Portland F R E E www.portlandbookreview.com
VOLUME VOLUME2, 2, ISSUE ISSUE 2 3 September June -- November September 2012
HIGHLIGHTS
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Key Character: The Typewriter Article by Ivan Doig Page 2
Wordstock Booth 407 Page 7
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Maryglenn McCombs Biography Meet A Publisher! Page 9
Images of America: McMinnville Book
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Page 10
By Finn J.D. John
The History Press, $19.99, 144 pages
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15 65 Reviews INSIDE!
Imagine a frontier town full of prostitution, crooked law enforcement, shady politics, kidnapping, drug smuggling, murder, and mayhem. No, we are not talking about Deadwood or Dodge City. We are talking about Portland, Oregon, a town whose wild-west infancy wasn’t as sweet smellin’ as its Rose City inhabitants of today might think. In his book, Wicked Portland, syndicated columnist and author Finn J.D. John exposes the wild side of Stumptown, a city divided into areas where the rules were enforced, and where — for the right price — the rules were treated as friendly suggestions. John also provides insight into how the inevitable convergence of different social classes in Portland (the New England business men; the Midwestern pioneers; the transient sailors, loggers, and miners; and the immigrant populations) allowed
activities such as police-fi xing, drug use in the opium dens, shanghaiing innocent saloon patrons, and the operation of harems to take place within the city limits. In addition to the amusing stories and character profi les, the print copy of the
Wicked Portland Exposed! book includes QR codes. These codes, when scanned, provide further information, pictures, maps and video on the topic being discussed in a particular chapter. This clever use of technology is a bonus! CHERI WOODS-EDWIN
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Key Character: The Typewriter By Ivan Doig As it must to any writer born under the star of good fortune, the Author Interview came calling early in my career, and across more than three decades and fourteen books, it has been a generally pleasant experience. I like journalists, having been one. But starting some years ago, I found I absolutely had to take a drastic step before ever letting any interviewer into the room. I needed to hide my typewriter. If I didn’t, invariably the visiting reporter homed in on my Royal manual as if it were cheese in a mousetrap, except I was the one then snapped up into cliché, the Luddite Writer. It mattered not one whit that the computer I use for rewriting and editing sat in plain sight ten feet away; the story angle never budged from under the interviewer’s technophobe-scenting nose and thus came the pat questions, including the inevitable “Where do you even find ribbons for a typewriter these days, Mr. Doig?” (“On the Internet, stupid,” I had to keep myself from saying.) Surprisingly, what was almost never asked was the key question: why use a manual typewriter in this day and age? Too bad, because it would have drawn from me a pair of answers more incisive than most: to sculpt on paper, and loyalty to the best friends my fingers have ever had. Let’s take those in reverse order. When my folks presented me with a mail-order Olympia portable for my 18th birthday, the typewriter became for me what the saddle horse was for my father at that age – the means of getting somewhere in life. Almost as if it were already creating sentences, the gift bespoke that I was on my way out of our lariat proletariat life as hired hands on Montana livestock ranches, and off I went, with the Olympia snug in its leatherette traveling case, to Northwestern University’s Medill School of Journalism. Without it to practice on, I shudder to think how I would have fared in writing courses taught by 100-word-a-minute exnewsmen. Not only was the doughty Olympia instrumental in earning me two degrees, proficiency on it led me to a wife. Carol and I met in the company of some 100 clattering typewriters, as summer instructors for selected high school journalists, whom we crammed into the J School’s hothouse news lab and threw crazy story assignments at. (Frank Rich? Walter Mossberg? Dick Teresi? Babalu Mandel? Remember, guys?) Forty-seven wedded years later, her Royal sits opposite mine on our capacious desk, a discreet distance from her iMac. Those typing skills ushered me to newspaper and magazine jobs, and eventually a successful Ph.D. exam for which – get this, youngsters – I had to obtain special permission to type rather than handwrite. Several years of freelance magazine work found me pounding out articles on a succession
of sturdy manual Royals, and when I turned to books and fiction, the typewriter was always right there, often in the story itself. I invented a resounding oversized office machine called a Blickensderfer for Rosellen Duff to turn out paychecks for Fort Peck dam workers and her short story efforts, both in Bucking the Sun. I sent Ben Reinking through World War II as a reluctant military combat correspondent trusting only his typewriter, in The Eleventh Man. And it is one of my continuing characters, the unstoppable Morrie Morgan, who has convinced me to be loyal to my Royal and quit hiding it. In the novel I am working on now, Morrie – in his new role as impassioned editorial writer caught up in the struggle between Montana miners and the Anaconda Copper Mining Company, corporate greed machine 192l version – sits up to his trusty typewriter and lets his fingers find the keys “like old friends of the mind.”
Those keys are truly “old friends” in my case for a couple million words in type. The upstart machine – the computer – that has taken over the world, I have mostly made peace with, beholden offspring that it is of the archaic QWERTY keyboard. But my wrist and hand are convinced that its innovative feature, the mouse, is an instrument of the devil. Diligent exercises have thus far kept me from carpal tunnel woes. Have I ever had to do calisthenics for my finger-friendly typewriters? You know the answer. The fingers also tell the most about sculpting on paper, because I regard my rough drafts as a way of feeling the shape each sentence aspires to be, just as sculptors ever since Michelangelo have run an inquiring hand over a promising piece of stone to find the form waiting within. For me, employing typewriter keys and ragged lines instead of hammer and chisel is not so much mystical as merely practical, although there is a touch of mystery to the process. “Getting it in the fingers,” as a jazz musician friend
calls his noodling with the notes until they arrange themselves with automatic fluency, and as a sculptor friend has described, in virtually the same words, how he cups a hand to stone’s texture to find the direction for his next chisel stroke – and as I rely on my questing digits for combinations of words I didn’t know I knew until they are coaxed up onto the white field of paper in front of me. There is a word for this seemingly unaccountable instantaneous leap of ideas from the forehead out to the very ends of the arms – the Germans are good with these triple-deckers: fingerspitzengefuhl, roughly “intuition in the fingertips.” Great generals and explorers are said to have it when they trace across a map and translate the flow of battle or an unnavigated river; the great pianists tell their students to concentrate at their tips and their tops and music will fill in between. Down here in the lesser ranks, I can only claim some kind of instinctive deftness at the end of the hand when my whacking keys feel their way along the language. My current novel, The Bartender’s Tale, shows such fingerwork right away. Tom Harry, “the best bartender who ever lived,” needed a distinctive look to go with his unforgettable skills, and down the page of my first draft, the groping exploration goes on like a haiku run wild or a crazy crossword puzzle: His black hair, undercut by pompadour, then was graying gives way to a wordpile of gray, white, had a streak, and below those, the key word in this tippety-typetty search, frost. From that, his appearance and much else about him became clear to me as a sculpted bust: the bachelor saloonkeeper with a streak of frost in his black pompadour. And while I know such shades of phrasing can be retained on a computer screen, this is a line I wanted to keep and consider for days, weeks, maybe months until it ended up as the reader's first good look at my leading man. Paper does it best. I wish I were inventing a hybrid art form here, literasculpture or some such, but actually authors used to do it this way a lot. The vintage Paris Review “Writers at Work” interviews always showed a manuscript sample right at the start, and there we can see the typed-and-penciled-through stretches of Eudora Welty, John Updike, Ralph Ellison, Mary McCarthy, Jack Kerouac (that scroll!), Norman Mailer
and others, finding the keys – Royal as likely as not – to magic on the page.
The Bartender’s Tale: A Novel By Ivan Doig Riverhead Books, $27.95, 387 pages “As the father who was doing his bachelor best to raise me would have said, I didn’t lack imagination in the first place, and I certainly had no shortage of it as the clandestine eyewitness -- or -- earwitness--to the variety of life as it passed through the Medicine Lodge.” Tom Harry is the father, and the narrator is his son Russell or Rusty to his friends and family. Medicine Lodge is the “legendary” family bar that sits in the town of Gros Ventre, Montana, and is the anchor for most of the action in this book. The Bartender’s Tale begins when “Pop” rescues Rusty from his Aunt Marge’s charge in Phoenix, where he’s lived with his two cousins since he was a baby. Together they head back to Medicine Lodge where life is rich with fishing, sheep herding, and hanging out in the back room of the bar listening through a vent in the wall to patrons sharing stories. However, the early circumstances of Rusty’s youth, including the fact that his mother deserted him, makes him a nervous boy, especially when his father disappears mysteriously to Canada for days at a time. Most of the story takes place in the summer of 1960, when Rusty turns 12. He meets his soulmate Zoe and a few other newcomers who turn his world on end and deepen the mysteries that surround his family. Doig is a master of Americana details, and he layers this old-fashioned family saga with considerable nostalgic charm. DIANE PROKOP
Copyright 2012 by Ivan Doig.
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June - September 2012 2012 September - November
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IN THIS ISSUE Art, Architecture & Photography...... 13 Biographies & Memoirs............... 10-11 Childrens......................................... 15
EDITOR IN CHIEF M. Chris Johnson chris.johnson@portlandbookreview.com 503.701.6761
Cooking, Food & Wine........................ 8 Historical Fiction.............................. 11 History............................................... 6
ASSOCIATE EDITORS Aimee Rasmussen Catherine Gilmore
Mystery, Crime & Thriller................... 5 Parenting & Families.......................... 8 Poetry.............................................. 14
LAYOUT & GRAPHICS EDITOR WEBSITE ADMINISTRATOR Grayson Hjaltalin
COPY EDITORS Aimee Rasmussen Catherine Gilmore Donna Reynolds Elizabeth Franklin Galina Roizman Kathryn Franklin Jon Sanetel
Popular Fiction............................ 12-13 Religion............................................ 14 Science Fiction & Fantasy.................... 4 Science & Nature................................ 9 Spirituality & Inspiration................. 14 Travel................................................ 6 Tweens............................................. 16
COLUMN COORDINATOR FOR “WRITERS ON WRITING” AND “THE READER’S PERSPECTIVE”
Young Adult...................................... 16
Joseph Arellano
Parenting & Families.......................... 8
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FROM THE EDITOR The Power of the Storytellers I love books, as I’m sure many of you do. To me, there’s just something amazing about diving into a story of another place, time or person’s life, allowing you to live in a world completely different than your own. We not only do this with books, but also through movies, news broadcasts, gossip, and so on. Stories are our life, and not just in a small way. We ARE stories. A person’s whole being is basically made up of the stories that he grows up with – fairy tales, children’s books, cartoons, textbooks, magazines, novels and movies. We think that our personalities, thoughts and morals are developed independent of these stories, and that we aren’t really influenced by them – they’re just for relaxation or entertainment, right? Well, this isn’t true. Stories shape us. They influence the way we see the world. Have you ever watched a movie or read a book and felt changed after it was over? You suddenly see things from a new perspective, or maybe you finally understand what someone else is going through because that story gave you a different view of the world. Even if we don’t realize it, each story we hear, read or see affects us in some way. Therefore, our storytellers – authors, playwrights, directors, poets and journalists – are probably the most powerful and influential people in the world! They have the ability to completely change your mindset, morals, opinions and personality – even without you being aware of it. Wow, that’s a lot of responsibility! Therefore, we should all be aware of which stories we are allowing into our brains, and for you parents out there, what your children are putting into theirs. We should understand the power that a story has and be critical of what we consent to affect us. You can’t watch hundreds of horror flicks without eventually becoming numb to the violence it portrays. A constant diet of romance novels is bound to change your expectations about love and sex. Even historical fiction blurs your knowledge of the realities of the past. None of these genres are necessarily bad in themselves, but as the saying goes, anything can be bad for you in excess. Go for a well-rounded, healthy diet of a wide variety of stories, peppered with some common sense and critical thinking skills. Knowing the power of stories will help you see them, and the world, in a more tempered, realistic way. Don’t stop reading or watching movies – there’s no way I could, either! Just realize that those stories may be changing you, and hopefully you will choose ones that change you for the better.
Aimee Rasmussen
Aimee Rasmussen, Associate Editor
SeptemberJune - November 2012 - September 2012
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Science Fiction & Fantasy The Year’s Best Science Fiction: TwentyNinth Annual Collection Edited by Gardner Dozois St. Martin’s Griffin, $40.00, 658 pages Taking stock of the science fiction shortfiction offerings is no small task, but editor Gardner Dozios has taken on this enormous feat and come up with his most recent compilation, The Year's Best Science Fiction: Twenty-Ninth Annual Collection. The book itself is massive at a full 658 pages, but readers who jump in won't be disappointed. Some story highlights include: Damien Broderick's tale about a beancounter, her cat and the origin of a universe, Elizabeth's Bear's fantastic story, Dolly, about android rights, Carolyn Ives Gilman's story of a mother-daughter conflict on a universal level and Catherynne M. Valente's strange and beautiful story about being human. In addition to the stories, the introduction of the book gives a general overview of the book industry, particularly related to the science fiction genre, and has a nice overview about how e-books have affected the business. This book is one that sci-fi fans will not want to miss. BARBARA COTHERN Shadow of Night By Deborah Harkness Viking Adult, $28.95, 580 pages This is the second book in the All Souls trilogy by Deborah Harkness. In the first one, historian and witch, Diana Bishop, met and fell in love with 1,500-year-old vampire Matthew Clairmont. Their relationship threw the world of vampires and witches into upheaval, forcing them to time travel back to the late 1500s to try and recover an ancient manuscript, as well as find a suitable mentor for Diana and her burgeoning but uncontrolled powers. The mysterious manuscript, known as Ashmole 782, may include the origins of all otherworldly creatures and is violently sought by each faction. In Shadow of Night, Harkness continues to show a masterful attention to detail, moving from the court of Elizabeth I to that of Emperor Rudolf of Austria and introducing numerous historical characters and details, all without losing the pacing that makes this a difficult (if not impossible) book to put down. In addition, she navigates the increasingly complex love relationship between witch and vampire and its impact on everyone they meet. In the same way that Diana weaves silk threads to create her spells, Harkness
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weaves a world that ensnares the reader. The only downside to this book is that it ends, and the third installment is not available yet. Once started, you will not want to leave the gripping world of Diana and Matthew. CATHERINE GILMORE Alexander Outland: Space Pirate By G. J. Koch Night Shade Books, $14.99, 300 pages Captain Alexander Napoleon Outlander is known throughout the galaxy as a space pirate. His friends call him Nap, the woman he loves calls him a dog, and he's likely to be called a ladies' man. Read all about his adventures in Alexander Outland: Space Pirate by G. J. Koch. This is the first in her planned sci-fi series. Nap is at the helm of Space Vessel 3369 (called the Sixty-Nine). What begins as a routine pickup and delivery turns into a fight with a dangerous armada. Nap, with the help of his crew, must figure out how to outwit the rogues. Along the way they'll run into the military, the mob and various ladies who aren't too happy with Nap. Koch's book is very funny. Readers will find themselves chuckling at Outland's antics, innuendos and great one-liners. He is sarcastic and witty, which makes for great dialogue. The cast of supporting characters is terrific. Slinkie, security chief and weapons controller, tries to resist Nap's charm. Security chief Randolph wants a girlfriend. The Governor, a passenger along for the ride, offers good advice. And Audrey is the on-board computer who helps when she can. Attention sci-fi fans: this is not a hard-core book. Koch includes humor, romance (although not as much as her other books), and plenty of action. This is one space adventure that readers will be happy to follow. ELIZABETH FRANKLIN The Apocalypse Codex (A Laundry Files Novel) By Charles Stross Ace Hardcover, $25.95, 325 pages The Apocalypse Codex follows Robert Howard, an everyday office worker (if your everyday office helps keep the world safe from aliens) Lovecraftian monsters and unspeakable horrors. Howard works for an organization called The Laundry, charged with keeping people safe from things they never knew existed, and he does a good job of it. But when he is tasked with keeping track of a freelance agent, there is nothing that will be able to keep London, or the world, safe.
June - September 2012 2012 September - November
Author Charles Stross is, first and foremost, a fantastic writer. He is able to create a world in his writing that is both believable and surreal. When an MI5 agent talks about encountering a Cthulhu, the reader believes every word of it. The characters are also fun. It is not uncommon for a character to complain of dealing with upper management when trying to approve first-class train passage, even though that train happens to be carrying them to a pit of eldritch horror. There are a few pitfalls to the story, however. The author tends to capitalize words at random, without explaining why they are important. There is also an excessive use of acronyms throughout the text with no definitions of their meaning. The Apocalypse Codex is a fantastic, magical read, akin to Jim Butcher or Doctor Who. Readers should line up to purchase their copy this summer. ANDREW KEYSER Wake (Watersong Series) By Amanda Hocking St. Martin’s Press, $17.99, 305 pages In a departure from her previous Trylle series, Amanda Hocking brings us to a small sea-side coastal town in Wake. Gemma is an avid swimmer with Olympic dreams. Mothered by her older sister Harper, Gemma is very much the typical teenager. Her life is filled with swim practice and her new-found appreciation for Harper’s best friend Alex. Mysterious stories of disappearances up and down the coast cast a shadow over Gemma’s love of swimming in the bay at night, and three mystifying girls begin spending time in town. The three girls - Penn, Lexi, and Thea - have been relentlessly pursuing Gemma, much to her chagrin. Gemma avoids the three and continues her nightly swims, until one night she is unable to resist meeting them in the cove. Harper worries for her sister, which turns in to full-blown panic when Gemma does not come home one night. After that night, everything begins to change. It turns out that Gemma has a lot to learn about who she has become. Amanda Hocking again brings us a story rich in detail, bringing us in to the world that she has created. While she takes a more unique approach to the fantasy genre, Wake leaves a little bit to be desired for the more sophisticated reader. The plot and characters are a little on the predictable side, and the overt way in which the bad guys and conflicts are identified limits the amount of tension and surprise available throughout the story. However, as usual Hocking has given us an easy to read story with her quirky sense of humor. RACHEL J. RICHARDS
Albert of Adelaide By Howard Anderson Twelve, $24.99, 240 pages Albert has spent most of his life at the Adelaide Zoo and has always felt that there was more to life than being locked in a cage and stared at. Fascinated by tales of Old Australia - a place where things are the same as they used to be - Albert runs away from the zoo in search of something better. Along the way he has both delightful and terrifying adventures, making friends and enemies and finding that the journey is as important as the destination. Albert of Adelaide is a delightful allegorical tale by first-time novelist Howard Anderson. Albert is a marvelous character, as he is both uncertain of himself but determined. The other characters that he meets along the way are equally interesting and memorable, regardless of whether they are friends or enemies (or both). The writing is simple yet vivid, and the world the author creates surrounds the reader throughout the novel. This charming tale is impossible to put down and stays with the reader long after the last page is read. BARBARA COTHERN Emperor Mollusk Versus the Sinister Brain: A Novel By A. Lee Martinez Orbit, $19.99, 293 pages Emperor Mollusk has recently retired from his former position as Warlord of Terra after finding that world domination isn't all it's cracked up to be. Living happily, if not thrillingly, he now spends his time working on scientific experiments. So, his interest is piqued when a new enemy, The Brain, works on his plan to dominate Terra using science stolen from the Emperor himself. With his former and future enemy Zala acting as bodyguard, Emperor Mollusk takes on his greatest opponent, risking not only himself but the world he has grown to love. Emperor Mollusk verses the Sinister Brain is a hilariously irreverent sci-fi novel that shows that evil geniuses are like everyone else: all they want is total adoration and the opportunity to show that they are the smartest beings in the universe. The world created by the author is at once familiar and alien, and he successfully uses familiar objects (the Eiffel tower, for example) and turns them into impressive objects of destruction. This is the sci-fi genre turned sideways and the result is, as the author promises, great hilarity. BARBARA COTHERN
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Mystery, Crime & Thriller Red Fox Knight By Osvaldo J. Faucher CreateSpace, $25.95, 792 pages Red Fox Knight is an enthralling read - an escapist work of fiction coupled with real-life scientific theory and historical insight into the Middle Ages and knighthood. Osvaldo Faucher is a thrifty storyteller. His novel unfolds with the inspired events of the First Crusade, which introduces to the reader an age-old scroll detailing the last days of Jesus Christ that may or may not go contrary to the universally accepted biblical account of the day. This serves as an equally canny and masterful outline to the remaining plot lines in the book, which diverges between three different groups of characters: the first story is set in NYC with an entrepreneur savant, Robert Whiteside and his wife, a defector from Russia turned anthropologist, Olga and their son, Edward; the second is set in Boston with an expriest, Professor Alan Mullins and his girlfriend Blanche; and third, in Paris and Lautremont, is a direct descendant from the Red Fox order, François Premet and his wife Thérèse with their daughter, Emily. Amplifying the circular quality of the work, these characters are all interconnected through the peg of this ancient and extremely valuable religious text. Though crafty in delivery, much of the time span from the past to the present- in between chapters and suggested occurences - as well as the transitioning hence forth between each and every one’s exposition is extremely muddled and awkward. For instance, we learn of Alan and Blanche’s backstory in the very beginning of the book, and about 200 pages later, they only reappear relevant to this serpentine tale. And just like the typos and grammatical errors in the book, there are abrupt situations that interrupt and interfere with the cohesiveness of the various stories. All and all, too much is going on in these 800 pages rendered with arbitrary sex scenes and coerced dialogue, that of which becomes suddenly catastrophic with cancer, death, love triangles and abduction. Also, much of the labyrinthine flair and quality to Red Fox Knight is overly wrought and therefore falls flat because of the heavy handed banter. Throughout the course of the book, the characters are on their soapboxes about moral, ethical and legal issues, so no real action is hereof. But nonetheless, Osvaldo Faucher’s superb insight and introspection hits it right on the head when he writes,
“each group is looking for its final truth about life in this world,” and this is Ref Fox Knight effectively: an excavation of history and human interaction, where one can find purpose and validity in religion and/or scientific reasoning. SPONSORED REVIEW
The Prisoner of Heaven By Carlos Ruiz Zafon Ecco, $25.99, 320 pages Full of intrigue, emotion and sacrifice, The Prisoner of Heaven is another beautifully written tale by Carlos Ruiz Zafon that will completely satisfy, yet leave you wanting more. In this story, Daniel Sempere and his wife are celebrating their new son, Julian, and their good friend Fermin Romero de Torres is about to get married. However, a stranger comes in to the bookshop with an old secret that leads them to search for truths in the past and within the Cemetery of Forgotten Books. The resulting adventure may change their lives terribly. You may be familiar with Zafon's other books, The Shadow of the Wind and The Angel's Game, which all include the same set of characters and take place in mid-20th century Barcelona. It may seem that this book is out of order, since the plot continues where The Shadow of the Wind left off, even though The Angel's Game was presented instead as the second book. However, this seems to be a deliberate move by the author to enhance the mystery, depth and anticipation for the reader, who ends up with a more interesting experience because of it. Strong character development and a smooth plotline weave an intricate story that keeps you wondering where it will go next. The language is straightforward and steady, not as poetic as the first book, but not as dark and morbid as the second one. Although each novel can easily stand on its own, together these three books (with a fourth one to come) interconnect so richly that each one ends up changing your perspective of the others. This book makes you want to read the previous ones again, even if you may have been disappointed by The Angel's Game. Give Zafon's Barcelona another try, and you won't be sorry. AIMEE RASMUSSEN Criminal: A Novel By Karin Slaughter Delacorte Press Hardcover, $27.00, 434 pages While many view the 1970s as a progressive era in terms of women's lib and civil rights, author Karin Slaughter reveals how this decade still wasn't easy for women or minorities navigating the work force. Crimi-
nal opens in Atlanta in 1974 when female police officers were hard to come by and were for the most part ridiculed by their male counterparts. Slaughter details how Amanda Wagner wasn't always the tough-asnails boss that Georgia Bureau of Investigation agent Will Trent knows now. She feared her father, the former Zone 1 captain of the Atlanta Police Department, and she was overly cognizant of making a good impression among the men in the department. When she teams up with colleague Evelyn Mitchell to investigate a murder in one of the city's most violent neighborhoods that may be linked to a host of prostitutes gone missing, they really invoke the ire of the Atlanta Police Department. In Atlanta today, Will Trent is trying to keep his troubled past at bay when he discovers that Amanda Wagner is keeping him off a case that could be linked to the murders 40 years ago, as well as to the mystery of his parentage. Slaughter tactfully explores the racial tensions and issues of gender equality that were rampant in the 1970s, and couples it with a high-profile murder investigation set in the present. Readers will find a thoughtful, compelling thriller from one of the genre's best. LAURA DI GIOVINE The Stolen Chalice: A Novel By Kitty Pilgrim Scribner, $26.00, 320 pages The Stolen Chalice opens with the Ancient Civilizations Ball, the most glamorous event held in New York in the fall; socialites, celebrities, even the First Lady will attend this event. Author Kitty Pilgrim depicts each graphic detail of the event, from cocktail hour and beautiful gowns to the spectacular gallery, which leaves the reader yearning for more. The ancient artifacts and historical information are stunning as you learn about the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York. But, terror is stirring and a life-changing event is about to happen. The thieves have exactly six minutes to get the job done! And they succeed in robbing the Egyptian Gallery. John Sinclair and his girlfriend, Cordelia Stapleton set out to find the stolen mummy and the Sardonyx Cup, a stolen chalice with mystical powers. The hunt leads John and Cordelia to London, Edinburgh, Venice and Sharmel-Shekh, Egypt, where they find themselves in a triangle of terrorists, facing bombs, blood and kidnapping as they race against time to prevent an attack that will be life altering. The book keeps you engaged and has a full scope
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of worldwide knowledge. Get ready for the ride of your life in this remarkable book, The Stolen Chalice. RHONDA FISCHER The Iron Wyrm Affair By Lilith Saintcrow Orbit, $13.99, 308 pages Emma Bannon is a Prime sorceress and employed by Queen Victoria to help protect the realm. Currently, that means that Emma is in pursuit of the person or persons behind the recent murders of mentaths around the country. Her investigation leads her to Archibald Clare, the last remaining unregistered mentath and one who is nearly bored out of his mind. Cautiously trusting, Emma allows Clare to help in her investigations, and what they discover could mean disaster for both them and for Britannia herself. The Iron Wyrm Affair is a new novel by author Lilith Saintcrow and it is a delightfully fun and intriguing book. Combining historical fiction with science fiction and fantasy, she creates a re-imagined Britain, one where magic and science abound both for good and evil. The main characters jump off the page, and Emma and Clare are hilarious in their own ways: Emma in her unladylike language, and Clare in his confusion over illogical things like feelings. The book nicely develops their working relationship and growing respect for each other. If you like steampunk fiction or just a really good fantasy book, do not miss this one! BARBARA COTHERN
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History The Graves Are Walking: The Great Famine and the Saga of the Irish People By John Kelly Henry Holt & Co., $32.00, 416 pages The Great Potato Famine may be one of the bleakest chapters in Ireland's history. The blight that hit the potato fields in 1845 triggered a domino effect that led to Ireland losing one-third of its population, with some dying slowly of hunger and pestilence, and others fleeing the continent. The Graves Are Walking: The Great Famine and the Saga of the Irish People relays devastating individual accounts of suffering, while also stepping back and looking at the larger picture of the moral and political attitudes of the time. Author John Kelly's meticulous research is evident in the descriptions of the horror of famine and how the authorities and their agendas played a role in furthering this tragedy. ALICEA SWETT Jack 1939 By Francine Mathews Riverhead Books, $26.95, 361 pages History places a young Jack Kennedy in Europe in 1939, doing research for his senior thesis at Harvard. Author Francine Mathews braids him into a plot so tightly woven around actual people and places it feels entirely plausible.
With war on the horizon, President Roosevelt uses Jack's planned trip and diplomatic connections to find out how Hitler is smuggling German money into U.S. voters' hands to buy the 1940 election. Danger, divided loyalties and international intrigue ensue. Mathews is obviously very familiar with Kennedy family relations and keeps her characters, well, in character as she carefully plants them like chess pieces onto a thrilling premise. Jack 1939 is a gripping novel you won't be able to put down-the perfect summer indulgence! And it just may have what it takes to lure a few of us non-fiction enthusiasts over to the other side. ALICEA SWETT Queen of the Conqueror: The Life of Matilda, Wife of William I By Tracy Borman Bantam Books, $30.00, 336 pages Tracy Borman has set herself a difficult task in trying to write a book-length biography of Matilda, queen of William the Conqueror. Her book makes a valiant effort, but ultimately falls short of Borman’s best efforts. She is hampered by the scarcity of sources - there are relatively few primary sources from the 11th century, and virtually none written without ulterior motive. The
result is a book that tries to pull together scraps. What the author does manage to construct from wisps of information is impressive. Readers get a definite sense that Matilda was a fiercely intelligent and ambitious woman who realized political success in a way that was unprecedented. However, the book does feel strongly repetitive, and because there are so few certain facts (when Matilda was born, when she was married, and how many children she had, just to name a few), the author spends a lot of time qualifying the information she gives and discussing the motives of chroniclers who recorded the information we do know. If you’re interested in the historical aspects of this very early piece of English history, Borman manages the delicate balance between scholarly and entertaining pretty well; however, it’s less captivating than some of her other historical work. KATIE RICHARDS The Day in Its Color: Charles Cushman’s Photographic Journey Through a Vanishing America By Eric Sandweiss Oxford University Press, $39.95, 237 pages He is not a famous artist; his work does not hang in famous museums or galleries. You will never find his work amongst
the greatest photographers, yet he played an important role in capturing the heart and soul of America. His name was Charles Cushman, and he was just an average American who loved photography, loved to travel, and always had his color camera with him. While many professionals disdained color photography, Cushman embraced the medium, using it to catalog his travels across the country with one of the first color photographs of the Golden Gate Bridge. But his photographs capture something more; they capture an America that is changing between and after the wars, from a regional identity to a more common national identity with similar looking highways, suburbs and skyscrapers. Cushman captures an America that is turning more into itself and away from each other, embracing the automobile and moving out of the city. These photographs capture neighborhoods before they change forever. His photographs capture the soul of America before it is taken away by the need for speed. KEVIN WINTER
Travel Road Trip USA: Cross-Country Adventures on America’s Two-Lane Highways By Jamie Jensen Moon Travel, $29.99, 987 pages In its sixth edition, Road Trip USA is an obvious success with travelers who have time and patience to explore the country through two-lane blacktops. This is a massive volume (nearly 1,000 pages), but printed as a trade paperback on high-quality glossy paper stock. A formidable guide covering a very large country, it is divided into 11 road trips; each one is extensive but doesn't go into detail of the many stops along the way. Interested travelers will need to get more detailed local information during their trips. Author Jamie Jensen adorns the pages with numerous thumbnail photos, sketches, historic photos and postcards, as well as little detailed road maps to locate yourself. He lists a limited number of restaurants, hotels, hostels, guesthouses, even campgrounds listing prices you expect to
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pay and phone contacts (web links would’ve been useful, too). Because of the tremendous coverage, each stop receives minimal attention (two pages for Chicago, San Francisco and Kansas City, fourteen pages for Colorado). “After traveling well over 400,000 miles in search of the perfect stretches of two-lane blacktop, this is the book I wish I’d with me all along.” Many sidebars help you with information and planning. Jensen also suggests side trips. Each of the 11 trips is color coded on the side edge of the pages. The index is huge and appears to be complete. GEORGE ERDOSH Rick Steves’ Pocket Paris By Rick Steves Avalon Travel, $12.99, 248 pages If it’s your first trip to Paris, or you’re going back for more, who better to guide you than Rick Steves? His latest travel book is as essential as your money belt. Here, Steves helps you get your bearings so that you can competently get around and get the most out of your trip. He offers self-guided tours to Paris’ most popular attractions. His sug-
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gested walks take you through one neighborhood at a time so you don’t find yourself zigzagging from one end of the city to the other. Travel tips include avoiding crowds, saving money, right down to finding the nearest toilet and where you can fill your water bottle! Brief descriptions of cafes and hotels are helpful in narrowing down your options, and a foldout map completes the guide. For travelers short on time, this abbreviated guidebook is a practical purchase. ALICEA SWETT The Divine Supermarket: Travels in Search of the Soul of America By Malise Ruthven Tauris Parke Paperbacks, $18.00, 336 pages Based on exhaustive research, The Divine Supermarket has nothing to do with the food markets we visit regularly. It’s all about religion. Author Malise Ruthven has traveled extensively throughout America in his 16foot elderly camper, starting at the Pilgrim’s Trail at Cape Cod, Massachusetts, and traveling west with side trips south and north.
This book is part travelogue, part philosophy, and part early history of the area he travels through, with plenty of politics but even more religion, the central focus. No matter where he travels, religion of the region and people’s beliefs remain the focus. Many, many religious quotes, both short and long, from the Bible, the Book of Mormon and several other religious texts are woven throughout this book, as well as many familiar biblical stories. This book is not an easy read. Ruthven is not a particularly good writer; the text is heavy and so are his wordings. Those interested in religion throughout America, however, will enjoy his travelogue. You’d better have a good atlas ready to follow his travels, though – the author often forgets to mention where he is; he names towns, but often it’s your guess what state he is in. GEORGE ERDOSH
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Parenting & Families
Cooking, Food & Wine Taco USA: How Mexican Food Conquered America By Gustavo Arellano Scribner, $25.00, 310 pages You can tell a lot by how a culture treats its food. Taco USA is an exploration of Mexican cuisine and what happened when it encountered American culture. It is a fun look at what happened to even something as simple as a taco when it became one of the basic American foods, where well-meaning people attempt to maintain their cultural fantasies while stamping out the original culture, and then how that culture gets its vengeance. Being able to look at the evolution of a number of foods that we see as an intrinsic part of American culture while acknowledging their origins makes this an interesting book. Author Gustavo Arellano brings the same sensibility from his column to this exploration of Mexican food and how it evolved as it was prepared by American cooks and corporate sensibilities, with some input from Mexican chefs. This is just a fun look at how cultures clash and then work out a compromise both can live with, mixing some of the best and worst of both cultures into some great food. This makes an impressive book on how food is linked to our culture, and vice versa. JAMAIS JOCHIM Rao’s On the Grill: Perfectly Simple Italian Recipes from My Family to Yours By Frank Pellegrino, Jr. St. Martin’s Press, $35.00, 176 pages Do you find yourself grilling the same cut of meat, the same way every time? Well, Frank Pellegrino, Jr. has come to your rescue with his book, Rao’s On The Grill. Pellegrino is a fourthgeneration restaurant owner of a New York City landmark restaurant in East Harlem, the theater district, and a restaurant in Las Vegas. Clearly, Pellegrino and his family know how to cook. This book boasts 80 recipes, from salad to inventive desserts on the grill. The table of contents is neatly laid out with appetizers and salads, beef, pork, veal, chicken and seafood. Additionally, there are chapters on pasta, pizza (yes, pizza on the grill!), vegetables and desserts. Pellegrino’s goal of getting you to use your grill to the fullest is easily accomplished, whether cooking the entire meal on the grill or just using it for the finishing touches. The pages are well laid out, with ingredients on the left and clear instructions on the right.
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The book is littered with appetizing photos, and the ingredients are common and easy to find at your local store. SENIYE GROFF
origins, where to find it, what it tastes like and other tidbits of interesting information on the left. The recipes appeal to a wide variety of tastes and are often easily adaptable.
Prospero’s Kitchen: Island Cooking of Greece By Diana Farr Louis & June Marinos I. B. Tauris, $28.00, 272 pages Exploring the cuisine and culture of the Ionian Islands, Prospero’s Kitchen: Island Cooking of Greece offers more than 150 recipes to bring the flavor of the Mediterranean into your kitchen. In addition to providing easy-to-follow instructions on how to prepare each dish, this unassuming book takes readers through the history and geography of the islands, explaining the background and cultural significance of each recipe.
This was food like I’d never tasted before, big, ballsy and beautifully balanced, the sort of thing to restore one’s faith in life, love, the universe... then the chilies hit. Hard.
“Each dish has its own story -- a complex mixture of specific geographical characteristics, historical influences, religious or ceremonial functions, and social circumstances.” It may be odd to call a cookbook a good read, but this one contains so much information about the Ionian Islands, readers may find themselves learning as much about the olive trade as they do about preparing octopus pie. The recipes are nothing if not unique; “Cheese Pie without Trousers” and “Pickled Octopus” are two of the more unusual, and they reflect each island’s diverse cultural heritage. Greek spoonsweets, Venetian pasticcio, and English pudding all find places in the one-of-a-kind cuisine of this region. Despite their uncommon ingredients and diverse histories, the recipes are simple to execute and have delicious results. This is an excellent book for the curious cook. ELIZABETH GOSS The World’s Best Street Food: Where to Find It and How to Make It By Editors of Lonely Planet Lonely Planet, $19.99, 224 pages Recreating the flavors of the street, sampled and savored while trekking the world, just got a whole lot easier. From the exceptional travel writers of Lonely Planet comes a compendium of street food classics, all in one beautiful, celebratory cookbook. The World’s Best Street Food: Where to Find it and How to Make it introduces readers to the original fast foods of countries around the world. Each recipe occupies one spread, with the actual recipe on the right and information on the food’s
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Vegetarian recipes are marked and all recipes are graded by ease of preparation and labeled by eating style (hands, utensils, chopsticks or drink). Exotic ingredients are highlighted and explained in the glossary. The index is organized by country and dish type, making finding a specific recipe simple. Cooks should note, though, that measurements are not consistent throughout the book; some are in volume and some in weight. This is a colorful, easy-to-navigate, exciting addition to anyone’s cookbook collection. ANDREA KLEIN Chloe’s Kitchen: 125 Easy, Delicious Recipes for Making the Food You Love the Vegan Way By Chloe Coscarelli Free Press, $18.99, 271 pages It’s hard not to get excited when reading Chloe’s Kitchen. Author Chloe Coscarelli’s enthusiasm for vegan cooking is wildly apparent and extremely contagious. Packed with creative and wholesome recipes, Chloe’s Kitchen delivers inspired vegan fare in a beautiful, sleek volume guaranteed to get readers salivating. Chloe’s recipes are refreshingly uncomplicated and use mostly conventional ingredients, making them manageable even for readers with a fear of the kitchen. Cooking directions are clear and well written, and most recipes are accompanied by glorious full-page, color photographs. A slight nuisance is the need to often flip pages while reading a recipe, so, as always, it’s best to read a recipe through before attempting it. The index is excellent, and sample menus are provided for every occasion, from holiday feasts to kids’ birthday parties to light lunchboxes. For those with soy and/or gluten sensitivities, Chloe offers easy substitutions. She also includes recipes for making basics such as seitan and ketchup, to further cut back on less-than-healthy processed products. More than a cookbook By Chloe’s Kitchen is a celebration of nourishing food vibrant health, and compassion towards animals. Share the joy with family and friends; omnivores need not miss out on the fun! ANDREA KLEIN
Tough Guys and Drama Queens: How Not to Get Blindsided by Your Child’s Teen Years By Mark Gregston Thomas Nelson Press, $15.99, 217 pages Sometimes you need to get past a goofy shell to get the creamy center. Tough Guys and Drama Queens addresses the problem of how to relate to your teen through those hard years in three parts. The first section is how the world of today’s teen is different from that of the past. The second part is what not to do, and the third is all about what to do. Taken as a whole, this is a great book, especially as it’s a book of what to do for teens in general rather than how to deal with teens with problems. If it weren’t for the first section, this would have gotten at least another star; although the points about social media are well taken, it just seems sort of naïve to say that this is the first generation where sex, drugs and rebellion have been a problem. However, once past that first section, this book has a lot of great advice for parents, emphasizing building relationships with the teenager rather than punishing or being stricter. For parents looking for a way that saves their hair, this is an incredible book that may lead to better relations between generations. JAMAIS JOCHIM Scared Sick: The Role of Childhood Trauma in Adult Disease By Robin Karr-Morse with Meredith S. Wiley Basic Books, $26.99, 300 pages We have always known on an intuitive level that stress and trauma impact our health. Scared Sick: The Role of Childhood Trauma in Adult Disease expounds on the numerous ways childhood trauma factors into our health later in life. While in the face of a diagnosis the common focus is our genes there is overwhelming evidence that chronic stress early on can disrupt and alter what would have been the natural expression of our genes. Authors Robin Karr-Morse and Meredith S. Wiley offer up a vast amount of research to substantiate their position that we need to make a closer examination of how trauma affects us physically and how even one primary attachment figure can make all the difference in curbing the consequences. The science presented in this book is fascinating. Parents, social workers, anyone who interacts regularly with children will find it an invaluable resource. ALICEA SWETT
T hank you for reading Portland Book Review!
Science & Nature Bird Sense: What It’s Like to Be a Bird By Tim Birkhead Walker & Company, $25.00, 265 pages No serious bird watcher or anyone interested in biology should be without Bird Sense, a wonderful book about birds. Tim Birkhead combines biology, field work, personal experience with birds, and historical references. It is a science book without the dry scientific treatise of the subject: the writing is excellent and very readable even for those without a biological background.
“In this book I have discussed the different sense of birds one at a time.” Following a long preface introducing the subject, Birkhead writes seven extensive chapters on the seven senses of birds: sight, hearing, touch, taste, smell, magnetic sense and emotions. There are many stories, experiments and experiences related to birds throughout these chapters that occurred all over the world during field work and at home in England. Each chapter is preceded by a beautiful blackand-white illustration of a bird and a historic quote. Still, this is a biological book without the encumbrance of scientific jargon and terminology. The author devotes a full 50 pages to Notes, Bibliography, Glossary and Index for readers who wish to delve into a specific subject in more detail. This medium-sized book is not a field guide but a book to read and enjoy a chapter at time; it will be a fascinating read. GEORGE ERDOSH The Storytelling Animal: How Stories Make Us Human By Jonathan Gottschall Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, $24.00, 272 pages In The Storytelling Animal: How Stories Make us Human, Jonathan Gottschall makes his point maybe too strongly, but convinces us that “story” is an essential part of our psychological make-up and, in most cases, good for you. The book does not just focus on human evolution and anthropology, but also sociology, psychology, literary studies and history. For millennia, telling stories has given us a better sense of who and what we are. It has enabled us to better understand
our place in the world. One will find here all manner of related facts and anecdotes. There are also great pictures, captions and wit, which keep the presentation lively. Gottschall covers the convergence of art and science.
“And now, tens of thousands of years later, when our species teems across the globe, most of us still hew strongly to myths about the origins of things, and we still thrill to an astonishing multitude of fictions on pages, on stages, and on screensmurder stories, sex stories, war stories, conspiracy stories, true stories and false.” His argument may be experienced by some as an encounter with a salesman. The product, however, is worthwhile, in that it illuminates and explains our human condition. This book would make a great gift for a psychologist or literary artist who would appreciate the points made here, even if they might have a problem with the verisimilitude. Though a tad self-indulgent and maybe tangential sometimes, Gottschall does try to cover the whole subject and doesn’t avoid things. Like in many stories, there is sex, scandal, crime, humor, vision and hope. RYDER MILLER From Here to Infinity: A Vision for the Future of Science By Martin Rees W.W. Norton & Company, $23.95, 145 pages Esteemed British astronomer Martin Rees in From Here To Infinity, A Vision For The Future Of Science provides some of the hope and optimism that seems to be missing these days. For example, many science fiction writers have become pessimistic about the future. These four Reith lectures were collected by the BBC in 2010, designated a “year of science.” One will find here wonder and excitement about what has been achieved. There are all sorts of references to some of the other famous scientists of the century here, and this reads as a group effort rather than a polemic. We have the option to act intelligently if we choose. It is also the responsible thing to do. Some may not be able to give up their anger and frustration to do so. With an astronomical point of view, Ress argues that we need to know more about science so that we can be better able to survive the
century. There may be things we will never know in a world that is running away from us.
"Science impinges on us more than ever before: its findings deepen our understanding of the world and what lies beyond; its applications transform our lives." This too slim book also has an environmental message which is needed in an age of climate change. He even takes the environmental message to Mars, pointing out that many will defend alien life that we might find there. Sadly, not everybody will be caught up by this plea. RYDER MILLER Tribal Science: Brains, Beliefs, and Bad Ideas By Mike McRae Prometheus Books, $17.00, 272 pages Human beings evolved in a tribal society, with all biology aimed at the sole purpose of survival in a changing environment. But the talents that allow humans to form society and bonds through myths and stories are the same skills that allow for the exploration of science, which renders those myths and legends false. Or so runs the argument of Mike McRae’s fascinating book Tribal Science: Brains, Beliefs, and Bad Ideas. From seeing faces in the clouds or Jesus in a potato chip to what intelligence will mean in the future, McRae addresses the biological and anthropological components of the human brain that led the species from a storytelling monkey to a more or less rational being that looks to science rather than gods for answers about the universe.
[Science] “remains a social endeavor.” Written in an approachable and entertaining academic style, Tribal Science shows how humans found the scientific method why the methodology works with our brains, as well as leaves us with hope of how the reality science creates gives us the strongest chance of solving some of the biggest global problems humans have ever faced. AXIE BARCLAY
T hank you for reading Portland Book Review!
Meet A Publisher! Maryglenn McCombs It’s a question I’ve been asked probably hundreds of times: “How in the world did you get into book publishing?” My pat answer is usually, “By accident,” but the better, or more appropriate, answer is probably “pure luck.” After college, I set out to work in the music industry. After all, I was in a good place for it (Nashville), but after six months of searching for a job with no offers, I �inally realized that perhaps this wasn’t meant to be. My �irst post-college job offer was with a small publishing company in Nashville. Originally, I was hired as a freelance ghostwriter, but in a few days, I had an offer for a fulltime job. I jumped at the chance, and am I ever so glad I did. The company was small – just me, the founder, and later, a receptionist – so I was able to learn a great deal about how the publishing world worked. I learned about ISBNs, printers, wholesalers, distributors … you name it! I learned about working with authors and the nuts and bolts of turning a manuscript, or an idea, into a book. I wore a number of hats in those days, but my favorite hat was easily the PR hat. How exciting that was! I loved the thrill of promoting books, working with the media, and securing media coverage for authors and their books. I was hooked on publishing quickly. I was an avid reader from an early age, so I loved books. Naturally, it was exciting to get to watch as an idea turned into a book, or to see an author’s face when he or she saw, for the �irst time, his or her �inished book. Full article available at www.portlandbookreview.com
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Biographies & Memoirs Never Give In to Fear: Laughing All the Way Up from Rock Bottom By Marti MacGibbon Stay Strong Publishing, $15.95, 369 pages Addicts act less like people and more like animals. They misplace thoughts of self-preservation with a need to find the next fi x. The book, Never Give In To Fear follows Marti MacGibbon’s descent into her own personal hell, fi lled with loss, regret, and drug abuse. She moved to San Francisco in the early 1980s to pursue a stand-up comedy career. She even had a chance to be on The Tonight Show with Johnny Carson. Unfortunately, Marti's recreational drug use quickly became a full-scale addiction. In the book, Marti's spiral downward takes us from the Russian River people, to her imprisonment in Japanese prostitution ring, and a meth-fueled drive to Nebraska. While the overall tone of the book is dark and seedy, Marti's natural humor and storytelling help balance out the book into a symmetrical tale of both hurt and healing. I had to remind myself that Marti is going to survive each encounter in the book. That thought gave me an emotional safety net. Some of the places the book travels to are so fantastical and dangerous that it is a miracle that Marti survives. The narrative was the best part of the book. It felt like there were two narrators telling the story. There is the Marti of the story, the plucky young woman that had to live day-to-day getting high. There was also Marti, the writer, whose voice added much-needed levity and humor to the book’s overall tone. The book is successful as a motivating tool and touching story.
In the end, her saving grace comes in an unlikely form, and it almost brought a tear to my eye. Never Give In To Fear is a book everyone needs to read. This is not only a story about the danger of drugs, but about the power of the human spirit. SPONSORED REVIEW
The New Day: An Autobiography, Entrepreneur’s Guide, & Spiritual Primer By Charles Paul Curcio Delphi University Press, $18.95, 212 pages Author Charles Paul Curcio relays his life’s events that led him to an entirely new way of thinking, living and being in his first book, The New Day: An Autobiography, Entrepreneur’s Guide, & Spiritual Primer. He began a tire selling business and brought it to a national-level success, at which time he sold his interest and worked as a consultant. One day, Curcio has a conversation with God that changes his life. He openly embraces all forms of understanding and self-awareness, seeking answers in his own life. Ultimately, he becomes a healer and a teacher during this journey. The story itself grabs you right away and carries you along, forcing you to read faster as you absorb every word to find out what happens next in his life. The message is clear throughout the whole book: when we pay attention to what the Christ and the Universe is trying to tell us or guide us through, our lives will be richer and less stressful. Not to say that life will be easy, just smoother as we use our experiences to teach us and move on to the next life lesson. While the story is moving and rich, the author would benefit greatly by a good and brutally honest editor for syntax, grammar and spelling. Often times, the story read like an investigational
report accounting for activities in an almost checklist style. Some events shared lacked the explanation to bring readers
“But the mind can often confuse and mislead us, and is subject to the pitfalls of the emotions and the desires. The heart is always true… But just let them feel it once, and they will be a believer. The truth is in the feeling.” to where he was emotionally at the time, such as his willingness to leave his first wife without question, following the advice of a psychic reader hired for a friend’s party. It makes the reader question the stability of the author’s judgment and thus his credibility. However, it was most definitely the right move for the author because his soul mate awaited him later in his journey. One thing is consistent throughout his entire tale; he is always open to learning new things and changing the course of his life because he believes in the forces beyond this realm. That knowledge gives him power and, truer still, peace. SPONSERED REVIEW
I Got a Name: The Jim Croce Story By Ingrid Croce with Jimmy Rock Da Capo Press, $25.00, 320 pages Jim Croce’s songs were unusual, in the sense that many of them were not about himself, but about various people that he met while serving in the National Guard or doing various manual labor jobs. Ingrid was his wife, and together they recorded one ill-fated album for Capitol Records. Several years later, Jim pursued a solo career.
What makes this book stand out from the endless number of pop music biographies and autobiographies is that it is a look at its protagonist from the viewpoint of his wife. The couple was barely surviving on a $200 a week salary, while Jim was earning $7,500-$10,000 a night on the college concert circuit. Ingrid describes how Jim was signed to a production, management and music publishing deal, and was incapable of confronting his “discoverer,” who he believed to be one of his closest friends. She describes how Jim never sought an attorney to review these contracts, signing them with some “guidance” from the three partners who owned these rights. Ingrid details how perpetual touring was destroying his physical and mental health, and he became addicted to various pills and involved with the touring musician’s readily available groupies. As the couple is ready to reconcile and raise their son, Jim dies in a plane crash. This passionate and revealing book is recommended to anyone who wishes to pursue a life in the music industry, or anyone involved with a person doing so. DICK WEISSMAN Images of America: McMinnville By Christy Van Heukelem, Tom Fuller and the News-Register Arcadia Publishing, $21.99, 128 pages These Images of America books do a wonderful service for the community. They help showcase a community or small town that many people may have heard of but know little of its specific history. While the major cities and regions have been covered, more and more smaller towns are getting this treatment, which is wonderful. They help bring these small communities to life and keep the Continued on page 11
Man of the Waterfront: The Story of Kaye Williams and Captain’s Cove by Ralph Harvey CreateSpace / Amazon 505 pages • Paperback $ 19.99 • Kindle $ 6.99
Life on the waterfront. Large sailing ships. Love and marriage. The replica of an early American airplane. Russian sailors on the Bill of Rights bicentennial tour. Moving a wedding from the North Pole to an inner city courthouse. An urban revival in a gritty coastal city − and much more! “A thrilling story of one man and the sea. Chock full of adventure, imagination, love,
hard work, vision, heartbreak, and accomplishments − more than enough for three lifetimes.” − J. Russell Jinishian, noted maritime art authority and the publisher Marine Art News.
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Biographies & Memoirs Continued from page 10, history alive - local, rural and farming oriented. This is the case with this volume; it focus on the city of McMinnville, Oregon, a small farming community southwest of Portland, with a small college, local library and local schools. In this volume we get to see the city grow up through the years in fascinating pictures, from the early days of Linfield College to the first electric poles and the people working in the hops fields outside of town. McMinnville is one of those rural towns that has retained its charm throughout the decades. This book helps keep that spirit alive by connecting the city to its past with informative pictures and captions. KEVIN WINTER
The Band Plays On: Going Home for a Music Man’s Encore; (Book #2) By Rick D. Niece, Ph.D. Five Star Publications, $15.95, 206 pages No one quite knows who initially came up with the idea. To honor their old bandleader, Lewis Niece and alumni from the DeGraff High School marching band would come together and lead the Memorial Day parade through town and perform a field show and concert. Called “Lewie’s Alumni Band,” the adults would honor the man they met as kids and have continued to admire and re-
spect throughout their lives. Rick D. Niece is the author of The Band Plays On and the son of the beloved band teacher. In his book, he contemplates small town life growing up in rural Ohio with a sense of nostalgia. He recalls farm living, adventures with childhood pals, Sunday mornings at church, lessons learned in grade school and other cherished memories. The author includes black-and-white photographs capturing moments
from the band reunion and celebration, and pictures of the author and his dad from their early days. Experience how one man discovers how many lives he touched through teaching music. Readers will likely be inspired to remember (and possibly record) their own fond childhood memories. Take the time to thank someone who had an impact on your life. Short chapters keep the pace of the book moving along quickly. Original poems by the author that are relevant to each chapter’s theme are interspersed throughout the story. KATHRYN FRANKLIN
A Love Forbidden: A Novel (Heart of the Rockies) By Kathleen Morgan Revell, $14.99, 310 pages Fiery, compassionate Shiloh Wainwright is determined to find adventure, specifically by helping the Ute Indians that roam the wild Rocky Mountain frontier of Colorado. After accepting a teaching job at the White River Indian Agency, she arrives there expecting to face some challenges, but not in the form of Jesse Blackwater. A childhood friend that Shiloh hasn’t seen in nine years, the halfwhite, half-Indian young man is now fully entrenched in Indian culture, and Jesse seems to want nothing to do with her. Their reunion sparks painful memories for both of them, but they must work together for the good of the tribe they both care about. At first, tension and misunderstandings in their relationship mirror the precarious truce between the white men running the U.S. government agency and the native Indian tribes. As their relationship eases back toward friendship, Shiloh and Jesse must both come to terms with the past and amend their expectations and dreams of the future. Through adventure, tragedy and triumph, they must determine when to stand up for personal convictions and when to make compromises. A suspenseful prologue immediately hooks the reader into the exciting story and the lively, realistic characters. The novel flows smoothly through the plot, with descriptive language and interesting dialogue to keep the pages turning
quickly. A great tale of adventure, cultural barriers, and faith in God, A Love Forbidden will satisfy the heart. AIMEE RASMUSSEN
Historical Fiction Young Master By David Warren CreateSpace, $9.95, 240 pages Poor Servius Fulvius Flaccus. He has been given a farm and must turn it around. Young Master looks at the beginning of the political career of Servius and how he may one day be an important player in the world of Roman politics, if he survives the first few steps. He has made all of the right friends, and a few lucky events show that he can plan ahead, but that he is not afraid to act. He may even be able to turn his father’s farm around, given enough time, but those who have seen his plans are definitely impressed. He just needs to survive a few months in war-torn Hispania. This book is set up like the first book of a series, with a cliffhanger at the end. If the author delivers on that promise, this could make for a fine series. Young Servius is proof that Fortuna favors the bold and the prepared; although there is some luck in his career, it is how you deal with what you are given that makes the difference, and Servius makes the most of what he is given, even when it is a white elephant. He is definitely a hero to watch. Be advised that this is not an actionfilled book, and that is arguably what makes it a fun read. There is a glossary, and you will need it every so often. The book slows down a bit, especially when new characters are introduced. However, the writing of the political scenes allows you to keep up without getting bored, and even the length of the names actually works to the book’s rhythm. For what is arguably one of the most realistic books on what happened really in Rome, this is a fun read. SPONSORED REVIEW
When Hope Blossoms By Kim Vogel Sawyer Bethany House, $14.99, 350 pages It is very important to know where you belong. In this novel by Kim Vogel Sawyer, the reader meets Amy Knackstedt, devoted Mennonite, when she is showing their new home to her three children, Bekah (13), Parker (11) and Adrianna (5). Amy is a widow, and the desire to escape painful memories and speculations about her husband’s death is the main motive of her move from her birth city, Arborville, to another small Kansas city, Weaverly. Thirty-three years old, Amy hopes for a better future. She believes that here, with God’s providence, her wounds would be healed and Weaverly would become a promised land for her and her chlidren. However, she is about to lose the house and her small quilt business if it isn’t proven that her husband’s death was not a suicide but an accident.
“She hoped God didn’t see her delight as selfish.” You need to read the entire book to find out if Amy’s hopes come true, how it happens, and what role in all this 37-year-old handsome Tim Roper (also a widower, a former Mennonite and Amy’s closest neighbor) plays. GALINA ROIZMAN
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Short-Straw Bride By Karen Witemeyer Bethany House, $14.99, 368 pages If you want a hard-to-put-down, fast read, then Short-Straw Bride is the next book you should read. Set in the 1880’s in Texas, the characters are as real as any in life today. There is loyalty, gentleness, humor, love, anger, greediness and stubbornness, yet this story is inspirational and fun to enjoy. The four Archer brothers are working the family ranch – “No Trespassers Allowed,” the sign on the gate says. But Meredith has to warn the oldest brother, Travis of a conversation she overheard that a timber man wants the Archers’ land and is determined to get it by burning the down their barn. Meredith’s trip to warn the brothers is more than she bargained for. She ends up injured and her reputation is ruined. Each of the four brothers is willing to marry her, the shortstraw bride. Travis rescued Meredith once before when they were younger and she was in trouble, so he feels responsible for her. As a bride, Meredith finds it hard to get to know her new husband, let alone obey him. As husband and wife, their love story begins to an unexpected happily ever after. With the full flavor of the West and the oftentimes deceitful actions of others, this heartwarming love story adds so much to the rich, engaging plot. MARY CHURCH
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Popular Fiction Oceana: A Love Story By CC Lindh CreateSpace, $19.99, 92 pages Oceana: A Love Story is aptly titled. The main plot focuses on a romantic relationship, but the story includes so many other kinds of love as well: love of nature, lost love, remembered love, passion for life, and more. It is also obvious that the author loves her subject. Every page makes it clear that this story is very important to Lindh, and that, in turn, makes it more important to the reader. The book follows Oceana, a surfer with a traumatic past, and her new neighbor Guy as they meet and develop a serious relationship. Problems arise when Oceana begins exhibiting symptoms of early-onset dementia, and the couple must cope with both the immediate problems and the future possibilities. This is a tender story that spurs contemplation of love, life, death, and personal passions. Unfortunately, it is not without its flaws. A story of this scope
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could easily fill a novel, and the brevity of Oceana means that some parts are skipped over or not fully explored. For example, when Oceana and Guy meet, she is hostile towards him. She later slams her door in his face. Then, just a few pages later, she teaches him to surf and invites him to dinner. This quick change in feeling seems rushed and unrealistic. The book could definitely benefit from added exposition. Also, the writing is a little stilted. It feels like the author wants to be so sure that the readers understand everything exactly as she imagines it that, in the parts of the relationship that she does show us, she includes excessive descriptions. This keeps readers focused on the minutiae and prevents us from becoming fully involved in the story. That said, the more I look back on the book, the more I like it. As the particulars of the writing fade, and I am left with the plot and emotions of the tale, I find that the heart of the story is beautiful. This would be a great book for teenagers or for anyone who enjoys details but does not need an in-depth exploration of larger themes. Lastly, at the end of her book, Lindh asks readers to support organizations that focus on dementia. Through this story, she certainly draws attention to the importance of dementia research and care, and, for that, I say this book is a success. SPONSORED REVIEW
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Gelato Sisterhood on the Amalfi Shore By Chantel Kelly Fenicia Press, $16.95, 338 pages Have you been to the Amalfi Coast or ever dreamed of going? Read all about one woman’s Italian adventures in the new book Gelato Sisterhood on the Amalfi Shore. Author Chantal Kelly is a lifelong traveler and resident of Portland, Oregon. She has travelled for pleasure but also leads groups of tourists around Italy. While this book includes memories from past trips, the majority of the story focuses on a tour led by her to the beautiful Amalfi Coast. Her book is an account of a typical travel experience with a group. But Kelly’s writing is far from typical. Each adventure is packed with detail. When she writes about limoncello, you can almost smell the lemons. If you have been to the area, Kelly’s descriptions will bring you right back. Imagine first seeing the panoramic view of the Sorrento Coastline and Capri off in the distance. Relive those moments. The only thing missing, for those who haven’t been
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there, are pictures. the author weaves travel tips throughout her narrative. For example, she shares that the easiest way to adjust to a new time zone is to stay awake as late as possible when you arrive. Fun bits of trivia pop up now and then. Find out the background of the famous melodies “Funiculi Funicula” and “O’ Sole Mio.” Kelly does a nice job of working the history and significance of each location into the book. This is a relaxing and fun read that is certain to inspire more than one trip to the Amalfi Coast. ELIZABETH FRANKLIN Fit to Kill By Donnie Ray Whetstone StoneCart Books, $15.00, 295 pages Physical trainers can sometimes be actually psychotic rather than just seeming so to their clients. In Fit to Kill, Tara Tanner must deal with La Flore’s first serial killer, a man who takes out his frustrations by killing proxies, men and women that share traits that remind him of the women he is having problems training. In order to defeat the killer, Tara needs to accept part of her herself that links her to a past she would like to forget. For a first effort, this is an excellent book. Tara is an incredible character; she is normally genteel and easy to get along with, even allowing for a mouth that gets her in constant hot water, most noticeably in her dealings with Special Agent Mack, who earns her special ire by taking over her case and completely botching it. Most of the characters are developed well; a lazier writer would limit the characters to their one-dimensional origins, but these have some solidity. The exception is Special Agent Mack, but he works well with just the one dimension he has. Strangely, the biggest problem is that it seems like it was sponsored by Cinemax; there is lots of sex and even an exotic dance number, which is well pulled-off. It even applies to the demure Tara; only by accepting her sexual side can she defeat her personal demons and therefore the killer. Sex, in and of itself, is not a bad thing, but the last scene just comes off as added on, especially when it was such a great procedural up to that point. I really want to see more of what Whetstone can do, just with more focus on the plot and less on the titillation. Nonetheless, this is a good pot boiler for a rainy afternoon. SPONSORED REVIEW
Canada: A Novel By Richard Ford ecco, $27.99, 420 pages Richard Ford’s Canada is the story of Dell Parsons, a 15-year-old boy who finds his life uprooted, not once but twice, through the actions of the adults around him. After his parents are arrested for a bank robbery attempt, he is taken from his home in Montana to stay with a mysterious American who now runs a hotel in Saskatchewan, Canada. Once there, events unfold to reveal that, even in another country, he is not safe. Ford’s lean prose beautifully describes a landscape desolate and dreary, populated sparsely by characters of varying degrees of foolishness, menace and disinterest that sweep the young Dell along to a life of grinding isolation. In Ford’s other works, the internal journey is as important as the plot, but in Canada this is not as clearly felt. The adults who take action do so with little or no thought, and most of Dell’s inner workings are limited to the practical. Continued on page 13
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Popular Fiction Continued from page 12 This may be the natural result of his being a minor with no say in his own life, but the reader is left wondering if he has feelings at all, or if events have caused him to permanently shut down. Apparently, this is not the case, for in Part Three, a mature Dell, now a school teacher, tells his students “not to hunt too hard for hidden or opposite meanings - even in the books they read - but to look as much as possible straight at the things they can see in broad daylight.” This then is Ford’s message as much as it is Dell’s. Canada is exactly as you see it and you take away what you will. CATHERINE GILMORE In the Shadow of the Banyan: A Novel By Vaddey Ratner Simon & Schuster, $25.00, 334 pages Raami is seven years old when the Khmer Rouge come pounding at the gate. Her family must leave immediately. The war is over; the revolution has begun. So Raami, her baby sister, parents, aunt and Grandmother Queen— the head of their royal family—pack up and join
the evacuation. They are moved, and moved again, on the orders of the Organization. The Organization, they are told, will take care of them. The Organization’s revolution will create a new Cambodia. Years of forced labor and starvation follow while Raami watches her family torn apart by separation, sickness and death. She cannot understand everything that’s happening, but there is hope to be found in the stories she remembers, the poems, fairy tales and love that act as Raami’s voice when she can’t speak. A novel of beauty and pathos told with the language of dreams and memory, In the Shadow of the Banyan is an extraordinary first novel. Fiction based on the experiences of the author’s own childhood, it resonates with truth and has rare emotional strength. Vaddey Ratner shows exceptional talent with her lyrical prose, engrossing plot and rich characters. LEAH SIMS
The Sweetest Thing By Elizabeth Musser Bethany House, $14.99, 397 pages A rich, heartwarming story of friendship and faith, this novel will stay with you long after you’ve finished reading it. Set in Atlanta during the Great Depression, this novel relates the sudden friendship of two young women, Mary “Dobbs” Dillard and Anne “Perri” Singleton, and the tragedy, betrayal and mystery that it endures. Secure, practical Perri is happily caught up in the norms of high Southern society, despite the tough economic times – excelling at her private all-girls school, doing charity work, and properly entertaining suitors. When tragedy strikes her seemingly perfect world, she’s completely devastated. That same day, Dobbs arrives in town to stay with her aunt, a neighbor of the Singletons, while her family back home in Chicago struggles to make ends meet. Dobbs definitely doesn’t fit in at first – she’s fiery, candid and passionate – but with her admirable faith and contagious enthusiasm for life, she helps Perri through her difficult time, and their friendship grows
strong. Both girls struggle through some personal trials and challenges. Family secrets and mysteries become unraveled, and when death threatens a loved one, faith and friendship are put to the test.
I met Dobbs on the day my world fell apart. It was 1933 and most everyone else’s world in the good ol’ United States of America had fallen apart years ago... The Depression, as far as I could tell, had hardly invaded my niche of paradise. And then it came to a screeching halt... The banks died, and so did my world. Author Elizabeth Musser really brings Perri and Dobbs to life through alternating first-person point-of-view, great dialogue and enriching details. The novel flows smoothly, keeping the reader interested from start to finish, and contains satisfying depth of the other supporting characters in the story. AIMEE RASMUSSEN
Art, Architecture & Photography Steal Her Style: Fashion Icons and How to Get Their Look By Sarah Kennedy Barron’s Educational Series, Inc., $16.99, 192 pages Ever wonder how to emulate a fashion icon’s style? Well, Sarah Kennedy has given you the one-stop resource. Her book, Steal Her Styleshows the reader how to dress like one of your favorite fashion icons. She analyzes 25 fashion icons and even breaks down their style by body type and style. For example, if you happen to be curvy, Audrey Hepburn, Marilyn Monroe or Marlene Dietrich might be one for you to emulate. But if you are curvy and like a classic, casual style then follow Jackie O. For each fashion icon, Kennedy offers key looks, style tips, silhouettes and cuts to buy. The book even includes makeup and hair tips to be true to your icon and her style. Do you want to accessorize similar to your icon? Kennedy has even included those suggestions in her comprehensive stylebook. There are tons of photos, color palettes and examples of modern day interpretations of the fashion icon’s looks. If you love fashion, want to find a style that suits your body type, or are just genuinely interested in celebrity looks, this book will be your treasure trove to the fashion world. SENIYE GROFF
Humanitas III: The People of Burma By Fredric M. Roberts Abbeville Press, $50.00, 120 pages To most Americans, Burma is a land of mystery and intrigue. Until recently, it was a land closed to outsiders, stuck in the past with no hope for the future. When most Americans think of Burma, they think of the popular musical The King and I. In this collection of photographs, Fredric M. Roberts takes us inside this mysterious and secretive land that few people have seen in recent years. This photographer shows the people of Burma, not the powerful, but the everyday – people working in the fields, people in the market, and Buddhist monks either teaching, learning or praying. This is a chance for Americans to climb into Burma to see what it is truly like. The photographs are informative, and the book shows that Burma is like many other South Asian countries – a land rich with rice paddies, open air markets, and Buddhist temples across the land. What is different is that the people do not mind the camera peering into their lives, catching a quick glimpse of their daily lives and then moving on; they seem oblivious. What is also missing is the presence of the military; while Roberts did not have free reign in the country, he captures a country that is on the move and opening up to the world slowly. KEVIN WINTER
The Most Beautiful Villages of Tuscany By James Bentley, Photographs by Hugh Palmer Thames & Hudson, $26.95, 216 pages There are a plethora of beautiful books out there about Tuscany. What makes The Most Beautiful Villages of Tuscany unique is that it goes well beyond the standard Tuscan cities of Florence, Siena, Pisa and Genoa. Instead, this lovely book is divided into three regions: “Around Florence and Lucca”, “Around Arrezzo and Siena” and “The South” and within those regions focuses on the surrounding villages instead of the larger towns themselves. It is a marvelous education for anyone who has yet to travel to Tuscany or for those who have been but have not explored beyond the more touristy locations. Hugh Palmer’s photography captures medieval fortresses, complex architectural details, ancient frescos, the pastoral beauty of the landscape and the simple beauty of the village residents. James Bentley’s text gives the historical background as well as a bit of flavor for each. So, while this is not a travel guide per se, it is a useful addition to anyone planning travel to the Tuscany region. And if your travels are only from a comfortable chair at home. The Most Beautiful Villages of Tuscany is a wonderful way to wile away an afternoon. CATHERINE GILMORE
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Valley of Shadows and Dreams By Melanie Light, Ken Light Heyday, $40.00, 176 pages Through short essays and more than 100 dramatic black-and-white photographs The Valley of Shadows and Dreams explores the dark corners of California’s Great Central Valley. With a foreword by Thomas Steinbeck, Ken and Melanie Light’s new book documents the continuing struggles of the laborers in America’s fruit basket, and the progressing decimation of the land they farm. The Valley of Shadows and Dreams has many positive aspects. It presents a plethora of thought provoking information, aggressively brings to light frequently ignored social issues and is aesthetically sumptuous to boot. Unfortunately, the omission of the personal interviews conducted with the laborers who populate the book’s photographs leaves the volume feeling incomplete. Melanie Light’s essays are relevant and informative, but without personal accounts as counterbalance, her voice quickly overwhelms the subject. Also, even though each page explores the damage done to the valley by human apathy and greed, only two paragraphs offer any suggestions as to how the reader can positively affect the situation. Perhaps if the profits of this beautiful and expensive volume were being donated to assist the laborers and land it features, it would be more compelling. ELIZABETH GOSS
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Spirituality & Inspiration Confronting My Elephants: A Story of Triumph By Rubi Ho Amazon, $9.99, 92 pages By all accounts this is a story of survival; a lifeaffirming testimony to the faith and determination of a child who becomes a man through failings and short-lived victories. But with a deeper scope, this is also a call to live life out loud, a bullhorn to stomp the stampede of self-defeat. Rubi Ho is a Vietnam transplant, who was shown at the earliest of ages the skills and heart of tenacity and the brawn of overcoming obstacles. His mother led herself and eight children out of Saigon in 1975, one day before the fall. Their country in shambles, they fled and landed in the United States, where they clung to hope and the heart-sleeves of a kind-hearted, God-filled couple. Given a new opportunity to start again, the family began to plant themselves and bring forth fruit, new jobs, compassionate friends and the never-ending togetherness of the family thread. Naturally, the challenges did not end, as is life, and Ho takes his readers on a voyage woven with missteps, mistakes and grief, and the redemption of a life lived through God, and not self. Further into the journey, readers may relate to the feeling of being ‘different,' or most aptly ‘feeling different’ and the mental hardship it results in. Ho’s feelings of inadequacy and differentness are far from foreign. Elephants can be ways of thinking, addictions, or behaviors, and they can become larger than our true life purposes, trampling a life not yet defined. This tie makes for a vital key in the relationship between reader and writer; Ho applies his life story to that of the reader by inviting us into his world and opening it up for speculation into our own. Here stands a man, strong in his own abilities and, yet stumbling through life, trampled by self-defeating thoughts and paralyzing theories. He leads us further into his examinations through the word of God, and ultimately how only a true relationship with our Creator can lead us to the defined life that we so desperately seek: a life free of anxiety, pressure to be ‘more’ and the colossal weight of our elephants. Ho’s story is refreshing; it speaks boldly and unapologetically, ardently laced with a tone of thanks and grace. It is encouragement for the lost and afraid, a life-affirming tale of true surrender and claim. Confronting My Elephants is
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for anyone who knows there is more to the life they have called for themselves; there is a life created for them by One who has no limits. SPONSORED REVIEW “I realized that all the noise in my life was caused by me running away from my elephant.” Like Trees Grow Together: A Spiritual Journey By Clifford S. Coull CreateSpace, $14.50, 105 pages In Like Trees Grow Together: A Spiritual Journey, Clifford Coull’s second book about psychic abilities, the author presents his experiences in a relatable manner and makes evident the possibility of a psychic life for the reader. The point of his memoir is not simply to tell his amazing story, but to guide the reader towards a personal journey of their own. One could look at Like Trees Grow Together as sort of a Cliff’s Notes to the land of visions and voices from the next world. The book works because Coull is able to accomplish his goals and still produce a highly readable memoir. After going through an awful and devastating divorce, Coull has strange and unexplainable out-of-this-world experiences: he sees visions of teachers he has yet to meet, hears voices from people who have passed over into the next life and has a strong connection to unconnected individuals. Coull handles his initiation into the psychic world with a lack of alarm. He seems to accept the voices and visions as a normal part of life. Yet he doesn’t understand what is happening to him and desperately wants to comprehend this new realm. Through exploration, classes, books and special teachers, Coull is able to make sense of and appreciate the gifts he has been given. He shares his experiences in hopes that the reader will find something useful in his text. While this reviewer is not entirely convinced of the existence of a psychic world, Coull’s text is an interesting, quick read. His writing is basic and clear. Coull takes a potentially confusing and confounding topic and treats it as a matter of fact. He makes no apologies for his experiences. This book is a worthwhile read if readers are interested in the subject matter. SPONSORED REVIEW
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Fruit of My Spirit: Reframing Life in God’s Grace By Deanna Nowadnick Rhododendron Books, $12.95, 114 pages One can call Fruit of My Spirit by Deanna Nowadnick a memoir because readers would find here a lot of biographical information and family photographs. However, it isn’t so. Although the author writes about her childhood and her parenthood, her parents and her marriage, her likes and dislikes, her strengths and weaknesses, the main theme of this book is everlasting and constant presence of God’s unconditional love in her everyday life.
“And for that I thank God.” Nowadnick’s book is divided into nine chapters in accordance with the number of fruits of the Spirit in Apostle Paul’s letter to the Galatians: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Each chapter begins with Greek word for these “fruits” and their definitions, and ends with a song praising God. Looking back and discussing different events in her life, Nowadnick sees God’s love and fruits of his Spirit everywhere, even in the case of being stopped by police for speeding. In addition, as blessed wife, mother, and God’s loved daughter, she is convinced that her life obligation is bringing other people to Christ. To do that, she wrote her book, but it’s up to the reader to determine if she is successful in her enterprise. GALINA ROIZMAN
Religion The Most Misused Verses in the Bible: Surprising Ways God’s Word Is Misunderstood By Eric J. Bargerhuff Bethany House, $12.99, 172 pages One of the problems with any Bible study is the number of verses that are interpreted through our society and not a translator. The Most Misused Verses in the Bible looks at some of the most misused statements from the Bible and how they have been mistranslated. Bargerhuff looks at a wide variety of verses, looking at some of Christendom’s most famous verses, showing that you should never take a translation for granted, or assume you can trust its use. The scholarship behind looking at the verses is impeccable; Bargerhuff gives us a
glimpse into a world that we have forgotten, where the language and habits are different than they are today. He uses that to look at each verse in its proper historical context, as well as in the context of how it was presented, rather than how it has been pulled out of that context, making for some interesting reading. He just seems to occasionally get stuck in an analogy, and he is unapologetically religious, which gives some of his explanations an unwanted flavor. As a book that shows us not to make assumptions, this is a book that should be a part of any vital study library. JAMAIS JOCHIM
Poetry The PEN / O. Henry Prize Stories 2012 Edited by Laura Furman Anchor, $15.95, 496 pages This book collects the best literary fiction of the year as chosen by a panel of distinguished judges into one volume. It includes a short introductory essay to give the reader a sense of each of the stories and authors. It also has a short essay by each of the judges on their favorite story, and in some cases, their selection process. This book is a lovely, solid paperback, and it is a nice way to be able to read these stories if you don’t have the money or energy to subscribe to multiple literary magazines. The stories in this collection are all beautifully crafted, and each is touching in its own way. However, because these are literary stories, they’re not particularly easy to approach. This is not the kind of book you can read for five minutes before bed and expect to get something out of. Also, contemporary literature struggles with happy endings, so these are not necessarily stories that will make you smile or give you a brighter view of humanity. Nevertheless, many of these stories and characters are still with me, and I can’t stop thinking about them. If you are the kind of person that aspires to read long Russian novels, but just can’t seem to manage it, these stories will leave you feeling virtuous, and you will actually finish them. KATIE RICHARDS
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Children's Jack and the Baked Beanstalk By Colin Stimpson Templar Books, $15.99, 40 pages Jack lives with his mother and his dog in a little burger truck on the edge of a busy city. Everything is going fine until a new overpass sends customers speeding past without a thought of stopping for a burger. One sad evening, Jack’s mother sends him to the store to buy coffee with their very last pennies, but on his way there, Jack meets an old man who changes everything. You think you know the story, but things aren’t always what they seem!
“Now Jack had read enough fairy tales to know that you don’t turn down an offer like that.” It just doesn’t get much better than Jack and the Baked Beanstalk. Visually spectacular, unexpectedly sweet and thoroughly fun, this book is wonderful. Putting an imaginative twist on the well-known tale, this refreshingly original story is sure to delight and surprise. Simply a must have! ELIZABETH GOSS Bailey at the Museum By Harry Bliss Scholastic, $16.99, 32 pages Bailey is an advent urous pup who wags his tail in excitement as his class prepares to take a field trip to the museum. Once there, all kinds of smells, sights and distractions get the pup sidetracked and away from his class. The readers follow Bailey as he wanders away from his class, gets into a bit of trouble, and makes new friends with some of the security guards who work at the museum. Bailey at the Museum by Harry Bliss is a comic book-like story featuring callout boxes and thought bubbles to convey information alongside Bliss’ illustrations and light storyline. Of course, the comic feel is standard to Bliss’ style as a renowned editorial cartoonist. Bailey’s whimsical adventures are sure to get children chuckling as they follow along in the mind of an excitable pup. Other than touring museums, Bailey has gone on other adventures. Bliss has many children’s books featuring Bailey and other kooky characters sure to make children enjoy reading. SOPHIE SESTERO
Arlo Needs Glasses By Barney Saltzberg Workman Publishing, $15.95, 22 pages Children will love oogling Barney Saltzberg’s newest book, Arlo Needs Glasses. Arlo, a beloved family dog with comically fluff y white fur, has a hard time playing fetch because he can’t see the ball. Arlo’s owner, who already has glasses, takes the poor nearsighted pup to the eye doctor, where Arlo goes through the steps a normal person would during an eye exam. Arlo reads the chart, looks through the phoropter and identifies when he can and cannot see. It’s clear – Arlo needs glasses. He looks for glasses that suit him and finally lands on the perfect pair. In the end, Arlo and his boy are able to play fetch, and read, too! This is a wonderfully interactive book where children are able to make Arlo play fetch, pull tabs to make his eyes move, and even look into the phoropter to see what Arlo sees. It is a wonderful addition to any library, especially since so many children need corrective lenses. With Arlo, teachers and parents are able to address the process of going to the eye doctor and show that glasses can be cool! But most importantly, it shows children that glasses are necessary to help them see the world and do the things they love to do. SOPHIE SESTERO Are You Sleeping Little One? By Hans-Christian Schmidt & Cynthia Vance, Illustrated by Andreas Nemet Abbeville Press, $6.95, 18 pages Are you looking for a new book to calm your little one into a deep night’s sleep? Children will drift off to slumberland as you read aloud the melodic and rhyming words of Are You Sleeping Little One?, by Hans-Christian Schmidt. Travel from the doghouse in the backyard to the undersea ocean waters as animal parents check on drowsy babies. Mother cater pillar makes sure that her baby is tucked into its peapod after dinner. Point out to kids how different animals sleep. Little giraffe sleeps standing up! Little owlet snoozes during the day and wakes up to greet the night. Little joey nuzzles into Mama kangaroo’s soft pouch. Little bat hangs upside down while sleeping. When falling asleep, kids are often reassured to know that their parents are still awake while they sleep. In each picture, mom or dad’s eyes are wide
open while baby’s eyes are shut tight (except for baby fish that sleeps with its eyes open under the water!). Andreas Nemet’s beautiful illustrations capture the essence of the relationship between parents and their children. Bold colors fi ll the pages and make the images pop. This sturdy board book will hold up to multiple readings and hands-on enjoyment. KATHRYN FRANKLIN Alphabet Everywhere By Elliott Kaufman Abbeville Kids, $14.95, 64 pages This clever children’s book inspires creativity and imagination in young ones by showing different photographed pictures of each letter in the alphabet, such as different bricks depicting the letter E, service poles in the shape of the letter A, and a breathtaking photo of a new fern frond in the shape of a P. This book brilliantly uses both manmade and nature-made structures to teach our young ones not only the alphabet, but also to use their minds to see those letters,
possibly inspiring them to find their own alphabet in their own world. Alphabet Everywhere is just that. It displays the letters we use every day in structures and nature we see every day. Eagerness compels one to skip to the letter Q to see what author and photographer Elliott Kaufman would do for that quirky letter. No spoilers here, but it’s guaranteed to make you smile! This book is designed for children, but this reviewer found many big kids at heart enjoying the pictures and clever manipulation within the eye of the camera. M. CHRIS JOHNSON
The astounding new children’s book from author Adam Byrn Tritt and illustrator “Java John” Goldacker
for Young People
“Young Bud, a couch potato if there ever was one, literally fulfills his destiny after eating binges in front of the tube and no exercise [and] lives to regret it. . . . Kids will love the gruesome, psychedelically rendered details— and likely learn an important lesson. Funny and supremely gross.” —ForeWord Reviews In a unique feature, the book has three separate endings—three different outcomes for poor Bud—which range from the positive and upcolor illustrations throughout lifting to the deliciously macabre. Bud the 54 pp., For ages 4 and up • 8.5 x 11 Spud was created to be read aloud, and has ISBN: 978-1-60419-062-5 $16.95 laminated hardcover been field-tested with delighted children of all ages, from elementary through middle school. The book is a stealth weapon to help combat childhood obesity, a tool to convince young people that aspiring to be a couch potato is no aspiration at all. “Speaking not just as a guitarist and former congressman, but as a professional ski instructor, avid tennis player, and sailor, I thank Adam Byrn Tritt for writing—and Java John for illustrating—Bud the Spud. Adam, John, and Bud encourage kids to get off the couch and move!” —The Hon. John Hall, two-term congressman for NY’s 19th district; fmr. president of the Saugerties Board of Education; singer/ songwriter for the band Orleans
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“I’ve been a middle school and special ed teacher for nearly twenty years, and this book honestly made me laugh out loud. Please don’t be afraid that the content is too ‘dark’ for young kids. I promise you they’ll find it as hysterical as I do, and the message packs a punch. I can’t wait to read it to my students!” —Joyce Hatch, sixth grade teacher in Hillsborough, NC
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Tweens Asperger’s Rules!: How to Make Sense of School and Friends By Blythe Grossberg, Psy.D. Magination Press, $9.95, 128 pages Children who have Asperger’s (a disorder within the autism spectrum) have more challenges than children without, particularly in the social realm. One of the most helpful things for these children is to give them specific rules to fall back on when negotiating the social environment, school and general everyday life. This book, Asperger’s Rules! How to Make Sense of School and Friends aims to do just that. Using a strengths-based perspective, the book works on helping children use their own talents and skills to be more successful at school. The book is an excellent tool to help children learn how to identify their feelings, role-play how they can react in a variety of situations and problem-solve for handling school situations in a more positive way. The book comes with self-quizzes, how to handle a variety of situations that come up during school, and encourages kids to stretch their limits in regards to talking to people and making friends. This book is designed to be used with a parent, counselor or learning specialist and is a great tool for professionals to use when working with children who have Asperger’s. BARBARA COTHERN Hereville: How Mirka Got Her Sword By Barry Deutsch Amulet Books, $15.95, 144 pages If there’s one thing the contemporary world of comics lacks, it’s books for young girls. Thankfully, Hereville: How Mirka Got Her Sword came along. The heroine of the tale is Mirka, a girl living in an Orthodox Jewish community. The world beyond is a mystery, as is the talking pig she meets at the story’s start. Knowing pork to be off-limits, the pig both frightens and fascinates her, as it would any child on a kosher diet. The pig is only one of many strange encounters, which also include a witch and a surly troll. The charm of Hereville is that it’s a world unlike our own, yet contains experiences any child can identify with. The story takes a few bizarre twists, and at times it’s hard to remember exactly why Mirka is in such a mess. Children are bound to have questions for their parents, but these conversations should be a joy in themselves. The artwork is like a well-drawn cartoon, and a handful of pages are quite beautiful. While Tintin and Calvin and Hobbes can keep boys busy for days, Hereville finally
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presents an adventure tale for mischievous and courageous girls. COREY PUNG Captain Underpants and the Terrifying Return of Tippy Tinkletrousers By Dav Pilkey Scholastic, $9.99, 303 pages Young readers can enjoy more of the crazy adventures of Captain Underpants, George Beard and Harold Hutchins in Dav Pilkey’s book Captain Underpants and the Terrifying Return of Tippy Tinkletrousers. Tippy, mean Mr. Krupp and a group of bullies are the villains in this ninth installment of the series. Captain Underpants, dressed in a cape and briefs, returns as the hero. Harold and George are as funny as ever. Fans can look forward to reading more of their hilarious comic books. The hand-drawn stories are full of humor that kids will love. Most of the story takes place in the past. Pilkey transports his audience back in time to the day Harold and George meet. Readers will get to see how their very first comic, The Adventures of Dog Man, is created. Although the kindergarteners are small, the boys must deal with bigger issues. Pilkey handles topics such as divorce and bullying with care and creativity. He encourages imagination and will have reluctant readers excited about this story. Everyone will like the “Flip-o-Rama” feature where, with a quick flip of the page, readers can create their own animation sequences. Parents are sure to enjoy parts of the book that kids will totally miss. Pilkey’s opinion of our school system is made clear when he rates prison as better than school because jails offer art, music and physical education. Nobody has the power of Captain Underpants but kids can enjoy and benefit from the power of reading! ELIZABETH FRANKLIN Fairy Tales of Oscar Wilde, Volume 5: The Happy Prince By Oscar Wilde, Illustrated by P. Craig Russell NBM Publishing, $16.99, 32 pages This book is a rich take on Oscar Wilde’s fairy tale, “The Happy Prince.” The story tells of a little swallow that, on its way to Egypt, meets the statue of the Happy Prince. The prince tells the swallow of the misery and sadness of the people that he sees from his pedestal. The swallow agrees to take the best of the prince and give it to those who are suffering, resulting in the ultimate sacrifice from both the prince and the swallow. This is a beautiful story of the best and worst of man. Wilde has a wonder way of bringing life into the suffering of the common man, as well as honoring the beauty of sacrificing yourself for those around you. The story brings to light the privilege
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that many of us have, and how the selfishness and greed of others break the hearts of the city. If you love other stories, such as “Old Turtle,” that teach your young ones the most important lessons of love, this is a wonderful book for you. RACHEL J. RICHARDS “Dear little swallow, you tell me of marvelous things, but more marvelous than anything is the suffering of men and women. There is no mystery so great as misery. Fly over my city, little swallow, and tell me what you see there.”
Young Adult Losing Elizabeth By Tanya J. Peterson CreateSpace, $6.99, 154 pages Elizabeth Carter has a pretty good life, and her junior year looks to be great. She has a good chance to make the varsity tennis team, a lifelong best friend, Meg, who is fun and supportive, and the classes she needs to prepare for her future in engineering. Her parents clearly love, trust and support her. The only thing she doesn’t have is a boyfriend, but there is a guy she has on her radar. Brad Evans is a senior and star on the varsity football, basketball and baseball teams. He happens to be drop-dead gorgeous. When Lizzie, Meg, and their friend Jenny go to the local hang-out, Lizzie decides to get a closer look at Brad and, miracle of miracles, he not only talks to her, but says he’s been keeping an eye on her and wants to get to know her better. Without so much as a good-bye to her friends, she leaves with him. Before she has time to think, she and Brad are an item, and he wants her to spend ALL her time with him. Time for tennis, homework, clubs, friends and family is demanded by Brad.
Suddenly, Lizzie’s life is no longer her own, and things that were important to her fall away. This is a cautionary tale teenage girls (and boys) should read. The very realistic picture drawn of an abusive, controlling relationship is something an unfortunately good number of young people will recognize only too well. The writing, however,zzw is not very authentic “teen-speak,” and some readers might find it off-putting. There are point-of-view issues that may confuse the reader; however the story is compelling and should be enough to keep the pages turning. SPONSORED REVIEW
“‘Brad, I’m sorry. Please, please don’t be mad at me. I don’t want you to break up with me. I’ll be better, I promise.’”
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