Preview Shelf: Library News and Notable New Books by CDPL Volunteer, Janice Clauser

Remember, the Crawfordsville District Public Library is a cool place where you can relax with new ideas. An especially arty cartoon book is “Goliath” by Tom Gauld who creates weekly cartoons for the Guardian newspaper. The story is clever with minimal but very effective drawings. Another cartoon book is “The Influencing Machine” by Brooke Gladstone, illustrated by Josh Neufeld; this is a kind of media study as a reminder of the real-world consequences of media’s misdeeds.

“The Outsourced Self” by Arlie Hochschild discusses intimate life in market times, and the transformation of private life in our for-profit world. He sees that the market has invaded everything from dating services to wedding planners, from nameologists who help us name our children to wantologists who help us name our goals. “More God Less Crime” by Byron Johnson states why faith matters and how it could matter more as an antidote to crime. “The Philosophy Book: Big Ideas Simply Explained” is from DK in which various British writers describe the ancient world, the medieval world, the renaissance, the age of revolution, the modern world, and contemporary philosophy. “Robertson’s Book of Firsts: Who Did What for the First Time” by Patrick Robertson is a one-of-a-kind encyclopedia covering everything from advertisements to zippers.

“Decoded”, a collection of Jay-Z’s lyrics with special meanings, is an unusual art book that you’ll have to open to understand! “Street Fonts from Around the World” by Claudia Walde also requires investigation, to see clever kinds of printing that are actually art forms. Better Homes and Gardens’ “Color” is a complete guide to ideas for appealing décor.

“All Pro Dad” by Mark Merrill holds seven essentials for being a hero to your kids. “Good Humor Church Jokes: The Best Church and Church People Jokes and Cartoons” comes from The Joyful Noiseletter and is edited by Cal and Rose Samra. Doug Shadel’s “Outsmarting the Scam Artists” shows how to not fall victim to clever cons. “Interviewing” is a guide for journalists and writers by Gail Sedorkin.
Commentaries begin with Mark Levin’s “Ameritopia”, America’s challenge between the clash of constitutionalism and utopianism. Meg Hirshberg’s “For Better or for Work” is a survival guide for entrepreneurs and their families. Seeking history and gems in flea markets is the subject of “Killer Stuff and Tons of Money” by Maureen Stanton. John Caps offers “Henry Mancini…Reinventing Film Music”. “Private Empire: ExxonMobil and American Power” by Steve Coll investigates the largest and most powerful private corporation in the U. S.

Health books are “Prescription for Herbal Healing” by Phyllis Balch, and “The Complete Guide to Creating Oils, Soaps, Creams, and Herbal Gels for your Mind and Body” with actual recipes by Marlene Jones. “Running Doc’s Guide to Healthy Running” comes from Lewis Maharam, and tells how to fix injuries, stay active, and run pain-free. Lynn Sherr’s title is “Swim: Why We Love the Water”. She touts swimmers’ excursions into an alien element that both exhilarates the spirit and calms the soul. “Natural Hospital Birth: The Best of Both Worlds” by Cynthia Gabriel, and “Adam and Eve after the Pill: Paradoxes of the Sexual Revolution” by Mary Eberstad end today’s list of interesting studies.