Shafer, Eileen. Royal Teas with Grace and Style.

With art work and designs by Anna Griffin and photographs by Thom Rouse. Dorrance Publishing Co., Inc.. 2011. c134p. photogs. illus. ISBN 978-1-4349-0467-6. $25.00.

For nearly two centuries, afternoon tea has been a tradition in countries associated with the British Empire. (p. 2) Individuals typically “took” afternoon tea or “low tea” between the hours of 2 p.m. and 5 p.m.. The light meal involved drinking tea and eating a snack consisting of sandwiches, breads, pastries, and cakes. Today teatime continues by means of informal breaks from work (ex. “coffee” breaks) and more formal afternoon teas usually taken in hotels, cafés, and teashops. (p. 10; Wikipedia contributors. "Tea (meal)." Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia. Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia, 13 Aug. 2011. Web. 21 Aug. 2011.) In this beautifully- designed and presented book, which is intended for tea enthusiasts, individuals who are interested in hosting an afternoon tea, and those who are invited to tea (p. 5), Shafer, an interior designer, author, lecturer, tour guide, and former proprietor of Royal Tea Impressions, a teashop once located in the historic river towns of St. Charles and Geneva, Illinois (p. 5; back cover), guides readers through a proper afternoon tea fit for royalty. Helping readers prepare for an afternoon tea, which according to the author, requires time, effort, and atmosphere (p. 4), Shafer covers the subject in thirteen chapters, setting forth information about tea history, tea varieties, brewing tea, planning teas, invitations, menus, courses, appropriate venues, table settings, customs, manners, and recipes. While the first half of her book addresses preparations, the second part presents more than 50 recipes for tea savories (i.e. tea sandwiches), tea breads, tea cakes, and beverages. Here you will find step- by- step instructions for making traditional and non- traditional teatime fare, not limited to cucumber, salmon, ham, and egg salad sandwiches as well as scones, clotted cream, lemon curd, English shortbread, chocolate strawberries, lemon drop cookies, raspberry jam cookies, chocolate lady fingers, English trifle, chocolate pound cake, two tone cheese cake, fresh flower cake, liquid sugar, black ice tea, fruit sparkler, and citrus wine cooler. Filled with interesting and useful background information, advice, tips, quotes by famous authors and poets, recipes, and much more, this book will assist in enabling you to host a formal afternoon tea “fit for a queen” (p. 4), with the confidence, “grace,” and “style” that you will need to be successful. Artwork and engraved designs by Anna Griffin, with more than thirty color photographs by award- winning photographer, Thom Rouse (Professional Photographers of America Master of Photography degree; Master of Electronic Imaging degree, Master Craftsman degree; recipient of Diamond, Platinum, and Gold Photographer of the Year Awards, PPA; recipient, Illinois Photographer of the Year), further instruct and delight. Of interest to tea lovers, tea aficionados, and others, this book is recommended for many public libraries, even though it lacks a selected bibliography, back- of- the book index, glossary, and appendices, all of which would have been helpful to many readers. On a personal note: If you never have experienced a formal afternoon tea, I highly encourage you to do so. Your memories of afternoon tea will last a lifetime. Teas make great gifts and are excellent ways to celebrate the achievements of individuals or commemorate special occasions such as birthdays, engagements, weddings, graduations, anniversaries, and retirements. Many hotels and cultural institutions in the United States and Europe offer teas. For a list of hotels and institutions worldwide serving tea, try this Internet resource: Tea Guide. Always telephone in advance to verify locations, times, and other pertinent information. Reservations and appropriate attire may be required. Note: I received a complimentary copy of this book as a member of the Dorrance Publishing Book Review Team. Visit Dorrance Bookstore to learn how you can become a member of the Book Review Team. Availability: Amazon, Dorrance Bookstore

Golden, Michelle. Social Media Strategies for Professionals and their Firms: the Guide to Establishing Credibility and Accelerating Relationships.

(Wiley Professional Advisory Services) Wiley. 2010. c366p. illus. index. ISBN 978-0-470-63310-6. $45.00. Google eBook. $29.99. Kindle Edition. B004CFBLCK. $45.00.

While new media oftentimes provide the fastest and most effective means whereby professionals may build their practices and reach audiences, many professional service firms have been hesitant to change their corporate marketing strategies and integrate social media into them. Golden (Owner, Golden Practices Inc.; Senior Fellow, VeraSage Institute), a recognized, practice management advisor and marketing specialist in social media use and strategy, particularly in the Certified Public Accountant field, has written an accessible, comprehensive guidebook to social media for professionals and their firms with an emphasis on the accounting and legal industries. She sets forth a one- stop, reference handbook that can be read from cover- to- cover or by chapter, as needed. Nicely- organized and presented, this book covers the what, why, how, and more of social media. In fourteen chapters, the author addresses various topics as they relate to social media, professionals, and their firms, including the basics, communication policies and guidelines, business purpose, integration, strategies, marketing tactics, case studies, tools such as LinkedIn, Twitter, Facebook, and web blogs, social web writing and etiquette, as well as best practices. Filled with lessons, tips, tools, how- to information, guidance, practical approaches, and sound advice, this invaluable manual is likely to serve the needs of individuals and entities seeking to establish, develop, and maximize effective online presences, even though parts of it quickly may become outdated or obsolete due to changing institutional environments and/or evolving and/or emerging technologies. Sufficiently well- documented, with endnotes, a glossary, and a back- of- the book index, this book is highly recommended for students, professionals, and others. It belongs in large public, academic, and special libraries. Review copy. Availability: Amazon.com, Barnes & Noble.com, Google Books

Hargreaves, Kenneth. Apples: the Whole Story.

58p. Rose Dog Books. 2011. ISBN 978-1-4349-0573-4. $11.00. Pdf e-Book. ISBN 978-1-4349-4572-3. $6.00. Google e-Book $6.00.

Fruits are an important part of our diets. Everyone has his or her favorite fruit. Apples contain many nutrients and vitamins and come in many tasty varieties. Many Americans would agree that apples are the unofficial “national” fruit. In this brief publication that purports to present “everything you ever wanted to know about apples” (p. v), Hargreaves (Ph.D., Education, Capella University, expected 2012; Master of Education, American InterContinental University; Bachelor of Business Administration, American InterContinental University; owner of Hargreaves Gifts), a retired Navy Chief Culinary Specialist with more than thirty years work experience in the hospitality industry, attempts to set forth the “whole story” about apples. Not trying to create a traditional cookbook (p. v), Hargreaves mainly tells the story of apples from his personal perspective and experiences. In chapters one and two, he describes the history of apples and their many varieties, while in chapter three, the author discusses the life of apples-- how they are grown, harvested, and sold. Throughout his text, but mostly in chapters one and two, Hargreaves includes recipes, stories, and personal thoughts about apples and his life. Including more than thirty recipes, using apples as an ingredient, as well as a selected bibliography, this easy- to- read, enjoyable publication will be of use and interest to mostly general readers. Even though it contains typological and grammatical errors as well as lacks a table of contents, back- of- the- book index, and reproductions, all of which would have enhanced its purpose, this book may be recommended for some public libraries as a secondary resource. Note: I received a complimentary copy of this book as a member of the Dorrance Publishing Book Review Team. Visit Dorrancebookstore.com to learn how you can become a member of the Book Review Team. Availability: Amazon, Rose Dog Bookstore, Google ebookstore

Gilbert, Gareth E.. Global Impacts of Chernobyl Radioactive Fallout.

54p. Dorrance Publishing Co., Inc.. 2011. ISBN 978-1-4349-0999-2. $11.00. ISBN 978-1-4349-0999-2. (pdf e-Book) $6.00.

While the Chernobyl nuclear accident of 1986 is among the most well- known calamities of the 20th century, the extent of the spread of radioactive material throughout the world is less- widely reported. In this brief publication, which is intended for nonscientists, Gilbert (Ph.D., Ecology, The Ohio State University), an ecologist with 35 years teaching and research experience at his alma mater, provides a detailed analysis of the dissemination of radioactive fallout that resulted in increased levels of radioactivity in the crops and livestock in Europe, Asia, and North America. After setting forth a brief introduction to atomic theory, the nature of radioactivity, and the Chernobyl disaster, the author examines the dispersal of radioactivity and its impact on the food sources of Scandinavia, the British Isles, and Ireland. He covers the methods by which the affected countries attempted to combat the effects of radioactivity, including fallout countermeasures. Gilbert concludes his book with a chapter entitled, “Odds and Ends,” detailing specific, associated events, not limited to the dispersal of fallout by birds, the contamination of honey, and the accident’s impact on abortions and food preparations. Informative and understandable, this publication fulfills its purpose as a guide for laypersons hoping to learn more about the impacts of Chernobyl and its global consequences. It will be of interest to general readers. Primarily because it lacks a much- needed, back- of- the- book index, selected bibliography, and footnotes or endnotes in standard formats, it is not recommended for purchase by most libraries. Note: I received a complimentary copy of this book as a member of the Dorrance Publishing Book Review Team. Visit Dorrancebookstore.com to learn how you can become a member of the Book Review Team. Availability: Amazon, Dorrance Bookstore

Hay, Deltina. The Social Media Survival Guide: Strategies, Tactics, and Tools for Succeeding in the Social Web.

2nd edition. Quill Driver Books. 2011. c456p. illus. appendices. CDROM. index. ISBN 978-1-884995-70-5. $24.

Today it is not enough to have a business email address and website. While content still matters, it is only part of the equation. It takes the power of social media to revolutionize your business and leverage it for success by interacting, sharing, and collaborating in the Social Web. (p. 21) How do you harness this force in the Social Web without completely wasting your time? In this major revision of her previous book, entitled A Survival Guide to Social Media and Web 2.0 Optimization, Hay (graduate education in computer science, applied mathematics, and psychology; President, Dalton Publishing; Owner, PLUMB Web Solutions and Social Media Power; Deltina.com, PlumbSocial.com; Socialmediapower.com), a writer, publisher, veteran Web developer, and pioneer of social media and Web 2.0, presents a no- nonsense, hands- on, nuts- and- bolts, real- world, practical guide to successfully building and optimizing your presence in the Social Web by means of social media strategies and tactics, social media plans, RSS feeds, blogs, WordPress websites, podcasts, vidcasts, webcasts, social networks, micro- blogs, social bookmarking, crowd- sourcing, media communities, widgets, badges, social media newsrooms, social tools, and more. Each chapter is generously- illustrated with numerous, pertinent screenshots of the strategies, tactics, and tools set forth by the author. Not intending her publication to be about social media marketing or web tools, Hay conceived this resource in terms of the goal of helping readers build a solid foundation in the Social Web using Web 2.0 tools that have weathered the social media storm. (p. 22) After reading chapters 1 and 2, which discuss creating a social media strategy and preparing for it, readers can read the various chapters on an as- needed basis or the entire book. While the majority of the fifteen chapters cover social media tools and services--not limited to Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter, Delicious, Digg, Flickr, YouTube, Scripd, and SlideShare—as they relate to the author’s goal, the final three chapters address pulling it all together, looking to the future of the Social Web, and measuring your success in the Social Web. Four appendices and a companion resource CDROM supplement and complement Hay’s text. Of interest to do-it-yourselfers, small business owners, independent professionals, authors, publishers, marketers, PR professionals, students, and anyone who needs to grow his or her presence in the Social Web, this nicely- presented, well- written, informative, useful, worthwhile, and significant book is an absolute must-read for the aforementioned individuals, possessing a beginner- to- intermediate knowledge of the Social Web. It is very highly recommended for many large public, academic, and special libraries. Review copy. Availability: Amazon, Barnes & Noble.com

Lorenz, Joan F.. Click 2: to Your Pathway.

Dorrance Publishing Co., Inc. 2006. c115p. ISBN 978-0-8059-7105-7. $13.00. ISBN 978-1-4349-4980-6. Sony e-Book. $8.00.

Are you always misplacing or forgetting your Internet logins, usernames, ids, and/or passwords? Perhaps you have attempted to keep track of this information, but have failed to find a good way of organizing it? In this computer password logbook and Internet address book, Lorenz, a resident of New Jersey, who has worked for thirty-five years in the food industry, attempts to help you work “smarter, not harder, in your professional” and/or personal lives by creating an “easy-to-access storage place for your passwords” for “computer programs and other things.” (Publisher’s synopsis) Including a brief one-page “don’t and do,” two lined pages for documenting your favorite websites, and a page of suggestions for passwords, this directory is arranged alphabetically. Each lettered section is four pages and consists of variously labeled entries in which you can record the Date, Program, ID, User Name, and/or Password(s). Each lettered section includes four different types of entries. The four types of entries enable you to log the following information by entry:

1. Date, Program, ID, User Name, Password; or
2. Date, Program, Password, Program, Password; or
3. Date, Program, User Name, Password, Password, Password; or
4. Program, Password;

The first and third types of entries are repeated twice per lettered section, whereas the second is featured once and the fourth is reproduced ten times. While this product evidences the author’s thoughtful attempt at helping you stay organized in the computer age, its presentation and design are improvable. Firstly, the multiple types of entries and their purposes may need to be explained in a brief introduction. Secondly, the labels in the entries may need to be revised to better reflect changes in the computer world and on the Internet. Thirdly, all the pages of this directory should be numbered. Only some pages are numbered. All pages of this directory also should be lettered. Only the first pages of lettered sections are lettered. Fourthly, the title and subtitle of this organizer could be better chosen to explicitly set forth its purposes. Finally, this directory ideally should be published as a World Wide Web application, in an expandable, printed format (ex. loose-leaf binder), and/or as downloadable, editable computer applications or documents that can be used on a variety of computers and mobile devices. Whereas some individuals may find this printed organizer helpful, others may not. This product is not recommended for libraries for a variety of reasons, many, but not all, of which are mentioned above. Note: I received a complimentary copy of this book as a member of the Dorrance Publishing Book Review Team. Visit Dorrancebookstore.com to learn how you can become a member of the Book Review Team. Availability: Amazon.com, Dorrance Bookstore, Sony Reader Store

Griffey, Jason. Gadgets and Gizmos: Personal Electronics and the Library.

American Library Association TechSource. 2010. 35p. bibliog.. illus. ISBN 978-0-8389-5809-4. $43.00. Item Number 7400-8094. (ALA e-Editions) $33.00. 978-0-8389-5809-4. (Kindle e-Book) $23.00.

Perhaps you may not have realized it, but we are living in the midst of an ongoing information revolution, in which personal electronics or “gadgets” and “gizmos” are key components that have tremendous potential to transform societies and institutions such as libraries. In this book, which was published as an issue of Library Technology Reports (Vol. 46, No. 3), Griffey (Head of Library Information Technology, University of Tennessee, Chattanooga; author of Mobile Technology and Libraries and with Karen A. Coombs Library Blogging; columnist for American Libraries “Perpetual Beta” and the ALA TechSource blog), a well- known library technology expert, provides a guide to several “current,” relatively inexpensive-- most are less than $300 and none are greater than $500—personal electronic products and how they fit into any library’s plans for a high- tech future. The author examines a handful of personal electronic products in terms of their features, performance, functionalities, costs, and applications for libraries. Focusing heavily on electronic book readers or e-readers, he also includes various multimedia devices for “capturing and consuming” as well as odd or unusual technologies. Some of the categories of gadgets reviewed by Griffey include e-readers, video cameras, audio recorders, scanners, and multimedia players. The author covers many of the most popular products such as Sony e-readers, the Amazon Kindle, the Barnes & Noble Nook, the Flip, the Sony Bloggie, the Zoom H2, the iPod Touch, the Apple iPad, and more. While he mainly scrutinizes personal electronic products of significance to libraries, librarians, and their patrons, he also references pertinent software applications and Internet websites. Professional and technical in approach, but understandable to anyone who may have a basic to intermediate knowledge of personal electronic products and their applications, this publication will be of interest to librarians and others. An important resource for librarians and their staffs, it is highly recommended for public, academic, and special library collections. Review copy. Availability: ALA Online Store, Amazon, Amazon (Kindle edition), Barnes & Noble

Laughrun, Bette James and Nelson, Kathie. I Want What She’s Got: the Secrets of Creating and Outrageous Life.

With foreword by Brian Klemmer. PCG Legacy. 2011. c127p. illus. bibliog.. ISBN 978-0-826665-8-6. $14.95.

Are you burned- out? Perhaps you feel as if you are living your life in a perpetual holding pattern, your life does not matter, and/or you are waiting to die and have stopped living? Have you settled for less than your dreams or ideal life? Bette Laughrun, a co- author of this book, experienced many of these feelings and thoughts in response to certain situations in which she found herself while mothering five children, being married, enduring various family crises, experiencing a divorce, and pursuing her personal and professional dreams and aspirations. In this self-help publication, Laughrun, founder of a leadership development group that educates faith communities and organizations on how to live healthy lives of contribution, meaning, and purpose (ThePeopleBuilders.com) and manager of a successful nutritional cleansing business, with her daughter Nelson, founder of Connect-works (www.KathieNelson.com), attempt to help readers recharge, re-fire, and revive. They ask women to seek answers to seven crucial questions that will help them create “outrageous” lives, in which they seize their unique potentials and achieve personal and professional growth and success (p. 9). These questions and their answers relate to a woman’s purpose, gift mix, relationships, contribution, self-care, vision, and spirituality. In nine, revealing and inspirational chapters, Laughrun with Nelson describe how they have answered these questions in terms of their own lives and they set forth what they have learned. They also provide readers with additional clarifying questions to answer. The final chapter includes Nelson’s Outrageous Life Assessment as well as an Outrageous Life Design Tool that involves rating aspects of your life, envisioning your own outrageous life, and closing the gap between your perceived and ideal lives. Of interest to women and some general readers, this guide, which includes a list of resources and references its website, is recommended for public library collections. On a personal note, I do not find that the title and subtitle of this book aptly represent its content. The subtitle may indicate this publication’s subject matter to a better extent. However, the word “outrageous” may carry many negative connotations in readers' minds and may not be the best choice. Review copy. Availability: Amazon

Tassey, Mary Ann. Medical Records Journal: Your Personal Medical History.

Dorrance Publishing Co.. 2010. c77p. ISBN 978-1-4349-0549-9. $11.00. ISBN 978-1-4349-7058-9 (pdf e-book). $6.00.

Many people agree that it’s a good idea to keep track of your health records and those of your family members, if you are a caregiver or likely to become one. These medical records are called personal health records (PHRs) and they are distinguishable from those held by your doctors, which may be referred to as your medical records or electronic medical records (EMRs). You will want to have copies of your personal health records and those of the people for whom you are or are likely to become a caregiver for a variety of reasons, not limited to: perhaps you or a family member will change doctors, move, get sick while on vacation or traveling, and/or end up visiting an emergency room. If any of these situations occur and you have your personal health records and/or those of your family members with you, you and/or they may get faster, safer medical care. (Caroline Rea and Paul Lehnert, “Home Medical Records: Overview,” Updated May 1, 2008, Article on Webmd.com) In her publication, Tassey, a resident of Weirton, West Virginia and the mother of seven children, created this “medical records journal,” so “everyone can keep his or her medical records and appointments together.” By means of her book, the author attempts to help individuals compile and/or create their personal health records. Tassey’s publication is divided into two parts. In the first section, she features general information on good health and disease prevention. She covers the top three “killers” (p. v) of Americans—i. e. cancer, heart disease, and stroke—the causes of these killers, who is at risk for them, and ways to avoid them by staying physically fit, eating carefully, and taking preventive measures. She presents some, but not all, screening guidelines as well as information on cholesterol, blood pressure, the food pyramid, metabolism, and vitamins. In the second part, Tassey includes forms that can be used to compile a personal health record, which she calls a “medical records journal” or “personal medical history.” She sets forth forms for keeping track of doctors’ visits, medical tests, and prescriptions. Most forms are seemingly tailored for medical specialists but a few are generic. Each form is labeled Cardiologist, Family Practitioner, Gynecologist, Neurologist, Oncologist, Opthalmologist, Orthopedic, Pediatrician, Urologist, or Physician. Each form leaves room for compiling the doctor’s name and contact information, testing information (type, date, location, result), general notes for testing, medications prescribed (name, date, dosage), and general notes. While Tassey’s book evidences her thoughtful effort at helping readers compile their personal health records (PHRs) or those of others, there are many ways in which it needs to be improved. Firstly, the author needs to include a one- page form that enables individuals to summarize their health information so that it can be disseminated easily and/or copied and carried with persons. This summary form should contain information pertaining to the individual’s emergency contact(s), primary care physician, health insurance, health problems, medications, allergies, family medical history, health care agent(s), and more. Secondly, Tassey needs to provide a comprehensive chart that sets forth screening and immunization guidelines for all age groups. The author needs to better document and present her publication by providing footnotes/endnotes as well as a glossary, bibliography, and index. The first part of Tassey’s book on health and disease is too short and incomplete. It should be expanded and reformatted with numbered, clearly delineated chapter headings. Many of this publication's forms have more than one page number on them. This book needs to be repaginated with incorrect page numbers removed. Finally, Tassey needs to recommend that readers obtain copies of their medical records from their doctors. She needs to include chapter(s) and/or appendix(ices) on the types of more extensive personal health records that readers should keep and how they can do this. Of interest to general readers, this publication may be of limited use to some individuals, but is not recommended for most library collections for many reasons, several of which are described above. Note: I received a complimentary copy of this book as a member of the Dorrance Publishing Book Review Team. Visit dorrancebookstore.com to learn how you can become a member of the Book Review Team.. Availability: Amazon, Dorrance Bookstore