I bought this book.

If you’ve always wanted to have a “pet” plant, either herbs indoors, a heirloom christmas cactus from a family member that you want to keep alive, plants for decoration, or for their air-cleaning abilities, but haven’t had a friend or family member to give you tips along the way, this book is a good place to start. About the first third functions as a crash course on types of soil, types of pots and plants, seasonal plants, methods of propagation, tips on saving a water-logged plant and more. The rest of the book is an encyclopedia, complete with full color, excellent photos that can make choosing, or identifying a plant a breeze as well as care guides, tidbits about history, and a handy chart near the back of plants for specific needs (like to increase the humidity in a room, or plants that can survive cool, low light rooms).

The book isn’t a compendium, but it is an excellent place for beginners (or those with holes in their plant care knowledge) to start. A vivid, useful addition to a gardening resource library.

Llewellyn, 2001

ISBN: 9780738700502

Available: New and used

This is a New Agey manual on the fantasy creatures we know and love. How to find them, identify them, protect yourself against them, run a basic investigation, as well as a hodgepodge of history and cultural takes can all be found in this book. However, it has a tone that’s bitterly anti-science (citing the Santa Claus defense, “so many people believe it, how could it not be true” as proof of these creatures existence) liberally redefines terms, and cherry picks data and history to suit the author’s arguments that these creatures still exist, as the author defines them, and it’s close minded to think otherwise.

The author contradicts himself on several occasions and his facts absolutely must be taken with a cup or so of salt. But each section (vampires, werewolves, ghosts, demons, angels, fae, mermaids, dragons and spirits) is also filled with clear historical research, as well as including non-Western folklore. Primarily suited for heavily used New Age or occult collections Monsters is a reminder of just how little we understand about nature, the past, and the world around us.

ISBN: 978-9652294685
I received this book from the LibraryThing Early Reader’s Program.

Of all the nonfiction I have been asked to review this thick tome is the first to meet all the criteria for a great reference book. First off, the work is authored by thirty experts in the Psychiatric field, including the editor Dr. Levav. There is no fluff, no anecdotal nonsense and no speaking down to the reader.

As the title states the book covers psychiatric and behavioral disorders in Israel. The studies that the book is based on take many things into account that many people would not think to, such as the economic environment, the influx of immigrants, war and sexual trauma in the region. Also the studies compare side by side the differences between men and women as related to the topic, and where relevant, the social and financial situations of the subjects. The studies in this work are thorough and conclusive.

On the down side there is the length. You are looking at 333 pages of hard, dry data and there are “out there” studies, like an attempt to find the link between obesity and schizophrenia.

Again I say that Dr. Levav’s book is of incalculable worth for anyone in the psychiatric field or any serious mental health worker, for the layperson, not so much. The heft of the work has ensured that it will not turn up on my reread pile, but I will keep it around for future research and I will use it as the yardstick by which I will compare any similar book.

Woodland Press, 2009
ISBN: 978-0-9824939-1-5
Available: New

Imagine a college writing class where each day a new, experienced writer shuffles in, lectures the class on a new aspect of storytelling and writing, then walks away without another word, leaving the budding writers to digest and utilize the information as they like. Or perhaps two writers walk in, one interviewing the other, leaving students privy to what seems like intimate, insider knowledge. This is Writers Workshop of Horror, a comprehensive collection of essays on the writing process, each with a different style and voice, all merely suggesting to the reader how things might be done. It is a quiet relaying of information and experience, with no distractions, no argumentative interruptions and no demand to follow exactly in the teacher’s footsteps.

Writers Workshop of Horror has a lot to offer to new and even experienced authors, without the drama or distraction of a traditional writing class or workshop. Each author’s voice comes through with strength and clarity. Priceless information and experience, not just for horror writers, but for writers in general, sits on these pages. More helpful than most how-to writing books out there (as long as you can tolerate sometimes gruesome examples of storytelling concepts), this book is an essential resource for all libraries wishing to support writers, whether hobbyists or pros. Highly recommended.

Reviewed for MonsterLibrarian.com
Lyons Press, 2009
ISBN: 9781599219097
Available: New

A disturbing trend in zombie fiction is the role of the military in the zombie uprising. It seems to play one of two roles, either the perpetration of the disaster, or bungling idiot failure. Rare is the book that shows the military in a vital role. With this book, which should be a shelf resource for any writer wanting to do more than fiddle about with zombie tales, perhaps that will change.
U.S. Army Zombie Combat Skills gives zombie fans an explicit, precise look at how the military is prepared to handle all threats, even the forces of the undead. The detail is elaborate, including the best defense strategies based on the number of of men, first aid, equipment specifics and detail on effective communication. This book is both a parody (complete with figures and tables featuring the moaning hungry dead) and completely serious. A valuable addition to zombie based libraries, especially for writers, one has to wonder why the military has this particular kind of foresight.