The all-time Classic schoolroom drama - as relevant as today's headlines.
He shamed them, wrestled with them, enlightened them, and - ultimately - learned to love them. Mr. Braithwaite, the new teacher, had first to fight the class bully. Then he taught defiant, hard-bitten delinquents to call him "Sir," and to address the girls who had grown up beside them in the gutter as "Miss".
He taught them to wash their faces and to read Shakespeare. When he took all forty-six to museums and to the opera, riots were predicted. But instead of a catastrophe, a miracle happened. A dedicated teacher had turned hate into love, teenage rebelliousness into self-respect, contempt into consideration for others.
A man's own integrity - his concern and love for others - had won through. This is the story of a man's integrity winning through against the odds in a tough London school where he slowly and painfully breaks down the barriers of racial prejudice.
What does “feminism” mean today? That is the question at the heart of We Should All Be Feminists, a personal, eloquently-argued essay—adapted from her much-viewed TEDx talk of the same name—by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, the award-winning author of Americanah and Half of a Yellow Sun. With humor and levity, here Adichie offers readers a unique definition of feminism for the twenty-first century—one rooted in inclusion and awareness. She shines a light not only on blatant discrimination, but also the more insidious, institutional behaviors that marginalize women around the world, in order to help readers of all walks of life better understand the often masked realities of sexual politics. Throughout, she draws extensively on her own experiences—in the U.S., in her native Nigeria, and abroad—offering an artfully nuanced explanation of why the gender divide is harmful for women and men, alike. Argued in the same observant, witty and clever prose that has made Adichie a bestselling novelist, here is one remarkable author’s exploration of what it means to be a woman today—and an of-the-moment rallying cry for why we should all be feminists.
Bill Courtney is a familiar name to those who saw him in Undefeated, the Oscar-winning movie about the high school football team he coached in a downtrodden section of North Memphis. Now, in his first book, Against the Grain, Courtney describes the key principles— including service, civility, leadership, character, commitment, and forgiveness—that have helped young people and adults to live better and more fulfilled lives.
Courtney has also passed along these values to his 120 employees at the lumber company he built from scratch. A former drug addict became a line manager and loving family man; an out-of-control cornerback is now a cadet at West Point; a star running back has discovered he can show his emotions and still be strong. Courtney, Esquire magazine’s Coach of the Year in 2012, shares these and other compelling stories to illustrate how readers can enrich themselves their families, their businesses, and their communities.
Courtney goes against the grain of today’s me-first culture, while explaining why these time-tested principles are needed now more than ever. He shows that winning isn’t just about the score at the end of the game, or the profit margin. Ultimately, it’s about the impact you make on your fellow human beings and the legacy you leave behind.
In the New York Times bestseller that the Washington Post called Lean In for misfits, Sophia Amoruso shares her journey from dumpster diving to founding one of the fastest-growing retailers in the world.
Amoruso spent her teens hitchhiking, committing petty theft, and scrounging in dumpsters for leftover bagels. By age twenty-two, she had dropped out of school and was broke, directionless, and checking IDs in the lobby of an art school—a job she’d taken for the health insurance. It was in that lobby that Sophia decided to start selling vintage clothes on eBay.
Flash forward to today, and she’s the founder of Nasty Gal and the founder and CEO of Girlboss. Sophia was never a typical CEO, or a typical anything, and she’s written #GIRLBOSS for other girls like her: outsiders (and insiders) seeking a unique path to success, even when that path is windy as all hell and lined with naysayers.
#GIRLBOSS proves that being successful isn’t about where you went to college or how popular you were in high school. It’s about trusting your instincts and following your gut; knowing which rules to follow and which to break; when to button up and when to let your freak flag fly.
Please Note: This is a summary of the book and not the original book.
In The Gifts of Imperfection by Brene Brown, this 30-minute summary helps readers embrace who they are by letting go of who they think they’re supposed to be. The summary provides an overview of the book, introduces key people, and analyzes all chapters, offering key takeaways and a reader's perspective.
Chapter 1: It is necessary to practice courage, compassion, and connection daily to develop worthiness. Attempting to win someone over often means trading our sense of self for approval. True connection is formed when we share our stories of shame and embrace vulnerability, which strengthens relationships.
Courage is about speaking honestly and being vulnerable, asking for what we need, and risking disappointment. It creates a ripple effect, encouraging others to be brave.
Compassion is recognizing our shared humanity and accepting ourselves and others. It requires setting boundaries and holding others accountable.
Connection is the energy between people who feel seen, heard, and valued without judgment, strengthening them emotionally, physically, spiritually, and intellectually.
Chapter 2: Love and belonging are essential, and to experience these, one must believe they are worthy. Wholeheartedness involves believing in one's worthiness now, as they are.
The Autistic Brain: Thinking Across the Spectrum is a groundbreaking exploration into the science of autism, authored by the renowned Temple Grandin and Richard Panek.
Weaving her own experiences with remarkable new discoveries, Grandin introduces the neuroimaging advances and genetic research that link brain science to behavior. She even shares her own brain scans from numerous studies. Readers will meet the scientists and self-advocates who are introducing innovative theories about what causes autism, how it is diagnosed, and how best to treat it.
Grandin highlights long-ignored sensory problems and the treatments that might help them, and warns of the dangers of politics defining the diagnosis of autism spectrum.
Most excitingly, in the science that has begun to reveal the long-overlooked strengths conferred by autism, she finds a route to more effective mainstreaming and a way to unleash the unique advantages of autistic people. From the "aspies" in Silicon Valley to the five-year-old without language, Grandin understands the true meaning of the word spectrum.
The Autistic Brain is essential reading from one of the most respected and beloved voices in the field.
Black Elk Speaks is an extraordinary account of the life of Lakota healer, Nicholas Black Elk. This remarkable narrative reveals the profound spiritual visions of Black Elk, showcasing his experiences as he led his tribe against the encroaching white settlers threatening their homes and buffalo herds.
Through the eyes of Black Elk, we witness the pivotal battles of Little Bighorn and the tragic events at Wounded Knee. Black Elk Speaks is more than just a biography; it is a spiritual testament and a vivid historical document that captures the essence of Native American struggles and triumphs during the late 19th century.
This beautifully narrated edition includes the three prefaces written by John G. Neihardt, a celebrated poet and writer, along with a map of Black Elk’s world, and stunning color paintings by Lakota artist Standing Bear.
Whether appreciated as a collaborative autobiography, a history of a Native American nation, or an enduring spiritual classic, Black Elk Speaks remains an unforgettable journey into the heart of Native American spirituality and resilience.
Paige Alder is in a really good place. She’s dating nice guy Tyler. Her boss has offered her a raise. Her walk with God is strong. Life is great—and that’s when things start to change.
First, the youth pastor at church keeps asking Paige to work with him full-time. Then her sister shows up newly engaged and wanting to reconnect, even though they haven’t spoken in years. And now former boyfriend Luke has come back into her life. How is Paige supposed to know what the right decisions are?
This warm and humorous second book in the Paige Alder series will help young girls work through important issues, such as forgiving others and obeying God.
More American women are childless than ever before—nearly half those of childbearing age don’t have children. While our society often assumes these women are “childfree by choice,” that’s not always true. In reality, many of them expected to marry and have children, but it simply hasn’t happened. Wrongly judged as picky or career-obsessed, they make up the “Otherhood,” a growing demographic that has gone without definition or visibility until now.
In Otherhood, author Melanie Notkin reveals her own story as well as the honest, poignant, humorous, and occasionally heartbreaking stories of women in her generation—women who expected love, marriage, and parenthood, but instead found themselves facing a different reality. She addresses the reasons for this shift, the social and emotional impact it has on our collective culture, and how the “new normal” will affect our society in the decades to come.
Notkin aims to reassure women that they are not alone and encourages them to find happiness and fulfillment no matter what the future holds. A groundbreaking exploration of an essential contemporary issue, Otherhood inspires thought-provoking conversation and gets at the heart of our cultural assumptions about single women and childlessness.
My dream then was to play baseball for the New York Yankees. I was on the Stuyvesant baseball team, but because of my working hours, my playing time was limited. My first dream to become a corporate president by the time I was 35 years of age was fulfilled.
Experience the ups and downs of a life well lived in Bill Morgenstein's compelling new memoir, The Crazy Life of a Kid from Brooklyn. While first reminiscing upon his childhood in Brooklyn during the depression, Morgenstein traces his life through times of war, peace, and everything in between.
At times funny and heartbreaking, The Crazy Life of a Kid in Brooklyn details Morgenstein's enlistment in the US Army, his days running a $55 million dollar company, his despair at losing it all to a scam, and much more. His chance encounters with such historical figures as Sergeant York, Cordell Hull, Sid Gordon, Jomo Kenyatta, and Vince Camuto provide amusing cultural touchstones that reveal a willingness to embrace everything life has to offer.
Through all the successful, disappointing, dangerous, educational, and enlightening experiences that have shaped his life, Morgenstein remains philosophical as he explores the roles of ethics, honesty, and unfailing determination in shaping the human experience.
On odd days, Tripp uses a school practice room to let loose on a borrowed guitar. Eyes closed, strumming that beat-up instrument, Tripp escapes to a world where only the music matters.
On even days, Lyla Marks uses the same practice room. To Tripp, she's trying to become even more perfect—she's already a straight-A student and an award-winning cellist. But when Lyla begins leaving notes for him in between the strings of the guitar, his life intersects with hers in a way he never expected.
What starts as a series of snippy notes quickly blossoms into the sharing of interests, secrets, and dreams, and the forging of a very unlikely friendship. Challenging each other to write songs, they begin to connect, even though circumstances threaten to tear them apart.
From beloved author Mary Amato comes a YA novel of wit and wisdom, both heartfelt and heartbreaking, about the power of music and the unexpected chords that draw us together.
The latest novel from the #1 internationally best-selling author of The Alchemist. There is nothing wrong with anxiety. Although we cannot control God's time, it is part of the human condition to want to receive the thing we are waiting for as quickly as possible. Or to drive away whatever is causing our fear. Anxiety was born in the very same moment as mankind. And since we will never be able to master it, we will have to learn to live with it—just as we have learned to live with storms.
July 14, 1099. Jerusalem awaits the invasion of the crusaders who have surrounded the city’s gates. There, inside the ancient city’s walls, men and women of every age and every faith have gathered to hear the wise words of a mysterious man known only as the Copt. He has summoned the townspeople to address their fears with truth: "Tomorrow, harmony will become discord. Joy will be replaced by grief. Peace will give way to war.... None of us can know what tomorrow will hold, because each day has its good and its bad moments. So, when you ask your questions, forget about the troops outside and the fear inside. Our task is not to leave a record of what happened on this date for those who will inherit the Earth; history will take care of that. Therefore, we will speak about our daily lives, about the difficulties we have had to face."
The people begin with questions about defeat, struggle, and the nature of their enemies; they contemplate the will to change and the virtues of loyalty and solitude; and they ultimately turn to questions of beauty, love, wisdom, sex, elegance, and what the future holds. "What is success?" poses the Copt. "It is being able to go to bed each night with your soul at peace."
Now, these many centuries later, the wise man's answers are a record of the human values that have endured throughout time. And, in Paulo Coelho's hands, The Manuscript Found in Accra reveals that who we are, what we fear, and what we hope for the future come from the knowledge and belief that can be found within us, and not from the adversity that surrounds us.
Writing at the height of her narrative and imaginative gifts, Sue Monk Kidd presents a masterpiece of hope, daring, the quest for freedom, and the desire to have a voice in the world. Hetty “Handful” Grimke, an urban slave in early nineteenth century Charleston, yearns for life beyond the suffocating walls that enclose her within the wealthy Grimke household. The Grimke’s daughter, Sarah, has known from an early age she is meant to do something large in the world, but she is hemmed in by the limits imposed on women.
Kidd’s sweeping novel is set in motion on Sarah’s eleventh birthday, when she is given ownership of ten year old Handful, who is to be her handmaid. We follow their remarkable journeys over the next thirty five years, as both strive for a life of their own, dramatically shaping each other’s destinies and forming a complex relationship marked by guilt, defiance, estrangement and the uneasy ways of love. As the stories build to a riveting climax, Handful will endure loss and sorrow, finding courage and a sense of self in the process. Sarah will experience crushed hopes, betrayal, unrequited love, and ostracism before leaving Charleston to find her place alongside her fearless younger sister, Angelina, as one of the early pioneers in the abolition and women’s rights movements.
Inspired by the historical figure of Sarah Grimke, Kidd goes beyond the record to flesh out the rich interior lives of all of her characters, both real and invented, including Handful’s cunning mother, Charlotte, who courts danger in her search for something better. This exquisitely written novel is a triumph of storytelling that looks with unswerving eyes at a devastating wound in American history, through women whose struggles for liberation, empowerment, and expression will leave no reader unmoved.
Not Open challenges Christians to remain open, loving, and caring towards others, while also being not open to cultural influences that detract from biblical truths. In today's world, where only 1% of the Millennial generation and 9% of adults maintain a biblical worldview, the authors stress the importance of standing firm on the Word of God.
Culture demands acceptance of its views on morality, family, love, and spirituality, eroding the truth and power of Christian life. This book is a beacon, exposing the deceptions of compromise and urging believers to live a powerful, undiluted life through the truth of Jesus Christ and God's Word.
Join the battle against cultural compromise and embrace the powerful, life-altering path planned for you and your family.
The Hen Who Dreamed She Could Fly tells the heartwarming story of a hen named Sprout, who is no longer content to lay eggs on command. She dreams of a different life, inspired by the glimpses of freedom she sees every morning through the barn doors. Determined to escape into the wild and hatch an egg of her own, Sprout embarks on a journey of freedom, individuality, and motherhood.
This novel, with its plucky and spirited heroine, is an anthem for those who dare to defy tradition and follow their dreams. Set against the backdrop of Korea, it offers readers a unique cultural perspective while resonating with universal themes.
With a delightful cast of animal characters, including the hen, the duck, the rooster, the dog, and the weasel, this story is reminiscent of classics like Animal Farm and Charlotte’s Web. The first English-language edition of Sun-mi Hwang’s fable beautifully captures the unforgettable journey of Sprout, making it a treasured addition to world literature.
Happily Ever After... Or Happily Nevermore?
Gisela's childhood was filled with laughter and visits from nobles such as the duke and his young son. But since her father's death, each day has been filled with nothing but servitude to her stepmother.
So when Gisela meets the duke's son, Valten—the boy she has daydreamed about for years—and learns he is throwing a ball, she vows to attend, even if it's only for a taste of a life she'll never have.
To her surprise, she catches Valten's eye. Though he is rough around the edges, Gisela finds Valten has completely captured her heart. But other forces are bent on keeping the two from falling further in love, putting Gisela in more danger than she ever imagined.
Demi Lovato wakes up each morning and affirms her commitment to herself—to her health, her happiness, her being. Those commitments are the bedrock of her recovery and her work helping other young people dealing with the issues she lives with every single day. Demi is a platinum-selling recording artist whose latest album—DEMI—is already a smash hit. She's about to embark on her second season as a judge on X-Factor, and just launched The Lovato Treatment Scholarship Program. And she is an outspoken advocate for young people everywhere.
Demi is also a young woman finding her way in the world. She has dealt deftly with her struggles in the face of public scrutiny, and she has always relied, not just on friends and family, but daily affirmations of her self-worth and value. Affirmations that steady her days and strengthen her resolve. Those affirmations have grown into STAYING STRONG, a powerful 365-day collection of Demi's most powerful, honest, and hopeful insights. Each day will provide the readers with a quote, a personal reflection and a goal. These are Demi's words. Words she lives by and shares with the people she loves and total strangers alike. They are a powerful testament to a young woman standing up and fighting back.
The First Phone Call from Heaven tells the story of a small town on Lake Michigan that gets worldwide attention when its citizens start receiving phone calls from the afterlife. Is it the greatest miracle ever or a massive hoax? Sully Harding, a grief-stricken single father, is determined to find out.
An allegory about the power of belief—and a page-turner that will touch your soul—Albom's masterful storytelling has never been so moving and unexpected. Readers of The Five People You Meet in Heaven will recognize the warmth and emotion so redolent of Albom's writing, and those who haven't yet enjoyed the power of his storytelling, will thrill at the discovery of one of the best-loved writers of our time.
What do we do when life lurches out of balance? How can we reconnect to one another and to what's sustaining, when evil and catastrophe seem inescapable?
These questions lie at the heart of Stitches, Anne Lamott's profound follow-up to her New York Times-bestselling work, Help, Thanks, Wow. In this book, she explores how we find meaning and peace in these loud and frantic times; where we start again after personal and public devastation; how we recapture wholeness after loss; and how we locate our true identities in this frazzled age.
We begin, Lamott says, by collecting the ripped sheets of our emotional and spiritual fabric and sewing them back together - one stitch at a time. It's in these stitches that the quilt of life begins, and embedded in them are strength, warmth, humour and humanity.
Mavis was born to be a songbird. Her parents named her after one, a bird with a distinctive song worthy of poetry. With her wings clipped by circumstance, Mavis spent six years of her life grounded and her dream of soaring flight almost forgotten. Unexpectedly, Mavis discovers she has a choice: accept a life that is ordinary or be among the one percent that shine. It is a long way to the top in the Australian music industry and more than a name needs to change in order to succeed. It is a gruelling challenge with exhausting demands and subtle traps for the uninitiated. Can Mavis make it? Can she build a better life for herself and her son? Can she have it all?
Every generation that has faced life's challenges and who has tried to find the balance between career, parenthood, and having it all will find resonance with the themes of discovery, triumphing against the odds, reinvention, disparate families, parenting, friendship, and the nature of love; themes that resonate with all ages.
Life Song is a joyfully triumphant confection that resonates with layers of interest. The core of this novel centres on Mavis Mills' resolve to be in charge of her life and captain of her creativity. It is a story that celebrates the power of belief in oneself and of friends and supporters. In terms of its chick-lit appeal, Life Song ticks all the boxes. It is a blend of wry humour and vivid storytelling and the outcome is satisfying without being cloying. There is sizzle but no awkward sex scenes to navigate. Relationships are deftly drawn and realistically portrayed reflecting the passion with which people live life. The story draws from three generations of women who learn to make their own brave, sometimes foolish, sometimes late-applied choices to achieve a better life. Male characters are as diverse and complex as the female characters. Life Song is a story which can be read as an adventure with a wonderfully funny, distinctly visual narrating style. It can also be reflected on as a snapshot of Australian lifestyle and culture in the 1990s. The author has some great insights about the emergence of women who lead their own bands. This is the sort of novel that delights on a day when the sofa calls. Its appeal is universal.
On a lazy Sunday morning, two young people are wheeled into Room No. 509 of GKL super specialty hospital.
A brilliant nineteen-year-old medical student, suffering from an incurable, fatal disease, is hurtling towards a slow, painful, uncertain death.
A wasteful twenty-five-year-old drug addict, with no appreciation of life, finds every organ system of his body slowly shutting down.
Two prodigious doctors, fighting their own demons from the past, strive to keep these two patients alive, putting their medical licenses at risk. Death looms in the tiny 12x13-foot room as they fight for every breath of their lives, even as the doctors put them through unapproved experimental treatments to prolong their lives.
How will the last month of pain and struggle change their lives? How will it transform the doctors who work steadfastly to make them live a little longer?
Don't Make Me Beautiful is a romantic suspense novel by New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Elle Casey. This story, inspired by true events, explores themes of survival, healing, and the power of love.
At twenty-two, Nicole's life has been overshadowed by a monster, leaving her to hide in darkness, believing she deserves nothing more. Her world is changed unexpectedly when an autographed baseball from Brian Jensen enters her life, offering a glimmer of hope and the potential for transformation.
Temptation and fear intermingle as Nicole grapples with the idea of accepting help and revealing her deepest secrets. Despite knowing the pain hands can cause, she dares to hope they might also heal.
Elle Casey sheds light on the important subject of domestic violence, crafting a narrative that is both heart-wrenching and heartwarming. Nicole's journey of restoration and courage is a testament to the strength found in vulnerability and the possibility of a second chance at life.
Note: This book contains themes of violence and adult situations, making it suitable for mature readers.
Brain on Fire: My Month of Madness is a powerful memoir by Susannah Cahalan that delves deep into her personal struggle with a mysterious medical condition. This riveting medical mystery goes beyond a simple recounting of events, exploring the profound impact on her identity and life.
At the age of twenty-four, Susannah woke up in a hospital room, strapped to her bed, unable to move or speak, and with no memory of how she got there. Just days before, she was embarking on a new chapter in her life, with a promising career and a budding relationship. Suddenly, she found herself labeled as violent, psychotic, and a flight risk.
In this breathtaking narrative, Cahalan shares her descent into madness, her family's unwavering faith, and the lifesaving diagnosis that almost didn't happen. The book brings readers into the harrowing journey of piecing her life back together using memories, journals, and hospital records.
Brain on Fire is not only a personal story but a universal one, asking profound questions about identity, sanity, and the human spirit's resilience in the face of unimaginable challenges.
Survivor... a word continuously thought of when reading this memoir.
Upon the release of The Freedom Writers Diary and film adaptation starring Hilary Swank in 2007, Darrius Garrett realized that both book and movie tell the Freedom Writer Story as a whole, but not on a personal level. During speaking engagements, the same questions always surface: 'Did Ms. Gruwell change you? How did you make it out of the gang life? What stopped you from killing yourself?' Darrius's answers are inside.
Diary of a Freedom Writer takes you on a journey beyond the classrooms to the treacherous streets of Long Beach, California. An innocent little boy born in poverty and raised in a violent environment, Darrius became a product of the streets, written off by the school and judicial systems alike, growing up in an environment full of gangs and drugs. He spent his life searching for a father figure until he became a Freedom Writer, motivational speaker, and finally a father himself. His story is that of a man realizing his experiences are what made him the man he has been seeking to be all his life.
Upon beating the odds, Diary of a Freedom Writer serves as proof that Darrius's story of struggle, life, change, and hope will uplift, educate, encourage, and inspire.
The Tarnished Shooter is a gripping tale of survival and resilience in the face of adversity. Frank Henry Barker, a young boy, navigates a life fraught with challenges, always striving to see the brighter side while enduring the harshness imposed by his father.
The story delves into the long-term consequences of childhood trauma and abuse, painting a vivid picture of Frank's journey through life. Up on the fifth floor of a building that seemed like a place of no return, Frank finds himself at the mercy of his circumstances, leading to moments of intense drama where he holds everyone at gunpoint during a fit of rage.
Suffering from undiagnosed P.T.S.D., Frank's life is a testament to the struggles of a mid-western small town delinquent. From poverty and parental abuse to bullying at school and a stint in the Marine Corps, his story is rich with the reality of the choices one makes and their consequences. Based on actual events, this book offers an adventure through the human psyche, highlighting the importance of understanding and compassion.
Passion and Purity is a timeless classic that has guided countless individuals in understanding how to align their love lives with Christ's teachings.
Elisabeth Elliot, using her own life as a testament, offers guidance to singles of all ages and genders on the importance of bringing their romantic lives under the authority of Jesus Christ. This essential read addresses key dating issues such as:
Through letters, diary entries, and personal memories, Elisabeth Elliot shares her love story with Jim Elliot, highlighting the challenges and triumphs of choosing Christ above all.
In a culture where dating, sex, and intimacy often overshadow deeper connections, Elliot's message is a refreshing call to purity and commitment. This beautifully repackaged edition continues to inspire and guide today's youth toward a love that honors God.
For readers of Laura Hillenbrand's Seabiscuit and Unbroken, the dramatic story of the American rowing team that stunned the world at Hitler's 1936 Berlin Olympics.
Daniel James Brown's robust book tells the story of the University of Washington's 1936 eight-oar crew and their epic quest for an Olympic gold medal, a team that transformed the sport and grabbed the attention of millions of Americans. The sons of loggers, shipyard workers, and farmers, the boys defeated elite rivals first from eastern and British universities and finally the German crew rowing for Adolf Hitler in the Olympic games in Berlin, 1936.
The emotional heart of the story lies with one rower, Joe Rantz, a teenager without family or prospects, who rows not for glory, but to regain his shattered self-regard and to find a place he can call home. The crew is assembled by an enigmatic coach and mentored by a visionary, eccentric British boat builder, but it is their trust in each other that makes them a victorious team. They remind the country of what can be done when everyone quite literally pulls together—a perfect melding of commitment, determination, and optimism.
Drawing on the boys' own diaries and journals, their photos and memories of a once-in-a-lifetime shared dream, The Boys in the Boat is an irresistible story about beating the odds and finding hope in the most desperate of times—the improbable, intimate story of nine working-class boys from the American west who, in the depths of the Great Depression, showed the world what true grit really meant.
The End of Your Life Book Club is a moving narrative that unfolds the story of a son and his mother who form a unique book club that becomes a medium of connection as the mother, Mary Anne Schwalbe, faces the end of her life due to cancer.
During her treatments, Will Schwalbe and his mother begin sharing books, which leads to profound discussions on a wide range of topics. Their book selections are diverse, spanning from classics to contemporary hits, and encompassing both fiction and spiritual texts. The dialogues that emerge from these shared reading experiences are deeply personal, offering insights into their lives, their love for each other, and the role that books play in shaping our human experience.
Through this heartfelt testament, readers witness the enduring bond between parent and child, and the transformative power of literature. The End of Your Life Book Club is not just an account of Mary Anne's battle with cancer, but also a celebration of life, a source of comfort, and a reminder of the joy that reading can bring, especially when shared.
The World's Strongest Librarian is an inspiring memoir that takes you through the life of Josh Hanagarne, a Mormon kid who found salvation in books and strength in weight lifting.
Josh's journey begins at the age of six, when he first starts exhibiting symptoms of Tourette Syndrome during a school play. This condition escalates to nightmarish levels by the time he reaches his towering height of 6'7" at the age of twenty.
Determined to conquer his affliction, Josh tries everything from dubious remedies to drug regimes that leave him lethargic, and even Botox injections that paralyze his vocal cords, rendering him voiceless for three years.
However, an eccentric, autistic strongman teaches Josh the art of "throttling" his tics into submission through strength training. This hobby becomes a way of life and an effective method for managing his disorder.
Today, Josh is a librarian at Salt Lake City's public library and the founder of a popular blog about books and weight lifting. He is also a proud father, navigating life with humor and candor, overcoming his disability, and finding love.
This memoir illuminates the mysteries of Tourette Syndrome and explores the contrasting worlds of strongman training and modern libraries. With humor and insight, Josh's story is one of resilience and hope.
Gold is a captivating novel that delves into the intertwined lives of two world-class athletes, Zoe and Kate. From their first day of elite training, they have been both friends and rivals. They have loved, fought, betrayed, forgiven, consoled, and gloried together.
As they approach the 2012 London Olympics, their final chance to compete, both women face the ultimate test of their physical and emotional limits. They must confront each other and their own mortality, asking themselves the crucial question: What would you sacrifice for the people you love, if it meant giving up the thing that was most important to you?
In this emotionally charged journey, Chris Cleave writes with elegance, humor, and passion, exploring themes of friendship, marriage, parenthood, tragedy, and redemption.
You Are A Badass is the self-help book for people who desperately want to improve their lives but don't want to get busted doing it.
In this refreshingly entertaining how-to guide, #1 New York Times Bestselling Author and world-traveling success coach, Jen Sincero, serves up 27 bite-sized chapters full of hilariously inspiring stories, sage advice, easy exercises, and the occasional swear word.
If you're ready to make some serious changes, You Are a Badass will help you:
By the end of You Are a Badass, you'll understand why you are how you are, how to love what you can't change, how to change what you don't love, and how to use The Force to kick some serious ass.
Mom & Me & Mom unveils the triumphs and struggles of being the daughter of Vivian Baxter, an indomitable spirit whose petite size belied her larger-than-life presence—a presence absent during much of Angelou’s early life. When her marriage began to crumble, Vivian famously sent three-year-old Maya and her older brother away from their California home to live with their grandmother in Stamps, Arkansas. The subsequent feelings of abandonment stayed with Angelou for years, but their reunion, a decade later, began a story that has never before been told.
In Mom & Me & Mom, Angelou dramatizes her years reconciling with the mother she preferred to simply call “Lady,” revealing the profound moments that shifted the balance of love and respect between them. Delving into one of her life’s most rich, rewarding, and fraught relationships, Mom & Me & Mom explores the healing and love that evolved between the two women over the course of their lives, the love that fostered Maya Angelou’s rise to the heights.
Have you ever wondered if we're missing it? It's crazy, if you think about it. The God of the universe—the Creator of nitrogen and pine needles, galaxies and E-minor—loves us with a radical, unconditional, self-sacrificing love. And what is our typical response? We go to church, sing songs, and try not to cuss.
Whether you've verbalized it yet or not, we all know something's wrong. Does something deep inside your heart long to break free from the status quo? Are you hungry for an authentic faith that addresses the problems of our world with tangible, even radical, solutions?
God is calling you to a passionate love relationship with Himself. Because the answer to religious complacency isn't working harder at a list of do's and don'ts—it's falling in love with God. And once you encounter His love, as Francis describes it, you will never be the same. Because when you're wildly in love with someone, it changes everything.
El amor verdadero, la familia, la venganza, las segundas oportunidades, la sinceridad... En su nueva novela, Albert Espinosa nos sumerge en una emocionante historia protagonizada por unos personajes inolvidables que nos harán reflexionar y descubrir lo que es realmente importante en la vida.
Nunca dejaré de buscar mi archipiélago de sinceridad... ¿Quieres formar parte de él?
«Jamás nos mentiremos... Escúchame bien, eso implica algo más que ser sincero... En este mundo mucha gente es falsa... Las mentiras te rodean... Saber que existe un archipiélago de personas que siempre te dirán la verdad vale mucho... Quiero que formes parte de mi archipiélago de sinceridad...»
«Saber que puedes confiar en la otra persona, que nunca te mentirá, que siempre te dirá la verdad cuando se lo pidas, no tiene precio... Te hace sentir fuerte, muy poderoso...»
«Y es que la verdad mueve mundos... La verdad te hace sentir feliz... La verdad creo que es lo único que importa...»
Lean In is a massive cultural phenomenon and its title has become an instant catchphrase for empowering women. The book soared to the top of bestseller lists internationally, igniting global conversations about women and ambition.
Sheryl Sandberg, the COO of Meta (previously called Facebook), draws on her own experience of working in some of the world's most successful businesses. She looks at what women can do to help themselves and make the small changes in their life that can effect change on a more universal scale.
In her famed TED talk, Sandberg described how women unintentionally hold themselves back in their careers. Her talk encouraged women to “sit at the table,” seek challenges, take risks, and pursue their goals with gusto.
Lean In combines personal anecdotes, hard data, and compelling research to change the conversation from what women can’t do to what they can. Sandberg provides practical advice on negotiation techniques, mentorship, and building a satisfying career.
She describes specific steps women can take to combine professional achievement with personal fulfillment, and demonstrates how men can benefit by supporting women both in the workplace and at home.
"We are a family on a journey to a place called wonderful" is the motto of Deza Malone’s family. Deza is the smartest girl in her class in Gary, Indiana, singled out by teachers for a special path in life. But the Great Depression hit Gary hard, and there are no jobs for Black men.
When her beloved father leaves to find work, Deza, Mother, and her older brother Jimmie go in search of him and end up in a Hooverville outside Flint, Michigan. Jimmie's beautiful voice inspires him to leave the camp to be a performer, while Deza and Mother find a new home, clinging to the hope that they will find Father.
The twists and turns of their story reveal the devastation of the Depression and prove that Deza truly is the Mighty Miss Malone.
In her critically acclaimed novel, Shay Youngblood, the Pushcart Prize-winning author of Soul Kiss, chronicles the Parisian odyssey of a young African-American woman retracing the footsteps of the literary legends who inspired her.
Eden, a young African American woman, has come to Paris to write and takes a number of jobs to make ends meet. Like Josephine Baker and Billie Holliday, Eden leaves the American South for artistic freedom in Paris. This is the story of a young black girl inhabiting different personae - artist's model, au pair, teacher, lover - whilst trying to discover who she is and turn her dream of writing into reality.
Buddhist Boot Camp is a delightful collection of short journal entries and letters sent to friends over the course of an eight-year journey to mindful living. Buddhism is all about training the mind, and boot camp is an ideal training method for this generation's short attention span. The chapters in this small book can be read in any order, and are simple and easy to understand.
Each story, inspirational quote, and teaching offers mindfulness-enhancing techniques that anyone can relate to. You don't need to be a Buddhist to find the Buddha's teachings motivational. As the Dalai Lama says, "Don't try to use what you learn from Buddhism to be a Buddhist; use it to be a better whatever-you-already-are."
So whether it's Mother Teresa's acts of charity, Gandhi's perseverance, or your aunt Betty's calm demeanor, as long as you're motivated to be better today than you were yesterday, it doesn't matter who inspires you. Regardless of religion, geographical region, race, ethnicity, color, gender, sexual orientation, age, ability, flexibility, or vulnerability, if you do good, you feel good, and if you do bad, you feel bad.
Buddhism isn't just about meditating. It's about rolling up your sleeves to relieve some of the suffering in the world. If you are ready to be a soldier of peace in the army of love, welcome to Buddhist Boot Camp!
Seperti sepatumu ini, Nduk. Kadang kita mesti berpijak dengan sesuatu yang tak sempurna. Tapi kamu mesti kuat. Buatlah pijakanmu kuat.
Masih belia usia Tinah saat itu. Suatu pagi di pasar Batu telah mengubah hidupnya. Sim, seorang kenek angkot, seorang playboy pasar yang berambut selalu klimis dan bersandal jepit, hadir dalam hidup Tinah lewat sebuah tatapan mata. Keduanya menikah, mereka pun menjadi Ibuk dan Bapak.
Lima anak terlahir sebagai buah cinta. Hidup yang semakin meriah juga semakin penuh perjuangan. Angkot yang sering rusak, rumah mungil yang bocor di kala hujan, biaya pendidikan anak-anak yang besar, dan pernak-pernik permasalahan kehidupan dihadapi Ibuk dengan tabah. Air matanya membuat garis-garis hidup semakin indah.
Ibuk, novel karya penulis national best seller Iwan Setyawan, berkisah tentang sebuah pesta kehidupan yang dipimpin oleh seorang perempuan sederhana yang perkasa. Tentang sosok perempuan bening dan hijau seperti pepohonan yang menutupi kegersangan, yang memberi nafas bagi kehidupan.
Brooke Nolan is a battered child who makes an anonymous phone call about the escalating brutality in her home. When social services jeopardize her safety, condemning her to keep her father’s secret, it’s a glass of spilled milk at the dinner table that forces her to speak about the cruelty she’s been hiding.
In her pursuit for safety and justice, Brooke battles a broken system that pushes to keep her father in the home. When jury members and a love interest congregate to inspire her to fight, she risks losing the support of family and comes to the realization that some people simply do not want to be saved.
Spilled Milk is a novel of shocking narrative, triumph, and resiliency.
In Seth Godin’s most inspiring book yet, he challenges readers to find the courage to treat their work as a form of art. Everyone knows the myth of Icarus: his father made him wings and told him not to fly too close to the sun. But he ignored that warning and plunged to his doom. We've retold this myth to generations with the same lesson: Play it safe. Obey your parents. Listen to the experts.
It was the perfect propaganda for the industrial economy. What boss wouldn’t want employees to believe that obedience and conformity are the keys to success? But there’s another part of the myth that those in power hope you’ll forget. Icarus was also warned not to fly too low, because sea water would ruin the lift in his wings. Flying too low is even more dangerous than flying too high, because it feels deceptively safe.
The safety zone has moved. The propaganda has been exposed, and the old promises have been broken: Conformity no longer leads to comfort. But the good news is that creativity is scarce, and more valuable than ever. So is choosing to do something unpredictable and brave: make art.
Being an artist isn’t a genetic disposition or a specific talent. It’s an attitude we can all adopt. It’s a hunger to seize new ground, make connections, and work without a map. If you do those things, you’re an artist, no matter what it says on your business card.
Whether you’re a teacher, engineer, doctor, middle manager, or customer service rep, you can fly higher by bringing your best self to work. You can care about what you’re doing today and how you can improve tomorrow. Godin shows us how it’s possible, and convinces us why it’s essential.
Open a book, slip into the comfy seat of a movie theatre, turn on your favourite show or play your favourite video game and you will be transported to another world where you can escape from the day to day stresses of being human. However, once that story or game has ended, you will slip back into the day to day grind of the real world. Imagine being stuck in the world of make believe 24 hours a day, 7 days a week because the outside world is too confusing and painful. This is how the real world feels like for Christian Traverse.
Inside you will be introduced to the world of one extraordinary boy, who at first glance, you will not find anything unusual about his sandy blond hair, his big, deep blue eyes, or even the long, dark lashes that would be the envy of any woman. You will not be taken aback by his crooked grin or the bubbly personality that can make just about anyone instantly fall in love with him. In fact, unless you know what to look for, you are not likely to notice anything different about him at all, but he is different.
This world we live in is confusing, overwhelming and painful because he has a condition known as autism.
Every first Sunday in June, members of the Moses clan gather for an annual reunion at the "old home place," a sprawling hundred-acre farm in Arkansas. And every year, Samuel Lake, a vibrant and committed young preacher, brings his beloved wife, Willadee Moses, and their three children back for the festivities.
The children embrace the reunion as a welcome escape from the prying eyes of their father’s congregation; for Willadee, it’s a precious opportunity to spend time with her mother and father, Calla and John. But just as the reunion is getting underway, tragedy strikes, jolting the family to their core: John’s untimely death and, soon after, the loss of Samuel’s parish, which set the stage for a summer of crisis and profound change.
In the midst of it all, Samuel and Willadee’s outspoken eleven-year-old daughter, Swan, is a bright light. Her high spirits and fearlessness have alternately seduced and bedeviled three generations of the family. But it is Blade Ballenger, a traumatized eight-year-old neighbor, who soon captures Swan’s undivided attention. Full of righteous anger, and innocent of the peril facing her and those she loves, Swan makes it her mission to keep the boy safe from his terrifying father.
With characters who spring to life as vividly as if they were members of one’s own family, and with the clear-eyed wisdom that illuminates the most tragic—and triumphant—aspects of human nature, Jenny Wingfield emerges as one of the most vital, engaging storytellers writing today. In The Homecoming of Samuel Lake, she has created a memorable and lasting work of fiction.
Help, Thanks, Wow is a profound exploration of the three simple prayers that are fundamental to navigating life's challenges. Anne Lamott, known for her witty and perceptive writing, delves into the essence of these prayers:
Help: Seeking assistance from a higher power to guide us through tough times.
Thanks: Cultivating gratitude for the goodness in our lives.
Wow: Experiencing awe and wonder at the world around us.
Lamott shares her personal journey of discovering these prayers, explaining their significance and how they have shaped her life. Through her insights, she offers readers a pathway to embrace these ideas and enrich their own spiritual practices.
This book is a delightful read for both new and longtime fans of Anne Lamott, providing comfort and inspiration for the soul.
Mastery by Robert Greene demonstrates that the ultimate form of power is mastery itself. By analyzing the lives of such past masters as Charles Darwin, Benjamin Franklin, Albert Einstein, and Leonardo da Vinci, as well as by interviewing nine contemporary masters, including tech guru Paul Graham and animal rights advocate Temple Grandin, Greene debunks our culture’s many myths about genius and distills the wisdom of the ages to reveal the secret to greatness.
With this seminal text as a guide, readers will learn how to unlock the passion within and become masters. The book explores the secrets of the field you have chosen, encourages submission to a rigorous apprenticeship, and highlights the importance of absorbing hidden knowledge possessed by those with years of experience.
Study the behaviors of renowned figures and discover how to surge past competitors, surpass them in brilliance, and explode established patterns from within. Robert Greene shares the secret path to greatness, guiding readers to unleash their potential and achieve mastery.
Cartoonist Ellen Forney explores the intriguing relationship between “crazy” and “creative” in this graphic memoir of her own bipolar disorder. The narrative is beautifully woven with stories of famous bipolar artists and writers.
Shortly before her thirtieth birthday, Forney was diagnosed with bipolar disorder. Flagrantly manic and terrified that medications would cause her to lose her creativity, she began a years-long struggle to find mental stability while retaining her passions and creativity.
In her search to make sense of the popular concept of the “crazy artist”, she finds inspiration from the lives and work of other artists and writers who suffered from mood disorders, including Vincent van Gogh, Georgia O’Keeffe, William Styron, and Sylvia Plath. She also delves into the clinical aspects of bipolar disorder, discussing the strengths and limitations of various treatments and medications.
Darkly funny and intensely personal, Forney’s memoir provides a visceral glimpse into the effects of a mood disorder on an artist’s work. She shares her own story through bold black-and-white images and evocative prose, making this a truly unique and engaging read.