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The Bookwatch

Volume 3, Number 12 December 2008 Home | BW Index

Table of Contents

Reviewer's Choice Christmas Shelf Islamic Studies Shelf
Christian Studies Shelf Psychology Shelf Gaming Shelf
Antiques/Collectibles ShelfDance Shelf Political Science Shelf
Health/Medicine Shelf Pets/Wildlife Shelf Nautical Shelf
Judaic Studies Shelf Photography Shelf Real Estate Shelf
Egyptology Shelf Hunting/Fishing Shelf Parenting Shelf
Crafts Shelf Native American Shelf Social Issues Shelf
Metaphysical Studies ShelfLiterary Shelf Theatre/Cinema/TV Shelf
Architecture Shelf Audiobook Shelf Education Shelf
Cookbook Shelf Art Shelf Music Shelf
Business Shelf Mystery/Suspense Shelf Fiction Shelf
Science Shelf Gardening Shelf Library DVD Shelf
Military Shelf World History Shelf Transportation Shelf
Computer Shelf Fantasy/SciFi Shelf Needlecraft Shelf


Reviewer's Choice

The Tao of Now
Josh Baran
Hampton Roads
1125 Stoney Ridge Road, Charlottesville, VA 22902
9781571745842, $16.95 www.hrpub.com

THE TAO OF NOW: DAILY WISDOM FROM MYSTICS, SAGES, POETS AND SAINTS collects teachings from ancient to modern times and provides daily topics for contemplation. More than just another collection of quotes, this uses a question/answer format as well as tips to consider the 'how' of happiness, from a Zen master's tips on how to achieve enlightenment today to giving up on preconceived notions. An excellent handbook for any who would 'live in the now'.

Hunger and Thirst: Food Literature
Edited by Nancy Cary
San Diego City Works
c/o Sunbelt Publications, Inc.
1250 Fayette Street, El Cajon, CA 92020
9780981602042, $12.95 www.sunbeltbooks.com

HUNGER AND THIRST is a fine anthology of food writings, covering themes of metaphorical and actual hungers, including poems and songs, and providing first-person reflections on everything from vegetarianism to favorite or first cook books. A fine gathering of comforting, evocative essays evolves centered around an appreciation of food: perfect for any culinary collection seeking to add a literary dose.

Disassembling the Archive: Fiona Tan
Philip Monk
AgYu
c/o D.A.P., Distributors
1094 Flex Drive, Jackson TN 38301-7715
9780921972457, $25.00 www.dap.com

This semi-fictional correspondence with the artist Fiona Tan departs from other considerations of her works to consider the range of influences of her works and the archives of photos and moving images as a whole. From how images tell stories and capture history to a series of 'journal' entries considering Tan's exhibition art, it's a scholarly and literary piece as well as a catalog of Fiona Tan's works.

Urban Walls: A Generation of Collage in Europe & America
Nurnham Dogancay, et.al.
Hudson Hills Press
3556 Main Street, Manchester, VT 05254
9781555952884, $60.00 www.hudsonhills.com

College-level collections strong in urban art and contemporary collage must add URBAN WALLS to their collections: it provides a fine history of collage and decollage, considering their movements, key creators, and the author's own discoveries of New York inspirational arts. Nurnham Dogancay's techniques blend layers of posters, graffiti, and other materials gathered from cities around the world offering vivid keys to the changes experienced in America and post-War European culture. A fascinating survey of the evolution of the collage movement is captured in vivid, full-page color photos blended with art movement history.


The Christmas Shelf

2008 Christmas with Southern Living
Southern Living
Oxmoor House
Box 2262, Birmingham, AL 35201-2262
0848732286, $29.95 www.oxmoorhouse.com

The Christmas experts at Southern Living magazine offer a 2008 version of how to cook and entertain Southern-style, with lessons for all readers. From over a hundred forty brand new recipes for desserts and dishes perfect for company entertaining to decorating tips for the holidays, traditional or modern whimsical, elegant to basic - 2008 CHRISTMAS WITH SOUTHERN LIVING is a holiday choice perfect for seasonal entertainment - and for any collection offering seasonal tips.


The Islamic Studies Shelf

The Madrassah Challenge
C. Christine Fair
United States Institute of Peace Press
PO Box 605, Herndon, VA 20172
9781601270283, $14.95, www.usip.org, 1-800-868-8064

A 'madrassah' is an Islamic religious school dedicated to teaching literacy and the Koran to the youth and adults of an Islamic community. Under the influence and control of militant Islamic fundamentalists, the community madrassah has been corrupted to incorporate the inculcation of violence against non-Islamic targets, as well as those elements of the Islamic community whom militant fundamentalism have declared to be heretical and illegitimate. Formerly a member of the Center for conflict Analysis and Prevention of the United States Institute of Peace, and currently a senior political scientist with the RAND Corporation, C. Christine Fair has compiled an analytical survey, "The Madrassah Challenge: Militancy And Religious Education In Pakistan" as the newest addition to the United States Institute of Peace Press' 'Perspectives Series" and has as her principle focus the use of these Islamic schools as incubators of Pakistan-based militants, the Pakistani government's efforts to deal with them, and the American foreign policy implications with respect to the arising concern about the use of the madrassah as a recruiting ground for Islamic terrorism. Insightful, thoughtful, informed and informative, "The Madrassah Challenge" is an important contribution to the national and international dialogue with respect to militant Islamic terrorism today.


The Christian Studies Shelf

God Seekers
Richard H. Schmidt
Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Company
2140 Oak Industrial Drive, NE, Grand Rapids, MI 49505
9780802828408, $20.82, www.eerdmans.com

Christianity has a long and rich history of theological contributions towards our understanding of the nature of God, the role of Jesus and the Saints, the nature of Spirituality, the role of the Church and of the community of faith, our obligations to Divinity and to each other, and so much more. In "God Seekers: Twenty Centuries Of Christian Spiritualities", Richard H. Schmidt (Editor and Director of Forward Movement Publications) has compiled commentaries from thirty-three spiritual masters recognized as of key and enduring influence throughout the evolution of Christian history. The selected Christian commentators range from Irenaeus, Origen of Alexandria, and Augustine of Hippo, to Soren Kierkegaard, Thomas Merton, and Madeleine L'Engle. Enhanced with both a bibliography and an index, "God Seekers" is deeply rewarding, thoughtful and thought-provoking reading, making it a compellingly important contribution to the growing body of Christian literature of the non-specialist general reader, and an excellent acquisition selection for personal, ecclesiastical, community, and academic library Christian History & Theology reference collections and supplemental reading lists.

Benedict of Aniane: The Emperor's Monk
Ardo's Life, translated by Allen Cabaniss
Cistercian Publications
c/o Liturgical Press
Saint John's Abbey
P.O. Box 7500, Collegeville, MN 56321-7500
www.cistercianpublications.org
9780879073206, $13.95, www.litpress.org

In the 9th century, a Visigothic aristocrat named Witiza was called upon by the church to revive monasticism and impose uniformity throughout the Carolingian Empire. He changed his name to Benedict, and although preferring a severe austerity for himself, wrote down what was to become known as the 'Rule of Saint Benedict', a series of rules for monks that was intended to be a moral guide capable of being complied with by beginners and the sick. This 'rule' became accepted as the standard for the Benedictine order and all Benedictine monasteries for the better part of three centuries. In "Benedict of Aniane: The Emperor's Monk", Allen Cabaniss (before his passing, a Professor of History at the University of Mississippi) has deftly translated Ardo's biographical account of this venerable and influential figure in European Christian history and made this remarkably and singular life accessible to a whole new generation of readers. "Benedict of Aniane" is a significant and recommended addition to personal, ecclesiastical, and academic library Christian History reference collections and reading lists.


The Psychology Shelf

Art Therapy and Anger
Marian Liebmann, Editor
Jessica Kingsley
Box 960, Herndon, VA 20172-0960
9781843104254, $34.95 www.jkp.com

Professionals in a range of therapies are often called upon to work with angry clients, and ART THERAPY AND ANGER shows how such a therapy provides a better outlet for expression of complex thoughts and feelings. This isn't just for kids - the usual focus of art therapy guides - it provides adults as well a range of options and details on how to diffuse emotions through art. Contributions from art therapists who work with children, offenders, and clinics alike make for an invaluable set of insights and art therapy applications.

The Consulting Room And Beyond
Therese Ragen
Routledge
270 Madison Avenue, New York, NY 10016
9780881634723, $29.95, www.routledge.com, 1-800-634-7064

Psychoanalysis has come a long, long way since the founding of this medical system for understanding and treating mental and emotional dysfunctions both organic and social. But rarely has it had such an accessible commentator as Therese Ragen who deftly draws upon her many years of experience and expertise in a series of articulate, engaging, informed and informative essays on the general subject of psychoanalysis and its impact upon both patient and practitioner in "The Consulting Room And Beyond: Psychoanalytic Work And Its Reverberations In The Analyst's Life". The ninth volume in the outstanding Routledge 'Psychoanalysis in a New Key' series, the essays comprising this 150-page compendium combine elements of a professional memoir with case studies and illustrative examples. The result is a highly recommended and unique contribution to the growing library of psychoanalytic literature in general, and a compelling, recommended addition to academic and professional collections, as well as student and non-specialist reading lists, in particular.


The Gaming Shelf

Gary Brown's Learn to Play Bridge
Gary Brown
Master Point Press
331 Douglas Avenue Toronto, Ontario M5M 1H2 , Canada
9781897106396, $17.95, pgs.119, www.amazon.com

Know how to play Bridge or always wanted to learn? The you can easily learn some of the finer points of game from a true bridge master with "Gary Brown's Learn to Play Bridge: A Modern Approach To Standard Bidding With 5-Card Majors". This thoroughly 'user friendly' instruction manual provides the reader with the basic and techniques to playing bridge. "Gary Brown's Learn to Play Bridge" takes a no assumption approach to provide readers with the most effective information, explanations and visuals. Exercises and tips are also included. Readers can then continue expanding their knowledge by logging on to www.masterbridge.com. Designed to 'teach teachers' the tools to promote bridge to new players, as well as giving newcomers to the game the tools to get enthusiastic about Bridge, "Gary Brown's Learn to Play Bridge" is easy to follow and offers a wealth of practical and applicable information. Highly recommended for personal and community library reference collections, this winner of the American Bridge Teachers' Association 2007 Book of the Year award is sure to please anyone dedicated to learning and/or improving their play.


The Antiques/Collectibles Shelf

Imperishable Beauty: Art Nouveau Jewelry
Yvonne J. Markowitz & Elyse Zorn Karlin
MFA Publications
465 Huntington Avenue, Boston, MA 02115
9780878467341, $45.00 www.mfa-publications.org

Any library strong in art history in general or jewelry history in particular will find IMPERISHABLE BEAUTY: ART NOUVEAU JEWELRY an excellent pick, covering the European Art Nouveau movement of the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Jewelry designers reflected typical European arts history and produced a free-flowing form of design that made their work unique - and IMPERISHABLE BEAUTY offers full-page color photos capturing the best of these pieces.

Mauzy's Rare, Unusual and Unique Depression Glass
Barbara & Jim Mauzy
Schiffer Publishing
4880 Lower Valley Road, Atglen, PA 19310
9780764330315, $24.99, www.schifferbooks.com

Plenty of books on Depression-era glassware are on the market so it's refreshing to view a different focus in Mauzy's Rare, Unusual and Unique Depression Glass, a book directed to avid collectors who have come across rare pieces needing identification. Also exceptional are good-sized color photos displaying the pieces, along with notes on makers and history. There are no valuation notes here, but the survey of over 200 noteworthy pieces of vintage glassware - many thought to be the only one in existence - makes for an outstanding specialty item.


The Dance Shelf

Aerial Dance
Jayne C. Bernasconi and Nancy E. Smith
Human Kinetics
Box 5976, Champaign, IL 61825-5076
0736073965, $39.95 www.humankinetics.com

The aerial dance performances of twelve leading companies on DVD accompany something truly unique: the first book to profile this new dance genre. From its historical roots to how to become an aerial dancer and how to judge aerial performances differently, AERIAL DANCE offers insights and direction from experts who developed and work in this genre. Any library strong in modern dance in general needs this.


The Political Science Shelf

Reflections of a Political Economist
William A. Niskanen
Cato Institute
1000 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington DC 20001
9781933995205, $24.95 www.cato.org

Fifteen years of William N. Niskanen's articles on policy analysis are gathered under one cover in REFLECTIONS OF A POLITICAL ECONOMIST: SELECTED ARTICLES ON GOVERNMENT POLICIES AND POLITICAL PROCESSES. These articles range from discussions of taxation and retirement funding to terrorism and corporate governance, with a separate section covering public choices and economics and concluding with a section of the author's book reviews analyzing the works of other economists. College-level libraries strong in economics and politics will find this a wide-ranging collection perfect for debates.


The Health/Medicine Shelf

Answering Consumer Health Questions
Michele Spatz
Neal-Schuman Publishers
100 William Street, Suite 2004, New York, NY 10038
9781555706326, $65.00, www.neal-schuman.com

Answering questions is always a helpful action, but sometimes the people who ask are not the most cooperative."Answering Consumer Health Questions: The Medical Library Association Guide for Reference Librarians" is a manual for those in charge of answering questions from patients, who from their ailment or health problem, may appear as rude or problematic. Telling how to deal with these patients ethically while dealing with their ailment and giving them the information they need, it covers everything from legal liability to the special needs of gay couples. "Answering Consumer Health Questions" is a must for any medical library collection looking for a solid reference and text for dealing with inquisitive patients.


The Pets/Wildlife Shelf

Best of Talkin' Horses
Ron Mitchell, editor
Eclipse Press
3101 Beaumont Centre Circle, Lexington, KY 40591-9003
9781581501926, $16.95, www.eclipsepress.com

Horse racing is a sport old and diverse, and "Best of Talkin' Horses: Chats with Some of the Thoroughbred Racing Most Prominent Personalities" is a collection of interviews from the people who make the sport happens. They talk on many issues and subjects, ranging from favorite jockeys, favorite horses, young horse racing, drugs, and so much more. A collection of Q&As consisting of many intriguing questions, "Best of Talkin' Horses" is a must for any horse racing fan.


The Nautical Shelf

Sheridan House
145 Palisade Street, Dobbs Ferry, NY 10522
www.sheridanhouse.com

Any library strong in nautical 'how-to' information or offshore sailing needs Ed Mapes's FURTHER OFFSHORE (9781574092530, $39.95), directed to sailors who already have the basics down and who want to go further than day sailors usually achieve, to bluewater heights. The author is a USCG certified Master Mariner, sailing instructor and delivery skipper and has years of sailing behind him. Highly recommended as a definitive guide to everything from boat insurance and weather to watchkeeping and safety. John Kretschmer's THE BEST USED BOAT NOTEBOOK (9781574092349, $29.95) is a 'must' for any would-be boat buyer, particular as the used boat market is growing. The author's column of the same name has long been a popular feature of Sailing Magazine, and this book presents some of the best reviews of a variety of boats, common problems, and tips on repair, parts, and pricing. An added feature of ten recommended new boats for world sailing completes the value of this collection.


The Judaic Studies Shelf

Torah and Commentary: The Five Books of Moses
Sol Scharfstein
KTAV Publishing House
930 Newark Avenue, Jersey City, NJ 07306
9781602800205, $35.00 www.ktav.com

Any Judaic studies collection strong in Biblical research and commentary needs Torah and Commentary: The Five Books of Moses. It offers a new, readable translation of the Torah, Judaism's most important text, and adds interpretations of over 2,000 biblical passages by classical and contemporary rabbinic commentators alike. Add color illustration, historical and cultural background, spiritual insights and biographical sketches and you have a powerful presentation recommended as a 'foundation title' to scholarly Judaic studies libraries.


The Photography Shelf

Free Flow: The Gila River of New Mexico
Jan Haley
University of Mexico Press
1 University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM 87131-001
9780826344465, $27.95, pgs. 105, www.unmpress.com

New Mexico natural landscape is one of the wonders of American geology. That's why diverse environmental groups working cooperatively with New Mexico legislatures have been able to see enacted legislation to protect and preserve such splendid features as the Gila River. In "Free Flow: The Gila River In New Mexico" armchair explorers can learn of the beauty of the Gila River of New Mexico through beautifully captured full color images taken by photographer Jan Haley. Over two hundred miles this natural wonder is displayed in fine splendor of winter and summer storms , five life zones, three major forks and desert and high mountain flows. Life of the river as displayed through photographs is accompanied by inspirational poems of Carol Sinot, creating a perfect balance. Simplistic and serene this beautiful instrument of nature faces a grim reality. As explained in the introduction written by M.H. Salmon this last will river may no longer be wild under the Arizona Water Settlement Act signed by President Bush in 2004. This documentation of the Gila River seeks to be a call to action to readers to preserve this wild beauty. A seminal work, "Free Flow: The Gila River of New Mexico" is especially recommended for academic, community, library Photography and Environmental Studies reference collections and the supplemental reading lists of all nature lovers and environmental activists.


The Real Estate Shelf

How To Sell Your Home In Any Market
Loren K. Keim, author
Sphinx Publishing
c/o Sourcebboks, Inc.
P.O. Box 4410, Naperville, Illinois 60567-4410
(630)961-3900, www.sourcebooks.com
9781572486980, $16.95, pgs. 262, glossary and appendix

Having a tough time selling a home in this volatile market? What can you do to improve you chances of selling your home and getting an offer that you are hoping for? From experienced real estate broker Loren Keim, comes a compendium of expert advice in "How to Sell Your Home In Any Market". Keim discusses six universal challenges and common mistakes that include Poor Staging, Incorrect Pricing, Improper Marketing, Location-Challenged Properties, Functional Obsolescence and 'No One is Buying in Your Area', explaining each one and then providing a detailed explanation of how to correct or counter the problem. "How To Sell Your Home In Any Market" is an easy to read book provides quick tips, checklists, and photos, to provide a clear step approach to achieving a goal of selling your home, even in though markets. Included are a list of resources and websites to help the home seller be more proactive in selling their home, for example a website which allows home sellers to create an online brochure featuring photos and information about their home which increases your marketing exposure. Thoroughly 'user friendly' and ideal for the non-specialist general reader, "How To Sell Your Home In Any Market" is a strongly recommended instructional guide for anyone selling their home and a critically important addition to community library reference collections.


The Egyptology Shelf

The Egypt Code: A Grand Plan
Robert Bauval
The Disinformation Company, Ltd.
163 Third Avenue, Suite 108, New York, New York 1003
1-212-691-1605, www.warwichassociates.net/EgyptCode
9781934708002, $27.95, pgs. 352 + 51 color photos

The mysteries of the tombs, pyramids, and beliefs of the Egyptians continues to spark iconoclastic theories. "The Egypt Code: A Grand Plan" is a provocatively informative book wherein author Robert Bauval presents his "grand unified theory" which shows how from earliest times beginner around 3000 BC to the closure of the Egyptian civilization with the death of Cleopatra and the dominant control of Rome in 30 BC, the pharaohs correlated what they saw in the sky to what they built on the ground. Fascinating perspectives and thoughts lending to this theory that not only did Egyptians mirror on the ground what they saw in the sky, but that the changes in the sky landscape, matches the changes on the ground, for example the size and placement of a pyramid. "The Egypt Code: A Grand Plan" presents an articulate and thought provoking set of ideas and explanations, which will bring about great discussions for some time to come. Recommended for public and Egyptology and Metaphysical Studies collections, "The Egypt Code: A Grand Plan" is a fascinating read that is as thoughtful as it is thought provoking.


The Hunting/Fishing Shelf

Secrets for Catching Seatrout
Mike Holliday
Frank Amato Publications
PO Box 82112, Portland, OR 97282
9781571884350, $19.95, www.amatobooks.com

Fishing is an art of the patient, and the reward is much more fulfilling than just getting dinner. "Secrets for Catching Seatrout: Increase Your Trophy Catch" is a collection of tips and tricks for fishermen to get more and bigger catches when they row out onto the lakes in the early morning. Written by accomplished writer-fisherman Mike Holliday, he bestows his knowledge well, giving "Secrets to Catching Seatrout" a solid recommendation.


The Parenting Shelf

Between Fathers & Daughters
Linda Nielsen, EdD
Cumberland House
431 Harding Industrial Drive, Nashville, TN 37211
9781581826616, $16.95 www.cumberlandhouse.com

BETWEEN FATHERS AND DAUGHTERS: ENRICHING AND REBUILDING YOUR ADULT RELATIONSHIP provides an entertaining book for fathers and daughters who want more from their relationship. It's based on two decades of work with hundreds of fathers and daughters and blends case history stories of real people with tips for improvement, exercises for communications, strategies for self-assessment, activities, and more. An outstanding survey useful for building or improving upon father/daughter connections.

12 Stupid Things That Mess Up Recovery
Allen Berger, Ph.D.
Hazeldon
Center City, MN 55012
9781592854868, $14.95 www.hazelden.org

To grow in recovery, emotional growth is key - which means facing up to defeatist attitudes and understanding how sobriety is placed at risk. Common beliefs can easily sabotage recovery: Allen Berger provides tools with insights on how change happens and how a daily program can help tailor and direct change to avoid messing up the recovery process. Any library catering to addicts needs this.

The Second Nine Months: A Memoir
Vicki Glembocki
Da Capo Press
c/o Perseus Books Group
11 Cambridge Center, Cambridge, MA 02142
9780738211015, $24.00 www.dacapopress.com

When daughter Blair was born the author assumes maternal bliss would carry her through the next challenging nine months of caring for the new baby - but she came to doubt herself as she experienced the many challenges of motherhood. Any expecting mother or new mother will welcome her memoir THE SECOND NINE MONTHS, which covers all the challenges of being a new parent and uses her experience to identify factors professionals never told her in advance. A fine general-interest lending library acquisition.

Prometheus Books
59 John Glenn Drive, Amherst, NY 14228-2119
www.prometheusbooks.com

Parents will appreciate Christopher M. Johnson, MD's handbook How to Talk to Your Child's Doctor (9781591026198, $18.95), on how to speak with a child's physician, which address a range of concerns from common tests and diagnostic procedures to understanding blood tests, antibiotics, and other common experiences of children. Blend physiology with insights into health issues and common physician/parent breakdowns in communication and you have a winner. FUTURE BIOETHICS: OVERCOMING TABOOS, MYTHS AND DOGMAS by Ronald A. Lindsay (9781591026242, $28.95) surveys debates surrounding controversies in bioethics, analyzing claims made by policy makers and ethicists on topics ranging from genetic engineering to stem cell research. From links to revolutionary therapies developed as a result of bioethics to legalizing physician assistance for the dying, FUTURE BIOETHICS is a fine tool for college-level courses in bioethics.

The 7 Habits of Happy Kids
Sean Covey
Simon & Schuster
1230 Avenue of Americas, New York NY 10020
1416957766, $19.99 www.simonsayskids.com

In 7 Oaks all kids are friends and learning something new together. Here seven illustrated stories demonstrate how to keep the 7 Habits in mind through life's byways and possibilities, pairing amusing stories with values and principles based in the adult 7 HABITS OF HIGHLY EFFECTIVE PEOPLE. Parents wishing to start their kids off early in the program will find this a most accessible, important approach that deserves space in any parent's library.


The Crafts Shelf

The Art of Turned Bowls
Richard Raffan
Taunton Press
Box 5506, Newtown, CT 06470-5506
9781561589548, $24.95 www.taunton.com

World-class turner Richard Raffan provides a fine guide to turning bowls in his ART OF TURNED BOWLS, a tutorial teaching bowl design and longevity of product. The focus is on creating lovely shapes and wood which continues to delight as it changes and ages: first published as TURNED-BOWL DESIGN in 1987, this new edition has been completely updated with new information and color photos. Any woodcrafting library needs this.


The Native American Shelf

Coyote Speaks
Ari Beck and Carolyn Dunn
Abrams
115 West 18th Street, New York NY 10011
9780810993723, $24.95 www.abramsyoungreaders.com

While COYOTE SPEAKS: WONDERS OF THE NATIVE AMERICAN WORLD is billed as a young person's guide and intended to be marketed to middle to high school students, it's reviewed here in our adult issue so as not to be missed by any age range. The stories and artwork of Native tribes are presented in an examination of the story-paths and lifeways of the Natives. Nearly fifty tribes are represented from across America, with chapters covering artifacts, creation myths, daily life and culture, and more. An essential and bright introductory guide to Native lives, this deserves a place on any shelf of Native American history and culture.


The Social Issues Shelf

Immigration
Ilan Stavans, Editor
Greenwood Press
88 Post Road West, Westport, CT 06881
9780313348020, $55.00 www.greenwood.com

IMMIGRATION focuses on Latino immigration, culture and issues and provides a powerful examination of many different considerations and immigrant experiences across the country. From political and social misrepresentations of immigrants to experiences of immigrants, this focus on the Latino cultural experience in America is a 'must' for any high school to college-level library strong in Latino issues.

Cracking the Code
Thom Hartmann
Berret-Koehler Publishers
235 Montgomery #650, San Francisco, CA 94104-2916
9781576756270, $14.95 www.bkcurrents.com

What is political communication, how has the Right mastered it, and how can other groups fight back? Thom Hartmann's background as a psychotherapist and ad executive lends to a series of techniques gained from real life and applied successfully to real-world scenarios. Plenty of case history examples document visual communication differences, discovering more powerful words and methods of imparting them, and more. Highly recommended for any library, whether business, political or general-interest.

Phony! How I Faked My Way Through Life
Andrea Stanfield
Prometheus Books
59 John Glenn Drive, Amherst, NY 14228-2197
9781591026556, $16.95 www.prometheusbooks.com

In 1998 the author told a lie that began her professional life: in an interview with an accounting department she claimed she held a bachelors degree in business from a large university. Using impressive interviewing skills she perpetuated this phony background, using her first entry as a stepping stone to larger gains. "Phony! How I Faked My Way Through Life" documents the history of a born liar with a high school diploma who thus wound up as the manager of the two largest financial districts in the firm. Fraud in professional credentials is an enduring social problem and not a year passes without some misrepresentation coming to light -- often making the headlines. "Phony! How I Faked My Way Through Life" is a striking and informative read and recommended for both business and general-interest collections.


The Metaphysical Studies Shelf

Trance-Portation: Learning to Navigate the Inner World
Diana L. Paxson
Weiser Books
500 - 3rd Street, Suite 230, San Francisco CA 94107
9781578634057, $19.95 www.redwheelweiser.com

Across all manner of spiritual tradition, the ability to move from an ordinary into an altered state of consciousness is one of the most valuable skills in magic and religion. Here fantasy writer Diana Paxson offers up a guideline to trance and out of body experiences, covering experimentation, memory, pathways to higher levels, and more. A fine addition to any New Age library.


The Literary Shelf

Eden's Outcasts
John Matteson
W.W. Norton
500 - 5th Avenue, New York NY 10110
9780393333596, $17.95 www.wwnorton.com

During Louisa May Alcott's youth her father was a contemporary of Emerson and Thoreau, and desired perfection for his family and life. Louisa challenged him with her moodiness and her longing for fame and wealth. Their stormy yet loving relationship is probed in EDEN'S OUTCASTS, a pick for both general-interest libraries strong in biography and for literary collections seeking a complete set of perspectives on writer Louisa May Alcott's influences and life. A lively tone accents facts and insights.

Literature of the Caribbean
Lizabeth Paravisini-Gebert
Greenwood Press
88 Post Road West, Westport CT 06881
9780313328459, $49.95 www.greenwoodpress.com

Any high school to college-level library strong in Caribbean or world literature will find LITERATURE OF THE CARIBBEAN a powerful survey. From analysis of Jamaica Kincaid to Michelle Cliff, extensive biographical and literary history for selected Caribbean authors tie into the underlying writings of Caribbean authors as a whole, making this an invaluable survey for any student of the region.


The Theatre/Cinema/TV Shelf

Continuum
80 Maiden Lane, New York NY 10038
www.continuumbooks.com

Libraries strong in international film and culture need Houstin Wood's NATIVE FEATURES: INDIGENOUS FILMS FROM AROUND THE WORLD (9780826428455, $24.95), the first book to examine films made by indigenous people. It analyzes over fifty such films now in circulation, considering cultural stereotypes, and impact of both well-known and seldom-seen films, and considering the careers of major actors and directors. Both a regional and world-wide approach allows for an outstanding series of perspectives. Keith Cunningham's THE SOUL OF SCREENWRITING: ON WRITING, DRAMATIC TRUTH, AND KNOWING YOURSELF (9780826428691, $29.95) offers an unusual survey inspired by the mythic approach of Joseph Campbell and tinged by the psychology background of Jean Jouston, providing a survey of the act of screenwriting and how the writer's brain and experience juxtaposes to influence technique, character development, scene dynamics and results. It's a scholarly analysis recommended for any film or drama collection.


The Architecture Shelf

How to Build a House
Larry Haun
Taunton Press
Box 5506, Newtown, CT 06470-5506
9781561589678, $24.95 www.taunton.com

This step-by-step guide to building a house comes from Habitat for Humanity International and provides a fine text for any would-be builder who wants to build a simple, energy-efficient home without spending a lot. Habitat is a nonprofit group that builds affordable homes - since 1976 - and so their pages come from a huge pool of experience. Highly recommended for any home builder's library or collection catering to them, it comes loaded with color photos and building tips, graphs, sidebars of detail and more.

Fabric Architecture
Samuel J. Armijos
W.W. Norton
500 - 5th Avenue, New York NY 10010
9780393732368, $75.00 www.wwnorton.com

College-level libraries strong in architecture will find FABRIC ARCHITECTURE: CREATIVE RESOURCES FOR SHADE, SIGNAGE, AND SHELTER is a key title to understanding how fabric structures address a range of architectural needs. Full-color photos catalog original fabric architecture creations accompanying discussions of special challenges, key design elements, implementation of fabric structures, materials, and more. Structure examples from around the world offer stunning color photos perfect for any architecture library.


The Audiobook Shelf

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

Elin Hilderbrand's A SUMMER AFFAIR (1600242324, $39.95) receives an excellent narration from Isabel Keating, acclaimed for her Broadway theatre work, which brings to life this story of one Claire, who has assumed all burdens and granted all requests so wound up with a hard-working devoted husband, four kids, and a successful career. Her life changes when a billionaire enters her world and offers seduction - away from her carefully ordered, successful life. Martina Cole's CLOSE (1600242685, $29.98) offers a fine novel narrated by Nicola Duffett, whose voice spices the emotional impact of a story of Patrick, on his way up in his world until the criminal underworld he's attacking is thwarted by his growing love for one Lily. When Lily is left on her own, how can she survive? A poignant novel will appeal to any female audio listener. The Rich Dad's Advisor series hold many words of wisdom for newcomers to finance, and ken McElroy's THE ABCS OF PROPERTY MANAGEMENT (1600242898, $24.98) is no exception. It tells how to decide when to manage property vs. hiring experts, how to maximize cash flow, and what to expect as an owner-manager. The audio helps reinforce lessons. Kathleen Kent's THE HERETIC'S DAUGHTER (1600244505, $34.99) receives Mare Winningham's fine movie and stage experience as it tells of Sarah, weak with illness in 1752 who writes a letter to her granddaughter telling her deepest family secret: events of Salem, Massachusetts. An outstanding, different novel of the Salem witch trials provides a gripping story. Brad Meltzer's DEAD EVEN (1600244777, $24.98) receives experienced audio narrator Scott Brick's smooth and gripping voice as it tells of Sara, an attorney who has a fine case on her hands until her husband - also an attorney - is appointed on the opposite side. Underlying secrets further affect and influence a case gone awry both in court and at home in this gripping thriller, which springs to life in audio format. THE LUCKY ONES by Nicholas Sparks (1600243711, $39.98) benefits from screen and stage actor John Bedford Lloyd's smooth rendition as it tells of a Marine who finds a smiling young woman's photo during his third tour of duty - and experiences a sudden steak of luck. The photo becomes his lucky charm - and he soon finds it grows compelling beyond a one-time lucky streak.

Heat Lightning
John Sandford
Penguin Audio
375 Hudson Street, New York NY 10014
9780143143628, $39.95 www.penguin.com

Eric Conger has won the Golden Earphones award and provides a gripping narration to accompany the equally compelling HEAT LIGHTNING, a Virgil Flowers thriller in which he faces a humid Minnesota summer, a body found near a veterans' memorial, and a rash of murders where victims have lemons in their mouths. His investigation reveals a possible hit list - and a long one, at that. Audio libraries specializing in mystery will find it a winner. The abridged version (9780143143635, $29.95) is also a winner, bringing a condensed version of the highlights to listeners who want just the top moments.

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

Daniel Silva's MOSCOW RULES (1423327977, $36.95) receives veteran narrator Phil Gigante's smooth and dramatic audio performance as it provides a new Gabriel Allon novel, this having Allon in Russia where he finds he has new rules to play by in his spy work - Moscow's rules. A dramatic novel of espionage excels in audio format. J.D. Robb's STRANGERS IN DEATH (1423337484, $36.95) enjoys veteran Susan Ericksen's smooth and vibrant audio style as it tells of one Eve Dallas, who explores connections between friends and strangers alike in 2060 New York, where a prominent businessman is found dead in his apartment. Her investigation of murder reveals underlying crimes and shady actions in this hard-hitting drama. Terry Brooks' GENESIS OF SHANNARA: THE GYPSY MORPH (1423322746, $33.99) enjoys veteran Phil Gigante's warm and experienced voice as it tells of a future world where the U.S. is a blighted land ruined by plagues and pollution, where survivors live in fortified compounds, and where magic has re-awakened a counter-world of good. William Kent Krueger's RED KNIFE (1423341759, $34.95) receives veteran audio narrator Buck Schirner's smooth voice as it tells of a racial gang war turning a small Minnesota town into a battlefield. A father's revenge on a local gang turns into war and it's up to Cork, a man of mixed heritage, to uncover the truth behind the murders and top escalating violence in this tense thriller. Philip Roth's INDIGNATION (1423369726, $26.95) receives Dick Hill's smooth and professional voice as it tells of 1951 America, where student Marcus is beginning his sophomore year at a Ohio college - away from home, as his hard-working father seems t have gone mad with concern over his growing boy. A powerful coming-of-age story emerges. Iris Johansen's QUICKSAND (1423329066, $34.95) provides a powerful pairing in a reading by Jennifer Van Dyck with a fine and vivid voice lending drama to an Eve Duncan forensics investigation centering around an anonymous phone call, a long-vanished daughter, and a detective who will do anything to bring Eve some kind of peace. Audio libraries will find these popular lends.


The Education Shelf

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

Nancy Love's USING DATA TO IMPROVE LEARNING FOR ALL: A COLLABORATIVE INQUIRY APPROACH (9781412960854, $31.95) provides a set of methods blending a collaborative inquiry process and use of data to improve student outcomes. From implementing a collaborative inquiry program to using results to change or establish collective responsibility, it's a fine guide all school administrators need. Jim Knight edits COACHING APPROACHES & PERSPECTIVES (9781412969253, $33.95), a survey designed to help professionals use coaching to support learning methods. There are many different kinds of coaching and administrators are put to the task to choose the form that best suits teacher and student patterns: this resource offers insights from many professionals in the field on different kinds of coaching and results. Linda Good's TEACHING AND LEARNING WITH DIGITAL PHOTOGRAPHY: TIPS AND TOOLS FOR EARLY CHILDHOOD CLASSROOMS (9781412960762, $32.95) shows teachers how to use digital photography to instruct young children. From using technology to enhance children's cognitive abilities to fostering belonging in young learners to encourage them to interact with their world, TEACHING AND LEARNING WITH DIGITAL PHOTOGRAPHY is a powerful hands-on tool covering software and hardware options and all kinds of education applications. Education libraries will find these excellent for administrator reference.


The Cookbook Shelf

500 Pizzas & Flatbreads
Rebecca Baugniet
Sellers Publishing
81 West Commercial Street, Portland, ME 04101
9781416205227, $15.95, www.makefun.com, 1-800-625-3386

Pizza is one of the most popular and diverse dishes of American popular cuisine. Flatbreads have become increasingly popular additions to the American diet as well. Compiled by food consultant and cookbook author Rebecca Baugniet, "500 Pizzas & Flatbreads" is a compact compendium of 'kitchen cook friendly' step-by-step illustrated recipes that range the entire gamut of pizza and flatbread dishes from thin crust to deep dish, from whole wheat to gluten free, crispy doass, aromatic naans, pocket pitas, and so much more. The diversity and variety of these pizza and flatbread recipes is truly remarkable. Virtually ever completed dish showcased in this compact cookbook will please any palate and satisfy even the most gourmet of appetites. Variety is not only the spice of life, but when it comes to pizzas and flatbreads, variety is also the key to enjoying one every day of the year without tiring.

The Food Nanny Rescues Dinner
Liz Edmunds
Palmer/Pletsch Publishing
1801 NW Upshur Street, Suite 100, Portland, OR 97209
KSB Promotions (publicity)
55 Honey Creek, NE, Ada, MI 49301
9780935278774, $24.95, www.palmerpletsch.com

Liz Edmunds draws upon her many years of experience in making dinner meals for her husband and seven children, as well as her expertise that enabled her to teach cooking classes at Sur La Table in Salt Lake City to create "The Food Nanny Rescues Dinner: Easy Family Meals For Every Day Of The Week". This thoroughly 'user friendly' compendium of information and recipes will enable even the most novice kitchen cook to present delicious, nutritious, budget-appropriate, family-friendly dinners every night of the week. "The Food Nanny Rescues Dinner" will make meal planning both easy and straightforward, as well as grocery shopping more organized and effective. Profusely illustrated, of special note are the Monday through Friday dinner themes, along with specific recipe sections for salads, side dishes, breads, desserts, and even 'after school snacks'. If you only have room on the family cookbook shelf for one more title, make it Liz Edmunds' "The Food Nanny Rescues Dinner"!

Dinner at My Place
Tyler Florence
Meredith Books
1716 Locust Street, Des Moines, IA 50309-3023
9780696241581, $19.95 www.meredithbooks.com

From comfort food to unique family-friendly creations even the kids will love, DINNER AT MY PLACE provides a range of dishes invented by chef Tyler Florence and provides meals that fit into both busy lifestyles and picky eater plans. From Spicy Black-Eyed Pea Relish to Mexican Pot Roast Tacos, DINNER AT MY PLACE blends Italian with innovation and is a winner, packed with juicy color photos, for any cookbook library in need of something original and different.

Enlightened Cakes
Camilla V. Saulsbury
Cumberland House Publishing
431 Harding Industrial Drive, Nashville, TN 37211
9781581826265, $22.95 www.cumberlandhouse.com

'Enlightened' cakes cut the fat and up the flavor in this cookbook, which offers many choices for cakes that are easy to make, geared to home bakers, and have been field-tested to assure perfect results every time. Over a hundred bundt, layer, cheesecakes and more hold less fat and fewer calories than traditional cakes, and many offer flavor surprises, such as a Chocolate-Lavender Layer Cake and Lemonade Cupcakes. Any collection catering to dessert bakers will find this a fine addition.


The Art Shelf

Best of Draw! Volume 3
Mike Manley
TwoMorrows Publishing
10407 Bedfordtown Drive, Raleigh, NC 27614
9781893905917, $29.95 www.twomorrows.com

Where else can you find step-by-step lessons and interviews by top professionals working in comics and animation? This third volume of Draw provides a fine blend of black and white comic strip examples, sidebars of information, and interviews outlining industry challenges, how to break in, and more. Any aspiring comics or graphic novel artist needs this, as do collections catering to them.

Burning Tradition
Ken Matsuzaki
Pucker Art Publications
c/o Syracuse University Press
1600 Jamesville Avenue, Syracuse, NY 13210
www.SyracuseUniversityPress.syr.edu
1879985209, $50.00, 1-800-365-8929

Born in Tokyo, Japan, in 1950, Ken Matsuzaki graduated from the Fine Arts Ceramic Department of Tamagawa University in 1972 to become an apprentice to the late Tatsuzo Shimaoka who was acclaimed as a National Living Treasure by the Japanese government. After studying with this master potter and internationally renowned artist for five years, Matsuzaki established his own kiln and created memorable works of art utilizing both gas- and wood-fired kilns while developing his own distinctive Shino glaze. Now presented in "Burning Tradition", the artist and his art are showcased with a profuse gallery of his work presented in full color. Enhanced with an informed and informative essay by Asian art expert Andrew L. Maske (currently an Assistant Professor of Art History at the University of Kentucky), "Burning Tradition" is an impressive and illustrative study of a master potter, making it an enthusiastically recommended addition to personal, professional, academic, and community library Art History collections in general, and Japanese ceramic reference shelves in particular.

Graffiti Japan
Remo Camerota
Mark Batty Publisher
36 West 37th Street, Suite 409, New York NY 10018
9780979048678, $27.95 www.markbattypublisher.com

Japan has long been known for taking Western culture and adding innovative, unique twists but graffiti has taken a distinctly different route away from its western origins, infusing Japanese culture more deeply than other art forms - and GRAFFITI JAPAN reveals these differences, offering up interviews with notable taggers and color visual images of their art. Whether you view graffiti as vandalism or public art, GRAFFITI JAPAN offers college-level art libraries and those strong in Japanese history and culture a fine survey of Japanese artists and purposes.


The Music Shelf

Hymns Of The Old Camp Ground
Wayne Erbsen
Native Ground Books & Music
109 Bell Road, Asheville, NC 28805-1521
9781883206567, $5.95, www.nativeground.com

Periodically in America's 19th century history waves of religious revival would sweep over frontier communities. Often held in the largest meeting halls available or in public outdoor areas where large meeting tents could be erected or stands could be built, the twin hallmarks of these revivals would be fiery preaching combined with community sing-a-longs of religious music. Now music historian and performer Wayne Erbsen has collected more than fifty of the most revered, popular, and wide-spread of these musical numbers characteristic of these community meetings into "Hymns Of The Old Camp Ground: Old Time Gospel songs With Words, Music & History". This compendium ranges from such familiar musical fare as Amazing Grace; Church in the Wildwood; Swing Low Sweet Chariot; and Poor Wayfaring Stranger; to less familiar gems like I Am Bound for the Promise Land; Methodist Pie; I Am a Pilgrim; and Wondrous Love. An eminently suitable addition to academic and community library American Music History reference collections, "Hymns Of The Old Camp Ground" is highly recommended for personal and professional reference and performance collections as well.

Santorella Publications, Ltd.
13 Pleasant Avenue, Danvers, MA 01923
www.santorellapublication.com 1-877-600-0049

The duet of two identical instruments is a very special and highly appreciated form of musical performance. Santorella Publications is a premier published of music for every orchestral instrument. Now there is a new five title series available to students and performers called 'Classical Duets' with each volume highlighting a specific instrument with twenty-two selections artfully arranged by Jonathan Robbins. The pieces range from Haydn's Minuet (from Minuet in G); to Handel's Bouree (from Water Music); to Schumann's The Poor Orphan (Armes Waisenkind); to Kullak's Cradle Song (Op. 62, No. 5). The five titles comprising this simply outstanding series are: Classical Duets for Trombone (TS159, $9.95); Classical Duets for Saxophone (TS158, $9.95); Classical Duets for Flute (TS157, $9.95); Classical Duets for Clarinet (TS156, $9.95); and Classical Duets for Trumpet (TS155, $9.95). Also very highly recommended for personal and professional reference collections is Jonathan Robbins' "Classical Duets for Violin" (TS367, $14.95) which includes an interactive performance CD.


The Business Shelf

Branding Your Business
James Hammond
Kogan Page
525 South 4th Street #241, Philadelphia, PA 19147
9780749450731, $24.95 www.koganpage.com

The only way to achieve real business success is to create a memorable brand and fix it in the consumer's mind: but how? BRANDING YOUR BUSINESS is a precise key to exactly how and deserves a spot in any business library. From defining what a brand is and how perception and emotional ties relate to it to creating a unique brand and marketing it to the public, BRANDING YOUR BUSINESS is a key to any business's long-term survival.

Ad Hoc Networking
Charles E. Perkins
Addison-Wesley
c/o Pearson Education
801 East 96th Street, 3rd floor, Indianapolis, IN 46240-3759
www.awprofessional.com 1-800-428-5331
0321579070, $59.99 www.informit.com/aw

"Ad hoc" networks are wireless, mobile networks which exist outside the Internet or other network infrastructures, and this collection of protocols and ideas from leading researchers and users of the technology provide tips on mobile computing and business applications. From compatibility and quality of service to security and costs concerns, any business or computer library alike needs this technical guide.

What If? Short Stories to Spark Diversity Dialogue
Steve L. Robbins
Davies Black
1055 Joaquin Road, 2nd Floor, Mountain View, CA 94043
9780891062752, $18.95 www.daviesblack.com

Over twenty-five inspiring lively personal stories anthologized in "What If? Short Stories to Spark Diversity Dialogue" deftly illustrate concepts of diversity and inclusion in the workplace, using anecdotes and visions to put key learnings into action in a business structure. Each story is paired with questions, an activity and an assignment to reinforce ideas, making for a fine, light business reading title.

Search Engine Marketing, Inc., 2nd Edition
Mike Moran and Bill Hunt
IBM Press
c/o Pearson Education
801 East 96th Street, 3rd floor, Indianapolis, IN 46240-3759
www.awprofessional.com 1-800-428-5331
0136068685, $49.99 www.ibmpressbooks.com

Two world-class experts discuss best practices and tips for driving search traffic to a company's website in SEARCH ENGINE MARKETING INC., which has been updated to reflect the latest search engine marketing strategies. Chapters cover the basics of writing for search, developing a linking philosophy, and how to track search marketing success. Sidebars of tables, metrics and more make for an outstanding survey any library strong in online marketing must have.

Art of Strategy
Avinash K. Dixit and Barry J. Nalebuff
W.W. Norton
500 - 5th Avenue, New York NY 10110
9780393062434, $27.95 www.wwnorton.com

THE ART OF STRATEGY: A GAME THEORIST'S GUIDE TO SUCCESS IN BUSINESS AND LIFE follows a successful best-selling book on game theory, applying it to everyday life and business situations to move beyond the gamer's realm. Chapters use real-life examples and case studies to pair game theory with business interactions and personal goals, covering key principles of game theory, how to change and play the game to maximum advantage, and how to employ strategy in decision-making processes. Business libraries and general-interest holdings will find it a winner.

Project Management That Works
Rick A. Morris with Brette McWhorter Sember
Amacom
1601 Broadway, New York NY 10019
0814409881, $24.95 www.amacombooks.org

A widening gap has emerged between project management theory and applications, the authors maintain in PROJECT MANAGEMENT THAT WORKS. This gap isn't in holding meetings but in negotiating the upper levels of power in corporations, and negotiating with project sponsors. This book helps handle deadlines, difficult projects, and communications at all levels, offering project managers tips on how to get data and use it to support and streamline project objectives. A top pick for any business collection strong in project management applications.

Kogan Page
525 South 4th Street #241, Philadelphia, PA 19147
www.koganpage.com

The authors' extensive experience working in the field of workplace mediation supports Nora Doherty & Marcelas Guyler's ESSENTIAL GUIDE TO WORKPLACE MEDIATION & CONFLICT RESOLUTION (9780749450199, $39.95), a fine guide important to any library catering to business professionals. It considers how working relationships tend to break down, leaving companies open to costly litigation processes, and it considers how mediation works and how it is employed in the workplace. An excellent set of case histories and examples emphasizes processes and successful outcomes. Barry Cushway's HANDBOOK OF MODEL JOB DESCRIPTIONS (9780749452247, $110.00) offers managers opportunity to look at over 200 job descriptions based on actual jobs. These descriptions will help managers in redesigning jobs, training, performance assessment and more, and is offered in two parts: selecting a job title and locating missing job elements to add to it. Sarah Cook's ESSENTIAL GUIDE TO EMPLOYEE MANAGEMENT (9780749449445, $45.00) explores the foundations of 'employee engagement', considering how a company can work to create a committed workforce, how they can engage staff, and how they can overcome common obstacles. Checklists of common barriers and case history lessons make for an outstanding, practical guide based on real-world experience. Business libraries will find these winners.

When You Have to File for Bankruptcy
Matt Pelc
Atlantic Publishing
1405 SW 6th Avenue, Ocala, FL 34471
9781601382092, $24.95 www.atlantic-pub.com

Bankruptcy is on the rise and here's a book general-interest libraries will find a good solid lend: a guide explaining how the bankruptcy process works. Part 1 describes what filers need to know to assess long-term goals and bankruptcy results, Part II details what will happen upon filing, and the third part tells how to rebuild credit later. A good, solid book packed with considerations key to understanding the entire process.


The Mystery/Suspense Shelf

Stranger Room
Frederick Ramsay
Poisoned Pen Press
6962 E. 1st Avenue #103, Scottsdale, AZ 85251
9781590585351, $24.95 www.poisonedpenpress.com

Elder Jonathan Lydell III is proud of his Southern history connections - connections which don't seem to matter to the current generation. Nearly 150 years an unexplained murder took place inside the Lydell's locked stranger room - and the murderer was never caught. When an identical murder is committed in the newly restored room, historical knowledge takes a dangerous turn in this gripping mystery.

Death in Daytime
Eileen Davidson
Signet
c/o New American Library
375 Hudson Street, New York NY 10014
9780451225641, $6.99 www.penguin.com

Alexis is proud of the work she does on a popular daytime drama - but the new head writer is blaming her for stealing romance and is on a vendetta against her. When she confronts her nemesis and she's found murdered the next day, it's up to Alexis to investigate and free herself from being the prime suspect in this fine murder mystery recommended for libraries strong in murder mystery novels.

Berkeley Prime Crime
375 Hudson Street, New York NY 10014
www.penguin.com

Rebecca Kent's HIGH MARKS FOR MURDER (9780425222041, $6.99) tells of young ladies at a finishing school and a home management teacher's investigation of murder. The headmistress's investigation of a teacher's death reveals it was no accident - and Meredith wonders how to explain the teacher's ghostly presence after, in this fine blend of mystery and ghost story. Claudia Bishop's THE CASE OF THE ILL-GOTTEN GOAT (9780425222072, $6.99) tells of a vet and his wife who find themselves with more than small animals on their hands when a milk inspector is found dead in a milk vat. Too many possible suspects have the doc and his wife hopping in this fine mystery. Margaret Grace's MAYHEM IN MINIATURE (9780425223055, $6.99) tells of a retired miniature Victorian room creator - an unlikely detective for a murder investigation, until a nursing home gardener is found dead and one of her own craft students is the suspect. Gerry's search for the real murderer offers a fast-paced examination of a different world. Kaye Morgan's SINISTER SUDOKU (9780425223062, $6.99) tells of Liza, conducting a sudoku class in the minimum-security wing of the Seacoast Correctional Facility where students have too much time on their hands. When her best student - - soon to be released - turns up dead in her room Liza finds herself the object of an unusual murder investigation. Maggie Sefton's FLEECE NAVIDAD (9780425223604, $23.95) pairs knitting patterns and recipes with a fine mystery revolving around Christmas plans in Colorado. Kelly and friends have changed their house to a winner wonderland - but their project, helping the town's librarian to learn to knit - results in murder and an unexpected involvement in its investigation in this small-town mystery. Cleo Coyle's ESPRESSO SHOT (9780425221778, $23.95) provides a fine Coffeehouse Mystery title including recipes and coffee-making tips along with the story of a wedding threatened by murder and a caterer who also has her doubts about the wedding's viability. A cast of characters involved in possible murder make for a gripping, unpredictable story line.


The Fiction Shelf

Long Life?
Robert Begman
Durban House Press
7502 Greenville Avenue, Suite 500, Dallas, TX 75231
9780977986316, $15.95, www.durbanhouse.com

To defy mortality in the hope of achieving a kind of immortality is the basic concept that fuels the research and application of cryonics. "Long Life? A Courtroom Thriller Journey into the Unknown World of Cryonics" tells the story of Rebecca Adler, a dedicated cryonicist who, for applying this to a live person, faces a murder charge, despite claiming her alleged victim was willing, and is only suspended in animation, not dead. Joe Purcell must act as defense in a case where it isn't a matter of whom the perpetrator is, but if a crime even took place. Robert Begman's deftly written and original novel, "Long Life?" is a unique and highly recommended mystery that twists the genre to a delightful new variety.

The Long Beat Of The Metronome
Bruce Adam
Ara Pacis Publishers
PO Box 1202, Des Plaines, IL 60017-1202
9780966131871, $19.95, www.arapacispublishers.com

The literary art of the short story is alive and well in Bruce's Adam's collection of forty-two deftly written stories titled "The Long Beat Of The Metronome". Adam's is able to paint compelling word pictures that make his characters memorable and his dialogues engaging. The stories, ranging from 'Police Blotter' and 'The Choir Master', to 'Dudot Dreaming' and 'Genetic Lynx' are like listening in to a rather succinctly told tale that captures attention and often leads to thoughtful reflection after the telling is told. A master storyteller in total control of his literary craft, Bruce Adams is a writer to be aware of and "The Long Beat Of The Metronome" a collection to be prized and appreciated by those who enjoy originality and skill in a demanding and difficult form of literary expression -- the short story.

Nicholas Kristo
Rick Koestler
Dog Ear Publishing
4010 West 8th Street, Suite H, Indianapolis, IN 46268
http://ricksnovels.googlepages.com/rickkoestler
9781598584653, $19.95, www.amazon.com

"Nicholas Kristo" by Rick Koestler is a unique Christmas season novel. Set in the 16th Century, Nicholas Kristo is a young man commissioned to show the spirit of selfless giving to a world immerse in political, theological and societal corruption. he is led to a gold mine by a messenger from God. With the aid of his best friend Ben, Nicholas builds a mountaintop Mission where they created prosthesis, wheelchairs and many other useful gifts for the needy. To create these gifts, Nicholas hires the unwanted, the misfits, the unlovely, and the rejected -- and in doing so provides them with gifts that money cannot buy. When Ben's family is accused of a crime by Captain Ficci a corrupt soldier seeking to seize their land and their gold, Nicholas provides them with refuge and against great obstacles, brings about a triumph of good over evil and selflessness over greed. "Nicholas Kristo" is highly recommended for its originality, crafted storytelling, and ultimate affirmation of the human spirit.

Deadly Freedom
David Spicer
Cambridge House Press
115 W. 29th Street, 3rd Floor, New York, NY 10001
9780978721367, $24.95, www.CamHousePress.com

A riveting novel that could well be ripped from the headlines of tomorrow's major newspapers, "Deadly Freedom" is a story of intrigue and assassination, conspiracy and collusion, OPEC, Big Oil, and the automotive industries as they seek to secure their lucrative controls on the world's petroleum-based economies against renewable energy and its proponents here at home and abroad. Then there is 'The Club', a covert hit squad of rogue CIA double agents who mean to take out Professor Jason Davidson and his team of researchers who have discovered a workable alternative to the world's energy needs that if brought to bear would mean an end to the annual one-and-a-half trillion dollar revenue of the major oil companies. "Deadly Freedom" is a riveting read from first page to last, the kind of action/adventure/suspense novel of which block-buster movies are made and a highly recommended addition to personal reading lists and community library collections.

Dynamite and Dreams
Robert V. Hine
San Diego City Works Press
c/o Sunbelt Publications, Inc.
1250 Fayette Street, El Cajon, CA 92020
9780981602011, $12.95 www.sunbeltbooks.com

How does an Indiana farm boy become one of the nation's leading Socialists? Based on the life of one Jeb Harriman, a free speech lawyer and turn of the century era socialist candidate for mayor of Los Angeles, DYNAMITE AND DREAMS offers up a gripping saga of community struggles and change suitable for any library strong in historical fiction.


The Science Shelf

Head First Physics
Heather Lang, Ph.D.
O'Reilly
1005 Gravenstein Highway North, Sebastopol, CA 95472
9780596102371, $29.99 www.oreilly.com

If you're in high school or college and struggle with physics concepts, HEAD FIRST PHYSICS is a recommended pick. It provides a lively connection between physics theory and the world we live in, examining basic concepts, using the latest research in learning theory to enliven presentations, and covering math and physics concepts using lively black and white drawings, photos, and large-size graphs. An outstanding physics survey evolves.

Classical Mechanics
John Michael Finn
Infinity Science Press
11 Leavitt Street, Hingham, MA 02043
9781934015322, $69.95 www.infinitysciencepress.com

College-level courses in particles and systems offer a mathematical treatment updated for the study of more advanced topics in quantum mechanics, statistical mechanics and orbital mechanics with CLASSICAL MECHANICS, recommended as a classroom text or for any advanced college course on mechanics theory. From discussions of symmetries and geometric structure of space-time to discussions of particle mechanics, this is appropriate for either a year-long course, or for scientific reference.

I Am A Strange Loop
Douglas Hofstadter
Basic Books
c/o Perseus Books Group
387 Park Avenue South, New York NY 10016-8810
9780465030798, $16.95 www.basicbooks.com

This blend of philosophy and science provides a fine survey of both, telling of symbols, loops, and brain functions in the face of physics. I AM A STRANGE LOOP offers up anecdotes, analogies, and metaphors for understanding patterns and 'strangeness', covering math, science and philosophy in the process. A surprisingly lively discussion makes for a recommended pick for both school and public libraries.


The Gardening Shelf

Vanished Gardens: Finding Nature in Philadelphia
Sharon White
University of Georgia Press
330 Research Drive, Athens, GA 30602-4901
0820331562, $28.95 www.ugapress.org

While VANISHED GARDENS would be a likely pick for Pennsylvania libraries in general, it offers stories, histories of people and plants, and surveys of wider-ranging issues making it a powerful consideration of an urban area's evolving gardens. From the gardens of a colonial botanist to a large 18th century farmer's diary to modern times, VANISHED GARDENS is an excellent pick for any gardening library.

Great Gardens of the Berkshires
Virginia Small & Rich Pomerantz
Down East Books
PO Box 679, Camden, ME 04843
www.downeastbooks.com
9780892727483, $35.00, pgs. 144, 1-800-685-7962

Breathtaking gardens have been an integral part of domestic American landscapes and have long provided healing effects on the mind, body and soul of those that grew and tended them as well as those who merely enjoyed their beauty and diversity. "Great Garden of the Berkshires" showcases both public and private gardens in a beautifully illustrated and informative compendium. Author Virginia Small integrates the stories behind the creation of each of these unique places, enhanced throughout with stunningly presented photos as captured by Rich Pomerantz. "Great Gardens of the Berkshires" will inspire the gardener in you with ideas about texture, color schemes, plant combinations and more. Featuring heartwarming and charming explorations of the richness such great public gardens as The Mount, Naumkeag, Chesterwood, Ashintully and the Berkshire Botanical Garden, "Great Gardens of the Berkshires" is the next best thing to personally exploring these personal floral paradises and discovering just what inspired their creation. Recommended for gardeners, or anyone with an interest in landscape and design, "Great Gardens of the Berkshires" is especially suitable for all public and private library Gardening/Landscaping reference collections and supplemental reading lists.


The Library DVD Shelf

Yoga With Your Baby
Jackie Long
Yoga With Love
www.yogawithyourbaby.com
DVD, $19.95 jackie@yogawithlove.com

New parents can connect with their baby and toddler even in a busy world with the help of a special DVD that melds teachings from Buddhism, yoga, and neuroscience to offer an interactive format perfect for newcomers as well as yoga practitioners of all types. Kids ages 3 months to 4 years are the perfect age range to benefit from this DVD of some 20 yoga practices for adults, 15 baby yoga poses, and songs to sing.

Cardiokickboxing DVDs
Lynn Hahn
Bayview Films
107 Pink Street, Hackensack, NJ 07601
DVD, $19.99 Each www.getrealfit.org www.amazon.com

Cardio kickboxing uses different martial arts stances and forms to strengthen the body, offering agility moves and workouts lending to weight control and body toning alike. KICK and PUNCH AND FIRM by Lynn Hall offers user-friendly workouts that require no prior knowledge to prove useful. The fun, lively workouts are outstanding exercise and martial arts routines and offering maximum kickboxing benefits to all levels of users - and to libraries catering to them.

A&E Home Video
c/o A&E Television Networks
235 East 45th Street New York , NY 10017
www.aetv.com

CRISS ANGEL MINDFREAK: THE BEST OF SEASONS ONE AND TWO (1422913228, $12.95) tells of Criss Angel, part Cirque du Soliel, part magician, who has taken magic to new realms in his series of hit shows featuring his death-defying stunts. These stunts are performed live and never with camera trick, and this collection captures a powerful magician's best episodes from his first two seasons. Fans of British comedy will relish THE BEST OF MR. BEAN VOLUME 2 (1422919501, $9.95), a collection starting Rowan Atkinson as the amazing Mr. Bean. Mr. Bean is always in trouble and funny - and this collection offers up some of the ongoing bests of his world in a hilarious set of outrageous circumstances and mishaps. Both will appeal to a wide audience.


The Military Shelf

You Are Not Forgotten
Evelyn Grubb and Carol Jose
Vandemere Press
Box 149, Saint Petersburg, FL 33731
9780918339713, $27.95 www.vandamere.com

In 1966 a photo of a just-captured American pilot at bayonet point being treated by a Vietnamese woman for a scraped knee was released to the press by the North Vietnamese government as evidence of their humane treatment of prisoners - author Evelyn Grubb's first proof that her MIA husband was actually a prisoner of war. She waited 8 years to find he'd been killed shortly thereafter. YOU ARE NOT FORGOTTEN is her story of families' encounters with foreign and domestic governments during Vietnam, and of POW and MIA policies. Military collections will find it an invaluable memoir.


The World History Shelf

Piracy: The Complete History
Angus Konstam
Osprey Publishing
443 Park Avenue South, New York NY 10016
9781846032400, $24.95 www.ospreypublishing.com

Piracy has been around from the time the first boats entered the ocean, and pirate expert Angus Konstam offers a thorough survey of piracy from ancient to modern times. His survey offers more of a military approach than the usual light history, probing strategy, separating fact from fiction, and tracing piracy's development through the centuries. Especially recommended for nautical and military history libraries, the depth of coverage and research exceeds most competing books popularizing the history of piracy.


The Transportation Shelf

The Model T: A Centennial History
Robert Casey
Johns Hopkins University Press
2715 North Charles Street, Baltimore, MD 21218-4363
0801888506, $24.95 www.press.jhu.edu

The Model T Ford was the nation's first mass-produced, affordable vehicle and made for a revolutionary change in America's auto industry, so having a new history just in time for the car's centennial celebration is a treat. From those who conceived of, built and purchased the car to the underlying technological leaps associated with the Model T, this gripping history is a fine pick for any library including transportation history books on the shelf.


The Computer Shelf

Fluid Simulation for Computer Graphics
Robert Bridson
J.K. Peters Ltd.
888 Worcester Street, Suite 230, Wellesley, MA 02482
9781568813264, $59.00 www.akpeters.com

College-level courses strong in fluid simulation will find this a key reference for practitioners in this field, offering tips on the math of simulations, advanced techniques in the field, and implementation of ID and other models. From using particles to track secondary fields to identifying boundary conditions, it's a technical resource suitable for college-level computer and science libraries alike.

Picture Yourself Learning Microsoft Access 2007
Faithe Wempen
Course Technology
25 Thomson Place, Boston, MA 02210
1598638416, $14.99 www.courseptr.com

There's no better beginner's introduction to Access on the market than this: it will appeal to any used to Office 2007 but new to Access, its database unit, and it tells how to create and share databases, use queries and forms, and create queries to summarize data. The visual approach offers charts and screen samples throughout - in full color - and covers all the basics.

My New Mac
Wallace Wang
No Starch Press
555 DeHaro Street #250, San Francisco CA 94107
9781593271640, $29.95 www.nostarch.com

Any who need help with a brand new Mac, whether it be a mini, iMac or other version - will find this 'first Mac' user's book invaluable. It's got a project-oriented approach which keys useful things to lessons, it tells how to use Mac's many tools to best advantage, and it shows how to do everything from transfer photos from digital camera to computer to sharing files, listening to podcasts, and more. A 'must' for any brand new to the Mac system.


The Fantasy/SciFi Shelf

Slanted Jack
Mark L. Van Name
Baen Books
1230 Avenue of Americas, New York NY 10020
1416555498, $24.00 www.baen.com

Jon, a nanotech-enhanced ex-soldier, agrees to help a con man friend - and finds himself embroiled in the past as the simple deal turns into a complicated mess involving interstellar governments and a frontier world. Swift action and high drama make SLANTED JACK a winning science fiction thriller.


The Needlecraft Shelf

Big-Print Quilts
Karen Snyder
Krause Publications
700 East State Street, Iola, WI 54990-0001
www.fwpublications.com
9780896894815, $22.99, 1-800-726-9966

Quilting is an enduringly popular hobby because the quilters are making practical, beautiful, and enduringly appreciated family heirlooms with their personal needlecraft projects. In "Big-Print Quilts", quilting author Karen Snyder draws upon her many years of experience and expertise as a fabric designer with Andover Fabrics and owner of Anna Lena's Quilt Shop to create a thoroughly 'user friendly' instruction guide to incorporating big beautiful prints into quilt patterns that do not restrict them to simply borders and backs. "Big-Print Quilts" is composed of fifteen superbly presented projects offering step-by-step instructions suitable for even the most novice beginner. The presented quilting ideas range from Asian and floral prints, to paisleys and novelty prints. Of special note are the exhibited techniques are transferable and applicable to quilting with any large scale fabric. Profusely and beautifully illustrated throughout, "Big-Print Quilts" is a welcome and highly recommended addition to personal, professional, and community library Needlecraft & Quilting instructional reference collections.

Martingale & Company
20205 - 144th Avenue NE, Woodinville, WA 98072-8478
www.martingale-pub.com

Loraine Manwaring and Susan Nelson's HOLIDAY WRAPPINGS: QUILTS TO WELCOME THE SEASON (9781564778628, $16.95) offers some six projects from wall hangings and lap quilts to table toppers, with full-page patterns accompanying clear directions on producing holiday themes. Libraries strong in seasonal needlework options will find this a fine pick. Joey Heiberg's DOLLY MAMA BEADS (9781564778789, $21.95) teaches how to make bracelets, fashion belts, and all kinds of jewelry and zany accessories with fun themes. Beaders and crafters will find it a fine collection of projects. Elissa Willms and Heather Willms's CHRISTMAS QUILTS FROM HOPSCOTCH: MERRY AND BRIGHT/WARM AND COZY (9781564778680, $24.95) provides a 2-sided book packed with both holiday and warm quilts for the winter season. From a snowman tree skirt and a winter holiday lap quilt to a quilted country advent calendar, CHRISTMAS QUILTS FROM HOPSCOTCH is a warm and project-filled guide pairing patterns with color photos and easy directions perfect for beginning quilters.


James A. Cox, Editor-in-Chief
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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