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Internet Bookwatch

Volume 26, Number 3 March 2016 Home | IBW Index

Table of Contents

Reviewer's Choice Writing/Publishing Shelf Economic Studies Shelf
Biography Shelf Pets/Wildlife Shelf Gardening Shelf
Library Science Shelf Fiction Shelf Mystery/Suspense Shelf
Health/Medicine Shelf Poetry Shelf Agriculture Shelf
Religion/Spirituality Shelf Cookbook Shelf American History Shelf
World History Shelf Civil War Shelf Money/Finance Shelf
Science Shelf Genealogy Shelf Automotive Shelf
Coloring Book Shelf Graphic Novel Shelf Audiobook Shelf
Library CD Shelf Library DVD Shelf Humor Shelf
Music Shelf International Studies Shelf Social Issues Shelf
Fantasy/SciFi Shelf Antiques/Collectibles Shelf Fishing Shelf
Sports Shelf Christian Studies Shelf Buddhist Studies Shelf
Photography Shelf Woodworking Shelf Computer Shelf
Needlecraft Shelf Education Shelf LGBT Studies Shelf
Metaphysical Studies Shelf Autism Shelf Psychology Shelf
Crafts Shelf Holocaust Studies Shelf  


Reviewer's Choice

The Art of Risk
Kayt Sukel
National Geographic Press
1145 17th Street N.W., Washington, DC, 20036-4688
9781426214721 $26.00 www.nationalgeographic.com

Science journalist and author Kayt Sukel presents The Art of Risk: The New Science of Courage, Caution & Chance, a combination psychological and behavioral study, and helpful guide to how people can use risk-taking to their advantage - from professional poker players to military commanders to business entrepreneurs and more. Art of Risk isn't only for high-stakes gamblers; it's also for ordinary people seeking to balance the advantages of opening themselves up to new things against the consequences of potential failure. How can risk be effectively managed in a sensible way? What is the difference between helpful and harmful risk-taking? "When faced with a risk, take a step back and, as objectively as possible, consider how your social connections [i.e. friends, family, co-workers, and "peer pressure"] may be driving your focus. Are they helping you consider all the elements of a risky decision? Or are they stuck on certain variables that may lead you astray?" Thoroughly accessible to readers of all backgrounds, The Art of Risk is highly recommended.

The Sword
Thomas Laible
Schiffer Publishing Ltd.
4880 Lower Valley Road, Atglen, PA 19310
www.schifferbooks.com
9780764348778, $50.00, HC, 240pp, www.amazon.com

"The Sword: Myth & Reality: Technology, History, Fighting, Forging, Movie Swords" by Thomas Laible (who has studied history and education, is an editor of the journal "Weapons: Internal Market", has been working for 20 years with swords, daggers, and knives, and written several books and numerous articles on these topics) covers the history, manufacture, and ancient and modern uses of swords in Europe from the 5th century to the present day. Readers will learn about sword nomenclature and classification, discover sword physics secrets, and compare the history of swordsmanship in Europe to that of Japan. Practical information on different sword types, including those used by Vikings and Samurai, broadens the reader's understanding of the technical diversity of and relationships between swords from different eras and cultures. Readers can also learn how to tell authentic swords apart from fantasy swords, or "sword-like objects" (SLO), which are commonly used in movies like the Lord of the Rings trilogy. Also, follow the manufacturing process, from welding to pommel construction, and read about historical replicas. Join the authors and countless other featured sword masters and experts on a fact-based and fun-filled adventure from the Middle Ages to modern Europe. With a stunningly beautiful, coffee-table format, and impressively informative text, "The Sword' is especially commended to the attention of any and all sword enthusiasts and would prove to be an enduringly popular selection for community and academic library Memorial Fund acquisitions.

Lucretius: The Nature of the Universe
G. B. Cobbold
Dr. Marie C. Bolchazy
Bolchazy-Carducci Publishers
1570 Baskin Road, Mundelein, IL 60060
www.bolchazy.com
9780865168381, $12.00, PB, 289pp, www.amazon.com

Titus Lucretius Carus (c. 99 BC - c. 55 BC) was a Roman poet and philosopher. His only known work is the epic philosophical poem 'De Rerum Natura' about the tenets and philosophy of Epicureanism, and which is usually translated into English as 'On the Nature of Things'. "Lucretius: The Nature of the Universe" by G. B. Cobbold features a singularly gifted translation of all six books comprising 'De Reuin Natura' with extensive and erudite commentary. "Lucretius: The Nature of the Universe" is enhanced with the inclusion of an annotated index of topics, a glossary of proper names, seven illustrations, and a selected bibliography. Simply stated, "Lucretius: The Nature of the Universe" is a critically important and highly recommended addition to academic library Classical Roman Studies reference collections and supplemental curriculum reading lists.

Aging Safely In Your Home
Yvonne Poulin & Gordon Morrison
Self-Counsel Press Inc.
4152 Meridian Street, Suite 105-471, Bellingham, WA, 98226
www.self-counsel.com
9781770402195, $13.95, PB, 140pp, www.amazon.com

You need not move to live gracefully and safely as you age. In "Aging Safely In Your Home", Yvonne Poulin and Gordon Morrison collaborate to provide the non-specialist general reader who is a senior citizen (or who is responsible for the well being of an elderly man or woman) with an expertise as to how a home can be modestly renovated to ease the physical challenges and provide a great quality of life in a familiar surrounding. A part of the outstanding 'Eldercare Series' from Self-Counsel Press, "Aging Safely In Your Home" is comprised of chapters on: Physically Prepared to Age Safely in Your Home; Maintain an Active Social Network; Be Emotionally Happy in Your Home; Keep Mentally Active; Rate Your Home; Make Your Home Comfortable; Adapt Your Home; Renovate Your Home; and perhaps most importantly -- Prevent Falls. Simply stated, "Aging Safely In Your Home" should be a part of every community library and Senior Citizen Center instructional reference collection in the country. It should be noted that "Aging Safely In Your Home" is also available in a Kindle edition ($8.99) and a Download Kit that includes Checklists, Diagrams, and Worksheets are also available.

No Grey Areas
Joseph N. Gagliano
NoGreyAreas.com
Rebel Publishing
3104 E. Camelback #605, Phoenix, AZ 85016
9780997124811 $15.99 pbk / $9.99 Kindle www.amazon.com

Author Joseph N. Gagliano candidly and remorsefully tells the reader how the lure of easy money seduced him into illicit behavior. Gagliano was not involved in drugs or "street crime"; he was an expert at running complicated betting schemes involving the precise distribution of game scores, which he rigged to ensure that he walked away with a handsome, if ill-gotten profit. Targeted by the FBI, Gagliano served prison time and vowed to turn his life around, only to experience the victim's side of the con game. A trusted business partner betrayed him; a single mistake with a shady friend brought the FBI on his head a second time; and the first criminal defense lawyer he turned to was perhaps the worst fraud of them all. Gagliano presents No Grey Areas partly as a tell-all confessional of his bad decisions, and partly as a scathing indictment of deplorable human behavior - not only in the realm of illegal sports gambling, but also the completely legal realm of bank/real estate gambling that nearly destroyed the U.S. economy in 2009. A testament of hard-learned wisdom, No Grey Areas is utterly fascinating from cover to cover.

Survival of the Caregiver
Janice Hucknall Snyder
MSI Press, LLC
1760-F Airline Hwy, #203, Hollister, CA 95023
www.msipress.com
9781942891062, $14.95, PB, 222pp, www.amazon.com

"Survival of the Caregiver: A Treasury of ABC Self-Help Words That Give Encouragement and Support to the Caregiver" by Janice Hucknall Snyder is the direct result of all the author's ins and outs, ups and downs when caring for her husband for some 20 years when he had Parkinson's Disease, which was followed by Dementia. "Survival of the Caregiver" is written from the heart, making it as candidly personal as it is 'real-world' informative. Janice specifically chose to use an alphabetical list of topics so that a busy caregiver can refer to a special need quickly. "Survival of the Caregiver" will aid substantially and practically significantly assist caregivers in their sad, but meaningful day-in, day-out journey with a special needs loved one. Simply stated, every community library, senior citizen center instructional reference collection, as well as an individual caregiver's personal reading list.

The Dalai Lama's Big Book of Happiness
His Holiness the Dalai Lama, author
Edited by Renuka Singh
Red Wheel/Weiser/Conari
65 Parker Street, Suite 7, Newburyport, MA 01950
www.redwheelweiser.com
9781571747396 $16.95 pbk / $9.95 Kindle www.amazon.com

His Holiness the Dalai Lama is the current Buddhist spiritual leader, yet The Dalai Lama's Big Book of Happiness is openly addressed to readers of all faiths and all walks of life. Buddhist philosophy and practical wisdom intertwine in this thoughtful guide to attuning oneself to life's joy. Predicated on the assumption that each human being is responsible for his or her own well-being and happiness, as well as the health of society, The Dalai Lama's Big Book of Happiness examines how happiness can be attained both individually and collectively. "If your neighbor is unjust toward you, it is necessary and appropriate to put up a counter-measure, but without anger or hatred. Analyze the situation and take your effective counter-measure with a smile. That is more effective, isn't it? So hatred is almost of no use. If you think along these lines, you will realize that hatred is something that deserves to be thrown into the waste-paper basket." Highly recommended.

The Illusion of God's Presence
John C. Wathey
Prometheus Books
59 John Glenn Drive, Amherst, NY 14228-2197
www.prometheusbooks.com
9781633880740, $28.00, www.amazon.com

The Illusion of God's Presence: The Biological Origins of Spiritual Longing blends science and spirituality as it considers the origins of the intuitive feeling of God's presence, and considers the biological roots of this feeling. The author is a neuroscientist who argues here that evolution has been programmed in the human brain, which expects the presence of a loving being from infancy onwards. Chapters consider how interpretations of God evolve from biological origins from infancy and offer new perceptions on the nature of supreme beings and belief systems grounded in human perception. The result is a different interpretation and consideration of how God is felt in human lives.


The Writing/Publishing Shelf

How to Write Effective Business English
Fiona Talbot
Kogan Page USA
1518 Walnut Street, Suite 1100, Philadelphia, PA 19102
www.koganpageusa.com
9780749455200, $22.95, PB, 160pp, www.amazon.com

Fiona Talbot runs TQI Word Power Skills, a Business Writing Skills consulting company. She runs workshops and delivers individual coaching at all levels in all sizes of business. In addition to writing articles for Personnel Today, British Airways and CCF Magazine, she is the author of the Better English series, published by Kogan Page. She has an invaluable website www.wordpowerskills.com. In "How to Write Effective Business English: The Essential Toolkit for Composing Powerful Letters, E-mails and More, for Today's Business Needs" she draws upon her years of experience and expertise to instruct the non-native reader how to create clear, concise messages and avoid verbosity. Assuming an intermediate knowledge of English, "How to Write Effective Business English" provides guidelines for further development, deals with real life scenarios and gives readers answers that even their bosses might not know. Focusing on emails, letters, resumes or job applications, "How to Write Effective Business English gives readers an easy system for writing clearly, quickly and easily. "How to Write Effective Business English" will also hold immense practical value to native English speakers who feel that their written business English needs practice. "How to Write Effective Business English" is very highly recommended for community and academic library instructional reference collections. For studies lists it should be noted that "How to Write Effective Business English" is also available in a Kindle edition ($12.01).

A Writer's Guide to Active Setting
Mary Buckham
Writer's Digest Books
c/o F+W Media
10151 Carver Road, Suite 200, Blue Ash, OH 45242
www.WritersDigest.com
9781599639307, $17.99, PB, 256pp, www.amazon.com

Setting is one of the most underutilized and misunderstood elements of the writing craft. And when writers do focus on setting, they often pull readers out of the narrative and jolt their attention from the action on the page. "A Writer's Guide to Active Setting: How to Enhance Your Fiction with More Descriptive, Dynamic Settings" by Mary Buckham (author of the USA Today bestselling Invisible Recruits series) will show you how to create vivid, detailed settings that bring your story to life. You'll learn how to deepen character development, anchor readers to a specific time and place, reveal backstory without slowing things down, elevate action sequences, and more. Drawing upon examples from authors writing across a variety of genres, as well as her own years of experience and expertise, Mary Buckham will illustrate exactly how the proper use of setting can dramatically improve your story. You'll learn what's effective about each passage and how you can use those techniques to make your story shine. Exceptionally well written, organized and presented, "A Writer's Guide to Active Setting" is very highly recommended for community library Writing/Publishing reference collections, and a "must read" instructional guide for all aspiring novelists and short story authors. It should be noted that "A Writer's Guide to Active Setting" is also available in a Kindle edition ($10.99).


The Economic Studies Shelf

The Age of Stagnation
Satyajit Das
Prometheus Books
59 John Glenn Drive, Amherst, NY 14228-2197
9781633881587 $25.00 www.prometheusbooks.com

Finance expert Satyajit Das (nominated by Bloomberg in 2014 as one of the world's fifty most influential financial thinkers) presents The Age of Stagnation: Why Perpetual Growth is Unattainable and the Global Economy is in Peril, a candid treatise as to why "business as usual" responses to economic stagnation, including bank bailouts, unregulated globalization, and increased debt from "easy money" quick fixes, are at best kicking the can down the road and at worst precipitating another financial meltdown. Written in plain terms accessible to readers of all backgrounds, The Age of Stagnation covers causes of the global financial crisis and the Great Recession of 2009, the environmental constraints on growth (including the deleterious costs of externalities such as pollution), why globalization needs to be limited to preserve prosperity, the extremely harmful impact of rising inequality on economic growth, why the erosion of democracy to the interests of "big money" harms economic activity, bitter yet necessary prescriptions for economic stability in the future, and more. "Policymakers manipulate interest rates, keeping them below the true inflation rate to allow over-indebted borrowers to maintain unsustainably high levels of debt. Increasingly, zero interest rate policy has given way to negative interest rate policy, entailing an explicit transfer of wealth from savers to borrowers." The Age of Stagnation is a sober snapshot at postmodern economic reality, highly recommended for both public and college library Economic Studies shelves.


The Biography Shelf

Drawn Together
Sybilla Avery Cook
Concordia University Press
2811 NE Holman Street, Portland, OR 97211
www.concordia.edu/about/university-related-organizations/concordia-university-press
9781934961056, $29.95, HC, 224pp

Berta Hoerner Hader (August 1, 1890 - February 6, 1976) and Elmer Stanley Hader (September 7, 1889 - September 7, 1973) were an American couple who jointly illustrated more than 70 children's books, about half of which they also wrote. They won the annual Caldecott Medal for The Big Snow (1948), recognizing the year's "most distinguished American picture book for children". Now the story of their lives and their accomplishments is now available from the Concordia University Press in "Drawn Together: The Biography of Caldecott Award-Winning Authors Berta And Elmer Hader" by Sybilla Avery Cook in the form of 14 chronologically presented chapters beginning with 'Telegraph Hill: Arts and Hearts, 1890-1917' and concluding with Together Forever: Their Legacy, 1975'. Enhanced with an informative Foreword, a Preface, an Introduction (The Hidden Room), a five page list of Acknowledgements, nine pages of End Notes, a four page Bibliography, a three page listing of Books by Berta and Elmer Hader, and a seven page Index, is very highly recommended for both community and academic library collections. Exceptionally well written, organized and presented, it should be noted for personal reading lists that "Drawn Together" is also available in a paperback edition (9781934961063, $19.95).

Prince: The Man and His Music
Matt Thorne
Bolden
c/o Agate Publishing
1328 Greenleaf Street, Evanston, IL 60202
www.agatepublishing.com
9781572841871 $16.99 pbk / $11.99 Kindle www.amazon.com

Prince: The Man and His Music is an exhaustively researched and extensively detailed biography of the popular singer Prince. British author Matt Thorne chooses to avoid excessive speculation concerning Prince's closely guarded private life, instead focusing upon Prince's 35-year music career and legacy. Drawing upon dozens of interviews with Prince's associates (many of whom have never spoken on record before), Prince: The Man and His Music is a "must-read" for both fans and music scholars. Prince: The Man and His Music is now published for the first time in the United States, and includes updated content concerning Prince's two 2014 albums, tour, 2015 Tidal release, and more. Highly recommended.


The Pets/Wildlife Shelf

40 Years from the Brink of Extinction
John D. Chaney
Farcountry Press
PO Box 5630, Helena, MT 59604
www.farcountrypress.com
9781591521617, $39.95, HC, 80pp, www.amazon.com

John Chaney is an award-winning nature photographer with more than forty years of experience and expertise. He became passionate about photography when a college professor inspired him to use his skills to document the beauty and behavior of the magnificent American bald eagles before they lost their battle for existence. He began documenting America's national bird for future generations and a few years later in 1976 the bald eagle was added to the Endangered Species list. His passion grew year after year as he captured more interesting photographs and finally witnessed first-hand the resurgence of our symbol of freedom. Chaney's images in "40 Years from the Brink of Extinction" pay a stunningly beautiful visual tribute to the eagles' survival and the people who helped them. This large-format hardcover compendium showcases 63 beautiful photographs of the majestic eagles in their natural habitat, interspersed with interesting facts Chaney learned on his journey. Truly impressive, informed and informative, "40 Years from the Brink of Extinction" is especially recommended the personal reading lists of all bird watching enthusiasts, as well as for inclusion into both community and academic library collections.

Pet Care Givers and Families
Robert Berkelhammer
Rowman & Littlefield
c/o Rowman & Littlefield Publishing Group
4501 Forbes Blvd., Suite 200, Lanham, MD 20706
www.rowman.com
9781442248151, $38.00, HC, 252pp, www.amazon.com

Most pet owners want the best for their cherished animal friends and companions. Sometimes, however, the nature of those relationships can be upended and getting back on track can be confusing and difficult. In "Pet Care Givers and Families: Getting the Most from Dog Playgroups, Walkers, and Pet Sitters", author and pet owner Robert Berkelhammer provides an overview of what constitutes healthy pet family relationships and how pet parents can access services that will help facilitate better communication, behavior, and all around care. He outlines the kinds of work pet care companies can offer, and guides readers to getting the best possible level of professional caretaking to achieve behavioral changes in their pets. Dog playgroups, dog walking, pet sitting and other services are described in terms of how families can work with providers to accommodate their animal and family needs. Focused primarily on dogs, "Pet Care Givers and Families" does also address the needs of and services available to those whose animal companions are cats and/or birds. No pet owner will want to be without a copy of "Pet Care Givers and Families" when deciding on a pet care arrangement that suits the family's needs. Very highly recommended for community library Pets/Wildlife instructional reference collections, it should be noted for the personal reading lists of pet owners that "Pet Care Givers and Families" is also available in a Kindle edition ($37.99).

Complications in Small Animal Surgery
Dominique Griffon & Annick Hamaide
Wiley-Blackwell
350 Main Street, Malden, MA 02148
www.wiley.com
9780470959626, $149.99, HC, 968pp, www.amazon.com

Collaboratively compiled and co-edited by Dominique Griffon (Professor in Small Animal Surgery and Associate Dean for Research at the College of Veterinary Medicine, Western University of Health Sciences in Pomona, California) and Annick Hamaide (Associate Professor in Surgical Oncology at the School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Liege in Liege, Belgium), "Complications in Small Animal Surgery" provides a complete and comprehensive reference to diagnosing, managing, and treating surgical complications, with information following a standardized format for ease of use. "Complications in Small Animal Surgery" presents comprehensive information on diagnosing, managing, and preventing surgical complications using an accessible format; offers a well-defined, thoroughly illustrated format to maximize practical value, with algorithms, tables, practical tips, and many images throughout; covers common and uncommon complications in all body systems; serves as a reference to recent literature relevant to each complication; and includes access to a companion website with videos, figures from "Complications in Small Animal Surgery" that are available for download into PowerPoint, and linked references at www.wiley.com/go/griffon/complications "Complications in Small Animal Surgery" is complete, illustrated, and thoroughly 'user friendly' in commentary, text, organization, and presentation, making it very highly recommended for Veterinary School curriculums and academic library Veterinary Medicine reference collections and supplemental studies reading lists. It should be noted that "Complications in Small Animal Surgery" is also available in a Kindle edition ($89.99).


The Gardening Shelf

Gardening Like A Ninja
Angela England
Hobble Creek
c/o Cedar Fort, Inc.
2373 West 700 South, Springville, Utah 84663
www.cedarfort.com
9781462118083, $24.99, PB, 208pp, www.amazon.com

By giving Angela England's "Gardening Like a Ninja: A Guide to Sneaking Delicious Edibles into Your Landscape" a careful read, anyone can create a garden that will be the envy of their neighborhood while adding nutritious fruits and vegetables to your family dinner table. Beautifully illustrated, "Gardening Like A Ninja" shows aspiring gardeners how to have edible plants which are useful for everyday cooking, also create a sustainable and beautiful landscape that's easy to maintain. Anyone can save both time and money using the visually appealing and edible designs and harvest the fruits from your delicious paradise with the help of "Gardening Like A Ninja". Exceptionally well written, organized and presented, "Gardening Like A Ninja" is very highly recommended for both community and academic library Gardening instructional reference collections. For personal reading lists it should be noted that "Gardening Like A Ninja" is also available in a Kindle edition ($9.99).

What Is a Garden?
W. S. Merwin, author
Larry Cameron, photographer
University of South Carolina Press
718 Devine Street, Columbia, SC 29208
www.sc.edu/uscpress
9781611175677, $29.95, HC, 123pp, www.amazon.com

Poet and environmentalist W. S. Merwin moved to Hawaii in 1976 and has spent the last forty years planting nineteen acres with more than eight hundred species of palm, creating a lush garden on a ruined former pineapple plantation. Now officially known as the Merwin Conservancy, this land has served as Merwin's muse and his passion, appearing as a consistent subject of his poems and his germinal essays on conservation. "What Is a Garden?" is comprised of eight poems by Merwin, along with three of his essays emblematic of his palm garden writings from the 1980s to the present. These writings are presented alongside photographer Larry Cameron's spectacular images of Merwin's garden, all taken between 2013 and 2014. These photographs lure readers deep into Merwin's palm garden and offers a rare glimpse into this private exotic landscape as a visual feast for the viewer, rich with insights into the spirit of the place that has inspired Merwin's poetry. This edition of "What Is a Garden?" also includes a new introduction by Merwin chronicling his personal history with his palm garden, Cameron's photographer's note on his friendship with the poet and his inspiration for this collection, and an identification guide to the plants are also featured. Impressive, exceptional, extraordinary, "What Is a Garden?" is very highly recommended for personal, community, and academic library collections and will prove to be of inherent fascination for all dedicated gardeners and environmentalists.

Stress-Free Vegetable Gardening
Caleb Warnock
Hobble Creek
c/o Cedar Fort, Inc.
2373 West 700 South, Springville, Utah 84663
www.cedarfort.com
9781462113415, $19.99, PB, 176pp, www.amazon.com

"Stress-Free Vegetable Gardening: Thriving Gardens with Minimal Effort" by Caleb Warnock is specifically written for non-specialist general readers wanting to save time and money with respect to creating and working their garden. Profusely illustrated throughout, "Stress-Free Vegetable Gardening" shows exactly how easy it is to create an abundant crop with almost no effort. All the aspiring gardening has to do is stop fighting against their garden's natural growing patterns and get out of Mother Nature's way; she'll do all the hard work! Of special note is the information provided with respect to debunking popular gardening myths, avoiding obnoxious weeds, removing pests without having to use toxic chemicals, and making it possible to grow vegetables all year round. With "Stress-Free Vegetable Gardening" in hand, anyone can enjoy delicious harvests that come back year after year! Simply stated, "Stress-Free Vegetable Gardening" is a complete course of thoroughly 'user friendly' instruction and very highly recommended for both personal reading lists and community library Gardening instructional reference collections. It should be noted that "Stress-Free Vegetable Gardening" is also available in a Kindle edition ($7.99).


The Library Science Shelf

Digitizing Your Collection
Susanne Caro
ALA Editions
c/o American Library Association
50 East Huron Street, Chicago, IL 60611
www.alastore.ala.org
9780838913833, $55.00, PB, 176pp, www.amazon.com

Digitizing a private, community, governmental, or academic library collection is not only a great way to increase access to materials, it also engages patrons on a whole new level and helps communicate the library's value. But with staff time and resources already spread thin, it can be a challenge to plan and undertake a digitization initiative. The good news is that public libraries across the country have done just that. "Digitizing Your Collection: Public Library Success Stories" shares lessons and tips for success, showing the way to getting your collection online. With succinct and practical guidance that can be adapted to any size institution, "Digitizing Your Collection" explains why public libraries should take digitization seriously, listing key points that can be used to get stakeholders on board; points out what you should consider before undertaking a digitization project; discusses copyright and other access-related issues; shows how public libraries are handling funding and finding collaborative partners; shares ways that libraries have used digitization projects for community outreach and to promote collections; and offers advice on marketing and media. Many libraries across the country have found ways to create wonderful digital collections, and "Digitizing Your Collection" shows you how you can too. Exceptionally well written, organized and presented, "Digitizing Your Collection" is very highly recommended for library staff instructional reference collections, especially as libraries go further and further into the new digital age of information sharing.

Library Programs and Services: The Fundamentals
G. Edward Evans, et al.
Libraries Unlimited
c/o ABC-CLIO
PO Box 1911, Santa Barbara, CA 93116-1911
www.abc-clio.com
9781610696371, $65.00, PB, 496pp, www.amazon.com

The collaborative work of G. Edward Evans (a semi-retired, award-winning author and Fulbright Scholar who holds several graduate degrees in anthropology and library and information science); Margaret Zarnosky Saponaro, MLS (Librarian for Journalism and Hearing and Speech sciences at the University Libraries, University of Maryland); Holland Christie, MLS, (Public Services Manager at the Flagstaff City-Coconino County Public Library where she supervises the Reference, Circulation, and Youth Services departments); and Carol Sinwell, MLIS, (Dean Emeritus at Northern Virginia Community College), "Library Programs and Services: The Fundamentals" is now available in a fully updated and expanded eighth edition. "Library Programs and Services: The Fundamentals" covers every essential library service and topic ranging from circulation and literacy instruction to reference and security. "Library Programs and Services: The Fundamentals" is benchmark text provides an up-to-date, broadly based view of library public service and its functions; directly addresses all essential services of the library through completely reorganized and updated content that reflects the role of changing technologies in today's libraries; and presents many new chapters that address the topics of print collections, media collections, e-resources, computer access, social media, legal issues, ethical issues, funding and other fiscal issues, and the library as place. An ideal and comprehensive textbook for college and university Library Science curriculums, "Library Programs and Services: The Fundamentals" is very highly recommended for academic library instructional reference collections. It should be noted for the personal reading lists that "Library Programs and Services: The Fundamentals" is also available in a Kindle edition ($59.90).

Public Knowledge
Miriam A. Drake & Donald T. Hawkins, editors
Information Today, Inc.
143 Old Marlton Pike, Medford, NJ 08055-8750
www.infotoday.com
9781573875158 $59.50 pbk / $41.65 Kindle www.amazon.com

Enhanced with a list of acronyms and an index for ease of use, Public Knowledge: Access and Benefits is an anthology of scholarly essays by learned authors about the importance and usefulness of data collected by the government. Individual writings include "Government Resources in the Classroom", "NASA's Scientific and Technical Information for a Changing World", "The National Technical Information Service: Public Access as a Driver of Change", "Hidden Government Information", and much more. An enlightening cross-examination, and a keen reminder of the economic, social, and moral importance of keeping government information readily available, Public Knowledge is a welcome contribution to college library reference and Library Science collections.


The Fiction Shelf

Boundary
Mary Victoria Johnson
Lodestone Books
c/o John Hunt Publishing, Ltd.
Laurel House, Station Approach, Alresford, Hants, SO24 9JH, UK
www.johnhuntpublishing.com
9781782799184, $12.95, PB, 296pp, www.amazon.com

Never try to open the locked doors. Never question what you are told. And never attempt to cross the Boundary. Kept inside an eerie estate for their entire lives, Penny and her five friends have had no contact with the outside world, with their only windows being a handful of books, a sinister master and a secretive housekeeper. Fed up of living a mystery, Penny begins breaking all the rules and finally tries to escape; but what she uncovers is far more devastating than she could have imagined. It rapidly becomes a deadly struggle for the truth in a world where nothing is what it seems, and friendship can be either your greatest weapon...or your biggest liability. A riveting novel from beginning to end, it is particularly interesting to note that the author, Mary Victoria Johnson, wrote "Boundary" when she was fourteen, and realized her dream of seeing it published three years later. A fascinating story with cross-generational appeal, Boundary is very highly recommended for community library General Fiction collections. It should be noted for personal reading lists that "Boundary" is also available in a Kindle edition ($6.49).

Bull and Other Stories
Kathy Anderson
Autumn House Press
87 1/2 Westwood Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15211
www.autumnhouse.org
www.coalhillreview.com
9781938769115, $17.95, PB, 132pp, www.amazon.com

Kathy Anderson was a finalist for the Flannery O'Connor Award for Short Fiction, the New Rivers Press Many Voices Project, the Permafrost Book Prize, and the 2013 Autumn House Press Fiction Prize. Her first published short story collection, "Bull and Other Stories" won the 2015 Autumn House Press Fiction Prize. Her deftly crafted short stories have appeared in the pages of the Kenyon Review Online, the Tahoma Literary Review, the Barcelona Review, and the Apple Valley Review, among others. Anderson's literary awards include a New Jersey State Council on the Arts Fellowship in prose and two Pushcart Prize nominations. A playwright and Dramatists Guild member, her plays have been produced and staged nationally and internationally. Very highly recommended for community and academic library Literary Fiction collections, "Bull and Other Stories" showcases a truly remarkable and impressive author who is a master of the short story format. It should be noted for personal reading lists that "Bull and Other Stories" is also available in a Kindle edition ($9.99).

The Honour Of The Badge
Scott Connor
Linford Western Library
c/o Ulverscroft Large Print (USA), Inc.
PO Box 1230, West Seneca, NY 14224-1230
www.ulverscroftusa.com
9781444825701, $20.99, Large Print Paperback, 232pp, www.amazon.com

US Marshal Stewart Montague was a respected mentor to young Deputy Lincoln Hawk, guiding his first steps as a lawman and impressing upon him the importance of the honour of the badge. Twenty years later, the pair are pursuing a gang of bandits when Montague goes missing, presumed murdered. For six months, Hawk continues the mission alone, without success. But when he stumbles into the gang's hideout, there is a great shock in store. Seems his old companion isn't six feet under after all. "The Honour Of The Badge" by Scott Connor is still another riveting action/adventure western novel by a true master of the genre. Replete with unexpected plot twists and turns, "The Honour Of The Badge" will prove to be an enduringly popular addition to community library collections and the reading lists of western adventure enthusiasts -- especially those who would benefit from the Large Print format.

Hill Country Property
Jim Sanderson
Livingston Press
University of West Alabama
Station 22, Livingston, AL 35470
www.livingstonpress.uwa.edu
9781604891539, $30.00, HC, 284pp, www.amazon.com

Jim Sanderson (Chair of the English and Modern Language Department at Lamar University) has published three collections of short stories: Semi-Private Rooms (Pig Iron Press, 1994); Faded Love (Ink Brush Press, 2010), and Trashy Behavior (Lamar University Press, 2013). He has published seven novels: El Camino del Rio (University of New Mexico Press, 1998), Safe Delivery (University of New Mexico Press, 2000); La Mordida (University of New Mexico Press, 2002); Nevin's History: A Novel of Texas (Texas Tech University Press, 2004); Dolph's Team (Ink Brush Press, 2011); Nothing Left to Lose (TCU Press, 2014). And he has also published an essay collection: A West Texas Soapbox (1998). His newest novel, "Hill County Property" is set between Austin and San Antonio, Texas. "Hill County Property" traces the development of Roger Jackson from promising law student to private detective spying on cheating spouses. Of course, Roger's own wife and in-laws are involved. Deftly crafted, solidly entertaining, and a compelling read from beginning to end, "Hill Country Property" is very highly recommended for community library General Fiction collections. For personal reading lists it should be noted that "Hill Country Property" is also available in a paperback edition (9781604891522, $18.95).

Mortal Designs
Reem Bassiouney, author
Melanie Magidow, translator
American University in Cairo Press
420 Fifth Avenue, New York, NY 10018-2729
www.aucpress.com
9789774167140, $16.95, PB, 240pp, www.amazon.com

Captain Murad is busy planning for the Afterlife. He dreams of a grand, sunlit mausoleum on the banks of the Nile. To realize his pharaonic folly, the retired captain kindles an unlikely romance between Hazem, a feckless architect longing for immortality, and Asma, an impoverished single mother who strives for a better life for her children. As Murad's tomb rises on the riverbank, so Hazem and Asma fall in love. A contemporary Egyptian romance of rare grace and wit, played out by characters trapped in their attitudes toward class and gender, "Mortal Designs" is a deftly written and truly memorable novel that showcases author Reem Bassiouney's truly impressive storytelling talent. Impressively translated into English for the benefit of an American readership, "Mortal Designs" is very highly recommended for personal, community, and academic library Literary Fiction collections.

The Blackpool Highflyer
Andrew Martin
Isis Large Print
c/o Ulverscroft Large Print (USA), Inc.
PO Box 1230, West Seneca, NY 14224-1230
www.ulverscroftusa.com
9781785411236, $35.50, 440pp, www.amazon.com

Assigned to drive holidaymakers to the seaside resort of Blackpool in the hot summer of 1905, Jim Stringer is happy to have left behind the grime and danger of life in London. But his dreams of beer and pretty women are soon shattered when his high-speed train meets a huge millstone on the line. In the months that follow, as he hunts for the saboteur, Jim is drawn into a beguiling but dangerous world of eccentrics, con-men and cowards. From ventriloquists to funfair salesmen, ticket clerks to dandies, everyone is a suspect. "The Blackpool Highflyer" is a riveting suspense thriller of a read from beginning to end and showcases author Andrew Martin as an impressively gifted novelist of the first order. This large print edition is especially recommended for community library large print fiction collections, as well as the personal reading lists for mystery/suspense enthusiasts.

Sidney Chambers And The Forgiveness Of Sins
James Runcie
Isis Large Print
c/o Ulverscroft Large Print (USA), Inc.
PO Box 1230, West Seneca, NY 14224-1230
www.ulverscroftusa.com
9781785411250, $35.50, 448pp, www.amazon.com

James Runcie is an award-winning film-maker and the author of seven novels. "Sidney Chambers and The Shadow of Death", the first in 'The Grantchester Mysteries' series, was published in 2012, soon followed by "Sidney Chambers and The Perils of the Night", and "Sidney Chambers and The Problem of Evil". In October 2014, ITV launched "Grantchester", a prime-time, six-part series starring James Norton as Sidney Chambers. Now a new collection of six new Sidney Chamber stories has been published as "Sidney Chambers And The Forgiveness Of Sins" to the delight of the legion of James Runcie fans. This large print edition is especially recommended for community library large print Mystery/Suspense collections.

Oreads
John F. Lavelle
Roundfire Books
c/o John Hunt Publishing, Ltd.
Laurel House, Station Approach, Alresford, Hants, SO24 9JH, UK
www.johnhuntpublishing.com
9781785351839, $18.95, PB, 344pp, www.amazon.com

At fourteen, Cassie Wolphe's way of life in Appalachia is being changed by the influx of modernity/postmodernity. She is in love with Jake McCollum, believes she will marry him and constructs her life around this central act, but like her brother, Ben, Jake rejects a life he believes offers nothing but hard work and poverty. Forced to make a decision between her love of Jake and her love of the mountains, Cassie finds she can't leave, a choice which may define her life forever. At once lyrical, emotionally charged, moving and heartbreaking, Oreads is a literary treat that will keep you compelled right to the very last page and beyond. Author John F. Lavelle's "Oreads" is a compelling, creative, and original novel that is certain to be an enduringly popular and very highly recommended addition to community library collections. It should be noted for personal reading lists that "Oreads" is also available in a Kindle edition ($7.99).

Getting Right
Gary D. Wilson
Roundfire Books
c/o John Hunt Publishing, Ltd.
Laurel House, Station Approach, Alresford, Hants, SO24 9JH, UK
www.johnhuntpublishing.com
9781785351891, $16.95, PB, 240pp, www.amazon.com

Suppose your more than mildly irritating leech of a sister calls you, as she usually does wanting money, only this time she says instead that she has cancer and in the course of the conversation challenges you to write the story of her life. You say, sure, you'll do that but you'll tell it the way you see it. The tale that emerges involves not only the dying sister, Connie, but brother Len as well. And it's also about "me", the sibling invited to narrate their shared story and whose interplay of memory and imagination raises the question of whether "the truth" of Connie's life (or of anyone else's for that matter) can ever be known. "Getting Right" is an absolutely absorbing and exceptional novel that establishes author Gary D. Wilson as an original and impressively gifted storyteller of the first order. Very highly recommended for community library General Fiction collections, it should be noted for personal reading lists that "Getting Right" is also available in a Kindle edition ($7.49).

Tyger
Julian Stockwin
McBooks Press, Inc.
520 North Meadow Street, Ithaca, NY 14850
www.mcbooks.com
9781590137000, $24.00, HC, 328pp, www.amazon.com

In Julian Stockwin's latest nautical adventure historical novel, Kydd is offered a new command but that ship is still under construction, so he decides to look up one of his old naval friends and enjoy some of the pleasures of London. This is cut short when he is summoned to Portsmouth to bear witness at the trial of Sir Home Popham for his actions at Cape Town and Buenos Aires. Kydd confides in friends his true feelings about the way his old commander was treated and, when his opinions become public, finds himself in hot water with the Admiralty. Kydd is punished for his indiscretion by being given a different command: a mutiny ship, Tyger, moored at Yarmouth. On board he faces numerous challenges from a hostile and dejected crew, still under a malign influence. It will take all of Kydd's seamanship and leadership in voyages to the far north and in Baltic waters to turn the ship around. The measure of his success is tested in a cataclysmic battle against three Prussian frigates under the French flag. "Tyger" is another terrifically entertaining read by novelist Julian Stockwin and very highly recommended for community library Historical Fiction collections. It should be noted for personal reading lists that "Tyger" is also available in a Kindle edition ($9.59).

Last Man on Campus
John Abraham-Watne
North Star Press of St. Cloud
PO Box 451, St. Cloud, MN 56302-0451
www.northstarpress.com
9780878397983, $14.95, HC, 256pp, www.amazon.com

Malworth University was not Michael Sinclair's first choice. Or his second. In fact, if it were up to him, Mike wouldn't have gone near the sleepy town of Cold River and its tiny university at all. But thanks to his dad, that's exactly where he found himself. Aside from the usual classes, parties, roommate issues, and girls, Mike got the sense that not all was at it seemed. All too soon, he became enmeshed in a mystery that could change his entire life -- and those of the students around him. Does he dare become the last man on campus? "Last Man on Campus" is an original and deftly crafted read that clearly showcases author John Abraham-Watne as an exceptionally gifted storyteller who will leave his fully entertained readers looking eagerly toward his next novel. Very highly recommended for community library General Fiction collections, it should be noted for personal reading lists that "Last Man on Campus" is also available in a Kindle edition ($9.99).

The Ramblers
Aidan Donnelly Rowley
William Morrow & Company
c/o HarperCollins Publishers
10 East 53rd Street, New York, NY 10022-5299
www.harpercollins.com
9780062413314, $25.99, HC, 400pp, www.amazon.com

The Ramblers explores the lives of three lost souls, bound together by friendship and family. During the course of one fateful Thanksgiving week, a time when emotions run high and being with family can be a mixed blessing, author Aidan Rowley's sharply defined characters explore the moments when decisions are deliberately made, choices accepted, and pasts reconciled. There is Clio Marsh, whose bird-watching walks through Central Park are mentioned in New York Magazine, is taking her first tentative steps towards a relationship while also looking back to the secrets of her broken childhood. Her best friend, Smith Anderson is the seemingly-perfect daughter of one of New York's wealthiest families, and who organizes the lives of others as her own has fallen apart. Then there is Tate Pennington who has returned to the city, heartbroken but determined to move ahead with his artistic dreams. Rambling through the emotional chaos of their lives, this trio learns to let go of the past, to make room for the future and the uncertainty and promise that it holds. "The Ramblers" is a compelling novel influenced by fate, loss, hope, birds, friendship, love, the wonders of the natural world and the mysteries of the human spirit. Demonstrating author Aidan Rowley as an impressively gifted novelist, "The Ramblers" is very highly recommended for community library General Fiction collections. For personal reading lists it should be noted that "The Ramblers" is also available in a paperback edition (9780062413321, $15.99) and in a Kindle format ($12.99).


The Mystery/Suspense Shelf

Mermaid Moon
Colleen Coble
Thomas Nelson Publishers
PO Box 141000, Nashville, TN 37214
www.thomasnelson.com
9781401690281, $15.99, PB, 352pp, www.amazon.com

Shame and confusion have kept Mallory Davis from her home for the last fifteen years, but when her dad mysteriously dies on his mail boat route, she doesn't have any choice but to go back to Mermaid Point. Mallory believes her father was murdered and childhood sweetheart Kevin O'Connor, game warden in Downeast Maine, confirms her suspicions. But Kevin is wary of helping Mallory in her search. She broke his heart and left (without a word) years ago. When Mallory begins receiving threats on her own life (and her beloved teenage daughter, Haylie) their search intensifies. There's a tangled web within the supposed murder, and it involves much more than what meets the eye. As answers begin to fall into place, Mallory realizes her search is about more than finding her father's killer -- it is also about finding herself again, and possibly about healing what was broken so long ago with Kevin. She just has to stay alive long enough to put all the pieces together. Another terrifically entertaining novel by Colleen Coble, "Mermaid Moon" is the second title in her outstanding 'Sunset Cove' series. "Mermaid Moon" is an impressively well written mystery/romance that will prove to be popular addition to community library collections. A 'must' for the growing legion of Colleen Coble fans, it must be noted for personal reading lists that "Mermaid Moon" is also available in a Kindle edition ($8.99), as well as a Large Print edition (Thorndike Press, 9781410485601, HC, $33.99).

Murdock Rocks Sedona
Robert J. Ray
Camel Press
c/o Coffeetown Press
PO Box 70515, Seattle, WA 98127
www.camelpress.com
9781603813372, $16.95, PB, 366pp, www.amazon.com

Wealthy investors in Sedona, Arizona, are dropping dead. They are falling down staircases and off mountainsides, decks, and hiking trails. With so many similar "accidents," the victims had to have been pushed. Other than their wealth and weakness for beautiful young women, what the falling men had in common was a financial interest in Sedona Landing, a historic hotel in Oak Creek Village. They also shared a long history with the chief investor, billionaire Axel Ackerman. Fearing that he too will plunge to his death, Ackerman hires Matt Murdock and Helene Steinbeck to investigate. During his climb to the top of the heap, Ackerman crushed scores of rivals and broke many hearts. The culling of his "Crew" of investors is clearly personal. So who among this crowded field of enemies would orchestrate such a byzantine scheme of revenge? To keep their client safe, Matt and Helene will have to be on their best game. Too bad their last case in Taos took such a heavy toll, particularly on Helene, and caused a rift in their fragile bond. Very highly recommended for mystery buffs and community library Mystery/Suspense collections, "Murdock Rocks Sedona" is the seventh book in the Matt Murdock Murder Mystery series and also available for personal reading lists in a Kindle edition ($5.95).

The Necessary Murder of Nonie Blake
Terry Shames
Seventh Street Books
c/o Prometheus Books
59 John Glenn Drive, Amherst, NY 14228
www.prometheusbooks.com
9781633881204, $15.95, PB, 270pp, www.amazon.com

Nonie Blake is back home from a mental institution where she has spent the last twenty years, and people in Jarrett Creek are worried. Maybe too worried, for within a week of her return, Nonie is murdered. Chief Samuel Craddock thinks the only possible suspects are members of her tight-lipped family. Ever since Nonie tried to kill her sister when she was fourteen and was sent away to the institution, the family has kept to itself. Clues are scarce and Craddock is stumped. So he checks with therapists at the mental hospital to see whether they can add anything useful to his investigation. But he discovers that she has not been there for ten years. Now Craddock has to find out where Nonie has been all this time. Soon Craddock finds himself dealing not only with murder, but layers of deception and secrets, and in the midst of it all -- a new deputy, one Maria Trevino, sent by the sheriff to beef up security in the small Texas town. Wonderfully entertaining from beginning to end, "The Necessary Murder of Nonie Blake" by Terry Shames is still another terrific mystery from a proven master of the mystery genre. Very highly recommended for all mystery buffs, as well as community library Mystery/Suspense collections, it should be noted for personal reading lists that "The Necessary Murder of Nonie Blake" is also available in a Kindle edition ($9.99).

The Coalition
Samuel Marquis
Mount Sopris Publishing
www.samuelmarquisbooks.com
9781943593088, $14.99, PB, 432pp, www.amazon.com

From the fiftieth floor of an office building in Denver, Colorado, a long range assassin calmly watches a procession of black Lincolns. When the motorcade pulls to the curb in Civic Center Plaza, a prominent leader steps from one of the vehicles and takes the stage to make an important speech. Moments later, a loud boom echoes through the Plaza and the man slumps to the platform. The mysterious sniper, whose very existence is unknown to the international law enforcement community, has just assassinated U.S. President-elect William Ambrose Kieger. In the aftermath of the shocking political crime, the shooter escapes and a Task Force is swiftly assembled, headed up by Special Agent Kenneth Patton of the FBI's Denver Field Office. A ten-year vet in Domestic Terrorism, the unconventional Patton is driven to solve the crime by both professional and personal motives. His search leads him to a secret society whose diabolical and far-reaching plot threatens the very highest levels of the U.S. government. Yet the group's motives, secret membership, and ambitious plans remain elusive. Can Patton and his team uncover the plot in time to save the day? Can they beat the countdown on the clock and catch the assassin and the shadowy group in the background pulling the strings? Or will time run out? "The Coalition" by Samuel Marquis is a riveting novel by an uncommonly gifted writer. This is the stuff from which blockbuster movies are made! Very highly recommended for community library General Fiction collections, it should be noted for personal reading lists that "The Coalition" is also available in a Kindle edition ($2.99).

Rogue Mission
Jeffrey S. Stephens
Post Hill Press
http://posthillpress.com
9781618688132, $26.00, HC, 432pp, www.amazon.com

CIA agent Jordan Sandor is on a mission that blends non-stop suspense, intrigue and danger. His mission is more complex and has more at stake than any he has faced before. From Bermuda to the United Kingdom, from France to the deserts of Iraq, Jordan must face down villains both known and unknown, recognized and hidden, as he struggles to prevent the deaths of tens of thousands of innocent people. Needing help as never before, Sandor calls upon his usual group of talented associates, as well as top CIA analyst Beth Sharrow, a former lover still willing to risk her life and career to help Sandor. A riveting read from first page to last, "Rogue Mission" is the consummate action/adventure novel by a master of the storytelling arts. Very highly recommended for personal reading lists and community library General Fiction collections, "Rogue Mission" is the stuff from which Hollywood blockbuster movies are made!

Dark Places
Reavis Z. Wortham
Poisoned Pen Press
6962 E. First Ave., #103, Scottsdale, AZ 85251
www.poisonedpenpress.com
9781464204227, $26.95, www.amazon.com

Dark Places provides a fine new Red River mystery that takes place at the end of 1967, when the Parker family finds it impossible to escape crime and chaos. Teen Top still can't fit into the family's new small Texas community or forget the recent crimes that have taken place, while his cousin runs away to California at the same time as two businessmen are kidnapped and murdered in town. Constable Ned Parker suspects the different events are connected, but his search for Pepper leaves the investigation in Sheriff Cody Parker's hands, and when Deputy Anna Sloan is hired, trouble really begins in an explosion of guns and chases. Mystery fans seeking fast-paced action and high drama will find the entwined relationships of family, townspeople and murderers to be just the ticket for adventure.


The Health/Medicine Shelf

Let Food Be Your Medicine
Don Colbert, MD
Worthy Publishing
134 Franklin Road, Suite 200, Brentwood, TN 37027
www.worthypublishing.com
9781617955884 $21.99 hc / $10.99 Kindle www.amazon.com

Let Food Be Your Medicine: Dietary Changes Proven to Prevent or Reverse Disease is a reader-friendly guide to better health through improving one's diet. Author Don Colbert, MD, a medical doctor of over twenty-five years' experience, discusses how a modified Mediterranean diet can strengthen one's body against cardiovascular disease, arthritis and autoimmune disease, type 2 diabetes, dementia and Alzheimer's, ADHD and autism, and more. A disclaimer warns that Let Food Be Your Medicine absolutely cannot substitute for the direct care of a physician, and in the case that the recommendations here contradict those of the reader's doctor, then the reader should always follow their own doctor's directions. Yet the guidelines for healthier living are invaluable, especially in today's postmodern world saturated with unhealthy foods. Highly recommended! "Keeping fat intake low has been proven to reduce cancer risk, as studies have shown that cultures with the lowest fat consumption also have the lowest incidence of cancer. Trans fats, fried foods, and excessive polyunsaturated fats trigger inflammation in the body. Inflammation has been linked to the transformation of normal cells into cancer cells. Inhibiting inflammation is very important in slowing the growth of cancer. Certain fats, however, do not fuel inflammation, including omega 3 fats and monounsaturated fats."

Goodbye Parkinson's, Hello Life!
Alex Kerten & David Brinn
Divine Arts
c/o Michael Wiese Productions
12400 Ventura Blvd., #1111, Studio City, CA 91604
www.mwp.com
9781611250442, $18.95, PB, 230pp, www.amazon.com

Parkinson's Disease, a disorder of the central nervous system, affects 1 million people in America and 10 million worldwide. "Goodbye Parkinson's, Hello Life!: The Gyro-Kinetic Method for Eliminating Symptoms and Reclaiming Your Good Health" is by author Alex Kerten, who has been researching anatomy and the physiology of behavior for over 30 years and treats clients with movement disorders, specializing in Parkinson's Disease. He is the head of the Gyro-Kinetics studies at the Maccabe health Care Institute and founder and director of the Gyro-Kinetics Center in Herzliya, Israel. He also teaches at the Dr. A. Kalev center for Rehabilitating Structural Movements. "Goodbye Parkinson's, Hello Life!" presents Kerten's breakthrough holistic technique that combines dance therapy, behavior modification, and martial arts, to prove that there is life beyond the diagnosis of PD. It should be noted that "Goodbye Parkinson's, Hello Life!" received "Recommended Reading" status by the Michael J. Fox Foundation and listings on the National Parkinson's Association social media sites. Those who follow Kerten's techniques and are committed to becoming "Parkinson's warriors" can succeed in eliminating many, if not most, of their symptoms and return to a productive and fulfilling life. Instead of viewing themselves as Parkinson's victims, the methods in "Goodbye Parkinson's, Hello Life!" will lead them to become healthy people with Parkinson's. "Goodbye Parkinson's, Hello Life!" includes 20 easy-to-follow exercises. Simply stated, every community library's Health & Medicine instructional reference collection should include a copy of "Goodbye Parkinson's, Hello Life!". For personal reading lists it should be noted that "Goodbye Parkinson's, Hello Life!" is also available in a Kindle edition ($11.65).

Cancer Survival Guide
Charlotte Libov
Humanix Books
PO Box 20989, West Palm Beach, FL 33416
www.humanixbooks.com
9781630060145, $19.95, PB, 368pp, www.amazon.com

A cancer diagnosis brings along with it immediate feelings of fear, panic, and helplessness, often causing you to make rash decisions about your treatment. The "Cancer Survival Guide: How to Conquer this Disease and Live a Good Life" by Charlotte Libov will lead you through what will undoubtedly be the most crucial healthcare decisions you'll ever make. This definitive manual to understanding, managing, and preventing the disease offers the most comprehensive and up-to-date information available on the subject, such as: What cancer is, its symptoms and causes, and how it affects the body; The major forms of cancer including statistics on gender, age, culture, and prognosis; How to choose the right doctor based on your diagnosis; Creating a personal healthcare record to ensure that no detail is left to chance; The conventional and alternative treatments available, and what side effects to expect; Physical and emotional coping strategies, before, during, and after treatment; How to navigate life after cancer, the future of cancer research, and so much more. The "Cancer Survival Guide" addresses every facet of this illness that not only affects the sufferer's physical well-being and lifestyle, but also impacts family, friends, and caregivers. As informed and informative as it is thoroughly 'reader friendly' in organization and presentation, the "Cancer Survival Guide" is very highly recommended for personal, community, and academic library Health/Medicine reference collections in general, and Cancer Diagnosis/Treatment supplemental studies reading lists in particular.

The Handy Anatomy Answer Book
Patricia Barnes-Svarney & Thomas E. Svarney
Visible Ink Press
43311 Joy Road, #414, Canton, MI 48187-2075
9781578595426, $21.95, PB, 386pp, www.amazon.com

Anatomy is the branch of biology concerned with the study of the structure of organisms and their parts. Human anatomy is one of the basic essential sciences of medicine. Now in a fully updated and expanded second edition, "The Handy Anatomy Answer Book" Covers all the major body systems including integumentary (skin, hair, etc.), skeletal, muscular, nervous, sensory, endocrine, cardiovascular, lymphatic, respiratory, digestive, urinary, and reproductive, and, for good measure, this new edition adds chapters on growth and development and how science can help and augment the body. "The Handy Anatomy Answer Book" follows the fascinating maze of organ systems and shows how much the body does routinely just to let you move, breathe, eat, and fight off disease. A thoroughly 'user friendly' and comprehensive reference helps make the language of anatomy (as well as physiology and pathology) more understandable and less intimidating for the non-specialist general reader. Fascinating trivia, plus serious facts, combine to answer over 1,200 questions about the human body, including What is Gray's Anatomy? What does it mean to have 20/20 vision? Why is blood sticky? How does exercise affect the heart? What is "gluten intolerance"? Is urine always yellow in color? What are the seven warning signs of Alzheimer's disease? What is a reflex? How much sleep does an individual need? Can humans use organs from other animals for transplants? Enhanced with the inclusion of 140 color illustrations and a four-color interior, "The Handy Anatomy Answer Book" is very highly recommended for both highschool, community, college, and university library collections. For personal reading lists it should be noted that "The Handy Anatomy Answer Book" is also available in a Kindle edition ($13.58).


The Poetry Shelf

One Crimson Thread
Michael O'Siadhail
Bloodaxe Books
c/o Dufour Editions, Inc.
PO Box 7, 124 Byers Road, Chester Springs, PA 19425-0007
www.dufoureditions.com
9781780371276, $29.00, PB, 158pp, www.amazon.com

Micheal O'Siadhail is a prolific Irish poet whose published work sets the intensities of a life against the background of worlds shaken by change. For twenty years Micheal O'Siadhail's beloved wife, Br-d, suffered from Parkinson's disease. "One Crimson Thread" is a compilation of his love poems to her which chronicle the last two years of her life, her death, and his grief. In this sonnet sequence their love faces illness and death and sounds the depths of parting. There is a tenderness, intensity, and gratitude that will resonate with those who know both love and loss. "One Crimson Thread" is a compelling, intimate, and memorable body of heartfelt poetry that is among Michael's very best. Very highly recommended for both community and academic library Contemporary Irish Poetry collections, it should be noted for personal reading lists that "One Crimson Thread" is also available in a Kindle edition ($15.99).

Seaglass Picnic
Frances Driscoll
Pleasure Boat Studio
201 West 89th Street, New York, NY 10024
www.pleasureboatstudio.com
9780912887418, $17.00, PB, 166pp, www.amazon.com

Seaglass Picnic" by Francis Driscoll is a compelling memoir in the form of free verse poetry that deftly blends real life, a post traumatic stress episode, and something of a love story into an inherently fascinating and absorbing narrative. It is a powerful story of survival. No made-for-tv triumphant survival, but the day-by-day ongoing struggle of it. The simple, direct language of these tight, understated poems penetrate the heart with their cumulative power. A stark, stunning collection, "Seaglass Picnic" is very highly recommended for personal reading lists, as well as community and academic library Contemporary American Poetry collections.

Sky Gazer
Alan Holder
Anaphora Literary Press
http://anaphoraliteraryc.om
9781681142074, $20.00, PB, 142pp, www.amazon.com

Firmly rejecting the unabashed subjectivity and accompanying impenetrability of much contemporary verse, Alan Holder's "Sky Gazer", from first to last, makes his free form verse steadily available to the reader, assumed to be "a creature of feeling" and often addressed directly. The reader is onboard for a train ride or in-step for a woodland walk. "Sky Gazer" continually registers that great commonality of human experience, the four seasons. The poems share the sights that come the poet's way-so much of what he sees assumes the status of spectacle-the source of many of those arresting sights being the heavens, which Holder never tires of contemplating. He has a fondness for long, winding verse sentences; some poems consist of but a single one. Again and again, Holder alludes, sometimes implicitly, to works by great figures of the literary past-Shakespeare, Milton, Wordsworth, Tennyson, Melville, Twain, Yeats, Frost, Stevens, Eliot, Dylan Thomas-using them as springboards to go his own way. Repeatedly, his poems raise questions that do not admit of answers. Sky Gazer is very highly recommended for personal reading lists, as well as community, college, and university Contemporary American Poetry collections.

A Journey Through My Soul
Lena Sousa Day
Outskirts Press, Inc.
10940 S. Parker Road, #515, Parker, CO 80134
www.outskirtspress.com
9781478754367, $8.95, PB, 54pp, www.amazon.com

"A Journey Through My Soul" is a collection of one passionate, thoughtful, lyrical young woman's path from early adolescence to the present day. Many of the poems reflect her teenage years, giving wonderful insight about the wonder and wisdom of emerging maturity, with experiences ranging from the ecstatic thrill of first love and crushes, the deep comfort and bonding of true friendship, and the heartbreak of learning to deal with betrayal and the end of relationships. You will be carried along on an expanding world view that includes the quiet despair of longing for loved ones stationed overseas, the joys and fears of motherhood, and the multifaceted discovery of true and lasting love. These poems reflect experience that is both universal and unique, illuminated by a personal voice and sensitivity that allow the reader both a sense of community, and a glimpse into something beyond the everyday. Moving, inspiring, and honest, "A Journey Through My Soul" is a perfect companion for every life path. An impressive and deftly crafted volume of verse, "A Journey Through My Soul" is very highly recommended. Teenage Angst: My stomach is in my throat / My insides are on fire / I've got to get out of this place / To go crazy is not my desire // Parents nagging / A brother who drives me up the wall / Another spat with him / And he doesn't even bother to call // Where does it end? / Or tell me, will it ever? / I'm so tempted to throw in the towel / And give up the endeavor.


The Agriculture Shelf

Trichoderma: Identification and Agricultural Applications
Gary J. Samuels & Prakash K. Hebbar
APS Press
3340 Pilot Knob Road, St. Paul, MN 55121
www.shopapspress.org
9780890544846, $185.00, Spiral Bound, 204pp, www.amazon.com

Trichoderma is a genus of fungi that is present in all soils, where they are the most prevalent culturable fungi. The collaborative work of trichoderma experts Gary J. Samuels and Prakash K. Hebbar, "Trichoderma: Identification and Agricultural Applications" This is a complete and comprehensive presentation for Trichoderma, a genus of ecologically important beneficial microorganisms that has been shown to be useful in meeting critical agricultural challenges such as nutrient and mineral uptake and remediation of toxic elements. Expertly written, organized and presented, "Trichoderma: Identification and Agricultural Applications" draws upon and translates the experimental literature to explain how to isolate cultures of Trichoderma, as well as how to select, handle, formulate, identify, and register effective strains of Trichoderma species. Of special note is the clearly described process of identifying Trichoderma cultures to species using molecular and classical techniques. Descriptions and illustrations of forty-five species are provided along with a key for their identification and illustrations for each. "Trichoderma: Identification and Agricultural Applications" is strongly recommended as a core and essential contribution to professional, corporate agribusiness, and academic library Agricultural Studies reference collections and supplemental studies reading lists.


The Religion/Spirituality Shelf

Religious Studies: Interdisciplinary Research Primer
Macmillan Interdisciplinary Handbooks
Gale Cengage Learning
27500 Drake Road, Farmington Hills, MI 48331
www.gale.cengage.com
9780028662879, $179.00, HC, 418pp, www.amazon.com

The Macmillan Interdisciplinary Handbooks: Religion Series is composed of ten volumes (which are also available individually) that serve undergraduate college students who have had little or no exposure to the study of religion, as well as the curious lay reader. Beginning with a primer volume, which introduces both the discipline and the topics of the remaining nine volumes, each handbook will usher the reader into a subfield of the study of religion, and explore fifteen to thirty topics in that subfield. By employing literature, film, art, history, and other disciplines, the handbooks identify areas of critical thought and practice in the study of religion. Each volume boasts peer-reviewed signed chapters written by eminent scholars, and include bibliographies to encourage further exploration. Each volume concludes with a glossary and a comprehensive index. This outstanding series is comprised of: "Religious Studies: Sources, Perspectives, and Methodologies"; "Religion: Social Religion"; Religion: Just Religion; Religion: Material Religion; religion: Embodied Religion; Religion: Secret Religion; "Religion: Mental Religion"; Religion: Super Religion"; Religion: Narrating Religion". As well as being highly recommended for college and university Religion/Spirituality reference collections, it should be noted that "Religious Studies: Interdisciplinary Research Primer" is also quite appropriate for non-specialist general readers with an interest in religion, and therefore strongly commended for community library collections as well.

Daoism, Meditation, and the Wonders of Serenity
Stephen Eskildsen
State University of New York Press
State University Plaza, Albany, NY 12246-0001
www.sunypress.edu
9781438458236, $85.00, HC, 396pp, www.amazon.com

In "Daoism, Meditation, and the Wonders of Serenity: From the Latter Han Dynasty (25-220) to the Tang Dynasty (618-907)", Stephen Eskildsen (North Callahan Distinguished Professor of Religion, University of Tennessee - Chattanooga) offers a comprehensive and exceptionally well organized and presented overview of historical Chinese Daoist religious texts. An impressive work of original scholarship, "Daoism, Meditation, and the Wonders of Serenity" is the latest addition to the SUNY 'Chinese Philosophy and Culture' series. Very highly recommended as a core addition to academic library Religious Studies, Asian Studies, Doaist Studies, and Buddhist Studies reference collections and supplemental reading lists, it should be noted for personal reading lists that "Daoism, Meditation, and the Wonders of Serenity" is also available in a Kindle edition ($80.75).


The Cookbook Shelf

Dining at The Ravens
Jeff Stanford & Joan Stanford
BenBella Books
10300 N. Central Expressway, STE 400, Dallas, TX 75204
www.benbellabooks.com
9781941631652, $19.95, PB, 304pp, www.amazon.com

Located on the Mendocino coast The Ravens Restaurant at the Stanford Inn by the Sea provides its patrons with a mindful, compassionate, and sustainable dining experience in an enchanting and unforgettable setting. In "Dining at The Ravens", the restaurant founding husband and wife team of Jeff and Joan Stanford showcases the Ravens culinary experience with more than 150 nutritious and delicious vegan recipes. Beautifully illustrated throughout, replete with practical cooking tips, and thoroughly 'kitchen cook friendly' in organization and step-by-step instructions, the recipes range from Citrus Polenta with Braised Garden Greens and a Creamy Toasted Cashew Sauce; Indian-Spiced Polenta Napoleon; Mushroom Pesto and Sun-Dried Tomato Burger; Ravens Spicy Peanut Curry Sea Palm; and Sweet Summer Corn Bisque; to Peach Huckleberry Cobbler; Cilantro Mint Pesto; Indian Spiced Kale and Potato Omelet; Roasted Zucchini Soup with Pistachio Cream and Fresh Mint; Chantrerelle and Fall Vegetable-Stuffed Portobello; and Ravens Vegan Cashew Cheese. As much fun to browse through as it is practical to plan menus with, "Dining at The Ravens" is very highly recommended for personal, family, and community library Vegan/Vegetarian cookbook collections. It should be noted that "Dining at The Ravens" is also available in a Kindle edition ($9.99).

Katie Chin's Everyday Chinese Cookbook
Katie Chin
Tuttle Publishing
364 Innovation Drive, North Clarendon, VT 05759-9436
www.tuttlepublishing.com
9780804845229, $24.95, HC, 160pp, www.amazon.com

Katie Chin's love learned to cook Chinese cuisine by watching and then later helping her renowned mother, Leeann Chin, prepare delicious Chinese dishes in her popular restaurants. Katie inherited her mom's passion and talent, and has become a respected food writer and television personality in her own right. In "Katie Chin's Everyday Chinese Cookbook", the daughter is eager to share her mother's food legacy with American kitchen cooks as an enduring culinary homage to Leeann's mastery of all that Chinese cooking has to offer. This treasury of family recipes includes many unique dishes that Leeann developed during a six-decade career in the food business, including time-honored classics that she herself learned from her mother in China. Some dishes reflect Leeann's Chinese-American childhood or are recipes which Katie and Leeann developed while together. Others are creations that Katie has developed more recently. Woven throughout the book are fond memories and anecdotes from Katie's childhood, always involving cooking and eating with her mom. "Katie Chin's Everyday Chinese Cooking" is a beautifully illustrated celebration of Leeann Chin's amazing mastery of the complete array of flavors and techniques in Chinese cuisine, and her unique ability to make them accessible to Westerners. Of special note are Katie's tips and techniques which allow anyone to create a refined and tasty Chinese meal at home. The thoroughly 'kitchen cook friendly" recipes range from Lettuce Wraps with Chicken; Wor Wonton Soup; Ginger Shrimp and Sugar Snap Pea Salad; and Stir-Fried Chicken with Bok Choy; to Sichuan Beef; Tea-Smoked Sea Bass; Chinese Long Beans with Cashews; and Crab Fried Rice. Of special note is the section devoted to Drinks and Desserts featuring Chilled Berry Tea; Banana-Walnut Wontons; Five-Spice Chocolate Cake; and more! Certain to be an enduringly popular addition to personal, family, and community library cookbook collections, it should be noted that "Katie Chin's Everyday Chinese Cookbook " is also available in a Kindle edition ($16.99).

Oysters: Recipes that Bring Home a Taste of the Sea
Cynthia Nims
Sasquatch Books
1904 Third Ave, Suite 710, Seattle, WA 98101
www.sasquatchbooks.com
9781632170378, $19.95, HC, 160pp, www.amazon.com

Cynthia Nims is a cookbook author and culinary consultant focused on food, beverages, and travel. In "Oysters: Recipes that Bring Home a Taste of the Sea" she has drawn upon her years of experience and expertise to compile a truly impressive collection of thoroughly 'kitchen cook friendly' recipes for one of the most popular shell fish. "Oysters: Recipes that Bring Home a Taste of the Sea" also includes shucking instructions, and the local farming success story of the many delicious oysters from the Pacific Coast, as well as ideas for what to drink with oysters, as well as practical tips for buying and storing oysters. Since oysters are grown and harvested in some of the most beautiful environments on earth, "Oysters: Recipes that Bring Home a Taste of the Sea" is enhanced with the inclusions of scenic as well as food photography. The delectable oysters grown along the West Coast (which include Pacific, Kumamoto, Olympia, and Eastern and European Flat species) are represented. The recipes themselves range from Oyster Sliders with Togarashi Slaw; Cracker-Coated Oysters with Dilled Cream; and Oyster Stew; to Steamed Oysters with Sake-Ginger Butter Sauce; Cider-Poached Oysters on Toast; and an Oyster & Celery Root Bisque. A simply fantastic specialized cookbook, "Oysters: Recipes that Bring Home a Taste of the Sea" is very highly recommended for personal, family, professional, and community library cookbook collections. It should be noted that "Oysters: Recipes that Bring Home a Taste of the Sea" is also available in a Kindle edition ($7.99).

The Big Green Egg Book
Dirk Koppes
Andrews McMeel Publishing
1130 Walnut Street, Kansas City, MO 64106-2109
www.andrewsmcmeel.com
9781449471156, $50.00, HC, 208pp, www.amazon.com

The popularity of the top-selling kamado style cooker, the Big Green Egg, continues to grow across the US and overseas. Beautifully illustrated, "The Big Green Egg Book: Cooking on the Big Green Egg" is compiled by Dirk Koppes and presents an outstanding culinary collection showcasing 55 recipes introduce myriad flavor capabilities from top International chefs for using the Big Green Egg. Also features are profiles of 15 International chefs, explaining how they discovered the Big Green Egg, as well as why and how they are using it in their professional kitchens. The nutritious, delicious, and kitchen cook friendly dishes range from Eggplant Steaks with Fennel-Rosemary Dressing and Buffalo Mozzarella; Smoky Burger with Miso Butter, Kimchi, and Fried Egg Yolk; Smoked Warm Salmon on Beet and Broad Bean Salad with Horseradish Sauce; Calzone with Sausage and Ricotta; to Indian Lamb Spareribs with Chapati and Apple Yogurt; Baked Truffle Potatoes with Mushrooms and Vanilla Oil; Pumpkin Tarte Tatin with Creme Fraiche; Pork Belly with Sage, Roasted Grapes, and Bean Salad; Puffed Pancake with Peaches and Plum Compote; and Ice Cream Cake with Whipped Cream and Blackberries. As much as a delight to simply browse through as it is inspiring to plan menus with, "The Big Green Egg Book: Cooking on the Big Green Egg" is very highly recommended for personal, family, professional, and community library cookbook collections. It should be noted that "The Big Green Egg Book" is also available in a Kindle edition ($9.99).

Hollyhock: Garden to Table
Moreka Jolar & Heidi Scheifley
New Society Publishers
PO Box 189, Gabriola Island, BC, Canada, V0R 1X0
www.newsociety.com
9780865717275, $24.95, PR, 288pp, www.amazon.com

Hollyhock is renowned the world over as an unparalleled center of learning and connection specifically designed to inspire, nourish, and support people who are making the world better. At the heart of this unique institution, located on beautiful Cortes Island, is Hollyhock's spectacular organic garden, just steps from the ocean view kitchen. Serving up exquisite meals for thirty years, the Hollyhock cooks are back with a new collection, boasting over two hundred new garden-inspired recipes. Filled from cover to cover with imaginative ideas and seasoned with global inspiration, "Hollyhock: Garden to Table" invites you to join in a celebration of the beauty of fresh, local food. The versatility of whole grains, healthy oils, and natural sweeteners is showcased in mouth watering culinary creations such as: Thin-Crust Pizza with Nettle Pesto and Roasted Sweet Potatoes, Asparagus, and Chevre; Black Sesame Crusted Albacore Tuna with Ponzu Sauce; Soft Polenta with Roasted Butternut Squash, Caramelized Onions, Peas, and Smoked Cheddar; Honey Roasted Pears with Balsamic and Mascarpone; Salmon Burgers; Whole Grain Bread with Yam and Sage; Rustic Skillet Pear Tarte Tatin; Breakfast Fruit Cobbler; Iced Honeybush Hibiscus Mint Tea, and so much more! Packed from cover to cover with delicious, nutritious, kitchen cook friendly, gourmet quality recipes that are as much fun to browse through as they are practical to plan menus with, "Hollyhock: Garden to Table" is especially commended to the attention of anyone and everyone with an interest in sustainable seafood and garden-fresh foods. Simply stated, "Hollyhock: Garden to Table" is enthusiastically recommended for personal, family, professional, and community library cookbook collections. It should be noted that "Hollyhock: Garden to Table" is also available in a Kindle edition ($16.99).

LIMA Cookbook: Peruvian Home Cooking
Virgilio Martinez
Mitchell Beazley
c/o Octopus Publishing
236 Park Avenue, New York NY 10017
www.octopusbooksusa.com
9781784720889, $29.99, HC, 224pp, www.amazon.com

Virgilio Martinez was the national skateboarding champion of Peru in the 1990s but, after an accident, decided to study law in Lima. During a holiday job, he discovered his passion for cooking, dropped out of university, and traveled to Canada and then London to become a Cordon Bleu graduate. After working for 10 years in Canada, Europe and Asia he became head chef of Gaston Acurio's restaurant in Bogota. Returning home, he opened his own restaurant, Central, in the Peruvian capital in 2010. In "LIMA Cookbook: Peruvian Home Cooking" Chef Martinez has compiled a beautifully and profusely illustrated cornucopia of authentic Peruvian cuisine with recipes that range from Batido de Mango y Menta Freca (Mango and Fresh Mint Smoothie); Chonta Asada y Kiwicha (Broiled Hearts of Palm with Amaranth); Ceviche de Salmon aji Amarillo y Cancha (Salmon Ceviche with Yellow Aji and Cancha Corn); and Langostinos con Palta y Limon (Shrimp with Avocado and Lime); to Anticucho de Asado de Tira (Short Rib Anticuchos); Pachamanca de Gallina y Papas (Chicken and Potato Pachamancha); Cerdo con Chicha de Jora (Pork with Chicha de Jora); and Banana Carmelizada con Anis Estrella (Carmelized Banana with Star Anise). As fun to simply browse through as it is practical to plan Peruvian themed menus with, "LIMA Cookbook: Peruvian Home Cooking " is very highly recommended for personal, family, professional, and community library ethnic cookbook collections.

Soupelina's Soup Cleanse
Elina Fuhrman
Lifelong Books / Da Capo Press
c/o Perseus Book Group
250 W. 57th St., Suite 1500, New York, NY 10107
www.perseusbooksgroup.com
9780738218885, $24.99, HC, 288pp, www.amazon.com

Unlike sugary smoothies and juices, soup cleanses heal digestive issues and provide necessary fiber for human health. Journalist Elina Fuhrman turned to plant-based soups while fighting an aggressive breast cancer, originating the first "soup cleanse". Now, in the pages of "Soupelina's Soup Cleanse: Plant-Based Soups and Broths to Heal Your Body, Calm Your Mind, and Transform Your Life" she shares the recipes for soups that provide extra energy, and nutrients, as well as help you increase mental acuity and reduce inflammation. With customizable three-and five-day cleanses, a one-day reset, 60 mouth-watering recipes, ingredient lists, strategies, gorgeous photographs (and expert advice from health and wellness professionals) "Soupelina's Soup Cleanse" shares everything you need for a healthy, healing detox. Whether you're looking to reclaim your health, get leaner, or just enjoy some delicious nourishing meals, Elina's healing soups will forever change the way you think about food. In addition to an informed and informative commentary, the thoroughly 'user friendly' step-by-step recipes range from The Truffle with Asparagus; Lintil Me Entertain You; and Brave New Watermelon; to Magic Turmeric Broth; and Sweet Coconut Thai Oh My!. Beautifully illustrated throughout, "Soupelina's Soup Cleanse" is very highly recommended for community library cookbook sections, and academic library Health & Medicine reference collections. It should be noted for personal reading lists that "Soupelina's Soup Cleanse" is also available in a Kindle edition ($14.49).

Simply Delicious Sunday Dinners
Dina Foglio Crowell
Cedar Fort, Inc.
2373 West 700 South, Springville, Utah 84663
www.cedarfort.com
9781462117642, $16.99, PB, 160pp, www.amazon.com

For an enjoyable year of unforgettable Sunday dinners that will bring family and friends together, Dina Foglio Crowell has compiled a beautifully illustrated culinary compendium of thoroughly 'kitchen cook friendly' recipes that are simply outstanding. "Simply Delicious Sunday Dinners: 52 Fresh Homestyle Recipes" is an easy-to-use cookbook that is filled from cover to cover with everything needed to prepare exceptional dinners complete with seasonal entrees, sides, and desserts. Nutritious and delicious, the recipes range from Sherry Chicken Divan with Baby Bella Mushrooms; Zesty Shrimp Tacos with Fresh Mint Pineapple Salsa; Layered Mexican Casserole; and Creamy Slow Cooker Beef Stroganoff; to Curry Pumpkin Soup; Dina's Ultimate Cinnamon Chili with Beans; Roasted Asparagus with Lemon and Parmesan; Sweet Corn Pudding; and Italian Cream Cake. A pleasure to browse through and a practical resource for planning truly memorable dinners with, "Simply Delicious Sunday Dinners: 52 Fresh Homestyle Recipes" is decidedly recommended for personal, family, and community library cookbook collections. It should be noted that "Simply Delicious Sunday Dinners" is also available in a Kindle edition ($7.99).

1,001 Best Low-Carb Recipes
Sue Spitler & Linda R. Yoakam, editors
Surrey Books
c/o Agate Publishing
1328 Greenleaf Street, Evanston, IL 60202
www.agatepublishing.com
9781572841840, $20.99, PB, 696pp, www.amazon.com

Collaboratively compiled and co-edited by culinary experts Sue Spitler and Linda R. Yoakam, "1,001 Best Low-Carb Recipes: Delicious, Healthy, Easy-To-Make Recipes for Cutting Carbs" is an extensive collection of truly great low-carb dishes for the health-conscious home cook. Above all, the recipes comprising "1,001 Best Low-Carb Recipes" prove that a low-carb diet does not have to be bland or boring. The thoroughly 'kitchen cook friendly' recipes range from Three Onion Soup with Mushrooms; Jamaican Jerk Chicken; Asian Beef with Sesame Noodle; and Marrakesh Lamb Stew; to Crab Cakes with Poblano Chili Sauce; Mediterranean Roasted Eggplant and Tomatoes; Smoked Turkey Potato Salad; and Marble Cheesecake Brownies. It should be noted that each individual recipe also features complete nutritional data per serving. "The perfect culinary compendium for meal planning by anyone wanting a wide variety of gluten-free and paleo-friendly meals, "1,001 Best Low-Carb Recipes" is very highly recommended for personal, family, and community library cookbook collections. It should be noted that "1,001 Best Low-Carb Recipes" is also available in a Kindle edition ($13.99).

Whole Food Energy
Elise Museles
Barron's
250 Wireless Boulevard, Hauppauge, NY 11788
www.barronseduc.com
9781438007526, $19.99, PB, 176pp, www.amazon.com

Healthy lifestyle advocate Elise Museles is an attorney turned eating psychology and nutrition expert and the voice behind the insightful blog Kale & Chocolate. In the illustrated pages of "Whole Food Energy" she has compiled and showcases some 200 easy-to-follow recipes for snacks and on-the-go meals, along with clever cooking strategies, and practical truths about carbs, fats, and healthy eating. "Whole Food Energy" covers stocking your pantry and fridge with easy-to-find ingredients; making creamy nut milks, DIY coconut yogurt, and flavorful nut butters; whipping up a blender full of fruits and veggies that are nutritious and delicious; creating snacks that will help balance your blood sugar during or after a busy day; choosing foods that will help you feel energized, sustained, or replenished; finding the best recipes to support your active lifestyle and nutritional needs; setting; yourself up for the week with whole food eating success -- and so much more! The fully 'kitchen cook recipes' range from a Healing Turmeric Latte; Colorful Mixed Veggie Frittata Chips; Salsa Guacamole; and Orange Cranberry Spice Breakfast Bars; to Chocolate Almond Coconut Truffles; Mango Banana Ice Cream; Spiced Brazil Nut Mil; and Creamy Ginger Pear Smoothies. As informed and informative as it is inspiring to plan meals and menus with, "Whole Food Energy" is an extraordinary and highly recommended addition to personal, family, and community library cookbook collections.

Protein Ninja
Terry Hope Romero
Lifelong Books / Da Capo Press
c/o Perseus Book Group
250 W. 57th St., Suite 1500, New York, NY 10107
www.perseusbooksgroup.com
9780738218496, $22.99, PB, 240pp, www.amazon.com

Whether you're vegan, vegetarian, or eat-everything-you-can-get-your-hands-on, a weeknight home chef, everyday athlete, or just a busy person looking wholesome, protein-rich snacks and meals, you deserve something better than another chia seed ball or protein shake for dinner. Compiled by vegan chef Terry Hope Romero, "Protein Ninja: Power through Your Day with 100 Hearty Plant-Based Recipes that Pack a Protein Punch" offers a cornucopia of recipes using a wide range of readily available ingredients ranging from supermarket-friendly staples to cutting-edge superfoods, as well as an arsenal of gluten-free and soy-free options. With an everything-you-need-to-know rundown on plant-based protein sources, and chapters like Stealthy Protein Pancakes, Waffles, Scrambles, & Much Much More, Super Toast: Savory or Sweet, and Better than Ever Burger Bowls, plant-based protein can be deftly inserted into breakfasts, dinners, and everything in between. The recipes themselves range from Temph Sausage Sage Gravy; Edamame Spelt Flatbreads; Ginger Squast Adzuki Toast; and Tomato Zucchini Dill Burgers; to Baked Green Falafel with Pea Protein; Lentil Walnut Loaf Sunday Night Roast Bowl; Black Bean Hemp Brownies; and No-Bake Sweet & Salty Granola Bars. Innovative and original, "Protein Ninja: Power through Your Day with 100 Hearty Plant-Based Recipes that Pack a Protein Punch" is thoroughly 'kitchen cook friendly' and highly recommended for personal, family, and community library Vegan/Vegetarian cookbook collections.

Patisserie Made Simple
Edd Kimber
Kyle Books
www.kylebooks.com
9781909487345, $24.95, www.amazon.com

Patisserie Made Simple: From Macarons to Millefuille and More offers a focus on French desserts and pastries that are surprisingly easy for beginners to make, and covers a range of cookies, pastries, breads and more. Most French pastry cookbooks are far too complicated for novices, and most assume a good degree of prior pastry-making knowledge, so it's delightful to find a simpler step-by-step guide made for newcomers that pairs easy instructions with coverage of basic techniques. Eclairs, croissants, flan, truffles - all are surprisingly simple to put together. Add full-page color photos and you have a lovely production that places the classics of French pastry in the hands of relative novices in a delightfully easy exploration.

Fermented Vegetables
Kirsten K. Shockey & Christopher Shockey
Storey Publishing
210 Mass MoCA Way, North Adams, MA 01247
www.storey.com
9781612124254, $24.95, www.amazon.com

Fermented Vegetables: Creative Recipes for Fermenting 64 Vegetables & Herbs covers not just the usual pickles and krauts, but chutneys, relishes, pastes, kimchis, and more. Virtually anything that can be fermented is the subject of this book, which promotes eating fermented vegetables because they are delicious, and who share recipes for dozens of vegetables and herbs and methods developed during their years as farmstead food growers. Over a hundred recipes for preserving over sixty different vegetables and herbs teach the basics of making new food from familiar techniques: with this approach, sauerkraut is made using not just cabbage but carrots and fennel, and kimchi can evolve from asparagus and snow peas. No special skills are required: all that's needed is a few jars or a crock, some salt, and fresh produce - and this cookbook, which provides recipes that include what to do with the fermented results.

Cedar Fort
2373 West 700 South, Springville, Utah 84663
www.cedarfort.com
www.amazon.com

Amy Choate and Annie Miller's Naked Nutrition: Whole Foods Revealed (9781462117727, $21.99) offers a cookbook packed with whole foods dishes for every meal, and pairs nutrition information with step-by-step instructions to incorporate healthier foods into the family diet. Lovely color photos throughout by Marilyn Choate accompanies dishes and embellishments that are hard to find outside of a home kitchen, from a Lemon Lavender Dressing for salad to Carrot Hummus for dipping or adding to soup, a hearty breakfast casserole of potatoes, sweet potatoes and peppers, topped with raw cashews, garlic, and spices, or homemade milks such as Sesame Milk (high in calcium) or a coconut Pumpkin Spice drink for winter. All are different, appealing, and easy to put together with a minimum of specialty ingredients. Stephanie Brubaker's Brownies Blondies and Bars (9781462116942, $19.99) comes from the creator of the food blog BackforSeconds.com and offers recipes for different kinds of dessert bars, from Peanut Butter Cinnamon Blondies to Mint Fudge Stuffed Brownies and Hot Fudge Peanut Butter Cup Cheesecake Brownies. All pair with fine color photos of finished dishes throughout.


The American History Shelf

Law at Little Big Horn
Charles E. Wright
Texas Tech University Press
PO Box 41037, Lubbock, TX 79409-1037
9780896729124 $45.00 www.ttupress.org

Law at Little Big Horn: Due Process Denied is a scholarly, in-depth analysis of the Battle of Little Bighorn skirmish, a.k.a. Custer's Last Stand, in which General Custer and his troops were annihilated. Examining the battle from a legal and judicial perspective, author Charles E. Wright (a retired lawyer of fifty years' experience) emphasizes how the constitutional, human, and treaty rights of American Indians were frequently violated. The letter of the law protects every American citizen from being deprived of life, liberty, or property without due process, including a fair hearing before an impartial judge or jury; yet the court systems and even (especially!) the President of the United States disregarded the law in letter and spirit. Extensive notes, a glossary, bibliography, and index round out this excellent addition to college library American History shelves.


The World History Shelf

U-X-L World Eras
Gale Cengage Learning, Inc.
200 First Stamford Place, Stamford, CT 06902
www.cengage.com
9781573029681, $780.00, 10 Volumes, www.amazon.com

With beautifully rendered illustrations enhancing an informed and informative text, "U-X-L World Eras" is a ten volume history series. The ten volumes comprising this outstanding series are: Volume 1 - Ancient Mesopotamia: 3300-331 BCE; Volume 2 - Ancient Egypt: 3000-332; Volume 3 - Classical Greek Civilization: 800-323 BCE; Volume 4: Roman Republic and Empire: 509 BCE - 476 CE; Volume 5 - West African Kingdoms: 500-1590; Volume 6 - Imperial China: 617-1644; Volume 7 - Rise and Spread of Islam: 622-1500; Volume 8 - Medieval Europe: 814-1350; Volume 9 - European Renaissance and Reformation: 1350-1600; Volume 10 - Industrial Revolution: 1750-1914. Each of these ten volumes will contain ten chapters that will be arranged in the following order in order to make comparing and contrasting easier for the student: Chapter 1: Volume Overview; Chapter 2: Geography; Chapter 3: The Arts; Chapter 4: Communication, Transportation, and Exploration; Chapter 5: Social Classes and the Economy; Chapter 6: Politics, Law, and the Military; Chapter 7: Leisure, Recreation, and Daily Life; Chapter 8: The Family and Social Trends; Chapter 9: Religion and Philosophy; and Chapter 10: Science, Technology, and Health. In addition, each chapter contains guided reading questions, classroom activities, a glossary defining difficult terms, and a bibliography. The "U-X-L World Eras" series is an extraordinary and highly recommended addition to highschool, community, college, and university library World History reference collections.


The Civil War Shelf

What the Private Saw
Larry M. Edwards, editor
Wigeon Publishing
1769 Corsica Street, San Diego, CA 92111
www.wigeonpublishing.com
9780989691376, $29.95, HC, 292pp, www.amazon.com

"The generals did not see what the privates saw." So wrote U.S. Civil War veteran Pvt. Oney Foster Sweet, 1st Pennsylvania Light Artillery, 43rd Pennsylvania Volunteers (14th Reserves) Battery F (Ricketts' Battery), 1861-1865. His previously unpublished letters, diaries, and retrospective pieces compiled together in "What the Private Saw: The Civil War Letters & Diaries of Oney Foster Sweet" offer a unique glimpse of the war from the perspective of a private simply trying to survive a deadly conflagration in which one in five combatants perished. This first-hand account, compiled and edited by investigative journalist and writer Larry M. Edwards, is an invaluable addition to the growing library of American Civil War memoirs and biographies. A compelling read from beginning to end, "What The Private Saw" is very highly recommended for both community and academic library American Civil War collections. For personal reading lists it should be noted that "What The Private Saw" is also available in a paperback edition (9780989691345, $17.95) and in a Kindle format ($6.99).

The Civil War Years in Utah
John Gary Maxwell
University of Oklahoma Press
2800 Venture Drive, Norman, OK 73069
9780806149110 $29.95 www.oupress.com

The Civil War Years in Utah: The Kingdom of God and the Territory That Did Not Fight is a scathing criticism of the choices of the Church of Latter-Day Saints, during the American Civil War. Utah as a whole was largely untouched by the devastation of the war, and contributed very little to the fighting. Author John Gary Maxwell describes how the near-inconsequential efforts of an 1862 Mormon cavalry company (they were active for a scant ninety days, and did little other than patrol overland trails and telegraph lines) were later lionized by a religious institution invested in painting itself in as patriotic a light as possible, after the Union victory became apparent. Furthermore, Maxwell claims that Mormon leaders engaged in treasonous conduct through close personal contact with Confederate operatives and their efforts to secure Utah sovereignty, even as they carefully avoided open warfare with the U.S. Government - in essence, they played both sides against the middle. A stringent denouncement of revisionist history, The Civil War Years in Utah is an eye-opening contribution to public and college library Civil War shelves, highly recommended.


The Money/Finance Shelf

Your New Money Mindset
Brad Hewitt & James Moline
Tyndale House Publishers
351 Executive Drive, Carol Stream, IL 60188
www.tyndale.com
9781496407801, $15.99, PB, 272pp, www.amazon.com

How should anyone, but especially members of the Christian community, approach matters of money management and finance? The collaborative work co-authors financial expert Brad Hewitt (CEO of Thrivent Financial) and licensed psychologist James Moline "Your New Money Mindset: Create a Healthy Relationship with Money" offers a new way of thinking about the role money plays in our lives. Many of us live with ongoing, and often unexamined, tension related to money. Few of us have really escaped the credit-card trap or freed ourselves from worries about having enough for the future. Most of us simply haven't spent enough time examining our fundamental attitudes toward money and aligning those attitudes to our core values. Before you can remake your money habits, you need to start with your heart. "Your New Money Mindset" will guide you through the Money Mindset Assessment, which will help pinpoint what attitudes about money you could work on in order to develop an openhearted attitude to life. The goal is to cultivate a surplus mindset that allows you to enjoy what you already have and be generous toward others. Discover today how to free yourself from the money trap and create a healthy relationship with money. As thoroughly 'user friendly' as it is informed and informative, "Your New Money Mindset: Create a Healthy Relationship with Money" is very highly recommended for community library Money/Finance collections. For personal reading lists it should be noted that "Your New Money Mindset: Create a Healthy Relationship with Money" is also available in a Kindle edition ($9.99).

Investing 101 to Semi-Pro
Stan Balser
Virtualbookworm.com Publishing
PO Box 9949, College Station, TX 77842
www.virtualbookworm.com
9781621370444, $12.95, PB, 76pp, www.amazon.com

After more than 42 years in the investment business, Stan Balser became acutely aware of the need for a instruction guide clearly explaining to the non-specialist general reader why we all absolutely should and must invest in order to provide ourselves with a stable prosperity, and just how to go about it. In the pages of "Investing 101 to Semi-Pro: Successful Investing in Calm and Turbulent Markets" he covers the basics of investing, the various types of investments, and the language of investing in an easy to understand, enjoyable read. He has included the basics of his own investment psychology, some of his strategies, strategies of others, and some profound philosophies. In this interesting and educational guide he "shoots down" some popular myths. Starting with the basics, he takes the reader step-by-step through the choice of investments, where to get reliable information, what information is really important, and then, a step-by-step do-it-yourself order entry. "Investing 101 to Semi-Pro" will guides you, warn you, encourage you, and help you become a confident and successful investor handling your own investment with little or no outside help. Thoroughly 'user friendly' in organization and presentation, it should be noted for personal reading lists that "Investing 101 to Semi-Pro" is also available in a Kindle edition ($9.99).

Deduct Everything!
Eva Rosenberg
Humanix Books
PO Box 20989, West Palm Beach, FL 33416
www.humanixbooks.com
9781630060473, $19.99, PB, 286pp, www.amazon.com

Simply stated, "Deduct Everything!: Save Money with Hundreds of Legal Tax Breaks, Credits, Write-Offs, and Loopholes" by tax specialist Eva Rosenberg should be read carefully from cover to cover by every tax payer in the country. Informed and informative, practical and lawful, "Deduct Everything!" is packed solid with instructional information that will lowering almost anyone's annual federal and/or state tax bill. "Deduct Everything!" is a comprehensive and thoroughly 'reader friendly' guide to legal deductions, credits and loopholes including: Rules of thumb for record-keeping and how to stay organized; Secrets to mortgage, tax and insurance deductions; Maximizing work-related expenses; Making the most of medical expense and health savings accounts; Strategies for utilizing deductions and credits for education; and even tips on how to make more money with some of it being altogether tax-free! Of special note are the manifold ways to increase an IRS refund! If you pay taxes, you need your very own copy of "Deduct Everything!". Very highly recommended for community library Money/Finance instructional reference collections, it should be noted that "Deduct Everything!" is also available in a Kindle edition ($7.99).

The Art of Making a Pile and Living Like a King
Alistair Friend
CreateSpace
4900 LaCross Rd., North Charleston, SC 29406
www.createspace.com
9781523265039, $18.00, PB, 148pp, www.amazon.com

Along with contributions by Ace Wilde and Philip James Kirke, "The Art of Making a Pile and Living Like a King" author Alistair Friend draws upon his many years of experience and expertise to present an accessible and entertaining guide to wealth creation specifically designed and intended for ordinary people who are starting from an ordinary financial base. All of the illustrative examples and insightful anecdotes are from real life. All of the money management techniques are authentic and proven. Thoroughly 'reader friendly', practical, and directly applicable, the nine practical strategies presented in the pages of "The Art of Making a Pile and Living Like a King" make this invaluable guide very highly recommended for personal, community, and academic library Money/Finance instructional reference collections and supplemental studies reading lists.


The Science Shelf

The Boundless Universe
Sidney C. Wolff
Rio Nuevo Publishers
PO Box 5250, Tucson, AZ 85703
www.rionuevo.com
978 1940322094, $16.95, PB, 152pp, www.amazon.com

Ours is an age of unparalleled discovery in astronomy, with breakthroughs coming at an astounding pace. The questions we are trying to answer are fundamental: How old is the Universe? How do stars and planets form? Are there places beyond Earth where life might exist? "The Boundless Universe: Astronomy in the New Age of Discovery" by Sidney C. Wolff (former director of the Kitt peak National Observatory and the National Optical Astronomy Observatory) deftly explores these questions and more by taking a look at the search for life and new planets, the mysteries of dark matter and dark energy, and building bigger and better telescopes. "The Boundless Universe" is an information rich, thoroughly 'reader friendly', beautifully illustrated guide to the new astronomical frontier, latest discoveries, and most current research. Certain to be an enduringly popular addition, "The Boundless Universe" is very highly recommended for personal, school, and community library Astronomy reference collections and reading lists.


The Genealogy Shelf

You Can Write Your Family History
Sharon DeBartolo Carmack
Genealogical Publishing Company
3600 Clipper Mill Road, Suite 260, Baltimore, MD 21211
www.genealogical.com
9780806317830, $22.00, PB, 260pp, www.amazon.com

"You Can Write Your Family History" is a comprehensive and exceptionally 'user friendly' instruction guide that will enables non-specialist general readers to chronicle and document the lives of their near or distant relatives. "You Can Write Your Family History" provides methods for: conducting historical and thematic research; organizing materials; outlining and plotting a story; illustrating with pictures and charts; and making money writing the history of other families. Of special note are the chapters on Blending Social History with Family History; Adding Illustrations; Publishing and Marketing. A complete and comprehensive manual for creating family histories, "You Can Write Your Family History" is very highly recommended for personal, community, and academic library Genealogical Studies reference collections. Also very highly recommended, especially for novice genealogists engaged in writing a family history, is Richard Hite's "Sustainable Genealogy: Separating Fact from Fiction in Family Legends" (9780806319827, $18.95, PB, 110pp).


The Automotive Shelf

Holley Carburetors: How to Rebuild
Mike Mavrigian
CarTech Inc.
39966 Grand Avenue, North Branch, MN 55056
www.cartechbooks.com
9781613251980, $26.95, PB, 144pp, www.amazon.com

Holley Performance Products is an automotive performance company now based in Bowling Green, Kentucky. Holley, when originally based in Michigan, was one of the major producers of carburetors, being supplied as standard equipment on many Detroit-built automobiles. In the pages of "Holley Carburetors: How to Rebuild", automotive expert Mike Mavrigian (a certified member of the National Institute of Automotive Service Excellence and the editor-in-chief of Auto Service Professional) guides you through each important stage of the Holley carburetor rebuilding process, so you have the best operating carburetor for a particular engine and application. In addition, Mavrigian clearly explains carb identification as well as idle, mid-range and high-speed circuit operation, specialty tools, and available parts. Profusely illustrated with a profusion of step-by-step instructions, "Holley Carburetors: How to Rebuild" is a very highly recommended instruction guide for anyone working on rebuilding a Holley Carburetor for their vehicle.

The MVR Access and Decoder Digest 2015-2016
Michael L. Sankey, editor
BRB Publications, Inc.
www.brbpublications.com
9780988563643, $33.50, PB, 832pp, www.amazon.com

Compiled and edited by Michael L. Sankey, "The MVR Access and Decoder Digest 2015-2016: The Complete National Reference to State Motor Vehicle Records - Including Access, Content, and State Conviction Code Tables" is a complete national reference to state motor vehicle records. "The MVR Access and Decoder Digest 2015-2016" reveals the access procedures and fees for motor vehicle records including driver, vehicle, accident, liens, and even watercraft records. It also provides practical information as to where the free online status checks are and details on license monitoring systems available to employers and insurers. "The MVR Access and Decoder Digest 2015-2016" includes the states' driving record conviction code tables. Covers an array of topics including license appearance and issuance, suspensions and revocations, driver monitoring, point systems, and much more. An invaluable and exceptionally well organized and comprehensive resource, "The MVR Access and Decoder Digest 2015-2016" is very highly recommended for community, governmental, and academic library vehicular reference collections. It should be noted that "The MVR Access and Decoder Digest" is also available online at www.mvrdecoder.com.


The Coloring Book Shelf

Celtic Mandala Pocket Coloring Book
Lisa Tenzin-Dolma
Watkins Publishing
Angel Business Club
359 Goswell Road, London, England, EC1V 7JL
www.watkinspublishing.com
9781780289441, $8.95, PB, 72pp, www.amazon.com

The "Celtic Mandala Pocket Coloring Book" is comprised of twenty-six designs specifically crafted by Lisa Tenzin-Dolma. Each color-it-yourself design is accompanied by an informative commentary and a recommended color palette. The "Celtic Mandala Pocket Coloring Book" is further enhanced with the inclusion of ten basic line templates so that you can design your own mandalas, as well as a directory of key mandala symbols. Very highly recommended as an adult contemplative coloring books. Also highly recommended are two other adult coloring books from Lisa Tenzin-Dolma: "The Healing Mandala Pocket Coloring Book" (9781780289465, $8.95, 72pp) and "Buddhist Mandala Pocket Coloring Book" (978-1780289427, $8.95, 72pp).

Buddhist Art Coloring Book 2
Robert Beer, author/illustrator
Shambhala
4720 Walnut Street, Boulder, CO 80301
9781611803525, $15.95, www.shambhala.com

the "Buddhist Art Coloring Book 2: Buddhas, Deities, and Enlightened Masters from the Tibetan Tradition " contains fifty detailed line drawings of Indo-Tibetan Buddhist deities and holy men recreated to be honored with reverent color finishing by the reader. Originally created by the artist illustrator in the late 1980s, these finely detailed portraits were made with a fine sable-hair brush, taking between 50 and 200 hours each to complete. Of special significance are the drawings of Green Tara, White Tara, and Padmasambhava, which have also been drawn separately for a limited edition of silk screen prints. Also in the back of the book are brief descriptions and biographies of each figure represented, with references to other sources with guides to the traditional colors often used to decorate such images. An Author's Note in the beginning also respectfully requests the reader to "please treat the spiritual images shown here with due consideration. We invite you to follow the tradition to safely burn any of these sacred images that you may no longer want, rather than throwing them in the trash, if it is possible and convenient." The reader is invited to experience many happy hours of study and artistic work on these lovely representations of holy figures in the Tibetan-Buddhist tradition.

AKA Associates Inc.
www.akabooks.com

There are two new additions to the outstanding 'Doodle Art Alley Books' series by Samantha Snyder. "Magical Flowers Coloring Book: Magical Designs" (9780997102130, $9.95, PB, 104pp) showcases 50 doodle art images printed on one side of the pages for all ages to color. The images include flower baskets, bouquets, buds, flower vases, vines, and other flower designs. "Magical Animals Coloring Book: Magical Designs" (9780997102147, $9.95, PB, 106pp) presents 50 doodle art images printed on one side of the page for all ages to color. The images include an alligator, bird, cat, dog, elephant, giraffe, panda, turtle, unicorn, and zebra. Both of these coloring books will have immense cross-generational appeal, and provide hours of pleasurable enjoyment and recreational relaxation. For a complete listing of all the titles in Samantha Snyder's 'Doodle Art Alley Books' series visit www.akabooks.com


The Graphic Novel Shelf

American Born Chinese
Gene Luen Yang
First Second Books
175 5th Avenue, New York, NY 10010
9781596431522 $18.99 www.firstsecondbooks.com

American Born Chinese is an award-winning, full-color graphic novel suitable for all ages. Three stories are told in parallel: the classic parable of the Monkey King from Chinese mythology; the misery of Danny, a white high school student plagued by visits from his "cousin" Chin-Kee (who is the walking embodiment of every horrible Asian stereotype); and the identity crisis of Jin Wang, a Chinese-American high school student caught between his strict parents (who forbid him to date until he graduates from college), the girl he has a crush on, and the peers at school who look down on him for being Chinese. Jin's first real friend is Wei-Chen, a young man who recently came to the school from Taiwan. But Jin has been bottling up a lifetime of unresolved frustration from being bullied and scorned; when it boils over, will he forfeit his very soul? A thoughtful story about learning to accept oneself and respect others, American Born Chinese is highly recommended.

Fuku Fuku Kitten Tales 1
Konami Kanata
Vertical Comics
451 Park Avenue South, 7th floor, New York, NY 10016
9781942993438 $10.95 www.vertical-comics.com

Children and adults alike will enjoy Fuku Fuku Kitten Tales 1, a black-and-white graphic novel anthology of delightful anecdotes about the young kitten Fuku Fuku and her doting Japanese owner. In the eyes of a kitten, everything is a new and exciting adventure! When Fuku Fuku isn't wreaking mischief, she learns to snuggle under a heated kotatsu blanket for warmth, climb plants for fun, play with other kittens (and even a visiting puppy!), and more in this adorably cute and gentle saga. A treat for cat lovers of all ages! Also highly recommended is Konami Kanata's cat-centric graphic novel series "Chi's Sweet Home"; newcomers to the series will enjoy browsing "The Complete Chi's Sweet Home 1" (9781942993162, $24.95) and "The Complete Chi's Sweet Home 2" (9781942993179, $24.95).

Ninja Slayer 2
Original Work by Bradley Bond and Philip Ninj@ Morzez
Art by Yuki Yogo
Script by Yoshiaki Tabata
Vertical Comics
451 Park Avenue South, 7th floor, New York, NY 10016
9781942993438 $10.95 www.vertical-comics.com

Ninja Slayer 2: Last Girl Standing (Ichi) continues the dark, over-the-top violent saga set in Neo-Saitama, a cyberpunk city ravaged by criminals, corrupt corporations, and murderous ninja. Ordinary mortals who survive near-death experiences are sometimes inhabited by supernatural ninja souls of monstrous power and extreme brutality. While a very few ninja may choose to resist the bloodlust of their dual soul, the vast majority of ninja are unfettered butchers who lord their superiority over helpless civilians. But there is one who despises the vile carnage of other ninja, and that is the Ninja Slayer! Ninja Slayer 2 features guest protagonist Koki Yamoto, a Neo-Saitama schoolgirl who awakens to her lethal ninja powers when thugs attempt to gang-rape her. She later witnesses the rampage of another nascent ninja. Is Yamoto's destiny nothing but violence, or is there hope for anything better in her life? This graphic novel adaptation is as savage as the original series of novels (if not more so), and is most definitely not for the faint of heart. Recommended for intense action manga connoisseurs ages 16 and up.

Ninja Slayer 3
Original Work by Bradley Bond and Philip Ninj@ Morzez
Art by Yuki Yogo
Script by Yoshiaki Tabata
Vertical Comics
451 Park Avenue South, 7th floor, New York, NY 10016
9781942993438 $10.95 www.vertical-comics.com

Ninja Slayer 3: Last Girl Standing (Ni) continues the shockingly violent cyberpunk story of the Ninja Slayer, and concludes the story arc introducing guest protagonist Koki Yamoto, a high school girl turned ninja through a dark twist of fate. The saga is set in the corrupt city of Neo-Saitama, a cyberpunk hell on earth ruled by murderous ninja - people fused with ninja spirits that grant them superhuman powers. Ninja of the criminal Soukai Syndicate are determined to forcibly recruit Yamoto and another emergent ninja to serve their evil ends. Yet wherever ninja appear, the Ninja Slayer is not far behind! Yamoto wants nothing to do with the horrific violence that saturates ninja life, but what choice does she have? And what hope for survival does she have, when the psychotic ninja soul within the Ninja Slayer clamors for her blood as well? An adaptation as brutal and exciting as the original novels, Ninja Slayer 3 is a "must-read" for intense action manga fans ages 16 and up!


The Audiobook Shelf

I, Spy
Daniel Ribacoff, author
Read by Fred Berman
Macmillan Audio
175 Fifth Avenue, Suite 315, New York, NY 10010
9781427267832 $29.99 www.macmillanaudio.com

I, Spy: How To Be Your Own Private Investigator is the unabridged audiobook rendition of a how-to guide by Daniel Ribacoff, a private investigator of 25 years' experience. Topics covered include how to conduct a stakeout; how to track people down; how to tell if someone is lying; how to go "off the grid"; how to know if you're being stalked; the basics of garbage retrieval; and much more. I, Spy should be required reading not only for would-be private investigators, but also parents and ordinary people who want to keep themselves and their families safe from stalkers and criminals. Highly recommended. 5 CDs, 6 hours.

Monkey
Wu Cheng-en, author
Arthur Waley, translator
Read by Kenneth Williams
Naxos of America, Inc.
1810 Columbia Avenue, Suite 28, Franklin, TN 37064
9781843799214 $67.98 www.naxosaudiobooks.com

Monkey is an adaptation of a legendary Chinese parable, Wu Cheng-en's "Journey to the West", about a priest's quest to obtain holy Buddhist scriptures for the Tang emperor, and the companions who aided him, including Sandy, Pigsy, and the capricious monkey king. Arthur Waley translated Wu Cheng-en's epic into an abridged novel titled "Monkey" in 1942. Now, Waley's accessible, reader-friendly rendition is presented word for word as a Naxos Classic audiobook. Brought to life with actor Kenneth Williams' infectious performance, Monkey is a treasure that has delighted readers for decades, highly recommended especially for public library audiobook collections.

Leonard
William Shatner with David Fisher
Read by William Shatner
Macmillan Audio
175 Fifth Avenue, Suite 315, New York, NY 10010
9781427273239 $29.99 www.macmillanaudio.com

Leonard: My Fifty-Year Friendship with a Remarkable Man is the unabridged audiobook rendition of actor William Shatner's memoir reminiscing of the time he shared with the late Leonard Nimoy, both as professional actors and as friends. Shatner and Nimoy are best known for their roles as Captain Kirk and Spock in the science-fiction television series "Star Trek", but they first crossed paths on the set of "The Man from U.N.C.L.E.", and their fifty-years friendship saw them through good times and bad. Poignant, powerful, and an enduring tribute, Leonard is highly recommended, especially for public library audiobook collections. 6 CDs, 7.5 hours.

The 3 Secrets to Effective Time Investment
Elizabeth Grace Saunders
Peformed by Kelly Hazen
Brilliance Audio
PO Box 887, Grand Haven, MI 49417
9781511312424 $29.99 www.brillianceaudio.com

The 3 Secrets to Effective Time Investment: How to Achieve More Success with Less Stress is an unabridged audiobook self-help guide to improving both one's business career and personal life. Time management is a critical skill; The 3 Secrets to Effective Time Investment covers not only useful tips, tricks, techniques for maximizing personal productivity and minimizing wasted time, but also recommendations for overcoming crippling emotions such as guilt and compulsive perfectionism. An invaluable reference and resource for listeners of all walks of life, The 3 Secrets to Effective Time Investment is highly recommended. 7 CDs, 9 hours 4 min.

Master of Ceremonies
Joel Grey
Read by the author
Macmillan Audio
175 Fifth Avenue, Suite 315, New York, NY 10010
9781427266828 $39.99 www.macmillanaudio.com

Read by author Joel Grey, Master of Ceremonies: A Memoir is the unabridged audiobook autobiography Tony and Academy Award-winning actor, singer, dancer, and photographer Joel Grey. Born Joel David Katz, he grew up dating both men and women. His adventurous romantic life included marriage and children, but twenty-four years later the marriage fell apart. Joel speaks openly about a lifetime of concealing his homosexuality, before finally coming to terms with it; as well as the joys, challenges, and pressures of performing. Candid and insightful, Master of Ceremonies is a choice pick for public library audiobook collections. 8 CDs, 9.5 hours.

Inside the Miracle
Mark Nepo
marknepo.com
Read by the author
Sounds True Audio
413 South Arthur Avenue, Louisville, CO 80027
9781622035427 $69.95 www.soundstrue.com

Inside the Miracle: Enduring Suffering Approaching Wholeness is the unabridged audiobook rendition of author, teacher, and poet Mark Nepo's testimony. Nepo's words include the entirety of his literary classic "Acre of Light", written shortly after his recovery from cancer (he was first diagnosed in 1987), as well as new poems, essays, and teachings that Nepo has collected in the years since that difficult phase in his life. Questions and exercises from Nepo's workshops encourage the reader to contemplate the complex journey that is life itself. Inspirational and uplifting, Inside the Miracle is a "survival kit" of positive reinforcement. 6 CDs, 6 hours 46 min.

Cauldron of Ghosts
David Weber & Eric Flint
Brilliance Corporation
PO Box 887, Grand Haven, MI 49417
www.brillianceaudio.com
9781511357470, $19.95, CD, www.amazon.com

"Cauldron of Ghosts" is the sequel to David Weber's Honor Harrington series of science fiction novels "Torch of Freedom" and "Crown of Slaves". Secret agent Anton Zilwicki and Victor Cachat return having previously discovered the role of The Mesan Alignment (a centuries-old cabal that seeks to impose its vision of a society dominated by genetic rank onto the human race) in corrupting the Solarian Legage and aggravating the war between Honor Harrington's Star Kingdom of Manticore and the Havenite forces. Old coalitions have now disintegrated and new alliances have been created. For starters, the long and hard-fought war between the Republic of Haven and the Star Empire of Manticore is not only over, but these bitter enemies have formed a new pact. Their common foe: the Mesan Alignment itself. But more information is needed to bring the Alignment out of the shadows. Now, defying the odds and relying on genetic wizardry themselves for a disguise, Zilwicki and Cachat return to Mesa only to discover that even they have underestimated the Alignment's ruthlessness and savagery. Soon they are on the run in Mesa's underworld, not only hunted by the Alignment but threatened by the exploding conflict on the planet between Mesa's overlords and the brutalized slaves and descendants of slaves who have suffered under their rule for so long. But if Zilwicki and Cachat succeed in rooting out the ancient conspiracy, a great evil may be finally removed from the galaxy and on a long-oppressed planet, freedom may finally dawn. This complete and unabridged audio book edition is skillfully narrated by Peter Larkin in a 23 hour, 1 minute, performance presented on 19 CDs. An absolute "must" for the legions of David Weber fans, "Cauldron of Ghosts" is enthusiastically recommended for personal and community library Science Fiction Audio Book collections.

The Fury
Shane Gericke, author
Read by Robertson Dean
Tantor Media, Inc.
6 Business Park Road, Old Saybrook, CT 06475
9781494503253 $39.99 www.tantor.com

Brought to life by the superb performance of Robertson Dean (winner of nine Earphones Awards, among other honors), The Fury: A Thriller is an unabridged audiobook murder mystery that escalates to the brink of international annihilation. Detective Superstition "Sue" Davis, struggling to cope with the murder of her husband and allegations of police misconduct, is sent on a dangerous undercover assignment in a Mexican narcotics cartel. But when a U.S. special forces raid gone awry kills the family of the cartel's criminal leader, Jimenez "Jimmy" Garcia, Garcia vows murderous retribution. Can Davis stop a drug kingpin savvy enough to seize weapons of mass destruction, and insane enough to detonate them on U.S. soil? Edge-of-seat exciting to the very end, The Fury is a choice pick for connoisseurs of the genre! 9 CDs, 11 hours.

Worship Changes Everything
Darlene Zschech
www.hope-global.org
Read by Pamela Klein
Oasis Audio
289 Main Place, Carol Stream, IL 60188
9781613757376 $19.99 www.oasisaudio.com

Worship Changes Everything: Experiencing God's Presence in Every Moment of Life is the unabridged audiobook rendition of a testimony by Australian author Darlene Zschech (a pastor of Hope Unlimited Church). Zschech discusses the challenge of dedicating oneself to worship amid the countless demands of everyday life. Worship Changes Everything describes ways to incorporate the joy of honoring the Lord in everything, a liberation that transforms the way one perceives life, one's purpose, and the world at large. A treasury of insight written by a faithful Christian, for faithful Christians, Worship Changes Everything is highly recommended. 7 CDs.

Married and Still Loving It
Gary Chapman and Harold Myra
Read by Peter Berkrot
Oasis Audio
289 Main Place, Carol Stream, IL 60188
9781613758236 $17.99 www.oasisaudio.com

Created especially for Christian couples, Married and Still Loving It is an unabridged audiobook guide by Gary Chapman, a marriage counselor of over forty years' experience, and Harold Myra, the CEO of Christianity Today, offering advice for maintaining a healthy, lifelong marriage. The testimony of real-life couples who have encountered ups and downs on their marital journeys enrich this combination of roadmap and inspiration. Married and Still Loving It cannot substitute for personally visiting a marriage counselor in the case of major problems, but its wisdom will enrich the lives of Christian couples everywhere; one's relationship does not need to be distressed to benefit from the practical suggestions herein. 4 CDs, PDF included.

If Someone Says "You Complete Me," RUN!
Whoopi Goldberg
Hachette Audio
237 Park Avenue, New York, NY 10017
www.HachetteAudio.com
9781478960072, $30.00, www.amazon.com

If Someone Says "You Complete Me," RUN!: Whoopi's Big Book of Relationships isn't about the author's own relationships, so don't expect a biographical sketch. It's about solutions to relationship issues and how to avoid big mistakes by identifying early warning signs, and it is best digested in bits and pieces by any listener who would better understand the ironies, inconsistencies, and outrageous moments that lie in wait in relationships. Replete with comedian Goldberg's unique brand of humor, this is an engrossing listen for any who would enjoy a blend of fun insights and thought-provoking moments.

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

Oscar Hijuelos' Twain & Stanley Enter Paradise (9781478960331, $40.00) offers a powerful unabridged audio story narrated by James Langton, Polly Lee, Henry Leyva and Robert Petkoff, who provide a powerful production that brings to life a 37-year friendship between two late 19th century figures: Mark Twain and explorer Sir Henry Morton Stanley. Literary award-winner Hijuelos was fascinated by their connection and researched and wrote his novel after scouring the little history that remained of their friendship. He worked on the project for some ten years even as he wrote and published other novels: the result is a rich discussion of historical fiction that is especially gripping in audio format. David Baldacci's The Guilty (9781478929994, $40.00) centers around assassin Will, who works for the government as a professional hit man, infiltrating hostile countries and defeating America's enemies. But when he fails a mission, he becomes a loner with no purpose to life, and he must confront his past to move beyond his stalled present. Kyf Brewer and Orlagh Cassidy lend a fine reading and tension to the thriller, making this a 'must listen' for any who like stories of psychological self-inspection and intrigue.


The Library CD Shelf

Distant Horseman
Timothy Wenzel
www.timothywenzel.com
Coyote Floe Music
$16.88 CD / $8.99 MP3 www.amazon.com

Distant Horseman is an instrumental music CD created to stir contemplation of the greater totality of life, the challenges that face individuals, and the unknowable span of the universe. Created by skilled musician and experienced research scientist Timothy Wenzel, Distant Horseman features captivating new age keyboard songs, enriched with violin, cello, flute, woodwinds, harp, guitars, bass, drums, wordless choir vocalizations and more. Extraordinary and captivating, Distant Horseman is highly recommended, especially for New Age music collections. The tracks are "A Bend in the River" (4:23), "Distant Horseman" (5:06), "Turn and Walk Away" (4:00), "A Night So Cold" (5:05), "Moments Into Years" (4:18), "No Tomorrow" (3:33), "Forgiven" (5:12), "Colors Dancing" (4:05), "Ecstasy Eyes" (4:54), "Summer's Dance" (3:43), "Walk With Me" (4:03), and "Luminous Wake, Starlit Sea" (5:00).

Between Shadow and Light
Neil Patton
www.neilpatton.net
Privately Published
www.pattonmusic.com
$13.97 CD / $9.00 download cdbaby.com

Between Shadow and Light is a solo piano album by award-winning musician Neil Patton. Created around the theme of the search for hope and healing, the songs reflect the progression from fear, doubt, and grief to inspiration and joy. Patton infused emotions that he personally felt during his gradual recovery from an arm injury that threatened to end his music career. A transformational journey in soundscape, Between Shadow and Light is a "must" for solo piano connoisseurs. The tracks are "Rhyme or Reason", "Surface Tension", "Still in Love", "Great Expectations", "Nocturne (Between Shadow and Light)", "Flights of Angels", "The Hands of the Healer", "The Long Goodbye", "Finding My Own Secrets", "Walk With Me", "To Run Again", "Hope", and "Moonrise".

It's About Time
Hank Williams Jr.
Produced by Julian Raymond
Nash Icon Records
$10.00 CD / $9.49 MP3 www.amazon.com

Hank Williams Jr., a musician who has entertained listeners for five decades and counting, presents his latest album It's About Time, a country medley embracing salt-of-the-earth Christian values. Songs celebrate Williams' love for God and Jesus Christ, his fierce dedication to the constitutional right to bear arms ("We might as well give up and run / If we let 'em take our God and guns"), why being born in America is "like hitting the lottery", and more. Fans of Williams' no-nonsense, upfront-and-open style will thoroughly enjoy It's About Time! A booklet of the complete lyrics to all songs is included with the physical CD version of It's About Time. The tracks are "Are You Ready for the Country (feat. Eric Church)" (3:29); "Club U.S.A." (3:19), "God Fearin' Man" (2:37), "Those Days Are Gone" (3:41), "Dressing Like an Icon" (4:13), "God and Guns" (4:50), "Just Call Me Hank" (3:02), "Mental Revenge" (2:57), "It's About Time" (3:30), "The Party's On" (2:59), "Wrapped Up, Tangled Up In Jesus (God's Got It)" (6:21), and "Born to Boogie (feat. Brantley Gilbert, Justin Moore & Brad Paisley)" (2:45).

Guy Buttery
Guy Buttery
Privately Published
$9.98 CD / $8.99 MP3 www.amazon.com

South African music artist Guy Buttery presents a self-titled instrumental anthology (with wordless vocals on two tracks) that pushes the boundaries of multiple genres. Individual songs vary immensely in style, from world-fusion to African folk, and in tone from ambient to wildly excited. Eclectic and extraordinary, Guy Buttery is especially recommended for world music collections, and individual connoisseurs in search of something different. The tracks are "Werner Meets Egberto in Manaus", "Floop", "In the Shade of the Wild Pig", "From Srinager", "To Goulimine", "Sleep Deprivation", "The Upper Reaches", "Two Chords & the Truth", "Verbosity", "A Piece for Rudolf Fritsch", and "In the Morning".


The Library DVD Shelf

Colorado's Spectacular
Bennet Watt HD Productions, Inc.
13021 - 244 Avenue SE, Issaquah, WA 98027
9781604902068 $24.95 (DVD or Blu-ray) www.Bennett-Watt.com

Part of the Discoveries... America series of beautiful, high-definition documentaries available in both DVD and Blu-ray formats, Colorado's Spectacular showcases the astounding beauty of Colorado's national parks. Striking, panoramic footage of Rocky Mountain National Park, Mesa Verde National Park, Great Sand Dunes National Park & Preserve, Black Canyon Of the Gunnison National Park and much more fill this sweeping video essay. The next best thing to visiting Colorado's monuments and nature preserves in person, Colorado's Spectacular is especially recommended for public library DVD collections. 53 min.

Railroads: Magic, Mystery & Mystique
Bennet Watt HD Productions, Inc.
13021 - 244 Avenue SE, Issaquah, WA 98027
9781604902051 $24.95 www.Bennett-Watt.com

Part of the Discoveries... America series of captivating, high-definition documentaries available in both DVD and Blu-ray formats, Railroads: Magic, Mystery & Mystique is a treat for anyone fascinated by locomotives. Railroads were an important part of the creation of America's National Park system; they enabled early visitors to see Yosemite, Yellowstone, Glacier, and other parks with their own eyes. Railroads: Magic, Mystery & Mystique offers a tour of national historic landmarks that commemorate the role of railroads, before the advent of the modern highway system eased travel to America's national parks. Locations featured include Steamtwon National Historic Site, Pennsylvania; Golden Spike National Historic Site, Utah; Cumbers & Toltec Scenic Railroad National Historic Landmark, Colorado; and much more. Railroads: Magic, Mystery & Mystique is a welcome contribution to public library DVD collections, and a delight for train enthusiasts everywhere. 61 min.

The Yes Men Are Revolting
Starring Mike Bonanno and Andy Bichlbaum
Passion River Films
154 Mt. Bethel Rd., Warren, NJ 07059
$24.95 www.passionriver.com

The Yes Men Are Revolting is the third documentary-movie featuring the "Yes Men", Mike Bonanno and Andy Bichlbaum, who are famous for pulling off-the-wall hoaxes to attract attention to social problems. Even though the Yes Men are in their 40's (and hardly immune to the threat of midlife crisis), they tackle the thorny issue of climate change in The Yes Men Are Revolting. From villages in Uganda to toxic oil fields in Canada, the Yes Men make a stand against big oil, lobbyists, and even the U.S. government, to deliver eyebrow-raising, nonviolent acts of public protest. A showcase of the desperate need to mobilize global conservation efforts before it's too late, The Yes Men Are Revolting is highly recommended. 91 min.

Knox: The Life and Legacy of Scotland's Controversial Reformer
Presented by Phillip Todd
Vision Video
P.O. Box 540, Worcester, PA 19490
$19.99 DVD www.visionvideo.com

Available in both DVD and .MP4 digital download formats, Knox: The Life and Legacy of Scotland's Controversial Reformer is a documentary about John Knox (1513-1572), a Scottish clergyman, theologian, and writer who was a notable leader of the Protestant Reformation, and the founder of the Presbyterian denomination in Scotland. Scottish actor Phillip Todd takes the viewer on a tour of the life's work and legacy of a legendary reformer, who began as a Catholic priest and eventually became a Protestant preacher who even challenged a Scottish queen. Interviews with expert historians and biographers, as well as re-enactments and some animations enrich this enlightening and educational portrayal. Highly recommended, both for public and church DVD collections. Special features include a production stills gallery, a concept art gallery, a glimpse behind the scenes at the premiere, and more. 77 min., English language with English subtitles.

The Fall: Series 2
Starring Gillian Anderson and Jamie Dornan
Acorn Media
c/o RLJ Entertainment
www.acornonline.com
9781621724599 $39.99 DVD (2 disc set)
9781621724605 $39.99 Blu-ray (2 disc set)

Available in both DVD and Blu-ray formats, The Fall: Series 2 collects all six episodes of this dramatic British psychological thriller. Golden Globe-winning actress Gillian Anderson (known for her starring role in "The X-Files") delivers an intense performance in the role of Superintendent Stella Gibson, a detective running out of time to track down serial killer Paul Spector (played by Jamie Dornan, known for his role in "Fifty Shades of Grey"). At once both disturbing and fascinating, The Fall keeps the viewer in suspense to the very end. Bonus material includes a 12 minute behind-the-scenes featurette, 9 minutes of deleted scenes, and a photo gallery. The Fall: Series 2 is especially recommended to connoisseurs of the genre. 6 episodes on 2 discs, 403 min. plus bonus, 1080 p/16:9, SDH subtitles.

Sai Fundamental Training
Nicholas C. Yang
YMAA Publications
PO Box 480, Wolfeboro, NH 03894-0480
9781594393495 $49.95 www.ymaa.com

Sai Fundamental Training: Sequence and Martial Applications is a martial arts educational DVD about an ancient Chinese weapon called the sai. A type of baton with prongs, sai were once used by law enforcement. Today, training with sai can improve hand and arm coordination, and the skills learned in order to wield sai can be incorporated into any fighting style. Sai Fundamental Training includes the history of theory of sai use; step-by-step instructions for fundamental techniques and drills; solo and partner training exercises; and much more. Host Nicholas C. Yang, a lifelong martial artist and son of Dr. Yang, Jwing-Ming has won over three dozen awards for barehanded and weapon forms international and national competitions, and taught martial art seminars worldwide. Sai Fundamental Training is an excellent source of supplemental training for aspiring and practicing martial artists, highly recommended. 180 min.

BeyondBarre series
Colleen Ketchum
Privately Published
$14.99 each beyondbarre.com

Two fitness DVDs from Colleen Ketchum, founder and owner of Pilates in Motion Fitness Studio, blend upbeat exercise choreography with proper form and body alignment to burn calories, strengthen muscles, improve flexibility, and more. BeyondBarre: Fit (53 min. plus bonus segment) is a workout that emphasizes muscle tone with inexpensive props such as a small ball, resistance bands, and weights. BeyondBarre: Grace (60 min. plus bonus segment) spices its workout with ballet-inspired movement and stretching, the better to improve balance and fluidity of motion. Access to inexpensive hand weights and a sturdy chair of ballet barre are ideal for getting the most out of the experience. Both DVDs make excellent additions to any fitness collection.

Sermon on the Mount
Sinclair B. Ferguson
Ligonier Ministries
421 Ligonier Court, Sanford, FL, 32771-8608
9781567695557 $48.00 DVD / $31.00 CD / $24.00 download www.ligonier.org

Available in multiple formats including DVD, CD, and audio-visual download, Sermon on the Mount is an anthology of twelve 23-minute sermon-messages by professor of systematic theology and former pastor Sinclair B. Ferguson, each shining light on how the Sermon on the Mount (a famous collection of the sayings and teachings of Jesus Christ) gives guidance to Christians today. The sessions are "Life in the Kingdom", "The Beatitudes", "The Fulfillment of the Law", "The Meaning of the Law", "Living the Reconciled Life", "Love Your Enemies", "Scribes, Pharisees, Hypocrites", "Knowing God as Father", "The Lord's Prayer", "The Cure for our Anxiety", "Condemnation & Discernment" and "Ultimate Choices". Sermon on the Mount is an excellent self-study tool; downloadable study guides and an associated online course from Ligonier Connect are available separately. 2 DVDs; English and Spanish dubbed messages included.


The Humor Shelf

It's A Magical World: A Calvin and Hobbes Collection
Bill Watterson
Andrews McMeel Publishing
1130 Walnut Street, Kansas City, MO 64106-2109
www.andrewsmcmeel.com
9780836221367, $18.99, PB, 176pp, www.amazon.com

Bill Watterson is the creator of Calvin and Hobbes, one of the most popular and well-regarded cartoon strips of the twentieth century. Calvin and Hobbes appeared in newspapers from November 1985 until Watterson's retirement in 1996. Now for the benefit of a whole new generation of appreciative readers, "It's A Magical World: A Calvin and Hobbes Collection" is once again available from Andrews McMeel Publishing. One of the funniest and most thought-provoking collections of a newspaper comic strip to ever seen print, "It's A Magical World: A Calvin and Hobbes Collection" is highly recommended for community and academic library collections. For the personal reading lists of dedicated Calvin and Hobbes enthusiasts, it should be noted that "It's A Magical World: A Calvin and Hobbes Collection" is now available in a Kindle edition as well.

The Weed Whisperer
G.B. Trudeau
Andrews McMeel Publishing
1130 Walnut Street, Kansas City, MO 64106-2109
9781449472245 $29.99 www.andrewsmcmeel.com

Pulitzer Prize-winning cartoonist G.B. Trudeau presents The Weed Whisperer: A Doonesbury Book, a compilation of recent strips in the long-running Doonesbury newspaper comic. Every page of The Weed Whisperer is in full color - daily strips and Sunday strips alike! Trudeau is known for not only his tongue-in-cheek humor, but also his spotlights on social problems, his stark critique of political incompetence, and his commiseration with the difficult lot of working men and women everywhere. In The Weed Whisperer, Zonker and his nephew Zip pursue their dream of growing "artisanal" weed in Colorado, where marijuana has just been legalized; MIT graduate and soon-to-be mother Alex Doonesbury can't leave her coffee-slinging Starbucks job because she needs the health insurance; self-absorbed journalist Roland Hedley is repeatedly called out for "humblebragging" on Twitter; and much more. Although The Weed Whisperer never loses its dry sense of wit, some of its social issues topics are darkly serious, such as the following strip representing literal American military policy: "'What do you want, Wheeler?' 'I'd like to report a crime, colonel. As required, I am reporting it through my chain of command.' 'What's the crime?' 'I was raped by a superior officer.' 'Who's the alleged perpetrator?' 'You, sir. As you know.' 'Not credible. Dismissed.'" Highly recommended, both for personal browsing and public library collections. It should be noted that The Weed Whisperer is also available as an ebook.

Optimism Sounds Exhausting
Scott Adams
Andrews McMeel Publishing
1130 Walnut Street, Kansas City, MO 64106-2109
9781449463007 $19.99 www.andrewsmcmeel.com

Optimism Sound Exhausting is an anthology of recent strips from the popular Dilbert newspaper comic series. Every page is in full color, daily strips and Sunday strips alike! Set in Dilbert's world of corporate inadequacy, management shenanigans, incompetence, frustration, and just plain insanity, Optimism Sounds Exhausting brilliantly displays Scott Adams' gift for revealing the ludicrous in everyday life, both on and off the job. "'We look for ten qualities when we hire.' 'Ten? I'm looking for an employer who knows how to set priorities.' 'He was too good for us.'" Wickedly funny from start to finish, Optimism Sounds Exhausting is highly recommended for personal enjoyment and public library collections. It should be noted that Optimism Sounds Exhausting is also available as an ebook.


The Music Shelf

Classical Music: A Chronology
Jon Paxman
The Overlook Press
141 Wooster Street, New York, NY 10012
www.overlookpress.com
9781468312720, $49.95, HC, 752pp, www.amazon.com

"Classical Music: A Chronology" covers four centuries of Western classical music, ranging from the Baroque era through to the end of the 20th century. "Classical Music: A Chronology" presents information on all aspects of classical music from 1600 to the 2000s, including biographies of composers, patrons, publishers, impresarios, conductors, and performers. Births, deaths, compositions, performances, and many biographical highs and lows are included to give the reader a complete and varied look at what happened, when, with a particular emphasis on the stories surrounding a piece of music's first performance. "Classical Music: A Chronology" also includes narrative chapters that examine musical developments over the course of four centuries, looking at how style, genre, and location have all influenced Western classical music since its inception. Composers operate first and foremost in the day-to-day of their artistic, social, economic, and political environment. "Classical Music: A Chronology" will immerse readers in those contexts, thereby helping music lovers to more fully appreciate the history of classical music. Exhaustively researched, impressively written, organized and presented, "Classical Music: A Chronology" is a truly exceptional reference work that is very highly recommended for personal, professional, community, and academic library Music History reference collections and supplemental studies reading lists. Enhanced with more that 500 color and b&w illustrations; a nineteen page Glossary Of Musical Terms; a six page Further Reading bibliography; and a forty-five page Index, "Classical Music: A Chronology" is an ideal resource for academia and non-specialist general readers with an interest in the history of Western Classical Music.


The International Studies Shelf

Social Media in Iran
David M. Fairs & Babak Rahimi, editors
State University of New York Press
State University Plaza, Albany, NY 12246-0001
www.sunypress.edu
9781438458830. $85.00, HC, 334pp, www.amazon.com

Collaboratively compiled and co-edited by the team of David M. Fairs (Chair of the Department of Political Science and Public Administration, Roosevelt University) and Babak Rahimi (Associate Professor of Communication, Culture, and Religion, University of California - San Diego), "Social Media in Iran: Politics and Society After 2009" is comprised of an informative Introduction and fourteen erudite articles contributed by experts in their fields and presented in three major sections: Societal; Politics; Culture. The result is a work of seminal scholarship that is further enhanced with the inclusion of a twenty-six page Bibliography; a six page listing of the Contributors and the credentials, and a fifteen page Index. Offering data based insights into the diverse impacts and influences of social media in contemporary Iranian society and politics, "Social Media in Iran: Politics and Society After 2009" will prove a welcome and significant acquisition for academic library Middle Eastern Studies and Media Studies collections in general, and Contemporary Iranian Studies supplement reading lists in particular. For academia and the general reading public with an interest in Iran, it should be noted that "Social Media in Iran: Politics and Society After 2009" is also available in a Kindle edition ($80.75).

Apartheid in Palestine
Ghada Ageel, editor
University of Alberta Press
Ring House 2, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada, T6G 2E1
www.uap.ualberta.ca
9781772120820 $59.95 www.amazon.com

Apartheid in Palestine is an anthology of analytical writings sharply critical of Israel's treatment of its Palestinian Arab population. Contributors include Palestinians who voice their frustrations and decry human rights abuses; Jewish Israeli citizens who openly criticize the government's ongoing policies; academics; activists; and more. An index rounds out this thought-provoking testimonial, recommended for scholars, historians, students and anyone interested in reviewing anti-occupation perspectives on the Israel-Palestinian debate.


The Social Issues Shelf

Integration Nation
Susan E. Eaton
The New Press
126 Wall Street, floor 31, New York, NY 10005-4007
www.thenewpress.com
9781620970959 $24.95 hc / $13.99 Kindle www.amazon.com

Integration Nation: Immigrants, Refugees, and America at its Best profiles cities in the U.S.A. that welcome immigrants with open arms, and strive to assist newcomers in becoming part of political, social, and civic American life - without having to sacrifice their religious beliefs or cultural roots. From an Indiana community center to Utah classrooms that aid newly arrived, Spanish-speaking students, to the efforts of a North Carolina credit union to serve an immigrant population in need, Integration Nation is an uplifting ray of hope amid today's divisive political climate. In the twenty-first century, it's more important to remember why "E Pluribus Unum" ("Out of Many, One") is written on America's currency! Highly recommended.

Raza Rising
Richard J. Gonzales
University of North Texas Press
1155 Union Circle #311336, Denton, TX 76203-5017
9781574416329 $29.95 www.unt.edu/untpress

Raza Rising: Chicanos in North Texas is combination of history and social treatise about Chicanos (Mexican-Americans) by author, researcher, and medical professional Richard J. Gonzales, based on articles he wrote for the "Fort Worth Star-Telegram". Writings discuss the challenges Chicanos face in economics, education, the criminal justice system, politics, and more. Raza Rising tells of an immigration reform march; the author's experience as a guest speaker at Fort Worth public school classrooms; efforts that Chicanos have made to overcome social and cultural barriers; why knowledge of Spanish is desperately needed in hospitals (having more doctors/nurses/etc. who can speak Spanish, or at least have access to interpreters, literally saves human lives); and much more. "The common danger of not knowing your people's history was repeating mistakes of the past. A more troubling issue was thinking that the opportunity to go to high school and college was always there. The students may think that walking through the front doors of department stores or sitting at restaurant tables was always open to their families...The reason to look back with an unblinking eye is not to dig up skeletons or rekindle ethnic hatreds. Links to the past will imprint on students the struggles and sacrifices many people endured for their opportunity to excel in the classroom." Notes, a bibliography, and an index round out this excellent and welcome contribution to American History and Hispanic Studies shelves.

Trouble I've Seen
Drew G. I. Hart
Herald Press
1251 Virginia Avenue, Harrisonburg, VA 22802
www.heraldpress.com
9781513800004, $16.99, PB, 198pp, www.amazon.com

High-profile killings of young black men and women by white police officers, and the protests and violence that ensued, have convinced many white Christians to reexamine their intuitions when it comes to race and justice. In "Trouble I've Seen: Changing the Way the Church Views Racism", theologian and Christian issues blogger Drew G. I. Hart places police brutality, mass incarceration, antiblack stereotypes, poverty, and everyday acts of racism within the larger framework of white supremacy. Leading readers toward Jesus, Hart offers concrete practices for churches that seek solidarity with the oppressed and are committed to racial justice. Exceptionally well written, organized and presented, "Trouble I've Seen: Changing the Way the Church Views Racism" is a compelling, thoughtful and thought-provoking read from beginning to end. Very highly recommended reading and critically important, even life-changing reading, for clergy and all members of the Christian community regardless of their denominational affiliation.

Beyond Fukushima
Koichi Hasegawa
Trans Pacific Press
www.transpacificpress.com
c/o International Specialized Book Services
920 Northeast 58th Avenue, Suite 300, Portland, OR, 97213
9781920901257 $89.95 www.isbs.com

Critique: Beyond Fukushima: Toward a Post-Nuclear Society is a scathing indictment of bureaucratic incompetence and the risks of nuclear power. The Fukushima Daiichi nuclear disaster shocked Japan on March 11, 2011, when a tsunami triggered by an earthquake caused equipment failures, a loss-of-coolant accident, three nuclear meltdowns, and the release of radioactive material. The scope of the disaster was second only to the horrific 1986 incident in Chernobyl. Author Koichi Hasegawa (Professor of Sociology, Tohoku University) argues that the only way to protect the public in Japan and beyond from similar disasters is to permanently end dependence on nuclear power. Detailed, critical, and persuasive, Beyond Fukushima is a "must-have" for college library social issues and world history collections.


The Fantasy/SciFi Shelf

Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon: Sword of Destiny
Justin Hill
Weinstein Books
345 Hudson Street, 13th floor, New York, NY 10014
www.weinsteinbooks.com
9781602862876, $14.99, PB, 320pp, www.amazon.com

Based on the writings of Wang Dulu, "Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon: Sword of Destiny" by Justin Hill is another deftly crafted novel featuring a life-altering quest, another struggle between honor and lust for power, an yet another generation of warriors forging alliances and enmities. The adventure, romance, and artistry of popular martial arts film 'Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon' continues in this novelized companion to the first ever Netflix debut film, "Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon: Sword of Destiny" and is a terrifically entertaining page-turner of a read from beginning to end. Very highly recommended for community library General Fiction collections, it should be noted for personal reading lists that "Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon: Sword of Destiny" is also available in a Kindle edition ($9.99).

1635: A Parcel of Rogues
Eric Flint and Andrew Dennis
Baen Books
PO Box 1188, Wake Forest NC 27588
www.baen.com
9781476781099, $26.00, www.amazon.com

1635: A Parcel of Rogues tells of a diplomatic embassy from the United States of Europe who have remained in Britain after freedom and who face a hunt for one of the biggest rebels in English history. While history buffs will be especially delighted by the continuing evolution of Flint's alternate history world, non-buffs will appreciate the attention to adventure and details that incorporate events even they can readily understand without such an expertise. Intrigue, political encounters, and the ongoing struggles of a group of present-day time-travelers who have inadvertently been jettisoned into a very different past will continue to attract prior Flint fans and will likely create a new audience of readers interested in the progression of this alternate world.


The Antiques/Collectibles Shelf

Once Upon a Pillow
Rebecca Vizard
Pointed Leaf Press
136 Baxter Street, Suite 1C, New York, NY 10013
www.pointedleafpress.com
9781938461279, $75.00, HC, 208pp, www.amazon.com

Beautifully and profusely illustrated throughout, "Once Upon a Pillow: A Story Of Home, Design, And Exquisite Textiles" showcases a truly stunning collection of pillows and accessories designed by Rebecca Vizard. Celebrated for her innovative use of rare antique textiles ranging from the embroidered metallic threads of ecclesiastical vestments, to Venetian Fortuny draperies and Central Asian suzanis, Vizzard's designs present a perfect balance of art and material culture. An early childhood fascination with textiles eventually led her to create pillows from her growing personal collection of rare textiles and, when Neiman Marcus placed its first order in 1999, B VIZ Design was officially launched. While her collecting forays frequently take her abroad, she returns to her Louisiana roots and its rich history and tradition of decorative arts for inspiration. In addition to Vizard's home, rooms in a range of styles and periods by such top flight designers as Gerrie Bremermann, Barry Dixon, Suzanne Kasler and Matthew Patrick Smyth are included to illustrate embroidery, applique, tapestry, needlepoint, Fortuny, damask and brocade, as well as suzani and ethnic pillows. A selection of accessories from lighting, gifts and dog wear of Fortuny fabric is also highlighted and an annotated textile glossary is included. Her pillows frequently grace the covers of national publications, such as House Beautiful, Veranda, Elle Decor, Traditional Home, and Architectural Digest. Visually stunning, informed and informative, "Once Upon A Pillow" is very highly recommended to the attention of needlecraft enthusiasts, and especially for community and academic library Textile Art collections.

A Guide Book of Barber Silver Coins
Q. David Bowers
Whitman Publishing
4001 Helton Drive, Florence, Alabama, 35630
www.whitman.com
9780794843151, $29.95, www.amazon.com

Any serious coin collector will want to obtain the 20th volume in Whitman Publishing's Bowers series, A Guide Book of Barber Silver Coins: A Complete History and Price Guide. It provides instructions on grading and smart collecting and pairs this information with the latest market prices in up to twelve grades, a history of dates, mintmarks and details for Barber dimes, quarters and half dollars, and packs in good-sized black and white and color illustrations throughout, from coins to ads and reference materials. Everything is here that the Barber silver coin collector needs to keep up with the latest trends.

Gems & Jewelry Appraising, third edition
Anna M. Miller, G.G., RMV
Gemstone Press
Sunset Farm Offices, Route 4, PO Box 237, Woodstock, VT 05091
http://www.gemstonepress.com
9780943763538, $39.99, www.amazon.com

This third edition of a classic follows techniques professionals use and has been revised, expanded and updated by Gail Brett Levine, G.G. to provide the latest information on industry techniques and standards. It adopts a step-by-step approach and assumes little prior knowledge of the process as it covers everything from building an appraising practice and considering ethical issues to the process of cataloging, photographing, documenting, and valuing gems and jewelry. Everything is illustrated with photos, worksheets, and illustrations and discussions on differing approaches to valuation are precise and clear, offering a resource packed with charts and specifics for all kinds of jewelry, from pearls and Mexican pieces to ivory and unique designs. Appraisers, jewelry collectors, insurance professionals and others will find Gems & Jewelry Appraising an invaluable reference.


The Fishing Shelf

American Nymph Fly-Fishing Guide
Michael Gorman
Frank Amato Publications
PO Box 82112, Portland, OR 97282
www.amatobooks.com
9781571885296, $29.95, PB, 144pp, www.amazon.com

A veteran fisherman himself, Michael Gorman wrote "American Nymph Fly-Fishing Guide" to help aspiring anglers wanting to consistently catch more fish in both moving and still waters. Gorman reveals that 'nymphing' is the technique that most often out-fishes both wet flies and dry flies. Gorman shares his vast knowledge on nymph fishing, including: equipment, techniques for still and moving waters, finding fish, reading water, all-star stream and lake nymph fly patterns, leader construction and specs, steelhead nymph fishing, steelhead nymph and egg flies, and much more. Fly-fishing is about successful puzzle solving. But with "American Nymph Fly-Fishing Guide", Michael Gorman gives you all the clues needed to become an effective nymph angler. Illustrated in full color throughout, "American Nymph Fly-Fishing Guide" is thoroughly 'user friendly' in organization and presentation, making it very highly recommended for personal, community, and academic library Fly Fishing instructional reference collections.


The Sports Shelf

Summer Sports Camps 101
Richard Leonard
FiT Publishing
PO Box 6116, Morgantown, WV 26506-6116
www.fitpublishing.com
9781940067032, $18.95, PB, 216pp, www.amazon.com

"Summer Sports Camps 101" by Richard Leonard (Adjunct Professor of Sport Management at the United States Sports Academy) is a comprehensive guide for creating and operating a summer sports camp. New or seasoned coaches, sports industry practitioners, and camp administrators in youth and college-level sports will benefit from Richard Leonard's many years of extensive experience and expertise in planning and managing successful sports camps. This guidebook streamlines the process of conceptualizing, developing, operating, and concluding the summer sports camp season for camp administrators and coaches. Key administrative, management, and marketing considerations are also provided in an easy-to-read format that includes quick camp tips, sample forms, and helpful lists. Exceptionally well written, organized and presented, "Summer Sports Camp 101" is very highly recommended for professional, community and academic library Sports/Athletics instructional reference collections in general, and the non-specialist general reader who has an interest in creating and operating a summer sports camp experience in behalf of the children of their community.

The History of AMC Motorsports
Bob McClurg
CarTech Inc.
39966 Grand Avenue, North Branch, MN 55056
www.cartechbooks.com
9781613251775, $39.95, HC, 204pp, www.amazon.com

Profusely illustrated throughout, "The History of AMC Motorsports: Trans-Am, Quarter-Mile, NASCAR, Bonneville and More" by veteran racing journalist Bob McClurg is an impressively well written and informative study that ranges from Nash-American Motors corporate history, to the first years of NASCAR, to the 1960s efforts that included Trans-Am and drag racing Super Stock programs, to the Craig Breedlove land speed record efforts when 106 world records were shattered and covered by Hot Rod magazine. An absolute "must read" for all car racing enthusiasts, "The History of AMC Motorsports" is very highly recommended and certain to be an enduringly popular addition to community library automotive sports collections.


The Christian Studies Shelf

Charter, Customs, and Constitutions of the Cistercians
Patrick F. O'Connell
Cistercian Publications
c/o Cascadia Publishing House
126 Klingerman Road, Telford, PA 18969
www.CascadiaPublishingHouse.com
The Liturgical Press (distributor)
2950 Saint John's Road, PO Box 7500, Collegeville, MN 56321-7500
www.litpress.org
9780879070410, $29.95, PB, 326pp, www.amazon.com

As master of novices for ten years (1955 - 1965) at the Cistercian Abbey of Our Lady of Gethsemani in Kentucky, Thomas Merton was responsible for the spiritual formation of young men preparing for monastic profession. In "Charter, Customs, and Constitutions of the Cistercians: Initiation into the Monastic Tradition", three related sets of Merton's conferences on ancient and contemporary documents governing the lives of the monks are published for the first time: on the Carta Caritatis, or Charter of Charity, the foundational document of the Order of Citeaux; on the Consuetudines, the twelfth-century collection of customs and regulations of the Order; and on the twentieth-century Constitutions of the Order, the basic rules by which Merton and his students actually lived at the time. These conferences form an essential part of the overall picture of Cistercian monastic life that Merton provided as part of his project of "initiation into the monastic tradition" that is evident in the broad variety of courses that he put together and taught over the period of his mastership. Exceptionally well written, organized and presented, "Charter, Customs, and Constitutions of the Cistercians" will prove to be of immense interest those with an interest in the life and thought of Thomas Merton, as well as philosophy and practice of the Cistercian monastic life. Very highly recommended for church, community, and academic library Christian Studies collections, it should be noted for personal reading lists that "Charter, Customs, and Constitutions of the Cistercians" is also available in a Kindle edition ($23.99).

A Journey through the Life of Jesus
Mike Folmer
Westbow Press
c/o Thomas Nelson Publishers
PO Box 141000, Nashville, TN 37214
www.westbowpress.com
9781490885490, $33.95, HC, 196pp, www.amazon.com

"A Journey through the Life of Jesus: A Yearlong Devotional Series of the Gospels: Volume I: Days 1-90" by Mike Folmer (a member of Hope International Ministries, Tulsa, Oklahoma) is a devotional project, which is divided into four volumes and provides the reader with a chronological look at the Four Gospels, insights into each of the recorded accounts of the events in the life of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, and the opportunity to apply this information to his or her life through each day's Ponder Point. The use of these devotionals will enhance the reader's walk with the Lord by enabling him or her to continue to grow in His "grace and knowledge". As informed and informative as it is inspired and inspiring, "A Journey through the Life of Jesus" is very highly recommended to all members of the Christian community regardless of their denominational affiliation. It should be noted for personal reading lists that "A Journey through the Life of Jesus" is also available in a paperback edition (9781490885483, $17.95) and in a Kindle format ($3.99).

Way of the Real Faith
D. A. Singh
Elina Publishing
www.elinapub.com
9780997176100, $14.95, PB, 210pp, www.amazon.com

The God of love has given a blueprint for inviting all people into His kingdom. "Way of the Real Faith: A Choice, a Journey, a Destiny" by Dr. Singh (who has a small Michigan-based ministry to help people find a saving relationship with Jesus Christ) explains it all in simple language that even a ten-year old child can understand. Making choices is part of life, but a choice about one's eternal destiny is the most critical one. Besides, the book answers many questions that people are asking today: Why is there evil, chaos, and confusion in the world? Who is God, and how can someone come to Him? What makes Jesus unique? Can the Holy Scriptures be trusted? What is the faith of Abraham? Is the future foretold? Will the world come to an end? Then what will happen? Dr. Singh's "Way of the Real Faith" can be studied individually or as a family. Any Christian can utilize "Way of the Real Faith" in their personal ministry to others. Inspired and inspiring, informed and informative, thoughtful and thought-provoking, "Way of the Real Faith" is thoroughly 'user friendly' in commentary, organization and presentation -- making it very highly recommended to all members of the Christian community regardless of their denominational affiliation.

Reclaiming the Atonement: The Incarnate Word
Patrick Henry Reardon
Ancient Faith Publishing
PO Box 748, Chesterton, IN 46304-0748
http://store.ancientfaith.com
9781936270491, $18.95, PB, 296pp, www.amazon.com

Patrick Henry Reardon is the pastor of the All Saints Orthodox Church in Chicago, Illinois. With "Reclaiming the Atonement: The Incarnate Word" Fr. Patrick Reardon presents the first of three volumes exploring redemption and salvation through the lens of Scripture, patristics, and liturgics, as well as through history, philosophy, language, literature, and psychology. He brings all these perspectives together to show how the whole of Christ s work from Incarnation to Ascension accomplishes the atonement of God with man. Exceptionally well written, reasoned, organized and presented, "Reclaiming the Atonement: The Incarnate Word" is informative, compelling, and highly recommended reading, especially for clergy and lay members of the Orthodox Christian community.

The Between Time
Damaris Zehner
Twenty-Third Publications
1 Montauk Ave #200, New London, CT 06320
www.23rdpublications.com
9781627851107, $12.95, PB, 128pp, www.amazon.com

From her missionary work in Kyrgyzstan, to her family s life in an old farmhouse in Indiana, to her daughters trying to rescue a baby goat named Hope, in the pages of "The Between Time: Savoring the Moments of Everyday Life", author Damaris Zehner shares stories that will resonate with anyone who has stood at a crossroads of faith and wondered what God has in mind for us. Honest, eloquent, thought-provoking, and steeped in generous love, her essays invites us to embrace our everyday blessings and joyfully seek God s kingdom wherever we happen to be. "The Between Times" is inherently interesting and ultimately inspired, making it very highly recommended reading for all members of the Christian community regardless of their denominational affiliation.


The Buddhist Studies Shelf

The Dharma of Star Wars, revised and expanded edition
Matthew Bortolin
Wisdom Publications
199 Elm Street, Somerville, MA 02144
www.wisdompubs.org
9781614292869 $16.95 pbk / $10.99 Kindle www.amazon.com

Matthew Bortolin (ordained member of Thich Nhat Hanh's Order of Interbeing) presents The Dharma of Star Wars, an introduction to Buddhism that draws heavily upon the popular Star Wars series of science-fiction movies to illuminate Buddhist concepts. Now in a revised and expanded edition, The Dharma of Star Wars compares Jedi concentration to the practice of mindfulness; discusses Darth Vader's karma; examines how the eightfold path can transform the dark side; and much more. A new way of understand the basics of Buddhism and of thinking about the widely beloved Star Wars franchise, The Dharma of Star Wars is uniquely insightful.


The Photography Shelf

Look into My Eyes
Kevin Bubriski
Museum of New Mexico Press
PO Box 2087, Santa Fe, NM 87504-2087
www.mnmpress.org
9780890136119, $39.95, HC, 140pp, www.amazon.com

Kevin Bubriski is a documentary photographer. His work has been exhibited worldwide and is in the permanent collections of the Museum of Modern Art, the Metropolitan Museum of Art, the International Center of Photography, San Francisco Museum of Modern Art, Yale University Art Gallery, the Center for Creative Photography, and the Bibliotheque Nationale de France. "Look into My Eyes: Nuevomexicanos por Vida, '81-'83" is a coffee-table volume showcasing Bubriski's black-and-white photography taken over a span of three years and using Hispanic residents of Albuquerque and Santa Fe, New Mexico, as well as several northern New Mecico villagers as his subjects. The result is the work of a true artist who uses a camera in lieu of paint and canvas. "Look into My Eyes: Nuevomexicanos por Vida, '81-'83" is very highly recommended for personal, community, and academic library American Photography collections.


The Woodworking Shelf

Making Wooden Dinosaur Toys and Puzzles
Judy Peterson & Dave Peterson
Fox Chapel Publishing Company
1970 Broad Street N., East Petersburg, PA 17520
www.FoxChapelPublishing.com
9781565238909, $19.99, PB, 120pp, www.amazon.com

Kids (and a great many adults) love dinosaurs! These primeval reptiles inspire children s imaginations with scary fun and some of their earliest connections to science. With Judy and Dave Peterson's "Making Wooden Dinosaur Toys and Puzzles: Jurassic Giants to Make and Play With", even the most novice of woodworking hobbyists can create exciting wooden dinosaur puzzles and toys by carrying out the do-it-yourself, step-by-step projects comprising "Making Wooden Dinosaur Toys and Puzzles". Featuring thirty-eight original puzzles covering all of the most popular species, from Velociraptor and Stegosaurus to Triceratops and Tyrannosaurus Rex, "Making Wooden Dinosaur Toys and Puzzles" also offers two spectacular puzzle dioramas featuring a Maiasaur mama with her babies, and a T-Rex on the attack. Patterns are also provided for easy-to-cut dinosaur toys that are safe for toddlers who can't play with small objects. Award-winning scroll saw artists Judy and Dave Peterson provide thoroughly 'user friendly' instructions, plus basic information on safety, cutting, sanding, finishing, and equipment. "Making Wooden Dinosaur Toys and Puzzles" is very highly recommended for personal wooden toy woodworking collections, and would be an enduringly popular addition to community library Crafts/Hobbies instructional reference shelves.


The Computer Shelf

Murach's C# 2015
Anne Boehm & Joel Murach
Mike Murach & Associates
4340 North Knoll Avenue, Fresno, CA 93722
www.murach.com
9781890774943, $57.50, PB, 908pp, www.amazon.com

Offering a complete course of instruction, "Murach's C# 2015" is a self-paced instructional textbook that shows how to use Visual Studio 2015, C# 6.0, and the .NET 4.6 classes to develop Windows Forms applications. It's a comprehensive, object-oriented manual that shows how to use business classes, inheritance, and interfaces the way they're used in the real world. It's also data programming book that shows how to create professional database applications using data sources, ADO.NET code, and the Entity Framework, as well as how to use LINQ to query data structures, from collections to arrays to datasets. "Murach's C# 2015" will enable anyone to develop 3-tiered, object-oriented Windows Forms applications the way the best professionals do. They will also have the core C# and Visual Studio skills needed to develop any C# application, whether for Windows, the web, or mobile devices. Of special note are such features as Live Code Analysis; Code Lens; and LINQ. Thoroughly 'user friendly' in organizations and presentation, "Murach's C# 2015" is very highly recommended for personal, professional, community, and academic library Computer Science reference collections in general, and C# 2015 studies curriculums in particular.


The Needlecraft Shelf

Modern Cross Stitch
Hannah Sturrock
Ryland, Peters & Small
341 East 116th Street, New York, NY 10029
www.rylandpeters.com
9781782492405, $19.95, PB, 128pp, www.amazon.com

Cross-stitch is a traditional craft that allows beginners and experts alike to enjoy the experience of creating something through the crafting art of needlework. In the pages of "Modern Cross Stitch: Over 30 Fresh and New Counted Cross-stitch Patterns", needlecraft expert Hannah Sturrock draws upon her years of experience and expertise to present more than thirty truly beautiful patterns suitable for even the most novice of cross stitch enthusiasts. "Modern Cross Stitch" presents five chapters of fabulous ideas including: For a Beautiful Baby; For Big Kids; For a Special Occasion; For a Nature Lover; and For the Home. Now anyone can make an adorable peeping ted pillow for young ones, or a comic-book style cross-stitched cell phone case. They can form an extra handmade touch to presents with stitched gift tags, and create a Christmas toy sack that will be treasured throughout the years. They can bring the beauty of nature into the home with the flower burlap tote and the stunning floral finch pillow. They can even take their cross-stitching to a whole new level, including decorating walls with washi tape birds and stitching velvet ribbon onto woven chair seats. "Modern Cross Stitch" also shows how to make use of other innovative materials, too, including soluble canvas (which allows the cross-stitching on any fabric) and glow in the dark embroidery floss. Hannah's designs are a little bit different from what is available elsewhere. She uses simple outlines with striking patterns and clean, fresh colors, and takes inspiration from new interior fashions, vintage textiles, nature, toys, and more, always striving to be contemporary and stylish. "Modern Cross Stitch" is very highly recommended for personal and community library Needlecraft instructional reference collections.

50 Nifty Thrifty Upcycled Fashions
Cynthia Anderson
Stackpole Books
5067 Ritter Road, Mechanicsburg, PA 17055-6921
www.stackpolebooks.com
9780811714709, $21.95, www.amazon.com

50 Nifty Thrifty Upcycled Fashions : Sew Something From Nothing teaches the basics of how to create a new wardrobe from old pieces and thrift store finds, and offers not just sewing tips, but ideas for finding materials, designing garments, and making embellishments. All ideas are based on items typically found in a thrift store environment, while instructions use basic machine- and hand-sewing skills and teach not just specific projects, but the kinds of techniques that lend to assessing thrift store finds for their potential for recycling and change. Sewers and shoppers will find this filled with exciting ideas and possibilities for repurposing clothing.

Pieced Hexies
Mickey Depre
American Quilter's Society
PO Box 3290, Paducah, KY 42002-3290
www.americanquilter.com
9781604602784, $24.95, www.amazon.com

Pieced Hexies: A New Tradition in English Paper Piecing offers traditional methods of hexie piecing by profiling seven different patterns and adding variations on their themes. With step-by-step instructions and bright color photos at every step, quilters will enjoy a clear visual approach to this old form of quilt making: one which begins laying foundations for understanding the paper piecing process, then builds upon them with bright, easy projects. With a surprising variety that can be achieved with just a few designs, quilters new to the concept will find everything they need to make piecing a snap - and, to make for an inviting project!

Pieced Hexies Deux
Mickey Depre
American Quilter's Society
PO Box 3290, Paducah, KY 42002-3290
www.americanquilter.com
9781604602791, $24.95, www.amazon.com

Pieced Hexies Deux: 10 New Designs to Rock Your Quilts provides the second book in Mickey Depre's focus on hexie design possibilities, offering five symmetrical designs, six asymmetrical designs, and six hexie star designs along with English paper piecing and basting instructions. Quilters with a special affection for the hexie approach will find this collection of stars and patterns employs innovative approaches to achieve refreshingly different results. Fans who appreciated the first coverage will find even more projects and fun approaches in Pieced Hexies Deux.

Martingale
19021 - 120th Avenue NE, Suite 102, Bothell, WA 98011
www.shopmartingale.com, www.amazon.com

Lissa Alexander's Moda All-Stars All in a Row: 24 Row-by-Row Quilt Designs (9781604687293, $26.99) places its designs in three categories - patchwork, seasonal quilts, and playful designs - and uses blender rows to tie the themes together. Quilting groups and those who would put together rows with different combinations and results will find the step-by-step illustrations and instructions snap, while a quilt gallery offers many new ideas for a number of combinations. The result, with its bright quilt photos, easy directions and options for innovations, is recommended for seasoned quilters and novices alike. Sara Lawson's Windy City Bags: 12 Handbags and Totes Sewn with Structure and Style (9781604685992, $27.99) provides a new collection of designs with designer bags that hold a good amount of things, yet are easy to carry, bright and attractive, and affordable and easy to make. Patterns for twelve such bags display bags that make for perfect gifts, and discuss how to tweak designs and accent them with fabric, zippers, pockets and more. The focus on customization makes for a range of projects that hold infinite possibilities, making this a special pick for needleworkers looking for practical, appealing new approaches to purses and handbags.


The Education Shelf

Cracking the ACT with 6 Practice Tests, 2016 Edition
The Princeton Review
c/o Random House Inc.
1745 Broadway, New York NY 10019
www.PrincetonReview.com
www.randomhouse.com/princetonreview
9781101881989, $19.99, PB, 832pp, www.amazon.com

The Princeton Review is the premier publisher of college and university entrance examination instructional reference guides. Now in a fully updated 2016 edition, "Cracking the ACT with 6 Practice Tests" provides all the prep an aspiring college applicant need to ace the ACT with 6 full-length practice tests, thorough ACT topic reviews, and extra practice online. Included in this thoroughly 'user friendly' edition are: Powerful tactics to help you avoid traps and beat the ACT; Tips for pacing yourself, choosing a LOTD, logical guessing, and more; Essential strategies to help you work smarter, not harder; Complete coverage of all test topics, including the new reading and writing sections; Thorough review of the skills necessary to ace all five ACT sections; Bulleted chapter summaries for quick review; 6 full-length practice tests (4 in the book, 2 online) with detailed answer explanations; Drills for each test section - English, Mathematics, Reading, Science, and Writing; Instant score reports for online tests; plus optional LiveGrader(TM) essay scoring. Complete and comprehensive, "Cracking the ACT with 6 Practice Tests, 2016 Edition" is confidently recommended for personal, community, and academic library college prep tests instructional reference collections

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

Transition planning is no easy topic to pose to students; but teachers will find it an easier process with Henry B. Reiff and Nicole S. Ofiesh's Teaching for the Lifespan (9781483373843, $30.00), which helps teachers prepare students with learning challenges enter adulthood. It uses the latest brain research and best practices to tailor approaches teachers can use to help students capitalize on their abilities for the rest of their lives and it helps this group handle educational demands and assessments with successful results. From personal stories from adults with learning differences and suggestions from teachers to tips on incorporating these strategies into an inclusive classroom setting, this is a powerful guide all teachers should own. Sam Gilksman's Creating Media for Learning: Student-Centered Projects Across the Curriculum (9781483385433, $25.00) shows educators how to better communication skills by using media in the classroom. Chapters show how to blend student media projects into curriculum objectives, offering strategies to make students experts at media investigations sing any device. From how and why to encourage students to use media to projects that use different media across devices, this adopts a wide-ranging perspective in helping students blend familiar visuals and media approaches with their own research objectives. From content-focused projects to setups for green screen video shoots, teachers and students can work together to make the most of media opportunities to enhance curriculum objectives.


The LGBT Studies Shelf

Journey to Same-Sex Parenthood
Eric Rosswood
New Horizon Press
PO Box 669, Far Hills, NJ 07931
www.newhorizonpressbooks.com
9780882825144 $15.94 pbk / $10.99 Kindle www.amazon.com

Journey to Same-Sex Parenthood: Firsthand Advice, Tips and Stories from Lesbian and Gay Couples is a parenting guide created especially to address the unique challenges faced by LGBT couples. Chapters discuss adoption, foster care, assisted reproduction, surrogacy, co-parenting and more. Author and LGBT activist Eric Rosswood addresses the obstacles that exist for gay and lesbian couples from a practical point of view. Personal testimonies of gay and lesbian parents round out this thoughtful, serious-minded guide. "Because of the large sums of money involved [in surrogate parenting services], you need to make sure you're not being taken advantage of... Ask for references so that you can speak directly to people who have been through the program. Contact independent physicians, attorneys, and mental health professionals for objective opinions about the agency and program you are considering. Also, make sure to seek the advice of an independent attorney who can oversee the process on your behalf." An absolute "must-have" for any LGBT couple engaged in family planning!


The Metaphysical Studies Shelf

The Oil Pulling Miracle
Birgit Frohn
Inner Traditions
One Park Street, Rochester, VT 05767
www.innertraditions.com
9781620553275, $12.95, www.amazon.com

The Oil Pulling Miracle: Detoxify Simply and Effectively shows how to use coconut, sesame and other oils to heal chronic conditions and strengthen the immune system, and provides insights into one of the ancient healing systems involved in Ayurveda and traditional Chinese medicine. Oil pulling focuses on the mouth and tongue and how to clean them, removing toxins from the bloodstream and triggering enzyme production and other healthy reactions which spread through the entire body. This guide offers specifics on how to use different oils, other oral care techniques to compliment it, and draws connections between oil pulling and other detox techniques. A step-by-step program is offered to complete the information.

Icelandic Magic
Stephen E. Flowers, Ph.D.
Inner Traditions International, Ltd.
One Park Street, Rochester, VT 05767
www.innertraditions.com
9781620554050 $16.95 pbk / $9.99 Kindle www.amazon.com

Icelandic Magic draws upon grimoires preserved through the centuries in the National Library of Reykjavik to reveal a rich tradition of pagan magic, spirituality, and lore. Author and expert in Germanic languages and medieval studies Stephen E. Flowers, Ph.D. summarizes the mythology behind Icelandic magic, the use of runes and magical letters, the theory and practice of rituals, and much more. Icelandic Magic is fascinating to browse, and superb addition to metaphysical studies collections.


The Autism Shelf

Turning Skills and Strengths into Careers for Young Adults with Autism Spectrum Disorder
Michelle Rigler, Amy Rutherford, Emily Quinn
Jessica Kingsley Publishing
400 Market Street, Suite 400, Philadelphia, PA 19106
www.jkp.com
9781849057981, $39.95, www.amazon.com

Turning Skills and Strengths into Careers for Young Adults with Autism Spectrum Disorder: The Basics College Curriculum provides a handbook to learning independence and life skills and helps students prepare for job interviews, write a resume, consider internships, and craft career-building strategies. Chapters can be used for self-study or in a college-level ASD program and they compile exercises and self-assessment tools in a workbook packed with options and approaches. This book serves as a companion to the authors' prior volumes and offers a curriculum that helps support young adults with ASD through the college and career years.

Autism and the Stress Effect
Theresa Hamlin
Jessica Kingsley Publishers
400 Market Street, Suite 400, Philadelphia, PA 19106
www.jkp.com
9781849057486, $19.95, www.amazon.com

Autism and the Stress Effect: A 4-Step Lifestyle Approach to Transform Your Child's Health, Happiness and Vitality provides an approach the whole family can use to change their lifestyle to better support the autistic child, and offers insights into nutrition, managing environment, and how to help a child cope with life's pressures. From providing a child with directions on how to approach a peer to taking advantage of the autistic child's ability to process visual information, this handbook uses the typical autistic personality traits to best advantage, tailoring them to a family-oriented approach that will better support not just the autistic child, but all who live and encounter them.

Supernourishment for Children with Autism Spectrum
Angelette Muller
Jessica Kingsley Publishers
400 Market Street, Suite 400, Philadelphia, PA 19106
9781849053839, $21.95 www.jkp.com

Angelette Muller's Supernourishment for Children with Autism Spectrum provides a nutritional approach to a diet for optimum brain and body health by encouraging parents to transition such a child to a different kind of diet. It explores how diet supports brain function, it considers the latest science that revolves around how children with autism process foods, and it offers recipes for breakfast, lunch, dinner, and snacks which are simple for parents to prepare. In focusing on meal plans parents can produce for the entire family that support better brain activity for autism children in particular, Muller offers a treasure trove of positive information.


The Psychology Shelf

The CBT Art Activity Book
Jennifer Guest
Jessica Kingsley Publishers
400 Market Street, Suite 400, Philadelphia, PA 19106
9781849056656, $29.95 www.jkp.com

Jennifer Guest's The CBT Art Activity Book packs in some 100 creative activities designed for both group and individual therapy settings to help adults and young people apply cognitive behavioral therapy techniques to art to explore self-esteem, anger management, problem solving and more. These take the form of coloring pages in the zentangle style which can be used for stress management and positive approaches reinforcing CBT therapy. The photocopiable coloring designs will appeal to therapist seeking to integrate art into the CBT process.


The Crafts Shelf

Walter Foster Publishing
c/o Quarto Publishing Group USA
400 First Avenue North, Suite 400, Minneapolis, MN 55401-1722
www.quartoknows.com
www.quartous.com

Two new Walter Foster titles are lovely project guides loaded with fresh new ideas suitable for families or art camps alike. Pop-Up Cards by Emily Gregory (9781633220591, $19.95) covers all the folds, slots, tabs, and paper engineering directions kids will need to make pop-up cards from scratch. Step-by-step instructions cover thirty handmade cards arranged by technique to reinforce basic pop-up mechanical skills, while inspirations include designs for birthdays and all kinds of celebrations. Lorie King Kaehler's Chalk on the Wild Side (9781633220218, $19.95) encourages families to move beyond sidewalk applications to make chalk and use chalk in a range of designs, from making ice chalk volcanoes and foaming chalk to working with frozen fizzy chalk. The color illustrations and step-by-step instructions are easy to follow and produce satisfyingly varied results.

Bead Play Every Day
Beth Stone
Kalmbach Books
21027 Crossroads Circle, Waukesha, WI 53187-1612
www.kalmbachbooks.com
www.KalmbachHobbyStore.com
www.JewelryandBeadingStore.com
9781627000819, $21.99, www.amazon.com

Bead Play Every Day: 20+ Projects with Peyote, Herringbone & More offers a different approach to bed stitching and teaches basic techniques that can build different necklaces and jewelry pieces, from open weaves to diamond stitches. Close-up step-by-step images of the bead approaches blend with lovely finished projects to make for a winning collection especially accessible to newcomers to jewelry-making in general or these stitches in particular.


The Holocaust Studies Shelf

Rwanda's Popular Genocide
Jean-Paul Kimonyo
Lynne Rienner Publishers
1800 30th Street, Suite 314, Boulder, CO 80301
9781626371866 $65.00 www.rienner.com

Rwanda's Popular Genocide: A Perfect Storm is a scholarly and studious cross-examination of the most vile aspects of human psychology. What motivated entire Hutu communities to perpetrate genocide against their Tutsi neighbors, and also against those moderate Hutus who objected to mass rape and murder? Author Jean-Paul Kimonyo draws upon research, testimonies of genocide survivors (and perpetrators), anthropology, and history to present a meticulous account of how the nightmare of Rwandan genocide came to be, in the hope that learning from this horrific event of world history will prevent it from being repeated. Rwanda's Popular Genocide is worthy of the highest recommendation, especially for college and academic library collections.


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


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