Shelf Life Magazine

F feb19shelfcover ebruary, being the month of love, hearts and cupids, indirectly relates to what Shelf Life is about. There are no hearts and cupids generally, but when it comes to love, we try and foster the love of books. One thing we strive to encourage most, is to go beyond your comfort level in reading, and look for books of other genres. Those who might love mysteries only, might be hesitant to open a book that has elements of fantasy or horror, but as we often discover from people who write us, they took a chance beyond what they were used to and actually liked it. The same, of course, goes for non-fiction and trying books one might not normally read. You may not like every single book of that nature, but the main thing is seeking knowledge beyond what one normally enjoys. And life, like reading, is keeping yourself open to change and new things. And what is the worst that could happen? You might find a new area for reading enjoyment. We hope that happens.

Enjoy this issue!

Paul Sutter
Editor/Publisher

Like us on Facebook
—————————

* Fiction Section *
* Best February Fiction *

Elevation
by Stephen King
(Scribner – $24.99 – 146 pages)
“…a departure for King in many ways…”
Rating: 5 bookmarks

The Three Beths
by Jeff Abbott
(Grand Central – $34.00 – 400 pages)
“The book is a tense tale with one twist trumping another…”
Rating: 5 bookmarks

Believe Me
by J.P. Delaney
(Doubleday Canada – $24.95 – 334 pages)
“There is psychological thriller taken to the tenth degree…”
Rating: 5 bookmarks

* Rest of February Fiction *

Baby Teeth
by Zoje Stage
(St. Martin’s Press – $34.99 – 304 pages)
“It makes the book a real page-turner.”
Rating: 4 1/2 bookmarks

The Pharaoh Key
by Douglas Preston & Lincoln Child
(Grand Central – $36.50 – 310 pages)
“Fans of the Gideon Crew series will have the chance to see Preston and Child’s latest creation in what appears to be his swan song.”
Rating: 4 bookmarks

Promise Not to Tell
by Jayne Anne Krentz
(Berkley – $36.00 – 325 pages)
“Krentz writes with great passion, and between the fight for love or death, there are many other elements that make the book a tension-filled thriller.”
Rating: 4 bookmarks

The Savior’s Game
by Sean Chercover
(Thomas & Mercer – $21.95 – 272 pages)
“The conclusion is promising, and brings to an end the unusual trilogy.”
Rating: 3 1/2 bookmarks

Providence
by Carol Kepnes
(Lenny – $36.00 – 370 pages)
“PROVIDENCE is so engrossing, you simply will not be able to stop reading.”
Rating: 4 1/2 bookmarks

Absolute Proof
by Pete James
(MacMillan – $40.99 – 560 pages)
“This departure by James is well worth the read.”
Rating: 3 1/2 bookmarks

A Spark of Light
by Jodi Picoult
(Random House Canada – $32.00 – 370 pages)
“…the book is told in reverse, a captivating literary device.”
Rating: 4 1/2 bookmarks

The Disappeared
by C.J. Box
(Putnam – $36.00 – 390 pages)
“Box as usual offers superior fiction and this book…is as entertaining as any book preceding it.”
Rating: 4 bookmarks

The Forgotten Ones
by Steena Holmse
(Lake Union Publishing – $21.95 – 337 pages)
Reviewed by Tori Levang
“…the novel’s unique storytelling provides a realistic and deeply moving experience.”
Rating: 3 1/2 bookmarks

The 17th Suspects
by James Patterson & Maxine Paetro
(Little Brown – $38.00 – 354 pages)
“Patterson and Paetro continue with their compelling stories…”
Rating: 4 bookmarks

The Flight Attendant
by Chris Bohjalian
(Doubleday – $35.95 – 357 pages)
“Bohjalian’s book may have some improbable moments, but the frantic age of the plot negates any mediocre twists.”
Rating: 4 bookmarks

Robert B. Parker’s Old Black Magic
by Ace Atkins
(Putnam – $36.00 – 320 pages)
“…has that same magic that Parker gave us for so many years.”
Rating: 4 bookmarks

The Western Wind
by Samantha Harvey
(Grove Press – $38.95 – 304 pages)
“…she takes her fiction soaring to a new novel with a historic tale of epidemic proportions.”
Rating: 4 bookmarks

You Don’t Own Me
by Mary Higgins Clark & Alafair Burke
(Simon & Schuster – $35.99 -272 pages)
“…certainly one of the best of the series.”
Rating: 4 bookmarks

The Collector’s Apprentice
by B.A. Shapiron
(Algonquin Books of Chapel Hill – $38.95 – 342 pages)
“…book twenty-nine in the series that shows no signs of letting up, nor of Kenyon deciding to draw it to a close.”
Rating: 3 1/2 bookmarks

* Non-Fiction Section *
* Best February Non-Fiction *

Fear
by Bob Woodward
(Simon & Schuster – $39.99 – 420 pages)
“The book has become a best seller because people cannot get enough of Trump for better or worse.”
Rating: 5 bookmarks

@The Stormpilot
Pictures by Santiago Borja
(teNeues – $60.00 – 164 pages)
“There is nothing routine about these photos, showing cloud formations with such intimacy and depth.”
Rating: 5 bookmarks

Rest of February Non-Fiction

Marvel Studios Visual Dictionary
by Adam Bray
(DK Books – $39.00 – 200 pages)
“This book is a must-own for Marvel lovers everywhere.”
Rating: 4 bookmarks

Cowgirl Power: How to Kick! Ass in Business and Life
by Gay Gaddis
(Center Street – $34.00 – 272 pages)
“Power to the cowgirls of the world, who learn that with Gay Gaddis on their side, they are one step closer to success.”
Rating: 3 1/2 bookmarks

Hell’s Princess: The Mystery of Bell Gunness Butcher of Men
by Harold Schechter
(Little A – $35.95 -326 pages)
“…has created an interesting story of her life and times.”
Rating: 4 bookmarks

Buffy Sainte-Marie: The Authorized Biography
by Andrea Warner
(Greystone- $36.00 – 300 pages)
“…you will understand her life and times, and contribution to culture and music.”
Rating: 4 1/2 bookmarks

Iconic Magazine Covers
by Ian Birch
(Firefly – $49.95 – 256 pages)
“There have been many magazine covers over the decades both controversial and visual appealing.”
Rating: 4 bookmarks

Children of Nazis
by Tania Crasnianski (Translated by Molly Grogan)
(Arcade – $35.95 – 238 pages)
“…more chilling than any fiction you might read.”
Rating: 4 bookmarks

Dodge City: Wyatt Earp, Bat Masterson and the Wickedest Town in the American West
by Tom Clavin
(St. Martin’s Press – $41.99 – 384 pages)
Reviewed by John M. Milner
“…readers get a chance to learn the true history of many of the icons of this particular genre…”
Rating: 4 bookmarks

This Will Only Hurt A Little
by Busy Philipps
(Touchstone – $35.99 – 312 pages)
“So it’s time to get busy and seek out this most entertaining and amusing book.”
Rating: 4 bookmarks

Grit and Glory: Celebrating 40 Years of the Edmonton Oilers
by Schultz Nicholson
(Viking – $40.00 – 310 pages)
“…follows the evolution of the team, along with every player who donned an Edmonton jersey.”
Rating: 4 1/2 bookmarks

The Desert and the Sea
by Michael Scott Moore
(Harper Wave – $34.99 – 464 pages)
“The book is certainly an eye-opener to the world around us…”
Rating: 4 bookmarks

Star Wars: Women of the Galaxy
by Amy Ratcliffe
(Chronicle – $42.95 – 232 pages)
“…paying homage to the women who have been integral parts of the movies, comics, fiction, and basically anything associate with the film.”
Rating: 4 bookmarks

Changemakers
by Fay Weller and Mary Wilson
(New Society Publishers – $17.99 – 200 pages)
“…(offers) a beacon of light and hope in these totally turbulent times. Change begins with opening the pages of this enlightening book.”
Rating: 3 1/2 bookmarks

Hockey Fight in Canada
by David Shoalts
(Douglas & McIntyre – $22.95 – 212 pages)
“…the author looks back at the blockbuster decision for Rogers Media back in 2013 to have exclusive rights to the broadcasts.”
Rating: 3 1/2 bookmarks

The World of the Rock
by Steve Pantaleo
(DK Books – $31.99 – 160 pages)
“This tribute to the Rock, rolls proudly from first page to last.”
Rating: 4 bookmarks