Fine Print – March 2017

Early spring finds customers looking for stimulation. Grab their attention with a diverse selection of books.  Let them know they will always find something unique in your store.

Out of Your Mind: Tricksters, Interdependence, and the Cosmic Game of Hide and Seek

Alan Watts (ISBN 978-1-62-203752-0) Sounds True

www.soundstrue.com

Alan Watts was ready for the 1960s, and it welcomed him with open arms.  A self-described “spiritual entertainer,” there was nothing frivolous about the Eastern perspective he shared with Westerners. When he spoke of consciousness, it was of the subtle levels of awareness most Westerners never noticed. When he spoke of “the Web,” he meant the Web of Life, not the Internet.  When he talked about emptiness, he told us it was a good thing.  All of it was earth-rattling for most Westerners at the time.  Now, his son Mark shares a series of his father’s recorded lectures that sums up much of what took America by storm when he took center stage over 50 years ago.  Some ideas will be familiar to readers, but many will be new to them—and extraordinarily relevant to today’s thinking.  Reading the book, I had to keep reminding myself how long ago the words were written, as they reflect the current merging of science and spirituality.  Mark Watts honors his father with this well-organized, clear, and insightful record of his father’s teachings.

The Unmumsy Mum: The Hilarious Highs and Emotional Lows of Motherhood

Sarah Turner (ISBN 978-0-14-313004-8) TarcherPerigee

www.penguinrandomhouse.com

It began as a blog in 2013 before becoming a bestselling book in England.  Now TarcherPerigee has brought it to America.  “It” is The Unmumsy Mum, and it contains some of the most relevant information a mother (or mother-to-be) will ever have.  There’s no rosy glow to any of it, and sometimes it’s side-splittingly funny.  Sarah Turner is clearly on to something best described as the truth.  When she began telling it like it is on the Internet, messages from grateful parents started pouring in, not because she gave them a magic answer but because somebody finally said it was okay to hate being a mother sometimes. This one is a fun read, even if you don’t have children.

Secret Sauce: How to Pack Your Messages with Persuasive Punch

Harry Mills (ISBN 978-0-81-443806-0) AMACOM

www.amacombooks.org

“Skim and scan” versus reading—that’s what it all comes down to.  Your customers are processing way too much information 24/7 without relief.  Figure out how to send a message that cuts through the clutter and grabs them where they live, and you will become their go-to business. That’s the Secret Sauce Mills is selling.  This e-media-organized book will teach you about twit pitches, merging clarity with brevity, image-based metaphors, the most effective number of high-impact claims, reducing cognitive load, and extracting value to frame a message.  If you want your business to become a customer magnet, you’ll love this one.

May Cause Love: An Unexpected Journey of Enlightenment After Abortion

Kassi Underwood (ISBN 978-0-06-245863-6) HarperOne

www.harpercollins.com

“I decided that neither side in the political war had permission to tell my story for me … Healing after abortion isn’t a political debate; it’s a spiritual journey.” With this decision, Kassi Underwood reclaimed her life and began a personal journey that took her to the depths of her inner world and back.  It’s a classic hero/ heroine’s initiation, like Inanna’s journey to the netherworld.  When the buried emotions associated with her abortion raised their voice through her busy, successful life and struggle with alcohol addiction, her spirit rose to face them.  Her struggle resulted in enlightenment and her joyfully embracing her life. Thankfully, she decided to tell her story, so others will have an easier time finding their way than she did. The added benefit: Underwood is a master storyteller with a clear and honest voice.  Her words are hopeful, realistic, heartfelt, and, at times, gut wrenching.  She speaks from the top of the mountain, after having made the journey to the center of the earth.

Tarot at a Crossroads: The Unexpected Meeting of Tarot and Psychology

Kooch N. Daniels & Victor Daniels (ISBN 978-0-76-435186-0) Schiffer Publishing

www.schifferbooks.com

Every good tarot reader also tries to be a good “streetwise” counselor.  If a client tells me the most important thing they gain from a reading is clarity, I feel I’ve done a good job.  Now, the Daniels have explained how and why all that works—and what tarot has to do with any of it.  The husband-and-wife team writes simultaneously for both tarot readers and psychotherapists, and both perspectives are well represented.  Acknowledging traditional tarot history and symbolism, they use a wide range of innovative tarot decks to illustrate their points.  As a tarot reader, I am impressed with the amount of accessible psychological information provided, and I’m guessing professional therapists will be impressed by the amount of tarot insight, too.  Readers will benefit from both.  This “trending” phenomenon is well represented by these authors.

The Legion of Regrettable Supervillains: Oddball Criminals from Comic Book History

Jon Morris (ISBN 978-1-59-474932-2) Quirk Books

www.quirkbooks.com

Drawing on comic books from 1938 to present, Jon Morris asks and answers the question: “Where would superheroes be without their supervillain combatants?” But, just as all superheroes aren’t created equal, not all supervillains are equally memorable.  How many of your customers will recall Dr. Voodoo, The Horrible Hand, or Tino the Terrible Teen?  Still, the supervillain character type deserves full documentation and, in this case, Jon Morris’ trip down memory lane is not only informative, it’s a royal hoot!  This is a terrific choice for graphic-novel aficionados, serious trivia competitors, and those who have developed an appreciation for silliness raised to the level of art.  Younger customers might appreciate it as a treasure-trove of ideas for avatar creations.

Vegetarian Sushi Secrets: 101 Healthy and Delicious Recipes

Marisa Baggett (ISBN 978-4-80-531370-1) Tuttle Publishing

www.tuttlepublishing.com

Customers who loved Sushi Secrets as much as I did will welcome Baggett’s newest contribution to the world of sushi with all-out enthusiasm! This time, she begins with a tour of sushi ingredients (short descriptions with photos) followed by a similar survey of sushi equipment.  Next, she gives detailed instructions for making sushi rice.  After that, it’s no holds barred.  Sesame Strawberry Rhubarb Rolls, Tempura Avocado Hand Rolls, Asparagus Almond Rolls, and Sweet Potato and Shiitake Rolls are just the beginning.  Add soups, appetizers, salads, and pickles and you’ve got a never-ending supply of simple recipes for entertaining or self-indulgence.

A Moon of My Own

Jennifer Rustgi, Ashley White “illustrator” (ISBN 978-1-58-469573-8) Dawn Publications

www.dawnpub.com

Boldly graphic and dynamic illustrations fill the pages of this charming tale, illustrating a young girl’s reveries as she encounters the moon night after night and realizes it’s always there, changing, but always there.  Sometimes slivered, sometimes full, sometimes hiding, sometimes boldly bright, the moon is her constant friend and follower. She exuberantly expresses gratitude to her celestial friend as they travel the world together.  The Explore More section at the end of the book continues Dawn Publications’ tradition of following up the brilliantly illustrated stories with insight, information, recommended resources, and suggestions for discussion.  This is yet another winner from the publishers that are dedicated to helping children connect with nature and the physical world in an exciting, educational, and interactive manner.  This is a perfect adjunct for multi-generational new moon and full moon celebrations in your store.