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Internet Bookwatch

Volume 25, Number 11 November 2015 Home | IBW Index

Table of Contents

Reviewer's Choice Writing/Publishing Shelf Computer Shelf
Education Shelf Audiobook Shelf Library CD Shelf
Library DVD Shelf Fantasy/SciFi Shelf Mystery/Suspense Shelf
Cookbook Shelf Gardening Shelf Theatre/Cinema/TV Shelf
Comix/Graphic Novel Shelf Health/Medicine Shelf Art Shelf
Islamic Studies Shelf Christian Studies Shelf Judaic Studies Shelf
Needlecraft Shelf Anthropology Shelf Technology Shelf
American History Shelf World History Shelf Literary Studies Shelf
Business Shelf Science Shelf Crafts Shelf
Agriculture Shelf Metaphysical Studies Shelf Self-Help Shelf
Biography Shelf Sports Shelf Large Print Shelf
Fiction Shelf Humor Shelf Travel Shelf
Poetry Shelf International Studies Shelf Civil War Shelf
Political Science Shelf Military Shelf Archaeology Shelf
Jobs/Careers Shelf Language Studies Shelf Pets/Wildlife Shelf


Reviewer's Choice

Winston Churchill Reporting: Adventures of a Young War Correspondent
Simon Read
Da Capo Press
c/o Perseus Book Group
250 W. 57th St., Suite 1500, New York, NY 10107
9780306823817 $26.99 www.perseusbooksgroup.com

Winston Churchill Reporting: Adventures of a Young War Correspondent is the true-life story of a lesser-known period in the life of British statesman Winston Churchill (1874-1965). Today Churchill is best known as the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom from 1940-1945 (during the harrowing years of World War II), and again from 1951-1955. But before Churchill was a politician who made history, he was a journalist who reported history in the making. When Churchill was in his 20s, he established a reputation as not only a talented war reporter, but also as a strong-willed soldier. Extensively researched, rich in detail, and enhanced with notes, a bibliography, and an index, Winston Churchill Reporting is worthy of the highest recommendation for public and college library biography collections.

On the Origin of Superheroes
Chris Gavaler
University of Iowa Press
100 Kuhl House, 119 West Park Road
Iowa City, IA 52242-1000
9781609383817 $18.00 www.uiowapress.org

Chris Gavaler (assistant professor of English, Washington and Lee University) presents On the Origin of Superheroes: From the Big Bang to Action Comics No. 1, an extraordinary tour of the pop culture mythology of superheroes - including their secret identities, disguises, iconic symbols, origin stories, superhuman powers, and sense of nobility and duty. These key tropes existed ages before Superman's comic book debut; they appear in mythology, folklore, philosophy, even revolutionary manifestos throughout human history. A handful of black-and-white illustrations, a bibliography, and an index enhance this enlightening analysis, created to be thoroughly accessible to cultural studies scholars and superhero fans alike.

The Penny-Pinching Prepper
Bernie Carr
Ulysses Press
PO Box 3440, Berkeley CA 94703-3440
9781612434872 $12.95 www.ulyssespress.com

The Penny Pinching Prepper: Save More, Spend Less and Get Prepared for Any Disaster lives up to its title as a combination money-saving and disaster-preparation guide. From economizing on food costs, to ensuring one has access to potable water in a crisis, to what is needed in a first aid kit, hygiene and personal care considerations, and more, The Penny-Pinching Prepper is invaluable. "Discard any canned foods that are bulging or corroded; they are unsafe to eat and may cause botulism... Also, use your senses when you open canned food. If it looks or smells strange or even a little "off," it is best to discard it." A host of inexpensive DIY disaster-prep projects round out this user-friendly, potentially lifesaving reference and resource.

The Quotable Amelia Earhart
Michele Wehrwein Albion, editor
University of New Mexico Press
MSC05 3185, 1 University of New Mexico
Albuquerque NM 87131-0001
9780826345622 $24.95 www.unmpress.com

The Quotable Amelia Earhart is an anthology of memorable words from pioneer aviator Amelia Earhart (1897-1937), the first woman to fly solo across the Atlantic. She was courageous, ambitious, and a record-breaker, in an era when all three traits were considered "unfeminine". Though she is most remembered for her tragic disappearance during the last leg of her round-the-world flight in 1937, she deserves to be memorialized for her hard work, dedication, and foresight. Her quotes reveal a practical-minded woman ("When you graduate be sure you go on and have a career; don't get married as soon as you get out of school.") who believed that women should proudly live up to their fullest potential in the workplace, many decades before this belief became widely accepted in America. "[A woman's] place is wherever her individual aptitude places her. There is no such thing as men's work or women's work." A handful of quotes by others about Amelia Earhart, as well as brief notes, a bibliography, and an index for quick reference round out this inspirational compilation.

Chilled
Tom Jackson
Bloomsbury Press
175 Fifth Avenue, Suite 315, New York, NY 10010
9781472911438, $27.00, www.bloomsbury.com

Chilled: How Refrigeration Changed the World and Might Do So Again comes from a science writer who provides a global history of refrigeration and considers not just the science involved, but the historical and social changes it brought with it. One could anticipate a scholarly approach with such a subject; but the pleasure of Chilled lies in its lively, unassuming tone and scope that presumes no prior knowledge of neither scientific principle nor human history. General-interest readers thus will enjoy a lively consideration that includes such unexpected details as what refrigeration actually does and how it moves beyond kitchens and food preparation into realms of engineering and particle science. The result is a fun pursuit recommended for any with an interest in refrigeration's impact on the world.

The Human Age
Diane Ackerman
W. W. Norton & Company
500 Fifth Avenue, New York, NY 10110
9780393351644, $15.95, www.wwnorton.com

The Human Age: The World Shaped By Us blends social history, natural history, science, and environmental concerns in a discussion that considers humankind's impact on nature and the environment and its possible futures, and is a wide-ranging survey that documents international efforts to help animals and live in harmony on the planet, as well as forces at work against such ideals. Studies, vignettes about individuals and organizations, and a dazzling array of social and scientific revelations creates an absorbing story perfect for science, social issues, and leisure readers alike!


The Writing/Publishing Shelf

Writer's Market: Deluxe Edition 2016
Robert Lee Brewer, editor
Writer's Digest Books
c/o F+W Media
10151 Carver Road, Suite 200, Blue Ash, OH 45242
www.WritersDigest.com
9781599639420, $49.99, www.amazon.com

The "Writer's Market Deluxe Edition 2016" is an 896 page compendium that focuses upon where aspiring writers can sell what they write. It should be noted that a special features is the inclusion of a one-year subscription to www.WritersMarket.com. With it, aspiring writers will gain instant access to more than 7,500 listings for book publishers, magazines, contests, literary agents, and more -- complete with daily updates. Beyond the listings, aspiring writers will find all-new material devoted to the business and promotion of writing, including tips from six-figure freelancers, ideas on how to create a productive home office, and apps that make freelance writing easier. Plus, novice writers will learn how to build relationships in the publishing business, use video to promote their work, and remove inevitable obstacles from their path to freelance writing success. This new edition includes: a pay-rate chart; a book publisher subject index; a lists of professional writing organizations; sample query letters; exclusive access to the webinar "How to Build an Audience and Business With Your Writing" from Robert Lee Brewer, editor of Writer's Market. Thoroughly 'user friendly' throughout, the "Writer's Market: Deluxe Edition 2016" should be considered an essential addition to personal, professional, community, and academic library Writing/Publishing reference collections. In full disclosure it must be noted that the a guaranteed review by the Midwest Book Review is part of the Writer's Digest Books first place award package in their annual writing contest divisions and has been for a number of years now.

The Write Prescription
Judith Hannan
Archer Books
601 West 26th Street, New York, NY 10001
www.archerlit.com
9781941729038, $17.95, 320pp, www.amazon.com

Judith Hannan is the author of "Motherhood Exaggerated" (CavanKerry Press, 9781933880273, $21.00 PB, $9.99 Kindle), her memoir of discovery and transformation during her daughter's cancer treatment and her transition into survival. In "The Write Prescription: Telling Your Story to Live With and Beyond Illness" Hannan draws upon her personal and professional experience to provide the reader with an impressively written, organized and presented instructional guide and manual for setting down in a publishable format their own experiences when dealing with a serious illness or life-threatening injury afflicting themselves or a loved one. "The Write Prescription" is deftly arranged in three major sections: Getting Started; Parting the Curtains, Setting the Scene; Inside the System. Enhanced with the inclusion of an informative Introduction and 'How To Use This Book" commentary; "The Write Prescription" is further enhanced for the non-specialist general reader with Quick Prompts; An Ending and a Beginning: Where are You Now?; After the First Draft; and a Bibliography. Thoroughly informed, informative, and completely 'user friendly' from beginning to end, "The Write Prescription" is very highly recommended for community and academic library Writing/Publishing instructional reference collections. For personal reading lists it should be noted that "The Write Prescription" is also available in a Kindle edition ($9.99).

Slay the Dragon: Writing Great Video Games
Robert Denton Bryant & Keith Giglio
Michael Wiese Productions
12400 Ventura Blvd., #1111
Studio City, CA 91604
9781615932290 $24.95 www.mwp.com

Slay the Dragon: Writing Great Video Games is a practical, user-friendly guide to a specialized type of writing - storytelling in the constantly evolving art form of video games. Unlike traditional novel writers, video game writers must collaborate with a potential multitude of programmers, designers, and artists, adapting their interactive story to suit the overall needs of the game while delivering an immersive experience that "pulls in" the game player. Chapters discuss "The No-Act-Fits-All Structure of Video Games", "Writing a Great Playable Character", "Building Your World with the Narrative Design Toolbox", "We Can't All Be Batman: On MMO's and Multiplayer", and much more. Thoroughly accessible to writers of all backgrounds, Slay the Dragon: Writing Great Video Games is an absolute "must-have" for any potential writer in the game industry - from independent game creators to mobile game writers to those seeking opportunities to contribute to triple-A, big-budget console and computer game titles. Highly recommended!

Stop Talking & Start Selling Your Book
Terrance Zepke
Safari Publishing
PO Box 4881, Greensboro, NC 27404
9780990765370, $9.95 pbk / $4.95 Kindle, 140pp, www.amazon.com

Terrance Zepke is an award-winning and best-selling author of twenty-eight fiction and nonfiction books of. In "Stop Talking & Start Selling Your Book" nicely distills with wit and wisdom what he has learned for his own experience and expertise a series of invaluable 'tips, tricks and techniques" about successfully selling what a self-published author has to offer in a very highly volatile and competitive marketplace. Self-published authors and novice small press publishers will learn twenty-five different ways to increase sales on Amazon.com; fifteen various places for selling a book; utilizing fringe markets; the use of paid promotions, getting media interviews; 'The Real Deal with Book Reviews'; author platforms; acquiring and exploiting free publicity; and a great deal more. Simply stated, "Stop Talking & Start Selling Your Book" (also available in a Kindle edition for $4.99) should be a part of every author's personal instructional reference collection -- even the authors being published by the big New York houses of the publishing world! Full disclosure: there is a positive listing of the Midwest Book Review as a recommended book review resource on page 29.

Writer's Digest Books
c/o F+W Media
10151 Carver Road, Suite 200
Blue Ash, OH 45242
WritersDigest.com

Three titles from Writer's Digest Books are superb picks for both aspiring and professional authors. Donald Maass' "The Breakout Novelist" (9781582979908, $24.99) is an all-inclusive guide, spiral-bound for ease of reference while working. Maass, an experienced author and literary agent, presents strategies that generations of authors have applied to craft sublime fiction, from core elements (character-building, plot navigation, etc.) to advanced techniques involving point of view, suspense, and the application of voice. Exercises for practicing these techniques round out this excellent resource. Rebecca McClanahan's "Word Painting: The Fine Art of Writing Descriptively, Revised Edition" (9781599638683, $18.99) is a specialized guide to mastering the art of evocative writing, from improving one's personal powers of observation to crafting standout metaphors to seamlessly incorporating vivid descriptions into stories, essays, or poems. Enhanced with exercises, Word Painting is a superb self-teaching tool. Chuck Sambuchino's "Get a Literary Agent" (9781599638010, $17.99) focuses on a practical aspect of becoming a successful author - securing an effective literary representative, which is virtually required if one desires the best possible deal with a traditional publisher (particularly in the case of large, established publishing houses). From a step-by-step walkthrough of the submission process and learning how to create polished query letters or book proposals, to forming a solid partnership with one's agent and avoiding common pitfalls, "Get a Literary Agent" is invaluable. All three guides are worthy of the highest recommendation.


The Computer Shelf

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

Len Bass, Ingo Weber and Liming Zhu's DevOps: A Software Architect's Perspective (9780134049847, $39.99) joins others in the SEI Series in Software Engineering and comes from three leading architects who discuss the issues of DevOps and its potential for software development and monitoring. Any software engineer interested in this up-and-coming, revolutionary feature will learn about how it could require major changes in system architecture and IT, how to design new systems to work with DevOps, and how to understand these impacts across various platforms and development stages. Three real-world case studies are presented to discuss everything from impact and business plan adjustment to integration and design concerns, with chapters covering monitoring processes, major transition concerns, and advanced concepts such as the design of Sourced Group CDP frameworks. The result is highly recommended for any technical software engineering collection; especially those looking for DevOps-specific insights. Michael Hartl's Ruby on Rails Tutorial, 3rd Edition (97801340777703, $49.99) belongs in any programmer's collection and comes from a leading Rails developer who teaches the basics of Rails for an audience of programmers who may hold little prior familiarity with the program. It relies on the basic best practices of web development to teach the elements of Rails environments and how to build Rails applications, and it includes Ruby programming skills basics, keys to applying techniques to real-world issues, and tackles web development processes using a solid Rails framework. Sample code, methods, and models come with resources and discussions designed to impart the basics to an audience who wants to absorb the basics of better web design through Rails.


The Education Shelf

Teaching Undergraduate Science
Linda C. Hodges
Stylus Publishing, Inc.
22883 Quicksilver Drive
Sterling, VA 20166-2012
9781620361764 $29.95 www.styluspub.com

Linda C. Hodges (Director of the Faculty Development Center, University of Maryland, Baltimore County) presents Teaching Undergraduate Science: A Guide to Overcoming Obstacles to Student Learning, a straightforward resource created especially for science and engineering faculty stymied by disengaged and dispirited undergraduate students. Hodges offers new methods to better understand the daily struggles that students undergo, and evidence-based teaching strategies. Chapters discuss ways to motivate and help students learn on their own, as well as learn from problem solving, laboratory work, and research; teaching students to write like professional scientists; making choices in what to teach and how to teach it; and much more. For example, a common roadblock for teachers who assign science problems in homework or testing is that their students will "plug and chug", plugging in the first equation that seems appropriate, without thinking about or learning from the problem. "Problem solving does not automatically help students learn content... Teaching problem solving as a process through a combination of modeling behavior, homework strategies, and class activities can indeed deepen students' conceptual understanding and promote their critical thinking abilities." Highly recommended.

Specific Learning Difficulties
Diana Hudson, author
Jon English, illustrator
Jessica Kingsley Publishers, Inc.
400 Market Street, Suite 400
Philadelphia, PA 19106
9781849055901 $19.95 www.jkp.com

Specific Learning Difficulties: What Teachers Need to Know is a guide for educators with specific chapters focusing on individual learning disabilities: dyslexia, dyscalculia, dysgraphia, dyspraxia, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and Asperger syndrome, and obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD). Additional chapters offer more information on how to help learning disabled students with organizational skills, as well as exams and revision. Tips, tricks, techniques, and practical suggestions make Specific Learning Difficulties invaluable for every teacher, tutor, coach, or educator who works with learning disabled students. "How can I spot a student with dysgraphia? The student is probably bright and eloquent but consistently hands in work that looks untidy and is well below the quality that you would expect. If you watch them write, you may notice that the process can be laborious and their posture and pen grip look awkward. They are slow to copy from the board or from a book and they may complain of an aching hand."

Put College to Work
Kat Clowes, M.B.A.
Quill Driver Books
2006 South Mary, Fresno, CA 93721
9781610352536 $18.95 www.quilldriverbooks.com

Written especially for millennials by professional college and career planner Kat Clowes, M.B.A. (herself a millennial), Put College to Work: How to Use College to the Fullest to Discover Your Strengths and Find a Job You Love Before You Graduate lives up to its title as a practical-minded career guide especially for students applying to or attending college. Chapters discuss how to determine one's aptitudes and passions, time management, how to choose one's courses for a career game plan, financial aid, and post-graduate pursuits including internships, volunteering, graduate school, job fairs, skilled networking, resume crafting, the wise use of social media, and much more. "Although you might think I'm getting a commission from LinkedIn (I'm not), I can't emphasize enough how great a tool it can be for you as a high school or college student. It takes a lot of the leg work out of networking, making connections, researching industries, and looking for future job opportunities." In these tough economic times with a scarcity of good-paying jobs, soaring college costs, and crushing student debt, Put College to Work is sincerely needed and highly recommended.

Worth Writing About
Jake Wizner
Stenhouse Publishers
480 Congress Street, Portland, ME 04101-3451
9781625310484, $20.00, www.stenhouse.com

Teachers face many barriers revolving around memoir writing, especially when it comes to adolescents, so having guidelines and fresh approaches as in Worth Writing About: Exploring Memoir with Adolescents will prove a short cut for educators who want to address common challenges specific to memoir writing work with adolescents. From students who believe they don't have enough background material to write about their lives to those who don't like revealing themselves on paper, this memoir unit shows how to approach all kinds of students with strategies that work. The result is a handbook packed with details on how to overcome barriers to memoir writing, highly recommended for any teacher working with adolescents.

Corwin Press, Inc.
2455 Teller Road, Thousand Oaks, CA 91320-2218
www.corwin.com

Ann Myers and Jill Berkowicz's The Stem Shift: A Guide for School Leaders (9781483317724, $30.00) provides educational leaders with a basic examination of the STEM system and how it applies to preparing students for colleges and careers, and it pairs case studies with discussions of STEM models that work. The perfect audience for this discussion will be school administrators who would apply keys to how and what children learn to larger questions of how shifts in operating principles happen and how STEM's particular brand of education fosters a greater awareness of choices and opportunities in students, better preparing them for the world outside the classroom. The result is a powerful analysis highly recommended for any educator serious about taking school leadership and direction to the next level based on STEM's unique opportunities and perspectives. Dwayne D. Williams' An RTI Guide to Improving the Performance of African American Students (9781483319735, $24.00) provides a step-by-step guide to implementing evidence-based strategies for improving this group's school and testing performance, and takes into account cultural bias and issues, RTI model specifics, and adjustments needed to identify and address disparities in the educational system. Four core characteristics are identified in instruction and culture, and then move into the specifics of the classroom's processes as a whole. The result is a 'must' for any working with African American students in diverse settings who want to apply RTI basics to this group in a fair and effective fashion. Catlin R. Tucker's Creatively Teach the Common Core Literacy Standards With Technology Grades 6-12 (9781483358970, $29.95) provides a powerful survey of how to combine efforts of classroom student success with Common Core standards and requirements, and provides specific recommendations for free apps, tech tools, guidelines and formulas for translating a Common Core standard into a grade-specific, subject-oriented curriculum, and how to apply classroom-tested routines. Packed with classroom experiences, reprodicibles, and activities and templates, view Creatively Teach the Common Core Literacy Standards With Technology as, quite simply, a 'must have' reference.


The Audiobook Shelf

Magic Shifts
Ilona Andrews
Brilliance Corporation
PO Box 887, Grand Haven, MI 49417
www.brillianceaudio.com
9781480640316, $29.99, www.amazon.com

After breaking from life with the Pack, mercenary Kate Daniels and her mate (the former Beast Lord Curran Lennart) are adjusting to a very different pace. While they're thrilled to escape all the infighting, Kate and Curran know that separating from the Pack completely is a process that will take time. But when they learn that their friend Eduardo has gone missing, Kate and Curran shift their focus to investigate his disappearance. Eduardo was a fellow member of the Mercenary Guild, so Kate knows the best place to start looking is his most recent jobs. As Kate and Curran dig further into the merc's business, they discover that the Guild has gone to hell and that Eduardo's assignments are connected in the most sinister way. An ancient and powerful enemy has arisen, and Kate and Curran are the only ones who can stop it before it takes their city apart piece by piece. With exceptional production values, this complete and unabridged audio book edition of "Magic Shifts" continues author Ilona Andrews thrilling action/adventure Kate Daniels fantasy saga. Dramatically narrated by Renee Raudman, "Magic Shifts" is enthusiastically recommended for all fantasy fans in general, and community library audio book collections in particular. (11 CDs; 14 hours, 17 minutes).

And West is West
Ron Childress, author
Read by Graham Halstead
Highbridge Audio Books
270 Skip Jack Road, Prince Frederick, MD 20678
9781622318797 $34.99 www.highbridgeaudio.com

And West is West is a frightening, politically charged novel about corrupt systems and ruthless consequences. Jessica is an Air Force drone pilot in Nevada, ordered to launch a missile against a suspected terrorist halfway across the world even though she realizes innocent women and children will become casualties of the strike. Ethan is a Wall Street "quant", a number-cruncher who devises an algorithm that exploits and worsens international financial instability for short-term gain. Jessica and Ethan are both minor players, forced to shoulder the consequences for cruel deeds they had little control over. Suspenseful and thought-provoking, And West is West is a choice pick for public library audiobook collections. 9 CDs, 10.75 hours.

Summer Moonshine
P. G. Wodehouse
Blackstone Audio
c/o Recorded Books, LLC
270 Skip Jack Road, Prince Frederick, MD 20678
DD18078, $27.96, www.recordedbooks.com

The hideous Walsingford Hall is home to an odd assortment of coves. The vile premises belong to Sir Buckstone, who is in a little financial difficulty. So for a little monetary help he puts a roof over the heads of people like (among others) Tubby Vanringham, the adoring slave of the coldhearted Miss Whittaker. His brother Joe has fallen head over heels for Sir Buck's daughter Jane. She, however, only has eyes for Adrian Peake, who has already formed a liaison with the terrifying-but superbly wealthy-Princess Dwornitzchek. Is there no end to the confusion? "Summer Moonshine" is a P. G. Wodehouse classic British comedy brought vividly to life in a true 'theatre of the mind' experience by the expert narrative skills of Jonathan Cecil. With flawless production values, this complete and unabridged audio book is very highly recommended for community library collections and to the attention of all P. G. Wodehouse fans. (8 CDs, 7.5 Hours).

Legal Heat
Sarah Castille, author
Read by Charlotte Kane
Tantor Media, Inc.
6 Business Park Road, Old Saybrook, CT 06475
9781494518684 $39.99 www.tantor.com

Legal Heat is the unabridged audiobook edition of a steamy romance between members of opposing counsel. Katy Sinclair is a professional on the brink of becoming a partner at her high-powered law firm, but when she tracks a witness to a sex club, she can't resist a passionate encounter with the bartender. Then she learns that the man who set her senses on fire is her opponent for the most important case of her career! But when her pursuit of justice in the courtroom leads to death threats, her antagonist on the job just might be her most devoted protector off the clock. Sexy and exciting, Legal Heat captures the listener's rapt attention to the very end. 9 CDs, 10.5 hours.

Alert
James Patterson & Michael Ledwidge
Hachette Audio
237 Park Avenue, New York, NY 10017
9781478928010, $35.00, www.hachetteaudio.com

Alert comes to life in audio under the voices of Danny Mastrogiorgio and Henry Leyva, presenting an engrossing Michael Bennett novel that features a shocking daylight murder by killers who seem unafraid of identification or pursuit. New York detective Bennett suspects this threat is just the beginning of a new brand of danger threatening not just some individuals but all of New York City, so he's facing a threat with much wider-ranging ramifications than one perp could hold. Action comes to life in a well-done audio presentation and the dual narrative style provides plenty of it here, making Alert a special recommendation for listeners who want high drama from their mysteries.


The Library CD Shelf

Fats Waller Revisited
Dick Wellstood and his "Friends of Fats"
With Jane Harvey on Vocals
Classic Jazz Recordings
50 Executive Blvd., Elmsford, NY 10523
www.innercityjazz.com
$16.95 www.cdbaby.com

Fats Waller Revisited is an album celebrating the music of African-American jazz pianist, composer, singer, and comedic entertainer Thomas Wright "Fats" Waller (1904-1943). Dick Wellstood and his "Friends of Fats" along with vocalist Jane Harvey bring Waller's classic jazz to life with full musical performances including piano, tenor sax, trumpets, guitar, clarinet, bass, and drums. An ebullient, vivacious collection, Fats Waller Revisited is a treasure for jazz connoisseurs and enthusiastically recommended for public library music CD collections. The tracks are "I'm Gonna Sit Right Down and Write Myself a Letter" (4:17), "I've Got a Feeling I'm Falling" (2:23), "Squeeze Me" (4:01), "S'Posin'" (3:10), "Two Sleepy People" (4:31), "Ain't Misbehavin' (I'm Saving My Love For You)" (3:43), "Honeysuckle Rose" (4:23), "I Can't Give You Anything But Love" (5:04), "It's A Sin To Tell A Lie" (3:28).

Musique de Nuit
Ballake Sissoko and Vincent Segal
Six Degrees Records
PO Box 411347, San Francisco, CA 94141-1347
c/o Rock Paper Scissors (publicity)
$9.99 CD / $9.49 MP3 www.amazon.com

French cellist Vincent Segal and Malian kora expert Bailake Sissoko present Musique de Nuit, an exquisitely beautiful music CD recorded outside Bamako (the capital of Mali), with ambient noises on the edge of hearing smoothly incorporated into the virtuoso performance. Evoking the almost mystical experience of an impromptu, late-night jam session, Musique de Nuit inspires the listener to muse, reflect, and explore. Highly recommended. The tracks are "Nia Ndou" (6:34), "Passa Quatro" (4:52), "Balazando" (6:26), "N'ka Palema" (7:52), "Diabaro" (5:16), "Super Etoile" (3:55), "Prelude" (1:12), "Samba Tomora" (3:51), and "Musique de Nuit" (2:42).

Banda de los Muertos
bandadelosmuertos.com
Barbes Records
barbesrecords.com
c/o Press Junkie PR
$10.99 CD / $8.99 MP3 www.amazon.com

Brooklyn-based Mexican brass band Banda de los Muertos presents their eponymous debut album, celebrating Spanish language, Mexican culture, and the hard work of immigrants who toil day in, day out for a fresh start on life. Powerful and exhilarating, Banda de los Muertos is a "must-have" for brass aficionados! The tracks are "Cumbia de Jacobo" (4:53), "El Sinaloense / El Jalisciense" (4:24), "La Puerta Negra" (2:18), "El Toro Viejo" (2:18), "Tragos Amargos" (3:28), "Culiacan" (3:17), "Las Nubes" (3:41), "El Paso" (2:47), "Te Quiero Tanto" (4:54), "Ay Mexicanita" (3:07), "Tu Recuerdo y Yo" (3:24), and "Arriba Mi Sinaloa" (2:47).

Love Will Find a Way
Mike Love
www.mikelovemusic.com
Privately Published
c/o Press Junkie PR
$16.00 download www.itunes.com

Love Will Find a Way is a reggae album by Mike Love that embraces the Rastafari philosophy of "one love", and resonates with the concept that unconditional love is vital to human beings, especially amid the threats posed by overpopulation, climate change, and the frightening rise of corporate power. The extensive song lyrics (written in a booklet that accompanies the physical album) speak a message of togetherness, harmony, and conservation. Love Will Find a Way is a treasure for reggae connoisseurs, and highly recommended for both personal and public library music collections. The tracks are "Time to Wake Up", "Good News", "Can't Take it With You When You Go", "Let it Rain", "I Love You", "Gonna Make It", "No Regrets", "Step Lightly", "Roll River Roll", "Advaya's Song", and "Love Will Find a Way".

Gerry Gibbs Thrasher Dream Trio
Gerry Gibs, Ron Carter, and Kenny Barron
With guests Roy Hargrove and Cassandra Wilson
Whaling City Sound
www.whalingcitysound.com
c/o Mixed Media (publicity)
$12.99 CD / $8.99 MP3 www.amazon.com

Recorded live in studio, Gerry Gibbs Thrasher Dream Trio is an album of pop covers from the 50s and 60s, enlivened with a jazz twist and artfully performed by Grammy-nominated group The Thrasher Dream Trio. Evoking fly-high fantasy, fond memories, and fancy flourishes, Gerry Gibs Thrasher Dream Trio reaches out to listeners of all ages and backgrounds. The tracks are "Wives and Lovers" (6:09), "The Summer Knows" (6:01), "The Look of Love" (4:35), "Spartacus Love Theme" (3:38), "On A Clear Day" (6:45), "The Surrey With The Fringe On Top" (3:54), "Alfie" (6:28), "Watch What Happens (instrumental)" (5:23), "Theme From A Man And A Woman" (3:34), "Cast Your Fate To The Wind" (3:24), "What Are You Doing The Rest Of Your Life?" (5:46), "More (from Mondo Cane)" (4:21), "Watch What Happens (vocal)" (4:06), "Music To Watch The Girls Go By" (4:15), "Girl Talk" (4:44), and "Charade" (4:28). Also highly recommended is the Dave Liebman Group's jazz album, "The Puzzle" ($17.77 CD / $8.99 MP3).

Safe in Your Arms
Scott Cossu
Heart Dance Records
www.heartdancerecords.com
c/o RS Promotions (publicity)
$12.97 CD/ $9.99 download www.cdbaby.com

Safe in Your Arms is an album by New Age composer, pianist, and recording artist Scott Cossu. Many of the tracks have long been "out of print", and are at last reproduced for a new generation of connoisseurs to cherish. Re-recorded with contributions from guitarist Van Manakas, alto flutist Ann Lindquist, and flutist John Croarkin, these acoustic, ringing songs evoke gentle memories and a sense of wonder. Highly recommended! The tracks are "Safe in Your Arms" (4:14), "Angel Steps" (2:50), "Fawn" (5:12), "Little Sunshine Girl" (3:36), "Purple Mountain" (4:59), "Sweet Pea Lullaby" (4:13), "Gwenlaise" (4:34), "Starlit Walk" (4:02), "A Child's Eyes" (3:33), "Akaka Falls" (4:55), "Christo's Theme" (3:57), and "Sanctuary" (5:29).

The Ascent
Amy Faithe
Privately Published
c/o RS Promotions (publicity)
$15.00 CD / $12.99 download www.cdbaby.com

The Ascent is the debut album by artist and rising star Amy Faithe, featuring her dulcet vocals and a magical, new age soundscape. An ethereal beauty permeates this soul-stirring treasury. Highly recommended, especially for connoisseurs of the genre. The tracks are "The Moment" (10:10), "Daybreak" (6:42), "Serenity's Call" (10:12), "Peace Be Mine" (10:12), "The Ascent" (10:01), "Who Am I?" (8:45), and "Only in my Dreams" (8:32).

Low Lily
Low Lily
Privately Published
www.lowlily.com
c/o 58 North PR
$15.00 CD / $9.99 download www.cdbaby.com

Liz Simmons (vocals, guitar, percussion), Lissa Schneckenburger (vocals, fiddle), and Flynn Cohen (vocals, guitar, mandolin) are the string and vocal trio Low Lily (formerly Annalivia), well known for their knack for infusing American folk music with both traditional and modern influences. Low Lily's self-titled EP draws upon musical stylings from bluegrass to Irish, English, New England, and Old Time Appalachian to create a stellar performance of four original and two traditional songs that blend the finest musical and storytelling qualities. Highly recommended! The tracks are "House Carpenter" (3:35), "The Girl's Not Mine" (3:07), "Northern Spy" (2:57), "Adventurer" (4:58), "All Roads Lead To You" (3:25), and "Cherokee Shuffle/Lucky" (5:02).

Dreams of India
Tom Teasley
T & T Music
c/o FlipSwitch (publicity)
$14.97 CD / $9.99 download www.cdbaby.com

Dreams of India is an instrumental album (aside from some vocal percussion) with roots as a guided meditation soundtrack; it evolved into a soundscape reimagining of the classic epic of the Mahabharata, India's ancient saga of love and war. Evocative and profound, Dreams of India resonates in the mind and spirit. The tracks are "Om Tat Sat" (4:44), "Whispers in the Wind" (5:32), "Breath of Smoke" (3:41), "Fire Dance" (3:42), "Indra and Arvasu" (3:10), "Mask of Vritra" (3:49), "Silver Rain" (3:34), "Sacrifice" (4:40), "Dance for Arvasu" (4:41), "Sketches of India" (3:27), "Namaste" (3:24), "Fists of Karna" (3:00).

Amonafi
Daby Toure
www.dabytoure.com
Cumbancha
413 Carpenter Road, Charlotte, VT 05445
$15.00 CD / $9.99 MP3 www.cumbancha.com

Amonafi (meaning, "Once Upon a Time" in the West African language Wolof) is the new music album from African-born artist Daby Toure, who cherishes his dual nationality of both Mauritania and France. His music transcends tradition and borders, connecting with elements of folk, soul, and Afropop. His songs speak of dreams of the past, the joy of simple life in an African village, the nightmare of being unable to find work, the hardship that women have faced in society, and more. Thought-provoking and soulful, Amonafi is a welcome addition to international music collections. The tracks are "Woyoyoye" (2:34), "Amonafi" (2:57), "Kiba" (3:49), "Oma" (2:36), "Emma" (3:06), "Little Song" (3:06), "If You" (2:25), "Khone" (2:40), "Kille" (3:13), "Debho" (3:36), "Mina" (3:40), "Soninko" (3:00), and "Ndema" (3:31).


The Library DVD Shelf

The Story of Women and Power
Written and presented by Amanda Vickery
Athena Learning
c/o Acorn Media
c/o RLJ Entertainment
9781621724421 $34.99 www.acornonline.com

The Story of Women and Power is a documentary about women's fight for equality in Britain, from the mid-1600's onward. Brave individual women profiled include Mary Wollstonecraft, dubbed "the mother of feminism"; Hannah More, who quested for ways that women could enter public life; suffragette leader Emmeline Pankhurst; and more. Viewers witness a livestock market where men once sold their wives at auction; learn of an early march for women's rights in 1649; and discover a notorious incident in 1738 when the Duchess of Queensberry crashed the House of Lords. Modern-day woman's activists advocate that the fight for full equality is not yet completed, in this fascinating and enlightening chronicle enthusiastically recommended for public library DVD collections. 3 episodes on one DVD, 182 min., widescreen, SDH subtitles.

The Code Season 1
Acorn Media
c/o RLJ Entertainment
$39.99 www.acornonline.com

The Code Season 1 is a multiple award-winning political thriller with an ensemble cast including Lucy Lawless, David Wenham, and Adam Garcia. Far in the Australian outback, two joy-riding teenagers in a deadly crash kick off a series of events that could potentially reveal closely guarded secrets of the government. Internet journalist Ned Banks (played by Dan Spielman) and his brilliant yet disconnected brother Jesse (Ashley Zukerman) encounter smartphone footage of the accident, making them targets amid a web of intrigue. A suspenseful, high-tech drama with twists and turns, The Code will keep the viewer guessing! Highly recommended especially for connoisseurs of the genre. Bonus material includes 30 min. of behind-the-scenes featurettes. 6 episodes on 2 DVDs, 341 min. plus bonus, widescreen, SDH subtitles.

Therese Raquin
Adapted from the novel by Emile Zola
Acorn Media
c/o RLJ Entertainment
9781621722304 $29.99 www.acornonline.com

Therese Raquin is a DVD adaptation of the scandalous French novel by Emile Zola. The titular Therese Raquin is a young woman (played by Kate Nelligan) trapped in a loveless marriage to her simpleminded first cousin, Camille (Kenneth Cranham). A love affair blossoms between Therese and Camille's childhood friend Laurent (Brian Cox). As passion between the two Therese and Laurent flourishes, they plot to do the unthinkable for their love; but the price for their desperate choice may be far more horrifying either of them imagined. Suspenseful and distinguished by emotionally heightened performances, Therese Raquin is highly recommended. 3 episodes, 166 min., SDH subtitles.

Just Walk: The Burn to the Beat Walk!
Leslie Sansone
Anchor Bay Entertainment
2401 West Big Beaver Road, Suite 200
Troy, MI 48084-3304
$14.98 www.anchorbayentertainment.com

Just Walk: The Burn to the Beat Walk! is a fitness DVD in the "Just Walk" series for all ages. Even those who are brand new to an exercise regimen can join in and have fun! These walks encourage cardio from a starter speed to a "super walker" speed by increasing the beat of the catchy, up-tempo music. Just Walk: The Burn to the Beat Walk! opens with a 20-minute, 3 mph "Easy Beat Mile", moves to the 15-minute, 4 mph "Brisk Beat Mile", and culminates in the 12-minute, 5 mph "Super Beat Mile", encouraging the viewer to to move more like a runner! A bonus "After the Burn" segment offers toning exercises for the arms, thighs, backend, and core. Accessible and user-friendly, Just Walk: The Burn to the Beat Walk! is enthusiastically recommended. 75 min.


The Fantasy/SciFi Shelf

Earth Flight
Janet Edwards
Pyr
c/o Prometheus Books
59 John Glenn Drive, Amherst, NY 14228-2197
9781633880986, $17.00, www.pyrsf.com

Earth Flight tells of Jarra, who gains fame in her effort to garner respect for those left on Earth, but who faces political unrest and further fame and danger when the first alien artifact to be discovered involves Jarra in a mission that might take her away from earth. But as one of those 'left behind' who can't leave, how can she go - and if she doesn't, the artifact and its promise will be lost. A gripping narrative makes for a series of impossible scenarios that is hard to put down and satisfyingly compelling and different.

Magic Shifts
Ilona Andrews
Ace Books
c/o Penguin Group (USA)
375 Hudson Street, 4th floor, New York, NY 10014
9780425270677, $25.95, www.penguin.com

Magic Shifts provides a fine Kate Daniels novel with an unusual premise: magic is coming and going in waves in post-Shift Atlantic, leaving mercenary Kate Daniels and her mate far from their Pack and vulnerable to battles. When their friend vanishes, the two must not only investigate his disappearance, but handle the crippling waves of change that not only affect their world but have led to the emergence of a dangerous new enemy. Fans of novels about magic will relish this vigorous, fast-paced story that rests firmly on the appeal and strength of an unusual world and two compelling protagonists.

Lord of Janissaries
Jerry Pournelle and Roland J. Green
Baen Books
PO Box 1188, Wake Forest NC 27588
9781476780795, $15.00, www.baen.com

If Lord of Janissaries sounds familiar, with its stories of a soldier and his men who are abandoned in hostile territory when aliens land, that's because this collection consists of three novels of military sci-fi classics presented under one cover. The advantage, especially for newcomers, lies in an uninterrupted saga that doesn't require multiple book acquisitions to prove appealing. Newcomers, especially, will relish this approach, as the adventures of Captain Rick and his crew, who embark on new careers as mercenaries for aliens on a distant planet, come to life.

Stars Wars FAQ
Mark Clark
Applause Books
c/o Hal Leonard Performing Arts Publishing Group
19 West 21st Street, Suite 201, New York, NY 10010
www.halleonard.com
9781480360181, $24.99, www.applausebooks.com

Stars Wars FAQ: Everything Left to Know About the Trilogy That Changed the Movies would ordinarily have appeared in our film section, but is featured here because any sci-fi fan holding a special affection for Star Wars will find this a winner. It compiles facts and questions about the original trilogy from the books and movies and offers insights from early screenplays that were never used to discussions of the stories, film highlights, the rise of Star Wars fiction, and imitators and parodies. Analysis provide discussions and insights of particular interest to prior Star Wars viewers and fans and fill in many details on plots, characters, filming and screenplay production that wouldn't ordinarily be seen by even collectors and prior fans, making this a 'must' for movie-goers and sci-fi followers alike.


The Mystery/Suspense Shelf

Daniel Port Omnibus 2
Peter Rabe
Stark House Press
1315 H Street, Eureka, CA 95501
www.starkhousepress.com
9781933586663, $23.95, 338pp, www.amazon.com

Peter Rabe aka Peter Rabinowitsch, (1921 - 1990), was a German American writer who also wrote under the names Marco Malaponte and J. T. MacCargo (though not all of the latter's books were by him). Rabe was the author of over 30 books, mostly of crime fiction, published between 1955 and 1975. The newest addition to the outstanding 'Stark House Noir Classics' series, "Daniel Port Omnibus 2" is comprised of three of Rabe's best crime fiction stories: The Cut of the Whip; Bring Me Another Corpse; Time Enough to Die. Enhanced with an informative introduction by Rick Ollerman (The End of Daniel Port), "Daniel Port Omnibus 2" will be of immense interest to crime noir novel enthusiasts and will prove to be an enduringly popular addition to community library Mystery/Suspense collections.

Parchment and Old Lace
Laura Child
Berkeley Prime Crime
c/o Penguin Group (USA)
375 Hudson Street, New York, NY 10014
9780425266687, $25.95, www.penguin.com

Parchment and Old Lace provides a fun 'scrapbooking' mystery complete with tips and recipes, and tells of a quandary when author and scrapbook shop owner Carmela discovers a bride-to-be murdered in a cemetery. This puts a quash on supper, the upcoming wedding, and more, and when the victim's sister asks Carmela to help, it becomes a journey into the enemies of Isabelle's past and a killer who might strike again. How does scrapbooking fit into all this? Child weaves a masterful story filled with engrossing twists and turns that makes for a riveting story, hard to put down.

Murder, She Wrote: The Ghost and Mrs. Fletcher
Jessica Fletcher, Donald Bain and Renee Paley-Bain
Obsidian Mystery
c/o Penguin Group (USA)
375 Hudson Street, New York, NY 10014
97804515477361, $23.95, www.penguin.com

Murder, She Wrote: The Ghost and Mrs. Fletcher provides another book based on the TV series and tells of an old friend and real estate agent who undertakes to sell one of Cabot Cove's oldest properties. The 1800s building is in terrible shape and comes with an intriguing story. Unfortunately, it also appears to come with a ghost, challenging even professional agent Eve's sales abilities and turning into a deadly reality when a premonition comes true. Was the death natural, or contrived? An engrossing murder mystery revolving around ghosts, murder, and intrigue creates a spell-binding plot suitable for newcomers and old fans alike - even those who have never seen or heard of the TV series.


The Cookbook Shelf

Make It Easy
Jane Lovett
New Holland Australia
c/o Fox Chapel Publishing Company
1970 Broad Street N., East Petersburg, PA 17520
www.FoxChapelPublishing.com
9781847739230, $24.99, www.amazon.com

"Make It Easy" is a beautifully illustrated and thoroughly 'kitchen cook friendly" 192 page compendium of simple, nutritious, palate pleasing and appetite satisfying dishes that can be prepared in advance, that making cooking for friends and family a stress-free and fun experience. Ranging from simple starters to quick suppers to more elaborate meals, all the dishes are contemporary, seasonal and fresh and aim to keep ingredients to a minimum. Ranging from Twice-Baked Roquefort Souffles; Salmon En Croute with Lime and Coriander Sauce; Mediterranean Rack of Lamb Platter; and Vietnamese Herby Chicken with Nutty Green Rice Salad; to Raised Pork Pie; Roast Butternut Squash with Blue cheese, Parma Ham and Walnuts; and Ginger Creams with Pistachio Brittle, "Make It Easy" is an impressive collection of recipes deftly organized by category: Simple soups and starters; Meat, poultry and seafood; Weekend lunches; Desserts; Quick salads, nibblies and drinks. Also available in a paperback edition (9781504800549, $19.99), "Make It Easy" is highly recommended for personal, family, and community library cookbook collections.

Seasons To Taste
Jonathan Bardzik
Story Farm
www.jonathanbardzik.com
9780990520597, $40.00, www.amazon.com

"Seasons To Taste: Farm-Fresh Joy For Kitchen & Table" by professional storyteller, cook, and author Jonathan Bardzik is a gorgeously illustrated, 320 page culinary compendium of delicious, nutritious, palate pleasing, appetite satisfying dishes arranged and presented by the seasons of Winter, Spring, Summer, and Fall. The thoroughly 'kitchen cook friendly' recipes range from a Wild Rice cider Pilaf; Apricot Chile Glazed carrots; Wild Mushroom & Gruyere Frittata; Sirloin, Asparagus & Portabella with Bearnaise; and Honey & Chive Glazed Pork; to Cantaloupe Soup with Cherry Red Wine Syrup; Sauteed Chard with Mexican Chorizo; Curried Zucchini Red Pepper Soup; Turnip Potato Latkes; Gram's Red Cabbage with Beer Braised Brats; and Pumpkin Lamb Sausage Pizza. Of special note are the succinct commentaries that accompany each recipe. A pure pleasure to browse through and exceptionally practical to plan menus with, "Seasons To Taste: Farm-Fresh Joy For Kitchen & Table" is very highly recommended for personal, family, professional, and community library cookbook collections.

Celebrate: Food, Family, Shabbos
Elizabeth Kurtz
Feldheim Publishers
208 Airport Executive Park, Nanuet, NY 10954
http://www.feldheim.com
9780692450277, $34.99, www.amazon.com

Shabbat, also known as Shabbos, is Judaism's day of rest and seventh day of the week, on which religious Jews remember the Biblical creation of the heavens and the earth in six days and the Exodus of the Hebrews, and look forward to a future Messianic Age. An integral part of Shabbos is the family meal. "Celebrate: Food, Family, Shabbos" by Elizabeth Kurtz is a beautifully illustrated, 352 page culinary compendium showcasing 'kitchen cook friendly' kosher dishes appropriate for the weekly Shabbos observance and celebration. The recipes range from Pan-Seared Duck Breast with Fig-Shallot Marmalade; Velvety Corn Soup; Roasted Chicken with Shiitake Mushrooms and Artichokes; and Root Bear Braised Beef Ribs; to Acorn Squash Stuffed with Jeweled Israeli Couscous; Chocolate Caramel Pecan Pie; Pearl Barley Salad with Roasted peppers, Sun-Dried Tomatoes, and Olives; and Red Velvet and Cream Cheese Brownies. A pure pleasure to browse through and inspiring to plan menus with, "Celebrate: Food, Family, Shabbos" is very highly recommended for personal, family, professional, and community library cookbook collections.

Besh Big Easy
John Besh
Andrews McMeel Publishing
1130 Walnut Street, Kansas City, MO 64106-2109
www.andrewsmcmeel.com
9781449469177, $25.00, 224pp, www.amazon.com

John Besh (James Beard Award-winner) is a renowned chef, the owner of nine restaurants, the host of John Besh's Family Table on public television, and the author of the bestselling cookbooks "My New Orleans", "My Family Table", and "Cooking from the Heart". His latest cookbook is "Besh Big Easy: 101 Home Cooked New Orleans Recipes", a 224 page, beautifully illustrated compendium showcasing some of the very best examples of New Orleans cuisine. The thoroughly 'kitchen cook friendly' recipes range from Crabmeat Spinach Dip; Honey Island Chanterelle Soup; Duck Camp Shrimp & Grits; and Roasted Brussels Sprout Salad; to Grandaddy's Skillet Corn Bread; Pan-Roasted Blackfish with Crab Butter; Cajun Stuffed Porkchops; Jenny's Crawfish-Stuffed Chicken; and Stone Fruit Rice Pudding. Of special note are the succinct comments accompanying each recipe. "Besh Big Easy: 101 Home Cooked New Orleans Recipes" is a 'must' for the legions of John Besh fans, and will prove to be an enduringly popular addition to personal, professional, family, and community library cookbook collections.

Spiralize!
Beverly Lynn Bennett
Books Alive
The Book Publishing Company
PO Box 99, Summertown, TN 38483
97811553120520 $11.95 www.BookPubCo.com

Illustrated with full-color photography throughout, Spiralize! Transform Vegetables and Fruits from Ordinary to Extraordinary is a cookbook that teaches the reader how to "spiralize" vegetables and fruits, effectively transforming them into gluten-free pasta. An introductory chapter walks one through the basics of choosing and using a spiralizer, and the recipes include "Tater-Wrapped Vegan Sausages", "Garden Vegetable Noodle Soup", "Lemon-Walnut Parsnip Pasta", and much more. Spiralize! is a treasure for people on a gluten-free diet, or those who are interested in low-calorie, low-carb, healthy alternatives to pasta.

The Almond Milk Cookbook
Alan Roettinger
The Book Publishing Company
PO Box 99, Summertown, TN 38483
9781570673269 $12.95 www.BookPubCo.com

Whether one is lactose intolerant, allergic to soy, vegan, or simply interested in trying something new, The Almond Milk Cookbook is a great introduction to enjoying an alternative to dairy and soy-based milks. Over 100 recipes show how the light, palatable flavor of almond milk can be used to create tasty, creamy delights, with the pleasant bonus that almond milk has a high concentration of vitamins and minerals, and no cholesterol or saturated fat. A brief introduction to almond milk, as well as starter recipes for Basic Almond Milk, Rich Almond Milk, Almond Cream, and Basic White Sauce kick off this user-friendly guide. Advanced almond milk recipes include Chocolate-Raspberry Smoothie (among other smoothie recipes), Spiced Butternut Squash Soup, Tomato-Pepper Dressing (perfect for livening up one's salad), Vegetable Pot Pie, Mixed Berry Cobbler, Mocha Chip Ice Cream, and much more. A superb specialty cookbook!

The Fish Sauce Cookbook
Veronica Meewes
Andrews McMeel Publishing
1130 Walnut Street, Kansas City, MO 64106-2109
9781449468699 $19.99 www.andrewsmcmeel.com

The Fish Sauce Cookbook: 50 Umami-Packed Recipes from Around the Globe is a unique cookbook that features homemade fish sauce, and other useful sauces that can be crafted with homemade fish sauce such as Caramel Miso Glaze and Apple Relish. Further recipes include dishes that incorporate flavorful sauces, including soups and salads (such as Thai Hot and Sour Coconut Chicken Soup), vegetable sides (such as Warm Brussels Sprout Slaw with Asian Citrus Dressing), meat entrees (such as Vietnamese Caramel Chicken), seafood entrees (such as Zucchini Tofu Shrimp Frittata with Fish Sauce) and more. Interspersed with color photography as well as tips, tricks, and techniques, The Fish Sauce Cookbook is a choice pick for any interested in learning more about exotic flavors. Advice on the proper care and storage of this popular yet briny ingredient is also present for fish sauce novices.

Cookies & Beer: Bake, Pair, Enjoy
Jonathan Bender
Andrews McMeel Publishing
1130 Walnut Street, Kansas City, MO 64106-2109
9781449470883 $19.99 www.andrewsmcmeel.com

Cookies & Beer: Bake, Pair, Enjoy offers a hot new culinary pairing: baked cookies and craft beer. Savory cookie recipes offer the perfect complements to recommended craft beers. For example, a recipe for "Chef Amy's Chocolate Chip Cookies" is recommended for serving with Left Hand Brewing Company's Milk Stout, since "Milk stouts are sweet and creamy. With the right chocolate chip cookie, they're the missing link between milk and beer." Occasional full-color photographs intersperse the cookie cookbook with tasty twist!

Edible Gifts
Jane Lyster
New Holland UK
c/o Fox Chapel Publishing Company
1970 Broad Street N., East Petersburg, PA 17520
www.FoxChapelPublishing.com
9781780090436, $14.99, 176pp, www.amazon.com

Jane Lyster is a working artist who can turn her hand to almost any craft or food project. She has recently launched Making, a magazine for contemporary crafts in the home, and has contributed to a variety of food publications in the UK as well as working on food sets for major films. Now she presents "Edible Gifts", a 176 page compendium showcasing beautifully presented recipes for an impressive variety of homemade and hand-wrapped sweets, snacks, and drinks suitable for all gift-giving and dining occasions. Thoroughly 'kitchen cook friendly' in presentation and instruction, "Edible Gifts" begins with an informative Introduction and a two-page section on Materials; followed by 'The Food Gifter's Workshop'; Presentation Techniques; Sweet Gifts; Not So Sweet; Drinks; and concludes with Christmas Gifts that range from Edible Gift Tags, to Christmas Tree Biscuits, to a Gingerbread House. Also available in a paperback edition (9781504800297, $14.99) is enthusiastically recommended for personal, family, professional, and community library instructional reference collections.

Pregnant Women's Weird Cravings Cookbook!
Teri Brown
Crary Publications
5233 Painted Pebble Street, North Las Vegas, Nevada 89081
www.CraryPublications.com
9780974343846, $14.95, www.amazon.com

Every woman going through a hormone driven pregnancy will, sooner or later, experience wanting certain and specific foods -- often in weird combinations. Although it has the word 'cookbook' in it's title, Terri Brown's "Pregnant Women's Weird Cravings Cookbook!" contains only one recipe (Spaghetti Sauce a' La Marotta). Instead, the "Pregnant Women's Weird Cravings Cookbook!" is a 160 page compilation of color photograph pictures of different food pairings known to be desired in pregnancy and ranging from Rice Krispies with Strawberry Ice Cream on Top; to Hot Dog with Chili, Slaw, and Jalapenos; to Baked Beans and Salad Dressing on a Cheese Sandwich; to Sour Cream and Onion Chips Dipped in Applesauce. Simply fascinating to merely browse through, every woman who ever bore a child will recognize and appreciate this strange cornucopia of food pairings, blends, and combinations. It should be noted that "Pregnant Women's Weird Cravings Cookbook!" is also available in a Kindle edition ($7.49).

The Backyard Homestead Book of Kitchen Know-How
Andrea Chesman
Storey Publishing
210 Mass MoCA Way, North Adams, MA 01247
9781612122045, $19.95, www.storey.com

There's a lot of talk on the market about farm-to-table eating and using fresh ingredients, but many cookbooks lack specifics on how to properly prepare and preserve the fresh foods being advocated - which is different from obtaining a vegetable cookbook. Enter The Backyard Homestead Book of Kitchen Know-How, a compendium of kitchen skills that tells how to mill flour, make cheese, preserve meats, and more: information usually seen in homesteading guides rather than cookbooks. Don't expect your usual recipe guide; but do expect a focus that includes charts and tips on everything from how to roast a duck and make maple syrup from a tree to using poultry shrink bags, pressure canners, and how to preserve the pick of the harvest for tomatoes, strawberries, and more. While the guide offers plenty of recipes, the focus is on using homegrown abundance: access to a blossoming garden or farm and an interest in utilizing fresh ingredients year-round are the only prerequisites to an appreciation of this intersection between recipe and technique.

The Masters at Home: Recipes, Stories & Photographs
MasterChef
Absolute Press
Scarborough House, 29 James Street West, Bath, UK, BA1 2BT
http://www.absolutepress.co.uk
Bloomsbury Press (distributor)
175 Fifth Avenue, Suite 315, New York, NY 10010
www.bloomsbury.com
9781472904117, $35.00, www.absolutepress.co.uk

The Masters at Home: Recipes, Stories & Photographs deserves ongoing mention and recommendation as a fine synthesis of stories, recipes and photos centered around master chefs from around the world who share their three favorite recipes here. These enjoy photos by David Loftus in a collection that includes the chef's background, snapshots from their homes, and details on their cooking; so don't expect just a collection of recipes, but something that toes the line between autobiography, culinary history, and recipe book. Loftus's full-page and smaller color photos pepper nearly every page while dishes such as Frozen Pea Puree and hearty lamb and barley Scotch Broth will prove easily accessible to home cooks. The result is a fine survey recommended for any culinary collection.

Summer Cooking
Chicago Tribune
Agate Surrey
c/o Agate Publishing
1328 Greenleaf Street, Evanston, IL 60202
9781572841710, $24.95, www.agatepublishing.com

Summer may be over, but Summer Cooking: Kitchen-Tested Recipes for Picnics, Patios, Grilling and More is not: it's just getting started. While summer fare would seem to be filled with barbecues, cookouts, outside dinner parties, and light fare, it also hosts portable appetizers, quick salads and sides, and light beverages designed for warmer temperatures. Another note: the Chicago Tribute is one of the few newspapers that still runs its own test kitchen; so all these dishes have been tested and tasted by food writers and staff members. From Asian Summer Rolls which came to Chicago via a Laotian immigrant who began her own establishment to Angie Johnson's Pasties, English in origin but packed with flavors and a hand-carried format that lend to quick meals for busy readers, this is a selection of internationally-influenced summer dishes not to be missed!


The Gardening Shelf

The Complete Guide to Growing Vegetables, Flowers, Fruits, and Herbs from Containers, second edition
Lizz Shepherd
Atlantic Publishing Group, Inc.
1405 S.W. 6th Avenue, Ocala, FL 34471
www.atlantic-pub.com
9781620230145, $14.99, 288pp, www.amazon.com

Now in a fully updated and expanded second edition, "The Complete Guide to Growing Vegetables, Flowers, Fruits, and Herbs from Containers: Everything You Need to Know Explained Simply" by container gardening expert Lizz Shepherd is a 288 page compendium of practical 'do-it-yourself' information presented in eleven thematic chapters: Why Garden in Containers?; What Should I Grow?; Choosing and Preparing Containers for Growing; Tools; Soil and Amendments; Start with Seeds or Start with Plants?; Growing Herbs in Containers; Growing Vegetables in Containers; Growing Fruits in Containers; Growing Flowers in Containers; Maintaining Your Plants. Enhanced with the inclusion of an informative Introduction; an encouraging Conclusion; an appendix (USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map; a four page Bibliography; a two page Author Biography; and a three page Index, "The Complete Guide to Growing Vegetables, Flowers, Fruits, and Herbs from Containers" is complete course of instruction and particularly recommended to the attention of the non-specialist general reader with an interest in container-based gardening. This new edition of "The Complete Guide to Growing Vegetables, Flowers, Fruits, and Herbs from Containers" will prove to be an enduringly popular addition to community and academic library Gardening instructional reference collections.

Grower's Guides
Red Hot Chili Grower
Kay Maguire
Mitchell Beazley
c/o Octopus Publishing
236 Park Avenue, New York NY 10017
9781784721022, $14.99, www.octopusbooksusa.com

Red Hot Chili Grower: The Complete Guide to Planting, Picking, and Preserving Chilis narrows the gardening and cooking focus to all kinds of chilis, from Scotch Bonnet to Hungarian Hot Wax, and provides step-by-step instructions that begin with sowing seeds and growing chilis to harvesting and using them. While instructions for pickling and preserving the capsicums are included, Red Hot Chili Grower's wealth of details will especially delight gardeners who want a step-by-step focus on growing chilis and handling common problems. There are charts, checklists, photos and illustrations, and most of all, an attention to the particular growing needs and challenges of different kinds of chilis. At-a-glance information includes heat, sowing instructions, growing needs, and key cuisines and dishes that use each chili. The result is a powerful, specific recommendation for any grower who wants a focus on chilis.


The Theatre/Cinema/TV Shelf

Cervantes's Eight Interludes
Edited and translated by Charles Patterson
Applause Books
c/o Hal Leonard Performing Arts Publishing Group
19 West 21st Street, Suite 201
New York, NY 10010
9781495013034 $16.99 www.halleonard.com

Miguel de Cervantes (1547-1616) is the legendary Spanish author of the classic novel "Don Quixote", but he was also an accomplished playwright. Cervantes's Eight Interludes is an anthology of eight of Cervantes' brief, comedic plays originally published in 1615. ("Interludes" were originally meant to be performed in between acts of longer plays, but each stands out well on its own). The plays are rife with raucous characters from the more questionable layers of Renaissance Spanish society, including pimps, prostitutes, con artists, hicks, adulterous wives, incensed husbands, and more. Superbly translated into modern English, Cervantes' Eight Interludes is eyebrow-raising, raucous, and thoroughly accessible to contemporary readers.

Inside the Rise of HBO
Bill Mesce, Jr.
McFarland & Company
PO Box 611, Jefferson NC 28640
9780786497867, $29.95, www.mcfarlandpub.com

Inside the Rise of HBO: A Personal History of the Company That Transformed Television traces the evolution and impact of HBO TV on the industry and offers a wide-ranging coverage that considers the state of the industry before the launch of Home Box Office in 1972 and in the decades since. HBO changed the playing field of television and fostered a new era of premium cable television programming, and Inside the Rise of HBO documents the events that transformed media starting with a single cable channel. One might expect such a coverage to come from a reporter's viewpoint, but this actually comes from one who spent nearly thirty years at Home Box Office in various corporate capacities, and who also served as a screenwriter. His unique perspective makes for the ideal coverage of events from an insider's perspective and makes for a powerful account of the advent, evolution and golden age of paid television. No media collection should be without this thorough, detailed history.


The Comix/Graphic Novel Shelf

The Story of Lee, Volume 2
Sean Michael Wilson & Nami Tamura
NBM Publishing
160 Broadway, Ste. 700, East Wing
New York, NY 10038
9781561639731 $11.99 www.nbmpub.com

The Story of Lee, Volume 2 is a black-and-white graphic novel continuing the travels of a young woman from Hong Kong. Lee has fallen in love with the handsome student Matt, and acquired a visa to visit the land of her dreams - the United Kingdom. Yet amid the palpable excitement are new pressures, such as the difficulty of navigating an unfamiliar city, troubles understanding the thick Scottish or other accents of the locals (especially when Lee is still struggling to master English as a second language). Will the stress of life as an expatriate destroy Lee's blossoming love affair with Matt? And why does Matt's friend Richard seem so jealous of Lee's and Matt's relationship? Lee's wise and insightful Uncle Jun also turns up, in this thoughtful drama about finding balance in one's life. Highly recommended for older teen and adult readers, due to occasional mature situations and references.

The Incredible Herb Trimpe
Dewey Cassell and Aaron Sultan
TwoMorrows Publishing
10407 Bedfordtown Drive, Raleigh, NC 27614
9781605490625, $34.95, www.twomorrows.com

Any avid comics reader who knows the character Wolverine or Captain Britain already knows the work of illustrator Herb Trimpe: now here's a survey of his life and art which pairs interviews with the man himself alongside those of his contemporaries and even his son. All this blends with black and white images and color illustrations to capture the life of the man, his place in comic book history, and the many creations he worked on, from comic books to iconic figures. As with others from this publisher, the idea goes beyond representing covers and art to delve into the creator's influences and life, with a powerful blend of interview insights, autobiography, and art making it a 'must' for any cartoon or graphic novel enthusiast.


The Health/Medicine Shelf

Pharmacology For Women's Health, second edition
Mary C. Brucker & Tekoa L. King
Jones & Bartlett Learning
5 Wall Street, Burlington, MA 01803
9781284057485, $99.95, www.jblearning.com

Now in a newly updated and expanded second edition, "Pharmacology for Women's Health" is collaborative compiled and co-edited by Mary C. Brucker (Assistant Professor, Adjunct Nurse-Midwifery/WHNP Program, Georgetown University, Washington, DC) and Tekoa L. King (Health Sciences Clinical Professor, School of Nursing, University of California - San Francisco). Offering a unique 1212 page text that discusses pharmacology as it specifically relates to women's health issues, the "Pharmacology For Women's Health" provides cutting edge information that reflects the changing field of pharmacology. "Pharmacology For Women's Health" includes new pharmacological agents for common conditions, changes in indications, the use of vaccines, updated guidelines from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) for treatment of sexually transmitted infections, and the effects of the Affordable Care Act. "Pharmacology For Women's Health" also includes new resource boxes in each chapter for easy access to more information. Informed and informative, "Pharmacology For Women's Health" is impressively well organized and presented, making it an ideal textbook for Medical Studies and Nurse Practitioner academic curriculums, as well as Women's Health Issues supplemental studies reading lists. No medical school or university library Health/Medicine reference collections can be considered complete or up to date without the inclusion of "Pharmacology For Women's Health".

The Plant-Based Journey
Lani Muelrath
BenBella Books
10300 N. Central Expressway, Ste 400
Dallas, TX 75204
9781941631362 $16.95 www.benbellabooks.com

Award-winning teacher and certified behavior change specialist Lani Muelrath presents The Plant-Based Journey: A Step-by-Step Guide for Transitioning to a Healthy Lifestyle and Achieving Your Ideal Weight, a practical-minded, science-supported, five-step guidebook for transitioning to a plant-based diet. Chapters discuss how to get one's kitchen and pantry ready, how to smoothly adjust to the lifestyle change, how to keep to a plant-based dietary lifestyle on the road or with friends and family (who can be well-meaning but improper "food pushers"), and more. Suggested meal-plan templates, more than 20 recipes, and an index round out this superb choice for aspiring vegetarians and vegans, or anyone just looking to reduce their consumption of expensive, high-cholesterol animal products.

Jessica Kingsley Publishers
400 Market Street, Suite 400, Philadelphia, PA 19106
www.jkp.com

Two in-depth art therapy coverages are top recommendations for mental health practitioners, artists interested in art therapy, and collections catering to them, and break the larger topic of art therapy into two easily-digestible surveys. Art Therapy with Physical Conditions edited by Marion Liebmann and Sally Weston (9781849053495, $39.95) covers physical conditions from cancer to colitis and broadens the definition to cover homelessness, chronic conditions, and learning disabilities, and provides articles discussion the philosophical, spiritual, psychological and health issues of art therapy from the perspectives of the therapists who explain how their work is perceived and used by a wide variety of groups. Art Therapy with Neurological Conditions, also edited by Marion Liebmann and Sally Weston (9781849053488, $39.95) gathers insights from specialists who work with dementia, epilepsy, brain injuries, multiple sclerosis and more, and describes how the conditions are approached in the art therapy environment, and how it's worked in rehabilitation efforts. The broad definitions of approaches and conditions lends to the inclusion of articles that present quite a diverse range of perspectives and ideas, making both these collections of central importance to any art therapist or practitioner who would better understand how the therapy is applied and how and why it works with these specific groups.


The Art Shelf

Romaine Brooks: A Life
Cassandra Langer
University of Wisconsin Press
1930 Monroe Street, Third Floor, Madison, WI 53711-2059
9780299298609, $26.95, www.uwpress.wisc.edu

Romaine Brooks: A Life documents the achievements and life of an expatriate American painter who has largely been represented as a bigot, and fills in many gaps in information about Brooks' real personality, struggles, and creations, up to her death in 1970. More so than most artists, Brooks earned many myths and a reputation that wasn't always positive. This book comes from decades of the author's research on her life, times, and works and offers a well-rounded discussion key to any college-level arts library.


The Islamic Studies Shelf

Meeting the Ideological Challenge of Islamism
Anna Bekele and Patrick Sookhdeo, editors
Isaac Publishing
6729 Curran Street, McLean, VA 22101
9780991614592 $15.00 www.isaac-publishing.us

Five learned contributors (Patrick Sookhdeo, Robert R. Reilly, J. Michael Waller, Anna Bekele, and Stephen Ulph) present informed and informative essays about the challenging problem of Islamic extremist ideology. How can the worldview, methodologies, and motivations of violent Islamist groups be effectively countered? In a modern era when globalized information (and misinformation!) coexists with sectarian violence, territorial war, and a growing refugee crisis, Meeting the Ideological Challenge of Islamism is desperately needed and worthy of the highest recommendation for public and college library Islamic Studies shelves. The individual essays are "The Role of Religion in the Battle Space since 9/11", "Information Operations: Successes and Failures", "The Muslim Brotherhood: Doctrine, Strategy, Operations and Vulnerabilities", "Islamist Activism through the Lens of Social Science", and "The Importance of Progressive Arab Reformers".


The Christian Studies Shelf

Church On Purpose
Adam L. Bond & Laura Mariko Cheifetz, editors
Judson Press
PO Box 851, Valley Forge, PA 19482-0851
www.judsonpress.com
9780817017569, $15.99, www.amazon.com

Collaboratively compiled and co-edited by Adam L. Bond (an ordained minister in the American Baptist Churches USA, and is currently an Assistant Professor of Historical Studies and American Baptist liaison at the Samuel DeWitt Proctor School of Theology at Virginia Union University in Richmond) and Laura Mariko Cheifetz (an ordained minister in the Presbyterian Church who also serves as the executive director of church and public relations at Presbyterian Publishing Corporation), "Church on Purpose: Reinventing, Discipleship, Community, & Justice" is a 160 page compendium covering such topics as discipleship issues such as Sunday school, intergenerational worship settings, and evangelism; redefinition of community through strategic planning, ecumenical partnerships, and communication in a larger world; and pursuit of justice through inclusion of the poor and the prisoner. Recognizing the generational shift within congregations across the country and anticipating areas of church life that require attention or reform, "Church On Purpose" offers possibilities for new directions within Christian communities as it: Challenges the church to consider alternative ways to doing church in order to strengthen and grow congregations; Offers practical strategies that address key areas of congregational health; Explores the core themes of community, discipleship, and justice with emerging Christian leaders of diverse denominations, generations and vocations. Thoroughly 'reader friendly' in content, commentary, organization, and presentation, "Church On Purpose" is very highly recommended, especially for Baptist clergy and laity. For personal reading lists it should be noted that "Church On Purpose" is also available in a Kindle edition ($11.64).

The Complete Francis of Assisi
Jon M. Sweeney, editor and translator
Paraclete Press
PO Box 1568, Orleans, MA 02653
www.paracletepress.com
9781612616889, $24.99, www.amazon.com

Saint Francis of Assisi was born October 3, 1226 as Giovanni di Pietro di Bernardone, but nicknamed Francesco and became an Italian Catholic friar and preacher. He founded the men's Order of Friars Minor, the women's Order of St. Clare, and the Third Order of Saint Francis for men and women not able to live the lives of itinerant preachers. Francis is one of the most venerated religious figures in Roman Catholic history. "The Complete Francis of Assisi: His Life, The Complete Writings, and The Little Flowers" is a 416 page compendium comprised of an annotated account of his life and all of his surviving writings ably edited and translated into English for an American readership by independent scholar, author, and culture critic Jon M. Sweeney (who has been the editor-in-chief of the Massachusetts-based Paraclete Press since 2004). Deftly organized and presented with insightful commentaries, "The Complete Francis of Assisi" is enhanced with the inclusion of a five page listing of succinctly presented biographical sketches of the Franciscan Friars; a two page listing of suggestions for further reading. A truly impressive work and 'reader friendly' work, "The Complete Francis of Assisi" is very highly recommended for community, church, and academic library Christian Studies and Christian Biography collections in general, and Franciscan History supplemental studies lists in particular. For personal reading lists it should be noted that "The Complete Francis of Assisi" is also available in a Kindle edition ($18.95).

Standing Firm
Jesse Yow
Concordia Publishing House
3558 South Jefferson Avenue, Saint Louis, MO 63118-3968
www.cph.org
9780758649218, $19.99, 244pp, www.amazon.com

We need only watch the evening news to see that Christians encounter hostility and subtle persecution with the U.S. as well as experiencing open persecution in other parts of the world. Christians are called by Jesus to turn the other cheek, but in what other ways would God have us respond? "Standing Firm: A Christian Response to Hostility and Persecution" provides biblical perspectives to help understand the challenge of persecution and how God promises to guide, use, and sustain us. Indeed, "Standing Firm" covers such issues as: The biblical perspective on hostility and persecution; How God would have us respond; Recent trends of hostility and persecution toward Christian in the United States and worldwide; Positive options for a respond reflecting the Gospel and life under God's grace. What kinds of hostility do Christians encounter?; When does hostility spill over into persecution?; What are the underlying roots found in sin, spiritual warfare, and opposition to Christ?; How can examples from Scripture improve our understanding of persecution?; What are God's priorities, and how does that motivate Christians?; How does God support and encourage us during times of difficulty?; and ultimately, How can we respond? Exceptionally well written, organized, and presented, "Standing Firm" is very highly recommended to the attention of all members of the Christian community regardless of their denominational affiliation. It should be noted that "Standing Firm" is also available in a Kindle edition ($9.99).

Agents of Babylon
Dr. David Jeremiah
Tyndale House Publishers
351 Executive Drive, Carol Stream, IL 60188
9781414380520, $24.99, www.tyndale.com

Dr. David Jeremiah is a noted Christian prophecy expert and a senior pastor in California, and uses the Book of Daniel to explore the results of living in godless times in Agents of Babylon: What the Prophecies of Daniel Tell Us about the End of Days. The author takes the prophecy contained in the Book of Daniel and offers an in-depth examination in language that will appeal to general-interest Biblical readers, building the Biblical story into something that is readily understandable and applied to modern times and modern issues. This takes the form of a dramatization of events in Daniel paired with a closer analysis of the Scripture behind the story and, finally, a wider-ranging discussion of underling Biblical concepts. The result is a powerful survey highly recommended for both Bible study students and general Christian readers.


The Judaic Studies Shelf

Beautiful Days, Holy Days
Avraham Peretz Friedman
Compass Books
PO Box 3091, Linden, NJ 07036
9780986177408, $25.95, 264pp, www.amazon.com

The life and excitement that should animate a truly fulfilling and enjoyable Jewish holiday experience is often difficult to find in today's increasingly secular world. The very essence and meaning of Jewish holidays are elusive to many. Their pious beauty and spiritual brilliance (which are the very heart and soul of the holidays in the Jewish calendar), tend to get lost in its many details. "Beautiful Days, Holy Days: The Majesty and Profundity of the Jewish Holidays" is a 264 page compendium of informed and informative commentary that will reveal dimensions of the holidays that infuse them with life and meaning, and will make their observance experiences of growth and satisfaction. "Beautiful Days, Holy Days" will provide new approaches to Jewish holidays, an enhanced appreciation for the richness of the Torah's language, insights into the relationship between God and Man, novel ideas to share with friends and family, as well as a wonderful addition to the holiday table! Thoroughly 'reader friendly' in organization and presentation, "Beautiful Days, Holy Days " is an inherently fascinating and thoroughly absorbing read from beginning to end. Very highly recommended for synagogue, community, and academic library Judaic Studies reference collections, it should be noted for personal reading lists that "Beautiful Days, Holy Days " is also available in a Kindle edition ($8.99).


The Needlecraft Shelf

Rock That Quilt Block: Weathervane
Linda J. Hahn
American Quilter's Society
PO Box 3290, Paducah, KY 42002-3290
9781604602043, $24.95, www.americanquilter.com

Rock That Quilt Block: Weathervane comes from an author with an interest in taking traditional patterns a step beyond the norm, and teaches quilters how to create new designs from standard ones. Instructions break the block into segments that can be paired, changed, or moved around to create new patterns. Nine completed quilts are included for further inspiration and variations on themes, making Rock That Quilt Block: Weathervane a special attraction and recommendation for quilters used to traditional patterns and interested in something different.

One-Skein Wonders for Babies
Judith Durant, Editor
Storey Publishing
210 Mass MoCA Way, North Adams, MA 01247
9781612124803, $18.95, www.storey.com

One-Skein Wonders for Babies joins other 'One-Skein Wonders' series titles; this with a focus on clothing for babies, which ranges from blankets and hats to booties and toys. All are knittable by any who understand basic knitting directions, and all provide a wide range of projects and options suitable for quick and easy knitting and gift-giving. The result is a top recommendation for any knitter who wants to produce baby clothes from one skein!


The Anthropology Shelf

Excluded Ancestors, Inventible Traditions
Richard Handler, Editor
University of Wisconsin Press
1930 Monroe Street, Third Floor, Madison, WI 53711-2059
9780299163945, $29.95, www.uwpress.wisc.edu

Excluded Ancestors, Inventible Traditions: Essays Toward a More Inclusive History of Anthropology represents Volume 9 in the 'History of Anthropology' series and belongs in history and science shelves alike as it surveys the works of lesser-known scholars who created memorable studies but were marginalized due to race, gender, citizenship, or English language proficiency. It offers essays to remedy this formerly exclusionary history, presenting both the careers and the works of notable anthropology historians and considering how the discipline evolved as many of the anthropologists' works were discounted or discredited. From rumors and stories about their credentials, studies, and personas to how their work was dismissed, Excluded Ancestors remedies many problems in the discipline and provides college-level readers with scholarly observations not just about the individuals in question, but about the nature of anthropological investigation as a whole.


The Technology Shelf

GIS Research Methods
Sheila Lakshmi Steinberg and Steven J. Steinberg
ESRI Press
380 New York Street, Redlands, CA 92378-8100
www.esri.com
9781589483781, $79.99, www.amazon.com

GIS Research Methods: Incorporating Spatial Perspectives is a college-level text describing how researchers in different science disciplines can apply GIS techniques to their research methods, and offers a basic introduction that teaches how to blend spatial thinking and GIS technology into research analysis. From digital data sources and GIS-based analysis methods to taking research and data results and incorporating them into policies and findings, this is a specific focus that is recommended for science and social science collections alike; especially those looking to understand how public participation may be sparked by GIS-supported results. From field research to analysis and evaluation efforts, GIS Research Methods adopts a wide-ranging perspective and approach that doesn't rely on a particular program's version or incarnation to prove successfully accessible.


The American History Shelf

Lion in the Bay
Stanley L. Quick with Chipp Reid
Naval Institute Press
291 Wood Road, Annapolis, MD 21402
9781612512365 $32.95 www.nip.org

Lion in the Bay: The British Invasion of the Chesapeake, 1813-14 is a heavily researched, close analysis of the Chesapeake Bay conflict during the War of 1812. During the war, the British adopted a strategy fo raiding the Chesapeake area in order to turn local residents against the Madison administration and divert regular soldiers from the Canadian campaign, but was this plan ultimately successful? The American response to the Chesapeake incursion was unfortunately plagued with incompetence; how could it have been improved, or provided a better defense? Thorough notes, a bibliography, and an index round out this thoughtful and thought-provoking examination of American military history, and its lessons to be learned for the future.

Their Lives, Their Wills
Amy M. Porter
Texas Tech University Press
PO Box 41037, Lubbock, TX 79409-1037
9780896729322, $39.95, www.ttupress.org

Their Lives, Their Wills: Women in the Borderlands, 1750-1846 belongs in American history and women's issues collections alike, and uses the form of the will and last testament to explore women's lives and challenges. It may be surprising to some to note that these early wills contained rich history and insights into many facets of frontier life obscured in other places; but the collection proves that when such works are examined along with historical background and other data such as census information and travel accounts, a bigger picture emerges which contrasts sharply with male perceptions of life in the late Spanish and Mexican colonial communities of Texas and northern Mexico. The result is a powerful, highly recommended survey that no college-level women's history or studies holding should be without!


The World History Shelf

The Italian Baroque Table
Tomasso Astarita
ACMRS Publications
Arizona State University
PO Box 874402, Tempe, AZ 85287-4402
http://acmrs.org/publications
9780866985109, $59.95, 308pp, www.amazon.com

Impressively informed and informative, "The Italian Baroque Table: Cooking and Entertaining from the Golden Age of Naples " is a unique and very welcome contribution to the popular Italian culinary and cultural traditions during the 1600s. Deftly organized by academician and historian Tomasso Astarita into two major sections (The Fat of the Land: Cooking Without Limits; Lean Cuisine: Cooking for Lent), "The Italian Baroque Table" is enhanced with the inclusion of an informative introduction (Antonio Latini and Italian Cooking); numerous illustrations, a ten page listing of Works Cited; an eight page Index of Ingredients; and an eighteen page Index of Names and Places, "The Italian Baroque Table" is a masterpiece of original and seminal scholarship that is enthusiastically recommended for community and academic library 17th Italian History reference collections and supplemental studies reading lists.


The Literary Studies Shelf

Jewish Noir
Kenneth Wishnia, Editor
PM Books
PO Box 23912, Oakland, CA 94623
97814629631110, $17.95, www.pmpress.org

Jewish Noir: Contemporary Tales of Crime and Other Dark Deeds belongs in Jewish literature and general fiction collections alike, and gathers a unique set of stories by Jewish and non-Jewish literary writers from Marge Piercy to Harlan Ellison and S.J. Rozan. The focus is on crime stories, but within this genre the tales are diverse and wide-ranging, identifying issues of anti-Semitism and offering additional discussion points surrounding the history and evolution of ethnic prejudice and Jewish social experience. The result is a powerful discussion highly recommended for Jewish history, culture, and literary readers alike; as well as for general noir crime story readers who want more of a literary approach to the topic.


The Business Shelf

The Devil's Advocate Guide to Planning Your Business Website
Elaine Meszaros
EMGraphics, LLC
www.emgraphics.net
9780996354301 $9.99 pbk / $4.99 Kindle www.amazon.com

The Devil's Advocate Guide to Planning Your Business Website is not a computer or HTML manual, leaving such material to other, more technical resources. Instead, it is a "must-read" for any start-up business, regardless of whether the proposed website is to be created personally, internally, or with the aid of an outside professional. The "Devil's Advocate" reference in the title alludes to an accessible, reader-friendly, and extensive tour of common pitfalls - website mistakes that can potentially cripple or destroy a business in today's increasingly online-driven economy. Chapters discuss practical considerations to keep in mind when building, updating, and advertising one's website. Highly recommended!

Selling to Heroes, Villains and Geeks
Jill M. Lewis
Anime Vendor
animevendor.com
9780996453608 $24.95 pbk / $19.95 Kindle www.amazon.com

Selling to Heroes, Villains and Geeks: An Insider's Guide for New Anime Vendors is a guide written especially for business vendors seeking to break into the market of anime, comic book and sci-fi conventions. Chapters present the cardinal rules of such a business, a "battle plan blueprint" of what prospective vendors need to do, and an "infinite launch sequence" that walks vendors through getting their business off the ground and ready to sell at their first convention. From paying the lowest possible shipping costs for one's inventory, to common and easily avoided pitfalls, Selling to Heroes, Villains and Geeks is packed with no-nonsense tips, tricks, and techniques. "A vendor selling expensive collectible toys decided 'cash only was going to be his policy at the beginning of a large convention. On Friday, the second day of the convention, he realized he was losing several hundred dollars in daily sales by only accepting cash. The onsite ATMs, as usual, quickly ran out of money." A "must-have" for any businessperson seeking to break into potentially lucrative pop culture convention sales!

A Crowdfunder's Strategy Guide
Jamey Stegmaier
Berrett-Koehler Publishers
1333 Broadway, Suite 1000, Oakland CA, 94612
9781626564084, $19.95, www.bkconnection.com

A Crowdfunder's Strategy Guide: Build a Better Business by Building Community comes from a veteran of seven successful Kickstarter campaigns that have raised over, $1.4 million, and gathers over forty stories of both successes and disasters in the crowdfunding world. More than a how-to guide to Kickstarter, it discusses the basics of how to treat contributors and backers, from communications and updates to soliciting feedback and opinions along the way. If only one book on crowdfunding strategy were to be chosen, it should be this one: from money-back guarantees and creating rewards to diversification, this is a top pick highly recommended for any who want to not just investigating crowdfunding, but understanding the factors that lead to its success or failure.


The Science Shelf

Decoding the Language of Genetics
David Botstein
Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory Press
500 Sunnyside Boulevard
Woodbury NY 11797-2924
9781621820925 $79.00 www.cshlpress.com

Geneticist and teacher David Botstein presents Decoding the Language of Genetics, a resource written especially for scientists and physicians taken aback by the technical terminology omnipresent in the science of genes. Chapters explain how traits and diseases are inherited, how genes are organized into the genome, and how cells function according to their genetic code. The text is meant to be accessible to scholars of other disciplines, so a basic familiarity with the fundamentals of life science is presumed. "Most mutations, especially those that result in a simple recessive (loss-of-function) phenotype, consist of simple changes in DNA sequence, most commonly single base-pair substitutions. Generally, the consequences of such mutations are deleterious, especially when they occur in sequences that encode proteins." Decoding the Language of Genetics is an invaluable study aid and research tool for students and professionals alike, and highly recommended for public and college library collections.

The American Sea: A Natural History of the Gulf of Mexico
Rezneat Milton Darnell
Texas A&M University Press
4354 TAMU, College Station, TX 77843-4354
9781623492823, $75.00, www.tamupress.com

The American Sea: A Natural History of the Gulf of Mexico comes from an author who worked for more than a decade researching the Gulf of Mexico's natural evolution. This represents not only his own work, but that of his graduate students, research into government agency research, and the overall ecological literature on the area. That doesn't mean that The American Sea is just for scientists alone: it incorporates history, geology, meteorology, and more under one cover and it includes photos of deep water and other organisms along with maps, works of art, and more. The oceanography information is well done, the research transcends most natural histories to embrace facets of other disciplines, and the result is a powerful survey highly recommended not just for college-level science collections, but for any holding strong in Gulf of Mexico history as a whole.


The Crafts Shelf

Jewelry Making 1-2-3
Karin Van Vorhees
Kalmbach Books
21027 Crossroads Circle, Waukesha, WI 53187-1612
www.kalmbachbooks.com
9781627001809, $21.99, www.jewelryandbeadingstore.com

Jewelry Making 1-2-3: 45+ Simple Projects comes form an author and teacher who uses easy basic foundation skills combined with bead-working information and materials lists to help newcomers create professional-looking finished pieces. From beads and knots to using spacers, discussions assume no prior jewelry-making skills nor any familiarity with design or materials and explain everything for beginners, making for a collection especially useful for those with minimal tools, skills, and background in jewelry.


The Agriculture Shelf

Gubbeen
Giana Ferguson
Kyle Books
192 - 198 Vauxhall Bridge Road, London, England, SW1V 1DX
http://www.kylebooks.com
9781909487246, $35.00, www.kylebooks.com

Gubbeen: The Story of a Working Farm and Its Foods is a standout in many ways; not the least of which is an unusual focus on an Irish family farm's productions of some fifty different types of food plus Gubbeen cheese, which has received awards and international acclaim. It's not too often that a cookbook embraces a tribute to a particular product or a single farm, so Gubbeen stands in a class by itself both for using four perspectives of the farm's family owners to explore its meaning and operations, and for including recipes that use the farm's produce. Readers can enjoy Gubbeen in several ways: as a memoir of a family's culinary heritage and achievements, and as a cookbook replete with recipes for such dishes as Roast Garlic and Chorizo Soup or Cardamom Shortbread.


The Metaphysical Studies Shelf

Feng Shui from the Inside, Out
Victoria Pendragon
Ozark Mountain Publishing, Inc.
PO Box 754, Huntsville, AR 72740
9781940265094 $16.00 pbk / $9.99 Kindle www.ozarkmt.com

Professional residential and commercial Feng Shui consultant Victoria Pendragon presents Feng Shui from the Inside, Out, a guide that emphasizes that in order for Feng Shui to benefit the practitioner, they must be ready to take advantage of the good fortune that comes their way. Blending Feng Shui tenets with a do-it-yourself technique called "Sleep Magic" to revitalize one's outlook and approach to tackling difficult problems, Feng Shui from the Inside, Out is both inspirational and transformative. "Multitasking does not bring the body peace and it hampers its ability to bring your mind peace, and when I say peace what I am talking about is a condition of significantly reduced stress. Stress releases something called cortisol into the body. Cortisol breaks down the body. Cortisol ages organs of the body. Anything you can do to simplify your life will reduce stress levels and since life comes with stressful challenges that you have no control over whatsoever, taking control where you can, helps." Feng Shui from the Inside, Out is enlightening and thoroughly accessible to readers of all backgrounds, including Feng Shui novices. Also highly recommended is Pendragon's previous metaphysical and spiritual self-help guide, "Sleep Magic" (9781886940277, $12.00).


The Self-Help Shelf

Tame Your Inner Critic
Della Temple
Llewellyn Worldwide, LTD.
2143 Wooddale Drive, Woodbury, MN 55125
9780738743950 $15.99 www.llewellyn.com

Tame Your Inner Critic: Find Peace & Contentment to Live Your Life on Purpose lives up to its title as a guide to transforming negative thoughts into positive ones. Peppered with specialized exercises and meditations, Tame Your Inner Critic reveals one's inner power to improve everyday interactions, personal relationships, and overall quality of life. Both psychological qualities ("Releasing Negative Self-Talk") and metaphysical qualities ("Chakras and Your Life Force") are discussed at length in this excellent self-help guide. "...there is only one thing you can change in a relationship, and that is your attitude. You can decide how you react when your boss hands you a task that needs to be completed immediately. Only you can decide if you become aggravated or angry, whether you cuss and scream or whether you remain calm and unruffled."


The Biography Shelf

Mary McGrory: The First Queen of Journalism
John Norris
Viking Books
c/o Penguin Group USA
375 Hudson Street, New York, NY 10014
9780525429715 $28.95 www.penguin.com

Mary McGrory: The First Queen of Journalism is the biography of Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist Mary McGrory (1918-2004), well-known for her syndicated column and her fearless criticism of those in power. From her first assignment covering the Army-McCarthy hearings, to her columns mourning President Kennedy's death and her controversy-stirring criticism of President Bush in the wake of the September 11th attacks, Mary McGrory: The First Queen of Journalism covers the storied career of a woman who defied glass ceilings. Bobby Kennedy consulted with her; Lyndon Johnson tried to seduce her; and Nixon put her on his infamous "enemies list". Yet her personal life sometimes bore a high price for her tireless work. Enhanced with notes, a bibliography, and an index, Mary McGrory: The First Queen of Journalism is highly recommended for public and college library biography collections.

The Missing Kennedy
Elizabeth Koehler-Pentacoff
Bancroft Press
PO Box 65360, Baltimore, MD 21209
9781610881746 $27.50 www.bancroftpress.com

Penned by the niece Sister Paulus, of Rosemary Kennedy's primary caregiver for thirty-five years, The Missing Kennedy: Rosemary Kennedy and the Secret Bonds of Four Women is a remarkable biography about a little-known member of the celebrated and politically powerful Kennedy family. Rosemary (Rosie) Kennedy (1918-2005) was the first daughter of a wealthy Bostonian couple, and older sister to President John F. Kennedy, Senator Robert F. Kennedy, and Senator Ted Kennedy. Rosie had intellectual disabilities, and was a slow learner prone to emotional outbursts. She underwent one of America's first lobotomies; her father Joseph Kennedy was assured that the operation would normalize Rosie's life, but instead it dramatically worsened her condition. She was isolated from her family in a Catholic-run home for the mentally ill in rural Wisconsin; doctors had warned that any family visits would be disruptive to Rosie. Yet after Joseph Kennedy's stroke in 1961, the Kennedy family resumed face to face contact with Rosie. The Missing Kennedy is a testimonial grounded in the private notes of Sister Paulus and author Elizabeth Koehler-Pentacoff's personal visits to Rosie. Nearly one hundred never-before-seen black-and-white photographs round out this unforgettable true-life story.

Forks in the Trail
Jack Ward Thomas
Boone and Crockett Club Collection
250 Station Drive, Missoula, MT 59801
www.booneandcrockettclub.com
9781940860145 $24.95 www.amazon.com

Forks in the Trail: A Conservationist's Trek to the Pinnacles of Natural Resource Leadership is an extraordinary memoir by hunter, horseback rider, and field biologist Jack Ward Thomas, who served as chief of the U.S. Forest Service from 1993-96. He presents a vivid account of the life experiences in the natural world that motivated him, as well as his harrowing years on the top environmental job. His tenure included a fracas over the habitat of endangered spotted owls, and the tragic deaths of 14 wildland firefighters in 1994. Profound, poignant, and unforgettable, Forks in the Trail is a testimony of not only conservation, but also love and respect for nature itself. Also highly recommended is Thomas' "Wilderness Journals: Wandering the High Lonesome" (9781940860169, $24.95), a journal-style memoir that focuses on Thomas' adventures amid the panoramic American West, and Thomas' "Hunting Around the World: Fair Chase Pursuits from Backcountry Wilderness to the Scottish Highlands" (9781940860183, $24.95), a candid testimony of responsible hunting and ardent conservationism.

Between Two Flags
Anthony G. Russell
Merrion Press
c/o International Specialized Book Services
920 Northeast 58th Avenue, Suite 300
Portland, OR, 97213
9781785370014 $65.00 www.isbs.com

Between Two Flags: John Mitchel & Jenny Verner is the true-life story of a difficult yet loving marriage buffeted by the politics of mid-nineteenth century Ireland and America. John Mitchel and Jenny Verner's courtship was hotly contested by both families; their elopement and marriage was close to if not quite scandalous. Their story spans Ireland's Great Famine, revolution, deportation, the American Civil War, Feminism, and Home Rule. Author Anthony Russel examines their travels, the tragedies of their family life, and does not shy from portraying a negative aspect of their lives: their wholehearted support of the institution of slavery. As fascinating as it is edifying, Between Two Flags is highly recommended.

After the Wind
Lou Kasischke
Good Hart Publishing LC
PO Box 274, Harbor Springs, MI 49740
www.afterthewind.com
9781940877006 $17.00 hc / $7.99 Kindle www.amazon.com

After the Wind: 1996 Everest Tragedy, One Survivor's Story is the personal testimony of author Lou Kasischke, a survivor of Rob Hall's 1996 Mount Everest Expedition. An ill-fated confluence of events made the area near the summit of Everest into a deathtrap disaster of legendary proportions. Kasischke's miraculous account of survival is paired with the love story of his connection with his wife Sandy. Intense and profound, After the Wind is highly recommended.


The Sports Shelf

Playing Time
Kevin McNutt
African American Images
P.O. Box 1799, Sauk Village, IL 60412
www.AfricanAmericanImages.com
9780910030175 $16.95 www.amazon.com

Playing Time: Tough Truths About AAU Basketball, Youth Sports, Parents and Athletes offers straight, no-nonsense information about Amateur Athletic Union basketball programs. There is a focus on the African-American sports community, which is particularly well-known for passionately embracing basketball, but Playing Time's message is invaluable for parents, coaches, teachers, and student athletes of all backgrounds. Author Kevin McNutt, whose involvement in youth sports as a college scholarship basketball player, referee, coach, and parent spans over five decades, candidly answers frequently asked questions. How realistic is the dream of an athletic scholarship? How should parents and a young athlete approach the dilemma of choosing between a junior varsity or varsity team? (Junior varsity team membership is less prestigious, but a young athlete may have more opportunity to play the game on a junior varsity team instead of a varsity team). When is transferring schools for the sake of an athletic program justifiable? "...especially in the black sports community, having a second dream outside of athletic success is viewed by some parents as counterproductive and a distraction to the prodigy keeping his eyes on the athletic prize. This is wrong. They can coexist. It is not an either-or proposition. In truth, this tunnel vision thinking reflects your low self-esteem and low expectations to believe your child can concentrate on only one goal." Playing time is an absolute "must-read" for anyone involved with the AAU, and highly recommended.


The Large Print Shelf

The Country Doctor's Choice
Maggie Bennett
Magna Large Print Books
c/o Ulverscroft Large Print (USA), Inc.
PO Box 1230, West Seneca, NY 14224-1230
9780750541084 $35.50 www.ulverscroftusa.com

The Country Doctor's Choice is a dramatic novel presented in large print format for ease of reading. Set in the small British market town of Everham during the Profumo affair (a 1963 scandal during which John Profumo, the Secretary of State for War, was forced to admit to an past, improper sexual relationship with a nineteen-year-old aspiring model), The Country Doctor's Choice is a tale of winding intrigue and star-crossed love. Dr. Leigh McDowall, medical registrar, is taking a refresher course in obstetrics; he finds himself attracted to Dr. Shelagh Hammond, obstetric surgeon, but she is involved in a relationship and caring for her terminally ill mother. Meanwhile Reverend Derek Bolt finds himself harassed with unwanted attention from a female parishioner, and confides in headmaster Jeremy North. A confluence of conflicting wills, strong characterization, and building tensions, The Country Doctor's Choice holds the reader's rapt attention from cover to cover.


The Fiction Shelf

I am Coyote
Geri Vistein
Tilbury House, Publishers
12 Starr Street, Thomaston, ME 04861
9780884484660 $16.95 www.tilburyhouse.com

Penned in the spirit of animal-perspective classics such as "Watership Down", I am Coyote is an original novel about the life and struggles of a female coyote. She must brave extreme cold, hunger, and danger, in her search to find a stable life, and eventually a mate with who she can raise a new generation of coyotes. I am Coyote makes every effort to be as scientifically accurate as it is adventurous and engrossing; through Coyote's life story, the reader learns more about the complex family bonds of these animals who have come to replace wolves (which were effectively exterminated a century ago) as a keystone predator that the eastern United States ecology sorely needed. Highly recommended!


The Humor Shelf

Celebrating Peanuts: 65 Years
Charles M. Schulz
Andrews McMeel Publishing
1130 Walnut Street, Kansas City, MO 64106-2109
9781449471828 $45.00 pbk www.andrewsmcmeel.com

Celebrating Peanuts: 65 Years is a deluxe paperback compilation of specially chosen strips from the long-running, universally beloved "Peanuts" newspaper comic created by Charles M. Schulz (1922-2000). In addition to these selected highlights (with all the chosen Sunday strips reproduced in full color), Celebrating Peanuts: 65 Years intersperses occasional snippets of appropriate comments by Schulz himself concerning his life's work, as well as a brief overview of each decade noting major changes of the strip, such as its introduction of a black character, Franklin, in 1968. Schulz's own words reflect, "...I had always thought that black people might feel I was [adding a black character] in a patronizing or condescending manner. Then, I received two letters from black fathers asking that Peanuts be integrated. That was the turning point." The complete run of Peanuts is far too large to fit into even this gigantic volume (well over 500 pages long!), but Celebrating Peanuts is a wonderful way to page through the evolution, the highlights, and the most cherished memories of Schulz's creative legacy. Highly recommended, especially for gift-giving and public library collections.

Simon's Cat: Off to the Vet
Simon Tofield
Akashic Books
232 Third Street, #A115, Brooklyn, NY 11215
www.akashicbooks.com
9781617754029 $27.95 www.akashicbooks.com

Simon's Cat: Off to the Vet is an entirely wordless graphic novel about the (mis)adventures of Simon's fluffy white cat, its adopted grey kitten sibling, their hapless human caretaker, and the raucous local wildlife. The black-and-white cartoony comics (with occasional color comics) bring these delightful and exuberant adventures to life, from the kitten's ferocious battle with a stuffed snake, to Simon's Cat's attempt to lure birds into his mouth with a clever sunflower disguise! Witty and wonderful, Simon's Cat: Off to the Vet is a treat for cat lovers or anyone who loves laughter. Also highly recommended are the previous Simon's Cat collections, "Simon's Cat in Kitten Chaos" (9781617751585, $15.95) and "Simon's Cat vs. The World" (9781617751882, $15.95).

How to Toilet Train Your Cat & 61 Other Ill-Conceived Projects
Portable Press
PO Box 1117, Ashland, OR 97520
c/o Printer's Row Publishing Group
www.printersrowpublishinggroup.com
9781626863606 $14.95 http://bathroomreader.com

How to Toilet Train Your Cat & 61 Other Ill-Conceived Projects is part of the Uncle John's chuckle-inducing series of "bathroom literature". Although every activity is presented with step-by-step instructions, it should be emphasized that feline toilet training is the ONLY project herein that should even be considered for actual practice. All other "projects" are for entertainment purposes only and emphatically must NOT be done by any layperson, ever. This includes such eyebrow-raising undertakings as "How to Make a Shrunken Head" (a methodology practiced by certain warlike and tribal peoples in human history), "How to Make Condoms" (the use of which is absolutely not guaranteed to prevent pregnancy or sexually transmitted infections),"How to Pump Your Own Stomach" and more. A disclaimer warns "we are not legally responsible if you are dumb enough to actually attempt these tasks", since some of them are illegal, and many of them are life-threatening to the point of suicidal. But for pure edification, perhaps more than any bathroom reader ever wanted to know, How to Toilet Train Your Cat & 61 Other Ill-Conceived Projects is unmatched!


The Travel Shelf

Death Valley National Park
Jenna Blough
Moon Handbooks
c/o Avalon Travel
1700 Fourth Street, Berkeley, CA 94710
c/o Publishers Group West (dist.)
9781631210099 $16.99 moon.com

Part of the superb Moon Handbooks travel guide series, Death Valley National Park is a user-friendly travel guide to the breathtaking landscape of salt flats, sand dunes, and gleaming marble canyons that is Death Valley. Peppered with maps and color photography, Death Valley National Park includes detailed directions, recommended hikes to abandoned mining camps and isolated ghost towns, scenic backcountry roads, wildlife refuges, local attractions beyond the park such as the Amargosa Opera House and the Trona Pinnacles, and much more. A "must-have" for tourists, nature lovers, and sightseers eager to experience this amazing national park firsthand!


The Poetry Shelf

Words in Passing: A Selection of Formal Verse
E. M. Schorb
New Formalist Press
http://theformalist.org
9788361769996, $22.95, www.amazon.com

"Words in Passing: A Selection of Formal Verse" is a 196 page compendium showcasing E. M. Schorb's remarkable gift for poetry. Replete with deftly crafted verses that will linger in the mind and memory long after the book itself is finished and set back upon the shelf, "Words in Passing: A Selection of Formal Verse" is very highly recommended for personal, community, and academic library American Poetry & Poets collections. 'The Good Ones': I guess the good ones stay with everyone, / the ones we knew who made us proud to know / them at some point somewhere beneath the sun, / but, to the good, I think, the others go / into a fading place and so are lost, / the others who were not so good to know. / The pain of course stays like an ugly ghost. / But I suppose in time it too will go. / I could name names, but only of the good, / the ones I knew that I was proud to know. / They are the heros of my life. I would / keep them forever fresh, not let them go. / It isn't hard to keep the two apart, / the heroes and the zeros of the heart.


The International Studies Shelf

Japan's Postwar Military and Civil Society
Tomoyuki Sasaki
Bloomsbury Press
175 Fifth Avenue, Suite 315, New York, NY 10010
9781472525550 $112.00 www.bloomsbury.com

After Japan's defeat in World War II, its "peace constitution" renounced war as a sovereign right and outlawed the nation from having war potential. However, Japan maintained a world-class military organization dubbed the Self-Defense Forces (SDF). Japan's Postwar Military and Civil Society is an in-depth scrutiny of the relationship between civilian Japanese society and the SDF, from the 1950's to the present day. Chapters discuss SDF recruitment, its work in civil engineering and disaster relief, anti-SDF litigation, state financial support for communities with SDF bases, and much more. A thoughtful, scholarly account, heavily researched with extensive notes and an index, Japan's Postwar Military and Civil Society is a welcome addition to international studies shelved and college library collections.


The Civil War Shelf

"To Prepare for Sherman's Coming"
Wade Sokolosky and Mark A. Smith
Savas Beatie
PO Box 4527, El Dorado Hills, CA 95762
9781611212662 $27.95 www.savasbeatie.com

"To Prepare for Sherman's Coming": The Battle of Wise's Forks, March 1865 scrutinizes a battle late in the American Civil War. At the time of the Battle of Wise's Forks, the Confederacy was running out of food and resources, and its morale was draining away. Confederate General Braxton Bragg clashed with Major General Jacob D. Cox, in a bold plan devised by Confederate General Joseph E. Johnston to buy precious time. Bragg successfully halted Cox at Wise's Forks for four days, giving Johnston the opportunity he needed to prepare for the much larger Battle of Bentonville. Occasional black-and-white photographs and maps illustrate this meticulous accounting of a battle of key strategic importance, that may well have significantly prolonged the war. Enhanced with a bibliography and an index, "To Prepare for Sherman's Coming" is a welcome and highly recommended addition to personal and public library Civil War and military history shelves.


The Political Science Shelf

Anything for a Vote, revised and updated edition
Joseph Cummins
Quirk Books
215 Church Street, Philadelphia PA 19106
9781594748325 $19.95 www.quirkbooks.com

Now in a revised and updated edition with chapters on the 2008 and 2012 elections, Anything for a Vote: Dirty Tricks, Cheap Shots, and October Surprises in U.S. Presidential Campaigns lives up to its title as a chronicle of political mudslinging (and much, much worse!). Every American presidential campaign is contemplated, all the way back to the time of founding President George Washington (who had to oversee a divisive political quarrel between Alexander Hamilton's Federalists and Thomas Jefferson's Republicans). Chronicling incidents of foul language, sordid behavior, outright slander or libel, and even electoral fraud, Anything for a Vote reminds the reader that "dirty politics" in America is nothing new - not that it deserves to be quietly tolerated! Anything for a Vot is highly recommended, especially for public library political science collections. "Among other things, according to Conyers, Republicans engaged in a deceptive direct-mail practice called 'caging' to trim Democratic voters off the rolls. In the summer of 2004 the GOP, using ZIP codes, sent registered letters to 200,000 newly registered voters in urban areas more likely to vote for Kerry. Thirty-five thousand people who had refused to sign the letters or whose mail came back marked "undeliverable" were knocked off the voter rolls just two weeks before the election."

The Senator from New England: The Rise of JFK
Sean J. Savage
Excelsior Editions
c/o State University of New York Press
State University Plaza, Albany, NY 12246-0001
www.sunypress.edu
9781438457031, $34.95, 362pp, www.amazon.com

John Fitzgerald "Jack" Kennedy (May 29, 1917 - November 22, 1963), commonly referred to by his initials JFK, was an American politician who served as the 35th President of the United States from January 1961 until his assassination in November 1963. The Nuclear Test Ban Treaty, the establishment of the Peace Corps, developments in the Space Race, the building of the Berlin Wall, the Civil Rights Movement, and increased U.S. involvement in the Vietnam War all took place during his presidency. But before he became president of the United States, he was a young senator from Massachusetts. "The Senator from New England: The Rise of JFK" by Sean J. Savage (a political analyst for the news media, and a Professor of Political Science at Saint Mary's College in Notre Dame, Indiana) is a 362 page compendium organized into ten informative chapters (JFK and Massachusetts Politics; JFK and New England Economics; JFK and the St. Lawrence Seaway; JFK and the Politics of 1956; JFK and the 1958 Elections; JRK and the Politics of 1959; From New England to the Nation: 1960) that follows the political evolution and progress of Kennedy that was to one day see him in the most powerful political office the nation has to offer. Enhanced with the inclusion of a Photo Gallery; a list of abbreviations; an informative Preface and Epilogue; a thirty-three page Photo Gallery; fifty-six pages of Notes; a sixteen page Selected Bibliography; a four page list of Photographic Credits; and a thirty-seven page Index, "The Senator from New England: The Rise of JFK" is an impressive and seminal work of scholarship. Very highly recommended for community and academic library 20th Century American Political Science reference collections in general, and JFK supplemental studies reading lists in particular, it should be noted for personal reading lists that "The Senator from New England: The Rise of JFK" is also available in a Kindle edition ($24.07).


The Military Shelf

Storming the City
Alec Wahlman
University of North Texas Press
PO Box 311336, Denton, TX 76203-1336
9781574416190 $29.95 www.unt.edu/untpress

Storming the City: U.S. Military Performance in Urban Warfare from World War II to Vietnam examines the nightmare problem of urban warfare, and how the American military confronted it in four specific mid-twentieth century battles: Aachen 1944, Manila 1945, Seoul 1950, and Hue 1968. American forces were ultimately successful in each battle due to two key factors: transferable competence and battlefield adaptation. Yet overall tactical performance declined in each of these battles. What lessons can be learned from these episodes of military history, and how can they aid American military forces in a future where the landscape of the world, and therefore also warfare, is increasingly urbanized? Enhanced with extensive notes, a bibliography, and an index, Storming the City is erudite, analytical, and carries within the potential to save soldiers' lives.


The Archaeology Shelf

The Neanderthals Rediscovered, revised edition
Dimitra Papagianni and Michael A. Morse
Thames & Hudson, Inc.
500 Fifth Avenue, New York, NY 10110-0017
9780500292044 $16.95 www.thamesandhudsonusa.com

Now in a revised and updated edition, The Neanderthals Rediscovered: How Modern Science is Rewriting Their Story examines what archaeological research, including advances in DNA technology, has revealed about the Neanderthal - a species very similar to homo sapiens, that appears to have evolved in Europe parallel to homo sapiens in Africa. The latest evidence reveals that Neanderthals were more like us that one might guess; they buried their dead, cared for the sick, hunted large animals, used red pigment, and had a spoken language. Both species journeyed into Asian territory, but the Neanderthals became extinct in prehistory. Was their extermination due to maladaption, inbreeding, or violent conflict with homo sapiens? Does the presence of a small amount of Neanderthal DNA in modern humans imply that interbreeding took place, and if so, then during what prehistoric period did this happen? Black-and-white and a handful of color photographs illustrate this fascinating survey, thoroughly accessible to readers of all backgrounds and highly recommended especially for public library archaeology collections.


The Jobs/Careers Shelf

Career Success in Health Care, third edition
Bruce J. Colbert & Elizabeth D. Katrancha
Delmar Cengage Learning, Inc.
200 First Stamford Place, Stamford, CT 06902
www.cengagebrain.com
9781285866888, $92.95, 302pp, www.amazon.com

Developing interpersonal skills and establishing a "brand" as a professional early in a medical student's academic career will directly affect their future success. With its unique "worktext" format, this newly revised third edition of "Career Success in Health Care: Professionalism in Action" will help to sharpen interpersonal skills to showcase the reader as a top-performing student as well as a top-quality job candidate. Drawing from their many years of teaching, clinical experience, and conducting workshops concerning the behavioral domain, Bruce J. Colbert (Associate Professor and Director of the Allied Health Care Department at the University of Pittsburgh at Johnstown) and Elizabeth D. Katrancha (Assistant Professor of Nursing at the University of Pittsburgh at Johnstown) have created a work-text packed from cover to cover with real-life examples, clear direction, and step-by-step assistance in assessing the reader's current state of professionalism and creating effective action plans for improvement. Equipping the reader with both academic and life skills, "Career Success in Health Care" will enable the reader to reach his or her full potential. Very highly recommended for community, medical school, and academic library Jobs/Careers reference collections in general, and Health Care career supplemental studies lists in particular, it should be noted for personal reading lists that "Career Success in Health Care" is also available in a Kindle edition ($37.50 Rental, $73.49 Purchase).


The Language Studies Shelf

Hmong Picture Dictionary
Mao Amy Yang-Lee
Master Communications
2692 Madison Road, Suite N1-307, Cincinnati, OH 45208
www.master-comm.com
9781604801590, $19.95, 72pp, www.amazon.com

Hmong Picture Dictionary was specially created for home and educational setting among Hmong families and at schools. Whether a self learner or as part of a school classroom curriculum, the "Hmong Picture Dictionary" will be valuable resource for inter-generational communication and relation development among the Hmong in English speaking countries. The dictionary features: Brief History of the Hmong; Tone Markers; Consonants; Vowels; Tone combination; The Body and helpful phrases; Clothing; Numbers and helpful phrases; Colors and helpful phrases; Motions/Emotions with simple sentences; Fruits and helpful phrases; Vegetables; School; Animals; At Home; Location; Nature; Types of Weather; Seasons and helpful phrases; The Market; Family / Relations; Opposites; Traveling Phrases; Verb List; Hmong Names; and a Complete Index. Thoroughly 'user friendly' throughout, the "Hmong Picture Dictionary" is very highly recommended.


The Pets/Wildlife Shelf

Clinical Atlas of Canine and Feline Ophthalmic Disease
Douglas W. Esson
Wiley-Blackwell
350 Main Street, Malden, MA 02148
www.wiley.com
9781118840771, $129.99, www.amazon.com

The "Clinical Atlas of Canine and Feline Ophthalmic Disease" by Douglas W. Esson (a board-certified veterinary ophthalmologist and clinical director at Eye Care for Animals in Tustin, California), provides an image-rich resource for diagnosing and treating ophthalmic conditions in clinical practice. This 344 page compendium deftly presents more than 600 high-quality color photographs depicting commonly encountered ocular conditions in dogs and cats Included are multiple images for each disease to show varying presentations Organized for easy reference, covering the most commonly encountered conditions first, "Clinical Atlas of Canine and Feline Ophthalmic Disease" specifically designed for daily use in a busy clinical setting, thereby allowing practitioners to quickly find and compare images as they see their cases. Of special note is that the "Clinical Atlas of Canine and Feline Ophthalmic Disease" provides a concise summary of the most clinically relevant information on diagnosing and managing ophthalmic disease. The "Clinical Atlas of Canine and Feline Ophthalmic Disease" should be considered an essential, core addition to professional, veterinary clinic, and academic library Veterinary Medicine reference collections and supplemental studies reading lists.


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Diane C. Donovan, Editor
Midwest Book Review
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Oregon, WI 53575-1129
phone: 1-608-835-7937
e-mail: mbr@execpc.com
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