News Blog @ Wellington City Libraries

New computing books: Big Data for Dummies

Dangerous enthusiasms : e-government, computer failure and information systems development / Robin Gauld & Shaun Goldfinch with Tony Dale.
“Information and technology that supports its collection, communication and analysis is a core concern of modern government, making ‘e-government’ (electronically enabled government) fundamental to the ongoing ‘reinvention’ of public administration. The spending of public money is always intriguing and perhaps money spent on ICT has been the most intriguing of all, with some spectacular failures costing millions. This book is written for a general audience and takes a critical look at policies, problems and prospects for e-government in a series of case studies. Why have ICT failures in the public sector occurred and what lessons do they provide for the future?”–BOOK JACKET.

Big data for dummies / by Judith Hurwitz… [et al.].
“Big data management is one of the major challenges facing business, industry, and not-for-profit organizations. Data sets such as customer transactions for a mega-retailer, weather patterns monitored by meteorologists, or social network activity can quickly outpace the capacity of traditional data management tools. If you need to develop or manage big data solutions, you’ll appreciate how these four experts define, explain, and guide you through this new and often confusing concept. You’ll learn what it is, why it matters, and how to choose and implement solutions that work.” (adapted from Syndetics summary)

iPhone and iPad apps for absolute beginners / Rory Lewis and Chad Mello.
“Provides information on building applications for the iPhone and the iPad, covering such topics as code, multiple graphics, table views, arrays, MapKit.” (Syndetics summary)

The rebel code : the inside story of Linux and the open source revolution / Glyn Moody.
“A high-velocity chronicle of the open source movement-and its impact on computing, business, and culture” (Syndetics summary)

Microsoft Office 2013 in depth / Joe Habraken.
“Provides techniques and shortcuts for Microsoft Excel, Outlook, Word, PowerPoint, and other applications, and explores new features and capabilities of Office 2013.” (Syndetics summary)

Easy office 2013 / Patrice-Anne Rutledge, Sherry Kinkoph Gunter.
“This year, millions of beginner-to-intermediate-level users will be searching for the easiest possible way to master Office 2013’s new features. If you’re one of them,Easy Office 2013will give you exactly what you’re looking for.
This full-color, utterly simple, step-by-step tutorial is carefully crafted to provide instant access to the 100+ tasks you’ll find most useful and valuable. Like allEasyseries books, it teaches visually: you’re never forced to work through lengthy text explanations. Its large typeface makes it even more accessible to all readers – especially senior readers whose needs are disregarded by most computer books.`…” (adapted from Syndetics summary)

Excel 2013 formulas and functions / Paul McFedries.
“Using real-world examples, McFedries helps you get the absolute most out of features and improvements ranging from FlashFill to Excel’s newest functions. Along the way, you discover the fastest, best ways to handle essential day-to-day tasks ranging from generating account numbers to projecting the impact of inflation.
Becoming an Excel expert has never been easier! You’ll find crystal-clear instructions; insider insights; even complete step-by-step projects for building timesheets, projecting cash flow, aging receivables, analyzing defects, and more..” (adapted from Syndetics summary)

The everything guide to mobile apps : a practical guide to affordable mobile app development for your business / Peggy Anne Salz and Jennifer Moranz.
“Are you ready to be part of the mobile app revolution? Salz and Moranz teach you all you need to know about creating a mobile app without breaking your bank account.” (Syndetics summary)

Brilliant Microsoft Office 2013 / Steve Johnson.
“Brilliant books provide quick and easy-to-access infromation. Features include:
Numbered step-by-step tasks: Visual full colour screentshots: Expert tips, tricks & advice: Practical troubleshooting guide. Brilliant Microsoft Office 2013 guides you through the essential tasks…” (Book jacket)

The Web designer’s idea book. Volume 3, Inspiration from today’s best Web design trends, themes and styles / Patrick McNeil.
“Quick inspiration for web designers. Featuring more than 650 examples, this third volume of the Web designer’s idea book is packed with visual inspiration for creating top-notch web design. …Arranged thematically, this guide puts important topics like technology, design styles, elements, site types and site structure at your fingertips…” (Book jacket)

Visual communication on the web : principles and practices / Xtine Burrough and Paul Martin Lester.
“”Most web design books developed for the trade market are a series of exercises without a theoretical, aesthetic, or historic framework. In this book, Visual Communication on the Web, web design exercises are accompanied by concise introductions that relate history, design principles, and visual communication theories to the practice of designing for the web. …Exercises build upon each other so the reader creates and revises the work while learning new code or tools. Predictable mistakes are purposely included so that readers learn how to “fix” the project while working on it–a much-needed skill for anyone interested in coding. By the end of this course-in-a-book, readers will have created a web page with a centered container div, a Lightbox image gallery, and an external style sheet using HTML, CSS, and copy-pasted and modified code.”– Provided by publisher.” (adapted from Syndetics summary)

New books on Travel: ‘Mr and Mrs Dog’, ‘Laneways of Melbourne’ and ‘Amazing places cost nothing’ are three of this great mix of Travel books.

Overbooked : the exploding business of travel and tourism / Elizabeth Becker.
“Everyone needs a vacation, a time for carefree fun on a cruise, at a theme park, in a cultured city, or in nature. … What many do not realize is that with over a billion people now visiting foreign countries, travel and tourism have become an international force that seriously affects cultures, economies, and the environment. …Having spent more than 30 years as a correspondent for the Washington Post, New York Times, and other publications, Becker has seen tremendous change in foreign travel. In this timely and entertainingly personal report for serious travelers and policymakers, she features how tourism fares in France, Italy, Cambodia, Sri Lanka, Costa Rica, Dubai, Africa, China, and the U.S.–Roche, Rick Copyright 2010 BooklistFrom Booklist, Copyright (c) American Library Association. Used with permission.” (Booklist)” (adapted from Syndetics summary)

Amazing places cost nothing : the new golden age of authentic travel / Herbert Ypma.
“In a world where package tours and international brands make the leading destinations begin to look alike, the thrill of discovery is in danger of disappearing from travel. Written by travel expert Herbert Ypma, who has traveled the globe, this book will change the way we envision the perfect vacation. Some 300 photographs capture thirty hidden gems from around the world. Ranging from a dusty working cattle ranch in Arizona to Brazil’s best deserted beach to a secluded island paradise off the coast of the French Riviera, these locations offer priceless adventure and beauty-especially because they are relatively inexpensive to visit. Often the best part of the trip is getting there, and Ypma tells engaging stories about how he stumbled upon each place.” (Syndetics summary)

France’s best trips : 39 amazing road trips / this edition written and researched by Oliver Berry … [et. al.].
“39 drives ranging from 1 to 10 days, and 140 maps- Extended coverage of the best unmissable routes- Road trip essentials on driving in France and useful phrases.” (Syndetics summary)

65 things to do when you retire / edited by Mark Evan Chimsky.
“…this new collection features 65 lively essays on a wide variety of fun and unusual travel opportunities for retirees, including eco-travel (to Brazil’s wetlands or the barrier reef off Belize), volunteering abroad (going on archaeological digs or helping to make a difference in developing countries), wine tourism (from Colorado to Croatia), international house-sitting, and taking a retirement “gap year.” In 65 Things to Do When You Retire: Travel, intrepid travel writers and notable retirement experts reveal their own personal adventures and offer practical advice about how to have the time of your life, whether traveling with a group, a spouse or partner, or on your own.” (adapted from Syndetics summary)

Mörön to Mörön : two men, two bikes, one Mongolian misadventure / Tom Doig.
“In July 2010, Tom Doig and his best mate Tama Pugsley cycled 1487 kilometres across Northern Mongolia from a small town called Moron to an even smaller town, also called Moron. Why? Because it was there.” (Syndetics summary)

Laneways of Melbourne / [Kornelia Freeman & Ulo Pukk].
“Melbourne’s unique laneways are a wonderful place of excitement and discovery and a mecca for people who love to explore, socialise, shop and eat & drink. Laneways of Melbourne is a visually stunning guide book to over 200 laneways, alleys and small streets of Melbourne’s CBD. A fold-out map on the inside cover will guide you to laneways from Ulster Lane off Spring Street to Captains Walk in the Docklands and the captions on each page will inform of each laneway’s fascinating history and name origins.” (adapted from Syndetics summary)

Paris to the Pyrenees : a skeptic pilgrim walks the way of Saint James / David Downie ; photographs by Alison Harris.
“An eclectic author of cookbooks, novels, and tourist guides, Downie embarks here on the genre of travel writing. His journey, which he completed on foot between the titular locations, in general followed the hallowed Christian pilgrimage route to Spain, le Chemin de Saint Jacques. France being France, history accompanied Downie as much as his walking companion, his wife, Alison. Their conversations were sparked by route-side sights, such as a centuries-old chateau that counted as young, and became enmeshed with Downie’s interior reflections about his reasons for undertaking the journey….Taylor, Gilbert Copyright 2010 BooklistFrom Booklist, Copyright (c) American Library Association. Used with permission.” (Booklist)” (adapted fron Syndetics summary)

Mr. and Mrs. Dog : our travels, trials, adventures, and epiphanies / Donald McCaig.
“Sheepdog trainer and novelist, poet, and essayist McCaig (Eminent Dogs) takes more than a few detours en route to describing his experiences in the World Trial, the “only truly international” competition for sheepdogs, and he may well lose readers along the way…. (Apr.) (c) Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved.(c) Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved” (Publisher Weekly)” (adapted from Syndetics summary)

Argentina : a woman’s guide to traveling in Argentina / [authors, Erica Arvizu, Page Buono ; edtor-in-chief, Kelly Lewis].
“A travel guide designed for women traveling alone in Argentina. “The wine, the tango, the steak – there are a million reasons to fall in love with Argentina. Whether you’re here to see the turquoise glaciers, the penguins, the forests, or the majestic mountains, we’ll help guide you through all the corners of this meat-loving paradise safely. This is the essential guidebook for women traveling through Argentina. Find safe places to stay, get important information on women’s health, learn how to blend in like a local and navigate Argentine cuisine like a pro”–P. [4] of cover.” (Syndetics summary)

Quiet Paris / Siobhan Wall.
“Paris is a beautiful city with astounding architecture and world-famous museums and restaurants. Because of its many attractions, however, it often feels as if there is nowhere to escape from the crowds. Siobhan Wall, author of Quiet Amsterdam and Quiet London, has sought out hidden, tranquil places so that Parisians can find some respite from their busy lives.” (adapted from Syndetics summary)

Africa : eye to eye with the unknown / Michael Bright ; foreword by David Attenborough.
“…This lavish and unmissable companion to the BBC One series reveals the undiscovered side of Africa’s five unique regions. Inspiring photography captures unprecedented wildlife behaviour, mesmerising new creatures and magical landscapes that will astound and captivate, and will challenge what you think you know about Africa. This is a spectacular journey through a vast and diverse continent in all its beautiful and unexpected abundance.” (adapted from Syndetics summary)

New non-fiction books: from dragonslayers to nature wars, this month’s selections are extremely varied…..

Fractured times : culture and society in the twentieth century / Eric Hobsbawm.
“Hobsbawm examines the conditions that both created the flowering of the belle epoque and held the seeds of its disintegration: paternalistic capitalism, globalisation and the arrival of a mass consumer society.” (Book jacket)

Dragonslayers : from Beowulf to Saint George / author, Joseph A. McCullough ; illustrator, Peter Dennis.
“With its fiery breath, scaly armour, and baleful, malevolent stare, the dragon became the ultimate symbol of evil and corruption in European folklore and mythology. Often serving as a stand-in for Satan, or the power of evil gods, dragons spread death and hopelessness throughout the land. Only heroes of uncommon valour, courageousness, and purity could hope to battle these monsters and emerge victorious. Those that did became legends. They became dragonslayers. …” (adapted from Syndetics summary)

Nature wars : the incredible story of how wildlife comebacks turned backyards into battlegrounds / Jim Sterba.
“In his latest, journalist Sterba (Frankie’s Place: A Love Story) provocatively and persuasively argues that just at the moment when humankind has distanced itself irrevocably from nature, its behavior patterns have put people in conflict with a natural world that they don’t know how to deal with. …Replete with statistics and a historical understanding of the cycles of humankind’s interaction with nature, Sterba tells of forests being cleared and animals hunted to extinction (until the conservation movement stepped in to curtail the damage), and people, already disconnected from the land, sprawled out into new artificial living arrangements that allowed “nuisance” animals to thrive. …(Nov.) (c) Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved.(c) Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved” (Publisher Weekly)” (adapted from Syndetics summary)

Data, a love story : how I gamed online dating to meet my match / Amy Webb.
“In this insightful, funny journey through online dating, Webb, a compulsively organized journalist and digital strategist, tries to find the perfect man by putting herself in his shoes. …Webb’s advice for dating both on and offline is insightful (and data-driven), and her descriptions of meddling family members, bad dates, and worse profiles are hilarious and familiar to anyone who’s tried dating online. …The story of her own experiment is funny, brutally honest, and inspirational even to the most hopeless dater. Agent: Suzanne Gluck and Erin Malone, William Morris Endeavor. (Jan. 31) (c) Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved.(c) Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved” (Publisher Weekly)” (adapted from Syndetics summary)

Phantom hitchhikers and other urban legends : the strange stories behind tall tales / Albert Jack.
“Jack (Red Herrings and White Elephants) unearths dozens of urban legends, conspiracy theories, weird tales, and entrenched celebrity gossip in this fun, fast-paced collection. Pegging the Internet as the main perpetrator in fostering the culture of hearsay that allows tall tales to thrive, he settles once and for all questions of whether Walt Disney’s body really is cryogenically preserved (it isn’t; in fact, his body met the opposite end: cremation) and whether Adolf Hitler had only one testicle. He also hypothesizes that there were actually two Robin Hoods and claims Captain Kidd wasn’t a pirate. …” Agent: Robert Smith, Robert Smith Literary Agency (U.K.). (Feb.) (c) Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved.(c) Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved” (Publisher Weekly) (adapted from Syndetics summary)

The road to Wigan Pier / George Orwell ; with a foreword by Victor Gollancz.
“George Orwell’s observations on the appalling living conditions of the unemployed of northern England in 1937, includes evaluations of middle class prejudice and apathy, and a criticism of socialism.” (Syndetics summary)

The International Bank of Bob : connecting our worlds one $25 kiva loan at a time / Bob Harris.
“While on assignment in Dubai to cover the world’s most luxurious hotels, Harris got sidetracked by the stories of the indentured immigrant laborers conscripted to build these palaces of opulence. Determined to do something to help the families of the working poor worldwide, he signed up with Kiva, an organization that allows individuals to lend money via the Internet to people in developing countries by providing microfinancing loans to small family businesses… Not content with merely helping from afar, Harris volunteered to tour the world and meet some of the Kiva recipients, and this is where the story really begins. Traveling to challenging and often war-torn places like Peru, Bosnia, Rwanda, Cambodia, and Beirut, Lebanon, he checks out the repair shops, furniture businesses, hair salons, yogurt makers, and livestock owners who have been made successful by the microloans, but, most important, he learns firsthand about their personal and political struggles and is deeply impacted by the lives of the new friends he makes along the way.–Siegfried, David Copyright 2010 BooklistFrom Booklist, Copyright (c) American Library Association. Used with permission.” (Booklist)” (adapted from Syndetics summary)

Cancel the apocalypse : the new path to prosperity / Andrew Simms.
“The horsemen are galloping and there’s more than four. From climate change to financial meltdown, feral elites and social division, food crises and the peak and decline of oil, stressed water supplies and mass extinctions – it’s the age of the complex super system shock. Some sort of apocalypse seems inevitable. Can it be cancelled?These are real threats, but a great transition is in the air. History shows that human beings have an amazing ability to change and adapt. Once our basic needs are met, it’s not more voracious economic growth we need for quality of life, but a different way of organising our days, working lives and neighbourhoods. Cancel the Apocalypse shows how to put the ‘end times’ on hold and start really living.” (Syndetics summary)

Fundamentals of sustainable dwellings / Avi Friedman.
“Architect Friedman (McGill Univ., Canada) covers the principles of residential green buildings, addressing topics ranging from site location to building materials, heating and cooling systems, water efficiency, green roofs, and waste management. The author writes in a reader-friendly manner in layperson’s terms, includes many photographs and illustrations, and provides the basic principles that most architects and builders should know and hopefully follow. …. Each of the 13 chapters is punctuated with case studies relative to that particular topic. …. Summing Up: Recommended. Two-year technical program students, general readers, and professionals/practitioners. B. Rowe Michigan State UniversityCopyright American Library Association, used with permission.” (CHOICE) (adapted from Syndetics summary)

To save everything, click here : technology, solutionism, and the urge to fix problems that don’t exist / Evgeny Morozov.
“Our society is at a crossroads. Smart technology is transforming our world, making many aspects of our lives more convenient, efficient and – in some cases – fun. Better and cheaper sensors can now be embedded in almost everything, and technologies can log the products we buy and the way we use them. But, argues Evgeny Morozov, technology is having a more profound effect on us: it is changing the way we understand human society.” (adapted from Syndetics summary)

A Good African story : how a small company built a global coffee brand / Andrew Rugasira.
“Since it was founded in 2003, Good African Coffee has helped thousands of farmers earn a decent living, send their children to school and escape a spiral of debt and dependence. Africa has received over $1 trillion in aid over the last 50 years and yet despite these inflows, the continent remains mired in poverty, disease and systemic corruption.” (Syndetics summary)

Plutopia : nuclear families, atomic cities, and the great Soviet and American plutonium disasters / Kate Brown.
“While many transnational histories of the nuclear arms race have been written, Kate Brown provides the first definitive account of the great plutonium disasters of the United States and the Soviet Union. In Plutopia, Brown draws on official records and dozens of interviews to tell the extraordinary stories of Richland, Washington and Ozersk, Russia – the first two cities in the world to produce plutonium. To contain secrets, American and Soviet leaders created plutopias – communities of nuclear families living in highly-subsidized, limited-access atomic cities. Fully employed and medically monitored, the residents of Richland and Ozersk enjoyed all the pleasures of consumer society, while nearby, migrants, prisoners, and soldiers were banned from plutopia – they lived in temporary “staging grounds” and often performed the most dangerous work at the plant. Brown shows that the plants’ segregation of permanent and temporary workers and of nuclear and non-nuclear zones created a bubble of immunity, where dumps and accidents were glossed over and plant managers freely embezzled and polluted. In four decades, the Hanford plant near Richland and the Maiak plant near Ozersk each issued at least 200 million curies of radioactive isotopes into the surrounding environment – equaling four Chernobyls – laying waste to hundreds of square miles and contaminating rivers, fields, forests, and food supplies. Because of the decades of secrecy, downwind and downriver neighbors of the plutonium plants had difficulty proving what they suspected, that the rash of illnesses, cancers, and birth defects in their communities were caused by the plants’ radioactive emissions. Plutopia was successful because in its zoned-off isolation it appeared to deliver the promises of the American dream and Soviet communism; in reality, it concealed disasters that remain highly unstable and threatening today…..” (adapted from Syndetics summary)

Everything green and fresh and wholesome is on the menu in this month’s selection of cook books.

Wild About Greens : 125 delectable vegan recipes for kale, collards, arugula, bok choy, and other leafy veggies everyone loves / by Nava Atlas ; photographs by Susan Voisin.
“Atlas (Vegan Express) successfully elevates leafy greens beyond the salad bowl with this collection of recipes that will appeal to vegans and meat-eaters alike. Though she excludes cabbages and common lettuces, Atlas introduces a host of other dynamic greens-from the “bold” arugula, to the now ubiquitous kale, to the “peppery” watercress-and includes plenty of tips for buying and preparation.” (Publisher Weekly)

The Art of Cooking with Vegetables / Alain Passard ; [translation by Alex Carlier].
“This is the English-language version of Passard’s 2010 Collages & Recettes. Chef and owner of the three-Michelin-starred Parisian restaurant L’Arpege, Passard illustrates these 48 sophisticated vegetable recipes-organized by month-with his own paper collages. The visual effect is whimsical, recalling children’s books like The Very Hungry Caterpillar. The quality of vegetables will matter here; Stand Up Asparagus, Globe Artichokes with Bay Leaves and Lime, and Yellow Beetroot Baked in a Dome of Coarse Salt all have five ingredients or fewer, and their simple preparations require attention to detail. VERDICT Readers who regard cooking as art will love this title.” (Library Journal)

Vegetables, Revised: The Most Authoritative Guide to Buying, Preparing, and Cooking, with More Than 300 Recipes
“This revised edition of Peterson’s 1996 classic vastly improves upon the original through the addition of color photographs that illustrate the vegetable varieties and step-by-step techniques. Peterson has reorganized the content into two sections: “Techniques for Preparing and Cooking Vegetables” and “The Vegetables: A to Z.” Library Journal

Vegan Pie in the Sky : 75 out-of-this-world recipes for pies, tarts, cobblers & more / Isa Chandra Moskowitz & Terry Hope Romero.
“Moskowitz and Romero, the reigning queens of vegan baking, offer a cookbook that elevates the latest dessert trend–pies and tarts–to delicious new heights.” (Syndetics summary)

Welcoming Kitchen : 200 delicious allergen & gluten-free vegan recipes / Kim Lutz with Megan Hart.
“Cooking for those with special food needs can make the pantry feel like an obstacle course, and for parents faced with cooking for a group of children with any number of unknown restrictions, the problem can feel almost paralyzing. Thankfully, Lutz and Hart (The Everything Organic Cooking for Baby & Toddler Book) have created this collection.” (Library Journal)

Veggiestan : a vegetable lover’s tour of the Middle East / Sally Butcher.
“Written in her trademark engaging and knowledgeable style, Sally Butcher takes a fresh look at many of the more exciting ingredients available on our high streets today as well as providing a host of delicious recipes made with more familiar fare.” (Books in Print)

Vegan Cooking for Carnivores : over 125 recipes so tasty you won’t miss the meat / Roberto Martin ; foreword by Portia de Rossi ; afterword by Ellen DeGeneres ; photographs by Quentin Bacon.
“Roberto Martin shares over 125 delicious vegan recipes that he hopes will make healthy vegan cooking accessible and easy for everyone.” (Books in Print)

Quick and Easy Vegan Slow Cooking : more than 150 tasty, nourishing recipes that practically make themselves / Carla Kelly.
“Finally, a cookbook of hassle-free meals for vegans – with more than 150 delicious recipes that both experienced cooks and slow-cooker newcomers can create and enjoy! For on-the-go vegans and others looking to eat healthy-Quick and Easy Vegan Slow Cooking is the answer. Utilizing easy-to-find, economical ingredients, Carla Kelly crafts practical main meals that readers will make and eat daily.” (Books in Print)

The Gardener & the Grill : the bounty of the garden meets the sizzle of the grill / Karen Adler & Judith Fertig.
“Known as the BBQ Queens, Adler and Fertig (coauthors, 25 Essentials: Techniques for Grilling Fish) are barbecue instructors and competitors. Their latest cookbook is full of creative ideas for grilling with garden-fresh fruits, vegetables, and herbs ….This book does not illustrate the finer points of grilling, so readers will need some prior knowledge of equipment and technique. VERDICT A refreshing departure from meat-centric BBQ bibles.” (Library Journal)

Nobu’s Vegetarian Cookbook / Nobu Matsuhisa; photographs by Masashi Kuma.
“Nobu’s restaurants are known the world over for the quality of their ingredients and for the skill and originality with which the food is prepared and presented. Now, in this first cookbook by Nobu to focus on vegetable dishes, the master chef shares his expertise and deep knowledge of Japanese cuisine in sixty recipes that showcase vegetables in all their variety.” (Books in Print)

Herbivoracious : A Flavor Revolution with 150 Vibrant and Original Vegetarian Recipes
“After introductory notes on ingredients and equipment, Seattle blogger Natkin (herbivoracious.com) offers 150 vegetarian recipes for appetizers, soups, salads, mains, desserts, and more, noting vegan and gluten-free options. Natkin’s recipes abound with international influences, and he’s carefully adapted them for home cooks.” (Library Journal)

Terre à Terre : the vegetarian cookbook / Amanda Powley with Philip Taylor.
“The leader of the pack among vegetarian restaurants for more than 18 years, and lavishly garlanded with awards and praise, this is Terre a Terre’s first book, and what a book it is! More than 100 recipes from the repertoire that has made Terre a Terre the top vegetarian restaurant in Britain are accompanied by sumptuously taste-bud stimulating food photography by award-winning food photographer Lisa Barber.”(Syndetics summary)

The Sprouted Kitchen : a tastier take on whole foods / Sara Forte ; photography by Hugh Forte.
“Sara Forte showcases her tasty take on whole foods with 100 easy, produce-rich recipes that take advantage of whole grains, unsaturated fats, natural sugar alternatives, and bright, seasonal flavors”–Provided by publisher.

May’s fashion and beauty selections are a pure delight, with topics ranging from Vogue staffers, dressing fashionably for your own body and budget, as well as a guide to creating your own lovely threads at home! Our beauty collection has some exciting new additions, too, including books to help your hair and your whole lifestyle! Renew yourself for the coming winter with our new books for May.

The Vogue factor / Kirstie Clements.
“In May 2012 Kirstie Clements was unceremoniously sacked after thirteen years in the editor’s chair at Vogue Australia. Here she tells the story behind the headlines, and takes us behind the scenes of a fast-changing industry. During a career at Vogue that spanned twenty-five years, Clements rubbed shoulders with Karl Lagerfeld, Kylie Minogue, Ian Thorpe, Crown Princess Mary, Cate Blanchett, and many more shining stars. From her humble beginnings growing up in the Sutherland Shire in Sydney to her brilliant career as a passionate and fierce custodian of the world’s most famous luxury magazine brand, Clements warmly invites us into her Vogue world, a universe that brims with dazzling celebrities, fabulous lunches, exotic locales and of course, outrageous fashion. Amidst the exhilaration and chaos of modern magazine publishing and the frenzied demands of her job, Clements is always steadfast in her dedication to quality. Above all, she is always Vogue.”– Publisher information.

Drape drape 3 / Hisako Sato.
“The follow-up to the cult Japanese draping books Drape drape and Drape drape 2, and the latest in the new series from Bunka Fashion College. It includes 15 stylish contemporary designs for dresses, skirts, tunics and blouses, with easy-to-follow instructions and diagrams that skilfully guide the reader to create draped garments step by step.”–Cover.

The wow factor : insider style secrets for every body and every budget / by Jacqui Stafford.
“A style expert shares professional secrets on how to appear fashionable regardless of budget and body type, offering advice for identifying a personal style, making the most of an existing wardrobe, and knowing what trends to follow.”–Publisher information.

Love your hair : 24 easy-to-follow recipes for effortlessly sexy hair / Richard Kavanagh ; photographed by Steven Chee.
“How to create high-fashion hair styles at home, by top stylist Richard Kavanagh … has put together 24 recipes to show clearly and simply how to create a range of fabulous looks in your own home. Step-by-step instructions, with clear photos to make it easy, plus information on hair types, haircare, styling tools and much more. A stunning fashion book as well as a how-to guide”–Publisher information.

The master of us all : Balenciaga, his workrooms, his world / Mary Blume.
“Cristobal Balenciaga (1895-1972) was deemed “‘master of us all’” by Christian Dior: by the age of 21 he dressed the queen of Spain, and in 1950, Harper’s Bazaar called him “the most elegant couturier in the world today.” In this intimate, enthusiastic, and lively first biography of the enigmatic designer, Blume (A French Affair) begins by chronicling Balenciaga’s rapid rise from his modest childhood in a Basque fishing village to his highly influential friendship with Paris designer Madeleine Vionnet, his early success in Spain, the establishment of the houses of Balenciaga in Madrid and Barcelona, and his departure in 1936 for Paris, where he presided over the third House of Balenciaga from 1937 to 1968. Though his designs were routinely described as “very Spanish,” Blume notes Balenciaga’s numerous other influences, including Japanese woodcuts and impressionist paintings, and insightfully contextualizes Balenciaga in relation to contemporaries Coco Chanel and Hubert de Givenchy. Blume, former culture columnist for the International Herald Tribune, writes with wit and aplomb; she was also a Balenciaga client, a fact that clearly informed the revealing and laudatory perspective shared with readers here. Photos. (Feb.) (c) Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved.(c) Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved” (Publisher Weekly)

The weekend makeover : get a brand new life by Monday morning / Jill Martin & Dana Ravich.
“Offers a collection of life-altering makeovers for body, mind, and spirit that can be accomplished in just 48 hours. From learning how to relax, to cleaning your refrigerator, you learn to tackle not only the nitty gritty details, but how to get the right mindset to make the changes stick. All it takes is one weekend to make, execute, and apply a foolproof plan to get life on track by Monday morning!”–Publisher information.

This month’s Recent Picks include books on various types of martial arts, poker, fishing, wrestling and golf.

Krav Maga for Beginners : a step-by-step guide to the world’s easiest-to-learn, most-effective fitness and fighting program / Darren Levine, John Whitman, Ryan Hoover ; photographs by Andy Mogg.
“In Israel, Krav Maga is the official system used to teach self-defense. The no-holds-barred techniques–including cardio, strength training, and fight moves are easy to learn, require a minimal amount of strength, and, most importantly, are designed to immobilize an attacker.” (Syndetics summary)

Kill Phil : the fast track to success in no limit hold ‘em poker tournaments / Blair Rodman, Lee Nelson and Steven Heston ; foreword by Phil Hellmuth.
“Thanks to television, the Internet, and the incredible popularity of the World Series of Poker in Las Vegas, when Kill Phil was first published in 2006, tournament poker had become the richest sport in the world. The problem was that no-limit hold ‘em was dominated by a handful of experienced and skilled professional players. Kill Phil turned the tables on the pros by introducing a strategy that allowed even an absolute novice to compete against the best players in the world.” (Books in Print)

Everest 1953 : The Epic Story of the First Ascent / Mick Conefrey.
“Mick Conefrey tells the real story of Everest 1953, revealing that what has gone down in history as a supremely well-planned attempt was in fact beset by crises – both on and off the mountain. To succeed, team leader Colonel John Hunt and his team had to draw on unimaginable skill and determination, as well as sheer British ingenuity.” (Books in Print)

The Power Meter Handbook : a user’s guide for cyclists and triathletes / Joe Friel.
“IT’S TRUE: A power meter is the best training tool you can put on your bike.Even if you have been racing for years, a power meter can take you from the middle of the pack to the podium in one season. But having a power meter is one thing; knowing how to use it is another.The Power Meter Handbook will demystify the numbers, clarify the setup, and show you how to train with power in simple terms. Joe Friel’s power meter system will immediately improve your fitness, speed, and training.” (Books in Print)

Outdoors with Geoff / Geoff Thomas.
“‘When a fish plagues one’s dreams and fills every waking thought . . . it becomes more than just a fish. Geoff Thomas is synonymous with New Zealand’s outdoors and one of the most well-known fishermen in the country. For years we have watched his escapades on his popular TV show, Outdoors with Geoff – now some of his most exhilarating stories have been documented for you to savour and enjoy.” (Books in Print)

Superfly : The Jimmy Snuka Story / Jimmy Snuka with Jon Chattman.
“Focusing on the superstar who single-handedly influenced the development of sports entertainment, this autobiography highlights the legacy of World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) icon Jimmy Snuka….. this record presents the ups and downs of a wrestler who grew to be a key figure in the expansion of the company and all professional wrestling”– Provided by publisher.

Golf for Dummies / by Gary McCord ; adapted by Tony Smart.
“Written by golf guru McCord, CSB Sports golf commentator, this book takes readers on a whirlwind tour of the game of golf, taking the fear factor out of the game and breaking it down into easy-to-understand sections that make sense. Illustrations and photos throughout.” (Books in Print)

Swimming to Antarctica : tales of a long-distance swimmer / Lynne Cox.
“At age sixteen, legendary swimmer Lynne Cox reached her lifetime goal of setting a new world record for an English Channel swim. So she set her goals even higher: She became the first to swim the Strait of Magellan, narrowly escaped a shark attack off the Cape of Good Hope, and was cheered across the twenty-mile Cook Strait of New Zealand by dolphins. Her daring eventually led her to the thirty-eight-degree waters of the Bering Strait, which she crossed in her usual out-fit -just a swimsuit, cap, and goggles. She even swam a mile in the iceberg-choked seas of the Antarctic. With a poet’s eye for detail, Cox shares the beauty of her time in the water in this new classic of sports memoir, now illustrated with photos and maps throughout.” (Syndetics summary)

Muay Thai Unleashed : learn technique and strategy from Thailand’s warrior elite / Erich Krauss and Glen Cordoza, with Tana (Chun) Yingwitayakhun.
“Let elite Muay Thai warriors turn your body into an unbeatable weapon! Written by professional Muay Thai fighters and trainers, “Muay Thai Unleashed” shows you how to master this feared and dangerous martial art. Author and trainer Erich Krauss, along with Muay Thai pros Glen Cordoza and Tana (Chun) Yingwitayakhun, teach you the same body-punishing techniques that are used at the highest levels of Muay Thai competition. Whether you use these skills in the ring or on the street in self-defense, your opponents will regret the day you read this book. Unleash your potential with: * Kicks * Punches * Elbow strikes * Knee strikes * Clinching techniques * Defense and counters * An arsenal of combinations” (Syndetics summary)

A wide range of new books on film and theatre this month includes ‘A to Z Hollywood Style’ for fashion fans and a beautifully designed book on the very popular Les Misérables. Also, check out ‘theatre in Southeast Asia’ which is a rare and unique study.

A to Z of Hollywood style / compiled by Sinty Stemp.
“A to Z of Hollywood Style brings together style advice from the good, the bad and the beautiful to explore the allure of some of the world’s best-loved film stars: Alfred Hitchcock on elegance, Sophia Loren on sex appeal and Edith Head on how to make a woman more beautiful. This book includes the opinions of critics, designers and film directors, as well as the actors themselves. Including Joan Crawford’s five fashion rules and Marlene Dietrich’s tips for dressing on a budget, A to Z of Hollywood Style is packed full of stylish tips for would-be starlets, or simply those who long for a more glamorous age.”(Syndetics summary)

Les misérables : from stage to screen / Benedict Nightingale & Martyn Palmer.
“Over the last 27 years, Les Misérables has played to audiences totalling more than 60 million in 43 countries and is now a dazzling, multi-award nominated film set to bring the story to millions more. Beautifully illustrated with images from behind the scenes of both the theatre and film productions, Les Misérables: From Stage to Screen tells the story of the phenomenon that grew from a modest Paris production into an award-winning show, from the challenges of adapting Victor Hugo¹s novel, to character studies and details of those who have played them, its international incarnations and the 25th Anniversary Concert. From Stage to Screen is a unique vision of the world¹s longest running musical and the stunning new film, and a must-have for every fan.” (adapted from amazon.co.uk summary)

Alfred Hitchcock : a life in darkness and light / Patrick McGilligan.
“In a career that spanned six decades and more than sixty films, Alfred Hitchcock was the dominant figure in the first century of cinema. His films — from The 39 Steps to The Birds, from Rear Window to Vertigo, from Notorious to Psycho — set new standards for cinematic invention and storytelling Tlan. He was both visionary artist and consummate entertainer … and became the most widely recognized director who ever lived. In the decades since his death, the public image of Hitchcock has crystallized into a series of iconic images: the macabre Englishman, the sexual obsessive, the Master of Suspense. But this remarkable new biography — the first in a quarter-century — draws on prodigious new research to restore Hitchcock the man, in all his three-dimensional glory. Like the best Hitchcock films, Patrick McGilligan’s life of Hitchcock is a drama full of fresh revelation, graced by a central love story, dark humor, and cliff-hanging suspense: a definitive portrait of the most creative, and least understood, figure in film history.” (Syndetics summary)

James Bond FAQ: all that’s left to know about everyone’s favorite superspy
“A favorite of film followers for 50 years, James Bond is the hero loved by everyone: Men want to be just like him, women just want to be with him. Moviegoers around the world have spent more than $5 billion to watch his adventures across the last five decades. What’s not to enjoy about such a glorious multitude of gadgets, gals, grand locations, and grandiose schemes hatched by master villains and megalomaniacs? Now, James Bond FAQ is a book that takes on the iconic cinema franchise that’s lasted for so many years. It’s a book for the casual, as well as hardcore, James Bond fan. James Bond FAQ is filled with biographies, synopses, production stories, and images and illustrations seldom seen in print, leaving little else to be said about the world’s favorite secret agent.” (adapted from amazon.com summary)

Theatre in Southeast Asia / James R. Brandon.
“An astonishing variety of theatrical performances may be seen today in the eight countries of Southeast Asia–Burma, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, the Philippines, Thailand, and Vietnam. James Brandon spent more than three years observing and interviewing troup members in these countries. He describes twenty-five of the most important theatrical forms, grouping them according to their origins as folk, court, popular, or Western theatre. He considers the theatre from four perspectives: its origins, its art, its role as a social institution, and its function as a medium of communication and propaganda. Brandon’s wide-ranging and lively discussion points out interesting similarities and differences among the countries, and many of his superb photographs are included here.” (Syndetics summary)

A variety of new books on poplar music this month includes biographies of Eminem and Tracy Thorne, intriguing studies on punk rock and boogie-woogie. What is more, fantastic books on Broadway Musicals! Enjoy!!

Whatever you say I am : the life and times of Eminem / Anthony Bozza.Whatever You Say I Am: The Life and Times of Eminem
“As his celebrity rises from infamy to superstar proportions, this is the definitive profile of Eminem as a rap artist and a key figure in the current American cultural landscape. 50 photos.” (Syndetics summary)

Bedsit disco queen : how I grew up and tried to be a pop star / Tracey Thorn.
“Tracey Thorn was one half of internationally successful group Everything But the Girl and collaborated with Paul Weller, Massive Attack and dance legend Todd Terry. This is the funny, perceptive and candid story of her 30-year pop career. There are thrills and wonders to be experienced, yes, but also moments of doubt, mistakes, violent lifestyle changes from luxury to squalor and back again, sometimes within minutes.” (adapted from Syndetics summary)

Mary Wells : the tumultuous life of Motown’s first superstar / Peter Benjaminson.
“Benjaminson (The Lost Supreme) delivers another excellent and fascinating behind-the-scenes look at the artists who made Motown Records a massive success in the 1960s. He sympathetically recounts the tumultuous life of singer Mary Wells, who gave the company its first #1 hit in 1964-”My Guy,” which Mary Wilson of the Supremes called “the epitome of the Motown Sound.” Relying heavily on four hours of interviews with Wells done by author Steve Bergsman between 1990 and 1992, as well as his own numerous interviews with friends, lovers, and business associates, Benjaminson describes how Wells became “a Motown goddess.” (adapted from Publisher Weekly, courtesy of Syndetics)

Punk rock : an oral history / John Robb ; edited by Oliver Craske.
“Longtime music journalist and founding member of The Membranes Robb (Death to Trad Rock) has collected the stories of over 100 eyewitnesses to the birth of British punk. From icons like John Lydon (Sex Pistols) and Mick Jones (The Clash) to lesser-known but no less outspoken musicians, managers, promoters, and fans, the interviewees bring a wide range of viewpoints to their tales of the scene’s development. With its brilliant balance of in-depth information and accessibility, this will be equally at home on academic, public, and personal library shelves. Essential for punk fans and highly recommended for readers interested in firsthand accounts of the growth of new cultural movements.” (Adapted from Library Journal,courtesy of Syndetics )

Rock chronicles : a visual history of the world’s greatest 250 rock acts / general editor, David Roberts ; foreword by Alice Cooper.
“Comprehensive, encyclopedia-style guide to 250 rock bands, including line-up history, labels, genre listings, album sales, and more.” (Syndetics summary)

The story of boogie-woogie : a left hand like God / Peter J. Silvester.
“One of the best known American musical styles, boogie woogie has a history that goes back to barrelhouses in the U.S. South at turn of the twentieth century. Silvester traces the evolution of the style from these early days, through its peak during the Second World War, and up to its current revival. Along the way, he introduces the pianists who made boogie woogie famous around the world, and discusses the influence of boogie woogie on big band swing, blues, and R&B. This authoritative volume will interest both boogie woogie aficionados and historians of U.S. popular music.” (Syndetics summary)

The book of Mormon : the testament of a Broadway musical / book, music and lyrics by Trey Parker, Robert Lopez & Matt Stone ; text, new interviews, and annotations by Steven Suskin ; principal photography by Joan Marcus ; design by BLT Communications.
“In celebration of the making of The Book of Mormon, the authors, production team, and entire original cast recount their experiences as they grew their show from the initial idea to opening night on Broadway. With the complete book and lyrics annotated by the full creative team and cast, along with more than 700 photographs and illustrations, they share the journey that began one night in a Manhattan bar and culminated seven years later in the achievement that is The Book of Mormon.” (Syndetics summary)

Broadway musicals : show by show / by Stanley Green ; revised and updated by Kay Green.
“Kay Green, wife of the late Stanley Green, offers a long overdue update of this important title, previously authored by her and her husband. The volume features entries for newer musicals, such as The Lion King (1997) and Spamalot (2005), as well as important revivals of classic musicals, such as Annie Get Your Gun (1999). Entries focus on the New York run of each musical, listing specific information for that production including cast members, producers, opening dates, number of performances, composers, lyricists, book authors, synopsis, major songs, and other historical details. The book also includes useful indexes of directors, lyricists, major cast members, and show titles.” (Adapted from Booklist, courtesy of Syndetics)

New books on Windows 8, Excel 2013 and iOS 6 application development are among our choices this month.

Raspberry Pi user guide / Eben Upton and Gareth Halfacree.
“Make the most out of the world’s first truly compact computer It′s the size of a credit card, it can be charged like a smartphone, it runs on open-source Linux, and it holds the promise of bringing programming and playing to millions at low cost. And now you can learn how to use this amazing computer from its co-creator, Eben Upton, in Raspberry Pi User Guide. Cowritten with Gareth Halfacree, this guide gets you up and running on Raspberry Pi, whether you′re an educator, hacker, hobbyist, or kid. Learn how to connect your Pi to other hardware, install software, write basic programs, and set it up to run robots, multimedia centers, and more. …” (adapted from Syndetics summary)

Visual Basic 2012 unleashed / Alessandro Del Sole.
“Fully updated for Windows 8 support, .NET 4.5, and Windows Phone development, this is the most comprehensive, practical reference to modern programming with Visual Basic 2012. Written by Visual Basic MVP Alessandro Del Sole, a long-time leader of the global VB community, this book illuminates the core of the VB language and demonstrates its effective use in many current programming scenarios. Del Sole covers both Visual Basic 2012 Professional Edition for professional developers and the Express Edition for hobbyists, novices, and students.” (adapted from Syndetics summary)

Big data : a revolution that will transform how we live, work and think / Viktor Mayer-Schönberger and Kenneth Cukier.
“Since Aristotle, we have fought to understand the causes behind everything. But this is starting to changer. In the age of big data, we can crunch an incomprehensible amount of information, providing us with invaluable insights about the what rather than the why. …In this groundbreaking and fascinating book, two of the world’s most respected big data experts reveal the reality of a new world and outline clear and actionable steps that will equip the reader with the tools needed for this next phase of human evolution.” (Book jacket)

Windows 8 for dummies / by Andy Rathbone.
“The bestselling tech book of all time is now updated for Windows 8 Microsoft Windows, the operating system that runs nearly 90 percent of the world’s computers. Windows 8 will offer new interface updates, cloud-based services, and much more.” (Syndetics summary)

Teach yourself visually Excel 2013 / Paul McFedries.
“Are you a visual learner? do you prefer instructions that show you how to do something – and skip the long-winded instructions? If so, then this book is for you. Open it up and you’ll find clear, step-by-step screen shots that show you how to tackle more than 160 Excel 2013 tasks. Each task-based spread covers a single technique, sure to help you get up and running on Microsoft Excel 2013 in no time.” (Book jacket)

iOS 6 application development for dummies / by Neal Goldstein and Dave Wilson.
“You could be the one who creates the next super app – one that is universal, works for both the iPhone and iPad, and is a top seller. It’s a great goal, and the road starts here, with this energizing guide. Whether you’re a budding programming hobbyist or a serious developer looking to hit it big, the information in this book is what you need. Learn how to join Apple’s developer program, understand key differences between iPad and iPhone apps, download the latest SDK, create great user experiences, and build your very own app from the ground up. You’ll gain the valuable hands-on experience you need to take your development skills to the next level by walking through the development process step-by-step and creating two applications.” (adapted from Syndetics summary)

The official Joomla! book / Jennifer Marriott, Elin Waring.
“If you’re new to Joomla!, you’ll learn how to quickly create usable, effective sites. If you’re an experienced Joomla! user, you’ll learn how to make your sites more flexible, feature-rich, visually attractive, and useful, taking full advantage of the features in Joomla! 3 and Joomla! 2.5.” (Book jacket)

iPhone 5 / Lynn Beighley.
“Concise steps and explanations let you get up and running in no time. Essential reference guide keeps you coming back again and again. Whether you’re new to the iPhone or just want to get up to speed on the latest features of the iPhone 5 and iOS 6, this book will teach you all you need to know, including how to make the most of Siri, Twitter and Facebook integration, iCloud content sharing, FaceTime, Passbook, and much more!” (adapted from Syndetics summary)

Microsoft Word 2013 : step by step / Joan Lambert, Joyce Cox.
“This guide will teach you how to create impressive documents with Word 2013. Topics include using styles and themes; sharing, printing, and publishing documents; editing images from within Word; using SmartArt® diagrams and charts; creating references, footnotes, indexes, and tables of contents; collaborating with multiple people at the same time on the same document; and turning your ideas into blogs, Web pages, and more.” (Syndetics summary)

Raspberry Pi : a practical guide to the revolutionary small computer : owner’s workshop manual / Gray Girling ; foreword by Eben and Liz Upton.
“The Haynes Raspberry Pi Manual is the perfect introduction to the affordable small computer. Printed in full color throughout, this manual is aimed at those switching on their Pi for the first time, guiding them through the full process of setup and configuration. The book then introduces various aspects of computing and programming …and provides a variety of recipes to demonstrate the acclaimed versatility of the Raspberry Pi’s hardware and software. With authorship from an expert close to the project and the trademark Haynes ‘how to’ approach, this is the manual everyone needs to get started with their Raspberry Pi, whether at home or in the classroom.” (adapted from Syndetics summary)

New travel books. From Hong Kong to Iceland: and two books about survival.

A month by the sea : encounters in Gaza / Dervla Murphy.
“Bombed and cut-off from normal contact with the rest of the world, life in Gaza is beset with structural, medical and mental health problems, yet it is also bursting with political engagement and underwritten by an intense enjoyment of family life. During her month by the sea, Dervla Murphy develops an acute eye for the way in which isolation has shaped this society. Time and again she meets men who have returned to the Strip as an act of presence. Yet the mosque is often their only daily activity, as difficulties obtaining supplies mean few opportunities for creative work.” (Syndetics summary)

Into the abyss / Carol Shaben.
“Six people lost their lives in the plane crash. Four men found theirs. On a wintry October night in 1984, a Piper Navajo commuter plane bound for remote communities in northern Canada set off into thick cloud and freezing rain. One hour later, the plane smashed headlong into a high ridge of rugged forest. Of the ten people on board, only four – strangers from wildly different backgrounds – survived the crash: Erik, the young pilot who had never wanted to fly in such bad weather in the first place. Larry, a respected politician and family man. Scott, a rookie cop who, against regulations, had unshackled the prisoner he was escorting to face charges. And Paul: a criminal, and the only one to escape the crash uninjured. The only one capable of keeping the other three alive – should he choose to.”…–www.booktopia.com.au” (adapted from Syndetics summary)

The last place you’d look for a wallaby : my obsessive quest to seek out alien species / Glen Chilton.
“”Chilton visits Ireland to witness how rhododendrons, an ornamental plant that escaped a private garden, now threaten to choke out the last of the great oak forests of the United Kingdom. He escapes blood-thirsty midges and a murderous Hungarian architect while visiting a colony of forgotten Scottish wallabies; finds out how termites, brought in on packing crates after the Second World War, contributed to the devastation of Hurricane Katrina in New Orleans; dives with endangered sea turtles in North Queensland; and dodges crocodiles and machine guns in the eucalyptus forests of Ethiopia…..”–Publisher’s description.” (adapted from Syndetics summary)

Snowing in Bali / Kathryn Bonella.
“Snowing in Bali is the story of the drug trafficking and dealing scene that’s made Bali one of the world’s most important destinations in the global distribution of narcotics. With its central location to the Asia Pacific market, its thriving tourist industry to act as cover for importation, and a culture of corruption that can easily help law enforcement turn a blind eye, Bali has long been a paradise for traffickers as well as for holiday-makers…..” (adapted from Syndetics summary)

Hidden cities : travels to the secret corners of the world’s great metropolises : a memoir of urban exploration / Moses Gates.
“”Urban exploration with Gates makes for wildly entertaining reading. Whereas most travel authors highlight the museums, fashionable streets, and restaurants of the great cities of the world, Gate’s passion lies elsewhere. He revels in surmounting contrived barriers, whether in New York, Paris, or Ukraine. “We live our whole lives as prisoners of artificial boundaries-boundaries put in place not by mountains, rivers, or walls but by people and institutions who tell us that they’re there.” Gates chronicles his exploits exploring subway tunnels in New York and Stockholm; climbing the Lateran Obelisk sewers in Rome; ringing a bell on the top of Norte Dame; and traipsing through abandoned buildings in Brazil.” …(Apr.) (c) Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved.(c) Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved” (Publisher Weekly)” (adapted from Syndetics summary)

Alone on the ice : the greatest survival story in the history of exploration / David Roberts.
“”Douglas Mawson is not as well known as Amundsen, Scott, or Shakleton, but as this intense and thrilling epic shows, he deserves a place on the pedestal next to these other great explorers of the Antarctic. Trained as a geologist, the Australian-born Mawson launched an expedition to a largely unexplored region of Antarctica in 1912. The effort soon turned into a grim struggle of endurance and survival against an unforgiving environment. ….–Freeman, Jay Copyright 2010 BooklistFrom Booklist, Copyright (c) American Library Association. Used with permission.” (Booklist)” (adapted from Syndetics summary)

An illustrated journey : inspiration from the private art journals of traveling artists, illustrators and designers / Danny Gregory.
“Travel + Sketching = Inspiration. When we travel, we don’t want to follow the same itinerary as everyone who’s come before us. We want to feel like explorers, adventurers in undiscovered territory. And that’s exactly what sketching can bring to the travel experience. An Illustrated Journey captures the world through the eyes of 40 talented artists, illustrators and designers. You’ll experience the wonder of seeing familiar sights through a fresh lens but, more important, you’ll be inspired to set pen to paper and capture your own vistas. ….” (adapted from Syndetics summary)

Italy’s best trips : 38 amazing road trips / this edition written and researched by Paula Hardy, Duncan Garwood & Robert Landon.
“38 routes lasting from a few days to two weeks, and 128 maps- Covers classic routes like the Amalfi Coast and intriguing back-road itineraries- Essential tips, advice and useful phrases for driving in Italy.” (Syndetics summary)

The rough guide to Iceland / written and researched by David Leffman and James Proctor.
“The Rough Guide to Iceland is the ultimate travel guide to this fascinating island and its capital Reykjavik, with clear maps and detailed coverage of all the best attractions. Discover Iceland’s highlights with inspiring photography and information on everything from hiking, soaking in natural hot springs and whale watching, to indulging in Reykjavík’s lively nightlife and superb seafood.” (Syndetics summary)

Pocket Hong Kong : top sights, local life, made easy / Piera Chen.
“Best of Hong Kong. We’ve found the best walks, food, art, shopping, views, nightlife and more. Maps for every neighbourhood. Walking tours and day planners. Packed with expert travel tips.” (Syndetics summary)