Sept 2010
VOLUME 2, ISSUE 1
F R E E
NEW AND OF INTEREST
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Sh*t My Dad Says Funny! Funny! More Funny! Page 5
Expanded Science Fiction & Fantasy Insert
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Page 9
Magic Bleeds
Dark and engrossing urban fantasy Page 12
Gold Boy, Emerald Girl: Stories
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Great Houses by a Great Scott By Ian Macdonald-Smith Rizzoli, $55.00, 240 pages
Books about historical architecture have always fascinated me. Just opening the pages allows for a figurative walk around someone’s home or office, even if the owners are long deceased. These rooms were actually lived in; work was accomplished here; steps sounded up and down the staircases; and calls, laughter, and music floated in the air interspersed with the contented silences of sleep. A long-time fan of Arts & Crafts master William Morris’ floral designs, I eagerly browsed the pages of M. H. Baillie Scott’s impressive collection of buildings, reading author Ian MacDonald Smith’s generous introduction with rapt attention; the writer
did not stint on the photographs, either. Taken as a group, the building exteriors bear a striking resemblance to one another: white, brown and reddish brown colors, geometrically peaked gables and thick brown timbers. “They all -- kind of -- look too similar,” I thought; immediately I imagined the book’s author standing by my desk, clucking his tongue and saying: “Ah ... only to the untrained eye.” The interior photographs of each building make their individuality more apparent, though due to the darkness of the homes’ interiors (common in this time period, apparently) I was forced to squint at See ARTS and CRAFTS, page 7
Incredible fascination of being Page 17
Comic Art Propaganda: A Graphic History
Comic books that force opinion Page 18
Fifth Avenue, 5 A.M.
The birth of an American classic Page 22
107 Reviews INSIDE!
Modern Literature The Map of True Places By Brunonia Barry William Morrow, $25.99, 394 pages Zee Finch is the star of this story and we meet her in her adulthood working as a respected psychotherapist in Boston. We understand that she worked hard to obtain this professional position, and also to win the heart of Boston’s most eligible bachelor. But we know immediately that Zee’s response to her life, work, and engagement is tepid, that her “true nature” is somehow dimmed and muted. The story is of Zee’s traveling the course that reveals the reasons this is so. Navigation is the central theme of the book. “It is not down on any map: true places never are” is the quote from Herman Melville on the face page, and each chapter is introduced with a navigational truth that reinforces the theme. This contributes to what is most compelling about this book: its artistry. Barry moves deftly from present to past and back again so artfully that the reader is instantly captivated by the complexity of the characters, the verac-
ity of the time and place (fantastic detail about the history of Boston and Salem) and soon hopes fervently that the heroine will find happiness. Add to artful construction, beautifully drawn characters the conflicts and tensions of a really good story and you have a book you regret having to finish. Reviewed by Marcia Jo A Visit from the Goon Squad By Egan, Jennifer Knopf, $25.95, 274 pages As Proust explored the vagaries of memory, so Jenifer Egan examines time and its effects in her brilliant, Gordian knot of a novel, A Visit From the Goon Squad. Egan, an able writer with a history of pushing boundaries, weaves a glittering inescapable web with a shifting point of view and format, moving backwards and forwards in time. Clever, meaningful chapter titles ground her readers, even as they seek to follow the web of rela-
tionships that bind her labyrinthine novel together. Thus in Chapter 1 -- “Found Objects” – Sasha, a seductive mess’s attention shifts between the date she’s on and the therapist with whom she explores her kleptomania, all around a wallet she steals in a hotel bathroom. Egan blends scene, emotion, and action in perfect elixir. “Sasha…noticed a bag on the floor beside the sink that must have belonged to the woman whose peeing she could faintly hear through the vault like door of the toilet stall…It was easy for Sasha to recognize, looking back, that the peeing woman’s blind trust had provoked her…” Then Chapter 2 – “The Gold Cure” – swings us over to Bernie, a recording executive (and we learn later is Sasha’s boss), a divorcee struggling with malaise and sexual dysfunction that he treats by sprinkling gold flakes into his coffee. And Chapter 3 – “Ask Me If I Care” – spikes us through time and space to a group of teen rockers in San Francisco eagerly awaiting the arrival of 1980. In a lesser writer’s hands, such shifts would surely inflict whiplash, but not so with Egan who settles us into her novel’s rhythm,
thoughtfully arming us with the tools we need to revel in the ride. Nor does it feel like she’s showing off – at least not much – when we come to a chapter done as a magazine article or even the one presented as a power point presentation! The entire futures of two African brothers unfurls before us in a single, concise, elegant paragraph (only, of course, to come around again later). Egan’s virtuosity extends well beyond the confidence with which she handles her reader, extending into her luminous sardonic wit and her gift for a range of pitch perfect characters, each of which we accept completely. The once titanic PR exec, now laid low and rehabilitating a genocidal dictator’s reputation to make ends meet? A washed up actress formerly famous and martyred in the tabloids following a violent attack? A homeless musical genius? Just a few of the fascinating characters you’ll get to know in Egan’s sparkling romp of a novel. Dive in! The water’s fine and a the Goon Squad awaits us all. Reviewed by Jordan Magill
Business & Investing Point, Click, and Save: Mashup Mom’s Guide to Saving and Making Money Online By Rachel Singer Gordon CyberAge, $19.95, 288 pages Accessible from its first page, Point, Click, and Save: Mashup Mom’s Guide to Saving and Making Money Online by Rachel Singer Gordon provides a wealth of information on how someone can use the Internet to start saving money today. Gordon (aka Mashup Mom) admits early on that you need not be a mom to learn some savings tips from her book, and you don’t need to necessarily spend all your time clipping coupons. Gor- don knows that not everyone may understand blogging or how to capitalize on online deals or printable coupons. Giving tips on how to save money even getting online, Gordon really starts from step one. In between tips, Gordon inserts stories of others who impart ideas on how they use the Internet to save money, including some who have saved more than half of their monthly grocery bills by using the point and click method of saving. It’s not all about find-
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ing the deals online, Gordon discusses how it may also take a shift in a person’s buying habits to save money — stocking up on items while simultaneously using coupons on sale items. Gordon also unveils secrets for when to visit the grocery store. Reviewed by Elizabeth Humphrey Wild West 2.0: How to Protect and Restore Your Reputation on the Untamed Social Frontier By Michael Fertik, David Thompson AMACOM, $24.95, 264 pages We’ve all been warned not to post scandalous photos of ourselves on our Facebook profiles, but what happens when someone maliciously plants hundreds of scandalous pictures of you that appear in the top results whenever your name is Googled? In this book, we learn about factors such as jealousy, envy, revenge, bullying, extortion, and politics, which might motivate a person to conduct an online smear campaign. We also learn about the many frightening types of Internet attacks, such as breaches of privacy, manipulated
photos, half-truths, targeted social spreading, Google-stuffing, and trolling. The sad truth about this book’s content is that the preventive and corrective measures for online attacks are minor and ineffective when compared to the instantaneous and far-reaching power of the Internet. Additionally, modern readers will be put off by the dated descriptions of Web technology during sections when, for example, the authors describe the benefits of e-mail over “snail mail,” and argue that the Internet is not just a passing fad. The authors were at their best in this book when they compared the interesting nuances of the culture of the Internet to the old ways of the western frontier -- like the vigilante enforcement of social norms. The public relations staff of a celebrity or other person of note would most benefit from reading Wild West 2.0. Reviewed by Megan Just Good Boss, Bad Boss: How to Be the Best... and Learn from the Worst By Robert I. Sutton Business Plus, $23.99, 261 pages Are you a boss? Are you a good boss? Do your people think you’re a good boss? Before patting yourself on the back, you need to read Good Boss, Bad Boss. In this book on
how to avoid bad boss behavior, Dr. Robert Sutton does a magnificent job in laying out just exactly what makes a bad boss bad – including taking on some of management’s most beloved beliefs (creating a “kill or be killed” competitive environment encourages productivity!) and turning them inside out to show their flaws (“kill or be killed” equals “every man for himself,” effectively destroying collaboration and productivity.) Sutton does a good job of presenting his ideas in a logical format — first listing the mindsets that good bosses have, and then following up with the actions that these mindsets fuel. Every point is backed by documented research and real-life examples, many of which the author himself has overseen and experienced over the course of his career. Not only would I recommend this book to anyone who wants to learn to be a good boss, but I’d strongly urge anyone who already thinks they’re a good boss to read it as well — and prepared to be surprised! Reviewed by Heather Ortiz
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San Francisco
Book Review 1776 Productions 1215 K Street, 17th Floor Sacramento, CA 95814 Ph. 877.913.1776 info@1776productions.com EDITOR IN CHIEF Ross Rojek ross@1776productions.com ASSOCIATE EDITOR Kaye Cloutman kaye.cloutman@1776productions.com
IN THIS ISSUE Modern Literature..........................................2 Business & Investing......................................2 Children’s Books.............................................3 Mystery, Crime & Thrillers.............................5 Humor-NonFiction.........................................5 History...........................................................6
GRAPHIC DESIGN/LAYOUT Heidi Komlofske heidi.komlofske@1776productions.com
Current Events...............................................6
Rowena Manisay
Biographies & Memoirs..................................7
COPY EDITORS Joe Atkins Megan Just Lori Miller Viola Allo Glenn Rucker EDITORIAL ASSISTANTS Jen LeBrun Mary Komlofske WEBSITE/SOCIAL NETWORKING/ APP DEVELOPMENT Ariel Berg Gwen Stackler Robyn Oxborrow Deborah Lewis
Popular Fiction...............................................7 Young Adult....................................................8 Tweens...........................................................8 Science Fiction & Fantasy Insert....................9 Historical Fiction.......................................... 17 Poetry & Short Stories.................................. 17 Romance.......................................................18 Sequential Art..............................................18
DISTRIBUTION Reliable Distribution Mari Ozawa
Local Calendar..............................................19
ADVERTISING SALES larry.lefrancis@1776productions.com
Reference......................................................20 Relationships & Sex......................................20 Cooking, Food & Wine..................................21
The San Francisco Book Review is published monthly by 1776 Productions. The opinions expressed in these pages are those of the individual writers and do not necessarily reflect the views of the San Francisco Book Review or San Francisco Book Review advertisers. All images are copyrighted by their respective copyright holders. All words © 2010, 1776 Productions. September print run - 10,000 copies.
Religion........................................................23
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Send $18.00 for 12 monthly issues to 1776 Productions, 1215 K Street, 17th Floor, Sacramento, CA 95814.
Technology...................................................21 Music & Movies.............................................22 Home & Garden............................................22
Art, Architecture & Photography.................24 Science & Nature..........................................24
FROM THE EDITOR Welcome to two anniversary editions. September marks the second anniversary of the Sacramento Book Review and the first anniversary of the San Francisco Book Review. We’re very proud of managing along for so long and continuing to do well enough to keep doing this for the foreseeable future. Both Heidi and I enjoy this business (except for some of the late nights with hard deadlines), and I always see the day we process the new books as Christmas each week. So thanks to all of you that keep picking the paper up, and as always, we hope you’ll find some new books that delight you. This month is the culmination of the Sacramento Library’s One Book Sacramento program, focused on getting as many people in Sacramento as possible to read David Eggers’ Zeitoun, a novel set during and after Hurricane Katrina. Take a look at the Library’s four-page insert in the center of the paper for all the upcoming events and save October 20th, 2010, for seeing Eggers at 7:30 pm at the Crest Theater for a free discussion. This is the 6th annual One Book Program and is a wonderful way to get people reading and discussing one book. This month has our Science Fiction & Fantasy insert. From Suzanne Collin’s Mockingjay to China Mieville’s Kracken, there is a plethora of books for almost every taste. Even folks who don’t like traditional science fiction can enjoy William Gibson’s newest novel, Zero History. We always take pleasure in putting together these roundups of new books and hope you find them helpful. And speaking of Mockingjay, our Kids Bo ok Review iPhone app, which was released in July, now has an Events feature that has all of the Mockingjay tour stops in it, including those in Northern California. The app is free, has about a thousand book reviews in it and our Audible Authors interviews with children’s/tweens authors, and also has an events feature. Coming soon will be our Science Fiction, Fantasy and Horror book review app for the iPhone and iPad. (And for the wine drinkers in the audience, you can also check out our Livermore Valley app – a guide to the wineries and businesses of the Livermore Valley.) Thanks again for picking us up. We appreciate the support and, as always, hope you pass it on to someone else when you are done reading. Happy reading, Ross Rojek —Editor-in-Chief ross@1776productions.com
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Children’s Books Country Road ABC By Arthur Geisert Houghton Mifflin Books for Children, $17.99, 52 pages You’d expect alphabet letters to represent barns, tractors, and hay stacks in an ABC book about farming, but Country Road ABC features ammonia fertilizer, erosion, grinding feed, and a volunteer fire department. This is a brilliant book with words and illustrations supporting each other to educate children on the everyday life on today’s farm. Author/illustrator Arthur Geisert lives among the farmers and after years of listening to them talk of what’s important he chose terms such as ‘inoculate’ and created an illustration showing young boys and their father inoculating young piglets. To track who’s had their shot, the boys mark the piglets with red paint. The author surprises us with the term, “no mail today” and shows the family’s disappointment when their daily opportunity for contact with someone not from their isolated farm falls through. Each illustration is full of details farmers face, like trees fallen by lightening, cows kicking the farmer when he’s not paying attention or everyone scratching themselves when oats are delivered for feed. A Farm Glossary is provided at the end for an even richer experience. Reviewed by Susan Roberts Pinocchio By Carlo Collodi, Translated by Emma Rose, Illustrated by Sara Fanelli Candlewick Illustrated Classics, $12.99, 192 pages Pinocchio by Carlo Collodi, translated from Italian by Milan-born Emma Rose, is the latest in Candlewick’s series of classic children’s tales being re-introduced to a new generation using contemporary illustrators. Rose is a prize-winning translator and helps make the story, written in the late 19th
century, accessible to a new crop of readers. Italian-born Sara Fanelli, the first woman elected an Honorary Royal Designer for Industry, uses fun and funky multi-media collages to capture and enliven the tale of the adventurous boy-puppet. In the book’s beginning pages, Fanelli explains how she grew up in Florence, Italy, the same town as Collodi, and was surrounded by the popular image of the puppet scattered throughout the town. The surrealism of the puppet’s adventures on his way to boyhood will captivate young readers as they encounter the Field of Miracles, Fire-Eater, and the sparring Geppetto and Antonio. While this story is the basis for the Disney movie version, reading Pinocchio is quite different and may take some getting used to by children familiar with the colorful one presented on the screen. But once adjusted, kids enjoy the tale of the boy and the well-rounded and memorable characters sprinkled throughout the pages. Reviewed by Elizabeth Humphrey Can You Find It? America By Linda Falken Abrams Books for Young Readers, $16.95, 40 pages As a parent who home schools, I am always seeking fun learning opportunities to enrich my sons’ curriculum. My sons learn best when they are having so much fun that they don’t realize that they are learning. Furthermore, given a choice, my boys will not spend long hours perusing works of art at our local museum. They will, however, spend considerable time pouring over picture puzzles like the I Spy series. Therein lies the value of Can You Find It? America. This book
presents twenty “characteristically American” works of art from the 18th through the late 20th century from the Metropolitan Museum of Art collection. Beside each work is a list of items to search for and discover in the piece, and that is where the fun begins. Instead of taking a mere passing glance at these works, children are drawn into them. In the process of searching for the one green kerchief or the three parasols, they become immersed in that painting and its world. With one hundred and fifty details to find, children also have the opportunity to discover a real love of art. And, who knows? As the book suggests, the game may very well continue at your local museum. Reviewed by Annie Peters No More, Por Favor (Spanish and English Edition) By Susan Middleton Elya Putnam Juvenile, $16.99, 32 pages Who knew that the rain forest was so full of picky eaters? The baby parrot is tired of papayas, little toucan doesn’t like messy pomegranates, and the young quetzal thinks avocados are too squishy. One after another, the rain forest creatures turn their noses— and their beaks—away from the food their parents are offering. But when the finicky jungle babies get together and share a meal with friends, everything changes. “A nice change of pace is their fruit ensalada. And what could be better than sharing it? ¡Nada!” As the animals eat together, they discover new foods they enjoy. In the end, instead of complaining, the babies squawk, warble, and chirp sounds of pure contentment. Susan Middleton Elya’s fun and humorous text, and David Walker’s bright, colorful illustrations will keep readers turning the pages of No More, Por Favor with delight.
D OW NLOA D IT ! kidsbookapp.com or
Spanish words are incorporated into the story (in boldface), and a glossary and pronunciation guide is included at the front of the book. The lively personalities of the young rain forest animals are captured perfectly in dialog and actions that children can relate to. This clever rain forest tale serves up a feast of fun! Reviewed by Genny Heikka Busing Brewster By Richard Michelson Knopf Books for Young Readers, $16.99, 32 pages Brewster is about to enter first grade, and is thrilled that his mother has secured a place for him and his older brother, Bryan, at an exciting new school, Central, where he’ll have access to art and music classes and a structurally sound school building. There’s a catch, though, of which Bryan is well aware: Central is the white school, and Brewster and Bryan are black. Going there means taking a long bus ride and standing out among the all-white student body. Brewster is unfazed, even when protesters greet his bus, giving the black students a harsh welcome, and he is harassed at the water fountain. With the help of a supportive librarian, Brewster finds his place; and Bryan, too, ultimately finds a friend. Hateful comments and prejudice still surround them, but their first day ends on a hopeful note. Though broaching the idea of segregation with young children is a sensitive proposition, Busing Brewster helps put a human face on an important issue and shows what “forced busing” felt like to those on the inside. A historical note at the end of the book helps put the story in context and provides additional details about the educational shifts that took place in the 1970s. Reviewed by Margo Orlando Littell
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Mystery, Crime & Thriller The Last Layer By Lawrence Perlman iUniverse, $25.95, 221 pages An international insurance investigation leads to intrigue, fine dining, and murder. After paying out more than $300 million in stolen jewelry claims, the New York insurance underwriting firm of Larsen and McTabbit decides to make discrete inquires about the origins of the stolen property. They send their only female partner, 40year-old Catherine York, to the Caribbean island of St. Barth to investigate the original seller. At the same time, French National Police detective Gerard de Rochenoir arrives in St. Barth to investigate the same business. After Detective de Rochenoir observes Ms. York on a beach with his prime suspect, Sofia Mostov, in a scene that involves sunscreen and a discarded bathing suit top, he finds himself at the firm of Larsen and McTabbit trying to inform them of a possible conspiracy. “. . .this is our first trip together, and we are in a beautiful hotel in one of the most romantic islands in the world. If I told my friends only that, they would be green with envy. But if I went on to tell them the island is about to be hit by a hurricane, my outfit is a yellow police
parka, we are about to arrest a dangerous international criminal, and instead of kissing me, my lover is checking out his gun--well they might not be so envious.” Once the complications of the topless beach are resolved, Detective de Rochenoir and Ms. York find that they have more in common than just the case. Follow their love of dining from New York to Paris and their affinity for fine wines from Napa Pinots to French Bordeauxes. If fine wine is not your fave, then the exquisitely prepared French dishes that accompany them might be. Author Lawrence Perlman pulls his readers along the ChampsÉlysées and other parts of Paris by their palates. In their quest to connect murders to the robberies, the dapper Detective de Rochenoir and his flatfoot counterpart, Detective Pierre Abou, follow the case to Rome, Havana, and back to St. Barth. The Sherlock Holmes quoting Abou balances the upper crust de Rochenoir in style and manner. Perlman’s characters are intelligent, refined, and remarkably believable. His strong narrative drive will keep you up past your bedtime. The dialog is engrossing, and intimacy scenes are deftly handled. As an art buff and rock hound, I enjoyed the wellresearched background information, but anyone who loves Paris retail will enjoy the vicarious shopping. Sponsored Review
Following Polly By Karen Bergreen St. Martin’s Press, $24.99, 309 pages Most people update their resume when they lose their job. Alice Teakle isn’t most people. With her life falling apart, she decides to observe (stalk is such an ugly word) an old frenemy. Polly Linley Dawson has all the pieces of her dream life in place. But before Alice can find Polly’s secret, she finds Polly — dead. And guess who suspect number one is? Author Karen Bergreen lavishes as much attention on the live characters as the dead ones. Readers get an amusing peek inside the mind of Alice, who has a lot more to worry about than the mystery of who killed Polly. There’s also the mystery of her love life, her family, her career, her friendships. In other words, Alice is us – if, in addition to our day-to-day problems, we were solving mysteries with knowledge gleaned from the TV series Law & Order. Following Polly gives readers more than just the answer to “Whodunit?” Booksellers will have trouble keeping this book on the shelves. Should it be in the mystery section, humor, romance, or literary fiction? It belongs in all four sections, and Bergreen does all four equally well. Reviewed by Jodi M. Webb
While Galileo Preys By Joshua Corin Mira, $7.99, 384 pages I never understood what spine-tingling meant until I read this book. Starting with the man out walking his dog in Atlanta, coming across the body of a man in a pink prom dress, to the fitting conclusion, While Galileo Preys will have you on the edge of your seat. What does one do when they come across a dead body? They call the police. What happens when that body is actually a trap, set by a hunter of men? Fourteen people die by a sharpshooter’s bullet and a note is left in a shoe box. “If there were a God, he would have stopped me.” The best and the brightest of the FBI are called in, but there is one who has retired to do the unthinkable. Esme Stuart, a rising star with an uncanny knack of seeing patterns where no one else does, retired early to become a professor’s wife and raise a family. FBI agents don’t often sacrifice a promising career of hunting down the country’s worst serial killers to raise a family. Only she can stop Galileo and he in turn, might save her and her family in the process. Reviewed by Gwen Stackler
Humor-NonFiction How to Kick Someone’s Ass By E.R. Silverman Adams Media, $12.95, 224 pages It’s a mad, mad, mad world, and sometimes it seems like the only way to react to the crazy things people do is to be twice as crazy right back. And in these situations, E.R. Silverman’s How to Kick Someone’s Ass just might be the new manual for lunacy. I suspect the book was written semi-seriously, but published as “Humor – Nonfiction” because doing otherwise would undoubtedly lead to lawsuits. This is a very informational book. I’m someone who prides herself on her revenge pranks, but 90 percent of the suggestions proffered by Silverman had never occurred
to me—and thank goodness. While more than a few ideas are relatively harmless — if your neighbor is a jerk, turn on his garden hose when he’s away on vacation and forget about turning it off — others are, frankly, macabre. (I’ll spare you an example of one of those suggestions.) There also are written descriptions of judo moves that will undoubtedly cause some idiot to break something important. How to Kick Someone’s Ass is exactly what it claims to be. At the very least it should get a “Truth in Advertising” award. Reviewed by Amanda Mitchell Sh*t My Dad Says By Justin Halpern It Books, $15.99, 158 pages Stop what you’re doing. Run--don’t walk-to your bookstore or your computer and buy Shit My Dad Says by Justin Halpern now. Now!!! If you’re smart, you’re not even read-
ing the rest of this review because you’re already reading the book, but if you’re a bit slow, let me help you catch up to the rest of the class. You’ll start laughing with the first sentence you read in the introduction and you won’t stop laughing for hours after you’ve finished this book—which will likely be done in one sitting. “So he called you a homo. Big deal. There’s nothing wrong with being a homosexual…No, I’m not saying you’re a homosexual. Jesus Christ. Now I’m starting to see why this kid was giving you shit.”
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Justin Halpern may be a great writer. I have no idea. What I can tell you is that his father is one of the most singularly hysterical people whose words and deeds have ever been recorded. What started as a popular Twitter feed and became this amazingly funny book will even be a sitcom this fall. The premise is simple: it’s a collection of side-splittingly funny things a very wise man says to his son. We can all use a little more laughter in our days. We can all use a little more joy. I guarantee this book will accomplish both and that when you’re done with it, you’ll immediately recommend it to everyone you know. Reviewed by Albert Riehle
September 10
5
History Murder on the Boob Tube By John William Law Aplomb Publishing, $14.95, 231 pages I was immediately drawn to this book because the cover features a photo of Peter Falk in his classic role, Columbo. Not only is this my favorite mystery/detective show, but I have published articles on the subject. Unfortunately, the chapter dealing with the show told me nothing I didn’t already know. Worse, it contained glaring mistakes, such as confusing John Houseman with Ray Milland. To say this is not a scholarly work is an understatement. Murder on the Boob Tube is a slapdash collection of chapters detailing various television shows that aired between the 1950’s and the 1990’s. There are no interviews with filmmakers, no original research, and the photos alternate between tiny publicity shots and poor reproductions of TV Guide magazine covers. There is certainly some useful information contained within, such as air dates and cast members. And, the author does occasionally impart a nugget of insight, such as in his well written chapter
on Dragnet. Too bad the rest of the shows discussed didn’t engage the present author in the same manner. Reviewed by Bruce Marshall
Share This!: How You Will Change the World with Social Networking By Deanna Zandt Berrett-Koehler, $16.95, 172 pages More than a how-to book, Deanna Zandt in Share This!: How You Will Change the World with Social Networking explains the ins and outs of becoming increasingly engaged through Twitter, Facebook and other social networking sites. The main text of the book discusses the powerful tools that are changing society’s previous rigid social and political hierarchies. Using real-world examples, such as the Iranian presidential election of 2009, Zandt demonstrates that regular people can use social media for effecting change and participating in global conversations. After the book’s conclusion, Zandt provides resources for those planning to jump into the fray. For those already well-versed in social networking, Share This! might present too basic of an instruction manual. However, if you’re trying to convince activist friends or an organization why they should sign up for one site or the other, Share This! provides ac-
cessible advice in a friendly manner. Zandt reviews the rules of the cyber-road, explaining the importance of a social networker being authentic and not hiding in anonymity. Share This! illustrates the value of sharing and being a part of the conversation, not just hanging out on the sidelines. Reviewed by Elizabeth Humphrey
The Living Constitution (Inalienable Rights) By David A. Strauss Oxford University Press, $21.95, 150 pages. Mr. Strauss’s argument is essentially that our Constitution is a common-law Constitution, evolving under the pressures of precedent and tradition. He pleads his case well, demonstrating the unwieldiness of the amendment process and the proven success of the precendental. He makes a very good set of points demonstrating that amendments which are before their time or opposed by the general culture will largely be ignored and those amendments which we most often think of as overwhelmingly successful actually accomplished nothing but rounding up some “outliers”. I suspect his biases. He looks at the tremendous expansion of the First Amendment through precedent as an unmitigated good, but sneers a bit at resistance to the precendental contraction of the second. While regarding the amendment that cemented the income tax in place as a summing up of accepted practice he submits the
Current Events
6 September 10
The Betrayal of American Prosperity: Free Market Delusions, America’s Decline, and How We Must Compete in the Post-Dollar Era By Clyde Prestowitz Free Press, $26.00, 337 pages The recent economic downturn has sure been a boon to the publishing industry, as scores of books have been released analyzing how Big Banks, Wall Street, greed, and incompetence have caused the financial crisis. A few books have gone deeper than pointing fingers and looked at the economic theories behind these actions and how they and basic assumptions on the part of Americans have contributed to the crisis. The Betrayal of American Prosperity by Clyde Prestow-
idea that Roe V. Wade is still in flux. I would argue that there is a great deal more of support for Roe V. Wade than there is for the income tax. But that is just this reviewer’s opinion. Mr. Strauss makes his case persuasively. It might be more convincing if he did not come condescendingly to the same conclusion so often and in such a repetitive style. His dismissive attitude towards the originalists among the Supremes is less than gracious. He denigrates those justices by name while avoiding acknowledging the status of the Constitution and its first all-important amendments as guiding abstractions for a civilization. Reviewed by David Sutton Golden Gate: The Life and Times of America’s Greatest Bridge By Kevin Starr Walker & Company, $23.00, 215 pages If the dreams of spanning the Golden Gate go back to frontier days, the objections are almost as old and as numerous. The Sierra Club complained on environmental grounds that a bridge would profane the
itz is one of the latter. Prestowitz, long time adviser to the White House, goes to great lengths in his book to show how America’s current economic problems run much deeper than the current recession. Consumption, free trade, globalization, the supremacy of the market, sovereign companies, cheap energy, and geopolitical priorities all come under heavy fire from Prestowitz. The Betrayal of American Prosperity is much more than a broadside at market fundamentalism, it’s also a prescription for how America can revitalize its industrial and high-tech base, bring back jobs to America, and successfully compete in a globalized world. The last six years as I’ve looked around at the USA I’ve felt instinctively that something was wrong but couldn’t identify it until Prestowitz gave my troubled thoughts meaning. Reviewed by Jonathon Howard The Invisible Gorilla: And Other Ways Our Intuitions Deceive Us By Christopher Chabris & Daniel Simons Crown, $27.00, 306 pages Gorillas in Our Midst, became so popular that has been viewed countless times in classrooms and over the Internet. Charbis and Simons explain six everyday illusions that deceive us and can prove dangerous.
site, and famed photographer Ansel Adams agreed that a bridge would destroy the grandeur of the entrance to the San Francisco Bay. Taxpayers, particularly in the northern counties, objected to the price tag of $35 million in a time of deep economic depression; steam ship lines objected to the obstruction of their waterway; engineers objected to the design — by Chicago engineer Joseph Strauss –– they claimed the bridge could not survive an earthquake along a major fault. But in the early 1930s, upward of 300,000 cars were ferried across the bay in a single year, creating traffic delays and disgruntling motorists. In the end, newspapers, boards of supervisors, and civic and booster clubs, particularly the California Automobile Association, united in their support: Construction began on the bridge historian Kevin Starr compares to the Great Pyramid of Egypt and the Hagia Sophia in Istanbul. Starr, author of Americans and the California Dream, delights as much in the details of history and on-going maintenance as he does in the contours of the bridge itself. Reviewed by Zara Raab
Chapters are devoted to what we believe about paying attention, the strength of memory, confidence equating knowledge, our depth of knowledge, proving cause and potential being easy to realize. Confidence expressed by eyewitness can result in a wrongful conviction. Juries believe strongly confident, though not necessarily accurate, testimony over less emphatic statements even if the weaker testimony is accurate. Depth of knowledge that genetics experts used in estimating the number of genes in the human genome proved off by as much as a factor of five when the project closed in on the final estimate. The lesion noted here is that knowledge can be overestimated. This survey book is easy to understand and contains compelling examples to support the authors’ assertions about everyday illusions. Theirs is a considered approach, not shocking or sensationalist but built on long term work by teams of well-respected members of the scientific community. Recommended for curious readers. Reviewed by Ruta Arellano
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Biographies & Memoirs I Know How It Feels: Lessons of a Lifelong Dream By Charles Clark Xlibris, $19.99, 151 pages I Know How It Feels is about a man’s journey with God, and his constant disagreements with Him. Clark explores his past, his anger, and his eventual redemption, and does so in light of his personal faith. He covers a life lived large, starting with his gang background, his military history, and a soap opera- worthy family life, and then relates it back to his personal journey. The major criticism against the book is that he needs to relax a bit, and take a little more time exploring his life; it just seems a little shorter than it should be. There are some sections, especially some of the military episodes, that need a little more detail, as well as a little more exploration of his mental state at the time, and more details of what happened. There definitely needs to be a little less compression, as the events need a little more spacing; they just feel a little too close together. Otherwise, it’s an interesting read. This is a story that needs to be told, and Clark does so in a way that his chosen audience will listen to. He has been there, done that, and shows that he has survived a young black man’s dream, finding a way out through self-discipline, the support of his family, and faith in God. His anger was easily his
main enemy over the years, and the only one that followed him throughout his life. It almost resulted in his death a few times, either physically or career-wise, and only luck seemed to save his neck a few times. I Know How It Feels is ultimately the story of a man surviving only due to his belief that God wanted him to witness. This is a good beginning to that witnessing. Sponsored Review Naked in Eden: My Adventure and Awakening in the Australian Rainforest By Robin Easton HCI, $24.95, 340 pages Australia is a vast continent populated by some of the most venomous dangerous animals the world over. To drop out of regular society to hike into the wilds of the Daintree Rainforest, in Australia, would seem to be illogical, foolhardy, and just plain crazy. Naked in Eden is Easton’s interesting, well written account of Robin’s life-changing journey, and the time spent in the rainforest. Up against challenges like rain swollen rivers and impassable unpaved roads, even the most determined traveler would most likely turn back when facing such conditions. Not so for our mate, Robin. Naked in Eden reads like an adventure novel at times, pure horror in other places, and
Popular Fiction Starting from Scratch: A Novel By Susan Gilbert-Collins Touchstone, $15.00, 288 pages Olivia’s mother had a stroke on the day she defended her doctoral dissertation; she died two days later. Two months later, Olivia remains in limbo, cooking elaborate meals for her father and obsessing over finishing the final issue of her mother’s cooking newsletter while hiding her doctorate from her family. At her family’s urging, she takes on a part-time job with Meals on Wheels and meets a woman from her mother’s past, who might be the key to unlocking some family secrets. One of the coolest things about Starting From Scratch is the inclusion of various reci-
pes mentioned throughout the story. But beyond the culinary angle, this novel is primarily about different ways people deal with grief. Olivia initially tries to escape the real world by planting herself firmly in the safety and familiarity of her childhood home, but ultimately finds solace in tying up the loose ends her mother left behind. The characters’ different methods of dealing with the loss of their family matriarch ring very true to life, and the sense of completion and imperfect family unity create a conclusion that is ultimately satisfying. Reviewed by Holly Scudero The Summer We Read Gatsby By Danielle Ganek Viking, $25.95, 290 pages Half-sisters Cassie and Pecksland Moriarty reunite at Fools House, a run-down cottage in the Hamptons, bequeathed to them by their Aunt Lydia. Peck, an aspiring actress from NYC, and Cassie, a magazine
even more unexpected, a great love story, as Robin finds herself conquering her fears, her isolated-from-society plight, to become one with the wild of the great wood. Misunderstood in school because of autism, Robin left a society she never felt a part of, to connect with giant trees, big soft-eyed wallabies and bandicoots and even those menacing venomous creatures. Mesmerized from cover to cover, I lived vicariously through the brave courage of this remarkable young woman. Easton reminds us we need to simplify and make a pointed effort to reconnect with “Mother Earth” and do our part to preserve this wild place. Reviewed by Laura Friedkin I’m With Fatty By Edward Ugel Weinstein Books, $24.95, 242 pages I am haunted by mirrors. With that opening line, Edward Ugel begins his journey to lose 50 pounds in 50 weeks. Perhaps it’s a hefty goal, but Ugel realizes dieting doesn’t have to be an all-or-nothing proposition. After his wife Brooke shares concerns about his snoring (which she taped and played back for him) and he takes part in a sleep study, Ugel’s doctor hits him with the tough words: crisis and death. Thus, a deal is struck: Lose 50 pounds and you’ll no longer need a CPAP machine to help with breathing during sleep. Oh, and “you can see your wife’s face when she turns down sex.” “But as much as I love food, I love my wife and two daughters more . . . I think. I want to be healthy so I can
writer living in Switzerland, can’t come to terms with giving up their aunt’s artistic legacy, which includes a “fool” or artist-inresidence. The two polar opposites struggle with honoring Lydia’s request to sell the property and keeping the familiarity and safety of the one place where they shared a common bond, including the summer they read Gatsby. “I was twenty-one that summer I read Gatsby for the first time. It was 2001, and I’d arrived to spend what would then be my third summer at Aunt Lydia’s house with the older half sister who intimidated me.”
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watch my girls grow up. I want to grow old with my wife. I want to be there for all of them as long as possible.” Ugel offers a humorous look at what it means to be male and overweight in America. His struggles to maintain an exercise routine and conquer his poor eating habits push him to find the root of his eating problems. A blogger for the Huffington Post and a freelance writer, Ugel comes to several startling conclusions. One is that he’s an emotional eater and food addict. He drops 46 pounds in 50 weeks, and although he doesn’t reach his goal, he feels successful about his year-long fatty project. And most importantly, he realizes maintaining the weight loss will be a life-long process that’s bearable with like-minded weight loss friends. Ugel’s comedic, honest story of weight loss is better than a box of glazed donuts Reviewed by LuAnn Schindler ARTS and CRAFTS, con’t from page 1 most of the “whole room” pictures. Thankfully, the writer included many adjacent detail plates to study. The rather ominous feel of Scott’s rooms lends scope to some of the classic books I adore; I could almost see one, or more, of the Bronte sisters scribbling away in one of Scott’s studies ... walking the halls with a candle as a thunderstorm roared outside. This book has earned a place on my table, right by the volume on Monet’s paintings. Reviewed by Meredith Greene Through Cassie’s eyes, readers meander through the back roads of the Hamptons, discovering how the rich and famous play during the summer. Between choosing the right outfit to stand out as a fashionina (a term coined by Peck) and attending elegant parties, the two girls search for what could be an unsigned Jackson Pollack painting that vanished from above the mantel and a possible first edition of Gatsby that’s disappeared from the house. But the story isn’t about finding missing swag. It’s about finding something of innate value, and the discoveries they make that summer are priceless. Author Danielle Ganek introduces a steady stream of vibrant characters, creating an extended family for the half-sisters. A charming read, but I kept hoping for a stronger connection to F. Scott Fitzgerald’s story. Reviewed by LuAnn Schindler
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Young Adult The Julian Game By Adele Griffin G.P. Putnam’s Sons, $16.99, 208 pages Bored one afternoon, Raye Archer and her friend, Natalya, decide to create a Facebook profile for “Elizabeth.” Elizabeth is everything Raye wants to be: She is popular at the new school, where Raye finds it hard to fit into the social hierarchy. Things start to get complicated when Raye finds herself using her Elizabeth profile to help queen bee Ella Parker get even with hot and popular Julian Kilgarry. What began as a simple game quickly spirals out of control, and Raye has a hard time separating her Elizabeth life from her real life and her real feelings for Julian. Ella is not about to stand by and watch the new girl ruin her plans, and things are going to get messy. While many of the characters are stock characters you would expect in a story of this type, the author has managed to add little touches that make them seem more human, especially Ella’s obsessive-compulsive tendencies.
More interesting to look at is the issue of cyber-bullying, though sites like Facebook. As social networking becomes more popular, this is an issue that many teens will relate to easily. In the end, The Julian Game isn’t a long or brilliant read, but it manages to be thought-provoking anyway. Reviewed by Alyssa Feller Stalker Girl By Rosemary Graham Viking Juvenile, $16.99, 296 pages When does intrigue cross the line into obsession? When does obsession become stalking? Rosemary Graham looks at first love in Stalker Girl. When Carly’s mom moves upstate to direct a summer camp, Carly spends her vacation working in the camp kitchen. She meets Brian, who divides his time between washing dishes at camp and strumming out tunes with his band. The two become intimate and Carly thinks she’s in love. Eventua l ly, summer fades into fall and the
romantic bond weakens once Carly and Brian return to New York City. As Brian’s band gains popularity, Carly’s emotions spiral into a tangled mess of jealousy and insecurity. After making a scene at a gig, Brian ends the relationship. When Carly discovers he’s seeing someone else, she wants a glimpse of the new girl, Taylor. Using social networking and Internet sites, Carly’s curiosity consumes her as she searches for details of the privileged Taylor’s life. The peek turns into fixation, and Carly trails Taylor through New York City. How far will Carly go? The author divides the novel into three sections: the stalking escapade, a flashback to the summer, and the consequences. Graham focuses on Brian’s and Carly’s relationship and the quick descent that leads to the break. Considering the number of teens who are “wired,” the novel offers a scary look into a very real situation. Reviewed by LuAnn Schindler Smells Like Dog By Suzanne Selfors Little, Brown Books for Young Readers, $15.99, 360 pages Smells Like Dog is a wonderful tale about a young boy named Homer who isn’t very popular in school, and is often teased
about his desire to become a famous treasure hunter. His Uncle Drake encourages Homer by giving him treasure maps, books and tools of the trade; needless to say, Uncle Drake is Homer’s favorite uncle. Sadly, Homer is left feeling alone after his Uncle is eaten by a gigantic turtle, leaving the family nothing but a pair of shoes and a lazy, droopy hound with no sense of smell. Homer quickly finds that his uncle left behind clues to a mystery that needs to be solved. Join Homer, Dog, and his sister Gwendolyn on a wonderful treasure hunting adventure where they try to solve Uncle Drake’s mysterious death and might even unearth an unusual tlent in Dog, making him a very special pet after all. Smells Like Dog would make an enjoyable selection for any children’s reading group. Suzanne Selfors has created characters quirky enough to capture attention, and what child doesn’t enjoy a good treasure hunt? Reviewed by Doreen Erhardt
Tweens Adventures of a Cat-Whiskered Girl Scumble By Ingrid Law Dial Books for Young Readers, $16.99, 401 pages When Ledge turns thirteen, the family savvy shows up. Savvy makes Cousin Rocket electrical and Cousin Samson invisible. Uncle Autry communicates with insects. Grandma Dollop captured music in a peanut butter jar. Ledge’s savvy makes things self-destruct when he’s upset. En route to Autry’s ranch for a wedding, Ledge’s parents stop in Sundance and go into a coffee shop. A run-in with a girl named Sarah Jane activates Ledge’s savvy, leaving a motorcycle and truck in shambles. Family weddings are celebrated by opening Grandma’s jar. Sara Jane, a self-appointed reporter, sneaks into the wedding, hoping for a scoop. She steals the jar from Ledge when guests move inside the barn to party. Ledge seethes in anger, making the barn blow apart. Uncle Autry keeps Ledge on the ranch, suggesting that Ledge will
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eventually learn to manage his savvy. But Autry has problems too. Sarah Jane’s father has threatened to foreclose on his ranch. There’s bad blood between the two families. In time, Ledge learns to scumble his savvy, blending it into his personality, finding he can fix things as well as take them apart. When he and Sarah Jane become unlikely friends, he also unravels a mystery from her past. Reviewed by Elizabeth Varadan Lunch Lady and the Summer Camp Shakedown By Jarrett J. Krosoczka Knopf Books for Young Readers, $6.99, 96 pages Dee, Hector, and Terrence are back for another adventure, this time at summer camp! The kids have waited for the chance to attend sleep away camp, but end up getting more than they bargained for. Something has been attacking the camp at night, and activities are shut down until the mystery is solved. Is there really a swamp monster terrorizing the campgrounds? You can bet Lunch Lady is going to find out! This series of graphic novels are a great solution for reluctant readers, comic enthusiasts, and kids who are just looking
for something a little different. This installment celebrates that great summer tradition of sleep away camp. The story may be light, but it’s still fun to read, with an ending that pays tribute to the old Scooby Doo cartoons. The best thing about Lunch Lady is her cafeteria-inspired spy gadgets, including her taco night vision goggles, cookie camera, lunch tray laptop, and more. Fans of the Lunch Lady books will find this a funny summer adventure and a great addition to the series. Those who are new to the series can easily start with this book to introduce themselves to Lunch Lady and her school-inspired superhero adventures. Reviewed by Alyssa Feller The Adventures of Hotsy Totsy By Clive Cussler Philomel, $14.99, 176 pages Clive Cussler writes riveting thrillers for adults. It is with real pleasure that we find he has extended his repertoire to offer the same fine writing to the age 9-12 set. Lacey and Casey Nicefolk are ten-yearold fraternal twins with a well-kept secret: in the family barn is a magical machine that
turns toys or models or miniatures into full size, working machines! When their parents are out of town, the twins decide to use this magical machine on a model of a boat (the “Hotsy Totsy” of the title), and use the resulting speedcraft--enhanced with a little magical embellishment or two--to enter a major boat race. They overcome many obstacles in order to get their boat into the race (for example, being children, they don’t realize there’s a fee they must pay to enter the Hotsy Totsy into the race; they’ve left home with just enough money for lunch!); they meet many colorful characters--some friendly, some evil--and foil the getaway of a band of bankrobbers. Most important, they learn that there’s more to winning than being the first across the finish line. There’s no real character development here, but the rollicking story will carry the young reader along -- and make him wish he had the twins’ magical machine hidden in HIS garage! Reviewed by Claudette Smith
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Sept 2010
E X P A N D E D
S E C T I O N
Science Fiction & Fantasy Mockingjay
By Suzanne Collins Scholastic Press, $17.99, 400 pages Mockingjay is one of the most anticipated YA novels of the year, concluding the dystopian trilogy started in the Hunger Games. It is the story of a future where two children from each of the districts making up the country are sent to take part in very violent televised games, with only one set of them surviving, provided both actually do survive. In Hunger Games, Katniss takes her sister’s place in the lottery, going to the Hunger Games instead, and against all odds, survives. In Catching Fire, Katniss is lauded among the districts and then subjected to a new Hunger Game with previous survivors for a 75th anniversary special. Finally, in Mockingjay, Katniss becomes part of the revolution to overthrow the brutal system. There is a major change of focus in Mockingjay, not so much on the characters, but on the subject of war and conflict. In the first two books, the majority of the emphasis was that one did their best to make sure you left something better for those that came after you. The children and their parents participated in the Hunger Games because winning them would make life better for the residents of the winning district‌or also because not participating would bring retaliation down on any district that dared to try and boycott them. But in Mockingjay, there is a lot of death, but it seems more for shock value than for examples of selflessness. Katniss herself goes from being a driving character to reacting to the events and things around her, almost becoming easily manipulated with no change to explain why. Collins does deliver a well-concluded final book, but it lacks some of the humanness that gave her many rabid fans of the first two books and could disappoint readers who were looking to see more development in Katniss and a better conclusion to her story. Reviewed by Ross Rojek
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E X PA NDED SCIENCE FIC T ION & FA N TA SY The Auslesen Seven: In the Land of the Unicorn By Zachary Schmitz Xlibris, $29.99, 247 pages Orphans Chris and James’ lives are changed forever after a chance encounter with a genie who transports them to a magical world of wizards, mystical creatures, and a centuries-old war between the Elites and the Ribelles. Chris discovers that he is the Chosen One whom the magical world has waited generations to arrive. He is their only hope for ending the war and bringing peace to the land. Zachary Schmitz’s debut novel is full of memorable characters, magic spells, dangerous enemies, and exciting adventures. Schmitz takes the reader on a fast-paced journey through mysticism and magic. Chris and James must create entire new identities for themselves and adapt to an entirely foreign world while discovering who they are individually, as friends, and as members of the Auslesen Seven. Many of Schmitz’s themes—wizarding school, the Chosen One, wands choosing their masters, and fighting against dark forces—will be familiar to fantasy fans. While Schmitz’s habit of addressing the reader was a bit distracting, his story is intriguing. This book is the first of an intended series, so it doesn’t come to a finite conclusion. The reader is left wondering what will happen next to the mischievous duo and what dangers will lay waiting for them along the precarious path toward freedom. Sponsored Review Tome of the Undergates (The Aeon’s Gate, Book 1) By Sam Sykes Pyr, $17.00, 490 pages Lenk is an adventurer, a profession that many consider to be the lowest of the low, and he has surrounded himself with similarly degenerate company: Denaos the rogue; Asper, a priestess with a cursed secret; Dreadaeleon, an immature wizard; Gariath, the last of the race of dragonmen; and Kataria, a savage creature called a shict. The group spends as much time trying to kill one another as they do trying to accomplish the mission set before them: recover a powerful book stolen by demons before the demons can use it to set their mother-demon free. To complicate matters, a race of purple-skinned warriors are seeking the very same tome, and will not hesitate to kill anyone who gets in their way.
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Tome of the Undergates is the first in the Aeon’s Gate series by Sam Sykes. Despite the author’s apparent obsession with bodily functions, specifically that of flatulence, this is a very solid beginning to what promises to be an epic storyline. Sykes writes with a wry humor; there is intense fighting action to be found here, certainly, and a complex plot filled with unexpected twists, but the underlying depraved sense of humor is undeniable. This series has great potential. Reviewed by Holly Scudero An Artificial Night: An October Daye Novel By Seanan McGuire DAW, $7.99, 368 pages Often times you’ll read certain books and simultaneously imagine what they’d look like on the big screen. The action sequences, descriptive scene settings or dialogue simply lends itself to that medium. An Artificial Night is such a book. It is wildly and beautifully descriptive, with scenes that will simply take your breath away. If Hollywood doesn’t snatch up the rights to this book, they are even crazier than Johnny Depp in Pirates of the Caribbean III. That being said, the third installment in the October (Toby) Day series is even better (if that could be believed) than the prior two. Author Seanan McGuire seems to have hit her stride and should enjoy a long career. Part private investigator, part knight errant for the fae community in San Francisco, Toby’s faced challenges that would bring lesser mortals (or immortals) to their knees. But when the fae children of her fair city are stolen from their beds, she leaps into action with little regard for her own well-being. Toby will have the brave the dark lands of Blind Michael and wrestle the children back, lest they become a permanent riders in the Wild Hunt, changed forever. Racing against the clock and her own death, Toby plunges head-long in a wild adventure leaving the reader breathless with anticipation. Reviewed by Lanine Bradley Final Crisis By Greg Cox Ace, $15.00, 305 pages It starts with the death of a god. The battle between good and evil has tipped toward the side of evil, and the Justice League of America scrambles to solve the mystery. As dangers mount and the heroes are scattered by threats both personal and global, a dark force conquers humanity, removing free will from the Earth and assembling a mindless slave army of billions. Can even the might of Batman, Superman, Wonder Woman, the Flash, Green Lantern, and their allies stop the master plan of a new pantheon of evil gods? Final Crisis is Greg Cox’s attempt to distill
Jump Gate Twist (Jon & Lobo Series) By Mark L. Van Name Baen, $12.00, 736 pages
Mark L. Van Name has risen quickly among Baen’s stable of science fiction novelists and with good reasons. Many of those reasons are on full display in Jump Gate Twist, an omnibus containing One Jump Ahead and Slanted Jack, the first two novels in his Jon and Lobo series plus two short stories set in the universe. Jon is the human protagonist and first person narrator while Lobo is the living, space-faring warship who provides dry responses to Jon’s rhetorical questions. The dialogue between Jon and Lobo is entertaining and provides a strong narrative current. I was reminded a bit of Steven Brust’s assassin Vlad Taltos and his familiar Loiosh in that both duos communicate on a silent, mental wavelength. Jon is not exactly normal human. As a result of experiments conducted while Jon was younger, his body is teeming with nanobots which provide him a level of superhuman abilities, not the least of which is the ability to communicate with machines. “Strongly recommended. Engaging characters and brisk plot in two novels, plus two short stories under one cover. A must have omnibus!” One Jump Ahead introduces both characters as Jon acquires Lobo when vacationing on the planet Macken, and Jon is convinced to help save a young kidnapped girl. Before the second full novel, we get a very early glimpse at Jon before he is the experienced courier and ex-military man. The story, “My Sister, My Self,” is set on Jon’s birth planet Pinkelponker and offers readers the only glimpse at Jon’s sister Jenni, the memory of whom haunts Jon in the two novels in the omnibus. In Slanted Jack, the second novel in the omnibus, Jon runs into an old ‘business partner’ who lures Jon back to his side in order to save the life of a young boy who is contention point between a religious cult (with ties to Jon’s home planet of Pinkelponker); a crime lord who wants the boy for his own purposes; and strong-armed government. While the setting of the books is a vast galaxy, Van Name does a great job of making these stories personal and intimate deftly balancing character and action. One of the cooler SF-nal elements allowing for such widespread travel are the Gates, which allow quick travel across galaxies and are thought by some to be relics of an ancient civilization or even gods. All told, I highly recommended this book both as an introduction to Van Name’s work and a great value for containing two flat-out entertaining science fiction novels. Reviewed by Robert H. Bedford a galaxy-spanning story from the DC Comics universe into a single tome, and given the amount of material – both in the comic miniseries itself and in backstory to help new readers get caught up – his effort is an admirable one. Dozens, perhaps hundreds, of characters wander in and out of the story, and many of them get not only adequate description and history, but time to shine. Unfortunately, it’s an almost insurmountable task. Eventually, some of the namedropping, especially in larger scenes, leaves unfamiliar readers a bit lost. The translation process from comic to novel also hobbles Cox’s efforts. In a multi-issue comic series, it makes sense for Superman to disappear for a bit, because odds are, a single issue will be wholly devoted to him and his activities in the meantime. But in the novel, his absence is palpable, even at times, detrimental to the read. And in a story of such scope, where characters and major players are dying and suffering and being transformed before our
very eyes, understanding is crucial. We need to care about these characters in order to invest ourselves in the storytelling. For Batman, Superman, and some of the other big name characters, that’s easy. When it comes to Black Lightning, the Tattooed Man, detective Dan Turpin, and others, more time to explore them and their importance to the universe would have been beneficial, both to the reader and the characters. Even Darkseid, the master architect of the catastrophe that threatens the universe, is under explained. His goals, his methods, his reasons are inscrutable. This may be intentional; after all, Darkseid is a new god, and the ways of gods are often inscrutable to mere mortals. But as an antagonist, a story-driving force, a reader desperately needs to understand Darkseid. And for the most part, a non-comic reader who has picked up Final Crisis won’t. Is Final Crisis a worthwhile read? Absolutely. It’s challenging and interesting, surprising and action-packed. But it’s also occa-
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E X PA NDED SCIENCE FIC T ION & FA N TA SY sionally frustrating. Might want to do a bit of homework before picking it up. Reviewed by Glenn Dallas Queen of Shadows (A Novel of the Shadow World) By Dianne Sylvan Ace, $7.99, 400 pages Miranda Grey is slowly going crazy. She started out sane enough, picking up an old guitar and teaching herself how to play, singing on street corners for tips. Then a strange thing happened. She found she could manipulate the emotions of her audience. They’d leave her shows just a bit sad or high as a kite. But her gift was a doubleedge sword. As she could manipulate the emotions of others through her music, she began to know things about others, horrible things. Now she’s drowning in a sea of secrets and can tell no one lest they commit her. Until she meets David Solomon, vampire king of the South. As he begins to help her heal, they both become embroiled in a vampiric civil war. Dianne Sylvan is an incredibly talented writer. She draws the reader not only into the story but into the very marrow of someone who is starting to question their grip on reality. If you aren’t familiar with the Austin area, you will be, once you turn that last page. While the story drags a bit in the middle, Queen of Shadows concludes with a great flourish, leaving the reader euphoric. Reviewed by Lanine Bradley Ghost of a Chance By Simon R. Green Ace, $7.99, 260 pages The Carnacki Institute is humanity’s first, last, and only defense against incursions of a supernatural nature. Other-dimensional forces, demonic entities, convergences of time and space – the Institute is equipped to handle all of them. Its resident experts in hauntings and ghostly visitations are the arrogantly capable JC Chance, the techmistress Melody Chambers, and the sullen telepath Happy Jack Palmer. And their latest assignment is a doozy: London’s Oxford Circus tube station. Something is down there, summoning ghosts and visions and all manners of diabolical weirdness. And when agents of the rival Crowley Project arrive on the scene, the intrepid trio might be in over their heads. Jumpstarting a new novel series, Ghost of a Chance features all of Green’s trademark
banter, plot twists, and ultra-vibrant supernatural eeriness. While the main protagonists are still a little cookie-cutter at this point – the multilayered threat in the Oxford Circus station takes center stage – I’m most definitely looking forward to their further adventures. I have no doubt that Green will deliver on their potential in spades. As a first installment, Ghost of a Chance stirs interest and satisfies. I’d expect nothing less from Simon R. Green. Reviewed by Glenn Dallas Twelve By Jasper Kent Pyr, $17.00, 457 pages Captain Aleksei Ivanovich Danilov is a peculiar soldier in an unusual war. Napoleon Bonaparte’s march through Russia in the year 1812 made history, but in this alternative history by Jasper Kent, creatures called the Oprichniki are asked by Aleksei and his comrades to join the fight against the French on the side of the Russians (at least that’s what the Russian soldiers believe). As Aleksei observes these creatures, condemning his friend and fellow soldier to death in the process, he realizes that the only side these creatures are on is their own. It’s not his cowardice or failure to act but in fact creatures of a terrifying legend called the Voordalak that becomes his greatest failing and his redemption. Rich and detailed, Twelve chases battles and skirmishes from field to town and back again, from brothel to hospital and lonely barns in the snow-deeps of a Russian winter. This vampire novel leaks Russia from its very pages. The characters make this conglomeration of human frailties, misguided loyalties, communism, and vampires proof that, in the right hands, the vampire novel isn’t dead, or undead, but flourishing. Reviewed by Axie Barclay The Evolutionary Void By Peter F. Hamilton Del Rey, $28.00, 694 pages Picking up precisely where The Temporal Void left off, The Evolutionary Void,—the third book in Hamilton’s Void Trilogy— immediately kicks into high gear. Edeard has finally managed to master his awesome psychic abilities, but he finds that his troubles are far from over. Second Dreamer Araminita finds herself trying to outrun her destiny as every Commonwealth faction in the universe hunts her down. The cult of the Living Dreamers ruthlessly pursues their goal of
settling into their perfect lives within the Void, while Oscar Monroe feverishly works on his own plan to thwart the utter destruction that will be the ultimate result of their pilgrimage. While I found some of his character interaction scenes--and pretty much all of his action scenes--to be portrayed in a somewhat stilted manner, Hamilton does continue to excel in character development. And does this book have some characters! This story is a very detailed mapping of overlapping layers of storylines, of which, the few mentioned above are but a small portion. Several philosophical arguments are also part of the tapestry which makes for an interesting read, even if you don’t find yourself fully immersed in the pages of this particular book. Reviewed by Heather Ortiz Revenant (A Zoe Martinique Investigation) By Phaedra Weldon Ace, $15.00, 352 pages Those unfamiliar with the storyline may very well find themselves lost through much of the latest offering in the Zoe Martinique series. Zoe is back with the same cast of characters from her earlier novels with new powers and abilities. On a positive note, long time readers won’t have to wade through long explanations of information by the time they reach this fourth novel but for the uninitiated Revenant does not work as a stand-alone novel. Zoe is a Wraith. She has the ability to shed her body and walk on the Abysmal plane. She conceals the ability from her friends and family as she is encouraged to trust no one. However when bodies began showing up around Atlanta, Zoe has little choice but to come clean as she turns to them for help. Part paranormal fantasy part mystery, the fast-paced storyline will keep readers engaged to the very end. Author Phaedra Weldon’s descriptive writing style and intriguing characters make this fairly complex world a worthwhile read, although much more enjoyable if readers start from the first in the series. Reviewed by Lanine Bradley Wings of Fire By Holly Black, Orson Scott Card, George R. R. Martin, Anne McCaffrey, Todd Lockwood Night Shade Books, $15.95, 499 pages This enchanting collection is a sampling of all things dragon; philosophy, magic, mechanism, environment, menu, subterfuge, climate, culture, and dragons as friends and pro-
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tagonists. I met several old winged friends and made some new ones. This was not a story that failed to entrance. Often anthologies are offered with one or two prominent writers to carry their more earthbound colleagues. Not so with Wings of Fire. The level of writing is so consistently high one feels seized and borne aloft! “Hear a dragon’s riddling: as round as an apple, as deep as a cup, and all the kings horses can’t pull it up. Which was a well of course.” Some stories were origination sources for series dear to lovers of science-fantasy. In St. Dragon and the George we meet Gordon Dickson’s Teaching Assistant Jim Eckert, transmuted into Gorbash, before the mourned Mr. Dickson injected Aragh or the sandmirks or the Welsh archer. In Weyr Search Lessa of Ruatha Hold sabotages her family’s slayer and is impressed to become the loved and loving companion of the golden queen of Pern’s Dragonfolk. Some jewels stand alone, limned by flame. Ursula K. Le Guin pits Winter Dragon against moonshine. S. P. Somtow’s dragon underlies Bangkok and supplies both enchantment and wondrous nourishment. Jane Yolen steals the Wart from theOnce and Future Kingand performs a draconian transformation of Merlin. A wondrous volume! Reviewed by David Sutton Return By Peter S. Beagle Subterranean Press, $35.00, 104 pages A bow and arrow-wielding mercenary confronts painful memories and an ancient evil in Return, a new Innkeeper’s World story from the pen of mythopoeia, Hugo and Nebula Award winner and two-time World Fantasy Award best novel nominee Peter S. Beagle. Soukyan, the narrator, has long been hunted by unchangeable Hunter’s triads, but the latest attack is different. Soukyan dons a disguise to return to that place he fled as a boy many years before. What he finds is the ancient secret of the Order of Brothers he was once invited to join. Only through the help of the magic given to him by the “man who laughs” can Soukyan hope to overcome the indomitable Hunters and their half-mad masters. Beagle’s story reads like an ancient legend due to its intimate first-person perspective, its ancient sounding grammar and vocabulary, and its intense sequences of battle and ancient magic. Coupled with a spectacular cover and interior illustrations by Chesley Award winner Maurizio Manzieri, this lush limited edition novella is entrancing and ut-
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E X PA NDED SCIENCE FIC T ION & FA N TA SY terly compelling. Familiarity with The Innkeeper’s Song is not required to enjoy this captivating heroic and mythic fantasy. Reviewed by John Ottinger The Very Best of Charles de Lint By Charles de Lint Tachyon Publications, $15.95, 427 pages The Very Best of Charles de Lint is a short story collection compiled, in part, with the help of de Lint’s fans. De Lint includes a very nice introduction that explains the impetus for this urban fantasy collection and how he collaborated with his fans to choose the stories. He and his fans did a wonderful job as these stories are lovely and quite diverse. A few of them could be read to children before bed, and a few of them address issues one hope’s a child never has to know about. The collection includes the sweet and touching Pixel Pixies about a bookstore hob trying to keep the Mistress’s store safe from an invasion of pixies and Laughter in the Leaves about a trickster pesting an otherwise peaceful home. Couched within the same binding, though, are Into the Green, a story about suspicion and prejudice, and In the House of My Enemy, a story about domestic abuse. In some stories the reader is taken on a whimsical journey and in others on a serious exploration of the issues of identity and trust. This is a collection definitely worth picking up. Reviewed by Rachel Wallace Magic Bleeds (Kate Daniels, Book 4) By Ilona Andrews Ace, $7.99, 384 pages Magic Bleeds is book four in the Kate Daniels series and it doesn’t disappoint. Kate Daniels works for the Order, a paranormal protection agency, as a liaison between them and the mercenary guild. She’s an appealing blend of toughness and vulnerability, and though her stubbornness can be frustrating, Kate is intelligent and very layered. In Magic Bleeds, her secret heritage comes back to haunt her in the form of an egomaniacal killer, who wreaks havoc on the supernatural creatures of Atlanta. Also haunting Kate is her relationship with Curran, the Beast Lord and master of the city’s weres, and their struggle to make room for one another is the bulk of Kate’s inner turmoil, even as her very existence makes it difficult for her to open up to others.
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The primary strength of Magic Bleeds lies in the world-building, and that it is so self-contained, a new reader can pick up any book in the series and never feel lost. Also, the cast of characters around Kate are just as interesting and flawed as she is, making her tech/magic world so colorful and wellwritten that there are times where it seems modern-day Atlanta is full of beasties and knights. The plot of Magic Bleeds is intricate and page-turning, and the action is thrilling. In a sea of kick-butt, take-charge women, this is definitely one of the top urban fantasy series, and Kate Daniels is a unique and very human protagonist. Reviewed by Angela Tate Star Wars: Clone Wars Gambit: Siege By Miller, Karen LucasBooks, $16.00, 401 pages No backup. No escape plan. No support. No time to rest. Obi-Wan Kenobi and Anakin Skywalker are two of the Order’s most capable Jedi, but they’re low on options. On the run from overwhelming Separatist forces on a backwater planet in the Outer Rim called Lanteeb, Obi-Wan and Anakin have uncovered a plot to unleash a horrific bioweapon on the galaxy. But when they reach a small mining town in the hopes of laying low and regrouping, the Separatists track them down. As the two Jedi prepare to make a final stand, can they save themselves, let alone the galaxy? Star Wars: Clone Wars Gambit: Siege picks up right where Clone Wars Gambit: Stealth left off, with the Jedi in dire straits. It was a terrific cliffhanger, one that is picked up with great urgency here. Casting the heroes in the unfamiliar role as underdogs, author Karen Miller maintains tension throughout the book, tempering it with moments of surprising weakness for the heroes. This is the most human Anakin and Obi-Wan have been in quite some time, and their growing despair is handled with grace. Clone Wars Gambit: Siege is a better read for the emotional development of the characters than for the action, which is an oddity for a Star Wars novel. Admittedly, the reader knows that nothing catastrophically bad can happen to the heroes, since they must survive to appear in the third film -- and every Clone Wars novel takes place between Episode II: Attack of the Clones and Episode III: Revenge of the Sith -- but Miller’s choice to focus on whether their spirits, their values, and their very resolve will survive the siege is far more compelling. Their struggle is balanced nicely by the subplots. We get glimpses into the plotting of the Sith lords, the attempts by Republic
senators to rescue Anakin and Obi-Wan, and disagreements between the Jedi and the Chancellor, all adding detail and color to the bigger galactic threat, the war itself. In the most interesting sidestory, Anakin’s padawan Ahsoka bonds with a Jedi named Taria Damsin, who has been shelved from active duty by an affliction that will slowly weaken her until it takes her life. Taria’s past with Obi-Wan nicely parallels Ahsoka’s growing loyalty to Anakin, providing a nice counterpoint to Anakin’s ongoing conflict between his struggle with Jedi detachment and his secret relationship with Padme Amidala. Not only does Clone Wars Gambit: Siege wrap up all the loose ends from Clone Wars Gambit: Stealth, but it raises a lot of important issues for the characters. It offers both poignant questions and a satisfying conclusion. Reviewed by Glenn Dallas Dragongirl By Todd J. McCaffrey Del Rey, $26.00, 429 pages Deadly Thread is falling once again on Pern, and as they’ve done for generations, the dragons of Pern
rise with their riders to flame it from the sky. This time they have more than one foe to battle -- a devastating plague has been cured but not before decimating the populations of all weyrs. Hailed as a savior of Pern after her successful trip back in time, Fiona struggles to meet new challenges and the complex relationships that develop around her as she takes her place as the senior weyrwoman of her own weyr. As a long-time fan of the Dragonriders of Pern series, I was delighted to see that Todd McCaffrey has stayed true to the incredible world originally created by Ann McCaffrey. Unfortunately, Dragongirl feels slightly overpopulated with various characters that seem to clog the story without really moving the plot forward. I would also recommend reading Dragonheart, the first book in this particular series, before picking up Dragongirl, as McCaffrey offers absolutely no backstory or summarization of the events that lead up to the second book, which makes for a somewhat confusing read if this happens to be the first book you read in the series. Reviewed by Heather Ortiz
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E X PA NDED SCIENCE FIC T ION & FA N TA SY Kraken By China Mieville Del Rey, $26.00, 509 pages Billy Harrow works for London’s Natural History Museum, where he has spent months preparing an exhibit displaying an incalculably rare specimen: Architeuthis dux, otherwise known as the giant squid. But when the squid vanishes before its illustrious debut, Billy finds himself plunged into a magical flipside of London whose existence he had never suspected. This is a world where cultists and magicians are policed by sorcerer-cops, and where creatures of myth and humanfaced monsters instill terror with mere whispers. Billy is more important than he had ever imagined. He may hold the power to bring about the end of everything – or to prevent it. In the wake of his absolutely stunning The City & the City, Mieville returns to his urban fantasy roots with Kraken, a dark and thoroughly enrapturing novel that combines mystery, fantasy, and philosophy in equal mind-bending doses. As he questions the nature and depth of faith, he challenges the reader with a plethora of powerful and bizarre characters, each with a personal agenda. His deft balancing of horror and humor is a pleasure, and as always, his world is dazzlingly detailed. Kraken is yet another outstanding work from a truly singular voice in modern storytelling. Reviewed by Glenn Dallas And Another Thing... By Eoin Colfer Hyperion, $14.99, 273 pages In the final moments of Mostly Harmless, the fifth book in The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy series, things were not looking up for our protagonists. Downtrodden earthling Arthur Dent, galactic traveler Ford Prefect, interstellar reporter Trillian, and Arthur and Trillian’s daughter Random were facing the destruction of themselves and the entire Earth, not only here, but in every reality. Douglas Adams didn’t exactly leave them in a situation conducive to further adventures. Or even continued breathing for more than a few seconds. But that didn’t faze Eoin Colfer in the slightest, and his addition to the series, And Another Thing... picks up right where Douglas left off, as former intergalactic president Zaphod Beeblebrox accidentally rescues our heroes and sends
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them off on another mindboggling and baffling journey across the galaxy. As a diehard Douglas Adams fan, I had a kneejerk reaction when I heard that there would be a new book appended to Douglas’s five-part trilogy, but I tried to give Colfer the benefit of the doubt. I’m glad I did. His affection for the source material is undeniable, and his knowledge of the five preceding books borders on the encyclopedic. There are references galore for loyal Hitchhiker’s fans to recognize and appreciate, even as he strives to leave his own eclectic and eccentric fingerprints on the universe and its many wonders. In fact, I wish Colfer had had the confidence to put more of his own voice and ideas into the novel. The same enthusiasm that is such a boon to his efforts often serves as a hindrance. Colfer tries too hard to remind of us of Douglas’s universe, and those repeated references prove to be more a distraction than reassuringly familiar color. Along the same lines, the near-constant interruptions by “the Guide” to explain references in the narrative grow more jarring with every appearance, disrupting the flow of scenes more often than not. Reading And Another Thing... is akin to hearing someone tell one of your favorite jokes, but fudge a few details and fumble the punchline. The book is far from perfect, but there is a lot to recommend about it. It was wonderful to spend more time with these brilliant and infuriating characters, and to see them stumble and gracelessly dance among the myriad threats and curious back alleys of the universe. Arthur, Ford, Zaphod, and Trillian are in fine form, and even Random manages to wrestle an iota of sympathy from the reader. But I admit, most sincerely, that I hope there are no more attempts to add to the Hitchhiker’s Guide universe. Reviewed by Glenn Dallas Dracula’s Guest: A Connoisseur’s Collection of Victorian Vampire Stories By Michael Sims Walker & Company, $17.00, 467 pages Vampire stories are even more popular today than they were during the age of Bram Stoker and other Victorian authors. From Buffy the Vampire Slayer and Twilight to movies, books, and television shows, vampire stories--and more than just the classics-are all around. This new collection goes back to the roots of the vampire stories. The stories are set in Slavic lands: Hungary, Romania, Bulgaria, and even Transylvania (that mysterious locale and even more mysterious peasants.) What we also get are different kinds of vampires as these are vampire stories written before Stoker’s Dracula, when the idea
of vampires and what made a vampire was ever changing and evolving. But the sexual tension is present no matter the circumstances. We get vampires that are invisible, vampires that only go after family members, and people who become vampires because they were excommunicated when they died. You can see the growth and progress of the vampire mythos in this wonderful collection. Reviewed by Kevin Winter The Sky People By S.M. Stirling Tor, $14.99, 301 pages Mr. Stirling has set The Sky People/ in the same science fiction writers’ wishful universe asIn the Courts of the Crimson Kings//. Just as his Mars was a blend of Burrough’s Barsoom and his own wonderful weapons sense, this adventure takes place on a Venus of great atmospheric density and wonderful diversity of life. “We could make for the coast and try to build a boat ,,, have you seen the stuff that lives in the ocean here? I wouldn’t try a long voyage on anything that didn’t outweigh the pleiosaurs . . .” Again, the hands or tentacles or claws of forerunners have seeded the planet with older versions of Earth life. We have dire wolves, evolved to the intelligence of modern wolves, dinosaurs, sabertooths, and wonderfully attractive Earth-derived humans -- particularly their womenfolk. Also, we have brutish Neanderthals who, with Stirling’s cruel imagination, acquire AK-47s. Marc is a highly selected member of the planetary staff, clinging to his Creole heritage. He finds himself embarked on a dirigible voyage across thousands of kilometers of hostile planet, only to discover that one of the crew is a saboteur. Marc’s adventures, his outsized pet, and his romance make for one of the most engaging, if self-indulgent science-fiction fantasies, it has been my pleasure to read in the past few years. If you are in search of some pure fun, buy this book. Reviewed by David Sutton The Bear By R.A. Salvatore Tor, $27.99, 416 pages The Bear is the last of the four Saga of the First King books set in the early days of Salvatore’s Corona world. Bransen Garibond, the Highwayman, is deeply depressed and disillusioned with the ongoing Honce war. He has rejected the objectives of both sides and wants only to return to his family. Inevitably, it is impossible for him to avoid
the warring factions and he finds himself strangely drawn to the side of an old enemy, the Bear of Honce. Salvatore’s signature style of detailed action and expansive battle scenes is on full display in this book. Unfortunately this habit of minute description is a drawback outside of the action. The information-filled dialogue rendered the conversations awkward and the relentless explanations of motives and emotions made the characters more difficult to sympathize with rather than less. This was especially problematic for Bransen’s character as it turned his legitimate disgust with the war into tedious and self-indulgent moodiness. Fans of the series or the Corona world may enjoy The Bear but new readers might do better to skip this one. Reviewed by Rachel Wallace Imager’s Intrigue By L.E. Modesitt, Jr. Tor, $27.99, 485 pages In Modesitt’s third book in his popular “Imager’s Portfolio” series, the world of Terahnar is poised on the verge of change, and Matre Rhennthyl, master imager for the Collegium, finds himself at the center of a series of events that threaten the stability of his country, Solida. In the previous book, Rhenn was assigned as a liaison to the civic patrol, using his talents for imaging to protect the citizen’s of L’Excelsis from crime. Imaging, the power to turn thought into matter is a feared ability in his world and only Solidar allows the practice openly, using Imagers to hold in check the ruling elite. His success in his new position is threatened by an outbreak of a new drug that is filling people all across the city. As he gets closer to discovering the truth, his enemies begin to use everything at their disposal to stop him from uncovering their plans. In this story of a world moving away from magic and a feudal system to a marketbased society, the author examines complicated social issues while managing to hold the reader’s attention with a fascinating story. It’s interesting to watch Rhenn untangle clues and bring all the pieces together, but fans of heroic fantasy may find the lack of action and extensive character list a bit too complicated and slow-moving. Modesitt is known for his rigorous magical systems and detailed plotting, in the Imager’s Intrigue, fans of the author will not be disappointed. Reviewed by Marcus Jones
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E X PA NDED SCIENCE FIC T ION & FA N TA SY Humans By Robert J. Sawyer Tor, $14.99, 381 pages In the novel Hominids, author Robert J. Sawyer offered a fascinating idea--a world where Neanderthal man survived and Homo sapiens went the way of the dinosaurs. When a single Neanderthal scientist, Ponter Boddit, appeared in our world from an alternate dimension, he offered a wonderful outsider’s perspective on our society. Now, in Humans, the second book in his Neanderthal Parallax series, Sawyer takes us one giant leap further, by describing in vivid detail the Neanderthal society. Not only does character Mary Vaughan explore their world as Ponter explored ours, but a budding cultural exchange is born, highlighting the many differences between our worlds. What will this mean for both societies? I have said in the past that Robert J. Sawyer is probably the most accessible science fiction writer working today, and I feel confident in striking the world “probably” from that statement. Humans is at once a thoroughly enthralling look at our past, our present, and our possible future, and a wonderful examination of what makes us human. It is like one incredibly detailed Venn diagram, comparing and contrasting our best and worst qualities, all under the guise of telling one tremendously good “What If...?” story. Reviewed by Glenn Dallas Five Odd Honors By Jane Lindskold Tor, $27.99, 367 pages Inhabiting the world of the Chinese zodiac, Five Odd Honors is a vibrant work and steeped in heavy culture, as readers of Jane Lindskold’s Firekeeper series might expect. Written with Lindskold’s lyricism and complex prose, the characters and culture feel successfully foreign and strange as the author paints an elaborate, beautiful, and complex work with recognizably humanizing themes of redemption, pride, loyalty, betrayal, and hatred. If unfamiliar with the series or Lindskold’s style in general, Five Odd Honors can be a difficult book to get into. The elaborate cast of characters comes with complex names that can lead to confusion, leaving at least one reader wishing for a list of those involved along with notes as to their affiliations. There’s also a lot of talking among the
characters, but the action is worthwhile as Brenda and the Thirteen Orphans struggle for the Lands of Born from Smoke and Sacrifice. This third installment of the Breaking the Wall series is an elaborate tapestry of a novel, entertaining with lovely prose and characters with complex lives and emotions. Reviewed by Axie Barclay Discord’s Apple By Carrie Vaughn Tor, $23.99, 299 pages Evie Walker returns home to Hopes Fort, Colorado, to take care of her dying father. She takes notice of the Storeroom, a room forbidden to her when she was younger. Gradually, she learns its purpose and the contents it protects. Some of these are Excalibur, Cinderella’s slippers, and the golden apple that started the Trojan War. The story revolves around the latter bringing characters, such as Sinon and Hera, from the past into this approaching apocalyptic modern world. “She could feel a key sitting in her hand, even though she couldn’t grasp it. She could sense the door about to open. The door to the Storeroom, and what it meant. And unlike that great Grail of adulthood, understanding really would come. When her father passed away.” Being a fan of mythology, especially Greek myths, I couldn’t wait to read this book. Unfortunately, the majority of Discord’s Apple was not engaging enough to fill me with anticipation to reach the end. The last few chapters, however, did finally get me excited after learning about the connection between Sinon and Evie, as well as the origin of the Storeroom. Upon finishing the book, I was left feeling empty. One possible reason for this is Vaughn had the book set up in different points of view. While this sounds intriguing, she left little for the reader to figure out for themselves. I would recommend this book to fellow lovers of mythology who have a few hours of time and no other books left on their reading lists. Reviewed by Deborah Lewis Amberjack : Tales of Fear & Wonder By Terry Dowling Subterranean Press, $40.00, 361 pages I don’t know that any subtitle has ever been more apropos than Tales of Fear & Wonder. Those two traits are the only consistent trends in an otherwise wildly eclectic collection of stories. Dowling crafts vividly realized worlds without burying the story in world-building details, and while this can be confusing at the outset of a story, those
details blossom and come to enrich the narrative. Even the stories that didn’t resonate with me were still gorgeously described. The very titles of his stories—The Fooly, Toother, Flashmen, The Magikkers, The Suits at Auderlene—sound like elements of his own private language. In short, Terry Dowling is inimitable. The stories featured in Amberjack all have poetry, giving an interesting flow to the collection as a whole while offering an intriguing glimpse of what’s to come. The centerpiece of the volume is undoubtedly the short novel The Library, which stars Tom Rynosseros, the protagonist from Dowling’s first novel. While the book is obviously part of a much larger fictional universe, this doesn’t hinder the reader’s enjoyment in the slightest. The stories of Amberjack are infused with fear and wonder, and they make for a potent storytelling combination. Reviewed by Glenn Dallas A Matter of Magic By Patricia C. Wrede Tor, $15.99, 448 pages A Matter of Magic combines two novels by Patricia C. Wrede, both previously published under their own titles. The first book, Mairelon the Magician, introduces Kim, a thief disguised as a boy and living on the London streets, and Mairelon, the street magician who Kim’s engaged by a wealthy stranger to rob. However, Mairelon proves more than a mere rabbit-out-if-a-hat magician and Kim proves her talent beyond a mere thief. This complex tale is filled more with hiding beneath the sofa cushions rather than actual action, but the dynamics between Mairelon and Kim keep the reader entertained, while Hutch, Mairelon’s body servant, chews his mustache over the magical drama. The second book, The Magician’s Ward, is far more action-packed, taking place a year after the events in Mairelon the Magician. Now an apprentice to the wizard who rescued her from a dark fate on the streets, Kim is getting ready to “come out” in society, driven mad by dress-makers, and is heavily worried over the magically inclined in the lower city being suddenly in service to an old enemy. A Matter of Magic is a good read for all ages who still understand that everything is magical. Reviewed by Axie Barclay Tongues of Serpents By Naomi Novik Del Rey, $25.00, 288 pages Tongues of Serpents is the sixth book in Naomi Novik’s Temeraire series. This alternate history fantasy series is set during the Napoleonic Wars and centers on Britain’s Royal Aerial Corps of dragons. In this installment, the
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former Captain Laurence has been transported to New South Wales along with his dragon, Temeraire. They arrive in the midst of a local rebellion and, to avoid entanglement, accept an assignment to explore the interior of Australia. At its heart, this narrative is a straightforward account of a colonial expedition, but several surprises await the survey party not limited simply to encounters with the unknown. Novik does an admirable job of depicting the hubris of colonization along with the doubts that many explorers may have experienced. Temeraire’s arguments in particular are amusing for their objective simplicity. The story is readily accessible to both long time fans and those new to the series, but it may be harder for new readers to become invested in the characters. Series fans and those interested in alternate history or exploration stories will enjoy Tongues of Serpents. Those who enjoy books more focused on character development may want to skip this title. Reviewed by Rachel Wallace Moonshine By Alaya Johnson St. Martin’s Press, $14.99, 288 pages Author Alaya Johnson has infused new life into paranormal romance with her outstanding breakout novel Moonshine. An interesting melding of supernatural in Prohibition-era Lower East Side, one where the Gangs of New York isn’t just a show on Broadway but an actual street gang of roving boy vampires. These are boys who control their area with an iron tooth, no machine gun necessary. While the new twist is intriguing, main character Zephyr Hollis steals the show. In a time where young women were encouraged to be just a little more independent, a little more daring, Zephyr embodies the spirit of a new woman. Born into a family of infamous demon hunters, her father the best of the best, Zephyr is more than capable of not only taking care of herself but spends her day campaigning for the disenfranchised. While teaching night classes to Others and immigrants alike, she meets Amir--not vampire, not werewolf and definitely not in need of her remedial classes. Moonshine is everything you could hope for in a debut novel--incredibly well written with great characters and perfect pacing. I cannot wait to see what come next from this talented writer. Reviewed by Lanine Bradley
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E X PA NDED SCIENCE FIC T ION & FA N TA SY Bullet By Laurell K. Hamilton Berkley, $26.95, 356 pages The nineteenth book in the Anita Blake series, Bullet, rocks. Haven fans won’t want to miss this one, with the tension between Anita and her Lion coming to a head at last. With far less talk and police work than recent Anita novels, Bullet is nonetheless packed with action. Anita and Richard grow far more at peace with themselves and one another, even reaching some level of normal, or at least as normal as Anita’s animator and serial killer life will allow. Anita, local werewolf king Richard, and the master of St. Louis, Jean Claude, spend less time analyzing and agonizing over the triumvirate they’ve created and more time acting to secure their power base in St. Louis, which can’t happen a moment too soon. “I knew better, but sometimes the illusion of safety is all people have. I didn’t even have that, and hadn’t had it for years.” In short, Bullet packs the heat, including a girl fight, tigers and lions but no bears to speak of, but metaphysical disasters, shapeshifter workouts, and a few bloody massacres, the worst being Anita’s heart as she fights to protect those she loves and those depending on her, a list that’s growing all the time along with the power in St. Louis, against the Mother of all Vampires, who isn’t as dead as they thought. Reviewed by Axie Barclay Song of the Dragon: The Annals of Drakis: Book One By Tracy and Laura Hickman DAW, $24.95, 368 pages Everyone knows the prophesy of the human that will one day break free of his elven oppressors and free the world of the cruel tyranny of the Rhonas Empire, but few think of it as anything more than a story. In fact, the elves’ Devotion spells ensure that the slaves of the empire remember none of the discontent that comes along with their status. But the latest spoil of the bloody elven conquests, a dwarf named Jugar, is determined to bring about the end of the empire, and his actions may give an enslaved human warrior named Drakis the courage to fulfill the prophesy. The first volume in this epic fantasy se-
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ries, Song of the Dragon promises good reading to come. The world imagined by Hickman is Zero History not your typical fantasy realm, with power-hungry elves that resemble aliens more than the traditional ideal and an empire based on conspiracy and lies, held together only by a powerful magic. The plot twists will keep readers guessing and completely enthralled in the story, while the imperfect characters are inherently likeable. The next volume in this series will definitely be anticipated! Reviewed by Holly Scudero The Fuller Memorandum By Charles Stross Ace, $24.95, 304 pages For some reason, fighting elder gods and facing the Apocalypse is done more in comedy than in serious prose. The Fuller Memorandum leavens it with some serious on why they fight, but it’s so aggressively in the passive British voice and is so the anti-James Bond (married, geeky, and into beer) that the seriousness is quickly left behind. The book is a fun read; it has a nice, quick pace about it, the characters are people you would work with, and it’s nice to see a character that looks forward to things being boring and laying around with his wife in bed; the hero, Bob Howard is introduced to us in an assignment that goes wrong, and actually runs from fights. The characters mesh rather well, when they aren’t missing each other by that much, and the story is rather solid, without the jarring Shyamalan twists that seem to populate stories nowadays, with each twist earned and welcomed. This is definitely one of those books needed to cleanse the palate from Conan-type reads, and is decidely welcome in that regard. Reviewed by Jamais Jochim Waking the Witch By Kelley Armstrong Dutton, $25.95, 320 pages Armstrong’s Women of the Otherworld goes beyond standard paranormal fiction, using an ensemble cast of women in a deep supernatural universe, moving from one set of characters to another through the books, yet intertwining their stories to provide a rich background for the readers. Waking the Witch bridges the space between adult readers of her Otherworld series and her YA Darkest Powers books, with a younger heroine taking center stage. Savannah Levine is the daughter of Page and Lucas, a witch and sorcerer from previous Otherworlds stories and when her parents are on
vacation, takes on a murder investigation of her own. Working with a half-demon private investigator, Savannah starts looking into the ritualistic deaths of three women in a rural Washington town. As the investigation progresses, small town secrets start coming out and increase the amount of danger Savannah finds for herself; when her own magical power start deserting her, she begins to have to rely on her own natural wits and talent. The mystery is fairly well developed, and while there are romantic overtones, it is a small enough part of the story to keep Waking the Witch from being classified as a paranormal romance. The one downside to the book, depending on how you view it, it that it isn’t self-contained. It ends on a cliffhanger, so the reader doesn’t get a conclusion, yet fans know they have another story to look forward to reading. Unholy Ghosts (Downside Ghosts, Book 1) By Stacia Kane Del Rey, $7.99, 346 pages Stacia Kane puts the horror back into urban fantasy with book one of her new series entitled Unholy Ghosts. Chess Putnam is a Debunker, a ghost hunter and witch for the Church of Real Truth, whose duties are to clean up hauntings to convince humans they don’t exist following the Church saving the planet from a mass resurrection of angry ghosts who went on a bloody rampage. She’s also in deep trouble because of her drug habit, and in lieu of repayment to her drug lord, she is forced to go behind the Church’s back to exorcise an airport notorious for wicked, heavy ghost infestation. Kane’s writing is excellent and unique, with certain characters speaking their own vernacular. The world is fully realized and a very gritty and bleak landscape unusual in urban fantasy. Chess’s drug addiction may be a turn off for some, and while it can lead her into bad situations, she remains sympathetic and compelling. There are possible love interests for Chess but they don’t overwhelm the storyline. Unholy Ghosts is a perfect blend of horror, suspense, and romance, and those interested in a new and fascinating series should pick this up. Reviewed by Angela Tate
Zero History By William Gibson G.P. Putnam’s Sons, $26.95, 416 pages William Gibson, founder of the cyberpunk style of science-fiction, has moved to primarily modern thrillers in his most recent novels, though still with strong themes of technology, pop-culture and counterculture. While the novels themselves are set in a current era, they still carry the feel of the cyberpunk era – gritty, paranoid, and technologically advanced. Zero History is no exception, bringing characters back from Spook Country to again look at the relationships between people, technology, and society. Freelance journalist Hollis Henry is once again pressed into working for Hubertus Bigend, founder of Blue Ant, a trend-forecasting firm. Bigend wants to get into the recession-proof business of military contracting, particularly clothing lines with potential for consumer sales. Hollis is joined by the drug-addicted translator Milgrim as they try and track down a secretive military clothing designer. Some of Milgrim’s past begins to catch up to him and Hollis, even though his life off the grid has left him with “zero history.” As one might expect in a Gibson novel, there are plenty of plot twists and social commentary along the way to a satisfying conclusion. Reviewed by Ross Rojek
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Historical Fiction The Doctor and the Diva: A Novel By Adrienne McDonnell Pamela Dorman Books, $26.95, 432 pages Here is historical fiction at its best. In 1903 Boston, young Doctor Ravell is just starting to make his way in the rapidly changing field of obstetrics. A well-known family approaches him on behalf of a sister and her apparently barren marriage shortly before he hears the lady in question sing a beautiful aria at a funeral. Doctor Ravell has had great luck and a reputation for insightful solutions for turnof-the-century infertile couples, and he agrees to help. Erika von Kessler has two dreams, one to have a child and the other to become a world famous opera singer. She has the voice, but has nearly given up on bearing a child. For her husband, having a child has become an obsession. Doctor Ravell saves the day by crossing an ethical line in the sand that could land him in prison, without thinking of the consequences to all involved. Sadly, the baby
girl is still born and his secret is safe. Unfortunately, another of the doctor’s secrets is revealed and he is run out of Boston. He finds himself the manager of a coconut plantation in Trinidad. That could have been the end of the story, but when one holds onto their dreams as strongly as these characters do, there is no ending. Every act is a new beginning. Reviewed by Gwen Stackler The First Assassin By John J. Miller AmazonEncore, $14.95, 446 pages The First Assassin follows a cabal of Southerners plotting murder Abraham Lincoln. Curiously, this isn’t Booth’s conspiracy that ended in tragedy at Ford’s Theatre, but the story of another wholly fictional plot during Lincoln’s first weeks in office. It says something that author John Miller succeeds in creating suspense in this breezy page turner, despite readers knowing that his assassin Mazorca will fail (since Lincoln lives past 1865). Still, this is not a novel without flaws. Miller’s characters tend towards the twodimensional, and read at times as if they walked out of a 1920’s noir. Colonel Rook, our hero, is the no-nonsense officer who will defy any order to do his duty. Violet Greeni-
er, our femme fatale, exploits her charms on behalf of the Confederacy. While his historical research was obviously substantial, Miller lays details on a bit thick. No doubt some will describe this as a Civil War “Day of the Jackal.” Though Miller doesn’t here demonstrate Forsyth’s gifts, The First Assassin makes for an exciting read. Reviewed by Jordan Magill The War That Came Early: Hitler’s War By Harry Turtledove Del Rey, $16.00, 516 pages Harry Turtledove reckons he has let us in on a military secret. Soldiers curse continuously, moan about their fate, try to get laid as often as possible, despise superiors and try to stay alive. Lest anyone forgets this, he reminds them constantly in the first part of a series on the alternative history of World War II. “People were saying the Maginot Line would save France. People were saying it would have to save France. Luc Harcourt didn’t give a damn about what
Poetry & Short Stories Maggot: Poems By Paul Muldoon Farrar, Straus and Giroux, $24.00, 144 pages Muldoon draws Western experiences for the reader through the allusions to music, history, nature, spirituality, Greek and Roman mythology and popular culture references to Marilyn Monroe, Lord Byron, Samuel Beckett and classical esteemed play productions like The Pirates of Penzance and contemporary films like Something’s Got to Give. This poet pays close attention to transformations—life and death, new and old, adolescence and adulthood, organic processes like solid to liquid, and rebirth, “The shit storm/through a bloody stream/in which every morning the water again runs clear” (When the Pie was Opened)— which plays a pivotal role throughout the collection; illustrating the mysticism via landscape such as in producing herbal concoctions from tree sap, and drawing on highly emblematic animals like the geese, dog, maggot, dolphin, hare, quail and pig.
Paul Muldoon has a true gift for aligning the metaphysical in his poems with concrete and abstract elements of atmosphere and characterization. On this obtuse journey of physical and cerebral change, discovery and veneration, the poet grapples with notions of an afterlife, relationships between the kingdoms of animalia and plantae, evolution—closing the gap on an otherwise polarized subject that human species are more and more linked to animals than they like to admit; the animals in these poetry sequences exhibit human emotion “another porcupine would tough/ it out from the industrial quarter” (Another Porcupine) and in turn humans register their urges to be primeval and act on whim, “Who knew the body is a footnote/to the loss of its own heat/and the gases released when it begins to disintegrate/underlie a protruding tongue?” (The Humors of Makone). Reviewed by Erienne Rojas Gold Boy, Emerald Girl: Stories By Yiyun Li Random House, $25.00, 240 pages The tales in Yiyun Li’s collection of short stories titled Gold Boy, Emerald Girl are not told with passion, in spite of intensely passionate circumstances. For example,
in “Sweeping Past,” the friendship among three young girls falls apart after many years when one friend’s son kills another friend’s daughter, a match suggested by the third friend. One reason for this pervasive feeling of flatness is that many of her characters are lonely people, people who have either forgotten or never knew how to connect with others in an intimate and passionate way. An even stronger reason is Yiyun’s habit of simply observing and stating what is, spinning her tales in matter-of-fact language. Don’t get me wrong—I enjoyed every story, from the longest, actually a novella, to the shortest, and admire her ability to keep the reader involved with her precise, descriptive language. Although her settings vary, all of her characters are Asian, and the stories themselves reflect the culture of her origin. The title story was originally printed in the New Yorker maga-
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people were saying. All he knew was, he was getting sick of being marched backward and forward and inside out.” The starting point is England and France standing up to Hitler’s smash and grab of Czechoslovakia, instead of appeasing him. The thorough research and original insights into what might have been are lost in the tedium of predictable conversations between fighting men from all the belligerents, compounded by obscure actions that serve little purpose. The best sections deal with U.S. civilians in Germany coping with Nazi officialdom, while the plight of a Jewish family who are proud of their German background provides an unusual angle on the Holocaust. For armchair generals and veterans, this is a splendid book to pair with a 1940 map and move colored thumbtacks around. The framework of a t hought-provok i ng tale is there. The materials need to be used differently in the next book. And a note for the publisher: the term is “alternative” not “alternate.” Reviewed by Martin Rushmere
zine. This young author’s reputation as an outstanding story teller is well deserved. Reviewed by Marj Stuart Memory Wall By Anthony Doerr Scribner, $24.00, 256 pages Anthony Doerr, winner of the O. Henry Prizes for his short stories, brings us another collection of his work. It is a hit and miss. The first two stories are interesting and engaging, the rest are hard to wade through and utterly forgettable. The best of the bunch is “Memory Wall,” which takes place in South Africa where rich people try to stave off dementia by trying to remember their memories by using machines to extract them. This is the most insightful and original of the stories. Mr. Doerr often writes from an outside and uninterested perspective that sometimes challenges the reader to follow See MEMORY, page 21
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Romance Passionate Pleasures (Pleasures Series) By Bertrice Small NAL Trade, $15.00, 290 pages Sex, and lots of it. Oh, it starts off discreet enough, though the prologue does entice the reader with what is to come, and rather quickly. Bertrice Small has created a bevy of characters, complete multitudes of sin. Passionate Pleasures takes place in the picturesque town of Egret Pointe, where the gossip is fodder for its citizens. Kathryn St. John, pronounced Sin Gin, naturally, is the fiery daughter of one of the town’s founding families. Kathryn’s reputation lives quietly tucked away in between the shelves of her library, but behind closed doors the red-headed bookworm sheds her glasses (and clothing) to live out her fantasies with The Channel, an interactive romp-fest. She has long since sworn off real love and lives indulgently through her fantasies; however, Mr. Tim Blair, the new principal, has moved to town and she soon finds that her reality is much more uninhibited than her fantasies. Small definitely has her way with explicit scenes, the description of her characters and the township is intriguing, however it added up to too much exposition. There was a lack
in the element of surprise and excitement. Passionate Pleasures left this reader writhing in the anti-climactic covers, displeased.
Comic Art Propaganda: A Graphic History By Fredrik Stromberg, Peter Kuper St. Martin’s Griffin, $19.99, 178 pages People want to make themselves look good or their enemies look bad. Comic Art Propaganda explores how comic books have been used to do so since the 1930’s. It’s divided into separate sections (war, sex, religion, communism, politics, and gender), and explores how each has been treated in the comic books over the last few decades. It’s a fascinating exploration of comics, and how relevant to current events they have been since their inception. It’s a very thorough look, albeit not a very detailed one, and it’s interesting to see how comics have changed over the years, as well as their reception. It not only looks at books that were released by the major companies, but also underground comics and comic books commissioned by state governments, most notably
China. It also shows how a person considered a villain by some can be a hero to others, such as Saddam Hussein. It also looks at some comics others would normally ignore, such as the infamous Chick tracts. For anyone interested in publicity or comics, this is a great read! Reviewed by Jamais Jochim
“Love can be funny. Sometimes you know the second you meet your perfect match. Other times it just grows. Love is unexpected. Love happens. Don’t question it, Kathy.” Reviewed by Sky Sanchez Lady Isabella’s Scandalous Marriage (Berkley Sensation) By Jennifer Ashley Berkley, $7.99, 325 pages Lady Isabella’s Scandalous Marriage is the second book in Jennifer Ashley’s series about the wicked Mackenzies who scandalize Victorian Britain. While it shares the strengths of The Madness of Lord Ian Mackenzie, it fails to match the suspense, passion, and extraordinary characters of the other book. Isabella and Mac’s broken marriage is the topic of this book. They eloped on the night of her debut, but Mac’s inability to communicate with Isabella, and his alcoholism have torn them apart. Over the years, Mac and Isabella have remained friendly, but she cannot forgive his treatment of her and he makes no amends. For some reason, however, when Isabella storms back into Mac’s life to inform him that someone is forging his
Sequential Art
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The Book of Mr. Natural By R. Crumb Fantagraphics Books, $19.99, 126 pages Fred Natural, a former taxi driver in Afghanistan during World War II, Himalayan wanderer, later retreating to Death Valley in 1955 to “start anew,” came to “Sham” Francisco as “Mr. Natural” during the 1967 Summer of Love looking for nubile girls, and secondly, to bring the hapless hippies wise koans such as “the whole universe is completely insane.” The Book of Mr. Natural by the legendary and infamous and now filthy
paintings, he decides to win her back. Though their relationship is heartrending and emotional, their reunion lacks punch; mostly because Ashley dribbles their history in short flashbacks later on in the book and Mac’s recovery from alcoholism seems too easy. There is also plenty of passion between Mac and Isabella, but she keeps him at arm’s length for far too long. The weakest part of the book is the forgery plot. It is woven into the narrative when there is a lull, and is wrapped up in a clichéd manner. Fortunately, the inclusion of the colorful Mackenzie family livens the book and makes reading Lady Isabella’s Scandalous Marriage less of a chore. Reviewed by Angela Tate Married By Morning (Hathaways) By Lisa Kleypas St. Martin’s Press, $7.99, 352 pages Married by Morning is Lisa Kleypas’ fourth historical romance about a member of the Hathaway family. The Hathaways are a large, close group of siblings who find themselves in the unlikely position of being part of the British aristocracy. In this book it is Leo, Lord Ramsey, who is the central
rich (the original cover art for Mr. Natural #1 just sold for over $100,000) R. Crumb is a gorgeous mini-coffee table comic book published by Fantagraphic Books. Crumb says Mr. Natural was born after taking some “fuzzy acid” and that he lived a bizarre hallucination-filled life for weeks as he first doodled the future religious leader. Starting with Mr. Natural’s introduction in 1967 and through the sixties and early seventies, and returning in the late eighties (after languishing in a mental institution for many years), Crumb has given our still needy time the archetype of the charlatan guru – the serene but eternally horny philosopher, bearded, in a robe, dispensing wisdom to the clueless Flakey Foont (his chief disciple) in all of us. Yes, there’s always a market for enlightenment. This book is for Mr. Natural’s legions of cult followers, 60’s believers, as well as new and younger readers who can hack the raunchy non-PC wisdom the guru ejaculates. Reviewed by Phil Semler
figure. Through an odd technicality of the inheritance, Leo must produce an heir in a set time period, or the main house on the estate will be passed to another family member. If this plot line seems a little shaky and well-worn, then it can be taken as a harbinger for the content of the book. Kleypas, normally a solid author of both historical and contemporary romance, has not served up her best fare in this one. Leo, supposedly intrigued by Catherine’s reticent nature, comes off as bullying and rude rather than genuinely interested in her life. He is often redeemed by his very funny dialogue -- the Kleypas’ goods aren’t completely absent here -- but it’s not enough to carry the story. Readers new to Lisa Kleypas would do better to try some of her backlist and even longtime fans might want to sit this one out. Reviewed by Rachel Wallace
Weathercraft By Jim Woodring Fantagraphics, $19.99, 128 pages Jim Woodring has effectively mixed the world of Robert Crumb and German woodcarvings, and the effect is somewhat unnerving. Weathercraft is about Manhog, and how he finds enlightenment. He lives in a world that is partially symbolic, so the symbolism has a real and practical effect on that world, which makes it easier to track Manhog’s development. The very problem with the book, however, is that obvious symbolism. It tries to be clever, but in the same way that a highschooler trying to be ironic for the first time thinks that he’s clever. It just feels forced, especially as he doesn’t miss anything obvious (such as an illustration of a man leading a hog). He also shows us what he thinks an enlightened person should do, such as reacting badly to popular magazines. It’s just too See WEATHERCRAFT, page 21
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Local Calendar 2
Author Appearance - Frances Lefkowitz, “To Have Not” 7:00– 8:00pm Book Passage - 51 Tamal Vista Blvd., Corte Madera Author Appearance – Brent Weeks, “The Black Prism” 7:00– 8:00pm Borderlands Books - 866 Valencia St., San Francisco
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Author Appearance – Daniel Burton-Rose and Bo Brown, “Creating a Movement With Teeth” 7:308:30pm Pegasus Books Downtown - 2349 Shattuck Avenue, Berkeley
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Author Appearance - David Finkel, “The Good Soldiers” 1:00– 2:00pm Book Passage - 51 Tamal Vista Blvd., Corte Madera Author Appearance - Erika Lee & Judy Yung, “Angel Island: Immigrant Gateway to America” 1:00–2:00pm Book Passage - 51 Tamal Vista Blvd., Corte Madera Author Appearance - Terry LaszloGopadze & Contributors, “The Spirit of a Woman: Stories to Empower and Inspire” 7:00– 8:00pm Book Passage - 51 Tamal Vista Blvd., Corte Madera
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Author Appearance - Jeff Kreisler, “Get Rich Cheating: The Crooked Path to Easy Street” 6:007:00pm Book Passage – Ferry Building, 1 Ferry Plaza, San Francisco Author Appearance - Jean Haner, “The Wisdom of Your Child’s Face: Discover Your Child’s True Nature with Chinese Face Reading” 7:00– 8:00pm Book Passage - 51 Tamal Vista Blvd., Corte Madera Author Appearance – Karen Burrell, “Citrus County” 7:30–8:30pm Pegasus Books Downtown - 2349 Shattuck Avenue, Berkeley
10 Author Appearance - William
Gibson, “Zero History” 1:00–2:00pm Book Passage - 51 Tamal Vista Blvd., Corte Madera Author Appearance - Linda Watanabe McFerrin, “Dead Love” 7:00– 8:00pm Book Passage - 51 Tamal Vista Blvd., Corte Madera
11 Author Appearance - John
Brandon, “Citrus County” 1:00– 2:00pm Book Passage – Ferry Building, 1 Ferry Plaza, San Francisco Author Appearance - Carol Scott, “Optimal Stress: Living in Your Best Stress Zone” 2:00–3:00pm Book Passage - 51 Tamal Vista Blvd., Corte Madera Author Appearance - Canyon Sam, “Sky Train : Tibetan Women on the Edge of History” 2:30–4:00pm Chinatown Branch Library - 1135 Powell Street (near Jackson), SF Author Appearance – Brandon Sanderson, “The Way of Kings” 3:00–4:00pm Borderlands Books - 866 Valencia St., San Francisco Author Appearance - Jane Vandenburgh, “Architecture of the Novel: A Writer’s Handbook” 4:00–5:00pm Book Passage - 51 Tamal Vista Blvd., Corte Madera Author Appearance - Gary Zukav, “Spiritual Partnership: The Journey to Authentic Power” 7:00– 8:00pm Book Passage - 51 Tamal Vista Blvd., Corte Madera Author Appearance - Todd Crawshaw, “Exploits of the Satyr” 7:00– 8:00pm Book Passage - 51 Tamal Vista Blvd., Corte Madera
12 Author Appearance - Caro-
lyn Scott Kortge, “Healing Walks for Hard Times: Quiet Your Mind, Strengthen Your Body, and Get Your Life Back” 2:00–3:00pm Book Passage - 51 Tamal Vista Blvd., Corte Madera
Author Appearance - Dennis Portnoy, “Riding the Point Reyes Equestrian Trails (Written by Horse and Rider)” 7:00– 8:00pm Book Passage - 51 Tamal Vista Blvd., Corte Madera Author Appearance – Tuen Voeten, “Tunnel People” 7:30–8:30pm Pegasus Books Downtown - 2349 Shattuck Avenue, Berkeley
14 Author Appearance - Daniel
Alarcón , “The Secret Miracle: The Novelist’s Handbook” 6:00–7:45pm SF Main Library, Lower Level, Latino Hispanic Community Room - 100 Larkin Street (at Grove) Author Appearance – Angie Chau, “Quiet As They Come” 7:00– 8:00pm City Lights Bookstore - 261 Columbus Avenue, San Francisco
18 Author Appearance – Se-
anan McGuire, “An Artificial Night” 5:00–9:00pm Borderlands Books - 866 Valencia St., San Francisco
19 Sunday Morning Storytime with Christopher Smith, 11:00– 12:00pm Book Passage - 51 Tamal Vista Blvd., Corte Madera
21 Author Appearance - Vincenza
Scarpaci, “The Journey of the Italians in America” 7:00– 8:00pm Joe DiMaggio Playground Clubhouse 661 Lombard St., SF Author Appearance – Peter Lewis, “Dead in the Dregs” 7:00– 8:00pm City Lights Bookstore - 261 Columbus Avenue, San Francisco
26 Sunday Morning Storytime with Christopher Smith, 11:00– 12:00pm Book Passage - 51 Tamal Vista Blvd., Corte Madera
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Reference Write That Book Already! The Tough Love You Need to Get Published Now By Sam Barry, Kathi Kamen Goldmark Adams Media, $14.95, 226 pages Everyone has a story to tell, but not every story translates well to the page and turns into a best seller. Sam Barry and Kathi Kamen Goldmark provide tough love for authors contemplating a novel in Write That Book Already!. Through pertinent examples and humorous scenarios, the authors guide wannabe and experienced writers through each step of the publication process. Chapters outline the basics of manuscript preparation, responsibilities of a literary agent and editor, essentials of a successful marketing campaign, and the nitty-gritty of self-publication. Barry and Goldmark pepper pages with stories from famed writers, including Amy Tan, Stephen King and Catherine Brady, whose experiences prove that the road to publication will be littered with rejection slips. The practical guide offers honest, straightforward recommendations about
what it takes to get published and, maybe, make some money from book sales. The hidden gem delights in Appendix I: Beloved Books of Famous Authors. Writers reflect on books that have made a difference in their lives. As a writer, I have heard the advice before. What impresses me is when I feel my writing is headed in the right direction, Barry and Goldmark toss up the caution sign and make me take a second look at where I want to go and where I may have veered off course. Reviewed by LuAnn Schindler A Boy Should Know How to Tie a Tie: And Other Lessons for Succeeding in Life By Antwone Fisher Touchstone, $19.99, 226 pages With so many articles and books written on and about women it leads one to wonder where all the men go to find their answers, their support. With life lessons such as learning to polish their shoes to maintaining good personal hygiene, Antwone Fisher provides a go-to guide for young, and older, men alike in A Boy Should Know How To Tie A Tie. They will learn the importance of balancing healthy eating habits (and how to prepare a meal through a few recipes) and how
to develop a healthy spiritual side to their lives. Fisher knows the importance of an encouraging male role model (due to many life-altering challenges, and triumphs, of his own). He teaches real-life wisdom, not pre-packaged preaching, writing with the precision and authority of a well-loved big brother, he does not lecture but, rather, leads the reader into a series of brief chapters, recipes, statistics and his own story throughout each section, stressing the significance of knowing who one is in their identity and getting to who they want to be. This read is an inspiring and honest one on one conversation with much return reference material. Reviewed by Sky Sanchez But They Didn’t Read Me My Rights!: Myths, Oddities, and Lies About Our Legal System By Michael Cicchini, Amy B. Kushner Prometheus Books, $19.00, 272 pages This is an entertaining book written by a criminal defense attorney. It exposes common misperceptions about our legal system.
The selected examples are those that touch our everyday lives. Can you be convicted of drunk driving if you are not driving the car? Do contracts have to be written to be enforceable? If you break up with your fiancé, can you keep the ring? Can the police search your car if you have an air freshener hanging on the mirror? The book is written in a lively appealing style, in self-contained chapters, each addressing a distinct legal myth or oddity. The readings highlight the truth that the law is never black and white, and Cicchini, with the help of his co-author, English professor Amy Kushner, make these gray areas assessable and intriguing. Their book is easy to pick up for a moment of entertainment, discussion, and surprise. A great gift for prospective public safety or law students, and perfect for a college civics class! Reviewed by Marcia Jo
Relationships Good Porn: A Woman’s Guide By Erika Lust Seal Press, $17.95, 231 pages The porn industry is littered with movies, magazines, and item that target a male audience. Little thought is given to what would please female audiences, especially since their interest in porn is slowly growing. Erika Lust, who noticed the opportunity missed in ignoring female viewers, began Lust Films, and directs porn for women. In Good Porn, Lust takes readers through the history of human sexuality, the beginning of the porn industry, and censorship. She also provides various websites that have “made by women, for women” porn, and explains the various terms used in the industry. What readers will find enjoyable about Lust’s book is that she takes on the male directors of porn, and their lack of creativity, production quality, and lack of consideration for different types of audiences. Those who may be curious about viewing a screening after reading the book will be delighted
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to know that Lust lists some of the best national and foreign porn out there, as well as companies that make toys geared for female pleasure. This book will not disappoint, and is sure please anyone who picks it up. Reviewed by Robyn Oxborrow Please, Ma’am: Erotic Stories of Male Submission By Rachel Kramer Bussel, Editor Cleis Press, $14.95, 200 pages Please, Ma’am: Erotic Stories of Male Submission, edited by Rachel Kramer Bussell, pays homage to male submissives who long for and need a commanding woman. Although told from the male point of view, these stories are written by male and female educators; technical writers; bondage, dominance, sadism and masochism enthusiasts; and erotica dabblers from around the world. The compilation of short stories is the companion piece to Please, Sir: Erotic Stories of Female Submission. In the introduction, Bussell says these
stories are about fantasy fulfillment: “It’s about giving up one kind of power to gain another.” That statement reverberates through most of the stories in the anthology. Teresa Noelle Roberts’ “I Live to Serve” gives readers an introduction into what it means to serve. In “Thrift Store Whore,” Sommer Marsden serves up a fascinating story of surrender in a dressing room. Dominic Santi’s “Porch Swing” relies on the roll of the dice and neighborly voyeurism. The final piece, Graydancer’s “I’ll Do It. For Her.”, summarizes the craving for pain, the “sheer joy of domination.” Several stories in the collection stand for the outrageous situations that may actually take place in houses, bedrooms or backyards around the globe. Others present men who use their need to be controlled to get what they want from the women they desire. Reviewed by LuAnn Schindler Please, Sir: Erotic Stories of Female Submission By Rachel Kramer Bussel, Editor Cleis Press, $14.95, 206 pages Readers who may be wanting to spice up their bedrooms, or are curious about dominating and submissive roles need look no
further. Rachel Kramer Bussel has another outstanding collection of erotic stories that will show just that. Each story is filled with a new and exciting rendezvous settings, where the female protagonist gets dominated. Some stories like “Anticipation,” where a woman living in Germany, away from her American husband, must control herself in a cafe as she reads her husbands lusty IMs, will cause desires to awaken and have readers imagining their own sexy scenarios. Granted, there are stories that may have the reader questioning the relationship between the master and submissive female such as “I Breathe Your Name,” in which an exhausting shower scene might frighten readers for the safety of the female. But what is great about this book is no two women are alike in personality, or how they like to be treated by their “masters.” This collection is fun to read and helpful for those looking to add a little kink into their relationships. Reviewed by Robyn Oxborrow
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Cooking, Food & Wine Mary Mac’s Tea Room: 65 Years of Recipes from Atlanta’s Favorite Dining Room By John Ferrell Andrews McMeel, $27.99, 195 pages Quintessential Southern cooking, the focus of Mary Mac’s Tea Room, is in the limelight of this unusual cookbook. In operation since 1945 under several owners, the tradition never changed. The recipes are simple with a small number of readily available ingredients. They are well-written, easy to follow, and in logical order. Many are illustrated with large, professional food photos. The index is very good with cross references (though page errors did slip in). Fried Okra, for example, is under both F and O. This book is much more than a traditional cookbook — it is filled with historic information and photos mainly of this landmark Atlanta restaurant but also to lesser extent of central Atlanta. Short chapters are devoted to history, to personal experience of the owners, to both loyal and celebrity customers (though a bit overdone — Richard Gere appears five times), to workings of the kitchen, and to
devoted staff, some of whom spent decades in the Tea Room. Full-page photos of many old-time staff members with their comments in sidebar add a delightful personal touch. Many stories from the past are equally charming. This book is very much for Georgia readers. For genuine Southern recipes, it is hard to beat. Reviewed by George Erdosh Pig: King of the Southern Table By James Villas Wiley, $34.95, 424 pages You won’t find calorie counts at the end of these recipes, but if you’re looking for sumptuous southern-style pork dishes where flavor is what counts, Pig, King of the Southern Table, a cookbook by James Villas, is a good choice. The introductor y material, including a glossary, a “Southern-Pig Primer” and a “Gospel of Southern Barbecue,” serves as an Emily Post of southern barbecue. Thank goodness, because apparently, at least according to Villas, this is “the most controversial and misunderstood subject on earth.”
This author is committed to his pork, and has created or compiled 383 pages of recipes for every course. My favorites are the Canadian Bacon, Vegetable and White Bean Soup (60), Ham Croquettes with Parsley Sauce (174), Baked Country Ham Stuffed with Greens and Apricots (236), Country style Sausages and Apples (259), and something akin to a jambalaya, the Sullivan’s Island Bacon and Shrimp Bog (268). More southern than Aidells’s Complete Book of Pork(Harper Collins, 2004), and less informative on the basics — preserving fresh pork, rendering lard or making salami, for example, are not included in Villas — Pig really is a recipe book for lovers of southernstyle food and diners with strong arteries. A sapid and sinful cookbook where all the vegetables are cooked with bacon fat, porkbelly, salt pork or hamhock: This is not for the faint of heart. Reviewed by Robin Martin Burgers: From Barbecue Ranch Burger to Miso Salmon Burger By Paul Gayler Jacqui Small, $14.95, 144 pages British chef Paul Gayler cooks up an appetizing array of 68 burgers in his latest culinary adventure, Burgers: From Barbecue Ranch Burger to
Miso Salmon Burger, and demonstrates that the classic burger doesn’t have to beef up to be tasty. With a heavy focus on the inventive, the book’s burger sections – beef, more meat (primarily lamb and poultry), fish, and vegetarian – offer a burger option for every palette. Gayler creates unique twists, including the cordon bleu burger sprinkled with caramelized apple chunks, the Lebanese kibbeh burger served with a side of smoked chilies and white bean hummus, a New Orleans po’boy topped with a Creole slaw, and black bean koftas doled out in dried corn husks. The opening pages guide both the burger beginner and the seasoned servant through the history of hamburgers, tips for selecting the best ingredients, and preparation methods. Gayler stuffs a lot of pertinent information in these pages. The final chapter shares recipes for side dishes the chef serves up. A variety of sauces, salsas and relishes make the mouth water. The salad, potato, and bread recipes work as complementary sides. Hunger-inducing photographs by Gus Filgate make this cookbook delightful. Reviewed by LuAnn Schindler
Technology Best Android Apps By Mike Hendrickson, Brian Sawyer O’Reilly Media, $19.99, 240 pages Ever wanted to identify the title and artist of a song you hear playing on someone else’s radio? What about finding your car in the parking lot after a long day of shopping? Android downloadable applications (Shazam and Car Locator, in this case) enable you to do both. There’s even an app that helps you locate the nearest bathroom and an app that helps you compose guitar music. With more than 25,000 apps ready to download at the touch of a finger, Best Android Apps is an invaluable resource. Authors Mike Hendrickson and Brian Sawyer have done the app research work for you, scouring thousands of apps to bring you only the very best and most unique in their categories. The authors arranged the apps in the book into functional areas: business, communication, lifestyle, entertainment, games, utilities and tools, and reference. There is also
a chapter at the beginning of the book that displays the 32 winners of Google’s 2009 Android Developers Challenge. Several of the apps are smart phone versions of Web sites and tools you already use (Facebook, to-do lists, Weather Bug, Zagat, stock market watching, package tracking, etc.), but most are innovations that are sure to impress. One of the best features of the book is the QR code index for instantly downloading your favorite of Henderson and Sawyer’s apps. Reviewed by Megan Just Photoshop CS5: The Missing Manual By Lesa Snider Pogue Press, $49.99, 796 pages The Missing Manual guides have been in existence since 1999, but it wasn’t until last year that the series set forth to tackle Photoshop, a program the series founder, David Pogue, compares to both a 747 jumbo jet and a monster (“Just
opening it is like watching a slumbering beast heave into consciousness.”). Pogue selected photography, design, and technology guru Lesa Snider to author the first book, which covered CS4. When Adobe released Photoshop CS5 this spring, Snider was ready with the Missing Manual to accompany it. Layering, brushes, color correction, resizing, filtering, text, masks, channels … this book’s nearly 800 pages has it all. With the information arranged in a logical order, selftaught learners can easily substitute reading this book and practicing techniques for online or in-person Photoshop courses. For more experienced Photoshop users, finding help on a specific tool in the book’s index is preferable to conducting a search on Adobe’s online database. Experienced Photoshop users will also enjoy the summary of new features in CS5 and the tables which illustrate the effect options in the Photoshop tools where there are many (for example, one table contains thumbnails of all 23 layer blend modes). This book, for its clever writing, clear instructions, and abundance of bright, easy to understand graphics, is a
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must-have for all who wish to harness Photoshop’s impressive capabilities. Reviewed by Megan Just
MEMORY , con’t from page 17 the plot, which in “The Demilitarized Zone” is the worst of the bunch and is difficult to follow. I can see why Mr. Doerr has won the O. Henry Prizes, it is just this time not all the stories hit the mark. Reviewed by Kevin Winter
WEATHERCRAFT, con’t from page 18 literal for something so phantasmagorical, and it loses something for that. The illustrations are wonderfully done, and its ability to tell a story without words is incredible, but this is a book you can get by without. Reviewed by Jamais Jochim
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Music & Movies Killer Kaiju: Film’s Greatest Japanese Monsters By Ivan Vartanian Collins Design, $27.99, 144 pages A kaiju, for those of you who had better things to do on Saturday nights than watch poorly-dubbed movies on local cable access stations, is loosely defined as a “strange beast” or “monster.” But you’ll probably know kaiju better by their proper names: Gamera, Gigan, Mothra, Rodan, and, of course, Godzilla. They’re big, otherworldly, and they usually do a huge favor to local governments by destroying a whole metropolis and thus ensuring that taxes go (and, thanks to sequels, remain) through the roof. Killer Kaiju Monsters: Strange Beasts of Japanese Film is an attempt to catalog these beloved creatures of Japanese cinema, and the kaiju it covers are well-represented. But the problem is the book describes only a handful of the dozens of often wacky and hilarious monsters from decades of film. Worse still is all but one of the kaiju featured are from the Godzilla films. I would have liked to have seen more space given to kaiju who are less well-known. After all, who is likely to buy a book called Killer Kaiju Monsters except people who can already rattle off Mothra’s origin story the way most people can recite “The Three Little Pigs”? Reviewed by Amanda Mitchell
Fifth Avenue, 5 A.M. By Sam Wasson HarperStudio, $19.99, 256 pages In my humble opinion, the greatest movie of all time is Breakfast at Tiffany’s. Apparently I am not the only person who thinks that. Sam Wasson dives in to the story behind the movie in Fifth Avenue, 5A.M. He takes the reader behind the scenes of the creation of the novel by Truman Capote and how the movie came to life. He also discusses of the main character, Holly Golightly, really came to be. Wasson does an excellent job of providing little known details and facts about the producers, writers and Audrey’s feelings and emotions throughout the entire process. This book is written for true fans of the book and the movie. Wasson also provides a look at how this movie changed the way women were viewed in the 1950s. The exquisite detail and Wasson’s excellent writing style make the book very easy to read and completely enjoyable throughout. Fifth Avenue, 5 A.M. should be a companion guide with the movie itself. This book will provide readers with an amazing look at the creative process along with a bigger appreciation for this American classic. I highly recommend this book to anyone who has seen Breakfast at Tiffany’s and wants to walk away with a better understanding for this masterpiece. Reviewed by Nicole Will
You Never Give Me Your Money: The Beatles After the Breakup By Peter Doggett HarperStudio, $24.99, 400 pages If you think that John Lennon was the Beatles, all on his own, then you may want to purchase this account. But if you think that the band was only the sum of its four parts, a pass may be in order. “McCartney believed in himself as a Beatle, first and foremost, and an equal partner with Lennon...” Peter Doggett has produced a history of the four mop-heads and their dissolution that is nothing less than strange. He’s combined well-worn stories with outlandish attempts to read the minds of the individual musicians. At one point, he writes that Paul McCartney felt that his relationship with John Lennon was, “non-sexual, but it ran deeper than anything he had experienced with a woman.” And how is it that Mr. Doggett presumes to know this? There’s also the troubling fact that Doggett presents the whole group of talented musicians as scruffy characters who battled personal demons when they’re weren’t battling each other. Everyone loses and no one wins in this tired expose. The author has apparently felt the blow back as he’s gone to some post-publication lengths to indicate his sympathies with McCartney, something which is not evident in Money itself.
Home & Garden Restore. Recycle. Repurpose.: Create a Beautiful Home (A Country Living Book) By Randy Florke, Nancy J. Becker Hearst, $24.95, 192 pages In this tasteful book, Country Living contributor Randy Florke teaches home owners on modest budgets how to decorate using sustainable materials and by repurposing existing items. In the introduction, Florke, who grew up on a hardscrabble farm in Iowa, said decorating mindset is an “ongoing part of life,” not a project to be completed. Each chapter addresses a different room in the home including the entryway, home office,
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and outdoor spaces. The subheads throughout the book and the index are helpful, especially for someone who may be interested in a specific area in a specific location in the home. This book is also a good place to start learning about how to live “green.” Florke’s suggestion to add a flow control aerator to a faucet, for example, will reduce the water usage from that faucet by fifty percent per month! The tips in the margins are helpful and the photographs are proof that it can be done beautifully. Finally, the URLs in the resources section in the back of the book are an added bonus. I love the instant access to more information and I would recommend this book to anyone interested in decorating and green living. Reviewed by Linda Welz
1000 Ideas for Home Design and Decoration By Mariana R. Eguaras Etchetto Universe, $29.95, 420 pages Everyone fancies themselves a tasteful decorator. Our homes are a reflection of ourselves. We each seek to create a welcoming space where we can rest, entertain friends, work, and nurture ourselves and those who visit. 1000 Ideas for Home Design & Decoration is a vast and valuable guide to help anyone put that personal touch on their home décor. Broken into chapters, focusing on topics such as materials, color, lighting, and furniture, this book is packed full of beautiful vibrant, full color photos and helpful tips. This is a “picture book” you’ll find yourself paging through regularly, with design ideas that range from the classic to the outlandish. This book is not heavy on text, but the eye-delighting pictures are sure to provide
After the breakup, the Beatles were no longer the Beatles, so “in the end” what’s the point? Reviewed by Joseph Arellano Good Vibrations: The Physics of Music By Barry Parker John Hopkins University Press, $27.95, 274 pages An alternate title for this book might have been Music and Math for Morons, but it is seriously easy to understand. Yes, there have been many survey books out in the last few years attempting to explain the science of sound. Most of them have been too high-level for the average reader to understand, including this reader. Kudos should go to Barry Parker for translating a few not always simple-to-understand concepts into plain English. “Music is sound but it’s a very special type of sound.” It is clear that Parker loves having been born into a world that includes music. Reading this book is like listening to a teacher who worships his subject matter. Parker explains rhythm and the types of music, and gives us an overview of how all of the major instruments -- including the human voice -work. He examines the acoustics of classical concert halls, but he’s no snob when it comes to “new” recording techniques. He concludes his survey by explaining electronic (computer-generated) recordings and acceptance of the new world of iPods and mp3s. Bach or Dylan? It’s all good. Reviewed by Joseph Arellano
endless ideas to springboard from and create dynamic personal spaces for every discerning taste. Another wonderful inclusion in this book is the directory at the end, complete with websites to visit for even more helpful ideas and resources for great decorating Reviewed by Laura Friedkin
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Religion Permission to Speak Freely: Essays and Art on Fear, Confession, and Grace By Anne Jackson Thomas Nelson, $16.99, 190 pages “What is the one thing you feel you can’t say in the church?” Two years ago, Anne Jackson—author, speaker and activist— asked this question on her web blog. The response was overwhelming. Permission to Speak Freely: Essays and Art on Fear, Confession, and Grace flows out of those “confessions” as well as her own story. Jackson, the daughter of a former Baptist preacher, hid an addiction to internet pornography for years. By day she worked at a Christian bookstore; by night she viewed porn. Subsequently, she spiraled into sexual promiscuity and substance abuse. Arranged in the format of essays, poetry, and artistic rendering of “confessions,” this short but compelling book is written within the context of Jackson’s Christian faith. She states up front that this is not a self-help book. Still, anyone who struggles with isolating secrets—in particular, the increasing number of women addicted to internet pornography—may find hope and consolation in her story of redemption and freedom. Her message, “You are not alone,” is powerful. Reviewed by Diana Irvine
Radical: Taking Back Your Faith from the American Dream By David Platt Multnomah Books, $14.99, 232 pages David Platt’s book, Radical is about the disconnect between the Christianity described in the Bible and the American dream of financial success and security. Platt is a self-described, megachurch pastor trying to follow a minichurch Messiah. He makes a compelling argument that American Christians have mistakenly believed Christianity and the American dream are compatible. The book demonstrates how American Christians use material blessings to pursue greater and greater personal luxuries while millions of the world’s poor suffer and die. He argues that Christ cares how we respond and throwing our scraps to the poor is not acceptable. Platt often refers to the story of Christ telling the rich man to sell everything he has and give it to the poor so he could have treasure in heaven. It’s an unnerving story for comfortable middle-class believers. Platt gets radical by suggesting the faithful reject materialism and sacrifice their time and comforts to help the poor. Ultimately, Platt is teaching that a life of service and austerity leads to satisfaction and eternal rewards. He glosses over Bible teachings that support hard work and saving for the future. Platt’s voice occa-
sionally feels like old-school church speak. Even so, a timely read to rattle your faith paradigm. Reviewed by Grady Jones
Travel Knopf Mapguide: Los Angeles By Knopf Guides Knopf, $10.95, 72 pages With this handy book’s dimensions measuring five by seven inches, and with a thickness of just a quarter of an inch, this is a tour guide for the tour guide phobic, who can easily hide it in a pants pocket or purse. Each of the eight Los Angeles districts in this book are featured in a 13 by 10-inch fold out map with a short description of the area, thumbnail photos, and a list restaurants, shops and other attractions. No, this book doesn’t contain reviews of every restaurant and attraction in Los Angeles, but it gets straight to the point, giving you suggestions of the best in
a variety of categories and budgets. With the luxury of large and clear district maps, this book gives you what its weightier cousins don’t: freedom to explore. The districts in the guide are: Griffith Park district, downtown, Hollywood, West Hollywood, Beverly Hills area, La Brea area, Santa Monica area, and Pasadena. The front pages of the book are folding wings which feature a small scale map of Los Angeles and a collection of basic facts about the city (including festival dates and nearby excursions). The back pages of the book are formatted similarly, with a Metro Rail map, as well as transportation and lodging information on the inside. For fans of this layout, Knopf Mapguides are available for fifty other cities around the world. Reviewed by Megan Just
Discover Europe By Oliver Berry Lonely Planet, $27.99, 816 pages It’s all very well to watch television travel programs, but they score poorly next to a book filled with practical information and fabulous photographs and recommendations of both serious and quirky places to visit. Besides each country’s obvious highlights, the book suggests places to see, eat, sleep, chill out or party, and includes precise details on how to get around once you reach your destination. Travel guides are bound to be selective, or do I mean subjective? I was very put out to see that Discover Europe claims to ‘experience the best of Europe’ because Portugal, my favorite haunt, hasn’t earned a single sentence. However, the authors have done their homework diligently and the writing style is friendly and concise. Whether old or young, rich or not so, cultured or philis-
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tine, the book offers a grand smorgasbord. Apart from a few omitted countries and the way the pale color-coding is illegible at the top of the pages, this is an awesome production. Rea ers will shrug off tales about overbooked airplanes, and pack their bags in readiness to follow the paths the book suggests. Reviewed by Jane Manaster
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Art, Architecture & Photography Crafting the Considerate House By David Gerstel Latitude 67, $17.95, 243 pages Author David Gerstel is a seasoned contractor/builder in the San Francisco East Bay Area. He is well educated but not overbearing in presenting information to readers of his fourth book. The book provides his story in a deeply personal way. The reader can’t help having a sense of knowing Gerstel and his trusted and revered tradespeople, after reading the book. There’s more than construction involved in the crafting of a considerate house. Gerstel’s notion of a considerate house is about more than just theory. He set out to create a home that embodies his pyramid of values (architonic, healthy, dollar-wise, and environment considerate). This easy-
going and enjoyable account of the design, construction, and feedback (after two year’s occupancy is not too technical or dumbed down. The photographs and drawings that accompany the text serve to draw the reader in and bring the project to life. There are ample references to sources for further exploration of available building materials, construction techniques, and building history. The green movement in housing is explored at length and Gerstel deconstructs the current movement, carefully presenting both sides of the issue. Highly recommended for prospective and current homeowners. Reviewed by Ruta Arellano
There Were Giants Upon the Earth: Gods, Demigods, and Human Ancestry: The Evidence of Alien DNA (Earth Chronicles) By Zecharia Sitchin Bear & Company, $24.00, 356 pages Why did Alexander the Great interrupt his campaign to make a detour for Egypt? How come so many varied ancient texts tell the same creation story as the Bible? Who was Noah? Did a giant ice shelf break off of Antarctica and cause the great flood of the Bible? Are the progenitors of mankind in fact extraterrestrials? Zecharia Sitchin has been exploring these and other mysteries for decades. Now 90 years old, his newest book, is a summation of a lifetime of work. There Were Giants Upon The Earth seeks to unravel the true meaning behind ancient tablets, the Bible, architectural remnants of legendary cities such as Babylon, stories of Gods in myth, and more. It is a dense read, to be sure, and not always easy to follow. But, if you stay with it the reader will learn many things that are omitted from ‘official,’ sanctioned history. In the final analysis, Sitchin believes that advanced civilizations once existed on Earth and they were started by beings from another planet. I believe he has made a compelling case for this thesis. Open your mind to other possibilities. Reviewed by Bruce Marshall
Cows in the Maze: And Other Mathematical Explorations By Ian Stewart Oxford University Press, $17.95, 306 pages Whether you like it or not, mathematics rules the world. Hell, it rules the entire universe. You can use it to give the casinos a run for their money, prove and disprove methods of time travel, explain how animals move, or even create new dances with it. Ian Stewart explores conundrums and concepts galore in Cows in the Maze, offering marvelously relatable visuals to explain mindboggling mathematical concepts. Need a more complex onesided shape than a mobius strip? Try a klein bottle made of glass! Want a certain chess piece to touch every square on the board once? Check out his illustrated knight’s tours. Ever consider that teardrops aren’t actually teardropshaped? He’s got high-speed photography to help you unravel the mystery. With cat’s cradles, dice, the traveler from The Time Machine, and an occasional Terry Pratchett reference, Stewart strives to make the utterly intimidating not only palatable, but relatable. But he does demand your full attention; a simple skim will only serve to confound you, instead of shedding more light on the subject. Give Cows in the Maze a fair shot and a little time, and it’ll dazzle you. Reviewed by Glenn Dallas
Poem of the Pillow and Other Stories By Utamaro, Hokusai, Kuniyoshi, and Other Artists of the Floating World By Gian Carlo Calza Phaidon Press, $49.95, 463 pages The history of Japanese erotic prints starts in the Tokugawa Shogunate. With the
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rise of pleasure quarters during a time of stability and peace across Japan, came the rise of erotic prints, both as manuals about sex and images of fantasies. With this collection, Gian Calza brings together the giants of the field of erotic prints during the Tokugawa, from the early ones from the late 1600’s to its end, when Japan was forced open to the West by Captain Perry. It was a time of relaxed social mores, lax censorship and freedom to discuss sex and sexual relations. Like all great artistic movements, this one has its leaders, those that were great artists. The decline saw more and more people trying to capitalize on the genre – who were not that great at art. With the masters, you see more than just the erotic nature; you see the detail and care that went into making the print, from the background, to the facial expressions, to the choice of color. This is not for anyone easily offended, the faint of heart, or anyone under the age of 21. Reviewed by Kevin Winter
666 Photogray of Virgin Queens and High Camp Divas By Korero Books Korero Books, $39.95, 176 pages In this collection of photographs from Gayla Partridge we are taken down the path of the past. The path of pin up girls from the 1940s and 1950s. Down the path of Alice in Wonderland and The Wizard of Oz, to girls in space fighting aliens. The costumes of each lady are well picked out and are incredibly detailed. The backgrounds are all hand painted and the props are well done. Nothing is rushed in these photographs. Instead what we get is an attention to detail that is lacking in studio photography. Many of these models will remind readers of older photographers, the pin up girl among others. Each one is individually crafted. While everyone will have their favorites, and least favorites, of this collection. It is well worth the trip. The amount of detail that goes into these photographs shows that Gayla is passionate about her work and will not settle for second best. This is something to be treasured. Reviewed by Kevin Winter
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