Portland Book Review

F R E E www.portlandbookreview.com

VOLUME 5 VOLUME2, 2, ISSUE ISSUE 2 December February 2013 June - -September 2012

HIGHLIGHTS

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Writers on Writing Page 11

Christmas Gift Guide Pages 14 - 17

Portland In the 1960’s: Stories From the Counterculture

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Page 23

Randy Kazandy's Where's My Glasses!

Page 30

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By Fred Armisen and Carrie Brownstein Grand Central Publishing, $16.99, 192 pages

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144 Reviews INSIDE!

Fred Armisen and Carrie Brownstein have been spinning comic gold for two hilarious seasons on IFC with “Portlandia,” a tongue-in-cheek, loving spoof of the City of Roses. Their comic sketches have attracted a cult following, so it was only natural that they should turn their hit cable television show into a book. That effort, “Portlandia: A Guide for Visitors”, has successfully transplanted all the quirky charm from the show into a paperback that will leave you longing for next season more than ever.

Like the cable series, the book is structured on humor that will appeal to both been-there-seen-that locals, and folks who have never been to Portland before.

Like any “real” visitor’s guide, this one contains information on the hottest eateries (the dumpster behind the Mexican joint on the corner of NW Lovejoy and

21st), shops (Simply Hideous Shoes), and other area attractions (East Side Muffler).

There are helpful extras like a chart for deciphering bike signals, a listing of projected dog parks in the year 2016, and road signs unique to Portland. While this may not be a true visitor’s guide to Portland, it perfectly captures the heart of the sketch comedy series and is a humorous look at Oregon’s largest city.

Mark Petruska

Enjoy the humor of Portlandia!

Reference The Little Grammar Book: First Aid for Writers

By Joe Hayden Marion Street Press, $9.95, 96 pages By author Joe Hayden’s own admission in the introduction, “The Little Grammar Book: First Aid for Writers” is a short guide outlining how to fix basic grammatical problems without delving into the intricacies.

Under a hundred pages long, this book uses illustrations, charts and various font sizes to transmit the information to readers: the names of different parts of a sentence, how to fix fragments or run-on sentences and how to use punctuation.

It doesn’t provide information on all aspects of grammar, as a conventional book would do, but concentrates on several most common grammatical mistakes. As an example, in the back there are a few commonly misspelled words, such as the three following homonyms: there, their and they’re.

It’s unfortunate that this book is marketed toward working adults because with its rudimentary lessons, miniature quizzes, juvenile sketches and compact length, it would really be better advertised for high school students rather than for writers. The author shows that dealing with grammar could be fun. This book also would be a great purchase for a middle school student who is just beginning to consistently write papers for classes.

Sarah Hutchins The Writer’s Notebook II: Craft Essays from Tin House

By Multiple Editors Tin House Books, $18.95, 246 pages “The Writer’s Notebook II” is a collection of essays on the craft and art of writing. An amalgamation of fifteen writers’ thoughts, this book is an intriguing foray beyond their published works and into the minds, and thus pens (or keyboards) of the authors. Each essay focuses on a separate aspect of writing: Ann Hood discusses story beginnings, using a variety of wellknown examples, while Anthony Doerr pontificates about the importance and utter genius of suspense (it’s all in the delaying tactics), and Karen Russell examines the gripping power of fantasy. “The Writer’s Notebook II” is a writer’s workshop between two covers, filled with literary wisdom and elegant articulations of

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Modern Literature enthusiastically, throughout. All a reader then has to do is whip out a laptop, or more likely, a treasured pencil, and write.

A quill would not be out of place either.

Though the prose is beautiful and thoughtful; there is a disappointing amount of foul language and thematically mature coverage. Barring that, the insights the authors offer aspiring literary greats are incredibly valuable and empowering - apparently the best formula for writing is no formula at all.

Andrea Klein Gerry Frank’s Oregon

By Gerry Frank Gerrys Frankly Speaking, $19.95, 431 pages Gerry Frank is a fourth-generation native Oregonian and holds a rich history in a family-owned Oregon business, prior to its purchase by the May Company. In addition, Gerry Frank wrote for the Oregonian for decades. In other words, there is probably not a more qualified person to write a book about Oregon. “Gerry Frank’s Oregon” is part tour guide book, part storytelling and part history book. The book is divided by geographical locations and then interspersed with stories, facts and people and places of interest. Each geographical area opens with a map of the region. The chapters tend to be a bit unorganized, though.

For example, you will find listings for restaurants and then a hotel or retail listing will crop up in the middle of the restaurant entries. Listings contain phone numbers, websites, addresses and a pricing guide ranging from moderate to expensive and up. At the end of every chapter is a place for your notes. “This is a book clearly written by someone who loves Oregon and wants everybody to know all of Oregon’s attributes. Frank has a lot of knowledge to impart and he is clearly proud of Oregon. Even with its deficiencies, it is apparent Frank did his research. Gerry even includes his favorite chocolate cake recipe.

This comprehensive guidebook definitely had me salivating about my potential travels and I plan of creating an itinerary for my next Oregon field trip!

Seniye Groff

Then Like the Blind Man: Orbie’s Story

By Freddie Owens Blind Sight Publications, $15, 324 pages Every once in awhile, you read a book in which every element fits together so perfectly that you just sit back in awe at the skill of the storyteller. “Then Like the

June - September 2012 2013 December - February

When nine-year-old Orbie is dropped off at his grandparents’ farm, he feels abandoned, lonely, and superior to the country folk around him. As the story unfolds, we learn of his father’s death and of his mother’s subsequent marriage to a violent, drunken man. We see his acceptance of his surroundings and their people. We discover his ongoing internal and external conflicts concerning his stepfather.

We recognize his thorough and significant growth.

Throughout the course of the story, Orbie deals with discrimination, domestic and sexual abuse, violence, religion, murder, death, love, forgiveness, the complexities of human nature, and so much more. Even with these deep themes, the book never loses the sense of wonder, passion, and fragmented understanding that comes with a child narrator.

Set primarily in rural Kentucky in the late 1950s, the story is filled with a sense of place. The entire narrative, not just the dialogue, is written in such a way that you cannot help but pronounce it in a particular accent. Despite its prevalence, this dialect never seems overwhelming or false. Important plot points are also tied to the setting, including the fate of a pair of ducks, access to medical care, and even the weather. Within this story, you never lose track of where or with whom you are.

The isolated, segregated environment echoes the constant, building tension between people. The entire story has a very specific and oppressive atmosphere that reminds me of standing in a dusty field seconds before a storm breaks.

The back of the book jacket says the story is “equal parts Hamlet and Huckleberry Finn.” That is not exaggeration or unwarranted praise. “Then Like the Blind Man: Orbie’s Story” grabs you from the very first page and carries you along, breathless and tense, until the very last, very satisfying sentence. Freddie Owens has created something special.

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Simon Says

By William Poe Simon Says, $14.95, 348 Pages Simon Powell has only recently escaped the cult-like Unification Church, where he spent ten years of his life in denial of one of his life’s essential truths: he is gay. He returned home only to be able to witness the death of the father whose acceptance he had always fruitlessly sought in the past and, unsure of what life holds for him now, decides to follow the young hustler he left the church for out to Hollywood. It isn’t long before Simon’s life revolves around cocaine and partying, but he manages to get clean when opportunity knocks, and before he knows it, he has built a reputation as a international film distributor. But the temptations are too great, and before long Simon has fallen back into a life of drugs and meaningless sex with hustlers, and he carelessly squanders away the money his business has earned him.

Life keeps going downhill, but what will it take for Simon to rise above his problems?

William Poe’s new novel “Simon Says” is a case study in a life seriously off-course. The protagonist, Simon, has a lot of potential - he’s clearly businesssavvy, and can accomplish a lot when he puts his mind to it. Perhaps because of my own life experiences, it’s hard to have any sympathy for the decisions he makes, and reading the downward spiral of drugs and meaningless sex that his life becomes is downright painful.

Poe has done a marvelous job in penning the gritty details of Simon’s hardpartying lifestyle, and readers will find it hard to turn away from the mess that his life rapidly becomes. The book is well-written and remarkably smooth to read, despite its dark storyline; “Simon Says” is a snapshot of a dark period in a young gay man’s life, and will leave readers hungry to know whether or not Simon succeeds in picking himself back up again.

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EDITOR IN CHIEF M. Chris Johnson chris.johnson@portlandbookreview.com 503.701.6761 MANAGING EDITOR

IN THIS ISSUE Art, Photography & Architecture....... 5

Biographies & Memoirs......................17 Children's......................................28-30 Christmas Gift Guide.....................13-16 Cooking, Food & Wine....................18-19

Aimee Rasmussen

Historical Fiction & Urban Fiction...... 8

LAYOUT & GRAPHICS EDITOR

History............................................. 21

Kelly Green WEBSITE ADMINISTRATOR

Humor Fiction................................... 6

Michael Johnson

Music & Movies................................ 20

COPY EDITORS

Mystery, Crime & Thriller............... 6-7

Aimee Rasmussen Kaila Searl Mary Breaden Lauren Adam Galina Roizman Jon Sanetel Lindy Gervin Andrea Klein Andrea Franke

Poetry & Short Stories....................... 4 Popular Fiction................................... 9 Current Events & Politics.....................9 Sequential Art....................................10 Science Fiction & Fantasy..............11-12

COLUMN COORDINATOR FOR “WRITERS ON WRITING” AND “THE READER’S PERSPECTIVE” Joseph Arellano

Science & Nature.............................. 22 Travel/Heath & Fitness & Dieting..... 23 Spirituality & Inspiration..................23 Tweens..........................................25-26

The Portland Book Review is published quarterly and is licensed from 1776 Productions, producers of the San Francisco Book Review and Sacramento Book Review. The opinions expressed in these pages are those of the individual writers and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Portland Book Review advertisers. All images are copyrighted by their respective copyright holders. All words © 2012, Portland Book Review.

Young Adult...................................... 24

Hundreds of reviews in a variety of additional categories are available at www.portlandbookreview.com

I once worked for a boss who was an amazing visionary and action-driven leader. The thing that impressed me the most about her was a simple phrase she would use when any of the staff would stress about not meeting a deadline or not able to accomplish what was before them. Her simple phrase was; “No small children will die”. That’s all it was. She would listen to the complaints and excuses and quietly say, “Well, no small children will die if we do/don’t [insert issue here].” It gave the proper tone and perspective. Always.

Obviously, if small children were, in fact, involved, she would make whatever it was happen to avoid that extreme tragedy but how often is that really a factor? Sometimes, we get so wrapped up in achieving a goal that we can’t see the proper perspective; the right thing to do. Sometimes, we just have to let it go.

December 1st is Portland Book Review’s twoyear anniversary! It’s something I am extremely proud of and excited that we’re still going strong and moving in a positive direction with more viewers, publishing companies and authors to work with and support.

Having said that, we are no longer able to print our quarterly paper. The cost is just too prohibitive. This was a decision that pained me and I kept hoping for some miraculous thing to happen, a long lost uncle to die and leave me a huge inheritance or something.

Then, as I was sitting in traffic while delivering our last publication papers, it dawned on me; no small children will die if we don’t print! We’ll still survive. We can do more in other ways. We’ll be able to keep moving forward.

And speaking of small children… December 2012 has been deemed by Proclamation through Governor Kitzhaber’s office as Oregon Health Care Donation Appeal Month!

What this means is that authors and all those who support authors are asked to donate to health organizations so that no small children will die; ever! That’s what truly is important.

So, my plea to you is twofold. First, donate to Doernbecher’s Children Hospital or Seattle Children’s Hospital. Donate in a loved one’s name as a gift for Christmas or, cut back on the amount you spend on Christmas and give to charities that do all they can to stop small children from dying. Second, take a break from the stresses of the holidays. Pick up a good book, find your comfy spot and just read because, let’s face it, no small children will die if you do!

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FROM THE EDITOR

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Readers Unite!

M.Chris Johnson Editor In Chief

December June - February 20132012 - September

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Poetry & Short Stories Stubble Field

By Paul Hunter Silverfish Review Press, $14.95, 96 pages Poetry and nature have always coincided in literature.

Many poets have written about the beauty, essence, and serenity of nature is, but not that many people write poems about farming, life on the farm, and the rhythm of farm life. In this collection Paul Hunter takes us through the world of the farmer from long days out in the sun, to doing chores in the morning, to relaxing on the porch with friends drinking beer and chatting about the day. Mr. Hunter covers the life and rhythm of the countryside. His poems invoke imaginings of plowing fields, planting crops, picking eggs, going to school, and leaving for the big city.

Hunter‚ imagery is easy for the average reader to understand by not going for the big word, but instead going for the subtle word that people will understand. The poems are short and elegant, crafting a picture of a way of life that is disappearing at an alarming rate. The poems are broken up into three parts, and each part has its own way of speaking to the reader. My only issue is the lack of punctuation which is a little off-setting.

Kevin Winter Between Eden and the Open Road

By Philip Gaber Amazon Digital Services, $9.99, 184 pages In an extremely esoteric and sincere collection, Philip Gaber writes with an abundance of insight for readers everywhere.

His poems read like anecdotal reports about the human being in a fixed notion of tension. While so much of the poetic trajectory is critical of existence and worthy of communicating the urgency of our time, the morbid and grimness of this all is redundant and formulaic. The simple and general materializations of anger, resignation, anxiety, and paranoia are vague and too matter-of-fact in some selections, which allows little depth and resonation beyond the heavy verbatim of self-analysis.

However, there are still solid pieces that are spot-on with inner monologues, from which the poet coins a lyrical reality like ‚about not extending myself. It’s about...being too involved in my own head‚(from my own weight) and “happiness is a fickle mistress who sometimes likes to falsely accuse you of communicating threats”(the bright

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coming morn). Though, at times, the usual abstractions of chaos and disorder weaken the poetic design and dialogue with such rigidity, Gaber’s enthusiastic approach to the various levels of perception is idiosyncratic and heartfelt: the ridiculous/ is just a matter of/ ejaculating the awkward parts/ and rejuvenating the/ Soul/ as we know it/ to be/ or not to be” (a construct, a fallacy, a lie) and solely, ”Bein’ human really hurts sometime...(our absence from life).

Erienne Rojas Sorry Please Thank You: Stories

By Charles Yu Pantheon Books, $24.95, 222 pages “Sorry Please Thank You” by Charles Yu is a short story collection that invites the reader into brief looks in worlds that take place in distant planets, into the life of a video game hero, a small zombie invasion, and various perspectives into loneliness and human thought.

This book is a work of art. Most of the stories behave as normal short stories that involve the narrator faced with conflict, but there are other stories that serve as experiments in form, serving as examinations of the authors struggle with his role in life. There is a story that simply lists, in bullet points, proper ways to live life, another story where the narrator has a direct conversation with himself, and another story that explicitly features Charles Yu as a character. By the end of the third story, this reviewer was nearly brought to tears by the sheer beauty by the style and perspective that this book presents. The stories are introspective, unusual, and very bold. These stories are recommended for reading if only for the unique presentation, and they demand repeated readings.

Gregory A. Young Jack Kerouac: Collected Poems

By Edited by Marilene Phipps Kettlewell The Library of America, $40, 792 pages Commenting on a piece of Kerouac’s poetry is like commenting on a piece of improvisational jazz music, one can only say what they like or dislike, but the artist’s true meaning and feeling remain unknown. For anyone that likes beat poetry and Kerouac’s writing though, “Jack Kerouac: Collected Poems” will be a must-have. Collected here are Mexico City Blues, The Scripture of the

June - September 2012 2013 December - February

Golden Eternities, Book of Blues, Pomes All Sizes, Old Angel Midnight, Desolation Pops, Book of Haikus, and roughly 40 previously uncollected poems.

From a surface evaluation, Kerouac’s poetry is lovely. Much like his prose writing, Kerouac lets his mind spill on the page, so his emotions and thoughts are clear in every line. One of the most enjoyable aspects though is the insight he provides into the life and culture of the “lost generation”. Every poems involves issues faced by immigrants, the poor trying to survive, even the culture surrounding jazz music. Through these poems the reader is able to vicariously live the 1950’s and 60’s.

For all who love Kerouac, “Jack Kerouac: Collected Poems” will make a fantastic addition to a collection, and for those who are unfamiliar with his work, this is a great place to get a feel for his personality, his rhythmic writing style, and his fascination with the time he lived in.

Andrew Keyser Astray

By Emma Donoghue Little, Brown and Company, $25.99, 288 pages Emma Donoghue follows up her awardwinning novel "Room" with a collection of short stories, most previously published in various journals. In “Astray”, Donoghue focuses on migrants, inspired by true historical people and events spanning between years 1639 and 1967. The settings include England, the Atlantic, and various towns in the United States and Canada.

Donoghue experiments with a variety of characters that travel whether by choice or by force. There is always a hopeful, resilient undertone. Readers can imagine these stories are Donoghue’s way of filling in the missing pieces as she reads fascinating old letters, news articles and passages about these mothers, daughters, fathers, sons, mercenaries, criminals, gold hunters, slaves, lawyers and lovers. Regardless of the point of view or the half-hearted attempt to mimic the regional vernacular, a pattern emerges that makes the stories repetitive and somewhat predictable with implausible dialogue and scenes that never fully come to life without adequate sights, sounds, smells, tastes and sensations. Unfortunately, in these instances, real life is not only stranger than fiction, but also more entertaining.

Sarah Hitchins

Mayakovsky’s Revolver: Poems

By Matthew Dickman W. W. Norton & Company, $25.95, 112 pages Portland Poet, Matthew Dickman is a rock star in the poetry world. He won the APR/ Honickman First Book Prize for his debut collection, “All-American Poem”. He’s been compared to Walt Whitman and Frank O’ Hara. His poetry has appeared in the “The New Yorker”, “Tin House”, and “The American Poetry Review”. In his new book, “Mayakovsky’s Revolver”, Dickman explores the suicide of his older brother, but it isn’t just an elegy, although parts of it are elegiac. In fact, it is full of joy and a celebration of the living. To read Mayakovsky’s Revolver is to experience life in all its lightness, darkness, and everything in between. His words are booster rockets for the light, and a balm against the dark. His poetry makes the world seem less scary by shining a light on the chasms beneath our feet. We are alone, but somehow we are alone together. Matthew Dickman is a wingman for survival, love, and most of all, poetry.

Diane Prokop Have You Seen Marie?

By Sandra Cisneros, Illustrated by Ester Hernandez Alfred A. Knopf, $21, 101 pages In “Have You Seen Marie?” award-winning author Sandra Cisneros tells the story of her search for a runaway cat that parallels her journey through grief after the death of her mother.

When she finds herself motherless, alone like , “a glove left behind at the bus station”, she plunges into her community asking if anyone has seen the cat. Artist Ester Hernandez illustrates her trek through the neighborhoods with drawings of some of the people they encounter along the way, from the girl in a fiesta dress who is covered in tattoos, to a bearded man in a wheelchair collecting empty cans. Cisneros, who has won many awards including NEA Fellowships, the Lannan Literary Award, the American Book Award, as well as a MacArthur Fellowship, says she knew as she wrote this story that “it was helping to bring me back to myself”. This is a charmingly illustrated tale, rich in metaphor, and a solace to anyone who has felt the despair of losing someone dear.

Diane Prokop

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Art, Photography & Architecture Steve McCurry: The Iconic Photographs: Standard Edition

By Steve McCurry Phaidon Press, $59.95, 272 pages I had never heard of Steve McCurry before I received his book, “The Iconic Photographs”. He has been a photographer for more than three decades and his most famous photograph is a green-eyed Afghan girl. However, as I perused through the book, I am certain that McCurry is known for much more than this one picture. The book contains over 150 vivid, arresting photos. I can only image what they look like when they are printed life-size. McCurry’s subjects are mostly of people, but do not think that McCurry goes for obvious beauty. He finds subjects that are striking and beautiful in their own way‚ whether it is a circumstance, a location, or a paradox. He has clearly traveled to some very remote locales.

Readers of this book will be educated, entertained, and certainly enthralled.

There are photographs of hardship, cultural differences, and ultimately, life. There are photos of incredible human feats. Readers will want to go through this book over and over again. I believe McCurry’s greatest skill is that you see hardship, but you don’t see despair. At the end of the book is background information for each photo, with a thumbnail. Although it was cumbersome to go back and forth in the book, the photographs are so mesmerizing. Readers find that it is a small price to pay in order to view these remarkable photos.

Seniye Groff

Edward Weston: 125 Photographs

By Edward Weston, Edited By Steve Crist AMMO, $50, 262 pages Group f64 was a group of seven notable early 20th century black-and-white photographers who made a drastic departure from the traditional images of the times.

Edward Weston was among the founders of this famous group. Weston’s unique photographic style endured the passing of time and the modern styles of subsequent photographers. His images have been published and exhibited over and over again and “Edward Weston, 125 Photographs” is the latest high-end (and high-priced) publication.

Each photograph is on a single page with brief quotes from Weston on the preceding facing page. The photos, 8x6 inches, are not full pages. The book is in large format with high-quality cloth binding and heavy glossy pages, and photographs are in chronological order. Steve Crist introduced the life and photographic achievements of Weston over four well-written pages. The remainder of the book is the 125 beautiful photos and it ends with Weston’s brief timeline and his selected publications.

Several Amazon reviewers complained about the poor quality of reproduction of the photos, compared to the originals and other published works of Weston. This appears to be a valid criticism. The images are not brilliant and appear too gray and slightly flat.

George Erdosh

Wedding Inspiration: Ideas & Advice for Your Perfect Wedding

By Kimberly Schlegel Whitman Gibbs Smith, $40, 191 pages I am not getting married, but if I were, the “Wedding Inspiration: Ideas & Advice for Your Perfect Wedding” would be the first book I would purchase to help me in my planning. The first step is to find your inspiration. This book offers lots of ideas.

Kimberly Schlegel Whitman is the editor-at-large at Southern Living and she has advice on all the important essentials of a wedding including the invitations, gown, cake and venue. Whitman begins the book by asking some important questions. The answers to these questions will drive most decisions about the wedding you are planning. For each topic: invitations, gown, cake, venue, and entertainment, Whitman shares quotes from many experts. The book then highlights nine weddings. Each wedding is described in great detail and is inter-

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spersed with many, many beautiful photographs of the different components of the wedding. Each wedding chapter ends with a bulleted list of inspired thoughts and a Lucky Tradition listing for the something old, something new, something borrowed and something blue traditions. The final pages list resources. This is a beautiful book filled with ideas, inspiration and advice.

There are hundreds of colorful, mesmerizing photos that paint the pictures of the advice the words share. As the reader, you feel like you are a guest at these nine exquisite weddings by reading the personal stories and viewing the vibrant pictures. Although the weddings highlighted are probably unreachable for most engaged couples, there are lots of ideas to spur your creative juices, personalize and make your own.

Seniye Groff

Crafts & Hobbies Tape It & Make It

By Richela Fabian Morgan Quintet Publising Limited, $14.99, 128 I will admit that I have a fascination with crafts. I envision myself as a crafty, creative person, but in reality I have little talent in the craft world arena.

Yet, Morgan’s “Tape It & Make It” allows even my crafty ambitions to come to fruition. I have seen all the colorful rolls of duct tape crowding the store shelves and wondered what I could do with all that wonderful, artsy tape. Well, according to Richela Fabian Morgan, I can do at least 101 creative things with all that magnificent duct tape.

Morgan has written a book that is well-organized and full of inventive ideas. She introduces the book with tools, creating duct tape fabric and care of your duct tape. The book is then divided into sections based on the type of project you want to create. For example, accessories, housewares, flowers, toys and even costumes can be made with your lowly roll of duct tape. Each instruction page has numbered steps with detailed instructions, photographs of the steps and materials needed, as well as, any additional tools. The 101 ideas outlined in “Tape It & Make It” will be just the beginning for what you will do with that roll of duct tape. This is a fun, resourceful and inspirational little book. I have no doubt that you will receive tons of comments on all your wildly, original inventions!

Seniye Groff

Make It Last: Prolonging + Preserving the Things We Love

By Raleigh Briggs Microcosm Publishing, $9.95, 128 pages Not everyone can grow a garden, attempt major DIY projects or sew their own clothes.

But, as Raleigh Briggs shows in “Make It Last”, they can prolong and preserve the things they have already, food included.

In this charming little manual, Briggs explains basic preserving methods in three categories: clothes, food, and home. In ‚clothes‚ she discusses the rudiments of sewing, mending, patching, fixing a zipper and waterproofing. In ‚food‚ she discusses all sorts of preservation methods, from canning to drying to salt-curing, as well as how to make herbal vinegars, syrups and honey. In ‚home‚ she discusses how to fix doors, windows, paint problems, tubs, sinks and toilets.

The entire book is written in the author‚ handwriting, and accompanying the text are pen sketches, giving “Make It Last” the feel of a casual notebook of hard-won tips and tricks. Despite the subject matter, it replete with humor and the author fairly jumps off the page. The page numbers are on the side, as opposed to the bottom, which makes finding specific topics fast and easy. This utterly approachable book is a handy resource for anyone wanting to save money, throw out less and be more self-reliant.

Andrea Klein 55 Christmas Balls to Knit: Colorful Festive Ornaments

By Arne & Carlos Trafalger Square Books, $24.95, 143 pages Featuring the unique designs of Scandinavian duo Arne and Carlos, this book features one basic pattern, instructions on how to knit a ball shape, and then 55 variations or designs pulled from traditional Scandinavian sweaters based on holiday themes. The recommendations for yarn and needles are, as one would expect from highend designers, on the expensive end, but these pricey recommendations are not necessary for charming results. The patterns are also traditional, but not overwhelmingly difficult, so knitters at the advanced-beginner or intermediate skill level could easily complete these patterns. Also, some of the patterns are not immediately recognizable to the American eye. This book would make an excellent gift for a knitter, and the aesthetic fits perfectly into the current DYI trends.

Katie Richards

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5

Humor Fiction Redshirts: A Novel with Three Codas

By John Scalzi Tor, $24.99, 314 pages It is difficult to know how to judge “Red Shirts” by Jonathan Scalzi, a President of the Science Fiction Writers Association and former StarGate writer.

Scalzi attempts to offer a criticism of the original show which had those who could be called ‚peons in red shirts, the commanders wore different colors, dying before the first commercial break. It is a great attempt here to correct a fault. But with his former associations and standing one may also write that Scalzi was inspired by a sense of rivalry towards a stalwart competitor which left many unknown writers in the dust.

Ryder Miller Are You There, Vodka? It’s Me, Chelsea

By Chelsea Handler Simon Spotlight, $16, 272 pages When Chelsea Handler was growing up things were far from normal for her. From letting her elementary school chums think that her real mom was Goldie Hawn to selling a car with

her dad in a Wendy’s parking lot in Jersey.

These are just a few of the stories from “Are You There Vodka? It’s Me Chelsea.” It’s a wonder that she is the person that she is today, hosting a successful TV show on E! and had a sitcom based on her life. This book will keep you laughing as you read through her stories. This is a fun to read about her family, consisted of a Jewish father and Mormon mother with five older siblings, having a Pinto as the family car. Chelsea uses sex, alcohol and humor as a way to navigate through life. Just be warned, Chelsea has a crude sense of humor. But, there is no doubt that whoever picks this book up will enjoy reading about her trials and embarrassments while growing up in the environment that she was a product of. It doesn’t hurt to drink while reading this one. Not that you need one to swallow this story.

Annie Hicks

charms. As their relationship grows during their week-long courtship, Anna is introduced to exciting things like elevators and private Hawaiian resorts. But will she be able to tame the elusive Earl and win his heart forever?

“Fifty Shames of Earl Grey” is a ridiculously funny parody of the original book by a similar name. Spoofing the original series in every way, the book brings hilarity to the nonsense plot by making it even more nonsensical, making jabs at the original works origins in fan fiction and emphasizing the author’s view that Portland is made of grass and mud. There is truly no way to put this book down once it is started so make sure you have some spare time to read. Staying true to the original work, this book may make you laugh until you cry.

Barbara Cothern

Fifty Shames of Earl Grey

By Fanny Merkin (a.k.a. Andrew Shaffer) Da Capo Press, $13.99, 217 pages Anna Steal is a struggling college student when she first encounters billionaire tycoon Earl Grey. With his grey (of course) eyes, good looks and ability to buy up large companies within seconds, she finds herself unable to resist his stalker-like

“‘A room without books is like a body without a soul.'” ~Marcus Tulllius Cicero

Mystery, Crime & Thriller The Cutting Season: A Novel

By Attica Locke Harper, $25.99, 400 pages The author of the acclaimed “Black Water Rising” is back with the intelligent mystery “The Cutting Season”.

Attica Locke begins this engaging page-turner with a murder on an antebellum Louisiana plantation that is now a highly trafficked tourist spot - hosting tours, weddings, and historical reenactments. Caren Gray manages Belle Vie and resides near the plantation’s former slave quarters where her ancestors lived. When the body of a female migrant worker is discovered near the sugar cane fields where she worked, tensions flare at the plantation, especially since an outside corporation is outsourcing the field workers’ jobs to illegal laborers. Caren is also drawn into a deeper mystery about the fate of her great-great-great-grandfather, a slave and plantation worker, which she discovers has startling connections to the present-day murder. “The Cutting Sea-

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son” also astutely explores issues of race and class in contemporary America, and Locke will no doubt acquire new fans with this atmospheric and thoughtful thriller.

Laura Di Giovine The Bookseller: The First Hugo Marston Novel

By Mark Pryor Seventh Street Books, $15.95, 309 pages A mystery about bibliophiles?

What more could an avid mystery reader ask for? “The Bookseller” is the first in a new series, set in the streets of Paris. Hugo Marston, head of security at the US embassy and former FBI agent, must rekindle his training when he witnesses the kidnapping of his elderly friend Max, a Paris bookstall owner.

As witnesses testify that Max left of his own accord and the French police close the case, Marston initiates his own investigation to find his friend. As more booksellers begin to mysteriously disappear, Marston must fight to prove that these disappearances are not

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purely coincidence. Marston enlists the help of his friend Tom, a semiretired CIA agent, as he becomes the target of unknown assassins. ”The Bookseller” is a well-crafted debut novel. Author, Mark Pryor creates a new hero full of intelligence and charm which mixes well with the ever twisting plot of the story. Each turn of the page is a new piece of the complex puzzle that readers will enjoy fitting together. A leaf out of a classic Agatha Christie novel, mixed with the modern world of crime, is a suspenseful adventure waiting to happen.

Lindy Gervin

D.B. Cooper’s Parachute: A Novel

By William L. Sullivan Navillus Press, $14.95, 411 pages 1971: a hijacking takes place aboard a Northwest Orient flight going from Portland to Seattle. One man, D.B. Cooper, successfully holds the plane and its crew for $200,000 ransom then parachutes off the plane into the Northwest forest and was never heard from again. Or that’s what Lieutenant Neil Ferguson believes until he gets a tip that D.B. Cooper is alive and a highly ac-

tive criminal. Doubtful of this information, Neil starts following leads that convince him Cooper is still alive - the question is whether he can unravel the clues before he himself is a target of D.B. Cooper.

The story of D.B. Cooper has fascinated people for decades and there have been many theories about who Cooper might really have been. This novel, “D.B. Cooper’s Parachute” is an equally fascinating fictionalized account as who was the real D.B. Cooper. The novel is well-written and increasingly thrilling as it shows Neil get further in over his head as he follows the clues that take him from Portland to Russia - in addition to dealing with a new romance, work politics and his autistic daughter. This hard-to-put-down book is something mystery fans should read.

Barbara Cothern

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Mystery, Crime & Thriller Thick as Thieves

By Peter Spiegelman Alfred A. Knopf, $24.95, 320 pages It’s been quite a while since I’ve read a thriller that actually thrilled me.

“Thick as Thieves” is a gritty, no nonsense yarn about a group of criminals planning and executing a heist of the ill-gotten gains of an off-shore banker.

In the best noir tradition, the angels have filthy wings and nobody is quite what they seem. This is no happy-go-lucky “Ocean’s 11” tale filled with a merry band of misfits; the angels of this book have trigger-finger tempers and a pathological need to betray one another. All except for one: Carr. Carr is the team’s leader, seemingly the only one of the crew to carry the burden of a conscience and the central piece to this puzzle. He has a gumshoe’s eye for detail; one can almost imagine Humphrey Bogart playing him in the black and white film adaptation.

Peter Spiegelman has written a humdinger of a novel. The dialog is sharp, the pacing is fast as a whip. The tension is palpable and the outcome is always in doubt even to the very last page. It’s been a long time since I’ve regretted the end of a book quite as much as this one. If you’re a fan of crime thrillers with quick pacing and razor-sharp dialog, this book will be a pure joy to read.

Brad Wright A Dangerous Inheritance: A Novel of Tudor Rivals and the Secret of the Tower

By Alison Weir Ballantine Books, $27, 544 pages Many are familiar with the tragic story of Lady Jane Grey, the nine-day Queen of England who was beheaded for treason at the age of sixteen. Few people, however, know the equally tragic story of Jane’s younger sister, Lady Catherine, a princess who suffered the wrath and jealousy of her cousin, Queen Elizabeth I, primarily because of her position in the line of succession.

In “A Dangerous Inheritance” Weir cleverly tells the story of Catherine Grey, while at the same time telling the story of Kate Plantagenet, the bastard daughter of King Richard III. The lives of the two women, living in different centuries, intertwine as they both desperately try to solve the mystery as to what really happened to the two young boys known to history as the Princes in the Tower.

Weir takes a unique approach of tell-

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ing the story by switching from first person with Catherine, to third person with Kate.

She also offers a balanced portrayal of Richard III, the man thought by many to have murdered his nephew princes in order to steal their throne. While the reader is made aware of Richard’s more devious side, his daughter Kate sees him as a loving father and husband. In the end, both women realize that, because of their proximity to the crown, their fate is not their own.

Cheri Woods-Edwin Vulture Peak

By John Burdett Vintage Books, $14.95, 304 pages Detective Sonchai Jitpleecheep is back in John Burdett’s 5th and latest installment of the popular Royal Thai police series, “Vintage Crime/Black Lizard Original” with a story torn from the headlines.

On the orders of his unrelentingly corrupt superior who is now also running for Governor, Colonel Vikorn, Sonchai is sent to an opulent mansion in the resort community of Phuket to investigate a triple homicide.

The young Buddhist detective is soon embroiled in a complex human organ trafficking scheme that takes him to Dubai, Monte Carlo, Hong Kong and Shanghai. Along the way, he comes into contact with the evil and insane Yip twins who harvest and sell organ transplants to the highest bidder. In the meantime, Sonchai’s marriage to an exbar girl and current sociology student may be on the rocks, his transgendered assistant continues in his sex-change process, and Westerners (“farangs”) flock to Soi Cowboy, the red-light district of Bangkok. Burdett’s writing is sharp and solid, capturing the different facets of each character and Thailand itself with skill and style. For fans of the series as well as new readers.

Linda Frederiksen After Life (Nancy Pearl’s Book Lust Rediscoveries)

By Rhian Ellis AmazonEncore, $14.95, 310 pages Rhian Ellis’ “After Life” tells the story of Naomi. Her mother is a practicing medium, and to escape trouble she moves them from New Orleans, the city of Naomi’s birth, to the small town of Train Line, New York, a city founded by spiritualists as a summer retreat and still operated by a spiritualist church. Naomi comes of age there, and eventually starts working as a medium. “After Life” opens with Naomi disposing of a body,

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who we quickly learn was Peter Morton, her boyfriend. But what happens to you if you’ve committed murder and you’re a spiritualist? A medium?

This book is something beyond a standard thriller (after all, we know who the killer is from page 1). It is a heart-warming and sometimes heart-breaking story of a mother-daughter relationship, and of how a person becomes an adult.

Katie Richards The Hounding: A Shirley Combs/Dr. Watson Adventure (Volume 1)

By Sandra de Helen CreateSpace, $11.99, 204 pages “The Hounding” is an excellent read for those who hold Sherlock Holmes near and dear to their hearts. With a taste of the old detective and plenty of references to Sir Arthur Conan Doyle‚Äôs most beloved character, this novel is just the right mix of modern happenings and classic twists.

Dr. Mary Watson, a local Portland naturopathic doctor, becomes fast friends with a most interesting, inquisitive sleuth: Shirley Combs. As she goes on day to day trying desperately to keep hold of her more normal life, she partners with Combs in her investigative venture regarding the death of a multibillionaire woman in deep with a plot to barrage the timbering companies of Portland. As more and more suspects are revealed, the reader is thrown in a whirlwind of a quite modern problem we currently face: saving the old growth of our natural forests without cutting jobs of hardworking men. De Helen touches briefly on current issues while bringing a classic Sherlock feel to the characters.

De Helen eloquently creates a mystery that will keep you guessing. Unlike most novels, “The Hounding” had few dry spots, if any. De Helen seems to have a knack for detecting when there is too little or too much in a chapter, therefore creating that perfect happy medium.

You will not be left with a sense that there wasn’t enough, but you will be left with wanting more.

The relationship between Shirley and Mary is intriguing. Though it mirrors the original Dr. Watson and Sherlock Holmes, there are key points that make it different. In this novel, Mary is more open with her thoughts and feelings throughout the novel; even relaying how irritating it is for Shirley to assume she can come at the drop of a hat, or how invigorating it is to be thought of as Shirley’s business partner. What the reader might also find interesting is de Helen’s

clever way of incorporating current issues, such as animal rights. Though it doesn’t go into detail, she briefly brings up current issues such as if it is wrong for wild animals to be raised up in captivity.

Overall, “The Hounding” is the perfect mystery novel to snuggle by the fire with on a stormy night. It’s an easygoing read that keeps you guessing at every turn of the page, all the while making you think and question events more closely. This novel is definitely a good one to recommend.

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Historical Fiction A Gay and Melancholy Sound (Nancy Pearl’s Book Lust Rediscoveries)

By Merle Miller AmazonEncore, $14.95, 566 pages The overarching emotion of Merle Miller’s “A Gay and Melancholy Sound” is self-hatred. Although this sounds like a grim foundation for a novel, it really isn’t. Joshua Bland, the narrator, has never quite lived up to the expectations of his demanding mother, absent father, overbearing stepfather, wives, or even in the end, himself. As he looks back through his life, the reader gets a sweeping review of the mid-20th century and a good idea of why Joshua is the way he is.

The best part about this book is the humor.

Much of the humor is black and some of it may cross the line to twisted, but anyone who’s failed at anything important will both empathize and laugh with Joshua, even while hating him at times.

Merle Miller is probably best known for his coming out essay, and the author’s life in the closet enables him to have real insight into Joshua. It also lets him find the perfect balance between antagonistic and sympathetic for the characters. Some readers may be turned off by the non-linear story line and the slightly stream of consciousness style, but this is definitely a book that’s worth the effort.

Katie Richards Whispers in the Wind (Wild West Wind)

By Lauraine Snelling Bethany House, $14.99, 352 pages In late October of 1906, Cassie Lockwood appears at the front door of Engstrom’s Bar E Ranch, Argus, South Dakota and claims her rights on the half of the ranch. Although Cassie’s arrival surprises Mavis Engstrom, she gives her a warm welcome. Is it only because once Mavis was in love with Cassie’s father, Adam with whom then her not yet husband, Ivar, bought this land?

But Adam left the ranch many years ago for the Wild West Show. Now, both men are dead and only she knows that Cassie’s papers are legal. Mavis reveals the truth to her family. While her daughter, Gretchen and the younger son, Lucas gladly accept Cassie, Mavis - oldest son, Ransom is suspicious and isn’t happy of sharing his land with the stranger. Cassie, the former star of failed Wild West falling apart, he must search within himself to find what he really wants and decide if he has the courage to leave the life of luxury.

West Wind series, will catch your attention right away and hold it through entire book.

Galina Roizman Hope Rekindled

By Tracie Peterson Bethany House, $14.99, 350 pages The year is 1887, March, East Texas and it seems that lately all is going wrong for Deborah Vandermark, the heroine of “Hope Rekindled” by Tracie Peterson. In the rush of wedding preparation her fiance’, Dr. Christopher Kelleher, receives a telegram about family tragedy and leaves for Kansas City. A week later he returns with five siblings whom he cannot abandon after death of their parents in home fire. Deborah, who isn’t certain about having her own children because she has a dream of becoming a doctor by herself doesn’t know how to react.

Besides this, Stuart Albright who owns practically all in their small town hates her; he wants revenge because Deborah persuaded Lizzie, his former fiance’, to leave him at altar. Now Lizzie is happily married to Deborah’s brother. So, Stuart is determined to destroy not only Deborah, but all her family. Tracie Peterson gives a very vivid and persuasive picture of hard life in the small southern town. The Vandermark’s family put their hope in God’s hands. The reader will be eager to find out how it all resolved.

He will get answers on the last page.

Galina Roizman

Urban Fiction In the War Zone: An Uncommon American Love Story

By John Henry Brebbia CreateSpace, $14.99, 223 pages “In the War Zone” tells the story of Gibb Quinn, a streetwise Las Vegas native who moves to smalltown Connecticut to run a local computer store. His life has taken him from fighting to survive in the “War Zone”, a pocket of Las Vegas known for its high death rate, and higher gang rate, all the way across the country to managing a run-down business in Chatham, Connecticut. It isn’t long before Gibb falls for the woman of a local drug dealer

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and causes quite a stir among the locals.

Even worse, he takes a shining to the young, engaged daughter of a prominent family in Chatham, and begins a slow flirtatious relationship. Before long though, Gibb can’t balance his new job and dueling relationships, and everything falls apart. Gibb is forced to come to terms with his past life and embrace who he really is to protect the people he has come to love, in a town that never loved him. ”In the War Zone” is an excellent second novel by John Henry Brebbia. The greatest strength is the author’s ability to create a character to which the reader is instantly engaged. In the example of Gibb, many of his past experiences and choices are things the reader can in no way relate to, but his desire to be accepted and loved are emotions anyone can understand. Gibb becomes a sort of Everyman, in whom the reader can see themselves. In this way “In the War Zone” becomes not a story about Gibb Quinn, but a story about everyone reading it. Who hasn’t pined for someone they could never have, and suffered the debilitating heartbreak when it finally becomes clear?

This book keeps you reading long after bedtime not because of suspense or fast action, but because of the desire to see the outcome of these character’s lives.

Finding fault with this title is challenging, because most of it rings so true with the reader. However, a few things kept it from being perfect. The major downside was the author’s tendency to use the phrase “said she” or “said he” when writing dialogue. It is a little thing, but when the reader is expecting to read “she said” or “he said” it causes the writing and dialogue to slow down and not feel as smooth. The other deficiency is the other’s obvious abundance of knowledge regarding sailing. Nearly ten pages of the book are devoted to a scene involving a sailing ship in troubled weather. The scene itself is well crafted and intense to read, but there are so many sailing terms stuffed in that the average reader with no knowledge of sailing will get bored and probably skip over an otherwise fantastic event in the story.

Andrew Keyser Ghosts of Manhattan: A Novel

By Douglas Brunt Touchstone, $24, 288 pages Thirty-five-year-old Nick Farmer is living the good life: he is a bond trader on Wall Street, has a beautiful wife who loves him and earns millions of dollars a year. But the lifestyle of a trader is starting to wear on Nick, creating problems in his marriage and life. As Nick’s life starts falling apart, he must search within himself to find what he really wants and decide if he has the courage to leave the life of luxury. ”Ghosts of Manhattan” is the debut novel of CEO-turned author Douglas Brunt. The book gives an insightful look into the internal workings of Wall Street (pre-financial crisis). The main character is an interesting

one, as he is full of flaws yet can never let go of his dream of being a better man.

The book nicely shows the lifestyle of young Wall Street and demonstrates how the culture is intoxicating to new graduates. It also shows how difficult a lifestyle it is to give up - Nick struggles with making a career change, despite the unraveling of his life and marriage. This novel is insightful, funny and heart-breaking at times and, is an outstanding debut novel.

Barbara Cothern Freedom In Grey

By Bob Gage Pikeminnow Publishing, $2.99, 140 pages “Freedom in Grey” is the story of a man finding his way in a new home after his marriage and his job go bellyup. Lewis moves from northern California to Portland, Oregon and begins building a new life near his writer sister, his artist mother, and a host of eccentric characters that offer him the opportunity to discover the man he was truly supposed to be. Author Bob Gage’s tale is a comingof-age story that speaks to the heart of every person who is or has struggled with finding themselves, and proves that you can always find your true spirit no matter your age. When Gage makes a nod to Jon Krakauer’s “Into the Wild”, you begin to see pieces of Christopher McCandless’s story in Lewis, and even in his sister Christina. Lewis goes on a journey in “Freedom in Grey”, and Gage’s writing pulls you in to the tale.

Broken into pieces that tell different parts of the journey, the story is a wellwritten soul-catcher that makes the reader keep turning the pages. Gage’s details about Lewis’s marriage, his affair, and everything that comes after makes the reader feel as if Lewis is sitting across the table at his favorite Portland brewery, telling them the tale over a pint. Gage’s true understanding of the vibe of the city of Portland rings through in every sentence, making “Freedom in Grey” not only a good read for anyone in search of themselves or their path, but for anyone who loves the Pacific Northwest and all that the Rose City has to offer.

Melissa Boles

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Popular Fiction Fool (Nancy Pearl’s Book Lust Rediscoveries)

By Frederick G. Dillen Amazon Publishing, $14.95, 320 pages Frederick Dillen’s novel “Fool” tells the story of Barnaby Griswold, a man who is ultimately self-absorbed. His disgrace on Wall Street will be all too familiar to post-recession readers, and the aftermath may be cathartic. His self-discovery, if not growth, in the wake of his disgrace is filled with humor, and many of the scenes in this novel are laugh-out-loud funny, particularly those involving Barnaby’s exmother-in-law, Ada. The stream of consciousness style, particularly in the drunken scenes towards the beginning of the book might be off-putting to some readers, but Dillen’s way with words, and obvious love for words, helps pull the reader through.

Katie Richards The Life of Objects: A Novel

By Susanna Moore Alfred A. Knopf, $25, 240 pages Susanna Moore’s “The Life of Objects” reads part-diary and part-memoir. Beatrice, a young Irish girl noted for her lace making, leaves her poor home to become

part of the Metzenburg household in Berlin. The wealthy Metzenburg home is filled with priceless objects collected throughout the years. As World War II progresses and the Nazis take over the country, the Metzenburgs and their staff move to a country estate. For a short time their lifestyle is preserved but soon refugees, the Red Army, and hunger take over the Metzenburg house. At the same time the beautiful, priceless objects hidden through the estate begin disappearing as Felix Metzenburg sells the objects to save the lives in the household. Even with all the objects, Felix ultimately cannot avoid being jailed and sent to camp. Dorothea Metzenburg attempts to sell her remaining jewels but there is no one left to buy them.

Moore writes with vivid detail and I was immersed in the day-to-day details of the war-time household. Beatrice began her journey as a naive young girl, but by the end she has seen and experienced way more than her physical age dictated. This is a compelling read that you will not want to put down.

Seniye Groff

Freedom in Grey

By Bob Gage Pikeminnow Publishing, $2.99, 140 pages “Freedom in Grey” is the story of a man finding his way in a new home after his marriage and his job go belly-up.

Lewis moves from northern California to Portland, Oregon and begins building a new life near his writer sister, his artist mother, and a host of eccentric characters that offer him the opportunity to discover the man he was truly supposed to be. Author Bob Gage’s tale is a coming-ofage story that speaks to the heart of every person who is or has struggled with finding themselves, and proves that you can always find your true spirit no matter your age. When Gage makes a nod to Jon Krakauer’s “Into the Wild”, you begin to see pieces of Christopher McCandless’s story in Lewis, and even in his sister Christina. Lewis goes on a journey in “Freedom in Grey”, and Gage’s writing pulls you in to the tale.

Broken into pieces that tell different parts of the journey, the story is a wellwritten soul-catcher that makes the reader keep turning the pages. Gage’s details about Lewis’s marriage, his affair, and everything that comes after makes the

reader feel as if Lewis is sitting across the table at his favorite Portland brewery, telling them the tale over a pint. Gage’s true understanding of the vibe of the city of Portland rings through in every sentence, making “Freedom in Grey” not only a good read for anyone in search of themselves or their path, but for anyone who loves the Pacific Northwest and all that the Rose City has to offer.

Melissa Boles

using stories from participants. Chapter four uses many graphs to chart different aspects of middle class decline and further describe what the middle class looks like. What they don’t do, in my opinion, is explain why the health of the middle class is important to America as well as the individual people in it. Briefly, two thirds of America’s economy is driven by consumption. Poor people have little or no disposable income to consume with. There are comparatively few rich people and they cannot spend enough to drive the economy. So, that means we need a large middle class with enough disposable income to consume enough to drive the economy.

Simply put, a healthy middle class means a healthy economy. The authors say it, but they cover too much ground to really give it that punch.

It’s not the peppiest read I’ve ever encountered, but the information is there, and accessible with a little perseverance.

Norman West

at catastrophic thinking and why it seems so prevalent today. It looks at the religious apocalypse that some think is coming, as well as the ecological, and looks at how they may actually be doing some good. It also explores the apocalypse throughout history, and how few cultures even had an apocalypse. Although it can get dry in some places, overall this is a great book to read before you get too caught up worrying about the end of the world.

This is an incredibly informative look at the various forms of apocalyptic thinking that plagues today’s world. The writing is nicely informal; making for a conversational tone on what could be dreadfully boring reading. Also, the notes make for supplemental reading, as well as having some great information, as opposed to just sources. A fascinating aspect of this book is how we look at the very nature of how we perceive time and how it affects our thinking. Overall, this book may change how you feel about the end of the world, and how you choose to deal with your future.

Jamais Jochim

Current Events & Politics Presidential Campaign Posters: Two Hundred Years of Election Art

By The Library of Congress Quirk Books, $40, 208 pages Maybe the camera never lies, but poster artists tend to bend the truth for politicians. Images in this parade of presidential candidates rely more on character representation than facial symmetry. We see how posturing styles and malicious accusations were as prevalent almost two hundred years ago as in more recent times.

Journalist Brooke Gladstone’s preface is a highlight of the saga, a witty introduction to the declarations proclaimed by both successful candidates and wannabes. Facing the posters, biographies and political promises are woven into essays complemented by cartoons of the day. Andrew Jackson leads the procession in 1828, the first of many contenders remembered for witty, earnest, or improbable slogans.

Styles changed in keeping with the times - “Well, Dewey or Don’t We?’ may raise a groan today, likewise Gerald Ford portrayed as Fonzie. But the appeal has

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been always to a contemporary readership and this collection provides a fine perspective on democratic governance.

The book deserves a place in every family, for the children no less than their elders. How better to make history lessons come alive?

Jane Manaster It’s the Middle Class, Stupid!

By James Carville & Stan Greenberg Blue Rider Press, $26.95, 321 pages “It’s The Middle Class, Stupid!” by James Carville and Stan Greenburg is an informative book put at somewhat of a disadvantage by its unfortunate title.

Yes, I know that it’s a reprise of Carville’s successful campaign slogan for Bill Clinton in ‘92, but I don’t feel it transfers well.

James and Stan, even though living quite different lives, both experienced the evils of segregation and were moved to fight for equality. Now, since the end of the harshest effects of discrimination, their emphasis has changed to almost equally pernicious economic inequality.

The Authors use focus groups and polls to define the middle class in its own words,

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The Last Myth: What the Rise of Apocalyptic Thinking Tells Us About America

By Matthew Barrett Gross and Mel Gilles Prometheus Books, $18, 255 pages The apocalypse is coming, but it has a lousy alarm clock. “The Last Myth” looks

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Sequential Art Sounds of Your Name

By Illustrated by Nate Powell Microcosm Publishing, $18, 336 pages This is what comic writers should aspire to. “Sounds of Your Name” is an anthology from Nate Powell, and covers a wide variety of themes. The book is divided into short stories, longer stories, and covers.

The short stories are fun quips and statements on the state of affairs, with some nice political commentary thrown in. The longer stories are some very nice storytelling, as Powell allows stories to grow at their own pace, and develops some nice themes. The covers are just some nice icing on the cake. There are some universal characters, people that change names but have the same basic character design; this adds to a number of different themes and allows him to develop those themes a little more than a single would normally allow.

This is a great trade to read through.

Although there are some definite misfires, where the opinion bordered on the clicheand some of the surrealism was a little over the top, overall this is a great book. For those that like their -slice of life- comics with a little surrealism, this will definitely hit the spot.

Jamais Jochim Journalism: A Graphic Novel

By Joe Sacco Metropolitan Books, $29, 208 pages Joe Sacco is a journalist who attempts to report on world conflict and then tell those stories in the form of comics.

“Journalism” by Sacco is a collection of his comics-as-journalism, reporting on Bosnia War to the Iraq War, from genocide to mistreatment of prisoners. Be warned: These stories are presented as comics, but they are not to be taken lightly. ”Journalism” reads as a graphic novel, complete with dialogue bubbles, bright colors, black and white illustrations depicting vast landscapes, broken-down cities, military convoys, individuals under great stress, and scenes of brutal violence. The reader may find the illustrations distracting at first, but they provide a visual to the story that enhances the experience, especially during the more chilling moments.

For example, this reviewer read no further than the second page of the first story before he had to put the book down and cover his mouth due to the horror he just read.

Joe Sacco has turned journalism into an interpretive art with “Journalism”. He

reports the facts simply and concise, but provides illustrations to highlight the poignancy and raw energy of war, military training, and human struggle. A great addition to any adult’s library.

Gregory A, Young Grimm Fairy Tales: Alice in Wonderland #5

By Raven Gregory Zenescope Entertainment, $9.98, 26 pages This comic is the fifth installment of Zenescope Entertainment’s Alice in Wonderland series, which opens with Alice crawling out of the Rabbit Hole, much to her grandparents’ surprise. The story cuts back to Alice making a deal with the Red Queen to ensnare and kill the Jabberwocky and the Queen of Hearts. Through this issue, we learn the brief history of the Red Queen’s fall and the ill fate that has befallen her son, the only person who can free her. Can Alice lead the Red Queen and the Jabberwocky into her trap?

How will the final showdown end?

The graphics in this issue are beautifully drawn and set a dark and mysterious tone as the story of Alice progresses. The pages turn frantically, as the pieces of this war are set into place. However, it is difficult to pick this issue up without prior context, and as with many installment-based stories, it is anticlimactic in that you must read the next issue to find out what happens. The story, while packed with plot, reads a little thinly as there are many questions left to be answered.

Rachel J. Richards

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Writers on Writing Article Stranger in a Strange Land

By Peter Golden

Ever feel like a stranger in a strange land? If you’re interested in the experience and you happen to be a man, I have a suggestion: write a love story.

Soon after I published my debut novel, "Comeback Love", an interviewer asked me why I chose to write a romance.

I replied that I didn’t choose romance—romance had chosen me. My other books had been nonfiction and, at the time, I was in the midst of researching and writing a history of the Cold War. I had just returned from interviewing Mikhail Gorbachev, and I was working on the manuscript. I kept writing “Soviet Union” and “USSR” so often that I turned them into macros to save time typing, and it dawned on me that those terms referred to a nation that no longer existed. So I asked myself: What was the greatest permanent change in the United States during that period? My answer? The role of women.

That was the origin of Comeback Love, a story about a 50-something year-old man who tracks down the woman he loved and lost during the 1960s, when he was an aspiring writer and she was in medical school. And because I wanted to explore the impact of what happened during those years, my novel shifts between the present and the past.

I had been surprised by the first question, but the second one was a stunner. I was asked if I was worried that I wouldn’t be taken seriously as romance writer unless I adopted a female pseudonym.

I’m convinced that the question was asked out of genuine curiosity, and perhaps I should’ve have been relieved the interviewer didn’t suggest I contemplate undergoing surgery. Of course, I’m not unaware of the terms “women’s fiction” and “chick lit,” terms that I consider more applicable to marketing than to art. Certainly, I can understand why women writers, especially those who tackle serious questions of marriage and children and confronting a world filled with conflicting choices, resent that these terms are occasionally used to marginalize their work, and wind up feeling as though they are being ordered to stay out of the deep end of literature’s pool.

When I started Comeback Love, I was aware that the genre was dominated by women writers, many of them exorbitantly talented, and though I didn’t feel like a poacher, I did worry that women readers might feel that I had wandered into a place where I didn’t belong.

But my reasons for writing the novel, beyond my curiosity about the time period, had more to do with the advice I offer beginning writers who ask me about the process of deciding what to write about. I tell them to think of a book they’re dying to read, go to the library and bookstores and search online: if they don’t find it, then that’s the book they should write.

For some time, I had wanted to read a novel like Comeback Love—a story that examined how a woman’s struggle with work and love in the 1960s touched the man involved with her. I wanted to discover how profoundly that era had changed both of these people, and I didn’t want to read about villains. Each character had to shoulder his and her portion of blame, and to make sure I didn’t lose sight of my goal, I kept a note I’d written to myself on my desk as I worked. It said: “If you can’t be fair to both sides, then you can’t write this novel.”

Recently, I sold my next novel to Atria Books, another love story, beginning in 1938 and ending in 1966, moving from Hitler’s Berlin to Miami Beach, Greenwich Village to Paris, South Orange, New Jersey, to Cincinnati, Ohio. Sitting at the center of the novel is Kendall Ann Wakefield, a beautiful, African-American woman, a photographer: and the man she loves, Julian Rose, who is white, Jewish, and an erstwhile bootlegger.

Would it turn out to be a different book if I were a woman? An African American? A gangster?

I suppose, but that’s not important—not if you believe, as I do, that the point of writing and reading fiction is to inhabit the souls of people unlike yourself and, by doing so, enrich your own life in ways that you never imagined.

- September December June - February 20132012

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Science Fiction & Fantasy Stardust (Gift Edition)

By Neil Gaiman William Morrow, $30, 283 pages The idea for “Stardust” came to author Neil Gaiman when he saw a falling star and wondered what would happen if it actually landed on earth. Just like that, “Stardust” was born. It tells the story of Tristran Thorn, the half-fairy child of a humble farmer in the town of Wall. One night, Tristran sees a star fall, and vows to the woman of his dreams he will bring it back for her.

He crosses into Fairy to bring the star back, but when the star turns out to be a woman named Yvaine, everything changes. Soon the two are being chased by evil witches and treacherous brothers. They are offered help along the way, but everything is not as it appears.

Finding excellence in Neil Gaiman’s writing is no challenge. With works like "Sandman", "American Gods", "Anansi Boys", "Coraline", and dozens of short stories, Neil Gaiman is a master storyteller. “Stardust” is no exception. The most significant, positive aspect of “Stardust” is the way characters develop. Tristran begins the story as a heart-sick, one-track minded kid. Slowly, as he accepts help from others and learns about himself, he develops into a man. The changes are so gradual in all the characters that the reader feels they are growing right along with them.

There are no problems with this book.

From the superb writing inside, to the beautiful binding outside, “Stardust” is great.

Some readers, who are reading this book after having first seen the movie version, will find some major differences. The changes don’t affect either one, but some readers may get frustrated.

The 15th anniversary of “Stardust” is a beautiful edition of a fantastic book. Whether a long-time lover of Neil Gaiman, or just starting out with his books, “Stardust” is an excellent book to anyone’s library.

Andrew Keyser Husk: A Novel

By Corey Redekop ECW Press, $18.95, 305 pages Sheldon Funk was never more shocked than when he woke up in the morgue still breathing despite being basically hollow.

A struggling actor in life, he finds that little has changed after death other than his chances of being a handsome leading man. Initially struggling to do basic things like move and talk, Sheldon soon finds himself in demand as an

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actor, but struggles with his baser impulses of eating everyone he meets.

“Husk” is a hilarious and sometimes endearing chronicle of Sheldon the zombie by author Corey Redekop. The story is told from Sheldon’s point of view which is wonderfully wry and sardonic. Sheldon’s attempt at regaining his humanity elicit mixed feelings from the reader as they both sympathize with and are horrified by him. Sheldon’s increasing alienation from the human race and sense of loss over his death and afterlife are at times poignant and frequently funny (and also a little gross). If a witty zombie tale is what you are looking for, “Husk” is a book you will not want to miss.

Barbara Cothern Steampunk Holmes: Legacy of the Nautilus

By P.C. Martin, Illustrated by Daniel Cortes Noble Beast, LLC, $14.95, 144 pages Audiences have been fascinated with Sherlock Holmes since the first story with him as a character was published. Over the years, a number of books and films have been made, typically adding a twist to the original material.

Author P.C. Martin presents her vision of Holmes with the novella, “Steampunk Holmes: Legacy of the Nautilius”.

The author very successfully captures the style of Arthur Conan Doyle and the essence of the characters. Holmes is his typical self; scintillating and Watson is well written with his blend of intelligence and naivete, especially when it comes to beautiful women. One of the more interesting things is the reconceptualization of Mycroft as a sister rather than a brother. This sets up a different kind of interplay between Sherlock and Mycroft, as well as between Watson and Mycroft.

The plot is nicely laid out and the steampunk gadgets and weapons are a fun addition to the Holmes world. According to the author’s website, this novella and subsequent Holmes adventures will eventually be interactive, which will be interesting to see and hear. For now, though, fans of Sherlock Holmes will have to content themselves with enjoying this fun take on the classic character.

Barbara Cothern Jane: The Woman Who Loved Tarzan

By Robin Maxwell Tor, $14.99, 320 pages “Jane: The Woman Who Loved Tarzan” is the classic “Tarzan of the Apes” tale through the voice of his love: Jane Porter, her story begins in 1905 as the only female in medical school. She and her beloved father, Professor Archimedes Phinneaus Porter are invited to an expedition in Africa by an American ex-

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plorer, Ral Conrath, and they are eager for the opportunity. Tragedy and treachery strike quickly on their travels and Jane awakens in a tree with - you guessed it - Tarzan watching and attending to her.

Author Robin Maxwell took an immortal tale of fantasy and mastered the nearly impossible; she gave us a female- hero spin on a lifelong testosterone-fueled story. Her attention to detail and storytelling techniques are superb as she delves into the story of “Tarzan of the Apes” from Jane’s perspective. Maxwell honors Edgar Rice Burroughs’ unique tale by weaving Jane’s version with precise accuracy of the original storyline giving new life to a timeless and well-worn concept.

This is a new, elegantly-told classic that should be enjoyed for years to come!

M. Chris Johnson Skarlet: Part One of the Vampire Trinity (Vampire Babylon Trilogy)

By Thomas Emson Thomas Dunne Books, $14.99, 375 pages There is panic in London due to increasingly bizarre and strange happenings throughout the city. The oddities started after the deaths of dozens at a club for Goth’s due to a batch of bad drugs. When the bodies soon walk out of the morgue, things get even stranger. Jake Lawton, a doorman at the club, is being set up by police to take the fall for the drug charges at the club. Refusing to take the blame, he begins to investigate and soon finds himself battling unimaginable creatures that date back to Biblical times. Jake hopes he can stop the rise of the vampires before it’s too late for everyone.

“Skarlet” is the first book in “The Vampire Trinity” series by author Thomas Emson and he has created an interesting twist on the traditional vampire story.

Taking his ideas from myths and legends, he mixes the ancient with the Gothic with surprisingly good results. The characters in the book are interesting and relatable and the story moves along at a fast pace.

The plot changes nicely from the present to the past and keeps the reader engaged in all the storylines. This was a thoroughly enjoyable book.

Barbara Cothern

Quantum Coin

By E.C. Myers PYR, $16.95, 325 pages Ephraim thought that his life had calmed down - he was no longer traipsing through parallel universes and had settled down with his girlfriend, Jena. Things were going well at home and he was happy. Everything changes, though, when Jena’s analog, Zoe, suddenly appears at the prom and the trio must head to a future universe in the hopes of saving all worlds from breaking down into chaos or disappearing altogether.

“Quantum Coin” is the second book in the series by author E.C. Myers. Starting about a year after the first book ended, the author picks up nicely with the characters from the various universes. The book brings old loves, new jealousies and rivalries into play in a way that adds nicely to the tension throughout the book. The universe travel aspect of the book is interesting and believable. The main drawback to this sequel is Ephraim’s naivete in trusting other characters without many (or any) questions as he should definitely know better by now in the series. Overall, though, this is a great book and a highly enjoyable addition to the series.

Barbara Cothern

“‘All the secrets of the world are contained in books. Read at your own risk.'” ~Lemoney Snicket

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Science Fiction & Fantasy Fu-Manchu: The Mystery of Dr. FuManchu

By Sax Rohmer Titan Books, $9.95, 256 pages It is sort of interesting to read literature from when racism was not just acceptable, but assumed. “The Mystery of Dr. Fu-Manchu” is a reprinting of the Sax Rohmer classic, following Denis Nayland Smith and Dr. Petrie as they attempt to save England from the wiles of the most evil genius ever born, Dr. Fu-Manchu, who is backed not only by some of the most powerful Chinese men, but also his own skills and organization. After many close calls, they defeat him, but they are sure that he will rise again, like some dark phoenix.

Although the story has lost some of its vigor as racism was eclipsed, it is still a thrill ride for those who like their adventure with pulp, and none get pulpier.

This was the precursor to a lot of fun reading, coming from the same era as Sherlock Holmes, with the same kind of genius/skilled sidekick combo as Holmes and Watson. There is even a nice little romance that builds as the book advances, adding some additional stakes to the quest of Smith. For someone looking for an afternoon or two that hearkens back to a different age, this is that read.

Jamais Jochim Fu-Manchu: The Return of Dr. FuManchu

By Sax Rohmer Titan Books, $9.95, 256 pages Some stories stand the test of time better than others. “The Return of Dr. Fu-Manchu” is a reprint of the 1913 classic. Dr. Fu-Manchu is out to dominate the world, and his first stop is England. After escapades involving some bizarre torture devices, a white peacock and a haunted house, Nayland Smith and Dr. Petrie close in on the villain, hopefully dealing with his evil at long last. It’s a fun story, and something perfect for a rainy afternoon with a cup of hot chocolate.

Once you get past the inherent racism, it’s not a bad story. The final chapters involving the mummy could have been stronger, or better yet omitted completely, but otherwise it is pulp fiction at its best. Each chapter gets more over-thetop than the last, and in a good way. As Smith and Petrie close in on the villain, you get to know them as the story goes

on, building the suspense towards the final climax rather nicely. The closing essay is a waste of time, especially as the complete version is in the previous book. This story stands the test of time, and should be loved by mystery lovers everywhere.

Jamais Jochim

consult the Oracle. Along the way, he runs into danger, gets out of trouble, and gets adopted by a royal family as the official heir. He runs into other angels, including his old boss, and is able to find the missing harps to restore the stairway. But he must tread carefully, since he is dealing with immortal creatures that have little regard for those who are mortal.

This is a decent book that moves at a fairly brisk pace, often times too fast to be truly plausible. The action sequences are adequately described, but at times can be a little tough to follow. The characters develop, but not that deeply.

Kevin Winter

The Best Science Fiction and Fantasy of the Year: Volume Six Edited by Jonathan Strahan Night Shade Books, $19.99, 500 pages The year 2012 marks the sixth time that Jonathan Strahan has compiled an explosive collection of stories. “The Best Science Fiction and Fantasy of the Year: Volume Six” is an anthology of 31 stories. It is rare to find a book that includes the best of both genres and something for everyone. In “The Case of Death and Honey”, Neil Gaiman considers the idea of old age. He asks readers to imagine an aging Sherlock Holmes. What would the detective do if he found the fountain of youth, and what do bees have to do with turning back the clock? Caitlin R. Keirnan’s tale “Tidal Forces” about a black hole that appears in a woman’s stomach, is edgy and thought provoking. In “Goodnight Moon”

by Ellen Klages, an astronaut traveling to Mars must make a life-changing decision when she finds out that she is expecting a baby. That tale is much different than the famous bedtime story of the same name, yet portrays the same feelings of tenderness and love. Vampires, aliens, wasps and intelligent parasites are just a few of the subjects featured in the remaining works.

Fans of both fantasy and science fiction will be entertained by this “best of” story collection.

Elizabeth Franklin Eye of the Sword (The Angelaeon Circle, Book 2)

By Karyn Henley Waterbrook Press, $9.99, 256 pages Karyn Henley continues her Angelaeon series with this book, “Eye of the Sword”. Trevin, a renegade with a past and who loves the princess, becomes a comain to King Laetham.

He still has doubts whether he is fully trusted. But danger is coming to the land.

Prince Varic is coming with an offer of peace, but it has a condition of marriage between him and Princess Melaia. To help save Princess Melaia, and maybe win her heart, Trevin must go on a quest to find the missing comains, find the harps, and

Once Upon a Curse

By E.D. Baker Dragonwell Publishing, $16.95, 256 pages A story is only as good as its villain and a fairy tale only as interesting as its curse. But what happens when the curse is stronger than all the knights in the kingdom?

Old hands such as Patricia Wrede and Peter Beagle come together with upcoming talents in this fantasy anthology where darker magic defines the direction of the stories.

“Once Upon a Curse” is recommended for fairy tale fans looking for their favorite stories taken in new directions. It is the third book in the series of “Tales of the Frog Princess”. From beautiful retellings to twists on old patterns to familiar tales in an updated setting, we run the gamut of what can be done to a fairy tale. This anthology presents variations on well known classics like Sleeping Beauty and Cinderella, but also tackles such outliers as Bluebeard and Rumpelstiltskin, and of course, the Brothers Grimm’s The Frog Prince.

Though every story in this collection keeps its darker edges, there are still a number of reasonably happy ever afters. While enjoyable, these straight retellings lack the creative spark that would raise this anthology to a true gem. Still, “Once Upon a Curse” is a beautiful addition to the adventurous fairy tale fan’s shelf.

Meg Gibbs

Shatter Me

By Tahereh Mafi Harper, $9.99, 368 pages Juliette has spent the past 264 days in isolation at an institute run by The Reestablishment - the government agency that took over society in order to save it from itself. Juliette is there because of the killing power of her touch and is certain she will be there forever.

Things change suddenly when Juliette comes into contact with Adam, a boy she knew as a child. Together they decide to work together to get out of the clutches of The Reestablishment and to be free from them forever.

Barbara Cothern

“‘The man who does not read has no advantage over the man who cannot read.'” ~Mark Twain

R e ad “ From t he E d itor s” at Por t l a nd B o ok R e v ie w.com

- September December June - February 20132012

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Christmas Gift Guide

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December - February June - September 2012 2013

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Christmas Gift Guide

Stardust (Gift Edition)

By Neil Gaiman William Morrow, $30, 283 pages The idea for “Stardust” came to author Neil Gaiman when he saw a falling star and wondered what would happen if it actually landed on earth. Just like that “Stardust” was born. It tells the story of Tristran Thorn, the half-fairy child of a humble farmer in the town of Wall. One night, Tristran sees a star fall, and vows to the woman of his dreams he will bring it back for her.

He crosses into Fairy to bring the star back, but when the star turns out to be a woman named Yvaine, everything changes. Soon the two are being chased by evil witches and treacherous brothers. They are offered help along the way, but everything is not as it appears.

Finding excellence in Neil Gaiman’s writing is no challenge. With works like Sandman, American Gods, Anansi Boys, Coraline, and dozens of short stories, Neil Gaiman is a master storyteller. “Stardust” is no excep-

15

June - September 2012 2013 December - February

tion. The most significant, positive aspect of “Stardust” is the way characters develop. Tristran begins the story as a heart-sick, one-track minded kid. Slowly, as he accepts help from others and learns about himself, he develops into a man. The changes are so gradual in all the characters the reader feels they are growing right along with them.

There are no problems with this book. From the superb writing inside, to the beautiful binding outside, “Stardust” is great. Some readers, who are reading this book after having first seen the movie version, will find some major differences. The changes don’t affect either one, but some readers may get frustrated.

The 15th anniversary of “Stardust” is a beautiful edition of a fantastic book. Whether a long-time lover of Neil Gaiman, or just starting out with his books, “Stardust” is an excellent to anyone’s library.

Andrew Keyser T hank you for reading Portland Book Review!

Christmas Gift Guide

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Biographies & Memoirs The Last Kiss: A True Story of Love, Joy and Loss

By Leslie Brody Title Town Publishing, $17.95, 240 pages Author Leslie Brody has fashioned an intimate account of love, heartbreak, and loss in her memoir “The Last Kiss”.

Brody’s husband, Elliot, was diagnosed with a deadly form of cancer at the age of 55, and told that he would live for just another year or less. Elliot gallantly fought to stay alive and managed to survive for more than two years post-diagnosis. Elliot was Brody’s second husband and she tells the story of how they met at work and dated for months before marrying the day before she turned thirty-nine. The stunning news about Elliot’s cancer would arrive just six years later.

Brody writes honestly about the struggles of dealing with a type of cancer “that can’t be cured,” and about how even the most supportive spouse hits the wall of exhaustion. Elliot’s disease comes to teach her simple but key lessons about life, such as the value of having patience and living in the moment. Her honesty throughout the entire account is admirable such as when she struggles with the thought of finding another partner in life. This is a tribute to a good man who met tragedy with dignity, knowing that he was loved in sickness and in health.

Joseph Arellano Ballerina: Sex, Scandal and Suffering Behind the Symbol of Perfection

By Deirdre Kelly Greystone Books, $27.95, 272 pages While fans of the ballet can now experience more of the life of a dancer through reality TV shows such as Breaking Pointe, never could one imagine the brutal beginnings and history behind such a beautiful art form. In her book “Ballerina: Sex, Scandal and Suffering Behind the Symbol of Perfection”, Deirdre Kelly exposes, with rich detail, the underbelly of the world that only those with a true calling to dance en pointe could endure.

Throughout the years as men have reigned supreme in their roles as choreographers (George Balanchine among them) and artistic directors they failed to see beyond the tutus and toe shoes to the human element of the ballerina. Yet despite all of the suffering and setbacks modern day ballerinas can give thanks to great

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legends like Anna Pavlova and to ballerina/crusaders like Kimberly Glasco for paving the way to a better life for dancers of the twenty first century and beyond.

Read this book. You will never look at a ballet production through the same eyes again.

Kathleen Godwin Burying the Typewriter: A Memoir

By Carmen Bugan Graywolf Press, $15, 256 pages Just once, there needs to be a book about a happy Romanian peasant. “Burying the Typewriter” looks at the story of Carmen Bugan, whose family was persecuted because the father decided to do something about Romanian communists.

Even when he is sent to prison, the persecution does not let up, and, in fact, intensifies. It finally gets to the point where they eventually leave, heading to Michigan. This is a fantastic story of a family persevering regardless of the odds, and finally coming to peace with its past.

Normally, a book like this gets annoying because it is way too dreary; you stop wondering why the family doesn’t escape and start wondering why no one has committed suicide. However, it is fun to see the minor ways that the villagers help the family, even when things get bad, and the steps that the secret police take to enforce their will. This is an excellent example of why the Ceausescu rule would have eventually ended by bullet by someone’s hand.

This is a wonderful story, if somewhat dreary, of perseverance and how dependent rebels, volunteer or forced, are dependent on the good will of those around them.

Jamais Jochim The Beatles: A Photographic Journey into the World of These True Legends (Legends in Pictures)

By Philip de Ste. Croix Parragon, Inc., $5.99, 64 pages This slim book is appropriate for an inveterate fan seeking to expand his or her collection of Beatles’ photos. The text is appropriate, but a bit sketchy. The most interesting photos are of the band in its formative years, from 1960-1962.

The other photos are the usual familiar poses of the various band members.

There are several photos of the Beatles’ close friend Stuart Sutcliffe, who was briefly a fifth member of the band. There

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are also some photos that include Peter Best, who was the Beatles’ original drummer until producer George Martin expressed his skepticism about Best’s abilities.

When it comes to the Beatles, and to Bob Dylan, every day it becomes increasingly difficult to add to the already crowded bookshelves that cover these artists. In this reviewer’s opinion, this short work might be a good place to introduce a 12-year-old child to Beatle-mania, without making too many demands upon his or her time.

Dick Weissman I Have Iraq in My Shoe: Misadventures of a Soldier of Fashion

By Gretchen Berg Sourcebooks, $14.99, 400 pages Not all travelogues need to be heavy philosophical discourses, or ignore the effect of shoes on the world’s economy.

“I Have Iraq in My Shoe” is the fun story of how Gretchen Berg taught Iraqis and Kurds how to speak English, paid off her debt, and didn’t accrue any more costs due to baggage rules.

Although she failed mostly at the latter, she did nonetheless help Italy’s economy through her shoe buying, and she was able to find how another culture shared a few things in common with hers and how much it really was different.

This was a fun book. Berg is the kind of no-nonsense person that makes reading personal journals fun. Her tallies of her debt, amount spent on baggage fees, and shoes bought make for some interesting notes, but that’s the tip of an iceberg, where she explores Iraq, first at the school she teaches and then the Middle East in general. She is very conversational, so the details she explores come to life for the reader in a very fun way, especially with products like Virgin Soap. This is a fun journal, and for those going to Iraq, especially women, it is a must read.

Jamais Jochim

The Last Viking: The Life of Roald Amundsen

By Stephen R. Bown Da Capo Press, $26, 384 pages A biography has to be seen in three parts: the subject, the author, and the book itself. Each has a measure of importance. The subject takes priority, otherwise, why pick up the book? The author, whether known or unfamiliar, invites our attention. The book affirms our interest or closes the door. On no count does “The Last Viking” disappoint.

Roald Amundsen’s exploration remains compelling, despite the shortage of supplementary characters and the oppressive cold that filters through the pages. He spent months, even years, preparing for adventures he could ready himself for now in just hours or days with a computer. But our admiration holds firm. The old-fashioned adjectives allow us to admire him still: his steadfastness, patience, resolve, his unwavering leadership. He strove to honor Norway’s new independence, to find money as the age of patronage was replaced by institutional giving.

Stephen R. Bown is a terrific writer, never sensational, always seeming to share the achievements of a friend. His discretion about Amundsen’s personal life leaves us with an endearing, enigmatic hero.

The only flaw? Inadequate maps.

Jane Manaster

“‘Write down the thoughts of the moment. Those that come unsought for are commonly the most valuable.'” ~Francis Bacon

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Home & Garden /Cooking, Food & Wine Lemons and Lavender: The Eco Guide to Better Homekeeping

By Billee Sharp Viva Editions, $15.95, 275 pages “Lemons and Lavender” hails itself as “the eco guide to better homekeeping”. But, Billee Sharp takes this topic way beyond what I know as home keeping. She begins the book by addressing the need to do something you love rather than working to just earn a paycheck. She shares her individual journey to find meaning in her work and challenges the reader to do the same.

Sharp also covers taking control of your budget by knowing what your financial goals are and being thrifty by finding things that are free, selling what you don’t use and bartering the rest. Sharp believes in an organic lifestyle and writes extensively about a healthy pantry and detoxing your diet. She suggests medicinal cures that already exist in your kitchen cabinet, as well as, creating non-toxic cleaners with natural household items.

Sharp recommends fixing things yourself and gives remedies for plugged drains, holes in walls and even wet cell phones!

Other chapters cover growing a garden, recipes and homemade holidays. Frankly there is not much that Billee Sharp did not cover in her 260 page book. At times the book feels a bit “preachy” but Sharp does offer good ideas, a wealth of resources and an interesting story.

Seniye Groff In the Kitchen with David: QVC’s Resident Foodie Presents Comfort Foods That Take You Home

By David Venable Ballantine Books, $30, 272 pages David Venable is certainly true to his promise in “In the Kitchen with David” his recipes are easy to make even for novice cooks, and that they are satisfying comfort foods. The hundred and fifty recipes are not for the dedicated gourmet cook - they are simple and familiar, nothing original, nothing you won’t find in most good all-purpose cookbooks. These are recipes like chicken salad, iceberg lettuce wedges, deviled eggs and scalloped potatoes, mostly lightly seasoned. The overall flavor is southern cooking. Many recipes are marked by an icon “Foodie Favorite”, these were highly rated by viewers of Venable’s TV show. Another icon, “Dishin with David”, are helpful hints in sidebars.

“Make It Your Own” gives you alternatives or additional ingredients for that

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recipe. Recipe layout is excellent. The recipes are well written using readily available ingredients and many use canned, bottled or processed foods to reduce preparation time. The cookbook production is gorgeous with beautiful full-page photographs. Too bad they almost embarrassingly overdid showing the author’s smiling face with twenty-six photos throughout the book. Index is thorough and well cross referenced. This is a nice cookbook for a beginner cook.

George Erdosh Vegan Eats World: 300 International Recipes for Savoring the Planet

By Terry Hope Romero Lifelong Books, $35, 400 pages Here you have a great vegan cookbook that draws recipes from a truly international repertoire. It is a beautiful, largeformat, nicely produced book called “Vegan Eats World” (a rather ambiguous title), though not without errors. The most glaring one is noticeable immediately: the cover page promises three hundred recipes, but the title page shrinks this number to two-hundred and fifty. There are also some incomplete instructions and the layout is not user friendly. Recipes follow one another without a break, thus periodically forcing the reader to page back and forth while following instructions.

Nevertheless, Romero has produced a very good cookbook with well-written recipes, each with one or more of seven labels such as: for novices, under forty-five minutes, gluten-free, etc. Very few recipes are actually for the inexperienced cook; most have long lists of ingredients (though readily available) that will frighten all but the truly dedicated cooks. In addition, sometimes many recipes are involved, with directions referring to three or more recipes elsewhere in the book. A nice final feature is the list of recipes by icon (i.e. gluten-free, for novices and so on). The index is not adequate and not cross referenced.

George Erdosh Holiday Slow Cooker: A Year of HassleFree Celebrations

By Jonnie Downing Ulysses Press, $15.95, 128 pages We associate most of our holidays with beautiful, flavorful, well-presented foods, and not many cooks would think of a slow-cooked meal to satisfy all of these criteria. Yet, Jonnie Downing in “Holiday Slow Cooker” did an admirable job to convince you that a slow cooker can

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be a practical kitchen appliance be a practical kitchen appliance be a practical kitchen appliance even for a holiday meal.

Anyone who ever used a slow cooker knows that it produces tasty foods but presentation is a bit of a problem. Downing provides excellent ideas to remedy this. The book is a small-format trade paperback with many beautiful full-page photo illustrations. Nevertheless, this cookbook is not for serious cooks. Rather for those who want to spend minimal time in the kitchen yet must like to plan way ahead to time the slow cooked food ready for a meal. To take French Toast Casserole, you need to whisk the first few ingredients six hours ahead, then adding all ingredients to the slow cooker, cook for three to four hours. Not an easy task to serve it for brunch. Recipes such as cranberry sauce or apple sauce are far quicker and easier on the stove top.

Downing uses canned and processed foods in many recipes.

George Erdosh

The Meat Lover’s Meatless Celebrations: Year-Round Vegetarian Feasts (You Can Really Sink Your Teeth Into)

By Kim O’Donnel Lifelong Books, $18.99, 240 pages This meatless cookbook is so great that this reviewer is almost willing to overlook two of its faults. The first issue is the recipe layout.

To the inconvenience of the cook, many recipes in “The Meat Lover’s Meatless Celebrations” flip over leaf to keep the illustrations facing the recipe. A more serious problem is its poor, nearly useless index. Apart from these, this is a superb vegetarian cookbook with excellent original and unusual recipes.

Both the text and recipe writing are also superb. The recipes’ head notes are fun to read and informative. The directions are outstanding and easy to follow. The recipe layout is helpful, with a list of ingredients set on the side over a different-colored background and a list of the tools needed for preparation. Author Kim O’Donnel arranged the chapters by season and, under each season, by holiday and celebration, with menu ideas introducing each. For each menu she lists the recipes with their page numbers. Ingredients are mostly readily available and O’Donnel provides alternatives when they may not be. Many beautiful full-page photographs enliven this medium-format trade paperback and some smaller photos demonstrate techniques. There are four designating symbols: optional dairy, gluten-free, kidfriendly and vegan. This book is a good addition to one’s book shelf.

George Erdosh

The Lebanese Kitchen

By Salma Hage Phaidon Press, $49.95, 512 pages “The Lebanese Kitchen” is an extensive volume of Lebanese food from appetizers and salad, meatbased entrees, to succulent desserts.

The book opens by offering a description of Lebanese food: where it comes from, what seasonings make up the basis of Lebanese food, and how to think about and approach a Lebanese meal. This cookbook contains recipe sections including: basic recipes, appetizers and salads, meat, fish, breads, drinks, and desserts.

The basic recipe section is an interesting beginning to this cookbook breaking down the basic herb and spice blends, sauces, and cooking essentials. Not only does this give the cook a chance to really dig in to the flavor profiles that create a Lebanese profile, it also gives the cook the opportunity to really explore some of the spices that may be less familiar to a mainstream pallet. Understanding these flavors is essential for making food that has the appropriate layers of flavor.

It concludes with a Guest Chef section.

This section contains a short synopsis of each included chef, and then a small number of their preferred recipes. These chefs are well versed in Lebanese cooking and this section adds a lot of roundness through the different perspectives.

This cookbook is generally approachable for many chefs, regardless of your experience. Conveniently, the book provides the recipe list in the order of use, so that it is easy to navigate back and forth between the recipe list and the instructions. However, in several recipes, it was observed that the book omitted quantities of certain ingredients. While the instructions may reference cooking lamb, the ingredients list did not contain a listing for how much and what type of lamb is required.

Intermediate to experienced cooks will likely be able to adapt to the recipe and have an intuitive sense of what quantity makes sense for the recipe.

Rachel J. Richards

“‘This is my invariable advice to people: learn how to cook - try new recipes, learn from your mistakes, be fearless, and above all have fun!'” ~Julia Child

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Cooking, Food & Wine The Passionate Vegetable: Health Inspired Recipes to Revitalize Your Life for Vegetarians or Meat Lovers

By Suzanne Landry Health Inspired Publishing, $29.95, 306 pages Suzanne Landry used to deal with health problems, both in herself and in her children, and eventually got frustrated by doctors wanting to treat the symptoms, rather than figure out why so many problems existed in the first place. After doing some personal research, she realized that some dietary changes could have great impact, and so a new passion was born.

Now she teaches cooking classes to students across the country and seeks to educate others about the benefits of a diet oriented towards whole foods. ”The Passionate Vegetable”, then, is her labor of love, a glossy cookbook of recipes bursting with vegetables, whole grains, and healthy sources of protein. Many of the recipes are vegetarian, but many feature lean sources of meat as well; there are truly recipes here for anyone who loves good food. Recipes are divided into breakfasts, a variety of salads, soups, grain dishes, beans, vegetables, entrees featuring meat or vegetarian protein, and healthy dessert options. Home chefs can choose from recipes like Mom’s Lemon Crepes, Rocky Road Rice, and Chocolate Coconut Bars. In addition, Landry provides general tips for cooking different kinds of beans and whole grains.

The first few sections of the book are where Landry’s passion for helping others choose a healthier diet shines through.

Readers are provided with a crash course in general nutrition: organic foods, dairy products, carbohydrates, fats, sugars, antioxidants, enzymes, and meal planning information is provided, as well as tips on how to make the transition from a standard American diet to one centered around whole foods. Her recipes sound delicious and most are relatively simple to prepare, and the accompanying photos will make your mouth water. Also fun are the “Bites of Insight” included with most recipes. Here Landry offers tips and factoids; some readers may be disappointed that several of these are repeated throughout the book, some three times or more, but most probably won’t even notice.

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You Won’t Believe It’s Salt-Free!: 125 Healthy Low-Sodium and No-Sodium Recipes Using Flavorful Spice Blends

By Robyn Webb Lifelong Books, $17.99, 192 pages In the kitchen, salt is the primary natural flavor enhancer. Most of us consume salt far in excess of our bodies’ needs because of heavily salted processed food. Robyn Webb, a nutritionist, assures that we can get enough salt (i.e. sodium) from natural sources without compromising flavor in her “You Won’t Believe It’s Salt-Free!” book. She compiled 125 recipes without ever touching the salt shaker (or salt substitutes) using seven salt-free blends you can purchase or blend yourself. In a twenty-two page introduction you will learn everything about the harmful effects of too much salt in your diet and tips for purchasing, storing and growing herbs - Webb’s primary salt substitutes in the recipes. Her recipes, with brief head notes and complete nutritional values, are simple, easy to follow and none of them is particularly time consuming to prepare. They are neatly listed, one or two per page with ingredients, directions, useful sidebars and hints for your convenience. Preparation and cooking times are reasonable for a home cook. Except for twelve color photos bound in the center of the book, she has no illustrations. Ten menu suggestions using her recipes are handy. The index is excellent, well cross referenced.

George Erdosh The 30-Minute Vegan’s Taste of Europe: 150 Plant-Based Makeovers of Classics from France, Italy, Spain . . . and Beyond

By Mark Reinfeld Lifelong Books, $18.99, 352 pages This relatively inexpensive paperback vegan cookbook is a nice addition to any vegan kitchen shelf collection. The title, “Taste of Europe”, is a bit misleading as most recipes, like minestrone, rice pilaf, gazpacho, moussaka or German potato salad, have been incorporated into the American repertoire for decades. Yet, Mark Reinfeld presents many more not-so-common and mainly Western European recipes with the last chapter ending with 26 assorted recipes from Eastern Europe.

The recipes converted into vegan from traditional recipes are easy to follow.

Many useful sidebars are a help for making the dish and include other related

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information. Reinfeld uses various symbols to help you choose, e.g., raw ingredients, or preparation may take longer than the promised thirty minutes. The headnotes are good and informative. Occasional black-and-white photos brighten up the pages and fourteen bound pages of color photos illustrate some of the final dishes. Layout could’ve been improved as some recipes inconveniently flip over to an overleaf page. Appendix contains more useful information. The well cross-referenced index is excellent.

George Erdosh The Cookie Dough Lover’s Cookbook: Cookies, Cakes, Candies, and More

By Lindsay Landis Quirk Books, $18.95, 160 pages Here is an unusual baking book in which author Lindsay Landis looks outside the box away from traditional baking, creating unusual and simply awesome goodies.

“The Cookie Dough Lover's Cookbook” is a small-format hardcover book with sturdy spiral binding produced on high-quality paper stock. In the first two chapters every item is unbaked, using eggless cookie dough (since raw eggs are not safe to eat) then Landis turns the oven on for various baked cookies, squares, pies and cakes, and finally provides recipes for custards, a variety of frozen treats, indulgent (sweet) breakfast feasts, snacks and party fare.

In the introduction we learn about ingredients and equipment. The recipes are very well written, easy to follow; unfortunately, the layout is not baker-friendly.

To keep illustrations with the first recipe page, instructions flip overleaf to the inconvenience of the baker. Every prepared item is decorated and every one is unique, unusual and looks wonderful. So do the photo illustrations, also done by Landis (who is a graphic designer). They are full page, stunning and truly mouthwatering creations. Expect such unusual creations as cookie dough-filled cre’pes, deep-fried cookie dough fritters and cookie dough doughnuts. The index is excellent, well cross referenced.

George Erdosh

not particularly different from those in similar cookbooks published in the last few years. Many of the recipes are old Italian standards: focaccia, pizza, quite a few pasta salads, roasted vegetables and many Italian sauces. The recipes are well written, easy to follow and their layout is generally good, though some inconveniently slip to overleaf pages.

Ingredients are, for the most part, easily available, although having an Italian market nearby is helpful. The cookbook is well illustrated with photos. Recipes are followed by wine pairing and recipe variation suggestions.

Head notes are mostly little family stories about that recipe. The long, sixteen-page foreword, preface, and introduction are mainly family stories you may read once and are illustrated with small photographs.

If you don’t already own an Italian cookbook, this is a good addition to your collection.

George Erdosh

“‘A house is not a home unless it contains food and fire for the mind as well as the body .'” ~Benjamin Franklin

The Tucci Cookbook

By Stanley Tucci Gallery Books, $35, 400 pages Here is a good Italian cookbook - but do we need one more? Italian cookbooks have been flooding our kitchen bookshelves and if you have one or two you like, there is no reason to add one more. “The Tucci Cookbook” focuses on Italian home cooking and the recipes are good, though

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Music & Movies Kicking & Dreaming: A Story of Heart, Soul, and Rock and Roll

By Ann & Nancy Wilson with Charles R. Cross It Books, $13.99, 280 pages From The Wailers to Pearl Jam to Death Cab for Cutie, the Pacific Northwest has produced its fair share of rock bands.

During the 1970s and 1980s, Heart ruled the airways, clubs and stadiums. With a driving beat, distinctive guitar and vocal sound provided by Ann and Nancy Wilson, the band soared to the top of the music charts with such hits as “Magic Man”, “These Dreams”, and “Barracuda”. Now entering their 4th decade in the music business, the Wilson sisters recently released a new studio album and this enjoyable memoir, written with Seattle music biographer Charles R. Cross.

Along with their musical successes, Ann and Nancy also recount their own personal struggles with alcohol and drug abuse, body image, infertility and the difficulty of being a woman in a male-dominated industry. Although this is fairly standard rock biography fare, anyone familiar with Heart and the Wilson sisters will enjoy this front seat view of life in the fast lane.

Linda Frederiksen The Art and Making of Hotel Transylvania

By Tracey Miller-Zarneke Titan Books, $34.95, 160 pages The must-see movie of October, “Hotel Transylvania”, is a funny and family friendly film that is perfect for this Halloween season.

This animated work follows Count Dracula as he raises his daughter Mavis and opens a resort that caters to monsters looking for a safe vacation spot. But their safety is challenged when a human finds his way into the hotel during the weekend of Mavis’ 118th birthday. Tracey MillerZarneke has captured the magic of the movie in her book “The Art and Making of Hotel Transylvania”. The author highlights the creative process of Sony Pictures’ animators. Readers will enjoy over 400 pieces of art from the development, design and digital phases. See the first sketches of many characters, including loud-mouthed Eunice, fatigued werewolf Wayne, mummified Murray, invisible Griffin and hunched Quasimodo. Quotes from the script and interviews with filmmakers and crew provide background and adds depth. The second part of the book covers production design. Learn how the

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manor, hotel lobby, bingo hall, swimming pool and kitchen were created in the digital world. Storyboards, lighting keys and final frames capture everything that goes into making an animated film. You can bring home the magic of “Hotel Transylvania” home to read again and again.

Elizabeth Frankllin The Hunchback of Notre Dame

By Philip J. Riley Bear Manor Media, $24.95, 220 pages “The Hunchback of Notre Dame” is essentially a scrapbook and for cinephiles only. There are copies of old handbills, production stills of the movie and articles about acting and producing the movie from those who were actually there. There is even an editor’s version of the script with marks all over it. For those who want a feel of how important the movie was back then, as well as an idea of what was omitted, this is a decent book. However, others would hardly enjoy it.

The handbills are so small that reading them is virtually impossible. The script is of incredible importance as the only surviving script, and yet is reproduced here just large enough to see that there is typing. The articles and sheet music are fascinating but they are the only positives in this book. Even the photographs look randomly inserted and almost none are captioned, so it is really hard to determine what order they are in, if any. If you really, really loved the movie and wanted more information on it this would be great, but for even the most ardent cinephile this is more annoying than educational.

Jamais Jochim The Z Files: Treasure from Zacherley’s Archives

By Richard Scrivani with Tom Weaver Bear Manor Media, $19.95, 240 pages A book’s reason for being sometimes needs to be allowed for. “The Z Files: Treasures from Zacherley’s Archives” is a continuation of “Good Night, Whatever You Are!”, acting as a sourcebook of sorts for newspaper clippings, photos, scripts, and other material that simply did not fit in the previous book. This makes it a great scrapbook for fans of Zacherley’s, as well showing how much fun putting together a low-budget show. For those curious about the backstage of one of those old-fashioned monster shows, there is some great insight given here.

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Fans of the show will enjoy this supplementary book. This book would not make it as a standalone book, as it requires too much knowledge of the show itself to really work, but that’s fine; it was intended to back the other show up. Even then there seems to be too many spaces left open, as almost no shots of the cast and people other than Zacherley is shown; some shots of the show and its producers seem to be in order. However, this is still a fun book for fans of the old monster shows, and this is definitely a loving tribute to that.

Jamais Jochim The Rocky Horror Picture Show: Music on Film

By Dave Thompson Limelight Editions, $9.99, 150 pages Along with disco, the seventies gave us “The Rocky Horror Picture Show”, one of the most iconic films of the decade. With each new generation, a fresh group of fans discover the movie and the cult-like appreciation for the phenomenon grows. In “The Rocky Horror Picture Show: Music on Film”, Dave Thompson breathes life into the popular movie. The pocket-sized book is filled with information about the film’s casting, creation, recording, stars, costumes, cultural influence, sexuality, music and the use of drag. Learn about Richard O’Brien’s dream to write a rock ’n’ roll musical with a plotline straight out of the 1950s B movies he adored. Thompson argues that the movie is the first interactive multi-media experience - a combination of sci-fi horror, aliens, sex, rock and roll and comedy mixed with extreme audience participation (whether in a movie theater, at a live stage production, or during a karaoke song). Also included is a list of every cast recording, and stage and film cast lists. An eight page collection of color photos features memorabilia like a Transylvanian make-up kit, movie flyers and performance posters. Fans will love the “The Rocky Horror Picture Show” Audience Participation Survival Kit checklist (for example, bring specific food items to be thrown at certain times in the movie, and water guns to recreate the rain storm that sends Brad and Janet to the castle).

Have fun!

Kathryn Franklin

“‘To stop the flow of music would be like the stopping of time itself, incrediable and inconceivable.'” ~Aaron Copland

“‘If I waited for perfection I would never write a word.'” ~Margaret Atwood

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History Portland In the 1960’s: Stories From the Counterculture

By Polina Olsen The History Press, $19.99, 157 pages The 1960s brought a wave of dramatic social fragmentation across the United States as the increasingly decaying standards of old created a growing need and desire for new, and Portland was no exception. Polina Olsen takes snapshots of this scene and displays them in her collection, “Portland in the 1960s: Stories from the Counterculture”. The strengths of Olsen’s mosaic can be found in the many personal reflection-tiles from representative figures of Portland’s “counterculture”: Caffe Espresso, Days and Nights Bookstore, Portland Zoo, the Psychedelic Supermarket, amongst others. Appropriate to the subject matter and subtitle, these narrative sound bytes provide an interesting look at a colorful time, but when the kaleidoscopic page is turned, the scene changes, the characters change, and the result can be disorienting. For those Portlanders who took part in this vibrant time, this book will surely read as an intimate walk down memory lane with familiar friends, but for those on the outside looking in, additional analysis, connections, and historical context would have offered a much-appreciated layer of depth and significance to the scene.

Kaylan Isenberg Constantine the Great: Warlord of Rome

By Elizabeth James Pen & Sword Military, $34.95, 171 pages Constantine the Great was the first Christian Emperor of Rome. After his famous battle of the Milvian Bridge when he won against another Roman Emperor and defeated him in battle, he was converted on the way to his eventual success in becoming the sole ruler of the Roman world.

Many books have been written about Constantine over the years, and it is always a question of whether we really need another one. This one though does not solely focus on his conversion and life after becoming a Christian. Nor does it focus on just his role in running the Church in calling Councils, and making sure Christianity was tolerated throughout the Empire. This book also focuses on the military life of Constantine, from his early days when he was one of four Emperors, to his final campaign in the East

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against the Persians. Some attention is paid to his work as Emperor in building new cities, and the most famous in Constantinople. The author instead leaves other books to focus on that aspect of his life.

This book mostly works - it is brief. With the overwhelming focus on his military campaigns it rarely veers from that perspective. It will not appeal to everyone, as it only looks at one aspect of Constantine’s life.

Kevin Winter The Hammer and the Anvil: Frederick Douglass, Abraham Lincoln, and the End of Slavery in America

By James M. McPherson Hill and Wang, $24.95, 150 pages A way to learn about the civil war that isn’t painful who knew? History buffs have always known that the road to freedom was fraught with obstacles; that Americans have rarely agreed on anything; that civil rights have always sounded good in theory and that even the most ardent abolitionists didn’t want ex-slaves living next door. But the rest of us hated the dry academic renditions which droned on with dates and places that were immediately forgotten after the history test.

Dwight Zimmerman and Wayne Vansant have the answer: history done light.

In frame-by-frame illustrated biographies Zimmerman has broken the story of two important historical figures into sound bytes while Vansant has set the scenes with remarkable colorful drawings.

The stories of Frederick Douglas and Abraham Lincoln are deftly portrayed in comic book style with all the aplomb of a screenplay. It’s a great way to refresh your knowledge of civil war history.

The story moves quickly and because a couple of scenes seem out of sequence - the foundations laid pages before - the book may leave some readers confused in places. However, keep reading and you will be rewarded with intimate and heartwarming details surrounding some of Lincoln’s biggest decisions - like the signing of the Emancipation Proclamation.

Sheli Ellsworth We Have the War Upon Us: The Onset of the Civil War, November 1860 - April 1861

By William J. Cooper Alfred A. Knopf, $30, 332 pages Many books have been written about the Civil War, President Lincoln, and Reconstruction. You could build vast libraries just dedicated to books about those topics. But a new trend is emerging, thankfully, in history, exploring America between the election of Abraham Lincoln

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and his inauguration as President in March. This period of time was racked with chaotic events, grandiose speeches, silence from the President, and South Carolina leaving the country.

It is refreshing to find a book that covers this time period in detail, while not covering ground that has been dissected many times before. Author William J. Cooper does an excellent job explaining all the different forces, personalities, and conflicts that were tearing the Union apart. He also brilliantly covers the attempts to save the Union before the slave states left. It was a time to strike a grand bargain, but the South knew they were in a position of weakness and they did not like that. The only blemish is the awkward attempts to look at events from the South’s point of view. They feel wedged into the chapters, and would have been better in their own chapters or section.

Kevin Winter Song of the Vikings: Snorri and the Making of Norse Myths

By Nancy Marie Brown Palgrave Macmillan, $27, 256 pages J.R.R. Tolkien and C.S. Lewis, while at Oxford, neither having yet written their masterpieces, “The Lord of the Rings” and “The Chronicles of Narnia”, respectively, once debated the appropriate curriculum for English majors. Lewis fell on the side of the classics, Shakespeare and the like, while Tolkien opted for Snorri Sturluson.

Wait - who?

Nancy Marie Brown spends her newest book, “Song of the Vikings”, answering this very question: who was Snorri Sturluson, the man who gave us the “Eddas”, most of what we know about Viking gods and myths, a powerful political man and lawspeaker, who came to nearly rule Iceland and closer to betraying it? Along the way she explores how Viking culture impacted the larger world, both its literature and broader implications left by its veneration of tall, fair, blond-haired, blue-eyed warriors.

Brown offers a fascinating view into the Viking Age (793 A.D. to 1066 A.D.), with particular attention to the politics and history of Iceland and its relations to its benefactor country of Norway. From magic swords and giants’ gloves to murders in dank cellars, Brown’s story of Snorri Sturluson’s Iceland raises some interesting questions about the literary cannon and

shines light on an author whose history could easily have lost.

Axie Barclay The Great American Railroad War: How Ambrose Bierce and Frank Norris Took On the Notorious Central Pacific Railroad

By Dennis Drabelle St. Martin’s Press, $26.99, 320 pages Many books try and tell the story of America, and many succeed. Few however, can tell America’s history in such a personal, poignant way. “The Great American Railroad War” tells the history of America’s railroad, more specifically the Central Pacific Line, through the eyes of two great writers, Ambrose Bierce and Frank Norris. Instead of a lengthy list of facts about revenue and operations, author Dennis Drabelle tackles the greed and corruption of railroad barons through the words of contemporary literature.

Dennis Drabelle’s tale of railroads is genuinely fun to read. By taking a literary approach instead of business approach, the personality and humanity of the characters shines through on every page.

The only issue with the book is the sheer number of characters involved. As soon as the book opens names are thrown at the reader, and without some prior knowledge of major players in the Central Pacific Line railroad, it can be challenging to keep track of everyone. ”The Great American Railroad War” makes history fun, and is a joy to read through all at once or in little bites.

Andrew Keyser

“‘History will be kind to me for I intend to write it.'” ~Winston Churchill

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Science & Nature Running on Empty: Origins of the Universe

By Gilberto Davila Jr. CreateSpace, $18.99, 40 pages Looking back, we take scientific facts for granted.

People used to believe that breaking the sound barrier would cause you to hit an invisible barrier, killing you on impact. Today that seems like a silly notion, but until we push and question our facts, we’ll never know the truth.

In the book “Running on Empty”, Gilberto Davila, Jr., explores the known universe around us and peers behind the veil of current scientific thought.

The book’s main focus is on looking at old ideas and challenging them. Since the big bang, gravity and magnetism have existed side by side. The book goes to great lengths to look at many different questions and challenges us to think about them. Hopefully, by unlocking the mysteries of the universe, we can help understand our place in the cosmos.

I am no physicist, and I had no problem understanding the book. Davila uses simple words and the ideas are very fascinating. I liked how he explained the concepts of “emptiness” and “nothing”. These words have been misinterpreted. Nothingness should not be used when thinking about the big bang. The universe was not created out of nothingness but out of emptiness, like a jar that is empty. The most interesting thought brought up

by Davila is that the sun is powered by magnetic pressure and speed. I like how the book wants you to challenge the ideas long thought to be fact, like Einstein’s observation that light is the fastest thing in the universe. Some of the ideas I did need to look up so that I had a better understanding, like dark matter. This book might be the start of something big, and I look forward to another book expanding these ideas.

Hopefully in the future, we will have all the answers of time and space, and the entire universe will be at humanities’ doorstep.

Sponsored Review Tibet Wild: A Naturalist’s Journeys on the Roof of the World

By George B. Schaller Island Press, $29.95, 372 pages George Schaller is a field zoologist with a lifelong passion for large animal studies in Alaska, Africa and Asia, especially Tibet. His travels and copious writings describe his valiant fight globally for animal rights and habitat conservation in the

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face of rampant encroachment, poaching, animal parts smuggling and pure greed.

Schaller’s “Tibet Wild: A Naturalist’s Journey on the Roof of the World” is essentially two books, as a scientific study interspersed with autobiography. Mostly it recounts his several decades on Tibet’s remote Chang Tang plateau researching vast herds of chiru (antelope), and wild yak, bear, Marco Polo sheep, snow leopards, and the tiny pika (prairie dog), which plays a critical role in the Tibetan ecosystem. He also describes studies done elsewhere on tigers, pandas and gorillas. Of equal interest, however, are Schaller’s personal ruminations on a career fully pursued in the wild.

Some readers may feel that parts of the book drag with lengthy, detailed observations while on long treks across the Tibetan wilderness. But for readers interested in how field studies are conducted, Schaller is a master at revealing the dedication necessary to understand the natural history of species, threats to survival, and the persistence necessary to protect them.

Don Messerschmidt The Universe: An Illustrated History of Astronomy

By Tom Jackson Shelter Harbor Press, $24.95, 144 pages Astronomy has a long and checkered past, and it can be interesting to see just how much the science has changed over the millennia.

“The Universe: An Illustrated History of Astronomy” looks at its past, and how its wide range of accomplishments have been both technical and theoretical, as well as based on improvements on other sciences. Not only are the Top 100 accomplishments listed, but there is also a section on basic astronomy and ten imponderables, as well as a really nice pullout on general history.

This is a truly pleasant coffee table book on astronomy. The pullout is a brilliant and concise history of the world, and is certainly properly done. There needs to be some more illustrations, but the ones that are present are beautiful and nicely represent what they are intended to depict. The text is well done, and concisely explains not only the concept but why it is important to the history of astronomy. Overall, this is a beautiful book, and one you want to get your nephew who has an interest in science, or at least definitely Jamais Jochim

June - September December - February 2012 2013

The Wisdom of Stones

By Brian W. Flynn Sea Hill Press, $14.95, 92 pages Special treasures come in small packages. Brian W. Flynn shares a special gift with the reader titled “The Wisdom of the Stones”. He combines his professional experience as a psychologist with his talents as a photographer in a unique little book about life. Each set of pages pair a photo from the rocky beach of Campobello Island with simple reminders about living such as, “Be gentle with those among us who are fragile.” Or, more contemplative text such as, “Sometimes we can only come into our own if we move out of our usual environment.”

This book has a place not only in office waiting rooms or as a gift for those going through hardship, but on the coffee table of any nature lover - especially rock hounds. If the people with rocks in their pockets sound a little crazy to you, first give the experience a try. Next time you are walking along a rocky shore or a wild river’s edge pick up a rock, ponder the messages in this book, and treasure the wisdom of stones.

Julie Finley The Void Through the Human Body: The Spiritual Journey of One’s Life

By Jagdeep Takk Balboa Press, $18.99, 275 pages “The Void through the Human Body” by Jagdeep Takk takes you on a journey through the four areas of life: the body, the mind, the soul, and the spirit. It explains the 7 spiritual chakras and how they correlate with our natural human bodies. While mainly focusing on the spiritual side of this way of life, she brings hard evidence using the science of physiology, biology, and other areas of tangible facts. She also brings to light the chakra system and how it is involved with politics, religion, evolution, and even philosophy. Using major historic icons, including Albert Einstein, Ghandi, and Socrates (a Greek philosopher), she uses their personal quotes to solidify the system, the idea, and the theory of chakras and their use in every day life.

The author goes through the chakra system, explaining them to us with the initial goal of influencing us to create a better person within ourselves. The system of chakra energy is defined as such: first we have the Root Chakra, which deals with the foundational principles such as human

and animal nature. Second, there is the Sacral Chakra, which focuses on the behavioral systems of nature and nurturing. The Solar Plexus Chakra deals with social and political principles regarding evolution and revolution. The Heart Chakra involves our emotional life cycles, such as selfishness and selflessness. The fifth chakra is the Throat Chakra, which indicates our voice and communication and how we iterate the justice and injustice that we feel has been done to us. The sixth chakra, the Third Eye Chakra, deals with Godhead knowledge such as control and the uncontrollable. Lastly, we have the Crown Chakra, which finalizes all of the previous understandings with a complete and utter self-realization. In explaining how each of these systems works together, she does her best to give us the tools and knowledge needed to better ourselves, and in turn better the world.

Highly recommended, this book is wonderful for those who are open-minded to spiritual works and open to the different aspects of the everyday life. The book is phenomenal in its science and spiritual entanglement; combining the two together like a pair of dancers, completely lost in their own art. Using the principles from “The Void through the Human Body”, anyone can improve their mindset and attitude of the world.

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Travel Peaceful Places: Portland: 103 Tranquil Sites in the Rose City and Beyond

By Paul Gerald Menasha Ridge Press, $14.95, 240 pages Looking for a peaceful place to spend a quiet afternoon, whole day, or an overnight around Portland?

Find it in Paul Gerald’s little book, “Peaceful Places: Portland”. 103 restful destinations are listed in 12 categories: enchanting walks, historic sites, museums and galleries, parks and gardens, outdoor habitat, quiet tables, reading rooms, scenic vistas, shops and services, spiritual enclaves, urban surprises and day trips and overnights. The brief site descriptions are enticing and include these essentials: physical address (or GPS coordinates), phone number, website, costs (entry fees, menu prices, etc.), hours, and public transport choices. All sites are listed both alphanumerically and by area, with 8 maps.

There are some obvious omissions, including award-winning Maya Lin’s local interpretative Confluence Project sites commemorating the Lewis and Clark Expedition of 1804-06. Think

Vancouver Land Bridge linking Fort Vancouver National Historic Site with the Columbia River on the north side of the I-5 bridge, for example. And where is Ridgefield National Wildlife Refuge? Also puzzlingly, the name of Vancouver city itself is not on any map. These are slight failings to an otherwise useful guidebook.

It’s artistically attractive with a peaceful ambiance for easy strolling.

Don Messerschmidt The Practical Nomad: How to Travel Around the World

By Edward Hasbrouck Avalon Travel, $21.99, 712 pages Some travelers want to see the Eiffel Tower or Machu Picchu or the Great Wall of China. Others may have visions of living in Costa Rica or New Zealand or Durban, South Africa for an extended period of time. And there are those who want to do it all; whose goal is to discover the world by going around it. These are the modern nomads’ independent explorers who engage in long-term, multi-country international travel - and this is the comprehensive how-to-do-it handbook that

can help them make a fantasy trip become a reality. Now in its fifth edition, Hasbrouck - a former travel agent and independent traveler himself - covers it all: how to choose destinations, transportation options, what documents will be needed, how much to pack, life on the road, and most importantly how to pay for the trip of a lifetime. In addition to hundreds of pages of practical advice and first-hand knowledge, there is an extensive chapter with additional resources to assist with trip planning and preparation.

Readers, whether armchair travelers or those seriously considering a mutli-stop trip of this kind, will enjoy the advice, the tips and tricks and the stories from other nomads that are included.

Linda Frederiksen

Spirituality & Inspiration Auspicious Good Fortune

By Sumangali Morhall John Hunt Publishing, $22.95, 247 pages Sumangali Morhall’s “Auspicious Good Fortune” details one woman’s spiritual awakening in beautiful, lyrical prose that sometimes reads like poetry. The rhythm and cadence of her voice is easy to fall into, easy to find peace in. This piece of writing is not merely a memoir or a spiritual journey or even an ode to a lost Guru and

Health, Fitness & Dieting The French Twist : Twelve Secrets of Decadent Dining and Narural Weight Management

By Carol Cottrill, CNC Morgan James Publishing, $17.95, American nutritionist Carol Cottrill shares the French Paradox.

The French have a higher life expectancy and lower average weight than Americans do.

Yet, as the French indulge in the rich foods, we consider forbidden, their health is better.

“The French style of eating - sitting down with delight and savoring every bite with discretion, moderation, and passion - is the answer”.

In twelve chapters, with interludes on cheese, bread, and chocolate, Cottrill expands on the paradox, sharing how Americans can learn to use these twelve French secrets to manage weight and improve health. The twelve secrets are your natural weight, no resistance, quality, pleasure, balance, real food, portions, metabolism, exercise, rhythms and rituals, values, and eating the French way.

Each chapter shares personal anecdotes with statistical information to delve fur-

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further into each area, showing the wisdom of this more natural and enjoyable approach to our relationship with food.

What this reviewer found especially significant was how obvious this natural approach seems, but how it is one to which most Americans have not been privy. As the author shares, our society endorses diet after diet, but still we have “the highest obesity ranking in the world - 34.3 percent of our population weighs in as obese”. We worry about obesity in our children, yet America’s school lunch programs lag behind the French. “In France, school meals are important. The French spend more on school lunches than we do and use school meals as an educational tool to instill proper eating habits and good manners”.

After an epilogue, there is an appendix of body and beauty foods with their key nutritional elements and benefits, which, when eaten, improve both health and appearance. This appendix could be a book unto itself. Further endorsing the French concept of variety in food choices, it shows how each, specifically and differently, benefits health, providing an exceptional reference guide.

Sponsored Review

December - Feburary June - September 2012 2013

Food: You’re the Boss: Put It to Work for You: Five Steps to Take Charge of Your Nutrition

By Gary R. Epler, MD Epler Health, Inc, $15.95, 102 pages “Food: You’re the Boss” is a paperback with a somewhat ambiguous title.

Once you read it, you’ll find that the book’s primary emphasize is on weight control and nutrition. The author, Gary Epler clearly states his five key steps for success on the very first page and goes through them step by step in the consequent chapters in detail. The book is not easy to read; the many scientific and medical terms and nutritional jargon throughout are likely to confuse and discourage most readers. Epler encourages the reader to explore nutritional options through seminars, audio books, websites, social and discussion groups instead of describing them directly in this self-help book.

Though he discusses the major nutritional food elements in fine detail, it’s filled with scientific terms. He gives the elements of calculating your body mass index and your percent fat, e.g., but again refers to internet search to find the answers (without

way of life that so few of us are able to find. Sumangali’s writing offers a unique window into the pacing and thinking of a person who has found a balance between her “interior world and the outer world” giving her reader a visceral experience of that balance.

The story she tells flows fluidly from the specifics of her physical reality to her own conscious interactions within herself. Sumangali’s adept use of language allows for such fluidity - allows for the reader to follow her implicitly as new connections are made. In one of my favorite sections of the text, Sumangali describes a moment in which, while painting her walls a bright mango, a delivery man asks her what she is doing: "It’s a living room, I returned, it wants to look “alive”. This fluid moment, this insight into a new way of seeing our reality, is what captured me the most throughout her story. Everything abo ut her new world became a balance of an interior truth and an outer reality. It is this very simple representation of thought that makes her writing to be very compelling.

This is going to go right next to the copy of Thich Nhat Hanh’s “The Sun My Heart” on my bookshelf, easily placed so that anytime I need a quick pick-me-up, or some comfort in my purse, I can easily grab for one. Both “My Heart” and “Good Fortune” are similar in that way - they are comfort food books. Yes, both are considered “spiritual” texts, but above all both do so on an intimate, personal level. Morhall’s spiritual journey is inspiring and hopeful and honest...but above all, her prose is intoxicating and “raw”. While reading, I felt many times as though I was receiving a bright, warm hug.

Sponsored Review

“‘The world is a book, and those who do not travel read only one page.'” ~St. Augustine

giving you specific links). If you are on a weight loss diet, the chapter on weight loss treatment options is superfluous for you. The many real-life examples he gives sound quite exaggerated. Besides, the text is filled with too many repetitions.

George Erdosh

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Young Adult Velveteen

By Daniel Marks Delacorte Press Books for Young Readers, $17.99, 464 pages Velveteen, aka Velvet, landed in ash-covered Purgatory when murdered. Souls here are waiting for another kind of death still wondering if there is a Heaven, but everyone has a place. Velvet dedicates her afterlife to “salvaging” souls trapped in crystal balls by those dabbling in dark arts and illegally haunting her killer in attempt to save his most recent victim, but things in Purgatory aren’t going well. There is a revolution stirring which could destroy much more than just Velvet’s home.

Gory details, harsh language, and Velvet’s internal issues make this a novel more appropriate for older teens. Author, Daniel Marks does not spare the reader of the emotional complexities behind the characters and the psychotic thought processes behind the villains. The reader relives Velvet’s disturbing final moments.

Velvet is no innocent either, as her death turned her into a sometimes violent, bitter person. Her story is harsh but every part is vital to it and essential to Velvet’s growth. Letting go of the past and shouldering secrets while preventing the destruction of Purgatory is not for the faint of heart, which is why we have Velvet and her rag-tag team of helpers. It will be a morbid but creepily good adventure.

Isabel Hernandez Magisterium

By Jeff Hirsch Scholastic, $17.99, 310 pages “The Magisterium” by Jeff Hirsch is an interesting contrast between magic and technology. The book has vibes of a postapocalyptic or dystopian story. There is one world, the Colloquium, and it is separated from another world, the Magisterium, by the rift.

The main character is Glennora Morgan.

She loses her mother when she is young and her father believes that her mother came from and returned to the other side of the rift. Glenn believes there is nothing past it, only wastelands. She mistakenly trusts her best friend’s father, which results in her own father being arrested.

Glenn, and her best friend, Kevin, are also targeted because of her father’s research, and the bracelet that her father forced onto her before his capture. They run into the rift to find, not a wasteland,

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but a whole different world with ‘affinity’ also known as magic.

Hirsch tells a dramatic story that keeps the reader turning pages. This reader enjoyed the uniqueness of each world. While not every nuance of both worlds was explained in detail, enough explanation was given to understand how they worked.

Readers will want to continue to see which world will survive, which world will win, and whether Glenn will learn the truth about her mother, rescue her father, and live through both endeavors.

Jina Oravetz London Eye (Toxic City Book One)

By Tim Lebbon Pyr, $16.95, 280 pages In 2019, the world changed for the worse in England: a terrorist unleashed a virus, named Evolve, causing millions of deaths. Those who survived were changed forever, evolving to have special powers that only grow stronger with time. The government has blocked off all of London and spreading lies that those still alive are monsters.

Jack and his friends, however, know the truth and are determined to find it. When help comes in the form of a healer, Rosemary, they take their chance and head into the Toxic City.

“London Eye” is a fascinating story by author Tim Lebbon. It starts out two years after the virus was released and shows the devastation, both physical and emotional, that it left behind. He creates a stellar cast of characters, including Jack, the reluctant hero, his sister Emily, damaged girlfriend Lucy-Anne and the mysterious healer Rosemary. The characters are complex and relatable throughout the book. The plot unfolds at a nice pace and keeps the reader engaged throughout the whole story. This is a great new series for fans of fantasy.

Barbara Cothern Dear Teen Me: Authors Write Letters to Their Teen Selves Edited by E. Kristin Anderson & Miranda Kenneally Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, $14.99, 192 pages It’s always interesting to see what advice we would give ourselves if we had the chance. “Dear Teen Me” allows some Young Adult writers the opportunity to give some advice, and give advice they do, ranging from the very specific (some personal crises and specific

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individuals are mentioned) to some general advice about hanging in there and what to consider important. There are some “fluff sections” with celebrity crushes and first jobs, for example, making for some very interesting reading about hopes, dreams, and nightmares escaped.

The YA authors have a lot of fun with this, offering some advice from those that have survived the teen years as well as exorcising some personal demons. A lot of ground is covered; for every personal story presented by one author there is also a general advice column by another. The balance between the two works rather well, allowing the authors to hit specific problems as well as general encouragement. This is must-read material, if for no other reason than to show that others do go through the same things and they didn’t deal well with them either; this is a book offering some hope, and it does that rather well.

Jamais Jochim Skinny

By Donna Cooner Scholastic Point, $17.99, 263 pages “Skinny” by Donna Conner is a candid look at one girl’s struggle with her weight. At the beginning of the book, fifteen-year-old Ever is 302 pounds.

The story is her journey to gastric bypass surgery, her recovery from the surgery, and her battle with her internal self-image and self-destructing thoughts. Ever has an internal critic whom she calls Skinny. Ever imagines her as having a Gothic pixie-type creature that sits on her shoulder and whispers self-deprecating thoughts into her head.

This book is an insightful look into the life of someone battling morbid obesity. It reaches those that are not just overweight, but anyone who has that little voice in their head telling them they are not good enough. The story also reflects a person’s isolation and the desire to fit in, especially in high school. This reviewer feels that this book is a must read for anyone dealing with self-image issues as well as students and teachers everywhere. Ever has a happy ending and loses over 100 pounds, but her true triumph is silencing Skinny.

Jina Oravetz

“‘Everywhere I have sought rest and not found it, except sitting in a corner by myself with a little book .'”

“‘A reader lives a thosand lives before he dies, The man who never reads lives only one.'” ~George R. R. Martin

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Tweens Geeks, Girls, and Secret Identities

By Mike Jung Scholastic, $16.99, 320 pages Sometimes it just does not pay to wake up in the morning. “Geeks, Girls, and Secret Identities” explores the life of Vincent Wu, who wakes to find that his life is really complicated: Captain Stupendous, the local and most powerful super-hero on the planet, comes to him and his friends for help just as a new villain comes on the scene looking for his mother. Vincent also has a crush on a girl with a karate punch and his mom is dating someone new. Vincent needs to deal with all of this, and find out the connection the villain has to his parents’ past or people he loves will start dying.

This is a book that is hard to put down once you start reading. Vincent and his gang are real kids, with all of the issues thereof. Combined with some very fun twists and this is a book everyone can enjoy.

Jamais Jochim The City of Ember: The Graphic Novel (Books of Ember)

By Jeanne DuPrau, Adapted by Dallas Middaugh, Art by Niklas Asker Random House Books for Young Readers, $18.99, 144 pages Graphic novel i nt e r p r e t at i o n s of books typically tend to be a hit or miss. Fortunately this book, “The City of Ember” is a definite hit.

Adapted by Dallas Middaugh from the original novel by Jeanne DuPrau, the book visually tells the story of Ember, a city filled with darkness, food shortages, and hope. When two children, Luna Mayfleet and Doon Harrow, find a lost message about an exit for the city they begin to investigate. As they do so, they find that there is a conspiracy going up to the Mayor’s office to keep the city in the dark and depleted of resources, such as food.

The children must find the way out before it’s too late for them and for the entire city.

The illustrations by Niklas Asker bring Ember to life in this novel. The colors are dim, earthy, and dank - the reader can almost feel the darkness during the blackouts. As the children make their way out of Ember, the colors lighten and become brighter in contrast. The dialogue and story flow well with the drawings, and will delight fans of the original novel and

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fans of graphic novels in general.

Barbara Cothern The Power of Poppy Pendle

By Natasha Lowe Paula Wiseman Books, $15.99, 268 pages From the moment of her birth, Poppy Pendle has always been special: born by accident in a bakery, she is quickly found to have magical powers. Soon, Poppy’s parents have her set on a course to be a witch.

There’s only one problem: Poppy hates magic and only wants to own a bakery someday. Frustrated by her parent’s unwillingness to listen to her, Poppy’s conflict with her parents increases until one day Poppy casts a spell with grave consequences. Her friends must work quickly to bring back her passion for baking (and for life) before it is too late for Poppy and the town itself. ”The Power of Poppy Pendle” is a wonderful book by author Natasha Lowe. In it, she simplifies and exaggerates the conflict between parents and children to highlight that everyone needs to have their own dreams and be able to pursue their passions. She nicely shows the detrimental effects of children being told that their feelings and dreams aren’t valid. It’s also a good reminder that second chances are possible. The book is punctuated with funny parts and - best of all - recipes that are geared toward children. Older children and tweens will absolutely enjoy Poppy’s story with an interest in astronomy.

Barbara Cothern How To Be a Detective

By Dan Waddell, Illustrated by Jim Smith Candlewick Press, $19.99, 24 pages Dan Waddell is the author of two adult crime novels and now applies his sleuthing skills to a book for a younger crowd in the newly released “How To Be a Detective” by Candlewick Press. The book opens with a letter from the enigmatic Sherlock Holmes himself, welcoming young readers to the field and describing the skills needed to be a truly great detective. Subsequent pages provide investigators-in-training with information on how to analyze a crime scene, dust for fingerprints, interview suspects, scrutinize handwriting, determine if they are being followed, and select a partner in crime. The book comes with lots of extra tools to keep agents busy such as fingerprinting ink, a poster, and materials for building their own periscope.

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The organization was a bit confusing and lift-the-flaps may be too fragile for some younger readers, but the information was both entertaining and instructive and the delightful illustrations and layout are sure to keep spies on the case. For kids drawn to the world of cracking codes and solving mysteries, “How To Be a Detective” is sure to become a book they won't begin an investigation without!

Marianne Monson The Epic Tales of a Misfit Hero

By Matt Peterson Bonneville Books, $8.99, 96 pages A hero is defined by what he does, not what happens to him. The worst camping trip ever features in “The Epic Tales of A Misfit Hero”, as Andrew and his troop must deal with a camping trip in the rain. After hiking for a good ten miles, the boys are sent to their tents right before the rain starts falling, and are woken to the sound of a tree limb crashing onto the tent of their leaders. As the other leader goes for help, the boys must deal with a flooding plain, a bear, and an unconscious man, eventually becoming heroes in their own right.

This is a nice little book. The biggest problem parents may have with this book is that the boys are Mormons, and that it shows how the power of prayer and believing in God can help in a crisis. Boys may dislike the sermonizing and the usual problems when someone is more interested in giving a lesson than telling a story.

However, for all of that, this is actually a pretty good story. Once you get past the obvious, boys will definitely sympathize with Andrew, and cheer for him at the end.

Jamais Jochim Wonder Woman: Power Outage: ChooseYour-Fate Adventure Book (Choose-YourFate Adventure Books)

By Michael Teitelbaum Starscape Book, $5.99, 142 pages This is not the Wonder Woman anyone knows.

“Wonder Woman: Power Outage” is the classic “choose your own fate” book, where Wonder Woman’s powers keep turning on and off, and she has to find out why it is happening. During this she must relive some of her classic battles, and win them all over again. You must also solve puzzles for clues to pick the right way. You must keep her powered and find out why she is losing her powers.

This is what happens when a writer does

not even do the basic research. Books like this need fan appeal, and this has none. Cheetah, Dr. Psycho and Ares are great choices, but they are defanged, rendered as less than one-dimensional characters, but Cheetah is even defeated by a power that Wonder Woman doesn’t really have, and Circe and Neron don’t really deserve notice. Even the art is one of the worst clip art jobs ever. It’s almost as if the writer has literally written what he was told by someone that wanted a Wonder Woman book and wasn’t worried about actually doing even a decent job. Do yourself a favor and just pass this one by.

Jamais Jochim

“‘No book is really worth reading at age of ten which is equally - and more often far more - worth reading at age of fifty and beyond.'” ~C.S. Lewis

“‘We read to know that we are not alone'” ~C.S. Lewis

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Tweens Saving Halloween

By Lisa Ard, Illustrated by Chris Adams CreateSpace, $8.99, 144 pages “Saving Halloween” is the imaginative story of an unlikely friendship between Anne Parson and Halloween Spavento. Anne is a smart academic who is a social outcast at her school. Instead of having friends, Anne spends her time adhering to her parent’s robust schedule of learning for Anne’s development. Her world is turned upside down when she wanders off while her tutor is napping and her feet take her through the orchard. Once there, she bumps into the quirky and unusual Halloween Spavento. Anne and Halloween become fast friends; however, one day Anne’s arch nemesis Alicia and her two friends confront the two girls. Halloween is able to show Anne the meaning of courage when she stands up to Alicia.

The Spavento family throws a Halloween party that the entire town is invited to in an effort to create the magic to believe in Halloween. Will Anne find her place with her new-found confidence?

Will Anne learn to see what is right in front of her and explain how Halloween and her family seem to make things happen like magic? Will Anne and those around her find a way to accept who they really are?

This is a darling story of learning and accepting who you are. The reader develops a feeling of sympathy with the Anne’s structured life feeling her frustration and lack of fulfillment. A breath of fresh air is brought to the story when Anne and Halloween meet. Halloween remains a mysterious character as unusual things keep happening around her that Anne is unable to explain. The reader also falls in love with the eclectic mix of individuals who make up Halloween’s family. ”Saving Halloween” is strongly recommended to those who are interested in recognizing uncertainty about yourself, and finding the magic of who you really are.

Sponsored Book Review Scary School: Monsters on the March

By Derek The Ghost, Illustrated by Scott M. Fischer HarperCollins, $15.99, 238 pages Are you ready for another spooky and fun year at Scary School? Eleven-yearold Derek the Ghost is back with his second story about the school, “Monster on the March”. Before reading, log on to ScarySchool.com to unlock the Bonus Chapter from Book One. This book picks up where that chapter ends. As winners of last year’s Ghoul Games, Charles Nukid,

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Penny Possum, and the rest of the student body travel to the Monster Forest to meet Zog, the Monster King. Are the horrible rumors about him true? Fans of wacky Wayside School and the Goose bumps books will enjoy the comedic thrills and chills of the “Scary School” series. Derek the Ghost communicates through ghost whisperer (and author) Derek Taylor Kent.

Scott M. Fisher’s illustrations bring the character to life (or death in the case of new sixth grade teacher King Khufu, a 4,500 year old mummy who teaches the kids to read hieroglyphics). Meet nine-headed Ms. Hydra - she’s the new school hall monitor who doesn't let a late kid slip by her 18 eyes! The students of Scary school may be able to survive class, but can they survive their field trip?

Kathryn Franklin Star Wars: A Galactic Pop-Up Adventure

By Matthew Reinhart Orchard Books, $36.99, 4 pages When Star Wars originally came to the big screen, it captured the hearts and imagination of fans worldwide.

That fandom has continued throughout the sequels, action figures, books and cartoons. This book, “Star Wars: A Galactic Pop-up Adventure”, is a fun book for kids that is a basic overview of the Star Wars World. The book has a lot of pop-ups and informational pull-outs. Information included in the book includes the force and the two opposing sides of good and evil, the prophesy of a chosen one, the Jedi Council and Warriors and the main characters including Darth Vader, Yoda, and Obi-Wan Kenobi.

The most fun pop-ups are the ones that show the devious characters, like the Emperor or Darth Vadar, as they show both parts of their characters. While this book will not contain any new information for fans of the movies, it is a fun book for kids who are just discovering this world.

Barbara Cothern My Mixed-Up Berry Blue Summer

By Jennifer Gennari Houghton Mifflin Books for Children, $15.99, 120 pages Twelve-year-old Jane Farrell is not having a great time lately: her mom’s girlfriend Eva has moved in and the two are planning to marry under Vermont’s new civil union law. In addition to adjusting to having a new stepmother, Jane now has to

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face the increasing anger and disapproval over the law from her friends and the community. Jane must figure out not only how she feels, but also decide whether she is going to lay low or find a way to stand up for her beliefs. ” My Mixed-Up Berry Blue Summer” is a lovely book that highlights the issues that arise for children whose parents are in same-sex relationships. This issue is such a polarizing one that it makes it easy for people to dehumanize the people involved. This book, however, puts a face on the issue with the character of June, a charming heroine who ultimately tests her own bravery by entering the pie contest at the fair. The author avoids vilifying those who are against gay marriage but deftly shows how their words can harm those involved. The book stresses the importance of tolerance and is a nice reminder that, beneath political issues, we are all just people.

Barbara Cothern The Bell Bandit: The Lemonade War Series (Book 3)

By Jacqueline Davies Houghton Mifflin Books for Children, $15.99, 175 pages Nine-year-old Jessie is normally excited when the family takes their annual trip to her grandmother’s house for New Years. This year, however, things are different: her grandma accidentally burned part of the house down due to her increasing bouts of forgetfulness, her brother doesn’t really want to play with her anymore, and the bell the family chimes on New Year’s Eve has gone missing. Jessie decides to look for the bell, along with the help from a neighbor, Maxwell, as she is determined that at least one thing will stay the same this year. ”The Bell Bandit” is a nicely written book about adjusting to the changes of life, which can be a challenging thing to do even as an adult. The book nicely shows Jessie and her brother Evan finding ways to adjust to those changes. The book does a great job acknowledging all the feelings of the children throughout the book and then showing how they found ways to deal with the new circumstances in their family. The illustrations go along well with the story and the book. This is a serious book but one that older kids or tweens will enjoy.

Barbara Cothern

Dragonborn

By Toby Forward Bloomsbury Kids, $16.99, 344 pages Sam has been happy enough for the past six years as an apprentice to the wizard Flaxfield.

After Flaxfield’s death, however, Sam’s entire life is thrown into turmoil and confusion. The arrival of the wizard’s previous apprentices - all of whom doubt Sam’s magical abilities - prompt Sam to leave the house and go look for his destiny elsewhere. His journey takes him to many places, and along the way he learns about his own special powers and makes choices for his future. ”Dragonborn” is a new fantasy series geared for children, and it’s a fine book but it’s not more than that. The plot and storyline are serviceable, somewhat interesting but predictable. The characters are simple and one-note, even Sam himself.

The book shines with its villain, Ash - she is indeed a horrifying and evil creature, and her actions provide the most interesting parts of the book. Overall, though, the book is bland and forgettable.

Barbara Cothern Project Jackalope

By Emily Ecton Chronicle Books, $15.99, 256 pages Have you ever heard of a very special kind of animal that has the body of a rabbit, the antlers of an antelope and the personality of a ruthless killer?

Have you ever seen one? Few people have. Jeremy wakes up one morning and discovers that his quirky neighbor, Professor Twitchett, has left one with him for safekeeping. Twenty-four hours prior, Jeremy didn’t expect that he would be on the run for his life, hiding a mythological animal that is wanted by a dangerous government organization. Author Emily Ecton’s creative and entertaining book, “Project Jackalope”, is a laugh-out-loudfunny thriller. Jeremy joins forces with Agatha, his strong and intelligent neighbor, to find the missing professor, protect their new hairy friend and root out a traitor with a nasty plan. Can Jeremy and Agatha do all this and finish their science projects in time? Ecton has created some amazing characters filled with personality and heart, and they are so funny! When two kids are pulled into an adventure of a lifetime, it is hard to know what to expect!

The book is infused with enough real-life science to keep things believable, while the action keeps it fun.

Elizabeth Franklin

T hank you for reading Portland Book Review!

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June - September 2012

Children's Manuel’s Murals

By Jeaninne Escallier Kato, Illustrated by Rachel Smith 3L Publishing, $14.95, 32 pages Manuel is a talented artist who lives with his family in an apartment building in Mexico City. He enjoys hearing stories about his heritage and famous artists who learned to represent their cultures in their art.

One day, when Manuel decides to paint the outsides of his apartment building, the landlord comes to tell Manuel that his family is going to be evicted for defacing private property. Manuel is devastated and does not know where his family will go, so he flees in the dead of night, hops onto a bus, and rides to see the murals of Diego Rivera in person. He is struck by their beauty and devises a way to help his family, celebrate his heritage and community, while convincing their landlord to let them stay.

“Manuel’s Murals” is written by Jeaninne Escallier Kato, a woman with a diverse, multicultural background who wanted to share her love of Mexico and her appreciation for all different cultures.

Kato’s vision comes to life with the colorful illustrations of Rachel Smith, who makes the book’s pictures as lively and vibrant as Manuel’s own murals. This is a wonderful way for children to learn about the Hispanic culture, and it even includes Spanish vocabulary and a glossary in the back.

Sophie Sestero A Gold Star for Zog

By Julia Donaldson, Illustrated by Axel Scheffler Arthur A. Levine Books, $16.99, 32 pages Preschoolers and their older friends will enjoy Julia Donaldson’s latest treat, “A Gold Star for Zog”, and the vivid images created by illustrator Alex Scheffler.

Zog, a young dragon, has difficulty with all the dragon-type skills he needs to master. As he strives with each new course to achieve a gold star, he needs reassurance and the help of a companionable little girl who urges him to keep trying. Donaldson’s fans continue to see The Gruffalo as her benchmark, the wonderfully humorous story of an imaginary beast that isn’t...well, maybe not quite imaginary. Kids upwards of two and a half relish the tale over and over. Zog is okay, but he lacks the Gruffao’s universal appeal. The moral here is easily

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understood and the happily-ever-after ending satisfying conventional.

In recent years dragons in juvenile books have become friendly rather than fearsome, none more memorable than Mercer Meyer’s exquisite illustrations in Jay William’s Everyone Knows What a Dragon Looks Like. But only when dragons return to their mean, ugly role, will characters like Zog prove unforgettable.

Jane Manaster Peas on Earth

By Todd H. Doodler Robin Corey Books, $6.99, 20 pages This charming, loveable board book is all about “Peas on Earth”! Author Todd H. Doodler has the right touch with his writing for babies and the open, happy-family style cartooning. The illustrations are reminiscent of the “Blue’s Clues” cartoon show, with a friendly cheerful face on everything from pillows to salt shakers. He also writes terrific messages of love and getting along: “A world filled with LOVE and PEAS! Where everyone and everything got along. That sounds peas-ful.” There are lessons in sharing, not fighting and having good manners, in addition to animal comparisons on how to get along with one another. Rich colors will engage any viewer, and the whole book is surely to entertain even the most fastidious of book critics, especially with the surprise pop-up on the last pages! This book should be required reading for everyone under four years old - a must-read book, guaranteed to be enjoyed time and time again.

M. Chris Johnson The Great Divide (What’s the Difference?)

By Suzanne Slade, Illustrated by Erin E. Hunter Sylvan Dell Publishing, $9.95, 32 pages Did you know that animals like having pals, just like humans? When they join together with a friend or family member, they take on a very cool name. A family of meerkats is called a mob, and a gathering of peacocks is called a muster. Author Suzanne Slade puts fun into math time in her book, “The Great Divide”. As children enjoy flipping through the pages, they may not even realize they are learning math skills. Readers are asked to look at each picture and figure out how many animals are in each grouping. This is a basic lesson in division that even young kids can understand, and older

June - September December - February 2012 2013

readers will be able to tackle the problems on their own. “Fourteen hungry pelicans, waiting by the dock, find two tasty fish. How many in each flock? What is 14 divided by 2?” Erin E. Hunter‚‘s illustrations are fascinating. She captures the essence of each animal species with brilliant colors. The groups of animals are portrayed in their unique habitats. Rambunctious rhinos splash in the rivers of the savannah. Tough gorillas march through the rainforest. Included at the back of the book are four pages of interactive activities reinforcing lessons on geography, habitats and division.

Kathryn Franklin The Penguin Lady

By Carol A. Cole, Illustrated by Sherry Rogers Sylvan Dell Publishing, $9.95, 32 pages What would happen if you shared your home with penguins? Penelope knows the answer.

She lives at 3316 Penguin Place in a little white house with black trim.

Neighbors always see her dressed in her favorite colors black and white! Penelope lives with penguins. Author Carol A. Cole tells this funny and educational story in “The Penguin Lady”. Penelope’s brother sends her one penguin from the Galapagos Islands. Her sister gives her two Rockhopper penguins from Argentina. Three Chinstrap penguins from Antarctica show up at her door.

Soon she has four African penguins, five Little Blues from Australia, six Royal penguins from an island near Antarctica, seven Falkland Island King penguins, eight Antarctic Ade’lie penguins, nine Macaroni penguins from Argentina and ten hungry Antarctic Emperors! How many total penguins are in her home? Readers can practice counting with the arrival of each new species. Four pages of activities follow the story. Compare and contrast the different penguin species, learn about adaptations and geography, answer true or false questions and complete a hands-on measuring project to discover how tall penguins are compared to humans and other objects.

Find out what the Penguin Lady does with all her new animal friends.

Kathryn Franklin

“‘The more that you read, the more things you will know. The more you learn, the more places you'll go!” ~Dr. Seuss

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Children's Baby’s Christmas

By Esther Wilkin, Illustrated by Eloise Wilkin Golden Books, $6.99, 26 pages Imagine what a little one must experience during her first Christmas.

The sights, sounds, smells...and the presents! In “Baby’s Christmas”, Esther Wilkin takes readers into the front room of a cozy house as Baby discovers the joys of the holiday. What did Santa leave for Baby? Look under the Christmas tree decorated with candy canes, gingerbread people and twinkly lights. A music box plays a special tune, a string of wooden beads looks pretty around Baby’s neck and darling stuffed animals are soft and cuddly. Baby can beat on a drum, steer a kiddie car, roll a bouncy ball and read a picture book. What treasures Santa has picked for Baby to enjoy! Where will Baby put all her new toys when she is done playing? Find out what Baby’s final present is. It is sure to help with clean-up at the end of every day. This board book will be a favorite for years to come. The rhyming text helps young readers begin to understand what type of word comes next in the pattern. Eloise Wilkin’s illustrations are classic and beautiful. From her chubby legs to her soft hair, Baby is as precious as an angel. Golden Baby board books offer even the youngest readers a chance to enjoy beloved Golden Books.

Elizabeth Franklin A Giant Pencil

By Connor Wilson, Illustrated by Alyssa Machette Magic Dreams Publishing, $12.95, 45 pages This is definitely a working fantasy.

Billy has a rough day. His parents make life miserable for him, his sister is a pain, he has to deal with a school bully, and even his friends give him a harder time than usual. He then finds a “A Giant Pencil” in the woods, and takes it home. A dog barks at him, and Billy has an idea; he uses the pencil to erase the dog. As that works, he then proceeds to erase all of his problems, including the school. He then gets lonely, and has to figure out how to use the pencil to make everyone come back.

What is most remarkable about this book is that the author was only eight, and that alone will make kids interested in it. Even without that, this book’s story is actually pretty funny; it takes a single joke, expands it well, and then puts it into

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a greater context. This is a remarkable achievement for a kid. The illustrations are not bad, but about what you would expect from a young artist. This is definitely an enjoyable book, and one that your child will probably want re-read a lot.

Jamais Jochim Chester the Brave

By Audrey Penn, Illustrated by Barbara L. Gibson Tanglewood Publishing, $16.95, 32 pages Good ol’ Chester. For nearly a decade now, this loveable little raccoon has taught children around the world valuable lessons. Chester is at it once again, in Audrey Penn’s latest release “Chester the Brave”. This time around, Chester explores what it means to be afraid, and finds that everyone is afraid of something. Chester also learns that it is possible to be brave despite your fears.

Little ones will be encouraged by Chester’s new found ability to speak in front of his class using the “Think-Can-Do” method his mother teaches him to overcome his fears.

This heartwarming tale is both entertaining and instructive. Barbara Gibson’s brilliant artwork makes the story come alive with vivid, cartoon-like, illustrations. The pages overflow with magnificent color and excitement which are sure to please young imaginations. “Chester the Brave” will be enjoyed by children, parents and teachers everywhere and will probably become another treasured favorite much like “The Kissing Hand.”

Kimberly Logan-Elwell

meaning to, they both fall asleep on Henry’s bed. And so Charley sleeps in Henry’s bed on the first night.

Amy Hest’s tale reminded me of when I brought my daughter home for the first time. You might have the greatest intentions to have your baby sleep in her crib, but inevitably the baby lands in your bedroom. This is a story of love and wanting the one you love to feel at home and be comfortable. This is also a story of learning responsibility and having boundaries.

The pictures help tell the story and your child will easily follow along and probably guess that Henry and Charley will end up in Henry’s bed after all.

Seniye Groff

“‘You're never too old, too wacky, too wild, to pick up a book and read to a child!'” ~Dr. Seuss

Charley’s First Night

By Amy Hest & Helen Oxenbury Candlewick Press, $15.99, 32 pages “Charley’s First Night” is the sweet tale of Henry getting his first dog, Charley. Henry’s parents make it very clear to him that he will be feeding and walking Charley every day. Henry does not mind the responsibility; he is excited to be able to take care of Charley “forever”. Henry’s parents also reinforce that Charley will sleep in the kitchen at night. Henry even gives Charley Bobo, Henry’s bear that he used to sleep with when he was younger.

Henry goes to bed thinking about all the things he will do with Charley, including going to the park in the snow. In the middle of the night, Charley cries and Henry rushes to his side and eventually, Henry brings Charley to his bedroom. Not

June - September December - February 2012 2013

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Children's Twas the Night Before Christmas: Edited

by Santa Claus for the Benefit of Children of the 21st Century

By Clement C. Moore, Illustrated by Elena Almazova & Vitaly Shvarov Grafton & Scratch Publishers, $16.95, 32 pages This familiar verse gets a socially conscious update.

Young readers are spared the image of Santa puffing on his pipe and all references to smoking have been removed. In addition, Santa makes a statement on the back cover flap that he only wears fake fur. Vegetable inks and FSC paper round out the updates for the environmentally conscious reader. When a favorite text is retold, the emphasis falls to illustrations. These are bright and simplistic, with a liberal use of pastels.

Animals make an appearance on every page. This edition offers another option for a favorite holiday poem.

Lisa Ard Jangles: A Big Fish Story

By David Shannon Scholastic, $17.99, 32 pages Know someone who caught that legendary giant fish?

Didn’t think so.

But in “Jangles, A Big Fish Story”, readers will recount the lure of the big catch. The illustrations are both bold and exciting. Author David Shannon vividly sets the scene with language. “Big Lake gets smooth as glass and a thin mist whispers across it.” A surprising twist turns the familiar fishing tale on end, offering a climax with a nice lesson.

Lisa Ard Bears in Beds

By Shirley Parenteau, Illustrated by David Walker Candlewick Press, $15.99, 32 pages Five tired bears go to bed, including Big Brown Bear. Big Brown Bear goes to bed first, but Yellow Bear quickly follows. Fuzzy is the next bear to go to bed. Finally Calico and Floppy Bear tumble into bed. Big Brown Bear blows all the bears a kiss and tells them goodnight.

All the bears are cozy after the light goes out. But in the middle of the night, a

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whoosh sound wakes Big Brown Bear.

Then there is a rattle and Big Brown Bear turns on the light. All the bears are afraid of the noises that the wind makes and are afraid to stay in their own beds. Big Brown Bear invites them to snuggle in his bed and so all five bears are in one bed and Big Brown Bear “reads them a story about three bears and a pesky girl with golden hair.” Slowly the bears fall asleep again.

Shirley Parenteau’s book is the perfect read for before bedtime. Counting to five can be practiced with this book, too. The drawings of the bears are as cute as can be and for children who get afraid at night, this story will put them a little more at ease with strange noises.

Seniye Groff Can I Poop in Peace?

By Do D., Illustrated by Taylor Southerland CreateSpace, $9.99, 26 pages “Can I Poop in Peace?” by author Do D. (a pseudonym) and illustrator Taylor Sutherland, is both a children’s book for adults and an adult book for children. At first glance, it looks like a children’s book and contains children’s style rhymes; however, the story contained within its 26 pages is told from the perspective of an adult, a father, who is simply trying to secure some peace and quiet while attending to his necessary bodily functions. The reader gets the impression that the protagonist is a single father who never gets the chance to use his bathroom with some privacy.

The illustrations by Sutherland are well done, and there’s no doubt that some children will enjoy reading the book or having the rhyming paragraphs read to them.

Since the book’s scenes are all set in the bathroom, some adults and/or children will be a bit shocked by the content. But then this book follows the all too surprising success of “Go the F**k to Sleep”

by Adam Mansbach and Ricardo Cortes.

That was a similar illustrated sui generis children’s book that appealed to multiple audiences.

The publisher promises that after reading this book, your children will scream out the question, “Can I Poop in Peace?”.

That may or may not be so, but what is for sure is that this unique book will serve as a conversation piece for anyone who happens to come across it. (If you don’t want that to happen, you may wish to cover it with a brown paper bag.)

The book is dedicated “To all the parents out there who just want to poop in peace.”

And all profits from the sale of this book will be donated to charity, which means that everything turns out all right in the end.

Joseph Arellano

June - September December - February 2012 2013

Waterloo & Trafalgar

By Olivier Tallec Enchanted Lions Books, $17.95, 64 pages Oliver Tallec’s picture book, “Waterloo & Trafalgar”, features two soldiers watching each other. Throughout 64 pages of wordless pictures, the two soldiers peer at each other though scopes from across two narrow walls.

As seasons pass, they become frightened as each blows their noses, plays the radio, and accidentally does an action that could start a war.

The book, according to the editor’s note, is a picture book that is supposed to comically show how pointless war can be. The names of Waterloo and Trafalgar were consciously chosen - not only because they are silly words, but also because of the historical significance to the French author.

The point of the book, according to Tallec, is to see how pride, territory and foolish stubbornness can keep us from seeing things as they really are. In the end, Waterloo and Trafalgar overcome their differences and accept each other as friends.

The illustrations throughout the book are simply done - rough pencil sketches highlighted with splashes of bright orange and blue. The sharp contrast is able to emphasize the “yours and mine” mentality illustrated in the pictures. It is a relief when the two become friends and the pages erupt with blue and orange, co-mingling on the page.

Sophie Sestero Pomelo Explores Color

By Ramona Badescu, Illustrated by Benjamin Chaud Enchanted Lions Books, $15.95, 120 pages “Pomelo Explores Color” is a beautifully illustrated picture book for toddlers and the preschool crowd. A companion book to “Pomelo Begins to Grow”, this delightful read follows Pomelo, the garden elephant, as he discovers the wonderful world of color.

Pomelo explores the vast colors of the rainbow and all the varieties of shades (and interpretations) in between - from “the silent white of the blank page” to the “foamy white of hot milk” and “the promising red of ripening strawberries” to “the hypnotizing red of love.” Badescu begins with all the hues of white, and then travels up the color spectrum before fading out to grays and blacks. Pomelo’s friends Gigi (a snail) and Rita (a frog) make appearances throughout and the lively illustrations

practically bounce off the page as Pomelo examines all the diverse color hues and the occasionally complex emotions that they evoke. Whimsical and fun, this inventive picture book shows children how to view color in an entirely new way.

Laura Di Giovine

“‘There's nothing as cozy as a piece of candy and a book.”

“‘Your children will become what you are; so be what you want them to be. ” ~David Bly

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