- Table View
- List View
Storm in the Village: A Novel (The Beloved Fairacre Series #3)
by Miss ReadBig changes are afoot in a small English village— &“If you&’ve ever enjoyed a visit to Mitford, you&’ll relish a visit to Fairacre&” (Jan Karon, #1 New York Times–bestselling author of To Be Where You Are). Trouble brews in the tiny country village of Fairacre, when it is discovered that Farmer Miller&’s Hundred Acre Field is slated for real estate development. Alarming rumors are circulating, among them the fear that the village school may close. The endearing schoolmistress Miss Read brings her inimitable blend of affection and clear-sighted candor to this report, in which a young girl finds her first love, an older woman accepts a new role in life, and the impassioned battle to save the village from being engulfed is at the forefront of every villager&’s mind. &“Wise, ironic, kindly, full of atmosphere and characters, rural charm, broad dialects, and the impishness of children.&” —St. Louis Post-Dispatch &“Affectionate, humorous, and gently charming . . . Sometimes funny, sometimes touching, always appealing.&” —The New York Times
Rethink Happy: An Entrepreneur's Journey Toward Authentic Joy
by Doug KisgenA profoundly inspiring parable for anyone who has experienced success—and wondered if there is something more . . . Cleve has it all. Or so he thinks. Then an apparent chance encounter with an old man named Camino causes him to realize that what he believes is happiness is merely a shadow of the joy he could experience. Yes, having money and cool cars and freedom is fun, but happiness is not a result of accumulating stuff. Told in a compelling parable format, Rethink Happy challenges readers to redefine authentic joy. Join Cleve as Camino leads him on a journey through three key principles of old-school philosophy and new-school science that can inspire anyone who has wondered how to achieve true happiness, struggled with how to be successful at home as well as in business, or tried to make sense of setbacks. From an entrepreneur who has faced—and bounced back from—disaster, and learned that success and happiness has less to do with him and his ego and more to do with something deeper, Rethink Happy is an inspiring story for anyone facing obstacles in work or in life.
Summer at Fairacre: A Novel (The Beloved Fairacre Series #16)
by Miss Read&“For those who miss the Waltons, or who can&’t get enough of Jan Karon, Fairacre is an excellent place to visit&” (Publishers Weekly). After a long winter of red noses and wet mittens, summer is a welcome time for Miss Read and her downland village friends. Summer at Fairacre charmingly recounts this bright, bustling season and the problems and possibilities that unfold against the background of roses, skylarks, and bees. Joseph Coggs finds a temporary home in the schoolhouse while his mother is in the hospital. Miss Read&’s friend Amy mysteriously disappears. Perhaps most difficult of all, Mrs. Pringle, the grumpy school cleaner, is unable to work because the pain in her bad leg flares up. Still, the sounds of children playing and the fragrance of summertime flowers fill the air, as Miss Read shepherds her students and friends through the warm season. &“If you&’ve ever enjoyed a visit to Mitford, you&’ll relish a visit to Fairacre.&” —Jan Karon, #1 New York Times–bestselling author
To the End of June: The Intimate Life of American Foster Care
by Cris BeamA New York Times Notable Book that &“casts a searing eye on the labyrinth that is the American foster care system&” (NPR&’s On Point). Who are the children of foster care? What, as a country, do we owe them? Cris Beam, a foster mother herself, spent five years immersed in the world of foster care looking into these questions and tracing firsthand stories. The result is To the End of June, an unforgettable portrait that takes us deep inside the lives of foster children in their search for a stable, loving family. Beam shows us the intricacies of growing up in the system—the back-and-forth with agencies, the rootless shuffling between homes, the emotionally charged tug between foster and birth parents, the terrifying push out of foster care and into adulthood. Humanizing and challenging a broken system, To the End of June offers a tribute to resiliency and hope for real change. &“A triumph of narrative reporting and storytelling.&” —The New York Times &“[A] powerful . . . and refreshing read.&” —Chicago Tribune &“A sharp critique of foster-care policies and a searching exploration of the meaning of family.&” —Publishers Weekly (starred review) &“Heart-rending and tentatively hopeful.&” —Salon
The Crowded Hour: Theodore Roosevelt, the Rough Riders, and the Dawn of the American Century
by Clay RisenA NEW YORK TIMES 100 NOTABLE BOOKS OF 2019 SELECTION The dramatic story of the most famous regiment in American history: the Rough Riders, a motley group of soldiers led by Theodore Roosevelt, whose daring exploits marked the beginning of American imperialism in the 20th century. When America declared war on Spain in 1898, the US Army had just 26,000 men, spread around the country—hardly an army at all. In desperation, the Rough Riders were born. A unique group of volunteers, ranging from Ivy League athletes to Arizona cowboys and led by Theodore Roosevelt, they helped secure victory in Cuba in a series of gripping, bloody fights across the island. Roosevelt called their charge in the Battle of San Juan Hill his &“crowded hour&”—a turning point in his life, one that led directly to the White House. &“The instant I received the order,&” wrote Roosevelt, &“I sprang on my horse and then my &‘crowded hour&’ began.&” As The Crowded Hour reveals, it was a turning point for America as well, uniting the country and ushering in a new era of global power. Both a portrait of these men, few of whom were traditional soldiers, and of the Spanish-American War itself, The Crowded Hour dives deep into the daily lives and struggles of Roosevelt and his regiment. Using diaries, letters, and memoirs, Risen illuminates a disproportionately influential moment in American history: a war of only six months&’ time that dramatically altered the United States&’ standing in the world. In this brilliant, enlightening narrative, the Rough Riders—and a country on the brink of a new global dominance—are brought fully and gloriously to life.
The Forest Gods' Fight: A Novel (The Forest Gods Series #2)
by Alexandria HookTeenage gods and humans join forces to battle Lord Hades and his armies of the Underworld in this breathtaking fantasy sequel. In The Forest Gods&’ Fight, the riveting sequel to The Forest Gods&’ Reign, Athena, reincarnation of the Greek goddess of Wisdom and War, returns to her hometown from the corrupt Knowing camp, where believers in the myths live, after learning of personal attacks on her friends and fellow gods. Inconveniently, major problems await at her childhood home as well as in the gods&’ beloved forest, and as the Olympians&’ war with Hades reaches its climax, Athena is forced once again to confront the years-old prophecy head-on. But as the secret of the human hero Alec gnaws at her conscience, she pulls away from her friends just when they need her most. With the start of school only weeks away, time to win the war is dwindling, and the forest and its future have never before seemed so dark. Finally united with all the local mythical beings and the best Knowing Warriors, the gods are stronger than they&’ve ever been. Always a page ahead, however, Athena can&’t resist the chance to end the fight on her own, a decision that will ultimately end in either unquestionable victory or deadly destruction.
Masters of Mankind: Essays and Lectures, 1969-2013
by Noam ChomskyEssays that reflect the changing climate of the United States and the world from &“perhaps the most widely read voice on foreign policy on the planet&” (The New York Times Book Review). In this collection of essays from 1969 to 2013, many in book form for the first time, Noam Chomsky examines the nature of state power, from the ideologies driving the Cold War to the War on Terror, and reintroduces the moral and legal questions that all too often go unheeded. With unrelenting logic, he holds the arguments of empire up to critical examination and shatters the myths of those who protect the power and privilege of the few against the interests and needs of the many. A new introduction by Marcus Raskin contextualizes Chomsky&’s place among some of the most influential thinkers of modern history. Praise for Noam Chomsky and Masters of Mankind &“Considering that Chomsky&’s relevance has only grown with time, and that his positions prove less radical and more prescient as years pass, the timing of his new book release, The Masters of Mankind, a retrospective of lectures and essays stretching from 1969 to 2013, is perfect . . . There is more than enough profound, powerful material in this collection to impress any readers unfamiliar with Chomsky&’s intellectual agility.&” —The Daily Beast &“There is no living political writer who has more radically changed how more people think in more parts of the world about political issues.&” ―Glenn Greenwald, journalist and author &“A truth-teller on an epic scale. I salute him.&” —John Pilger, journalist, writer, and filmmaker
Rogue States: The Rule of Force in World Affairs (Chomsky Perspectives Ser. #No. 13)
by Noam ChomskyThe bestselling author and activist &“has delivered another impressive argument that the U.S. flouts international law when it finds it convenient to do so&” (Publishers Weekly). In this still-timely classic, Noam Chomsky argues that the real &“rogue&” states are the United States and its allies. Chomsky turns his penetrating gaze toward US involvement in the Middle East, Southeast Asia, the Caribbean, and Latin America to trace the enduring combined effects of military domination and economic imperialism on these regions. &“Noam Chomsky is like a medic attempting to cure a national epidemic of selective amnesia . . . [Rogue States is] a timely guide to the tactics that the powerful employ to keep power concentrated and people compliant . . . Chomsky&’s work is crucial at a time when our empire perpetually disguises its pursuit of power under the banners of &‘aid,&’ &‘humanitarian intervention,&’ and &‘globalization.&’ Americans have to begin deciphering the rhetoric. Chomsky&’s a good place to start.&” —The Village Voice &“World-famous MIT linguist Chomsky has long kept up a second career as a cogent voice of the hard left, excoriating American imperialism, critiquing blinkered journalists and attacking global economic injustice.&” —Publishers Weekly &“Nothing escapes [Chomsky&’s] attention . . . [Rogue States is] wonderfully lucid.&” —PeaceWork Praise for Noam Chomsky &“Chomsky is a global phenomenon . . . perhaps the most widely read voice on foreign policy on the planet.&” —The New York Times Book Review &“The conscience of the American people.&” —New Statesman &“One of the radical heroes of our age . . . a towering intellect . . . powerful, always provocative.&” —The Guardian
The Success of Failure: A Coming-of-Age Fable About Overcoming Failure Despite Ourselves
by Mike BensiAn inspiring story to motivate anyone who wants to lead with confidence. Even leaders sometimes find that the thoughts and beliefs they have about themselves can hold them back from their day-to-day life. The Success of Failure tells the story of a young and growing leader finding his way in a promising new role at a growing tech company. When he is confronted with failure and conflict, he must struggle with the need for confidence within himself and with others. From a consultant who has helped numerous organizations meet their challenges and shape effective cultures, The Success of Failure provides a path to allow us all to pick ourselves back up and be stronger than before.
Gossip from Thrush Green: A Novel (The Beloved Thrush Green Series #6)
by Miss ReadTongues are wagging in this charming novel of English village life— &“If you&’ve ever enjoyed a visit to Mitford, you&’ll relish a visit to Thrush Green&” (Jan Karon, #1 New York Times–bestselling author). Gossip from Thrush Green returns readers to the delightful English village, neighbor to Fairacre, for a golden summer. But this sleepy, pristine setting conceals a flurry of activity amongst the villagers. Rumor has it that Mr. Venables is considering retirement just as the village&’s teacher is about to make an important decision. Molly Curdle prepares for a new baby. The kindly vicar, Charles Henstock, works on his sermon—quite unaware of the disaster that will overtake him. However, there is never any doubt that all will end well in this very English village. &“There is a special kind of English writer who writes deceptively simple evocations of English rural life. . . . It is not earth-shattering, but it reveals the fragility of even the most ordinary lives, the courage and stoicism with which people respond to adversity, their generosity in friendship and their gratitude for small pleasures.&” —The Washington Post &“Bid a joyful welcome to old friends and new . . . in their beloved . . . Thrush Green, the happy world to which Miss Read introduced us so many years ago.&” —Publishers Weekly
Clear: A Novel
by Carys Davies&“Tender, riveting, and inventive is Clear, the newest offering and masterpiece from the brilliant Carys Davies. It will take your breath away…What a thrill.&” —Sarah Jessica Parker A New York Times Book Review Top 10 Historical Fiction Book of 2024 A Vogue, The Washington Post, NPR, Kirkus Reviews, The Guardian, and The Globe and Mail (Toronto) Best Book of the Year Winner of the 2024 Bookmark Festival Book of Year Shortlisted for the 2024 Books Are My Bag Award, the Historical Writers&’ Association Gold Crown Award, and the Saltire Society Literary Award Longlisted for Blackwell&’s Book of the Year A &“daring and necessary…sophisticated and playful&” (The New York Times) novel from an award-winning writer, Clear is the story of a minister dispatched to a remote island to &“clear&” its last remaining inhabitant—an unforgettable tale of resilience, change, and hope.John, an impoverished Scottish minister, has accepted a job evicting the lone remaining occupant of an island north of Scotland—Ivar, who has been living alone for decades, with only the animals and the sea for company. Though his wife, Mary, has serious misgivings about the errand, he decides to go anyway, setting in motion a chain of events that neither he nor Mary could have predicted. Shortly after John reaches the island, he falls down a cliff and is found, unconscious and badly injured, by Ivar who takes him home and tends to his wounds. &“Clear chronicles the surprising bond that develops between these two men…pack[ing] a great deal of power into a compact tale&” (The Wall Street Journal) about connection, home, and hope—in which John begins to learn Ivar&’s language, and Ivar sees himself reflected through the eyes of another person for the first time in decades. Unfolding during the final stages of the infamous Scottish Clearances—a period of the 19th century which saw whole communities of the rural poor driven off the land in a relentless program of forced evictions—this singular novel explores what binds us together in the face of insurmountable difference, the way history shapes our deepest convictions, and how the human spirit can endure despite all odds. Moving and unpredictable, &“a love letter to the scorching power of language&” (The Guardian), Clear is &“a jewel of a novel&” (The Washington Post)—a profound and unforgettable read.
The House of My Mother: A Daughter's Quest for Freedom
by Shari FrankeFrom eldest daughter Shari Franke, the shocking true story behind the viral 8 Passengers family vlog and the hidden abuse she suffered at the hands of her mother, and how, in the face of unimaginable pain, she found freedom and healing. Shari Franke&’s childhood was a constant battle for survival. Her mother, Ruby Franke, enforced a severe moral code while maintaining a façade of a picture-perfect family for their wildly popular YouTube channel 8 Passengers, which documented the day-to-day life of raising six children for a staggering 2.5 million subscribers. But a darker truth lurked beneath the surface – Ruby&’s wholesome online persona masked a more tyrannical parenting style than anyone could have imagined. As the family&’s YouTube notoriety grew, so too did Ruby&’s delusions of righteousness. Fueled by the sadistic influence of relationship coach Jodi Hildebrandt, together they implemented an inhumane and merciless disciplinary regime. Ruby and Jodi were arrested in Utah in 2023 on multiple charges of aggravated child abuse. On that fateful day, Shari shared a photo online of a police car outside their home. Her caption had one word: 'Finally'. For the first time, Shari will reveal the disturbing truth behind 8 Passengers and her family&’s devastating involvement with Jodi Hildebrandt&’s cultish life coaching program, 'ConneXions'. No stone is left unturned as Shari exposes the perils of influencer culture and shares for the first time her battle for truth and survival in the face of her mother&’s cruelty.
Generations: The Real Differences Between Gen Z, Millennials, Gen X, Boomers, and Silents—and What They Mean for America's Future
by Jean M. TwengeA groundbreaking, &“lavishly informative&” (The New York Times) portrait of the six generations that currently live in the United States and how they connect, conflict, and compete with one another—from the acclaimed author of Generation Me and iGen.Upending the conventional theory that generational differences are caused by major events, Dr. Jean Twenge analyzes data on 39 million people from robust national surveys—some going back nearly a century—to show that changes in technology are the underlying driver of each generation&’s unique makeup. In this revelatory work, Twenge outlines key shifts in attitudes and lifestyle choices that define each generation regarding gender, income, politics, race, sexuality, marriage, mental health, and much more. Surprising, engaging, and informative, Generations &“gets you thinking about how appreciating generational differences can, ironically, bring us together&” (Angela Duckworth, New York Times bestselling author). It will forever change the way you view your parents, peers, coworkers, and children, no matter which generation you call your own.
What Hangs in the Balance: The Case for Principled, Ethical, Competent, and Courageously Selfless Leadership
by Philippe JohnsonThe actions or inactions of elected and appointed leaders determine whether the people they serve flourish or suffer. What hangs in the balance is not just quality of life, but often life itself. Unprincipled and unethical leadership puts at risk mission accomplishment, good governance, public trust in democratic institutions, national security, and even the rule of law. Over the course of Philippe Johnson&’s twenty-four-year career as a United States Air Force officer, he learned to appreciate how flawed and ineffective leaders can still provide valuable lessons for all of us. His thorough and candid analysis of Donald Trump&’s social media posts and conduct as president—and how they were an aberration in both style and substance—sets a foundation for leaders to embrace and implement myriad leadership traits and competencies required for success in public and private sector organizations. Rather than criticizing specific policies, Johnson&’s analysis focuses on leadership evaluation and practical imperatives for embracing each of the competencies. Including insights from contributing subject matter experts and the wisdom of contemporary and historical luminaries, Johnson provides a fascinating and sobering leadership critique in which readers will: Discover why character traits such as humility, empathy, respect for dignity, and self-control matter in every arena and bolster crucial leadership competencies. Appreciate how one&’s fundamental leadership responsibilities promote core values and defend democratic principles and institutions. Take away positive examples of seeking counsel and expertise that support sound decision-making. Understand how trust and accountability are fostered through disciplined and ethical behavior. Experience and benefit from real-world examples of what not-to-do while also being inspired by recent examples of courageously selfless leadership. Differentiate between principled and unprincipled loyalty while countering undue influence and abuse of authority. Experience behaviors associated with three personality disorders that undermine selfless leadership and create toxic workplaces. A nation&’s citizens need and deserve exceptional leadership. By providing guidelines for principled, ethical, competent, and courageously selfless leadership, What Hangs in the Balance leaves readers well poised and inspired to positively and profoundly impact the lives of those they serve.
The House of My Mother: A Daughter's Quest for Freedom
by Shari FrankeFrom eldest daughter Shari Franke, the shocking true story behind the viral 8 Passengers family vlog and the hidden abuse she suffered at the hands of her mother, and how, in the face of unimaginable pain, she found freedom and healing. Shari Franke&’s childhood was a constant battle for survival. Her mother, Ruby Franke, enforced a severe moral code while maintaining a façade of a picture-perfect family for their wildly popular YouTube channel 8 Passengers, which documented the day-to-day life of raising six children for a staggering 2.5 million subscribers. But a darker truth lurked beneath the surface—Ruby&’s wholesome online persona masked a more tyrannical parenting style than anyone could have imagined.As the family&’s YouTube notoriety grew, so too did Ruby&’s delusions of righteousness. Fueled by the sadistic influence of relationship coach Jodi Hildebrandt, together they implemented an inhumane and merciless disciplinary regime. Ruby and Jodi were arrested in Utah in 2023 on multiple charges of aggravated child abuse. On that fateful day, Shari shared a photo online of a police car outside their home. Her caption had one word: &“Finally.&”For the first time, Shari will reveal the disturbing truth behind 8 Passengers and her family&’s devastating involvement with Jodi Hildebrandt&’s cultish life coaching program, &“ConneXions.&” No stone is left unturned as Shari exposes the perils of influencer culture and shares for the first time her battle for truth and survival in the face of her mother&’s cruelty.
Exit Nowhere
by Juliana BrandtHaunted Mansion meets the ultimate escape room in this tense and twisty middle grade horror following four kids who must beat a series of games to make it out of a haunted house.The creepiest place in Barret Eloise&’s small town is the abandoned Raithfield Manor, a decrepit house surrounded by rumors of ghosts and kids going missing. So she certainly never planned on stepping foot inside. But when her history teacher gives her a group project to research a local landmark, the manor is the location her group chooses. Determined to ace the project and fix her awkward first impression on her assigned partners—which include her former friend Helena, smart and confident Wayne, and school basketball star Ridge—Barret Eloise isn&’t about to let some tall tales scare her off. When the kids first enter the house, it seems to be nothing more than an empty building. But when the sun goes down, the doors and windows lock, sealing them inside. Even worse, the room they&’re in transforms into an all-too-real game of The Floor is Lava. It doesn&’t take long for the group to realize the mansion is a maze of childhood games. Win the game and you keep moving forward, lose and you disappear. And complicating it all is a worrying revelation—they are not alone in the house. If Barret Eloise wants to make it home, she and her dysfunctional group are going to have to learn to work together quickly.
Bunny Lake Is Missing (Femmes Fatales)
by Evelyn PiperThe classic novel of suspense is &“a headlong story of nerve-wracking tension, psychological validity and emotional drive&” (Oakland Tribune). Blanche Lake is not like the other mothers who come to collect their children at the local nursery school on New York&’s Upper East Side. She lives alone, has a job, and has never been married. It&’s the first day of school when this story begins, and Blanche is eager to see how her daughter, Bunny, has fared away from home. But her expectant waiting becomes a mother&’s most dreaded nightmare: Bunny never materializes. Neither teachers nor students recall the small girl, and soon Blanche is engaged in a frantic search for any trace of her missing daughter. And the worst part is . . . no one believes her. In this fraught and at times freakish tale of suspense, Evelyn Piper takes us deep into the psyche of the 1950s to explore American fetishes, fallacies, and fears around motherhood and sexuality. Blanche emerges as a new kind of heroine—a hard-boiled mom with gun in hand, willing to take any risk to find her missing daughter. &“A classic thriller—a riveting revisit to the dark side of the fifties, where the tension beneath the calm surface has an undertow that drags the reader into its grip. Prime pulp—pure pleasure.&” —Linda Fairstein, author of The Bone Vault
The Original Tuxedo Jazz Band: More Than a Century of a New Orleans Icon (Music Ser.)
by Sally NewhartA lively look at the long career of these legendary musicians, from a Storyville dance hall to the White House and beyond. In 1910, the Tuxedo Jazz Band played its first show at the Tuxedo Dance Hall in Storyville under Oscar Celestin. The popular ensemble would go on to play all over New Orleans, as well as across the South and the nation—and in 1953, it became the first jazz band to play the White House. The band has punctuated jazz history and produced some of the most memorable musicians of the past century: Bob French, Albert French, William Ridgley, Octave Crosby, Louis Armstrong, and more. Author Sally Newhart has written a definitive and captivating history of the band from inception to present, including oral histories, archival photos, a discography, and a previously unpublished complete list of members since 1910.
Circle of Terror
by Larry PowaliszA female federal agent and Milwaukee PD join forces against domestic terrorists in a timely and explosive thriller. Ex-Marine Force Recon Officer and Milwaukee Police Detective, Declan Tomczyk, is dispatched to investigate the desecration of headstones at Holy Cross Cemetery. What first appears to be the work of vandals becomes something far more alarming. Tomczyk has come upon a trip wire connected to a crude homemade bomb. With it, an anonymous note threatening that &“the days of terror have returned&” . . . Murder by murder, the promises are being fulfilled. Enlisting the help of FBI Agent Anne Dvorak, Tomczyk is now tracking a series of violent crimes, eerily similar to those that paralyzed the state decades before. With the unlikely assistance of a former pro linebacker and a World War II veteran—each one a surprising conduit between the past and the present—Tomczyk and Dvorak are getting closer to the truth. But who is the ultimate target? And what&’s the inconceivable endgame for homegrown extremists determined to hold the city hostage? With time running out, and casualties running high, Tomczyk and Dvorak must risk their own lives for the answers.
Elegies for Uncanny Girls (Break Away Book Club Edition)
by Jennifer ColvilleThe ordinary and the extraordinary merge in the strange and complex lives of young women in this &“frequently luminous&” debut short story collection (Kirkus Reviews). Unsettling and perceptive, this debut story collection challenges our notion of American girlhood in all its delusions, conflicting messages, and treacherous terrain. Alternately wide-eyed, wise, and mysterious, the girls at the center of these stories leave their realities behind for curious new places where the barrier between real and unreal begins to blur. Still others hover over their Midwestern homes in interior worlds of their own creation. The stories in Elegies for Uncanny Girls take place at a boundary where both the girls&’ bodies and their narratives belong either to themselves or to the cultures that surround them. A young woman whose body continually shrinks and expands moves to Los Angeles to make a movie about tragic merpeople; bewildered and seeking guidance, a new mom strikes up a conversation with a woman with detachable hands; and spurred on by a new ally who might just be a figment of her imagination, a girl decides she can choose her own friends. &“Brisk, satisfying, and fiercely observant.&” —Publishers Weekly
Ebert's Bests (Chicago Shorts)
by Roger EbertA treasury of year-by-year ten-best lists, plus personal reminiscences by the man whose name became synonymous with the movies. In Ebert&’s Bests, the iconic Roger Ebert takes us through the journey of how he became a film critic, from his days at a student-run cinema club to his rise as a television commentator in At the Movies and Siskel & Ebert. Recounting the influence of the French New Wave; his friendships with Werner Herzog and Martin Scorsese; and travels to Sweden and Rome to visit Ingrid Bergman and Federico Fellini, Ebert never loses sight of film as a key component of our cultural identity. In considering the ethics of film criticism—why we should take all film seriously, without prejudgment or condescension—he argues that film critics ought always to engage in open-minded dialogue with a movie. All this is accompanied by decades&’ worth of annual ten-best lists, which showcase Roger Ebert&’s recommendations—while at the same time reminding us that hearts and minds, and even rankings, are bound to change.
The Atheist's Bible: The Most Dangerous Book That Never Existed
by Georges MinoisThis intellectual history of a rumored book of heresy reveals a persistent undercurrent of atheism from the Middle Ages into the 18th century. In 1239, Pope Gregory IX accused Frederick II, the Holy Roman Emperor, of heresy. Without disclosing evidence of any kind, Gregory announced that Frederick had written a supremely blasphemous book—De tribus impostoribus, or the Treatise of the Three Impostors—in which Frederick denounced Moses, Jesus, and Muhammad as impostors. Of course, Frederick denied the charge, and over the following centuries the story played out across Europe, with libertines, freethinkers, and other &“strong minds&” seeking a copy of the scandalous text. The fascination persisted until finally, in the eighteenth century, someone brought the purported work into actual existence—in not one but two versions, Latin and French. Although historians have debated the origins and influences of this most apocryphal book, there has not been a comprehensive biography of the Treatise of the Three Impostors. In The Atheist&’s Bible, historian Georges Minois tracks the course of the book from its origins in 1239 to its most salient episodes in the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries, introducing readers to the colorful individuals obsessed with possessing the legendary work—and the equally obsessive passion of those who wanted to punish people who sought it. Minois&’s compelling account sheds much-needed light on the power of atheism, the threat of blasphemy, and the persistence of free thought during a time when the outspoken risked being burned at the stake. &“[A] timely and elegant study…Readers who are intrigued or scandalized by the diatribes of Richard Dawkins or Christopher Hitchens will discover in The Atheist&’s Bible that, as that other Bible says, there is nothing new under the sun.&”—Walter Stephens, author of Demon Lovers
Even If You Were Perfect, Someone Would Crucify You: Stop Trying to Please People. Start Pleasing God
by Rob Shepherd&“In short, digestible chapters Shepherd shares several truths every human needs to know . . . You&’ll enjoy reading and laughing your way through this book!&” (Terrace Crawford, nationally recognized speaker & author of Going Social). He should have seen it coming. Anonymous letters are rarely good. On the day after preaching a sermon at his church, Rob Shepherd opened a letter filled with hurtful words and a very strong opinion about how awful his sermon was. On his fourth reading of the letter, Rob heard a still small voice say, &“Even if you preached the perfect sermon somebody would crucify it.&” That thought began the process of setting Rob free from being a lifelong people pleaser. With humor, personal stories, and great conviction Rob shares his personal story of learning to care less about what people say and more about what God says. Even If You Were Perfect Somebody Would Crucify You uncovers what our real struggle is when it comes to pleasing people. You can be set free from the fear of saying no to people, win the battle with avoiding confrontation, learn the power of confession, and find your true identity in Jesus. &“This book will nail you in regards to cutting out the paralyzing noises of life and opinions of others. Be ready for a tugging at your heart to rest and rediscover your identity FULLY in Him.&” —Chad Johnson, director of the Catalyst Conference
Creative Change: Why We Resist It . . . How We Can Embrace It
by Jennifer Mueller&“This book completely changed the way I think about creative innovation. . . . A must read&” (Cal Newport, bestselling author of Deep Work). Business leaders say they want creativity and need real innovation in order to thrive. But according to startling research from management professor Jennifer Mueller, these same leaders chronically reject creative solutions, even as they profess commitment to innovation. Mueller&’s research reveals that it&’s not just CEOs but educators, parents, and other social trendsetters who struggle to accept new and creative ideas. Mueller parses the tough questions these findings raise. Do we all have an inherent prejudice against creative ideas? Can we learn to outsmart this bias? Creative Change combines analysis of the latest research with practical guidance on how to shift your mindset, and offers a wealth of counterintuitive recommendations to help you embrace the creative ideas you want. &“If we all crave creativity so much, why do we reject new ideas so often? Jen Mueller&’s smart new book unravels this puzzle.&” —Daniel H. Pink, New York Times–bestselling author of When and Drive &“Mueller, an accomplished scholar in the management field, has developed a well-formulated argument for creativity. Her ideas and research need to be available to academics, business practitioners, and, really, everyone.&” —Library Journal
The Last Dragon on Mars (The Dragonships Series #1)
by Scott ReintgenA boy living on Mars unexpectedly becomes a dragon rider in this first book in the sci-fi and fantasy mash-up The Dragonships series, sure to delight fans of Skandar and Eragon.Keep your eyes down and your feet moving, or this planet will rust you. That&’s what Lunar Jones tells the other kids at the relocation clinic. All of them were born on Mars, a planet that never wanted people in the first place. With resources scarce and hope even scarcer, it&’s easy to get distracted looking up. After all, their ancestors descended from the stars. Martian history always starts with Earth. The first astronauts discovered that space was already occupied. Not by little green men or flying saucers. It was full of dragons. One for every moon, every planet, every star. When humanity discovered that Earth&’s dragon had sacrificed herself to make their home planet habitable, they set their sights on Mars. If one dead dragon could breathe life into a world, why not create another one? Mankind won the war that followed, but with one catch. As the dragon died, he whispered a curse over Mars. The first settlers found their crops wouldn&’t grow. Animals hunted them. Storms raged endlessly. It took three generations to figure out the truth: Mars was doomed. Lunar knows all the old stories about dragons and space, but no one up there&’s planning to help him or his crew. Instead, he focuses on scrapping valuable gear that the storms uncover in the war zone. Until one day, a salvaging run goes wrong. Desperate to find shelter, Lunar goes underground in a restricted zone. What he finds there, buried in the Martian dust, might just be the only hope left for a dying planet.