Fiction | Nonfiction | Video

Fiction

Fogtdal, Peter H. The Tsar’s Dwarf. Hawthorne Bks, dist. by Publisher’s Group West. Nov. 2008. 290p. tr. from Danish by Tiina Nunnally. ISBN 978-0-9790188-0-0. pap. $15.95. F
Verdict: This story of a bawdy Danish dwarf haunted by her painful past is recommended for public libraries and large academic institutions.
Background: Danish novelist Fogtdal spins a tale of almost unbearable sadness of the dwarf Sorine who is passed from owner to owner, dehumanized, and left feeling that she cannot "see the difference between the Lord and the devil." A bitingly witty narrator, Sorine is redeemed when she meets fellow dwarf Lukas. Told in real time with flashbacks to Sorine’s earlier life, this novel lends itself to discussions on the worth of the individual, physical or intellectual challenges, and the power of compassion.—Dora Wagner, Northwestern Coll. Lib., Saint Paul

Koontz, Dean. Your Heart Belongs to Me. Bantam. Nov. 2008. c.338p. ISBN 978-0-553-80713-4. $27. F
Verdict: With its echoes of the supernatural and emotional appeal, Koontz’s latest thriller is a bit of a departure from his typical detective story. While the conclusion lacks punch, readers will coast along on the author’s enjoyable yet slightly forgettable prose. A quick, action-packed read for popular fiction collections and all dedicated Koontz fans. [See Prepub Alert, LJ 7/08.]
Background: Online entrepreneur Ryan Perry is diagnosed with a rare condition and undergoes a heart transplant. He regains his strength, but strange things start happening: mysterious gifts appear and vanish, for instance, a terrifying video of his own heart surgery. Ryan soon notices a peculiar woman following him who bears an eerie resemblance to his heart donor.—Carolann Curry, Mercer Univ. Medical Lib., Macon, GA

Lamb, Wally. The Hour I First Believed. Harper: HarperCollins. Nov. 2008. c.752p. ISBN 978-0-06-039349-6. $29.95. F
Verdict: This big, powerful book pulls into its intricate narrative several iconic events—e.g., 9/11, Hurricane Katrina, the Cocoanut Grove fire, and the Civil War. While readers might feel overwhelmed (especially when Lamb inserts a character’s entire graduate thesis into the text), the story eventually focuses on the lasting effects of the unspeakable Columbine tragedy. Recommended for all libraries. [See Prepub Alert, LJ 7/08.]
Background: Twice selected for Oprah’s Book Club, Lamb follows up I Know This Much Is True with the story of Caelum and Maureen Quirk, a couple attempting a fresh start for their troubled marriage in Littleton, CO, where they have both found work at Columbine High School. During Eric Harris and Dylan Klebold’s murderous rampage, Caelum is away, and Maureen narrowly survives by hiding in a library cupboard. She suffers from post-traumatic stress so severe that it subsumes her family’s life.—Jeanne Bogino, New Lebanon Lib., NY

Merullo, Roland. Fidel’s Last Days. Shaye Areheart: Harmony. Dec. 2008. c.288p. ISBN 978-1-4000-4868-7. $23. F
Verdict: Merullo (Golfing with God) makes his foray into the thriller genre with a psychologically nuanced and suspenseful re-creation of the Cuban Revolution. Recommended for most large public library popular fiction collections.
Background: A shadowy group hires Carolina Perez, an ex-CIA agent, to risk a daring operation to kill Fidel Castro. Her Cuban counterpart is a mild-mannered Minister of Health whose lifelong loyalty gains him access to Fidel and a chance to deliver the fatal thrust. As the head of the country’s security apparatus, the Dentist is a vicious defender of the regime, and his passion for grisly torture adds a gruesome dimension to this Caribbean thriller. Does Carolina vanquish the vile Fidel? Read on.—Barbara Conaty, Falls Church, VA

Nonfiction

Burhans, Dirk. Crunch!: A History of the Great American Potato Chip. Terrace: Univ. of Wisconsin. Nov. 2008. c.208p. illus. index. ISBN 978-0-299-22770-8. $26.95. COOKERY
Verdict: An entertaining history of the potato chip recommended for large public and academic libraries.
Background: Burhans, publisher of the defunct Greasy Spoon magazine, here explores the evolution of the consummate American snack. The chip industry has survived several boom-and-bust cycles, unpredictable weather and potato harvests, the threat of prefabricated chips and chips made from corn, and nutrition concerns, which have forced chip makers to find new ways to promote their offerings as lower in fat, salt, and cholesterol and trans-fat free. A new generation of chippers is turning to recipes of the past, tweaked with modern flavors, and finding a niche in the insatiable American snack market.—Rosemarie Lewis, Broward Cty. Public Schs., Fort Lauderdale, FL

Cosmopolitan Eds. Cosmo’s Sexiest Beauty Secrets: The Ultimate Guide to Looking Gorgeous. Hearst: Sterling. Nov. 2008. c.192p. photogs. index. ISBN 978-1-58816-725-5. $19.95. PERSONAL GROOMING
Verdict: A how-to beauty book with the same bold colors, layout, and sassy tone as the magazine. Recommended for larger public libraries, young women readers, or populations where there is demand.
Background: A collection of quick tips for creating a sexy appearance—including the "secrets" of sexy hair, skin, makeup, scent, and nails, as well as "What Guys Love (and Hate) About Your Beauty Habits." This book has name recognition but lacks the expertise and accompanying details of similar titles from beauty and makeup experts such as Bobbi Brown (Bobbi Brown Makeup Manual: For Everyone from Beginner to Pro) and Carmindy (Get Positively Beautiful: The Ultimate Guide to Looking and Feeling Gorgeous).—Meagan P. Storey, Virginia Wesleyan Coll., Norfolk

Eicher, Lovina with Kevin Williams (text) & Betsy Blanton (photogs.). The Amish Cook at Home: Simple Pleasures of Food, Family, and Faith. Andrews McMeel. Nov. 2008. 204p. photogs. index. ISBN 978-0-7407-7372-3. $29.99. COOKERY
Verdict: Chock-full of appealing recipes and snapshots of Amish culture, this cookbook is highly recommended for public libraries.
Background: Syndicated columnist Eicher, who writes "The Amish Cook" column, updates the quaint and unworldly representations of the Amish with recipes that routinely call for canned soups, ready-made pie crusts, and jalapeño peppers. Although recipes like Pizza Casserole reflect cultural changes, there are plenty of traditional recipes such as Chicken Pot Pie to satisfy fans of hearty Amish fare. The book also provides details of daily life as well as a discussion of seasonal cycles and festivities.—Ginny Wolter, Toledo-Lucas Cty. P.L., OH

Jackson, Stephen. Koala: Origins of an Icon. Allen & Unwin, dist. by Independent Pubs. Group. 2008. 352p. illus. index. ISBN 978-1-74175-031-7. $22.95. NAT HIST
Verdict: This thorough case study of the science and politics of animal conservation would have benefited from tighter editing and the inclusion of maps. Recommended for larger academic and environmental collections.
Background: Zoologist Jackson (Australian Mammals) chronicles the koala’s evolution, biology, behavior, and significance in Australian history, culture, and environmental politics. The author situates the marsupial at the center of a complex conservation debate among animal rights groups, environmental scientists, biologists, and politicians. Koalas are currently overpopulated in some areas of Australia owing to a decline in natural population controls and flawed conservation strategies. Jackson argues persuasively that koala management is often designed for political rather than scientific expediency, and this leads to policies that actually harm koalas.—Kelsy Peterson, Johnson Cty. Community Coll., Overland Park, KS

Kazuko, Emi. Easy Japanese Cookbook: The Step-By-Step Guide to Deliciously Easy Japanese Food at Home. Duncan Baird, dist. by Sterling. Nov. 2008. 216p. photogs. index. ISBN 978-1-84483-722-9. $24.95 with audio CD. COOKERY 
Verdict: Including a CD of traditional Japanese music, this work is highly recommended for all public library cookbook collections.
Background: Kazuko (New Sushi) offers a boldly illustrated cookbook with comprehensive explanations of common Japanese ingredients and instructions on basic preparation techniques. Many of the recipes look deceptively straightforward but require the preparation of dashi, sushi rice, or a vegetable dish (which can be found in the "Basic Recipe" section in the beginning of the book). Still, this book will appeal to anyone interested in preparing beautiful, authentic, and healthful Japanese recipes, going beyond typical fare with authentic recipes like Rice Balls Wrapped in Sweet Azuki Paste.—Claire Schaper, Morgantown, WV

Kostigen, Thomas M. You Are Here: The Surprising Link Between What We Do and What That Does to Our Planet. HarperOne: HarperCollins. 2008. c.256p. index. ISBN 978-0-06-158036-9. $25.95. SCI
Verdict: An accessible survey of environmental hot topics—overpopulation, recycling, illegal logging, global warming, and water shortages—for larger public libraries.
Background: The "Ethics Monitor" columnist for Dow Jones MarketWatch, Kostigen reveals the pernicious effects of human consumption, illustrating, for example, how our thoughtlessly discarded garbage can end up in the Eastern Garbage Patch off the coast of Hawaii, a swirling vortex of trash twice the size of Texas. Electronic waste disposal is also given a thorough treatment, and the author visits Third World dumping grounds, where the United States exports 85 percent of its hazardous waste. Kostigen encourages readers to examine their own complicity; those inspired to do more should consult his earlier work, The Green Book, for simple ways to be more environmentally conscious.—Diane Hartle, Univ. of Georgia Science Lib., Athens

Lewis, Cathleen. Rex: A Mother, Her Autistic Child, and the Music That Transformed Their Lives. Thomas Nelson. Nov. 2008. c.230p. ISBN 978-1-59555-150-4. $24.99. PSYCH
Verdict: This memoir documents a musical savant in a way we have not seen before, allowing us to reconsider the limits we place on people with disabilities. Highly recommended for all public libraries and academic libraries with autism and special needs collections. [Cathleen and Rex Lewis were recently featured on 60 Minutes, which may increase interest.—Ed.]
Background: Writers of faith who address disability often fall into two camps: pandering (read: special needs children are given to those able to meet the challenge) or uplifting (in the sense that religious devotion provides additional support for parents). Lewis has taken the latter path, writing an inspirational and intelligent exploration of her blind and autistic son, Rex. While religion clearly is important to the author, it does not dominate the story. Instead, readers are shown both in words and in images (with an accompanying DVD) Rex’s tremendous skills as a pianist and his development through his mother’s efforts and constant support. Lewis writes eloquently about finding devotion (especially after her husband left her and Rex), classroom battles, IEP meetings, and his interaction with the piano.—Corey Seeman, Kresge Business Administration Lib., Univ. of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI

Londergan, Betty. The Agony and the Agony: Raising a Teenage Without Losing Your Mind. Da Capo. Nov. 2008. c.256p. ISBN 978-1-60094-074-3. pap. $14.95. CHILD REARING
Verdict: Beyond espousing readers to take life lightly, this book offers a sound, commonsense approach to living with teens. A hearty, welcome addition to the parenting shelf in public libraries.
Background: Sometimes—well, often, really—when family life gets overwhelming, it helps to add a dose of humor to the mix. And in the case of raising teens, a lot of humor can ease some maddening, depressing, or overwhelming situations. Enter Londergan (I’m Too Sexy for My Volvo), who has raised a teen or two and understands the 180-degree flip between cheery 11 year old and snarly, demanding teenager. Today’s culture, she says, is "permissive, promiscuous, overscheduled, underhanded, rap-infested, SAT-obsessed, value-deprived (and) high-anxiety"; parents should be looking to go somewhere for a long, long time and blame someone else. But, they can’t—they need to cope. Londergan proposes that parents go through five stages of grief, beginning with denial (ages 12–13) and ending with acceptance (age 18).—Linda Beck, Indian Valley P.L., Telford, PA

O’s Big Book of Happiness: The Best of O, the Oprah Magazine; Wisdom, Wit, Advice, Interviews, and Inspiration. Oxmoor House. 2008. 336p. photogs. index. ISBN 978-0-8487-3233-2. $29.95. PSYCH
Verdict: The latest collection of the best articles published in O: the Oprah Magazine is a big, beautiful book offering instant inspiration. As all pieces are available in the previous issues, readers (or libraries) with subscriptions can easily (and more cheaply) mine the material.
Background: Authors dispense wisdom on every imaginable subject from family dramas to sex dilemmas. Over 100 articles inspire, edify, console, and consul—with tips on hairstyling, makeup application, career moves, and spicing up one’s love life. In her essay, Oprah writes, "Everything in life happens to help us live," and her book seeks to help the reader live life to the fullest.—Cynde Suite, Bartow Cty. Lib. Syst., Cartersville, GA

Osborne, Robert. 80 Years of the Oscar®: The Official History of the Academy Awards®. Abbeville. Dec. 2008. 440p. illus. index. ISBN 978-0-7892-0992-4. $75. FILM
Verdict: This terrific resource on the Academy Awards offers all things Oscar through the 2007 awards. A good pick for reference or circulating collections; recommended for all libraries.
Background: Osborne, a columnist and critic for the Hollywood Reporter, assembles a definitive history complemented by over 700 photos and illustrations. An overview of each decade precedes an annual profile of the ceremony and all nominees. Osborne provides the origins of the Academy and trivia, including Oscar’s designer (MGM art director Cedric Gibbons in 1928) and its height (13.5 inches) and weight (8.5 pounds). Visually stunning, large in format, and loaded with information, the book also contains memorable quotations from nominees.—Barb Kundanis, Longmont P.L., CO

Pinkard, Susan. A Revolution in Taste: The Rise of French Cuisine, 1650–1800. Cambridge Univ. Nov. 2008. 528p. bibliog. ISBN 978-0-521-82199-5. $28. COOKERY
Verdict: A well-researched analysis of French cookery during the ancient régime aimed at serious students rather than ambitious home cooks. Recommended for academic and large public libraries. 
Background: Pinkard (history, Georgetown Univ.) examines how medicine, new ingredients, and Enlightenment philosophies altered the cooking, eating, and drinking habits of 17th-century France to produce modern French cooking. The author skillfully delineates the influence of cookbooks, guilds, and specialty markets in the evolution of nouvelle cuisine, early restaurants, and winemaking. The author compiles versions of over 25 recipes from the early modern French kitchen, including sauces, soups, and main entrees using poultry, meat, fish, or seafood.—Pauline Baughman, Multnomah Cty. Lib., Portland, OR

Wilkerson, Mark. Who Are You: The Life of Pete Townshend. Omnibus: Music Sales Corp. 2008. 642p. photogs. index. ISBN 978-1-84772-704-6. pap. $29.95. MUSIC
Verdict: This is perhaps the best Townshend biography available and the most exhaustive account of his career and personal life until Townshend publishes his long-promised memoirs. Engagingly written, deeply researched, and remarkably comprehensive, this biography of the rock’n’roll pioneer and visionary is a boon for both fans and researchers. Essential for all popular music and biography collections.
Background: Originally self-published in 2005 as Amazing Journey, this biography has been updated by carrying Townshend’s story forward through the Who’s recent Endless Wire album and subsequent tours, enhancing Wilkerson’s already strong work with new research and interviews. Wilkerson draws on a wealth of material, including previous biographies, Townshend’s frequently outspoken and controversial interviews throughout his career, and the author’s own conversations with both his subject and those closest to him. Wilkerson does not shy away from the various scandals and struggles in Townshend’s life, including long-standing bouts with alcoholism, controversial comments made on the deaths of Who bandmates Keith Moon and John Entwistle, and a well-publicized 2003 arrest on child pornography charges.—Douglas King, Univ. of South Carolina, Thomas Cooper Lib., Columbia

Woodward, Mary. In Defense of Our Neighbors: The Walt and Milly Woodward Story. Fenwick. 2008. 152p. photogs. ISBN 978-0-9749510-7-2. $24.95. HIST
Verdict: This moving portrait of the lives of interned Japanese Americans is essential for all public libraries with holdings on World War II and American immigrant history.
Background: Woodward, a lecturer and columnist, is the daughter of the late Walt and Milly Woodward. Here, she pays exquisite tribute to her parents and the community of Bainbridge Island, WA. The Woodwards owned and operated the local newspaper on Bainbridge Island, a community in Puget Sound, when in 1942 the American government forced Japanese American residents from their homes and relocated them to internment camps as World War II raged in the Pacific. The couple used their newspaper to speak out against this travesty and to keep the community informed of the whereabouts and life events of their interned neighbors and friends during the war. Full of emotional reminisces of those who were interned and a foreword by author David Guterson, this volume tells the story of the Woodwards, truly brave people who believed in the importance of civil liberties. The photographs and documents, many never published before, give readers a sense of the lives of a community torn apart.—Troy Reed, Southeast Regional Lib., Gilbert, AZ

Video

Noëlle. color. 90 min. David Wall, Volo Films, Gener8Xion Entertainment, dist. by Paramount Home Entertainment, Inc., paramount.com/homeentertainment. 2008. DVD ISBN 978-1-4157-4512-0. $29.99. Closed-captioned. Rated: PG. F
Verdict: Recipient of a Dove Foundation "Family Approved" seal, this enriching film is highly recommended for all audiences; a welcome addition to the holiday films field.
Background: Set in a picturesque Cape Cod village, this unusual but heartwarming Christmas-themed movie opens as Fr. Keene arrives to shut down the local parish church just before Christmas. Fr. Joyce, who attended seminary with Fr. Keene, pastors the Sacred Heart Chapel but is lethargic owing to the decreased attendance and spends much time at the local tavern. Fr. Keene has become a hardened church bureaucrat. However, because of their friendship, Fr. Keene offers one last chance to save the parish: if the parishioners can mount a successful living nativity scene and pageant and increase attendance, they will get a reprieve. A major element is the priests’ relationship to Marjorie, the town’s unmarried and pregnant librarian, whom Fr. Keene wants to play Mary. "I never pictured Mary as a librarian." Solid performances, along with a colorful supporting cast.—Tom Budlong, Atlanta

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