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Wisconsin Bookwatch
Table of Contents
Reviewer's Choice
Wisconsin's 37
Erin Miller & John B. Sharpless
McFarland & Company
PO Box 611, Jefferson NC 28640
https://mcfarlandbooks.com
9781476672007, $29.95, PB, 251pp, www.amazon.com
The signing of the Paris Peace Accords in 1973 signified the end of the Vietnam War. American
personnel returned home and the 591 American prisoners held captive in North Vietnam were
released. Still, 2,646 individuals did not come home. Thirty-seven of those missing in action
were from Wisconsin. Their names appear on the largest object -- a motorcycle (that is now part
of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Collection) to ever be left at the Vietnam Veterans Memorial.
Using the recollections of the soldiers' families, friends and fellow servicemen, Erin Miller, with
the help John B. Sharpless, (Professor of American history at the University of Wisconsin -
Madison) tells the story of the life of each of those 37 men. Featuring an informative Foreword
by Major General John D. Logeman (Ret.), "Wisconsin's 37: The Lives of Those Missing in
Action in the Vietnam War" is an extraordinary and valued addition to the growing library of
Vietnam War Histories and Memoirs. While very highly recommended for both community and
academic library collections, it should be noted for personal reading lists that "Wisconsin's 37" is
also available in a digital book format (Kindle, $11.49).
Mountains Without Handrails
Joseph L. Sax
University of Michigan Press
839 Greene Street, Ann Arbor, MI 48104-3209
www.press.umich.edu
9780472037148, $19.95, PB, www.amazon.com
Joseph L. Sax was a Professor of Law at the University of California, Berkeley. Previously, he
was the counselor to the Secretary of the Interior and Professor of Law at the University of
Michigan Law School. "Mountains Without Handrails: Reflections On The National Parks" is
Joseph Sax's thought-provoking treatise on America's national parks, remains as relevant today as
when first published in 1980. Focusing on the long-standing and bitter battles over recreational
use of our parklands, Sax proposes a novel scheme for the protection and management of
America's national parks. Drawing upon still controversial disputes such as those associated with
Yosemite National Park, the Colorado River in the Grand Canyon, and the Disney plan for
California's Mineral King Valley, Sax boldly unites the rich and diverse tradition of nature
writing into a coherent thesis that speaks directly to the dilemma of the parks. Exceptionally well
informed and informative, "Mountains Without Handrails" is an extraordinarily thoughtful and
thought-provoking read throughout. While very highly recommended for both community and
academic library collections, it should be noted for personal reading lists that "Mountains
Without Handrails" is also available in a digital book format (Kindle, $16.00).
The Health/Medicine Shelf
The A-List Diet
Fred Pescatore, MD
BenBella Books
10300 N. Central Expressway, STE 400, Dallas, TX 75204
www.benbellabooks.com
9781944648138, $24.95, HC, 336pp, www.amazon.com
With a unique dieting innovation, more than 100 delicious recipes, and easy-to-follow meal
plans, "The A-List Diet" by Dr. Fred Pescatore goes beyond Atkins, beyond The Whole30,
beyond Eat Fat, Get Thin, and way beyond Paleo. By combining the benefits of protein boosting,
protein rotation, inflammation busting, and acid-reducing alkalization, this diet maximizes your
ability to drop weight. In "The A-List Diet", there is no point counting, no obsessing over the
scale, and no gimmicks. Just smart swaps, simple solutions, and a fresh new look at everyday
choices. Dr. Pescatore helps you identify what type of dieter you are so you can customize his
strategies to work best for you, so this is truly an invaluable and effective diet secret. Featuring
testimonials from Dr. Pescatore's patients, "The A-List Diet" is the ultimate guide to losing
weight with healthy strategies and quick results. While very highly recommended for community
and academic library Health & Medicine instructional reference collections for weight control, it
should be noted for personal reading lists that "The A-List Diet" is also available in a paperback
edition (9781946885159, $17.95) and in a digital book format (Kindle, $9.99).
The Needlecraft Shelf
Play-of-Color Quilting
Bernadette Mayr
Schiffer Publishing Ltd.
4880 Lower Valley Road, Atglen, PA 19310
www.schifferbooks.com
9780764355332, $24.99, HC, 128pp, www.amazon.com
German quilt designer Bernadette Mayr specializes in the freehand cutting technique. She
originally learned it from American quilt artist Nancy Crow, and has since made her mark with
the unique designs and color use of her creations. In "Play-of-Color Quilting: 24 Designs to
Inspire Freehand Color Play" she draws upon her many years of experience and expertise with
twenty-four quilting projects where the emphasis is on the energy, the bold accents, and the
contrasts. "Play-of-Color Quilting" offers new ways to think about freestyle color piecing. These
new designs offer colorful, playful, wild, and geometric quilts to make, and enable even the most
novice of quilt makers an encouraged ability to experiment with color. A few smaller projects,
like pillows and a silk evening bag, focus color play into a smaller piece. "Play-of-Color
Quilting" is also guide also serves as a complete resource for new quilters by offering 14 lessons
on the important basic quilting skills like cutting shapes, freehand machine embroidery, and quilt
assembly. Thoroughly 'user friendly' in tone, commentary, organization and presentation,
"Play-of-Color Quilting" is an ideal and unreservedly recommended addition to personal and
community library Needlecraft instructional reference collections.
Stitches from the Yuletide
Kathy Schmitz
Martingale & Company
19021 - 120th Avenue NE, Suite 102, Bothell, WA 98011
www.shopmartingale.com
9781604688955, $25.99, PB, 80pp, www.amazon.com
Now needlecrafters ranging from the beginning novice to the experienced expert can celebrate
the charms of the season with exquisite embroidery using instructive designs from needlecraft
expert Kathy Schmitz! "Stitches from the Yuletide" showcase spectacularly embroidered winter
scenes inspired by classic motifs, as well as delightful hand-drawn sketches and beautiful
watercolor paintings in page after page of elegant designs. Using "Stitches from the Yuletide",
dedicated needlecrafters can create a pillow, tea towels, wall art, ornaments, and more, all perfect
for decorating and gift giving. Needlecraters will find themselves embroidering motifs that range
from jolly snowmen to frolicking reindeer. Kathy's signature birds and bunnies also make a
special appearance -- inspiring some of the season's best stitching! While very highly
recommended for community library Needlecraft instructional reference collections, it should be
noted for the personal lists of enthusiastic needlecrafters that "Stitches from the Yuletide" is also
available in a digital book format (Kindle, $8.36).
Jelly Roll Bargello Quilts
Karin Hellaby
Landauer Publishing
c/o Fox Chapel Publishing
1970 Broad Street, East Petersburg, PA 17520
www.landauercorp.com
9781947163010, $18.95, PB, 64pp, www.amazon.com
Bargello quilts consist entirely of straight seams and rectangular pieces, yet create the
mesmerizing optical illusion of graceful movement, waves, and curves! "Jelly Roll Bargello
Quiltes" by Karin Hellaby introduces Bargello quilt making including a fascinating technique
that uses straight lines to create those optical illusions of curves and movement. Beginner
friendly designs look complicated, but are suitable for new quilters. Hellaby provides a wide
variety of projects with both solid and printed fabrics, and varying from monochromatic to
riotously colorful -- and include patterns for pillows, a quilt bag, wall hangings, table toppers,
and lap quilts. Bargello quilt making looks complex and difficult, but any beginner quilter who
can sew a straight seam can master the necessary skills. It is also a technique that is easy to
complete quickly and with confidence, thanks to pre-cut jelly rolls and Hellaby's clear how-to
instructions. Hellaby works with both solid and printed fabrics, and varies her color palette from
monochromatic to riotously colorful. She explores the impact of offset seams for gentle curves
and matched seams for dramatic arc and turns in the pattern. The result is a quilting instructional
guide that is exceptionally 'user friendly' in organization and presentation. "Jelly Roll Bargello
Quilts" is an especially and unreservedly recommended addition to personal, professional, and
community library Needlecraft & Quilting instructional reference collections.
The Music Shelf
The Life I've Picked
John McEuen
Chicago Review Press
814 North Franklin Street, Chicago, IL 60610
www.chicagoreviewpress.com
9781613738955, $18.99, PB, 336pp, www.amazon.com
John McEuen is one of the founding members of the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band. Now 50-years
strong, the band is best known for its evergreen bestselling album Will the Circle Be Unbroken
and for its gorgeous version of the song "Mr. Bojangles". McEuen is one of the seminal figures
who conceived and originated the fusion of folk, rock and country, a unique sound still hugely
popular today. In addition to performing on tour with the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band and on dozens of
bestselling NGDB albums (many of which went platinum and gold), McEuen also has a
successful solo performing and recording career. And as a music producer, he won the Grammy
Award in 2010 for producing The Crow, a music album by Steve Martin, John's lifelong friend.
McEuen writes candidly and movingly about the ups and downs in his life. Among the highs was
NGDB's tour of the Soviet Union in 1977; they were the first American group to perform there.
Among the downs was the breakup of his family in the 1980s. McEuen is a born storyteller, and
his tales of working with everyone from Linda Ronstadt to Willie Nelson to Johnny Cash to the
Allman Brothers to Bob Dylan to Dolly Parton to, of course, Steve Martin will thrill every fan of
folk, rock, and country music alike. "The Life I've Picked: A Banjo Player's Nitty Gritty Journey"
is a wonderfully entertaining and impressively informative read from cover to cover. While
unreservedly recommended for both community and academic library Contemporary American
Music History collections, it should be noted for personal reading lists that "The Life I've Picked:
A Banjo Player's Nitty Gritty Journey" is also available in a digital book format (Kindle,
$9.99).
The Fiction Shelf
A Breath of Hope
Lauraine Snelling
Bethany House Publishers
c/o Baker Publishing Group
6030 East Fulton Road, Ada, MI 49301
www.bethanyhouse.com
9780764230615, $22.99, HC, 336pp, www.amazon.com
The second book in author Lauraine Snelling's outstanding 'Under Northern Skies' series, "A
Breath of Hope" is the story of Nilda Carlson who has been trying to save enough money to go to
America for months, so when a letter from Einar and Gerd Strand arrives, offering to pay her
ticket, she jumps at the chance. Her younger brother Ivar accompanies her, and they can't wait to
join their brother Rune and his family in the northern forests of Minnesota. Signe and Rune
Carlson are thrilled to welcome Nilda and Ivar to America, but life on the farm remains a
struggle. Though Gerd has softened and grown to love the Carlson family, Einar is still harsh and
unforgiving, obsessed solely with felling as many trees as possible. Rune is trying to build a new
home for his wife and children, but Einar refuses to help and forbids anyone from the nearby
community from stepping foot on his land. What dark secret must lie in his past to have caused
him to isolate himself (and anyone living under his roof) in this way? When a tragedy lays the
truth bare, the Carlsons and Strands will have to come together like never before and become a
true family. Another deftly crafted and unfailingly entertaining read by a master of the genre,
Lauraine Snelling's "A Breath of Hope" is an especially recommended addition to community
library general fiction collections. It should be noted for personal reading lists that "A Breath of
Hope" is also available in a paperback edition (9780764218972, $15.99) and in a digital book
format (Kindle, $8.53).
The Season for Strawberries
Dorothy Brown Henderson
Wood Lake Publishers
www.woodlake.com
9781773431437, $19.95, PB, / $9.99 Kindle 272pp amazon.com
"The Season for Strawberries" by Dorothy Brown Henderson is about a feisty, single, female
pastor who faces challenges in life until she discovers some truth while drinking liqueur with an
elder in the church basement. Readers will be drawn into the village world of Aleda Vastag,
complete with red rubber boots and a cranky old pet horse that lives in the stone church shed.
What happens when the energy-consuming strawberry social is threatened and when a tragedy
shakes the village to its core? A remarkably and inherently entertaining read from cover to cover,
"The Season for Strawberries" showcases author Dorothy Henderson's genuine flair for
originality and narrative driven storytelling. While very highly recommended for community
library Contemporary General Fiction collections, it should be noted for personal reading lists
that "The Season for Strawberries" is also available in a digital book format (Kindle, $9.99).
Mollie On The March
Anna Carey
O'Brien Press
c/o Dufour Editions, Inc.
PO Box 7, 124 Byers Road, Chester Springs, PA 19425-0007
www.dufoureditions.com
9781788490085, $15.00, PB, 352pp, www.amazon.com
Mollie and her best friend Nora have been bravely fighting for women's rights - even though
nobody else really knows about it. They know they have to take part when they hear a big protest
is being planned -- but against what odds? "Mollie On The March" is a wonderfully entertaining
and carefully crafted read from cover to cover, showcasing author Anna Carey's genuine flair as a
novelist for originality and narrative storytelling . Certain to be an immediate and enduringly
popular addition to community library fiction collections, it should be noted for personal reading
lists that "Mollie On The March" is also available in a digital book format (Kindle, $7.99).
Catch My Drift
Genevieve Scott
Goose Lane Editions
www.gooselane.com
9780864929884, $22.95, PB, 331pp, www.amazon.com
Lorna always wanted to stand out, but her career as a competitive swimmer was cut short by a
knee injury. Cara, her daughter, tries hard to blend in, but when she has to fill in for her brother at
a school pageant, she is overwhelmed by terror. Lorna is vain about her ability to shut out
distractions. Cara can't control her scary thoughts. And while Lorna tries her best to move past
life's early disappointments, Cara picks at the cracks in her family's story. Spanning two decades,
Catch My Drift follows mother and daughter through life changes big and small, and reveals that
despite our shared experiences, we each live a private story. An original, deftly crafted, and
unfailingly entertaining novel by an author with a genuine flair for narrative storytelling,
Genevieve Scott's "Catch My Drift" is an especially and unreservedly recommended addition to
personal reading lists and community library Contemporary General Fiction collections.
The Kabbalah Master
Perle Besserman
Monkfish Book Publishing Company
www.monkfishpublishing.com
9781939681928, $15.95, PB, 228pp, www.amazon.com
Sharon Berg is a middle-aged divorcee with two children who has gainful employment working
overtime for the mysterious Rabbi Joachim, spiritual director of the Center for Mystical Judaism.
"The Kabbalah Master" by Perle Besserman is set in Coney Island, where Sharon's efforts at
making a life for herself and her children take readers on a journey though Hasidism as it exists
today including its schools for children and the fundamentalist characters that run them. When
the Rabbi travels to Israel on a mission, and fails to return, Sharon must confront difficult choices
and herself. A deftly crafted novel by an author with a genuine flair for descriptive and narrative
driven storytelling, "The Kabbalah Master" is an extraordinary, informative, and entertaining
read from cover to cover. While very highly recommended for community library Contemporary
General Fiction collections, it should be noted for personal reading lists that "The Kabbalah
Master" is also available in a digital book format (Kindle, $10.99).
Midnight Blue
Simone van der Vlught
William Morrow & Company
c/o HarperCollins Publishers
195 Broadway New York, New York 10007
www.harpercollins.com
9780062686862, $15.99, PB, 336pp, www.amazon.com
Following the sudden death of her husband, twenty-five-year old Catrin leaves her small village
and takes a job as a housekeeper to the successful Van Nulandt merchant family. Amsterdam is a
city at the peak of its powers: science and art are flourishing in the Golden Age and Dutch ships
bring back exotic riches from the Far East. Madam Van Nulandt passes her time taking
expensive painting lessons from a local master, Rembrandt van Rigin, and when Catrin takes up
a brush to finish some of her mistress's work, Rembrandt realizes the maid has genuine talent,
and encourages her to continue. When a figure from her past threatens her new life, Catrin flees
to the smaller city of Delft. There, her gift as a painter earns her a chance to earn a living painting
pottery at a local workshop. Slowly, the workshop begins to develop a new type of pottery to
rival fancy blue-on-white imported Chinese porcelain -- and the graceful and coveted Delft Blue
designs she creates help revolutionize the industry. But when tragedy strikes, Catrin must decide
whether to defend her newfound independence, or return to the village that she'd fled. Simone
van der Vlugt is an acclaimed Dutch novelist (whose books have sold more than two million
copies) and Midnight Blue is her latest and arguably her best novel to date. An inherently
engaging and exceptionally well crafted read from first page to last, "Midnight Blue" will prove
to be an immediate and enduringly popular addition to community library collections. It should
be noted for the personal reading lists of her fans that "Simone van der Vlught's "Midnight Blue"
is also available in a digital book format (Kindle, $10.99).
Hope of Azure Springs
Rachel Fordham
Revell
c/o Baker Publishing Group
6030 East Fulton, Ada, MI 49301
www.bakerbooks.com
9780800735166, $25.99, HC, 338pp, www.amazon.com
Seven years earlier, orphaned and alone, Em finally arrived at a new home in Iowa after riding
the orphan train. But secrets from her past haunt her, and her new life in the Western wilderness
is a rough one. When her guardian is shot and killed, Em, now nineteen, finally has the chance to
search for her long-lost sister, but she won't be able to do it alone. For Caleb Reynolds, sheriff of
Azure Springs, securing justice for the waifish and injured Em is just part of his job. He's
determined to solve every case put before him in order to impress his parents and make a name
for himself. Caleb expects to succeed. What he doesn't expect is the hold this strange young
woman will have on his heart. A deftly crafted and compellingly entertaining historical romance
that is all the more impressive when considering that it is author Rachel Fordham's debut as a
novelist, "Hope of Azure Springs" is certain to be an immediate and enduringly popular addition
to community library collections. It should be noted for the personal reading lists of dedicated
historical romance fans that "Hope of Azure Springs" is also available in a paperback edition
(9780800734732, $15.99) and in a digital book format (Kindle, $9.99).
The Showrunner
Kim Moritsugu
The Dundurn Group
3 Church Street, Suite 500, Toronto, Ontario, Canada, M5E 1M2
www.dundurn.com
9781459740976, $17.99, PB, 304pp, www.amazon.com
Rising-star showrunner Stacey McCreedy has one goal: to leave behind her nerd-girl origins and
become a power player like Ann Dalloni, her former mentor and current producing partner. Ann,
meanwhile, is feeling her age and losing her mind. But she'll be damned if she cedes control of
their hit primetime TV show to Stacey. After Ann hires Jenna, a young actress hoping to restart
her stalled career, as an assistant, the relationship between Ann and Stacey deteriorates into a
blood feud. Soon, Jenna must choose whom to support and whom to betray to achieve her own
ends. And Stacey will find out if she possesses the killer instinct needed to stay on top. Another
deftly crafted and riveting novel by an author with a genuine flair for inherently engaging and
unfailingly entertaining narrative driven storytelling, "The Showrunner" by Kim Moritsugu is an
especially recommended addition to community library Contemporary General Fiction
collections. It should be noted for personal reading lists that "The Showrunner" is also available
in a digital book format (Kindle, $7.99).
Land Mammals and Sea Creatures
Jen Neale
ECW Press
www.ecwpress.com
9781770414143, $16.95, PB, 288pp, www.amazon.com
Almost immediately upon Julie Bird's return to the small port town where she was raised,
everyday life is turned upside down. Julie's Gulf War vet father, Marty, has been on the losing
side of a battle with PTSD for too long. A day of boating takes a dramatic turn when a majestic
blue whale beaches itself and dies. A blond stranger sets up camp oceanside: she's an agitator,
musician-impersonator, and armchair philosopher named Jennie Lee Lewis -- and Julie discovers
she's connected to her father's mysterious trip to New Mexico 25 years earlier. As the blue whale
decays on the beach, more wildlife turns up dead (apparently by suicide) echoing Marty's deepest
desire. But Julie isn't ready for a world without her father. A stunning exploration of love and
grief, "Land Mammals and Sea Creatures" is magic realism on the seaside, a novel about living
life to the fullest and coming to your own terms with its end. All the more impressive when
considering that "Land Mammals and Sea Creatures" is author Jen Neale's debut as a novelist and
reveals her genuine flair for originality and narrative driven storytelling. While very highly
recommended for community library Contemporary General Fiction collections, it should be
noted for personal reading lists that "Land Mammals and Sea Creatures" is also available in a
digital book format (Kindle $11.99).
Her Pretty Face
Robyn Harding
Scout Press
c/o Simon and Schuster
1230 Avenue of the Americas, 14th floor, New York, NY 10020
www.simonandschuster.com
9781501174247, $26.00, HC, 352pp, www.amazon.com
Frances Metcalfe is struggling to stay afloat. A stay-at-home mom whose troubled son is her
full-time job, she thought that the day he got accepted into the elite Forrester Academy would be
the day she started living her life. Overweight, insecure, and lonely, she is desperate to fit into
Forrester's world. But after a disturbing incident at the school leads the other children and their
families to ostracize the Metcalfes, she feels more alone than ever before. Until she meets Kate
Randolph. Kate is everything Frances is not: beautiful, wealthy, powerful, and confident. And for
some reason, she's not interested in being friends with any of the other Forrester moms -- only
Frances. As the two bond over their disdain of the Forrester snobs and the fierce love they have
for their sons, a startling secret threatens to tear them apart. Because one of these women is not
who she seems. Her real name is Amber Kunik. And she's a murderer. In her masterful follow-up
to "The Party", novelist Robyn Harding spins a web of lies, deceit, and betrayal, asking the
question: Can people ever change? And even if they can, is it possible to forgive the past? A
simply riveting read by a master of narrative storytelling, "Her Pretty Face" will prove to be an
immediate and enduringly popular addition to community library Contemporary General Fiction
collections. It should be noted for personal reading lists that "Her Pretty Face" is also available
in a digital book format (Kindle, $10.99).
Storm Front
Susan May Warren
Revell
c/o Baker Publishing Group
6030 East Fulton, Ada, MI 49301
www.bakerbooks.com
9780800735135, $29.99, HC, 328pp, www.amazon.com
A tornado has destroyed a small Minnesota community and among the missing are not only a
group of students but PEAK Rescue team leader Chet King. Ty Remington will stop at nothing to
rescue his mentor, not even when the girl he loved (and lost) walks back into his life. But Brette
needs his help more than he knows, despite her stubborn determination to push him away. And
when he gets a second chance, loving her just might cost him more than he can imagine. A
blogger for Vortex Storm Chasers, Brette Arnold didn't expect her adventures to land her in the
same place as Ty, the guy who she ran away from over a year ago. She had her reasons -- good
ones. The kind that tell her that falling for him again would only lead to heartache. But Ty isn't
the kind of man to give up -- not on the missing students, or on her. Life and love hang in the
balance in "Storm Front", Susan May Warren's breathless story of holding on to hope during a
deadly summer of storms. Another deftly crafted jewel of a novel by a master storyteller, "Storm
Front" is unreservedly recommended addition to community library Contemporary General
Fiction collections. It should be noted for personal reading lists that "Storm Front" is also
available in a paperback edition (9780800727475, $14.99) and in a digital book format (Kindle,
$8.54).
Where the Hurt Is
Chris Kelsey
Black Rose Writing
PO Box 1540, Castroville, TX 78009
www.blackrosewriting.com
9781684330713, $18.95, PB, 318pp, www.amazon.com
It's an unseasonably hot April night in 1965. The social revolutions rocking America have mostly
bypassed Burr, a tiny rural community in western Oklahoma. Like much of the state, Burr
remains as it's always been: Religious. Conservative. And 100% white. When an unknown young
African-American woman is found murdered on the railroad tracks outside town, most of Burr
would rather look the other way. The town's police chief, troubled local hero and ex-Marine
Emmett Hardy, doesn't have that luxury. A lover of books and jazz in the land of football and
country & western, Emmett is an outsider in a place he knows like the back of his hand. In his
search for the killer, he's forced to slice through layers of hate and hypocrisy to confront the
ethical rot at the town's core, while being haunted by the vision of a life and love that might have
been. "Where the Hurt Is" by author Chris Kelsey is a simply riveting read from cover to cover
and one that showcases Kelsey's genuine flair for deftly crafted originality in terms of narrative
driven storytelling. While very highly recommended, especially for community library
collections, it should be noted for personal reading lists that "Where the Hurt Is" is also available
in a digital book format (Kindle, $6.99).
Baghdad Noir
Samuel Shimon, editor
Akashic Books
232 Third Street, #A115, Brooklyn, NY 11215
www.akashicbooks.com
9781617753435, $15.95, PB, 256pp, www.amazon.com
"Baghdad Noir" is the latest addition to the simply outstanding 'Noir' anthology series from
Akashic Books. This new volume showcases short stories by Sinan Antoon, Ali Bader,
Mohammed Alwan Jabr, Nassif Falak, Dheya al-Khalidi, Hussain al-Mozany, Layla Qasrany,
Hayet Raies, Muhsin al-Ramli, Ahmed Saadawi, Hadia Said, Salima Salih, Salar Abdoh, and
Roy Scranton. The stories themselves play out against the background of one of the world's most
war-torn cities. A simply fascinating and at times compulsively driven read, "Baghdad Noir" is
unreservedly recommended for community, college, and university library Contemporary
Literary Fiction collections. It should be noted for personal reading lists that "Baghdad Noir" is
also available in a digital book format (Kindle, $15.15).
Don't Believe It
Charlie Donlea
Kensington Publishing Corp.
119 West 40th Street, Floor 21, New York, NY 10018-2522
www.kensingtonbooks.com
9781496713803, $26.00, HC, 304pp, www.amazon.com
The Girl of Sugar Beach is the most watched documentary in television history -- a riveting,
true-life mystery that unfolds over twelve weeks and centers on a fascinating question: Did Grace
Sebold murder her boyfriend, Julian, while on a Spring Break vacation, or is she a victim of
circumstance and poor police work? Grace has spent the last ten years in a St. Lucian prison, and
reaches out to filmmaker Sidney Ryan in a last, desperate attempt to prove her innocence. As
Sidney begins researching, she uncovers startling evidence, additional suspects, and time line
issues that were all overlooked during the original investigation. Before the series even finishes
filming, public outcry leads officials to reopen the case. But as the show surges towards its final
episodes, Sidney receives a letter saying that she got it badly, terribly wrong. Sidney has just
convinced the world that Grace is innocent. Now she wonders if she has helped to free a ruthless
killer. Delving into Grace's past, she peels away layer after layer of deception. But as Sidney
edges closer to the real heart of the story, she must decide if finding the truth is worth risking her
newfound fame, her career -- even her life. A riveting novel of suspense with more plot twists
and turns than a Coney Island roller coaster, "Don't Believe It" showcases author Charlie
Donlea's genuine flair for originality and narrative driven storytelling. While unreserved
recommended for community library collections, it should be noted for personal reading lists that
'Don't Believe It" is also available in a digital book format (Kindle, $12.99).
Side by Side
Jenni L. Walsh
Forge
c/o Tor/Forge Books
175 Fifth Avenue, New York, NY 10010
www.tor-forge.com
9780765398451, $27.99, HC, 320pp, www.amazon.com
"Side by Side" is a novel based on the infamous outlaw couple Bonnie and Clyde. Set in 1931
Texas at the height of the Great Depression, and Bonnie is miles from Clyde. He's locked up, and
she's left waiting, their dreams of a life together dwindling every day. When Clyde returns from
prison damaged and distant, unable to keep a job, and dogged by the cops, Bonnie knows the law
will soon come for him. But there's only one road forward for her. If the world won't give them
their American Dream, they'll just have to take it. A simply riveting read from beginning to end
by a master of narrative storytelling, "Side by Side" by Jenni L. Walsh is unreservedly
recommended for community library collections. It should be noted for personal reading lists that
"Side by Side" is also available in a digital book format (Kindle, $14.99).
The Mystery/Suspense Shelf
City of Sharks
Kelli Stanley
Minotaur Books
c/o St. Martin's Publishing Group
175 Fifth Avenue, New York, NY 10010
www.minotaurbooks.com
9781250006752, $26.99, HC, 352pp, www.amazon.com
The blonde secretary was scared when she visited Miranda Corbie's office. A shove into a
streetcar track, a box of poisoned chocolates, and hateful, violent letters. Someone was trying to
kill her. Miranda isn't sure of anything at first except that Louise Crowley, the blonde who works
as an assistant to Niles Alexander, San Francisco publisher, is in trouble. Despite her own
preparations for an imminent voyage to a blitzkrieged Britain and a painful farewell to the city
she loves, Miranda decides to help Louise and takes on her last case as a private detective in San
Francisco... investigating her client, surveying the publishing world of 1940, and stumbling into
murder with a trail that leads straight to Alcatraz. Along the way, Miranda explores her beloved
San Francisco once more, from Playland-at-the-Beach to Chinatown to Nob Hill and Treasure
Island. She encounters John Steinbeck and C.S. Forester, and is aided and abetted by the
charming and dapper San Francisco Chronicle columnist Herb Caen. And she also discovers
personal truths she's long denied. Set in 1940 San Francisco, "City of Sharks" is a deftly crafted
compelling blend of mystery and suspense by an author with a genuine flair for narrative
storytelling and memorable characters embedded in an inherently fascinating plot replete with
unexpected twists and turns. While very highly recommended for community library
Mystery/Suspense collections, it should be noted for the personal reading lists of dedicated
mystery buffs that "City of Sharks" is also available in a digital book format (Kindle,
$13.99).
Scandal Above Stairs
Jennifer Ashley
Berkley Books
c/o Penguin Group (USA)
375 Hudson Street, 4th floor, New York, NY 10014
www.penguin.com
9780399585531, $15.00, PB, 320pp, www.amazon.com
Priceless artwork has gone missing from the home of a wealthy baronet, and his wife stands to
take the blame. When Kat's employer asks for help in clearing her friend's name, Kat trades her
kitchen for the homes of Mayfair's wealthiest families. Soon antiques are disappearing not only
from the extravagant households of connoisseurs and collectors, but from the illustrious British
Museum. As the thefts increase in frequency, Kat calls upon her friend Daniel McAdam, who has
already set himself up in a pawnshop on the Strand as a seedy receiver of stolen goods. When a
man is murdered in the shop, Kat must use all of her wits to see that the thieves are caught and
justice is done. In the pages of "Scandal Above Stairs", author Jennifer Ashley continues to
reveal herself as a master of the historical mystery genre. A compelling and entertaining read
from first page to last, "Scandal Above Stairs" will prove to be an immediate and enduringly
popular addition to community library Mystery/Suspense collections. It should be noted for the
personal reading lists of dedicated mystery buffs that "Scandal Above Stairs" is also available in
a digital book format (Kindle, $9.99), as well as a complete and unabridged audio book
(Dreamscape Media, 9781974903207, $29.99, CD).
Caught in Time
Julie McElwain
Pegasus Books
80 Broad Street, 5th Floor, New York, NY 10004
www.pegasusbooks.com
9781681777665, $25.95, HC, 464pp, www.amazon.com
In October 1815, there is only one place Kendra Donovan wants to travel -- and that's back to her
own time period in the twenty-first century. But since that's not happening, she agrees instead to
travel with her new guardian, the Duke of Aldridge, to one of his smaller estates in Lancashire.
Their journey takes them through Yorkshire, a region whose breathtaking beauty masks a
simmering violence brought on by the Industrial Revolution, which pits mill owner against
worker. When Kendra and the Duke encounter a band of Luddites on a lonely, fog-shrouded
road, the Duke informs the authorities in the nearby village of East Dingleford that mischief may
have been done at the local mill. However, it isn't just mischief but murder that is discovered,
when the body of the mill manager, Mr. Stone, is found brutally bludgeoned to death in his
office. The Constable is certain the radical-minded Luddites committed the murder. One look at
the crime scene and Kendra knows they did not, prompting the Duke to shock the locals by
volunteering their services to catch the real killer. Joined by lover Alec and Bow Street Runner
Sam Kelly, Kendra must sort through the puzzle of Stone's rather unsavory life, picking apart
alibies and dissecting carefully created deceptions from a growing list of suspects. As a special
agent for the FBI, Kendra thought she'd encountered every kind of evil. But when another, even
more vicious murder rocks East Dingleford, Kendra realizes that they're dealing with a stone-cold
killer -- someone who has a shocking secret that he will do anything to protect. A combination of
science fiction time travel, mystery and suspense, "Caught in Time" is a simply fascinating and
compelling read from cover to cover. Showcasing author Julie McElwain's impressive flair for
originality and narrative driven storytelling, "Caught in Time" is very highly recommended for
community library collections. It should be noted for personal reading lists that "Caught in Time"
is also available in a digital book format (Kindle, $12.99), as well as a complete and unabridged
audio book (Tantor Audio, 9781977355041, $29.99, CD).
The Con Artist
Fred Van Lente, author
Tom Fowler, illustrator
Quirk Books
215 Church Street, Philadelphia PA 19106
www.quirkbooks.com
9781683690344, $14.99, PB, 288pp, www.amazon.com
Comic book artist Mike Mason arrives at San Diego Comic-Con, seeking sanctuary with other
fans and creators (and maybe to reunite with his ex) but when his rival is found murdered, he
becomes the prime suspect. To clear his name, Mike will have to navigate every corner of the
con, from zombie obstacle courses and cosplay flash mobs to intrusive fans and obsessive
collectors, in the process unraveling a dark secret behind one of the industry's most legendary
creators. A wonderfully original and unrelentingly entertaining read from beginning to end, "The
Con Artist" showcases author Fred Van Lente's genuine flair for colorfully original, narrative
driven storytelling. While "The Con Artist" is very highly recommended, especially for
community library Mystery/Suspense collections, it should be noted for personal reading lists of
mystery buffs in general, and comic convention fans in particular, that "The Con Artist" is also
available in a digital book format (Kindle, $9.99).
A Death in Eden
Keith McCafferty
Viking Books
c/o Penguin Group USA
375 Hudson Street, New York, NY 10014
www.penguin.com
9780525557531, $26.00, HC, 320pp, www.amazon.com
When scarecrows appear in the cliffs above Montana's famous Smith River and a little girl
reports being chased by one in the night, state investigator Harold Little Feather is brought in to
find the culprit. Are the menacing effigies related to a copper-mining project that threatens the
purity of the Smith? That's Harold's initial suspicion, but his investigation takes an ominous turn
when a decapitated body is found in the river. As Harold's search leads him back in time through
the canyon's history, Sean Stranahan launches his raft upriver. He has been hired to guide a
floating party that includes Clint McCaine, the manager of the mine project; Bart Trueblood, the
president of "Save The Smith", a grassroots organization devoted to stopping the project; and the
documentarian filming their arguments. McCaine and Trueblood grew up on the Smith on
neighboring ranches, and as they travel downstream, it's revealed that the two share a past that
runs much deeper and darker than their opposing viewpoints. The currents of the seemingly
unrelated trips will soon flow together, and Stranahan's long-time love Sheriff Martha Ettinger
will enter the fray as the boats hurtle toward a date with danger at a place called Table Rock. The
seventh novel in the author Sean Stranahan's Sean Stranahan mystery series, "Death in Eden" is
another deftly crafted gem that is a riveting, entertaining read from first page to last. While very
highly recommended for community library Mystery/Suspense collections, it should be noted for
the personal reading lists of dedicated mystery buffs that "Death in Eden" is also available in a
digital press format (Kindle, $12.99).
Confound It
Maggie Toussaint
Camel Press
PO Box 70515, Seattle, WA 98127
www.camelpress.com
9781603815956, $16.95, PB, 248pp, www.amazon.com
While hosting out-of-town guests at her Georgia home, Dreamwalker Baxley Powell is called
upon to help investigate a suspicious fire. One of her guests, close friend and fellow dreamwalker
Deputy Sam Mayes, accompanies her to the scene. A meth cook is dead, and when Baxley visits
her beyond the Veil of Life, she determines that the woman was murdered. Baxley pities Mandy
Patterson, a single mother with aspirations for her teenage son Doodle. Unconcerned about the
death of a criminal, the authorities pursue the drug-supply chain angle. Baxley worries about
Doodle and vows to find out who killed his mother. As the case grows more baffling, Baxley
struggles against her attraction to Sam. Although her husband is missing and declared dead, she
does not feel free to love again until she is sure of his fate. Two suspects have the strongest
motive, but Baxley has reason to believe they are pawns in a deeper game. And unless she can
stop them, the world will never be the same. The fifth title in author Maggie Toussaint's simply
outstanding Dreamwalker Mystery series, "Confound It" is another deftly crafted and simply
riveting read by a master of the genre that is unreservedly recommended for community library
Mystery/Suspense collections. It should be noted for the personal reading lists of dedicated
mystery buffs that "Confound It" is also available in a digital book format (Kindle, $4.95).
The Gene Police
Elliott Light
Bancroft Press
PO Box 65360, Baltimore, MD 21209
www.bancroftpress.com
9781610882170, $25.95, HC, 264pp, www.amazon.com
When Jennifer Rice was brutally murdered DNA evidence found at the scene, DNA that belongs
to a man long thought dead, and a shadowy fifty-year old photograph of a woman holding a baby
taken at a near-by farm. Shep Harrington is drawn into this legal quagmire by the arrival of his
friend, and now client, Reggie Mason, a black state trooper, who admits that he obtained the
DNA illegally. All Reggie wants Shep to do is to ask former residents of the farm it they
remember anyone taking pictures or if they saw a woman with a baby. But simple requests are
not easily contained. As Shep soon learns, the request brings him to the top of a slippery slope
with an ill-defined edge. Question begets question, and the slide down the slope proves
inevitable: What happened to the baby? Who is in the photograph? And who killed Jennifer
Rice? The answers lead Shep into a confrontation with the so called gene police -- a
confrontation that was fifty years in the making. "The Gene Police" by Elliott Light is an original
and simply riveting mystery novel by a master of the genre -- one that is especially recommended
for community library Mystery/Suspense collections. It should be noted for the personal reading
lists of dedicated mystery buffs that "The Gene Police" is also available in a digital book format
(Kindle, $6.99).
Dead Pretty
David Mark
Blue Rider Press
c/o Penguin Group USA
375 Hudson Street, New York, NY 10014
www.us.penguingroup.com
9780399185151, $16.00, PB, 352pp, www.amazon.com
While a colleague struggles to solve the recent killing of a man too vile to have mourners, Aector
McAvoy, Detective Sergeant of the Humberside Police's murder squad, is still haunted by the
past. His devotion to his cases is unshakeable, but it's been nine months since Hannah Kelly
disappeared in the quiet English countryside, and it is becoming harder to convince himself that
she is just missing instead of dead -- especially when another young woman is found brutally
murdered. As McAvoy looks for connections between the women, his boss Trish Pharaoh is
preoccupied with troubles of her own. Reuben Hollow (a man convicted of murder with the help
of perjured testimony from the Humberside Police) has just been released from prison after a
high-profile wrongful conviction suit, putting Pharaoh's reputation at stake. But when her house
is broken into and her children threatened, she soon learns it is not only her good name that's in
danger. As the cases intertwine and Pharaoh's behavior becomes more erratic, McAvoy must
question who he can trust if he is to uncover Hannah's fate and find justice for the dead -- without
joining them himself. Featuring a deftly crafted, gritty, atmospheric mystery by a master of the
genre, "Dead Pretty" is a compelling read with more twists and turns that a Coney Island
rollercoaster. While very highly recommended for community library Mystery/Suspense
collections, it should be noted for the personal reading lists of dedicated mystery buffs that "Dead
Pretty" is also available in a digital book format (Kindle, $11.99).
Three Strikes, You're Dead
Elena Hartwell
Camel Press
PO Box 70515, Seattle, WA 98127
www.camelpress.com
9781603817271, $15.95, PB, 288pp, www.amazon.com
Private investigator Eddie Shoes heads to a resort outside Leavenworth, Washington, for a
mother-daughter getaway weekend. Eddie's mother Chava wants to celebrate her new job at a
casino by footing the bill for the two of them, and who is Eddie to say no? On the first morning,
Eddie goes on an easy solo hike, and a few hours later, stumbles upon a makeshift campsite and a
gravely injured man. A forest fire breaks out and she struggles to save him before the flames
overcome them both. Before succumbing to his injuries, the man hands her a valuable rosary. He
tells her his daughter is missing and begs for her help. Is Eddie now working for a dead man?
Barely escaping the fire, Eddie wakes in the hospital to find both her parents have arrived on the
scene. Will Eddie's card-counting mother and mob-connected father help or hinder the
investigation? The police search in vain for a body. How will Eddie find the missing girl with
only Eddie's memory of the man's face and a photo of his daughter to go on? "Three Strikes,
You're Dead" is another deftly crafted mystery by Elena Hartwell. With more plot twists and
turns than a Cony Island roller coaster, "Three Strikes, You're Dead" is a compelling page-turner
of a novel by a true master of the genre. While very highly recommended for community library
Mystery/Suspense collections, it should be noted for the personal reading lists of dedicated
mystery buffs that "Three Strikes, You're Dead" is also available in a digital book format (Kindle,
$4.95).
The Disappearing
Lori Roy
Dutton
c/o Penguin Group USA
375 Hudson Street, 3rd floor, New York, NY 10014-3657
www.us.penguingroup.com
9781524741938, $27.00, HC, 352pp, www.amazon.com
When Lane Fielding fled her isolated Florida hometown after high school for the anonymity of
New York City, she swore she'd never return. But twenty years later, newly divorced and with
two daughters in tow, she finds herself tending bar at the local dive and living with her parents on
the historic Fielding Plantation. Here, the past haunts her and the sinister crimes of her father--the
former director of an infamous boys' school -- make her as unwelcome in town as she was the
day she left. Ostracized by the people she was taught to trust, Lane's unsteady truce with the town
is rattled when her older daughter suddenly vanishes. Ten days earlier, a college student went
missing, and the two disappearances at first ignite fears that a serial killer who once preyed upon
the town has returned. But when Lane's younger daughter admits to having made a new and
unseemly friend, a desperate Lane attacks her hometown's facade to discover whether her
daughter's disappearance is payback for her father's crimes -- or for her own. With reporters
descending upon the town, police combing through the swamp, and events taking increasingly
disturbing turns, Lane fears she faces too many enemies and too little time to bring her daughter
safely home. Powerful and heart-pounding, "The Disappearing" questions the endurance of
family bonds, the dangers of dark rumors and small town gossip, and how sometimes home is the
scariest place of all. Another deftly crafted read by a master of narrative storytelling, Lori Roy's
"The Disappearing" is a simply riveting read from beginning to end. While an especially
recommended addition to community library Contemporary General Fiction collections, it should
be noted for personal reading lists that "The Disappearing" is also available in a digital book
format (Kindle, $13.99).
Broken Ground
Joe Clifford
Oceanview Publishing
1620 Main Street, Suite 11, Sarasota, FL 34236
www.oceanviewpub.com
9781608092437, $26.95, HC, 304pp, www.amazon.com
At an AA meeting, handyman and part-time investigator Jay Porter meets a recovering addict
who needs his help. In the midst of another grueling northern New Hampshire winter, Amy
Lupus' younger sister, Emily, has gone missing from the Coos County Center, the newly opened
rehab run by Jay's old nemeses, Adam and Michael Lombardi. As Jay begins looking into Emily's
disappearance, he finds that all who knew Emily swear that she's never used drugs. She's a
straight shooter and an intern at a newspaper investigating the Center and the horrendous secret
hidden in it -- or beneath it. When Jay learns of a "missing" hard drive, he is flung back to five
years ago when his own junkie brother, Chris, found a hard drive belonging to Lombardi
Construction. For years Jay assumed that the much-sought-after hard drive contained
incriminating photos of Adam and Michael's father, which contributed to Chris' death. But now
he believes that hard drive may have harbored a secret far more sinister, which the missing Lupus
sister may have unwittingly discovered. The deeper Jay digs, the more poisoned the ground gets,
and the two cases become one, yielding a toxic truth with local fallout -- and far-reaching
ramifications. Another deftly crafted novel by Joe Clifford, "Broken Ground" is a simply riveting
read from beginning to end and will prove to be an immediate and enduringly popular addition to
community library Mystery/Suspense collections. It should be noted for the personal reading lists
of dedicated mystery buffs in general -- Joe Clifford fans in particular -- that "Broken Ground" is
also available in a digital book format (Kindle, $9.99).
The Fantasy/SciFi Shelf
World of Warcraft: Before the Storm
Christie Golden
Del Rey
c/o The Random House Publishing Group
1745 Broadway, 17th floor, New York, NY 10019
www.randomhouse.com
9780399594090 $28.00 hc / $14.99 Kindle amazon.com
World of Warcraft: Before the Storm is a fantasy novel set in the world of the immensely popular
multiplayer online role-playing game World of Warcraft, and specifically taking place between
the "Legion" expansion and the "Battle for Azeroth" expansion. After a horrendous war to put an
end to the demonic Legion, both the Alliance and Horde need time to plant crops, tend to their
wounded, and recover from devastation. Rumblings of discontent remain, and renewed war
between the factions seems inevitable... or is it? The young, recently crowned King Anduin
devises a plan in hope of bridging the gap between the humans of the Alliance and the undead
Forsaken of the Horde... but the Horde Warchief Sylvanas, Queen of the Forsaken has her own,
cunning machinations. As the title implies, Before the Storm is a novel about the brief, uncertain,
and tenuous cessation of hostilities; the narrative focus is not on combat or violence, but rather
the daily lives of rulers and commoners alike. Light is shined on how the undead Forsaken see
the world around them, and go on from day to day without biological rhythms to structure their
existence. Vividly descriptive to the point of haunting, Before the Storm is a treat for fantasy
connoisseurs and a "must-read" for any gamer looking forward to the Battle for Azeroth
expansion!
The Christian Studies Shelf
The Church: Theology in History
Frederick J. Cwiekowski
The Liturgical Press
2950 Saint John's Road, PO Box 7500, Collegeville, MN 56321-7500
www.litpress.org
9780814644683, $39.95, PB, 424pp, www.amazon.com
The historical context in which theological understandings have developed play an important role
in our understanding of the modern Christian church. In "The Church: Theology in History",
Sulpician priest and scholar Frederick J. Cwiekowski deftly traces the theology of the church,
beginning with the community of disciples during Jesus' ministry and the New Testament era.
Father Cwiekowski continues through the various periods of history, highlighting events from
both the East and West, including the remarkable developments surrounding the Second Vatican
Council, the post-conciliar period, and today's pontificate of Pope Francis. Written and intended
for both theology students and seminarians, as well as non-specialist general readers with an
interest in the subject, Father Cwiekowski hopes to promote an appreciation of the mystery that is
the church. Impressively informed and informative, exceptionally well written, organized and
presented, "The Church: Theology in History" is an extraordinary study that is unreservedly
recommended for seminary, community, and academic library Christian History collections. It
should be noted for the personal reading lists of students, clergy, academia, and members of the
Catholic community with an interest in the subject that "The Church: Theology in History" is
also available in a digital book format (Kindle, $24.99).
Redeeming How We Talk
Ken Wytsma & A. J. Swoboda
Moody Publishers
820 N. LaSalle Blvd., Chicago, IL 60610
www.moodypublishers.com
9780802416179, $14.99, PB, 224pp, www.amazon.com
Electronic technology such as the iPhone has made it easier than ever before to share just about
everything: pictures, ideas, even the ups and downs of our morning errands. Yet all our talking
doesn't seem to be connecting us the way it promised to. That's because we don't need to talk
more, we need to talk better. In "Redeeming How We Talk: Discover How Communication Fuels
Our Growth, Shapes Our Relationships, and Changes Our Lives", Ken Wytsma (President of
Kilns College, Bend, Oregon, where he teaches courses in philosophy and justice) and A. J.
Swoboda (Pastor of Theophilus Church, Portland, Oregon) collaboratively explore what the
Bible has to say about that central aspect of life and relationships -- conversation. The Scriptures
show us that words have remarkable power to create, to bless, to encourage, and to forgive. By
weaving together theology, history, and philosophy, "Redeeming How We Talk" will help all
members of the Christian community to reclaim the holiness of human speech and the relevance
of meaningful conversation in our culture today. While highly recommended for seminary,
church, community, and academic library Contemporary Christian Studies collections, it should
be noted for personal reading lists that "Redeeming How We Talk" is also available in a digital
book format (Kindle, $9.59) and as a complete and unabridged audio book (Christian Audio,
9781545907733, $19.98, CD).
Jesus Christ: His Life and Teaching: The Beginning of the Gospel
Metropolitan Hilarion Alfeyev
SVS Press
575 Scarsdale Road, Yonkers, NY 10707
www.svspress.com
9780881416084, $35.00, PB, 578pp, www.amazon.com
It has been said that Jesus Christ is always actual, and at the same time always anticipating
actuality. This is something that Metropolitan Hilarion has made abundantly clear in his
monumental six-volume study, "Jesus Christ: his Life and Teaching". As he observes, throughout
history there has never been a person about whom so much has been written; and yet the
Metropolitan has himself found many new ways to restate, in fresh and vivid terms, the ancient
truths about the Savior. "Jesus Christ: His Life and Teaching: The Beginning of the Gospel is the
first volume a truly remarkable and informative study that deserves to be read with close
attention by all members of the Christian faith. While very highly recommended for seminary,
church, and academic library Christian Studies collections, it should be noted for the personal
reading lists of seminary students, clergy, and non-specialist general readers with an interest in
the subject that "Jesus Christ: His Life and Teaching: The Beginning of the Gospel" is also
available in a digital book format (Kindle, $9.99).
Compelled
Dudley Rutherford
Worthy Publishing
One Franklin Park
6100 Tower Circle, Suite 210, Franklin, TN 37067
www.worthypublishing.com
9781683972518, $16.99, PB, 224pp, www.amazon.com
In the pages of "Compelled: The Irresistible Call to Share Your Faith", Dudley Rutherford
(Senior Pastor of Shepherd Church, a 15,000-member congregation) shares his earnest desire for
each and every Christian believer to be equipped and bold with the good news of salvation. He
encourages his readers with inspiring stories of men and women, young and old, who have
accepted the irresistible call to share Jesus with everyone they meet. And he provides practical
methods to overcome our fears and effectively articulate the message of salvation. "Compelled"
will strengthen the gentle nudging in our spirit until it's too loud to ignore -- until we as members
of the Christian community are compelled to tell others, Christians and non-Christians alike,
about the hope we have found in our faith. While highly recommended for all members of the
Christian community regardless of denominational affiliations, it should be noted that
"Compelled" is also available in a digital book format (Kindle, $9.48) and as a complete and
unabridged audio book (ChristianAudio, 9781545907917, $19.98, CD).
Reclaim Regret
Kathryn J. Hermes, FSP
Pauline Books & Media
50 St. Paul's Avenue, Boston, MA 02130-3433
9780819865137, $14.95, PB, www.pauline.org
Reflecting on the life you've lived so far might be an exercise wrought with guilt, frustration,
disappointment, and regret. When these feelings hinder your spiritual strength and closeness to
God, you might feel stuck in all areas of life. "Reclaim Regret: How God Heals Life's
Disappointments" by Sr. Kathryn Hermes can lead you along the path of reshaping those regrets
in the context of your life story. Real-world examples, powerful meditations, and Sr. Kathryn's
own experiences can transform that feeling of midlife stagnation into spiritual liberation.
"Reclaim Regret" is helpful guide that uses narrative, sacred scripture, and prayer to explore the
hopeful journey of emerging from shame and disappointment from life choices. Learn about
God's four promises to you that will help you forgive yourself, encounter God's love and healing,
and embrace spiritual freedom. "Reclaim Regret" includes stories of real people who faced and
overcame debilitating regret; prayer moments in each chapter connect scripture, stories, and
personal reflection; a concrete process of reclaiming regret for a stronger relationship with God;
and practical meditations to guide the spiritual healing journey. Exceptionally well written,
organized and presented, "Reclaim Regret" is an especially recommended addition to personal,
church, community, and academic library Spirituality & Personal Growth collections and
supplemental studies reading lists.
The City of God: Abridged Study Edition
Saint Augustine, author
William Babcock, translator
Boniface Ramsey & Joseph Kelley, editors
New City Press
202 Cardinal Road, Hyde Park, NY 12538
www.newcitypress.com
9781565486607, $34.95, PB, 620pp, www.amazon.com
Augustine of Hippo (354-430) is one of the greatest thinkers and writers of the Western world.
After he converted to Christianity he became bishop of Hippo in North Africa, where he was
influential in civil and church affairs. His writings have had a lasting impact on Western
philosophy and culture. Along with his Confessions, "The City of God" is undoubtedly St.
Augustine's most influential work. In the context of what begins as a lengthy critique of classic
Roman religion and a defense of Christianity, Augustine touches upon numerous topics,
including the role of grace, the original state of humanity, the possibility of waging a just war, the
ideal form of government, and the nature of heaven and hell. But his major concern is the
difference between the City of God and the City of Man one built on love of God, the other on
love of self. One cannot but be moved and impressed by the author's breadth of interest and
penetrating intelligence. For all those who are interested in the greatest classics of Christian
antiquity, The City of God is indispensable. Ably translated into English by William Babcock
and collaboratively edited by Boniface Ramsey and Joseph Kelley, "The City of God: Abridged
Study Edition) is a highly recommended textbook for seminary, college, and university Christian
Theology curriculums in general, and St. Augustine supplemental studies lists in particular -- as
well as being an ideal choice for individual students, clergy, and non-specialist general readers
with an interest in the subject.
Horses Speak of God
Laurie M. Brock
Paraclete Press
PO Box 1568, Orleans, MA 02653
www.paracletepress.com
9781612619293, $16.99, PB, 144pp, www.amazon.com
Laurie M. Brock is an Episcopal priest serving St. Michael the Archangel in Lexington,
Kentucky. She also volunteers as a crisis chaplain with the Lexington Police Department.
"Horses Speak of God: How Horses Can Teach Us to Listen and Be Transformed" is what
happens when a writer, preacher, and lover of words encounters some of creation's wisest
theologians -- horses. First, she argues with them. They are, after all, horses. What could they
possibly know about life and God that theologians haven't already written? But slowly she
engages their language and listens to their holy wisdom, attending to how they express their
being, their actions, and their relationships. She allows horses to draw her out of the faith of
intellect and into a deeper faith of emotion, body, and soul. With edgy honesty and humor, Laurie
Brock invites all who have longed for a deeper spiritual encounter with God to join her in the
saddle (and occasionally on the ground) to discover how horses speak of God and how their ways
of knowing help us to discover ways of God speaking to us. Unique, entertaining, thought-
provoking, inspired and inspiring, "Horses Speak of God" is very highly recommended and
uplifting reading for all members of the Christian community. It should be noted for personal
reading lists that "Horses Speak of God" is also available in a digital book format (Kindle,
$9.99).
The Judaic Studies Shelf
The Israel Bible
Rabbi Tuly Weisz, editor
Menorah Books
c/o Koren Publishers Jerusalem Ltd.
c/o Toby Press
PO Box 8531, New Milford, CT 06776-8531
www.korenpub.com
9781940516806, $59.95, HC, 2212pp, www.amazon.com
This bilingual (English/Hebrew) edition of "The Israel Bible" is the world's first Bible centered
around the Land of Israel, the People of Israel, and the dynamic relationship between them.
Designed for both Jewish and non-Jewish readers alike, "The Israel Bible" offers a unique
commentary that seeks to explain God's focus on the Land of Israel alongside the original
Hebrew text and the New Jewish Publication Society translation. All 929 chapters highlight
verses that relate to Israel, including relevant quotes and perspectives from prime ministers, as
well as abundant maps, charts, and illustrations. In the 70 years since the modern rebirth of the
State of Israel, the Jewish State has been at the forefront of the world's attention. Today, there are
countless efforts to vilify the Jewish state. Yet, there is also an ever-expanding movement of
biblical Zionists who stand alongside the nation of Israel as an expression of their commitment to
God's eternal word. As we seek to understand the clash between these two conflicting ideologies,
while seeking to make sense of the modern world's great interest in Israel, the need for "The
Israel Bible" has never been so timely or important. Very highly recommended for academia and
non-specialist general readers alike, "The Israel Bible" is an impressively informative,
exceptionally well organized, and accessibly presented study that should be a part of every
community, synagogue, and academic library Judaic Studies collections.
The Automotive Shelf
The Chandler Automobile
James H. Lackey
McFarland & Company
PO Box 611, Jefferson NC 28640
https://mcfarlandbooks.com
9781476663937, $75.00, HC, 264pp, www.amazon.com
Incorporated by veteran automakers in 1913, the Chandler Motor Car Company was initially
successful in a fiercely competitive industry, manufacturing an array of quality automobiles at a
range of prices. Yet by the late 1920s the company was floundering under mismanagement.
Producing four lines of cars with numerous body styles, Chandler and its lower-priced
companion marque, Cleveland, were unable to find markets for their numerous models and
seemed in effect to be competing against themselves. Drawing on numerous automotive histories
and two large private collections of memorabilia, "The Chandler Automobile: A History
Including the Cleveland and Chandler-Cleveland Marques" by James H. Lackey is an exhaustive
and comprehensive study of the Chandler Motor Car Company that covers the automobiles in
detail, including all body styles, and their changes during production. "The Chandler
Automobile" aptly chronicles the growth, expansion and later troubles of Chandler and
Cleveland, providing fresh insight into the formative years of the auto industry and the
personalities who made it go. Profusely illustrated throughout, exceptionally well organized and
presented, "The Chandler Automobile" is an extraordinary and welcome addition to personal,
community, and academic library 20th Century American Automotive History collections and
supplemental studies reading lists.
Brain Haulage Ltd
Peter Sumpter
5m Publishing
c/o International Specialized Book Services
920 Northeast 58th Avenue, Suite 300, Portland, OR 97213
www.isbs.com
9781912158164, $39.95, HC, 144pp, www.amazon.com
Brain Haulage was formed by Charles Edward Brain in 1950 and played a major role in the
container revolution in the UK, completely changing the way goods were transported over the
world. Peter Sumpter was a driver with Brain Haulage until it closed in 1992, and he is an
unofficial archivist of the brand, having taken hundreds of photographs and chronicling his
adventures in a diary for over 20 years. In the illustrated pages of "Brain Haulage Ltd: A
Company History 1950-1992", Peter tells the history of Brain and the container revolution, as
well as the story of Charles Brain, from his early years working for the L.M.S. Railway at
Camden Town to his time in the R.A.F. during the second world war, before eventually starting
his own haulage company. The rest of the story is from Peter's own diary and the many ex-drivers
and Brains staff he worked with over the years. Including over 300 previously unpublished
photographs, "Brain Haulage Ltd" is a uniquely informative history and unreservedly
recommended reading for academicians and non-specialist general readers interested in
containers and their revolution, as well as road transport and haulage trade enthusiasts. While
unreservedly recommended for community and academic library Automotive & Transportation
History collections, it should be noted for personal reading lists that "Brain Haulage Ltd" is also
available in a digital book format (Kindle, $24.99).
The Gun Shelf
Blue Book of Gun Values, 39th edition
S. P. Fjestad
Blue Book Publications
https://www.bluebookofgunvalues.com/#/Index
9781936120321, $54.95, PB, 2512pp, www.amazon.com
Now in a newly updated and expanded 39th edition featuring accurate information and up-to-date
values for modern firearms and many major trademark antiques, the "Blue Book of Gun Values"
by S. P. Fjestad once again provides the most firearms information and pricing, including all the
new makes/models for 2018. This 39th edition the "Blue Book of Gun Values" continues to be
the "bible" for the firearms industry and is comprised of more than 1,700+ manufacturers and
trademarks are listed with brief histories whenever possible. Almost 24,000 models are
individually listed and described with 550,000 up-to-date values being provided. The 80-page
color Photo Percentage Grading System (PCGS) has been revised, making firearms grading even
easier and more accurate. Serialization charts have been expanded, allowing more years of
manufacture to be determined on individual makes/models. Unique, comprehensive, reliable,
exceptionally well organized and presented, this 39th edition of the "Blue Book of Gun Values"
is unreservedly recommended for personal, professional, community, and academic library
reference collections. It should be noted that it is also available in DVD-ROM format
(9781947314061, $39.95).
The Art Shelf
Painted Ladies
Randy Walker
Schiffer Publishing Ltd.
4880 Lower Valley Road, Atglen, PA 19310
www.schifferbooks.com
9780887403927, $29.99, PB, 128pp, www.amazon.com
Today's nose art has become the rule and not the exception throughout the bomber and tanker
fores of Strategic Air Command, and although Tactical Air Command frowns on non-standard
markings of any sort, several TAC gained Air National Guard units have artwork on their
aircraft. Tradition plays a large part in modem nose art. As shown in Randy Walkers' profusely
illustrated study, the painting of cartoons and sexy ladies on military aircraft has returned. Names
like "Memphis Belle", "Chow Hound" and "Maid in the USA", that once went to war on B-17s
and B-24s are now carried by B-52s and FB-111s, as well as many other modem aircraft. This
modem nose art is often applied by a professional artist, though it is sometimes painted by
members of the unit, and in the process some excellent artwork has been created. A simply
fascinating read, "Painted Ladies: Modern Military Aircraft Nose Art & Unusual Markings" is a
unique and unreservedly recommended addition to personal, community, and academic library
Military Aviation History collections and supplemental studies reading lists.
The Metaphysical Studies Shelf
Bigfoot Nation
David Hatcher Childress
Adventures Unlimited Press
PO Box 74, Kempton, IL 60946
www.adventuresunlimitedpress.com
9781939149961, $22.00, PB, 346pp, www.amazon.com
David Hatcher Childress is world-known author and researcher, the author of over 26 books, and
currently the co-star on the History Channel's popular series Ancient Aliens which now in its
11th season. In the pages of "Bigfoot Nation", Childress examines the seemingly real world of
bigfoot around us in the United States and Canada. Whether real or imagined, bigfoot has made
his way into the American psyche. He appears in television commercials, movies, and on
roadside billboards. In fact, bigfoot is everywhere, with actors portraying him in variously
believable performances and it has become the popular notion that bigfoot is both dangerous and
horny. Bigfoot Nation is all about style, a kind of lifestyle that keeps bigfoot on the fringes of
society, gently creeping into our dreams. "Bigfoot Nation" begins with the very first bigfoot
reports in the 1800s and continues to the present day. The chapters that comprise "Bigfoot
Nation" include: 1800 to 1899: The Wildmen of the Frontier; The Oldest Bigfoot Photo; 1900 to
1940: The Pre-War Years; 1950 to 1990: The Post-War Years; The Skunk Apes of Swamp
Nation; Missing Hunters & Berry Pickers; Bigfoot in New Mexico and Arizona; 2000 to 2020:
Post-Millennial Bigfoot, more. Enhanced with the inclusion of 16 pages of color photos that
document Bigfoot Nation, this unique and inherently fascinating study is especially and
unreservedly recommended for both community and academic library collections, as well as the
personal reading lists of anyone with a curiosity about the creatures known as Sasquatch, Yetis,
or Bigfoot.
The Animal Allies and Gemstone Guardians Cards
Margaret Ann Lembo, author
Richard Crookes, illustrator
Findhorn Press
c/o Inner Traditions International, Ltd.
One Park Street, Rochester, VT 05767
www.innertraditions.com
9781844097418, $15.99, Cards, www.amazon.com
When an animal, insect, bird, or other creature from nature appears repetitively, whether in real
life or dreams, it is time to pay attention and find the message that nature is bringing you. "The
Animal Allies and Gemstone Guardians Cards " is a full-color oracle deck pairing animal allies
and gemstones to increase our awareness and bring inspiration to light our path Each individual
card matches the vibration of an animal with the energy of a crystal, mineral, or stone to provide
guidance and messages of hope, happiness, and well-being. This beautifully crafted deck includes
44 full-color cards, each with a question for contemplative thought, a positive affirmation, and
Divine Guidance. Animal allies are helpers, supporters, and our spiritual entourage, here to
reveal self-knowledge and provide clarity on life's challenges. The Gemstone Guardians are the
devic force of the gemstone, which adds energetic assistance in achieving goals and desires
through the color and geometric structure of the stone. Very highly recommended for personal
and professional metaphysical studies and tarot collections, each of the cards in this unique deck
offers a question for contemplative thought, a positive affirmation, and Divine Guidance.
Modern Druidism
Yowann Byghan
McFarland & Company
PO Box 611, Jefferson NC 28640
https://mcfarlandbooks.com
9781476673141, $29.95, PB, 252pp, www.amazon.com
Yowann Byghan is an author, poet and playwright who has been a practicing Druid for more than
fifty years. He is a Bard of the Cornish Gorsedh, and speaks fluent Cornish. His knowledge of
Scottish Gaidhlig, Irish Gaeilge and Welsh, as well as Latin, has allowed him to research source
texts in the original languages as well as in translation. In the pages of "Modern Druidism"
Byghan provides an informed and informative introduction to modern Druidism, as well as
providing a comprehensive overview of today's Pagan religion and philosophy, whose roots are
in the Celtic tribal societies of ancient Britain and Ireland. "Modern Druidism" covers Druidism's
mythology, history and important figures and its beliefs and moral system, and describes
practices, rituals and ceremonies. A gazetteer of important sacred sites is included, along with
information about modern Druid groups and organizations, "Modern Druidism" is very highly
recommended for personal, community, and academic library Metaphysical Studies collections in
general, and Druidism supplemental studies lists in particular. It should be noted for students and
non-specialist general readers with an interest in the subject that "Modern Druidism" is also
available in a digital book format (Kindle, $15.99).
The Book of Tarot
Danielle Noel
Andrews McMeel Publishing
1130 Walnut Street, Kansas City, MO 64106-2109
www.andrewsmcmeel.com
9781449491864, $16.99, PB, 208pp, www.amazon.com
More than a just another instructional guidebook, "The Book of Tarot: A Guide for Modern
Mystics" by freelance designer, writer, and visual artist Danielle Noel offers a space in which to
set goals and intentions with clarity and purpose. It also serves as an accessible introduction to
the Tarot's many uses, from mystical touchstone to practical resource. In this beautifully
designed, easy-to-navigate volume, Noel instructs readers in using the Tarot as a tool for
self-understanding, meditation, and soulful introspection. A unique approach to learning about
the use and value of tarot readings, "The Book of Tarot: A Guide for Modern Mystics" will prove
to be a welcome and valued addition to personal, professional, and academic library Tarot
collections. It should be noted for the personal reading lists of tarot students and practitioners that
"The Book of Tarot: A Guide for Modern Mystics" is also available in a digital book format
(Kindle, $9.99).
The Biography Shelf
Under the Birch Tree
Nancy Chadwick
www.nancychadwickauthor.com
She Writes Press
www.shewritespress.com
9781631523571, $16.95, PB, 248pp, www.amazon.com
A birch tree grows tall and arabesque in the front yard of Nancy Chadwick's childhood home.
Over time the tree becomes her buddy and first learned connection, synonymous with home. One
spring morning, she makes a discovery under its boughs that foreshadows the many
disconnections within her family, relationships, jobs, and home that are to come. Through the
chapters in her life, Chadwick's search for home carries her through with unflinching honesty, but
in the end, her's is a story of survival and triumph over adversity. She does not wallow in
self-pity but remains tenacious as she examines her life. An exploration of what it means to
belong, "Under the Birch Tree" is a success story of finding home. Candidly engaging, Nancy
Chadwick's memoir is an inherently fascinating, thoughtful and thought-provoking read from
beginning to end. While very highly recommended for both community and academic library
Contemporary American Biography collections, it should be noted for personal reading lists that
"Under the Birch Tree" is also available in a digital book format (Kindle, $9.95).
Old Riot, New Ranger
Bob Alexander
University of North Texas Press
1155 Union Circle #311336, Denton, TX 76203-5017
www.untpress.unt.edu
9781574417296, $34.95, HC, 544pp, www.amazon.com
"Old Riot, New Ranger" by Bob Alexander is the definitive biography of 20th-century Ranger
Captain Jack Dean, who holds the distinction of being one of only five men to serve in both the
Officer's Corps of the Rangers and also as a President-appointed United States Marshal. Jack
Dean's service in Texas Ranger history occurred at a time when the institution was undergoing a
philosophical revamping and restructuring, all hastened by America's Civil Rights Movement,
landmark decisions handed down by the United States Supreme Court, zooming advances in
forensic technology, and focused efforts designed to diversify and professionalize the Rangers.
His job choice caused him to circulate in the duplicitous underworld of dishonesty and
criminality where twisted self interest overrode compliance with societal norms. This
comprehensive biography is packed from cover to cover with true-crime calamities: double
murders, single murders, negligent homicides, suicides, jailbreaks, manhunts, armed robberies
and home invasions, kidnappings, public corruption, sexual assaults, illicit gambling, car-theft
rings, dope smuggling, and arms dealing. Impressively well written, organized and presented,
"Old Riot, New Ranger" is an exceptionally informative and engaging study that is unreservedly
recommended for both community and academic library 20th Century American Biography
collections in general, and the personal reading lists for students of Texas Ranger and U.S.
Marshall histories.
The Graphic Novel Shelf
Clandestinauts
Tim Sievert
Uncivilized Books
PO Box 6534, Minneapolis, MN 55406
www.uncivilizedbooks.com
9781941250259, $17.95, PB, 228pp, www.amazon.com
Hired to acquire the fabled Goblet of the Crimson Wizard, the expert dungeoneering team that
call themselves the Clandestinauts, enter the legendary Master Wizard's formidable fortress with
visions of unimaginable treasures in their futures. That is until, like most journeys through the
dreary depths of blood-soaked sepulchers, things don't go according to plan. Threats both
external and existential stand ready to test the always frayed sinews that bind this team of bitter
rivals together. An original and unfailingly entertaining read from first page to last,
"Clandestinauts" is an especially and unreservedly recommended addition to the personal reading
lists of all action/adventure fantasy fans and will prove to be an immediate and enduringly
popular addition to community library Science Fiction & Fantasy graphic novel collections.
The Audiobook Shelf
Between You & Me: A Novel
Susan Wiggs, author
Performed by Tanya Eby and Adam Verner
susanwiggs.com
Harper Audio
195 Broadway, Floor 2, New York, NY 10007-3132
www.harperaudio.com
9780062850898 $39.99 amazon.com
Between You & Me: A Novel is the unabridged audiobook adaptation of a story set deep within
Amish country. Caleb Stoltz made a deathbed promise to raise his orphaned niece and nephew in
quiet Middle Grove, but a sudden disaster has him cross paths with Dr. Reese Powell. At once
both a love story and a complex, character-driven narrative that questions the lengths to which
one should choose to keep secrets hidden, Between You & Me is thoughtful, compelling, and
superbly brought to life with excellent performances from Tanya Eby and Adam Verner. Highly
recommended, especially for public library audiobook collections. 11 hours, 9 CDs. It should be
noted that Between You & Me is also available as an e-book, a downloadable audiobook, in large
print, and in hardcover.
End Game
David Baldacci
Hachette Audio
1290 Avenue of the Americas, New York, NY 10104
www.HachetteAudio.com
9781478930037, $40.00, CD, www.amazon.com
Will Robie and Jessica Reel are two of the most lethal people alive. They're the ones the
government calls in when the utmost secrecy is required to take out those who plot violence and
mass destruction against the United States. And through every mission, one man has always had
their backs: their handler, code-named Blue Man. But now, Blue Man is missing. Last seen in
rural Colorado, Blue Man had taken a rare vacation to go fly fishing in his hometown when he
disappeared off the grid. With no communications since, the team can't help but fear the worst.
Sent to investigate, Robie and Reel arrive in the small town of Grand to discover that it has its
own share of problems. A stagnant local economy and a woefully understaffed police force have
made this small community a magnet for crime, drugs, and a growing number of militant fringe
groups. But lying in wait in Grand is an even more insidious and sweeping threat, one that may
shake the very foundations of America. And when Robie and Reel find themselves up against an
adversary with superior firepower and a home-court advantage, they'll be lucky if they make it
out alive, with or without Blue Man. A riveting thriller of an action/adventure novel with more
plot twists and turns than a Coney Island roller coaster, this flawlessly produced, complete and
unabridged audio book edition of "End Game" superbly narrated by the team of Kyf Brewer and
Orlach Cassidy. Highly recommended for personal and community library collections, this 10
CD formatted "End Game" has a total running time of 11 hours, 54 minutes.
Bring Me Back
B.A. Paris, author
Read by Cathleen McCarron & Kevin Hely
Macmillan Audio
175 Fifth Avenue, Suite 315, New York, NY 10010
www.macmillanaudio.com
9781427296603 $29.99 amazon.com
Bring Me Back is the unabridged audiobook rendition of the psychological suspense novel by
B.A. Paris. Finn and Layla were once a loving couple on vacation. Finn stopped to use a restroom
on deserted highway, locking his car with the sleeping Layla inside. When he came back, Layla
was gone. This is the story Finn told the police - but he did not tell them everything. Ten years
later, Finn is engaged to Layla's sister Ellen, and on the verge of proposing, even though Finn's
sixth sense tells him that he shouldn't trust Ellen. Then long-lost items from Layla's past start to
appear, and Finn learns that someone from his past has claimed to see Layla hiding in plain sight.
Could Layla be alive, and if so, then why has she concealed herself all this time? A plot marked
by twists and turns, each more shocking than the last, builds to a jaw-dropping climax in this
tense, unforgettable audiobook vividly brought to life with masterful performances by Cathleen
McCarron and Kevin Hely. 6 CDs, 7.5 hours.
The Music CD Shelf
Stage Door Live!
Dori Rubbicco with the John Harrison Quintet
Whaling City Sound
www.whalingcitysound.com
c/o Naxos (distribution)
https://www.naxos.com
$14.99 amazon.com
Recorded live at New Bedford's Zeiterion Theater, Stage Door Live! features Dori Rubbicco and
the John Harrison Quintet performing a mix of original compositions and covers of popular
favorites. The masterful piano of John Harrison III is the perfect complement to Dori Rubbicco's
mesmerizing voice, in this mellifluous, dulcet treasure. Highly recommended! The tracks are
"Roman Sun", "Imagine", "Two Kites", "Pretty Funny", "No Regrets", "Will You Still Love Me
Tomorrow", "Throw It Away", "Twisted", "Right Here Waiting", "I Can See Clearly", and
"That's All".
Queen City Jubilee
The Slocan Ramblers
slocanramblers.com
Privately Published
$TBA CD / $9.49 MP3 amazon.com
Queen City Jubilee is a blend of original and traditional songs as well as some instrumental tunes
from Toronto bluegrass band The Slocan Ramblers. Drawing upon the essence Appalachian old-
time music grounded in all-night james and extended square-dance sessions, Queen City Jubilee
is vivacious, captivating, and highly recommended. The tracks are "Mississippi Heavy Water
Blues", "Just to Know", "Down in the Sugarbush", "Hillbilly Blues / Deer on the River", "Hill to
Climb", "Long Chain Charlie and Moundsville", "First Train in the Morning", "New Morning",
"Through and Through", "Sun's Gonna Shine in My Back Door Someday", "Makin' Home",
"Mighty Hard Road", "Shut the Door", and "Riley the Furniture Man".
Second Bloom
Sylvia
www.SylviaMusic.com
Red Pony Records
$15.98 CD / $9.49 MP3 amazon.com
Second Bloom: The Hits Re-Imagined is an album from country/pop/contemporary musician
Sylvia, who performs her most popular songs from the 1980s with a transformative modern
sheen. Sylvia's honeyed voice transcends decades, and Second Bloom is a golden treasure for
connoisseurs! The tracks are "Drifter", "Nobody", "Tumbleweed", "Fallin' In Love", "Cry Just A
Little Bit", "Sweet Yesterday", "Like Nothing Ever Happened", "Snapshot", "I Love You By
Heart", and "You Can't Go Back Home."
The DVD Shelf
Girlfriends series 1
Written by Kay Mellor
Starring Zoe Wanamaker, Phyllis Logan, & Miranda Richardson
Acorn Media
c/o RLJ Entertainment
www.us.RLJEntertainment.com
$39.99 www.acornonline.com
Girlfriends series 1 is the DVD debut of BAFTA-winning writer Kay Mellor's six-part drama set
in modern times. The saga follows three female friends, each of which must confront modern-day
problems and responsibilities. Linda's husband tragically goes missing on a cruise; Sue is
systematically being shut out of the company she co-founded; and Gail's son abruptly returns
home from prison. The three women seek much-needed support from one another, in this deftly
woven character drama packed with twists and turns. Bonus materials include a behind-the-
scenes featurette (29 min.) and the cast panel at the Television Critics Association event (18
min.), although it should be noted that Girlfriends is intended for mature viewers due to the
presence of strong language, violence, and disturbing images. 294 min. plus bonus.
Delicious series 2
Starring Dawn French, Emilia Fox, & Iain Glen
Acorn Media
c/o RLJ Entertainment
www.us.RLJEntertainment.com
$34.99 www.acornonline.com
Delicious series 2 continues the character-driven British drama television series set in the
Penrose Hotel. Nearly a year after the abrupt death of philandering chef Leo Vincent (played by
Iain Glen), his ex-wife Gina (played by Dawn French) and widow Sam (played by Emilia Fox)
have transformed the once-failing Penrose Hotel into a thriving success. Gina is a master chef
while Sam expertly handles day-to-day business, but the two tend to butt heads both personally
and professionally! An ongoing police investigation, an extraordinarily handsome new hire, and a
guest that nobody could have expected further complicate matters. As Leo himself watches and
wonders from beyond the grave, his deepest secrets gradually come bubbling to the surface.
Delicious is utterly delectable for connoisseurs of fine drama, highly recommended! Bonus
material includes a behind-the-scenes featurette (10 min.) and a photo gallery. 4 episodes, 187
min. plus bonus, SDH subtitles.
The Pets/Wildlife Shelf
A Puppy Called Wolfie
Kathie Gregory
Hubble & Hattie
www.hubbleandhattie.com
9781787110700, $18.99, PB, 176pp, www.amazon.com
Using an established and cutting edge psychotherapy called Free Will Teaching, "A Puppy Called
Wolfie" by qualified animal behaviorist and trainer Kathie Gregory offers a perspective that will
change your approach to teaching dogs. Force-free, and embracing each dog's right to free will,
both you and the dogs you work and live with will achieve great success. Owning a puppy is an
exciting and rewarding experience. Understanding why your puppy does what he does, and what
influences his behavior, is key to a harmonious life together, and essential for avoiding the many
problems and issues that crop up along the way. Charting the first 18 months of a canine named
Wolfie's life from when he arrived with Kathie Gregory's family at 9 weeks old, "A Puppy Called
Wolfie" looks in detail at the mind and behavior of a puppy, and how he develops as he becomes
an adult dog. It also examines how dogs think, what they do, how they learn, form responses,
their likes, dislikes, development stages, hormones, and how all of these influence a dog's
personality and development. For both pet owner and professional, the Free Will Training
approach is a dynamic way of teaching that takes modern dog training into the future. Effective
and real world practical, "A Puppy Called Wolfie" is unreservedly recommended for personal,
professional, community, and academic library dog training instructional reference collections
and supplemental studies reading lists.
The Business Shelf
Reinvent Your Business Model, revised edition
Mark W. Johnson
Harvard Business Review Press
60 Harvard Way, Boston, MA 02163
http://hbr.org/books
9781633696464, $35.00, HC, 256pp, www.amazon.com
Now in a newly revised and updated edition, "Reinvent Your Business Model: How to Seize the
White Space for Transformative Growth" by Mark W. Johnson (who co-founded the strategy and
innovation management consultancy Innosight with Clayton M. Christensen) provides the
businessman and entrepreneur with an eminently practical framework for understanding how a
business model actually works. Identifying its four fundamental building blocks, Johnson deftly
lays out a structured and repeatable process for reinventing an existing business model or
creating a new one and then incubating and scaling it into a profitable and thriving enterprise. In
a new chapter on digital transformation, Johnson also shows how serial transformers like
Amazon leverage business model innovation so successfully. Featuring case studies of
companies that have achieved new success and postmortems for those that haven't, "Reinvent
Your Business Model" shows how to: Determine if and when your organization needs a new
business model; Identify powerful new opportunities to serve your existing customers in existing
markets; Reach entirely new customers and create new markets through disruptive business
models and products; Seize opportunities for growth opened up by tectonic shifts in market
demand, government policy, and technologies; Make business model innovation a more
predictable discipline inside your organization. Exceptionally well written and accessibly
organized and presented, "Reinvent Your Business Model" is an extraordinary and highly
recommended addition to personal, professional, corporate, community, and academic library
Business Management instructional reference collections. It should be noted for personal reading
lists of MBA students and non-specialist general readers with an interest in the subject that
"Reinvent Your Business Model" is also available in a digital book format (Kindle, $19.24).
The LGBT Studies Shelf
Raised by Unicorns
Frank Lowe, editor
Cleis Press
101 Hudson Street, Suite 3705, Jersey City, New Jersey 07302
http://cleispress.com
9781627782562, $17.95, PB, 216pp, www.amazon.com
There are now a great many books out on the subject of LBGT parenting. Now there is a new one
offering the perspective of children being parented by LBGT parents. "Raised by Unicorns:
Stories from People with LGBTQ+ Parents", Frank Lowe has carefully compiled and edited an
anthology that reflects on the upbringing of children in many different forms of LGBTQ+
families. From Baby Boomers to Generation Z, "Raised by Unicorns" features diverse stories that
express the distinctiveness of this shared journey and of each particular family. It's visceral, raw,
and not always pretty, but love is always the common thread. "Raised by Unicorns" is a unique
and ground-breaking compendium of personal stories that candidly reveal true accounts of this
particular niche of humanity, while simultaneously creating a moving snapshot of the world in
which we live. "Raised by Unicorns" guides the reader through an empathetic journey that is
nothing short of compelling and poignant. While very highly recommended for community and
academic library LBGT collections in general, and LBGT parenting supplemental studies in
particular, it should be noted for personal reading lists that "Raised by Unicorns" is also available
in a digital book format (Kindle, $12.99).
The Cookbook Shelf
Homefront Cooking
Tracey Enerson Wood, Beth Guidry Riffle, Carol Van Drie
Skyhorse Publishing, Inc.
307 West 36th Street, 11th Floor, New York, NY 10018
www.skyhorsepublishing.com
9781510728707, $24.99, HC, 240pp, www.amazon.com
Food brings families and friends together, providing not only nourishment for our bodies, but
also the glue that holds our families and society together. It is around the dinner table that we
interact and important announcements are made. In the military it was chow time in the foxholes
when soldiers came to know each other, forming bonds so strong they would risk their own lives
for one another. Remembering the smells and tastes of home support many in difficult times,
those memories captured here in photographs and recipes. Nicely illustrated throughout,
"Homefront Cooking: Recipes, Wit, and Wisdom from American Veterans and Their Loved
Ones" showcases a collection of treasured family recipes and photographs from military service
members past and present, and their loved ones. Recipes are accompanied by brief stories and
memories related to the recipe, military service, and/or lifestyle. With recipes that range from
Bagel and Lox Benedict; Cheesy Chicken and Broccoli Casserole; Creamy Asparagus and
Cauliflower Soup; and African Meat Samosas; to Beth's Electric Chocolate Chip Cookies;
Afghan Rice; Meat Lasagna with Roasted Vegetables; and Sunday Dinner Roast Beef,
"Homefront Cooking" is one of those culinary compendiums that will prove to be an immediate
and enduringly popular addition to personal, family, and community library cookbook
collections. "Homefront Cooking" is also available in a digital book format (Kindle, $23.59). It
should be noted that all the authors' profits will be donated to a charitable organization in support
of veterans.
T-Bone Whacks and Caviar Snacks
Sharon Hudgins
University of North Texas Press
1155 Union Circle #311336, Denton, TX 76203-5017
www.untpress.unt.edu
9781574417142, $39.95, HC, 448pp, www.amazon.com
Showcasing 140 traditional and modern recipes by Sharon Hudgins and Tom Hudgins, "T-Bone
Whacks and Caviar Snacks: Cooking with Two Texans in Siberia and the Russian Far East"is
unique cookbook is filled with fascinating food history, cultural insights, and personal stories
about the culinary adventures of two intrepid Texans who lived, worked, traveled in (and ate
their way around!) the Asian side of Russia. Sharon vividly describes the memorable meals that
she and her husband enjoyed at the apartments of Russian friends in Soviet-era high-rises, at new
restaurants and ancient festivals, on boats and on picnics, at remote little dachas in the lush green
forests near the Russian-Chinese border, with the Buryat-Mongolians living in southern Siberia,
and along thousands of miles of the Trans-Siberian Railroad tracks. This culinary compendium
of recipes for classic Russian New Year's fare, spring festival foods, traditional Russian Easter
desserts, and the East Asian dishes adopted by Russians living in that part of the world will prove
to be a unique and immensely popular addition to persona, family, professional, and community
library cookbook collections. It should be noted that "T-Bone Whacks and Caviar Snacks" is also
available in a digital book format (Kindle $31.96).
Grits to Glory
Joe Johnston
Pelican Publishing Company
1000 Burmaster Street, Gretna, LA 70053-2246
www.pelicanpub.com
9781455624034, $23.95, PB, 176pp, www.amazon.com
In the pages of "Grits to Glory: How Southern Cookin' Got So Good", Missouri native Joe
Johnston takes his readers on an armchair excursion through the folksy history of Southern
cooking ranging from the best fruitcake recipe before the Civil War, to the ultimate Southern
kitchen essential -- the cast iron pan. Johnston's cultural history brings reminiscences from his
own friends and family in addition to thoroughly-researched historical anecdotes. Sprinkled
throughout with valuable stories and quotes from Southerners who really know their stuff, "Grits
to Glory" will have a very special appeal for those from every Southern walk of life, as well as
inherently interesting to anyone who is simply fascinated with the cultural history of cooking.
With every detailed recollection, the heart and soul of Southern cooking shines through, making
it an especially and unreservedly recommended addition to both community and academic library
collections. It should be noted for personal reading lists that "Grits to Glory" is also available in a
digital book format (Kindle, $17.19).
The Korean Kimchi Cookbook
Kim Man-Jo, Lee D-Young, Lee Kyou-Tae
Tuttle Publishing
364 Innovation Drive, North Clarendon, VT 05759-9436
www.tuttlepublishing.com
9780804848602, $17.99, PB, 128pp, www.amazon.com
A traditional side dish made from salted and fermented vegetables, most commonly napa
cabbage and Korean radishes, with a variety of seasonings including chili powder, scallions,
garlic, ginger, and jeotgal (salted seafood), Kimchi is a staple in Korean cuisine. There are
hundreds of varieties of kimchi made with different vegetables as the main ingredients. In
traditional preparations, kimchi was stored underground in jars to keep cool, and unfrozen during
the winter months. With the rise of technology, kimchi refrigerators are more commonly used to
make kimchi today. Profusely and beautifully illustrated throughout, "The Korean Kimchi
Cookbook" features the extensive history and background information about Korea's cuisine and
fascinating culture, then goes on to showcase 78 flavorful and easy to prepare recipes organized
by season including: Fresh Oyster Kimchi; Swiss Chard Kimchi; Fresh Ginger Pickles; and
Traditional Cabbage Kimchi. Now in a newly revised edition, "The Korean Kimchi Cookbook"
has been rewritten to make instructions more accessible for the home cook, with all spices,
condiments, and vegetables easily found in any supermarket. Plus, all 78 recipes are easy enough
for anyone new to the world of fermentation, yet the combinations and possibilities are endless!
Thoroughly 'kitchen cook friendly' in organization and presentation, "The Korean Kimchi
Cookbook" will prove a welcome addition to personal, professional, and community library
Ethnic Cookbook collections. It should be noted that "The Korean Kimchi Cookbook" is also
available in a digital book format (Kindle, $7.99).
The Acadian Kitchen
Alain Bosse
Whitecap Books
c/o Fitzhenry & Whiteside
195 Allstate Parkway, Markham, Ontario, Canada L3R 4T8
www.fitzhenry.ca
9781770503137, $34.95, PB, 240pp, www.amazon.com
The Acadians were French-speaking residents of New Brunswick and Nova Scotia, forced to
migrate to Louisiana after the 1763 British conquest of French Canada. Celebrating the evolution
of Acadian cooking from its 17th century roots to the Cajun and French Canadian dishes it's
known for today, "The Acadian Kitchen" by Alain Bosse (President of Alain Bosse Consulting
Ltd, and the food editor for Saltscapes Magazine) is a landmark guide to Acadian and Cajun
history, culture and the time-honored foods that define this one-of-a-kind heritage. Influenced by
the cultural exchange of historic French, Creole, Indigenous and maritime ideas, Acadian cuisine
is defined less by technique than by the desire to take simple, local ingredients and turn them into
something delicious. Offering a detailed culinary history supplemented with sidebars, historical
timelines, glossaries and over 120 extraordinary recipes, "The Acadian Kitchen" includes
chapters on chowders, pies, preserves, and classic desserts. Beautifully and profusely illustrated
throughout, "The Acadian Kitchen" features authentic and thoroughly 'kitchen cook friendly'
recipes that are as palate pleasing as they are appetite satisfying. Certain to be an immediate and
enduringly popular addition to personal, family, and community library cookbook collections,
"The Acadian Kitchen" is unreservedly recommended and an ideal introduction to French
Canadian and Cajun cuisine.
The Education Shelf
Design Thinking for School Leaders
Alyssa Gallagher & Kami Thordarson
ASCD
1703 North Beauregard Street, Alexandria, VA 22311-1714
www.ascd.org
9781416625940, $29.95, PB, 208pp, www.amazon.com
Collaboratively written by experienced public school educator, school and district administrator,
facilitator, and educational consultant Alyssa Gallahger and public educator Kami Thordarson,
"Design Thinking for School Leaders: Five Roles and Mindsets That Ignite Positive Change"
explores the changing landscape of leadership and offers practical ways to reframe the role of
school leader using 'Design Thinking', one step at a time. Leaders can shift from "accidental
designers" to "design-inspired leaders," acting with greater intention and achieving greater
impact. "Design Thinking for School Leaders" detail five specific roles to identify opportunities
for positively impacting students, teachers, districts, parents, and the communityincluding: The
Opportunity Seeker. Shifts from problem solving to problem finding; The Experience Architect
who designs and curates learning experiences; The Rule Breaker who challenges the way things
are "always" done; The Producer who gets things done and creates rapid learning cycles for
teams; The Storyteller who captures the hearts and minds of a community. Full of examples of
Design Thinking in action in schools across the country, "Design Thinking for School Leaders" is
expertly organized and presented so as to fully enable teachers, principles, superintendents, and
school board members to guide their school to the forefront of the new design + education
movement, one that will move traditional education into the modern world and drive the future
of learning. While very highly recommended for school district, college, and university library
Teacher Education instructional reference collections, it should be noted for personal reading
lists that "Design Thinking for School Leaders" is also available in a digital book format (Kindle,
$22.76).
Eight Paths to Leadership
Belva C. Collins
Brookes Publishing Company
PO Box 10624, Baltimore, MD 21285-0624
www.brookespublishing.com
9781681251714, $34.95, PB, 184pp, www.amazon.com
Belva Collins is a seasoned educator herself, knows that many special education teachers are
called on as "leaders by default" when colleagues turn to them for expertise. She draws upon her
years of experience and expertise in "Eight Paths to Leadership: A Guide for Special Educators"
to show special educators how to pursue more intentional leadership roles so they can maximize
their impact in preK - 12 schools. Preservice and in-service teachers will discover eight different
paths they can follow to become leaders in: Making data-based decisions and conducting
classroom research; Effecting schoolwide change; Mentoring other teachers and
paraprofessionals; Conducting professional development and consultations; Working effectively
with families; Supporting students during transitions; Advocating for students; Connecting with
professional organizations that address disability-related concerns . For each path to leadership,
teachers will get detailed guidelines for success, grounded in up-to-date research and the author's
deep understanding of the everyday challenges educators face. Throughout this instructive study,
"Voice of a Leader" interview excerpts share nuggets of practical wisdom and show how real
teachers evolved and triumphed on diverse paths to leadership. Individual chapters include
learning objectives, definitions of key terms, thought-provoking reflection questions, interview
excerpts, and follow-up activities to help teachers delve deeper into each leadership path. Full
transcripts of interviews with eight teacher leaders are available online. A complete and
comprehensive course of study under one cover, "Eight Paths to Leadership" is an ideal special
education in-service curriculum text, and is unreservedly recommended for school district,
college and university library Teacher Education collections in general, and Special Education
supplemental studies reading lists in particular.
It's Not About Grit
Steven Goodman
Teachers College Press
1234 Amsterdam Avenue, New York, NY 10027
www.tcpress.com
9780807758984, $29.95, PB, 208pp, www.amazon.com
Steven Goodman is founding executive director of Educational Video Center (EVC), a nonprofit
youth media organization in New York City dedicated to teaching documentary video as a means
to develop the artistic, critical literacy, and career skills of young people. In the pages of "It's Not
About Grit: Trauma, Inequity, and the Power of Transformative Teaching " he draws upon his
years of experience and expertise working with struggling learners who may be experiencing the
trauma of poverty, violence, or family separation, as well as using a unique blend of students'
personal stories, classroom experience, and social and political policy to inform the teaching of
marginalized students to provide a comprehensive review of the issues that students bring to the
classroom, including health and housing, police and juvenile justice, immigration, gender and
identity, and foster care. At www.tcpress.com/goodman-video-clips, "It's Not About Grit"
features links to original clips from student-produced video documentaries and a curriculum
guide to spark discussions in college courses, professional development workshops, and high
school classes. Informative, insightful, thoughtful and thought-provoking, "It's Not About Grit" is
very highly recommended as an addition to school district in-service teacher training
curriculums, as well as college and university Teacher Education instructional reference
collections and supplemental studies reading lists.
The Fishing Shelf
Fishing the Salmon River
Spider Rybaak
Burford Books, Inc.
101 East State Street, #301, Ithaca, NY 14850
www.burfordbooks.com
9781580801881, $18.95, PB, 192pp, www.amazon.com
Spider Rybaak writes on angling and the outdoors for the Oswego County Tourism Bureau,
lectures frequently on fishing in the area and is the author of "Fishing The Great Lakes Of New
York" (9781580801768, $16.95 PB, $8.99 Kindle), and "Fishing Oneida Lake" (9781580801775,
$16.95 PB, $12.99 Kindle). The Salmon River in upstate New York ranks as one of the world's
great fisheries, boasting two major records to prove it: the Great Lakes record chinook salmon
(47 lbs. 13 oz.) and the world record coho salmon (33 lbs. 4 0z.) This fabulous, 44-mile-long
stream does it all, yielding up everything from a mess of panfish to a trophy wall-hanger. In
"Fishing The Salmon River", Rybaak has now written the first book to specifically detail the
where and how of fishing this outstanding length of water, with notes on all the significant
fishing spots and the tackle, techniques, and strategies to best approach them. The river hosts a
wealth of species, from three species of salmon (Atlantic, king and coho), trout, steelhead,
smallmouth bass, pike, perch and more, which can be fished with fly or spinning tackle. Rybaak,
who has fished the entire length of the Salmon River intensively for many years, draws upon his
years of experience and expertise to help any angler, from newcomer to veteran, put more fish on
the line when plying the waters of the Salmon River!
The Antiques/Collectibles Shelf
Miller's Collectibles Handbook & Price Guide 2019/2020
Judith Miller
Mitchell Beazley
c/o Octopus Publishing
236 Park Avenue, New York NY 10017
www.octopusbooksusa.com
9781784724207, $27.99, PB, 432pp, www.amazon.com
Judith Miller began collecting in the 1960s while a student at Edinburgh University in Scotland.
She has since extended and reinforced her knowledge of antiques through international research,
becoming one of the world's leading experts in the field. In 1979 she co-founded the international
best-seller Miller's Antiques Price Guide and has since written more than 100 books which are
held in high regard by collectors and dealers. "Miller's Collectibles Handbook & Price Guide
2019-2020" is her up-to-date guide to the collectibles market that no dealer, collector or
auctioneer should be without. Featuring more than 4,000 objects in full color, each with a
detailed description and current price range, "Miller's Collectibles Handbook & Price Guide
2019/2020" also offers instructive information on how to spot that rare example that may be
worth twenty times more than another piece. Meanwhile, in-depth Closer Look features explain
what to look for when appraising everything from 20th century glass to costume jewelry. Every
image is changed for every edition to keep the Miller's Collectibles Handbook & Price Guide"
fully up-to-date with collecting and buying trends and is the only full-color, fully-illustrated
collectibles price guide in the world. Essential, reliable, and thoroughly 'user friendly' in
organization and presentation, and an inherently fascinating volume to simply browse through,
"Miller's Collectibles Handbook & Price Guide 2019/2020" is a 'must have' reference for anyone
dealing with antiques and collectibles whether for fun or profit!
The Safe Bank Book
Michael Holz
Schiffer Publishing Ltd.
4880 Lower Valley Road, Atglen, PA 19310
www.schifferbooks.com
9780764355608, $79.99, HC, 272pp, www.amazon.com
Made as toy savings banks, souvenirs, or advertising premiums, cast iron safe banks are found in
a variety of sizes, colors, and finishes, and were produced from 1865 until World War II. Due to
their numerous parts, coupled with the locking mechanism, they have not been reproduced.
Compiled by Michael Holz, "The Safe Bank Book: Cast Iron Safe Banks Made between 1865
and 1941" is the most complete listing of iron safe banks known to date and includes a broad
range of additional information, taken directly from primary reference resources, to engage both
the casual reader and serious collector. There are nearly 500 unique casting variations identified
with multiple colors and finishes represented. This catalog is augmented with informative
chapters that include more than twenty company profiles, 175 pages of this remarkable volume
are reproduced from original manufacturer catalogs, with over sixty ads from period mail order
catalogs, and nearly forty related US Patents, as well as trade cards, postcards, calendars, posters,
and other ephemera related to safe banks and the companies that made them. An inherently
fascinating browse from cover to cover, this unique, informative, and beautifully illustrated
volume will prove to be an immediate and appreciated addition to community library
Antiques/Collectibles collections -- and is a 'must' for collectors of personal cast iron savings
banks!
The Self-Help Shelf
The Outward Mindset
The Arbinger Institute
Berrett-Koehler Publishers Inc.
1333 Broadway, Suite 1000, Oakland CA, 94612
www.bkconnection.com
9781626567153, $16.95, PB, 192pp, www.amazon.com
Unknowingly, too many of us operate from an inward mindset, that is, a narrow-minded focus on
self-centered goals and objectives. When faced with personal ineffectiveness or lagging
organizational performance, most of us instinctively look for quick-fix behavioral band-aids, not
recognizing the underlying mindset at the heart of our most persistent challenges. Through true
stories and simple yet profound guidance and tools, "The Outward Mindset" enables individuals
and organizations to make the one change that most dramatically improves performance, sparks
collaboration, and accelerates innovation -- a shift to an outward mindset. Exceptionally well
written, organized and presented, "The Outward Mindset: Seeing Beyond Ourselves" is an
effective instructional guide for changing lives and transforming organizations for the better.
Thoughtful and thought-provoking, "The Outward Mindset" is very highly recommended for
community, corporate, and academic library Self-Help/Self-Improvement collections. It should
be noted for personal reading lists that "The Outward Mindset" is also available in a digital book
format (Kindle, $9.99) and as a complete and unabridged audio book (Dreamscape Audio,
9781520014838, $19.99, CD).
The Travel Shelf
Secret Dallas
Mark Stuertz
Reedy Press
PO Box 5131, St. Louis, MO 63139
www.reedypress.com
9781681061047 $20.95 pbk / $9.99 Kindle amazon.com
Secret Dallas: A Guide to the Weird, Wonderful and Obscure is a traveler's treasure trove of
little-known destinations in this bustling Texas metropolis. A wealth of black-and-white
photographs and an inset section of color plates enliven this tour of celebrity burial grounds, the
invention of the computer chip, a German POW camp and much more. Secret Dallas is a "must-
have" for prospective city visitors and an armchair traveler's delight, highly recommended.
Secret Philadelphia
Mary Dixon Lebeau
Reedy Press
PO Box 5131, St. Louis, MO 63139
www.reedypress.com
9781681061344 $20.95 pbk / $9.99 Kindle amazon.com
Secret Philadelphia: A Guide to the Weird, Wonderful and Obscure lives up to its title as a
different type of travel guide - one that spotlights amazing, lesser known places to visit and learn
from in the City of Brotherly Love. Black-and-white photographs as well as an inset section of
color plates enhance this showcase of wonders. From the tradition of throwing a penny on the
Founding Father's grave, to learning how surgery was performed in the 19th century, to the cave
of the first doomsday cult and much more, Secret Philadelphia is a "must-have" for city visitors
and a treat for armchair travelers!
The Coloring Book Shelf
Pomegranate Communications, Inc.
19018 NE Portal Way, Portland, OR 97230
www.pomegranate.com
Pomegranate Communications is a premier publisher of flawless produced and thematically
presented coloring books for adults. Five of their newest titles are particularly outstanding in
terms of quality and offering hours of quiet, meditative fun and entertainment. "A World of
Things: Denis Diderot Coloring Book" (9780764982279, $16.95, HC, 108pp) features 50
illustrations to color in a lay-flat binding and a high-quality paper-easy format to use with all
your fine coloring tools. It also provides an informative introduction about the mid-18th century
masterwork Encyclopedie, ou Dictionnaire raisonne des sciences, des arts et des metiers
(Encyclopedia, or a Systematic Dictionary of the Sciences, Arts and Crafts), as edited by Denis
Diderot and Jean Le Rond d Alembert. "Molly Hashimoto: Birds and Other Wildlife Coloring
Book" (9780764982187, $7.95, PB, 48pp) features images to color in the form of twenty-two
unpainted block prints celebrates nature in Molly's original artwork, creating beautiful images of
the landscapes and wildlife she encounters in the national parks and wilderness areas of the West.
"English Decorative Designs Coloring Book" (9780764982231, $7.95, 48pp) showcases twenty-
two images drawn from the English 'Arts & Crafts' movement with their exquisite textiles,
wallpaper, carpet, tile, and architectural ornaments from designers such as Christopher Dresser,
C. F. A. Voysey, William de Morgan, and Owen Jones. "Chinese Decorative Designs Coloring
Book" (9780764982255, $7.95, 48pp) presented twenty-two images drawn from a tradition
practiced for hundreds of years throughout the Ming and Qing dynasties where Chinese military
and civil officials wore large silk badges on the front and back of their robes that signified the
individual's rank based on the animal depicted. "Elegant Herbs and Medicinal Plants Coloring
Book" (9780764982286, $7.95, 48pp) is comprised of twenty-two images drawn from medieval
medical tomes such as the twelfth-century Book of Simple Medicines, by Italian physician
Matthaeus Platearius and are appreciated by pharmacists and naturalists today as snapshots of
botanical and medical history. All of these very highly recommended adult coloring books are
designed so that the individual pages can be removed and framed.
James A. Cox, Editor-in-Chief
Diane C. Donovan, Editor
Midwest Book Review
278 Orchard Drive
Oregon, WI 53575-1129
phone: 1-608-835-7937
e-mail: mbr@execpc.com
e-mail: mwbookrevw@aol.com
http://www.midwestbookreview.com
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