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The Bookwatch
Table of Contents
Reviewer's Choice
The Great Wall of China and the Salton Sea
Russell Rathbun
Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Company
2140 Oak Industrial Drive, NE, Grand Rapids, MI 49505
9780802873651, $21.99, www.eerdmans.com
The Great Wall of China and the Salton Sea: Monuments, Missteps, and the Audacity of
Ambition takes place on a cross-country drive to the Salton Sea, a trip to China's Great Wall, and
other journeys, and blends a travelogue with history and philosophical and social musings alike.
As he views the wonders mankind has created and offers both Biblical reflections and musings
on ruin, achievement, and architectural monuments, Russell Rathbun offers an excellent survey
of the meaning of life and the lasting impact of human endeavor upon the world. Readers who
enjoy reflections combining spiritual, philosophical, historical and travel insights will find The
Great Wall of China and the Salton Sea a lively and engrossing piece.
The Mythology Shelf
Norse Mythology
Neil Gaiman
W. W. Norton & Company
500 Fifth Avenue, New York, NY 10110
9780393609097, $25.95, www.wwnorton.com
Norse Mythology comes from an author best known for his award-winning fiction and fantasy;
but here he departs somewhat from his approach of creating original works of fantasy to
embellish his favorite traditional Norse myths, adding new life to these tales. One might expect
that a prior understanding of these myths would be required in order to fully appreciate these
retellings; and while that might be the case for some, it should be advised that Norse Mythology
is entirely accessible to newcomers who hold not a shred of former familiarity with mythology in
general or Norse stories in particular. Neil Gaiman's skill has already been evident in his ability
to embed ancient mythology into his fantasy worlds, but here it shines as he presents tales of
Odin, Thor, Loki, and more. Readers will find these lively, contemporary productions that stay
true to the original characters while adding an extra dimension that provides additional food for
thought and much leisure reading delight.
The Coloring Book Shelf
Boudoir Coloring Book
Laurie Treifeldt
Quill Driver Books
2006 South Mary, Fresno, CA 93721
9781610352864, $14.95, www.quilldriverbooks.com
Boudoir Coloring Book: A Cultural Cornucopia of Romance and Beauty offers some 70 images
to color and joins other adult coloring books: this one appealing to women who enjoy coloring
images of flowers, showy bedrooms, and more. Thick paper, printed on only one side, makes for
a superior coloring book experience while and detailed images of women, flowers, and patterned
interior designs such as drapes are designed to attract female coloring fans with familiar, warm
images. The result is a recommended for any coloring book enthusiast.
The Healthy Coping Colouring Book and Journal
Pooky Knightsmith and Emily Hamilton
Jessica Kingsley Publishers
400 Market Street, Suite 400, Philadelphia, PA 19106
9781785921391, $16.95, www.jkp.com
The Healthy Coping Colouring Book and Journal: Creative Activities to Help Manage Stress,
Anxiety and Other BIG Feelings packs in coping strategies and combines a colouring book with a
journal designed for those who would work through their feelings and stress in a variety of ways.
Journaling and drawing are seldom seen under one cover, but the pleasure in The Healthy Coping
Colouring Book and Journal is that it encourages both in a format that directs activities for active
analysis. While the format is designed for parents to give to their children, it also can readily
apply to older kids into adult and special needs audiences.
The Needlecraft Shelf
Martingale & Company
19021 - 120th Avenue NE, Suite 102, Bothell, WA 98011
www.shopmartingale.com
Katja Marek's The New Hexagon Coloring Book (9781604688610, $10.99) isn't a needlework
book per say, but it will reach quilter and needleworker audiences who are particularly fond of
and used to using hexagons in their work. Colorers receive some sixty designs inspired by
English paper-pieced quilts from Katja Marek, who specializes in and holds a special affection
for hexagons. Quilters thus have a special reason for considering a venture into the world of
coloring with this book, which can be used to design a hexagon quilt. Kathleen Tracy's Small &
Scrappy: Pint-Size Patchwork Quilts Using Reproduction Fabrics (9781604688252, $24.99) uses
reproduction fabrics and traditional patterns to teach the basics of creating blocks that apply to
small, fast projects. Quilters will find it easy to create these quick small quilts, which hold the
look of antiques and use applique, blocks, hexagons, and various patchwork piecing in their
projects. Maaike van Koert's 9 Months to Crochet (9781604688191, $22.99) provides 25 projects
that apply to a baby on the way, creating nine months of crocheting ideas for infant outfits,
nursery decor, blankets, toys and more. A basic knowledge of crochet instruction abbreviations
and assembly will lend to this fun collection of crochet projects for expectant mothers and
babies-to-be.
The Cookbook Shelf
Savor: Sensational Soups to Fulfill & Fortify
Amber Locke
Mitchell Beazley
c/o Octopus Publishing
236 Park Avenue, New York NY 10017
www.octopusbooksusa.com
9781784722340, $16.99, www.amazon.com
Savor: Sensational Soups to Fulfill & Fortify is the perfect item of choice for soup season, and
packs in over 100 recipes and different insights into making soups, stocks, and variations on
traditional themes. Readers will find the recipes go beyond the usual soup ideas and range from
Carrot, Orange and Cilantro Soup to Raw Bell Pepper, Orange and Tomato Soup, Black-Eyed
Bean Chili Soup, and a Fruit "Bonbon" Soup. The variety of these vegetable-emphasized dishes
makes this collection a standout, with color photos illustrating finished results.
The Fantasy/SciFi Shelf
1636: The Ottoman Onslaught
Eric Flint
Baen Books
PO Box 1188, Wake Forest NC 27588
9781476781846, $26.00, www.baen.com
1636: The Ottoman Onslaught continues the ongoing saga of the time-displaced Grantville,
which has moved from modern West Virginia to continental Europe. In this story they're facing
the Ottoman Empire's invasion - but the Turks are now armed with advanced technology from
the Americans of Grantville, and they are able to capture Vienna with this new technology in
hand. Fans of European history and alternative sci-fi history, as well as timeslip adventure
readers familiar with Flint's prior 1636 stories, will find this story a delightful new take on "what
could" happen.
The Mystery/Suspense Shelf
Where I Can See You
Larry D. Sweazy
Seventh Street Books
c/o Prometheus Books
59 John Glenn Drive, Amherst, NY 14228
www.prometheusbooks.com
9781633882119, $15.95, www.seventhstreetbooks.com
Where I Can See You takes place in a Midwest vacation spot where a detective is tracking a
murderer while, at the same time, he's investigating his mother's disappearance many decades
ago. How can Hud investigate two mysteries at once - and when he becomes the target of the
killer, will his personal goals obstruct justice itself? As Hud faces issues of cooperation, death,
deputies and dangers, he discovers the small town atmosphere is anything but staid; and as his
investigations threaten more than the killer, he finds himself navigating difficult territory in a
place both familiar and alien at the same time. Fans of murder mysteries and intrigue will find
this a riveting story.
The Fiction Shelf
Orphan Train
Christina Baker Kline
William Morrow & Company
c/o HarperCollins Publishers
10 East 53rd Street, New York, NY 10022-5299
9780061950728, $15.99, www.harpercollins.com
Many nonfiction stories have centered around the evolution of the orphan train, but this literary
fictional treatment of the orphan train experience is different, returning a New York Times
best-selling story to new eyes and adding and extended scene to expand and enhance the story of
a young Irish immigrant sent by rail from New York City to lead a new life in a new world,
returning to her origins later in life to build a home on the shattered pieces of her life. When teen
Molly helps Vivian examine these memories of the past, they discover connections that lead
them to new connections through an unusual historical exploration in a vivid story of friendship
and re-awakening.
The Audiobook Shelf
The Upstarts
Brad Stone
Hachette Audio
1290 Avenue of the Americas, New York, NY 10104
9781478941118, $30.00, www.hachetteaudio.com
Brad Stone's The Upstarts is read by Dean Temple and provides a close inspection of the new
Silicon Valley's evolution and visions, which have led to the development of Uber, AirBnB and
more. These companies represent new business models and have already changed lives and
worlds, and The Upstarts uses the stories of two business powerhouses in Silicon Valley to trace
the origins and evolution of renegade founders who had little more than a good idea and a vision
for how it could play out. Having this story come to life in audio makes for a special treat.
The Science Shelf
Amazing Stories of the Space Age
Rod Pyle
Prometheus Books
59 John Glenn Drive, Amherst, NY 14228-2197
9781633882218, $18.00, www.prometheusbooks.com
Amazing Stories of the Space Age gathers some unusual and thought-provoking insights of
projects not realized, space dreams envisioned and achieved, and major achievements in space
flight, and is recommended leisure reading for anyone with an affinity for space travel and
technology. From partnerships that brought the first space shuttle into being and crafted the first
manned orbiting laboratory to the idea of inflatable habitats in orbit around Earth and the moon,
the U.S. Air Force's orbit program and various proposals for Skylab, these gather a wealth of
revealing stories in a collection highly recommended for any astronomy collection and many a
general-interest audience with an interest in the history and science of space endeavors.
The Pets/Wildlife Shelf
The Wrong Dog
David Elliot Cohen
Yellow Pear Press
9780997066418, $22.95, www.yellowpearpress.com
The Wrong Dog comes from a New York Times best-selling author who tells what happens
when a small puppy turns into a giant, high-spirited Lab that engages a family for over ten years.
In his waning years, Simba II is old and infirm when his family is forced to relocate across the
country despite the dog's failing health. An airplane ride is not recommended, so the author and
his best friend embark on a 3,291-mile road trip across America with the goal of reuniting Simba
with his family. Their journey, and the dog's affect on everyone around him, makes for a
poignant production hard to put down and filled with engaging moments certain to captive any
dog lover.
The Judaic Studies Shelf
100 Jewish Things to Do Before You Die
Barbara Sheklin Davis
Pelican Publishing Company
1000 Burmaster Street, Gretna, LA 70053-2246
9781455622535, $15.95, www.pelicanpub.com
100 Jewish Things to Do Before You Die comes from a New York City native and Jewish
educator who offers Jewish readers a series of suggestions for routines, rituals, and activities for
reinforcing their Jewish heritage. These 100 tips aren't just about religious ceremonies, but
involve such diverse approaches as re-considering Jewish values in an online world, considering
individual ways to make a difference through participating in social justice programs, or scouring
Jewish neighborhoods in search of traditional Jewish foods. The result is a lively survey highly
recommended for Jewish readers looking to re-connect to their Jewish roots and heritage with
more than a spiritual focus.
The Technology Shelf
Industrial Engineering Foundations
Farrokh Sassani
Mercury Learning
PO Box 605, Herndon, VA 20172-0605
9781942270867, $49.95, www.merclearning.com
Industrial Engineering Foundations: Bridging the Gap Between Engineering and Management
examines industrial engineering and basic qualities that engineers need to know in order to be
effective, from handling schedules and quality control standards to forecasting and handling
reliability concerns. Charts, graphs, equations, statistics, and supporting references pepper a
survey designed to teach engineers basic management concepts, and managers basic engineering
concerns. Chapters are well detailed in their discussions of technical aspects of both jobs, and
teach both principles and their real-world applications. College-level engineering and business
studies collections will find this an important, specific acquisition.
The Art Shelf
Tham Ma Da: The Adventurous Interiors of Paola Navone
Spencer Bailey
Pointed Leaf Press
136 Baxter Street, Suite 1C, New York, NY 10013
9781938461385, $85.00, www.pointedleafpress.com
Tham Ma Da: The Adventurous Interiors of Paola Navone offers a survey of Italian architect and
designer Paola Navone's work, which reflects her world travels through Asia and Africa, where
her inspirations have been translated into various architectural and design approaches. Her
interior projects have appeared throughout the world and she's received much acclaim over the
years, but this book is a showcase of all her amazing achievements and comes from the
editor-in-chief at Surface magazine, who has a strong background in design. Over 200
illustrations pack a gathering that includes accessories by major brands to pair with bold and
different interiors ranging from hotels to private residences in Europe. The result is a gorgeous
catalog her works and an architectural and interior design production highly recommended for
any arts collection.
James A. Cox, Editor-in-Chief
Diane C. Donovan, Editor
Midwest Book Review
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