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Best Books 2011: Art Instruction

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Selected by Heather Halliday, American Jewish Historical Soc., New York Bellamy, David. David Bellamy’s Complete Guide to Watercolour Painting. Search, dist. by IPG. ISBN 9781844487349. pap. $19.95. This guide covers all the basics of watercolor painting, a widely attempted though rarely mastered medium. Projects are easy to follow, and many diagrammed examples are included as [...]

Best Books 2011: Cooking

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Selected by Carrie Scarr, West Fargo P.L., ND, & Lisa Campbell, Univ. of Michigan Lib., Ann Arbor Bauer, Jeni Britton. Jeni’s Splendid Ice Creams at Home: More Than 100 Addictively Good Artisanal Recipes. Artisan: Workman. ISBN 9781579654368. $23.95. This inspiring collection of seasonal ice cream recipes from Ohio-based ice cream whiz Bauer stands apart for [...]

Best Books 2011: Crafts

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Selected by Nanette Donohue, Champaign P.L., IL The Complete Book of Home Crafts: Projects for Adventurous Beginners. Skyhorse, dist. by Norton. ed. by Carine Tracanelli. ISBN 9781616083229. $24.95. The highlight of this collection is the large amount of territory covered, including picture framing, decorative painting, decoupage, tile work, and beadwork. Both directions and projects are [...]

Best Books 2011: Fiber Crafts

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Selected by Nanette Donohue, Champaign P.L., IL Briar, JC. Charts Made Simple: Understanding Knitting Charts Visually. Glass Iris. ISBN 9780983079200. pap. $17.95. Knitters who are intimidated by the shorthand found in knitting charts need look no further. This sounds like dry material, but Briar’s zeal for her topic makes this title not only a useful [...]

Best Books 2011: Do It Yourself

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Selected by Karen Ellis, Taylor P.L., TX Backyard Cottages & Gazebos: Fresh Ideas for Outdoor Living. Oxmoor House, dist. by Hachette. (Sunset Outdoor Design Guide). ISBN 9780376013866. pap. $19.95. Covering a wide range of outdoor structures, this lovely book illustrates a variety of possibilities. Each section focuses on a general type, from guest houses to [...]

Best Books 2011: Interior Design

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Selected by Gayle A. Williamson, Fashion Inst. of Design & Merchandising, Los Angeles Bonney, Grace. Design*Sponge at Home. Artisan: Workman. ISBN 9781579654313. $35. Bonney gathers close to 550 color photographs of over 50 interiors and 100 do-it-yourself projects that have been submitted to her popular website, Design*Sponge. With its diverse projects and pictured decor, this [...]

Best Books 2011: Parenting

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DeBenedet, Anthony T. & Lawrence J. Cohen. The Art of Roughhousing: Good Old-Fashioned Horseplay and Why Every Kid Needs It. Quirk. ISBN 9781594744877. pap. $14.95. “Safety First has evolved into a fretful new motto of Safety Only,” say the authors, and the result is stifled creativity and apathy. The prescription? Giddyup, Dad!—among other fun activities [...]

Best Books 2011: Self-Help

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Beattie, Melody. Codependent No More Workbook. Hazelden. ISBN 9781592854707. pap. $15.95. Beattie’s 12-step workbook is designed not only for those suffering from codependency but also for those experiencing phobias and other addictions and disorders. Readers are guided through exercises to identify underlying issues and set healthy limits. A workbook without equal. (LJ 5/15/11) Brizendine, Judy. [...]

Best Books 2011: Spiritual Living

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Carlson, David. Peace Be with You: Monastic Wisdom for a Terror-Filled World. Thomas Nelson. ISBN 9780849947186. pap. $15.99. This is one of the most touching and surprising spiritual responses to a post-9/11 world, consisting in part of encounters and interviews with abbots, nuns, monks, and other spiritual figures and striving to find places where the [...]