Xpress Reviews—First Look at New Books
-- Library Journal, 6/15/2007
Week of June 12
Fiction | Nonfiction | Graphic Novels
Fiction
Bachman, Richard. Blaze. Scribner. Jun. 2007. c.304p. ISBN 978-1-4165-5484-4. $25. F
Bachman died from "cancer of the pseudonym" when it was revealed that he was actually Stephen King. This revised and updated trunk novel from 1973 (with a foreword by King) reads in a fairly timeless way. Clayton Blaisdell Jr., a short grift con man, is the brawn of a two-man operation. When his cohort is killed in a low-stakes dice game, a mentally unstable Blaze decides to go forward with their last plan, kidnapping a baby. Like Frankenstein's monster, Blaze is a huge man, disfigured, and misunderstood. While Blaze lacks the monster's intelligence, his bumbling and fierce loyalty to his late partner and Joe, the kidnapped baby, make him wholly sympathetic. The true heart of the story is the cruelty, futility, and brief flashes of hope shown in flashbacks to Blaze's past, conveying his journey with the clarity of hindsight. The winter setting of King's now familiar fictional Maine landscape adds depth to the tale's pared-down feeling. A plus is the excellent short story "Memory" at the end of the volume. Rough, nostalgic, poignant, and honest; for all public libraries.—Charlie Osborne, Oxford P.L., MI
Beffort, Brian. Joy of Backpacking: Your Complete Guide to Attaining Pure Happiness in the Outdoors. Wilderness. Jun. 2007. c.376p. bibliog. index. ISBN 978-0-89997-405-7. $19.95. SPORTS
Nevada resident Beffort (Afoot & Afield: Las Vegas and Southern Nevada) is a veteran hiker who brings his personal knowledge and considerable research to play in producing a wide-ranging primer for folks wanting to put their home on their back and head out into the beyond. Most key considerations—safety, comfort, equipment, food, and water, etc.—are covered in substantial detail. The treatment of food and cooking could be stronger, but to counterbalance that, Part 5, "Joy on the Trail," is first-rate on all matters other than cooking. There's information for every backpacker, from the rankest novice to the seasoned veteran, although the former are the primary audience. Failure to include Horace Kephart's timeless Camping & Woodcraft in the bibliography seems strange, given that it has never been out of print in the 100-plus years of existence and its author was long known as the "dean of American campers." Nonetheless, public libraries should definitely add this book to their collections.—Jim Casada, formerly with Winthrop Univ., Rock Hill, SC
Gifts: Mothers Reflect on How Children with Down Syndrome Enrich Their Lives. Woodbine. Jun. 2007. c.278p. ed. by Kathryn Lynard Soper. photogs. ISBN 978-1890627-85-0. pap. $18.95. PSYCH
This essay collection features the viewpoints of mothers of children with Down syndrome. Some of these women received news of the diagnosis at birth, others during prenatal testing. Regardless of when the condition was identified, all 63 mothers discovered the gifts that a child with Down syndrome can bring to their lives—and they share their experiences in essays divided into chapters highlighting respect, strength, delight, perspective, and love. Editor Soper is the mother of seven, of which her youngest was diagnosed with Down syndrome at birth, and she includes her story of hearing the diagnosis and the struggles of the first year. Other parents of children with Down syndrome will appreciate the honest and candid revelations of the contributors as they embraced their child and their new life together. All of the essays—which reflect diverse personalities, backgrounds, lifestyles, beliefs, and ethnicities—are well written and heartfelt. A beautiful book that provides insight into family life with Down syndrome; recommended for public libraries.—Lisa M. Jordan, Johnson Cty. Lib., KS
Jensen, Derrick (text) & Karen Tweedy-Holmes (photogs.). Thought To Exist in the Wild: Awakening from the Nightmare of Zoos. No Voice Unheard. Jun. 2007. c.152p. photogs. bibliog. ISBN 978-0-9728387-1-9. pap. $19.95. SCI
This sensitive and thought-provoking volume by ecological activist and author Jensen (A Language Older Than Words) and photographer Tweedy-Holmes raises more questions than it answers but compels nonetheless. Are we our brother's keeper? And, if so, just who (or what) is our brother? The book is not about conditions in which animals are held captive; instead, it explores the question of why animals are held captive at all as Jensen examines the who, what, and why of animal captivity, balancing the historical facts with his own strong personal experiences and beliefs. There is little tolerance for differing views, and in this aspect, this work fits the publisher's aim of "creating unique voices on behalf of those who are unseen, ignored or disregarded by society." Its strength and objectivity comes from Tweedy-Holmes's photographs that depict animals as contained, confined, and imprisoned. Shot at some of the finest zoos in the world, these pictures do not exhibit or exploit an animal's sufferings or even display them in degrading conditions. Tweedy-Holmes simply allows viewers to form their own conclusions. A beautifully constructed if polemical work, this text is recommended for large public and academic animal rights collections.—Melody Ballard, Pima Cty. P.L., AZ
Kiple, Kenneth F. A Movable Feast: Ten Millennia of Food Globalization. Cambridge Univ. 2007. 366p. illus. index. ISBN 978-0-521-79353-7. $27. COOKERY
Kiple, coeditor of The Cambridge World History of Food, uses that award-winning culinary reference set as the basis for his own chronicle of the history of food and drink around the world. Both broad culinary topics, such as the development of agriculture in prehistoric times, and more specific subjects, such as the history of tomatoes, are included here, and the last section dedicates itself to food science and nutrition, including diseases, and food production topics such as the genetic modification of plants. While the author's writing style can be a bit dry, and the scope of the work itself doesn't always give leeway to explore every subject in depth, the book is filled with many intriguing culinary facts and tasty tidbits of food history. Recommended for academic and large public libraries, especially those that do not already have The Cambridge World History of Food in their collections.—John Charles, Scottsdale P.L., AZ
Rentel, Ron with Joe Zellnik. Karma Queens, Geek Gods, & Innerpreneurs: Meet the 9 Consumer Types Shaping Today's Marketplace. McGraw-Hill. 2007. c.256p. ISBN 978-0-07-147791-8. $24.95. BUS
Building on their work with consumers and businesses, Rentel and Zellnik (founder and senior writer, respectively, ConsumerEyes) introduce readers to nine consumer types, or "C-Types." They spend a chapter describing traits of each C-Type in detail, discussing the cohort's values and purchasing motivations, highlighting the sorts of products and services already popular with its members, and providing examples of well-known individuals who epitomize the type. Each chapter also includes success stories from the marketplace and a checklist of dos and don'ts for readers who hope to market their product or service to members of the type. This book doesn't take itself too seriously, offering often entertaining descriptions of the various C-Types, particularly "Geek Gods" (men who live with their parents and spend their considerable discretionary income on technological gadgets) and "Parentocrats" (extremely vigilant parents obsessed with the success and safety of their children). It should find its greatest audience with businesses hoping to market their products in fresh ways to a complex and changing cadre of consumers, but it will also be appealing for general readers interested in cultural trends and buyer behavior. Recommended for corporate and larger public libraries.—Elizabeth L. Winter, Georgia Inst. of Technology Lib. & Information Ctr., Atlanta
Semonche, John E. Censoring Sex: A Historical Journey Through American Media. Rowman & Littlefield. Jul. 2007. c.282p. illus. index. ISBN 978-0-7425-5131-2. $75; pap. ISBN 978-0-7425-5132-9. $27.95. SOC SCI
Constitutional historian Semonche (history, Univ. of North Carolina; Keeping the Faith: A Cultural History of the U.S. Supreme Court) takes a retrospective look at the repression of sexuality in America by various guardians of the public chastity. He examines influential cases of American censorship in every major medium from the 19th century forward, including motion pictures, visual arts, performing arts, and the written word. The book also illustrates how the most prolific and effective censors were not often external regulating bodies but the same companies that produced and sold the artistic work itself. The highbrow art world and the products intended for the crass multitude are given equal attention in this sweeping work, which is an engaging scholarly study as well as something of a witty rejoinder to those who would seek to impose their own personal values on the creativity of others. The combination of accessible writing and solid research make it equally useful for intellectual pursuits and weekend reading. Highly recommended for all public and academic libraries.—John Helling, Aguilar Branch, NYPL
Slack, Gordy. The Battle Over the Meaning of Everything: Evolution, Intelligent Design and a School Board in Dover, PA. Wiley. Jun. 2007. c.256p. index. ISBN 978-0-7879-8786-2. $24.95. SCI
First, there was the Scopes Monkey trial in 1925; then, in 2005, Kitzmiller et al. v. Dover Area School District. The names are different, and some strategies have changed, but it is the same cultural war between religion and science. On assignment for Salon.com, science journalist Slack follows the trial in which a federal judge eventually ruled that intelligent design (ID) was a religion and could not be taught in public schools. What emerges is an account of both a small Pennsylvania community divided by the controversy and a trial that supplements the broader look at education and ID found in Edward Humes's recent Monkey Girl: Evolution, Education, Religion, and the Battle for America's Soul. Slack's quick-paced narrative provides the necessary background to ID and the school board's decision to include ID in the science curriculum as an alternative to biological evolution. He then takes us into the trial, offering glimpses of the same dramatic cross-examinations we have since come to expect from the Scopes trial. Clearly in opposition to the school board's case, Slack shows his attempt to understand each position by discussing his own family's conflicts over the issue, which results in helpful insights into this conflict. Recommended for academic and public libraries.—Scott Vieira, Johnson Cty. Lib., KS
Szpiro, George G. Poincaré's Prize: The Hundred-Year Quest To Solve One of Math's Greatest Puzzles. Dutton. Jun. 2007. c.320p. bibliog. index. ISBN 978-0-525-95024-0. $24.95. MATH
Szpiro (Kepler's Conjecture), a mathematician, scholar, and award-winning journalist, focuses on the century-long journey to solve Henri Poincaré's algebraic conjecture, which was eventually proved by Russian mathematician Grisha Perelman in 2004. He invites readers to experience the unconventional, eccentric, and socially reclusive lives of the 19th- and 20th-century mathematicians who struggled to unravel this complex and mind-bending problem. Szpiro also clearly explains to nonmathematicians algebraic curves and topological spaces without resorting to mathematical formulas. The book compares favorably with Donal O'Shea's The Poincaré Conjecture, but Szpiro specifically writes to a public audience in a story format full of passion, enterprise, and historical context. A fascinating and essential read for anyone interested in the worlds of mathematics and science and the quest for discovery; suitable for public libraries and all mathematicians.—Ian Gordon, Brock Univ. Lib., St. Catharines, Ont.
White, Trevor. Kitchen Con: Writing on the Restaurant Racket. Arcade, dist. by Little, Brown. 2007. 240p. index. ISBN 978-1-55970-834-0. $25. COOKERY
Dublin, London, and New York restaurant critic White serves up a delicious read with his take on both the history of restaurant criticism and the critics themselves in a world in which "most normal people were reluctant to dress up, endure rude service, and pay for food that was sometimes fatal and always expensive." With chapter titles like "The Hungry Hooker: Why Restaurants Are Brothels for the Mouth" and "Sex and the Single Waitress: Meeting Mr. Kitchen Confidential," this is a fascinating look at the inside world of the restaurant business. It is filled with a wealth of helpful advice and information for would-be diners, such as the "ten commandments" of dining out, types of diners, and the seven ways to get a reservation on short notice. In addition, White discusses America's junk food craze and the world's new fascination with cuisine. This laugh-out-loud book is sure to be a hit with foodies. Recommended for public libraries and food collections.—Nicole Mitchell, Univ. of Alabama at Birmingham Lib., Lister Hill
Dini, Paul & Royal McGraw (text) & Dan Kramer & Wayne Faucher & others (illus.). Batman: Detective. DC Comics. 2007. 144p. ISBN 978-1-4012-1239-1. pap. $14.99. F
Comics being taken seriously is something of a blessing and a curse. While academics and others who have a history of being called literature snobs are starting to pay attention to what used to be a children's genre, comics creators sometimes lose sight of the sheer joy of watching the good guys take on the bad guys and win and where there's a clear-cut division between good and evil. This graphic novel, which collects issues 821–826 of the monthly "Detective Comics" series, fortunately reverts to those cherished basics. It focuses on Batman's skills as a puzzle solver, a man who collects the data present and analyzes it, nailing the villain in the end (after a good, old-fashioned fistfight, of course). Every story is solid, with the highlight being "E. Nigma, Consulting Detective," in which we find Batman working alongside a reformed Riddler, who is now operating as a freelance private investigator and security consultant. The art, much like the spirit of the stories, is classic, with lots of bold colors and well-defined characters (though this title gives into the stereotype of drawing every female with ample cleavage and big hair). All in all, this collection is an old-school adventure with lots of heart. While it is not out-and-out graphic, the vigilant should be aware of a few adult themes (chiefly sadomasochism and homicide) popping up here and there.—M. Brandon Robbins, Wayne Cty. P.L., Goldsboro, NC
Dixon, Chuck (text) & Andy Smith (illus.). Claw the Unconquered. Wildstorm: DC Comics. 2007. 144p. ISBN 978-1-4012-1320-6. pap. $17.99. F
Writer Dixon and illustrator Smith's new work comes up short in comparison with other successful sword and sorcery books, e.g., Dark Horse's 2003 Conan reboot and Dynamite Entertainment's revamped Red Sonja series. Picking up where Red Sonja/Claw: The Devil's Hands left off (a joint venture between Dynamite and Wildstorm), this volume follows Valcan Scaramax, a character originally created in 1975 who is highly reminiscent of Robert E. Howard's Conan. Scaramax (or Claw) possesses a deformed, bestial claw at the end of one arm, and these new stories portray the Rothans' enlistment of Claw as a mercenary. Claw is approached by a beautiful witch, Satarina, after his battles with the Heerda tribes. She commands him to travel to the Western Wall, where he will combat great evil, and forces him to ally himself with three strangers who are revealed to be werewolves. In one side plot, another Claw character—a blooodthirsty werewolf—slaughters his victims; another focuses on soldierlike Bishop Navarra, who trains young Mistress Dara for battle after her village is wiped out by the Werewolf-Claw. It is never clear whether Werewolf-Claw is a dream, a spirit, or a real entity, but Claw and Dara engage Werewolf-Claw and Satarina in a savage standoff at the Western Wall. The issues conclude indecisively, and no books appear to be forthcoming. The scantily clad witches, were-women, and oodles of bloodletting make this suitable for mature audiences. Better investments are the Conan and Red Sonja series mentioned above.—Jeff Hunter, Farmington Hills, MI
Fujisaki, Ryu. Hoshin Engi. Vol. 1. Viz Media. Jun. 2007. 199p. tr. from Japanese by Tomo Kimura. ISBN 978-1-4215-1362-1. pap. $7.99. F
Fujisaki's manga takes place during China's Yin period (16th B.C.E.–11th B.C.E.) and tells the story of young human–turned–immortal in training Taikobo, whose master bestows him with the task of banishing 365 evil immortals from Earth. Taikobo reluctantly begins engaging the immortals (or Sennin) on his list, intending to entrap their souls in a limbo between Earth and the Sennin world. His biggest nemesis is Dakki, a beautiful but cruel temptress who has made Emperor Chu her puppet slave. Despite the promise of the journeying premise, its execution is comical and clichéd. Taikobo is your typical wisecracking, underachieving hero, and Dakki is so one-dimensionally evil that she becomes rather boring. The fight scenes are well choreographed though so silly as to preclude suspense; while it's a nice change that Taikobo outwits his foes rather than relies on his weapon, this would be more effective if everybody didn't seem to be as dumb as rocks. Fujisaki's artwork is excellent, emphasizing shading to add depth rather than pure line work, and his characters are distinctively styled (though costuming tends toward the clownish). This will most likely be popular with action manga fans and those looking for light, uncomplicated reads. Recommended for large libraries with an action manga collection.—Krista Hutley, Lakeside Sch., Seattle
Hale, Tricia Riley (text) & Jim Jimenez (illus.). Grand Theft Galaxy. Vol. 1. Tokyopop. 2007. 192p. ISBN 978-1-59816-713-9. pap. $9.99. F
Samantha Beagley's life seems to be going according to the plan she meticulously mapped out. On her 18th birthday, though, her eccentric parents reveal a long-kept secret: they are wanted galactic thieves. Before this can sink in, the Galactic Order Directorate arrives on Earth looking for Samantha's parents and a stolen cube. The Directorate wants the cube pronto—or Earth will be destroyed. As Samantha's parents escape to their fun-filled secret hideout, Samantha, with help from some shifty characters, searches for the cube to save Earth. This comedic sf OEL manga is filled with action, humorous discoveries, unusual characters, and a fast-paced story that's sure to please. The first of three volumes, it has been given a rating of ages 13+—this may be because of Samantha's partying college roommate, Kayley, and the fight scenes. Recommended for all collections.—Monique Franklin, Harris Cty. P.L., Houston, TX
Kishi, Daimuro (text) & Tamao Ichinose (illus.). Time Guardian. Vol. 1. CMX: DC Comics. 2007. 196p. tr. from Japanese by Sheldon Drzka. ISBN 978-1-4012-1161-5. pap. $9.99. F
Wouldn't it be great to manipulate time and get everything you need to do done? Busy Tokyo residents who can solve a certain riddle get an opportunity to do just that in Kishi and Ichinose's well-crafted first volume. High schooler Miu Asahina, the book's likable, risk-taking heroine, finds the Kusaka Time Shop by accident. Proprietor Tokiya Kusaka and his frog assistant, Ginzo, run a pawn shop that lends time while holding memories as collateral. When Kusaka discovers that a very special watch, the Go-Between's timepiece, has started for Miu, he sees this as an omen and hires her to work part-time. As an employee, Miu is more earnest and emotional than the business-minded Kusaka would prefer, but she manages to get the job done. Eventually Miu begins to recognize the responsibility that comes with managing time, though she still doesn't have Kusaka's ruthless business sense. Kishi's story is creative; just when readers think they know what is going to happen next, the author goes in another direction. The artwork is pleasing to the eye, and the characters are well defined. The review copy had some minor problems with the printing: a few pages were off-register, which resulted in fuzzy images, and on one page, a word was cut off. Even if such flaws appear in the general run, readers will still enjoy this manga, rated E for Everyone, but one teenage character uses the phrase "pain in the ass." If that would be an issue for your community, shelve it in the young adult section. Recommended for all collections.—Kristin Fance, Houston Baptist Univ. Lib.
Lee, Youngran. Click. Vol. 1. Netcomics. 2007. 178p. tr. from Korean by Hye Kyong Im. ISBN 978-1-60009-201-5. pap. $9.99. F
Joonha Lee is a brash, beautiful young man who despises ugly girls or girls who don't know their place. When lovely Heewon asks him out, Joonha decides to play hard to get, and he rejects her with porcine arrogance. Justice is delivered to this unruly young man when Joonha is transformed into a girl owing to his weird genetics. Humiliated and confused, Joonha forces his parents to move to Seoul so no one will discover his shame. His friends can't forget him: two years after his departure, Joonha's best friend still visits his old house, and Heewon searches the streets and the Internet to find her lost crush. Meanwhile, barely reconciled to his new gender, Joonha is pursued by Taehyun Yoo, a playboy determined to subdue the fierce Joonha. Click is a campy and hyperbolic gender exploration manhwa. Most of the characters have soft, ribbon-like hair as well as ultrafeminine features, so the reader must depend on costuming and gray skin tones to distinguish character, especially with Joonha and Taehyun in the same frame. The message is also very simple: gender roles and social constraints are neither firmly adhered to nor easy to accept. This initial volume is a bit grating, and readers are possibly missing some of the jokes in the translation of status-conscious Korean conversation, but the narrative may smooth out in later volumes. Suggested for public libraries that have a manwha readership.—Christine Gertz, Univ. of Alberta, Edmonton
Lent, Michael & Mike Raicht (text) & Alex Sanchez & Bong Dazo (illus.). Prey: Origin of the Species. Dabel Brothers: Marvel. 2007. 120p. ISBN 978-0-7851-2658-4. pap. $10.99. F
This latest joint effort between Marvel and Dabel Brothers Productions has most of the things needed for top action melodrama. Prey unfolds like a late 1980s underwater adventure movie such as Leviathan, with considerable urgency and a pertinent ecological angle. Add its premise—a greedy oil corporation that drills too close to the wrong hibernating organism and soon everybody's sorry—to sturdy, fleshed-out, stock characters like the fallen hero, the gutsy female lead, and villains of more than one kind of monstrous nature, stir in some sharp dialog and better-than-average illustrations, and synergy should take care of the rest. It's too bad that the machinations of the plot quickly become creaky and murky, and these flaws are worsened by the illustrators' frustrating tendency to produce great-looking artwork that fails to make clear to the reader what's going on, where, and to whom once things really get rolling. Despite occasional gore, Prey has virtually no profanity; its emphasis on action over violence makes it inoffensive to most readers. Nice try but no cigar. Optional for most graphic novel collections.—J. Osicki, Saint John Free P.L., N.B.
Marraffino, Frank (text) & Drew Rausch (illus.). The Dark Goodbye. Vol. 1. Tokyopop. 2007. 187p. ISBN 978-1-59816-972-0. pap. $9.99. F
Imagine Humphrey Bogart battling giant spiders, sea creatures, and killer plants while coolly delivering his trademark tough-guy one-liners, and you would come close to Marraffino's extremely odd and thoroughly entertaining OEL manga. One part The Big Sleep, one part H.P. Lovecraft, the story follows detective Max "Mutt" Mason on his quest to find a femme fatale's missing twin sister, a job that leads him into a world where creatures older than humanity are being awakened to reclaim the Earth as their own. The motley cast of characters includes a bartender straight out of The Shining, a nurse reminiscent of Kill Bill, and the young Goth wife of the missing sister's grandfather. The plot gleefully combines noir clichés with Lovecraft's Cthulhu Mythos, which creates an entertaining mash-up that manages to find its own internal logic thanks to Marraffino's dark humor and Rausch's stunning depiction of chaos. Ably complementing the inventive story and tongue-in-cheek humor, Rausch produces dreamlike black-and-white sequences that effortlessly blend the grounded figure of Mutt with the otherworldly horrors he faces. While sometimes threatening to be overcome by the weight of its own clichés, this is an extremely original and fascinating blend of genres that will be welcomed by fans of both crime and (especially) horror graphic novels. The book is rated for ages 16+ owing to scenes of violence and is highly recommended for older teen and adult collections.—David Ward, Univ. of Illinois Undergraduate Lib., Urbana
Oeming, Michael Avon & Ivan Brandon (text & illus.). Cross Bronx. Vol. 1. Image Comics. 2007. 128p. ISBN 978-1-58240-690-9. pap. $14.99. F
Oeming and Brandon's work starts out as an eye-catching thriller that puts a satisfying, tingling sensation in your gut. It starts off strong with a dramatic monolog written over a series of brief yet graphically violent images that would be quite comfortable in a noir film. An early plot twist takes the story in a logical direction, but after a revelation that is supposed to be startling, the narrative deteriorates into a bloody mess with rushed plot turns. The writers seem more intent on upping the violence ante and toying with ideas of faith and the supernatural that are never really as fleshed out as they should be. Oddly enough though, the first part of the book is so engaging and well written that the ending can almost be forgiven. The denouement manages to make the work, as a whole, poetic: it finds the main character swallowing his pride and admitting that he has faced his limits. All in all, this book is worth one read-through, but only for mature readers willing to settle for second best. The plot involves instances of violent rape, murder, and drug use portrayed in images that are not shy at all.—M. Brandon Robbins, Wayne Cty. P.L., Goldsboro, NC
Smith, Kevin (text) & Terry Dodson (illus.). Spider-Man and the Black Cat: The Evil That Men Do. Marvel. 2007. 176p. ISBN 978-0-7851-1079-8. pap. $14.99. GRAPHIC NOVELS
Smith, film writer/director (Clerks) as well as a writer of comic books, is at his best in this collected miniseries. For those not familiar with the Black Cat, she has always been Marvel's answer to Catwoman—a sexy reformed burglar with a heart of gold. Years ago, she and Spider-Man had a romantic fling; here, Smith gives her a believable depth to go with her hyperactive personality and nonstop sultriness. He also portrays her as having matured just enough to make the story sizzle. This works very well in a tale that mixes standard superhero fare with a more serious set of background themes about rape survivors, both male and female. Dodson's artwork is excellent at portraying the "fun" parts of the story, and he is also good enough for the quiet moments and flashback sequences about rape and murder. The book includes the actual Smith script for part of the story, which allows readers to see how his cinematic eye affects the telling of the tale. Brief guest appearances by two other Marvel characters will please superhero fans, but the drug use and rape themes should restrict this to collections for older teens and adults.—Nick Smith, Pasadena P.L., CA
Tenzen, Momoko. The Paradise on the Hill. Juné: Digital Manga. 2007. 162p. tr. from Japanese by Earl Gertwagen. ISBN 978-1-56970-835-4. pap. $12.95. F
Hot on the heels of his previous Seven (Xpress Reviews, 3/6/07), Tenzen's latest features a similar cast of lovely, tall men but tells a less ambitious, slower-paced tale. Both Kijima and Ono teach at a private girls' school, where they develop a friendship over shared experiences that quickly blossoms into something more. The story is very spare, dealing only with Kijima, Ono, their interactions, and their feelings for each another. Other characters, including the beautiful Tsuda, are merely extras populating the school. Tenzen's artwork retains its ethereal quality—lightly drawn and exquisitely lined. The story's focus means that almost every frame contains either Kijima or Ono, if not both. Despite this abundance, though, readers are unlikely to tire of looking at them. Both story and art are soft and tentative, leading to a delicate and satisfying conclusion. The book contains two bonus stories—one featuring Kijima and Ono. It is rated for young adults (ages 16+), but the restraint and focus on emotional tension rather than sexual tension make it age-appropriate for any young adult collection. Recommended for libraries collecting yaoi.—Ruthanne Price, Vaughan Pub. Libs., Ont.
Wann. 100% Perfect Girl. Netcomics. 2007. 184p. tr. from Korean by Jennifer Park. ISBN 978-1-60009-216-9. pap. $9.99. F
This story opens with a quote from the Haruki Murakami short story "On Seeing the 100 Percent Perfect Girl One Beautiful April Morning," about recognizing the perfect person for you as you pass them on the street. In this manhwa, the two perfectly matched strangers are Jay Jin, a strong-willed schoolgirl who is prevented from following her dreams of becoming an artist, and J. Max, a foreigner who visits Korea for a business trip. Jay Jin's mother makes her work at their boarding house to support her older brother because he's studying to become a doctor. J. Max is the prince of a tiny European country. After spotting Jay Jin, Max follows her bus in a taxi, forgetting that he doesn't have any money on him. She pays his fare, feeds him a chicken kebab from a street vendor, and he has a violent allergic attack. He's taken away from her by his team of bodyguards. Jay and J. meet again randomly several weeks later and embark on a whirlwind romance. The art is attractive, and the characters are engaging; however, a near sexual assault that takes place toward the end slightly derails the feeling of a modern-day fairy tale. Although the publisher rates it for ages 13+, the sexual content makes it more appropriate for teens a year or two older. Recommended for libraries where there is large interest in manhwa.—Anna Neatrour, Salt Lake City, UT
Yamada, Sakurako. La Vie en Rose. Juné: Digital Manga. 2007. 170p. tr. by tr. from Japanese by Emily Ohno. ISBN 978-1-56970-832-3. pap. $12.95. F
While the blurb on the back talks only of the first story of novelist Fujimori and his love for his best friend, this book's seven stories focus mostly on promiscuous bartender Shiraishi, who deals with Fujimori's fans, gets hit on by the bar's owner, and deals with the jealousy and annoyance of coworker Abe, who thinks Shiraishi sleeps around too much—and in the bar's bathroom, too. The first story is a half-way cute, if a rather straightforward and simplistic story of unrequited love that becomes requited. Shirashi, however, is annoyingly cold and mean, and the author does little to make him likable or build much of a deeper personality. He is so blasé about every situation that it's hard to work up any attachment to him. Thus, the rest of the stories fall flat—even the sex scenes fail to engage. Most of the situations are ones that appear routinely in boy's love manga, such as walking in on someone having sex, but the author does not do anything new with these standard setups. With so many boy's love titles out now, there are better ones to read. Not recommended.—Teresa Copeland, Yuma Cty. Lib. Dist., AZ
Yamagata, Satomi. Fake Fur. Juné: Digital Manga. 2007. 177p. tr. from Japanese by Andrew Marshall. ISBN 978-1-56970-826-2. pap. $12.95. F
In this collection of intertwined yaoi shorts, all of the characters struggle with the boundary between love and friendship, between sex and emotion, where casual sex may unknowingly become a sign of a deeper connection. The collection begins with teenage Yamashita's rather detached coming out story (he seems befuddled more than angsty)—he confesses his feelings to best friend Kubo before Kubo moves away and meets an older, cynical man named Reni, who advocates sex to heal his unrequited love for Kubo. But while he and Yamashita are in bed, Reni's young roommate/lover, Maki, decides it's time to leave for good. Fast-forward several years, and Yamashita is in a close sexual relationship with Fukazawa; they are only "friends," but Fukazawa realizes that he is jealous when Yamashita gets a letter from Kubo. The last story gives us background on Reni and Maki, continuing where the prior story left off with Maki gone and Reni, who has finally realized the mistakes he's made, in pursuit. Though the volume is light on plot and character and heavy on explicit sex, it is elevated by elegant, uncluttered artwork. The lines are clean and simple, and figures are realistic with sensitive and, of course, beautiful faces. Recommended for explicit yaoi collections.—Krista Hutley, Lakeside Sch., Seattle
Zograf, Aleksandar. Regards from Serbia: A Cartoonist's Diary of a Crisis in Serbia. Top Shelf Productions. 2007. 287p. ISBN 978-1-891830-42-6. pap. $19.95. F
For most Americans, war is something that happens somewhere else, to other people. So it was for Serbian artist Zograf until war happened to him with the breakup of Yugoslavia in the early 1990s. He responded with a series of cartoons that bring home the reality of life under siege with the immediacy of bulletins from the front. They chronicle the everyday confusion and fear that gripped Zograf and his fellow noncombatants in the small city of Pancevo as the stress of food shortages, power failures, and staggering inflation are compounded by NATO bombings. Zograf's visionary art gives his work its greatest power: nightmares lurk on almost every page, and even the most ordinary scenes have the feel of dreams, rendered in a stark, expressionist black-and-white that seems quintessentially Eastern European. The large chunk of the book devoted to the artist's emails to his friends is less compelling, despite the urgency of his reports, because of the lack of artwork. But if Zograf's observations often descend into such banalities as "Life is strange sometimes," well, maybe that's just the reductive grind of war at work. Recommended for YA and adult collections.—Andrew Moore, Wayland P.L., MA
Week of June 5
Fiction | Nonfiction | Audio Reviews
Fiction
Battles, Brett. The Cleaner. Delacorte. Jul. 2007. c.368p. ISBN 978-0-440-24370-0. $22. F
In Battles's debut novel, Freelancer Jonathan Quinn specializes in cleaning up the messes left by his Special Ops colleagues. Cleaners, as the trade calls them, don't usually do the dirty work, but in this case, there's plenty to go around. What initially looks like domestic arson in Colorado results in an international chain of events that sends Quinn and his apprentice, Nate, scrambling for their lives. Clutching one piece of key evidence, they flee to Vietnam to pick up the third member of their team, the beautiful techie Orlando. Faster than you can say "special assignment in Berlin," our trio tackles the elusive mission while most of us are still clueless. Too many people want them dead, and all signs point to sociopath agent Borko, one maniac Serb with ethnic cleansing on his immediate agenda. Including plenty of gadgets and computer jargon, Battles uses the technothriller formula to his best advantage; the characters are likable, the danger feels real, and the urgency practically oozes off the pages. Fast paced and action packed, this one's a winner. Highly recommended for all popular fiction collections.—Teresa L. Jacobsen, Solano Cty. Lib., CA
Land, Brad. Pilgrims Upon the Earth. Random. Jun. 2007. c.240p. ISBN 978-1-4000-6380-2. $23.95. F
Memoirist Land (Goat) makes his fiction debut with this coming-of-age chronicle of 15-year-old Terry Webber in Issaqueena, a South Carolina mill town where the chance for personal expression seems to be limited to suicide. Terry's classmate Basil Frick kills himself at the opening of the novel, and Terry's mother commits suicide when he is eight months old. This tragedy leaves Terry alone with his father, who works the second shift in an area textile plant. Terry finds refuge when he meets an older student named Alice Washington who inspires him with stories about the small community where her sister lives in Colorado, a place with "no such things as parents" where they grow vegetables and marijuana. Terry sets out with Alice for Colorado, but when she is killed on the interstate, he is forced to return home. Readers who can make it through the violence, drug abuse, and self-mutilation of the ensuing pages can witness Terry gain a measure of redemption. Recommended for larger public and academic libraries where the equally grim Goat circulated.—Douglas Southard, CRA International Lib., Boston
Perry, Tasmina. Daddy's Girls. Touchstone: S. & S. Jul. 2007. c.480p. ISBN 978-0-7432-9634-2. $24.95. F
Just in time for lazy summer days, this escapist novel offers up glitz, glamour, murder, blackmail, sex, and, of course, requisite family secrets. Lord Oswald Balcon and his late wife had four beautiful and successful daughters: interior designer Venetia, magazine editor Cate, lawyer/aspiring politician Camilla, and actress Serena. However, he's been making their lives miserable since their mother's death, and when he is found dead in a moat, each daughter is a potential suspect. Previously published in Britain, Perry's first novel is a fun page-turner but is hindered by the constant dropping of popular designer brand names like Gucci, Jimmy Choo, and Valentino—an annoying trend in women's fiction. Also, the epilog borders on ridiculous: Perry wraps up at least 15 story lines in four pages! Still, this is an entertaining choice if you want to get lost in the world of the rich, beautiful, powerful, and ruthless.—Samantha J. Gust, Niagara Univ. Lib., NY
Alschuler, Lise & Karolyn A. Gazella. Alternative Medicine Magazine's Definitive Guide to Cancer: An Integrative Approach to Prevention, Treatment, and Healing. 2d ed. Celestial Arts. Jun. 2007. c.768p. index. ISBN 978-1-58761-280-0. pap. $39.95. HEALTH
According to the American Cancer Society, approximately 2.5 million Americans were diagnosed with cancer last year. This thoroughly revised, updated, and reformatted second edition offers the newly diagnosed a synthesis of information about both traditional and alternative medical therapies and helps them make difficult decisions about treatment. With new authors—Alschuler (director, naturopathic medicine, Midwestern Regional Medical Ctr. Cancer Treatment Ctrs. of America) and research journalist/health writer Gazella—and an editorial board of physicians and naturopaths, it covers cancer prevention, diagnosis, and treatment using an integrative approach. The first section explains cancer, its causes, detection, and prevention; the second examines treatment options; the third addresses the physiology of the immune and endocrine systems and their role in cancer; and the fourth discusses specific types of cancer. A glossary and resource list supplement the text, and stories of patients and caregivers provide a personal touch. The authors' use of evidence-based information, their explanation of techniques for evaluating medical data, and their encouragement of partnership and improved doctor-patient communication make this an outstanding resource for all libraries, including those owning the first edition.—Barbara M. Bibel, Oakland P.L.
Arden, Darlene. Rover, Get Off Her Leg!: Pet Etiquette for the Dog Who Pees on Your Rug, Steals the Roast, and Poops in Improper Places. Health Communications. Jun. 2007. c.203p. illus. ISBN 978-0-7573-0544-3. pap. $14.95. PETS
Arden (The Angell Memorial Animal Hospital Book of Wellness and Preventive Care for Dogs), a certified animal behavior consultant, has written a good-humored training guide for pet owners with canines whose behavior is less than amusing. She begins by describing the clicker training method of positive reinforcement, applying these methods to the top ten annoying behaviors—inappropriate urination, humping, excessive barking, aggression, possessiveness, crotch sniffing, begging food, separation anxiety, phobias, and obstructing human relationships—as well as coprophagia and destructive chewing. Even the most inexperienced dog owner will find her advice easy to follow. Humorous anecdotes illustrating the undesirable behavior enhance the text. While there are many helpful guides available addressing the same behavioral issues and using the same training methods, including Tamar Geller's The Loved Dog, Arden's book is easy to read, entertaining, and affordable. An excellent purchase for all public libraries. Recommended.—Florence Scarinci, Nassau Community Coll. Lib., Garden City, NY
Arnold, Hugo. The Wagamama Cookbook. Kyle: Kyle Cathie, dist. by National Bk. Network. 2007. 192p. photogs. index. ISBN 978-1-90492-023-6. $24.95 with DVD. COOKERY
Many Americans will not recognize the name Wagamama, a popular Pan-Asian noodle bar that can be found throughout England as well as internationally (as far away as Dubai and Istanbul and now as close as Boston). Food columnist Arnold (Outdoor Feasts; Buying the Best) aims to allow home cooks to duplicate the easy style of the restaurant; Wagamama specializes in stir-frying, and most of the recipes use that technique. To help those unfamiliar with Asian cooking, ingredients, sauces, and techniques are described in addition to the recipes. There is also a DVD that demonstrates four of the dishes. Not an essential purchase, but this is a worthy addition where interest warrants.—Ginny Wolter, Toledo-Lucas Cty. P.L., OH
Barrett, Deirdre. Waistland: The (R)evolutionary Science Behind Our Weight and Fitness Crisis. Norton. Jun. 2007. c.320p. illus. index. ISBN 978-0-393-06216-8. $24.95. HEALTH
There was no Burger King on the savannah 10,000 years ago; this seems fairly obvious, but Harvard psychologist Barrett believes it is the way we should approach understanding America's obesity problem. In the first part of the book, she explains how, from an evolutionary biology standpoint, humans are programmed to be hunter-gatherers, eating a variety of plant and animal foods that are obtained through a certain type of physical activity that also keeps us healthy. When humans started farming, the variety of foods and migratory behavior was lost, and an era of unvaried, modified foods began. So what's the solution? Barrett suggests some behavioral changes, like turning off the TV and exercising more, and controversial ideas: she suggests that a very low body mass index (BMI) can be healthy and that American society has skewed the range of healthy weight. She also suggests prohibition laws as a way to keep people from eating certain bad foods, like trans fats. Certainly not a standard diet or health book, this is recommended for public and academic libraries with patrons interested in anthropology and behavioral science.—Elizabeth Williams, Washoe Cty. Lib. Syst., Reno, NV
Gould, Stephen Jay. The Richness of Life: The Essential Stephen Jay Gould. Norton. 2007. c.672p. ed. by Steven Rose. index. ISBN 978-0-393-06498-8. $35. SCI
Most libraries already have between a smattering and an extensive collection of the prolific scientist Gould's works in both popular and scholarly venues. That makes this volume difficult to review—as a contribution to the existing literature, it offers nothing new, but as a concise representation of his major works, it is magnificent. Editor Rose, Gould's former colleague and an influential scientist/popularizer in his own right, makes thoughtful selections from Gould's books, columns, feature articles in Natural History magazine, and scholarly works for this anthology. It reflects everything from his love for baseball to his respect for Marxism and certainly portrays his passion for science. It is arranged in eight parts: "Autobiography," "Biographies," "Evolutionary Theory," "Size, Form, and Shape," "Stages and Sequences," "Sociobiology and Evolutionary Psychology," "Racism, Scientific and Otherwise," and "Religion." Redundant or not, this book will circulate in public and academic libraries, and combined with an eventual biography of Gould (we are still waiting), it would provide an excellent overview of the life and work of an influential 20th-century scholar. [For another posthumous Gould volume, see his Punctuated Equilibrium, Xpress Reviews, 5/29/07.—Ed.]—Gregg Sapp, Science Lib., SUNY Albany
Gussow, Adam. Journeyman's Road: Modern Blues Lives from Faulkner's Mississippi to Post-9/11 New York. Univ. of Tennessee. Jun. 2007. c.248p. photogs. bibliog. index. ISBN 978-1-57233-569-1. $30. MUSIC
In this collection of mostly previously published columns from Blues Access magazine, harp player Gussow (English & southern studies, Univ. of Mississippi; Mister Satan's Apprentice: A Blues Memoir) chronicles his life as half of the blues duo Satan and Adam, offers sketches of several New York blues musicians (e.g., Shemekia Copeland, Popa Chubby, and Jon Paris), and contemplates the relationship between the blues and African American literature. Gussow got the jones for the blues at age 17 at a B.B. King concert in Central Park. Hanging out with a guitar player friend who introduced him to Eric Clapton and Jimi Hendrix, Gussow started blowing his way into Manhattan's blues scene, eventually hooking up with blues guitarist Sterling Magee, a.k.a. Mr. Satan. Here, Gussow offers advice about joining jam sessions and includes his syllabus for a course he teaches on blues literature. While Gussow's sometimes humorous tales and lively prose suit magazine articles, the book lacks a unifying thread, making for an uneven collection and repetitious reading. Only larger public libraries seeking complete music collections will want this book.—Henry L. Carrigan Jr., Evanston, IL
Hamilton, Nigel. Bill Clinton: Mastering the Presidency. PublicAffairs: Perseus. Jul. 2007. c.768p. bibliog. index. ISBN 978-1-58648-516-0. $30. BIOG
Although the shelf of books about Bill Clinton is already a full one, Hamilton's Bill Clinton: An American Journey; Great Expectations (2003) is the only entrant in the category of full-scale biography. This second volume takes up where that one ended and details Clinton's first term in the White House through his reelection in 1996. This is an extensive volume of short, uneven chapters covering episodes that were not so long ago the province of journalists: gays in the military, Zoë Baird, health care reform, and other early missteps that were balanced by successful close calls like NAFTA and deficit reduction. Hamilton frames Clinton's response to the 1995 Oklahoma City bombing as a transforming moment leading him, despite a constant background of tawdriness, to the "cusp of presidential greatness." Drawing largely upon familiar secondary sources and memoirs, Hamilton also conducted dozens of interviews, the most significant with Leon Panetta, Clinton's second chief of staff. Although the writing is sometimes trite and repetitive, this is a reasonably good popular history that belongs in most public and academic libraries.—Bob Nardini, Coutts Information Svcs., Concord, NH
Horwitz, Allan V. & Jerome C. Wakefield. The Loss of Sadness: How Psychiatry Transformed Normal Sorrow into Depressive Disorder. Oxford Univ. Jun. 2007. c.272p. index. ISBN 978-0-19-531304-8. $29.95. PSYCH
According to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (American Psychiatric Assoc., 2000. 4th ed.), widely used by health professionals, a patient is clinically depressed only if he/she exhibits a set of behavioral changes (e.g., sorrow, weight change) that persist for at least two weeks and interfere with his/her ability to perform daily tasks. It further specifies that these changes should not be due to bereavement; authors Horwitz (sociology, Rutgers Univ.; Creating Mental Illness) and Wakefield (social work, New York Univ.) argue this is too narrow a clause. Defining bereavement as the response to the death of a loved one, they propose that many other losses—e.g., a breakup, career setbacks—can cause similar "normal sadness," yet sufferers would incorrectly fit the diagnosis for clinical depression. Lumping together real clinical depression with normal sadness, they believe, has hindered our ability to do meaningful research, because many of the so-called "depressives" being studied may not be depressed at all. Academic and medical libraries supporting programs in psychiatry and clinical psychology should definitely buy this book, which is intended for practitioners. For undergraduate and public libraries, E. Fuller Torrey's Out of the Shadows: Confronting America's Mental Illness Crisis explores many of the same points in a more expansive context.—Mary Ann Hughes, Neill P.L., Pullman, WA
Klass, Perri. Treatment Kind and Fair: Letters to a Young Doctor. Basic Bks: Perseus. Jun. 2007. c.272p. ISBN 978-0-465-03777-3. $24.95. MED
Pediatrician and journalist Klass (A Not Entirely Benign Procedure; Baby Doctor) delivers a vivid account of her experiences and lessons learned during medical school, residency, and as an attending physician. Writing in epistolary style, Klass addresses each letter to her son Orlando, who, too, has decided to pursue a career as a medical doctor. Klass examines experiences from applying to medical school to becoming an attending, providing readers an honest overview of her field and detailing the tough issues faced in the profession, such as death and dying, medical errors, long hours, and balancing work and home life. Klass illustrates her advice to future doctors by interspersing each of the letters with clinical vignettes based on her own and others' experiences practicing medicine. Her enthusiasm for the profession and ability to share her years of practice make this an excellent read for future medical students, medical professionals, and anyone interested in medicine. Highly recommended for most libraries.—Dana Ladd, Community Health Education Ctr., Virginia Commonwealth Univ. Libs. & Virginia Commonwealth Univ. Health Syst., Richmond
Rogov, Daniel (text) & Yael Hershberg (illus.). Rogues, Writers, & Whores: Dining with the Rich and Infamous, or a Stock of Scrumptious Stories from the Centuries. Toby. 2007. 335p. illus. index. ISBN 978-1-59264-172-7. $24.95. COOKERY
Rogov, an influential food and wine critic and author in Israel, delivers a delicious feast of over 60 juicy but brief biographies of kings and queens, chefs, novelists, composers, courtesans, and others who have contributed to the world of gastronomy. Each chapter includes whimsical and exquisite illustrations and tempting and occasionally complex recipes either attributed to or consumed by the gourmets represented in this book. For example, discover the life of Marquis de Nointel, who may have created béchamel sauce, or learn to make the asparagus soup named after Émile Zola. The Americas and other regions of the world are not represented, excepting three American writers. The title seems an odd choice, given that royal figures such as Queen Elizabeth I and Catherine de' Medici were not rogues, whores, or writers. Still, this is a highly entertaining book sure to satisfy the palate. Recommended for large public and academic libraries.—Christine Holmes, San Jose State Univ. Lib., CA
Sklar, Jill. The Five Gifts of Illness: A Reconsideration. Marlowe: Avalon, dist. by Publishers Group West. Jun. 2007. ISBN 978-1-56924-299-5. $23.95. HEALTH
Illness is rarely considered beneficial, but this book could change that perception. In the last century, American life expectancy has been extended by three decades, resulting in the phenomenon of survivorship. Medical journalist Sklar (The First Year: Crohn's Disease and Ulcerative Colitis) was puzzled to find value in her long experience with Crohn's disease, so she interviewed 102 other survivors of serious illness to determine their reactions. Surprisingly, most of those interviewed said if given the choice, they'd follow the illness path again rather than forego its benefits. Their stories of positive outcomes in relationships, altruism, emotions, and goals form the basis for a unique and powerful account of the psychological and philosophical aspects of catastrophic illness. Sklar adds suggestions for individuals and society, including her concern that survivors of diseases other than heart disease and cancer should also receive attention. There is a reference list and a section of Web sites arranged by disease, but libraries are not suggested as gateways to resources and seldom does the author acknowledge the constraints imposed on the uninsured. Suitable for public, academic, and health-oriented libraries.—Lois K. Merry, Keene State Coll. Lib., NH
Stevens, Kathy. Where the Blind Horse Sings: Love and Healing at an Animal Sanctuary. Skyhorse, dist. by Sterling. 2007. 240p. photogs. bibliog. ISBN 978-1-60239-055-3. $22.95. NAT HIST
Stevens, who founded the Catskill Animal Sanctuary (CAS) in 2001, writes about a handful of animals that became part of her refuge: Dino, the first CAS resident, a toothless pony who survived a fire; Babe, the 900-pound pig; Rambo, a rambunctious but savvy ram; and others. Although Stevens's goal is to educate readers about the horrific conditions in which many production animals live, she doesn't spend much time on the animals' backgrounds; instead she focuses on the sanctuary's successful abilities to rehabilitate these abused and neglected farm animals. At times, the narration becomes a little preachy and one-sided, e.g., as Stevens argues that the poor treatment of production animals is a direct result of agribusiness. However, Stevens's underlying theme that farm animals are individuals with their own behaviors and characteristics comes through very strong. While some of the stories are a bit extraordinary, many readers will reflect on their own interactions with animals and wonder. Stevens's recommended "Bookshelf" lists more graphic and intense titles on the subject; however, her gentle and superficial introduction is suitable for public libraries and high school libraries.—Kyrille Goldbeck, Virginia Polytechnic Inst. & State Univ., Blacksburg
Tourles, Stephanie. Organic Body Care Recipes: 175 Homemade Herbal Formulas for Glowing Skin & a Vibrant Self. Storey. Jun. 2007. c.384p. index. ISBN 978-1-58017-676-7. pap. $18.95. HEALTH
Many do-it-yourself natural beauty guides resemble cookbooks that teach shortcuts and pantry rummaging skills to help you turn out good weeknight dinners, while others fall on the other end of the spectrum. Tourles's offering is more Julia Child than Rachael Ray, and although it doesn't advise you to press your own jojoba oil, it's not for someone who wants to whip up a quick facial mask before work. Tourles, licensed esthetician and Vegetarian Life health and beauty expert, provides a useful ingredient glossary and tools primer before launching into detailed recipes for everything from facial elixirs to insect repellents. She occasionally contradicts herself: vitamin E capsules appear in one cleanser, and citrus essential oils are included in some sensitive-skin formulas, despite glossary contraindications for both ingredients. The book's value lies in its informed discussion of essential oils and attention to proper preparation and storage. Novice or harried home-spa enthusiasts should consult Myra Cameron and Theresa Foy DiGeronimo's Mother Nature's Guide to Vibrant Beauty & Health or Janice Cox's Natural Beauty at Home. Recommended for public libraries with large natural beauty collections.—Blanche Angelo, Livermore P.L., CA
Zane. Dear G-Spot: Straight Talk About Sex and Love. Atria: S. & S. Jul. 2007. c.256p. ISBN 978-0-7434-5705-7. $25. PSYCH
New York Times best-selling author Zane is known for her hot novels and erotica noir anthologies (e.g., Gettin' Buck Wild). This manual—her first work of nonfiction—summarizes ten years of email advice, mostly to women but also helpful for men, that she gave to fans who wrote from her Web site. She focuses on both relationships and techniques with a strong message to keep yourself safely sexual and happy, whether in casual relationships or long-term commitments. Her explicit language is geared toward younger readers, but anyone reading past the four-letter glibness will find good advice from a caring veteran of the sex wars who emphasizes finding a good man and building an enduring partnership. Topics range from virginity, cheating, swinging, and selfish lovers through "riding dick" (woman on top), oral sex, masturbation, and sex toys. Web sources appear occasionally but unfortunately are not collected at the end for easy reference; Zane also fails to describe how to find a sex therapist. A good resource for fans of her fiction and those who might not pick up a more traditional sex manual. Zane's popularity makes this an essential purchase for many libraries.—Martha Cornog, Philadelphia
Hopkinson, Nalo. The New Moon's Arms. 8 CDs. unabridged. 10 hrs. Sound Library: BBC Audiobooks America. 2007. ISBN 978-0-7927-4735-2. $79.95. F
Narrator Gin Hammond masterfully captures the voices of the Caribbean and the sea in Hopkinson's novel of mystery, loss, and menopause. The lead character, Calamity, has changed her name from Chastity, which seems more appropriate as the story opens with her father's death. Her hot flashes, coupled with her grief, open her to new worlds that may be supernatural and a need to confront old battles. The tale swings between myth and her present as she discovers a four-year-old child washed up on the beach. Hammond is superb on stage in a South African–set, one-woman performance of The Syringa Tree as she portrays two dozen characters, and here she easily shifts among the author's equally nuanced cast. Highly recommended.—Joyce Kessel, Villa Maria Coll., Buffalo, NY
Robb, J.D. Innocent in Death. 10 CDs. unabridged. 12 hrs. Brilliance Audio. 2007. ISBN 978-1-4233-1601-5. $102.25. F
Robb's most recent mystery featuring Eve Dallas and her able crew of assistants has her investigating the death of a young teacher whose body is found by two ten-year-old girls. Cynical Eve finds that his daily hot chocolate lovingly prepared in a thermos by his wife was spiked with poison. However, Eve quickly establishes that anyone in the exclusive private school could have added the ricin. While Eve is following all the leads, her husband, Roarke, is being stalked by a clever and beautiful former lover. Susan Ericksen assumes the voices of the regular characters, and the listener greets them like old friends. She adds the appropriate accent for the Caribbean-born young widow, whose voice shows impatience, confusion, and pain in quick succession when Eve tells her of her husband's death. The arrogance of a child who wants to help in the investigation, the harassed mother trying to keep track of five kids, and the haughty headmistress who gets in Eve's way are all brought to life by Ericksen's excellent reading. Recommended for all mystery collections.—Juleigh Muirhead Clark, John D. Rockefeller Jr. Lib., Colonial Williamsburg Fdn., VA
Woods, Stuart. Fresh Disasters. 6 CDs. unabridged. 7½ hrs. Books on Tape. 2007. ISBN 978-1-4159-3674-0. $60; 5 cassettes. ISBN 978-1-4159-3673-3. $50. F
Woods's 13th Stone Barrington novel is at first more lighthearted than usual as the New York attorney's acquaintance Herbie Fisher becomes embroiled in a dispute with a colorful Mafia don known as Dattila the Hun. After a few amusing episodes and lots of sex for Stone, whom no woman can resist, matters turn darker. Stone's latest girlfriend is brutally murdered, and a famous sculptor is the leading suspect. This shift in tone, especially at an unpleasant incident near the end, may be jarring for some. Woods seems less in control than usual, constantly introducing new characters; yet Stone and his detective friend Dino Bacchetti remain appealing. Tony Roberts's masterful reading, particularly his voice for Dino, raises this moderately entertaining tale to another level. Recommended for popular collections.—Michael Adams, CUNY Graduate Ctr.
See the June 1st Xpress Reviews.
