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The Bookwatch

Volume 8, Number 7 July 2013 Home | BW Index

Table of Contents

Reviewer's Choice Philosophy Shelf Christian Studies Shelf
American History Shelf Photography Shelf Computer Shelf
Business Shelf Sports Shelf Cookbook Shelf
Biography Shelf Criminology Shelf Travel Shelf
Needlecraft Shelf Pets/Wildlife Shelf Health/Medicine Shelf
Technology Shelf Education Shelf Social Issues Shelf
Music Shelf Audiobook Shelf Military Shelf
Fiction Shelf Mystery/Suspense Shelf Fantasy/SciFi Shelf
International Studies Shelf Metaphysical Studies Shelf Antiques/Collectibles Shelf
DVD Shelf Railroading Shelf Science Shelf
Psychology Shelf Interior Design Shelf Art Shelf
Fashion Shelf Crafts Shelf Writing/Publishing Shelf


Reviewer's Choice

The Examined Life
Stephen Grosz
W. W. Norton & Company
500 Fifth Avenue, New York, NY 10110
9780393079548, $24.95, www.wwnorton.com

THE EXAMINED LIFE: HOW WE LOSE AND FIND OURSELVES provides general readers with an engaging survey packed with insights on everyday life and represents over twenty-five years of psychoanalytical insights uncovering the hidden feelings behind behavior. It tells how to create an 'examined life' through a better understanding of the basics of communication and listening, offers a self-portrait of applied psychoanalysis, and includes stories about everyday lives and lies. The result is an inspirational pick that will find its way not only into psychology collections, but into the hearts and lives of everyday readers.


The Philosophy Shelf

Plato for Everyone
Aviezer Tucker
Prometheus Books
59 John Glenn Drive, Amherst, NY 14228-2197
9781616146559, $21.00, www.prometheusbooks.com

PLATO FOR EVERYONE is a pick for any general lending library interested in easy philosophical reviews of his works, and rewrites his dialogues as accessible short stories holding modern settings. It handles five such Plato classic dialogues and turns them into modern writings any can readily absorb, creating a format and focus that will help even students challenged by Plato's ideas or basic philosophy as a whole. It's a fun introduction for any interested in breaking into the philosophy realm.


The Christian Studies Shelf

Crossway Books
1300 Crescent Street
Wheaton, IL 60187
www.crossway.org

Martyn Lloyd-Jones's The Assurance of Our Salvation: Exploring the Depth of Jesus' Prayer for His Own (9781433540516, $28.00) comes from a Bible teacher and preacher who here provides a verse-by-verse of Jesus' priestly high prayer, offered hours before his betrayal by Judas and his arrest, and is a powerful statement recorded in John 17 and here analyzed stanza by stanza. Any Christian scholar and collections catering to them will find this a powerful spiritual analysis packed with insights into God's plan for salvation. No Christian holding should be without this coverage. R.C. Sproul's Matthew (St. Andrew's Expositional Commentary, 9781433531750, $54.99) comes from a doctor who over the course of a three-year period gave some 128 sermons on the Gospel of Matthew, edited here for a collection that links the canon with analysis and discussion points. Christian collections will find this an in-depth probe suitable for Bible study groups, exploring all the words and intentions of Matthew and providing an accessible format that lends to lay readers and church leaders alike. It's a solid pastoral commentary and reference perfect for study and discussion groups.

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

Any scholarly Christian holding will welcome Barry G. Webb's THE BOOK OF JUDGES (9780802826282, $50.00), a book of commentary on the Old Testament Book of Judges that reveals how to understand the narrative. From analysis of the stories themselves and issues portrayed in them to how it relates to the Christian teachings of the New Testament, this examines biblical text to consider different interpretations and meanings to be found in Judges. Any scholarly Christian collection devoted to Scripture analysis will find this specific, pairing analysis with many footnotes and a bibliography for further reading. Richard F. Ward & David J. Trobisch's BRINGING THE WORD TO LIFE: ENGAGING THE NEW TESTAMENT THROUGH PERFORMING IT (9780802868855, $18.00) maintains that the New Testament books were written to be performed, not silently studied - and this coverage provides a history of such performance in the first and second centuries, the process of using an early New Testament manuscript for performance, and how to explore these texts through modern performance standards. The result is a powerful key to bringing the Bible to life using a different approach than study groups employ: an approach designed to enliven any Bible study.

Classical Christian Doctrine
Ronald E. Heine
Baker Academic
c/o Baker Publishing Group
6030 E Fulton, Ada, MI 49301
9780801048730, $21.99, www.bakeracademic.com

Ronald Heine is an internationally known expert on early Christian theology, and developed this book from a course he's taught for years. It uses the classical Christian doctrines of the Nicene Creed to guide students on the faith, and provides an ecumenical work identifying major personalities and history in classical Christian thinking. Each chapter ends with discussion notes, and each offers a solid introduction to ancient faith and comparisons to modern times. A 'must' for any interested in classical teachings and scholarly analysis.

Does Jesus Really Love Me?
Jeff Chu
Harper
c/o HarperCollins Publishers
10 East 53rd Street, New York, NY 10022-5299
9780062049735, $26.99, www.harpercollins.com

Does Jesus Really Love Me? A Gay Christian's Pilgrimage in Search of God in America blends a memoir with an investigative analysis of the blend of faith, politics and sexuality in Christian America today, and follows the path of the author after he came out to his devout Christian parents as gay. As a believer, Chu decided to examine more closely the church contention that Jesus loves all - and his quest led him on a cross-country journey to discover the beliefs of followers of Christ as they related to his own homosexuality. The result is a solid, involving read highly recommended for any Christian or social issues collection!


The American History Shelf

For God, Country & Coca-Cola, third edition
Mark Pendergrast
Basic Books
c/o Perseus Books Group
11 Cambridge Center, Cambridge, MA 02142
www.perseusbooksgroup.com
9780465029174, $21.99, www.basicbooks.com

For God, Country & Coca-Cola: The Definitive History of the Great American Soft Drink and the Company That Makes It appears in its third revised, expanded edition to provide an encyclopedic history of Coke and its culture. More than being the history of a drink, however, it covers the company's evolution, the social environment of its evolution, and updates Coke leadership to include three new chapters of CEOs Doug Daft, Neville Isdell and Muhtar Kent. Controversies over Coke bottling, connections to paramilitary groups in other countries, and underlying Coke culture and events makes for a lively and powerful coverage highly recommended for any fan of popular cultural histories.


The Photography Shelf

Alvarado's Pin-Up Nudes
Robert Alvarado
Schiffer Publishing Ltd.
4880 Lower Valley Road, Atglen, PA 19310
9780764344442, $34.99, www.schifferbooks.com

Alvarado's Pin-Up Nudes is the author's second collection of pin-up photography and relies on unusual costuming choices and innovative modern techniques to bring the themes and models to life. From piercings, tattoo culture and shaved bodies to stiletto high heels and sassy poses, each model enjoys a two full pages of representation that includes different pose perspectives and approaches. The focus on culture and surprise are classic Alvarado signatures bringing his unique brand of pinup magic to life. Any collection strong in photography in general and pinup artistry in particular will find this a solid reference holding attraction for photographer and general-interest artists alike.

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

Markus Varesvuo, Jari Peltomaki and Bence Mate's The Handbook of Bird Photography (9781937538101, $49.95) comes from three well-known wildlife photographers who here share their professional techniques and illustrate them with solid results. Chapters cover a range of approaches to great bird photography, from basic shooting techniques every photographer needs to know to understanding and working with bird behavior patterns. Everything from basic skills to advanced photo capture of a wild animal's habits is provided in a discussion designed to get beginners up to speed quickly. The result is a powerful visual and knowledge key to getting the most from bird photography efforts. Photographic Visions: Inspiring Images and How They Were Made by 1X.com (9781937538309, $39.95) provides the second contribution to a successful series exploring how classic photographic images were created, and is a pick for any photography library. The curators of the online gallery 1X.com select the top 95 images from the thousands on their website, all by previously unknown photographers from around the world, then provide details about their composition and making, from stories behind the image to the tools and photographic techniques used to capture it. A 'must' for any aspiring photographer! Amanda Quintenz-Fielder and Philipp Scholz Rittermann's Digital Capture After Dark (9781933952666, $39.95) covers all the common pitfalls and opportunities involved in night photography, and is a 'must' reference for any who would overcome obstacles to produce memorable shots. This goes beyond the usual 'how to take a picture' approach to discuss the mechanics and specific of long-exposure photographic techniques, covering everything from editing techniques for better output to color balancing, dealing with noise, and much more. From toning to black and white photography, this is packed with image examples and specifics.


The Computer Shelf

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

James Gosling, et.al.'s THE JAVA LANGUAGE SPECIFICATION JAVA, SE7 EDITION (9780133260229, $59.99) is written by the inventors of the Java technology and provides the first definitive technical reference for the Java programming language. It describes all the new features added in Java SE7, includes explanations and coverage of the formal rules of the language versus the behavior of compilers, and includes chapters filled with code examples and discussions of access control, class members, various statements, and much more. Any programmer working with Java SE7 needs this reference! Michael J. Hernandez's DATABASE DESIGN FOR MERE MORALS, 3RD EDITION (9780321884497, $49.99) provides an easy, basic guide to database design which provides step-by-step instructions on how to design databases that are flexible and accessible for all kinds of web applications. From defining tables and fields to business rules and setting database objectives, this covers all relational database systems and teaches how to design flexible databases that are trustworthy. Even those who have never designed a database receive clear guidelines to improving generic designs and existing structures. Tom Lindholm, et.al.'s THE JAVA VIRTUAL MACHINE SPECIFICATION, JAVA SE 7 EDITION (9780133260441, $59.99) is also written by Java inventors and experts, and provides detailed coverage of the Java Virtual Machine. It provides the instruction and methods needed to handle mechanism in Java SE 7, includes the class file extensions for generics defined in Java SE 5.0, and aligns all rules with the Java Memory Model. The result is a solid reference any Java programmer must have.

For Dummies
c/o Wiley Professional Trade Group
111 River Street
Hoboken, NJ 07030-5774
www.wiley.com

The 12th updated edition of Edward C. Baig's MACS FOR DUMMIES (9781118517192, $24.99) teaches the basics of how to set up and configure a Mac, covers everything form syncing with iCloud to online safety and social networking, and provides tips on frequent tasks performed by Mac users. No prior Mac or computer information is assumed in this title, which teaches both very rudimentary and advanced Mac management tools, from basic surfing to iCloud storage and management. This 12th updated edition covers everything Mac users need to know. Sean McManus and Mike Cook's RASPBERRY PI FOR DUMMIES (9781118554210, $24.99) covers the basics of a pocket-sized computer which holds many tricky moments. It's the item of choice for new users who would avoid common pitfalls, requires no prior programming or Raspberry experience, and covers everything from operating system software and configuration processes to editing images, playing music, and installing free software. With its emphasis on clear coverage and simple discussions, it's a 'must' for any Raspberry user.

Arduino Workshop
John Boxall
No Starch Press
38 Ringold Street
San Francisco, CO 94103-4403
9781593274481, $29.95, www.nostarch.com

Arduino Workshop: A Hands-On Introduction with 65 Projects offers a basic tutorial for beginners and comes from an Australian electronics enthusiast who teaches how to design and build interactive electronics. From a digital thermometer that displays temperatures on an LCD to a GPS logger that can display travel data on Google Maps, this is packed with over sixty clear projects that serve as stepping stones to provide skills leading to the reader's own design processes. Arduino is a small microcontroller that only requires a computer and imagination to create electronics marvels: this book tells how.

Computer Forensics
David Cowen, CISSP
McGraw-Hill
c/o The McGraw Hill Companies
Two Penn Plaza, 11th Floor, NY, NY 10121-2298
9780071742450, $40.00, www.mhprofessional.com

COMPUTER FORENSICS is for any who would foster a career as a computer forensics investigator, and teaches the latest tools and methods in the field. From building a forensics lab to transitioning from other computer fields to become a computer forensics examiner, this pairs case studies with basic concepts covering everything from hardware choices and setting up a lab to testing tools and storing evidence. Best practices for documentation and gathering evidence for court are included in a title recommended for any library strong in network security.


The Business Shelf

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

Steven Snyder's LEADERSHIP AND THE ART OF STRUGGLE: HOW GREAT LEADERS GROW THROUGH CHALLENGE AND ADVERSITY (9781609946449, $19.95) is a pick for any business collection strong in leadership explorations and uses real-life stories from the author's own research studying leadership struggles to show how to understand the challenges affecting business success. Strategies include keys to embracing struggle and offer a set of applied tools for assuring greater life success in mastering the art of successful struggle. The result is a guide on how to survive in adversity, how to grow from it, and how to harness its power as a building block for greater organizational health. SPEAKING UP: SURVIVING EXECUTIVE PRESENTATIONS by Frederick Gilbert and Scott McNealy (9781609948962, $24.95) discusses business presentations and outlines their underlying rules: rules too often ignored or not fully understood. This approach to executive-level presentations goes where few manager's titles have gone before, examining the psychology and business tactics of presenting at the highest levels and using ten years of research and hundreds of interviews to solidify the processes' approaches and challenges. Chapters include comments from executives who explain exactly what they do and don't want in a presentation, and provide specific examples to pair with approaches to putting together the best presentation. Any who want to apply executive-level presentation methods to their business approaches will find this a solid, specific and indispensable reference, highly recommended!

Harvard Business Review Press
60 Harvard Way
Boston, MA 02163
www.hbsp.harvard.edu

Dorie Clark's REINVENTING YOU: DEFINE YOUR BRAND IMAGINE YOUR FUTURE (9781422144138, $25.00) provides readers with a solid key to re-assessing professional development's past, present and future and is for any who want to build clear goals and careers that thrive on reaching them. It offers a step-by-step approach to skills assessment, personal branding and marketing, blending case histories with interviews and examples from business and other arenas of life. Any interested in building a new career objective will find this key to the process of self-assessment. Robert Steven Kaplan's WHAT YOU'RE REALLY MEANT TO DO: A ROAD MAP FOR REACHING YOUR UNIQUE POTENTIAL (9781422189900, $25.00) comes from a leadership expert and author who regularly advises executives and students on how to tackle questions of career and personal identity. His new book shares a specific plan to help readers define their own success and path in life, uses his years of experience, and provides exercises and insights designed for any who would make the most of opportunities in life. The result is a powerful survey highly recommended for any business or self-improvement collection. FRANCESCA GINO'S SIDETRACKED: WHY OUR DECISIONS GET DERAILED, AND HOW WE CAN STICK TO THE PLAN (9781422142691, $25.00) comes from a psychology professor who explores inconsistent decision-making processes and how they affect consumer and business relationships. From choices in managing to choices in handling friendships and what sways decisions, this provides a solid focus pairing psychological insights and analysis to business concerns and applications. The result is a powerful survey outlining the entire decision-making process, how it gets derailed, and how to get it back on track.

Book Yourself Solid
Michael Port and Jocelyn Wallace
Wiley
c/o Wiley Professional Trade Group
111 River Street
Hoboken, NJ 07030-5774
9781118495421, $45.00, www.wiley.com

Any business collection strong in marketing and sales will want to acquire BOOK YOURSELF SOLID ILLUSTRATED: THE FASTEST, EASIEST, AND MOST RELIABLE SYSTEM FOR GETTING MORE CLIENTS THAN YOU CAN HANDLE EVEN IF YOU HATE MARKETING AND SELLING. This reissued edition is illustrated by Jocelyn Wallace, with clear sketches and diagrams providing satisfying insights into the finer art of lead generation and marketing efforts. From establishing credibility and expanding markets to earning higher fees and standout from the crowd, this survey teaches the basic rules of success but avoids the usual weighty and challenging language of most marketing titles, making it very appealing to any business reader or entrepreneur.


The Sports Shelf

Fitness & Health, seventh edition
Brian J. Sharkey and Steven E. Gaskill
Human Kinetics Publishers, Inc.
PO Box 5076, Champaign, IL 61820-5076
9780736000370, $37.00, www.humankinetics.com

The seventh updated edition of Fitness & Health provides an in-depth guide to aerobic fitness and nutrition, and is a compendium of facts by key experts in the field who address challenges to attaining health and fitness goals. This newly updated edition includes new content: a revised chapter on the science of fitness, new information linking physical activity with brain health, an entirely new chapter added to discuss behavior changes and the psychology of activity, and new strategies to make the most of mind/body connections. The result is an exceptional reference highly recommended for any sports or health collection serious about understanding sports and fitness science.


The Cookbook Shelf

Flavored Butters
Lucy Vaserfirer
Harvard Common Press
535 Albany Street, Boston, MA 02118
9781558328075, $15.95, www.harvardcommonpress.com

Flavored Butters teaches how to make, shape, and use flavored butters as spreads and toppings, offering a range of recipes for butters that transform meals. From a Lemon, Dill and Garlic Butter spread that makes all seafood 'pop' to Green Tea-Sesame Butter for dip or spreads, this pairs color photos with easy, appealing recipes and then adds plenty of ideas for incorporating the butters into a meal plan. Herbs, spices and common kitchen ingredients can all be blended into butters to achieve remarkable results, and this idea makes Flavored Butters a fine, unique pick for any cook's library.

Barbecue Crossroads: Notes and Recipes from a Southern Odyssey
Robb Walsh
University of Texas Press
PO Box 7819, Austin, TX 78713-7819
9780292752849, $24.95, www.utexasedu/utpress.com

Barbecue Crossroads: Notes and Recipes from a Southern Odyssey pairs stories, recipes and photos from a James Beard award winner who works with documentary photographer Rufus Lovett to take a journey through the South and its acclaimed barbecue masters. The accompanying history blends travel and culinary lore with a survey of barbecue's changes and evolution. The authors visit many places; some of which are deserving of their fame and others of which have fallen by the wayside, to be replaced by less famous yet equally-adept masters at smoke and fire. An added focus on how race influences cooking styles plus ways in which media shows are undermining traditional barbecue culture makes for a wide-ranging, multi-faceted cookbook and travelogue perfect for any fan of slow-cooked meats.

Ryland Peters & Small
519 Broadway, 5th floor
New York, NY 10012
www.rylandpeters.com

Jane Mason's ALL YOU KNEAD IS BREAD (9781849752572, $24.95) gathers some fifty bread recipes from around the world and advocates that cooks will find it easy to bake great bread. Newcomers to the art will find this user-friendly guide explains basic techniques, offers step-by-step photos supporting the idea that bread-baking is simple, and gathers recipes from around the world. All have been selected because they're easy to follow. Some fifty recipes run the gamut from pita bread and cinnamon buns to rye bread and brioche. The result is an outstanding gathering of delicious dishes, perfect for any home baker new to the finer art of bread baking who wants an introduction that assures success. Felipe Fuentes Cruz & Ben Fordham's REAL MEXICAN FOOD (9781849753425, $24.95) comes from the Mexican chef behind the London restaurant Benito's Hat, and shares his family recipes for authentic feasts and casual dining like. Vivid color photos by Peter Cassidy accompany such unique fare as a Spicy Broad/Fava Bean Salad, Chipolte Chicken Tacos, and Carmelized Apple Burrito: the result is an outstanding collection of Mexican dishes you won't find in other cookbooks, all tested as authentic and appealing dishes for any Mexican home cook.


The Biography Shelf

Freefall to Fly
Rebekah Lyons
Tyndale House Publishers
351 Executive Drive
Carol Stream, IL 60188
9781414379364, $19.99, www.tyndale.com

Freefall to Fly: A Breathtaking Journey Toward a Life of Meaning talks about surrender, faith, and spirituality in the course of providing a memoir of the author's life path, which changed from a set course of motherhood and building a family world in the South to a struggle with a new world when they moved to the heart of New York City. In a different cultural environment driven by performance, Lyons experienced depression and loneliness as expectations and lifestyle challenges soared. This memoir of her experiences charts her upward course as she finds faith and positive experience in the face of vast change and adversity, and is a pick for spirituality and general biography holdings alike.

By Some Miracle I Made It Out of Here
Tom Sizemore
Atria Books
c/o Simon & Schuster
1230 Avenue of the Americas, New York, NY 10020
9781451681673, $26.00, www.simonandschuster.com

By Some Miracle I Made It Out of Here: A Memoir provides a powerful autobiography by an actor who was widely in demand in the 1990s, but who struggled with a drug problem even while he was working. As he worked hard to stay sober long enough to act, he saw his personal life disintegrate, from being accused of domestic violence by the world's most famous madam to becoming a prisoner, then living in an abandoned cabin and becoming homeless. Sizemore's rise, fall, and survival examines both the entertainment industry and his on path through it, and provides an excellent survey of drug addiction and recovery perfect for autobiography, entertainment and health readers alike.

I Can Barely Take Care of Myself
Jen Kirkman
Simon and Schuster
1230 Avenue of the Americas, New York, NY 10020
9781451667004, $22.00, www.simonandschuster.com

I Can Barely Take Care of Myself: Tales from a Happy Life Without Kids comes from a stand-up comedian and actress who here speaks of her life and our baby-obsessed society. It's a support of the "childfree by choice" movement which hosts a boatload of fun personalities, and provides personal chapters reflecting on the questions people ask about choosing not to have children. Autobiography blends with social assessment and a healthy dose of humor throughout to make for a multi-faceted story that will prove appealing to any library and to those interested in both humor and social observation.

The Friedkin Connection
William Friedkin
Harper
c/o HarperCollins Publishers
10 East 53rd Street, New York, NY 10022-5299
9780061775123, $29.99, www.harpercollins.com

The Friedkin Connection: A Memoir is illustrated with two 8-page color inserts and tells of filmmaker William Friedkin and his evolution as a force in Hollywood history. It provides a candid survey of his life and reveals the inside politics and influences of Hollywood and the technical, artistic and business decisions he confronted as he made his films. Any interested in the industry in general and Friedkin's evolution and achievements in particular will enjoy a vivid autobiography that roams from his childhood to the circumstances which led him from poverty to success in one of the most demanding artistic industries in the world.


The Criminology Shelf

Anne Perry and the Murder of the Century
Peter Graham
Skyhorse Publishing
307 West 36th Street, 11th Floor
New York, NY 10018
9781620876305, $24.95, www.skyhorsepublishing.com

Anne Perry and the Murder of the Century provides a satisfying story of convicted killer Juliet Hulme - who penned under the name of Anne Perry - and provides the crime and ensuing trial that captured world attention. In 1954 mystery writer Perry and her friend Pauline Parker murdered Parker's mother in a public park in cold blood. This book covers the crime, considers the girls' relationship, and analyzes the personalities of each in a survey that brings to life the world, times, and relationships of the famous mystery writer. The result is especially recommended for true crime holdings and collections already seeing interest in Anne Perry's mystery novels.


The Travel Shelf

France's Best Trips
Oliver Berry, et.al.
Lonely Planet Publications
150 Linden Street, Oakland CA 94607
9781742209852, $24.99, www.lonelyplanet.com

39 road trips throughout France offer itineraries packed with a wide range of cultural and natural wonders unique to France, from art and historical sights to countrysides filled with wine, food, and nature. Overviews of trip highlights accompany discussions of classic trips, detours and side roads, tips for outdoors adventures, and much more. Small maps and discussions of places to stay and eat accompany candid assessments of what types of trips will appeal to different tastes, from journeys specific to architecture and arts fans to those filled with spectacular views and car rides. The result is a fine travel planner highly recommended for any who plan on making France their destination.

Transylvania, second edition
Lucy Mallows
Bradt Guides
1st Floor IDC House, The Vale
Chalfont St Peter, Bucks, England, SL9 9RZ
9781841624198, $25.99, www.bradtguides.com

The second updated edition of Transylvania is an excellent choice for any planning a visit to Romania or Hungary, and is directed to independent travelers who dream of trekking, using private guesthouses, and traveling some of the lesser-covered roads of the countries. This second edition has been thoroughly updated and covers all the basics of where to stay, what to eat and drink, and what to see. Line maps throughout accompany discussions of cultural attractions unique to each country, while tips on camping, caving and more make for a fine, specific coverage any destination-oriented visitor will love.


The Needlecraft Shelf

Fabulous Feathers & Fillers
Sue Nickels
American Quilter's Society
PO Box 3290, Paducah, KY 42002-3290
9781604600605, $24.95, www.aqsquilt.com

Fabulous Feathers & Fillers: Design & Machine Quilting is packed with clear directions on designing and quilting different types of feathers, then applying them to quilting pursuits. Directions cover the basics of machine quilting on a home machine and include coverage of fillers, using 9 projects to build skills and experience. It also includes the pattern and instructions for the award-winning Tea at Tenby quilt she created with her sister. Any quilter looking to learn machine quilting in general and feathers and fillers in particular will find this a winner.

C&T Publishing
1651 Challenge Drive
Concord, CA 94520-5206
www.ctpub.com

Annabel Wrigley's WE LOVE TO SEW: 28 PRETTY THINGS TO MAKE (9781607056324, $22.95) is a recommendation for needlework and crafts collections alike, offering sewers a focus on making everything from jewelry to handbags, t-shirts and more and providing 28 projects designed to encourage unique approaches and crafty skills development. Color photos of each finished project accompany sidebars of information and step-by-step close-up color photos making for a powerful and fun recommendation for any strong in needlework skills development. Elizabeth Barton's INSPIRED TO DESIGN: SEVEN STEPS TO SUCCESSFUL ART QUILTS (9781607056348, $29.95) packs in exercises that guide readers through the design process involved in producing art quilts, and is a pick for any quilter who wants to move beyond the traditional block quilt idea. Chapters cover all the basics, from inspirations that can be translated to a quilt to working with color and light, integrating geometric-shaped structures, and much more. The result is a 'must' for any would-be art quilter!

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

Mary Etherington and Connie Tesene's THE BLUE AND THE GRAY: QUILT PATTERNS USING CIVIL WAR FABRIC (9781604682540, $24.99) packs in a fine collection of projects inspired by the Civil War, featuring some 18 traditional designs that include wall hangings, table toppers, and even doll quilts. Each project is very different: some use fat quarters, some scraps, and others involve matching geometric designs to create fresh, new inspirational pieces. Projects come with names from the Civil War era, and each accompanies clear directions with a full-page color photos and pattern instructions. A recommendation for Civil War and especially needlework libraries alike! Megan Kreiner's CROCHET A ZOO: FUN TOYS FOR BABY AND YOU (9781604682731, $22.99) offers projects for crocheting animals from lions and bears to apes, and is a pick for those with basic skills who want to stitch some animals or an entire zoo. Over 16 patterns accompany color photos and step-by-step illustrations of how to create the crochet animal. Any who would lend their crochet skills to creating toys will find this a fine pick. Jen Eskridge's HEXAGONS MADE EASY: MACHINE TECHNIQUES FOR EXCEPTIONAL QUILTS (9781604882755, $24.99) tells how to create lovely hexagon quilts without y-seams or hand sewing. It comes from an expert quilter who uses a quick facing technique as an alternative to traditional paper piecing, streamlining and simplifying the method and offering some 15 projects in a rang of sizes, from pot holders to table runners and large quilts. Machines are used for stitching hexagons of any size, making this an easy and unusual choice for any needlework collection. Nancy Allen's TRIPLE-PLAY SCRAP QUILTING: PLANNED, COORDINATED AND MAKE-DO STYLES (9781604682632, $24.99) provides a fine crafts and quilting guide that offers beginner-friendly strategies for showcasing a range of fabrics. Some nine quilts are each shown in three different colorways to work with scrap materials. In the process of showing these quilts, tips, tricks and techniques for paper piecing, applique, and alternatives for different piecing strategies to put them all together make this a fine pick for any quilter looking to use up scraps. Amy Ellis' MODERN NEUTRALS: A FRESH LOOK AT NEUTRAL QUILT PATTERNS (9781604683233, $24.99) gathers new blocks and quilts and teaches how to use neutrals to make fine quilts. Fifteen quilts range in style from easy to complicated and teach the basics of using graphic quilt designs in neutral tones. Plenty of guides teach how to use color and patterns: this focus on neutrals provides a unique approach not found in other quilter's guides, making it a solid pick for any quilting library. Evelyn Sloppy's LOG CABIN FEVER: INNOVATIVE DESIGNS FOR TRADITIONAL QUILTS (9781564774118, $26.99) offers a fine survey analyzing Log Cabin blocks and providing a twist to the traditional pattern by blending these blocks with over kinds of quilt blocks. Some 11 projects demonstrate how to mix these blocks, showing how to build designs and then expand them with different Log Cabin block approaches. From cutting and sewing to assembly, this tells how to produce a new classic quilt.


The Pets/Wildlife Shelf

Veterinary Nursing of Exotic Pets, second edition
Simon J. Girling
Wiley-Blackwell
350 Main Street, Malden, MA 02148
9780470659175, $64.99, www.wiley.com/go/medicine

Veterinary Nursing of Exotic Pets appears in its second updated edition to cover the basic principles of nursing exotic species. From chinchillas to iguanas, it considers nutrition, handling, husbandry, and all manner of diseases and treatments, with new coverage for this revised edition including emergency and critical care, radiography, and small exotics such as sugargliders. Color photos and color tabbed pages accompany discussion of common diseases of small mammals and their treatment. Vet students and clinics will find this a solid reference compiling best practices and considering all issues involved in management.


The Health/Medicine Shelf

Learning to Listen
T. Berry Brazelton, MD
Da Capo Press
c/o Perseus Books Group
11 Cambridge Center, Cambridge, MA 02142
www.perseusbooksgroup.com
9780738216676, $24.99, www.dacapopress.com

Learning to Listen: A Life Caring for Children provides an autobiography and medical review all in one, tracing the evolution of his techniques that helped thousands of parents raise their children, and showing how these techniques evolved from his work. From his anthropological study in Kenya to researching Mayan newborns in Mexico, this tells of one who began his medical career in the 1940s just as the field was changing to reflect modern times, and makes for a fine review of not only Dr. Brazelton's life and achievements, but of the evolving field of medicine itself. A fine recommendation for any medical or autobiography holding!

Jones & Bartlett
5 Wall Street
Burlington, MA 01803
www.jblearning.com

The second updated edition of Anita Finkelman and Carole Kenner's PROFESSIONAL NURSING CONCEPTS: COMPETENCIES FOR QUALITY LEADERSHIPS (9781449649029, $83.95) provides a detailed survey of nursing education and professional development and engages students in recognizing the role nurses play in healthcare delivery. New information on healthcare reform and nursing implications and content on the American Nurses Association Principles for Documentation accompanies revisions and two entirely new chapters on community health concerns and changing nursing practices. A student companion website provides students with study aids for each chapter in the book. The result is a guide which shouldn't be missed by any serious nursing study collection. Professional health reference collections will also benefit from the addition of Joseph K.H. Ma and Boka W. Hadzija's BASIC PHYSICAL PHARMACY (9781449653347, $85.95), a reference directed to health care professionals and packed with basic scientific principles relating to pharmacy and drug formulation. Chapters authored by nationally recognized scientists and pharmacologists cover dosage forms, pharmacy systems, and novel drug delivery systems, offering students and professionals alike in-depth details on the chemistry and features of major drug products and delivery systems. A 'must' for any health/medicine collection.


The Technology Shelf

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

Roman Krzanowski's Metro Ethernet Services for LTE Backhaul (9781608076857, $129.00) joins others in Artech's mobile communications reference series and provides an in-depth guide to designing and using mobile Ethernet backhauling services in urban areas. Engineers receive technical coverage on the service components of CE architecture, explains their interactions, and offers descriptions of applications and technical notes on implementation and management. Any who must choose the standards and technical documentation related to a design project will consider this an indispensable engineering reference. Principles of GNSS, Inertial, and Multisensor Integrated navigation Systems by Paul D. Groves (9781608070053, $169.00) appears in its second updated edition to discuss navigation systems for engineering collections. It's been substantially revised and expanded to provide the latest in-depth survey of systems operation and component integration, adding many updated references and also including a new chapter on radio positioning basics and field applications. An accompanying DVD packed with interactive examples and basic simulation software rounds out the technical presentation in this winning survey. Battery Power Management for Portable Devices by Yevgen Barsukov and Jinrong Qian (9781608074914, $99.00) is written by leading engineers in the field who document the many changes in handheld technology, and will appeal to professionals working in the engineering field. It reviews and provides in-depth analysis of many areas of battery power management for portable devices, offering the latest information on everything from optimizing circuits to creating the longest possible run-time and using safety circuits to protect the new battery properties. Examples of whole systems offer plenty of real-world applications and insights, perfect for engineers working in the field.


The Education Shelf

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

Early childhood collections and education holdings dealing with exceptional young children will find Ann Gadzikowski's CHALLENGING EXCEPTIONALLY BRIGHT CHILDREN IN EARLY CHILDHOOD CLASSROOMS (9781605541167, $34.95) a solid collection of techniques designed to explore what it means to be exceptionally bright at the preschool and prekindergarden levels - and how to help such children reach their full potential. Three broad categories help educators and parents connect with these kids, building rich learning experiences that address both their special needs and the overall regular learning style of a classroom. The result is a rich, powerful collection of ideas for any early education holding. Judith Anne Rice's THE KINDNESS CURRICULUM: STOP BULLYING BEFORE IT STARTS (9781605541242, $24.95) provides early childhood educators with nearly a hundred character-building activities to promote peace and harmony, teaching preschoolers who to develop compassion for others. New and revised experiences are provided in this updated second edition, which teaches about love, self-control, respect and more. Activities that aim to prevent bullying before it starts impart the basics of prosocial values in a safe, community environment. Highly recommended!


The Social Issues Shelf

After Bin Laden
Abdel Bari Atwan
The New Press
38 Green Street, 4th floor
New York, NY 10013
9781595588999, $27.95, www.thenewpress.com

AFTER BIN LADEN: AL QAEDA, THE NEXT GENERATION is a 'must read' for any concerned about politics, social issues, policy making, and Middle East affairs, and comes from a journalist who examines Al Qaeda's transformations over a ten year period, when it moved from a small group based in Afghanistan to and international movement around the world. Its focus on using 'lone-wolf' members who sacrifice themselves for their cause and its various grassroots tactics are still alive and growing, and its growth is here charted by a journalist who interviewed bin Laden twice, and who provides a powerful perspective for any who would consider the lasting effects of terrorism on the world.

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

Michael Carolan's SOCIETY AND THE ENVIRONMENT: PRAGMATIC SOLUTIONS TO ECOLOGICAL ISSUES (9780813345949, $65.00) provides readers with an excellent, new way of understanding global environmental issues and pairs concepts and analysis of environmentalism in thinking about global solutions to problems. It uses sociological thinking but pairs this with political science, science, economic and geographical studies to provide a multi-faceted survey of how societies address these larger environmental challenges. The result is a top pick for any college-level collection strong in social issues or environmental studies. Craig Zelizer edits INTEGRATED PEACEBUILDING: INNOVATIVE APPROACHES TO TRANSFORMING CONFLICT (9780813345093, $40.00), a college-level study which examines how the theory of integrated peacekeeping can be applied across disciplines, from health and media concerns to social, political and environmental applications. The theory and practice of mainstreaming peacebuilding are considered in an anthology that provides cutting-edge material reviewing the business and structure of the peacekeeping field as a whole. With its strong focus on how such efforts change the nature of conflict and lend to peace, this is a powerful survey highly recommended for any social issues holding. Kevin B. Smith and Christopher W. Larimer's THE PUBLIC POLICY THEORY PRIMER (9780813347493, $37.00) appears in its second updated edition to considering how public policy research has changed to reflect new focus on processes, design, issues and theories. It provides a comprehensive and inclusive synthesis of college-level studies and methodological approaches, outlining key debates and controversies and offering new approaches to behavioral economics and social policies. College-level readers will find this scholarly yet accessible read.

Our Common Wealth
Jonathan Rowe
Berrett-Koehler Publishers Inc.
235 Montgomery Street, Suite 650
San Francisco, CA 94104-2916
9781609948337, $16.95, www.bkconnection.com

Our Common Wealth: The Hidden Economy That Makes Everything Work could have been featured in our business section, but is reviewed here for its wider discussion of economics and their effects on human and natural paths alike. "The commons" is a term that denotes shared environments and endeavors, and here editor and U.S. Senate aid Jonathan Rowe focuses on the concept, its applications in economic, social and political arenas, and how it is threatened by privatization and neglect. Struggles against pollution, overdevelopment, and corporate sales strategies alike are analyzed with a strong eye to explaining these 'commons' and the threat to their existence. Business, political and social science collections alike will find this lends to wider classroom discussion and debate.


The Music Shelf

The Best Jobs in the Music Industry
Michael Redman
Hal Leonard
c/o Hal Leonard Performing Arts Publishing Group
19 West 21st Street, Suite 201, New York, NY 10010
9781476817019, $24.99, www.halleonardbooks.com

THE BEST JOBS IN THE MUSIC INDUSTRY: STRAIGHT TALK FROM SUCCESSFUL MUSIC PROS provides a fine career guide for those who love music and who want to become involved in more than just a performer capacity. Here is a list of such music-related jobs, along with job requirements, potential revenue, longevity ratings, benefits and discussions of musical careers. Each description begins with a summary designed to help readers decide on whether it's of interest, with case histories of those involved in the career path further defining the pros and cons of each position. Michael Redman, himself a composer and musician, interviews over sixty professionals in the business to gain solid insights into all the options. Any aspiring music worker will find this a solid key to success.


The Audiobook Shelf

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

Two fine audio books are powerful recommendations for any audio book collection and bring to life their written counterparts by adding exceptionally vivid readers to the mis. Rod Dreher's THE LITTLE WAY OF RUTHIE LEMING: A SOUTHERN GIRL, A SMALL TOWN, AND THE SECRET OF A GOOD LIFE (9781619696273, $29.98) is narrated by the author, whose fine evocative voice brings to life his story of a little sister diagnosed at age forty with a virulent form of cancer. The small town the author had left behind rallied around her - and on his visits to her, he reconnected with the community - which raised some, $43,000 to help pay medical bills. This is as much an account of that community as it is about Ruthie's life and death, an event which prompted to author to leave the city to move back to his hometown. A powerful testimony to community togetherness evolves. Jeff Haynes presents PETE SEEGER: THE STORM KING (9781619698307, $19.98) in a fine presentation of music celebrating Seeger's music. Dar Williams, Samite and others blends Seeger's storytelling with a range of musical styles in a remarkable collection that runs the gamut from classical to American folk, new age, and even international influences. The result is a fine blending of music and spoken story, highly recommended for any Seeger enthusiast. David Baldacci's TOTAL CONTROL (9781619696235, $29.98) receives a fine reading by Jonathan Marosz, whose evocative voice brings to life the saga of Sidney, who has a fine family and a job she loves - until a plane crash changes everything. Her husband has secretly entered a deadly world and his disappearance leaves Sidney with a wealth of lies and deceptions she feels compelled to track. Aided by an FBI agent, she will become part of a violent series of encounters that will leave a trail of bodies and mysteries in its wake in this engrossing thriller, which comes to life in audio. David Baldacci's THE HIT (9781619695211, $39.98) receives an outstanding dual narration by actress Orlagh Cassidy and author/actor Ron McLarty, who also has had many appearances on Broadway and in film, and tells of one Will Robie, a skilled assassin for the U.S. government. Now fellow assassin and equal Reel has gone rogue - and it's up to Robie to capture her. Add a touch of attraction into the mix and you have a complex story of intrigue: a cat-and-mouse chase that hides a larger, more dangerous attack that could affect the world. Splendid intrigue comes to life in this audio, recommended for any collection strong in novels.

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

Joel C. Rosenberg's DAMASCUS COUNTDOWN (9781423379492, $36.99) features a fine performance by Christopher Lane and is a powerful international espionage thriller perfect for any library strong in audio thrillers. Here Israel successfully launches a first strike on Iran, taking out all their nuclear capabilities, involving the world in hostile interactions that could provoke another world war. Meanwhile CIA operative David Shirazi has infiltrated the Iranian regime to discover two nuclear warheads have survived, and threaten Israel. Can his team find them before genocide erupts? A powerful saga, this keeps listeners engaged to the end. Penn Jillette's EVERY DAY IS AN ATHEIST HOLIDAY! (9781469276861, $29.99) comes from one half of the music duo Penn and Teller, and offers witty essays for believers and nonbelievers alike. His reflections on holiday traditions, the possibility of life after death, and much more blend humor and insight with a sense of fun as it observes everyday life and beliefs, and comments on ironies and incongruities. Any audio listening library will find this a fun acquisition!

Highbridge Audio Books
201 Sixth Street SE, Suite 220
Minneapolis, MN 55414
www.highbridgeaudio.com

NPR's THE WAIT ALBUM: MORE OF THE BEST (9781611748628, $22.95) offers a compendium of shows from the public radio news quiz Wait Wait... Don't Tell Me!, and is a fun listen for any who enjoy the show. It selects some of the show's most entertaining guests, from Cal Ripken Jr. to Jane Goodall and Vince Gill, and features the quiz involving a celebrity guest who must answer questions on a topic totally outside their area of expertise. The result is refreshing, fun, and a lively listen. Christa Parravani's HER (9781622311743, $34.95) provides a powerful memoir telling of the author and her identical twin Cara, raised in poverty by a single mother. They were gifted siblings who won scholarships to a prestigious college and married early - but when Cara became a victim of brutality, she became addicted to drugs and died. This is Christa's account of how she faced these same demons, resisted the urges to follow in her sister's footsteps, and ultimately became her own person. It's a powerful memoir that comes to life in audio and deserves to be in any audio library.

Keep It Pithy
Bill O'Reilly
Random House Audio Books
c/o The Random House Publishing Group
1745 Broadway, 5th floor, New York, NY 10019
9780804128971, $25.00, www.randomhouseaudio.com

KEEP IT PITHY: USEFUL OBSERVATIONS IN A TOUGH WORLD is narrated by the author and Dan Woren and provides a powerful unabridged production gathering the best of O'Reilly's writings. Each chapter represents a core theme as it gathers these thoughts, culling the best from his books and considering how his opinions have been verified as correct over the years. Any fan of The O'Reilly Factor and Bill O'Reilly's thoughts and reflections will find his audio powerful, backed by the voice of Dan Woren, an actor and voice-over artist.


The Military Shelf

Osprey Publishing
4301 21st St, Suite 220B
Long Island City, NY 11101
www.ospreypublishing.com

WORLD WAR II WINTER AND MOUNTAIN WARFARE TACTICS by Stephen Bull (9781849087124, $18.95) receives fine color art by Steve Noon to accompany black and white photos as it considers the history of winter and mountain warfare tactics during World War II. Any military history collection will find this a solid discussion of the training, equipment and special approaches winter warfare required, with chapters based on both wartime manuals and critiques of what actually happened during combat. A specific 'must' for any military collection! Robert Forczyk's KHARKOV 1942: THE WEHRMACHT STRIKES BACK (9781780961576, $21.95) narrows its focus to the Red Army's key battle in one sector of the Eastern Front, designed to disrupt German plans, and provides a fine survey of a campaign which developed into one of the Red Army's greatest defeats of the war. It provides fine in-depth analysis of battle strategy, failure and outcome and receives excellent illustrations by Howard Gerrard in a detailed, satisfying discussion. Chris McNab's AMERICA'S ELITE: US SPECIAL FORCES FROM THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION TO THE PRESENT DAY (9781780962849, $39.95) provides a solid overview of the history, skills and purposes of various U.S. Special Forces over the decades, charting these forces from the 18th century to modern times and pairing a lively historical survey with black and white and color photos and illustrations throughout. Here is a complete survey of how the US Army, Navy, and Air Force developed and used the concept of elite soldiers, considering key operations, training, and technology that separates them from regular soldiers. The combination of striking artworks and in-depth history makes this a 'must' for any military holding. Ian Knight's THE NEW ZEALAND WARS 1820-72 (9781780962771, $17.95) chronicles two major 19th-century wars between the British settlers in New Zealand and the indigenous Maori, who had firearms as part of their traditional tactics. The Maori built sophisticated defensive forts although many chose to side with the settlers: this account from an expert on colonial warfare features rare photos and color plates to examine the tactics and perspectives of both sides, and is a 'must' for both military and New Zealand history holdings. Victor Kulikov's RUSSIAN ACES OF WORLD WAR I (9781780960593, $22.95) details the encounters of the Russian Imperial Army Service, which consisted of no more than four battle aviation groups, each controlling three or four smaller fighter detachments. This narrowed focus details the planes, the aces, their strategies and their key battles of the times, using information based on material newly sourced by the author from Russian military and private archives. The result is an outstanding analysis suitable for any aviation history or World War I military holding. Andrew West's VIETNAM: A VIEW FROM THE FRONT LINES (9781849089722, $25.95) is based on the collection housed at the National Archives, the Center of Military History, and at the Vietnam Archive at Texas Tech, and provides the reader with a common soldier's view of Vietnam conflicts, from the rice paddies and swamps of the Mekong to the Marine bases around the DMZ. It provides stories of battles, heroism, and impossible odds and traces the American experience of Vietnam from start to finish, offering an accurate experiential portrait rather than your usual historical analysis. Any military collection will find this powerful and revealing. Kari Stenman and Peter de Jong's FOKKER D.XXI ACES OF WORLD WAR 2 (9781780960623, $22.95) provides a powerful history of the elite fighter pilots of the war and the Fokker D.XXI, a fighter which operated under primitive conditions and racked up many wins in comparison to the Soviets. The fighter produced the first 'ace in a single mission' in World War II and featured in many amazing missions even as it was deemed obsolete in the fighter world. This celebration focuses on the planes, pilots and battle experiences, blending vintage black and white photos with color illustrations throughout, and is a pick for any military or aviation history collection.


The Fiction Shelf

The Golem and the Jinni
Helene Wecker
Harper
c/o HarperCollins Publishers
10 East 53rd Street, New York, NY 10022-5299
9780062110831, $26.99, www.harpercollins.com

The Golem and the Jinni provides a fine multicultural immigrant story that blends Jewish and Arab folk mythology in telling of two supernatural creatures who arrive separately in New York in 1899. The woman is a golem created out of clay in Poland, the man is a Jinni: a being of fire trapped by a wizard in a copper flask and accidentally released in Manhattan. Their different cultures and journeys as they explore their new human home makes for a fine story of supernatural and human personalities as they predictably meet, form a strong bond, and interact with the immigrant world around them. This magical, fun fable is a pick for any novel collection.

Together Tea
Marjan Kamali
Ecco
c/o HarperCollins Publishers
10 East 53rd Street
New York, NY 10022-5299
9780062236807, $14.99, www.eccobooks.com

Together Tea offers a debut novel that outlines the complex life of an Iranian immigrant, Mina, and her family as the group attempts to integrate their old country ways with American culture. There's always a difference and hard choices to make, not only between cultures but between mother and daughter. Taken from the Persian culture they love, Mina and her family face many changes on many levels, with differences between their comfortable old world traditions and challenging new world encounters fueling controversy even into Mina's adulthood. Eventually the tangled web leads back to Iran, where Mina and her mother seek to forge a better relationship. This powerful novel of cultural understanding is recommended for any collection strong in modern fiction.


The Mystery/Suspense Shelf

Dead, White and Blue
Carolyn Hart
Berkeley Prime Crime
c/o Penguin Group (USA)
375 Hudson Street, New York, NY 10014
9780425260777, $25.95, www.penguin.com

DEAD, WHITE, AND BLUE provides a new 'Death on Demand' mystery, adding to the series and telling of a 4th of July mystery revolving around the disappearance of two tourists and a trail of blackmail and betrayal. Annie and her husband Max find their investigations bring them into the thick of tangled passions and motives for death in a thriller that is especially recommended for prior fans of the series, who will appreciate a new plot, new characters and new insights.

Board Stiff
Elaine Viets
Obsidian
c/o Penguin Group (USA)
375 Hudson Street, New York, NY 10014
9780451239853, $23.95, www.penguin.com

BOARD STIFF provides a new 'Dead-End Job' mystery and tells of a customer killed in a tragic paddle-board mishap. Company owner Jim is sure it's no accident - but PI team Helen and Phil face one of their greatest challenges yet as what seems to be an accident evolves into a cutthroat murder that exposes the underworld of the beachfront business and an industry laden with resentments, simmering murder, and abuse. BOARD STIFF keeps one guessing until the end and, steeped in beachfront culture, is a satisfying survey any mystery fan will welcome - even newcomers to the 'Dead-End Job' setting of previous writing.

Joyland
Stephen King
Hard Case Crime
c/o Titan Books
144 Southwark Street, London SE1 OUP, UK
9781781162644, $12.95, www.titanbooks.com

JOYLAND combines two of Stephen King's favorite genres: pulp crime novels and ghosts, and provides a fine novel set in a small-town North Carolina amusement park in 1973, where college student Devin comes to work as a carney and becomes involved in murder and the fate of a dying child. It's a powerful novel that crosses genres to provide readers an engrossing plot and action-packed story in the style of pulp fiction, and it's a pick that maintains the drama and interest of a King classic without the thousands of pages many of his novels require. Crime fiction fans who enjoy a touch of supernatural in their reading will find this a winner!

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

Betty Webb's THE LLAMA OF DEATH: A GUNN ZOO MYSTERY (9781464200687, $14.95) joins others in the Gun Zoo series and is especially recommended for prior series fans. Zookeeper Theodora takes a llama to a local Renaissance faire, only to stumble upon a dead reverend and a crime scene made to look like the llama stomped him to death. But the obvious quickly emerges: the 'reverend' is actually a convict, and has been killed with a crossbow. When Teddy's own mother becomes the chief suspect and is jailed, it's up to Teddy to overcome a storm of controversy and locate the real killer, before it's too late. Mystery holdings will find this packed with satisfying twists of plot. Mystery collections will also welcome Clea Simon's PARROTS PROVE DEADLY (9781464201028, $24.95), a fine Prue Marlowe 'pet noir' mystery revolving around an animal psychic, a foul-mouthed parrot whose owner has died, and clues that boil down to the parrot's witness of murder. Can Pru use her animal instincts and friends to get to the bottom of a deadly case? A fine story revolving around animals will prove perfect for fans of Braun's 'Cat' mysteries.


The Fantasy/SciFi Shelf

Blood of Dragons
Robin Hobb
Harper Voyageur
c/o HarperCollins Publishers
10 East 53rd Street, New York, NY 10022-5299
9780062116857, $27.99, www.harpervoyageurbooks.com

Fans of the prior volumes Dragon Keeper, Dragon Haven and City of Dragons can't miss this ringing conclusion to the series which profiles dragon magic and fantasy encounters. A crew of outcasts and sailors have reached the fabled lost city and ancestral source of magic after a dangerous journey imperiling their dragons: the quest for the Silver wells that will prolong the dragons' lives is nearly over, and the keepers are seeking the wells. But their joined search continues fraught with peril, and involves the life or death of Tintaglia, the queen of dragons. An engrossing epic saga concludes a series noted for its powerful twists of plot and solid characterization.

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

S.M. Stirling provides a powerful conclusion to his Shadowspawn series in SHADOWS OF THE FALLING NIGHT (9780451464514, $27.95), a recommendation for prior enthusiasts of the series who can't wait for the satisfying conclusion to the fantasy. The Council of Shadows is meeting to determine the fate of the human race but there are forces on the other side struggling for mankind: namely Adrian Breze, a nearly pure-bred Shadowspawn, and his human mate Ellen, who fight against Adrian's twin sister Adrienne, who would prefer to use the humans to support Shadowspawn lifestyles as food servants. Pit ancient shapeshifters with human interests and brother/sister struggles and you have a fast-paced fantasy that draws all facets together. Stephen L. Antczak and James C. Bassett's CLOCKWORK FAIRY TALES: A COLLECTION OF STEAMPUNK FABLES (9780451464941, $15.00) offers a fine gathering of steampunk stories written by top science fiction and fantasy authors: a collection packed with tales that have never before been printed. Fairy tales blend with technological wonders to make up the steampunk theme, offering fine accounts of deception, danger, and surreal worlds blessed by ancient and modern wonders operating side-by-side. Any steampunk fan will relish these originals!


The International Studies Shelf

Africa in World Politics, fifth edition
John W. Harbeson and Donald Rothchild
Westview Press
2465 Central Avenue, Boulder, CO 80301
9780813348452, $45.00, www.westviewpress.com

AFRICA IN WORLD POLITICS: ENGAGING A CHANGING GLOBAL ORDER appears in its fifth updated edition to provide a classic consideration of Africa's evolving place in world politics. All chapters have been completely updated to explore new issues and changes affecting the continent since the last edition, six completely new chapters on warfare and peacekeeping have been added, and surveys of international influences on African politics make for an updated classic that will engage and educate the latest college-level readers on contemporary African political and social shifts.


The Metaphysical Studies Shelf

The Alien Abduction Files
Kathleen Marden and Denise Stoner
New Page Books
c/o Career Press Inc.
220 West Parkway, Unit 12
Pompton Plains, NJ 07444
9781601632715, $16.99, www.newpagebooks.com

THE ALIEN ABDUCTION FILES: THE MOST STARTLING CASES OF HUMAN-ALIEN CONTACT EVER REPORTED collects new case studies and evidence that support alien abduction, and comes from two expert investigators and media professionals in the field. From the science that explains alien technology to messages conveyed by ETs to abductees and evidence of alien phenomena, this collects hair-raising stories and dramatic accounts supported by multiple eyewitnesses. Any collection strong in alien coverages will find this enlightening and engrossing.


The Antiques/Collectibles Shelf

Pictures from a Distant Country
Dr. Richard Doty
Whitman Publishing
4001 Helton Drive
Florence, Alabama, 35630
0794832555, $24.95, www.whitman.com

PICTURES FROM A DISTANT COUNTRY: SEEING AMERICA THROUGH OLD PAPER MONEY packs a 296-page hardcover with details linking the nation's overall history with a history of its early currency evolution, focusing on the days when there was no federal money in circulation and private banks and businesses issued currency. Vignettes and enlarged bank-note engravings are packed into ten chapters that focus on 1800s U.S. history which will delight fans of general American history; but it's the currency collector who will delight in the appendix of full sized notes, cross-referenced to the narrative and including an index arranged state, city and bank to discuss individual notes. Any collector of obsolete paper money and many a history buff will find this discussion fascinating.


The DVD Shelf

The Real Winning Edge
Diane Preston-Reilly
Zondervan Publishing House
5300 Patterson Avenue, S.E.
Grand Rapids, MI 49530
9780310889854, $26.99, www.zondervan.com

The Real Winning Edge provides an inspirational DVD on how teens can overcome abuse, parental issues and more and provides a visual inspirational piece that discusses faith and wise choices. Any involved in youth ministry will find this lends to optimistic solutions and discussions, with episodes documenting teen successes and how their basic values development lent to high achievement choices. A fine recommendation for any spiritual community looking for videos documenting teen achievement.

Doctor Who: Series Seven, Part Two
BBC America
7475 Wisconsin Avenue, Suite #1100
Bethesda, MD 20814
No ISBN, $24.98, www.bbcamerica.com

Doctor Who: Series Seven, Part Two offers the second half of series seven telling of the Doctor's search for Clara, an 'impossible girl' who keeps dying and re-appearing in another form. Here the battle aliens, are trapped in a Russian sub with a monster, and face ghosts including the Crimson Horror of Victorian England and a new army of upgraded, more powerful Cyberman. The episodes are written by top science fiction artists while this DVD includes two episode prequels in a pick for any Doctor Who collection.


The Railroading Shelf

Garden Railway Basics
Kevin Strong
Kalmbach Publishing Company
21027 Crossroads Circle
Waukesha, WI 53186
9780890248355, $19.95, www.kalmbach.com

GARDEN RAILWAY BASICS: FROM CONCEPT TO CONSTRUCTION TO UPKEEP provides model railway fans with everything needed to plan and build a successful garden rail model. Ten years of advice from Garden Railways columnist Kevin Strong contributes to a handbook filled with everything needed to get started in garden railway construction, offering a foundation of knowledge that will appeal to novices and experienced hobbyists alike. Color photos and clear descriptions make this a solid reference.


The Science Shelf

The Science of Miracles: Investigating the Incredible
Joe Nickell
Prometheus Books
59 John Glenn Drive, Amherst, NY 14228-2197
9781616147419, $18.00, www.prometheusbooks.com

The Science of Miracles: Investigating the Incredible uses the author's forty-plus years of experience in tracking down mysteries to reveal on-site examinations, lab experiments and other investigations into claims of miracles around the world. From miraculous images and relics to miracle healing experiences and visionary observations, chapters apply scientific investigation and principles of proof to miracle claims, blending a paranormal investigator's approach to spiritual experience. The result is a lively analysis that spirituality and science holdings alike should find engrossing and revealing.

Self-Observation in the Social Sciences
Joshua W. Clegg, Editor
Transaction Publishers
10 Corporate Place South, Piscataway, NJ 08854
9781412849494, $49.95, www.transactionpub.com

Self-Observation in the Social Sciences brings together papers offering solutions to basic questions in psychology and social interaction, making this a pick for any college-level collection strong in either discipline. History, theory, and the roots of techniques of self-observation and applied psychology provide an analysis of the dichotomy between objective and subjective techniques, exploring the foundations of psychological thought and its applications. The result is a scholarly reference which any college-level student of psychology and applied social science concepts will find involving.

Supersymmetry and Beyond
Gordon Kane
Basic Books
c/o Perseus Books Group
11 Cambridge Center, Cambridge, MA 02142
www.perseusbooksgroup.com
9780465080465, $16.99, www.basicbooks.com

Supersymmetry and Beyond: From the Higgs Boson to the New Physics explains high-level particle and experimental physics to lay readers and is a top recommendation for any general-interest science reader. It covers the basics of the Standard Model and its fundamental science, introduces the theory of supersymmetry, and offers in-depth yet accessible reviews of modern physics discoveries and theories. This reprint has been fully revised and updated to provide a lively discussion for any interested in physics theory, but who lack a scientific background.


The Psychology Shelf

Brainwashed
Sally Satel and Scott O. Lilienfeld
Basic Books
c/o Perseus Books Group
11 Cambridge Center, Cambridge, MA 02142
www.perseusbooksgroup.com
9780465018772, $26.99, www.basicbooks.com

BRAINWASHED: THE SEDUCTIVE APPEAL OF MINDLESS NEUROSCIENCE comes from a psychiatrist and a psychologist who reveal how many of the real-world applications of neuroscience gloss over its limitations, serving to confuse the purposes and sources of behavior and identity management. The field of neuroscience has expanded to include technologies which have provided many groundbreaking insights into how the human brain works - but have they really answered the basic mysteries remaining in psychology itself? This provides an important survey of brain imaging advancements and the pros and cons of applying physical to psychological science.


The Interior Design Shelf

Designers Abroad
Michele Keith
Monacelli Press
236 West 27th Street, 4th floor
New York, NY, 10001-5906
9781580933513, $50.00, www.monacellipress.com

DESIGNERS ABROAD: INSIDE THE VACATION HOMES OF TOP DECORATORS features over twenty vacation homes and over 200 color photos of them, offering a range of interior design insights on themes that range from a Paris studio to a house atop a cliff in Nova Scotia. Different environments require different interior and exterior designs: this collection of top designer answers to design challenges offers unique projects that are accompanied by in-depth discussions of how the design was created and carried out. Any who would apply the vacation home theme to unique structures will find this a winning discussion perfect for any interior design or architecture collection, loaded with full color photos throughout and plenty of detail on design.


The Art Shelf

Rodin & Eros
Pascal Bonafoux
Thames & Hudson
500 Fifth Avenue, New York, NY 10110-0017
9780500239001, $34.95, www.thamesandhudsonusa.com

August Rodin's sculptures and artworks depicted sexuality and erotic desire in a range of ways, and this chronological survey Rodin & Eros offers a powerful journey through the artist's personal life and influences guiding his perspective and focus. From his relationships with women to his friendships with fellow artists and the social controversies surrounding his sculptures, this becomes much more than another collection of Rodin pieces, providing a powerful historical analysis of morality, social trends, and artistic influences key to understanding his works. Any collection strong in sculpture history in general or Rodin's history in particular will find this an excellent acquisition.


The Fashion Shelf

The Label Book of Clothing Culture
Thomas Rusche
Daab Media
Scheidtweilerstr. 69, 50933 Cologne, Germany
9783942597258, $95.00, www.daab-online.com

The Label Book of Clothing Culture surveys over 40 top labels within the clothing industry, and is a top pick for any collection concerned with fashion design and industry history. It's a coffee-table style book packed with history, fashion design insights, and company profiles, and it's loaded with examples of fashion trends and evolving styles that will prove revealing and perfect for any student of clothing culture. From craftsmanship to style trends, this covers all the top features and attractions of the clothing industry in depth and detail, and is a 'must' for any collection strong in fashion design.


The Crafts Shelf

Easy Beading V. 9
Bead Style Magazine
Kalmbach Publishing Company
21027 Crossroads Circle, Waukesha, WI 53186
9780871167835, $29.95, www.kalmbachbooks.com

EASY BEADING appears in its ninth updated volume packing in hundreds of jewelry-making ideas from Bead Style magazine, and is a pick for any collection strong in jewelry crafts. Some 80 illustrated projects represent the best picks of the 9th year of the publication and provides stylish projects that use a range of materials, from gemstones and metal to chain and pearls. Hundreds of step-by-step photos accompany easy instructions and compliment full-page photos of completed projects and project lists. Very highly recommended for any collection appealing to jewelry makers and crafters.

Crystal Play
Anna Elizabeth Draeger
Kalmbach Publishing Company
21027 Crossroads Circle, Waukesha, WI 53186
9780871164766, $21.95, www.kalmbachbooks.com

CRYSTAL PLAY: FUN & FABULOUS DESIGNS FOR STITCHED JEWELRY comes from a jewelry designer who provides 25 new designs for bracelets, beaded beads, and different accessories, offering a key to her own unique design process. Materials lists, step-by-step illustrated directions, and ideas for color and design accompany color photos throughout in a fine collection of stitching and jewelry projects for any crafter.


The Writing/Publishing Shelf

Kicking in the Wall
Barbara Abercrombie
New World Library
14 Pamaron Way, Novato, CA 94949
9781608681563, $15.95, www.newworldlibrary.com

KICKING IN THE WALL: A YEAR OF WRITING EXERCISES, PROMPTS, AND QUOTES TO HELP YOU BREAK THROUGH YOUR BLOCKS AND REACH YOUR WRITING GOALS offers creative advice from a creative writing teacher and provides exercises to help writers overcome blocks. It's a daily workout for any who would kick start their creativity, offering exercises on everything from dreaming to childhood and changing. Each entry opens with a quote from a writer, then one to three exercises based on the quote. Dozens of exercises completed by the author's own students make for a fine compendium of inspiration perfect for any aspiring writer.

Editor-Proof Your Writing
Don McNair
Quill Driver Books
2006 South Mary, Fresno, CA 93721
9781610351782, $16.95, www.quilldriverbooks.com

Editor-Proof Your Writing: 21 Steps to the Clear Prose Publishers and Agents Crave provides a foolproof method for identifying common misused, overused words and errors that lead publishers and agents to reject manuscripts at the first page, and comes from a veteran editor who shows how to change dull or error-laden copy to sparkling, fresh text. Over 40 years as a professional editor and writing instructor lend expertise to these suggestions, which eliminates the common approach of making the same mistakes over and over again. Most of the corrections involve removing a few specific words. Any who would edit weak verb forms, redundancies, and more will find this a solid, professional approach to editing one's own work for maximum impact.

Scribblin' for a Livin'
Thomas J. Reigstad
Prometheus Books
59 John Glenn Drive, Amherst, NY 14228-2197
9781616145927, $19.00, www.prometheusbooks.com

Scribblin' for a Livin': Mark Twain's Pivotal Period in Buffalo provides an engaging portrait of Twain at a point in his life when he lived in Buffalo, worked as an editor, and became committed to full-time newspaper work. It considers his work environment and influences at the Buffalo Morning Express, offering anecdotes about his colleagues and fun work habits and providing original Twain stories and illustrations not previously reprinted. The result is a fine insight into how Twain the writer evolved, filled with rare photos and a pick for Twain students and scholars of American literature and writing as a whole.

The Science Writers' Handbook
The Writers of SciLance
Da Capo Press
c/o Perseus Books Group
11 Cambridge Center, Cambridge, MA 02142
www.perseusbooksgroup.com
9780738216560, $17.50, www.dacapopress.com

The Science Writers' Handbook: Everything You Need to Know to Pitch, Publish, and Prosper in the Digital Age is edited by Thomas Hayden and Michelle Nijhuis and analyzes the challenges facing science writers who pursue careers, and how to achieve success. From key skills needed for quality science writing to maintaining a work-life balance in a home office setting and supporting oneself on fluctuating freelance monies, this is packed with powerful strategies key to success, and is a pick for any writing and publishing collection as well as many a science holding.

Vivid and Continuous
John McNally
University of Iowa Press
119 West Park Road
Iowa City, IA 52242-1000
9781609381561, $19.95, www.uiowapress.org

VIVID & CONTINUOUS: ESSAYS AND EXERCISES FOR WRITING FICTION provides college-level readers with a helpful key to becoming a writer, offering a supplement to beginning courses in writing that focuses on lessons and exercises supporting a writer's efforts. Novels and short stories are used as examples to support lessons that help would-be writers think more deeply about their work. From building characters to using humor, this is packed with clear pathways to success.


James A. Cox, Editor-in-Chief
Diane C. Donovan, Editor
Midwest Book Review
278 Orchard Drive
Oregon, WI 53575-1129
phone: 1-608-835-7937
e-mail: mbr@execpc.com
e-mail: mwbookrevw@aol.com
http://www.midwestbookreview.com


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