Today’s NYT Science section wades into the controversial world of archeology. “Scientist Tries to Connect Migration Dots of Ancient Southwest” explores the theories of Stephen Lekson, who believes the various Anasazi sites were not separate entities, but linked by migrations, despite their distances from each other.

Lekson’s new book, A History of the Ancient Southwest argues for this ‘big picture’ archaeology. Another scientist, who completely disagrees with Lekson’s ideas, still says,

Steve is possibly the best writer in Southwest archaeology…Our academic writing has this inherent gift of taking something interesting and making it dull and boring. And Steve doesn’t have that problem. He thinks outside the box, and the rest of us comb through his ideas.

Most libraries have not ordered the book.

History of the Ancient Southwest Stephen H. Lekson Retail Price: $39.95 Paperback: 452 pages Publisher: School for Advanced Research Press – (2009-06-15) ISBN / EAN: 1934691100 / 9781934691106

These days anyone who dares to complain about work adds “But at least I have a job.”

Yet, as evidenced by what we’re reading, Americans are not fulfilled by their work. Alain de Botton’s The Pleasure and Sorrows of Work has been widely reviewed and is on waiting lists in most libraries. Matthew Crawford’s Shop Class as Soul Class, which argues against the white-collar life and for working with your hands, is at #34 on Amazon.

It seems everywhere you turn, you find new books on chucking it all and raising goats (Brad Kessler’s Goat Song: A Seasonal Life, A Short History of Herding, and the Art of Making Cheese, Scribner, 6/23; featured on Salon today) or leaving a solid career to move as far away from what you know as possible (Waking Up in Eden: In Pursuit of an Impassioned Life on an Imperiled Island, Lucinda Fleeson, Algonquin, 6/16; I spent my weekend enchanted with this book), or staying put, but changing your life completely (Farm City: The Education of an Urban Farmer, Novella Carpenter, Penguin, 6/11).

If you’re hearing echos of the ’60’s, you won’t be surprised to learn that a book called Yeah Dave’s Guide to Livin’ the Moment rose to #14 on Amazon over the weekend (it’s now at #42).

Author Dave Romanelli is co-founder of a Phoenix AZ yoga studio and teaches “Yoga+Chocolate” and “Yoga+Wine” courses. Of the book, PW said, “This lighthearted overview of awareness should provide seekers many ideas; accomplished yogis probably need not apply…”

Yeah Dave’s Guide to Livin’ the Moment: Getting to Ecstasy Through Wine, Chocolate and Your iPod Playlist David Romanelli Retail Price: $14.95 Paperback: 224 pages Publisher: Broadway – (2009-03-17) ISBN / EAN: 0767929489 / 9780767929486

Fueled by Wayne Dyer’s appearances on PBS pledge drives since mid-May, Excuses Begone!: How to Change Lifelong, Self-Defeating Thinking Habits is back at #1 on Amazon, and has spent 17 days in the Top 100. Libraries we checked are catching up to heavy reserves, with copies on order. 

Excuses Begone!: How to Change Lifelong, Self-Defeating Thinking Habits Wayne W. Dyer Retail Price: $24.95 Hardcover: 288 pages Publisher: Hay House – (2009-05-26) ISBN / EAN: 1401921736 / 9781401921736

However, none of the libraries we checked had copies of Dyer’s related children’s book, now up to #88 on Amazon: No Excuses!: How What You Say Can Get In Your Way, written with Kristina Tracy and illustrated by Stacy Heller Budnick.

No Excuses!: How What You Say Can Get In Your Way Wayne W. Dyer, Kristina Tracy Retail Price: $14.95 Hardcover: 32 pages Publisher: Hay House – (2009-06-01) ISBN / EAN: 1401925839 / 9781401925833

Dyer’s publisher, Hay House, is also promoting two related adult books to his readers on Amazon:Virus of the Mind and The Biology of Belief. Both have spent nine days in Amazon’s Top 100, probably helped by the discount Amazon offers for buying the books together with Dyer’s. We’re not sure if this activity will stimulate library demand, but just in case, read on for more info about the books. And please use our comments are to alert us to any related activity you find in your library! 

Virus of the Mind: The New Science of the Meme by Richard Brodie, currently at #21 on Amazon, is a hardcover reissue of the book, which was first published in 1995 by Integral Press. One library has 32 holds on a single copy, but none of the others we checked had it. The book ”builds on the work of scientists Richard Dawkins, Douglas Hofstadter, Daniel Dennett,” according to the publisher, and describes how “mind viruses have already infected governments, educational systems, and inner cities, leading to some of the most pervasive and troublesome problems of society today.” It was featured on Oprah in the late 90’s, after its original publication.

Virus of the Mind: The New Science of the Meme Richard Brodie Retail Price: $24.95 Hardcover: 288 pages Publisher: Hay House – (2009-05-15) ISBN / EAN: 1401924689 / 9781401924683

The Biology of Belief: Unleashing the Power of Consciousness, Matter, & Miracles by Bruce H. Lipton Ph.D. is currently # 19 on Amazon. Libraries have up to 39 holds on modest numbers of copies, in several cases the 2005 edition published by Mountain of Love/Elite Books. According to Hay House, the book “shows that genes and DNA do not control our biology, that instead DNA is controlled by signals from outside the cell, including the energetic messages emanating from our thoughts.”

The Biology of Belief: Unleashing the Power of Consciousness, Matter, & Miracles Bruce H. Lipton Ph.D. Retail Price: $24.95 Hardcover: 240 pages Publisher: Hay House – (2008-09-15) ISBN / EAN: 1401923119 / 9781401923112

Audio available from Sounds True

• $24.95; 9781591795230 

Also available on Playaway

• $59.99; 978160812778

The current most-emailed article from the NYT is “The Case for Working With Your Hands,” by Matthew B. Good, an essay in the NYT Magazine, which is adapted from the author’s book, Shop Class as Soulcraft. The book, which has been rising on Amazon, as we noted last week, jumped from #73 to #32 as a result.

It is also featured in the June 1 issue of Newsweek, along with Alain de Botton’s The Pleasures and Sorrows of Work.

Shop Class as Soulcraft: An Inquiry Into the Value of Work Matthew B. Crawford Price: $25.95 Hardcover: 320 pages Publisher: Penguin Press HC, The – (2009-05-28) ISBN-10: 1594202230 ISBN-13: 9781594202230

Available from Brilliance Audio (May, 2009)

• MP3 CD; $39.97; 1441800115 
• CD; Unabridged; $82.97; 1441800093

———————-

The Pleasures and Sorrows of Work Alain De Botton Price: $26.00 Hardcover: 336 pages Publisher: Pantheon – (2009-06-02) ISBN-10: 037542444X ISBN-13: 9780375424441

Maybe the times are right for a new Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance. A good candidate just might be Shop Class as Soulcraft: An Inquiry Into the Value of Work by Matthew B. Crawford, which has risen to #77 on Amazon with the help of a recent review in Slate. No libraries we checked had copies on hand, though several had some on order.

Crawford finished his doctorate in political philosophy at the University of Chicago, took a job at a Washington think tank, then quit five months later and began repairing motorcycles. His defense of the satisfactions and security of having a skill that can’t be exported overseas, done with an algorithm, or downloaded – and his thoughtful critique of cubicle culture - was published as a much-discussed essay in the New Atlantis in 2006, before he landed a book deal with Penguin Press.  

Calling Shop Class as Soul Craft ”the best self-help book that I’ve ever read,” the Slate reviewer characterizes Crawford’s advice this way: “Strive not for flimsy new economy “flexibility” but for real, handy expertise in a chosen field. The point is to achieve mastery, which in turn gives you a skill not subject to the whims of office politics. Finally, think about how your work affects others. This is a hedge against both narcissistic creativity and doing actual harm.”  That’s not a message you hear every day.

Shop Class as Soulcraft: An Inquiry Into the Value of Work Matthew B. Crawford Price: $25.95 Hardcover: 320 pages Publisher: Penguin Press HC, The – (2009-05-28) ISBN-10: 1594202230 ISBN-13: 9781594202230

Available from Brilliance Audio (May, 2009)

• MP3 CD; $39.97; 1441800115 
• CD; Unabridged; $82.97; 1441800093

May 17 was a banner day for books on CBS Sunday Morning, which launched three featured titles into Amazon’s top 350 bestsellers. T.C. Boyle’s novel The Women, about the loves of architect Frank Lloyd Wright, moved to #100, while The Ashley Book of Knots by Clifford Ashley jumped to #295, and organization guru Julie Morgenstern’s SHED Your Stuff, Change Your Life: A Four-Step Guide to Getting Unstuck leapt to #336. 

Libraries we checked favored Morgenstein’s self-help guide, with an average of 10 copies and signficant reserves. Quantities were more mixed and reserves more modest on Boyle’s novel, which came out in February, and The Ashley Book of Knots.

The Women: A Novel T.C. Boyle Price: $27.95 Hardcover: 464 pages Publisher: Viking Adult – (2009-02-10) ISBN-10: 0670020419 ISBN-13: 9780670020416

An audiobook version is available in three formats from Blackstone Audio:

• 15 CDs; $100; ISBN 978-1-4332-6061-2 
• 2 MP3CD; $29.95; ISBN 978-1-4332-6064-3    
• Playaway; $69.99; ISBN 978-1-4332-6068-1

Ashley Book of Knots Clifford Ashley Price: $80.00 Hardcover: 640 pages Publisher: Doubleday – (1944-06-21) ISBN-10: 0385040253 ISBN-13: 9780385040259

-

SHED Your Stuff, Change Your Life Julie Morgenstern Price: $15.00 Paperback: 288 pages Publisher: Fireside – (2009-03-03) ISBN-10: 0743250907 ISBN-13: 9780743250900

An audiobook is available in three formats from Tantor Media

• 9 CDs; $24.99 (Retail Pkg); EAN: 9781400107872       
• 9 Audio CDs (Library Binder Pkg); $69.99; EAN: 9781400137879
• Mp3-CD; $24.99; EAN: 9781400157877

Oprah has another obsession besides her weight — clutter.

Clutter expert Peter Walsh kicks off the next leg in his “Oprah’s Clean up Your Messy House Tour” — which may be coming to a home your neighborhood in the next few months (not Brooklyn, PLEASE) — not on Oprah’s show, but on Good Morning America, coinciding with the release of Walsh’s new book, Enough Already!

Above is a shot from the promo for the tour. We’re presuming that the Rockettes are with Walsh because they are an example of perfect order.

Walsh’s 2006 title, It’s All Too Much: An Easy Plan for Living a Richer Life with Less Stuff was on the NYT Hardcover Advice bestseller list for 3 weeks. His book from last year, Does This Clutter Make My Butt Look Fat? was also on that list for 3 weeks.

Libraries are showing heavy holds against light ordering of Walsh’s new book:

Enough Already!: Clearing Mental Clutter to Become the Best You Peter Walsh Retail Price: $26.00 Hardcover: 304 pages Publisher: Free Press – (2009-03-03) ISBN / EAN: 1416560181 / 9781416560180

Last week, we wrote about Oprah’s show, What Can You Live Without?, which featured “reformed shopaholic” Mary Carlomango and her new book, Secrets of Simplicity: Learn to Live Better with Less. I commented that due to the spiral binding, it isn’t owned in libraries. Several of you wrote to point out that is WRONG and you don’t have a problem with that format, and, in fact, WorldCat shows that 26  U.S. public libraries own the book. Our post even prompted a discussion on  LIS News about spiral bindings (some would never buy that format, others see no problem and some recommend adding library binding).

We were talking in a vacuum, since none of us had the book in hand, so I went to my local B&N where I found three copies on the shelf. The spiral binding is actually what the publisher calls a “semi-concealed Wire-O binding,” which means the heavy paper cover goes over the wire binding, reinforcing it. The problem for libraries may not be the binding so much as the workbook format, with lots of checklists and fill-in sections (rough guess is that they take up about 1/3 of the book). 

Secrets of Simplicity: Learn to Live Better with Less
Mary Carlomagno

• Spiral-bound: $19.95; 143 pages
• Publisher: Chronicle Books; Spi edition (December 3, 2008)
• ISBN-10: 0811863948
• ISBN-13: 978-0811863940

USA Today casts Judith Orloff’s new book, Emotional Freedom, in the light of the economic downturn (”Hard Times Can Encourage a Wealthy Emotional Life“); 

Our faltering economy has cost many people more than money: They’ve lost their peace of mind.

But there are ways to stay calm and positive even as storms roil the seas around you, says psychiatrist Judith Orloff in her book, Emotional Freedom (Harmony Books, $24.95)

The book is currently at #9 on Amazon. Orloff’s previous title, Positive Energy (2005) was on the LA Times Paperback Non-fiction list for one week at #3.

Some libraries are showing heavy holds on modest ordering.

Emotional Freedom: Liberate Yourself from Negative Emotions and Transform Your Life 

Judith Orloff

• Hardcover: $24.95; 416 pages
• Publisher: Harmony (March 3, 2009)
• ISBN-10: 0307338185
• ISBN-13: 978-0307338181

Yesterday, the Dr. Phil Show continued the theme of living smaller and smarter, by featuring the authors of America’s Cheapest Family Gets You Right on the Money. As a result, the book rose from #33,738 on Amazon to #73.

When it first came out two years ago, the book appeared for one week on the NYT Paperback Advice list at #14. Some libraries are showing reserve lists.

America’s Cheapest Family Gets You Right on the Money: Your Guide to Living Better, Spending Less, and Cashing in on Your Dreams

Steve Economides, Annette Economides

• Paperback: $12.95; 288 pages
• Publisher: Three Rivers Press (January 16, 2007)
• ISBN-10: 0307339459
• ISBN-13: 978-0307339454

On her show yesterday, Oprah asked the question on many people’s minds,  ”What Can You Live Without?”

Featured was “reformed shopaholic” Mary Carlomango and her new book, Secrets of Simplicity: Learn to Live Better with Less, which shot from #37,076 on Amazon to #48. The publisher is showing it currently out of stock.

Unfortunately, the book is spiral bound, so libraries do not own it. Libraries do own her previous title, however, Give It Up!: My Year of Learning to Live Better with Less (at #23,887 on Amazon).

Oprah also issued a “Simplify Your Life” challenge, with the opportunity for contestants to appear on the show, so it’s likely you will have to continue explaining why the library doesn’t own Secrets of  Simplicity and to try to steer customers to Carlomagno’s earlier title.

Secrets of Simplicity: Learn to Live Better with Less

Mary Carlomagno

• Spiral-bound: $19.95; 143 pages
• Publisher: Chronicle Books; Spi edition (December 3, 2008)
• ISBN-10: 0811863948
• ISBN-13: 978-0811863940

Give It Up!: My Year of Learning to Live Better with Less 

Mary Carlomagno

• Hardcover: $14.95; 208 pages
• Publisher: William Morrow (December 27, 2005)
• ISBN-10: 0060789808
• ISBN-13: 978-0060789800

I usually ignore flight attendants’ suggestions that I read the safety brochure in the seat pocket in front of me. However, on my way to MidWinter, I found myself studying the brochure carefully as we flew over the Hudson River, where a plane had made an emergency landing just a week before. 

In the midst of our heightened awareness that it’s good to know what you’re doing in an emergency, comes the new book, The Survivors Club: The Secrets and Science That Could Save Your Life.

An adaptation of the book is featured in this week’s Newsweek (the opening scenario is about a librarian who accidentally stabs herself in the heart with a knitting needle and survives because she did the right things). 

Some libraries are showing heavy reserves. The book is also available in large type and audio; most libraries have not ordered it in those formats yet.

The Survivors Club: The Secrets and Science That Could Save Your Life

Sherwood, Ben

• Hardcover: $25.99; 400 pages
• Publisher: Grand Central Publishing (January 26, 2009)
• ISBN-10: 0446580244
• ISBN-13: 978-0446580243

• Large Type, Hardcover: $27.99; 576 pages
• Publisher: Grand Central Publishing (January 26, 2009)
• ISBN-10: 0446541230
• ISBN-13: 978-0446541237

• Audio CD: Unabridged edition, $34.98
• Publisher: Hachette Audio;  (January 26, 2009)
• ISBN-10: 160024145X
• ISBN-13: 978-1600241451

According to the publisher, Laura Berman, author of Real Sex for Real Women will be on Oprah on Monday. WorldCat shows it is owned by just a handful of libraries.

Berman was co-author of For Women Only, which is owned widely.

Real Sex for Real Women

Laura Berman

• Hardcover: $25; 256 pages
• Publisher: DK ADULT (October 17, 2008)
• ISBN-10: 0756639808
• ISBN-13: 978-0756639808

Oprah looks into “Why Men Cheat” on Thursday, featuring relationship expert Gary Neuman. His most recent book, The Truth About Cheating, came out in August and is on order in small quantities in most libraries. According to Neuman’s Web site, he will appear on the show again next Thursday.

On Friday, Tatum O’Neal “speaks out about her drug bust.” Her memoir came out in 2004 and appears to be no longer in print.

The Truth about Cheating: Why Men Stray and What You Can Do to Prevent It 

M. Gary Neuman

• Hardcover: $24.95; 240 pages
• Publisher: Wiley (August 25, 2008)
• ISBN-10: 0470114630
• ISBN-13: 978-0470114636

I seem to be behind the Grammar Girl curve. I recently discovered GG’s straight-forward advice on correct construction when I googled my bête noir, “affect vs. effect.” Turns out GG is one of iTunes’s 100 most popular podcasters (she’s at #8 today, right up there with This American Life, Dilbert Annimated Cartoons and Shark Week).

As a podcaster, she was covered by the New York Times (a fascinating story about her releasing a quickie audiobook to take advantage of an appearance on Oprah}.

She recently made the move to old media and her book just moved up to #40 on Amazon. I can see why, her tone is perfect for those who wish to be grammatically correct; she has high standards but is forgiving of us lesser mortals.

Unfortunately, some of you have not been listening to GG; several libraries own neither the book nor the audio, which would make Grammar Girl sad. For those that do have GG on order, reserves are reaching a level that would make her smile.

Fogarty’s book tour has been generating press coverage, including The Arizona Repulic (her home town is Gilbert, AZ), and The Atlanta Journal Constitution (she appeared at the Decatur GA Public Library).

Grammar Girl’s Quick and Dirty Tips for Better Writing

Mignon Fogarty

• Paperback: $14.00
• Publisher: Holt Paperbacks (July 8, 2008)
• ISBN-10: 0805088318
• ISBN-13: 978-0805088311

On today’s show, Oprah will launch, the “O Ambassadors” program.

The program was created in conjunction with the Free the Children organization, a network of children helping children. Brothers Craig and Marc Kielburger began the organization in 1995. Their 2006 book, Me to We, released earlier this year in paperback, explains the brothers’ philosophy of volunteerism and has been featured on the show before, putting it on the New York Times bestseller list for one week last year. The book’s current Amazon sales rank is #195,319 (we’ll check in after the show airs, to track its rise).

Coincidentally, an article in today’s New York Times notes that Oprah’s ratings have declined and suggests that “her crown is beginning to look a bit tarnished.” Oprah’s people vehemently deny this (she was traveling in South Africa last week and was unavailable for comment). The president of Harpo Productions says, “Any drop in her television ratings can be traced to general weakness in the overall television audience.” The article acknowledges that Oprah still is a major influence on book sales. Her latest book club pick, A New Earth by Eckhart Tolle:

sold faster than any of the previous 60 selections of “Oprah’s Book Club.” But it also has attracted some criticism for Ms. Winfrey on her Web site, where some of her fans have said that the book’s spiritualist leanings go against Christian doctrine.

The article notes that, among other projects, Oprah is planning a spinoff talk show featuring Dr. Mehmet Oz (co-author of You: The Owners Manual and other titles in the “You” series) to launch in 2009.

Me to We: Finding Meaning in a Material World

Craig Kielburger, Marc Kielburger

• Paperback: $14.00
• Publisher: Fireside; Reprint edition (March 25, 2008)
• ISBN-10: 0743294513
• ISBN-13: 978-0743294515

• Audio CD: Abridged, $29.95
• Publisher: Simon & Schuster Audio; (November 28, 2006)
• ISBN-10: 0743566610
• ISBN-13: 978-0743566612