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Internet Bookwatch

Volume 20, Number 12 December 2010 Home | IBW Index

Table of Contents

Reviewer's Choice Library Science Shelf American History Shelf
Biography Shelf Audiobook Shelf Library CD Music Shelf
Sports Shelf Military Shelf Poetry Shelf
Bilingual Shelf Library DVD Shelf Gardening Shelf
Agriculture Shelf Metaphysical Studies Shelf Political Science Shelf
Environmental Studies Shelf Music Shelf Native American Shelf
Cookbook Shelf Psychology Shelf Writing/Publishing Shelf
Economics Shelf Philosophy Shelf Mathematics Shelf
Christian Studies Shelf Gaming Shelf Judaic Studies Shelf
Fiction Shelf Judicial Studies Shelf Self-Help Shelf
Theatre/Cinema/TV Shelf Hunting/Fishing Shelf Comix/Graphic Novel Shelf
Health/Medicine Shelf Nautical Shelf Business Shelf
Travel Shelf Art Shelf Computer Shelf
Photography Shelf Crafts Shelf Library Reference Shelf
Education Shelf Aviation Shelf Social Issues Shelf
Literary Shelf Needlecraft Shelf Criminology Shelf
Antiques/Collectibles Shelf Fantasy/SciFi Shelf Science Shelf
Religion/Spirituality Shelf Mystery/Suspense Shelf Architecture Shelf
Holiday Shelf Pets/Wildlife Shelf African-American Studies Shelf
Women's Studies Shelf Calendar Shelf Civil War Shelf
Parenting Shelf World History Shelf Interior Design Shelf
Jobs/Careers Shelf Martial Arts Shelf Language Studies Shelf
Humor Shelf Wisconsin Shelf  


Reviewer's Choice

Japanese Swords
Colin M. Roach
Tuttle
364 Innovation Drive, North Clarendon, VT 05759-9436
9784805310359, $39.95, www.tuttlepublishing.com

The Katana has become a symbol all its own. "Japanese Swords: Cultural Icons of a Nation: The History, Metallurgy, and Iconogaphy of the Samurai Sword" looks at the history of this blade type with its own sword making discipline. For centuries in Japan, it represented the Samurai class, even as firearms became the preferred weapon of war. Analyzing the forging of these blades and how they have become an art form even after the age of the Samurai has passed, it follows the history of the blade into the modern day. Enhanced with a DVD documentary, "Japanese Swords" is a fine piece of history and craftsmanship, highly recommended.

Clear Toy Candy
Nancy Fasolt
Stackpole Books
5067 Ritter Road, Mechanicsburg, PA 17055
9780811736107, $14.95, www.stackpolebooks.com

Candy can be more than a sweet treat. "Clear Toy Candy" is a guide to using candy as an artistic tool. With instructions on how to make this candy and plenty of ideas on using it as a tool of crafting and more, Nancy Fasolt gives the readers everything they need to do to turn sugar into style. "Clear Toy Candy" is a choice recommendation and a very highly recommended pick.

Coming Home
Deborah Duda
Synergy Books
PO Box 30071, Austin, TX 78755
9780984235896, $16.95

Dying in a hospital feels like being a statistic, an impersonal death, far from family. "Coming Home: A Practical and Compassionate Guide to Caring for a Dying Loved One" discusses the growing decision among many terminally ill individuals who are choosing their home as the place to spend their final days on Earth. With tips on nursing a dying family member, dealing with the pain, making it a comfortable one, and making the most of the short time, "Coming Home" is a fine read, and a solidly recommended one.

Arthurian Figures of History and Legend
Frank D. Reno
McFarland
PO Box 611, Jefferson, NC 28640
9780786444205, $39.95, www.mcfarlandpub.com

The Legend of King Arthur is not one solely placed in fiction. "Arthurian Figures of History and Legend: A Biographical Dictionary" looks through history and looks at the history and roots of many characters in Arthurian legend. Each entry explains their role in mythology and their role and history, offering much useful insight. With maps, charts, and more to further explain the various ideas, and enhanced by countless useful indexes and much more, "Arthurian Figures of History and Legend" will prove endlessly intriguing to any enthralled by the legend of King Arthur.

The Cosmological Origins of Myth and Symbol
Laird Scranton
Inner Traditions
PO Box 388, Rochester, VT 05767
9781594773761, $18.95, www.innertradtions.com

Could the similarities in ancient cultures draw from the stars? "The Cosmological Origins of Myth and Symbol: From the Dogon and the Ancient Egypt to India, Tibet, and China" looks into the common origins of many of peoples across the planet's societies and what they mean. Looking at many ancient cultures and looking for their influences, "The Cosmological Origins of Myth and Symbol" proposes many unique ideas and makes for a solidly recommended read.

The Forbidden Archeologist
Michael A. Cremo
Torchlight Publishing
PO Box 52, Badger, CA 93606
9780892133376, $21.95, www.torchlight.com

Are we selling the age of the human race short? "The Forbidden Archeologist" delves into the opinions and studies of Michael A. Cremo as he offers his own take on human history very different from the standard explanations of creationism or evolution, stating that humanity may have a range of millions of years on this planet, far longer than we truly believed. With intriguing ideas that prove heretic to other archeologists and anthropologists, "The Forbidden Archeologist" proves to be an utterly fascinating read.

Grey Matters
Nancy Marlett & Claudia Emes
University of Calgary
2500 University Drive NW, Calgary, Alberta, Canada, T2N 1N4
Michigan State University Press (distributor)
1405 South Harrison Rd., Rm 25, East Lansing, MI 48823-5245
9781552382516, $24.95, www.uofpress.com

Retirement that is sitting around the house is worse than death for many seniors. "Grey Matters: A Guide to Collaborative Research with Seniors" delves into the call of research that many seniors embrace in their later years, as this volume discusses how seniors can be valuable partners in academia and explains it well. From Nancy Marlett and Claudia Emes, both taking a strong role in academia regardless of age, "Grey Matters" is an insightful piece, very highly recommended.

Web GIS
Pinde Fu & Jiulin Sun
ESRI Press
380 New York St., Redlands, CA 92373-8100
9781589482456, $55.95, www.esri.com

Information is only as good as how it's used. "Web GIS: Principles and Applications" is a guide to the applications of GIS, or geographic information systems. New web technologies have introduced many new ways to use these ideas to their fullest and presents many different applications from a range of companies offering new GIS solutions. From dedicated servers, to mobile use, and more, for anyone's business who wants to help their business go further, "Web GIS" is an invaluable source of information, complete with appendixes for ease of use.

Gymnosperms of the United States & Canada
Elray S. Nixon
Bryce Lyndon Cunningham Productions
180 County Road 8201, Nacogdoches, Texas, 75964
9780934115056, $59.95, www.forester-artist.com

The variance of trees and plant life throughout North America is astounding. "Gymnosperms of the United States & Canada" is an illustrated guide to classification and identification of the Gymnosperm, or the naked seed of the trees of the United States and Canada. Identifying these things often referred to as cones, these full color illustrations are sure to give a more complete understanding of these seeds and the trees they belong to. A top pick for any nature collection focusing on the many types of trees throughout Canada and the United States, "Gymnosperms of the United States & Canada" is a core pick, enthusiastically recommended.

The Wonderful Future That Never Was
Gregory Benford
Editors of Popular Mechanics
Hearst
c/o Sterling Publishing Company
387 Park Avenue South, New York, NY 10016-8810
www.sterlingpublishing.com
9781588168221, $24.95, www.amazon.com

The Wonderful Future That Never Was: Flying Cars, Mail Delivery by Parachute and Other Predictions from the Past comes from the joint effort of a long-time science fiction writer and the editors of Popular Mechanics, and provides a fine modern survey on yesterday's ideas of the future. From utopian cities to tooth transplants and personal aerial cars, this offers a whimsical, fun survey for any general lending library!

Tool School
Monte Burch
Betterway Books
c/o F&W Publications, Inc.
4700 East Galbraith Road, Cincinnati, OH 45236
www.popularwoodworking.com
9781558708518, $29.99, www.amazon.com

TOOL SCHOOL: THE MISSING MANUAL FOR YOUR TOOLS provides an outstanding survey that pairs a hardback binder format with solid pages and spine lettering with a lay-flat format, color photos throughout, and clear discussions of how to use routers, sanders, table saws, handsaws and electric saws, and more. Each tool receives details on use, safety and maintenance in this coverage, packed with key details and essential for tool owners and libraries catering to DIY homeowners.

Serious Microhydro
Scott Davis
New Society Publishers
Box 189, Gabriola Island, BC V0R 1XO, Canada
9780865716384, $29.95, www.newsociety.com

SERIOUS MICROHYDRO: WATER POWER SOLUTIONS FROM THE EXPERTS offers a key to a proven technology that can create clean, renewable energy from local energy sources with no impact on the environment. Here dozens of firsthand stories of energy independence through waterpower offer technical case studies that gather all the knowledge of microhydro power, and make for a powerful gathering of details.

Assholes Finish First
Tucker Max
Gallery Books
c/o Simon & Schuster
1230 Avenue of Americas, New York NY 10020
9781416938743, $25.99, www.simonandschuster.com

ASSHOLES FINISH FIRST is a raunchy, startling account packed with stories of sexual recklessness and bad decisions. It starts where Tucker Max's I HOPE THEY SERVE BEER IN HELL leaves off, considering outrageous questions such as what it's like to have sex with a midget and more. While this may prove too raunchy for some lending collections, others catering to contemporary urban audiences will find this a popular read.

The Honor Code
Kwame Anthony Appiah
W.W. Norton
500 - 5th Avenue, New York NY 10110
9780393071627, $25.95, www.wwnorton.com

THE HONOR CODE: HOW MORAL REVOLUTIONS HAPPEN comes from a top intellectual thinker who here explores the origins and evolution of moral revolutions. Historical moral revolutions and social movements are considered as well as a shift of responsibility from morality to honor. History blends with social insights in a survey especially recommended for college-level social issues collections.

The Englishman Who Posted Himself and Other Curious Objects
John Tingey
Princeton Architectural Press
37 East 7th St., New York NY 10003
9781568988726, $24.95, www.papress.com

The Englishman Who Posted Himself and Other Curious Objects tells of a middle-class Englishman living out his time as an accountant in London, whose passion for sending unusual items through the mail leads to an uncovering of curious postal rules. His experiments sending unusual objects through the mails makes for a fine survey that pairs history, biography and art in an intriguing account.

Mistaking Africa, second edition
Curtis Keim
Westview Press
2465 Central Avenue, Boulder, CO 80301
9780813343860, $33.00, www.westviewpress.com

The second updated edition of MISTAKING AFRICA: CURIOSITIES AND INVENTIONS OF THE AMERICAN MIND is a 'must' for any who would understand the difference between traditional perceptions of African culture and modern realities. Chapters consider how the American view of Africa as a primitive continent has remained consistent in modern times, analyzing portrayals of Africa in popular media from ads to film. New to this edition is an appendix on learning more about African nations. No collection strong in modern African social and cultural realities should be without this.

Chronicle Books
680 Second Street, San Francisco, CA 94107
www.chroniclebooks.com

Charlotte Rivers's Little Book of Letterpress (9780811875073, $24.95) offers a fine history of the craft and explores different types of presses, considering how letterpress is created and its current rise in DIY and crafting circles. Chapters offer details about letterpress creation and pack in color photos of old and new stationary alike, making this a top pick for any arts or general lending library. Steven Heller and Elaine Lustig Cohen's Born Modern: The Life and Design of Alvin Lustig (9780811861274, $50.00) packs color images into a coverage recommended for a range of collections, from California libraries to arts. Lustig was at the front of the design revolution and fostered California modernism and the idea that good design was linked to good business. His extensive influence on designers in all mediums makes this first monograph of his works a 'must' for any collection strong in modern design and architecture. Color photos pack this review of all his works.

The Great Moonpie Handbook
Ron Dickson
Pelican
1000 Burmaster Street, Gretna, LA 70053
9781589808577, $14.95, www.pelicanpub.com

The Moonpie lies in Southern American culture, not noticed until it's gone. "The Great Moonpie Handbook" is a collection of humor and writings dedicated to this classic treat, tracing its roots from 1917, and how it got its start as a cheap and delectable treat to being a staple for many Americans today. From Tennessee to the modern day, Ron Dickson puts forth a read that is educational, humorous, and intriguing. "The Great Moonpie Handbook" is a choice pick for anyone who wants to know the story behind tossing cookies, marshmallow, and chocolate together.

The Simple Art of EatingWell Cookbook
Jessie Price & The EatingWell Test Kitchen
The Countryman Press
c/o W. W. Norton
PO Box 748, 1206 VT Route 12, Woodstock, VT 05091
9780881509359, $35.00, www.countrymanpress.com

A good diet does wonders for one's overall health. "The Simple Art of EatingWell Cookbook" delves into how to put on one's chef hat and create delicious and healthy meals that delight the taste buds as well prove to be healthy and filling. A wide array of dishes with everything from soups and salads to making fine meat dishes and desserts, "The Simple Art of EatingWell Cookbook" is in full color and will prove to be a favorite for anyone who is trying to improve their diet.

The Skinny On...
Jim Randel
Rand
265 Post Road West, Westport, CT 06880
www.theskinnyon.com

Jim Rand has created a series of books to help readers understand a variety of concepts quickly. "The Skinny On" series gives a comprehensive overview of many of these topics and will help readers pursue whatever they please. "The Skinny On Success: Why Not You?" (9780981893594, $14.95) outlines the traits of successful people and how one can get in the baits of success. "The Skinny on Creativity: Thinking Outside the Box" (9780984441884, $14.95) is a guide to how to tap one's own creative potential in their personal or business pursuits and think of things new done before. "The Skinny on Time Management: How to Maximize Your 24-Hour Gift" (9780984139392, $14.95) is a guide to getting the most out of your day where wasting time seems like an art form for many of us. "The Skinny On The Art of Persuasion: How to Move Minds" (9780982439005, $14.95) is a guide to understanding how to convince people to see things your way, something that is very much needed to succeed on many avenues in the business world.

Lost in Learning
Eva Koleva Timothy
Athenaeum
PO Box 699, 234 May Street, Enfield, NH 03748
9780615343945, $39.95, www.enfieldbooks.com

If you're the stupidest person in the world, but you have the willingness to learn, you're far less stupid than you thought. "Lost in Learning: The Art of Discovery" is a collection of photographs and arts in devotion to the human quality that is perhaps the most important one to our advancement as a species - learning. Icons of education throughout history. From explorers seeking to learn what lies beyond the horizon, to astronomers seeking to learn what's in the stars, and much more, "Lost in Learning" is a thoughtful look at learning through photography and art, a grade-A pick that shouldn't be missed for history and art collections.


The Library Science Shelf

Everyone Plays at the Library
Scott Nicholson
Information Today Inc.
143 Old Marlton Pike, Medford, NJ 08055
9781573873987, $39.50, www.infotoday.com

EVERYONE PLAYS AT THE LIBRARY: CREATING GREAT GAMING EXPERIENCES FOR ALL AGES comes from a librarian and game designer who shows how gaming programs can be successfully integrated into school and public libraries. Games for all age groups are surveyed in this outstanding analysis of library gaming, including determining user needs, achieving library goals, and more. Very highly recommended!

Let's Pretend
Rebecca C. Bane
Neal-Schuman Publishers
100 William Street, Suite 2004, New York, NY 10038
9781555707286, $55.00, www.neal-schuman.com

The imagination is a terrible thing to let go to waste. "Let's Pretend: 50 Start-to-Finish Preschooler Programs for the Busy Librarian That Imagination" is a guide for librarians to helping their pre-school students come to learn through imagination. Each chapter presents a subject for librarians to encourage their young students to follow, complete with color photographs. Each topic includes potential props, music to play, ways to stimulate their minds and let them run wild. Packed cover to cover with plenty of great ideas, "Let's Pretend" is great for any librarian with a flare for the dramatic and wants to rub a bit of that flare onto their younger patrons, a core addition to any library science collection.

Reading Places
Christine Pawley
University of Massachusetts Press
P.O. Box 429, Amherst, MA 01004
9781558498228, $28.95, www.umpress.umass.edu

READING PLACES: LITERACY, DEMOCRACY, AND THE PUBLIC LIBRARY IN COLD WAR AMERICA blends a history of libraries with a survey of an experimental regional library service in the early 1950s. Using interviews and library records, Christine Pawley considers the influence of ordinary reading choices and shows how reading blended with formal proceedings to direct literary policy. Bookmobiles brought books to rural areas: three years later state officials judged it a huge success, but local communities were divided on their impact. A fine survey of political and social change, this is an excellent social and literary analysis.

No Shelf Required
Sue Polanka
ALA Editions
50 East Huron Street, Chicago, IL 60611
9780838910542, $65.00, www.alastore.ala.org

The rise of the E-book can prove to be the bane and boon of the library of the future. "No Shelf Required: E-Books in Libraries" looks into the future surrounding e-books and the future of the library. Analyzing e-books and their many varieties, Sue Polanka gives librarians a complete and comprehensive understanding of the e-book and how to more successfully integrate it into one's business. E-books can be a powerful tool for libraries and education, and "No Shelf Required" covers everything needed, ranging from legal issues to indexing to technology and so much more, making it a truly important resource no modern librarian should be without.


The American History Shelf

Steamboats West
Lawrence H. Larsen and Barbara J. Cottrell
The Arthur H. Clark Company
2800 Venture Drive, Norman, OK 73069
9780870623851, $34.95, www.ahclark.com

Steamboats West: The 1859 American Fur Company Missouri River Expedition is a historical chronicle based on the journals of Dr. Elias Marsh and Charles Henry Weber, as well as the official accounts of Charles P. Chouteau and Capt. William Franklin, revealing the saga of the American Fur Company's headline-making travels. Their 1859 trek was, at the time, the longest steamboat trip in North American history; the journey's chronicle includes environmental portraits, interactions with the Native peoples of the upper Missouri, and even never-before-published journal excerpts about the technological advances that made the voyage possible. An extraordinary narrative offering an unforgettable glimpse into the events of America's westward expansion, Steamboats West is highly recommended especially to college library collections.

Founders: The People Who Brought You a Nation
Ray Raphael
The New Press
38 Green Street, 4th floor, New York, NY 10013
9781595584175, $21.95, www.thenewpress.com

Founders: The People Who Brought You a Nation is an immensely readable, up-close and personal portrait of seven crucial individuals among a "sampling of Revolutionary Americans", the type of people who are all but overlooked in the wake of legends such as George Washington and Benjamin Franklin. For example, Robert Morris was the wealthy merchant whose personal credit helped keep the emerging nation of America solvent; his critical contribution to America's stability is all but unknown today. The other personages portrayed are private Jospeh Plumb Martin, who served in Washington's army and chronicled his battle experience; Mercy Otis Warren, a political woman who wrote one of the first histories of America; Timothy Bigelow, a blacksmith who resisted British authority the year before Lexington and Concord; conservative Henry Laurens of South Carolina, a prisoner of Britain; Thomas Young, a country doctor who advocated revolution. The quintessential founding father George Washington himself is also portrayed, in this aptly researched, riveting account of a handful of the people who labored and paid with their blood for America's independence. Highly recommended, especially for public and college library American History shelves.

The United States and the Second World War
G. Kurt Piehler and Sidney Pash, editors
Fordham University Press
2546 Belmont Avenue, University Box L, Bronx, NY 10458-5172
9780823231201, $46.00, www.fordhampress.com

The United States and the Second World War: New Perspectives on Diplomacy, War, and the Home Front is an anthology of essays by learned historians examining assorted aspects of America's role in the Second World War. Individual writings include "General George S. Patton and the War-Winning Sherman Tank Myth", "Veterans Tell Their Stories and Why Historians and Others Listened", "American Pacificism, the 'Greatest Generation,' and World War II", "Hiroshima and the U.S. Peace Movement: Commemoration of August 6, 1948-1960" and many more. An index rounds out this thoughtful historical assessment with the benefit of hindsight, highly recommended particularly for college library American History shelves.


The Biography Shelf

Still Standing: The Story of SSG John Kriesel
John Kriesel, as told to Jim Kosmo
Beaver's Pond Press
7104 Ohms Lane, Suite 101, Edina, MN 55439
9781592983377, $19.95, www.BeaversPondPress.com 1-952-829-8818

The cruelty of war only gives way to the pure tenacity of the human spirit. "Still Standing: The Story of SSG John Kriessel" tells the story of Kriesel who in Iraq lost both of his legs and faced a massive endeavor to simply survive the terrible endeavor, let alone ever walk again. With the help some gifted miracle working surgeons, he walks once more, against all odds. "Still Standing" is a moving and impressive read about how even when all seems lost, hope can still win the day.

Prodigal Daughter
Myrna Kostash
University of Alberta Press
Ring House 2, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada, T6G 2E1
9780888645340, $34.95, www.uap.ualberta.ca

Through her travels, she began to gain a deeper understanding of her faith. "Prodigal Daughter: A Journey to Byzantium" is a travel memoir with a blend of creative non-fiction from Myrna Kostash as she reflects on her own travels from her native Canada to her ancestral homeland, the Ukraine. Drawing on her journey and what it did for her Eastern Orthodox faith she never truly understood, "Prodigal Daughter" is a fine pick, highly recommended.

Paul Newman
Marian Edelman Borden
ABC-CLIO
130 Cremona Drive
PO Box 1911, Santa Barbara, CA 93116-1911
9780313383106, $35.00, www.abc-clio.com

A true legend of his industry, Paul Newman was far more than just another actor in Hollywood. "Paul Newman: A Biography" looks at the man and his work throughout his life and career. Serving in the military early in his adulthood and looking further and higher in his goals in life, Newman's career led him along many iconic Hollywood roles, and in his later life, became a well known philanthropist, businessman, and has become an American legend. For anyone seeking to understand the big deal that Newman was and still is today, "Paul Newman: A Biography" serves as an excellent telling of his life story.

I See the Promised Land
Arthur Flowers, Manu Chitrakar, Gugliemo Rossi
Tara Books
c/o Consortium Books Sales & Distrubution
34 13th Avenue NE, Suite 101, Minneapolis, MN 55413
9789380340043, $16.95

The road away from being a second class citizen is a long one. "I See the Promised Land: A Life of Martin Luther King Jr." blends two styles of story telling to following the life of Dr. King and what was truly important to his message and over his life time. With a powerful message and style, Arthur Flowers, Manu Chitrakar, and Gugliemo Rossi come together and make "I See the Promised Land" a core addition to any art or biography collection, enthusiastically recommended.

Countdown to Lockdown
Mick Foley
Grand Central Publishing
c/o Hachette Book Group
237 Park Avenue, New York NY 10017
9780446564618, $26.99, www.hachettebookgroup.com

COUNTDOWN TO LOCKDOWN: A HARDCORE JOURNAL details author Mick Foley's decision to come out of retirement to join the TNA wrestling franchise, despite numerous injuries. His journey to get back into the wring and his debut at TNA's Lockdown, one of the key matches of his career, makes for an engrossing wrestling account that shares stories from not just the ring, but his entire life. Any fan of Mick Foley and TNA wrestling will value this survey.

Perdurabo, revised edition
Richard Kaczynski
North Atlantic Books
Box 12327, Berkeley, CA 94712
9781556438998, $29.95, www.northatlanticbooks.com

PERDURABO: THE LIFE OF ALEISTER CROWLEY provides a definitive biography of the magician and prophet and is a 'must' for any new age collection or library where magic is of interest. Crowley inspired generations of social and spiritual thinkers and this uses the author's extensive expertise to provide a new, in-depth spin on Crowley's story. Twenty years of research on the subject reflect a fine survey including unique biographical details and previously unpublished photos in a revised, expanded edition.

Leonard Cohen, A Remarkable Life
Anthony Reynolds
Omnibus Press
c/o Music Sales Limited
257 Park Avenue South, New York, NY 10010
9789781849381383, $24.95, www.omnibuspress.com

"Leonard Cohen, A Remarkable Life" is a stunning, detailed biography of the famous poet/musician gypsy balladeer, beloved of generations since the early 60's. Faithful to the myriad of quirky twists and turns of personality, character, and voice, "Leonard Cohen" traces the elusive songmaster to the authentic source of himself, if it is at all possible to do that in a mere biography. Overcoming difficulties of conflicting sources and stories, the basic reclusive ness of his subject, and the relentless passage of time, author Anthony Reynolds has put as much of the true feel of the life of Leonard Cohen into this biography as it is possible to imagine. Always in the moment, both as a performer and as human star of his own life, subject Leonard Cohen does not lend himself to easy accessible analysis or dissection. He prefers to let his songs speak for him. That is what Reynolds has allowed to happen in this "Remarkable Life" of the great poet and songwriter. Beginning in Montreal and tracing ravels to Hydra, New York, Europe, L.A. and abroad, Cohen's life in performing, tours, music, and creativity is explored. Using many sources including friends, lovers, fellow musicians, managers, and more, a dazzling jigsaw of vivid life experiences emerges. Not ignoring the drug issues, negative reviews and other darker themes present in the thread, "Leonard Cohen A Remarkable Life" achieves the impossible by remaining true to its subject, a difficult and enigmatic man with a great gift. All Leonard Cohen fans will want to own this biography.

Flying Over the Golden Arches
Donald R. Conley
Beaver's Pond Press
7104 Ohms Lane, Suite 101, Edina, MN 55439
9781592983490, $14.95, www.BeaversPondPress.com

Flying Over the Golden Arches is the memoir of author Donald R. Conley, who recollects life in Depression-era Chicago, flying the skies of Europe when it was wracked by World War II, making his mark in Ray Kroc's McDonald's Corporation, and a brush with tragedy that nearly cost the lives of his family. Conley shines through as a devoted father, a decorated U.S. Army bomber pilot, a masterful businessman, and a human being who rises up to meet life's many challenges. An uplifting and inspirational true testimony, Flying Over the Golden Arches is a highly recommended addition to memoir and biography shelves.

Queen of the Confederacy
Elizabeth Wittenmyer Lewis
University of North Texas Press
PO Box 311336, Denton, TX 76203-1336
9781574413007, $19.95, www.unt.edu/untpress

Queen of the Confederacy: The Innocent Deceits of Lucy Holcombe Pickens is the aptly researched and enthrallingly presented biography of Lucy Holcombe Pickens (1832-1899), wife of Francis Wilkinson Pickens, the man who became the secessionist governor of South Carolina as America hurtled toward the Civil War. Lucy possessed a strong will, and the determination to aspire to greater heights than those of a typical Southern belle. She urged Pickens to undertake a diplomatic mission to the court of Tsar Alexander II of Russia, and hers was the only female face to appear upon Confederate paper currency. After the Civil War, she struggled with hard times as did many Southerners, yet her regal charm remained of great renown. The saga of a truly extraordinary woman, Queen of the Confederacy is especially recommended for American History and biography collections.

Jose Antonio Navarro
David McDonald
Texas State Historical Association
1155 Union Circle #311580, Denton, TX 76203-5017
9780876112441, $24.95, www.TSHAonline.org

Jose Antonio Navarro: In Search of the American Dream in Nineteenth-Century Texas is a solidly researched biography of well-known Tejano leader Jose Antonio Navarro (1795-1871), a signer of the Texas Declaration of Independence and a champion of the rights of all people of Mexican descent in Texas. He worked to ensure that the 1836 Consultation creating the Texas Republic and the 1845 draft of the state constitution would not limit political rights to those of white skin. Navarro envisioned Texas as a place where people of all colors and backgrounds could realize their dream. A handful of black-and-white photographs illustrate this rich and compelling account of an inspirational and dedicated leader. Highly recommended.

The Imprint of Alan Swallow
W. Dale Nelson
Syracuse University Press
621 Skytop Road, Suite 110, Syracuse, NY 13244-5290
9780815609520, $17.95, www.SyracuseUniversityPress.syr.edu

The Imprint of Alan Swallow: Quality Publishing in the West is the biography of publisher, teacher, and poet Alan Swallow (1915-1966). His pioneering work in the publishing field including founding Swallow Press, and bringing to print such literary figures as Allen Tate, Anais Nin, and Yvor Winters. A handful of vintage black-and-white photographs illustrate this thoughtful, deftly researched account of an erudite man who made an immeasurable contribution to the literary history and culture of the American West.

Higher and Faster
Robert M. White and Jack L. Summers
McFarland & Company
PO Box 611, Jefferson NC 28640
9780786449897, $29.95, www.mcfarlandpub.com

Higher and Faster: Memoir of a Pioneering Air Force Test Pilot is the firsthand life story of Robert M. White (1924-2010), a retired major general in the United States Air Force who lived through the Great Depression, served as a pilot and endured as a prisoner of war during World War II, continued to serve in Korea and Vietnam, and dared to be an experimental test pilot of the Air Force. A handful of black-and-white photographs illustrate this compelling testimony of one man's exceptional aeronautical accomplishments and dedicated military service. Higher and Faster is an excellent addition to military and aviation memoir shelves.

Broadcasting the Civil War in El Salvador
Carlos Henriquez Consalvi
University of Texas Press
PO Box 7819, Austin, TX 78713-7819
9780292722859, $55.00, www.utexaspress.com

Media has its role in any conflict, as the public's opinion means more than one thinks. "Broadcasting the Civil War in El Salvador: A Memoir of Guerrilla Radio" is a history of the El Savador civil war in the 1980s, with a focus on the radio work of Santiago, who broadcasted Radio Venceremos who rallied against the Salvadoran government and the United States which backed it. The war was not one with a clear victor, but it did lea to progress, and provides an intriguing look at how the United States becomes the enemy. "Broadcasting the Civil War in El Salvador" is a fascinating read and very highly recommended.


The Audiobook Shelf

Dead Man's Chest
Kerry Greenwood, author
Stephanie Daniel, narrator
Bolinda Publishing
186 S Long Swamp Rd, Jackson, ME 04921
9781742148953, $77.95, www.bolinda.com

Dead Man's Chest is the complete and unabridged audiobook adaptation of author Kerry Greenwood's mystery, following the Hon. Miss Phryne Fisher, her adoptive daughters, and her trusted maid and her beloved dog, as they attempt to enjoy a pleasant seaside holiday. Yet mystery inevitably follows them, and they become involved in a conspiracy involving a gang of teenage ne'er-do-wells, a missing butler and his wife, and the rumor of seaside buried treasure. The always impeccable Fisher is aware of how greed can drive people, but she braves the threat around her armed with exquisite sensibilities and the practicality of a pearl-handled Beretta for self-defense. A thoroughly enjoyable adventure, Dead Man's Chest is skillfully read aloud by theater veteran Stephanie Daniel, and highly recommended especially for mystery lovers and public library audiobook collections. 7 CDs, 8 hours 33 minutes, tracks every three minutes for easy bookmarking.

Gone West
Jim Weiss, author and narrator
Greathall Productions, Inc.
PO Box 5061, Charlottesville, VA 22905-5061
9781882513642, $14.95, www.greathall.com 1-800-477-6234

Gone West: Bold Adventures of American Explorers and Pioneers is an engaging nonfiction audiobook, presenting true stories of American frontiersmen and women with a smooth narrative flair. Written and performed by Jim Weiss, Gone West includes brief yet memorable stories of Lewis and Clark, Sacagawea, Mr. Fulton and his steamboat, as well as broader history lessons about the hardships of the Oregon Trail, the labors of the railroad men, and much more. Listeners of all ages will be entranced by this enjoyable and educational audiobook, especially recommended for high school and public library collections. 1 CD, 80 min.

Vlad: The Last Confession
C.C. Humphreys, author
Colin Moody, narrator
Bolinda Publishing
186 S Long Swamp Rd, Jackson, ME 04921
9781742148304, $118.95, www.bolinda.com

Vlad: The Last Confession is the complete and unabridged audiobook adaptation of a novel about the Transylvanian Prince Vlad, inspiration for the mythos of "Dracula". His enemies despised him as "The Impaler", and his cruelty was well known - but he was also a warrior and a ruler, capable of heroism as surely as ruthlessness. Narrated by theatre and movie actor Colin Moody, Vlad: The Last Confession a gripping, involved, and dramatic portrait of the multifaceted man behind the vampire myth, worthy of the highest recommendation to audiobook connoisseurs and public library collections alike. 14 CDs, 15 hours 49 min.

The Last Gunfighter: Sudden Fury
William W. Johnstone with J.A. Johnstone, authors
George Guidall, narrator
Recorded Books, LLC
270 Skip Jack Road, Prince Frederick, MD 20678
9781449820695, $72.75, www.recordedbooks.com

The Last Gunfighter: Sudden Fury is the unabridged audiobook adaptation of a western adventure starring Frank Morgan of the popular "The Last Gunfighter" series. An unknown monster is wreaking havoc among the loggers of the Redwoods; when the local timber baron puts a bounty on the creature, thugs converge from all sides for their chance at the money. But Frank Morgan doesn't want just money; he is determined to unravel what, exactly, is going on! George Guidall's smooth narration lends the perfect touch to this enthralling blend of mystery and Western adventure.

Running Scared
Lisa Jackson, author
Jack Garrett, narrator
Recorded Books, LLC
270 Skip Jack Road, Prince Frederick, MD 20678
9781449825669, $123.75, www.recordedbooks.com

Running Scared is the audiobook adaptation of Lisa Jackson's romantic suspense novel, originally published under the title "Wishes". Fifteen years ago, Kate Summers was grief-stricken by the loss of her husband and daughter; when the opportunity to adopt a newborn baby boy was thrust at her, she could not turn it down, illegal though the circumstances might have been. Now she and her teenaged son are in dire peril, as the past threatens to catch up with them both. The one man Kate can turn to for help has his own shameful secrets, in this taut novel yet ultimately satisfying novel. 16 CDs, 18.25 hours.

Pinheads and Patriots
Bill O'Reilly
Harper Audio
10 East 53rd Street, New York, NY 10022-5299
9780061950742, $29.99, www.harpercollins.com

Charismatic and conservative television commentator Bill O'Reilly reads aloud the unabridged audiobook adaptation of his nonfiction book Pinheads and Patriots: Where You Stand in the Age of Obama in the same sweeping, brook-no-nonsense tone of voice he to address the world on "The O'Reilly Factor". O'Reilly's 2008 interview with then-Senator Barack Obama is included within this cutting-edge critical look at how America has been changing during Obama's presidential term. O'Reilly specifically focuses on the actions of people he considers selfish, or even evil - the "pinheads" - and the people he considers selfless and noble - the "patriots" - with a strong qualification that many Americans, President Obama included, have a litany of both pinheaded and patriotic deeds. Other talking points include the changes in America's healthcare, national security, immigration problems, environmental issues, and the economic meltdown. Though O'Reilly is sharply critical of President Obama, he is not unilaterally negative toward everything Obama has done; O'Reilly makes particular note of times when, in his opinion, the President acted appropriately or has been unfairly lambasted. "Pinheads and Patriots" is ultimately not just about affixing praise and blame; it also serves as a source of guidance to the American people, touching upon the most important recent national issues that one needs to keep in mind when exercising one's democratic right to vote. Highly recommended. 6 CDs, 6 1/2 hours.

Penguin Audio
375 Hudson St., New York NY 10014
www.penguin.com

Clive Cussler and Grant Blackwood's LOST EMPIRE: A FARGO ADVENTURE (9780142428598, $29.95) receives Richard Poe's fine acting background and audio abilities as it returns the heroes of Spartan Gold to a new adventure thriller perfect for any audio library strong in drama. LOST EMPIRE tells of a scuba diving team's discovery of a relic belonging to a lost Confederate ship, and a worldwide adventure hunt which ensues. John Sandford's BAD BLOOD (9780142428825, $29.95) receives Eric Conger's award-winning voice as it tells of a Minnesota farmer who is killed when he brings his soybeans to a local grain elevator. A local sheriff discovers the murderer - who then is himself killed. A fine survey evolves in a complex series of murder and intrigue stories, finely interwoven and perfect for any audio lending library. John Sandford's BAD BLOOD also appears unabridged (9780142428818, $39.95) with Eric Conger providing the same, superior rendition. SANTA FE EDGE by Stuart Woods (9780142428801, $29.95) receives Michael Kramer's stage skills and audio narration of Woods' previous SANTA FE DEAD, which lends a uniformity and smoothness to this latest story of Ed Eagle, a Santa Fe attorney who faces a puzzling new murder challenge in a golfer's hacienda. A ruthless enemy returns to haunt his efforts in this outstanding murder mystery. Jorge Luis Borges' COLLECTED FICTIONS (9780142428085, $29.95) receives veteran narrator George Guidall's smooth and absorbing voice as it tells of key themes in Borges' writings. From Borges' work in fantasy and detective work to his surrealistic views of everyday reality, this offers a powerful collection that comes alive in audio format and is a top pick for any Borges collection. John LeCarre's OUR KIND OF TRAITOR (9780142428429, $29.95) receives a fine reading by TV actor Robin Sachs, who adds spice and vigor to this story of economic intrigue. A young English couple's tennis vacation in Antigua takes an ominous return when their journey attracts the interest of the British Secret Service, who needs their help. Alliances and underworld connections evolve in an exciting story.

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

Former Special Forces Ops Jonathon Payne and David Jones are back for another thriller: Chris Kuzneski's THE PROPHECY (142338962X, $29.99) centering around a Nostradamus prophecy, a new discovery, and an assassin who wants to kill anyone who knows of the document. A cross-continent cat-and-mouse hunt ensues, spiced by the riveting performance of veteran narrator Dick Hill. Suzanne Brockmann's INFAMOUS (1441850619, $24.99) receives a fine dual narration by Angela Dawe and Patrick Lawlor, whose acting abilities and experience lends a dramatic edge to this story of a history professor consulting on a western legend for a film. Her witness of an event will place her in danger in this excellent story of drama, romance and action. Andrew Vachss' HARD CANDY (1441821155, $29.99) receives veteran Phil Gigante's seasoned and professional voice as it offers a thriller about a hit man who metes out his own form of punishment to those who victimize children - and a dangerous criminal intent on recruiting runaways for his own purposes. An outstanding account of intrigue comes alive in audio format! Robert M. Poole's ON HALLOWED GROUND: THE STORY OF THE ARLINGTON NATIONAL CEMETERY (1441868224, $29.99) is narrated by the author and offers a powerful survey of the Cemetery created during the Civil War. Details affecting the cemetery from the aftermaths of many wars lend to an all-embracing history recommended for nonfiction audio collections. Joseph Wambaugh's THE CHOIRBOYS (144187481X, $29.99) receives Oliver Wyman's outstanding performance and extensive background in audio narration, which perfectly pairs with a fine survey of the L.A. Police Department haunted by dark secrets of shared sex sessions they call choir practice. A fine saga of a dark underworld emerges. Jack Higgins' THE PRESIDENT'S DAUGHTER (1441843310, $29.99) receives Michael Page's outstanding voice and experience in recording numerous titles for Brilliance. It offers a fine thriller that translates well to audio and centers around a U.S. President's romances of the past and the truth about his daughter, who is kidnapped by an extremist group. A gripping thriller emerges. Stephen White's THE LAST LIE (1423390407, $34.99) is also a fine thriller, with veteran Dick Hill performing an outstanding narration. The story of a housewarming party gone awry makes for a chain of events that adds drama and intrigue to a puzzle. Paul Greenberg's FOUR FISH: THE FUTURE OF THE LAST WILD FOOD (1441872426, $29.99) receives Christopher Lane's seasoned voice as it explores the state of our ocean and the perils of overfishing. Fish are the last wild food - and they may soon be gone. This provides a compelling assessment of dangers and preservation needs.


The Library CD Music Shelf

Memory
The pickPocket Ensemble
c/o Rock Paper Scissors (publicity)
511 West 4th Street, Suite 2, Bloomington, IN 47404
$21.49, www.rockpaperscissors.biz, www.pickpocketensemble.com

Memory is an album of "cafe music" by the eclectic pickPocket Ensemble, a musical group that draws from Balkan boogies, Arabic ornaments, Middle Eastern melodies, North African blues, and much more in their original repertoire of musical fusion. Their adventurous blending of ethnic and cultural musical boundaries makes for a unique listening experience, characterized by intimacy and revolutionary redefinition. Memory is a choice pick for library and international music collections. The tracks are "Home", "3 a.m.", "If", "Sometimes Never", "Bird in a Web", "For Those Who've Left", "Seriously", "Memory", "That Dream Again...", and "Nowhere Else".

Leap of Faith
Patricia Shih
Shih Enterprises Inc.
PO Box 1554, Huntington, NY 11743
$15.00, www.patriciashih.com, www.cdbaby.com

Patricia Shih has dedicated her music CD album "Leap of Faith" to "those who dare to dream and leap"; fittingly, the music surges with inspiration while the lyrics contemplate moments of dilemma that can forever change one's life. A profound performance reverberating with love, the drive to better oneself, and the wondrous power of human creativity, "Leap of Faith" is a transcendental listening experience. The tracks are "Leap of Faith" (2:36), "Small Blue Marble" (3:51), "Be the One" (4:17), "Mother-in-Law's Lament" (3:09), "Island" (4:12), "Children of the Dust" (5:20), "Two Good Legs" (2:57), "The Choice" (4:57), "Human Catastrophe" (4:14), "My Child's Song" (2:55), "Living with All Hope" (4:16) and "The Color Song" (2:36). Also by Patricia Shih and highly recommended is the music CD album "Woman With One Closed Eye" ($15.00).

Nagore Sessions
EarthSync
Flipswitch (publicity)
PO Box 2207, Bloomington, IN 47404-2207
$16.98, www.earthsync.com

Nagore Sessions is the latest album from Earthsync, which supports the chants of three traditional Sufi dargah singers with Middle Eastern percussion as well as contemporary Western instruments. Nagore Sessions draws upon when Earthsync came to Nagore after the terrible 2004 tsunami, as part of the Laya Project in homage to the many cultures and peoples directly affected by hard times. The Sufi culture of South India brought a welcome infusion to their spiritual and rhythmic understanding. In their travels, they drew inspiration from Nagore holy sites, the philosophies of fellow Sufi singers, and even Southern Indian "Kollywood" pop music (cousin to better-known "Bollywood" tunes). A rich and rewarding experience, Nagore Sessions is highly recommended especially for international music CD shelves. The tracks are "Baghdad Guru" (7:09), "The Saint" (6:43), "Ya Allah (Nagore Sessions Version)" (7:31), "Allahu Allah" (4:19), "Ya Haja" (5:45), "Into Your Eyes" (7:27), and "Mahane Mohabbat" (8:18).

Singing in the Dark
Susan McKeown
www.susanmckeown.com
Hibernian Music
PO Box 2349, New York, NY 10009
Rock Paper Scissors (publicity)
511 West 4th Street, Suite 2, Bloomington, IN 47404
$16.99, www.rockpaperscissors.biz, www.singinginthedark.com

Irish vocalist Susan McKeown presents Singing in the Dark, a haunting album inspired by McKeown's meeting with the families and loved ones of those suffering from mental illness. The endemic problem of depressions strikes especially close to McKeown's heart, as people of her native land and those of her musician's profession are more likely than average to fall prey to depression and even suicide. "Singing in the Dark" draws upon classical poetry about madness and mental illness to heart-rending music. The result is an unforgettable album not only about pain and suffering, but also hope and the resolve to move forward. The tracks are "In a Dark Time" (3:13), "A Woman Like That (Her Kind)" (4:08), "The Nameless One" (5:39), "The Crazy Woman" (4:29), "In Darkness Let Me Dwell" (3:41), "Mad Sweeney" (5:23), "Anthem" (5:50), "Gracias a la Vida" (3:57), "The Crack in the Stairs" (3:38), "Good Old World Blues" (4:26), "Angel of Depression" (2:49), and "So We'll Go No More A-Roving" (3:49).

Into the Shadow Garden
Copal
Halytha Music
Flipswitch (publicity)
PO Box 2207, Bloomington, IN 47404-2207
$21.84, www.copalmusic.com

Into the Shadow Garden is the debut album of the five-piece band Copal, who hearkens to inspiration from music styles around the globe - including Eastern European, Middle Eastern, Nordic, and more. Violin strains, vocals, cello, bass, and drums merge into a heady, passionate performance whispering of hidden treasures and secret nights. A liquid blend of modern flair and classical elegance, Into the Shadow Garden is highly recommended. The tracks are "Roots" (8:44), "Ether" (7:46), "Ungaro" (3:35), "Ceutara" (5:22), "Velvet" (3:54), and "Shadows" (7:53). 35 min 16 sec.

When May Came
Raina Rose
Trade Root Music Group (publicity)
john@traderootmusic.com
$14.99, www.rainarose.com

Recorded live, When May Came is a self-produced music CD of eleven mellifluous, haunting songs by Raina Rose and her band of Austin musicians. The songs blend storytelling, heart, and a balanced musical accompaniment into an unforgettable whole. "When May Came" is a smoothly flowing album, highly recommended to connoisseurs of independent and original music. The tracks are "Sun Comes Back" (3:43), "Your Neighbor's Trampoline" (3:49), "Let Me Down Easy" (3:37), "If You're Gonna Go" (4:27), "Desdemona" (3:58), "Nashville" (3:34), "Pretty Good Today" (4:03), "Stone Around My Neck" (4:33), "What Do You Bury?" (5:17), "Heart Broken Open" (4:18), and "Bluebonnets" (4:26).

A Hot and Spicy Christmas
Irene Nachreiner with her Latin Jazz Band
Turquoise Water Music
c/o The Creative Service Company
4360 Emerald Drive, Colorado Springs, CO 80918
$12.97 IreneSings.com CDbaby.com

A Hot and Spicy Christmas is a distinctive holiday music CD, featuring the liquid smooth voice of Irene Nachreiner singing traditional Christmas carols to unique musical arrangements performed by her vibrantly exotic Latin Jazz Band. The result is a holiday fusion of holiday cheer and modern pizzazz, perfect for parties or just getting into the Christmas spirit. The tracks are "Fum, Fum, Fum" (2:34), "Patapan/God Rest Ye Merry Gentlement" (3:16), "Sweet Baby Jesus" (3:49), "Sing We Now of Christmas/Noel Nouvelet" (3:50), "O Come, O Come Immanuel" (3:44), "Ring Out Bells" (3:21), "Rocking" (2:50), "Silent Night" (4:28), "Il Est Ne Le Divin Enfant" (3:46), "Infant Holy, Infant Lowly" (2:39), "What Child Is This?" (3:35), "The Babe of Bethlehem" (3:07), "Cantique de Noel (O Holy Night)" (3:46), and "I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day" (3:59).


The Sports Shelf

The Bill James Handbook
Joey Votto
ACTA Sports
4848 N. Clark Street, Chicago, IL 60640
9780879464394, $24.95, www.actapublications.com

Baseball is an ever-changing game. "The Bill James Handbook: 2011" is the latest edition of the Bill James handbook, offering a comprehensive statistics guide to the 2010 season in order to give baseball fanatics a more complete understanding of the upcoming 2011 season. Filled cover to cover with statistics as well as expert analysis on the upcoming 2011 season, "The Bill James Handbook" is a strong pick for anyone looking to be a more knowledgeable armchair baseball expert.

Golf
John R. Jenchura
A Mountain Lion Book
617 Schiller Avenue, Merion, PA 19066
c/o Cardinal Publishers Group
2402 N. Shadeland Ave. Suite A, Indianapolis, IN 46219
9780977003969, $27.00

The quiet game from Scotland has gained quite the international following. "Golf: A Good Walk & Then Some: A Quintessential History of the Game" traces the history of this game to its earliest beginnings in Scotland to today where it has become a staple of business meetings as well as a national sport played by many talented men and women alike. A complete and comprehensive history filled with plenty of photographs and paintings covering the history, "Golf: A Good Walk & Then Some" is a must for anyone intrigued by the history of golf, a core addition to any sports history collection.

Sam: The One and Only Sam Snead
Al Barkow
Taylor Trade Publishing
c/o The Rowman & Littlefield Publishing Group
4501 Forbes Boulevard, Suite 200, Lanham, MD 20706
9781589795232, $16.95, www.rlprgtrade.com

There was more to Sam Snead's success than being able to swat a ball into a hole. "Sam: The One and Only Sam Snead" looks at legendary golfer Sam Snead. With countless wins in tournaments and more, Snead was more than just a golfer. He was a person with his own problems and daily challenges. Looking behind the exterior of the hall of famer, Al Barkow tells his story like never before. "Sam" is a fine addition to any golf history collection.

Randy Wayne White's Ultimate Tarpon Book
Randy Wayne White & Carlene Fredericka Brennen
University Press of Florida
15 Northwest 15th Street, Gainesville, FL 32611-2079
9780813035123, $34.95, www.upf.com

Sometimes catching a few decently sized fish isn't enough. "Randy Wayne White's Ultimate Tarpon Book" is a guide to bigger game fishing as author and editor Randy Wayne White draws from the fishing writing from many figures throughout history who have added their own thought into big game fishing. From Theodore Roosevelt to Thomas Edison, the information and wisdom contained within is sure to help any big game fisher reach for that next big catch. "Randy Wayne White's Ultimate Tarpon Book" is a powerful resource for the fisherman, a grade-A pick.

Five Big Mountains
David Schaeffer
Mercer University Press
1400 Coleman Ave, Macon GA 31207
9780881462104, $29.00, www.mupress.org

FIVE BIG MOUNTAINS: A REGULAR GUY'S GUIDE TO CLIMBING ORIZABA, ELBRUS, KILIMANJARO, ACONCAGUA AND VINSON provides a dual account of a novice mountain climber's vivid experiences and a survey of how training and planning can provide even amateurs with fine mountain-climbing experiences. This first-person adventure is a 'must' for any library strong in true adventure dramas, bringing readers right there in the climbing decision-making process.

The Wave
Susan Casey
Doubleday & Company
c/o Random House
1745 Broadway, New York, NY 10019
9780767928847, $27.95, www.doubleday.com

THE WAVE: IN PURSUIT OF THE ROGUES, FREAKS AND GIANTS OF THE OCEAN tells of sailors who have reported 100-foot and high waves appearing from nowhere: legends which scientists once dismissed as impossible. Proof arrived in 2000 when a British research vessel was trapped in the North Sea in a vortex of mammoth waves. The science of giant waves - and the interest extreme surfers take in them - is presented in a lively survey following surf riders and the giant waves that draw them. Riveting reading: every library should have this!

Water Skiing and Wakeboarding
Ben Favret
Human Kinetics
Box 5076, Champaign, IL 61825-5076
073608634X, $24.95, www.hkusa.com

Water Skiing and Wakeboarding covers all the basics of the sports, from basic equipment and techniques to training. Experienced and newcomer readers alike will find the author's 25 years of competitive experience lends to a title teaching body ability and safety, showing how to ride like a pro and have fun in the process. Sports collections - especially those where watersports is popular - will find this a fine addition, packed with color illustration throughout!

Human Kinetics
Box 5076, Champaign, IL 61825-5076
www.hkusa.com

Stephen J. McGregor, PhD and Matt Fitzgerald's THE RUNNER'S EDGE: HIGH-TECH TRAINING FOR PEAK PERFORMANCE (0736081151, $18.95) provides tech-based training and surveys the range of speed and distance devices available to help runners analyze their achievements. Learn how to use this technology to foster a running program, from determining pace targets for workouts to identifying running strengths and weaknesses. Leslie Kaminoff's YOGA ANATOMY (0736062785, $19.95) provides yoga poses in full color with detailed anatomical drawings, covering the most common asanas and survey breathing and muscles in each pose. A fine survey of all kinds of yoga poses makes this a key reference for any yoga collection.

Inside Sport Psychology
Costas I. Karageorghis & Peter C. Terry
Human Kinetics
PO Box 5076, Champaign, IL 61825-5076
9780736033299, $23.95, www.humankinetics.com

The mind of an athlete is an incredibly focused one. "Inside Sport Psychology" is a thoughtful analysis of the mind and focus of today's athletes and what drives them further in their pursuits in life, far and beyond a casual player. These writings are designed to help would be competitors find their zone and excel in their athletic pursuits, realizing that all the physical conditioning in the world won't matter if your brain isn't their with it. "Inside Sport Psychology" is an excellent and very useful read for athletes who realize that stupid mistakes are the best way to lose.

Clemente! The Enduring Legacy
Kal Wagenheim
Markus Wiener Publishers
231 Nassau Street, Princeton, NJ 08542
9781558765276, $24.95, www.markuswiener.com

Clemente! The Enduring Legacy is an anthology of memories, testimonies, and tributes to Roberto Clemente, the first Latino baseball superstar, who perished in 1972 when his plane crashed while he attempted to fly relief supplies to earthquake sufferers in Nicaragua. Clemente's legacy is not only one of exceptional skill in the sport of baseball, but also true heroism. Clemente advocated civil rights, listening to others, and inspiring others; the nobility of his character shines through in this enriching and rewarding collection that honors his efforts, and his example. Highly recommended.


The Military Shelf

Red Star Over the Pacific
Toshi Yoshihara & James R. Holmes
Naval Institute Press
291 Wood Road, Annapolis, MD 21402
9781591143901, $36.95, www.nip.org

China has been rushing to become a global power in more than one way. "Red Star Over the Pacific: China's Rise and the Challenge to U. S. Maritime Strategy" is a discussion of the rising naval power that resides in China. This rise in the modern day has many major implications to the future of world peace and power, as they are quickly becoming a rising threat to America's long standing naval superiority. Calling for an answer before China's naval forces get out of hand, "Red Star Over the Pacific" is a thoughtful read and solidly recommended for international issues and military collections.

Titans of the Rising Sun
Raymond A. Bawal
Inland Expressions
42211 Garfield Rd. #297, Clinton Township, MI 48038
9780981815732, $19.95, www.inlandexpressions.com

Before the air became an important battlefield, dominion over the seas was critical to an empire. "Titans of the Rising Sun: The Rise and Fall of Japan's Yamato Class Battleships" looks at the history surrounding Japan's naval power at the turn of the twentieth century and how it came into play during this period in its war with Russia and its expanding power over Asia. But in its rush to gain power on the world stage and keep a stronger military, Japan made many errors. "Titans of the Rising Sun" is a detailed piece of military history, highly recommended.

Men in German Uniform
Antonio Thompson
The University of Tennessee Press
293 Communications Building, Knoxville, TN 37996-0325
9781572337282, $41.95, www.utpress.org

All countries took prisoners of war, but all POW stories are not the same. "Men in German Uniform: POWs in America in America During World War II" looks at the interesting case of German prisoners of war being held in America throughout the second world war. These men were not all Nazis, and not all Germans, as Nazi Germany's military recruitment did little discriminating and pulled from convicts, other European PoWs, and many more. Their lack of unity seemed surprising, as Antonio Thompson sheds light on this intriguing story. "Men in German Uniform" is a fine read for a lesser talked about topic in the history of World War II.

A Coast Guardsman's History of the U.S. Coast Guard
C. Douglas Kroll
Naval Institute Press
291 Wood Road, Annapolis, MD 21402
9781591144335, $34.95, www.navalinstitute.org

A Coast Guardsman's History of the U.S. Coast Guard is a solid survey of the history, values, and purpose of the United States Coast Guard. Chapters discuss predecessors to the Coast Guard, including those who performed lifesaving or lighthouse services and the Bureau of Marine Inspection and Navigation, as well as how Coast Guard traditions came to be. A wealth of true stories from active duty, reserve, auxiliary, and civilian members of the Coast Guard team add an unforgettably personal touch to this inspirational resource and testimony. History of the U.S. Coast Guard is an excellent addition to American military history and marine studies shelves.

Victory in Defeat
Gregory J. W. Urwin
Naval Institute Press
291 Wood Road, Annapolis, MD 21402
9781591148999, $38.95, www.navalinstitute.org 1-800-233-8764

Victory in Defeat: The Wake Island Defenders in Captivity is the true story of the U.S. forces of the tiny Wake Island outpost during World War II. When they surrendered to the Japanese on December 23, 1941, it was the beginning of their true fight for survival - weathering three and a half years in Japanese POW camps. Ultimately, the defeated Americans (the majority of which were Marines) endured captivity with a notably higher survival rate than most other Allied POWs in the Pacific. Victory in Defeat reveals how this virtual miracle came to be, through a combination of solid discipline, esprit de corps, mutual help networks, and sheer good fortune - most Wake Islanders endured in two camps outside Shanghai, one of few locations that Japanese authorities allowed the Red Cross to help POWs. Historical evidence also reveals that the guards at Shanghai were notably less brutal than those of POW camps in the Japanese empire, a factor that further contributed to POW survival. Victory in Defeat is an in-depth, solidly researched, and accurately presented chronicle of survival and courage, and a welcome contribution to World War II military history shelves.

Racing the Sunrise
Glen Williford
Naval Institute Press
291 Wood Road, Annapolis, MD 21402
9781591149569, $37.95, www.navalinstitute.org

Racing the Sunrise: Reinforcing America's Pacific Outposts, 1941-1942 is a thoughtful analysis of America's historic comeback from the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor. Written by Glen Williford, co-founder of the Coast Defense Study Group (the only American historical society dedicated to the Coast Guard), Racing the Sunrise chronicles American efforts to rebuild its military presence in the Philippines and Hawaii, as well as the labor to supply Bataan and Corregidor in early 1942. Racing the Sunrise is also an acutely accurate reminder of the human cost to the immense work to counter the Japanese, and even discusses defensive efforts to guard lines of communication to Australia. A detailed and thorough accounting supplemented with notes, a bibliography, and an index, Racing the Sunrise is an invaluable addition to World War II military and naval history shelves, highly recommended.

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

Martin Pegler's THE THOMPSON SUBMACHINE GUN: FROM PROHIBITION CHICAGO TO WORLD WAR II (9781849081498, $17.95) offers the first book in Osprey's 'Weapon' series and provides a finely detailed review of the development, use and impact of small arms throughout history. Expert knowledge and first-hand accounts contribute to an analysis of the Thompsons development and those who used it, making for an outstanding survey recommended for any military collection. Also a powerful pick is Prit Buttar's BATTLEFIELD PRUSSIA: THE ASSAULT ON GERMANY'S EASTERN FRONT 1944-45 (9781849081900, $29.95). It comes packed with action shots and photos, first-hand accounts from soldiers on both sides - most of which have never appeared in English - and follows the months between the arrival of the Red Army in Germany to the collapse of Hitler's regime. No military collection strong in World War II should be without this specific, in-depth analysis. World War II collections will readily welcome Mark Sitlle's MIDWAY 1942: TURNING POINT IN THE PACIFIC (9781846035012, $19.95), a fine survey of the battle of Midway, its politics, and its strategy. Recent research into the battle offers a new study to dispel many myths, making this a 'must' for any serious analysis of the Midway experience. Osprey's THE MILITARY HISTORY QUIZ BOOK (9781849081726, $9.95) provides a fine military history trivia collection for any buff who thinks they know military topics. Osprey's own quizmaster creates a range of questions and answers that will make a perfect gift choice for any military history enthusiast. Ron Field's ROBERT E. LEE (9781849081450, $18.95) offers Book 7 in Osprey's 'Command' series covering the tactics and leadership of history's greatest military commanders, and offers letters, newspapers and diaries to build a fine narrative of Lee's achievements. From his legendary career to his tragedies, ROBERT E. LEE is a fine introduction for any military or general-interest holding!


The Poetry Shelf

Woman with Wing Removed
Valerie Wohlfeld
Truman State University Press
100 E. Normal Ave., Kirksville, MO 63501-4221
9781935503064, $15.95, www.tsup.truman.edu

The majesty of woman may not be as it once was. "Woman with Wing Removed" is a collection of poetry from Valerie Wohlfeld as she discusses woman and her place in the world, and the status of mythology, love, and much more. "Woman with Wing Removed" is poignant and highly recommended.

Spindrift
Vona Groarke
Wake Forest University Press
PO Box 7333, Winston-Salem, NC 27109
9781930630543, $12.95, www.wfu.edu/wfupress

One of the most famed poets in Ireland, Vona Groarke earns her fame with "Spindrift". She speaks frankly about the life and times of the Western world and their culture and what is remembered and what is forgotten. "Spindrift" is an excellent volume to add to any world poetry collection. "The Penknife": One slip and the tip/of my forefinger slits/inch-wide, clean-brimmed/so a flap of skin/is mackeral-grilled,/ripped white to the rim/like the single thread/that pulls open a wave/to a skim of pulse,/a spate of blood and salt.

Ice Floe
Shannon Gramse & Sarah Kirk, editor
University of Alaska Press
PO Box 756240, Fairbanks, AK 99775-6240
9781602230835, $20.00, www.uaf.edu/uapress

In the coldest reaches of the Northern hemisphere, poetry is still heartily embraced. "Ice Floe" is a collection of poems from various poets in the northern reaches of the continents, from Alaska, Canada, Russia, the Scandinavian countries among others. "Ice Floe" is a thoughtful collection on life in the cold, and proves to be quite the read. "Ancient Path" by Leonid Lapsui, translated from the original Nenets by Alexis Burykin: An ancient tundra path meanders,/withered grass on both its banks./Old reindeer skulls are woven/here and there within the grass./Here are ancient graves where/people died of hunger and disease./Dry grass has covered them./Dry grass will keep them warm.

Riley Child Rhymes with Hoosier Pictures
James Whitcomb Riley
Indiana University Press
601 North Morton Street, Bloomington, IN 47404-3797
9780253355690, $17.95, www.iupress.indiana.edu

Even with such a difference in a century this has made with technology, some poems can still resonate strongly. "Riley Child-Rhymes with Hoosier Pictures" is a collection of poems aimed at and on the discussion of children from James Whitcomb Riley, a famed poet of the end of the nineteenth century. Thoughtful and charming after all these years, and accompanied by plenty of nostalgic hand drawn pictures of the era, "Riley Child-Rhymes with Hoosier Pictures" is a choice collection, highly recommended.

Unexpected Elegies
Thomas Hardy
Persea Books
853 Broadway, 6th Floor, New York, NY 10003
9780892553617, $14.00, www.perseabooks.com

You never know what you have lost until it's gone. "Unexpected Elegies: Poems of 1912-1913 and Other Poems About Emma" looks at the writings of famed author Thomas Hardy, who wrote a series of poems about his wife Emma after she died during their estrangement. A poignant look at love and what was lost, what went wrong, and more, "Unexpected Elegies" is a fine pick and very highly recommended. "The Walk": You did not walk with me/of late to the hill top tree/By the gated ways,/As in earlier days;/You were weak and lame,/So you never came,/And I went alone, and I did not mind,/Not thinking of you as left behind.//I walked up there to-day/Just in the former way;/Surveyed around/The familiar ground/By myself again:/What difference, then?/Only that underlying sense/Of the look of a room on returning thence.

Misled
Susan Holbrook
Red Deer Press
195 Allstate Parkway, Markham, ON L3R 4T8
0889952159, $9.95

The truth is easily turned to something more useful. "Misled" is a collection of poetry from Susan Holbrook reflecting the many elements that get twisted and lied about in life and the search for a bit of truth in one's life. Thoughtful and riveting verse, "Misled" is a choice pick for any poetry fan, done excellently in a long and flowing style that tells a fine narrative.

When Love is Not Enough
Maurice Harmon
Salmon Poetry
c/o DuFour Editions
PO Box 7, Chester Springs, PA 19425
9781907056390, $19.95, www.salmonpoetry.com

In the twilight of his life, Maurice Harmon has had time to reflect on all eighty years of it. "When Love is Not Enough" is a collection of poetry from Maurice Harmon, drawing on his previous collections as well as work in the past two years of his life. Reflecting strongly on his Irish heritage and speaking on a wide range of topics, "When Love Is Not Enough" is a thoughtful and highly varied collection. "Coyote tried to drown himself": Coyote tried to drown himself. He did not die./He built a fire and jumped in. He did not burn, he did not die.//He took a rope and wound it round his neck./He hauled himself up, but did not die.//He took a knife and cut his throat,/but did not die./He tried in many ways to kill himself, but gave it up.//He cried and cried, but after a while, gave that up.

One with Others
C. D. Wright
Copper Canyon Press
PO Box 271, Port Townsend, WA 98368
9781556593246, $20.00, www.coppercanyonpress.org

A time in America where being a second class citizen was the law. "One with Others" are the reflections from CD Wright on the civil rights movement in Arkansas, and the role of her mentor in that chaotic time. Discussing her mentor through a combination of prose and poetry, C.D. Tells quite the insightful tale of a time of uncertainty where the retribution for standing up for oneself and your people could be meant with very dire consequences. "One with Others" is a fascinating read and not one to be overlooked.

Possum Nocturne
Doug Ramspeck
NorthShore Press
c/o The University of Akron Press
Akron, OH 44325-1703
9780979436536, $15.00

With a collection of poetry to his name and much experience in teaching and enjoying writing, Doug Ramspeck brings readers another volume with "Possum Nocturne". With his own dedication to the Midwest, he speaks on the issues that many people of the region take to heart. "Possum Nocturne" is a fine read with plenty of poetic wisdom, highly recommended. "After the Storm": And so she rises. Crosses/to the window. Looks out into/the lowlands./Or let's say that in her dream/a massasauga, small as a dropped twig,/injects alluvial venom/into her blood./The lightning stitching its way/into the night sky.

Crave Radiance
Elizabeth Alexander
Graywolf Press
250 Third Avenue N, Suite 600, Minneapolis, MN 55401
9781555975685, $28.00, www.graywolfpress.org

Some poets rise beyond speaking their own thoughts and opinions, and speak to America. "Crave Radiance: New and Selected Poems 1990-2010" looks at the long body of work from Elizabeth Alexander, famed for delivering her poem 'Praise Song for the Day' at the Inauguration of Barack Obama. She has been called America's poets, and this volume comprises her best work over two decades. "Crave Radiance" more than deserves its place in any poetry or literature collection. "Emancipation": Corncob constellation,/oyster shell, drawstring pouch, dry bones.//Gris gris in the rafters./Hoodoo in the sleeping nook./Mojo in Linda Brent's Crawlspace./Nineteenth century corncob cosmogram/set on the dirt floor, beneath the slant roof,/left intact the afternoon/that someone came and told those slaves//"We're free".

Incarnality
Rod Jellema
Wm B. Eerdmans Publishing Co.
2410 Oak Industrial Drive NE, Grand Rapids, MI 49505
9780802827494, $28.00, www.eerdmans.com

Rod Jellema's work is something truly amazing. "Incarnality: The Collected Poems" is a collection of work from Rod Jellema as he speaks on life and the spirit and the challenges the face through time. Speaking eloquently with thoughtful verse, with an audio CD of poems read by the author, "Incarnality" is an intriguing and very thoughtful read that will prove hard to set down. "The Function of Poetry at the Present Time": When you see/an old shoe/at the side of a road/there is never a second shoe./Someone has to notice.

Li Po Comes to America
Alex Stolis
Parallel Press
372 Memorial Library, 728 State Street, Madison, WI 53575
9781934795156, $10.00 http://parallelpress.library.wisc.edu

Li Po Comes to America is a chapbook of free-verse poetry in which almost every poem is titled after a law of physics or science - or a stop on Li Po's multifaceted travels. Individual vignettes flesh out a spiraling narrative of external and internal journey, making for a singularly memorable poetic experience. "Fermat's Principle / Santa Monica: Where is the sun when we need it- / all I have is a broken watch, a half tank / of gas and a dope-sick friend in the back. // You never wanted to hear the end / of the story - never needed to remind / the stars to drink themselves sober."

New & Collected Poems
U. A. Fanthorpe
Arts Council England
c/o DuFour Editions
PO Box 7, Chester Springs, PA 19425
9781907587009, $52.95, www.dufouredtions.com

A rise to fame usually comes with a decline in quality. Not so for U. A. Fanthorpe. "New & Collected Poems" is a massive volume of the work of U. A. Fanthorpe, looking at her popular and illustrious career as she spent her eighty year life in devotion to the art. Covering twenty five years of her work, this massive tome provides a wide selection of her work, to truly give understanding to her life's purpose. "New & Collected Poems" is a core addition to any English poetry collection, enthusiastically recommended. "Lumb Bank, Early": Hodge and Tigger, home from their night-shift,/Leave small parcels of mouse-meat on thresholds.//The morning chorus has hallooed itself hoarse;/But collared doves still call, unstoppable as MPs.//Between the beds Apollo stalks, god-footed,/Not missing anyone out./Breaths into sleeping ears//His secret gift: phrase, image, first line, last line,/Pattern, whatever it is. The sleepers sigh, roll over.//The gift is god-given. It keeps till breakfast.

The Chimney Stone
Rob Winger
Nightwood Editions
PO Box 1779, Gibsons, BC V0N 1V0
9780889712492, $17.95, www.nightwoodeditions.com

With an assortment of award winning work already before him, Rob Winger brings readers another fine volume with "The Chimney Stone". Thoughtful work as he discusses what's hot on the tongues of people today, he offers unique perspectives in the form of entertaining verse. "The Chimney Stone" is an excellent addition to any collection. "Ghazel for Another Here": How can your busted, angry heart be Ontario?/That red country truck was my grandfather's Bible./Your skin's no accident a shovel and rose, a breached levy. Elima.//Your psychoanalysis has forgotten/its mirror//A flame don't always need no match to burn.//There are Soviets in the space heater;/put down your rifle and write.


The Bilingual Shelf

A Life Crossing Borders
Rev. Santiago Tafolla, author
Carmen Tafolla and Laura Tafolla, editors
Arte Publico Press
University of Houston
452 Cullen Performance Hall, Houston, TX 77204-2004
9781558855977, $16.95, www.artepublicopress.com

A Life Crossing Borders: Memoir of a Mexican-American Confederate is the firsthand testimony of Rev. Santiago Tafolla, edited by his great-granddaughters and published as part of the Recovering the U.S. Hispanic Literary Heritage series. Tafolla was born in Santa Fe in 1837, nine years before Mexico lost the territory following the Mexican-American War. Tafolla offers an eyewitness account of racism and slavery; he served in the Texas Indian Wars and the U.S. Civil War, and during the last 35 years of his life, he labored as a Methodist circuit preacher when most Hispanics were Catholics. A Life Crossing Borders includes a transcript of the complete memoir in its original Spanish, as well as an English translation of the transcript, and sample pages of Tafolla's handwritten account. An indispensable primary account of the turbulent times in nineteenth century North America, A Life Crossing Borders is highly recommended especially for college and public library collections.


The Library DVD Shelf

Championship Productions
2730 Graham Street, Ames, IA 50010
www.championshipproductions.com

Ray Lokar, a high school basketball coach of thirty years' experience, presents two DVDs filled with wisdom, hands-on experience and practical strategies for fellow coaches. "Fundamentals Factory for Youth Basketball" (276 min., $49.99) is packed with drills, exercises, life lessons, coaching suggestions, and more to guide gym teachers and parents-turned-coaches in the skill and art of progression-based skill instruction. "Building an Effective Youth Basketball Practice" (50 min., $29.99) particularly focuses on how to structure practice sessions with goals and purpose, the better to build youth basketball skill and teamwork. Both DVDs are hands-on practical, absolute "must-haves" for any would-be youth basketball teacher, worthy of the highest recommendation.

Dogs Decoded
PBS
c/o SSA Public Relations (publicity)
15260 Ventura Boulevard, Suite 1730, Sherman Oaks, CA 91403
9781608833269, $24.99, www.ssapr.com

Dogs Decoded: Understanding the Human-Dog Relationship is a fascinating DVD documentary about man's best friend. Dogs have been domesticated longer than any other animal, but only recently has research established that dogs have a unique talent - they are able to read and respond to human emotions. Dogs can be taught to respond to human pointing, unlike wolves or even apes. Puppies retain juvenile traits that allow them to be conditioned according to their master's needs, unlike wolf cubs that remain naturally aggressive and even destructive when raised in captivity. New discoveries in the genetics of dogs offer a world of insight into both human and canine ways of life. Dogs Decoded is an amazing tour of scientific revelation, highly recommended for dog lovers and public library collections. 56 minutes, widescreen, subtitles.

Circus
PBS
c/o SSA Public Relations
15260 Ventura Boulevard, Suite 1730, Sherman Oaks, CA 91403
9781608832736, $34.99 DVD /, $39.99 Blu-ray, www.ssapr.com

Circus is an extraordinary DVD documentary of the annual 350-show, town-to-town tour of the Big Apple Circus. From seventh and eighth-generation circus performers, to newcomers looking to earn their place in the spotlight, to the crushing effects of an economy turning sour, Circus is a behind-the-scenes look at the ups and downs of this incredible entertainment industry. Special features include character profiles, bonus footage of circus daily life, and more. An absolute "must-have" for anyone who has ever wondered what life as a circus member is truly like, highly recommended especially for public library collections. 3 discs, 6 hours, widescreen, subtitles.

Joy Bauer's Slimdown Workout
Acacia
8515 Georgia Avenue, Suite 650, Silver Spring, MD 20910
9781598285185, $16.99, www.acacialifestyle.com

Registered dietitian Joy Bauer and world-class trainer Lisa Wheeler present Joy Bauer's Slimdown Workout, an excellent DVD for shedding pounds, boosting one's energy, and strengthening muscles. The only equipment needed for optimal benefit from the two 20-minute cardio and strength-training segments are light hand weights and a mat. Bonus material includes ten weight loss tips, advice on healthy snacks, and suggested diet-friendly meals. Joy Bauer's Slimdown Workout is an easy-to-use addition to fitness DVD collections, and highly recommended. 50 min.

Personal Training with Jackie: Crunch-Free Xtreme Abs
Anchor Bay Entertainment
2401 West Big Beaver Road, Suite 200, Troy, MI 48084-3304
$14.98, www.anchorbayentertainment.com

Personal Training with Jackie: Crunch-Free Xtreme Abs is a fitness DVD hosted by Jackie Warner, known for her hit fitness TV shows "Work Out" and "Thintervention", focusing on how to tone one's abdominals without doing crunches. Instead, Crunch-Free Xtreme Abs reveals two original 15-minute workouts; one can be done from a standing position, and the other is an invigorating floor routine. No equipment other than inexpensive hand weights is recommended to feel the full force of the workout. Best done three times a week to shed fat and improve one's abdominals, Crunch-Free Xtreme Abs lives up to its title and is highly recommended. 32 min.

Waterlife
Bullfrog Films, Inc.
PO Box 149, Oley, PA 19547
077221266X, $320.00, www.bullfrogfilms.com

Licensed for public performance, Waterlife is a sobering documentary about the Great Lakes, which have been severely polluted and threatened. From the risk of an Asian carp invasion through the Chicago river (which would have a devastating impact on the lake's indigenous life), to the problems of insufficient regulation to curtail private or industrial pollution, to the inherent difficulties of managing a common resource shared between two nations and ten states, Waterlife is a vividly eye-opening account of serious environmental issues. Highly recommended, especially for high school classroom and public library collections. 109 minutes, 16:9 format.

The Red Baron
Monterey Media Inc.
566 St. Charles Drive, Thousand Oaks, CA 91360-3901
9781569943960, $26.95 DVD/, $34.95 BluRay, www.montereymedia.com

The Red Baron is a dramatic movie based on life of the real Red Baron of history. During World War I, Baron Manfred von Richthofen was the one of the best pilots there was - a legend in his day, respected on both sides of the titanic conflict. Richthofen and his fellow officers including Lieutenant Voss uphold a sportsmanlike code to their fierce aerial duels. Yet the German high command ruthlessly manipulates his code of chivalry, and when he falls in love with the beautiful nurse Kate he begins to understand the true complexity and severity of war. Ultimately it is his duty to return to the skies again and again, when each new mission just might be his last. A moving portrayal of one man's love, losses, and principles even as he fulfills the terrible demands of war, The Red Baron is utterly unforgettable and highly recommended.

The Guilty
Acorn Media Group
8515 Georgia Avenue, Suite 620, Silver Spring, MD 20910-3403
9781598285260, $39.99, www.acornonline.com

The Guilty collects on DVD a provocative thriller that first aired on public television in the 1990s and was a finalist at the International Film Festival. A high-stakes London attorney (played by Michael Kitchen) forces sex on his secretary while drunk; an ex-convict (played by Sean Gallagher) searches for his biological father, only to be absorbed into a cruel conspiracy. No one is truly innocent in this dark psychological drama about justice all too often denied. 2 discs, 201 min, SDH subtitles.

Lionsgate
c/o 411 Video Information
PO Box 1223, Pebble Beach, CA 93953
$14.98 each, www.411videoinfo.com

Two energetic workout DVDs from fitness expert Denise Austin make excellent additions to any exercise video library. "Quick Burn Cardio" (50 min.) lives up to its title with a vigorous, fat-burning routine. Interval training, ab sculpting and cardio weight training form the core of this easy-to-follow workout, which expects no equipment other than inexpensive hand weights. A music-only option and a custom workout option further enhance this choice pick. "Shrink Your Fat Zones Pilates" (46 min.) concentrates on three tailored workouts of specialized Pilates techniques for slimming one's waist, sculpting one's upper body, and toning the buns and thighs. Designed to help the viewer begin to look and feel better about their body in just twenty-one days, "Shrink Your Fat Zones Pilates" is refreshing, user-friendly, and a great way to stay fit during the winter holidays! Also highly recommended for fitness lovers who especially enjoy dance is "Dance with Me Groove & Burn" (50 min.) hosted by Bill Blanks Jr.

I.M. Pei: Building China Modern
Bullfrog Films, Inc.
PO Box 149, Oley, PA 19547
1594589666, $295.00, www.bullfrogfilms.com

I.M. Pei: Building China Modern is a DVD documentary about the work of Pritzker Architecture Prize winner I.M. Pei, a staunch proponent of modernism in architecture. Now well into his eighties, Pei has returned to his ancestors' home of Suzhou, China to create a modern museum in the city's oldest neighborhood. Striving to balance architectural advancement with respect for the grandeur of China's heritage, Pei works on his most challenging - and most personal - task yet. Documentary extras include interviews with I.M. Pei, architect Charles Jencks, and philosopher John B. Cobb, Jr., and a rare bonus lecture that Pei gave about the Suzhou Museum at the Louvre. Highly recommended. 53 minutes, SDH captioned.

Sheeba
Questar
307 North Michigan Avenue, Suite 500, Chicago, IL 60601
9781594645891, $19.99, www.questarentertainment.com

Sheeba is a family-friendly movie about the bond between a boy and his dog. Young Clay is unhappy at having to leave his friends and his daily life in New York City, but he finds a new brown-and-white four-footed friend in Sheeba. When Wax, the town bully, takes Sheeba away, Clay must use his head to hold his own against the older boy. Clay's adventures pull him deeper into trouble, but his father and Sheeba are there to help him in his hour of greatest need. Sheeba a warm-hearted adventure of learning to adapt and mature with a little assistance from man's best friend, highly recommended. 91 minutes. Also highly recommended from Questar is "Bear With Me", the wilderness adventure of 11-year-old Emily and an ursine friend.

Dance Off the Inches: Country Line Dance Party!
Anchor Bay Entertainment
2401 West Big Beaver Road, Suite 200, Troy, MI 48084-3304
$14.98, www.anchorbayentertainment.com

Dance Off the Inches: Country Line Dance Party! is an enthusiastic fitness DVD with a wild country twist. Getting in shape can be a blast, and instructor Amy Blackburn shows how country line dance shuffles, kicks, and stomps can burn fat and boost energy. A "Dance Off the Inches Step Guide" quickly familiarizes the viewer with the 10 steps needed to enjoy the whole program. "Country Line Dance Party" is a user-friendly workout for viewers of all ages and backgrounds, and deserves a place in DVD fitness libraries dedicated to cardiovascular health, variety, and just plain fun.

Element: Yoga for Stress Relief & Flexibility
Anchor Bay Entertainment
2401 West Big Beaver Road, Suite 200, Troy, MI 48084-3304
$14.98, www.anchorbayentertainment.com

Yoga instructor Ashley Turner hosts Element: Yoga for Stress Relief & Flexibility, an inexpensive DVD offering two yoga programs to improve one's physical and mental health. The "Stress Relief" program emphasizes controlling one's breath, longer holds, and forward bends in order to heighten mental acuity and foster higher quality sleep. The "Flexibility" program lives up to its title with vinyasa techniques have enhanced agility, dampened pain, and promoted greater freedom of movement for countless generations. An excellent, low-impact workout for viewers of all ages and backgrounds, Element: Yoga for Stress Relief & Flexibility is an excellent addition to any fitness DVD library. 73 min.

Digital Footprint: Watch Where You Step
Learning ZoneXPress
PO Box 1022, Owatonna, MN 55060
$79.95, www.learningzoneexpress.com

Digital Footprint: Watch Where You Step is an educational DVD designed to teach viewers of all ages and backgrounds about one's "digital footprint" - the data left behind on the Internet and other digital records from any computer related activity, from using one's debit card or being recorded on security cameras to sending pictures by cell phone, posting material on social networking websites, and much more. Once information reaches the world wide web, it's effectively there forever; this can be compromising or even harmful if the information is something unsavory (like nude pictures or private, sexual chat logs), or something that a would-be stalker or identity thief can use (like one's address, social security number, telephone number, or other personal information). Digital Footprint covers how one can survey one's own footprint, the perils of "sexting" (sending sexual text messages or photos by cell phone), how to keep one's digital footprint small and unobtrusive, and ways to counter negative effects of a digital footprint that's grown too big. In today's information-saturated society, where researching the digital footprint of a prospective employee is par for the course, being aware of one's digital footprint and the lasting repercussions that a fleeting moment of digital indiscretion can have are more important than ever. Digital Footprint: Watch Where You Step deserves the highest recommendation for classroom viewing and public library collections.


The Gardening Shelf

Big Gardens in Small Spaces
Martyn Cox
Timber Press
133 S.W. Second Avenue, Suite 450, Portland OR 97204-3527
9780881929072, $27.95, www.timberpress.com

Horticultural expert Martyn Cox presents Big Gardens in Small Spaces: Out-of-the-Box Advice for Boxed-in Gardeners, a handy instructional manual illustrated with full color photographs on almost every two-page spread. Step-by-step instructions walk the reader through how to squeeze as many plants as possible in a small garden, grow one's own fruit, vegetables, and herbs, cultivate rare and unusual plants, and much more. A list of resources and an index round out this easy-to-use, hands-on practical guide enthusiastically recommended for any gardener who is necessarily restricted in space.


The Agriculture Shelf

The Complete Guide to Growing Tomatoes
Cherie H. Everhart
Atlantic Publishing Group
1405 SW 6th Ave. Ocala, FL 34471-0640
9781601383501, $24.95, www.atlantic-pub.com

Tomatoes can be quite the useful crop, and they're very easy to grow. "The Complete Guide to Growing Tomatoes" is an agricultural guide from Charie H. Everhart as she gives readers everything they need to know to make their own tomato garden and have their personal supply of this beloved fruit. From picking the right seeds, caring for them, and when to harvest, "The Complete Guide to Growing Tomatoes" is a reference no gardener with a taste for homegrown tomatoes should be without.

Food Rebels, Guerrilla Gardeners, and Smart-Cookin' Mamas
Mark Winne
Beacon Press
25 Beacon Street, Boston, MA 02108-2892
9780807047330, $24.95, www.beacon.org

Could the future to feeding the world be in gardens? "Food Rebels, Guerrilla Gardeners, and Smart-Cookin' Mamas: Fighting Back in an Age of Industrial Agriculture" looks at local growing and how a mother can make a major difference. From growing locally and the benefits of doing so as well as the health benefits that can possibly come into play, "Food Rebels" is an excellent read, solidly recommended.

Toward Sustainable Agricultural Systems in the 21st Century
National Academies Press
500 - 5th St NW, Lockbox 285, Washington DC 20055
0309148960, $65.00, www.national-academies.org

Toward Sustainable Agricultural Systems in the 21st Century is a top reference for college-level collections strong in sustainable agriculture. It assesses the latest scientific evidence for different kinds of agricultural production around the world, considering the creation and marketing of sustainable programs and following the basic ideas of farming that could foster sustainable activities. From economic and social dimensions to case studies of specific organic farms and their methods, this provides an extensive and in-depth survey.

Storey's Guide to Raising Dairy Goats, fourth edition
Jerry Belanger & Sara Thomson Bredesen
Storey Publishing
210 Mass MoCA Way, North Adams, MA 01247
9781603425803, $19.95, www.storey.com

Written by veteran goat raiser Jerry Belanger and licensed cheesemaker Sara Thomson Bredesen, Storey's Guide to Raising Dairy Goats is now in a newly revised fourth edition, enhanced with updated information on diagnosing and treating diseases, expanded coverage on breeding, tips on pygmy goat breeds, more material on milking and cheesemaking, and an expanded resource section. Raising Dairy Goats lives up to its title with practical, no-nonsense basics on all dimensions of goat care, and is an absolute "must-have" for anyone considering a dairy goat of their own. "If you can't or won't want to milk at 12-hour intervals, even when you're tired or under the weather, or if the thought of staying home weekends and vacations depresses you and you can't count on the help of a friend or neighbor, then don't even consider raising goats." Also highly recommended is the revised and updated second edition of "Storey's Guide to Raising Meat Goats" (9781603425827, $19.95) by farmer and animal husbandry expert Maggie Sayer.


The Metaphysical Studies Shelf

The Living Maya
Robert Sitler
North Atlantic Books
PO Box 12327, Berkeley, CA 94712
9781556439391, $16.95, www.northatlanticbooks.com

2012 is a hot topic in metaphysics circles, but where lies the truth? "The Living Maya: Ancient Wisdom in the Era of 2012" looks into the history of the Mayan culture and tries to draw parallels to the 2012 phenomena and looks to this ancient culture for an idea of what it truly means. Thoughtful with plenty to add to the debate, "The Living Maya" is a top pick for additions to metaphysics collections.

More Haunted Montana
Karen Stevens
Riverbend Publishing
PO Box 5833, Helena, MT 59604
9781606390252, $12.95, www.riverbendpublishing.com

Certified ghost hunter Karen Stevens, author of "Haunted Montana", presents More Haunted Montana, an anthology of thirty-four additional paranormal occurrences, most of which are in locations that Montana visitors and tourists can go see for themselves. From a ghostly ex-landlady who sleeps in a Missoula bead-and-breakfast inn, to a barstool ghost in Billings who doesn't care to be disbelieved, More Haunted Montana is packed with jaw-dropping testimonies as well as helpful tips for would-be paranormal explorers. A spooky treat for anyone who's ever enjoyed curling up with a true ghost story, More Haunted Montana is highly recommended.


The Political Science Shelf

Terror, Religion, and Liberal Thought
Richard B. Miller
Columbia University Press
61 West 62nd Street, New York, NY 10023-7015
9780231150989, $24.50, www.cup.columbia.edu

The liberal mindset is commonly associated with diplomacy and rationality when facing our enemies, two values which are thrown aside when faced with an imminent danger. "Terror, Religion, and Liberal Thought" analyzes the liberal political philosophy and comes to treat it as a religion all its own. Richard B Miller, a student of ethics and critic of issues relating to religion and politics, offerings an intriguing insight to attitudes on all sides of liberalism and religion. Also critical to America's response to 9/11, "Terror, Religion, and Liberal Thought" is a volume with plenty to consider, a key addition to any political science collection.

How Things Really Work
Bill Hobby & Saralee Tiede
Briscoe Center for American History
c/o Texas A&M University Press
Drawer C, College Station, TX 77843-4354
9780976669746, $29.95, www.cah.utexas.edu

How Things Really Work: Lessons From a Life in Politics tells of Bill Hobby, who has spent most of his years in Texas government and has served as the state's lieutenant governor for 18 years. It packs in practical, insightful advice on politics using a focus on Texas Capital experience through a memoir packed with candid observations and blunt insights.

The New Dynamics of Multilateralism
James P. Muldoon Jr., et.al., Editors
Westview Press
2465 Central Avenue, Boulder, CO 80301
9780813344812, $37.00, www.westviewpress.com

The New Dynamics of Multilateralism: Diplomacy, International Organizations, and Global Governance is packed with essays from scholars and practitioners who consider how global issues and institutions are changing the nature of diplomacy. Academic, business and political leaders alike contribute different focus to this survey that considers theory and applied results and provides a global examination of multilateralism as an institution affected by globalism.

Understanding Missouri's Constitutional Government
Richard Fulton and Jerry Brekke
University of Missouri Press
2910 LeMone Boulevard, Columbia, MO 65201
9780826219039, $19.95, www.umsystem.edu/upress

Understanding Missouri's Constitutional Government is a close study of Missouri's state government. Chapters cover Missouri's state constitution, bill of rights and distribution of powers, legislature, executive department, judiciary, and more. An accessible, educational text for readers of all backgrounds, Understanding Missouri's Constitutional Government lives up to its title with well-researched, succinctly presented descriptions, and is an invaluable addition to public, high school, and college library political studies shelves.

Political Profiles: Michael Bloomberg
Sandra H. Schictman
Morgan Reynolds
620 South Elm Street, Suite 387, Greensboro, NC 27406
9781599351353, $28.95, www.morganreynolds.com

Michael Bloomberg has earned a unique place in the eyes of the people in one of the most populous cities in the world. "Political Profiles: Michael Bloomberg" looks at the self-made billionaire and currently three-term New York City mayor. Going between partisan lines with a dedication to New York City, turning down attempts at higher office, "Political Profiles: Michael Bloomberg" is a truly fascinating read, and an excellent addition to any short political biography collection.


The Environmental Studies Shelf

Climate Savvy
Lara J. Hansen & Jennifer R. Hoffman
Island Press
1718 Connecticut Avenue NW, Suite 300, Washington, DC 20009
9781597266864, $40.00, www.islandpress.org

It's harder and harder to be kind in the environment as the development of the world requires more from it. "Climate Savvy: Adapting Conservation and Resource Management to a Changing World" is an analysis of climate change, stating that as the debate rages on, the effects of the dilemma already weigh strong on the debate. Stating that in order to answer the problems climate change has presented, the planet needs to act swiftly and with agility, "Climate Savvy" is a thoughtful and, as its title suggests, savvy look at the problems the climate debate faces, a key addition to environmental studies collections.

Mountain Justice
Tricia Shapiro
AK Press
674-A 23rd Street, Oakland, CA 94612
9781849350235, $17.95, www.akpress.org

Mountain top removal has been a favored way to get at the coal of mountains for several decades now. "Mountain Justice: Homegrown Resistance to Mountaintop Removal, for the Future of Us All" is about the campaigns against this practice which Tricia Shapiro believes has bigger environmental consequences that the companies that practice this method would believe. Since 2005 this practice has been protested against, focusing on the coal mining territories of West Virginia, Tennessee, Kentucky, and Virginia. Stating that the practice is environmentally dangerous and threatens the future of the states, "Mountain Justice" is a thoughtful read on this crisis that threatens the region.

Ethical Oil
Ezra Levant
McClelland & Stewart
75 Sherbourne St., 5th Floor, Toronto, ON M5A 2P9
9780771046414, $29.99, www.mcclellandstewart.com

It's foolish to think the world's oil dependency will be solved overnight. "Ethical Oil: The Case for Canada's Oil Sands" is an entry into Canada's own oil debate, as the use of Canada's oil sands may lead to greater prosperity and a moral high ground. Stating that the potential environmental cost of the oil sands is far cheaper than continuing to support the human rights violations of Saudi Arabia, his debates ring sound and thoughtful for both Canada and other parts of the world debating their own oil problems. "Ethical Oil" is an excellent addition to any political science or environmental collection.

Disaster on the Horizon
Bob Cavnar
Chelsea Green Publishing
PO Box 428, White River Junction, VT 05001
9781603583169, $14.95, www.chelseagreen.com

The long lasting impact of the Gulf Oil disaster is not yet known. "Disaster on the Horizon: High Stakes, High Risks, and the Story Behind the Deepwater Well Blowout" is Bob Canvar's own investigation into this terrible environmental disaster that is plaguing New Orleans and the Gulf Coast. Said that the mistake was one of pride going too far and a lack of regulation and the drive for greater profit, "Disaster on the Horizon" is a scholarly and thoughtful look at what led to this ecological devastation.

Energy Myths and Realities
Vaclav Smil
AEI
1150 Seventeenth Street, NW, Washington, DC 20036
9780844743288, $34.95, www.aei.org

America needs energy, it's how to get it which is the massive debate. "Energy Myths and Realities: Bringing Science to the Energy Policy Debate" is a realistic approach to the energy crisis that encourages progress but at the same time realizes there is no silver bullet solution to America's energy issues. With thoughtful research, Vaclav Smil looks at history and draws a map to where we are now and the many solutions that sit before us. "Energy Myths and Realities" is a core addition to any environmental and political studies collection.

The Climate Fix
Roger Piekle, Jr.
Basic Books
c/o Perseus Books Group
11 Cambridge Center, Cambridge, MA 02142
9780465020522, $26.00, www.basicbooks.com

THE CLIMATE FIX: WHAT SCIENTISTS AND POLITICIANS WON'T TELL YOU ABOUT GLOBAL WARMING proposes a new way of seeking solutions to climate changes, and uses math and logic to explore basic flows in current approaches and 'solutions' that fail to account for world realities and energy needs on a global scale. His approach is neither conservative nor liberal, but takes elements of different sides to form a unified theory of change that will prove key to any discussion about the climate.

Hope Beneath Our Feet
Martin Keogh, Editor
North Atlantic Books
Box 12327, Berkeley, CA 94712
9781556439193, $18.95, www.northatlanticbooks.com

Hope Beneath Our Feet: Restoring Our Place in the Natural World offers a powerful set of essays by Barbara Kingsolver, Barry Lopez, Alice Walker and other top writers who answer the question: "In a time of environmental crisis, how can we live right now?" Their diverse answers and thoughts offer important insights key to understanding personal responsibility and replacing despair with hope and action.

Energy Savers Booklet
Susan Russell
U. S. Dept. of Energy
Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy
1000 Independence Avenue, SW, Washington, DC 20585
978057894253, $10.95, www.eere.energy.gov/consumer/tips/

"Energy Savers Booklet: Tips on Saving Energy & Money at Home" is a handy fact and tips book filled with green ideas to help save both planet and pocketbook. Concise chapters on home energy use, air leaks, heating and cooling, water heating, windows, lighting, appliances, home offices and home electronics, driving and car maintenance, and renewable energy help open the way to savvy energy saving. Many creative tips and resources are cited, plus a list of resources for further information on energy saving.


The Music Shelf

Rock Connections
Bruno MacDonald
Omnibus Press
257 Park Avenue South, New York, NY 10010
9781849384520, $29.95, www.omnibuspress.com

Rock and Roll is a huge massive web that encompasses much of the twentieth century, even those who wouldn't call themselves rockers. "Rock Connections" maps the massive twisting picture of rock and roll and popular music. Connecting everything from Buddy Holly and Metallica, Bruno MacDonald shows how there are nonstop connections and influences throughout popular music and shows how you can link Tupac Shakur to Van Halen. "Rock Connections" is a riveting read for any fan of rock and roll, a very highly recommended read.

Leonard Cohen: A Remarkable Life
Anthony Reynolds
Omnibus Press
c/o Music Sales Corporation
257 Park Avenue South, New York, NY 10010
9781849381383, $24.95, www.omnibuspress.com

Leonard Cohen: A Remarkable Life tells the fine story of a poet and singer and uses new interviews conducted with Cohen's band members past and present, friends, fans and producers to provide a well-rounded portrait of a notoriously evasive musician. The result is a set of insights key to any popular music library.

Why Mahler?
Norman Lebrecht
Pantheon Books
c/o Random House
1745 Broadway, New York NY 10019
9780375423819, $27.95, www.pantheonbooks.com

WHY MAHLER? HOW ONE MAN AND TEN SYMPHONIES CHANGED OUR WORLD comes from a cultural commentator who has been researching Mahler for half of his life. This considers Mahler's influence on the modern world of music, considering his initial difficulties as a music writer and the long-term influence of his works on modern classical music. Any classical music library, particularly at the college level, should have this discussion of Mahler's life and achievements.

Easy Hanon, Exercises for the Beginning Pianist
Arranged by Jonathon Robbins
Santorella Publications
13 Pleasant Avenue, Danvers, MA 01923
TS265, $8.95, www.santorellapublication.com

"Easy Hanon" is a handy set of Hanon-inspired keyboard exercises specifically designed for the inexperienced or beginning pianist. Divided in three sections, there are 10 exercises for the right hand, 10 exercises for the left hand, and 10 more specialized exercises for both hands. The exercises in printed in large staff and eighth notes (rather than 16th notes), easier to read than the smaller staff, compact Hanon advanced editions. Complete fingering for both hands is written out for the first phrase of each exercise. In the specialized exercises for both hands, the purpose or goal of each specific exercise is written in parentheses underneath the title number of the exercise. "Easy Hanon" is a compact, useful piano pedagogy tool especially designed to help coax less experienced pianists to develop masterful keyboard techniques, skills and strengths. Also recommended in this series is "Hanon Complete, The Virtuoso Pianist in Sixty Exercises (ISBN OEP505, $9.95)," "Basic Scales, Chords, Arpeggios, and Cadences Complete for Piano In All Keys (by Margaret L. White, ISBN 1890281263, $9.95)," "Basic Keyboard Chords - Popular Chords in Diagram Form With Accompaniment Patterns (ISBN 1890281123, $5.95)," and "Basic Guitar Chords - Picture Chords With Exercises and Tablature (ISBN 1890281158, $5.95)."

The Best of Christmas Piano Vocal Songbook
Arranged by Jonathon Robbins
Santorella Publications
13 Pleasant Avenue, Danvers, MA 01923
TS268, $14.95, www.santorellapublication.com

"The Best of Christmas Piano Vocal Songbook," available with or without CD, is a set of popular arrangements of 28 beloved familiar Christmas carols. Arranged for piano and medium vocal range, all songs are of easy to intermediate difficulty to perform. "The Best of Christmas" includes such secular numbers as "Up on the Housetop," "Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer," and "Jolly Old St. Nicholas" in addition to many more traditional carols and songs of Christmas. "The Best of Christmas" should provide easy holiday entertainment and recreation for many recitals, parties, gatherings, and performances. All arrangements are fully scored and illuminated. Also recommended in this series is "The Best of Christmas Easy Piano Songbook (with CD, arranged and performed by Craig Stevens, TS264w/CD, $19.95)," Jazz Piano Cocktails - Popular Jazz Standards (with CD, arranged and performed by Craig Stevens, TS298 w/CD, $14.95)," "Christmas Treasures - Piano Duets One Piano Four Hands (arranged by Kirk Whipple & Marilyn Morales, TS168, with CD, $16.95)," "The Best of Christmas Big Note Songbook for Piano (arranged by Jonathon Robbins, TS267, $14.95)," and "Holiday Harmony Easy Piano (with CD, arranged by Jonathon Robbins, TS266w/CD, $14.95)."

An Annotated Bibliography of Guitar Methods, 1760-1860
Eric Stenstadvold
Pendragon Press
PO Box 190, Hillsdale, NY 12529
www.pendragonpress.com
9781576471852, $65.00, www.amazon.com

"An Annotated Bibliography of Guitar Methods, 1760-1860" is number 4 in a series titled Organologia: Musical Instruments and Performance Practice, edited by Ardal Powell. "An Annotated Bibliography of Guitar Methods..." presents comprehensive listings of known methods publications first listed chronologically by country, including England, France, Germany, Austria (Vienna), Italy, Portugal, Spain and the U.S.A., during the time periods specified. These listings by country include author, shortened title, and date of publication, with occasionally some other brief information. This is followed by complete alphabetical bibliographic listings of publications, each of which includes complete transcriptions of the title pages, the dating (probable in some cases) of the publication, a brief description of the contents of the guitar teaching method plus further details of interest such as publisher identification or later editions released in other locations. The "Annotated Bibliography of Guitar Methods, 1760-1860" contains over 300 records of different methods for guitar by 200 authors. Some are well known, but others are more obscure. Some are presented in this collection for the first time in recent history. "An Annotated Bibliography of Guitar Methods, 1760-1860" is a valuable scholarly resource for music librarians, historically authentic guitarists, musicologists and others who study the printing and publishing of music in 18th and 19th centuries.


The Native American Shelf

The Magic Children
Roger Echo-Hawk
Left Coast Press
1630 N. Main Street, #400, Walnut Creek, CA 94596
9781598745757, $24.95, www.lcoastpress.com

Racial pride isn't the worst thing in the world, but it can prove a detriment to society. "The Magic Children: Racial Identity at the End of the Age of Race" is a scholarly analysis of race from Roger Echo-Hawk, a Native American Indian who has stated he has given up his race in his own journey to gain a greater understanding of it, giving readers a thorough discussion of Native American issues such as Red Pride, archeology, and more. Thoughtful and educational, "The Magic Children" is a vital addition to any community library social issues and Native American studies collections.

Plains Indian Regalia & Customs
Bad Hand
Schiffer Publishing
4880 Lower Valley Road, Atglen, PA 19310
9780764335365, $49.99, www.schifferbooks.com

"Plains Indian Regalia & Customs" is a spectacular collection of new and old restored photographs of many plains Indians' special clothing, tools and weapons, as well as many historic scenes of plains Indians taken from the early 1800's to the present. Restoration of old time photographic processes of daguerreotypes, ambrotypes and tintypes is carefully described in the introductory pages. A modern reproduction of many historic photographs was achieved by applying the old photographic processes to modern Indian people (models) of today. Thus the reader sees history brought to vivid current life by comparing the pair of photos, old and new, side by side. The author has created a collage of Native American history through costume and ceremony, and much accompanying lore enriches these photographs. Chapters are partially arranged by tribe, for the first 6 chapters on Blackfeet, Cheyenne, Comanche, Crow, Hidatsa and Mandan, and the Lakota. Then other subjects common to many of the tribes are explored. From the Buffalo Dance to Dandies and Two-spirit People, to Captives, Weapons, Body Painting, and War Honors and Coups, most areas of cultural and historic interest that relates intrinsically to style of dress or appearance are touched on. Roles of men and women, boys and girls are also further described, with more color photographs. In all "Plains Indian Regalia & Customs" covers a broad spectrum of detailed information about customs and dress of many of the representative Plains Indian tribal groups. The Appendix contains a number of observations written by a variety of white and other cultural observers in addition to the words quoted from different Native Americans of the Plains peoples. The author cautions: "I leave it to the individual reader to interpret these various observations from a variety of people that worked and lived with and around Plains Indians, as well as the words left to us by Native people themselves (p. 216)." "Plains Indians Regalia & Customs" is a rich source of current visual and historical data about a fascinating group of peoples whose descendants still thrive in North America.


The Cookbook Shelf

Winter Harvest Cookbook
Lane Morgan
New Society Publishers
PO Box 189, Gabriola Island, BC V0R 1X0, Canada
9780865716797, $24.95, www.newsociety.com

The long hard winter is the death of many things, it does not have to be the death of taste. "Winter Harvest Cookbook: How to Select and Prepare Fresh Seasonal Produce All Winter Long" is a guide to making the most out of seasonal produce and using it as a boon to many winter-driven dishes. Focusing on the produce side, These recipes range from dinner dishes like black bean calamari, to deserts like fruit pizza. "Winter Harvest Cookbook" is a strong resource, not to be missed by the seasonal chef.

The Mitsitam Cafe Cookbook
Richard Hetzler
Fulcrum Publishing
4690 Table Mountain D., Ste 100, Golden, CO 80403
9781555917470, $22.95, www.fulcrumbooks.com

The Native American people are not popularly known for their cuisine, but don't be fooled, they have quite the array of dishes. "The Misitam Cafe Cookbook: Recipes from the Smithsonian National Museum of the American Indian" looks at the cafe that offers many thoughtful takes on these ancient American dishes where these people turned what they had available to them to many delectable and original dishes. With entrees like Quahog soup, Smoked Duck Salad, Buffalo Chili, Fried bread tacos, and more, "The Misitam Cafe Cookbook" is packed with full color photos, and is a top pick for those who want a whole new world of flavors available to them.

Toscana
Kathie & Amy Gordon
Killer Pizza Enterprises, Inc.
11812 San Vicente Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90049
9780615308463, $30.00, www.toscanabrentwood.com

You don't need several dozen spices to make an authentic Italian dish. "Toscana: Simple Authentic Italian Recipes" delves into the details to make excellent and delightful Italian dishes such as original Italian pizza, original Italian sauces, and how to use these takes on Italian food to their fullest to make a grand variety of dishes. With gorgeous full color photographs and reflections on what this food has meant over the years, "Toscana" is an excellent read for those who want to make the real thing for themselves and those they love.

Microwave Recipes
Penfield Books
215 Brown Street, Iowa City, IA 52245-5801
9781932043570, $7.95, www.penfieldbooks.com

A microwave is all you need to make something truly special. "Microwave Recipes" is a small cookbook packed with plenty of recipe cards of meals and dishes that can be simply made with the usage of a microwave. With plenty of ideas and applications, "Microwave Recipes" is a must for those who don't have a lot of time to cook. Also recommended from Penfield's collection of small cookbooks is "Healthy Recipes" (9781932043597, $7.95), focusing on health-driven dishes, and "Buffets and Potlucks" (9781932043600, $7.95), focusing on ideal entrees for collections of dishes served at once.

1080 Recipes
Simone and Ines Ortega
Phaidon
180 Varick Street, New York, NY 10014
9780714848365, $49.95, www.phaidon.com

There have been thousands of dishes promoting the wide ways to be creative with food. "1080 Recipes" is a massive collection of Spanish cooking recipes. With recipes for almost anything you can think of ranging from simple soups to how to prepare the quail for food, this collection is presented in the first time in English. Many of these dishes may be universal, but the recipes within provide a Spanish twist from Spain's long reaching cultural influence around the world. For anyone seeking a fine tome of cooking knowledge, "1080 Recipes" may be the pick for them.

Corsican Cuisine
Arthur L. Meyer
Hippocrene Books
171 Madison Avenue, New York, NY 10016
9780781812481, $35.00, www.hippocrenebooks.com

There are flavors still mostly foreign to English tongues. "Corsican Cuisine: Flavors of the Perfumed Isle" looks at the delicacy potential of Corsican cuisine, a branch of Mediterranean cooking that is rarely explored. With one hundred recipes for reproducing authentic cuisine such as Stuffed Calamari, Anise Biscuits, Braised Pork with Juniper, and so much more, "Corsican Cuisine" is a collection that shouldn't be missed for those looking for a new flavor in their cooking.

The Ultimate Gluten-Free Cookie Book
Roben Ryberg
Da Capo Press
c/o Perseus Books Group
9780738213767, $16.95, www.dacapopress.com

Gluten has been something that more and more people try to avoid. "The Ultimate Gluten-Free Cookie Book" is a guide to the many variations of the cookie that one can make while still avoiding gluten. From the old school favorite Chocolate chip cookies to spins on thin mints, sweet crackers, ice cream based cookies and more, Roben Ryberg gives readers everything they need to know to bake wonderful treats without gluten. "The Ultimate Gluten-Free Cookie Book" is a choice resource for any health-conscious baker.

101 Recipes for Gluten-Free Microwave Mug Cakes
Stacey J. Miller
BPT Press
PO Box 834, Randolph, MA 02368-0834
SJ Miller Communications (publicity)
10 Turning Mill Lane, Randolph, MA 02368
9780984228515, $16.45, www.bookpr.com

Evading gluten is a practice many have undertaken for a healthier life. "101 Recipes for Gluten-Free Microwave Mug Cakes" is a guide to using a mug as a versatile cooking tool for many cakes to make a hot, delicious treat in 10 minutes or less. Designed for children or inept-at-cooking adults to follow, Stacey J. Miller's advice makes "101 Recipes for Gluten-Free Microwave Mug Cakes" an invaluable tool, very highly recommended.

Soups, Stews & Chilis
Editors of Cook's Illustrated
America's Test Kitchen Publishing
17 Station St., Brookline, MA 02445
1933615621, $35.00, www.americastestkitchentv.com

Soups, Stews & Chilis comes from dedicated cooks and editors who literally prepared over 4,000 pots of soup, stews and chilis to gather the best of their labors for this book. It offers ways to make standard recipes better and easier, from simmering ground beef to produce a meaty base to making quick soups that can be served in half an hour, from scratch. A top pick for any culinary collection seeking foolproof recipes.

New Orleans Kitchens
Stacey Meyer & Troy Gilbert
Gibbs Smith, Publisher
PO Box 667, Layton UT 84041
1423610016, $30.00, www.gibbs-smith.com

NEW ORLEANS KITCHENS: RECIPES FROM THE BIG EASY'S BEST RESTAURANTS profiles the city's cuisine and regional specialties, pairing art from prominent local galleries and museums with dishes such as Watermelon Lime Spritzer, Crepes Degas filled with wild mushrooms and crab, New Orleans Fermented Black Bean BBQ Shrimp, and more. A delicious pairing of art and cuisine!

The Cast Iron Skillet Cookbook
Sharon Kramis & Julie Kramis Hearne
Sasquatch Books
119 S. Main Street, #400, Seattle, WA 98104
1570614253, $16.95, www.sasquatchbooks.com

Owners of cast iron skillets will find this packs in a fine set of recipes created by the mother/daughter authors Sharon Kramis and Julie Kramis Hearne, blending old and new styles and flavors in nearly a hundred appealing dishes. Color photos pepper ideas on using the cast iron skillet to bake and cook and are accompanied by tips on care of the skillet.

5 Ingredient Fix
Claire Robinson
Grand Central Publishing
c/o Hachette Publishing Group
237 Park Avenue, New York NY 10017
www.grandcentrallifeandstyle.com
9780446572095, $29.99, www.amazon.com

5 INGREDIENT FIX: EASY, ELEGANT, AND IRRESISTIBLE RECIPES comes from the host of TV Network's '5 Ingredient Fix' and shows how to fix meals in virtually no time with only five ingredients. All meals are covered, from breakfast with Brioche French Toast with Strawberries and Cream to Duck Breasts with Citrus-Port Cherry Sauce for a main dish. Color photos abound and general collections will find this a very popular pick.

Around My French Table
Dorie Greenspan
Houghton Mifflin Harcourt
215 Park Avenue S., New York NY 10003
9780618875535, $40.00, www.hmhbooks.com

AROUND MY FRENCH TABLE: MORE THAN 300 RECIPES FROM MY HOME TO YOURS presents a lovely weighty cookbook for French home cooking and comes from an American who has been living in Paris for more than three decades. Some of her dishes are traditional French and others are new: all are creations she and her French friends cook at home daily. Full-page color photos complete this winning presentation.

The 30-Minute Vegan's Taste of the East
Mark Reinfeld and Jennifer Murray
DaCapo Lifelong
c/o Perseus Books Group
11 Cambridge Center, Cambridge, MA 02142
www.perseusbooksgroup.com
9780738213828, $18.95, www.dacapopress.com

Taste of the East: 150 Asian-Inspired Recipes from Soba Noodles to Summer Rolls provides fine vegan dishes perfect for any collection interested in expanding vegan culinary skills. From Tempura Vegetables and Kaffir Lemongrass Tofu Cutlets to Asian fusion dishes such as Coconut Mashed Parsnips, this is an outstanding survey highly recommended for any culinary collection where vegan cooking is of interest.

The Complete Book of Butchering, Smoking, Curing and Sausage Making
Philip Hasheidere
Voyageur Press
400 1st Avenue North #300, Minneapolis, MN 55401
9780760337820, $24.99, www.voyageurpress.com

The Complete Book of Butchering, Smoking, Curing and Sausage Making offers a fine guide to butchering, from field dressing wild game and making the best cuts from an animal to avoiding injuries, disposing of unwanted parts, and basic safety practices. The result is an outstanding guide perfect for any would-be home meat cutter and butcher.

Cooking with Italian Grandmothers
Jessica Theroux
Welcome Books
6 West 18th Street, 4th Floor, New York, NY, 10011
9781599620893, $40.00, www.welcomebooks.com

COOKING WITH ITALIAN GRANDMOTHERS: RECIPES AND STORIES FROM TUSCANY TO SICILY comes from an American chef who spent a year traveling throughout Italy cooking and talking with Italian grandmothers, learning their secrets and stories. The result is a fine blend of history and recipes of twelve selected grandmothers who welcomed Theroux into their kitchens and shared their favorite dishes. From Roasted Leeks with Eggs and Olives to Broccoli and Pine Nut Pasta, this is packed with flavor and insights.

Tartine Bread
Chad Robertson
Chronicle Books
680 - 2nd St., San Francisco, CA 94107
9780811870412, $40.00, www.chroniclebooks.com

Eric Wolfinger's photos embellish TARTINE BREAD, which comes from a professional bread-maker to provide a fine collection of original bread-baking ideas. Step-by-step photos put the reader by author Chad's side as he revels how to make basic breads from a master formula, and how to use diverse breads in both sweet and savory recipes. An outstanding collection of bread dishes makes this a pick for any general cookery collection.

Chronicle Books
680 - 2nd St., San Francisco, CA 94107
www.chroniclebooks.com

Michael Chiarello's BOTTEGA: BOLD ITALIAN FLAVORS FROM THE HEART OF CALIFORNIA'S WINE COUNTRY (9780811875394, $40.00) comes from a chief who opened Bottega restaurant in the Napa Valley. More than a cookbook, this comes from an award-winning author and food personality and provides a fine gathering of Italian flavors and dishes from Michael Chiarello's roots. Any general interest collection strong in cookery titles will relish this. Pilar Guzman, Jenny Rosenstarch and Alanna Stang's TIME FOR DINNER (9780811877428, $24.95) offers a fine gathering of dishes and ideas for family meals every day of the week. From using ingredients already on hand and having a family dinner where everyone eats the same basic foods to casual entertaining, this is packed with 100 ideas for cooks who want easy, appealing dishes.

Carl Warner's Food Landscapes
Carl Warner
Abrams
115 W. 18th St., New York NY 10011
9780810989931, $22.50, www.abramsimage.com

Carl Warner's Food Landscapes provides a fine collection of international landscapes made entirely from food. It comes from a veteran photographer whose images have been circulating on the Internet and are collected here for the first time under one volume. Every image is followed by a section that includes an essay about its assembly and stories from the shoots, making this a 'must' for both arts and culinary libraries.

Fresh from the Market
Laurent Tourondel and Charlotte March
Wiley Professional Group
111 River Street, Hoboken, NJ 07030-5774
9780470402429, $35.00, www.wiley.com

FRESH FROM THE MARKET: SEASONAL COOKING is more than just another restaurant cookbook: it includes wine and beer pairings, profiles of local markets, complete menus for special occasions such as an autumn wine harvest dinner or holiday celebration, and more. Seasonal fare is at the heart of food and menu choices, here: FRESH FROM THE MARKET gathers over 160 recipes from Tourondel's childhood in France and his chef's career, and makes for an outstanding market-driven cookbook packed with lovely color photos throughout!

Fannie's Last Supper
Chris Kimball
Hyperion Books
77 West 66th Street, New York, NY 10023-6298
9781401323226, $25.99, www.hyperionbooks.com

Fannie's Last Supper: Re-creating One Amazing Meal from Fannie Farmer's 1896 Cookbook offers up a twelve-course dinner from a classic, comes from the founder of America's Test Kitchen, and provides a fine pairing of recipes and American culinary history. The foundations of what made Fannie Farmer's cookbook so famous and the history of American techniques makes for an outstanding blend of food journalism and dishes unique to Fannie Farmer's time.

New Haven Chef's Table
Linda Giuca and Nancy Freeborn
Lyons Press
Box 480, Guilford, CT 06437
9780762758791, $22.95, www.lyonspress.com

New Haven Chef's Table is the first cookbook to gather the foods of New Haven, Connecticut under one cover, featuring over thirty of the city's top chefs and their innovations. Recipes have been revised with home cooks in mind, and offer surveys of local foods, sustainable foods, and a range of different dishes from Swedish Chocolate Cupcakes to Sausage Frittata. Libraries featuring local chef's creations will find this appealing.

What to Eat
Cooking Light
Oxmoor House
Box 360220, Des Moines, IA 50336-0220
0848733207, $17.95, www.oxmoorhouse.com

Learn to shop smarter and eat healthier with a book packing in secrets and tips on how to make food choices for a family. From the basics of supermarket packaging and options to ready-to-cook products, this packs in over 500 photos and 1,000 tips in a compact take-along tote perfect for any newcomer to family meal preparation. Especially recommended for high school economics classes!

One World Vegetarian Cookbook
Troth Wells
Interlink Publishing Group, Inc.
46 Crosby Street, Northampton, MA 01060
9781566568340, $35.00, www.interlinkbooks.com

"One World Vegetarian Cookbook" is a gorgeous collection of 120 + easy to prepare vegetarian recipes that are both nourishing and sustainable. Presenting a focus on using, buying or growing "green," organic vegetables that are as free of contaminants as possible, "One World Vegetarian Cookbook" delivers a life-enhancing message in the form of promoting caring, responsible vegetarian and vegan cooking. Needless to say, it is cuisine that is fresh, appetizing, and zesty, with international influences. Recipes are divided into four categories: starters, soups and snacks, main dishes, salads, side dishes and sauces, and desserts, drinks, and cakes. All sections are vividly enriched by color photographs of mouth-watering foods. How about Corn-on-the-cob in coconut milk, from Tanzania, spiced with turmeric, lemon, and coriander (p.24)? Or Mushroom Stroganoff from Europe with fresh garlic, paprika, nutmeg, balsamic vinegar, and yogurt (p. 110)? Perhaps an unusual recipe for Butternut squash curry has appeal (p. 79)? There is even a veggie shepherd's pie version called Veggie fulani pie, with lentils, carrots, potatoes, tomatoes, and spices (p. 148). Of course there is no end to creative side dishes and salads using fresh vegetables. Of note is the Lentil salad with feta cheese and vegetables on page 184, of Mediterranean extraction. Finally there are the sweets. From Irish Barm brack, a lightly fruited bread that is not too sweet but delightful, to Ho-ddeock, or Korean cinnamon buns, there is no shortage of delicious vegetarian dessert recipes. measurements for cooking are presented in both standard and metric for most ingredients, and recipes are vegan or vegan-adaptable by substituting soy margarine, milk or yogurt for the dairy equivalents. Complete with informative sidebars, a vision of compassion for all living creatures, and an international offering of vegetarian feasts, "One World Vegetarian Cookbook" is a culinary indulgence whose time is now.


The Psychology Shelf

The Feeling of Risk
Paul Slovic
Earthscan
c/o Stylus Publishing, Inc.
22883 Quicksilver Drive, Sterling, VA 20166-2012
9781849711487, $49.95, www.styluspub.com

Risk proves as a deterrent to our otherwise impulsive selves. "The Feeling of Risk: New Perspectives on Risk Perception" discusses risk and its place in our world and our psyche. Many authors and thinkers converge and discuss risk as a model for feelings, its impact on culture, its effects on democracy, risk on the world stage, our mental minds in overestimating risks, and how risks are shared throughout the public knowledge and world. Scholarly and insightful, "The Feeling of Risk" is an excellent collection and very highly recommended.

Choke
Sian Beilock
Free Press
1230 Avenue of Americas, New York NY 10020
9781416596172, $26.00, www.simonandschuster.com

CHOKE: WHAT THE SECRETS OF THE BRAIN REVEAL ABOUT GETTING IT RIGHT WHEN YOU HAVE TO comes from a psychologist who is an expert on the brain science behind making mistakes. The focus is 'choking under pressure', with descriptions of business and personal mistakes covering the effects of pressure. Brain science and psychology reveal many keys to issues in this intriguing survey recommended for science and health collections alike.

The Handy Psychology Answer Book
Lisa J. Cohen
Visible Ink
4331 Joy Road, #414, Canton, MI 48187
9781578592234, $21.95, www.amazon.com

Compiled and written by licensed clinical psychologist and researcher Lisa J. Cohen, "The Handy Psychology Answer Book" is a 450-page compendium comprised of 800 questions and answers about how the human mind works and what psychology is all about. Written specifically for the non-specialist general reader, "The Handy Psychology Answer Book" covers a wide spectrum of issues ranging from 'what makes a marriage last', 'why do toddlers have temper tantrums, 'how can we maintain a healthy brain', 'why are adolescents so reckless, personality tests, drug use and addiction, sexual abuse, Gestalt psychology, the contributions of Sigmund Freud, Carl Jung, B. F. Skinner, and a great deal more. Beginning with the basics of human psychology, to major movements within the science of psychology, to forensic psychology, "The Handy Psychology Answer Book" covers every major aspect of the field. Superbly written and organized, "The Handy Psychology Answer Book" is enhanced with the inclusion of an substantial glossary, an extensive bibliography, and a comprehensive index, making it a highly recommended core addition to academic, community, professional, and personal Human Psychology instructional reference collections and supplemental reading lists.


The Writing/Publishing Shelf

Style Guide, ninth edition
The Economist
Profile Books Ltd
3A Exmouth House, Pine Street, Exmouth Market, London, EC1R OJH, United Kingdom
ruth.killick@profilebooks.com
1861979169, $26.95, www.profilebooks.com

STYLE GUIDE: THE BESTSELLING GUIDE TO ENGLISH USAGE appears in a ninth updated edition and is based on the revised, updated house style manual of The Economist. Any who want to communicate well will find this packed with great advice on writing and errors, offering insights into differences between British and American English and references key to economic and business students alike. No college collection should be without this style guide!

Accidental Genius, second edition
Mark levy
Berrett-Koehler Publishers
235 Montgomery St. #650, San Francisco CA 94104-2916
9781605095257, $16.95, www.bkconnection.com

Deserving of repeat mention and recommendation for any writer's or literary collection is ACCIDENTAL GENIUS: USING WRITING TO GENERATE YOUR BEST IDEAS, INSIGHT, AND CONTENT, which appears in a revised, expanded second edition promoting the author's innovation of freewriting, a technique which ignores standard rules of grammar and spelling and encourages fast writing about passionate topics. Six freewriting techniques offer keys to tapping into the subconscious of creativity.

The Writer's Guide to Queries, Pitches & Proposals, second edition
Moira Allen
Allworth Press
10 E. 23rd St., New York NY 10010
9781581157437, $19.95, www.allworth.com

The Writer's Guide to Queries, Pitches & Proposals appears in its second updated edition to provide a single reference to learning how to make the perfect pitch to magazines, publishers and others. E-mail pitches and international markets are among the new topics of this updated edition, keeping it current for any writer's reference library.

How To Publish Your Nonfiction Book
Rudy Shur
Square One Publishers
115 Herricks Road, Garden City Park, NY 11040
www.squareonepublishers.com
0757000002, $16.95, www.amazon.com

Book publishing is one of the most competitive markets there are. The downturn in the national economy has compounded the difficulty for first time authors getting published. This is especially true when dealing with non-fiction subject matter. In "How To Publish Your Nonfiction Book", veteran publisher Rudy Shur (currently head of the editorial program of Square on Publishers) draws upon his extensive experience and expertise to compile a 233-page compendium covering every aspect of publishing a non-fiction title. Novice authors in particular will appreciate the descriptions of how publishing actual works, how to maximize chances of acceptance when submitting a manuscript for publication, evaluating publisher contracts, dealing with common publication problems and pitfalls, potential resources available to authors seeking publication, and so much more. Enhanced with the inclusion of a glossary, an extensive resource list, and a comprehensive index, "How To Publish Your Nonfiction Book" is thoroughly 'user friendly', informed, informative, and strongly recommended for anyone seeking to turn their ideas and researches into a published non-fiction title that will prove to be successful for library acquisitions, academia, as well as the general reading public.

The Author's Toolkit
Mary Embree
Allworth Press
10 East 23rd Street, Suite 510, NY, NY 10010
www.allworth.com
9781581157475, $19.95, www.amazon.com

Even in a difficult economy compelling the major New York publishing houses to substantially cut back on their new book titles lists there has been no significant reduction of the numbers of titles being published. This is because more and more aspiring authors are turning to small presses, niche publishers, or are self-publishing. That's why this newly updated and expanded third edition of Mary Embree's "The Author's Toolkit: A Step-by-Step Guide to Writing and Publishing Your Book" continues to be a timely and invaluable instructional reference work for aspiring authors regardless of the genre or categories they are working in. Detailed, practical, sensible, 'hands on' information on every aspect of the writing and publishing process is superbly laid out and completely accessible ranging from developing and researching both fiction and non-fiction ideas, organizing plots and developing characters, writing and editing, avoiding common pitfalls and problems, recruiting a literary agent, attracting publisher attention, dealing with publishing contracts, promotion/publicity, and more. Of special interest in this new edition is the attention paid to new developments in electronic publishing, print-on-demand options, and utilizing social media as a marketing tool. Informed, informative, and thoroughly 'user friendly', "The Author's Toolkit" is an invaluable reference and an essential read for anyone seeking to launch or sustain a professional writing career.

Merchants Of Culture
John B. Thompson
Polity
c/o Blackwell Publishing
350 Main Street, Malden, MA 02148
www.blackwellpublishing.com
9780745647869, $25.00, www.amazon.com

From cuneiform tablets to papyrus reeds to the early centuries of movable type, publishing was a power in the world and aimed at the needs and necessities of the cultural elite. But then in the 19th century literacy began to spread down to the growing middle classes and address the interests of ordinary people. But it was up until the invention of desktop publishing in the later decades of the 20th century that ordinary people had access to publishing. The rapid technological advances of the 21st century thus far have continued to compel the publishing industry into new modes of production, distribution, and fiscal survival with the coming of such innovations and electronic publishing and Kindle readers. "Merchants of Culture: The Publishing Business In The Twenty-First Century" by John B. Thompson provides an informed and informative history and description of how trade publishing operates, as well as the contributions and responsibilities of key components of the publishing industry including agents and booksellers, as well as the publishers themselves. Of particular interest is Thompson's analysis of how digital publishing is beginning to dramatically affect and alter trade publishing. Superbly researched and presented, "Merchants of Culture " is a seminal addition for academic library collections and essential reading for members of the publishing industry (including authors and book reviewers!) seeking to adapt to the constantly changing influences of modern technologies upon the art and economics of trade publishing.


The Economics Shelf

Selling Out a Superpower
Ronald R. Pollina
Prometheus Books
59 John Glenn Drive, Amherst, NY 14228-2119
9781616142155, $26.00, www.prometheusbooks.com

SELLING OUT A SUPERPOWER: WHERE THE US ECONOMY WENT WRONG AND HOW WE CAN TURN IT AROUND comes from an economist who discusses lobbyists and special interest groups and how their influence contributed to government mismanagement of business and the economy - by both parties. Chapters do more than provide condemning history and circumstances: they offer keys to critical areas where changes must be made to reverse the negative economy. Any political or economic college-level collection will find this offers fine discussion material.

The Last Shall be First
Anders Aslund
Peterson Institute for International Economics
1750 Massachusetts Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20036-1903
9780881325218, $21.95, www.piie.com

Financial crisis has not engulfed America alone. "The Last Shall Be First: The East European Financial Crisis" looks at the crisis that stewed in Eastern Europe for a year and half. Ten new countries entered the European Union and this brought many problems to the countries involved. Examining the crisis and what can be learned from it for the future, "The Last Shall be First" is a must read for anyone who is trying to gain a greater understanding of the world's finances at large.

Money Mavericks
Lars Kroijer
Financial Times
c/o Pearson Publishing Group
1330 Avenue of the Americans, 35th floor, NY, NY 10019
9780273731986, $27.99, www.pearson-books.com

Playing the market has its challenges and risks, but some played big to win big. "Money Mavericks: Confessions of a Hedge Fund Manager" is a business memoir from Lars Kroijer as he reflects on his work with a London hedge fund through the tumultuous years of 2002 to 2008. Through these years, Kroijer worked on the edge of the industry and dealing with the bubble industry and the problems that face it. "Money Mavericks" is a fascinating read with much insight into the details of money management in the hedge fund market.

Debt, The IMF, and the World Bank
Eric Toussaint & Damien Millet
Monthly Review Press
146 West 29th, Suite 5W, New York, NY 10001
9781583672228, $17.95, www.monthlyreview.org

Not every country can possibly be as financially booming as the United States. "Debt, the IMF, and the World Bank: Sixty Questions, Sixty Answers" is a scholarly discussion of world finance and the challenges faced by smaller countries around the world looking toward a free market to solve all of their economic woes. Stating that what works for many first world countries won't work in some emerging markets, "Debt, the IMF, and the World Bank" is a fascinating text and research, educated in the potential of the future of the world economy.

Antitrust Law and Economics, second edition
Keith N. Hylton, editor
Edward Elgar Publishing
9 Dewey Court, Northampton, MA 01060-3815
www.e-elgar.com
9781847207319, $180.00, www.amazon.com

The newly published second edition of the fourth volume of Edward Elgar Publishing's outstanding 'Encyclopedia of Law and Economics' series, "Antitrust Law and Economics" deftly edited by Keith N. Hylton (Honorable Paul J. Liacos Professor of Law, Boston University School of Law) provides students and attorneys with an informed and informative series of eleven presentations of antitrust law drawn from a distinctively economic orientation. The selected and representative articles cover such thematically appropriate issues antitrust enforcement, antitrust provisions of the Sherman Act, boycotts, monopolies, predatory pricing, vertical restrains, competition, market concentration, patent litigation, licensing, and more. Enhanced with figures, tables, and a comprehensive index, making it a valued addition to professional, corporate, and academic library Economics Studies reference collections, "Antitrust Law and Economics" is thoughtful, thought-provoking, and essential reading for corporate managers in general, and antitrust attorneys in particular.


The Philosophy Shelf

Facebook & Philosophy
D. E. Wittkower
Open Court
70 East Lake Street, Suite 300, Chicago, IL 60601
9780812696752, $19.95, www.opencourtbooks.com

Facebook has changed the way people communicate. "Facebook and Philosophy" analyzes the major impact that the social media website has changed the world and everything around it. Many writers, professors, and philosophers all discuss the power of Facebook and how they have shifted the way the world works. "Facebook and Philosophy" is a must read for those who want to fully realize what Facebook has changed about the American culture.

Collingwood On The Moral Principles Of Art
Christopher Dreisbach
Susquehanna University Press
c/o Associated University Presses
2010 Eastpark Blvd., Cranbury, NJ 08512
www.aupresses.com
9781575911243, $48.50, www.amazon.com

In "Collingwood On The Moral Principles Of Art", the late R. G. Collingwood presents an articulate, thoughtful and thought-provoking theory of judgement as to moral condemnations of some to works of art thought to have aesthetic value by others. the role of 'moral duty', moral values, and aesthetic values is central to "Collingwood On The Moral Principles Of Art" and addresses issues that are still with us today as evidences by public policy debates over governmental funding of works of art that elements of the general public find offensive, and the recurring calls for governmental regulation of artistic activity and display. Informed and informative, "Collingwood On The Moral Principles Of Art" presents his views on the concept of mind, on aesthetic theory, moral theory, and the moral principles of art. Enhanced with copious notes, and extensive bibliography, and a comprehensive index, "Collingwood On The Moral Principles Of Art" is a strongly recommended addition to academic library Philosophy and Art Studies reference collections and supplemental reading lists.

Conversations with Emmanuel Levinas
Michael de Saint Cheron
Duquesne University Press
600 Forbes Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15282
9780820704289, $18.95, www.dupress.duq.edu

Some minds do more than simply expose the state of the world, they explore it. "Conversations with Emmanuel Levinas: 1983-1994" is a collection of interviews from Michael de Saint Cheron as he presents his many conversations with Levinas, as they discuss the nature of the modern world and what modern philosophy meant as the Cold War ended and western Communism crumbled. With faith, philosophy and thought, "Conversations with Emmanuel Levinas" is an excellent read for anyone who wants a sharp mind's take on our world.


The Mathematics Shelf

A Concise Introduction To Pure Mathematics, third edition
Martin Liebeck
CRC Press
6000 NW Broken Sound Parkway NW, Suite 300, Boca Raton, FL 33487
www.crcpress.com
9781439835982, $59.95, www.amazon.com

Now in an updated and expanded third edition, "A Concise Introduction To Pure Mathematics" by Martin Liebeck provides an informed and informative presentation into a representative selection of fundamental ideas in mathematics including the theory of solving cubic equations, the use of Euler's formula to study the five Platonic solids, the use of prime numbers to encode and decode secret information, the theory of how to compare the sizes of two infinite sets, the limits of sequences and continuous functions, the use of the intermediate value theorem to prove the existence of nth roots, and so much more. Of special note is the inclusion of solutions to all of the odd-numbered exercises. An ideal, accessible, elegant, 'student friendly', and highly recommended choice for classroom textbooks for highschool and college level mathematics curriculums, "A Concise Introduction To Pure Mathematics" is further enhanced with a selective bibliography, and index of symbols, and a comprehensive index.


The Christian Studies Shelf

Unearthing Your Ten Talents
Kevin Vost
Sophia Institute Press
PO Box 5284, Manchester, NH 03108
9781933184418, $17.95, www.sophiainstitute.com

No one is without skill. "Unearthing Your Ten Talents: A Thomistic Guide to Spiritual Growth" is a guide to finding the ten talents that God has each person with individually. Calling for readers to find these ten talents and use them to improve their lives or forget, Kevin Vost comes to readers with much inspiration in their aid to become better people and better Christians. "Unearthing Your Ten Talents" is a fun read, and solidly recommended.

Discovering Our Spiritual Identity
Trevor Hudson
InterVarsity Press
PO Box 1400, Downers Grove, IL 60515-1426
9780830810925, $18.00, www.ivpress.com

Losing touch with God is losing touch with the spirit. "Discovering Our Spiritual Identity: Practices for God's Beloved" is a spiritually charged guide to remembering one's bonds to God and finding one's place in His domain once more. Designed to help readers find their own faith, Trevor Hudson offers many helpful questions to guide readers. A top pick for lost Christians, "Discovering Our Spiritual Identity" is very highly recommended.

Conversations with Scripture
C. K. Robertson
Morehouse Publishing
475 Linglestown Road, Harrisburg, PA 17112
9780819223722, $18.00, www.churchpublishing.org

To follow Christ was a noble calling when he was looked at by most as a heretic. "Conversations with Scripture: The Acts of the Apostles" looks at the disciples of Christ and their importance to the creation of Christianity in the bigger picture. With much spirituality and thought, C. K. Robertson gives readers a thoughtful and historical look at the men responsible for the greater spread of Christianity. "Conversations with Scripture" is an excellent addition to Christian studies collections.

The Exodus According to G
Albert E. Gilding
Elderberry Press
1393 Old Homestead Drive, Oakland, OR 97462
9781934956304, $32.95, www.elderberrypress.com

God with wrathful in the old testament, and much has been written about one of the major stories of the Bible, the Exodus. "The Exodus According to G" is a retelling of the famed tale from Albert E. Gilding. Tying Moses exodus from Egypt into the destruction of Jericho and the island of Thera being swallowed by a volcanic explosion, Gilding brings much thought to the table telling a thoughtful and exciting story that shouldn't disappoint on the avenue of thought, history, and more. "The Exodus According to G" is a read that shouldn't be missed for those with an interest in Biblical times.

Hidden Mark
John Killinger
Mercer University Press
1400 Coleman Avenue, Macon, GA 31207-0001
9780881462234, $18.00, www.mupress.org 1-800-634-2378

The Gospel of Mark has some certain unusual elements for its place in the Bible. "Hidden Mark: Exploring Christianity's Heretical Gospel" analyzes more deeply the place of the Gospel of Mark in the bigger picture of Christianity. Claiming that the Gospel of Mark may actually have roots in the Gnostics, it provides an intriguing case for Mark's unusual place. Blending an analysis of the Gnostics as well as the Book of Mark, "Hidden Mark" is a top pick for any student of the Bible who wants to understand Mark's eccentricities in the scope of the Holy Bible.

Gateway to Resurrection
Maria Boulding
Continuum Books
80 Maiden Lane, Suite 704, New York, NY 10038
9781441143884, $16.95, www.continuumbooks.com

Dedicating her life fully to Christ, Maria Boulding gained a spiritual understanding that many never reach. "Gateway to Resurrection" is the work of Boulding, who lived her life as a nun in the Nenedictine Stanbrook Abbey Community. Reflecting on the resurrection and the principles surrounding it, this work is a must for any student of Christianity looking to gain a better understanding of the works of St. Benedict and St. Augustine. "Gateway to Resurrection" is a core addition to any Christian studies collection.

The Least of These
Ron Ruthruff
New Hope Publishers
100 Missionary Ridge, Birmingham, AL 35242
9781596692725, $19.99, www.newhopepublishers.com

When one dies young, their potential is lost to the world. "The Least of These: Lessons Learned from Kids on the Street" is a Christian analysis of the rough lives of those who make their living on the street. Stating that these lost souls need faith and inspiration to find their ways in life and break the vicious cycle that keeps them rolling, "The Least of These" comes with a powerful message for change and faith for the downtrodden of life.

What Are You Doing Here?
Gary Barkalow
David C. Cook
4050 Lee Vance View, Colorado Springs, CO 80918
9781434764393, $14.99, www.davidccook.com

What is the call of God and how does it come into play in one's life? "What Are You Doing Here?: It's Your Call" is a spiritual discussion on God's calling from Gary Barkalow discussing the call of God and what it means. Stating that it's not always a call to ministry but living though inspirational example and much more, "What Are You Doing Here?" is a thoughtful and uplifting spiritual read, a top pick.

Enter the Story
Fran Ferder
Orbis Books
Price Bldg., Box 302, Maryknoll, NY 10545
9781570758850, $18.00, www.orbisbooks.com

Finding relevancy in the Bible is a major way to connect to it. "Enter the Story: Biblical Metaphors for Our Lives" is a guide to finding your story within the tome of the Bible. Stating that everyone's narrative can be found with the right direction, Fran Ferder comes to readers with a powerful message. "Enter the Story" is an uplifting and reassuring read that your plight isn't yours alone, and faith can help anyone.

The Summit
Eric Alexander
New Leaf Press
PO Box 726, Green Forest, AR 72638
9780892217014, $14.99, www.newleafpress.com

When you have God at your side, Everest seems like a mere hill. "The Summit: Faith Beyond Everest's Death Zone" is a Christian inspirational as Eric Alexander explains how his faith stay with him during his mountain climbs and has led him to break records around the world. Insightful and profound, he hopes his tales of faith-driven to the extremes will help fellow readers find their ways to be empowered by their own faith. "The Summit" is a fine addition to any Christian or true adventure collection, enthusiastically recommended.

I Dare You to Change!
Bil Cornelius
Guideposts
16 E. 34th St., New York NY 10016
9780824948184, $19.99, www.guideposts.com

I DARE YOU TO CHANGE! DISCOVER THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN DREAMING OF A BETTER LIFE AND LIVING IT comes from a pastor of Bay Area Fellowship, one of the fastest growing churches in America, and offers a motivational spiritual manual for getting through the days. Examples from the Bible contribute to chapters that focus how to break failure cycles and how to develop plans and new attitudes for success. A fine link between spirituality and personal choice!

The Sanctuary of Women
Jan L. Richardson
Upper Room Books
1908 Grand Avenue, Nashville, TN 37212
9780835810302, $22.00, www.sanctuaryofwomen.com

The wisdom of women is rife throughout the Bible. "The Sanctuary of Women: A Companion for Reflection and Prayer" is a collection of musings from Jan L. Richardson on the wisdom of women and its application in life. Drawing strongly from scripture that is spread throughout the Bible, Richardson provides an inspirational read that will give many women much to embrace through their lives. "The Sanctuary of Women" is an excellent pick, very highly recommended.

Bishop Herbert Vaughan And The Jesuits
Martin John Broadley, editor
Catholic Record Society
668 Mount Hope Avenue, Rochester, NY 14620-2731
9780902832251, $90.00, www.amazon.com

In the 1870s, Bishop Herbert Vaughan of Salford, England, was the center of a controversy to result in the intervention of the Pope and the settling of questions of authority between newly restored bishops and religious orders such as the Jesuits that had been unsettling the English Catholic Church. In "Bishop Herbert Vaughan and the Jesuits: Education and Authority", Father Martin John Broadley (a priest in the Catholic diocese of Salford and lecturer at the University of Manchester) has created a 280-page detailed history drawing from both English and foreign archival sources, including documents, letters, and Bishop Vaughan's personal diary. The precipitating issue was the authority of the bishop over Jesuit provision of secondary educational services the Catholic community -- a community that has evolved to the point of developing a commercial and professional middle class demanding education for their children, even if it was not in accord with the wishes and rights of Bishop Vaughan (who later was to become Cardinal Archbishop of Westminister) with respect to such an educational program. Deftly edited and superbly presented to include illustrations, abbreviations, and informed and informative introduction, a bibliography, an index, and twelve appendices, "Bishop Herbert Vaughan And The Jesuits" is an impressive, seminal, and highly recommended contribution to English Roman Catholic History collections and supplemental reading lists.


The Gaming Shelf

A Guide to Chess Improvement
Dan Heisman
Everyman Chess
246 Goose Lane, Guilford, CT 06437-0480
9781857446494, $28.95, www.everymanchess.com

You can be a natural, but even Chess grandmasters seek ways to improve their game. "A Guide to Chess Improvement" is a guide to finding and improving one's chess tactics for a better and more driven game. Stating that improving one's game is a combination of tactics analysis, quick thinking, and general practice, Dan Heisman gives a guide for anyone who wants to play better to win, making "A Guide to Chess Improvement" invaluable to novice and intermediate chess player with a thirst for improvement.


The Judaic Studies Shelf

Torah Tapestries
Shira Smiles
Feldheim
208 Airpot Executive Park, Nanuet, NY 10954
9781598266412, $19.99

It can be easy to forget the importance of a weekly practice. "Torah Tapestries: Words of Wisdom Woven from the Weekly Parshah" is a collection of wisdom from Shira Smiles as she seeks to help Jewish readers reconnect with their own faith in life keep in touch the weekly torah reading important. With a focus on the education of Jewish women, Shira Smiles hopes to keep the spirit strong for all jews, making "Torah Tapestries" a powerful and very highly recommended read.

I'm God You're Not
Lawrence Kushner
Jewish Lights Publishing
PO Box 237, Sunset Farm Offices, Rt. 4, Woodstock, VT 05091
9781580234412, $21.99, www.jewishlights.com

If you ever stop learning, check your pulse. "I'm God, You're Not: Observations on Organized Religion & Other Disguises of the Ego" is a collection of musings on other thing on this man of learning as he tells his story that one should never stop learning, even when you're the one who should be teaching. Drawing on his massive experience as a teacher, a father, a rabbi, and a human being, "I'm God, You're Not" is an excellent collection of wit and wisdom, not to be missed.

Best Jewish Books for Children and Teens
Linda R. Silver
The Jewish Publication Society
PO Box 960, Herndon, VA 20172-0960
9780827609037, $20.00, www.jewishpub.org

It's important to keep the faith strong during the mentally stressful time of the teenage years. "Best Jewish Books for Children and Teens" is a guide for to picking books that encourage Jewish teens to find a faith-driven read that will relate to them as they grow older and into young adults. Aimed at many ages from picturebooks for young readers to young adult novels for teenagers, "Best Jewish Books for Children and Teens" is a useful read for any Jewish community leader or librarian.


The Fiction Shelf

Adventures in Solitude
Grant Lawrence
Harbour Publishing
PO Box 219, Madeira Park, BC V0N 2H0, Canada
9781550175141, $26.95, www.harbourpublishing.com

Some places just try their hardest to defy normalcy. "Adventures in Solitude: What Not to Wear to a Nude Potluck and Other Stories from Desolation Sound" is a collection of short stories from Grant Lawrence, focusing on the offbeat island of Desolation Sound, an island of the 1979s with plenty of hippies and other unsavory characters. With plenty of fine story telling, "Adventures in Solitude" is an excellent pick, very highly recommended.

Hell Can Wait
Theodore Judson
Edge Science Fiction & Fantasy
PO Box 1714, Calgary, AB T2P 2L7, Canada
9781894063234, $14.95, www.edgewebsite.com

Trading the skills of a spear for literacy seems awfully stupid for the ancient Roman Warrior. "Hell Can Wait" tells the story of Maternus, a Roman soldier stuck in the bureaucracy of hell for nearly two millenniums. When an angel and demon rage over his soul, Maternus faces a second chance, flung into modern Colorado, a place where fighting, the only thing Maternus knew, isn't as valued a skill as it once was. A fun fish out of water adventure with many twists, "Hell Can Wait" is sure to delight fantasy readers looking for a good laugh.

A Simple Amish Christmas
Vanetta Chapman
Abingdon Press
201 8th Ave. South, Nashville, TN 37202
9781426710667, $13.99, www.abingdonpress.com

Young people out of an Amish community are permitted to leave and decide if they wanted to leave Amish society. "A Simple Amish Christmas" tells the story of Annie Weaver, an Amish woman who during her rumschpringe decides to become a registered nurse. Away from the community for years, she just may finally return to the community when she finds romance with an Amish farmer on her return home for Christmas. "A Simple Amish Christmas" is a compelling blend of romance and the Amish, recommended.

Snow Rising
Matt Baldwin
Shadow Mountain
PO Box 30178, Salt Lake City, UT 84130-0178
9781606416587, $24.99, www.shadowmountain.com

When you make so many bad choices in life, you begin to lose faith in your ability to choose well. "Snow Rising: Take the Journey, Make the Change, Know the Peace" is the story of one such man trying to recover his own place in life as he life looks to be in shambles. Author Matt Baldwin seeks to structure the book with the style of a novel, but wants readers to take the journey with the protagonist as they try to bring about the positive change in their own lives with Jason Snow. "Snow Rising" is a fascinating and enlightening read, highly recommended.

Siegfried Follies
Richard Alther
Regent Press
2747 Regent Street, Berkeley, CA 94705
9781587902048, $18.00, www.regentpress.net

No one wants to be part of atrocity. "Siegfried Follies" tells the story of Franz, a Hitler youth finding out the truth behind his countries role, and finds a Jewish boy. The two flee the awfulness of Nazi Germany and through brotherhood, they may survive this life and find adulthood. "Siegfried Follies" is a poignant read, very highly recommended.

The Severance
Elliot Sawyer
Bridge Works
c/o MaryGlenn McCombs
2817 West End Avenue, Suite 126-274, Nashville, TN 37203
9780981617534, $23.95

Someone has to do the jobs no one wants to do. "The Severance" is a military thriller following Jake Roberts and his own personal collection of misfits as they fight in Afghanistan. Quarantined to a single unit, Roberts and his group is known for making trouble and they find themselves in a vital situation in the war. "The Severance" is an exciting thriller that will be hard to put down, drawing much inspiration from the class 'Dirty Dozen' in its writing and concept.

Children of Secrets
Lander Duncan
iUniverse
1663 Liberty Drive, Bloomington, IN 47403
Smith Publicity (publicity)
1930 E. Marlton Pike, Suite I-46, Cherry Hill, NJ 08003
9781440183515, $17.95, www.iuniverse.com

From a rough home with a family that was started unexpectedly, Lander Duncan has mixed memories of his past. "Children of Secrets" is an autobiographical novel from Lander Duncan, as he reflects on the early days of his life, and his family before he was born. Focusing on the first twenty years, he tells a story of growing up in segregated society and the challenges one faced there. "Children of Secrets" is an excellent read, solidly recommended.

A Bobwhite Killing
Jan Dunlap
North Star Press of St. Cloud, Inc.
PO Box 451, St. Cloud, MN 56302
0878393757, $14.95, www.jandunlap.com

A simple and innocent event can turn deadly quickly when bullets come into the equation. "A Bobwhite Killing" tells the story of Bob White, a birder turned amateur sleuth when the leader of the event turns up dead. Dealing with the lost rare bird and other unusual characters, a leisurely weekend turns serious quickly for White. "A Bobwhite Killing" is a fun read, solidly recommended.

Out of the Mountains
Meredith Sue Willis
Ohio University Press
The Ridges, Athens, OH 45701
Chicago Distribution Center (distribution)
11030 S. Langley Ave., Chicago, IL 60628
9780821419205, $24.95, www.ohioswallow.com

In the mountains, people face problems not too unlike everyone else's. "Out of the Mountains: Appalachian Stories" is an anthology of short fiction focused on the Appalachian region and the challenges of mountain life. From the social issues that face people far from cities to environmental concerns like mountain top removal, Meredith Sue Willis paints an intriguing picture of modern day Appalachia. "Out of the Mountains" is a fine collection of short fiction, recommended.

The Demon Lover
Dion Fortune
Red Wheel, Weiser, & Conari
65 Parker Street, Suite 7, Newburyport, MA 01950
9781578634927, $16.95, www.redwheelweiser.com

A secretary seeks to serve her employer, but not in this way. "The Demon Lover" is a classical fantasy novel telling the story of Veronica Mainwaring, a secretary hired by Justin Lucas. She soon finds Lucas uses her not for typing and coffee, but instead as a medium for his own unique quest for power, with Veronica unable to escape. A riveting story sure to please, "The Demon Lover" is very highly recommended.

Carolina Christmas
Jim Casada, editor
The University of South Carolina Press
1600 Hampton Street, 5th Floor, Columbia, SC 29208
9781570039546, $29.95, www.uscpress.com

Christmas time has a unique place in the hearts of South Carolina. "Carolina Christmas: Archibald Rutledge's Enduring Holiday Stories" compiles the work of Archibald Rutledge, who has done well in making his mark in South Carolina, becoming the first poet laureate in the state, and crafting many stories and poems throughout the twentieth century. Jim Casada compiles his writings on the subject of Christmas, but still touches on many concerns and issues that still lie on the heads of South Carolinian. "Carolina Christmas" is a solid addiction to any South Carolinian fiction collection or Christmas fiction collections in general.

Crown of Thorns
Hank Luce
Salvo Press
17850 SW Bryan Way, Beaverton, OR 97007
9781609770112, $16.95, www.salvopress.com

The Crown of Thorns was put on Christ to mock him, but it has become a great symbol instead. "Crown of Thorns" follows Nick Renna, a history professor who under a promise to dying lover must recover the famed Crown of Thorns that sat on Jesus's head during his crucifixion. Finding such a relic does not prove easy, as Renna is set on traveling all over the world and against those who have less than pure intents for the item. "Crown of Thorns" is a fine pick, not to be missed by religious thriller fans.

Christmas at Harrington's
Melody Carlson
Revell
c/o Baker Publishing Group
PO Box 6287, Grand Rapids, MI 49516-6287
9780800719258, $15.99, www.revellbooks.com

Even the humblest of jobs can be the start of something greater. "Christmas at Harrington's" is the story of Lena Markham, a woman down on her luck without much hope. But when she's hired as Mrs. Claus at a department store, her rotten luck may be taking a turn for the better, as she experiences ta Christmas redemption. "Christmas at Harrington's" is a charming and uplifting read for any Christmas fiction collection.

The August House Book of Scary Stories
Liz Parkhurst
August House
3500 Piedmont Road NE, Suite 310, Atlanta, GA 30305
9780874839159, $15.95, www.augusthouse.com

A good scary story is something universal to us all. "The August House Book of Scary Stories: Spooky Tales for Telling Out Loud" is a collection of tales on the frightening side form around the world and throughout history. These stories range from the simplest of jump fears to the fears that lie deep seated within us all. With many contributors making for a varied and exciting volume, "The August House Book of Scary Stories" is a read that will be hard to put down.

Broken Ground
John Keeble
University of Washington Press
PO Box 50096, Seattle, WA 98145-5096
9780295990484, $24.95, www.washington.edu/uwpress

Privatization has its own woes. "Broken Ground" tells the story of Hank Lafleur, a man overseeing the construction of a Prison-for-profit project. A story that dives into his psyche and what brought him here as well as the flaws of privatization and what it means for America. Thoughtful reading that will entertain as it enlightens, "Broken Ground" is quite the read, very highly recommended.

The House of Ulysses
Julian Rios
Dalkey Archive
1805 S. Wright Street, MC-011, Champaign, IL 61820
9781564785978, $14.95, www.dalkeyarchive.com

Nothing is original but the twists and turns on the classics. "The House of Ulysses" is an intriguing postmodernist take from Spanish author Julian Rios, as he takes James Joyce's famed novel Ulysses and offers a new view point and twists into these beloved characters, much like Joyce's own work was inspired by the classics of Homer. Thoughtful, humorous, and intriguing reading expertly translated by Nick Caistor, "The House of Ulysses" is a core pick for any world literature collection.

Shine in Kashmir
Chris Catagna
Atria Books
1230 Avenue of the Americas, New York, NY 10020
9780982681206, $26.78, www.amerincanpublishing.com

Being dumped into the thick of it makes you evaluate your spiritual life quickly. "Shine in Kashmir" is a novel of American Justin Conrad as he experiences India and everything within it during his travel and learns much through the many spiritual mysteries within India, looking into Buddhism, Hindu traditions, and the countless other things that lie within the mystic history of the Indian sub-continent. With plenty to think about, "Shine in Kashmir" is a solid and very recommended novel.

Murder in the Chilcotin
Roy Innes
NeWest Press
#201, 8540-109 Street, Edmonton, AL T6G 1E6
9781897126691, $19.95, www.newestpress.com

The search for the truth may bring about the truth you don't want. "Murder in the Chilcotin" tells the story of a dead Mountie and those who are trying to find whose responsible. Coswell, a RCMP inspector finds his comrade's cruiser at the bottom of a ravine. With the help of the local tribal police, he finds that racial tensions may start to boil and there's more to this crime than meets the eye. "Murder in the Chilcotin" is a riveting thriller, highly recommended.

The Bodies Beneath the Table
W. D. Ehrhart
Adastra Press
16 Reservation Road, Easthampton, MA 01027
9780982249574, $18.00

With plenty of experience writing, former Marine W. D. Ehrhart has plenty to write about. "The Bodies Beneath the Table" is a collection of poetry from Ehrhart as he provides a level headed view of the world with a shifting perspective. With fantastic verse, "The Bodies Beneath the Table" is a good addition to any poetry collection. "Epiphany": What I remember is you at twenty-six/in the shower naked beside me,/soap cascading the length of that/heart-stopping eye-popping sight,/me like a kid in a candy shop./most beautiful woman in all the world/ and mine. All Mine. All I see to this day.

Thief of Midnight
Catherine Butzen
Stark House Press
2200 O St., Eureka, CA 95501
9781933586311, $15.95, www.starkhousepress.com

If there is belief there is existence. "Thief of Midnight" tells a two sided story. The Bogeymen are a vanishing breed, as they fade from the fears and thoughts of humanity. As they begin to strike and kidnap children to restore fear, they find themselves apposed by monster hunters and those who seek to restore reality to its mundane status, a Society for the Security of Reality. "Thief of Midnight" is an exciting story and very highly recommended.

Look Long into the Abyss
A. R. Homer
Llumina Press
7915 West McNab Road, Tamarac, FL 33321
9781605945316, $14.95, www.illumina.com

The Nazis had their way with Europe during World War II, taking everything it had to offer. "Look Long into the Abyss" tells the story of Lt. Gina Cortazzo, hot on the trail in 1945 to recover the lost art from the Nazi's pillaging of Europe. Racing against time as the Germans become more on edge as the war draws to a close, Gina finds love and finds that that love may be cut short by those out to stop her recovery. An exciting adventure of romance, "Look Long into the Abyss" is an excellent read, and very highly recommended.

Rasputin's Legacy
Troy Matthew Carnes
Black Rose Writing
2250 Military Road, Tonawanda, NY 14225
9781935605416, $18.95, www.blackrosewriting.com

When you possess great power, all too often people want that power used for evil. "Rasputin's Legacy" tells the story of the grandson of Giorgi Lazarov, a boy with the powers to predict the future. He soon learns that his power is inherited from the crazed monk Rasputin, and two powerful individuals learn of his power and want to harness it for their own use - Hitler and Stalin. Caught between two evils and a coming war machine, Giorgi must find a way to maintain his humanity. "Rasputin's Legacy" is a thrilling read, highly recommended.

Frozen Time
Anna Kim
Ariadne
270 Goins Court, Riverside, CA 92507
9781572411722, $12.95

When life is blown apart, it can be hard to move on. "Frozen Time" tells the story of a red cross worker in Kosovo who seeks to help a lost soul find his wife and move on with his life. Trapped between working with the life of her client and staying as an impartial investigator, author Anna Kim tells a story of being pulled between the desire to help one move on and leaving the hope of the past behind. "Frozen Time" is a touching novel, and is very highly recommended.

Diving Mimes, Weeping Czars, and Other Unusual Suspects
Ken Scholes
Fairwood Press
21528 104th St. Ct. E, Bonney Lake, WA 98391
9780982073087, $17.99, www.fairwoodpress.com

The world often throws the unusual at you, and not always for bad reason. "Diving Mimes, Weeping Czars, and Other Unusual Suspects" is a collection of short stories from Ken Scholes providing an unusual assortment of thought and idea through his chosen medium. From post apocalyptic alien invasions and the need to ward them off, and the current roles of mythological figures as well as the challenges of dating with a secret identity. "Diving Mimes, Weeping Czars, and Other Unusual Suspects" is a humorous as well as enlightening read, that is excellently crafted and hard to put down.

The Cosmopolitans
Nadia Kalman
Livington Press
The University of West Alabama, Station #22, Livingston, AL 35470
9781604890679, $17.95, www.livingstonpress.uwa.edu

Culture shock is over quickly, the toughest part of immigration is the long haul. "The Cosmopolitans" tells the story of Russian-Jewish immigrant family in the Molochiniks, as they find themselves in suburban Connecticut trying to find their place in their lives. With a thoughtful focus on the characters and the differences and many similarities one faces in a new world, "The Cosmopolitans" proves to be a fine and fun read.

The Bridge of Peace
Cindy Woodsmall
WaterBrook Press
12265 Oracle Boulevard, Suite 200, Colorado Springs, CO 80921
9781400073979, $13.99, www.waterbrookmultnomah.com

Being creative and thoughtful are not the ways of the old. "The Bridge of Peace" tells the story of schoolteacher Lena Kauffman, who lives under the Old Order of Amish. Fiery and driven, she often finds herself clashing against the establishment of the school board. With few allies, and a strong friendship with Grey Gaber on the school board, she finds many challenges to her life and she may find new truths yet. "The Bridge of Peace" is a fast paced and intriguing novel of Amish life and their challenges, highly recommended.

I Shall Not Want
Debbie Viguie
Abingdon Press
201 8th Ave. South, Nashville, TN 37202
9781426701900, $14.99, www.abingdonpress.com

A dog can be quite the gift. But not much of one when it's paired with murder. "I Shall Not Want" tells of a string of murders of homeless people as they were granted a dog by a charity organization. Joseph Tyler and Cindy find themselves charged with getting behind the meaning of these murders, a challenge that doesn't seem as it will be easy, as the truth has plenty of reason to keep itself hidden. "I Shall Not Want" is a riveting mystery that will keep the pages turning.

Settlement
Ann Birch
Rendezvous Press
c/o Napoleon & Company
235-1173 Dundas Street East, Toronto, ON M4M 3P1
9781926607047, $22.95, www.napoleonandcompany.com

An ocean still separated different worlds in the nineteenth century. "Settlement" tells the story of Anna Jamesson, an Englishwoman who arrives in Toronto in 1836. Facing a strange world with different customs than what she's used to. This strange world may spring her into a situation of unusual romance, unfaithfulness, and the search for true love. Providing a fascinating look at nineteenth century Toronto, "Settlement" is an excellent literary read with much thought and love for history put into the writing.


The Judicial Studies Shelf

All Judges are Political
Keith J. Bybee
Stanford Law Books
1450 Page Mill Road, Palo Alto, CA 94304-1124
9780804753128, $19.95, www.sup.org

Can a judge truly do his job and remain apolitical? "All Judges are Political: Except When They Are Not: Acceptable Hypocrisies and the Rule of Law" is an analysis of the role of the judge in interpreting the law of America. Keith Bybee comes to readers with an intriguing dissection of the call for and call against the activist judge, stating that observing both rule of law and making political decisions are both qualities of an excellent judge. "All Judges are Political" is a fascinating examination of the role of the Judicial, highly recommended.


The Self-Help Shelf

The Keys to Joy-Filled Living
Robert C. Jameson
Morgan James
1225 Franklin Ave. Ste 325, Garden City, NY 11530-1693
9781600374678, $17.95, www.morganjamespublishing.com

Happiness is not out of reach for anyone. "The Keys to Joy-Filled Living" is an inspirational book from Robert C. Jameson focusing on the value of interpersonal relationships and encouraging strong bonds in life that favor understanding and belief in oneself and others. With plenty of thought and inspiration throughout, "The Keys to Joy-Filled Living" is an excellent read with plenty to help one live a happier life.

Speaking Out: An Introduction to Public Speaking
Michael Gallagher
Meriwether Publishing
PO Box 7710, Colorado Springs, CO 80933-7710
9781566081610, $19.95, www.meriwether.com

Public speaking is something many people fear and often unnecessarily. "Speaking Out: An Introduction to Public Speaking" is a guide to managing public speaking from Michael Gallagher. Stating that being prepared and building one's confidence is key to succeeding in these situations and more, readers will learn to face their fears and excel in these situations. "Speaking Out" is a powerful resource, and a very highly recommended read.

A Celebration of the Simple Life
Wanda E. Brunstetter
Barbour
PO Box 719, Uhrichsville, OH 44683
9781602607729, $9.99, www.barbourbooks.com

Without bright lights and technology, life can be perfectly fulfilling. "A Celebration of the Simple Life: Inspiring Thoughts from Amish Country" is a collection of inspirations drawn from her admiration of the Amish people, who live outside of the technology imposed daily grind and find a simple and clear message int heir life. With a strong message of faith and encouragement, "A Celebration of the Simple Life" is a top pick for any inspirational collection.

The Language of Emotions
Karla McLaren
Sounds True
PO Box 8010, Boulder, CO 80306
9781591797692, $18.95

Understanding your emotions is understanding you. "The Language of Emotions: What Your Feelings Are Trying to Tell You" delves into emotions and what they mean to one's life. Karla McLaren hopes to help readers understand why they feel the way they do and how to push themselves towards a happier life. With much thought and understanding, "The Language of Emotions" is a fine and very solidly recommended read, not to be missed.

We Really Need to Talk
Paul J. Donoghue
Sorin Books
PO Box 428, Notre Dame, IN 46556
9781933495231, $16.95, www.sorinbooks.com

The key to happiness is to avoid a glut of misunderstanding. "We Really Need to Talk: Steps to Better Communication" is a guide for anyone who is struggling to understand their friends and family, and how through more efficient communication, one can attain a greater understanding of themselves and those around them. Authors of many books on the subject, Paul J. Donoghue & Mary E. Siegel will do well in helping readers, making "We Really Need to Talk" a fine pick, highly recommended.

Define Your Own Way
Nicole Roberts Jones
The Pilgrim Press
700 Prospect Ave., Cleveland, OH 44115-1100
9780829818703, $18.00, www.thepilgrimpress.com

It's up to the woman to decide her path in life. "Define Your Own Way: Empowering Young African American Women" is an inspirational read targeted at Black women who want to push themselves to succeed further in their lives and find their own inspiration and drive. With no shortage of wisdom, "Define Your Own Way" is a thoughtful and very solidly recommended read that shouldn't be missed by any young black women in charge of her own destiny.


The Theatre/Cinema/TV Shelf

Sacred Space
Douglas E. Cowan
Baylor University
PO Box 97363, Waco, TX 76798
9781602582385, $24.95, www.baylorpress.com

Science Fiction has always been looking into the future for a better time. "Sacred Space: The Quest for Transcendence in Science Fiction Film and Television" is an analysis of modern science fiction on television and what it means to modern culture and philosophy, the hope that technology will help readers win the day in the many problems humanity faces, and the reality that some of these problems will never be done with. "Sacred Space" is a fascinating read on the ideas that go behind today's science fiction television.


The Hunting/Fishing Shelf

Great Hunting Stories
Steve Chapman
Harvest House
990 Owen Loop North, Eugene, Oregon 97402-9173
9780736928144, $11.99, www.harvesthousepublishers.com

There's nothing a hunter likes more than a good hunting story. "Great Hunting Stories: Inspiring Adventures for Every Hunter" is a collection of these stories that Steve Chapman has experienced through his days on the field. Stating that hunting has helped him gain a greater connection with his family - both his children and his wife, enhanced his faith, and helped him become a better person, "Great Hunting Stories" is sure to empower and encourage any hunter who enjoys their favored hobby.

Flyfisher's Guide to Nevada
Jan Nemec
Wilderness Adventures Press
45 Buckskin Road, Belgarde, MT 59714
9781932098747, $28.95, www.wildadvpress.com

Some people need Vegas's flashy lights to find fun in Nevada. Other only need its natural bounty. "Flyfisher's Guide to Nevada" is a guide for those who want to find the wonderful lakes and rivers throughout the state of Nevada and the fine natural places that lie throughout the state. A resource packed cover to cover with information for the fly fisher with plenty of black and white photographs spread throughout, "Flyfisher's Guide to Nevada" is a must for any adventurous fly fisher.


The Comix/Graphic Novel Shelf

Graphic Novels and Comic Books
Kat Kan, editor
H. W. Wilson
950 University Avenue, Bronx, NY 10452
9780824211004, $35.00, www.hwwilson.com

The graphic novel has shifted from a long comic book to a media format all its own. "Graphic Novels and Comic Books" is a collection of essays of essays on the topic, tracing its history from Will Eisner's work 'A Contract with God' to the modern day where it has broken away from its brethren the comic book. Looking at how graphic novels can now become legitimate literature, "Graphic Novels and Comic Books" is a fine and educational read with plenty to teach, highly recommended.


The Health/Medicine Shelf

Dialogues with Pain
Jeanne Taylor Hernandez
Crown House Publishing
6 Trowbridge Drive, Ste. 5, Bethel, CT 06801
9781449980306, $24.95

The first step to beating pain is to understand it. "Dialogues with Pain: Internal Body Conversations That Resolve Suffering" is a guide for those faced with chronic pain. Encouraging readers to differentiate between pain and suffering, Jeanne Taylor Hernandez, Ph.D writes with plenty of thought for readers to get a mental edge on their ailments to help them reclaim their life from their annoyances. "Dialogues with Pain" is a fine pick, and a solid addition to community library health collections.

The Alzheimer's Caregiving Puzzle
Patricia R. Callone & Connie Kudlacek
Demos Health
11 W. 42nd Street, 15th Floor, New York, NY 10036
9781932603880, $16.95, www.demoshealth.com

The loss of mind is a terrible thing. "The Alzheimer's Caregiving Puzzle: Putting Together the Pieces" is a guide for those dealing with the unfortunate seniors who are facing this disorder. The atrophy of the mind leads care givers in a struggle to provide care and understanding to someone who may not be always able to appreciate. With a reminder not to kill yourself in your care for another, "The Alzheimer's Caregiving Puzzle" is a moving and utterly useful read for these individuals in their pursuit of care for those with Alzheimer's.

Gluten-Free Kids
Danna Korn
Woodbine House
6510 Bells Mill Rd., Bethesda, MD 20817
9781606130063, $21.95, www.woodbinehouse.com

With special needs comes the need for a special diet. "Gluten-Free Kids: Raising Happy, Healthy Children with Celiac Disease, Autism, and Other Conditions" is a guide for parents who want to avoid gluten based foods for their children to encourage better diet to help face many disorders in a child's life. With a bit of expertise and experience, "Gluten-Free Kids" is a solid volume for any concerned parent who wants advice on arranging their special needs child's diet.

Master Your IBS
Pamela Barney, et. al.
AGA Press
4930 Del Ray Avenue, Bethesda, MD 20814
9781603560092, $16.95, www.MasterYourIBS.com

Irritable Bowel Syndrome can be quite the drain on one's life but it's conquerable. "Master Your IBS: An 8-Week Plan to Control the Symptoms of Irritable Bowel Syndrome" is a guide to face one's condition and beat it through the use of good diet, exercise, and other natural actions to get it under one's control without the use of drugs or other actions with potential side-effects. "Master Your IBS" is not to be missed for anyone who wants to better manage the condition to improve the quality of their life.

The Secret Language of Your Body
Inna Segal
Atria Books
c/o Simon & Schuster
1230 Avenue of the Americas, New York, NY 10020
9781582702605, $18.00, www.simonandschuster.com

The Secret Language of Your Body: The Essential Guide to Health and Wellness deserves ongoing attention and recommendation as a powerful alternative health guide for new age and alternative health collections. Its focus on body, mind and spirit health has been newly expanded for this edition and appears outside Australia to offer readers a fine personal health guide.

Connecting with Your Asperger Partner
Louise Weston
Jessica Kingsley Publishers
400 Market St. #400, Philadelphia, PA 19106
9781849051309, $18.95, www.jkp.com

Connecting with Your Asperger Partner: Negotiating the Maze of Intimacy uses the author's own experiences of being married to a man with AS to show that the road to intimacy begins with letting go of expectations and looking after one's personal needs first. Strategies for connecting with an AS partner come second - and are explored here in an excellent survey highly recommended for any health collection and many a general lending library.

W.W. Norton
500 - 5th Avenue, New York NY 10110
www.wwnorton.com

Kathleen W. Piercy's Working with Aging Families: Therapeutic Solutions for Caregivers, Spouses and Adult Children (9780393732825, $27.95) offers a powerful survey of family and therapist dynamics, using some 35 years of clinical work and research on family issues to discuss the aging process and its impact on individuals and families. From assessing family interactions to themes that arise from aging and change, this is a pick for any mental health professional's collection. Also recommended is Robin Shapiro's The Trauma Treatment Handbook: Protocols Across The Spectrum (9780393706185, $32.95). It offers psychotherapists a fine survey gathering trauma treatment options and analyzing nearly twenty currently-practiced trauma treatments under one cover. There's no 'one fits all' approach to such management: therefore having this analysis of different successful methods under one cover makes for a key reference for any practicing therapist or library catering to them. Another pick is Diane T. Marsh and Melissa J. Marks' How To Talk To Families About Child And Adolescent Mental Illness (9780393705706, $21.95), offering a fine survey for practitioners working with families that include a mentally ill child. Professional practice with families are revealed in a survey of approaches to real-world clinical encounters in this top pick.

In An Unspoken Voice
Peter A. Levine, PhD
North Atlantic Books
Box 12327, Berkeley, CA 94712
9781556439438, $21.95, www.northatlanticbooks.com

In An Unspoken Voice: How the Body Releases Trauma and Restores Goodness uses the author's experiences as a clinician and a student of comparative brain research to explore the nature and impact of trauma on the body and brain. Here trauma is viewed as neither a disease nor a disorder, but an injury caused by loss and fright that can be healed through therapy. Case study examples blends biology and body-oriented psychotherapy in a fine collection of insights highly recommended for college-level psychotherapy holdings.

A Patient's Guide to Heart Rhythm Problems
Todd J. Cohen
The John Hopkins University Press
2715 N. Charles Street, Baltimore, MD 21218-4363
9780801897757, $16.95, www.press.jhu.edu

An irregular heart can make a lot of problems happen fast. "A Patient's Guide to Heart Rhythm Problems" is a guide to those facing heart health problems and want to protect themselves from serious health problems that can occur. Todd Cohen, a doctor with a focus in the areas of pacemakers and other heart related ideas, gives readers what they need to know to avoid the worst of heart related problems when your heart can be summed up as 'a bad ticker'. "A Patient's Guide to Heart Rhythm Problems" is an excellent and very highly recommended read that shouldn't be overlooked for those with heart problems.

A Smart Woman's Guide to Heart Health
Lorna R. Vanderhaeghe
Fitzhenry & Whiteside
195 Allstate Parkway, Markham, Ontario, Canada, L3R 4T8
9781554551576, $21.95, www.fitzhenry.ca

Being good to your heart is being good to your life. "A Smart Woman's Guide to Heart Health: ..and the Hearts of the Men They Love" is a woman's guide to better understanding the importance of cardiovascular health. Many women's health concerns such as menopause can play a role in everyday heart health, and heart disease has been proven to be the leading cause of death for many Americans. With additional tips for men's heart health and what a woman can do to help them, "A Smart Woman's Guide to Heart Health" is a valuable health resource, highly recommended.


The Nautical Shelf

Cape Horn to Starboard
John Kretschmer
Burford Books
101 East State St., #301, Ithaca, NY 14850
9781580801621, $16.95, www.burfordbooks.com

A sea voyage in the modern day isn't as dangerous as it used to be, but there is still plenty of peril. "Cape Horn to Starboard: The Classic Chronicle of Rounding the Horn In a 32-Foot Sloop" is a nautical memoir from John Kretschmer as he recalls his journey on the seas as he tells a story of life and how being a boat only makes it more interesting. "Cape Horn to Starboard" is an excellent addition to any sailing or memoir collection.


The Business Shelf

Raising Eyebrows
Dal LeMagna
Wiley
10475 Crosspoint Boulevard, Indianapolis, IN 46256
9780470874370, $24.95, www.raisingeyebrows.com

Failure isn't truly failure if you learn something from it. "Raising Eyebrows: A Failed Entrepreneur Finally Gets I Right" is a business memoir from a man who failed many times in his hopes for business success over decades. He reveals how those failures ultimately led to him finally gaining that one big success that earned him his own place and fortune for years to come. A business book with a powerful message of never give up hope, "Raising Eyebrows" is a fine pick for anyone who wants to understand failure doesn't bar you from success.

The Sticking Point Solution
Jay Abraham
Vanguard Press
387 Park Avenue South, 12th Floor, New York, NY 10016
9781593155759, $15.95, www.vanguardpressbooks.com

The best businesses don't roll over and die when times are tough. "The Sticking Point Solution: 9 Ways to Move Your Business from Stagnation to Stunning Growth in Tough Economic Times" is a business guide on how to turn one's company around when it looks like your business is going nowhere. A powerful read with much advice for business leaders, these tips will inspire any manager or higher to help their business grow when all stands against you. "The Sticking Point Solution: 9 Ways to Move Your Business from Stagnation to Stunning Growth in Tough Economic Times" is a choice pick, very highly recommended for business collections.

Management?
Henry Mintzberg, Bruce Ahlstrand, & Joseph Lampel
American Management Association
1601 Broadway, New York, NY 10019
9780814416846, $22.00, www.amacombooks.org

There's more to management than barking orders at people. "Management?: It's Not What You Think!" is a detailed analysis and guide to management and the many different chains of thoughts into what makes a truly good manager. With a bit of humor, the authors cover a variety of management topics and what they mean to the big picture of business and company futures. With tips on everything from leadership style to what to tell those above you, "Management?" is a solid and very highly recommended piece of writing not to be missed by any stumbling upon a new management position.

Fun Inc.
Tom Chatfield
Pegasus Books
80 Broad Street, Fifth Floor, New York, NY 10004
9781605981437, $27.95, www.pegasusbooks.us

Video games have come from the video arcades sucking in quarters. "Fun Inc.: Why Gaming will Dominate the Twenty-First Century" is an analysis on the rising star of video games. Video games are now rivaling popular films in revenue, and are one of the biggest growing sectors of the economy, selling very well even in a time where the economy seems to be down. Drawing from much research, Tom Chatfield explains his position well, making "Fun Inc." a good indicator of what to look out for in the future of the twenty first century.

Decide & Deliver
Marcia W. Blenko, & Michael C. Mankins, & Paul Rogers
Harvard Business Press
60 Harvard Way, Boston, MA 02163
9781422147573, $29.95, www.hbr.org

Good decision making is a key aspect of successful business. "Decide & Deliver: 5 Steps to Breakthrough Performance in Your Organization" is a business text discussing the importance of good decision making in business and how to push it to a higher level in effectiveness. With chapters to assess the value of a decision, finding out which are the important ones, making good decisions quickly, and making good business decisions daily, "Decide & Deliver" analyzes the decision making process and presents a high value and highly recommended addition for any community library business collection, and the right hand of any business leader who wants to make the right calls for their company.

Perspectives on Social Media Marketing
B. Bonin Bough
Course Technology Cengage Learning
20 Channel Center Street, Boston, MA 02210
9781435456525, $19.99, www.courseptr.com

Facebook, Twitter, and other programs aren't just for keeping up with friends, they are another way to sell. "Perspectives on Social Media Marketing" delves into the power and importance of social media marketing from the perspectives of two people in the marketing chain. Both the brand and the advertising agency are discussed. B. Bon Bough has worked with PepsiCo. For many years and applies his experience well, covering how social media has massively changed the way many companies need to do business. Also adding in is Stephanie Angresta, whose expertise has gained her much famed in her industry. Another edition in Cengage's Perspectives series, "Perspectives on Social Media Marketing" is an excellent pick that shouldn't be overlooked for any business.

The One Minute Negotiator
Don Hutson and George Lucas
Berrett-Koehler
235 Montgomery St., Suite 650, San Francisco CA 94104-2916
9781605095868, $21.95, www.bkconnection.com

The One Minute Negotiator: Simple Steps to Reach Better Agreements comes from the co-author of The One Minute Entrepreneur and offers a proven approach to negotiating anything. It comes in a 'business story' format to make for easy access and presents the story of a sales pro who learns how to navigate the finer art of negotiation. Business collections will find this appealing!

The Happiness Advantage
Shawn Achor
Broadway Books
c/o Crown Publishing Group
1745 Broadway, New York, NY, 10036
9780307591548, $25.00, www.crownpublishing.com

The Happiness Advantage: Seven Principles of Positive Psychology that Fuel Success and Performance at Work is based on a decade of research in the field of positive psychology and neuroscience applied to business, and offers a formula equating happiness to success. When you raise happiness, you raise success rates: this book's concept follows a Harvard University 'happiness course' that links happiness to every level of industry and business. A fine pick for any business library!

Harvard Business School Press
60 Harvard Way, Boston, MA 02163
www.hbr.org/books

Vijay Govindarajan and Chris Trimble's THE OTHER SIDE OF INNOVATION: SOLVING THE EXECUTION CHALLENGE (9781422166963, $29.95) explores the real innovation challenge, which goes beyond the initial burst of energy fostered by an idea and its research. It probes how to execute an innovation challenge in a business world designed not for change but for continuous operations, and it explores conflicts between two operating modes and how to resolve them. Keys to overcoming obstacles come from ten years of research and examples from a range of successful company innovators, making this a top business pick. Also recommended is Cathleen Benko and Molly Anderson's THE CORPORATE LATTICE: ACHIEVING HIGH PERFORMANCE IN THE CHANGING WORLD OF WORK (9781422155165, $29.95). Changes in the definition and strategies of the corporate world are also changing definitions of work and how the corporate ladder may be climbed: this book creates a model for allowing companies to create more cost-effective approaches to work, from managing real estate and technology to engaging high-performing workers. Businesses need this model of success for the new corporate environment.

The Innovation Secrets of Steve Jobs
Carmine Gallo
McGraw-Hill
c/o The McGraw Hill Companies
Two Penn Plaza, 11th Floor, New York, NY 10121-2298
9780071748759, $25.00, www.mhprofessional.com

The Innovation Secrets of Steve Jobs: Insanely Different Principles for Breakthrough Success reveals the seven principles that Jobs has consistently used throughout his life to revolutionize the industries of computing, movies, music and telecommunications. It offers first person interviews with those inspired by Jobs and dozens of examples of others who use the Apple foundation to build ideas, products and services. No business library should be without this.

The Mobile Learning Edge
Gary Woodill, Ed.D.
McGraw-Hill
c/o The McGraw Hill Companies
Two Penn Plaza, 11th Floor, New York, NY 10121-2298
9780071736763, $29.95, www.mhprofessional.com

THE MOBILE LEARNING EDGE: TOOLS AND TECHNOLOGIES FOR DEVELOPING YOUR TEAMS comes from an authority on e-learning and provides a survey of 'new nomadism' in mobile devices which is changing workplaces and making them less dependent on a centralized workplace. Nomads make discoveries as they come across need and problems: this tells how to use mobile technology to foster mobile learning processes and considers how mobile learning takes place. Business collections will find its specific applications to team development provide fine keys to integrating business approaches to mobile opportunities for employee learning.

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

The third updated edition of Paul C. Disnmore, PMP & Jeannette Cabanis-Brewin's THE AMA HANDBOOK OF PROJECT MANAGEMENT (0814415423, $79.95) remains a 'must' for any serious business library. It packs in a reference covering all the latest topics in modern project management, presenting essays from the top pros in the field and reviews of the latest strategies to achieve project goals, manage political issues, budget, and more. New data on the Project management office has been revised to reflect changing trends and business concerns in this best-selling management guide. Kurt W. Mortensen's THE LAWS OF CHARISMA: HOW TO CAPTIVATE, INSPIRE, AND INFLUENCE OF MAXIMUM SUCCESS (0814415911, $21.95) considers the presence and power of charisma, the ability to build rapport and influence others. Research is used to identify some 30 attributes that define powerful charisma and how it works. A fine inspirational plus for any business collection.

A Quick Start Guide to Online Selling
Cresta Norris
Kogan Page
525 South 4th Street, #241, Philadelphia, PA 19147
9780749461591, $14.95, www.koganpage.com

The internet is a new avenue for sales for many businesses. "A Quick Start Guide to Online Selling: Sell Your product on eBay, Amazon and Other Online Marketplaces" is a guide to getting start ed on the online market place and how to flourish and succeed well on these avenues. Looking at elements such as payment retrieval, advertising, and more, "A Quick Start Guide to Online Selling" is full of invaluable information, and a strong resource.


The Travel Shelf

Discover Egypt
Anthony Sattin, et al.
Lonely Planet Publications
150 Linden Street, Oakland CA 94607
9781742201108, $24.99, www.lonelyplanet.com

The sheer history of Egypt often attracts many travelers. The collaborative work of Anthony Sattin, Michael Benanav, Matthew D. Firestone, and Thomas Hall, "Discover Egypt: Experience in the Best of Egypt" is a travel guide for those who want to fully experience everything that Egypt has to offer. From the aforementioned history, it also focuses on the modern culture that lies around the country. Presented in full color with plenty of information and charts to emphasize the places to visit, "Discover Egypt" is a choice pick for anyone planning an Egyptian trip for the armchair traveler.

Eat Smart in France
Ronnie Hess
Ginkgo Press
PO Box 5346, Madison, WI 53705
9780977680122, $14.95, www.eatsmartguides.com

French food, while delicious, isn't renown for being entirely inviting for outsiders. "Eat Smart in France: How to Decipher the Menu, Know the Market Foods, & Embark on a Tasting Adventure" is a guide for enjoying France for its food and wine, by embracing its culture and understanding its menus and dialect in the name of good food. A focused travel guide that executes its focus excellently, "Eat Smart in France" is not to be missed by the food loving traveler looking towards Paris.

Book Lust to Go
Nancy Pearl
Sasquatch Books
119 South Main St., Suite 400, Seattle, WA 98104
9781570616501, $16.95, www.sasquatchbooks.com

BOOK LUST TO GO: RECOMMENDED READING FOR TRAVELERS, VAGABONDS, AND DREAMERS covers over 120 destinations and provides the perfect reading list to accompany each place. Both fiction and nonfiction are included in the reading lists, with titles providing insight into both history and culture. It's a 'must' for any travel collection catering to either armchair readers or destination-bound travelers!

Long Way Home
Bill Barich
Walker & Company
175 - 5th Avenue, New York NY 10010
9780802717542, $26.00, www.walkerbooks.com

Long Way Home: On the Trail of Steinbeck's America comes from an author who used Steinbeck as his inspiration to take a mid-life coast-to-coast trip to discover America. He blogged about his trek for the New York Times - and here provides an account that traces his journeys and discoveries through small-town America.

Lonely Planet Publications
150 Linden Street, Oakland CA 94607
www.lonelyplanet.com

Lonely Planet is best-known for its take-along tote guides to independent world travel, so it's eye-opening to see one of their books - THE TRAVEL BOOK (9781741792119, $50.00) packaged in a weighty, oversized hardcover edition packing in color photos and armchair traveler information. Libraries and any collection strong in leisure travel reading will find this a treasure trove packed with A-Z profiles of nearly every country in the world, all written by travelers who have visited that country. From best books to read and music to listen to for advance study before visiting to getting the most from a visit, this is an extensive world travel survey no traveler should be without! A fine take-along tote is Charles Rawlings-Way's NEW ZEALAND (9781741794731, $26.99), offering full coverage of the costs, culture, and activities possible throughout New Zealand. Over 150 maps and entries covering everything from festivals and history to travel within the country make this a take-along 'must' recommended for independent travelers and collections catering to them. Also recommended is Sara Benson, et.al.'s USA'S BEST TRIPS: 99 THEMED ITINERARIES ACROSS AMERICA (9781741797350, $24.99). It offers itineraries key to planning the perfect trip across the country, packing in maps, driving times, directions, themes, and ideas from regional experts. Family-friendly and pet-friendly considerations are also included, making this a top pick for any general lending library.


The Art Shelf

Art
Stephen Farthing, editor
Rizzoli International Publications
300 Park Avenue South, New York, NY 10010
9780789318336, $35.00, www.rizzoliusa.com

Art is one of the biggest things that sets Humans apart from other animals. "Art: From Cave Painting to Street Art, 40,000 years of Creativity" looks at the history of art, something that is present throughout humanity's short history and what it meant for that period of time. From the earliest major projects of history to modern street art, these historical pieces are analyzed for the culture they reveal and what they mean to the progression of art as a whole. From early paintings to the rise of photography and other methods of creative expression, "Art" is a key addition to any community college collection focusing on the long history of art.

A New World Imagined
MFA Boston
465 Huntington Avenue, Boston, MA 02115
9780878467600, $60.00, www.mfa.org

America has done much to break off from its European ancestors in its art ideals. "A New World Imagined" traces the history of the artistic styles of the Americas and how artists who came to the new world began to establish their own style, facing new environmental sights and living divided from the artists of Europe. With a blend of native ideal in their work, the art of America takes the disciplines from all over the world and combines them into a fascinating blend. "A New World Imagined" is a scholarly collection of art, packed cover to cover with full color pictures of major works throughout the years, serving well as both a coffee table book and core addition to any art history collection.

Processing for Visual Artists
Andrew Glassner
AK Peters
5 Commonwealth Rd. Suite 2C, Natick, MA 01760
9781568817163, $69.95, www.akpeters.com

Processing for Visual Artists: How to Create Expressive Images and Interactive Art is a pick for artists from all disciplines and for arts collections catering to them. It tells how to use the Processing graphics language to create expressive images, presenting a hands-on book for any who seek to create interactive, expressive images for art, education, or business. Visual thinkers who have issues with traditional computer science guides will find this quite accessible, using projects as platforms for teaching basics. A top pick, this includes color art image examples throughout.

Modernism and the Art of Muslim South Asia
Iftikhar Dadi
University of North Carolina Press
116 S. Boundary St., Chapel Hill, NC 27514-3808
9780807833582, $39.95, www.uncpress.unc.edu/books

Modernism and the Art of Muslim South Asia is a pick for college-level holdings surveying South Asian culture and art and for Muslim history holdings alike. It traces the emergence of modern Muslim South Asian art and comes from an art historian who explores the art and writings of major artists from the late colonial period to modern times. From individual artists to the trends they fostered in creating modern works, this surveys history and intellectual as well as artistic concepts and makes for an excellent in-depth, college-level analysis.

Vera: The Art and Life of an Icon
Susan Seid
Abrams Image
115 - W. 18th St., New York NY 10011
9780810996045, $35.00, www.abramsbooks.com

Vera: The Art and Life of an Icon provides a survey of a designer and artist, Vera Neumann, who built one of the most successful female-run companies of her time based on the idea that fine art should be accessible to all. Her creations were centered in daily living, from placemats and napkins to silk scarves for an outfit, and her original sketches, paintings and photos of her world travels provide a captivating survey perfect for any serious arts or women's studies collection.

500 Vases
Lark Crafts
Lark Books
67 Broadway, Asheville, NC 28801
9781600592461, $24.95, www.larkbooks.com

With many forms, the vase has been an art form the world over. "500 Vases: Contemporary Explorations of a Timeless Form" is a collection of photographs on the many variations and tweaks to the wonders of the vase. Each entry provides a full color photo, its type, its date, its dimensions all to provide a bit of insight on the vase. A fine pick for those who love crafts, "500 Vases" may serve as the inspiration any pottery crafter needs to make something wonderful.


The Computer Shelf

Troubleshooting Windows 7
Mike Halsey
Microsoft
c/o O'Reilly Media, Inc.
1005 Gravenstein Highway North, Sebastopol, CA 95472
978735645202, $39.99, www.microsoft.com

No program is perfect. "Troubleshooting Windows 7: Inside Out" is a guide to fine tuning and dealing with the minor problems one will face with the latest generation of Windows operating system, Windows 7. Mike Haley, a valued blog writer on Windows and its latest news and features, offers much information for dealing with the finer intricacies of what the world is using now. Ranging from security issues to hardware issues and much more, "Troubleshooting Windows 7" is an excellent guide for those who want to use Windows more effectively.

Beginning PHP and MySQL, fourth edition
W. Jason Gilmore
Apress
c/o Springer
223 Spring Street, 6th Floor, New York, NY 10013
9781430231141, $49.99, www.apress.com

In web development, two languages have taken a strong place in crafting today's most valuable websites. "Beginning PHP and MySQL: From Novice to Professional" is a complete and comprehensive guide to learning and understanding these two disciplines in web design and how to use them to craft a useful and excellent website. Using these features allow for more complete data bases, interactivity with users, W. Jason Gilmore also explores how to integrate these concepts with the basic web building language of HTML. "Beginning PHP and MySQL" is a powerful and very valuable tool for web design students.

CompTIA Network+ N10-004
Mike Harwood
Que
c/o Pearson Technology Group
801 East 96th Street, #300, Indianapolis, IN 46240-3759
www.pearsonitcertification.com
0789745593, $59.99, www.amazon.com

CompTIA Network+ N10-004 is a recommendation for any in-depth, serious computer collection catering to network administrators. It comes from a top administrator and consultant well versed in Network+, and covers all aspects of the concepts, devices, and protocols of Network+. Visuals teach basic concepts while dozens of real-world applications and troubleshooting concepts lend to a solid title useful both for exam preparation and classroom study alike.

Que
c/o Pearson Technology Group
801 East 96th Street, #300, Indianapolis, IN 46240-3759
www.quepublishing.com

Patrice-Anne Rutledge's USING MICROSOFT POWERPOINT 2010 (0789742942, $24.99) and USING LINKEDIN (0789744597, $24.99) are fine, specific program-oriented references that are top picks for any new learner. Each book is accompanied by step-by-step video tutorials and audio sidebars delivered through the Free Web Edition that comes with each book. The result is a video tutorial and accompanying text unparalleled in scope and coverage, offering plenty of visuals reinforced by specific details. From using Linkedin to view and submit news articles and posting updates to inserting video clips into Powerpoint and modifying images, these are top references students will need! The fourth updated edition of MY IPHONE (0789747146, $24.99) provides a fine step-by-step series of directions with callouts to iPhone images that help any iPhone user and programmers with issues. These appear in full color throughout and cover all the basics of connecting, managing apps, configuring and syncing information, and more. From capturing photos to listening to music, this is a guide no iPhone user should be without. Jeffrey Hughes' ANDROID APPS MARKETING: SECRETS TO SELLING YOUR ANDROID APP(0789746336, $24.99) offers a step-by-step guide to marketing Android apps, and is a fine pick for business as well as computer collections. From setting prices and writing press releases to blogging, publicity, and using cross-marketing, this is packed with practical marketing ideas for Android developers.

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

Paul Dix with Trotter Cashion, Bryan Helmkamp and Jake Howerton's SERVICE-ORIENTED DESIGN WITH RUBY AND RAILS (0321659368, $49.99) is for any programmer's collection where Ruby and SOA are basic references. It offers programmers keys to building strong Ruby-based services, integrating Rails systems and using non-Rails frameworks to simplify Ruby's systems. With chapters focusing on optimization and integration alike, this is a key acquisition! Also key is Jez Humble and David Farley's CONTINUOUS DELIVERY: RELIABLE SOFTWARE RELEASES THROUGH BUILD, TEST, AND DEPLOYMENT AUTOMATION (0321601912, $49.99). The basics of a low-risk delivery process are introduced in chapters which cover all aspects of automating, building, blending and testing software, offering keys to testing requirements, implementation schedules, and more. Developers, systems administrators and managers alike will find this packed with valuable insights. Martin Fowler and Rebecca Parson's DOMAIN-SPECIFIC LANGUAGES (0321712943, $54.99) is also a pick for any software engineering holding. It comes from a noted software development expert who provides the basics software pros need to decide when and how to utilize DSLs. From a general survey of the basic general principles to technical details for developers involved in implementation, this is a fine pick for any college-level lending library. Christian Johansen's TEST-DRIVEN JAVASCRIPT DEVELOPMENT (0321683919, $49.99) offers insights on automated testing, building automated workflows, testing code and more, and uses real-life examples driven by test units to show how to use TDD to gain confidence in code base. Issues range from code design to performance optimization and offer keys for QA specialists and testers alike.

No Starch Press
38 Ringold St., San Francisco CA 94103
www.nostarch.com

Terry Griffin's THE ART OF LEGO MINDSTORMS NXT-G PROGRAMMING (9781593272180, $29.95) offers a complete guide to programming using NXT-G, and is a pick for any exploring the concept of programming Mindstorms robots using NXT-G. From data wires and variables to writing custom programs to make robots appear human, this surveys designs, debugging, and other tools key to working in the NXT environment. A specific, recommended programmer's guide! Also recommended for programming collections is John Calcote's AUTOTOOLS: A PRACTITIONER'S GUIDE TO GNU AUTOCONF, AUTOMAKE, AND LIBTOOL (9781593272067, $44.95). Autotools are used by thousands of open source software packages but have a reputation for being difficult to learn. This is the first title to offer programmers a tutorial to the GNU build system, and is a pick for any programming collection.

O'Reilly
1005 Gravenstein Hwy North, Sebastopol, CA 95472
www.oreilly.com

Jim Webber, Savas Parastatidis, Ian Robinson's REST IN PRACTICE: HYPERMEDIA AND SYSTEMS ARCHITECTURE (9780596805821, $44.99) is for any computer collection strong in web services and web architecture, offering a pragmatic approach to building web services that are flexible and feature useable interfaces. Three SOA experts provide their explanations of REST and how it can be used to create superior hypermedia systems, with chapters covering application integration processes, using CRUD patterns, and making web-based solutions secure. Kristina Chodorow and Michael Dirolf's MONGODB: THE DEFINITIVE GUIDE (9781449381561, $39.99) provides database and web developers with a fine survey of the features of MongoDB, showing how documented-oriented storage works for project management, how to use indexes and advanced query techniques to access data, and how MongoDB's model handles multiple databases and more. This well-detailed survey is key for any MongoDB programmer. iPhone programmers will find essential David Pogue's IPHONE: THE MISSING MANUAL (9781449393656, $24.99), a fine survey of the iPhone 4's software, apps, and customization abilities. Learn how to tweak the phone for better web and email access and use any one of thousands of add-one programs with a fine survey that's a 'must' for any iPhone owner. Norman Walsh's DOCBOOK 5: THE DEFINITIVE GUIDE (9780596805029, $49.99) has been extensively revised and updated, edited by Richard L. Hamilton, and offers the latest standards in XML. It comes from a lead engineer and founder of XML Press and teaches all the basics on how to write DocBook XML documents, how to understand its facets, and how to publish DocBook to various formats. All the options for customizing the latest program are packed into this outstanding reference.

Prentice-Hall
c/o Pearson Technology Group
801 East 96th Street, #300, Indianapolis, IN 46240-3759
www.informit.com/ph

Jeff Papows, Ph.D.'s GLITCH: THE HIDDEN IMPACT OF FAULTY SOFTWARE (0132160633, $59.99) teaches how the economic costs of software glitches can affect a company's bottom line - and how to handle it. Hidden and emerging issues affecting business productivity and profitability make for a fine survey using the author's 30 years of technology experience and technical software system analysis: perfect for software and business companies alike! Clara Shih's THE FACEBOOK ERA (0137085125, $24.99) provides a fine social networking guide that's been completely updated with five new chapters and new case studies along with new 'to do' lists after each chapter. The extensive revamp lends to a fine survey of best practices for using Facebook, Twitter and more to grow a business, and is a 'must' for computer and business collections.


The Photography Shelf

RealWorld Adobe Photoshop CS5 for Photographers
Conrad Chavez
Peachpit Press
c/o Pearson Technology Group
801 East 96th Street, #300, Indianapolis, IN 46240-3759
9780321719836, $59.99, www.peachpit.com

RealWorld Adobe Photoshop CS5 for Photographers offers keys to Photoshop users on how to make the most of the program, from using more efficient processing workflows and correcting tone to neutralizing colors, improving contrast, working with layers, and more. Black and white and color screen shots and examples throughout make this a solid pick for any who have Photoshop's basics down and want more detail. The coverage of Camera Raw 6 and Bridge CS5 makes this title an outstanding pick.

Focal Press
c/o Elsevier/Butterworth Heinemann
www.focalpress.com, www.elsevier.com

Derek Lea's BEYOND PHOTOSHOP (9780240811901, $39.95) offers a fine, award-winning survey of how to create stunning works of art using Photoshop and how to use it with other software packages such as Illustrator, Poser, or Painter. Digital artists who already have experience with the program will find this the perfect choice to move to the next level of experience, demonstrating the core features of each program and how they can interact. No serious Photoshop collection should be without this! Also highly recommended is Steve Caplin's 100% PHOTOSHOP (9780240814254, $39.95), an outstanding key to using Photoshop to create powerful graphics. Learn how to create complex images without source material, photos or files from other software packages using techniques that blend artistry with keys to manipulating the latest Photoshop filters. A top pick!

The 50 Greatest Photo Opportunities in Washington, D.C.
Monica Stevenson
Course Technology
20 Channel Center St., Boston MA 02210
1598639943, $29.99, www.courseptr.com

The 50 Greatest Photo Opportunities in Washington, D.C offers a fine survey of DC's pictorial opportunities. The blend of photo essay and how-to guide is meant to accompany a traditional city guidebook with a twist: identifying and showing the prime photo opportunities within DC. Color photos accompany discussions of monuments, architecture, city scenes and more in a recommendation for any DC-bound tourist photographer.

David Busch's Canon EOS 5D Mark II Digital SLR Photography
David D. Busch
Course Technology
20 Channel Center St., Boston MA 02210
1435454332, $29.99, www.courseptr.com

David Busch's Canon EOS 5D Mark II Digital SLR Photography is the basic reference that should accompany any user's guide. It covers, in detail, how to use the Canon's features to obtain the best photos, how to use the HD movie-making capabilities, troubleshooting, and more. A 'must' for any Canon user who wants to get the most from the camera's many complex features!

Contemporary Pin-Up Photography
Tom Denlick
Schiffer Publishing
4880 Lower Valley Road, Atglen, PA 19310
9780764336768, $39.99, www.schifferbooks.com

Glamor and elegance never truly go out of style. "Contemporary Pin-Up Photography" is collection of plenty of work from Tom Denlick on these sensual and delectable pin up photos inspired by the pin up photos and art of the 1930s through 1960s. With a classic style, beautiful women, these cheesecake photos will sure to raise the eyebrow of many men in addition to having its way as art. "Contemporary Pin-Up Photography" is a strong choice for a coffee table collection, and an excellent addition to any modern photography collection.

New York Photographs 1968-1978
Paul McDonough
Umbrage
111 Front St. Suite 208, Brooklyn, NY 11201
9781884167997, $45.00, www.umbragebooks.com

You don't always need words to tell a story. "New York Photographs 1968-1978" looks at the storied work of Paul McDonough, known for his many black and white artistic photographs that talked with a story of humanity and people going about their lives in everyday New York City. Famed strongly for his work, this collection brings some of his best work, along with an analytical essay from Susan Kismaric. For a fine analysis of people in one of America's most diverse cities, "New York Photographs 1968-1978" is an excellent collection for both coffee tables and art history collections.


The Crafts Shelf

Making Elegant Jewelry for Special Occasions
Kalmbach Books
21027 Crossroads Circle, PO Box 1612, Waukesha, WI 53187-1612
9780871164254, $17.95, www.kalmbach.com

Jewelry isn't just for jewelers anymore. "Making Elegant Jewelry for Special Occasions" is a guide for making jewelry oneself with a professional flare for their own applications and style to their accessories. With special touches that can be applied for many occasions, "Making Elegant Jewelry for Special Occasions" is a fine pick for anyone who would be bored with something off the rack so to say and always wants to appear with their own original touch.


The Library Reference Shelf

Introduction to Geometrical and Physical Geodesy
Thomas H. Meyer
ESRI Press
380 New York St., Redlands, CA 92373-8100
9781589482159, $99.95, www.esri.com

Introduction to Geometrical and Physical Geodesy: Foundations of Geomatics offers a fine technical survey for college-level cartography collections. The author's search for a basic text for his own classes revealed most geodesy books were either too basic or too advanced: this book introduces general concepts at a level that geomaticians are likely to encounter and is intended for students of geographic information systems, engineering, and earth sciences. Formulas related to surveying and practice problems reinforcing geodetic theory come with detailed real-world examples, making this a 'must' for any GIS collection!

Modeling Our World, second edition
Michael Zeiler
ESRI Press
380 New York St., Redlands, CA 92373-8100
9781589482784, $44.95, www.esri.com

The second updated edition of Modeling Our World: The ESRI Guide to Geodatabase Concepts describes the key modeling concepts of ArcGIS and how GIS data is organized and applied. From using coordinate systems to align geographic datasets to using rules and working with location data and mapping, this is a powerful survey packed with applications for geodatabase elements. College-level collections will find it a powerful pick.

The Facts on File Guide to Research, second edition
Jeff Lenburg
Facts on File
132 West 31st Street, 17th Floor, New York, NY 10001
9780816081219, $55.00, www.infobaselearning.com

Good research is valuable in many aspects and pursuits in life. "The Facts on File Guide to Research: Finding Information in Print and Online" is an educational guide to researching using the internet. The internet is an incredibly powerful tool with tons of information, however not all of its good. As an open media, it can be hard at times to find genuine information in a sea of opinion. Jeff Lenburg gives advice on using Google and other search engines to their full power, cautions about the use of Wikipedia, and much more. From finding the information to creating a comprehensive bibliography, Lenburg gives readers all the information they need to use the internet well, making "The Facts on File Guide to Research" an invaluable and ecclesiastically recommended resource.


The Education Shelf

How Bullets Saved My Life
Judy Green
Pembroke
c/o Stenhouse
PO Box 11020, Portland, ME 04104-7020
9781551382555, $19.00, www.stenhouse.com

Writing is an invaluable skill that will see much use throughout life. "How Bullets Saved My Life" is a guide from Judy Green as she advises teachers how to better educate their students on the value of writing and how to teach them the finer details that are spread throughout the English language. Covering the many aspects and drawing on her own experience with writing aimed at children, "How Bullets Saved My Life" is a useful and highly recommended read.

Super-Powered Word Study
James Bucky Carter & Erik A. Evensen
Maupin House Publishing
PO Box 90148, Gainesville, FL 32607
9781934338827, $29.95, www.maupinhouse.com

The English language is incredibly diverse language and it can be quite daunting to understand. "Super-Powered Word Study" is a workbook for younger readers using the format of comics to teach the more subtle nuances of the English language and word structure through various comics with a unique style sure to educate as it entertains with its charm. Enhanced with an additional DVD with more resources, "Super-Powered Word Study" is a fine pick for anyone seeking to educate their students further through their own interests.

Behavior Solutions for the Inclusive Classroom
Beth Aune, Beth Burt, & Peter Gennaro
Future Horizons
721 West Abram Street, Arlington, TX 76013
9781935274087, $14.95, www.fhautism.com

It can be hard to deal with some students. "Behavior Solutions for the Inclusive Classroom" is a guide for these teachers of young students who want to keep these students involved in the class even if they seem to do everything in their power to fight it. A troubleshooting manual, Beth Aune and her associates give tips on dealing with overactive children, those who act out, temper tantrums, excessive laughing, and much more. "Behavior Solutions for the Inclusive Classroom" is a fine volume for any teacher who wants to know how to face these troublesome behaviors.

Military Education Benefits for College
David J. Renza, M.A. and Edmund J. Lizotte, Lt. Col., Ret.
Savas Beatie
PO Box 4527, El Dorado Hills, CA 95762
9781932714791, $18.95, www.savasbeatie.com

Service in the military is becoming one of the most popular ways to pay for one's education. "Military Education Benefits for College: A Comprehensive Guide for Military Members, Veterans, and Their Dependents" is a guide to maximizing one's military service to pay for one's education and the benefits it can visit on themselves and their family. "Military Education Benefits for College" is a top pick for any veteran of a recent war who wants the most out of their military benefits.

Too Old for This, Too Young for That
Harriet S. Mosatche & Karen Unger
Free Spirit Publishing
217 Fifth Avenue North, Suite 200, Minneapolis, MN 55401-1299
9781575423524, $15.99, www.freespirit.com

Not quite an adult, but not a child; the middle school years present many challenges for youths. "Too Old for This, Too Young for That: Your Survival Guide for the Middle School Years" is a guide for junior high school level students just easing into the life of no longer being considered a child. With tips on everything from starting to realize the importance of education and its effects on the rest of one's life, the opposite sex, and the awkward stages, "Too Old for This, Too Young for That" is a fine read, a very highly recommended gift for middle school students.

Schoolwide Physical Activity
Judith E. Rink, Tina J. Hall, Lori H. Williams
Human Kinetics
Box 5076, Champaign, IL 61825-5076
0736080600, $49.00, www.hkusa.com

Schoolwide Physical Activity: A Comprehensive Guide to designing and Conducting Programs deserves ongoing, repeat mention as a key acquisition for K-12 teachers and administrators to the tools needed to plan and implement a physical activity program. This is more than discussion: it offers a concrete blueprint, ready-to-use activities to cover some 200 games, dances and activities that can be printed from an included CD-ROM, and program ideas for all ages. Web sites, readings and more reinforce the ideas in this 'must have' teacher's reference.

The Princeton Review
c/o Random House Inc.
1745 Broadway, New York NY 10019
www.princetonreviewbooks.com

David Anderson, Ph.D.'s CRACKING THE AP ECONOMICS MACRO & MICRO EXAMS, 2011 (9780375429972, $18.00) comes packed with detail on the AP Economics Macro & Micro Exams, with tables, charts, and coverage offering planning tips to make the most of taking the exam. Any collection catering to students will find this is a 'must' packing in 2 full-length practice tests with detailed explanations and reviews of all kinds of topics. Key terms and more make this a winner! A similar arrangement makes CRACKING THE AP PHYSICS B EXAM (9780375427787, $18.00) an equally important winner for any library catering to students of the AP Physics B exam. Details on the exam's planning and questions make this a key reference.

Styles & Strategies for Teaching High School Mathematics
Edward J. Thomas, John R. Brunsting, Pam L. Warrick
Corwin Press
2455 Teller Rd., Thousand Oaks, CA 91320
9781412968355, $35.95, www.corwin.com

Styles & Strategies for Teaching High School Mathematics tells how to make math more effective by using four math learning styles - Mastery, Understanding, self-Expressive and Interpersonal - to teach classroom-tested strategies. Any curriculum or text can be used in conjunction with these methods, which include step-by-step directions, examples and planning guides for each math teaching strategy.

High-Tech Teaching Success!
Kevin D. Besnoy & Lane W., Clarke, Editors
Prufrock Press
Box 8813, Waco, TX 76714-8813
9781593633844, $19.95, www.prufrock.com

High-Tech Teaching Success tells teachers how to bring technology into the classroom, offering keys to using Google Earth, blogs, digital diaries, Facebook and other popular online sites in the teaching process. From classroom web sites to digital teaching, this is an excellent review of how technological opportunities can integrate into any classroom teacher's objectives.

Arts Therapies in Schools: Research and Practice
Vicky Karkou, Editor
Jessica Kingsley Publishers
400 Market St. #400, Philadelphia, PA 19106
9781843106333, $39.95, www.jkp.com

Arts Therapies in Schools: Research and Practice includes domestic and international studies in its survey of the uses of music, art, drama and dance therapies in educational settings. More than a survey of results, this offers techniques and shows how solution-focused group work can contribute to cooperation in the classroom and how exposure to art therapy can reach special needs kids. Solution-based group work is covered with specifics special educators can apply to their classrooms.

Guided Instruction
Douglas Fisher & Nancy Frey
ASCD
1703 North Beauregard Street, Alexandria, VA 22311-1714
9781416610687, $22.95, www.ascd.org

You can't make anyone learn anything, but you can guide them in the right direction. "Guided Instruction: How to Develop Confident and Successful Learners" is a guide from Douglas Fisher and Nancy Frey on how to help kids gain a grasp on the need to learn in the class room. Encouraging teachers to make sure their kids are understanding what is being told to them, keep attention strong, and how to help students with the will but are falling behind, "Guided Instruction" is a fine pick for any teacher who wants their students to want to learn as much as they want to teach.


The Aviation Shelf

Airbus A380
Guy Norris & Mark Wagner
Zenith Press
c/o Quayside Publishing Group
400 First Avenue North, Suite 300, Minneapolis, MN 55401
9780760338384, $24.99, www.zenithpress.com

AIRBUS A380: SUPERJUMBO OF THE 21ST CENTURY offers a fine celebration of the superjumbo jet that took off in 2005 to much acclaim and raised more interest than the supersonic Concorde of its time. This probes the entire Airbus project and its key developments and politics, offering a survey of all involved in this aircraft's development and deployment. No aviation collection should be without!


The Social Issues Shelf

The World for Ransom
D.R. Burgess
Prometheus Books
59 John Glenn Drive, Amherst NY 14228-2119
9781616141738, $26.00, www.prometheusbooks.com

The World for Ransom: Piracy is Terrorism, Terrorism is Piracy offers a strategy for handling terrorism: give international terrorists the label of pirate enemies of the human race. His history offers evidence that pirates were the first real international terrorists, and offers a strategy for linking piracy and terrorism in a way that offers changed ideas for the future. College-level collections strong in terrorist analysis need this different approach.


The Literary Shelf

In the Bear's House
N. Scott Momaday
University of New Mexico Press
1 University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM 87131-0001
9780826348395, $24.95, www.unmpress.com

The bear is a truly unique being in literature, and has a special place in famed author N. Scott Momaday's heart. "In the Bear's House" Is a collection of prose, poetry, art, and more surrounding the ursine creature. With much spirit and thought, Momaday creates a unique vision and provides a textual and artistic treat with black and white illustrations throughout. "In the Bear's House" is superbly crafted, a top shelf pick. "The Khanty Bear Feast": Consign me to ritual/on pretexts of sacred kinds./Unbutton my coat, and have/children pay me their --------prespects-------./Fasten my eyes with bright coins./Let me hear the singer say,/"Whose house is this?" And reply,/Behold, this is the bear's house."/And I shall preside with wild,/disinterested kindness.

Words: The Foundation of Literacy
Dale D, Johnson and Bonnie Johnson
Westview Press
2465 Central Avenue, Boulder, CO 80301
9780813344157, $25.00, www.westviewpress.com

Words: The Foundation of Literacy provides a key analysis suitable for advanced high school to college-level literary collections. It traces the history of English words and phrases and provides tips for developing vocabulary based on historical precedent and knowledge, exploring how meaning in language is created by connotations, implications and ambiguities. Chapters analyze semantic connections, offer exercises, and consider how words are organized and perceived by the brain. A fine pick for any student of English.


The Needlecraft Shelf

Quick Nordic Knits
Ann-Mari Nilsson
Trafalgar Square
PO Box 257, 388 Howe Hill Road, North Pomfret, VT 05053
9781570764691, $16.95, www.trafalgarbooks.com

If anyone knows about enduring the cold, it's the Nordic people. "Quick Nordic Knits: 50 Socks, Hats, and Mittens" is a knitting guide with heavy inspiration from Europe's far North, the people who strongly know winter than anywhere else in the western world. With countless designs and variations and tips for making that idea piece for a loved one, for anyone with a love of knitting and who also loves it to be functional and charming in its own design, "Quick Nordic Knits" is a solid and highly recommended resource.

Wee Wonderfuls
Hillary Lang
Stewart, Tabori & Chang
115 West 18th St., New York NY 10011
9781584798583, $27.50, www.stcbooks.com

WEE WONDERFULS: 24 DOLLS TO SEW AND LOVE pairs illustrations and easy instructions with a wide range of dolls for sewers of all ages and ability skills. It comes from a toymaker who provides fun and different doll types, and includes pages of patterns, step-by-step instruction and all the tools needed to make fun little dolls. Perfect for sewing and crafts collections alike!

C&T Publishing
Box 1456, Lafayette, CA 94549
www.ctpub.com

Barbara H. Cline's STAR STRUCK QUILTS: DAZZLING DIAMONDS & TRADITIONAL BLOCKS (9781571209597, $27.95) features some 13 skill-building projects and mix-and-match quilts using classic quilt blocks and patterns. The star format is expanded here, from triple stars to ripples, and makes for an outstanding pairing of color photos and step-by-step directions perfect for quilters seeking something different. Also highly recommended is Gail Garber's FLYING COLORS: DESIGN QUILTS WITH FREEFORM SHAPES & FLYING GEESE (9781571208187, $27.95). It teaches step-by-step techniques to using different shapes, from Flying Geese to triangles and more, to put together unique quilt designs and offers easy paper-piecing instructions to make the designs more accurate. Full-size foundation patterns are included in a presentation combining color photos and clear directions. Sally Collins' DRAFTING FOR THE CREATIVE QUILTER (9781571208026, $29.95) offers the drafting book every quilter needs, pairing step-by-step directions for drafting grid-based blocks and other patterns with three projects, each with a varying level of difficulty. The result is a fine reference packed with easy foundation instructions on how to design a quilt. Cheryl Malkowski's BLOCKS TO DIAMONDS (9781571209085, $28.95) offers the author's own techniques for transforming traditional square quilt blocks into exciting new diamonds. Star designs teach how to make Y-seams and show how to create eye-catching designs while patterns for 12 easy projects make for an excellent pick! Camille Roskelley's SIMPLIFY (9781571209382, $21.95) tells how to use fast, easy projects to build quiltmaking skills for home decoration. Simple designs, projects and fabrics offer a key to easy achievements that beginners, in particular, will relish!

Amy Butler's Style Stitches
Amy Butler
Chronicle Books
680 - 2nd St., San Francisco CA 94107
9780811866699, $29.95, www.chroniclebooks.com

Amy Butler's Style Stitches comes from a fabric and sewing designer and pairs photos by David Butler with a fine survey of new bag designs. Some 12 basic patterns offer variations to create nearly thirty unique looks, and ranges from clutches to coin purses. Illustrated step-by-step directions and a bound-in pocket packed with patterns makes this an invaluable collection for any needleworker looking for specific ideas and accompanying patterns.

Stitching Beaded Jewelry
Lesley Weiss
Kalmbach Books
21027 Crossroads Circle, Waukesha, WI 53186
9780871164124, $21.95, www.kalmbachbooks.com

STITCHING BEADED JEWELRY: THE ABSOLUTE BEGINNER'S GUIDE provides everything needed to get started on jewelry that's stitched together with needle and thread. Projects begin at the basic bare-bones level exploring the easy stitches then move to more advanced ideas that build skills. Lessons teach crossweave, brick stitch, herringbone, and more and make for a fine guide for any crafts or needlework library.

Country Comforts
Cheryl Wall
Martingale & Company
20205 - 144th Ave NE, Woodinville, WA 98072-8478
9781564779960, $26.99, www.martingale-pub.com

COUNTRY COMFORTS: QUILTS FOR CASUAL LIVING offers 12 projects which feature traditional blocks and twists on patterns. Quilts and wall hangings accompany keys to using applique embellishments and more for quilters of all levels, who will find the project options packed with versatile and different approaches.

Knit & Wrap
Nathalie Mornu
Lark Books
387 Park Avenue South, New York, NY 10016
9781600596179, $16.95, www.larkbooks.com

KNIT & WRAP: 25 CAPELETS, COWLS & COLLARS offers a fine focus on variations on the cowl and capelet theme, providing projects based on all three designs for knitters seeking something different. Step-by-step instructions provide clear direction for each design, accompanied by color photos of finished projects and notes on different finishing embellishment options. A fine choice for any knitter's collection!

Stitch by Stitch
Deborah Moebes
Krause Publications
4700 East Galbraith Road, Cincinnati, OH 45236
9781440211614, $27.99, www.fwmedia.com

Stitch by Stitch: Learning to Sew, One Project at a Time comes with a bonus CD including pdf patterns, stitch guides and more and teaches all the sewing basics using a project-oriented approach. 11 modern projects offer step-by-step photo instruction and keys to learning the machine, fabrics, and more. The binder-with-hardcover format lends to both easy filing and location and lay-flat 'as you go' usage, making this a top pick for any who would learn sewing basics - the easy way!


The Criminology Shelf

Essential Criminology, third edition
Mark M. Lanier and Stuart Henry
Westview Press
2465 Central Avenue, Boulder, CO 80301
9780813344164, $48.00, www.westviewpress.com

The third updated edition of ESSENTIAL CRIMINOLOGY offers the authors' critical survey of the entire field of criminology, covering crime, offering boxed readings by international theorists and students, and identifying the six basic world changes changing how we think about crime and its definitions. Chapters survey failed socialization processes, capitalism's impact on crime, and more. College-level collections strong in criminology need this.


The Antiques/Collectibles Shelf

Character & Novelty Clocks & Watches
Jim & Merlyn Collings
Collector Books
PO Box 3009, Paducah, KY 42002-3009
9781574326901, $29.95, www.collectorbooks.com

They're for more than just telling the time now. "Character & Novelty Clocks & Watches: Identifications & Values" is a collector's companion for those who take pride in collecting these vintage time pieces that have been released over the past one hundred years. Each entry includes a full color photograph, a description of the watch with year developed, physical details, value, and more. For any avid collector of watches, clocks, and other timepieces, "Character & Novelty Clocks & Watches" will prove to be their best friend in expanding their collection.

Warman's Jewelry, fourth edition
Kathy Flood
Krause Publications
700 East State St., Iola WI 54990-0001
9781440208010, $29.99, www.krausebooks.com

The fourth updated edition of WARMAN'S JEWELRY is a 'must' for any jewelry collector or library catering to them. It offers a redesign with over a thousand images and interviews with experts in key categories, it packs in the latest prices for pearls, art deco, cameos and plastics alike, and it is packed with color photos throughout. Regardless of whether one is dealing with fine or costume jewelry, this identification guide is a 'must'.


The Fantasy/SciFi Shelf

How to Live Safely in a Science Fictional Universe
Charles Yu
Pantheon Books
c/o Random House
1745 Broadway, New York NY 10019
9780307379207, $24.00, www.pantheonbooks.com

This debut novel comes from a National Book Foundation award-winner for his story collection Third Class Superhero, and tells the funny story of a son searching for his father through quantum space-time. It's a unique journey packed with science, humor and fantasy and blends paradox, sexbots, time travel realities, and a world where a time travel technician helps save people from themselves. A hilarious breath of fresh air in the science fiction would, this should be in every sci-fi collection.


The Science Shelf

Why Does E=Mc2?
Brian Cox & Jeff Forshaw
Da Capo Press
c/o Perseus Books Group
11 Cambridge Center, Cambridge, MA 02142
9780306818769, $15.95, www.dacapopress.com

Why Does E=Mc2? (and why should we care?) comes from a professor and author who examine 21st century science and Einstein's equation, exploring, explaining and simplifying Einstein's ideas in the process. Their approach lends to an easy survey of science for non-scientists, providing a lively survey general lending libraries will appreciate.


The Religion/Spirituality Shelf

Swedenborg's Garden of Theology
Jonathan S. Rose
Swedenborg Foundation Press
320 North Church Street, West Chester, PA 19380
9780877853336, $9.95, www.swedenborg.com

Science is not the enemy of Christianity, but it can further enhance it. "Swedenborg's Garden of Theology: An Introduction to Emanuel Swedenborg's Published Theological Works" tells how Emanuel Swedenborg, an Eighteenth century theologian and scientist came to a unique view of the universe and offers much thought that is pondered on by fellow theologians to this day. A key addition to any religious studies collection, "Swedenborg's Garden of Theology" is not a volume to be missed.

God and Sex
Michael Coogan
Twelve Books
c/o Hachette Book Group
237 Park Avenue, New York, NY 10017-0010
9780446545259, $24.99, www.hbgusa.com

GOD AND SEX: WHAT THE BIBLE REALLY SAYS appears in a faux black leatherette cover much as a Bible, comes from a scholar and professor of religious studies, and packs in keys to specific Bible passages and events revolving around sex. An unbiased appraisal of everything form homosexuality and polygamy to premarital sex is gathered for the general reader in a top recommendation for any Christian collection.


The Mystery/Suspense Shelf

The Dead Detective
William Heffernan
Akashic Books
PO Box 1456, New York, NY 10009
9781936070619, $24.95, www.akashicbooks.com

One miracle can lead to an unusual career. "The Dead Detective" tells the story of Harry Doyle, a man who has known death in the past. With the ability to hear the whispers of murder victims, Doyle's unusual talents become a liability when he faces his toughest case yet, a child molester's whose whispers leave him regretting his talent. "The Dead Detective" is a riveting mystery that will prove hard to put down.

Obsidian Mystery
c/o The Penguin Publishing Group
375 Hudson Street, New York, NY 10014
www.penguin.com

JoAnna Carl's THE CHOCOLATE PIRATE PLOT: A CHOCOHOLIC MYSTERY (9780451231277, $21.95) blends chocolate trivia and recipes with a fine mystery revolving around a boat ride, a pirate invasion, and murder. What begins as a fun pirate escapade for laughs evolves into a serious investigation in this fun murder mystery, perfect for general lending collections. Livia J. Washburn's THE PUMPKIN MUFFIN MURDER (9780451231321, $14.00) includes recipes and a fine seasonal dish in a mystery surrounding pumpkin cheesecake muffins. Phyllis hopes to win a Fall baking contest, but when a decorative scarecrow at an event turns out to hold a dead body - that of the festival's organizer - it falls upon Phyllis to find out the truth. A fine story of holiday murder evolves. Kate Carlisle's THE LIES THAT BIND (9780451231697, $7.99) tells of a bookbinder, a bully, and rare books. Brooklyn is an expert at rare books and has returned to San Francisco to teach a bookbinding class. A simple endeavor turns into a murder mystery packed with twists and turns of plot. Elaine Viets' AN UPLIFTING MURDER (9780451231703, $7.99) tells of Josie, assigned to mystery-shop a chain of lingerie stores who discovers a high school acquaintance murdered near the shop. A murder investigation reveals a suspect with a secret in this engrossing story. Karen E. Olson's DRIVEN TO INK (9780451231574, $6.99) is set in Las Vegas where impersonators of the Rat Pack are performing nightly at clubs all over town. The trouble is - not all are alive, and it takes a dead body in a loaner car trunk to involve Brett in the investigation of foul play. Wendy Lyn Watson's SCOOP TO KILL (9780451230768, $6.99) tells of Tally, who finds a school celebration marred by death. Her attempts to clear a professor's name results in a dangerous encounter with a killer. Tod Goldberg's BURN NOTICE: THE GIVEAWAY (9780451229793, $6.99) tells of a former covert op and a gentleman thief who gets caught. A Robin Hood-like encounter with a gang leads to efforts to save a life in this fine mystery of intrigue and action. Victoria Laurie's A GLIMPSE OF EVIL (9780451230850, $7.99) presents a 'psychic eye' mystery revolving around a psychic's investigations. Abby is new at the FBI and her skills are doubted, but when she connects several cases, she finds danger and personal struggles abound in this fine murder mystery. Eileen Davidson's DIVA LAS VEGAS (9780451230751, $6.99) tells of Alexis, who is a soap opera star finding the road to the Vegas strip is fraught with danger. A Halloween invitation leads to murder in this fine mystery.

The Koala of Death
Betty Webb
Poisoned Pen Press
6962 E. First Ave, Suite 103, Scottsdale, AZ 85251
9781590587560, $24.95, www.poisonedpenpress.com

THE KOALA OF DEATH: A GUNN ZOO MYSTERY features zoo keeper Thedora in her second investigation where she finds the body of a zoo keeper and draws assignment to replace he on a weekly live-TV show featuring lively zoo animals. But the killer isn't done yet, and Teddy finds herself - and some of her zoo friends - in trouble in this intriguing mystery, perfect for any lending library's mystery holding.

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

Kate Kingsbury's MISTLETOE AND MAYHEM (9780425236901, $14.00) offers a special Pennyfoot Hotel mystery just for the holiday season. Cecily Baxter and staff are busy with the holidays, but when a footman is murdered, they discover the culprit is likely on the guest list in this satisfying read. Maggie Sefton's DOUBLE KNIT MURDERS (9780425236918, $15.00) tells of Kelly, whose passion for knitting is only superseded by her passion for solving crimes. Her enthusiasm contributes to the first of two Knitting Mysteries that will delight needle workers with a passion for intrigue. Laura Childs' TRAGIC MAGIC (9780425237434, $7.99) provides a fun scrapbooking mystery. Carmela, scrapbook store owner, has her work cut out for her, helping Melody convert a mansion into a haunted house for tourists. Real murder adds unexpected spice to their endeavors. Sheila Connolly's FUNDRAISING THE DEAD (9780425237441, $6.99) tells of a Pennsylvania antiquarian society where fundraiser Eleanor is soliciting donations while solving crimes. A missing document leads to murder in this thriller. Chaz McGee's ANGEL INTERRUPTED (9780425233146, $7.99) takes an unusual turn in telling of a murder investigation by a dead soul. Kevin must redeem himself by helping his living replacement, Maggie, solve a crime in this fine story. Hannah Reed's BUZZ OFF (9780425236420, $7.99) provides a new mystery revolving around a beekeeper. Here Story is facing National Honey Month, the end of a messy divorce, and a mentor who is found stung to death. Can she prove her honeybees had nothing to do with his death? Fine twists and turns evolve. Joyce and Jim Lavene's DEADLY DAGGERS (9780425236444, $7.99) follows Jesse, who is facing another summer apprenticeship at the Renaissance Faire with friend Daisy - until Daisy's former love is murdered. Add personal issues to her search for Alastair's killer and you have a riveting story. Casey Mayes' A DEADLY ROW (9780425236413, $7.99) tells of math whiz Savannah, who makes a living creating challenging puzzles. But the greatest challenge of all comes when her intention to support her husband involves her in a killer's unusual game. Elizabeth Lynn Casey's DEATH THREADS (9780425233412, $6.99) tells of Tori, whose new circle of friends is challenged by a local author's knowledge of the town's seedier side of life. When he vanishes under mysterious circumstances, Tori becomes involved in an investigation that involves her entire sewing circle. Joyce and Jim Levine's A TIMELY VISION (9780425234754, $7.99) presents the first in a new series telling of a mayor who wears too many hats. When the town matriarch seeks out Dae to help find a missing watch, her vision leads her into a murder investigation.


The Architecture Shelf

Framing a House
Roe Osborn
The Taunton Press
63 South Main Street
PO Box 5506, Newtown, CT 06470-5506
9781600851018, $21.95, www.taunton.com

Building one's own home is a truly magnificent endeavor that few truly experience any more. "Framing a House" is a guide for those who have chosen to embark on the journey of building your own home. A house frame serves as the skeleton, part of the foundation. Outlining the little details that have to be understood to build a sturdy house that can stand for possibly centuries, Roe Osborn covers everything from tools to planning to techniques, and much more. For the would be carpenter, "Framing a House" is an invaluable resource.

Inclusive Housing: A Pattern Book
Center for Inclusive Design and Environmental Access
W.W. Norton
500 - 5th Avenue, New York NY 10110
9780393733167, $39.95, www.wwnorton.com

Inclusive Housing: A Pattern Book is packed with tips for architecture libraries and any urban design collection involved with accommodating social diversity. It offers a key to considering different housing types and styles that lend to diverse communities and discusses everything from reducing urban sprawl to developing building approaches supporting inclusive design goals. A 'must' for arts, homeowner and urban studies collections alike.

AARP Guide to Revitalizing Your Home
Rosemary Bakker
Lark Books
387 Park Avenue South, New York, NY 10016
9781600592805, $24.95, www.larkbooks.com

AARP Guide to Revitalizing Your Home: Beautiful Living for the Second Half of Life offers models for redesigning a home, showing how revisions for safety and access can also be attractive when integrated with the home's structure and feel. Redecoration and remodel ideas focus on a range of possibilities for people with all levels of disability, following the process from initial home assessment to DIY fixes and projects, all based on basic design principles. A 'must' for any general lending collection!

Architecture Now! 7
Philip Jodidio
TASCHEN America
107 Greene Street, New York, NY 10012
9783836517362, $39.99, www.taschen.com

Architecture Now! 7 reviews modern architecture and compliments others in the series, introducing a broad variety of projects and works and exploring how the recent economic downturn has affected projects and budgets. Author Philip Jodido studied art history and economics at Harvard University, and has published numerous articles and books on modern architecture. His ARCHITECTURE NOW! 7 gathers color interiors and exteriors and makes for a powerful guide suitable for any college-level lending collection.


The Holiday Shelf

The Farm Chicks Christmas
Serena Thompson
Hearst Books
c/o Sterling Publishing Company
387 Park Avenue South, New York NY 10016-8610
9781588165213, $27.95, www.sterlingpublishing.com

The Farm Chicks Christmas comes from Country Living contributing editor Serena Thompson and offers a fine blend of decorating ideas, recipes for holiday treats, and tips on making holiday crafts. New ideas for making special holiday ideas lends to a wonderfully original holiday guide perfect for Christmas collections.


The Pets/Wildlife Shelf

Dogs & The Women Who Love Them
Allen & Linda Anderson
New World Library
14 Pamaron Way, Novato, CA 94949
9781577316923, $14.95, www.newworldlibrary.com

Man's best friend seems to forget they are awesome for women too. "Dogs & The Women Who Love Them: Extraordinary True Stories of Loyalty, Healing, and Inspiration" is a collection of true stories of women and their dogs and the dedication that dogs. Dogs are amazing animals in what they do for people, from the more obvious hero dogs in the police tasks force or during disasters, to just being there for people. "Dogs & The Women Who Love Them" is an excellent read for any dog lover.

Games and Sports for Dogs
Kirsten Wolf
Barron's
250 Wireless Boulevard, Happauge, NY 11788
9780764144974, $16.99, www.barronseduc.com

There's more to the dog's game repertoire than fetch. "Games and Sports for Dogs" is a guide for taking some variation in for playing with one's canine friend. From placing a spin on the classic game of fetch to dancing, to new tricks, to tracking, and even more, Kirsten Wolf can make anyone's time with their dog more than a simply mundane affair. "Games and Sports for Dogs" is packed cover to cover with full color photos, making this a very enthusiastic recommendation for any pet lover.

Storey's Guide to Keeping Honey Bees
Malcolm T. Sanford & Richard E. Bonney
Storey Publishing
210 Mass MoCa Way, North Adams, MA 01247
9781603425506, $19.95, www.storey.com

STOREY'S GUIDE TO KEEPING HONEY BEES guides would-be beekeepers through all steps of the process, from planning a hive and acquiring bees to keeping a colony healthy and preventing problems. From smoking bees to pollination, this packs in everything needed to learn about beekeeping and the art of managing a colony. General collections will find this an excellent, basic coverage.

The Merck Veterinary Manual, tenth edition
Cynthia Kahn, BA, MA
Wiley-Blackwell
10475 Crosspoint Boulevard, Indianapolis, IN 46256
9780911910933, $60.00, www.wiley.com/wiley-blackwell

The tenth updated edition of the classic The Merck Veterinary Manual offers any practicing vet and veterinary libraries a powerful reference. Hundreds of color images include illustrations, endoscopic images, ultrasonographic results and more, while all 3,000 pages of this 'bible' have been updated to reflect the latest veterinary science practices. Coverage of all common domestic animals and newly expanded coverage of exotics and lab animals are offered in a key acquisition for any serious vet's collection.

Oogy
Larry Levin
Grand Central Publishing
c/o Hachette Book Group
237 Park Avenue, New York, NY 10017
9780446546317, $19.99, www.hachettebookgroup.com

OOGY: THE DOG ONLY A FAMILY COULD LOVE offers the story of a family that brought an ailing cat to the local animal hospital to be put down - and emerged with an odd-looking dog with a violent past. The Levins adopted him - and found themselves with a loyal and fun family pet in this moving story that will appeal to any pet owner.


The African-American Studies Shelf

Venture Smith and the Business of Slavery and Freedom
James Brewer Stewart, Editor
University of Massachusetts Press
P.O. Box 429, Amherst, MA 01004
9781558497405, $34.95, www.umass.edu/umpress

Venture Smith and the Business of Slavery and Freedom provides a book that began in 2006, where a team of forensic scientists excavated the graves of emancipated slaves Venture Smith and his wife Margaret. Smith's descendants requested the investigation in their search to discovery everything about his life: the scientific inquiry based on recovering DNA for genealogical tracing began an inquiry crossing lines between history, geography, genealogy, anthropology and more and this book is the culmination, reconstructing the life and times of venture Smith. College-level African-American history holdings must have this!


The Women's Studies Shelf

Wander Woman
Marcia Reynolds
Berrett-Koehler
235 Montgomery St. #650, San Francisco CA 94104-2916
9781605093512, $17.95, www.bk-life.com

WANDER WOMAN: HOW HIGH-ACHIEVING WOMEN FIND CONTENTMENT AND DIRECTION offers insights on modern high-achieving women who are discontented and frustrated despite their many achievements. It helps these women understand the roots of their discontent and uses extensive research and interviews to consider the underlying patterns behind high achievement and assumptions that lead to perfectionism. Women's studies collections must have this!


The Calendar Shelf

Quilt Art 2011 Engagement Calendar
Klaudeen Hansen
American Quilter's Society
Box 3290, Paducah, KY 42002-3290
9781574329889, $13.95, www.americanquilter.com

Quilt Art 2011 Engagement Calendar is a 'must' for any avid quilter. It uses an engagement calendar format pairing good-sized weekly pages with plenty of fill-in room with facing examples of quilts and descriptions of makers and challenging parts of production. A fine pick for any avid quilter!

Andrews McMeel Publishing
1130 Walnut St., Kansas City, MO 64106
www.andrewsmcmeel.com

Scott Adams' Dilbert comes alive in the CALL OF THE WIRED wall calendar (9780740795107, $13.99). It's the perfect calendar gift for any cubicle worker, offering large-sized fun panels from Dilbert strips accompanied by the full strip below for reference. Stephen Pastis' PEARLS BEFORE SWING 2011: DA FANTASTEEK FOUR (9780740795282, $13.99) achieves the same wonderful attraction: a single large-sized stand-alone joke panel from a strip offers the color, accompanied by a small full strip and calendar boxes perfect for both wall display and write-in. These are both highly recommended top picks for any discriminating wall calendar buyer seeking a blend of humor and usefulness.


The Civil War Shelf

The 4th Michigan Infantry in the Civil War
Martin N. Bertera & Kim Crawford
Michigan State University Press
1405 South Harrison Road, Suite 25, East Lansing, MI 48823
9780870139734, $44.95, www.msupress.msu.edu

All over the country, many companies had their own unique experience in the civil war. "The 4th Michigan Infantry in the Civil War" looks at this unit in the union and their stories of fighting throughout the civil war. Looking at particular exceptional individuals throughout the war, and their stories of their fight throughout the war and their major contribution to the defeat of the confederacy. But even as the war ends, they fight on in Texas. "The 4th Michigan Infantry in the Civil War" is an excellent read and a top pick for any military and history collection.


The Parenting Shelf

Mom Loves You Best
Cathy Jo Cress & Kali Cress Peterson
New Horizon Press
PO Box 669, Far Hills, NJ 07931-0669
9780882823218, $14.95, www.newhorizonpressbooks.com

Sibling rivalry is one of the most natural things in the world. "Mom Loves You Best: Forgiving and Forging Sibling Relationships" is a guide for siblings to build their relationships, and better bond as family. Encouraging siblings to connect, learn to understand one other, acknowledge the importance of family and friendship, and much more, "Mom Loves You Best" is a fine read for anyone who wants their brother or sister to be more than just a person one happens to be related to.

Get Out, Explore, and Have Fun!
Lisa Jo Rudy
Jessica Kingsley Publishers, Inc.
400 Market Street, Suite 400, Philadelphia, PA 19106
9781849058094, $19.95, www.jkp.com

A diagnosis with Aspergers or Autism is not a sentence to live a sheltered life. "Get Out, Explore, and Have Fun!: How Families of Children with Autism or Asperger Syndrome Can Get the Most Out of Community Activities" is a guide for parents of children with these disorders and how they can help their children connect with their own community and be healthier socially because of it. Stating that community inclusion is important for any child's development, "Get Out, Explore, and Have Fun!" is a solid and very useful read to any parent of an Aspergers or Autistic child, recommended.


The World History Shelf

Haunted Cotswolds
Diz White
The History Press
203 North Plymouth Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90004
9780752454269, $17.95, www.thehistorypress.co.uk

There are certain places which seem to attract the supernatural even stronger. "Haunted Cotswolds" looks at the history surrounding the Cotswolds, an area with no shortage of unique history and unique people who may be haunting it. From the vengeance of King Charles I, to the failed terrorist plot of Guy Fawkes, "Haunted Cotswolds" is a fun and creepy read, sure to entertain the ghost enthusiast in everyone.

Islamic Gunpowder Empires
Douglas E. Streusand
Westview Press
2465 Central Avenue, Boulder, CO 80301
9780813313597, $42.00, www.perseusacademic.com

Gunpowder changed everything. "Islamic Gunpowder Empires: Ottomans, Safavids, and the Mughals" looks at the developments of gunpowder, the start of what many term as the modern era, and how these three empires used gunpowder to create their legend and legacy. Stating it was not gunpowder alone that made these empires succeed, Douglas E. Streusand provides a fascinating and insightful analysis of the history that made these historical juggernauts great. Drawing on both modern and historical scholarship, "Islamic Gunpowder Empires" is a core addition to any history collection focusing on the Islamic world.

Winnipeg's Great War
Jim Blanchard
University of Manitoba
301 St. John's College, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada, R3T 2N2
9780887557217, $24.95, www.umanitoba.ca/uofmpress.com

Although the shells weren't raining down on them, it was very clear Winnipeg was at war. "Winnipeg's Great War: A City Comes of Age" looks at Winnipeg throughout World War I and how it served Canada throughout the war effort. From social policy changes to much more, Jim Blanchard provides a complete and comprehensive look at one cities role in taking down the Kaiser. "Winnipeg's Great War" is a fine addition to any history collection focusing on Canadian history or World War I in general.

Masked Raiders
Charles Van Onselen
Zebra Press
c/o International Publishers Marketing
PO Box 605, Herndon, VA 20172-6005
9781770220805, $24.00, www.zebrapress.co.za

Lawlessness and train heists are not an American creation. "Masked Raiders: Irish Banditry in Southern Africa 1880-1899" tells the tale of history where Irish troops deserted their posts for the allure of the diamonds and gold sent along the rails in the later time of the nineteenth century. Becoming a bit of local legends, it's more than simple thievery in the history, as these bandits helped shape South Africa as it was today, being a strong influence in politics and creating today's borders. "Masked Raiders" is a fascinating read, and a core addition to any history collection focusing on South Africa.


The Interior Design Shelf

Green Interior Design
Lori Dennis
Allworth Press
10 East 23rd Street, New York, NY 10010
9781581157451, $24.95, www.allworth.com

You can help the environment and still embrace style. "Green Interior Design" is a guide from Lori Dennis, as she packs one hundred full color photographs and plenty of advice into this book on environmentally friendly interior design. From finding green vendors, planting a garden, using the power of the sun to light one's home, and more, "Green Interior Design" is quite the useful read and very highly recommended for anyone who cares about style and the environment.


The Jobs/Careers Shelf

Hired!
Elinor Stutz
Career Press
220 West Parkway, Unit 12, Pompton Plains, NJ 07444
9781601631428, $14.99, www.careerpress.com

An interview is often one's first assignment in sales. The product is yourself. "Hired!: How to Use Sales Techniques to Sell Yourself on Interviews" is a guide to making the interview the place to promote yourself as the best possible candidate for the job so that you get the job. From good conduct before the interview to nearing the end of the interview and more, "Hired!" is an excellent resource for any job hunter.

The Quick 30/30 Job Solution
Neil P. McNulty and Ronald L. Krannich, Ph.D.
Impact Publications
9104 Manassas Drive, Suite N, Manassas Park, VA 20111-5211
9781570232862, $14.95, www.impactpublications.com

It's hard to be picky in today's job market. "The Quick 30/30 Job Solution: Smart Job Search Tips for Surviving Today's New Economy" is a guide to finding a job quickly and with the standards you want even in today's tougher job market. Focusing on finding a job within thirty days and within thirty miles of your residence, granting the book its name, "The Quick 30/30 Job Solution" will do well in giving readers the tools they need.


The Martial Arts Shelf

The Fighting Tomahawk, Volume II
Dwight C. McLemore
Paladin Press
7077 Winchester Circle, Boulder, CO 80301
9781581607291, $49.95, www.paladin-press.com

The tomahawk was one of the weapons of the American Revolution. "The Fighting Tomahawk, Volume II: Further Studies in the Combat Use of the Early American Tomahawk" analyzes the early use of this famed weapon, first brought into prominence by the Native American Indians and adopted by the Americans settling the country. A one handed axe can be used in many creative ways, and is often dual-wielded with a large knife. For any curious in the use of the tomahawk's techniques or actual use, "The Fighting Tomahawk, Volume II" is a fascinating dissection of the countless details of use with this historic weapon.


The Language Studies Shelf

Farnsworth's Classical English Rhetoric
Ward Farnsworth
David R. Godine Publisher
PO Box 450, Jaffrey, NH 03452
9781567923858, $26.95, www.godine.com

Language is a paintbrush, and the masters can move someone with a few simple strokes. "Farnsworth's Classical English Rhetoric" delves into the power of language and how it has formed coming into the modern day. Throughout history language has been powerful, and as English has quickly become the language of the world, in recent centuries, Ward Farnsworth tells quite the history and provides much insight into the power and eloquence of language in the right mouths. "Farnsworth's Classical English Rhetoric" is a must for anyone who wants to truly understand and appreciate the power of speech in the English-speaking world.


The Humor Shelf

Andrews McMeel
1130 Walnut St., Kansas City, MO 64106
www.andrewsmcmeel.com

Jerry Scott & Jim Borgman's YOU'RE MAKING THAT FACE AGAIN (9780740797347, $12.99) provides #13 in a Zits comic strip series of collections; this one continuing the story of how teen Jeremy tries to be cool in spite of his too-square, long-suffering parents. Hilarious parent-teen encounters mark a gathering mostly in black and white with some color, recommended for prior Zits comic strip readers and newcomers with teenagers! Jim Toomey's DISCOVER YOUR INNER HERMIT CRAB (0740791109, $12.99) provides a key to life based on the comic-strip adventures of his Sherman's Lagoon characters. Color and black and white panels offer the 15th Sherman's Lagoon collection and provide wonderful overall reflections on life's meaning.


The Wisconsin Shelf

Sheboygan: Tales of the Tragic & Bizarre
William F. Wangemann
The History Press
635 Rutledge Ave., Suite 107, Charleston, SC 29403
9781609490355, $19.99, www.historypress.net

Sheboygan: Tales of the Tragic & Bizarre is a bemusing anthology of eyebrow-raising true tales from the surprisingly colorful history of Sheboygan, Wisconsin. From speakeasy shootings to the town's first baseball game, to the "Great Indian Scare" during the Civil War (how Sheboygan became swept into a mass panic over an alleged Indian threat that did not exist), Sheboygan: Tales of the Tragic & Bizarre blends inexplicable happenstance with wry insight, and sheds light into the oddities of American daily life over a century ago. Black-and-white photographs illustrate this excellent contribution to Wisconsin History shelves.

Wisconsin Wildflowers in 3D
David Tank
Planet Creek Press
E4843 395th Ave., Menomonie, WI 54751
9780981506425, $24.95, www.planetcreekpress.com

Nature has plenty of beauty, best enjoyed in person. But 3D can be the next best thing. "Wisconsin Wildflowers in 3D" comes packed with hand held 3D lens for use with its many pictures of the fauna and wild growth that presents Wisconsin's lesser known beauties throughout the state. A fun way to enjoy nature from the comfort of an armchair, "Wisconsin Wildflowers in 3D" is a fascinating pick for nature lovers.


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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