Hoffer Grand Prize

The Eric Hoffer grand prize is the highest distinction awarded each year.

Too Shy For Show-and-Tell, Beth Bracken, illustrated by Jennifer Bell, Picture Window Books - This is a deceivingly simple but exceptionally told story about a young student, represented as a giraffe, who is too shy to let people know who he really is. Never speaking to any of his other animal friends at school, he becomes petrified when it is his turn to share in front of the class, but he eventually learns that his peers are eager to learn more about him when given the chance. Since surveys state that many people fear public speaking even more than death, readers both young and old can relate to the spectrum of emotions the boy experiences as he stands before an audience. When our hero dares to take risks, he gains the courage to let others see who he really is. Bracken's story is accompanied by Bell's fine illustrations that build empathy for each character. It's a universal story delivered well and succintly, showing us all how we let our fears limit and threaten our successes.

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Montaigne Medal

The Montaigne Medal is awarded to the most thought-provoking titles.

Comfortably Unaware, Dr. Richard A. Oppenlander, Langdon Street Press - Where does the food come from? This is the predominant question of Dr. Oppenlander's book on global food responsibility and its impact on the Earth. Most people might reply that food comes from a package in the supermarket, but the answer isn't as significant as our ignorance of the real food chain and its cost to the environment. In the last century, the food chain has changed dramatically from local agriculture to remotely located corporate monopolies that undermine biodiversity, raise critical resource consumption, and significantly increase the environmental footprint once used to produce the number of people. This is all before the concepts of global warming and the overconsumption of animals enter the discussion. Naturally, there will be a tipping point, which might not be as far in the future as this generation thinks. The irony is that our convenient, contemporary diet is not even helping us. In fact, there is plenty of evidence that it is doing just the opposite for our health. Oppenlander warns that the time for change is now.

Transparencies of Eternity, Rubem Alves, Convivium Press - Alves' series of mediations covers a spectrum intellectual and spiritual pursuits that circle around the soul and the meaning of life. Other poets serve as launching points for discussion. The topics include the necessity for an abstract and incomprehensible God, finding the spirit in the simplest elements of earth, the paradox of Hell, the many forms of angels, the poetry of prayer, and others. The essays are at times personal and unique to Alves, but isn't the human experience driven through the prism of the self? In the end, it's not important that Alves answers life's fundamental questions or is even in alignment with your own thinking, only that he inspires you to explore your own existence and connectedness with life.

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da Vinci Eye

The da Vinci Eye is awarded to titles with superior cover artwork.

	Beyond Suiseki, Manette Gerstle, Water Stone Press (cover by Briar Levit)
	Letters in Cardboard Boxes, Abby Slovin, Abby Slovin (cover by Abby Slovin)
	Married into It, Patricia Frolander, High Plains Press (cover by Sarah Rogers)
	One Pink Line, Dina Silver, Createspace (cover by Sonia Fiore)
	The Plume Hunter, Renee Thompson, Torrey House Press (cover by Jeff Fuller)
	Tornado Warning, Elin Stebbins Waldal, Sound Beach Publishing (cover by Claudine Mansour Design)

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First Horizon Award

The First Horizon Award is given to superior work by debut authors.

* 52 People, Jayson Krause, Driven By Passion Press (see coverage in the memoir category)

* A Jewish Calendar of Festive Foods, Jane Portnoy, Janelle International (see coverage in the home category)

* Letters in Cardboard Boxes, Abby Slovin, Abby Slovin (see coverage in the general fiction category)

* Nonna's Book of Mysteries, Mary Osborne, Lake Street Press (see coverage in the young adult category)

* The Chinese Dream, Helen H. Wang, CreateSpace (see coverage in the business category)

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Academic Press Award

This award is given to a title from a press with an educational institution affiliation, such as a college, library, or museum.

Wisconsin's Own: Twenty Remarkable Homes, M.Caren Connolly & Louis Wasserman, photographs by Zane Williams, Wisconsin Historical Society Press - We've all driven past common homes and properties with names proudly posted outside, and we've all giggled a little at the vanity. So when does a house deserve the attention and honor of a moniker? The decision always involves a wealth of history and, of course, an architect. That is, after all, where the art of a fine structure is born. In Wisconsin’s Own, Connelly and Wasserman take us on a tour of twenty architecturally unique and thrilling Wisconsin homes, and, yes, they have names. The Octagon House, an eight-sided four-story mansion, overlooks Watertown with an intriguing center spiral staircase reminiscent of a lighthouse. Villa Louis, an Italian manor style with mixed Euro-American influences, was the inspiration for two August Derleth novels. Wingspread, a sprawling four-armed behemoth built around a central tiered hub, resembles a contemporary Swedish hotel lobby. Most of the homes in this collection are one hundred years or older, each more beautiful than the next, each reaching forward in design and function, yet conscious of the state's pioneering spirit. With luscious photography and text that reveals the scope and history of each home, this book reveals the beauty and ambition of the Wisconsin homesteading experience.

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Small Press Award

This award is given to a title from a press producing twenty-five books or more per year.

Stumbling Into Infinity: An Ordinary Man in the Sphere of Enlightenment, Michael Fischman, Morgan James Publishing - In modern-day America, many Christian-raised people, especially those in middle age, are exploring other religious or spiritual options: Buddhism, Muslimism, even Atheism. This memoir about one man's quest for a spiritual life is perhaps the most clea and comprehensible book on the topic. This is no lightweight venture on new age religion. Now working as a respected leader in personal development (some are named Art of Living Courses), Fischman, a former advertising executive, starts his spiritual quest by spending time in India. He travels extensively, practices meditation, and studies the various cultures. Ultimately, he becomes a follower of contemporary Indian master, Sri Sri Ravi Shankar, who envisions "a violence-free, stress-free world." Fischman is happier and more genuine. Now living in Florida, the author travels the world, talking about peace, personal awareness, and the attainment of fulfillment.

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Micro Press Award

This award is given to a title from a press producing twenty-four books or less per year.

Inspired Nurse, Rich Bluni, RN, Fire Starter Publishing - Sadly, in the medical profession where it is least needed, job burnout is often the worst. Years of difficult study, followed by training and mandated continued education, long hours, low pay, lack of appreciation, and the headaches of dealing with payor reimbursements all take their toll on healthcare providers. Bluni, now a motivational speaker for nurses, worked in hospitals for many years. Recognizing what was happening to the nurses in this country, he decided to take action. Each chapter of this book deals with an area of burnout, and the examples are taken from Bluni's own experience. He also provides action items that help nurses to regain their enthusiasm and rediscover their passion for their profession.

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Self-Published Award

This award is given to a title that was financed by the author and/or not by the publisher, regardless of press size.

Hubble Reveals Creation: By an Awe-Inspiring Power, J Paul Hutchins, Imagination Publishing - The scope of this book scans not only the known 10,000 galaxies and all they are comprised of, but also the quest driven by man's curiosity and imagination centuries before Galileo improved the spyglass in 1699. A concise history of the development of the telescope relates how technological advances brought us to age of the Hubble and Spitzer Space telescopes. The 146 NASA photographs included are hypnotic images that generate a sense of wonder. The history of telescopes culminates in previewing telescopes to be operational in the very near future. Hutchins declares, "…Nothing comes into existence devoid of imagination." He makes an intellectually compelling case that the order of the universe was a planned, rather than a random, action. And the author's own personal story is almost as interesting as the contents of the book.

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Art

Titles in this category capture the experience, execution, or demonstration of the arts, including art, fine art, graphic art, architecture, design, photography, and coffee table books.

Winner

Pieter Bruegel, Larry Silver, Abbeville Press Publishers - Painter and printmaker Pieter Bruegel, known in his hometown of Antwerp as the "second Bosch" and to others as "Peasant Bruegel" for his depictions of peasant life, is officially Pieter Breughel the Elder, the first in a line of Flemish artists of the same name. At one point, Pieter dropped the "h" from his signature, but he is unique nonetheless, regardless of his artistic classification alongside the more famous Hieronymous Bosch. The two painters never met, although Bosch's influence was obvious in Bruegel's early works. Later, paintings of the common man en masse are humorous, satirical, and frenzied all at once, with a touch of terror. As time proceeds, a master craft for landscapes emerges, and throughout his life, he produced excellent ink drawings that are often overlooked. Art historian Larry Silver assembles a life retrospective of the artist in this dense, comprehensive, and superbly organized art book.

First Runner-Up

One Hundred American Paintings, Paul Monoguerra, Georgia Museum of Art - Monguerra, chief curator of the Georgia Museum of Art located at Georgia University in Athens, has catalogued its permanent collection in One Hundred American Paintings. Consisting primarily of works of the nineteenth and twentieth century, the paintings are organized chronologically by artist. Beginning with the staid portraiture of the early 1800s and expanding to the modern works of the late 1900s, the collection earns a sense of progression from realism to surrealism and the meaning of form. And like all museums, due to space restrictions of the museum itself, this is often the only way we can see the entire collection at once. Well annotated with concise and informative text, this is a great overview of an important collection.

Honorable Mentions

Ricardo Breceda: Accidnetal Artist, Diana Lindsay, Sunbelt Publications - Deep in Durango, the heart of Mexico, Ricardo Breceda creates life-sized steel sculptures of unique and exceptional quality. Dubbed "The Picasso of Steel," Breceda is new to the art world. He was injured in a construction accident, and untrained and inexperienced, he turned to sculpture for the first time on a child's whim—the request of his daughter to create a dinosaur. In only a decade's time and in the maturity of his life, his talent and reputation has accelerated. It is almost as if he had been waiting for the right moment to blossom. Biographer Diana Lindsay travelled to Mexico to capture this story, and although at times it was like pulling muscles from a shell, she has created a charming and captivating photographic and written essay of an artist in his prime.

Homage to the Creative Spirit: The Paintings of Jenness Cortez, Karen Rechnitzer Pope, AMI Publishers - At a glance, you think it's a gimmick, but the technique of Jenness Cortez's reproductions is arresting, and then you look deeper. Every painting sets a mood—a masterwork set inside a scene that highlights the painter's original intent without violating its own uniqueness. For certain it is homage, although this series clearly transports these works to another level. It's one of those artists you see and think: This is all your own. Art historian Karen Rechnitzer Pope guides us through Cortez's homage series with deft commentary that touches on both the scope of the artist being portrayed and Cortez's interpretation.

Jaws: Memories from Martha's Vineyard, Matt Taylor, Moonrise Media - Anyone over the age of fifty remembers when the 1970's summer blockbuster Jaws reached the big screen, possibly one of the most terrifying movies to date. Directed by a young Steven Spielberg, it was both innovative and a commercial success, a model for his long line of successful films. Matt Taylor's has assembled a memoir in pictures and words from the film's production on Martha's Vineyard, when the bucolic island was beset by Hollywood. Taylor, a lifelong collector of Jaws memorabilia, set out on a mission to unearth the behind-the-scenes photographs and memories of the vanguard film's undertaking. It's likely one of the most comprehensive and enjoyable books of its type.

Icons/Iconoclasts: The Circus Comes to Town, Wayne Schoenfeld, Great Circle Books - Photographer Schoenfeld takes us into the soul of the circus. This collection is part parody and part homage to circus performers, who Schoenfeld describe as actors without a script and likens them to athletes "at the top their game, [risking] more than audience disappointment." This is a photo essay that speaks for itself, literally. After the introduction, very little prose interrupts the series of quality, lush depictions that, we discover, were originally displayed in Paris' 2011 "Cirque du Domain" exhibition. Mysterious and compelling are just two words that immediately come to mind, but Schoenfeld proves that sometimes a photographic essay can be fun and sexy, while the insight arrives later.

The Photo Album, K.B. Dixon, Inkwater Press - This charming book summons your imagination by supposing a photo album without pictures. Accompanying a series of empty frames are Dixon's descriptions, which range from the typical to the atypical that defines most scrapbooks, photo essays, and artistic collections. It's easy to overlook the value of the prose in such portfolios, but not if that is all that you have to go on. Dixon is playing with the essence of memory by asking us to visualize his photos, yet see them as we (not the author) remember them.

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Poetry

Titles in this category contain poetry or highly stylized prose.

Winner

Open Winter, Rae Gouirand, Bellday Books - This is a tour d'force of haunted, halting language. Crisp with invention, the author milks the unexpected nature of words and phrases using rhythmic inversion, coined phrases, and building tense oppositions. The result is a poetry that is dense and full of surprises and that grieve for meaning, suffering language as a necessary sacrament of time. These aren't poems so much; they are garlands of words that embrace a sense of futility and want, a restlessness that reaches for something beyond the fringes of their subject matter. "I ask, read me your favorite/line... we all/need something to hold us down." The title is apt and fitting, the poems ring clear, cold, and open; attempting the unthinkable, they long to go on living beyond their own time. And miraculously, they do.

First Runner-Up

Unguarded Crossing, Bob Brooks, Antrim House - Brooks begins this collection of poetry by thinking about poetry. Although in "Fuzzy Coffee" he writes, "As if what makes angels/ angels is that they/ can't explain it," he does explain his take on life in fun and accessible verses. With wonderful wit, he talks about dogs and drinking, chocolate and sex, marriage and arguments, hurricanes and regrets and roses with thorns—all topics that affect us readers, and if Brooks mentions something strange to us, now we know and understand and feel, through him, the impact of that bit of life, as if we were just two old friends having a lively conversation.

Honorable Mentions

Moonflower, Gianna Russo, Kitsune Books - Russo exhibits a degree of intellectual toughness that is seldom seen in contemporary poetry. Her poems are anything but whispy, waifish or cute. There's a raucous, rhythmic quality that carries brassy notes, bright colors and big flavors. All these stylistic elements are tied together with poetry that relishes an overt show of skill with the language without indulging in cheap showiness or tired clichés. MoonFlower is joyous and earthy and filled with the sensual flavors of the Rhumba, Cuban cigars, and neck tattoos. The poetry is unashamedly bodily, with images that resonate in the stomach, like loud bass notes.

She Returns to the Floating World, Jeannine Hall Gailey, Kitsune Books - This collection takes a massive risk, and succeeds. Rather than going along with the decidedly luddite personality of contemporary poetry, Gailey faces mainstream pop culture head-on. Gailey weaves classic themes of transformation, self-knowledge, and natural beauty into a fantastical multi-colored world of fairy tales, animation and video games. Rather than poetry that seeks a quiet, cloistered serenity, outside of pop, this book is full of proudly-penned odes to Godzilla, robots, and animated princesses—the denizens of the contemporary imagination. While this approach could come off as gimmicky, Gailey pulls it off with grace, beauty and skill, proving that poetry can be about more than peonies and nightingales.

Remembering the Body, Alan Berecka, Empire Press - Berecka has assembled a collection of well-crafted, literate, and engaging poems. With great clarity, he pictures the poet "like some high priest of language," who "protects the silence," or shapes his work with a "sure hand... each line that he twists and braids/ until he slowly ropes his reader in." Berecka has a genius for writing structured poetry that reads easily, and his wit shines out from every page.

Root of Lightning, Michael Spring, Pygmy Forest Press - This is a book of poems, at once direct and clear-minded, full of passion and fight and assertive of a truly spirited person. This collection is full of active verbs and magic, bookended by two poems in which the writer announces he has found "the door in the river," and announces, at the end, that he has "planted," (it), "in the middle of the field," (and that he) "will leave it open." Spring understands the electric energy of healing and the power of the image in the process, as in the poem, "Song of the Healer," and offers us a book of medicine poems—rooted in earth and body wisdom, that have an extraordinary cleansing effect on the senses. They burn white hot, sizzling and soothing our cluttered, modern lives.

Chapter & Verse: Poems of Jewish Identity, Susan Terris (editor), Conflux Press - A stunning cover and beautiful layout showcase relevant material in this anthology of the Jewish experience—which, indeed, is universal in emotions. For instance, Margaret Kaufman writes about Lot's wife and says, "I grieve./ I know holding on can cost a life." Rose Black paints a picture of "barley and rye that sway in the wind," while Susan Terris recalls rolling "in sweet-scented hay." Rafaella Del Bourgo sees "new strands of sunshine/ woven into his hair." Melanie Maier remembers her days of youth "when I was sure/ God knew my name." Dan Bellm tells us that "You must prepare to carry nothing/ where you walk/ a God who cannot be seen..." And Jacqueline Kudler "...gazed into the rapt face/ of the beloved and saw/ that it was good." These poems tell stories of a people who are our brothers and sisters in loss and love and life.

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General Fiction

Titles in this category are non-genre specific fiction, including literary, short story, and mainstream.

Winner

Blood Clay, Valerie Nieman, Press 53 - Fleeing a failed marriage, Tracey Gaines starts over in North Carolina, throwing herself into her work as a teacher and renovating an old farmhouse. She soon discovers that making friends is not an easy endeavor in a town that considers her an outsider. After witnessing a brutal attack on a young girl, her loneliness increases as townsfolk ostracize, and even threaten her. In her solitude, she is forced to examine whether she did enough to help the young girl and whether her actions were cowardly. Touching on themes of loneliness, belonging, and racism, this book will haunt the reader.

First Runner-Up

Green Gospel, L.C. Fiore, Livingston Press (University of Alabama) - This is the story of a young woman fleeing from her past in a literal sense. Rescued from a the side of a highway by some passing policemen, Edie falls into the routines of small-town southern Florida life. We meet the rural poor family she winds up living with and then the pastor of the bankrupt church that the homeowner attends. Edie slowly emerges from her isolated state, and it is not too long before sleeping dogs from her past start to awaken. It is not the plot that rivets here, but the deft use of language in characterization and atmosphere. Fiore's characters are distinctly human, be they twenty-something eco-terrorists or evangelical Christians from the deep South. None are cartoons, thanks to Fiore's skill.

Honorable Mentions

Crooked Creek, Maximilian Werner, Torrey House Press - A multigenerational story of life and struggle on the frontier of the American West, this book chronicles the lives of the Wood family. Unwilling participants in a shady American Indian artifacts syndicate, they escape to Utah. The Woods experience very real fear (and very real courage) as they encounter predatory bandits, accidents, illness, and the lingering specter of the cold-hearted Rance, a local man intent on inserting himself into the family as it unravels. The reader emerges from this book with an appreciation of the tenuous, precious nature of life and the value of our connection to each other and the earth we inhabit.

The Meaning of Children, Beverly Akerman, Exile Editions - Akerman's thoughtful short story collection is elegantly written and offers subtle insights as they are interpreted and experienced through children. In "The Mysteries," a young girl's brief encounter with a stranger forces her to question the very nature of truth. "Broken" examines the intricacies of gender in terms of loyalty and identification. Akerman tackles more adult matters just as deftly–the inner turmoil stirred during a reluctant abortion, the personal anguish of questionable paternity, the devastation of losing a child—each story is nuanced and compelling, leaving its imprint long after the last page is turned.

Alabaster Houses, Lara McLaughlin, Wye Knot Books - Jane Peppe's closest friend Riva is ailing; each day, the nurses predict, may be her last. Jane insists on being by Riva's side every moment that she can despite the emotions and memories the darkness of the hospice and the presence of the morphine drip bag inevitably elicit. It was only a year ago, after all, that Jane lost her daughter, Amy, and her husband moved out of the house. And it was only a year ago that Jane found the courage to forge the unlikeliest bonds with Riva, the wife of Amy's father. Now she must find the courage not only to face the truth of Amy's death, but to forgive herself for her sins. Incisive and eloquent, McLaughlin lays bare the complexities of love and loss, joy, and grief.

Letters in Cardboard Boxes, Abbey Slovin, Abbey Slovin - Solvin gives us a fresh look at the relationships between generations. The pain that is unintentionally inflicted on Parker when she was young, by her traveling researcher parents, is a thread woven through this story. Her grandmother Dolly, always tried to make light of the absences of her parents by writing Parker letters from "all over the world" and sending them to her. Parker fell into the letter writing game (she realized later in her young life it was just that) with abandon. As life flowed by Parker and carried her and her grandmother along the bumpy waves of loss (grandmother had dementia) new doors opened for them. Parker learned to let her heart embrace her grandmother's teen-aged friend Tanya. The grandmother was Tanya's mentor. Jerry, the friendly, eccentric neighbor of the grandmother is also a source of information regarding the life that the grandmother had led. The ever changing relationship between Parker and Tanya helped strengthen Parker.

Landini Cadence and Other Stories, Hal Howland, SeaStory Press - One novella and two short stories make up this trilogy set in the Florida Keys. Rich Castillo is both a drummer and a detective in Key West and never tires of either praising or criticizing the most Caribbean of American cities. Someone is bumping off couples caught having adulterous encounters in this tropical paradise, and it is up to Castillo to piece together the elusive clues. The next short story riffs on the theme—a young couple experiment with new sexual roles while someone is making a point to punish sex-trade proprietors most gruesomely. The last story is a unique exploration of the antique drum collecting world, set against a weird trail of related murders. Ostensibly a wild romp through an offbeat world, the author manages to both skillfully portray the dark human conditions that lead to criminality while also delivering insightful commentary on the social issues of Christian fundamentalism and the music world. And it is fun to read.

The Lonely Tree, Yael Politis, Holland Park Press - Uprooted from their comfortable home in Poland, the Schulmans sacrifice everything to move to Palestine in the early 1940s. Josef's dream of creating a Jewish State in the British Mandate Palestine requires much sacrifice from his wife and children, who are subjected to very hard work and dangerous conditions. Tonia, who is headstrong and determined to make something of herself, constantly questions her father's goals and the justice of forcing them to sacrifice for what she considers his impossible dreams. Though many criticize her lack of loyalty to Israel, Tonia decides that nothing, not even love, will prevent her from pursuing a comfortable and safe life far from the kibbutz.

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Commercial Fiction

Titles in this category are genre specific titles, including mystery, thriller, suspense, science fiction, romance, and horror.

Winner

Down Right Good, Karen Boyce, KFR Communications - Boyce displays an uncanny understanding of a down syndrome individual. She tactfully takes the reader inside the mind of a young girl, who in her own way shows us just how beautiful the world can be. Each person in Angie's world is impacted by the love and wisdom so unselfishly given to all those she meets. Her confrontation with a bully is exquisitely ironic as is her push of a lonely woman and man to come alive in the real world once again. Boyce has an wonderful command of the language used by a down syndrome person.

First Runner-Up

A New Prospect, Wayne Zurl, Black Rose Writing - Narrator Sam Jenkins, retired ex-New York detective, offers his services to Prospect, TN as police chief. The philosophical and comedic Sam imposes order in the department based on respect, honesty, and competence and soon confronts a crime unheard of in the peaceful town: murder of a prominent cantankerous citizen. The good-old-boys network and powerful in-laws want no poking around, but Sam persists, uncovering pornography, intimidation, incest, the murderer, and the question of whether it is right to prosecute. The warm, humorous writing, filled with fine metaphors, real dialog, and authentic characters, raises weighty issues: how to retire, city-versus-town, and north-versus-south conflicts, and can murder be justified.

Honorable Mentions

The Sparrow's Blade, Kenneth R. Lewis, Krill Press - An old military sword, "The Sparrow's Blade," goes missing and sets off a dangerous series of events. With two compelling main characters that drive the novel, Lewis creates a captivating mystery that is layered and rich. Thud Compton is a broken man after his encounter with a serial killer. He is unhappy about his impending divorce, as well as being the police chief of a small town. Then there is Kevin Kearnes, another survivor of that same serial killer who was lucky to walk away with only a limp. He returns to Thud's small town to marry the love of his life, but is drawn into a dark mystery when The Sparrow's Blade is stolen. It is up to these two emotionally and physically scarred men to recover the stolen sword.

State of Mine, M.A.Farrell, M.A.Farrell Books - The U.S. recovery is dead. Debt is out of sight. Oil is $200 per barrel. States have become wards of the Federal Government—all but one, a rogue state with wealth and an impressive military. The Feds are not amused. The President demands former Special Forces Capt. Josh Stillwater to spy against his own state which creates great conflict about the direction of his conclusions. Will the winner be Federal or State? This first book in a trilogy offers a desperate future that today sounds more possible than ever. This well-done political thriller leaves readers waiting for the next installment.

Two Murders Reaped, Cynthia Sally Haggard, Spun Stories Press - This traces the story of Cecylee Neville of England, whose eldest son Edward takes Elisabeth Woodville, a fallen knight's destitute widow, as his wife. Elisabeth soon introduces other members of her family to the court where they seize power and position. The bitter rivalry between Cecylee and her daughter-in-law leads to the revealing of a deep, dark secret that shatters the allegiances among the elite and breaks out into a full-scale war for the throne. Haggard delivers a swift epic that is both entertaining and informing. The writing is crisp and clear, the characters well-defined, and the emotion overflowing. This book has something for everyone—romance, intrigue, and plenty of action.

Stay Tuned, Lauren Clark, Monterey Press - TV-Producer, Melissa Moore, can handle anything, even Alyssa, a news anchor who punches the co-anchor in the face while on the air. Stepping up, on camera and off (with a make-over from head to toe), her career is now unmistakably on the line, her mother is causing havoc, and her marriage is teetering on the edge. Stalkers, disappearances, fire, and torn relationships add to the creation of an absorbing read filled with detail and a fascinating look behind the scenes of a TV newsroom. Guided by the skillful hand of a fine storyteller, this book offers readers a no-nonsense page-turner.

Primacy, J. E. Fishman, Verbitage - With terrific chracters, especially the bononbo, this story leaps into action. Twin chimps with a vocal chord mutation that enables them to talk become credible in Fishman's hands, which in turn gives voice to the brutal environment of animal test labs. This is clever and intelligently written, but first ad foremost a highly entertaining and visual read.

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Children's

Titles in this category are for young children, including stories and picture books.

Winner

Bonyo Bonyo: The True Story of a Brave Boy from Kenya, Vanita Oelschlager, illustrated by Kristin Blackwood and Mike Blanc, Vanita Books - This is the true-life story of a boy, Bonyo Bonyo, who grew up in Kenya. After the devastating loss of his baby sister because of lack of medicine, he decides to pursue his dream to become a doctor so he can help others in his village. The story is told using the doctor's own voice by use of an eye-catching font, and colorfully detailed illustrations. He tells about the hardships of living in Africa and how challenging it was to get a decent education. The story teaches that with by perseverance, hard work, and following your dreams, you can do just about anything you put your mind to.

First Runner-Up

Abe's Lucky Day, Jill Warren, illustrated by Kalpart, Outskirts Press - In the busy, rush-hour lives of those who live in a city, it is easy to overlook those suffering or in need. Although he is homeless, Abe demonstrates that you can be happy by helping others even when you have next to nothing yourself. Through kindness and very simple gestures, Abe shows that someone else's needs, can sometimes be greater than our own. The act of doing good things for others and sharing with those in need brings Abe happiness, not to mention a little bit of luck and hope for his own future.

Honorable Mentions

Cheery: The True Adventures of a Chiricahua Leopard Frog, Elizabeth W. Davidson, illustrated by Michael Hagelberg, Five Star Publications - With a dedication to the preservation of the chiricahua leopard frog, this nonfiction story brings these frogs to life through beautiful watercolor illustrations and real facts. Although the cartoon animated character is cute and whimsical, there are real scientific connections to nature and what he must do to survive. It gives an in depth look at what it would be like to live through the life cycle of a chiricahua leopard frog. Also included, in the back of the book, is a curriculum guide that includes actual pictures, discussion questions, and facts to learn even more.

Piggy Nation: A Day at Work With Dad, Richard Rosser, illustrated by Shane Sowell, Piggy Nation Press - This book shows that children can sometimes be even more perceptive than adults when it comes to right and wrong. It has an easy to read font and cartoon illustrations that are easy in which to laugh but at the same time teach valuable lessons. The story illustrates that even with the best of intentions, if not thought through, certain actions can lead to poor outcomes. The moral of being considerate in every way to others is very obvious through the eyes of the child who ends up teaching his father a few lessons as well.

Ten For Me, Barbara Mariconda, illustrated by Sherry Rogers, Sylvan Dell Publishing - This book can be very beneficial to beginning math learners. It targets specific number combinations for adding to ten while combining a science connection. The colorful illustrations can help lend a visual memory aid for the number patterns. The story takes two young characters on a butterfly chase where they must count how many butterflies they catch. On each of these pages is a fun fact about a specific type of butterfly as well as a tally chart to show the number patterns in a different way. The back of the book comes complete with teaching ideas to guide the discussions on math and science.

A Quest for Good Manners, Karin Lefranc, illustrated by Hannah Neale, Beluga Press - Lovable characters are sent on a quest by the Queen to find good manners or else their pet dragon will no longer be allowed to live with them in the castle. The character illustrations are very animated and will have you rooting for them throughout their journey. Many tasks challenge the bad behaviors they already have established, but they soon learn the solution to good manners is listening and practicing. The key vocabulary terms throughout the story have a whimsical font in which to draw attention as you read. The book shares specific examples as to what good manners would look and sound like in real life situations.

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Young Adult

Titles in this category are aimed at the juvenile and teen markets.

Winner

Save the Pearls, Part One: Revealing Eden, Victoria Foyt, Sand Dollar Press - This novel is set in a post-apocalyptic society where the overheated earth is hostile to human life. Humanity is divided into a rigid caste system. Pearls (whites) are lowest and Coals (black) highest, with Ambers and other hues in between. In this dystopic society, nourishment comes in pills, oxy, and water, which are rationed, and Coals control everything. Eden Newman, a despised Pearl, is "middle-aged," approaching eighteen when she must be mated or cut off from life rations. Her father is a scientist working on an experiment seen as the only hope for saving humanity. This adventure fantasy adds romance when Bramford, the leading Coal, is transformed by Eden's father through an injection of selected animal DNA into a super-strong cat-like creature. Branson, Eden, and her father escape to the tiny bit of Amazon rain forest remaining and begin working towards a new society.

First Runner-Up

The Survivors, Amanda Havard, Chafie Press - Havard claims she has been telling stories since before she could write, and she tells a good one here. In the 1600s, twenty-six children are labeled witches and exiled, and the surivors are shrouded in a legacy of suspicion and mythology. Life during the witch trials was a dramatic time, and it is aptly and credibly conveyed in this book. Havard presents fine details and interesing dialogue that not only attracts interest but maintains a healthy level of suspense throughout. This is an excellent, sustained effort with precise cadence for this dark story.

Honorable Mentions

Nonna's Book of Mysteries , Mary Osborne, Lake Street Press - A spectacular read, the book chronicles the story of Emilia Serafini, a courageous and inspired young girl who defies the social mores of Renaissance Florence to have a change at fulfilling her dream of being a painter. Guiding her are the strange painter Makarios and an alchemy manual that has been passed down through the women in her family. With the inspiration she finds in both, she discovers the strength and self-confidence she needs for the challenges ahead. The author has built a creative, motivational story about finding a person's true passion in life.

Cottonwood Spring, Gary Slaughter, Fletcher House - There are many classic books about combat in World War II (The Naked and the Dead, From Here to Eternity, etc.) and perhaps far fewer about life back home in the United States. But the home front is a specialty of the author who grew up in a small town during wartime. This is an engrossing story, and even though today's times are far different from the 1940s, readers will also go away wondering if they could and would act in similar fashion under the same circumstances. Slaughter makes a convincing case that heroes are not always found fighting a shooting war.

Caves, Cannons, and Crinolines, Beverly Stowe McClure, Twilight Times Books - When Yankees lay siege to Vicksburg, fourteen-year-old Lizzie Stamford, her mother, and her younger brother Nat leave their large comfortable home, damaged by enemy shelling. Lizzie's father is a doctor in the Confederate hospital and her two older brothers are serving the southern army in Virginia. Lizzie, her mother, and Nat are forced to live in a cave, served by "Aunt Lois" and "Uncle Morris," more like family than slaves. Tomboy Lizzie disguises herself as a boy, runs off to join the Confederate army, befriends a wounded Yankee solder, and learns firsthand both the horrors of war and compassion for individual human beings.

Intensity: The 10th Anniversary Anthology from WriteGirl, WriteGirl Publications - Girls passionate about writing is what carries this book. A compilation of mentor and mentee compositions, the anthology is a beautiful tour of teen views on everything from nature and family to food and color. The book also contains "Writing Experiments," providing inspiring examples on a specific topic and challenging the reader to become the writer. The editors have discovered budding talent in many young women. This is a great anniversary edition and will inspire other teens with its creativity and passion.

Tilamook Passage: Far Side of the Pacific, Brian D. Ratty, AuthorHouse - A story about the maritime trade of sea otter pelts and the Northwest coastal Indians in the late 1700s is not a subject often tackled by authors. That aside, Ratty's array of vividly drawn characters, ranging from young sailors to marauding Indians, populate this landscape with an authenticity that transcends the book beyond mere historical fiction. The characters struggle with nature and clash with each other in a setting of rugged mountains and sometimes threatening waters. This is an adventure story that delves into some of life's most urgent subjects: fate, clashing cultures, and love.

A Blind Raccoon, Ann K. Anderson, Black Rose Writing - "Coonie," a small undernourished wild raccoon, steals the author's heart by her remarkable ability to survive despite being blind. Anserson finds Coonie sharing the barn cat's food bowl. After consultation with a vet, the author decides to help Coonie unobtrusively by providing food while otherwise letting her live free. Over the years, Coonie raises several litters, even teaching them to hunt nocturnally. "Mrs. Coon" (renamed after her first litter) survives a flea and tick infestation, rough winter weather, an attack by a large beagle, tropical storms, and even an exhaustive search for a lost baby coon. This book is a tribute to Mrs. Coon's courage and resourcefulness and the bond forged between her and the author.

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Culture

Nonfiction titles demonstrating the human or world experience, including multicultural, essay, women's issues, sexuality, gay, lesbian, aging, travel, recreation, true crime, social commentary, and current events.

Winner

End Malaria: Bold Innovation, Limitless Generosity, and the Opportunity to Save a Life, Michael Bungay Stanier, The Domino Project - Essays by sixty-two business and human development leaders are an object lesson on what it takes to get great work from ideas, teams, or businesses in today's social media-driven, information-overdrive, fast-charged, plenty-vs.-poverty world. When Malaria No More organization made others aware that a child dies of malaria every forty-five seconds, this book was born, and $20 of the price buys mosquito nets for Africa. More than a fund-raiser, this great work is a treasure chest of hard-learned, succinct and practical advice on developing personal and professional courage, focus, and resilience. Contributors' biographies alone are rich veins of gold suitable for months of Web-mining and Twitter panning.

First Runner-Up

Oh Beautiful: An American Family in the 20th Century, John Paul Godges, CreateSpace - This is a richly crafted memoir of one family's journey from Europe to America in the early 20th century. By moving beyond the tale of a single Polish/Italian immigrant family that is guided by its central pillar of Catholicism, Oh Beautiful portrays an epic story of a country with a cultural history of 20th-century America that strikingly depicts the hardships of immigration, the distressing times of the Great Depression, and World War II. All this is in addition to the family's intimate struggles with mental illness and conflicting social movements. Featuring family photos and an expressive narrative—culled from interviews with three generations—Godges creates a perfectly woven collection of vivid personal stories to which millions of Americans can relate.

Honorable Mentions

Green Card Stories, Saundra Amrhein, Stephen Yale-Loehr and Laura Danielson (introduction), Ariana Lindquist (photographs), Umbrage Books - This explores immigration to the United States through fifty different portraits. The experience of each recent immigrant profiled here is told in an intimate but highly readable one-page biography that is accompanied by a beautiful full-page photograph. Subjects were carefully chosen to shed light on the complexity and diversity of immigration. Selections include stories of the poor, the middle class, and well-educated professionals, as well as those who have come from countries all over the world for economic opportunity or to escape oppression. With its focus on individuals, the book succeeds in humanizing the immigration issue.

The Cycle of Life, Erel Shalit, Fisher King Press - Part Jungian review of the various stages of life and part travel guide for leading a self-aware existence, this book explores the dynamic and meaningful archetypal images formed in each of us throughout the various stages of our lives. Chapter by chapter, Shalit, a Jungian analyst deftly guides readers though the complexities of life, not merely in a linear fashion, but with an emphasis on the particular meaning and significance of the various clusters and transformative elements that are present in each stage of all of our years, from beginning to end. Exemplified by personal stories and clinical vignettes, The Cycle of Life, provides a solid foundation for readers to chart a conscious life by formulating a natural balance at every stage of their journey—specifically by not fixating on any one particular stage. By learning to embrace, retain, and refine the universal initiation and by changing our perspective that each season of life presents to us, we live our lives to the fullest.

Anatolian Days & Nights: A Love Affair with Turkey, Joy E. Stocke & Angie Brenner, Wild River Books - This is more a memoir than a travelogue, but it inspires the reader to travel to Turkey nonetheless. The two authors meet in Istanbul to help a mutual friend run a pension for the summer. While this experience turns out differently than they had expected, it leads to a strong friendship and a 10-year exploration of the country. Accented by one author's illustrations and with descriptions of Turkish baths, whirling dervishes, the beauty of the Mediterranean, and the values and traditions of an ancient culture, the book truly celebrates "a love affair with Turkey."

Detroitland, Richard Bak, Wayne State University Press - Bak has pulled together his previously published articles on the "movers and shakers" of Detroit's past to create this entertaining book. His subjects range from native son Charles Lindbergh to the Detroit International Expo and Fair of 1889, as well as to lesser-known Motown artists and the prominence of the bicycle in the motorcar city. Murders, heat waves, and even "The Lone Ranger" make an appearance. The book is well-written and designed with excellent use of period black-and-white photographs. It's a quirky collection that manages to say more about the vibrant Detroit of yesteryear than any straightforward history text could.

Blind: A Memoir, Belo Miguel Cipriani, Wheatmark Press - Enter the world of a "multiple minority:" a blind, gay, Latino man who lost his sight post-college due to a beating by the gay childhood friends he'd dared to outgrow. Powerful honesty captures his feelings of betrayal by his friends, as well as his struggles in a world where moving through space seems an out-of-body experience. A stellar sense of humor and family support help him brave the challenging training needed to survive in a sighted world and join the thirty percent of the "working blind" dependent on canes, dogs, and a new generation of electronic marvels. It's a resolute, uplifting perspective.

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Memoir

Titles in this category capture specific personal experience.

Winner

Beyond Bullets: A Photo Journal of Afghanistan, Rafal Gerszak with Dawn Hunter, Annick Press - Award-winning photographer Rafal Gerszak spent a year embedded with the American military in Afghanistan, caputring the everyday experience of war and life. This result is an artistic coup. The powerful photos and the extraordinary design draw the reader into a world we know little about, other than mostly bad-news headlines. While Gerszak reveals the tragic side of the people and the havoc war has inflicted upon them, it also introduces them as gracious, loving human beings. The journal entries are informative and entertaining, while full of insightful for this ancient country. As a photo essay, it is both riveting and informative.

First Runner-Up

Stories My Father Told Me, Jeffrey Lyons, Abbeville Press - Leonard Lyons was the famous and well-respected syndicated columnist of The Lyons Den writing about celebrities and the night life of New York City with a career spanning forty years. This book is a loving tribute to Leonard Lyons by his son, film and theater critic, Jeffrey Lyons. A beautifully organized book full of the father's anecdotes and stories from the 30s through the 70s, this compilation offers fascinating, entertaining, and often hilarious interviews. They are completed by Jeffrey Lyons' own select and in-depth interviews with the stars of today. Including rare photographs from family archives, this is a must-have book for film lovers and celebrity fans alike—made even more delightful by taking us on a trip down memory lane and reintroducing us to the vernacular of the day. Whether set on the coffee table or added to the bookshelf with other biographies or film books, this homage to Leonard Lyons' passion for the celebrity interview is a first-rate collection of historical significance.

Honorable Mentions

Two Gold Coins and a Prayer, James H. Keeffe, III, Appell Publishing - This is a fascinating story of courage and survival, recounted with extraordinary attention to detail, at times with gravity, other times with humor, and augmented by well-chosen photographs, letters, and documents. We get a glimpse into the life of a World War II American airman, from his training days, to fighting in the skies over Germany, and to life in occupied Holland and a German POW camp, each crafting a realistic portrayal of history. A prayer before parachuting from a falling plane, two hidden Gold coins, and a chain of other fortunate events, all keep our hero alive to tell his story. Kudos to James H. Keeffe for unearthing such a treasure—the enormous amount of work and research required to make this work fit for the publisher is nothing short of admiration.

52 People: Connecting With Life Through Strangers, Jayson Krause, Driven By Passion Press - "My best friend died a stranger to me..." Krause tells us. So every single week, for an entire year, he interviewed strangers in all sorts of places. Although each person answered the same ten questions differently, Jason records their responses exactly as they were told, and there is a connectivity between humans revealed here, perhaps uncovering an essential trait of us all. From these deeply honest answers he suggests compelling, beautiful, and inspiring life lessons. This beautifully written book is a winner, just as the author, a champion sportsman, is for writing it.

The Last Resort: Taking the Mississippi Cure, Norma Watkins, University Press of Mississippi - A brave and deeply compelling memoir of growing up in Mississippi during the dominance of southern white patriarchy, this is a vivid portrait of the great divide in Mississippi during the time of segregation. Norma Watkins lived the life of a white girl who should grow up to be a proper lady. However, her instincts, intelligence, and curiosity lead her to rebel against the confines of a caste system and outmoded ideas of how a woman should live. Watkins is a talented writer of simple truths and master storytelling. Her words reach effortlessly into the hearts and minds of the reader without sentiment or apology. This is an excellent story on many levels.

Battling Goliath: Inside a $22 Billion Legal Scandal, Kip Petroff with Suzi Zimmerman Petroff, Frame House Press - As an attorney, Kip Petroff has sued large companies for more than a quarter decade. This is the story of how he challenged Wyeth and American Home Products for putting six million lives at risk, which caused him to go up against the FDA as well. The suit was about the drug, fen-phen, a drug to cure obesity. A class action suit continued for more than a decade, and the trials were incredibly complex and at times ugly, but the drug is no longer on the market. This memoir is a remarkable and inspiring saga of a brave man taking on one of the biggest segments of our American society—the pharmaceutical industry—and winning. Kip Petroff, who practices in Dallas, and his wife, Suzi, have founded New Hope Foundation, a nonprofit organization for underprivileged families.

Drawing the Line: A Passionate Life, Susan Gardner, Red Mountain - This memoir chronicles six decades of a successful artist's life. The author has become an internationally known painter, photographer, and poet, and has traveled in Asia, Mexico, France, Canada, and throughout this country. Much of her artwork and some of her poems are included here. Although she has always been creative, she writes, "Being an artist was not a label I sought or understood. It is my identity, not a job… The intense desire for the work of making art is a yearning necessity, as irresistible as the most attractive and jealous lover." She now resides in Santa Fe. This memoirist does not have grudges to bear; rather, her book reveals a fortunate woman, moving through her life's adventures and disappointments with almost unflagging perseverance. It should especially provide inspiration for readers who are earlier on the risky yet rewarding path to "following one's bliss."

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Business

Titles in this category provided application to today's business environment and emerging trends, including general business, career, finance, computer, and the Internet.

Winner

The Chinese Dream, Helen H. Wang, CreateSpace - The Chinese economy has been growing for some time and, along with it, the Chinese middle class. Wang explores the current and future impact of this middle class on the country's future and the global economy. The author grew up in China and has lived in the United States for more than twenty years. After receiving a master's degree from Stanford, Wang began to work in the Silicon Valley and has been a Forbes contributor, corporate speaker, and consultant. She provides valuable insight into this relatively new consumer market and points out that, by 2025, China will become the third largest consumer market, next to the United States and Japan. In order to embrace the enormous potential of this rapidly growing market, Wang helps us understand the cultural differences which are critical for anyone interested in doing business with this rising nation.

First Runner-Up

Be Fast or Be Gone, Andreas Scherer, ProChain Press - Critical Chain is a comprehensive project management methodology that is used to streamline research and development projects in a faster and more efficient manner. Critical Chain tasks, those recognized as key areas that can affect a project's timeline, are identified and prioritized for optimal results. The scenario presented in this business novel illustrates the impact that a successful Critical Chain process can have. It is a touching story of a boy in need of cancer treatment, a father, and a pharmaceutical company in the early stages of a drug's clinical trials. Their race to bring the drug to market underscores the urgent need for process improvement, without cutting corners, benefiting the bottom line and providing hope for the many patients.

Honorable Mentions

Grow Smart, Risk Less, Shelly Sun, Greenleaf Book Group - Today's business environment is unpredictable. Successful owners who wish to expand their businesses may be concerned about the options that are available to them, and it is becoming increasingly difficult to secure loans from banks. Franchising a successful business can be an innovative solution to this problem, enabling a business to achieve its goals for growth. Shelly Sun provides a blueprint for franchise success. Sun built an operation from the ground floor into a $100 million sales enterprise. She shares her valuable expertise, shortening the entrepreneurial learning curve. Topics include: evaluating the worthiness of a business concept, building the appropriate team, franchisee training, and the pitfalls to avoid. This is a comprehensive manual for franchise management.

The Power of an Internal Franchise, Martin O'Neill, Third Bridge Press - When employees feel that their own voices and contributions matter to the overall growth and success of a company, their productivity increases. A company is defined by the people that work for it, and creating a culture where this environment exists on a regular basis is the premise of this book. This culture must begin with the leadership of a company. In this difficult economic environment, organizations are looking for a competitive edge. One of the most overlooked assets of a company is its people. This book provides the necessary steps to create a work atmosphere that will align the goals of the individual with that of the organization. Imagine a workplace where everyone thinks like an entrepreneur.

Flicks & Clicks, Mel Henson, Ecademy Press - There are many components involved in creating a successful catalogue and website. Creative copywriting and branding techniques are essential in enticing a customer to browse and ultimately make a purchase. Henson is a well-known multichannel strategist and retail industry speaker in the United Kingdom. In this essential guide, Henson explains that getting the attention of a potential client is important but keeping their interest is critical. She begins with the fundamentals of catalogues and websites and builds upon the basic principles. She stresses that testing is vital in measuring the effectiveness of a program. Being prepared to utilize testing results can dramatically affect the success of a marketing effort. Any business starting out in direct marketing and e-commerce will benefit from the tips provided in this book.

You Should Only Have to Get Rich Once, Russell E. Holcombe, Emerald Book Company - Many people spend their lives working hard to provide for their families. They save what they can for their children's college education, retirement and even a rainy day fund. For those that are able to achieve these goals and more, holding on to this wealth becomes a priority. Russell E. Holcombe, reminds us that achieving wealth is only part of the equation. Protecting our nest egg is equally important. The market collapse of 2008 certainly was a stark reminder of this as many saw their life's savings destroyed. Holcombe, a Certified Financial Planner points out that prudent investing should be a priority. The financial industry creates complex products that lure investors by targeting emotions, with the help of financial advisors, into making risky decisions that place portfolios in jeopardy. Reading this valuable book will help prepare one to ask informed questions and to avoid "toxic advice."

Predictable Revenue, Aaron Ross and Maylou Tyler, Pebblestorm - Many organizations believe that in order to grow revenue, sales headcount must be increased. Others have the philosophy that existing sales staff must work harder; make extra phone calls and visit more customers. Unfortunately, this alone will not yield results. Aaron Ross and Marylou Tyler present Ross' method for success. The concept is simple: create new qualified sales leads on a consistent basis, assign the leads to a competent team, and put processes in place to track results. The key is that sales leads are generated in a unique manner without traditional cold calling. The authors point out that all leads are not the same and should be handled accordingly. Reading this book should certainly help to increase the strength of any organization's sales team.

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Reference

Titles in this category arrived from traditional and emerging reference areas, including history, psychology, biography, education, sports, recreation, training, travel, and how-to.

Winner

Books Will Speak Plain: A Handbook for Identifying and Describing Historical Bindings , Julia Miller, The Legacy Press - In this lavishly illustrated book complete with a DVD, the author initially takes the reader on a detailed tour of historical books and historical handmade bookbinding. The author then uses her conservation background to detail how to identify binding materials and care for handmade books. Miller finishes with very detailed appendices to aid the reader in identification and care of handmade books. While this book is intended for conservators, librarians, and collectors, anyone interested in the history of books around the world will likely enjoy this information-packed narrative.

First Runner-Up

Math for Life: Critical Ideas You Didn’t Learn In School, Jeffry Bennett, Roberts and Company - The question is clearly put: How are we preparing the following generations to deal with personal problems such as managing money and understanding taxes, as well as global problems like energy production, population growth, and national deficits? Bennett untangles the dilemmas that we struggle with today, using elements of critical thinking, statistical studies, and quantitative reasoning. ... "But, I'm bad at math." How many Americans say this unabashedly? Bennett insists that we are born with mathematical abilities from infancy. In order to deal with future solutions, we must correct this misunderstanding and equip our children to do what we have sometimes failed to do. Bennett clarifies the issues and gives us the tools to solve our problems.

Honorable Mentions

Cybertraps for the Young, Frederick S. Lane, NTI Upstream - This book focuses on a timely topic: the possible ways that teens and young adults can find themselves in trouble with the law based on their actions on the Internet. Intended primarily for parents, the book begins with an introduction to the way young people relate to technology and some of the ways they use it. The author progresses through a variety of specific possible problems, such as cyberbullying, hacking, and "sexting." The author clearly explains these phenomena to readers, gives example legal cases, and provides suggestions for how parents can talk with their children on these subjects.

From the Hand to the Machine: Nineteenth-century American Paper and Mediums: Technologies, Materials, and Conservation, Cathleen A. Baker, The Legacy Press - Few Americans today realize that the United States was arguably the leader in the mechanization of paper manufacture. This book seeks to set the historical record straight. Going into great detail, the author writes about the manufacture of paper before and after mechanization. Some specific focuses include types of manufacturing, paper expressly used for artists' printmaking, and the tremendous change in papermaking when wood and straw began to be used as primary paper sources. The author also details how to conserve 19th-century paper and provides detailed appendices on a variety of subjects. This is likely to be of great interest to social historians and artists as well as conservators.

Beyond Politics: The Roots of Government Failure, Randy T. Simmons, The Independent Institute - In this period of American financial insecurities, Simmons enters the debate and helps to evaluate claims about government and market actions that drive our economy. Market failure invites government intervention. Business cycles cannot be completely understood or even controlled. But government intervention can interfere with the free market system to correct itself. With the economy still reeling from the government bailout of financial institutions, grass roots groups are loudly protesting. In order to promote a free and humane society, citizens need to understand the on-going debate, as well as an understanding of our historical foundation.

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Home

Titles in this category have practical applications to home or home-related issues, including general home, gardening, cooking, parenting, family, interior design, animals, pets, and home-related crafts.

Winner

San Francisco Entertains, Junior League of San Francisco, Junior League of San Francisco - San Francisco Entertains provides a wonderful decade-by-decade tribute to the history and accomplishments of the women of the Junior League, while providing a collection of delightful recipes. Each chapter reveals a glimpse inside San Francisco's history, culture, culinary evolution, and the role the JL played during a ten-year span. For those who enjoy entertaining, suggestions are made for creative special occasion menus, such as: Cinco De Mayo Fiesta, Winter Soltice Dinner, and Chinese New Year Dragon Celebration. The book is filled with many recipe standouts from local chefs including: Blackberry Cornmeal Cake, Pancetta-Studded Beef Tenderloin, Rack of Lamb with Pistachio Mint Pesto, and California Cioppino. (Cioppino, a tomato-based fish stew, can be traced back to the Gold Rush days, when Italian immigrant fishermen likely brought the recipe over from Genoa.) The recipes are uncomplicated and include ingredients that are easily accessible.

First Runner-Up

The Meghan Method, Meghan Carter, GEM Multimedia - Most of us would love to change the way our homes look and feel, but we do not know where to begin. Hiring an interior decorator can be cost prohibitive for a good number of people. The Meghan Method was written to help address this dilemma. The book provides a straightforward 18-step roadmap to the essential elements of home decorating. Carter points out that one's own aspirations should lay the groundwork for an entire room. She indicates that decorating is about how one feels in a room versus what one puts in it. All of the complex questions about style, color, texture, and budget are addressed in a simple manner with excellent illustrations. This is a manual that will be used on many occasions by the home decorator.

Honorable Mentions

A Jewish Calendar of Festive Foods, Jane Portnoy, Janelle International - Most Americans lead very busy lives. Working parents juggle many things, such as running their children to numerous activities, managing a household, and trying to maintain a healthy lifestyle. Keeping up with many of the Jewish holidays can be difficult to do for some busy families. This book proves that it is much more than a book of delicious holiday recipes. It is a handbook for the modern American Jewish family. Each chapter identifies a month of the Jewish calendar with its associated holidays. Short but detailed explanations of the holidays are given with suggestions and recipes for festive menus including both modern and traditional.

Highlighting Homeschooling, Bethany Gardiner, M.D., Sticky Tape Press - Homeschooling represents a major lifestyle change for a family. When considering if it makes sense, there are several key issues to reflect upon. This book provides a comprehensive look into this important decision. Facts are separated from myth by examining the common concerns about socialization, parental abilities, curriculum, testing, and assessments. The author is an experienced homeschooling mother and pediatrician, who shares her rewarding experiences and insight. She points out that there is no blueprint for getting it right, because families all have their own diverse sets of needs and circumstances. Success is measured by a child who grows into a well-rounded, educated, and happy individual.

My Life is a Mess, Lisa Giesler, Lucid Books - Getting organized is something that most people talk about but many find difficult to accomplish. Sometimes it seems easier to grow the piles that already exist instead of finding a place for our things. Lisa Giesler, a professional organizer, shows simple techniques to organize our lives and points out that "the average person can lose up to two hours a day as a result of disorganization." Most can relate to losing time searching for lost cell phones or keys or even checks and bills. Giesler provides numerous tips for errands, meal planning, organizing paper and clutter, and, most importantly, getting your life back. The book provides suggestions that are common sense and easy to implement. If you can't hire a personal organizer, read this book.

Beyond Soul Food, Richard Petty, Richard Petty - The thought of soul food conjures images of hush puppies, chitlins, and okra, but soul food's roots can be traced all the way to Africa. Other cultures, such as the Europeans, have also had an influence on the cuisine. Petty, an accomplished chef, has developed a style of cooking that has taken a contemporary and healthier approach to some of soul food's classics. He points out that Americans have much more access to healthy ingredients than they did in the 1960s, when soul food became trendy. The chef has a knack for putting a fresh touch on some of these traditional dishes. His cookbook includes some great standouts including: Fried Green Tomatoes with Micro Greens, Collard Greens, and Low Country Smothered Pork Chops.

Vintage Wisconsin Gardens, Lee Somerville, Wisconsin Historical Society Press - Formed during the mid-nineteenth century, the Wisconsin Historical Society has provided free gardening advice for numerous home gardeners, many of whom were women. Lee Sommerville arrived from England where she gardened as her mother and grandmother had done before her. Encountering the different climate and its related challenges, Sommerville began to adapt as the immigrants who had settled there in the nineteenth century. Vintage Wisconsin Gardens presents a lovely historical portrayal of state gardening and its evolution. The book is filled with photos and suggestions for recreating late nineteenth and early twentieth century gardens, including wonderful images of the past that inspires us to create beauty in our own surroundings.

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Health

Titles promoting physical, mental, and emotional well-being, including psychology, fitness, and sex.

Winner

Agewise, Margaret Morganroth Gullette, The University of Chicago Press - Discrimination against older people—in the workplace, in the family, in the health care setting—is the subject of this compelling and thoroughly researched volume. A major task in such a book is debunking myths about the elderly, and the author does this with sensitivity, humor, and humanity. The practice of Eskimos sending their grandparents out on an ice floe? Not true. A most devastating chapter lacerates plastic surgery, not merely for encouraging a cult of "youthful" appearance but for causing pain, disfigurement, and death. The author is an accomplished writer and an eminent scholar, and this book is a tribute to both her aesthetic and academic achievements.

First Runner-Up

Life Before Birth: The Hidden Script that Rules our Lives, Arthur Janov, PhD, NTI Upstream - This examines behavioral markers before adolescence and childhood, all the way back to gestation. Presenting case studies and trenchant research, Janov posits that much of the adult maladies affecting so many, such as anxiety, addiction, and ADHD, have roots in fetal biochemistry. His analysis offers hope for those concerned about passing on many perceive as hereditary conditions that might actually be prevented with a healthy lifestyle before and during pregnancy. Janov breaks down complex scientific and health-related ideas into accessible, relatable language. Life Before Birth provides a unique guidebook for parents-to-be and an interesting set of ideas for everyone.

Honorable Mentions

Be a Survivor: Lung Cancer Treatment Guide, Vladimir Lange, M.D., Lange Productions - One of the most fear-inducing diagnoses a person can receive, lung cancer remains a leading causes of death in this country. The author demystifies this disease and clearly explains its cause, natural history, and treatment possibilities. The book is notably free of medical jargon. The contributions of all specialties and providers in the care of the lung cancer patient are given their due. Accompanying the text are comments from lung cancer patients, which help to establish an intimacy with the reader that many such books lack. It includes a generous number of additional resources for further investigation and a helpful list of questions for physicians.

Primal Blueprint: Quick and Easy Meals, Mark Sisson, Primal Nutrition - Based on the Primal Blueprint health and nutrition system, this book makes a well-rounded, pragmatic cookbook for anyone. Not only are there images for each dish, but also for the different phases of preparation and cooking. Along with the expected time and effort projections and nutritional profile are easy-to-read and pithy comments and suggestions about each recipe. Coupled with many distinctive meals from several cultures are excellent ideas to bolster common meals with healthier supplementary ingredients, as well as improving the taste and composition. While catering to many contemporary low-carb, dairy-free, or gluten-free diets, Quick and Easy Meals is rife with well-balanced, tasty, and quick meals no matter a reader's eating habits.

Shin Gi Tai Karate Training for Body, Mind, and Spirit, Michael Clarke, YMAA Publishing Center - Martial arts instructional books tend to favor either the athletic or the philosophical aspect of the discipline. This book attempts with great success to demonstrate the interconnectedness of these qualities, allowing it to be read for either its technical advice or its life-changing recommendations, and preferably for both. The illustrations of karate drills are clear and easy to follow, and they are accompanied by interesting historical photographs. The book has helpful endnotes and a glossary. The author's passion for karate, dedication to its values, and experience in teaching make this a valuable resource for the novice and the experienced karateka alike.

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Self-Help

Titles involving traditional and emerging self-help topics.

Winner

Stress Less, Weigh Less, Holly Mosier, Greenleaf Book Group - In this upbeat guide to weight loss and stress reduction, the author shares her own personal journey of success in achieving a healthful, energetic, low stress lifestyle. The book is filled with attractive and well-placed photographs of the author demonstrating yoga, exercise, and relaxation techniques that help guide the reader to understand how these techniques can produce desirable results. Finally, she provides a helpful one month of menus (also accompanied by attractive food photographs) and workouts that seem easy to follow by even those beginning or thinking about beginning a diet and exercise program.

First Runner-Up

The Parent's Guide to College for Students on the Autism Spectrum, Jane Thierfeld Brown, Ed.D., Lorraine E. Wolf, Ph.D., Lisa King, M.Ed., and G. Ruth Kukiela Bork, M.Ed., AAPC Publishing - The well-qualified authors provide a useful guide for parents of children with diagnoses on the autism spectrum who are entering higher education. Because of the individuality of this syndrome and the specific needs of these students, services provided by individual institutions are not always predictable. The book guides parents through a logical progression of the college admissions process, discusses pertinent legal issues they need to be aware of, and provides useful examples and strategies for success.

Honorable Mentions

The 9 Steps to Keep the Doctor Way, Dr. Rashid A. Buttar, GMEC Publishing - With this helpful guidebook, the author seeks to dispel myths and misinformation that cause people to live unhealthful lives. First, he effectively guides the reader through the three foundations that provide the necessary strength, support, and environment in which his nine steps can effectively work. He then lays out a plan for choices, which, when acted upon, work with the body's innate healing system to optimize health and longevity.

Facing Violence, Rory Miller, YMAA Publication Center - Miller, a skilled martial arts instructor, provides a compelling and guide for survival during and after a life or death encounter. It is not written merely as a "self-defense" guide. In an interesting approach, he provides the reader with an understanding of what leads up to violent encounters, how our bodies react to these situations, and then what happens in the aftermath. Discussions of legal and ethical issues provide an unusual insight into the dynamics of violent situations that make this book unique.

How's Your Family Really Doing?, Don MacMannis, Ph.D. and Debra Manchester MacMannis, M.S.W., Two Harbors Press - This husband and wife team combine their clinical and parenting experience to provide an informative guide to understanding successful family relationships. The authors use short case studies to illustrate each of their ten keys to successful family dynamics. By participating in the Current Family Assessment at the beginning of the book, the authors give families a context for understanding their own family situation which facilitates the internalization of the key components that flow throughout the book.

So What: A Single Mom’s Guide to Staying Sane in the 21st Century, Laynee Gilbert, L.O.A. Publications - This is an engaging, sometimes witty book written from the perspective of a typical, newly-divorced mom of a seven year old. Though brief, the author provides a heartfelt glimpse into her struggles and victories to which other parents, male and female, can easily relate. The personal experience allows people to create realistic expectations of their current situation and the future, as well as provide a way to separate what is important and what is not, even though the latter is often highly distracting.

Life Your Way, Amy Wood, Psy.D., Modern Sage Press - In this book, the author recognizes that old strategies for life success were not working in the changing world. She provides an upbeat, practical guide for gaining new perspectives on achieving lifelong goals. At the end of each chapter, she offers practical ideas for applying the concepts she introduces toward gaining personal perspective, boosting confidence, and putting into place strategies that will lead toward a happier existence.

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Spiritual

Titles involving the mind and spirit, including religion, metaphysical, and mystical.

Winner

Spirit Stones, Dianne Ebertt Beeaff, Five Star Publications - Beautifully illustrated with many fine color photographs of the prehistoric standing stones of Great Britain and Brittany, this book seeks not only to explain what these megalithic monuments are, but also what they meant to the Neolithic and Bronze Age people who built them. A thorough, but fascinating and account of the culture and background of these ancient builders provides both secular and spiritual links to our own culture and beliefs. Many books offer scientific and historical explanations of the mysterious stones and theories of their possible uses, but this author goes beyond the hard facts to suggest how our own spiritual growth may be enhanced by understanding things common to both ourselves and our ancestors.

First Runner-Up

No Ordinary Time: The Rise of Spiritual Intelligence and Evolutionary Creativity, Jan Phillips, Livingkindness Foundation - A postulate nun over thirty years ago, Phillips was challenged by a Jesuit priest to explore her beliefs about God. This life-changing assignment eventually led to writing a book based on the Book of Hours, which originated in the Middle Ages, bringing a spiritual context to everyday life. Through daily readings for one week, the author references the eight periods of contemplation, beginning with Matins and ending with Compline. Sharing her astute observations, poetry, prayers, and anecdotes, she examines various disciplines and spiritual concepts, encouraging others to search within for answers. A dedicated activist, the author's role as performance artist and leadership trainer has taken her around the world on a peaceful mission, bringing educational tools to those in need. She quotes Mahatma Gandhi: "Whatever you do will be insignificant, but it is very important that you do it."

Honorable Mentions

Transparencies of Eternity, Rubem Alves, Convivium Press - In this book, we enter a cathedral of spirituality to encounter some new faces of God. Like an artist, the author masterfully reveals the transparent pieces of a stained glass window crafted through a series of essays with answers to the meaning of life. Each text is complete, but different in size, shape, and luminosity, all highlighted in poetic prose from the author's events and experiences with the Divine, poets, and writers. Unusual topics appear such as Angels of Impossible Things, feeling out of place in heaven, and outside beauty there is no salvation. Be prepared for enchanting and colorful views.

The Tale of the Zen Master Bho Li, Barbara Verkuilen, Firethroat Press - This superbly illustrated Buddhist fable tells the story of how the orphaned eight-year-old Bho Li survived the earthquake that destroyed his entire village and killed his family and went on with the help of a magical bird to become a famous Zen master. The well-told, fast-paced story is a dramatic one with many sympathetic characters. The book is successful on several levels. As pure entertainment, it is fun to read and enjoyable. It functions as a gentle introduction to Buddhist philosophy for children and has inspiring words for readers of any age, while also carrying a message against bullying and giving encouragement to those who may be victims.

License to LIVE: A Seeker's Journey to Greatness, Priya Kumar, Embassy Books - This fictionalized, spiritual book borrows from Dicken's A Christmas Carol in that the author experiences perspectives on her life through fantasy entities creatively named Bono, Keeper of the Future; Louihi, Keeper of the Past; and Jade, Keeper of the Present. Unflinchingly, she is shown how some of her life goals and beliefs reflect fears, false assumptions, and uncertainty. Like a trip on a magical flying carpet, the book evokes personal introspection. The author uses metaphor to review the reality of life through present accomplishments, past motivations, and hope for a satisfying and happy future. The Asian Age: "Full of wisdom, wit and spiritual insights, it brings to you lessons that will change the way you lead your life."

Water from an Ancient Well: Celtic Spirituality for Modern Life, Kenneth McIntosh, M.Div., Anamchara Books - This book takes us on an inward spiritual pilgrimage with Celtic saints. With inspired expertise, we dive into the alchemical process of turning the ordinary into the sacred by exploring how the "old ways" might offer something new. The reader experiences a three-part process of Celtic stories followed by a theological and historical dialogue, and then current ways for daily integration. Like a trained tour guide, McIntosh introduces us to spiritual fitness, creatures of grace, signs and wonders, community, imagination, and hospitality. "Why bother to travel in search of sacredness? Can't I find it in my backyard?" The answer may or may not be found in this book, but many interesting insights are offered.

Reiser's Ramblings, Fr. Bernard Reiser, Reiser Relief - A collection of weekly newsletter columns from the former pastor of the rural Epiphany Parish in Coon Rapids, Minnesota, this book is a mixture of humorous, sad, nostalgic, and inspirational pieces. By turns thoughtful, provocative, or just plain funny, it is the kind of book one can sample, read and reread, or share stories from with family and friends. It is nicely illustrated with black and white photos and drawings. The columns are short, but memorable, and always provide something to think about or learn from. Never stuffy or preachy, Reiser has created an enjoyable reflection of life.

Opening the Gates of the Heart: A Journey of Healing, Carolyn CJ Jones, Gate Lady Publishing - The author embarks on a personal journey that begins with loss and defeat, and culminates in a healing experience through extensive journaling and time devoted to photographing beautiful, unique gateways and their details. Side-by-side, one page pictures a gate in the San Francisco Bay area community, and the other page contains a word description of what that gate represented emotionally and spirituall, as the book evolved. Opening with Webs of Fear, the author writes, "I have spent a lifetime spinning webs of terror and shame between the spires that stand as sentinels to my heart." Fearlessly, she asks the reader to join her as she explores her deepest feelings and insights gained through artistic accord, blending prose and photographs that lift the spirit.

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Legacy Fiction

Titles in this category are fiction books over two years of age and held particular relevance to any subject matter or art form. Unlike many in the industry, we think good books last longer than one season.

Winner

The Foursome, Terry Dodd, Selah Publishing Group - Place an unlikely foursome on the golf course with different views of religion, add death by lightening on the eighteenth tee, and the bantering conversation of religion turns serious. With seemingly ghost-like delivery, all must face their own views of eternity. Dodd pulls the reader in from page one without being preachy or one-sided, allowing readers to contemplate their own fate. The novel is insightful, all without the reader needing to understand golf.

First Runner-Up

Visible Horizons, A Love Story, Gene McSweeney, Yawn's Publishing - This is a wonderful coming of age novel that follows Gib Walters through his life as he tries to understand the feeling of love. From a moment of kindness shown to him as a young boy, Gib begins his journey. McSweeney does a wonderful job with his descriptions of his characters and their motivations. His attention to detail provides a vivid mental picture of life on "the Point." Eventually the story comes full circle and would make an enjoyable beach read.

Honorable Mentions

O'Leary, Kat and Cary Grant, Audrey McClellan, Amber Skye Publishing - This is a spellbinding tale of fantasy wrapped up in humor, romance, and adventure. Picturesque with a strong sense of being there, the journey is filled with the timeless characters and the remarkable names of Kat and Cary Grant. Add the paranormal cat of O'Leary, who seems to have more than nine lives, and all the answers are at your feet, or are they? After buying an old Victorian house, O'Leary finds a crack in the basement wall through which alternative realities pass. Suddenly O'Leary talks and Kat meows of rats, fairies, and vampires. This is a remarkable treasure of a book.

Depth of Deceit, Betty Briggs, Sunrise Selections - Briggs explores an interesting topic: the power of the rich to obtain exactly what they want, in this instance a baby. The premise might seem unbelievable at first, but the author does a fine job locking down the details as this twisted path to deception unfolds. This is not a legal thriller along the lines of John Grisham story, but a quick read, including character sketches to feed the plot.

The Ten Deadly Realms, Venessa Williamson & Deserie Questell, AuthorHouse - Well-crafted and purporting mind-blowing effects, this novel is a pleasant surprise. It's science fiction at its best, employing a Christian bible meets Buddha atmosphere, where warriors must defend the Earth (and themselves) against an onslaught of evils and unimaginable odds. Small in size but long in story, this remarkable page-turner can be a considered a one-sitting read.

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Legacy Nonfiction

Titles in this category are nonfiction books over two years of age and held particular relevance to any subject matter or art form. Unlike many in the industry, we think good books last longer than one season.

Winner

The New Speaking of Sex: What Your Children Need to Know and When They Need to Know It, Meg Hickling, R.N., Northstone - This is an invaluable guide for parents to help them with the sometimes difficult task of educating their children about sex. Hickling utilizes actual questions submitted by kids from preschool age through adolescence and makes recommendations for parents on exactly how to answer those questions depending on the age and/or maturity of the child. Topics covered include specific sex acts, body parts, diseases, birth control, emotional issues, sexual readiness, what happens at the doctor's office, and more. Reluctant parents of teens might even just leave this book lying around where their kids can find it, pick it, and educate themselves.

First Runner-Up

Beyond Animal, Ego and Time, Jerry Parrick, HB Publishing - At first the subject matter—the origins of life, creation of the universe, and free will—might challenge you, but amazingly Parrick manages to pull it all together in an interesting and thought-provoking book. Never talking over his readers head, he breaks the topics down into easily digestible subtopics. His use of scientific information is appropriately placed and his addition of further resources for the reader is extensive. Not quite the light reading that other books are, but an enjoyable read all the same.

Honorable Mentions

Hardwiring Excellence: Purpose, Worthwhile Work, Making a Difference, Quint Studer, Fire Starter Publishing - This is an innovative yet practical manual for successful hospital management which offers useful tips that would benefit any organization. While Studer acknowledges the importance of a health care organization's financial success, he maintains that patient satisfaction comes first, and that employees must believe they are working together toward a common, non-financial goal. He stresses the importance of managers being good listeners, understanding the needs of their employees, showing appreciation for their hard work, and provides specific tips for improving patient outcomes and satisfaction, as well as employee performance, satisfaction and retention. Studer shows managers how to maintain high expectations and develop best practices in order to assure a win/win situation for all stakeholders.

Thank You, God, for Robin's Egg Blue, Karlene Kay Ryan, St. Agnes Communicating Center - This delightful gem is an illustrated mini-book of poetry. The author and illustrator became friends during a watercolor class and spent a wonderful ten years enjoying each other's company before cancer claimed the talented illustrator's life. Well-known to the readers of The Fresno Bee, Debbi Soligian's beautiful artwork graces the pages next to the perfect words laid down by Karlene Kay Ryan. The project had been in the planning for years, but the business of life and the limitations of health took their tolls and tragically Soligian did not live to see it in print. This is one of those books to pick up on a bad day to make it a little bit brighter.

Beyond Suiseki: Ancient Asian Viewing Stone of the 21st Century, Manette Gerstle, Water Stone Press - This book is filled with photos of colorful, unusual rock formations mounted on lovely pedestals. Gerstle hopes to enlighten the western world in regards to the ancient eastern art of stone viewing, and create an awareness that the Japanese Suiseki is not the only worthy stone art form. In addition to Japanese Suiseki, Chinese Gongshi, Korean Suseok, and Western viewing stones are included. Each stone is featured in a color photograph with an entire page devoted to it. On the facing page the stone's composition, origin, size, and name are provided along with a complimentary philosophical quotation. These gorgeous works of nature's art in stone will charm readers everywhere.

Mission Possible: A Missionary Doctor's Journey of Healing, Dawn V. Obrecht and M.D., Dawn V. Obrecht - Dr. Obrecht is straight and to the point in the discussion of her life as a former alcoholic and how she turned to God for ultimate healing. Her inner journey led to her worldwide travel on a series of missionary trips abroad, to the Honduras, Ecuador, Bolivia, Vietnam, Indonesia, and finally within the United States in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina. With her easygoing style, Obrecht transports the reader to isolated parts of the world with immediate detail—perhaps a harrowing ride in the back of an old truck along unpaved, single-lane, mountain roads with steep drop-offs, or sleeping under mosquito netting in hot, humid climates. She reveals just how much good in the world one individual can perform when situated in the right place at the right time.

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