Preview Shelf by Janice Clauser

Library News and Notable New Books

The Crawfordsville Library’s Football Frenzy sponsored by the youth department last week welcomed a full house of boys aged 4-10 years. Volunteer Wabash College football players enhanced Janella Nunan’s evening sports-book event by “tossing the ball”, playing games, and reading stories with eager, interested young patrons.

Nonfiction this week brings us all kinds of information and opinions about important issues. “5000 Years of Textiles” edited by Jennifer Harris pictures historic patterns for weaving, tapestry, lace, knitting, netting, knotting, and crochet. “How to Sing” helps those who just vocalize as well as those who perform and record music; Carrie Grant provides clear lessons, including a tutorial CD inside the cover. “Home Brewing” by Ted Bruning is a guide to making beer, wine, and cider.

“The Swerve” is an adventure story about scholarship; Stephen Greenblatt reviews the Renaissance foundations of modern scientific thought, discussing how Lucretius’ poem ‘On the Nature of Things’ shaped the thoughts of early geniuses. “Rin Tin Tin” is the life and legend of that special dog, written by Susan Orlean. David Reynolds’ “Mightier than the Sword” shows the influence which Harriet Beecher Stowe’s 1954 novel “Uncle Tom’s Cabin” had on pre-Civil War America. In “How To Get Out of Your Own Way” songwriter/actor Tyrese Gibson draws on his learned wisdom, motivating the reader to pursue dreams without letting obstacles stand in their path.

How much can be blamed on discrimination? Walter Williams answers this question in “Race & Economics” by saying that many problems are a result of policies, regulations, and restrictions emanating from federal, state, and local governments. Dr. Nick Trout’s “Ever By My Side” tells stories about the bonds we can have with our loved ones, both animal and human. We can learn how to develop our individual talents in Marcus Buckingham’s new business book “Now, Discover Your Strengths”. “Ethical Oil” is Ezra Levant’s study of Canada’s tar sands, weighing the environmental impact of their use against bringing oil from Saudi Arabia, with its human rights violations. In “100 Plus” Sonia Arrison says, “Humanity is on the cusp of an exciting longevity revolution. The first person to live to 150 years has probably already been born.” “A Secret Life” is Charles Lachman’s study of the lies and scandals of President Grover Cleveland. Matthew Parker’s “The Sugar Barons” tells of family corruption, empire, and war in the West Indies during 17th-18th century power struggles as Europeans made and lost fortunes trading in sugar.

Two Blacktop Cowboys novels by Lorelei James are “Saddled and Spurred” and “Corralled”, both Western romances. Amish stories are Amy Clipston’s “A Place of Peace”, Jerry Eicher’s “A Baby for Hannah”, Mary Ellis’ “A Marriage for Meghan” and “Abigail’s New Hope”, Mindy Clark’s “The Amish Midwife”, and Beth Wiseman’s “The Wonder of Your Love”. A girl leaves Holland for Wyoming as a mail-order bride in “Deeply Devoted” by Maggie Brendan. Book One of Wanda Brunstetter’s historical romance series Brides of Lehigh Canal is “Kelly’s Chance”.

“Investing Online for Dummies" is in its 7th edition by Matt Krantz.

“Area 51” is an uncensored history of America’s most top-secret military base. Author Annie Jacobsen had exclusive access to 19 men who served proudly and secretly for decades, and personal access to 55 additional military and intelligence personnel. You’ll learn what has gone on in the Nevada desert from testing nuclear weapons, to building super-secret jets, to pursuing the War on Terror.