Xpress Reviews—First Look at New Books

-- Library Journal, 11/1/2007

Week of October 30

Fiction | Nonfiction

Phillips, Caryl. Foreigners. Knopf. Oct. 2007. 256p. ISBN 978-1-4000-4397-2. $24.95. F

This genre-bending hybrid combines biographical fiction with dry, textbook-style history to demonstrate the unwavering hostility blacks have encountered in Great Britain over the course of 300 years. The book consists of three case studies, each narrated in a different voice. In "Doctor Johnson’s Watch," an amateur Johnsonian hopes to make his name by interviewing Frank Barber, Johnson’s Jamaican-born manservant. To his surprise, Barber has squandered his inheritance from Johnson and is languishing in a filthy pauper’s hospital. The second story, "Made in Wales," examines the brief boxing career of Randolph Turpin, who famously defeated Sugar Ray Robinson in 1951. Turpin almost immediately fell on hard times and endured a long and humiliating decline. The final section, "Northern Lights," focuses on David Oluwale, a Nigerian immigrant who settled in Leeds and was systematically persecuted by the local police. As the emotional pitch rises, Phillips tamps it down with ever-increasing amounts of factual filler, purposely keeping the reader at a distance. The result is definitely not light reading, and the disturbing effect lingers in the memory. Highly recommended, especially for collections of postcolonial literature.—Edward B. St. John, Loyola Law Sch. Lib., Los Angeles

Nonfiction

Arem, Ridha, M.D. The Thyroid Solution: A Mind-Body Program for Beating Depression and Regaining Your Emotional and Physical Health. rev. ed. Ballantine. Dec. 2007. c.464p. bibliog. index. ISBN 978-0-345-49662-1. pap. $16.95. HEALTH

In this revised edition, Arem (medicine, Baylor Coll. of Medicine) presents a comprehensive overview of the thyroid gland, which has been called the body’s master gland. Because thryoid hormones influence one’s metabolism, body functions, and brain chemistry, it regulates emotions, sex drive, interpersonal relations, cognition, appetite, weight, and behavior. "One in ten Americans—more than 20 million people—suffers from thyroid dysfunction," according to the author. Thus, he emphasizes that thyroid disease is not only a physiological disease but also a biopsychiatric or mind-body ailment. He believes that many physicians fail to understand the complex interplay of the thyroid and brain chemistry. Likewise, many patients with thyroid disorders often don’t realize that their condition has mental and emotional components. New to this edition are a thyroid eating plan, information on the latest treatments, and the connection between thyroid imbalance and women’s health issues. Although the book is aimed at lay readers with its patient narratives, it contains a great deal of valuable information about thyroid conditions that health professionals will find usefull; recommended.—James Swanton, Harlem Hosp. Lib., New York

Baum, Joanne. Got the Baby, Where’s the Manual?!?: Respectful Parenting from Birth Through the Terrific Twos. Mountainside. Nov. 2007. 252p. index. ISBN 978-0-9785914-0-3. pap. $19.95. CHILD REARING

Therapist Baum’s fine survival manual for new parents is based on her Respectful Parenting system, which calls for her audience to look at kids and themselves differently. Key concepts include slowing down to the pace of children and listening to them, building mutual respect, and realizing that parents learn from children as well as learn with their children as they are taught. Chapter topics encompass making the transition from couple to family, nursing, child care, setting limits, and common pitfalls and how to avoid them. New parents, Baum says, have a huge learning curve ahead of them, and it is imperative that they take the time to validate what a child is trying to say, whether it’s through the cries of the newborn or the simple words of the toddler. Parents have different strengths and struggles, and Baum’s Respectful Parenting system is especially valuable for helping moms and dads heal their childhood pains and switch from a shame-based approach to one that is positive and respectful. Winner of a 2007 IPPY Gold Medal in the parenting category, this is recommended for all public libraries.—Krista Bush, Univ. of New Haven, West Haven, CT

Cimera, Robert Evert. Learning Disabilities: What Are They?; Helping Parents and Teachers Understand the Characteristics. Rowman & Littlefield. Nov. 2007. ISBN 978-1-57886-638-0. $75; pap. ISBN 978-1-57886-639-7. $24.95. PSYCH

Learning disabilities are common, but it is all too common that parents and teachers don’t understand what it means to have a learning disability (LD). Cimera (special education, Kent State Univ.) is very blunt about what LDs are and are not: "Learning disabled doesn’t mean stupid. Learning disabilities don’t mean that one is dumb or simple or that one can’t excel." He encourages readers to forget their preconceived notions about LDs and realize that the important thing is understanding how children learn and helping them to get the most out of their education. In a conversational tone, Cimera discusses the different types of LDs, emphasizing the importance of knowing what type of disability a child has to avoid "teaching with one hand tied behind your back." The book also addresses post-secondary life, with advice about getting into and succeeding in college. Teachers and parents will benefit from this book’s frank discussion of a topic that touches so many kids. Recommended for parent/teacher collections.—Mindy Rhiger, Minneapolis

Kurtz, Howard. Reality Show: Inside the Last Great Television News War. Free Pr. Oct. 2007. 464p. ISBN 978-0-7432-9982-4. $26.

The golden age of major network news ended with the retirements of Tom Brokaw and Dan Rather and the death of Peter Jennings. Kurtz, the media reporter for The Washington Post and the author of four well-received books relates how the new guard—Katie Couric (CBS), Brian Williams (NBC), and Charles Gibson (ABC)—struggles with the reality that network news is no longer the only game in town. This frequently gloomy assessment shows that the once reliable network news audience has been enticed away by cable news, seen as more responsive to newsworthy events, and by the Internet and blogs, with their built-in public forums that encourage interactive audience participation. In addition, hostility in politics has spilled over to the media, where anchors no longer enjoy much public trust and are vulnerable to White House spin on events. Lengthy profiles of the new anchors are accompanied by sketches of such newscasters as Bob Schieffer, Elizabeth Vargas, and Bob Woodruff, temporary anchors who held down the forts while the networks transitioned to the new guard. Kurtz concludes that the new generation of anchors is as good as the previous one, but being good might not be enough to save network news. These anchors and their networks must re-capture a younger audience by harnessing the digital universe, and attract more viewers, especially among Republicans, if their brand of news coverage is to survive, warns Kurtz. Political junkies will enjoy this book. Recommended for public libraries.—Karl Helicher, Upper Merion Township Lib., King of Prussia, PA

The Rolling Stone Interviews. Back Bay: Little, Brown. Nov. 2007. c.480p. ed. by Jann S. Wenner & Joe Levy. ISBN 978-0-316-00526-5. pap. $17.99. SOC SCI

The interviews in Rolling Stone magazine have long been considered among the most honest and in-depth of their kind, providing not only revealing portraits of pivotal figures but also an accurate reflection of the issues and trends of their eras. Wenner and Levy, the founder and the executive editor of the magazine, respectively, present a substantial collection of the best of these famed pieces, drawn from four decades. Many feature interviewers as noteworthy as their subjects, with such provocative examples as Andy Warhol on Truman Capote, P.J. O’Rourke on Hunter S. Thompson, and Wenner on Bill Clinton. John Lennon talks about music, his fellow Beatles, and drugs; Clint Eastwood speaks about his films and jazz piano; and the Dalai Lama comments on Buddhism, balance, and politics. The questions and answers are far-reaching, and a fresh sense of these individuals shines through. Wenner’s introduction is superb, explaining the philosophy and evolution of the interviews over time and providing some intriguing anecdotes. An essential read for those interested in the history and icons of popular culture. [See Prepub Alert, LJ 8/07.]—Carol J. Binkowski, Bloomfield, NJ

Slash with Anthony Bozza. Slash. HarperEntertainment: HarperCollins. Oct. 2007. photogs. ISBN 978-0-06-1351426. $27.95. MUSIC

This is the memoir of a man named Saul Hudson, better known to music fans as Slash. Hudson played guitar in the spectacularly successful yet volatile band Guns ‘n’ Roses during the late 1980s and early 1990s and recently resurfaced in the popular group Velvet Revolver. In this warts-and-all retelling, he narrates the incredible highs and lows encountered on his journey through the unique excesses of the 1980s Sunset Strip rock scene to platinum records, world tours, models, addictions, and overdoses. The general contours of these stories will seem familiar to veteran rock fans, but Slash and coauthor Bozza (Tommyland) recount them in a brutally honest way that lends the book a peculiar warmth and authenticity. Some of the best passages occur in the beginning, where Slash chronicles his bohemian youth in Los Angeles as the product of a biracial marriage immersed in the artistic circles of his parents, and the end, when he describes fatherhood as a recovering addict. These sections provide much-needed depth to an often two-dimensional story. Optional for public libraries, though there may be demand.—Dennis J. Seese, Jefferson Madison Regional Lib., Charlottesville, VA

Wood, Ronnie. Ronnie: The Autobiography. St. Martin’s. Oct. 2007. c.368p. illus. ISBN 978-0-312-36652-0. $25.95. MUSIC

In 1975, guitarist Wood, formerly of the Jeff Beck Group and the Faces, joined the Rolling Stones and ever since has been practicing a unique musical interplay with fellow Stone guitarist Keith Richards that they refer to as "the ancient art of weaving." Here, Wood recounts his life with panache, from his childhood days in England through the increasing decadence of the 1970s and 1980s, culminating with his current sobriety and contentment. Wood relates his story in conversational tones reminiscent of a legendary pub denizen spinning history from memory, concentrating on remembrances of life on the road, adventures (musical and otherwise) with compatriots, and his developing family. Readers new to the Stones may want to begin with their oral history, According to the Rolling Stones, or biographies of the band before moving on to Wood’s memoir. While sometimes divergent and rambling like any raconteur can be, Wood comes across as an avuncular rogue whose tales will be essential reading for Stones and rock-music fans alike. Recommended for all public libraries. [See Prepub Alert, LJ 6/15/07.]—Jim Collins, Morristown-Morris Twp. P.L., NJ

Week of October 23

Fiction | Nonfiction

Fiction

Anderson, Becky. In Stereo Where Available. Medallion. Nov. 2007. ISBN 978-1-933836-20-1. pap. $15.95. F

With her charming debut, Anderson has created an appealing new subgenre—the kinder, gentler chick-lit novel. Phoebe Kassner is a 29 year old facing the typical problems of chick-lit heroines. Her boyfriend has just informed her that he's just not that into her, she feels like she's never going to find "the one" (hey, she never intended to be a virgin at 29!), and the guys she's meeting through an online dating venture go from bad to worse. With a twin sister determined to be a reality-television star (her latest venture is a reality-dating show) and a roommate set on fixing Phoebe up with someone who matches her on the Myers-Brigg scale, Phoebe could use a break. Enter Jerry, who was given Phoebe's phone number by another woman who didn't want him to call. Once Phoebe takes the call, she can't bear to crush Jerry. By the time she meets him to let him down gently, she's already started to like him. What works so well in this novel is that the zany-meet-cute setups never overwhelm the realistically drawn romance of the very likable Phoebe and Jerry. Nicely done. Recommended for public libraries.—Jane Jorgenson, Madison P.L., WI

Nonfiction

Bliss, E. Veronica & Genevieve Edmonds. A Self-Determined Future with Asperger Syndrome: Solution Focused Approaches. Jessica Kingsley. Nov. 2007. c.160p. index. ISBN 978-1-84310-513-8. pap. $18.95. PSYCH

Although the title would seem to indicate a dry, textbooklike approach to helping individuals with Asperger's syndrome navigate the real world, the content is anything but and, as such, is difficult to classify. Bliss, a British psychologist with over 20 years of experience working with people on the autistic spectrum, and Edmonds, a student and speaker with Asperger's, discuss how Solution-Focused Brief Therapy (SFBT) works, offering up anecdotes of typically trying situations for people with Asperger's (e.g., grocery shopping). The key is to concentrate on defining life goals and developing the "existing resources" individuals already possess to achieve these goals. In other words, the authors emphasize strengths, not weaknesses. This slim, readable, amusing, and British-toned book features worksheets at the end of chapters. Although it is charming, it is probably an optional purchase for public and academic libraries.—Elizabeth Safford, Nevins Memorial Lib., Methuen, MA

Cori, Jasmin Lee. Healing from Trauma: A Survivor's Guide to Understanding Your Symptoms and Reclaiming Your Life. Marlowe: Avalon, dist. by Publishers Group West. Nov. 2007. c.256p. index. ISBN 978-1-60094-061-3. pap. $14.99. PSYCH

Trauma disorders are a pressing contemporary mental-health concern; victims range from incest survivors to soldiers returning from war. In psychiatric terms, the related illnesses include post-traumatic stress disorder, borderline personality syndrome, and dissociative-identity disorder. Drawing on her experience as a trauma survivor, psychotherapist Cori directly addresses the needs of other trauma survivors in this recovery manual. The first section presents basic information on trauma and its effects; the physiological basis of trauma; its consequences, or "footprints," in the body; and a description of the possible broad range of trauma-based disorders. The author then offers a guide to the healing journey, tackling such topics as how to choose the right helpers, how to select therapeutic interventions, tools for living and dealing with a traumatic past, spirituality, and signs of healing. Readers will also find information on alternative therapies and holistic modes of healing, which makes the book useful to those who seek alternatives to drug therapy. Written in an accessible style, this up-to-date survey is inspirational yet realistic. It's not a necessary purchase, but it could beef up specialized mental health-care collections.—Antoinette Brinkman, MLS, Evansville, IN

Fine, Aubrey H. & Cynthia J. Eisen. Afternoons with Puppy: Inspirations from a Therapist and His Animals. Purdue Univ. Pr. Oct. 2007. c.210p. photogs. index. ISBN 978-1-55753-470-5. $24.95. PETS

Clinical psychologist Fine (The Handbook on Animal Assisted Therapy) and Eisen (literature, Nazareth Coll.) here collaborate on a book that is partly a treatise on the ways dogs, birds, and even lizards and fish can be used in therapeutic settings; partly a primer on the life lessons that animals teach; and partly a paean to Fine's pets. Fine sees his animals as "co-therapists" whose quiet presence and nonjudgmental demeanor make his patients comfortable, encourage them to confide, learn patience and self-control, and feel needed. The authors recount many heartwarming and heart-wrenching success that were initiated by Fine's birds and dogs, particularly Puppy, an abused golden retriever that he rehabilitated. Throughout, the writers expound on the virtues animals teach, e.g., "keeping life simple," "learning how to fail," and "shaking it off," which humans would do well to emulate. A good purchase for public libraries.—Florence Scarinci, Nassau Community Coll., Garden City, NY

Firestone, Barbara (text) & Joe Buissink (photogs.). Autism Heroes: Portraits of Families Meeting the Challenge. Jessica Kingsley. Nov. 2007. c.240p. photogs. ISBN 978-1-84310-837-5. $34.95. PSYCH

Autism and Asperger's syndrome have many faces—with this wonderful book, we get to see 38 of them. Readers are treated to a showcase of different aspects of living with autism through short vignettes (organized into sections titled "Dignity," "Hope," "Opportunity," and "Love") and brilliant photographs by Buissink. Firestone is the president and founder of the Help Group of Los Angeles, which serves children with a variety of special needs, including autism. The book is closely tied with the group; all of the families featured come from Southern California, including actors Joe Mantegna and Gary Cole and baseball pitcher Jim Gott. While brief, these passages reveal much about the different ways we learn about autism, relate to siblings, and deal with adulthood. A nice complement to Sharon Rosenbloom and Thomas Balsamo's Souls: Beneath and Beyond Autism, Heroes provides a nicer sense of what lies behind the picture. An excellent entry in the literature of autism and disability; strongly recommended for public libraries and academic libraries with disability studies collections. [All of the royalties are being donated to the Help Group.—Ed.]—Corey Seeman, Kresge Business Administration Lib., Univ. of Michigan, Ann Arbor

Grant, Amy. Mosaic: Pieces of My Life So Far. Flying Dolphin: Doubleday. Oct. 2007. c.256p. ISBN 978-0-385-52289-2. $24.95. MUSIC

An award-winning Christian musician with crossover popular success, Grant shares this collection of memories in which she pontificates on her life and its lessons as she has grown and matured. From becoming a successful Christian musician as a teenager to friendships with presidents and celebrities to motherhood and marriage to country musician Vince Gill, she has lived a life in which music, family, and faith flow together. She recounts times of love and hardship for herself and loved ones as well as tales of triumph, realizations, faith, depression, and awe. Poetry and song lyrics, including previously unpublished lyrics to new songs, are interspersed with her stories. Recommended for large public and university libraries with an interest in Christian music or spiritual memoirs. [Copublished with WaterBrook Press, an edition with more Christian content is available: ISBN 978-1-4000-7360-3.—Ed.]—Lani Smith, Watertown & Summerville P.L.s, Mill Valley, CA

Henke, James. The Jim Morrison Scrapbook. Chronicle. Oct. 2007. 63p. illus. ISBN 978-1-932855-74-6. $40 with CD. MUSIC

Following on the heels of several other scrapbooks (e.g., The Bob Dylan Scrapbook), this one on Jim Morrison by Rock and Roll Hall of Fame curator Henke (Marley Legend; Lennon Legend) is replete with removable facsimiles of handwritten lyrics and drawings by the Doors' front man. A treasure trove of rare documents and memorabilia, it features unpublished photos; new interviews with the surviving Doors, music industry insiders, and family members; and a CD with 60 minutes of Morrison interviews, unreleased spoken word, and poetry. Compiled with the help of the Morrison estate and the family of his longtime girlfriend Pamela Courson, it also includes reproductions of tour programs, articles, letters and postcards, legal papers, and even Morrison's will. Surprisingly, for a rock legend as ubiquitous in popular culture as Morrison, the book does offer some fresh perspectives on the man behind the myth. For libraries, the nature of the scrapbook, with over 20 removable pieces, will make it problematic to keep intact for borrowers, but it would be popular.—Dave Valencia, Seattle P.L.

Kirby, Jack. Jack Kirby's Fourth World Omnibus. Vol 2. DC Comics. 2007. 396p. illus. ISBN 978-1-4012-1357-2. $49.99. GRAPHIC NOVEL

This second volume (of four) lovingly presents the next 14 stories in Kirby's cosmic opera, Fourth World, a stellar war among the New Gods. Unlike today's dark graphic novels whose clenched-jawed heroes appear to be eternally constipated, these tales from the early 1970s are—dare we say it?—fun to read! The only criticism is that there are too many ideas introduced. Unbridled imagination explodes out of Kirby's No. 2 pencil faster than a speeding bullet. But ideas are what separate merely talented illustrators from visionaries. Comics veteran Walt Simonson, who has worked with Kirby's New Gods in subsequent years, provides a thoughtful introduction. Former Kirby assistant Mark Evanier (author of the forthcoming Kirby: King of Comics) provides insight into the creation of the original stories collected here and points out that this volume contains what "many have called the best single full-pager of Jack's career." As a bonus, 18 pages of raw Kirby penciled pages are included for the reader to compare to the final inked versions found in the volume. Highly recommended.—William Rogers, Norwalk, CT

Mindell, Jodi A. Sleep Deprived No More: From Pregnancy to Early Motherhood—Helping You and Your Baby Sleep Through the Night. Marlowe: Avalon, dist. by Publishers Group West. Nov. 2007. c.240p. index. ISBN 978-1-56924-255-1. pap. $14.99. CHILD REARING

Mindell's (associate director, Children's Hosp. of Philadelphia Sleep Ctr.; Sleeping Through the Night) latest title addresses sleep issues in pregnancy and six months postpartum. The text is divided into four sections: an overview of sleep, how pregnancy affects sleep in each trimester, specific problems (e.g., sleep apnea and restless-legs syndrome), and issues affecting mothers and infants up to six months. As birth mothers know, the answer to most of these problems is birth itself, so while the suggestions are worthy (e.g., eat smaller meals, avoid caffeine, try massage), they are limited, which makes the title a bit of a misnomer. The book also frequently refers readers to other sections, which creates a repetitive and awkward read. Sidebars, quizzes, and quotes from pregnant women are helpful and enlightening, however. Because most pregnancy books cover sleep superficially, this title is unique for its comprehensiveness and presentation of the latest research. Recommended for larger public libraries and consumer health collections.—Julianne J. Smith, Ypsilanti Dist. Lib., MI

O'Donnell, Rosie. Celebrity Detox: The Fame Game. Grand Central. Oct. 2007. 224p. ISBN 978-0-446-58224-7. $23.99. TV

O'Donnell's many fans won't be disappointed by this brutally honest account of why she left The View—with ratings sky-high because of her—and her observations about the nature of celebrity. It's all here: the Trump debacle, her disappointment in Barbara Walters (a mother figure), and her fight with Elisabeth Hasselbeck. But she is equally tough on herself. As the title alludes, O'Donnell thinks celebrity is toxic, and her realization that her addiction to celebrity interfered with what was really important—those little, daily interactions with her family—led her to leave her award-winning talk show four years ago. Her addiction, she asserts, began with the death of her mother and "young Rosie" thinking becoming famous could have saved her. This surprisingly self-aware memoir reveals the pain, regret, and euphoria involved in withdrawing from—and returning to—celebrity life as only O'Donnell could tell it. Her brand of honesty and vulnerability doesn't come along often. All the book's net profits will benefit Rosie's Broadway Kids charity. Highly recommended. [See Prepub Alert, LJ 5/15/07.]—Rosellen (Rosy) Brewer, Sno-Isle Libs., Marysville, WA

Week of October 16

Fiction | Nonfiction | Graphic Novels

Fiction

Holdefer, Charles. The Contractor. Permanent. Nov. 2007. c.200p. ISBN 978-1-57962-173-5. $26. F

On an anonymous island, an American unit interrogates unidentified captives caught up in the security dragnet of the Iraq War. A former soldier, an unremarkable family man, signs on as a contractor to question these prisoners, but an unexpected fatality raises dilemmas far beyond the scope of his job’s description. At the same time, his family and personal lives implode, so his resources stretch well past their limits. Billing as the first novel to address the high-profile issues of outsourced torture and secret prisons, Holdefer’s third book vaults past his earlier Nice and Apologies for Big Rod to portray with excruciating, chilling effect the actions of men operating in extreme circumstances when the usual rules of war are absent. A short novel but powerful in its reach, this work by a native Iowan now teaching at a French university resounds with literary merit and bears the hallmarks of a thriller sure to fly off the shelf in many public libraries. [Dan Fesperman’s topical thriller, The Prisoner of Guantánamo, also explored these issues.—Ed.]—Barbara Conaty, Falls Church, VA

Robb, J.D. Creation in Death. Putnam. Nov. 2007. c.352p. ISBN 978-0-399-15436-2. $25.95. F

In her 25th "In Death" series title about Lt. Eve Dallas, Robb (alias Nora Roberts) delivers a fairly straightforward police procedural with a sprinkling of sexually charged romance and a dash of the near future. Although set in New York in 2060, the story features the usual people, traffic, and crime. Dallas worked The Groom case when she was a green cop, and the killer was never caught. The case went cold; now he’s back, and more women are dying. But Dallas is more seasoned this time around, with more clout and assets at her disposal. That’s exactly what appeals to The Groom as well—Eve will be the crowning achievement in his study of death. Series newcomers, don’t start here. Begin with Naked in Death (1995), as that novel presents the character motivation that is not readily apparent to the uninitiated in Robb’s latest. There is also a large cast of supporting characters, many with their own recurring plotlines that could be confusing, if unfamiliar. Recommended for all public libraries. [See Prepub Alert, LJ 7/07.]—Charli Osborne, Oxford P.L., MI

Nonfiction

Armstrong, David & Joseph Trento. America and the Islamic Bomb: The Deadly Compromise. Steerforth, dist. by Random. Oct. 2007. c.268p. index. ISBN 978-1-58642-137-3. $24.95.

Levy, Adrian & Catherine Scott-Clark. Deception: Pakistan, the United States, and the Secret Trade in Nuclear Weapons. Walker. Oct. 2007. c.576p. photogs. maps. bibliog. index. ISBN 978-0-8027-1554-8. $27.95. INT AFFAIRS

These two books approach the current situation in the Middle East by examining the relationship between the United States and Pakistan. In Deception, Levy and Scott-Clark (senior correspondents, the Guardian, London; coauthors, The Amber Room: The Fate of the World’s Greatest Lost Treasure) demonstrate how the United States covered up Pakistan’s nuclear testing for decades to allow continued trade between the two nations. They further contend that U.S. officials even warned the Pakistani government of forthcoming investigations into Pakistan’s nuclear program. They argue that the illicit trade of nuclear secrets spilling out from Pakistan to its neighbors, particularly to Iran, Iraq, and North Korea, resulted in Pakistan’s going "from being an ally to a rogue nation at the epicenter of world instability."

In America and the Islamic Bomb, Armstrong (bureau chief, National Security News Service) and Trento (president, Public Education Center; The Boys from Berlin: The Secret History of the CIA) argue convincingly that Pakistan’s leaking and selling of atomic secrets across the region have increased nuclear proliferation by "small, weak states" and the likelihood of "terrorists or unfriendly regimes getting their hands on an atomic device." The United States "aided and abetted" this exchange by remaining allied to Pakistan, which harbored one of the worst culprits, A.Q. Khan, leader of a nuclear smuggling ring, and by not taking a stronger stance against nuclear proliferation. It is important to note that these two books are written by experienced journalists, not academics, and combine traditional research with a journalistic flair. Both are worthy reads for those interested in current events, the direction of U.S. foreign relations, Middle Eastern affairs, and security studies. The drawbacks to Deception include its length, combined with a light bibliography for a book of its size and importance. America and the Islamic Bomb invites a wider readership from a lay audience. Both books are recommended for public and academic libraries.—Antonio Thompson, Austin Peay State Univ., Clarksville, TN

Forbes, Camille F. Introducing Bert Williams: Burnt Cork, Broadway, and the Story of America’s First Black Star. Basic Civitas: Perseus. Oct. 2007. illus. bibliog. index. ISBN 978-0-465-02479-7. $26. THEATER

Once hailed as the greatest comedian on the American stage, Bert Williams (1876–1922) has fallen into obscurity, his legacy sullied by his signature blackface performances. In this reworking of her 2002 Ph.D. dissertation for a general readership, Forbes (literature, Univ. of California, San Diego) attempts to restore Williams’s reputation by assessing the black actor and his considerable achievements within the historical context of segregated, turn-of-the-century America. Forbes invokes the ambiguous power of blackface, a mask she claims both oppressed the actor and provided him a certain interpretive freedom. Williams’s career was full of such contradictions: he walked a delicate color line by playing—often simultaneously—to the conflicting expectations of white and black audiences. In the end, Williams’s mask proves too thick to penetrate. The offstage Williams was notoriously private and is practically invisible here. But Forbes ably demonstrates how the actor became a lodestone for social and political arguments beyond his control. If sometimes Forbes’s language feels stilted and the book veers toward hagiography, Introducing Bert Williams still serves as a useful introduction to an enigmatic and important personality of the American stage. Recommended for college and large public libraries.—Brian McMillan, Marvin Duchow Music Lib., McGill Univ., Montreal, Quebec

Goodman, Martin. Rome and Jerusalem: The Clash of Ancient Civilizations. Knopf. Oct. 2007. c.624p. photogs. maps. bibliog. index. ISBN 978-0-375-41185-4. $35. HIST

In 66 C.E. in the Roman province of Judaea, Jewish rebels staged an uprising, prompting fighting that lasted four years and culminated in the Roman army’s destruction of Jerusalem and its Temple, marking also a breaking point in Jewish religious practice: henceforth, synagogues would replace the Temple as the locus of worship. Goodman (Jewish studies, Oxford Univ.; The Roman World) concentrates on the cultural background and legacy of this upheaval. He examines the worldviews of the Romans, the Jews, and to a certain extent other subject peoples of Rome. His principal contention is that the war was less the result of Roman hostility to Jews than its cause. He points out that the Romans were respectful of specific Jewish traditions, if not always of Jews themselves. Jews were regarded as a people apart but not necessarily a political or social danger. Goodman draws heavily on the works of the Roman-Jewish historian Josephus, inferring from him that the war need not have been prosecuted so ruthlessly and that the newly installed Flavian dynasty demanded that the war be portrayed as an unambiguous victory against an implacable enemy. Goodman then examines the war’s significance to the development of rabbinic Judaism, Christianity, and the persistence of anti-Semitism, thereby taking his narrative up to late antiquity. This is a readable and erudite book, useful as an overview of the period of Jewish war and offering insightful observations on its long-term significance. Recommended for graduate, undergraduate, and public libraries.—Richard Fraser, formerly with Coll. of Physicians Lib., Philadelphia

Greene, Alan, M.D., with others (text) & Val Lawton (illus.). Raising Baby Green: The Earth-Friendly Guide to Pregnancy, Childbirth, and Baby Care. Jossey-Bass. Oct. 2007. 320p. illus. index. ISBN 978-0-7879-9622-2. $16.95. CHILD REARING

In this second of only two recently published books on environmentally friendly child rearing—the other being Kimberly Rider’s Organic Baby: Simple Steps for Healthy Living—pediatrician Greene (Stanford Univ. Sch. of Medicine) providesan exemplary information and reference resource for parents concerned with doing their part to raise a healthy child in an ecoconscious manner. Organized by developmental stages, the text features Greene advising on what to feed the baby and how to administer medicine safely; Jeanette Pavini, a consumer watch reporter for CBS Eyewitness News in San Francisco, recommends how to shop responsibly for diapers, bedding, cribs, toys, etc. While the book is specifically geared toward new parents, its well-cited data about environmental hazards, coupled with the practical tips for green living, are suitable for anyone wanting to learn more about individual efforts to increase environmental sustainability. A solid niche filler on green parenting; recommended for all public libraries.—Susan E. Thomas, Indiana Univ. Lib., South Bend

Hampar, Joann. Astrology for Beginners: A Simple Way To Read Your Chart. Llewellyn. Nov. 2007. c.216p. ISBN 978-0-7387-1106-5. pap. $14.95. PARAPSYCH

True to its title, this latest from Hampar (Electional Astrology: The Art of Timing) really does provide a simple way to read your astrological natal chart. In it, she starts with basic patterns of planet placement and moves progressively to the more specific and intricate attributes of the natal chart, doing all the heavy lifting by deftly interpreting the meaning of these placements. The one drawback is that she presumes that readers have been able to attain a natal chart drawing that comes complete with an aspect table from www.astrology.com, the only web site listed in the book’s conclusion. This site, however, is a nest of divination services from which this reviewer found it impossible to get a chart—free or fee-based (though this may just be a glitch that will be resolved closer to the date of publication). Reference librarians helping patrons get the most out of this book by finding other astrology sites should obtain a chart that includes an aspect table. With chart in hand, this is a great resource for the average astrological seeker. With the provisions noted, highly recommended for most public libraries.—Janet Tapper, Western States Chiropractic Coll. Lib., Portland

Pons, Frank Moya. History of the Caribbean: Plantations, Trade, and War in the Atlantic World. Markus Wiener. Oct. 2007. c.416p. bibliog. index. ISBN 978-1-55876-414-9. $88.95. HIST

Pons (former research director, CUNY Dominican Studies Inst., New York; The Dominican Republic: A National History) provides a detailed chronological narrative outlining major events in the economic development of the Caribbean region, beginning with Columbus’s first arrival in the late 1400s and extending to the mid-20th century. Throughout, the varied histories of distinct Caribbean locations are acknowledged. Exploring the competitive colonial undertakings of Spain, France, England, and Portugal, Pons describes motivations and methodology used by these European powers to establish their Caribbean colonies. Additionally, he explores how filibusters (pirates), buccaneers, and contraband markets complicated the economic situation of the region. Pons focuses primarily on macroeconomic trends and not on the experience of individuals living in the Caribbean at the time, producing a highly readable historical account. Recommended for undergraduate academic libraries.—Kristin Whitehair, Univ. of Kansas Medical Ctr. Lib., Lawrence

Temple-Raston, Dina. The Jihad Next Door: The Lackawanna Six and Rough Justice in the Age of Terror. PublicAffairs: Perseus. 2007. c.304p. index. ISBN 978-1-58648-403-3. $26. POL SCI

Journalist Temple-Raston’s (A Death in Texas) new book reads like a novel. In it, readers meet six working-class Yemeni Americans from Lackawanna, NY, who retreat into Islam to escape boredom. Their spiritual guide then convinces them to go to Afghanistan to train in one of Osama bin Laden’s camps just before the 9/11 attacks. The six claim not to know what they have signed on for, but as prized American recruits, they meet bin Laden and hear him speak of a large attack on the United States. All six leave early, feigning illness to escape the rigors of terror training. Denounced anonymously to the FBI, they are arrested, and their case draws the personal attention of then Attorney General John Ashcroft and President Bush, who were apparently entranced with the thought that a U.S.-based al Qaeda sleeper cell had at last been found. All six were convicted of federal charges and imprisoned. Temple-Raston probes the complexities of being Muslim in America, the obsession of politicians with "terror" to the detriment of civil liberties, and the fine line between youthful naiveté and fundamentalist extremism. Highly recommended for all public and academic libraries.—Duncan Stewart, Univ. of Iowa Libs., Iowa City

Graphic Novels

Anderson, Eric A. (text) & Manny Trembley (text & illus.). Sam Noir. Vol. 1. Image Comics. 2007. 128p. ISBN 978-1-58240-758-6. pap. $15.99. F

Sam Noir—a middle-aged, smoking, drinking, wise-cracking former samurai–turned–samurai detective—is the unlikely hero od this story of superfluous revenge. Noir’s rampage begins when a former target of his private detective service, Jasmine, is slain by three throwing stars. Noir had developed a one-sided infatuation with Jasmine, and her murder compels him to bring her killers to hard justice. According to this ex-samurai’s code, justice equals killing as many people as possible. After Noir feels Jasmine has been vindicated, he decides to go on a holiday to an unidentified tropical island apparently inhabited by pirates, as the dialog begins to read like a Pirates of the Caribbean adaptation. But Noir can’t seem to escape trouble, and after an assassination attempt, he teams up with the island’s only detective, an ex-pirate with a penchant for doing things the old way. This suits Noir just fine, and together they attempt to stay alive while they find out that the group responsible for Jasmine’s death stretches much farther than they had anticipated. The Anderson and Trembley team fill Noir’s narrative with more metaphors than a high school English class, but the story is intoxicating and irrevocably entertaining. Trembley’s artistic style is precise and simple, with elements of the black-and-white contrast of Frank Miller’s Sin City. Violence abounds, so no young ones allowed; but Noir’s quips will have mature audiences laughing out loud. The sharp writing of Anderson and Trembley will please older noir enthusiasts and mystery genre readers alike.—Frank Stapleton, Torrance P.L., CA

Ellis, Warren (text) & Ben Templesmith (illus.). Fell. Vol. 1. Image Comics. 2007. 128p. ISBN 978-1-58240-693-0. pap. $14.99. F

"Everybody is hiding something"—that’s the motto of Richard Fell, a cop transferred to the cesspool of humanity known as Snowtown in Ellis’s (Transmetropolitan; The Authority) noir-styled masterpiece. Exiled for an unknown transgression against the police force in the normal world "across the bridge," Fell brings his unique powers of observation and deduction to the defense of Snowtown’s beaten-down masses; he pursues a child molester, a deviant who snatches unborn fetuses from pregnant mothers’ wombs, and locates the "murderer" of a homeless man. Fell is notable within the industry as an experiment in creating a shorter, more densely packed comic that could sell for less while not feeling skimpy. To accomplish this, Ellis and Templesmith make active use of Watchmen-style, nine-panel layouts, while detailed dialog and voice-overs by the lead drive the plot along. Thrice Eisner Award–nominated Templesmith accentuates Ellis’s grim one-shot stories with washed-out, watercolor-like backgrounds and characters who seem to waver and blur within the barely sketched outlines of their bodies. The work is saved from looking too depressing, fortunately, as he gifts these outlines with unique, memorable, and expressive faces, providing the vivid humanity needed to complement the series’ bleak story lines. Fell will be heartily welcomed alongside other adult-horror-themed titles like Hellblazer and Preacher, as well as detective/noir-styled works such as Powers. Recommended for adult collections owing to scenes of violence and the sometimes shocking crimes depicted.—David Ward, Univ. of Illinois Undergraduate Lib., Urbana

Helms, Andrew (text) & Maximo V. Lorenzo (illus.). Bombos vs. Everything. Vol. 1. Tokyopop. 2007. 192p. ISBN 978-1-59816-698-9. pap. $9.99. F

This OEL manga is going to have great appeal to the audience who enjoys Naruto, as it has many of the same elements: an underdog kid with ambition beyond his apparent ability, antagonist-friendship tensions, quirky mentors, and the promise of endless quest-type adventures with plenty of fight scenes. The similarities end there. Bombos is not your average paper boy—first of all, he wields a bat with deadly accuracy; second, his greatest dream is to escape his backwater life and find his fame and fortune in the fabled city of Bokonon. Admission to the city, however, is not merely a matter of travel—one must prove oneself in battle with a Qualifier. Bombos and his best friend/rival Veng—with help from the Editor, a former Bokonon resident, and Addy, Bombos’s girlfriend and polar opposite—set forth to take on the challenge. Bombos has a pleasingly original visual style. Lorenzo’s art is well framed, which helps the eye travel smoothly across the page. The characters of Bombos and Veng are drawn in a crisp, rounded style that contrasts sharply with the rough-edged adults and the angular slashing style of the fight scenes. Emotions are well envisioned, and the dialog is in a vernacular that teens will quickly connect with. There promises to be a variety of human and nonhuman rivals in this action-packed alternative world to keep the plotline going for sometime. Violent fight scenes and language place this firmly in the teen range.—Gretchen Schroeder, Woodlynde Sch. Lib., Stafford, PA

Hine, David (text) & Philip Tan (illus.). Spawn: The Armageddon Collection. Part 2. Image Comics. 2007. 168p. ISBN 978-1-58240-686-2. pap. $15.95. F

Rivers run red with blood, and froglike abominations rain from the sky, heralding the end of days. As the armies of Heaven and Hell draw near, Spawn must once and for all face his destiny and play out his role in the final battle. So begins the conclusion of The Armageddon Collection, bringing resolution to the central story arc hinted at all the way back in the first issue of Spawn. The exposition in the first volume is much stronger both in pacing and execution, and some of the cooler moments are glossed over here, which makes for a less-exciting read. While Spawn has always been a personal story of a man’s loss and attempt at redemption, set in this backdrop, it could have spent more time on the final battle—angels and demons locked in furious battle and whatnot. Instead, the author gets a little bogged down explaining the cosmology of the Spawn universe. However, Hine does carry off the ordeal with a great deal of credibility, and his take on the higher-powers-that-be is interesting. Most important, Hine is thorough in resolving loose plot threads and firmly establishes Spawn in a new direction, which is no easy feat given the series’ long run and deliberately focused theme and atmosphere. Tan’s tight, sharp pencils are strong and quite a relief from the "McFarlanesque" pencils of previous artists. His style is well suited for a wide spectrum of material, and his take on classic characters such as Sam and Twitch are beautifully rendered. The only stumbling points are that the action tends to get slightly disorienting in some scenes, and the four horsemen of the apocalypse are visually weak and boring. Tan hits his stride with his portrayal of Al Simmons himself—there is a palatable sense of righteousness to Spawn after his final transformation. Recommended for Spawn fans older teen and up; even for readers such as myself, who kept up back in Image’s heyday but now is missing a good portion of the recent canon, there is still a great deal of satisfaction in finally learning the fate of the Hellspawn.—George Sun, New York

Kang, Morim. 10, 20, and 30. Vol. 1. Netcomics. 2007. 166p. tr. from Korean by Jennifer Park. ISBN 978-1-60009-183-4. pap. $9.99. F

This manhwa focuses on the lives of three women who each represent a different decade. Krumb Yoon is a forgetful and overly emotional widow in her thirties; her teenage daughter, Rok Nah, ends up as a caretaker. Belle Woo is Krumb’s twenty-something niece, a dedicated slacker who avoids her mother’s desperate attempts to marry her off. Each woman deals with different issues: Krumb is struggling at work; Rok doesn’t want to grow up and tries to dodge the affections of her neighborhood boyfriend, Angel; Belle uses her friend Beau Nahn for sex but doesn’t want to pursue a more serious relationship. When Belle moves in with Krumb and Rok, their lives become more intertwined. 10, 20, and 30 showcases events that effect the characters’ lives through a series of short episodes that resemble the typical plot points of a chick-lit novel. Some readers might be put off by Kang’s art style, which is more cartoonish than the usual manga released in the United States. But the simple art does serve to highlight the exaggerated emotions and the occasional slapstick. Although the publisher rates the volume as ages 16+, Belle’s sexual escapades may place the book in the adult collections of some libraries. Recommended, as the age range of the characters ensures that it will appeal to a wider audience than just teen readers.—Anna Neatrour, Salt Lake City, UT

Kim, Young-Bin (text) & Juder (illus.). Stand by Youth. Vol. 1. Tokyopop. 2007. 216p. tr. from Japanese Lauren Na. ISBN 978-1-59816-942-3. pap. $9.99. F

After 17-year-old Hyungmo Yang fails the college-entrance because of a Scantron mishap, he has to endure a year of exam school while his contemporaries start their college careers. He needs to pass the exam the following year to get into college, but it’s not going to be easy: Hyungmo’s exam school chief tells him he has "the ability to achieve, but not the focus to maintain," and his combative family members can be supportive, but he feels that he’s let them down. The main ray of light in Hyungmo’s life is his mysterious classmate, Sora, on whom he has developed a crush. Although Hyungmo struggles to not only achieve the necessary test score but also to figure out what makes him a man, his unruly classmates, his habit of daydreaming, and his reacquaintance with a former middle school classmate who has a porn-rental business all lead to distractions and missed opportunities. Kim’s sense of humor and complex characters make this an enjoyable read; Juder provides many distinctive faces and body types. Stand by Youth makes the SAT seem like a simple open-book test—teens will love it. The lust-fueled daydreams of a 17-year-old boy, smoking teens, and the hint that Sora may have a seedy job rate this comedy manhwa for ages 16+. Recommended.—Kristin Fance, Houston Baptist Univ. Lib.

Koge-Donbo. Kamichama Karin. Vol. 7. Tokyopop. 2007. 200p. tr. from Japanese by Nan Rymer. ISBN 978-1-59816-883-9. pap. $9.99. F

Karin Hanazono discovers that the ring she inherited from her mother is magical—when she wishes to protect someone, the ring transforms Karin into a goddess with divine powers. Soon after, she meets another seventh grader, Kazune Kujyou, a cute, mysterious boy who also has a ring, then moves into the large mansion where Kazune and his cousin Himeka live to master her newly discovered powers. Like Karin, Kazune and Himeka are parentless. When Karin learns Himeka’s life is in danger, she vows to help protect her new friends. The final volume concludes with the confrontation between the keepers of the rings; as they confront evil "Mr. Glasses Man," the origin of the rings reveals strange scientific experimentations and unimaginable family connections. This manga offers a tongue-in-cheek version of the conventional magical girl fare. The enjoyable storyline features a spunky heroine with lots of heart, the irritating yet cute hero, magical rings, fashionable costumes, and bad guys spouting corny dialog. Koge-Donbo, creator of the Pita-Ten and DiGi Charat titles, excels at drawing cute moppets. The simple layouts and engaging artwork make it easy to follow. Girls will enjoy this light romantic comedy mixed with magical quest that does not take itself too seriously. This will also appeal to younger fans of Clamp. Rated ages 10+, it includes mild violence, magical battles, and puppy love. Highly recommended.—June Shimonishi, Torrance P.L., CA

Page, Tyler. Nothing Better. Vol. 1: No Place Like Home. Dementian Comics. 2007. 200p. ISBN 978-0-9720801-3-2. pap. $15. F

Collecting the first seven chapters of the online comic of the same name, this standard slice-of-life story chronicles the lives of two freshmen at a small Lutheran college. Jane is a "good" girl: she loves her family, doesn’t drink, and believes in God. Then there is Katt, a "bad" girl who is ambivalent about her family, drinks whenever possible, and does not believe in God. When the two are paired as freshmen year roommates, drama is sure to follow. But here’s the thing, the drama is unremarkable, as is this graphic novel. The art is pretty standard—black-and-white panels in the usual layouts. Page does do some nice work with gestures and posturing, but on the whole the illustrations are unremarkable. The storytelling is also unexceptional: Jane, Katt, and the other characters are teen literature stereotypes, the pace is meandering, and the constant discussion of God and religion feels forced. Neither bad nor good, this comic should be bypassed in favor of Craig Thompson’s Blankets, a much better choice for libraries looking for graphic novels that explore college relationships and religion. Some sexual content and language may make this book inappropriate for young teens.—E.W. Goodman, Art Inst. of Pittsburgh Lib., PA

Pascoe, Jim (text) & Jake Myler (illus.). Undertown. Vol. 1. Tokyopop. 2007. 192p. ISBN 978-1-4278-0103-6. pap. $9.99. F

Owing to its disparate themes, this OEL manga could be described as the Care Bears distilled from The Chronicles of Narnia and strained through Full Metal Alchemist. Tweenager Sama, along with his teddy bear Eddie, is transported to a strange land via a portal under his bed in the hopes of finding a magical stone to save his ill father’s life. Upon arriving in Undertown, Sama is attacked by giant insectoids only to escape their clutches mysteriously; then Eddie inexplicably comes to life. Eventually, the boy and bear befriend a gang of anthropomorphic animals who agree to help Sama in his quest. The "furmen," as the animals of Undertown are known, are at war with the insectoids for control of their world and its most valuable commodity, sugar. Some darker elements are foreshadowed at, and sugar is used, in some places, as a metaphor for drugs. Pascoe has written stories for Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Hellboy, and Kim Possible, but here his storytelling includes a number of puzzling plot twists. It will be interesting to see how he ties these together as the series progresses. An accomplished artist, Myler makes his manga debut here, and this volume includes such enjoyable extras as several full-color pages and black-and-white concept sketches. Although rated for ages 13+, this might have trouble finding an audience: the teddy bear theme and tweenage protagonist might be a tough sale to teen readers, but the battle scenes and creepy monsters could make up for that.—Don Boozer, Cleveland P.L.

Snakepit, Ben. My Life in a Jugular Vein. Microcosm: dist. by AK Pr. & Dist. 2007. 288p. ISBN 978-0-9788665-5-6. pap. $15. AUTOBIOG

Snakepit’s day-by-day, black-and-white graphic diary covers a three-year period and like his first book (The Snakepit Book) follows the same structure—three panels for each day, with a song and artist slug line. An artist and a musician, Snakepit produces work that is both humorous and painfully revealing: "All stories are true, no names have been changed. Snakepit was, is, and always shall be intended to be read while on the toilet." His life, though it may be unconventional to many, offers insight into the human condition. He struggles to juggle his loves (girlfriends, work, drugs, alcohol, shows, libraries) with daily necessities (work, laundry, health coverage, keeping off weight). His struggle—how to live authentically in an inauthentic world—resonates with readers: "So this is my life, huh? I’m 31, work a minimum-wage job and live with my mom." One gets the feeling that Snakepit’s goal is to get the reader both reading and listening, since so much emotion and feeling come from the music that is everywhere in the book, which comes with an accompanying compilation CD of "Ben's daily listening!" Suitable for older teens and adults owing to mature themes.—Lisa Gieskes, ECPI Coll. of Technology, Columbia, SC

Tanaka, Masashi. Gon. Vol. 1. CMX: DC Comics. 2007. 148p. ISBN 978-1-4012-1273-5. pap. $5.99. F

This wordless manga tells the tale of Gon, a pint-sized dinosaur with a T-Rex-sized attitude. Make no mistake—Gon isn’t "cute," at least not in the usual sense. Rambling around a humanless—and seemingly North American—postdinosaur landscape, Gon looks for food and interacts with other animals according to the law of the wild. Charmingly bright-eyed, Gon is a veritable dreadnought of determinism and fully appreciates his position as top dog in a brutish, kill-or-be-killed world. While Tanaka devotes much attention to Gon’s ferocious bite in each of in the four vignettes, readers will grow affection for him in the small details, such as his immense pleasure in sleeping. The animals and Gon are drawn fairly realistically, looking like villains in Osamu Tezuka’s Mighty Atom books (known in the United States as Astro Boy); Tanaka’s straightforward style also features gorgeous lines and incredible, deep background detail bringing to mind Joe Sacco’s Safe Area Goražde. Sans words, it can be difficult to follow the action, but Tanaka is adroit in drawing the eye to details that move the narrative along. There is no sex or (obviously) swearing, and, like a documentary, it is "violent" in that predators consume prey. The first of six volumes, Gon is recommended for students for its ability to tell a story without words. While this is fine for large graphic novel and manga collections, librarians may want to buy Volume 1 and see how that does before committing to the entire series.—Douglas C. Lord, Connecticut State Lib., Hartford

Yagami, Chitose. Fall in Love Like a Comic! Vol. 1. Viz Media. 2007. 189p. tr. from Japanese by Mai Ihara. ISBN 978-1-4215-1373-7. pap. $8.99. F

High school student Rena Sakura is a professional shojo mangaka, but she keeps her career a secret at school because of the risqué nature of her stories. Although Rena’s work is successful, her editor suggests that some dating experience would make her work more emotional and realistic. Rena, who has never had a boyfriend, accepts the challenge. When handsome, popular Tomoya Okita accidentally discovers some of her steamy artwork, Rena explains her situation and asks him to be her boyfriend. Of course, Rena falls in love with Tomoya for real and is angst-ridden about his true feelings for her. Rena is the standard shojo heroine: intense, clumsy, and silly when it comes to love. Tomoya is fairly one-dimensional but fulfills his role as the hunky boyfriend. Despite this predictability, the title and characters’ awareness of the silliness of their situation make this a sweet parody of the shojo genre. The artwork is top-notch, with lots of sweeping lines and romantic panels where Rena giddily melts in Tomoya’s arms. Because of sexual themes, the publisher rates this series for older teens ages 16+. This volume also includes Magical Project, the author’s debut manga. Fall in Love Like a Comic! will be appreciated by shojo fans who want a light, fast-paced read. Recommended for larger collections.—Emily Williams, Metropolitan Lib. Syst., Oklahoma City

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