Tulsa Book Review January 2015

Tulsa

event guide

INSIDE! January 2015

Book Review 5 10 12 14

VOLUME 4, ISSUE 3

F R E E

NEW AND OF INTEREST

C H E C K

Adultery Life’s choices Page 4

The ACB With Honora Lee

I T

Surprises and discoveries Page 6

O U T

Lend a Hand

Random acts of kindness Page 7

Joy the Baker Homemade Decadence

West of Sunset

By Stewart O’Nan Viking Books, $20.48, 304 pages Meet novelist Stewart O’Nan on Jan. 22 at Hardesty Regional Library. See Page 5 for more details. Stewart O’Nan’s new novel West of Sunset is a melancholy fictional account of F. Scott Fitzgerald’s last years in Hollywood. No longer the golden couple they were during the Jazz Age, Scott and his wife, Zelda, are both worse for wear. Desperate for money to pay for Zelda’s ongoing treatment in a mental hospital and for daughter Scottie’s schooling, the author of The Great Gatsby futilely chases success in the studio

system of Hollywood. Wracked by physical ailments, struggling with alcoholism, and duty-bound to support his wife and child, he struggles to please studio heads who treat writers like production line workers; passing scripts from one writer to another in hopes of producing a hit. In the midst of this grind Scott finds pleasure with his colleagues, a See West, cont’d on page 5

It doesn’t get any sweeter. Page 9

The Edge of the Sky The universe in a thousand words or less Page 13

57 Reviews INSIDE!

Book Reviews Category

Crime Fiction SNAP IT for additional book summaries.

Strangers (Nameless Detective Novels) By Bill Pronzini Forge, $24.99, 256 pages Check this out! Strangers sees us continuing the saga of the now slightlyless-than Nameless Detective. Half the fun of this serial follows from the tradition of the single-reeler cinema series of the 1940s and ‘50s as heroes battled Ming the Unpleasant (or one of the many other bad guys) for a few moments each week. We had the excitement of the immediate conflict and the slowly unfolding relationships between the heroes and their sidekicks. In this case, we have a blast from the past call our hero to a small mining town in Nevada. The woman he might have married 20 years ago now has a son accused of some vicious rapes. She has no one else to turn to. Our hero is her last hope. This is a PI novel that harkens back to the noir roots of this subgenre as our hero walks down the mean streets of small-town America, defying the animosity against strangers who come into their lives to interfere. The result tells us whether the boy is guilty and, more importantly, what has happened to the woman he once loved. It’s one of the better books in the serial for a long time. Reviewed by David Marshall The Blackhouse: The Lewis Trilogy By Peter May Quercus, $14.99, 501 pages Check this out! Detective Fin Macleod escaped the Isle of Lewis over a decade ago, certain he’d left the darkness of his past behind. However, when a gruesome murder replicates a crime he’s investigating on the mainland, he’s forced to finally face the imminent memories that inspired him to disappear in the first place. As Fin revisits the old grudges and hangout spots of his chilling formative years, he grows closer to uncovering not only who’s guilty of the present offense, but also what really happened all those years ago and why his psyche buried it … until now.

This is a dark, startling journey into the heart of what it means to be anchored to the hurt of regret and tragedy. Cunning and misted with the threatening undertone of high stakes, each chapter alternates between then and now, relentless and ominously retreating like tumultuous waves against a stormy shore. This is surprising, vulnerable, desperate and daring, a slippery, nail-biting thriller that will have your eyes darting frantic across the page, your senses heightened and your jaw dropping until the very end. Then, it will ebb and flow in the shadowy corners of your mind like a ghostly ship lost at sea, forever unsteady, creaking. Reviewed by Megan Magers The Children Act By Ian McEwan Nan A. Talese/Doubleday, $25.00, 240 pages Check this out! W e l l known for past bestsellers, Ian McEwan brings another thought-provoking novel to public perusal. In this situation, brilliant Fiona Maye, a high-court judge in the family court must decide on a life-threatening case of a 17-year-old minor. The youth and his family, Jehovah’s Witnesses, refuse the blood transfusions essential for him to survive the leukemia therapy. While considering the legal ramifications of the court decision she must make, this particular case evokes repressed memories and sad regrets over her own childlessness. Reflecting over her past rulings on divorce, child custody and other cases of family difficulties, the judge also must consider her own current marital difficulties.

McEwan writes with staccato sharpness, his words painted with delicate brushstrokes. It is a pleasure to read his melodic scripts. This English legal system is nicely described as it deals with injured relationships and the law. Several interesting moral conundrums catch the eye, but it is the law that rules over the cry of morality. Though an interesting legal premise is presented, one that the public has viewed in the media before, unfortunately the lead characters of the judge, her husband and the young leukemia victim are superficially sketchy and do not arouse empathy. Reviewed by Aron Row The Son: A Novel By Jo Nesbo Knopf, $25.95, 416 pages Check this out! A couple of years back, I saw the movie of Headhunters, then the only book by Jo Nesbø not to feature Harry Hole. I thought it an outstanding thriller with a darkly comic veneer. In 2012, Warner Bros. bought the rights to The Son, the second nonseries book. The rumors say the movie is being developed, and if it’s anywhere near as good as this book, I will be waiting in line for a ticket. BUT this is going to be an R movie and this book is not going to be for every reader.

38th annual

Why? Because it’s magnificently malevolent! Think of the standard Scandinavian police procedural. Bad things happen. Many people are depressed. Some crimes are solved. Well, this takes that formula and injects some horror sensibilities and not a little love.... A disillusioned young man rotting in jail discovers some of the truth about his father’s death. This prompts him to escape and go on a rampage to get justice. The veteran homicide detective goes in pursuit and wrestles with his own demons. His wife is losing her sight and he needs money to pay for the operation. The result is both violent and strangely beautiful. Reviewed by David Marshall

adult creative writing contest 2015 Deadline: Jan. 31 Cash prizes are awarded. Entry forms are available at all Tulsa City-County Library locations or online at TulsaLibrary.org/friends. Sponsored by the Friends of the Tulsa City-County Libraries.

Tulsa Book Review • January 2015 • 2

Tulsa

Book Review

IN THIS ISSUE Crime Fiction..................................................2

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

Adult Creative Writing Contest......................2 Speculative Fiction.........................................4 Fiction........................................................ 4, 5

Editor/Coordinator Jackie Hill Tulsa City-County Library GRAPHIC DESIGN/LAYOUT James Rasmussen COPY EDITORS Gretchen Wagner Amy Simko Holly Scudero James Rasmussen EDITORIAL ASSISTANTS Audrey Curtis Christopher Hayden

WEBSITE TulsaBookReview.com

BookSmart/TCCL Present Stewart O’Nan......5 Tweens...........................................................6 ComicsPlus Library Edition............................7 Kids’ Books................................................. 7, 8 Cooking, Food & Wine....................................9 Nonfiction...................................10, 11, 12, 13 My Tulsa Library Community Card...............11 Teens...................................................... 14, 15 Get Homework Help Now!.............................15 Get Job Help Now!........................................16

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

FROM THE PUBLISHER Dear Reader, Happy New Year! 2015 is here and the Tulsa Book Review is proud to serve as your only freely available Tulsa-centric book review publication. Debuting in 2011, the Tulsa Book Review is chock-full of good reads each month as well as listings of free literary events happening in and around Tulsa. The Tulsa Book Review is published by the Tulsa City-County Library (TCCL), which consistently ranks in the top 10 library systems per Central Connecticut State University’s annual Most Literate Cities study. Recently, TCCL was awarded the Oklahoma Quality Award for Pursuit of Excellence, given by the Oklahoma Quality Foundation and presented by Gov. Mary Fallin. Composed of 24 locations across Tulsa County, TCCL has more than 451,000 cardholders who make use of the library’s many free-to-access digital holdings and over 1.7 million physical resources. More than 10,000 people per day visit the library system in person and even more visit virtually. TCCL brings nationally and internationally acclaimed authors to Tulsa, many of whom are featured in the Tulsa Book Review. TCCL also regularly partners with other governmental agencies, educational providers and nonprofits, such as BookSmart Tulsa, to bring topnotch programming to Tulsa. At TCCL, our No. 1 goal is to help the children of Tulsa County grow up able to compete globally. Our other top goals include being the center for community, reading and lifelong learning, as well as serving as an economic engine for the region’s small to large businesses and county at large. As our mission states, libraries truly change lives. Make your New Year’s resolution this year to make better use of your library by taking advantage of all it has to offer. Warmest regards,

Gary Shaffer Tulsa City-County Library CEO

Book Reviews Category

Speculative Fiction SNAP IT for additional book summaries.

Heritage of Cyador (Recluce) By L.E. Modesitt Tor Books, $27.99, 528 pages Check this out! A few years after the events in Cyador’s Heir, Lerial, second son of Duke Kiedron and budding magus, is being sent to Afrit. His mission is both to provide military aid to a neighboring duchy and to build goodwill between the two countries. But what should have been a straightforward task becomes infinitely more complicated when Rhamuel, the arms commander of Afrit, requests that

Lerial accompany him back to the capital. When another country invades Afrit, Lerial and the Mirror Lancers under his command find themselves in the thick of the fighting, as Lerial uses his order-chaos skills to destroy the enemy. Lovers of the Recluce saga should rejoice: Heritage of Cyador is another excellent addition to this beloved fantasy series. Compared to the book that came before it, necessary as it was to illustrate the forces that shaped Lerial as a younger man, Heritage of Cyador is much faster-paced and much easier to lose yourself in. The story is fast and furious, while the characters span the spectrum of good, bad and every shade of grey between. Modesitt continues to expand readers’ knowledge of how order and chaos work, and the resulting magical system is delightfully complex and never gets stale. Reviewed by Holly Scudero

Category

Fiction

Blue Horses: Poems By Mary Oliver Penguin Press, $24.95, 96 pages Once in a while, a slim volume of poetry appears on the literary landscape that is such a gift that all who are lucky enough to find it are subtly moved by the plainness and directness of the language and the simplicity of the subject matter. From blueberries to hummingbirds to wasps to oak trees, the subjects of these fine poems are the everyday things that populate most people’s lives. Mary Oliver studies ordinary objects and places and finds ways to inhabit them, speaking for them or about them in ways few can. She communes with nature and translates for us what the river and the stones and the trees know. She steps into a painting and explicates a message of peace. Some of these verses are deeply personal and offer the reader a tiny glimpse into the life of the author. This book is filled with beauty, insightfulness, humor, humanity and so much more. Even those who believe poetry is not for them will find something of value in this marvelous book of extraordinary verse. Do not miss this one. Reviewed by Rosi Hollinbeck Five Days Left By Julie Lawson Timmer Putnam Adult, $26.95, 352 pages Check this out!

SNAP IT for additional book summaries.

Adultery: A Novel By Paulo Coelho, Margaret Jull Costa (translator), Zoë Perry (translator) Knopf, $24.95, 272 pages Check this out! Paulo Coelho’s newest novel follows a young Swiss mother named Linda with two young children. She is married to an investment banker who makes enough to be sure the family lives in a nice house and has everything they need while Linda works as a news reporter. One day, Linda, who is in her mid-30s, starts to feel dissatisfied with life. She starts to imagine a life different from the one she is living, one with adventure, excitement, anything that is different from her current life. She meets up with an old high school flame and must make a decision

living in this day and age as a way to help us view the world. Reviewed by Kevin Winter

about her life. Told in the first person from Linda’s perspective, this book starts off slow: it takes a while to pick up the pace and to get into it. I know many readers will be tempted not to finish it, but if you can get through the first one-third it will pick up. Linda, at times, does come across as a complainer, but this work is for young people

Five Days Left is a close to perfect debut novel from Julie Lawson Timmer, whose bac k g rou nd is in law. This is the story of Mara Nichols, a successful lawyer, wife and mother whose life is put on hold by Huntington’s Disease. Mara fights to hide her symptoms from her co-workers and family members for months and years, but eventually realizes that her body is out of control and the disease is going to take her life. So Mara decides that she will commit suicide on her next birthday. The narrative begins five days

Tulsa Book Review • January 2015 • 4

before the birthday on which Mara will end it all. Or will she? Timmer does an excellent job of portraying how infirmity can make a coward out of the strongest individual. Mara goes from being a lifelong workaholic to becoming a virtual invalid. Once proud, she eventually simply wants everything to be over with and no longer cares about how she will be judged upon her self-inflicted demise. It’s a timely, unique look at the mindset of a suicidal person. There is a secondary character and story that’s not as strong, and that story is a touch unrealistic. But all in all, this is a stunning work. Reviewed by Joseph Arellano The Original Folk and Fairy Tales of the Brothers Grimm: The Complete First Edition By Jacob Grimm, Wilhelm Grimm, Andrea Dezsö (llustrator), Jack Zipes (translator) Princeton University Press, $35.00, 568 pages In the early 19th century, Jacob and Wilhelm Grimm published two volumes of fairy tales and folktales they had collected from their German culture. They probably had no idea how these stories would become widely known and part of the fabric of so many modern societies. The 156 stories represented in this modern translation include the most popular and familiar tales such as Cinderella and Briar Rose, but also contain many most today have never seen or read before. Nonetheless, all have a familiar ring to them. This translation is very readable and accessible for modern fans of this genre, yet it is clear the effort is a true study for the scholarly community. The extensive introduction is testament to that fact. Translations of the original prefaces for the two-volume collection give readers real insight to the mission the brothers Grimm had in mind for themselves. The book includes 20 illustrations by Andrea Dezsö that have the look of old-fashioned cut silhouettes that perfectly suit this collection and retain the darkness of the original stories. This is a real treat for those who are fans of the works of the brothers Grimm. Reviewed by Rosi Hollinbeck The Ploughmen: A Novel By Kim Zupan Henry Holt and Co., $26.00, 272 pages Check this out! John Gload has been killing people for a long time, practically since he was big enough to do so. But he was careful, very

Book Reviews careful, and never really expected to be caught, but caught he was. And the one mistake he made— leaving his partner alive to testify— makes all the d i f fe re nc e . While in jail for trial, two deputy sheriffs are assigned to keep an eye on him. One, Wexler, he hates and the other, Valentine Millimaki, he feels an affinity toward. Millimaki’s personal life is falling apart, and sleep is a stranger to him. He is vulnerable. Gload’s relationship with Millimaki is at the heart of this strange and gruesome story. Kim Zupan has written a compelling mystery, and the mystery is not in the murders, but in the relationships of the players in this tragedy. The writing is beautiful and literary, antithetical for the subject matter, but sometimes it gets in the way of the story and slows it down. The characters are very real and absolutely believable, and the story

Fiction is a real page-turner, although a bit disjointed at times. Murder-mystery fans who love good writing will like this book very much. Reviewed by Rosi Hollinbeck Tigerman: A Novel By Nick Harkaway Knopf, $26.95, 352 pages Check this out! The story of Tigerman, real life superhero of the island of Mancreu, is like a novel adaptation of a modern day comicbook story. I found it to be creative, with an intricately formed plot, and engaging all the way through. The two main characters are Sergeant Lester Ferris, a retired army man, and a mysteriously smart young boy whose name and background are a mystery to us at the start of the novel. All we know is that he calls himself Robin, is potentially an orphan and has a fixation with comic books.

What starts off as the tale of a friendship between the man and the boy, evolves into a murder mystery and a battle of good vs. evil of comic-book proportions. When the killing of a close friend combined with news that the death of the island is near, violence erupts on Mancreu, and Lester Ferris finds himself taking on the challenge to be the hero that both the island and the boy need. I enjoyed the smart references Harkaway peppered throughout his writing, and I liked the sense of community developed around the cast of characters on Mancreu. As the boy would say, Tigerman is “full of win.” Reviewed by Lenna Stites

West, cont’d from cover star-studded lineup that includes Dorothy Parker and Humphrey Bogart. The book succeeds splendidly in recreating the witty banter and the glamorous atmosphere of life at the Garden of Allah apartments, as well as the cut-throat competition among the script writers in the “iron lung,” as they’ve dubbed their office space. Shortly after arriving in Hollywood, Scott is smitten with the much younger and beautiful gossip columnist Sheilah Graham,

and they begin a turbulent relationship that would survive until his death. Any reader who knows the story of Fitzgerald’s life knows that the book will not end well, but O’Nan brings his characters to life and paints Fitzgerald as a seriously flawed but sympathetic man whose best intentions are often thwarted by his uncontrollable need for alcohol, success and love. The Fitzgeralds’ lives are the stuff of legend, and while the book is carefully researched, O’Nan manages to bring a fresh perspective to a complicated, touching and ultimately tragic relationship. Details of Hollywood in the 1930s are entertaining and his prose, especially toward the end of the book as Scott spirals downward, recreates the hazy, almost surreal atmosphere of the world seen through a drunkard’s eyes. The dynamic among the failed writer (who of course after his death would become one of the most revered writers in America), his mentally ill wife and his feisty self-invented lover makes for intriguing reading. Fitzgerald certainly had his flaws, but O’Nan draws him as a complex, talented and sad man worthy of our compassion. Reviewed by Cindy Hulsey

TCCL

AND

PRESENT...

STEWART O’NAN Thursday, Jan. 22 • 7 p.m.

Hardesty Regional Library, Frossard Auditorium • 8316 E. 93rd St. Join us as acclaimed author Stewart O’Nan talks about his new novel West of Sunset, a fictionalized account of F. Scott Fitzgerald’s ﬁnal years in Hollywood. A book signing will follow and books will be available for purchasing.

Tulsa Book Review • January 2015 • 5

Book Reviews

Category

to be friends with her, but she has chosen Bon. The bullies enlist Kieran to help with their campaign against Bon, and Kieran’s life is in turmoil. It’s hard to choose the

Tweens SNAP IT for additional book summaries.

Beauty and the Basement (Twicetold Tales) By Olivia Snowe, Michelle Lamoreaux (illustrator) Twicetold Tales, $8.95, 128 pages Carlo’s life just hasn’t been the same since his dad died. The big house and fancy things are no sort of substitute for the happy times when his family was whole. So he pretty much just hangs out in the basement, watching TV, eating junk food and definitely not showering. At least, that’s what he did until one stormy night when a stranger stopped to make a phone call and stole a rose from Carlo’s mother’s prize roses. Jack Beaumont just laughs off a promise to send his daughter in to clean Carlo’s house for a week in payment for the stolen rose, but Belle decides to show her father the value of honesty. Written with short chapters alternating point of view between Carlo and Belle, this is not the most original or elegantly written retelling of Beauty and the Beast. It is, however, a fairly simple read, fast-paced and with enough of a twist from the original to keep it interesting. The illustrations scattered throughout are bold black-and-white, brightened with red accents that really make them pop off the page. It makes for an enjoyable read on a lazy afternoon. Reviewed by Randy-Lynne Wach Gracefully Grayson By Ami Polonsky Disney-Hyperion, $16.99, 256 pages Check this out! Grayson Sender has a secret. It isn’t that he loves to draw pictures of princesses, but it is that he wants to be a princess. He is sure he is a girl, but no one who knows this

si x t h - g r ade boy feels that way. Grayson has kept his secret well, even though it isolates him and has kept him from making many friends. His life hasn’t been easy since his parents were killed in an accident, and he had to move in with his aunt and uncle, although they have done their best to make him feel a part of their family. But when the school play is announced, and Grayson’s teacher says he can read for any role, he decides to audition for the role of Persephone, the female lead. What troubles this begins. Amy Polonsky has bravely taken on a subject that has not been touched on in middle-grade literature, but few can deny the subject of being transgender is one young readers should know about. This well-written and sympathetic book should be a great jumping-off point for class discussions and hopefully will allow young people with gender identification issues to lead more normal lives. Reviewed by Rosi Hollinbeck My Cousin’s Keeper By Simon French Candlewick, $16.99, 240 pages Kieran is 11 years old and wants more than anything to fit in with the cool kids at his school. His best friend, Connor, had moved away, and since then, Kieran has made some progress working his way in with the boys he wants to hang around with. But then his weird cousin Bon shows up at his school. Bon dresses strangely, wears his hair in a long braid, and draws and writes all the time. Bon becomes a target for the bullies, the very boys Kieran wants to befriend. Another new student, named Julia, shows up around the same time. She is different and mysterious, and everyone wants

right path. Simon French has written a book that touches on many themes that will resonate with middle-graders – bullying, jealousy, friendship, family dynamics and more. The story is interesting and will keep kids turning pages, although American readers may have trouble relating to some things typical of Simon’s native Australia. Reviewed by Rosi Hollinbeck The ACB With Honora Lee By Kate De Goldi, Gregory O’Brien (illustrator) Tundra Books, $17.99, 128 pages Check this out! In the perceptive and charming book The ACB With Honora Lee, author Kate De Goldi explores the experiences of aging and change. Both Perry and her grandmother (the title character, Honora Lee) find life confusing and challenging at times. When Perry begins making regular visits to Santa

Lucia, she spends time with her grandmother and the other elderly residents. Inspired to create an “a lphabet book,” Perry declares that her grandmother “really likes the alphabet. We did some today. We did P, R, S, F and M, and I made Gran laugh.” Through her often surprising discoveries about the alphabet as well as her grandmother, Perry learns more about her own identity. Within the pursuit of art and writing, Perry finds connection and even peace: “But sometimes when Perry was concentrating hard on her lowercase letters or shading a picture, and Gran and Doris weren’t bickering, and the television was muted, and Karl was having a lie down, it might become suddenly quiet; and then – just for a moment – you could hear the sounds behind the sounds, the sounds of quiet…” Gregory O’Brien’s intricate and curious drawings reflect the complexity of the characters’ intriguing mental processes. Young readers may identify with Perry’s struggle to make sense of her world. Older readers will appreciate the touching yet not overly sentimental treatment of evolving families. Reviewed by Melissa Ellington

Category

Kids’ Books SNAP IT for additional book summaries.

Beetle Busters By Loree Griffin Burns HMH Books for Young Readers, $18.99, 64 pages Check this out! The Asian longhorned beetle is a strangelooking insect. It doesn’t look like a creature that could bring down an entire forest, but it can. For a very long time, it resided only in China and wasn’t much of a problem because the indigenous tree population wasn’t very susceptible to the beetle. But when the government decided to reforest some areas, they weren’t as discerning as they should have been. They planted a lot of poplars, which are outstanding hosts for the beetle.

Tulsa Book Review • January 2015 • 6

When they realized what was happening, these trees were cut down and replaced with other trees. Un for tunately, the trees (and consequently the beetles) were not destroyed. They were made into wooden shipping materials and brought to the U.S. where they began inhabiting our trees. Loree Griffin Burns has written a fascinating and very educational accounting of the fight for our hardwood forests. She

Book Reviews

clearly did her homework and spent time in the trenches, so to speak. A good glossary and bibliography extend the learning. This story along with the intricate photographs by Ellen Harasimowicz will encourage young people to join the fight against these creatures. Reviewed by Rosi Hollinbeck Families Around the World By Margriet Ruurs, Jessica Rae Gordon (illustrator) Kids Can Press, $18.95, 40 pages Check this out! Children often believe that everyone has similar lives to their own. Of course, that is far from true. This book takes a look at family life in 14 countries. Each family is represented by a child from the

family speaking in first person about his life. In Mongolia readers meet Baatar, part of a nomadic family. In Kenya, readers meet Nkoitoi, who lives is a small village and takes care of the family goat. Jean-Luc lives in the City of Lights, Paris, and spends a lot of time with his grandfather. Sanne from the Netherlands has a grandmother with dementia. Zofia from a small town in Poland has a disabled brother. Jane from England is a mixed-race child. The children speak briefly about their everyday life, the foods they eat, the homes they live it. Each country is represented on a two-page spread, charmingly illustrated with a few different scenes. A Note for Parents and Teachers includes some activities to bolster the experience. A helpful glossary is also included. This book is a little light on information, but very young children should enjoy it. Reviewed by Rosi Hollinbeck

Lend a Hand: Poems About Giving By John Frank, London Ladd (illustrator) Lee & Low Books, $17.95, 32 pages Check this out! L i t t l e things can make a huge difference in people’s lives. Poet John Frank has put together a collection of 14 free-verse poems to spotlight just how easy it is to make a difference, how little time or effort it can take for others to feel a little sunshine on their faces. These poems show young people helping younger children learn to read and planting new trees on a street that hasn’t had any for a very long time. He makes the case for simple acts of kindness such as giving an older, tired person one’s seat on the bus or writing a letter to one of our military serving in distant lands or helping a busy mother load her groceries into her car. These ideas are presented

Stream digital graphic novels, comic books and manga 24/7 for free! • Have immediate access to thousands of titles that are always available. No waiting! • Access from any Wi-Fi or Internet-connected mobile device, tablet or PC. At the library, at home or on the go, Comics Plus: Library Edition always will be there! Visit TulsaLibrary.org/comics and use your Tulsa City-County Library card to access this free service. This service is funded by:

Tulsa Book Review • January 2015 • 7

in simple, everyday, yet lyrical, language that will engage young people not only for the messages, but also engage them with the idea of poetry being for everyone. All poems are accompanied by beautiful acrylic and pastel paintings by London Ladd depicting young people of all races and colors busy making a difference in their mostly innercity neighborhoods. This belongs in all school libraries from elementary to high school. Reviewed by Rosi Hollinbeck Memoirs of an Elf By Devin Scillian, Tim Bowers (illustrator) Sleeping Bear Press, $16.99, 32 pages Check this out! Memoirs of an Elf offers a fun twist on the Santa-delivers-presents trope. The tale is told by one of three elves responsible for traveling with Santa on Christmas Eve and keeping him on schedule. The book is formatted

Book Reviews like a journal, with time-stamped entries as they prepare for launch and go on their fun mission. Many of the journal entries have hilarious â&#x20AC;&#x153;little-known facts.â&#x20AC;? Santa and his three helpers make their appointed rounds, occasionally delayed by Santaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s penchant for eating cookies and petting dogs. When they return to the North Pole, they realize a puppy has accidentally stowed aboard. After a short debate, they realize that they need to return the puppy. The artwork is bright and cheerful, setting just right the tone for this story, and the humor really delivers, like Santa and crew wearing disguises when they have to return the puppy in daylight, or deciding how to return the puppy. And I particularly enjoyed the â&#x20AC;&#x153;little-known facts,â&#x20AC;? like how Santa doesnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t like ginger snaps, or that reindeer love tinsel, but it makes them hyper. Beyond that, the story has a sweet ending that conveys the theme that love trumps presents. Reviewed by Henry L. Herz Monster Book By Alice Hoogstad Lemniscaat USA, $17.95, 32 pages Check this out! I just fell in love with Alice Hoogstad, the Dutch author/illustrator of Monster Book. I was immediately reminded of Aaron Beckerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Journey. Both are wordless picture books. Both start out with illustrations of minimal color. And both have a protagonist who creates with her coloring. But Monster Book is not a derivative work. It is a delightful original piece that charms on both the narrative and artistic levels. A little girl doodles on a black-andwhite cityscape. But, to the amazement of bystanders, her friendly doodle monsters come alive, adding color to the city, both figuratively and literally. The friendly monsters start some doodling of their own. They color in the black-and-white cityscape. All their hard work is washed away when a rainstorm breaks. But when the rain halts, the girl and her friends (both human and inhuman) renew their colorful endeavors. The story is clever and touching, and the artwork is fabulous. The black-and-white cityscapes beautifully blend the realistic with the fantastic. The colorful monsters are wonderfully childlike. I see great things ahead for Alice Hoogstad. Get this book. Your kid(s) will thank you. Reviewed by Henry L. Herz

Kidsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; Books Roller Derby Rivals By Sue Macy, Matt Collins (illustrator) Holiday House, $16.95, 32 pages Check this out! As the television cameras roll, the gladiators strap on their skates and ready for battle. Never mind the bouncy curls and lovely smiles, the stripes and shorts and bright colors. These are wheeled warriors, making names for themselves on the small screen by taking brutal bumps and scoring big points on the track. And for two names in particular, Gerry Murray and â&#x20AC;&#x153;Toughieâ&#x20AC;? Brasuhn, this is the chance at immortality. History truly comes alive in this illustrated reenactment of a classic roller derby showdown from the 1940s. As a kidâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s book that doubles as a snapshot of sports history, Roller Derby Rivals packs a lot into a few pages, encapsulating the fierce determination of both players, how friendly rivalries can both emerge and be manufactured, and the artifice of television, even in the earliest days of the medium. From the hard hits to the lucky breaks to the business of attracting an audience, this book captures it all. I have a close friend who recently joined the Texas roller derby scene, and itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s impressive both to see roller derbyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s roots and acknowledge that the sport, in virtually the same form, still exists today. Reviewed by Glenn Dallas Star Wars: The Adventures of Luke Skywalker, Jedi Knight By Tony DiTerlizzi, Ralph McQuarrie, Illustrator Disney Lucasfilm Press, $19.99, 64 pages Check this out! A farm boy becomes a knight, rescues a princess and battles evil in its greatest form. Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s a universal story, and yet, when we hear it, one name most commonly comes to mind: Luke Skywalker. Star Wars: The Adventures of Luke S k y w a l k e r, Jedi Knight is pure boyhood fandom in picture-book form. Embodying what the original Star Wars trilogy means to one devoted fan, the book is mixed with the original artwork that inspired some of the classic scenes from the films. This is the crossroads of nostalgia and the formative days of an iconic pop-culture phenomenon.

While McQuarrieâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s art varies from the cinematic moments we know so well from the first film (it gets much closer with The Empire Strikes Back and Return of the Jedi, since he now knew the actors playing the roles), the singular spirit of Star Wars is ever-present, and some of the pictures seem virtually lifted from the films. The narrative is streamlined, peppered with crashes! and booms!, like an excited child is recounting the story for you. Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s immensely charming, a kidâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s book that any Star Wars fan of any age will still enjoy. Reviewed by Glenn Dallas Howtoons: Tools of Mass Construction By Nick Dragotta, Saul Griffith, Ingrid Dragotta Image Comics, $17.99, 360 pages Do you feel like kids have lost that doit-yourself make-your-own-fun spirit that you had during your childhood? The days of science experiments, homemade toys and tiny ambitious inventions? Well, you can rekindle some of that innovative energy with Howtoons: Tools of Mass Construction, a wonderfully visual book full of ideas for homegrown fun. The numerous projects that the adventurous Tucker and Celine build within the pages of Howtoons are easily within reach

for the average kid (with parental supervision, of course) and range from rubber-band racers to so d a - b ot t le submarines. The vibrant, frenetic illustrations not only make this an enjoyable read for kids, but highlight the dynamic nature of many of the widgets you can make with the handy step-by-step instructions. The book includes a thorough how-to for doing your own blueprint illustrations, as well as an inspiring breakdown of Tucker and Celineâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s playground project (and the science and technology behind monkey bars, ziplines and more), this is a one-stop shop for DIY delights. I hope this book finds its way into every household and classroom, because this is the sort of handbook that could kickstart a young scientific mind and launch kids to bigger and better creations. Reviewed by Glenn Dallas

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adults & all ages BIXBY LIBRARY A-Book-A-Month Discussion Group Wednesday, Jan. 21 • 2-3 p.m. Choose from a variety of fiction titles related to food and then join us for this lively discussion. For adults. Participants should read the book prior to the program.

BROKEN ARROW LIBRARY Open Book Discussion Group Tuesday, Jan. 6 • 6:30-7:45 p.m. Read "Where'd You Go Bernadette" by Maria Semple and then join us for this lively discussion. Copies of the book are available at the Broken Arrow Library. For adults.

BROKEN ARROW LIBRARY/SOUTH Novels @ Night Book Club Tuesday, Jan. 13 • 6:30 p.m. Join us as we discuss the great detective Sherlock Holmes in "The Bee Keeper's Apprentice" by Laurie King. A limited supply of the book is available at the library's front desk. Call 918-549-7662 to inquire.

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BROOKSIDE LIBRARY Brookside Book Discussion Monday, Jan. 12 • 1:30-2:30 p.m. Join us for a discussion of "The Sparrow" by Mary Doria Russell, a title Nancy Pearl calls a sure-bet for book groups. It is an exploration of space and theology all rolled into one great science-fiction book. For adults.

CHARLES PAGE LIBRARY Puzzle Day Thursday, Jan. 29 It is International Puzzle Day! Drop in and puzzle over puzzles. For all ages.

COLLINSvILLE LIBRARY All Thumbs Knitters Wednesday, Jan. 7 • 1-3 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 21 • noon-1 p.m. All levels of knitting expertise are welcome to join us for this fun and instructional afternoon. For adults. Collinsville Book Discussion Tuesday, Jan. 13 • noon-1 p.m. Read "The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time" by Mark Haddon and then join this fun group of readers for a lively discussion. Copies of the book are available at the library's circulation desk. Sponsored by the Friends of the Collinsville Library. For adults.

All Tulsa City-County Library locations will be closed on Thursday, Jan. 1 for New Year’s Day and Monday, Jan. 19 for Martin Luther King Jr. Day.

Patchworkers Tuesday, Jan. 13 • 6:30-8 p.m. If you want to learn to quilt or are an experienced quilter, join us for an informative and fun evening. For adults.

HARDESTY REGIONAL LIBRARY Simple Steps for Starting Your Business: Start-up Basics Thursday, Jan. 8 • 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. TCCL and BookSmart Tulsa Present Novelist Stewart O'Nan Thursday, Jan. 22 • 7-8 p.m. Location: Frossard Auditorium How does an aerospace engineer become the author of 15 critically acclaimed novels? Join us to find out! Stewart O'Nan will discuss his new novel, "West of Sunset," a fictionalized account of F. Scott Fitzgerald's last years in Hollywood. A book signing will follow and books will be available for purchasing. For adults.

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Beginning Genealogy Saturday, Jan. 31 • 9:30 a.m.-1 p.m. Location: Frossard Auditorium Learn how to start your family history research. For adults.

HELMERICH LIBRARY Books People Are Talking About Wednesday, Jan. 21 • 12:15-1:15 p.m. We will discuss the lives and works of three influential American novelists: Wallace Stegner's "Crossing to Safety"; Willa Cather's "My Antonia"; and the contemporary writer Marilynne Robinson's "Gilead." Light refreshments are served. Sponsored by the Friends of the Helmerich Library. For adults.

HERMAN AND KATE KAISER LIBRARY Family Fun Friday Friday, Jan. 16 • 2-3:30 p.m. Enjoy stories, crafts, games, science demonstrations and fun for all ages.

JENKS LIBRARY Jenks Book Discussion Group Thursday, Jan. 15 • 1:30-2:30 p.m. Join this lively group for our monthly book discussion. Call 918-549-7570 for book title. For adults. Participants should read the book prior to the program.

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JUDY Z. KISHNER LIBRARY Shrinky Dink Workshop/ Maker Saturday Saturday, Jan. 3 Drop in and make Shrinky Dink Magic! Watch in wonder as your colorful image heats, curls and cools into your own super neat work of art. For all ages. Children ages 5 and younger must be accompanied by an adult. Comic-Book Crafts/Maker Saturday Saturday, Jan. 10 Biff! Boom! Bang! Zoom in for comic craft jewelry. For all ages. Children ages 5 and younger must be accompanied by an adult. Sun Prints/Maker Saturday Saturday, Jan. 17 Sun prints are sure to brighten up a winter's day! For all ages. Children ages 5 and younger must be accompanied by an adult.

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National READATHON Day Saturday, Jan. 24 • noon-4 p.m. Drop in for a reading party with family and friends! Read alone or with someone else. Any amount of time will be sure to brighten your day. For all ages. Children ages 5 and younger must be accompanied by an adult. Create!/Maker Saturday Saturday, Jan. 31 Drop in and let you inner talent emerge! For all ages. Children ages 5 and younger must be accompanied by an adult.

LIBRARIUM 3-D Printer Orientation Tuesday, Jan. 6 • 3:30-4 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 21 • 3:30-4 p.m. Once you attend this quick overview of 3-D printing and demonstration, you are free to use our 3-D printer by appointment. For all ages. Class size is limited.

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Book Discussion: "The Winter People" by Jennifer McMahon Wednesday, Jan. 28 • 2-3 p.m. A Vermont farm, a 100-year-old mystery and old legends are a few of the topics covered in this psychological thriller. For adults. Participants should read the book prior to the program.

RUDISILL REGIONAL LIBRARY Simple Steps for Starting Your Business: Start-up basics Saturday, Jan. 17 • 10 a.m.-12:30 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.

SCHUSTERMAN-BENSON LIBRARY Mystery Readers Roundtable Thursday, Jan. 8 • 2-3 p.m. Come for coffee and share what you've been reading with other mystery lovers. For adults.

SKIATOOK LIBRARY Osage Language Class Thursdays, Jan. 15, 22, 29 • 6-7 p.m. The Osage Language Class is presented by the Osage Nation Language Department. Sponsored by the American Indian Resource Center. For all ages.

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SUBURBAN ACRES LIBRARY New Year Sista' Chat Saturday, Jan. 17 • noon-2 p.m. We are starting the new year off with a Sista' Chat worth attending! Read "The Man in 3B" by Carl Weber and then join us for this lively discussion. Let's discover what Mr. 3B is up to in this highly recommended read! Seating is limited. For teens and adults. National Read-A-Thon Day Saturday, Jan. 24 • noon-4 p.m. Drop in and join us in recognizing National Read-A-Thon Day. Library staff are extending an invitation and challenge to all to participate in reading for a full four hours. Breaks and discussions will be held throughout the afternoon. For all ages. Seating is limited.

ZARROW REGIONAL LIBRARY Osage Language Class Wednesdays, Jan. 14, 21, 28 • 6-7 p.m. Location: North Room The Osage Language Class is presented by the Osage Nation Language Department. Sponsored by the American Indian Resource Center and Tulsa Library Trust. For all ages.

teens & tweens BROKEN ARROW LIBRARY Read or Die Anime Club Saturday, Jan. 17 • noon-2 p.m. Join us for an anime appreciation meeting with snacks! For teens.

BROKEN ARROW LIBRARY/SOUTH Choose Your Own Advisory Board Thursday, Jan. 8 • 6:30-7:30 p.m. Help us jump-start our new Teen Advisory Board! We will munch on snacks, choose a name, and plan library programs and services for teens. This counts as community service!

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In the Middle Book Group Monday, Jan. 26 • 6:30-7:30 p.m. Read "El Deafo," Cece Bell's reallife adventures (in a graphic novel format) as a deaf child who uses humor and a superhero alter ego to survive, and then join other kids your age to talk about this funny and honest memoir. We'll have games, refreshments and giveaways, too! Limited copies of the book will be available at the library's circulation desk. For ages 9-12.

HELMERICH LIBRARY

BROOKSIDE LIBRARY

H-tag# Gathering: Mini Maker Session and More! Tuesday, Jan. 20 • 4-6 p.m. Bring a friend and join us for ducttape crafts, origami, journal making and board games. For ages 13-19.

Groovy Peace Signs Friday, Jan. 16 • 3:30-4:30 p.m. We'll use watercolors, tape and paper plates to make the grooviest peace signs in town ... just in time for the Martin Luther King Jr. Parade! For ages 5-14.

CHARLES PAGE LIBRARY Teen Time Thursdays, Jan. 8, 15, 22, 29 3:30-6 p.m. • Hang out with other teens after school. On the third Thursday of the month, the Anime Club will join us.

COLLINSVILLE LIBRARY Sukikyo! Anime Club Wednesday, Jan. 14 • 3-4:30 p.m. Meet up with other manga/anime fans to discuss your favorite books, movies, characters and plot twists. For ages 12-18. Sponsored by the Friends of the Collinsville Library. Utime@yourlibrary Monday, Jan. 26 • 2:30-4:30 p.m. Join us for gaming, crafts and snacks. For ages 10-18. Sponsored by the Friends of the Collinsville Library.

HARDESTY REGIONAL LIBRARY Minecraft Gaming Saturday, Jan. 3 • 2-4 p.m. Location: Computer Lab Put your imagination to the test building your own world in the popular game Minecraft. For ages 10-18. Hardesty Teen Manga/Anime Club Saturday, Jan. 10 • 1-2:30 p.m. Location: Digital Lounge Join others discussing their favorite manga characters and books, plus show off your art skills and enjoy snacks. For ages 12-18.

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Reading Resolution: Winter Book Club Tuesday, Jan. 13 • 4:30-5:45 p.m. We will discuss books that you have read over the holiday break. This is an intergenerational event, so please bring your mom or dad, grandmother or sister, or someone else from your family to share in the fun! Snacks will be provided. For ages 10-12 and their families. Sponsored by the Friends of the Helmerich Library.

JENKS LIBRARY J-TAG (Jenks Teen Advisory Group) Meeting Tuesday, Jan. 6 • 4-5 p.m. New members are welcome to join us. We'll make jewelry and sip on hot chocolate. For ages 13-18.

KENDALL-WHITTIER LIBRARY Teen Game Night Wednesday, Jan. 14 • 4-5:30 p.m. Join us for some friendly gaming on Xbox and Wii. For ages 11-17.

popular game Minecraft. For ages 10-18. Class is limited to 12 on a first-come, first-served basis. Teen Time Wednesdays, Jan. 14, 28 • 4-5 p.m. Location: Auditorium Join us for fun activities, Wii gaming and board games.For ages 10-18. Manga-Ai! Saturday, Jan. 24 • 2-3 p.m. Location: Conference Room Join other manga/anime fans to preview Japanese animation and discuss your favorite book and film series. For ages 12-18.

OWASSO LIBRARY Introduction to Knitting Thursday, Jan. 15 • 4-5 p.m. Join us as we try our hand at the hobby of knitting. For ages 10-18.

SCHUSTERMAN-BENSON LIBRARY The Craft Connection Monday, Jan. 5 • 6-7 p.m. This is your chance to show off your latest masterpiece! Bring a work in progress or a finished handmade item to show. We’ll work together, talk about techniques, browse craft books and inspire each other to try new crafts while we listen to music and sip tea. For ages 10-16.

ZARROW REGIONAL LIBRARY Homestuck Club for Teens Thursday, Jan. 8 • 6-8 p.m. Location: South Room If you're a reader of "Homestuck" or interested in learning more about this Web comic/flash animation/ video game hybrid, join us for a fun evening with fellow fans. Make It!: Pixel Bead Art Saturday, Jan. 17 • 1-3 p.m. Learn how to design and make pixel art. Create characters from your favorite fandoms using plastic beads and an iron. For ages 10-18. Minecraft Night Thursday, Jan. 29 • 6-8 p.m. Location: Computer Lab Put your imagination to the test building your own world in the popular computer game Minecraft. For ages 10-18.

T ulsa city - county library e v ent guide

J anuary 2 0 1 5

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computers, devices &

digital services COLLINSVILLE LIBRARY Job Lab Monday, Jan. 5 • 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Update your résumé, search for jobs online or explore a new career in this special computer lab just for job seekers. You will have access to Microsoft Office software and the Internet. USB flash drives are available for purchasing, or you can bring your own to save your work. Standard printing charges apply. Library staff and resources will be in the lab to provide assistance. For adults. Registration is required. Call 918-549-7528 to register. eBook Office Hours Mondays, Jan. 12, 26 • 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Get one-to-one assistance from trained library staff on accessing eBooks, audiobooks, digital magazines, music downloads, streaming movies and more. Bring your device and we will walk you through setup and answer all your burning questions about library eContent. For adults. Registration is required. Call 918-549-7528 to register.

HARDESTY REGIONAL LIBRARY MS Word 1 Tuesday, Jan. 6 • 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. MS Word 2 Tuesday, Jan. 13 • 6-8 p.m. 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. Class is limited to 18 on a first-come, first-served basis.

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MS Word 3 Tuesday, Jan. 20 • 6-8 p.m. 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. Class is limited to 18 on a first-come, first-served basis.

MS Excel 3 Saturday, Jan. 17 • 10 a.m.-noon 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 12 on a first-come, first-served basis.

Résumé Tips and Tricks Saturday, Jan. 24 • 9:30-11 a.m. Location: Computer Lab Bring your job history information and learn the latest tips for creating a great résumé using the library's resources and databases. Basic computer and Microsoft Word skills are necessary. Registration is required. Call 918-549-7550 to register.

MS PowerPoint 101 Saturday, Jan. 24 • 10 a.m.-noon 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 12 on a first-come, first-served basis.

MS Word 4 Tuesday, Jan. 27 • 6-8 p.m. 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. Class is limited to 18 on a first-come, first-served basis.

MARTIN REGIONAL LIBRARY MS Excel 1 Saturday, Jan. 3 • 10 a.m.-noon 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 12 on a first-come, first-served basis. eBooks and More: Digital Downloads Thursday, Jan. 8 • 6-7 p.m. Location: Computer Lab Did you receive a new electronic device for the holidays? Come and learn more about the digital content you can access with your library card. Registration is required and the class is limited to 12. Call 918-549-7590 to register. For adults. MS Excel 2 Saturday, Jan. 10 • 10 a.m.-noon 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 12 on a first-come, first-served basis.

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MS Publisher 101 Saturday, Jan. 31 • 10 a.m.-noon Location: Computer Lab This class shows how to create fun and colorful signs and fliers. You should take MS Word 2 prior to taking this class. For adults. Class is limited to 12 on a first-come, first-served basis.

OWASSO LIBRARY eBook and Audiobook Clinic Monday, Jan. 12 • 5:30-6:30 p.m. Learn how to download eBooks and audiobooks to your device. This class is designed for Android tablets, Kindle Fire, Nook color and Apple devices. Registration is required. Call 918-549-7624 to register. For adults.

RUDISILL REGIONAL LIBRARY Job Lab Tuesday, Jan. 27 • 1:30-3 p.m. Location: Computer Lab Update your résumé, search for jobs online or explore a new career in this special computer lab just for job seekers. You will have access to Microsoft Office software and the Internet. USB flash drives are available for purchasing, or you can bring your own to save your work. Standard printing charges apply. Library staff and resources will be in the lab to provide assistance. For adults. Class size is limited.

ZARROW REGIONAL LIBRARY Really Basic Computer Class Wednesday, Jan. 7 • 1:30-2:30 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. Computer Office Hours for Seniors Wednesday, Jan. 14 • 1:30-3:30 p.m. Location: Computer Lab Get one-to-one assistance on accessing all the wonderful free digital content available from your library including eBooks, audiobooks, music, movies and more. Bring your device and we will walk you through setup and answer all your questions. General questions about using your mobile device? Bring those too! For ages 55+. Registration is required. Call 918-549-7683 to register.

children BIXBY LIBRARY My First Storytime Mondays, Jan. 5, 12, 26 10:30-10:45 a.m. Learn and enjoy songs, stories and activities that are just right for your little one at this lapsit storytime. For newborns to 2-year-olds and their caregivers. Preschool Storytime Mondays, Jan. 5, 12, 26 11-11:30 a.m. The best in children's literature, songs, games, finger plays, rhymes and other reading-related activities are shared with your preschooler. For ages 2-5.

BROKEN ARROW LIBRARY My First Storytime Tuesdays, Jan. 6, 13, 20, 27 10:30-10:50 a.m. Learn and enjoy songs, stories and activities that are just right for your little one at this lapsit storytime. For newborns to 2-yearolds and their caregivers. Preschool Storytime Wednesdays, Jan. 7, 14, 21, 28 10:30-11 a.m. The best in children's literature, songs, games, finger plays, rhymes and other reading-related activities are shared with your preschooler. For ages 3-5.

c h i l d r e n Stay and Play Wednesdays, Jan. 7, 14, 21, 28 11-11:30 a.m. For babies and toddlers, playing is learning! After our regularly scheduled storytime, join us for games, toys and activities that foster critical early literacy skills. For ages 2-5. PAWS for Reading Wednesday, Jan. 14 • 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 receive a free book provided by the Tulsa Library Trust. Registration starts at 3:45 p.m. on the day of the event.

BROKEN ARROW LIBRARY/SOUTH Growing Readers Storytime Tuesdays, Jan. 6, 13, 20, 27 10:30-11 a.m. Ready, set, READ! Help your child get ready to read with this special storytime that focuses on helping children develop important literacy skills such as vocabulary and phonological awareness, while still emphasizing the fun and love of reading! Stay for early literacy stations from 11 to 11:30 a.m. For ages 2-5. Stay and Play Tuesday, Jan. 6 • 11-11:30 a.m. For babies and toddlers, playing is learning! After our regularly scheduled storytime, join us for games, toys and activities that foster critical early literacy skills. For ages 2-5. My First Storytime Wednesdays, Jan. 7, 14, 21, 28 10-10:30 a.m. Learn and enjoy songs, stories and activities that are just right for your little one at this lapsit storytime. For newborns to 2-yearolds and their caregivers. Toddler Storytime Wednesdays, Jan. 7, 14, 21, 28 10:30-11 a.m. The best in children's literature, songs, games, finger plays, rhymes and other reading-related activities are shared with your toddler. For ages 2-3 and their caregivers. Music and Movement Storytime Thursdays, Jan. 8, 15, 22, 29 10:30-11 a.m. Stretch! Jump! Sing! Read! Join us for a storytime that is all about movement and motion. We will enjoy great books while we get out all our wiggles with fun group activities. For ages 2-5.

R U Frozen: Winter Sing-Along Saturday, Jan. 10 • 1-2 p.m. Help us celebrate winter with crafts, face painting, costumes, and a great big SING-ALONG medley of old and new tunes! We'll provide the instruments. All ages are welcome, but this will be especially fun for ages 5-12. Stay and Play Storytime Thursday, Jan. 15 • 11-11:30 a.m. Wednesday, Jan. 21 • 11-11:30 a.m. For babies and toddlers, playing is learning! Enjoy storytime and then stay after for games, toys and activities that foster critical early literacy skills. For ages 5 and younger. PAWS for Reading Thursday, Jan. 22 • 6:30-7:30 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 receive a free book provided by the Tulsa Library Trust.

BROOKSIDE LIBRARY Preschool Storytime Wednesdays, Jan. 7, 14, 21, 28 10:15-10:45 a.m. The best in children's literature, songs, games, finger plays, rhymes and other reading-related activities are shared with your preschooler. For ages 2-5 and their caregivers. My First Storytime Wednesdays, Jan. 7, 14, 21, 28 11-11:20 a.m. Learn and enjoy songs, stories and activities that are just right for your little one at this lapsit storytime. For newborns to 24-montholds and their caregivers. PAWS for Reading Wednesday, Jan. 14 • 3:30-4:30 p.m. Registered therapy dogs are excellent listeners. Kids ages 7-12 are invited to read their favorite books to a furry, four-pawed friend. Each reader will receive a free book provided by the Tulsa Library Trust. Groovy Peace Signs Friday, Jan. 16 • 3:30-4:30 p.m. We'll use watercolors, tape and paper plates to make the grooviest peace signs in town ... just in time for the Martin Luther King Jr. Parade! For ages 5-14.

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CHARLES PAGE LIBRARY Paddington's Slumber Party Thursday, Jan. 15-Friday, Jan. 16 Paddington is having a slumber party and he is inviting your favorite fluffed and furry friend to attend! Have your stuffed pal spend the night at the Charles Page Library with host Paddington the Bear and get a picture of what they did when you pick up your friend the next day. For ages 5 and younger.

COLLINSVILLE LIBRARY Stories From the Rocking Chair Tuesdays, Jan. 6, 13, 20, 27 10:30-11 a.m. Enjoy stories, songs, crafts and more. For ages 1-4 and their caregivers. PAWS for Reading Wednesday, Jan. 21 • 3-4 p.m. Registered therapy dogs are excellent listeners. Kids ages 4-12 are invited to read their favorite books to a furry, four-pawed friend. Each reader will receive a free book provided by the Tulsa Library Trust.

GLENPOOL LIBRARY Ms. Tatiana Family Storytime Wednesdays, Jan. 7, 14, 21, 28 10:30-11 a.m. For babies and toddlers, playing is learning! Enjoy storytime and then stay after for games, toys and activities that foster critical early literacy skills. For ages 4 and younger with their caregivers.

HARDESTY REGIONAL LIBRARY Toddler Time Mondays, Jan. 5, 12, 26 10-10:20 a.m. Tuesdays, Jan. 6, 13, 20, 27 11-11:20 a.m. Enjoy stories, action rhymes, fun flannels, music, bubbles and meeting other toddlers in the neighborhood. For ages 2-3 and their parents/caregivers. Mr. Paul's Preschool Storytime Mondays, Jan. 5, 12, 26 • 11-11:30 a.m. Location: Storytime Room The best in children's literature, songs, games, finger plays, rhymes and other reading-related activities are shared with your preschooler. For ages 3-5. Marvelous Monday Stories Mondays, Jan. 5, 12, 26 • 6:30-7 p.m. Join Ms. Karen for stories and other fun activities. For all ages.

My First Storytime Tuesdays, Jan. 6, 13, 20, 27 Wednesdays, Jan. 7, 14, 21, 28 10-10:20 a.m. Learn and enjoy songs, stories and activities that are just right for your little one at this lapsit storytime. For newborns to 2-yearolds and their caregivers. Preschool Storytime With Ms. Kristie Wednesdays, Jan. 7, 14, 21, 28 11-11:30 a.m. Location: Storytime Room The best in children's literature, songs, games, finger plays, rhymes and other reading-related activities are shared with your preschooler. For ages 3-5.

HELMERICH LIBRARY Preschool Storytime Tuesday, Jan. 27 • 10:30-10:55 a.m. The best in children's literature, songs, games, finger plays, rhymes and other reading-related activities are shared with your preschooler. For ages 5 and younger. Winter Family Storytime Wednesday, Jan. 28 • 10:30-10:50 a.m. Join us for books, math, music and play in our family storytime for all ages.

HERMAN AND KATE KAISER LIBRARY My First Storytime Thursdays, Jan. 8, 15, 22, 29 10-10:30 a.m. For babies and toddlers, playing is learning! Enjoy storytime and then stay after for games, toys and activities that foster critical early literacy skills. For newborns to 2-year-olds and their caregivers. Preschool Storytime Thursdays, Jan. 8, 15, 22, 29 10:30-11:30 a.m. For babies and toddlers, playing is learning! Enjoy storytime and then stay after for games, toys and activities that foster critical early literacy skills. For ages 2-5. PAWS for Reading Wednesdays, Jan. 14, 28 • 3:30-5 p.m. Registered therapy dogs are excellent listeners. Kids ages 5-9 are invited to read their favorite books to a furry, four-pawed friend. Each reader will receive a free book provided by the Tulsa Library Trust. Registration is required. Call 918-549-7542 to register.

T ulsa city - county library e v ent guide

J anuary 2 0 1 5

c h i l d r e n (Herman & Kate Kaiser Library continued)

Family Fun Friday Friday, Jan. 16 • 2-3:30 p.m. Enjoy stories, crafts, games, science demonstrations and fun for all ages. Sensory Storytime Saturday, Jan. 17 • 10:30 a.m.-noon Does your child have difficulty sitting through storytime? If so, this inclusive, interactive program of stories, songs and activities may be just what you are looking for! Sensory Storytime focuses on learning with all five senses and is especially designed for children with

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a variety of learning styles or sensory integration challenges. Registration is required. Register online at http:// kids.tulsalibrary.org/sensorystorytime or by calling 918-549-7542. For ages 1-7 and their caregivers.

JENKS LIBRARY My First Storytime Wednesdays, Jan. 7, 14, 21, 28 10-10:15 a.m. Learn and enjoy songs, stories and activities that are just right for your little one at this lapsit storytime. For newborns to 2-yearolds and their caregivers.

Preschool Storytime Wednesdays, Jan. 7, 14, 21, 28 10:30-11 a.m. The best in children's literature, songs, games, finger plays, rhymes and other reading-related activities are shared with your preschooler. Themes are: "Snowy Day," Jan. 7; "Snow Clothes," Jan. 14; "Snow Animals: Polar Bears," Jan. 21; and "Snow Animals: Penguins," Jan. 28. For ages 3-5. PAWS for Reading Tuesday, Jan. 20 • 4-5 p.m. Registered therapy dogs are excellent listeners. Kids ages 5-12 are invited to read their favorite books to a furry,

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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four-pawed friend. Each reader will receive a free book provided by the Tulsa Library Trust. Registration is required. Call 918-549-7570 to register.

JUDY Z. KISHNER LIBRARY Penguins and Polar Bears Tuesday, Jan. 13 • 3-4 p.m. Walk, waddle and toboggan in for a wonderful wintry expedition! Join us for fun stories and crafts. For ages 5-10.

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LIBRARIUM Preschool Storytime Tuesdays, Jan. 6, 13, 20, 27 11-11:30 a.m. Join us for stories, music, finger plays and more. For ages 5 and younger accompanied by an adult. For ages 5 and younger with their caregivers. PAWS for Reading Saturday, Jan. 10 • 1-2 p.m. Registered therapy dogs are excellent listeners. Kids ages 8-12 are invited to read their favorite books to a furry, four-pawed friend. Each reader will receive a free book provided by the Tulsa Library Trust.

MARTIN REGIONAL LIBRARY "Diary of a Wimpy Kid" Live Board Game Friday, Jan. 2 • 2-4 p.m. How well do you know the "Diary of a Wimpy Kid" books? Bring your friends and test your knowledge by playing our live board game. This event is a come-and-go event. For ages 5-14. Sponsored by Tulsa Library Trust. Do-It-Yourself French Knitting Saturday, Jan. 3 • 2-3:30 p.m. Location: Storytime Castle Whether you are an old pro at knitting or a novice at the hobby, this fun class will teach you how to French knit by creating a doit-yourself loom. For ages 8-14. Registration is required. Class size is limited. Call 918-549-7590 to register. Sponsored by Tulsa Library Trust. Bilingual Storytime Tuesdays, Jan. 6, 13, 20, 27 10-10:30 a.m. Location: Storytime Castle Enjoy stories, songs and activities in English and Spanish. For ages 5 and younger. Special Russian Storytime Wednesday, Jan. 7 • 10-10:45 a.m. Location: Storytime Castle Start the new year with this Russian-themed storytime filled with special surprises! For ages 2-6. Sponsored by Tulsa Library Trust. Saturday Lego Club Saturday, Jan. 17 • 2-3 p.m. Location: Storytime Castle Join us for our first monthly meeting. Learn new building ideas, partner with other children during team building and explore free building as well. Leave your Legos at home and come play with ours. For

ages 6-12. Registration is required. Class size is limited. Call 918-5497590 to register. Sponsored by the Friends of the Helmerich Library.

OWASSO LIBRARY My First Storytime Tuesdays, Jan. 6, 13, 20, 27 Wednesdays, Jan. 7, 14, 21, 28 9:30-9:50 a.m. Learn and enjoy songs, stories and activities that are just right for your little one at this lapsit storytime. For newborns to 2-yearolds and their caregivers. Preschool Storytime Tuesdays, Jan. 6, 13, 20, 27 Wednesdays, Jan. 7, 14, 21, 28 10-10:30 a.m. The best in children's literature, songs, games, finger plays, rhymes and other reading-related activities are shared with your preschooler. For ages 3-5. Stay and Play Tuesdays, Jan. 6, 13, 20, 27 Wednesdays, Jan. 7, 14, 21, 28 10:30-11 a.m. For babies and toddlers, playing is learning! After our regularly scheduled storytime, join us for games, toys and activities that foster critical early literacy skills. For ages 5 and younger. Homeschool Storytime Tuesdays, Jan. 6, 13, 20, 27 • 2-3 p.m. We'll read stories and make a craft. For ages 6-10. PAWS for Reading Thursday, Jan. 8 • 3:30-4:30 p.m. Registered therapy dogs are excellent listeners. Kids ages 5-10 are invited to read their favorite books to a furry, four-pawed friend. Each reader will receive a free book provided by the Tulsa Library Trust. Sensory Storytime Friday, Jan. 9 • 4-5 p.m. Does your child have difficulty sitting through storytime? If so, this inclusive, interactive program of stories, songs and activities may be just what you are looking for! Sensory Storytime focuses on learning with all five senses and is especially designed for children with a variety of learning styles or sensory integration challenges. Registration is required. Register online at http:// kids.tulsalibrary.org/sensorystorytime or by calling 918-549-7624. For ages 1-7 and their caregivers.

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RUDISILL REGIONAL LIBRARY

ZARROW REGIONAL LIBRARY

Preschool Storytime Tuesdays, Jan. 6, 13, 20, 27 Wednesdays, Jan. 7, 14, 21, 28 10-10:30 a.m. The best in children's literature, songs, games, finger plays, rhymes and other reading-related activities are shared with your preschooler. For ages 2-5 and their caregivers.

Stay and Play Storytime Wednesdays, Jan. 7, 14, 21, 28 10:30-11:30 a.m. Enjoy stories, rhymes and songs, and then stay after for games, toys and activities that foster critical early literacy skills. For ages 5 and younger.

SCHUSTERMANBENSON LIBRARY Preschool Stay and Play Storytime Tuesdays, Jan. 6, 13, 20, 27 10:30-11:30 a.m. The best in children's literature, songs, games, finger plays, rhymes and other reading-related activities are shared with your preschooler. Enjoy storytime and then stay after for games, toys and activities that foster critical early literacy skills. For ages 6 and younger and their caregivers. My First Storytime Wednesdays, Jan. 7, 14, 21, 28 10-10:20 a.m. Learn and enjoy songs, stories and activities that are just right for your little one at this lapsit storytime. For newborns to 2-yearolds and their caregivers. Stay and Play Storytime Wednesdays, Jan. 7, 14, 21, 28 10:30-10:50 a.m. For babies and toddlers, playing is learning! Enjoy storytime and then stay after for games, toys and activities that foster critical early literacy skills. For newborns to 2-year-olds and their caregivers. PAWS for Reading Monday, Jan. 12 • 3:30-4:30 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 receive a free book provided by the Tulsa Library Trust. Mad Science Monday Monday, Jan. 26 • 4-4:30 p.m. Learn a new science experiment. Will they work or explode? Or were they supposed to explode in the first place? Join us for messy excitement! For ages 5-12.

PAWS for Reading Saturday, Jan. 24 • 2-3 p.m. Registered therapy dogs are excellent listeners. Kids ages 5-10 are invited to read their favorite books to a furry, four-pawed friend. Each reader will receive a free book provided by the Tulsa Library Trust. Family Game Night Tuesday, Jan. 27 • 6:30-7:30 p.m. Bring your favorite board game or choose from one of ours. No registration required. Just drop in for fun. For ages 12 and younger and their families.

en español

TulsaLibrary.org/hrc Patrocinado por el Centro Hispano y el Fideicomiso de las Bibliotecas de Tulsa. Informes al 918-549-7597.

clases de informática BIBLIOTECA REGIONAL MARTIN La Computadora Jueves, 29 de enero • 6-7 p.m.

programas infantiles BIBLIOTECA REGIONAL MARTIN Cuentitos Bilingües Martes, 6, 13, 20, 27 de enero 10-10:30 a.m. Cuentos, canciones y actividades en inglés y español. Para niños de 0 a 5 años.

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.

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Book Reviews Category

Cooking, Food & Wine SNAP IT for additional book summaries.

Joy the Baker Homemade Decadence: Irresistibly Sweet, Salty, Gooey, Sticky, Fluffy, Creamy, Crunchy Treats By Joy Wilson Clarkson Potter, $30.00, 272 pages Check this out! Joy Wilson has been blogging since 2008 at JoytheBaker.com about simply delicious dishes. If it is sweet or gooey or a fresh, new take on a favorite dish, there is a good bet she has written about it. Now she has been kind enough to gather the best of the best recipes she has created into a terrific compendium of the sweetest and gooiest of these. The recipes are amazingly creative. After a short introduction, the book is divided into five categories: Brunch; Cookies, Brownies & Bars; Pies, Crumbles & Cobblers; Layer Cakes, Cupcakes & Skillet Cakes; and Ice Cream Social. Each recipe has all the necessary information to allow you to have a perfect cooking experience, and each is accompanied by a beautiful four-color picture that will make readers want to get right into the kitchen. The recipe for the Ultimate Pancake Syrup alone is worth the price of the book, but there are 124 other recipes that are just as good. This book is a treat for the eyes and a super treat for the palate. Whatever you do, don’t miss out on this one. Reviewed by Rosi Hollinbeck Better Homes and Gardens: The Ultimate Cookie Book, Second Edition By Better Homes and Gardens Better Homes & Gardens, $19.99, 480 pages Check this out! Better Homes and Garden cookbooks usually excel in quality and content. The Ultimate Cookie Book will not disappoint home bakers—it is an excellent baking reference book. The number of professionally tested recipes is awesome: over 500! Should you bake one a week, you have a 10-year project ahead of you. The book starts with

a dozen nicely illustrated pages of basic, excellent for beginners, but which an experienced baker could skip. The remainder of this thick book is nothing but recipes and photos with very little filler except for many short informative sidebars. Each recipe gives prep and baking times, and full nutritional information. Instructions are clear and precise. Many recipes also include variations. Most recipes are not hard to make, but many will be a serious challenge for most. You will find many recipes that we don’t consider cookies: bars, squares and pastries. The layout is perfect: one page per recipe; and photo illustrations are equally good, some with thumbnail-size illustrations to help with some baking techniques. The index is well cross-referenced. This book is a medium-sized sturdy trade paperback, but if you have the hardcover edition available, the book will last much longer in a busy home kitchen. Reviewed by George Erdosh 150 Best Indian, Asian Caribbean and More Diabetes Recipes By Sobia Khan Robert Rose, $24.95, 256 pages Check this out! A lt hough Sobia Khan aimed Indian, Asian, Caribbean and More Diabetes Recipes for diabetics and prediabetics, this cookbook is also perfect for anyone wishing healthier cooking and eating, but

with a proviso: only if you also enjoy ethnic foods from four different regions of the world: South Asian, Chinese, Hispanic and Caribbean. Her cookbook is excellent, but not for the timid or beginner. Most of the recipes, though not very complicated, require some cooking time. Each recipe supplies prep and cooking times, but in most the gathering of the many ingredients will be quite time-consuming. In fact, it’s essential that you have a well-equipped ethnic market available to you. Many recipes (particularly from South Asia) are based on a large number of spices, herbs, various preparations and sauces. Khan divides her book into four sections according to these four regional cuisines. She starts each chapter with a list of recipes for the cook’s perusal. Fats, sweeteners and salt are severely reduced in every recipe. Many give you additional information for diabetic diet (“Food Choices”), variations, nutritional tips and useful sidebars. The recipes are carefully laid out on facing pages. Instructions are easy-to-follow. The index is not well crossreferenced. Reviewed by George Erdosh Fermented Vegetables: Creative Recipes for Fermenting 64 Vegetables & Herbs in Krauts, Kimchis, Brined Pickles, Chutneys, Relishes & Pastes By Kirsten K. Shockey, Christopher Shockey Storey Publishing, LLC, $24.95, 376 pages Check this out! Fe r m e nt ing vegetables as a preservation method has been an important part of different cultures for centuries. No respectable German restaurant would leave sauerkraut off its menu any more than a Korean restaurant would forego kimchi. This book goes far beyond those two examples in covering fermentation of over 60 vegetables and herbs as well as a few fruits. This book should meet with a good deal of interest since fermented vegetables are a healthy addition to diets and hold particular interest to those on the popular Paleo diet. The first two chapters cover the whys and wherefores of fermentation, while the next chapter covers all the necessary tools and various kinds of salts. Step-by-step instructions for mastering the various krauts, pickles and kimchis will help anyone become fluent in the art of fermentation. Great tips, such as how to handle hot chiles or what to do about pickled garlic turning blue, will give confidence to the novices of the method. This book is comprehensive; it even has a short section on scum. Yes, scum happens. The good list of resources finishes off this fine cookbook. This will be a welcome addition to any modern kitchen. Reviewed by Rosi Hollinbeck

Tulsa Book Review • January 2015 • 9

My Perfect Pantry: 150 Easy Recipes From 50 Essential Ingredients By Geoffrey Zakarian, Amy Stevenson, Margaret Zakarian Clarkson Potter, $30.00, 304 pages Check this out! A pantry is a basic element for any meal preparation, and chef Geoffrey Zakarian offers 50 pantry essentials in My Perfect Pantry. Both a wonderful reference guide and an exciting cookbook, the book features beautiful full-color photographs of every recipe and ingredient. Each pantry essential is introduced with some basic information (for example, the provenance of cocoa powder and the difference between natural and Dutch-process), and then highlighted in three varied recipes, which are written with clear, concise instructions and suggestions for success. Brief anecdotes and recipe memories enliven the text as well, and readers will feel the author is cheering for their success with his friendly, encouraging tone. Essential pantry ingredients include beans, rice, flour; honey, ketchup, BBQ and soy sauce; sugar, tomatoes, pasta, oil and vinegar, among others. Foundational spices occupy their own section, with instructions on storage and use. This book is accessible and fun, and includes great recipes that are creative and delicious, like Pomegranate-ginger Sweet Potatoes with Pecans and Pumpkin Seeds, or Popcorn Ice Cream (really!), or Steamed Broccoli with Soy Vinaigrette. It will be a happy addition to any cook’s collection. Reviewed by Gretchen Wagner Pillsbury The Big Book of Easy Baking With Refrigerated Dough By Grace Wells (editor) Pillsbury, $19.99, 336 pages Check this out! In The Big Book of Easy Baking With Ref r i g e rated Dough, the people at Pillsbury present home cooks with a huge array of recipe ideas and variations. I, personally, love a cookbook that takes ingredients that regularly grace my kitchen (including several of their refrigerated doughs, though I don’t usually use them for anything more creative than the obvious crescent rolls and biscuits) and can show me smart and fresh meal ideas to make with them. While one or two of See Baking, cont’d on page 15

Book Reviews Category

Nonfiction SNAP IT for additional book summaries.

The Wars of the Roses By Dan Jones Viking Adult, $12.99, 416 pages Check this out! A g i n court, Joan of Arc. Bosworth Field, Henry V, Richard III, Owen Tudor – these names and places are familiar, but how do they all fit together? Written for the general reader (who may or may not have been paying attention in history class), The Wars of the Roses addresses the crucial era of English history spanning the fall of the Plantagenets to the rise of the Tudor dynasty. The conflict over dynastic succession called for centuries “The War of the Roses,” frequently has been mischaracterized as a (fairly) straightforward feud between two rival houses, those of York and Lancaster. Author Dan Jones shows that the standard interpretation is far too simplistic. This era was filled with intrigue, brutality, violence, scheming, mistrust; valor, heroism, brilliance and selfless leadership. Jones captures it all, in an engrossing narrative filled with lucid vignettes that introduce the reader to the incredibly colorful players in this drama. Chapters begin with a climactic pinnacle and then leave the reader breathlessly devouring the backstory to race to the event’s conclusion (usually a character’s demise). Wonderful storytelling, breakneck pacing, perfect portraiture: this is historical narrative at its best. It is a heady way to learn history and a lot of fun. Reviewed by Gretchen Wagner An Empire on the Edge: How Britain Came to Fight America By Nick Bunker Knopf, $30.00, 429 pages Check this out! As a history buff, I’ve read a lot of history books. Consequently, I’ve read plenty of books exploring the birth of the American Revolution and our split from Great Britain. But An Empire on the Edge is the first I’ve encountered that examined in lavish detail

the mechanics of ruling from afar, and how minor, yet fundamental misjudgments had widereaching, world-changing consequences. Exploring the years leading up to the revolution from both sides of the pond, Bunker reveals the surprising roles British rule of India, the East India Company, the Appalachian mountains and problematic cross-oceanic communication all played in fomenting discord between the British empire and the colonies. And after reading so many America-centric historical tomes, it was a breath of fresh air to delve into parliament and discover how relatively little attention was paid to the colonies by English government as a whole, and how such mismanagement contributed to the Boston Tea Party, to Lexington and Concord, and to the American Revolution. An eye-opener from start to finish, An Empire on the Edge brushes aside tyrants and rebel heroes to make way for wellmeaning men and women who simply got it wrong (with the best of intentions). Reviewed by Glenn Dallas Tudors Versus Stewarts: The Fatal Inheritance of Mary, Queen of Scots By Linda Porter St. Martin’s Press, $29.99, 523 pages Check this out! This is the type of book one would expect from a serious historian. Rather than rehash the oft told tales of Elizabeth and Mary, Queen of Scots, Porter tells the backstory, which places historical events, such as the execution of Mary, in context. It is a

most ambitious book, spanning more than three centuries and the reigns of James I of Scotland to James VI. On the Tudor side, it stretches from the Duke of Lancaster (father of Henry IV) through the reign of Edward VI and then James I. James VI of Scotland finally merged the two countries into one rule although animosity continues to the present day. This reader was familiar with the popular movie versions of these events, but this book is exhaustive in uncovering the minor characters, politics and battles that made for a turbulent time in history. In particular, the religious differences that arose during the reformation and the reign of Henry VIII made for continuing struggles and religious persecution among the sects. Mary was a Catholic, while her cousin, Elizabeth I, was, of course, Church of England. Mary, Queen of Scots, was niece to Henry VIII, which put her in line for succession to the British crown. The stories are fascinating and enduring, but after reading this tome, one may become quite sick of royalty and their venality. Reviewed by Julia McMichael When the United States Spoke French: Five Refugees Who Shaped a Nation By Francois Furstenberg The Penguin Press HC, $36.00, 512 pages Check this out! It can never be overstated how chaotic the aftermath of the American Revolution was. In the early years of the American experiment, you had internecine struggles between the states, the powerful shadow cast by the British, escalating conflicts with Native Americans and large swathes of land under Spanish control. But perhaps the biggest question mark sat with our revolutionary allies, the French. As refugees from the French Revolution fled to the Americas, French culture, money and intrigues would soon follow. When the United States Spoke French goes far beyond the standard textbook spiel to chart the social, economic and infrastructural effect former French revolutionaries had on a burgeoning America during a time of great uncertainty and upheaval. From the Louisiana Purchase to the Indian conflict in the Ohio Valley, from the consequences of the Seven Years’ War to the unexpected role French capital played in the birth of entire towns, Furstenberg’s impressive chronicle dispels any doubt that America ceased to be a factor in European politics after the revolution.

Tulsa Book Review • January 2015 • 10

This little-explored chapter of history comes alive under Furstenberg’s doggedly thorough research, reminding every reader that nothing was inevitable, and history is forever made up of thousands upon thousands of tiny moments. Reviewed by Glenn Dallas How to Ruin a Queen By Jonathan Beckman Da Capo Press, $26.99, 408 pages Check this out! The horrific events compr ising the French Revolution often occlude the seminal events that led to it. One of these was the Diamond Necklace Affair, which embroiled French Queen Marie Antoinette in a scandal from which she never escaped. This book details the intricate plot concocted by Jeanne Valois La Mott, who claimed royal lineage and demanded its attendant privileges, although she had been born in poverty. Fabricating a relationship with the queen, she persuaded a cardinal to purchase an expensive diamond necklace, ostensibly on the queen’s behalf, but giving them to Jeanne to deliver. When the fraud (and subsequent theft) were finally discovered, the ensuing trial slandered the queen irreparably. This book is a carefully detailed account of all the major players in this affair, compiled by combing and sifting through numerous and often contradictory accounts. The author tells the story with an eye for drama and a taste for gossip, but I particularly appreciated the final analysis, which exposes how this particular event had direct bearing on the toppling of the Bourbon dynasty just a few years later. The effect of the affair on popular opinion was incendiary. This is an engrossing book, an excellent history for deeper insight into pre-Revolutionary France. Reviewed by Gretchen Wagner Tennessee Williams: Mad Pilgrimage of the Flesh By John Lahr W. W. Norton & Company, $39.95, 765 pages Check this out! As an accomplished and prolific writer, drama critic for The New Yorker and Tony award-winning dramatist, John Lahr is uniquely qualified to write this biography of the tumultuous life of playwright, Tom Lanier Williams, aka Tennessee. Tennessee Williams – with all of his great imagination – wouldn’t have dreamed that his life

Book Reviews would end up in the hands of a critic. Williams in 1944 was the drama critics’ darling, but after 1965 was vilified by them. John Lahr has managed to provide context and order in Williams’ very disordered life. Williams was publicly gay when the FBI still considered gay synonymous with communism. His addictions to love affairs and drugs helped him cope with his inner demons and paradoxically gave them dominance. Lahr writes that Williams put his writing and success above all personal relationships. Williams achieved great success in 1944 with “The Glass Menagerie” and went on to write 28 more major plays, two novels, short stories, screenplays, teleplays, one-act plays and two books of poetry. Lahr weaves the plots of lesser-known plays into this book and contrasts them with Williams’ personal life. This is a finalist for the National Book Award and is highly recommended. Reviewed by Julia McMichael John Marshall: The Chief Justice Who Saved the Nation By Harlow Giles Unger Da Capo Press, $27.99, 384 pages Check this out! Chief Justice of the Supreme Court John Marshall was born in interesting times. He grew up in Colonial America, fought in the Revolutionary War, built a successful law practice and became wealthy, argued successfully for the adoption of the Constitution, served as an ambassador to France, ran successfully for public office, managed the legal affairs of many political figures, served as attorney general of Virginia, was appointed chief justice of the Supreme Court, and was a devoted father and husband, as well as many other accomplishments. This biography details all of that and, more importantly, places the man and his accomplishments in the historical context of the near failure of our early constitutional development. It is an intense history of the struggles of our early government; the reasons and resolution of Shay’s rebellion, the Whiskey rebellion, the second revolution, and the evolu-

Nonfiction tion of the Supreme Court as an equal, functioning check and balance on the other two branches of government. John Marshall puts his Centrist stamp on the new government, keeping a balance between the individual and government that serves us even today. It is written well, moves fast and is very informative. I recommend it to any serious student of American history. Reviewed by Ralph Peterson Brothers Forever: The Enduring Bond Between a Marine and a Navy SEAL That Transcended Their Ultimate Sacrifice By Tom Sileo Da Capo Press, $25.99, 312 pages Check this out! Brothers Forever is a horrific, yet gripping and engaging, story of two American soldiers — two heroes — whose courage on the battlefield was astonishing. Travis Manion, a U.S. Marine, and Brendan Looney, a Navy Seal, were the best of friends. They wound up dying in service to their country, three years apart. One died in Iraq, the other in Afghanistan. They are buried next to each other in Arlington National Cemetery. This book details not just their friendship, which made them close and competitive, but also helps the reader understand how it was that each was a role model for the other. It also serves to explain the mindset of those who very willingly elect to go into harm’s way. As Manion said to a civilian friend, “If I don’t go, they’re going to send another Marine in my place who doesn’t have my training.” Brothers Forever was written by a journalist and by Manion’s father, a retired Marine. A fault is an abundance of military language. In Iraq, Manion wrote that he was “truly honored” to serve beside his fellow soldiers. This memorable account truly and finely honors the bravery of the late servicemen Manion and Looney. Reviewed by Joseph Arellano Angry Optimist: The Life and Times of Jon Stewart By Lisa Rogak Thomas Dunne Books, $25.99, 288 pages Check this out! Jon Stewart is a force to be reckoned with. He is routinely featured on Most Influential People lists, and younger voters and viewers often turn to him and The Daily Show for actual news, bypassing the traditional net-

work broadcasts and the i nc rea si ngly sensationalistic efforts of CNN, MSNBC and Fox News. But no one, least of all Stewart himself, expected things to turn out this way. Angry Optimist follows Stewart’s path from stand-up comic, short-lived talk-show host and occasional film actor to leading voice of America’s premiere comedic venue for political news. Rogak ventures into Stewart’s childhood, meanders through his efforts as an actor and host, and offers an in-depth look at how Stewart shepherded The Daily Show’s transformation from a pop culture-fueled afterthought into the political commentary juggernaut it is today. And, thankfully, she doesn’t shy from Stewart’s rough edges. She gives equal time to his triumphs – like his heartrending post9/11 monologue – and more controversial turns, like the legendary showdown with Tucker Carlson, his increasingly vitriolic fo-

cus on Fox News, and the anger and frustration that have slipped into the show more and more over the years. Angry Optimist, unlike so many other sources, truly comes off as fair and balanced. Reviewed by Glenn Dallas Packaged Pleasures: How Technology and Marketing Revolutionized Desire By Gary S. Cross, Robert N. Proctor University Of Chicago Press, $35.00, 336 pages Check this out! Almost everything we eat, listen to for relaxation and enjoyment, watch (whether in our own homes or at a public venue), where we vacation and what we smoke are the products of a burgeoning technology and subtle and sometimes not-so-subtle marketing campaign. This is the premise of Packaged Pleasures.

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 • January 2015 • 11

Book Reviews It begins with a quick, breathless summation of the many inventions and innovations from about 1840 to the early 20th century, and then the marketing campaigns building on those advances. Gary Cross details the reasons cigarettes became so addictive and common, unlike pipe smoking and even cigars. He tells of the global addiction to sugar and how it was generated in a population that came to equate sugar with status and social mobility. Music, movies, photography and amusement come in for similar treatment. The book reads well, moves along very rapidly with just the right amount of detail to inform without becoming boring. I greatly enjoyed the book, although by the end I felt an increasing irritation at how much I have been manipulated by the marketing men and ubiquitous media of our time. I recommend it as a great way to see what marketing has done and is doing. Reviewed by Ralph Peterson Whatever Happened to the Metric System?: How America Kept Its Feet By John Bemelmans Marciano Bloomsbury USA, $26.00, 320 pages Check this out! In Whatever Happened to the Metric System? John Marciano performs magic in taking the most common of things, measu rements, and weaving a tale of personal ego, national dilemma, the rise of empires and the obstinacy of common man as the history of the lowly meter. It is amazing that in prerevolutionary France, there were more than 250,000 different measures. The English-speaking world was a little better, but not much. Thomas Jefferson determined that our dollar should be divided into tenths; France chopped off a lot of the problem in its revolution, but only Napoleon could bring order to the measurement mess, well, some order anyway. The continuing problems of decimalization and, more importantly, whose measure would be the standard in currency, navigation, time zones and space occupy congresses, nations and empires. It is not over yet. The people of the United States have turned back several attempts to dump their standards into the dustbin of history. It is how America has kept its feet. The book is a very interesting read. There are many tidbits of history that make the story fun and informative. I recommend the book to any who want to learn how the seemingly little things of history have enormous consequences. Reviewed by Ralph Peterson

Nonfiction An Indomitable Beast: The Remarkable Journey of the Jaguar By Alan Rabinowitz Island Press, $30.00, 264 pages Check this out! Chronicling the pursuit of the jaguar, wildlife conservationist Alan R abinow it z records his remarkable e x per iences with this intrepid and fascinating animal. Challenged from childhood by a disabling stutter, the author found silent solace when visiting the penned jaguars at the Bronx Zoo. His fascination with this creature continued to his graduate years where, at the request of George Schaller, he ventured into the Belize jungle, where he met his first jaguar and initiated studies on the habits, diet, range and behavior while tracking the animal. His decades of study of the jaguar and other members of the big cat family are reviewed in this account of research tactics, evolution of the animals over geologic time periods, cultural attitudes to the jaguar, historical movement of the animals and the geographic corridors through which they travel. His studies transport him through Central America, South America and North America. Bits of personal biography are interspersed with the research tasks employed to understand the biological and psychological aspects of this magnificent creature. As a conservationist, his primary focus is to educate the communities bordering jaguar territory along with the public about the importance of species preservation and to engage the political powers to support this effort to maintain threatened life. This is a story filled with passion for both the animal and the preservation of lives and habitat so dismally threatened. Reviewed by Aron Row As You Wish: Inconceivable Tales From the Making of The Princess Bride By Cary Elwes Touchstone, $26.00, 272 pages Check this out! Who better to write a behind-the-scenes memoir about the making of The Princess Bride than the Dread Pirate Roberts himself, Cary Elwes? The book begins in June of 1986, as Elwes meets up with Rob Reiner to discuss the role. Up until this point in his career, Elwes was a fairly unknown actor. Elwes’ wonder and delight is palpable as he goes through the process of being cast in his first major production. From there, the book launches into charming stories about costume fitting, swordfighting, the other ac-

tors and anything else you could wish to know about the making of the film. As You Wish is an approachable and easy-toread memoir that will make the set of The Princess Bride come alive. Fans will find themselves wanting to immediately rewatch it with the new information from the book in mind. The book’s tone and narrative are immensely flattering toward everyone, and none of the cast or crew gets dragged though the mud; the stories about Andre the Giant are particularly charming. As You Wish is a delightful, sugary treat of a book that will please both new and old fans of The Princess Bride. Reviewed by Christie Spurlock Cool: How Air Conditioning Changed Everything By Salvatore Basile Fordham University Press, $29.95, 288 pages Check this out! A hot day without air conditioning is torturous. And yet, modern society did without air conditioning for decades and decades. What kickstarted the movement toward air-cooled creature comforts? And what unexpected obstacles and allies would the air-conditioning industry encounter on its way up? Cool is the all-encompassing guidebook to the history of air conditioning, chronicling the numerous gimmicks, failed attempts, con jobs and eventual successes that concept inspired. From movie theaters and department stores to its final, inevitable move into the home, it’s a surprisingly interesting journey. But even more so was the quest to convince people they needed this. Astonishingly, people resisted home air conditioning for years! The psychology of our culture with regards to home comfort proved to be the most unexpected aspect of the book, and Basile made great use of it by threading the slow change of society’s perception of air conditioning throughout the detailed mechanical timeline of various air-cooling inventions. (Please note that I purposely avoided any

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“I’m a fan!” or “This book is chill!” puns in this review. You’re welcome!) Reviewed by Glenn Dallas Final Frontier: The Pioneering Science and Technology of Exploring the Universe By Brian Clegg St. Martin’s Press, $26.99, 304 pages Check this out! Seeing farther has always been a quest of mankind. Recent scientific pursuits (the last 20 years) have s t i mu l a t e d that quest in a way we could not have imagined even half a century ago. Yet new technologies emerge even though many of the older ones have not been completely explored. Brian Clegg takes the reigns to steer us where no one has treaded before in his brilliant new book, Final Frontier. Clegg speculates how we might carry ourselves forward into fresh perspectives in the 21st century. Clegg is a serious scientist, not distracted by jokes or sentimental jargon. His accessible insight into familiar theories of the cosmos gives us a chance to embrace the same magnitude that he does. He does this with academic and scientific completeness, taking the germ of exploration to new vistas. His is a bold, new journey that gives us a glimpse of reality and hopes for wonders that remain to be discovered. His dream is to establish a place beyond our earthly bounds, promising a taste of a new cosmic flavor, yet unknown. The book is a bold and dramatic new step that steers his readers in the right direction. Like his other books, he puts his scientific interests in a nutshell and gives us a door into it. His style is nothing less than accomplished, literary prose. Reviewed by D. Wayne Dworsky In the Light of Science: Our Ancient Quest for Knowledge and the Measure of Modern Physics By Demetris Nicolaides Prometheus Books, $19.00, 250 pages Check this out! In the Light of Science: Our Ancient Quest for Knowledge and the Measure of Modern Physics is a very rational guide to science’s historical beginnings and then how history, philosophy, religion, culture and science combined to form what we are familiar with today. It’s a high-concept read, but approachable enough that a layperson can understand it with minimal rereading. Author Demetris Nicolaides raises some interesting points in this volume: such as

Book Reviews the importance of man realizing his senses were not always reliable, pointing out that science has not always been part of civilization, detailing how a g r ic u lt u re led to urbanization and coalescence of groups brought development of the human intellect, how myth and religion gave birth to science as a prescientific way to explain the world, and the surprising insights the Greeks had into theories that modern science is only just now proving, such as the concept of infinite, the transformative states of matter, mathematics, etc. Above all, this book inspires readers to not be content with the destination of science, but to follow their own journey of discovery and never stop questioning the nature of nature in the form of the space, matter, time and energy all around us. Reviewed by Axie Barclay The Edge of the Sky: All You Need to Know About the All-There-Is By Roberto Trotta Basic Books, $16.99, 85 pages Check this out! Understanding the mechanics of the universe is not just fascinating, it’s vital to our survival. But what people forget is that it’s not just crucial that scientists understand; it’s crucial that everyone understands the universe, because that’s the only way to make informed decisions about the future. The Edge of the Sky is an intriguing experiment that attempts to bridge the gap between scientists and laymen by using only the thousand most common English words (or “ten hundred,” in its terminology), hoping to simplify the cosmos not only for English speakers, but the global community as a whole. It’s a bold idea with plenty of opportunities to go wrong. On the one hand, using the thousand easiest and most accessible words in English makes it far easier for nonnative speakers to parse the concepts presented; on the other hand, not seeing common words like “planet” is a bit off-putting for native speakers. (Thankfully, a glossary in the back translates the book’s vernacular for anyone thrown off by its unique phrasing.)

Nonfiction I don’t know if this experiment was a success, but it was a strangely beautiful way to learn about the cosmos. I hope Trotta’s dream of greater global understanding of astronomy comes to pass. Reviewed by Glenn Dallas Ghostly Evidence: Exploring the Paranormal By Kelly Milner Halls Millbrook Press, $20.95, 64 pages Check this out! Do you believe in ghosts? Most people claim they don’t, but somehow are not quite so sure when things go bump in the night or when they walk through a cold, clammy spot in a warm room. Some hear whispers or moans or even see ephemeral beings floating above a stairway or through a hallway. Yet in all the history of such reports, and that history is long and rich, there seems to be no real proof that ghosts exist, although not for lack of trying. Kelly Milner Halls takes a hard look at the paranormal just as she has with other unusual topics, such as reports of aliens and the search for Sasquatch. Halls gives a good overview of several well-known, fascinating places with records of paranormal appearances and visitations. She has clearly pored over the records and photographs, listened to recordings, interviewed witnesses and ghost hunters and scientists, and distilled all that information for young readers. What middle-grade reader would not be absolutely fascinated with this wonderful compendium of information on ghostly sightings? This nonfiction work has lots of suggested readings, Internet links and ghostly places to visit. The writing is terrific and the research impeccable. Reviewed by Rosi Hollinbeck Virtual Unreality: Just Because the Internet Told You, How Do You Know It’s True? By Charles Seife Viking Adult, $26.95, 256 pages Check this out! The Internet is an electronic free-for-all. Old cons are given new life by technology, and the unwary net surfer is liable to run afoul of all kinds of tricks and traps. Plenty of books and websites warn you against Internet scams and misinformation, but very few of them can authoritatively delve into how these programs and schemes work, leaving you poorly armed against other threats in the future. Virtual Unreality, on the other hand, explains how we’re deceived and manipulated

by technology – ads, search engines, spam emails, chatbots, Farmville and its ilk – and what to look for to protect yourself. Whether it’s pseudoscientific quackery or something far more insidious, this book can help you spot the strings before they’re attached. This is a handbook to avoiding manipulation by scammers, corporations and programmers, and it breaks down the techniques involved with easy-to-understand explanations, giving the reader the tools necessary to stay sharp in a constantly evolving Wild West of self-interest and algorithmic corralling. Even the savviest Web denizen will benefit from a look at the important lessons in Virtual Unreality. Don’t let the chatbots win. Reviewed by Glenn Dallas

Nocturne: Creatures of the Night By Traer Scott Princeton Architectural Press, $19.95, 128 pages Check this out! There are all kinds of things that go bump in the night, but by design they’re hard to spot and harder still to study up close. Nocturne gives readers the chance to do exactly that, as numerous nocturnal and crepuscular (active at dawn and dusk) animals are catalogued by Traer Scott’s stunning photographs. The photography is absolutely gorgeous, setting each animal against a black backdrop, allowing readers to focus on the vivid detail and singular features of each creature. This has the curious effect of making the animal seem more familiar and approachable while still retaining a sense of See Nocturne, cont’d on page 15

Traveling the Mother Road this Winter?

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

Tulsa Book Review • January 2015 • 13

Book Reviews

Category

Teens SNAP IT for additional book summaries.

Better Than Perfect By Melissa Kantor HarperTeen, $17.99, 336 pages Check this out! Juliet has the most perfect life a girl could hope for: a great family, a loving boyfriend, excellent grades, a strong possibility of getting accepted into Harvard. But after her dad moved out and her mom overdosed on medication, Juliet’s perfect life starts to fall apart. She’s questioning her relationships with her family and her boyfriend, and wondering if the things she’s worked so hard for will ever make her happy. Further complicating issues is Declan, a new student that Juliet has undeniable chemistry with. Is perfect really what she wants? Author Melissa Kantor explores some interesting issues in Better Than Perfect, topics that are relevant to so many young adults these days. How important are good grades and a great college if the drive to get there makes you desperately unhappy? Who is to blame when a relationship fails? How well do you really know the important people in your life? With a fantastic and believable story and a main character who is so real you can imagine having English class with her, this novel will keep you riveted and leave you thinking about Juliet’s life long after you reach the end. Reviewed by Holly Scudero Crazy By Linda Vigen Phillips Eerdmans Books for Young Readers, $9.00, 320 pages It is the 1960s and Laura is 15. She is smart and a talented artist, but doesn’t see herself as part of the in crowd. That’s why she is surprised when very cool Dennis Martin shows an interest. Her best friend warns Laura he is trouble, but the trouble Laura

faces is much worse. Her mother, also a talented artist, has problems no one else can know about; mental illness is something that was kept secret. It’s such a secret that Laura can’t even talk to her father or sister about it. When her mother takes up painting again at Laura’s suggestion and proceeds to have a complete breakdown, it pushes Laura to believe she is headed in the same direction. Linda Vigen Phillips has written a compelling and completely believable story of a young girl’s fight against terrible unknowns in her life. The story is told in first person and is pitch-perfect for the Laura’s time and age. But more astonishing is that the story is told entirely in verse. This is a book that is marketed as a young adult novel, but should reach a much wider audience. It will speak to many, many readers. Reviewed by Rosi Hollinbeck Floating Boy and the Girl Who Couldn’t Fly By P.T. Jones ChiZine Publications, $12.99, 250 pages It all started when a strange boy crashed Mary’s baby cousin’s first birthday party. He stuffed himself on the junk food that was laid out all over the place and then floated up and away. Although Mary’s parents are happy enough to accept the explanation provided by the local news—that they’d really just seen a gingerbread man-shaped helium balloon float away—Mary knows that

that’s not true. Pretty soon all the adults in town are coming down with some plaguelike flu and kids (including Mary’s little brother Terry) are floating all over the place. Mary seems to be the one kid unaffected, the lone girl who couldn’t fly. But she won’t let a little detail like that keep her from saving her baby brother … and maybe the whole town. Mary’s whiny attitude at the beginning was a bit off-putting, but overall this was a really enjoyable read. Every time I thought I had figured it all out, some new mystery would come up and I’d be back to anxiously reading to find how that new difficulty would resolve. Here is a thrilling story filled with kids who are brave in the face of extraordinary circumstances, but still remain real. Reviewed by Randy-Lynne Wach Mortal Heart (His Fair Assassin Trilogy) By Robin LaFevers HMH Books for Young Readers, $17.99, 464 pages Check this out! Mor tal Heart is the stunning conclusion to the His Fair Assassin series by Robin LaFevers. Fans of the first two books in the series will not be disappointed with this installment that follows Annith, who has watched her fellow sisters of Mortain be sent on missions one by one instead of herself. Now she is determined to find out why she has been passed over time and time again despite being the most skilled among the convent of assassins. The more she digs, the more intrigues and betrayals come to light. Now Annith must choose between following the edicts she’s spent her life following or strike out on her own. Annith is a very different character from Ismae and Sybella in books 1 and 2, but she proves just as fascinating. The romance is truly an epic adventure filled with surprises readers won’t see coming. Favorite characters from the previous books all play a part in this final book and the story doesn’t disappoint. A fitting ending to a superb series that for readers who have not started it, should move it straight to the top of the tobe-read list. Reviewed by Debbie Suzuki

Tulsa Book Review • January 2015 • 14

Stone Cold Touch By Jennifer L. Armentrout Harlequin Teen, $9.99, 304 pages Check this out! In book two of the Dark Elements series, odd things are happening around half-demon/ half-gargoyle Layla Shaw – disappearances and unex plained accidents. Layla finds herself in the middle of suspicions and doubts amongst the fearless gargoyles that raised her. Is Layla somehow unleashing her demon side unawares or is something more sinister going on? And just when she thought things couldn’t go anywhere with her gorgeous best friend and gargoyle Zayne, a twist of fate might give her a chance until the irresistible demon Roth shows back up. Armentrout does it again; she knocks another one out of the ballpark. This is exactly what a Young Adult Paranormal Romance should read like … seamless fluidity and quick banter from her characters will leave you with whiplash and you’ll still be begging for more. By the end of this book you will not know which “team” you should be routing for: Team Zayne or Team Roth. Armentrout clearly plays with our hearts and actually leaves it up to the fans to choose who Layla is fated to be with. I, for one, can’t seem to decide whom Layla should pick, but I know that I will definitely be picking up the next book. Reviewed by Patricia Mendoza The Opal Crown By Jenny Lundquist Running Press Kids, $9.95, 320 pages In The Opal Crown, a conclusive sequel to Princess in the Opal Mask, sisters Wilha and Elara face many challenges and dangers and hard decisions that come with the crown … and from running away from it. In their new kingdom, the two of them successfully have switched lives with no one being the wiser. Then their

Book Reviews

worst fear comes true: their father dies and his last words were to tell their brother of Elara’s existence. Prince Andrei becomes a cruel king, selfishly disregarding the needs of his people and constantly fearing that one of the sisters will come to take his throne. Fueled by the manipulative words of the royal advisors, all three siblings will have to use their strongest wits to figure out who to trust and exactly where they belong. This series is outstanding all the way through. The writing exudes the feel of a classic fairy-tale adventure. Brilliant plotting makes it so that every twist and turn is completely a surprise. There is romance and heartbreak, but the main focus stays on the plight of the sisters. It was every bit as full of excitement, adventure, danger and emotion as its predecessor; a perfect ending to this series. Reviewed by Becky Vosburg Whatever Life Throws at You By Julie Cross Entangled: Teen, $9.99, 320 pages Check this out! It always has been just Annie Lucas and her dad, Jim, except for the few times when Mom decides to drop in and roil things up. Jim works hard at a bluecollar job and between the two of them they manage to take care of themselves and Gram, whose mind doesn’t work very well any more. Dad lost a leg to bone cancer years earlier, ending his short but brilliant pitching career. Suddenly an old friend who is a major-league coach shows up and asks Jim to come and work for him, coaching a hot young pitcher, Jason Brody. It’s a short-term contract, but they go anyway. When Annie lays eyes on Brody, everything changes. Julie Cross has written an exciting, fastpaced story perfect for teen girls who like hot, Hot, HOT chick books. The characters are believable and engaging, the story is both fun and compelling, and the writing is very good. With both track and field and baseball as backdrops, girls who like sports will be particularly interested. This should find a wide audience among the high school set. Reviewed by Rosi Hollinbeck

Teens

Baking, cont’d from page 9 the 100 full-color photographs may not show the end result as more than a doughand-meat blob (I’m looking at you, sweet chili chicken sliders!) nearly every recipe is simple, quick and fun. They do a great job of showing the invaluable convenience of using their ready-made doughs and refrigerated breads for favorites such a crostatas, pizzas, pot pies and open-faced sandwiches. They even show you how to construct a kidfriendly twist on hot dogs called the Spotted Crescent Dog. The Baked Potato and Bacon Galette and the Raspberry-Kissed Chocolate Almond Crostata are sure to become regulars at my house! This is definitely a cookbook worth adding to your collection if you often need quick weeknight dinners. Reviewed by Becky Vosburg

Nocturne, cont’d from page 13 abject wonder and awe that we’re granted the opportunity to examine these animals so closely. But there’s a secondary mission here that’s just as important to Scott. As he explains their eating habits, defenses and other interesting facts, he also mentions whether each is endangered or under siege by human encroachment. Be it poaching or habitat loss, the reader is constantly reminded that when it comes to so many amazing animals, we are the greatest danger they face. Nocturne is a beautiful collection of images, an informative look at night-dwelling creatures and an entreaty to do better to appreciate the wonders of nature. Reviewed by Glenn Dallas

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