Hoffer Grand Prize

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

The New Holy Wars: Economic Religion vs Environmental Religion in Contemporary America, Robert H. Nelson, The Independent Institute & Penn State Press - We live in a time of great passions. Among these are pursuits of ultimate wealth and the purity of earth that take on religious proportions. Their arguments are absolute in theory and fundamentalist in practice, and war rages between the economic and environmental true believers, clogging the public dialogue and tearing up the societal sidewalks. The irony is that neither side views itself as having a religion, only as carrying a right and moral code, which is the basis of any ideological view. This would be humorous if both sides were not so aggressive and destructive in their methods to persuade. Nelson argues that environmentalism is the new religion and it is set to usurp the hearts and minds of the economic faithful. Environmental Creationism, or a creationist's rationale of Darwinism, is currently given the same exemption of scrutiny as capitalism or even the Judeo-Christian-Islamic beliefs once were, yet both of the latter are now under strong secular marginalization. Since every religion requires a devil, Environmentalists have effectively demonized capitalism, which wages war against nature, and have progressed toward an environmental colonialism on a global scale. In many ways this book encompasses the deep study philosophy of Eric Hoffer, and in light of the emerging fraud of global warming and the sheer bankruptcy of capitalism, it is time to reexamine the sociopolitical forces at play in society.

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Montaigne Medal

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

Devotions to the Text, Steven Carter, University Press of America - Reading text and comprehending text are two different acts. The former being an acquired skill and the latter being an intellectual event that has become far to emotional, personal if you will, for contemporary scholarship. Today, many scholars interpret texts for their own uses, ignoring rational truth and reflecting meanings that have mostly to do with their own ideologies and little to do with the actual value of the text. This confusion is pervasive, and perhaps it is an attempt to reach for new and exciting understandings, but it results in lesser forgeries of existing thought. Carter sees this devolution of language and the commodification of nature as indicators of a corrupted society where thought is muddled. In fact it is an illusion or self-imposed dystopia. In his latest collection of critical essays, the author explores classic works with clear-eyed perception and fact-based detail. Somehow, doing things honestly and smartly is bucking the trend.

The New Akashic Records, Cheryl Trine, Essential Knowing Press - The Sanskrit word describing the creative, formative experience of energy is Akasha. The Akashic Record, or the knowledge of human history and experience, is said to exist on a plane of existence that is composed of energy. Many spiritual practices claim to access some form of this knowledge. Trine attempts to explain the Akashic Record and how it works within universal energy. To connect with this energy is to understand your own personal journey and a clearer vision of yourself in time and space. This is not light reading or a nontrivial effort to fully grasp. The Akashic Records are the focal point for the infinite possibility of All That Is. Through manifestation into form, the concept of choice becomes meaningful as our moment-by-moment choices equally affect past, present, and future experience. Attributing the origins of our Soul Point to the Akashic Records, the author advises that connection requires respect and a willingness to learn by uncovering false assumptions and releasing judgment. Attuning through this spiritual practice, Trine believes healing of pain, suffering, and trauma is possible, and that no special talent or psychic ability is needed for personal transformation.

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da Vinci Eye

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

	Baby Owl's Rescue, Jennifer Keats Curtis, Sylvan Dell Publishing (cover by Laura Jacques)
	Beyond UFOs, Jeffrey Bennett, Princeton University Press (cover by C. Alvarez-Gaffin) This title is also a winner in the Culture category.
	Searching for Soul, Bobbe Tyler, Swallow Press (cover by Beth Pratt) This title is also a winner in the Self-Help/Spiritual category.
	The Culture of Excess, J.R.Slosar, Ph.D., ABC Clio/ Praeger (cover by Karen Quigley)
	Then, Something, Patricia Fargnoli, Tupelo Press (cover by Howard Klein & Brian Jecker) This title is also a winner in the Poetry category.
	Voyeur, Rich Murphy, Gival Press (cover by Mark Johnson, Matt Murphy & Ken Schellenberg) This title is also a winner in the Poetry 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.

The American Scene on Paper: Prints and Drawings from the Schoen Collection, Georgia Museum of Art - Jason Schoen has acquired an impressive and broad-sweeping collection of American Depression-era works on paper, and the Georgia Museum of Art has bound the hundreds of artists represented by this collection into what amounts to a retrospective of the form. The methods employed include engravings, etchings, lithographs, woodcuts, watercolors, and a variety of printing methods. The subjects run the gamut as well, from landscapes and portraits to sociopolitical commentary and modern abstract. At times this book zooms in on a portion of a work, because it is easy to forget that even art on paper involves technique and texture. Each plate is accompanied by text that discusses both the work and the artist. It is difficult to single out any particular artist, for so many of the works are astounding, and the narrow focus, roughly 1920s, 30s, and 40s, creates a cohesive and memorable edition.

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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.

Voices of the American West, Corinne Platt & Meredith Ogilby, Fulcrum Publishing - This is a collection of forty documentary-style monologues drawn from candid interviews of a diverse group of visionary men and women devoted to the history and preservation of the American West. Traveling thousands of miles over a period of four years, Corinne Platte and Meredith Ogilby focused their attention on a diverse range of known innovators as well as fresh young voices that represent the shifting views and changing attitudes regarding the western region of the United States. With its conversational style narrative, Voices reviews the complex history and culture associated with a range of topics that define the past, present, and future identity of the western region of the United States, including education, recreation, immigration, ranching, alternative energy, wildlife habitat protection, oil and gas extraction, urban development, and water conservation. The book, accompanied by Ogilby's black and white portrait photos, is a joy to read and view.

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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.

A Democracy of Ghosts, John Griswold, Wordcraft of Oregon - This book, written with the immediacy of a newspaper and objectivity of a history book, shows all sides of a tragic, ugly conflict. Maybe you'll understand the parties, maybe you won't but you will feel for them. Williamson County in Southern Illinois was the site of the Herrin Massacre where twenty-one strike-breaking miners were lynched by townspeople and outside agitators. It was also the site where men and women go about the business of their lives. The book shows savagery "...it looked like they might all be dead but one of the mob shot each one again for good measure. Luckily there were only six scabs and his revolver was fully loaded." The book shows decency: "...like I said it wasn't right and we'll protect you with our very lives to see no further harm comes to you and your fellow scabs." There is an account of a child's funeral, where the preacher shows up late to mutter a few words about children and the kingdom of heaven where the matter-of-fact narration shows both the hard lives and the strength of those who lived them. Mr. Griswald has a clear, unadorned writing style that covers the sweep of history in the making and the commonplace minutiae of couples' shared lives.

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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.

A Tale of a Business Failure, John D. Davis, Danbury Publishing - Most often business books focus on their successes, but it is a fact that many companies will fail each year. Davis, a multiply certified C.P.A., has experience in both success and failure and has turned the experience into an examination of why his business failed. It is important to note that Davis' manufacturing firm had been thriving until it lost critical funding and then quickly eroded, resulting in a bank takeover and liquidation. Along the way, the principals of the company made a number of autonomous and dangerous choices that led to disaster. Better intercommunication, with an eye toward controlled capital expenditure, may have helped avoid the company's demise, but other factors, including ego and a general lack of discipline toward the business plan, created unreasonable expectations that eventually led to the dreaded client lack of confidence. Orders were cancelled, deadlines were missed, and the company sunk. Davis' tale of business woe reminds all entrepreneurs and venture capitalists that clients believe in the people associated with a company as much as the product. In fact, history shows that lesser products have been more successful because of superior people involved on all levels of the company.

 See extended coverage of this title in the US Review.

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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

A Journey Through Literary America, Thomas R. Hummel, photographs by Tamra L. Dempsey, Val De Grâce Books - This unique literary tour spans the country to highlight the life and work of America's best-known writers. From Washington Iriving (1783-1859) to Richard Ford (1944- ), both the essays and photos delve into the writer's biographies and major literary achievements. It is a very unique point of view and perhaps overdue in literary examinations. Expected elements such as Nathaniel Hawthorne's House of Seven Gables and Langston Hughes' Harlem don the pages. Steinbeck's Salinas wasn't missed, but little treats like Sherwood Anderson’s houses, Philip Roth's Weequahic, and Faulkner's map of Yoknapatawpha County help bind the collection.

First Runner-Up

Great Smoky Mountain National Park: Thirty Years of American Landscapes, Richard Mack, Quiet Light Publishing - Photographer Richard Mack doesn’t let words get in the way of his sumptuous series of pictures of the Great Smoky Mountain National Park. For thirty years, Mack has roamed and captured images of this National Park beauty. The book is divided into the major park sections (i.e. Cades Cover, Oconaluftee, Roaring Fork etc.), exploring the natural subdivisions within each. Occasionally the filters are set for subtle effect, but mostly you will find icy clear depictions of the majesty wrought from this mountainous pine and deciduous forest in every season. It is the kind of coffee table book that draws you in and has you flipping through every page.

Honorable Mentions

The Granite Avatars of Patagonia, Tom Reed, Wild Coast Media - Patagonia is a tableland region of South America where mountains and glaciers collide, but this is not the only collision in Tom Reed's exploration of these huge granite structures within the Andes. Each picture is signed with a traditional Japanese "chop" or hanko, the stamp of the artist. The contrast brings a compelling finish to Reed's monochrome landscapes. It is also a way for Reed to integrate his personal affinity for aikido, the martial art that synthesizes physical and philosophical disciplines. The pictures alone, and their deep understanding of shadow and light, are gallery worthy, and the art is accompanied by a travelogue that is peppered with occasional nature slides from his journey.

Great Possibilities: 150 Verne Moron Photographs, Ronald E. Ostman & Harry Littel, Six Mile Creek Press - Verne Morton was born in the mid-19th Century and photographed the Groton, New York area for fifty years. This was the end of the rural, small town era that dominated much of the new United States. The pictures range from people at work and play to standard portraiture, but there is nothing common about this collection. Morton has captured a lost way of life with his deft composition. One can imagine him waiting behind his camera stand for the perfect moment when the steam train passes or the logger pulls back on the reins of his workhorse. The Dryden Mutual Insurance Company has lovingly financed a revival of Morton's work in a dense coffee table book that includes textural accompaniment and occasional prose.

Strength & Compassion, Eric Greitens, Leading Authorities Press - Organized by the essentials of humanity—strength, pity, dignity, courage, faith, time, hope, and compassion—Eric Greitens has traveled the world, building an argument in words and pictures for some of the world's most vulnerable populations. The journey begins in Rwanda, a country in crisis and conflict, and reveals its "strength" in the face of adversity. This global tour will pass through Cambodia, Albania, Mexico, India, Gaza, Croatia, and Bolivia. Each stop highlights both the suffering and perseverance of the human race. Are we engaged with the human condition or not? Greitens will help you decide.

Travelin' Man: On the Road and Behind the Scenes with Bob Seger, Tom Weschler & Gary Graff, Wayne State University Press - Like Bob Dylan, it seems as if Bob Seger has been on the road forever. Weschler and Graf document Seger's music career in a series of up-close pictures and commentary. Many of the important moments have been included, and the candid shots provide a rare glimpse into the life of a legend. It's a four-decade journey, and the point is that Seger embodies the essence of rock'n'roll.

Uprising! Woody Crumbo's Indian Art, Robert Perry, Chickasaw Press - Woody Crumbo's art has been a favorite of queens, leaders, and diplomats. His work has hung in private and public spaces. There is a joy and brilliance celebrated in all of his paintings. A definite realism exists in his Indian depictions, as well as a departure of color or content. Uprising! is Robert Perry devotional to the life and work of Crumbo. It's pages are full memories and images, wrought with a personal touch.

 See extended coverage of this title in the US Review.

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Poetry

Titles in this category contain poetry or highly stylized prose.

Winner

Black Tupelo Country, Doug Ramspeck, BkMk Press - Mysterious and mythic images imply an unknowable contagion of something eerie, yet familiar. Places the hesitating, but fully captivated reader is reluctant to venture, compel with incantatory charm. Though we might be put off by the poet's foreboding descriptions, his occult lyricism enchants each landscape and narrative. We embrace the deliciousness of being lured to the dark, lush, ominous scenes the poet conjures. We smile with recognition to read the poet's devilish displacement of Adam and Eve, Odysseus, Socrates, and Dr. Mengele into our mundane world of eBay, dumpster diving, business franchises, and shopping malls. We fear to love being in these coiled in-between spaces where utterance, memory, and ceremony alternatively embody or confound supposed reality. Somehow the Gothic elegance and concrete clarity of Ramspeck's world invites us to be consoled by the twists and premonitions and portentous dreams he offers. We cover our eyes and stifle cries, but thrill to peek, to read on, to beg for more arcane beauty, more baleful ritual, more shamanic word potions of ingredient flora and fauna.

First Runner-Up

Necessary Turns, Liz Abrams-Morley, Word Press - Here are elegies and admonishments and some impossibly sad stories, but Abrams-Morley comforts us with fresh expression and a discerning point of view. Her disarming, intuitive, and discreetly wise-hearted explorations of loss enable us to explore gains, discover that which endures, and embrace recovery when possible. Bittersweet beauty abounds. Her depiction of the fullness of emptiness in "My Father, After the Memorial Service" or the apt illustration of her mother's sheets "worn thin as moth wings" in "Star Chart" remind us of similarly weighted moments in our own experience. Grief may gray our world, but again and again, in the midst of bereavement the poet unfurls life's brilliant colors. In the poem "New York City: October 1, 2001," an Iowa grandmother sees "A thousand fluttering souls" in a newspaper photo of orange migrating butterflies. The poet ably balances the irrevocable with portents of rebirth in her portraits of the necessary turns in life.

 See extended coverage of this title in the US Review.

Honorable Mentions

The Heart's Traffic, Ching-In Chen, Red Hen Press - Through the haunted eyes of Xiaomei, the daughter of Chinese immigrants, the complex challenges of a fractured family history and a young girl's coming of age are conveyed with intense intimacy and sensuality. Xiaomei's bewildering, fitful relationships with father, mother, classmates, and beloved friends are expressed with multiple voices. This powerful and adroit novel in poems debut impresses with its virtuosity and accomplished weave of letters, riddles, an interview, and various Western and Eastern poetic forms. Ching-In Chen is a fearless and affective writer to be read for her razzle-dazzle word-hoard and her fervently told tale of Xiaomei's difficult cross-cultural growth and personal transformation.

That Blue Repair, Joan Hutton Landis, Penstroke Press - Landis states in "Fisher Webber", the second poem of this volume,  "I am training myself in the art of recall..." and throughout the poet spins her recollections into an engaging kaleidoscope of stories. Her work is constrained by reflection and the confounding connections made in life. Her rhyme rich technique and adept formal control makes for a pleasurable read. We experience her poems as if in a fascinating conversation. We might be having a coffee or a glass of wine, as we sit and listen from across the table, entranced by her formidable descriptive powers, her playful wit, and the musical quality of her words as she shares her memories.

Then, Something, Patricia Fargnoli, Tupelo Press - Patricia Fargnoli notices the fleeting, the invisible, and the inevitable disappearances or subtractions of life. She often observes life's imponderable contradictions as in "On the Question of the Soul", by first describing the soul by what it is not, eventually she ask us to: "Someday watch smoke travel through the air./ Someday watch a stain spread out to no stain/ in the ocean. The soul does that." She finishes the poem with this statement about the soul, "Weighed down by the vested interests/ of the body, it nevertheless bears us forward." Throughout this collection, her images possess a melancholy appeal, monotone in color, muted in tone, but, nonetheless, a beauty to be appreciated, perhaps even desired, when we are in the clutch of our own wintry moods.

Voyeur, Rich Murphy, Gival Press - Murphy looks and looks and looks and reveals his wily observations of modern relationships in this collection. He writes a short, muscular, percussive line cunningly packed with complex meaning and metaphor. His unsentimental perceptions of sundry male and female situations, the prescriptions for suburban life, and contemporary family connections are expressed with plainspoken bemusement. He unveils some persuasive untidy images and communicates them as difficult truths. Read this book for the poet's blunt, ironic, and often-alliterative originality, and if its content is not too personal, you may finish with a knowing smile.

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General Fiction

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

Winner

The Prostitutes of Post Office Street, Frank F Carden, Sol Books - This book gives voice to what is usually shrouded in silence. Author Carden opens a small window on the lives of prostitutes, of strippers, of the "lost" girls who serve some unacknowledged need of men, as they have for centuries. Perhaps they provide love. Certainly love is a central theme of the book, even if only wounded or furtive. The painful story of a married man struggling with his increasing sexual desire for other men in this McCarthy-era setting feels furtive. So does the love between the black "madam" of the house and her white boyfriend. Galveston, Texas society does not have tolerance for either one, the man or the couple. It only pretends to disapprove of the houses. Perhaps that is what makes this such a compelling read. For love will not be denied, even the girls know that. The author shows without saying and the effect is stunning.

First Runner-Up

The Love Ceiling, Jean Davies Okimoto, Endicott and Hugh Books - At 64, Annie Duppstadt has always put the needs of others before her own. Yet it's a promise to her dying mother that at last compels Annie to embark on a journey of self-discovery. Determined to explore her artistic talent and quiet the doubt entrenched by her narcissistic father, Annie struggles to find the balance between family obligations and her own creative ambitions. Her husband is facing retirement, her daughter a catastrophic break-up, and her mother has chosen death to make a final stand against her own husband's ongoing cruelties. To reclaim her imagination, Annie must first summon the courage to shatter "the love ceiling" and make room for her dreams to finally take flight.

Honorable Mentions

Flyer Beware, Adrianne Aron, iUniverse - The space of a few airline passenger rows is the setting of this tersely written engrossing, claustrophobic read. Flyer Beware is an intelligent thriller told with precision. On a trip to Texas (a state known for its death penalty laws), main character Rainbow Blackman has to stay collected as an attractive, elegantly dressed murderess reveals details of her crime. The psychological and judicial questions abound as the masks come off. "Laughing, we chatted on again like two very conventional travelers enjoying each others company, until I made a thoughtless quip about a stool pigeon, which brought us straight back… to jail birds."

Strays, Jeanne Webster, Dupuis North - What may appear to be a fairytale is actually a story about a woman's journey seeking to find her way in life after a series of disappointments. The heroine, twenty-four year old Jane has asked herself "where was the meaning to life, the sense of being born to a purpose?" She settles in a cabin in the Smoky Mountains, determined to take control of her destiny. After an accidental knock on the head Jane, berates God for not showing her the way. When a spider offers advice Jane questions her sanity. A scraggy dog, Max, appears at her door. Messages that Max, plants, animals, Grandma spider, snake, and a willow tree convey, lead Jane to self-discovery.

He is Legend, Christopher Conlon (editor), Gauntlet Press - This book is a collection of prequels, sequels and variations on the novels, stories, and screenplays of legend Richard Matheson. You may remember Matheson's screenplay for the science fiction film "The Incredible Shrinking Man". Authors like Stephen King and his son, Joe Hill, join in a collaborative effort for the first time in "Throttle", a title that resonates with the theme: the tortured emotions between father and son when dysfunction gets amped up to a breaking point. Whitley Strieber evokes modern day angsts over the moral vacuity of day-traders gone rabid in "Cloud Riders". The persistence of black magic and witchery in modern times (in a college setting, no less) is the theme of a screenplay Richard completed with Charles Beaumont in the early 1960s. "Conjure Wife" is presented here in its entirety. Thirteen other authors, including Mr. Matheson's son, contribute to this tour-de-force of imagination and wit. It is a fitting tribute to a long and creative career; it is an even more an enjoyable read.

Gravity Fiction, Scott Geisel (editor), CreateSpace - Featuring the work of undergraduate writers, this is a collection of thirteen short stories that illustrate the many elements of successful storytelling. Each selection is followed by the editor's commentary, highlighting the specific narrative method each story represents. This diverse anthology is composed of a broad selection of voices, styles, and themes, each providing strong examples of language, dialogue, character, dramatic tension and symbolism, among other vital aspects of the writing process.

Fiction: A Novel, Ara 13, CovingtonMoore - This book, a cross between Joseph Conrad and P.G Wodehouse, was an absolute delight. A missionary solemnly looks for cannibals to convert while other, non- cannibal villagers watch his antics with a deadpan incredulity. They see their world and this follower of biblical teachings through a belief system that is informed by their own sacred text; it isn't the bible, but it might be familiar… There is a refreshing logic to their experience: "I liked him better when he could only listen well in our language. Now that he speaks it he has lost all his abilities to communicate." The author sustains lengthy notes of humor with a rigorous logic and a whimsical charm.

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Commercial Fiction

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

Winner

Cold Case in Ellyson, Susan Anderson, Createspace - Katherine followed in her late grandfather's footsteps; she's a cop. When her grandmother is murdered, she takes personal time off without telling her partner, Joe Carpenter. When she doesn't return Joe's calls, he investigates. When he eventually finds his friend and partner, it's too late, and the killer has plans that will leave Joe as dead as the policewoman born and raised in Ellyson. Susan Anderson, an intimate Southern voice, solves the murders of three family members with emotional power, a distinct knowledge of police work, and authenticity of time and place, taking the reader along on the mysterious journey.

First Runner-Up

Quiet Teacher, Arthur Rosenfeld, YMAA Publication Center - This story takes us inside the tortured mind of one of the most uniquely named, and subtly disturbing characters in contemporary fiction, Xenon Pearl. Rosenfeld has created a character so complex that he is in the same moment a martial arts aficionado, motorcycle enthusiast, celebrated brain surgeon, and frustrated lover; a man addicted to violence and dedicated to exploring his past. This novel unrolls in a disturbing duality, partially in the real word and partially inside the mind of the protagonist. Quiet Teacher is a journey novel, one that follows Xenon Pearl as he searches for love, redemption, and the previous lives that haunt both his dreams and his waking moments. Violence and lust mingle with romance and reflection to make this a read you won't forget.

Honorable Mentions

Elo'esh, Kaylea May, iUniverse - Brooke Jacobs has never felt connected to any one place or person. She moves to Fairbanks to escape a boyfriend who wants commitment and discovers a man with whom she shares more than she first realizes. As she discovers who she is and her connection to this stranger, her actions may have far-reaching consequences. A well-paced tale of modern fantasy, Elo’esh is a story of Angels existing among us and the choices that brought them here.

The Burden of Truth, Lois Lewandowski, iUniverse - In this second of a series, probation officer Gillian Jones is once again cast as a reluctant private investigator attempting, this time, to identify the perpetrator of a decades old rape attempt. While it seems unlikely that she'll find answers, Gillian uncovers facts leading to a grim possibility—a serial rapist may be residing in her tiny town of Bend Brook. After the county attorney is viciously murdered, it is one of Gillian's clients, 17-year-old teen mom Jessica, that generates the most suspicion. However, Gillian knows what the killer is really after. Resolving to clear her client's name, Gillian follows her instinct and gets more than she bargains for as she gathers information the killer will do anything to conceal.

Grave Passage, William Doonan, The Glencannon Press - Henry Grave, professional maritime detective, helicopters aboard a cruise liner after the murder of the guest lecturer. Passengers are on edge, and company officials want answers, but will Henry successfully follow the clues? This detective is a Columbo-Peter Falk character. His methods are wacky, his sassy dialogue brings chuckles, and his unique way of going for the juggler when tracking the murderer will keep readers following him closely up to the surprising resolution. The author has created a most enjoyable tale of crime with a delightfully quirky protagonist. Readers will hope to read more of the adventures of Harry Grave.

Rage Against the Dying Light, Jan Surasky, Sandalwood Press - Jan Surasky's Novel of Celtic uprising against the Romans delves into a time with little to no historical record. The only written records of Boudicca's uprising come from roman writings, with no accounts from the Celtic perspective. These gaps in history allow her great latitude in crafting her story, and she rises to the challenge, mixing extensive research with broad creative leaps. She captures well the feelings of the Celts as they rebel against the Romans, the songs of the bards and poets, and the legacy of a queen who had the mantle of liberator thrust upon her.

 See extended coverage of this title in the US Review.

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Children's

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

Winner

Chippy Chipmunk Parties in the Garden, Kathy M. Miller, Celtic Sunrise - This story includes a 2-year documented photographic adventure of a painfully adorable chipmunk named Chippy who relishes his life outdoors. The words almost play second to the touchable and realistic pictures, which give the reader an insight to nature at its finest. You can actually feel Chippy's emotions through the pictures as well as the story. Other wildlife is photographed and brilliantly colored as Chippy's garden adventure unfolds. This book also includes factual information about chipmunks through the detailed snippets at the end.

First Runner-Up

Mister Rabbit's Wish, Colleen Monroe, Mitten Press - Making a wish for others can be the most unselfish gift of all. In this tale, a tender elderly rabbit begins his annual journey to the wishing tree where he makes the same wish every year. Along the way, he is joined by other curious woodland creatures that would like to have their self-seeking wishes granted as well. In the end, the rabbit teaches them that sometimes a united wish can be the most rewarding of all wishes.

Honorable Mentions

Through Endangered Eyes, Rachel Allen Dillon, Windward Publishing - Packed with valuable information, this book will inform you about several threatened or endangered species through the use of playful poetry. Each poem is paired with an abstract illustration of the individual animal created from an assortment of colorful dots, which make the creatures come alive on the page. After becoming connected to each living thing through illustration and poetry, you are invited to read more factual information about each animal. There are activities for home and classroom, a list of ways individuals can help endangered animals, and a compendium of conservation organizations including their descriptions.

Nicholas, That's Ridiculous, Christa Carpenter, Caballo Books - This is a book about little boys doing what they do best: exploring, experimenting, and using their imaginations. Through an understanding mother's eyes, you get a peak at the silly things a little boy named Nicholas gets himself into during an ordinary day in his life. Although his mother thinks that sometimes "Nicholas is ridiculous," her son's adventures show her that enjoying life is sometimes about being outrageous and that can be way more fun than being normal and organized.

Catty Wompus, Julie Howe, New Year Publishing - In most cases, children only see what is being done to them instead of trying to see both sides of a situation. This story invites children to have an open mind and look at situations through someone else's perspective and maybe even try to understand why someone might be treating them a certain way. Being a friend means occasionally setting your own feelings aside. This allows others to open up new parts of themselves and maybe even allows them to love.

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Young Adult

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

Winner

Running on Dreams, Herb Heiman, Autism Asperger Publishing - This is heart-warming story of two teens from different worlds who find mutual ground in each other's friendship. When Brad signs up for a position as a class aid, he is hoping to be assigned to the computer lab where he can flirt with a certain cheerleader. When he gets assigned to Special Ed classes, he is devastated. Once Brad overcomes his stereotypical view of people with autism, he finds he and his autistic friend, Justin, have more in common than one might think. They are both striving to find themselves, fit into society, and deal with teen-age dilemmas. As the friendship between Brad and Justin grows, Brad discovers he needs to reevaluate his own values and beliefs.

First Runner-Up

Sunflower, Diane O. DesRochers, Fiction Publishing - Ten-year-old Sunflower and her grandmother Ohum are survivors when their village in the Appalachian Mountains is destroyed by bandits. Soldiers from nearby Fort Joseph rescue them and take them into the fort where they are befriended by the doctor, the minister, and the schoolteacher. After several years there, Sunflower sets out alone through the wilderness to join the tribe of the Big Lakes People. On her journey Sunflower relies on her native American survival skills to save her own life and that of Jeremy, a half-Indian, half-French young man whom she heals after a bear mauls him. DesRochers' Sunflower is both an adventure and a romance. In addition, Sunflower brings to life native American culture with rich details about customs, foods, clothing, and medicines.

Honorable Mentions

There Are No Words, Mary Calhoun Brown, Lucky Press - Mary Calhoun Brown skillfully places the reader inside the head of a 12-year-old autistic girl. Through Jaxon, the reader gains a small understanding of the frustration and survival skills necessary for her to survive. Jaxon is mute and hyper-sensitive to touch. Because she does not talk and is unable to withstand touch from others, people treat her as if she is not there or is stupid. The one exception is her loving grandparents who live with her. However, the only true peace comes when she is lying on the living room floor and staring at a painting of two children dancing away into the distance. One night the girl in the painting reaches out to Jaxon and coaxes her to join them in the painting. Jaxon meets their friend, Oliver, and discovers that she has stepped back into the past with just enough time to possibly save Oliver from a horrendous train wreck. In order to succeed, she needs to convince her friends and the train engineer to stop the train to avoid a wreck that only she knows is about to happen. 

Enjoy Your Money!, J. Steve Miller, Wisdom Creek Press - This is a book that all young people, and some older ones as well, should read.  It fills a gap where high schools fail to teach students about personal finances. It tells you how to save, invest, and use your money wisely and why you should start these practices as early in life as possible. Even though this book is on a serious subject, it outlines the dos and don'ts of finance with humor and anecdotes of four young people, known as the "Counterculture Club." Following the knowledge of their mentor, Mrs. Kramer, the four Counterculture Club members are able to pursue their dreams with a well-rounded attitude on life and the finances to keep their dreams alive.

Choices, Kate Buckley, Book Publishers Network - Fifteen-year-old Kara faces a life-or-death choice that will change the course of her life. Her crush on Jake, a high school basketball star, leads her into deception, drinking, and date rape. When Jake pressures her to get an abortion, Kara struggles with her decision. Her choice is further complicated by her mother's heavy involvement in the pro-life movement. In Choices, Kate Buckley explores the pressures and problems of adolescence. Her depictions of friendships, peer pressure, first love, religion, drinking, sex, and family relations demonstrate Buckley's intimate understanding of today's teenagers.

Wintering, William Durbin, Raven Productions - It is winter 1801, and young Pierre La Page is embarking on his first "wintering" trip to the North. The months-long adventure will take him through rugged, mostly desolate country in what is now the border between Canada and the United States. Life is hard and many of the voyagers die young. An overbearing taskmaster, a pet bear, and encounters with local Indian tribes move this story along briskly as Pierre begins to discover himself and his strengths. Durbin's extensive research brings an authentic historical feel to the story, but does not overwhelm the reader. 

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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

Beyond UFOs, Jeffrey Bennett, Princeton University Press - This is a compelling primer regarding the burgeoning new field of astrobiology—a multidisciplinary field dealing with the nature, existence, and search for extraterrestrial (life beyond Earth). Discussing topics such as the origin of life on Earth, the search for life on other planets, and the search for extraterrestrial intelligence (SETI), Beyond UFOs reflects on the implications of what the possible existence of extraterrestrial life represents for modern civilization. With his accessible science writing style and engaging imagery and illustrations, Bennett delivers a well-written and compelling case that life outside our own existence is likely to be abundant.

First Runner-Up

Ninety-Five, No Voice Unheard - Rather than write a book exposing modern agricultural practices and promoting animal rights, the editor of a book about farm animals, oddly titled Ninety-Five, explains that he simply decided to introduce readers to farm animals. Ninety-Five consists of a number of portraits of a variety of rescued farm animals—among them, Gilly the hen, Sophie the pig, and Justice the steer—all beautifully written and accompanied by vibrant photographs. The stories of the animals surprise with their revelations of their personalities, relationships and emotions, yet never come across as sentimental. The book's title is a reference to the average number of animals that are saved each year through one person's vegan diet. After reading Ninety-Five, perhaps you will reconsider your eating habits..

Honorable Mentions

The Tattooed Lady: A History, Amelia Klem Osterud, Fulcrum Publishing - This is a thoroughly researched history of both tattooed ladies and tattoos in general, including horrific stories of abductions and forced tattooing. With a hundred historical photos gracing nearly every page, anecdotes, and circus lore, readers will embark on a fascinating exploration of part social history, part women's history, part documentary of the origin of tattoos, and part detailed biographical portraits of the lives of tattooed women who traveled across the country in the early part of the century performing in circuses and carnivals.

Laogai: The Machinery of Repression in China, Nan Richardson & Nicole Kempton (editors), Umbrage Editions - The nightmare of human rights abuse in China is starkly revealed with facts, figures, and dozens of photographs and stories. Extensive footnotes lend chilling authenticity to cascading revelations: China has the largest system of forced labor camps (Laogai) in the world today, with an estimated three to five million prisoners in more than 1000 camps; in the absence of an independent judiciary, "troublemakers" are arbitrarily detained, tortured, and sentenced without trial. China executes more people each year than the rest of the world combined. Laogai also provides dirty revenue from products made with forced labor and exported worldwide at prices that disallow competition. China's executions fuel a lucrative organ trade. The editors give perspective on the historical roots of China's repression and future consequences.

100 Places in Italy Every Woman Should Go, Susan Van Allen, Travelers' Tales an imprint of Solas House - Planning a trip to Italy? Author Van Allen's well-written travel book omits the obvious, such as the Sistine Chapel and Leaning Tower of Pisa, and instead offers the modern-day woman suggestions for unique sights and experiences. The book covers everything from churches and museums to spas, beaches, and shopping. Each of the spotlighted top 100 places is paired with a recommended reading and a restaurant selection aimed at helping the reader to create a "Golden Day." Despite a lackluster cover photo, 100 Places is all that a travel book should be—informative yet concise and filled with off-the-beaten track adventures.

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Memoir

Titles in this category capture specific personal experience.

Winner

Mother California, Kenneth E. Hartman, Atlas & Co. - This eye-opening book may change the way you think of prisoners and our prison system. Hartman, in for life, shows that some indeed may carve out a real life within the prison walls and may change their code of morality forever. In prison because of an unpremeditated murder, he writes, "When I was nineteen, I killed a man in a drunken, drugged-up fistfight… I stole, I lied, I cheated. I was extraordinarily, preternaturally violent." Hartman regrets the action but has gotten on with his life in the best way he can. He meets his true love, marries, and has a child, and has now written three books. This is his memoir. He aided in establishing the Honor Program for good prisoners at California State Prison–Los Angeles and continues to advocate for prison reform. He has a website and has won writing awards. Like many prisoners, Hartman gives up drugs and alcohol, attends AA, but, unlike many prisoners, does not find God. What he finds is love, pure love, people who believe in him and trust him. That remains his salvation.

First Runner-Up

Short White Coat, James A. Feinstein, iUniverse, MD - Dr. James A. Feinstein, recalls his third year as a medical student at the University of Pennsylvania. Written as a series of narrative essays, these pieces could be read separately or all together. Some were previously published in literary journals. The work is lively, honest, alternately funny and sad. In year three, medical students are expected to jump in with head and hands. The pace is grueling. Feinstein has many rotations: the E. R., pediatrics, psychiatry, oncology, surgery and others. He delivers babies, administers to a man with AIDS and loses his first patient. He is supervised by doctors who are concerned about their patients and by those whose arrogance and chilly manner shock him. Although he does learn a great deal from these MDs, he learns more about being a skilled, compassionate doctor from his patients. By the end of his demanding year, the author has answered the question: "Do I have what it takes to become a doctor?" Feinstein is now a practicing pediatrician; he continues to write in his spare time.

 See extended coverage of this title in the US Review.

Honorable Mentions

Kipling's Cat, Anne Cabot Wyman, Protean Press - This memoir of the author's father, Jeffries Wyman (1901–1995), is also a tale of class, time, and many places—blueblood society in Boston in the early and mid 1900s and many exotic overseas locales. A scientist who helped discover a branch of biochemistry and a talented painter and writer, Wyman was not the perfect father but he was always fascinating. He was often physically distant—traveling the world to discover other cultures and new science—serving for UNESCO in Cairo and at the American Embassy in Paris. Nonetheless, he taught his daughter what she needed to live a good life. He was curious, sensitive, giving, funny, sophisticated, and a kind man. The author, Anne Cabot Wyman, inherited her father's passion for adventure travel and wrote for the Boston Globe for 30 years. It is refreshing to read a memoir of a less-than-perfect father and discover that, despite his shortcomings, he did a good job at instilling values and interests.

Bipolar Bare, Carlton Davis, Create Space - This is a fascinating, complex memoir, quite possibly ground-breaking. Writer Carlton Davis is also an architect and an artist who has long lived with mental illness. His memoir chronicles the onset of his problems, his treatments, his relapses, his final diagnosis and his journey to better health. Today, at over 60, he is not institutionalized, no longer suicidal, no longer abusing substances. His artwork (good, but sometimes terrifying) is featured throughout the book. Davis had an unhappy childhood: his mom abandoned him before he was six, never to be seen again until he found her decades later. As a young boy, Davis wished to be a girl. He graduated from Yale as an architect, worked in his field, married, had a daughter, divorced and remarried. The value of this memoir, grueling in parts to read, is that the man is clearly not crazy and, by its end, he is functioning the way most of us function—on a sane, managing level, most of the time. One assumes writing the book helped. Bipolar bare should provide hope for those with a mental illness and their family members and friends.

The Daughter of L'arsenal, Jacqueline Regis, Sterling House - After the recent disastrous earthquake in Haiti, many of us find ourselves learning more about this impoverished, beautiful country. Regis was born in Haiti into extreme poverty, but birthed by a mother with a lot of pluck and a lot of love—a woman who got by without a spouse, a stable house, indoor plumbing, or sufficient guaranteed food for her children. Regis writes, "L'arsenal became my mother's home when, eight months pregnant and with no place to call home, she went to live there in the early 1950s… Frightened and alone, she stepped on the front porch of an abandoned hut in the L'arsenal region, balancing a small suitcase in one hand and a pillow under her other arm... [she] touched her pregnant belly, as if talking to her unborn child. 'This is going to be home for us for awhile,' she said." Despite dire circumstances, Regis' family members were close-knit, and the mother was determined that her children would do far better than she did. In the end, Regis came to the U.S., attended college and became a lawyer, something far beyond the grasp of most of her neighbors in the small rural town of L'Arsenal. Heartwarming and inspiring, this memoir investigates what determination, grit, and maternal love can create, even in the face of great deprivation.

More Than Little Professors, Lisa Barrett Mann, Autism Asperger Publishing - This book provides a good introduction to Asperger and discusses how such children act, think, and create. Writing and artwork are included from more than sixty young people, from toddlers to teenagers, from the U.S., Canada and Australia. Two short examples are these: Duncan, age 11, writes, "Teacher is one cruel woman All she does is torture kids!" and, on a happier note, by Robyn, age 9, "David is as perfect as a peony/that has just bloomed." According to editor, Lisa Barrett Mann, "Today, at least l in 150 school children [is] diagnosed with an autism spectrum disorder—many of them, with Asperger Syndrome. These are smart, loving children with huge potential, whose brains just happen to be wired a little differently from their typically developing peers." Empathetic and revealing, this book should be especially useful for parents and teachers of these unique, gifted young people.

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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

301 Smart Answers to Tough Interview Questions, Vicky Oliver, Sourcebooks - Many people are seeking jobs, probably many more than Labor Department admits in their data. The market is extremely competitive and the hiring managers have become very selective. Oliver, an award-winning copywriter for several top tier advertising agencies, focuses on preparation for the tough job interview or "the most harrowing forty-five minutes of your life." In any key interview, there will be difficult inquiries, trick questions, and decisive moments. Oliver discusses the whole interview—your look, comportment, and ability to feature your best assets. The book also includes many tips for timing and executing the interview of your life.

First Runner-Up

Going Above and Beyond, Katharine C. Giovanni, NewRoad Publishing - Engaging customer service typically leaves people with a permanent impression, not just about the experience but the entire company. Giovanni, an expert in the customer relations field, insists that customer service must behave like a top-flight concierge. A good concierge does not operate with a rigid job description. He typically does whatever necessary to satisfy the client. Being a concierge is a philosophy that encompasses the whole person. If this mindset is applied to customer service, the results will be spectacular.

Honorable Mentions

Black Markets and Business Blues, Yvan Allaire & Michaela Firsirotu, FI Press - It's no secret that American financial system has barely avoided collapse. What has happened to this once revered system that set the world standard for finance? Allaire and Firsirotu assert that the black market elements—"the unregulated, secretive, barely licit parts of the financial markets"—have infected the entire system. The authors take us on a tour of the what has happened and cures for future health of the American financial model.

Ownership Spirit, Dennis R. Deaton, Quma Learning Systems - Ownership means possession. It also means taking responsibility for what is yours. Today, it is too easy to forfeit responsibility and become a victim of circumstance. Deaton, an experience and educated entrepreneur, identifies ownership as the singular key to success. It is a mindset that breeds confidence in times of uncertainty. The book includes a number of real-life examples that support the ownership principles. Deaton wants you to dig in and never quit.

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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

Finding Out, Deborah Meem, Michelle Gibson, & Jonathan Alexander, Sage - The authors combine original material with well-regarded journal articles to provide an in-depth introduction to lesbian-gay-bisexual-transgender (LGBT) studies. In addition to the books value as a comprehensive review of the history of same-sex relationships and gender variances from the times of ancient Greece to the present day, instructors, students, and readers with an interest in LGBT studies will find the chapter introductions and comprehensive presentation of thematic material a strong basis for in an in-depth examination of LGBT culture and society within an historical and contemporary context.

First Runner-Up

Encounters: A Lifetime Spent Crossing Cultural Frontiers, Nancy Keeney Forster, Windshadow Press - This is a fascinating narrative about many historical events that are still timely today. Through mixing her own recollections with the writings of her late husband, diplomat Clifton Forster, Nancy Kenney Forster opens a vista to several decades of the 20th century, bringing events of the past vividly back to life for the reader, including World War II spent as a teenager in the Philippines, life in Japan after the war as a young diplomat, and a diplomatic posting in Israel. This book is for anyone interested in recent world history, but even those that have read widely on these subjects will appreciate this a fresh take.

Honorable Mentions

Man on the Move, Peter Rowlands, iUniverse - From page one, the reader is confronted with history, cruelty and survival methods that lay the foundation for the story of a remarkable man. Despite only an elementary education Pete Friesen used his own innate intelligence to develop a way to solve the problems of life. What he figured out was that he could move unscathed from a life of thoughtless cruelty into being a man of value. With a self education, that would rival a scientific background, he went into a career in the house moving business during its early stages. He figured out the business and went on to design and manufacture systems and products that set the standard even today. He has been recognized internationally as the man "who has spent a lifetime doing the impossible and made it possible for others to do likewise."

 See extended coverage of this title in the US Review.

Understanding Global Cultures, Martin Gannon & Rajnandini Pillai, Sage - This is an ideal reference book for a general readership as well as scholars, practitioners, students, expatriates, and travelers. The logical structure of utilizing cultural metaphors as a method for understanding the edifying mindsets of various nations, clusters of nations, and continents adds a rich contextual tone and value to the topics of authority-ranking, market pricing, religious, and ethnic diversity. This fourth edition adds new revisions to chapters on American football, Russian ballet, and the Israeli kibbutz, as well as three new chapters: Finnish Sauna, Kaleidoscopic India, and Diversity.

The Book Collector's Guide to L. Frank Baum and Oz, Paul R. Bienvenue, March Hare Books - This guide is lavishly illustrated, nearly every page having at least one cover, illustration, or photograph. Bienvenue's introduction provides a basic guide to the subject, and the text that follows provides information on each of L. Frank Baum's books, starting with an introduction and then going through the details of each edition. Bienvenue also includes books Baum wrote under pennames and books written in Baums book series after he died. This extremely thorough book is a superb resource for any serious Baum collector, and the illustrations would make it worthy of a place on a coffee table.

How the West Was Warmed, Beth Conover, Fulcrum Publishing - This collection of essays on the way global warming is impacting the Rocky Mountains of North Americ are broken into loose groupings: Culture and Consumption, Natural Resources, Commerce and Industry, and Policy and Politics. The many authors featured in the book have a wide range of backgrounds, from scientist to teacher to politician to farmer. Unlike other books on the subject, this does not claim to provide a specific cure-all solution on the subject. The authors raise a wide variety of points and possibilities, but the reader will walk away with much to ponder.

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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

Herbal Cookery, The St. Louis Herb Society, Favorite Recipies Press - This book delves into the one of the fundamental aspects of cooking: herbs. They are not only important to season almost any recipe, they are seasonal wonders in the garden. The St. Louis Herb Society at the Missouri Botanical Garden has assembled a compendium of recipes that includes hundreds of herbs. Some of the highlights are Summer Ravioli with Herbed Brown Butter, Bay Leaf Braised Short Ribs, and Tangy Citrus Coucous with Mint and Rosemary, but there are many more. As expected, herbs are at the forefront of these recipes, and the combinations are unusual and savory. The cookbook features beautiful pictures of the gardens as well as the dishes.

First Runner-Up

Greening Your Family, Lindsey Carmichael, Peter E. Randall Publisher - Going green is a buzzword included in many social debates where a fundamental question typically emerges: What is the impact of your consumer decisions on your planet, home, and family? Carmichael asks: Do you really know what you are buying? She begins to answer the question by making the case for various product categories, and then recommends safe choices by brand and, in some cases, where to find them. Categories include everything from personal care products to household cleaners, and she even suggests types of plants to improve air quality.

Honorable Mentions

Under the Fig Leaf, Sherri P. Lee, Favorite Recipies Press - If you like figs, this cookbook is for you. Not only does Lee deliver many and varied fig recipes, she discusses the history and varieties of figs. This book specializes in the fig with abandon, and it has a personal touch that is engaging and memorable. The dozens of fig recipes include simple fig fare such as Pear and Fig Salad and more exotic dishes such as Prosciutto Wrapped Figs Stuff with Smoked Mozzarella and Turkey Roulades with Fig Dressing.

Parenting without Stress, Marvin Marshall, Piper Press - Marshall, a lifelong teacher and speaker, asserts that much of our parenting skills mimic those employed for animal husbandry. The outdated methods that demand obedience and therefore distribute rewards and punishments based on compliance generate more stress and negativity than success. A better approach includes an emphasis on overall and continued improvement, rather than focusing on singular incidents. One of Marshall's suggestions includes "raised responsibility," which helps to shift ownership of behavioral issues to the child through personal motivation.

Getting Over It, Len Stauffenger, MacKenzie Publishing - Divorce brings a variety of unique problems to parenting. The parental core, the center, of a child's world has been divided by circumstance. If the parent is not healed, if the parent has not accepted responsibility and learned from the past, it will be difficult to move forward. Stauffenger helps parents seek a new stability during this disorienting time for both parent and child. He suggests a number of philosophies that include honesty and sincere and total engagement. It is possible to offer an encouraging and loving environment.

Rain Gardening in the South, Helen Kraus & Anne Spafford, Eno Publishers - The extreme conditions of the south, from dryness to flooding, offer unique challenges for gardeners. A "rain garden" thrives in both conditions by harvesting rain and purifying the environment. This book moves step-by-step from design through maintenance and trouble-shooting, including useful illustrations and concise planting charts. The weather is not getting any more hospitable, and clean water is not becoming any less scarce. Kraus and Spafford have the answers.

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Health

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

Winner

The Happy Body, Aniela & Jerzy Gregorek, Jurania Press - The authors are competitive weightlifters and coaches who have synthesized their years of experience into this encyclopedic volume. This book covers the gamut of physical wellness, including assessment skills, exercise regimens, dietary principles, and more. The workout routines appropriately focus on not merely strength and cardiovascular fitness, but also give instructions in flexibility, recovery, and posture. The advice is specific enough that it can be followed easily by the couch potato who wishes to make a major change in lifestyle, but it also would prove useful to the hard core gym rat.

 See extended coverage of this title in the US Review.

First Runner-Up

The Art of Hojo Undo, Michael Clarke, YMAA Publication Center - This book details how to create and use traditional karate training equipment. While specific to the ancient training methods from Okinawa, Japan, author and 7th Dan Karate sensei Michael Clarke describes these conditioning exercises and the philosophy behind them so anyone interested in physical conditioning could benefit. Exceptional illustrations for constructing and using these tools along with researched and well-crafted writing make The Art of Hojo Undo a helpful reference or starting point for the curious reader. Despite the widespread popularity of karate, the author not only explains this lesser-known facet of karate training historically, but also juxtaposes it with today's more sport-driven martial arts, revealing Hojo Undo as an integral part of a complete fighting system.

Honorable Mentions

The Complete Guide to Autism Treatments, Sabrina Freeman, Skf Books - Dr. Freeman (a Ph.D., although the book does not reveal the discipline in which she received her doctorate) provides a thorough tabulation of the major treatment strategies for autistic children. She goes through each strategy point by point, evaluating the pros and cons with scientific rigor. Much of her passion for this effort represents her own experience with her autistic daughter. It is noteworthy that she skirts many of the most controversial questions about this disorder, such as the questions of causation and in particular the question of mercury-based preservatives in vaccines. That may be beyond the scope of a work that addresses treatment, however.

Yoga for Movement Disorders, Renee LeVerrier, Merit Publishing International - This offers practical and uplifting exercises and guidance for those dealing with chronic illnesses such as Parkinson's Disease. Author Renee Le Verrier, having dealt with movement disorders since a young age, covers a series of stretches, poses, and meditation through plentiful, full-color photographs and step-by-step instructions. Having used yoga as a means to improve her quality of life, she creates a realistic and positive regimen not as a supposed cure for movement disorders but as a bolster to dealing with and controlling such illnesses. Spiral binding and exercises requiring minimal equipment makes Yoga for Movement Disorders practical for everyday home use.

Soul-Hearted Partnership, Debra Reble, Ph.D., HeartPaths Media - Dr. Reble is a practicing psychologist whose professional focus is personal growth and transformation. Her book emphasizes the importance of first establishing a warm relationship with oneself as a prelude to a soul-hearted partnership with another. Although the words "soul" and “spirit” are frequently employed, this book is not based on theology; rather, these words are used in a secular sense to identify the inner core of our feelings and thoughts. This is to the author's credit, as it makes the work accessible to readers of all faiths and of no faiths.

The Miracle of Bio-Identical Hormones, Michael E. Platt, M.D., Clancy Lane Publishing - This book examines the over-diagnosed and over-medicated infirmities of today, and proposes that hormonal imbalance could be the linchpin preventing recovery. Through blunt and sometimes brutal honestly about modern pharmaceuticals and American medical practices, author Dr Michael E. Platt uses case studies of failed or stalled treatment to which many readers could relate. Without resorting to a purely alternative approach, Platt pulls back from today's method of treating symptoms to examine how hormones might go beyond masking symptoms to bringing biological harmony through minimal drug use. Using simple yet engaging language, The Miracle of Bio-Identical Hormones is a valuable read for anyone suffering from ambiguous yet debilitating symptoms with no clear origin and an equally ambiguous diagnosis and treatment plan.

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Self-Help/Spiritual

Titles in this category involve the mind and spirit, including religion, metaphysical, and mystical topics.

Winner

The New Path, Swami Kriyananda, Crystal Clarity Publishers - Swami Kriyananda's revision of his original book, The Path, thirty years later, offers deeper insights into the life and teachings of his Master, Paramhansa Yogananda. The author begins with a history of his own life, an outstanding, engrossing narrative rich in vivid detail. An American youth with an early, unrelenting desire to find truth in spiritual experience, he eventually discovers his attraction to Eastern yogic science. A growing fascination and ardor culminate in his becoming a dedicated, chosen disciple of Yogananda. Speaking eloquently of this life-changing, personal relationship, Swami Kriyananda recounts private moments that further enlighten us to the mind, heart and spirit of his Master Teacher. Honoring Yogananda, the author is committed to bringing Kriya Yoga, a method advancing the seeker through the path of meditation, to worldwide prominence.

First Runner-Up

Sam English: The Life, Work, and Times of An Artist, Ann Dallman, Sam English Art - The arresting, luminous artwork of English, saturated with vibrant color, keeps you on his journey of a lifetime. The author shares his personal beliefs about heritage, family, and community life, and how he awakened to fulfill his dream of becoming an artist. A recovering alcoholic for over twenty-five years, English reaches out to all substance abusers with a message of hope, backed by the desire to overcome addiction and find what is true and meaningful. As a respected artist, teacher, and American Indian advocate, he reveals the story and symbolic significance behind each painting. English expresses his deepening spirituality by powerful design and societal relevance through his art and his activism.

Honorable Mentions

Searching for Soul: A Survivor's Guide, Bobbe Tyler, Swallow Press - While navigating Tyler's reflections on her life passages, many common threads emerge. From her authentic exploration of a troubled childhood, career choices, marriages, alcohol addiction, and spiritual bankruptcy, the author travels a passionate, introspective path. With growing awareness of personal disappointments, defeats, and paradoxes, she seeks self-knowledge through examination of her beliefs and projections, desiring greater understanding. The study of psychology is especially meaningful, and Tyler finds a kinship with Jung, as well as spiritual teachers who embrace evidence of the existence of a transcendent God. Through her own inner experiences, the author discovers ineffable, sustainable spiritual truths and insights that bring joy and love into tangible expression into her daily life.

 See extended coverage of this title in the US Review.

Blessed is She, Nanette J. Davis, House of Harmony Press - With long life now commonplace, Dr. Davis explores the physical, emotional, psychological and spiritual concerns of elders and their caregivers. A sociologist, researcher, educator and advocate, she not only cites relevant statistics including the medical care system and institutional settings, but also notes the economic, health and identity crises family caregivers face when dealing with ill, difficult and sometimes estranged elders. Far from writing a dry treatise, the author conducted extensive interviews with over sixty women caregivers from all walks of life who tell their stories in their own words. Dr. Davis' book concludes with eight inventive strategies to empower self-aware, compassionate caregivers, along with spiritual affirmations and The Caregiver's Invocation.

Who Stole My Soul, Vishwa Prakash, Synergy Books - Does the devil find any value in altruism? Can the anti-god appreciate a sense of humor, or know only expressions of negative energy? Ask Prakash, a successful business owner and promoter of a technique he learned in India called laughteryoga. Through a dream state, he petitions the chief evil spirit hoping to find answers to his personal dilemma concerning his soul's slipping away. Angry at being disturbed, the devil nevertheless agrees to a discussion. An intriguing dialogue about soul-consciousness, fear, religion, judgment, doubt, meditation, reincarnation, and prayer are a few of the topics debated. Their conversation is stimulating, enlightening, and humorous, with memorable quotations and unique artwork scattered throughout the book.

The Legacy of Beezer and Boomer, Doug Koktavy, B Brothers Press - Anyone who loved a dog until the last day of its life will empathize with this touching account of how two black Labs forever changed their best human friend. Many fun-filled moments are included, though entwined with the pain, diminishing energy, and ultimately death awaiting Beezer and Boomer. The author, a lawyer accustomed to successful solutions, valiantly works at prolonging their lives, exploring all available treatments for kidney disease. Support comes from veterinarians, alternative medicines, special diets, and even a pet psychic. Koktavy's compassion, willingness to release expectations, and learn lessons from his dogs, enables him to pursue an ongoing, inclusive spiritual process. The peaceful passing of the "BBrothers" pays tribute to his open, loving spirit.

As Easy as Breathing, Margaret Dubay Mikus, iUniverse - Dr. Mikus shares her intimate story of recovery from breast cancer in her own unique way. With a background as a research scientist and teacher, she connects body, mind, and spirit through her creative use of language. Profoundly expressing her thoughts and emotions while contemplating and recovering from surgery and ongoing treatments, the author searches for meaning and healing in life's everyday moments. Unafraid to give voice to her pain, disappointments, doubts and fears, she nevertheless remains trustingly receptive and hopeful. Dr. Mikus' book inspires and uplifts through her sensitive, honest and accessible poetry, inner dialogues with Spirit, and letters to her healing circle on her return to wellness.

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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

Over the Mountains of the Moon, Mary Ramstetter C Lazy Three Press - A Nineteenth Century American West comes alive in this hard-to-put-down book about the young son of a mountain trapper, bent on making his own escapade in an untamed land. Jed Marchion is eighteen and full of the wanderlust that haunted his father. Bored to death with the farm his father settled on, and which his older brother seems content on working, Jed leaves Ney York behind with a colt, a rifle and a few dollars, none of which last long. We follow his adventures and misadventures as he works his way westward, headed for The Oregon Territory. Things seem to be finally going his way until he meets the dark Emme, a Mormon girl with dark secrets of her own. Smitten with her, he hires on as an outrider with the wagon train she travels with, a group of Mormons headed west to meet up with other emigrant Mormons to found a place where they can worship in peace. This book takes a good, unflinching look at the founding members of the Mormon Church, the cost of leaving your country behind, and the effects of polygamy on families, especially the women convinced this is what God wants. Bold, daring and downright entertaining, this is a must-read for fans of the American West. .

First Runner-Up

The Bones of the Kuhina Nui, Michael Anthony Herr, Lulu - Follow the Pono Family as they fight to save their heritage and themselves. Set in modern-day Hawaii, this is about a family charged for generations to guard the bones of Queen Ka'ahumanu, Hawaii's last queen worshipped by her people. Her bones were smuggled away from the Royal Mausoleum, hidden on The Big Island on the Pono Family Estate, and guarded by the Pona women for generations. The duty passed on from mother to daughter, or sometimes granddaughter, is threatened to come to an end when the latest guardian's daughters have no daughters of their own. When it is announced that the legacy to be passed to an adopted "Auntie" along with the estate, the family revolts. The auntie is murdered after a family meeting and things heat up. This is a page-turner, filled with murder, sex, and mystery; a "Can’t miss" for fans of the genre. Herr does an amazing job with setting, and the local dialect, captured with perfect realism, is easy to follow and authentic.

Honorable Mentions

One Inch Equals Twenty-Five Miles, Melody Sumner Carnahan, Burning Books - Fiction, poetry, even advertising is fair game as Carnahan takes a good hard look at sex, love, and everything in between. A collection of works from simple magazine advertisements up to short stories, this book never flinches, never shies away from what excites us and disgusts us. Written in vibrant, vivid language, lines like, "She spoke like honey moves when it's cold," and "He likes me to twist and stretch his balls, with pliers" are sure to stick for weeks to come. Thought provoking, with multiple points of view, each with its own voice and attitude, this collection sings a seventeen-part harmony that seems to say that love and lust are neither bad nor good, but they are real. Not for the overly pious, nor weak at heart, read it if you have the guts, read it if you like to be tantalized, read it if you like to think. Oh hell, just read it.

Suicidal Tendencies, Patrick M. Garry, Publish America - Sex, murder and intrigue abound in this page turner of a mystery. Luke Sellmer is in the waiting room of the courthouse, awaiting his verdict on a murder trial, but as the book unfolds, we are led through a tangle of deceit: the next-door neighbor with whom he is having an afffair, the neighbor's husband who is threatening suicide, the fiancé who lords her promiscuous past over him while all but withholding sex, and memories of being sent to the statee reformatory for children because of the drunken act of his stepfather. Toss in a little money laundering for a senatorial candidate, and we get one wild ride. Taught and suspenseful, Garry weaves a compelling tapestry that results in an enjoyable read.

Wooden Hearts and Furry Dragons, Michele Bond, Xlibris - A warm, lighthearted tale of the price of greed and jealousy, this is sure to delight children young and old. When the local dragons fall for the promise of doubling their treasures by a traveling dragon, all seems lost until the traveling dragon's greed finally gets the better of him. Well told in an easily accessible language to young readers, this book renders an old lesson in a new and refreshing manner. The artwork is delightfully whimsical, not overly elaborate, drawing young readers deeper into the story while inviting children to draw dragon scenes of their own. All-in-all, a recommended book for any youngster's collection.

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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

A Temporary Sort of Peace, Jim McGarrah, Indiana Historical Society - McGarrah paints a remarkable canvas in a true-life account of his time in the Vietnam War. Our senses become intune, as we feel, hear, smell, and touch the Viet Cong jungle. McGarrah offers a glimpse into his life before Viet Nam, his military years, the aftermath of coming home, and his later return to Vietnam. Some accounts are candid and bold, such as his teenage quest for sex or the brutal reality of the Viet Cong jungle. It is an honest and memorable story.

First Runner-Up

My Other Body, Ann Pai, Sunspot Press - Ann Pai details the journey into morbid obesity that caused her sister's untimely death. The author juxtaposes scenes from their happy childhood days playing together at home with flashbacks of visits to the intensive care unit of the hospital where Joyce's excessive weight, over five hundred pounds, not only prevents doctortors  from saving her life, but also from performing even some of the most routine diagnostic tests. This memoir chronicles the familiar territory of addiction, denial, and enabling behavior by well-meaning family members, but rarely is the ugly truth so beautifully written.

Honorable Mentions

Monique and the Mango Rains, Kris Holloway, Waveland Press - The author provides a narrative of her two years of service with the Peace Corps in Mali, West Africa. Hollway's assignment was to help educate the people in health care in order to lower the maternal and infant mortality rate. Holloway provides a narrative of the friendship that develops with Monique, a midwife in a small village. Monique can read and write but has little education beyond the short course she took to get the degree necessary to become a midwife. She is in an arranged marriage and has one daughter, plus she has an extremely busy medical practice as a midwife. Holloway is unmarried and has no children. The book shares more than personal lives. It cuts an image of working life in a distant corner of the world.

The Otter Spirit, Judith K. Berg, Ulyssian Publications - The author blends the natural history of a river otter and her personal observations with her spirit guide, which is a river otter. The reader follows the river otter throught the spring, where they catch fish and mate, into the summer when burrows are built, into the fall as they gather food to store for the winter, and in the winter where the mothers care for their pups and the pups, eat, play, and wait for spring. Otters slide on snow and ice in the winter and on mud banks during the other seasons. This activity, sliding for amusment among American quadrupeds, has only been observed in otters. The otter bounds, slides, runs, and swims through the seasons.

 See extended coverage of this title in the US Review.

Delusion, Patricia Hochstetler, Baker Trittin Press - This is the firsthand account of how intelligent people can be brainwashed, leading to the destruction of their lives. In this first book of a three-book autobiographical series, Hochstetler begins at age four and covers seven years through her young eyes of growing up in Lael Colony within the heart of the Tennessee Valley. No one really knows who their leader is or where he came from, but the adults who follow him call him Elder and believe he is a messenger of God. Hochstetler leads us into the unknown world of cults showing us the pain, heartache, and despair as the truth unfolds. Asking and answering the hard questions that victims often do not want to answer. 

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