Preview Shelf by Janice Clauser

Library News and Notable New Books

“Beyond Boundaries” by John Townsend shows how to move past relational pain to experience the freedom and love God designed for relationships. “Out of the Far Corners” by Peter Iliyn is billed as “an epic tale of rejection, grace, and deliverance” about “God’s unshakable faithfulness to those who suffer” written by the son of an orphaned man with an amazing story. “The Devil in Pew Number Seven” by Rebecca Alonzo is the true story of relentless persecution, and one family’s faith and courage, resulting in forgiveness. “Who’s in Charge?” is Michael Gazzaniga’s discussion of free will and the science of the brain that argues against the common belief that our lives are wholly determined by physical processes and so we’re not responsible for our actions. He says the mind “constrains” the brain just as cars are constrained by traffic they create.

Workbooks are arriving constantly with good helps. “Do It Yourself Kitchens” comes from Better Homes and Gardens. “Kitchens & Baths” by Candice Olson is a picture book in color. Linda Neubauer has edited “The Complete Photo Guide to Window Treatments” with a clear format enhanced by colored photos. “Creating the French Look” by Annie Sloan offers décor that’s appealing and chic. “Decorate” by Holly Becker is made up of 1,000 professional design ideas for every room in the house. The Family Handyman “Refresh Your Home” lists 500 simple projects to save money, update and renovate. Look, Learn & Create’s “Polymer Clay 101” includes a DVD about skills and techniques, all by Angela Mabray. “Sockology” and “Socks Appeal” by Brenna Maloney, along with “The Knitter’s Book of Socks” by Clara Parke, are responses to knitters’ new habit of knitting for the feet. “Calligraphy in 24 Hours” offers alphabets, core techniques, and projects by Veiko Kespersaks.

The most recent additions to the Crawfordsville Library’s excellent travel book collection are Rick Steves’ “Great Britain 2012”, Diana & Bill Gleasner’s “Florida: Off the Beaten Path”, “Lonely Planet’s Florida” and “Lonely Planet’s Caribbean Islands”, “Fodor’s Cancun and the Riviera Maya”, Mark Adams’ “Turn Right at Machu Picchu” about rediscovering the Lost City one step at a time, “Frommer’s China” & “Frommer’s Costa Rica 2012”. John Howells’ “Where to Retire” lists America’s best and most affordable places.

Newly requested books are Clint Locklear’s “Eastern Wolfer” about professional coyote trapping. “Comprehension from the Ground Up” is Sharon Taberski’s workbook of simplified, sensible instruction for the K-3 Reading Workshop.

Contemporary studies are “Money and Power” by William Cohan, explaining “How Goldman Sachs came to rule the world”, Charles Leerhsen’s “Blood and Smoke” the true tale of “mystery, mayhem, and the birth of the Indy 500”, and “The Third Industrial Revolution” how lateral power is transforming energy, the economy, and the world by Jeremy Rifkin. A special editorial board selected by Renovare has issued “25 Books Every Christian Should Read” which includes selections from each of the books.