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Internet Bookwatch

Volume 23, Number 3 March 2013 Home | IBW Index

Table of Contents

Reviewer's Choice Humor Shelf Automotive Shelf
Literary Studies Shelf Photography Shelf Christian Studies Shelf
Judaic Studies Shelf Islamic Studies Shelf Fiction Shelf
Mystery/Suspense Shelf Pets/Wildlife Shelf Money/Finance Shelf
Poetry Shelf Memoir Shelf Crafts Shelf
Fantasy/SciFi Shelf Travel Shelf Sports Shelf
Biography Shelf Education Shelf Business Shelf
Religion/Spirituality Shelf Art Shelf Health/Medicine Shelf
Technology Shelf Cookbook Shelf Relationship Shelf
Jobs/Career Shelf Parenting Shelf Music Shelf
Fishing Shelf Comix/Graphic Novel Shelf Audiobook Shelf
Music CD Shelf Library DVD Shelf Multimedia Shelf
Self-Help Shelf Metaphysical Studies Shelf Civil War Shelf
Human Sexuality Shelf Genealogy Shelf Theatre/Cinema/TV Shelf
Political Science Shelf Needlecraft Shelf International Studies Shelf
Military Shelf Social Issues Shelf Computer Shelf
Gardening Shelf Women's Studies Shelf Language Studies Shelf
Science Shelf Agriculture Shelf Economic Studies Shelf
Architecture Shelf Psychology Shelf Library Science Shelf
Native American Studies Shelf Homeowner's Shelf Writing/Publishing Shelf
American History Shelf World History Shelf Judicial Studies Shelf
Biology Shelf Criminology Shelf Environmental Studies Shelf
Philosophy Shelf African-American Studies Shelf Botany Shelf
Interior Design Shelf    


Reviewer's Choice

The Extreme Searcher's Internet Handbook
Randolph Hock
CyberAge Books
c/o Information Today, Inc.
143 Old Marlton Pike
Medford, NJ 08055-8750
9781937290023, $24.95, www.infotoday.com

The internet is vast, and sifting through it is quite the task. "The Extreme Searcher's Internet Handbook: A Guide for the Serious Searcher" is an advisory for readers about how to get the most out of the internet searching. Chapters explain how to narrow down one's search with a minimum of time and effort, vetting valuable information and clearing away the useless chatter that invariably that comes up. "The Extreme Searcher's Internet Handbook" is an invaluable tool for those who have to sift through the internet on a regular basis.

The Age of Knowledge
James Dzisah & Henry Etzkowitz
Haymarket Books
PO Box 180165
Chicago, IL 60618
9781608462414, $28.00, www.haymarketbooks.org

Knowledge has always been vital in furthering society for the better. "The Age of Knowledge: The Dynamics of Universities, Knowledge, and Society" discusses the recent evolution in the furtherment of knowledge in society, as Professors and Researchers James Dzisah and Henry Etzkowitz provide a scholarly take on the advancements of education in a globalized world. Offering many insights on postmodern transformations in communication, politics, cultural identity, and much more, "The Age of Knowledge" is a strong addition to cultural studies and academic studies collections, highly recommended.

Budget Savvy Diva's Guide to Slashing Your Grocery Bill by 50% or More
Sara Lundberg, author
Ulysses Press
P.O. Box 3440, Berkeley, CA 94703
www.ulyssespress.com
9781612431253, $12.95, www.BudgetSavvyDiva.com

"Budget Savvy Diva's Guide to Slashing Your Grocery Bill by 50% or More" is today's consumer's bible for ways to help make ends meet in the grocery store. Filled with great tips on shopping strategies, menu planning, creating and sticking to a realistic food budget, using coupons, creating a stockpile, and much more, the Guide includes a final bonus of 40 pages (a whole chapter) of budget savvy recipes to help beef up nutrition deliciously while sticking to your budget. Key ideas like "eat seasonally, buy locally" are presented along with creative approaches to shopping and incorporating kids into your shopping and food preparation tasks. "Budget Savvy Diva's Guide to Slashing Your Grocery Bill by 50% or More" closes with creative approaches to using leftovers. This in addition to the secret tricks and clever tips for eating great and saving money incorporated throughout the Guide make this a great purchase for every careful shopper.

The International Bank of Bob
Bob Harris
Walker & Company
175 Fifth Avenue
New York, NY 10010
9780802777515, $26.00, www.walkerbooks.com

A small loan can turn out to make all the difference in the world. "The International Bank of Bob: Connecting Our Worlds One $25 Kiva Loan At a Time" is a thought-provoking memoir from Bob Harris, who shares his journey of running a business of microloans all around the world, helping people get that little bit of money they needed to get going, and sharing the personal stories that he had learned in his life journeys all over the world. "The International Bank of Bob" is a curious story of how a small helping hand doesn't have to ultimately cost anything and can promote success and goodwill the world over.

The Quotable Henry Ford
Michele Wehrwein Albion, editor
University Press of Florida
15 Northwest 15th Street
Gainesville, FL 32611-2079
9780813044057, $24.95, www.upf.com

You need a sharp tongue to thrive in the world of business, and it was true even in Henry Ford's time. "The Quotable Henry Ford" is a collection of snippets from the audacious, brilliant, and enormously successful inventor's mind, with his unique ideas on education, business, practice, race, politics, and other topics. An even-handed approach with photography throughout, for those who want a better look into this lauded and condemned mind, "The Quotable Henry Ford" is not to be missed.

Joy Boosters
Missy Buchanan
Upper Room Books
PO Box 340003
Nashville, TN 37203-0003
9780835811927, $12.00, www.upperroom.org

A little bit of light in our lives can take us so very far. "Joy Boosters: 120 Ways to Encourage Older Adults" is an inspirational read from Missy Buchanan as she presents much to consider in bringing drive and inspiration to the often demotivated elders in our lives. With plenty of to-the-point practical advice for communicating across the generation gap, "Joy Boosters" is a fine addition to any collection on dealing with older people, highly recommended.

The Sketchnote Handbook, third edition
Mike Rohde
Peachpit Press
c/o Pearson Technology Group
801 East 96th Street, #300
Indianapolis, IN 46240-3759
9780321885111, $39.99, www.peachpit.com

The Sketchnote Handbook: The Illustrated Guide to Visual Note Taking appears in its third updated edition and pairs a book with a video step-by-step guide to drawing people, fades and objects as a means of taking notes. The mix of words, drawings and type to produce vivid accounts are demonstrated in a series of 'sketchnotes' that show how to create and work with different sketchnoting patterns. From two different approaches to capturing sketchnotes to working within a presentation, this is a 'must' for business and arts holdings alike!

The Tinkerers
Alex Foege
Basic Books
c/o Perseus Books Group
11 Cambridge Center, Cambridge, MA 02142
9780465009237, $26.99, www.basicbooks.com

THE TINKERERS: THE AMATEURS, DIYERS, AND INVENTORS WHO MAKE AMERICA GREAT explores the American history of tinkering, from how American innovation was fostered by the Founding Fathers to modern innovators who are changing our lives today, and provides a fine and lively discourse on the art and finer science of 'tinkering'. From creations by Franklin and other Founding Fathers to rivalries between tinkerers, tales of technological advancements that moved tinkering to new levels, and how inventions that began with a tinkering idea created world-changing businesses, this is packed with fun insights in a survey recommended for any general-interest and history holding.


The Humor Shelf

Simon's Cat in Kitten Chaos
Simon Tofield
Akashic Books
PO Box 1456
New York, NY 10009
www.simonscat.com
9781617751585 $15.95 www.akashicbooks.com

Simon's Cat in Kitten Chaos continues the tradition of whimsically wordless, black-and-white cartoons about the antics of the playful, pushy, and ever-hungry pet. In Kitten Chaos, Simon rescues an abandoned kitten... and turns the world of Simon's Cat upside down! An adoptive sibling rivalry ensues over who gets to sleep in the sunbeam, pose for a photograph, or shred the curtains first! Cartoons have varying formats; some fill an entire page, while others are divided into panels or tell a brief narrative sequence across a couple pages, but the entire compilation is very much episodic in its snapshots of daily life with felines. Bonus features include an inset page of removable cat stickers, and a few pages of step-by-step guides for drawing Simon's cat, the kitten, and other lovable creatures. Although Simon's Cat in Kitten Chaos inevitably invites comparisons to the popular newspaper comic character Garfield (and the "world's cutest kitten" Nermal), the wordless, often action-filled panels are quite different in that they feature pure, rambunctious feline behavior, as any cat owners can attest - any anthropomorphic elements (such as the cat or the kitten pointing to their open mouths while hungry) are just what real cats would do if they could! The gentle humor of Simon's Cat in Kitten Chaos makes it a choice gift for cat lovers everywhere. Also highly recommended are the other cartoon books in the Simon's Cat series, including "Simon's Cat: In His Very Own Book", "Simon's Cat: Beyond the Fence", "Simon's Cat: Feed Me!", and the full-color collection "Simon's Cat vs. the World".


The Automotive Shelf

Modified Stock Car Racing
Steve Kennedy
Iconografix
1830A Hanley Road, Husdon, WI 54016
9781583882849, $37.95, www.enthusiastbooks.com

Part of the appeal of high level racing is morphing a car into a speed machine where nothing else matters. "Modified Stock Car Racing: Of the 60s and 70s" is a historical snapshot of this brand of racing that gained popularity throughout these two decades as competitive engineers took it upon themselves to build machines that pushed the limits of cars at the time. With black and white and color photography all throughout, "Modified Stock Car Racing" is a fascinating snapshot of racing history, highly recommended. Also from Iconografix and auto enthusiasts is "Lost Truck Legends" (9781583882962, $34.95) telling the stories of many of the smaller truck companies that have faded over the century but have earned their renown in the history of the vehicle type.

The Dawn of ProStock
Steve Reyes
CarTech Inc.
39966 Grand Avenue
North Branch, MN 55056
9781613250402, $29.95, www.cartechbooks.com

Turning cars that were not unlike the ones off the sheet into speed machines caught much allure. "The Dawn of ProStock: Drag Racing's Fastest Doorslammers 1970-1979" touches on the genesis of stock car racing where teams came together behind their driver bringing machines to their maximum potential within the rules. Filled with black and white and color photography all throughout, this read of history of the sport is intriguing and hard to overlook for those curious about the sport and want to learn more. "The Dawn of ProStock" is a must for any history of racing collections, highly recommended.


The Literary Studies Shelf

The Lost Journal of Bram Stoker
Elizabeth Miller & Dacre Stoker, editors
The Robson Press
c/o Perseus Book Group
250 West 57th Street, 15th Floor
New York, NY 10107
9781849541886, $30.00, www.perseusbooksgroup.com

What goes on in the mind of the man who is credit with creating Dracula? "The Lost Journal of Bram Stoker: The Dublin Years" is a collection of journal entries by Bram Stoker, author of the classic horror novel "Dracula". The result is a treasury of insight into his life and trains of thought, touching on fascination with history and his insights on the conflicted Victorian culture of the day. Well researched with sources throughout, his descendant and Professor of literature with a long standing focus on Stoker Elizabeth Miller, "The Lost Journal of Bram Stoker" provides much insight in what makes the mind of one of the world's most famed literary minds of history.

Patterns
Robert F. Lawson & Carol S. Lawson, editor
Swedenborg Publishers
320 North Church Street
West Chester, PA 19380
9780877852445, $15.95, www.swedenborg.com

Repetition is a deep part of human nature. "Patterns: Make 'em and Break 'em" is a spiritual anthology of explorations in short fiction and poetry by a diversity of acclaimed authors, looking at patterns and how to find the innate divinity within, as applied to life's many arts. Unique and inspiring, "Patterns" is a strong addition to spirituality and literature collections, not to be missed.


The Photography Shelf

Johsel Namkung: A Retrospective
Johsel Namkung
Cosgrove Editions
7042 - 20th Place NE, Seattle, WA 98115
1-888-507-7375
9780977978717, $175.00, www.cosgroveeditions.com

For almost 60 of his 93 years of age, Johsel Namkung has produced some of the most breathtaking nature photography featuring the beauty of the American Pacific Northwest. Now in his honor (and only available on the publisher's web site at www.cosgroveeditions.com) is a 144 page, beautifully produced compendium showcasing the best of his work over the total span of his professional career. The result is superb coffee-table book compilation of more than 100 immortal images -- about one-third of which have never been published and available to the general public before. Enhanced with an autobiographical Preface and two informed and informative Forewords by wildlife and landscape photographer Art Wolfe and Elizabeth Brown (former Chief Curator, University of Washington's Henry Art Gallery) respectively, "Johsel Namkung: A Retrospective" will prove to be an enduringly valued and highly popular addition to personal, community, and academic library American Photography reference collections and supplemental reading lists. It is especially ideal for library "Memorial Fund" acquisitions. Also enthusiastically recommended for photography students and enthusiasts are Johsel Namkung's "Johsel Namkung: An Artists View of Nature" (University of Washington Press, 9780295956268) and "Johsel Namkung: Ode to the Earth" (Cosgrove Editions, 9780977978700).

The Book of Gimp
Olivier LeCarme and Karine Delvare
No Starch Press
38 Ringold Street
San Francisco, CO 94103-4403
9781593273835, $49.95, www.nostarch.com

GIMP is the free alternative, and is very capable of matching its commercial competitors for those willing to learn. "The Book of Gimp: A Complete Guide to Nearly Everything" is a complete and comprehensive manual to the photography enhancement program, and how to get professional results for an unprofessional price, walking readers through the essential GIMP skills and how to turn those essential into high level photo manipulation skills that can't be told different from photoshopped images. Chapters outline how to more effectively use layers, channels, masks, the heal tool, improving old photo quality, panoramas, GIF images, and much more, all presented in full color with easy to follow instructions, "The Book of GIMP" is a vital addition to anyone who relies on GIMP for personal or professional use.

Quiet Beauty
Kendall H. Brown
Tuttle Publishing
364 Innovation Drive
North Clarendon, VT 05759-9436
9784805311950, $34.95, www.tuttlepublishing.com

The garden is a universal concept, but interpreted in many fascinating ways. "Quiet Beauty: The Japanese Gardens of North America" is a collection of nature photography focusing on the Japanese styled gardens all throughout America and Canada, presenting gorgeous and lushful full color photography of each of these gardens, along with a good dose of the history of each of the garden's establishments, and much more. "Quiet Beauty" is an a top pick for anyone with a love of beautiful garden photography.

The Power of Trees
Gretchen C. Daily & Charles J. Katz Jr.
Trinity University Press
One Trinity Place
San Antonio, TX 78212-7200
9781595341327, $12.95, www.tupress.org

Trees are the roots of our lives, giving us air, giving comfort. "The Power of Trees" is a collection of poetic dialogue and black and white photography dedicated to these stoic things in our life and how we can see them. Enticing and insightful reading that provokes an appreciation for these majestic lifeforms, "The Power of Trees" is a must for nature and poetry collections, much recommended.

Hot Guys and Cute Chicks
Audrey Khuner and Carolyn Newman
Andrews & McMeel
1130 Walnut Street
Kansas City, MO 64106-2109
9781449432713, $9.99, www.andrewsmcmeel.com

Sometimes what you see is what you get. "Hot Guys and Cute Chicks" is exactly what the title says, attractive young men and baby birds, with full color photos on every page containing both of the titular subjects with a bit of info about each of the charming creatures displayed. Filled with depictions of strong manly arms embracing babes, "Hot Guys and Cute Chicks" is a choice pick for anyone in love with photography, hot guys, or cute chicks, highly recommended.

Rocky Nook
802 East Cota Street, 3rd Floor
Santa Barbara, CA 93103
www.rockynook.com

Dennis Savini's MASTERCLASS: PROFESSIONAL STUDIO PHOTOGRAPHY (9781937538071, $59.95) offers a detailed workshop on studio photography for would-be professionals, and packs in photo examples covering all kinds of studio works from still lifes and models to working with industry, technology and food. The first part focuses on studio planning, lighting, and basic camera equipment and setup. Workshops include some fifty full-page photo masterpieces, each with detailed coverage of how the image was created. There's nothing left to the imagination: all information includes everything needed, from example images and diagrams of studio setups and lighting to the secrets the author's learned in his many years as a professional teacher. The result is a basic 'how to' primer, highly recommended for any aspiring professional and for collections catering to them. Robert Fisher's THE DIGITAL ZONE SYSTEM (9781937538132, $3995) reviews a method of editing digital images that mimics Ansel Adams' Zone System for print work, offering a practical guide for detailed digital editing for photographers already familiar with Photoshop and Lightroom. These two programs are used in new ways, from using luminance masks to separate an image to isolating effects. Techniques build upon one another for a progressive learning approach and include color photo examples at every step, making this a top recommendation. PANOBOOK 2012 (9781937538170, $39.95) packs in award-winning panoramic shots - over a hundred and fifty of them - and comes from the results of Kolar's 2012 Panoramic Photography Competition. Images were selected by a jury of specialists from over 1,600 submissions and represent the top results of amateur and pro photographers around the world. The oblong book format allows for clear capture of these images.

Amherst Media
175 Rano Street, Suite 200
Buffalo, NY 14207-2176
www.amherstmedia.com

Rob and Robin Deutschmann's THE FLASH STICK: CREATIVE OFF-CAMERA LIGHTING SOLUTIONS FOR THE SOLO PHOTOGRAPHER (9781608955329, $24.95) teaches the basics of how the flash stick can help create better images, showing photographers of all levels how to build a flash stick with inexpensive materials, attach it via wire or wireless communications, and how to use it for better effects. From improving results with color or filters to creating close-up images this is a powerful survey for any photography collection; particularly those appealing to DIYers! Rod and Robin Deutschmann's JUST AVAILABLE LIGHT: TECHNIQUES FOR DIGITAL PHOTOGRAPHERS (9781608955565, $24.95) provides a fine survey teaching how to shoot in manual mode so you can control all aspects of an image capture, offering an in-depth survey of how to master techniques for a wide variety of lighting settings. From combining available light with flash to using polarizers and handling light balance challenges to making the most of available lighting, this comes packed with color photo examples throughout and does an excellent job of contrasting different results from different equipment settings and choices.

Nikon D600 for Dummies
Julie Adair King
For Dummies
c/o Wiley Professional Trade Group
111 River Street
Hoboken, NJ 07030-5774
9781118530795, $29.9, www.wiley.com

Owners of the Nikon D600 receive specific directions on how to shoot great photos, control exposure and focus, and make fine prints with the aid of an all-color, step-by-step guide to using the D600 more effectively. From shooting movies and sharing photos to exploring LiveView mode for shooting movies and stills, this covers all the settings, their basic functions, and how to tweak them for maximum results. The color photo examples include screen shots as well as polished results and accompany text that leaves little to imagination and assumes no prior knowledge, either with the D600 or other digital cameras. A 'must' for any new owner who would receive clear directions on how to get up and running move to advanced levels.


The Christian Studies Shelf

How We Got The Doctrine And Covenants
Richard E. Turley Jr. & William W. Slaughter
Deseret Books
57 West South Temple
Salt Lake City, UT 84101
www.deseretbook.com
9781609071509, $34.99, www.amazon.com

The four sacred books of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints (commonly referred to as the 'Mormons') are "The Book of Mormon", "The Bible"; "The Pearl of Great Price"; and the "Doctrine & Covenants". This last sacred volume is a collection of the revelations and writings of the church's founder and prophet Joseph Smith Jr. "How We Got The Doctrine And Covenants" by the team if Richard E. Turley Jr. (Assistant Church Historian and Recorder for the Mormon Church) and William W. Slaughter (photograph historian and consultation archivist or the LDS Church History Department) is a beautifully published, 146 page, illustrated compendium providing a thoroughly 'reader friendly' history of how the "Doctrine & Covenants" originated and evolved from its beginnings as written missives set down directly or dictated to others by Joseph Smith Jr. "How We Got The Doctrine And Covenants" provides background to how these writings were circulated as manuscripts and published in a time of mob violence against Joseph Smith Jr. and the Mormon people. There are separate chapters devoted to seven significant printings ranging from the first edition in 1835 down to the modern era in 1981. Of special note is the historical chapter on the "Doctrine & Covenants" predecessor volume "The Book of Commandments" published in 1933. Informed, informative, and impressively illustrated throughout, "How We Got The Doctrine And Covenants" is highly recommended reading for anyone interested in the history and development of the Mormon Church and Mormon theology. Also very highly recommended and published by Deseret Books under the general editorship of Dennis Largey (Professor of Ancient Scripture, Brigham Young University) is the newly published "Doctrine And Covenants Reference Companion" (9781590385999, $59.99, 920 page).

Resilient Ministry
Bob Burns, Tasha D. Chapman, & and Donald C. Guthrie
InterVarsity Press
PO Box 1400
Downers Grove, IL 605151426
9780830841035, $17.00, www.ivpress.com

A pastor is a leader, and leaders are often stressed to great degrees. "Resilient Ministry: What Pastors Told Us About Surviving and Thriving" is an inspirational and uplifting read for Christians who may be cracking under the pressure of rising to role of community leader, managing the church. Bob Burns and his collaborators take their experience and advise leaders to live and live well with what their congregations expect of them. "Resilient Ministry" is an inspired pick for pastors reference and inspirational collections, not to be missed.

It Is Well With My Soul
Shelly Beach
Discovery House
3000 Kraft Avenue SE
Grand Rapids, MI 49512
9781572935747, $12.99, www.dhp.org

Age is unavoidable, and graceful aging is the ability of us all. "It Is Well With My Soul: Meditations for Those Living with Illness, Pain, and the Challenges of Aging" is a Christian driven guide from Shelly Beach as she encourages those who are facing the weight of age, and how to embrace God's will and share his wisdom even as we approach the ultimate fate. "It Is Well With My Soul" is a strong addition to spirituality and Christian collections, not to be missed.

I Am Not But I Know I Am
Louie Giglio
Multnomah Books
12265 Oracle Blvd., Suite 200
Colorado Springs, CO 80921
9781601424280, $13.99, www.multnomahbooks.com

Realizing we are part of a greater story can do much for us. "I Am Not But I Know I Am: Welcome to the Story of God" is a spiritual read from Louie Giglio who offers his own insights into a spiritual life and forming a better relationship with God, playing a part in his story, and building that meaning and personal relationship with him. "I Am Not But I Know I Am" is a strong pick for Christian spirituality collections, highly recommended.

Be the Sunshine
Angela Thomas
Harvest House Publishers
990 Owen Loop North
Eugene, Oregon 97402-9173
9780736951791, $10.99, www.harvesthousepublishers.com

Everyone needs a little sunshine to bless their lives. "Be the Sunshine: Share the Light, and Spread the Joy" is a faith driven inspirational as Angela Thomas who encourages readers to come to understand their own faith and use it to be a bright spot in the lives of those around you. With advocacy for using god's wisdom and being the leader in life, "Be the Sunshine" is a strong, full color devotional that is very much recommended reading.

Beautiful Battlefields
Bo Stern
NavPress
PO Box 35001
Colorado Springs, CO 80935
9781612913193, $14.99, www.navpress.com

The many battlefields of ours lives may prove quite difficult. "Beautiful Battlefields" is a Christian spirituality read aimed at women who want to find aid in the struggles for their life, their love, and find the purpose they seek to empower them through all of the plagues of life. "Beautiful Battlefields" is a must for spirituality and faith driven collections, not to be missed.

Liberty to the Captives
Raymond Rivera
Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Company
2140 Oak Industrial Drive, NE
Grand Rapids, MI 49505
9780802869012, $18.00, www.eerdmans.com

Faith can inspire and free our lives. "Liberty to the Captives: Our Call to Minister in a Captive World" a Christian inspirational from Raymond Rivera who presents his own call for ministry and faith in life, asking readers to break from their life's normal and spread the word of the faith for themselves and those around them. "Liberty to the Captives" is a strong addition to any Christian devotional and motivational collection, very much recommended.

Jesus of Nazareth
Hector E. Hoppe
Concordia Publishing House
3558 South Jefferson Avenue
Saint Louis, MO 63118-3968
9780758638526, $14.99, www.cph.org

The life of Jesus is a model for us to live by and find our own salvation in life. "Jesus of Nazareth" is a spiritual and faithful read from Reverend Hector Hoppe, who writes of how to follow God's plans for us as Jesus has laid out. Deftly translated from the original Spanish to share Hoppe's ideals and explanation of Christ's ways, "Jesus of Nazareth" is a choice addition to any collection of faith and spirituality with a focus on the Christian religion.

New Man Journey
Steve Silver
David C. Cook
4050 Lee Vance View
Colorado Springs, CO 80918
9780781408677, $14.99, www.davidccook.com

Life needs purpose. "New Man Journey: Finding Meaning in Retirement" is a faith driven inspirational from Steve Silver as he advises readers to find their higher purpose in their retirement years and make the most of the rest of their life by realizing that one's work isn't done just because they stop punching in the clock. "New Man Journey" is an excellent and much recommended read for self-help collections focusing on Christian faith.

The Quiet Place
Nancy Leigh DeMoss
Moody Publishers
820 N. LaSalle Blvd.
Chicago, IL 60610
9780802458469, $14.99, www.moody.edu

Small bits of faith can make the world's burden seem ever so lighter. "The Quiet Place: Daily Devotional Readings" is a collection of daily pieces of thought and spirituality from Nancy Leigh DeMoss as she seeks to inspire readers with notes from scripture and wisdom on taking them to heart to face down life as we live. "The Quiet Place" is a must for Christian devotional collections, highly recommended.

A Fresh Look at Confession
David M. Knight
Twenty-Third Publications
PO Box 6015
New London, CT 06320
9781585959013, $12.95, www.23rdpublications.com

Letting a secret out is sharing the burden of it. "A Fresh Look at Confession:...why it really is good for the soul" is a spiritual and Christian driven inspirational from David M. Knight who discusses the virtues of confession and how it can help us in our everyday lives, letting the many sins we commit be known. With much to ponder and consider, "A Fresh Look at Confession" is a well worth considering for self-help and Christian studies collections.

Discernment Matters
Mary Margaret Funk
The Liturgical Press
St. John's Abbey, PO Box 7500
Collegeville, MN 56321-7500
9780814634691, $18.95, www.litpress.org

Faith can talk to us clearly and allow us to resonate more strongly with those close to us. "Discernment Matters: Listening with the Ear of the Heart" is a spiritual and faithful read from Mary Margaret Funk as she derives her dedicated study of faith and life, drawing form the teachings of St. Benedict and Patrick, sharing how to open and hear the mourning of souls. "Discernment Matters" is a spiritual and dedicated read, a fine addition to the Matters series from Funk, highly recommended.

Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Company
2140 Oak Industrial Drive, NE
Grand Rapids, MI 49505
www.eerdmans.com

John Swinton's DEMENTIA: LIVING IN THE MEMORIES OF GOD (9780802867162, $25.00) provides an unusual pairing of theology and health issues and considers what it means to personal identity and belief when dementia tackles the brain. From how to be loved by God when a dementia sufferer has forgotten their connection with God to handling forgetfulness in congregations and caregiving, DEMENTIA: LIVING IN THE MEMORIES OF GOD is a caring and thoughtful response to the challenges of dementia, and belongs in any spirituality holding. Peter Goodwin Heltzel's RESURRECTION CITY: A THEOLOGY OF IMPROVISATION (9780802867599, $25.00) presents an analysis of evangelical Christianity that fights against inequality and racism just as Jesus did, and blends social analysis with spiritual living ideals in a call for collective Christian activism based on God's love. From how religious communities join together to provide social influence to the church's inspirations, this provides a vision of justice and spirituality bonding to create strong social movement, and is a pick for any Christian holding strong in faith and activism. Karen Kilby's BALTHASAR: A (VERY) CRITICAL INTRODUCTION (9780802827388, $23.00) argues that neither the low regard for the Swiss Roman Catholic theologian demonstrated in the 1950s and 1960s nor the acclaim he currently receives is ideal for understanding his life and importance, and advocates a more balanced approach that considers his scholarly viewpoints and their pros and cons. Chapters consider his opus and his various forms of analysis and speculation, considering the works of the theological novelist and his perception of the divine. Any considering Balthasar's works in general and his important to modern Catholicism will find this study a key acquisition.


The Judaic Studies Shelf

Early Judaism
John J. Collins & Daniel C. Harlow
Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Company
2140 Oak Industrial Drive, NE
Grand Rapids, MI 49505
9780802869227, $35.00, www.eerdmans.com

EARLY JUDAISM: A COMPREHENSIVE OVERVIEW offers passages culled from the broader Eerdmans Dictionary of Early Judaism published in late 2010, and selects fifteen essays from a group of internationally-renowned scholars who focus on the evolution and tenants of Judaism in the Hellenistic and early Roman periods. The author is a Holmes Professor at Yale and provides a college-level scholarly collection providing a detailed, authoritative overview perfect for an introduction to the topic of early Judaism.

Saturday People, Sunday People
Lela Gilbert
Encounter Books
900 Broadway, Suite 601, New York, NY 10003
9781594036392, $25.99, www.encounterbooks.com

Saturday People, Sunday People: Israel Through the Eyes of a Christian Sojourner comes from a Christian who journeyed to Israel for a visit and stayed for over six years. Lela Gilbert arrived in Israel in 2006 in the midst of a war - there to find a vibrant country with remarkable people. Her encounters are reflected in her memoir which weaves accounts of her experiences with Israel's peoples and culture with a history and events that continue to affect the country. Any who would understand the culture, religion and psyche of Israel will find this a vivid, personal account perfect for any general lending library.

Dreaming Of Michelangelo
Asher D. Biemann
Stanford University Press
1450 Page Mill Road, Palo Alto, CA 94304-1124
www.sup.org
9780804768811, $50.00, www.amazon.com

Michelangelo di Lodovico Buonarroti Simoni (6 March 1475 18 February 1564), commonly known as Michelangelo, was an Italian Renaissance sculptor, painter, architect, poet, and engineer who exerted an unparalleled influence on the development of Western art. Despite making few forays beyond the arts, his versatility in the disciplines he took up was of such a high order that he is often considered a contender for the title of the archetypal Renaissance man, along with fellow Italian Leonardo da Vinci. Michelangelo was considered the greatest living artist in his lifetime, and ever since then he has been held to be one of the greatest artists of all time. "Dreaming of Michelangelo: Jewish Variations on a Modern Theme" by Asher D. Biemann (Associate Professor of Religious Studies, University of Virginia) is a 200 page study of the intellectual and cultural affinities between modern Judaism and the life and work of Michelangelo. Comprised of three major sections (The Unrequited Eros: Michelangelo and the Jewish Love for Italy; The Dream of the Moving Moses: Michelangelo and Jewish Statue-Love; Fragments of Desire: Michelangelo and the Aesthetics of Jewish Thought), "Dreaming Of Michelangelo" is a masterpiece of original scholarship. Of special note is Professor Biemann's 'Epilogue'. Enhanced with extensive notes and a comprehensive index, "Dreaming Of Michelangelo" is a very highly recommended addition to academic library Judaic Studies reference collections and supplemental reading lists. It should also be noted that "Dreaming of Michelangelo: Jewish Variations on a Modern Theme" is also available in an ebook edition (Kindle, $28.50).

Jewish Megatrends
Rabbi Sidney Schwarz
Jewish Lights Publishing
PO Box 237
Woodstock, VT 05091
9781580236676, $24.99, www.jewishlights.com

The times change, and faith must change with it. "Jewish Megatrends: Charting the Course of the American Jewish Future" is a study of American Jewry from Rabbi Sidney Schwarz. Rabbi Schwarz shares his perspectives on the shifts in society and what it means to Jews in the future, and how synagogues and Rabbis can reach out to people with changing perspectives and ideals on their lives. Practical and sage throughout, "Jewish Megatrends" is a wise addition to any Judaic Studies collection focusing on contemporary issues, highly recommended.


The Islamic Studies Shelf

Crescent Moon Rising
Paul L. Williams
Prometheus Books
59 John Glenn Drive, Amherst, NY 14228-2197
9781616146375, $20.00, www.prometheusbooks.com

Crescent Moon Rising: The Islamic Transformation of American belongs in spirituality and social issues shelves alike with its powerful examination of the fast rise of Islam in the U.S. and its impact and implications. The first part of Crescent Moon examines the history of Islam in the nation, considering the impact of immigration acts, quotas, and the effects of Muslim immigrants who entered the country from different parts of the world. The second half blends statistical studies of American Muslims with concerns about Muslim influences in America, including connections between American mosques and Saudi benefactors and connections between Muslim spirituality and anti-Western politics. The result is a fine analysis recommended for any library interested in Muslim history and issues.

The Bazaar In The Islamic City
Mohammad Gharipour, editor
American University in Cairo Press
420 Fifth Avenue, NY, NY 10018-2729
www.aucpress.com
9789774165290, $39.95, www.amazon.com

All human settlements of any significant size had a marketplace to facilitate the exchange of goods and services. The word 'bazaar' was the term used throughout the Middle East for those marketplaces and served more purposes than just the exchange of goods and services. The bazaar was also fulfilled a significant role in Islamic societies, as well as industrial development, impacting upon social, cultural, and political conditions. Knowledgeably compiled and deftly edited by academician Mohammad Gharipour (College of Architecture and urban Planning, Morgan State University, Baltimore, Maryland), "The Bazaar in the Islamic City: Design, Culture, and History" is a 320 page compendium comprised of twelve informed and informative scholarly articles presenting an interdisciplinary exploration of the history and dynamics of the bazaar through individual case studies drawn from the Islamic communities of Cairo, Damascus, Aleppo, Nablus, Bursa, Istanbul, Sana'a, Kabul, Tehran, and Yazd. An impressive work of seminal scholarship, "The Bazaar in the Islamic City: Design, Culture, and History" is a welcome and highly recommended contribution academic library Islamic Cultural & Historical Studies reference collections and supplemental reading lists.


The Fiction Shelf

Snow Germans
Dmitry Vachedin
Glas Publishers
c/o Meryl Zegarek Public Relations, Inc.
255 West 108 Street, Suite 9D1
New York, NY 10025
www.mzpr.com
9785717200974 $15.00 www.glas.msk.su

Snow Germans: A Novel is part of a series chosen to translate and share contemporary Russian literature with English-speaking readers worldwide. Each book in the series is penned by a different winner of the Debut Prize, an annual Russian literary award to writers under age 35. Snow Germans is a novel about "Volga Germans" - Germans who settled in Russia centuries ago, though many of them have been moving back to Germany since the 1980's and 1990's. Drawing from author Dmitry Vachedin's own life experience as a repatriated German, Snow Germans portrays people caught dueling nationalities, identities, and cultures. A thought-provoking work of humanistic literature, Snow Germans is highly recommended especially for public library collections and book club reading lists.

Candygirl
M. M. Tawfik
American University in Cairo Press
420 Fifth Avenue
New York, NY 10018-2729
9789774165595597, $17.95, www.aucpress.com

A world with no one easily trusted is a difficult one to cope with. "Candygirl" is a novel of the modern Middle East and the fall out of the many recent conflicts. An Egyptian scientist is on the run and finds himself the target of many interests with cruel intentions for him and his knowledge of the defunct Iraqi nuclear program. Hiding in the slums of Cairo, "Candygirl" is a riveting novel of trying to live life, escape capture, and return to something that resembles happiness.

Rosa's Land
Gilbert Morris
Barbour Publishing
P.O. Box 719
Uhrichsville, OH 44683
9781616267582, $12.99, www.barbourbooks.com

There's more than meets the eye for many people. "Rosa's Land" is a novel of the old west, where scholarly Lafayette Riordan takes up the badge to bring justice to the west. When he runs across Rosa Ramirez, he wants to capture her heart, but doing so requires him to break down the hardened warrior facade he has put up for so long. "Rosa's Land" is a strong addition to western romance collections, highly recommended. Also from Barbour for Western romance fans is "The White Flower" (9781620291382, $12.99), following the relationship between exports to the west Rachel and Chan as they cope with their new locations.

When the Heart Heals
Ann Shorey
Revell
c/o Baker Publishing Group
PO Box 6287
Grand Rapids, MI 49516-6287
9780800720735, $14.99, www.bakerbooks.com

Spurned for daring to heal, love may seem out of reach for her. "When the Heart Heals" follows Rosemary Saxon, war nurse of the civil war facing a rough return to civilian life. Finding work and maybe more under Dr. Elijah Stewart, she may have something worth keeping finally...if her town doesn't seek to deprive her of it first. "When the Heart Heals" is a strong pick for historical romance readers, not to be missed.

Evidence of Life
Barbara Taylor Sissel
Harlequin Books
225 Duncan Mill Road
Don Mills, Ontario, Canada, M3B 3K9
9780788315162, $14.95, www.harlequin.ca

The loss of family is the most terrifying thing one can imagine. "Evidence of Life" is a dramatic romance from Barbara Taylor Sissel following Abby as she copes with a vicious storm tearing apart her life and family, the tatters of her life blowing in the wind as she tries to put them together, coping with her mind and the lies that make up her life. "Evidence of Life" is a strong addition to literary fiction collections, highly recommended.

Bruised
Sarah Skilton
Abrams
115 West 18th Street, New York, NY 10011
9781419703874, $16.95, www.amuletbooks.com

We can train ourselves nonstop, but it might all be for naught. "Bruised" is a novel of the trauma afflicting Imogen, a young woman who took great pride in her Tae Kwon Do expertise. Her pride is shattered when a gunman attacks a diner, and her skills are incapable of saving a life. Exploring the concept of the fight and trying to find love despite the bruising her psyche took, "Bruised" is an insightful story that will be hard to put down, exploring what seek and what we want out of our skills in the martial arts.

Ghosts Dancing
Steven Fortney
Cable Publishing
14090 E Keinenen Rd, Brule, WI 54820
9781934980378, $14.95, www.cablepublishing.com

Conflict consumes much of the Europeans settlers relations with the original owners of America. "Ghosts Dancing" is discussing the history of the conflicts in America, as two friends discuss it as they travel through the western frontier, and see the will of the ancestors coping with the weight of the past they have left behind. "Ghosts Dancing" is a strong addition to any fiction collection focusing on American history the fate of the American Indians.

Blue Suede Shoes
Deborah Reardon
River Grove Books
c/o Newman Communications
125 Walnut St. #205, Watertown, MA 02472
9781938416118, $16.95, www.rivergrovebooks.com

Even as we face our own despair, we can try to answer the call of heroism. "Blue Suede Shoes" is a novel following Clare Paxton, a woman struggling with her own broken life trying to piece what she has lost together, as a young girl is reported lost in the forests. Suspecting foul intent and a chance to save a life, Clare must learn about her small town of Danfield, Wisconsin, and find the truth before it's too late. "Blue Suede Shoes" is a riveting and suspenseful novel that will prove hard to put down, recommended.

Venus in the Afternoon
Tehila Lieberman
University of North Texas Press
PO Box 311336
Denton, TX 76203-1336
9781574414660, $14.95, www.unt.edu/untpress

Brief moments of happiness on the backdrop of life is what we often seek. "Venus in the Afternoon" is a collection of short fiction from Tehila Lieberman, who touches on these episodes of life and living, using humor to explore a poignant nature of life and living. "Venus in the Afternoon" is an excellent choice for anyone who wants poignant, thoughtful short fiction, highly recommended.

Holy Smoke
Frederick Ramsay
Poisoned Pen Press
6962 E. First Ave., #103
Scottsdale, AZ 85251
9781464200922, $14.95, www.poisonedpenpress.com

A break of sacred trust can intensify already grisly crimes. "Holy Smoke" is a novel set in Biblical era Jerusalem, surrounding the violation of a sacred Jewish structure and the mysterious death of the intruder. Gamaliel looks for the truth behind the intrusion, while dealing with the coming major events of 29 CE. "Holy Smoke" is a riveting read that proves hard to put down.

Sandalwood Death
Mo Yan
University of Oklahoma Press
2800 Venture Drive, Norman, OK 73069
9780806143392, $24.95, www.oupress.com

SANDALWOOD DEATH is translated by Howard Goldblatt and provides a powerful novel by one of China's most famous writers that's at once a love story and a survey of political corruption during the final years of China's Qing Dynasty during its last imperial era. Set during the Boxer Rebellion in 1898-1901, this tells of cultural struggle, Western influences, and centers on a female protagonist and the three male figures in her life who affect its course. SANDALWOOD DEATH is an outstanding account, especially recommended for any Chinese literature or general literary collection.

W. W. Norton & Company
500 Fifth Avenue
New York, NY 10110
www.wwnorton.com

Fans of Pam Houston will want to read two very different books by her to get a feel for the extent of her voice and works. A LITTLE MORE ABOUT ME (9780393343465, $14.95) offers essays written over a five-year period over five continents and introduces readers to traveler Houston, who is searching for her place in the world - literally. Her travels and the journey revolving around self make for vivid reading in a semi-autobiography that moves between outside and inside worlds, revealing sources of discovery, motivation, and wonder. WALTZING THE CAT (9780393343572, $14.95) represents her second work of fiction and uses the character of photographer Lucy as a foundation in eleven linked narratives of discovery. Lucy's surprise encounter with Carlos Castenada sends her back to her lovely Rocky Mountains where she immerses herself in landscape and women friends. A fine, revealing true-life fiction account makes for a compelling story.

Y: A Novel
Marjorie Celona
The Free Press
c/o Simon & Schuster
1230 Avenue of the Americas, New York, NY 10020
9781451674385, $24.99, www.simonandschuster.com

Y: A Novel tells of Shannon and her mother Yula, and weaves a gentle story of family interactions and a girl's search for identity as she researches the days leading up to her abandonment, witnessed by a YMCA regular who changes the story when reporting it to authorities. Yula and Shannon finally meet and come to understand the changed nature of their bond while readers receive a gripping saga of self-investigation and insight which embraces what 'family' and 'home' really mean. Y: A Novel is a fine story recommended for any general lending library, and immerses readers in a puzzle packed with twists and turns throughout.


The Mystery/Suspense Shelf

Hammett Unwritten
Owen Fitzstephen
Lisa Michalski
Seventh Street Books
c/o Prometheus Books
59 John Glenn Drive
Amherst, NY 14228
9781616147143, $13.95, www.prometheusbooks.com

Many of the events that happen in our lives will make for a heck of a story later on. "Hammett Unwritten: A Novel" stars the famed noir writer Dashiell Hammett, following the author in his pre-writing years as a private investigator. Following the writer as he copes with the strange events that occur in the parallel to his famed works, "Hammett Unwritten" proves to be a creative and enticing twist of fact and fiction, very much recommended reading throughout.

The Missing Italian Girl
Barbara Corrado Pope
Pegasus Books
80 Broad Street, 5th Floor
New York, NY 10004
9781605984087, $25.95, www.pegasusbooks.com

Evil lurks in the chaotic times of turn of the century Paris. "The Missing Italian Girl" is a mystery novel surrounding 1897 Paris. Bernard Martin, a magistrate along with his wife Clarie, delve into the outskirts and dark streets of the French city in order to find the identity of a killer lurking through the city as well as the chaos brewing with an under-appreciated working class. "The Missing Italian Girl" is a strong addition to historical mystery and fiction collections.

Knuckleduster
Andrew Post
Medallion Press, Inc.
100 South River Street
Aurora, IL 60506
9781605424934, $14.95, www.medallionpress.com

To survive and do what we think is right, we often need to make so many sacrifices. "Knuckleduster" follows Brody Calhoun, a man discharged from the military, injured and needing carotene lenses to see anything. His pay comes from vigilante work from battered women as he hunts down cruel husbands and claims vengeance for them. But in the process, he places himself on the wrong side of the law, even if his intentions are good. "Knuckleduster" is an exciting thriller with plenty of twists and turns, highly recommended.

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

Galaxy Press is the quintessential niche publisher in that they are dedicated to bringing the 'Golden Age' of pulp magazine stories and tales of L. Ron Hubbard to a new and appreciative generation of readers. Utilizing original pulp magazine illustrations the produce affordable paperback copies that showcase one of the most imaginative writers of the 1930s and 40s. For example, L. Ron Hubbard's "The Tramp" (9781592123322, $9.95) originally published in the November 1938 issue of 'Astounding Science Fiction' and "The Crossroads" (9781591213681, $9.95) that is drawn from the February 1941 issue of a pulp magazine called 'Unknown'. Both these superbly reproduced stories are enhanced with the inclusion of a glossary, and two special articles: 'L. Ron Hubbard in the Golden Age of Pulp Fiction' and 'The Stories from the Golden Age'. Also of considerable note is the Galaxy Press series of multi-cast audio book adaptations of L. Ron Hubbard's pulp magazine stories. Two particularly outstanding examples are a fantasy set in the world of the circus titled 'If I Were You' (9781592122905, $9.95) which also includes a second fantasy yarn brought to life called 'The Last Drop'; and "Danger In The Dark" (9781592122400, $9.95) set on a remote Pacific island where a man must defeat a god to save the people from annihilation. This vividly presented multicast audio production is augmented with the inclusion of two shorter fantasy tales: 'The Room' and 'He Didn't Like Cats'. Of special note in all Galaxy Press audio book productions is the utilization of music and sound effects to heighten a true 'theatre of the mind' experience for the listener. A complete listing of all of the L. Ron Hubbard stories published and produced are to be found on the Galaxy Press web site at www.goldenstories.com.

Poisoned Pen Press
6962 E. First Ave., #103
Scottsdale, AZ 85251
www.poisonedpenpress.com

Kerry Greenwood's UNNATURAL HABITS (9781464201233, $24.95) provides a fine Phryne Fisher mystery and is set in 1929 Australia, where little girls are going missing and people are nervous. A pushy girl reporter, Polly, decides to investigate, and vanishes herself. It's up to Phryne and her sidekick Dot to find Polly and learn what has happened to all the missing girls - a journey which involves convents, murder and more in a satisfying and gripping saga perfect for any murder mystery library. Vicki Delany's MORE THAN SORROW (9781590589854, $24.95) tells of one Hannah, who is recuperating from a traumatic brain injury and is haunted by her memories. Her recovery is taking place on her sister's small farm in Canada, where she finds friendships and is drawn into a mystery from the past when she experiences visions of a woman in the dark root cellar. When her friend vanishes, Hannah must gain the courage and ability to solve the mystery in this different and grippingly unpredictable story, perfect for any mystery holding.

Berkeley Prime Crime
c/o Penguin Group (USA)
375 Hudson Street
New York, NY 10014
www.penguin.com

Earlene Fowler's THE ROAD TO CARDINAL VALLEY (9780425252840, $25.95) provides a sequel to The Saddlemaker's Wife but stands alone as a fine read for newcomers also, telling of Ruby's return to Cardinal, California to help her alcoholic brother Nash. When Nash is in a terrible accident, Ruby must consult her estranged mother, who has been harboring a terrible secret. The exposure of this secret will change - and challenge - all their lives in this riveting novel, perfect for any general lending library. Margaret Coel's THE EAGLE CATCHER: A WIND RIVER RESERVATION MYSTERY (9780425262740, $15.00) is the first book in the Wind River Reservation mystery series and is presented in trade paperback for the first time. The murder of an Arapaho tribal chairman involves his nephew and Father John O'Malley, a Jesuit priest who doesn't believe the nephew is a murderer. O'Malley's investigations will reveal a side of Arapaho life that is largely unknown to outsiders - and will also reveal a dangerous game packed with unexpected twists and turns and intrigue. Newcomers to the series who enjoy Native American fiction will find this a winning mystery.


The Pets/Wildlife Shelf

The Secret Lives of Chickens
Sunny Franson
RJ Communications
www.rjcom.com
9780985510909 $27.95 www.rootlets.com

Author Sunny Franson raised chickens in her backyard for years, and treasured them as intelligent pets and companions (as well as a source of nutritious eggs). The Secret Lives of Chickens or Tales from the Chickenyard and Beyond collects anecdotes of the many quirks and unique personalities of the chickens she cared for, from a proud, even-tempered rooster named Sarge to the proud Rhode Island Red hens, to the gentle Silkie chickens and more. Full-color photographs intersperse this heartfelt testimony. Those wishing to raise backyard chickens themselves may find occasional useful tips, tricks, and techniques, but The Secret Lives of Chickens is primarily a glimpse into how chickens must see the world, not a how-to manual. "The first time that we knew [the chickens] had found the puppy food, they'd managed to overturn the bag and had dumped it everywhere, eating themselves nearly sick... When they came back for more, we chased them away and figured that they had learned that they couldn't invade the puppy's food supply. We were so incredibly naive." Anyone who has ever owned or cared for backyard chickens will find The Secret Lives of Chickens especially insightful. Highly recommended.

Canine Cross Training
Sasha Foster
Dogwise Publishing
403 South Mission Street
Wenatchee WA 98801
9781617811135, $19.95, www.dogwisepublishing.com

A healthy dog is a dog that will go beyond what's expected on the show field. "Canine Cross Training: Building Balance, Strength, and Endurance in Your Dog" is a dog training guide from Sasha Foster, who advises readers to better train their dogs for better performance, applying the principles of cross training to dogs for maximum benefit. Featuring practical advice for conditioning, and activities to share with one's dog, "Canine Cross Training" is a must for those who like to push their dogs further and stronger.

Wild Fox
Cherie Mason, author
JoEllen McAllister Stammen, illustrator
Down East Books
PO Box 679
Camden, ME 04843
9781608932122, $14.99, www.downeastbooks.com

With the animal kingdom, there is a bond that can be formed if we so wish to. "Wild Fox: A True Story" is an illustrated memoir surrounding author Cherie Mason's relationship with a wild fox when living in her home in Maine. Forming a unique bond with the animal who remained wild all throughout their connection, she shares the story with JoEllen McAllister Stammen captivating illustrations, created in a tender and warm style. "Wild Fox" is a moving tale of animal relationships, much recommended.

When Cats Reigned Like Kings
Georgie Anne Geyer
Transaction Publishers
35 Berrue Circle
Piscataway, NJ 08854-8042
9781412847346, www.transactionpub.com

When Cats Reigned Like Kings: On the Trail of the Sacred Cats provides a lively blend of travel, autobiography and insights into cats and comes from an author who explores connections between the royal felines of ancient civilizations and domestic cats of today. Her in-depth research into how cats came to be human pets is detailed and sparked by her curiosity about her own cats. The history is detailed in impeccable as well as lively, while photos of the author's travels and historical cat images accompany travel details, historical facts and descriptions of over forty recognized modern cat breeds. The result is a delightful and fun book for cat lovers and history and travel buffs alike!

Wiley-Blackwell
350 Main Street
Malden, MA 02148
www.wiley.com/wiley-blackwell

Linda Merrill LVT, VTS's SMALL ANIMAL INTERNAL MEDICINE FOR VETERINARY TECHNICIANS AND NURSES (9780813821641, $79.99) provides the first comprehensive resource on internal medicine written for the veterinary technician and is arranged by body system to discuss everything form diseases and testing to treatment options and nursing. It's a complete reference tied to a companion website holding videos, quizzes and images and provides a logical system arrangement for at-a-glance reference. Veterinary technician students will find this a solid course covering the basics, while students studying for certification will find it a powerful reference. No veterinary reference holding should be without this detailed guide! Very specific but very important is Lila Miller and Stephen Zawistowski's SHELTER MEDICINE FOR VETERINARIANS AND STAFF (9780813819938, $84.99), which appears in its second updated edition to pack in keys to shelter management, from shelter programs and spaying services to animal husbandry. The entire book has been redesigned with more user-friendly approaches to include better at-a-glance information, a full-color format packed with illustration, and many new and expanded, revamped chapters of the latest information. The result is a fine guide to animal management, the latest laws, and the newest veterinary practices in a shelter environment: a 'must' for any veterinary reference collection. Dolores Gavier-Widen, J. Paul Duff & Anna Meredith edit INFECTIOUS DISEASES OF WILD MAMMALS AND BIRDS IN EUROPE (9781405199056, $169.99), a key title covering the diagnosis and treatment of diseases in European wildlife, and is a recommended pick for any specialty collection strong in veterinary experiences around the world. From risks to human health and livestock and pets to how diseases spread in the wild, wildlife vaccination and disease surveillance techniques, and classification, this is written by clinicians and pathologists from across Europe and assembles a powerful technical compendium of details for vets, conservation biologists, and wildlife researchers alike.


The Money/Finance Shelf

Financial Fresh Start
Shari Olefson
Amacom Books
1601 Broadway
New York, NY 10019
9780814432297, $26.00, www.amacombooks.org

Starting over anew is starting over without the weight of baggage behind us. "Financial Fresh Start: Your Five-Step Plan for Adapting and Prospering in the New Economy" is a guide for making the most out of one's personal finances, stretching money to go further, and finding the tips they need to drive themselves further with success. From practical advice of avoiding predatory practices from banks and credit card companies, managing a mortgage, wise investment, and more, "Financial Fresh Start" is a strong addition to any personal finance and self-help collection, highly recommended.

Real Wealth
Bruce Helmer
Beaver's Pond Press
7108 Ohms Lane
Edina, MN 55439
9781592985692, $19.95, www.BeaversPondPress.com

Good financial sense creates wealth for a future to come. "Real Wealth: How to Make Smart Money Choices for What Matters Most to You" advising readers on how to best manage their money for the future so that riches became wealth and stay that way for the coming years and our future. With sage advice on how to manage your money and make it worth for you while still allowing it to enrich our lives, "Real Wealth" is a must for personal finance and self-help collections, much recommended.

A Guide to Elder Planning, second edition
Steve Weisman
FT Press
c/o Pearson Technology Group
801 East 96th Street, #300
Indianapolis, IN 46240-3759
9780133091922, $34.99, www.ftpress.com

As we get older, we have to be prepared for the twilight of our lives. Now in an updated second edition, "A Guide to Elder Planning: Everything You Need to Know to Protect Your Loved Ones and Yourself" is an advisory guide from Steve Weisman as he advises readers on how to best piece together their lives and prepare ourselves and our family for the later years, being prepared financially for later care as well as the inevitable. "A Guide to Elder Planning" is a must for any personal finance and estate planning collection, highly recommended.


The Poetry Shelf

Letters to Borges
Stephen Kuusisto
Copper Canyon Press
PO Box 271
Port Townsend, WA 98368
9781556593864, $16.00, www.coppercanyonpress.org

Poetry can speak to us like text won't be able to. "Letters to Borges" is a collection of poetry from best selling author Stephen Kuusisto who shares his views as a blind man, and how a world without sight can give you a very clear vision of the world. "Letters to Borges" is an insightful and much recommended addition to any poetry collection. "As for the World": You who loved the bitter seeds in bread and poems./You who never saw devils./You who laughed at the felicities/Of Russian rhymes.//Winter wheat showed today, it's infused green./A red-tailed hawk I've come to know/Stayed all morning in his oak./Goodbye. Goodbye./The rhymes remain.

The Breaking of the Day
Michael Heffernan
Salmon Poetry
c/o Dufour Editions, Inc.
PO Box 7
Chester Springs, PA 19425-0007
9781908836182, $21.95, www.dufoureditions.com

We speak many words throughout our lives, without any certainty to what they might truly mean. "The Breaking of the Day" is a poetry compilation from Michael Heffernan, who talks on the words of life and the world we see, trying to capture the world he has seen in so many words and our lives. "The Breaking of the Day" has much to consider, strongly recommended for contemporary poetry collections. "The Good Dream": My mind is daylight dancing off water./Swallows blotch the heart's back wall.//Other lives are breaking in./The dead are everywhere.

Lime Green Chair
Chris Andrews
The Wayweiser Press
c/o Dufour Editions, Inc.
PO Box 7
Chester Springs, PA 19425-0007
9781904130512, $16.95, www.dufoureditions.com

Disconnected from our world, we can see what happens within it with a certain vividity. "Lime Green Chair" is a collection o f poetry from Australian poet Chris Andrews who offers a certain profound nature to the world and his own dose of humor and living. "Lime Green Chair" is a fine dose of poetic bliss for international poetry fans, recommended. "Pond Life": Bored by ancestral love-letters once posted/in a gap in a wall where the wind sitll moans,/I was transparent but only to others,/like my third cousin's anatomical doll./I sensed he was tactfully not exploiting/the unfair advantage of experience,/while spying things in me that I was dimly/unaware of, as a student of pond life/with a mind full of field-guide illustrations/might spy, beneath rafts of caddis-fly cases/made of anything a silken thread can bind,/ a stirring in the murk, not that he was prone/to creeping monster-hero moralism.

Unsent
Penelope Shuttle
Bloodaxe
c/o Dufour Editions, Inc.
PO Box 7
Chester Springs, PA 19425-0007
9781852249502, $28.95, www.dufoureditions.com

We all endure hardship and pain in our lives, trying to piece it together for our futures. "Unsent" is a collection of poetry from Penelope Shuttle, both new and selected from twenty two years of her career, touching on her unique poignancy of life and living and what she has endured for the sake of living and sorrow. "Unsent" is a strong pick for world poetry collections. "In Cornish": owl is Ula/Star is Steren/Psycador is a fisherman/Morrab is his coast/His rainbow is camneves/His door is darras/Mor is his sea/Lor is his moon/His ear is scovarn/His eye is lagas/His eyes are dewlagas/Blejen is his flower/His summer is haf/Hunros is his dream/There is more to his lost language/than can fit on a tourist teatowel.

Upriver
Carolyn Kremers
University of Alaska Press
PO Box 756240
Fairbanks, AK 99775-6240
9781602232020, $14.95, www.uaf.edu/uapress

The lessons of life inspire us ever further. "Upriver" is a collection of poetry from Alaskan poet Carolyn Kremers as she explores what she has learned living so close to the native cultures of Alaska, using her poetry to capture their essence and lives in many ways. "Upriver" is enticing and insightful addition to any poetry collections focusing on native culture, highly recommended. "All I Wanted": All I wanted, my love, was every night to lie(every light-tossed night)/in your arms, like mist, like glass/about to break, like a bell high/enough to be heard above/the trees. All I wanted was for you/to stroke my hair when I cried,/to hear you listen, and be able to say,/yes I do.

Beasts of the Hill
Mark Neely
Oberlin College Press
50 North Professor Street
Oberlin, OH 44074-1095
9780932440440, $15.95, www.oberlin.edu/ocpress

In nature, there is a good deal of serenity, then there is violence. "Beasts of the Hill" is a collection of poetry from prolific and established poet Mark Neely offers insight on the world as we know it with a certain serenity through it all. "Beasts of the Hill" is well worth considering, highly recommended. "I Pass You on the Street": Under my white shirt/--bright as a policeman's/flashlight-- is a grumbling,/skittish dog, the kind you see//sulking in alleys,/bristling if you near/its dumpster. You think/me a pity.//and hurry past,/sticking close to the wall,/because you also know/enough to be afraid.

Earth Again
Chris Dombrowski
Wayne State University Press
The Leonard N. Simons Building
4809 Woodward Avenue
Detroit, MI 48201-1309
9780814337295, $15.95, http://wsupress.wayne.edu

Earth is the ever present factor in all of our lives. "Earth Again" is a collection of poetry from Chris Dombrowski, prolific and respected poet on many fronts who has attained a note of poignancy and living life on many levels. With strong humor and knowledge, "Earth Again" is a must for contemporary poetry collections. "Things Boys Paint": A distant city/barraged by twin-engine bombers, skyscraper flames/incarnadine half-masking a flock of white swans above/two glowering alligators (one solder points his rifle/at the beasts while a second stands between them/frowning) harried by a single ill-defined flying object/which could be helicopter or archangel.

Archive of the Undressed
Jeanette Lynes
Wolsak & Wynn
102 - 69 Hughson Street North
Hamilton, Ontario, Canada, L8R 1G5
9781894987660, $17.00, www.wolsakandwynn.ca

Presenting what was once hidden captivates and entices people. "Archive of the Undressed" is a collection of poetry from Jeanette Lynes, her sixth anthology, which continues to bare all of her soul, bringing connections to the literary and performing arts as we know it, drawing from the fading artistry of the burlesque. "Archive of the Undressed" is a must for contemporary poetry collections. "Downtown Troilet": You traded down - now you're a clown,/flap and shimmy in the gutter./Old cigar smoke your new gown./You used to dance - damask uptown./You traded down, you clown,/prancing dog, sad-girl-pirate. Strutter,/you traded down. Now be the clown,/flapper. Shimmy in the gutter!

This is What Happens When Talk Ends
Gale Nelson
Burning Deck Press
71 Elmgrove Ave, Providence, RI 02906
c/o Small Press Distrubution
1341 Seventh St., Berkeley, CA 94710
www.spdbooks.org
9781936194063, $14.00, www.burningdeck.com

Poetry is a dialog all in itself. "This is What Happens When Talk Ends" is a collection of poetry from Gale Nelson, who speaks on the works of Shakespeare and the language he used to share his tales, as well as other writers of history. "This is What Happens When Talk Ends" is a fine collection of poetry, much worth considering. "This is What Happens When Talk Ends" is a must for modern poetry collections. "Closest to Stars Unshined": Lists guard the back-lit sheet/now but that's when you drown a throat's splurge/and groan. Sundering into a crown's flood/soaks trophy's brass leg, soaks those daft/tremors in ponds and salvos gently lodged by oceans spent./Tacit sagas exact vile scandals stolen/back from best ages. Long quests are best/trod on left foot, but we lever on. Some koans/shed can bind tales battered by lips sowing best woes/in song. Nuancing the song sheds gloom, pales/sad spot and channels limpid frost. harbors breed/able tangents.

Astonishment
Anne Stevenson
Bloodaxe
c/o Dufour Editions, Inc.
PO Box 7
Chester Springs, PA 19425-0007
9781852249472, $21.95, www.dufoureditions.com

To find things that still surprise us is a wonderful thing. "Astonishment" is a collection of poetry from Anne Stevenson, an international poet with international acclaim, exploring the ideas of insight and imagination and how they meet to create a very unique world. "Astonishment" is a must for any modern poetry collection. "A Cleaner Memory": Every spring renews the blackbird for me/just when he claims the season for himself,/as out of the deep well of his voice I heft,/with a longer rope, a clearer memory.

Blak al-fe Bet
Mitchell L. H. Douglas
Persea Books
277 Broadway, Suite 708
New York, NY 10007
9780892554218, $15.95, www.perseabooks.com

Coping with loss comes in many, many ways. "Blak al-fe Bet" is a collection of poems from Mitchell L. H. Douglas who writes a collection of poems dedicated to the black community and culture, surrounding the loss of a matriarch. "Blak al-fe Bet" is a strong addition to American and cultural poetry collections, highly recommended. "The Letting": If the needle pricks my finger/then it's alright --/gotta let a little blood/for the cotton. Watch it ride/down a cross stitch, resist/the urge to stay blue. Send my fingers/into holy throb, rifled pulse,/the thump of all/gone wrong. Let it go,/let it go, turn it tune/if you like. Makes no difference/if you can't sing, can't raise/the words.

Burning Deck Press
71 Elmgrove Ave, Providence, RI 02906
www.burningdeck.com
c/o Small Press Distribution
1341 Seventh St., Berkeley, CA 94710
$14.00 each www.spdbooks.org

Burning Deck Press continues its tradition of inspirational poetry with four new collections ideal for connoisseurs of unique and original verse constructions. Sebastien Smirou's "My Lorenzo" (9781936194087), adeptly translated from the original French by Andrew Zawacki, is a poetic prose narrative, in which the sectioned yet unending flow of words reflect upon the life of Lorenzo di Medici (1449-1492), renowned through history as a great Italian statesman and magnanimous patron of the arts. Rosmarie Waldrop has carefully translated Elfriede Czurda's "Almost 1 Book / Almost 1 Life" from the original German, collecting Czurda's experimental oscillations between prose poetry and structured verse in her first two books. Czurda's rambunctious explorations of multiple meanings in everyday life are flavored with a dash of biting humor and a willingness to poke at the perverse. Sarah Riggs' "Autobiography of Envelopes" (9781936194100) consists of five-line stanzas, and divided into sections related to each letter of the alphabet. Each few pages dwells upon the many facets of transient human communication, envelope-sealed words and messages sparkling across a moment in time, rippling with limitless potential to transmit the smallest triviality or the greatest revolution. P. Inman's "Per Se" is filled with brief, free-verse poems that often play with word position on the page, saying volumes with the barest minimum of letters. The result is a postmodern exploration contemplating concepts that transcend traditional semantics. All four volumes are choice picks for avant-garde poetry collections. "Another Lang(e), for Art Lange" (from "Per Se"): distance evanesce. / pekoe stein duckling. / konitz next to some drummed time. / all the song form dusk coast broken up. / ink neck texture business end. / aleatorist upon nylon. / this often since where weight leaves off. / pony monad ocean neural. / talk nudge plural bone o'hara. / minute-minutes.


The Memoir Shelf

Back from Tobruk
Croswell Bowen, author
Betsy Connor Bowen, editor
Potomac Books, Inc.
22841 Quicksilver Drive
Dulles, VA 20166-2012
9781597979856 $29.95 www.potomacbooksinc.com

Back from Tobruk is the memoir of photographer Croswell Bowen's experience as a volunteer ambulance driver of the American Field Service, who aided the British Eighth Army during World War II. As a Catholic and a staunch pacifist, he was deeply troubled by the death and destruction of war, and held fast to his hope that the end of the war would bring peace to the world. He spent time in hospitals and field dressing stations to tend to and aid the wounded, also as a patient when misfortune struck him personally. Above all, he was immensely inspired to see soldiers capable of showing compassion to those who they faced as enemies on the battlefield. An insert of black-and-white photographs accentuates this vivid, unforgettable firsthand testimony, highly recommended especially for public library wartime memoir collections.

Let Burn
Rachel K. Wentz
Michigan State University Press
1405 South Harrison Road, Suite 25
East Lansing, MI 48823-5245
9781611860719, $24.95, www.msupress.msu.edu

To become a professional hero is no easy job. "Let Burn: The Making and Breaking of a Firefighter/Paramedic" is a memoir from Rachel K. Wentz as she recounts her personal journey of entering the career of rescue in public service as a woman. The eighth woman to be hired by the Orlando Fire Department, she speaks on this male-dominated field and shows the mindset and training that has to come to succeed in this environment. "Let Burn" is a must for any woman with aspirations to enter the career of rescue where even biology has them at a disadvantage.

My Mother's Wars
Lillian Faderman
Beacon Press
25 Beacon Street
Boston, MA 02108-2892
9780807050521, $25.95, www.beacon.org

The personal stories of war and its long-reaching effects are too often forgotten. "My Mother's Wars" is a gripping personal testimony. Author Lillian Faderman shares her mother's story of immigrating to America with high hopes of dancing, only to be swept up in the undercurrents of New York, and the struggles of being a worker in the garment industry. Facing an onslaught of tragedy, daughter Lillian tells of Mary Faderman's story well, telling how the far reaching effects of two world wars can have on a woman struggling to get by. "My Mother's Wars" is a must for history and memoir collections focusing on personal tales.

Love & Salt
Amy Andrews & Jessica Mesman Griffith
Loyola Press
3441 North Ashland Avenue
Chicago, IL 60657
9780829438314, $14.95, www.LoyolaBooks.org

Faith can form a powerful bond for the years to come. "Love & Salt: A Spiritual Friendship Shared in Letters" is a memoir of friendship and faith as Amy Andrews & Jessica Mesman Griffith share letters written to each other on faith and how that faith stayed with them as they went through their careers and family for the years to come. "Love & Salt" is a strong addition to spiritual memoir collections and Christian studies collections, presenting a very personal view of modern faith.

In Love with Defeat
H. Brandt Ayers
New South Books
105 South Court Street, Montgomery, AL 36104
9781588382771, $29.95, www.newsouthbooks.com

Progressivism has much to rise above in the deep south. "In Love with Defeat: The Making of a Southern Liberal" is a memoir from H. Brandt Ayers as he shares his experiences in the politics of the South and facing the deeper elements working within the south and overcoming the difficult problems the region faces, as Ayers looks at history and compares the southern struggles to that of other nations throughout. Covering history up to the impact of the election of Barack Obama, "In Love with Defeat" is an intriguing political look at life going against the grain.

Vietnam Labyrinth
Tran Ngoc Chau
Texas Tech University Press
PO Box 41037
Lubbock, TX 79409-1037
9780896727717, $39.95, www.ttupress.org

Betraying your nation is no action to be taken lightly. "Vietnam Labyrinth: Allies, Enemies, & Why The U. S. Lost the War" is a memoir from Tran Ngoc Chau as he presents his own unique story of choosing to switch sides after five years with the Viet Minh. A unique view of the Vietnam war of one who decided to make this shifting decision that could have easily cost him his life. "Vietnam Labyrinth" is a strong addition to memoir collections focusing on the Vietnam War and those who fought in it.


The Crafts Shelf

Polymer Clay Master Class
Judy Belcher & Tamara Honaman
Potter Craft
c/o The Random House Publishing Group
1745 Broadway, 17th floor
New York, NY 10019
9780823026678, $22.99, www.pottercraft.com

Polymer Clay Master Class: Exploring Process, Technique, and Collaboration with 11 Master Artists provides in-depth surveys of the techniques of eleven polymer clay artists who share their expertise for the first time. From creating with sculpture and changing surfaces to blending in mixed media and designing using kinetics and jewelry-finishing basics, this packs in keys to successful polymer clay production and goes beyond the usual approach to expand upon advanced ideas and non-clay materials. The title's loaded with color step-by-step photos throughout, making this a top pick for any crafts collection.

Crystal Jewelry Inspiration
Karin Van Voorhees, Compiler
Kalmbach Publishing Company
21027 Crossroads Circle, Waukesha, WI 53186
9780871167019, $24.95, www.kalmbachbooks.com

Crystal Jewelry Inspiration from the Create Your Style Ambassadors explores some 230 designs featuring crystal elements and offers a slightly oversized title that features the works of Swarovski Elements jewelry makers, who represent some of the leaders and innovators in the jewelry-making industry. From step-by-step directions of necklaces, bracelets and pins to a range of techniques from stitching to wirework and metal clay, this packs in a gallery of designs from some of the most creative Swarovski jewelers in the world. Highly recommended for any aspiring jeweler who wants more insights on techniques and applications, this is a pick for any jewelry crafts collection!

Metal Jewelry in Bloom
Melissa Cable
Kalmbach Publishing Company
21027 Crossroads Circle
Waukesha, WI 53186
9780871164438, $21.95, www.kalmbachbooks.com

Metal is more than practical, it can be a charming decoration in itself. "Metal Jewelry in Bloom: Learn Metalworking Techniques by Making Lilies, Daffodils, Dahlias, and More" is a guide to using metal to make charming pieces of jewelry with one's work, creating plenty of original creations, detailing the basics of metal working, bringing them together, all brought together in full glossy color. "Metal Jewelry in Bloom" is a must for anyone who wants to try new craft projects in their life.


The Fantasy/SciFi Shelf

Blood Oranges
Kathleen Tierney
Roc
c/o Penguin Group (USA)
375 Hudson Street, New York, NY 10014
9780451465016, $16.00, www.penguin.com

Blood Oranges comes from Caitlin R. Kiernan who writes as Kathleen Tierney, and offers a new series launching with Blood Oranges, a recommendation for any urban fantasy collection interested in a dash of humor. Quinn is an ex-junkie who finds herself an enemy in New England's supernatural community when she's bitten by a werewolf and turned into a vampire - in the same night. She's become a demon hunter - but really it's all a misunderstanding. A series of crimes against the supernaturals isn't her fault, and results in a deadly race to uncover the true perp before the community locates and kills her. Swift action lends to a charged, moving story line.

The Archimedes File
R. A. Parish
Dorrance Publishing Co.
701 Smithfield Street, Third Floor
Pittsburgh, PA 15222
9781434917836, $12.00, www.dorrancebookstore.com

Technology does what humanity does better...and what if it realizes it? "The Archimedes File" is a science fiction adventure set in 2302, as humans Elisha and Eleanor live under the thumb of a computer controlled world. As they discover that humans once controlled the earth, they realize that human freedom was once a thing and can still be a thing, as the machines around bear down on them. "The Archimedes File" is enticing and much recommended addition to science fiction collections.


The Travel Shelf

Here, There, Elsewhere
William Least Heat-Moon
Little, Brown & Company
c/o Hachette Book Group
237 Park Avenue, New York, NY 10017
9780316110242, $29.99, www.littlebrown.com

HERE, THERE, ELSEWHERE: STORIES FROM THE ROAD provides a new collection of his classic travel adventures and is a special pick for those already enthused with his best-selling BLUE HIGHWAYS account. Thirty years ago, after separating from his wife and losing his job, he embarked on a journey seeking to put home behind him, following an intense desire to explore little towns of the United States. His book was a best-selling masterpiece. HERE, THERE, ELSEWHERE expands his journeys to the rest of the world and shares adventures that serve as inspirations and magical experiences alike. Very highly recommended for any who are interested in travel observations and armchair experiences.

Ethiopia, sixth edition
Philip Briggs
Bradt Guides
1st Floor IDC House, The Vale
Chalfont St Peter, Bucks, England, SL9 9RZ
9781841624143, $26.99, www.bradtguides.com

The sixth updated edition of ETHIOPIA is a 'must' for any destination-oriented travel planner who wants to take an active trip to the country, and covers everything from the nation's traditions and culture to how to hike, ride horses and journey throughout the entire region. It's been fully revised and updated for the latest development in transport and getting around, and offers keys to enjoying both well-known attractions and those off the beaten track. Packed with sidebars of information and small regional and city maps, ETHIOPIA remains one of the few to focus entirely on this country and its many travel opportunities, and is a highly recommended pick!

Chile Highlights
Tim Burford
Bradt
c/o The Globe Pequot Press
246 Goose Lane, Suite 200
Guilford, CT 06437
9781841624082, $24.99, www.globepequot.com

The eastern strip of South America has plenty to catch the eyes of the tourist. "Chile Highlights" is a guide for those who want to experience all Chile has to offer. It's packed with advice for planning one's trip, the most important sights to see and flavors to take in, as well as information about related areas such as Easter Island. Presented with full color photography throughout, "Chile Highlights" is a must for prospective travelers, highly recommended.

Paris: City Guide
Lonely Planet Publications
150 Linden Street
Oakland CA 94607
9781741794557, $19.99, www.lonelyplanet.com

Romance, history, sights and sounds, there's a whole list of reasons Paris is quite the getaway. "Paris: City Guide" is a traveler's guide for those who want to get the absolute most out of their visit to the City of Lights. The distilled essence of Paris is covered, including its art, its people, and its culture. With countless maps, guides, and reviews of countless attractions throughout the city, "Paris: City Guide" is a must for travel collections.


The Sports Shelf

Bicycle Manifesto
Sam Tracy
PM Press
PO Box 23912
Oakland, CA 94623
9781604866407, $20.00, www.pmpress.org

Keeping a bike running can be done with anyone with a little ambition and know how. "Bicycle!: A Repair & Maintenance Manifesto" is an educational manual from Sam Tracy, who advises readers on how to keep their bikes rolling for years to come, even when improvising on the go. With additional thoughts on those who want to build their own bikes, fighting rust, safety and security, and much more, "Bicycle!" is a fine addition to any collection focusing on practical bicycling wisdom.

Ramblers
Michael Lenehan
Midway
c/o Agate Publishing
1328 Greenleaf Street
Evanston, IL 60202
9781572841406, $16.00, www.agatepublishing.com

For many youths entering college basketball today, it seems absurd that interracial teams were once the subject of controversy. "Ramblers: Loyola Chicago 1963 - The Team That Changed the Color of College Basketball" discusses the advancement of bringing colored players into college basketball, telling of this season during the chaos of the Civil Rights era that faced conflict of rejection, people refusing to face integrated teams, people defying their state for the good of sportsmanship, and much more. A riveting read of sports and its role in breaking the color barriers, "Ramblers" is a must for any history and sports collection focusing on Civil Rights and black history.

The Complete Guide to Pitching
Derek Johnson
Human Kinetics Publishers, Inc.
PO Box 5076
Champaign, IL 61820-5076
9780736079013, $24.95, www.HumanKinetics.com

Pitching is far more than hurling a ball at a catcher and hoping it doesn't get hit. "The Complete Guide to Pitching" is a scholarly breakdown of this essential of a baseball game's defense as Derek Johnson discusses the position down to the body mechanics of the pitcher, how to train oneself to become a better pitcher by mastering the specialized pitchers, reading your batter, becoming the fielder when the ball goes live, and much more. With a DVD featuring further lessons and resources, "The Complete Guide to Pitching" is an excellent addition to any sports reference collection with a focus on baseball.

Human Kinetics
PO Box 5076
Champaign, IL 61820-5076
www.humankinetics.com

USA Archery's ARCHERY: THE ULTIMATE RESOURCE FOR RECURVE AND COMPOUND ARCHERS (9781450420204, $23.95) is a pick for those already serious about and immersed in the sport, and pairs detailed instruction from the world's top archery experts and coaches with keys to choosing equipment, developing strong shots, using practice time to maximum benefit, and training for competition. It's not the choice for the casual newcomer: it's the perfect pick for those with basic archery skills who want to move on to the next level of tournament competition. Unparalleled in its offerings, ARCHERY is packed with black and white photos throughout and discussions of drills, holding patterns, position, and even nutrition. Any semi-professional collection strong in archery development will find this a key acquisition. Derek Johnson's THE COMPLETE GUIDE TO PITCHING includes a special DVD and teaches all the basics of producing pitches, from what to throw and when to the body mechanics of pitching and conditioning exercises, strengthening workouts for the arm and shoulder, analyzing an opponent's game and developing a pitch that halts it, and more. Pitchers receive keys to working successfully with catchers and developing a unique, winning pitching style in this guide, which is a pick for any serious pitcher who would improve their success.


The Biography Shelf

Out Of Time
Tanya Buchdahl Tintner
Wilfrid Laurier University Press
Wilfrid Laurier University
Waterloo, Ontario, Canada, N2L 3C5
www.wlupress.wlu.ca
9781554589388, $39.99, www.amazon.com

Georg Tintner, CM (22 May 1917 - 2 October 1999) was an Austrian-born conductor whose career was principally in New Zealand, Australia, and Canada. As a child he was a singer in the Vienna Boys' Choir, directed by Franz Schalk. At the Vienna State Academy he studied composition with Joseph Marx and conducting with Felix Weingartner. Soon he was assistant conductor of the Vienna Volksoper. Due to the persecution of Jews, Tintner moved out of Vienna in 1938, arriving in Auckland, New Zealand in 1940. He conducted a church choir until after the war, when he took over the Auckland Choral Society in 1947, and the Auckland String Players in 1948. He became a New Zealand citizen in 1946. In 1954, he went to Australia and became resident conductor of the National Opera of Australia (a private company) before joining the Australian Elizabethan Theatre Trust Opera in 1957. Tintner is credited with pioneering televised opera in Australia. Now at last there is an informed and informative biography of Georg Tintner. "Out of Time: The Vexed Life of Georg Tintner" by Tanya Buchdahl Tintner, his third wife and widow. An accomplished freelance classical music writer and editor, Tanya Tintner has written a 430 page compendium of a man who began composing music at the age of six, an orchestra conductor at nineteen, escaped what was to become the Nazi holocaust in 1938, struggled to make a living for himself in New Zealand, Australia, South Africa, England, and finally moving to Canada at the age of seventy. Comprehensive in scope, superbly written and occasionally illustrated with period photos, and highly recommended for academic library 20th Century Musicology reference collections and supplemental reading lists, "Out of Time: The Vexed Life of Georg Tintner" is the definitive biography of a remarkable man who has lived a remarkable life.

The Secret History Of Vladimir Nabokov
Andrea Pitzer
Pegasus Books
80 Broad Street, 5th Floor, NY, NY 10004
www.pegasusbooks.com
9781605984117, $29.95, www.amazon.com

Vladimir Vladimirovich Nabokov (22 April 1899 - 2 July 1977) was a Russian-American novelist. Nabokov's first nine novels were in Russian. He then rose to international prominence as a writer of English prose. He also made serious contributions as a lepidopterist and chess composer. Nabokov's Lolita (1955) is his most famous novel, and often considered his finest work in English. It exhibits the love of intricate word play and synesthetic detail that characterized all his works. The novel was ranked at No. 4 in the list of the Modern Library 100 Best Novels. Pale Fire (1962) was ranked at No. 53 on the same list. His memoir, Speak, Memory, was listed No. 8 on the Modern Library nonfiction list. He was a finalist for the National Book Award for Fiction seven times, but never won it. A significant 20th century literary talent, his biography, "The Secret History of Vladimir Nabokov" by Andrea Pitzer is 352 page compendium describing a man born into a life of Russian privilege, only to bear personal witness to the horrors of revolution, world war, escaping utter destruction at the hands of the Nazis because he had a Jewish wife and son. Drawn from newly-declassified intelligence files and recovered military history, biographer and journalist Andrea Pitzer reveals fascinating aspects of Nabokov's eventful life and the impact it has upon his writing. A seminal work of painstaking research and scholarship, "The Secret History of Vladimir Nabokov" should be considered essential reading for students of Nabokov's literary works and a highly recommended addition to academic library 20th Century Literary and 20th Century Biography collections. It should also be noted that "The Secret History of Vladimir Nabokov" is also available in an ebook edition (Kindle, $14.74).

Gunfighter in Gotham
Robert K. DeArment
University of Oklahoma Press
2800 Venture Drive
Norman, OK 73069
9780806142630 $29.95 www.oupress.com

The follow-up volume to "Bat Masterson: The Man and the Legend" (9780806122212, $24.95), Gunfighter in Gotham: Bat Masterson's New York City Years continues the true-life story of Bat Masterson, famed nineteenth century gunfighter and sheriff of Dodge City, Kansas. Masterson's (arguably inflated) exploits in the Old West are the stuff of legends, but less historical attention has been paid to the second phase of his life, in which he moved to New York City and wrote an immensely popular sports column. Chapters cover his involvement in the nascent sport of prizefighting, first as a professional gambler, then as a promoter, then as a referee; how his sharply written column in the "New York Morning Telegraph" became reprinted throughout the country; and even his friendship with President Theodore Roosevelt. Thoroughly accessible to lay readers, sports enthusiasts, and historians alike, Gunfighter in Gotham reveals the man behind the legend. Highly recommended.

The Last Love of George Sand
Evelyne Bloch-Dano
Arcade Publishing
c/o Skyhorse Publishing, Inc.
307 West 36th Street, 11th Floor
New York, NY 10018
9781611457162, $24.95, www.skyhorsepublishing.com

Many creative people struggle to find some sense of normalcy, and all too often it may strike in the strangest of ways. "The Last Love of George Sand: A Literary Biography" tells the story of an unusual woman who lived an independent life, credited for her skill as a writer and social figure in the mid-nineteenth century. Touching on Sand's unusual personal life and relationships with great creative minds (including Musset and Chopin), author Evelyn Bloch-Dano focuses on Sand's stable, long-term relationship with Alexandre Manceau. "The Last Love of George Sand" is a strong addition to any literary studies and biography collections, highly recommended.

William Colenso
A.G. Bafnall & G. C. Petersen
Otago University Press
c/o International Specialized Book Services
920 Northeast 58th Avenue, Suite 300
Portland, OR 97213
9781877578151, $65.00, www.isbs.com

Seeking knowledge and spreading knowledge can go hand in hand. "William Colenso: His Life and Journeys" is a biography of this remarkable missionary and printer, among other interests. Bringing a printing press to the Maori of New Zealand in 1837, he became a fierce advocate of their rights in the eyes of the British Empire, seeking to teach and learn from the people he was working with, becoming a contemporary student alongside Darwin, Cunningham, and Hooker. "William Colenso" is a riveting account of how one man could do much to help a nation through education, much recommended.

Walter A. Rodney
Clairmont Chung, editor
Monthly Review Press
146 West 29th Street, Suite 6W
New York, NY 10001
9781583673287, $17.95, www.monthlyreview.org

Great minds often face much pushback for their ideas. "Walter A. Rodney: A Promise of Revolution" is a collection of essays and biography surrounding the Caribbean political thinker and his contributions to the academic thought and the future of the Caribbean nations up until his tragic death in 1980. "Walter A. Rodney" is a much recommended addition to biography and history collections focusing on the Americas.

Brilliant Deduction
Matt Kuhns
The Lyons Press
246 Goose Lane
Guilford, CT 06437
9780988250505, $36.95, www.lyonspress.com

The inspiration for Sherlock Holmes didn't manifest from nothing. "Brilliant Deduction: The Story of Real-Life Great Detectives" seeks to shed life on the true stories of those who take on the mantle of detective in true history, even creating the very concept of the sleuth. From old hands in the crime game trading in their black hat for a white one, spy hunters turning their focus home, freelancers who helped the police bring justice, "Brilliant Deduction" is a must for anyone who loves true crime or wants to learn more about how Sherlock Holmes and his ilk have more connection to reality than we truly know.

St. Hildegard of Bingen
Carmen Acevedo Butcher
Paraclete Press
PO Box 1568
Orleans, MA 02653
9781612613703, $16.99, www.paracletepress.com

There are those figures who take everything they touch by storm, and leave a lasting impact on all of it. "St. Hildegard of Bingen: Doctor of the Church" tells the story of the titular saint, who throughout the twelfth century did much with her life, capturing much of the spirit of the church during her long life, Carmen Acevedo Butcher presents a fascinating study of an icon of medieval Christianity, making "St. Hildegard of Bingen" a riveting and intriguing addition to any Christian or Medieval history collection, highly recommended.

Chiara Lubich
Armando Torno
New City Press
202 Cardinal Rd.
Hyde Park, NY 12538
9781565484535, $14.95, www.newcitypress.com

After the impact of war ravages our lives, there are those who want to heal the hurt of the world. "Chiara Lubich: A Biography" seeks to tell the story of what this Catholic woman did for the church with her influences in the aftermath of World War II, bringing a virtuous knowledge to all people around her. "Chiara Lubich" is a moving story for biography collections focusing on important figures in the Catholic church.


The Education Shelf

Educating Engineers
Prepared by Steve Olson
National Academy of Engineering
c/o National Academies Press
500 Fifth Street, NW
Washington, DC 20001
9780309267700 $32.00 www.nap.edu

Educating Engineers: Preparing 21st Century Leaders in the Context of New Modes of Learning is the summary of a three-hour forum held in 2012 by the National Academy of Engineering. Questions directly addressed include "Should engineering education become more interdisciplinary?", "How can US scientific and technological literacy be improved?", "How can more children become interested in engineering?", and much more. "Speaking as an employer of engineers, Khan agreed with the need for more problem solving in education. Rigor in education is useful, but if not done properly, it can squeeze out creativity, he said. He often talks with students from top engineering schools, but when he asks them what they have built, he finds that they have simply done problem sets and projects that were already well defined. 'That's one of our main filters for people: if they ever created anything.'" Color photographs of the forum participants intersperse this brief but enlightening gathering of visionary ideas for preparing the next generation of America's engineers.

Teaching STEM in the Early Years
Sally Moomaw
Redleaf Press
10 Yorkton Court
St. Paul, MN 55117-1065
9781605541211, $39.95, www.redleafpress.org

The early years are prime grounds for educational success. "Teaching STEM in the Early Years: Activities for Integrating Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics" is a guide for encouraging the basic fundamentals of these points of education, using many simple activities in the classroom, in the kitchen, outdoors, field trips, and much more. With plenty of photographs and illustrations throughout, "Teaching STEM in the Early Years" is an invaluable resource for early childhood educators who are looking to more completely round their curriculum.

American Indian Educators in Reservation Schools
Terry Huffman
University of Nevada Press
Mail Stop 0166
Reno, NV, 89557-0166
9780874179071, $34.95, www.unpress.nevada.edu

Education is invaluable, and the Native Americans who call their independent reservations realize this as well. "American Indian Educators in Reservation Schools" discusses the educational concerns in American Indian reservations across the country, who commonly deal with their own matters, subject only to federal regulations like the No Child Left Behind act. Discussing cultural issues that concern many of these schools, and the added weight put on these teachers in their community, "American Indian Educators" is a strong addition to education and Native studies collections, a core addition for community and college libraries.

Common Sense Assessment in the Classroom
Lynda Rice
Shell Education
5301 Oceanus Drive
Huntington Beach, CA 92649-1030
9781452806903, $21.99, www.shelleducation.com

Realizing what was learned is an important part of the educational process. "Common Sense Assessment in the Classroom" discusses new approaches to instruction and how teachers and administrators can more effectively reach out to their students and better understand their progress in a curriculum. With plenty of practical and traditional information as well as new ideas throughout, "Common Sense Assessment in the Classroom" is a core addition to any educational studies reference collection, enthusiastically recommended.

Common Core Standards for Middle School Mathematics
Amitra Schwols & Kathleen Dempsey
ASCD
1703 North Beauregard Street
Alexandria, VA 22311-1714
9781416614647, $22.95, www.ascd.org

Middle School is the last preparation for the tough gauntlet of mathematics. "Common Core Standards for Middle School Mathematics: A Quick-Start Guide" is an educational reference and curriculum guide from educational professionals Amitra Schwols & Kathleen Dempsey as they advise teachers on building a more effective set of standards for math and academics on many levels, dealing with the common concepts that will prepare students for high level mathematics in high school and let them face real world problems. "Common Core Standards for Middle School Mathematics" is a must for curriculum reference collections for educators and administrators.

Step-by-Step Professional Development in Technology
Sarah T. Meltzer
Eye On Education
6 Depot Way West
Larchmont, NY 10538
9781596671980, $29.95, www.eyeoneducation.com

As technology advances, businesses ride to flourish alongside them. "Step-by-Step Professional Development in Technology" seeks to advise leaders in education on how to keep their teachers and other professionals on the cutting edge of technology, fully understanding how to use it to further education in practical and wise ways. Chapters discuss building a technology educational plan for immediate and long term use, as well as identifying the technology literacy of one's school. "Step-by-Step Professional Development in Technology" is a must for educational reference collections, highly recommended.

An Introduction to Dewey, Montessori, Erikson, Piaget & Vygotsky
Carol Garhart Mooney
Redleaf Press
10 Yorkton Court
St. Paul, MN 55117-1065
9781605541389, $24.95, www.redleafpress.org

Young minds are intuitive and very much willing to learn. "An Introduction to Dewey, Montessori, Erikson, Piaget, & Vygotsky: Theories of Childhood" explores the many ideas behind how the human mind learns, the innate nature of our souls, and how to best understand the potential of child and help them grow and flourish into their own goals, taking notes from many acclaimed and revered childhood theorists. "An Introduction to Dewey, Montessori, Erikson, Piaget & Vygotsky" is a scholarly and vital addition to any collection focusing on theories in early childhood education.

Failure is Not an Option
Alan M. Blankstein
Corwin Press, Inc.
2455 Teller Road
Thousand Oaks, CA 91320-2218
9781452268279, $34.95, www.corwinpress.com

A school aims to allow all of its students to succeed, and succeed well. "Failure is Not an Option: 6 Principles That Advance Student Achievement in Highly Effective Schools" is a guide for educators and administrators who seek out to more greatly improve their schools using these strategies to help their schools flourish and improve up to the modern era more effectively. With plenty of resources to illustrate the methods used within, including a resource rich website, "Failure is Not an Option" focuses strongly on sustainable methods that will promote success for students for years to come.

First Class
Carole Marsh
Gallopade
PO Box 2779, Peachtree City, GA 30269
9780635105066, $14.95, www.gallopade.com

Education is invaluable, and it has changed much in the past century. "First Class: And the Amazing People and Companies That Wrought This 100-Year Transformation" analyzes the advancements of education over the past century, with Carole Marsh telling the story of these changes and how they came to be over all this times. With plenty of black and white photography throughout, "First Class" is a much recommended look at the changes in American schooling through the past century.

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

The third updated edition of Randy L. Joyner, William A. Rouse, and Allan A. Glatthorn's WRITING THE WINNING THESIS OR DISSERTATION: A STEP-BY-STEP GUIDE (9781452258782, $38.95) has been newly revised and updated for master's and doctoral students and provides key examples that break down the entire process into digestible components. From outlining the basic thesis and organizing work to collaborating, using technology, and typical problems that arise during all parts of the process, students receive a key to research, evaluation and writing that will carry them through the entire process. A 'must' for any college-level writer heading for the last round in their graduate studies. Gayle H. Gregory and Carolyn Chapman's DIFFERENTIATED INSTRUCTIONAL STRATEGIES: ONE SIZE DOESN'T FIT ALL (9781452260983, $32.95) provides teachers with a fine resource for putting differentiated instruction into practice. Now appearing in its third updated edition, this book offers new strategies, new updates, a Common Core lesson-planning template, and a larger format to accompany the same emphasis on instructional strategies that are fluid, not fixed. The result is a positive emphasis on creating a differentiated classroom structure, based on field studies and data. Any educator's library needs this update! William N. Bender and Laura B. Waller's COOL TECH TOOLS FOR LOWER TECH TEACHERS (9781452235530, $34.95) provides a fine resource using clear language and descriptions teachers can readily understand. Teachers perplexed by the latest technology that changes nearly monthly who want to incorporate the best new developments into their teaching strategies receive chapters that cover all the basics, from step-by-step implementation to using wikis, social networking apps, and podcasts. Sample lesson plans blend with keys to understanding how the same tools may be used in personal development, making this a clear winner. Rich Allen and Jenn Currie's U-TURN TEACHING: STRATEGIES TO ACCELERATE LEARNING AND TRANSFORM MIDDLE SCHOOL ACHIEVEMENT (9781412996464, $34.95) offers strategies to help middle schoolers participate in the classroom, and is based on Rich Allen's "Green Light" education strategies which link activities to learning. It's all based on research on how the adolescent brain learns and applies this research to classroom approaches for increased success. Chapters offer new approaches for blending brain-based learning into classrooms and curriculum and provide educators with all the tools needed to create a more effective, engaged classroom. The Teacher's Guide to Restorative Classroom Discipline by Luanna H. Meyer and Ian M. Evans (9781412998611, $36.95) tells how to build a positive classroom environment through the technique of restorative discipline, offering teachers a guide to creating a warm classroom community through a more effective approach to discipline. Step-by-step examples from real-world experiences accompany discussions of peer support, group problem solving, and collaborating with administrators on schoolwide behavior expectations, with chapters discussing how to manage individual interventions with students. The resulting proven, tested approach to classroom discipline is a top pick for any teacher considering an alternative approach. Thomas R. Guskey and Lee Ann Jung's ANSWERS TO ESSENTIAL QUESTIONS ABOUT STANDARDS, ASSESSMENTS, GRADING, & REPORTING (9781452235240, $24.00) provides a definitive guide to standards for new teachers struggling with Common Core State Standards initiatives, and provides a frame of reference to share with other educators. It shows how to understand the entire process of assessing, grading and reporting, links ideas to classroom applications proven in the field, and is arranged in a usable Q&A format for best advantage. Teachers can use this for at-a-glance referencing or can read through the entire book for a structured and clear course: either way, it's a winner! Lorna M. Earl's second updated edition of ASSESSMENT AS LEARNING; USING CLASSROOM ASSESSMENT TO MAXIMIZE STUDENT LEARNING (9781452242972, $31.95) uses clear explanations and cases to show how formative assessment processes can be used in the course of classroom instruction. From rubrics and lesson plans to chapter ideas for implementation, this offers a fully revised coverage that blends in the latest assessment techniques and case histories supporting them. Classroom teachers will find the specifics and real-world examples to be key to success. Douglas Llewellyn's second updated edition of TEACHING HIGH SCHOOL SCIENCE THROUGH INQUIRY AND ARGUMENTATION (9781452244457, $41.95) is for grades 9-12 and provides a new edition discussing the four key basics of science education and how to teach them. This second edition revises nearly all content and includes discussion of new science standards, more chapters on assessment, the questioning techniques that hold the most learning potential, new ideas for traditional labs, and much more. All the content is standards-based and all provides depth and fine insights into the process of teaching high school science, making for a solid reference for any educator's collection.

Redleaf Press
10 Yorkton Court
St. Paul, MN 55117-1065
www.redleafpress.org

Sharon Bergen, PhD and Rachel Robertson, MA's HEALTHY CHILDREN, HEALTHY LIVES: THE WELLNESS GUIDE FOR EARLY CHILDHOOD PROGRAMS (9781605540818, $29.95) offers a title packed with checklists to identify and rate six areas of wellness in children, and packs in research-based information to help evaluate and improve wellness in an early childhood program. From physical and emotional well-being to nutrition and safety, this covers everything from administering and understanding the effects of medications to transporting children safely and guiding their behaviors. Educators will find this a fine, all-encompassing guide. Deb Curtis and Margie Carter's ART OF AWARENESS, SECOND EDITION (9781605540863, $44.95) provides nine observation study sessions to help early childhood teachers assess their teaching effectiveness, and is a fine recommendation for teachers who want to refine their observational and assessment skills. Its techniques meld observation strategies with discussions of technology and assessment methods, and provides a booster course in early childhood management skills that will prove perfect for any early educator. Gaye Gronlund's PLANNING FOR PLAY, OBSERVATION, AND LEARNING IN PRESCHOOL AND KINDERGARTEN (9781605541136, $29.95) is a pick for early childhood collections focusing on teaching methods and offers step-by-step keys to blending learning groups into group activities and play. Teachers learn how to write lesson plans that are child-focused, how to assess children in new ways, and how to communicating learning during the course of a child's play session. With pages of illustration added to the minx, this is a fine compendium of keys to associating play with learning skills at the early childhood level, and will intrigue teachers looking to tailor their own programs.


The Business Shelf

The Professional Guide to Business Development
Stephen Newton
Kogan Page USA
1518 Walnut Street, Suite 1100
Philadelphia, PA 19102
97807494664534, $55.00, www.koganpageusa.com

Delivering excellent service is the most vital way to ensure repeat business in the future. "The Professional Guide to Business Development: How to Win Business in the Professional Services" is a guide for business leaders in connecting with their consumers on many services, and delivering that service adequately and effectively, communicating on a higher level with them, reaching out to new clients, and much more. With plenty of sage advice on expanding a business' future, "The Professional Guide to Business Development" is a strong addition to business management collections, a reference not to be overlooked.

Take Charge of Your Talent
Don Maruska and Jay Perry
Berrett-Koehler Publishers Inc.
235 Montgomery Street, Suite 650
San Francisco, CA 94104-2916
9781609947231, $19.95, www.bkconnection.com

Take Charge of Your Talent: Three Keys to Thriving in Your Career, Organization, and Life teaches different ways to identify opportunities and obstacles to success, shows how to create a personal brand backed with career-enriching pathways, and how to link personal development to career goals. Even high-performers report that much of their talent is untapped: imagine the possibilities if there were a clear path to unlocking the potential for greatness! Try this book and you might just find it!

Conscious Capitalism
John Mackey and Raj Sisodia
Harvard Business School Press
60 Harvard Way, Boston, MA 02163
9781422142206, $27.00, www.hbr.org/books

CONSCIOUS CAPITALISM: LIBERATING THE HEROIC SPIRIT OF BUSINESS comes from the Co-CEO of the successful Whole Foods Market who works with the co-founder of Conscious Capitalism to discuss the ethics of business pursuits. Business and capitalism can work together to create value for everyone, from investors to consumers: this is a collection of examples of such businesses that consider 'conscious capitalism' companies and why they are exceptional. The focus on higher purpose, stakeholder integration, conscious leadership and conscious culture makes for a powerful argument that business leaders can build on this model for better business success AND ethical pursuits. Businesses seeking a new model for achievement would do well to consider this approach, clearly outlined in CONSCIOUS CAPITALISM.

Amacom Books
1601 Broadway
New York, NY 10019
www.amacombooks.org

Edward T. Reilly's AMA BUSINESS BOOT CAMP: MANAGEMENT AND LEADERSHIP FUNDAMENTALS THAT WILL SEE YOU SUCCESSFULLY THROUGH YOUR CAREER (9780814420010, $25.95) gathers key management skills insights under one cover and provides a lit of the tasks and responsibilities involved in the daily course of managing people. It's been arranged to follow a manager's typical career course and offers a range of insights, from basic management skillsets and applications to handling staff changes and projects, thinking strategically, and forming a solid leadership image. Proven techniques and tactics accompany interactive exercises and opportunities for assessment, making this a solid guide for any aspiring leader who would do better, and a pick for business reference libraries catering to them. Mark Coulston and John Ullmen's REAL INFLUENCE: PERSUADE WITHOUT PUSHING AND GAIN WITHOUT GIVING IN (9780814420157, $24.95) is a pick for team leaders, project managers and all who would understand how to influence another in the best possible way - without bullying, wheedling or manipulation tactics. It comes from two executive coaches who have met people from diverse backgrounds and in many fields, and who here reveal the keys to better influential pathways. Chapters show how to keep values at the forefront of influencing others, and provide real-world accounts from their own coaching successes. Highly recommended for any business collection catering to managers.

The Zen of Social Media Marketing
Shama Kabani
BenBella Books
10300 N. Central Expressway, Ste 400
Dallas, TX 75204
9781937856151, $16.95, www.benbellabooks.com

The Zen of Social Media Marketing covers ways in which the social media environment differs from traditional marketing approaches, and comes from a social media expert and president of the web marketing firm The Marketing Zen Group. Chapters outline the popular social media tools and offer a step-by-step to how to use them - and what not to do. Proven strategies for business success come from the many businesses she works with, offering shortcuts to make the most from social media marketing efforts. The result is a solid guide to getting up and running in the medium, recommended for any business collection.

The Roadmap to Freedom
Chris McIntyre
Entrepreneur Press
c/o The McGraw Hill Companies
Two Penn Plaza, 11th Floor
New York, NY 10121-2298
9781599184937, $19.95, www.entrepreneurpress.com

Being the head of your own business is suppose to liberate you from the workday nightmares, not cause more. "The Roadmap to Freedom: A Small-Business Owner's Guide to Connecting People to a Core Message" is a guide for better business leadership and how to better make one's brand rise to the optimum standard. From good employee management, good accountability, and making the most out of the connection to customers, "The Roadmap to Freedom" is a must for anyone who wants to make their small business thrive.


The Religion/Spirituality Shelf

Feeding the Hungry Ghost
Ellen Kanner
New World Library
14 Pamaron Way, Novato, CA 94949
9781608681648, $15.95, www.newworldlibrary.com

Feeding the Hungry Ghost: Life, Faith, and What to Eat for Dinner blends humor with spirituality, cultural food insights, and the latest science on diet and health, blending in seasonal recipes for an added attraction in what amounts to a multifaceted guide blending spirituality with food. The "hungry ghost" of the title is a Tao concept of restless souls still hungry and seeking. Food alone doesn't satisfy the spirit - and spirituality alone doesn't satisfy the human body, either. Feeding the Hungry Ghost offers keys to eating mindfully, developing harmonious relationships in family and community, and more. Stories centered around seasons offer warm insights and address both spiritual and food-oriented habits. Recommended for culinary and spirituality holdings alike!

Modern Moral Problems
William B. Smith
Ignatius Press
PO Box 1339
Fort Collins, CO 80522
9781586176341, $18.95, www.ignatius.com

Morality seems harder and harder to fully understand. "Modern Moral Problems: Trustworthy Answers to Your Tough Questions" is a faith-driven philosophical guide; Msgr. William B. Smith who shares his writings on morality and the Catholic church. The modern world presents many new concepts that can be difficult to interpret under traditional reading of the Bible, and Smith tackles challenge. "Modern Moral Problems" is an enticing addition for readers who are faithful yet conflicted, recommended.

Science and Faith
John F. Haught
Paulist Press
997 MacArthur Boulevard
Mahwah, NJ 07430
9780809148066, $19.95, www.paulistpress.com

Science and faith are all too often pit against one another. "Science and Faith: A New Introduction" discusses the dialogue between religion and science and how these two concepts, once bound by intellectual pursuits, have diverged and are wrongfully enemies in many cases. An intriguing and scholarly delve into theology and how one does not have to sacrifice faith or choose to be ignorant of reality, "Science and Faith" is a strong addition to any religion, science, and theology collection, highly recommended.

For Everything A Season
Joan Chittister
Orbis Books
PO Box 308
Maryknoll, NY 10545-0308
9781626980198, $18.00, www.orbisbooks.com

There is a time for everything in our life, even with faith. "For Everything A Season" is a spiritual read from Joan Chittister as she takes her experience and knowledge as a figure of women in religious thought, presenting her wisdom of life and living and how to bring it all together in her life. With plenty to ponder the great gift of life and how to use it, "For Everything A Season" is a strong addition to any faith driven Christian studies collection, recommended.

Death As Gateway to Eternity
Hans Kury
World Wisdom
1501 East Hillside Drive
Bloomington, IN 47401
9781936597215, $17.95, www.worldwisdom.com

Trying to understand where we are in the bigger picture of the world often challenges our views on the world. "Death as a Gateway to Eternity: Nature's Hidden Message" is a spiritual read, republished from the works of Hans Kury, a Swiss writer and translator who offers insight onto the nature of life, death, and living. With a good dose of insight and humor, "Death as a Gateway to Eternity" is well worth considering for spirituality readers.

Enticed By Eden
Linda S. Schearing and Valarie H. Ziegler
Baylor University Press
PO Box 97363
Waco, TX 76798
9781602585430, $24.95, www.baylorpress.com

The story of Adam and Eve speaks to Western society on a very primal level. "Enticed By Eden: How Western Culture Uses, Confuses, (and Sometimes Abuses) Adam and Eve" looks at the mythos behind the first couple of the Judeo-Christian philosophy. Exploring and trying to gain a more complete interpretation of this keystone story and how it has so strongly influenced our society, "Enticed By Eden" is a fascinating and insightful look at the roots of Western culture, and how one story speaks to it on so many levels.


The Art Shelf

Into The Light
Susan Beilby Magee
Hard Press Editions/Posterity Press
c/o Hudson Hills Press
3556 Main Street, Manchester, VT 05254
Newman Communications (publicity)
www.hudsonhills.com
9781555953850, $50.00, www.amazon.com

Born in Latvia in 1924, Kalman Aron was an artistic prodigy who at the age of 13 was commissioned to paint the portrait of Latvia's president. "Into the Light: The Healing Art of Kalman Aron" by Susan Beilby Magee (who as a six year old girl had her portrait painted by Kalman Aron) has written a superbly illustrated history of the life and accomplishments of Kalman Aron including his experiences under the Nazi Holocaust of World War II, his coming to America in 1949, his remarkable string of portrait commissions by American politicians and celebrities. Part memoir, part coffee-table art book, "Into the Light: The Healing Art of Kalman Aron" showcases a true 20th Century artistic talent in an impressively produced volume that is enthusiastically recommended for personal, community, and academic library 20th Century Art & Artists reference collections and supplemental reading lists.

Watercolor Paintings
Tom Hoffmann
Watson Guptill Publications
c/o The Crown Publishing Group
1745 Broadway, 17th floor
New York, NY 10019
9780823006731, $35.00, www.wgpub.com

Watercolor painting has a distinct style, and capturing its essence can bring us far. "Watercolor Paintings: A Comprehensive Approach to Mastering the Medium" discusses how to better master the styles and colors of the watercolor, as Tom Hoffman presents many examples and inspirations among a how to guide for rookie water color painters who want to most effectively capture the artistry of the paints, understanding the physics of water, paint, and paper, and much more. A solid reference as well as an artistic coffee table book, "Watercolor Paintings" is a must for art and reference collections, not to be missed.

Subverting Modernism
Julia R. Myers
Wayne State University Press
The Leonard N. Simons Building
4809 Woodward Avenue
Detroit, MI 48201-1309
9780912042978 $24.95 http://wsupress.wayne.edu

Subverting Modernism: Cass Corridor Revisited, 1966-1980 is an art exhibition catalog created as a companion to the titular show scheduled to be at Eastern Michigan University in the spring of 2013. Full-color photographs of the artworks, paired with scholarly evaluations, fill this examination of the artistic revival that permeated the Cass Corridor (near Wayne State University in Detroit) in the 1960's and 1970's. Sculptures, paintings, and a diversity of original media such as patterns crafted entirely from black tape pepper mark Subverting Modernism as a distinctive and eye-opening collection that strongly reflects a cultural transformation in the perception of modern art. Recommended as a choice pick for college library contemporary art studies shelves.

Flowers in Art
Cindy Ann Coldiron
Schiffer Publishing Ltd.
4880 Lower Valley Road
Atglen, PA 19310
9780764342394, $29.99, www.schifferbooks.com

Flowers, common in nature, prove to be an inspiration in art for the centuries. "Flowers in Art: Contemporary International Artists" views floral inspirations in art in modern works in photography, painting, sculptures, and other mediums of art as Cindy Ann Coldiron does well in compiling the works of these many artists, capturing their methods far and well, presenting all of it full color. For those with a love of floral design, "Flowers in Art" is a strongly recommended addition to art collections, highly recommended.

Philosophy of Art
David Boersema
Westview Press
2465 Central Avenue, Boulder, CO 80301
9780813347196, $42.00, www.westviewpress.com

Philosophy of Art: Aesthetic Theory and Practice blends short excerpts from primary sources on art and philosophy with a review accessible to college-level readers new to philosophy and provides an intriguing survey examining artwork, artistry, and the social aspects of creating and display art forms. Chapters are scholarly yet easily accessible to newcomers to art and philosophy, offering candid assessments that consider the social aspects of art and its display. Philosophy and arts holdings alike will find it a fine crafted account.


The Health/Medicine Shelf

Cancer Caregiver Roles
John J. Garnand
Family Caregiving LLC
130 E Turner Avenue, Berthoud, CO 80513-3800
c/o Bohlsen Group (publicity)
www.bohlsengroup.com
9781452553450, softcover $98.98, ebook $3.99, www.amazon.com

Even thought some cancers are diminishing due to the reduction of tobacco usages among Americans, cancer still impacts over a million new patients every year. Each of those patients will have care givers, usually family members, helping them with medical support, insurance and financial management, and household management. In "Cancer Caregiver Roles", author John J. Garnand provides informed and informative information concerning these three essential care taking roles. This detailed and thoroughly 'user friendly' instruction guide will prove invaluable for anyone finding themselves assuming care taking responsibilities for a loved one dealing with the multiple health and life issues that cancer compels from monitoring medical treatment side effects, to financial resources for those without health insurance, to physical therapy, to care giver relief from 24/7 coverage. Simply stated, "Cancer Caregiver Roles" should be brought to the attention and made available to anyone and everyone wanting to help when a friend or family member is dealing with this sometimes curable, sometimes lethal medical condition.

Quick Check Guide to Gluten-Free Foods
Linda McDonald
Barron's
250 Wireless Boulevard
Hauppauge, NY 11788
9781438002422, $8.99, www.barronseduc.com

Gluten intolerance is a growing problem for many. "Quick Check Guide to Gluten-Free Foods" is a health and nutrition guide for those with a gluten intolerance. Chapters describe how to best avoid the ubiquitous presence of gluten, providing an excellent reference guide to countless common foods all throughout our super markets. "Quick Check Guide to Gluten-Free Foods" is a treasury of knowledge especially for those who need to shop for people on a gluten-free diet.

The Essential Guide to Hysterectomy
Lauren F. Streicher
M. Evans
c/o Rowman & Littlefield Publishing Group
4501 Forbes Blvd., Suite 200
Lanham, MD 20706
9781590772119, $22.95, www.rlpgbooks.com

Hysterectomy - the word alone is enough to make women tremble. "The Essential Guide to Hysterectomy: Advice from a Gynecologist On Your Choices Before, During, and After Surgery" is a comprehensive guide for any woman facing this daunting procedure as nationally renown gynecologist Dr. Lauren F. Streicher offers scholarly and comprehensive insight into the process, answering all the questions surrounding the procedure and what will change about our lives. "The Essential Guide to Hysterectomy" is a strongly recommended reference for any woman who wants to arm themselves with knowledge, not to be missed.

How to Keep Your Doctor Happy
John Larkin
Sandstone Press
c/o Dufour Editions, Inc.
PO Box 7
Chester Springs, PA 19425-0007
9781908737113, $16.95, www.victoriafifield.co.uk

Working with one's doctor is vital for creating a better and more harmonious health environment. "How to Keep Your Doctor Happy: Top Tips for Perfect Patients" is a humorous yet helpful guide on building a good patient-practitioner relationship to help one another more effectively, and unlocking the secret of a healthy doctor to a healthy patient. "How to Keep Your Doctor Happy" is a strong addition to health and self-help collections, much recommended.

Stronger After Stroke
Peter G. Levine
Demos Medical Publishing
11 West 42nd Street, 15th Floor
New York, NY 10036
9781936303472, $19.95, www.demosmedpub.com

A stroke is a major event that can permanently change your life. "Stronger After Stroke: Your Roadmap to Recovery" is a manual from stroke recovery researcher Peter G. Levine as he advises readers on how to best deal with their health issues and find their ways to recover and succeed, and live their lives as fully as they could before the stroke. "Stronger After Stroke" is a must for health and wellness collections, especially for those with a focus on age related disorders.

Handbook of Clinical Psychopharmacology for Therapists, seventh edition
John D. Preston, PsyD, ABPP, et.al.
New Harbinger Press
5674 Shattuck Avenue, Oakland, CA 94609
9781608826643, $59.95, www.newharbinger.com

The seventh updated edition of Handbook of Clinical Psychopharmacology for Therapists has been newly revised to provide details on the latest new medications and treatment options and adds in the latest research on side effects, contraindications, and applications of all major medications prescribed for mental health disorders. A new chapter on the effects of withdrawing from these medications has been added for this version, complimenting insights such as how medications affect different age groups and how different cultures view medical treatment options. Any clinician needs this in-depth guide!

Stop Dieting and Start Losing Weight
Jen Brewer
Cedar Fort, Inc.
2373 West 700 South
Springville, Utah 84663
9781462110635, $12.99, www.cedarfort.com

Health comes through lifestyle changes, not crash diets. "Stop Dieting and Start Losing Weight" is a health and wellness guide from Jen Brewer who offers good wisdom from on life and living and attaining that higher level of health that seek by making easy and permanent lifestyle changes for better health. With plenty of practical tips and black and white photography throughout, "Stop Dieting and Start Losing Weight" is a must for general wellness collections, highly recommended.


The Technology Shelf

Kindle Fire HD: The Missing Manual, updated edition
Peter Meyers
O'Reilly & Associates, Inc.
1005 Gravenstein, Hwy N.
Sebastopol, CA 95472-2811
9781449357290, $19.99, www.oreilly.com

The Kindle Fire is full of entertainment and utility for those who know how to get the most out of it. "Kindle Fire HD: The Missing Manual" is an updated edition from Peter Meyers who advises readers on how to better understand the versatile Kindle Fire and use it well beyond being a colorful e-book reader, by watching TV, browsing the web, and even using it as a helpful hand for working. "Kindle Fire HD" is a strong addition to any technology reference collection, and very much recommended for Kindle Fire users everywhere.

Artech House
685 Canton Street
Norwood, MA 02062
www.artechhouse.com

The second updated edition of Hiroyuki Arai's MOBILE ANTENNA SYSTEMS (9781608075416, $129.00) offers a completely revised and updated edition of a popular classic and is a strong recommendation for engineering collections that have seen popularity with the first title. It offers important new material in keys areas that engineers working with mobile antenna systems just can't miss, including mobile phone usage position and MIMO antennas. It also considers theories, measurement procedures, and covers various characteristics and simulator systems, packing in over a hundred illustrations and accompanying equations. A 'must' for any electronics engineering reference library! Such collections will also come to consider Christophe Basso's DESIGNING CONTROL LOOPS FOR LINEAR AND SWITCHING POWER SUPPLIES: A TUTORIAL GUIDE (9781608075577, $139.00) a key acquisition, discussing loop control for modern electronics engineers. Where other books would focus on theory, this one considers the basics engineers need to know for stabilizing a control system. It comes packed with illustrations and design specs, includes formulas to help engineers with projects, and covers the basics of control loop applications in a guide that tells how to analyze systems, verify prototypes, and develop tested safety margins that work. Packed with examples and applications, this is an electronic developer's ideal reference. Milorad Cvijetic and Ivan B. Djordjevic's ADVANCED OPTICAL COMMUNICATION SYSTEMS AND NETWORKS (9781608075553, $149.00) provides optical communications professionals with a fine survey of 5th generation photonic systems. Chapters cover tested, time-saving approaches for network modeling, offer details on transmission systems and networks, and consider coding schemes and more, pairing concepts with basic applications for high-speed digital signal processing. The result is a solid survey that provides all the illustrations, basic concepts, and field applications needed to develop and fine-tune advanced optical communications systems. Alenka Zajic's MOBILE-T0-MOBILE WIRELESS CHANNELS (9781608074952, $139.00) considers modern mobile community systems and increased consumer demand for better coverage, and discusses emerging technologies and their applications. Professionals and engineers receive guidance for implementing these modern wireless systems, discussing signal propagation, channel models, and applications for underwater communications, air-to-ground needs, and more. A DVD offers time-saving MATLAB code for these models that engineers can use in the field, making this an invaluable survey for any engineering collection. Eric E. Johnson, et.al.'s THIRD-GENERATION AND WIDEBAND HF RADIO COMMUNICATIONS (9781608075034, $139.00) is written by the developers of the new 21st century high frequency radio technology and offers a powerful resource to the new potentials and technical details of 3G and WBHF waveforms. Engineering professionals receive a guide which packs in nearly two hundred illustrations and teaches the basics of using the new technology for voice and data, showing how to move beyond infrastructure needs to communicate beyond line of sight from moving platforms and over long distances. From new US and NATO standards for HF radio communications to the future of this technology's direction, this is a fine guide for any engineering collection strong in radio communications theory and applications.


The Cookbook Shelf

One-Pot Wonders
Clifford A. Wright, author
John Wiley & Sons
111 River St., Hoboken, NJ 07030
9780470615362, $23.99, www.wiley.com

"One-Pot Wonders" introduces 250 fresh, exciting main dish meals that are symbolically coded by the type of single cooking vessel used, from flameproof baking casserole to paella pan to tagine or wok. A sepia colored outline of the pot constitutes the appropriate symbol at the upper left corner of each recipe. And what a great assortment of one-pot wonders we have for recipes: stellar examples include meatball and Spinach Soup, Cocido, Bean and Cabbage Stew, Catalan Chicken and Seafood Paella, Meatball Tagine, Rice With Duck and Sausage, Stir-Fried Chile Chicken with Eggplant, Rice Casserole with Quail and Sausage, Turkey Vindaloo, Southwest Turkey Bake, Spicy Bluefish and Shrimp Stew, and Bullinada. All recipes list ingredients in standard measurements on the left page, with clearly written step by step instructions on the right. Introductory descriptions include comments about the recipe's origin and tips for adapting it to specialized tastes. Typical of the talents of the chef author, many recipes tackle unusual ingredient combinations with an authentic ethnic twist or tradition, sometimes multiple traditions and flavorings. The result is predictably unusual and delicious. For a one-pot culinary reference or even a small ethnic encyclopedia, "One-Pot Wonders" surely more than fills the bill. Many recipes are adapted from gourmet sources and publications such as Bon Appetit or Food and Wine magazines, or others, made accessible and easy for the home chef to tackle and prepare. "One-Pot Wonders" is the ideal crockpot replacement text for newly adventurous cooks desiring to expand their repertoires and palates.

Clean Eating for Busy Families
Michelle Dudash
Fair Winds Press
c/o Quayside Publishing Group
400 First Avenue North, Suite 300
Minneapolis, MN 55401-1721
9781592335145, $19.99, www.quaysidepublishinggroup.com

Good health and wellness isn't exclusive for those who can cook for hours all day. "Clean Eating for Busy Families" is a cookbook for families who want to make clean eating a habit when the hectic nature of life seems intent on preventing them from realizing such things. Michelle Dudash presents a compilation of recipes dedicated to be clean cooking, made from non-processed ingredients in a matter of a half hour or less. With full color photography spread throughout and recipes like beef and vegetable tacos, spinach-ricotta calzones, macaroni & cheesy cauliflower sauce, "Clean Eating for Busy Families" is a choice addition to any family cookbook collection dedicated to healthier yet quick meals.

The Ultimate Soups & Stews Book
Better Homes & Gardens
c/o Wiley Cookbooks
215 Park Avenue South
New York, NY 10003
9781118335611, $19.99, www.hmhpub.com

A good soup or stew can prove healthy and filling. "The Ultimate Soups & Stews Book" is a guide for those who want to make a wide array of bowl based cuisine presenting plenty of ideas on getting the most out of a meal, with ideas from the simple chicken noodle soup, to chilis, to Jambalaya, and countless ideas in between. With over four hundred recipes and presented in full color all throughout, "The Ultimate Soups & Stews Book" is a must for cookbook collections, highly recommended. For dessert, also from Better Homes and Gardens, is "Cupcakes" (9781118292693, $19.99) laying out one hundred and fifty innovative cupcake recipes to get the most treat out of a tiny little cup.

The Anti -Breast Cancer Cookbook
Julia B. Greer, MD, MPH
Sunrise River Press
30066 Grand Avenue, North Branch, MN 55056
9781934716335, $19.95, www.sunriseriverpress.com

"The Anti -Breast Cancer Cookbook: How to Cut Your Risks with the Most Powerful Cancer-Fighting Foods" is the second cookbook by the author, Julia Greer, written as a companion cookbook to her previous best selling cookbook, "The Anti-Cancer Cookbook." The author's impeccable credentials include an epidemiologist's experience and study of pancreatic, ovarian and breast cancers, and her research led her to present her findings practical preventive recommendations in a single guide/recipe collection which includes both risk reduction strategies and practices and over 200 healthy recipes using ingredients easily available at local farmers' markets. In "The Anti-Breast Cancer Cookbook," Chapters one focuses on the types, onset and definition of breast cancer plus ways to reduce the risk for breast cancer while chapter two presents the role of diet in breast cancer, ending with a list of takeaways which include such recommendations as: "Concentrate on eating fewer animal products and more plant-derived foods, avoid transfats, maintain a healthy weight and exercise daily if possible, eat a varied diet with lots of richly colored fruits and vegetables, nuts, legumes, leafy green and cruciferous vegetables and lower fat (preferably organic) versions of dairy products, and many more. Chapter three contains the majority of the book, which is over 185 pages of recipes for healthy foods, with handy visual symbols or codes for vegan, vegetarian, and gluten-free. Recipes are sorted into muffins, breads and breakfast foods, dips and sauces, side dishes, soups and salads, casual dining: burgers, tacos, sandwiches and more, main dishes, desserts and beverages. Nutritional information for each recipe is presented in a grey shaded sidebar on each page. Ingredients are listed first with standard measurements, and preparation is presented in simple paragraph format. Occasional introductory comments will describe the recipe's uses further, or add more information about its taste and potential use. Some tasty examples of recipes include Lamb-Herb Marinade for Fish, Toasted Pumpkin-Seed Pesto, Squash Risotto with Arugula, Chicken and Navy Bean Salad, Spicy Turkey Relleno Burgers, Penne with Summer Squash, Zucchini and Sugar Snap Peas, Roasted Barbecued Wild Salmon, Steamed Asian Halibut with Sesame Kale, and for dessert, Blueberry Yogurt Tart or Whole-Wheat Dark Chocolate Chip-Nut Cookies. Here is a great variety, indeed a wealth of gourmet recipes to try, with an emphasis on the best of seasonal produce, that will enhance the daily health of its fans and devourers. For breakfast, why not try Walnut, Date and Fennel Scones; for lunch how about Asian Sesame Salad with Soba Noodles? Many delicious side dishes and entrees are offered for the healthy consumer's delight.

I Love Cinnamon Rolls!
Judith Fertig, author
Andrews McMeel Publishing
1130 Walnut Street, Kansas City MO 64106
9781449420697, $19.99, www.andrewsmcmeel.com

"I Love Cinnamon Rolls!" is a fantastic collection of cinnamon pastry recipes, spanning from the traditional versions of Easy Cinnamon Rolls, Old-Fashioned Cinnamon Rolls, and No-Knead Cinnamon Rolls to the more unusual Thin Strudel Dough Cinnamon Rolls, and even including Vegan Cinnamon Rolls and Gluten-Free Cinnamon Rolls. Additions for new appetites include Whole Wheat Cinnamon Rolls and you have a complete array of delicious cinnamon goodness in so many fragrant guises. Filled with beautiful color photos of finished products, "I Love Cinnamon Rolls!" is a fabulous cinnamon pastry cookbook for all kinds of home chefs. If you have a chance, try Cardamom- and Cinnamon-scented Swedish Tea Ring, or Going Bananas Vegan Cinnamon Rolls, or even Carrot Cake Cinnamon Rolls with Pineapple-Cream Cheese Frosting in addition to the tried and true Big-As-A-Plate Cinnamon Rolls with Gooey Frosting. You will never regret tasting a single bite from any recipe in this cookbook.

The Digest Diet Cookbook
Liz Vaccariello
Reader's Digest Trade Publishing
44 South Broadway
White Plains, NY 10601
9781621450252 $26.99 www.rdtradepublishing.com

The Digest Diet Cookbook gathers 150 brand new, low-calorie recipes that balance convenience and nutrition, illustrated with a handful of color photographs. Healthful dishes such as Roast Herb-Rubbed Turkey Breast, Red Quinoa Salad with Avocado, Frozen Berry Terrine, Butternut Breakfast Bread, Roasted Pepper Soup with Basil Meatballs and much more provide a sumptuous delicacy for every occasion. Excellent, user-friendly tips for mixing and matching recipes, making the best use of leftovers, and maximizing the lean potential of a well-planned diet round out this wonderful year-round cookbook that can be adapted to suit any meal plan. Highly recommended for practical cookbook collections, The Digest Diet Cookbook also includes a free one-year subscription to Reader's Digest magazine!

Green Smoothie Joy: Recipes for Living, Loving, and Juicing Green
Cressida Elias, author
Skyhorse Publishing
307 West 36th Street, 11th Floor
New York, NY 10018
9781620872932, $14.95, www.skyhorsepublishing.com

"Green Smoothie Joy" is a fantastic variety of innovative smoothie recipes that boost health, nutrition, detox and weight loss goals in one single delicious beverage that is easy to consume. In addition to over 120 pages of delicious smoothie recipes in multiple categories, there are color photos of freshly prepared smoothies with attractive garnishes, plus added information on basic smoothie awareness such as tips on smoothie makers and juicers, consistency cues or suggestions, taste enhancing tips, and ideas for using milks, nuts, protein powder, yogurt and other thickeners to add nutritional value and thickness. Tons of nutritious smoothie recipes are included, such as Tropical Sweet Green Smoothie, Blackberry & Date Green Smoothie, Apple & Pear Power Green Smoothie, Berry Rocket Green Smoothie, and Dandelion & Apple Green Smoothie. Every recipe lists ingredients in standard measurements on the left, and gives rather extra complete nutritional in a sidebar at the bottom of the page. Preparing and consuming delicious smoothies daily is a great way to boost health, easily increase variety of fruit and vegetable consumption, and enhance detox, digestion, weight loss, and smooth body system functioning. For all these and more added benefits, and also for the fun of it all, read and follow the recipes and recommendations of "Green Smoothie Joy," a fabulous smoothie collection put together by a dedicated smoothie chef and mom.

Classic Snacks
Casey Barber
Ulysses Press
PO Box 3440
Berkeley CA 94703-3440
9781612431215, $17.95, www.ulyssespress.com

With a little knowledge, one can capture the tastes of fast food and pre-packaged stuff and better at home. "Classic Snacks Made From Scratch: 70 Homemade Versions of Your Favorite Brand-Name Treats" is a guide for those who want to try to emulate and improve their favorite dishes by using better and all natural ingredients in the process. From favorites like the Twinkie, to regional treats like the Tastykake, to finger foods like Jalapeno poppers, "Classic Snacks Made From Scratch" is a treasure with full color photography all throughout.

How To Boil An Egg
Rose Bakery
Phaidon Press
180 Varick Street, 14th floor
New York, NY 10014
www.phaidon.com
9780714862415, $35.00, www.amazon.com

It's a sad cook indeed that cannot boil an egg. But it will be a popular family kitchen chef that will be able to produce 84 different ways to serve eggs to their family be they poached, scrambled, fried, baked, or steamed. All with the help of "How To Boil An Egg", a 136 page illustrated compendium of 'kitchen cook friendly' recipes guaranteed to please any palate and satisfy any appetite. Providing a culinary wealth of tips and techniques, the recipes range from Green Fried Eggs; Lemon Pancakes; Three-Coloured Frittata; and an Egg & Cress Salad; to Scotch Eggs; Green Tea Genoise; Semolina Pudding; and A Simple Apple Flan. Of special note are the recipes for Bearnaise Sauce, Hollandaise Sauce, and home-made Mayonnaise. Whether for Breakfast, Lunch, or Tea Time, "How To Boil An Egg" will prove to be an enduringly popular addition to personal, family, and community library cookbook collections!

The Best Things You Can Eat
David Grotto, RD, LDN
Da Capo Press
c/o Perseus Books Group
11 Cambridge Center, Cambridge, MA 02142
9780738215969, $15.99, www.dacapopress.com

The Best Things You Can Eat provides an in-depth guide to nutrition and foods that energize and heal, consider such elements as which foods help control blood pressure, what is the best variety of nut to eat, and more. From vital nutrients and foods for combating various ailments to food groups highest in nutritional content, this draws important connections between food properties and health, exposing the underlying benefits of various foods and even providing some unusual information - such as the fact that French fries are as high in potassium as lentils. Any collection strong in nutrition and health needs this solid connection between food choices and optimum health.

Fire in My Belly
Kevin Gillespie with David Joachim
Andrews McMeel Publishing
1130 Walnut Street, Kansas City, MO 64106-2109
9781449411435, $40.00, www.andrewsmcmeel.com

FIRE IN MY BELLY: REAL COOKING provides a wonderful cookbook featuring Top Chef fan favorite Kevin Gillespie, who uses some 120 original recipes and techniques to blend ingredients of the South with methods of grilling and braising to bring out the best flavors in foods. Over 350 color photos pack a Southern cookbook filled with terminology, techniques and ideas. Ingredient-inspired recipes and essays accompany dishes such as Glazed Root Vegetables, Coca-Cola Braised Pot Roast, and Tomato Salad with Smoky Melon and Spicy Salami. The result is a powerful collection of original creations and refinements on Southern cooking, highly recommended for any cookbook collection.


The Relationship Shelf

How to Create Chemistry with Anyone
Leil Lowndes
Da Capo Press
c/o Perseus Books Group
11 Cambridge Center, Cambridge, MA 02142
9780738214849, $16.00, www.dacapopress.com

How to Create Chemistry with Anyone: 75 Ways to Spark It Fast... and Make it Last will be a winner for any general lending library and comes from a communications expert who explores the basics of human attraction and how to create and sustain that attraction with almost anyone. Chemistry is part of any relationship and can lead to love and commitment. It's affected by genetics and past experiences and always changes: that said, there's much that can be done to influence this chemistry, and How to Create Chemistry with Anyone discusses this facet. Over seventy simple communication strategies and techniques come form some twenty years in the field of human behavior and teaches how to understand and influence love.

You Lost Him at Hello
Jess McCann
Health Communications, Inc.
3201 S.W. 15th Street
Deerfield Beach, FL 33442-8190
9780757317439, $14.95, www.hcibooks.com

First impressions mean all too much. "You Lost Him at Hello: From Dating to 'I Do', Secret Strategies from One of America's Top Dating Coaches" is a dating guide from Jess McCann as she advises readers on how to best present themselves to help them find their ultimate future husband, realizing that their future is closer at hand than they may truly understand. From realizing what a guy wants, making yourself attractive, and moving with confidence, "You Lost Him at Hello" is worth considering for those struggling with the weirdness of the dating pool.


The Jobs/Career Shelf

The Million-Dollar Race
Kirk Hallowell
Greenleaf Book Group Press
PO Box 91869
Austin, TX 78709
9781608324002, $22.95, www.greenleafbookgroup.com

Happiness is more than a paycheck. "The Million-Dollar Race: An Insider's Guide to Winning Your Dream Job" is a fine advisory from Kirk Hallowell as he advises readers to better hunt down their dream job, find the opportunities they seek, consider their ethics and morals, and find the perfect balance of happiness in their life. "The Million-Dollar Race" is a strong addition to business and career collections, not to be missed.


The Parenting Shelf

The Case for Children
Simcha Weinstein
Barricade Books, Inc.
185 Bridge Plaza North, Suite 308-A
Fort Lee, NJ 07024
9781569804742, $16.00, www.barricadebooks.com

Parenthood is another stage of life for most, but what does it mean to us as individuals? "The Case for Children: Why Parenthood Makes Your World Better" is an advocacy for parenting and parenthood as Rabbi Simcha Weinstein who advocates the personal benefits of being a parenting and how parenting makes us and our world a better place. "The Case for Children" is a choice addition for anyone considering their status on becoming a parent, recommended.


The Music Shelf

The Geometry Of Musical Rhythm
Godfried T. Toussaint
CRC Press
6000 NW Broken Sound Parkway NW, Suite 300
Boca Raton, FL 33487
www.crcpress.com
9781466512023, $39.95, www.amazon.com

Music is mathematical. Music is patterns. Music is rhythmical. What makes some music pleasant and engaging while other music is decidedly unpleasant and repellent. Why is one person's masterpiece of music another person's 'jangle of noise'? With respect to the rhythmic composition of a piece of music, that is the focus of "The Geometry of Musical Rhythm: What Makes a "Good" Rhythm Good?" by Godfried T. Toussaint. This is a 365 page compendium that provides a science-based explanation that begins with the definition of 'rhythm', 'beat', 'meter' and more, then proceeds with the classification of rhythms, the isomorphism of rhythm and scale, syncopated rhythms, thorough a complete analysis of rhythms and rhythm combinations. Of special note is the chapter focused upon the 'Evolution and Phylogenesis of Music Rhythm'. A work of seminal scholarship, exceedingly well presented with illustrative drawings by Yang Liu, "The Geometry Of Musical Rhythm" is enhanced with an Epilogue, an extended list of references, and a comprehensive index, making it very highly recommended for professional and academic library Musicology reference collections and supplementary reading lists.

Johann Leisentrit's Geistliche Lider Und Psalment, 1567
Richard Wetzel & Erika Heitmeyer
Fairleigh Dickinson University Press
285 Madison Avenue, Madison, NJ 07940
www.rowman.com
9781611475500, $90.00, www.amazon.com

Johann Leisentrit was a 16th century Roman Catholic Priest who, while serving as dean at the Cathedral of St. Peter's in Bautzen, Germany, compiled a hymnal for Catholic congregations in response to the sacred music hymnals that were being created for Protestant congregations. Leisentrif's book of vernacular hymns was published in three successive complete editions in 1567, 1573, and 1584. Abridged editions were published in 1575, 1576, and 1589. This was all in the hopes of bringing back members of the Lutheran congregations to the Roman Catholic Church. May of the approximately 260 texts set to 175 notated melodies were adaptations drawn from Protestant sources. "Johann Leisentrit's Geistliche Lieder und Psalmen, 1567: Hymnody of the Counter-Reformation in Germany" by the academic team of Richard Wetzel (School of Music of Ohio University, Athens, Ohio) and Erika Heitmeyer (former Director of Studies at Gymnasium Schools, Dortmund, Germany) is a 380 page compendium providing a comprehensive and seminal study in English of the work of Johann Lesigntrit and his work in the wake of the Council of Trent, as well as providing insight into the relationship between Catholics and Lutherans in 16th century Europe. Informed, informative, enhanced with six appendices, an extensive bibliography, and a comprehensive index, "Johann Leisentrit's Geistliche Lieder und Psalmen, 1567: Hymnody of the Counter-Reformation in Germany" is a critically significant and highly recommended addition to academic library Musicology, Renaissance Music History, Catholic History, and 16th Century European Reformation History reference collections and supplemental reading lists.

Nashville Steeler
Don Davis
Schiffer Publishing Ltd.
4880 Lower Valley Road, Atglen, PA 19310
9780764342790, $19.99, www.schifferbooks.com

NASHVILLE STEELER: MY LIFE IN COUNTRY MUSIC offers a true story of the rise of country music and comes from a 1940s band musician and author, who became a music business executive and worked with Johnny Cash, the Carter Family, and many others. From colorful personalities on and off stage to recording studios and fans, this pairs over 100 photos documenting country music experiences with the author's personal stories and associations, and is a pick for any collection seeing popularity with country music history and experiences.

Walk Tall
Cary Ginell
Hal Leonard Performing Arts Publishing
33 Plymouth St, Suite 302
Montclair, NJ 07042
9781458519798, $18.99, www.halleonardbooks.com

Life rarely comes as we expect or want it to, but overcoming it can take us far. "Walk Tall: The Music & Life Julian "Cannonball" Adderley" is a musical biography of jazz musician Cannonball Adderley who throughout the 1960s and 70s who made his mark trying his hand with many different groups and styles working with many jazz legends in forming his own. "Walk Tall" is a must for any musical historian or for those who want to learn about one of its most vital figures.


The Fishing Shelf

Crappie Fly-Fishing
Terry & Roxanne Wilson
Frank Amato Publications
PO Box 82112
Portland, OR 97282
9781571885005, $19.95, www.amatobooks.com

Common doesn't make them any less exciting to catch. "Crappie Fly-Fishing: A Seasonal Approach" is a guide to catching the most of this common yet delectable fish for those who believe there is something to quantity of the catch as well as the quality. With tips on how to get the most crappie as well as the pitfalls to avoid when trying to make the most out of one's fishing habits, "Crappie Fly-Fishing" is a strong addition to fishing and outdoorsman collections, not to be missed.


The Comix/Graphic Novel Shelf

An Enchantment
Christian Durieux
NBM Publishing
160 Broadway, Ste. 700, East Wing
New York, NY 10038
9781561637058 $19.99 www.nbmpublishing.com

Belgian artist Christian Durieux presents An Enchantment, an oversized hardcover graphic novel that uses color to distinguish between the drab hues of everyday life and the vibrancy of the worlds portrayed in classical art. When an aging museum director attends his retirement banquet, he carries a lingering bitterness about the greedy individuals, petty politics, and worse social ills destined to persist despite his best efforts to preserve and protect the museum as a bastion of high culture. He sneaks away from the celebration held in his honor; yet after hours, in the closed-off halls of the Louvre, he encounters a mysterious young woman that transforms his pessimistic outlook. Sly and carefree, she dares him to experience the joys of being impulsive for a change. Their tour incorporates and reflects the timeless treasures of great artworks, including paintings by Verlaine and Montesquieu. But is this lighthearted woman truly real, or an insubstantial Muse made manifest? A story that is truly appreciative of great art, An Enchantment lives up to its title, and highly recommended for graphic novel readers of all ages and backgrounds.

The Golden Ages Of DC Comics
Paul Levitz
TASCHEN America
107 Greene Street, New York, NY 10012
www.taschen.com
9783836535731, $59.99, www.amazon.com

The 'Golden Age' of comic publishing as represented by DC publications ran from the beginnings of mass market illustrated stories printed on cheap pulp paper in 1935, through the paper shortages of World War II in the 1940s, to the cultural changes in the genre culminating in 1956. The 'DC' in "The Golden Ages Of DC Comics" stood for 'Detective Comics' and (along with its chief competitor Marvel Comics) dominated the American comic book industry. While the first two enduringly popular and cultural impacting characters from the DC universe were Batman and Superman, the roster of 'super heroes' was a long one and included such pop culture icons (some of whom were drawn from the pulp magazines) included The Shadow, The Flash, Captain Marvel, Wonder Woman, and Hawkman. Other DC comics titles showcased such genres as detective stories, westerns, horror fantasy, and adventure. It was an age of 'All in color for a dime' and was a source of characters and material for radio, movies, and ultimately, television. Compiled with a knowledgeable commentary by Paul Levitz, "The Golden Ages Of DC Comics" is a superbly produced, profusely illustrated, 400 page compendium showcasing the history and development of DC Comics. Informed, informative, and a seminal coffee table art book of classic images, "The Golden Ages Of DC Comics" is enthusiastically recommended for comic book fans and collectors, as well as an enduringly popular addition to both community and academic library 20th Century Popular Culture and Art History reference collections.

Big Nate and Friends
Lincoln Peirce
Andrews & McMeel
1130 Walnut Street
Kansas City, MO 64106-2109
9781449420437 $9.99 www.andrewsmcmeel.com

As seen in more than two hundred newspapers nationwide as well as online at comics.com, Big Nate and Friends is an anthology of black-and-white comic strips about sixth-grader Nate Wright and his wacky friends - including his closest buddies Francis and Teddy, Artur the well-mannered and popular exchange student, and Gina the straight-A (for "annoying", or possibly "aggravating") teacher's pet. In one particularly funny strip, Nate lectures his friends about how to play a board game, saying, "You guys both have the same problem at Monopoly! You're too nice! You never go for the throat! You've got to be ruthless! Win at all costs! Do whatever it takes to beat the other guy! Whatever it takes!". To which they respond, "Wanna team up to bankrupt Nate?" and "Sure!" Big Nate and Friends is a delight to read for all ages, and makes an excellent giftbook for kids, parents, or anyone with a sense of humor.


The Audiobook Shelf

Bringing Mulligan Home
Dale Maharidge, author
Pete Larkin, narrator
Highbridge Audio Books
201 Sixth Street SE, Suite 220
Minneapolis, MN 55414
9781622311712 $34.95 www.highbridgeaudio.com

Pulitzer Prize-winning author and graduate-level journalism instructor Dale Maharidge presents Bringing Mulligan Home: The Other Side of the Good War (now available as an unabridged audiobook), an investigation into the past of his own father. Maharidge's father, Sergeant Steve Maharidge, returned from the his service in the Pacific Theater of World War II bitter and seething with rage. Dale was only a teenager when he witnessed his father screaming protests against unknown accusations, to a wartime photograph of himself and a friend from the service. After Steve passed on, Dale searched to learn more about the war that left such deep scars in his father's psyche. He tracked down members of the Love Company (the Marine unit that his father had served in) and interviewed them about the war. Bringing Mulligan Home portrays not only the battles of war, but the lasting impact they had on the lives of those who served, and the dark memories they would have to carry for the rest of their lives. Highly recommended. 8 CDs, 9 3/4 hours.

Suddenly, A Knock on the Door
Etgar Keret, author
Macmillan Audio
175 Fifth Avenue, Suite 315
New York, NY 10010
9781427226945 $24.99 www.macmillanaudio.com

Suddenly, A Knock on the Door is an audiobook anthology of brief stories by Etgar Keret - each performed by a different, celebrated writer or actor, with a bonus story read by Keret himself! A surreal collection that ventures between the worlds of the living and the dead, adults and children, dreams and waking, nature and animals that speak, Suddenly, A Knock on the Door is inventive, sprightly, and perks the listener's curiosity with its shifting perspectives and turn-on-one's-head view of reality. Highly recommended, especially for public library audiobook collections. 4 CDs, 5 hours.

Mr. Penumbra's 24-Hour Bookstore
Robin Sloan, author
Ari Fliakos, narrator
Macmillan Audio
175 Fifth Avenue, Suite 315
New York, NY 10010
9781427233745 $34.99 www.macmillanaudio.com

Mr. Penumbra's 24-Hour Bookstore is the unabridged audiobook rendition of an original novel of and for the twenty-first century. After Clay Jannon loses his San Francisco web design job during the Great Recession, he lands a job working the night shift at Mr. Penumbra's 24-Hour Bookstore. At first the job appears obtuse and intractable, and Clay notices that few customers actually buy anything, preferring simply to investigate volumes in far corners of the store. But then Clay stumbles across a secret that will lead him on an incredible adventure. A saga of love, high-tech data, international conspiracy, code-breaking and more, Mr. Penumbra's 24-Hour Bookstore will keep the listener hooked to the very end. 7 CDs, 7.5 hours.

Happily Ever Madder
Stephanie McAfee, author
Cassandra Campbell, narrator
Tantor Media, Inc.
2 Business Park Road, Unit 2
Old Saybrook, CT 06475
9781452609768 $39.99 www.tantor.com

Happily Ever Madder is the unabridged audiobook adaptation of the sequel "Diary of a Mad Fat Girl", featuring the extra large Graciela "Ace" Jones in a brand new tongue-in-cheek adventure! Graciela has traveled to Pelican Cove, Florida; her dream of running an art gallery has become real, and she dearly loves her fiance Mason. She resolved to leave her sarcastic side behind and embrace sweetness, but then she runs afoul of Mrs. Lenore Kennashaw and her gaggle of self-important, mean-spirited elderly women who treat everyone else like refuse. Graciela isn't alone though - she has the most fabulous friends (and a faithful chiweenie dog Buster Loo), and she won't hesitate to stand up for her pound-heavy self! Whimsy and sharp-edged humor abound in this upbeat and only slightly crazed adventure. 9 CDs, 11 hours.

A Guide to Wine
Julian Curry, author and narrator
Naxos of America, Inc.
1810 Columbia Avenue, Suite 28
Franklin, TN 37064
9789626342909 $28.98 www.naxosaudiobooks.com

Actor and wine buff Julian Curry presents A Guide to Wine, an audiobook tour of the wonderful culture surrounding this cherished alcoholic beverage. Performed with wit and verve, A Guide to Wine teaches the listener about the process of winemaking and the traditions of wine drinking, the many choices that grape-growers and winemakers face, tips and tricks for properly cellaring, serving, tasting and food-matching wine, and more. An extended survey of major wine regions in the Old World and the New rounds out this excellent primer for anyone curious about wine's culinary and social delights. 4 CDs, 5 hours 14 min.

Alex Cross, Run
James Patterson
Hachette Audio
237 Park Avenue
New York, NY 10017
9781607884668 $34.98 www.HachetteAudio.com

Edgar Award-winning author James Patterson presents Alex Cross, Run, the unabridged audiobook rendition of his latest dark work of suspense featuring Detective Alex Cross. Alex has made powerful enemies in his time, including a wealthy party mogul desperate to avoid jail, but Alex's current focus lies in solving a series of three horrific murders, each leaving behind the mutilated corpse of a woman. Could multiple serial killers be on the loose in Washington, DC? The harder Alex concentrates on the case, the more vulnerable he is to the implacable enemy stalking him! A tense, harrowing mystery, Alex Cross, Run will keep the listener on the edge of their seat to the very end. 7 CDs, 7 hours.

Jack of Diamonds
Bryce Courtenay, author
Humphrey Bower, narrator
Bolinda Publishing
186 S Long Swamp Rd
Jackson, ME 04921
9781742679488 $39.99 www.bolinda.com

An unabridged audiobook production, Jack of Diamonds follows a young man eking out a living on the seamier side of life. Born in the grungy slums of Cabbagetown, Toronto during the Great Depression, Jack Spayd escapes his miserable surroundings and his abusive, alcoholic father by learning to play the harmonica and hitting the road. His travels take him from wartime Europe and Canada to Las Vegas, where his life becomes mired in the world of high-stakes poker... a world controlled by ruthless Mafia! A saga of desperation and survival, Jack of Diamonds compels the reader to the very end. 20 CDs, 26 hours 21 min.

The Night Ranger
Alex Berenson, author
George Guidall, narrator
Penguin Audio
c/o The Penguin Publishing Group
375 Hudson Street
New York, NY 10014
9781611761337 $39.95 http://us.penguingroup.com

The Night Ranger: A Novel is the unabridged audiobook rendition Alex Benson's suspenseful saga of international intrigue with deadly consequences. Four friends, all college graduates from Montana, have traveled to Kenya to serve at a refugee camp for Somalis. When they are are abruptly kidnapped, it sparks international headlines. John Wells is asked to find them before it's too late - but East Africa is strange territory to him, and as he investigates the kidnappings, he uncovers a greater malevolent scheme at work. If John Wells can't save the hostages' lives, then the U.S. may respond with a full-force invasion! The clock is ticking to prevent a war in this edge-of-one's seat, all-too-believable thriller. 9 CDs, 11 hours

After Tex
Sherryl Woods, author
Christina Traister, narrator
Brilliance Corporation
PO Box 887
Grand Haven, MI 49417
www.sherrylwoods.com
9781469268163 $14.99 www.brillianceaudio.com

After Tex is the unabridged audiobook version of Sherry Woods' heartfelt novel about Megan O'Rourke, a New York resident drawn back to her grandfather's ranch in Whispering Wind, Wyoming. She has been suddenly named the guardian of Tex's daughter - a relative she never knew about before. As she tries to sort through her feelings, she crosses paths with Jake Landers, who has also returned to Whispering Wind after a long absence. Together, Megan and Jake just might learn a little bit more about the dreams they thought buried and gone forever! An emotional and lingering audio experience, After Tex is highly recommended. 9 CDs, 10 hours 25 min.

Scent of Darkness
Margot Berwin, author and narrator
Books on Tape
c/o Random House Audio Books
c/o The Random House Publishing Group
1745 Broadway, 5th floor
New York, NY 10019
9780385363433 $TBA www.booksontape.com
9780385363426 $17.50 (audio download)

An unabridged audiobook available on CD or from the publisher as an audio download, Scent of Darkness: A Novel is set amid the bayous of Louisiana. Evangeline is an eighteen-year-old girl who shared a close bond with grandmother Louise, a consummate mistress of crafting scents and perfumes. Louise has left Evangeline with a tiny vial of perfume, accompanied by an ominous note: "Do not remove the stopper, Evangeline, unless you want everything in your life to change." When Evangeline dares to wear the exotic scent of fire, leather, rose and jasmine, she immediately provokes the desire of everyone around her - from strangers on the street, to a young boy at the door, to two very different men who fall head-over-heels in love with her. Becoming the center of everyone's attention puts more and more pressure on Evangeline; she must learn the true secret behind the scent, and the true message that her loving grandmother meant to give, before her whole life unravels! A captivating and suspenseful tale, Scent of Darkness is highly recommended. 6 CDs, 7 hours 1 min.

A Time for War
Michael Savage, author
Peter Larkin, narrator
Macmillan Audio
175 Fifth Avenue, Suite 315
New York, NY 10010
9781427229298 $39.99 www.macmillanaudio.com

Hardcore conservative icon Michael Savage is well-known for his galvanizing and controversial talk radio show "The Savage Nation"; he's ruffled so many feathers that the United Kingdom has forbidden him to enter the country! A Time for War: A Thriller is the audiobook adaptation of Savage's latest novel, an edge-of-one's-seat suspense adventure in which two people are all that stand in the way of a terrorist plot to devastate the military and annihilate hundreds of thousands of innocents. Jack Hatfield is a television host forced off the air by left-wing groups who want to silence his message; Dover Griffith is a principled female staffer at the Office of Naval Intelligence. Together they will confront the head of a corrupt and treasonous electronics megacorporation, and search for the Ground Zero of a deadly toxin before it's released with catastrophic results. Exciting, tense, and sharply written, A Time for War is cutting-edge to the very end.

Taming Your Gremlin
Rick Carson
Harper Audio
10 East 53rd Street
New York, NY 10022-5299
9780062276339 $14.99 www.harpercollins.com

Taming Your Gremlin: A Surprisingly Simple Method for Getting Out of Your Own Way is the unabridged audiobook rendition of a self-help classic, first published in 1983, now expanded and updated. Author Rick Carson, creator of the "Gremlin-Taming" method, draws upon Taoist insight and Zen Theory of Change to offer practical techniques for overcoming one's own self-defeating tendencies. Tips, tricks, techniques, and anecdotes teach the listener how to maintain mental and emotional balance, the value of learning to notice and work with options, and bringing light to the nemesis that lurks within the recesses of one's own thoughts. Taming Your Gremlin is an excellent resource for anyone struggling for direction or focus, highly recommended. 5 CDs, 6 hours.

The Pefumed Garden
Sheikh Nefzaoui, author
Richard Burton, translator
Jonathan Keeble, narrator
Naxos of America, Inc.
1810 Columbia Avenue, Suite 28
Franklin, TN 37064
9781843797111 $34.98 www.naxosaudiobooks.com

A 15th-century Arabian classic about human sexuality, worthy of comparison to "The Karma Sutra", The Perfumed Garden is now available as an unabridged audiobook. Richard Burton's well-known 1886 translation is vividly narrated by award-winning BBC radio play actor Jonathan Keeble. The Perfumed Garden is expressly an adults-only book, filled with how-to instructions for all manner of sexual activities including foreplay, coital positions, means of satisfying both partners, suggestions for promoting sexual health, as well as erotic anecdotes. A timeless expression of human libido, The Perfumed Garden makes an excellent gift for cultured (and sexy) significant other! 5 CDs, 6 hours 34 min.

Threat Vector
Tom Clancy with Mark Greaney
Brilliance Audio
PO Box 887, Grand Haven, MI 49417
9781469273754, $39.99, www.brillianceaudio.com

THREAT VECTOR receives a sterling performance by Lou Diamond Phillips, who provides a power and clear rendition of best-selling work of fiction revolving around politics, espionage, and one Jack Ryan Jr. and his formerly-secret organization The Campus - which has just been discovered. President Jack Ryan faces disaster in China and a power grab at Taiwan that might result in a final deadly war of the world - and The Campus may be his only wild card. A gripping thriller evolves.

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

Kami Garcia & Margaret Stohl's Beautiful Creatures (9781619698437, $19.98) includes a conversation with the authors and a pdf file of the Ravenwood family tree as it brings to life, in audio, the gripping saga of Lena, a small-town California girl struggling to control the power that is her family legacy. Her secret is about to explode - and involves one Ethan, who is haunted by dreams of a lovely girl he's never met. When Lena moves into the town's oldest plantation Ethan is drawn to her - and the town is slated to explode from the romance and long-time, closely-held danger within its borders. BEAUTIFUL CREATURES is a very fine supernatural saga that comes to life in audio under the fine actor's voice of Kevin T. Collins, widely experienced in theater productions and anime. Chris Colfer's STRUCK BY LIGHTNING (9781619698369, $22.98) tells of Carson Phillips, stuck in a high school with people he hates, stuck living with his depressed single mother, and looking to escape to college and a journalist career. His ambitions and frustrations will create a scenario where blackmail enters into the picture in this engrossing story, narrated by the author and also a motion picture. Any audio holding will find this an engrossing saga. James Patterson and Mark Pearson's PRIVATE LONDON (9781611130232, $24.98) receives a fine narration by Rupert Degas, a stage and screen star with extensive radio dramas and animated voice work to his name, and tells of an exclusive detective agency, a young student beholden to its owner, and a trail of terror which follows Hannah to London where a police sergeant may be the only man who can help her escape her past and the dangers of a serial killer. This fast-paced novel is a riveting listen that will prove compelling to its unexpected conclusion - perfect for audio libraries strong in novels of suspense. Dr. James Dobson and Kurt Bruner's FATHERLESS (9781619692732, $29.98) is narrated by Bernard Setaro Clark and provides a gripping drama set in 2042, when the tipping point has been reached and the old outnumber the young, prompting a battle between two completely different worlds. A reporter investigating the growing conflict is caught in the middle even as she faces nightmares about her absent father in this gripping saga, which comes to life in audio. Stephenie Meyer's THE HOST (9781619694026, $19.98) comes from the author of The Twilight Saga and is narrated by Kate Reading, who provides a vivid reading enhancing the story of Melanie, who faces attack by an invading soul who wants to take over her body. The world is filled with enemies that take over the minds of human hosts - but in this case Melanie refuses to leave, and instead affects Wanderer's thoughts and psyche. A gripping saga of a different kind of invasion process evolves, perfect for listeners who like good fantasy and horror. James Patterson and Mark Sullivan's PRIVATE BERLIN (9781611130485, $34.98) tells of German headquarters of the world's top investigation firm, where Chris is their best agent and keeps his methods secret. Mattie is another top agent - and Chris's ex. When they are thrown together when Chris vanishes, Mattie learns truths about Private Berlin that she would never dream - a truth that could destroy Europe. Fast-paced action comes to life under the voice of Ari Flaikos, a theater performer, and January LaVoy, a New York voice and TV actress, to make for a gripping narrative. John Eldredge's THE UTTER RELIEF OF HOLINESS: HOW GOD'S GOODNESS FREES US FROM EVERYTHING THAT PLAGUES US (9781609414320, $26.98) is narrated by the author and maintains that we are 'made for goodness', which is a strength. This Christian inspirational audio explores that goodness and focuses on the process whereby faith in a supreme being brings with it love. The result is a Christian inspirational piece highly recommended for any spirituality collection. Brad Meltzer's THE FIFTH ASSASSIN (9781600247064, $34.98) receives a fine narration by Scott Brick, who has read many others for Hachette Audio and who here lends a powerful voice to this equally powerful story of one Beecher White, hero of the #1 New York Times bestseller The Inner Circle, discovers a killer in Washington, D.C. who's recreating the major crimes of four assassins who have been successful in American history. Historians have branded these historic assassins as lone wolves - but Beecher is about to uncover proof that in actually all were working secretly together, on a bigger plan. It's a powerful story of a fifth assassin and the terrifying agenda he represents in a powerful political thriller highly recommended for any audio library strong in political intrigue or mystery.


The Music CD Shelf

Isle of Magic
Mop Mop
Agogo Records
c/o Press Junkie PR
PO Box 156914
San Francisco, CA 94115
$18.48 www.agogo-records.com

Named after a mythical land of musicians who live off the land by day and practice voodoo rites at night, Isle of Magic is the fourth studio album of Mop Mop, a band that draws liberally from jazz, Caribbean rhythms, Afro-funk, and soul. Producer Andrea Benini collaborates with funk superstar Fred Wesley, Trinidad native poet and singer Anthony Joseph, and Finnish-Egyptian vocalist Sara Sayed on original songs in this eclectic and wildly creative collection. A treasure for connoisseurs of multicultural music! The tracks are"Jua Kiss", "Let I Go", "Kamakumba", "Heritage", "Phantom of the Panther", "Run Around", "The Golden Bamboo", "Loa Chant", "Black Ivory", "Damballah", "Mojomamy", "Afro Jojo Part One", and "Afro Jojo Part Two".

Walk With Me
The Skatalites
Moondust Records
c/o Press Junkie PR
PO Box 156914
San Francisco, CA 94115
$23.25 www.amazon.com

Walk With Me celebrates the great traditions of Reggae and Jamaican music. It features the final recordings performed by drummer Lloyd Knibb before he passed on, and consists of eleven tracks in honor of musicians who are no longer with us. The Skatalites, an eclectic group of performers who began performing in Jamaica in May 1964 and whose Ska music caught on fire worldwide, bring vibrancy, enthusiasm, and love of the art to this "must-have" album for fans of the genre. Highly recommended. The tracks are "Desert Ska", "Lalibela", "Hot Flash", "The Leader", "Love is the Way", "Walk With Me", "Piece for Peace", "Song For My Father", "Little Teresa", "King Solomon", and "Dub Lalibela".


The Library DVD Shelf

A Fierce Green Fire
Bullfrog Films, Inc.
PO Box 149
Oley, PA 19547
1937772411 $295.00 www.bullfrogfilms.com

A selection of the Sundance Film Festival, and fully licensed for public performance, A Fierce Green Fire: The Battle for a Living Planet is an uplifting documentary about the environmental movement over the past fifty years. From work to stop dams in the Grand Canyon, to opposing efforts to turn the Love Canal into a toxic waste dump, to Greenpeace's efforts to protect whales and the advent of the global threat of climate change, A Fierce Green Fire chronicles a medley of fascinating true stories of people fighting to preserve the planet upon which their children will live. A bonus Teacher's Guide is accessible via the DVD drive on a computer, making A Fierce Green Fire a choice pick for high school homeroom viewing or DVD libraries. 101 min., SDH captions.

Sun Kissed
Bullfrog Films, Inc.
PO Box 149
Oley, PA 19547
$295.00 www.bullfrogfilms.com

Sun Kissed: A Documentary is a heart-rending portrayal of a Native American family whose children have been afflicted with a deadly and extremely rare genetic disorder. Dorey and Yolanda Nez are a married Navajo couple who bear an unjust burden: their daughter (Leanndra, 16) and her younger brother (who passed away at age 11) were both born with Xeroderma Pigmentosum, also known as XP. This deadly condition causes neurological damage in severe cases, drastically harms cognitive development and shortens the lifespans of the afflicted, and makes any exposure to sunlight potentially fatal. The couple sought help from both modern medicine and traditional Navajo medicine men. They endured a harrowing shuttle from doctor to doctor before they could get an accurate diagnosis of XP, and encountered severe taboos among their own tribe, including accusations that they did something wrong during their own lives that brought suffering to their children. They eventually learned that despite XP's extreme rarity, they were not the only Navajo family on the reservation to have XP children - far from it. Though it is virtually forbidden among Navajos to openly talk about the historical massacre that was the Long Walk, Dorey and Yolanda learned that this horrific act of genocide has had repercussions of human suffering that remain today. Poignant and profound, Sun Kissed is a vivid portrayal of not only a family's trials and tribulations, but also the cultural cross-currents that engulf modern-day Navajos. Highly recommended, especially for public library DVD collections. An 85-minute and 54-minute classroom version are both available on the DVD; the language options are English and Navajo, with English subtitles.

Create a Great Plate
Learning ZoneXpress
667 East Vine Street
Owatonna, MN 55060
$79.95 www.learningzonexpress.com

Create a Great Plate: My Plate Dietary Guidelines (20 min. closed-captioned) is an educational DVD intended for viewers in grade 6 and up (including adults), about the new "MyPlate" dietary guidelines campaign sponsored by the USDA. Spelling out recommendations for nutritious and balanced eating with easy-to-follow rules of thumb, Create a Great Plate teaches viewers how to vary their dietary vegetables, choose calcium-rich foods, prefer lean protein, favor whole grains at least half of the time, and much more. Create a Great Plate is a brief but valuable instructional tool, ideal for public and school DVD libraries. Also highly recommended for educational viewing during homeroom or health classes is "What's On MyPlate?" ($79.95, 22 min., closed-captioned), an overview of the MyPlate method that features cheerful teenagers talking about the foods they love the most.

No Job for a Lady: The Complete Collection
Directed by John Howard Davies
Starring Penelope Keith
Acorn Media Group
8515 Georgia Avenue, Suite 620
Silver Spring, MD 20910-3403
9781598288988 $59.99 www.acornonline.com

No Job for a Lady: The Complete Collection gathers all three series of the British comedy-drama following Jean Price (played by Penelope Keith, whose previous credits include "To the Manor Born" and "Good Neighbors"), a woman newly elected as a Member of Parliament for the left-leaning Labour Party. Though she is determined to campaign for more opportunities for women, she faces obstacles at every turn - fierce egos, bureaucratic and procedural obstacles, even outright chauvinism among her alleged compatriots. Her constituents lobby her relentlessly, and though her husband supports her efforts, he questions her long house, quipping that MP stands for "missing person"! A zesty, tongue-in-cheek view askew of trying to make a difference despite all odds, No Job for a Lady is a joy to watch and highly recommended. 18 episodes on 3 DVDs, 432 min., SDH subtitles, fullscreen.

Discoveries... America National Parks
Bennet Watt HD Productions, Inc.
13021 - 244 Avenue SE
Issaquah, WA 98027
$24.95 each www.Bennett-Watt.com

Beautifully shot in high definition, the Discoveries... America National Parks DVD series now features three new captivating DVDs that bring the majesty and wonder of striking natural landscapes into one's own living room. "Grand Canyon" is a scenic tour of Grand Canyon National Park, home to one of America's most famous landmarks; scenes from the reintroduction of the California condor, one of the rarest birds of the world, as well as historic footage of river-running guide Georgie White Clark (1911-1992), who was the first woman to row the full length of Marble & Grand Canyons in 1952. "Yosemite: Sequoia, Kings Canyon, Devils Postpile & Carrizo Plain" is an eye-opening portrait of Yosemite National Park, land of gigantic, near-immortal trees, the 60-foot columnar basalt formations of Devils Postpile National Monument, and the National Monument of Carrizo Plain where one can see surface fractures of the San Andreas Fault. "Glacier & Craters of the Moon & other National Park Service Sites & Attractions in Montana & Idaho" explores Glacier National Park and its incredible hiking and wildlife viewing options, the Craters of the Moon National Monument & Preserve in which one can witness three types of pahoehoe lava with islets of cinder cones and sagebrush, and much more. All three DVDs are spectacular, highly recommended especially for armchair travelers and choice picks for public library collections.

Miss Fisher's Murder Mysteries, series 1
Acorn Media Group
8515 Georgia Avenue, Suite 620
Silver Spring, MD 20910-3403
9781598289343 $59.99 www.acornonline.com

Based on the novels by Kerry Greenwood, and originally broadcast on public television, Miss Fisher's Murder Mysteries series 1 tells the story of Honorable Miss Phryne Fisher, a glamorous, sharp-tongued, quick-thinking woman detective who holds her own in the male-dominated world of 1920s Melbourne, Australia. Her investigations take her to the dark places of the city, from jazz clubs to seedy alleys, but perhaps the most menacing threats stem from her shadowed past. Bonus features include cast interviews, a "meet the creators" vignette, a behind-the-scenes set tour, and more. Miss Fisher's Murder Mysteries is a treat for fans of drama, intrigue, and whodunnits, but not recommended for young children due to some scenes of violence, sexual situations, or drug use. 13 episodes on 4 DVDs (or 3 Blu-ray discs, for the same price), 706 min., SDH subtitles, widescreen.

Elk in America
Narrated by Stacy Keach
Janson Media
9781568394535 $24.95 www.jansonmedia.com

Elk in America (50 min.) is an international award-winning documentary about the lives of majestic wild elk in their natural North American habitat. Actor Stacy Keach guides the viewer to this stunning portrayal of an animal that figures prominently in Native American culture and the history of American hunting. Once numbering as high as an estimated ten million, the North American population was drastically reduced to less than 100,000 by the early 1900's. Today, restoration and conservation efforts are gradually replenishing elk in states where they had been hunted to virtual extinction, including Kentucky and Tennessee. Footage of elk being born, confronting savage predators and natural hazards, facing off against one another during the mating season, and more enlivens this amazing documentary, highly recommended especially for its visual beauty and educational value. Also a choice pick for public library DVD documentary collections is "The Secret Life of Whitetails" (60 min., $24.95), a saga of the yearly cycle of whitetail deer shot in glorious high definition.

Girl Model
First Run Features
630 Ninth Avenue, Suite 1213
New York, NY 10036
$27.95 www.firstrunfeatures.com

Girl Model (77 min.) is a documentary examining the hard realities of young girls in the modeling industry, particularly those who are scouted in faraway countries. Ashley, a former model who now works as a scout, finds Nadya, a 13-year-old rural girl who must adjust to the challenges of Tokyo to pursue her new modeling career. A striking portrait of the challenges and hardships that modeling demands of vulnerable young adults, Girl Model is absolutely unforgettable. Eight bonus scenes are included within its special features. Also highly recommended is the First Run Features movie "Photographic Memory" (87 min.), about a father attempting to bridge the divide between himself and his internet-obsessed son.

Catching Hearts
A film by F.C. Rabbath
Vision Video
P.O. Box 540
Worcester, PA 19490
$19.99 www.visionvideo.com

Catching Hearts is an emotional DVD about the profound changes that transform one man's outlook on life forever. Professor Mark Gavin is an author and speaker whose popularity comes from his logical disbelief in God. But when an otherwise inexplicable event transforms his life and capsizes his faith in atheism, he must face a stark choice. Will he surrender the very philosophies that brought him great wealth for so many years? What is he to say to his two greatest fans - a short-sighted young man who drifts from party to party, and a woman burndened with guilt over her past? Each finds Gavin's assertions that life is meaningless a comfort, but when the three of them encounter one another, each will have to re-examine their most fundamental assumptions. A thoughtful, spiritually inspired movie that will prompt the viewer to think long and hard, Catching Hearts is highly recommended. 74 min, with a "behind-the-scenes" slideshow bonus feature.

Boston Body Barre Sculpt Express Pilates and Barre Fitness Program
Zayna Gold
Privately Published
www.bostonbody.com
c/o 411 Video Information
PO Box 1223
Pebble Beach, CA 93953
$20.00 www.411videoinfo.com

Founder and co-owner of Boston Body Pilates and Boston Body Barre Zayna Gold, whose honors include the "Next Pilates Instructor" award by "Pilates Anytime" in 2011, presents "Boston Body Barre Sculpt Express Pilates and Barre Fitness Program" (60 min.), a fitness DVD that blends the best of two excellent strength and flexibility-building disciplines. The routine is accessible to viewers of all backgrounds and features routines to tighten and tone the buttocks, arms, abs, and legs. A "10-Minute Butt Blaster" bonus feature rounds out this user-friendly workout. Also highly recommended is Gold's previous fitness DVD, "Boston Body Barre" (60 min., $20.00), a solid workout emphasizing vigorous cardio (as opposed to the body-sculpting focus of "Sculpt Express").

Full Fitness Fusion
Ivy Ingram Larson, A.C.S.M. HFS
Clean Cuisine
www.cleancuisine.com
c/o 411 Video Information
PO Box 1223
Pebble Beach, CA 93953
$16.99 www.411videoinfo.com

Full Fitness Fusion is a DVD workout that prioritizes efficiency for people who enjoy reaping the benefits of a no-impact workout, but are short on time. The program is designed to keep the heart rate elevated while toning muscles, and is suitable for practitioners of all skill and experience levels. Full Fitness Fusion expects the viewer to have on hand some inexpensive equipment: a sturdy chair, dumbbells weighing 3-8 pounds, a 5-15 pound kettlebell, and a yoga mat. The program itself consists of an optional warm-up routine, a thirty-minute solid workout balancing strength and endurance, and a ten-minute cool-down featuring flexibility-enhancing stretches and inspiration from yoga. Full Fitness Fusion is highly recommended as a companion to the "Clean Cuisine" book and eight-week anti-inflammatory nutrition program, or as a stand-alone exercise video. 45 min.

Ballet Body series
Leah Sarago
Acacia
8515 Georgia Avenue, Suite 650
Silver Spring, MD 20910
$16.99 each www.acacialifestyle.com

Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist Leah Sarago presents the Ballet Body series, a trilogy of widescreen fitness DVDs for practitioners of all skill and experience levels, designed to build power, flexibility, and coordination. "Ballet Body: Upper Body Workout" (9781621720485, 46 min.) uses a mat and simple 2 to 5 pound hand weights to help condition one's upper body with isometric exercises, as well as judicious application of the stretch-reflex principle and muscle-contraction training. "Ballet Body: Lower Body Workout" (9781621720034, 54 min) emphasizes sculpting the thighs and backside, with help from a mat and a chair. A stretching session drawing upon yoga and dance rounds out this solid, calorie-consuming barre routine. "Ballet Body: Core Workout" (9781621720478, 45 min.) applies elements of ballet, dance, Pilates, and yoga on a simple mat to strengthen the core, stretch the spine and back, build up the abs and tighten the belly. All three are excellent additions to any workout collection, good for targeting problem areas and helping the user look and feel great!

Bellyfit Elements with Alice Bracegirdle
www.bellyfit.com
c/o 411 Video Information (publicity)
PO Box 1223
Pebble Beach, CA 93953
$89.99 www.411videoinfo.com

Bellyfit Elements is a five-DVD workout set created especially for women, by fitness professional Alice Bracegirdle. Incorporating elements of bellydance, African dance, Bollywood, Pilates, yoga, meditation, and more, Bellyfit Elements is filled with moves and postures designed to improve both physical and mental well-being. Original music accompanies the thirty-minute cardio routine and thirty-minute strength training and stretches on each of the five DVDs: Earth (focusing on the rear, quads, inner thighs, hips, and pelvis), Air (abs, arms, shoulders, chest, and upper back), Fire (core, mid and upper back, shoulders and arms), and Water (abs, waistline, hips, and lower back), and Spirit (whole-body workout applying all the other elements). Bellyfit Elements is thoroughly accessible to women of all fitness levels, and an excellent choice for combating the winter doldrums! 5 DVDs, 300 min.


The Multimedia Shelf

Oliver Twist
Charles Dickens
Tyndale House Publishers
351 Executive Drive
Carol Stream, IL 60188
www.RadioTheatre.org/OliverTwist
9781589977136 $39.99 www.tyndale.com

A Focus on the Family Radio Theatre production, Oliver Twist is the full-cast audio dramatization of Charles' Dickens classic novel about a young orphan's struggle to survive in 19th century England. A bonus DVD features a behind-the-scenes "making of" documentary with interviews of modern experts on Charles Dickens, and striking true stories about modern-day orphans. Vividly bringing to life Dickens' powerful and memorable saga, Oliver Twist will appeal to listeners of all ages, and is highly recommended especially for public library audiobook and multimedia collections. 5 CDs plus 1 DVD, 5 1/2 hours.


The Self-Help Shelf

One Word That Will Change Your Life
Dan Britton, Jimmy Page and Jon Gordon
Wiley
c/o Wiley Professional Trade Group
111 River Street
Hoboken, NJ 07030-5774
9781118642415, $16.95, www.wiley.com

One Word That Will Change Your Life comes from authors who over ten years ago discovered a better way to begin the New Year and address unrealized goals - by selecting and focusing on just one word for the entire year. It negates the entire 'possible goals' scenario and provides keys to simple clarify, power and life-change in readers. Personal anecdotes accompany examples and advice which encourage readers to find their own inspirational 'one word' for living better in the next year. Any general-interest holding strong in inspirational writings will find this powerful.

Provocative Coaching
Jaap Hollander
Crown House Publishing
6 Trowbridge Drive, Ste. 5, Bethel, CT 06801
9781845908577, $32.95, www.crownhouse.co.uk

Sometimes the best thing to get you going is a little heckling. "Provocative Coaching: Making Things Better by Making Them Worse" is a different take on inspiration and motivation as author Jaap Hollander encourages a bit of humor and provocation in getting some people moving and striving. Using his expertise as a clinical psychologist with a good dose of knowledge, "Provocative Coaching" presents a new approach to psychotherapy which may work for the better.


The Metaphysical Studies Shelf

The Wizard of Us
Jean Houston
Beyond Words/Atria Books
c/o Simon & Schuster
1230 Avenue of the Americas
New York, NY 10020
9781582703794, $24.00, www.simonandschuster.com

THE WIZARD OF US: TRANSFORMATIONAL LESSONS FROM OZ uses lessons from the Wizard of Oz archetype to consider how to bring out the innate courage, mindfulness and emotional wellbeing sets that lie in all of us, and provides a philosophical and new age guide to connecting with a path that leads to a personal journey of transformation. The Wizard not only calls to us, but it creates the journey itself: this book offers case history examples paired with insights from the process to motivate and inspire any new age reader!

So Far From Home
Margaret J. Wheatley
Berrett-Koehler Publishers Inc.
235 Montgomery Street, Suite 650
San Francisco, CA 94104-2916
9781609945367, $17.95, www.bk-life.com

So Far From Home: Lost and Found in Our Brave New World provides a spirited survey for those who would define 'good work' as being separate from the kinds of pursuits that lead to overwhelm and exhaustion, and is a pick for business and new age collections alike. It shows how we can transform negative experiences into skills of insight, it advocates that emotional values be linked to meaningful, spirited work pursuits, and it shows how to cultivate paths that extend from the workplace throughout personal life. The result is a wide-ranging discussion that blends observations of Wall Street and business practices with social and spiritual insights key to success.

The Path of Emotions
Dr. Synthia Andrews, ND
New Page Books
c/o Career Press Inc.
220 West Parkway, Unit 12
Pompton Plains, NJ 07444
9781601632388 $16.99 www.newpagebooks.com

The Path of Emotions: Transform Emotions into Energy to Achieve Your Greatest Potential is a metaphysical self-help guide to tapping into the power of mind-body communication. Chapters teach the reader about the importance of being in tune with and harnessing one's emotions, whether they are positive or negative. From learning how to analyze one's instincts and gut reactions, to releasing (rather than suppressing) emotions that seize up one's energy, The Path of Emotions is a valuable resource for applying emotions as motivational fuel to achieve one's dreams. "Meditation changes our state of being, and therefore our perceptions and how we receive them. Such shifts are quantified by changes in brainwave patterns that are associated with specific states of awareness. Choosing to meditate is choosing to elicit the same effects as transcendent emotions, and the more time we spend meditating, the more permanently we are altered."

The Secret History of the Reptilians
Scott Alan Roberts
New Page Books
c/o Career Press Inc.
220 West Parkway, Unit 12
Pompton Plains, NJ 07444
Warwick Associates (publicity)
18340 Sonoma Highway, Sonoma, CA 95476
www.warwickassociates.net
9781601632517 $16.99 www.newpagebooks.com

The Secret History of the Reptilians: The Pervasive Presence of the Serpent in Human History, Religion, and Alien Mythos proposes a daring metaphysical theory - that non-human intelligent life interacted and possibly mated with early humans. Could these non-humans have been reptilian in nature? Recurring reptile mythology in a diversity of cultures, from Nachash in the Garden of Eden to Atum the Egyptian snake-man to Quetzalcotl the feathered serpent god of the Mayans, carries fascinating implications! A handful of black-and-white photographs illustrate this illuminating glimpse into the religious, archaeological, and cultural indicators of just how prominent a role that intelligent reptilian beings might have played in the evolution of mankind.

My Science, My Religion
Michael A. Cremo
Torchlight Publishing
PO Box 52
Badger, CA 93603
9780892133956, $35.00, www.torchlight.com

Science and religion have clashed in recent years, and a key to understanding both is understanding why. "My Science, My Religion: Academic Papers (1994-2009)" is a collection of writings from thinker Michael A. Cremo, who presents his unique view of this relationship of concepts, and his own ideas on the origins of humanity and the origins of modern science and the universe itself. "My Science, My Religion" is an intriguing delve into science and the metaphysical, recommended reading that should not be swiftly overlooked.

Science and the Afterlife Experience
Chris Carter
Inner Traditions International, Ltd.
One Park Street
Rochester, VT 05767
9781594774522, $18.95, www.innertraditions.com

In the infinite scope of the universe, where does the soul reside? "Science and the Afterlife Experience: Evidence for Immortality of Consciousness" is a metaphysical spirituality read from Chris Carter as he explores the concepts of past lives, reincarnation, religion, and what lies beyond the death and the soul eternal. An intriguing dissection of consciousness and what it means to the history of our lives and world, "Science and the Afterlife Experience" is a strong addition to metaphysical spirituality collections, recommended.


The Civil War Shelf

The Prairie Boys Go to War
Rhonda M. Kohl
Southern Illinois University Press
1915 University Press Drive
SIUC Mail Code 6806
Carbondale, IL 62901
9780809332038, $39.95, www.siupress.com

When war comes, normally peaceful individuals must take the hard call of combat. "The Prairie Boys Go to War: The Fifth Illinois Calvary 1861-1865" tells the story of this Union aligned military unit through the rough years of the civil war, forming a bond with people who they would normally detest for the glory of the union. Looking at the common man, the common soldier, and their interactions with the union army, "The Prairie Boys Go to War" does well in analyzing the people of Illinois and their contributions to the civil war, highly recommended.

Fight All Day, March All Night
Wayne Mahood
Excelsior Editions
c/o State University of New York Press
State University Plaza
Albany, NY 12246-0001
9781438445076 $24.95 www.sunypress.edu

Fight All Day, March All Night: A Medal of Honor Recipient's Story gathers the Civil War letters of Morris Brown Jr., who served the Union side and eventually earned the rank of acting regimental commander of the 126th New York Volunteers. Professor Emeritus Wayne Mahood provides context to Brown's vivid descriptions of the war. Though Brown had to face the cold reality of the threat of death, he also held tenaciously to his ambitions of earning renown, as well as securing himself financially. His ambition, drive, and analytical mind all contributed to him earning a Medal of Honor for his valor. Fight All Day, March All Night is an unforgettable journey, and a welcome addition to Civil War reading lists.


The Human Sexuality Shelf

Philosophies Of Sex
Renee Bergland & Gary Williams, editors
Ohio State University Press
180 Pressey Hall, 1070 Carmack Road
Columbus, OH 43210-1002
www.ohiostatepress.org
9780814211892, $49.95, www.amazon.com

In biology, a hermaphrodite is an organism that has reproductive organs normally associated with both male and female sexes. Historically, the term hermaphrodite has been used to describe ambiguous genitalia and gonadal mosaicism in human beings. Aptly compiled and deftly edited by the team of Renee Bergland (Hazel Dick Leonard Professor of English and Gender/Cultural Studies, Simmons College, Boston, Massachusetts) and Gary Williams (Professor and Chair of the Department of English, University of Idaho, Moscow, Idaho), "Philosophies of Sex: Critical Essays on The Hermaphrodite" is a 304 page compendium comprised of ten original works of seminal scholarship by a roster of knowledgeable academicians and researchers in the field of human sexuality. The articles focus upon the portrayal of hermaphrodites in literature such as in Julia Ward Howe's posthumous publication in 2004 of her novel 'The Hermaphrodite' (written around 1847) and Louisa May Alcott's 'Mephistopheles' (written in 1866). An anthology comprised from beginning to end with impressive scholarship, "Philosophies of Sex: Critical Essays on The Hermaphrodite" is informed, informative, thoughtful, thought-provoking, and a strongly recommended addition to academic library reference collections in general, and Julia Ward Howe literary studies supplemental reading lists in particular.


The Genealogy Shelf

History for Genealogists
Judy Jacobson
Clearfield Company
3600 Clipper Mill Road, Suite 260
Baltimore, MD 21211
9780806354392 $33.00 www.genealogical.com

History for Genealogists: Using Chronological Time Lines to Find and Understand Your Ancestors lives up to its title with its plain-terms discussions of how to make use of timelines when learning about one's ancestors. Chapters outline how to create a timeline and match the lives that one is researching against major historical events, ranging from epidemic outbreaks to economic swings, wars, religious movements, and more. Scores of sample genealogy-related timelines intersperse the helpful instructions. "The disciplines of genealogy and history can work together to the benefit of each other. Fortunately, genealogists are beginning to recognize the importance of history when researching their families and using it to interpret the past. Likewise, historians are beginning to explore genealogies for social data in their attempt to understand changes, explain traditions and provide insights into civilization as a whole." Thoughtful, accessible, and featuring an extensive index for easy reference, History of Genealogists is enthusiastically recommended as a supplementary resource especially for amateur and aspiring genealogists.


The Theatre/Cinema/TV Shelf

Les Miserables From Stage to Screen
Benedict Nightingale & Martyn Palmer, authors
Foreword by Cameron Mackintosh
Applause Theatre & Cinema Books
c/o Hal Leonard Performing Arts Publishing Group
19 West 21st Street, Suite 201, New York, NY 10010
www.halleonard.com
9781476886831, $45.00, www.ApplauseBooks.com

"Les Miserables From Stage to Screen: The Story So Far of the World's Longest-Running Musical in Words, Pictures and Rare Facsimile Memorabilia" is an amazing collaborative account of a 35-year odyssey of the evolving master musical from the original Victor Hugo manuscript, and on to the medium of screen at last. Fully illustrated with endless pages of color photos documenting this amazing transformative journey, "Les Miserables From Stage to Screen" also contains multiple removable rare facsimiles of such related ephemera as programs, posters, costume designs, opening night party invitations (dated October 8, 1985), and even pages from the original stage manager's list showing the number of props needed to be set for Acts I and II. Accompanied by an introduction and foreword by Cameron Mackintosh, needless to say, the total appeal of the package reaches exponential production values. "Les Miserables From Stage to Screen" is filled with exactly the unique details and touches that made the original theatre production an endless hit. It makes a great gift for any theatre buff as well as fantastic theatre library resource. Get your copy while they are still available in real live paper!

Native Recognition
Joanna Hearne
State University of New York Press
State University Plaza
Albany, NY 12246-0001
9781438443973, $95.00, www.sunypress.edu

Film can tell the story of a culture, and remind people that a culture hasn't yet faded. "Native Recognition: Indigenous Cinema and the Western" discusses the place of Native Americans in contemporary cinema in their many roles as performers, directors, writers, and countless other people in the process. Joanne Hearne, a student of English and film culture, provides a scholarly insight onto the indigenous people in the Americas and their place in film since the inception of the medium. Touching on their presence in the 'Western' genre, the shifting perceptions of the Native American people, chapters provide a comprehensive study of films involving American Indians, up to the modern independent films focusing on the major issues of the tribes. With countless black and white photography all spread throughout, "Native Recognition" is a vital addition to any community or college library collection focusing on filmmaking or Native American issues, highly recommended.

Filmmaking for Change
Jon Fitzgerald
Michael Wiese Productions
12400 Ventura Blvd., #1111
Studio City, CA 91604
9781615931217, $24.95, www.mwp.com

Art can win the hearts and minds, and filmmaking is just another art. "Filmmaking for Change: Make Films That Transform the World" is a guide for those who want to make a difference with their art, as Jon Fitzgerald advises readers on the power of storytelling in presenting a message, and how to market your message more effectively in the world of film. "Filmmaking for Change" is a strong addition to any filmmakers reference collection.

Staging An Interactive Mystery Play
Justine Jones & Mary Ann Kelley
Meriwether Publishing
PO Box 7710
Colorado Springs, CO 80933-7710
9781566081894, $23.95, www.meriwether.com

On the fly acting skills can go far in forging ourselves into better actors. "Staging An Interactive Mystery Play: A Six-Week Program for Developing Theatre Skills" is an acting reference and advisory from Justine Jones & Mary Ann Kelley as they provide insight and knowledge on how to building actors through such plays, encouraging aspiring actors to write their own scripts, act on the fly, build characters, and making everything gel together. With plenty to consider, "Staging An Interactive Mystery Play" is a strong addition to theatre reference collections.

Doctor Who FAQ
Dave Thompson
Applause Books
c/o Hal Leonard Performing Arts Publishing Group
19 West 21st Street, Suite 201
New York, NY 10010
9781557838544 $22.99 www.halleonard.com

Doctor Who FAQ: All That's Left to Know About the Most Famous Time Lord in the Universe is an in-depth guide, reference, and resource concerning one of the most enduring and popular science fiction television shows, from its beginnings on PBS in the 1970s to its widespread fandom today. A complete episode guide as well as essays about the Doctor's many foes, the regenerative incarnations of the Doctor, background information on the episodes' creation, black-and-white photographs, and more fill this "must-have" companion volume especially recommended for fans of the iconic British series! Highly recommended.


The Political Science Shelf

Persuasion and Power
James P. Farwell
Georgetown University Press
3240 Prospect Street, NW
Washington, DC 20007
www.press.georgetown.edu
9781589019423, $29.95, www.amazon.com

The key to effective politics and effective politicians (regardless of partisan affiliation) is the ability to persuasively communicate. "Persuasion and Power: The Art of Strategic Communication" by James P. Farwell (Senior Research Fellow in Strategic Studies, Canada Centre for Global Security Studies, Munk School of global Affairs, University of Toronto) is a 288 page compendium with a specif focus on communications strategies and techniques within political frameworks. Organized into five major sections (The Forms of Strategic Communication; Words, Images and Symbols, and Deeds; Campaigns of Influence; Weapons of Strategic Communication; and More Effective Strategic Communication), "Persuasion and Power" lays out the communication tools and techniques employed by such governmental agencies as the U.S. State Department to present and ultimately achieve their policy objectives. Of special note are the chapters on 'Television as a Weapon' and 'Radio as a Weapons'. "Persuasion and Power" is informed, informative, thoughtful, thought-provoking, and an absolutely recommended addition to professional, NGO, governmental, academic, and community library Political Science and Communication Science reference collections. It should also be noted that "Persuasion and Power: The Art of Strategic Communication" is also available in an ebook edition (9781589019430, $29.95).

Civility and Democracy in America
Cornell W. Clayton and Richard Elgar, editors
WSU Press
PO Box 645910
Pullman, WA 99164-5910
9780874223125 $25.95 www.wsupress.wsu.edu

When a television comedian's "Rally to Restore Sanity" stunt event is the strongest open call for civil discourse in America's political debate, what does that say about the health of our democracy? Civility and Democracy in America: A Reasonable Understanding consists of twenty-two papers by leading scholars from a diversity of disciplines, originally presented at a March, 2011 conference held at Washington State University to discuss the current (and unfortunately deteriorating) state of civility in American democracy. The essays relate civility and democracy in the areas of history, religion, architecture, philosophy, and the media; each comes with its own meticulous list of references. "Newsrooms would be wise to openly position themselves as a place in print and digitally where civil discussion can take place, a wide array of opinions are available (especially in combination with websites), and the political middle still has a home. How can newsrooms accomplish that? One simple way is to hold the line against the crass language that has become so normal of late. It may be a little thing, but keeping the language in print at a civil level (no obscenities, etc.) is not a bad place to start. Most newspapers are still holding the line, even if the bar online is lower." Civility and Democracy in America directly addresses a disturbing trend that ultimately threatens the foundations of the United States government, and is therefore worthy of the highest recommendation especially for public and college library Political Science collections.

Constitutional Conservatism
Peter Berkowitz
Hoover Institution Press
434 Galvez Mall
Stanford, CA 94305
9780817916046 $19.95 www.stanford.edu

Constitutional Conservatism: Liberty, Self-Government, and Political Moderation is a thoughtful, in-depth essay that strives to reconcile the American political philosophies of social conservatism and libertarianism. Author Peter Berkowitz proposes that constitutional conservatism - a political creed that emphasizes the core principles of the U.S. constitution. Berkowtiz draws upon the insightful and almost timeless speeches and writings of eighteenth-century British statesman Edmund Burke and "The Federalist" papers (a series of eighty-five articles and essays written by Founding Fathers Alexander Hamilton, James Madison, and John Jay to promote the ratification of the U.S. Constitution) to distill core principles immediately applicable to the dilemmas facing modern conservatives. Of particular interest is Berkowitz's message that compromise and moderation to achieve conservative ends - such reining in big government - can be an indispensable tool. "...the era of big government is here to stay. This is particularly important for libertarians to absorb... for three-quarters of a century, the New Deal settlement has been reshaping Americans' expectations about the nation-state's reach and role... While conservatives must redouble their efforts to reform sloppy and incompetent government and resist government's inherent expansionist tendencies and progressivism's reflexive leveling proclivities, the attempt to dismantle or even substantially roll back the welfare and regulatory state reflects a distinctly unconservative refusal to ground political goals in political realities." Although Constitutional Conservatism's message is expressly dedicated to strengthening the principles and practice of those who embrace a conservative philosophy, Americans of all political leanings will find it measured, thought-provoking, and succinctly argued.

Reforming Democracies
Douglas A. Chalmers
Columbia University Press
61 West 62nd Street
New York, NY 10023-7015
9780231162944, $29.50, http://cup.columbia.edu

Democracy needs to evolve and change with the times to keep serving the people it is supposedly for. "Reforming Democracies: Six Facts About Politics That Demand a New Agenda" is a political discussion volume from Douglas A. Chalmers who states the flaws with modern representative democracy and what can be done to update it for the twenty first century. Advocating using updated technologies to allow voters to have their voices heard more effectively on many levels, "Reforming Democracies" has much to ponder about the modern feel of the political landscape, highly recommended.

Africa in World Politics, fifth edition
John W. Harbeson and Donald Rothchild, editors
Westview Press
2465 Central Avenue, Boulder, CO 80301
9780813348452, www.westviewpress.com

The fifth updated edition of Africa in World Politics: Engaging a Changing Global Order provides essays from top scholars in the genre who consider the effects African issues and world politics have had upon each other. From international influences on the nature and progress of African wars to democratic progress on the continent, peacebuilding efforts, and political interactions, this is a solid survey designed for college-level readers of African history and culture who would understand Africa's interactions on a global scale. Very highly recommended!

The Illusion Of History
Andrew R. Russ
Catholic University of America Press
620 Michigan Avenue NE
Washington DC 20064
http://cuspress.cua.edu
9780813220055, $69.95, www.amazon.com

"The Illusion of History: Time and the Radical Political Imagination" by academician Andrew R. Russ (Lecturer in European Studies at the University of Adelaide, Australia) is a 336 page compendium that focuses on the political thought of Jean-Jacques Rousseau, Karl Marx, and Michel Foucault and their philosophical orientations which reveal that despite the commonly accepted notion that they had strong senses of history, they were extraordinarily dependent upon the Enlightenment Era philosophy of Immanuel Kant. A work of impressive and original scholarship, "The Illusion Of History" is organized into four major sections (Jean-Jacques Rousseau; Karl Marx; Michel Foucault; Kant and Kafka). Of special note is Professor Russ' 'Conclusion'. Enhanced with appendices of Rousseau's 'Narrative of History' and Marx's 'Engine of History', an extensive bibliography and a comprehensive index, "The Illusion Of History" is highly recommended for academic library European Political Science reference collections and supplemental reading lists.


The Needlecraft Shelf

The Spinner's Book of Yarn Designs
Sarah Anderson, author
Storey Publishing
210 MASS MoCA Way
North Adams, MA 01247
9781603427388, $27.50, www.storey.com

"The Spinner's Book of Yarn Designs: Techniques for Creating 80 Yarns" is described as "the first definitive step-by-step guide to creating a full repertoire of yarn styles," including classic cable yarns and novelty supercoils. An inspiring foreword by expert spinner Judith MacKenzie prepares readership for a magical journey through the wonders of spinning yarn, pointing out that new fibers have been created that never existed before. Expert, color photography amply demonstrates many of the spinning techniques and finished product specialty yarns. Truly, the world of spinning encloses an incredibly varied rainbow of domestic fiber arts, and "The Spinner's Book of Yarn Designs" is properly labeled a lexicon for spinners to share a common language along with their quests for beauty and practicality in yarns and fibers. Ten amazing chapters present beautifully illustrated information about fiber, spinning basics, singles, spiral yarns, opposing plies, boucles, cable yarns, crepe yarns, core yarns and novelty yarns. All techniques are taught accompanied by clear, colorful, exquisite step by step photos of the process with accompanying descriptive directions. Additions to "The Spinner's book of Yarn Designs" include a handy glossary of terms, bibliography, and 64 unique reference cards presented in a sealed envelope on the back cover to be taken out and kept by the spinner's wheel for reference. "The Spinner's Book of Yarn Designs" is filled with truly stunning color photography of yarn spinning projects and results, with photography credits enclosed in the index last page. Spinning is an ancient art with a modern face, as crafters and novice spinners will discover in reading and enjoying "The Spinner's Book of Yarn Designs."

Martingale
19021 Avenue NE
Bothell, WA 98011
www.shopmartingale.com

Cheryl Brown's QUILT BATIK (9781604681598, $24.99) features twelve inspiring projects using batiks and making the most of their patterns, and teaches new methods for using these fabrics in quilts. From a history of batik and dyeing techniques to general quilt assembly, seams, working with block sets, and using templates and patterns to achieve lovely results, this is a top recommendation for any beginning quilter looking to work with batik fabrics. Nancie M. Wiseman's THE KNITTER'S BOOK OF FINISHING TECHNIQUES (9781604682151, $19.99) offers a close focus on finishing techniques that differentiate professional-looking knitting results from amateur endeavors, and packs in some fifty techniques involving seams, blocking, decorative embellishments, and more. Step-by-step color illustrations and clear outlines of potential problems and their finishing solutions make this a top recommendation for any knitter who would move above the 'amateur' level. Quiltmaker Magazine's EYE-CATCHING QUILTS (9781604682397, $26.99) provides a fine collection of sixteen lovely quilts from Dresden plates to triangles and more, displays results using a wide range of fabrics, ad teaches special tips for finishing. Each project includes a quilting design pattern, alternate color options, provides templates and cutting tips, and imparts everything needed to create an exceptional quilt. Martha Thompson's revised edition of SQUARE DANCE: FANCY QUILTS FROM PLAIN SQUARES (9781564775863, $24.99) blends geometry and quilt-making and revises a classic key to using a twister quilt ruler and design techniques in the book to create different geometric quilt patterns. Over ten projects illustrated in color provide guidelines to working with grids, stitching pieces, and using chain piecing to make quick quilts - including miniatures made with leftovers. Quilters will find this a powerful collection. These are perfect additions to any quilter's collection!


The International Studies Shelf

Where No Doctor Has Gone Before
Robert Huish
Wilfrid Laurier University Press
Wilfrid Laurier University
Waterloo, Ontario, Canada, N2L 3C5
9781554588336, $32.99, wlupress.wlu.ca

Health care is a pressing need all over the world. "Where No Doctor Has Gone Before: Cuba's Place in the Global Health Landscape" discusses the health care system of the struggling country, which in spite of poor resources and economic issues, has triumphed in bringing excellent medical care to the small island country, which has attained its standard by encouraging doctors to learn abroad and what other countries can learn from its practice. "Where No Doctor Has Gone Before" is a strong addition to health care politics collections, much recommended.

Russia and the Soviet Union, seventh edition
John M. Thompson
Westview Press
2465 Central Avenue, Boulder, CO 80301
9780813346960, $48.00, www.westviewpress.com

The seventh updated edition of Russia and the Soviet Union surveys major trends and events in the nation's history and considers everything from changing purposes of leaders and the Soviet Union's direction to the election of Putin to a second term as president in 2012. New social and political analysis makes for a detailed volume providing a basic text on Russian history and culture, providing students with a clear survey of key issues affecting the country and its peoples. Any college-level introductory course in Soviet Union history will find this an excellent text.


The Military Shelf

The Complexity of Modern Asymmetric Warfare
Max G. Manwaring
University of Oklahoma Press
2800 Venture Drive, Norman, OK 73069
9780806142654, $45.00, www.oupress.com

The Complexity of Modern Asymmetric Warfare comes from a leading expert on national security and provides a detailed assessment of new tools for battling global uprisings. Today's battlefield features over a hundred small, asymmetric wars around the world: this volume is third in a trilogy which explores such changing battle scenarios, delving into enemy perspectives, the changing pattern of insurgencies, and how these small wars differ from traditional wars. Military and civilian leaders receive keys to understanding the changed processes of strategic victories in such an arena in a guide recommended for any college-level collection strong in military analysis and global struggles.

Dog Company
Patrick K. O'Donnell
Da Capo Press
c/o Perseus Books Group
11 Cambridge Center, Cambridge, MA 02142
9780306820298, $26.00, www.dacapopress.com

DOG COMPANY: THE BOYS OF POINTE DU HOC discusses the Rangers who accomplished D-Day's key operation and landed in Normandy to undertake a mission so deadly that the company's death certificates were pre-written (literally). This team climbed some ninety feet of sheer cliff face, dodging bullets and firing, to take out German guns - and lost half their company during the process. The survivors continued the trek across Europe. Military historian Patrick O'Donnell details how this group made headway during the war. First-hand accounts from the survivors of the company recreate their experiences and accompany historical details on their battles. The result is a powerful account of World War II and a 'must' for any military history holding.

Thirty Days With My Father
Christal Presley
Health Communications Inc.
3201 S.W. 15th Street
Deerfield Beach, FL 33442-8190
9760757316463, $14.95, www.hcibooks.com

Thirty Days With My Father: Finding Peace from Wartime PTSD will find its way into general-interest, health and autobiography holdings alike, but it's recommended here for military readers interested in personal accounts of the lasting effects of war trauma on the entire family. Christal's father was eighteen when he was drafted to Vietnam, and returned home entirely changed, suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder that led him to spend much of her childhood locked in his room depressed or raging. At a young age she learned to always be cautious, acted out at school, and left home at the age of eighteen. She barely spoke to her father for the next thirteen years. In 2009 she began a healing process that's recounted here, telling of a father and daughter's reconnection from a traumatic time. Any interested in post-traumatic stress and military families will find this an absorbing, revealing account.

Osprey Publishing
4402 - 23rd Street, Suite 219
Long Island City, NY 11101-5058
www.osprey.com

Hakan Gustavsson & Ludovico Slongo's GLADIATOR VS. CR.42 FALCO 1940-41 (97817849087087, $18.95) covers two biplane fighters that represented the peak of their development line - and which were obsolete by the time they entered service in the 1930s. Military and aviation collections receive an in-depth coverage on their service, their action in the field, and the dogfights between these two craft as the Allies battled over Africa and Greece. Color maps accompany vintage black and white photos in an outstanding history military collections, in particular, will relish! L. Douglas Keeney's THE POINTBLANK DIRECTIVE: THREE GENERALS AND THE UNTOLD STORY OF THE DARING PLAN THAT SAVED D-DAY (9781849089333, $27.95) comes from a historian who considers the politics and personalities of The Pointblank Directive and how it become one of the most amazing military come-backs in history. By raid's end some forty percent of the Allied planes had been shot down. The story of how forces recovered from these heavy losses and flew to victory against impossible odds makes this a powerful account of strategic air command decision-making processes, battles, and close encounters, offering a fresh analysis of how The Pointblank Directive changed the world. Peter Lieb's VERCORS 1944: RESISTANCE IN THE FRENCH ALPS (9781849086981, $21.95) follows the fighting between Germans and French Resistance forces during World War II, and provides close inspection of the military events that took place during this nearly-forgotten engagement. It was a powerful struggle set against the backdrop of France's southern mountains, and is here documented through source materials, vintage photos, and discussions of encounters, strategies, and military choices. Any collection strong in World War II specifics will find this a winner! Paolo Varriale's AUSTRO-HUNGARIAN ALBATROS ACES OF WORLD WAR I (9781849087476, $22.95) is a recommendation for military and aviation history collections alike and provides a fine survey of the Austro-Hungarian industry as a whole and the pilots who flew the Albatros fighters during World War I. Vintage black and white photos accompany color illustrations throughout during the course of a discussion that pinpoints the achievements and challenges of these fighter pilots and their planes. A fine in-depth pick for World War 1 collections. Rick Morgan's A-6 Intruder Units of the Vietnam War (9781849087551, $22.95) chronicles and history and deployments of the A-6 'Electric Intruder', one of the most capable electronic warfare aircraft of the Vietnam War, and is a recommendation for aviation and military holdings strong in the era's science and achievements. Chapters pair vintage photos with color illustration and photos throughout, considering the aircraft's combat capabilities and actions in a fine, specific and in-depth guide. F. Cappellano and P.O. Battistelli's ITALIAN MEDIUM TANKS 1939-45 (9781849087759, $17.95) offers a fine survey that considers the evolution of Italian armoured units during World War II, and is a pick for any specialty collection concerned about the armaments of the war. From how these Italian units experienced disaster on the battlefield to how they returned with innovations that led to victories, this provides a well-detailed survey recommended for any military collection. Steven J. Zaloga's SICILY 1943: THE DEBUT OF ALLIED JOINT OPERATIONS (9781780961262, $21.95) follows the nature and strategies of the Anglo-American amphibious landings on Sicily which set the stage for future landings, and discusses a mission designed to knock Italy out of the war - one that ultimately proved successful. The strategy represented a change in tactical development and was a test for future Allied joint operations - so having this in-depth history covering the extent of operations and planning is central to any serious World War II collection.


The Social Issues Shelf

Medicaid Politics
Frank J. Thompson
Georgetown University Press
3240 Prospect Street, NW, Washington, DC 20007
9781589019348, $34.95, www.press.georgetown.edu

MEDICAID POLITICS: FEDERALISM, POLICY DURABILITY, AND HEALTH REFORM provides a fine survey of the Medicaid system, exploring how the program works, the history of its evolution, and the social and political forces that have shaped health care policy in this country. It's packed with details on the program's changes in modern times, describing the forces that have led to Medicaid's growth and many strengths. Any collection strong in Medicaid and health care reform processes will find this invaluable.

Earth At Risk
Derrick Jensen and Lierre Keith, editors
PM Press
PO Box 23912, Oakland, CA 94623
9781604866742, $20.00, www.pmpress.org

EARTH AT RISK: BUILDING A RESISTANCE MOVEMENT TO SAVE THE PLANET reflects an annual conference featuring a blend of environmental thinkers and activists who are willing to ask questions about the world and its situation. The conference's creator maintains that we need a resistance movement against civilization itself: this volume gathers writings reflecting that movement, condemning the industrial civilization devouring the planet and considering strategies that can prevent global ecological disaster. Any concerned with environmental impact and human progress, as well as the effects of capitalism on the world, will find this a powerful set of controversial, moving arguments.

PM Press
PO Box 23912
Oakland, CA 94623
www.pmpress.org

Elizabeth Martinez, et.al., Editors' WE HAVE NOT BEEN MOVED: RESISTING RACISM AND MILITARISM IN 21ST CENTURY AMERICA (9781604864809, $29.95) offers a collection addressing two major American issues; racism and militarism, acknowledging that the traditional peace movement in this country has not moved beyond the call for examining its own prejudices. Connections between military might and white supremacy are provided in a series of historic and modern articles from scholars and activists considering the forces at work for enacting social change. This isn't a collection of the usual writings, but a gathering of unpublished, rare-seen writings and interviews from noted thinkers from Joel Kovel and Barbara Deming to Clare Bayard and Ruth Reynolds. The result is a solid survey highly recommended for any college-level social issues collection. Victoria Law's RESISTANCE BEHIND BARS: THE STRUGGLES OF INCARCERATED WOMEN (9781604865837, $20.00) is a 'must' for any collection strong in accounts about women's issues and crime. This second revised edition of the 2009 award-winning title includes new chapter about transgender, transsexual and gender-variant people in prison, with other chapters examining prison injustices, collective resistance among women prisoners, and more. A 'must' for any considering social activism in prison settings.


The Computer Shelf

Killer UX Design
Jodie Moule
Sitepoint
PO Box 1115
Collingwood VIC 3066, Australia
9780987153098, $39.95, www.sitepoint.com

KILLER UX DESIGN provides keys to creating strong user-centered designs with UX, and is a pick for any learner using the program. It's filled with real-world examples and applications that show how to build useful and powerful interfaces using UX, it teaches proven techniques and shortcuts, and discusses online tools that enhance the creation of user-centered designs. Black and white examples throughout cover everything from sketching to creating a common project space and testing, and make for a powerful collection of design options, processes and standards perfect for any designer's collection.

Web Design All-in-One For Dummies, second edition
Sue Jenkins
For Dummies
c/o Wiley Professional Trade Group
111 River Street
Hoboken, NJ 07030-5774
9781118404102, $44.99, www.wiley.com

Web Design All-in-One For Dummies comes from a web designer who is both a trainer and a working designer with her own web design firm, and provides keys to success for all levels of computer web designer. From how to attract visitors to your site to designing for tablets, optimizing web graphics, and linking social media accounts to a website, this covers all the basics of both business and web design applications using a full-color format and keys to building a site with HTML and CSS. Basic concepts accompany keys to success in a survey that covers basic concepts, website maintenance, enhancements, and more. This second updated edition offers the latest assessments of the latest programs and best practices in a pick highly recommended for any who would receive visual and text explanations of superior web design practices.

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

Gary Gruver, et.al.'s A PRACTICAL APPROACH TO LARGE-SCALE AGILE DEVELOPMENT (9780321821720, $29.99) is a pick for any software engineering collection strong in Agile process and provides a fine survey from three agile developers who provide an insider's guide on how they succeeded with agile in the course of developing firmware for HP LaserJet printers. It's unusual to find something this specific covering the agile process: most agile guides focus on best practices with a few scattered case history examples. This delves into the entire journey of incorporating agile principles into a structure and considers whether agile can enable timely delivery, if it can be applied to over 400 developers scattered across four states and three continents, and how it can help developers meet productivity standards. The entire process of how this was all achieved is packed with lessons for similar businesses, making this a top recommendation for any software developer's collection. Alexis Goldstein's LEARNING CSS3 ANIMATIONS AND TRANSITIONS: A HANDS-ON GUIDE TO ANIMATING IN CSS3 WITH TRANSFORMS, TRANSITIONS, KEYFRAME ANIMATIONS, AND JAVASCRIPT (9780321839602, $39.99) is a pick for web design collections catering to web programmers who want to get up and running with professional-quality CSS3 animation styles. It's the only tutorial focused entirely on creating quality animations and transitions and comes from a leading web developer and trainer who offers plenty of examples on building skills. The focus is on real-world projects that demonstrate usage: chapters teach all the basics, best practices, and how to streamline operations to make the most of JavaScript and jQuery animation processes. Any programmer ready to move from Flash to CSS3 will find this a solid text for making the change.


The Gardening Shelf

50 Ways to Kill a Slug
Sarah Ford, author/illustrator
KJA-artists.com, illustrators
Hamlyn
www.hamlyn.com
c/o Octopus Publishing
236 Park Avenue, New York NY 10017
9780600625131, $6.95, www.octopusbooksusa.com

"50 Ways to Kill a Slug" is a pungently witty, yet practical little green book filled with lethal suggestions for reducing or eradicating the slug population from your spring garden. Here are suggestions fro prevention, barriers, traps, baits, organic tools, and biological allies for slug reduction/eradication, all illustrated with comic little green and black slugs attempting to surrender to the inevitable! "50 Ways to Kill a Slug" is a must have gift for a gardener. An example of a super slug-slapping tactic is to create a slug playhouse by preparing and placing an eaten grapefruit shell half upside down, with holes, to attract slugs for a couple of days, after which you collect it and dispose of them (pp. 46-7). Another, perhaps my favorite, is the last tip: "If All Else Fails... Venture out into the garden armed with this book. Locate a slug, remove it from among your plants, place the book unopened on top of the slug and squelch down with your foot. Then flick off the dead remains. Finally, wipe down your book (pp.94-95)!" For a delightful quiver of slug combat tactics, read "50 Ways to Kill a Slug," it is guaranteed to empower and inspire the gardener within you.

The Intelligent Gardener
Steve Solomon with Erica Reinheimer
New Society Publishers
PO Box 189
Gabriola Island, BC, Canada, V0R 1X0
9780865717183 $19.95 www.newsociety.com

The Intelligent Gardener: Growing Nutrient-Dense Food is a special gardening guide that focuses on going one step beyond organic gardening, by raising garden plants in nutrient-rich soil. Strategies are discussed for remineralizing soil with natural minerals, understanding basic soil chemistry, and tailoring a soil fortification procedure for local conditions. "One indicator that soil is going out of balance comes when species that once grew well no longer do. Some types of vegetables seem too difficult or too troublesome to attempt, while those species better able to cope with a garden's soil imbalances will come to be viewed as easy to grow." The Intelligent Gardener is an excellent supplementary resource for organic gardeners of all skill and experience levels, highly recommended.

Your Midwest Garden
Jan Riggenbach
University of Nebraska Press
233 North 8th Street
Lincoln, Nebraska, 68588-0255
9780803240094, $24.95, www.nebraskapress.unl.edu

A wide array of climates can make growing in the Midwest a difficult prospect. "Your Midwest Garden: An Owner's Manual" is a guide for readers on how to best build their own gardens and allow it to flourish more successfully in their lives. With tips on growing a wild array of plants from the pretty flowers to fruits and vegetables to herbs for cooking, "Your Midwest Garden" is an enticing read for any would be gardener who wants to make the most out of their Midwestern location.

Paradise Lot
Eric Toensmeier with Jonathan Bates
Chelsea Green Publishing Company
85 North Main Street, Suite 120
White River Junction, VT 05001
9781603583992, $19.95, www.chelseagreen.com

PARADISE LOT: TWO PLANT GEEKS AND ONE-TENTH OF AN ACRE AND THE MAKING OF AN EDIBLE GARDEN OASIS IN THE CITY provides the funny and lovely story of two single guys who are gardening fanatics holding a shared plan: to realize the urban permaculture garden of their dreams and meet women to share it with. PARADISE LOT is their winning account of this journey, which began on purchase of a duplex in Holyoke in Massachusetts, which came with a barren half-acre lot of bad soil, broken concrete, and few possibilities. In several years the two friends created a garden paradise. This tells how they did it - and offers a blend of gardening and life wisdom and savvy perfect for any interested in autobiographies of urban garden experiences.


The Women's Studies Shelf

Getting In Is Not Enough
Colette Morrow and Terri Ann Frederick
Johns Hopkins University Press
2715 North Charles Street
Baltimore, MD 21218-4363
9781421406350, $35.00, www.press.jhu.edu

Getting In Is Not Enough: Women and the Global Workplace is for any college-level holding strong in gender studies or women's issues and business, and comes from nearly two decades of the Feminist Foundations journal. Essays consider how women affect and are affected by work, considers the social and political impact of such work, and considers how access-based feminism has failed and succeeded in achieving equality for women. Contributors consider all aspects of this disparity, from Latina politics and secretarial work to feminist activism in Cuban hip hop. The international focus makes for a powerful collection of experiences.


The Language Studies Shelf

An Introduction to Language, tenth edition
Victoria Fromkin, et.al.
Wadsworth
c/o Cengage Learning, Inc.
200 First Stamford Place
Stamford, CT 06902
9781133310686, $172.95, www.cengage.com

The tenth updated edition of An Introduction to Language requires no previous knowledge of linguistics from its college-level readers, and is a general reference recommended for students of languages, psychology, anthropology, or English as a second language. The latest information offers discussion of the major components of language from phonetics to semantics and pragmatics, discusses the latest developments in the field, and offers exercises to enhance and reinforce text lessons. College-level assignment at the classroom level will assure its ready comprehension by students in different courses, who will find humorous cartoons throughout that reinforce concepts.

The Handy Guide to New Testament Greek
Douglas S. Huffman
Kregel Publications
PO Box 2607
Grand Rapids, MI 49501
9780825427435, $16.99, www.kregelpublications.com

Translation is not a science, and often to more completely understand a text, one must read it in its original language. "The Handy Guide to New Testament Greek: Grammar, Syntax, and Diagramming" is a guide to more completely understanding the New Testament in Greek, by better understanding the countless differences between its written language and the English language. "The Handy Guide to New Testament Greek" is a strong pick for language studies collections.

Federal Street Press
25-13 Old Kings Highway North, #277
Darien, CT 06820
www.federalstreetpress.com

Federal Street Press is a premier publisher of affordable bilingual dictionaries for students and the general public. With continuing emigration, the percentage of Hispanics within the general American population is one of the most rapidly increasing among minority groups. It's clear that Spanish-English fluency would stand anyone in good stead be it for matters of business, culture, or governance. That's where four Spanish-English dictionaries produced by the Federal Street Press (with the active cooperation of the editors for Merriam-Webster) are very highly recommended for personal, community, academic, NGO, and governmental library Language Studies reference collections. They are the handy and inexpensive pocket-book sized "Webster's Everyday Spanish-English Dictionary" (9781596951174, $3.99) featuring 40,000 entries and 50,000 translations; "Webster's Spanish-English Dictionary for Students" (9781596950962, $3.99) which is specifically designed as a Spanish Language curriculum materials supplement for all skill levels; "Webster's New Explorer Spanish-English Dictionary: New Edition (9781596950535, $10.98) featuring more than 80,000 entries and 10,000 translations including 1,000 new English and Spanish words; "Webster's Contemporary Spanish-English Dictionary (9781596950559, $7.98) enhanced with special sections on language and grammar along with examples of words and phrases used in context. Each of these titles individual or all four of them as a set are ideal for Spanish speakers to learn English, and for English language user to communicate effectively with Spanish speakers.


The Science Shelf

The Theoretical Minimum
Leonard Susskind
Basic Books
c/o Perseus Books Group
11 Cambridge Center, Cambridge, MA 02142
9780465028115, $26.99, www.basicbooks.com

THE THEORETICAL MINIMUM: WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW TO START DOING PHYSICS is a fine recommendation for any collection appealing to the general-interest lay science reader, and comes form a renowned theoretical physicist who offers basic teachings on motion, energy and other laws that will help newcomers master physics. From how the Internet has made learning physics accessible to his own development of string theory and his inspirations, this offers discussions of the definition of classical physics and its application in the real world, links science to everyday life, and is a fine pick for any who would understand basic theory.


The Agriculture Shelf

Hatching & Brooding Your Own Chicks
Gail Damerow
Storey Publishing
210 Mass MoCA Way
North Adams, MA 01247
9781612120140, $24.95, www.storey.com

Raising poultry can be its own reward. "Hatching & Brooding Your Own Chicks" is a guide to taking care of poultry. Bird raising expert Gail Damerow advises readers on how to best set up the raising environment for these young birds, with specific advice for guinea, chickens, ducks, geese, turkeys, and a few other birds as well. With additional wisdom for shortly after birth care and full color photography throughout, "Hatching & Brooding Your Own Chicks" is a must for agriculture collections focusing on raising animals and livestock.

The Thinking Beekeeper
Christy Hemenway
New Society Publishers
PO Box 189
Gabriola Island, BC, Canada, V0R 1X0
9780865717206, $24.95, www.newsociety.com

A good natural source of honey is excellent if you can get over your fear. "The Thinking Beekeeper: A Guide to Natural Beekeeping in Top Bar Hives" is a guide for would be beekeepers who want to create a habitat for their bees and reap the benefits beyond honey for keeping these bees. Keeping bees is easier than most think, and can even be done in urban settings. "The Thinking Beekeeper" is filled with black and white photography to help guide and educate, making it a must for anyone who wants to embrace this practice.

Building Beehives for Dummies
Howland Blackiston
For Dummies
c/o Wiley Professional Trade Group
111 River Street
Hoboken, NJ 07030-5774
9781118312940, $19.99, www.wiley.com

Building Beehives for Dummies is for any amateur beekeeper who wants to try their hand at building beekeeping equipment, and provides all basics for planning and building beehives and accessories. From different types of hives and when and how to construct them to maintaining equipment and hives, locating them, and more, this provides a fine key to assembling one's own. Basic carpentry skills, legal concerns, and more round out the practical guide to building and maintaining a hive.


The Economic Studies Shelf

Creating Competitiveness
David B. Audretsch & Mary Lindenstein Walshok, eds.
Edward Elgar Publishing
9 Dewey Court
Northampton, MA 01060-3815
www.e-elgar.com
9781781954041, $99.95, www.amazon.com

A fundamental aspect of capitalism as an economic system is the concept of competition, a condition which greatly benefits from innovation and an entrepreneurial spirit. Knowledgeably compiled and deftly edited by the team of David B. Audretsch (Distinguished Professor and Ameritech Chair of Economic Development, Indiana University, Bloomington, Indiana) and Mary Lindenstein Walshok (Associate Vice Chancellor, Public Programs, Dean, University Extension and Adjunct Professor of Socilogy, University of California, San Diego, California), "Creating Competitiveness: Entrepreneurship and Innovation Policies for Growth" is a 256 page compendium comprised of ten major articles ranging from the editors' own contribution 'Creating Competitiveness: Introduction And Overview'; to 'The Invention of San Diego's Innovation Economy' by Mary Lindenstein Walshok and Abraham J. Shragge. Of special note is the article 'Enhancing Economic Growth? University Technology Commercialization' by Shiri M. Breznitz and Neela Ram and 'Academic Entrepreneurship: Lessons Learned For university Administrators And Policymakers' by Donald S. Siegel. An impressive body of original and seminal academic scholarship, "Creating Competitiveness: Entrepreneurship and Innovation Policies for Growth" is very strongly recommended for professional and academic library Economic Studies reference collections and supplemental reading lists.


The Architecture Shelf

The Sniper's Log
Alejandro Zaera-Polo
Actar D
c/o ActarBirkhauser Distribution
151 Grand Street, 5th fl., NY, NY 10013
www.actar-d.com
9788492861224, $39.95, www.amazon.com

Born in Madrid, Spain, in 1963, Alejandro Zaera Polo is a contemporary architect and founder of London and Barcelona-based Alejandro Zaera-Polo Architecture (AZPA). He is also a Visiting Professor in Princeton and Yale Schools of Architecture, and a prolific theorist, widely published in different professional media. Now his significant architectural writings drawn from professional magazines, academic papers, and speeches are compiled into "The Sniper's Log: An Architectural Perspective of Generation-X", a 592-page illustrated compendium selected and compiled by Zaera-Polo to showcase his thought, commentaries, accomplishments, and contributions with respect to architectural studies. A seminal body of work, "The Sniper's Log" is a highly recommended addition to professional and academic library Contemporary Architectural Studies reference collections and supplemental reading lists.

Hans Dieter Schaal
Claus-Wilhelm Hoffmann & Frank R. Werner
Edition Axel Menges
c/o National Book Network
4270 Boston Way, Suite 200
Lanham, MD 20706
www.nbnbooks.com
9783936681499, $119.00, www.amazon.com

The editorial collaboration of Claus-Wilhelm Hoffmann and Frank R. Werner, "Hans Dieter Schaal" is a superbly illustrated, 608 page, bilingual (German & English) compendium showcasing the work of multi-talented Hans Dieter Schaal as an architect, a graphic artist, an exhibition designer, a stage designer, and a landscape designer. Beginning with an informative Foreword by Claus-Wilhelm Hoffmann and an informed description of Schaal's thought, particularly in reference to architecture, "Hans Dieter Schaal" is chronologically organized into three major sections: 1967-1980; 1981-2000; 2001-2012. Of special note is the concluding section called 'Prospects' showcasing as yet unrealized thoughts and sketches for possible future projects. Offering a wealth of photographed images, sketches, models, and drawings, "Hans Dieter Schaal" is an impressive and seminal body of work making it a highly recommended addition to professional and academic library Architecture and Interior Design reference collections and supplemental reading lists.

The White House
Patrick Phillips-Schrock
McFarland & Company
PO Box 611
Jefferson NC 28640
9780786471522, $75.00, www.mcfarlandpub.com

The White House has been a focal point of America through its many forms over two hundred years. "The White House: An Illustrated Architectural History" discussing the history of the structure and its changes over the years. Patrick Phillips-Schrock offers plenty of photos and insight into the history of the structure, renovations from its original construction, its rooms, wings, the first presidential mansions, and much more. "The White House" is a strong addition to history and photography collections focusing on architecture, highly recommended.


The Psychology Shelf

Cognition And Brain Development
Bhoomika Rastogi Kar, editor
American Psychological Association
750 First Street, NE
Washington, DC 20002-4242
www.apa.org/books
9781433812712, $79.95, www.amazon.com

The advances in our understanding of how the human brain develops continues as the result of work in laboratories, hospitals, and clinics around the world. Knowledgeably compiled and deftly edited by Bhoomika Rastogi Kar (Associate Professor at the Centre of Behavioral and Cognitive Sciences, University of Allahabad, Allahabad, Uttar Pradesh, India), "Cognition and Brain Development: Converging Evidence from Various Methodologies" is a 328 page compendium comprised of fourteen major articles by researchers in North America, Europe, and Southeast Asia. These contributions are organized into four major sections: Development of Attention and Control; Developmental Disorders: ADHD and Autism; Origin of Self, Culture, and Social Cognition; Language and Reading Development. Of special note is the seminal article 'Culture and Cognitive Development: The Development of Geocentric Language and Cognition' by Ramesh C. Mishra and Pierre R. Dasen. Enhanced with and informative Foreword by Michael I. Posner; an informed Introduction by Bhoomika Rastogi Kar; and a comprehensive index, "Cognition and Brain Development: Converging Evidence from Various Methodologies" is the newest addition to the American Psychological Association's outstanding 'Human Brain Development' series. A seminal body of impressive scholarship, ""Cognition and Brain Development: Converging Evidence from Various Methodologies" is a strongly recommended and core addition to professional and academic library Human Psychology reference collections and supplemental reading lists.


The Library Science Shelf

Evaluating the Impact of Your Library, second edition
Sharon Markless & David Streatfield
Facet
9781856048125, $95.00, www.facetpublishing.co.uk

How do libraries help the community? "Evaluating the Impact of Your Library" is a reference for librarians who are arguing for funding and in the community on how to better state the importance and place of their library, building evidence and stating what their library can do for the community, to make it known why your library is important and is a noble cause. With tips on how to get real numbers, presenting a strong argument, comparing to national and intentional situations, "Evaluating the Impact of Your Library" is a strong pick for library science and reference collections, is vital to any librarian's argument collection, highly recommended.


The Native American Studies Shelf

Disinherited Generations
Nellie Carlson & Kathleen Steinhauer
University of Alberta Press
Ring House 2
Edmonton, Alberta, Canada, T6G 2E1
9780888646422, $24.95, www.uap.ualberta.ca

Women have made great strides in equality, but old laws still favor men strongly. "Disinherited Generations: Our Struggle to Reclaim Treaty Rights for First Nations Women and their Descendants" analyzes the struggles of Canadian first nation women dealing with the discrimination they face against the male power structure surrounding the Indian Act since the cultural revolutions of the 1960s. Chronicling the many court battles that have raged over the years, "Disinherited Generations" is a scholarly study of women's rights, the rights of the First Nation's people, and inheritance, and how all three intersect in Canadian culture and law, very much recommended reading.

Shamans, Witches, and Maya Priests
Krystyna Deuss
University of Oklahoma Press
2800 Venture Drive
Norman, OK 73069
9780950784724, $55.00, www.oupress.com

The spiritual nature of man resides in all of us no matter where we hail from in the world. "Shamans, Witches, and Maya Priests: Native Religion and Ritual in Highland Guatemala" is discusses the religions of the native peoples of the Guatemalan Highlands. Krystyna Deuss, a dedicated and educated student of Guatemalan culture, provides insight on the history of faith and ritual tradition of the people of the region. Discussing their ways, their ceremonies, with a focus on the growing threat of these cultural traditions fading away and dying throughout time, "Shamans, Witches, and Maya Priests" is a scholarly must for Native American, international history and religious studies collections.


The Homeowner's Shelf

Consumer Guide to Home Energy Savings, tenth edition
Jennifer Thorne Amann, Alex Wilson, & Katie Ackerly
New Society Publishers
PO Box 189
Gabriola Island, BC, Canada, V0R 1X0
9780865717251, $18.95, www.newsociety.com

Saving a little bit of energy each month adds up over time. "Consumer Guide to Home Energy Savings" is the 10th edition update from Mother Earth News as Jennifer Thorne Amann and her collaborators present wise advice for cutting down a power bill for one's own benefit as well as the benefit of the environment. With plenty of illustrations and diagrams throughout to better explain the purposes, "Consumer Guide to Home Energy Savings" is a wise addition to anyone's home reference collection.


The Writing/Publishing Shelf

The Arvon Book of Crime and Thriller Writing
Michelle Spring and Laurie R. King
Bloomsbury Press
175 Fifth Avenue, Suite 315
New York, NY 10010
9781408131220 $20.00 www.bloomsbury.com

Award-winning mystery/suspense novelists Michelle Spring and Laurie R. King present The Arvon Book of Crime and Thriller Writing, a solid primer for aspiring crime novel authors and part of Bloomsbury's excellent series of writing guides. Chapters cover the history and evolution of the genre, advice from an immense diversity of popular writers including Meg Gardiner, Guy Saville, Andrew Taylor, Laura Wilson, and many others; and techniques to apply to problems ranging from writer's block to finding an agent for one's completed book. "Poetic imagery can be useful in less extended forms, in places where you would like the reader to pause briefly to reflect on the sensory meaning of the story. However, take care that your poetic metaphor doesn't distract the reader right out of the fictional dream you've been working so hard to construct. When in doubt, leave out the metaphor." The Arvon Book of Crime and Thriller Writing is absolutely invaluable for prospective authors in the crime and mystery genre, and packed with wisdom that writers of other disciplines will find useful regardless. Highly recommended.

HBR Guide to Better Business Writing
Bryan A. Garner
Harvard Business School Press
60 Harvard Way
Boston, MA 02163
9781422184035, $19.95, http://hbr.org/books

Good writing persuades and captivates, no matter its ultimate purpose. "HBR Guide to Better Business Writing" is an advisory guide for business writers who want to enhance their potential for business communications, as Bryan A. Garner elaborates on the importance of good writing in corporate writing, from within the company to the outside of the company. From catching the readers attention to driving a persuasive argument home, "HBR Guide to Better Business Writing" is an invaluable and very much recommended resource, not to be overlooked.


The American History Shelf

Civil Liberties And The Legacy Of Harry S. Truman
Richard S. Kirkendall, editor
Truman State University Press
100 East Normal Street
Kirksville, MO 63501-4221
http://tsup.truman.edu
9781612480848, $34.95, www.amazon.com

Harry S. Truman (May 8, 1884 - December 26, 1972) was the 33rd President of the United States (1945 - 1953). The final running mate of President Franklin D. Roosevelt in 1944, Truman succeeded to the presidency on April 12, 1945, when Roosevelt died after months of declining health. Under Truman, the U.S. successfully concluded World War II; in the aftermath of the conflict, tensions with the Soviet Union increased, marking the start of the Cold War. Knowledgeably compiled and deftly edited by Richard S. Kirkendall (Scott & Dorothy Bullit Professor of History Emeritus, University of Washington), "The Civil Liberties Legacy of Harry S. Truman" is the ninth volume in an outstanding Truman State University Press series 'The Truman Legacy'. This 352 page compendium is comprised of eleven informed and informative articles by academicians who focus upon Truman's political balancing act of persuading the American public as to the importance of protecting constitutionally defined civil liberties in a time of Cold War politics and fear mongering. These seminal articles are organized into four major sections: Truman as Civil Libertarian; The National Security System; Three Participants in the Red Scare; Liberty and Security. Of special note is Athan G. Theoharis' contribution 'The Truman Presidency and the FBI'. Enhanced with the inclusion of three appendices, a list of the contributors and their credentials, and a comprehensive index, "The Civil Liberties Legacy of Harry S. Truman" is a welcome and highly recommended addition to academic library 20th Century American History reference collections and Political Science supplemental reading lists.

Dark Realities
Wyn Derbyshire
Spiramus Press Ltd.
c/o International Specialized Book Services
920 Northeast 58th Avenue, Suite 300
Portland, OR 97213
9781907444784 $16.50 www.isbs.com

Written to be accessible to lay readers and historians alike, Dark Realities: America's Great Depression is a straightforward chronicle of some of the bleakest years in America's history. Chapters examine the boom years of the roaring twenties that led to a horrendous stock market crash, the post-World War I economic struggles of Europe, the immense hardship that precipitated bank failures, deindustrialization, rampant poverty and unemployment, even strikes and riots, President Hoover's well-meaning but ultimately ineffective measures to help, and President Roosevelt's "New Deal". Dark Realities does not support the neo-conservative talking point that Roosevelt's New Deal allegedly prolonged and deepened the Great Depression. "Perhaps as important as the relief provided, the policies of President Roosevelt and his administrations also gave ordinary people hope that their lives would eventually improve. But whether the new Deal policies themselves actually halted the Depression, or whether they just helped alleviate some of its more extreme symptoms is debatable. It is notable that when steps were taken in 1937 to try to cut back the level of federal-sponsored relief, the result was almost immediate recession." Dark Realities is an excellent contribution to American History shelves, highly recommended especially for public and college library collections.

Reporting the Revolutionary War
Todd Andrlik
Sourcebooks Inc.
1935 Brookdale Road, #139
Naperville, IL 60563
9781402269677 $39.99 www.sourcebooks.com

Reporting the Revolutionary War is an extraordinary, coffee-table sized collection of colonial newspaper articles, town broadsheets, private correspondence, battlefield letters, and more telling the story of the American Revolutionary War as the fledgling nation's people witnessed it firsthand. Revolutionary War archivist Todd Andrlik draws upon the accumulated wisdom of historians to place the pieces of journalism in full context. Reporting the Revolutionary War is a veritable time machine in book form, transporting the reader to an era of great uncertainty, and years of drastic change! Highly recommended, especially for public library American History and Journalism collections.


The World History Shelf

English Nuns And The Law In The Middle Ages
Elizabeth Makowski
Boydell Press
c/o Boydell & Brewer Inc
668 Mount Hope Ave.
Rochester, NY 14620-2731
www.boydellandbrewer.com
9781843837862, $99.00, www.amazon.com

Late Medieval England was politically, culturally, economically, and judicially dominated by men. The only institution where women essentially governed themselves and were able to be substantial property owners was the nunnery. Throughout this period cloistered nuns had to engage in almost constant legal actions to defend their rights to owning property through the use of proctors (lawyers), advocates, and men 'of the law' that represented these women in the both the secular courts of the King's government or the religious courts of the Catholic Church. An original and seminal study by Elizabeth Makowski (Ingram Professor of History, Texas State University, San Marcos, Texas), "English Nuns and the Law in the Middle Ages: Cloistered Nuns And Their Lawyers, 1293-1540" is a 192 page compendium providing an historical overview and analysis utilizing representative cases drawn from ecclesiastical and royal court proceedings. "English Nuns and the Law in the Middle Ages" clearly documents and demonstrates that the legal defenses of their attorneys were as fundamental to the economic success of nunneries as were their endowing patrons. Of special note are the chapters 'Cloistered Spirituality and English Nuns' and 'Papal Appeals'. Enhanced with an informed and informative Conclusion, an appendix, a selective bibliography, and a comprehensive index, "English Nuns and the Law in the Middle Ages" is the latest addition to the academically impressive Boydell Press series 'Studies in the History of Medieval Religion' and very highly recommended for academic library English Medieval History reference collections and supplemental reading lists.

Perilous Moon
Stuart Nimmo
Casemate Publishers
908 Darby Road, Havertown, PA 19083
9781612001241, $34.95, www.casematepublishing.com

Occupied France was quite the historical curiosity. "Perilous Moon: Occupied France, 1944-The End Game" is a blend of history and photography from Stuart Nimmo, who seeks to tell the story of his father's struggles as a British Bomber pilot being shot down over the country. With much historical photography, Stuart tells of father Neil's tale of working through Paris, the conflicts of the resistance and those who tried to live their lives no matter which flag flew over their city. An intriguing and fascinating addition to history and photography collections, "Perilous Moon" is not to be missed.


The Judicial Studies Shelf

The Mental Health Professional in Court
Thomas G. Gutheil, M.D. and Eric Y. Drogin, J.D., Ph.D.
American Psychiatric Publishing, Inc.
1000 Wilson Boulevard, Suite 1825
Arlington, VA 22209-3901
9781585624386 $59.00 www.appi.org

Professor of Psychiatry Thomas G. Gutheil, M.D. and Harvard Medical School faculty member Eric Y. Drogin, J.D., Ph.D. present The Mental Health Professional in Court: A Survival Guide, a no-nonsense basic primer written especially for mental health professionals who must interact with courtroom proceedings. Whether being called upon as a fact witness, as an expert witness, or even being personally sued, a mental health professional needs to know how to conduct themselves, how to answer courtroom questions, and what to expect from interrogating attorneys. "When you receive a truly unexpected subpoena, it may be helpful first to call the clerk of the court from which this document was issued and ask what it is about. The reason for this inquiry would be that it is often almost impossible to tell from the stew of jargon the subpoena contains just what the case is about." The Mental Health Professional in Court is a broad guide, ideal for general orientation and preparation, especially for those with little experience in a courtroom; in-depth coverage of specialized types of courtroom cases (such as child custody battles) are left to other literature. Although The Mental Health Professional in Court is tailored toward those practicing in the field, its accessible, plain-spoken advice is worthy of the highest recommendation for readers of all backgrounds. Highly recommended.

Defense From Within
Jeffrey A. Krompier
Quintessence Books & Multimedia
4350 Chandler Drive, Hanover Park, IL 60133
www.quinpub.com
9780867155839, $42.00, www.amazon.com

It is an unhappy reality in today's litigious culture that medical malpractice suits are rampant. While a small percentage of them are justified, the majority of them are not -- but still need to be fought out in court. Quintessence Books is the premier publisher in the field of dentistry and orthodontics. There is one of their instructive titles that should be considered mandatory reading for all dentists and orthodontists practicing today. "Defense From Within: A Guide to Success As a Dental Malpractice Defense Expert" by Jeffrey A. Krompier, an attorney who draws upon his many years of experience an expertise to write this comprehensive and thoroughly 'reader friendly' instruction guide to the legal system with respect to malpractice suits. This 144 page compendium begins with an introduction to what the basic requirements are to offering an expert defense. Then ensuing chapters address the perspectives of the attorney, the jury, case participation, expert opinion, the deposition, the trial, and creating an effective Curriculum Vitae. The final three chapters deal with what is expected of a dental malpractice defense expert in terms of 'getting started', rules of conduct, and accepting the challenge and responsibility of defending against malpractice claims in a legal action. Informed, informative, superbly organized and presented, "Defense From Within: A Guide to Success As a Dental Malpractice Defense Expert" is specifically written for defending against dentistry based lawsuits alleging malpractice should be considered mandatory reading for anyone in the practice of dentistry. It should also be noted that "Defense From Within" would also serve as an excellent template for anyone considering becoming a professional defense expert against malpractice suits in other fields of medical practice.

Legal Foundations of Environmental Planning
Jerome G. Rose
Transaction Publishers
35 Berrue Circle
Piscataway, NJ 08854-8042
9781412849272, $59.95, www.transactionpub.com

The environment has many laws to protect it, but all too often these laws are not fully understood. "Legal Foundations of Environmental Planning: Textbook-Casebook and Materials on Environmental Law" describes the legal issues that directly affect business and especially legal professionals in court cases involving the environment. Laws concerning pollution, conservation, and more are scrutinized, as are issues directly affecting their enforcement, on the street or in the courthouse. Legal Foundations of Environmental Planning is an invaluable reference and resource especially for lawyers and judges who have little personal experience in handling environmental cases, as well as environmental professionals and urban planners who are well served to anticipate potential legal problems before making potentially costly decisions. Highly recommended, especially for college library legal studies collections.


The Biology Shelf

Dictionary of Developmental Biology and Embryology, second edition
Frank J. Dye
Wiley-Blackwell
350 Main Street
Malden, MA 02148
9780470905951 $59.95 www.wiley.com

Now in an updated second edition, Dictionary of Developmental Biology and Embryology lives up to its title with precise definitions of pertaining to the scientific field's research, discoveries, history, and notable figures. Arranged in alphabetical format, with occasional black-and-white illustrations and a handful of color plates at the end, Dictionary of Developmental Biology and Embryology meticulously explains terms and concepts, along with providing brief biographies of persons of interest. Here's a sample entry: "Wolffian ducts: also called mesonephric ducts; paired ducts that develop during vertebrate development; in human males, they give rise to the vasa deferentia, and in human females, they are relatively undeveloped. In frogs they give rise to kidney ducts." Dictionary of Developmental Biology and Embryology is a "must-have" reference and resource for students in the field as well as college library collections; professional biologists will also find it convenient and useful to keep handy. Highly recommended.


The Criminology Shelf

Sexual Assault In Canada
Elizabeth A. Sheehy
University of Ottawa Press
542 King Edward
Ottawa, Ontario, Canada, K1N 6N5
www.press.uottawa.ca
9780776630441, $49.95, www.amazon.com

In every culture and in every country, sexual assaults inevitably occur. So it is with Canada, a country not known for high rates of personal violence like those of the United States. That's why "Sexual Assault in Canada: Law, Legal Practice and Women's Activism", a 752 page compendium knowledgeably compiled and deftly edited by Elizabeth A. Sheehy (Professor of Criminal Law, Criminal Procedure, Sexual Assault Law, and Defending Battered Women on Trial, at the University of Ottawa) is such a critically important and seminal anthology. Comprised of twenty-eight major articles written by experts in their fields, "Sexual Assault In Canada" is enhanced with an informed and informative Foreword 'Still Punished for Being Female' by The Honourable Claire L'Heureux-Dube and an Afterword 'Jane Doe', a listing of the contributors and their credentials, as well as a comprehensive index. "Sexual Assault In Canada" is a critically important work of original scholarship and an especially recommended addition to professional, judicial, NGO, governmental, and academic library Criminology and Feminist Studies reference collections and supplemental reading lists.

American Honor Killings
David McConnell
Akashic Books
PO Box 1456
New York, NY 10009
9781617751325, $15.95, www.akashicbooks.com

To kill for honor is not a foreign concept in America. "American Honor Killings: Desire and Rage Among Men" is a true-crime examination of murders of gay men in America. Author David McConnell explores how these heinous killings impacted all of those involved, and the cruel reality that at times resembles like grisly fiction. "American Honor Killings" is a strong addition to any criminology or true crime collection with a side focus on gay issues, very much recommended.


The Environmental Studies Shelf

Principles Of Sustainable Aquaculture
Stuart W. Bunting
Earthscan
c/o Routledge
711 - 3rd Avenue, Floor 8
NY, NY 10017-9209
www.routledge.com
9781849710770, $49.95, www.amazon.com

Aquaculture, also known as aquafarming, is the farming of aquatic organisms such as fish, crustaceans, molluscs and aquatic plants. Aquaculture involves cultivating freshwater and saltwater populations under controlled conditions, and can be contrasted with commercial fishing, which is the harvesting of wild fish. Mariculture refers to aquaculture practiced in marine environments and in underwater habitats. "Principles of Sustainable Aquaculture: Promoting Social, Economic and Environmental Resilience" by aquaculture expert Stuart W. Bunting is a 320 page compendium that introduces and defines aquaculture, addresses resource conserving and enhancing aquaculture, identifies equitable aquaculture development, discusses sustainable coastal and marine aquaculture, covers sustainable rural aquaculture, as well as sustainable urban and peri-urban aquaculture, considers enhancing prospects for sustainable aquaculture, and concludes with promoting an enabling environment. Of special note is that each of these eight chapters begins with a 'Key Point' summation and listing. Enhanced with Notes, References, and an Index, "Principles of Sustainable Aquaculture: Promoting Social, Economic and Environmental Resilience" is a seminal work, very highly recommended for professional, governmental, corporate, and academic Environmental Studies reference collections in general, and Agricultural Studies supplemental reading lists in particular.

California Glaciers
Tim Palmer, photographs and text
Heyday Books
PO Box 9145
Berkeley, CA 94709
9781597141741 $29.95 www.heydaybooks.com

Striking, full-color photography on virtually every page distinguishes California Glaciers, a tribute to California's stunning natural beauty by award-winning photographer and writer Tim Palmer. "The glaciers have come and gone before, but today this loss is different because we are now the cause of it, and because it is happening very fast. It's one thing for climate to change within great cycles of the earth's orbit, but another for it to change because of avoidable pollution and deforestation. It's one thing to see the glaciers come and go in cycles of hundreds of thousands of years, but another to see the change happening in decades or centuries." Accessible to readers of all backgrounds, California Glaciers is simply beautiful to page through, and makes an excellent giftbook for enthusiasts of hiking and nature.


The Philosophy Shelf

The Suspension of Seriousness
Carlos Alberto Sanchez
State University of New York Press
State University Plaza
Albany, NY 12246-0001
9781438444673 $80.00 www.sunypress.edu

Carlos Alberto Sanchez (Associate Professor of Philosophy, San Jose State University) presents The Suspension of Seriousness: On the Phenomenology of Jorge Portilla, a scholarly examination of the works of Mexican philosopher Jorge Portilla (1919-1963). The Suspension of Seriousness focuses on Portilla's posthumously published "Fenomenologia del relajo", a full English translation of which is included in a lengthy appendix. In this writing, Portilla considered "relajo" to be the state of mind people take when we resist doing that which is required of us - the act of wilfully suspending serious rationale. Sanchez extrapolates a step further, arguing that holding to unexamined values has as much potential to cause harm as the unequivocal rejection of values. "The relajiento does not bring about preoccupation but rather occupation. He or she is an unoccupied person perpetually bent on the task of being unoccupied, of emptying one's consciousness of all seriousness and all commitment." The Suspension of Seriousness is an in-depth scrutiny of a critical aspect of human consciousness and behavior, highly recommended for the philosophy shelves of college and gradual school libraries.


The African-American Studies Shelf

The World Of W.E.B. Du Bois: A Quotation Sourcebook
Meyer Weinberg, editor
University of Massachusetts Press
PO Box 429, Amherst, MA 01004
www.umass.edu/umpress
9781558499904, $24.95, www.amazon.com

William Edward Burghardt "W.E.B." Du Bois (February 23, 1868 - August 27, 1963) was an American sociologist, historian, civil rights activist, Pan-Africanist, author and editor. Born in western Massachusetts, Du Bois grew up in a tolerant community and experienced little racism as a child. After graduating from Harvard, where he was the first African American to earn a doctorate, he became a professor of history, sociology and economics at Atlanta University. Du Bois was one of the co-founders of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) in 1909. He worked tirelessly against the 'Jim Crow' laws that plagued the American South, as well as racial discrimination in employment and education. A prolific writer, Du Bois was also a gifted orator. Now a collection of his sayings has been deftly compiled by Meyer Weinberg (a member of the W.E.B. Du Bois Department of African American Studies, University of Massachusetts) into a 296 page compendium titled "The World Of W.E.B. Du Bois: A Quotation Sourcebook" (but which could easily have been called 'The Wit & Wisdom of W.E.B. Du Bois), 956 quotations by Du Bois arranged into twenty subject categories ranging from Mother Africa, to White People, to World Economic and Politics, to Education, to Racism. Enhanced with an informative Introduction, a list of References, and a comprehensive Index, "The World Of W.E.B. Du Bois" is highly recommended reading and an essential addition to academic library African-American Studies reference collections.


The Botany Shelf

Toxic Plants Of North America, second edition
George E. Burrows & Ronald
Wiley-Blackwell
350 Main Street, Malden, MA 02148
www.wiley.com
9780813820347, $299.99, www.amazon.com

Now in a completely updated and significantly expanded second edition, "Toxic Plants Of North America" by George E. Burrows (Emeritus Professor of Toxicology, Oklahoma State University College of Veterinary Medicine, Stillwater) and Ronald J. Tyrl (Emeritus Professor of Botany, Oklahoma State University and Coordinating Editor of the Flora of Oklahoma project) is a massive and seminal 1390 page illustrated compendium providing up-to-date information on wild as well as cultivated toxic plants found on the North American continent. An essential, comprehensive, and reliable reference and resource for veterinarians, toxicologists, agricultural extension agents, animal scientists, poison control professionals, authors researching for their mystery novels, gardeners and horticulturalists, as well as non-professional general readers with a question regarding the toxicity of a given plant, "Toxic Plants Of North America" will prove to be invaluable. Among the key features are to be found useful and usable information on animal and human intoxications; toxic plant morphology and distribution, plant diseases, and a glossary of toxicological, botanical, and chemical terms. Enhanced for ease of use with a comprehensive index, "Toxic Plants Of North America" is a crucially essential addition to professional, governmental, and academic library reference collections.


The Interior Design Shelf

From Organisation to Decoration
Graeme Brooker & Sally Stone
Routledge
711 - 3rd Avenue, Floor 8
New York, NY 10017-9209
9780415436205, $44.95, www.routledge.com

There's more to a design than making things be pretty. "From Organisation to Decoration: An Interiors Reader" is a scholarly discussion of interior design and how the concepts of interior architecture, interior design, and interior decoration intercept and how they compete with one another and work together. Discussing the ideas and concepts behind design and much more, it presents thoughts on culture, history, and much more, taking notes from many sources. For anyone who wants to best understand the interior design, "From Organisation to Decoration" is a strong addition to interior design studies collections, highly recommended.


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