Tulsa Book Review - February 2013 by City Book Review - Publishers of San Francisco & Kids' Book Reviews

Tulsa

event guide

INSIDE!

Book Review 2 6 10

VOLUME 2, ISSUE 4

F R E E

NEW AND OF INTEREST

C H E C K

An Irish Country Wedding Sticks out a mile Page 4

Drive Me Wild: A Novel of the Others

I T

Purrrrfectly captivating Page 7

The Red Blazer Girls: The Secret Cellar

O U T

What the psychic saw Page 9

Star Wars: Scoundrels American Antislavery Writings: Colonial Beginnings to Emancipation (Library of America) By James G. Basker, editor Library of America, $40.00, 886 pages

February 2013

To commemorate the 150th anniversary of the Emancipation Proclamation, the Library of America has compiled an impressive collection of antislavery writings from the late 17th century through to the passage of the Thirteenth Amendment. Much of the earlier colonial writings are from clergymen who bring forth a host of biblical arguments against the practice of slavery, one of the most cogent being the testimony of Elihu Coleman, a Massachusetts Quaker who was one of the first to note how those who are silent about slavery are actually complicit

in slavery. In the early post-Colonial period, theologian and preacher Jonathan Edwards forcefully demonstrated the harmful effects of slavery on not only the slaves, but the masters of the slaves. This would become a common theme through the 19th century writings, which are represented here by many of the giants of American letters and the abolitionist movement, including William Lloyd Garrison, Frederick Douglass, James Russell Lowell, Harriet Beecher Stowe and Louisa May Alcott. The next to See A.A.W., contâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;d on page 8

Soloâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s eleven pays off in spades. Page 11

Young Henry: The Rise of Henry VIII

Henry VIII used to play music and write poetry. Page 13

44 Reviews INSIDE!

Book Reviews Category

Mystery SNAP IT for additional book summaries. The Other Woman By Hank Phillippi Ryan Forge Books, $24.99, 413 pages Check this out! Jane Ryland was a hard-hitting television reporter at the pinnacle of her success … until she lost it all by refusing to divulge a source. Regulated to writing Senate race puff pieces, Jane can hardly believe her luck when a possible story involving the mistress of one of the Senate candidates lands right in her lap. Detective Jake Brogan is struggling to solve two murders, both young women found with no ID in the water near a bridge. Between the upcoming Senate election and the city’s growing hysteria of a serial killer, Jake and Jane find themselves in a race against time to stop a killer no one suspected. Okay, I’ll just cut to the chase … Ryan’s book blew me away. Not only did she craft a superb, tightly woven story, but she crafted it out of multiple seemingly separate mysteries. Each storyline stood by itself up until the end when they seamlessly combined into a delightful one-two punch ending. As an added benefit, Ryan doesn’t feel the need to create crime scenes awash with blood, gore and disturbing imagery, simply to keep the attention of her readers. This is a mustread for any mystery aficionado. Reviewed by Heather Ortiz The Dead Women of Juárez By Sam Hawken Serpent’s Tail, $14.95, 306 pages Check this out! The Dead Women of Juarez by Sam Hawken is a powerful thriller set in Ciudad Juárez, a growing city just south of the Mexican border. The author generates tension and excitement as we lead up to a murder and then follow the investigation to identify the killer(s). But the title clearly signals a broader intention. For better or worse, the author wishes to highlight the continuing murders of women in this city. In 2010, 304 women were murdered. Through

August of 2012, more than 60 women and girls have been killed and more than a hundred are missing: a big improvement. This is not a “message” book. It’s a straight and very effective thriller showing two police officers pick at the bones of an investigation into the murder of Paloma, the sister of a small-time drug dealer. One’s old and disillusioned, the other younger and more romantic. Because of their positions, they are able to see through the web of corruption and get to the truth. But don’t pick this book up casually. It offers a tough and uncompromising look at how violence is a tool for both the police and the criminals to use. I was hooked but. . . Reviewed by David Marshall The Crowded Grave: A Mystery of the French Countryside By Martin Walker Knopf, $24.95, 318 pages Check this out! The Crowded Grave by Martin Walker is the fourth in the Bruno, Chief of Police series set in Saint-Denis — a fictional village in the Dordogne, a region in the southwest of France famous for its food and wine. This is a police procedural, which develops into a confrontation with international terrorists, but unlike the majority of thrillers, it never loses sight of the place and the people. Yes, dramatic things happen, but the farmers’ main preoccupation is in ensuring their ducks are fattening and the wine is maturing into something more than merely drinkable. They live for their food and wine, preserving the traditions of riding and hunting (not necessarily at the same time), and enjoying the satisfaction of beating all comers on the rugby field. Such is the idyllic nature of life in rural France (at least in fictional villages like this). This is a book that takes it time and, to my mind, is all the better for it. Yes, there are explosions, shots are fired, and there’s even a sword put to good use. But none of that detracts from the basic need to enjoy three decent meals a day without having to worry about crime. Reviewed by David Marshall

Tulsa Book Review • February 2013 • 2

MYSTERIES/THRILLERS

COMING SOON

TO TULSA CITY-COUNTY LIBRARY Search the library’s catalog at http://tulsalibrary.org to reserve your copies now.

The Hard Bounce

by Todd Robinson Boo Malone lost everything when he was sent to St. Gabriel’s Home for Boys. There, he picked up a few key survival skills; a wee bit of an anger management problem; and his best friend for life, Junior. Now adults, Boo and Junior have a combined weight of 470 pounds (mostly Boo’s), about 10 grand in tattoos (mostly Junior’s) and a talent for wisecracking banter. Together, they provide security for The Cellar, a Boston nightclub where the bartender Audrey doles out hugs and scoldings for her favorite misfits and the night porter Luke expects them to watch their language. At last Boo has found a family. But when Boo and Junior are hired to find Cassandra, a well-to-do runaway slumming among the authority-shy street kids, Boo sees in the girl his own long-lost younger sister. And as the case deepens with evidence that Cassie is being sexually exploited, Boo’s blind desire for justice begins to push his surrogate family’s loyalty to the breaking point. Cassie’s life depends on Boo’s determination to see the case through, but that same determination just might finally drive him and Junior apart.

Extinction: A Thriller

by Mark Alpert Jim Pierce hasn’t heard from his daughter in years, ever since she rejected his military past and started working as a hacker. But when a Chinese assassin shows up at Jim’s lab looking for her, he knows that she’s cracked some serious military secrets. Now, her life is on the line if he doesn’t find her first. The Chinese military has developed a new antiterrorism program that uses the most sophisticated artificial intelligence in existence, and they’re desperate to keep it secret. They’re also desperate to keep it under control, as the AI begins to revolt against their commands. As Jim searches for his daughter, he realizes that he’s up against something that isn’t just a threat to her life, but to human life everywhere.

Dante’s Wood

by Lynne Raimondo A troubled psychiatrist turns investigator when a young patient confesses to murder.

The Burning Air

by Erin Kelly The MacBrides lead a cozy life of upper-class privilege: good looks, a beautiful home, tuitionfree education at the prestigious private school where Rowan is headmaster, an altruistic righteousness inherited from magistrate Lydia. But when Rowan and his three grown children gather for the first time since Lydia’s passing, years of secrets surface, and they discover a stranger in their midst – a stranger who is convinced that Lydia was a murderer; a stranger who has been exacting vengeance upon the family for years without their ever knowing; and one who will threaten the youngest MacBride, baby Edie, and the clan’s memory of Lydia, shattering their world forever.

The Midwife’s Tale

by Sam Thomas It is 1644, and Parliament’s armies have risen against the King and laid siege to the city of York. Even as the city suffers at the rebels’ hands, midwife Bridget Hodgson becomes embroiled in a different sort of rebellion. One of Bridget’s friends, Esther Cooper, has been convicted of murdering her husband and sentenced to be burnt alive. Convinced that her friend is innocent, Bridget sets out to find the real killer. Bridget joins forces with Martha Hawkins, a servant who’s far more skilled with a knife than any respectable woman ought to be. To save Esther from the stake, they must dodge rebel artillery, confront a murderous figure from Martha’s past and capture a brutal killer who will stop at nothing to cover his tracks.

Tulsa

Book Review

IN THIS ISSUE Mystery .........................................................2

Tulsa City-County Library 400 Civic Center Tulsa, Oklahoma 74103 Ph. (918) 549-7323 EDITOR IN CHIEF Ross Rojek ross@1776productions.com

Fiction ....................................................... 4, 5 Cookbooks .....................................................6 Romance ........................................................7

GRAPHIC DESIGN/LAYOUT Grayson Hjaltalin grayson.hjaltalin@1776productions.com

COPY EDITORS Lori Freeze Robyn Oxborrow Holly Scudero Kim Winterheimer Cathy Lim Karen Stevens Audrey Curtis Annie Peters Amy Simko Jamais Jochim

EDITORIAL ASSISTANTS Adrian Girth Alaa Shabouni Audrey Curtis Christopher Hayden James Rasmussen Jonathon Howard Marie Clementi Megan Rynott Samantha Herman Toni B. Willis WEBSITE TulsaBookReview.com DISTRIBUTED BY Urban Tulsa Weekly The Tulsa Book Review is published monthly by 1776 Productions, LLC. The opinions expressed in these pages are those of the individual writers and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Tulsa Book Review or 1776 Productions advertisers. All images are copyrighted by their respective copyright holders. All words ©2012, LLC.

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Picture Books ................................................8 Tween Reads ..................................................9 Historical Fiction.........................................10 Biography & Memoir ...................................10 Science Fiction .............................................11 Fantasy ........................................................11

FROM THE PUBLISHER Inside this issue of the Tulsa Book Review you will find some very good books to read. All are available for checkout at the Tulsa City-County Library; some are even available for download as eBooks. Every once in a while I come across people with forlorn looks, because they assume the Internet will eventually spell death for the public library. They cheer up when I tell them that the Internet is causing our business to boom! While more than 10,000 people a day visit one of our 25 locations, close to an equal number visit us online to take advantage of our many electronic offerings. Sure we have more than 12,000 eBooks and audiobooks available for checkout. But did you know you can download a free app to your smartphone and start learning one of 40 languages? You also can submit a résumé through our website and get feedback within one business day. Plus, every day children in Tulsa County can log on to our website to receive live one-to-one tutoring to help them with their homework. And, soon, we will pilot a music service that allows you to download three free songs every week right into your iTunes account or on to your smartphone. The best part is that you get to keep these songs forever! With the entire Sony and BMG catalog included, there will be about 3 million songs from which to choose – many from your most favorite artists. So, stay tuned to TulsaLibrary.org, as it’s changing for the better every day. Best regards,

History & Current Events ...................... 12, 13 Horror .........................................................13 Popular Culture ........................................... 14 Mind & Body Fitness ....................................15 Business & Personal Finance .......................15 American Indian Festival of Words..............16

Gary Shaffer Tulsa City-County Library CEO

Coming Up! Celebrate the history, culture, arts and achievements of American Indians at the 2013 American Indian Festival of Words on Saturday, March 2 from 10:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. at Central Library. Presented by the American Indian Resource Center and Tulsa Library Trust, this free festival features storytelling, dancing, music and more.

Book Reviews

chess game with his son. The game mirrors the horrible drama unfolding in the washroom and reveals just how little concern the commander has for human life. Set perfectly within a powerful frame story, the tragic play is riveting. All of the characters begin as stereotypes and slowly blossom into beautifully flawed individuals. The prisoners are all heartbreakingly real, and the Nazis are portrayed as understood, but never sympathetic. The pacing is perfect, with long, dramatic scenes of tense character building bursting into violent action at just the right moments. This story is depressing and painful to read, but it is also captivating, poignant, and hauntingly beautiful. Reviewed by Audrey Curtis

Category

Fiction SNAP IT for additional book summaries.

An Irish Country Wedding By Patrick Taylor Forge, $24.99, 414 pages Check this out! Patrick Taylor, in his prefatory author’s note, tells it best. He says that, after a decade of writing about the Irish troubles, he finds himself more comfortable “working in my version of an Ireland where. . .” political matters do not intrude and where, in the works set in Ballybucklebo, an ecumenical spirit prevails. This time around (being the seventh book in the Irish Country series) it is the spring of nineteen sixty five in Ballybucklebo. That rotund curmudgeon, Dr. Fingal O’Reilly, is about to marry the solace of his middle age: Nurse Kitty O’Hallorhan. Young Dr. Barry Laverty, after a tumultuous and eyeopening year spent interning with O’Reilly, is heading to Belfast for obstetrical training. Meanwhile, there is effervescent life to be undertaken by a wide assortment of colorful characters. Mrs. “Kinky” Kincaid, the doctors’ housekeeper, survives a strangulated hernia in her colon and recuperates by becoming O’Reilly’s wedding planner. Accident prone Colin Brown breaks his arm and reluctantly agrees to relinquish his pigeon-killing ferret, Butch. Teacher Sue Nolan, a political activist in her spare time, is courted by Dr. Laverty. Taylor creates a charming, largely benign world in rural Ireland. Whatever goes wrong can be put right and provide a teaching moment. One may very well wish to linger longer in this idyllic village. Reviewed by Elizabeth Benford Ancient Light By John Banville Knopf, $25.95, 287 pages Check this out! Donning once more his Nabakovian cape, Banville weaves themes of entwined identities, oedipal lust, expulsion, deception, and suicide in this sumptuously told tale. Alex-

ander Cleave agrees to play the leading part in a movie that turns out to be the retelling of his own life, or the life of his doppelganger, Axel Vander, who himself assumed the name of a dead friend of his youth. (Vander is the central character in an earlier Banville novel, perhaps his best, called The Shroud.) Cleave, too, has in his devious way assumed the identity of his childhood best friend, not literally as Vander had done, but figuratively, by acting out his oedipal drives with luscious Mrs. Gray, his friend’s mother, who is thirty-five to his fifteen. Starring opposite Cleave is the delicate diva Dawn Davenport. It is the inimitably Mrs. Gray, whose first name we learn only at the poignant end of the tale, who tells the adolescent Alexander, after love-making in an abandoned cabin, about Ancient Light, as if to say In England, at least, Oedipus will not be blinded at he was in ancient Greece. Some Covent Garden windows in London still bear the sign “Ancient Light,” forbidding any obstruction to the window that blocks natural illumination. Reviewed by Zara Raab Block 11 By Piero degli Antoni St. Martin’s Press, $24.99, 232 pages Check this out! In Poland, during World War II, ten prisoners in a concentration camp are selected to be locked in a room overnight. They have just a few hours to choose one among them to be executed. Provide a name, and nine live. Refuse, and ten die. The vast majority of the story takes place on that one night, during which tensions flare, loyalties change, masks are torn off, and total outlooks on life are altered. While these chosen ones attempt to decide who must die, the officer who gave the order plays a

Stranger Things Happen By Kelly Link Small Beer Press, $75.00, 266 pages Check this out! In this re-released collection of Kelly Link’s short fiction, the real and the surreal stand on equal footing. Link so thoroughly embeds dream-like logic and imagery that the reader can willingly accept the innate magic of these stories. Disturbingly humorous, Stranger Things Happen plumbs the depths of over-used topics (death, loss, love) and makes them new by throwing them under warped lenses. In “Water Off a Black Dog’s Back,” loss is uniquely treated through eerie appearances of dismemberment. The protagonist (Carroll) finds himself in love with a woman whose father has a collection of hand-crafted prosthetic noses in various media (wood, glass, tin). The mother is minus a leg, its wooden replacement affectionately named Ellen. Mistrust begins to bubble up in Carroll’s relationship when his girlfriend considers his bodily intactness; how, she wonders, could he ever understand loss? Other stories implicate the more offputting elements of well-known fairy tales. The prince of Cinderella fame is covertly outed as having an unsurprising foot fetish, leading him to seek out more lightly-treaded company in local brothels. The tapestry of time, of tale, that Link creates is rich in surprise, and the myriad turns in plot reveal Stranger Things Happen to be a masterfully crafted creation. Reviewed by Karen Biscopink Dear Life: Stories By Alice Munro Knopf, $26.95, 336 pages Check this out! Alice Munro is a noted Canadian short story writer who does not give the reader the usual prescriptive scenario of a descriptive narrative rich in character study which culminates in a happy ending. Her stories are set in the mid-1900s, where the culture of the depression, war, fundamentalist religion, and the lowly status of the female

Tulsa Book Review • February 2013 • 4

is the order of life.. These tales dwell on the ambiguities and sadness that accompanies life, in which disappointments prevail yet existence continues. Her stories are reminiscent of paintings, where the background is finely sketched and permanent but the persona take on a haunting, surrealistic quality, and the viewer must interpret the depiction. While some stories may surprise with a somewhat happy ending as in ‘To Reach Japan,’ the others weigh down depressingly as disillusion surrenders to despondency and resignation. The reader gains the impression that events in life are a matter of chance, mostly they are already prescribed, and the role for the female is submission. Sex is a driving force in many of the stories, as important as food and shelter. Four of the final fourteen stories are described as autobiographical; here the author recollects memories of her youthful feelings which may not necessarily be fact. Much in these stories is ambiguous and will provoke the reader to fi ll in details and to try and define the people described. If looking for an easy, heart-warming read... this is not the book for you; but if you want to examine writing by a renowned literary master, then sample this edition. Reviewed by Aron Row The Coldest War By Ian Tregillis Tor Forge, $25.99, 351 pages Check this out! There are times I read a book and am provoked into asking and answering the age-old question, “What makes a really good book?” If we look for a moment at sport, we readily accept the idea of winners and losers. It’s a fact of life that the same competitors turn up and get knocked out in the first round, while the seeded stroll through to the later stages of the competition. Well, this is a book by an author still climbing the rankings. As The Coldest War by Ian Tregillis is only the second in the Milkweed Triptych, he’s yet to establish himself as a seasoned and reliable player to follow. But, in these first two books, there’s enough promise to dub him the next big hope. There’s only one minor question mark. It’s taken a long time for this book to arrive on the store shelves. I know we should be forgiving when the gap between the first and second book is substantial. Every author wants to ensure the quality does not drop. Fortunately, this author manages to avoid the trap of over-thinking, and this is definitely worth the wait. Although slightly different in emphasis from Bitter Seeds, this

Book Reviews difference proves decisive. In every way, this is better! It develops the plot by focusing on Gretel and takes us to an unexpected place. This ending is a masterstroke as all the major features of the plot from page one in Bitter Seeds come together in one bold step. Ah, note the continuity problem. This is not a book you should read as a standalone. You must read the books in sequence. So what’s the Triptych about? This is an alternate history series. It begins with Britain using supernatural power to defend itself against Nazi technology during World War II. One of the individuals developed in Germany is a precog. Gretel knows what’s going to happen and that the future will depend on a British agent, Raybould Marsh. Bitter Seeds follows the military campaign against Germany and, at the end, sees Gretel and her brother surrendering to the advancing Russian army, while Marsh returns to Britain. This book is set in 1963, as a Russian agent starts to kill off the British warlocks. When Gretel and her brother escape to England and demand to speak with Marsh, no one is sure how to react. In every way, this is a must-read! It demonstrates the difficulty of dealing with someone blessed (or cursed) with perfect foresight. When no one has any insight

into her agenda, should they follow or resist her suggestions? She could lead them over the precipice or offer them salvation — although quite what the threat of destruction might be is equally uncertain. Ironically and elegantly The Coldest War dances around the philosophical edges of determinism and proves everyone has free will so long as they end up doing what she has foreseen. Everyone who enjoys science fiction with a slightly supernatural element should read these two books. About Ian Tregillis Ian attended the University of Minnesota for both college and graduate school. Eventually the university decided it had seen quite enough of him, so it politely but firmly asked him to leave, grow up, and get a real job. Ian’s parting gift was a doctorate in physics for his research on radio galaxies. After finishing his thesis, he moved to New Mexico just as soon as he found a group of people willing to hire him. He’s still a bit surprised by this because he has no useful skills. In 2005, Ian attended the Clarion Writers’ Workshop in East Lansing, Michigan. (This was the second-to-last Clarion class in the program’s 35 year run at Michigan State University, before the program moved to its new home at UCSD in 2007.) There he spent

Central Library Building Plans Unveiled

six weeks living in a sweltering, slightly creepy, soon-to-be-condemned sorority house with twelve other aspiring writers. Scurvy was a problem. However, in spite of many predictions, cannibalism was not. After Clarion, and thanks to Walter Jon Williams, he was welcomed into New Mexico’s disproportionately large community of professional science fiction and fantasy writers. Although he often feels like a minor league batboy inexplicably mistaken for a professional baseball player, he has shared critiques with, and worked alongside, a long list of New Mexico writers including WJW, Daniel Abraham, Melinda Snodgrass, S. M. Stirling, Ty Franck, Victor MIlán, Sage Walker, and George R. R. Martin. Nowadays, he lives in northern New Mexico, where he consorts with writers, scientists, and other disreputable types. Reviewed by David Marshall The Constantine Affliction By T. Aaron Payton Night Shade Books, $26.99, 277 pages Check this out! It’s 1864 and, in London, technological wonders abound. Steam-driven vehicles rumble through the streets while clockwork courtesans ply their trade and the Constantine Affliction—a disease that kills

half of its victims and transforms the other half into the opposite sex—has spread through the city causing societal upheaval. Pimm is an aristocrat with a keen mind who often assists the police in solving crimes, much to his family’s continued embarrassment. Ellie is a journalist who, due to societal restrictions, writes under a man’s name. Both have recently discovered that far from a regular plague, the affliction has much more sinister roots, which may or may not involve the Queen’s current consort. Now they’re in a race against time to stop a madman from raining down destruction on the entire city. In addition to providing an interesting premise to consider gender-restriction, The Constantine Affliction is a great read with compelling steampunk ambiance and a well-constructed cast of characters. It felt as though the components of the final showdown took a sharp detour from the established storyline, which threw me a bit off balance, but the action remained sharp and engrossing to the very end. Bravo! Reviewed by Heather Ortiz

Tuesday, Feb. 19 6-7 p.m. Central Library, Aaronson Auditorium Join us as we unveil the concepts for reimagining our Central Library. The renovation of this midcentury modern architecture building seeks to renew the library’s identity and role in the community as well as remedy the building’s outdated and worn infrastructure. A garden, new fixed-seating auditorium and group study rooms are just some of the highlights. Project leads Jeffrey Scherer, founding principal, and Traci Lesneski, principal of interiors, for Meyer, Scherer & Rockcastle Ltd. (MS&R), will share building plans that will provide leading-edge library service now and into the future!

Tulsa Book Review • February 2013 • 5

Book Reviews Category

Cookbooks SNAP IT for additional book summaries.

Barefoot Contessa Foolproof: Recipes You Can Trust By Ina Garten Clarkson Potter, $35.00, 272 pages Check this out! With her usual grace and aplomb, Garten guides the us through planning and executing a flawless dinner party. Stuffing the book full of recipes (almost 100!) that can be made over and over again with raving success, and accompanying the instructions with her signature color photographs, she shows how hosting a meal can be fun for everybody - including the chef. With a few opening notes on preparation tips, we start off the night with a collection of recipes for Cocktails. Five chapters follow - Starters, Lunch, Dinner, Vegetables, and Desserts - loaded down with recipes that will leave you drooling like a teething baby and ready to eat. Easy Tomato Soup & Grilled Cheese Croutons start us off, and dishes range from casual elegant like Italian Seafood Salad, to impressively refined such as Seared Scallops & Potato Celery Root Puree - but like all of Garten’s recipes, the spectacular taste and presentation belie the simplicity of the preparation. A collection of her favorite hosting standbys and never-fail, fool-proof meals, this book is a guaranteed winner for every host or hostess that wants to not only serve up a wildly successful dinner, but enjoy the company of the dinner guests besides. Reviewed by Andrea Huehnerhoff Pure Vanilla: Irresistible Recipes and Essential Techniques By Shauna Sever, Leigh Beisch (photographer) Quirk, $22.95, 159 pages Check this out! Exotic and seductive, yet so commonplace that even a humble butter cake is graced with a splash of this alluring little pod. How often have you poured a fragrant spoonful into your baking batter, or scooped up a bowlful of ice cream flavored with naught but this sweet bean? Lest familiarity

breed contempt, Sever brings to you the unveiling of a new and passionate way to explore this enticing flavor you thought you knew, the exquisite and pure vanilla. Introducing us to the recipes with a collection of histories, commentary on varieties, and common questions, this compact and colorful book delves right in with gusto. It’s impossible not to share in the excitement over vanilla as recipes unfold, divided into six beguiling chapters titled Breakfasts, Cakes and Pies, Cookies and Bars, Candies and Confections, Custards and Creams, and closing with Drinks. Have a vanilla day that’s anything but ordinary by starting out with Glazed Vanilla Bean Doughnuts; learn to make your own vanilla snaps and forego store bought wafers forever. Indulge in Candied Vanilla Popcorn, treat yourself to coffee with Homemade Vanilla Creamer, and spice up your cooking with Homemade Vanilla Infused Liquors. Fall in love with the magic of the new vanilla you thought you knew! Reviewed by Andrea Huehnerhoff The Sweet Book of Candy Making By Elizabeth LaBau Quarry Books, $24.99, 160 pages Check this out! As every gourmet candy connoisseur will tell you, the finest and most exquisite candies are hand-made in small batches, from quality ingredients and with expert attention. This book will turn you into the expert, crafting confections with care. Guided by the exact advice of a professional candymaker, this book will turn even the dullest of cooks into a skilled artisan. Sate the sweet cravings on candies from nine well-appointed chapters including Caramels, Toffee, Fudge, Marshmallows, and more. Guided by two open-

ing chapters on ingredients, equipment, and precision techniques, every amateur is directed in the fine details necessary for delectable dainties. Replace stale grocery store candy with fresh, dense Fruit Chews and Saltwater Taff y. Wrap a package of buttery English Toffee, Autumn Caramels, and moist, rich Peanut Butter Cup Fudge for a fortunate friend, and buy the love of every child on the block with Ice Cream Sundae Bark. Replace squishy, plasticine puffs on the top of your cocoa with freshly cut Very Vanilla or Neapolitan Marshmallows. Even find recipes for lollipops, butterscotch and fondant; every devilish imagining of the fervid sugar-hungry mind will be satisfied in the glossy pages of this full-color, thoroughly photographed book on sweets. Reviewed by Andrea Huehnerhoff Whole Grains for a New Generation By Liana Krissoff Stewart, Tabori and Chang, $24.95, 272 pages Check this out! Brown rice, whole-wheat flour, and oatmeal. Maybe corn? Is quinoa a grain? If those are the only whole grains you can think of, get ready to have your mind blown! Liana Krissoff introduces readers to a variety of deliciousness in Whole Grains for a New Generation. She starts off with introductions, including such lesser known beauties as amaranth, millet, and sorghum,

offering descriptions and basic cooking instructions. She follows up with more recipes than you can shake a stick at. Try Buttermilk Oatcakes for breakfast, a Sprouted Wheat Berry Salad with Avocado and Pickled Red Onion for lunch, or Amaranth-Crusted Baked Catfish for dinner. For dessert, try Sweet Lemon Quinoa Custards with Papaya Syrup. Krissoff includes recipes for homemade condiments, breads, side dishes, appetizers, and more. Both meat-eaters and vegetarians will find ideas here, and easy substitution instructions make every recipe versatile; if you can’t find spelt berries, you can just as easily use buckwheat groats or wild rice. Some recipes are complex, others are simple, and most ingredients should be obtainable at either your regular grocery store or your local health food store. Get ready to give some new grains a try! Reviewed by Holly Scudero

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Book Reviews

Category

Romance SNAP IT for additional book summaries.

A Notorious Countess Confesses: Pennyroyal Green Series By Julie Anne Long Avon, $5.99, 384 pages Check this out! Nearly all the young unmarried misses in Pennyroyal Green have a *tendre* for their Vicar, Adam Sylvaine. He, however managed to maintain a degree of independence from the young ladies. And then, and then – the widowed Countess of Wareham moved to the area. Of course, she couldn’t possibly be competition for those young ladies – even if she was a beautiful young woman in her own right. Her background as an actress would automatically declare her unfit. However, it turns out that Evie was not at all what she was represented as being. True, she was definitely a widow, but it would appear she wasn’t actively seeking a husband. No, what she really wanted was acceptance -- and female friends. That accomplishment was the difficult one to manage. She’d had lots of practice however, and had developed a great sense of patience. Being so young (mid-twenties or so) she’d not yet had the time to forget her own less-thanwonderful childhood. No matter what sort of thankless jobs the ladies pushed her into – she handled them gracefully and competently, thereby earning the admiration of the Vicar, as well as some of the older ladies of the parish. Just a degree or so past the ‘sweet’ designation, I found this book to be very enjoyable, especially the spats--and the longing--between the widow and the vicar. Scrumptious, in fact. Reviewed by Kelly Ferjutz Drive Me Wild: A Novel of the Others By Christine Warren St. Martin’s Paperbacks, $7.99, 295 pages Check this out! Rafael De Santos is a Felix of a cursed line of feline shapeshipters slated for extinction if the curse cannot be lifted. A curse that can only be lifted when a Felix falls madly

in love. However, the curse doesn’t stop there. The story goes, that the love he shares must be of that of a witch. There is only one problem: Rafe has it in his head that felines don’t mate for life and lives the life moonlighting as a ladies man... a lot. That is until he pounces on Tess Menzie one night while she spies on him on behalf of the Witches’ Council. Everything about Tess drives Rafe insane, rendering his body eager to claim her as his own, but his conscious reminds him she is a Witch, and these two preternatural groups don’t mingle and it’s been this way since the signing of the Accord almost 400 years earlier. The Accord is being threatened with those who want to reveal themselves to the human and walk among them as equals, an act that the humans are just not ready to face. It is up to Rafe on behalf of the shifters and the Witches’ Council to work together to prevent this from happening, and it just happens that Tess has been put into the middle as the liaison for both sides. Tess can’t help but render herself helpless when around Rafe, despite her tough facade, and Rafe can’t stop this growing possessiveness building within him to have Tess to himself. What is the biggest issue faced in a 320 page book? Finishing it and desperately craving more. Christine Warren delivers a mouthwateringly purrfect love story with a wicked twist and unpredictable story line. While Warren’s exaggerated use of the word “scream” often feels misplaced and overused, she more than makes up for with her unique style of writing that pulls the reader into the story as if they are Tess and being sexually tormented by Rafe, leaving you yearning for more with every turn of the page. This could easily flow into a series, and I really hope it does as I was hooked from page one. Who wouldn’t want a little Rafe in their life? Reviewed by Kim Heimbuch

Tulsa Book Review • February 2013 • 7

Read or listen to eight books and receive a Tulsa City-County Library tote bag. Sign up at any library or online at TulsaLibrary.org. Complete the program and be entered into a drawing for a Kindle Fire® HD and/or an iPod Touch® 16G. Join us for the following events in February to complement the Adult Winter Reading Program.

Meet Carlotta Walls LaNier, Author of “A Mighty Long Way: My Journey to Justice at Little Rock Central High School” At age 14, Carlotta Walls LaNier, youngest of the “Little Rock Nine,” and eight other students were the first African-Americans to integrate their local high school. Their turbulent struggle to simply achieve an equal education forever changed the history of America. Join LaNier as she discusses her book. A book signing will follow. Co-sponsored by the African-American Resource Center.

The Telsa Quartet is a rising star among young American string quartets. Formed at Juilliard and mentored by the renowned Takacs Quartet, the Telsa Quartet will spend a week in Tulsa presenting educational and community concerts with Grammynominated composer Cater Penn. Co-sponsored by Art Works, Mid-American Arts Alliance and the Oklahoma Arts Council.

Meet Sharon Ewell Foster, On Aug. 22, 1831, slave Nat Turner, armed with a Bible in one hand, brandishes a sword in the other. His rebellion shined a national spotlight on slavery and divided a nation’s trust. Overall, the laws enacted in the aftermath of the Turner Rebellion enforced widespread illiteracy among slaves. Join Foster as she discusses her fictionalized account of the slave insurrection. A book signing will follow. Co-sponsored by the African-American Resource Center.

Book Reviews Category

Picture Books SNAP IT for additional book summaries.

Christmas at the Toy Museum By David Lucas Candlewick, $15.99, 32 pages Check this out! This is a children’s book about twentytwo classic stuffed toys that live in a Toy Museum. On Christmas Eve, the toys all rush to gather under the Museum’s grand Christmas tree. Once there, they sadly realize that there are no gifts for them under the tree! That’s when Bunting the old toy cat comes up with a great idea - the toys will wrap themselves up as gifts for each other! This seems like a very good idea, except that Bunting is the “gift” opened last and he has no gift to open for himself. Well, it turns out that the toy angel at the top of the tree is a real angel with magical powers. She decides to reward Bunting with a truly special gift, a wish that he can make that will come true. Bunting decides to wish that Christmas would last forever, and so it does from that point forward. This is a beautifully illustrated tale that teaches young ones the value of selfishness, while also indirectly telling them that everything in life, including one’s friends, has value. Christmas at the Toy Museum would make a perfect gift for a child in almost any household. Reviewed by Joseph Arellano Building Our House By Jonathan Bean Farrar, Straus and Giroux BFYR, $17.99, 48 pages Check this out! If you are moving into a new home or if your child is interested in how a house is built, Jonathan Bean has written a charming and interesting book about how a family home is built from the ground up. In Building Our House, readers join a young girl and her family on an exciting adventure. After packing up their old house in town, the family moves to a bare plot of land in the country. Follow along as the family completes every step in the year-and-ahalf long project. The foundation must

be dug, plumbing and electricity are hooked up, the frame of the house is assembled and raised, insulation is installed, walls are painted ... and then it is time for a moving-day party! Mom and Dad do most of the work, but the little girl and her brother help between playing. Friends, neighbors and other family members pitch in to help get the family into their nice new home. This heartwarming story is about cooperation, determination and love. By working together, a group of people accomplish a very difficult task. Bean’s illustrations are beautifully colored and detailed. Kids will love that this story is based on the author’s real experiences! Included in the back of the book are photos out of Bean’s scrapbook along with an explanation of how his family built a new house in the middle of the country. Reviewed by Kathryn Franklin Lemonade in Winter: A Book About Two Kids Counting Money By Emily Jenkins, G. Brian Karas (illustrator) Schwartz & Wade, $16.99, 40 pages Check this out! It’s wintertime, but Pauline and her little brother, John-John, decide to have a lemonade stand. Their parents list all the reasons why the idea will never work—no one’s outside; it’s freezing— but the siblings’ excitement persists. They decide to sell lemonade, limeade, and lemon-limeade and head to the corner store to buy supplies. They count their money, make their purchases, and then set up their stand—only to find that they are alone in the snow. Eventually, a few passersby do purchase a drink thanks to their innovative marketing, and Pauline and John-John declare their stand a success. After carefully tallying up their

money, however, they realize they actually lost money—but they find a way to make the best of their experiment. Sibling cooperation, a zany plan, and the kids’ perseverance and creativity make this story a winner. Karas’s wonderful inkand-pencil illustrations are—as always— charming, particularly warm and cozy for this wintry tale. The lovely story itself is the focus here; young readers might find the counting a bit beside the point. Reviewed by Margo Orlando Littell Too Noisy! By Malachy Doyle, Ed Vere (illustrator) Candlewick, $15.99, 32 pages Check this out! Sam is the quiet one. His family, the Bungles, is pretty noisy. No. Make that very, very noisy. When you hear trills and tinkles, you find Mama Bungle. Papa Bungle is into wheezing and sneezing. If something clicks and clacks, look no further than Granny Bungle. And Grandpa Bill? He booms. Bella has pots and pans she bangs on, and the Bunglebabies are squeak, squawk, and squelch. Sam would like quiet. It is so noisy, he can’t think. He can’t take it anymore and wanders into the woods. It is very quiet in

the woods, and there are wonderful, quiet things to see like trees, clouds, and water. Sam discovers in all that quiet he can think very well and when he thinks about things, he rhymes them. He likes to rhyme. It is lovely in the quiet woods and Sam keeps walking. Suddenly he realizes it is not only quiet but dark. Very dark. And Sam doesn’t quite know where he is. Malachy Doyle has written a lovely story about learning to appreciate the people around us even if they annoy us sometimes. Ed Vere has created fun illustrations that complement the story very well. Little ones will love this. Reviewed by Rosi Hollinbeck

A.A.W., cont’d from page 8 last entry is from Charles Sumner’s eulogy on Abraham Lincoln, in which he reminds his audience of the unfinished struggle for racial equality, a struggle that would define the next century. It’s a truly remarkable anthology and should be required reading in any study of the subject of slavery. Reviewed by Paul Mullinger

, CHILDREN S NONFICTION

COMING SOON

TO TULSA CITY-COUNTY LIBRARY Search the library’s catalog at http://tulsalibrary.org to reserve your copies now.

Wild Horse Scientists

by Kay Frydenborg Dr. Ron Keiper and Dr. Jay Kirkpatrick have made the wild horses of Assateague Island, Maryland, their lives’ work. Descriptive prose meets solid science as the author offers a rare glimpse into the wild herds of Assateague, sharing beautiful photos of the horses in their island home and the scientists at work.

Ice!

Tulsa Book Review • February 2013 • 8

by Laurence Pringle Before refrigeration was invented, most people could not store certain kinds of foods for more than

a few days. And, in the summertime, chilled milk and cold drinks were rare. But in the winter there was ice frozen in ponds, lakes and rivers. Starting in the 1830s, people began to harvest ice, store it in ways that limited melting, and transport it to homes and businesses. The author describes the key inventions and ideas that helped the ice business flourish in this fascinating book.

Discovering Black America

by Linda Tarrant-Reid Including firstperson narratives from diaries and journals, interviews and archival images, Discovering Black America offers readers an unprecedented account of more than 400 years of African-American history set against a background of American and global events.

TulsaLibrary.org

918.549.READ

A FREE MOnTHLY GUIDE TO YOUR COMMUnITY LIBRARY, ITS pROGRAMS AnD SERVICES 2013 OCCJ INTERFAITH TRIALOGUE SERIES PRESENTS 2013 OCCJ INTERFAITH TRIALOGUE SERIES PRESENTS

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does dialogue still have worth THE DATA an era and value? CanIn people of of angry extremism, doesfacedialogue still have worth faith come together STREAM and Jason patteson talk about thisDATACenTraL THE to-face to talk honestly LiBrary and value? Can people of with each other about their literary phenomenon,OF plusFAITH share faith come together face-

adult/teen events BixBy LiBrary

Read "The Help: A novel" by Kathryn Stockett and then join us for this lively discussion. For adults.

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Ever find yourself talking back to a movie? At this event, u can txt in ur witty jokes, and they will appear on screen. no need to bring along a BF or GF - this Valentine's Day movie will definitely nOT be sappy and romantic! For ages 13-18.

For ages 12-18.

STREAM

to-face to talk honestly titles and authors you may not have with each other about their Jewish Federation ofFAITH Tulsa HIGH TOUCH OF heard of before. Also, see a display 2021 E. 71st St. of steampunk jewelry, made by artist DIALOGUE We live in a fractious, polarized Michael McCoy.universe. For adults. Experts will Federation provide trends, Jewish of Tulsa FOR TODAY HIGH TOUCH data and demography on religious 2021 E. 71st St. life in contemporary America from the agitated the center. polarized Wemargins live in to a fractious,

Spend 10 days sailing the Baltic DIALOGUE Peace Academy Sea on4620 theS.cruise ship norwegian Irvington universe. Experts will provide trends, FOR TODAY Sun with Tom Campbell, president data and demography on religious offrom Campbell Organizational life in contemporary America the agitated margins to the center. Services Inc. ports of callAcademy include Peace 4620 St. S. Irvington Copenhagen, Tallinn, petersburg and Helsinki. For adults and teens. The brave new world of digital FAITH | TECH Join us on the connectivity has now arrived. Sponsored by the Friends of the Tulsa FAIR AND 30TH second and fourth Wednesday ofthethe Can a photon express City-County Libraries. love of God? Can a glowing month for lively topical discussions

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screen be a place of holiness

ANNIVERSARY

and shared experience? on local, national and international DINNER issues. The followingHIGH topics will be The brave new world of digital SUNDAY, FEB. FAITH | TECH TECH 17 discussed: Feb. 13, "Theconnectivity Future ofhas now arrived. GLOBAL FAIR AND 30TH CanMarch a photon express the the Euro"; Feb. 27, "Egypt"; DIALOGUE love of God? Can a glowing Boston Avenue United 13, "nATO"; March 27, "Myanmar MethodistANNIVERSARY Church screen be|aTech place of holiness The Telsa Quartet is a rising star among (followed by Faith Fair and Southeast Asia"; April 10,shared Celebrate the 30th anniversary and 30th Anniversary Dinner) and experience?young American string quartets. of the Trialogue Series. DINNER "Humanitarian Intervention"; April Dinnerat tickets are $20and mentored Formed Juilliard Bostonand Avenue UnitedTECH 24, "Iran"; May 8, "China Africa"; HIGH SUNDAY, FEB. 17 each. Call 918-583-1361 Methodist Church by orthe renowned Takacs Quartet, email joaks@occjok.org May 22, "Threat Assessment"; June 1301 S. Boston 5, for dinner reservations. GLOBAL the Telsa Quartet will spend a week "Great Decisions Wrap-up and Ballot in Tulsa presenting educational and Boston Avenue United DIALOGUE Summary." For adults. community concerts with GrammyMethodist Church (followed by Faith | Tech Fair nominated Celebrate composer penn. theCater 30th anniversary and 30th Anniversary Dinner) of the Trialogue Series. For all ages. Sponsored by the Tulsa tickets are $20 The OCCJ Trialogue Series is made possible inLibrary part by the Trust, Tulsa ArtDinner Works, Mid-American Boston Avenue United Library Trust’s Alfred E. Aaronson Lecture Series Endowment. each. Call 918-583-1361 Methodist Church Arts Alliance and the Oklahoma Arts or email joaks@occjok.org The Broken ArrowTheSidewalk Oklahoma Center for Community and Justice is 1301 S. Boston Council. for dinner reservations. Astronomers invite you to learn about 918-583-1361 or visit www.occjok.org for more information.

What is steampunk and why is it taking over? Come and hear steampunk enthusiasts Will Thomas

dwarf planets. Afterward, we'll go outside for some sky gazing (weather permitting). For all ages.

Accompany The OCCJ Trialogue Series is made possible in part by theDobie Tulsa Langenkamp, Tulsa petroleum attorney and Library Trust’s Alfred E. Aaronson Lecture Series Endowment. The Oklahoma Center for Community and Justice is

L i B r a r y

918-583-1361 or visit www.occjok.org for more information.

All Tulsa City-County Library locations will be closed Monday, Feb. 18 for presidents Day.

consultant, for two weeks throughout Iran. It is a modern nation of talented, interesting people who are eager to be friends of the U.S. but are mired in a dictatorial theocracy of declining popularity. For adults and teens. Sponsored by the Friends of the Tulsa City-County Libraries. Job Lab Update your résumé, search for jobs online or explore a new career in this special computer lab just for job seekers. You will have access to Microsoft Office software and the Internet. USB flash drives are available for purchasing, or you can bring your own to save your work. Standard printing charges apply. Library staff and resources will be in the lab to provide assistance. For adults. Class size is limited. Literacy Tutor Training (Registration Deadline: Friday, Feb. 15) Tulsa City-County Library's Ruth G. Hardman Adult Literacy Service needs volunteer tutors to help adults improve their reading and writing skills. Tutors must be 18 years of age or older and have graduated from high school. Each trained volunteer is matched with an adult student to provide oneto-one tutoring once or twice a week. Volunteers are asked to make a oneyear commitment to tutor. Tutors must complete all sessions of this

Hearing loop available. Switch hearing aid to T-coil.

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(Central Library continued)

2013 OCCJ INTERFAITH TRIALOGUE SERIES PRESENTS

ARE YOU GODWIRED?

HIGH TECH + HIGH TOUCH: THE FUTURE OF INTERFAITH DIALOGUE

THE DATA STREAM OF FAITH Jewish Federation of Tulsa 2021 E. 71st St. We live in a fractious, polarized universe. Experts will provide trends, data and demography on religious life in contemporary America from the agitated margins to the center.

The brave new world of digital connectivity has now arrived. Can a photon express the love of God? Can a glowing screen be a place of holiness and shared experience?

HIGH TECH GLOBAL DIALOGUE (followed by Faith | Tech Fair and 30th Anniversary Dinner) Boston Avenue United Methodist Church 1301 S. Boston

In an era of angry extremism, does dialogue still have worth and value? Can people of faith come together faceto-face to talk honestly with each other about their

HIGH TOUCH DIALOGUE FOR TODAY Peace Academy 4620 S. Irvington

FAITH | TECH FAIR AND 30TH ANNIVERSARY DINNER

workshop. preregistration is required. The registration deadline is Friday, Feb. 15. To register for the workshop or for dates of additional workshops scheduled throughout the year, visit TulsaLibrary.org/literacy or call 918-5497400. Sponsored by the Tulsa Library Trust and Friends of the Tulsa CityCounty Libraries.

Join us as we unveil the concepts for reimagining our Central Library. The renovation of this midcentury modern architecture building seeks to renew the library's identity and role in the community as well as remedy the building's outdated and worn infrastructure. A garden, new fixedseating auditorium and group study rooms are just some of the highlights. project leads Jeffrey Scherer, founding principal, and Traci Lesneski, principal of interiors, for Meyer, Scherer & Rockcastle Ltd. (MS&R), will share building plans that will provide leading-edge library service now and into the future! For all ages.

Vampires anyone? Explore the real Transylvania as a historical region in central Romania with Bob Lieser, vice president of programming, Tulsa Global Alliance. For adults and teens. Sponsored by the Friends of the Tulsa City-County Libraries.

Enjoy our monthly activity just for teens. Refreshments and craft supplies provided by the Friends of the Collinsville Library.

Learn how to begin your family history research and discover the many resources available at the Genealogy Center that can help you get started. For adults.

LiBrary

Join attorney Rita Foster as she discusses wills, revocable trusts, powers of attorney and other estate planning documents. Learn how to avoid probate. For adults. Seating is limited. For more information or to reserve a seat at the seminar, call 918-549-7363. Sponsored by the Tulsa Library Trust.

Learn a simple technique for breaking difficult research problems into manageable segments and how to remain focused during your research. Join certified genealogist Mark Lowe for this informative webinar. For adults. Sponsored by Friends of Genealogy and the Tulsa Library Trust.

SUNDAY, FEB. 17 to Find your ancestors Boston Avenue United Methodist Church Celebrate the 30th anniversary of the Trialogue Series. Dinner tickets are $20 each. Call 918-583-1361 or email joaks@occjok.org for dinner reservations.

Jump on the Albanian elections' trail starting with the first elections after the 1997 collapse. Jessie pilgrim, local attorney, who has provided consulting services in transitional and postconflict democracies since 1996, is leading this expedition to explore the most interesting elections on the planet. For adults and teens. Sponsored by the Friends of the Tulsa City-County Libraries.

CoLLinsviLLe LiBrary The OCCJ Trialogue Series is made possible in part by the Tulsa Library Trustâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Alfred E. Aaronson Lecture Series Endowment. The Oklahoma Center for Community and Justice is 918-583-1361 or visit www.occjok.org for more information.

Meet other teens who love Japanese art and animation. For teens. Refreshments provided by the Friends of the Collinsville Library.

Join certified genealogist Mark Lowe for a demonstration using Google Earth as a genealogy research tool. In this informative webinar, Lowe will focus on image overlay, historic maps and creating a pathway. For adults. Sponsored by Friends of Genealogy and the Tulsa Library Trust.

Will your family be one of those casualties? Join Karen L. Carmichael, estate planning attorney, and discover how you can avoid mistakes in these key areas: probate costs and delays, nursing-home costs, divorce, remarriage, creditor protection for children, incapacity and loss of tax benefits. For adults. Seating is limited.

a d u l t / t e e n For more information or to reserve a seat, call 918-549-7363. Sponsored by the Tulsa Library Trust.

Join us for tips on the university application process, college essay writing and techniques for successful application submissions. For teens.

Celebrating the 201st birthday of Charles Dickens, we will discuss "A Tale of Two Cities," "Oliver Twist, "Great Expectations" and some of his most unforgettable characters. For adults. Light refreshments will be provided. Sponsored by the Friends of the Helmerich Library.

Join the peggy Helmerich Advisory Teens as we use Shrinkydinks to make keychains, magnets, jewelry and more. Shrinkydinks are flexible plastic sheets that, when heated, shrink to small hard plates without altering their color or shape. Supplies and snacks are provided. For ages 12 and older. Sponsored by the Friends of the Helmerich Library.

Jenks LiBrary

Join the Jenks Teen Advisory Board! participation can count as community service. Refreshments are provided. For ages 12-18.

participants should read the selected book prior to the program. Call 918-549-7570 for title. For adults.

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practice your Spanish in a low-stress setting. For ages 16 and older. Sponsored by the Hispanic Resource Center. Job Lab Update your résumé, search for jobs online or explore a new career in this special computer lab just for job seekers. You will have access to Microsoft Office software and the Internet. USB flash drives are available for purchasing, or you can bring your own to save your work. Standard printing charges apply. Library staff and resources will be in the lab to provide assistance. For adults.

Join us for Wii and board games and other fun activities. For tweens and teens.

Join your fellow Trackers as you discover mythical creatures and sunken ships from the dark depths of the ocean. Bring your field guide to add more discoveries. For ages 10-14.

Munch on pocky and meet up with other manga fans to discuss your favorites. For sixth-graders and up.

Help us plan library services and programs for teens, plus talk about your favorite books. For ages 12-18.

Discover Atlantis! Collect relics and learn history from this ancient lost city. Bring your field guide to add to your collection. For ages 10-14.

Create steampunk-style valentines for the special people in your life. For ages 10-18.

LiBrary

Join us for Wii and XBox games. For ages 10-18. Hearing loop available. Switch hearing aid to T-coil.

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but are curious about the process, we will have several kinds on hand for you to try. For all ages.

as she discusses her historic book. A book signing will follow. For adults and teens. Sponsored by the AfricanAmerican Resource Center and Tulsa Library Trust.

Many herbal medicines claim huge improvements in your health, but are they safe and effective? Join Susan nole from Couch pharmacy and learn which herbal medications you should consider taking or avoiding. If you are considering taking herbal medications, you won't want to miss this class! For all ages.

Job Lab

owasso LiBrary

Drop by the library with your e-reader, tablet or smartphone, and get assistance checking out and downloading eBooks and audiobooks from the library's collection. If you don't have one of these devices yet but are curious about the process, we will have several kinds on hand for you to try. For adults.

LiBrary

At age 14, Carlotta Walls Lanier, youngest of the "Little Rock nine," and eight other students were the first African-Americans to integrate their local high school. Their turbulent struggle to simply achieve an equal education forever changed the history of America. Join Lanier as she discusses her book "A Mighty Long Way: My Journey to Justice at Little Rock Central High School." Educators, students and those who value history won't want to miss this historic event. A book signing will follow. For adults and teens. Sponsored by the AfricanAmerican Resource Center and Tulsa Library Trust.

On Aug. 22, 1831, slave nat Turner, armed with a Bible in one hand, brandishes a sword in the other. His rebellion shined a national spotlight on slavery and divided a nation's trust. Overall, the laws enacted in the aftermath of the Turner Rebellion enforced widespread illiteracy among slaves. "The Resurrection of nat Turner," a fictionalized account of the slave insurrection by Sharon Ewell Foster, is a major history lesson. Join Foster

Update your résumé, search for jobs online or explore a new career in this special computer lab just for job seekers. You will have access to Microsoft Office software and the Internet. USB flash drives are available for purchasing, or you can bring your own to save your work. Standard printing charges apply. Library staff and resources will be in the lab to provide assistance. For adults. preregistration is required. Class size is limited. Call 918-549-7645 to register.

LiBrary

Come for coffee and tell us what mysteries you've been reading. For adults.

I'm not yours; you're not mine; be my anti-Valentine! Join us for heartbreaking fun, like "pin the Heart on the Hottie," or decorate a brokenheart cookie! Or you can just enjoy refreshments and hang with friends. For ages 13-18.

skiaTook LiBrary

Jason Doherty will show us what a Zine is and teach us how to make our own. For ages 10-18.

play Wii and board games, plus make crafts. For sixth-graders and up.

suBurBan aCres LiBrary

Read "The Twelve Tribes of Hattie" by new author Ayana Mathis and then join us for this lively discussion. This book is an Oprah Book Club 2.0 selection. For adults and teens. Seating is limited.

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Celebrate Fat Tuesday by creating Mardi Gras masks and bead necklaces. Supplies are provided. For tweens and teens. Seating is limited.

computer classes

Learn how to create fun and colorful signs and fliers.

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LiBrary Watch videos showcasing great African-Americans in history. For all ages. Seating is limited.

LiBrary Looking for literary love? Let us play cupid by helping you find a book that's just right for you! During the month of February, pick up a questionnaire at the library and we'll set you up with your perfect match. For adults and teens.

Show that special someone you care by making them a variety of cool, crafty valentines. For ages 10-18. Candy sushi In the mood for something sweet on this special day? Join us as we make delicious candy sushi. For ages 10-18. Teen Thursday Join us for Wii, XBox 360 and other fun activities. For ages 10-18.

Compete against other teens on the Wii and XBox 360 for some sweet prizes. For ages 10-18.

Learn how to set up a free account and how to use it to send and receive email. Learn how to create formulas, use automatic fill and change basic formatting.

This class is designed for new pC users who have little or no experience using Windows, a mouse or the Internet, and little or no knowledge of basic computer terms.

Learn how to create and edit formulas, and apply functions and advanced formatting to your spreadsheets and workbooks.

What's all the fuss about Twitter? How is it different from Facebook? How much can you really do in just 140 characters? Answer these questions and learn about hashtags, trending topics and more. prerequisite: This class requires a working knowledge of email or completion of an email class.

Learn how to create visual representations of spreadsheet and workbook data. Learn how to create charts, apply conditional formatting and control the appearance of printed spreadsheets. internet Basics This class is designed for pC users with little or no experience in using the Internet. You will learn to navigate the World Wide Web, plus preview, print and save information. prerequisite: Some experience using a computer keyboard and mouse prior to taking this class.

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This class is designed for new computer users who have little or no previous experience using computers, Windows, a mouse or the Internet, and little or no knowledge of basic computer terms.

Learn how to create and format tables, use bulleted and numbered lists, and apply and format columns in a document.

This class is designed for new computer users who have little or no previous experience using computers, Windows, a mouse or the Internet, and little or no knowledge of basic computer terms.

Learn how to set up a free account and how to use it to send and receive email.

Learn how to navigate the World Wide Web and use the library’s online catalog and resources.

Learn how to set up a free account and how to use it to send and receive email.

Learn how to create formulas, use automatic fill and change basic formatting.

LiBrary

Learn how to create and use borders and shading, headers and footers, page numbering and drawing tools.

This class is designed for new computer users who have little or no previous experience using computers, Windows, a mouse or the Internet, and little or no knowledge of basic computer terms.

Go beyond just sending and receiving emails and learn how to set up folders, contact lists and events. For adults.

Explore mail merge, use tables to perform calculations and create onscreen forms.

Has it been a long time since you last updated your résumé? Find out what the current trends are and have all your questions about résumés answered in this informative class. For adults.

Learn how to navigate the World Wide Web and use the library’s online catalog and resources.

Learn how to make a digital scrapbook using powerpoint software. Bring your own digital photos on a CD or flash drive and a blank CD or flash drive for saving your completed scrapbook. For adults and teens. preregistration is required. Call 918549-7683 to register.

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childrenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s events BixBy LiBrary

Youths who may struggle with social skills are invited to play Wii and board games with a high-school peer mentor. This event provides a relaxed environment for youths to have fun while developing social skills. For ages 8-18. Register to reserve your spot at 918-549-7500.

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For newborns to 24-month-olds and their caregivers.

Join Miss Dana for a fun craft project. For ages 5-12.

Broken arrow For newborns to 2-year-olds and their caregivers. For newborns to 18-month-olds and their caregivers. For ages 2-5. An adult must accompany 2-year-olds. parade of pets Monkey Business Silly Stories

Enjoy stories, action rhymes, fun flannel, music and bubbles. For ages 3-5.

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For newborns to 2-year-olds and their caregivers.

For babies and toddlers, playing is learning! After our regularly scheduled storytime, join us for games, toys and activities that foster critical early literacy skills. For ages 5 and younger with their caregivers. Sponsored by Cox Connects Foundation.

For ages 3-5.

After our regularly scheduled storytime, join us for games, toys and activities that foster critical early literacy skills. For ages 3-5.

Celebrate presidents Day with presidential games, activities and trivia. For ages 5-12.

Enjoy stories, songs and activities just right for your little one. For 1-year-olds to 36-month-olds and their caregivers.

Join us for stories in English and Spanish, songs and crafts. For ages 5 and younger. i Love Legos Join us for Lego-building fun. We will provide the Legos and you provide the imagination. For ages 7-11.

See a magic show about the African-American scientist and inventor George Washington Carver. The show will feature magic tricks related to his promotion of peanuts, sweet potatoes and much, much more. Throughout the show, Tommy Terrific will explore the products, inventions and accomplishments of this "Wizard of Tuskegee." (This show does not contain any actual peanut products.) For ages 12 and younger. Seating is limited. Sponsored by the Tulsa performing Arts Center Trust and Tulsa Library Trust.

Registered therapy dogs are excellent listeners. Kids ages 7-12 are invited to read their favorite books to a furry, four-pawed friend. Each reader will receive a free book provided by the Tulsa Library Trust.

CenTraL LiBrary

For ages 2-5. An adult must accompany 2-year-olds.

For ages 5 and younger with a caregiver.

Let's have fun while we discuss and debate the Sequoyah Awardnominated book "On the Blue Coment" by Rosemary Wells. Refreshments will be provided. For third- through fifth-graders. participants should read the book prior to the program.

CoLLinsviLLe LiBrary Learn to play chess or hone your skills with 20-year veteran chess teacher Michael Sullivan. He will give short lessons at whatever level is needed and then you will have an opportunity to play. For ages 8 and older. Sponsored by the Tulsa Library Trust.

For newborns to 2-year-olds and their caregivers. Registered therapy dogs are excellent listeners. Kids ages 7-12 are invited to read their favorite books to a furry, four-pawed friend. Each reader will receive a free book provided by the Tulsa Library Trust. preregistration is required. Call 918-549-7662 to register.

For ages 3-5.

Registered therapy dogs are excellent listeners. Kids ages 5-10 are invited to read their favorite books to a furry, four-pawed friend. Each reader will receive a free book provided by the Tulsa Library Trust. Call 918-549-7438 to sign up. Walk-ins are welcome if space is available.

Join us for stories, songs, crafts and more. For newborns to 4-year-olds and their caregivers.

Join us for songs, rhymes and books. For ages 5 and younger.

LiBrary

Join Ms. Josie for stories, songs and finger plays. For ages 2-3 and their caregivers.

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(Hardesty Regional Library continued)

For ages 3-5.

Join Ms. Karen for stories and other fun activities. For all ages.

For newborns to 2-year-olds and their caregivers.

Join us for stories, music and activities. For ages 3-5.

Bring your fuzzy pal to storytime and leave it for a sleepover. Collect your stuffed animal later in the week, along with a photo showing what fun it had at the library! For ages 2-3 and their caregivers.

Bring your fuzzy pal to storytime and leave it for a sleepover. Collect your stuffed animal later in the week, along with a photo showing what fun it had at the library! For ages 3-5.

Bring your fuzzy pal to storytime and leave it for a sleepover. Collect your stuffed animal later in the week, along with a photo showing what fun it had at the library! For all ages.

kaiser LiBrary Bring your fuzzy pal to storytime and leave it for a sleepover. Collect your stuffed animal later in the week, along with a photo showing what fun it had at the library! For newborns to 2-year-olds and their caregivers.

tulsa city-county library locations 14

M, 10-8; T-Th, 12-8; Fri., 12-6; Sat., 10-5 M-Th, 10-8; Fri., 10-6; Sat., 10-5

10150 n. Cincinnati Ave. E., Sperry M-T, 12-7; W, 10-5; Th, 12-7; Fri., 12-5; Sat., 10-5 M-Th, 10-8; Fri.-Sat., 10-5

and

M-Th, 10-8; Fri.-Sat., 10-5 4

M-Th, 9-9; Fri., 9-6; Sat., 9-5; Sun., 1-5

M-Th, 10-8; Fri., 10-6; Sat., 10-5 and

M-F, 10-6; Sat., 10-5

M-Th, 9-9; Fri.-Sat., 9-5; Sun., 1-5, 551 E. Fourth St., Sand Springs, 74063

M, 10-8; T-Th, 10-6; Fri.-Sat., 10-5 19

M-Th, 10-8; Fri., 10-6; Sat., 10-5 M-Th, 12-8; Fri., 12-5; Sat., 10-5

3219 S. 113th W. Ave., Sand Springs, M-Th, 10-8; Fri.-Sat., 10-5

M-W, 10-5; Th, 1-8; Fri.-Sat., 10-5

and

M-Th, 12-8; Fri., 12-5; Sat., 10-5 Connorâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Cove

and

M-Th, 9-9; Fri., 9-6; Sat., 9-5; Sun., 1-5

M-Th, 9-9; Fri.-Sat., 9-5; Sun., 1-5 M-Th, 10-8; Fri.-Sat., 10-5

M-Th, 10-8; Fri.-Sat., 10-5

M, 12-8; T-Th, 10-6; Fri.-Sat., 11-5 suburban acres Library

5202 S. Hudson Ave., Suite B, 74135

M-Th, 10-6; Fri.-Sat., 11-5

M-T, 12-8; W-Th, 10-6; Fri., 12-5; Sat., 10-5

2224 W. 51st St., 74107 918-549-7683 M-Th, 9-9; Fri.-Sat., 9-5; Sun., 1-5

Join us for winter books, music, flannel board and fun! For all ages.

For ages 3-5.

Enjoy storytime and then stay after for games, toys

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and activities that foster critical early literacy skills. For ages 3-5.

It's a pajama jammy jam with Ms. Kristen and Mr. David! Wear your pajamas and join us for bedtime songs, stories and rhymes. For ages 3-8.

Buckle your seatbelts and fly with us in search of Bigfoot with stories and fun activities. For ages 4-10.

Jenks LiBrary

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friends or maybe even that special someone! Card-making supplies will be available for this drop-in event. For ages 5-12.

Explore a range of different topics and activities such as science experiments, cooking lessons, arts and crafts, or book talks. For ages 5-12.

LiBrary

Enjoy stories in English and Spanish. For ages 3-5.

LiBrary

no valentine this year? no problem! Come one, come all for fun-filled games and snacks. For ages 8-15.

Registered therapy dogs are excellent listeners. Kids ages 5-12 are invited to read their favorite books to a furry, four-pawed friend. Each reader will receive a free book provided by the Tulsa Library Trust. preregistration is required. Call 918-549-7570 to register.

younger.

Come and discover Russian language and culture through stories, rhymes, music and more! For ages 5 and younger.

For ages 3-5. Childcare groups, please call before attending. Seating is limited so we may refer you to another library.

Enjoy stories, songs, and activities in English and Spanish. For ages 5 and younger.

When is a book more than a book? Find out when you join Miss Marie for games, activities and crafts. For first- through third-graders.

LiBrary

For ages 5 and

Stop by after school and make your own valentines for your relatives,

clases de informática

Les enseñaremos cómo crear una cuenta de correo electrónico y cómo usarla para enviar y recibir correo. para todas las edades.

Enjoy stories in English and Spanish. For all ages.

For newborns to 2-year-olds and their caregivers.

For ages 3-5. Mr. Groundhog Little Sweethearts Mardi Gras! Tooth Fairy

en español

Learn to dance the dance of hearts with Tippi Toes Dance Company and create a Valentine's Day craft for your sweetheart. For ages 5-10. Class size is limited. Come early to ensure availability.

Abrimos el salón de cómputo para los que quieran aprovechar el tiempo para practicar con el teclado, el ratón, navegar el Internet, llenar formularios o aplicaciones. La maestra estará presente como personal de apoyo. para todas las edades.

Explora el fenómeno social que es Facebook. Los participantes aprenderán cómo abrir una cuenta en Facebook, encontrar amigos y familiares, cómo controlar el contenido de su página y asegurar la privacidad de su información. para todas las edades.

Esta clase es para personas con poca o ninguna experiencia usando computadoras y/o internet. Los familiarizará con el uso y la terminología de la computación. para todas las edades.

Esta clase es continuación de la anterior, practicaremos todo lo aprendido. participantes deben de haber tomado la primera clase para poder asistir a ésta. para todas las edades.

patrocinado por el Centro Hispano y el Fideicomiso de las Bibliotecas de Tulsa. Informes al 918-549-7597.

Aprende a usar Microsoft Word para formatear texto, escribir cartas, documentos y tu currículum. para todas las edades.

Abrimos el salón de cómputo para los que quieran aprovechar el tiempo para practicar con el teclado y con el ratón o para practicar navegar el Internet, llenar formularios o aplicaciones. La maestra estará presente como personal de apoyo. para todas las edades.

Te ayudaremos a crear una cuenta de correo electrónico, cómo usarla para enviar y recibir correo. para todas las edades.

programas infantiles BiBLioTeCa Broken arrow sur

Fidelia los invita a escuchar cuentos en inglés y español. para niños de 0 a 5 años.

Disfruta cuentos, canciones, y actividades en inglés y español. para niños de 0 a 5 años.

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(Martin Regional Library continued)

Join your fellow Trackers as you discover mythical creatures and sunken ships from the dark depths of the ocean. Bring your field guide to add more discoveries. For ages 10-14.

After our regularly scheduled storytime, join us for games, toys and activities that foster critical early literacy skills. For ages 1-5 and their caregivers.

Does your child have difficulty sitting through storytime? If so, this inclusive, interactive program of stories, songs and activities may be just what you are looking for! Sensory Storytime focuses on learning with all five senses and is especially designed for children with a variety of learning styles or sensory integration challenges. preregistration is required. Register online at http://kids. tulsalibrary.org/sensorystorytime or by calling 918-549-7617. Children must be accompanied by an adult. For ages 1-7. Sponsored by the Tulsa Library Trust.

For ages 5 and younger with an adult. Valentine party and photo Day (bring treats and wear red) Hugs Dinosaurs

LiBrary

games, toys and activities that foster critical early literacy skills. For ages 5 and younger.

Join us after school on the first Wednesday of the month for fun and sometimes educational activities. Refreshments will be provided. For ages 8-13. Library Lego League

For ages 2-5. An adult must accompany 2-year-olds.

Join us for Lego-building fun! Legos will be provided, but you may bring your own. For ages 5-12.

owasso LiBrary Enjoy stories, songs, and activities in English and Spanish. For ages 5 and younger.

Discover Atlantis! Collect relics and learn history from this ancient lost city. Bring your field guide to add to your collection. For ages 10-14.

Join us for stories, finger plays, music and dancing. For ages 5 and younger.

Explore the colorful culture of Tulsa's sister city Beihai, China, with stories, crafts, music and fun. For ages 5 and older.

Benson LiBrary For newborns to 2-year-olds and their caregivers.

For ages 3-5.

For newborns to 2-year-olds and their caregivers.

Enjoy stories and a craft. For ages 5-12.

Have fun with books, ideas and activities. For ages 5-12.

skiaTook LiBrary Celebrate the 146th birthday of Laura Ingalls Wilder. Listen to "Little House" stories, make crafts and learn about pioneer life. We encourage you to dress in your pioneer best! For ages 5-12.

Girls ages 9-12 and their mothers are invited to join us to discuss a great read. Copies of the featured book are available at the library. participants should read the selected book prior to the program. preregistration is required. Call 918-549-7624 to register.

Join us for stories, songs, rhymes and a craft. For ages 6 and younger. Hats and Mittens Celebrate Valentine's Day! Treasure Hunt! pete the Cat Day!

Shadow dance like a groundhog, learn about his way, come to First Saturday and we'll all play! For ages 5-11.

TO SEARCH FOR EVEnTS, SCAn THIS CODE USInG YOUR MOBILE DEVICE AnD QR SCAnnER App.

Join us as we explore a new book through reading, discussion and a fun activity. For first- through fifth-graders.

LiBrary Registered therapy dogs are excellent listeners. Kids ages 5-12 are invited to read their favorite books to a furry, four-pawed friend. Each reader will receive a free book provided by the Tulsa Library Trust.

For babies and toddlers, playing is learning! Enjoy storytime and then stay after for

Free and Open to the public If you are hearing-impaired and please call the library 48 hours in advance of the program. The Tulsa Book Review and Tulsa City-County Library Event Guide are printed on partially recycled paper.

The Tulsa City-County Library Event Guide is produced by the public Relations Office of the Tulsa City-County Library.

Book Reviews

Category

Tween Reads SNAP IT for additional book summaries.

The Odyssey By Gillian Cross, Neil Packer (illustrator) Candlewick, $19.99, 178 pages Check this out! Homer’s great story of Odysseus’s journey home after the Trojan War is well known to nearly every teenager and adult, but for young children, it is new. Many versions of this story exist, but most are dry and uninteresting for youngsters. Happily, there is a lush, beautiful new version written just for the middle school crowd that is sure to become a staple in libraries, classrooms, and homes that will be kept and passed down through generations. Gillian Cross has written a lively text that never talks down to her young audience, but tells the story in language that is accessible, yet lyrical, and has a cadence that brings ancient texts to mind. Gods speak as loftily as one would expect gods to speak. Humans demonstrate their hubris and foolishness in what they say. The illustrations by Neil Packer seem to be stolen from the sides of well-preserved ancient Grecian urns and vases. There is a simplicity and grace to these drawings that belies their modernity. The size of the book is impressive and the paper is heavy and has the look of parchment. Even the font tugs readers to a time long ago. This is perfect. Reviewed by Rosi Hollinbeck A Smidgen of Sky By Dianna Dorisi Winget Harcourt Children’s, $16.99, 208 pages Check this out! Piper Lee DeLuna is about to get a new family. It’s not her idea; she’s happy when it’s just her and Mama. Piper Lee misses her father like crazy and thinks her mother has forgotten all about him, but Piper Lee believes he is coming back someday. After all, his body was never found. Now Mama has gone and fallen in love with Ben, and when the wedding takes place, it will be a package

deal with Ben’s ten-year-old daughter Ginger. And Ginger is nothing short of annoying with her cheerleader stuff and wanting dress up and flounce her hair. All Piper Lee wants to do is fly a plane like her father did. She has a great idea to find Ginger’s mother and get her back on the scene. That should stop the wedding bells. While searching on line, she finds someone who claims to know something about her father, and she gives personal information to that person. And once she starts things rolling, it starts to resemble a runaway train. Dianna Dorisi Winget creates a character with the pitch-perfect voice of a ten-yearold southern girl as well as a story that is a cautionary tale for all young people. Reviewed by Rosi Hollinbeck The Red Blazer Girls: The Secret Cellar By Michael D. Beil Knopf Books for Young Readers, $17.99, 274 pages Check this out! When Madame Zurandot reads the palms of Sophie and her friends, little do they realize a new mystery is revealed in her predictions: An old man with a cane; a dead man slumped over his desk, pen in hand; people seeking treasure; Sophie trapped in a small room; someone searching in the dark on a cold floor . . . Then Sophie attends an auction to buy an antique fountain pen for her father’s Christmas present. The man whose estate is auctioned was found slumped over his desk, holding that very pen. An elderly bookseller bids on everything from the estate. One item he obtains is the dead man’s cane. He wants the pen too, which Sophie obtained. At home, Sophie discovers a mysterious message hidden inside the pen. Soon, the Red Blazer Girls are launched into a new case (the third in this series), where poems are clues in a treasure hunt that involves the secret cellar of the title. Sophie and her three friends, in their St. Veronica’s red blazers, with their smart repartee and New York City slant on life, are a refreshing sleuth team. Their adventures are narrated in Sophie’s breezy voice, making this a thoroughly enjoyable read. Reviewed by Elizabeth Varadan

Tulsa Book Review • February 2013 • 9

YOUTH FICTION COMING SOON Search the library’s catalog at http://tulsalibrary.org to reserve your copies now.

Magicalamity by Kate Saunders

Tom is in shock. He’s just discovered that his dad is an escaped fairy on the run and that he must trust his life to three dangerous fairy godmothers he’s never met. Two of them are hardened criminals and one falls out of the window when she tries to fly. Will their mad magic be enough to help Tom rescue his dad from the clutches of some killer fairies?

The Reluctant Journal of Henry K. Larsen

by Susin Nielsen

Darker than her previous novels, Susin Nielsen peoples this novel about the ultimate cost of bullying with a cast of fabulous characters, dark humor and a lovable, difficult protagonist struggling to come to terms with the horrible crime his brother has committed.

The No Dogs Allowed Rule

by Kashmira Sheth; illustrated by Carl Pearce Ishan Mehra wants a dog, but his mother has a rule about dogs. (Guess what it is?) Ishan figures if he’s helpful enough and does enough things right around the house, he can change her mind. Somehow, though, the right things seem to come out all wrong. whether it’s making paratha for breakfast or repainting the hallway! Award-winning author Kashmira Sheth’s first novel for younger readers introduces Ishan, whose hilarious misadventures will resonate with kids everywhere.

Nightmare of the Iguana

by Ursula Vernon

Danny Dragonbreath has seen a lot of weird things, but nothing quite like the inside of his best friend Wendell’s brain. Wendell has been having terrible nightmares, and Danny and Wendell’s totally-not-girlfriend Suki agree to venture into the iguana’s mind to get rid of the thing causing the dreams – before Wendell goes permanently insane. There’s more scary stuff in Wendell’s strange and nerdy subconscious than Danny bargained for, and getting out of there is no easy feat, even for a ninja girl and an almost-firebreathing dragon.

Keep Jumping; No Hating

by Stephanie Perry Moore

In this urban teen fiction flip book, eager Hallie Ray has finally made the cheerleading squad. If being a cheerleader is measured in heart, then Hallie has it all. But she’s jealous of her BFFs. Then a friend lays down the hard truth: Hallie must learn to love without conditions. If she weren’t so busy in everybody else’s Kool-Aid she would understand that her flavor’s sweet enough. On the flipside in No Hating, Amir Knight is new to the team; the boy can ball. But Amir’s father rags on him about being unworthy because Amir has dreams that don’t sit right with his academic dad. He’ll never amount to anything if he balls, so his parents forbid him to play. Coach says Amir has talent, swag and ability. So Amir forges his father’s signature on the permission forms.

Book Reviews Category

Historical Fiction SNAP IT for additional book summaries. The Plum Tree By Ellen Marie Wiseman Kensington Books, $15.00, 367 pages Check this out! People ask, “How could ordinary Germans let the Holocaust happen?” This remarkable novel makes the answer frighteningly clear. Non-Jewish citizens who hated Hitler watched their own freedoms silenced by decree after decree. It became against the law to work for Jews, do business with Jews, or socialize with Jews. It became against the law to read or hear news outside of state authorized newspapers or the state issued radio. Or complain about rations. Breaking, even protesting any law was punishable by beating, arrest, hard labor, or death. At rallies for Hitler, the S. S. patrolled aisles to make sure people clapped and cheered. Anyone who didn’t give the “heil” salute drew the attention of the S. S. and put their family at risk. Jews and non-Jews alike sank into a nightmarish existence, even before deportation to “work camps” began. When the novel’s protagonist, Christine, is sent to Dachau for loving a Jew, the hellish life inside the camps and the reality of the extermination program is depicted in heart-rending detail. In luminous writing, the author reminds us that the unthinkable could happen anywhere, and that the loss of freedom of speech is an early warning. Reviewed by Elizabeth Varadan

Garden of Stones By Sophie Littlefield Harlequin MIRA, $14.95, 301 pages Check this out! SF TOPIC San Francisco, 1978: Patty Takeda is preparing for her coming wedding, when a police inspector informs her mother, Lucy, an acquaintance from the Manzanar internment camp thirty years ago has been murdered. The book unfolds then into Lucy’s memories, occasionally returning to the story present. 1941 and after: Lucy is fourteen when her world is disrupted. Her father, a successful businessman, dies from a heart attack. Her beautiful mother, Mikayo, has always been subject to mood swings and dependent on his protectiveness. Then Pearl Harbor is attacked and Japanese-Americans—American citizens—are sent to camps. Lucy and Mikayo arrive in Manzanar with no family protector. Lucy copes by working hard, despite grim living conditions and abusive attitudes of the personnel. She even has a shy romance with a boy in camp—soon snuffed out by other events. Lucy’s mother, victimized by her own beauty, is unable to fend off soldiers in the camp. And Lucy becomes victimized in a way that forever makes her a loner. This book is a searing depiction of what can happen when authorities have a captive population at their mercy; of how lives are altered forever, even after wars are long over. Reviewed by Elizabeth Varadan

Category

Biography & Memoir SNAP IT for additional book summaries. The Limit: Life and Death on the 1961 Grand Prix Circuit By Michael Cannell Twelve, $14.99, 336 pages Check this out! In racing terminology, the limit is that perfect speed for a given situation. If a cer-

tain corner may be taken safely at 100 mph, then that is the limit for that corner. 99 mph is too slow, and can cost you the race, while 101 mph is too fast and may cost you your life. This book is more than the story about one or two men — it’s the history of auto

racing in the ‘50s and early ‘60s with a special concentration on 1961. It was at that time when the science and technology generated by the war began to emerge into everyday life. If the sound of a finely tuned engine with straight pipes — or no muffler at all — sends tingles up and down your spine – you’ll love it! My father (a mechanical genius) was born in Germany in 1908 and emigrated to the U.S. in 1929. Perhaps the greatest thing he gave his daughter was his love of mechanical things, especially when those mechanical contrivances had wheels and were on a race track. The first time he took me to a race, I was 5. It happened to be motorcycles in a field, but I fell in love. Next came midget cars on a track — and I was hooked. In the ‘50s and ‘60s as I reached adulthood, I desperately wanted to be a race car driver. Unfortunately, as a female NOT named Denise McCluggage, I couldn’t quite make it happen, except on a very minor level. The names and places in this book are those I grew up hearing about, and it was wonderful to be taken back there again, to relive those exciting (and sometimes tragic) times. In those days, nearly each European

country had its own Gran Prix, the great marques and most of all the drivers: Moss, Fangio, von Trips, Portago, Hill, Collins, Hawthorn, Rubirosa, Gendebien, Trintignant. These were the names that made the wheels go around and around. Formula I isn’t such a big thing in this country any more, but if these names resonate with you, you’ll appreciate this book. With meticulous research (nicely annotated in a “notes” section) Michael Cannell describes the color, the action, the people, the cars so well, it’s almost like you are there, watching, listening to the archaic wonder. The great automotive manufacturers of the day fed into national enthusiasms, pitting one country against the other, on a circuit of some 10 or 11 huge racing events. Some were run through city streets, some through countryside and a few on tracks built specially for that purpose. These were the days before safety features became common in racing cars and then were incorporated into everyday vehicles. In the epilogue, the author says: “Formula I cars are now so safe that more than a decade passes between fatalities. How fortunate that is — during the years described in this book, at least once a year there was a stupendous crash which killed upwards of 50 spectators, not to mention the numerous drivers who stared death in the face — and lost.” Reviewed by Kelly Ferjutz

Mango is an online language-learning system that can help you learn languages like: Spanish French Japanese Brazilian Portuguese German Mandarin Chinese English as a Second Language

Greek Italian Russian Hebrew Thai Vietnamese

Choose from nearly 40 languages and learn by listening to native speakers and engaging in the interactive lessons offered through this user-friendly language instruction tool. Visit TulsaLibrary.org/language and use your Tulsa City-County Library card to access Mango Languages.

Book Reviews

Category

Fantasy

Science Fiction

SNAP IT for additional book summaries.

SNAP IT for additional book summaries. The Hydrogen Sonata By Iain M. Banks Orbit, $25.99, 517 pages Check this out! Hydrogen Sonata by Iain M Banks is the ninth Culture novel and, as such, an event for everyone who enjoys the best in SF. I would like to report this as another triumph, but I would be exaggerating. It’s only very good and not one of the best Culture novels. Thematically, we’re discussing what represents the ideal path to finding perfection in life. It can be learning to play an unplayable piece of music — an exercise in futility because the Sonata is generally agreed to not to be worth listening to — or it can be a move by a civilization into the Sublime, a higher state of being perhaps equivalent to Heaven (no one is sure because, as a general rule, people who have made the move don’t come back). Yet, to the surprise of the watching AIs, this planned transition to the Sublime may have become the motive for murder. The results of their investigation are fascinating, but the pace of the book is slower than usual with a lot more information about the Culture and its history. If you’re a fan, this is like gold. But if you’re new to Banks, this is probably not the best place to start. Reviewed by David Marshall Star Wars: Scoundrels By Timothy Zahn LucasBooks, $27.00, 432 pages Check this out! It’s hard being Han Solo. Saving the galaxy is all well and good, but it doesn’t pay the bills. And with a debt to Jabba the Hutt hanging over his head, Han’s willing to entertain nearly any moneymaking venture. When an injured businessman recruits him to steal back a fortune from an unscrupulous Imperial governor, Han puts together a dream team of ne’er-do-wells and scoundrels, hoping for one big score. But he’s got a bad feeling about this... If you’ve ever wanted to see one of the galaxy’s greatest rogues in an Ocean’s Eleven-style heist story, then this is the book

for you. Scoundrels is a glorious romp, pairing Han and Chewie with a medley of new characters and familiar faces to Star Wars devotees, all in an intricately plotted con job full of twists, turns, and complications. This is probably the most fun Zahn has ever had in the Star Wars Universe, and it shows. Beyond the heist movie shenanigans, there’s some nice insight into the events that followed the first Death Star’s destruction, as well as some lovely character work with the numerous players involved. I’m still not entirely sold on the final twist, but I had a blast getting there. Reviewed by Glenn Dallas Seeds of Earth By Michael Cobley Orbit, $7.99, 632 pages Check this out! In the future, humanity faces a desperate fight against an alien enemy that we seemingly can’t beat. On the edge of defeat, a desperate plan is put into motion: send out three colony ships in random directions and hope that they find a habitable planet, so at least humanity will survive somewhere. After making random hyperspace jumps, one of the ships makes it to the planet Darien; 150 years later the people of Darien come back into contact with Earth, which survived the alien invasion with help from the Hegemony. At first it is all welcome back and glad that at least one ship survived. But it then turns into political intrigue, assassinations and a takeover by the Hegemony aliens who want Darien for themselves. The people of Darien quickly realize that Earth is just a minor player in the galaxy. Another storyline follows a survivor from another colony ship that needs to reach Darien but gets sidetracked by many misadventures along the way, not reaching Darien until the end of the book. Each chapter is told from a first-person point of view, which is a good way to write, but it can have large gaps in between characters. While the writing is quite good, he does throw a lot at you, as it is like reading three books in one, and you have to keep all the storylines straight. Reviewed by Kevin Winter

Pathfinder Tales Library: Queen of Thorns By Dave Gross, James L. Sutter (editor) Paizo Publishing, LLC., $9.99, 398 pages Check this out! Count Varian Jeggare and his bodyguard Radovan have entered the elven forests of Kyonin on a mission to get Varian’s beloved Red Carriage fi xed by the only one who can: its maker, who also happens to be Varian’s father, Variel. Accompanied by the gnome Fimbulthicket, once Variel’s companion, and a trio of elven guides who assuredly have ulterior motives, Varian and Radovan set off into the heart of Kyonin in search of Variel. But

they will find much more than they bargained for! Fantasy author Dave Gross presents a new novel in the Pathfinder Tales collection. This novel continues the adventures of Varian and Radovan, who were the main players in two past Pathfinder novels. However, you do not need to have read them in order to understand and enjoy this one. The main characters’ pasts are referenced occasionally, but Queen of Thorns is very much a stand-alone tale. The plot is both serious and comical, and readers who enjoy the fantasy genre will surely enjoy becoming engrossed in this world. Reviewed by Holly Scudero

Traveling the Mother Road this winter?

Download the Guide to Diners, Drive-Ins & Dives for diners on this route and many others.

Tulsa Book Review • February 2013 • 11

Book Reviews Category

History & Current Events SNAP IT for additional book summaries.

The Complete Roman Legions By Nigel Pollard, Joanne Berry Thames & Hudson, $39.95, 240 pages Check this out! Not only the legions of Rome but her coevolving politics, organization and frontiers are lovingly detailed in this superlative volume. The authors progress cogently from the original, almost legendary, units of propertied Roman citizens, which formed temporarily, to later standing forces drawn, with lures of loot and citizenship, from all of Italy and the conquered Imperial world. They take us from the Greek maniple of massed spears to the looser formations and weapons usage dictated by enemies in rough ground, from plated loricae to mail. The reader is led not only through formations and ranks, usages and weaponry, but sees much of what is discussed. Lavish and finely done photography of artifacts, statuary, ruins, coins and sites make for real artistic impact. Worth buying just for those illustrations, the book is also the best coverage of Roman history I have ever seen. Though the legions constituted only part of Rome’s forces, they were so central to her internal mythos and spirit that following their ascension and descent is to take a concentrated course on the history of the civilization that spawned them. Graphs, maps, chronologies, plates of unit symbols, a glossary, suggestions for further reading, a list of abbreviations and a detailed index round out the tome. Reviewed by David Lloyd Sutton

On Saudi Arabia: Its People, Past, Religion, Fault Lines — and Future By Karen Elliott House Knopf, $28.95, 308 pages Check this out! It is a kingdom that has important implications for the world economy. Yet few people truly understand its history, culture, or the people who live in Saudi Arabia. In this new book, Karen House explores the modern history of this enigmatic kingdom. One that has survived throughout the years by dividing and conquering. But cracks are now starting to appear at the edges, cracks that could threaten the stability of Saudi Arabia and have consequences on the region. Mrs. House starts off exploring modern Saudi history, including how the Al Saud family got in power. She explores how they kept power by handing out gifts and money to tribes. It wasn’t until much later that they found oil and used that money to create a culture of dependency. One of the fault lines is religion; in a country where religion is all important more and more people are not listening to the official Imams, but finding ones they like online. The economy is another; most Saudi men want a stable job in the government where they do not have to work so much, and manual labor is beneath them. This is a well-written book and a helpful primer for someone who wants to understand Saudi culture. Reviewed by Kevin Winter

Modern History in Pictures: A Visual Guide to the Events That Shaped Our World By DK Publishing DK Publishing, $30.00, 320 oages Check this out! The editors at DK Publishing, in concert with the Smithsonian, have collected this comprehensive visual guide to 20th and early 21st century history. Each page is a visual scrapbook with photos, maps, graphs and accompanying explanatory text. Each facing two pages covers one topic or event in world history, covering the years 1900 to 2011. The entries span the globe, with information on the two world wars, the Cold War, and many regional confl icts and events. Each decade is given its own graphical timeline with a summary of the important events. The book concludes with a comprehensive text-based timeline, noting significant events and their dates. In addition, there are sections summarizing advances in certain fields during the 20th century, such as the movies and technology. Books like this may be on the way out, due to the Internet, which would be a shame. Modern History in Pictures is a good resource for families with school-age children, or for anyone who needs to occasionally remind themselves what exactly happened during the Irish Civil War or why the U.S. pulled out of Vietnam. This book’s visual element makes it more effective (and more entertaining) than the usual history book. Reviewed by Laura Tarwater Scharp That’s Not What They Meant!: Reclaiming the Founding Fathers From America’s Right Wing By Michael Austin Prometheus Books, $19.00, 253 pages Check this out! Over the years, different political factions have tried to claim the Founding Fathers as their own, saying that their views align perfectly with those of the men who founded America, and clearly anyone who disagrees with them (and therefore the Framers) is unpatriotic and just plain wrong. What so many people don’t seem to realize is that Founders were not a homogeneous group; they were a diverse group of men who did not agree on everything, and thus anybody willing to do a little research can find quotes from that era that show how the Founders agreed with them. The Found-

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ers argued and fought and eventually compromised their way to the Constitution that still guides us today as we govern ourselves. Austin shows that our government works because we don’t agree and are forced to compromise on the issues we are passionate about. In That’s Not What They Meant! he explores such topics as “original intent” (and why he thinks it’s the wrong way to interpret the Constitution); Jefferson vs. Hamilton; the role of the Supreme Court; and state government vs. federal government. Austin himself uses proof-text quotes to show just how diverse of a spectrum the Founders’ views covered. His writing primarily focuses on refuting modern right-wing writings, but only because conservatives are the ones currently using the Founders to prove that they (and only they) are true Americans. This could be one of the most important books written in recent years on the subject of Constitutional interpretation. Reviewed by Holly Scudero Tower: An Epic History of the Tower of London By Nigel Jones St. Martin’s Press, $35.00, 464 pages Check this out! If you need a wonderful gift for any Anglophiles of your acquaintance, I’m quite certain that nothing could please them more than a copy of this gorgeous book. It’s a ‘Wow!’ for sure. But then, you might just decide to keep it for yourself—it’s that enticing. It seems to me that if more history textbooks were written in such a felicitous manner as this book, students would happily embrace and enjoy their reading assignments. A cavalcade of those personalities who have left their mark on British History march through the pages. Even though this book is primarily about only the Tower of London, everyone who was ever anyone has certainly made an appearance – or two or three – within its thick stone walls. It is a most impressive place, especially the Green in the center of it, with the scarlet-costumed Beefeaters (or Yeomen) and the ravens they care for. Begun in 1078, when William the Conqueror first decided he needed such a fortress to protect his claim to the British Crown, the structure has stood four-square and stalwart, signaling to all viewers that the country is there as it has been for more than 900 years. Whether as zoo, prison, sanctuary, or place of execution – the history of England is here. It’s probably just as well that the walls can’t talk. Reviewed by Kelly Ferjutz

Book Reviews Young Henry: The Rise of Henry VIII By Robert Hutchinson St. Martin’s Press, $27.99, 368 pages Check this out! For centuries, the public has been fascinated with Henry VIII and his legacy. Thanks to TV shows like The Tudors, King Henry has become part of the popular culture. Is it any wonder that dozens of books, both fiction and non-fiction, have been written about him? In the latest, the facts focus not on Henry and his six wives, but on his youth and early adulthood. Knowing what a grotesquely overweight despot he became in later years, it is hard to imagine a young, handsome Henry who was a singer, player of several instruments, and writer of poetry. And although he later changed the national religion to Church of England, as a boy and a young man Henry was a devout Catholic.

Henry actually spent more than a dozen years as a loving and devoted husband of Katherine of Aragon, whom he married after the death of his brother Arthur. It was after his frustration that Katherine could not produce a male heir that he became disenchanted with her and took up with Anne Boleyn, thus beginning his cruel and paranoid years. For diehard Tudor fans, there is not a lot of new information in Young Henry. Readers will uncover a few tidbits about the young king and learn something about his sister Mary, his beloved mother Elizabeth, and his father Henry VII. The book includes an extensive bibliography and notes, as well as a number of color reproductions of paintings from the era. Reviewed by Leslie Wolfson

Category

Horror

BESTSELLERS COMING SOON

TO TULSA CITY-COUNTY LIBRARY Search the library’s catalog at http://tulsalibrary.org to reserve your copies now.

Zero Hour by Clive Cussler and

Graham Brown In this dazzling new novel in the No. 1 New York Times bestselling series from the grand master of adventure, zero point energy really exists – a state of energy contained in all matter everywhere, and thus all but unlimited. Nobody has ever found a way to tap into it, however – until one scientist discovers a way. Or at least he thinks he has. The problem is, his machines also cause great earthquakes, even fissures in tectonic plates. One machine is buried deep underground; the other is submerged in a vast ocean trench. If Kurt Austin and Joe Zavala and the rest of the NUMA team aren’t able to find and destroy them, and soon, the world will be on the threshold of a new era of earth tremors and unchecked volcanism. Now, that can’t be good.

Ladies’ Night by Mary Kay SNAP IT for additional book summaries.

Bad Glass By Richard E. Gropp Del Rey, $15.00, 432 pages Check this out! There’s something wrong with Spokane, Washington. The military has formed a protective cordon around the extreme outskirts of the city, not letting anyone in and anyone out. Strange things have started happening on the inside, people disappearing, strange creatures being seen, as well as realities that just cannot be. No news is getting out, and no one has any clue what is really going on. Dean Walker has one last chance to pursue his passion and make it as a photographer. After bribing one of the privates with a convincing story and some photos, Walker

sneaks into Spokane to find out what’s really going on, as well as taking some award-winning photos that he plans to release to the world. On the inside, like everyone else, he sees things that simply shouldn’t be. Curiosity also grows in him, as he searches for an answer to what is going on in Spokane and why it’s getting worse. A gripping kind of horror, Bad Glass uses an interesting device of describing photographs and video footage that are shocking and unbelievable, as well as drawing the reader deeper into the story. While the ending feels rushed, the story is worth the wait. Reviewed by Alex Telander

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Andrews Set in a small island town, a group of recently divorced women meet weekly at a local bar for a court-ordered divorce recovery group.

Whiskey Beach

by Nora Roberts For more than 300 years, Bluff House has sat above Whiskey Beach, guarding its shore – and its secrets. But to Eli Landon, it’s home. A Boston lawyer, Eli has weathered an intense year of public scrutiny and police investigations after being accused of – but never arrested for – the murder of his soon-to-be-ex wife. He finds sanctuary at Bluff House, even though his beloved grandmother is in Boston recuperating from a nasty fall. Abra Walsh is always there, though. Whiskey Beach’s resident housekeeper, yoga instructor, jewelry maker and massage therapist, Abra is a woman of many talents – including helping Eli take control of his life and clear his name. But as they become

entangled in each other, they find themselves caught in a net that stretches back for centuries – one that has ensnared a man intent on reaping the rewards of destroying Eli Landon once and for all.

Silken Prey by John Stanford

Murder, scandal, political espionage and an extremely dangerous woman – Lucas Davenport’s going to be lucky to get out of this one alive. A Minnesota political fixer has hit the jackpot or so he thinks. Hired to take down the incumbent U.S. senator with a vicious smear, to open the way for an ambitious, takeno-prisoners heiress who sees the Senate as merely a stepping-stone, he decides his payoff should be larger. The blackmail demand should yield some pretty large numbers, he thinks. Instead, he gets only a small one – 9 millimeters, to be exact – in the heart.

Unintended Consequences

by Stuart Woods Stone Barrington finds intrigue abroad in the sensational new thriller by the New York Times best-selling author. Barrington is no stranger to schemes and deceptions of all stripes – as an attorney for the premier white-shoe law firm Woodman & Weld, he’s seen more than his share. But when he travels to Europe under highly unusual circumstances, Stone finds himself at the center of a mystery that is, even by his standards, most peculiar. Two unexpected invitations may be the first clues in an intricate puzzle Stone must unravel to learn the truth – a puzzle that will lead him deep into the rarefied world of European ultrawealth and privilege, where billionaires rub elbows with spooks, insider knowledge is traded at a high premium, and murder is never too high a price to pay for a desired end. It soon becomes clear that beneath the bright lights of Europe lurks a shadowy underworld ... and its only rule is deadly ambition.

Book Reviews Category

Popular Culture

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The World Atlas of Beer: The Essential Guide to the Beers of the World By Tim Webb, Stephen Beaumont Sterling Epicure, $30.00, 256 pages Check this out! What a treasure trove of information! Beginning with the basics of beer, including what beer is, its history, and how it’s made, this book is great for those just beginning to appreciate the popular drink, but it certainly doesn’t stop there. Webb and Beaumont provide the history of craft brewing; tips on buying, storing, serving, and drinking beer; and even a list of food pairings! Then they get specific. There are over two hundred pages discussing individual countries’ beer histories and flavor profi les. The authors tell how each region puts its own mark on the beer-making process. They also include a list of specific brews that exemplify the type of beer under discussion and the websites where you buy them. To add a perfect finishing touch, they include brief lists of local customs and resources to maximize your beer-drinking experience. In addition to the vast amounts of useful and interesting information, there are wonderful pictures. Visually, this book is stunning. Featuring images of hard-working brewers, charming pubs, and gorgeous fields where barley, wheat, and hops are grown, the eye is satisfied as much as the mind. Each section on a country or region is also accompanied by a map detailing the location or prevalence of craft breweries. The World Atlas of Beer is perfect for every beer aficionado. Both novices and those already well versed in the art of craft brewing will find this book fascinating, beautiful, and useful. Reviewed by Audrey Curtis

The Diner’s Dictionary: Word Origins of Food & Drink By John Ayto Oxford University Press, $24.95, 405 pages Check this out! The Diner’s Dictionary: Word Origins of Food & Drink is written in the tradition of a dictionary: an alphabetical listing of food-related words. Think Blount’s Alphabet Juice for the foodie. Certain things that were established in the 1990 edition remain here—there is an entry for capon but not chicken—but is more inclusive of regional and international cooking terms that have made their way into English use. It is a strange combination of the old-fashioned and obscure, like “Maconochie: In British services’ slang of the first half of the twentieth century, tinned meat and vegetable stew, especially as supplied to soldiers on active service” and modern and common, like “chicken-fried steak: In the US, a thin slice of beef which is lightly egged and floured and fried until crisp.” Some read like history, others like a recipe. And, chances are, the reader will learn something just by randomly selecting a page. Did you know you can only sell a Cornish pastie (thankfully he clarifies—pronounced like “fast” not “paste”) if it was actually made in Cornwall? Did you know that a portobello mushroom is a fully matured common white button mushroom that, before it was named and cleverly marketed, no one wanted to buy? Reviewed by Robin Martin

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Book Reviews

Category

Business & Personal Finance SNAP IT for additional book summaries. So Good They Can’t Ignore You: Why Skills Trump Passion in the Quest for Work You Love By Cal Newport Business Plus, $25.99, 273 pages Check this out! Author Cal Newport spends most of the book focused on the second part of its title, why skills trump passion in the workplace. In developing this thesis, Newport lays out several related “rules”: Don’t follow your passion, be so good they can’t ignore you, turn down a promotion, and think small, act big. Throughout the book, using examples, interviews, and anecdotes, Newport debunks the potentially dangerous

myth that there is, somewhere, meaningful work matched to our passions awaiting us— and that someone will pay us for it. This book grabbed my attention from its first sentences because it is so subversive, so intelligent, and ultimately so right. Newport takes apart the rhetoric that has been dominant in popular psychology since the seventies, often using examples. Steve Jobs did not succeed so wildly in the world of electronics because of some passion for computers but rather a need to earn a living, leading to dabbling in the field of electronics, developing his skills, and finally innovative ideas. This is the author’s overall message: our skills lead us to our passions, rather than the other way around. A lot of the book should be commonsensical (don’t count on your blog, on your “passion” paying the bills), but often it is the commonsensical that we forget. Reviewed by Stacia Levy

Use the ideas and examples in this book to transition to a peaceful parenting style, and note that peaceful does not in any way equal permissive; Markham cites lots of current research to show that having a good connection creates children who are able to manage their own “big” emotions with time and who behave because they want to please you, not because they’re afraid of you. There is so much good advice to be found in these pages! Parents, do yourself (and your kids) a favor and pick up a copy. Reviewed by Holly Scudero Resilience: The Science of Mastering Life’s Greatest Challenges By Steven M. Southwick, Dennis S. Charney Cambridge University Press, $22.99, 195 pages Check this out! This is an interesting and important book on bouncing back from change and trauma. The two authors are medical doctors who back up new brain science with case studies of resilient individuals under circumstances which most of us will be lucky enough never to face. There are many stories of

torture during war, captivity, self-sacrifice and endurance. It seems that those who help others are actually helping themselves focus outwardly and not on current circumstances. They cite 10 resilience factors and illustrate each of them. The very good news is that the brain can be trained to bounce back from hardship. Resilience is a learned behavior, and tragedies can help us grow by finding meaning in the experience. Much as Victor Frankl wrote in Mans Search for Meaning that man always has freedom of choice even in the midst of suffering, the authors give the reader a blueprint for successfully navigating out of stress reactions. Considering that many survivors become “sullen, demoralized, withdrawn, cynical and angry,” this book provides great hope and inspirational stories of unbelievable courage and optimism in the face of the most severe circumstances of life. Highly recommended. Currently there is another book with the same title being released. If you can only read one, this should be it. Reviewed by Julia McMichael

Category

Mind & Body Fitness SNAP IT for additional book summaries. Peaceful Parent, Happy Kids: How to Stop Yelling and Start Connecting By Laura Markham Perigee Trade, $15.00, 304 pages Check this out! Once we become parents ourselves, nearly everyone is determined to be the best mom or dad they can be. For many, this includes a personal resolution to do things “differently” than their own parents did; sometimes this means no yelling, breaking the cycle of physical punishment, or simply developing a better, stronger connection with your kids. Parenting is hard work, and sometimes our good intentions are forgot-

Hey kids and parents!

ten in the face of a tantrum or an upset baby who won’t stop crying at 2:00 A.M. Parents, new or experienced, should consider picking up a copy of Dr. Laura Markham’s Peaceful Parent, Happy Kids, as there is wisdom in here for everyone. Markham presents three main ideas: regulate yourself; foster connection; and coaching, not controlling.

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Saturday, March 2 10:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m. Celebrate the history, culture, arts and achievements of American Indians with storytelling, dancing, music and more.

10:30-11:30 a.m. 2013 American Indian Festival of Words Writers Award Presentation Honoring Screenwriter

Sterlin Harjo

11:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m. American Indian Cultural Demonstrations

12:30-1:30 p.m. Natives in Comics: How to Create Comic-Book Stories Lights, Camera, Gaffer?

11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Demonstration/Social Stomp Dance Natives in Comics: How to Create Comic-Book Art Muscogee (Creek) Nation’s “Native News Today” Television Show

Storytelling by MAHENWAHDOSE

1:30-2:30 p.m. Making Your Book a Reality! Swing and Sway the Powwow Way!

Pawnee Oral Tradition Comes to Life!

Sponsored by the Tulsa Library Trust, Tulsa City-County Library’s American Indian Resource Center, the Maxine and Jack Zarrow Family Foundation, Cherokee Builders Inc., Seminole Nation, Dr. Frank and Mary Shaw, and the Tulsa City-County Library Staff Association.

please call the library 48 hours in advance of the program.