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Wisconsin Bookwatch

Volume 16, Number 10 October 2021 Home | WBW Index

Table of Contents

Reviewer's Choice Cookbook Shelf Gardening Shelf
Beer/Wine/Spirits Shelf Graphic Novel Shelf Audiobook Shelf
Music CD Shelf General Fiction Shelf Romantic Fiction Shelf
Mystery/Suspense Shelf Fantasy/SciFi Shelf Poetry Shelf
Computer Shelf Money/Finance Shelf Self-Help Shelf
Metaphysical Studies Shelf Photography Shelf Theatre/Cinema/TV Shelf
Automotive Shelf Interior Design Shelf Woodworking Shelf
Needlecraft Shelf Architecture Shelf Jobs/Careers Shelf
Travel Shelf Christian Studies Shelf Judaic Studies Shelf
Folktale/Fairytale Shelf Pets/Wildlife Shelf 


Reviewer's Choice


Do Not Disclose
Leora Krygier
http://leorakrygier.net
She Writes Press
www.shewritespress.com
9781647421595, PR, $16.95, 208pp

https://www.amazon.com/Do-Not-Disclose-Memoir-Secrets/dp/1647421594

Synopsis: In "Do Not Disclose: A Memoir Of Family Secrets Lost and Found ", Leora Krygier (who is a juvenile court judge, wife, mother, and daughter), is caught in the routine of work, taking care of her family and aging parents. But she's also a second-generation Holocaust survivor. It's an identity she didn't understand was hers until she accidentally discovered a secret file of handwritten notes addressed to her father. A further discovery of a seemingly random WWII postcard in a thrift store sets her on a collision course with the past in this lyrical memoir about secrets hidden within secrets, both present-day and buried deep within wartime Europe.

Critique: Exceptionally well written, organized and presented, "Do Not Disclose: A Memoir Of Family Secrets Lost and Found " is an inherently fascinating read from beginning to end. A welcome addition to the growing library of Jewish Holocaust Literature, and also available for personal reading lists in a digital book format (Kindle, $8.99), "Do Not Disclose: A Memoir Of Family Secrets Lost and Found" is an extraordinary and unreservedly welcome addition to community, college, and university library collections.


The Cookbook Shelf

The Farmer and the Chef
Minnesota Farmer's Union, author
Bruce Miller, author
Claudine Arndt, author
Katie Cannon, photographer
The Globe Pequot Press
246 Goose Lane, Suite 200, Guilford, CT 06437
www.globepequot.com
9781493046584, $27.95, HC, 296pp

https://www.amazon.com/Farmer-Chef-Recipes-Writings-Minnesota/dp/1493046586

Synopsis: "The Farmer and the Chef: Farm Fresh Minnesota Recipes and Stories" is a culinary compendium of farmer-forward writings and chef-driven recipes, giving an inside look into the life of food and farming in the Land of 10,000 Lakes.

Expansive stretches of Minnesota farmland and rural communities mix with urban farms and vibrant cities to yield unique food partnerships and delicious farm-to-table fare. Recipes from breakfast to dessert, accompanied by stunning photography and farmers' real-life stories, showcase the struggles and triumphs of Minnesota farmers, as well as the bounty they harvest.

Highlights include organic steel cut oatmeal with black currant blueberry jam, North Shore bouillabaisse, grilled hanger steak with swiss chard and tomato, and cherry-glazed madeleines.

Critique: Beautifully and profusely illustrated throughout with full color photography, and throughly 'kitchen cook friendly' in organization and presentation, "The Farmer and the Chef: Farm Fresh Minnesota Recipes and Stories" showcases some 90 palate pleasing, appetite satisfying recipes suitable for any and all dining occasions. While highly recommended for personal, professional, and community library regional cookbook collections, it should be noted that "The Farmer and the Chef: Farm Fresh Minnesota Recipes and Stories" is also readily available in a digital book format (Kindle, $19.94).

Editorial Note: The Minnesota Farmers Union (MFU) works to protect and enhance the economic interests and quality of life for family farmers, ranchers, and rural communities of Minnesota. The Minnesota Cooks program and The Farmer and The Chef are created with support from MFU President Gary Wertish and the MFU Executive Committee and in partnership with Minnesota Grown.

10-Minute Sourdough
Vanessa Kimball
Kyle Books
c/o Octopus Books
236 Park Avenue, New York NY 10017
www.octopusbooksusa.com
9780857839794, $22.99, HC, 144pp

https://www.amazon.com/10-Minute-Sourdough-Breadmaking-Real-Life/dp/0857839799

Synopsis: Sourdough is one of the tastiest and most nutritious breads any kitchen cook can make for their family -- but it has a reputation for being both tricky and time-consuming. "10-Minute Sourdough: Breadmaking for Real Life" is bread making expert Vanessa Kimbell's foolproof guide to making sourdough with just 10 minutes of hands-on work. It's ideal for those with busy lives who have neither the time nor the patience to knead, stretch, fold and shape.

From Olive, Feta & Rosemary Focaccia to Roasted Barley Malt Bagels, Carrot & Carraway Loaf and Caramel, Walnut & Banana Bread, none of the fuss-free, no-knead recipes comprising "10-Minute Sourdough: Breadmaking for Real Life" requires more than 10 minutes' prep in total (not including time in the oven). Organized into seasonal chapters, with an additional chapter on breads for celebrations, they all follow one master timing plan and many of them can be baked in a pan.

Critique: Beautifully and profusely illustrated throughout, "10-Minute Sourdough: Breadmaking for Real Life" is thoroughly 'kitchen cook friendly' in organization and presentation. While certain to be a welcome and enduringly popular addition to family and community library cookbook collections, it should be noted for personal and professional reading lists that "10-Minute Sourdough: Breadmaking for Real Life" is also readily available in a digital book format (Kindle, $8.99).

Editorial Note: Vanessa Kimbell runs The Sourdough School in Northamptonshire, where she teaches sourdough breadmaking and baking classes to students from around the world. A regular BBC radio journalist in the UK, she is a third generation baker of Italian descent and trained in several French bakeries. She can be followed on Instagram: @vanessakimbell and @sourdoughschool

Wanda E. Brunstetter's Amish Friends Baking Cookbook
Wanda E. Brunstetter
Barbour Publishing
P.O. Box 719, 1810 Barbour Drive, Uhrichsville, OH 44683
www.barbourbooks.com
9781636090856, $16.99, Spiral Bound, 224pp

https://www.amazon.com/Wanda-Brunstetters-Friends-Baking-Cookbook/dp/1636090850

Synopsis: Fresh-baked buns or cookies waiting for a child's after-school snack is a delight many of us remember from our own mothers and grandmothers kitchens. You can now share the joy of baking for and with your own family through dozens of recipes provided by Amish bakers as compiled in the beautifully illustrated culinary compendium -- "Wanda E. Brunstetter's Amish Friends Baking Cookbook".

An impressive collections of ideas and recipes for breads, rolls, cakes, cookies, and more will keep you busy taste testing and sharing all the goodies. Also included are step-by-step instructions, baking tips, and anecdotes from Amish bakers. Encased in a lay-flat binding and presented in full color, home bakers of all ages will be delighted to add this cookbook to their collections.

Critique: Spiral bound to lay out flat upon a kitchen counter or table, "Wanda E. Brunstetter's Amish Friends Baking Cookbook", with thoroughly kitchen cook friendly recipes for all dining occasions, will prove to be a popular addition to personal, professional, and community library cookbook collections.

The Best of Artisan Bread in Five Minutes a Day
Jeff Hertzberg, M.D., author
Zoe Francois, author
Stephen Scott Gross, photographer
St. Martin's Press
https://us.macmillan.com/smp
9781250277435, $32.50, HC, 272pp

https://www.amazon.com/Best-Artisan-Bread-Five-Minutes/dp/1250277434

Synopsis: Reinforced by the pandemic induced isolation of 2020 & 2021, a growing percentage of the people continue want to bake their own bread, so long as they can do it easily and quickly.
With the publication of "The Best of Artisan Bread in Five Minutes a Day: Favorite Recipes from Breadin5, Jeff Hertzberg and Zoe Francois have chosen their absolute favorite 80 recipes from all five of their previous bread making books, bringing them together into a single volume that is the only bread book a baker needs.

In addition to old favorites, "The Best of Artisan Bread in Five Minutes a Day" pulls in a few new tricks, tips, and techniques that Jeff and Zoe have learned along the way. With this revolutionary stored-dough technique (along with color and instructional black-and-white photographs by Stephen Scott Gross) even the most novice of bread makers can have stunning, delicious bread on day one. Indeed, "The Best of Artisan Bread in Five Minutes a Day" will make everyone a baker -- and with only five minutes a day of active preparation time!

Critique: A culinary compendium of DIY recipes for the bread baking kitchen cook, "The Best of Artisan Bread in Five Minutes a Day: Favorite Recipes from Breadin5" is thoroughly 'user friendly' in organization and presentation. While especially and unreservedly recommended as a prized addition to personal, professional, family, and community library cookbook collections, it should be noted for personal use that "The Best of Artisan Bread in Five Minutes a Day" is also readily available in a digital book format (Kindle, $16.99).

Editorial Note #1: Jeff Hertzberg, M.D. works as a medical director and consultant focusing on health-improvement programs. During his medical residency, he started a years-long quest to figure out how to make dough that was convenient enough to use every day. He turned an obsession with bread and pizza into a second career as a cookbook author.

Editorial Note #2: Zoe Francois is a pastry chef and baker trained at the Culinary Institute of America. With Jeff Hertzberg, M.D., she is the author of Artisan Bread in Five Minutes a Day and Healthy Bread in Five Minutes a Day, and Pizza and Flatbread in Five Minutes a Day. In addition to co-authoring the Bread in Five Minutes series, Zoe hosts her own TV series, Zoe Bakes, on the Magnolia Network and has written a solo cookbook, Zoe Bakes Cake. Francois teaches baking and pastry courses nationally, is a consultant to the food industry, and creates artful desserts and custom wedding cakes. She also writes the recipe blog Zoe Bakes.

Delicious Disney
Pam Brandon, author
Marcy Smothers, author
Disney Editions
c/o Disney Book Group
https://books.disney.com
9781368068239, $35.00, HC, 320pp

https://www.amazon.com/Delicious-Disney-Recipes-Stories-Magical/dp/1368068235

Synopsis: After the success of Disneyland, Walt Disney wanted to build something more elaborate and with more room. Ultimately, it was Walt's brother and business partner, Roy O. Disney, who brought forth his sibling's dream (and made it a reality) when the Magic Kingdom opened in 1971 in Florida. More than fifty years later, Walt's dream, Roy's vision and commitment, plus the dedication of those who serve up a world of magic are still celebrated. And all of it is deliciously Disney in "Delicious Disney: Walt Disney World: Recipes & Stories from The Most Magical Place on Earth".

Packed from cover to cover with a heartfelt narrative and behind-the-scenes anecdotes, mouth-watering food photos, a gorgeous Walt Disney Imagineering concept artwork, nostalgic restaurant menus and ephemera, and a little Disney magic, this unique combination of cookbook and culinary history features more than sixty recipes. Including an assortment of appetizers, main courses, sides, desserts, and even joyful libations, these dishes come from fine-dining and quick-service establishments across the resort. Each one of which has been tested by home chefs to help you bring your cherished vacation memories to life and inspire new ones for years to come.

Critique: Profusely and beautifully illustrated in full color throughout, and unreservedly recommended for personal, professional, family, and community library cookbook collections, "Delicious Disney: Walt Disney World: Recipes & Stories from The Most Magical Place on Earth" by the collaborative team of Pam Brandon and Marcy Carriker Smothers is a very special culinary compendium showcasing palate pleasing, appetite satisfying dishes suitable for any and all dining occasions.

Editorial Note #1: Pam Brandon started her Disney career as a senior publicist with Walt Disney World Press & Publicity in 1987 in a small office upstairs in City Hall in the Magic Kingdom. She has worked on public relations food and beverage projects for Disney parks around the globe for more than thirty years, including the openings of Disneyland Paris; Disney California Adventure; Aulani, A Disney Resort & Spa; and Shanghai Disney Resort. In addition, Brandon was a contributing editor to the Birnbaum's Disney guidebooks for more than ten years, covering the Walt Disney World Resort, Disneyland Resort, and Disney Cruise Line ships. She was the first food writer for the Disney Parks Blog and has authored twenty-one cookbooks for Disney.

Editorial Note #2: Marcy Carriker Smothers is the author of the fan favorite Eat Like Walt: The Wonderful World of Disney Food, a New York Times New & Noteworthy selection in 2018. Her love of all things Disney, especially Disneyland, inspired her to delve into Walt Disney's world of food. A noted radio personality, she hosted several programs, including The Food Guy and Marcy Show with the Food Network's Guy Fieri. Marcy's next book for Disney (and her passion project) is Walt's Disneyland: A Walk in the Park with Walt Disney.


The Gardening Shelf

Sustainable Food Gardens: Myths and Solutions
Robert Kourik
Metamorphic Press
c/o Chelsea Green Publishing Company
85 North Main Street, Suite 120, White River Junction, VT 05001
www.chelseagreen.com
9780961584887, $69.95, PB, 486pp

https://www.amazon.com/Sustainable-Food-Gardens-Myths-Solutions/dp/0961584882

Synopsis: Synopsis: "Sustainable Food Gardens: Myths and Solutions" by gardening expert Robert Kourik covers: Designing your own "edible landscapes"; Using no-till techniques to preserve the integrity of your soil; Adapting your growing space to fit into a wide range of USDA garden zones; Reviewing alternative ways to change "guilds' (well-intended clusters of trees and shrubs jumbled together) to more effective and labor-saving plantings; Growing new kinds of beautiful and productive Victory gardens; Planting Native American "Three-Sisters" gardens that actually work: Learning many of the myths about roots, and what to do to help them thrive; Attracting many beneficial insects to your garden with strategic flower plantings.

"Sustainable Food Gardens: Myths and Solutions" also addresses: Rainwater catchment/cisterns; Hugelkulturs (do you really need raised garden beds filled with rotten wood?); Options for better, faster ways to maximize and improve soil; "Dynamic accumulation" (a myth with some useful guidelines); Avoiding hours of tree-pruning and encouraging fruiting with a few dozen clothespins; Clever ways to install and simplify drip irrigation; Using plants to lure good insects that prey upon pests; Promoting beneficial soil life; Adding food crops to a native-looking landscape.

"Sustainable Food Gardens: Myths and Solutions" shows how to achieve that Holy Grail of gardening -- productivity, tasty food, and a beautiful, sustainable garden, yard, or landscape.

Critique: Very nicely illustrated with full color photography throughout, "Sustainable Food Gardens: Myths and Solutions" is an ideal instructive textbook and manual that will enable even the most novice of urban and suburban gardeners to successful create, maintain, and profit by a food oriented garden. Exceptionally well organized and presented, "Sustainable Food Gardens: Myths and Solutions" is wholeheartedly recommended for personal, professional, and community library gardening collections.

Editorial Note: Robert Kourik installed his first edible landscape in 1978, and is the author of "Drip Irrigation", "Understanding Roots", "Designing and Maintaining Your Edible Landscape", and "Lazy-Ass Gardening". Robert's books, articles, and essays have covered organic, natural, sustainable and integrated systems; permaculture; water conservation and drip irrigation; environmentally sound homes; and edible landscaping. His articles have appeared in national publications such as The New York Times, Garden Design Magazine, Landscape Architecture, National Gardening, Fine Gardening, Horticulture Magazine and Mother Earth News.


The Beer/Wine/Spirits Shelf

Can I Mix You a Drink?
T-Pain, author
Maxwell Britten, author
Kathy Iandoli, contributor
Kingston Imperial
c/o Penguin Random House Group
https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com
9781954220003, $29.99, HC, 144pp

https://www.amazon.com/Can-I-Mix-You-Drink/dp/1954220006

Synopsis: In 2007, "rappa ternt sanga" T-Pain released his hit single "Can I Buy U A Drank (Shawty Snappin')," propelling the artist to mainstream royalty. Since then, the Tallahassee, Florida native has secured his position as one of the most successful and diverse hip-hop artists in the world. It all started, really, with a song about liquor. T-Pain's extensive career has been punctuated by libations. It's been a part of his music, his business acumen (having secured a number of ambassador deals with liquor brands like Jose Cuervo), and his overall persona.

Now, T-Pain brings his love of mixology and music in the pages of "Can I Mix You A Drink?". Working with Mixologist Maxwell Britten, (former Bar Director to Brooklyn's James Beard Award Winning Maison Premiere), T-Pain sets cocktails to music. Each drink has been carefully curated to reflect a sentiment from one of his hit songs. Drink by drink, T-Pain explores levels of new flavors (and potencies) to create a work that can be used for parties, local bars, pre-gaming before the club, or even just a quiet night at home.

It's nearly impossible not to hear T-Pain's music as you read through the drinks and their unique combinations and names. Considering T-Pain is known for unorthodox mixes in his music, expect the same from his drinks, along with some classic cocktails modified by T-Pain himself. Whether you're a fan of T-Pain or a fan of drink-making, "Can I Mix You A Drink?" is the cocktail book for you.

Critique: Beautifully and profusely illustrated from beginning to end, "Can I Mix You A Drink?" is an impressive compendium of recipes and instructions for making an impressive variety and diversity of cocktails suitable for any occasion. While especially and unreservedly recommended for community library Beer/Wine/Spirits instructional reference collections, it should be noted for personal and professional reading and reference lists that "Can I Mix You A Drink?" is also readily available in a digital book format (Kindle, $12.99).

Hugh Johnson Pocket Wine 2022
Hugh Johnson, author
Margaret Rand, editor
Mitchell Beazley
c/o Octopus Books
236 Park Avenue, New York NY 10017
www.octopusbooksusa.com
9781784727963, $14.99, HC, 336pp

https://www.amazon.com/Hugh-Johnson-Pocket-Wine-2022/dp/1784727962

Synopsis: "Hugh Johnson's Pocket Wine Book 2022" is the essential reference book for everyone who buys wine - in shops, restaurants, or on the internet. Now in its 45th year of publication, it has no rival as the comprehensive, up-to-the-minute annual guide.

Hugh Johnson provides clear succinct facts and commentary on the wines, growers and wine regions of the whole world. He reveals which vintages to buy, which to drink and which to cellar, which growers to look for and why. "Hugh Johnson's Pocket Wine Book 2022" gives clear information on grape varieties, local specialities and how to match food with wines that will bring out the best in both.

It should be noted that "Hugh Johnson's Pocket Wine Book 2022" includes a color supplement: The Ten Best Things About Wine Right Now, which covers wine blending and orange wine.

Critique: Comprehensive and exceptionally well organized, "Hugh Johnson's Pocket Wine Book 2022" is a core reference for personal, professional, community, college, and university library Beer/Wine/Spirits reference collections.

Rare Whisky
Patrick Mahe
Conran
c/o Octopus Books
236 Park Avenue, New York NY 10017
www.octopusbooksusa.com
9781840918229, $55.00, HC, 240pp

https://www.amazon.com/Rare-Whisky-Explore-Exquisite-Spirits/dp/1840918225

Synopsis: "Rare Whisky: Explore the World's Most Exquisite Spirits" by Patrick Mahe is a stylish exploration of the world's finest and rarest whiskies, exquisitely packaged in a hardback book with slipcase. "Rare Whisky: Explore the World's Most Exquisite Spirits" showcases the most exceptional whiskies from across the world, focusing on key producers such as Scotland, Ireland, the USA and Japan, as well as interesting rarities from the likes of India and Taiwan.

Critique: Profusely, beautifully, lushly illustrated throughout with photography of extremely rare bottles ranging from a breathtaking 1920s vintage sold at auction to the best offerings from more recent years, "Rare Whisky: Explore the World's Most Exquisite Spirits" must be considered as being essential reading for all dedicated whisky lovers. A whiskey lover's delight to simply browse through one page at a time, "Rare Whisky: Explore the World's Most Exquisite Spirits" is an especially prized and recommended addition to personal, professional, community, college, and university library Beer/Wine/Spirits collections.

Editorial Note: Currently residing in France, Patrick Mahe is a writer, journalist and former Editor-in-Chief of Paris Match magazine. He has also written "Whisky Culture", "Champagne Culture" and "Rum Culture".


The Graphic Novel Shelf

Dark Souls: Complete Collection
George Mann, author
Alan Quah, illustrator
Titan Comics
https://titan-comics.com
9781787737273 $34.99 pbk / $29.92 Kindle

Dark Souls: Complete Collection is a full-color, one-volume compendium gathering of all five of the "Dark Souls" graphic novels published by Titan Comics. Set in the grim, harrowing fantasy world of the popular "Dark Souls" video game series, the stories are steeped in tragedy, decay, and desperate struggle. The five Dark Souls sagas are "The Breath of Andolus", "Winter's Spite", "Legends of the Flame", "Tales of Ember", and the comic prequel to the game, "The Age of Fire". A small amount of supplementary material, including a "Script to Strip" addendum that offers a peek into the artistic creative process, rounds out this "must have" for connoisseurs of quality video game stories and fans of the series' malevolent aesthetic. Highly recommended, especially for Halloween season reading!


The Audiobook Shelf

The Heron's Cry
Ann Cleeves, author
Jack Holden, narrator
Macmillan Audio
www.macmillanaudio.com
9781250818133, $39.99, CD,

https://www.amazon.com/Herons-Cry-Detective-Matthew-Rivers/dp/1250818133

Synopsis: North Devon is enjoying a rare hot summer with tourists flocking to its coastline. Detective Matthew Venn is called out to a rural crime scene at the home of a group of artists. What he finds is an elaborately staged murder--Dr Nigel Yeo has been fatally stabbed with a shard of one of his glassblower daughter's broken vases.

Dr. Yeo seems an unlikely murder victim. He's a good man, a public servant, beloved by his daughter. Matthew is unnerved, though, to find that she is a close friend of Jonathan, his husband.

Then another body is found--killed in a similar way. Matthew soon finds himself treading carefully through the lies that fester at the heart of his community and a case that is dangerously close to home.

Critique: This complete and unabridged audio book production of Ann Cleeves superbly crafted DI Matthew Venn mystery novel, "The Heron's Cry" is impressively narrated by Jack Holden. Providing a true 'theatre of the mind' experience for the dedicated mystery buff, "The Heron's Cry" is an especially recommended addition to personal and community library audio book collections. (8 CDs).

Apples Never Fall
Liane Moriarty, author
Caroline Lee, narrator
Macmillan Audio
www.macmillanaudio.com
9781250810694, $44.99, CD

https://www.amazon.com/Apples-Never-Fall-Liane-Moriarty/dp/1250810698

Synopsis: If your mother was missing, would you tell the police? Even if the most obvious suspect was your father? This is the dilemma facing the four grown Delaney siblings.

The Delaneys are fixtures in their community. The parents, Stan and Joy, are the envy of all of their friends. They're killers on the tennis court, and off it their chemistry is palpable. But after fifty years of marriage, they've finally sold their famed tennis academy and are ready to start what should be the golden years of their lives. So why are Stan and Joy so miserable?

The four Delaney children (Amy, Logan, Troy, and Brooke) were tennis stars in their own right, yet as their father will tell you, none of them had what it took to go all the way. But that's okay, now that they're all successful grown-ups and there is the wonderful possibility of grandchildren on the horizon.

One night a stranger named Savannah knocks on Stan and Joy's door, bleeding after a fight with her boyfriend. The Delaneys are more than happy to give her the small kindness she sorely needs. If only that was all she wanted.

Later, when Joy goes missing, and Savannah is nowhere to be found, the police question the one person who remains: Stan. But for someone who claims to be innocent, he, like many spouses, seems to have a lot to hide. Two of the Delaney children think their father is innocent, two are not so sure -- but as the two sides square off against each other in perhaps their biggest match ever, all of the Delaneys will start to reexamine their shared family history in a very new light.

Critique: With the publication of her new novel, "Apples Never Fall", author Liane Morarty has penned another well crafted novel of drama and suspense. Now skillfully and dramatically narrated by Caroline Lee in a complete and unabridged audio book edition from Macmillan Audio, "Apples Never Fall" is highly recommended for personal and community library audio book collections. (15 CDs, 18 Hours).

The Santa Suit
Mary Kay Andrews, author
Kathleen McInerney, narrator
Macmillan Audio
www.macmillanaudio.com
9781250829931, $29.99, CD

https://www.amazon.com/Santa-Suit-Mary-Kay-Andrews/dp/1250829933

Synopsis: When newly-divorced Ivy Perkins buys an old farmhouse sight unseen, she is definitely looking for a change in her life. The Four Roses, as the farmhouse is called, is a labor of love - but Ivy didn't bargain on just how much labor. The previous family left so much furniture and so much junk, that it's a full-time job sorting through all of it.

At the top of a closet, Ivy finds an old Santa suit -- beautifully made and decades old. In the pocket of a suit she finds a note written in a childish hand: it's from a little girl who has one Christmas wish, and that is for her father to return home from the war. This discovery sets Ivy off on a mission. Who wrote the note? Did the man ever come home? What mysteries did the Rose family hold?

Ivy's quest brings her into the community, at a time when all she wanted to do was be left alone and nurse her wounds. But the magic of Christmas makes miracles happen, and Ivy just might find more than she ever thought possible: a welcoming town, a family reunited, a mystery solved, and a second chance at love.

Critique; A thoroughly charming novel by an author with a genuine flair for originality combined with a thoroughly reader engaging narrative storytelling style, Mary Kay Andrews new novel "The Santa Suit" is ably and effectively narrated by Kathleen McInerney. Complete and unabridged, "The Santa Suite" is especially recommended for personal and community library collections. (5 CDs, 5.5 Hours).


The Music CD Shelf

A Song of Hope
Eric Wyatt
Featuring Jeff Watts, Theo Croker, and Samara Joy
Whaling City Sound
www.whalingcitysound.com
c/o Naxos (distribution)
www.naxoususa.com
$16.99 CD / $8.99 MP3

https://www.amazon.com/Song-Hope-ERIC-WYATT/dp/B09BL7KWGS

A Song of Hope features the sterling saxophone performance of Eric Wyatt, supported by drummer Jeff Watts, bassist Eric Wheeler, and others. A captivating jazz album recorded in a single session, A Song of Hope reaches out to the listener with a message of inspiration and optimism. Highly recommended! The tracks are "A Song of Hope", "Fragile", "Blues for RH", "Fur Live", "Chance", "One 4 Hakim", "Say Her Name", "Tain Dance", "Sunset Park Bonita", "Central Park West", "Contemplation", and "Of Things to Come RTK". 1 hour 11 min.


The General Fiction Shelf

So We Meet Again: A Novel
Suzanne Park
www.suzannepark.com
Avon
c/o HarperCollins
https://www.harpercollins.com/collections/avon-books
9780062990716, $15.99 pbk / $10.99 Kindle

https://www.amazon.com/So-We-Meet-Again-Novel/dp/0062990713

Synopsis: When investment banker Jessie Kim is laid off in a virtual meeting and then overhears why ("she's already being overpaid anyway for a woman" and "Asians are worker bees, not someone who can drum up new deals") she delivers an "eff you guys" speech and storms out.

After moving back home to Tennessee to live with her loving but meddling mother and father, she runs into her childhood nemesis - golden child Daniel Choi - at the local Asian grocery store. The smart, charming lawyer appears to have it all...while Jessie has nothing.

Jess begrudgingly accepts Daniel's help to relaunch her long abandoned Korean cooking YouTube channel: Hanguk Hacks, showcasing easy meal prep for busy professionals. But just as she discovers Daniel's life isn't as perfect as it seems and there's more to him than meets the eye, he shows up for a life-changing business opportunity, and their rivalry is back on...

Critique: So We Meet Again: A Novel is a wry, sassy, and charming novel about a Korean-American investment banker who loses her job because of her employer's racism and sexism. After she moves back home with her stress-inducing parents and relaunches her Korean cooking YouTube channel, she meets her childhood rival, now a skilled lawyer who appears to have it all. Seeing him again, and the rise of a new business opportunity, re-ignites their competitive rivalry, in this witty novel of good times, bad times, and good food. So We Meet Again is a choice pick for both personal and public library General Fiction collections, highly recommended. It should be noted for personal reading lists that So We Meet Again is also available in a Kindle edition ($10.99).

Editorial Note: Suzanne Park is a Korean-American writer who was born and raised in Tennessee. As a comedienne, she was selected to appear on BET's "Coming to the Stage." Suzanne was also the winner of the Seattle Sierra Mist Comedy Competition, and was a semi-finalist in NBC's "Stand Up For Diversity" showcase in San Francisco.

The Audacity of Sara Grayson
Joani Elliott
Post Hill Press
https://posthillpress.com
9781642937824, $27.00, HC, 400pp

https://www.amazon.com/Audacity-Sara-Grayson-Novel/dp/1642937827

Synopsis: Sara Grayson is a thirty-two-year-old greeting card writer about to land the toughest assignment of her life. Three weeks after the death of her mother (a world-famous suspense novelist) Sara learns that her mother's dying wish is for her to write the final book in her bestselling series.

Sara has lived alone with her dog, Gatsby, ever since her husband walked out with their Pro Double Waffle Maker and her last shred of confidence. She can't fathom writing a book for thirty million fans -- not when last week's big win was resetting the microwave clock.

But in a bold move that surprises even herself, Sara takes it on. Against an impossible deadline and a publisher intent on sabotaging her every move, Sara discovers that stepping into her mother's shoes means stumbling on family secrets she was never meant to find -- secrets that threaten her mother's legacy and the very book she's trying to create.

Critique: Wonderfully original, laced through and through with great good humor, "The Audacity of Sara Grayson" by Joani Elliott is a fully and memorably entertaining read from start to finish. While certain to be an immediately welcome and enduringly popular addition to community library Contemporary General Fiction collections, it should be noted for personal reading lists that "The Audacity of Sara Grayson" is also readily available in a digital book format (Kindle, $9.99).


The Romantic Fiction Shelf

When Sparks Fly
Helena Hunting
St. Martin's Griffin
c/o St. Martin's Press
https://us.macmillan.com/stmartinspress
9781250624703, $16.99, PB, 320pp

https://www.amazon.com/When-Sparks-Fly-Helena-Hunting/dp/1250624703

Synopsis: Avery Spark is living her best life. Between her friends, her sisters, and Spark House, the event hotel her family owns, she doesn't have much time for anything else, especially relationships. She'd rather hang out with her best friend and roommate, Declan McCormick, than deal with the dating scene. But everything changes when she is in a car accident and needs someone to care for her as she heals.

Declan avoids relationships, giving him a playboy reputation that he lives up to when he puts a one-night stand ahead of a promise he made to Avery. While he may not have been the one driving the car, he feels responsible for Avery's injuries and is determined to make it up to her by stepping into the role of caretaker.

Little did they know that the more time they spend in compromising positions, the attraction they've been refusing to acknowledge becomes impossible to ignore. When they finally give in to the spark between them, neither is prepared for the consequences. Their love is fragile and all it will take is a blow from the past to shatter it all.

Critique: Helen Hunting's new contemporary romance novel, "When Sparks Fly" is a wonderfully entertaining read laced with humor, originality, and deftly crafted characters. While very highly recommended, especially for community library Romance Fiction collections, it should be noted for the personal reading lists of all dedicated romance readers that "When Sparks Fly" is also readily available in a digital book format (Kindle, $7.990.

Kissing Under the Mistletoe
Suzanne Enoch, author
Amelia Grey, author
Anna Bennett, author
St. Martin's Press
https://us.macmillan.com/stmartinspress
9781250797445, $8.99, PB, 352pp

https://www.amazon.com/Kissing-Under-Mistletoe-Suzanne-Enoch/dp/1250797446

Synopsis: "Kissing Under the Mistletoe is compendium of three Christmas themed short stories by three accomplished Regency Romance authors.

"Great Scot!" by Suzanne Enoch is the story of Miss Jane Bansil, a woman who knows she will never have a fairy-tale moment. Well past the marriageable age, she's taken a position as a companion and is now stuck in Scotland for Christmas, alone even in the middle of the boisterous MacTaggert family. But when Brennan Andrews, an architect and cousin to the MacTaggerts, arrives to draw up plans for a new family home, Jane must decide if she will take a chance at a happily-ever-after, or settle into her small, safe life for good.

"Christmas at Dewberry Hollow" by Amelia Grey is the story of Miss Isabelle Reed who has no plans to ever fall in love. She has a perfectly acceptable life with her mother at the Dewberry Hollow Inn, thank you very much. But when Gate, the Duke of Notsgrave's grandson, appears at Dewberry Hollow searching for a carving on a tree, Isabelle cannot help but get involved. But Gate's charm and their instant attraction makes Isabelle question if she's willing to take her chance at love once again.

"My Mistletoe Beau" by Anna Bennett is the story of Miss Eva Tiding, a woman who is determined to cheer her widowed father with the perfect Christmas gift. Even if it means breaking into the home of the rakish Earl of Frostbough who swindled Papa out of his pocket watch. But when the earl, Jack Hardwick, catches her in the act, they strike a deal: she'll pose as his fiancee in exchange for the watch. Falling in love is not part of the plan - but with a little Christmas magic, anything is possible.

Critique: While especially and unreservedly recommended for community library Regency Romance collections, it should be noted for the personal reading lists of all dedicated romance fans that "Kissing Under the Mistletoe" is also readily available in a digital book format (Kindle, $8.99).

Her Renegade Cowboy
Lora Leigh
St. Martin's Press
https://us.macmillan.com/stmartinspress
9781250252012, $9.99, PB, 336pp

https://www.amazon.com/Her-Renegade-Cowboy-Moving-Violations/dp/1250252016

Synopsis: The oh-so-proper school teacher, Lily Donovan has learned, the hard way, that men are not to be trusted. Period. Until Levi Roberts, the new cowboy working at her cousin's ranch, tempts her carefully-built resolve and awakens an all-consuming passion she thought lay dormant. But when she discovers his deadly secret, and her own secrets come to light, Lily unwittingly joins the lethal cat and mouse race between Levi and the man he's been hunting for weeks.

Former Ranger Levi Roberts has seen his fair share of deadly trouble during his years as a tough-as-nails operative. The ultimate expert in undercover investigations, he's been tasked to find a man with a dangerous agenda in town. Routine work has been boring...until he runs into Lily, the prickly school teacher who tempts him like no other. Getting under her skin has been deliciously satisfying for his red-hot desire, but when Lily lands in the hands of the very man he's been investigating, Levi will have to fight with every ounce of his heart and soul to save her -- and to heal the heart he broke.

Critique: A superbly crafted western romance novel by Lora Leigh, and also available in a digital book format (Kindle, $9.99), "Her Renegade Cowboy" is an especially recommended addition to personal reading lists and community library Contemporary Romance collections alike.


The Mystery/Suspense Shelf

Island of Thieves: A Novel
Glen Erik Hamilton
William Morrow
https://www.harpercollins.com/collections/william-morrow
9780062978547, $27.99 hc / $14.99 Kindle

https://www.amazon.com/Island-Thieves-Novel-Shaw-Mysteries/dp/0062978543

Synopsis: Van Shaw is hired to evaluate the safeguards for the art collection of eccentric business magnate Sebastien Rohner. Then Rohner reveals to Van the real reason he's been recruited: to prevent another professional burglar from stealing the art. Rohner wants to set a thief to catch a thief.

While questioning the bizarre nature of the job, Van accepts the lucrative offer and arrives at the island estate during an international summit that Rohner is hosting. Shortly after beginning his surveillance of Rohner's highly secure gallery wing, Van stumbles across the murdered body of one of the honored guests along the rocky shore. Wary of Rohner's true intentions, Van knows the homicide detectives on the case - and perhaps Rohner as well - think he's the prime suspect and will turn his life upside down in their search for proof.

Van begins to hunt for the killer himself, but scrutiny only digs his hole deeper, as one of Rohner's own executives is then killed and the Seattle police find concrete evidence placing Van at the scene. With no other options, he goes on the run, alone and unaided. He's hunted by the cops, the enraged Rohner, and a pair of psychopathic hitmen who chase Van from one coast to the next. To clear his name, Van Shaw will have to uncover the hidden motive of corporate espionage at a global level, even with a band of killers on his tail who are determined to add Van to their growing list of victims.

Critique: Island of Thieves: A Novel is an action-packed mystery featuring the intrepid Van Shaw. Originally hired to catch an art thief, Van Shaw encounters a dead body, and realizes that his client's true intentions might be suspect. Van Shaw himself becomes the prime suspect of the homicide, and must evade not only the police, but also his angry client and a pair of merciless hitmen in this intense saga of corporate espionage, professional killers, and lucrative illicit deals. Island of Thieves will keep connoisseurs of the genre riveted to the very end! Highly recommended. It should be noted for personal reading lists that Island of Thieves is also available in a Kindle edition ($14.99).

Editorial Note: Glen Erik Hamilton was raised aboard a sailboat and grew up around the marinas and commercial docks and islands of the Pacific Northwest. His novels have won the Anthony, Macavity, and Strand Critics awards, and have been nominated for the Edgar, Barry, and Nero awards.

The Truth In Hope
R. A. Simpson
Gatekeeper Press
https://gatekeeperpress.com
9781662903540, $25.20, HC, 378pp

https://www.amazon.com/Truth-Hope-R-Simpson/dp/1662903545

Synopsis: Set against the contrasting backdrops of Wisconsin's pristine Northwoods, known as God's country, and the hustle and bustle of the Windy City, unfolds a mystery of unique characters with complicated pasts and conflicting agendas-the innocent, the socialites, the vigilantes, the village chief of police, the world-weary veteran detective, and the trust-fund sluggard.

When the body of a twenty-six-year-old ne'er-do-well from an elite family of Chicago's North Shore is found half-consumed by wildlife with a single bullet hole in his head and even fewer witnesses, veteran Wisconsin homicide detective Bennett Coleman is called upon to assemble the pieces of this masterful puzzle.

Critique: A simply riveting read from cover to cover and the author's debut as a novelist, "The Truth In Hope" clearly showcases author R. A. Simpson's genuine flair for originality and the kind of narrative storytelling style necessary for a gritty noir style mystery novel. While especially and unreservedly recommended for community library Contemporary Mystery/Suspense collections, it should be noted for the personal reading lists of all dedicated mystery fans that "The Truth In Hope" is also readily available in a paperback edition (9781662903557, $19.00) and in a digital book format (Kindle, $7.99).

Deadly Summer Nights
Vicki Delany
Berkley Books
c/o Penguin Group (USA)
www.penguin.com
9780593334379, $7.99, PB, 304pp

https://www.amazon.com/Deadly-Summer-Nights-Catskill-Mystery/dp/059333437X

Synopsis: It's the summer of 1953, and Elizabeth Grady is settling into Haggerman's Catskills Resort. As a vacation getaway, Haggerman's is ideal, and although Elizabeth's ostentatious but well-meaning mother is new to running the resort, Elizabeth is eager to help her organize the guests and the entertainment acts. But Elizabeth will have to resort to untested abilities if she wants to save her mother's business.

When a reclusive guest is found dead in a lake on the grounds, and a copy of The Communist Manifesto is found in his cabin, the local police chief is convinced that the man was a Russian spy. But Elizabeth isn't so sure, and with the fate of the resort hanging in the balance, she'll need to dodge red herrings, withstand the Red Scare, and catch a killer red-handed.

Critique: A cleverly crafted and thoroughly entertaining mystery by a master of the genre, "Deadly Summer Nights" is part of author/storyteller Vicki Delany's 'A Catskill Summer Resort Mystery' series. While very highly recommended, especially for community library Mystery/Suspense collections, it should be noted for the personal reading lists of dedicated Vick Delany fans that "Deadly Summer Nights" is also readily available in a digital book format (Kindle, $7.99).

The House of Ashes
Stuart Neville
Soho Press
853 Broadway, New York, NY 10003
www.sohopress.com
9781616957414, $27.95, HC, 304pp

https://www.amazon.com/House-Ashes-Stuart-Neville/dp/1616957417

Synopsis: Sara Keane's husband, Damien, has uprooted them from England and moved them to his native Northern Ireland for a "fresh start" in the wake of her nervous breakdown. Sara, who knows no one in Northern Ireland, is jobless, carless, friendless -- and all but a prisoner in her own house.

When a blood-soaked old woman beats on the door, insisting the house is hers before being bundled back to her care facility, Sara begins to understand the house has a terrible history her husband never intended for her to discover. As the two women form a bond over their shared traumas, Sara finds the strength to stand up to her abuser, and Mary (silent for six decades) is finally ready to tell her story.

Through the counterpoint voices (one modern Englishwoman, one Northern Irish farmgirl speaking from half a century earlier) author and storyteller Stuart Neville offers a chilling and gorgeous portrait of violence and resilience in this truly haunting narrative with "The House of Ashes".

Critique: The stuff of which legendary film noir movies were made, "The House of Ashes" is a simply riveting read from first page to last. While especially and unreservedly recommended addition to community library Mystery/Suspense collections, it should be noted for the personal reading lists of all dedicated mystery buffs that "The House of Ashes" is also readily available in a digital book format (Kindle, $14.99).


The Fantasy/SciFi Shelf

Sea Wolf
Anna Burke
Bywater Books
https://www.bywaterbooks.com
9781612942018, $16.95 pbk / $8.69 Kindle

https://www.amazon.com/Sea-Wolf-Compass-Rose-Novel/dp/1612942016

Synopsis: Life aboard the mercenary ship Man o' War is rarely dull as hurricanes, swarms of jellyfish, and man-eating squid pose daily doses of danger. As intrigue and subterfuge from enemies old and new begin to surround its captain, the infamous Miranda Stillwater, even an uncanny sense of direction won't be enough to help Compass Rose navigate these dangerous straits. As dark secrets bubble to the surface and everything she's fought so hard for begins to crumble, Rose learns the hard way that she'll have to rely on the only person who can save her from certain disaster. Unfortunately, that person is Compass Rose herself.

This swashbuckling 26th-century high-seas adventure novel is fast-paced, whip-smart, and quirky, yet it manages to deliver a healthy dose of heart, humor, and humility on every single page.

Critique: The year is 2514, and climate change had transformed the world into a horrifically dangerous place, Sea Wolf continues the adventures of Compass Rose, whose uncanny sense of direction serves her well aboard the Man o' War mercenary sea-ship, captained by the infamous Miranda Stillwater. Hazards such as swarms of jellyfish and man-eating squid are threatening enough, but a web of intrigue spun by old and new enemies could sink Rose for good! Exciting, adventurous, and featuring a self-reliant heroine, Sea Wolf is a choice pick for connoisseurs of action-packed sci-fi. Also highly recommended is the previous novel in the series, "Compass Rose". It should be noted for personal reading lists that Sea Wolf is also available in a Kindle edition ($8.69).

Editorial Note: Anna Burke holds degrees in English Literature and Studio Art from Smith College, and an MFA from Emerson College. She was the inaugural recipient of the Sandra Moran Scholarship for the Golden Crown Literary Society's Writing Academy, which she now directs. Her novel Thorn was named 2019 LGBT+ Book of the Year by Foreword Reviews.

Outlaw: Relentless
Tristan Palmbren
Aconyte Books
https://aconytebooks.com
9781839080746, $16.95, PB, 336pp

https://www.amazon.com/Outlaw-Relentless-Marvel-Heroines-Novel/dp/1839080744

Synopsis: Inez Temple, aka Outlaw, is a key member of Domino's mercenary team, the Posse, but when a job goes sideways Outlaw finds herself on the outside, and in an alarming state. A mercenary in her line of work needs to be sharp, but Inez's mind is slipping away from her. Mutant-hating telepath Johnny Dee is robbing her of the only things she's ever counted on: her wits and her courage, and worse -- her very identity. Inez's bloody revenge will take her on a chase through the Texas desert and a labyrinth of her own worst memories.

Critique: An original superhero story set in the Marvel universe, "Outlaw: Relentless" by Tristan Palmbren is one rollercoaster of read from first page to last. While especially and unreservedly recommended for community library Science Fiction collections, it should be noted for the personal reading lists of all dedicated superhero fans that "Outlaw: Relentless" is readily available in a digital book format (Kindle, $9.95).

Retrieval
Barry M. Goldsmith
Independently Published
9798477927067, $29.99, HC, 465pp

https://www.amazon.com/RETRIEVAL-Barry-M-Goldsmith/dp/B09GJG7S6H

Synopsis: In the year 2038, the Earth's climate can no longer sustain life and millions have already perished. Humanity's future lies in its past. A grotesque, militaristic, two-headed alien race with superhuman strength called the Janus have partnered with humans to expand time travel technology. The result is Retrieval Base -- an isolated fortress built on an icy, volcanic plug deep within Antarctica. Its purpose send what's left of humanity back through time aboard giant temporal arks after erasing their memories and providing them with new identities.

A rift opens in the time-space continuum. when Tyler Rand (a man of infinite resource) is ordered to assemble Time Team Seven to repair it. But even as Rand races against the clock to solve the mystery before their base vanishes, he soon reaches an indisputable conclusion. The people who sent his team on this mission murdered his wife and are trying to kill them!

Critique: An original and deftly crafted science fiction novel by an author with a genuine flair for the kind of narrative driven storytelling style that holds and keeps his reader's rapt attention from cover to cover, "Retrieval" by Barry Goldsmith is a time travel themed action/adventure novel that is especially and unreservedly recommended for community library Science Fiction & Fantasy collections. It should be noted for the personal reading lists of all dedicated science fiction fans that "Retrieval" is also readily available in a paperback edition (9798545704385, $24.95) and in a digital book format (Kindle, $9.99).


The Poetry Shelf

Clerk of the Dead
Alan Perry
Main Street Rag Publishing
www.MainStreetRag.com
9781599488004, $12.00, PB, 43pp

https://mainstreetragbookstore.com/product-tag/alan-perry/

Synopsis: A collection of poems with the connecting themes of love and loss by Minnesota poet, Alan Perry (who is also a Senior Poetry Editor for Typehouse Literary Magazine, and has been nominated for Best of the Net), "Clerk of the Dead" was a finalist and honorable mention in the Cathy Smith Bowers Chapbook Contest.

Critique: Erudite, deftly crafted, memorable, thoughtful and thought-provoking verse, "Clerk of the Dead" is an extraordinary experience for anyone who appreciates the written word as a conveyor of emotions that are both intense personal yet universally experienced. Simply stated, Alan Perry's "Clerk of the Dead" is especially and unreservedly recommended for personal, community, college, and university library Contemporary American Poetry collections.


The Computer Shelf

Murach's Python for Data Analysis
Scott McCoy
Mike Murach & Associates
www.murach.com
9781943872763, $59.50, PB, 600pp

https://www.amazon.com/Murachs-Python-Analysis-Scott-McCoy/dp/1943872767

Synopsis: Data analysts are in high demand everywhere today! And now, "Murach's Python for Data Analysis" by Scott McCoy shows you how to do data analysis the way the pros do.

With "Murach's Python for Data Analysis" even the most novice of readers will be able to master descriptive analysis, using Pandas to analyze the data and Seaborn to create the visualizations that let you present your findings effectively. You'll get started with predictive analysis, using Scikit-learn with linear regression models.

And you'll be guided right from the start by 4 real-world case studies in political, environmental, social, and sports analytics... essential for learning and great perspective for applying your new skills in your own field. Quickly and easily "Murach's Python for Data Analysis" can turn you into the data analyst that employers are looking for.

Critique: The ideal DIY instruction manual, "Murach's Python for Data Analysis" is comprehensive, thoroughly 'user friendly' in organization and presentation, making it especially recommended for personal, professional, community, college, and university library Computer Science collections.

Editorial Note: Scott McCoy is a professional programmer, and has worked in a variety of domains including bioinformatics, IT automation, security, and data analytics. He holds a B.S. in computer science and a Microsoft certification in database technologies.

Designing Immersive 3D Experiences
Renee Stevens
New Riders
c/o Pearson Technology Group
www.newriders.com
9780137282838, $49.99, PB, 400pp

https://www.amazon.com/Designing-Immersive-Experiences-Designers-Realistic/dp/0137282834

Synopsis: "Designing Immersive 3D Experiences: A Designer's Guide to Creating Realistic 3D Experiences for Extended Reality " by Renee Stevens will help visual designers move into the fast-growing fields of 3D and extended reality (XR) design and introduces a proven approach and an effective design-thinking process can be used to create successful immersive user experiences.

"Designing Immersive 3D Experiences" is grounded in familiar design principles and explores how you can build on these foundations, adapting them for virtual and augmented reality environments. "Designing Immersive 3D Experiences" will also prepare visual designers to succeed with 3D and XR design in multiple environments, from mobile, to web, to wearables.

By exploring the basics of XR and 3D immersive design, how they are evolving, and how the novice designer may already be using them, "Designing Immersive 3D Experiences" then moves into core concepts and technologies, from computer-human interaction, to spatial computing, to projection mapping and head-mounted displays.

"Designing Immersive 3D Experiences" shows how to: Adapt ideation strategies for new XR and 3D projects while incorporating design-thinking strategies, balancing innovation with practicality, and keeping it all human; Build seamless, multi-modal, and accessible user experiences and interfaces in three dimensions; Harness the power of visual perception and ways to activate the senses using XR technology; Augment typography and create hierarchy in physical spaces that are dynamic and uncontrollable; Enhance the user experience using spatial audio and voice; Explore next steps in the industry and consider the ethical implications that come with advancement.

Critique: Exceptionally well written, comprehensive, organized, and presented, "Designing Immersive 3D Experiences: A Designer's Guide to Creating Realistic 3D Experiences for Extended Reality" is an ideal and thoroughly 'user friendly' instruction manual. While especially and unreservedly recommended for personal, professional, community, college, and university library Computer Programming collections, it should be noted that "Designing Immersive 3D Experiences: A Designer's Guide to Creating Realistic 3D Experiences for Extended Reality " is also readily available in a digital book format (Kindle, $29.99).

Editorial Note: Renee Stevens is the founder of the XR tech startup, tagAR. For more than a decade she has run her own interactive design studio consulting and designing on XR projects and working as a motion designer for Forbes. You can find her teaching at the S. I. Newhouse School of Public Communications at Syracuse University, where she is the Associate Chair of the Visual Communications Department, overseeing the undergraduate and graduate design programs. She has been invited around the world to speak about her research and design work in XR, including TEDx, SXSW, Sundance, VR/AR Association, and AIGA. She is also the author of the book "Powered by Design".


The Money/Finance Shelf

Activate Your Money
Janine Firpo
Wiley
www.wiley.com
9781119777083, $29.95, HC, 320pp

https://www.amazon.com/Activate-Your-Money-Invest-Wealth/dp/1119777089

Synopsis: "Activate Your Money: Invest to Grow Your Wealth and Build a Better World" by Janine Firpo provides the foundational support women need to talk to each other about their money, invest to grow their wealth, and to take the actions required to shift their assets into alignment with their values. Written for smart, savvy women who want to feel financially empowered, "Activate Your Money" starts where other personal finance books leave off. It delivers the depth of information you need to make informed decisions across your entire portfolio. Starting with checking and savings accounts and proceeding asset class by asset class, this book provides you with core knowledge, as well as concrete examples about how and where you can invest your money in the things you care about.

"Activate Your Money" shows how to: Step up your relationship with money and recognize the power you have to change the world through your investment decisions; Demystify financial lingo, learn investment strategies, and acquire tools to help you grow your wealth; Explore values-aligned investment options, asset class by asset class, and make informed decisions about where to put your money; Break the taboo on discussing money with partners, advisors, friends, and daughters.

Critique: Exceptionally well written and thoroughly 'user friendly' in organization and presentation, "Activate Your Money: Invest to Grow Your Wealth and Build a Better World" is an ideal introduction for women of all ages and backgrounds to creating a lucrative portfolio that incorporates life enhancing social values from a feminine perspective. While highly recommended for personal, professional, community, college, and university library Money/Finance instructional reference collections, it should be noted that "Activate Your Money: Invest to Grow Your Wealth and Build a Better World" is also readily available in a digital book format (Kindle, $18.00).

Editorial Note: Janine Firpo is a seasoned values-aligned investor and social innovator, with a long history of working at the intersection of women and their money. In 2017, she left a 35-year career in technology and international development to focus on helping women find the confidence to take control of their money and use it to change the world. During her career, Janine held senior positions at Hewlett-Packard, the World Bank, and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. Today, she supports women-led businesses through her role as lead investor in the Next Wave Impact Fund and board chair of Zebras Unite.


The Self-Help Shelf

Roar Into the Second Half of Your Life (Before It's Too Late)
Michael Clinton
Atria Books / Beyond Words
http://www.simonandschusterpublishing.com/atria
www.blackstoneaudio.com
9781582708133, $26.00, HC, 224pp

https://www.amazon.com/Roar-into-second-half-before/dp/1582708134

Synopsis: We are living in a time when everyone is constantly reassessing what is next for them. In the mid-career group, people who have spent years working are now seeing their industry dramatically evolve and are facing the question: "What does that mean for me in the next twenty years?"

At the same time, the post-career population is also going through massive change and dealing with the fact that many of them are not prepared financially, logistically, or emotionally for the next phase of their lives. And while we may want to retire, most of us don't want to do nothing.

With expert insight and approachable techniques, "Roar Into the Second Half of Your Life (Before It's Too Late)" by Michael Clinton will help you identify fresh goals and take meaningful action to achieve a purposeful life while showing you how to: Reimagine yourself; Own who you are; Act on what's next; Reassess your relationships. Transformative and invigorating, "Roar" is the ultimate roadmap to the latest journey of your life.

Critique: Exceptionally well written, organized and presented, "Roar Into the Second Half of Your Life (Before It's Too Late)" is an extraordinary and potentially life-changing read and one that is especially and unreservedly recommended for personal, professional, and community library Self-Help/Self-Improvement collections. It should be noted for the personal reading lists of anyone with an interest in Mid-Life Management or Retirement Planning that "Roar" is also readily available in a digital book format (Kindle, $13.99) and as a complete and unabridged audio book edition (Blackstone Publishing, 9781797135502, $34.99, CD).


The Metaphysical Studies Shelf

Chasing Ghosts
Marc Hartzman
WeirdHistorian.com
Quirk Publishing
https://www.quirkbooks.com
9781683692775, $22.99 pbk / $14.99 Kindle

https://www.amazon.com/Chasing-Ghosts-Fascination-Spirits-Supernatural/dp/1683692772

Synopsis: Ghosts are everywhere - whether you believe in them or not. Every town has its local legends, and countless books, movies, and TV shows are haunted by their presence. But our obsession with ghosts runs deeper than we know - and is embedded in the very fabric of American history.

Writer and historian Marc Hartzman dons the mantle of tour guide, taking readers on a fascinating journey through supernatural history, including:

The Fox Sisters and the rise of Spiritualism
The supernatural obsessions of famous figures like Sir Arthur Conan Doyle
Famous haunted sites like the Eastern State Penitentiary in Philadelphia and the LaLaurie House in New Orleans
Famous ghosts like the Bell Witch of Tennessee and the Greenbrier Ghost of West Virginia
Paranormal investigators like Ed and Lorraine Warren

Deeply researched and highly entertaining, with archival images and black and white illustrations, Chasing Ghosts will satisfy believers and skeptics alike.

Critique: Interspersed with both black-and-white and color illustrations, Chasing Ghosts: A Tour of Our Fascination with Spirits and the Supernatural is a fascinating survey of the supernatural phenomenon of ghosts, especially in American history. From famous haunted sites, to the metaphysical pursuits of famous individuals such as Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, to the work of paranormal investigators, Chasing Ghosts is a thoroughly engaging overview of its subject matter and an especially timely read for the Halloween season! Highly recommended. It should be noted for personal reading lists that Chasing Ghosts is also available in a Kindle edition ($14.99).

Editorial Note: Marc Hartzman is "one of America's leading connoisseurs of the bizarre" (ABCNews.com) and is the author of several books, including The Big Book of Mars (Quirk, 2020). Hartzman's work has appeared in Mental Floss, Bizarre, and HuffPost/AOL Weird News. He has discussed oddities on CNN, MSNBC, Ripley's Radio, and the Travel Channel's Mysteries at the Museum. More of his love for the unusual can be found on his site WeirdHistorian.com

Chasing Ghosts
Marc Hartzman
Quirk Books
215 Church Street, Philadelphia PA 19106
www.quirkbooks.com
9781683692775, $22.99, PB, 272pp

https://www.amazon.com/Chasing-Ghosts-Fascination-Spirits-Supernatural/dp/1683692772

Ghosts are everywhere -- whether you believe in them or not. Every town has its local legends, and countless books, movies, and TV shows are haunted by their presence. But our obsession with ghosts runs deeper than we know -- and is embedded in the very fabric of American history.

In "Chasing Ghosts: A Tour of Our Fascination with Spirits and the Supernatural", writer and historian Marc Hartzman dons the mantle of tour guide, taking readers on a fascinating journey through supernatural history, including: The Fox Sisters and the rise of Spiritualism; The supernatural obsessions of famous figures like Sir Arthur Conan Doyle; Famous haunted sites like the Eastern State Penitentiary in Philadelphia and the LaLaurie House in New Orleans; Famous ghosts like the Bell Witch of Tennessee and the Greenbrier Ghost of West Virginia; and Paranormal investigators like Ed and Lorraine Warren.

Critique, "Chasing Ghosts: A Tour of Our Fascination with Spirits and the Supernatural" is an extraordinary, documented, inherently fascinating, and entertaining study enhanced with the inclusion of archival images and black and white illustrations. While strongly commended as an addition to community, college, and university library Metaphysical collections, it should be noted for personal reading lists that "Chasing Ghosts: A Tour of Our Fascination with Spirits and the Supernatural" is also readily available in a digital book format (Kindle, $14.99).

The Zenned Out Guide to Understanding Tarot
Cassie Uhl
Rock Point
c/o Quarto Publishing Group USA
100 Cummings Center, Suite 265D. Beverly, MA 01915
www.quartoknows.com
9781631067730, $18.99, HC, 184pp

https://www.amazon.com/Zenned-Out-Guide-Understanding-Tarot/dp/1631067737

Synopsis: The tarot is a tool of divine guidance that allows you to connect with your inner knowing through the spread and layout of cards. There are 22 Major Arcana cards and 56 Minor Arcana cards that help you tap into your inner source of awareness, power, and wisdom. The Major Arcana usually concerns itself with life's spiritual lessons while the Minor Arcana represents what we experience on a day to day basis.

"The Zenned Out Guide to Understanding the Tarot" will lead you to increase your self-knowledge and enlightenment through the tarot, demonstrated with illustrations of 78 lavishly designed cards. This comprehensive collection will introduce you to the art of tarot and tarot readings. Complete with actionable exercises and steps that you can easily do at home, you'll be able to add tarot to your magickal arsenal. You'll learn how to use your intuition to interpret the cards' messages and use the messages to manifest your intentions.

Connect with your inner self as you find insights on where you are and figure out your next move. Strengthen your spiritual practice with this modern take on the tarot.

Critique: Beginning with a brief history of the tarot, "The Zenned Out Guide to Understanding the Tarot" is an exceptional introduction to the subject and an especially ideal choice for the novice tarot reader. Particularly well written, organized and presented, "The Zenned Out Guide to Understanding the Tarot" is recommended for personal, professional, and community library Metaphysical Studies collections in general, and Tarot instructional reference collections in particular.

Editorial Note: Cassie Uhl is the owner and founder of Zenned Out, a jewelry store brand aimed at normalizing spirituality in the common marketplace. Cassie hopes to give spiritual souls a place to feel at home on her Zenned Out blog and offers handcrafted jewelry with meaningful symbols, powerful gemstones, and mindful quotes to enable people to wear jewelry that aligns with their souls' purpose.

The Witch's Complete Guide to Self-Care
Theodosia Corinth
Chartwell Books
c/o Quarto Publishing Group USA
100 Cummings Center, Suite 265D, Beverly, MA 01915
www.quartoknows.com
9780785839484, $16.99, HC, 168pp

https://www.amazon.com/Witchs-Complete-Guide-Self-Care-Spellcraft/dp/0785839488

Synopsis: Witchcraft is the practice of connecting a deeper power within yourself to the power within nature. Blending witchcraft and wellness, the abundance of meditations and manifestations in this guide will help you unite with your intentions and the natural world around you to live a fully fulfilled life. While "The Witch's Complete Guide to Self-Care: Everyday Healing Rituals and Soothing Spellcraft for Well-Being" by Theodosia Corinth will not give you a simple spell to be happy, its intention is to unseat the complex issues that are the roots of your unhappiness.

Complete with meditations and mantras to guide you through the toughest parts of the craft, "The Witch's Complete Guide to Self-Care" is an essential part of any self-aware pagan's or Wiccan library. By performing rituals to release guilt and protection spells that build boundaries (among other things), this book will guide you through how to care for yourself and your inner witch. Reflection is a key component to self-discovery and fulfillment.

"The Witch's Complete Guide to Self-Care: Everyday Healing Rituals and Soothing Spellcraft for Well-Being" instructs the reader with respect to: How to make homemade tea blends to soothe your mind, and then read your fortune in the leftover leaves; Cleansing rituals to banish bad energy; Wellness witchery through goddess baths (complete with recharging herbs and crystals to help channel your light); How to ward your time to protect your values; Rituals for letting go of sadness, grief, and anything that is no longer serving you; Uncrossing spells to help you move past whatever has been blocking you from your true happiness; Herbal remedies to heal the body -- and more!

Critique: Nicely illustrated throughout, "The Witch's Complete Guide to Self-Care: Everyday Healing Rituals and Soothing Spellcraft for Well-Being" is exceptionally well written, organized and presented -- making it especially ideal for those new to Wiccan beliefs. While unreservedly recommended for personal, professional, community, college, and university library Metaphysical Studies collections, it should be noted for personal reading lists that "The Witch's Complete Guide to Self-Care: Everyday Healing Rituals and Soothing Spellcraft for Well-Being" is also readily available in a digital book format (Kindle, $9.99).

Editorial Note: Theodosia Corinth is a practicing witch and writer born and living in Salem, Massachusetts. She writes and edits full time, and has worked as a professional tarot card reader. When she's casting her spell on the world around her, she works with astrology, tarot, and the natural world to connect with her intuition and guide her writing.


The Photography Shelf

The Photographs of Ed Kenney
Ed Kenney
Seapoint Books
https://seapointbooks.com
9780998556581, $60.00, HC, 192pp

https://www.amazon.com/Winter-Coast-Maine-Photographs-Kenney/dp/0998556580

Synopsis: "The Winter Coast of Maine" is the first fine art book dedicated to color photographs of Maine's coastal landscape made exclusively during the coldest months - a time of year that most visitors and summer residents rarely get to see.

The Maine coast is a place of exquisite beauty at all times of year, but especially in winter. The topography of this region ranges from long sandy beaches in the south to tall granite headlands in the area known as "Down East." Photographer and Maine resident Ed Kenney has spent the last decade compiling a portfolio of stunning images capturing the essence of a coast that is at times serene and still, and at other times ferocious, stormy, and bitterly cold.

A photographer for over a half century, Ed Kenney can barely recall a time when a camera was not close at hand. His skills were honed using a succession of film cameras that began with a Kodak Hawkeye and progressed over the years to an Arca Swiss 4x5. Although the view camera still sees occasional use, these days almost all capture is digital on high resolution sensors matched with the finest lenses.

The luminous photographs gathered here forcefully make the case that while some things pass, many things seem eternal on "The Winter Coast of Maine".

Critique: A beautiful, elegantly visual compendium of truly memorable images, "The Winter Coast of Maine" is a coffee- table style volume (12.91 x 0.84 x 10.98 inches) showcasing photographer Ed Kenney's genuine flare for compelling photos of the Maine coastline in the winter season -- all of which were shot close to home, both literally and figuratively. Simply stated, "The Winter Coast of Maine" is especially and unreservedly recommended for personal, professional, community, college, and university library Contemporary American Photography collections.


The Theatre/Cinema/TV Shelf

The Lone Ranger: The Early Years, 1933 - 1937
Terry Salomonson, author
Martin Grams, Jr., author
BearManor Media
PO Box 71426, Albany, GA 31708
www.bearmanormedia.com
9781629337708, $59.00, HC, 752pp

https://www.amazon.com/Lone-Ranger-Early-Years-hardback/dp/1629337706

Synopsis: When The Lone Ranger premiered as a weekly radio program on the evening of January 31, 1933, no one involved with the creation of the show suspected that "Hi-Yo, Silver!" would become an expression that would enter America's lexicon. For more than two decades, radio listeners were treated to the adventures of the "masked rider of the plains," who rode a fiery horse across the length of seven western states in pursuit of lawbreakers. With the assistance of Tonto, his faithful Indian companion, The Lone Ranger exchanged fisticuffs with outlaws who preyed upon the meek. The Lone Ranger quickly became mythic to juvenile listeners who faithfully tuned in to the radio program three nights a week.

Regrettably, it was not until 1938 that the radio broadcasts were recorded on a regular basis. Consequently, very little has been documented about those first five years, herein referred to as "The Early Years." With the publication of "The Lone Ranger: The Early Years, 1933 - 1937", historians Terry Salomonson and Martin Grams have combined three decades of research to present the facts behind the origin of The Lone Ranger, and the ongoing development both artistic and commercial, along with scans of archival documents to back up the facts.

In addition, "The Lone Ranger: The Early Years, 1933 - 1937" offers plot summaries for pre-1938 radio broadcasts, filling a void that was sorely needed. "The Lone Ranger: The Early Years, 1933 - 1937" reveals such obscure trivia details as: The Lone Ranger and Tonto had a juvenile sidekick named Little Davy; our two heroes had a canine companion; Tonto was once engaged. "The Lone Ranger: The Early Years, 1933 - 1937" is definitive history that presents a portrait of both the beloved characters and their dramatic adventures that fans of The Lone Ranger will enjoy reading.

Critique: Exceptionally well researched, organized and presented, "The Lone Ranger: The Early Years, 1933 - 1937" is impressively comprehensive -- making it especially and unreservedly recommended for community, college, and university library 20th Century Popular Culture collections. It should be noted for the personal reading lists of the legions of Lone Ranger fans that "The Lone Ranger: The Early Years, 1933 - 1937" is also readily available in a paperback edition (9798712392469, $45.95).


The Automotive Shelf

Oldsmobile V-8 Engines 1964 - 1990: How to Rebuild
Mike Forsythe
CarTech Inc.
838 Lake Street South, Forest Lake, MN 55025
www.cartechbooks.com
9781613255926, $39.95, PB, 144pp

https://www.amazon.com/Oldsmobile-V-8-Engines-1964-1990-Rebuild/dp/1613255926

Synopsis: Oldsmobile caught the performance world by surprise when it launched its new overhead valve (OHV) V-8 in 1949 called the Rocket. These engines, along with Cadillac, were the first post-war OHV design produced by General Motors. In a world of flathead V-8 performance, they were a major step forward and an instant hit.

As was the norm for all American car manufacturers in the 1950s and 1960s, the Rocket V-8s grew in size and performance capability until the Generation II engines began production in 1964. Offered in a variety of displacements over the 27-year run, the Generation II engine was offered in sizes ranging from 260 to 455 ci, suiting every possible need from reliable fuel economy to all-out performance.

In Oldsmobile V-8 Engines 1964 - 1990: How to Rebuild, Mike Forsythe takes you through the complete process of rebuilding and restoring your Generation II Rocket V-8 to its original glory. Covered in a thorough step-by-step format are the tools required, the disassembly process, analysis of what went wrong, parts selection and replacement, the machining process, pre-assembly, final assembly, and the break-in process. Some performance upgrade options are also included.

The Oldsmobile Generation II engine had a lengthy and productive run not only powering Oldsmobiles but also a variety of Buicks and Pontiacs. If you are in the restoration process or simply want a return to factory-original performance in your Cutlass, Delta 88, Vista Cruiser, Toronado, 98, or 442, this book is an essential tool in bring your Oldsmobile back to its original glory.

Critique: With the step-by-step illustrated instruction that comprise " even the most novice of DIY car restoration fans can bring that old Oldsmobile engine back to life. Comprehensive and exceptionally 'user friendly' in organization and presentation, "Oldsmobile V-8 Engines 1964 - 1990: How to Rebuild" is particularly and unreservedly recommended for personal, professional, and community library Automotive Instructional Reference collections. It should be noted that "Oldsmobile V-8 Engines 1964 - 1990: How to Rebuild" is also readily available in a digital book format (Kindle, $16.99).

Editorial Note: Mike Forsythe rebuilt his first engine at age 13. Over the past 45 years, he has rebuilt too many engines to count, whether they resided in cars, trucks, or aircraft. Mike has also authored numerous overhaul books for major automotive publishers. In addition to his expertise with Oldsmobile engine overhauls, Mike earned certification as an Automotive Service Excellence (ASE) master automobile technician and is an Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) certified aircraft mechanic. As an avid drag racer, Mike also knows the tricks to ensure that engines reach their power potential.


The Interior Design Shelf

The Monocle Book of Homes
Tyler Brule, author
Nolan Giles, author
Andrew Tuck, author
Thames & Hudson, Inc.
500 Fifth Avenue, New York, NY 10110-0017
www.thamesandhudsonusa.com
9780500971147, $65.00, 304pp

https://www.amazon.com/Monocle-Book-Home-Tyler-Br%C3%BBl%C3%A9/dp/0500971145

Synopsis: Good homes are places where lives unfold, families grow up, dogs jump on sofas, and friends share meals. They're also spaces to find some solitude, be it a quiet corner to read a book or have a Saturday afternoon nap. Homes need to do it all -- they sustain you, inspire you, and tell your story through architecture, design, and collections.

Monocle is a publication that has always celebrated everything that makes a space a home when covering residences -- whether featuring a city hideaway, a modernist seaside residence, or a summer outpost in a forest. The Monocle editorial team brings this all together in the illustrated pages of "The Monocle Book of Homes", a one volume coffee-table style book (7.88 x 10.5 inches) that explores individual homes, housing projects old and new, communities of self-builders, even whole neighborhoods where a simple philosophy of building well has created quality of life for many.

"The Monocle Book of the Home" is packed from cover to cover with great photography that delivers the bigger picture and the smallest details alongside fascinating essays full of advice by key thinkers, writers, and designers. As we spend more time at home than ever, "7.88 x 10.5 inches" is a book that could change how you live.

Critique: Exceptionally well organized and presented, illustrated in throughout in full color with accompanying informative and descriptive commentaries, "The Monocle Book of the Home" will prove to be an especially welcome addition to personal, professional, community, college, and university library Interior Design collections and supplemental curriculum studies lists.

Editorial Note: Tyler Brule is the editor-in-chief of Monocle. Nolan Giles is the Design Editor of Monocle. Andrew Tuck is the editor of Monocle magazine.


The Woodworking Shelf

Woodturning: A Foundation Course
Keith Rowley
The GMC Group
www.gmcbooks.com
9781861081148, $19.95, PB, 176pp

https://www.amazon.com/Woodturning-Foundation-Course-Keith-Rowley/dp/1861081146

Synopsis: Now in a newly updated edition, "Woodturning: A Foundation Course" by Keith Rowley provides the novice woodworking with a complete DIY course in the basic, safe, and correct techniques for mastering the lathe. Each individual chapter takes on an essential aspect of woodturning ranging from the types of lathes and accessories to sharpening, from turning between centers to faceplate turning, from copy turning to boring and routing.

Critique: Profusely and effectively illustrated, exceptionally well organized, and thoroughly 'user friendly' in presentation, "Woodturning: A Foundation Course" is an ideal and unreservedly recommended addition to community library woodworking collections and as a textbook for school woodshop curriculums. It should be noted for personal reading lists that "Woodturning: A Foundation Course" is also readily available in a digital book format (Kindle, $16.99).


The Needlecraft Shelf

Astrology Embroidery
Maya Hanisch
B&M! Books
c/o Quarto Publishing Group USA
100 Cummings Center, Suite 265D, Beverly, MA 01915
www.quartoknows.com
9780760372258, $19.99, PB, 128pp

https://www.amazon.com/Astrology-Embroidery-Stitch-Celestial-Patterns/dp/076037225X

Synopsis: Through the centuries, people have looked to the night sky for inspiration and guidance. With all the upheaval in the world, looking to the ever-steady stars is more appealing than ever. Hand embroidery offers yet another kind of relief in turbulent times. Taking a break from the screen and focusing on the simple rhythm of stitching colorful images in cloth can have a calming, meditative effect.

"Astrology Embroidery: Stitch the Zodiac and 30 Celestial Patterns" by Chilean illustrator Maya Hansch marries these two sources of calm by providing 30 original celestial patterns with embroidery instructions and illustrations. The beginner-friendly patterns include all 12 of the zodiac signs so you can personalize your projects.

"Astrology Embroidery" is a primer on embroidery techniques, materials, and stitches. Each pattern comes with step-by-step instructions and reference images of the finished project.

Critique: Profusely illustrated, thoroughly 'user friendly' in organization and presentation, "Astrology Embroidery: Stitch the Zodiac and 30 Celestial Patterns" is ideal for the novice and a unique acquisition for the more advanced needlecrafter. Especially and unreservedly recommended for community library Needlecraft collections, it will be particularly appreciated for needlecrafters with an interest in astrology.


The Architecture Shelf

Farmhouse: Reimagining the Classic American Icon
Editors of Fine Homebuilding
The Taunton Press
63 South Main Stree, Newtown, CT 06470
www.taunton.com
9781641551649, $34.99, HC, 208pp

https://www.amazon.com/Farmhouse-Reimagining-Classic-American-Icon/dp/164155164X

Synopsis: The farmhouse is a classic American icon, combining comfort and simplicity, elegance and nostalgia, all without pretension. No matter the age or condition, these historic homesteads call to mind the pragmatism of the pioneers who worked the land and raised their families at a time when practicality was key to prosperity.

But as reflected in the illustrated pages of "Farmhouse: Reimagining the Classic American Icon" by the editorial staff of Fine Homebuilding magazine, the farmhouse is more than a historic artifact. Farmhouse style continues to evolve into the 21st century, carrying with it the best of the past while adapting to our modern lifestyle. Whether built in 1720 or 2020, a farmhouse is instantly recognizable for its main rectangular form, gabled or lean-to additions, various outbuildings, and spartan architecture, among other hallmarks.

While the farmhouse's use of natural materials and basic construction is indicative of its traditional, sensible nature, modern farmhouses might equally be built according to Passive House or other energy-efficient standards.

Whether true to tradition or adapted for a modern lifestyle, the houses illustratively showcased in "Farmhouse: Reimagining the Classic American Icon" are a testament to the flexibility, durability, longevity, and (above all else) the everlasting appeal of the American farmhouse.

Critique: A visual pleasure to browse through one page at a time, "Farmhouse: Reimagining the Classic American Icon" is a unique, extraordinary, detailed, and exceptionally informative survey that would grace any personal, professional, community, college, or university library Architectural History collection and supplemental curriculum studies lists.

Editorial Note: Since 1981 Fine Homebuilding has been providing information and inspiration to everyone who cares about quality home improvement and construction. the magazine is the best source of home improvement information and helps readers build projects better, faster, and more efficiently. The farmhouses comprising "Farmhouse: Reimagining the Classic American Icon" have been selected from the pages of Fine Homebuilding magazine.


The Jobs/Careers Shelf

Undiversified
Ellen Carr, Katrina Dudley
Columbia University Press
https://cup.columbia.edu
9780231195881, $24.95 hc / $11.99 Kindle

https://www.amazon.com/Undiversified-Investment-Management-Heilbrunn-Investing/dp/0231195885

Synopsis: Diversification is a core principle of investing. Yet money managers have not applied it to their own ranks. Only around 10 percent of portfolio managers - the people most directly responsible for investing your money - are female, and the numbers are even worse at the ownership level. What are the causes of this underrepresentation, and what are its consequences - including for firms' and clients' bottom lines?

In Undiversified, experienced practitioners Ellen Carr and Katrina Dudley examine the lack of women in investment management and propose solutions to improve the imbalance. They explore the barriers that subtly but effectively discourage women from entering and staying in the industry at each point in the pipeline. At the entry level, the lack of visible role models discourages students from considering the field, and those who do embark on an investment management career face many obstacles to retention and promotion. Carr and Dudley highlight the importance of informal knowledge about how to navigate career tracks, without which women are left at a disadvantage in an industry that lionizes confidence. They showcase a diverse constellation of successful female portfolio managers to demystify the profession.

Drawing on wide-ranging research, interviews with prospective, current, and former industry practitioners, and the authors' own experiences, Undiversified makes a compelling case that increasing the number of women could help transform active investment management at a time when it is under threat from passive strategies and technological innovation.

Critique: Undiversified: The Big Gender Short in Investment Management examines why and how so few women have careers in investment management. Chapters discuss the subtle barriers that dissuade women from money management, from lack of visible role models to psychological difficulties adapting to an industry that exalts an unflappable projection of confidence at all times. Proposed solutions to the systemic gender imbalance in investment management, as well as invaluable insights for any woman interested in pursuing such a career, make Undiversified a welcome addition to public and college library Business and Career shelves. It should be noted for personal reading lists that Undiversified is also available in a Kindle edition ($11.99).

Editorial Note: Ellen Carr has over two decades of experience as a high-yield bond portfolio manager, most recently at Barksdale Investment Management, a majority-women-owned, institutional fixed-income investment management firm. She is also an adjunct professor of finance at Columbia Business School, where she teaches courses on the credit markets and cash flow modeling. She is an occasional contributor to the Financial Times.

Katrina Dudley is a global equity portfolio manager at Franklin Templeton Investments, one of the world's largest asset managers. She is the author of the introduction to the Vault Career Guide to Mutual Funds (2016). She is a frequent market commentator on CNBC and Bloomberg, a mentor to up-and-coming female investment professionals, and a guest lecturer at Columbia Business School.


The Travel Shelf

Secret Memphis
Holly R. Whitefield
Reedy Press
PO Box 5131, St. Louis, MO 63139
www.reedypress.com
9781681062327, $20.95, PB, 224pp

https://www.amazon.com/Secret-Memphis-Guide-Wonderful-Obscure/dp/1681062321

Synopsis: What happened in 1954 at the Chisca Hotel in downtown Memphis that sparked a worldwide musical phenomenon? How did an eccentric businessman living in a pink mansion invent the first self-service grocery store, forever changing the way Americans shop? Where did notorious gangster Machine Gun Kelly enjoy his final moments of freedom before spending life in prison?

Uncover these stories and more tales from a soulful river city in "Secret Memphis: A Guide to the Weird, Wonderful, and Obscure", a guide that takes you beyond the basics and into the deep waters of Memphis culture and history.

As Memphis author Holly Whitfield leads you through the most surprising, intriguing, and marvelous locations in the city, you ll discover places you never knew existed and the unexpected stories behind familiar sites. From a glass-and-steel pyramid on the banks of the Mississippi River to a park populated by bison, from mounds built by Native Americans centuries ago to the birthplace of the Queen of Soul, Secret Memphis unearths this authentic, lively city's mysteries one by one.

Critique: A unique travel guide that is packed from cover to cover with inherently fascinating trivia, "Secret Memphis: A Guide to the Weird, Wonderful, and Obscure" by Holly R. Whitefield is a 'must read' choice for anyone living in, visiting, or simply passing through the iconic southern city of Memphis, Tennessee. While highly recommended for community library American Travel Guide collections, it should be noted for personal reading lists that "Secret Memphis: A Guide to the Weird, Wonderful, and Obscure" is also readily available in a digital book format (Kindle, $9.99).


The Christian Studies Shelf

Walking with Ignatius: In Conversation with Dario Menor
Arturo Sosa, SJ
Loyola Press
https://www.loyolapress.com
9780829454529, $24.99 paperback

https://www.amazon.com/Walking-Ignatius-Conversation-Dario-Menor/dp/0829454527

Synopsis: Walking with Ignatius introduces the reader to Fr. Arturo Sosa, who was elected Superior General of the Society of Jesus in 2016. This book opens the "Ignatian Year" and marks the 500th anniversary of the wound that led to the conversion of St. Ignatius Loyola. Along with his observations on the Society of Jesus, the Church, and the world today - while emphasizing the Universal Apostolic Preferences - Fr. Sosa offers suggestions for reflection and prayer, either alone or in a community. In his words, the reader is invited "to grow, starting in the exact place you find yourself, guided by the Lord, and advancing step-by-step...and [to] become a pilgrim yourself so that you may walk the path of Christian adventure in our changing world.
Written in collaboration with the journalist Dario Menor, Walking with Ignatius is based on the weekly interviews he held with Fr. Sosa over a period of two and a half months.

Critique: Walking with Ignatius: In Conversation with Dario Menor presents an extensive interview with Fr. Arturo Sosa, Superior General of the Society of Jesus, with a particular focus upon the historical event that led to the religious conversion of St. Ignatius Loyola. In May of 1521, Ignatius of Loyola suffered a battle wound that changed his life; now over 500 years later, his story still resonates with Christian converts today. Yet Walking with Ignatius covers far more than history and conversion; the interview touches upon many facets of the Society of Jesus. "[Question] Are there any climate change deniers in the Society of Jesus? [Answer] If there are, I don't know them. What I have observed though, is some reluctance regarding this issue. [...] The problem isn't ill will but the difficulty in adopting the new way of life that comes with taking on a different relationship with the environment." Walking with Ignatius: In Conversation with Dario Menor is a welcome addition to Christian Studies and church library collections, highly recommended.

Editors Note: Fr. Arturo Sosa, SJ, was born in Caracas, Venezuela, in 1948. Impressed by the Jesuit brothers who taught at his school, he entered the novitiate in 1966. He was the youngest delegate to take part in General Congregation 33, and from 1996 to 2004 Fr. Sosa served as the Jesuit Provincial for Venezuela. On October 14, 2016, he was named Superior General of the Society of Jesus.


The Judaic Studies Shelf

Hidden Heroes
Pamela Braun Cohen
Gefen Publishing House
https://gefenpublishing.com
9789657023365 $29.95 hc / $8.79 Kindle

https://www.amazon.com/Hidden-Heroes-Womans-Resistance-Rescue/dp/965702336X

Synopsis: Spanning nearly three decades, Hidden Heroes gives an insider's view of the modern-day exodus of Soviet Jews from the Soviet Union, a period of Jewish history that has rarely been told and is in danger of being forgotten. This deeply personal narrative explores the grassroots Soviet Jewish emigration movement through the eyes of one of its indefatigable leaders, focusing on the actions of heroic refuseniks in the Soviet Union as well as courageous individuals in the West described by Natan Sharansky as the "army of students and housewives" who waged the battle to free Soviet Jews.

From Russia, Ukraine, and Lithuania to the distant republics of Central Asia, refuseniks come to life, discovering their identity, protesting on the streets, defending themselves in courtrooms, defying jailers in their prison cells, and struggling to survive in Siberian labor camps. This engrossing memoir tells the story of the resistance and moral courage of men and women inside the Soviet Union and of those in the West who relentlessly crusaded on their behalf.

Critique: Hidden Heroes: One Woman's Story of Resistance and Rescue in the Soviet Union is both a deeply personal memoir and a revelation of history. Here are true tales of Soviet Jews in Russia, Ukraine, Lithuania, and Central Asia who struggled for human rights, including the right to emigrate, during the Cold War. An index enhances this eye-opening tale of courage and resistance. Hidden Heroes is a welcome addition to personal and public library Judaic Studies and World History collections, highly recommended. It should be noted for personal reading lists that Hidden Heroes is also available in a Kindle edition ($8.79).

Editors Note: Haunted by the legacy of the Holocaust, Pamela Braun Cohen became an activist in the Soviet Jewry movement in the early 1970s. She served as co-chair of Chicago Action for Soviet Jewry from 1978 until 1986, when she became the national president of the Union of Councils for Soviet Jews (UCSJ). Her leadership role took her to the halls of Congress and the White House and on frequent trips to the Soviet Union. Cohen received the Humanitarian Award from the Raoul Wallenberg Committee of Chicago; the Medal of Honor from refuseniks; and a Doctor of Humane Letters degree from Spertus College of Judaica.


The Folktale/Fairytale Shelf

Yamamba: In Search of the Japanese Mountain Witch
Rebecca Copeland & Linda C. Ehrlich, editors
Stone Bridge Press
https://www.stonebridge.com
9781611720662, $18.95 pbk / $9.99 Kindle

https://www.amazon.com/Yamamba-Search-Japanese-Mountain-Witch/dp/1611720664

Synopsis: Alluring, nurturing, dangerous, and vulnerable the yamamba, or Japanese mountain witch, has intrigued audiences for centuries. What is it about the fusion of mountains with the solitary old woman that produces such an enigmatic figure? And why does she still call to us in this modern, scientific era?

Co-editors Rebecca Copeland and Linda C. Ehrlich first met the yamamba in the powerful short story "The Smile of the Mountain Witch" by acclaimed woman writer Oba Minako. The story revealed the compelling way creative women can take charge of misogynistic tropes, invert them, and use them to tell new stories of female empowerment.

This unique collection represents the creative and surprising ways artists and scholars from North America and Japan have encountered the yamamba.

Critique: Yamamba: In Search of the Japanese Mountain Witch is an anthology of interviews, poetry, short stories, and commentary inspired by the mythological figure of the Japanese mountain witch, or yamamba. A literary exploration of a this folklore trope, once intertwined with misogyny, yet also possessing the potential to be reinvented in a different light, Yamamba is captivating, thought-provoking, and highly recommended especially for college and public library folklore and literary studies shelves. It should be noted for personal reading lists that Yamamba is also available in a Kindle edition ($9.99).

Editorial Note: Rebecca Copeland is a professor of Japanese literature at Washington University in St. Louis, a writer of fiction and literary criticism, and a translator of Japanese literature. Her stories travel between Japan and the American South and touch on questions of identity, belonging, and self-discovery. The Kimono Tattoo, her debut work, takes readers on a journey into Kyoto's intricate world of kimono design, and into a mystery that interweaves family dynamics, loss, and reconciliation.

Linda C. Ehrlich is an independent scholar who has published extensively about world cinema and traditional theater. Her recent publication, The Films of Kore-eda Hirokazu: An Elemental Cinema (Palgrave Macmillan, 2020), is the first book in English on this influential Japanese director. She has published poetry in International Poetry Review, The Bitter Oleander, Southern Poetry Review, Literary Arts Hawaii, Pinesong, and other literary journals. Dr. Ehrlich has taught at Duke University, Case Western Reserve University, the University of Tennessee/Knoxville, and on two Semester-at-Sea voyages.


The Pets/Wildlife Shelf

Piglet
Melissa Shapiro DVM & Mim Eichler Rivas
Atria Books
http://www.simonandschusterpublishing.com/atria
9781982167165, $26.00 hc / $13.99 Kindle

https://www.amazon.com/Piglet-Unexpected-Story-Blind-Family/dp/1982167165

Synopsis: When Connecticut veterinarian Melissa Shapiro gets a call about a tiny deaf blind puppy rescued from a hoarding situation in need of fostering, she doesn't hesitate to say, "yes." Little does she know how that decision will transform her, her family, and legions of admirers destined to embrace the saga of the indomitable pink pup.

One of the most anxious dogs Melissa had ever encountered, the traumatized Piglet weighed under two pounds upon his welcome into the Shapiro household - which included Melissa's husband Warren and their three college-aged kids, plus six other rescued dogs. After weeks of reassurance, and lots of love, Piglet connected, gained confidence, and his extraordinary spirit emerged. Melissa soon forged a powerful bond with Piglet, allowing the two to communicate without sound or visual cues.

Two months later, when the day arrived to say good-bye to the now dashing, six-pound pink boy dog with the larger than life spirit, Melissa faced a heart-wrenching decision. Could she hand him over to someone willing to give Piglet the full-time attention he required or could she adapt her schedule and her household to make a permanent place for him in her life and work? Of course, the answer was simple: love would find a way.

Curious, engaged, and incredibly eager to learn, Piglet quickly became part of the family. What started out as a few simple Facebook posts of Piglet and his pack rapidly evolved into a global celebration of Piglet's infectiously positive mindset. Piglet: The Unexpected Story of a Deaf, Blind, Pink Puppy and His Family fully illustrates this heartwarming story of one special little puppy with a purpose to teach the power of empathy, love, and kindness.

Critique: Piglet: The Unexpected Story of a Deaf, Blind, Pink Puppy and His Family is the true story of how a veterinarian and her family formed a bond with a deaf-blind puppy named Piglet. Adapting to Piglet's needs was challenging, but love created connections stronger than verbal or visual cues. A heartwarming testimony from cover to cover, Piglet will especially appeal to dog lovers everywhere. It should be noted for personal reading lists that Piglet is also available in a Kindle edition ($13.99).

Editorial Note: Melissa Shapiro, DVM, is a veterinarian, a lifelong animal welfare advocate, and mom to three children and many disabled rescued dogs and birds. Since bringing Piglet home in 2017, she has used his social media platform to educate, advocate, and inspire others to adopt pets with special needs. Her nonprofit organization, Piglet International Inc., supports the Piglet Mindset Educational Outreach, a free downloadable educational program that teaches growth mindset, acceptance, inclusion, empathy, and kindness to students and others in the community, as well as various animal rights causes.

Mim Eichler Rivas is coauthor with Chris Gardner of the #1 New York Times bestseller The Pursuit of Happyness. Mim's list of more than three dozen acclaimed coauthorships includes the national bestseller Finding Fish with Antwone Fisher. Mim's solo title, Beautiful Jim Key, has sold briskly for more than a dozen years and has a feature film in the works.


James A. Cox, Editor-in-Chief
Diane C. Donovan, Editor
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