Scribd.com has recently risen in my esteem. After discovering one of my eBooks on their website some weeks ago–copied and placed thereon by a book pirate–the folks at Scribd had the offending PDF taken down before 10 hours had elapsed. Soon after that, my husband and I began posting “sample” chapter PDFs of our various eBooks, and immediately I saw that this website had potential for self-published eBooks writers.

As in most cases these days, folks need a bit of complimentary “incentive” to visit a new website; right after adding a free short story to Scribd, our daily unique website visitor numbers doubled, and our titles in the Kindle Store began to hum with increased activity. While the sales figures are still far from fabulous, taking the trouble to post a piece on Scribd appears to be paying off.

However, each silver-lining has a cloud attached to it; on Paul Biba’s eBook-news website Tele-Read, I found this article outlining one author’s problem of with Scribd, charging to download her “archived” pieces. In her blog, author Lynn Viehl explains how to go about resolving the problem, but it takes some vigilance on the writer’s part to keep free titles out of the non-royalty-paying Archives.

Free stories hits and problems notwithstanding, the more informative piece we posted brought in the most reads and website visitors. On Monday, I posted a free course of sorts entitled Top Ten Tips for Newbie Fiction Writers, a piece I’d compiled late last year on for writerscafe.org; after re-posting it on Scribd I was surprised to see 200 reads by the end of the day. On Tuesday night, it was featured by Scribd; four days after I posted it the piece has more than 2,250 reads, along with eight 5-Star ratings; the comments and remarks left on our posted items provide valuable feedback on the continuing marketability of our writing. The best part is–unlike some of the other websites I’ve posted free items on–displaying these pieces on Scribd has actually translated into sold eBooks, via both The Kindle Store and Smashwords. In lieu of paid and obtrusive advertisements, we merely added live links to our various titles at the end of each PDF we uploaded. We’re currently uploading our eBook titles into the Scribd Store, where free samples are automatically generated for the viewing public.

Consumers browsing through Scribd.com like to read free reports, studies, courses and stories, but these same folks appear willing to purchase, once they’ve had a chance to “’sample” on a yet-reputable website.

–Meredith Greene

Meredith Greene has been a reviewer for SBR/SFBR since April of 2009; a wife of thirteen years, mother of four and self-published novelist.  She, nevertheless, finds time for poetry, blogs, home projects, and gardening. Come on over and read what Meredith has to say about home, gardening, and other general musings in her column Greene Ink. Visit Meredith’s website www.BelatorBooks.com.

Almost everyone considers themselves to be a writer of some sort. Those who most appreciate the art will define it as a means of connecting to oneself, to others, to reality and to fantasy. This definition excludes no one. The book business, unfortunately, does. Industry experience teaches that every writer is not an author, and the difference between the two is a matter of business. Your manuscript – your baby – is a work of art. Try to sell it, though, and the colors fade to black and white. Your art has become a product, part of a business transaction.

The ideal time to launch a media campaign is three to six months prior to your date of publication. To win the public’s attention, prioritize your book’s marketability from the very start. Below are publicity tips to keep in mind during the early stages of the writing process:

1. Write down your goal and reason for writing the book. Will it take a spot on the New York Times bestseller list to satisfy you? Or, would you be pleased if only friends and family read your book? Now, read what you’ve written. If your goal is unrealistic, you’ll know it. If it is attainable, proceed, but re-read your goal periodically throughout the writing process to stay on track.
2. Know your audience. Decide which readers you are writing for, and connect with them personally. Create a network of readers who represent your target market and involve them in the writing process. We can now do this through social media outlets as well. Run ideas by them; ask for suggestions or advice. Not only will you receive valuable input, you will have their guaranteed readership once the book is published. They are your focus group, of sorts. They are your Petri dish.
3. Know your competition. Know why and how your book is different from others in circulation. Embrace and accentuate that which makes your book unique. This might require bookstore and online research, as well as analysis on your part.
4. Learn the path of distribution. Talk to veteran writers. Consult a publicist. Knowing what to expect is helpful when focusing on the task at hand. Book distribution is a complicated issue, and you have to know how your book will reach the hands of your readers before you launch a strategy.
5. Remember that the promotion and marketing of books is very competitive and should be seen as a business. Accept well-intended advice and criticism, even if it is not what you want to hear. Everything you do now is an investment in your writing career. Some categories of books are much more saturated than others (self help, for example). Be ready to compete with many other authors. A simple trip to the local brick-and-mortar bookstore will give you a taste of your competition.
6. Scan hot topics in popular culture. Media are more likely to pay attention to non-fiction books. Keep in mind, though, that a trendy topic will date your book, limiting future sales. You’ll want to incorporate media-worthy angles/hooks into the writing of your book, and then your publicist can exploit (er, explore) these in the campaign.
7. Find a good publicist. Help them help you. While media relations won’t take effect until the book is finished, a publicist can foresee the marketability of your preliminary ideas and advise you accordingly. Check references and make sure you “click” with your publicist.

A Nineteenth Century journalist noted, “If writers were good businessmen, they’d have too much sense to be writers.” Then and now, words don’t come with price tags and book sales don’t resemble art. It doesn’t take publicity to write, but it takes publicity to be read. Share your words. Be a writer and an author.

Marika Flatt owns PR by the Book (www.prbythebook.com). You can contact her at marika@prbythebook.com. PR by the Book publicizes books of most genres on a national basis. They are your voice to the world!

When I was in elementary school, I remember getting assigned a project once regarding favorite foods.  We had to select a favorite food, write a paragraph or two on why that food was our favorite, and then create a three-dimensional model of our food, art class-style, out of construction paper.  I declared that my favorite food was the burrito, and I’ll be darned if I didn’t create a marvelous construction paper burrito to present to the class along with my devotional paragraph.

At times like these that I almost wish I still had some of the junk I made in school.  I would love to be able to see what I had actually written about why burritos were awesome.

When I think about it, I still believe that the burrito is one of mankind’s greatest inventions.  A convenient package filled with a mix of protein, fat, and carbs; what’s not to love?  It’s hard to go wrong with a burrito.  Actually, I take that back.  It’s easy to go wrong with a burrito, but I don’t want to spoil my appetite by thinking about that.

So what’s in your perfect burrito?  I reckon mine is different from that of most people.  I actually made myself a burrito for dinner tonight, so it’s fresh in my mind.  I took some leftover cooked beans I had in the fridge (they just so happened to be navy beans) and turned them into refried beans, and then mixed that with some freshly-cooked brown rice.  My veggie mix consisted of onion, garlic, tomato, zucchini, bell pepper, some kind of spicy pepper (no idea what kind… I have a bowl of assorted spicy peppers on my counter at the moment, and I can no longer remember which is which).  No cheese this time, because lately cheese hasn’t been agreeing with my stomach very much.  Wrapped the whole mix up in a whole-wheat tortilla and tried not to make too big of a mess while eating it.  (As my honey knows, I have bad luck with eating burritos sometimes.  They have a tendency to explode on me.)  And it was delicious!  I feel hungry just thinking about it.

I vaguely remember that when given that assignment back in elementary school, I was deeply torn on which food to select as my favorite.  The other major contender was the archetypal pizza.  For the record, I didn’t just eat junk food all the time.  My favorite dinners when I was a kid were the nights when my mom made pot roast.  Of course, it would have been much harder to create a pot roast out of construction paper.  A shapeless chunk of brown paper to represent the meat?  Little orange and white chunks for the peas and carrots?  Nobody would have known what it was from looking at it.  No, the burrito was definitely way cooler to make.  Lots of people made pizza and hamburgers, but my burrito rocked way more.

By Kaye Cloutman, Photography by Martin Delfino

The Smashbox Cosmetic line Clark used for our makeovers

Reviewing books, meeting deadlines, doing author interviews and preparing the layout for a monthly publication are probably some of the furthest things from glamour. For two and a half years I have known Heidi (my boss and publisher for the San Francisco | Sacramento Book Review) as the Julie McCoy of our paper who successfully juggles the many tasks of a demanding schedule on a daily basis with flying colors. Both of us have seen ourselves evolve throughout the time we’ve worked together and if we both had our ways, we’d probably be pounding on our computers 24/7 as we both agree that 24 hours a day is not enough for super goal-oriented women like us to try to work on all our aspirations. I find that during the day in this profession, it can be very easy to get sucked in the virtual world of dealing with publicists, authors and reviewers where the importance of your physical appearance doesn’t really matter anymore because your only form of interaction is online. Your laptop obviously cannot complain about your roots showing or the frizzy split ends and tired eyes – and it wasn’t until I encountered a power failure and a dark monitor showed my reflection when I saw I was slowly “letting myself go”.

 So I immediately thought about this person who I met months ago at a Skirtworking party that we attended at the Hyatt in San Francisco. His name is Clark Russell and he was the first person who approached and “networked” with me in a party of over a hundred attendees. “I love your necklace!” he exclaimed and ever since that moment, we clicked and he became the warmest individual in the room. “I love transforming people… there is so much magic and power that a makeover can do” he explained while showing me a gallery of before-and-after photos from his salon. I was dumfounded to say the least – here was this shabby looking girl with fuchsia hair, over-plucked eyebrows and piercings turned at once into a stunning Kate Winslet-like red carpet beauty. Ahhhh-mazing I thought. He showed me more stuff but I couldn’t steal him away from Vicki Liviakis, host and TV anchor at KRON 4, who eventually pulled him to the stage as he announced the winner of a free makeover. He came back to our table to continue our fun tête-à-tête and we ended the night with so much enthusiasm about getting to know each other. Clark was definitely one to leave a lasting impression on anyone.

Clark Russell checks on our hair color

A few months after, I decided to contact Clark for an intimate makeover session since it was high time for me and Heidi to get some pampering. That Saturday morning proved to be one of the most empowering days I’ve ever had. The drive to Lafayette was relaxingly traffic-free and Clark’s salon in the heart of Mt. Diablo Boulevard had a cool and inviting feel to it. The spacious salon was laid out well and I took notice of how all products were suitably highlighted in the display shelves. Clark’s joyous persona put me and Heidi to ease right away and it certainly helped that he had gorgeous and kind assistants to help out as well. From top-shelf brands like Smashbox™, Framesi™ and Alterna™, Heidi and I absolutely felt like royalty and Lori and Shayla’s strokes and scalp massages during our treatments were to die for. These hair-styling divas were so knowledgeable in their fields of expertise that it only took me to realize the many hair maintenance mistakes I make on a regular basis. The wonderful line of Alterna™ and Framesi™ did not feel irritating on my scalp at all.  Heidi just looked like she was going to pass out at any point… “This is all so calming!” she whispered.

But it wasn’t until Clark had started singing that I started to become really entertained. He was such a character! From Mariah Carey to Celine Dion renderings, the gals and I couldn’t help but laugh and applaud him. Clark was also doing the makeup of a regular client Racheline Ayun at this point and the transformation was just spectacular. She had just gotten back from a trip to Hawaii, had blotchy sunburned skin all over and was just done with her hair coloring treatment followed by a quick eyebrow threading from hairstylist Parisa. Immediately Clark set her up for a quick makeup session, “It’s important to use the right moisturizers to relax the skin especially after the harsh sun damage you get when you go on a tropical vacation” Clark explained. With this he dabs generous amounts of the Smashbox™ tinted moisturizers as base and works up to her temples to give her the proper contours and shadings to highlight her natural assets. As the minutes pass by you could see her change and almost resemble Jacqueline Onassis. With an elegant hairstyle and makeup and almost an instant swagger, Racheline happily told me “You definitely can never go wrong with Clark, that’s why I am always here!”

The Clark Russell makeover team

The transformed women of San Francisco and Sacramento Book Reviews

And I have to agree when my turn came, I immediately sensed I was in for a treat. I have done immense research about Clark and his personality was probably the reason why I was drawn to him but all that was just a precursor to his real talent… The way his brushes and wands touched my face was unforgettable, I really felt his passion, like he valued me as a piece of art in which he desired to reveal a masterpiece. Soon after, Katy Perry’s Teenage Dreams played on the radio… Clark and I both sang it with gusto while Shayla worked feverishly on getting my curls done the right way; and then I couldn’t explain the feeling that came afterwards when I looked at my reflection. I suddenly understood how all these makeover reality stars felt upon seeing their transformations on TV. It was overwhelming. I did not expect to look that way at all. From a blah and dull looking mom to vampy and sultry siren, I truly felt empowered. It was the exact thing that I needed to boost my ego. Heidi had the same sentiments “This is so surreal. I feel like I am looking at a different person!” I love how she looked, her highlights softened her look and her eyes really popped with Clark’s lovely choice of shades that complemented her eye color.

It’s probably no wonder why Clark is the top choice for red carpet and celebrity events. His humble beginnings and struggle to follow his passion contain all the classic elements of a fairy tale Hollywood story while his talents have given him the opportunity to work with some of the biggest names locally and internationally. Clark is not only an icon as a stylist; he is also a mentor and friend to his staff, colleagues and clients alike. His masterful techniques clearly make him an authority in the beauty and fashion industry and I am grateful for the superb metamorphosis both Heidi and I experienced. Clark Russell’s make up brush is his magic wand and Clark and his staff have transformed the women of Sacramento Book Review in ways we have never imagined!

(L-R) The wonderful staff! Salon Manager Gina Blair, Master Stylist Lori Jenkins, Publisher Heidi Komlofske, Clark Russell, Kaye Cloutman, Holy Stylist Parisa Chehrehsa and Diva Stylist Shayla Durmisevic

Clark Russell’s Suggested Reads:

Making Faces by Kevyn Aucoin
Little, Brown and Company, $21.99, 160 pages  

In Making Faces, Kevyn Aucoin, North Americas preeminent makeup artist, shares his secrets, explaining not only the basics of makeup application and technique but also how to use those fundamentals (sometimes in unconventional ways) to create a wide range of different looks. Making Faces features step-by-step directions, instructional full-colour sketches, and a gallery of noncelebrity transformations, as well as fabulous images of stars and supermodels as youve never seen them before.

• Lush and enticing, Making Faces satisfies on many levels: extraordinary photography, surprising makeup looks on A-list celebrities (Julia Roberts, Demi Moore, Courtney Love), and recipes for doing it yourself. ~ Mirabella
• Kevyn Aucoins new beauty bible is the Genesis, Chronicles, and Revelations of makeup. ~ Allure
• Kevie isnt a makeup man, hes a magician. He creates an atmosphere of beauty mixed with magic. ~ Cher
• Kevyns progression of work over the years has elevated makeup to an art form. ~ Tina Turner
• Kevyn enables each and every one of us to play the character we want to play, be the person we want to be, and most important, feel the best that we can feel about ourselves. ~ Drew Barrymore

Face Forward by Kevyn Aucoin
Little Brown and Company, $21.99, 176 pages

The ultimate beauty book; both gorgeous and practical. Face Forward showcases Kevyn Aucoins incredible transformations of famous and ordinary people alike, and reveals through its step-by-step instructions how makeup can give anyone a variety of different faces. Making Faces has sold 350,000 copies in hardcover and 200,000 copies in paperback to date. Face Forward has already sold more than 250,000 hardcover copies. Kevyn Aucoin is indisputably the best-known makeup artist in North America today. Cher, Calista Flockhart, Jodie Foster, Jewel, Gwyneth Paltrow, Michelle Pfeiffer, Julia Roberts, Diana Ross, Martha Stewart, Christy Turlington, and Vanessa Williams are among the celebrities featured in Face Forward.  

Asian Faces: The Essential Beauty and Makeup Guide for Asian Women by Taylor Chang-Babaian
Perigree Trade, $24.95, 176 pages

A celebrity makeup expert shares her secrets in the first beauty guide for all Asian women.

Professional makeup artist Taylor Chang-Babaian shares her beauty secrets in Asian Faces-the first beauty book created specifically to focus on the techniques and styles that enhance the skin tones and facial features of Asian women of all ages and ethnicities. This fully illustrated, step-by-step guide includes advice on:

- Makeup products and tools for the right skin tone
- How to work with one’s face shape
- The differences between day and evening makeup
- Creating the illusion of flawless skin

With more than 100 full-color photographs and illustrations, Asian Faces covers costume makeup and favorite looks from past decades with a modern edge-as well as looks from top American style meccas including New York, Miami, and Los Angeles.

About Face: Amazing Transformations Using the Secrets of the Top Celebrity Makeup Artist by Scott Barnes
Fair Winds Press, $24.99, 240 pages 

About Face is a compendium of everything make-up artist Scott Barnes has learned during his career working with A-list celebrities including Jennifer Lopez, Gwyneth Paltrow, and Jennifer Aniston. About Face is packed with techniques for every area of makeup application. Part One focuses on dramatic makeovers of real women with a twist: each woman comes in looking the best she thinks she can look. The author then deconstructs and debunks their look taking them from attractive to amazing. Step-by-step photos outline makeup techniques and products while Scott provides commentary on how he pinpointed the woman’s strongest asset and built a look around it. Part Two highlights beauty rituals, must-have makeup items, and inner and outer preparations that a woman must embrace in order to look beautiful and radiate charisma. Part Three focuses on the celebrities Scott Barnes has worked with.

Avedon Fashion 1944-2000 by Carol Squiers, Vincent Aletti, Philippe Garner, and Willis Hartshorn
Abrams, $100.00, 372 pages

Avedon Fashion 1944-2000 encompasses seven decades of extraordinary images by Richard Avedon, the most influential fashion photographer of the 20th century.

This comprehensive volume offers a definitive survey, from Avedon’s groundbreaking early photographs for Harper’s Bazaar through his constantly inventive contributions to Vogue, Egoiste, and The New Yorker. Each carefully selected image represents an artistic collaboration with significant models, stylists, and designers. Avedon Fashion accompanies the first major exhibition to survey this body of work, at the International Center of Photography in May 2009. With critical essays by Carol Squiers, curator at the ICP, and photography critic Vince Aletti, as well as an appreciation by photo-historian Philippe Garner, Avedon Fashion chronicles an astonishing record of photographic achievement.

Our Suggested Reads:

Makeup Makeovers: Expert Secrets for Stunning Transformations by Robert Jones
Fair Winds Press, $21.95, i84 pages

Forget extreme makeovers! Robert Jones, makeup artist extraordinaire, outlines step-by-step how even the ugliest duckling can become a swan-with makeup alone! In hundreds of awe-inspiring before-and-after photos, Robert makes it easy for any woman to achieve true beauty.

Unlike most makeup books that focus on celebrities or the already-glamorous, Makeup Makeovers shows every woman how to be her most beautiful. No matter what your age, skin tone, or profile, Robert can show you simple techniques that camouflage flaws and highlight each woman’s unique beauty.

Best of all, it’s EASY! Even if you’ve never worn makeup before, you can learn how to bring out your best in just a few minutes.

Good to Great Hair by Robert Vetica, Debra Messing, and Salma Hayek
Fair Winds Press, $24.99, 272 pages

All you need to create your own great hair style at home! Vetica preaches that professional techniques are not difficult; readers just need to know what to do and follow directions. In this ultimate hair styling book, he delivers to the reader all they need to know to create great hair at home or direct a professional stylist. He reveals insider secrets and techniques for recreating magazine and celebrity hairstyles, and how to adapt the look for the average reader’s tools and time constraints.

The book is divided into three parts; 1. hair treatment and care, 2. hair cutting and styling techniques and 3. how to find a look for your faces structure and personal  style. Even beginners will be able to style their hair like a pro while professional stylists can fine tune their skills with Vetica’s secrets and shortcuts. Step-by-step diagrams and photos illustrate different styles and how to work with tools of the trade such as curling irons, hair clips, and blow dryers. Before-and-after photos show readers the best hairstyles based on face shape, bone structure, type of hair, age, and personal style. Vetica peppers all of the techniques with his experience and insights gained from working with Hollywood’s top celebrities.

Looking Younger by Robert Jones
Fair Winds Press, $21.95, 256 pages  

Looking Younger, a follow-up to Robert Jones’ successful Makeup Makeovers and Makeup Makeovers: Weddings, provides unique techniques for taking the years off and looking stunning at any age. Readers learn how to expertly cover and camouflage wrinkles, sagging eyelids, and dull skintones while practical and easy tips help them customize their makeup application to play up their best features and minimize their worst.

They’ll learn which colors and makeup techniques add a decade to the face-and how to turn back the clock in a few well-chosen steps. Whether it’s a glamorous look for a special event or an everyday makeup routine, readers will learn how to look attractive and natural, not made up and artificial. Techniques are illustrated with 150 before-and-after photos that will inspire and educate readers on how to look their most beautiful.

The Makeup Artist Handbook: Techniques for Film, Television, Photography, and Theatre by Gretchen Davis and Mindy Hall
Focal Press, $46.95, 296 pages

This full-color and amply illustrated book is written for film, television, and theatre makeup artists who need to know the basics on how to accomplish flawless makeup applications. It begins with fundamental practices and continues through more complex techniques usually known only by Hollywood makeup artists. Written by two expert authors who have experience doing makeup for television, commercials, and blockbuster films, readers will learn about beauty, time periods, black and white film, as well as cutting edge techniques such as air brushing makeup for computer-generated movies, and makeup effects.

High definition (HD) technology has revolutionized the techniques needed by makeup artists–you need to know more, have more talent, and be more detailed than ever before. Because HD emphasizes every detail on screen, it’s essential for makeup artists to know how to achieve a desired “look” that fits the director’s requirements. This book will help professional and aspiring makeup artists to hone their craft in both conventional and HD techniques.

• Gorgeous full color book shows how makeup artists make Hollywood stars look as good as they do, even in HD!
• Get the inside track about how to work with the pros and all about set etiquette
• Contains tips and techniques from a number of professional Hollywood makeup artists
• Includes a full reference section with useful websites, business listings, and contacts
• Award winning advice from co-author Mindy Hall, Academy Award winner for makeup for her work on Star Trek

Take Note!

Watch how Clark Russell and his staff transformed us.

Book It!

Clark Russell Salon
3400 Mt. Diablo Blvd.
Lafayette, CA 94549
(925) 299-8814
clarkrussellsalon@sbcglobal.net
website

Photography by Martin Delfino

Additional phtography by Gina Blair

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Kaye Cloutman is a self-confessed bookworm who practically grew up in the library, has an unusual penchant for the aroma of old books, and finds the ambiance of a library very soothing. Kaye has 9 years of experience working with print, radio, and television media. She became popular as the “Love Potion Columnist” for her sex and relationship advice columns in Mirror Magazine. She also bagged some accolades for her 2006 bridal magazine work with Philippine Graphic Publications. She continued her patriotic support of local Philippine talent by creating The Modern Balikbayan Bride, which serves as a valuable resource book to all prospective overseas brides planning their Philippine wedding. She is currently the Associate Editor for both San Francisco and Sacramento Book Reviews and the California correspondent for Travelife Magazine. Her book preference ranges from children’s books, science fiction, travel, and cooking, food and wine categories. Kaye writes a weekly column here called Book it! You can contact Kaye at kaye.cloutman@1776productions.

When Martin took hold of a borrowed Nikon for a photography class over 30 years ago, he immediately knew the craft was his. He was hooked and he had a reason. Every face and every moment became magical to Martin through the lens. Today, he just does not take pictures. He captures the core essence of the subject and makes vivid memories of each occasion. Martin’s photography comes from many years of experience and keeps current by attending seminars and training sessions from the masters of photography like National Geography and Sports Illustrated’s Joe McNally, to various celebrity photographers like Mike Colon who shot Usher’s wedding and Eva Longoria’s wedding photographer, Bob Davis. Martin definitely understands the need to bring life and to capture the key moments of significant events. Shooting weddings quickly allowed more people to view how Martin interprets life through the lens and by popular demand, he soon expanded to portraits of families, children, couples, corporate head shots. Martin maintains his wedding and portraits business today. He has also begun expanding his photography career shooting stylized fashion photography. Through the years, Martin has also covered many sports events due to his children. Nicole, his 11-year old gymnast has become one of his favorite subjects in action. We invite you explore Martin’s gallery to understand how he interprets life & movement, love, emotion and beauty captured under true photographic skill. You can contact him at martin@delfinophoto.com

In the introduction to this book, Kathleen Dean Moore states that she originally intended to write a book about what makes people happy. Then, life intervened, and Moore faced a rapid series of deaths of those to whom she was close. Wild Comfort results from Moore’s experience of nature as she processes these deaths, until she finally lets go of her grief, like feathers dropping into the current. What makes this book special is that Moore does not sentimentalize nature in her grief. She makes no trite remarks about the cycle of life. Rather, Moore records her observations with the precise eye of a biologist, the mind of a philosopher, and the voice of a writer. From these observations, Moore finds insights and mysteries in nature that are satisfying for those who cannot view life in simple terms.

I have grieved on several occasions in my life, and I will inevitably grieve again. When that time comes, I will reach for Moore’s book, and I, too, will find wild comfort. 

Reviewed by Annie Peters

Climate change seems an odd backdrop for a novel; however, award-winning author McEwan uses this hot button topic to shed light on the human condition. Nobel-winning physicist Michael Beard is on a downward trajectory in his career, more interested in marrying, having affairs, and divorcing. Coasting along on past accomplishments, he becomes the “Chief” of the UK’s Center for Renewable Energy. But when a freak accident kills Tom Aldous, a young colleague, Beard rejuvenates his professional life by implicating his wife’s lover in the death and stealing Aldous’ research on solar power. McEwan creates an unlikeable character in the self-deluded Beard, a risky move that may alienate some readers.

“He was so entirely in the wrong that for the moment it felt like liberation, strangely like joy.”

However, the tension of knowing the extent of his guilt and wondering if he will pay a price carries the story even through some awkward time shifts in the narrative. The ending seems hasty, and one wonders if Beard is getting off too lightly. After all, others have information that could lead to his ruin. Instead, in an ironic twist, he may be felled by melanoma. While this may not be McEwan’s best work, his facility with language and the sardonic tone of the distant third-person narration make for an intelligent and interesting read.

Reviewed by Deb Jurmu

the irises-
I break off a stem
and go to my love
-Kiyoko Uda

Haiku, an old form of Japanese poetry, captures a single moment in a few short words. While the main focus is on capturing nature, there are many haiku’s that capture other events and emotions; and one of those emotions is love. In this collection, Patricia Donegan gives the reader a collection of love haiku, from the ancient masters to modern haiku poets, many of them in English for the first time. She splits the collection up into three parts: yearning, passion, and remembrance. The first part deals with that often one-sided, part of love, the yearning for someone to be your lover. The passion section is about the passionate affair between two people. The final part, remembrance, is all about remembering old loves long ago and wishing that they would return. Like other haiku, these are short and get to the point, delivering their message in short staccato bursts, that highlight the passion and pain that is love quickly and successfully. This is a collection for people who love the simplicity of haiku and love that poetic feeling of love.

Reviewed by Kevin Winter

Duncan Riley has got it made. A lawyer on the shortlist for partner at Blake and Wolcott, he is even encouraged to take a pro bono case. He finds himself busy when the firm’s major client, Roth Industries, is embroiled in a libel case and wrongful death suit after a major construction accident leaves three workers dead.

“He didn’t see his way to figuring it out, so Duncan resolved to just do what was in front of him to do.If something else was going on, it would reveal itself eventually. With any luck he would see it coming in time.”

Leah Roth, heir apparent of Roth Industries, takes notice of him and he is flattered if not a little awestruck. When his pro bono eviction case turns into a murder case and the murder victim just happens to work for Roth, well, he has his hands full. Burning the candle at both ends is something that Riley is used to, but biting the hand that feeds him doesn’t come naturally. Why does the firm want him to plead out on the murder trial rather than bowing out due to conflict? Does he want to keep his job or do the right thing? Just what is the right thing?

Filled with real characters and lawyers that we can finally respect, Blind Man’s Alley is a legal thriller with a lot more gray areas than any Grisham novel. Riley might save the day and destroy himself.

Reviewed by Gwen Stackler

A sloppy and seemingly random murder is committed in Rome, clearly the work of an amateur. But of course, things are more complicated than they appear. Upon closer inspection, the victim turns out to be an anti-dog- fighting crusader who has exposed an illegal ring run by a local gangster. What’s more, the victim’s wife is a politician, and his mistress is the daughter of a high-ranking Mafioso.

“Alleva was dead, Massoni was dead, and Blume could hear exhilaration in Paolini’s tone.  Revenge and reprieve all at once.”

Enter Alec Blume, a police commissioner who is an American but has lived in Rome since his teens. Alec’s parents were murdered in a bank robbery gone bad, which gives him a cynical outlook on life. Blume is not your typical cop; he is sarcastic with co-workers and supervisors, he is overly zealous and far from suave when approaching women, and spends part of the book in a sling, awkwardly pursuing the bad guys when he should be home in bed. All of these traits make him a flawed but likable hero.

All of the players in the novel come across as completely believable, because the author avoids the stereotypical, and emphasizes the quirkiness in both large and small characters. The fast-moving plot has several interesting twists, and the tone is tongue-in-cheek. This is the first in a series of Commissario Blume novels, and anyone who reads this one will be looking forward to the next.

Reviewed by Leslie Wolfson

If you love shows like 30-Minute Meals, you will love Sam the Cooking Guy: Awesome Recipes & Kitchen Shortcuts. Gourmet meals are not always feasible especially if you are living a fast-paced lifestyle; I kid you not, 20 minutes or less was all the time I needed to prepare most of the dishes in this book. The multiple, recipes for appetizers, quick chows, and beverages are also super handy especially if you have friends who like dropping by unannounced. And I have a confession to make: I do have frozen dinners in my fridge most of the time, but I appreciate Sam’s take on making your own prepared BFF (Best Frozen Friend) because, as Sam says, “If I can keep something in my freezer that makes my food life easier, I will. And I don’t care what the food snobs think.” Sam the Cooking Guy is the perfect kitchen companion for those who want to keep it simple and use easy-to-find ingredients. If you’re a parent sending your child off to college, this would be the perfect gift for them as well, because the effortless techniques will serve as a survival guide and keep you from worrying that they’ve starved to death!

“I eat a lot of food in my kitchen -for TV, for recipe testing or often just for me. And most of the time it’s spent over the sink, or should be.” – Sam Zien

Reviewed by Kaye Cloutman

While Pete and his family are vacationing in New York City with Larry, the beloved family dog, Larry is left behind when he jumps out of a subway car to steal a bite of discarded pizza. Larry sets out in search of his humans, embarking on a journey that takes him to Grand Central Terminal, Times Square, Yankee Stadium, Columbus Circle, and many other places. His family is nowhere to be found, however. Fortunately for Larry, a young girl and her mother join him on his search, and the family is ultimately reunited, romantic-comedy style, on the roof deck of the Empire State Building.

Larry’s determined quest is only part of what makes this book–and the other books in the Larry Gets Lost series–so engrossing; there are also sidebars with fun facts about the New York landmarks Larry encounters, such as that the Metropolitan Museum of Art contains over two million artworks and that traders met on Wall Street as far back as the 1800s. Readers who haven’t yet visited the city will finish this book with a pleasant bite from the travel bug.

Reviewed by Margo Orlando Littell

When I was a kid, I used to deal with thoughts about where I’d come from by telling people I’d sprung, fully-formed, from my father’s forehead–like Athena. Maybe I should have kept that up, because now there’s a book to help me bolster that claim: The Mythic Warrior’s Handbook, ostensibly written by Chiron the Centaur, trainer of Theseus and Heracles, and translated for the modern-day masses by Erika Carlson and Heather Day.

With chapter titles like “Who’s Your Daddy?: “Making the Best of Nepotism,” and “Immortalizing your Mortality: Dying in Style,” The Mythic Warrior’s Handbook is really a tongue-in-cheek Classics course for people whose only prior exposure to Ancient Greece was via Xena: Warrior Princess. But in the midst of all the how-tos and wise-cracking about warriors with enough baggage to inspire a million Dr. Freuds, you might be surprised to discover that you’ve actually learned something. This would be a great gift for kids and adults alike (though older kids and younger adults will probably like it best).

Reviewed by Amanda Mitchell

Houses are not just places of security, or places with beds and kitchens and living rooms, they are expressions of the life around us, what we want out if it, and what we are afraid of being too close to. My passion for exotic locales and the lifestyles of these seemingly magical destinations so far from the typical commercial environment that so many of us were born into drove me to Margaret Gajek’s Tropical Homes of the Eastern Caribbean. A book so thick and decedent you can almost feel the tropical warmth penetrating from the heady images. With intelligent and meaningful explanations of the different cultures and environments of the Caribbean, this art, history, and traveling guru, takes us into the foreign world of color, pleasure, and exuberance, showcasing the immodest outlook the owners of these paradisaical homes maintain, and therefore the ego of American architectural lavishness.

Reviewed by Natalie Fladager

This is another book in the Max the Duck series, where Max visits friends and gets into all sorts of trouble while learning a lesson along the way. In this book Max is helping to babysit Brody’s young niece Anabel, a young kid. Most of Max’s friends decide they do not want to help babysit and instead leave Max and a few friends, and Brody, with the job. Brody soon learns he does not have the patience to take care of a child like Anabel and so it is up to Max to keep her entertain and out of trouble. Soon though Anabel gets into trouble and it is up to Max and the gang to get her out of trouble and to learn the lesson that it is fun to babysit younger siblings just be careful.

This is a well written book, it would be easy for young kids to read aloud. The words are nice and big, and not that complicated. The pictures make it easy to follow the story.

Reviewed by Kevin Winter

Would you care if Boardwalk stopped making toilet paper? What if it was Charmin brand or Seventh Generation? You might care then, because Charmin offers a uniquely soft product and Seventh Generation offers an environmentally conscious one. If you could imagine missing a brand of toilet paper, imagine how sad you’d be if, say, Amazon.com or Cold Stone Creamery disappeared. This is the emotional impact you want to have on your customers and in Do You Matter?, Robert Brunner and Stewart Emery show you how well-designed products from innovative, genuine companies achieve this connection. To illustrate the importance of design, the authors packed the book real-life examples from companies including Hilton, BMW, P&G Swiffer, Jones soda, W hotels, Target, Polaroid, Apple, IKEA, Home Depot, and Nordstroms.

For a book written about great design, the design of the book itself is disappointing. Sure, the bright orange cover and the bright orange pages that begin each chapter are attractive, but with heavy pages and the text squished toward the spine, this is a book that requires both hands to hold open. Furthermore, the swaths of white space on outside of each page edge do not contain additional information or sidebars. Instead, the spaces house quotes pulled verbatim from the text and miniature, close cropped images of products like the Motorloa Razr and a Harley-Davidson motorcycle.

Reviewed by Megan Just

“But it’s self-cooking!”

Despite the incredible variety of plants and animals on Earth, humans have always enjoyed conjuring up even stranger and more vibrant creatures. The phoenix. The mermaid. The jackalope. The chupacabra. The banshee. They haunt and terrify and fascinate. But how would they taste? And are they kosher?

These are the questions tackled by science fiction and fantasy luminaries Ann and Jeff Vandermeer in The Kosher Guide to Imaginary Animals, an utterly delightful and far-too-short tome detailing beasts both famous and obscure, and pondering which are religiously appropriate to eat.

I am a huge fan of any discussion wherein an inherently silly topic is being treated in a serious, scholarly fashion–it makes reading those Would You Rather? books a real treat at parties–and The Kosher Guide to Imaginary Animals delivers in spades. Ann and Jeff’s debates are funny and thoughtful and totally absurd, all within a few brief sentences.

And with Duff Goldman (of TV’s Ace of Cakes fame) along to offer preparation techniques for these fantastical meals, you simply can’t go wrong. This book is the most fun I’ve had in a while.

Reviewed by Glenn Dallas