Tulsa Book Review June 2015

Tulsa

event guide

INSIDE! June 2015

Book Review 4 12 13

VOLUME 4, ISSUE 8

F R E E

NEW AND OF INTEREST

C H E C K

Crow Fair

I T

The Case for Loving

Big sky stories Page 5

That’s what love’s all about. Page 8

O U T

Challenger Deep A journey to the abyss. Page 11

Michelle Obama: A Life

Anatomy of Evil

An accomplished woman Page 14

By Will Thomas

Minotaur Books, $19.44, 336 pages

Congratulations to Tulsa City-County Library’s own Will Thomas for this latest installment in his Barker & Llewelyn series. Barker and Llewelyn are back – and we are faced with an evil that most of us already are familiar with. Indeed, for mystery and suspense readers, the expectation (or, at the least, hope) that The Whitechapel murders eventually would turn up in the series has come to an end. In Anatomy of Evil, the seventh book in Will Thomas’ immensely entertaining series, readers are treated to an intriguing twist

on the classic hunt for the world’s most famous serial killer, Jack the Ripper. Someone is brutally murdering prostitutes in the Whitechapel area of London, and speculation and fear are causing the perception of Scotland Yard’s best and brightest to sink to an all-time low. With Scotland Yard’s Criminal Investigation Department left scratching their heads regarding the murders in London, Barker is brought in as an envoy to the Royal Family in order to assist with finding the now See Anatomy, cont’d on page 14

Symbiont Thing’s just aren’t getting any better for Sal. Page 15

56 Reviews INSIDE!

Book Reviews Category

Business & Investing SNAP IT for additional book summaries.

How to Build a Billion Dollar App: Discover the Secrets of the Most Successful Entrepreneurs of Our Time By George Berkowski Piatkus Books, $24.95, 480 pages Check this out! It seems like every other day, a new app is conquering the world and making its creators rich. From Flappy Bird and Angry Birds to Instagram and Snapchat, apps have become the newest avenue to overnight success. Well, George Berkowski knows that plenty of hard work, dedication, and forethought have gone into those “overnight” success stories, and he’s happy to share his knowledge of advertising, design, and business with you in How to Build a Billion Dollar App, a handbook for taking your idea from brainstorming to market and maintenance. Berkowski explains how to tackle each stage of your app business incrementally, taking it from planning to the million dollar stage and beyond, all the way to the billion dollar stage. To back up his advice, he has insight and examples regarding Waze, Square, Uber, Facebook, Whatsapp, and his personal experience with the cab service app Hailo. Most importantly, he doesn’t frame his book like a get-rich-quick scheme. Berkowski focuses on all the legwork required and the business savvy necessary to make the most of a good idea. Picking up his book seems like a good start. Reviewed by Glenn Dallas Trust and Betrayal in the Workplace: Building Effective Relationships in Your Organization By Dennis Reina, Michelle Reina Berrett-Koehler Publishers, $21.95, 224 pages Check this out! Trust is generally one of those “soft” issues that is needed within an organization and among businesses in their everyday dealings. It is evident that the absence of trust is detrimental to all parties. This book explores

trust and presents a model outlining its various facets. Trust really underlies the type of interaction between individuals. While its implications relate to business relations, it needs to be understood from an individual perspective. This book outlines various facets of trust such as: capacity for trust (ability to trust), contractual trust (trust the sincerity of the commitment), communication trust (trust the information given is accurate and complete), and competence trust (trust in the capabilities to carry out the task). Implicitly, breach of trust is betrayal. The book claims that most betrayal is unintentional, and a series of unintentional breaches eventually leads to a breakdown of trust. Characterizing the various components of trust is probably the most valuable part of this book. It goes further to outline steps that would help strengthen trust. As each situation is unique, applying the model is not always obvious as the book makes it seem. Case studies are provided to further illustrate the point, but nuances of practical situations are difficult to consider within the scope of the case studies presented. This book’s value is that it provides a framework and shared vocabulary on discussing trust within an organization. Reviewed by Muhammed Hassanali Four Seconds: All the Time You Need to Stop Counter-Productive Habits and Get the Results You Want By Peter Bregman HarperOne, $25.99, 272 pages Check this out! Four seconds--enough time to stop, take a breath and rethink your response. That is really all you need to change all sorts of poor habits, as Peter Bregman explains in this engaging, enlightening book. He focuses on three areas: mental reactions, relationships, and workplace habits. Each of the 51 chapters is extremely short, concentrating on just one

small habit or accepted dogma that might be inhibiting you from being the effective person you want to be. He illustrates each chapter with anecdotes and experiences he’s had that are, unfortunately, common, but easily solved with his tips. For example, if you find yourself overextended and exhausted, Bregman’s advice is to respect your own priorities, show appreciation but firmness, and practice saying no. The ideas are mostly common sense, like changing your environment rather than relying on willpower alone, but the key is taking those four seconds to rethink the kneejerk reaction you know is wrong or unhelpful and choosing instead the reaction you know actually gets you the results you want. It is an easy, interesting, extremely helpful set of tips that will benefit anyone who reads it. Reviewed by Gretchen Wagner

Becoming Steve Jobs: The Evolution of a Reckless Upstart Into a Visionary Leader By Brent Schlender, Rick Tetzeli Crown Business, $30.00, 464 pages Check this out! “This is the West, sir. When the legend becomes fact, print the legend.” These words from Maxwell Scott seemed to have come to life in Walter Isaacson’s earlier-released biography of Steve Jobs. Isaacson’s version of Jobs’ story relied on commonly stated “facts” about Jobs, which have become the stuff of legend, and these facts strongly emphasized the less desirable aspects of Jobs’ personality and aggressive leadership style. This new bio by Brent Schendler and Rick Tetzeli presents a kinder, gentler account of the man who co-founded and led Apple Computer. It seeks to get past “the cliché that Steve Jobs was half genius, half a--hole.” And, it largely succeeds by emphasizing that any See Jobs cont’d on page 5

MY TULSA LIBRARY COMMUNITY CARD.

Each swipe benefits the campaign to renovate the Central Library. The Visa Debit Card is available with an Oklahoma Central Credit Union checking account. There are no annual fees and it can be used anywhere Visa is accepted. Visit any Oklahoma Central Credit Union location or go to me.occu.org for more information. This credit union is federally insured by the National Credit Union Administration.

Tulsa Book Review • June 2015 • 2

Tulsa

Book Review Tulsa City-County Library 400 Civic Center Tulsa, Oklahoma 74103 Ph. (918) 549-7323 EDITOR IN CHIEF

IN THIS ISSUE Business & Investing.................................... 2 Fiction.......................................................4, 5

Ross Rojek ross@1776productions.com Editor/Coordinator Jackie Hill Tulsa City-County Library GRAPHIC DESIGN/LAYOUT Steph Rodriguez COPY EDITORS Erin Dunbar Lauren Harrison

Crime Fiction............................................6, 7 Bestsellers coming soon............................... 7 History......................................................7, 8

EDITORIAL ASSISTANTS Christopher Hayden Faith Lewis WEBSITE TulsaBookReview.com

Kids’ Books...............................................8, 9 Picture Books............................................... 9 Tweens....................................................... 10 Teens.......................................................... 11 Nonfiction....................................... 12, 13, 14

FROM THE PUBLISHER Dear Readers, Fifty years ago this month something very amazing was underway in Tulsa, Okla. There was much excitement and anticipation. Where West Fifth Street meets Denver Avenue Tulsans were getting ready to open their new state-of-the-art Central Library. Designed by young local architects Charles Ward and Joseph Koberling, with interiors by legendary architect/furniture designer Florence Knoll, there was nothing like this übermodern library anywhere in the country. On the evening before it opened, over 1,000 people gathered on the new Civic Center Plaza. Present were Governor Henry Bellmon and other dignitaries. A man’s voice emanated from the loud speaker. He identified himself as James Webb. He said that he was speaking to the crowd from the headquarters of a new government agency called the National Aeronautics and Space Administration in Washington, D.C. “Through the modern miracle of satellite technology and the help of a satellite called Relay II orbiting high above earth’s atmosphere I will be turning on the lights of the Central Library,” he said. “Five, four, three, two …,” he counted down. When he passed one the lights were switched on and the crowd cheered. On that day a time capsule was placed in the building with instructions that it be opened in 2065. It remains sealed. This month, on the 50th anniversary, in a quiet ceremony, a second time capsule will be placed alongside it, containing mementos of 2015, also for opening in 2065. In approximately one year’s time Tulsa will once again be opening a state-of-the-art Central Library – one where Tulsans not only will connect with their next great read but also a place where they will convene, collaborate and create. Fifty years ago this month, Governor Bellmon remarked, “Libraries have been called the great consulting rooms of our wise people.” Well, Tulsans were a wise people in the early 1960s when they voted their library system and Central Library into being. They also are a wise people today for reinvesting in this still vital community resource and thus themselves. Until mid-2016 when Central Library reopens, we hope we will see you at the Librarium or one of our other 23 branch or regional library locations. We also hope you will connect with your next great read in the pages of this Tulsa Book Review. All my best,

The Tulsa Book Review is published monthly by City Book Review. The opinions expressed in these pages are those of the individual writers and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Tulsa Book Review or City Book Review advertisers. All images are copyrighted by their respective copyright holders. All words ©2015, City Book Review

Adult summer reading program................. 15 Speculative Fiction..................................... 15

Gary Shaffer Tulsa City-County Library CEO/Tulsa Book Review Publisher

Book Reviews Category

Fiction SNAP IT for additional book summaries.

The Rabbit Back Literature Society By Pasi Ilmari Jääskeläinen Thomas Dunne Books, $25.99, 352 pages Check this out! This novel is about a secretive literature society in a small town in Finland, and the ending does not really work. The town of Rabbit Back is home of a popular children’s author, Laura White, who is known worldwide. Mrs. White decides to create a literature society that will produce the next generation of great Finnish writers, nine children who show great promise. The story takes place years later when a new, tenth member joins the literature society and starts to learn its dark secrets, from The Game to a previous tenth member who mysteriously died. Without giving away too much, Mrs. White disappears at a party for the new tenth member and the action takes place from that point on. With each twist and turn we learn more and more about these self—destructive writers. The concept is interesting, and it is generally a fun book to read. It keeps you engrossed. At times it gets bogged down in things that do not seem to matter overall, like a book plague. The world—building mythology is nice. But the ending is somewhat of a disappointment. Reviewed by Kevin Winter Epitaph: A Novel of the O.K. Corral By Mary Doria Russell Ecco, $27.99, 592 pages Check this out! Epitaph: A Novel of the O.K. Corral shows the events leading to the showdown in Tombstone, Arizona, on October 26, 1881. In thirty seconds, three officers are wounded and three citizens killed in a shower of bullets that has now passed into legend. Author Maria Doria Russell places the event in a historic—and contemporary—context, the struggle between personal liberty

and societal order. In the moments before the confrontation, local sheriff Wyatt Earp asked a group of “cowboys” to disarm according to municipal policies. They refused, and the rest is history. The book takes us from the months leading up the confrontation and beyond, moving between the viewpoints of the Earp, Clanton, and McLaury clans, as well as that of legendary gunman John “Doc” Holliday, revealing the real people behind the legends. The “shootout at the O.K. Corral” has become shorthand for the Wild West. Like most legends, it is pieced together from facts, misconceptions, and lies. For example, the confrontation itself didn’t even take place in a corral but in an alley behind a photography shop. Doc Holliday, in legend a deadly marksman, was in reality a failed dentist with advanced tuberculosis. Does reality disappoint? Perhaps. But a major reason to read historic fiction is to learn the various versions of the story. Reviewed by Stacia Levy The Same Sky By Amanda Eyre Ward Ballantine, $25.00, 288 pages Check this out! Enter a world of rich characters and tragic story, of longing and redemption, of injustice and restored beauty. The Same Sky follows two characters from different parts of the world, both yearning for something lost and never had, both broken by life’s indiscriminating tidal waves. Carla is a young girl from Honduras who is left behind to care for her younger brother once her mother flees to the United States and

her grandmother passes away. The poverty of her homeland brings hunger, want, and graphic realities that she must endure and overcome, her story climbing higher as she seeks to find refuge and familiarity in a country she’s never been to. Across the map, in Texas, is Alice, a middle—aged married entrepreneur who has her own painful longings, the pangs of childlessness. As the two narratives unfold, readers will divulge in a rich landscape of language, story, and great faith. Amanda Eyre Ward has built a profound story, one she honors by telling the tale of undocumented youth in a rare and realistic stream. This read moves quickly—a climax of emotion, resulting in a clash of divine intervention and connection in which each one will unknowingly save the other. Reviewed by Sky Sanchez-Fischer A Bad Character: A Novel By Deepti Kapoor Knopf, $24.00, 244 pages Check this out! Deepti Kapoor’s debut novel flows easily in bite—size paragraphs, but the story it tells is not so easy. After her mother dies and having been abandoned by her father, a young woman confronts her future in New Delhi and finds it to be a bleak prospect. From the safety of her aunt’s house and marriage machinations, the young woman embarks on a secretive love affair with a man who leads her through a New Delhi she didn’t know existed. The readers are voyeurs on this tour of New Delhi that embroils all five senses—the way sound changes as night falls, the sizzling and aroma of cooking, the relief of rain on the skin on the first day of the monsoon. The narrator is strangely depersonalized/ dehumanized; she sometimes narrates in the first person while at other times objectifies herself and her lover using third—person narration. Although neither protagonist is ever named, a few of the supporting characters are vibrantly drawn, such as her upstanding, long—suffering aunt. This lonely young woman’s story of existential angst is beautifully told, a story that illustrates the narrow choices too many women around the world confront daily. Reviewed by Sara Martinez Nathan Hale Library Manager Love by the Book: A Novel By Melissa Pimentel Penguin Books, $16.00, 336 pages Check this out! Lauren Cunningham moved to London to escape everything about her old life that

Tulsa Book Review • June 2015 • 4

was making her miserable, including her husband. She’s not looking for commitment, yet she’s having a hard time finding men who are just interested in good sex. So, Lauren decides to turn her love life into a science experiment. Every month, she will pick a different dating guide and follow it to the best of her ability; surely she’ll eventually learn the best way to find a man! Unfortunately, the journey is rocky, and along the way Lauren must deal with issues from her past she’d rather forget. For a fun and honest look at the dating troubles so many women face, look no further than Love by the Book. Melissa Pimentel’s delightful novel is by turns hilarious and depressing, and many women will identify with Lauren’s struggles, even if they can’t imagine taking her approaches to finding men. Lauren is a fun and realistic character, the kind of girl many readers aspire to be (or maybe just to have as a best friend), and her desire to find something out there that truly suits her makes for an enjoyable read. Reviewed by Holly Scudero In Your Wildest Scottish Dreams By Karen Ranney Avon, $7.99, 384 pages Check this out! After several years in America, Glynis MacIain returns to Scotland to reinvigorate her life in her homeland. But, she can’t start over with the shadow of her past behind her, in the form of the sinister Matthew Baumann who holds Glynis’ secrets over her head. Karen Ranney’s multifaceted bodice— ripper is a page—turning delight. The story is set at the start of the American Civil War, but in Scotland where some shipbuilders are making ships for the Confederacy. Spies from the Union attempt to sabotage their efforts. In addition, Glynis’ brother runs a cotton mill that has fallen on hard times. Glynis chooses to marry again for the money to give her brother’s mill the financial boost it needs. These additional story arcs make In Your Wildest Scottish Dreams much more intriguing than the average romance. Glynis’ romance with Lennox, her childhood friend and longtime crush, is a dominant, but not overpowering, part of the story. Halfway through the novel, the pair set

Book Reviews aside their pride and confess their long— held attraction to one another. Given Glynis’ bleak past, the happy ending is a relief. Ranney makes Glynis an intriguing and mysterious character from beginning to end. Reviewed by Caryn Shaffer The Love Song of Miss Queenie Hennessy: A Novel By Rachel Joyce Random House, $25.00, 362 pages Check this out! In my book club, which read Rachel Joyce’s previous book, The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry, the question everyone had is, “what happened to Queenie?” Harold Fry embarked on his walking tour after receiving a letter notifying him of Queenie’s illness. Harold walks from Southern England to the farthest northern point, at which Queenie lies hospitalized at death’s door. It is a tribute to the writer that one wants to know more about her character. What has Queenie’s life been like and what is her true connection to Harold? This book answers all those questions, and we discover Queenie’s secrets. Queenie dictates the story of her life to the nun, Sister Mary Inconnu. The meaning of Inconnu is a stranger, who, like Queenie, cannot be known or revealed. Like Harold Fry, Queenie has had a day— to—day life, meeting Harold Fry when she worked as an accountant, even though she had been educated in literature at Oxford. Like all lives, however, Queenie’s has had a share of heartbreak and tragedy. It is to the writer’s credit and skill that we care so much about her. Reviewed by Julia McMichael Crow Fair: Stories By Thomas McGuane Knopf, $25.95, 267 pages Check this out! It is wonderful to pick up a collection of short stories written by an expert and proficient writer like Thomas McGuane. The stories are set in big sky country and feature characters who don’t know the half of their own story. The setting might be the West, but there is no big sky here. Each story has a feeling of claustrophobia. For example, the story of the divorced dad who takes his son ice fishing fills one with so much tension that it becomes hard to

Fiction read. The story “Crow Fair” is the last story in the book and reveals a closely guarded secret. The stories are rich in metaphor and images: each character trapped in his or her own small world of relationships——father and son, wife and husband, a blind grandmother who is left outdoors to fend for herself. There is the car salesman who has a rancher father who makes his life feel unbelievably circumscribed. These are impossible situations with humble characters realistically and imaginatively drawn. McGuane is not a myth buster of the West, but a writer who can tell a realistic story and create apprehension in the reader. This book is highly recommended. Reviewed by Julia McMichael Girl Runner: A Novel By Carrie Snyder Harper, $26.99, 288 pages Check this out! Aganetha Smart was Canada’s Golden Girl Runner at the 1928 Olympic Games in Amsterdam, winning the gold medal for her country in Carrie Snyder’s Girl Runner. Present—day Aggie is in a nursing home and has outlived all of her siblings and both parents. But one day, she gets an unexpected pair of visitors who take her out of the home. Aganetha is forced to revisit her life story and think on her moments as an Olympic athlete, as well as about various family secrets. As much as I enjoyed reading Girl Runner, I expected a larger emphasis on Aganetha’s professional track—and—field life and would have liked to see more about that journey. I also found that I didn’t always find Aganetha to be a particularly likable character. Instead, there was more of an emphasis of Aganetha navigating her life as the once—Golden Girl Runner of Canada and what that meant for her when her career stopped. I enjoyed the cast of supporting characters, for example Aggie’s sister Olive. That being said, her family history was interesting and ultimately wrapped up with the revealing of a family secret I hadn’t predicted, which was refreshing. Reviewed by Lenna Stites The Cake House (Vintage Original) By Latifah Salom Vintage, $15.00, 336 pages Check this out! In a very short period of time, Rosaura’s life has changed drastically. Rosaura’s mother, Dahlia, left her husband and took refuge with his well—to—do business partner, Claude. But Rosaura’s father followed them and then supposedly shot himself. Now

Dahlia and Claude are married, the ghost of Rosaura’s father has started appearing to her, and the Cake House, the name which Rosaura has given to Claude’s home, is full of secrets that she can’t seem to penetrate. What does Claude do? How does his son, Alex, fit in? And what really happened to Rosaura’s father? In this dark and somewhat cryptic novel, young teenage heroine Rosaura struggles to fully understand her own past and the lies that have defined it. The Cake House is gorgeously written, full of imagery that is both poetic and shocking, stark in its examination of how the truth can destroy both the present and memories of the past. At times, it can be a bit hard to follow the story as it twists and turns, but it is well worth working through; this book faces down the full spectrum of human emotion without fear, and readers who see it through will feel validated by the ending. Reviewed by Holly Scudero Lincoln’s Bodyguard By TJ Turner Oceanview Publishing, $26.95, 283 pages Check this out! Years after saving President Lincoln’s life at Ford’s Theater, Joseph returns to the White House at Lincoln’s request. The Civil War rages on as guerrilla tactics prolong the fighting, and Lincoln tasks Joseph with the Union’s last hope to end the conflict: bringing in the lone remaining Confederate leader. But when he takes the job, Joseph discovers far more is afoot than he’s been told. Spies for both sides abound, and his mission is a ruse for something much more earth—shattering: the hunt for Lincoln’s secret pregnant lover. Alternate history stories thrive on the “What if?” factor, and it’s hard to imagine a more momentous “What if?” than “What if Lincoln survived?” Author TJ Turner takes us into an unexpectedly dark new America, where Lincoln’s survival meant another ten years of civil war. Thankfully, Turner has put some serious thought and world—building into his alternate America, and much of it rings true, from Southern tactics and the possibility of Western secession to the machinations of Northern businessmen and the evolving role of former slaves. Most tellingly, many of Turner’s plotlines both reflect the history

Tulsa Book Review • June 2015 • 5

we know and prove hauntingly familiar to problems across the world that affect us today. Reviewed by Glenn Dallas Rodin’s Lover: A Novel By Heather Webb Plume, $15.00, 320 pages Check this out! Rodin’s Lover follows Camille Claudel, a brilliant female sculptress who was often overshadowed by her famous lover, Auguste Rodin. Brought vibrantly to life by Heather Webb, Camille’s story is filled with passion and determination. She tenaciously climbs the ladder of the art world, only to fall hard as her fame grows and she becomes increasingly paranoid. Rodin is a conflicted character in the novel as he refuses to leave his longtime mistress for Camille, and yet he can never let her go. While the novel drags in some places as it minutely details Camille’s psychological breakdown, it is still an absorbing portrayal of an obscure artist. The final pages of the novel are heartbreaking as Camille makes her final descent into madness. Despite Rodin’s unwillingness to fully commit to Camille in life, his final request that her works be housed along with his own at the Rodin Museum is a testament of his love and respect for her. Readers are sure to find Rodin’s Lover a riveting examination of all-consuming love and unfettered talent. Reviewed by Caroline Wilson

Jobs cont’d from page 2 shortcomings on Jobs’ part were due to his dedication to Apple: “He put the needs of the company ahead of any (personal or) work relationship.” That dedication produced the most successful technology company in the world. This excellent account allows one to get to know Jobs as a living, breathing human being—an imperfect, fully goal-oriented man full of “deep restlessness.” Becoming Steve Jobs is such an effective telling of Jobs’ life story that at the conclusion of the book the reader will grieve his death, the world’s loss, all over again. Reviewed by Joseph Arellano

Book Reviews Category

Crime Fiction SNAP IT for additional book summaries.

Bertie’s Guide to Life and Mothers: A 44 Scotland Street Novel By Alexander McCall Smith Anchor, $15.00, 304 pages Check this out! This latest installment of the Scotland Street Series continues its observation of the residents of the Edinburgh neighborhood. Alexander McCall Smith is a natural storyteller. Though this is the ninth book in the series, the author seamlessly introduces one quirky character after the next and gently interweaves their seemingly mundane lives and stories into a tapestry of humorous observations about human needs, social expectations, and life in general. McCall Smith’s characterization and delicious prose are rich in theme, vocabulary, and description, bringing out the uniqueness of his characters that appear to be completely normal in their appearance and activities—to the point of mediocrity. Yet, their thoughts and conversations with one another reveal that they are consumed with many issues—national pride, the pursuit of beauty, and gender roles in society. Bertie Pollack, for example, is almost seven years old and yet he is already a sensitive and highly intelligent philosopher trying to survive under the watchful eye of his mother, who is intent on raising a son who doesn’t have “male fright” (the fear of intellectual intimacy). Even somnambulist Angus’s beer-loving dog, Cyril, is not devoid of thought as he ponders the qualities of scent. The scattering of small black-and-white ink sketches complement the story by offering a visual representation of the description and also by adding to a sense of intimacy with the story and the characters. Bertie’s Guide to Life and Mothers is another witty and charming installment of life and lessons from 44 Scotland Street. Reviewed by Maya Fleischmann

The First Wife By Erica Spindler St. Martin’s Press, $25.99, 352 pages Check this out! In the suspense novel, The First Wife, Bailey Browne finds herself living her dream as the new wife of the handsome Logan Abbott. When they meet on vacation and fall in love, Bailey’s youthful dreams are realized as Logan sweeps her off her feet and whisks her away to his estate in Louisiana. Bailey is alone with few friends, and no family. Instant community through Logan and his connections seems too good to be true—as it is. Bailey’s dream turns into a nightmare as she finds her husband, a man she knows little about, is under suspicion in his first wife’s murder. In addition, several other local women also have gone missing. A local police officer is building a case against Logan, whom is eventually arrested. Bailey works to clear her husband’s name while dealing with her own doubts. This is an excellent thriller. Bailey is a sympathetic heroine, and the plot has satisfying twists. Logan is, by all appearances, guilty. Both of his marriages are suggestive in that he quickly took up with lonely women. However, true greatness is missed by fulfilling genre expectations with Bailey’s clue-chasing to disprove Logan’s evident guilt. Her struggle would have been better if she was dealing with a more logical truth. In life, those who appear guilty usually are. Reviewed by Stacia Levy World Gone By: A Novel By Dennis Lehane William Morrow, $27.99, 416 pages Check this out! World Gone By is the third and final installment that began in post World War I Boston, and told the tale of the Coughlin clan and the tumultuous events threatening to tear them apart. Joe Coughlin is a supporting character initially, but in the following two

books he emerges as main character. Joe has become a powerful gangster in Florida. We find Joe in Tampa keeping a low profile as an advisor to his best friend and crime boss, Dino Bartolo. The country is still in the throes of World War II, and Joe has been straddling the fence of the upperworld and the underworld in his endeavors. He hasn’t recovered from the tragic events of the preceding book, but maintains a stoic facade to keep his mind on business and raising his son. A fracture in the local underworld is posing a grave threat to money making ventures. Joe is pulled into a vortex of paranoia and intrigue while seeking answers as to who wants him dead, and who is pulling the strings in a power grab. The story is well-paced, the characters are versatile, well-written, and tragic with emotional storytelling. I loved it! Reviewed by Philip Zozzaro Shark Skin Suite By Tim Dorsey William Morrow, $26.99, 336 pages Check this out! Homicidal adventurer, trivia buff, and advocate for all things Floridian, Serge A. Storms has once again found a new focus for his life and boundless energy. This time around, he’s tackling the legal system, just in time to help an old flame deal with a class-action lawsuit against some seriously unscrupulous foes. Can Serge’s penchant for movies and murder save the day and help him elude his gun-toting exwife, all while allowing him to explore Florida’s spotty legal cinematic history? Shark Skin Suite is the 18th Serge A. Storms book, and it seems like the series won’t end until Tim Dorsey runs out of elaborate and fascinating ways for Serge to dispatch people. But, then again, when the people being killed are scumbags in the banking industry and opportunistic scam artists, how can you not root for Serge? This book is thankfully less madcap than Dorsey’s usual fare, but it still features his signature brand of silliness with tinges of darkness. By taking us into the shady world of law, he’s offered something that felt new: Serge and his pals outsmarting their foes rather than outmurdering them. Oh, if only Saul Goodman had the services of Serge A. Storms at his disposal. Reviewed by Glenn Dallas

Tulsa Book Review • June 2015 • 6

A Deadly Affair at Bobtail Ridge: A Samuel Craddock Mystery By Terry Shames Seventh Street Books, $15.95, 250 pages Check this out! Samuel Craddock is a part-time police chief of a small Texas town. When his neighbor and friend Jenny Sandstone calls and says her mother is in the hospital, Samuel is quick to come to her aid. Even though he doesn’t like horses, he agrees to make sure hers are cared for. Jenny’s mother, Vera, tells Samuel when he visits that Jenny may be in danger. Before he can ask more, Vera slips away the next day. Someone cuts the lock on Jenny’s gate and lets her horses out. This is followed by a series of strange and dangerous happenings around Jenny and her place, including an accident that puts her in the hospital. Samuel begins to uncover some strange history around the Sandstone family, some of it quite deadly. Can he solve the mysteries before something worse happens to Jenny? Terry Shames has a whole town of interesting characters to round out her stories in this fourth Samuel Craddock mystery. There are plenty of red herrings, and Shames moves things around as deftly as a chess master to keep the reader guessing. The writing is solid and the story a real thinker. Cozy mystery fans will enjoy this one. Reviewed by Rosi Hollinbeck Terminal: A Virals Novel By Kathy Reichs, Brendan Reichs G.P. Putnam’s Sons Books for Young Readers, $17.99, 432 pages Check this out! Terminal: A Virals Novel by Kathy and Brendan Reichs is set to be the last story in the Virals saga, and if it is so, then the swan song didn’t disappoint. The story of Victoria “Tory” Brennan and her friends Hiram, Benjamin, and Shelton continues with their struggle to keep their virus-induced superpowers in check in a world that is getting more and more complicated by the day. The friends are put to the test by a rival infected group known as the Trinity, whose powers appear to be greater than theirs and whose hatred of Brennan and her pack is particularly vivid. Brennan and her friends undertake an investigation with the aid of a scientist named Chance Claybourne who also

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Crime Fiction cont’d from page 6 has become infected with the newer strain of the virus. Brennan and her friends form an uneasy alliance with Claybourne in order to root out the Trinity while also dodging government agents who are in rapid pursuit of the infected teenagers. Paranoia runs rampant with each turn of the page, and a love triangle between Brennan, Benjamin, and Chance threatens to tear an uneasy alliance apart. This book is a fast-paced thrill ride, smart and fun. I couldn’t put it down. Reviewed by Philip Zozzaro

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Kids’ Books SNAP IT for additional book summaries.

The Case for Loving: The Fight for Interracial Marriage By Selina Alko, Sean Qualls (illustrator) Arthur A. Levine Books, $17.99, 40 pages Check this out! Selina Alko’s The Case for Loving— a double entendre on both the famous case Loving v. Virginia, as well as the intimate relationship which the Lovings fought victoriously to uphold—is an exceptional rendition of the story for children. Underneath the thoroughly reactionary accusations of “unlawful cohabitation” (i.e., 1924 Racial Integrity Act), Alko exposes a beautiful series of illustrated events spanning the lifetime of Richard and Mildred Loving’s marriage: Richard proposing to Mildred under butterfly hearts, matrimony pictures, children playing, the couple sitting united on the front porch or in mass protest against racial discrimination, injustice, and social inequality. These healthy acts mock the thoroughly antidemocratic character of these laws in living colors.

Apart from the unique glance at the struggle for basic human and constitutional rights in American history, children also gain the power of reason, argument, and debate with this case before the Supreme Court. They also garner healthy skepticism in human law, witness the pride of those committed to fighting for social equality, and most importantly, enjoy the freedom to love, as Mildred says, “I support the freedom to marry for all. That’s what Loving, and loving, are all about.” Reviewed by Ariel Plotnik

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Random Body Parts: Gross Anatomy Riddles in Verse By Leslie Bulion, Mike Lowery (illustrator) Peachtree Publishers, $14.95, 48 pages Check this out! Let’s see. How could one go about getting kids interested in science, specifically anatomy, and poetry? That can’t be an easy assignment, yet author Leslie Bulion and illustrator Mike Lowery took on this task and came up with the answer: One uses riddling poems full of outrageous humor and lots of gross word images interspersed with short bursts of facts written with lively language and full of interesting evidence. Illustrate it all with really silly drawings and occasional photographs. This short book will have kids reading, sharing, and laughing. All the while they will be learning, but that can be our little secret.

This is a really fresh way to get kids thinking and working ideas out for themselves. In addition to the clever riddling poems and educational sidebars, there is good back matter that includes a very complete glossary of the body part terms covered by the poems, a silly drawing of human anatomy, and a good explanation of the forms and inspiration of each of the poems. Middle-grade readers will love this book, and parents and teachers will as well. Reviewed by Rosi Hollinbeck

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918.549.READ

JUNE 2015

A FREE MONTHLY GUIDE TO YOUR COMMUNITY LIBRARY, ITS PROGRAMS AND SERVICES

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adults & all ages BIXBY LIBRARY A-Book-A-Month Discussion Group Wednesday, June 24 • 2-3 p.m. Read "The Last Original Wife" by Dorothea Benton Frank and then join us for this lively discussion. For adults.

BROKEN ARROW LIBRARY Open Book Discussion Group Tuesday, June 2 • 6:30-7:45 p.m. Join us as we discuss "The Twelve Tribes of Hattie" by Ayana Mathis. Copies of the book are available at the library. For adults. Participants should read the book prior to the program.

BROKEN ARROW LIBRARY/SOUTH Great Decisions Wednesday, June 3 • 12:30-2:30 p.m. Great Decisions is America's largest discussion program on world affairs. Join other adults in a lively discussion analyzing current issues and their historical precedents. We will sum up the discussions from February through May, including Russia, privacy, India, Middle East sectarianism, Syria, U.S. policy toward Africa and human trafficking. For adults.

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Novels @ Night Book Club Tuesday, June 9 • 6:30-7:30 p.m. Join us as we discuss "Station Eleven" by Emily St. John Mandel as well as other books we have read lately. A limited number of copies will be available at the front desk. Call 918-549-7662 to inquire. For adults. Participants should read the book prior to the program.

BROOKSIDE LIBRARY Brookside Book Discussion Monday, June 8 • 1:30-3 p.m. Read "The All-Girl Filling Station's Last Reunion" by Fannie Flagg and then join us for this lively discussion. This is the story of a daughter who uncovers her mother's story involving a gas station during the 1940s in Pulaski, Wis. During World War II, Fritzi became a Fly Girl, transporting military aircraft as a member of the Women Airforce Service Pilots (WASP). After learning of Fritzi's adventures, Sookie is inspired to reexamine her own life. For adults.

COLLINSVILLE LIBRARY All Thumbs Knitters Wednesdays, June 3, 10, 17, 24 1-3 p.m. • All levels of knitting expertise are welcome to join us for this fun and instructional afternoon. For adults. Collinsville Book Discussion Tuesday, June 9 • noon-1 p.m. Read "A Long Way From Chicago" and "A Year Down Yonder" by Richard Peck and then join this fun group for a lively discussion. For adults.

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Patchworkers Tuesday, June 9 • 6-8 p.m. If you want to learn to quilt or are already an experienced quilter, join us for an informative and fun evening. For adults. Job Lab Monday, June 22 • 11 a.m.-1 p.m. Make an appointment to get one-toone assistance with your job search. Library staff will help you update your résumé, create an email address, search for jobs online, complete online applications, or explore a new career in this special lab just for job seekers. You will have access to Microsoft Office software and the Internet. USB flash drives are available for purchasing, or you can bring your own to save your work. Standard printing charges apply. Registration is required. Call 918-549-7528 to schedule an appointment. For adults.

COMMUNITY VENUES Music Sandwiched In: Cairde na Gael Monday, June 8 • 12:10-12:50 p.m. LOCATION: Oklahoma Methodist Manor, Fleming Center, 4134 E. 31st St. Hear tunes of the Emerald Isle infused with Oklahoma flair in Irish band Cairde na Gael's unique style of "O'kie Irish Music." This program is in conjunction with the Adult Summer Reading Program "Migrations," and the One Book, One Tulsa selection, "The Warmth of

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Other Suns." For all ages. Sponsored by Tulsa Library Trust, Friends of the Tulsa City-County Libraries and Oklahoma Methodist Manor. Film on the Lawn: "Big Night" Thursday, June 18 • 7:30-11 p.m. LOCATION: Philbrook Museum, 2727 S. Rockford Ave. Enjoy an evening of entertainment and great cinema on the Philbrook lawn as we watch "Big Night," the story of two Italian immigrant brothers struggling to keep their restaurant afloat in 1950s America. The film is rated R for language. For adults. Sponsored by Tulsa Library Trust and Philbrook Museum. Music Sandwiched In: Something Steel Monday, June 22 • 12:10-12:50 p.m. LOCATION: Oklahoma Methodist Manor, Fleming Center, 4134 E. 31st St. Dance to the Caribbean and South American rhythms of Something Steel, featuring steel drums, guitar and percussion. Be prepared to sing along and do the conga! This program is in conjunction with the Adult Summer Reading Program "Migrations" and the One Book, One Tulsa selection, "The Warmth of Other Suns." For all ages. Sponsored by Tulsa Library Trust, Friends of the Tulsa City-County Libraries and Oklahoma Methodist Manor.

Saturday, June 6 • *11 a.m.-2 p.m. Martin Regional Library 2601 S. Garnett Road • 918-549-7590

(*10:45 a.m., opening ceremony featuring dragon dance) Learn about the customs and traditions of many Asian cultures with entertaining, educational events for the entire family. Wear traditional Asian dress or cosplay costume for a chance to win a gift card. Check out our new collection of Chinese materials, made possible by Tulsa City-County Library’s partnership with the Shanghai Library. Food concession provided by India Palace and Lone Wolf Food Truck. Visit www.TulsaLibrary.org/AsianFestival for a complete schedule of presentations and more details. Funded and sponsored by the Tulsa Library Trust, with additional support provided by the Mary K. Chapman Foundation, George Kaiser Family Foundation, Mazzio’s Italian Eatery, Nam Hai Oriental Supermarket, Panera Bread, Reasor’s, Tulsa City-County Library Staff Association and Tulsa Shriners.

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HARDESTY REGIONAL LIBRARY Exhibit: Tulsa – A New Home June 1-July 31 This exhibit celebrates early Jewish immigrants to Tulsa and their impact on the broader community. An online exhibit complements and extends our physical exhibit and presents a more in-depth look at some of our collections. Visit http://guides. tulsalibrary.org/jewishimmigrants to view the online exhibit. Sponsored by the Tulsa Library Trust and the Sherwin Miller Museum of Jewish Art. Council Oak Men's Chorale Wednesday, June 3 • 7-8 p.m. Location: Frossard Auditorium It's an annual tradition! In celebration of Pride Week, the library welcomes Council Oak Men's Chorale for a free preview of their summer concert. For adults. Simple Steps for Starting Your Business: Start-Up Basics Thursday, June 4 • 6:30-8:30 p.m. Location: Pecan Room Want to start a business? Get the help you need with SCORE experts. Learn the essentials of business start-ups, get action steps for your business and receive one-to-one mentoring. SCORE is a nonprofit association of volunteer business experts. Registration is required. Go to www. tulsa.score.org to register. For adults. What Should I Read Next? Saturday, June 20 • 2-3:30 p.m. Location: Computer Lab Need help selecting your next book? Learn about all the online resources available to find your next great read. We'll discuss the library catalog, websites, blogs and other resources that will help you find the next book you'll love. Basic computer skills are required for this hands-on class. For adults. Class is limited to 18 on a first-come, first-served basis.

JENKS LIBRARY Jenks Library Book Discussion Group Thursday, June 18 • 1:30-2:30 p.m. Read "The Warmth of Other Suns" by Isabel Wilkerson and then join us for this lively discussion. For adults.

LIBRARIUM KnitWits Knitting Club Wednesday, June 10 • 3-5 p.m. Thursday, June 25 • 3-5 p.m. Do you like to crochet or knit, or would you like to learn how?

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Join the KnitWits! All skill levels are welcome. We will have kits available for checkout. For all ages. National Day of Making Thursday, June 18 ● 9 a.m.-7 p.m. Celebrate National Day of Making with free 3-D printing and a variety of hands-on maker projects for all ages. Printing is on a first-come, first-served basis. Orientation to 3-D Printing and Carving Saturday, June 20 • 2:30-3 p.m. Librarium has an Ultimaker 2 and a Makerbot 3-D printer as well as a Shapeoko CNC carving machine. Join us for a short orientation on the use of these machines and then sign up to use them yourself! For all ages.

MARTIN REGIONAL LIBRARY Personal Migrations June 1-Aug. 1 The theme for the 2015 Adult Summer Reading Program is "Migrations." The selection for One Book, One Tulsa is Isabel Wilkerson's "The Warmth of Other Suns," which tells the story of The Great Migration. Drop by the library, sign up for the program and while you're here mark the spot on our world map to illustrate your family's migration. Sponsored by Tulsa Library Trust. Asian-American Festival Saturday, June 6 • 10:45 a.m.-2 p.m. Celebrate the customs and traditions of Asia with a day of entertaining, educational activities for the entire family. Explore the colorful cultures of Cambodia, China, India, Indonesia, Japan, Korea, Taiwan, Thailand, Vietnam and other countries in Asia. The festival kicks off with a dragon dance at 10:45 a.m. and features martial arts demonstrations; traditional dance performances; authentic arts, crafts and food booths; and lots of fun hands-on activities for children and teens. Food concession provided by India Palace and Lone Wolf Food Truck. Wear traditional Asian dress or cosplay costume for a chance to win a gift card. Visit www.TulsaLibrary.org/AsianFestival for a complete schedule of presentations. Sponsored and funded by the Tulsa Library Trust, with additional support provided by the Mary K. Chapman Foundation, George Kaiser Family Foundation, Mazzio's Italian Eatery, Nam Hai Oriental Supermarket, Panera Bread, Reasor's, Tulsa CityCounty Library Staff Association and Tulsa Shriners. For all ages.

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RUDISILL REGIONAL LIBRARY Historic All-Black Town Bus Tour Saturday, June 13 ● 7:30 a.m.-5:30 p.m. Bus departs promptly at 7:30 a.m. and returns at 5:30 p.m.; sign in at 7 a.m. Featured towns are Summit, Rentiesville (Battle of Honey Springs), Tullahassee and the all-black community of Warrior, Okla. Historians Shirley Nero and Jimmie White are joined by historian Harold Aldridge Jr. who will serenade us with his blues guitar! Lunch is at Muskogee. Breakfast and lunch are included. Tickets are $45 each and are nonrefundable. Children ages 17 and younger must be accompanied by an adult guardian. Seating is limited on a first-come, first-served basis. Purchase tickets in advance in person at Rudisill Regional Library via cash or check (credit cards are not accepted). For more information, call 918-549-7645. Sponsored by Tulsa Library Trust and the African-American Resource Center. Simple Steps for Starting Your Business: Start-up Basics Saturday, June 20 • 11 a.m.-1:30 p.m. Location: Greenwood Room Want to start a business? Get the help you need with SCORE experts. Learn the essentials of business start-ups, get action steps for your business and receive one-to-one mentoring. SCORE is a nonprofit association of volunteer business experts. Registration is required. Go to www. tulsa.score.org to register. For adults.

teens & tweens Check the Summer Reading Program Event Guide for additional events for teens and tweens scheduled in June.

BROKEN ARROW LIBRARY Read or Die Anime Club Saturday, June 20 • noon-2 p.m. Hang out and watch anime, draw manga and eat snacks! For ages 12-18.

JENKS LIBRARY J-TAG Summer Get-Together Tuesday, June 2 • 4-5 p.m. Join us as we create crafts and discuss summer reads. Snacks are provided! For ages 13-17.

MARTIN REGIONAL LIBRARY Asian-American Festival Saturday, June 6 • 10:45 a.m.-2 p.m. Celebrate the customs and traditions of Asia with a day of entertaining, educational activities for the entire family. Explore the colorful cultures of Cambodia, China, India, Indonesia, Japan, Korea, Taiwan, Thailand, Vietnam and other countries in Asia. The festival kicks off with a dragon dance at 10:45 a.m. and features martial arts demonstrations; traditional dance performances; authentic arts, crafts and food booths; and lots of fun hands-on activities for children and teens. Food concession provided by India Palace and Lone Wolf Food Truck. Wear traditional Asian dress or cosplay costume for a chance to win a gift card. Visit www.TulsaLibrary.org/AsianFestival for a complete schedule of presentations. Sponsored and funded by the Tulsa Library Trust, with additional support provided by the Mary K. Chapman Foundation, George Kaiser Family Foundation, Mazzio's Italian Eatery, Nam Hai Oriental Supermarket, Panera Bread, Reasor's, Tulsa CityCounty Library Staff Association and Tulsa Shriners. For all ages.

SUBURBAN ACRES LIBRARY Summertime Sista' Chat Saturday, June 13 • 11 a.m.-1 p.m. Summer is once again upon us so join the Sista' Chat Book Club in the cool of the library as we discuss "The Family Business Series" by Carl Weber and other great reads. For teens and adults. An Explosion of Colors With Stuff From Home! STEM Is Awesome! Saturday, June 20 • 11 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Using simple materials like milk and food coloring will provide an opportunity for participants to see an awesome chemical reaction! STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering & Mathematics) projects can be fun and educational. Join in the fun! For ages 10-18.

TULSA CITY-COUNTY LIBRARY EVENT GUIDE

JUNE 2015

FOR CHILDREN • CONTINUES THROUGH AUG. 1 SIGN UP AT

www.TulsaLibrary.org/summer to participate in the program. Read or listen to 8 books to earn a medal of achievement and coupons for free: • Admission to Tulsa Shock game • Admission to Oklahoma Aquarium • Admission to Tulsa Zoo • Admission to Tulsa Air and Space Museum • Admission to Tulsa Drillers game • Admission to Tulsa State Fair • Admission to Tulsa Children’s Museum • Admission to Tulsa Roughnecks FC game • Chicken McNuggets from McDonald’s • Cinnamon sticks from Mazzio’s Italian Eatery • Round-trip bus ride on Tulsa Transit • Chicken nuggets from Wendy’s • Original glazed doughnut from Krispy Kreme • Iced and decorated cookie from Merritt’s Bakery Medal winners who have completed kindergarten or are in first through fifth grade may enter a drawing for great prizes, including bicycles with helmets. To complement the Summer Reading Program, hundreds of free events – including magic shows, music performances, puppet shows and professional storytelling presentations – are scheduled at area libraries this summer. Pick up a Summer Reading Program Event Guide from any TCCL library or visit www.TulsaLibrary.org/ summer for more details.

www.TulsaLibrary.org

FOR TEENS AND TWEENS • CONTINUES THROUGH AUG. 1 SIGN UP AT

www.TulsaLibrary.org/summer to participate in the program. You must have completed fifth grade to sign up for the program. Read 6 books to complete the program and earn a flashlight and coupons for free: • Admission to Tulsa Shock game • Admission to Tulsa Zoo • Admission to Tulsa Drillers game • Admission to Tulsa State Fair • Admission to Tulsa Roughnecks FC game • Frozen custard from Freckles Frozen Custard • Chicken McNuggets from McDonald’s • Cinnamon sticks from Mazzio’s Italian Eatery • Round-trip bus ride on Tulsa Transit • Chicken nuggets from Wendy’s • Original glazed doughnut from Krispy Kreme • Iced and decorated cookie from Merritt’s Bakery Once you complete the program, you may enter a drawing for cool prizes, including Xbox 360, Kindle Fire and laptop. To complement the Summer Reading Program, hundreds of free events – including cartooning/illustration workshop with Morgan Taylor and ventriloquism/ magic show with Jeff Cauthen – are scheduled at area libraries this summer. Pick up a Summer Reading Program Event Guide from any TCCL library or visit www.TulsaLibrary.org/ summer for more details.

TULSA CITY-COUNTY LIBRARY EVENT GUIDE

JUNE 2015

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computers, devices &

digital services HARDESTY REGIONAL LIBRARY MS Excel 1 Tuesday, June 2 • 6-8 p.m. Location: Computer Lab This class shows how to create formulas, use automatic fill and change basic formatting. You should take MS Word 2 and have some experience using a mouse prior to taking this class. For adults. Class is limited to 18 on a first-come, first-served basis.

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Really Basic Computer Class Saturday, June 6 • 9:30-10:30 a.m. Location: Computer Lab This class is designed for new computer users who have little or no previous experience using computers, Windows, a mouse or the Internet, and little or no knowledge of basic computer terms. For adults. Registration is required. Class size is limited. Call 918-549-7550 to register. MS Excel 2 Tuesday, June 9 • 6-8 p.m. Location: Computer Lab This class shows how to create and edit formulas, and apply functions and advanced formatting to your spreadsheets and workbooks. You should take MS Excel 1 prior to taking this class. For adults. Class is limited to 18 on a first-come, first-served basis.

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MS Excel 3 Tuesday, June 16 • 6-8 p.m. Location: Computer Lab This class shows how to create charts, apply conditional formatting and control the appearance of printed spreadsheets. You should take MS Excel 2 prior to taking this class. For adults. Class is limited to 18 on a first-come, first-served basis. What Should I Read Next? Saturday, June 20 • 2-3:30 p.m. Location: Computer Lab Need help selecting your next book? Learn about all the online resources available to find your next great read. We'll discuss the library catalog, websites, blogs and other resources that will help you find the next book you'll love. Basic computer skills are required for this hands-on

tulsa city-county library locations 25 Bixby Library 20 E. Breckenridge, 74008 • 918-549-7514 M-W, 10-6; Th, 12-8; Fri., 12-6; Sat., 11-5 19 Broken Arrow Library 300 W. Broadway, 74012 • 918-549-7500 M-Th, 10-8; Fri., 10-6; Sat., 10-5 23 Broken Arrow Library/South 3600 S. Chestnut, 74011 • 918-549-7662 M-Th, 10-8; Fri.-Sat., 10-5 17 Brookside Library 1207 E. 45th Place, 74105 • 918-549-7507 M-Th, 10-8; Fri., 10-6; Sat., 10-5 9 Central Library Closed for renovation 400 Civic Center, 74103 • 918-549-7323 8 Charles Page Library 551 E. Fourth St., Sand Springs, 74063 918-549-7521 • M, 10-6; T, 10-8; W-Fri., 10-6; Sat., 11-5 2 Collinsville Library 1223 Main, 74021 • 918-549-7528 M, 10-6; T, 12-8; W-Th, 10-6; Fri., 11-6; Sat., 10-5 24 Glenpool Library 730 E. 141st St., 74033 • 918-549-7535 M, 10-6; T, 12-8; W-Th, 10-6; Fri., 12-6; Sat., 11-5 22 Hardesty Regional Library and Genealogy Center 8316 E. 93rd St., 74133 • 918-549-7550 M-Th, 9-9; Fri., 9-6; Sat., 9-5; Sun., 1-5 21 Helmerich Library 5131 E. 91st St., 74137 • 918-549-7631 M-Th, 10-8; Fri.-Sat., 10-5 18 Herman and Kate Kaiser Library 5202 S. Hudson Ave., Suite B, 74135 918-549-7542 • M-Th, 10-8; Fri., 10-6; Sat., 10-5 20 Jenks Library 523 W. B St., 74037 • 918-549-7570 M-W, 10-6; Th, 10-8; Fri., 10-6; Sat., 11-5 3 Judy Z. Kishner Library 10150 N. Cincinnati Ave. E., Sperry 74073 • 918-549-7577 M, 10-6; T, 12-8; W-Th, 10-6; Fri., 12-6; Sat., 11-5

11 Kendall-Whittier Library 21 S. Lewis, 74104 • 918-549-7584 M-Th, 10-6; Fri., 11-6; Sat., 10-5 10 Librarium 1110 S. Denver Ave., 74119 • 918-549-7349 M-Th, 9-7; Fri.-Sat., 9-5 15 Martin Regional Library and Hispanic Resource Center 2601 S. Garnett Road, 74129 • 918-549-7590 M-Th, 9-9; Fri., 9-6; Sat., 9-5; Sun., 1-5 7 Maxwell Park Library 1313 N. Canton, 74115 • 918-549-7610 M-Th, 10-6; Fri., 11-6; Sat., 10-5 14 Nathan Hale Library 6038 E. 23rd St., 74114 • 918-549-7617 M-Th, 10-6; Fri., 11-6; Sat., 10-5 4 Owasso Library 103 W. Broadway, 74055 • 918-549-7624 M-Th, 10-8; Fri., 10-6; Sat., 10-5 12 Pratt Library 3219 S. 113th W. Ave., Sand Springs, 74063 • 918-549-7638 M-W, 10-6; Th, 10-8; Fri., 10-6; Sat., 11-5 6 Rudisill Regional Library and African-American Resource Center 1520 N. Hartford, 74106 • 918-549-7645 M-Th, 9-9; Fri.-Sat., 9-5; Sun., 1-5 13 Schusterman-Benson Library 3333 E. 32nd Place, 74135 918-549-7670 • M-Th, 10-8; Fri.-Sat., 10-5 1 Skiatook Library 316 E. Rogers, 74070 • 918-549-7676 M-W, 10-6; Th, 12-8; Fri., 11-6; Sat., 10-5 5 Suburban Acres Library 4606 N. Garrison, 74126 • 918-549-7655 M-Th, 10-6; Fri., 12-6; Sat., 11-5 16 Zarrow Regional Library and American Indian Resource Center 2224 W. 51st St., 74107 • 918-549-7683 M-Th, 9-9; Fri.-Sat., 9-5; Sun., 1-5

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s e r v i c e s class. For adults. Class is limited to 18 on a first-come, first-served basis. MS PowerPoint 101 Tuesday, June 23 • 6-8 p.m. Location: Computer Lab This class shows how to create group presentations and slide shows. You should take MS Word 2 prior to taking this class. For adults. Class is limited to 18 on a first-come, first-served basis. MS Word 1 Tuesday, June 30 • 6-8 p.m. Location: Computer Lab This class shows how to use toolbars and menus, set margins, apply spell check, and preview, save and print documents. You should have some experience using a computer keyboard and mouse prior to taking this class. For adults. Class is limited to 18 on a first-come, first-served basis.

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MARTIN REGIONAL LIBRARY MS Word 1 Saturday, June 6 • 10 a.m.-noon Location: Computer Lab This class shows how to use toolbars and menus, set margins, apply spell check, and preview, save and print documents. You should have some experience using a computer keyboard and mouse prior to taking this class. For adults. MS Word 2 Saturday, June 13 • 10 a.m.-noon Location: Computer Lab This class shows how to create and format tables, use bulleted and numbered lists, and apply and format columns in a document. You should take MS Word 1 prior to attending. For adults. MS Word 3 Saturday, June 20 • 10 a.m.-noon Location: Computer Lab This class shows how to create and use borders and shading, headers and footers, page numbering and drawing tools. You should take MS Word 2 prior to taking this class. For adults. MS Word 4 Saturday, June 27 • 10 a.m.-noon Location: Computer Lab This class explores mail merge, and shows how to use tables to perform calculations and create onscreen forms. You should take MS Word 3 prior to taking this class. For adults.

RUDISILL REGIONAL LIBRARY Really Basic Computer Class Friday, June 5 • 9:30-11 a.m. Location: Computer Lab This class is designed for new computer users who have little or no previous experience using computers, Windows, a mouse or the Internet, and little or no knowledge of basic computer terms. For adults. Registration is required. Class size is limited. Call 918-549-7645 to register. Introduction to MS Word Friday, June 12 • 9:30-11 a.m. Location: Computer Lab This class shows how to use toolbars and menus, set margins, apply spell check, and preview, save and print documents. You should have some experience using a computer keyboard and mouse prior to taking this class. For adults. Registration is required. Class size is limited. Call 918-549-7645 to register.

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Internet @ the Library Friday, June 19 • 9:30-11 a.m. Location: Computer Lab This class is designed for people with little or no experience using the Internet. You will learn to navigate the World Wide Web and use the library's catalog system and online resources. For adults. Registration is required. Class size is limited. Call 918-549-7645 to register. Email 101 Friday, June 26 • 9:30-11 a.m. Location: Computer Lab This class teaches you how to set up a free account and use it to send and receive email. You should take an Internet @ the Library class or have a familiarity with the basic functions of navigating the Internet prior to taking this class. For adults. Registration is required. Class size is limited. Call 918-549-7645 to register.

ZARROW REGIONAL LIBRARY Really Basic Computer Class Wednesday, June 3 • 1:30-3 p.m. Location: Computer Lab This class is designed for new computer users who have little or no previous experience using computers, Windows, a mouse or the Internet, and little or no knowledge of basic computer terms. For adults. Class is limited to 12 on a first-come, first-served basis.

children Check the Summer Reading Program Event Guide for additional children’s events scheduled in June.

JENKS LIBRARY My First Storytime Wednesdays, June 3, 10, 17, 24 10-10:15 a.m. • For newborns to 2-year-olds and their caregivers. Preschool Storytime Wednesdays, June 3, 10, 17, 24 10:30-11 a.m. • Themes are: June 3, "At the Beach"; June 10, "Fish"; June 17, "Sea Horses"; and June 24, "Octopus." For ages 3-5. PAWS for Reading Monday, June 15 • 4-5 p.m. Registered therapy dogs are excellent listeners. Kids ages 5-12 are invited to read their favorite books to a furry, four-pawed friend. Each reader will

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receive a free book provided by the Tulsa Library Trust. Registration is required. Call 918-549-7570 to register.

JUDY Z. KISHNER LIBRARY I'm a Hero! And So Are You! Tuesday, June 2 • 2-3 p.m. Start the Summer Reading Program with this special event that puts you in the superhero spotlight! For ages 5-11. Puzzle Mania: Fairy-Tale Heroes! Tuesday, June 16 • 2-3 p.m. Team up with fellow participants and share your super abilities! Complete fairy-tale puzzles and win prizes. For ages 5-11.

KENDALL-WHITTIER LIBRARY Tulsa Children's Museum Presents Science of Triangles Friday, June 12 • 3:30-4:15 p.m. Explore the use of shapes in architecture, while discovering the strength triangles provide for structures. Using spaghetti and mini marshmallows, participants will create their own structure. For all ages.

Touch-A-Truck Saturday, June 27 • 10 a.m.-noon Bring the entire family for this exciting outdoor event where you can see vehicles of all sizes and shapes up close! Hear the horns sound, see the lights flash and even sit in the driver's seat. This is hands-on fun for kids of all ages. Sponsored by Tulsa Library Trust and Flint Family Foundation.

MAXWELL PARK LIBRARY Super Awesome Storytime Wednesdays, June 3, 10, 17, 24 10:30-11 a.m. Discover the origin stories and continuing adventures of your favorite heroes every week during the summer. For ages 11 and younger.

SKIATOOK LIBRARY PAWs for Reading With Miss Marley Wednesdays, June 3, 10, 17, 24 10-10:45 a.m. Come and read to Miss Marley, our four-legged friend, and take home a free book provided by the Tulsa Library Trust. For ages 2-12. Storytime With Miss Brittany Wednesdays, June 3, 10, 17, 24 11-11:30 a.m. Listen to stories and sing songs. For ages 6 and younger. PAWS for Reading With Miss Fred Saturdays, June 6, 20, 27 noon-1 p.m. Come and read to Miss Fred, our four-legged friend, and take home a free book provided by the Tulsa Library Trust. For ages 2-12.

TO SEARCH FOR EVENTS, SCAN THIS CODE USING YOUR MOBILE DEVICE AND QR SCANNER APP.

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

The Tulsa City-County Library Event Guide is produced by the Public Relations Office of the Tulsa City-County Library. For questions or concerns, call 918-549-7389.

1965

When it first opened its doors for service on June 30, 1965, Central Library was the finest example of a contemporary library. People traveled from all over the nation, as well as from several countries around the world, to see this library built for the future. Today, this well-loved, well-used library is in the midst of a complete renovation to meet the needs of the 21st century customer, floor by floor, amenity by amenity. When it reopens its doors for service mid-2016, the renewed Central Library once again will be the finest example of a contemporary library and a destination place for people to convene, collaborate and create.

2016

Book Reviews Kids’ Books cont’d from page 8 The Tapper Twins Go to War (With Each Other) By Geoff Rodkey Little, Brown, $13.99, 220 pages Check this out! Claudia and Reese are twelve-year-old twins who live with their parents in New York. They are bright and attend a private school. One day, someone announces a foul smell in the cafeteria. Reese tells everyone his sister farted and calls Claudia “Princess Farts-a-Lot.” Needless to say, she is embarrassed and angry. Claudia thinks long and hard how to get back at her brother, and what she comes up with is masterful. Let’s just say it involves a dead fish, and when Reese’s favorite backpack is ruined, it’s on. The stakes are raised, reinforcements are called in, and battles are waged.

This incredibly funny story is told as an oral history by the siblings. Claudia acts as editor, and her editorial comments are worth the price of admission. Geoff Rodkey, a former screenwriter, has his pacing down to a science. He seems completely and comfortably in touch with his middleschool self. The voices of the two characters telling the story are absolutely pitch perfect. The language is of today and the emotions shown by the characters are perfectly prepubescent. The situations are believable, while at the same time outrageously funny. Kids are going to gobble up this new series. Adults will enjoy it too. Reviewed by Rosi Hollinbeck

YOUTH NONFICTION

COMING SOON

Search the library’s catalog at www.TulsaLibrary.org to reserve your copies now.

12 Amphibians Back From the Brink

by Samantha S. Bell • Shares the survival stories of

amphibians that were endangered but made a comeback, including the hellbender salamander, Kihansi spray toad and mountain yellow-legged frog.

This or That? 3: Even More Wacky Choices to Reveal the Hidden You by J.R. Mortimer

Want to find out your ideal career? The country that best suits your idea of the good life? The species of your inner animal? It’s all here and more in this silly and simple quiz book that’s so revealing that you’ll want to share the results with your parents, friends, and maybe even your brother and sister.

Scooby-Doo! and the Truth Behind Ghosts

by Terry Collins • Scooby-Doo and the Mystery Inc. gang have seen their share of ghosts and monsters. When Shaggy and Scooby want to learn all about ghosts, the gang has all the answers. Join Scooby and the gang as they unmask the truth behind ghosts!

Trapped! A Whale’s Rescue by Robert Burleigh

In the icy waters of the Pacific, a massive humpback whale unexpectedly finds herself tangled in a net abandoned by fishermen. When a rescue boat and a convoy of divers arrive to help the struggling humpback, a realistic and moving encounter bridges the human and aquatic worlds.

Category

Picture Books SNAP IT for additional book summaries.

Chu’s Day at the Beach By Neil Gaiman, Adam Rex (illustrator) HarperCollins, $17.99, 32 pages Check this out! The cute, little, giant panda Chu jumped on the scene in Chu’s Day to the delight of parents and children alike in a fun board book as a circus suffered the deleterious effects of Chu’s sneezing. Now the duo-Gaiman and Rex-are back with the follow-up, Chu’s Day at the Beach, this time, in full picture-book format.

As the title says, Chu joins his parents in a trip to the beach. As Chu is enjoying his ice cream, he takes off his sunglasses and looks up at the sun, making his nose twitch, and then lets out a big squeeze that causes an even bigger problem than blowing away the circus and this time it will take some other characters to help him put everything back together again. The beauty of the picture book is in the larger artwork from Adam Rex which is vibrant and colorful and simply fascinating to study with the vast menagerie hanging out at the beach in their strange and entertaining anthropromorphic way. The story’s fun. The artwork is astonishing; it’s all around a great book. Reviewed by Alex Telander

Tulsa Book Review • June 2015 • 9

, CHILDREN S FICTION COMING SOON

TO TULSA CITY-COUNTY LIBRARY Search the library’s catalog at www.TulsaLibrary.org to reserve your copies now.

Help, I Don’t Want a Babysitter! by Anke Wagner • When his parents make plans for an evening out together, Ollie is anxious about meeting his first babysitter and imagines the worst, from having to eat yucky vegetables to being sprayed with stinky perfume. Little Miss, Big Sis by Amy Krouse Rosenthal Little Miss will be a big sis. In the perfect followup to Plant a Kiss, Little Miss anticipates the momentous arrival of a new baby and then experiences the wonders of being a big sis.

Spots in a Box by Helen Ward • Ordering some

spots by mail when he worries about his lack thereof, a young guinea fowl is surprised by his delivery, which contains spots of various sizes, colors and patterns.

The Noisy Clock Shop by Jean Horton Berg

Mr. Winky is fond of his noisy clock shop until Mr. Glum comments on the awful noise, that is. Newly bothered by the constant tick tocks, Mr. Winky decides to leave. But no matter where he goes (the train, the countryside and the woods), he can’t find any peace. There’s noise everywhere! Before long, Mr. Winky can’t wait to get back to the comfort of his noisy clock shop.

Book Reviews Category

Tweens SNAP IT for additional book summaries.

Princess Decomposia and Count Spatula By Andi Watson First Second, $14.99, 176 pages Check this out! The king of the underworld has retired to his bed, leaving his daughter, Decomposia, to run his kingdom in his name. As the princess is run ragged by the king, his numerous servants, and the demanding dignitaries she entertains regularly, a new cook is hired to appease the king’s flighty dietary restrictions. Count Spatula and Decomposia become fast friends as he tries out some unusual desserts, and it’s clear he’s smitten with the princess. But, are they meant to be more than friends? Princess Decomposia and Count Spatula is a graphic novel with plenty of charm. Watson’s underworld is imaginative and creepy, perfectly matching the spooky-yet-sweet flavoring of her protagonists. The king’s servants are peculiar and monstrous, but only in the lightest, most interesting ways. There’s no real scariness here to deter younger readers. But, for all its otherworldly trappings, what makes this story work is how true-to-life it feels. There is thoughtlessness and thoughtfulness, there is awkwardness and sweetness. The dialogue feels natural and honest, with all the pauses and unsaid words that come hand in hand with genuine interaction. The art may skew young, but the characterizations will appeal to all ages. Friendship, romance, and forgiveness—you couldn’t ask for anything more. Reviewed by Glenn Dallas Lauren Ipsum: A Story About Computer Science and Other Improbable Things By Carlos Bueno No Starch Press, $16.95, 192 pages Check this out! Lauren Ipsum: A Story About Computer Science and Other Improbable Things offers multiple levels of reading experience. First, there is the story of young Lauren Ipsum, an adventurous girl who resists her mother’s suggestion that

summer school would be a good idea. While getting away from her troubles in the woods, Laurie becomes lost in an amazingly complicated and fascinating place: Userland. Readers will enjoy Laurie’s resourceful problem solving as she figures out various puzzles. Imaginative characters include the Jargon (swamp creatures who “feed on attention” but will “settle for fear and confusion”), Achilles the Logician, and Fresnel Goodglass, who likes to “start with big ideas and make them smaller.” The latter section of the book explains aspects of logic and computer science that emerge in Laurie’s story, with concepts like algorithm, axiom, cryptography, symbol, infinite regress, and much more. This “Field Guide to Userland” is extremely helpful for understanding parts of the story such as: “Lauren Ipsum, you are hereby under arrest for Attempted Mythology, Counterfeiting Fair Coins, two counts of Impersonating a Composer, Hacking in the Third Degree, and Miscellaneous Mopery with Intent to Creep!” Although my seven-year-old daughter has been an independent reader for some time, she needs parental support to navigate the complexity of this book, especially the Field Guide. However, she very much appreciates the book’s spirit of adventure and playful storytelling. I look forward to sharing this exciting book with my child as we learn about computer science together. Reviewed by Melissa Ellington My Near-Death Adventures (99% True!) By Alison DeCamp Crown YR, $16.99, 256 pages Check this out! When we first meet Stanley Slater, he is eleven. It is 1895. Stanley lives with his mother and grandmother, and his greatest wish is to find his long-lost father. When they move to a logging camp run by his uncle, Stanley thinks it’s the perfect place to find his dad. Arriving in the lumber camp, Stanley meets his cousin Geri, an annoying girl a little older (and a little smarter) than he is. He soon

comes to think she is quite a prankster and is there to make his life miserable. One habit Stanley has that causes him no end of problems is that he often says out loud what he is thinking and doesn’t mean to say out loud. While he tries to cover over these outbursts by trying to say that he really said something else entirely, it doesn’t usually work. Alison DeCamp his written a very funny book that will keep young readers engaged and turning pages. The characters are all pretty fascinating, although a little outrageous and over the top, but they simply add to the nonstop humor. The firstperson telling of his own story by Stanley at an absolutely frantic pace is perfect for this book. Reviewed by Rosi Hollinbeck Chaos By Lanie Bross Delacorte Press, $17.99, 304 pages Check this out! Chaos follows the story of Lucas and Corinthe, who dared to fall in love back in their home world, a crime which earned Lucas the punishment of life on Earth. Separated from his soul mate, Lucas relentlessly fights to again be with Corinthe, who is now dead, using time travel. Jasmine, Lucas’ sister, constantly offers to help her brother, only to have Lucas be even more secretive about his mission. Besides the siblings’ conflict, Jasmine has other issues going on. The Executors from her home planet have followed her to Earth to carry out her preordained fate of death. The brother and sister fight battles of their own on their planet of punishment, living a life of true chaos. The novel is a gripping one, weaved with elements of mythology, romance, friendship and suspense. The plot is carefully developed, complete with well-garnished, dynamic characters. With time travel already being a nebulous concept, the novel also includes two completely different stories, focusing on both Lucas and Jasmine at the same time. The overlapping of tales, combined with time travel, creates a story that is often hard to keep up with. Besides this one weakness, Chaos was an excellent read which was thoroughly enjoyed. Reviewed by Sarah Guller All-Stars Squeeze Play By Cal Ripken Jr. Disney-Hyperion, $6.99, 224 pages Check this out! Corey Maduro should be having the time of his life. It’s baseball season and his team, the Orioles, are heading to a great week-

Tulsa Book Review • June 2015 • 10

long tournament. But, Corey has been in a hitting slump of epic proportions. While he’s trying to work out of that, he has two other problems—his father has become a complete jerk at the games, embarrassing Corey to no end, and Katelyn Morris, the only girl on the team, seems to try to humiliate Corey at every turn. Katelyn gives all the guys something of a bad time, but seems to really have it in for Corey. When Corey’s father films another team and tries to steal their signs at the tournament, all could be lost for the Orioles. Cal Ripken Jr. and Kevin Cowherd certainly know baseball, and their knowledge steeps this book in the game. Kids who are fans of baseball will be completely engaged. The problems Corey faces are problems those readers will relate to and sympathize with. The writing is crisp, the story is compelling, and the characters are well-drawn and believable. This series focuses on one player on the Orioles for each book and will have readers coming back for more. Reviewed by Rosi Hollinbeck All-Stars Out at Home By Cal Ripken Jr. Disney-Hyperion, $16.99, 208 pages Check this out! Mickey Labriogla may be the coach’s kid, but he has earned his spot as catcher with his solid play behind the dish. He knows how to call the game, his arm is strong and accurate, and he is tough enough to block the plate against anyone. When the Orioles, having a great season, have their pitcher go down to injury, it seems the season may be lost. But when Coach brings in a pitcher who throws hard and fast and hits his spots, it seems their prayers are answered—until the team gets a whiff of the new pitcher’s arrogance. He calls himself Zoom, insists on calling his own pitches, shows up late, and more, and Coach turns a blind eye. When the team finds itself in a championship game against Zoom’s former team, things get really interesting. This is the fifth book in the middlegrade series written by Cal Ripken Jr. and former sports writer Kevin Cowherd. Each book stands completely on its own, focusing on a different member of the team. The writing is excellent, the story compelling, and everything about it is believable. Young baseball fans will love this as well as the rest of the series. Reviewed by Rosi Hollinbeck

Book Reviews Category

Challenger Deep By Neal Shusterman HarperTeen, $17.99, 320 pages Check this out! Neal Shusterman explains in the author’s note that his son “journeyed to the deep” of mental illness and that this book tries to “capture what that descent was like.” In doing so, Shusterman has given teens and adults alike the opportunity to travel to the abyss with them through the main character, Caden.

Teens SNAP IT for additional book summaries.

Conspiracy of Blood and Smoke By Anne Blankman Balzer + Bray, $17.99, 416 pages Check this out! Gretchen Whitestone and her beau, Daniel Cohen, have managed to escape Germany and are now residing in England. She lives with her newly adopted family, Dr. Alfred Whitestone, his wife, and their children, while Daniel lives in a rented room nearby. One frightful evening, Daniel receives word that his cousin, Aaron, has been injured severely back in Germany and may not have much longer to live. Daniel leaves straightaway, vowing to Gretchen that he will return soon. Unfortunately, Gretchen receives word that Daniel has been accused of murder and is in danger. She drops everything and heads back to Germany into Hitler’s terrain, regardless of everything except saving her beloved. Will she and Daniel be able to clear his name and escape without being detected?

The Pretty App By Katie Sise Balzer + Bray, $17.99, 352 pages Check this out! Beautiful mean girl Blake Dawkins appears to have it all: the looks, the social standing, and the money. But, her life is far from perfect, and Blake dreams of eventually getting out from under the thumb of her father and into college. The second half of senior year takes an interesting turn with the debut of the Pretty App, where teenagers post their best selfies and rate one another, and also with the arrival of Leo, a transfer student to whom Blake finds herself drawn. When the Pretty App morphs into a beauty contest reality television show, Blake is chosen to compete and be declared the prettiest teen in America, a title which comes with all kinds of perks and may be the beginning of the TV career Blake wants so badly. But, things don’t seem right once Blake arrives on set, and she has no idea who can be trusted.

This high-schooler starts having more and more moments that are not quite right, moments he is fairly sure aren’t reality but still seem to make sense in his mind. It’s not for a while that his family and others realize he needs professional help, landing him in a psychiatric hospital for teens. There, he spends weeks under the care of a doctor and therapists, reality blending with the delusion that he’s on a ship traveling to “Challenger Deep,” where he must somehow reach the bottom of a seven-mile-deep trench. Readers are in Caden’s mind with him yet still can see the progress he makes as drug combinations are adjusted and readjusted to find a good mix to help him return to reality. The book is powerful, the symbols of Caden’s delusions and their meanings all deceptively simply spun into a tale-within-a-tale and wrapped up perfectly in the end. This book could have foundered in less-skilled hands, but Shusterman has the chops to make it brilliant. Reviewed by Cathy Lim

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

The emotion and fear is palpable in this gripping second installment. Anne Blankman has woven both fact and fiction seamlessly by creating a stunning reenactment of Hitler’s rise to power and the innumerable followers who abetted him in reaching the dizzying heights of success. Gretchen and Daniel are both mature individuals, and I loved reliving history through their eyes. I recommend this novel to all ages! It should be required reading material! It’s a definite must-have! Reviewed by Neha Patel

The Pretty App is the follow-up to Katie Sise’s The Boyfriend App, although it is not necessary to have read the latter to enjoy the former. Blake is the kind of mean girl we all love to hate, except readers will find themselves sympathizing with her as her layers peel away to reveal the vulnerable, likeable girl inside. With an interesting plot that teens today will relate to, The Pretty App is sure to be a hit. Reviewed by Holly Scudero Tulsa Book Review • June 2015 • 11

Book Reviews Category

Nonfiction SNAP IT for additional book summaries.

Everyone Is African: How Science Explodes the Myth of Race By Daniel J. Fairbanks Prometheus Books, $18.00, 200 pages Check this out! Scientifically, there are more differences within a race than between races. And that’s because race is an illusion, a social construct and has little to no basis in scientific reality. Unfortunately, in the politically charged world of today, race remains a hugely influential concept.

Everyone Is African can hopefully be a gateway to changing all that. This easily accessible, thoughtfully presented, and scholarly book starts by debunking the idea of race as a scientific construct, and then builds on that premise, exploring myths and misconceptions about intelligence and race-based social issues through the lens of a practiced and accomplished scientist. Fairbanks contrasts our long and unpleasant history of racial profiling and discrimination with the slow and steady development of scientific literature attacking the foundations of racial bias and its unpleasant offspring (like eugenics and tokenism). It’s a little depressing that in 2015 we need books like Everyone Is African. But, at the same time, if we do need them, I’m grateful we have intelligent, capable authors like Daniel J. Fairbanks to bridge (and hopefully shrink) the knowledge gap. Reviewed by Glenn Dallas

Incredible LEGO Technic: Cars, Trucks, Robots & More! By Pawel “Sariel” Kmiec No Starch Press, $29.95, 280 pages Check this out! No Starch Press is really making a name for itself by publishing high-quality, visually-arresting collections of amazing LEGO creations for the AFOL (Adult Fan of LEGO) community. And Incredible LEGO Technic has some truly phenomenal pieces to showcase. In short, this is world-class LEGO design and construction on display. These vehicle models and other designs don’t just look like their real-world counterparts, they work like them, too! Weight, balance, suspension, aesthetics and more are taken into account by some immensely talented brickwielding superfans. In addition to actual vehicles like sportscars, motorcycles, and construction equipment, Incredible LEGO Technic features fictional vehicles from Batman Begins, Avatar, Warhammer 40,000, and Star Wars, as well as oddities like a working braiding machine and a water strider that floats! The write-ups accompanying each piece include details on both the LEGO model and its inspiration, often because the idiosyncracies of the real vehicle are reflected in the construction story of the model. This is fantastic stuff from start to finish, and it will no doubt spark the imaginations of many AFOLs. Reviewed by Glenn Dallas The LEGO Mindstorms EV3 Idea Book: 181 Simple Machines and Clever Contraptions By Yoshihito Isogawa No Starch Press, $24.95, 232 pages Check this out! There are lots of books out now highlighting the rich community of amateur LEGO master builders on the Internet, showing off their incredible creations and showcasing the seemingly endless ways LEGOs can be used. I love those books, and I deeply admire the people who craft those remarkable pieces of LEGO art.

But, there are far fewer books that offer aspiring amateurs the tools and techniques necessary to realize their own ambitious designs.The LEGO Mindstorms EV3 Idea Book works to change that, presenting numerous simple and complex mechanisms to help bring your creations to life. This book is a one-stop master class in gear rotation, leverage utilization, and getting the most out of a LEGO motor and some wellchosen TECHNIC pieces. From flapping wings to lifting weights, absolutely everything that has to do with motion and movement is covered in full color photographs, complete with multiple angles to reveal every aspect of each mechanism. Plus, there are ideas to incorporate all of the sensors included in your standard Mindstorms kit, allowing you to make the most of every toy and tool at your disposal. The LEGO Mindstorms EV3 Idea Book belongs on any LEGO creator’s bookshelf. Reviewed by Glenn Dallas Beautiful LEGO 2: Dark By Mike Doyle No Starch Press, $39.95, 340 pages Check this out! I’ve always found reviewing art books challenging. And, mark my words, this is an art book. The LEGO creations featured within the pages of Beautiful LEGO 2: Dark are absolute masterpieces, highlighting immense skill and creativity worthy of display and appreciation. To be quite honest, I can’t do these models justice with mere words. Some mimic living creatures with remarkable detail, others find inspiration in pop culture, and still others bring their own stunning original visions into startling physical form. But, all of them are lovingly photographed and presented for your admiration in a collection that can (and should) amaze and delight. Although the collection is ostensibly supposed to reflect the beauty of darkness-from nightmares brought to life to macabre humor on display, even some designs meant to be viewed in shadow--there’s very little here that’s inappropriate for younger eyes (though you’ll want to give a flip through first, parents). Instead, it’s page after page of mind-blowing creativity. I think my favorite, though, was a kraken attacking what appears to be a superstar destroyer from Star Wars. This is funny and impressively realized all at once. Reviewed by Glenn Dallas

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A Buzz in the Meadow: The Natural History of a French Farm By Dave Goulson Picador, $25.00, 288 pages Check this out! Dave Goulson’s fascination and expertise with bumblebees led him to further his research by purchasing 33 rural acres in central France. His meadow is a treasure trove where he recognizes and documents the comings and goings of insects and other fauna, viewing natural surroundings as the seasons change. The book is a scientific treatise, delightfully interspersed with humor and personal detail on his morning runs around the neighborhood, sharing observations and opinions of all he sees, especially the number of people (scarcely any), dogs (variously friendly and hostile), and butterflies (beautiful, some exotically so). Eagerly spent visits to the countryside are sandwiched between his university teaching in England as he treks a vast chronological history.

In the first of two particularly informative chapters, he describes the preinsect fossil findings in the Canadian Rockies, tracing from half a billion years ago to the present. More bleakly, a later chapter delineates the darker side of today as the destructive power of chemical pesticides are likely devastating great swaths of agricultural land. Even the newer neonicotinoids or neonics, successors to the extended and now-banned DDT family, might lurk harmfully in the soil for many years. Readers will envy students, usually bound to the classroom or laboratory, who are invited to share Goulson’s fieldwork. Reviewed by Jane Manaster Sustainable Happiness: Live Simply, Live Well, Make a Difference By Sarah van Gelder, editor, the staff of YES! Magazine Berrett-Koehler Publishers, $16.95, 168 pages Check this out! The editor and staff of Yes! Magazine have condensed nearly two decades of articles

Book Reviews into this nicely balanced anthology. Unlike other happiness and self-help books, there are no follow-up exercises or worksheets to complete or blank pages for journaling—just articles for reflection with notes provided for further reference. Beginning with an introduction that offers a brief yet effective history lesson on A mer ican-st yle happiness, the remainder of the text is divided into three parts focused on real well-being, happiness practiced, and how to find happiness within our communities. As with most anthologies, some articles are appealing, worthy of the occasional reread; others may only be glossed over. And that’s okay. Even without reading all twenty-plus articles, readers will understand the main idea espoused—that happiness, in its many nonconsumerist forms, is within reach in rather simple ways. Valuing the gifts of others, taking a technology Sabbath one day a week, and sharing meals with loved ones are offered as examples. The intent of Sustainable Happiness is to leave readers with a sense of interconnectedness with others and the natural world and to see the “generative cycle” of happiness and well-being. In this, the book succeeds. Reviewed by Africa Hands Schubert’s Winter Journey: Anatomy of an Obsession By Ian Bostridge Knopf, $29.99, 528 pages Check this out! “Winterreise” (Winter Journey) is a cycle of twenty-four songs, poetic verses Franz Schubert set to music two hundred years ago that have compelled listeners ever since. Author Ian Bostridge has performed this cycle more than one hundred times and brings his intimate experience to this beautiful elucidation in his book. Bostridge walks readers through the overall arc of the song cycle, a story of a man leaving his love and journeying alone through a frozen land and through grief, despair, and alienation. Each song is presented in Bostridge’s translation beside the original German, and the lyrics are parsed for meaning and connection, to each other and to events in Schubert’s life and time. Even those without musical training will appreciate and understand Bostridge’s interpretations of the mu-

Nonfiction

sic as well, which are emotional rather than technical. The connections are far-ranging and complex, and Bostridge touches areas as diverse as political suppression, historic and cultural motifs, Schubert’s personal relationships, and the conflict between art and power, in brilliant analysis. The physical book itself is beautifully made, evoking the sparse and bleak, but agonizingly exquisite loveliness in a solitary winter landscape, and echoing, as does the text, the intense passion of the song cycle itself. Reviewed by Gretchen Wagner Peaceful Parent, Happy Siblings: How to Stop the Fighting and Raise Friends for Life By Laura Markham Perigee Trade, $15.95, 352 pages Check this out! Do your children occasionally squabble or even (gasp!) fight? Of course they do. Here Laura Markham offers a parenting style to both minimize children’s conflicts and enable those that do occur to be teaching experiences, where children learn successful conflict resolution and other skills. First, parents must model emotional selfregulation. Parents also ensure they have a warm, positive relationship with each child. Finally, a peaceful parent coaches by offering empathy. Sound easy? It isn’t, and Markham admits as much; but the rest of the book offers specific scripts for common incidents and a lot of role-playing practice. The last third even discusses helpful ideas to help older siblings adjust to new siblings and minimize jealousy and conflict before they arrive. The lessons and advice seem a bit overwhelming; it is difficult to change old (bad) habits; but Markham’s advice is easy-tounderstand and backed by copious and compelling research, especially regarding why conventional child-rearing tactics often fail, or even create lasting harm. The book resists shaming, instead urging parents to start a little at a time, but start somewhere, and assures parents that the efforts will pay great dividends in a happier, more peaceful home. Reviewed by Gretchen Wagner The Last Escaper By Peter Tunstall Overlook Press, $27.95, 316 pages Check this out! When Royal Air Force pilot Peter Tunstall and his crew became lost during a World War II night bombing mission, they were taken as prisoners of war by the Germans. At the POW camp, Tunstall im-

mediately began following the instructions given to RAF officers in such situations: “try to escape” and “be as big a bloody nuisance as possible to the enemy.” What follows is an account of his escape attempts and harassment of the guards as he was shuttled between various POW camps and solitary confinement due to his capers. Over the years, Tunstall escaped (and was caught) over eight times using various methods, including one when he dressed up as a German guard and brazenly walked through the front gate with his unknowing guards saluting him. From laugh-out-loud moments of hilarious pranks on the guards to sobering accounts of the physical and psychological tolls taken on the men, the story provides a personal look at life in the German POW camps. The Last Escaper showcases the ingenuity of one man hell-bent on escaping and the power of his indomitable spirit; it’s a story that will linger long after the book ends. Reviewed by Stacy Shaw Melting Away: Images of the Arctic and Antarctic By Camille Seaman Princeton Architectural Press, $55.00, 156 pages Check this out! With Wagnerian starkness, photographer Camille Seaman portrays the grandeur of nature’s ice sculptures in the polar regions. Over a period of 10 years, this intrepid recorder has captured the massive silhouettes of the glaciers and their birthing icebergs in the Arctic and in the Antarctic.

Each of the awesome photographs of the polar regions impresses the eye, but the filmed evidence of the erosive melting of these landmark features emphasizes the damage incurred by global heating. Not only is the pristine terrain dissolving, but with its loss the penguins, skua, polar bears, terns, and too many other species are impacted. Each illustration is affectingly described noting the mood of the scene and the past explorers of the regions. Interspersed among these photographic treasures are short biographical sketches of this quixotic determined researcher. Child of an

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African-American and Italian mother and a native American Indian Shinnecock father, the author developed her own unique set of values. She elegantly relays the message that change is part of nature but that our fragile planet is suffering and its biotic and abiotic forms should be revered and regarded as an interconnected ecosystem. Both the photos and text impress the reader with their lyrical beauty. Reviewed by Aron Row The Invaders: How Humans and Their Dogs Drove Neanderthals to Extinction By Pat Shipman Belknap Press, $29.95, 288 pages Check this out! Author Pat Shipman presents scholarly arguments that modern humans are an invasive species that has changed the fauna, flora, and ecology of Europe and that modern humans and Neanderthals overlapped for a very short time and there was virtually no interbreeding. To support this premise, the author begins with the recalibration of radiocarbon dating that makes his argument viable. She follows with persuasive arguments about carrying capacity, what invasive species do, the predator guild and intra-guild violence, what adaptations allow one species to out-compete another, the importance of diet and physiology in species survival, the archaeological record of domestication of the dog, and the extinction of not only the Neanderthals but also lions, bears, mammoths, and other large mammalian species at the time of the modern human invasion. This is done with clear examples, graphs, state-of-the-art DNA analysis, and relevant examples. She is not afraid to challenge long-standing theories that new evidence refutes. The book is exciting; information and statistical models combine to make sense of the archaeological record with the author as a knowledgeable guide. She is a scientist writing about exciting times in the discipline she obviously enjoys. I recommend this book highly. Reviewed by Ralph Peterson The Complete Vegetarian Cookbook By Editors at America’s Test Kitchen Cook’s Illustrated, $29.95, 463 pages Check this out! These 700 tantalizing recipes live up to their claim, inviting mouth-watering ideas that show vegetarians are missing out on nothing and should be neither pitied nor ridiculed. Whether you’re checking out hearty meals, snacks, or dishes learned in Asian restaurants, it’s all good!

Book Reviews The team at America’s Test Kitchen have done themselves proud in The Complete Vegetarian Cookbook. Applause goes first to the design, which allows cooks to set the book down and know the pages are not going to turn themselves at a critical juncture. Each suggestion is prefaced with a comforting “Why this recipe works” and a notation of whether the end result is vegan or glutenfree, and how many hungry folk the dish serves.

The course of action and the illustrations are invariably clear, and ingredients are juxtaposed in a fascinating manner with ideas for multiple experiments. Who, for instance, thought to swirl mashed potatoes with pesto, create tasty meals centered on tofu, or try the mysterious quinoa albondigas? Foodies will savor as they try to count how many innovative meals they can fix in a lifetime, and even the disparaging few who protest that cookbooks are a waste of time or too complicated are in for a truly yummy surprise. Reviewed by Jane Manaster Wild Women, Wild Voices: Writing From Your Authentic Wildness By Judy Reeves New World Library, $15.95, 264 pages Check this out! Women join with their female friends to talk about things they can discuss with no one else. They wake in the morning and scribble their most private thoughts in journals. They live lives men (and a lot of women) will never understand, and they find themselves in ways some women will relate to immediately, and at which others will wonder. Judy Reeves, a writing coach and a teacher of writing workshops, has put one of her popular workshops into this book. Women can examine their journey from wild child through their roles as sisters, friends, lovers, wives, mothers, and beyond. Reeves

Nonfiction directs women to discover how to address their needs as creative creatures and bring their creative ideas to fruition as writers. She responds to the needs of women with inspiring writing prompts, exercises that can engender creativity and activities that will keep the words flowing. Women will find ways to explore the complexity of their lives, their relationships, their own artistry and inner beauty through exploration exercises, and they will discover their wildness as well. This is a very complete course in personal writing. It is interesting to read, easyto-follow, beautifully written, and truly inspiring. Reviewed by Rosi Hollinbeck Michelle Obama: A Life By Peter Slevin Knopf, $27.95, 418 pages Check this out! Not since Lincoln has so much acrimony been directed at the office of the president of the United States. It is clear that the racial divide that was evident in 1860 is still with us in 2015. Through the insults directed at herself and her family, Michelle Obama has been a temperate statesman and role model of composure. Her brilliance is unquestioned, but her intelligence is not her leading trait. This is a woman known for her warmth and accessibility.

Anatomy, cont’d from cover notorious criminal. As faithful readers of the series well know, Barker and Llewelyn utilize rather unique methods and remarkable skill in solving a mystery. However, in this latest installment of the e xcept ion a l ly well-developed series, perhaps our favorite detective finally has met his match – or perhaps not. For those of us who love a good mystery, it’s hard to come up with a better suggestion than Tulsa’s own Will Thomas and his series of novels set in London during the

late 19th century. Packed with historical detail, Thomas’ novels are intriguing, humorous and suspenseful – and this new addition left me wishing for just one more chapter, so that I might spend a few more minutes with two of my favorite literary characters. For those who may be new to the series, the novel stands up well on its own. However, I strongly would suggest after reading it that you immediately return to the library and begin with the first book in the series, Some Danger Involved. Barker and Llewelyn are simply too entertaining to begin here and not go back and read the entire run. Reviewed by Brad Thomas Schusterman-Benson Library manager

sier a E g n i d n i F Making

This is a very readable and interesting biography of a woman so very accomplished, yet so wise that she puts her family and responsibility above everything else. She could be commander in chief: a graduate of Princeton and Harvard Law School, and law firm mentor to the future president, Michelle Obama is a powerhouse. South Side Chicago is not the optimum place to generate such a person, yet Michelle Obama succeeded in everything she attempted. Clearly not interested in the money, she left a promising law career to work in the community. While her husband entered politics, she was left with family responsibilities like so many women do for their husband’s career. This is a book you will want to read and a person you will like to know better. Reviewed by Julia McMichael Tulsa Book Review • June 2015 • 14

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Symbiont By Mira Grant Orbit, $16.00, 528 pages Check this out! The SymboGen implants are now getting out of control, as the tapeworms move up the body and eat themselves into the host’s brain, turning the person into a “sleepwalker” who will lash out and start attacking at any moment. It’s snowballing out of control and the world is starting to fall apart.

four books by Aug. 1. Visit any Tulsa City-County Library location after June 15 to collect coupons for free treats from our sponsors Panera Bread, Mazzio’s and Wendy’s, and enter to win a Kindle e-book reader.

COMMUNITYWIDE READING INITIATIVE

For readers who have wondered at the changes in Luke Skywalker between A New Hope and The Empire Strikes Back, this novel is sure to fill in some of the void. Like all of the licensed Star Wars books, Heir to the Jedi is extremely well written and stays true to the galaxy that George Lucas envisioned. This is a fantastic book that is over far too quickly. Reviewed by Holly Scudero

Sal is going to have to work with her team to find out how these tapeworms are being triggered and what they can do to try and save the world. It’s going to require a journey to her old home where this all began, SymboGen headquarters, where even though the world is falling apart around them, somehow business is running as usual. Symbiont definitely feels like a “bridging” book between Parasite and what will be the concluding volume, but Grant keeps the reader interested with some introspective questioning, as well as pulling at the reader’s heartstrings, as Sal is a chimera—a tapeworm within a human—and yet is also our hero who we’re hoping will somehow save the day. Reviewed by Alex Telander

Tulsa Book Review • June 2015 • 15

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SUGGESTED COMPANION NOVEL

Heir to the Jedi: Star Wars By Kevin Hearne LucasBooks, $28.00, 304 pages Check this out! After his role in the Battle of Yavin, Luke Skywalker has been doing his best to be useful for the Rebel Alliance. His current mission could be of great importance. The Alliance has discovered that a skilled cryptographer is being held by Imperial forces who hope to use her abilities for their own purposes. But she is willing to assist the Alliance instead, on the condition that they free her and reunite her with her family. Luke takes on the mission with the assistance of Nakari Kelen, a wealthy heiress with a score to settle. After securing the funds to outfit their ship with better weapons, Luke and Nakiri head off to liberate the cryptographer. But the mission is fraught with danger from Imperials, bounty hunters, and spies, and Luke will need to rely on his friends and his own abilities, both as a pilot and with the Force, to succeed.

The following events are scheduled in June to complement “One Book, One Tulsa.” Visit http://guides.tulsalibrary.org/asrp for more information about the Adult Summer Reading Program or additional events complementing “One Book, One Tulsa.” JUNE 1-JULY 31 • Hardesty Regional Library “Tulsa: A New Home,” an exhibit in partnership with the Sherwin Miller Museum of Jewish Art. Also online at http://guides.tulsalibrary.org/jewishimmigrants JUNE 2, 6:30 P.M. • Broken Arrow Library Book Discussion: The Twelve Tribes of Hattie JUNE 6, 11 A.M.-2 P.M. • Martin Regional Library • Asian-American Festival JUNE 8, 12:10 P.M. • Methodist Manor • Music Sandwiched In: Cairde na Gael JUNE 13, 7 A.M.-5:30 P.M. • Departs from Rudisill Regional Library “Historic All-Black Town Bus Tour” JUNE 18, 1:30 P.M. • Jenks Library • Book Discussion: The Warmth of Other Suns JUNE 18, 7:30 P.M. • Philbrook Museum • Film on the Lawn: “Big Night” JUNE 22, 12:10 P.M. • Methodist Manor • Music Sandwiched In: Something Steel Free and Open to the Public • If you are hearingimpaired and need a qualified interpreter, please call the library 48 hours in advance of the program.

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