October 2016 Prime Picks
Social Issues
The
Girl Who Escaped Isis The
Girl Who Escaped Isis: This is My Story
begins in early summer of 2014, when the author was a 19-year-old
living with
her family in the mountains of Northern Iraq.
One day her life changed and she loses everything familiar and loved
when ISIS
invads their village, destroys her home, and sells her into sexual
slavery. Most
stories would have ended at this point, untold; but The Girl Who Escaped Isis
continues, outlining an incredible
journey of survival against all odds, life as a sex slave, Farida
Khalaf's
struggle for freedom. Chapters
recount physical and mental torture, suicide attempts, life in an ISIS
military camp, and the plights of other girls she encountered who were
in
similar situations. Farida successfully escaped, leading six girls on
an
intricate journey to freedom, only to discover there was no home to
return to. Her
story is a gripping reminder of why struggles to remain free should
never be
set aside, and will engross any who look for edge-of-your-seat reading
and
sagas of survival under impossible odds.
Farida Khalaf and Andrea C. Hoffman
Atria Books
9781501131714 $24.00
www.simonandschuster.com
Tong
Wars Tong
Wars: The Untold Story of Vice, Money and Murder in New
York's Chinatown comes from a
historian who considers the
sociology and evolution of Chinese gangs in New York; and while it
appears to
focus on a particular set of encounters, its wider focus is on a
history of the
Chinese, who began populating New York in the 1880s. As
chapters reveal how two Chinese tongs evolved and acted as support
systems for
immigrants facing a society replete with discrimination policies
against them,
readers learn about how initial support systems turned dangerous and
fostered
an era of gang activities that were to result in some of the deadliest
racial
clashes in New York's history. Scott
D. Seligman combines an affinity for historical research with an
ability to
craft his narration like a dramatic novel: a feature which will absorb
fans of
true crime, history and fiction alike. Vintage
black and white photos pepper the account, which is a 'must' for any
who would
understand Chinese-American and gang history and New
York's evolutionary process.
Scott D. Seligman
Viking
9780399562273
www.penguin.com
Audiobooks
Highbridge
Audio
www.highbridgeaudio.com
These new arrivals from Highbridge Audio are exceptional listens and are highly recommended for any discriminating audiobook collection, bringing their print book counterparts to new life.
Jennifer Ackerman's The Genius of Birds (9781681681283, $34.99) receives a fine narration by Margaret Strom, whose voice lends well to this natural history of birds.
The focus on how birds are unique in their social interactions and intelligence is based on the author's travels around the world, learning about the latest avian research and visiting science facilities and birding habitats alike.
The result tells of the recently discovered genius of birds and how they hold new information about bird brains and abilities that have the potential to revolutionize what we know and understand about birds and bird brains.
Simon de Pury and William Stadiem's The Auctioneer: Adventures in the Art Trade (9781618661344, $34.99) would, at first glance, seem limited to audiences with a prior interest in art; but narrator Ralph Lister's ability to dramatize this process and its insights creates an audio discussion that should reach far beyond audiences of art enthusiasts and into the general public.
The author, a London-based expert with associations with Sotheby's Europe and its rival Phillips de Pury, brings into the discussion a level of expertise that doesn't limit itself to audiences of art dealers and professionals, but attends to discussing the art world's collections and sales and his passion for bringing that art to the public eye.
As he details auctions, art investments, and individuals involved in the process, readers receive a lively, captivating narration that requires no prior expertise to prove engrossing.
The Computer Corner
Cyberspies
Gordon Corera
Pegasus Books
9781681771540
$29.95
www.pegasusbooks.com
Cyberspies: The Secret History of Surveillance, Hacking, and Digital Espionage is more than a story of current cyberhacking and international involvements, but provides a history that goes back to the Second World War and the evolution of both the internet and its surveillance and manipulation.
This approach provides a much more sweeping story than a simple focus on modern times could have done, considering technological developments, historic precedent, the evolution of international espionage techniques, challenges to diplomacy, the efforts of business and scientific interests to handle and assess internet capabilities and other research, and more.
This crafts a powerful history that moves far beyond the latest events and lays the groundwork for a more thorough, in-depth understanding of the entire world of cyberspace and its manipulation and control by various forces. It's simply a 'must' for any computer information specialist and anyone interested in computer security history and the social and political forces surrounding it.
Murach's ASP.NET
4.6 Web Programming with C# 2015
Mary Delamater and Anne Boehm
Murach
9781890774950
$59.50
www.murach.com
Murach's ASP.NET 4.6 Web Programming with C# 2015 appears in its sixth updated edition to give developers the latest information on the best practices and applications of ASP.NET 4.6.
Included in this coverage are keys to writing custom websites using the latest program features, how to understand where and how ASP.NET dovetails with HTML5, Bootstrap, and related programs, how to use SQL data sources and C# codes for routing objectives, choosing and using different controls and views, and more.
Each section is designed to take programmers from introductory to intermediate levels, pairing plenty of code examples and black and white screen shots with discussions of objectives, obstacles, and best practices.
The result is a 'must' for any who would apply the latest program's many features to real-world situations in the fastest, most efficient manner possible.
Real
World Agility
Daniel James Gullo
Addison-Wesley
9780134191706 $39.99
www.informit.com/aw
Real World Agility: Practical Guidance for Agile Practitioners comes from a notable Agile coach and consultant who discusses why companies often face major challenges implementing Agile practices, and shows how the same patterns and issues keep popping up.
Not only are major systems and their flaws exposed, but Gullo offers detailed insights on software development processes in an Agile environment, considers how they differ and how they challenge Agile-based teams, and shows how to address the typical problems that arise when Agile practices are applied to real-world problems.
With chapters covering such diverse topics as how to measure the progress of product deliverability goals, how to take better advantage of workshops and conferences, and how to best interact with product management teams, vignettes and best practices advice join forces in a powerful set of Agile-specific insights especially recommended for software developers and business managers newly working in an Agile environment.
The
Culinary Corner
101
Uses for Moonshine
Chris Burnette & Elise Coulter Burnette
Schiffer Publishing
9780764351174
$19.99
www.schifferbooks.com
101 Uses for Moonshine blends history into a discussion of American moonshine and its creation and a culinary survey of how to use moonshine in different recipes, and is recommended for anyone who has a prior interest in all kinds of alcoholic drinks and how to make them.
But readers who choose this lively survey expecting some kind of recipe book may be disappointed: 101 Uses for Moonshine is much more than a cookbook, and covers all kinds of medicinal uses for moonshine, its commercial and home production history, and more.
Home distillers and any reader with an interest in culinary history in general and alcoholic production in particular will find 101 Uses for Moonshine to be a lively history packed with illustrations and color photos, offering a more well-rounded consideration of moonshine than most other beverage books.
Fair
Winds
www.QuartoKnows.com
Celine Steen & Joni Marie Newman's Vegans Go Nuts (9781592337255, $22.99) packs in vegan recipes that are based on nuts and seeds, and includes a listing of nuts used in each dish so that it's easy to quickly determine what nuts are required before delving into the recipe.
Variations on themes include international influences as they present a Thai Peanut Pizza, a Moroccan Pilaf with Pomegranate Walnuts, PB&J Breakfast Somosa toaster pastries, and more.
Plenty of vegan cookbooks are on the market; but few offer a dual focus on international cuisine and gaining more protein from nuts; and even fewer provide a focus on quick dishes that are easy to whip up from a relative few ingredients and a minimum of specialty fare.
Color photos liberally peppered throughout provide an excellent embellishment to recipes that will appeal to vegan and non-vegan cooks and eaters alike.
Hayley Barisa Ryczek's Fermented Foods at Every Meal (97812592337156, $21.99) reviews a wide range of foods that are best served fermented; but if some think that limits the offerings to beer and alcohol, that's not the case here.
Yogurt, chutneys, vegetables, drinks, and side dishes can all be fermented, with the benefits of live-culture foods including many health reasons why cooks will want to consider creating these dishes.
Another point of interest is that they are appealing, enhanced by color photos and described in ways that will attract many a foodie. From Roasted Vegetables and Quinoa with Creamy Walnut Dressing and Slow Cooker Pork Tacos with Pineapple Salsa to an interesting and lovely-looking Apple Carrot Cooler made with apple juice or cider and fermented ginger orange carrots, these are appealing dishes that require no lengthy preparation, fancy ingredients, or special tastes to prove accessible and delicious.
Martina Slajerova's Sweet & Savory Fat Bombs: 100 Delicious Treats for Fat Fasts, Ketogenic, Paleo, and Low-Carb Diets (9781592337286, $21.99) teaches how to make some 100 savory and sweet snacks perfect for boosting one's fat intake and providing quick energy.
These range from Cookies and Cream Truffles and Keto Bark to Toasted Coconut Cups and Chocolate and Mint Cups.
Since a number of these recipes require ingredients that might not be found in one's usual supermarket, access to a good health or natural foods store is recommended. Cooks with such an interest and access will find this book's emphasis on particular types of snacks to be appealing and different, spiced with color photos throughout.
Food
on the Rails
Jeri Quinzio
Rowman & Littlefield
9781442272385
www.rowman.com
Food on the Rails: The Golden Era of Railroad Dining should be in any culinary history collection and many a train buff's library. It's the first book in the 'Food on the Go' series, joining others in this publisher's 'Studies in Food and Gastronomy' series, and it serves up an enticing course combining travel and train history with discussions of the special challenges involved in serving food on a moving vehicle.
The details range from descriptions of food evolution to how dining cars were created, while the era of train dining is followed from its bare-bones beginnings to its opulent era and back again.
Vintage black and white photos peppered throughout accompany a satisfying blend of rail and food preparation history which lends lively insights into the issues and evolution of train fare.
Nourish
Books
www.nourishbooks.com
Three fine cookbooks are top picks for cooks looking for easy, accessible selections of international dishes, and pair color photos with recipes that are simple to follow.
Bethany Kehdy is the former Miss Lebanon. Born in Texas and brought up in Lebanon, she learned to cook with her grandmother, father, and aunts, and is now a chef and entrepreneur.
Her creations in The Jewelled Kitchen: A Stunning Collection of Lebanese, Moroccan and Persian Recipes (9781848992894, $19.95) provide original twists on traditional fare, making them more accessible to American home cooks than many similar-sounding cookbooks have achieved.
Vivid color photos compliment such dishes as an apricot and ginger-enhanced Oxtail with Oozing Okra, a unique Chicken with Caraway Couscous made with chickpeas, chicken, lime juice and caraway seeds, and a sweet/savory take-off on a traditional dish, Chicken Basteeya, to name just a few.
She offers many recipes not to be found in other Middle Eastern cookbooks, making The Jewelled Kitchen a standout winner.
The World in My Kitchen: Global Recipes for Kids to Discover and Cook by Sally Brown and Kate Morris (9781848992979, $19.95) takes kids and their parents around the world in an exploration of kid-friendly dishes from other countries, and is the perfect item of choice for parents seeking a global approach to dishes that can be cooked and eaten with kids.
Color photos accompany recipes for Ham and Cheese Quesadillas from Mexico, Ricotta and Spinach Lasagna from Italy, and Walnut Cookies from China, while short prep and cooking times and cultural notes accompany the images of finished dishes and kids enjoying them.
All dishes are based on authentic recipes which have been adapted to make them accessible to young beginning cooks, with prep-challenging ingredients substituted with easier fare requiring minimal supervision from adults.
Parents will find The World in My Kitchen a great way of introducing kids to international flavors.
Chris Young's Slow Dough Real Bread (9781848997370, $29.95) advocates bread-baking with a difference: creating a loaf without any artificial additives or processing ingredients. Artisan bakers and small bread producers from around the world lend their recipes and expertise to this process in a variety of approaches which range from making one's own starter to incorporating different flavors into the dough, as in a Fig and Fennel Sourdough.
Home bakers should realize that there are no promises of quick results: these are long-rise loaves and require time. That said, they can proof overnight and benefit greatly in flavor and quality from less hasty turn-around times.
Slow Dough Real Bread is especially recommended for home bakers committed to bread baking who have already used commercial yeasts and products and who want further insights into a different bread-making approach.
Nourishing
Noodles
Chris Anca
Race Point Publishing
9781631061844 $22.99
www.quartoknows.com
Nourishing Noodles: Spiralize Nearly 100 Plant-Based Recipes for Zoodles, Ribbons, and Vegetable Spirals advocates a different way of making plant-based dishes: by transforming them into noodles.
Spiralizing is the ideal choice for anyone who wants to include more vegetables in their diets, or for those who are on a gluten-free diet, but a spiralizer (a specialized kitchen gadget) is required in order to successfully make the noodles featured here.
That said, the spiralizder is inexpensive, a snap to use, and easily purchased online; so it shouldn't be a barrier to making such noodles, and this cookbook opens a world of options for cooks who would choose or add to their plant-based diet.
From turnip noodles and Beet and Herb Noodles with Preserved Lemon to Mixed Root Vegetable Noodles with Avocado Dressing, this cookbook offers a wide range of flavors and options for any who would use their spiralize to best advantage, or use the spiralized noodle results in a wide range of flavorful dishes.
Out
of the Box Desserts
Hayley Parker
Countryman Press
9781591574098 $24.95
www.countrymanpress.com
Out of the Box Desserts: Simply Spectacular, Semi-Homemade Sweets is for any busy cook who wants the appearance and taste of 'homemade' desserts suitable for entertaining without hours of preparation time, and it achieves this by blending box mixes, ready-made cookie doughs, and other quick ingredients into its approach.
Dessert fans might not expect that something as elegant-looking as Red Velvet Truffle Brownie Bombs, Pumpkin Spice Mini Cheesecakes, or Cookie Fluff Pie could evolve from an instant Oreo pudding mix or a red velvet cake mix; but the fact that many of the recipes have their origins in a box or can doesn't belay their attractiveness or homemade feel.
Busy cooks will find many different kinds of desserts to love, here: all presented with an attention to easy preparation techniques and entertainment-worthy appearances, enhanced by lovely full-page color photos throughout.
Scintillating Sci-Fi and Fantasy
Anomalies
Sadie Turner and Collette Freedman
SelectBooks
9781590793619
$17.95
www.selectbooks.com
Anomalies depicts a future where there is no disease, no war, and much satisfaction under the Global Governance. There wouldn't seem much to write about a world living in such harmony, but all this changes when Keeva turns fifteen and is slated to make a journey to be imprinted with her designated life partner in preparation for joining the world in leading a perfect life.
Keeva isn't against this plan, until she hears rumors about citizens who are "anomalities" who can't be imprinted, and who subsequently vanish. She never expected to join their ranks; but she's about to find out what happens to them and where they go in a process that ultimately challenges the social structure she's been committed to all her life.
A powerful journey evolves, highly recommended for sci-fi readers who enjoy stories of dystopian societies, utopian worlds, and those who don't quite fit into the shoes of their designated dreams.
Paper
and Fire
Rachel Caine
New American Library
9780451472403
$17.99
www.penguin.com
Paper and Fire: The Great Library opens a new series and introduces a world where a Great Library doesn't just hold the knowledge of the world, but actively controls its access and applications.
In such a world, Jess has survived his initial introduction to the Library and is fulfilling his dream of serving in its army, charged with quashing rebellion and the personal ownership of knowledge and books. But his realized dream isn't what he expected, and he's lost much of what he loves in pursuit of this dream.
A bad decision leads to his being identified as one of the Library's enemies, and as he flees the relentless juggernaut of doom, he faces some terrible choices.
A powerful saga fueled by a dangerous automation's domination and a young man's rebellion, Paper and Fire crafts a gripping story that's hard to put down.
Science and Nature
"Birds
Are People, Too"
Kate Davis
Mountain Press Publishing
9780878426690
$18.00
www.mountain-press.com
"Birds Are People, Too": Humor in the Avian World takes wing with some of the funniest pairings of bird photos and interpretations of their meaning in print, and takes a light-hearted, whimsical look at bird oddities and expressions. It will make a perfect gift for avid birders who already have all the bird books in hand that they need.
From the whimsical camouflage of a gray bird on a branch with the accompanying comment "Gordon loved to pretend he was a lizard" to a hawk standing over prey with the caption "By New Year's Day, Kyle was sick of holiday leftovers," these are fun and light-hearted pairings of bird photos and ironic observation that birders will relish.
Restoring
Heritage Grains
Eli Rogosa
Chelsea Green
9781603586702
$24.95
www.chelseagreen.com
Restoring Heritage Gains: the Culture, Biodiversity, Resilience, and Cuisine of Ancient Wheats considers a modern health dilemma, the increasing problems of gluten intolerance, and shows how changed growing methods and modern wheat varieties may be contributing to this problem.
After outlining the history of wheat production, farming methods and modern dilemmas involved in new grain development, Eli Rogosa makes a case for returning to heritage wheats of the past which have evolved to be well-adapted to their growing conditions.
"Forgotten" grains from emmer to durums offer the added benefits of being adaptable, drought tolerant, and tasty. This history of grain growing and old varieties is the perfect place to turn to for the latest information on obtaining, growing, and using these ancient wheat varieties.
When
Mountain Lions Are Neighbors
Beth Pratt-Bergstrom
Heyday
9781597143462
$18.00
www.heydaybooks.com
When Mountain Lions Are Neighbors: People and Wildlife Working it Out in California documents stories of California conservation efforts, gathering these from accounts of human and wildlife interactions over the years to explore how different approaches have led to new relationships between human objectives and wildlife needs.
Chapters explore these animal comebacks and human interactions by pairing case histories with deliberations on special challenges to foxes, mountain lions, wolves, cougars, and other wild animals, juxtaposing color photos throughout with discussions of the many influences on human/wildlife encounters and environments.
Written by the National Wildlife Federation's California director, this exceptional piece exploring comebacks in nature gives plenty of examples of how urban and rural inhabitants can enjoy and co-exist with wild creatures.
It should be mentioned that proceeds from this book are slated for the National Wildlife Federation's conservation efforts in California: yet another reason to enjoy this book's approach and discussion.
The Arts
3D
Origami Art
Jun Mitani
CRC Press
9781498765343
$39.95
www.crcpress.com
3D Origami Art is recommended for enthusiasts already familiar with basic origami folding techniques, who want new ideas and instructions specific to the idea of 3D folding applications.
One might expect color photos of complex 3D productions, which would have highlighted the beautiful work and unique designs featured here; but unfortunately the black and white photos - some fairly small-sized - don't quite capture the nuances of the 3D projects.
That said, the book's focus on some fifty original origami designs made by computer, and the clear step-by-step instructions for reproducing them demonstrates the author's expertise in geometric design and provides a new layer of knowledge to paper artists looking for a different approach to origami modeling.
The
Art of Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children
Leah Gallo
Quirk Books
9781594749438
$39.99
www.quirkbooks.com
The Art of Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children will particularly appeal to three audiences: those familiar with either the book or the film of the same name, fans of Tim Burton's productions, and filmmaker's reference collections.
Readers and movie-goers receive a companion book to the movie in a four-color design which blends film stills and set photos with concept drawings and interviews with all involved in filming the production.
Additionally, Tim Burton buffs receive an in-depth coverage of his latest production and its approach, placing it in perspective of his prior movies and surveying the continuing approaches and effects of his art.
Film reference collections will relish this book for its wide-ranging discussions of the particular challenges of this film, from British laws relating to child actors to set location challenges and critic responses.
The result is a powerful assessment of the power, production and special appeal of Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children, packaged in an oversized, lavish and photo-packed format highly recommended for any serious filmmaker, prior Burton fans, and those who loved the movie.
Cool
Copper Cuffs
Eva M. Sherman
Kalmbach Books
9781627002332
$22.99
www.jewelryandbeadingstore.com
Cool Copper Cuffs: 25 Metal and Wire Projects uses a project approach to jewelry-making to teach basic techniques, and offers twenty-five cuff projects for bracelet makers to explore.
Step-by-step color photos impart foundation jewelry-making techniques as punching, fold-forming, wireworking, and preparing and working with metals, building upon easy techniques for preparing each cuff.
At the end of this book, novice jewelry makers will not only have finished products that look professional: they'll have the tools and techniques that lend to more advanced explorations.
McFarland
www.mcfarlandpub.com
Two excellent film guides are solid references for any serious film library and provide information that will delight film enthusiasts and researchers alike.
Volume 1 of Kim R. Holston and Tom Winchester's Science Fiction, Fantasy and Horror Film Sequels, Series and Remakes: An Illustrated Filmography with Plot Synopses and Critical Commentary (9780786493883, $35.00) references some 400 horror, sci-fi and fantasy films which have seen sequels, series adaptations and remakes.
Each receives film specs from year of release to running time, with cast lists and reviews and analysis accompanying plot discussions covering each production's strengths and weaknesses.
Black and white vintage illustrations and promotional art appear throughout, enhancing the film data that outlines all the specs for each production. Film reference holdings will find it packed with key and basic information.
Matthew Coniam's That's Me, Groucho! The Solo Career of Groucho Marx (9781476663739, $35.00) documents the pre-Marx Brothers career of Groucho, which began long before the famous brothers' act and lasted to nearly the end of his life.
Many examinations focus on the Marx Brothers phenomenon, but this closer consideration of Grouch's work without his brothers offers a more detailed artistic and biographical examination of him than competing titles can do, narrowing the focus to his solo performances and their impact.
Many rare photos and previously unpublished interviews with Groucho contribute to a wide-ranging coverage especially recommended for prior Groucho enthusiasts.
Shifting
Views and Changing Places
Rick Dingus
University of Oklahoma Press
9780806152813
$34.95
www.oupress.com
Shifting Views and Changing Places: The Photographs of Rick Dingus is edited by Peter S. Briggs and is a powerful visual survey of natural and human environments and their connections to changing human endeavors.
Dingus accompanies his visuals with insights from an interview with art curator Peter S. Briggs, and several other experts offer commentary on the special ways in which these photos can be viewed and analyzed.
More than just a visual photo feast, however, Shifting Views and Changing Places reflects on the very nature of how visuals and environments change perception and the finer art of seeing, creating a highly recommended approach for any visual artist challenged to learn and incorporate new perspectives through art.
Children
and Teens
1
2 3 Dream 1
2 3 Dream is a lovely picture book
for
ages 3-7 which pairs colorful ink/watercolor full-page designs with an
artistic
rendering of numbers and nature-based scenes. Each
number invites kids to locate the animals in the drawing: five fish in
the
ocean, eleven elephants, seventeen salamanders . . . but
there are no
instructions. Parents using read-alouds to interact with and educate
their kids
will find it easy to guide young minds and imaginations through both
the
numbers and what the child is expected to locate that's 'hidden' in the
detailed drawings. The
result is a fun, wordless book that links each number to the amount of
engaging
animals to be found in the image.
Kim Krans
Random House
9780553539325
$16.99
www.RandomHouseKids.com
Holiday
House Advanced
elementary to middle school readers will appreciate two fun leisure
choices
which offer hilarious adventure stories both unpredictable and
investigative in
nature. T.J.
Brindle's Balthazar
Fabuloso in the Lair of
the Humbugs (9780823435777, $16.95) presents a
zany family of
magicians who have real magical abilities. Eleven-year-old
Balthazar is the only one who seems to lack any special talents; but
when his
entire family vanishes, it's up to him to locate them and free
them. As
his journey takes him into previously-unknown family ties and madcap
characters, he comes to realize that an evil force is at work which
only he can
stop. The
result is a fun and engrossing conundrum that kids will relish for
their
leisure reading. Also
strong in portaying the unexpected is Karen Briner's Snowize and Snitch: Highly
Effective Defective Detectives (9780823435678,
$16.95), which revolves around Ever's search for her missing
parents. Ever
has lived with the Doc, an inventor, ever since her folks vanished nine
years
ago; but when he too disappears, she relies on the services of Harry
Snowize,
(a young spy) and Snitch (a rat) to help her find them. There's
an evil mastermind at work here, too. When faced with forces beyond
their ken,
Ever is called upon to display an uncommon courage in dealing with the
unknown,
and the detective team really comes into its own. Black
and white illustrations pepper this fun story of investigation and
danger,
recommended for advanced elementary to early middle grade readers who
like
unusual detective encounters.
www.holidayhouse.com
Meltdown! Meltdown!
is a picture book that tells of
a well-meaning girl who tries to be a good helper to her mother on
shopping
trips. But when a grocery visit goes wrong with forbidden cake a point
of
contention, Roxy finds herself playing the role of a bad girl. Roxy
thinks she's being enthusiastic and helpful, but her mother's overall
experience may be otherwise as Roxy seeks to have fun while working. Parental
read-aloud assistance for younger picture book readers will enhance the
experience of learning about a would-be helpful young rabbit that just
can't
stay out of trouble despite her best intentions.
Jill Murphy
Candlewick Press
9780763689261
$15.99
www.candlewick.com
Sleeping
Bear Press Three
new Sleeping Bear titles are exceptional reads recommended for kids
looking for
original, fun themes. Ginger
Rue's Tig
Ripley: Rock 'n' Roll Rebel
(9781585369454, $16.99) is about thirteen-year-old Tig, who wants to
start an
all-girl rock band even though she doesn't play an instrument. Her
goal is to be in the limelight at her middle school, even if she's only
had a
few weeks' worth of drumming lessons to her name; so she assembles a
posse of
instrument-playing girls. All they need now is a singer. Middle
school readers will find this a compelling story of musical aspirations
against
all odds, and Tig a fun, determined character who will stop at nothing
to get
what she wants. Lori
Degman's Norbert's Big
Dream
(9781585369591, $16.99) is illustrated by Marco Bucci and provides a
fun
picture book telling of Norbert the farm pig, who has big dreams of
becoming
famous by swimming the English Channel. None
of the other farm pigs have such dreams, nor do they think he can reach
his
goals; but Norbert practices hard while they lead their pig-centered
lives, and
he's finally ready to take his big swim. This
fun story of a determined pig makes for engaging reading, especially
with Marco
Bucci's excellent drawings illustrating Norbert's predicament. Stephanie
Shaw's Schnitzel
- a Cautionary Tale for
Lazy Louts (9781585369577, $16.99) receives fun,
wacky drawings by
Kevin M. Barry as it tells of young Schnitzel, a lazy wizard's
apprentice who
hates some of his duties; especially housecleaning. Taken
in by a door-to-door salesman's promises of a housework-free existence,
Schnitzel makes a big mistake and finds out the hard way that nothing
in life
is free. This
whimsical re-telling of the classic Sorcerer's
Apprentice offers a new take on the traditional
tale which
picture-book readers and their parents will find fun and original.
www.sleepingbearpress.com
Reviewer's
Choice
The
Best Things in Life Are Free The
Best Things in Life Are Free: The Ultimate Money-Saving
Travel Guide offers a treasure
trove of money-saving
travel-specific ideas and is ideal for anyone who would travel on a
budget,
whether it be around the globe or to local parks, museums, and
more. Over
sixty major cities from around the world are profiled, from Oslo
to Austin and Los Angeles to Tokyo.
Each city feature includes a small color line map (some are full-page)
and profiles
of museums, districts, attractions, and areas which can be visited for
free or
on a budget, and each comes with color sidebars of additional tips for
at-a-glance reference while on the go. Any
budget traveler particularly interested in some of the larger cities of
the
world will find The
Best Things in Life Are
Free is filled
with
cost-saving options and specific information.
Lonely Planet
Lonely Planet Publishing
9781760340629
$22.99
www.lonelyplanet.com
Birding
at the Bridge Birding
at the Bridge: In Search of Every Bird on the
Brooklyn Waterfront pairs over a
hundred fifty color photos
with a focus on all the bird species that make Brooklyn their home,
presenting
a captivating blend of nature photography and birding insights from a
birder
who discovered an amazing variety of birds at the Brooklyn Bridge
Park. Most
urban dwellers well know about the swallows, pigeons, gulls and other
birds
that frequent cities; but flycatchers, Savannah
sparrows, warblers and mockingbirds, catbirds and kinglets are only a
sampling
of the surprising kinds of birds that call Brooklyn's
waterfront their home. Each
bird receives a full-page photo (and sometimes a smaller photo) that
accompanies its natural history details, arranged in an inviting and
eye-catching format. Birding
at the Bridge is
a top recommendation for browsers who like colorful bird photos and
birders who
want an identification guide specific to Brooklyn.
Heather Wolf
The Experiment
9781615193134
$14.95
www.theexperimentpublishing.
The
Dining Car The
Dining Car isn't a nonfiction read
about Pullman
trains or food history, but a novel revolving around a former college
football
star, Jack, who becomes a bartender on a private vintage railroad car
whose
owner is touring the country. Jack's
new position gives him a close view of another world where perfection
and
glamour fuels a train ride across the country in search of the latest
food fads
and national trends. Unfortunately, it's also a journey into a world of
first-class tragedy and death, and Jack's learning process quickly
evolves
beyond the dining car. From
estate attorneys and the dilemma that money brings to fine dining
tables, jobs
which feel like vacations, and women who bring complexity into Jack's
life to a
brand of terrorism that holds the power to change everything he's
believed in, The
Dining Car's appeal lies in probing
Jack's evolving life, which reaches out to embrace a puzzlingly foreign
world
right in his own country. Readers
who appreciate novels of growth and discovery on different levels which
delve
into the lives of the rich and expose undercurrents of agony and angst
will
find The
Dining Car a vivid,
engrossing novel that's hard to put down.
Eric Peterson
Huckleberry House
9780982486009
www.huckleberryhousebooks.com
Essential
Prefab Straw Bale Construction Essential
Prefab Straw Bale Construction: The Complete
Step-by-Step Guide provides
home-builders and building
contractors new to straw bale usage with a specific focus not on
general straw
bale construction, but on using the prefabricated wall panels available
to
reduce the labor of straw bale home assembly. This
approach presumes a serious interest in applied learning, and includes
specifications, building code references, engineering concerns, optimum
designs, construction procedure, and material specifications for
different
straw bale projects. It also gives details on budgeting and producing
buildable
shop drawings suitable for various projects. With
its wealth of diagrams, illustrations and cut-aways, and source notes
for
further reference, Essential
Prefab Straw
Bale Construction is recommended not so much for
those seeking
general overviews as for builders serious about embarking on
cost-effective
straw bale projects.
Chris Magwood
New Society Publishers
9780865718203
$34.95
www.newsociety.com
The
Man Who Made Things Out of Trees The
Man Who Made Things Out of Trees is
written by a journalist and historian who narrows his focus to one tree
and the
potential for using every single part of it in an effort to waste
nothing, and
is a delightful read for science, nature, ecology and conservation, and
history
readers alike. Penn
decided to use a single type of tree (the ash) as both a symbol and as
a
starting point to investigating how trees are managed and utilized. His
account
blends woodworking, a personal journey following one selected tree
through its
usage patterns, and a discussion of ecology and nature to consider the
processes
of all facets of tree use. The
ash tree's long-standing associations with human endeavors, based
partially on
its versatility and applications, will appeal to any who love
woodworking,
ecology, and topics embracing conservation efforts. In
addition, The
Man Who Made Things Out of
Trees is an unexpectedly lively read that will
attract an audience
with a wide swatch of interests.
Robert Penn
W.W. Norton
9780393255733
$26.95
www.wwnorton.com
Portrait
of Route 66 Portrait
of Route 66: Images from the Curt Teich Postcard
Archives belongs in several
different kinds of collections:
arts holdings, collector reference libraries covering postcard
collecting, and
history holdings. While
plenty of books have covered the history, culture, and bygone byways of
Route
66, Portrait
of Route 66 differs
in offering a contrast between the actual photos from which postcards
were made
with the postcards themselves. This
allows readers to understand the artistic and cultural results of
postcard
creation in general and Route 66 productions in particular. Because
it's based
on one of the nation's largest holdings of Route 66 images, Portrait of Route 66 is
one of the most
definitive contrasts available on the subject, offering many views of
Route 66
that are unavailable elsewhere.
T. Lindsay Baker
University
of Oklahoma Press
9780806153414
$34.95
www.oupress.com
Reverie:
A Coloring Retreat Reverie:
A Coloring Retreat provides a
number of Church-themed images designed for coloring pursuit and
mindful
relaxation, from the Garden of Eden to LDS symbols, and is recommended
as a
coloring book for anyone who aims to blend spiritual thinking with
restful
coloring projects. Packed
with line drawings that lend to intricate coloring pursuits, Reverie
will prove delightful to all ages:
all that's required as a prerequisite for enjoyment is an affinity for
coloring
and a spiritual perspective.
Mysha Denson
Cedar Fort
9781462118397
$12.99
www.cedarfort.com
Schiffer
Publishing American
Coasters 2: Coast to Coast by
Thomas Crymes (9780764351143, $34.99) is a top pick for those who
appreciate
roller coaster history, featuring a slightly oversized edition that
captures
some 100 coasters in over seventeen states. More
than a visual display, however, Thomas Crymes captures the history and
evolution of these coasters and their manufacturers, including details
on each
coaster's opening date, make, height and length, maximum speed,
duration, and
notes on why each coaster earns a notable place in roller coaster
history and
why it made for an exceptional photographic challenge. The
lovely images and action shots will simply delight coaster fans who
look for a
blend of contemporary photos, historic information and background, and
discussion of why each coaster is exceptional. Timothy
A. Nelson's Jet
City Rewind: Aviation
History of Seattle and the Pacific Northwest
(9780764351068, $29.99)
is a history not just for Pacific Northwest
readers and collections, but for anyone with a special interest in
aviation. Its
blend of vintage black and white and modern color photos juxtaposes
early
history with modern times, with captions identifying specific shots
while
accompanying chapter discussions offer additional, wider-ranging
insights on
Sea-Tac, the historic World War II facility in the city of Renton,
Boeing's various plants and manufacturing achievements, and much
more. No
aviation history holding should be without this specific regional
focus.
www.schifferbooks.com
What
Is Consciousness? What
Is Consciousness? Three Sages Look Behind the Veil
will reach new age, science, and philosophy readers alike, adding a
healthy
dose of science as it considers the common beliefs about consciousness
and its
relationship to physical states of being. From
the problems inherent in physicalistic science's perceptions of human
beings
and its logic in describing determinism to the failure of modern
science to
acknowledge or adequately describe consciousness, this discussion is
key to any
collection interested in debates that analyze the state,
interpretation, and
measurement of consciousness in humans. These
essays are accessible and easy to understand, yet they challenge
conventional
thinking and identify points of departure in and dissention between
scientific
process and inspections of that which makes us human.
Ervin Laszlo, Jean Houston & Larry Dossey
Select Books
9781590793473
$22.95
www.selectbooks.com
Biography & Autobiography
The
Accidental Life
Terry McDonnell
Knopf
9781101946718
$26.95
www.aaknopf.com
The Accidental Life: An Editor's Notes on Writing and Writers comes from one of the most recognized editors in American journalism who, in the course of charting his career in a biography of his life, also provides insights on editorial work and interactions with writers.
Chapters juxtapose his stories about journalism and writers with practical advice on how to write more effectively, how to market one's writing, the qualities that separate effective editors from superior wordsmiths.
It's a delicate balance to weave a biographical sketch into a bigger picture of the literary world and the expectations that influence an editor's work. The Accidental Life deftly achieves this with precision and insight, adopting a lively tone that will especially engross fellow editors and writers at all skill levels.
And
Soon I Heard a Roaring Wind
Bill Streever
Little, Brown
9780316410601
$26.00
www.littlebrown.com
And Soon I Heard a Roaring Wind: A Natural History of Moving Air reveals how author Bill Streever undertook a three-day course in sailing, then immediately set out for a sailing journey on a fifty-year-old sailboat, going from Texas to Guatemala.
Readers might expect a science survey given the book's title; but in fact And Soon I Heard a Roaring Wind is a blend of autobiography, history, science, and nautical lore and moves from personal experience to a discussion of violent weather and its effects with a touch of humor and insight not typical of most dry weather science.
By employing this livelier tone, Bill Steever will attract readers who might come to his book for one of its many facets (history, science, and sailing), only to find its other features are not just digestible, but fascinating.
Beyond
the Robot: The Life and Work of Colin Wilson
Gary Lachman
Tarcher Perigee
9780399173080
$26.00
www.tarcherperigee.com
Beyond the Robot: The Life and Work of Colin Wilson will reach metaphysics, literature and biography readers alike, and covers the life and works of an author who created over a hundred books before his death in 2013.
Colin Wilson's unique philosophy and perspective on human powers and potentials resulted in books that preceded the social revolutions of the 1960s, offering unusual blends of philosophical, spiritual and psychological situations poised on the cutting edge of social norms.
This biography, written by a historian who was a friend of Wilson and who studied his works, offers a full-faceted survey that should not be missed by any studying the extent of Wilson's literary prowess and his creations.
Diane
Von Furstenberg: A Life Unwrapped
Gioia Diliberto
Dey Street/HarperCollins
9780062041241
$15.99
www.harpercollins.com
Diane Von Furstenberg: A Life Unwrapped provides the biography of a New York fashion icon and uses a combination of interviews with her family, friends, employees and herself to create a powerful biography of a pop figure whose work led to both her meteoric rise and her fall.
Diane Von Furstenberg moved in circles most ordinary Americans can't imagine: an exclusive set where fashion, culture, and high society stood at the intersection of social change and Hollywood drama.
It's surprising to note that this book represents the first biography of this woman (although she's written two autobiographies of her own): any interested in New York and Hollywood fashion and design will find it an involving and lively account.
Donald
Trump: The Man Who Would Be King
Darwin Porter & Danforth Prince
Blood Moon Productions
9781936003518
$41.95
www.bloodmoonproductions.com
Donald Trump: The Man Who Would Be King is best read before the November 2016 elections, while his bid for the presidency is still active and immediate, and is recommended reading for all sides, no matter what political stance is being adopted: Republication, Democrat, or other.
Unlike most Trump coverages on the market, Darwin Porter and Danforth Prince employ a tabloid-style approach to create an especially lively tone, compiling newsworthy ironies, inconsistencies, and outrageous events just as they did in their prior books; but they also add a deeper level that belays any perception of Donald Trump: The Man Who Would Be King as being just a Hollywood-style gossip piece.
They take the time to examine not just Donald, but the Trump family's history and its evolutionary process, then delve deeply into how "The King of Debt" rose to arrive where he is today.
Ordinarily over 700 pages of close inspection would prove too daunting for readers seeking quick, succinct coverages; but one of the driving forces behind Donald Trump: The Man Who Would Be King lies in its ability to synthesize an unbelievable amount of information into a format and presentation which blends lively irony with outrageous observations, entertaining even as it presents eye-opening information in a format accessible to all.
Politics dovetail with American obsessions and fascinations with trends, figureheads, drama, and sizzling news stories, but blend well with the observations of sociologists, psychologists, politicians, and others in a wide range of fields who lend their expertise and insights to create a much broader review of the Trump phenomena than a more casual book could provide.
The result is a 'must read' for any American interested in issues of race, freedom, equality, and justice - and for any non-American who wonders just what is going on behind the scenes in this country's latest election debacle.
Life
of the Party
Bob Kealing
Crown Archetype
9781701903650
www.crownpublishing.com
Life of the Party: The Remarkable Story of How Brownie Wise Built, and Lost, a Tupperware Party Empire serves up the captivating story of a single mom in the 1950s whose concept of making a party to sell recommended items created new sales outlets powered by the purchasing power and interests of the American housewife. She built an empire based on her idea, but was ultimately fired from her own company and faded into obscurity.
This book originally appeared in 2008 and was published as Tupperware Unsealed by the University Press of Florida. Its re-publication here, revised and updated with new information, offers an even wider audience access to the powerful business and social odyssey of an ordinary woman who became famous and then disappeared.
The survey describes her business and social impact and is especially recommended for leisure readers of American culture and women's studies as well as business followers of American trends and history.
Presto!
Penn Jillette
Simon & Schuster
9781501140181
www.simonandschuster.com
Presto! How I Made Over 100 Pounds Disappear and Other Magical Tales is from a magician who tells how he lost a hundred pounds after he realized that weighing over 330 pounds was leading him into some life-threatening health conditions.
One way or another, his life had to change. But can a sixty-year-old set in his ways drastically change the lifestyle that created these issues?
One doesn't expect the wild card of an innovator to enter this picture with a "potato diet" plan that actually works; but the combination of Ray Cronise's influence, Jillett's involvement in magic shows and Vegas productions, his determination to be a good husband and father to his family, and an evolving diet plan that represents a huge diversion from diet traditions makes for an absorbing, fun story that's far more than another weight loss saga.
General-interest collections will find that many a reader will choose the book for it magical promises only to find it absorbing because of more than one kind of magic.
Education Shelf
Somebody
Else's Kids
Torey Hayden
Morrow
9780062364405
$9.99
www.harpercollins.com
Somebody Else's Kids: The True Story of Four Problem Children and One Extraordinary Teacher is highly recommended reading for teachers, parents, educators, and any adult working with troubled children.
Torey Hayden has written many autobiographical sketches which explore her interactions with students who are socially and mentally challenged, but Somebody Else's Kids is one of her best works, and its appearance in an affordable paperwork will make it accessible to an even wider audience.
The four children featured in this book were placed in Torey's class because nobody knew what to do with them. Their emotional problems varied immensely: a seven-year-old girl brain damaged from beatings, a violent ten-year-old who had witnessed his stepmother's murder of his father, a pregnant twelve-year old, and a small boy who could only repeat the words of others.
This motley crew had little in common with each other, but Torey was their focal point and she held the unique quality of not giving up on them. Her encounters are a truly heart-warming exploration of the power of love and determination.
If you've never read one of Torey's books and want a hear-wrenching inspirational account of a caring teacher's ability to reach even the most damaged of youngsters, Somebody Else's Kids is an inspirational and great place to start.
Teaching
Globally
Kathy G. Short, Deanna Day and Jean Schroeder, Editors
Stenhouse Publishers
9781571107923
$37.33
www.stenhouse.com
Teaching Globally: Reading the World Through Literature considers why global curriculum is important and shows how to include this curriculum within the wider framework of state teaching requirements; but it's not a general discussion. Author Kathy G. Short developed a framework for such an plan, and Teaching Globally provides the strategies and integration techniques educators need to make this goal happen.
Chapters pair vignettes from K-8 urban and rural schools with discussions of how to encourage students as they examine cross-cultural issues. They provide activities that support this venture, offer in-depth and specific checklists of websites and professional books, and consider different perspectives on providing cross-cultural information in diverse classroom settings.
Packed with ideas for engagement, Teaching Globally is a reading guide that covers the nuts and bolts of applied cross-cultural teaching and should be a basic acquisition to any educator's library.