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Wisconsin Bookwatch

Volume 14, Number 3 March 2019 Home | WBW Index

Table of Contents

Reviewer's Choice Writing/Publishing Shelf Education Shelf
Cookbook Shelf Business Shelf Fiction Shelf
Mystery/Suspense Shelf Fantasy/SciFi Shelf Christian Studies Shelf
Judaic Studies Shelf Sports Shelf Technology Shelf
Health/Medicine Shelf Self-Help Shelf Graphic Novel Shelf
Audiobook Shelf Music CD Shelf DVD Shelf
Railroading Shelf Political Science Shelf Needlecraft Shelf
Woodworking Shelf Fishing Shelf Metaphysical Studies Shelf
LGBT Studies Shelf Gardening Shelf Humor Shelf
Psychology Shelf Wisconsin Shelf  


Reviewer's Choice


The Salmon Way
Amy Gulick
Braided River
c/o Mountaineers Books
1001 SW Klickitat Way, Suite 201, Seattle, WA 98134-1161
www.mountaineersbooks.org
9781680512380 $29.95 amazon.com

Featuring striking, full-color photography throughout, The Salmon Way: An Alaska State of Mind is a coffee table book about the environmental history of wild salmon in the state of Alaska, and the connections between salmon and the land, the people (especially native populations), and other wildlife. Native Alaskans have depended upon the salmon to survive throughout history; yet today, wild salmon are imperiled in the region. Threats include large- scale development, overfishing, environmental degradation and more. The Salmon Way explores the salmon's integral role to both survival and culture, as well as the search to establish a sustainable, long-term relationship with salmon. The Salmon Way is both a work of natural history and a modern-day environmental parable, highly recommended especially for personal and public library collections.

House of Secrets
Allison Levy
Tauris Parke
c/o I.B. Tauris
c/o Bloomsbury Press
175 Fifth Avenue, Suite 315, New York, NY 10010
www.bloomsbury.com
9781788313605, $25.00, HC, 304pp, www.amazon.com

"House of Secrets: The Many Lives of a Florentine Palazzo" tells the remarkable story of Palazzo Rucellai from behind its celebrated facade. The house, beginning with its piecemeal assemblage by one of the richest men in Florence in the fifteenth century, has witnessed endless drama, from the butchering of its interior to a courtyard suicide to champagne-fueled orgies on the eve of World War I to a recent murder on its third floor. When Allison Levy, an art historian, serendipitously discovered a room for let in the house, she lands in the vortex of history and is tested at every turn -- inside the house and out. Her residency in Palazzo Rucellai is informed as much by the sense of desire giving way to disappointment as by a sense of denial that soon enough must succumb to truth. "House of Secrets" is about the sharing of space, the tracing of footsteps, the overlapping of lives. It is about the willingness to lose oneself behind the facade, to live between past and present, to slip between the cracks of history and the crevices of our own imagination. A unique and riveting read from cover to cover, "House of Secrets" is a deftly written extraordinary story that will prove to be an immediate and enduringly popular addition to community library collections. This is the kind of extended yet personally resonating history that will linger in the mind and memory of the reader long after the book itself has been finished and set back upon the shelf.


The Writing/Publishing Shelf

Artists Write to Work
Kate Kramer
Schiffer Publishing Ltd.
4880 Lower Valley Road, Atglen, PA 19310
www.schifferbooks.com
9780764356490, $16.99, HC, 128pp, www.amazon.com

Artists need to write, every day, to support their studio practice and careers. While working artists already know this, newly minted art graduates and emerging artists usually have to learn this the hard way -- most often when a gallery owner asks for basic documents like an artist resume, biography, and statement to support an upcoming exhibition! Conversational and instructive, "Artists Write to Work: A Practical Guide to Writing about Your Art" by Kate Kramer (who is a lecturer in critical writing at the University of Pennsylvania and has worked as a curator, gallery director, art historian, public art administrator, and writer) is practical primer specifically designed to help artists learn the best writing and research strategies for the documents they must craft including: letters, biographies, statements, proposals, applications, wall text, and more. Kramer aligns writing strategies with art school curriculum (foundations, topics, capstones, professional development). "Artists Write to Work" is the instructional guide and manual that every artist will turn to again and again. In addition to models, templates, worksheets, and sample analyses of calls for entry, "Artists Write to Work" references readily available and public resources throughout. Ultimately, this primer brings writing process into practice so the art work can continue to thrive. Simply stated, "Artists Write to Work" is unreservedly recommended for personal, professional, community, college, art school, and university library Writing/Publishing collections and supplemental studies reading lists.

The Comic Hero's Journey
Steve Kaplan
Michael Wiese Productions
12400 Ventura Blvd., #1111, Studio City, CA 91604
www.mwp.com
9781615932870, $26.95, PB, 176pp, www.amazon.com

A traditional hero or heroine going on a journey is the traditional stuff of the movies. But for the comic hero, it's often quite, quite different. The hero deliberately chooses to go on the adventure; the comic hero often has no choice. The hero has a wise old man; the comic hero often meets an idiot who inadvertently says something that can teach him a thing or two. In "The Comic Hero's Journey: Serious Story Structure for Fabulously Funny Films", Steve Kaplan (who for years, has been the film and television industry's most respected and sought-after expert on comedy) will shows the aspiring script writer the diverse paths that comedy takes in "The Comic Hero's Journey". Exceptionally accessible in organization and presentation, "The Comic Hero's Journey" is a complete course of specialized script writing instruction and highly recommended for personal, professional, community, college, and university library instructional reference and resource collections.


The Education Shelf

The Best Value Colleges, 2019 Edition
Robert Franek
The Princeton Review
c/o Random House Inc.
1745 Broadway, New York NY 10019
www.PrincetonReview.com
9780525567868, $22.99, PB, 480pp, www.amazon.com

The experts at The Princeton Review have been helping students, parents, and educators achieve the best results at every stage of the education process since 1981. The new 2019 edition of their annual "The Best Value Colleges" showcases two hundred colleges and universities that provide students and their families with the best financial and career returns on their tuition investment. These are the schools that offer generous financial aid, excellent academics, and valuable career-building experiences for a successful post-college outcome! Each school was selected on the basis of 40+ data points, including academics, cost of attendance, financial aid, and post-grad salary figures. Here are definitively profiled 200 schools that offer fantastic value, with insight into their career services offerings. Of special note are the top 25 schools with the Best Alumni Network, Best Career Placement, Top Financial Aid, and more; The highest-paying majors and great schools that offer them; Starting and mid-career salary information for graduates of each school; Percentages of alumni who report having meaningful jobs and who majored in science/technology/engineering/math (STEM) fields. "The Best Value Colleges, 2019 Edition" is unreservedly recommended for families of graduating high school students, high school counselors, and community library Contemporary Education collections.

50 Shades of Teaching
Todd Cole
Dorrance Publishing Company
585 Alpha Drive, Suite 103, Pittsburgh, PA 15238
www.dorrancepublishing.com
9781480989436, $9.00, PB, 30pp, www.amazon.com

Todd Cole is an elementary school teacher recently retired from Laurel Elementary School in New Castle, Pennsylvania, where he taught first grade for 25 years and fourth grade for 9 years. In the pages of "50 Shades of Teaching" he draws upon his years of experience and expertise to provide 50 bits of wisdom that are serious, funny, practical, and thoughtful. Above all, they're presented for the purpose of supporting one of the most noble (and undervalued) of professions -- the teaching children. "50 Shades of Teaching" is especially and unreservedly recommended for school district, college, and university library Teacher Education collections and supplemental studies lists. It should be noted for the personal reading lists of student teachers, K-12 classroom teachers, school administrators, and non-specialist general readers with an interest in the subject that "50 Shades of Teaching" is also available in a digital book format (Kindle, $5.00).


The Cookbook Shelf

The Crock-Pot Ladies Big Book of Slow Cooker Dinners
Heidi Kennedy, Katie Handing, Sarah Ince
Harvard Common Press
c/o Quarto Publishing Group USA
400 First Avenue North, Suite 400, Minneapolis, MN 55401-1722
www.quartoknows.com
9781558329249, $24.99, PB, 328pp, www.amazon.com

Showcasing more than 300 quick and easy recipes for truly memorable dishes that are presented in an exceptionally 'kitchen cook friendly' for the time-stressed family chef format, "The Crock-Pot Ladies Big Book of Slow Cooker Dinners" is an impressive compendium of do-it- yourself recipes that range from Cheese-Stuffed Beefy Manicotti; Salisbury Steak Meatballs; Drunken Peach Whiskey Pork Chops; and Curried Lamb Shanks; to Orange Marmalade-Glazed Carrots; Warm Corn Casserole; Super Easy Baked Potatoes; and Holiday Pecan Spiced Potatoes. There is a whole section devoted to crock pot slow cooker recipes for desserts featuring Baked Oatmeal with Spicy Pears; Dried Cranberry and Maple Bread Pudding; Silky Chocolate Fondue; Slow Cooker Chocolate Chip Pan Cookies, and more! Of special note is the chapter devoted to 'Staples: Homemade Stocks, Sauces, and Seasoning Mixes. Impressively well organized and presented, "The Crock-Pot Ladies Big Book of Slow Cooker Dinners" is especially and wholeheartedly recommended for personal, family, and community library cookbook collections. It should be noted that "The Crock-Pot Ladies Big Book of Slow Cooker Dinners" is also available in a digital book format (Kindle, $14.49).

Ethiopia
Yohanis Gebreyesus
Interlink Publishing Group
46 Crosby Street, Northampton, MA 01060-1804
www.interlinkbooks.com
9781623719630, $35.00, HC, 224pp, www.amazon.com

Ethiopian cuisine has been influenced by a cultural history enriched with a religious mix of Judaism, Christianity, and Islam, as well as some of the most fertile land on the continent. The delicious dishes showcases in "Ethiopia: Recipes and Traditions from the Horn of Africa" include Doro Wat (chicken stewed with berbere spice, Siga Tibs), flashfried beef, and Asa Shorba (a hearty spiced fish soup), plus vegetarian dishes such as Gomen (collard greens with ginger and garlic), Azifa (green lentil salad), and Dinich Alicha (potatoes and carrots in an onion turmeric sauce). Along with beautifully executed photography of the stunning landscapes and vibrant artisans of Ethiopia combined with insightful cultural and historical details "Ethiopia: Recipes and Traditions from the Horn of Africa" demonstrates why Ethiopian food should be considered one of the world's most singular and enchanting ethnic cuisines. While very highly recommended for community library Ethnic Cookbook collections, it should be noted for personal cookbook collections that "Ethiopia: Recipes and Traditions from the Horn of Africa" is also available in a digital book format (Kindle, $9.99).

Models Do Eat
Jill de Jong
BenBella Books
10300 N. Central Expressway, Ste 400, Dallas, TX 75204
www.benbellabooks.com
9781946885517, $19.95, PB, 256pp, www.amazon.com

Jill de Jong was born in Holland, and her successful modeling career brought her to the US. She eventually made the career shift from full-time modeling to health coach, personal trainer, and chef. Jill draws upon her years of experience and expertise in "Models Do Eat" to showcase more than 100 'kitchen cook friendly' recipes specifically designed to create beautiful and healthy results for themselves and their loved ones. A team of inspiring women collaborated with Jill in this project. These are models love to eat and they eat a lot. With approaches from paleo and gluten-free eating to vegetarianism and veganism, and everything in-between, "Models Do Eat" is proof that there's not just one "correct" way to eat well and feel beautiful. With recipes for palate pleasing, appetite satisfying dishes ranging from Mediterranean Breakfast Cups; Gluten-Free Endless Energy Matcha Muffins; Wholesome Mushroom Tacos; and Coconut Basil Sweet Potato Fries; Bison Stew and Bone Broth; Charred Cauliflower with Peppers & Egg; Raw Vegan Cheesecake Bars; and more, "Models Do Eat" will prove to be an extraordinarily popular addition to personal, professional, and community library cookbook collections. It should be noted for personal reading lists that "Models Do Eat" is also available in a digital book format (Kindle, $9.99).


The Business Shelf

Breaking Bad Habits
Freek Vermeulen
Harvard Business Review Press
60 Harvard Way, Boston, MA 02163
http://hbr.org/books
9781633696822 $18.00 pbk / $9.97 Kindle amazon.com

Breaking Bad Habits is a guide to the downsides of entrenched "best practices" in business. "Best practices" can become outdated, expensive, or a hindrance to innovation, and managers may be reluctant to change them because they worked in the past. Breaking Bad Habits offers a roadmap to identifying popular yet ultimately detrimental ideas, processes, and strategies, and transforming them for the better, along with a wealth of real-world examples. Breaking Bad Habits is a "must-read", especially for business and managerial professionals seeking to break out of a rut! Also highly recommended is "Harvard Business Review Leader's Handbook" by Ron Ashkenas and Brook Manville (9781633693746, $29.99 pbk / $17.49 Kindle).

Good Charts Workbook
Scott Berinato
Harvard Business Review Press
60 Harvard Way, Boston, MA 02163
http://hbr.org/books
9781633696174, $35.00, PB, 288pp, www.amazon.com

Being able to create effective graphs and charts as a means of messaging is essential for success in any business or corporation. Offering a wealth of practical tips, effective tools, and instructive exercises, the "Good Charts Workbook" by Harvard Business Review Senior Editor and dataviz expert Scott Berinato is the ideal hands-on instructional guide and reference. The "Good Charts Workbook" takes a step-by-step approach through the key challenges in creating good charts (controlling color, crafting for clarity, choosing chart types, practicing persuasion, capturing concepts) with warm-up exercises and mini-challenges for each. The "Good Charts Workbook" includes helpful prompts and reminders throughout, as well as white space for users to practice the Good Charts talk-sketch-prototype process. A 'must-have manual' for better understanding the dataviz around you and for creating better charts to make your case more effectively, the "Good Charts Workbook" is especially and unreservedly recommended for professional, corporate, community, college, and university library Business Management collections and supplemental studies lists. It should be noted for the personal reading lists of MBA students, entrepreneurs, corporate executives, and non-specialist general readers with an interest in the subject that the "Good Charts Workbook" is also available in a digital book format (Kindle, $19.99).


The Fiction Shelf

The Birth of China
E. Ted Gladue
Commonwealth Books
P.O. Box 770354, Coral Springs, FL 33077
9781892986115, $17.99, PB, 225pp, www.amazon.com

Sean Semineaux, on a merchant ship, coming out of New Zealand in 1986, has to fight for his survival as the ship sinks in the middle of the Pacific in the midst of strange circumstances. Semineaux survives and washes up on the China coast. The only problem, the year is 261 BC, and, at first he thinks he has gone mad, but he becomes a witness to the first unification of China in 221 BC. "The Birth of China" is an exceptionally well written and compelling novel that showcases author E. Ted Gladue's genuine flair for combining originality within an accurately detailed historical framework. An inherently fascinating and thoroughly entertaining read from cover to cover, "The Birth of China" is an especially and unreservedly recommended addition to community library Historical Fiction collections and personal reading lists.

Lights on the Mountain
Cheryl Anne Tuggle
Paraclete Press
PO Box 1568, Orleans, MA 02653
www.paracletepress.com
9781640601666, $17.99, PB, 224pp, www.amazon.com

Barely old enough to vote when he loses his parents in an accident and inherits the family farm, Jess Hazel struggles to find meaning in the life he has always loved. Unable to shake the memory of a strange light he has seen hovering on the mountain peak above his valley home, he embarks on a pilgrimage, a halting inner odyssey riddled with fits and false starts. The beauty of this finely crafted story lies in the unlikely people Jess encounters along the way, transmitters of a grace which at first hounds, then quietly eludes. Through events both tragic and joyous, Jess is led on a journey of self-discovery through ancestral sin, unexpected love, loss, holiness, compassion, forgiveness and redemption. Like the creek which cuts through the Allegheny foothills of its Western Pennsylvania setting, hope runs through every chapter of author Cheryl Anne Tuggle's novel, "Lights on the Mountain". A fully engaging and ultimately inspiring novel by an author with a genuine flair for originality and narrative storytelling, "Lights on the Mountain" will prove to be an enduringly popular addition to community library Contemporary General Fiction collections. It should be noted for personal reading lists that "Lights on the Mountain" is also available in a digital book format (Kindle, $12.99).

How the Light Gets In
Jolina Petersheim
Tyndale House Publishers
351 Executive Drive, Carol Stream, IL 60188
www.tyndale.com
9781496434173, $25.99, HC, 400pp, www.amazon.com

When Ruth Neufeld's husband and father-in-law are killed working for a relief organization overseas, she travels to Wisconsin with her young daughters and mother-in-law Mabel to bury her husband. She hopes the Mennonite community will be a quiet place to grieve and piece together next steps. Ruth and her family are welcomed by Elam, her husband's cousin, who invites them to stay at his cranberry farm through the harvest. Sifting through fields of berries and memories of a marriage that was broken long before her husband died, Ruth finds solace in the beauty of the land and healing through hard work and budding friendship. She also encounters the possibility of new love with Elam, whose gentle encouragement awakens hopes and dreams she thought she'd lost forever. But an unexpected twist threatens to unseat the happy ending Ruth is about to write for herself. On the precipice of a fresh start and a new marriage, Ruth must make an impossible decision: which path to choose if her husband isn't dead after all. One of those novels that will linger in the mind and memory long after the book itself has been finished and set back upon the shelf, Jolina Petersheim's "How the Light Gets In" is unreservedly recommended for community library Contemporary General Fiction collections. It should be noted for personal reading lists that "How the Light Gets In" is also available in a paperback edition (9781496402233, $15.99), in a digital book format (Kindle, $6.99), and as a complete and unabridged audio book (Oasis Audio, 9781640911604, $33.99, CD).


The Mystery/Suspense Shelf

A Room Full of Night
T. R. Kenneth
Oceanview Publishing
1620 Main Street, Suite 11, Sarasota, FL 34236
www.oceanviewpub.com
9781608093229, $26.95, HC, 320pp, www.amazon.com

Stag Maguire is a burnt-out journalist hardly able to prop himself up in the wake of tragedy but who nevertheless agrees to help a friend move. They find an urgent message (HELP ME) written on a piece of silk tacked behind a long-forgotten portrait. The message from an address in Berlin is urgent; though it had to have been written pre-World War II. Curious, Stag and his friend, begin to research the address and whomever might have written the message. They trace the address to an apartment, a sealed time capsule that has not been lived in since 1942. And from one phone call to that apartment, the men unleash a nefarious plot and brutal security forces long thought vanquished. Events begin to cascade without mercy, and Stag (a broken man from the Midwest) finds himself pitted against a vestige of the Third Reich with powerful forces ensuring the propagation of Heydrich's infamous SD (Nazi's intelligence agency) in today's world. Will ordinary-man Stag Maguire prevail in his lone stand against evil? "A Room Full of Night" is a simply riveting read from cover to cover and features more unexpected plot twists and turns than a Coney Island roller coaster! While especially and unreservedly recommended for community library Suspense/Thriller collections, it should be noted for personal reading lists that "A Room Full of Night" is also available in a digital book format (Kindle, $9.99).

The Malta Exchange
Steve Berry
Minotaur Books
c/o St. Martin's Publishing Group
175 Fifth Avenue, New York, NY 10010
www.minotaurbooks.com
9781250140265, $28.99, HC, 416pp, www.amazon.com

The pope is dead. A conclave to select his replacement is about to begin. Cardinals are beginning to arrive at the Vatican, but one has fled Rome for Malta in search of a document that dates back to the 4th century and Constantine the Great. Former Justice Department operative, Cotton Malone, is at Lake Como, Italy, on the trail of legendary letters between Winston Churchill and Benito Mussolini that disappeared in 1945 and could re-write history. But someone else seems to be after the same letters and, when Malone obtains then loses them, he's plunged into a hunt that draws the attention of the legendary Knights of Malta. The knights have existed for over nine hundred years, the only warrior-monks to survive into modern times. Now they are a global humanitarian organization, but within their ranks lurks trouble (the Secreti) an ancient sect intent on affecting the coming papal conclave. With the help of Magellan Billet agent Luke Daniels, Malone races the rogue cardinal, the knights, the Secreti, and the clock to find what has been lost for centuries. The final confrontation culminates behind the walls of the Vatican where the election of the next pope hangs in the balance. A riveting great read from cover to cover, "The Malta Exchange" clearly showcases author Steve Berry's narrative driven storytelling skills. This is the stuff of which block buster movies are made! While unreservedly recommended, especially for community library Suspense/Thriller collections, it should be noted for personal reading lists that "The Malta Exchange" is also available in a digital book format (Kindle, $14.99) and as a complete an unabridged audio book (Macmillan Audio, 9781250316530, $39.99, CD).

Open Carry
Marc Cameron
Kensington
c/o Kensington Publishing Corp.
119 West 40th Street, Floor 21, New York, NY 10018-2522
www.kensingtonbooks.com
9781496721723, $26.00, HC, 304pp, www.amazon.com

U.S. Marshal Arliss Cutter is a born tracker. Raised in the Florida swamp lands, he honed his skills in the military, fought in the Middle East, and worked three field positions for Marshal Services. When it comes to tracking someone down (or taking someone out) Cutter's the best. But his newest assignment is taking him out of his comfort zone to southeast Alaska. Cold, dark, uninhabited forests often shrouded in fog. And it's the kind of case (the shocking murder of a Tlingit Indian girl) that makes his blood run cold. But the murder is just the beginning. Now, three people have disappeared on Prince of Wales Island. Two are crew members of the reality TV show, Fishwives. Cutter's job is to find the bodies, examine the crew's footage for clues, and track down the men who killed them. But it won't be easy, because the whole town is hiding secrets, every trail is a dead end -- and the hunter has become the hunted! Another absorbing, action packed, compulsive page turner of a mystery suspense from the pen of Marc Cameron, "Open Carry" is a riveting great read from cover to cover. While very highly recommended, especially for community library Mystery/Suspense/Thriller collections, it should be noted for the personal reading lists of dedicated mystery buffs that "Open Carry" is also available in a digital book format (Kindle, $9.99).

Code of Valor
Lynette Eason
Revell
c/o Baker Publishing Group
6030 East Fulton, Ada, MI 49301
www.revellbooks.com
9780800735586, $29.99, HC, 336pp, www.amazon.com

What Detective Brady St. John really needs is a relaxing vacation. Unfortunately, just as the sun is setting on his second day at a friend's cabin on Lake Henley, he hears a scream and races to rescue a woman from her would-be killer. When the killer escapes only to return to finish the job, Brady vows to utilize all of his many resources to keep her safe--and catch those who would see her dead. Financial crimes investigator Emily Chastain doesn't trust many people. And even though she let the detective who saved her life in on a few pertinent facts about why she was being attacked, there are some things you just don't share with a stranger. Little does she suspect that the secret she is keeping just might get them both killed. Another riveting read by an author with a genuine flair for investing his readers in a page-turning thriller, Lynette Eason's "Code of Valor" is certain to be an immediate and enduringly popular addition to community library Mystery/Suspense collections. It should be noted for the personal reading lists of all dedicated mystery buffs that "Code of Valor" is also available in a paperback edition (9780800727048, $15.99), in a digital book format (Kindle, $9.99), and as a complete and unabridged audio book (Tantor Audio, 9781515934547, $29.99, CD).

The Chef's Secret
Crystal King
Atria Books
c/o Simon & Schuster
1230 Avenue of the Americas, New York, NY 10020
www.simonandschuster.com
9781501196430, $28.00, HC, 384pp, www.amazon.com

When Bartolomeo Scappi dies in 1577, he leaves his vast estate comprised of properties, money, and his position to his nephew and apprentice Giovanni. He also gives Giovanni the keys to two strongboxes and strict instructions to burn their contents. Despite Scappi's dire warning that the information concealed in those boxes could put Giovanni's life and others at risk, Giovanni is compelled to learn his uncle's secrets. He undertakes the arduous task of decoding Scappi's journals and uncovers a history of deception, betrayal, and murder - all to protect an illicit love affair. As Giovanni pieces together the details of Scappi's past, he must contend with two rivals who have joined forces -- his brother Cesare and Scappi's former protege, Domenico Romoli, who will do anything to get his hands on the late chef's recipes. An erudite, engaging, entertaining, and compulsive page turner of a read, "The Chef's Secret" by Crystal King is certain to be an enduringly popular addition to personal reading lists and community library Historical Fiction collections. It should be noted that "The Chef's Secret" is also available in a paperback edition (9781501196423, $16.99), a digital book format (Kindle, $11.99), and as a complete and unabridged audio book (Blackstone Audio, 9781508282303, $39.99, CD).

The Enemy of My Enemy
W.E.B. Griffin
G. P. Putnam's Sons
c/o Penguin Group USA
375 Hudson Street, New York, NY 10014
www.penguin.com
9780735213067, $29.00, HC, 400pp, www.amazon.com

A month ago, James Cronley managed to capture two notorious Nazi war criminals, but not without leaving some dead bodies and outraged Austrian police in his wake. He's been lying low ever since, but that little vacation is about to end. Somebody (Odessa, the NKGB, the Hungarian Secret Police?) has broken the criminals out of jail, and he must track them down again. But there's more to it than that. Evidence has surfaced that in the war's last gasps, Heinrich Himmler had stashed away a fortune to build a secret religion, dedicated both to Himmler and to creating the Fourth Reich. That money is still out there in the hands of Odessa, and that infamous organization seems to have acquired a surprising (and troubling) ally. Cronley is fast finding out that the phrase "the enemy of my enemy is my friend" can mean a lot of different things, and that it is not always clear which people he can trust and which are out to kill him. Another deftly scripted and compulsive page turner of an action/adventure novel from the pen of W.E.B. Griffin, "The Enemy of My Enemy" is an especially and unreservedly recommended addition to community library collections. It should be noted for the personal reading lists of the legions of W.E.B. Griffin fans that "The Enemy of My Enemy" is also available in a digital book format (Kindle, $14.95) and in a digital book format (Kindle, $14.99). Librarians should note that there is a large print edition of "The Enemy of My Enemy" (Random House Large Print, 9781984827586, $31.99, PB, 464pp) as well.

Hunt Them Down
Simon Gervais
https://simongervaisbooks.com
Thomas & Mercer
9781503903210, $24.95, HC, 325pp, www.amazon.com

Former Army Ranger Pierce Hunt is no stranger to violence. Fresh off a six-month suspension, he's itching to hit a notorious Mexican drug cartel where it hurts, even if that means protecting crime boss Vicente Garcia, a witness in the case against sadistic cartel leader Valentina Mieles. But things spiral out of control when the cartel murders Garcia and kidnaps his granddaughter and an innocent bystander, Hunt's own teenage daughter. Mieles wants the new head of the Garcia family on a plate -- literally. Hunt has seventy-two hours to deliver, or Mieles will execute the girls live on social media. With the clock ticking, Hunt goes off the grid and teams up with Garcia's daughter, a former lover and current enemy. To save the girls, Hunt will have to become a man he swore he'd never be again: an avenging killer without limits or mercy. Another simply riveting read from author Simon Gervais, "Hunt Them Down" showcases his mastery of narrative driven storytelling and his flair for embedding his novels with more twists and turns than a Coney Island roller coaster. While very highly recommended, especially for community library Suspense/Thriller action adventure collections, it should be noted for personal reading lists that "Hunt Them Down" is also available in a paperback edition (9781503904507, $15.95), a digital book format (Kindle, $4.99), and as a complete and unabridged audio book (Brilliance Audio, 9781978636583, $24.99, MP3 CD).

Widows' Revenge
Lynda La Plante
Zaffre
9781499862041, $27.99, HC, 304pp, www.amazon.com

Against all the odds, Dolly Rawlins and her gangland widows managed the impossible: a heist their husbands had failed to pull off - at the cost of their lives. But though they may be in the money, they're far from easy street. Shocked by her husband's betrayal, Dolly discovers Harry Rawlins isn't dead. He knows where the four women are and he wants them to pay. And he doesn't just mean getting his hands on the money. The women can't keep running. They have to get Harry out of their lives for good. But can they outwit a criminal mastermind who won't hesitate to kill? Especially when one of them has a plan of her own -- to kill or be killed. Another original and inherently riveting read from by novelist Lynda La Plante, "Widows' Revenge" is the sequel to her groundbreaking thriller, "Widows" (now a major motion picture) and will prove to be an immediate and enduringly popular addition to community library collections. It should be noted for personal reading lists that "Widows' Revenge" is also available in a paperback edition (9781785768293, $17.99) and in a digital book format (Kindle, $12.99).

Batter Off Dead
Maymee Bell
Crooked Lane Books
2 Park Avenue, 10th floor, New York, NY 10016
www.crookedlanebooks.com
9781683318781, $26.99, HC, 304pp, www.amazon.com

Sophia Cummings may be unlucky in love, but she knows that the way to a man's heart is through his sweet tooth. This evening, she plans to use that knowledge (and her skills as a New York City-trained pastry chef) to open the hearts and wallets of Rumford, Kentucky's richest men. Sophia, proprietress of For Goodness Cakes, has been commissioned to cater the Heart of the Town Library charity fundraiser at Grape Valley Winery. She's spent all her dough to make this a successful event, raise her profile, and win more plum catering jobs. At first, the going is as smooth as an elegant chocolate ganache. After nibbling Sophia's tasty treats, Ray Peel, the winery's landlord, announces he will pay off Rumford's library loan. But the evening soon turns decidedly frosty when Ray is murdered before he can make good on his promise, and before he can pay Sophia for her catering services. For Goodness Cakes will collapse if Sophia can't collect what she's owed. So Sophia once again puts on her sleuthing apron to figure out who iced Ray. The latest installment of author Maymee Bell's 'A Southern Cake Baker Mystery' series, "Batter Off Dead" is a mystery buff's delight that also includes authentic Souther recipes! While very highly recommended for both personal reading lists and community library Mystery/Suspense collections, it should be noted that "Batter Off Dead" is also available in a digital book format (Kindle, $9.99).

Hooks Can Be Deceiving
Betty Hechtman
Crooked Lane Books
2 Park Avenue, 10th floor, New York, NY 10016
www.crookedlanebooks.com
9781683318842, $26.99, HC, 320pp, www.amazon.com

Molly Pink's excitement level is off the hook: The Craftee Channel's new cable talk show "Creating with Crochet" has scheduled an upcoming taping at the bookstore. While she's there, TV host Rory Graham is to work with the Tarzana Hookers on a Make and Take bracelet project to draw bookstore customers to the yarn section. It's a win-win...or so it "seams". The situation gets a bit knotted when channel producer Michael Kostner confides to Molly his concern that Rory may have oversold her ability as a crocheter. When the producer's worst fears are realized, it's up to Molly to make sure Rory comes through. Guiding Rory through crocheting-for-beginners will have to wait, though, as Molly suddenly has to untangle the mysterious death of a new Tarzana Hookers member. Marianne Freeman and her live-in companion, Connie Richards, haven't exactly been gabby since they joined the Hookers, but Connie's voice is silenced permanently when she is electrocuted while walking on a wet lawn electrified by an old radio plugged into a faulty extension cord. The fingers point at Marianne, but Molly is fast on the case to protect one of her own. Was Marianne the killer...or the intended target? Why does her younger brother want to keep her from talking to the cops? And why is this whole case starting to remind Molly Pink of an old TV movie? Of special note is the inclusion of recipes and crochet patterns deftly incorporated into author Betty Hechtman's superbly crafted mystery novel "Hooks Can Be Deceiving". Certain to be an immediate and enduringly popular addition to community library Contemporary Mystery collections, it should be noted for dedicated mystery buffs that "Hooks Can Be Deceiving" is also available in a digital book format (Kindle, $7.80).

The Second Goodbye
Patricia Smiley
Midnight Ink
2143 Wooddale Drive, Woodbury, MN 55125-2989
www.midnightinkbooks.com
9780738752365, $15.99, PB, 312pp, www.amazon.com

Assume nothing is the touchstone for every homicide investigation Detective Davie Richards undertakes. She approaches her latest case the same way, determined to learn as much about the victim as she does about the killer. But there's nothing about thirty-four-year-old Sara Montaine or her death that makes sense. Was Sara a saint caring for her dying husband or a gold-digger with a sketchy background? Did she commit suicide or was she murdered? Before her marriage, Sara lived comfortably without any obvious source of income, unusual for an orphan raised in foster care. As Davie digs deeper, she unearths Sara's troubled past and a viper's nest of villains who are willing to kill to keep their secrets hidden. Another gem of a mystery novel by author Patricia Smiley, "The Second Goodbye" is an inherently compelling read from first page to last and one that will prove to be an immediate and enduringly popular addition to community library Mystery/Suspense collections. It should be noted for the personal reading lists of all dedicated mystery buffs that "The Second Goodbye" is also available in a digital book format (Kindle, $9.59).


The Fantasy/SciFi Shelf

Shadow Pact
Tally Adams
www.TallyAdams.com
Brown Books Publishing Group
www.BrownBooks.com
9781612542850 $7.99 amazon.com

Shadow Pact is a dark fantasy about Emily's quest to find her missing sister Amber, which embroils her in an ongoing supernatural conflict between vampires and werewolves. The handsome vampire-werewolf hybrid William rescues Emily from a dire situation, but far greater dangers await - a sinister vampire queen, a blood-crazed Coven, a werewolf king greedy for power, and more. Exciting to the very end, Shadow Pact is a "must-read" for connoisseurs of the genre, highly recommended.

Samuel Johnson's Eternal Return
Martin Riker
Coffee House Press
79 Thirteenth Avenue NE, Suite 110, Minneapolis, MN 55413
http://coffeehousepress.org
9781566895286, $16.95, PB, 256pp, www.amazon.com

When Samuel Johnson dies, he finds himself in the body of the man who killed him, unable to depart this world but determined, at least, to return to the son he left behind. Moving from body to body as each one expires, Samuel's soul journeys on a comic quest through an American half-century, inhabiting lives as stymied, in their ways, as his own. A ghost story of the most unexpected sort, Martin Riker's extraordinary debut is about the ways experience is mediated, the unstoppable drive for human connection, and the struggle to be more fully alive in the world. The debut novel of author Martin Riker, "Samuel Johnson's Eternal Return" is an extraordinarily engaging and impressively crafted read from first page to last. Showcasing Riker's genuine flair for originality and narrative driven storytelling skills, "Samuel Johnson's Eternal Return" is unreservedly recommended for both community and academic library Contemporary Literary Fiction collections. It should be noted for personal reading lists that "Samuel Johnson's Eternal Return" is also available in a digital book format (Kindle, $10.19).

L. Ron Hubbard Presents Writers of the Future: Volume 35
David Farland, editor
Galaxy Press
7051 Hollywood Boulevard, Suite 200, Hollywood, CA 90028
www.galaxypress.com
www.writersofthefuture.com
9781619866041, $15.95, PB, 450pp, www.amazon.com

An internationally acclaimed anthology of award-winning science fiction and fantasy short stories and featuring 24 award-winning Sci-Fi and Fantasy authors and illustrators, this 35 volume of "L. Ron Hubbard Presents Writers of the Future" showcases the annual Galaxy Press competition featuring expertly crafted stories and art that span the gamut from hard core sci-fi to epic fantasy. One of science fiction and fantasy's most celebrated annual publications, "L. Ron Hubbard Presents Writers of the Future: Volume 35" should be considered a 'must have' addition to both community and academic library Science Fiction & Fantasy collections. It should be noted for the personal reading lists of all dedicated SciFi and Fantasy fans that "L. Ron Hubbard Presents Writers of the Future" is also available in a digital book format (Kindle, $9.99).


The Christian Studies Shelf

The Glory of Grace
Lewis Allen & Time Chester
Banner of Truth
PO Box 621, Carlisle, PA 17013
www.banneroftruth.org
9781848718340, $14.00, PB, 184pp, www.amazon.com

"The Glory of Grace: An Introduction to the Puritans in Their Own Words " address the questions of: Who were the Puritans? What did they seek to achieve? What were their successes and failures? Are they of any importance to Christians today? The story of the Puritans is what all Christians need to know in order to discover the important story of how these men and women sought to follow Jesus Christ. Their convictions resulted in a brave and joyful faith, and the writing they have left us on the Christian life continues to be a rich resource for our own discipleship. Meeting the Puritans by listening to them has enriched both of us more than we can express. And so, "The Glory of Grace" is an introduction to a people who had a deep love for Jesus Christ and a great vision for the Christian life. Each chapter contains a concise introduction followed by carefully selected excerpts from key Puritan works, together with suggestions for further reading, making it an ideal addition to personal, church, seminary, community, college, and university library Christian Studies collections in general, and Puritan History supplemental studies reading lists in particular.

Salt Lake School of the Prophets, 1867-1883
Devery S. Anderson, editor
Signature Books
www.signaturebooks.com
9781560852346, $47.95, HC, 700pp, www.amazon.com

Ministerial training was an early goal of Mormonism. The priesthood-led institution called the School of the Prophets was established in Kirtland, Ohio in 1833 by Joseph Smith and was basically a divinity school for prospective missionaries. However, instead of prophecy and revelation, the topics of study included penmanship, English grammar, arithmetic, philosophy, literature, government, geography, and history. For seven weeks there was even a course in Hebrew, but it was discontinued. Still, it was in this setting that Joseph Smith received his revelation on diet and health and some of the spiritual manifestations associated with the Kirtland temple dedication. Brigham Young re-established the school in the Salt Lake Valley in 1867; his successor, John Taylor, resuscitated it for a while in 1883. Young's emphasis was theology, first as an appendage to Deseret University, and then as a separate institution. Compiled and edited by Devery S. Anderson (who is also the editor of a three-volume documentary history of LDS temple worship), presented in "Salt Lake School of the Prophets, 1867-1883" for the first time are all available minutes for the Utah period. A seminal contribution to the growing library of Mormon historical and theological literature, "Salt Lake School of the Prophets, 1867-1883" is unreservedly recommended for community, college, and university library Mormonism collections and supplemental studies lists. It should be noted for students, academia, and non-specialist general readers with an interest in the subject that "Salt Lake School of the Prophets, 1867-1883" is also available in a digital book format (Kindle, $9.99).

Inside an Amish Home
Herald Press Editors
Herald Press
P.O. Box 866, Harrisonburg, VA 22803
www.heraldpress.com
9781513804255, $10.99, HC, 96pp, www.amazon.com

It's rare for outsiders to see inside the homes of Old Order Amish people, who live their Christian faith in community, simplicity, and humility. Impressively produced by the editorial staff of the Herald Press, "Inside an Amish Home: A Rare And Intimate Portrait" presents an Amish family home in the Midwest gives outsiders an authentic and profusely illustrated glimpse into the intimate spaces where their family life unfolds. Patterns of work, play, fellowship, and worship become visible, and the warmth and light of the rooms bear witness to their love for God and for each other. A unique and original volume, "Inside an Amish Home" is very highly recommended for personal and community library collections.

The Testament of the Lord
Alistair Stewart, translator
St. Vladimir's Seminary Press
575 Scarsdale, Road, Crestwood, NY 10707-1699
www.svspress.com
9780881416114, $25.00, PB, 170pp, www.amazon.com

The 58th volume in the 'Popular Patristics Series' from St. Vladimir's Seminary Press, "The Testament of the Lord: Worship & Discipline in the Early Church", this is one of several ancient Church Order texts. Written in the first four centuries of the Church, these are materials that directed Christian conduct and morality, ecclesiastical organization and discipline, and the Church's worship and liturgical life. Beginning with an apocalyptic section in which the risen Lord himself addresses the reader, "The Testament of the Lord" then describes the building of a church, the mode of appointment for clergy and monastics, and the conduct of daily prayers and of other liturgical services. The text is newly translated from the extant Syriac (with an eye to Ethiopic manuscripts) into English by Alistair Stewart, and the introduction makes the case for a fourth century Cappadocian redactor who gave the work its present shape, though much of its material goes back at least to the third century. An impressive work of theological scholarship, "The Testament of the Lord" is very highly recommended for personal reading lists, as well as seminary, college, and university library Christian Theology & History collections and supplemental studies curriculums.

A Parish Guide for Bereavement Ministry & Funeral Planning
Jill Maria Murdy
Twenty-Third Publications
1 Montauk Avenue, #200, New London, CT 06320
www.23rdpublications.com
9781627853927, $16.95, PB, 128pp, www.amazon.com

The death of a loved one is a shock and planning a funeral can feel like a burden in a time of stress and grief. Created for pastoral ministers, deacons, pastors and parish leaders by Jill Maria Murdy (who is currently in her 17th year as Director of Liturgy and Music at St. Frances Cabrini Parish, West Bend, Wisconsin), "A Parish Guide for Bereavement Ministry & Funeral Planning" is a helpful resource to pastorally accompany Catholic funeral planning -- either in advance of or after the death of a loved one. It is also a comforting planning tool for Catholics to have at home when facing aging or illness. An essential resource in for use in the chapel or to be handed out to families after an anointing, "A Parish Guide for Bereavement Ministry & Funeral Planning" will prove to be an enduring and invaluable instructional reference and resource.


The Judaic Studies Shelf

The Intellect and the Exodus
Jeremy Kagan
The Toby Press
c/o Koren Publishers Jerusalem Ltd.
PO Box 8531, New Milford, CT 06776-8531
www.tobypress.com
9781592645138, $29.95, HC, 316pp, www.amazon.com

Developing the Judaic concept of emuna, or faith in God, is extraordinarily challenging in our day. Emuna may have sat comfortably with us as we dwelt among the worshiping cultures of the ancient Near East. But several thousand years of exposure to rationally based Western cultures has transformed our consciousness, personalities, and outlook to the point that God often seems like an idea pasted incongruously onto our vision of reality. How can we achieve an emuna that is integrated, consistent with our rational context, yet still retains its Near Eastern soul? In 'Intellect and the Exodus', Rabbi Jeremy Kagan traces the history of our experience of emuna, building on the perspective it provides to gain powerful insights into the nature of emuna in the modern world. He then shows how the story of the Exodus is structured to foster a perception of reality in us, out of which an awareness of God emerges naturally. That perceptual component, however, must be complimented with an inner sense of God that has a genuine basis. That basis is to be sought in the depths of the self. Exceptionally well written, organized, presented, thoughtful and thought-provoking, "The Intellect and the Exodus" is an extraordinary, engaging, and unreservedly recommended addition to personal, rabbinic, college, and university library Judaic Theology collections and supplemental studies lists.


The Sports Shelf

Rock Climbing Anchors, second edition
Topher Donahue & Craig Luebben
Mountaineers Books
1001 SW Klickitat Way, Suite 201, Seattle, WA 98134-1161
www.mountaineersbooks.org
9781680511406, $24.95, PB, 288pp, www.amazon.com

Now in a fully updated and expanded second edition, "Rock Climbing Anchors: A Comprehensive Guide" by Topher Donahue (who at the age of 14 was one of the youngest American climbing guides in the history of the sport) and Craig Luebben (an AMGA certified guide and instructor) offers a complete and profusely illustrated course of instruction that will prove to be of life-saving value for all rock climbing enthusiasts from the absolute novice to the seasoned professional. Exceptionally well written, organized and presented, this new edition of "Rock Climbing Anchors" is thoroughly 'user friendly' throughout and unreservedly recommended for personal, professional, community, college, and university library rock climbing instructional reference collections.

It's Hard. But It's Fair
Charles M. Choice
Dorrance Publishing Company
585 Alpha Drive, Suite 103, Pittsburgh, PA 15238
www.dorrancepublishing.com
9781480954649, $30.00, PB, 150pp, www.amazon.com

In the pages of "It's Hard. But It's Fair", Charles M. Choice shares his experiences of the Major League as the father of player Michael Choice. Michael is a hardworking, dedicated, and talented baseball player who has had his dad and other family members supporting him along the way. Through Charles' eyes, we see what it took for Michael to get to the show. Michael and Charles' story will prove that dreams do come true. An inherently fascinating and informative read for anyone with an interest in professional baseball, "It's Hard. But It's Fair" is a unique and highly recommended addition to personal reading lists and community library Sports/Athletics collections.


The Technology Shelf

Learn Robotics with Raspberry Pi
Matt Timmons-Brown
No Starch Press
245 - 8th Street, San Francisco, CO 94103-3910
www.nostarch.com
9781593279202, $24.95, 240pp, www.amazon.com

Matt Timmons-Brown is the creator of the world's most-popular Raspberry Pi YouTube channel: The Raspberry Pi Guy. In "Learn Robotics with Raspberry Pi" Matt daws upon his years of experience and expertise to take even the most inexperienced robot makers to becoming a successful and accomplished robot builder. Aspiring robot makers will start off building a two-wheeled robot powered by a Raspberry Pi minicomputer and then program it using Python, the world's most popular programming language. Gradually showing how to improve a robot by adding increasingly advanced functionality until it can follow lines, avoid obstacles, and even recognize objects of a certain size and color using computer vision. "Learn Robotics with Raspberry Pi" shows how to: Control a robot remotely using only a Wii remote; Teach a robot to use sensors to avoid obstacles; Program a robot to follow a line autonomously; Customize a robot with LEDs and speakers to make it light up and play sounds; See what a robot sees with a Pi Camera. Also covered are such fundamental electronics skills as: How to wire up parts; Use resistors and regulators; Determine how much power the robot needs. By the end, aspiring robot makers will have learned the basics of coding in Python and know enough about working with hardware like LEDs, motors, and sensors to expand their creations beyond simple robots. Exceptionally and accessibly well organized, illustrated, and thoroughly 'user friendly' in presentation, "Learn Robotics with Raspberry Pi" is unreservedly recommended for school and community library Contemporary Technology & Robotics instructional reference collections. It should be noted for personal reading lists that "Learn Robotics with Raspberry Pi" is also available in a digital book format (Kindle, $14.99).


The Health/Medicine Shelf

The 6 Keys
Jillian Michaels
Little, Brown & Company
c/o Hachette Book Group
1290 Avenue of the Americas, New York, NY 10104
www.hachettebookgroup.com
9780316448642, $28.00, HC, 304pp, www.amazon.com

With "The 6 Keys: Unlock Your Genetic Potential for Ageless Strength, Health, and Beauty", Jillian Michaels shows how to conquer the mayhem, myths, and misunderstandings associated with aging. Scientists and doctors have identified six major age inciters: Metabolism; Damaged Macromolecules; Epigenetics; Inflammation; Stress Adaptation; Telomeres. "The 6 Keys" presents an ageless health, fitness, and beauty plan that addresses all six of them -- and gets them working for you instead of against you. Empowering and rigorously researched, "The 6 Keys" outlines powerful lifestyle interventions, dietary guidelines, exercise plans, and vanguard strategies for cultivating mindfulness that restore and protect human performance, keeping fit, healthy, and beautiful for life. Exceptionally well written, organized and presented, "The 6 Keys" is impressively 'user friendly' and real world practical, making it an ideal and unreservedly recommended addition to community library Health & Medicine collections. It should be noted for personal reading lists that "The 6 Keys" is also available in a digital book format (Kindle, $14.99).


The Self-Help Shelf

Feed Your Soul
Carly Pollack
New World Library
14 Pamaron Way, Novato, CA 94949
www.newworldlibrary.com
9781608685783, $16.95, PB, 192pp, www.amazon.com

Countless diets, cleanses, and thirty-day challenges are geared to help people lose weight, heal their digestion, and have more energy. Yet these temporary protocols fall short when it comes to true transformation. Nutritionist Carly Pollack lived a vicious cycle of weight ups and downs until trial and error, and over a decade of formal study in health and healing, led her to the insights she has since shared with thousands. In the pages of "Feed Your Soul: Nutritional Wisdom to Lose Weight Permanently and Live Fulfilled", Carly presents her unique understanding of body science, brain wiring, and spiritual principles to facilitate real, lasting change. Carly helps you reframe your thinking to, for example, see comfort foods as the numbing toxins they truly are and focus on long-term goals rather than immediate gratification. This no-nonsense guide will show you how feeding your soul can change your life, your health, and your body. Exceptionally well written, organized, presented, and 'real world' practical, if you only have time for one self-help title this year, make it Carly Pollack's "Feed Your Soul". While very highly recommended, especially for community library Self-Help/Self-Improvement collections, it should be noted for personal reading lists that "Feed Your Soul" is also available in a digital book format (Kindle, $9.99).

Growing Forward When You Can't Go Back
Laurie Pawlik
Bethany House Publishers
c/o Baker Publishing Group
6030 East Fulton Road, Ada, MI 49301
www.bethanyhouse.com
9780764232176, $12.99, PB, 208pp, www.amazon.com

After life is shattered by loss or a traumatic experience (whether big or small) it can seem impossible to heal or even move on. Deep down you believe God intends good for you, but you just don't have the energy or strength to figure out how to move forward. Author Laurie Pawlik (a writer with 25 years of teaching, social work, and Bible study experience) has been there, and In "Growing Forward When You Can't Go Back" she shares how she was able to flourish despite multiple losses. Through practical tips and thought-provoking questions, Laurie helps her readers to take small yet powerful steps toward healing and letting go. She also offers insights and encouragement from the lives of strong women in the Bible. Readers will glimpse the painful losses these women experienced and learn how they flourished despite seasons of hardship and grief; discover how God shows His presence and power in the valleys, deserts, and storms; and you'll feel a fresh sense of hope that, with God, we can redefine ourselves, remake our lives, and grow forward into a beautiful new season. While very highly recommended for personal and community library Self-Help/Self-Improvement collections, it should be noted for personal reading lists that "Growing Forward When You Can't Go Back" is also available in a digital book format (Kindle, $8.99).


The Graphic Novel Shelf

The Valley of Fear
Rodolphe, author
Leo, illustrator
Cinebook Ltd.
www.cinebook.com
c/o National Book Network (dist.)
www.nbnbooks.com
9781849183949, $11.95, PB, 48pp, www.amazon.com

Trent's superior tasks him with helping a lady who came to the police to report the disappearance of her husband. The Canadian mounted police sergeant is stunned to discover that the woman he has been assigned to assist is Agnes -- the woman he is still in love with. Her husband is the manager of a railway construction site far to the northwest, and he hasn't been heard from in weeks. Worse, his last letters spoke of a mysterious danger threatening the camp. The pair go to investigate. The fourth volume in the Trent graphic novel series by author Rodolphe and illustrator Leo is a compelling read from cover to cover and while very highly recommended, especially for community library graphic novel collections, it should be noted for personal reading lists that "The Valley of Fear" is also available in a digital book format (Kindle, $5.99).

Bear's Tooth: Werner
Yann, author
Alain Henriet, illustrator
Cinebook Ltd.
www.cinebook.com
c/o National Book Network (dist.)
www.nbnbooks.com
9781849183512, $11.95, 48pp, www.amazon.com

It is April 1945 and the Third Reich is collapsing. In Berlin, surrounded by Soviet troops, a small aircraft lands under enemy fire. Daring pilot Hanna Reitsch escorts an important officer to Hitler's bunker -- and is granted an audience with the Fuhrer, from which she emerges visibly upset. Meanwhile, in a German hospital in the countryside, Max comes to after a long coma. His task remains the same: to kill Hanna. But what new mission has she been given? The third and final book of the 'Bear's Tooth' trilogy, "Werner" is a simply riveting graphic novel from first page to last. Superbly illustrated by Alain Henriet whose artwork brings Yann's original story fully to life, "Bear's Tooth: Werner" will prove to be an extraordinary and enduringly popular addition to community library graphic novel collections. It should be noted for personal reading lists that "Bear Tooth: Werner" is also available in a digital book format (Kindle, $3.99).

Kriss of Valnor
Jean Van Hamme, author
Grzegorz Rosinski, illustrator
Cinebook Ltd.
www.cinebook.com
c/o National Book Network (dist.)
www.nbnbooks.com
9781849184229, $11.95, PB, 48pp, www.amazon.com

Continuing one of the best graphic novel ancient action/adventure series, "Kriss of Valnor" continues the story of Thorgal with his wife Aaricia and her children being sold as slaves to an Imperial prince who believes that the northern warrior has died. But Thorgal's family refuse to believe that he is dead, and keep trying to escape, eventually wearing off their new owner's patience. Condemned to a year of hard labour in the silver mines, Aaricia and the children meet someone unexpected there: Kriss of Valnor, a wielding the whip of a forewoman who is yet a prisoner like them. Despite their mutual hatred, the two women will have to work together to escape. A deftly crafted chapter of story that is superbly crafted by Grzergorz Rosinski fully supported by the artwork of Jean Van Hamme, it should be noted for personal reading lists that "Kriss of Valnor" is also available in a digital book format (Kindle, $5.99).


The Audiobook Shelf

The Strange Birth, Short Life, and Sudden Death of Justice Girl
Julian David Stone, author
Read by Stefan Rudnicki
www.JulianDavidStone.com
Blackstone Audiobooks
31 Mistletoe Road, Ashland, OR 97520
www.BlackstoneAudio.com
9781504768023 $39.95 amazon.com

Award-winning director and writer Julian David Stone presents The Strange Birth, Short Life, and Sudden Death of Justice Girl, now in an unabridged audiobook rendition masterfully performed by Grammy and Audie Award winner Stefan Rudnicki. The novel is set in 1955 New York City, following scriptwriter Johnny Dirby, who walks away from his steady job to protest rampant McCarthyism. Dirby's last-second tweaks to a Superman-inspired parody kick off the shockingly popular success of the heroine "Justice Girl", and thrust him into the unexpected spotlight. An actress out to blacklist Dirby, a network president desperate to get complete control of the "Justice Girl" show, a rapturous legion of Justice Girl fans and more populate this tongue- in-cheek, twentieth-century parable. Highly recommended! 12 CDs, 14 1/2 hours.

Team of Vipers
Cliff Sims
Macmillan Audio
175 Fifth Avenue, Suite 315, New York, NY 10010
www.macmillanaudio.com
9781250238184, $39.99, CD, www.amazon.com

For the Trump administration's first 500 days, Cliff Sims stood with at the side of President Donald J. Trump in the eye of the political storm raging inside and around the presidency. Now having left that administration he has written and narrated a complete and unabridged audio book for his insider's 'tell all' memoir "Team of Vipers". Sims tells the story that no one else has written -- simply because no one else could. His is personal and candid story of what it was really like in the West Wing as a member of the President's team. "Team of Vipers" is a revelatory story of power and palace intrigue, backstabbing and bold victories, as well as painful moral compromises -- occasionally with himself. Very highly recommended for anyone with an interest in the Trump administration and current politics on the national level, "Team of Vipers" will prove to be an extraordinarily timely and popular addition to both community and academic library audio book and Political Science collections.

Where'd You Go, Bernadette
Maria Semple, author
Read by Kathleen Wilhoite
Hachette Audio
1290 Avenue of the Americas, New York, NY 10104
www.HachetteAudio.com
9781549113512 $20.00 amazon.com

Where'd You Go, Bernadette is the unabridged audiobook rendition of unique novel (which has been adapted into a major motion picture starring Cate Blanchett) about a nuclear family with complicated connections and hidden secrets. When fifteen-year-old Bee earns a family trip to Antarctica as a reward for her stellar grades, her agoraphobic mother Bernadette tries to prepare for travel. But after years of attempting to adapt to life in Seattle, Bernadette is on the brink of total collapse. Disasters pile up, Bernadette disappears, and Bee and her father are left in the lurch. Bee tries to piece together what happened and why through emails, invoices, school memos, and more. Poignant, profound, and superbly performed by Kathleen Wilhoite, Where'd You Go Bernadette is highly recommended for both personal and public library audiobook collections. 9 CDs, 9.5 hours.

All In
Shelley Shepard Gray, author
Read by Tavia Gilbert
Blackstone Audiobooks
31 Mistletoe Road, Ashland, OR 97520
www.BlackstoneAudio.com
9781538427668 $32.95 amazon.com

Masterfully performed by award-winning narrator Tavia Gilbert, All In is the unabridged audiobook rendition of an original romance novel between Meredith Hunt, the independent- minded owner of a successful Pilates studio, and Ace Vance, a single father who fixes classic cars for a living. Their first meeting is a chance encounter, in which Ace rescues Meredith from a mugger. A spark of attraction with the potential to blossom into something far greater starts to form, but both Meredith and Ace have their own emotional obstacles to overcome. Thoughtful and heartwarming, All In is a choice delight for connoisseurs of the genre, highly recommended for romance audiobook connoisseurs and public library collections. 7 CDs, 8 hours.

True Yoga
Jennie Lee, author and performer
Brilliance Corporation
PO Box 887, Grand Haven, MI 49417
www.brillianceaudio.com
9781721307005 $19.99 amazon.com

True Yoga: Practicing with the Yoga Sutras for Happiness & Spiritual Fulfillment is an unabridged MP3 audiobook (plays on MP3-CD enabled players or transfers to portable devices) by yoga therapist Jennie Lee. Here are practical methods that anyone can learn to maintain positive thoughts, keep stress under control, improve communication, and more. Lee breaks down the Eight Limbs of Yoga, as outlined in the Yoga Sutras, into thoroughly accessible plain terms. Yoga is an excellent practice to foster harmony in body, mind, and spirit; True Yoga is a superb guide to harnessing timeless wisdom, in order to transform one's life for the better. Highly recommended. 1 disc, 5 hours 58 min.


The Music CD Shelf

Man Made Fire
Petite Celine
Privately Published
$TBA www.petiteceline.com

Franco-American indie singer Petite Celine presents Man Made Fire, her new indie pop album that freely incorporates global elements, even phrases from other languages (Spanish, Portuguese, French, or German) in brief passages. Passionate, vivacious, and brimming with energy, Man Made Fire sets the imagination alight! Highly recommended, especially for connoisseurs of the genre. The tracks are "We Were All Good Kids", "Explorame", "Que Sommes Nous", "No No More", "Man Made Fire", "Cartographers", "Wine and Cheese", "Jezebel", "The Great Unknown", and "Tigre Fondant".


The DVD Shelf

Beginner Tai Chi for Health
Helen Liang
YMAA Publications
PO Box 480, Wolfeboro, NH 03894-0480
www.ymaa.com
9781594396694 $29.95 amazon.com

Beginner Tai Chi for Health is a fitness DVD guide created especially for beginners, offering a mirror-view workout that is easy to follow. Tai Chi is an ancient practice excellent for improving strength, flexibility, balance, posture, and grace. Tai Chi master Helen Liang leads the viewer through a qigong warm-up, a Tai Chi class, and a cool down meditation. A separate chapter offers step-by-step instructions of the 16-movement Tai Chi form, shown from multiple angles. No exercise equipment is required. Beginner Tai Chi for Health is a superb resource, and its energizing core routine can be performed in as little as fifteen minutes - perfect for people who are short on time. Highly recommended! 92 min.

Ackley Bridge, series 2
Acorn Media
c/o RLJ Entertainment
www.us.RLJEntertainment.com
$59.99 www.acornonline.com

Set in a fictional twenty-first century town, Ackley Bridge is an award-winning, school-based British drama; now series 2 is available on DVD. Series 2 continues the complicated saga of a high school striving to integrate its community of white and Pakistani residents. Here are tales of an intelligent young student who conceals her sexual identity beneath a false engagement; a girl struggling to maintain stability in spite of her drug-addicted mother; and a strict headmistress whose academic regime frustrates both staff and students. A dramatic, character-driven exploration of the strengths and weaknesses of human nature, Ackley Bridge is highly recommended. Bonus materials include a recap of series 1 and behind-the-scenes featurettes. 12 episodes on 3 DVDs, 576 mi. plus bonus, SDH subtitles.

The Simple Heist, series 1
Acorn Media
c/o RLJ Entertainment
www.us.RLJEntertainment.com
www.acornonline.com
$39.99 amazon.com

The Simple Heist, series 1 begins an unorthodox crime drama on DVD, filmed in Swedish with English subtitles. Two women in their sixties, struggling and on the brink of poverty, decide to engage in a crime spree to secure money and take control of their lives. But their scheme quicky goes awry, and both women become enmeshed in blackmail, car chases, and the threat of a deadly biker gang. Elements of dry, tongue-in-cheek satire permeate this dark, riveting thrill ride! 6 episodes on 2 DVDs, 276 min., widescreen.


The Railroading Shelf

Gloucester Locomotive Sheds
Steve Bartlett
Pen & Sword Books
c/o Casemate (distribution)
www.casematepublishers.com
https://www.pen-and-sword.co.uk
9781473875593, $49.95, HC, 232pp, www.amazon.com

Gloucester, England was a busy and fascinating rail center where ex-GWR and ex-LMS (Midland Railway) routes met, each with main line passenger and freight services, local passenger trains and extensive freight trips providing an endless panorama of railway activity. In the pages of "Gloucester Locomotive Sheds: Horton Road & Barnwood" by Steve Bartlett (who is a fourth generation railwayman), the principal ex-GWR Gloucester Horton Road and ex-LMS (Midland Railway) Gloucester Barnwood motive power depots are covered in depth with their locomotive allocations, operational duties and changing responsibilities over the years fully described. Not forgotten are both depots' sub-sheds at Brimscombe, Cheltenham Malvern Road, Lydney, Ross-on-Wye, Dursley and Tewkesbury along with the duties and local routes that they covered. An in-depth study that is visually supported with more than 200 black and white period photographs, many of which are previously unpublished, each of the motive power depots covered are supported by detailed plans of the shed layouts. A comprehensively detailed historical study, "Gloucester Locomotive Sheds: Horton Road & Barnwood" is an impressively informed and informative volume that is wholeheartedly recommended for both community and academic library British Railroading History collections and supplemental studies lists. It should be noted for the personal reading lists of dedicated railroading enthusiasts that "Gloucester Locomotive Sheds: Horton Road & Barnwood" is also available in a digital book format (Kindle, $23.97).

Great Western Railway Gallery
Laurence Waters
Pen & Sword Books
c/o Casemate (distribution)
www.casematepublishers.com
https://www.pen-and-sword.co.uk
9781526707031, $60.00, HC, 224pp, www.amazon.com

For decades, the great Western or 'Gods' Wonderful Railway' was arguably the most famous railway in England. Much of that original railway that survives today was the work of one of the greatest engineers of his time, Isambard Kingdom Brunel. The company was also served by locomotive engineers such as Gooch, Armstrong, Churchward, Collett and Hawksworth, who produced a series of locomotives that were well designed, elegant and powerful. Using previously unpublished material from the extensive 'Great Western Trust' collection at Didcot Railway Centre, "Great Western Railway Gallery: A Pictorial Journey Through Time" by retired professional photographer and photography teacher Laurence Waters wonderfully and informatively illustrates in both black and white and color many facets that made the Great Western 'Great'. An exceptional photographic study, the "Great Western Railway Gallery" will be an enduringly valued and appreciated addition to personal, community, and academic library Railroading History collections and supplemental studies reading lists. It should be noted for personal reading lists of dedicated railway buffs that "Great Western Railway Gallery" is also available in a digital book format (Kindle, $28.80).


The Political Science Shelf

From Crisis to Communisation
Gilles Dauve
PM Press
PO Box 23912, Oakland, CA 94623
www.pmpress.org
9781629630991, $16.95, PB, 192pp, www.amazon.com

Rising out of the radical Marxist French millieu and events of 1968 to criticize global capitalism and encourage revolution in theory and practice, "From Crisis to Communisation" by Gilles Dauve places libertarian communist theory in historical and contemporary context. Communisation means something quite straightforward: a revolution that starts to change social relations immediately. The concept was born out of a specific period, and this book investigates how people personally and collectively experienced the crises of the 1960s and 1970s. The notion is now developing in the maelstrom of a new crisis, among other reasons because of its ecological dimension, that has the scope and magnitude of a crisis of civilization. "From Crisis to Communisation" does not glorify existing struggles as if their present accumulation was enough to result in revolution. Radical theory is only meaningful if it addresses the question of how can proletarian resistance to exploitation and dispossession achieve more than aggravate the crisis? How can it reshape the world? An erudite, thoughtful, and thought-provoking study, "From Crisis to Communisation" is an especially and unreservedly recommended addition to both community and academic library Contemporary Political Science collections and supplemental studies lists. It should be noted for the personal reading lists of students, academia, and non- specialist general readers with an interest in the subject that "From Crisis to Communisation" is also available in a digital book format (Kindle, $7.99).


The Needlecraft Shelf

sew + quilt
Susan Beal
The Taunton Press
63 South Main Street, Newtown, CT 06470
www.taunton.com
9781631869365, $24.95, PB, 160pp, www.amazon.com

In the pages of "sew + quilt: techniques + projects for hand-stitching + patchwork", experienced needlecrafter Susan Beal provides clear, step-by-step instructions for 4 fundamental hand-stitching techniques and 4 foundational quilt blocks as the foundation for learning how to use hand-stitching as an embellishment to add texture and color to quilt projects. Each fundamental technique includes a small project as a learning tool, followed by 12 more-generous yet accessible patchwork projects that build on the basics. A mix of traditional and modern patterns for both smaller, faster quilts and larger quilts. Step-by-step instruction, with lots of illustrations and photos, plus tips and advice on everything a quilter needs to experience the joy of making something beautiful and personal. Beautifully and usefully illustrated throughout, "sew + quilt" is an ideal instructional guide and reference for beginning quilting students, and unreservedly recommended for community library Needlecraft & Quilting collections.

Colorful Batik Panel Quilts
Judith Vincentz Gula
Landauer Publishing
c/o Fox Chapel Publishing Company
1970 Broad Street N., East Petersburg, PA 17520
www.FoxChapelPublishing.com
9781947163058, $14.99, PB, 64pp, www.amazon.com

Batik is a technique of wax-resist dyeing applied to whole cloth, or cloth made using this technique which originated from Indonesia. Batik is made either by drawing dots and lines of the resist with a spouted tool called a canting, or by printing the resist with a copper stamp called a cap. The applied wax resists dyes and therefore allows the artisan to color selectively by soaking the cloth in one color, removing the wax with boiling water, and repeating if multiple colors are desired. In the profusely illustrated pages of "Colorful Batik Panel Quilts" fabric artist Judy Gula shows how to use hand-made batik panels in traditional quilt settings, or turn them into works of art with the addition of embellishment. The creative journey begins with an introduction to Judy's design process, and then moves on to 3 easy step-by-step projects and a gallery tour of 24 stunning art quilts. With "Colorful Batik Panel Quilts" even the most novice of quilting enthusiasts will learn how to make one-of-a-kind art quilts and home decor with instructions for embellishing with borders, beading, free-motion quilting, and more -- plus a step-by-step guide to 15 hand stitches! Thoroughly 'user friendly' in organization and presentation, "Colorful Batik Panel Quilts" is very highly recommended for personal, professional, and community library Needlecraft instructional reference collections.


The Woodworking Shelf

Wooden Toy Spacecraft
Gonzalo Ferreyra
Spring House Press
www.springhousepress.com
9781940611839, $24.95, PB, 168pp, www.amazon.com

Making toys out of wood is an ancient and honored activity in every culture around the world. In the 20th Century, wooden toy designs have changed very little since long before we first landed on the moon: plenty of cars, p-prop planes, trucks, and trains -- and, yes, that occasional Buck Rodgers-era rocket. But few projects that hinted at the world of the future. Now in the pages of "Wooden Toy Spacecraft" by woodworking expert Gonzalo Ferreyra, the iconic wooden toy blasts off into the 21st century with a do-it-yourself compendium of 12 state-of-the-art spacecraft that can be built in a weekend. Going well beyond tired old rocket ships, "Wooden Toy Spacecraft" offers up an intergalactic fleet of original designs that can fly proudly alongside the classics kids (and adults!) know from film, television, and our real-world history of space exploration. Dozens of detailed photographs and clear, concise instructions make even the most challenging techniques easy to conquer. With a few pieces of lumber, some cut-offs from a scrap box, and a healthy dose of future-vision, space geeks of all ages can craft a beautiful, awe-inspiring vehicle to proudly display or to gift to that special kid for hours of imaginative play. Unique, original, fun, and thoroughly 'user friendly' in organization and presentation, "Wooden Toy Spacecraft" is unreservedly recommended to all dedicated woodworkers and toymakers!

Slingshots & Key Hooks
Geoffrey Fisher
Fox Chapel Publishing Company
1970 Broad Street N., East Petersburg, PA 17520
www.FoxChapelPublishing.com
9781497100046, $19.99, PB, 144pp, www.amazon.com

With information on how to forage responsibly and suggestions on sources for the best wood to use, Geoffrey Fisher shows how the natural bounty of woodland can be used to stunning effect in the creation of fifteen everyday objects made from foraged and gathered wood. Whether building a bee hotel or an insect house to help your garden's ecosystem thrive, crafting a slingshot, whistle, jump rope or cup and ball game to give away, or making a key hook or table brush to organize your home, the result of each will be entirely unique while also effortlessly stylish. In the profusely illustrated pages of "Slingshots & Key Hooks" are to be found all the basic woodworking techniques and tools for each individual project -- plus Geoffrey also shows how best to prepare materials, including checking for disease, drying and stripping bark. Of special note is the provision of a detailed guide for establishing an essential tool kit. Thoroughly 'user friendly' in organization and presentation, "Slingshots & Key Hooks" is unreservedly recommended for personal, school woodshop, and community library woodworking instructional reference collections.


The Fishing Shelf

The Hunt for Giant Trout
Landon Mayer
Stackpole Books
5067 Ritter Road, Mechanicsburg, PA 17055-6921
www.stackpolebooks.com
9780811737197, $29.95, PB, 224pp, www.amazon.com

The waters in the United States that grow extremely large trout have for many years been closely guarded, and the techniques for catching these large fish were only known by a select group of die hard anglers. Compiled by Landon Mayer, "The Hunt for Giant Trout: 25 Best Places in the United States to Catch a Trophy" is listing of top destinations in the US for trophy trout and features interviews with expert guides and fly designers, stunning images, and essential where-to and timing information to increase your chances of success. In the pages of "The Hunt for Giant Trout", Landon Mayer and several others (expert anglers all) deftly describe in detail how to hunt giants from Alaska to Maine, revealing what makes each fish and fishery unique; including over 30 distinct patterns and recipes for tying them. With essential advice and tips from top anglers such as Dave Whitlock, Pat Dorsey, Blane Chocklette, Tommy Lynch, Nanci Morris Lyon, Arlo Townsend, Chad Johnson, and many more, "The Hunt for Giant Trout" is an extraordinary, profusely illustrated, and unreservedly recommended addition to personal, professional, and community library instructional reference collections for the sport of freshwater fishing.


The Metaphysical Studies Shelf

The Secrets of the Universe in 100 Symbols
Sarah Bartlett
Chartwell Books
c/o Quarto Publishing Group USA
400 First Avenue North, Suite 400, Minneapolis, MN 55401-1722
www.quartoknows.com
9780785836964, $14.99, HC, 256pp, www.amazon.com

Symbols carry weight and significance. Over time they grow as different cultures attribute new meanings to old signs. For example, the swastika, widely known now to be the key symbol for Hitler's Nazi party, used to be a Buddhist symbol for success. From the Aztec Calendar Stone and the Spear of Destiny, to magic circles and Navaho sand paintings, each relic, symbol, and depiction is presented and analyzed in detail to reveal the beliefs and practices of past civilizations from all around the globe. Philosophers, astrologers, prophets, poets, and artists from every age and culture have whispered secrets to pharaohs, statesmen, kings, and queens. In Renaissance Europe, two powerful women (Catherine of Medici and, later, Elizabeth I of England) patronized the most important magi of the time. John Dee's obsidian mirror revealed the future of the nation to Elizabeth, while Nostradamus divulged spiritually inspired prophecies to Catherine at the Musee du Louvre in Paris. Organized into three chapters (The Art of Divination; Enchantments, Symbols, and Talismans; and In Search of Secret Knowledge) Sarah Bartlett's "The Secrets of the Universe in 100 Symbols" provides an engaging and informative text that brings to light for a new generation of readers the secrets and intrigues that surround each mysterious object and the obscure arts of the people who used them, while highlighting how to decode their signs and symbols. Certain to be an immediate and enduringly popular addition to community and academic library Metaphysical Studies collections, as well as the personal reading lists of students and non-specialist general readers with an interest in the subject.

Water Witchcraft
Annwyn Avalon
Weiser Books
c/o Red Wheel/Weiser/Conari
65 Parker Street, Suite 7, Newburyport, MA 01950
www.redwheelweiser.com
9781578636464, $16.95, PB, 288pp, www.amazon.com

Annwyn Avalon is a witch, priestess, and the founder of Triskele Rose, an Avalonian witchcraft tradition. She has devoted her life to the study of art, witchcraft, and magic. In "Water Witchcraft: Magic and Lore from the Celtic Tradition" she draws upon her years of experience and expertise to take her readers into the world of water magic. The water magic and lore in this informative and instructional volume focuses on the Celtic tradition, but draws on other water magic traditions as well, and features rainwater, as well as lakes, rivers, oceans, canals, swamps, and other watery locations, together with the folk and magical customs that have been and are still practiced at these places. "Water Witchcraft" also teaches the reader how to set up a water altar at home, how to connect with water spirits, and how to gather or create water witch tools. Readers are encouraged to visit local water sites but will also find an abundance of material to perform at home. Included are practical examples, visualizations, and exercises so any reader can start to take up spell work and establish their spiritual connection to water. Exceptionally 'user friendly' in tone, commentary, organization and presentation, "Water Witchcraft" is unreservedly recommended for community and academic library Metaphysical Studies collections. It should be noted for personal reading lists that "Water Witchcraft" is also available in a digital book format (Kindle, $9.99).


The LGBT Studies Shelf

Her Widow
Joan Alden
Dog Ear Publishing
4011 Vincennes Road, New Augusta, IN 46268-3005
www.dogearpublishing.net
9781457562983, $18.00, PB, 202pp, www.amazon.com

In "Her Widow", Joan Alden provides a candid account of a shared life between an professional photographer and art director for Harper Collins and her novelist and painter partner during a single and especially eventful year. Exceptionally well written and a thoroughly engaging read from cover to cover, "Her Widow" is a truly compelling and memorable story of love and loss, romance and marriage, and the ultimate resilience of the human spirit. While very highly recommended, especially for community and academic library Contemporary American Biography and LGBT collections, it should be noted for personal reading lists that "Her Widow" is also available in a digital book format (Kindle, $9.99).


The Gardening Shelf

In Bloom
Clare Nolan
CompanionHouse Books
c/o Fox Chapel Publishing Company
1970 Broad Street N., East Petersburg, PA 17520
www.FoxChapelPublishing.com
9781620083284, $26.99, PB, 288pp, www.amazon.com

Now anyone can enhance the appearance of their home with flowers after reading "In Bloom: Growing, Harvesting, and Arranging Homegrown Flowers All Year Round", a beautifully designed instructional reference and guide that is fairly brimming with inspirational photographs. This is where Clare Nolan reveals her secrets for growing a bountiful harvest as well as styling spectacular displays that will fill your home with color and the gorgeous scent of the garden year-round. Clare takes the mystique out of the growing process ranging from choosing the plants to suit both your garden and home and laying out your cutting patch, to planning ahead so you get your perfect palette of color, texture and shape to play with at the right time. An entire chapter on arranging will inspire you to create spectacular arrangements for your home without the need for complicated floristry techniques. Being able to step out of the back door and pick a single stem for beside the bed, pull together a posy for a friend or create a colorful centerpiece is an exciting and rewarding addition to the whole "grow your own" experience. With "In Boom" is it possible to grow your own flower shop at the bottom of your garden! Beautifully and profusely illustrated in full color throughout, "In Bloom" is unreservedly recommended for personal and community library collections. It should be noted for personal reading lists that "In Bloom" is also available in a digital book format (Kindle, $25.64).


The Humor Shelf

The Ultimate Droodles Compendium
Roger Price, artist
Arranged and annotated by Fritz Holznagel
Tallfellow Press
www.Tallfellow.com
9781931290692 $16.95 amazon.com

The Ultimate Droodles Compendium collects the simple yet hilarious drawings of Roger Price, known simply as droodles. For example, the droodle of "Pig Emerging from a Fog Bank" shows only a pig snout in grey. Fritz Holznagel provides illuminating annotations, as well as a supplementary section with a brief biography of Roger Price and his droodles. A unique treasure for connoisseurs of minimalist wit, The Ultimate Droodles Compendium is highly recommended.


The Psychology Shelf

The Psychology of Zelda
Edited by Anthony M. Bean, PhD
BenBella Books
10300 N. Central Expressway, Ste 400, Dallas, TX 75204
www.benbellabooks.com
9781946885340 $16.95 pbk / $9.95 Kindle amazon.com

The Psychology of Zelda: Linking Our World to the Legend of Zelda Series is an anthology of essays by learned doctors, psychologists, and clinicians contemplating the ramifications of the popular and iconic "Legend of Zelda" video game series. Individual writings include "It's Dangerous to Go Alone: The Hero's Journey in the Legend of Zelda", "The Song of the Ritos: The Psychology of the Music within the Legend of Zelda Series", "The Legend Herself: From Damsel in Distress to Princess of Power", and much more. Psychologists and lay readers alike will enjoy this new medley of learned perspective on a popular video game and its reflections on the human condition. Highly recommended.


The Wisconsin Shelf

The Making of Pioneer Wisconsin
Michael E. Stevens
Wisconsin Historical Society Press
816 State Street, Madison, WI 53575
www.wisconsinhistory.org
9780870208898 $18.95 amazon.com

Enhanced with an index for ease of reference, The Making of Pioneer Wisconsin: Voices of Early Settlers collects a wealth of primary testimonies from settlers who established homes in Wisconsin between the mid-1830s and 1850. A black man speaks open about his love of "sweet freedom"; a young wife confronts life far away from her friends and family; a teenager ruminates about heading westward. Here are letters, diaries, and newspaper articles, together offering a rich picture of trials, hardship, and hope. Scholarly text provides nuanced context to this welcome contribution to public library Wisconsin History collections. Highly recommended.

Wisconsin Post Office Mural Guidebook
David W. Gates Jr.
Post Office Fans
PO Box 11, Crystal Lake, IL 60039
www.postofficefans.com
9781970088090, $9.95, PB, 52pp, www.amazon.com

David W. Gates Jr. is a post office enthusiast who has traveled thousands of miles nationwide in search of historic post office buildings and art. He regularly blogs about his work at: www.PostOfficeFans.com. Some of Wisconsin's 35 New Deal era post office buildings house historic artwork created during the Great Depression of the 1930s. Not all the murals remain in their original location. In some cases, the fate of the art, and buildings remains unknown. The "Wisconsin Post Office Mural Guidebook" identifies which towns have murals and which ones have been moved. "The Wisconsin Post Office Mural Guidebook" also covers: What buildings and towns have murals viewable by the public; What buildings have been sold and if the artwork moved; What buildings are privately owned, removing access to the public; What murals have been destroyed. This is the perfect book for the post office enthusiasts and history buffs; for up-to-date photos and additional stories, you can go to www.postofficefans.com. While a unique and unreservedly recommended addition to all Wisconsin community, college, and university library collections, it should be noted for personal reading lists that the "Wisconsin Post Office Mural Guidebook" is also available in a digital book format (Kindle, $3.99).


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