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JUNE 2017
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Historical Fiction SNAP IT for additional book summaries.
RACING THE DEVIL: AN INSPECTOR IAN RUTLEDGE MYSTERY By Charles Todd William Morrow, $26.99, 352 pages Reviewed by Lyn Squire Check this out! It’s the eve of the battle of the Somme. In a French barn, seven British officers, virtual strangers, are drinking wine procured by an enterprising sergeant. In an act of bravado, they pledge to meet in Paris one year after the war to race their cars to Nice. After this intriguing opening, the action flows fast and furious: one car in the race is almost rammed off the road; another crashes; and shortly thereafter, a third, owned by one of the officers but driven by a cleric, is pushed off a coastal road in Sussex. In steps, Scotland Yard’s Inspector Rutledge, a man suffering from his own war demon, a disembodied voice offering free advice. The rest of the story tells how he figures out what connects these events, dealing, along the way, with an assortment of clues, some misleading, all perplexing, and a collection of locals, some helpful, others suspicious. Perhaps the risk-taking murderer attempts and accomplishes more than can be reasonably expected of any one individual and perhaps the dialogue could be better differentiated according to the speaker’s social status, but these quibbles aside Racing the Devil is a well-crafted and entertaining mystery. Definitely worth reading. THE LOST BOOK OF THE GRAIL: A NOVEL By Charlie Lovett Viking, $26.00, 336 pages Reviewed by Tamara Benson Check this out! Arthur Prescott is a quiet man. He loves collecting books, spending time with books, and the occasional night with his fellow bibliophile friends discussing books. He teaches English at the University of Barchester but would much rather spend his time in the beautiful Barchester Cathedral library surrounded by ancient manuscripts. He has been entrusted with the task of writing a guidebook for the cathedral by his friend Gwyneth Bowen, the dean of Barchester University, but has a serious case of writers block due to a lack of information about the patron saint of the Cathedral, Saint Ewolda. But he has a secret passion as well, one that his grandfather instilled in him when he was boy. Arthur is a seeker of the Holy Grail. He has grown up believing that the key to finding the grail is somewhere in Barchester Cathedral and is tied somehow to Saint Ewolda. Although he made a solemn promise to his grandfather to keep this search a secret, the arrival of Bethany Davis, who has been hired to digitize his precious manuscripts, pushes his resolve to the limits. The Lost Book of the Grail by Charlie Lovett is pure delight to read. The seamless transition between time periods keeps the reader pleasantly engaged. Pour some tea, get comfortable in your favorite chair, and get lost in Barchester!
Join Tulsa City-County Library’s 2017 Adult Summer Reading Program Continues through Aug. 5 For ages 16 and older Read or listen to four books by Aug. 5 and earn a wooden tower game (while supplies last) and coupons for free treats from our sponsors. Register online at www.TulsaLibrary.org/summer or pick up a registration form at any Tulsa City-County Library location. Summer reading is even better with great events like Music Sandwiched In, Film on the Lawn at Philbrook Museum, Getting Personal With Author Rilla Askew … to name just a few! Check the library’s June and July event guides for free events to complement the Adult Summer Reading Program.
THE BAKER’S SECRET: A NOVEL By Stephen P. Kiernan William Morrow, $26.99, 320 pages Reviewed by Margo Orlando Littell Check this out! Emmanuelle is twenty-two years old when the Germans arrive in her small Normandy village. She is a baker by trade, having learned her craft working beside the village master since she was thirteen. She now rivals him in skill, and her talent does not go unnoticed by the occupying force, who quickly put her to work baking bread for the army. Emma, however, doesn’t just bake bread. She builds up a complex network of bartered items throughout her small village that keeps her neighbors from starving or going mad. Beauty, she realizes, can be found in these small efforts at resistance, but dangerous consequences lurk around every corner if she were to be found out. See BAKER’S, cont’d on page 10
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Tulsa
Book Review
IN THIS ISSUE Historical Fiction............................................2
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Fiction.................................................... 12, 13 Kids’ Books................................................... 14 The Tulsa Book Review is published monthly by City Book Review. The opinions expressed in these pages are those of the individual writers and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Tulsa Book Review or City Book Review advertisers. All images are copyrighted by their respective copyright holders. All words ©2017, City Book Review
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to-face with her past and all her mistakes and discover if there’s anyone she can trust in this life of deception she’s been leading. While there is a kidnapping in this book, I wouldn’t exactly classify it as a mystery or a thriller. This story is more about one woman’s growth out of bitterness and a life of fear and hiding after leaving an abusive relationship. It is definitely more about Anna than it is about finding the boy. It is still a great look into what life is like for someone who does manage to get away. Anna is unlikable at the beginning, and then you slowly find out what she’s been through, and you start to understand. Then you watch her learn that people can change and forgiveness is possible. I enjoyed it, and I think you will, too.
Category
Mystery, Thriller & Suspense
KALE TO THE QUEEN: A KENSINGTON PALACE CHEF MYSTERY By Nell Hampton Crooked Lane Books, $25.99, 288 pages Reviewed by Tamara Benson Check this out!
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CRUEL WINTER: A COUNTY CORK MYSTERY By Sheila Connolly Crooked Lane Books, $25.99, 304 pages Reviewed by Susan Miller Check this out! Maura Donovan arrived in the village of Leap in County Cork, Ireland less than a year ago. She hadn’t intended to stay but, with the help of her recently deceased Gran, she inherited a cottage and the village pub. While winters in County Cork are not as harsh as those in Maura’s hometown of Boston, an unusual snow storm is about to shut down transportation in and around Leap. Maura and her staff decide to keep the pub open during the storm. They are joined by friends, neighbors, and a few strangers who get trapped in the village. One stranger, Diane, was once a suspect in an unsolved murder that happened in Leap twenty years ago. Maura decides to rehash the unsolved case with her guests, partly to provide some entertainment for her stranded guests and also because, if Diane didn’t do it, as she insists, then there is a murderer still on the loose. But will Maura and her guests be able to solve a cold case the police haven’t been able to work out in twenty years, all in one night? This story had everything that makes for a good read: a great plot, interesting characters, an atmospheric setting, and a sense of intimacy that made me feel like I was there in the middle of the action. I can’t think of a better cozy mystery to curl up with on a rainy day. ALICE & THE ASSASSIN: AN ALICE ROOSEVELT MYSTERY By R. J. Koreto Crooked Lane Books, $25.99, 288 pages Reviewed by Tamara Benson Check this out! Alice & the Assassin by R.J. Koreto is the first in a new mystery series about Alice Roosevelt, eldest daughter of President Theodore Roosevelt. Unconventional, outspoken, and, by everyone’s definition including her own, a handful for anyone to manage. Alice follows no one’s rules about how she should behave. Theodore Roosevelt had been quoted as saying, “I can either run the country or I can attend to Alice, but I cannot do both.” Truer words have not been spoken. Within the first pages, Alice’s over-the-top personality is evident. Nothing is too outrageous. Even the head of the Secret Service is no longer shocked by her behavior. When Alice stumbles upon new evidence in the case of President McKinley’s assassination, she enlists the aid of her personal body guard, Secret Service agent Joseph St. Clair, to follow the leads and possibly protect her own father from assassination. As the evidence mounts, the danger increases. From high-society parties and private clubs to seedy bars and dangerous neighborhoods, Alice and St. Clair will stop at nothing to uncover the truth. History buffs will love the subtle connections to real life people in Alice’s life and mystery readers will enjoy the plot twists and danger of this historical mystery novel. THE DAY I DIED: A NOVEL By Lori Rader-Day William Morrow Paperbacks, $14.99, 432 pages Reviewed by Christina Boswell Check this out! The Day I Died follows the story of Anna Winger, a handwriting expert who consults for the FBI. Anna and her thirteen-year-old son have recently moved to a small town when a two-year-old boy goes missing and she’s called in by the sheriff to examine what might be a ransom note. Everyone believes the mother just took the boy, which brings back memories for Anna since that’s what she did when she was pregnant with her son. Then Anna’s son goes missing, and she has to come face-
In Nell Hampton’s first installment of the Kensington Palace Chef Mysteries, Kale to the Queen, we meet Carrie Ann Cole, who has accepted a dream position cooking for the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge and their children. This would be more than enough to cause serious stress for any young chef, but add murder to the mix and you’ve got a recipe for potential chaos. Carrie Ann knows that it will take a lot of adjustment to fit into the rigid hierarchy of the palace, but she is more than confident that her cooking skills are up to par and is anxious to get to work in her kitchen in the private family apartment. She sets to trying to fit in and navigate the confusing palace, but when her prep cook, Frank Deems, is found murdered and Michael Hargrove, her butcher, is accused of the deed, she feels it is her duty to try to clear Hargrove’s name and figure out who really killed Deems. Hampton’s debut foodie cozy couldn’t be more lovely! Her characters are likable and interesting, and her descriptive settings make you feel like you are walking the unseen halls of Kensington Palace. This sweet novel is a treat for both foodies and anglophiles alike. I truly look forward to many more installments in this series! OLD BONES By Trudy Nan Boyce G.P. Putnam’s Sons, $27.00, 352 pages Reviewed by Karen Collins Check this out! Old Bones, the second novel by Trudy Nan Boyce, continues the story of homicide detective Sarah Alt, “Salt.” Having spent over thirty years in law enforcement in Atlanta, Boyce is qualified to take readers to places they would not consider going alone. She presents her version of law enforcement members and the society with which they interact without glorifying either, while tackling the tough subjects of racism and sex trafficking. The main character, Salt, is trying to come to terms with a difficult family history while she embarks on a new stage in her life. At the same time, she is working to help a young man who faces serious challenges to his future. Boyce skillfully walks the line between providing too much or too little in the way of resolving these conflicts. However, the character development and plot don’t seem to hit their stride until approximately two-thirds of the way through the book. This may be intentional; not all books are written in the same style. It did seem that there was a rush at the end to tie up a lot of loose ends. Even so, the ending is worth the wait. IN THIS GRAVE HOUR: A MAISIE DOBBS NOVEL By Jacqueline Winspear Harper, $27.99, 352 pages Reviewed by Jane Manaster Check this out! Britain and Germany went to war in September 1939. Although a milestone in British history, for investigator and psychologist Maisie Dobbs her latest assignment is a local situation. It is so close, indeed, that a senior Secret Service agent is awaiting her when she returns to her flat and opens her front door. Dr. Francesca Thomas beseeches her to find who assassinated Frederick Addens, a refugee who escaped as a teenager with a group of Belgian resistance fighters in World War I. With little to go on, Maisie sets to work and finds additional victims, the link between them deriving from a photograph whose owner she tracks down in a sleepy English village. The photographer will tell all, but she is found brutally murdered next day with her companion and dog. The saga is lifted from sordid to intriguing through Maisie’s personality, charm, and psychological skills. Jacqueline Winspear has created a marvelous 1930s character, typically English in her approach, complete with word-perfect dialogue, fashion, and social standing, a titled lady with humble roots. With over a dozen challenges successfully accomplished in discrete settings, Maisie’s family, friends, and official police colleagues return as the series continues. In This Grave Hour introduces little Anna, a winsome orphan who will in all probability return for Maisie’s next challenge. See PRAYER FOR THE DEAD, cont’d on page 5
Tulsa Book Review • June 2017 • 4
Book Reviews
Mystery, Thriller & Suspense
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feelings about the Drake Equation. It’s a fun read for the average audience, placing the reader in a reflective mood.
PRAYER FOR THE DEAD: AN INSPECTOR MCLEAN NOVEL By James Oswald Crooked Lane Books, $25.99, 352 pages Reviewed by Lyn Squire Check this out! This cleverly crafted police procedural tracks two investigations. The main one is triggered by what looks like a bizarre ritual murder, the victim’s bloodless corpse found in a system of hand-carved passageways and chambers of unknown origin beneath Edinburgh. The other starts with a shady real estate development deal but is soon obliged to shift focus to more serious crimes. As the reader might guess, the two are connected, the second providing a critical piece of evidence for the first. The strength of Prayer for the Dead lies in the intriguing crimes and their interaction rather than the path leading to their solution -- routine, painstaking police work that succeeds thanks only to a fortuitous break. This depiction may well reflect the lead detective’s constant inter-office battle with his superiors, but this latter is overdone and wears thin after a while. The superior writing is an attractive feature of this mystery, the author’s obvious facility with apt and creative descriptions on frequent display. At times, too much incidental material is introduced, making the story longer than necessary, but, this cavil aside, Prayer for the Dead is definitely worth reading. NOT A SOUND By Heather Gudenkauf Park Row Books, $15.99, 368 pages Reviewed by Christina Boswell Check this out! Not A Sound follows Amelia Winn, who has lost her hearing after a hit-and-run accident. Not long after that, she lost her husband and stepdaughter due to her self-medicating with alcohol. Fast forward two years and she is finally getting back on her feet, owing largely to her service dog, Stitch. As she is paddling down the river near her home, she stumbles on the body of a woman she once called a friend before she alienated everyone after her accident. The resulting investigation reveals some disturbing things, and Amelia has to decide how far she’s willing to go to seek justice for her friend. I thought this was a great read; the story line was fairly predictable but still fun. None of the characters were incredibly deep, but I didn’t feel like the book was lacking because of it. Overall, a fast, fun read that would be a great addition to any vacation or to have on your nightstand.
Category
Science & Nature
ASTEROID HUNTERS By Carrie Nugent TED, $16.99, 128 pages Reviewed by Glenn Dallas Check this out! Even before Deep Impact and Armageddon graced the silver screen, people pondered the possibility of an asteroid striking the Earth and endangering life as we know it. But how likely is that, really? What would it take to ensure the safety of humanity from asteroids when there are thousands and thousands of them out there? In a recent TED Talk, Dr. Carrie Nugent discussed all things asteroid, and her talk has been adapted into Asteroid Hunters, your one-stop shop for everything you could want to know about asteroids. (Including the fact that NASA has an actual position titled “Planetary Defense Officer,” which is very cool.) In this book, you learn their composition, the impact both small and large asteroids could have on our planet, and both the challenges and successes involved in cataloging them. Short and fascinating, this book presents science through a refreshing lens of wonder and optimism, exploring how technology and human ingenuity come together to allow asteroid hunters to serve as modern-day sky police, keeping us both informed and safe. Whether you’re a space junkie or a newcomer to the topic, Asteroid Hunters is a quick, satisfying, and informative read. WOLF NATION: THE LIFE, DEATH, AND RETURN OF WILD AMERICAN WOLVES By Brenda Peterson Da Capo Press, $27.00, 240 pages Reviewed by David Sutton Check this out! I found that even though the author’s political associates are not and have not been mine, her recommended readings include everything I would pick, several of which I have reviewed for City Book Review. I find myself in complete agreement with her proposed solutions to the sometimes fraught agricultural interactions with wolves. Reflecting a lifetime of journalism and advocacy, Peterson’s Wolf Nation is a complex, admirable, immersive overview. The work touches upon and is respectful of the government-landgrazing ranchers who have historically been adamant against wolf reintroduction and even survival. The author had her own origins in a hunting family, and her understanding of them makes her persuasions more authentic. She touches upon the sometimes mystic affiliations for wolves among naturists and First Nations people. While not often submerging in those viewpoints, she gives sincere credence to the belief. They are her allies, after all. There is significant learning to be had here, such as the ancestries of North American and Mexican Gray wolves, of the Eastern Coyote hybrids, and of the actual origin of our companion species, the dogs. (They derive from a now-extinct wolf species, not the modern Grays.) The elements of conflict in this tale revolve around anxiety and frustration at successive waves of “endangered” registration and deregistration, at often murderous poachers, and at unthinking hatred for the natural bond of predator and prey. Gripping and wonderfully lucid, this is both an entrancing and necessary read. REALITY IS NOT WHAT IT SEEMS: THE JOURNEY TO QUANTUM GRAVITY By Carlo Rovelli Riverhead Books, $26.00, 288 pages Reviewed by Glenn Dallas Check this out!
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THE ALIENS ARE COMING!: THE EXTRAORDINARY SCIENCE BEHIND OUR SEARCH FOR LIFE IN THE UNIVERSE By Ben Miller The Experiment, $15.95, 304 pages Reviewed by D. Wayne Dworsky Check this out! When it comes to defining what intelligence is, we find ourselves thrown against the wall, as helpless as those in a police line-up. And then we wonder if someone will pick us out and accuse us of the crime. Anyone who’s ever seen that creepy Sigourney Weaver movie, Alien, would be freaked out at the prospect of alien intelligence invading our human world. Yet, we tend to wonder if it’s out there. Ben Miller has accepted the challenge to realize the extraordinary science behind our search for life in the universe in his amazing new book, The Aliens Are Coming! This illuminating look into the prospect of discovering extraterrestrial life stimulates our brains like no other. Although it reads like a work of fiction, the truths it uncovers put us in a reflexive spell. Being an actor and comedian, Ben Miller brings humor and energy to his work as a quantum physicist. The topics about which he writes vary as widely as his personal interests. He wrestles with everything from the primordial soup to discovering extra-terrestrial life; and don’t forget his
If you ask the average person on the street if they’ve heard of string theory, they’ll probably say yes, but they’d be hardpressed to explain what it is or why it’s important. And I assure you, most of them have never heard of loop quantum gravity, a competitor of string theory in some scientific circles. Physicist Carlo Rovelli has the unenviable task of not only explaining quantum gravity, but doing so in a way that won’t flummox the average reader. Reality Is Not What It Seems is his attempt to do just that, and it’s an impressive one. Rovelli takes the reader on a journey through the history of astronomy, physics, and other fields of science, traversing centuries with Aristotle, Pythagoras, and Democritus, then moving forward to Galileo and Newton, before diving deep into relativity and quantum mechanics with Einstein and those who followed in his footsteps. But instead of overwhelming the reader with jargon and formulae, Rovelli tends toward the poetic in his descriptions and explanations, lending an otherworldly style to a mindbending subject. This isn’t always the most accessible way of going about things, but it is intriguing and undeniably memorable.
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Snowden’s actions. It reveals a man of contradictions, one who seeks to play a role he might not be ready for. How America Lost Its Secrets doesn’t have all the answers, but it might be as close as we ever get.
Category
Nonfiction SNAP IT for additional book summaries.
MAKE TROUBLE By John Waters Algonquin Books, $14.95, 80 pages Reviewed by Glenn Dallas Check this out! The Rhode Island School of Design went viral recently when John Waters was invited to give the commencement speech on graduation day. The iconic Waters, with his usual verve and style, simultaneously dazzled and delighted as he shared his thoughts on being creative in a world that so frequently stifles individuals even as it celebrates them. Make Trouble presents the full text of his speech, illustrated and visualized in suitably dramatic fashion to maximize its impact on the reader. Along the way, Waters discusses the potential and importance of filth (both to him and to the world), the value of being true to yourself, the roles of parent and child, and how utterly baffling it is that he’s there at all giving his speech. It’s John Waters boiled down to his basic elements, and it’s as funny as it is inspiring. He throws down the gauntlet to his audience, challenging them to challenge themselves. He does all this while having a good time celebrating AND poking fun at himself in equal measure. Make Trouble is an injection of weirdness, joy, and provocation right into your brain. Make the most of it. THE CASE AGAINST SUGAR By Gary Taubes Knopf, $26.95, 384 pages Reviewed by Aron Row Check this out! With the charge that seductive sugar is nothing more than an addictive drug, science and health journalist Gary Taubes presents potent evidence alleging this nutrient to be the hidden culprit responsible for the epidemic global eruption of diabetes and obesity in the population. From its emergence in the Caribbean during the 17th century, sugar cane slowly crept into the world market, lead by exploitative Portuguese and British sugar barons. As sugar became more available and consumption increased, so too did the sudden appearance and growth of Western health disorders recognized as hypertension, diabetes, non-alcoholic fatty liver, cardiac disorders, gout, and dementia disabilities. The sweeteners derived from sugar cane or sugar beets are molecular sucrose, which break down in the gut into energy rich glucose and fat producing fructose. Compelling observations suggest that sugar, notably high fructose forms, may be responsible for the time-delayed effects leading to the increasing emergence of debilitating afflictions. It’s interesting to note that sugar in its heyday was added to tobacco leaves, an additive which increased the lethality of cigarettes. The consequences of sugar in diets should be recognized by consumers and neutral, balanced research is needed to determine the make-up of a healthy diet. Sugary sweets too often serve as rewards, but unknowingly these tempting bonuses may deliver a sugar high along with some toxic consequences. HOW AMERICA LOST ITS SECRETS: EDWARD SNOWDEN, THE MAN AND THE THEFT By Edward Jay Epstein Knopf, $27.95, 368 pages Reviewed by Glenn Dallas Check this out! No data theft in history comes close to what Edward Snowden walked away with in 2013, revealing a program of government infiltration, data gathering, and spying unlike anything the world had ever seen. And by the time people had processed this information, Snowden was in Russia, and we were left with so many questions. How America Lost Its Secrets is, thus far, the most complete attempt to unravel why Snowden did what he did, how, and the aftermath. It’s a monumental undertaking, and although Epstein seems biased against the whistleblower mythology of Snowden, he does an admirable job of presenting all the facts and allowing the reader to make up his or her mind. The book offers a thorough breakdown of Snowden’s life and actions up to and after the theft, including hard questions we don’t have answers to. It acknowledges the role Snowden played in uncovering government deceptions, but it doesn’t shy away from the devastating ramifications of
WHAT CUSTOMERS CRAVE: HOW TO CREATE RELEVANT AND MEMORABLE EXPERIENCES AT EVERY TOUCHPOINT By Nicholas J. Webb AMACOM, $25.00, 256 pages Reviewed by Axie Barclay Check this out! Popular speaker Nicholas J. Webb upends old models of selling in his recent release, What Customers Crave: How to Create Relevant and Memorable Experiences at Every Touchpoint. For decades, market segmentation and demographics have ruled the day in selling to consumers. Instead, Webb offers a new way to look at selling and customer engagement, starting with two questions: What do your customers love and what do they hate? Webb draws on examples from businesses such as Apple, Zappos, and more, helping business owners identify their customers and connect with them, selling them experience as well as product, at every touchpoint of sale. This intriguing book offers new insights into the old concepts of selling. With the internet, customers have come to expect a different experience from standard selling models, and What Customers Crave addresses this shift in customer mentality. Whether business owners sell online or face-to-face, this book helps them realize more about their customers and what they want, and it goes even farther to help show how the business owner can shift to meet, and far exceed, expectations. If you are a business owner seeking new insights for selling product in an experiencecentric market, this could be an extremely helpful read. SOUTH AND WEST: FROM A NOTEBOOK By Joan Didion Knopf, $21.00, 126 pages Reviewed by Julia McMichael Check this out! Because I have been dismayed by so many books that are slight and “from the writer’s notebook,” I was initially disappointed in receiving this slim volume. However, the slim nature of the book or the caption of “unfinished work” should not dismay the reader. After all, this is Joan Didion, who is a master of observation and prose. This book comes from her desire to write about the South as the new land of the future. In this, she is prescient about the country in the aftermath of the 2016 election and what has caused this great divide. As she travels through the South, she notices small things that add up to a strong culture of individualism and dissent. She listens intently and records the conversations of southerners who are attempting to come to grips with the new normal in 1970 of the call for equal rights. It is a chilling bit of writing. Somehow by recording exact conversations or fragments of sentences, she reveals an underlying motif. Joan Didion is a national treasure. For those of us wanting to understand our country, this is a trip worth taking. DEAR IJEAWELE, OR A FEMINIST MANIFESTO IN FIFTEEN SUGGESTIONS By Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie Knopf, $15.00, 63 pages Reviewed by Julia McMichael Check this out! This is a slender volume; however, even as such, it is not to be discounted. This is a valuable book by a thoughtful, gifted writer. She responds to her friend’s question of how to raise a feminist. She writes of powerful women and society’s reaction to and treatment of them. She writes of how we train girls to be likable or “nice.” She tells her to admire women. This will model how we can support one another rather than compete. This is a fine book and would be welcome for any mother of girls. The author is Nigerian-born and educated in the United States. She writes poetry and novels and teaches writing workshops in Nigeria. Her writing is clear and direct. She is the recipient of a MacArthur Fellowship and she lives between her two homes. Even though there are only fifteen suggestions in this book, it is full of wisdom and humor. It is a wonderful gift for any woman and any man who appreciates and supports women’s empowerment. THE TOTALLY UNSCIENTIFIC STUDY OF THE SEARCH FOR HUMAN HAPPINESS By Paula Poundstone Algonquin Books, $25.95, 304 pages Reviewed by Glenn Dallas Check this out! Most people know Paula Poundstone as a world-class standup comic, but did you also know she’s an aspiring explorer? But instead of seeking the Fountain of Youth or a mythical golden city, she seeks something both closer to home and potentially much more elusive. And that’s the story behind her new book, The Totally Unscientific Study of the Search for Human Happiness. As she shares the details of her life raising three opinionated See UNSCIENTIFIC, cont’d on page 7
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Book Reviews
Nonfiction
15th annual
UNSCIENTIFIC, cont’d on page 6 and challenging children, she chronicles her adventures seeking happiness through exercise, organization, communing with nature, dancing, hugging, movie nights, and other endeavors. And although some attempts go better than others, the pseudo-scientific notetaking that accompanies each -- as well as the anecdotal input of her children -- is often hilarious. Bringing the same dry wit and casual observation style of her stand-up to the page is impressive in and of itself, but to do so with such honesty and heart, particularly when sharing the dizzying peaks and emotional valleys that come with parenting, is doubly impressive. Her scientific process may need some work, but her writing is topnotch. This was a lot of fun. MINIATURE MOSS GARDENS: CREATE YOUR OWN JAPANESE CONTAINER GARDENS By Megumi Oshima, Hideshi Kimura Tuttle Publishing, $19.95, 128 pages Reviewed by Sarah Perry Check this out!
asianamerican festival Learn about the customs and
If you need more calm, green, space in your home, then you should take a look at Miniature Moss Gardens: Create Your Own Japanese Container Gardens. This beautifully illustrated book contains tons of photographs and illustrations to help you learn all about different kinds of moss and the small container gardens they can be used in. The book begins with a “pop quiz” about moss. It also introduces readers to an illustrated moss ball character, Kokedama, who gives somewhat snarky but helpful commentary throughout the book. It’s a whimsical approach, but it makes the book accessible and fun for all readers. All the information you could want about moss is included in this book: parts of moss, types of moss, when to gather moss, and tools for collecting moss and for creating your own miniature moss garden. It displays many different options for moss gardens, so there is truly something for everyone here. The information is clear, well illustrated, and gives plenty of instruction on how to do it yourself. Even if you’ve never considered starting a moss garden, this book will make you into a moss fan. This beautiful, informative, and fun book is well worth reading.
traditions of many Asian cultures with entertaining, educational events for the entire family, plus arts and crafts. Visit www.TulsaLibrary.org/ AsianFestival for a complete schedule of presentations and more details.
THE IMAGINEERS OF WAR: THE UNTOLD STORY OF DARPA, THE PENTAGON AGENCY THAT CHANGED THE WORLD By Sharon Weinberger Knopf, $32.50, 496 pages Reviewed by Philip Zozzaro Check this out!
ANATOMY OF INNOCENCE: TESTIMONIES OF THE WRONGFULLY CONVICTED By Laura Caldwell, Editor; Leslie S. Klinger, Editor; Scott Turow, Introduction; Barry Scheck, Introduction Liveright, $26.95, 320 pages Reviewed by Glenn Dallas Check this out! Innocent until proven guilty. A staple of the justice system. And yet, grievous mistakes are made, and sometimes the innocent are sent away for years, their lives changed forever. It’s hard to imagine what that would be like...or it was, until now. Anatomy of Innocence pairs bestselling authors with individuals who were wrongly convicted, only to be exonerated years later, offering them the chance to share their stories. And each tale, however short or graphic, adds a startling layer of understanding to the reader. Sometimes, it’s the betrayal that comes with trusting the justice system and being punished for doing so. Other times, it’s the suffocating horror of being locked away. And sometimes, it’s the disgust raised by dirty cops strong-arming confessions from the innocent. These stories are frighteningly effective, appalling, and infuriating in equal measure, only enhanced by the skills of the storytellers using their creative gifts to bring these experiences to life. A heartbreaking and important read, Anatomy of Innocence puts a crucial and underreported issue in the spotlight for all to see. Here’s hoping it leads to more exonerations in the future.
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The wizards of war and innovation toiled in an agency that received very little fanfare for forty years. The Advanced Research Projects Agency, ARPA, later DARPA, oversaw various technological initiatives from nuclear weapon shields to the Internet to neural science. Their scientists would have access to the captured minds of the Nazi war machine and would parallel NASA in attempting to beat the Soviets to the moon. Their forays into warfare reached infamous levels with men like William Godel battling the counterinsurgency in Vietnam. Any success in the Cold War-birthed agency would be matched with defeats such as the failure of the Strategic Hamlet Program, Mind Control, Project Agile, and others. Their successes would be obscured as their work would be hijacked by senior agencies and military branches. But the work done by the unsung men and women would now be brought to light. The only question is, was their work for the greater good or the needs of the few? The Imagineers of War can be seen as a companion read to Annie Jacobsen’s The Pentagon’s Brain. However, this book distinguishes itself by examining men such as William Godel, whose work has been scrubbed from official histories but still exists in the government ether. Their work had meaning even if their approach was flawed. This book lifts the veil on government secrecy when it comes to technological breakthroughs. A must-read in our evolving AI world.
Saturday, June 3 • 11 a.m.-2 p.m.
Martin Regional Library • 2601 S. Garnett Road Funded and sponsored by the Tulsa Library Trust, with special assistance from The Mary K. Chapman Foundation, George Kaiser Family Foundation, Tulsa Global Alliance
Tulsa Book Review • June 2017 • 7
and Tulsa City-County Library Staff Association.
Category
Biographies & Memoirs SNAP IT for additional book summaries.
CRAZY IS MY SUPERPOWER: HOW I TRIUMPHED BY BREAKING BONES, BREAKING HEARTS, AND BREAKING THE RULES By A.J. Mendez Brooks Crown Archetype, $25.00, 304 pages Reviewed by Glenn Dallas Check this out! She’s known to millions of wrestling fans around the world as A.J. Lee, a three-time Divas champion, a Chuck Taylor-wearing tomboy badass, and a major player in Monday Night Raw storylines for years, including the show’s landmark 1000th episode. But there’s a lot more to her than just butterfly belts and heel turns. Crazy Is My Superpower gives us the full story of A.J. Mendez Brooks, from her childhood to her Hall of Fame-worthy career and beyond. Calling this a biography, though, diminishes its message. Throughout the book, A.J. shares intimate details about her mentally ill mother and her own struggles with mental illness, championing the importance of recognizing who you are, good and bad, and taking the necessary steps to ensure your own health and happiness. Chock full of hard-won lessons learned, this book is a rallying cry for tomboys, geek girls, dreamers, and outcasts. The mix of humor and brutal honesty makes for an almost compulsively readable story, something that transcends the wrestling audience. Crazy Is My Superpower was so much more than I expected, and it was an incredibly worthwhile surprise.
AT HOME IN THE WORLD: STORIES AND ESSENTIAL TEACHINGS FROM A MONK’S LIFE By Thich Nhat Hanh, Jason DeAntonis (Illustrator) Parallax Press, $24.95, 187 pages Reviewed by Karen Collins Check this out! In At Home in the World, Thich Nhat Hanh shares experiences of his life through vignettes from his childhood in Vietnam and his life as a monk. He recalls encounters with people he has met though his travels as he teaches meditation and mindful breathing. The central message is one we desperately need at this moment: slow down, learn to truly experience life moment by moment, and don’t ever give up hope. His wisdom is based in natural beauty and the ability to learn important lessons from it. The lessons of Thich Nhat Hanh are simple but not easy. For those of us who pride ourselves in multitasking, there is much to learn and master in order to find a more peaceful life and to find our “home.” Ultimately this book teaches that home is not a place but the ability to connect with the present moment and, in doing so, discover our entire heritage. This is the season for celebrating students’ graduations from high school and college. At Home in the World would be a fine gift for anyone but especially for a graduate or someone who is at a crossroads in life. MONEY, MURDER, AND DOMINICK DUNNE: A LIFE IN SEVERAL ACTS By Robert Hofler University of Wisconsin Press, $26.95, 352 pages Reviewed by Philip Zozzaro Check this out! Dominick Dunne was a man who reached for the upper strata of society. He grew up in a well-to-do family, but he still felt an outcast with the more affluent families in Connecticut. His father was emotionally and physically abusive. Dunne would battle an inferiority complex for most of his life, despite heroism in World War II. He would meet his wife Ellen in 1953. The Dunnes would have three children. Dunne would also lead a secret life, engaging in affairs with men and dabbling in drug use. The combination of both would lead to the end of his marriage and the derailment of his career in television and film. He would start his prolific writing career in the late 1970s, but the tragic murder of daughter Dominique in 1983 would lead to his antagonistic stance against money attempting to defeat justice, especially when it came to murder. See MONEY, cont’d on page 9
Storytime in the
Thursdays June 1, 8, 15, 22 10-11 a.m.
Park Featured guest performances
QuikTrip Plaza at River Parks 41st and Riverside
June 1 • Mr. Stinky Feet Returns June 8 • Mike Schneider’s Polka Music June 15 • The Que Pastas June 22 • Music With Will Parker
Join the Imagination Station for stories and songs in the park. Bring a blanket or a lawn chair. Afterward, cool off in the splash pad. Sponsored by River Parks Authority and Friends of the Helmerich Library. Tulsa Book Review • June 2017 • 8
www.TulsaLibrary.org
918.549.READ
JUNE 2017
A FREE MONTHLY GUIDE TO YOUR COMMUNITY LIBRARY, ITS PROGRAMS AND SERVICES
BUILD A BETTER WORLD
adults & all ages BIXBY LIBRARY Tai Chi for Seniors Wednesdays and Fridays, June 7, 9, 14, 16, 21, 23, 28, 30 10:30-11:30 a.m. • The movements of tai chi help seniors reduce the risk of falling, increase balance and flexibility. This series is provided by the Oklahoma Healthy Aging Initiative. For adults. All About Beekeeping Saturday, June 24 • 10:30-11:30 a.m. Join Alan Larson as he discusses beekeeping as a hobby and the importance of honeybees. Larson has been a beekeeper for 25 years. For all ages. Bixby Adult Book Discussion Wednesday, June 28 • 2-3 p.m. Read the novel "Lucky Us" by Amy Bloom and then join us for a lively discussion. Copies of the book are available for checkout at the Bixby Library or as eBooks. Light refreshments will be served. For adults.
BROKEN ARROW LIBRARY/SOUTH Great Decisions: Current Events Discussion Group Wednesday, June 7 • noon-3 p.m. Join us for a lively conversation as we discuss past topics and plan for fall discussions. For adults.
Pick up a Children’s and Teen/Tween Summer Reading Program Event Guide from your neighborhood library. Visit www.TulsaLibrary.org/summer for more details. BROOKSIDE LIBRARY Brookside Book Discussion: "The River at Night" Monday, June 12 • 1:30-2:30 p.m. This high-stakes drama, set against the harsh beauty of the Maine wilderness, charts the journey of four friends as they fight to survive the aftermath of a white water rafting accident. For adults.
CENTRAL LIBRARY Seed Saving Workshop Saturday, June 3 • 11 a.m.-noon Location: Tandy Children’s Garden Self-reliance, preserving heritage, backyard plant breeding – there are so many reasons to save seeds. Come and learn the basic skills with the Tulsa Seed Library. For all ages. Register online or call 918-549-7323. Music Sandwiched In Presents Pianist Don Ryan Monday, June 5 • noon-12:45 p.m. Location: Aaronson Auditorium A commanding and dynamic pianist, Donald Ryan has been called “a music kaleidoscope, sparkling at everything he plays." This "everything" encompasses the arenas of classical, religious/inspirational, pop, jazz and ragtime. For all ages. Show Me How Business Series: Mining Your Market With BizMiner Thursday, June 8 • 4-5 p.m. Location: Computer Lab Learn how BizMiner can help you better understand your market or evaluate your new business idea whether it is a start-up or an
expansion into new growth areas for established businesses. BizMiner offers the most granular industry reports available with market and financial analysis benchmarks for over 5,000 lines of business and industry market trends on thousands more. Market analysis reports are available at national and local levels down to zip codes on both general and niche industries. Use BizMiner to create business goals and benchmarks, for business plans and loan applications, to find new business markets and to evaluate industries of all kinds. Registration is required. Register online or contact the Research Center at 918-549-7323 or askus@tulsalibrary.org. For adults. Digital Literacy Series: Privacy Basics Friday, June 9 • noon-1 p.m. Location: Digital Literacy Lab Join Luke Crouch, software engineer at Mozilla, and learn how to safeguard your privacy online and develop an awareness of how companies and governments track and collect your data. Register online or call 918-549-7323. For adults. Movie in the Garden "A.I. Artificial Intelligence" Wednesday, June 14 • 6:30-9 p.m. Location: Tandy Children’s Garden Watch Steven Spielberg's 2001 sci-fi tale of an android boy. Rated PG-13. Doors open at 6 p.m. Movie begins at 6:30 p.m. Bring your chairs and blankets. For adults and teens.
Ignite Tulsa: Build a Better World Edition Thursday, June 15 • 6:30-8:30 p.m. Location: Pocahontas Greadington Learning & Creativity Center Fun, fast-paced, thoughtprovoking and social – Ignite Tulsa is all of these and more. Join some of Tulsa’s most creative, passionate people as they share tips on building a better world. Quickly. They’ll each have just 5 minutes and 20 slides to inspire, engage and enlighten us. Local organizations also will be on hand with opportunities for how we can build a better world, right in our hometown. Run by local volunteers who are connected through the global Ignite network, Ignite is a force for raising the collective IQ and building connections in Tulsa. For more information and to RSVP, visit www.ignitetulsa.org. Doors open at 6 p.m. For adults. Music Sandwiched In Presents Susan Herndon Monday, June 19 • noon-12:45 p.m. Location: First Floor For more than a decade, Susan Herndon has retained that true troubadour’s ethos, sharing her passion for song and stirring thousands of kindred spirits throughout the American heartland and Europe. Herndon draws from a reservoir of original material spanning five albums that have long found her sliding with ease from genre to genre. For all ages.
ADULT SUMMER READING PROGRAM EVENTS ARE MARKED WITH THIS ICON.
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Screen Printing With Stencils Monday, June 19 • 5:30-7 p.m. Location: Maker Space Learn how to screen print using stencils! We'll show you how to prepare your artwork, set up the screen and apply ink onto a T-shirt. Completing this class will grant you general access to the Maker Space so you can start making your own shirts. Class size is limited and registration is required. Register online or call 918-549-7323. For adults. Intro to Sewing Tuesday, June 20 • 5:30-7 p.m. Location: Maker Space Learn how to use our sewing machines, serger, sewing tools and supplies. You can bring your own sewing machine too. We’ll also have books on hand with projects and tutorials you can use while you’re here or check out later to take home. Class size is limited and registration is required. Register online or call 918-549-7323. For adults. Making Pet Tags With Laser Engravers Wednesday, June 21 • 5:30-7 p.m. Location: Maker Space Learn how to use a laser engraver to make identification tags for your pet. Completing this program will grant you permission to use the engraver for future projects that you may have! Class size is limited and registration is required. Register online or call 918-549-7323. For adults. Intro to Crochet Thursday, June 22 • noon-2 p.m. Location: Maker Space Learn how to crochet! You can bring your own hooks and yarn or use ours. We'll also have books on hand with projects and tutorials to use while you’re here or check out for later to practice more at home. Register online or call 918-549-7323. For adults and teens. Intro to Knitting Thursday, June 22 • 5:30-7 p.m. Location: Maker Space Learn how to knit! You can bring your own knitting needles and yarn or use ours. We'll also have books on hand with projects and tutorials to use while you’re here or check out so that you can practice at home. Register online or call 918549-7323. For adults and teens. Open Drawing Studio Friday, June 23 • 9 a.m.-6 p.m. Location: Maker Space Drop in and hone your drawing skills while using the various tools and equipment provided. For adults and teens.
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Film on the Lawn at Philbrook: "The NeverEnding Story" Friday, June 23 • 7:30-11 p.m. Location: Philbrook Museum, 2727 S. Rockford Road • Join us for a magical evening as Tulsa City-County Library and Philbrook Museum present a showing of "The NeverEnding Story" (rated PG) in the Philbrook Gardens. Follow along with Bastian, a lonely boy who discovers a mysterious book, as he escapes into the mythical land of Fantasia, a realm in desperate need of a hero to save it from the ominous Nothing. Come before the movie for a picnic on the lawn, food trucks and entertainment. Gates open at 7:30 p.m. Film begins after sundown, around 9 p.m. For all ages. Movie in the Garden: "Apollo 13" Wednesday, June 28 • 6:30-9 p.m. Location: Tandy Children’s Garden This week, experience the powerful 1995 historical drama of an ill-fated mission to the moon in "Apollo 13" (rated PG). Doors open at 6 p.m. Movie begins at 6:30 p.m. Bring your chairs and blankets. For adults and teens.
COLLINSVILLE LIBRARY Collinsville Book Discussion Tuesday, June 13 • noon-1 p.m. Read "The Summer Before the War" by Helen Simonson and then join this fun group of readers for a lively discussion. Copies of the book are available at the library's circulation desk. For adults. Patchworkers Tuesday, June 13 • 6:30-8 p.m. Join us for an evening of quilting and friendly conversation. For adults. Chronicles of Collinsville: Celebrate Collinsville Library's 100th Birthday Wednesday, June 14 • 11 a.m.-noon Join Ted Wright as he shares rare photographs of Collinsville from his family's newspaper archives dating back to 1899 to modern times. From Indian Territory through the Great Depression, two world wars and beyond, Wright's family has faithfully recorded Collinsville's history through the pages of their newspaper The Collinsville News. For adults.
GLENPOOL LIBRARY Chicks Knit and Lit: Adult Knitting Fridays, June 2, 9, 16, 23, 30 • 1-3 p.m. Knit, crochet, weave or do whatever fiber craft makes your fingers happy! We'll also talk about whatever good book or movie we've seen.
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Make and Take: Native American Patchwork Thursday, June 29 • 6-7:45 p.m. Learn the basics of Native American patchwork! Bring your own sewing machine. Class size is limited to 12. Registration is required. Call 918-549-7323 or register online. For adults and teens.
HARDESTY REGIONAL LIBRARY Simple Steps for Starting Your Business: Start-Up Basics Thursday, June 1 • 6:30-8:30 p.m. Location: Ash Room Want to start a business? Get the help you need with SCORE experts. Learn the essentials of business start-ups, get action steps for your business and receive one-to-one mentoring. SCORE is a nonprofit association of volunteer business experts. Registration is required. Go to www. tulsa.score.org to register. For adults. LitWits' Book Club for Ages 25+ Wednesday, June 7 • 6:30-7:30 p.m. Location: Maple Room Join us for the first meeting of the LitWits' Book Club and mingle with fellow readers! We will discuss the sci-fi hit "Ready Player One" and give suggestions on similar books and authors. This book club reads popular and relevant fiction and the occasional nonfiction. Each month we will vote on the book for the following month. Bring your friends to discover your next favorite book! For ages 25 and older. Call 918-549-7323 or register online.
HELMERICH LIBRARY Mainly Mysteries: Summer Reading Smorgasbord Tuesday, June 27 • 6-7:30 p.m. We will share favorite mysteries and swap a paperback read from summer. Sponsored by Friends of the Helmerich Library. For adults.
JENKS LIBRARY Jenks Library Book Discussion Group Thursday, June 15 • 1:30-2:30 p.m. Join this lively group for a spirited discussion of great books. Call 918-5497323 for more information. For adults.
MARTIN REGIONAL LIBRARY Asian-American Festival Saturday, June 3 • 11 a.m.-2 p.m. Celebrate and learn about the colorful cultures of Asia with entertaining, educational events for the whole family, plus arts and crafts. Visit www.TulsaLibrary.org/ asianfestival for a schedule of activities and participating groups. Sponsored by the Tulsa Library Trust.
Book Discussion Wednesday, June 14 • 10-11 a.m. Location: Conference Room Join fellow readers for coffee and conversation as we discuss "News of the World" by Paulette Jiles.
NATHAN HALE LIBRARY Reading Across Genres Book Club Tuesday, June 27 • 10:30-11:30 a.m. Read "The Help" by Kathryn Stockett and then join us for this lively discussion. This book explores life in 1960s in Jackson, Miss. For adults.
RUDISILL REGIONAL LIBRARY Movie: Black Music Appreciation Month Thursday, June 8 • 6-8 p.m. Location: Ancestral Hall Join us for a showing of “Standing in the Shadows,” a film about the legendary band The Funk Brothers, the musicians behind the Motown sound and one of the most successful groups of studio musicians. For all ages.
SCHUSTERMAN-BENSON LIBRARY Mystery Reader Roundtable Thursday, June 1 • 2-4 p.m. Come for coffee and find out what other mystery lovers are reading. For adults.
SUBURBAN ACRES LIBRARY Sista' Chat Book Club Saturday, June 3 • 1-3 p.m. Join us as we discuss books by award-winning author Francis Ray: "Trouble Don't Last Always" and "Somebody's Knocking at Your Door." For adults.
ZARROW REGIONAL LIBRARY Traditional Kiowa Singing Tuesday, June 6 • 6-8 p.m. Enjoy the beautiful sounds of traditional Kiowa singing, presented by the Tulsa Kiowa Language Culture Revitalization Program. For all ages. Build Your Best Nest Wednesday, June 21 • 7-8:30 p.m. Join Natasha Ball from House Sparrow Fine Nesting and Mary Perisho from Owl & Drum for tips and ideas for using textiles in your home. Learn how to embroider favorite sayings in this hands-on class. For adults. Make and Take: Native American Patchwork Monday, June 26 • 6-8 p.m. Come and learn the basics for Native American patchwork! Bring your own sewing machine. Class is limited to 12. Registration is required. For adults and teens.
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BROKEN ARROW LIBRARY Read or Die Anime Club Saturday, June 17 • noon-2 p.m. Hang out with us as we watch anime, talk manga (and other stuff) and eat snacks. Come in cosplay or as you are! For ages 12-18.
BROKEN ARROW LIBRARY/SOUTH In the Middle Monday, June 26 • 6:30-7:30 p.m. Join us as we discuss "The War That Saved My Life" by Kimberly Brubaker Bradley. Light refreshments will be provided. For ages 9-12. Building Bridges Presented by Tulsa Children’s Museum Thursday, June 29 • 4-5 p.m. Did you know there are four types of bridges? Students work in teams to build a bridge and test which design is engineered to be the strongest. Class size limited. For ages 10-18.
computers, devices &
digital services CENTRAL LIBRARY Digital Literacy Lab Orientation Tuesday, June 6 • noon-1 p.m. Want to learn more about the American Electric Power Foundation Digital Literacy Lab? Come and see what we’re about! Orientation is required before independent use of the lab. Class size is limited. Register online or call 918-549-7323. For ages 12 and older. Intro to 3-D Printing Wednesday, June 7 • 6-7 p.m. Location: Maker Space Get a brief introduction and demonstration of 3-D printers in action! Learn the process of taking a digital model and seeing it be made in real time. Seating is limited. For all ages. Intro to Laser Engraving Wednesday, June 14 • 6-7 p.m. Location: Maker Space Get a brief introduction and demonstration of laser engraving in action! Learn the process of taking
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text or artwork and engraving it onto an object in real time. Seating is limited. For all ages. Coding for Adults Thursday, June 29 • 5-6:30 p.m. Location: Digital Literacy Lab Join us as we explore introductory coding using HTML and Javascript. Registration is required. Register online or call 918-549-7323.
HARDESTY REGIONAL LIBRARY Facebook for Beginners Saturday, June 3 • 10 a.m.-noon Location: Computer Lab If you want to be on Facebook, but don’t know where to start, this is the class for you! We’ll cover creating an account, privacy settings, finding friends, writing and sharing posts, and more. You should have an active email account and know how to access your email online. Registration is required. Class size is limited to 18. Call 918-5497323 or register online. For adults. MS Publisher 101 Tuesday, June 6 • 6-8 p.m. Location: Computer Lab This class shows how to create fun and colorful signs and fliers. You should take MS Word 2 prior to taking this class. For adults. 3-D Demo Wednesday, June 7 • 7-8 p.m. Saturday, June 24 • 10:30-11:30 a.m. See what 3-D printing is all about with a demonstration of the Ultimaker2 3-D printer! Children must be accompanied by an adult. Twitter for Beginners Saturday, June 10 • 10 a.m.-noon Location: Computer Lab Twitter is a place where people post and share short messages called tweets. Even our president uses Twitter! Learn how to create a Twitter account, find and follow people, and post and share tweets. You should have an active email account and know how to access your email online. Registration is required. Class size is limited to 18. Call 918-5497323 or register online. For adults. MS Excel 1 Tuesday, June 13 • 6-8 p.m. Location: Computer Lab This class shows how to create formulas, use automatic fill and change basic formatting. You should take MS Word 2 and have some experience using a mouse prior to taking this class. For adults. Pinterest for Beginners Saturday, June 17 • 10 a.m.-noon Location: Computer Lab Pinterest is your online collection
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of ideas you’ve pinned to virtual boards. You can pin websites and other pins. Learn how to create an account and pin board, find and follow a pinner, and pin pins. You should have an active email account and know how to access your email online. Registration is required. Class size is limited to 18. Call 918-5497323 or register online. For adults.
MS Word 4 Saturday, June 24 • 10 a.m.-noon Location: Computer Lab This class explores mail merge, and shows how to use tables to perform calculations and create onscreen forms. For adults.
MS Excel 2 Tuesday, June 20 • 6-8 p.m. Location: Computer Lab This class shows how to create and edit formulas, and apply functions and advanced formatting to your spreadsheets and workbooks. For adults.
Really Basic Computer Class Wednesday, June 7 • 9:30-11 a.m. Location: Computer Lab This class is designed for new computer users who have little or no previous experience using computers, Windows, a mouse or the Internet, and little or no knowledge of basic computer terms. Registration is required. Call 918-5497323 or register online. For adults.
Instagram for Beginners Saturday, June 24 • 10 a.m.-noon Location: Computer Lab If you like online photos, you’ll like Instagram, the most popular photo sharing app. Learn how to create an Instagram account, find and follow people, and edit and share photos. You should have an active email account and know how to access your email online. You should bring a mobile device onto which the Instagram app has been downloaded. Registration is required. Class size is limited to 18. Call 918-5497323 or register online. For adults. MS Excel 3 Tuesday, June 27 • 6-8 p.m. Location: Computer Lab This class shows how to create charts, apply conditional formatting and control the appearance of printed spreadsheets. For adults.
RUDISILL REGIONAL LIBRARY
Introduction to MS Word 2007 Wednesday, June 14 • 9:30-11 a.m. Location: Computer Lab This class shows how to use toolbars and menus, set margins, apply spell check, and preview, save and print documents. For adults. Internet @ the Library Wednesday, June 21 • 9:30-11 a.m. Location: Computer Lab This class is designed for people with little or no experience using the Internet. You will learn to navigate the World Wide Web and use the library's catalog system and online resources. Learn how to use the Internet and navigate the library's website. Registration is required. Call 918-5497323 or register online. For adults. TO SEARCH FOR EVENTS, SCAN THIS CODE USING YOUR MOBILE DEVICE AND QR SCANNER APP.
MARTIN REGIONAL LIBRARY MS Word 1 Saturday, June 3 • 10 a.m.-noon Location: Computer Lab This class shows how to use toolbars and menus, set margins, apply spell check, and preview, save and print documents. You should have experience using a keyboard and mouse prior to taking the class. For adults. MS Word 2 Saturday, June 10 • 10 a.m.-noon Location: Computer Lab This class shows how to create and format tables, use bulleted and numbered lists, and apply and format columns in a document. For adults. MS Word 3 Saturday, June 17 • 10 a.m.-noon Location: Computer Lab This class shows how to create and use borders and shading, headers and footers, page numbering and drawing tools. For adults.
NOW OPEN at Central Library Mon.-Thur., 7 a.m.-9 p.m. Fri. & Sat., 7 a.m.-8 p.m. Sun., 7 a.m.-5 p.m.
Free and Open to the Public If you are hearing-impaired and need a qualified interpreter, please call the library 48 hours in advance of the program. The Tulsa Book Review and Tulsa City-County Library Event Guide are printed on partially recycled paper.
TULSA CITY-COUNTY LIBRARY EVENT GUIDE
JUNE 2017
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ZARROW REGIONAL LIBRARY Intro to 3-D Printing Saturday, June 10 • 2-3 p.m. Monday, June 19 • 6-7 p.m. Get an introduction to our 3-D printing equipment and software, along with a general safety overview. For all ages.
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For additional events scheduled in June, see the Children’s Summer Reading Program Event Guide.
Monty Harper Sings! Thursday, June 1 • 3-4 p.m. Welcome to the wacky world of Monty Harper’s imagination. Laugh, move and sing along with songs that spin fantastical tales of brainiacs, indestructible cats, bibliovores and more. For all ages.
Miss Connie's Storytime Thursdays, June 1, 8, 15, 22, 29 10:30-11:30 a.m. • Talk, sing, read, write and play with Miss Connie and your storytime friends! For ages 5 and younger.
COLLINSVILLE LIBRARY
JENKS LIBRARY
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Email 101 Wednesday, June 28 • 9:30-11 a.m. Location: Computer Lab Learn how to set up a free account and use it to send and receive email. This class teaches you how to set up a free account and use it to send and receive email. Registration is required. Call 918549-7323 or register online. For adults.
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PAWS for Reading Monday, June 5 • 3:30-4:30 p.m. Registered therapy dogs are great listeners. Kids ages 5-12 are invited to read their favorite books to a furry, four-pawed friend. Each reader will receive a free book provided by the Tulsa Library Trust. Registration is required. Call 918-549-7528 to register.
PAWS for Reading Tuesday, June 6 • 4-5 p.m. Registered therapy dogs are excellent listeners. Kids ages 5-12 are invited to read their favorite books to a furry, four-pawed friend. Each reader will receive a free book provided by the Tulsa Library Trust. Registration is required. Call 918-549-7323 to register.
SCHUSTERMANBENSON LIBRARY Monty Harper Sings! Friday, June 2 • 3-4 p.m. Welcome to the wacky world of Monty Harper’s imagination. Laugh, move and sing along with songs that spin fantastical tales of brainiacs, indestructible cats, bibliovores and more. For all ages.
tulsa city-county library locations 24 Bixby Library 20 E. Breckenridge, 74008 • 918-549-7323 M, W, F, 10-6; T, Th, 12-8; Sat., 10-5 18 Broken Arrow Library 300 W. Broadway, 74012 • 918-549-7323 M-Th, 10-8; Fri., 10-6; Sat., 10-5 22 Broken Arrow Library/South 3600 S. Chestnut, 74011 • 918-549-7323 M-Th, 10-8; Fri.-Sat., 10-5 16 Brookside Library 1207 E. 45th Place, 74105 • 918-549-7323 M-Th, 10-8; Fri., 10-6; Sat., 10-5 9 Central Library 400 Civic Center, 74103 • 918-549-7323 M-Th, 9-9; Fri., 9-6; Sat., 9-5; Sun., 1-5 8 Charles Page Library 551 E. Fourth St., Sand Springs, 74063 918-549-7521 • M, W, F, 10-6; T, Th, 10-8; Sat., 10-5 2 Collinsville Library 1223 Main, 74021 • 918-549-7528 M, W, F, 10-6; T, Th, 12-8; Sat., 10-5 23 Glenpool Library 730 E. 141st St., 74033 • 918-549-7323 M, W, F, 10-6; T, Th, 12-8; Sat., 10-5 21 Hardesty Regional Library and Genealogy Center 8316 E. 93rd St., 74133 • 918-549-7323 M-Th, 9-9; Fri., 9-6; Sat., 9-5; Sun., 1-5 20 Helmerich Library 5131 E. 91st St., 74137 • 918-549-7323 M-Th, 10-8; Fri.-Sat., 10-5 17 Herman and Kate Kaiser Library 5202 S. Hudson Ave., Suite B, 74135 918-549-7542 • M-Th, 10-8; Fri., 10-6; Sat., 10-5 19 Jenks Library 523 W. B St., 74037 • 918-549-7323 M, W, F, 10-6; T, Th, 10-8; Sat., 10-5
3 Judy Z. Kishner Library 10150 N. Cincinnati Ave. E., Sperry 74073 • 918-549-7577 M, W, F, 10-6; T, Th, 12-8; Sat., 10-5 10 Kendall-Whittier Library 21 S. Lewis, 74104 • 918-549-7584 Mon.-Fri., 10-6; Sat., 10-5 14 Martin Regional Library and Hispanic Resource Center 2601 S. Garnett Road, 74129 • 918-549-7323 M-Th, 9-9; Fri., 9-6; Sat., 9-5; Sun., 1-5 7 Maxwell Park Library 1313 N. Canton, 74115 • 918-549-7323 M, T, W, Th, F, 10-6; Sat., 10-5 13 Nathan Hale Library 6038 E. 23rd St., 74114 • 918-549-7323 M, T, W, Th, F, 10-6; Sat., 10-5 4 Owasso Library 103 W. Broadway, 74055 • 918-549-7323 M-Th, 10-8; Fri., 10-6; Sat., 10-5 11 Pratt Library 3219 S. 113th W. Ave., Sand Springs, 74063 • 918-549-7638 M, W, F, 10-6; T, Th, 10-8; Sat., 10-5 6 Rudisill Regional Library and African-American Resource Center 1520 N. Hartford, 74106 • 918-549-7645 M-Th, 9-9; Fri.-Sat., 9-5; Sun., 1-5 12 Schusterman-Benson Library 3333 E. 32nd Place, 74135 918-549-7323 • M-Th, 10-8; Fri.-Sat., 10-5 1 Skiatook Library 316 E. Rogers, 74070 • 918-549-7676 M, W, F, 10-6; T, Th, 12-8; Sat., 10-5 5 Suburban Acres Library 4606 N. Garrison, 74126 • 918-549-7323 M, T, W, Th, F, 10-6; Sat., 10-5 15 Zarrow Regional Library and American Indian Resource Center 2224 W. 51st St., 74107 • 918-549-7323 M-Th, 9-9; Fri.-Sat., 9-5; Sun., 1-5
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The Tulsa City-County Library Event Guide is produced by the Public Relations Office of the Tulsa City-County Library. For questions or concerns, call 918-549-7389.
Category
YOUTH FICTION COMING SOON
Teens
TO TULSA CITY-COUNTY LIBRARY
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Search the library’s catalog at www.TulsaLibrary.org to reserve your copies now. A GOOD IDEA By Cristina Moracho Viking Books for Young Readers, $18.99, 368 pages Reviewed by Rebecca Williams Check this out!
Kiniro Mosaic, Vol. 1 by Yui Hara
Finley is devastated that her best friend from back home has died. When she finds out that Betty was killed by her ex-boyfriend, Calder, Finley knows her priority, her goal, that summer is to make him pay when his testimony doesn’t stick. She finds out quickly that the secret is deeper than death, more involved than drugs, more convoluted than simply a lover’s quarrel. This small town rural setting buries the notion that nothing ever happens in small towns, that, indeed, things can and do go from bad to worse in places where everyone knows you and nothing you do is secret. While Finley is hard-headed and stubborn, she is also fiercely loyal and determined and questions how far you might go to save a loved one. The frequent drug use and multiple sex partners may turn off some readers, but the time frame is just far enough in the past that this behavior may have been commonplace. It’s the kind of book that makes readers think the author has wrapped everything up, even though there are several pages left, only to find out that the holes were just covered in bandages, to be ripped off and more thoroughly examined. Darkly enjoyable. A CROWN OF WISHES By Roshani Chokshi St. Martin’s Griffin, $18.99, 384 pages Reviewed by Briana Wagner Check this out!
Alice has just transferred to a school in Japan from England, and a whole world of adventures await with her new friends Shinobu, Aya, Karen and Youko. Join the girls’ daily school lives as they learn more about Japan’s language and culture!
Twinkle Stars, Vol. 1 by Natsuki Takaya
Sakuya Shiina lives with Kanade, her male cousin and foster parent. In times of pain and sadness, she’s always taken comfort in looking up at the stars. One day, a mysterious boy suddenly shows up at Sakuya’s house for her birthday. He leaves her with kind words, but she has no idea who he is!
A Crown of Wishes by Roshani Chokshi
In this companion novel to A Star-Touched Queen, Roshani Chokshi tells the adventures of Maya’s sister Gauri, disinherited princess of Bharata. Banished from home with a price on her head, Gauri has nothing to lose, but it is still a difficult decision to join forces with the foreign prince Vikram and enter the legendary Tournament of Wishes as a team. But Gauri will do nearly anything for an opportunity to take her throne and save her people from the cruelty of her brother’s reign. The story is a fast-paced adventure set primarily in Chokshi’s vividly imagined Otherworld. Magic and danger lurk around every turn, and Chokshi’s rich writing bring the world and characters to life. Chokshi balances multiple points of view with ease, creating unique voices, hopes, and desires for each of her characters and carefully weaving their lives together for a dramatic climax. Behind the action and peril, however, sizzles the slow-burn romance that builds up between Gauri and Vikram, fiery yet sweet. A Star-Touched Queen introduced readers to Bharata and the Otherworld, but A Crown of Wishes is a stronger sophomore offering from Chokshi, where everything she has imagined comes together for an epic and romantic tale. STARFALL By Melissa Landers Disney-Hyperion, $17.99, 368 pages Reviewed by Briana Wagner Check this out!
Taken prisoner in a neighboring hostile kingdom, Gauri, the princess of Bharata, agrees to help a cunning prince by teaming up with him in a mythical competition that will grant a magic wish to the victor.
The Pearl Thief by Elizabeth Wein
Fifteen-year-old Julia Beaufort-Stuart wakes up in a hospital not knowing how she was injured, and soon befriends Euan McEwen, the Scottish Traveller boy who found her, and later, when a body is discovered, she experiences the prejudices his family has endured and tries to keep them from being framed for the crime.
Once Upon a Time: Regina Rising by Wendy Toliver
Chronicles an early experience of Regina as a 16-year-old girl who seeks romance, a friend and her mother’s approval.
Maid of the King’s Court
As a companion to Starflight, Starfall picks up the story right where it ended but switches the points of view from Solara and Doran to Cassia and Kane. Their relationship is full of banter and teasing but also tension, as Cassia must decide whether she wants to stay with Kane and the life she has built as a crewmember of a spaceship or whether she wants to go home to the planet she ran from and reclaim her role as a princess. Though some of the plot does take place in the cramped confines of the ship, Landers ensures the characters see a lot of action racing from planet to planet as they deal with soldiers, pirates, and the mafia. The story balances the romance with action and some political commentary on what the best form of government for Cassia’s home planet would be. Well-developed characters round out the story, including old favorites from Starflight in addition to some new faces. This is a strong companion novel and a great choice for anyone looking for an action-packed space adventure. MONEY, cont’d from page 8 Robert Hofler’s biography of Dominick Dunne is a stark take on the investigative journalist. Dunne is sympathetic, even when inconsistencies are evident in his own telling of his life story. He fought to keep his homosexuality secret but was open with others. He aspired to be a better father than his own but struggled as well. He loathed the 1% but still desired the proximity. A must read for fans of Dunne! Tulsa Book Review • June 2017 • 9
by Lucy Worsley
Hoping to revive his distressed family fortune, the Baron of Stone arranges the engagment of his 12-year-old daughter, Eliza Rose Camperdowne, to the son of the Earl of Westmoreland.
Honey So Sweet, Vol. 1 by Amu Meguro
Little did Nao Kogure realize back in middle school that when she left an umbrella and a box of bandages in the rain for injured delinquent Taiga Onise that she would meet him again in high school. Nao wants nothing to do with the gruff and frightening Taiga, but he suddenly presents her with a huge bouquet of flowers and asks her to date him – with marriage in mind! Is Taiga really so scary, or is he a sweetheart in disguise?
the present day. It’s a well-researched and very effective read. And although these are harshly critical of American policies and rhetoric, they make for an incredibly worthwhile book, detailing how we can learn from these mistakes rather than repeat them. There is a pattern here, if you’re willing to see it, a pattern that can be broken and replaced with the wisdom of hindsight and the careful forethought of hard-won experience. In today’s charged political climate, this book will no doubt raise some eyebrows, as the rah-rah jingoistic propaganda machine is running full force. But with so much insight to impart, insight that can save the lives of American soldiers in the future, everyone owes it to themselves to read this book with an open mind.
Category
History
THE BOOK THIEVES: THE NAZI LOOTING OF EUROPE’S LIBRARIES AND THE RACE TO RETURN A LITERARY INHERITANCE By Anders Rydell, Henning Koch (Translator) Viking, $28.00, 368 pages Reviewed by Glenn Dallas Check this out!
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THE WISDOM OF THE MIDDLE AGES By Michael K. Kellogg Prometheus Books, $26.00, 390 pages Reviewed by Jane Manaster Check this out! In The Wisdom of the Middle Ages Michael Kellogg rises to the challenge of exploring a less familiar period of Western history. In so doing, he contradicts the descriptor “Dark Ages,” revealing more about the people, their philosophies, and their literature. He sets the stage by outlining the scope of his study. Chapter One is an essay on the rise and spread of Christianity at the beginning of the Common Era, a rewarding introduction for readers who may be barely familiar with the New Testament. Before the chapters dedicated to religious and secular figures whose names may be better known better than their historical contributions, he delineates three vitally significant developments in the Church in the eleventh century, prior to the Renaissance: the split between the Eastern Orthodox and Roman church in 1054; then, less than a generation later, Pope Gregory VIV’s doctrine of papal infallibility, proclaiming the pope to be the direct representative of God on earth; and, over a greater time span, the series of Crusades fought by Christians to banish Islam from the West. Kellogg plays fair as the chapters proceed chronologically, but he makes no attempt to hide his obvious preference and affection for St. Francis of Assisi and Peter Abelard (along with the sterner Heloise). A book that in less skillful hands could have been ponderous is enthralling as letters and anecdotes are woven into the narrative. The book furthers Kellogg’s already stellar reputation. LENIN ON THE TRAIN By Catherine Merridale Metropolitan Books, $30.00, 368 pages Reviewed by Michael Shulman Check this out! Catherine Merridale’s new history book, Lenin on the Train, tells the story of the February Revolution and how it influenced Vladimir Lenin, who was living in exile in Zurich at the time. As soon as Lenin heard about the events in Petrograd, Russia’s capital at that time, he knew he had to do something. However, Russia at that time was embroiled in World War I, and to travel to Russia from Switzerland meant crossing through Germany, a move that would be considered treasonous by the Russian government. Germany, however, saw things differently. The Germans knew that Lenin was opposed to Russia’s involvement in World War I, and they used that fact to get Lenin into Petrograd in hopes that he would rile up the crowd to the point that Russia would take its concentration away from the front lines to deal with the riots in Petrograd. That would allow the Germans to focus on fighting against the British and the French. As a result, the Germans provided Lenin with a sealed carriage that had a line drawn with chalk across the floor that separated the Russians from the Germans. As Merridale retraces Lenin’s journey, she draws upon primary and secondary sources in order to bring the story to life. Catherine Merridale’s account of Lenin’s journey is very fascinating. The book not only describes what Lenin saw and heard during his journey but also what he was thinking. Her account is not only focused on his train ride, however. A large part of the book also describes the mood in Petrograd at that time and how the Bolsheviks needed a strong leader like Lenin to bring their goals to fruition. AMERICA’S NEEDLESS WARS: CAUTIONARY TALES OF US INVOLVEMENT IN THE PHILIPPINES, VIETNAM, AND IRAQ By David R. Contosta Prometheus Books, $24.00, 210 pages Reviewed by Glenn Dallas Check this out! Boondoggle. Quagmire. Fiasco. All of these words and more can describe several wasteful, ill-conceived, and troubling military endeavors in American history. Whether you’re referring to the Philippines, Vietnam, or Iraq, you’d have a valid case for citing each. America’s Needless Wars covers each of these campaigns in exacting detail, exploring the motivations behind them, the mistakes made, and the disastrous consequences that followed, all of which informed the campaigns to follow, up to and including
It’s hard to overstate just how much the brief reign of the Nazis changed the world. They decimated entire populations, brought an appalling efficiency and ingenuity to mass murder, and reshaped geopolitics for decades to come. Indeed, we are still dealing with the aftermath of their actions. The Book Thieves casts an important light on an underreported consequence of the Holocaust: millions of stolen books confiscated from Jewish citizens. You hear plenty about art and property, but nothing about books, even though they played a key part in the Nazis’ attempt to not only wipe out the contemporary Jewish population but to wipe them entirely from history, going so far as to use their books against them to add credibility to lunatic conspiracies and a campaign of genocide. This is the story of the frightening mobilization of ideology against a people, of weaponizing the past itself. Rydell explores those who are trying to right this monstrous wrong, and along the way he discovers unexpected collaborators: librarians in the decades that followed who tried to cover up that their libraries held stolen books, the fruits of Nazi extermination. The Book Thieves is a haunting reminder of the power of the written word. MARTIN LUTHER: RENEGADE AND PROPHET By Lyndal Roper Random House, $40.00, 576 pages Reviewed by Kevin Winter Check this out! A lot of ink and blood has been spilled on explaining the Reformation and Martin Luther and the impact it had on Europe. Because we are in the 500th Anniversary of when Martin Luther nailed his 95 theses to the door of the cathedral, to start a debate not to start his own religion, expect a lot more ink to be spilled on this topic. In this latest biography of Luther from professor Lyndal Roper, we get one of the first biographies printed this year by a major non-academic publisher. It is a fairly straightforward biography in its conception, and that is not a bad thing. We learn about his life growing up and dig deep in his decision to become a monk – a decision that essentially started his path to question the Pope and the established church. Martin Luther was not an easy man, nor was he one to mince words; but he brought about major change. Professor Roper only goes slightly off track when she examines both Luther’s enemies and friends in depth; it feels like it just gets a little long winded during those times. CAUGHT IN THE REVOLUTION: PETROGRAD, RUSSIA, 1917 - A WORLD ON THE EDGE By Helen Rappaport St. Martin’s Press, $27.99, 464 pages Reviewed by Kevin Winter Check this out! Petrograd, we know it as St. Petersburg, was the center of Tsarist Russia and the center of the revolution that eventually gave rise to Soviet Russia. In this new book by Helen Rappaport, we explore the world of Petrograd on the eve of revolution, when the city is brimming with energy and there is something in the air. It is not, however, a view from the workers and revolutionaries; instead the view we get is from the Americans, British, and other foreigners, both diplomatic, journalistic, and military, who were living in the city at the time. Mrs. Rappaport mines the diaries, letters, newspaper stories, telegrams, and more of these expats living in Petrograd to explore how they felt the revolution, the fall of the Tsar, and the rise of the Bolsheviks. Mrs. Rappaport does an excellent job weaving a narrative using all the sources at her disposal to show us that it was not only Russian citizens affected by this but also expats living and working in the city. This view is from a side that really did not have a stake in the outcome but that was fascinated by what was happening anyway. BAKER’S, cont’d from page 2 Bringing the reader quickly into the daily rhythm of life in a small French village, Stephen Kiernan has created characters who movingly represent the small ways in which local townspeople all over Europe tried to survive and, when possible, fight back against the occupying German force during WWII. Emma’s endeavors and adventures during the war years before D-Day are powerfully rendered.
Tulsa Book Review • June 2017 • 10
BESTSELLERS COMING SOON TO TULSA CITY-COUNTY LIBRARY Search the library’s catalog at www.TulsaLibrary.org to reserve your copies now.
Tulsa Book Review • June 2017 • 11
ultimately realizes that she was the same way when she was fourteen years old. Every Wild Heart is a wonderful story to read for Mother’s Day. DOCTOROW: COLLECTED STORIES By E.L. Doctorow Random House, $30.00, 336 pages Reviewed by Ryder Miller Check this out!
Category
Fiction SNAP IT for additional book summaries.
THE FORBIDDEN GARDEN: A NOVEL By Ellen Herrick William Morrow Paperbacks, $15.99, 384 pages Reviewed by Caryn Shaffer Check this out! Sorrel Sparrow leaves her sisters, Patience and Nettie, and the plant nursery they run together to help revitalize an ailing Shakespeare garden in England. Patience is good at making herbal remedies and perfumes, Nettie has a knack for growing vegetables and fruit, and Sorrel knows how to make anything grow in even the harshest conditions. Graham Kirkwood and his wife, Stella, don’t know what to do with the garden on their country estate. Nothing grows there, and it seems an evil lurks under the fallow soil. An old family curse is brought to light, and Sorrel finds new friendship and love away from home. I did not read Ellen Herrick’s The Sparrow Sisters before I picked up The Forbidden Garden, but enough of the events in the first book were described that I got an idea of what the first book was about, and I felt attached to the Sparrow sisters and the people Sorrel met in England. Reading The Forbidden Garden was a thoroughly enjoyable experience. Herrick has a true gift for scene-setting. Every moment I spent in Sorrel’s world was cozy and inviting. From the things the characters ate to the descriptions of Graham and Stella’s house, I was drawn in and comforted in a snug literary embrace. THE ANIMATORS: A NOVEL By Kayla Rae Whitaker Random House, $27.00, 284 pages Reviewed by Caryn Shaffer Check this out! The Animators chronicles the relationship between two women, Mel and Sharon, who go to a prestigious school for art. Their first collaboration, an animated film titled Nashville Combat, receives instant success. To those on the outside, Mel and Sharon might seem like superbly talented animators, but under the surface, Mel suffers from substance abuse issues and Sharon is left cleaning up her messes. After Sharon suffers a stroke, Mel begins to care for her, and soon Sharon’s own trauma comes to the surface. As Sharon recovers, she starts a new project with Mel, stemming from images sketched in her journal. The Animators was tough to get into, and some parts were genuinely disturbing. It was a story about relationships and what events in life it takes to break them. Some moments were hazy and alcohol-soaked. Others were depicted in extreme focus. Kayla Rae Whitaker is a talented writer and knows when to speed up these moments and when to slow them down. I caught some strong Sylvia Plath vibes from this book, and it’s a story to read if you don’t mind feeling sad and listless for a few days afterward. Sharon and Mel’s story will stick with you long after it’s over. EVERY WILD HEART: A NOVEL By Meg Donohue William Morrow Paperbacks, $14.99, 304 pages Reviewed by Caryn Shaffer Check this out! Every Wild Heart is the story of a woman, Gail, and her daughter, Nic. Gail Gideon is a radio personality who gives nononsense advice about love to her listeners. She’s built a sort of empire around her brand, including writing a book. Her minor fame often brings major issues, like rabid fans and stalkers from whom she must protect her privacy. Nic is a painfully shy girl with a stutter. She lives for the days when she can leave school and ride her horse, Tru. One day, she takes Tru on a trail ride. She tries to jump over a fallen tree, but she falls off the horse and slips into a coma. When she awakens, her stutter is gone and she has a new sense of adventure. After her inhibitions fall away, Nic decides to train an abused horse, Peach, in secret. This book is about the tug-of-war relationships mothers have with their teenage daughters, the efforts mothers make to protect their daughters, and the lengths to which their daughters will go to subvert them. With Nic’s newfound confidence, Gail feels the need to rein her in. But Gail
Doctorow: Collected Stories from E.L. Doctorow (1931-2015) is a collection that he had pulled together shortly before he died in 2015. Doctorow penned famous works like Ragtime, Billy Bathgate, Daniel, and the contained story “Jolene: A Life” that were made into movies. Some of these films were very successful and helped make Doctorow a household name. He also was an award winner and professor who was inducted into the NY Writer’s Hall of Fame (2012). Doctorow wrote historic fiction blending story with actual occurrences. At times he could give his characters historical significance and some observed cadence. The collection includes fifteen stories and novellas presented in chronological order. There is a Billy Bathgate story as well as a few others that inspired movies and novels. Doctorow does not have the same voice in all these stories--some have internal monologue while in others you are along for the journey. Some of these are about self discovery, others about happenings and situations. Doctorow can be a challenging read, but there are rewards. One also finds an interest here not only in the commonplace but also in current issues. There is trauma, anger, crime, current affairs, profundity, and even, on one occasion, a ghost. THE WEIGHT OF HIM: A NOVEL By Ethel Rohan St. Martin’s Press, $25.99, 326 pages Reviewed by Julia McMichael Check this out! When Billy Brennan’s son commits suicide, he is left deep in grief and regret, unable to connect with his wife and remaining two children. Billy’s life is truly out of control, as is his weight, which reaches over four hundred pounds. His plan for a weight loss fund raising money for suicide prevention has little support, but it seems that, for him, it is his only path to redemption. This is a difficult subject, although it is well written and believable. The strain between Billy and his grief-stricken wife is palpable. The reader will worry for this family: the isolated wife, the angry son, and the too compliant daughter. Billy is in trouble at work as well. He can’t seem to focus on a life that has lost meaning. The reader will worry that Billy will take his own life or harm himself through his aggressive diet and exercise program; he wants to lose half his weight. Billy works as a toy inspector. The damaged toys stand in for his family, and he builds a model life for them and attempts to rebuild his own. THE FUTURES By Anna Pitoniak Lee Boudreaux Books, $26.00, 320 pages Reviewed by Lenna Stites Check this out! It’s a book for the ones trying to thrive in bustling New York City, and it’s a story for the ones who move to New York full of hope for success. In reputation, New York is tough, the place that makes its citizens fight for their place everyday, especially when we don’t know what we’re after. This is the life that The Futures paints for Evan and Julia, two fresh-out-of-Yale graduates ready to take on the world: Evan at a hedge fund and Julia at a non-profit with family connections. As Julia navigates her post-graduate life trying to figure out where she’s supposed to land, Evan gets absorbed into his own routine and a high-profile project that might be more trouble than it initially seemed. While the city appears shiny and exciting, what they didn’t bargain for was the high cost of living, close living quarters, the threat of falling out of love, and the economy crash of 2008. Their relationship is put to the test, as is their individual courage. It’s a novel that draws us into the lives of Evan and Julia while also being grounded enough to our actual realities such that it’s relatable. PATHFINDER TALES: THROUGH THE GATE IN THE SEA By Howard Andrew Jones Tor Books, $14.99, 352 pages Reviewed by Holly Scudero Check this out! Scavenger Mirian Raas makes money by salvaging valuables from sunken ships in Desperation Bay. During one such mission, Mirian and her crew, including her lizard blood-brother Jekka, discover the wreck of a lizardfolk ship, which sets them off on the path to finding the mysterious gate in the sea that may lead to a lost enclave of lizard people…and a powerful artifact called a dragon’s tear. But they’re not the only ones seeking the tear, and along the way they’ll battle a powerful sorceress and natives who also seek the treasure. This addition to the Pathfinder Tales series will be fun both for people who remember Mirian and Jekka from a previous story as well as for those who are meeting them for the first time. Like all books in the series, readers do not need to be at all familiar with the Pathfinder
Tulsa Book Review • June 2017 • 12
Book Reviews
Fiction
roleplaying game in order to enjoy this fun fantasy novel. There’s plenty to enjoy: magic, danger, friendship, and, of course, a fascinating story. Through the Gate in the Sea is a great read. RIDE ROUGH: A RAVEN RIDERS NOVEL By Laura Kaye Avon, $7.99, 480 pages Reviewed by Michelle Tan Check this out! Obsessed! Laura Kaye has me, once again, addicted to the men of The Raven Riders. How could I not when Kaye continues to give readers swoonworthy protective alpha heroes with heart. Yes, the Raven Riders are your completely different MC bikers. First, their personalities are a riot, and secondly, they have this hard exterior but have this compassionate and protective nature that pulls you in. And let me just say, Maverick Rylan won me over big time. Ride Rough was sexy, raw, beautiful, and emotional. This book hits you hard as Laura Kaye provided layers and layers of depth of vulnerability, second chances, love, passion, and new beginnings. She allowed readers to feel for her characters as they navigated through their feelings for one another. Maverick Rylan is the VP of Raven Riders. His life revolves around his brothers, his family, the MC, and most importantly, Alexa Harmon. Alexa will, and will always, be the one woman who has owned his heart. Five years of separation could not extinguish the torch he has for her. So, when Maverick learns that Alexa is in trouble and is in an unhealthy emotional abusive relationship, Maverick will stop at nothing in protecting her. Maverick and Alexa’s relationship can be summed up as magnetic. Their chemistry and love for each other was something that couldn’t be erased after several years of separation. There is just something so organic when Laura Kaye tells a story. She paces everything in a fluid manner and, in such, allows the readers to see and feel for her characters. If you are looking for an MC story that beautifully blends raw emotions as the backbone of this book then Ride Rough is the book for you. THE SEEKERS: BOOK 1 OF AMISH COOKING CLASS By Wanda E. Brunstetter Shiloh Run Press, $15.99, 320 pages Reviewed by Sarah Perry Check this out! Heidi Troyer is a young Amish wife who lives with her husband, Lyle. They have a good relationship and a happy home, although they disagree about how to handle their infertility. Heidi wants to adopt, but Lyle is dead set against it. Unwilling to go against her husband’s wishes, Heidi turns her attention to teaching Amish cooking classes out of their home. She doesn’t know what to expect from her class or students, but everyone is about to about to find out. This is a sweet and simple story about an unlikely group of mostly non-Amish people who take Heidi’s cooking class. Each student has a different life situation and problem that ends up being resolved by the end of the series of classes. From deeply troubled drifter Ron to Kendra, an unmarried young woman who winds up pregnant, to a widow with two children and widower without, everyone enjoys learning to make great recipes and how to handle their different problems. Some of the characterization is oversimplified and every character repeatedly “sure wishes” they could do something or other, but overall they’re likeable, and it’s a fun story for those who enjoy Amish fiction. An added bonus is six Amish recipes at the back of the book.
piano teacher. Ann Malloy is married to a miner who she seldom sees and is trying to start a family, but she also sees an exit sign whenever her mind wanders. Lyle is a hard working man with money in the bank but no love in his life, and his downtime consists of benders and visits to the local brothel. All three have their lives changed irrevocably when an accident at the mine kills ninety-one people, family included, and Lyle is trapped with a co-worker. The feelings engendered in the wake of the disaster left vary from sadness to loneliness to even a modicum of freedom. The one thing that unites the three characters is that life will never be the same. The Underworld is a gripping tale of soul searching where the characters are flawed but believable. They each seek a new path to happiness, not knowing where it leads, but they are determined in their journey. An all around engrossing tale. OUR SHORT HISTORY: A NOVEL By Lauren Grodstein Algonquin Books, $26.95, 352 pages Reviewed by Margo Orlando Littell Check this out! Karen Neulander is dying. Soon. And as a single mother with a six-year-old son, Jacob, there’s no peace to be made with her fate. Still, she’s doing her best to carry on as normally as possible, working as a political consultant and giving Jacob plenty of time with his aunt, uncle, and cousins--the family he’ll live with when Karen is gone. Karen manages to live with knowing she’ll never see Jacob grow up by writing him a lengthy letter full of advice and anecdotes. But her best-laid plans are upended when Jacob’s requests to meet his father intensify. When Karen manages to find him, she’s stunned that her former lover is more than eager to meet his son--and that father and son alike want a relationship that Karen believes will ruin everything. Our Short History is heartbreaking on every page, so it’s fortunate that Grodstein has given us a narrator so strong, funny, rueful, and wise. Karen’s journey is magnetic, even though we know where it ends. Her dread at the unwelcome reappearance of Jacob’s father--and her willingness, nonetheless, to bring him into the fold for Jacob’s sake--shows movingly the lengths parents will go to ensure their children’s happiness even when their wishes seem too wild, too dangerous, to lasso and tame.
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THE DISPATCHER By John Scalzi Subterranean Press, $28.00, 128 pages Reviewed by Glenn Dallas Check this out!
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How would the world change if murder was no longer fatal? If victims just reappeared at home after the fact, no worse for wear? Well, for Tony Valdez, it means a job as a dispatcher: someone who gives those in fatal accidents or ill health a second chance by killing them. It’s a poorly understood job, one that can cause problems and misunderstandings. When one of Tony’s colleagues goes missing, he’s recruited by police to help find him...only to discover that murder has made way for new horrors. The Dispatcher does something truly baffling by making murder a help rather than a hindrance. Now, that’s a brilliant conceit in its own right, but Scalzi takes it one step further by imagining all the ways that could spiral outward and change how professionals, doctors, criminals, and others would tackle death. This book goes quick -- all too quick -- and lingers in the reader’s mind well after. To make a moral question the centerpiece of a mystery is a surefire way to breed obsession, and The Dispatcher feels like the start of something rather than the end. I hope there’s more to come. THE UNDERWORLD: A NOVEL By Kevin Canty W. W. Norton & Company, $24.95, 256 pages Reviewed by Philip Zozzaro Check this out! Small town life is hard to leave behind, no matter how hard one tries to rid themselves of it. David is a college student in Missoula who lives in a mining town and dreams of escaping a workingman’s existence. His family works in the local mine, and he is carrying on an affair with his former Tulsa Book Review • June 2017 • 13
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recipes (except a historic one). Only readers with intense interest in chocolate would find this an interesting reading material. The author covered every aspect, starting with a biography of chocolate, its discovery and history, and related history of the discovery of the New World. The remainder of the book (ten chapters) deals with commercial aspects and production of cocoa and chocolate, elaborating the history and birth of many of our favorite chocolate candy bars, chocolate cookies, and chocolate drinks, and a chapter on chemistry. Newquist profusely illustrated his book with many historic photos, both black and white and color, and a large number of more contemporary illustrations, including ads by candy manufacturing companies. He added a few informative sidebars (Main Cocoa-Growing Regions; The Not-So-Sweet Side of Chocolate; Most Popular Chocolate Brands), many tables, charts, and graphs. This is filled with interesting information about candy bars and their manufacturing. A Glossary and Index end the book. BIG & LITTLE QUESTIONS (ACCORDING TO WREN JO BYRD) By Julie Bowe Kathy Dawson Books, $16.99, 240 pages Reviewed by Rosi Hollinbeck Check this out!
MELENA’S JUBILEE: THE STORY OF A FRESH START By Zetta Elliott, Aaron Boyd (Illustrator) Tilbury House Publishers, $11.52, 32 pages Reviewed by Cindy Lister, children’s library associate, Nathan Hale Library Check this out! Melena woke up to a new day with a song in her heart and knowing that things were going to be better. It was a Jubilee day! A day to start over! Melena is starting over from things she had forgotten to do the day before. Now she is forgiven by the ones who love her. Can she turn yesterday around and make the right choices today? Can she persuade her friends to join her in doing the right thing just for the joy of this day? This Jubilee day? This is an excellent book of forgiveness and new beginnings. It is full of beautiful, colorful pictures of a perfectly ordinary summer day. But, it is purposely telling us that any day can be a Jubilee day where anyone can choose to forgive others. It’s the ‘spirit’ of the Jubilee that the writer is trying to get across to its readers. A fresh start every day. When things are going wrong, anyone can start over the next day, try it again and do it right!
Wren, nine years old, has been away for two months staying with her grandparents. She hasn’t texted or talked with her best friend, Amber, all that time. She just doesn’t know what to say or how to tell Amber that Wren’s family isn’t a family anymore. Her parents are getting a divorce. But when Wren gets back at the end of summer, she discovers that Amber is pretty mad and she has made a new friend, Mariana, who doesn’t seem very nice. But things aren’t always what they seem to be. Navigating middle school is tough enough without a disintegrating family, but Wren finds her way through the morass of having divorcing parents and living in two homes, and she also finds some new friendships and renews some old ones. Julie Bowe has written a very engaging book for younger middle-graders that tackles some tough topics — divorce, friendship, lying, secrets, and more. The voice (first-person narration) is spot on, the characters, both children and adults, are very believable, and the small-town setting is perfect to contain this story. This should be very popular with the middle-grade set and beyond.
BIG BOOK OF WHO: BASEBALL: THE 101 STARS EVERY FAN NEEDS TO KNOW By The Editors of Sports Illustrated Kids Sports Illustrated, $17.95, 128 pages Reviewed by Rosi Hollinbeck Check this out!
WELCOME: A MO WILLEMS GUIDE FOR NEW ARRIVALS By Mo Willems Disney-Hyperion, $15.99, 32 pages Reviewed by Karen Collins Check this out!
Everybody who watches baseball has moments when they find themselves asking lots of questions about who did something first or who did something best or what the record is for something else. Sports Illustrated Kids has put together a wonderful new book with 101 baseball stars every fan should know about. These aren’t just the typical facts and stats one would find in most books, but really fun little stories like, “Which colorful catcher was known as Mr. Baseball?” or “Which pitcher was known for talking to the baseball?” In case you don’t know, the first is Bob Uecker and the second is Mark “The Bird” Fidrych. Wait until you read about Josh Gibson! Fascinating. Each question is accompanied by a photo of the subject and a generous write-up of the answer to the question. Some have interesting Fast Facts or Super Stats for some added punch. The writing is lively and crisp and well-researched. The photos and graphics are bright and fun. Kids will love this compendium of baseball facts, but grown-ups will be busy peeking over their shoulders to get a look, too.
Who knew icons could be adorable? Mo Willems has written and illustrated the most original book I’ve read in years. His guide to welcome a new baby, Welcome: A Mo Willems Guide for New Arrivals, is humorous, thought-provoking, and even contains some practical advice about life with other humans. It sets forth some of the situations a baby will encounter in the first months of life, both positive and negative, but always with the reassurance that baby will be supported and loved through it all. The icons Willems created to accompany the instructions in the guide are at once hilarious and endearing. This book is a departure from Don’t Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus! and Waiting Is Not Easy!, which are only two of his many books for children that turn mere words into amazingly entertaining stories, but it delivers on a different creative level. I predict that Willems’ most recent effort will be enjoyed by a wide range of age groups: older brothers and sisters, grandparents, aunts, uncles—the list is endless. HOLLY’S DAY AT THE POOL: A WALT DISNEY ANIMATION STUDIOS ARTIST SHOWCASE By Benson Shum Disney-Hyperion, $16.99, 40 pages Reviewed by Amy Shane Check this out!
BEDTIME FOR YETI By Vin Vogel Dial Books, $16.99, 32 pages Reviewed by Glenn Dallas Check this out! When you’re little, your best friend is your whole world. And for Yeti, his stuffed animal Chunk is his constant companion. But, at bedtime, Chunk goes missing! And it’s up to Yeti to brave the dark and rescue his bestest best pal. Can Yeti do it? What lurks in the dark? Will Yeti have to face bedtime alone? Bedtime for Yeti is absolutely adorable, a lesson about bravery, friendship, and overcoming your fears, all wrapped up in a few pages. It reminds adults and children alike that anyone can be a hero because heroes feel fear just like everyone else. And to see Yeti motivated by love and friendship to save his cuddly pal...it’s delightful. The simple cartoony style echoes childhood memories of big-eyed creatures that enthralled me when I was younger, but with the edges softened, the character sweetened. Yeti is a monster you can bring home to dinner, far more charming than you’d expect, given his abominable moniker. Bedtime for Yeti packs a lot into a few pages, and yet it remains a joy to read and reread. THE BOOK OF CHOCOLATE: THE AMAZING STORY OF THE WORLD’S FAVORITE CANDY By H.P. Newquist Viking Books for Young Readers, $17.99, 156 pages Reviewed by George Erdosh Check this out!
Holly the hippo is brave until her dad asks her to go to the pool. Filling her mind with “what-ifs,” Holly’s imagination runs wild with every possibility of what could go wrong. From being cold to getting water in her nose, what if she sinks, or what if a snapping turtle pinches her? Even with Dad’s helpful advice, Holly is still scared until the moment she needs to be brave for her little sister and jumps. Does Holly get water in her nose? Does she sink? Does a snapping turtle pinch her? Open the book and find out how being brave can make you the best sister of all. From Walt Disney Animation Studio’s Artist Showcase comes the delightfully charming Holly’s Day At The Pool. In this engaging tale of confronting fears, feeling brave, and even facing snapping turtles, little ones can giggle, laugh, and cheer Holly to get in the pool. Benson Shum engages young readers to jump right into the story while highlighting a common fear, leaving little ones with a new confidence to kick, stroke, swim, and not forget the cannonball splash on their way right into the pool. See Kids’ Books, cont’d on page 15
Readers may be misled by the title The Book of Chocolate, hoping for new chocolate recipes. This beautifully produced volume by HP Newquist, however, is a reference book on chocolate with no Tulsa Book Review • June 2017 • 14
Kids’ Books, cont’d on page 15 PLANKTON IS PUSHY By Jonathan Fenske Scholastic Press, $14.99, 40 pages Reviewed by Susan Roberts Check this out! Humor and tension run high in this story when Plankton tries to strike up a conversation with Mussel. Mussel gives no reply. Plankton considers this behavior just plain rude and proceeds to explain to Mussel how social rules are when someone says hi. He gives Mussel another chance, but still no response from Mussel. First Plankton gets angry, then he gets desperate and begs Mussel to speak. The clam begins to open his shell, and Plankton gets excited that he is about to speak and leans in closer. And closer. Until, you guessed it—snap! Find out what Plankton thinks about Mussel. While this shtick has been played out in many different scenarios, it remains funny in this seaworld adventure. Award-winning author and illustrator Jonathan Fenske uses contrasts to the delight of readers in this story. A small, salmon-colored plankton trying to push around a large, gray mussel clam sets the stage. The very emotional plankton moves up and down, forth and back, while the stoic mussel just sits on the ocean bed. A fun read.
YOUTH NONFICTION NEW AND COMING SOON
TO TULSA CITY-COUNTY LIBRARY Search the library’s catalog at www.TulsaLibrary.org to reserve your copies now.
LEGO DC Comics Superheroes: The Awesome Guide by Cavan Scott
This guide to LEGO DC superheroes and villains provides information on character strengths and weaknesses, weapons and changing styles.
Totally Amazing Facts About Stuff We’ve Built by Cari Meister
Offers photographs and interesting facts about many of the world’s most distinctive buildings and structures.
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Junk Drawer Engineering: 25 Construction Challenges That Don’t Cost a Thing by Bobby Mercer
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MANGO DELIGHT By Fracaswell Hyman Sterling Children’s Books, $14.95, 224 pages Reviewed by Rosi Hollinbeck In Mango Delight, Fuller and her best friend, Brooklyn, seem to be the only two middle-school girls without cell phones. They are BFFs and get through waiting for this great status symbol together, but Brooklyn suddenly gets a phone and moves on to a stuck-up clique Mango and Brooklyn always referred to as Cellbelles, leaving Mango in her dust. Then Mango finds out Brooklyn has broken Mango’s trust in the worst way. An unfortunate cell-phone accident occurs that changes everything — not just for Mango and Brooklyn, but for her family as well. Brooklyn signs Mango up on the audition list for the school play, probably thinking she will embarrass herself, but quite the opposite happens. Lots of fun and interesting twists and turns. Author Fracaswell Hyman has built a fascinating story for middle-graders with well-rounded, believable characters and a story that will keep readers turning pages. Unfortunately, the voice sounds more like someone 35 than someone 12, and the slang used by the young characters throughout will make this book seems out of date in no time at all. DOGS AT WAR: MILITARY CANINE HEROES By Connie Goldsmith Twenty-First Century Books, $35.99, 104 pages Reviewed by Susan Roberts Geared for junior high and high-school readers, Dogs at War contains dozens of war dog stories, as well as how dogs are selected and trained, how they use their nose, and how they are adopted when retired. Beginning with one of the first dog handler teams used in Iraq, the book includes stories from war times since World War I. The book also explores evidence that dogs were used in early Egyptian, Greek, and Roman battles. Early war dogs fought in battle, carried supplies, pulled carts, and guarded camps. Today’s war dogs sniff out weapons, explosives, and bomb-making chemicals. Readers will learn how the dog’s nose compares to a human nose and how a dog’s nose works to sniff out even faint odors. They estimate each dog saves 200-250 lives. The book shares the close bonds formed between the dog and its handler. Generous quotes, stories, and photos from dog handlers, trainers, and veterinarians result in a riveting story, difficult to put down.
Tulsa Book Review • June 2017 • 15
Children love challenges, especially ones that involve hands-on experimentation and friendly competition. Can they build a bridge using only pasta and glue, one that a toy car can drive both under and over, and is sturdy enough to carry a considerable weight? Can they construct a “roller coaster” from recycled cardboard tubes in which the marble “car” jumps a track to land safely at its final destination? And can they create a device to safely catch a freefalling egg? These projects and more can be found in Junk Drawer Engineering, which demonstrates that you don’t need high-tech equipment to make learning fun – just what you can find in your recycling bin and around the house.
How to Be a Scientist by Steve Mould Provides step-by-step instructions for over 40 science experiments examining the human body, the Earth, the natural world and the properties of space. National Geographic Kids Almanac 2018 by National Geographic Society (U.S.)
Kids can have fun keeping up with our quickly changing world with this New York Times best-selling almanac, packed with incredible photos, tons of fun facts, crafts, activities, and fascinating features about animals, science, nature, technology and more.
A Smart Girl’s Guide, Getting It Together: How to Organize Your Space, Your Stuff, Your Timeand Your Life by Erin Falligant
Missed buses? Forgotten clarinet and homework? Lost cleats? No girl is born knowing how to organize her space, stuff or time, but it’s easy to learn! From backpack to bedroom, this book can teach her tips and tricks to take charge of things in life that may be tripping her up. Inside she’ll find loads of ideas, fun quizzes, and even advice from other girls on how to get her life organized and keep it that way. The result? Not only will she forget and lose less, she’ll feel less stressed and have more time for what she loves.
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