Portland Book Review Sept - Nov 2011 by M. Chris Johnson

Portland

s at Visit u ck o Wordst -9! r6 Octobteh 729 Boo

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HIGHLIGHTS

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VOLUME 1, ISSUE 3 September - November 2011

Veronica’s Diary & Veronica’s Diary II

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Parenting & Families

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Q&A: Ann Gentry Author of Vegan Family Meals

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104 Activities for Kids

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The Latte Rebellion Page 12

Moondogs Page 13

I Love Rock ‘N’ Roll

(Except When I Hate It) Page 15

Used Book Sale Much Ado about Bugaboos New World Library $14.00, 240 pages

15 65 Reviews INSIDE!

Finally, a quick reference guide to help us through those awkward moments of the written word without having to sift through all those pesky rules of the English language! The Bugaboo Review: A Lighthearted Guide to Exterminating Word, Grammar, and Spelling Confusion by Sue Sommer is obviously a labor of love with her extensive background in teaching English and her affinities for all things grammatical, Sommer has deftly aimed her pet peeves with the quirkiness of our English language into a concise and easily referenced design allowing readers to properly utilize the written word in its accurate forms.

In her introduction, the author professes “The Bugaboo Review is a lighthearted examination of the usage, grammar, and spelling mistakes, the bugaboos of the English language.” It gives meaningful definitions of the proper spellings of words such as; who versus whom, berth versus birth and plain versus plane. Punctuations and plurals are also addressed with copious and comprehendible examples. Brilliantly arranged formatting and delivery makes this a desk-reference writer’s should own but it also makes for just a good, fascinating read!

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DoubleTree Hotel ~ Lloyd Center 1000 NE Multnomah St Portland OR 97232 Easy TriMet Bus and MAX access General Public: October 29-31 (Monday, October 31, 50% oﬀ everything) Members Only Night: Friday, October 28 (Join at the door for only $10) More information: www.friends-library.org

Art, Architecture & Photography Digital Photography Essentials By Tom Ang DK Publishing, $30.00, 360 pages Anyone can take a picture but not everyone can take a great picture. If you want to boost your camera skills to the next level, then the beautifully illustrated book Digital Photography Essentials by Tom Ang is for you. Ang demonstrates in easy-to-understand instructions, how to get the most out of your camera (even if it’s just your camera phone) and achieve professional results so that you never miss an important shot again. In no time at all you’ll learn how to properly adjust your camera settings to capture everything from your daughter’s graduation in the blazing sun, to your son’s first soccer game in the pouring rain. ...everything you need to know to make rapid improvements in your photography from day one.

The first chapters work to familiarize you with picture-making techniques, from the basics to the advanced. The middle section examines file formats, photo enhancement, and quick fixes. In the final section, Ang discusses equipment choices and resources. If you have a camera with a digital video option, you’ll be happy to see that Ang devotes a section to making your own movies. Sidebars are filled with practical tips and creative inspirations making this book the only one you will ever need to take awardwinning photos. Diane Prokop Storybook Cottages: America’s Carpenter Gothic Style By Glades Montgomery Rizzoli, $45.00, 224 pages Storybook Cottages can be found in many of America’s older cities. In this work, Gladys Montgomery looks at the history of the Gothic style of architecture, especially in home building. She starts by exploring

Gothic architecture as it arose in the medieval period. It was not until the 18th Century that this style first appeared in homes. The author covers the major developments of the Gothic style and how it got its start in the United States. In the final few chapters she covers what a room should look like, what kind of details go into a Gothic style home, and how the grounds around the house should look. This is a beautiful book, Rizzoli does not disappoint in that area. The pictures of the many different types of homes built in this style are amazing. The idea that a home can look like it came out a fairy tale story is enchanting. The writing complements the photography. Kevin Winter Lighthouses By Sara E. Wermiel W.W. Norton & Company, $75.00, 358 pages With all black and white photographs, and complete with a CD, Lighthouses takes a sterile look at the different styles and different materials used to build these mesmerizing wonders of illumination. Each page is a tribute to the majesty of these solemn

beacons, and the result is a pleasant read to satiate an alluring desire for trivial knowledge about these monuments of light. Sara E. Wermiel meticulously documents each of their locations, erection dates, architects or designers and any notable facts on their history, purpose, and intent for their different forms. From Fire Island Lighthouse in New York to the Diamond Head Lighthouse in Hawaii, each one is vetted and honored in its own way, giving creed to the workmanship it represents. There is even an entire chapter on the various ships that came into their harbors and how the lighthouses were built to be seen by those types of ships. This book should be prominently displayed in every beach house, or would make a great gift for the sailor (or wannabe) in your life. But be prepared to lose your guest for a few hours to this fascinating book on history and lighthouses! M. Chris Johnson

Self-Help Sponsored Book Review The Conversation That Matters Most addresses are common situations that we’ve By DeWitt Rowe all faced and, we would like to think, have Self-Published, $9.99, 140 pages figured out. Having Rowe pointing out how The Conversation That Matters Most is a so many of us aren’t effectively dealing with brief book that begins with one basic con- these situations could make you want to “kill cept: that we have some of our the messenger”. But Rowe manmost important conversations ages to share his thoughts and with ourselves. Think about the experience with you in a positive time we spend inside our heads manner, probably because, along debating career decisions, relawith advice, he shares his own tionships, or even a big purchase. experiences. All the times he Should I, or shouldn’t I? thought he was effectively dealDeWitt Rowe, the author, uses ing with life and, well…wasn’t. each chapter to address one of Rowe’s attitude is, “I’m learning nine basic situations every perfrom my mistakes and I’d like son faces in their life. He defines the situ- you to learn along with me.” Although for ation, explores why it may be happening, the most part Rowe relies on short chapters who is responsible—ourselves, others, or a that are effectively broken up into shorter combination of the two, sections using questions, what we may be telling lists, definitions, and Think about all the times you’ve ourselves in our inner journal entries, his musheard your voice inside your head. conversation, and how ings about dealing with Whenever you evaluate things in to make the best of the life get long-winded. His your mind, aren’t you talking to situation—in a sense, book could have benefityourself? If you view your thoughts what we should be telled from additional deas a first-person conversation being ourselves. Some of vices to break up the text tween you and yourself, wouldn’t the common situations to help keep the reader that make talking to yourself quite Rowe writes about are focused. normal? guilt trips, overextendThis brief book will ing ourselves, appreciatmake readers think and ing your achievements, and facing setbacks. see common situations from a new perspecIn the hands of another author, The Con- tive. Many readers will think it improves versation That Matters Most could be a very both their professional and personal lives. annoying book. The situations that Rowe

September - November 2011

The Winner’s Brain: 8 Strategies Great Minds Use to Achieve Success By Jeff Brown & Mark Fenske with Liz Neporent Lifelong Books, $15.00, 240 pages “Use it or lose it” is useful advice for any part of the human body, and especially the brain. In fact, the more you use it, the less likely you are to lose it—or any of its mysterious, myriad powers. The Winner’s Brain: 8 Strategies Great Minds Use to Achieve Success demonstrates how anyone should be able to not only exercise their brain, but occasionally let it out to play, and then reward it for doing so much hard work! This book is not only for business folks, but artists, musicians, inventors, athletes – anyone who wishes to excel. The book is delightfully accessible by a lay-person (you don’t have to be a PhD to understand it!) and includes detailed references for each section, plus a comprehensive index. It’s in two sections – the second is the larger and is divided into eight sections: Self Awareness; Motivation; Focus; Emotional Balance; Memory; Resilience; Adaptability and Brain Care. There are also personal stories of proven winners, and how to achieve that status. You’ll have to apply yourself, but with this book as a guide, there’s no excuse for failure. Seems reasonable to me. Kelly Ferjutz

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IN THIS ISSUE

EDITOR IN CHIEF M. Chris Johnson chris.johnson@portlandbookreview.com 503.701.6761 EXECUTIVE EDITOR Brad Wright brad.wright@portlandbookreview.com 503.577.5256 GRAPHIC DESIGN/LAYOUT Janet Wright janet.wright@portlandbookreview.com 503.577.4791 Axie Barclay Ad Design Assistant WEBSITE ADMINISTRATOR Janet Wright janet.wright@portlandbookreview.com COPY EDITORS M. Chris Johnson Mark Petruska Brad Wright DIRECTOR OF ADVERTISING Jack Godwin jack.godwin@portlandbookreview.com 541.614.0708

Art, Architecture & Photography.... 2 Biographies & Memoirs.................... 4 Children’s...................................... 11 Cooking, Food & Wine...................... 6 Music & Movies............................. 15 Mystery, Crime & Thriller.............. 13 Parenting & Families....................... 7 Poetry & Short Stories................... 14 Popular Fiction.............................. 14 Relationships................................ 10 Science Fiction & Fantasy................ 5 Science & Nature........................... 15 Self-Help........................................ 2 Tweens.......................................... 12 Young Adult................................... 12

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

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 © 2011, Portland Book Review. September - November 2011 print run: 10,000 copies.

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FROM THE EDITOR

I feel like we got cheated out of a warm summer this year. In fact, I’ve been complaining about it to anyone who would listen. Why do we complain about the weather? We can’t change it. If we moved away, we’d only discover different weather to complain about; perhaps it is just human nature. It occurred to me as I was strolling through Saturday Market, that it’s been a perfect Portland summer. Overcast, but warm enough to wear short sleeves and not carry a jacket with a few hot days thrown in here and there. We Portlanders have a farmer’s market to go to any day of the week, not to mention the garlic festival, the air show, county fairs and the State Fair. We have rivers and lakes to play in, wineries and breweries, dog parks, bike runs and walkathons to attend. I would like to applaud my sisterin-law, Liz Church. She just completed her first triathlon at Blue Lake Park this summer. The weather was, again, overcast but warm, perfect weather for such an arduous feat. Congratulations Lizzie! I’m so proud of you, and all that you’ve accomplished in your life! As fall approaches, we are still blessed with mild weather, hopefully even an Indian summer to enjoy all the outdoor activities our beautiful cities provide for us. What could be better? We have all of the seasonal fun that fall brings; back to school, harvest parties, pumpkin patches and … [insert fun fall activity here]. There’s so much more to look forward to. With the season changes comes other activities like, getting your storm windows replaced from Aloha Glass (Page 15), buying books at the Friend’s of the Library Book Sale (Page 1), or from Bearly Read Books (Page 7), attending Wordstock October 6th-9th (Page 8), getting new furniture, especially that bookshelf you’ve always wanted from Murphy’s Furniture (Page 2), or getting back to the dentist at Rose City Dental Care (Page 16). Yes, I’m shamelessly plugging our advertisers. Without them, there would be no Portland Book Review. No matter what the weather, we are the luckiest people in the country with so much to offer its residents and travelers. So, get out there! Enjoy the city and merchants and don’t forget to tell them you saw their ad in Portland Book Review! Readers Unite!

M. Chris Johnson

Editor-in-Chief, Portland Book Review chris.johnson@portlandbookreview.com

September - November 2011

Biographies & Memoirs Celebrating Nurses: A Visual History By Dr. Christine Hallett Barron’s Educational Series, Inc, $24.99, 192 pages Did you know that May 6th through May 12th is National Nurses Week? Where would we be without these unappreciated, selfless souls that tend to the sick and infirmed? We can celebrate with this commemorative book of the history of nurses. Celebrating Nurses: A Visual History attempts to pay the appropriate homage to these selfsacrificing angels of mercy and hope. Although nursing was not established as a professional discipline until the nineteenth century, the concept of caring for the sick has been with us since the earliest of times. This book begins at the beginning; the Dark Ages, the Early Modern period of nursing as it was in 1450 to the 1800’s, then moves into the Twentieth Century and nursing today. There are intermittent chapters on uniforms, caps, leaders and the heroes of history complete with historical data and pictures. While I could easily see this book as a

gracious gift for any nursing graduate or retiree, it would be hard-pressed to be a bestseller or everyday coffee-table book. Beautifully orchestrated and designed, obviously needed, Celebrating Nurses is a book to be recognized and respected if for nothing else but its tribute to the ones it describes and a fascinating look into the history and minds of the world of nursing. M. Chris Johnson The Dashiell Hammett Tour: 13th Anniversary Guidebook By Don Herron Vince Emery Productions, $14.95, 214 pages Don Herron provides fascinating documentation of Dashiell Hammett’s life and times in San Francisco, gathered here from the thirty year old San Francisco tour on the subject. Fans of Hammett will enjoy the opportunity to learn more about his interesting life and his digs in the City by the Bay. Dashiell Hammett, as told, was an influential writer who elevated the crime story to a literary art form. One should have read The Maltese Falcon, a masterpiece of American literature, to fully understand the contents of this tour book which will provide valuable insights into this most riveting tale.

With his background as a detective, Hammett quickly saw the likelihood of cracking the detective pulp fiction market. The book also provides all sorts of fascinating trivia about San Francisco and its other historic literary figures. Herron is not alone in his appraisal of Hammett, the book including a preface by his daughter Jo Hammett and an introduction by crime writer Charles Willeford. It is also filled with quotes from others in the field. Unfortunately some will find spoilers and digressions in this dense book. However, the book does provide a model for how to organize a literary tour, and one may be happy that Herron has published biographical books about other famous literary figures. Ryder Miller The Girl’s Guide to Homelessness: A Memoir By Brianna Karp Harlequin, $16.95, 344 pages Brianna Karp is an independent, strong, and intelligent woman. Her emotionally engaging memoir, The Girl’s Guide to Homelessness is a testimony of her strength and inde-

pendence. Karp had worked since the age of 10 but in 2008, like millions of other hardworking Americans, Karp was laid off as a result of a downsizing. Unsuccessful in the search for employment and without a functional and supportive family, Karp soon found herself without any options. “I was parked in a Walmart lot in a trailer with my dog. I was scared and alone. I was homeless.” The Girl’s Guide to Homelessness actively challenges our assumptions and judgments of homeless people. Karp shares how she became homeless, survived without a permanent address, and how she was able to turn unrelenting adversity into small triumph and self-awareness. This book cannot step lightly around issues such as religious zealotry, child abuse, violence, mental illness, suicide, or drug addiction. Not unlike many homeless and struggling individuals these are core parts of Karp’s story. Because of its content and honesty Brianna Karp’s story should be at the top of everyone’s must read list. It will change our perceptions of what it means to be without a home. Catherine McMullen

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Cooking, Food & Wine Vegan Family Meals: Real Food for Everyone By Ann Gentry Andrews McMeel Publishing, $25.00, 258 pages Strict vegetarian cooking involves a lot of work; vegan is a lot harder — no animal products at all. Forget cheese, butter, eggs or milk, even honey. Vegan Family Meals is a great help if you are vegan or want to try vegan diet. To prepare a good daily meal, expect a lot more kitchen work, shop at health food stores regularly and spend much more for your supplies. (A piece of seitan costs as much as good-quality beef.) This book is filled with flavorful and satisfying recipes that support everyone’s health, personal ethics, and the environment that we all share. This is a very beautifully produced book with heavy, glossy, spill-proof pages, many great photo illustrations showing finished preparations, step-by-step techniques and pretty fill-in pictures (unfortunately, the smiling author and her two children appear on embarrassingly too many pages). The layout is also very good with recipes written on single pages. The many sidebars are both informative and useful (e.g. going gluten-free, macrobiotics, parchment papers). The recipes are well written; even a novice vegan should have no problem following them. Some recipes refer to other pages to prepare an ingredient and most are time consuming to prepare. Having a health food store source is essential and costly. Occasional errors referring to pages are annoying. The index is very good. George Erdosh Naked Wine: Letting Grapes Do What Comes Naturally By Alice Feiring Da Capo Press, $24.00, 220 pages You’re already buying organic vegetables and antibiotic-free chicken, but have you checked out the bottle of wine you’re drinking? You may be surprised to find that your wine is composed of more than just grapes. As Alice Feiring tells us in her new book, Naked Wine: Letting Grapes Do What Comes Naturally, there are dozens of additives that can go into wines. Their functions vary from preservation and enhancement to other less desirable ones. Sulfur and yeast top off the list but there are many other ingredients such as lysozyme, tannin, and urease to name a few. Feiring also reveals

September - November 2011

that a wine study conducted by the Pesticide Action Network Europe “showed that twenty-four pesticide contaminants, including five classified as carcinogenic, mutagenic, reprotoxic, or endocrine interactive, showed up in over 75 percent of their samples.” There is a movement toward creating natural wine that the knowledgeable Feiring shares with the reader in this fascinating and at times humorous book. If you drink wine and care about what goes into your body, then this book is a must read. Diane Prokop The Northwest Vegetarian Cookbook: 200 Recipes that Celebrate the Flavors of Oregon and Washington By Debra Daniels-Zeller Timber Press, Inc, $19.95, 272 pages The movement to buy and eat locally is gaining in popularity. More people are choosing to have a direct connection with their food supply. One such person is author Debra Daniels-Zeller. She presents enticing, satisfying recipes in The Northwest Vegetarian Cookbook. During her research, the author visited farmers’ markets, co-ops, and restaurants. The recipes are clear, concise, and easy to follow. There are very few pictures, and those included are black and white. Many cooking connoisseurs often buy a new cookbook just as much for the lavish color photographs of the food than for the recipes themselves. Despite the one drawback, foodies will be exposed to 200 new regional vegetarian meals celebrating the flavors of Washington and Oregon. In each of the six sections (The WellGrounded Breakfast, Salads Year-Round, Seasonal Soups and Homemade Breads, Starters and Side Dishes, Savory Vegetarian Entrees, and Fresh Fruit Desserts), Daniels-Zeller profiles the farmers and farms responsible for the ingredients. She includes “A Guide to Northwest Produce” – find out what pawpaws and yuzus are! The recipes are great and the descriptive paragraph before each one, adds charm and warmth. Even non-vegetarians will find favorite dishes to enjoy. Have fun buying and cooking locally. Kathryn Franklin My Tuscan Kitchen: Seasonal Recipes From the Castello Di Vicarello By Aurora Baccheschi Berti Rizzoli, $35.00, 287 pages If you are seriously into northern Italian cooking, this book is a must for you. It, in fact, will serve dual purposes: besides a cookbook, it is an excellent coffee table book with gorgeous, full-page professional photo illustrations on nearly every righthand page.

I love fresh ingredients, distinct flavors, and beautiful colors on the plate. Food should be a feast for the eyes as well? The author is the owner and chef of an exclusive Tuscan hotel and these recipes, divided by seasons, are reproduced from the hotel kitchen’s collection. Stories and vignettes from the garden and surroundings introduce each season (e.g. Tuscan Eastern Traditions). The recipes are simple, well written, and easy to follow, even by a novice -- but you better have a good Italian market available to find some of the ingredients. You will be scratching your head for items like Vialone Nano rice, violetto artichokes, pork caul, fresh cow or goat milk, and fresh wild fennel leaves. Notes below each recipe are helpful and informative. Some recipes appear to be too simple; almond biscotti only has five ingredients. Each seasonal collection proceeds from antipasto through dolce to pane. The layout is excellent with recipes conveniently located on the left-hand page. Though from Italy, recipes are written for American cooks. The index is excellent and well cross referenced. George Erdosh Cook: A Year in the Kitchen with Britain’s Best Chefs Observer Food Monthly, Rebecca Seal, Editor Guardian Books, $44.95, 306 pages This is not your average cookbook – it is a work of art! Readers will be inspired to spend more quality time in the kitchen, trying out seasonal recipes by Britain’s best chefs. Cook is a collection of the best recipes (and new ones) from the Observer Food Monthly magazine. The book is divided into months with food that compliments different times of the year. January focuses on meals that will keep you warm (i.e. hearty roasts). Learn when fruits and vegetables are in season. Each recipe includes information about the chef and features their own commentary about the ingredients and preparation. With 350 beautiful photographs, mouths will water just by flipping through the pages. Experienced cooks and first-timers will find recipes to fit their ability level. Readers will recognize many of the chefs and find new favorites along the way. Also included are lists of “4 Good Things” to do with a variety of different foods – broccoli, cheddar, leeks, eggs, mackerel, and many others. You will never again have to clip another recipe! Kathryn Franklin

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Parenting & Families The Available Parent: Radical Optimism for Raising Teens and Tweens By Dr. John Duffy Viva Editions, $15.95, 252 pages The best parents are those that let their children be themselves. The Available Parent looks at various styles of parenting, and why they are good or bad. Communication and acting as a mentor, for example, are seen as good things, whereas hovering and lecturing are not. Although brief, it gives a thorough going-over of most parenting styles, with notes on how to make the most effective parent. The idea of parenting is to raise children that become capable adults, but parents are not fully aware of the responsibility that it entails, or get overwhelmed by the responsibility. This book shows a parent how to tend to the path between the two extremes, where the responsibility of raising a child is understood, but there is plenty of room for error and even having fun with them. A parent needs to be unafraid of making some mistakes, and this book shows what the more common mistakes to avoid are, as well as excellent tips on how to take advantage of what tools you have. Better yet, it approaches the matter in a friendly, helpful manner. For parents that are worried about the job they are doing, this is an excellent book. Jamais Jochim Read Dr. John Duffy’s Author Spotlight www.portlandbookreview.com Playful Learning: Develop Your Child’s Sense of Joy & Wonder By Mariah Bruehl Trumpeter Books, $22.95, 272 pages Parents are a child’s first teachers. The instinct seems to come naturally for many,

as anyone who has seen a mother cooing to her infant will attest. Still, as a child moves beyond toddling, a parent may feel less certain how to encourage his or her child’s natural curiosity. Playful Learning is a great guide for parents who want to encourage a child’s joy and wonder. In this book, parent and educator Mariah Bruehl discusses how to nurture children’s interest in writing, reading, math, science, art, and the world and to guide their social and emotional development. At times, this book is dense with information to the point that the parent may not feel so playful. Indeed, what she suggests feels a bit like preschool and early elementary school at home. However, taken in small doses, Bruehl arms the parent with the skills to facilitate learning. Bruehl provides well-designed activities for each subject area with literature tie-ins and ways to extend the activity. Furthermore, a good third of the book has printables to aid the activities, and a resource guide for parents who wish to read further on any subject area. While Bruehl provides more than some parents will need, it’s more information well worth having. Annie Peters Finding Your Inner Mama: Women Reflect on the Challenges and Rewards of Motherhood By Edited by Eden Steinberg Trumpeter Books, $16.00, 256 pages The mildly pompous subtitle, Women Reflect on the Challenges and Rewards of Motherhood, gives a wrong impression. The title, Finding Your Inner Mama, is far more accurate; seeking the inner Mama turns out to be as much fun as it is spiritual. For instance, Harriet Lerner’s contribution is simply hilarious. Throughout, there are Zen pieces (and at last I understand what Zen means, I’ve been it all along!), and fraught sections by

anxious career women, and some written with mellifluous words, escaping the reality of dirty diapers. Best of all, the book’s integrity shines through. The writers are not wholly self-absorbed and pay unaffected tribute to their children’s fathers. While every writer is gung-ho about motherhood, attitudes differ. Joan K. Peters’ comment, ‘Many I know practically run their children’s schools,’ sits well with her interview with the Nicaraguan

novelist Giaconda Belli describing cultural differences in child-rearing. Witty and erudite, the book is a delight. But the final paragraph in Miriam Greenspan’s downto-earth account of life with her daughter, who has multiple disabilities, makes the whole book extra special. Jane Manaster

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Parenting & Families • Featured Section a little courage on the part of the parents, 104 Activities for Kids! but by sticking to their guns, the tricks

Help! My Baby Came Without Instructions By Blythe Lipman Viva Editions, $14.95, 130 pages Infant Care Specialist Blythe Lipman has put together an extremely well organized list of tips for first time parents in Help! My Baby Came Without Instructions. It is organized into chapters covering different aspects of infant care, from diapering to sleeping to taking care of oneself while still caring for an infant. While there aren’t many new ideas served up in this book, they are so neatly packaged that the frantic parent on duty for the 2AM colic scream-fest could flip through to find exactly what they need. Lipman even recommends her book be left out for non-parental caregivers to use in a pinch. It is like having WebMD tips on your bookshelf. This book can be used in several ways. It can be read from cover to cover by the expectant parents in their third trimester who are terrified about what they are getting themselves into. It can also be a quick reference guide based on the need at the time. Or it can be a training tool for caregivers other than mom and dad. Sprinkled with charming anecdotes from different parents, the nice thing about Lipman’s lists is that she emphasizes repeatedly there is no one right way to do things. It is a parent’s prerogative to choose to try all of the things on the list or none of them, so long as the desired outcome is achieved- a happy and healthy child and parent. Rachelle Barrett Dr. Riley’s Box of Tricks: 80 Uncommon Solutions for Everyday Parenting Problems By Douglas A. Riley, EdD Lifelong Books, $15.00, 224 pages Not all kids are created equal, but they do have some similarities. Dr. Riley’s Box of Tricks looks at quirky kids, and how to solve those quirks. Dr. Riley is the first to point out that his tricks are not for children with problems that require counseling, such as those with anger management issues. However, for the rest of them, who are essentially normal kids but every so often develop temporary behaviors, such as picky eating, he has developed a number of tricks for ensuring that those behaviors really are temporary. The tricks are easy to implement and very efficient at eliminating problem behaviors. This book reminds parents that one of the best tricks is to simply be there and to listen. The other tricks in the book require

should help most parents get past those rough parts of childhood, and ensure their kids survive. For parents that frequently have to deal with kids’ more obnoxious behavior this book will be one that is referred to frequently. Jamais Jochim

The Mommy Docs’ Ultimate Guide to Pregnancy and Birth By Yvonne Bohn, MD, Allison Hill, MD and Alane Park, MD Da Capo, $15.95, 523 pages With so much information in books and on the internet about pregnancy, women are being overloaded by information. How much of this information is true? What do you believe? Do I really have to get rid of my cat while I’m pregnant? These questions and more are answered in The Mommy Doc’s: Ultimate guide to Pregnancy and Birth by Yvonne Bohn, MD, Allison Hill, MD and Alane Park, MD. Written in an easy to understand way, this book is a good resource to have on hand. Using real life experiences as doctors and mothers, Yvonne, Allison and Alane explain to you what to expect during each step of your pregnancy. Each chapter is divided up into trimesters, and within each chapter are real stories from women in all walks of life. Every woman who is pregnant or wishing to get pregnant will find this book a great resource to have. Rebecca Eischen

I Love Dirt! 52 Activities to Help You & Your Kids Discover the Wonders of Nature By Jennifer Ward Trumpeter Books, $14.00, 153 pages Sometimes, parents know what they want for their children, but aren’t sure how to get it. For example, recent studies have shown that children benefit greatly from time spent in nature, and many parents want those benefits for their children. However, after a few nature walks to look at pine cones and acorns, the novelty starts to wear off. At that moment, I Love Dirt! becomes a wonderful resource for parents of four- to eight-year-old children. Small enough to fit into a backpack, this slim volume is packed with fifty-two, open-ended ideas organized by season to help parents explore nature with their children. Activities include building a bird nest, watching butterflies and starting a butterfly garden in flower pots, and finding a thinking place in nature. Furthermore, each activity includes a sidebar to help the parent explain some aspect of science or nature related to the activity. Finally, this book embodies a terrific simplicity. As the foreword states, the activities are not complex and do not require special equipment or an exotic setting. Indeed, nature can found on an apartment balcony or backyard. Best of all, this book could be the ticket to many wonderful memories for both parent and child. Annie Peters

It’s a Jungle Out There: 52 Nature Adventures for City Kids By Jennifer Ward Trumpeter, $14.00, 155 pages Even city kids can have fun in nature! It may take some extra creativity, but with Jennifer Ward’s It’s a Jungle Out There! 52 Nature Adventures for City Kids, you’ll have a new idea to try every week of the year. Time spent in nature engages a child’s mind like nothing else. You and the child in your life can find tranquility among honking horns, stop lights, and paved sidewalks. “My Wild Space” encourages young ones to claim a place of their own (a patch of yard, a patio, a block of sidewalk) and to use all their sense to experience the space. In the Fall, try the “Leaf-licious Mobile.” Collect leaves by size, color, and species and find a branch. Assemble the mobile and bring the outdoors in! When it’s raining outside, “Thunderrific” is a fun activity when the weather keeps you indoors. Learn about how lightning and thunder is created, count as a method of measurement, and watch the storm from a window. See your child’s awareness of nature grow before your eyes. Illustrator Susie Ghahremani’s simple sketches compliment Ward’s creative ideas. Grab your adventurous spirit, your inner curiosity, and sense of wonder, and get ready to enjoy nature! Kathryn Franklin

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September - November 2011

Parenting & Families • Featured Section Breaking Their Will: Shedding Light on Religious Child Maltreatment By Janet Heimlich Promethues Books, $20, 397 pages Religion can cause more harm than good. Breaking Their Will covers the subject of religious child maltreatment with an in-depth job. It uses statistics and interviews to ensure that every aspect is covered, and the sheer amount of research done is incredible. It covers physical, emotional and sexuality of children thoroughly, as well as looking at corporal punishment, medical abuse, and circumcision. It even discusses how to prevent abuse, and even suggests how law enforcement and religious groups can work together to deal with abusive situations.

The subject is handled with and fairly; it does show how misinterpretation of scripture can lead to abuse, as well an organization’s need to cover itself. It also shows how some of the organizations have changed their policies and are working towards eliminating abuse. Although it takes a hard line against corporal punishment and circumcision, those stances are understandable given the information presented. Another problem is that some of the statistics are not reliable, but that is understandable given the subject matter covered. Nonetheless, for those looking into religious abuse, from either side, this is a great reference work and should be on the shelves of anyone looking into how religion mistreats the most vulnerable in our society. Jamais Jochim

Good Enough is the New Perfect: Finding Happiness and Success in Modern Motherhood By Becky Beaupre Gillespie & Hollee Schwartz Temple Harlequin, $16.95, 273 pages Motherhood can be complicated enough even without a tough job. Good Enough is the New Perfect looks at how mothers can work their dream job as well as be great mothers at home. It looks at women in the workplace and how motherhood has changed. It also explores how women have adapted to it, and how women have made the workplace adapt to them. It is not about settling for whatever life hands you, but simply deciding where your priorities are and sticking to them. There is a lot of great advice and information on how to deal with the guilt of be-

ing a working mother. Although most of the women interviewed come from high-powered jobs, the advice can be applied to any woman facing the same problem of dealing with a job and kids. Although the advice is pretty basic stick to your priorities and the rest will work itself out with a little help, how it is applied by the women in the book is a fascinating look at how the glass ceiling continues to crack. This a great book for anyone dealing with the problem of wanting to maintain a serious career and the guilt of child-raising. Jamais Jochim

In Search of Fatherhood: A Mother Lode of Wisdom from the World of Daughterhood By Kevin Renner Inkwater Press, $19.95, 225 pages With all of the books on motherhood, it seems that fathers rarely get the time of day. In Search of Fatherhood looks at the relationship of father and daughters, based on a series of interviews told as stories. The individual stories are from the perspective of the daughters, and subdivided into those who had a great relationship, a bad relationship, and those with a little from both columns. There is also additional commentary from Renner on most of the stories as he explores his own relationship with his daughters in light of the particular story. He also sums up his findings as well as providing epilogues to some of the stories. Although the format comes off as a little strange, it nonetheless shows that every relationship is different. The stories range from heinous abuse to incredible support, from fathers that always treated their daughters with respect to those that disowned their daughters, sometimes taking them back, and everywhere in between. Renner found a large spectrum to work with, and that is well represented. For anyone looking for a comparison to those looking for some insight on daughters and their fathers, this is a fun book to read. Jamais Jochim

Fall to Grace: A Revolution of God, Self & Society By Jay Bakker FaithWords, $19.99, 224 pages In Fall to Grace, Jay Bakker uses a brief biography of his family’s life in the Christian limelight, their plummet to church pariahs, and his recovery from substance abuse as a springboard for introducing the concept of grace. Bakker implies that grace is the “unmerited favor” of a loving God, that the Bible is not about guilt and punishment, but acceptance, and that faith, rules, paves the way to salvation (xi). Bakker provides deft support for his assertions, drawing on Biblical evidence from the Apostle Paul’s letters, and supplementing his arguments with the works of well-known theologians such as Martin Luther and St. Francis of Assisi. Bakker’s book is suitable for seekers or skeptics of Christianity, but is primarily aimed at those “who’ve been battered by the church” (xiii). At times, Bakker’s organization is somewhat aimless; he drifts from Biblical commentary, to friends’ testimonies, to specific hot topics, such as homosexuality in the Bible. However, those in need of an uplifting view of the church in today’s world will be satisfied with this read. Bakker’s refreshing vision of a transformed church echoes contemporary, controversial theologians such as Donald Miller, Rob Bell, and Shane Claiborne. Emily davis

Relationships How to Build a Fire: And Other Handy Things Your Grandfather Knew By Erin Bried Ballantine Books, $15.00, 266 pages Grandparents offer love, support, and sage advice. Author Erin Bried has interviewed and recorded the insights of ten grandfathers in her new book How to Build a Fire. Step back into an era where young people learned how to change a flat tire, write a love letter, read animal tracks, give a speech, buy a suit, and how to “gently guide a dance partner without saying a word.” Each tip begins with a quote by one of the grandpas. What’s amazing is how relevant most of the skills remain today. Whether or not readers have a grandfather in their lives, they’ll feel like one is seated next to them as they read the featured grandpa’s words of wisdom. After 80+ years of experience, it’s no wonder these men are brimming with tales of love, war, sacrifice, honor, service, bravery, and responsibility. Each tip is no more than two pages. Great illustrations compliment the text. This is a great gift for a new parent or graduate. How to Build a Fire is truly a treat to read. Take the time to talk with a grandparent or elderly person in your life. You’ll both be the better for it.

Total Flirt: Tips, Tricks, and Techniques Every Girl Needs to Get the Guy By Violet Blue Viva Editions, $12.95, 186 pages Do you want to learn the tools of the flirting trade? Violet Blue, author of Total Flirt, believes that flirting is a skill that every woman can learn. According to Blue, there are two ways to flirt: 1) for fun, and 2) with intent. This guide aims to get you away from fun flirting and into Flirt Mode with goals. Enjoy life to the fullest and flirt like a delightfully wicked fiend. Take the Flirt Style Quiz to discover your flirting style. First impressions, entrances, and opening conversations are opportunities that Blue says can’t be wasted. Body language is key. Learn the Flirt Mode stance. Blue dishes out confidence cures for every girl. Symptom: Shyness. Cure: Have an indulgence party with girlfriends (ice cream, compliments, and Glee). Having a planned approach while flirting is a good strategy. Blue lists opening lines for every situation. At a party: Did I need an invitation? At the bar: When do the flamenco dancers arrive? Read tips on how to flirt online and how to read his body language to know if he’s interested. Is this book a bit silly? Yes. Did I pick up some new tips on how to better interact with someone I’m attracted to? You bet. Kathryn Franklin

Kathryn Franklin

10 September - November 2011

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Children’s The Magic Word By Sherril S. Cannon Eloquent Books, $12.50, 24 pages This book, The Magic Word is about a little girl named Elisabeth Keys. Elisabeth was really quite rude; she pushed into lines and she gobbled her food. She never said, “Thank you,” “Excuse me,” or “Please.” She made fun of people, she´d argue and tease. With the help of her mother, Elisabeth did learn manners and the magic words. Before long Elisabeth’s friends started to notice. Was this the same girl? She has really discovered the magic in developing friendships. The Magic Word is an extraordinary book with a gentle message about learning manners in a fun way that did pay off for Elisabeth Keys. See what her friends do when Elisabeth decides to put the magic words to the test. Find out the magic words that are really magic! This delightful book in rhyme is purveyed and portrayed in a story so told as affluent gold. It is fun to read aloud over and over again to your child. Every child needs reinforcement of being polite, which this book provides in a fun way of one girls experience. So, if you know a child whose manners are not very good, this book may just be the perfect solution. They need to meet Elisabeth Keys! See how Elisabeth goes from sour to sweet. After you read this charming book, you will never forget the magic words! Every child and even some adults can benefit from this fun loving story. The illustrations are bold, bright and colorful. Rhonda Fischer When Bob Met Woody: The Story of the Young Bob Dylan By Gary Golio Little, Brown for Young Readers, $17.99, 32 pages When Bob Met Woody: The Story of the Young Bob Dylan tells about Bob Dylan’s early life, focusing on how he came to meet his hero, Woody Guthrie. This is a factual story, though as the author states, details vary in the memories of those involved, but when that happens they defer to Bob’s version, since it’s his life. This book is written in a manner that will allow both Tweens and adults to understand it, hopefully introducing the younger set to the music of both Bob and Woody. More and more, Bob felt like an outsider in his own home town. One night he just stood under a streetlight with his guitar, singing to the falling snow.

My own research into Bob’s early life concurs with what the author wrote, so it’s as factual as they could make it. My only wish is they’d done a longer book, one that details Bob’s life from there until the present. I’ll wager there are many interesting heretofore-untold stories to be had in that area. Maybe there’s a sequel in the works? The art is great, and the writing solid. This is a first class book for young and old, a true keeper. If you have any interest at all in folk music, history, or Dylan, get this book. It’s a bargain at any price for such quality. David Broughton

canine some cereal too! For Eddie, getting dressed means toting a sword and wearing an underwear helmet. Will Mother let him out of the house dressed like a knight? Does he have time to watch cartoons and drink root beer before the bus comes? Use this book to help young children brainstorm what they will need to do to prepare for the first day of school. Are there things they can do by themselves? What will they put in their backpacks? The comic style illustrations are a hoot and help give Eddie his feisty personality. Put “buy this book” on your To-Do list right away! Kathryn Franklin

Happy School Year! By Susan Milord Scholastic Press, $15.99, 32 pages No one will mind reading this book over and over. Kids will connect from the very first page because everyone there is already familiar whether reluctant, eager, or anxious. The illustrations are filled with images carefully placed, recognizable but never overcrowded: the dog pulling the blanket to wake the sleepy child, the treasured football beside the bed, shoes on the wrong foot. Young pre-readers will pore over the clothes their ‘peers’ choose for the momentous first day of school. Picture books are half-and-half with text and illustrations complementing each other. This doesn’t actually happen often, but here it does. The brief text ensures everything is noticed but doesn’t waste a word. Adults who read the book will relish the mysterious identity of the bald, olderthan-average Dad (or Granddad?) and his little boy who worries about the morning snack. Family or friends of the author or illustrator for sure! I love this book and will go hunt for more children and schoolteachers in my circle who will undoubtedly enjoy it too. Jane Manaster

The Leaves on the Trees By Thom Wiley Cartwheel Books, $6.99, 24 pages The arrival of autumn is a cause for celebration. The changing colors of falling leaves make for a stunning landscape. Adventure waits when the weather changes and kids love to be out in the crisp, cool air. Author Thom Wiley has written a fun, festive book celebrating autumn. The Leaves on the Trees is filled with rhyming versus that can be read or sung to the tune of “London Bridge is Falling Down.” Since it is a song many youngsters learn early, they will soon sing along. Wiley introduces the names of trees commonly found in backyards, parks, and schoolyards. “The birch leaves glow a bright yellow! Bright yellow! Bright yellow! The birch leaves glow a bright yellow! Autumn is here!” Illustrator Andrew Day’s beautiful artwork makes the book come alive. Readers will feel like they are under the falling leaves or jumping into the big leaf pile. He features a charming multicultural cast of kids who romp and play among the trees. Animals join in too – a puppy tastes the air on his pink tongue, squirrels collect acorns, and turtles sun on the bank of a stream. Bring autumn to your home or classroom with this festively fun book. Kathryn Franklin

Eddie Gets Ready for School By David Milgrim Cartwheel Books, $8.99, 28 pages Make bed. Jump on bed. Make bed again. Don’t dilly. Don’t dally. Sneak cookie. Put cookie back. Sneak brownie. These are examples of the To-Do lists Eddie likes to create. He is a silly boy and he loves doing silly things. When his first day of school arrives, it is time for a school ToDo list. Author David Milgrim’s book Eddie Gets Ready for School is one young boy’s checklist for getting himself ready. As Eddie fixes himself a healthy cereal breakfast, he checks off “feed the dog” by slipping the hungry

and messy. Finger paints are fun to put on friends. Isn’t looking out the window at dinosaur shaped clouds next on the agenda? No David! Shannon’s illustrations are reminiscent of kids’ drawings. Boys and girls will laugh at David’s facial expressions and antics. Students must learn what appropriate school behavior is and this book reinforces those positive lessons. David even has a chance to redeem himself and earn a gold star from the teacher. Whether you are a fan of David’s comical adventures or new to the series, you’ll love this young boy’s charm. Elizabeth Franklin Bailey By Harry Bliss Scholastic Books, $16.99, 32 pages Bailey by Harry Bliss reminds me of a comic book. Not the fancy “graphic novels” of today, but the old-fashioned, real comic books that were fun and funny. Bailey is a fun idea, the tale of a dog that sleeps in a bed, and goes to school, a regular school with children. How that came about isn’t something that’s told in the book, but is of little importance, because the story, the art, and the “balloons” above the characters’ heads are all laugh out loud funny. There are at least a dozen life lessons to be gleaned from this book, but that’s not the main emphasis, it’s meant to be fun, and if some life lessons are learned while a child reads it, so much the better. Actually, though targeted at children, no matter what your age, you’ll get a laugh or hundred out of Bailey. The humor is blatant, but witty, not stupid like the so-called humor so rampant these days. If there’s an award for humorous children’s books, this one should win, hands down. Bailey (the book, not the dog,) will be available at all the usual outlets. David Broughton

David Goes to School By David Shannon Blue Sky Press, $16.99, 32 pages Do your kids have the back-to-school blues? Introduce them to someone who enjoys every day in the classroom. David, the lovable rascal, is back and on a new adventure. David Goes to School will be a fun addition to any personal or classroom library. Author David Shannon recalls a time when he was young and the only words he knew were his own name and “no.” So he created a series featuring a boy who hears “no” a lot, something kids can relate to. This time David wants to have fun at school, but sometimes it gets him into trouble with the teacher. David’s chewing gum is sticky

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September - November 2011

Tweens Super Diaper Baby 2: The Invasion of the Potty Snatchers By George Beard and Harold Hutchins The Blue Sky Press, $9.99, 187 pages Calling all fans of Captain Underpants and Super Diaper Baby! You’ve waited 9 years for this moment. Diaper Baby is back and better than ever. Author Dav Pilkey’s comical and endearing work will be a favorite of old and new readers. Super Diaper Baby 2: The Invasion of the Potty Snatchers recaps the first book so don’t worry if you didn’t read it. Kids will love the potty humor which is quite literally about evil drops of pee and potties on the loose. This humor is not for everyone. But it might be what gets a reluctant reader excited about this book. Both the comic form and funny illustrations add to the charm. Readers will notice occasional misspellings and grammatical errors. But given that the book is written in the voice of a diapered baby, they seem appropriate. The multicultural cast of characters is a great feature of the book. Diaper Baby is African American and a role model for children

regardless of race or gender. The included Flip-o-Ramas are just as fun as ever. Find out if Diaper Baby and Diaper Dog can save the town’s toilets. Elizabeth Franklin Nerd Camp By Elissa Brent Weissman Atheneum Books for Young Readers, $15.99, 262 pages Gabe cannot wait to meet his new stepbrother Zack. He is so excited to share his love of reading, math, and science…until Zack mentions that any kid who likes school is a total geek. Zack seems so cool – he has his own cell phone, goes to the skate park, and even surfs! Gabe wants to be cool too. So he must keep it a secret that he is going to the Summer Center for Gifted Enrichment, known to some as the Smart Camp for Geeks and Eggheads. In letters home, Gabe must include non-nerdy details so he can impress Zack. Elissa Brent Weissman’s new novel Nerd Camp combines a charming coming-of-age

story with the adventurous fun of a first time camping experience. Throw in a lice epidemic, karaoke, and a Color War and Gabe is in for the time of his life. Middleschool readers struggling with their own identities will enjoy this funny story of a 10-year-old committed to proving he isn’t a nerd. Kids with divorced parents will especially identify with how hard it can be to fit in while staying true to who you are. Kathryn Franklin The Battle of Nashville By Benson Bobrick Knopf Books for Young Readers, $19.99, 132 pages The bloody and brutal battles of the Civil War took a toll on a young United States. Although battle sites like Gettysburg, Appomattox, and Antietam have been mentioned throughout history, one skirmish in particular stands out, replenishing the assurances of Union soldiers. The Battle of Nashville by Benson Bobrick explores this significant fight led by General George H. Thomas. Written for younger readers, Bobrick sets the stage by looking at philosophical differences that led to the beginning of

the war. He spends ample time laying the groundwork for the victories and defeats that led to the Nashville conflict. An entire chapter is devoted to General Thomas. Is this important to the story? Yes. Thomas isn’t a well-known Civil War figure, and Bobrick introduces readers to the man and the military strategist. He’s an interesting figure. Although only 20 pages are devoted to the actual battle, Bobrick’s description is so vivid that readers are exposed to a visually stunning portrait of early American warfare. Significant photos, maps and illustrations add to the realism of the time period and events in the United States during this time. The book offers a perfect overview for anyone not familiar with this particular battle or the Civil War, in general. Bobrick’s editorializing tone about other military figures is bothersome, especially since it’s his opinion set in this otherwise fact-filled book. LuAnn Schindler

Young Adult A Time of Miracles By Anne-Laure Bondoux, Y. Maudet, Trans. Delacorte Books, $17.99, 180 pages Over a five-year journey, a young boy and the woman who pulled him from a train wreck, travel through the collapsing Soviet Union on their way back to France. This story for young audiences is written against the backdrop of human tragedy yet it sincerely maintains that people are good when they are given the chance. Young Blaise Fortune narrates his own life, giving his desperate adventures an intimate feel and some dangerous situations naïve and miraculous overtones. A Time of Miracles offers society in crisis, but from the optimistic perspective of a smart and dedicated boy. The author carefully balances the greater political crisis against everyday events like learning how to sing or including a travelling stranger in a makeshift meal and the gratitude these acts can bring to one’s self and to others. Adults reading this story might wonder why Blaise’s guardian is so intent on getting him back home to Paris or why she regularly tells the story of that terrible train wreck as if from a script, but this story succeeds because one can appreciate its simple and honest sincerity. Bryan Burch

On the Volcano By James Nelson Penguin Young Readers, $16.99, 275 pages In James Nelson’s novel, On the Volcano, Katie MacDonald navigates the dangers of frontier life as a young woman. Living in seclusion atop a volcano, Katie’s life changes dramatically, when she accompanies her father to the dangerous town of Badwater, disguised as a mute boy. After a fight with Jess, a malicious seventeen-year-old boy, Katie’s identity is discovered, and Jess wants revenge. “Hunt as though you’re being hunted” is her father’s motto. When Katie discovers a man’s leather glove atop the volcano, she knows they are not alone—and her father’s advice brings on a new meaning. However, not every man Katie meets in Badwater is cruel. When she thinks about Adam Summerfield, the handsome young sheriff’s deputy, she grapples with new emotions and desires. At times, Nelson’s dialogue is unnatural and childish for his protagonist’s age, but the plot is suspenseful, addressing tough issues such as sexual assault, and violence. On the Volcano is ultimately an adventure novel that embraces the importance of family and highlights a strong female protagonist as she becomes a woman. Emily Davis

12 September - November 2011

The Last Good Place of Lily Odilon By Sara Beitia Flux, $9.95, 301 pages When eighteen year-old Lily Odilon disappears, her boyfriend Albert’s life falls apart. He becomes the main suspect in the police investigation and is increasingly harassed at school and having conflict with his parents over his loyalty to his missing girlfriend. Determined to find out what happened and certain that Lily is still alive, Albert, along with Lily’s sister Olivia, starts searching for answers and, hopefully, for Lily herself. Sara Beitia gives a solid debut in The Last Good Place of Lily Odilon. Using the character of Albert as the focal point, she is able to tap into the confusion, fear, anxiety and anger that occur in times of grief and loss. She also nicely builds the mystery around Lily’s disappearance and effectively shows the reasons behind it. Her use of flashbacks mixed with present time is a tool that doesn’t work effectively in this book as it takes the reader out of the moment and disrupts the pace of the story. This book is better suited for older teens as there are themes of abuse that are touched on in the novel that may be inappropriate for younger readers. Barbara Cothern

The Latte Rebellion By Sarah Jamila Stevenson Flux, $9.95, 327 pages When called a “towel head” by a fellow classmate, Asha Jamison and her friend Carey dream up “The Latte Rebellion”, a group for those that don’t quite fit into just one ethnic background. But what starts as just a statement and a way to make a little money on the side, “The Latte Rebellion” soon becomes popular and the fun ends. Soon the rebellion goes from something small to something that could ruin Asha’s big plans for the future. While you feel drawn to many of the characters, the best developed is Asha. She’s very approachable and real, with many of the same worries that any teen would have, like living up to their parents’ standards. Her worries are what makes her rebellion her outlet. The story hits on very real issues and themes such as racism, finding one’s identity, bullying, and expectations versus real life. Although the themes are complex and can hit deep, Stevenson’s writing makes it easy to be drawn into the book and you’ll be surprised at just how quickly you’ll fly through this book. This is an amazing debut from an author that shows promise of great things to come. Missy Wadkins

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Mystery, Crime & Thriller Sponsored Book Review Flowers for Her Grave

By Jean Sheldon Bast Press, $15.95, 275 pages For a murder mystery to succeed, the plot must leave the reader in suspense about who committed the crime to the end of the story. Beyond the plot, compelling characters go a long way to add to the reader’s overall satisfaction. Jean Sheldon provides both a satisfying plot and interesting characters in her latest work, Flowers for Her Grave. In the small town of Raccoon Grove, a terrible crime is committed that leaves one prominent man dead and his young daughter missing. On the 20th anniversary of the crime, the local newspaper runs an article on the still unsolved crime, and interest is piqued once again. The paper receives two anonymous letters. The writer of the first letter claims to know the identity of the perpetrator, while the writer of the second professes to know the whereabouts of the long-missing daughter. At the same time, the wife and mother of the victims dies, and a man claiming to be a relative arrives in town to claim his inheritance. Curiosity aroused, Tracy, the local gossip columnist, and Kate, her florist friend, set out to investigate. Through these two aging baby boomers, the reader meets a host of characters, each with a suspicious connection to the crime and victims. Furthermore, trouble stalks these sleuths as they seek to question the ex-sheriff just before he dies in an accident, become trapped in a burning building, and become the target of a vandal and a sniper. Sheldon has written a strong plot that will leave most guessing until the final chapters. Her cast of characters makes it almost impossible to discern how all of the pieces of the mystery fit together. Sheldon also provides enough clever twists to make the reader question any assumptions. Tracy and Kate are delightful main characters. These are not sweet, little old ladies in the vein of Miss Marple. Tracy is a middle-aged woman with a sense of style, a flirtatious relationship with her husband, a few well-placed cuss words, and a spunky demeanor. Kate, by comparison, is a quiet beauty both inside and out, who is just hitting her stride with her business and family in middle age. Flowers for Her Grave has flaws. The dialogue becomes a little strained at points when Sheldon needs to convey complex emotions through it. Furthermore, the manuscript could benefit from the eye of a sharp proofreader. Overall, however, this is an entertaining and enjoyable mystery.

Pattern of Wounds: A Roland March Mystery By J. Mark Bertrand Bethany House, $14.99, 368 pages Houston PD Detective Roland March’s life is slowly coming apart: his marriage is slowly unraveling; he just got a new case with lots of questions but no answers; and the case that made his career is being questioned for possible appeal. And that’s just the first day… Pattern of Wounds is a superior mystery by writer J. Mark Bertrand. A compelling novel, the author successfully gives the reader a portrait of a man whose life is crashing around him. Unable to cope with the rising issues at work, the character is nicely shown as dealing with the problems by getting tunnel vision on the case and ignoring everything else. This is a nice change from the usual alcoholic cop storyline found in many mysteries. It’s also refreshing to see a murder mystery that doesn’t use graphic violence to create interest and intrigue – the storyline does that ably enough in this novel. Mystery readers will enjoy delving into Roland March’s world. Barbara Cothern

Moondogs: A Novel By Alexander Yates Doubleday Books, $25.95, 340 pages Alexander Yates’ debut novel Moondogs is scorching fast, and clever. It tears around at 80 miles an hour, waiting just long enough to find out if you have what it takes to keep up, then leans on the accelerator. The dialog is whiplash sharp. There’s no self restraint here, just a young novelist who can’t wait to show you around the seedier side of Manilla. The story features Benicio, a young IT professional, who when trying to reconnect with his estranged father, flies to The Philippines to visit, and straight into a pinball machine underworld filled with scheming hookers, slippery politicians, and magically powered warriors. Dad’s been kidnapped by a meth-head cab driver named Ignacio, his gigantic, dimwitted brother, and Kelog, their evil tough-as-nails cockfighting rooster. I won’t bother trying to explain the plot, it’s indescribable. It’s a well-written, cocksure thriller, that remembers to bring the funny. In 20 years you’ll look back and remember the first time you picked up a Yates novel. I guarantee that it won’t be your last. Brad Wright

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