The River of My Fear
               By Linda Lyons (PublishAmerica Inc.; $19.95). Growing up on the river left Ms. Lyons, a Bellevue native, with a familiarity of undercurrents. While the undertow now is just a literal device, it still maintains a powerful force in this semi-autobiographical tale of a turbulent early life on an equally turbulent river.

John Nolen and Mariemont: Building a New Town in Ohio
               By Millard F. Rogers, Jr. (Johns Hopkins University Press; $42.50). Mariemont was regarded throughout the nation during the 1920s as a model planned community. Mr. Rogers, former Director of the Cincinnati Art Museum, traces the planning and development through its designer, the Harvard-trained John Nolen. Mr. Nolen's stamp on the village included green space, a commercial area and mixed-income housing. Obligatory reading for residents past and present.

Two Truths and a Lie
               By Katrina Kittle (Warner Books; $22.95). Duplicity, inner truths untold and thwarted passion. Yeah, we've heard it all before, but not from Ms. Kittle who weaves her deceptive yarn all over the streets of Cincinnati. Actress and habitual liar Dair Canard comes up with the mother of all fabrications after the death of a fellow actor. Always surprising, sometimes over the top, Ms. Kittle follows up last year's Traveling Light with equal aplomb.

Between Brothers
               By C. Kelly Robinson (Villard Books; $13.95). This Dayton writer's debut novel, originally self published, follows four friends during their last year of college in suburban Washington, D.C. After helping to save a community center, each character goes through a period of personal examination that ultimately leads to their later roles as husbands, fathers and community leaders.

A Spring Fed Pond
               By James Baker Hall (Crystal Publications; $49.95) Kentucky's Poet Laureate brings together the varying styles and backgrounds of five well-known writers who are his friends — Bobby Ann Mason, Wendell Berry, Ed McClanahan, Gurny Norman and Mary Ann-Taylor Hall — through the use of casual and portrait photography. He documents a unique generation of writers in the annals of Kentucky literature.

Also
               'Tis a Gift to be Free (Ave Marie Press; $9.95) Price Hill's Sister of Mercy Virginia Froehle has put together a guide using practical spirituality to become free of daily hindrances. . . . The Custodian from the Black Lagoon (Scholastic; $3.25; ages 6-9). Lebanon illustrator Jared Lee's improvisational illustrations again drive the humorous story by long-time collaborator Mike Thaler. The ninth entry in the Lagoon series. . . . A Cup of Comfort (Adams Media; $9.95). Cincinnatian Ed Nickum contributes to this inspirational collection with a piece about his father's battle with cancer and his difficulty sharing feelings with his son during his last days. . . . Out of the Blue into History (Aviatrix Publishing; $54.95). Betty Turner of West Chester has compiled a lengthy history of the WASP's (Women Air Force Pilots) during World War II. Herself a WASP, she collected 670 life stories of other pilots. Astronaut Cady Coleman and General Paul Tibbetts provide forewards. . . . Leonard Lippert: Rediscovering the Art and the Man (Artleaf Publishing; $49). At the center of the Cincinnati art scene for the first half of the 20th century, Mr. Lippert remains largely regarded as a portrait artist. His grandson, Thomas Lippert, brings the artist's true mark on the city to life through wonderfully reproduced murals, landscapes and still lifes.

        Contact Rob Stout by mail: Tempo-Books, 312 Elm St., Cincinnati OH 45202; or fax: (513) 768-8330.

Playhouse hums with 'Beehive'
ICP does profanity, not profound
KNIPPENBERG: NYC gets good look at Naked Cowboy
Phoenix produces mixed 'Menagerie'
Get to it
Teacher's favorite shopping spot? Asia
Reading designer wins bridal award
'Too High' piles on weird, wacky and snakes
Tristate best sellers list
Local Lit: Latest titles
What Tristaters are reading
Arriving & happening in area bookstores
Black ties swapped for baggies
New material makes for classic Dylan