Hultin, Lisa and Hultin, Claire. Love, Sex & Deception: the Chronicles of Online Dating. (Book Review)

Morgan James Publishing. 2010. c.218p. ISBN 978-1-60037-775-4. $17.95.

In light of the fact that online dating has moved into the mainstream, with more than 800 dating sites and 60 million subscribers (p. 4), this publication written by a daughter and mother, who have dated online, compared notes, and “actually survived!” is timely and relevant. By Lisa Hultin (B.A., Telecommunications, Liberty University, Lynchburg, Virginia; freelance writer, Tao Entertainment and LoveSexandDeception.com), a resident of Atlanta, Georgia, and Claire Hultin (freelance writer, Tao Entertainment; author of The Doctrine of Lucid Dreaming; writer of socio-political excerpts for Srilankaguardian.org; founder of www.dreaminglucidly.com; owner of Electronic Novelties, LLC), a resident of Los Angeles, California, it purports to be an entertaining read as well as an informative guide consisting of stories, advice, tips, and tricks for online daters and others. It also is intended to serve as a “‘comfort book’” for persons who may be in “‘dating limbo,’” while experiencing the cyber world of online dating. (p. 1) Covering online dating as well as in-person dating, since many online dating experiences evolve in the latter, it is organized into themed chapters covering the “new frontier,” sexuality online, dates who lie, college kids and online dating, disaster dates, scammers, illegal activities, swingers, manners, good protocol, and more. Each chapter includes an introduction written by the authors, their commentary and responses, as well as online dating stories contributed by individuals, most of whom are women and many of whom reside in larger cities in the United States, not limited to Atlanta, Los Angeles, and New York. Presenting eye-opening views of what daters most likely will encounter when they plunge into cyber dating, the contributions are real, anecdotal, seemingly truthful, and sometimes emotionally evocative. They cover the gamut of online dating experiences. From them, you may learn how to protect your affections, trust, and time, positive strategies for finding true love and avoiding deception as well as the do’s and don’ts of online and in-person dating. While this book is entertaining and to some extent informative and educational, it needs better documentation and presentation. Firstly, in some cases, the stories only are signed with contributors’ first names and locations. In other cases, contributions are anonymous or signed with first names only. While this obviously protects the identities of storywriters and encourages their more complete and truthful disclosures, confessions, and recollections, it also leaves readers in the precarious position of having to judge whether what they are reading is in fact “the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth,” as they would say in a law court. Secondly, this book lacks footnotes or endnotes, a bibliography, and an index, all of which should have been included for readers. Finally, it includes many spelling errors. Written by authors who have gained their expertise from firsthand experiences and including contributions by participants, it mainly will interest readers who have experienced online dating or want to learn more about it. Not a reference book or how-to-manual, it is recommended as a supplementary resource for many public libraries, particularly for those found in large and medium-sized cities, where the online dating and in-person dating scenes may be more active and developed. Review copy. Availability: Amazon.com, Barnes & Noble.com

King, R. August. Night Shift Diary.

Dorrance Publising Co., Inc.. 2010. c.47p. ISBN 978-1-4349-0665-6. $9.00. ISBN 978-1-4349-5439-8 (e-Book). $5.00.

In this very brief publication, King (LPN, RN, M.B.A.), a critical care nurse for eighteen years and now involved in healthcare business and finance, remembers working as Licensed Practical Nurse on the Intensive Care Units in several hospital settings while she was studying to become a Registered Nurse. She publishes her memories in the form in which she found them while “spring cleaning” the storage space under the roof of her garage, her diary that she kept from June 1975 until April 1982 in which she recorded personal and professional milestones, the latter in the form of “nursing notes.” Honest and insightful, King’s entries recount what it was like to be a nurse as well as care for critically-ill patients on a regular basis. Covering diverse topics with much humor, signs of growth, and increasing confidence, she describes being rotated from one unit to another, becoming an ICU nurse, caring for her sick mother, interacting with her coworkers and doctors, patients’ families, administering treatments, observing various operations, and more. Lacking a glossary of terms, abbreviations, and acronyms, which would be helpful for readers unfamiliar with some of the medical terminologies used by the author, this book, nevertheless, will be of interest to general readers and those individuals considering healthcare careers, perhaps in nursing. It is recommended for some public libraries as an enjoyable, supplementary 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.com, Dorrance Bookstore

Slack, Ed. Two Legged Snakes: Understanding and Handling Manipulative People.

Simple Truth Publishing. 2010. c130p. illus. bibliog. ISBN 978-0-9825514-1-7. $12.95. ISBN 9780982551424 (e-Book). $7.99.

Most of us probably do not like reading about troublesome situations and/or people, but every once in a while a reality check is a good thing, particularly if it can help us avoid bad experiences. In this humorously- and generously- illustrated (more than eighty illustrations), self-help publication, Dr. Ed Slack (B.S., Psychology, & M.S., Clinical Psychology, California State University, Sacramento; Ph.D, Clinical Psychology, Sierra University, Sacramento), a psychologist with more than 25 years experience working with people who are both manipulative and gifted, discusses a kind of person you may have encountered with disastrous consequences, the “two legged snake.” According to the author, the two legged snake (TLS) or bipedal snake (BS) is a manipulator, who comes in all forms and from all walks of life. Slack describes this kind of individual in terms of various categories, not limited to the Primary and Secondary (pp. 7-10) as well as the Day to Day (D2D) and Public Level. (p. 23) Beyond the aforementioned classifications, Slack discusses the 13 different forms or types of two legged snakes: the Charmer, Backstabber, Bombast Entertainer, Bilker, Decorated, Misdirector, Rhetorical, Situational, Media Maven, Lost, Lifer, Justified, and the King Cobra. (pp. 24-38) Intending to help readers and non-readers identify the various kinds of manipulators, the author also presents the types of people or “fans” who surround them, the persuasive techniques used by bipedal snakes, and their biting styles. He offers advice and tips for handling and dealing with TLS and for “making the world a less snaky place.” Addressing persons who are going through difficulties as well as everyone, since we all have “snakes in our heads,” the author sets forth keys for perceiving and overcoming deception. He suggests how readers can make good choices, not be deceived, and gain the skills to realize when they are being duped. Helpful and thoughtful, albeit on levels that may be superficial to some individuals, this humorous, fast-paced guide on a serious subject by an experienced expert will interest general readers and others. Offered for purchase with a back-of-the-book, selected bibliography and a reproducible two legged snake spotters’ checklist as well as with a downloadable bonus chapter and a money back guarantee on the book’s website, it is recommended for many public libraries as fun, supplementary, introductory, self-help manual. Review Book. Availability: Amazon.com, Twoleggedsnakes.com

Linenberger, Michael. Master Your Workday Now! Proven Strategies to Control Chaos, Create Outcomes and Connect Your Work to Who You Really Are.

New Academy Publishers. 2010. c.344p. illus. bibliog.. index. ISBN 978-097493044-2. $19.95.

Many of us are familiar with this scenario. You just have walked in the door at work and turned on your computer. Not only are you faced with your boss standing at your office door or cubicle but your inbox and voice mail box are full again and the pile of work from yesterday that was sitting on your desk remains even though you stayed late last night trying to eliminate it. Overwhelmed, you take a deep breath. You feel like you have too much to do in too little time. Where to begin? How to begin? These are two questions passing through your mind. In this nicely- presented and expertly- argued self help book, Linenberger (management consultant and technology professional for more than 20 years; formerly, Vice President, Accenture; Head, U.S. Peace Corps’ technology department; author of three books including Total Workday Control Using Microsoft Outlook, 2nd Edition), an efficiency expert and renowned international consultant, speaker, and seminar leader, attempts to help those suffering from the abovementioned scenario, “workday chaos.” He presents his brilliantly- conceived “Workday Now” system for anyone who wants greater results at work, less stress, and deeper satisfaction from his or her employment situation and thereby life in general. Explaining how work is largely a mental game, Linenberger argues that “urgent” tasks that must be completed by the end of the workday should take precedence over merely “important ones” or less time-sensitive endeavors. In his breakthrough “Workday Mastery Pyramid,” modeled after psychologist Abraham Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs, he advocates getting control of your workday by managing Urgency Zones, creating your outcomes by using Now Goals and Goal Activation, and connecting your work with who you are and what will fulfill you. In each of the three sections of his book covering the control, create, and connect sequences of his Pyramid, the author presents specific strategies and tools for helping you reach the top. You will learn how to utilize the “urgency zone” concept to create a Workday Mastery To-Do-List, overcome email overload, create Now Goals, Activate Goals, connect with yourself and your life’s work, and more. For the most part fast-paced, easy-to-read, and understandable, this somewhat lengthy publication contains many helpful value-added features not limited to illustrations, diagrams, and two appendices containing a quick start Workday Mastery Toolkit and a list of recommended print and non-print resources. The author also provides downloadable tools and templates on his masteryourworkday.com website that enable you to implement his system while additional resources such as a daily planner are being published. For anyone who wants to transform his or her work and thereby personal lives as well as bring the two closer together, this book will appeal to general and specialized readers. It is highly recommended for many public, academic, and special libraries. Review copy. Availability: Amazon.com, Barnes & Noble.com

Iapalucci, Havilah Diane. Come Travel with Me! An ESL Language Discussion Textbook for International Students.

Rose Dog Books. 2010. c268p. illus. ISBN 978-1-4349-9680-0. $23.00.

Here Iapulacci (B.A., History, Minor, Education, Rutgers University; Teaching Certificate, High School Social Studies; author of Impressions of Modern Korea: An ESL Language Discussion Textbook (2008)), a teacher who was born and raised in New Jersey, has created a publication with several purposes. Firstly, she has written a textbook for students learning English. The result of the her experiences teaching English as a Second Language in Washington, D.C., New York City, New Jersey, Afghanistan, Korea, and China, it helps students learn the spoken language of English by means of thirty short readings, called “topics,” organized chronologically according to the author’s lifetime experiences. Vocabulary lists as well as comprehension and discussions questions end each chapter. Secondly, Iapalucci nurtures students’ travel inspirations. According to the author, all students relish the subject of travel. Topics cover many locations, not limited to cities and attractions in New Jersey, California, Afghanistan, India, Nepal, Thailand, Malaysia, Iran, Turkey, Greece, Italy, England, New York, Washington, D.C., Virginia, South Korea, North Korea, and China. Finally, the author presents her text as a memoir. Educated to teach high school social studies, Iapalucci wore many professional hats. She served as a language instructor in the Peace Corps in Afghanistan and then became the Supervisor of American Ambassador John Volpe’s household in Rome, Italy. She was hired as the Legislative Aide to Republican Congressman Burt Talcott of California. She taught history in Allendale, South Carolina and more. Fore the most part, this book fulfills its many purposes, but it could be made better. As a textbook, it could be improved by boldfacing vocabulary words in the readings rather than listing them at the end of topics. Also, the author could include a bibliography of related print and electronic resources, maps, and an index. The illustrations, which are located in the center of the book, need to be interspersed with the text at the appropriate points or referenced in the prose. Additional photographs pertaining to the various countries where Iapalucci lived or visited would be welcome and useful for fostering conversations. Some of the aforementioned suggestions also would inspire students’ love of travel as would more information about the histories and cultures of the featured nations. As a memoir, Iapalucci’s text is detailed, honest, and compelling, but it passes over many personal issues and stories that the author could have addressed. Appropriate for students and some general readers, this publication may be a suitable and worthwhile purchase for some libraries. Recommended. Review copy. 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, Rose Dog Bookstore

Dowd, Nancy, Evangeliste, Mary, and Silberman, Jonathan. Bite-Sized Marketing: Realistic Solutions for the Overworked Librarian.

American Library Association. 2010. c.140p. index. ISBN 978-0-8389-1000-9. $48.00.

Writing upon the premise that worthwhile, ten-minute, marketing fixes for libraries are unattainable, but that library marketing does not have to be grand, here Dowd (Director of Marketing, New Jersey State Library, Trenton, NJ), Evangeliste (Director, User Services and Outreach, Musselman Library, Gettysburg College, Gettysburg, PA), and Silberman (Owner, Fearless Future; Graphic Designer, American University Library, Washington, D.C.) show how library marketing can be integrated into the everyday work experiences of librarians and library staff and still be manageable. They have created a book presenting ideas and strategies to help librarians and others articulate the value of libraries. Based mainly upon word-of-mouth marketing but incorporating other marketing techniques, including storytelling, electronic resource marketing, public relations, outreach, advocacy, Web 2.0 tools, design, branding, best practices, and more, the authors present an assortment of simple and cost-effective marketing solutions for small to medium-sized libraries. Easy-to-read, insightful, and nicely-presented, with lists, examples, worksheets, and more, this publication, which functions as a quick informative resource rather than a detailed how-to manual or comprehensive reference book, will be of interest mostly to public librarians and others desiring to articulate the value of libraries and library services. Recommended. Review copy. Availability: Amazon.com
, Barnes & Noble.com

Hooper, Brad. Writing Reviews for Readers’ Advisory: a Booklist Publication.

With a chapter by Joyce Saricks. American Library Association. 2010. c.109p. bibliog.. appendices. index. ISBN 978-0-8389-1017-7. $45.00.

Based upon his many years of experience writing book reviews and presenting review writing workshops, Hooper (B.A., European History, and M.L.S., Master’s of Library Science, Eastern Illinois University; graduate work, European history, University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign; author of The Short Story Readers’ Advisory (2000), The Fiction of Ellen Gilchrist (2005), Read On … Historical Fiction (2006), and The Fiction of Alice Munro (2008)), an Adult Books Editor at Booklist, the flagship review journal for public and school librarians, which is published by the American Library Association, has provided a concise, how-to manual for writing reviews. Used mostly by librarians, prior to the time that publications are published and afterwards, by librarians, other professionals, and members of the general public, reviews are instrumental resources for providing readers’ advisory, building library collections, and promoting libraries, institutions, and publications. Varying in length, they are distinguishable from criticism and written annotations and are comprised of two crucial elements: a section telling readers what the publication is about and another setting forth why it is good and/or not-so-good. Consisting mostly of eight chapters, each averaging ten pages, the author’s book covers most aspects of reviews and reviewing. In the first three chapters, which are introductory and provide the overall context for writing reviews, Hooper covers marketing through reviewing, distinguishes reviews from criticism, and discusses the two kinds of reviews, pre- and post- publication reviews. In the main part, comprised of chapters four through six, the author then presents the components of nonfiction and fiction reviews, the features of good reviews, and the characteristics making good reviewers. In chapter seven, Hooper provides advice and guidelines for organizing and leading review writing workshops. Chapter eight, a contribution by Joyce Saricks (B.A. University of Kansas; M.A., Comparative Literature, University of Wisconsin-Madison; M.A., Library Science, University of Chicago), a professor, librarian, author, and authority on readers’ advisory services in public libraries, covers a subtopic of writing reviews, writing audiobook reviews, which has unique aspects due to the format of the publications being reviewed. In two appendices, Hooper further supplements his text by discussing writing annotations and his favorite reviewers and their reviews. Filled with much useful, excellent, and pertinent information, tips, advice, ideas, and many examples of Hooper’s published book reviews, this concise, thoughtfully- presented, nicely- organized, general, and sufficiently well- documented, nuts-and-bolts, how-to book, by an experienced professional, with a chapter contribution by a noted expert, will appeal to librarians, writers, book review bloggers, and others interested in writing book and audiobook reviews for websites, book clubs, newsletters, newspapers, magazines, professional journals, and other publications. It is recommended for public and academic library book collections. Review copy. Availability: Amazon.com, Barnes & Noble.com