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Showing 27661 - 27680 of 27949 items
By Brian Frazer. 2007
Does your blood pressure surge if the car in front of you turns without signaling? Do your neck veins pulsate…
when a cashier takes too long to ring you up? Does relaxing seem like it'll have to wait until you're dead? Then your name could very well be Brian Frazer. On paper, Frazer is the world's healthiest guy. He eats right, exercises regularly, gets plenty of sleep, has never smoked and has missed only one day of flossing in the last five years. But inside he's a swirling vortex of angst, capable of contracting a new malady every month. Once Frazer realized that all his ills were tied to stress, he went on a quixotic quest for calm, venturing into everything from Tai Chi, serotonin blockers and Kabbalah to an unfortunate incident involving pineapple-chicken curry at a Craniosacral therapy session. Never has the road to wellville taken so many unforeseen turns. Achingly funny, uncomfortably true and always entertaining, Hyperchondriac is just the medicine for anyone who wants to take it down a notch.By Bruce Handy. 2017
An irresistible, nostalgic, insightful—and &“consistently intelligent and funny&” (The New York Times Book Review)—ramble through classic children&’s literature from Vanity…
Fair contributing editor (and father of two) Bruce Handy.The dour New England Primer, thought to be the first American children&’s book, was first published in Boston in 1690. Offering children gems of advice such as &“Strive to learn&” and &“Be not a dunce,&” it was no fun at all. So how did we get from there to &“Let the wild rumpus start&”? And now that we&’re living in a golden age of children&’s literature, what can adults get out of reading Where the Wild Things Are and Goodnight Moon, or Charlotte&’s Web and Little House on the Prairie?A &“delightful excursion&” (The Wall Street Journal), Wild Things revisits the classics of every American childhood, from fairy tales to The Very Hungry Caterpillar, and explores the back stories of their creators, using context and biography to understand how some of the most insightful, creative, and witty authors and illustrators of their times created their often deeply personal masterpieces. Along the way, Handy learns what The Cat in the Hat says about anarchy and absentee parenting, which themes are shared by The Runaway Bunny and Portnoy&’s Complaint, and why Ramona Quimby is as true an American icon as Tom Sawyer or Jay Gatsby.It&’s a profound, eye-opening experience to re-encounter books that you once treasured decades ago. A clear-eyed love letter to the greatest children&’s books and authors from Louisa May Alcott and L. Frank Baum to Eric Carle, Dr. Seuss, Mildred D. Taylor, and E.B. White, Wild Things is &“a spirited, perceptive, and just outright funny account that will surely leave its readers with a new appreciation for childhood favorites&” (Publishers Weekly).By Ivan Doig. 1993
Ivan Doig’s companion memoir to his bestselling This House of Sky—inspired by the letters his mother wrote during World War…
II—is “a lyrical evocation of the Doigs’ gallantly hardscrabble existence and love for the unforgiving Montana mountains” (San Francisco Chronicle).Raised by his father and maternal grandmother, Ivan Doig grew up with only a vague memory of his mother, who died on his sixth birthday. Then he discovered a cache of her letters, and through them, a spunky, passionate, can-do woman emerged. His mother was as at home in the saddle as behind a sewing machine, and as in love with language as her son.In this prize-winning prequel to his acclaimed memoir This House of Sky, Doig brings to life his childhood before his mother’s death, and the family’s journey from the Montana mountains to the Arizona desert and back again. “Profoundly original and lustrous,” (Kirkus Reviews) Doig eloquently captures the texture of the American West during and after World War II, the fortune of a family, and one woman’s indomitable spirit. Doig is “a colloquial stylist without equal…and Heart Earth is a book that repeatedly proves the power of language” (Los Angeles Times).By Valerie Lawson. 1999
THE ONLY TRUE STORY BEHIND THE CREATOR OF MARY POPPINSThe remarkable life of P.L. Travers, the creator of Mary Poppins—perfect…
for fans of the movie Mary Poppins Returns and the original Disney classic!&“An arresting life…Lawson is superb at excavating the details.&” —Library JournalThe spellbinding stories of Mary Poppins, the quintessentially English and utterly magical nanny, have been loved by generations. She flew into the lives of the unsuspecting Banks family in a children&’s book that was instantly hailed as a classic, then became a household name when Julie Andrews stepped into the title role in Walt Disney&’s hugely successful and equally classic film. But the Mary Poppins in the stories was not the cheery film character. She was tart and sharp, plain and vain. She was a remarkable character. The story of Mary Poppins&’ creator, as this definitive biography reveals, is equally remarkable. The fabulous English nanny was actually conceived by an Australian, Pamela Lyndon Travers, who came to London in 1924 from Queensland as a journalist. She became involved with Theosophy, traveled in the literary circles of W.B. Yeats and T.S. Eliot, and became a disciple of the famed spiritual guru, Gurdjieff. She famously clashed with Walt Disney over the adaptation of the Mary Poppins books into film. Travers, whom Disney accused of vanity for &“thinking you know more about Mary Poppins than I do,&” was as tart and opinionated as Julie Andrews&’s big-screen Mary Poppins was cheery. Yet it was a love of mysticism and magic that shaped Travers&’s life as well as the character of Mary Poppins. The clipped, strict, and ultimately mysterious nanny who emerged from her pen was the creation of someone who remained inscrutable and enigmatic to the end of her ninety-six years. Valerie Lawson&’s illuminating biography provides the first full look whose personal journey is as intriguing as her beloved characters.By David Sokolin, Alexandra Bruce. 2008
Now more than ever, the value of Investment-Grade Wines (IGWs) and opportunities to invest in wine as an asset class…
are soaring. With a little research and a little risk, wine enthusiasts on every level will find it possible to gain big rewards in wine investment -- and there's never been a better time to try. IGWs have dependably outperformed blue chip stocks over the past 150 years, and the upscale wine market is still an area in which independent investors can profit handsomely. A third-generation wine merchant, and CEO of one of the largest rare-wine companies in the world, David Sokolin knows how to turn fine wine into cold cash. And he knows how you can, too. In simple, practical terms, Investing in Liquid Assets provides all the information you need to understand the economic principles that govern the world of fine wine and take advantage of the resources currently available. Using his insider's expertise, Sokolin defines Investment-Grade Wine and identifies the most financially important wine regions and styles. Defining the key players in the field, Sokolin shows you how to navigate the world of wine critics and understand the impact of their scores, and he explains why it's perfectly fine that your own personal tastes really don't matter. He offers tips on where to find reputable sources for fine wine, how to manage storage and resale, as well as all-important buying and selling strategies. In the second half of the book, he gives overviews of the world's greatest wine regions and offers his predictions about which regions and which wines are likely to represent the greatest investment opportunities in the near future. Providing information and tactics previously known only to successful professionals, Investing in Liquid Assets turns your passion for fine wine into a valuable resource that will pay for itself.By Claire Belton, Susanne Ng. 2020
Celebrate the tenth anniversary of Pusheen—the internet&’s favorite cartoon cat—with this colorful and fun collection of recipes that is filled…
with cookies, cakes, and other delicious treats.The ultimate cookbook for Pusheen fans and cat lovers alike, Let&’s Bake features forty vibrant recipes for sweet treats and savory snacks, inspired by the adorably plump and mischievous kitty. Each recipe is either Pusheen-shaped, or features Pusheen&’s face or the faces of her friends so these treats will satisfy your taste buds and tickle your funny bone. With recipes for home chefs of every skill level—from fruit tarts to donuts and beyond—there is something delicious for everyone in Let&’s Bake.Yes, world domination and eternal adoration can be yours!"The way to make a million dollars is to start a religion."Attributed…
to L. Ron Hubbard, founder of ScientologyWouldn't you like to control countless worshippers with a single word? To call forth bountiful offerings of gold and silver? Wouldn't you love to make your acolytes bow in awe of your greatness?Starting a new religion can be fun and profitable. You'll laugh along with Philip Athans (founder, leader, and sole member of the Church of Phil), as he shows you how to:Gather the flock and keep 'em coming back for moreOrganize mysterious and complex ritualsInterrogate (or just ridicule) the hell out of nonbelieversRecruit celebrity spokespeople, from Tom Cruise to Uma Thurman If you've ever felt the need to sacrifice on an altar beneath a blood-red moon, or just make Friday a holy day (three-day weekend, anyone?), this is the only sacred creed you need.Live long and prosper.By Dan Zevin. 2012
A coming-of-middle-age tale told with warmth and wit, Dan Gets a Minivan provides the one thing every parent really needs:…
comic relief. Whether you’re a dude, a dad, or someone who’s married to either, fasten your seat belt and prepare to crack up. The least hip citizen of Brooklyn, Dan Zevin has a working wife, two small children, a mother who visits each week to “help,” and an obese Labrador mutt who prefers to be driven rather than walked. How he got to this point is a bit of a blur. There was a wedding, and then there was a puppy. A home was purchased in New England. A wife was promoted and transferred to New York. A town house. A new baby boy. A new baby girl. A stay-at-home dad was born. A prescription for Xanax was filled. Gray hairs appeared; gray hairs fell out. Six years passed in six seconds. And then came the minivan. Dan Zevin, master of “Seinfeld-ian nothingness” (Time), is trying his best to make the transition from couplehood to familyhood. Acclimating to the adult-oriented lifestyle has never been his strong suit, and this slice-of-midlife story chronicles the whole hilarious journey—from instituting date night to joining Costco; from touring Disneyland to recovering from knee surgery; from losing ambition to gaining perspective. Where it’s all heading is anyone’s guess, but, for Dan, suburbia’s calling—and his minivan has GPS.By Bruce Sallee, David Hebert. 2014
All the basics of French--fast and easy!Whether you are planning a vacation, adding a valuable second language to your resume,…
or simply brushing up on your skills, The Everything Essential French Book is your perfect introduction to the French language. With easy-to-follow instructions and simple explanations, this portable guide covers the most important basics, including:The French alphabet, accents, and translation.Common French phrases and greetings.Everyday questions and answers.Verb tenses and sentence structure.How to place an order and give commands.The Everything Essential French Book has all you need to get from bonjour to au revoir in no time!By Jennifer M. Wood. 2011
This book is the short slap to the back of the head most people need nowadays. In a world that's…
more likely to flip the bird than hold the door, it's their reminder of proper behavior. You'll receive a (re-)schooling in manners with lessons split up by situation, then tackled by topic. Each note corrects conduct that's become all too common, like . . .Bad Behavior: Popping a piece of gum into your mouth midconversation, and stressing your point by snapping it.Courteous Fix: If you're going to have a piece of gum while talking to someone, be sure to offer your companion a piece--and keep your mouth closed as you chew. You want your breath to be fresh. Not your attitude.It's a reminder that it wasn't always out of place to be polite.By Jude Angelini. 2013
A collection of autobiographical stories, told with brutal honesty and dark humor, from one of the top hip-hop radio hosts…
on SiriusXM.Taking you on a journey of heartbreak, depravity, and hilarity, Hyena deftly moves between Jude Angelini&’s adult life to his childhood growing up in a factory town outside of Detroit. Exploring drugs, sex, and the human condition, these stories also captures the hardscrabble culture, language, and landscape of post-industrial Detroit, from which came some of pop culture&’s most compelling artists.By Meredith Masony. 2020
From the founder of That&’s Inappropriate—one of the most popular parenting blogs on the web—comes a hilarious, genuine, and relatable…
essay collection on the ups and downs of motherhood. Meredith Masony founded That&’s Inappropriate in 2014 as an innocent and humorous way to chronicle her chaotic days as a working mom, child wrangler, and busy wife. It soon evolved into a massive, dynamic community of parents—now nearly three million strong—brought together by their shared belief that parenthood and marriage don&’t have to be perfect.Now, in Ask Me What&’s for Dinner One More Time, Meredith shares her collection of witty essays on the universal frustrations of being a mom in today&’s world, presenting her laugh-out-loud perspective on sex, aging, anxiety, friendship, and much more. Perfect for fans of Jenny Lawson, Laura Clery, and Jen Mann, these essays provide laughter, relief, validation, and &“a metaphorical hug for all of those moments you spend crying on your bathroom floor, thinking that you are failing at the hardest job on the planet.&”By Stacy Schneider. 2008
It's all about getting even. We all know that women earn less than men, and unfortunately this also applies to…
the spoils of divorce. Veteran trial attorney and former divorce lawyer Stacy Schneider, Esq., knows what it takes to get women their fair share, and now, using examples from her own practice and her own divorce, she is making the strategies that worked for her available to you! In a single handbook, He Had It Coming answers your questions, calms your nerves, and walks you through the process with confidence and control. Centered around her one-of-a-kind Pre-Divorce Plan, Schneider guides you through a divorce lawsuit, revealing insider information, divorce success secrets, and tactics, including: the answer to the number one question asked by wives on the verge of divorce crucial planning measures to implement before the papers are filed a hidden asset search plan to help make sure you don't walk away with less than you deserve tried-and-true stealth negotiation techniques to get you what you want how you can possibly save thousands of dollars by handling aspects of divorce yourself the way to hit a cheating spouse in his wallet. Packed with checklists, strategic tips, sample practice dialogues, and firsthand pointers, He Had It Coming is the ultimate companion guide for any woman changing her "I do" to an "I don't."By E. Foley, B. Coates. 2018
&“Fun, cheeky&” (Booklist), and a visual delight, What Would Cleopatra Do? shares the wisdom and advice passed down from Cleopatra,…
Queen Victoria, Dorothy Parker, and forty-seven other heroines from past eras on how to handle common problems women have encountered throughout history and still face today.What Would Cleopatra Do? tackles issues by reminding us of inspiring feminists from the past, telling their stories with warmth, humor, and verve. From sticking up for yourself, improving body image, deciding whether to have children, finding a mentor, getting dumped, feeling like an imposter, being unattractive, and dealing with gossip, we can learn a lot by reading motivational stories of heroic women who, living in much tougher times through history, took control of their own destinies and made life work for them.Here are Cleopatra&’s thoughts on sibling rivalry, Mae West on positive body image, Frida Kahlo on finding your style, Catherine the Great on dealing with gossip, Agatha Christie on getting dumped, Hedy Lamarr on being underestimated—to list only a few—as well as others who address dilemmas including career-planning, female friendship, loneliness, financial management, and political engagement.Featuring whimsical illustrations by L.A.-based artist Bijou Karman, What Would Cleopatra Do? is a distinctive, witty, and gift-worthy tribute to history&’s outstanding women.By Stephan Schiffman. 1995
"25 Sales Mistakes is essential for any professional or organization committed to sales excellence."--Michael A. Berman, Chief Operating Officer, Outside…
VenturesIn the newest edition of this valuable manual, Stephan Schiffman offers updated advice to salespeople about getting prospects and making the sale. It's not just what you do--it's what you don't do:Don't sell against a competitorDon't be satisfiedDon't stop getting ideasDon't use boilerplate proposalsDon't overuse e-mail The book also includes a new introduction and updated text. Schiffman offers salespeople the kind of advice--from listening to the client to following up on the sale--that has made him the best corporate sales trainer today. With Schiffman's book in their pocket, salepeople can avoid common blunders and make the sale.This collection of quotes, trivia, and exclusive behind-the-scenes material, focused on everyone&’s favorite bad guy—the violent, foul-mouthed, and charismatic psychopath…
Negan—is an essential guide for all fans of both the AMC television show The Walking Dead and the original comic book series.The Walking Dead is a cultural phenomenon that has infected the minds of zombie-loving fans worldwide. Whether you&’re familiar with the hit television show, the comic book series, or both, one of the most memorable characters is Negan—the barbed-wire baseball-bat-wielding leader of the Saviors. Now, in The Quotable Negan, you can discover fun and fascinating trivia, his most bad-ass quotable moments, and much more. This is the perfect gift for any fan of The Walking Dead&’s most infamous villain.By Lindsay Harrison. 2011
A beautifully written, intensely poignant memoir that looks at grief, family dynamics, and what happens when your world comes crashing…
down.A twenty-five-year-old recent graduate of Columbia University’s MFA program, Lindsay Harrison began writing Missing as a way to cope with a terrible loss. During her sophomore year at Brown University, Lindsay received a phone call from her brother that her mother was missing. Forty days later they discover the unthinkable: their mother’s body had been found in the ocean. Missing is at first a page-turning account of those first forty days, as it chronicles dealings with detectives, false sightings, wild hope, and deep despair. The balance of the story is a candid, emotional exploration of a daughter’s search for solace after tragedy as she tries to understand who her mother truly was, makes peace with her grief, and becomes closer to her father and brothers as her mother’s death forces her to learn more about her mother than she ever knew before.By R. Andrew Wilson. 2009
The bad news is: You have to learn to write. The good news is: Learning to write just became easier.In…
this book, writers learn to write like they were born that way from one of America&’s greatest literary geniuses—Ernest Hemingway. Noted writing teacher Dr. R. Andrew Wilson calls writers to an adventure in writing Hemingway himself would love. Along the way they discover what really makes him a Great Writer, and how they can apply those lessons in voice, character, setting, and more to enhance their own writing. Whether agonizing over style, perfecting prose, or puzzling out plot, student writers find the answers they need to write their own masterworks. They&’ll also benefit from Papa&’s advice to beginning writers, comments on the work of other great authors, and daily writing habits. In this enlightening and informative book, writers find the mentor they need to master the art of writing.By Jason Kreher, Matt Moore. 2015
Sadism on a stick!Get ready for the bitter taste of SchadenFreezers! This dark twist on your favorite frozen treat has…
some serious bite. From racist grandmas to underappreciated janitors, no one is safe in this compilation of colorfully depraved jokes!What kind of sandwich does a ballerina eat? (Yeah right.)Why did the circus close? (A long, chilling list of animal rights violations.)How many lives does a cat have? (Only one.)By Rickey Smiley. 2017
Part memoir, part testimonial, and part life guide, Stand by Your Truth mixes Rickey Smiley&’s down-home humor with the values…
he learned from being raised by three generations of elders, steeped in the Baptist church, and mentored by some of the most celebrated comics in the entertainment industry today.&“I&’m very passionate about everything that I do and I don&’t play any games. I just keep it honest. I don&’t put on airs. That&’s the only way you can be. If you tell one lie, you&’ve got to tell another lie. I&’m cool with who I am. What you see is what you get.&” Stand-up comic. Single dad. Radio personality. TV star. Prankster. Producer. Community activist. Man of faith.Visit a church, comedy club, college campus, or barber shop, and you&’ll find few people who aren&’t familiar with, or fans of, Rickey Smiley. At least four million listeners in more than seventy markets tune in every weekday morning to hear him banter with his radio show crew, hilariously prank call an unsuspecting listener, and perform skits featuring his one-man cast of characters, including &“Lil Darryl,&” &“Beauford,&” and &“Joe Willie.&”But in between the rapid-fire jokes and celebrity dish are flashes of how Rickey views the world, from the challenges of raising children, to the importance of education, to the need to always stand by your own truth. After more than two decades in the spotlight, Rickey is finally ready to delve more deeply into the opinions he voices on the air, riffing on those issues that his listeners, viewers, and fans find most important. This collection of personal and powerful essays will speak to readers from all walks of life, and is sure to inspire you to Stand by Your Truth.