Freelance Success subscribers are an amazingly versatile bunch, authoring books on a range of topics from sex to building fences. The titles featured here were all published in 2009. If you're looking for a gift or just something absorbing to read, take a spin through this collection. In an assortment this diverse, you're bound to find at least one title that you absolutely must add to your shelf.

	Stop Second-Guessing Yourself – Baby’s First Year by Jen Singer The Stop Second-Guessing Yourself guides to parenting are winners of a 2010 gold Mom’s Choice Awards.
	Fits, Starts & Matters of the Heart - 28 True Stories of Love, Loss & Everything in Between by Freelance Success writers In this compelling collection, a group of writers from Freelance Success share the joy and angst at the root of all relationships.
	South Oakland County by Paul Vachon This book is a new addition to Arcadia's Then and Now series. It takes vintage photographs from several different sources and pairs them with modern images of the same locations -- providing a comparison that's both informative and fun.
	The Complete Idiot's Guide to Vaccinations by Laurie Bouck and Michael J. Smith, MD The Complete Idiot's Guide to Vaccinations is a clear and friendly guide to a very confusing topic. The book explains how vaccines work and what vaccines you need at every age, and also explores related issues such as the use of mercury in vaccines, the cycle of influenza epidemics, and why there are vaccine shortages.
	Sew Retro: A Stylish History of the Sewing Revolution + 25 Vintage-Inspired Projects for the Modern Girl by Judi Ketteler Sew Retro is a smart, pop culture-ish history of women and sewing over the last 150 years (beginning with the invention of the first workable sewing machine in the mid-19th century and ending with today’s sewing resurgence). It's also a how-to guide for making your own retro-inspired accessories, clothing, and home decor, with projects organized by chapter (19th century, 1920s, 1930s & 40s, 1950s, 1960s & 70s, and today).
	Winning Proposals: How to Write Them and Get Better Results by Hans Tammemagi This book reveals the secrets of how to write winning proposals and explains the psychology that will let you master the powerful art of persuasion. The basis for preparing formal business proposals as well as grants and unsolicited proposals is described.
	It's Great Escapes: Chicago by Karla Zimmerman. Eat your way along the Wisconsin cheese trail; drive into the past on old Route 66; learn to surf on Lake Michigan; or unwind under the stars in the Rock River Valley. This book offers more than 20 day trips and weekend getaways within close proximity to Chicago.
	The Everything Parent's Guide to Dealing with Bullies: From playground teasing to cyber bullying, all you need to ensure your child's safety and happiness by Deborah Carpenter with Christopher J. Ferguson. Mocking. Namecalling. Physical aggression. These experiences are all forms of bullying that can wreak havoc on a child's self-esteem, safety, and general happiness. This guide gives parents all the tools they need to recognize the problem, treat it properly, and prevent it from happening again.
	Simple Self Defense by Jennifer Lawler Simple Self Defense empowers individuals, particularly women and girls, by offering a range of techniques, strategies and skills that they can use to defend themselves against many threats they may face at school, work or home. The book is based on two principles: to offer a variety of resources for getting out of a bad situation (without blaming her - someone else's violence is not her fault), and to allow the individual defending herself to decide what is right for her to do under any particular set of circumstances.
	Insiders' Guide to Albuquerque by Tania Casselle A personal and practical guide to one of America’s fastest growing and most colorful cities. This essential source of travel and relocation information gives the scoop on Albuquerque attractions, outdoor recreation, restaurants, accommodations, shopping, arts & entertainment, and children’s activities.
	Writing Home by Cindy La Ferle A heart-warming, award-winning collection of personal essays on motherhood, midlife, and simple living. Little gems of wisdom from a modern working woman with a fresh perspective on life.
	Historic Photos of Newark, New Jersey by Sharon and Elizabeth Hazard A journey through time that traces the story of this great American city from its earliest days in the 1600s to the postwar era immediately following WWII, this book captures the social, industrial and architectural history of Newark through photographs and text.
	Reduce Your Cancer Risk: Twelve Steps to a Healthier Life by Barbara Boughton and Michael Stefanek, PhD Reduce Your Cancer Risk is a 12-step action plan aimed at helping consumers reduce their risk for cancer, often through lifestyle behaviors such as nutrition, exercise, avoiding obesity, protecting their skin from sun damage and stopping smoking. It includes the latest information on how to obtain an accurate personal risk assessment, genetic syndromes that increase risk for cancer, preventive medications and surgeries and how cancer survivors may decrease the chance of recurrence.
	Encyclopedia of Depression (Volumes I and II) by Linda Wasmer Andrews This encyclopedia presents a complete contemporary portrait of depressive disorders as seen from a biological, psychological, historical and cultural perspective. Written in clear, non-technical language, it's a comprehensive resource for libraries, high schools and universities.
	Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder Demystified by Cheryl Carmin PhD and Mary Mihaly A guide for everyone living with and seeking to understand OCD, this book helps readers understand the intrusive thoughts and rituals that characterize the disorder, factors that complicate its diagnosis, and how best to manage their lives. It's a step-by-step self-help approach for those suffering from OCD, and for the people who love them.
	Socially Responsible Investing for Dummies by Ann C. Logue. It's a guide to both better investing and investing to make the world better. No matter what your values are, this book will have ideas to help you reach your goals.
	BEYONCE: A Biography by Janice Arenofsky This biography details singer-composer Beyonce's life from birth till her marriage to Jay-Z in 2009. With an index, several appendices and bibliography, this reference title is aimed at high-school-and-college-age students, but also targets public library patrons.
	The Die-Hard Sports Fan's Guide by Christopher Klein The Die-Hard Sports Fan's Guide to Boston is the first and only comprehensive guide to the incredible range of spectator sporting events in and around the Hub. From baseball, football, basketball, and hockey to soccer, hurling, cricket and polo., devoted fans will get the practical information to root, root, root for the home teams and learn about the history of 25 different sports in the life of Boston
	The 250 Questions Every Self-Employed Person Should Ask by Mary Mihaly The ultimate work-for-yourself reference, 250 Questions... answers your most important questions so you can say good-bye to cubicles and bosses, and turn your passion into profits. Learn about negotiating, scheduling and completing projects, networking, marketing yourself and managing success for self- employed prosperity.
	No Guts, No Glory: Gut Solution - The Core of Your Total Wellness by Sidney Stevens and Steven Lamm, M.D. The gut is the source of many seemingly unrelated physical and mental disorders that afflict millions of Americans, such as kidney stones, asthma, ruptured abdominal aortas, and even cancer, heart attack and depression. This book offers a three-step plan called the Gut Solution to help you avoid or reverse many of these debilitating and life-threatening conditions and achieve your full vitality and vibrancy.
	25 Secrets for Successful Freelance Writers by Robert McGarvey Success secrets for freelancers - the how-to of making $75,000 per year in the new era.
	Camera Boy: An Army Journalist's War in Iraq by Fred Minnick. With a Nikon in one hand and an M-16 in the other, Fred Minnick accompanied combat troops on missions ranging from raids on suspected terrorist strongholds to public relations events including the opening of a school for girls.
	Backroads & Byways of Arizona by Jackie Dishner Backroads & Byways of Arizona takes readers on a tour through Arizona's backcountry. It offers off-the-beaten path ideas for day trips, drives and long weekends--the perfect companion guide to your other Arizona guidebooks.
	Forgotten Detroit by Paul Vachon. Through text and vintage photographs, Forgotten Detroit presents a collection of little known facts and anecdotes about Detroit history. Most of the images are from the original photo archives of the Detroit News and have never before appeared in print.
	Smart Parenting for Smart Kids: Nurturing Your Child's True Potential by by Eileen Kennedy-Moore and Mark S. Lowenthal A warm and practical guide for raising caring, capable kids. Chapters include: tempering perfectionism, handling cooperation and competition, developing motivation and finding joy.
	The Baby Bonding Book for Dads: Building a Closer Connection to Your New Baby by Jennifer Margulis and James di Properzio. A lively, informative book with gorgeous black and white photos of dads and babies (one reviewer called it "soft porn for new moms") written to inspire fathers to spend more time with their babies and small children.
	Air: Our Planet's Ailing Atmosphere by Hans Tammemagi. Air describes the beauty, importance and fragility of the atmosphere (the lung of the earth), how scientists unraveled its complexity and the increasingly vicious assault by pollution. This is a must-read for anyone concerned about global warming and the future of our industrial society.
	Montana Watering Holes: The Big Sky's Best Bars by Joan Melcher A blend of history, legend and first-person reporting, Montana Watering Holes celebrates the phenomenon of Montana saloons, which still function as social gathering spots — spread over the eastern plains and western mountains.
	The Complete Divorce Handbook by Brette Sember Expert advice on social, psychological, financial and legal issues written in an easy-to-understand manner. It includes deciding to divorce, separation, annulment, custody, child support, alimony, property settlements, enforcement, mediation and steps in the court process as well as resources, FAQs and forms.
	The Therapist's New Clothes by Judith D. Schwartz. A memoir about training as a psychotherapist -- as well as a cautionary tale about the seductions of therapy for both clinician and patient.
	Chicago's Fashion History: 1865-1945 by Mary Beth Klatt Chicago's Fashion History: 1865-1945 covers the early days of the Windy City's fashion industry with 128 pages filled with vintage photos from local archives, including some previously unpublished images of fads long gone.
	Energy: 25 Projects Investigate Why We Need Power & How We Get It by Kathleen M. Reilly. Kids ages 9 and up learn about the history and science of the world's sources of energy, from nonrenewable fossil fuels such as coal, oil, and natural gas to renewable energy sources such as solar and wind power.
	Bad Apples: How Manage Difficult Employees, Encourage Good Ones to Stay, and Boost Productivity by Brette Sember and Terrence Sember Practical strategies for improving iffy employees, getting rid of the ones who need to go and building a team that will work well together. This hands-on guide solves the most common management problem – troublesome employees – by taking apart the personality issues and offering real solutions.
	The Hard Times Guide to Retirement Security by Mark Miller America's baby boom generation has done a poor job preparing for retirement. Now, the economic crisis has ushered in a new reality that will be with us for years to come. Boomers must reexamine their retirement outlook: income, the role of work, and lifestyle expectations. The Hard Times Guide tackles the tough questions about retirement in the post-crash economy.
	Wicked Lexington, Kentucky by Fiona Young-Brown Despite its illustrious beginnings as the "Athens of the West," Lexington has always had a darker side lurking just beneath its glossy sheen. Filled with tales of infamous duels, cheating congressmen and much more, Wicked Lexington, Kentucky offers the first collection of the city's rowdy and raucous history.
	Tropical Depression by Arin Greenwood After suffering a lost job and a bad breakup, New York lawyer Nina Barker flees the increasingly painful world she knows in favor of what she imagines - quite wrongly, it turns out - will be a simpler life on the remote island of Miramar. Sometimes heartbreaking, often hilarious, Tropical Depression explores what happens when a person finds the change, adventure, and CIA agents she wasn't looking for.
	Novel Destinations: Literary Landmarks from Jane Austen's Bath to Ernest Hemingway's Key West by Shannon McKenna Schmidt and Joni Rendon. Explore 500 literary locales in the U.S. and Europe—author houses and museums, legendary libraries, festivals, walking tours, and storied places to drink, dine, and doze. The Chicago Tribune called this booklover's Baedeker "a fun read whether for armchair travelers or actual literary pilgrims."
	Moon Handbooks Acadia National Park by Hilary Nangle. Beyond the usual must-sees and must-dos in the region extending from the Blue Hill/Deer Isle Peninsula to the Petit Manan Peninsula, Nangle shares her favorite haunts in her home state. She guides readers to off-the-beaten-path hikes and sights, quirky museums and funky shops, little-known preserves for birding and pristine lakes for fishing, the best lobster shacks and seafood dives, and oceanfront lodgings ranging from charmingly ramshackle to full-service luxurious.
	You'd Be So Pretty If...: Teaching Our Daughters to Love Their Bodies -- Even When We Don't Love Our Own by Dara Chadwick. You'd Be So Pretty If... explains the powerful effect that a mother's self-image has on her daughter and shows how parents can break the cycle of "bad body image" during the sensitive teen and tween years. With humor and compassion, Chadwick offers real-world strategies and a fresh perspective on why a healthy body image is the greatest gift we can give -- not just to our daughters, but to ourselves.
	Legendary Locals of Detroit by Paul Vachon. This book reveals Detroit's history by way of biography. Over 100 profiles of impactful locals--some with national recognition--from the areas of politics, business, sports, religion and art describe the character of twentieth century Detroit in a different and unique way.
	The Field Guide to Horses by Samantha Johnson A complete guide to over 80 horse and pony breeds, including characteristics, history, and full-color photographs. Equine colors and markings are also thoroughly explained and illustrated, making this a comprehensive volume for any horse enthusiast.
	Balancing Pregnancy With Pre-Existing Diabetes: Healthy Mom, Healthy Baby by Cheryl Alkon An insider's guide to what it takes to do pregnancy with type 1 or type 2 diabetes right. Includes chapters on preconception, first, second and third trimesters, nutrition, medical tests, exercise, giving birth, and new parenthood, as well as an addendum on infertility and pregnancy loss.
	70 Things First Time Home Buyers Need To Know by Jim Kimmons One of the Turner Publishing "Good Things to Know" series, this book enables first time homebuyers to take control of the process by educating them in everything from the search through negotiation and the closing process.
	Better by Mistake: The Unexpected Benefits of Being Wrong by Alina Tugend. New York Times "ShortCuts" columnist Alina Tugend examines the delicate tension between what we’re told – that we must make mistakes in order to learn – and the reality that most of us dread and avoid mistakes. Drawing on fascinating in-depth research and behavioral studies, Alina’s book includes what the medical and aviation fields have taught us about the best ways to respond to errors, how and why men and women react differently to mistakes and how other cultures approach the concept of mistakes.
	The Complete Idiot's Guide to Eating Clean by Diane Welland M.S., R.D. Learn how to ditch processed foods and create amazing dishes using whole, all-natural foods. This book will show you how easy, healthy and delicious eating clean can be.
	Michelle Obama In Her Own Words by Lisa Rogak. This book draws on quotations from a variety of newspaper and magazine articles, transcripts, speeches, and TV interviews and profiles. The quotations date from Michelle's career as a high-powered corporate lawyer in Chicago and her high-powered executive jobs in the Chicago Mayor's office and at the University of Chicago, up through the election of November 5th, 2008.
	The Fossil Hunter: Dinosaurs, Evolution, and the Woman Whose Discoveries Changed the World by Shelley Emling. Mary Anning was only 12 years old when, in 1811, she discovered the first dinosaur skeleton -- of an ichthyosaur -- while fossil hunting on the cliffs of Lyme Regis, England. Charles Darwin drew on Mary's fossilized creatures as irrefutable evidence that life in the past was nothing like life in the present.
	Michigan's Upper Peninsula by Paul Vachon. Michigan's Upper Peninsula is a complete guidebook to traveling throughout the northern reaches of the Great Lake State. Here you'll find the latest information on recreation, accommodations, food and drink--plus the area's rich cultural heritage.
	The Complete Idiot's Guide to Vegan Eating for Kids by Dana Villamagna, MSJ, and Drew Villamagna, MD, MSc This book shows parents how they can raise a happy, healthy child on a vegan diet. This is the only book to present a complete plan for raising a vegan child and it includes 35 delicious vegan recipes for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, and snacks that especially appeal to children.
	Fun With the Family FLORIDA by Adele Woodyard and Stephen Morrill. What's new (and old) in the always-changing Sunshine State. Travel guide with ideas for hundreds of day trips with the kids.
	Spice & Ice - 60 Tongue-Tingling Cocktails by Kara Newman. Discover how to use fresh, seasonal ingredients and spicy flavorings such as chile peppers, ginger, and horseradish to maximum effect in your cocktails. With 60 drink recipes, from fruity to savory, there's something for everyone in Spice & Ice.
	Sounds Like Crazy by Shana Mahaffey. A darkly comic and ultimately healing story about Holly Miller, an Emmy Award-winning cartoon voiceover performer who has actual voices in her head, multiple personalities who make her career a huge success, and shield her from a terrible secret in her past.