performers) was taken to dramatic extremes during this period; less studied is how a notable number of artists, writers, and performers successfully expressed dissident viewpoints during this time, via Hollywood movies, Broadway stage, or even the newfangled medium of television. Figures such as Arthur Miller, Rod Serling, Lillian Hellman, and more dared to champion the causes of superpower cooperation, decolonization, nuclear disarmament, and other widely attacked viewpoints. Because of the international appeal of their message, the U.S. foreign policy recognized that such individuals could be a valuable resource to promote American values worldwide and win over "hearts and minds". Carefully researched and logically presented, Upstaging the Cold War is an excellent addition to American History shelves, and particularly recommended for public and college library collections.

Nassau Plantation
James C. Kearney
University of North Texas Press
PO Box 311336, Denton, TX 76203-1336
9781574412864 $32.95 www.unt.edu/untpress

The culmination of teacher and historian James C. Kearney's exhaustive research of primary source material (much of which was in German), Nassau Plantation: The Evolution of a Texas German Slave Plantation is the true story of Nassau Plantation, created in the 1840s by the Mainzner Adelsverein (an organization of German noblemen) to settle thousands of German emigrants. Though Nassau Plantation was originally planned with slavery in mind, by 1845 the society had responded to criticism from Germany, declaring its colonies to be "slave free zones". By the 1850s, German immigration to the plantation swelled the population of Fayette and Austin Counties. Nassau Plantation: The Evolution of a Texas German Slave Population is an absorbing historical chronicle, following the notable deeds of prominent individuals and families of the plantation as well as the plantation's impact upon Texas society as a whole. A welcome and worthy addition to Texas and German-American history shelves.

Shadows in the Valley
Alan C. Swedlund
University of Massachusetts Press
PO Box 429, Amherst, MA 01004
9781558497207 $28.95 www.umass.edu/umpress 1-800-537-5487

Alan C. Swedlund (professors emeritus of anthropology, University of Massachusetts Amherst) presents Shadows in the Valley: A Cultural History of Illness, Death, and Loss in New England, 1840-1916 explores the history of the repercussions of mortality, illness, and death in small communities in western Massachusetts during the mid-nineteenth and early twentieth centuries. Chapters chronicle how society responded to death among infants, children, men and women of reproductive age, and those who lived to old age. How was disease managed, and how did humans search for meaning when confronted with unbearable loss? A handful of black-and-white photographs illustrate this scholarly, exhaustively researched and aptly presented account. A welcome contribution to American history and sociology shelves.

The Underground Railroad on the Western Frontier
James Patrick Morgans
McFarland & Company
PO Box 611, Jefferson NC 28640
9780786437917 $55.00 www.mcfarlandpub.com 1-800-253-2187

The Underground Railroad on the Western Frontier: Escapes from Missouri, Arkansas, Iowa and the Territories of Kansas, Nebraska and the Indian Nations, 1840-1865 is an in-depth description of the network of escape routes used by slaves in the decades prior to the American Civil War. Chapters detail lesser known escape routes, including some that went through Mexico and American Indian territory; the use of Mississippi and Missouri river steamboats; the actions of historical figures such as John Brown, James Montgomery, and Dan Anthony; and much more. Meticulously researched and presented, The Underground Railroad on the Western Frontier is a welcome addition to public and college library American History shelves.

The Dragon's Tail
Robert A. Jacobs
University of Massachusetts Press
PO Box 429, Amherst, MA 01004
9781558497276 $24.95 www.umass.edu/umpress 1-800-537-5487

The Dragon's Tail: Americans Face the Atomic Age explores how American culture struggled to come to grips with the destructive reality of nuclear weapons, with particular focus on the period between 1945 (when atomic bombs were dropped on Hiroshima and Nagasaki) and the banning of above-ground atomic weapons testing in 1963. Author and research assistant professor of the Hiroshima Peace Institute Robert A. Jacobs emphasizes this period partly because atmospheric testing made Americans much more vividly aware of the immediate threat of nuclear holocaust, and also because the radioactive fallout from these tests were themselves a direct threat to public health. A handful of black-and-white illustrations - including relevant cartoons and flyers - emphasize this keen historical accounting and insight.

Over Here!
Lorraine B. Diehl
HarperCollins
10 E. 53rd St., New York NY 10022-5299
9780061431340, $26.99 www.harpercollins.com

OVER HERE! NEW YORK CITY DURING WORLD WAR II provides a blend of social and military history in considering the powerful connections between New York City and World War II. It was the hub of wartime activity as soldiers departed, Germans launched attacks in New York harbor, and war experiences changed the psyche and culture of the city itself. Fascinating reading for any New York or World War II general reader.


The Biography Shelf

George Clinton
John K. Lee
Syracuse University Press
621 Skytop Road, Suite 110, Syracuse, NY 13244-5290
www.SyracuseUniversityPress.syr.edu
9780815681533, $19.95, www.amazon.com

In "George Clinton: Master Builder of the Empire State", author John K. Lee raises the genre of biography to the level of a fine art. George Clinton was born in July 1739 on the family farm located in Ulster County, New York and grew to see (and live through) the transition of the country from a British colonial protectorate to a new and independent republic. He became New York State's first governor, a military leader in the Sullivan-Clinton campaign against the Six Nations, and a key player in securing possession of western New York lands for the United States. Very nicely illustrated with both color and black-white images, "George Clinton" is a concise compact, 62-page, thoroughly 'reader friendly', informed and informative biography that would grace any community library collection, and is most especially recommended for academic library American Colonial History reference shelves and 'Founding Fathers' supplemental reading lists.

Raw Edges
Phyllis Barber
University of Nevada press
Mail Stop 0166, Reno, NV, 89557-0166
9780874178074, $26.95

Life isn't like it is in the fairy tales, but it doesn't mean it can't be good. "Raw Edges" is a memoir from Phyllis Barber as she shares her struggles of falling out of her marriage, a rarity in the Mormon culture where divorce is far from accepted as a common solution. She tells the story of a woman refining herself as a person and how her Mormon faith provided a unique experience on her journey to a new life. Moving and poignant, "Raw Edges" is a memoir well worth reading for insight on the life of a not-so-common Mormon woman.

Blazing Figures
J. A. Wainwright
Wilfrid Lautier Press
Waterloo, Ontario, Canada, N2L 3C5
9781554581825, $38.00, www.wlupress.wlu.ca

The female form is something enjoyed by many men, but isn't entirely sexual. "Blazing Figures: A Life of Robert Markle" tells the tale of Canadian cultural figure and artist Robert Markle, known for defending eroticism and stating that it was different from pornography as an expression of the form and what it means, rather than to arouse. A man who through the decades of his life lived among other cultural icons such as Gordon Lightfoot, "Blazing Figures" is a fascinating biography, very highly recommended.

Chelsea Chelsea Bang Bang
Chelsea Handler
Grand Central Publishing
c/o Hachette Book Group
237 Park Avenue, New York, NY 10017
9780446552448, $25.99 www.hachettebookgroup.com

Chelsea Chelsea Bang Bang offers a series of personal essays offering insights on her family, her career, and her opinions about life in a light-hearted but outrageous series of assessments perfect for any library strong in celebrity portrait. Chelsea Handler has attracted much notoriety as a late-night host: this blends humor, entertainment, and peppers black and white photos throughout in a pick for any general-interest library.

Giving It All Away
Michael Zitz
Permanent Press
4170 Noyac Road, Sag Harbor, NY 11963
9781579622091 $28.00 www.thepermanentpress.com

Award-winning newspaper reporter and columnist Michael Zitz (who has known Doris Buffett since 1992) presents Giving It All Away: The Doris Buffett Story, the biography of a truly extraordinary millionaire and philanthropist. Doris Buffett faced much misfortune in her life - emotional abuse from her (possibly bipolar) mother, a series of terrible marriages, the near-loss of her home after the 1987 stock market crash, two deadly encounters with cancer, and even estrangement from her own children. Yet the difficulties she faced cultivated her own empathy for others, as evidenced by the $100 million of her own money that she donated - largely to individual people in dire trouble due to no fault of their own. Often she would call people personally, while trying to decide upon the best way to help them. At age 82, she set upon the goal of giving away her entire fortune with purpose and worth to aid those most in need. The true story of a remarkable resilient, noble, and principled woman, Giving It All Away is highly recommended.

"Go to the Worker"
Kimball Baker
Marquette University Press
PO Box 3141, Milwaukee, WI 53201-3141
9780874627497 $30.00 www.marquette.edu/mupress

Historian Kimball Barker presents "Go to the Worker": America's Labor Apostles, an assembly of biographical portraits of priests and laypeople who have served the Catholic social-action movement during the twentieth century. Their efforts, particularly during the economic hardship of the 1930s, advanced the cause of worker's rights in an era when human dignity was all too often subjugated to the interests of the wealthy and powerful. In telling the story of these extraordinary individuals and the movement for social justice that they championed, Baker seeks to inspire continued defense of human rights and reveal a valuable role that the Catholic social-action movement can continue to play in the modern era, marked as it is by the rampant greed and corruption that nearly brought about a second Great Depression. Highly recommended.

Sawdusted
Raymond Goodwin
Terrace Books
c/o University of Wisconsin Press
1930 Monroe Street, Third Floor, Madison, WI 53711-2059
9780299235703 $22.95 www.wisc.edu/wisconsinpress 1-800-621-2736

Sawdusted: Notes from a Post-Boom Mill is the memoir of author Raymond Goodwin's twenty months working at a Michigan sawdust mill in 1979. Vividly bringing to life the rundown workspace itself, the pranks that nonunion workers played on one another, their colorful personalities, the hardships of manual labor and a vivid picture of day-to-day life in a lumber mill, Sawdusted is an absorbing blue-collar portrait. An engaging story from cover-to-cover, Sawdusted is accessible to readers of all backgrounds but will resonate most strongly from those who have lived ups and downs of the blue-collar working life themselves.

Desperate Hope
Candi Pearson-Shelton
David C. Cook
4050 Lee Vance View, Colorado Springs, CO 80918
9781434766144, $14.99, www.davidccook.com

When at the brink of death, you begin to see the importance of faith. "Desperate Hope: When Faith in God Overcame My Despair" is a recollection of faith from Candi Pearson-Shelton watched her younger brother fight a losing battle for his life. Even though it ended in tragedy, the experience renewed her faith and she hopes to share her experiences and explain why the worst of things had a silver lining. "Desperate Hope" is a choice and highly recommended read.


The Art Shelf

Basic Mosaics
Marvin Webb & Alan Wycheck
Stackpole Books
5067 Ritter Road, Mechanicsburg, PA 17055-6921
www.stackpolebooks.com
9780811736121, $22.95, www.amazon.com

A mosaic is a work of art created from ceramic tiles, colored glass, found objects, or any combination of these. The art of the mosaic is one that stretches back into antiquity. Now mosaic specialist Martin Webb has created a complete introduction and 140-page illustrated instructional guide that will enable the most novice of beginners to create remarkable mosaics. Beginning with the equipment and materials necessary to a mosaic, "Basic Mosaics: All the Skills and Tools You Need to Get Started" showcases twenty different projects, each immanently 'user friendly' with step-by-step instructions fully illustrated with color photography by Alan Wycheck. Spiral bound so that "Basic Mosaics" will lay flat upon a table top or counter, this 'how to' manual is very highly recommended for art school, community, and personal library collections.

Better Than Ever
Mario Sanchez
Pineapple Press, Inc.
PO Box 3889, Sarasota, FL 34230-3889
www.pineapplepress.com
9781561644766, $20.00, www.amazon.com

The late Mario Sanchez (1908-2005) was an artist living in Key West, Florida whose style of work is probably best characterized as American Primitive. "Better Than Ever" is an impressive collection of his work presenting fifty-four reproductions of his painted relief carvings. His subject matter were the scenes of life around him including street vendors, parades, rumba bands, cigar factories, ice-cream trucks, people walking the streets of Key West and life as they lived it in the second half of the twentieth century. Each superbly reproduced image is provided with an 'info block' giving its title, approximate date, and dimensions. Then a succinct but informative caption. "Better Than Ever" is a welcome and highly recommended addition to personal and academic library 20th Century American Art History collections.

Visions Of The Big Sky
Dan Flores
University of Oklahoma Press
2800 Venture Drive, Norman, OK 73069
www.oupress.com
9780806138978, $45.00, www.amazon.com

The latest addition to the impressive University of Oklahoma Press 'The Charles M. Russell Series on Art and Photography of the American West', "Visions of the Big Sky: Painting and Photographing the Northern Rocky Mountain West" is a 234-page compendium in which Dan Flores (the A. B. Hammond Professor of History, University of Montana, Missoula) draws upon his years of experience and expertise to showcase the artists and photographers who sought to capture to beauty and majesty of the Rocky Mountain West from the Wind River Range to the Canadian border country. From prehistoric rock art, to iconic photographs of Native Americans, to museum quality paintings by the likes of Charlie Russell and his contemporaries, Professor Flores essays are enhanced with 140 color and black/white illustrations. Of special note is the attention paid to female western artists Fra Dana, Evelyn Cameron, and Emily Carr. "Visions Of The Big Sky" is a core addition to academic and community library reference collections, and especially recommended to the attention of non-specialist general readers with an interest in the iconic images of the American West.

Beyond The Dutch
Meta Knol, et al.
KIT Publishers
c/o Stylus Publishing, Inc.
22883 Quicksilver Drive, Sterling, VA 20166-2012
www.styluspub.com
9789460220593, $39.00, www.amazon.com

Based upon a major exhibition of Indonesian art and artists held at the Centraal Museum in Utrecht, "Beyond the Dutch: Indonesia, The Netherlands and the Arts from 1900 to Date" is a superbly illustrated and major history of 20th Century Indonesian art documenting the struggle of Indonesian artists to emancipate themselves from the cultural legacy of the Dutch East Indies and other European influences. Deftly organized by the editorial team of Meta Knol, Remco Raben, and Kitty Zijlmans, and drawing upon the collection of the Centraal Museum and contributions by eighteen expert contributors, "Beyond the Dutch" is a 200-page compendium that offers three cross-sections focusing upon the colonial period around 1900; the 1950 era of decolonization and national independence; and concluding with the current and post-colonial period of 2000. Informed, informative, and enhanced with the inclusion of a list of exhibited works, biographies, and a literature bibliography, "Beyond the Dutch" is a seminal work of outstanding scholarship, making it a core addition to any personal, professional, or academic World Art History reference collection in general, and 20th Century Indonesian Art History reading list in particular.

Islamic Glass
David Whitehouse
Hudson Hills Press
74-2 Union Street, Manchester, VT 05254
www.hudsonhills.com
9781555953553, $9.95, www.amazon.com

A superbly illustrated, 432-page, coffee-table book formatted compendium, "Islamic Glass in The Corning Museum of Glass" is expertly compiled by David Whitehouse and is the first of a planned trilogy showcasing the Corning Museum collection of early Islamic glass art and artifacts. A representation that is as informed and informed as it is visually impressive, "Islamic Glass" is a seminal work that will provide an excellent introduction to what the Islamic culture and artisans were able to accomplish by way of paradoxically fragile and enduring art form. "Islamic Glass" would make an exceptionally appropriate Memorial Fund acquisition for community library collections, and should (along with the next two volumes completing the trilogy) be considered a mandatory addition for academic library Islamic Art History reference collections as well.

Sal Buscema
Jim Amash, author
Eric Nolen-Weathington, author
Sal Buscema, illustrator
TwoMorrows Publishing
10407 Bedfordtown Drive, Raleigh, NC 27614
www.twomorrows.com
9781605490212, $26.95, www.amazon.com

Marvel Comics was home to some of the greatest comic book artists in the business. None were more talented and successful than Sal Buscema who joined the comic book giant in 1968 and quickly becoming as well known and respected as was his famous big brother John Buscema. Sal penciled storylines for almost all the top line titles, including a ten year run drawing 100 consecutive issues of 'The Hulk'. Now the man and his accomplishments are chronicled and documented by the team of Jim Amash and Eric Nolen-Weathington in "Sal Buscema: Comics Fast & Furious Artist", a 176-page, profusely illustrated compendium celebrating his work. Of special note is an informed and informative interview with the artist himself, and a gallery of images from his own personal files. Also available in a hard cover format (97816054590229, $46.95) that includes 16 more full-color pages not found in the soft cover edition, "Sal Buscema: Comics Fast & Furious Artist" is a 'must' for his legions of fans, and for any comprehensive personal, academic, or community library 20th Century American Popular Art reference collection. Also highly recommended from TwoMorrows Publishing are two new additions to their outstanding 'Modern Masters' series celebrating comic book and graphic novel artists: "Marke Buckingham" (9781605490144, $14.95) and "Guy Davis" (9781605490236, $15.95).

Andy Warhol and the Can That Sold the World
Gary Indiana
Basic Books
c/o Perseus Book Group
387 Park Avenue South, New York NY 10016
9780465002337, $22.00 www.basicbooks.com

Andy Warhol and the Can That Sold the World tells of the first solo exhibition of Warhol's works in Los Angeles in 1962, the Campbell's Soup cans, and considers their origins and Warhol's early years. In silk-screening an ordinary object, Warhol rose to fame and fostered a new area for the arts: Andy Warhol and the Can That Sold the World is more than just another Warhol expose; it's a survey of a new movement, and is key to any arts collection.

The Methodologies of Art, second edition
Laurie Schneider Adams
Westview Press
2465 Central Avenue, Boulder, CO 80301
9780813344508, $36.00 www.westviewpress.com

The second updated edition of The Methodologies of Art is a 'must' for any serious arts library, offering a survey of the different ways art is analyzed for meaning and considering formal analysis, iconology, Marxism, feminism and more - all of which lend meaning and perspective to artistic endeavors. This second edition includes nineteen new images, new sections on race and gender, and a new epilogue that analyzes a single painting with different methodological views. Arts students will find this a key survey.

The Pop! Revolution
Alice Goldfarb Marquis
MFA Publications
c/o Museum of Fine Arts, Boston
465 Huntington Avenue, Boston, MA 02115
9780878467440 $29.95 www.mfa-publications.org 1-800-338-2665

Journalist and historian Alice Goldfarb Marquis presents The Pop! Revolution, a social history of Pop Art. Profiling the 20th century artists and individuals most closely associated with the movement - from Roy Lichtenstein and his "Blam-Pow!" comic-style panels to slightly cartoonish yet down-to-earth wit and stylings of Andy Warhol, to Leo and Ileana Castelli, the infamous collector Robert Scull called "vulgar" by his own dealer, and many more. Extensive notes and an index round out this scholarly yet accessible chronicle detailing how appealing to the mainstream and reflecting the social and cultural climate of the day became an artistic movement. An extraordinary account, worthy of a place of honor among public library and college art history collections.

The Business of Being an Artist, fourth edition
Daniel Grant
Allworth Press
10 East 23rd Street, Suite 510, New York, NY 10010
9781581156737, $27.50, www.allworth.com

The Starving Artist is a cliche that's too close to reality than it needs to be. Now in a newly updated and expanded fourth edition, "The Business of Being an Artist" is a guide for the artist who wants to make it more than just being a hobby, but instead wants to make it their path of earning a paycheck and more. Daniel Grant states that you can be a working artist right out of art school, outlining how to find work, grants, fellowships, and building relationships with those who would buy your work. "The Business of Being an Artist" is a must for anyone who wants to work as an independent artist.


The Political Science Shelf

America and the Political Philosophy of Common Sense
Philip Segrest
University of Missouri Press
2910 LeMone Blvd., Columbia, MO 65202
9780826218735, $49.95, www.press.umsystem.edu

Common sense seems so rarely common. "America and the Political Philosophy of Common Sense" discusses traditional American political philosophy and the role of common sense int he discussion. Three thinkers converse in this book discussing how the American standard of common sense came to be, and Scott Philip Segrest weaves it into an insightful and thought provoking read. Scottish Common Sense, what the early American intellectuals founded their own notions on, has done much to shape America in the two hundred years of its existence. "America and the Political Philosophy of Common Sense" is a core addition to any political or philosophical collection.

Right Now
Michael Steele
Regnery
1 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20001
9781596981089, $27.95, www.regnery.com

Barack Obama has proven to be a highly divisive individual with his policies. "Right Now: A 12-Step Program for Defeating the Obama Agenda" is a political call to arms from Chairman of the Republican National Committee, Michael Steele. He states that modern conservatives need to mobilize against Obama's policies and offers ideas to campaign against many of his positions. A read for conservatives who oppose Obama on almost every level, "Right Now" serves as a model for the modern right.

The Structural Crisis of Capital
Istvan Meszaros
Monthly Review Press
146 West 29th Street, Suite 6W, New York, NY 10001
9781583672082 $26.95 www.monthlyreview.org

The Structural Crisis of Capital is a collection of essays and interviews by Marxist philosopher, philosophy professor emeritus of the University of Sussex, and winner of the Libertador Award for Critical Thought for 2008, Istvan Meszaros. Meszaros warns readers that the modern world's economies are in dire straits - unless drastic action is taken, and soon, the oncoming crisis will metastasize into environmental catastrophe, and possibly even societal collapse. The essays are grouped into chapters, including "The Necessity of Social Control", "Radical Politics and Transition to Socialism: Reflections on Marx's Centenary", "Bolivar and Chavez: The Spirit of Radical Determination", and more. A passionate and motivational critique of the evils inherent in the current global economic system, as well as a rousing call to enact drastic change while there is still time, The Structural Crisis of Capital is erudite, persuasive, and a worthy contribution to debates about practical problems and much-needed reforms in the wake of the recent global economic near-collapse.

Westview Press
2465 Central Avenue, Boulder, CO 80301
www.westviewpress.com

College-level courses strong in international peace-keeping and UN history will find the sixth updated edition of Thomas G. Weiss, et.al.'s THE UNITED NATIONS AND CHANGING WORLD POLITICS (9780813344355, $47.00) an exceptional pick. It features a new chapter on evolving security operations, updates discussions of the UN's actions around the world, and discusses the global economic and financial crisis to bring all details up to date. College-level courses in political science and UN history will find this essential. Ken Conca and Geoffrey D. Dabelko's GREEN PLANET BLUES, 4TH EDITION (9780813344119, $43.00) has been revised and updated throughout and examines global environmental politics from different perspectives, from classic to activist terms. Examples of sustainability and ecological justice are presented in a survey which has been updated to include fourteen new readings discussing globalization and environmental change, transnational activist networks, and more. College-level libraries strong in global environmental issues must have this reader. The fifth edition of Pamela S. Chasek, et.al.'s GLOBAL ENVIRONMENTAL POLITICS (9780813344423, $43.00) provides a fine set of discussions about the global environment. This updated introduction to the world's most important environmental issues includes new material on the latest environmental and international politics, climate change, and issues of economics and globalization.

Open Government
Daniel Lathrop & Laurel Ruma, Editors
O'Reilly
1005 Gravenstein Hwy, Sebastopol, CA 95472
9780596804350, $44.99 www.oreilly.com

OPEN GOVERNMENT: COLLABORATION, TRANSPARENCY, AND PARTICIPATION IN PRACTICE is a top pick for any college-level library strong in politics and government. It comes from leading practitioners inside and outside the realm of government, and shares their ideas on how to use the Web to make data accessible to citizens and government internal operations alike. From understanding online collaboration and transparency to encouraging participation and cooperation, this packs in key details for organizing more effective government operations using the Web's powers as a pivot point.


The Civil War Shelf

Gettysburg Medal of Honor Recipients
Charles Hanna
Bonneville Books
c/o Cedar Fort, Inc.
2373 West 700 South, Springville, Utah 84663
9781599553023 $19.99 www.cedarfort.com

Gettysburg Medal of Honor Recipients collects the true stories of the Gettysburg soldiers who earned the Medal of Honor - the highest award given to military personnel by the United States government, bestowed for courage and leadership beyond the demands of duty. A handful of pages are devoted to presenting a brief biographical sketch of each recipient, along with a black-and-white photograph if one can be found, followed by the Gettysburg battle events that distinguished him as worthy of honor. An anthology of bravery, self-sacrifice, and patriotism, Gettysburg Medal of Honor Recipients is inspirational reading and highly recommended.

The Caning of Charles Sumner
Williamjames Hull Hoffer
The Johns Hopkins University Press
2715 North Charles Street, Baltimore, MD 21218-4363
9780801894695 $19.95 www.press.jhu.edu

The Caning of Charles Sumner: Honor, Idealism, and the Origins of the Civil War is a close study of a violent event in the United States Congress that foreshadowed and exemplified the American Civil War. Charles Sumner, an abolitionist and skilled speaker, was sitting at his Senate desk on May 22, 1856 when Democratic Congressman Preston S. Brookes struck him on the head with a gutta-percha walking stick. Brookes continued to savagely beat Sumner in front of witnesses, who intervened only after Sumner had fallen unconscious and Brookes appeared determined to beat Sumner to death. Sumner had provoked Brookes' ire by speaking vividly about the abhorrence of slavery, an act seen as dishonoring both the South and Brookes' relative, Senator Andrew P. Butler. The shocking violence in America's legislative body - and the subsequent slap on the wrist Brookes received for perpetrating it - has volumes to reveal about the North-South cultural divide and the tense political climate of the era. An extraordinary and valuable study of what these events of history reveal not only about America of the past, but also America of today, The Caning of Charles Sumner is highly recommended especially for college library collections and American Civil War shelves.

The Battlefield Guide
Rodger Martin, author
Chad Gowey, illustrator
Hobblebush
17-A Old Milford Road, Brookline, NH 03033
9780980167245, $16.95, www.hobblebush.com

America has developed its character and history over two centuries of existence. "The Battlefield Guide" is a collection of poems from Rodger Martin, focusing on the major battles of the Civil War. Ideal for Civil War buffs who also happen to like poetry, "The Battlefield Guide" is a solidly recommended read. "The Town": Striated slate foundations squeezes themselves flat/like pages of a national Bible -- the book,/layer upon layer locked in shale stacked from shoal/to ridge top, is the story of ourselves lit by the fire/of gas lamps and determined by the push of the waters,/as much needed, to tame a continent, as desire.

A Chickamauga Memorial
Timothy B. Smith
The University of Tennessee Press
293 Communications Building, Knoxville, TN 37996-0325
9781572336797, $43.00, www.utpress.org

Honor and memorial are all that can be offered to the dead. "A Chickamauga Memorial: The Establishment of America's First Civil War National Military Park" discusses how the first national military park came into existence. While state and private memorial efforts were done before, Chickamauga was the first federal effort to offer reverence to fallen soldiers. Chickamauga served as memorial to civil war soldiers, but was later expanded for reverence to Spanish American War and World Wars veterans as well. "A Chickamauga Memorial" is a fine history of the park, and a solid addition to any American history collection.


The Native American Shelf

Red was the Blood of Our Forefathers
Brian L. Keefe
Caxton Press
312 Main Street, Caldwell, ID 83605-3299
9780870044724 $18.95 www.caxtonpress.com 1-800-657-6465

In 1992, Brian Keefe met Joe Medicine Crow, one of the leaders of the Crow tribe, at a Crow Indian gathering. Keefe carefully recorded the war stories that Joe Medicine Crow and other Crow historians told him. The result is Red was the Blood of Our Forefathers: Episodes from Crow Indian Intertribal Warfare, an anthology of true stories describing episodes of intertribal warfare from the perspective of the Crow Indian tribe. Chronicling the struggle between Crow and Sioux, Cheyenne, Blackfeet, and Shoshoni over who would control land and horses, the stories range from simple horse-stealing expeditions to brutal battles in which the losing side was "rubbed out". A handful of black-and-white photographs illustrate this excellent chronology, accessible to readers of all backgrounds, that brings to vivid life the true story of the Crows at war. Highly recommended, especially for Native American studies and history shelves.


The Agricultural Studies Shelf

The Field Guide to Goats
Cheryl Kimball
Voyageur Press
400 First Avenue North Suite 300, Minneapolis, MN 55401
9780760335222, $19.95 www.voyageurpress.com

The Field Guide to Goats features 20 breed profiles and covers physical characteristics, behavior and breeding as it surveys goats found in the U.S. and Canada. Color photos pack a survey of breeding, history, and animal management perfect for any farm or rural library.

Storey's Guide to Raising Pigs, third edition
Kelly Klober
Storey Publishing
210 MassMoca Way, North Adams, MA 01247
9781603424738, $19.95 www.storey.com

Storey's Guide to Raising Pigs brings the author's thirty years of experience to a resource on small-scale hog farmers packed with knowledge and advice. From an expanded breed guide and insights on safe fencing to guidelines for showing and new disease prevention methods, this packs in all business and health details needed to raise healthy, profitable pigs. Rural collections should consider this a 'must'.

The Complete Guide to Small-Scale Farming
Melissa Nelson, D.V.M.
Atlantic Publishing Group, Inc.
1405 S.W. 6th Avenue, Ocala, FL 34471
9781601383754 $24.95 www.atlantic-pub.com

The Complete Guide to Small-Scale Farming is a complete, no-nonsense, how-to guide to raising beef and dairy cattle, rabbits, ducks, chickens, goats and other small animals for personal or commercial consumption. (Only the raising of farm animals is covered; farming vegetables, grains, or other plants is left to other books). Chapters walk the reader through how to properly care for the different types of animals, preventative measures to ward off disease, what to do if disease or ill health breaks out, how to feed and care for animals, how to breed animals and how to humanely slaughter them when the time has come. Some black-and-white photographs and an index for quick reference round out this excellent starter guide, especially recommended for anyone contemplating raising animals as a well-rounded primer of precisely what one is getting into.


The Literary Studies Shelf

The Mythological Traditions of Liturgical Drama
Christine C. Schnusenberg
Paulist Press
997 MacArthur Blvd., Mahwah, NJ 07430
9780809105441, $44.95, www.paulistpress.com

Theater was a vehicle for messages at its very inception. "The Mythological Traditions of Liturgical Drama: The Eucharist as Theater" discusses how early Christianity against the Roman theater. which has strong ties to the Roman religions and traditions. Looking at the history of theater starting in Egypt and how it transformed over the years to be used by Christianity as well, Christine C. Schnusenberg tells the history well, providing a solid overview of classical theater and Christianity. "The Mythological Traditions of Liturgical Drama" is a solid addition to any Christian or theater studies collection.

The End of Domesticity
Charles Hatten
University of Delaware Press
c/o Associated University Presses
2010 Eastpark Boulevard, Cranbury, NJ 08512
9780874130751, $67.50

Nothing is perfect, no matter how it appears to be painted. "The End of Domesticity: Alienation from the Family in Dickens, Eliot, and James" discusses how the realization of the dysfunctional family came to be in literature. Charles Dickens in his earlier writings explored how the family was not an infallible unit in his novels Barnaby Rudge and Dombey and Son, and his elaboration of such in works such as David Copperfield. Writers such as Henry James followed his lead and explored the home life further, as Charles Hatten explores the writers and their influence on modern works. "The End of Domesticity" is a solid addition to any community or college literary studies collection.

Exploring Student Response to Contemporary Picturebooks
Sylvia Pantaleo
University of Toronto Press
10 St. Mary Street, Suite 700, Toronto, Ontario, Canada, M4Y 2W8
9781442610958, $27.95, www.amazon.com

A reader has to connect with a book to learn from it and better understand it. "Exploring Student Response to Contemporary Picturebooks" discusses picturebooks for elementary school students and why some of these picturebooks prove to connect with younger readers much better than others. With plenty of essays on the subject and how the more in depth stories as children age grasp and captivate readers, "Exploring Response to Contemporary Picturebooks" is a solid addition to any education or literary studies collections.

Absence of the Hero
Charles Bukowski, author
David Stephen Calonne, editor
City Lights Publishers
261 Columbus Avenue, San Francisco, CA 94133
9780872865310 $16.95 www.citylights.com

Absence of the Hero: Uncollected Stories and Essays, Volume 2 1946-1992 is a compendium of miscellaneous works by prolific and popular author Charles Bukowski. Many of the essays and stories within were previously uncollected, or even unpublished; they range from "Absence of the Hero", a countercultural examination of contentions during the 50s, 60s, 70s, and 80s; chuckle-inducing installments of Bukowski's newspaper column "Notes of a Dirty Old Man"; Bukowski's own "Manifesto"; his evaluations of the writings of colleagues such as Allen Ginsberg, Robert Creeley, LeRoi Jones, and more; as well as a medley of wry, suspenseful, or surprising short tales. An absolute must for fans of Charles Bukowski's work, Absence of the Hero is also a welcome addition to public and college library literary studies shelves.

Adaptation in Contemporary Culture
Rachel Carroll, editor
Continuum
4775 Linglestown Road, Harrisburg, PA 17112
9780826424648, $34.95, www.continuumbooks.com

Originality is nothing more than changing something that already exists. "Adaptation in Contemporary Culture: Textual Infidelities" discusses adaptation and how adaptation has become a powerful tool in modern literature, with writers taking older works, modernizing them, to provide a similar yet updated message. Many literary minds contribute to discuss adaptation and its many platforms and media, across a diversity of genres. A riveting and educational read, "Adaptation in Contemporary Culture" is a must for any literary studies collection.


The Religion/Spirituality Shelf

Fatal Embrace
Mark Braverman
Synergy Books
PO Box 80107, Austin, TX 78758
Phenix & Phenix (publicity)
8716 Mopac Suite 330, Austin, TX 78759
9780984076079, $16.95, www.fatalembrace.org

The state of Israel is not as saintly as a place called the holy land should be. "Fatal Embrace: Christians, Jews, and the Search for Peace in the Holy Land" discusses the nation of Israel in regards to human rights and world relations. Stating that Israel has on multiple occasions violated human rights and that many western nations continued support has a massive impact on religious relations as a whole, "Fatal Embrace" is a riveting and intriguing read of the failings of Israel with a fresh perspective.

Church 3.0
Neil Cole
Jossey-Bass
989 Market Street, 5th Floor, San Francisco CA 94103-1741
9780470529454, $24.95 www.josseybass.com

CHURCH 3.0: UPGRADES FOR THE FUTURE OF THE CHURCH comes from a consultant and innovative pastor who considers church leadership in the 21st century, exploring what it means to be an organic church capable of replication and accountability. A new model based on the practices of modern followers offers a new upgrade to the idea of how to define a mission, pros and cons of different approaches, and how to reach those looking to re-connect with the church.

God's Brain
Lionel Tiger and Michael McGuire
Prometheus Books
59 John Glenn Drive, Amherst, NY 14228-2119
9781616141646, $25.00 www.prometheusbooks.com

Two authors radically change the typical discussion of the existence of God and the nature of religion, considering the purpose and needs of religion, its source, and why every known culture has some form of religion. Their conclusion: the brain creates religion and concepts of God to satisfy neurological and associated social needs. Science and spirituality blend in a satisfying discussion linking brain science to religious belief.

Patience With God
Frank Schaeffer
Da Capo Press
c/o Perseus Book Group
Eleven Cambridge Center, Cambridge, MA 02142
9780306818547, $25.00 www.dacapopress.com

PATIENCE WITH GOD: FAITH FOR PEOPLE WHO DON'T LIKE RELIGION (OR ATHEISM) comes from an author who has problems with the New Atheists and with the religious fundamentalists alike - and who sees both opposing camps as similar in their perspective. They share the idea that their beliefs are true - and contain false certainties. The alternative to these two ways of thinking lies here, in PATIENCE WITH GOD, which builds upon the author's own evangelical past to examine religious contentions. Spiritual libraries will find this revealing.

Where is God?
Joel S. Burnett
Fortress Press
PO Box 1209, Minneapolis, MN 55440
9780800662974, $35.00, www.augsburgfortress.org

God in all of His religions has always been one to delegate His will. "Where is God?: Divine Absence in the Hebrew Bible" discusses God in the Hebrew Bible and how He has shown His will through His indirect actions. Chapters discuss the many names of God, where He shows His hand in the world, and how His will applies to the state of Jerusalem. "Where is God?" is a fascinating read that shouldn't be missed.

Sikh Spiritual Practice
Siri Kirpal Kaur Khalsa
O Books
c/o National Book Network
4270 Boston Way, Suite 200, Lanham, MD 20706
9781846942891 $24.95 www.nbnbooks.com 1-800-462-6420

Sikh Spiritual Practice: The Sound Way to God is a straightforward explanation of Sikh religious and spiritual beliefs, their connection with Kundalini Yoga, and more. Accessible to readers of all backgrounds, Sikh Spiritual Practice is an excellent choice for anyone curious to learn more about the Sikh religion, or even those interested in converting to the Sikh way. The section on Kundalini Yoga is particularly valuable since, in addition to covering where Sikh belief and the discipline of Kundalini Yoga overlap (and where they differ), it includes some Kundalini Yoga exercises that anyone can practice. A welcome addition to spirituality shelves, Sikh Spiritual Practice is particularly commended to public libraries for its user-friendly format and presentation.


The Military Shelf

Immortal
Steven R. Ward
Georgetown University Press
3240 Prospect Street, NW, Washington, DC 20007
9781589012585, $29.96, www.press.georgetown.edu

Iran is a very old nation and it has never feared military power. "Immortal: A Military History of Iran and Its Armed Forces" details Iran's attitudes towards its military, and how it has morphed over the years. In ancient times, they had elite groups known as the Immortals, today, the Revolutionary guard is ready to fight any enemy Iran may engage in conflict with. The Persian people's story can be told through its military, and "Immortal" does well in telling that tale, proving a vital addition to any world military history collection.

A Tactical Ethic
Dick Couch
Naval Institute press
2427 Bond St., University Park, IL 60484
9781591141372, $22.95, www.nip.org

With no uniforms, the battlefield becomes alot more confusing. "A Tactical Ethic: Moral Conduct in the Insurgent Battlespace" discusses modern warfare where the cities are the battlegrounds, and states that every misfire that ends in civilian death, no matter which side is responsible is a massive loss for the liberating force. Discussing battle field ethics in this regard, "A Tactical Ethic" is insightful and a highly recommended addition to any military studies collection.

Fire from the Sky
Robert C. Stern
Naval Institute Press
291 Wood Road, Annapolis, MD 21402
9781591142676 $49.95 www.navalinstitute.org

Fire from the Sky: Surviving the Kamikaze Threat is an in-depth historical and military analysis of the tactic of airborne suicide bombing - called "kamikaze" - that Japan used when the Allies sought to invade during the final year of the Second World War. Pilots, accompanied by escort aircraft, flew bomb-laden planes directly into allied warships, with devastating results. Fire from the Sky focuses upon the tactical and military aspect of this dramatic means of assault, with particular emphasis on how the Allies learned to resist and counter the kamikaze pilots. A handful of black-and-white photographs and diagrams illustrate this heavily researched, meticulously presented account which strives to provide an accurate picture of the realities faced by those who served World War II.

A Glorious Way to Die
Russell Spurr
Newmarket Press
18 East 48th Street, New York, NY 10017
9781557049131 $16.95 www.newmarketpress.com

Veteran foreign reporter Russell Spurr presents A Glorious Way to Die: The Kamikaze Mission of the Battleship Yamato, which chronicles the true story of Japan's decision to send the Yamato (the largest battleship ever built) to Okinawa in the final year of World War II, without air cover or fuel for a return voyage. Far more than a dry historical record, A Glorious Way to Die is accessible to readers of all backgrounds in its accurate portrayal of not only Japan's desperation tactics, but also the chilling effect they had on Japan's adversaries. One result was the widespread conviction that an invasion of Japan would likely be a bloodbath, that would not end until every last one of their forces were dead. An exhaustively researched and aptly presented account, A Glorious Way to Die is a worthy addition to World War II history shelves.

The Pacific
Hugh Ambrose
New American Library
375 Hudson St., New York NY 10014-3658
9780451230232, $26.95 www.penguin.com

THE PACIFIC offers an official companion book to the HBO miniseries, a 10-part series based on true stories of World War II Marines, and blends real-life stories of three selected Marines with accounts of their encounters across the Pacific and their eventual return home. An outstanding, personal survey for any who would gain insights into the war's experience.

I'm Still Standing
Shoshana Johnson with M.L. Doyle
Touchstone
c/o Simon & Schuster
1230 Avenue of Americas, New York NY 10020
9781416567486, $23.99 www.simonandschuster.com

I'M STILL STANDING: FROM CAPTIVE U.S. SOLDIER TO FREE CITIZEN - MY JOURNEY HOME tells of the 2003 story of soldier Shoshana Johnson, wounded and captured in the ambush of An-Nasiriyah en route to Baghdad. She became the first black female prisoner of war in U.S. history, and her experiences are documented in this harrowing account of capture, release, and the post-traumatic stress that resulted.


The Poetry Shelf

Unsound
Jennifer Martenson
Burning Deck Books
71 Elmgrove Avenue, Providence, RI 02906
www.burningdeck.com
9781936194018, $14.00, www.amazon.com

"Unsound" is a 62-page compendium of truly memorable poetry expertly crafted by Jennifer Martenson who has not only a gift for expression but a talent for visual layout with respect to the printed page. Of special note is her unique ability to put free-form verse to work with expressive reflection with respect to ideas, thinking, and human communication. "Unsound" is especially recommended to the attention of those who appreciate a little of the seminal avant-garde in their poetry. 'Postcard from Aphasia': All the casual / certainties are dangling here / The distance seems // a little asymmetrical / My name is a / haphazard shelter / propped // on the conditional / it does not keep me / warm Most worlds / I do not understand // their lattice / structure, and the stillness / they extract.

The Poems Of Abu Sa'id Abu'l Kheyr
Reza Ordoubadian
IBEX Publishers
PO Box 30087, Bethesda, MD 20824
www.ibexpublishers.com
9781588140395, $22.00, www.amazon.com

Sufism has given the world some of its finest poetry. Chief among these contributors was Abu Sa'id Abu'l Kheyr who is revered in Sufi communities as one of the 'fathers' of Sufism and the creator of the rubaiyat literary form. Now in a very special, 268-page bilingual edition, Reza Ordoubadian has deftly compiled and expertly translated from the original Persian, the nearly thousand year old poetry of this revered personage. Of special note is the informed and informative introduction preceding the quatrains. Enhanced with a bibliography and an index of first lines, "The Poems Of Abu Sa'id Abu'l Kheyr" is a masterpiece of scholarship and a highly recommended contribution to personal and academic library Sufi Studies and World Poetry reference collections and supplemental reading lists.

Stone Being
Peggy Miller
Custom Words
PO Box 541106, Cincinnati, OH 45254-1106
9781934999615, $18.00

"Stone Being" is a collection of poetry from Peggy Miller, a woman with much experience in the world of poetry despite being a weed scientist by trade. Her straight love of the format shines through, and makes "Stone Being" well worth reading. "Presence of Mind": We think it gives us something broad/something more than say a tree has/something powerful./You didn't know a red ant//dropped onto this page while I was writing this./ You know it now.

Sassing
Karen Hood
WordTech Editions
PO Box 541106, Cincinnati, OH 45254-1106
9781934999592, $18.00

Sometimes a little backtalk is necessary. "Sassing" is a collection of poetry from Karen Head, a student of poetry who never stops learning and embracing new technology. Charming and original with her verse, "Sassing" is a collection that will do well in any standard poetry collection. "Alone": The day my divorce was final/I woke up in another man's bed,/rushed home, changed clothes/went downtown to the courthouse.//The last thing my husband said to me:/"You'll regret leaving me,/no other man will have you."/He was wrong. And right.

Anonymous Fox
Naomi Feigelson Chase
Turning Point
PO Box 541106, Cincinnati, OH 45254-1106
9781934999714, $18.00

Award winning novelist and poet Naomi Feigelson Chase comes to readers with another volume in "Anonymous Fox". She bring forth her large array of expertise in multiple fields to make this collection something special, "Anonymous Fox" is not to be ignored by any looking for fine poetry. "How Do peas Get into Pods": "Our peas have white flowers./ Can I pick them?" my grandson asks.//"No", I answer./"Flowers are what peas come from."//"What about yours?" he asks./"Pods, but no peas yet."//"How do peas get into pods?" he asks./"Call me when it happens."

Finding Water, Holding Stone
James Bertolino
Cherry Grove Collections
PO Box 541106, Cincinnati, OH 45254-1106
9781934999554, $18.00

There is a certain serenity to the movement of nature. "Finding Water, Holding Stone" is a collection of poetry from James Bertolino, Aiming for smooth thoughts and words to create a truly unique experience that blends many different things, "Finding Water, Holding Stone" is a top pick. "Having Stone": There's a story that the Samurai/would test a new sword by slicing/ a criminal's body in half//One doomed man was said to have quipped: "Wish I had/swallowed a stone for my breakfast!"//Having stone at the heart is expecting/the sword, is wanting that brief/satisfaction in blunting an edge.

Veins
Larry Johnson
David Robert Books
PO Box 541106, Cincinnati, OH 45254-1106
9781934999691, $18.00

Few earn the honor to share their work with the national archives. "Veins" is a collection of poetry from Larry Johnson, a man who has read his poetry in congress. His work is collected from countless decades since 1970, and his experience shines through. "Veins" is a fine volume, not to be missed. "To Lorca": We will not find you/though the afternoon sleeps like Egyptian gold,/though feet may pause over your groin,/though the two moles on your cheek nourish that phlox/and the white snails of your eyes are melted by lime.//What you were is the thirst of an orange tree/the fire of those ants in its roots./What you are will always be whatever we seek.

Flexible Bones
Maria Melendez
The University of Arizona Press
355 S. Euclid Avenue, Suite 103, Tucson, AZ 85719
9780816528332, $15.95, www.uapress.arizona.edu

It's all in the delivery. "Flexible Bones" is a collection of poetry from Maria Melendez, as she uses the words to tell her thoughts and opinions, but uses the language well to entertain and not to preach to the reader. Humorous, energetic and fast paced, "Flexible Bones" is a treasure trove of knowledge, highly recommended. "[Untitled]": Everywhere, I am talked to by silence./Who do you think you're kidding? -- it says./And -- Chrissakes, give me a break./Apparently, silence has no problem swearing.//Meanwhile, uncurling, leaves burble/like springs, or grate and squeal/as metal train wheels;/the sun alone hears leaf-birth//the way bees can see u.v.,/the way snakes sense dimensions of heat./What sensory spectrum is our speciality?/The ear's guess-work, the heart's deep fabrications--

A Man and His Shadow
Affonso Romano De Sant'Anna
Host Publications
277 Broadway, Suite 210, New York, NY 10007
9780924047671, $10.00

The shadows follow us, copy us, are just like us, and we have no power over them. "A Man and His Shadow" is a collection of poetry from Portuguese poet Affonso Romano De Sant'Anna, expertly translated by Fred Ellison. Romano's poetry uses the shadow as a metaphor for much of life, and does it quite well. "A Man and His Shadow" is intriguing and very highly recommended. "28": There was a man/whose shadow has an aura/which over its owner/cast a glow//People came from afar/and knelt down/--not to the man/but his shadow/that kept his halo aglow.

Darkacre
Greg Hewett
Coffee House Press
79 Thirteenth Avenue NE, Suite 110, Minneapolis, MN 55413
9781566892452, $16.00, www.coffeehousepress.org

With many former volumes under his belt that have won awards, Greg Hewett comes at readers with yet another volume in "Darkacre". Bringing his mind and philosophy to life, he brings readers a critical and sensual read to the many aspects of life. "Darkacre" is a fine anthology that shouldn't be missed. "One Other on Earth": Through shattered words fallen from the shuttered casino,/past rows of cypress like dolphin silhouettes,/under a gathering hurricane of stars,/the lost turn in iron currents,/knowing too late the great fortune/of he who can call even one other on earth his own.

Nothing Like Love
Jenny Joseph
Enitharmon
c/o DuFour Editions
PO Box 7, Chester Springs, PA 19425
9781904634843, $22.95, www.dufoureditions.com

Love is the driving force behind so much in life. "Nothing Like Love" is an anthology of poetry from Jenny Joseph, an experienced poet with decades upon decades of experience. Showing her experience in contrast to her early work, "Nothing Like Love' will prove an intriguing and insightful read for lovers of poetry. "Cherry": Suddenly the cherry has opened./I could believe it was love/Like the babe opening its eye.//Twig thickening on the air/Has become this burst of blossom./It waves its appeal in the spring breezes;/O cherry, O open heart.

Trance Archive
Andrew Joron
City Lights
261 Columbus Avenue, San Francisco, CA 94133
9780872865303, $14.95, www.citylights.com

A poet produces much work throughout their existence, before and after any fame they acquire. "Trance Archive" is a collection of work from Andrew Joron, a man who gained his fame through an essay on the Post 9/11 world. An anthology of his work from his best to his rarest, to others, anyone who wants an introduction to Joron's work would do well with "Trance Archive", a top pick for poetry collections. "Earthward": Where in the actless occult air to/Share sheer shore?//Enunciate solace, less sun./Main/name, refer to refire.//Revise eyes over/sees, wave-woven.//The same, the semen, the parody of paradise.//O hoarded dead--/old word hark, old word dark --/old word/old, old world.

That Red Dirt Road
Kay Sanders
Parallel Press
372 Memorial Library, 728 State Street, Madison, WI 53575
9781934795125 $10.00 http://parallelpress.library.wisc.edu

That Red Dirt Road is an original chapbook by award-winning poet Kay Sanders, who employs a wide variety of verse patterns and structure in her introspective collection of memories, moments that transcend time, and even the echoing calls of spirits. A moving, thoughtful reminiscence, That Red Dirt Road is a collecting to be savored at length, as it transports the reader to the warmly bittersweet country of yesteryear. "Let me have that red dirt road that winds through the graveyard / back into the hills, plots of graves lined with low brick walls / where children teeter and learn to balance and listen to their elders / talk of the dead."

The Water Table
Philip Gross
Bloodaxe Books
c/o DuFour Editions
PO Box 7, Chester Springs, PA 19425
9781852248529, $20.95, www.dufouredtions.com

Water is forever a metaphor for many things. "The Water Table" is a collection of poems from English poet Philip Gross. Varied and thought provoking work, his newest collection will continue to please his fans. "The Water Table" is a read not to be missed. "Betweenland III": After rain,/the far/shore -- close,/with an almost accusing/acuity,/as if nothing could ever be ignored/again:/every detail/(the tick of a wind -/turbine's vane/against the skyline)/a point it insists on:/no/no no, let me explain.

The Diminishing House
Nicky Beer
Carnegie Mellon University Press
5032 Forbes Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15289-1021
9780887485169, $15.95

Highly educated and devoted to her craft, "The Diminishing House" is a collection of work from Nicky Beer as she presents a solid collection of wit and wisdom through her writing. Written with education and enlightenment, "The Diminishing House" is a cherishable collection. "Cubital Fossa": Pack mule for packages,/ cradler of gunbutts,/ blackfly cockpit,/ cuffcruncher,/ nonelbow,/ sweat tarn,/ gula,/ bight.

The Essential Kenneth Leslie
Zachariah Wells, editor
The Porcupine's Quill
68 Main St., Erin, Ontario, N0B IT0
9780889843288, $14.95, www.porcupinesquill.ca

Passion is something that can be felt through text. "The Essential Kenneth Leslie" is a collection of the man's work compiled by fellow poet Zachariah Wells. Kenneth Leslie's prime was decades ago, but his work still holds up well today, providing much insight and thought from his time to today. "The Essential Kenneth Leslie" is a treasure trove of poetry, highly recommended. "Success": There was a dream;/he fulfilled it./There was a wish;/it came true./There was a fire;/and he killed it./There was a spark;/and it flew!


The Social Issues Shelf

New Directions in Development Ethics
Charles K. Wilber & Amitava Krishna Dutt, edtiors
University of Notre Dame Press
310 Flanner Hall, Notre Dame, IN 46556
9780268025984 $60.00 www.undpress.nd.edu

New Directions in Development Ethics: Essays in Honor of Denis Goulet is a scholarly anthology of essays from economists, philosophers, and development experts, all contending with the thorny issues of the moral ramifications of technological and commercial development. Individual essays include "Development Ethics: A Road to Peace", "Technological Nightmares", "Global Poverty: Development Ethics Meets Global Justice", "Mexico's Development Strategy Since 1983: Results and Changes", and many more. Assembled in honor of the life and work of Denis Goulet, who made a pivotal contribution to the practice of ethical guidelines for responsible development, New Directions in Development Ethics is an invaluable contribution to college library shelves and should be required reading for anyone deeply involved in planning development.

The Big Short
Michael Lewis
W.W. Norton
500 - 5th Avenue, New York NY 10110-0017
9780393072235, $27.95 www.wwnorton.com

THE BIG SHORT: INSIDE THE DOOMSDAY MACHINE surveys the current global financial turmoil from the perspective of the winners in the scenario, following a small set of contrarians smart enough to see how mismanagement and predatory lending policies would soon bring the financial world to is knees. They were willing to bet money on the bust - and so they boomed while establishments fell. This provides a powerful survey of these individuals and how they prospered and is a 'must' for financial and social issues libraries alike.

Berrett-Koehler Publishers
235 Montgomery St., Suite 650, San Francisco CA 94104-2916
www.bkconnection.com

Si Kahn's CREATIVE COMMUNITY ORGANIZING: A GUIDE FOR RABBLE-ROUSERS, ACTIVISTS AND QUIET LOVERS OF JUSTICE (9781605094441, $17.95) comes from a founder of grassroots leadership and offers a fine survey of the author's work in some of the most important grassroots organizations of the last fifty years, from the Southern Civil Rights Movement to the Harlan County coal miners' strike. His insights are key to understanding the process of effective community involvement and this belongs on any social issues or activist library's shelf. Diana Whitney and Amanda Trosten-Bloom's POWER OF APPRECIATIVE INQUIRY: A PRACTICAL GUIDE TO POSITIVE CHANGE (9781605093284, $32.95) appears in its second updated edition and is revised and expanded to describe the popular approach to organizational change that invites participants to build upon what's working. Eight results-oriented approaches to Appreciative Inquiry accompany case examples from a range of organizations in a primer for businesses and social communities alike. Christina Baldwin and Ann Linnea's THE CIRCLE WAY; A LEADER IN EVERY CHAIR (9781605092560, $18.95) offers a fine business and leadership guide and lays out the basics of circle conversation based on the authors' nearly two decades of experience implementing circle communication practices in organizations. Stories accompany explanations of how the circle method works.

The War on Success
Tommy Newberry
Regnery Publishing
One Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20001
9781596981188, $24.95 www.regnery.com

America is under attack - from the inside. That's the contention of an angry attack on the Obama administration in THE WAR ON SUCCESS: HOW THE OBAMA AGENDA IS SHATTERING THE AMERICAN DREAM. It discusses American values, processes, and how traditional models of success are being challenged and changed. No matter what side of the issue readers are on - it pays to consider the concepts presented here. Christian conservative collections in particular will find this a popular lend.


The Humor Shelf

Prizewinning Political Cartoons 2010 Edition
Dean P. Turnbloom
Pelican Publishing Company
1000 Burmaster Street, Gretna, LA 70053-2246
9781589808294 $19.95 www.pelicanpub.com

Prizewinning Political Cartoons 2010 edition is an anthology of editorial cartoons that were so distinctive, memorable, and hard-hitting in their message that they earned (or were runner-up for) recognition such as the National Headliner Award, the Thomas Nast Award, the Robert F. Kennedy Journalism Award, the Herblock Prize, and others. Many of the cartoons are in full color; others are black-and-white. From the "guard dog" S.E.C. portrayed as a tiny, harmless Chihuahua to America portrayed as flag-diapered infant suckling on a tankard of foreign oil like a bottle, to an extraordinary series of strips that postulates "what would have happened during the 2008 presidential campaign if one day Obama had transformed into a white man, and McCain had transformed into a black man?" Gut-wrenching in not only its hilarity, but also in how close its comics hit to home, Prizewinning Political Cartoons 2010 edition deserves the highest recommendation for political humor collections everywhere.


The Philosophy Shelf

The Racial Discourses Of Life Philosophy
Donna V. Jones
Columbia University Press
61 West 62nd Street, New York, NY 10023-7015
http://cup.columbia.edu
9780231145480, $50.00, www.amazon.com

The newest addition to the outstanding Columbia University Press 'New Directions in Critical Theory' series, "The Racial Discourses of Life Philosophy: Negritude, Vitalism, and Modernity" by Donna V. Jones (Assistant Professor of English, University of California - Berkeley) focuses on how the philosophy of Henri Bergson and Nietzsche, and the poetry of Leopold Senghor and Aime Cesaire, worked to shape and influence the idea of human life into an aesthetic and metaphysical concept the included considerations of race and nationhood. Of special note is Professor Jones' incorporation into her informed and informative, 231-page study of the dominant literary models into broader contemporary philosophical frameworks. Enhanced with extensive footnotes and a truly comprehensive index, "The Racial Discourses of Life Philosophy: Negritude, Vitalism, and Modernity" is a superbly presented work of seminal scholarship, making it an extraordinary contribution to academic library philosophy and literary analysis collections.

In Pursuit of the Good
Eric Salem
Paul Dry Books
1616 Walnut Street, Suit 808, Philadelphia, PA 19103
9781589880504, $22.95, www.pauldrybooks.com

The definition of good has changed over the centuries. "In Pursuit of the Good: Intellect and Action in Aristotle's Ethics" discusses ethics from the mind of Aristotle, perhaps the most famous classical philosopher, and how his thoughts and ideals apply to the modern world. The Nicomachean Ethics, Aristotle's work on ethics, discusses ethics and their relation to human happiness, as Eric Salem provides many intriguing ideas and insights on the thinker's works. "In Pursuit of the Good" is a strong addition to any philosophical discussion collection.

Exuberant Skepticism
Paul Kurtz
Prometheus Books
59 John Glenn Drive, Amherst, NY 14228-2119
9781591027782, $19.00, www.prometheusbooks.com

Skepticism is not just about being contrary; it's about asking why. "Exuberant Skepticism" discusses the importance and meaning of skepticism from Paul Kurtz, who uses his expertise of the subject well as he defends skepticism and its applications from many things, be it science or religion. Encouraging readers to never stop asking questions and to never stop seeking knowledge, "Exuberant Skepticism" is a solid and very important read for any who value the question.

Anime and Philosophy
Josef Steiff and Tristan D. Tamplin, editors
Open Court Publishing Company
70 East Lake Street, Suite 300, Chicago, IL 60601
9780812696707 $19.95 www.opencourtbooks.com

Anime and Philosophy: Wide Eyed Wonder is an anthology of essays by learned philosophers discussing the philosophical implications of the animated movies and television shows of Japanese popular culture. From "'Astro Boy' and the Atomic Age" to "Did Santa Die on the Cross?" to "Everything You Never Wanted to Know about Sex and Were Afraid to Watch", these writings explore meanings beneath the surface of this widely beloved art form, which speaks to people so strongly that it has generated a solid international audience. Anime and Philosophy is a long overdue and enthusiastically welcome contribution to philosophy collections, highly recommended to anime enthusiasts and philosophers alike.


The Self-Help Shelf

Grace Lost and Found
Mary Cook
Red Wheel, Weiser, Conari
65 Parker Street, Suite 7, Newburyport, MA 01950
9781573244688, $16.95, www.redwheelweiser.com

An addiction goes beyond a need, it goes into controlling one's life. "Grace Lost and Found: From Addiction and Compulsions to Satisfaction and Serenity" is a collection of forty essays on the subject, as Mary Cook, an expert addition counselor, presents her musings on what causes addiction and why it's so hard to kick the habit - and provides plenty of wisdom to try to do so. "Grace Lost and Found" is an excellent addition to any psychology or self-help collection.

The Evolutionary Glitch
Albert Garoli
Loving Healing Press
5145 Pontiac Trail, Ann Arbor, MI 48105
9781615990177, $19.95, www.theevolutionaryglitch.com

Humanity isn't perfect, and in fact often works against itself. "The Evolutionary Glitch: Rise Above the Root of Your Problems" delves into how people create personas that end up dictating their behavior instead of logic, which often leads them into continuous loops in their life. Albert Garoli gives advice that can help readers break these habits, find out what they truly want, and act on it. "The Evolutionary Glitch" is thought provoking and intriguing reading, not to be missed.

Why Normal People Do Some Crazy Things
Kevin Davis, M.A.
Hargrove Press
619 E. Paces Ferry Rd., Atlanta, GA 30305
9780981934303 $13.95, www.amazon.com

Why Normal People Do Some Crazy Things: Nine Fundamentals of Human Behavior reveals nine basic, underlying principles that tend to drive human interactions. Identifying and being aware of how these forces work enable the reader to better understand the actions of fellow human beings - and better understand one's own actions. Ultimately, the reader can be more mindful of the pull of these pressures, and better able to make sound and rational decisions despite these natural tendencies. The primary motives that author Kevin Davis has identified include "No one wants you to succeed too well or fail too badly", "Most relationships, and their recurring problems, are based on power dynamics", "Everyone is rushing toward the white picket fence" (specifically, there is a powerful cultural drive to get a steady job, get married, and have kids - even though rushing into marriage and kids too quickly is a recipe for disaster) and more. A shockingly insightful guide, brimming with practical advice to better handle the base psychological drives that can lead to bad decision making in oneself and others, highly recommended.

Happier than God
Neale Donald Walsch
Hampton Roads
c/o Red Wheel, Weiser, Conari
65 Parker Street, Suite 7, Newburyport, MA 01950
9781571745804, $16.95, www.redwheelweiser.com

Happiness is an emotion, and no one is more in charge of one's emotions than themselves. "Happier Than God: Turn Ordinary Life into an Extraordinary Experience" is a guide to becoming a master of one's own spirit to a gain a better grasp over it that can make one's life a more powerful and fulfilling experience that makes life truly worth living. "Happier Than God" is a solid pick for any spirituality reader.


The Women's Studies Shelf

Feminist Frontiers
Yvonne J. Johnson, editor
Truman State University Press
100 East Normal Street, Kirksville, MO 63501-4221
9781935503026 $29.95 http://tsup.truman.edu

Feminist Frontiers: Women Who Shaped the Midwest is an anthology of eleven biographical essays by learned authors, describing the lives of notable pioneering women and the foundation they laid for the societal reforms of the progressive movement. From Alice Moore French, founder of American War Mothers, to Frances Dana Gage and her work for the causes of women's rights and temperance, to socialist Genoa Dollinger who held firm beliefs about human rights and organized a strike at a General Motors plant, Feminist Frontiers offers an excellent series of character portraits and is an invaluable supplement to college library women's history and women's studies shelves.


The Marriage Shelf

Secrets of Great Marriages
Charlie and Linda Bloom
New World Library
14 Pamaron Way, Novato, CA 94949
9781577316787, $14.95, www.neworldlibrary.com

How do some people struggle to stay together a year while others stay together a century? "Secrets of Great Marriages: Real Truth from Real Couples About Lasting Love" is a collection of anecdotes about their real relationships and what has worked for them over the years in creating a strong relationship that lasts and keeps its passions strong. "Secrets of Great Marriages" is a treasure trove of sage advice, highly recommended.


The Money/Finance Shelf

Higher Returns from Safe Investments
Marvin Appel
FT Press
1330 Avenue of the Americans, 35th floor, New York, NY 10019
9780137003358, $24.99, www.ftpress.com

You don't have to treat the stock market like a casino to win big. "Higher Returns from Safe Investments: Using Bonds, Stocks, and Options to Generate Lifetime Income" is a guide to making the most out of safer stocks, and how to make the most out of a safe stock for a lifetime. Safe investments typically pay the least, but the high risk options fluctuate too much to be profitable, and Marvin Appel hopes readers will take his wisdom to heart to make their money. "Higher Returns from Safe Investments" is a choice and top pick for the prudent investor.

The Skinny on Credit Cards
Jim Randel
Rand
265 Post Road West, PO Box 2870, Westport, CT 06880
9780981893549, $14.95, www.theskinnyon.com

Credit cards can be a tool to make life easier, or to make it very hard. "The Skinny on Credit Cards: How to Master the Credit Card Game" delves into the world of credit, as the people at Rand publishing create another guide that focusing on brevity and just the straight information on improving one's credit score and avoiding the many pitfalls. With extra info on teaching one's children about good credit and being prepared against fraud, "The Skinny on Credit Cards" is a must for those who want to use this tool wisely and avoid getting burned.


The Health/Medicine Shelf

Music At The End Of Life
Jennifer L. Hollis
Praeger Publishers
c/o ABC-CLIO
Box 1911, Santa Barbara, CA 93116-1911
www.abc-clio.com
9780313362200, $44.95, www.amazon.com

We have no choice with respect to how our lives begin. But we can exercise a wide variety of options with respect to the conditions relevant to how our lives can end. Indeed, with the increases in life expectancy, coupled with an increasingly aging population, end-of-life care issues are clearly emerging with significance with respect to the medical community. One very special addition to the growing body of end-of-life literature is "Music at the End of Life: Easing the Pain and Preparing the Passage" by Jennifer L. Hollis (music-thanatologist, Lahey Clinic Medical Center, Burlington, Massachusetts) in which Hollis draws upon her own personal experience and expertise to illustrate how the experience of dying can be positively affected by and with music. Of special note is the documented discussion of the use of music in hospice care and the valued role can play as part of palliative medicine for terminal illnesses. Music also has great worth as part of the process of grieving and letting go. Superbly organized, informed and informative, "Music At The End Of Life" is an especially recommended addition to academic library Psychology/Psychiatry and Health/Medicine reference collections, as well as the supplemental reading lists of both professionals and non-special general readers with an interest in end-of-life issues.

Excercise and Wellness for Older Adults
Kay A. Van Norman
Human Kinetics
PO Box 5076, Champaign, IL 61825-5076
9780736057684, $39.00, www.humankinetics.com

Getting older doesn't mean you can ignore your health. "Exercise and Wellness for Older Adults: Practical Programming Strategies" is a guide for fitness for adults who have passed middle age and are faced with old age, in how to cope with the health issues of age while still trying to remain fit. With plenty of ideas and programs to remain healthy even with reduced movement, studies, keeping tabs on one's general health and more, "Exercise and Wellness for Older Adults" proves to be an insightful and very important health reference for older adults, a solid addition to any community library health collection.

Down Syndrome Transition Handbook
Jo Ann Simons
Woodbine House
6510 Bells Mill Rd., Bethesda, MD 20817
9781890627874, $24.95, www.woodbinehouse.com

Down Syndrome has many challenges, but normalcy is possible. "Down Syndrome Transition Handbook" is a guide for parents of children affected with Down's syndrome who want to help their children live as full and as independent a life as possible. Education, lodging, health care, transportation, employment, and more are discussed in depth to give parents a stronger understanding of the challenges faced by these individuals. "Down Syndrome Transition Handbook" is a must for any parent or family member of a Downs syndrome affected child.

Authoring Patient Records
Michael P. Pagano
Jones & Bartlett Publishers
40 Tall Pine Drive, Sudbury, MA 01776
www.jbpub.com
9780763763213, $39.95, www.amazon.com

Keeping accurate records can be (and often is) a matter of life and death with respect to medical practice and patient care. That's why "Authoring Patient Records: An Interactive Guide" by Michael P. Pagano (Graduate Program Director, Department of Communication, Fairfield University, Fairfield, Connecticut) is such an essential read for aspiring nurses, doctors, and medical service support personnel charged with the responsibility for creating, maintaining, and using these records. Beginning with an overview of why and how medical information is gathered and shared, "Authoring Patient Records" goes on to meticulously cover developing a records authoring process; the 'who, what, where, when, why, how' approach to information gathering and recording; writing, dictating, and electronically recording information down; analyzing patient records; and a great deal more. Of special note contributed by attorney Canera L. Pagano (Wilson Elser Moskowitz Edelman & Dicker, Stamford, Connecticut) is the chapter on legal considerations and ramifications of medical records. Thoroughly 'user friendly', "Authoring Patient Records" is an ideal instructional text and guide for medical students, and has an enduring value for 'in-service' training courses for active medical personnel to insure their proficiency in keeping and maintaining patient records.

The Checklist Manifesto: How to Get Things Right
Atul Gawande
Metropolitan Books
c/o Henry Holt & Company
175 - 5th Avenue, New York NY 10010
9780805091748, $24.50 www.henryholt.com

The Checklist Manifesto: How to Get Things Right tells of an author who found the simple checklist a key to improving medicine and life itself. His methods of applying checklists to surgery resulted in dramatic health benefits: this offers both health and general life-improvement strategies powered by the checklist, and offers a strategy that can appeal across the board to all different disciplines, from medicine to business.

How to Never Look Fat Again
Charla Krupp
Grand Central Publishing
c/o Hachette Book Group
237 Park Avenue, New York NY 10017
9780446547475, $26.99 www.hachettebookgroup.com

How to Never Look Fat Again offers keys to reducing weight appearance through conscious styling. Whether readers are ten or twenty pounds overweight, this offers a course on hiding the fat and covers everything from swimsuits to party dresses, offering details on how to not look fat in clothing. From avoiding low-rise jeans if you have a 'buddha belly' to embracing empire waists and dresses, this is packed with outstanding style ideas geared to handling fat in different parts of the body. Any general interest library must have this.

The Great Pheromone Myth
Richard L. Doty
Johns Hopkins University Press
2715 N. Charles St., Baltimore, MD 21218
080189347X, $65.00 www.press.jhu.edu

The Great Pheromone Myth comes from an olfaction expert who rejects the idea of pheromones as triggers for behaviors - and who rejects the fact of pheromones themselves. Studies which supposedly revealed the existence of mammalian pheromones are debunked and the author maintains there is no accepted scientific definition of what constitutes a mammalian pheromone. More than a survey of pheromones, this considers the entire perspective of chemical effects on behavior and is a pick for any college-level health collection.

Asleep
Molly Caldwell Crosby
Berkeley Publishing Group
375 Hudson St., New York NY 10014
9780425225707, $24.95 www.penguin.com

ASLEEP: THE FORGOTTEN EPIDEMIC THAT REMAINS ONE OF MEDICINE'S GREATEST MYSTERIES provides the true account of a sleeping sickness epidemic that blends case studies and interviews with family members with the story of a group of New York doctors who spent their lives seeking the cause, treatment and cure for the disease. In 1927 the disease vanished as quickly as it appeared: this examines its foundations and lasting effects.

Safe Patients, Smart Hospitals
Peter Pronovost, MD, PhD and Eric Vohr
Hudson Street Press
375 Hudson St., New York NY 10014-3657
9781594630644, $25.95 www.penguin.com

Safe Patients, Smart Hospitals: How One Doctor's Checklist Can Help Us Change Health Care from the Inside Out outlines a leading physicians' crusade against medical harm and for improving health care quality in the United States. Hospital-acquired illnesses will affect 1 in 10 patients: this shows how the health care system can be fixed to improve the odds. It's recommended for any health collection.

Positive Results
Joi L. Morris & Ora K. Gordon, MD
Prometheus Books
59 John Glenn Drive, Amherst, NY 14228-2119
9781591027768, $20.00 www.prometheusbooks.com

POSITIVE RESULTS: MAKING THE BEST DECISIONS WHEN YOU'RE AT HIGH RISK FOR BREAST OR OVARIAN CANCER provides a unique guidebook to help women with family history and genetic profiles adding to their cancer risk factors. It covers all the latest medical options, including genetic testing and assessing risk factors, and provides the author's personal experiences with the latest medical possibilities.

Healing Hearts
Kathy E. Magliato, MD
Broadway Books
1745 Broadway, New York NY 10019
9780767930260, $24.00 www.broadwaybooks.com

HEALING HEARTS: A MEMOIR OF A FEMALE HEART SURGEON comes from one of only a handful of female heart surgeons practicing in the world today. She's also one of the first to perform heart transplants. Her challenges in being and becoming a cardiothoracic surgeon make for a powerful guide telling of a wife, mother, and professional, and her case histories here make for involving reading.

You Can Beat the Odds
Brenda Stockdale
Sentient Publications
1113 Spruce St. Boulder, CO 80302
9781591810797, $18.95 www.sentientpublications.com

You Can Beat the Odds: Surprising Factors Behind Chronic Illness and Cancer uses the latest research about health and wellness to blend in strategies for everyday life. From harnessing the healing power of imagination to immune power and turning stress into strength, this packs in many recommendations designed to empower the health as well as those suffering from chronic or dangerous illness. Any health library will find this inspiring.

2010 Current Medical Diagnosis & Treatment
Stephen J. McPhee and Maxine A. Papadakis
Lange
c/o The McGraw Hill Companies
Two Penn Plaza, 11th Floor, New York, NY 10121-2298
0071624449, $74.95 www.mcgraw-hill.com

Clinicians famous in their respective fields have produced 2010 Current Medical Diagnosis & Treatment, a solid survey of treatment and symptoms of over 1,000 diseases and disorders. College-level medical reference libraries will appreciate the focus on clinical diagnosis and patient management tools, and will note this is the only text to include an annual HIV infection update. Hundreds of drug treatment tables, ICD-9 codes, new topics on vaccines and Chikungunya fever, and more make this a key reference for any college-level medical collection.

This Is Why You're Fat
Jackie Warner
Wellness Central
c/o Hachette Book Group
237 Park Avenue, New York, NY 10017
9780446548601, $24.99, www.hachettebookgroup.com

Rooting out the cause is the most effective way to solve a problem. "This Is Why You're Fat: And How to Get Thin Forever" is a dietary health guide from Jackie Warner who states that denying and torturing oneself in the name of fitness actually works against your body. Stating that working with your mind is the key to health, she gives insightful tips to dieting and how to lose weight and what really works. "This Is Why You're Fat" is something to consider for those trying to combat their body into what they really want.


The Education Shelf

English Language Learners
Larry Ferlazzo
Linworth Books
c/o ABC-CLIO
Box 1911, Santa Barbara, CA 93116-1911
www.abc-clio.com
9781586835248, $35.00, www.amazon.com

We now live in a time where it is a common occurrence for K-12 public school systems to have a certain percentage of their student bodies comprised of children having to learn the English language. That's why "English Language Learners: Teaching Strategies that Work" by Larry Ferlazzo (who draws upon his many years of experience and expertise teaching English language learners at the Luther Burbank High School in Sacramento, California) is such an invaluable and instructive introduction for classroom teachers and their aides. Founded upon the educational processes and techniques of 'building relationships, developing student leadership, accessing prior knowledge through student stories, learning by doing, and reflection', "English Language Learners: Teaching Strategies that Work" offers practical ideas and detailed lessons that take useful advantage of technology and games as teaching tools, create and adapt lessons to individual student needs, and so much more. Informed and informative, "English Language Learners: Teaching Strategies that Work" is enhanced with references to extensive research studies and the linking of each individual lesson with state standards in English language development, making it a core addition to ESL and ELL instruction guide reference collections.

Education Unbound
Frederick M. Hess
ASCD
1703 N. Beauregard St., Alexandria, VA 22311-1714
9781416609131, $23.95, www.ascd.org

The ideal to build a better school system drives many thinkers to revamp it for a better system tomorrow. "Education Unbound: The Promise and Practice of Greenfield Schooling" is a discussion from Frederick M. Hess aimed at discussing the state of education, saying that modern America's education problems could dwell in the very foundation of the system. Calling for a reboot of the system to start from scratch, Hess gives scholarly thought and opinion, making "Education Unbound" a fascinating and very highly recommended read that shouldn't be missed by education administrators.

Reducing The Black Male Dropout Rate
Jawanza Kunjufu
African American Images
customer@africanamericanimages.com
9781934155226, $15.95, www.africanamericanimages.com

Black males have one of the highest high school dropouts of any group in America. "Reducing The Black Male Dropout Rate" discusses the shockingly high African American male drop out rate and what it causing it. Outlining fifty causes and offering fifty solutions to the problem, Dr. Jawanza Kunjufu does well in discussing the problem. "Reducing The Black Male Dropout Rate" is a solid and very highly recommended read for those concerned about the education of black Americans.

101 School Success Tools for Students with ADHD
Jacqueline S. Iseman
Prufrock Press
5926 Balcones Drive, Suite 220, Austin, TX 78731
9781593634032, $16.95, www.prufrock.com

ADHD isn't an issue that should prevent a child from learning. "101 School Success Tools for Students with ADHD" is a guide for parents and educators facing children with attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder, a common problem among many young students. These tools serve as tips ranging from simply reminding the student to stay on task, rewarding them for good behavior, and helping them when their on the brink of greatness. "101 School Success Tools for Students with ADHD" is a valuable reference for any parent or educator, a core addition to educational collections focusing on ADHD.

Rhodes Scholars
Thomas J. Schaeper & Kathleen Schaeper
Berghahn Books
150 Broadway, Suite 812, New York, NY 10038
9781845457211, $24.95, www.berghahnbooks.com

Perhaps the best and most educated minds on the planet. "Rhodes Scholars: Oxford, and the Creation of an American Elite" discusses the Rhodes Scholarship, a program in place for well over a century now where thirty two Americans from universities are chosen to study in the University of Oxford in England. This program has created an academic elite, with many of the figures who received this honor going far in life as major public figures as entertainers to even the President of the United States. "Rhodes Scholars" is a choice read for those trying to understand the history of the program.

Barron's
250 Wireless Road, Hauppauge, NY 11788
www.barronseduc.com

Renee White's SAT Subject Test: French's second edition (0764196731, $21.99) provides the latest practice tests - eight full-length tests, four supplemented with listening comprehension sections on the accompanying audio CDs - and answers questions with many key insights into grammar and vocabulary. From review quizzes to reading comprehension exercises, this is packed with fine insights perfect for any student of the SAT French test and libraries catering to them. Nancy Scoggin's AP MUSIC THEORY (0764196316, $34.99) provides a fine review of practice tests offering two full-length AP practice exams with all questions answered and explained. From music basics to composition, harmonic dictation, and strategies for sight-singing, this accompanies four audio CDs providing skill development prompts and makes for an outstanding study guide. The fifth updated edition of Martin Sternstein, Ph.D.'s AP STATISTICS (0764195441, $29.99) offers the latest review and practice tests, explaining all questions and including review topics in four general themes. A CD-ROM presents two additional full-length exams and a bonus CD-ROM presents calculator trial software, making for the perfect statistics study guide.

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

Howard S. Adelman and Linda Taylor's Mental Health in Schools: Engaging Learners, Preventing Problems, and Improving Schools (9781412975384, $38.95) is 'must' reading for any interested in student wellness and schools, describing how educators can coordinate internal and external resources to support a school environment. From the history and condition of current school mental health programs to addressing behavior issues and integrating mental health programming into public schools, this is packed with important considerations key to any administrator's library. Lori Langer de Ramirez's EMPOWER ENGLISH LANGUAGE LEARNERS WITH TOOLS FROM THE WEB (9781412972437, $38.95) shows how web 2.0 tools can help English language learning, and comes from a nationally known expert on ESL teaching and curriculum development. Classroom strategies explored here provide step-by-step guidelines for using a range of Web tools and activities and make for a powerful survey. Patricia A. Dischler's TEACHING THE 3 CS: CREATIVITY, CURIOSITY AND COURTESY (9781412974226, $28.95) provides a powerful reference showing how to promote a child's inner desire to learn. From tools for nurturing empathy and emotional intelligence to activities fun to use and developmentally appropriate for different ages, this tells how to integrate 'the 3 Cs' into any curriculum. Karen J. Rooney's STRATEGIES FOR LEARNING: EMPOWERING STUDENTS FOR SUCCESS, GRADES 9-12 (9781412972864, $30.95) provides struggling students with the study skills needed to achieve success. General and special education secondary teachers receive a fine gathering of field-tested learning strategies to help students improve cross-curricular skills in different areas. A top pick. Also top is Sandra K. Enger and Robert E. Yager's ASSESSING STUDENT UNDERSTANDING IN SCIENCE, 2ND EDITION (9781412969932, $35.95), covering the basics for educators interested in assessing student proficiency and performance in science. From measuring student progress in six scientific areas to evaluating methods of teaching and introducing science using results from these methods, this is highly recommended. Sandra Lee Gupton's THE INSTRUCTIONAL LEADERSHIP TOOLBOX: A HANDBOOK FOR IMPROVING PRACTICE (9781412975407, $33.95) provides fine leadership tools for building teamwork and improving instruction. From updated standards from the National Association of Elementary School Principals to new research connecting principal actions to student achievement, this offers tested tools to build teamwork and more effective educational connections. Susan E. Sather's LEADING PROFESSIONAL LEARNING TEAMS (9781412965538, $30.95) tells teachers how to use focused professional learning teams to create a team atmosphere. It provides a field-tested model for implementing strategies to foster teacher collaboration, and demonstrates learning teams in action. Very highly recommended. Also a top pick is Donovan R. Walling's WRITING FOR UNDERSTANDING: STRATEGIES TO INCREASE CONTENT LEARNING (9781412964357, $26.95). Chapters focus on writing as an instructional tool and is written for non-language arts teachers, showing teachers how to guide students in using different writing techniques for optimum expression. Jeanne H. Purcell and Jann H. Leppien edit PARALLEL CURRICULUM UNIT FOR SOCIAL STUDIES GRADES 6-12 (9781412965408, $35.95), a survey of a framework for developing a more effective social studies curriculum. From teacher explanations of unit designs and connections to concepts to step-by-step directions for delivering the lessons and assessing content, this is a pick any educator's library will relish. Linda Sullivan-Dudzic, et.al.'s MAKING A DIFFERENCE: 10 ESSENTIAL STEPS TO BUILDING A PREK-3 SYSTEM (9781412974233, $25.95) offers a fine plan for linking early childhood education to the K-3 system. More than 20 years' success with a PreK-3 system lend to an implementation program that identifies needs, shares developmental insights, and covers resources and challenges alike. The third updated edition of Susan Loucks-Horsley, et.al.'s DESIGNING PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT FOR TEACHERS OF SCIENCE AND MATHEMATICS (9781412974141, $39.95) provides an expanded edition of a fine professional resource, presenting an updated planning framework and blending in the latest research on PD design. Any professional educator will find this a fine blend of theory and practice. Will Richardson's BLOGS, WIKIS, PODCASTS, AND OTHER POWERFUL WEB TOOLS FOR CLASSROOMS (9781412977470, $31.95) is updated to include the latest technology for novice and tech-savvy educators alike, offering instructions for specific teaching using weblogs, wikis, social book marketing, online photo galleries, and more. It's packed with solid advice on how to blend classroom objectives with the latest hottest computer skills.

Heinemann
361 Hanover Street, Portsmouth, NH 03801-3912
www.heinemann.com www.boyntoncook.com

Editors Sandra Perl and Charles Schuster present STEPPING ON MY BROTHER'S HEAD AND OTHER SECRETS YOUR ENGLISH PROFESSOR NEVER TOLD YOU: A COLLEGE READER (086709592X, $23.13), twelve never-published-before essays by some of America's best writing teachers, and provides a fine set of insights perfect for any education or English lesson collection. From the literature and politics surrounding an email romance to family stories and secrets, this makes for a powerfully lively survey. Frank Serafini's CLASSROOM READING ASSESSMENTS: MORE EFFICIENT WAYS TO VIEW AND EVALUATE YOUR READERS (0325027129, $26.25) provides tips to improving student reading, offering four basic requirements for maximizing efficiency and increasing effectiveness. Any teacher needs this set of solid evaluation techniques.


The Pets/Wildlife Shelf

Stockdog Savvy
Jeanne Joy Hartnagle-Taylor & Ty Taylor
Alpine Publications
38262 Linman Rd., Crawford, CO 81415
9781577791065, $29.95, www.alpinepub.com

Man's best friend is also man's best farmhand. "Stockdog Savvy" is a guide for livestock keepers who want to use their dogs the best way possible in raising them to help deal with livestock of many types. Special breeding and training techniques, assigning the right type of dog with the right livestock, and more, Jeanne Joy Hartnagle-Taylor and Ty Taylor provide a wise and very comprehensive read. "Stockdog Savvy" is an invaluable farm dog raising and training tool, highly recommended.

Among the Great Apes
Paul Raffaele
Smithsonian
c/o HarperCollins
10 E. 53rd St., New York NY 10022-5299
9780061671838, $26.99 www.harpercollins.com

Among the Great Apes: Adventures on the Trail of Our Closest Relatives tells of the author's visit to all species and sub-species of the great apes left in the wild, traveling throughout Africa to Germany and the U.S. and facing danger from apes and humans alike. Science and nature observation blend in a dramatic survey perfect for any general lending library strong in wildlife encounters.

Making Rounds With Oscar
David Dosa, MD
Hyperion
114 - 5th Avenue, New York NY 10011
9781401323233, $23.99 www.hyperionbooks.com

Making Rounds With Oscar: The Extraordinary Gift of an Ordinary Cat tells of a cat who has lived among patients with advanced dementia at a nursing home in Rhode Island. Oscar is the cat who can predict when patients are going to die - and here Dr. Dosa tells of Oscar's gift in an intriguing story of medicine and animal interactions.

Anesthesia for Veterinary Technicians
Susan Bryant, Editor
Wiley-Blackwell
10475 Crosspoint Boulevard, Indianapolis, IN 46256
9780813805863, $69.99 www.wiley.com

Anesthesia for Veterinary Technicians is an excellent guide to anesthesia skills and is published in association with the Academy of Veterinary Technician Anesthetists. Packed with tips for technicians, this offers a key to building anesthesia skills and offers chapters on equipment, techniques for a wide range of species from horses to ruminants, and insights on common diseases requiring procedures and anesthesia. An invaluable 'must' for any vet collection.

Howell Book House
c/o John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
111 River Street, Hoboken, NJ 07030-5774
www.howellbookhouse.com

Carol Bradley's SAVING GRACIE: HOW ONE DOG ESCAPED THE SHADOWY WORLD OF AMERICAN PUPPY MILLS (9780470447581, $21.99) provides the true story of one dog's rescue from a Pennsylvania puppy mill. Gracie's early life was one of being crammed in a crate with the rest of her litter in a shoddily run commercial kennel with no room to run, play or even stand. The story of Gracie's salvation is concurrently the story of puppy mills across the country, and should be in any pet library. Victoria Schade's BONDING WITH YOUR DOG: A TRAINER'S SECRETS FOR BUILDING A BETTER RELATIONSHIP (9780470409152, $16.99) discusses the human-canine bond and tells owners how to create a bond with a pet that helps the pet listen to obedience clues, follow house rules, and work cooperatively. Key to any animal management program is building this bond: BONDING WITH YOUR DOG tells how.


The Gardening Shelf

Joy In Your Garden
Joy Bossi & Karen Bastow
CFI
c/o Cedar Fort, Inc.
2373 West 700 South, Springville, Utah 84663
www.cedarfort.com
9781599552903, $16.99, www.amazon.com

Winter has loosened its grip and attention turns once again to gardening. It's the perfect time to browse through the beautifully illustrated, informed and informative pages of "Joy in Your Garden: A Seasonal Guide to Gardening", the collaborative work experienced gardening enthusiasts Joy Bossi and Karen Bastow. Methodically organized into what gardeners should be doing during the Fall, Winter, Spring, and Summer seasons, "Joy In Your Garden" is a 145-page compendium packed with practical, 'real world' information for the amateur gardener beginning with identifying the type of soil to be worked with, the role of organic matter in successful soil preparation for gardening, and then organized seasonally, the flora ranging from lawns, to vegetables, flowers, ornamental plants, and more. From planting and pruning, to weeding and harvesting, "Joy In Your Garden" covers everything the gardener will need to know, as well as when and how it should be done. Of special note is the appendices focused specifically on organic gardening. Enhanced with a concluding section covering tools, shipping, zones, planting charts, a frost map, a glossary of terms, a glossary of 'Joyisms', and a listing of thematically appropriate books and resources, "Joy In Your Garden" is ideal for the novice gardening and is highly recommended for its enduring value for more experienced and dedicated gardeners as well.

Best of Greenspace
Duane Campbell
BB Mackey Books
PO Box 475, Wayne, PA 19087
9781893443167, $16.95, www.mackeybooks.com

Just because you're dealing with a bunch of garbage doesn't mean you can't have fun with it. "Best of Greenspace: 30 Years of Composted Columns" is a collection of columns from Duane Campbell, who has written a column focusing on composting and its value to gardening over the past three decades. Widely syndicated, thousands across the country have embraced Campbell's column with its own brand of humor and wisdom. "Best of Greenspace" is a top pick for fans of the column or those simply looking for good composting advice.


The Sports Shelf

Coached for Life
Ed Flaherty & Jack Uldrich
Koechel Peterson & Associations
c/o B&B Media Group
109 South Main Street Corsicana, TX 75110
9780615278827, $19.95, www.tbbmedia.com

A good coach doesn't just help you win the game, they help you win at life. "Coached for Life" discusses the impact coaches can have on the life of their players through 1962 state football champions in Montana and the lasting impact they had through their lives since then. Detailing the lives of the players and coaches since then through personal accounts, "Coached for Life" is a remarkable and uplifting detailed account for those who want to understand the importance of coaching.

The Baseball Fan's Bucket List
Robert Santelli & Jenna Santelli
Running Press
2300 Chestnut Street, Philadelphia, PA 19103-4371
9780762438556, $15.95, www.runningpress.com

There are some things a baseball fan must do to be known as a baseball fan. "The Baseball Fan's Bucket List: 162 Things You Must See, Do, Get & Experience Before You Die" discusses the many pilgrimages a baseball fan should undertake in their dedication to the game. The baseball hall of fame, major novels and films, collectibles, the world series, even fantasy camps, Robert Santelli and her daughter Jenna give a read that is sure to motivate any ballgame fan. "The Baseball Fan's Bucket List" is a key addition to any sports collection focusing on America's pastime.

Motorbooks
400 First Avenue North #300, Minneapolis, MN 55401
www.motorbooks.com

Andrew Giangola's THE WEEKEND STARTS ON WEDNESDAY: TRUE STORIES OF REMARKABLE NASCAR FANS (9780760338315, $25.00) provides a fine and different survey of NASCAR fans, complimenting books that profile NASCAR racers. The viewpoint from the stands offers fine stories of loyal fans and their devotion to the sport, making for a fine, lively guide any NASCAR fan will relish. SS Collins & Gavin D. Ireland's SPEEDWAY: AUTO RACING'S GHOST TRACKS (9781845842413, $69.95) provides a fine history and survey of forgotten speedways and covers tracks around the world, pairing over 175 images with a historical survey of the great drivers and times of these speedways. Any library strong in race car history will find this a winning discussion.


The Psychology Shelf

Grief in Childhood
Michelle Y. Pearlman, et al.
American Psychological Association
750 First Street, NE, Washington, DC 20002-4242
www.apa.org/books
9781433807527, $69.95, www.amazon.com

Every child, sometime in the course of their young lives, will experience a loss severe enough to cause them to grieve. For a significant number of them, the grieving process itself will be severe enough to require intervention. "Grief in Childhood: Fundamentals of Treatment in Clinical Practice" is the collaborative work of Michelle Y. Pearlman (a practicing clinical psychologist and an adjunct faculty member in the Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, New York University School of Medicine); Karen D'Angelo Schwalbe (also a clinical psychologist and adjunct faculty member in the Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, New York University School of Medicine); and Marylene Cloitre (founding directory of the Trauma and Resilience Research program, New York University Child Study Center, and Stephen Graham Professor of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, NYU Langone Medical Center, and a research scientist, New York State Nathan Kline Institute for Psychiatric Research). "Grief in Childhood" is a 232-page compendium which is accessibly organized into three major sections: Foundations of Treatment; Addressing Problems in Grieving Children; and Addressing Children's Grief and Building Resilience. Superbly presenting an integrated grief therapy approach to working with children which is essentially founded upon cognitive-behavioral, family systems, and utilizing a narrative-based approach to therapy, the reader will be well grounded in the basics of providing an accurate assessment of the symptoms and treatment approaches that usefully involve a parent or caregiver. Of special note is the provision of more than twenty activity handouts, germane case examples, an extensive references, and a comprehensive index, making "Grief in Childhood" especially appropriate as curriculum textbook and an invaluable addition to academic library Psychology/Psychiatry reference collections.

Writers on the Spectrum
Julie Brown
Jessica-Kingsley Publishers
400 Market Street, Suite 400, Philadelphia, PA 19106
9781843109136, $54.95, www.jkp.com

Autism and Asperger syndrome are not completely new things. "Writers on the Spectrum: How Autism and Asperger Syndrome Have Influenced Literary Writing" looks into the writings of certain individuals in literary history and discusses the potential that they were Autistic or had other disorders that pushed them into doing what made them famous. From Henry David Thoreau to Emily Dickinson, Dr. Julie Brown provides a fascinating look into the lives of these writers which can do much to give hope and understanding of the disorders. "Writers on the Spectrum" is a fine addition to any literary studies or autism studies collection.

The Activity Year Book
Anni Bowden and Nancy Lewthwaite
Jessica Kingsley Publishers
400 Market St., Suite 400, Philadelphia, PA 19106
9781843109631, $49.95 www.jkp.com

The Activity Year Book is for care staff looking after older people who have some degree of dementia, and offers a range of activity ideas key to keeping them engaged and stimulated. Week by week theme activities are easy to implement by staff, cover holidays to special nights, and offer practical trips on running them through a group and organizing activities. A fine survey packed with fun ideas, any elder collection needs this.

Enriched Care Planning for People With Dementia
Hazel May, Paul Edwards, Dawn Brooker
Jessica Kingsley Publishers
400 Market St. #400, Philadelphia, PA 19106
9781843104056, $47.50 www.jkp.com

Enriched Care Planning for People With Dementia provides an updated guide to individualized and inclusive dementia care, providing steps for improving the quality of psychological and social support for the person through their daily experiences. Tried and tested methods and a profiling approach make this a key acquisition for any library strong in dementia management and techniques.

The Verbally Abusive Relationship, third edition
Patricia Evans
Adams Media
57 Littlefield Street, Avon, MA 02322
9781440504631, $15.95, www.adamsmedia.com

No one likes being constantly talked down to. Now in a newly expanded third edition, "The Verbally Abusive Relationship: How to Recognize It and How to Respond" is a guide for dealing with this form of bullying which affects many aspects of life, both professional and personal. Patricia Evans outlines the levels of abuse that occur, stating from subtle sarcasm to out and out threats. "The Verbally Abusive Relationship" is a strong pick for any who want to be better equipped to dealing with aspect that everyone will encounter at one time or another.

Techniques of Hypnotic Induction
George Gafner
Crown House Publishing
6 Trowbridge Drive, Suite 5, Bethel, CT 06801-2858
9781845902926, $24.95, www.crownhousepublishing.com

Hypnosis is more than a myth, it has true clinical use. "Techniques of Hypnotic Induction" is a scholarly exploration into the uses of hypnotism in modern psychotherapy. But first, one must induce a hypnotic state, and psychotherapist George Gafner hopes to help others of his trade with many techniques he has found quite effective in the matter. Images, confusion, telling stories, and more, "Techniques of Hypnotic Induction" is an insightful and valuable reference, a choice pick for psychology collections.


The Jobs/Careers Shelf

Happiness at Work
Jessica Pryce-Jones
Wiley-Blackwell
350 Main Street, Malden, MA 02148-5020
Jane Wesman Public Relations (publicity)
322 Eighth Avenue, Suite 1702, New York, NY 10001
9780470749463, $24.95, www.wiley.com

Dread and unhappiness are the biggest barriers to productivity. "Happiness at Work: Maximizing Your Psychological Capital for Success" is a guide to keeping one's spirits up throughout one's career. With simple and straight forward language, Jessica Pryce-Jones comes at readers with a massive an assortment of tips and tricks, and explains why happiness matters and why doing something you hate for prolonged periods of time is not going to do you any favors. "Happiness at Work" is an intriguing and thoughtful read on workplace morale, a top pick for any career psychology collection.


The Economics Shelf

Complicit
Mark Gilbert
Bloomberg Press
731 Lexington Avenue, New York, NY 10022
9781576603468, $24.95 www.bloomberg.com/books

COMPLICIT: HOW GREED AND COLLUSION MADE THE CREDIT CRISIS UNSTOPPABLE examines the credit crisis and how the problems of subprime debt took down institutions and large parts of the world economy. Professionals in the banking, finance and real estate industries fostered this crisis through their vested interests: chapters explore exactly how this happened and its long-term results.

Financing the Future
Franklin Allen & Glenn Yago
Wharton School Publishing
801 East 96h Street, #300, Indianapolis, IN 46240-3759
9780137011278, $29.99, www.whartonsp.com

Good business doesn't aim for the status quo, but a brighter future. "Financing the Future: Market-Based Innovations for Growth" is a guide to business growth to remain profitable and expand for greater growth and profit in the business's future. Drawing on economic history and giving plenty examples of real word success to be inspired by, Franklin Allen and Glenn Yago give an insightful and scholarly economics and business planning guide. "Financing the Future" is a top pick for any economics or business collection.

Economic Analysis for Ecosystem-Based Management
Daniel S. Holland & Collaborators
RFF Press
c/o Earthscan
1616 P Street, NW, Washington, DC 20036
9781933115740, $ 39.95, www.rffpress.org

Economics often plays a hand in dealing with ecology. "Economic Analysis for Ecosystem-Based Management: Applications to Marine and Coastal Environments" discusses the relation for environmental concerns, focusing primarily on ocean ecology, and the importance of economic development alongside it. Human nature, the market, coastal policy, dealing with an uncertain future, and more, "Economic Analysis for Ecosystem-Based Management" is a vital read for those who understand the importance of economy in regards to the environment.


The Christian Studies Shelf

Harvesting the Fruits
Walter Kasper
Continuum
80 Maiden Lane, Suite 704, New York, NY 10038
9781441162724, $14.95, www.continuumbooks.com

They worship the same God, but their divisions remain strangely strong. "Harvesting the Fruits: Basic Aspects of Christian Faith in Ecumenical Dialogue" is a discussion of the Catholic Church's communications with the Protestant churches to help fade the line between Catholicism and Protestant, a divide which at certain points have been stronger than the division of Christians and Judaism. These dialogues are spiritual enlightening and grant the reader for a unified future, "Harvesting the Future" is a worthwhile addition to any Christian studies collection.

Children and the Theologians
Jerome W. Berryman
Morehouse Publishing
4775 Linglestown Road, Harrisburg, PA 17112
9780819223470, $35.00, www.morehousepublishing.org

Children, originally sinful, originally saint like, many religious thinkers have provided contradicting insight into our youngest peoples. "Children and the Theologians: Clearing the Way for Grace" discusses how throughout history, religious thoughts on children have changed radically through the ages, as Jerome W. Berryman breaks each discussion down into periods, dating from the time of Christ to the modern opinion. "Children and the Theologians" is a fascinating and insightful read that belongs in any Christian studies or historical philosophy collection.

A Field Guide to God
Patty Kirk
Guideposts
16 East 34th Street, New York, NY 10016
Planned Telvision Arts (publicity)
c/o Ruder Finn
1110 Second Avenue, New York, NY 10022
9780824947927, $21.99, www.plannedtvarts.com

Love is the foundation of life, whether it come from food or warmth or simply the knowledge that someone cares. "A Field Guide to God: A Seeker's Manual" serves as a fascinating introspective to the search of love from God, and how young people reach for this love even from birth, as they enter the world wanting food and warmth that they can't yet provide for themselves. These needs and desires, argues Patty Kirk, have a direct link for longing for God. "A Field Guide to God" is a riveting and insightful read, highly recommended.

10 Things Every Minister's Wife Needs to Know
Jeana Floyd
New Leaf Press
PO Box 726, Green Forest, AR 72638
9780892216987, $11.99, www.newleafpress.net

The support behind the leader is necessary so the leader doesn't lose his way. "10 Things Every Minister's Wife Needs to Know" is an inspirational guide aimed at minister's and pastor's wives, but the advice carries true for any woman who wants to better understand their husband. Suggesting strong faith in God and learning to understand their husband and the men who look to him for advice, "10 Things Every Minister's Wife Needs to Know" is a choice pick for any newly married Christian woman.


The Business Shelf

Successful Managers, Successful Organizations
John F. Macek
BOSSHANDBOOKS
2313 Morningside Drive, Janesville, WI 53546
www.bosshandbooks.com macekj@charter.net
9780984307203, $14.95, www.macekj.com

Any enterprise, be it a commercial business or a non-profit community organization, will rise or fall, succeed or fail, according to the quality and caliber of its management. And there's a great deal more to successful management than is taught in most MBA programs! In "Successful Managers, Successful Organizations: 20 Critical Management Skills And How to Apply Them", John F. Macek draws upon his many years of experience and expertise as a successful corporate manager to compile into just 43 pages a thoroughly 'user friendly' compendium of practical managerial advice that is as insightful as it is 'real world' based. Replete with checklists and step-by-step instructions, "Successful Managers, Successful Organizations" will enable even the most novice manager in either for-profit or non-profit companies and corporations to identify, analyze and evaluate the managerial needs of their organization; write meaningful job descriptions; recruit competent employees; execute effective staff evaluations; monitor managerial and supervisory performance, and a great deal more. Of special note is Macek's commentary on shaping and implementing a 'Corporate Culture'. Informed and informative throughout, "Successful Managers, Successful Organizations" is highly recommended for personal, professional, business school, and community library reference collections and supplemental reading lists.

How to Hit a Curveball
Scott R. Singer
Portfolio
c/o Penguin Group
375 Hudson Street, New York, NY 10014
9781591843108, $24.95, www.penguin.com

Be prepared for the worst while expecting the best. "How to Hit a Curveball: Confront and Overcome the Unexpected in Business" is a guide for business leaders in dealing with the many challenges that come when life doesn't go according to plan. Scott R. Singe, investment banker, uses his own experiences to encourage business leaders to think on their feet and be prepared for the random changes life likes to throw at them. "How to Hit a Curveball" is a valuable guide that shouldn't be missed for the fast thinking businessman.

The Green Guide For Business
Chris Goodall
Profile Books
c/o Meryl Zegarek Public Relations
255 West 108th St., Suite 9D1, NY, NY 10025
www.profilebooks.com
9781846688744, $14.95, www.amazon.com

Business that incorporate and practice environmentally appropriate decisions and policies are, as a general rule, more profitable than business that ignore the impact they have upon the environment. That is the well-supported thesis of climate change expert and author Chris Goodall in his most recent work, "The Green Guide for Business: The Ultimate Environment Handbook for Businesses of All Sizes". This 208-page compendium of information will enable business owners and managers to calculate the 'carbon footprint' of their enterprise, adopt and adapt environmentally sound improvements to the company in terms of buildings, transportation systems, and more. Of special note is the informed and informative chapter dedicated to 'reducing, reusing, and recycling'. A good environmental record is an enduringly useful asset in everything from lowering operational costs to insuring customer loyalty -- both of which are essential for any business enterprise having to compete in today's highly competitive local, national, and international marketplaces!

How to Write a Business Plan
Brian Finch
Kogan Page
525 South 4th Street, #241, Philadelphia, PA 19147
9780749460303, $14.95, www.koganpage.com

A good strategy is the best way to get anything done. "How to Write a Business Plan" is a guide to laying out one's business and financial goals to give one's own business, no matter what the size, the direction they need to find their mark and go to it to expand their business and make it truly successful. Covering everything from analyzing the market, making business allies, to the many legal issues, "How to Write a Business Plan" is an advice guide that shouldn't be missed, a key addition to business collections.

Power and Love
Adam Kahane
Berrett-Koehler Publications
235 Montgomery Street, Suite 650, San Francisco CA 94104-2916
9781605093048, $16.95 www.bk-life.com

POWER AND LOVE: A THEORY AND PRACTICE OF SOCIAL CHANGE offers a powerful survey of how groups of people solve complex problems. This book notes that the purposes of power and love are actually complimentary, not adversarial: their different strengths and approaches lend to business achievement. Any business library should have this.

The Business of Happiness
Ted Leonsis with John Buckley
Regnery Publishing
One Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington DC 20001
9781596981140, $27.95 www.regnery.com

The Business of Happiness: 6 Secrets to Extraordinary Success in Work and Life provides a fine review of the author's 'start with success' philosophy, which has helped him achieve success throughout his career. A millionaire at the age of 28, Leonsis faced death and realized he needed to refocus his life. His list of 101 goals that he felt would lead him to happiness led to an identification of six habits key to success - habits any businessperson needs to adopt.

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

Bob Burg and John David Mann's GO-GIVERS SELL MORE (9781591843085, $21.95) provides a fine supplemental guide to their national best-seller THE GO-GIVER, offering insights into how to develop a powerful, more effective approach to selling. Their formula differs from others and offers a fine survey of how to defuse the adversarial relationships inherent in traditional selling, showing salespeople how to think like 'go-givers' in a positive approach perfect for collections seeing popularity in the original book. Harvey Mackay's USE YOUR HEAD TO GET YOUR FOOT IN THE DOOR (9781591843214, $25.95) offers job seekers some expert strategies that include those who have been unemployed for a long time as well as newcomers to the job market. Learn the concept of making a personal pitch to merchandise and market skills effectively in hard times using a guide that shares all his tips from his lifetime as a CEO. Seth Godin's LINCHPIN: ARE YOU INDISPENSABLE (9781591843160, $25.95) is a 'must' for any in business who would stand out and exert emotional labor to be seen as an indispensable part of a company. Personal choices and directions make a big difference in perceived value - this identifies a third team of 'linchpins' in any organization who invent, lead and make things happen - and tells how to be one of them. Any business library needs this.

Green Careers for Dummies
Carol McClelland, PhD
Wiley
c/o John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
111 River Street, Hoboken, NJ 07030-5774
9780470529607, $19.99 www.wiley.com

GREEN CAREERS FOR DUMMIES offers a fine survey of business opportunities in 'green' industry, reviewing examples of green economics and showing how to locate and train for a career that has a positive impact on the planet. From greening a current job to thriving in a green economy, this covers all the basic 'green' concepts as they apply to a career opportunity.

McGraw-Hill
c/o The McGraw Hill Companies
Two Penn Plaza, 11th Floor, New York, NY 10121-2298
www.books.mcgraw-hill.com www.mhprofessional.com

Gary Keller with Dave Jenks and Jay Papasan's SHIFT: HOW TOP REAL ESTATE AGENTS TACKLE TOUGH TIMES (0071739386, $24.95) outlines 12 strategies that can power a business in any market, from mastering current market challenges such as short sales to overcoming buyer reluctance and expanding creative finance options. It's based on years of research and tested tactics and shows how to thrive against all odds: any real estate collection needs this. Leigh Branham, SPHR and Mark Hirschfeld's RE-ENGAGE: HOW AMERICA'S BEST PLACES TO WORK INSPIRE EXTRA EFFORT IN EXTRAORDINARY TIMES (0071703101, $29.95) is a pick for any manager's collection, and covers the basics of keeping workers happy and productive. From tackling workplace disillusionment and encouraging rewards for excellence to creating a great workplace for all, this is a powerful pick for any business collection.

Handmade Marketplace
Kari Chapin
Storey Publishing
210 MassMoca Way, North Adams, MA 01247
9781603424776, $14.95 www.storey.com

HANDMADE MARKETPLACE: HOW TO SELL YOUR CRAFTS LOCALLY, GLOBALLY, AND ONLINE comes from a marketing crafter who has sold her homemade goods online and also managed her own retail shop. Her background in publicity and marketing for a variety of arts and nonprofits makes for a powerful and unique guide perfect for crafts and arts libraries as well as basic business collections.

Complete Idiot's Guide to Business Plans, second edition
Gwen Moran and Sue Johnson
Alpha Books
c/o Penguin Publishing Group
375 Hudson Street, New York, NY 10014-3658
9781592579730, $19.95 www.idiotsguides.com

The second updated Complete Idiot's Guide to Business Plans provides a winning writing course designed to help put together a plan to help any business succeed. From how such plans are used to obtain start-up capital to analyzing a market and understanding business writing, this is a powerful pick for any beginning business reader.


The Fantasy/SciFi Shelf

The Crucible of Empire
Eric Flint and K.D. Wentworth
Baen Books
Box 1403, Riverdale, NY 10471
9781439133385, $25.00 www.baen.com

The Crucible of Empire tells of humans and overlords who join forces to save the Earth from aliens called the Ekhat - an effort that will change their relationship and that creates an uncertain alliance between former enemies. Years later another alien species is discovered - and a massive ship sent to investigate must depend upon the overlords for help. A fine military-style thriller evolves, perfect for libraries strong in political and military science fiction.

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

DIRECTIVE 51 is the first book in a new post-apocalyptic trilogy by John Barnes and tells of one Heather, who was a cop before she was recruited by the U.S. Government and is brought on board on a new Future Threat Assessment taskforce. When a plane carrying the Vice President vanishes, Heather discovers a larger plot may indicate world destruction in this tense science fiction thriller, perfect for any lending library.

Nagash the Unbroken
Mike Lee
Black Library
1525 Hulse Road, Unit 1, Point Pleasant, NJ 08742
9781844167913, $8.99, www.blacklibrary.com

One defeat is not enough to keep the determined from their glory. "Nagash the Unbroken" is a tale set in the Warhammer universe, following the driven and selfish necromancer Nagash as he finds new allies in the skaven, rat people who live out of most of the world's view. With the help of a new artifact, Nagash may just have the tools he needs for his vengeance and to sate his lust for power. "Nagash the Unbroken" is a choice pick for fans of the Warhammer universe.

Song Over Quiet Lake
Sarah Felix Burns
Second Story Press
20 Maud Street, Suite 401, Toronto, ON M5V 2M5
9781897187678, $18.95, www.secondstorypress.ca

Friendship and compassion know no age. "Song Over Quiet Lake" tells the story of college student Sylvia Hardy and elderly woman Lydie Jim. Sylvia faces the remnants of a harsh childhood and finds herself looking to Lydie for guidance, and with her stories, Sylvia learns to have the strength to continue on with life. A touching and uplifting tale, "Song Over Quiet Lake" is a fascinating and fun read, sure to please many a reader.


The Architecture Shelf

Building Barcelona
Peter G. Rowe
Actar D
158 Lafayette Street, 5th floor, New York, NY 10013
www.actar.com
9788496540286, $22.95, www.amazon.com

Barcelona is one of Spain's oldest cities and has taken centuries to evolve into its present state as a modern metropolis that has over the past few decades has substantially benefited from architectural and other advances in urban renewal and development. As a result, it has become a kind of Mecca for aspiring and professional architects from Europe and the Americas. The story of this fascinating and internationally influential architecturally driven renaissance is superbly presented in "Building Barcelona: A Second Renaixenca" by Peter G. Rowe (Raymond Garbe Professor of Architecture and urban Design, Harvard University). This 192-page compendium is liberally illustrated with black-and-white photography, and features seven full color abstractions. Informed and informative, this superbly presented history should be especially noted for its commentary on the evolving influences cultural conditions had, and continue to have, on the rebuilding process in general, and the architectural structures created by a series of outstanding architects ranging from Mies van der Rhoe and Josep Lluis Sert, to Richard Meier and Jean Nouvel. "Building Barcelona" is a seminal work of impeccable scholarship and a core addition to any academic or professional Architectural Studies reference collection and supplemental reading list.

Almanac of Architecture & Design 2010
Jane Paradise Wolford, editor
Ostberg
c/o The Greenway Group
25 TechnologyParkway South, Suite 101, Atlanta, GA 30092
9780984084623, $149.00, www.greenway.us

Architecture is an art form that is constrained by the need to be functional, but that limitation has done nothing to stop today's architects. "Almanac of Architecture & Design 2010" is a collection of studies on today's architecture around the world, looking at how they have been adapted and changed over the past year. New designs of buildings, new architects, new theories of design have made for an intriguing past year in building design. With plenty of references outlining companies and details about them including full color photographs of major projects, "Almanac of Architecture & Design" is a must have resource for any architecture collection.

Peabody & Stearns: Country Houses and Seaside Cottages
Annie Robinson
W.W. Norton
500 - 5th Avenue, New York NY 10110
9780393732184, $65.00 www.wwnorton.com

Peabody & Stearns: Country Houses and Seaside Cottages is a 'must' for any college-level collection strong in architecture. It tells of the firm of Peabody and Stearns and how it helped change the direction of architecture through their country house work. Packed with black and white photos paired with history and architectural detail, this is a fine addition to any college-level architectural library.

Animals in Stone
Robert Arthur King
W.W. Norton
500 - 5th Avenue, New York NY 10110
9780393732863, $24.95 www.wwnorton.com

ANIMALS IN STONE: ARCHITECTURAL SCULPTURE IN NEW YORK CITY provides a fine survey of creatures that decorate New York City structures, from lions and sheep to eagles and cats and dogs. Balconies, windows, and other facades are surveyed along with addresses of buildings and public transportation information including maps, making this an architectural celebration also conducive to travel collections.


The Computer Shelf

O'Reilly
1005 Gravenstein Highway North, Sebastopol, CA 95472
www.oreilly.com

Subbu Allamaraju's RESTFUL WEB SERVICES COOKBOOK (9780596801687, $39.99) is a pick for any web development library and explores the REST design philosophy by presenting over 100 'recipes' to help programmers use REST, HTTP, and the Web. Learn how to design RESTful web services that address performance and reliability concerns, and in an excellent programmer's reference recommended for any web programming collection. Joseph Albahari and Ben Albahari's C# 4.0 IN A NUTSHELL (9780596800956, $49.99) tells how to get up to speed using C# 4.0 or the .NET CLR. It covers variables, 4.0 special features from parameter variance to parallel programming and code contracts, and puts all information in a quick reference format for nearly instant access. The latest details on LINQ and more make this a 'must' for any programmer's library. Peter Morville and Jeffrey Callender's SEARCH PATTERNS (9780596802271, $39.99) is also a recommended pick for any library strong in web and search engine references. It uses the authors' experiences and best practices alike to demonstrate pattern language, more effective searches and strategies that boost e-commerce sales, and more. Any library strong in web design must have this search-specific reference.

Addison-Wesley
c/o Pearson Technology Group
801 East 96th Street, #300, Indianapolis, IN 46240-3759
www.informit/com/aw

Advanced-level programming and internet guides strong in C# references must have MARK MICHAELIS'S ESSENTIAL C# 4.0 (0321694694, $49.99). It offers a series of best practices for object-oriented programming in C#, discusses methods and expressions, and surveys all technical details from querying and attributes to multithreaded programming using the Task Parallel Library. Any developer working with C# needs this technical reference, packed with specific details. Also recommended is Johnson M. Hart's WINDOWS SYSTEM PROGRAMMING, 4TH EDITION (0321657748, $69.99), a definitive guide offering new coverage of 64-bit programming, multicore systems, and more. Windows externals are covered at the AP level as Hart surveys features from basic to complex procuresses and applications, from file systems to synchronization and Windows security. Bill Wagner's EFFECTIVE C#: 50 SPECIFIC WAYS TO IMPROVE YOUR C#, 2ND EDITION (0321658701, $39.99) tells how to use both types of C# constants for efficiency, and how to make the most of the C# language. Any library strong in Microsoft programming needs this technical guide for C# programmers who want to go to the next level of quality.

Wiley Publishing
c/o Wiley-Blackwell
10475 Crosspoint Boulevard, Indianapolis, IN 46256
www.wiley.com

The second updated edition of Leah Pearlman and Carolyn Abram's FACEBOOK FOR DUMMIES (9780470527610, $21.99) is a 'must' for any newcomer to Facebook who would understand the social networking system's basic concepts. From creating a profile and navigating the site to adding applications uploading photos, and building a fan page, this packs in important keys to building an organized, revealing Facebook profile and understanding the pros and cons of Facebook's operations. Every library needs this. Also a pick is Susannah Gardner and Shane Birley's BLOGGING FOR DUMMIES (9780470565568, $24.99), a fine survey covering the basics of blog etiquette, tools, socializing, and even blogging for money. From identifying visitors to managing blog tasks and overcoming writer's block, this is a top pick.

Understanding IBM SOA Foundation Suite
Tinny Ng, Jane Fung, Laura Chan and Vivian Mak
IBM Press
c/o Pearson Technology Group
801 East 96th Street, #300, Indianapolis, IN 46240-3759
0138150400, $49.99 www.ibmpressbooks.com

Understanding IBM SOA Foundation Suite tells how to master the IBM SOA Foundation through 26 hands-on tutorials presented herein covering everything from designing services with UML and creating services with IBM Rational Application Developer to connecting services with WebSphere Message Broker and more. It's an outstanding survey for any college-level web designer's collection.

IT Systems Management, second edition
Rich Schiesser
Prentice Hall
c/o Pearson Technology Group
801 East 96th Street, #300, Indianapolis, IN 46240-3759
0137025068, $59.99 www.informit.com/ph

The second updated edition of IT Systems Management offers a fully updated guide to managing IT infrastructures, and is a 'must' for any college-level technical information management library. It packs in details on the latest issues and trends in IT management, discussing managing performance, availability, and reducing costs of IT facilities management.

Complete Idiot's Guide to Ebay, second edition
Lissa McGrath and Skip McGrath
Alpha
c/o Penguin Publishing Group
375 Hudson St., New York NY 10014
9781592579693, $18.95 www.idiotsguides.com

The second updated edition of Complete Idiot's Guide to Ebay tells how to get the most out of eBay, whether you're a buyer or a seller. From eBay's new changes for both to more effective bidding strategies and techniques to gain the Top-Rated Seller fee discounts, this is a 'must' for any who regularly work with eBay's system.

Barron's AP Computer Science A, fifth edition
Roselyn Teukolsky, MS
Barron's
250 Wireless Road, Hauppauge, NY 11788
0764197045, $29.99 www.barronseduc.com

The fifth updated edition of Barron's AP Computer Science A offers the latest review and practice tests, has been updated to reflect the College Board's current Level A syllabus, and offers three full-length AP practice exams with all questions answered and explained. A CD-ROM explains the exams and provides two addition practices including a scoring chart.

All-in-One CompTIA A+ Certification Exam Guide, seventh edition
Mike Meyers
McGraw Hill
c/o The McGraw Hill Companies
Two Penn Plaza, 11th Floor, New York, NY 10121-2298
0071701338, $59.99 www.mhprofessional.com

The seventh updated edition of All-in-One CompTIA A+ Certification Exam Guide tells how to get ahead on the latest CompTIA A+ certification and training. From exam tips and plenty of practice questions to over 1,000 photos and illustrations, this comes with an accompanying CD- ROM of practice exams, review questions, a one-hour video training segment, and more. Any reference library must have this.


The Environmental Studies Shelf

The Biochar Debate
James Bruges
Chelsea Green Publishing
PO Box 428, White River Junction, VT 05001
9781603582551, $14.95, www.chelseagreen.com

The future of mankind lies in the power of its soil. "The Biochar Debate: Charcoal's Potential to Reverse Climate Change and Build Soil Fertility" discusses charcoal and its unique effects on the environment. Charcoal can be vital in revitalizing soil and leading to more effective agriculture and the benefits of that go down the line. Stating the status quo of farming is hurting the soil and that fending off climate change is an important goal, "The Biochar Debate" is a fascinating and highly recommended read that shouldn't be missed.

Sustainable World Sourcebook
Sustainable World Coalition
2150 Allston Way #450, Berkeley, CA 94704
9780615309804, $11.95 www.swcoalition.org

Sustainable World Sourcebook: Critical Issues, Viable Solutions, Resources for Action offers citizens a fine guidebook linking key daily life choices to the fate of the world. From how a diet choice affects global climate to understanding ecological footprints and energy, this is a top pick for any energy-conscious collection.


The Needlecraft Shelf

Eye Candy Quilts
Melody Crust
Breckling Press
283 Michigan Street, Elmhurst, IL 60126
www.brecklingpress.com
9781933308258, $19.95, www.amazon.com

Some quilts are practical. Some quilts are works of art. Some quilts are just plain fun. The very best quilts are practical, artistic, and pure needle crafting fun to make. And that's where "Eye Candy Quilts: Supper-Fast Fun With Beads, Baubles, Buttons, And More!" comes in. Melody Crust's mini-quilts (mostly postcard sized) are the templates that showcase hundreds of embellishment ideas using beads, shi-sha mirrors, ribbons, lace, glittery 'found' objects, and more to make decorative quilts suitable for all occasions. Nicely organized, profusely illustrated, and thoroughly 'user friendly', "Eye Candy Quilts" begins with basic information on constructing an 'eye candy' quilt, then goes on to embellishment basics ranging from tools and fabrics, to beading, design decisions, and the 'art of camouflage. Of special note is the concluding section on display the creative 'eye candy' quilts. A very special and unique instruction manual and guide, "Eye Candy Quilts" is a highly recommended addition to personal and community library needlecraft reference collections.

Another Season of Beautiful Blooms
Susan Taylor Propst
Martingale & Company
20205 - 144th Ave NE, Woodinville, WA 98072-8478
9781564779397, $27.99 www.martingale-pub.com

Another Season of Beautiful Blooms: Appliqued Quilts and Cushions is inspired by the lovely gardens of England and Europe and blends floral designs in a way that really 'pop' the color. Full-sized block patterns and instructions for pillows and wall hangings are included for each of nine designs, with projects manageable in size and beautiful in finished results. Any needlework collection will welcome this gorgeous presentation.


The Cookbook Shelf

$3 Soups & Stews
Ellen Brown
The Globe Pequot Press
PO Box 480, Guilford, CT 06437
www.globepequot.com
9781599218922, $14.95, www.amazon.com

Soups and stews can be as nutritious and delicious as they are low-budget and family finance friendly. Especially with the help of Ellen Brown's "$3 Soups and Stews: Delicious, Low-Cost Dishes for Your Family That Everyone Will Love!". This 256-page compendium of thoroughly 'kitchen cook friendly' recipes showcase more than 250 palate pleasing, appetite satisfying, inexpensive, easy to prepare dishes that would grace any family dining occasion. From the making of basic chicken, beef, vegetable and seafood stocks, to such homespun gourmet dishes as Dilled Vegetable Chowder; Basque Bean and Cabbage Soup; Curried Fish Stew; Braised Beef with Rosemary and Celery, and Asian Turkey Chili, "$3 Soups and Stews" offers an impressive variety of dishes with step-by-step instructions. Of special note for the novice family cook is the opening chapter on 'Saving Money at the Supermarket'. This alone is worth it all -- and the recipes are just a welcome but additional value for the price of purchase. If you have a limited food budget with only enough funds for one addition to your kitchen cookbook shelf, make it Ellen Brown's "$3 Soups and Stews".

Edible
Tracey Ryder & Carole Topalian
John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
111 River St., Hoboken, NJ 07030-5774
www.wiley.com
9780470371084, $29.95, www.amazon.com

The collaborative project of Tracey Ryder and Carole Topalian (co-founders of Edible communities Inc., a network of regional food magazines in the United States and Canada celebrating place-based foods, recipes, and personal stories of the farmers, fishermen, chefs, local food/environmental activists and issues), "Edible: A Celebration Of Local Foods" is a profusely illustrated, 336-page compendium showcasing six of North America's culinary regions; profiles of local community food-and-environment sustainable agricultural activists; inspirational stories; and eighty very special recipes. The first section dedicated to 'Edible Stories' is organized into Northeast; Southeast; Southwest; California and the West; Pacific Northwest; and Midwest. The second section showcasing the recipes is organized seasonally: Spring, Summer; Fall; and Winter. Enhanced with a listing of the featured recipes by region; a list of Edible Communities publications, and a comprehensive index, "Edible" is especially recommended for personal, academic, and community library collections.

Atlanta Kitchens
Krista Reese
Gibbs Smith, Publisher
PO Box 667, Layton UT 84041
www.gibbs-smith.com
9781423605461, $30.00, www.amazon.com

Atlanta has some of the finest cuisine served up by some of the finest restaurants in all of Georgia. In "Atlanta Kitchens", cookbook author and restaurant critic Krista Reese draws upon her more than twenty years of covering Atlanta's finest dining establishments ranging from down home cafes to elegant restaurants, to showcase fifty-six of Atlanta's finest ranging from Watershed, Mary Mac's Tea Room, and Babette's Cafe, to The Pecan; Gravity Pub, and the Horseradish Grill. Profusely illustrated, the step-by-step recipes run the complete dining gamut from appetizers to entrees, from side dishes to salads, from desserts to beverages. Of special note is the chapter entirely dedicated to 'Comfort Foods' as offered by some of Atlanta's most impressive chefs. From Strawberry Serrano Mussels (Babette's Cafe); to Butter-Poached Shrimp and Grits (Repast); to Pulled Pork BBQ on Cornmeal Pancakes with Spicy Mustard Coleslaw (Horseradish Grill); to Orange Buttermilk Chess Pie (South City Kitchen), "Atlanta Kitchens" offers thoroughly 'kitchen cook friendly', palate pleasing, appetite satisfying, gourmet quality dishes that would grace any dining occasion and bring some of that memorable Atlanta quality restaurant cuisine to the family table.

The Kansas City Barbeque Society Cookbook, 25th anniversary edition
Ardie A. Davis, et al.
Andrews & McMeel
1130 Walnut Street, Kansas City, MO 64106-2109
www.andrewsmcmeel.com
9780740790102, $24.99, www.amazon.com

Very few cuisines are as enduringly popular for the American male as the barbeque. There's far more to barbequing than just tossing meat on a grill! The collaborative project of barbeque enthusiasts Ardie A. Davis, Paul Kirk, and Carolyn Wells, the 25th anniversary edition of "The Kansas City Barbeque Society Cookbook" showcases more than two hundred mouth watering, palate pleasing, appetite satisfying barbeque recipes, along with succinct biographical sketches and anecdotes of the men and women responsible for them. All manner of meats and veggies are included with dishes ranging from Grilled Oysters with Orange-Walnut Vinaigrette; Grilled Greek-Style Zucchini; Redneck Mother chicken Livers with Bacon, Spicy Cheese Grits, and Crispy Onion Rings; and Grilled Venison Tenderloin, to Snail's Smoky Chili Con Carne; Grilled Ahi Tuna Steaks; Flying Pig BLT Salads; and Wood-Grilled Philippine Pork Steaks with Pineapple-Tangerine Glaze. Of special note are the sauces, rubs and marinades including 3 X BBQ Sauce; Modified Paul Kirk Marinade; and Big Billy's Very Cherry Dr Pepper Barbeque Sauce. There's even a chapter on deserts offering such barbeque banqueting treats as Grilled Angel Food Cake with Fruit and Homemade Caramel Sauce! A 336-page cornucopia of recipes, "The Kansas City Barbeque Society Cookbook" is highly recommended for all community library cookbook collections, and absolutely indispensable for dedicated home barbequing enthusiasts!

Startin' the Fire
George Hensler
Rio Grande Books
925 Salamanca NW, Los Ranchos, NM 87107-5647
9781890689148, $12.99, www.nmsantos.com

It's one thing to barbecue. It's another to try to be the best at it. "Startin' The Fire: Everything You Need to Know About Starting a Competition BBQ Team" is a guide to the world of competitive barbeque and what newbies need to know to break into this world where people have taken the cooking of meat and poultry on a summer afternoon to a new level of art. With wit and humor, George Hensler encourages anyone with their own recipe and pride to take up fork. "Startin' The Fire" is a must for any hardcore barbecue fanatic.

Speed Vegan
Alan Roettinger
The Book Publishing Company
PO Box 99, Summertown, TN 38483
www.thefarm.org/businesses/bpc.html
9781570672446, $19.95, www.amazon.com

In "Speed Vegan", culinary author and professional chef Alan Roettinger draws upon his decades of experience and expertise to compile an impressively diverse 192-page collection of vegan recipes that are as 'kitchen cook friendly' as they are palate pleasing. Ranging from Hot Eggplant and Seitan Open-Face Sandwiches; Celeriac Remulade; and Campari-Braised Radicchio Salad with Grapefruit; to Blazing Pinto Beans; Chipotle Mushrooms; and Dried Fruit Compote, "Speed Vegan" is extraordinary because these are all dishes that can be prepared in a very short time (often a matter of minutes). Delicious and nutritious, all these showcased dishes would grace any meal from simple family dining to elegant celebratory affairs. Of special note for those new to vegan cooking are the opening chapters on essential kitchen equipment and stocking a vegan pantry. "Speed Vegan" is highly recommended, especially for vegan cooks who must include non-vegans at their table!

River Road Plantation Country Cookbook
Anne Butler
Pelican Publishing Company
1000 Burmaster Street, Gretna, LA 70053-2246
www.pelicanpub.com
9781589806825, $25.00, www.amazon.com

Anne Butler's "River Road Plantation Country Cookbook" is a 256-page tribute to 'down home' Louisiana cuisine that showcases their unique culinary culture and organizes that presentation parish by parish. In addition to the recipes themselves, readers are treated to succinct and nicely illustrated with tin-type style photography, informative descriptions of the plantations associated with the featured dishes. The recipes themselves are thoroughly 'kitchen cook friendly' and range from Cajun Potato Cakes; Cajun Catfish Beignets; and Black Bottom Pie; to Candied Grapefruit Peel; Mrs. Keyes' Champagne Punch; Chicken Creole; and Cilantro-Wrapped Cobia with Sherry Cilantro Salsa. Part regional history book, part Louisiana recipe collection, the "River Road Plantation Country Cookbook" is a unique and highly prized addition to any and all personal, professional, and community library American Regional Cuisine cookbook collections.

Rick & Bubba's Big Honkin' Book Of Grub
Rick Burgess & Bill 'Bubba' Bussey
Thomas Nelson Publishers
PO Box 141000, Nashville, TN 37214
www.thomasnelson.com
9781401604028, $16.99, www.amazon.com

Offering more than just a series of palate-pleasing, kitchen-cook friendly recipes ranging from a Homemade Cornbread Dressing, to Bubba's World-Famous Homemade Macaroni and Cheese, to Sherri's Famous Chocolate Sauce, "Rick & Bubba's Big Honkin' Book Of Grub" is a 288-page compendium of commentary on the art of eating well, losing weight, the lore of the casserole, favorite places to dine, food fairs and festivals, the mystery of hush puppies, and so much more. A welcome addition to family and community library cookbook collections, and especially commended for the non-specialist general reader with an interest in the lore and language of food, "Rick & Bubba's Big Honkin' Book Of Grub" is as entertaining as it is informative.

Top 100 Finger Foods
Annabel Karmel
Atria Books
1230 Avenue of Americas, New York NY 10020
9780743493710, $18.00 www.simonandschuster.com

Top 100 Finger Foods offers a fine guide to finger foods that young children can enjoy, offering options for breakfast, lunch, dinner and dessert and creating recipes for both babies and older children. From Cajun Chicken Skewers with Mango Salsa to Beefy Hand Pies, these should appeal to all ages and are perfect for libraries catering to parents.

Best Potluck Recipes
Cook's Country
America's Test Kitchen
17 Station St., Brookline, MA 02445
1933615583, $29.95 www.cookscountry.com

Best Potluck Recipes offers over a hundred classic favorite potluck dishes that are quick to cook up, easy to tote, and have proven hits for crowds. From an initial discussion of food safety issues when preparing ahead and serving later to how to best reheat the dishes, prepare them for travel, and host a successful potluck supper, this is packed with crowd-pleasing dishes perfect for any home book. The lay-flat binding with spine lettering lends to shelf identification and cooking alike.

Wiley Publishing
c/o John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
111 River Street, Hoboken, NJ 07030-5774
www.wiley.com

The revised, updated edition of Amy Scherber & Toy Kim Dupree's AMY'S BREAD (9780470170755, $35.00) updates the original classic cookbook and offers tips on baking and techniques for creating the perfect loaf. From using fresh ingredients to choosing affordable yet effective kitchen equipment for bread-baking, this will appeal to newcomers and first-time breadmakers alike, pairing color photos with easy techniques and advice for producing specialty breads. Elizabeth Gordon's ALLERGY-FREE DESSERTS (9780470448465, $22.95) packs in recipes for gluten-free, dairy-free, egg-free and soy-free desserts and includes many delicious dishes, from Marshmallow Blondies to Apple Spice Cake and even a classic Red Velvet Cake. Substitutions to traditional ingredients range from xanthan gum and gluten-free vanilla rice milk to agave syrup and rice flour. Color photos add to the appeal.

Cooking from the Garden
Ruth Lively, Editor
Taunton Press
Box 5506, Newtown, CT 06470-5506
9781600852473, $29.95 www.taunton.com

Cooking from the Garden celebrates seasonal variety, presenting over 200 tasty recipes from chefs, restaurateurs and cooks around the country. Full-page sidebars of detail include tips on how to peel a tomato, choosing the right mint for the kitchen, and more. No color photos but dishes such as Lentils with Mint, Cider & Ginger or Linguine with Mixed Sweet Peppers, Feta & Oregano don't need 'em.

Vegan Cookies Invade Your Cookie Jar
Isa Chandra Moskowitz & Terry Hope Romero
Da Capo Press
c/o Perseus Book Group
11 Cambridge Center, Cambridge, MA 02142
9781600940484, $17.95 www.dacapopress.com

VEGAN COOKIES INVADE YOUR COOKIE JAR: 100 DAIRY-FREE RECIPES FOR EVERYONE'S FAVORITE TREATS packs in dairy-free cookies and bars that range from adaptations to vegan from traditional recipes to new original cookies. Drop cookies, fancy party cookies, sliced and rolled cookies, and more make for an outstanding, surprisingly simple cookbook for any vegan cookery collection.


The Mystery/Suspense Shelf

The Teaberry Strangler
Laura Childs
Berkeley Prime Crime
c/o Penguin Publishing Group
375 Hudson St., New York NY 10014-3658
9780425232453, $24.95 www.penguin.com

The Teaberry Strangler tells of Theodosia, whose idea of a back alley tour with shopkeepers dressed in historic costumes and inviting visitors for tea seems attractive and fun - until the first murder. Her investigation into the strangling of a store owner holds implications for her own safety in this riveting murder mystery that includes recipes and tea time tips.


The Science Shelf

Wind Energy Explained, second edition
J.F. Manwell, J.G. McGowan and A.L. Rogers
Wiley
c/o Wiley-Blackwell
10475 Crosspoint Boulevard, Indianapolis, IN 46256
9780470015001, $100.00 www.wiley.com

The second updated edition of WIND ENERGY EXPLAINED: THEORY, DESIGN AND APPLICATION includes the latest data, illustrations and all new material on wind turbines, offshore wind energy, and more. Fifty new homework problems and a new appendix on data processing are just a few of the updates and expansions for this fine edition, recommended for any college-level science and natural resources collection.


The Nautical Shelf

The Minimum Boat
Sam Llewellyn
Sheridan House
145 Palisade Street, Dobbs Ferry, NY 10522
9781574092967, $14.95, www.sheridanhouse.com

Some people actually think going out on water in a hunk of wood is fun. "The Minimum Boat" is a collection of anecdotes and columns from Sam Llewellyn about the joys of small boats in today's world of every increasingly larger boats. Calling for a return to the tiny boats and a call to make sailing fun again, he comes with plenty of stories to make the even the most easily sea-sick want to go out on the water. "The Minimum Boat" is a treasure trove any amateur or professional sailor will love.

Overboard!
Michael J. Tougias
Scribner
c/o Simon & Schuster
1230 Avenue of Americas, New York NY 10020
9781439145746, $24.00 www.simonandschuster.com

OVERBOARD! A TRUE BLUE-WATER ODYSSEY OF DISASTER AND SURVIVAL offerings a harrowing story of survival at sea that uses first-hand research from survivors and rescuers alike to tell of the Almeisan and its crew, blindsided by a storm that tested their survival skills and resulted in tragedy. A vivid re-creation of events makes for an outstanding account.


The Photography Shelf

Canon Powershot G10/G11 Digital Photography
David Busch and Alexander S. White
Course Technology
20 Channel Center St., Boston, MA 92210
1435455355, $29.99 www.courseptr.com

Canon Powershot G10/G11 Digital Photography is a 'must' for any owner of the Canon G10/G11 digital camera. From how to select the best autofocus mode and handle shutter speeds to troubleshooting tips to keeping a camera in top condition, this offers introductory chapters and advanced shooting techniques alike, making it the perfect guide to achieving to-quality digital results.

Amherst Media
Box 586, Buffalo, NY 14226
www.amherstmedia.com

L. Gates's Beginner's Guide to Underwater Digital Photography (9781584282747, $34.95) tells how to master technical photography skills needed to create fine underwater images. From selecting the right camera and adding light to designing compositions to suit an image, step-by-step tips for all phases of a photography dive are covered in this outstanding reference. Also key to any photography library are two other releases: Lou Jacobs Jr.'s THE ART OF POSING: TECHNIQUES FOR DIGITAL PORTRAIT PHOTOGRAPHERS (9781584289913, $34.95) and Kirk Tuck's PHOTOGRAPHIC LIGHTING EQUIPMENT (97811584289937, $34.95). LIGHTING EQUIPMENT offers an in-depth guide for digital photographers and packs in details on how to choose the right equipment, accessories, and electronic flash systems. POSING packs in insights from top photographers and covers the basics of using props, capturing moods, and digital manipulation.

Digital Photography All-in-One For Dummies, fourth edition
David D. Busch
Wiley Publishing
c/o John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
111 River Street, Hoboken, NJ 07030-5774
9780470401958, $39.99 www.wiley.com

The fourth updated edition of Digital Photography All-in-One For Dummies is a winner, packing in details on everything from using a digital SLR and studio techniques to image editing with various programs, restoring old photos, printing and sharing digital images, and more. From breaking into newspaper photography to travel photography techniques, this is packed with everything needed to produce winning results, and is a 'must' for any general lending library.


The Real Estate Shelf

Home Staging that Works
Starr C. Osbourne
Amacom
1601 Broadway, New York, NY 10019
9780814415221, $18.95, www.amaconbooks.org

A home is more than just a place to sleep; it's potential. "Home Staging That Works: Sell Your Home in Less Time for More Money" is a guide to home staging, displaying one's home as the full potential. When a buyer walks into your home, they don't just see how it is, they see what it can be with the right design. Presenting one's home as a home, and not just an empty building, is an easy tactic that most realtors agree is the right strategy. "Home Staging That Works" is a choice pick for anyone looking to sell their home.


The Hunting/Fishing Shelf

Guide to Great Lakes Fishes
Gerald R. Smith
The University of Michigan Press
839 Greene Street, Ann Arbor, MI 48104-3209
9780472033751, $24.95, www.press.umich.edu

The Great Lakes have much to offer fishermen. "Guide to Great Lakes Fishes" is an insightful guide for the fisherman going out on these Lakes and want to know what resides and what may end up on the other end of their pole when they cast out. Each entry has a color illustration, the fishes characteristics and what attracts it to a fisherman, along with intriguing natural history. "Guide to Great Lakes Fishes" is a choice and recommended pick for the fisherman of the Lakes.


The Judaic Studies Shelf

Genesis
Avivah Gottlieb Zornberg
The Jewish Publication Society
2100 Arch Street, 2nd Floor, Philadelphia, PA 19103
9780827609150, $25.00, www.jewishpub.org

The start of it all is rife with symbolism and the foundation of the Abrahamic religions. "Genesis: The Beginning of Desire" discusses Genesis and the early books of the Bible and brings forth new thoughts and opinions on these early works of the Bible. Avivah Gottlieb Zornberg crafts one endlessly fascinating and gripping work of Biblical study, and makes "Genesis" a choice addition to any Judaic studies collection focusing on literary analysis of the Bible.

Empowered Judaism
Elie Kaunfer
Jewish Lights Publishing
PO Box 237, Sunset Farm Offices, Rt. 4, Woodstock, VT 95091
9781580234122, $18.99, www.jewishlights.com

Unity is a powerful tool for faith. "Empowered Judaism: What Independent Minyanim Can Teach Us About Building Vibrant Jewish Communities" discusses how scattered Jews across the United States have formed their own prayer circles away from traditional synagogues. Rabbi Elie Kaunfer discusses how the faith has adapted to these groups, and how they affect American Judaism as a whole. "Empowered Judaism" is a highly fascinating addition to any Judaic studies collection.

The Royal Table
Norman Lamm
OU Press
c/o KTAV Press
930 Newark Avenue, Jersey City, NJ 07306
9781602801394, $25.00, www.ktav.com

The Exodus of the Jews from Egypt is the story of Passover, and each generation adds their own touch to the tale. "The Royal Table: A Passover Haggadah" is the Haggadah of Rabbi Norman Lamm as he provides his own commentary on the event, with his own scholarly knowledge of the festival. Blending Hebrew texts with English, he creates an experience that can be used to teach Hebrew as well as prove authentic to readers. "The Royal Table" is a fine addition to any family Passover collection or to community library Judaic studies collections.


The Woodworking Shelf

Tree Craft
Chris Lubkemann
Fox Chapel Publishing Company
1970 Broad Street N., East Petersburg, PA 17520
www.FoxChapelPublishing.com
9781565234550, $19.95, www.amazon.com

An enduringly popular form of woodworking is the use of natural twigs, branches, and 'found wood' in making items both useful and decorative. In "Tree Craft: 35 Rustic Wood Projects That Bring the Outdoors In", woodworking expert Chris Lubkemann has compiled a series of do-it-yourself, environmentally friendly projects using such materials to create unique and distinctive items ranging from curtain rods to coat racks, and from tables to walking sticks. This superbly illustrated, 144-page instructional manual provides informative and practical information on how and where to find wood, choosing the right tools to work with it, and is further enhanced with the inclusion of a gallery of contemporary rooms presenting ideas for decorating contemporary homes with rustic accents, such as the project 'Thanksgiving Tree'. Thoroughly 'user friendly', "Tree Craft: 35 Rustic Wood Projects That Bring the Outdoors In" will prove a welcome and popular addition to personal, professional, and community library Woodworking reference collections.


The Hobby Shelf

The Absolute Beginners Guide: Stringing Beaded Jewelry
Karin Buckingham
Kalmbach Publishing Company
21027 Crossroads Circle, Waukesha, WI 53186
www.kalmbachbooks.com
9780871162991, $21.95, www.amazon.com

The debut title in the newly launched Kalmbach Publishing Company's 'Back to Basics" series, "The Absolute Beginners Guide: Stringing Beaded Jewelry" is the ideal instructional guide for the novice with no previous experience in the craft. Profusely and usefully illustrated throughout, the aspiring bead jewelry maker is methodically guided through the entire process beginning with learning about the basic tools and supplies involved in beading projects. Of special note and value are the thoroughly 'user friendly' instructions on how to choose the right beads for a given project, as well as how to set up a work area to maximum benefit. Then beading expert and author Karin Buckingham starts the novice off with simple projects that teaching how to string a repeating patter and use graduated beads. Moving on to more complex projects, the novice learns how to use connectors and a variety of knotting techniques. Solid information is provided on working with unusual stringing materials (including cord and metal mesh), and a great deal more! Thoroughly living up to its title, "The Absolute Beginners Guide: Stringing Beaded Jewelry" is a highly recommended introduction to a creative hobby that is great fun.


The Gaming Shelf

Mastering Positional Chess
Daniel Naroditsky
New In Chess
c/o Smith Publicity
1930 East Marlton Pike, Suite 1-46, Cherry Hill, NJ 08003
9789056913106, $23.95, www.amazon.com

Daniel Naroditsky is a world champion chess master who draws upon his many years of experience and expertise to provide an informed and informative instructional manual showing neophyte chess players how to improve their game. "Mastering Positional Chess" is a 240-page compendium covering every aspect of position as a tactic ranging from positional sacrifices, to improving specific piece placement on the board, position in defense, prophylaxis, creating and destroying fortresses, and a great many other issues. Combining detailed explanations will chess board illustrations, "Mastering Positional Chess" is a superb and highly recommended addition to personal and community library Chess instructional reference collections.

Dimensional Outbreak
Carl Gleba
Palladium Books, Inc.
39074 Webb Court, Westland, MI 48185
www.palladiumbooks.com
9781574571660, $24.95, Cat. #875

The newest addition to the outstanding gaming book 'Minion War' series from Palladium Books, "Dimensional Outbreak" by Carl Gleba finds that the rival dimensions of Hades and Dyval are locked in lethal struggle as the Demon Fleet invades the Three Galaxies and attacks Phase World. Deevils retaliate and worlds die. An indispensable 191-page sourcebook for role play gamers, "Dimensional Outbreak" provides more than sixty demon spells and rituals, a roster of new demonic and infernal minions and monsters, all manner of spacecraft and weaponry, a time-line and history of Phase World and Center, and epic adventuring that will provide hours and hours of pure gaming excitement. Also highly recommended for the gaming resource shelf are two previous Minion War sourcebooks: Hades (which describes Demon Hell) and Dyval (which describes Deevil Hell).


The Music Shelf

101 Popular Songs
Tony Santorella
Santorella Publications, Ltd.
13 Pleasant Avenue, Danvers, MA 01923
www.santorellapublication.com
TS401, $29.95, www.amazon.com

Enhanced with the inclusion of three CDs of piano accompaniments and duets, 101 Popular Songs: Solos & Duets is a 156-page compendium of sheet music for a wide variety of music ranging from popular to classical, from religious to patriotic, from jazz to wedding marches, and more. Whether the instrument to be played is a clarinet, a trumpet, a flute, an alto sax, or a trombone, "101 Popular Songs" is an ideal resource and highly recommended for both students and teachers as a superbly organized and presented music instruction curriculum supplement, as well as performing musicians. Indeed, wether a self-taught student, a music school faculty member, of a professional performer, Santorella Publications has a wealth of such materials and browsing their website at www.santorellapublication.com for a complete listing of their titles is also highly recommended.


The Travel Shelf

501 Must-Visit Destinations
Jackum Brown & David Brown
Thunder Bay Press
c/o Baker & Taylor Publishing Group
10350 Barnes Canyon Rd, Ste 100, San Diego, CA 92121
www.thunderbaybooks.com
9781607100898, $19.95, www.amazon.com

Whether as a trip-planning guide or an armchair traveler's cornucopia of global fascinations, "501 Must-Visit Destinations" is profusely illustrated, 545-page compendium of practical information on tourist worthy places around the world to see and visit and make enduring memories. Thoroughly 'user friendly', "501 Must-Visit Destinations" is organized geographically with sections devoted to Africa, the Americas and Caribbean, Asia, Australia and Oceania, Europe, and the Middle East. All of the major edifices and natural wonders are included ranging from the Great Wall of china to Niagara Falls. Of special note is that each showcased destination includes a succinct 'What is it'; What is it known for'; 'What is there to see'; What is there to do'; and 'How do I get there?' section. A massive compendium that is the epitome of informed and informative, "501 Must-Visit Destinations" is strongly recommended for community library Travel Guide collections and an ideal reference for anyone wanting to one day tour the world for themselves.

Israel
Insight Guides
36-36 33rd Street 4th Floor, Long Island City, NY 11106
9789812820822, $23.99, www.insightguides.com

The holy land for nearly half the world's population, it's no surprise Israel is a major tourist destination. "Israel" is a tourist guide for those who plan on visiting the country in the future, and want to plan accordingly to full soak in all the sights and sounds of the region. With no shortage of full color maps with full descriptions of landmarks and so much more, Insight Guides hopes to help readers fully plan their itineraries so the trip goes as smooth as possible. "Israel" is an invaluable resource.

Travel North Carolina, fourth edition
Carolyn Sakowski & Collaborators
John F. Blair Publisher
1406 Plaza Drive, Winston-Salem, NC 27103
9780895873798, $19.95, www.blairpub.com

There's a lot of history of America to be seen in North Carolina. "Travel North Carolina: Going Native in the Old State" is a travel guide for those planning a trip into the tar heel state. Written by North Carolinian residents, the writers present a wide array of attractions that would make a North Carolina tourist enjoy their time with a list of historic places, museums, events, and other attractions that sweeten North Carolina as quite the tourist destination. "Travel North Carolina" is an ideal reference that shouldn't be missed by the American tourist.


The Interior Design Shelf

Green Design
Marcus Fairs
North Atlantic Books
2526 Martin Luther King Jr. Way, Berkeley, CA 94704
9781556458363, $25.00, www.northatlanticbooks.com

Helping the environment can be done in many ways, some that aren't remotely obvious. "Green Design: Creative Sustainable Designs for the Twenty-First Century" is a guide to making one's home more helpfully green for the world around it. From lighting to dishes, to technology to clothing, there are many things around one's home which can be improved and made greener. "Green Design" is a choice pick for those who are truly dedicated in reducing their impact on the planet.


The Botany Shelf

Wasatch Wildflowers
Steve Hegji
Cedar Fort
2373 W. 700 S., Springville, UT 84663
9781599553825, $19.95, www.cedarfort.com

Wild is natural, and natural is beautiful. "Wasatch Wildflowers: A Field Guide" is a guide for amateur botanists who want to learn how to fully understand and appreciate wildflowers, as Steve Hegji fully describes the common wildflowers of the Wasatch region with full color photos of every flower, where in the Utah regions they are found, their common terrain, and technical details. "Wasatch Wildflowers" is a top pick for any nature lover.


The Parenting Shelf

Teen 2.0
Robert Epstein
Quill Drive Books
2006 S. Mary Street, Fresno, CA 93721-3311
9781884995590, $18.95, www.quilldrivebooks.com

If you ask any teenager, there's nothing worse than being a teenager. "Teen 2.0: Saving Our Children and Families from the Torment of Adolescence" is a guide for parents in dealing with the unique questions and challenges that comes with raising a teenager in today's world of high technology and changing social attitudes. It also discusses the challenges facing today's teens, and how much of the fear and paranoia of society has made being a teen truly the worse thing to be. "Teen 2.0" is insightful and intriguing with much to think about.

Reclaiming Youth at Risk, revised edition
Larry K. Brendto, Martin Brokenleg, & Steve Van Bockern
Solution Tree
555 North Morton Street, Bloomington, IN 47404
9781879639867, $19.95, www.solution-tree.com

The best minds of the future can be lost to the pressures of life. "Reclaiming Youth at Risk: Our Hope for the Future" is a guide to help parents and educators reach out to children and help them overcome their problems and stay on track for a better life. Blending traditional native American wisdom with proven philosophy, "Reclaiming Youth at Risk" is a powerful tool for parents and educators who want to go the extra mile.

Don't Pick On Me
Susan Eikov Green
Instant Help Books
c/o New Harbinger
5674 Shattuck Avenue, Oakland, CA 94609
9781572247130, $16.95, www.newharbinger.com

Good self-esteem stays with you for a lifetime. "Don't Pick On Me: Help for Kids to Stand Up to & Deal with Bullies"is a guide for parents and teachers who want to best equip their children to deal with the unavoidable bullies that appear in every child's life. If left alone, self-esteem can be destroyed before it can blossom, so Susan Eikov Green gives parents, students, and children plenty of ideas and tools to deal with this reality to stand up for themselves and fight bullying before it can have more effect than it deserves. "Don't Pick On Me" is a treasure trove of information, and a core addition to any parenting or education collection.


The Automotive Shelf

Automotive Bodywork and Rust Repair
Matt Joseph
CarTech
39966 Grand Avenue, North Branch, MN 55056
9781932494976, $24.95, www.cartechbooks.com

Good bodywork is essential to keeping a car looking new. "Automotive Bodywork and Rust Repair" is a guide for mechanics to help them touch up on their bodywork repair skills and metalwork. Automobiles naturally rust and are dented through the course of their existence and part of an auto-mechanic's job is to revert such damage. For a professional who wants a refresher or an amateur who wants to do it himself, "Automotive Bodywork and Rust Repair" is a highly valuable asset, not to be missed.


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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