- Table View
- List View
Wild Bread: Sourdough Reinvented
by MaryJane ButtersThe owner of the historic Barron Flour Mill completely reinvents the concept of healthier-for-you, naturally fermented sourdough.Until now, sourdough was perceived as too much work and sour-tasting, artisan-style-only loaves. In Wild Bread, MaryJane Butters&’ quick and easy 1-minute 2x/day technique demonstrates the use of eight different types of flours for each bread featured—everything from gluten-free brown-rice flour to quinoa to common white to heirloom whole wheat—for a whopping 295 recipes and 475 photographs.Using her step-by-step method, every style of bread imaginable, including gluten-free, will loft with wild abandon without the purchase of a single packet of not-so-healthy, store-bought yeast. In nutritionally superior wild-yeast bread, fermentation triggers the release of vital nutrients and breaks down carbohydrates. In MaryJane&’s world, there&’s no such thing as too much bread because once you convert to slow-rise wild-bread making, that bagel you&’ve been thinking about is more like a vitamin pill than a source of &“carb-loaded&” guilt.Lessons gleaned from MaryJane Butters&’ diverse pioneering background, from carpenter to dairy owner to former wilderness ranger turned organic farmer, led her eventually to stewardship of the 4-story, historic Barron Flour Mill. It was only natural that her years spent living on remote Forest Service fire-watch towers with only a living, breathing sourdough &“mother&” for companionship would lead her to write a pioneering wild-yeast bread book. &“One of my favorite resources for beginners.&”—A Home Made from Scratch
The Philosophy of the Coen Brothers (The Philosophy of Popular Culture #Ppcs)
by Mark T. Conard&“Written for both fans of the Coen brothers and the philosophically curious, without the technical language . . . educational and entertaining.&” —Library Journal Joel and Ethan Coen have made films that redefined the gangster movie, the screwball comedy, the fable, and the film noir, but no matter what genre they&’re playing with, they consistently focus on the struggles of complex characters to understand themselves and their places in the strange worlds they inhabit. To borrow a phrase from Barton Fink, all Coen films explore &“the life of the mind&” and show that the human condition can often be simultaneously comic and tragic, profound and absurd. The essays in this book explore the challenging moral and philosophical terrain of the Coen repertoire. Several address how Coen films often share film noir&’s essential philosophical assumptions: power corrupts, evil is real, and human control of fate is an illusion. In Fargo, not even Minnesota&’s blankets of snow can hide Jerry Lundegaard&’s crimes or brighten his long, dark night of the soul. The tale of love, marriage, betrayal, and divorce in Intolerable Cruelty transcends the plight of the characters to illuminate competing theories of justice. Even in lighter fare, such as Raising Arizona and The Big Lebowski, the comedy emerges from characters&’ journeys to the brink of an amoral abyss. However, the Coens often knowingly and gleefully subvert conventions and occasionally offer symbolic rebirths and other hopeful outcomes. At the end of The Big Lebowski, for example, the Dude abides, his laziness has become a virtue, and the human comedy is perpetuating itself with the promised arrival of a newborn Lebowski. The Philosophy of the Coen Brothers sheds new light on the work of these cinematic visionaries. From Blood Simple to No Country for Old Men, the Coens&’ characters look for answers—though in some cases, their quest for answers leads, at best, only to more questions.
Kinsman's Oath (The Kinsman Series #2)
by Susan Krinard&“A fantastic futuristic romance complete with political intrigue and out-of-this-world adventure&” from the New York Times–bestselling author (Booklist). Human telepath Ronan VelKalevi, a Kinsman, was kidnapped by the catlike Shaauri when he was a child. Now, more than two decades later, he has escaped from the aliens who have held him captive for much of his life. On the run, he is saved by the captain of the spaceship Pegasus, Cynara D&’Accorso. Though drawn to Ronan, Cynara is suspicious of his motives, for there are Kinsmen who have proved traitorous to their race, aiding and abetting the Shaauri. But as Ronan and Cynara&’s minds—and bodies—meld in a passionate embrace, it soon becomes clear the claws of the Shaauri have dug deeper into Ronan than either he or Cynara could have ever imagined . . . &“Returning to the &‘Kinsman&’ universe that she first described in an Out of This World novella, Susan Krinard furbishes science fiction romance readers with a wonderful tale of a future in space marred by armed conflict. The delightful story line hooks readers of both genres with its descriptive insight into a galaxy under siege while also providing two wonderful characters wondering whether they should be loving partners or disillusioned antagonists.&” —AllReaders.com
The 1500 Calorie a Day Cookbook: 200 Tasty Recipes to Build a Daily Eating Plan (Betty Crocker Cooking)
by Betty CrockerKeep calories under control from breakfast to dinner with these amazing recipes.For anyone who wants to cut down on their calories without giving up on their favorite foods, Betty Crocker The 1,500 Calories a Day Cookbook is the ultimate resource. The formula is simple: pick any of the great-tasting recipes for breakfast, lunch, dinner, and one or two snacks, and they'll add up to just 1,500 calories. With no hard-to-find ingredients or fancy preparations, these recipes are never difficult to prepare. And with comfort foods like chili, burgers, and quesadillas, you'll never feel deprived. Tips throughout let you customize the recipes with "a little more" or "a little less" to reach a daily calorie goal above or below the 1,500-calorie average for healthy weight loss and management.· Features 200 low-calorie recipes that are easy to make, simple to customize, and always delicious· Includes 100 beautiful full-color photographs that offer mouthwatering inspiration· Begins with an introductory section that lets you calculate your ideal calorie count and includes sample daily menus, calorie charts for common foods, and an exercise chart When it comes to cutting calories and portion control, Betty Crocker The 1,500 Calorie a Day Cookbook makes it simple, easy, and delicious.
Last Son of the War God
by Clay MartinFrom the author of Sword of the Caliphate: &“a thrilling adventure that . . . offers real insight into the mind of a Special Forces soldier&” (Guns America Digest). In the backcountry of Idaho, a tribe of men are hunting and killing with a dream of returning the world to an earlier time. A time when courage and prowess in the field determined a man&’s worth. A time when the strong took what they wanted, and the weak cowered in fear. Mike Bryant has come to the wilderness to die. Tired of the trappings of modern life, his will to live has run out. But when he crosses paths with a group of warriors who challenge him, he suddenly finds purpose. Mike is no ordinary man. Frozen and given up for dead, an inner core of rage ignites a fury few have seen and lived. Deep in the White Cloud Mountains, a demon is awakening. The Last Son of the War God was forged in the storm of blood and fire. And now he&’s angry. The War God has chosen his champion, one of his favorite sons. And by the time the dust settles, one thing will be clear. If you choose the War God as your deity, you had better have what it takes to measure up. Consequences are eternal. &“As page-turners go, this book is for certain one of them, but don&’t let that fool you into thinking the story is devoid of a sophisticated plot . . . action that starts early on and continues through to the very last line of the book.&”—SOFREP
Crowded Lives: And Other Stories of Desperation and Danger (Five Star Mystery Ser.)
by Clark HowardGritty, suspenseful short fiction about criminals and other characters on the edge from an Edgar Award–winning author. &“Not all Howard&’s heroes are ex-cons, but they might as well be. They&’ve all been around the block, made more than their share of mistakes, and taken their lumps, usually without complaint. A hit man who refuses a commission goes into hiding, afraid that everybody who looks twice at him may be carrying a bullet with his name on it. A Vietnam veteran plots revenge on the commanding officer who sent his troops into a cloud of Agent Orange; a ward of hospitalized WWII soldiers schemes to find the whereabouts of the lost love of one of their mates before he dies. A has-been boxer trains for a big bout without realizing he&’s been set up; a New Orleans clarinet player skips around town one step ahead of a creditor&’s enforcers long enough to audition for the Jazz Hall of Fame. . . . In every case, there&’s no mystery about who&’s guilty . . . but only about whether Howard&’s protagonists will succeed in their fatal plots, get rescued from their own worst nature, or, in the trickiest of these nine stories, succeed but fail anyway.&” —Kirkus Reviews
The Night of the Long Knives (Dover Doomsday Classics Ser.)
by Fritz LeiberA post-apocalyptic novel set in the nuclear wastelands of America from the Grand Master of Science Fiction and author of the Lankhmar series. Ray is armed and dangerous, suspicious of everyone he comes across in the decimated Deathlands and willing to fight to the death as he scavenges for food and weapons. Into his life comes Alice, just as wary but whose intentions are not violent. The two drifters forge an uneasy truce, but their bloodlust will be tested when an old man—a former homicidal maniac—offers them something almost too painful to contemplate: hope. &“A dark, edgy story, Leiber deconstructs the madness of such aggression in turns overt and subtle. . . . The character study of a killer paranoid everyone is out to kill him . . . A hard-edged, slightly satirical look at mankind&’s propensity toward murder in the context of free choice.&” —Speculiction &“Vividly describes a horrifying possible future America where nuclear war has ravaged the land and the human brain.&” —Fantasy Literature
Michigan's Haunted Lighthouses (Haunted America)
by Dianna StampflerTravel Michigan&’s coast—and into the state&’s history—with otherworldly tales of the spirits of those who sought to keep its waters safe. Michigan has more lighthouses than any other state, with more than 120 dotting its expansive Great Lakes shoreline. Many of these lighthouses lay claim to haunted happenings. Former keepers like the cigar-smoking Captain Townshend at Seul Choix Point and prankster John Herman at Waugoshance Shoal near Mackinaw City maintain their watch long after death ended their duties. At White River Light Station in Whitehall, Sarah Robinson still keeps a clean and tidy house, and a mysterious young girl at the Marquette Harbor Lighthouse seeks out other children and female companions. Countless spirits remain between Whitefish Point and Point Iroquois in an area well known for its many tragic shipwrecks. Join author and Promote Michigan founder Dianna Stampfler as she recounts the tales from Michigan&’s ghostly beacons. &“Haunting tales of Michigan&’s lighthouses . . . Her stories come from lighthouse museums, friends and family.&”—Great Lakes Echo
Blame: Dark And Suspenseful Family Drama
by Paul ReadA young man must confront his traumatic childhood when his estranged father dies under suspicious circumstances in this &“raw, startlingly honest novel&” (Matthew Norman).Lucas is just a boy in the summer of 1989, when he witnesses an event that will tear his family apart. Over a decade later, Lucas learns that his estranged father has succumbed to a heart attack—news that leaves him oddly cold. Confused by his own lack of grief, Lucas escapes to New York with his lovely colleague Mariana. But a dark secret from his past threatens to destroy their burgeoning relationship before it has even begun. When something suspicious about his father&’s death comes to light, Lucas begins looking for clues to what really happened. But his search draws him back into his own traumatic childhood. As the startling truth is revealed, Lucas must confront the fact that father and son may not have been so different after all.
A Neighborhood Guide to Washington, D.C.'s Hidden History (Hidden History)
by Jeanne FogleA historic guide to Washington, D.C.&’s neighborhoods, featuring photographs, maps, and beautiful drawings. - Get off the National Mall and enjoy nine walking and driving tours of Washington, D.C.&’s historic neighborhood - Discover the hidden history of the nation&’s capital with tales of political intrigue, scandal, romance and tragedy. - Experience the overlooked architectural and cultural treasures in such neighborhoods as Georgetown, Dupont Circle, Adams Morgan and Mount Vernon Square. Owner of A Tour de Force Guided Tours, D.C. historian Jeanne Fogle leads her readers through the hidden sites and history of Washington, D.C.&’s neighborhoods. Charming sketches by Edward Fogle and vintage photographs accompany each tour, casting a new light on the city. Visitors and local alike will be surprised and delighted by the discoveries that can be made beyond the monuments.
From the Farm to the Table: What All Americans Need to Know about Agriculture (Culture of the Land)
by Gary HolthausA portrait of the realities of agricultural life in today&’s world, based on interviews with more than forty farm families. In this book, dozens of farm families from America&’s heartland detail the practices and values that relate to their land, work, and communities. Their stories reveal that those who make their living in agriculture—despite stereotypes of provincialism perpetuated by the media—are savvy to the influence of world politics on local issues. Gary Holthaus demonstrates how outside economic, governmental, legal, and business developments play an increasingly influential, if not controlling, role in every farmer&’s life. The swift approval of genetically modified crops by the federal government, the formation of huge agricultural conglomerates, and the devastating environmental effects of chemical fertilizers, pesticides, and herbicides are just a few issues buffeting family farms. From the Farm to the Table explores farmers&’ experiences to offer a deeper understanding of how we can create sustainable and vibrant land-based communities by adhering to fundamental agrarian values. &“Tells the story of modern agriculture through engaging interviews with men and women who make a living farming in southeastern Minnesota. In a tone reminiscent of Wendell Berry&’s A Place on Earth, he examines the far-reaching effects of genetically modified organisms, free-trade agreements that nurture &‘transnational corporate profit,&’ dependence on fossil fuel-derived chemicals, and the toll all this has taken on the land and farmers.&” —Library Journal
Emerald Ridge: A Max Blake Mystery (The Max Blake Mysteries #6)
by William FlorenceA detective hunts for a missing archbishop in Northern Ireland who may a victim of violence—or an instigator of it . . . Oregon detective and former muckraking journalist Max Blake&’s discovery of a long-dreaded postcard from Ireland in his mailbox is the catalyst that touches off a cross-continent search for his fiancée&’s favorite uncle. The Rev. Sean &“Jack&” O&’Lennox, the archbishop of St. Patrick&’s Roman Catholic Cathedral in Armagh, Northern Ireland, is missing, and the postcard—a pre-arranged signal—is his apparent cry for help. Max is prepared to do everything in his considerable power to help Caeli Brown, his longtime partner in the Blake & Brown Detective Agency and soon-to-be wife. But she slips off to Ireland without him, and he is left with a double quandary: finding Caeli, and then determining the fate of the archbishop, a complicated man who believes that British-held Ulster should be returned to the Irish Republic by any means necessary . . .
Invisible Countries: Journeys to the Edge of Nationhood
by Joshua KeatingA journalist explores how our world&’s borders came to be and how self-proclaimed countries across the globe could change the map. What is a country? While certain basic criteria—borders, a government, and recognition from other countries—seem obvious, journalist Joshua Keating investigates what happens in areas of the world that exist as exceptions to these rules. Invisible Countries looks at semiautonomous countries such as Abkhazia, Kurdistan, and Somaliland, as well as a Mohawk reservation straddling the U.S.-Canada border, and an island nation whose very existence is threatened by climate change. Through stories about these would-be countries&’ efforts at self-determination, Keating shows that there is no universal legal authority determining what a country is. He also argues that economic, cultural, and environmental forces could soon bring an end to our long period of cartographical stasis. Keating combines history with incisive observations drawn from his travels and interviews with residents, political leaders, and scholars in each of these &“invisible countries.&”
Ents, Elves, and Eriador: The Environmental Vision of J.R.R. Tolkien (Culture of the Land)
by Jonathan Evans Matthew Dickerson&“A fascinating ecocritical evaluation&” of The Hobbit, The Lord of the Rings, The Silmarillion and other works of the master fantasist (Northeastern Naturalist). The Hobbit, The Lord of the Rings, and The Silmarillion are rarely considered to be works of environmental literature or mentioned together with such authors as John Muir, Rachel Carson, or Aldo Leopold. Nonetheless, Tolkien&’s vision of nature is as passionate and has had as profound an influence on his readers as that of many contemporary environmental writers. The burgeoning field of agrarianism provides new insights into Tolkien&’s view of the natural world and environmental responsibility. In Ents, Elves, and Eriador, Matthew Dickerson and Jonathan Evans show how Tolkien anticipated some of the tenets of modern environmentalism in the imagined world of Middle-earth and the races with which it is peopled. Dickerson and Evans examine Tolkien&’s major works as well as his lesser-known stories and essays, comparing his writing to that of the most important naturalists of the past century. A vital contribution to environmental literature and an essential addition to Tolkien scholarship, Ents, Elves, and Eriador offers both Tolkien fans and environmentalists an understanding of Middle-earth that has profound implications for environmental stewardship in the present and the future of our own world. &“This book is for everyone who loves the work of J. R. R. Tolkien, and who loves the world around them.&” —Armchair Interviews &“Anyone who ever thrilled to Tolkien&’s fighting trees, or to the earthy Tom Bombadil, or to the novel charm of the Shire will want to read this important and lovely book.&” —Bill McKibben, Scholar in Residence in Environmental Studies, Middlebury College
The Haunted House Diaries: The True Story of a Quiet Connecticut Town in the Center of a Paranormal Mystery
by William J. HallA paranormal investigator explores a haunted Connecticut farmhouse—with the diaries of a resident detailing decades of unexplained phenomena.Nestled deep in Litchfield Hills, Connecticut, a 1790 farmhouse overlooks the epicenter of a paranormal crossroads. The family that resides there regularly encounters its own ancestors, as well as strangers - human and nonhuman - who seemingly occupy the same physical space in parallel worlds. When ghost hunters Ed and Lorraine Warren investigated, they dubbed it "Ghost Central".When William J. Hall visited the house, family member Donna Fillie showed him her journal of the paranormal activity she&’s experienced there over the years. Here is Donna&’s diary spanning five decades of uncanny occurrences, supplemented with background information provided by Hall. It tells of notes from old friends who insist they didn't deliver them; a grandson playing with an invisible - but very real - friend; and Donna awakening to phenomena at precisely 12:42 a.m. - an eerie correspondence to her house number, 1242. This compelling work includes many other kinds of inexplicable incidents that frequently occur in this otherwise normal area of Connecticut, which some believe is also the site of a secret military base.
Breaching the Summit: Leadership Lessons from the U.S. Military's Best
by Kenneth O. Preston Michael P. Barrett Rick D. West James A. Roy Denise M. Jelinski-Hill Charles BowenThis unique anthology collects personal stories and leadership lessons from six highly-ranked officers across all branches of service. In Breaching the Summit, six senior enlisted advisors to the joint chiefs of staff share their stories, experiences, and lessons learned from a lifetime of military service. In their own words, each tells how they got their start, how mentors encouraged them along the way, and how they eventually became the highest-ranking enlisted member in their respective services. Their personal stories illustrate battle-tested principles of successful leadership that are applicable in all walks of life. The authors include Ken Preston, 13th Sergeant Major of the Army (retired); Mike Barrett, 17th Sergeant Major of the Marine Corps (retired); Rick West, 12th Master Chief Petty Officer of the Navy (retired); James Roy, 16th Chief Master Sergeant of the Air Force (retired); Denise Jelinski-Hall, Senior Enlisted Advisor to the National Guard Bureau (retired); and Skip Bowen, 10th Master Chief Petty Officer of the Coast Guard (retired). &“Books on leadership are many, but none are as practical, clear, and proven as Breaching the Summit.&” —Adm. Gary Roughead, US Navy (retired)
The Everyday Parenting Toolkit: The Kazdin Method for Easy, Step-by-Step, Lasting Change for You and Your Child
by Carlo Rotella Alan E. KazdinFrom the director of the Yale Parenting Center, a practical guide to dealing with the routine challenges of raising a child. Alan Kazdin&’s The Kazdin Method for Parenting the Defiant Child is the gold standard for research-backed advice on being a better parent for difficult children. But now in The Everyday Parenting Toolkit, Dr. Kazdin focuses on the children who aren&’t defiant. Dr. Kazdin&’s methods are based on the most up-to-date research and are implemented in real-world ways. These are the problems that plague parents on a day-to-day basis: from getting ready for school on time to expanding the palates of picky eaters to limiting computer time, no parenting book does a better job at helping parents understand and correct problematic behaviors. Dr. Kazdin&’s methods foster lifelong positive character traits such as respectfulness, honesty, kindness, and altruism. With The Everyday Parenting Toolkit, Dr. Kazdin helps transform parenting and helps develop ideal child-parent relationships. &“Kazdin delivers the evidence-based, gold-standard method for parents who want simple, effective responses to the everyday challenging behaviors of their children.&”—Martin E. P. Seligman, author of Flourish and The Optimistic Child&“Jam-packed with solid advice any parent can use.&”—BookPage &“A useful guide to eliminating stress, improving communication and providing a more nurturing family environment.&” —Kirkus Reviews
Optimum Health the Paleo Way: A 28-Day Plan to Adopt the Paleo Lifestyle With A Diet Designed to Help You Get Healthy and Feel Great
by Claire Yates&“A must-have resource for anyone seeking to learn [about] and improve their health and well-being through food and lifestyle&”—includes over 100 recipes! (Irena Macri, author of Eat, Drink, Paleo Cookbook) Eating the Paleo way is not about becoming a caveman! Instead, it&’s all about listening to your body, getting back to a more natural, seasonal way of eating, nourishing your body with tasty whole foods, and living a more balanced lifestyle. Along the way, you&’ll automatically consume far less sugar, avoid preservatives and processed foods, and throw away the calorie counter. In Optimum Health the Paleo Way, Paleo nutritionist Claire Yates explains clearly why unhealthiness is on the increase and how the Paleo lifestyle (not diet) can help. Claire sets out the key aspects of the Paleo lifestyle, including the importance of food as medicine, and the truth about fats, carbs, protein, and fiber. She then takes you through the 28-day reset meal plan before including more than 100 delicious Paleo recipes that will get you feeling great while eating some of the tastiest food of your life! Optimum Health the Paleo Way will help you: Boost your energy.Eliminate sugar cravings.Reduce your use of processed foods.Find your ideal weight.Develop an eating plan that works for you.Sleep better and feel great! &“Essential reading for every human being.&”—Warren Maginn, functional clinical nutritionist
The Apparitionists: A Tale of Phantoms, Fraud, Photography, and the Man Who Captured Lincoln's Ghost
by Peter ManseauA story of faith and fraud in post–Civil War America, told through the lens of a photographer who claimed he could capture images of the dead. In the early days of photography, in the death-strewn wake of the Civil War, one man seized America&’s imagination. A &“spirit photographer,&” William Mumler took portrait photographs that featured the ghostly presence of a lost loved one alongside the living subject. Mumler was a sensation: The affluent and influential came calling, including Mary Todd Lincoln, who arrived at his studio in disguise amidst rumors of séances in the White House. Peter Manseau brilliantly captures a nation wracked with grief and hungry for proof of the existence of ghosts and for contact with their dead husbands and sons. It took a circus-like trial of Mumler on fraud charges, starring P. T. Barnum for the prosecution, to expose a fault line of doubt and manipulation. And even then, the judge sided with the defense, suggesting no one would ever solve the mystery of his spirit photography. This forgotten puzzle offers a vivid snapshot of America at a crossroads in its history, a nation in thrall to new technology while clinging desperately to belief. An NPR Best Book of 2017 &“A rare work of historical nonfiction that is both studious and just plain entertaining.&”—Publishers Weekly, Top Ten Books of 2017 &“An exceptional story.&”—Errol Morris, New York Times Book Review&“Manseau has become the foremost chronicler of the deep American desire to believe in the weird, the strange, and the oddly wonderful.&”—Jeff Sharlet, New York Times–bestselling author of The Family: The Secret Fundamentalism at the Heart of American Power
Constantine's Sword: The Church and the Jews, A History
by James CarrollThe &“monumental&” New York Times bestseller in which a Catholic explores the problem of anti-Semitism through Church history (The Washington Post).A Los Angeles Times Best Book of the Year and a New York Times Notable BookIn this &“masterly history&” (Time), National Book Award-winning author James Carroll maps the profoundly troubling two-thousand-year course of the Church&’s battle against Judaism and faces the crisis of faith it has provoked in his own life as a Catholic.More than a chronicle of religion, this dark history is the central tragedy of Western civilization, its fault lines reaching deep into our culture. The Church&’s failure to protest the Holocaust — the infamous &“silence&” of Pius XII — is only part of the story: the death camps, Carroll shows, are the culmination of a long, entrenched tradition of anti-Judaism. From Gospel accounts of the death of Jesus on the cross, to Constantine&’s transformation of the cross into a sword, to the rise of blood libels, scapegoating, and modern anti-Semitism, Carroll reconstructs the dramatic story of the Church&’s conflict not only with Jews but with itself. Yet in tracing the arc of this narrative, he implicitly affirms that it did not necessarily have to be so. There were roads not taken, heroes forgotten; new roads can be taken yet. Demanding that the Church finally face this past in full, Carroll calls for a fundamental rethinking of the deepest questions of Christian faith. Only then can Christians, Jews, and all who carry the burden of this history begin to forge a new future.&“Carroll discusses the history of Christian-Jewish relations honestly, touchingly, and personally…Carroll investigates his own prejudices as a believing Christian, a former Catholic priest, and a long-time civil rights activist. As he unearths history (using all the best sources), he also encounters emotions he didn't realize he had and shows how his historical journey was also a personal pilgrimage of faith.&”—Booklist &“A triumph.&”—Atlantic Monthly
The Autocrat of the Breakfast Table: Or Every Man His Own Boswell (Dover Thrift Editions: Literary Collections Series)
by Oliver Wendell Holmes Jr.Essays inspired by the renowned nineteenth-century writer&’s time at a Boston boardinghouse. These philosophical essays, enlivened by a number of poems, draw upon Oliver Wendell Holmes&’s time spent as a young man at the table with his fellow boarders—the professor, the divinity student, and the schoolmistress, as well as the landlady—in the thriving cultural hub of Boston. First published in the Atlantic Monthly in the 1850s, they reflect on topics ranging from the nature of conversation to the surprising benefits of old age—filled with the flavor of historical New England, and often sharpened with wonderful comic flair. Featured poems include &“The Deacon&’s Masterpiece,&” &“The Chambered Nautilus,&” &“Contentment,&” and &“The Living Temple.&”
Thicker Than Water (Orca Soundings)
by Natasha DeenZack Bernard has a thing for crime shows, especially the forensic-investigation kind. So when his friend Ella goes missing, Zack can't help piecing together what he thinks is concrete evidence that could lead to her whereabouts. The problem is, it's all pointing toward his dad. He knows his dad is lying about not having seen Ella because Zack saw them together at the mall the day she disappeared. What he doesn't know is why. With the help of his friend Ayo, Zack tries to solve the mystery himself to avoid having to make the terrible choice between losing someone close to him and betraying his family. This short novel is a high-interest, low-reading level book for teen readers who are building reading skills, want a quick read or say they don’t like to read!
Watch Out (Orca Soundings)
by Alison HughesFifteen-year-old Charlie stays home from school so he can help his older brother, Tom, who is in a hip-to-toe cast after breaking his leg in a football game. When not waiting on his brother hand and foot, Charlie investigates a series of break-ins that have the whole neighborhood on edge. Things really hit home when Charlie nearly catches the thief and then foils an attempted break-in at his own house. As he continues to piece together the clues, Charlie realizes that the easiest way for the culprit to avoid suspicion is to hide in plain sight. This short novel is a high-interest, low-reading level book for teen readers who are building reading skills, want a quick read or say they don’t like to read!
Up North (Orca Soundings)
by Jeff RossThis is the second story featuring Rob and Adam Maclean after Coming Clean Rob Maclean and his mom have moved to a small community in northern Ontario in order to be closer to Rob's imprisoned brother, Adam. One night after a rowdy party, Rob and some friends end up in a van speeding through a First Nations reserve. The driver of the van has a deep hatred for Indigenous people, and he lobs rotten fruit at a group of young men gathered in front of a community center. The young men chase them down, and Rob's friend Alan is injured and ends up in a coma. Now the police are pressuring Rob to identify their prime suspect. This short novel is a high-interest, low-reading level book for teen readers who are building reading skills, want a quick read or say they don’t like to read!
See No Evil (Orca Currents)
by Diane YoungWhen Shawn and Daniel witness a gang beating behind the local mall they flee the scene, terrified that they've been seen. They recognize one of the attackers as a locally infamous gang member. When they learn that the kid who was attacked is in critical condition, Shawn wants to go to the police, but Daniel convinces him that they are in more danger if they speak up. The threats they receive from other members of the gang reinforce the boys' fears. When the gang attacks Daniel, Shawn has to put his own safety at risk to help his friend. This short novel is a high-interest, low-reading level book for middle-grade readers who are building reading skills, want a quick read or say they don’t like to read!