Sacramento Book Review - February 2011

Sacramento

Feb 11

Book Review VOLUME 3, ISSUE 5

F R E E

NEW AND OF INTEREST

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What’s not to like about giant crabs in epic fantasy?

The Way of the Kings Page 2

Not just for art lovers

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Arsenic and Old Paint: The Art Lover’s Mystery Series Page 6

Secrets and silk worms

Dark Water Page 8

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From writer to farmer in muddy strides

By Kristin Kimball Scribner, $25.00, 256 pages

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A good writer is one who convinces readers they would enjoy something improbable and beyond any likelihood of enjoyment. Kristin Kimball’s The Dirty Life is a wonderfully exuberant account of her switch from East Village to northern New York State, from urban sophistication to a low-tech rural lifestyle.

On assignment for a freelance writing project, Kimball meets Mark, an anachronistic, but unswervingly dedicated, farmer

who’s none too clean, but wildly attractive -- though she tries to suppress this at first, fearful of the change it will bring to her life. Mark is determined to pursue and expand the concept of community-supported agriculture, or CSA. Members buy shares in the farm and receive weekly distributions of seasonal production.

This is the story of Kimball’s first year as a farmer, a tale alternatively dream See DIRTY, con’t on page 28

Do we need another book on “peak oil”?

Peak of the Devil: 100 Questions (and Answers) About Peak Oil Page 15

A must-read!

Missing You, Metropolis: Poems Page 30

145 Reviews INSIDE!

Science Fiction & Fantasy A Hard Day’s Knight

By Simon R. Green Ace, $25.95, 304 pages John Taylor is a private eye in the Nightside, the dark flipside of London where gods, sinners, miscreants, and fugitives from time and fantasy roam free beyond the prying eyes of the real world. Taylor has a supernatural gift for locating things, for better or for worse, and this has made him infamous even in the Nightside, where myths and monsters are commonplace.

Destiny has come calling once more for John Taylor, in the form of the legendary blade Excalibur, delivered to him through the mail. Between his new job as the Voice of the Authorities and the dangerous mystery of the blade, enemies new and old surround Taylor on all sides, desperate to take what’s his, be it the sword or his life.

And where there’s one Arthurian legend, others can’t be far behind ...

The eleventh (and supposedly, penultimate) book in the Nightside series, A Hard Day’s Knight gleefully dives headlong into the story of King Arthur and Merlin, where previously the series merely dabbled. Green deftly mixes centuries of historical myth with his own trademark twisted variations to weave an engaging story, full of dark humor and surprises. Green has pulled out all the stops for this one.

Reviewed by Glenn Dallas Star Wars: Red Harvest

By Joe Schreiber LucasBooks, $27.00, 288 pages The Sith Academy on Odacer-Faustin is among the most imposing and demanding in the galaxy, turning Force-sensitive youngsters into diamond-hard warriors and viciously capable monsters, trained to seek power and destroy obstacles. As the most promising students duel with light sabers and mind games alike, the Dark Lord Scabrous conducts horrifying experiments in his tower, the rumors of which chill the bones of even the hardiest students. But when a parcel arrives for the Dark Lord, accompanied by an unwilling Jedi, the dead will rise and the students will face their ultimate challenge...

Red Harvest is the sequel-in-spirit to Schreiber’s hit horror novel Death Troopers, and he brings the same gusto and grotesque joy to the Star Wars universe. It’s rare to see zombies battling such vicious and powerful

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adversaries, and seeing the Sith students under siege was a treat. Plus, these aren’t your run-of-the-mill undead, so the playing field is more even than expected.

There are a few “good guys” thrown in, but honestly, they’re unnecessary (emotionally, not narratively), and I wish Schreiber had had the confidence to go with only the Sith students for protagonists. Nonetheless, it’s a fun, occasionally disgusting, and generally effective read.

Reviewed by Glenn Dallas The King of the Elves

By Philip K. Dick Subterranean Press, $40.00, 471 pages Step into a whole other plane of existence, where Mozart symphonies are transformed into living breathing animals. Where the brain of an elderly professor becomes the central control system of a cutting-edge space warship. Where a luckless man finds himself in the middle of a million-year-old war between ... spiders and ants? Enter the world of Philip K. Dick, sci-fi writer extraordinaire and creator of a hundred different unexpected surprises.

The King of the Elves is the first installment of a five-volume series featuring the collected works of Philip K. Dick. Written between 1947 and 1952, the premise of war is the central theme of the writer’s work, often providing a background to the exploration of the amorphous nature of reality, time, and even humanity itself. From the imprisonment of a Martian city within a paperweight in The Crystal Crypt, to a whole garrison of soldiers in Piper In The Woods, who refuse to continue working after becoming inexplicably convinced that they are now plants, Dick provides a unique, unexpected, and often bizarre viewpoint of a variety of worlds that are refreshingly different — yet hauntingly familiar — to our own. Highly recommended for any sci-fi fan!

Reviewed by Heather Ortiz Counterfeit Magic

By Kelley Armstrong Subterranean Press, $25.00, 141 pages Kelley Armstrong has a magic power of her own; her stories can entrap anyone who reads them. Counterfeit Magic is the latest in the Paige Cortez series. One of Armstrong’s talents is not losing new readers by relying on past narratives to keep readers involved: the plot here is original See COUNTERFEIT, con’t page 10

The Way of Kings

By Brandon Sanderson Tor, $27.99, 1008 pages

During his teenage years, when Brandon Sanderson was in college working on his writing and looking to make it as an author, in the back of his mind a story idea formed and began to germinate and develop and become more and more complex. Over a decade later, with Sanderson firmly established as one of the most important, best selling fantasy writers being published today, he has now turned that idea that was a dream into a reality in The Way of Kings, the first book of the “Stormlight Archive” Series. Epic fantasy story aside, the book itself is a work of art: beautiful maps on the inside covers, further maps, illustrations and drawings throughout the lengthy book for each story; illustrations for each chapter title; and a captivating cover by artist Michael Whelan. Another part of the dreamcome-true for Sanderson is the permission of the publisher, Tor, to publish a book weighing in at over a thousand pages—an indication that Tor has full confidence in the book and in Sanderson.

Sanderson begins the book with the important history of this world. Long ago, there was a mighty war between the Voidbringers and the knights known as Radiants, who used a special kind of armor known as Shardplates and their weapons were the unstoppable Shardblades—“A Shardblade did not cut flesh; it severed the soul itself”—but then the Radiants turned against mankind and abandoned them, leaving their armor and weapons. We turn to the present day, thousands of years later to the Shattered Plains, a harsh and horrific landscape where armies battle the enemy for domination, with the goal of securing more Shardplates and Shardblades. Then there are the Chasmfiends, great, destructive, terrifying beasts that they also fight to kill, for deep within their crustacean bodies lie priceless gemhearts.

Our story focuses on two characters. Kaladin is a young man in his twenties who has seen much of life already. Raised by his surgeon father to become a brilliant doctor, he instead turns to the life of a warrior, with hopes of getting his hands on a Shardblade, and soon sees his fair share of death and bloodshed. Now he is a slave, for reasons unknown, with little to hope for in life. He soon becomes a member of the bridge crew, a group of slaves whose job it is to carry a giant, heavy bridge across great distances and to lay it across the chasms to allow the soldiers to cross and attack the enemy. Kaladin becomes part of bridge team four, which is renowned for losing the most lives each time it races into battle. Kaladin finds luck on his side, as he manages to continue to survive, and then chooses to work for his team, train them, create survival tactics for them, and he discovers something he thought he’d lost for good: hope and his will to live. Then there is Shallan, a young woman whose family has fallen on hard times after the death of their father. The family is in possession of a Soulcaster, a unique magical device that can create just about anything out of nothing, only now it is broken. However, Shallan has a plan: to become the ward and student of Jasnah Kolin, sister of King Elhokar of Althekar, with plans to replace Jasnah’s Soulcaster with her own; her only problem is she has no idea how to use it.

While a thousand pages may have been a little too much for Sanderson to tell the stories he wanted to tell in this first volume of the projected ten-book series, as some story lines drag a little before something happens, Sanderson has nevertheless done what he does best: created a truly unique fantasy world that at times feels as complete and complex as our own. There is the class system of eye color, with darkeyes, who are looked down on, and lighteyes, who are the only ones who may bear Shardblades (though there are hints that this is not set in stone). There is the important religion of the Vorin, which most of the known world follows, which tells of the struggle between the Voidbringers and humanity; while some other religions are hinted at; and then there is Jasnah Kolin, an atheist decreed a heretic, who is a most unique and fascinating character. A number of interludes throughout the book help to introduce some minor characters to explore some more of this overwhelming world, such as Szeth-son-son-Vallano, who is an assassin from the land of Shinovar, possessing a unique magic to flip gravity around. And then there are the spren, which are spirits that seem to be caused by or drawn to specific happenstances and emotions, such as fear, pain, music, rot, and glory, to name a few. Little is known or understood about the spren, other than that they exist, while Kaladin finds himself befriending a specific spren that seems to be evolving.

One would think that much could be told in a thousand pages, but Sanderson has barely chipped slivers off the mighty iceberg of “The Stormlight Archive,”, but considering he has the penultimate book, Wheel of Time, coming out soon at almost 800 pages, he has certainly proved that he can get a lot of good-quality writing done when he needs to, so fans shouldn’t have to wait too long before the next mighty volume in this terrific new series is released.

By Alex C. Telander

T hou s a nd s of b o ok re v ie w s at S a c r a me nt oB o ok R e v ie w.com

Sacramento

Book Review 1776 Productions. LLC 1215 K Street, 17th Floor Sacramento, CA 95814 Ph. 877.913.1776 info@1776productions.com EDITOR IN CHIEF Ross Rojek ross@1776productions.com GRAPHIC DESIGN/LAYOUT Heidi Komlofske heidi.komlofske@1776productions.com Rowena Manisay COPY EDITORS Megan Just Lori Miller Megan Roberts Sky Sanchez-Fischer EDITORIAL ASSISTANTS Jen LeBrun Mary Komlofske WEBSITE/SOCIAL NETWORKING/ APP DEVELOPMENT Ariel Berg Robyn Oxborrow DISTRIBUTION Reliable Distribution Mari Ozawa MEDIA SALES larry.lefrancis@1776productions.com

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IN THIS ISSUE Science Fiction & Fantasy............................... 2 Romance......................................................... 4 Mystery, Crime & Thrillers............................. 6 History........................................................... 7 Young Adult.................................................... 8 Tweens........................................................... 9 Sequential Art.............................................. 10 Modern Literature........................................ 11 Humor-NonFiction....................................... 12 Biographies & Memoirs................................ 13 Science & Nature.......................................... 15 Historical Fiction.......................................... 16 Crafts & Hobbies.......................................... 18 Relationships & Sex...................................... 18 Current Events............................................. 19 Health, Fitness & Dieting............................. 19 Children’s..................................................... 20 Religion........................................................ 22 Music & Movies............................................. 23 Popular Culture............................................ 23 Popular Fiction............................................. 24 Business & Investing.................................... 24 Cooking, Food & Wine.................................. 25 Self-Help....................................................... 27 Philosophy.................................................... 27 Spirituality................................................... 27 Travel........................................................... 28 Art, Architecture & Photography................. 28 Poetry & Short Stories.................................. 29 Horror.......................................................... 31 Classics......................................................... 31

FROM THE EDITOR With February comes, as usual, an issue with extra Romance and a dash of Relationships & Sex. And not only in the paper, but online, we’re running the 14 Days of Love, each day highlighting different book reviews of books relating to love, relationships and things of Cupid’s nature. We hope you’ll find something to pique your curiosity, add some spice to your current relationship, or help you find a new one.

We have some exciting new developments coming up. In March, long-time reviewer Chris Johnson will be printing her first issue of the Portland Book Review. We’re excited for her and happy to see another community with an outlet for the literary minded. Portland is an exciting town, with a fine literary community, and Chris should find fertile ground there.

We’re finishing up San Francisco and Sacramento Book Apps for the iPhone and iPad, that will let readers check out the latest issues, find local events quickly, and even download electronic books directly out of the app when available. We’re also going to be adding in reviews of books only available as downloads, since that is a growing market for readers and for authors. While we still prefer the feel of books, electronic books are both convenient for many situations (anyone who has to take four or more books with them when traveling knows what I mean), and, in some ways, more economical.

Plus, most books allow you to read the first chapter for free, and often that’s enough to tell you if you want to read the rest.

Upcoming, March will have our semi-annual Science Fiction & Fantasy insert, plus some great author interviews at AudibleAuthors. net. So far, we have Orson Scott Card (The Lost Gate, Ender’s Game), Greg Bear (Hull Zero Three), Patrick Rothfuss (/he Name of the Wind) and Joe Abercrombie (The Heroes) lined up. All exciting authors and some great conversations. Check them out when you get a chance.

Thanks for picking us up once again. We hope you find some good books to pick up.

Heidi & Ross

February 11

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Romance The Lady Most Likely ...: A Novel in Three Parts

By Julia Quinn, Eloisa James, Connie Brockway Avon, $7.99, 384 pages The Lady Most Likely … to be reading with a smile on her face (men could too, though) is the one who is clever enough to have picked up this book. It’s a charmer.

As long as there are men and women, there will be match-making. If only that process could always be as much fun as this delightful tale. Lady is one long book, written by three best-selling authors: Julia Quinn, Connie Brockway, and Eloisa James. There’s an opening chapter which sets up a summer house party (Regency era) with a married sister inviting all the most eligible young ladies from that year’s season to meet her brother, the Earl of Briarly who needs a wife.

Then comes Quinn’s section about one couple — the stunningly beautiful Gwendolyn Passmore, who is discovered by the eligible Earl of Charters. A bridging chapter follows, and then comes Brockway’s tale of another couple — Kate Peyton and the war hero Captain Neill Oakes. Their story resolves into another few bridging pages.

Finally, we come to James’ portion and the Earl of Briarly whose marriage predicament began the entire party, which of course, includes his sister’s best friend, the widowed Lady Georgina Sorrell. These two engage in perhaps one of the top five seduction scenes I’ve ever read! And there’s an epilogue of course, just to tie up all the loose ends. It’s perfectly delightful, and I can’t praise it highly enough. I totally loved it and would give it more stars if I could.

Reviewed by Kelly Ferjutz Something Wicked

By Michelle Rowen Berkley, $7.99, 368 pages It’s not always easy living with another person. Now imagine trying to live with another person inside of you, always privy to each other’s thoughts, knowing what you’re going to do before you even know, never having any privacy -- ever. Yikes.

That’s the premise behind Michelle Rowen’s latest installment in the Living in Eden series. Poor psychic Eden Riley has a demon inside of her, literally. During the day, Darrak can take his own form. At night they share everything.

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I was so excited to pick up this book, but found myself quickly disappointed. Unfortunately, Something Wickedfails to fulfill the promise of a fun and entertaining read.

With a storyline that jumps so often one feels they have to use a notebook to keep track and characters that don’t add anything to the main story, I found this book easy to walk away from and difficult to pick back up. The main character was often naïve and unbelievable, and the narcissistic hero was a turn-off. Plus, the ending left a little something to be desired. With so many wonderful paranormal romances on the shelf these days, skip this one and find something else.

Reviewed by Lanine Bradley Luck Be a Lady

By Cathie Linz Berkley, $7.99, 304 pages Suppose you wanted to write a book with lots of threads running through it. What better way than to have a librarian as your heroine? That way, she can spout off miscellaneous bits of information without sounding (too much) like an information-please recording. And if the hero is a detective, he can find out all sorts of interesting things.

Cathie Linz has a new series going in which the young women are all librarians. Interesting! I missed the earlier one, Mad, Bad and Blonde; and the next one, Tempted Again, isn’t out yet.

So, Luck be a Lady is the current topic of discussion. It’s brisk and fast-paced, with an abundance of quirky, intriguing characters, and an up-to-the-minute plot. It skirts dangerously near the “Oh, come on!” line, however, with the more-than-occasional useful tidbit of information thrown in by a fellow librarian, or patron wanting a particular book, or an author coming to speak who’s just happened to write a book called Taking Chances as librarian Megan West is battling the urge to fall in love with Logan Doyle, the police detective.

It was fun to meet the multi-generational families of both Megan and Logan and wonder if they were going to get together or not, considering all the interruptions. Not all the threads were woven in, however. What happened to the doorman, Danny? After a good build-up, he just falls out of the book.

Hmmm. Maybe in the next book?

Reviewed by Kelly Ferjutz

To Save the Devil

By Kate Moore Berkley, $7.99, 296 pages If you miss the first of a three-act anything, you’re bound to be a tad confused and questioning, until you can somehow find that missing beginning and catch yourself up! That’s where I found myself several times while reading this mostly enjoyable book. I have greatly enjoyed books by Kate Moore over the years, and this one was no exception. But still, I wish I’d have known there was a previous story in this three-book series, Sons of Sin. As always, Moore’s characters are people you’d really like to know.

They’re deep and complicated, loving and giving — other than the villains, of course.

The villains are dastardly, and you can’t help but cheer (politely) when they meet their well-deserved demise. Whichever variety, they’re very real people.

Set in 1820 London, Will Jones, (the Devil of the title) buys a “virgin” at a notorious brothel. He doesn’t really want her; it is just his way of gaining entrance to the place, more tightly guarded than the Tower.

But “Helen of Troy” turns out to be more than he bargained for. She has been caught sneaking into the house on Half Moon Street, and after refusing to identify herself or her mission, she is drugged and put on the auction block.

From this somewhat unusual beginning, Moore weaves a tale that encompasses all levels of society in this great city. It’s a somewhat breathless — but very enjoyable — ride.

Reviewed by Kelly Ferjutz Prelude to a Scandal

By Delilah Marvelle HQN Books, $7.99, 384 pages Labeling a book ‘historical romance’ doesn’t make it so when the author willfully ignores all the conventions that determine the labeling process. Of course, calling the book a “fantasy/obsessive lust” might not get the readership desired, either.

First off, the author insists on referring to this book as Regency, when it’s set in 1828.

Now, the Regency era, which technically is 1811-1820, is indeed history, which she likes to debunk. I don’t think there’s any way possible to justify 1828-29 as Regency.

But really, other than the use of horses for transportation, the content isn’t very his-

torical either. The language used, the costumes, the very structure of the book defies the “historical” tag.

And the romance isn’t so much, either.

Even after they’re married to each other, the two main characters primarily avoid each other, as the Duke struggles with his sexual obsession. At least he’s gentleman enough not to risk upsetting his bride, but despite her youth, she’s not exactly the innocent miss that most young women were in that period. Her parents were scientists who spent a great deal of time in Africa, where they observed nature at its most raw.

I just could not maintain any interest in finishing the book. I didn’t care about any of the characters, and was forever tripping over the outlandish behavior indulged in by all of them. There are far more interesting books to read.

Reviewed by Kelly Ferjutz My Lord Scandal: Notorious Bachelors

By Emma Wildes Signet, $6.99, 326 pages Alexander St. James is a most unusual young man. He turns into a temporary thief to rescue something his grandmother has misplaced. Or so she says. Turns out she never had it, but that’s beside the point! In the process of trying to find the missing key, he inadvertently meets Lady Amelia Patton.

Of course, they were in her bed-chamber at the time, but such is life. Alex was trying to escape her father’s house where he’d been searching, but the house turned out not to be empty, after all.

Unfortunately, the St. James family and Patton families are like the Hatfields and the McCoys. Two generations earlier, a love affair between a married Patton and an unmarried St. James daughter ended badly, and the families have been bitter enemies since. But love isn’t a fan of history, and the two fall madly in love, and lust.

Alex’s friend from the war is on his side, and one could ask for no better than the Marques of Longhaven, unless it would be Lady Amelia’s Aunt Sophie, who wants only the best for her niece. This is one delightful story, to be sure. There are twists and turns everywhere. The author has done her homework with wonderful, lush descriptions of the Regency setting. The best news is this is book one of a three-book series. Hooray!

Reviewed by Kelly Ferjutz

We e k l y colu m n : A F T ER T H E M A N U S C R I P T S a c r a me nt oB o ok R e v ie w.com

Tad Williams Shadowmarch Tad Williams has held more jobs than any sane person should admit to—singing in a band, selling shoes, managing a financial institution, throwing newspapers, and designing military manuals, to name just a few. He also hosted a syndicated radio show for ten years, worked in theater and television production, taught both grade-school and college classes, and worked in multimedia for a major computer firm. He is cofounder of an interactive television company, and is currently writing comic books and film and television scripts as well as novels. Shadowmarch begins Tad Williams’ first epic fantasy trilogy since his best-selling Memory, Sorrow and Thorn. Rich with detail and exotic culture, and filled with a cast of characters both diverse and threedimensional, Shadowmarch is a true fantasy achievement, an epic of storytelling by a master of the genre.

Felix Gilman The Half-Made World

Jeff Kinney Diary of a Wimpy Kid Series Greg Heffley has always been in a hurry to grow up. But is getting older really all it’s cracked up to be? Greg suddenly finds himself dealing with the pressures of boy-girl parties, increased responsibilities, and even the awkward changes that come with getting older—all without his best friend, Rowley, at his side.

Can Greg make it through on his own? Or will he have to face the “ugly truth”? Jeff Kinney is an online game developer and designer, and a #1 New York Times bestselling author. In 2009, Jeff was named one of Time magazine’s 100 Most Influential People in the World. He spent his childhood in the Washington, D.C., area and moved to New England in 1995. Jeff lives in southern Massachusetts with his wife and their two sons.

Felix Gilman is a writer of fantasy and weird fiction. His 2007 novel Thunderer (published by Bantam Spectra) was nominated for the 2009 Locus Award for Best First Novel and earned him a nomination for the John W. Campbell Award for Best New Writer in both 2009 and 2010. Gilman lives in New York City, where he practices law.

Chuck Fischer & Bruce Foster Dicken’s A Christmas Carol

Taro Arai Abundance Abundance is the story of one man’s quest for a life of freedom and self-expression. Taro Arai was born on a tiny island in Japan to a family of limited means. Today, he is a renowned master sushi chef and the owner of eight award-winning Japanese restaurants in the United States. In this book, he shares both his journey and some of his favorite recipes. Filled with inspiration and a healthy dose of humor, it is a look into the evolution of sushi and the progression of an individual who never lost sight of his vision. Chef Taro shares the story of his early years in Japan, his pursuit of the American dream, and his adventures as a restaurateur. In addition to telling the inside story about the creation of his Mikuni restaurants, he reveals special recipes that have remained secrets until now. You’ll learn about the origins of sushi and the traditions embraced by the Japanese culture-and maybe even learn a phrase or two in Taro’s native language. Follow his lead as he takes you on a senses-stimulating excursion into a world of extraordinary flavors, compelling textures, and visual enchantment. The foreword to the book was written by renowned author Nicholas Sparks, a longtime friend of chef Taro and a frequent guest at the first Mikuni restaurant.

Chuck Fischer, author, artist, designer – and now, interactive App creator!

Chuck’s work has been featured at the Smithsonian Institution and is part of the permanent collection of the Cooper-Hewitt, The National Design Museum. His signature collections of china and crystal for LENOX, are available at Amazon.com and fine department stores in the US and Canada. Chuck Fischer is the best selling author of six pop-up books, including Angels: A Pop-Up Book, Christmas Around the World, and Christmas in New York. 2010 marks the fourth year Fischer has been honored with the commis sion to create the annual holiday card for The White House Historical Association.

Bruce Foster, has designed nearly 40 pop-up books for publishers, museums and companies. His clients include Simon and Schuster, Random House; Little, Brown and Company; Melcher Media; becker&mayer!; Disney-Hyperion Books for Children; Candlewick Press; Sports Illustrated Kids; Up With Paper; Disney Productions; the Museum of Modern Art; Insight Editions and many more. Perhaps his biggest audience to date ironically has not come through books, but his work in films: Bruce designed the pop-ups for Disney’s “Enchanted” seen in the opening scenes and throughout the movie. Bruce lives in Houston, Texas with his lovely wife, Lori, two beautiful daughters, Nicole and Lydia, along with 1 dog, Ginger, and 4 cats.

Listen to the inter views at www.AudibleAuthors.net

Mystery, Crime & Thrillers Arsenic and Old Paint: The Art Lover’s Mystery Series

By Hailey Lind Perseverance Press, $14.95, 272 pages Unless you’re an art forger, (and even maybe if you are) you’ll certainly enjoy this look at that rather esoteric endeavor. Annie Kinkaid of San Francisco was, once upon a time, engaged in that rather nebulous business, but is now reformed, using her many talents in restoration work and faux finishing. This is a very big business everywhere, so she’s finally found her niche. Annie has a fabulous personality: I’d love to have her for a friend. Of course, I’d never be able to keep up with her, so will just enjoy reading about her exceptional adventures.

Because of her knowledge about restorations, she is engaged by the exceedingly misogynistic F-U Men’s Club (not what you might think) after severe roof leaks allowed water inside the club’s mansion, impinging on some very ancient wallpaper. Unfortunately, she stumbles over a body in a bathtub, in a tableau resembling David’s Death of Marat. Of course, with her heritage, she recognizes the scene, if not the victim.

Her heritage is a treasure trove all by itself: Grandpère La Fleur, one of the greatest forgers of all time; and ‘Uncle’ Anton, a worthy successor, who inadvertently becomes poisoned by arsenic gas— an important ingredient in certain shades of green paint. Annie seems to know very few ordinary type folks in the Bay area, but then, her adventures wouldn’t be worth reading if she did. Alternately funny and sad, this is a book to be cherished as she sorts her way through the real and the false, without end-

A Reunion of Friends and Enemies!

5

$25.9

Available at: Amazon.com BarnesandNoble.com | iUniverse.com www.terryisaacson.com

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ing up like the gentleman in the aforementioned tub.

Many of today’s contemporary mysteries, especially those featuring female sleuths, seem to delight in presenting nearly impossible-to-believe scenarios. You know what I mean— they’re just preposterous situations that ordinary people seldom, if ever, encounter. This one, however, is really believable, and not because the heroine is a bumbler. She certainly isn’t, but her curiosity does lead her into trouble. Yet her genuine inner goodness prompts her to empathize with the people she meets along the way, thus leading her into even deeper waters. Of course, not everyone will wander (intentionally or not) into a really over-the-edge sex club, but still, it was with the best of intentions that she did so!

Reviewed by Kelly Ferjutz Skating Around the Law: A Mystery

By Joelle Charbonneau Minotaur Books, $24.99, 288 pages Having never heard of Indian Falls, Illinois, I’ve already added it to the list of places I’d like to visit. It’s the small-town setting for this delightful debut mystery that abounds with quirky characters and situations. The heroine/ protagonist Rebecca Robbins took a temporary leave from her job (and pushy boss) in Chicago in order to return to her hometown to sell the roller rink she inherited from her Mom, a former champion skater.

Her grandpa (Pops) still lives there – and does he ever! A happy and frequent target of all the older single ladies in town, his activities keep Rebecca hopping—and blushing.

Unfortunately, the rink’s handyman Mack turns up dead, which seriously interferes with the plan to sell the rink. The police don’t seem to think it’s a serious matter, so Rebecca and Pops decide to figure it out on their own.

One of the suspects is the local veterinarian, Lionel Franklin, who is a real hunk, and sends Rebecca into a constant dither.

Or maybe it’s his favorite animal – Elwood, the retired circus animal. (Warning: he’ll quickly become everyone’s fave! He’s totally charming. The camel, that is.)

With humor and sensitivity, Rebecca and Lionel finally sort through the scattered clues and allow the case to be closed. However, the rink remains unsold, so she’ll stay for a while. For myself, I’m looking forward to a return visit!

Reviewed by Kelly Ferjutz

The Double Cross: A Someday Quilts Mystery

By Clare O’Donohue Plume, $14.00, 304 pages Even if you don’t know anything about quilting (or don’t care, either!) you should still enjoy this particular double cross. It’s a most delightful mystery set in slightly upstate Archer’s Rest, New York, and features a group of women of all ages, bonded together by their love of quilting.

The characters, including the men, are all multi-faceted flesh-and-blood people, almost any of whom you’d like to know, especially Nell Fitzgerald, an aspiring artist. Nell works part-time in Someday Quilts, the quilting store owned by her grandmother Eleanor Cassidy, while Susanne Hendrick teaches classes there.

Nell has a sort of romance going with Jesse Dewalt, a local policeman.

For this episode they’ve all gone off to the Patchwork Bed ‘n’ Breakfast (a few towns over) for a week-long quilting workshop.

Nothing is as it originally appeared, nor even close to how it was presented to the group. The old Victorian house is in shambles, looking like a good wind would blow it over, and the folks comprising the ‘class’ for Susanne knows nothing about quilting.

Furthermore, they don’t want to!

Nell knows better than to get herself mixed up in a murder, but when it follows her, what’s a girl to do? Be grateful that Jesse missed her enough to follow, I guess. The puzzle is convincing, and the solution logical. It’s an interesting mix of leisurely, but compelling narrative that should be enjoyed by any reader.

Reviewed by Kelly Ferjutz An Impartial Witness: A Bess Crawford Mystery

By Charles Todd William Morrow, $24.99, 344 pages The mother-son writing team of Charles Todd deliver a solid war-time mystery with An Impartial Witness. Continuing the wartime theme of A Duty to the Dead, Charles Todd delivers a believable and strong Bess Crawford, who is a competent and curious nurse serving on the bloody battlefields in France during World War I. Often entrusted to help transport wounded British soldiers to England, she finds herself passing a familiar face in a train station. The chance encounter leads Crawford into direct contact with Scotland Yard as a murder investigation

a story about, a young college

student whose life takes a major left turn when she discovers some truths about her past and about who she really is and wants to be.

Availabl e Now at Barnes & Noble Amazon Borders begins. Crawford, at first, appears as the impartial witness to provide information.

As the mystery deepens, Crawford finds herself intrigued and pulled into the investigation. Questions of her impartiality begin and Crawford’s life seems to be in jeopardy. In contrast to a contemporary suspense novel, An Impartial Witness sets a comfortable pace as Crawford sets about to solve the crime. But even after an arrest is made, Crawford puts her life at risk while trusting her instincts to bring the killer to justice. This book is an engaging mystery with a compassionate and smart heroine.

Reviewed by Elizabeth Humphrey Recipe for Murder: Frightfully Good Food Inspired By Fiction

By Esterelle Payany Flammarion, $24.95, 144 pages Just in time for the holidays, Esterelle Payany’s Recipe for Murder: Frightfully Good Food Inspired by Fiction is an inventive way to combine this reviewer’s two favorite things: food and literature. Payany adopts 31 recipes to reflect various “villains” in history, from Lady Macbeth (Lady Macbeth’s Possets) to Hannibal Lecter (Hannibal’s Express Sweetbreads). Each entry provides the reader with a mini synopsis of the story, an excerpt from the work of fiction, unusual trivia about the dish and the recipe itself.

Koliva, a drab Greek dish served at funerals and on certain holidays to honor the dead, seems a perfect accompaniment to the myth of Medea, who kills her own two children to make sure her cheating husband dies heirless. Paprika Hendl, a Romanian dish similar to Hungarian chicken paprika, conjures images of Bram Stoker’s Dracula.

The meal preparation and instructions are straightforward and the ingredients MYSTERY, cont’d on page 32

A d ay i n t he l i fe a s a book re v ie wer : T HE C R I T IC A L E Y E Sac ra mentoB ook R e v ie w.com

History Affection and Trust: The Personal Correspondence of Harry S. Truman and Dean Acheson, 1953-1971

By Harry S. Truman, Dean Acheson, Dr. Ray Geselbracht, Editor, David C. Acheson, Editor Knopf, $30.00, 343 pages Harry Truman and Dean Acheson could not have come from two very different backgrounds. One a farmer from Missouri, the other went to Yale. Dean Acheson served as Truman’s Secretary of State during his time in office, during that time after World War II they became close friends, and after they were done with public office they went back to their homes and kept in touch for the rest of their lives. In this collection for the first time we get the personal correspondence of Truman and Acheson. Unlike the Adams/Jefferson letters, these letters are more personal and deal with everyday issues; at times going into the problems of the current administration and foreign policy.

Many of the letters deal with such things as births, marriages, and the building of the Truman Library. Here we see letters between friends who made time to meet with each other when they could, sent telegrams on birthdays and condolences during illness and injury. It provides a window into the minds of these men who became friends, both during and after they were out of political office and how they viewed the world they had left behind.

Reviewed by Kevin Winter And the Show Went On: Cultural Life in Nazi-Occupied Paris

By Alan Riding Knopf, $28.95, 416 pages And the Show Went On tracks the actions: creative, political and personal, of the creative personalities of Paris and surrounding areas. It delves into how writers, dancers, singers, artists, and others reacted to the occupation: collaborators, members of the resistance, and those awkwardly straddling the two camps. Although mainly about 1939 through 1944, it also touches on the 20’s and 30’s through the last collaborationist trials in the 1950s.

“The wheel of fortune had spun quickly.

In just over four years, both sides had tasted the privileges and perils of being a writer in a land where words can speak louder than actions.”

To fully appreciate And the Show Went On, readers should have both knowledge of the notable French creative personalities and of the Paris occupation. Each chapter is devoted to different artistic worlds. However, it is sometimes difficult to relate what was happening in one world to what was happening in another world at the same time. In my case it resulted in considerable page flipping as I created a timeline in my mind. If only there was an Appendix with the events of all the chapters combined in one timeline! But, although my chronological knowledge of the events remains fuzzy, this book raises many questions about degrees of guilt, unjust accusations, and changing sides. It successfully shows that, for many, the occupation was rarely black and white.

Reviewed by Jodi Webb The Civil War of 1812: American Citizens, British Subjects, Irish Rebels, & Indian Allies

By Alan Taylor Knopf, $35.00, 620 pages Taylor does not attempt to tackle a comprehensive history of the entire theater of the War of 1812, but merely to delve intimately and with great detail into the narrow stretch of the porous border surrounding the Great Lakes, particularly the region of Lake Erie and Lake Ontario, between Montreal on the east and Detroit to the west.

Likewise, this work takes in the political upheavals at the roots of the conflict as well as the consequences after the war.

With a large helping of maps, etchings and illustrations, Taylor sets out to describe not only the sparks that started the war, but the way in which it was fought, with opposing opinions dividing families and neighbors; where once a peaceful commerce existed, armed rebellion took hold. Taylor paints the scenes of mercenary Indians marauding forts and family homes, American Loyalists spying for the British, Irish Immigrants fighting with relish to settle old scores, and all manner of trade punctuated by sheer butchery.

The serious student of history will recognize new tidbits of information surrounding familiar names. The novice will discover an excitement not found in typical text books. Those with family ties to the region will learn of the precious cost of our peace with our neighbor, Canada, lest we forget.

Reviewed by Casey Corthron

The Constitution of the United States of America

By Sam Fink, Illustrator Welcome Books, $29.95, 133 pages An exquisitely designed version of this historic, revered document, Sam Fink, a multi-talented artist and calligrapher, has brought the Constitution to life with his vibrant illustrations and sometimes ironic, interpretative captions that keep us laughing, sighing, and shedding tears of wonder at the foresight of the Constitution’s creators.

A visually appealing book for the home or the classroom, it is an enjoyable, “user friendly” educational tool that reproduces the Articles and Amendments of the Constitution, the highest law of the land. Still strong after two centuries and nearly a quarter, our Constitution enumerates the powers vested in the government of the United States, and the rights guaranteed to our citizens. As a collector’s piece, it belongs in every household, and each article, each amendment, each word so thoughtfully placed should be read and reread and savored.

The book also contains Benjamin Franklin’s Address to the Delegates upon the signing of the Constitution, a chronology, and a glossary. I highly recommend it, especially for those politicians who deign to run for public office, yet are not knowledgeable on this remarkable document, the meaning of its content, and laws and rights it confers. Please, someone, send a copy to Christine O’Donnell.

For more on this book title, visit http://www.welcomebooks. com/constitution/ Reviewed by Christina Forsythe The Chronicle of Western Costume

By John Peacock Thames & Hudson, $19.95, 224 pages Whatever your interest – history, fashion, costume design for theater or opera, anthropology, social history – you’ll love this book! It’s big (8½ x 11) and contains 224 heavy-stock, glossy pages by the former senior costume designer for BBC Television.

Taking chunks of years which sort of band together into one segment of history

, the author uses color illustrations from a range of civilizations to illustrate the styles worn at the time. Each section is followed by several pages explaining the illustrations, before proceeding to the next one in line. So Ancient Civilizations blend into the Middle Ages, and then the Renaissance, before devolving into centuries (give or take a year or so here and there). Thus, the first section takes one from Ancient Egypt 2000 BC to Byzantium 1200 AD. Peacock uses all levels of society to show the vast range of clothing styles available up to 1980.

Topless for ladies in those early years was apparently a popular option, so you should perhaps be prepared for that sort of display. It seems to have totally disappeared, however, by the Middle Ages. You might be surprised by the number of seemingly transparent costumes utilized in those early cultures. Hats, hairstyles, and footwear of all kinds are illustrated and described herein. Along with the wonderful color illustrations (more than 1000) and explanations, you’ll find a bibliography and an illustrated glossary.

Reviewed by Kelly Ferjutz The Assassination of Hole in the Day

By Anton Treuer Borealis Books, $25.95, 287 pages One Minnesota fur trader described Hole in the Day as “a man of distinguished appearance and native courtliness of manner, […] musical and magnetic [voice], […] subtle brain, a logical mind, and quite a remarkable gift of oratory.” In terse, restrained prose, with no attempt to recreate the feel of village life, Treuer describes how Hole in the Day’s father consolidated power in the early 1800s in the Gull Lake region of Minnesota, power inherited by his son amid the ongoing hostilities between Dakota and Objiwe tribes and the encroaching white settlers, as pressures on food and trading resources increased. Changing leadership dynamics allowed chieftains to gain dominance in the traditional system of more localized, village power, but neither Hole in the Day’s paternal legacy nor his charisma prevented him from falling into the hands of competing elements in his own tribe. Ultimately, it wasn’t Hole in the Day’s diplomacy and risk-taking in conflicts with white settlers, tolerance of alcohol and gambling, or even his own accumulated wealth, but the schism with the commercial class of mixed- blood traders that led to his death.

Black-and-white period photographs show the haunting faces of Indian chiefs and white agents.

Reviewed by Zara Raab

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February 11

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Young Adult Siren Song

By Cat Adams Tor, $14.99, 384 pages Vampires! All the kids love ’em! With the success of the Twilight series, vampires have usurped wizards and werewolves as the fictional creatures of the moment, and the young adult literary establishment has jumped on the bandwagon with the same fervor as Hollywood, churning out mass quantities of mediocre vampire “lit” for preteens and teenagers to devour. Pseudonymous writing team Cat Adams has, with their second Blood Singer novel Siren Song, found a firm home in this mass of mediocrity — has … and then hasn’t.

Siren Song continues the story of Celia Graves, Los Angeles area bodyguard, whose life has been turned upside down by a vampire bite that has turned her into a perceived monster and menace, a half-vampire, while also releasing her previously latent siren tendencies. Added to these most stressful developments are the recent murder of her best friend, romantic turmoil, ghost, demons, and some seriously bad guys who are out to get her, no matter the cost.

Siren Song is in many ways cliché, mostly providing an alternative to Twilight — one with some sex and an edge. It isn’t brilliant or great literature, but it is the sort of novel that grabs and keeps your attention. And isn’t getting teenagers to read really the point of it all?

Reviewed by Ashley McCall Violence 101

By Denis Wright Putnam Juvenile, $16.99, 240 pages Troubled 14-year-old Hamish Graham is institutionalized in a facility for violent offenders. He’s tortured animals, set fire to science fair projects at his school, and attacked a therapist. Hamish validates his behavior by comparing himself to Alexander the Great, Charles Upton, and Maori chief Te Rauparaha. He vows that these great warriors used strategy in survival-of-the-fittest and smartest-manwins contests, defeating weaker opponents in violent ways.

“My name is Hamish Graham and this is the journal I have to write. The people who run this place don’t know what to make of me. Just like the last place I was in. It is obvious why I am here. I am in

8 February 11

here because sometimes I do very violent things and I am too young to be put in jail.”

The staff of the facility is torn by Hamish’s actions. Several feel he’s a sociopath who can no longer be helped by the facility. Others appeal to Hamish’s intellect, challenging his mental prowess. Hamish believes he’s smarter and superior to all but two of the employees, and he latches on to their weaknesses to up his game of wits.

Author Denis Wright alternates chapters by offering a glimpse of the journal Hamish is required to keep in the facility and insight into facility employees and how they relate with the troubled teen.

Violence 101, set in New Zealand, lets readers see how disturbed youth are treated and sometimes categorized for a quick fix. The book contains a thorough glossary of terms, which helps. While Hamish is likeable and frightening at the same time, much of the book feels forced, including the action-sequence ending, which is a shame after creating a unique voice for YA readers.

Reviewed by LuAnn Schindler Vampire Crush

By A.M. Robinson HarperTeen, $8.99, 416 pages A bunch of mysterious new students start at Sophie’s high school and she is assigned by her journalism teacher to interview some of them for a piece in the school newspaper.

She is determined to write up a stellar article in hopes of being made editor-in-chief this year. Unfortunately, the odd students do not cooperate and soon raise her suspicions as to who they really are and what are they doing in her school.

Hopefully this book is meant to be a campy story that takes pot shots at the vampire hype going around since Twilight came out. It was hard to take it seriously as the story was quite weak and the villain was laughable.

What makes you keep reading is the things that come out of Sophie’s mouth or in her thoughts. She made me laugh with things like pondering if someone could really be a vampire if they did not sparkle in the sun light. There is also a neurotic female vampire who is living life based on the advice found in glamour magazines like “sisters before misters.” She forgives Sophie for “stealing” her man.

This is not a book I would recommend unless you are looking for something light that pokes fun at Twilight throughout.

Reviewed by Debbie Suzuki

Dark Water

By Laura McNeal Knopf Books for Young Readers, $16.99, 287 pages Laura McNeal’s young adult novel explores the turgid complications of teenage girlhood with the deftness of a skilled author. Written from the heart of 15-year-old Pearl De Witt, the contemporary story is set on a Southern California avocado ranch owned

by Pearl’s Uncle Hoyt. Pearl, the child of recently divorced parents, lives with her mother in a dilapidated historic guesthouse, rent free, on her uncle’s property.

Struggling to survive high school, while sorting out complicated relationships with her friends and relatives, Pearl develops an interest in one of the Mexican migrant workers.

“I realized the obvious, finally: getting to know a mute person was going to be tricky. I forgot about my heterchromia, too. I forget about it more than you might think because it’s not a limp or missing finger or a port-wine stain on my arm ...”

Amiel, the talented, young day laborer Pearl is attracted to, is mysteriously unable to speak normally. While Pearl is desperately trying to figure out how to communicate with Amiel, her mother is desperately trying to make ends meet working as a substitute teacher, and at a secret part-time job that Pearl finds out about by accident. Pearl and her mom are also coaxing silkworms — that munch happily in a container on the kitchen counter — into cocoons that produce the prized fiber.

Uncle Hoyt’s wife, Agnès — pronounced Aun-yez and no other way — is exotically, intolerably French and their son, Robby, is a little older than Pearl. Robby is the recognized genius in the family, and Pearl is his adept confidant. Robby and Pearl have developed their own French-influenced expressions, and McNeal synthesizes them with the local Spanish language.

When Robby suspects his father of having an affair, he and Pearl try to piece together the supporting facts of the indiscretion, befriending the young college co-ed they suspect of involvement with Hoyt. Pearl, however, keeps her adventures to herself. No one knows she is exploring the local river, discovering where Amiel stays, or visiting him at his tiny hut on the riverbank. When Pearl lies to her mother and disappears during a huge wildfire, the entire family is torn apart.

McNeal has succinctly constructed genuine characters who are both bizarre and believable. Her plot is genuinely intriguing without the shallowness of many novels written for teenagers. The language is clean, interesting, and fun. The local culture, geography, and weather provide an authentic context for the scenario. The frightening wildfire incident is inspired by an actual 2007 wildfire when the author had to evacuate her home. The book may have been written for teenagers, but explores the intrigue in a way that many adult readers will also enjoy.

Reviewed by Sheli Ellsworth Once in a Full Moon

By Ellen Schreiber Katherine Tegen Books, $16.99, 292 pages Celeste lives in a small town that is divided into suburbs and farms called the Westside. She lives in the suburbs with her friends and has a boyfriend who is a popular star athlete. But to Celeste, sometimes he’s just not thoughtful enough. Brandon arrives to the small high school, but despite his good looks, once he’s labeled Westside he is avoided by all.

Celeste has a crush on him, but is too nervous about losing her friends to openly invite him. One night Celeste is attacked by wolves, and Brandon saves her- and gets

bit. When she is with him afterwards, she sees him become feverish and strange. Celeste has to decide if what she is seeing is a trick of the moonlight, or if the legendary werewolf tales are true.

Celeste is a very kind and considerate character, who is easy to love. When you start reading about her and Brandon together, they seem perfect for each other.

The romance in the book is not like an exciting vamp book with lots of butt-kicking action. This one is calm, collected, and warm, which makes it so sweet! The ending makes me wonder if there’s going to be a sequel.

Reviewed by Amanda Muir

L o ok i n g for a go o d re a d? G o t o S a c r a me nt oB o ok R e v ie w.com

Tweens The Phoenix and the Carpet

By E. Nesbit with illustrations by H. R. Millar Random House Books for Young Readers, $10.99, 305 pages The Phoenix and the Carpet is one of the richest novels by the legendary Edith Nesbit. Written in her indelible style and infused with imaginary perfection, there is no doubt that this will stay a classic. This is the second book in the Five Children and It series with characters Anthea, Jane, Cyril and Robert (and sometimes the Lamb, their baby brother).

They have a knack for discovering magical creatures that grant wishes, and at the same time teach the children lessons. The Phoenix and the Carpet is no exception. The children discover the creatures when their mother goes shopping for a carpet, and they end up with a wishing carpet and a mysterious egg that eventually hatches the Phoenix. The Phoenix may be one of the most beloved characters of literature history. He’s wonderfully pretentious and preening, but endearing at the same time. Together, they go on adventures that include 199 Persian cats, making their cook an island queen, and rescuing a French family from poverty.

This gorgeous edition is wonderful for winter reading (or any for that matter) and is a great gift. The Phoenix and the Carpet will provide many adventures for much more than five children.

Reviewed by Alex Masri Inconvenient

By Maggie Gelbwasser Flux, $9.95, 312 pages Alyssa Bondar has always been different from the rest of the town. Her and her friend Lana’s families keep to themselves because they are Russian, and to their classmates, they eat weird food. When Alyssa is in her junior year of high school, her mom starts drinking more than usual. She is stressed by work and a new boss. Alyssa helps out at first, anything to make it better, but it gets worse. She only wants to focus on her crush on Keith, a guy on her track team.

With the stress at home, Alyssa doesn’t know how she will keep her problems at home. Lana is too busy trying to fit in with the popular group, and doesn’t notice the full extent of Alyssa’s problems.

I was drawn into Alyssa’s world, wondering when Keith was going to find out about Alyssa’s problems at home. Lana is a very real and stereotypical type girl trying to fit in with the popular crowd. Lana’s character demonstrates a type of self discrimination against her own nationality as she struggles to fit in. The idea that sometimes outside help is needed and you shouldn’t be afraid to ask for it, is a good lesson to take away from this book.

Reviewed by Amanda Muir The Star Maker

By Laurence Yep HarperCollins, $15.99, 112 pages Award-winning author Laurence Yep draws on personal experiences and memories in his latest book The Star Maker. The role of luck and a fresh start for the New Year combine for a charming tale of the power of family.

Artie is the youngest – and smallest – member of the family. When his cousin Petey bullies him too far, Artie blurts out he’ll supply fireworks for the entire family for the Chinese New Year.

Uncle Chester is also the youngest member of his generation. He tries to protect Artie and informs his nephew he will provide fireworks.

Together, uncle and nephew bond through journeys in Chinatown. Although Chester tries to help people, his luck runs out, causing Artie to question his uncle’s intentions. Will Chester bring the fireworks to the family New Year celebration or will Petey continue to torment Artie?

Although the book is a quick read, several sections feel repeated, with similar passages within same chapters. Upper elementary school students will appreciate the easy flowing narrative and colorful supporting characters created by the author. Older readers may find the story too simplistic, although the themes of family and honoring one’s word should resound with everyone.

Reviewed by LuAnn Schindler Modern Fairies, Dwarves, Goblins & Other Nasties: A Practical Guide by Miss Edythe McFate

By Lesley M. M. Blume with illustrations by David Foote Knopf Books for Young Readers, $16.99, 288 pages This book covers any and all things about encountering the kinds of creatures that we

may think only exist in fairytales, or in the imaginations of little girls.

Part guide and part story collection, Blume lets you choose what you want this book to be. There are stories gathered about children who have so-called “fairy sight” and have encountered and fallen victim to these creatures, as well as cautionary tales explaining how you can tell a good fairy from a bad one, what you can gift today’s fairies and, most importantly, how you can protect yourself.

I found this to be a delightful read that the whole family can enjoy together.

Though I did find a few inconsistencies in the sources of the information, it’s nothing anyone would split hairs over and did not take away from the story at all.

Chock full of intriguing illustrations

by David Foote, Modern Fairies, Dwarves, Goblins & Other Nasties: A Practical Guide

by Miss Edythe McFate is an entertainingly fast-paced read for children and adults alike.

Reviewed by Missy Wadkins The Familiars

By Adam Jay Epstein and Andrew Jacobson HarperCollins, $16.99, 368 pages The Familiars is a book about Aldwyn, a street-wise alley cat who finds himself in a pet store after being chased for stealing food. Once inside, he’s chosen as a Familiar (helper) to a boy wizard-in-training. When the boy and other Loyals are kidnapped by an evil queen, Aldwyn teams up with the other Familiars to rescue them before it’s too late.

I found this story enchanting from the very first page when we first are introduced to Aldwyn. From there, the action picks up as you’re whisked away with Aldwyn to a world full of magic.

Even though it’s ostensibly a story of magic, there are themes of friendship, helping others and loyalty. The characters and story are both well-developed, keeping you turning the pages with its action and humor until the end. The artwork scattered throughout the book also helps add to the wonder.

Although it’s categorized as a “tween” read, The Familiars is a book that I couldn’t put down as an adult. With animals, witches, wizards and magic, this is a fun book for the entire family.

Reviewed by Missy Wadkins

F i n d l o c a l a u t h o r e v e n t s a t S a c r a m e n t o B o o k R e v i e w . c o m /c a l e n d a r

The Nightmarys

By Dan Poblocki Random House Books for Young Readers, $16.99, 336 pages Timothy and Abigail aren’t too much alike, except for the fact that they both come from messy home lives and they share one big, deep secret – they’re both being haunted. When Timothy unintentionally volunteers to work with Abigail over his best friend Stuart, not only is his friendship strained but he and Abigail soon realize their nightmares may be connected into something much bigger than just themselves.

Poblocki’s writing ties you into the story with action and horror that starts off within the first few pages of the novel. The two main characters were perfect counterparts for one another and made a great team when figuring out what was going on. Secondary characters also shine on the pages as well, fully fleshed out and completely individual. The imagery is not only fantastically written, but completely creepy and sometimes downright scary at parts.

While The Nightmarys is classified as a middle-grade read, I think this book would make a good read for any fan of those creepy/horror elements that are essential for a thriller – tween, teen, and adult alike.

Reviewed by Missy Wadkins Versus: Pirates

By Richard Platt with Steve Stone, illustrator Kingfisher, $19.99, 64 pages In Versus: Pirates, bandits of the sea from around the world compete against each other in imaginary battles. Pirates like the Vikings and buccaneers, who never lived in the same century, fight against each other in five different battles to see who is best.

Each time you turn a page, more facts are presented about the particular looter, and the time period in which they lived.

I was captivated while reading the facts, and finding out the victors. I received this book in the mail and was ecstatic when I saw it because I was expecting a small, printed book. Instead, I pulled out a moderately large, hardcover book. The cover opens in the middle (which is really awesome), and provides great pictures and small facts, almost like Dragonology. On every page there are great pictures of the pirates, including some you might even recognize from a cerSee VERSUS, con’t page 12

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Sequential Art The Little Prince Graphic Novel

By Antoine de Saint-Exupery with illustrations by Joann Sfar Houghton Mifflin Books for Children, $19.99, 110 pages The Little Prince has long been a classic, charming youth and adults with its endearing magical story lovingly illustrated in fragile pastels. This modern, new rendering caters to the new generation of readers who rely more on concrete graphic reality than on visceral intrinsic imagination. The transformation from the original dream-like version is performed by the acclaimed comic book artist Joann Sfar.

“You can only see clearly with the heart.

What matters is invisible to the eye.”

Each of the more than 100 pages is packed with six comic squares filled with the details of the little prince’s planet-hopping across the universe, and the bizarre egos he encounters during his stops. The pilot’s drawings help salve the dejected traveler’s woes as he worries about his much-loved, lovely, but overly vain rose. Remarkably the comic illustrations recreate the fabulous fable in credible detail: the bright, gaudy colors reflect the happy moods, and the dark blues and purples shout with sadness and depression. The pigments are strong and the colors imposing, but their opaqueness interferes with the beguiling charm of the story. Perhaps this is the new mode for the modern readers, slam-bang colors, all features spelled out in action cartoon figures; it rather resembles the scenes of the bombastic video games. For myself, I prefer the original edition with the gracious, graceful, subdued, almost transparent illustrations which courteously invited the reader to empathize with the imaginary little prince.

Reviewed by Aron Row Toriko (vol 2)

By Mitsutoshi Shimabukuro Shonen Jump, $9.99, 208 pages This takes place after volume one, and like other manga it reads in the Japanese style of right to left and it consists of many volumes. In this volume Toriko and Komatsu are now after the rare and delicate puffer whale. They meet up with a friend of Toriko’s whose name is Coco, a fellow gourmet hunter; but also a gourmet fortuneteller.

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The plot, what there is of it, consists of these three traveling to the cavern where the puffer whales go to reproduce. They must be careful with these delicate creatures because they can turn their meat into poison making it dangerous to eat. Toriko still has his bottomless stomach, Komatsu is still hapless, and Coco can turn his body into poison. This is meant for a young audience that is not concerned with plot, character development, or other elements that make a good story. It is for those young children who want a mindless story that is easy to follow along.

Reviewed by Kevin Winter Networked: Carabella on the Run

By Mark Badger and Gerard Jones NBM, $12.99, 134 pages The problem with message books is that they usually don’t work as books. Networked: Carabella on the Run is unfortunately not an exception.

Carabella, the girl, sees that our world is beginning to mirror the one she escaped from and decides to stop it. In her world, interests ended up defining people’s lives, and they were not allowed any deviation from them (only soldiers could learn martial arts, for example). Without her intervention she feels that we will be eventually limited to the choices made for us by some shadowy organization, and that, for the most part, we will like these choices. It just comes off as yet another “1984 Light.”

Because none of the characters goes beyond one dimension, there is just no sympathy for any of the heroes and so the threat is shallow. It comes off as more satire than warning tale. The art is muddled and becomes just part of the page; the art just doesn’t grab the reader. For a story about paranoia, the art is just too garish and makes the story hard to take seriously.

The message needs to be toned down a notch. It just drowns out the rest.

Reviewed by Jamais Jochim When Pigs Fly

By Stephan Pastis Andrews McMeel Puplishing, $12.99, 144 pages The first comic I read in the San Francisco Chronicle each morning is Pearls

Before Swine. Like Shakespeare, Pastis relies on really bad puns in his funnies. Rat: “What are you reading, Goat?” Goat: “The complete works of Alexander Pushkin.” Pig: “Oh, I love that guy.” Goat: “You do? How do you know him?” Rat: He keeps all my papers stuck to the bulletin board.” Goat” “That’s Push Pin.” Rat: “Oh. Maybe they’re brothers.” I like bad puns, especially ones on Russian authors’ names. Pastis, at first glance, can’t seem to draw his animals very well (that’s what I thought when he first appeared), but they’ve certainly grown on me.

Once accused by another comic as drawing his characters as resembling “hors d’oeuvres on toothpicks,” he’s now appreciated as a hipster minimalist. In this new collection, the familiar cast appears: scheming Rat and his lovable (?) but intellectually challenged friend, Pig, the even dumber and hapless Crocs forever trying to eat Zebra. Guard Duck, and Goat also make the scene. I suppose the end of newspapers is near, but as long as I can read Pearls Before Swine before they go, I am a happy man. For those of you who don’t read the papers, or God forbid, the comics, buy this book, especially if you have a gifted child who might get the jokes. And the drawing style got better. Proof? Pastis includes some previously unseen Pearls back before he made the funny papers. As he says, they suck.

Reviewed by Phil Semler Athena: Grey-Eyed Goddess (Olympians)

By George O’Connor First Second, $9.99, 80 pages Like the previous book in this series, Zeus: King of the Gods, this is a graphic novel about a deity attributed to the ancient Greeks. Athena is the goddess of war and wisdom. Athena’s book begins with a onepage summary of Zeus’s book, so readers can pick up this volume without worrying about coming in part way through the story.

On other hand, Athena’s story is more episodic that Zeus’s, so this series of adventures could be read independently.

The art is reminiscent of classic comic books, with a lot of darker blue and gray tones, which suits Athena well. Inevitably, the book deals with some violent subjects – Athena is the goddess of war – but most of the violence is implied rather than shown, making it bearable for readers of any age.

This is a great book for anyone who is learning about Greek mythology for the first time; it also makes an interesting refresher, in a new medium, if you have perhaps forgotten about these ancient stories.

Reviewed by Alyssa Feller

Super F*ckers

By James Kochalka Top Shelf Productions, $14.95, 143 pages Aspiring amateur superheroes from all over are coming together for the big team tryouts. Several of the team’s members are trapped in an alternate dimension. A strange creature has plans for another teammate and a struggle for power is tearing the team apart as a pocket of the past may collide with the present and destroy the world. And none of these plotlines will be resolved, let alone considered. This is the world of Superf*ckers.

Like the Justice League if they were all lecherous self-centered teenage jerks, the Superf*ckers are less about saving the world and more about getting laid and getting high. In James Kochalka’s anarchic, swearladen epic, Jack Krak, Orange Lightning, Princess Sunshine, Grotessa, Ultra Richard, and the others bicker and scheme and screw each other over on a daily basis.

It was a bit too random and mean-spirited for my taste, but if you’re looking for some inventive cursing and a lot of irrational silliness, Superf*ckers will most definitely deliver. (The series starts with issue #271, after all.) But if you’re looking for coherence, family friendly language, or heroic role models, you’ve definitely picked the wrong book. The title should have been your first clue.

Reviewed by Glenn Dallas

COUNTERFEIT, con’t from page 2 stand on its own. She also writes cliffhanging chapter endings that force the reader to keep going.

The book is about a young harlot who hires the heroes and a magical fight club where death seems to linger. While chasing the murderous fight promoters, Paige’s marriage and patience are tested. That is the true plot of the book: Paige’s marriage and her undying love for her husband, Lucas.

Counterfeit Magic falls short in just a couple of places: secondary characters feel flat and unimagined; and the main storyline is solved by Paige thinking internally and then summed up in one line. That’s right, the storyline is never physically solved and it cheats the reader out of a satisfying ending. It is not a crime to demand that the author write more of her own story, and a couple of extra pages would have made for a better book.

Reviewed by Kevin Brown

Ne w cont e nt uplo a d e d d a i l y at S a c r a me nt oB o ok R e v ie w.com

Modern Literature Brooklyn Story

By Suzanne Corso Gallery Books, $26.00, 336 pages Samantha Bonti, fifteen years old, is an aspiring writer with dreams of leaving the part of Brooklyn she grew up in and moving to Manhattan, where her heart’s desire can be achieved. In the meantime, though, she’s got to finish high school while navigating a potentially dangerous older boyfriend, a chaotic relationship with her mom and grandma, and thorny issues of personal faith. Brooklyn boys rule their women with an iron fist, and Samantha struggles with her love for Tony and how far respect should go on either side.

Suzanne Corso’s debut novel Brooklyn Story is a unique tale of a girl’s journey into womanhood and what it means for her relationships with family, friends, and men.

Readers who have experienced abusively controlling relationships before will identify with Sam’s struggles, and everyone will find themselves alternately uplifted and heartbroken by the romance and tragedy that defines her young life. All will cheer her on as she attempts to create a positive change for herself and her family. Get settled in for this one; once started, this book will be hard to put down.

Reviewed by Holly Scudero The Poison Tree: A Novel

By Erin Kelly Pamela Dorman Books, $26.95, 322 pages Brilliant foreign language student Karen has just finished her final year at university when she meets Biba, a free-spirited actress. Their meeting changes Karen’s life; she moves into the moldering mansion Biba shares with her brother Rex and enjoys a short summer of unbridled freedom, beginning a relationship with the brooding Rex and drinking her nights into blissful oblivion. Biba and Rex have a past filled with tragedy and neglect, and Rex’s efforts to secure a future for them all will ultimately end with disaster.

Erin Kelly’s seductive novel The Poison Tree will draw readers into a story of family secrets and unforeseen surprises. Flowing fluidly between the past and ten years into the future, sometimes mid-chapter, this novel offers tantalizing glimpses of what happened to split apart these three friends. As the numbers of people who know the full truth dwindle,

readers will continue to be shocked up until the very end of the book. Once the action picks up, this novel is hard to put down, but the ending provides a very definite sense of satisfaction, despite the remaining shroud of secrecy.

Reviewed by Holly Scudero City of Tranquil Light: A Novel

By Bo Caldwell Henry Holt, $25.00, 289 pages Will Kiehn is living a simple farming life with his family in early-1900s Oklahoma when he feels the call to serve as a Mennonite missionary. Despite feeling “ordinary” and “unexceptional,” he decides to follow a family friend back to the North China Plain. There his life truly begins and he experiences his greatest joys and sorrows. Will marries a fellow missionary, learns Mandarin, and settles in a town with a name that translated into English means “City of Tranquil Light.”

Will, called mu shih or shepherd-teacher, by the people in the town, and his wife, Katherine, alternate telling their story through his memories and her journal entries. Their story is lovely and inspiring, one of perseverance and finding joy through difficult conditions and deep sorrows. Their faith shines through, as does their love for each other and for the Chinese people they come to call their greatest friends. City of Tranquil Light is a beautiful, satisfying book.

Reviewed by Cathy Carmode Lim Nothing Happens Until It Happens To You

By T.M. Shine Shaye Areheart Books, $23.00, 294 pages Author T. M. Shine has managed to accomplish the improbable. He’s written a very funny novel about unemployment.

In this story, Jeffrey Reiner writes for a South Florida weekly before being handed his pink slip. Based on his wife’s incorrect calculations, he has a set amount of time in which to find a new job before his unemployment benefits run out. He has, in fact, a third less time than he thinks he does.

While out of work, Reiner finds that he actually enjoys life for the first time, although this is at the price of his relationship with his spouse. No matter, since Reiner gets closer to his dog,

his kids and the young woman next door.

He takes some very odd jobs in the community that are provided to him by the biggest hustler in town, a man who runs five questionable businesses simultaneously.

Shine joins the company of David Sedaris, Dave Barry, Lisa Scottoline and Jerry Seinfeld with his musings about a life that is slowly falling apart. Reiner is a loser who becomes a winner. This is a highly entertaining debut novel from an author who’s otherwise unemployed in his real life. Wouldn’t you know it?

Reviewed by Joseph Arellano To the End of the Land

By David Grossman Knopf, $27.95, 575 pages The morning Ora’s son, Ofer, goes on emergency military call-up, she calls her usual taxi driver, her old friend and compatriot, Sami, to deliver him to the soldiers’ meeting place. And only then, appalled, she realizes she’s asked an Arab to contribute his part to the Israeli war effort. Thus opens this vital, moving saga of war and peace in Israel, a novel full of tragic ironies, comic reversals, inner turmoil and insight, by one of Israel’s most respected novelists, who himself lost a son to war. ”She knew full well. . . . they don’t really come back. Not like they were before.

And that the boy he used to be had been lost to her forever the moment he was nationalized --- lost to himself, too.”

Ora ponders how she, a lover of peace, can be taking her son to battle. She knows she must not collude with the “notifiers” by being home when they deliver their bleak news; she must go to the land, to Galilee, where as it turns out, every hillock is marked by a plaque commemorating a young Israeli soldier.

Her companion on this pilgrimage is her old friend and lover, Avram, a once brilliant artistic spirit whose own life was shredded in the POW camp of an earlier war. Given how fate entwined Avram to Ora, to her alienated husband Ilan, and especially to Ofer, it is fitting that he should walk with her to “The End of the Land.”

Reviewed by Zara Raab

Listen to author inter v iews at Audible Authors.net

Driving on the Rim

By Thomas McGuane Knopf, $26.95, 306 pages Now over 70, the man can still write. I started reading McGuane’s novels in the ’70s when he wrote about Montana, machoangst, fishing, horses, and crazy families.

This new novel is about the landscape of Montana, macho-angst, fishing, animals, and one hell of a crazy family.

I.B. “Berl” Pickett M.D. is a general practitioner in the small town of Livingston, Montana.

Instead of a lasso, he twirls a stethoscope at the community clinic, checking on the pulse of the crazed denizens of the town. Pickett himself is “irritable, hypercritical, obsessively orderly, claustrophobic, impatient, antisocial, and agoraphobic, filled with objectless dread, pessimistic, and faultfinding.” Screwed up by his delusional mother, a crazed Pentecostal, and his father, haunted by his World War II experiences in Europe, initiated into sex at 14 by his aunt, Pickett is one traumatized guy. He is led by his “stiff prick,” and though he’s aware it has no conscience, and even more, it always “arouses unreasonable hope,” he dolefully follows.

When Tessa, a former lover, sticks a knife into herself and Dr. Pickett falls under suspicion of negligent homicide, after he tries to save her, he decides to plead “nolo contendere” (since he’s guilty of earlier telling a man, a wife beater, who finally murders her, to “go ahead and kill himself.”

He obliges.). While most of the community turns against him, if indeed they were ever for him, he seeks redemption of his guilt. “Giving freaks a pass is the oldest tradition in Montana,” his lawyer tells Pickett. “And you, my friend, are a blue-ribbon, bull-goose freak.” The redemption of this novel, despite the meandering stories, is the snap-crisp language in this first-person narrative.

Reviewed by Phil Semler

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Humor-NonFiction I’m Dreaming of a Black Christmas

By Lewis Black Riverhead Books, $19.95, 178 pages Lewis Black might seem like an odd choice for a Christmas author, seeing as so much of the holiday frivolity annoys him to no end. He considers the tree at Rockefeller Center a hooker, the songs insipid, the traditions obnoxious, the people insane, and the holiday an abomination. But, somehow, that doesn’t stop him from finding something worth celebrating and even a few things to be thankful for during all the tinsel-strewn lunacy.

I’m Dreaming of a Black Christmas is Lewis Black unfettered, pure and simple. He harangues against the excess and the nonsense and the inanity and the stupidity, as you’d expect, but he also brings to the fore the thoughtful and -- dare I say it -- reluctantly vulnerable side of himself he revealed so eloquently in his previous book, Me of Little Faith.

Sure, I’m Dreaming of a Black Christmas is funny and occasionally mean and downright shocking once or twice, but it’s honest, unfailingly so. Lewis is as unflinchingly incisive as I’ve ever seen him, and even more so with his own foibles, failures, and doubts than he is with those of Christmas.

It’s not always hilarious, but it is wholly worthwhile.

Reviewed by Glenn Dallas

You Might Be a Zombie and Other Bad News: Shocking but Utterly True Facts

By Cracked.com Plume, $14.00, 320 pages After flipping through a few of the articles featured in You Might Be a Zombie and Other Bad News, the reader comes to a few conclusions: Lots of people are lying to you. Lots of things can possibly kill you, or are actively trying to kill you. Some of our cultural heroes are frauds, and others truly were larger than life. Basically, the world is so much weirder than you could ever imagine. History is stranger than fiction. Everything you know is wrong; and we as a species are doomed.

“In the world of classic cartoons, roughly 80 percent of all children are orphans. This is important because it teaches young viewers that someday their parents will mysteriously disappear from their lives for no reason and never be mentioned again.”

Thankfully, while the writers at Cracked. com are teaching you all of this, they’re also making you laugh far too hard to care. From the redacted exploits of Jesus to cute animals that can destroy you, almost armageddons and true urban legends, the intrepid trivia masters at Cracked gleefully shine a

spotlight into the dark corners of history and modern life, finding humor in the worst and the weirdest in human culture.

As a trivia book with bite, You Might Be a Zombie and Other Bad News is thoroughly surprising and entertaining. As a comedic effort with a lot of facts, it’s absolutely hysterical and a painfully good time. Read it.

Reviewed by Glenn Dallas Why You Should Store Your Farts in a Jar and Other Oddball or Gross Maladies, Afflictions, Remedies and Cures

By David Haviland Tarcher/Penguin, $12.95, 272 pages Medicine is a constantly evolving science, and there have been a lot of strange missteps and tangents along the way. Why You Should Store Your Farts in a Jar is a catalogue of the most bizarre, featuring real conditions and surprisingly beneficial results alongside some of the weird conclusions and peculiar treatments that have graced the profession over the centuries. From bloodletting and fire cupping to ether frolics and plague doctors, you won’t believe some of the “cures” conjured up by quacks.

While some of the entries are positively stomach-churning, the vast majority of the information offered is fascinating, both in what works and what people thought would

Arrrrgggghhhh! i should have checked the sacramento book review website before buying this book!

local events local authors meet the reviewers

M o r e th an 300 b o o k r evi e ws w ri tten ea c h m o nth

w w w. S a c r a m e n t o B o o k R e v i e w. c o m

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work. For instance, I’d never heard of Chimney Sweep’s Scrotum or the theory that Columbus had brought syphilis back to Europe from the New World. And who would have thought that Tyrannosaurus Rex often suffered from gout?

As a brief, curious history of the medical profession, Why You Should Store Your Farts in a Jar is a tribute to the intricacies of the body and how long it’s taken us to understand as much (or, perhaps, as little) as we do.

Reviewed by Glenn Dallas Four Word Film Reviews

By Benj Clews, Michael Onesi Adams Media, $9.95, 184 pages Some movie reviews seem to drag on forever. Wouldn’t it be nice to hit the point and move on? Four Word Film Reviews sets out to do just that. Covering hundreds of movies from the classics such as Jaws and Star Wars to more recent movies such as Harry Potter and The Hangover, you’ll find lots of mini-reviews for many movies. Some are shorter, some are longer, but none of them are longer than just four words.

The book itself is set up by category (Animation, Horror, Drama, etc). There’s a nice mix of older movies and newer ones, and as well as popular and obscure titles. Each movie is introduced with a short plot paragraph that also explains any directing or acting credits you may need to understand some of the reviews. The reviews themselves are varied. Some are good while other fall flat, although many of them focus on puns and wordplays for a quick laugh. There’s also a “Guess the movie” quote on the bottom of each two-page spread, which added a nice touch.

A great book for any movie-lover, although for everyday reading it falls flat. But marketed to its niche, it hits the target spot on.

Reviewed by Alyssa Feller

VERSUS, con’t from page 9 tain movie. You may also discover pirates whom you have never heard about. Egypt had its own pirates! This is a great book if you like swashbucklers. If you enjoy watching the TV show Deadliest Warrior, you’ll find it a good companion.

Reviewed by Amanda Muir

A r c h i v e d p u b l i c a t i o n i s s u e s a t S a c r a m e n t o B o o k R e v i e w . c o m /a r c h i v e s

Biographies & Memoirs Tested: How Twelve Wrongly Imprisoned Men Held Onto Hope

By Peyton Budd and Dorothy Budd Brown Books, $24.95, 130 pages Tested: How Twelve Wrongly Imprisoned Men Held onto Hope The numbers are staggering. The statistics are sobering. Tested: How Twelve Wrongly Imprisoned Men Held onto Hope by Peyton Budd in collaboration with Dorothy Budd isn’t about the numbers. It’s about the lives and stories of twelve men who were wrongly convicted in Dallas County. Tested is also a brief look at the process that set in motion the release of these men and an attempt to review convictions in Dallas County through its innovative Conviction Integrity Unit. In looking at 400 cases and using DNA testing, the district attorney determined that nearly half were innocent.

Leading the country in overturning convictions, Dallas has released more than 20 wrongly convicted men.

The accompanying black-and-white photographs by Deborah Luster introduce the men, along with their faith and hope.

Some show the exonerated with special items that helped them through their darkest moments. Whether it was a typewriter, a Bible, or a necklace, Luster captures the stark mementos from these men’s dire experiences. What seems genuinely surprising throughout is that the men retain their inner strength without giving in to bitterness or despair. But even as Peyton Budd retells the men’s stories, those staggering numbers still manage to haunt.

Reviewed by Elizabeth Humphrey Triumvirate: McKim, Mead & White: Art, Architecture, Scandal, and Class in America’s Gilded Age

By Mosette Broderick Knopf, $40.00, 581 pages Triumvirate is a biography of the famed architectural firm, McKim, Mead & White, but it is also a history of America in the Gilded Age, replete with its excess, brashness, wealth, and beauty. Many of the firm’s buildings stand today, and while some may complain of the decline of appreciation of American-derived architecture, they remain a testament to the adaptation of American values to the European and Classical.

Stanford White looms largely over the text, partly because of his talent, but mostly because of his scandalous death in 1906 at the hands of a chorus girl’s mad husband. Nonetheless, his quieter, but

equally talented partners, Charles McKim and William Mead prove themselves just as fascinating. Also looming largely are their famous clients—Vanderbilt’s, Morgan’s, Astor’s--and the cities which employed them to design monuments, of various uses, to American prosperity and taste. Broderick’s writing is thorough and brisk, and she examines each important work or event in the life of the firm with care and a sharp eye.

Triumvirate shines because it has something for history buffs, architecture lovers, and those interested in the wealthy Americans who lived in the lavish mansions of New England. This book is a perfect companion for architecture walks throughout New York and Boston, as well as Newport, Rhode Island, but it is also an exciting and readable look into the lives of the three men behind the marble and gilt.

Reviewed by Angela Tate Conversations with Myself

By Nelson Mandela Farrar Straus & Giroux, $28.00, 454 pages Nelson Mandela, the first black man to be elected President of South Africa, a leader, a revolutionary, and a visionary. There are many ways to view Mandela, many people considered him a terrorist, and a leader of a terrorist organization. Others considered him a freedom fighter, fighting to free the black man from white oppression.

In this collection, we get to read the voice of Mandela, what he wrote and what he said about his experiences and about South Africa.

Letters, interviews, and unpublished autobiographical material, all bring together a portrait, not of a saint, but, of a man. This is a fascinating trip through late-20th Century South Africa, from a man who fought the white regime for freedom. Mandela, the man, comes to life, not Mandela the media legend that many people know. This is fascinating look at a remarkable man. The only issue for me is that the book only consists of excerpts, when you want more the editors’ move onto another excerpt; but an excellent work to the growing literature about Nelson Mandela.

Reviewed by Kevin Winter The Hard Way Around: The Passages of Joshua Slocum

By Geoffrey Wolff Knopf, $25.95, 218 pages In the 1890s, in his fifties, Joshua Slocum wrote Sailing Alone Around the World, an account of the solo circumnavigation that made him famous. His text is a masterwork, unappreciated in its time, by an irascible sailor who made the sea his home when he was sixteen, leaving the seafaring town

of Brier Island, Nova Scotia, and a brutish father who beat him for taking time from boot cobbling to craft a model ship. When his formal education ended in third grade, he learned navigation and sailing on board ship, and certified as a ship’s officer, Mister Slocombe, at age twenty-five.

“The cliches summoned by the sea ... are wholesome: fresh, salty air, cleansing water. ... The reality was often almost too grim to be endured: sixty-foot seas pounding over the deck and washing everything not secured, including sailors, overboard. ‘Breaking’ seas are well named, for that’s what they do to human bones and crucial gear. Some captains lashed helmsmen to the wheel to keep them aboard.”

His genius for of storytelling and prose is obvious. He cut a handsome figure and soon won the hand of the beautiful, adventureloving daughter of an Australian merchant.

From the hailing port of San Francisco, the couple sailed to Liverpool, China, South America, and Saigon, through hurricanes, shipwrecks, cholera and mutiny, delivering timber, salmon, and wheat — as well as seven children, all born at sea. While ruminating on the American character, destiny, and the arts of good writing, Geoffrey Wolff captures the complicated spirit of a tragic man living in hardscrabble times by means soon made obsolete by steamers.

Reviewed by Zara Rsab You’re the Director... You figure it out.

The Life and Films of Richard Donner

By James Christie BearManor Media, $24.95, 404 pages A biography of Richard Donner is an unexpected but most appreciated event for fans of cinema history. It seems that if your name isn’t Hitchcock or Tarantino, publishers aren’t interested in film director biographies. James Christie has provided a valuable contribution to the field with this authorized biography.

Donner is revered by consumers of popular cinema for his triumphant, Warmhearted and respectful 1978 spectacular Superman: The Movie. This book will not disappoint fans of the film (of which I am one) with, its fascinating behind-the-scenes stories from the production. Donner’s work was truly heroic and one comes away with a deep respect for the filmmaker and the man.

Listen to author inter v iews at Audible Authors.net

Richard Donner worked in television for many years before getting his big break with The Omen. The film was a spectacular success and assured Donner a long career as a director and producer. As this is an authorized biography, one accepts the fact that the author is a fan and admirer and will paint a mostly flattering portrait of his subject. Christie does a fine job of keeping his objectivity for the most part. The one glaring example of misplaced sympathy resides in his effusive praise for The Omen. Christie positions it as a superior film to The Exorcist—a ridiculous statement. However, on the whole his assessments of Donners work are intelligent and insightful.

Donner’s personal and romantic life receives sensitive treatment (although the author tends to repeat himself in this area).

More fascinating is the revelation that Donner and his Lethal Weapon star Mel Gibson are the best of friends. Donner is a liberal Jew and Gibson a right-wing Christian who has gotten into trouble with blatantly anti-Semitic actions. In fact, Gibson wrote the foreword—a decision the publisher no doubt regrets. Yet they have remained friends, which tells you a lot about this energetic, talented and loyal man.

Reviewed by Bruce Marshall The Women Jefferson Loved

By Virginia Scharff Harper, $27.99, 464 pages The Women Jefferson Loved by Virginia Scharff will change your view of Thomas Jefferson and his once-believed misogynist’s attitude and behavior toward women.

This is not a book about his secret trysts, but a true account, based on newly released historical documentation, of the women in his life and how he respected and took dutiful responsibility for them. Beginning with Jefferson’s mother, Jane, author Scharff takes the readers on a journey into Jefferson’s life enclosing letters written to and from the various individuals, telling the story without pretense or common assumptions. Captivating family secrets, unfair, even abusive slaveholders and epoch hardships make any story compelling, but add to it a predominantly known political figure that did much to keep his life and the ones he loved most private and you’ve got yourself a best seller!

There is so much we don’t know about Jefferson’s life and loves, but The Women Jefferson Loved paints a colorful, mosaic work of art of a man laden with values, morals, and a heart for love. A family tree is included to keep the characters straight. This work is an enlightening and touching read.

Reviewed by M Chris Johnson

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Biographies & Memoirs My Spiritual Journey

By Dalai Lama and Sofia Stril-rever HarperOne, $25.99, 284 pages If you’ve ever been blessed to hear Tenzin Gyatso, the fourteenth Dalai Lama, you’ll know he loves to laugh.

One reason I reject our western religions (among many) is there is no humor in their banal dogmas. It’s the Dalai Lama’s hope and good humor, despite the many trials in his life and his country Tibet, that the West finds him so attractive, I believe. This new autobiography includes never-beforepublished material and much wisdom on the world’s contemporary state of affairs. He gives us more childhood memories, as he stresses our common humanity. He also reflects on 9/11, religious militancy, non-violence, poverty and wealth, and the environment. Finally, he offers his thoughts on what might happen when he dies and what his next incarnation will be. He says in this book “If I die before Tibet has found its freedom again, logically I will be reborn outside of Tibet. If at that moment my people no longer need a Dalai Lama, then it will not be necessary to search for me.” The Dalai Lama believes we will win peace.

Reviewed by Phil Semler The Governator: From Muscle Beach to His Quest for the White House, the Improbable Rise of Arnold Schwarzenegger

By Ian Halperin William Morrow, $25.99, 324 pages Don’t let the title The Governator fool you. This is not a dissertation of the pros and cons of California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger’s two terms in office. Less than fifty pages of the 324-page text deal with Schwarzenegger’s time in office. Because Halperin ventures so frequently into touting his own accomplishments in the twisted course of spying on his subject, it cannot be labeled as a true biography, unauthorized or otherwise.

“I wasn’t about to take any chances.

After I used the private number I had been given and talked to (Ferrigno) personally, introducing myself as Alfred Newman and agreeing to pay $400 for a one-hour workout, I chose the most outlandish sunglasses I

14 February 11

could find, a pair that would surely disguise my now well-known features.”

Using paparazzi tactics and tabloid sensationalism, Halperin’s work reads more like a gossip column expose on the international bodybuilding and Hollywood industries. With what smells akin to a smear campaign, the author’s primary political focus continually intertwines the Democratic Kennedy name, through Schwarzenegger’s wife Maria Shriver, with the Republican governor’s sordid past.

By his own admission in the disclaimer on the final page of A Note of Sources, Halperin confesses that his “methods” may raise “ethical reservations.” Indeed, if you have no stomach for smut, much of the he-said-shesaid roadhouse hearsay detail may be difficult to digest. The vast popularity of yellow journalism and tabloid magazines continue to blossom in and out of season. I suspect that the snazzy slipcover featuring the nation’s blockbuster governor will sell this book despite the desperate measures the author took to fill the pages.

Reviewed by Casey Corthron Growing Up Laughing: My Story and the Story of Funny

By Marlo Thomas Hyperion, $26.99, 382 pages That Girl was a show that spoke to a generation. Now Marlo Thomas, in her memoir, shares her life in a way that grips the reader on so many levels. First, you will laugh, and laugh heartily, from stories of her growing up with a famous funny father and all his hilarious pals who have entertained generations. You will cry at the death of her icon father before you laugh again. Most importantly, however, you will witness a love between father and daughter that intensely illustrates how of all his great achievements, Danny Thomas’ most memorable was in being her Daddy.

Marlo Thomas shares family, feminism, children’s books, marriage to Phil Donahue, and St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital with photos that bring it all to life. Interspersed throughout are her interviews with comics who share their life and jokes, illustrated by caricatures. With Alan Alda, Joy Behar, Sid Caesar, Stephen Colbert, Billy Crystal, Tina Fey, Larry Gelbart, Whoopi Goldberg, Kathy Griffin, Jan Leno, George Lopez, Elaine May, Conan O’Brien,

Don Rickles, Joan Rivers, Chris Rock, Jerry Seinfeld, Jon Stewart, Ben & Jerry Stiller, Lilly Tomlin, Robin Williams, and Steven Wright, you have the ultimate immersion into the world of comedy.

Reviewed by Angie Mangino My Year of Flops

By Nathan Rabin, The A.V.Club Scribner, $15.00, 264 pages Last Action Hero. The Love Guru. Bratz: The Movie. Ishtar. Howard the Duck. Battlefield Earth. Cleopatra. Titles that will forever live in cinematic infamy.

There are myriad books out there about famous flops and cult films that underperformed at the box office. If My Year of Flops was just a book ripping on films with bad reputations, it would be lost in the mix of dozens of other selfsatisfied cheap-shot tomes. But Nathan Rabin’s endeavor aspires to bigger and better things.

My Year of Flops collects a number of the essays from his online column series -- and a few choice book exclusives -- and takes a fresh look at some of Hollywood’s most notorious duds and misfires. But instead of relying on their reputations and reveling in the perceived badness of it all, Rabin gives each film a genuine second chance. And in doing so, he reveals a charming, nigh-indomitable spirit in attempting to find any inkling of a silver lining in these cinematic mushroom clouds. Even more impressive is how often he succeeds.

Though, in all fairness, even such a spirit cannot withstand the horror that is Waterworld: the Director’s Cut. A valiant effort, sir, to be sure.

Reviewed by Glenn Dallas Outside Looking In: Adventures of an Observer

By Garry Wills Viking, $25.95, 208 pages Remaining neutral and uninvolved with the political movements that he observed and reported on for the past 50 years, the respected Gary Wills provides insights into the characters and movements that prevailed during his lifetime. His memoir recalls his associations with public personalities whose names bring back memories of a past era, such as Jimmy Carter, Richard Nixon, Jesse Jackson, Beverly Sills, and the charismatic and explosive conservative

William Buckley. Wills describes the Civil Rights movement and attending the funeral of Martin Luther King Jr. as the very visible only white person on the crowded black bus.

He strongly disagreed with the Vietnam War, and during a hasty decision to participate in an act decrying the war, he along with Dr. Spock, Judy Collins, and other notable personages were arrested.

“I covered as a journalist many political campaigns, but never joined one, worked for one, or wrote a politician’s speeches.”

This memoir carries a personal thread of heart-felt romance as he describes his enduring and loving marriage of fifty years to a stewardess named Natalie whom he met by chance. As a review of our history for the past few generations, this warmly narrated autobiography will remind the reader of the turmoil and the personalities that shaped our culture, and of the moral fiber that braced this news-person.

Reviewed by Aron Row George Eliot in Love

By Brenda Maddox Palgrave Macmillan, $25.00, 238 pages George Eliot is one of the most celebrated novelists with her books, Middlemarch, Mill on the Floss, and Adam Bede. She didn’t start out with much promise however. She was born Mary Anne Evans on November 22, 1919, and her parents felt that she was never going to be able to do what women at the time did: marry. Eliot was, to put it plainly, ugly.

Not much has ever been written about the life of George Eliot and Maddox succeeds at painting a portrait of her complicated love life. She had never written a novel prior to meeting and falling in love with the married George Henry Lewes. Until then, she had edited works and translations on nonfiction subjects, but Lewes encouraged her to try something new.

We know now that Lewes’s hunch was right, but what a scandalous price those two paid to inspire each other. Lewes and Eliot lived together from 1854 until his death in 1878. They were never married because he was unable to divorce his wife; yet they created a life together. Often spurned by polite society, dealing with debilitating illnesses and supporting his family as well as her own siblings at times, they created their own version of love and marriage. The world is better for it.

Reviewed by Gwen Stackler

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Science & Nature The Mind’s Eye

By Oliver Sacks Knopf, $26.95, 263 pages Like his earlier books, The Man Who Mistook His Wife for a Hat or A Leg to Stand On, this one is as close to a page-turner as medical histories are likely to get. As much storyteller as physician, Sacks observes people’s behaviors, neurological challenges and resiliencies, unraveling the complicated strands of their medical conditions and bringing them alive as people, not simply case histories. “[S]ome blind people, like Dennis Shulman, ‘see’ Braille as they read it with their finger. ...[T]he heightening of his other senses had increased his sensitivity to the most delicate nuances in other people’s speech. ... [Dennis had acquired] ‘facial vision,’ the ability to use sound or tactile clues to sense the shape or size of a space and the people or objects in it.”

Mrs. Kallir, for instance, has no difficulty writing complete sentences, but once she has written them she cannot read them.

She has a brain condition called alexia, yet her musical training as a concert pianist remains with her: Though she has difficulty shopping at the corner grocery, she still plays Haydn with consummate artistry.

Pat H., who had surgery to remove a blood clot in her left brain after a massive cerebral hemorrhage, suffers aphasia, the inability to understand language, but gradually recovers her ability to communicate through signs, gestures, and other inventive means of her own devising.

In another intriguing section, we follow the journal Oliver Sacks keeps when the ocular surgeon who was once Sacks’ student diagnoses a melanoma in Sacks’ right eye.

Always with an eye to the upside, ever sympathetic and honest, Sacks, we hope, despite this setback, will continue to tell his stories for many years.

Reviewed by Zara Raab Collider: The Search for the World’s Smallest Particles

By Paul Halpern Wiley, $15.95, 260 pages A book that shows you the way slowly, flanked by three separate introductory segments is poised for demystifying those cursory preliminaries. Paul Halpern’s new book, Collider,

The Search for the World’s Smallest Particles, promises to entice the reader with captivating insight.

The book is fortified with an inviting preface, “The Fate of the Large Hadron Collider and the Future of High-Energy Physics,” followed by a mesmerizing prologue, entitled “Journey to the Heart of the Large Hadron Collider.” The opening is topped off with an intense introduction: “The Machinery of Perfection.” The main difference between fiction and nonfiction is that while fiction develops and thickens the plot, non-fiction reveals the purpose and makes you feel that you’ve learned something worthwhile. And Collider does it all in good taste and style.

Halpern begins by sorting out the secrets of creation. He moves on to the quest for a theory of everything and ends up striking gold and smashing successes. In his explanatory efforts, he discusses the four fundamental forces and how they work. He concludes by speculating about microscopic black holes and the future of high-energy physics. Here is a book that brings the reader to the brink of understanding.

Reviewed by D. Wayne Dworsky Chasing the Sun: The Epic Story of the Star That Gives Us Life

By Richard Cohen Random House, $35.00, 608 pages Within our universe, the Sun is rated as a mediocre star. But within our solar system, the Sun is the nucleus and regulator of all aspects of life, and thus stands out as our unique shining orb. After seven years of researching the Sun and its influence on man, journalist Richard Cohen has recorded this epic account of how the sun has been viewed, examined, and used throughout history.

“Most creation accounts cast the Sun as paramount, both over the moon and over the heavens.”

Starting with mythology, he describes the Inca’s worship of the Sun, Stonehenge, sun dances and sacrifices for the health of this star. Chapters cover scientific explorations of the heavenly bodies by the early astronomers, and how light and its photons affect life on Earth. Fascinatingly, stories of how perceptions of the Sun influenced different cultures in art, music, photography and literature pique the imagination. The Sun is a dying star; what will the future hold? The narrative ends with wonder of the consequences when the Sun eventually

burns out. The narrative and anecdotes are engaging: Would you paint your face with arsenic to retain a fashionably pale white complexion as was done some centuries earlier? The treatment will eventually kill you.

Encompassing history, science, culture, and wonderful stories, this is a read that is enthralling.

Reviewed by Aron Row The Greatest Show on Earth

By Richard Dawkins Free Press, $16.99, 472 pages In a few centuries, a Pekinese can be bred from a mongrel. But there’s no way a human could evolve from fish in a mere 10,000 years (the age of the Earth, according to 40 percent of Americans). Oxford University professor and best-selling author Richard Dawkins answers this and other Creationist objections to Evolution in a lively, fact-packed tome presenting complex arguments from physics and biology in straightforward, accessible prose, citing colorful examples. “”A browsing giraffe, ... the illusion of design makes so much intuitive sense that it becomes a positive effort to put critical thinking into gear ...”

One chapter details the carefully controlled experiments of scientists at Michigan State University on the evolution of bacteria over 20 years, showing in microcosm and in the lab, massively speeded up, the essential components of evolution by natural selection: random mutation followed by non-random natural selection; adaptation to the same environment by independent routes; successive mutations building on their predecessors to produce evolutionary change; some genes relying for their effects on other genes.

Dawkins also shows how new species are born, how physics and carbon dating prove the Earth to be four or five billion years old, how continental drift fueled species variety, how species are related in their skeletal formations, and how our own bodies exhibit evidence of evolution. The book includes numerous illustrations, photographs, notes, bibliography, and an index.

Reviewed by Zara Raab

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Peak of the Devil: 100 Questions (and Answers) About Peak Oil

By Chip Haynes Satya House Publications, $14.95, 224 pages Do we need another book on “peak oil”?

By using his quirky sense of humor, Haynes is a peak oil evangelist with an unusual style, raising awareness that global oil production has or soon will peak and then slowly decline. He does not preach, recite many facts, or wade into controversies or politics. Rather he stays on message in a chummy, disarming, semi-serious -- and upfront -- manner that this indeed is a big deal. He gives a page-and-a-half, freewheeling answer to each of one hundred questions (or topics).

For example: What to tell the kids; should I live in the woods; or what about ethanol or hydrogen? He focuses on our lives and little habits -- not geopolitical politics or science -- and reminds us frequently to keep the bicycle tires pumped and to consider living without oil for a day while we still have the choice. Somehow he does this without making us too gloomy.

Does his approach work? If you are only vaguely aware of peak oil, or wonder if this is related to climate change (it isn’t), and you enjoy a disarming writing style, then this might be a good place to start. Or, it might be a good gift idea. If you don’t believe in peak oil, you will probably have trouble. If you already believe in peak oil, then you might not find the book particularly informative, other than an occasional interesting fact (WWII gas rationing was 5 gallons per week).

I did object to his loose implications and his rapid dissing of alternative energies, until I realized what he was doing: raising awareness that this will be an age of transition, or “Dim Ages.”

However, I cannot recommend the book.

It avoids real controversies, is vague where it might inform (little oil is used for U.S. electricity), lacks an index, has no graph of Hubbert’s peak, and -- given the humor -- not even a single cartoon.

Reviewed by Jim Rothstein

February 11 15

Historical Fiction The Good Healer

By Dimitrije Medenica CreateSpace, $13.95, 160 pages During the Medieval Ages, bloodletting and witch-hunts held more power than medicine. Through this excellently written story of a man caring for patients more humanely, the author realistically transports readers back to those superstitious times.

Jean Duchesne was born in 1411 with a sixth finger. Today, the medical profession calls this hexadactyly, a common congenital malformation. At Jean’s birth, this was the devil’s mark. “’How dare you,’ yelled the outraged priest, still holding the baby in his arms. ‘ How dare you defend this creature, this bit of devil, you who hid the devil’s work from our poor innocent eyes?’” With that, the villagers expelled Jean and his parents from their village to face the harsh winter that was to change Jean’s life.

Realistic dialogue continuously draws readers into Jean’s life. Readers are there when his father gives the infant to the woman riding in a cart in the forest. “In her ear, he whispered while pointing high into the tree, “This up there. My child. You save, you save … he name Jean, Jean Duchesne.

I love, you take care, you…’ Guillame gave his last breath, released his iron grip on the woman’s collar, and dropped his heavy arms into the snow.”

Fully developed characters come alive for the reader. Readers meet every person with whom Jean interacts, as if they were there with him through excellent writing that propels each character to life. The Inquisitor stuck fear throughout. Feeding on this fear, his greed ruled while eradicating the “witch confraternity.” Readers can feel the fear, as well as shudder at his harshness. “He would round up people, true members or not; the distinction was often ignored, for as the Inquisitor would say, ‘Some testimonies are worth considering, and others are not.’”

The author’s note at the conclusion explains the scant two liberties taken with the precise historical context, his faithfulness to history adding a compelling dimension.

Sponsored Review The Report: A Novel

By Jessica Francis Kane Graywolf Press, $15.00, 256 pages The subject of Jessica Francis Kane’s novel The Report is a largely forgotten event in the Bethel Green district of East London during World

16 February 11

War II, when 173 men, women and children were crushed to death in a terrible accident on the stairs of one of the district’s tube stations. The book takes place both in flashback form and in 1973, when a curious young filmmaker whose life was personally touched by the tragedy contacts the author of the official inquiry of the accident in order to shed light on what really happened, and, perhaps, to uncover more about that fateful night.

In this simply written novel, Kane displays great sympathy for her characters and understanding of their plight without dissolving into melodrama, as would be an easy route for many authors to take. Her characters are well-rounded and believable, and her treatment of the facts is never floral, overwrought, or contrived. In writing about an actual historical event, she takes a risk as an author to present the facts authentically while still weaving an engrossing story for her readers, making them care about the people with whom she populates her Bethel Green. The tales in The Report, the lifelines, intertwine beautifully, although it takes a bit for the momentum to pick up. What Kane has crafted is a cleanly written novel that is a meditation on human tragedy and memory, and also its own sort of historical record.

Reviewed by Ashley McCall The Courtiers

By Lucy Worsley Walker & Company, $30.00, 432 pages Gossip, glamour, treachery. Fathers versus sons, mothers imprisoned in castles, and mistresses aplenty. Sounds like the setting for any good fictional romance. But these are the raw materials Worsley, chief curator at the Historic Royal Palaces, has to work with when writing the history of the first two Georgian courts.

Worsley does excellent work with the material she has. Her writing brings these true characters back to life, and she clearly demonstrates her passion both for the era and for historical accuracy. At times, some readers may tire from plodding through some of the finer details she includes, but most will be carried along by the story and by the tragic humanity of some of the main characters. Certainly in the current era of paparazzi, obsession with royalty and the rich and famous knows no bounds, a theme that is easily identifiable in the Georgian era as well. A hit in the U.K.,

Available at Amazon .com Barnes and Noble.com

At the end of the Civil War, one of the significant issues that plagued the new Congress was the threat to colonization from the many Indian tribes of the American West. It was in response to this pressure that the U.S. Congress passed an act that required the formation of new regiments to add to the strength of the regular army.

Follow the exploits of two of the four new regiments, the Ninth and the Tenth U.S. Cavalries, in Harper’s first installment in his historical fiction series, The Buffalo Soldier Chronicles: Incident on the Arikaree.

The Courtiers should find a welcoming home here in the US. Reviewed by Margo Orlando Littel The Mistaken Wife: A Novel

By Rose Melikan Touchstone Fireside, $15.00, 402 pages Historical fiction fans, this one’s for you.

Mary Finch is on a top-secret mission in Revolutionary France, a British agent posing as the wife of an American artist, Samuel Vangenzen. Her mission is dangerous and complex. She must enter into the small circle of American envoys living in Paris, winning their trust and ultimately convincing them that the common language and shared heritage between America and England could forge an alliance between the two countries, and not between America and France.

If she is discovered by the French she will be imprisoned… or worse.

To make matters more interesting, Mary’s love interest, Captain Robert Holland, is also sent to France on a mission. When their paths cross in Paris, sparks fly. Can their relationship—and their lives—withstand their dangerous missions?

The third in the Mary Finch thrillers, The Mistaken Wife is based on actual historical figures and events. Its historical accuracy is flawless and immediately captivating. The story is deep and complex and far from a light read. My heart raced as the French authorities became suspicious of Mary and Robert and I felt as if I was running for my life as well in this fast-paced, action-packed work of espionage amazement.

Reviewed by Jennifer Melville The Mistress of Nothing: A Novel

By Kate Pullinger Touchstone, $24.00, 250 pages In Victorian England lived a historical figure named Lady Duff Gordon who traveled with her lady’s maid, Sally Naldrett, to

Egypt, hoping the dry weather would ease her tuberculosis. Mistress of Nothing is a fictional account of the journey told by Sally.

As they adopt Egyptian ways of eating, dressing, and living, Sally is fooled into believing they have both changed. But when Sally shatters an unbreakable rule by falling in love, Lady Duff Gordon reverts to her English self and casts Sally out of her household. Sally finds herself jobless in the unfamiliar, friendless streets of Cairo.

Reading Mistress of Nothing was like reading about a fantasy world because the rules that bound Victorian gentryservant relations were so completely different from today’s world. The book constantly explores the relationships people form across boundaries, and asks the question, “Are any of these relationships real?” Telling the story from Sally’s point of view made it even more powerful. Although Sally can guess at other’s feelings and reasons, not knowing raises many questions for readers to ponder. This is a book you can’t stop thinking about.

Reviewed by Jodi Webb Lily of the Nile

By Stephanie Dray Berkley Trade, $15.00, 340 pages Stephanie Dray’s Lily of the Nile is a spectacular blend of history and unforgettable fiction. The novel opens with the suicide of the great Egyptian Queen Cleopatra and the subsequent journey of her imprisoned children to the Roman court.

Princess Selene Cleopatra and her two surviving brothers are drug through the streets of Rome to certain death, but are spared by the Emperor’s sister and beSee LILY, con’t page 23

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Crafts & Hobbies Wild Color, Revised and Updated Edition: The Complete Guide to Making and Using Natural Dyes

By Jenny Dean, Karen Diadick Casselman Watson-Guptill, $22.99, 144 pages Wild color begins with Dyeing Techniques which covers the what, how, and when of variances possible from one dye bath, and some vibrant history, then segues into The Dye Plants.In this segment the photography for clear identification of the botanicals is exquisitely good. Color tabs on the outer edges of each page make for quick access to desired shades without requiring a complete rereading.

Some botanicals are widely known, like Indigo, others, like Mahonia and Oregon

Grape, are less publicized. I always thought Tyrean Purple was boiled out of Sea Hares, the huge purple slugs that periodically populate and breed in California’s inshore waters. But Wild Color says that the purple dye of antiquity (and today) is pressed from a gland of murex and purpura shellfish directly into fibers where photo reactivity creates the purple tint from a clear liquid.

I recommend this well done reference not only for Dyers, but for all interested in the evolution of handicrafts.

Throughout, the author has given Cultivation and Harvest, Dyeing Procedure, and in many cases history and mythos associated with each dye source. This richness of fact and thorough coverage of actual technique, coupled with an extraordinarily clear writing style, make this fine reference a wonderful acquisition.

Reviewed by David Sutton

Creative Paper Cutting

By Shufunotomo Trumpeter, $19.95, 128 pages This is a charming resource craft book that will benefit all members of the family and familiarize the reader with the art of paper cutting. Cleverly designed with easy to follow directions enhanced with black and white illustrations as well as attractively colored photographs, the multiple projects invite participation. Combining the talents of nine Japanese contributors, this paper recipe book requires no more than scissors, an X-acto knife, cutting mat, ruler, pencils, stapler, and of course, a variety of papers. Following the basic directions for folding and cutting, different figures, such

as ballerinas, wildflowers, or rows of trees will emerge. Fourteen projects for lampshades, stationery, t-shirts and more are tantalizingly described. Figure designs, mobiles, cards, collages, party decorations, and other creative ideas are included. Following the basic patterns allows the adult or child to fashion their own inimitable paper production. The Japanese art of paper cutting invites all family members to snip away, and of course, what better time to recycle all kinds of paper into holiday snowflakes?

tion such as black men having large penises, shoe size correlating to penis size, and aphrodisiacs like alcohol and bitter kola, are debunked.

There are references to published “research” conducted by magazines including Vibe in the book, along with song lyrics and television sexual innuendo. The author also addresses issues such as pubic hair, female genital mutilation, sexual positions, and sexual turn-ons and turn-offs. There is also a how-to chapter on cunnilingus.

Unfortunately, the book is not succinct enough to be considered an academic work, nor comprehendible enough for an enjoyable read. Many of the words and expressions may be unfamiliar to Westerners and because the underlying theme of the book has a tendency to wander, the work required for comprehension may not be worthwhile to the average reader. The book may have value as a reference for someone wishing to do serious academic research into African sexual/mating behaviors.

Sponsored Review

at in your life, and provides warm fuzzies that prove being single is part of life. “Single” does not mean you’re a romantic failure.

According to Cove, single women fall into four categories: looking for Mr. Right, experiencing conflict about singledom, changing love-life goals, and navigating a marriageobsessed culture. Each chapter begins with a pop quiz pinpointing if this chapter is for you. The quizzes also offer a quirky sense of humor.

Personal anecdotes from interviews Cove conducted supply plenty of examples of what single women may experience from friends and relatives.

Through writing exercises, reflection and checklists, Cove shares tools readers need to be happy while single.

Considering that there are more single women living in America than married women and more single women in their 30s than ever before, Cove’s insight breaks through the fairytales and stereotypes women have long been subjected to.

Reviewed by LuAnn Schindler

“Paper cutting requires nothing more than taking a pair of scissors to a piece of paper and going snip-snip.”

Reviewed by Aron Row

Relationships & Sex Just Watch Me: Erotica for Women

By Violet Blue, editor Cleis Press, $14.95, 225 pages In her latest compilation of sex stories, Violet Blue presents an arousing array of erotica by women, for women. Just Watch Mepushes the limits, yet presents a realistic look at how women view sex, lust, and sensuality. No dark, depressing stories in this collection.

Instead, Blue’s selections are intended to motivate female readers to seek satisfaction in the bedroom.

Consider Cate Robertson’s “Just Watch Me, Rodin.” A young woman poses nude for a more mature male artist. He pushes her to the edge, but the artist is no match for this young vixen. It’s like creating a piece of art and masterfully watching all elements blend together, an appropriate choice to start the anthology.

An unsatisfied young woman seduces an older lover while reading erotica to him in Sydney Beier’s “Reading to Horst.” Saskia Walker provides a sexy look at power and how to wield it in “The Upper Hand.” In “Utterly Nondescript,” Geneva King transforms an ordinary office worker into a sex kitten with a penchant for orgies.

Every story appeals to sensual and sexual cravings and hidden desires, proving why Blue is one of the top erotica editors.

Reviewed by LuAnn Schindler

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African Sex Education: Chronicles and Manual: Miyidima—The African’s Erotic Convocation:Liberation of the Long Suffering Birds and Bees of Africa

By Boniface Wewe iUniverse, $16.95, 172 pages Intended as a “pseudo dissertation” on differences in sexual cultures, the author uses idiosyncratic research to make a case for the necessity of sexual revolution and education in his native country. A native of Cameroon, West Africa, author Boniface Wewe graduated with a Master’s Degree in library science from the University of Pittsburgh. He became interested in the sexual openness he saw in the West as compared to the sexual conservativism he knew from Africa. The arranged marriages where brides are purchased with goats and palm wine in Africa contrasted with American brides, who are the product of the sexual revolution, caused Wewe to question some of his native country’s social problems. The author desires to be recognized as a Professor of Sexology with this manuscript.

Most of the book consists of Wewe’s recollections of conversations he had in Africa, Europe and America with anyone willing to answer questions regarding their sexual attitudes and practices. Sexual misinforma-

Seeking Happily Ever After

By Michelle Cove Tarcher/Penguin, $16.95, 306 pages If you’re sitting around waiting for Mr. Right to waltz into your life and put a ring on it, then Michelle Cove’s Seeking Happily Ever After: Navigating the Ups and Downs of Being Single Without Losing Your Mind (and Finding Lasting Love Along the Way) will provide a wake-up call for all the single ladies.

Cove’s common-sense approach, including how to handle naysayers who think a relationship makes one complete, begins with an honest assessment of where you’re

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Current Events Pitchforks and Torches: The Worst of the Worst, from Beck, Bill, and Bush to Palin and Other Posturing Republicans

By Keith Olbermann Wiley, $24.95, 265 pages Keith Olbermann is a national treasure.

On his nightly cable show, he has courageously stood up to the crimes of the Bush administration and the lies that accompany them. He has often been the only media voice for liberals and progressives. As passionate, compassionate, opinionated, and insightful as he is, it is his stinging humor that makes his show so enjoyable.

Night after night he uses sarcasm, ridicule and most importantly, facts, to hilariously skewer politicians and their minions in the media. The right-wing blowhards who infest radio and cable news are favorite targets.

Just one example: He refers to Glenn Beck as “Lonesome Rhodes Beck.” This is a witty allusion to a fictional character from the film A Face in the Crowd that only devotees of obscure films would get.

The one problem with this book is that it loses much of its impact on the page, not only because the chapters (which consist of transcriptions of television monologues) are dated, but without the sound bites of “Bill-O

the Clown” and the rest, the fun is diluted.

Future historians will no doubt turn to this book when researching the “Worst persons in the World” during the early part of the 21st Century.

Reviewed by Bruce Marshall Pinstripe Patronage: Political Favoritism from the Clubhouse to the White House and Beyond

By Martin Tolchin and Susan J. Tolchin Paradigm Publishers, $24.95, 271 pages Pinstripe Patronage is an exposé of what “business as usual” looks like behind the scenes in politics. Patronage is the practice whereby elected officials reward friends and campaign volunteers by giving them jobs in government. Problems occur when too many positions in a department are filled based on political connections rather than competence. This was evident in FEMA’s response after hurricane Katrina.

“Politics is still more art than science, and it depends on the glue of community before anything can get done — bills passed, political leaders elected, fundraisers held, and campaigns launched. The networks that emerge from all these activities are root-

ed in relationships, all of which still depend on a complex system of rewards.”

The Tolchins demonstrate how the current trend has been for politicians to award lucrative contracts to friends and supporters in the private sector. Another outcome of patronage has been the empowerment of formerly marginalized groups. Delaware Governor Ruth Ann Miller appointed more women judges, commissioners, and cabinet officers than had previously served in state government. “The women helped me, and now I’m helping them” she said.

Rewards and vindictiveness abound in the patronage system. We see how the President can use his celebrity status to build support or punish the unfaithful using patronage tactics. If you believe politicians work out ideological differences through convincing arguments, this book will burst your bubble. It’s also an indictment of the news media for superficial reporting. This reviewer loved the book because it didn’t seem to give special dispensation to any party ideology.

Reviewed by Grady Jones American Wasteland

By Jonathan Bloom Da Capo Lifelong Books, $26.00, 360 pages I considered myself a fairly “green” person. My spouse and I recycle and compost.

We go out of our way to conserve water and energy. We eat as responsibly as we can.

I thought we were doing well, and we are, but it wasn’t until after reading Jonathan Bloom’s American Wasteland that I realized how much more we can do, and how large of a problem food waste is in the United States.

“Every day, America wastes enough food to fill the Rose Bowl. Yes, that Rose Bowl -- the 90,000-seat football stadium in Pasadena, California.”

As the subtitle of the book states, our country wastes nearly half of all the food we grow! Mr. Bloom goes to great lengths to explore how and explain why that waste happens. He takes us from the crops in the fields to the distribution networks that carry it across the country and globe, to the super markets where it is neatly stacked and arranged, and finally to our refrigerators and plates.

Along that entire chain, at every link, food is wasted. Fortunately, changes can be made to reduce the waste and help alleviate the hunger of millions of Americans.

Mr. Bloom’s book is a fascinating look at how the food industry and we its customers waste food. Thankfully, it is also a guide to ending that waste.

Reviewed by Jonathon Howard

Health, Fitness & Dieting Morbid Obesity: Will You Allow It To Kill You?

By Eduardo Chapunoff, M.D., F.A.C.P., F.A.C.C. Xlibris, $19.99, 244 pages Tough times lie ahead? Of course! But instead of saying, “Oh my god, how am I going to deal with all this?” Say, “I’m overcoming my problems one by one. Come on, little bastards, come into my life. I will dispose of you with my bright outlook, my faith, my sense of purpose, and my great reservoir of optimism.”

Words of wisdom, and honesty, from Dr. Eduardo Chapunoff reveal the sanguinity of his latest contribution to both the medical world and patients in Morbid Obesity: Will You Allow It To Kill You? This book is both a manual on the ever-increasingly significant reality of obesity and a candidly straightforward discussion of the factors that affect patients with this disease.

Chapunoff is a chief of cardiology in Miami, Florida, and has written on other highly charged medical conditions. With other publications paving the way, he has created a sincere and reliable guide that leads his readers through rather complicated situations in an easy-to-understand, compassionate, and, even, humorous tone. He is the kind of practitioner that any patient would pray to be assigned to. He leads the way, describing each aspect of morbid obesity and how to overcome it, from the roots of the problem to bariatric surgery (and who would benefit from it) to risks associated with morbid obesity if left untreated. With simple penned diagrams, his explanations are visually implemented, leading to a firmer understanding of the reading.

Morbid Obesity is a significant read for anyone who values their life, particularly those who feel they are at the end of their rope. This read offers much-needed resolution and education. It is filled with a sizeable amount of medical terminology, which can feel overwhelming but, rest assured, Dr. Chapunoff never leaves you alone to fend for yourself; he is right by your side the entire

way, softly describing, explaining and, most importantly, giving hope.

Sponsored Review Instant Recess: Building a Fit Nation 10 Minutes at a Time

By Toni Yancey University of California Press, $22.95, 263 pages Dr. Yancey is truly qualified to deliver the message that being active, more than diet, will help our overweight nation to begin the reversal of the increase in obesity. She delivers her message as she would an important lecture at the University of California at Los Angeles, where she is a professor in the Department of Health Services. The saying, “Those who can do, those who can’t teach,” does not apply in this case. Being

Listen to author inter v iews at Audible Authors.net

a medical doctor, a collegiate athlete, and a former fashion model gives her ample credibility regardless of the setting.

The public health arena has provided Dr. Yancey with real-life examples of programs to help people overcome inertia. Many of the programs and studies cited in the book are of her own creation. She speaks to the reader in a firm voice while conveying a well-developed strategy that is backed by experience in the real world. There are some mighty large obstacles to overcome before the obesity rate slows and reverses.

One of the most formidable is Big Food. By that Dr. Yancey means McDonald’s, et al. It’s a tough call for an inner-city parent to stay away from McDonald’s when the only clean, safe playground in the neighborhood is located on the premises.

Reviewed by Ruta Arellano

February 11 19

Children’s Books My Name Is Not Isabella

By Jennifer Fosberry Sourcebooks Jabberwocky, $16.99, 30 pages My Name Is Not Isabella is a beautiful and poetic conversation between a mother and her small daughter. In a celebration of imaginative play and childhood creativity, Isabella pretends to be a variety of different women throughout her day, including “Sally, the greatest, toughest astronaut who ever was” and “Marie, the greatest, smartest scientist who ever was.” The ending is absolutely precious.

When asked who she is, the little girl replies:” It’s me, Isabella, the sweetest, kindest, smartest, bravest, fastest, toughest, greatest little girl that ever was,” said the little girl as she fell asleep and dreamed about who she would be… tomorrow.”

This book is a gem of a children’s book and is a fun read-aloud story. The pages are bright and appealing. The best part is that each of Isabella’s personas are based on real women who impacted history, such as Sally Ride the astronaut, Rosa Parks the activist, and Marie Curie the scientist. There’s even a biography section on each women at the end of the book for older kids, which makes a fun story an educational experience. This book will be under the tree for my own daughter Isabella this year, to encourage her to dream of all the things she can be when she grows up and to learn about the women who came before her who changed the world.

Reviewed by Jennifer Melville

Little Tree

By E.E. Cummings with illustrations by Deborah Kogan Ray Dragonfly Books, $6.99, 20 pages Little Tree, in E.E. Cummings’ delightful, unstructured poem, tells of a small tree brought home and decorated by a young boy and his little sister. The young boy asks the tree, “Who found you in the green forest, and were you very sorry to come away?” He tells the tree of “the spangles that sleep all the year in a dark box” dreaming of being taken out and allowed to shine, and how “there won’t be a single place dark or unhappy.”

“Who found you in the green forest and were you very sorry to come away?”

Illustrator Deborah Kogan Ray completes the touching story with soft, yet vibrant, colored pencil drawings depicting the innocent beliefs of the boy. A gentle, warm story that will fascinate the youngest readers with its touching simplicity.

The book is reissued from a 1987 publication; the poem was first published in 1923

by E.E. Cummings, one of America’s preeminent poets of the twentieth century.

Reviewed by Susan Roberts

Presenting ... Tallulah

By Tori Spelling Aladdin, $16.99, 32 pages All her life, Tallulah has been told what not to do. Little girls shouldn’t get muddy, talk loudly, or wear jeans. Instead they should wear dresses with bows, arrive to school in limos, and eat a sushi and mineral water lunch from a picnic basket. Yet Tallulah knows that the girl people meet isn’t the real Tallulah. In her debut children’s book, Presenting ...Tallulah, Tori Spelling introduces readers to a young girl who learns the power of selfconfidence. Tallulah, who bears a striking resemblance to Spelling, is trying to find her place in the world. Illustrator Vanessa Brantley Newton depicts Tallulah’s lavish lifestyle and through her pictures, compares it with the regular lives of Tallulah’s classmates. Just when she is feeling low, Tallulah befriends Max, a new boy in school, and together they set out on a daring rescue. In order to save a baby pug, Tallulah must do the very things she’s been told not to do her whole life. Children will love Tallulah, Max, and Mimi (the puppy), and adult Spelling fans will enjoy the story as well. Readers, cross your fingers and hope for another Tallulah adventure soon!

Reviewed by Kathryn Franklin

Clever Jack Takes the Cake

By Candace Fleming Schwartz & Wade, $17.99, 40 pages All the children of the realm have been invited to the princess’s birthday party, which poses a problem for Jack, a poor child who has nothing to bring for a gift. His mother dismisses the idea of his attending the party, but Jack summons his powers of negotiation and creativity and manages to bake the princess a spectacular cake, complete with “Happy Birthday Princess” spelled out in walnuts and a perfect strawberry in the center. Jack’s triumph is short-lived, however. On his way to the party, he encounters greedy crows, a menacing troll, and a hungry bear that devour every part of the cake but the strawberry. And then a palace guard informs Jack of the princess’s violent strawberry allergy. Jack arrives at the princess’s throne empty-handed. All is not lost, however, and Jack’s unexpected success in winning over the princess will make readers want to applaud.

With captivating pencil-and-watercolor illustrations, Clever Jack is a lovely tale about determination, resourcefulness, the power of stories — and the value of words over prettily wrapped packages for a little girl who has everything.

Reviewed by Margo Orlando Littell

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Children’s Books Just Too Cute: And Other Adorable Stories for Horrible Children

By Mike Reiss Running Press Kids, $16.95, 56 pages Picture the most cutesy-wutesy, itsy-bitsy, chubsy-wubsy little seal you’ve ever seen.

Now picture him causing havoc in New York City: eating paintings in the Museum of Art, and trying on and walking away with $20 million worth of diamonds from Tiffany’s.

In Just Too Cute and Other Adorable Stories for Horrible Children, Mike Reiss features charming animals in three stories and five poems. The seal is “just too cute” to get into trouble. With every adventure the seal gets into, kids will enjoy repeating his name.

Each clever poem and story has subtle lessons, including those based on honesty, safety, and justice. Hilarious animal poems from “beastly” children feature animals like stinky skunks, electric eels, and ten unlucky dodos. In The Penguin Who Broke the Dress Code, Pete the penguin changes up his black and white duds and starts a new fashion fad. Finally, in The Appalling Polar Bear, Gavin Baloney, Hollywood’s greatest animal agent, discovers a polar bear who can sing and dance, but also has a bad habit of eating people! Johnny Yanok’s illustrations are fantastic and make the stories and poems come to life.

Reviewed by Kathryn Franklin The Legend of the Golden Snail

By Graeme Base Abrams Books For Young Readers, $19.95, 46 pages Wilbur’s favorite tale is the one of the Golden Snail who was made captive by a Grand Enchanter before being banished to the Ends of the Earth. There the Golden Snail awaits a new master who can sail to the site and utter a magic spell. Wilbur decides he is just that person. Off he sails on his little boat, with his mother’s reminder to wear his hat.

But Wilbur has a kind nature. On the way to the Ends of the Earth, kind deeds slow him down from his quest. He suspects he’s not much of a Grand Enchanter after all. When he encounters the Dreadful Doldrums and the Slithering Sea and the Maze of Madness, he discovers those kind deeds have not been wasted. Further surprises await him at the Ends of the Earth, where he

finds the Golden Snail is not quite the snail he expected.

Graeme Base’s text flows. His illustrations are magical. It is easy to suspend disbelief as Wilbur encounters fantastical creatures on his voyage. It is easy to believe Wilbur’s discovery of what makes him really special.

Reviewed by Elizabeth Varadan Ninja Cowboy Bear Presents the Way of the Ninja

By David Bruins Kids Can Press, $16.95, 32 pages Bears and cowboys and ninjas, oh my!

The three of them are the best of friends, but even the best of friends sometimes disagree. When the ninja’s games get too rough for the bear and the cowboy, will the ninja go off to play alone, or will he reconcile with his longtime pals?

As we all know, ninjas, cowboys, and bears are natural enemies in the wild -- what, you don’t remember learning that in elementary school? -- so it’s great fun to see them hanging out together in the pages of Ninja Cowboy Bear Presents The Way of the Ninja. This brief, bright, and delightful follow-up to The Legend of Ninja Cowboy Bear teaches two classic lessons for children -- not taking your friends for granted, and learning to compromise -- and while the story is simple, the images are saturated with such warmth that you can’t help but feel like a fourth member of the eclectic trio.

The way of the ninja might not be for everyone, but Ninja Cowboy Bear Presents The Way of the Ninja certainly is.

Reviewed by Glenn Dallas The Ham Heist

By Darrel Odgers Kane/Miller Book Publishers, $4.99, 78 pages The Ham Heist is the eleventh installation of the series Jack Russell: Dog Detective. This time Jack Russell spends most of the book convincing his canine friends not to commit a crime, that is, steal the ham delivered for a wedding.

But all his work is for nothing, the ham disappears and it’s up to Jack to discover who the thief is.

This series is a good bridge for a young reader too old for picture books but just beginning to read chapter books. Broken up by illustrations, “Jack Facts”, and glossaries of dog-only words (for example sneefle: snorting sneeze, done to clear the nose), the short chapters are easy to read. The fact that it’s heavy on dialogue (including Jack’s discussions with himself) and light on long

descriptive passages also makes it new reader friendly. This book is very effective written from Jack’s point of view—it includes smells, fears, and sights only a dog would notice. Readers may guess who the thief is before the final reveal but the question of how Jack will “make the arrest” will keep them reading.

The Ham Heist is a great book to help a new reader dive into “big books”.

Reviewed by Jodi Webb Hibernation Station

By Michelle Meadows Simon & Schuster for Young Readers, $16.99, 37 pages As days grow shorter and nights grow colder, we all know winter’s on its way.

Author Michelle Meadows and illustrator Kurt Cyrus have created a delightful book that parents and children will enjoy reading together. A wonderful bedtime story, Meadows simplifies nature’s annual call to the animal world and the critters, creatures, and beasts that find a cozy place to hole up for the long cold winter months. Hedgehogs and skunks and frogs, cozy leaf-filled logs, even train conductor bears complete with caps and kerchiefs, the pictures are beautifully and fastidiously crafted, down to the last detail.

One can almost feel the crisp cold air, and hear the crunch of dried leaves underfoot as animals put on their pajamas and slippers to hop aboard the train to Hibernation Station.

There is the right mix of whimsy and information to make this a good book for bedtime reading, or even as a stepping stone for teachers to use in a classroom to teach students about animals and hibernation. Watch as the hibernation train picks up each passenger and rides the tree branch rails, depositing each passenger at their rightful place, as the season changes from fall to winter, and colorful fall leaves give way to snowflakes.

Reviewed by Laura Friedkin Dick and Jane and Vampires

By Laura Marchesani Grosset & Dunlap, $9.99, 144 pages True Blood, Twilight, The Passage… these books meet the needs of teen and adult vampire fans. Yet one family member is left out of vampire mania: the preschooler!

With Laura Marchesani’s Dick and Jane and Vampires, beginning readers will enjoy the fun that comes from seeing Dick and Jane make a new friend with fangs and a cape.

From the 1930s through the 1970s, reading was taught using simple stories featuring Dick and Jane. Now a new generation can enjoy the adventures of this sibling pair. Tommy Hunt’s illustrations honor the traditional style readers fell in love with 80 years ago. Known for short sentences and word repetition, Dick and Jane stories are ideal for beginning readers. At first, the children are startled to see Vampire, but he is soon welcomed into the home to play, and is even given a baby bonnet of his own. A special bottle of blood is delivered to Vampire each day by the milkman. Dick and Jane are very happy to have Vampire as a new friend. Readers of all ages will laugh when they discover what makes Vampire very, very happy in the end.

Reviewed by Kathryn Franklin The Red Hen

By Rebecca Emberley Roaring Brook Press, $16.99, 32 pages When the red hen finds a recipe for Simply Splendid Cake, she immediately knows she must bake it. But when she approaches her friends the cat, the rat, and the frog, they unequivocally refuse to help. As the hen gathers ingredients, mixes them, and bakes, ices, and decorates the cake, the animals lazily observe, and small black chicks make nuisances of themselves as she works.

Finally, when the splendid cake is ready to eat, the hen asks one more time for help, this time receiving a chorus of “I will!”— and then, with a smirk of smugness, the hen eats the cake herself.

The story of the little red hen will be familiar to young readers, but the bold collage-style graphics, which feature animals with concentric-circle eyes and brightly colored bodies, give the story new life. The Emberleys—father and daughter—have collaborated once before, and both are wellestablished children’s authors; but this reviewer feels that little can surpass Ed Emberley’s fabulous series of drawing books, which give children the power to create the artwork that vibrates with such life here.

Reviewed by Margo Orlando Littell

T H E B A C K PA G E , w r i t t e n b y p u b l i s h e d a u t h o r s a t S a c r a m e n t o B o o k R e v i e w . c o m

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Outlive Your Life: You Were Made to Make A Difference

By Max Lucado Thomas Nelson, $24.99, 212 pages Do you ever feel insignificant and want to make a difference in this world? Outlive Your Life by Max Lucado will open your eyes to all the possibilities of making this life, this world in which we live, better and more meaningful. Lucado’s long-standing reputation as an inspirational Christian writer is brought to the forefront in this timely published work. He recounts simple tales of how every day people have made contributions all over the world to make a difference. He cites that 1.75 billion people are desperately poor and 1 billion are hungry, and yet a mere two percent of the world’s grain harvest would be enough to erase starvation in the world. Those numbers are devastating and overwhelming statistics, but Lucado goes so far as to tell how one taxi driver in London was able to assist a Mexican entrepreneur. If you want to outlive your life, you need to be aware and willing to take even those small leaps of charity, compassion, and service. Lucado’s style of writing allows the reader to feel in the moment, as if he were right there telling you his insights and God’s design for your life. Wonderfully motivating, beautifully enlightened, a heroic piece of literature.

Reviewed by M Chris Johnson

Bible and re-read passages for a new and exciting meaning!

The status of women in the Bible is discussed extensively, including the place of widows, the value of virginity, and women’s public and domestic roles. You’ll also learn about the biblical take on abortion, arranged marriages, polygamy, divorce, adultery, and what constitutes forbidden sex. Curious?

Check out Chapter 4.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book. It was well-written and jam-packed with interesting information. Be prepared to see familiar Biblical stories in a whole new light!

Reviewed by Jennifer Melville

God and Sex: What the Bible Really Says

By Michael Coogan Twelve, $24.99, 195 pages There is so much controversy when it comes to religion and sex, with people claiming the Bible backs their beliefs in topics as varied as homosexuality, monogamy, women’s roles, what constitutes forbidden sex, adultery, and much more. Have you ever wondered what the Bible actually says about sex? The title made this book irresistible, considering it is about two of my favorite topics: sex and religion. God and Sex: What the Bible Really Says did not let me down.

Once I started reading it, I could not stop.

Michael Coogan’s work is divided into six fascinating chapters. The first delves into the various ways the Bible refers to sex.

I knew that “to know” in the Biblical sense meant to have sex, but had no idea that “feet” and “hand” are often used in place of the male organ. I wanted to bring out the

Why seek Buddha? “The word Buddha, however, simply means ‘awake’ or ‘awakened.’ It does not refer to a particular historical person or to a philosophy or religion.

It refers to your own mind.” Why be a rebel?

“On the spiritual path, this rebel is the voice of your own awakened mind.”

From getting to know your own mind to building community, this book offers much to ponder. Concluding with an appendix with instructions for meditation practice and selected poems on which to reflect, this book concisely shares insights into all Buddhism has to offer the modern mind today, with a global view that transcends the limitations of culture. It is a true meeting of East and West.

Reviewed by Angie Mangino

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Rebel Buddha: On the Road to Freedom

By Dzogchen Ponlop Shambhala, $21.95, 210 pages Simplified, to follow the Buddha’s essential message, one must be awake and aware.

Everything we do is a choice that determines either our happiness or our suffering. The cultural elements of Buddhism, while beautiful, may hold back the Western mind from exploring its possibilities. This book presents Buddhism clearly and understandably, offering a chance to apply the concepts to find our own truth.

“On this road, what we free ourselves from is illusion, and what frees us from illusion is the discovery of truth.”

V i e w p o i n t s

Religion

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Music & Movies Masters of Cinema: Steven Spielberg

By Clelia Cohen Phaidon Press, $9.95, 103 pages Steven Spielberg is one of many American directors who get a career overview in this new series of books from Cahiers Du Cinema. The best thing about this volume is its comprehensiveness; from Spielberg’s earliest films to the last Indiana Jones adventure. “he took entertainment to new heights...”

-back cover The second best thing about this collection is the great photos. Not so great are the many, repeated, myths and outright mistakes concerning his career. Once again the statement that Jaws “invented” the summer blockbuster; Hook was a box-office bomb (it was the number 4 grossing film of 1994); E.T. as the first film to use product placement, etc. This laziness in researching is very frustrating. Less frustrating, but disappointing is the critical analysis. Mediocre films like Minority Report are way over-praised as are the ambitious but flawed efforts of A.I. and Empire of the Sun. The brilliant Schindler’s List comes in for surprising criticism!

Spielberg is not only the most commercially successful director ever, but one of the great artists of our times. This book tries to do him justice, but falls a bit short of its objective.

Reviewed by Bruce Marshall Finishing the Hat: Collected Lyrics (1954-1981) with Attendant Comments, Principles, Heresies, Grudges, Whines and Anecdotes

By Stephen Sondheim Knopf, $39.95, 480 pages WOW!!! That’s the only word that really does justice to this large and lavish book. Almost everyone (I should think) knows that Steven Sondheim is one of America’s greatest composers, especially of major successes in musical theater.

Think Broadway and movies. Perhaps not as many know that he was also a fabulous lyricist (West Side Story). With this book he proves that his everagile mind and amazing memory are equal partners with his intellect.

It’s unfortunate that the book’s designer let him down by making the book hard to read, with its small, light typeface. That’s the only possible grumble about this big (8½ x 11) 480 page book. It has bunches of pho-

tos and several indexes. In fact, you might think you’ve inadvertently stumbled over his private scrapbook! It has that look and feel to it.

The book is a fascinating mélange of notes, lyrics, memories and whatever Mr. Sondheim’s creativity conjures up. It’s not a book that will be read straight through from front to back, but rather one to be opened at leisure and sampled as one does a fabulous buffet. At times, he is a teacher, patiently explaining the various types of poetry/lyrics, at other times he can be a tad catty in his remarks, but only about those long departed.

The dust jacket proclaims this as Collected Lyrics (1954-1981), and promises that the curtain goes up on volume two with the opening lines of ‘Sunday in the Park with George’.

Reviewed by Kelly Ferjutz Michael Jackson: The Making of “Thriller”: 4 Days/1983

By Douglas Kirkland Filipacchi, $30.00, 192 pages In this coffee table book, photographer Douglas Kirkland’s lens captures the childlike innocence in Jackson’s eyes as the entertainer, who was at the height of his

Popular Culture The Science of Battlestar Galactica

By Patrick Di Justo and Kevin Grazier Wiley, $19.95, 314 pages Fusing contemporary drama and the unpredictable world of science fiction, Battlestar Galactica was called the “science fiction show without the science” because it dealt more with issues of racism, politics, and sociological and philosophical issues than concentrating on background information that can hinder story development.

In BSG, the science behind artificial gravity, genetics, robotics and faster-than-light travel was never highlighted unless it advanced the plot.

In The Science of Battlestar Galactica, authors Patrick Di Justo and Kevin Grazier delve into the scientific principles that grounded the entire show. They illustrate how science was not simply a veneer, but worked to anchor and enhance the dramatic possibilities and help establish a realistic context for the character stories. They shed

light on fans’ most popular questions, and ensure through a clear, humorous writing style that the reader comprehends the technical complexity of Cylon resurrection, Galactica’s sub-light propulsion system and the advantages of a DRADIS system.

The technology of the re-imagined BSG series shows us a world of fusion where the past, present, and future blend together to produce thrilling and powerful dramatic characterization. This book underlines the ways in which a science fiction television show has the capacity to “never wake the audience from the dream.”

Reviewed by Wendy Iraheta Chasing Zebras

By Barbara Barnett ECW Press, $17.95, 352 pages Chasing Zebras: The Unofficial Guide to House, M.D. is a dissection of the hour-long medical mystery TV series House. The book is divided into two main sections. The first addresses various subjects as they’re related to the show: music, Sherlock Holmes, props, religion, as well as a chapter delving into each of the main characters. The second is an episode-by-episode analysis of the first

career, lets his guard down between takes.

Kirkland follows Jackson through the set to snap never-before-seen pictures of Jackson’s patience and professionalism in the make-up chair for hours at a time as well as showing the intensity in which Jackson portrays each character in the infamous music video.

“He once quoted Michelangelo as saying, ‘Know the creator will go, but his work survives.’ That is why, to escape death, I attempt to bind my soul to my work. And that’s how I feel. I give my all to my work. I just want it to live.”

Journalist Nancy Griffin takes us into the making of Thriller with her keen choice of words and gives us her private insight into Michael Jackson, the man, before his image was tarnished. Her detailed observations and in-depth interview with Kirkland, allows us to imagine what it was like to be in the presence of such a talent as the King of Pop. This book is a must-have for anyone whose music has been influence by Michael Jackson. It stands a good chance to become a collector’s item for Jackson fans past, present, and future as his legacy lives on. It’s a great gift book!

Reviewed by Linda Welz

LILLY, con’t from page 16 six seasons along with a few sidebars with more details on certain aspects of the season.

I read Chasing Zebras as a casual viewer, not a super fan. From that viewpoint, I learned details about the show I hadn’t even thought about. Who knew House had a cane he saved for special events? Of course, much of the book (best episodes, jerkiest House moments, etc.) is subjective and at times I wondered if the author read more meaning into certain props, lines of dialogues, or shared looks than was ever intended.

Section 1’s short divisions make it an easy read, although some of the information is repeated in Section 2 leaving you with a déjà vu feeling. Overall, it was an interesting book that any House fan would enjoy.

Reviewed by Jodi Webb

B o ok re com me nd at ion s at S a c r a me nt oB o ok R e v ie w.com

to defy a fortune teller’s prediction that he would only have one child, a daughter.

As Selene grows up, she struggles to reconcile her Roman present with her Egyptian heritage and religious beliefs. She is reminded of her destiny as Isis Reincarnated when bloody hieroglyphics carve messages into her skin. Yet how can she remain faithful to her mother’s vision when she has no control over her future? How can she honor her lost legacy when doing means certain death?

Lily of the Nile is a fresh and vibrant story of family, loyalty, political games, and love.

It’s exquisitely written and left me begging for more. The only letdown was that it had to end. I cannot wait until this author’s sequel novel is released; I’ll be the first in line to buy it and discover what happens next.

Reviewed by Jennifer Melville

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Popular Fiction The Bay Men: A Clammer’s Story

By Evert Bay Scott Xlibris, $19.99, 201 pages Clam digging runs in the family of Evert Bay Scott. His great-grandfather was a clammer too, and as a child Scott was inspired by stories of him. The difference between the two, of course, is that Reggie Steins was an honest man, while Scott unashamedly spent the majority of his career on the darker side. The Bay Men: A Clammer’s Story is a collection of Scott’s memories about his life and livelihood on “the Great South Bay.” Younger audiences will admire the author’s drive and “stick-it-to-the-man” attitude, but others may not find his frequent brushes with the law and the mob scene less than endearing. The book begins with Scott and his buddy Cole getting chased after poaching in illegal waters, and this story is the common narrative that strings the rest of the similarly themed stories together. Scott has spent nearly his entire career dabbling in the illegal side of clamming, and seems to spend a good portion of the book trying to defend his actions both to his readers and himself:

“...the rewards of it all were something a young man like me just couldn’t resist.”

The novel does have its positive points, however. Scott has a very conversational style of writing, which makes his stories flow smoothly off the page. Reading this book almost feels like you’re right there listening to the author spin his tales, and the cramped coldness of his boat during the chase narrative add a realism that makes it all seem so much more tangible. His family and friends are all interesting, if not particularly well-developed; some readers might wonder how much Scott’s wife and daughter know about his business dealings, and what their family dynamic is like. The story is interesting, but the nature of it all is not for the faint of heart.

Sponsored Review The Charming Quirks of Others

By Alexander McCall Smith Pantheon, $24.95, 272 pages Isabel Dalhousie, professional philosopher and gifted amateur detective, is very good at discovering the truth about others, whether they intend her to or not.

But when her fiancé’s fidelity is called into question, she must face not only uncomfortable facts about her relationship with the father of her young son, but also some inconvenient truths about herself. And, as if all this soul-searching and philosophizing wasn’t enough, Isabel is approached by a local school seeking a new headmaster. They have three candidates. One is anonymously accused of hiding a very dark secret; they’re just not sure which one.

Alexander McCall Smith continues to capture the best of traditional British mysteries in his seventh Isabel Dalhousie novel.

There is something extremely charming in the understated ways Isabel conducts not only her investigations, but also her life. The drama here is real, and the suspense important because Isabel and her fellows feel like us and people we know. Or, at least, the people we want to recognize in the slightly more prudish and vastly more well-spoken who inhabit McCall Smith’s delightful and dangerous Edinburgh.

Reviewed by Amanda Mitchell Starlit

By Lisa Rinna Gallery Books, $24.99, 243 pages Up and coming actress Tally Jones has worked hard for years to make it big in Hollywood, and it seems like a role on a nighttime soap opera might finally win her the

fame she covets. With that fame comes money, parties, paparazzi, and eye candy in the form of Gabriel, a hunk starring on a medical drama. But that fame has its downsides too: Gabriel is kinky and controlling, and she seems to have discovered an enemy in Susie Sheppard, a prima diva who also stars in Tally’s show and now seems bent on ruining Tally’s life. But when Tally finally meets the man of her dreams, will Susie succeed in stealing him away?

Lisa Rinna’s Starlit is a classic work of stereotypical chick lit with a Hollywood angle, containing all the necessary elements: love, best friends, and backstabbing enemies. This novel certainly has nothing new, but that doesn’t stop it from being entertaining. Tally is naïve and sweet, her friend Sadie savvy, while Mandy is outgoing and loveable; every reader will find aspects of herself in one of them.

And like any good chick lit, the ending is both predictable and satisfying.

Reviewed by Holly Scudero

Business & Investing Trading with Candlesticks: Visual Tools for Improved Technical Analysis and Timing

By Michael C. Thomsett FT Press, $34.99, 241 pages Trading stocks can be profitable and a quick way to make money. It can also be an easy way to lose money. Most people take the buy-and-hold approach for long-term growth in the stock market, but this is a book for short-term traders, those who want to get in and out of the market quickly whether that be within one day, or across a couple of weeks, but rarely longer. The book tells the reader how to use candlesticks, and interpret them, to be able to read the market better and to make fewer mistakes. Candlesticks can be daunting; they come in many different styles. There are different ways to read candlesticks. This should be just one of the tools that traders use.

While the writing is decent, at times Thomsett gets too technical and dense, and throws terms quickly at the reader. The main problem is the definitions throughout

24 February 11

the book and the key facts. The definition boxes come right after he uses the term in the text; they break up the smooth reading of the text. The same is true of the key fact boxes; they contribute little, but break up the text. This is book for the seasoned stock trader.

Reviewed by Kevin Winter Power: Why Some People Have It-And Others Don’t

By Jeffrey Pfeffer Harper, $27.99, 260 pages Most management books tend to be too nice; they tend to worry more about how to manage without annoying the employees.

Power takes the opposite approach; it shows how to get into a power position, and then how to stay there. It takes a hard line approach and shows how people have gotten into positions of power and then stayed there, without all of the niceties of having to be nice about it. For those who thought that there was a little more nastiness and

a little less patting on the back, this is the perfect book.

There are occasional patches where the writing drags, and every so often there are areas where the links between people and what they represent aren’t clear, but in general the book is snappy and the examples are usually on the mark. It also provides some fascinating statistics to back up its suppositions, and makes for some interesting reading for anyone interested in a management position, even with a small business. For anyone interested in power, this is definitely mandatory reading.

Reviewed by Jamais Jochim The Employee Rights Handbook: Effective Legal Strategies to Protect Your Job from Interview to Pink Slip

By Steven Mitchell Sack Legal Strategies Inc, $39.95, 620 pages The Employee Rights Handbook: Effective Legal Strategies to Protect Your Job from Interview to Pink Slip by best-selling author Steven Mitchell Sack is a comprehensive, unbiased look into employee rights within the workplace. Fascinating case studies are examined with step-by-step instructions from interview to termination and beyond.

This guide book is broken down into four

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major parts being the stages of employment: How to Be Hired, How to Protect Your On-the-Job Rights, How to Avoid Being Fired Unfairly, and What to Do if You Are and Collecting Your Due. Within each of the four parts are chapters and topics ranging from e-mails to office romances, salaries to whistle-blowing.

Each subject is treated with professionalism and straightforward, understandable verbiage, even going so far as discussing federal and state laws on discrimination and court hearings. Every working American and his employer should own and study this book.

Steven Mitchell Sack has been protecting employees’ rights for over 30 years and has ten best-selling books on employee and employer legal issues. Sack is most assuredly qualified to give sound advice on the legal matters of employment.

Reviewed by M Chris Johnson

Cooking, Food & Wine Semi-Homemade The Complete Cookbook

By Sandra Lee Wiley, $29.95, 576 pages Sandra Lee’s Semi-Homemade Cooking has, since its inception a few years ago, been a hit on the Food Network. Lee provides easy recipes and decorating tips, mostly involving a plethora of pre-prepared foods (canned foods, supermarket deli meats and salads, etc), and sparks a debate between people who shudder at the thought of culinary shortcuts and people who are looking for simple and non-taxing ways to feed their families.

Semi-Homemade: The Complete Cookbook is nearly 600 pages of shortcut recipes for all sorts of meals, snacks, desserts and cocktails — and while it will probably be a hit with fans of Semi-Homemade Cooking, it will do nothing to appease Lee’s detractors.

The problem with The Complete Cookbook lies not in its concept, as its mass appeal is understandable; what is troubling about the book is that many of the recipes are barely appetizing, and that, while the desire to prepare quick and tasty food for the family is a noble one, using the amount of canned products that this cookbook encourages is simply not healthy. In modernity, we are more focused on immediate gratification than what benefits us long-term. This cookbook is symptomatic of that malady.

Reviewed by Ashley McCall Complete Gluten-Free Diet and Nutrition Guide: With a 30-Day Meal Plan and Over 100 Recipes

By Alexandra Anca and Theresa Santandrea-Cull Robert Rose, $24.95, 272 pages Many are being diagnosed with celiac disease and being forced to give up gluten.

Complete Gluten-Free Diet & Nutrition Guide

by Alexandra Anca, a registered dietitian who holds a master’s degree in food science, with Theresa Santandrea-Cull should probably be a reference for those faced with that dietary change. As such, the book spends the first of five parts explaining the celiac disease, its symptoms and its effects on one’s diet. The next section introduces the steps one must go through in providing a glutenfree environment and how to prepare for this lifestyle change.

Part three tackles the ins and outs of providing the body with essential nutrients while having to replace items in one’s diet. Part

four is an easy-to-read and thorough look at a month-long meal plan utilizing many of the recipes set forth in the book’s part five.

Much more than a cookbook sharing a unique take on bread recipes, Complete Gluten-Free Diet & Nutrition Guide details the management of an enjoyable gluten-free way of living. The book focuses on the positives by giving lists of what can be eaten in a gluten-free diet. The recipes also expand eating horizons with recipes for Egg McGlutenFree Muffin, Savory Tea Biscuits and other delectable foods.

Reviewed by Elizabeth Humphrey The Food Substitutions Bible: More Than 6,500 Substitutions for Ingredients, Equipment and Techniques

By David Joachim Robert Rose, $24.95, 695 pages Have you ever been in the kitchen steadily mixing, rolling, pounding away on your recipe and recognize that you are out of or even have an allergy to a specified key ingredient? You don’t have to throw in the towel. Now with the second edition of The Food Substitutions Bible, you can continue on your merry way to that dish your mouth was watering over.

David Joachim has revised and added to his award-winning tome, proving that you can create from what you, most likely, already have in your own kitchen.

With substitutions for everything from food to equipment to, even, technique he has provided a concise, albeit hefty, and direct guide to helping you achieve dishes that are amazingly adapted. The substitutions are entered alphabetically, from A1 to Nutritional Yeast to Zwieback, and wrap up nicely with conversion charts for measurement and temperature equivalents in the back.

Of course, substitutions can only work to certain degree, if a recipe calls for pomegranate molasses but all you have is grenadine, then you will notice the sweetened difference, but that need not deter you. You may, in fact, come across new and exciting flavors and textures you might not have been brave enough to venture into otherwise.

Reviewed by Sky Sanchez

this collection of Best Food Writing 2010 we can see why.

Essays range from topics such as Food Fights, Home Cooking, Personal Tastes, and now, with the sad demise of Gourmet magazine, Hughes has added a chapter titled The Recipe File to the mix, where recipes are tested and testified by foodies, from A Glutton for Gluten by Jess Thomson, “With each bite that weekend, celiac disease seemed more and more probable…I spent most of Monday staring at my phone, realizing that the last time I willed someone to call like this was when I was still wearing braces.

Now, like then, I wanted validation. I needed resolution. I thought about sending gluten a handwritten note. Check here if you like me. Check here if you don’t like me.” Each contribution is an appetizing amuse-bouche; just enough to get your tastebuds talking. Bon Appetit!

Reviewed by Sky Sanchez

The Sweet Potato Lover’s Cookbook: More than 100 ways to enjoy one of the world’s healthiest foods

By Lyniece North Talmadge Cumberland House, $14.99, 240 pages In many parts of the world, the sweet potato serves as the food staple. After reading this cookbook, it might well serve as the basis for every meal prepared locally. Health columns constantly remind the reader that this veggie is one of the healthiest foods around, with no fat and low caloric count, it is rich in antioxidants, protein, and minerals.

“This homely tuber is even being touted as a miracle food that contains strong medicinal potential in fighting an assortment of ailments and diseases.”

Sweet potato chips are currently in fashion for snacking. Sweet potatoes can be processed with other veggies to make a power drink, or if you prefer, a hot sweet cinnamon drink. Various recipes for soups and salads are included as well as sweet potato bread. This versatile tuber is the mainstay of casseroles and baked main dishes.

COOKING cont’d on page 26

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Best Food Writing 2010

By Holly Hughes, Editor Da Capo Lifelong Books, $15.95, 352 pages Every year since 2000, Holly Hughes has edited a savory spread of some of the nation’s most delectable food journalism. Each edition has proven its weight in the writing world, as well as culinary culture. Food writing is establishing itself amongst the caliber of more serious, and fun, writing and with

We e k l y V I E W P OI N T S colu m n s at S a c r a me nt oB o ok R e v ie w.com

February 11 25

Cooking, Food & Wine The recipes, whether for breakfast, lunch, dinner, appetizers, desserts, drinks and a myriad number of side dishes, are clearly written and all ingredients easily obtained.

I must admit that the sweet potato is one of my favorite foods; there is so much that can be fashioned out of this easily available tuber. In fact, my dishes for the holiday pot lucks this season will come from the suggested sweet potato recipes.

Reviewed by Aron Row Simple Comforts: 50 Heartwarming Recipes

By Sur La Table Andrews McMeel Publishing, $15.00, 136 pages Good food and childhood memories go hand-in-hand. What would Christmas be without baked goods, or birthdays without vanilla-frosted cupcakes? Sur la Table’s new cookbook Simple Comforts: 50 Heartwarming Recipes brings the comfort foods of yesteryear alive for a new generation.

What stood out the most to me were the bright pictures and the ingredients you likely already have in your pantry. Rediscover your old favorites with a modern twist. Instead of plain old mashed potatoes, complement your meal with Roasted Garlic Mashed Potatoes. Rather than grab a box of cake mix when your child needs cupcakes for school, whip up some from-scratch Vanilla Cupcakes with Chocolate Frosting.

You’ll never want a box-mix cupcake again!

This cookbook makes an amazing addition to any kitchen as well as an attractive and thoughtful gift. The Tomato Soup with Saffron Cream is incredible on a chilly winter day. You simply must try this with a hearty bread. Homemade Chocolate Pudding is heavenly, and homemade Strawberry Shortcake will make you run the other direction next time you see those little storebought shortbread cakes. No matter your tastes or whether you have 30 minutes or 3 hours, you’ll find something to delight your senses in this collection. I can’t wait to try the Sweet and Soft Cinnamon Rolls. My children will be thoroughly spoiled.

Reviewed by Jennifer Melville Woman’s Day Weekend Is for Family Meals: The Eat-Well Cookbook of Meals in a Hurry

By Editors of Woman’s Day Filipacchi, $12.99, 95 pages The weekdays may be insane, but why not dedicate the weekends to creating memorable family meals? This cookbook will give you

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tasty and nutritious ideas to spice up your Saturdays with quick burgers, sandwiches, and salads. How about revamping the Sunday dinner tradition and trying out a new roast or casserole?

This book is divided into two sections: Saturdays on the Go and Sunday Dinners.

Saturday’s meals are a bit less time intensive and feature recipes like Moroccan Chicken and Couscous, Turkey Taco Cups, Tropical Chicken Salad, Sausage Arugula Pizza, and much more. Sunday Dinners include Low and Slow Ribs, Bacon-Wrapped Pork Tenderloins, Jambalaya, and Chicken Enchiladas. What stood out the most to me was the huge variety of ethnic cuisines. If you’re really looking to spice up your menu, this book is for you.

I made Pork with Pineapple BBQ Salsa and Sweet Potatoes for my family and it was a huge hit. I’ve never had sweet potatoes with chili powder before, and it was an amazing complement to the BBQ pork. While many of the recipes in this book were a bit too different for my kids to eat willingly, there are numerous great ideas that would suit older kids and adults well. Open this book up for some international flare.

Reviewed by Jennifer Melville Great Food, All Day Long: Cook Splendidly, Eat Smart

By Maya Angelou Random House, $30.00, 156 pages A book full of recipes that taste good and help one lose weight is a find. Add to it the thoughts of Maya Angelou shared openly with the reader, and this recipe book becomes a one-of-a-kind treasure for everyone’s kitchen.

Whether she is looking at leftovers, preparing soup, making bread, preparing hearty meat dishes, or cooking vegetarian, in this book Maya Angelou shares them beginning each section with autobiographical insights. For example, in the chapter that asks if variety is fine cuisine, she shares how she prepared special dishes for family friends. When her husband, Paul, visited for a weekend and prepared his version of a London grill, the teenage daughters in the family compared the two cooking styles, giving Paul the more generous kudos. This section ends with, “I kicked Paul under the table,” a most human and endearing glimpse, followed by a recipe for Mixed London Grill.

I highly recommend this book for its recipes, for its weight-loss advice, and for the wonderful writing of Maya Angelou speaking directly to the reader, sharing from her heart.

Reviewed by Angie Mangino

Northwest Essentials

By Greg Atkinson Sasquatch Books, $24.95, 271 pages Born and raised in the Northwest, I’m a huge fan of the fresh fruit, herbs, and seafood that define the region. I had huge expectations for Greg Atkinson’s Northwest Essentials: Cooking With Ingredients That Define a Region’s Cuisine. With over 150 recipes ranging from sweet to savory and everywhere in between, this is a regional cookbook that should not be missed. Inside its attractive pages you’ll find a mini-vacation to the Northwest just waiting to be discovered.

This collection is divided into Apples & Pears, Salmon, Stone Fruits, Herbs, Oysters, Prawns & Crab, Wild Mushrooms, Berries, Mussels, Clams & Scallops, Lentils, Split Peas & Chickpeas, and Hazelnuts. Alongside the recipes, Atkinson shares insight into the foods that have shaped his understanding of northwest cooking. In the Apples & Pears section, for example, he details his personal experience with apples as well as a detailed description of the various varieties of apples and their uses. With your newfound expertise, you can blow your guests away with an elegant Warm Duck and Apple Salad.

The Oregon Pear and Hazelnut Salad with Oregon Blue Cheese combines sweet ripe pears with tangy local cheese in an amazing symphony that just tastes like Portland, Oregon.

While this book won’t be my new family dinner stable, it offers a wealth of guestpleasing plates I’m dying to try. This collection is a thorough and palate-pleasing tour of the Northwest. Pop open the bottle of wine and enjoy the mountain view.

Reviewed by Jennifer Melville Recipes Every Man Should Know

By Susan Russo, Brett Cohen Quirk Books, $9.95, 143 pages This simple and cute little recipe book is hardly bigger than an iPhone and easily fits into your back pocket “so you’ll never ever need to write a grocery list again.” In spite of its tiny size, it is filled with simple and easy recipes that a non-cook can learn to prepare effortlessly. Most recipes use few ingredients though the authors venture into slightly challenging ones, too (sexy strawberry zabaglione, mom’s all-

purpose chocolate cake). Though small in size, the fonts are large enough to provide no difficulty to even a recently widowed 80year old. The title refers to what Every Man Should Know but the book is equally suitable for a woman or young adult beginner cook.

Good, but brief, recipe headings, clearly stated prep time and number of servings all help the cook to decide on a recipe. There are no illustrations except for simple drawings of equipment a beginning cook needs, and a very helpful introductory section adds to its value. Although it lacks an index, the list of content is detailed enough that no one will miss it. This is a perfect book for new cooks and may also be a nice gift item.

Reviewed by George Erdosh Appetite For Reduction

By Isa Chandra Moskowitz Da Capo Lifelong Books, $19.95, 320 pages It could be said that Isa Chandra Moskowitz has singlehandedly revolutionized vegan cooking (though that would be unfair to Moskowitz’s frequent collaborator, Terry Hope Romero). She’s given us arguably the coolest cooking show ever, The Post Punk Kitchen, which led to a decidedly punk rock cookbook, Vegan With a Vengeance. VWAV was quickly followed by cookbooks devoted to vegan cupcakes, vegan cookies, and vegan brunch. So it’s no wonder the next logical move was for Moskowitz to lend her voice and culinary skills to a vegan weight loss cookbook, Appetite for Reduction.

Of course, it’s not all about shedding pounds, as Moskowitz quickly informs readers. Her real focus seems to be getting everybody – including vegans – to eat healthier, more balanced meals. Appetite ... is brimming not only with recipes, but also detailed nutritional information useful to everyone, but especially important to those who seek essential vitamins and nutrients from nontraditional (non-animal) sources.

But if you’re worried about typical bland diet food, have no fear: This is an Isa Chandra Moskowitz cookbook after all. While all recipes are between 200 and 400 calories per serving, each is loaded with delicious, vibrant flavor. My favorites are Eggplant Provençal, Chipotle Lentil Burgers, and Tortilla Soup.

Reviewed by Amanda Mitchell

G o t o S a c r a m e n t o B o o k R e v i e w . c o m /c a l e n d a r f o r a u t h o r e v e n t s

Self-Help Outsiders on the Inside: How to create a winning career even when you don’t fit in!

By David Couper Career Press, $15.99, 224 pages The middle of the worst job market in decades may, at first blush, seem an odd time for Outsiders on the Inside: How to Create a Winning Career… Even When You Don’t Fit In!. Yet David Couper’s book comes at the perfect moment. He combines classic career search counseling – how to network, resume preparation, etc. – with an

eye to the “fish out of water” that is often the most in need of help. Of particular interest, Couper suggests how to turn traits often misperceived as deficiencies into strengths, by demonstrating to bosses and potential bosses how they can boost productivity and increase profits.

A skilled coach, Couper understands the value of combing strategies with case studies, modeling success for his reader. Some of his best cases are those in which he found himself as the outsider and needing to find a way to convert shortcomings into assets.

Such examples might have been annoying, but Couper combines humor and humility to make them feel real and inspiring. For many readers, this will prove particular value, offering courage and action for readers often despairing. Likewise, I was impressed

Philosophy Essays from the Nick of Time

By Mark Slouka Graywolf Press, $16.00, 194 pages Following the words of Thoreau with the charge “to improve the nick of time,” where the past and the future meld, and the mind follows the stream of thought merged from the dribbles of memory and imagination. The dozen provoking essays, many of which have appeared in Harper’s magazine, are divided into two sections: reflections and refutations. Selections in the first part ruminate on history and several revert back to Hitler, death and salvation, the pain of inexplicable tragic accidents, and the loss of silence. Refutation deals with current values and moral standards within our country. Each piece is full of observations that force the reader to examine his own memories, sensitivities, and perspectives.

The reflection essays are woven from a tapestry of literary comments, personal experiences, and Kafkaesque images. The reader floats through the beguiling thoughts.

The refutations essays are more down to earth, the author blasting away at the pretentiousness and vacuous correctness that corrupts our nation. Sounding rather like a curmudgeon in his introduction to this book, his writings rather reveal an extremely sensitive, thoughtful, and vulnerable life witness wrapped in a defensive shield. The essays expose an exceptional writer whose conscience and expressive talent together result in passionate essays describing the vicissitudes of life and experience.

Reviewed by Aron Row

Becoming Animal: An Earthly Cosmology

By David Abram Pantheon, $26.95, 313 pages David Abram, a cultural ecologist and environmental philosopher, has written a truly alchemical book. Becoming Animal shakes the reader out of any anthropomorphic prisons still existing in our mental constructions and any species chauvinism that keeps us separate from nature. Do you believe we are veering toward a climate catastrophe?

Those of us who still hope for a revolutionary change in our thinking toward animals and the living land and the climate will welcome this book.

Abram is an audacious thinker, a true visionary, and, really, just a damn good nature writer. The reader joins Abram in a journey deeper into the animal world, deeper into our animal senses, and deeper into the elemental relationship between our bodies and the breathing earth. As you read Abram’s invigorating prose, you might find yourself asking like the author: “But wait: Are we not simply projecting our own interior mood upon the outer landscape ... making ourselves the source and center of the world?” Not if we own up to being an animal and understanding that thinking itself is not born in the human skull, but is a “creativity proper to the body as a whole, arising spontaneously from the slippage between an organism and the folding terrain that it wanders.”

Reviewed by Phil Semler

by this author’s specificity, such as in his chapter “Marketing your Uniqueness” and another “Becoming a Long Term Successful Outsider” about planning for a longer time horizon.

On a shelf-full of uninspiring career planning manuals Outsiders on the Inside shines as one to take down and study with care.

Sponsored Review Hard Goals: The Secrets to Getting from Where You Are to Where You Want to Be

By Mark Murphy McGraw-Hill, $28.00, 224 pages Looking for a way to be accountable, especially with those New Year’s Resolutions, the 2011 versions?

Hard Goals: The Science of Extraordinary Achievement by Mark Murphy is a playbook — full of quizzes and nurturing information — for working toward goals. With information based on research and studies from Murphy’s company Leadership IQ, Murphy transforms how one develops goals.

Murphy is also the author of Hundred Percenters: Challenge Your Employees to Give It Their All, and They’ll Give You Even More and CEO of a leadership training company.

Hard Goals contains prompts to get moving toward accomplishing greatness and happiness.

Murphy sets out the HARD philosophy of creating goals that are Heartfelt, Animated, Required, and Difficult. Murphy makes the point that another direction for one’s goals is in making the goals incredible. Not just setting the standard-issue ones, but to develop extra-special goals.

Besides an introduction and a conclusion, Murphy spends a chapter on each of the four elements of HARD goals, guiding through each with research and easy-to-understand examples. Whether HARD Goals will work for you or not, Murphy certainly has a thorough process to setting and working to achieve goals. An interesting book, but not riveting reading.

Reviewed by Elizabeth Humphrey

Spirituality

I Am the Body, the Mind and the Soul

By Sami S. Jarroush Xlibris, $19.99, 282 pages Sami Jarroush is a Reiki Master and Energy Healer. He is companioned by his guardian angel, James, whom Jarroush speaks with frequently. It was through these conversations that the bulk of I Am the Body, the Mind and the Soul originated, with Jarroush asking questions and James providing answers.

Some of the subjects covered include the nature of souls, angels, God, the Devil, and human nature.

Some of the questions come from the clients Jarroush works with in his healing and counseling work; other questions stem from his own personal experiences. The chapter on soul mates arises from when Jarroush met a woman at a Reiki

S a c r a me nt oB o ok R e v ie w.com

healing. They both had an immediate connection to each other. Yet it is a platonic relationship, even though he believes that their souls are linked.

Jarroush’s book provides practical lessons and tools for managing crisis and pain in one’s life. Suffering, pain, jealousy, and death are universal issues, and according to Jarroush, are as important as hope, love, joy, and pleasure for souls to experience.

But just because one is suffering from something doesn’t mean it has to be accepted. A person can change not only how they feel about their circumstances, but also what those circumstances are.

To appreciate and benefit from I Am the Body, the Mind and the Soul, one needs to be open to the basic beliefs of guardian angels, astral projection, and reincarnation.

For those who are open to these beliefs, the book will provide an opening to understanding your current life and how to help create a peaceful balance within it.

Sponsored Review LISTEN to our interview with Sami

February 11 27

Travel A Year of Adventures

By Andrew Bain Lonely Planet, $19.99, 216 pages Many of us want to travel, to explore the world, from the populous and renowned cities of Europe to the far corners of Asia and beyond. Unfortunately, life often gets in the way of the most ambitious travel plans, and children and finances (amongst other factors) can prevent us from going on the journeys which we so crave. Luckily, the people at Lonely Planet provide not only travel guides, but also books that provide photographic and verbal details of many exciting, exotic and beautiful locales around the globe. A Year of Adventures is such a book, providing a full year of adventures, organized by week and month, in order to encourage visits to certain locations at the optimum time of year.

From visiting the Andaman Coast of Thailand to storm watching on Vancouver Island, the activities in A Year of Adventures are varied, covering the whole of the globe.

While the book is geared towards the physically active -- those who enjoy cycling and mountain climbing -- the descriptions of locations and adventures are enthralling even for those who know that they will never go to Kazakhstan or hike the Tian Shan mountain range in Kyrgyzstan. But we can dream, andA Year of Adventures provides us with that opportunity — and perhaps the impetus to do more than just dream.

Reviewed by Ashley McCall

Discover Greece

By Korina Miller Lonely Planet, $24.99, 384 pages Divided into chapters that represent seven regions of Greece, this handbook includes sections on individual islands, cities, and towns. The country’s top itineraries, finest experiences, best forms of transportation, and general information are covered as well.

In “Greece in Focus,” the country’s history, cuisine, art, architecture, weather, mythology, and customs are described. The entire color-coded manual includes detailed maps, photographs, contact information, planning tools, and a glossary.

Discover Greece makes a wonderful addition to the respectable Lonely Planet series of travel guides, being as informative and easy to use as the others. Tips on communication, accom mod at ion s, currency, transport, and worthwhile sightseeing are prevalent throughout. Lush images are strategically placed and attractively define Greek settings, inhabitants, and culture. Special insets with advice from experts on architecture, food, and activities are wonderful additions as they deliver in-depth insight into this fascinating culture. All in all, this guidebook is comprehensive, educational and quite pleasurable to read.

Reviewed by Richard Mandrachio

Where To Go When: Italy

By DK Publishing DK Travel, $40.00, 336 pages Organized by month, this book about Italy, with fascinating trip ideas for each month of the year, is an excellent travel guide.

Each month features the vacation themes of Festivals and Culture, Unforgettable Journeys, Natural Wonders, Luxury and Romance, and Adventures and Family Getaway, to meet each individual need and desire. It includes the practical information of “Getting There”, “Getting Around”, “Weather”, “Accommodations”, “Eating Out”, “Price for 2” and website references for more information. There are even do’s and don’ts tips for each location.

All of these tips and guidelines make it easy to plan by the seasons. Read for the month you plan to travel to Italy or use the index to find a particular travel destination.

Not just a travel guide, this book offers interesting facts about each area, both geographical and historical, so whether a trip to Italy is immediate or only a hopeful dream in the far distant future, readers will enjoy this book. Just sit back and enjoy Italy from the comfort of one’s chair at home, as the stunning pictures transport you for a preview taste of Italy.

Reviewed by Angie Mangino

DIRTY, con’t from page 1 and nightmare, witty and unremittingly readable. She manages to make the discomforts of winter and the demandingly productive summer almost appealing. Her honesty is humbling as she describes her doubts during the bad times, the endless and exhausting work, and her continuing ambivalence. The payoff in friendship and love prove worthwhile and one turns the last page elated and admiring.

Reviewed by Jane Manaster

Art, Architecture & Photography Expressive Photography: The Shutter Sisters’ Guide to Shooting from the Heart

By Shutter Sisters Focal Press, $29.95, 175 pages Ten women photographers shooting from the heart collaborate and produce a wonderfully complete reference book for exactly that: expressive photographing.

“When a photograph captivates you and stirs your soul, you know it instinctively. You not only know the image, you feel it.”

The Shutter Sister’s Expressive Photography is an eye-candy guidebook that illustrates how delightful and heartfelt images can be captured. From lighting through per-

28 February 11

spective and composition to approach, the reader is inspired to look at simple life and the world around them with a rejuvenated creative eye.

The book is filled with images from many facets of photographic opportunities—life as it happens in all sorts of lighting situations: outdoor in natural light; indoor with artificial light; or soft light from a window; and the world at night.

Readers who wish to step up their skills will be pleased to learn from the “Set It” guides for reference, which detail ISO, exposure, aperture and focal length settings of the images in the book. To enhance wellcomposed images, “Edit It” guides reference post-production edits for the final product.

I absolutely loved this book and many times have it by my bedside for inspiration.

It will be a cherished present for the avid photography buff.

Reviewed by Lulu Del Rosario

Perspectives on Design California: Creative Ideas Shared by Leading Design Professionals

By LLC Panache Partners, editor Panache Partners LLC, $40.00, 271 pages This coffee-table book will help make your home look world class. This examines first-rate California homes, and designers, as they talk about different aspects of designing a house, from the architecture, to the lighting design, landscape architecture, entertainment design, and more. You will see how these designers—artists, really—go about designing world-class houses. These homes are outside the price

range of most people, but it will give you ideas and tips that you can incorporate into your home, from art through light fixtures to even light bulbs. You do not need to have an expensive fireplace made of imported marble to make your home look good. This is also a book to leave on your coffee table for when you have guests over. Full of ideas for the average designer, these homes will inspire you to want to make your home look world class. Many people might not be able to afford the same designers, but you can get similar materials at local stores and make your own design. This is a book to inspire and to help interior design students to design better homes.

Reviewed by Kevin Winter

e R e a d e r C o m p a r i s o n C h a r t a t S a c r a m e n t o B o o k R e v i e w . c o m /e R e a d e r s

Poetry & Short Stories Tablet & Pen: Literary Landscapes from the Modern Middle East

By Reza Aslan, Editor Norton, $35.00, 654 pages Scholar Reza Aslan, a recent guest of Jon Stewart on The Daily Show, outlines the politics behind the stories and poems in this sampling of Arabic, Turkish, Persian, and Urdu literature of the past hundred years.

Mohammad Ali Jamalzadeh’s hilarious take on a Persian jail (“Persian is Sugar”) and Refik Halit Karay’s comic folktale (“The Gray Donkey”) establish one mood, while Sadegh Hedayat’s necromantic “The Blind Owl” evokes something much darker. Sa’adat Hassan Manto’s “For Freedom’s Sake” is a modern parable of a young, married couple who promise to abstain from love-making till India gains her freedom so they don’t risk bringing “slaves” into the world. In Simin Daneshvar’s “The Playhouse,” a penniless actress seeks an abortion in a country where they are strictly forbidden. Haifa Zangana’s exile in “Dreaming of Baghdad” struggles with the reality of loss and change.

Variety abounds here. Palestinian poet Mahmoud Darwish elegizes the anguish of his people, while Adbullah Hussein’s “The Refugees,” tells the moving story of a Muslim who remembers his father’s inexplicable yearning for lost British rule. Nobel prize winners Orhan Pamuk and Naguib Mahfouz stand beside little known writers, but all contribute to our understanding of this culturally rich region.

“His life was short but rich, crammed with events. He was arrested at the age of seventeen, released five years later, and executed when he was twenty-four.”

Reviewed by Zara Raab Dog Stories

By Diana Secker Tesdell Everyman’s Library, $15.00, 384 pages This handsome little book is the sort that would prompt a reader to say ‘they don’t make ‘em like this any more!’, but they do!

This is a new edition: cloth-covered with lovely dust-jacket, attached ribbon book mark, printed in good old Garamond type on cream-wove paper that fits so neatly into your hands you’ll wonder why anyone ever prints with any other font or size!

If forced to come up with one minor quibble, it would probably be that there are no

headers, only page numbers, so you’re never quite certain what story you’re reading at the moment.

But no matter. There are twenty fabulous short stories in this collection. Strangely enough, they’re all about dogs! From the wise-cracking ‘Lovey’ er, ‘Pete’ of O. Henry’s beginning opus to Penelope Lively’s Black Dog, this collection from Everyman’s Pocket Classic is a winner. You don’t have to be a man to enjoy it, however, and you will enjoy reading these captivating tales of man’s best friend from such prestigious authors as Patricia Highsmith, Mark Twain, Anton Chekhov, P. G. Wodehouse, Bret Harte, Doris Lessing plus a dozen others.

They range from flat-out humorous to whimsical to adventuresome to borderline gruesome to ambiguous or maybe enigmatic. Probably, like me, you’ll appreciate some more than others, but it would be hard to beat the price for what you get! The paintings on the dust jacket are worth the price of admission, all by themselves.

Reviewed by Kelly Ferjutz God, Seed

By Rebecca Foust Tebot Bach, $20.00, 85 pages GOD, SEED is aesthetically pleasing; merging both the visual and written art forms in a neatly packed collection about the reception to tangible world and how that affects personal connection: “seeking meaning/ from rain, memory/from pain, how it feels/to feel anything”(Seed).

Almost every page is adorned with watercolor, charcoal or ink drawings of animals, fruits and plants that are lavishly juxtaposed to tightly-structured poetic sequences. In so doing, a seed becomes an equivalent of creator and akin to a god; an extended metaphor for the center of origin, occasions, seasons, times and locations, so that the poems are broadened between three sections in the book to mark evolution as a primary consensus of being, which is also suggestive of the three stages of any living organism: beginning (birth), middle (quintessence) and lastly (death). There is also this underlying theme of reincarnation: “through the wither of winter to find something born/ of the decay of all that was young once,/still growing and green” (Perennial). The hopeful and endearing tone of the text also infiltrates the pictorials with implications of potency, growth and mobility that is pertinent to survival in the most of unlikely situations: “Spring will come despite the rain—“ Reviewed by Erienne Rojas

The Semiconducting Dictionary (Our Strindberg)

By Natalee Caple ECW Press, $16.95, 122 pages A very unique collection inspired by August Strindberg, these poems sustain a haunting mythos and eclectic voice, structure and style. Including a full-comprehensive chronology of the writer’s trajectory from birth to death and a tabulation of his successes, Caple’s poetic sequences and variations are magisterial and masterful in paying homage to this predecessor. An impressive and grandiose feat, Caple grabs the platform by its bullhorns and creates a surreal world with a crafty eye and suspenseful tongue in reverence to the great dramatist’s flair for narrative and chaos.

With that being said, there is a poem in this book for every fanatical reader because the author gravitates from different schools and movements of poetry: straightforward lyric, found poetry, list poems, prose to magic spells and alchemical recipes. She even incorporates some playwriting; caricature doodles and pseudo interviews to authenticate a rather obscure but equally engrossing tribute. By engaging audiences with this hinge of universality, wide-ranging claims are stationed on the page with ease of play. Her language is hypnotizing with an imagery so stark and yet so eloquent that captivates the aura of a complicated world one is most fearful in admitting exists but secretly invested in exploring further and experiencing.

Reviewed by Erienne Rojas

Did You See The Monkeys?

A story about brotherly love between two boys who are not born brothers, but who choose to be brothers. $11.9b2ack paper

$9.9 Kindle9

Available in paperback and eBook at Barnes & Noble, Amazon, Borders

Many will want to read it, but only few will be able to handle it”. It’s Real, Raw and Rare… pass the salt and change a life.

Available at:

Amazon.com BarnesandNoble.com Authorhouse.com anitanaves.com Naked Sacred Earth Poems

By Dona Nieto (La Tigresa) Regent Press, $18.00, 92 pages A return to pastoral, naturalist poetry, Dona Nieto takes reign with NAKED SACRED EARTH POEMS. Romanticizing the idyllic mother earth with heightened sensibility, Nieto deconstructs the notion of industrialization and commercialized mass production as such are properties of See NAKED, cont’d page 30

Nature’s Cathedral From veteran photographer, Terry G. Amburgey comes a series of poems and pictures in Nature’s Cathedral.

Nature’s Cathedral is a fusion of words and stunning images that highlight landscapes of the American continent.

Readers will find several pictures of varied locations. Each image is accompanied by a Haiku poem that emphasizes what the author felt looking through the lens of his camera.

terryamburgey.com | Available on Amazon.com

S a c r a me nt oB o ok R e v ie w.com

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urbanization because purity lies in the raw splendor of openness: “Peel back the layers of what you call progress—/ I am so much more beautiful naked than clothed” (I Am the Goddess). Using vegetation and forestation as forms of foreplay, the poet takes license in seducing the reader with her double entendres: “Soft green moss/ on the velvet loveseat of a fallen tree trunk” (Biosexual).

Nieto’s bluntness with language and assertive action to describe a frivolous and fruitful sexuality renders a woman’s manifesto: a feminist spirit where social norms and means of propriety are ever so gingerly replaced with independent and self-sufficient matriarchal figures.

This poetry anthology is a bold and ambitious collection that does not shy away from rhetorical and /or honest assumptions of gender roles, relationship qualms, issues about mortality and decay “the moment we dissolve in vulnerability” (Poem for Sis) and observes the analogies of abandonment in the environment to be as livid as a body no longer inhabited by wildness of love or animalistic desire.

Reviewed by Erienne Rojas Missing You, Metropolis: Poems

By Gary Jackson Graywolf Press, $15.00, 80 pages Missing You, Metropolis is a neatly packed stream of narratives centered on the lives of Marvel heroes and their villains that serve as keen stand-ins for the poet’s own social and personal consensus on love, racism, war, suicide, violence, nationalism, adolescence and puberty. With rich and action-packed language, including lucid epigraphs from comic archetypes like Batman, Professor Xavier, Joker, Phil Sheldon, Jackson provides a very significant portrayal of an insatiable America (Metropolis).

As a contemporary poet, he recalls W.H. Auden in The Secret Art of Reading a Comic and Sylvia Plath in Listening to Plath in Poetics to contrast his own manifesto on deconstructing the marvelous for even an otherwise worldly and brute force of superheroes have their own humbling and crippling moments of anxiety and insecurity about an intended but very much prolonged, catastrophic finale; this raw sensibility reminds the reader that a fictionalized account of reality in a comic is indeed not the opposite of a road less traveled in literature.

Therefore not enough recognition is given to the culture of mainstream iconography because of an obvious lack of literary emphasis to the genre of comic books and its implications of tangible space and disposition

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of time, which clearly evokes the stream of consciousness in prose. Through the personal inscription of Stuart in the poetic sequences, there is a grounding touchstone in the relationship between the writer and these characters, especially with this constant haunting of the beloved friend Stuart, who disappears physically in the story by mid-book but somehow remains mentally and emotionally present in each and every one through their suggested actions, discourse, preoccupations and rationalizations. Stuart becomes a resourceful ploy in connecting the threads between a quasi utopia and the uncanny-grotesque. Jackson is a master of drawing these landscapes of the sacred and the profane in urbane citylife and domestic chore. Toward the closing of the book, the reader realizes that the diverging lines between hero and antithesis become a blurred tour de force about psyche and hubris in human beings, the superhero and monster.

Reviewed by Erienne Rojas Deathbird Stories

By Harlan Ellison Subterranean Press, $45.00, 416 pages I imagined returning to Harlan Ellison’s Deathbird Stories twenty-five years after my first reading would be nostalgic, akin to revisiting a fondly remembered friend. To my surprise, I found his short stories, themed broadly as musings on the birth and death of gods ancient and modern, just as sharply affecting as I had at fifteen.

When the last acolyte renounces his faith and turns to another deity, the god ceases to be.

They know the terrible simplicity of that truth, the mightiest and mingiest Ellison remains a brilliant short story writer who’s never gotten the appreciation that is his due. If anything, this exquisite 35th anniversary reissue is even better than the original collection. Ellison has added several later, darkly humorous stories. Tom Kidds’ cover is appropriately gothic and fantastical. In the whole collection, only “Along the Scenic Route,” a tale of dystopian suburban road combat, feels dated, and even that in a pleasing, wistful reminder of the ’70s weighty darkness.

Though I might quibble with the oftenrepeated claim that Deathbird Stories is Ellison’s best collection, in story after story he shows his gifts for plot, character, and

entertainment. “The Whimper of Whipped Dogs” recalls the Kitty Genovese murder, that lodestone of urban violence and indifference in America’s collective psyche. In “Pretty Maggie Moneyeyes,” Ellison combines tragedy, romance, and a Twilight Zone sensibility into a story as heartbreaking as it is breathtaking. And stories like “Paingod” and the Hugo-Award winning “Deathbird” will not only leave you wanting to pick up more Ellison, but also have you thinking for days and weeks.

If you’ve not gotten the point, let me repeat. Harlan Ellison is one of our master storytellers. If you’re not aware of this fact, consider this opportunity to learn firsthand a gift fallen from heaven.

Reviewed by Jordan Magill Speculative Horizons

By Patrick St. Denis Subterranean Press, $20.00, 128 pages A woman falls in love with a man who seems all too perfect for her. A city looms on the edge of destruction while a lone magicwielding soldier struggles with his orders.

The arrival of a bladewielding man in black changes a young farmhand’s life forever. As a strange illness plagues his people, an untested young shaman must prove himself to both the tribe and the forces of nature. A cop who specializes in investigating the death of a couple’s love describes his work.

The stories featured in Speculative Horizons run the full fantasy spectrum, each handily creating its own evocative world for the reader while highlighting the true depth of the genre’s potential. Whether strolling the suburban landscape or taking us to worlds we’ve never known, fantasy can be found anywhere, and the works of these five authors revel in those possibilities.

Each story packed a lot of impact into a few brief pages, but the final story, “The Death of a Love,” resonated most deeply with me. It’s a dark, thoughtful, and satisfying conclusion to a very engaging collection.

Patrick St-Denis has assembled an all-star cast of creative minds here, and here’s hoping he does so again soon.

Reviewed by Glenn Dallas

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Poetry & Short Stories

Horror The End of the Line: An Anthology of Underground Horror

By Christopher Fowler and Mark Morris, with Jonathan Oliver, editor Solaris, $7.99, 358 pages Claustrophobia, fear of the dark, loss of control, disease and waste, and crime, and monstrous machines ... traveling underground can evoke dread in a great many ways; and in some of the world’s major cities, facing these fears is a necessary evil of everyday life. With ghosts and monsters, time travel and the worst of humanity, The End of the Line exploits every last one of them.

Unfortunately, the clunkers outnumber the successes in this collection, many suffering from unsatisfying conclusions and a dearth of atmosphere.

The few standouts, however, are tremendous efforts, epitomizing evocative horror at its finest.

Simon Bestwick’s “The Sons of the City” and Mark Morris’s “Fallen Boys” build their own miniature mythologies with style, indulging in a bit of urban legend storytelling, while Christopher Fowler’s “Down” gracefully brings to bear the weight of tragedy and history in one man’s journey. But the terror peaks with James Lovegrove’s “Siding 13,” one of the most skin-crawling stories I’ve read in quite some time.

Most short story collections by nature are hit or miss. This one is no exception, but there are still a few gems in the rough in The End of the Line.

Reviewed by Glenn Dallas Handling the Undead

By John Ajvide Lindqvist Thomas Dunne Books, $24.99, 384 pages These days, with zombie media invading, attacking, and overriding the TV, big screen, and printed page like the very armies of living dead they are talking about; to make a zombie story stand out and seem original and interesting is not an easy thing to do.

Maybe it takes setting your zombie stage

somewhere different and foreign, and perhaps changing the entire dynamic of how zombies are created. Enter Swedish author John Ajvide Lindqvist, author of the internationally best-selling Let the Right One In, who turns to the living dead in a totally new way in Handling the Undead.

Lindqvist doesn’t waste any time setting the scene, throwing the reader straight into the story. We’re in Stockholm and something very weird is going on: a power surge, making it impossible to turn off electronic devices, while the lights keep getting brighter. As the minutes tick by on this hot summer night in Sweden, everyone has a splitting headache which isn’t being helped by the heat or the bright lights. Nerves are frayed and anger is rising.

When it seems like one’s head might explode, there is a final surge and then it goes black and everything returns to normal.

Then the dead come back to life.

No one knows what to do, including the zombies. They have risen from the cold slabs in the morgue; dug themselves out of their graves; and pulled themselves up from their final resting place, looking for their home, a place of familiarity. They are unable to communicate and appear to be walking corpses that shouldn’t be alive. The families and friends of these zombies are just as confused, not knowing whether to help or run away. The Swedish government steps in, rounding up the living dead and quarantining them until more can be found out; fears of a virus or contagion run rampant. But this is a socialist state and the government is going to do its job and protect its people. Rosters are created of all the dead to ensure every last one is collected.

One young boy remains unaccounted for, as his mother – who never recovered from his death – and his grandfather secret him away to a Swedish countryside cottage in the

archipelago and attempt to halt the state of his decomposition and make him look more ... human, with the use of saline and glucose solutions and lots of moisturizing cream.

Meanwhile, it seems that the very recently deceased zombies do possess some faculties of communication. It also appears that when the zombies are grouped together, people nearby are able to read each others’ thoughts, as well as the zombies presumably reading theirs. When bad thoughts are created, the zombies turn violent.

While the ending of Handling the Undead leaves a lot to be satisfied – failing in ways that many horror books do – Lindqvist has created an interesting and different zombie story that doesn’t just seek to scare the reader, but to make them think and question what it means to be alive. Fans of Lindqvist will enjoy this book and look for what’s to come next.

Reviewed by Alex Telander Tales of Woe

By John Reed MTV Press, $20.00, 204 pages Depressingly true stories dredged from news reports may appeal to the sadist within some of us.

In these twenty-five essays, John Reed recounts tales of bad things that happen to good people. There is no recourse, no sal-

vation, and life is displayed in some of its more savage forms. From sex slavery with its linked kidnapping and murder of young teenagers, to corruption within the bureaucracy, to accidents caused by ineptitude or chance, these tales serve as reminders that life is not fair.

“Sometimes people suffer for no reason.”

Beginning with a baboon snatching and gnashing an infant’s head in South Africa and ending with the tale of the journalist campers recording as they are mauled and eaten by a grizzly bear while camping in Alaska, these tales of woes are startling and repulsive. But there are so many more wretched stories appearing daily on the Internet and still printed in the newspapers that one may wonder why these stories require a special epiphany. Printed on a bleak black background, the type stands out in red and white paragraphs illustrated with grotesque images of pop art. It would help if an antidepressant were included within the dark binding. Unfortunately, life involves too many incidents that scald the soul. The misery reported here is not unique.

Reviewed by Aron Row

Classics The Greek and Roman Myths

By Philip Matyszak Thames & Hudson, $24.95, 224 pages The mythology of the Greeks and Romans is more convoluted and contradictory than any other in human history, and to attempt to unravel is as Sisyphean a task as that infamous boulder. Nonetheless, Philip Matyszak attacks the challenge with gusto, and like Heracles with his labors, he triumphs with impressive flare.

The Greek and Roman Myths crafts the first truly effective linear examination of the rise of the Greek and Roman pantheons that I’ve ever encountered. Matyszak lays out the confounding family trees and

T H E C R I T I C A L E Y E . . . w h a t ’s i t l i k e t o b e a b o o k r e v i e w e r ?

history of the gods in a straightforward and enjoyable timeline, from the creation of the cosmos to the Trojan War, detailing the generations of deities and man with great clarity.

But the book also analyzes the influence the mythos had on society, from the numerous geographical names drawn from the gods and their adventures, to the many phrases and works of art spawned by the rich tapestry of Greek and Roman myth.

Matyszak even shows where archaeological history coincides (and occasionally diverts) from the legends of ancient Greece and Rome, offering the impressive possibility that “the morning of 21 April 753 BC marks the exact point when mythology ends and history begins.”

What a treat.

Reviewed by Glenn Dallas

February 11 31

Mystery, Crime & Thrillers (cont’d) are fairly easy to come by. At the very least, the recipes will make you think differently about the popular stories, and could easily inspire a new book club idea. It’s truly “food for thought.”

Reviewed by Elizabeth Kalfsbeek Nocturne

By Syrie James Vanguard Press, $19.95, 264 pages An avalanche. An icy road. A raging blizzard. Nicole Whitcomb realizes — too late — that she should have stayed back at the lodge. Now, freezing and injured, Nicole realizes she’s out of options. The nearest town is twenty miles away and no human being would be out in a storm like this. Luckily, Michael Tyler is not a human being. A centuries-old vampire, Michael has lived in his secluded Colorado valley for decades, removing himself from the constant temptation of living around humans. Now he finds himself tested to the limit as the raging storm forces both of them into close proximity for days. Will Michael be able to resist his darker urges long enough for the blizzard to blow itself out?

While the setting and characters of Nocturne are beautifully crafted, it’s not enough to raise the story above its predictable, archaic premise: Handsome enigmatic boy rescues girl; girl discovers boy is a vampire; boy tries to warn girl of the monster he really is; girl stubbornly refuses to believe. True love ensues. Bittersweet ending occurs. Unfortunately, in the seemingly endless buffet of vampire chronicles, Nocturne just doesn’t have the extra kick needed to be more than just a side dish.

Reviewed by Heather Ortiz Moonlight Mile

By Dennis Lehane William Morrow, $26.99, 324 pages New York Times best-selling author Dennis Lehane’s Moonlight Mile takes readers into a grimy, murky Boston underworld as Patrick Kenzie revisits a case he solved in 1997. Amanda McCready disappeared then and was returned to her mother, who wouldn’t win any accolades as a caring parent. It’s a case that has haunted Kenzie and has cast a shadow on his career. Now as

32 February 11

a teen and a serious student, Amanda hasn’t been seen in weeks. This time there are two others missing, as well.

A lot has changed in 12 years: Kenzie and his wife, Angie Gennaro, have a child; Angie’s getting a degree; Kenzie’s working as a PI to pay the bills. But much is still the same with Amanda’s mother still at the center of the puzzle. Can Kenzie and Gennaro find Amanda and her classmates before it’s too late? Kenzie has a strong need to make good on his promise to keep her safe. But can he?

Lehane has crafted a fast-paced thriller that will have readers turning pages faster and faster in an attempt to learn the fate of McCready, Kenzie and Gennaro.

Reviewed by Elizabeth Humphrey The Track of Sand

By Andrea Camilleri and Stephen Sartarelli, Translator Penguin (Non-Classics), $14.00, 288 pages The twelfth book in the Inspector Montalbano series opens with the Sicilian inspector discovering a gruesomely bludgeoned horse carcass on the beach in front of his home. The sardonic, idiosyncratic Montalbano is baffled as the complications grow after the carcass disappears leaving only a trail in the sand. In Sicily there’s always a connection to the Mafia, and as the inspector investigates the growing crimes, certain that the events are linked, the track leads to the seedy underworld.

Always melancholic, he finds daily solace in the gastronomy in his seaside home.

Eating shrimp, prawns, squid, tuna, urchin, mussels, clams, octopus, anchovies, sardines, and swordfish, perhaps drowned in a tomato sauce or a little olive oil gives him joy at least for a few moments during his silent meals (he believes in absolutely no conversation during eating).

This book, as well as the previous eleven, is an absolute joy for Montalbano’s fans, who are lovers of lite world-lit, a detective who can’t stay out of trouble, with a lot of women troubles and, of course, his gustatory adventures. The colorful characters in the small town of Vigata are out in abundance, and by the end, we’ll hear him break into “Che gelida manina” from Puccini’s opera La Boheme as the last pieces of the puzzle come together.

Reviewed by Phil Semler

The S-Question

By Randi Hutter Epstein, MD Author of Get Me Out: A History of Childbirth from the Garden of Eden to the Sperm Bank I had my very first book reading in New York City nearly a year before my book was even published. I spoke to sixteen third graders in my daughter’s class. What happened was that a few days before my debut, her teacher was trying to convince a group of boys to rewrite their essays.

She tried to explain that all writers rewrite, which apparently made no sense to these 8-yearolds. They had a thought. They wrote it down. And that was that. My daughter heard them arguing and added, “My mom’s a writer and she re-wrote her book proposal eleven times.”

Truth be told, I don’t mind telling people I rewrite, but I really didn’t want anyone to know how much I re-jigged the proposal.

It’s one thing to rewrite a draft for your editor, but it’s quite another to tinker obsessively about a notion for a concept of book. At least at this point, the book was sold; I was nearly finished with draft two; and I figured that third graders don’t know what the word “proposal” means anyhow. In any event, my multi-versioned proposal landed me my first speaking gig. For my daughter, who is used to seeing me in sweatpants at home, or worse, walking by her classmates while they are at recess and I’m walking the dogs, showing up at school as real professional was a thrill. That is until it was time for Q and A. My book is called, Get Me Out: A History of Childbirth from the Garden of Eden to the Sperm Bank. I tried my best to slur the subtitle. And yet, a boy’s hand shot up.

“What’s a sperm bank?”

My daughter turned beet red. She knows I’m one for straight talk. I could see that she was thinking this whole book-talk idea wasn’t so great after all. For part of my research, I had flown to LA to visit a sperm banker and came home with all sorts of sperm-themed goodies from the doctor who owned the bank. (Think banker not doctor.) I got a deck of sperm-decorated cards; a Tshirt with mustached-sperm with the caption: Got Sperm? (Get it?); and light-up pens filled with squiggly sperm, to name a few. None of my four kids wanted the toys. But I did explain to them the business of sperm freezing and how it helps a lot of parents have children.

Let’s just say that by the time I got to class that day, my daughter forgot about the embarrassing business trip and somehow in the midst of the excitement of having her mom as the guest speaker, she forgot all about my subtitle. Or, I think she was so used to it, that she forgot that it may come off as obscene to a classmate. At first, I tried to ignore the question and focus on the point of my talk. The fact that I’m a rewriter. I told them that I know a lot of writers and most of them consider their first shot at a story as merely a draft. Sort of like a scrimmage. You try hard, but you know it doesn’t really count. You save the pearls, perfect the good stuff, and get rid of the zingers. Then I realized that most of my audience wasn’t with me at all. These were third graders, for goodness sake. They were happy to have a speaker to break up the routine, but they were not the least bit interested in the writing process. Most of them them were really still focused on the fact that I nonchalantly spewed the word sperm. There was nothing I could do to avoid what had become the elephant in the room. Or rather the sperm in the whatever. So I thought fast, and as this boy waited for a true, honest answer, I said: “I can’t give away my ending. You’re going to have to read the whole thing and find out when you get to the end.”

My daughter let out a huge sigh of relief. For once, I was not a source of public humiliation for one of my kids. I’m not sure I persuaded anyone about the power of rewriting, but at least, for moment, I sounded like a real storyteller.

Randi Hutter Epstein, MD is a medical writer and adjunct professor at The Graduate School of Journalism, Columbia University.Get Me Out: A History of Childbirth from the Garden of Eden to the Sperm Bank (W.W. Norton & Company, 2010) is her first book.

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