Known for his meaty seriocomic novels–expansive works that are simultaneously lowbrow and highbrow–Tom Robbins has also published over the years a number of short pieces, predominantly nonfiction. His travel articles, essays, and tributes to actors, musicians, sex kittens, and thinkers have appeared in publications ranging from Esquire to Harper’s, from Playboy to the New York Times, High Times, and Life. A generous sampling, collected here for the first time and including works as diverse as scholarly art criticism and some decidedly untypical country- music lyrics, Wild Ducks Flying Backward offers a rare sweeping overview of the eclectic sensibility of an American original. Whether he is rocking with the Doors, depoliticizing Picasso’s Guernica, lamenting the angst-ridden state of contemporary literature, or drooling over tomato sandwiches and a species of womanhood he calls “the genius waitress,” Robbins’s briefer writings often exhibit the same five traits that perhaps best characterize his novels: an imaginative wit, a cheerfully brash disregard for convention, a sweetly nasty eroticism, a mystical but keenly observant eye, and an irrepressible love of language. Embedded in this primarily journalistic compilation are a couple of short stories, a sheaf of largely unpublished poems, and an off-beat assessment of our divided nation. And wherever we open Wild Ducks Flying Backward, we’re apt to encounter examples of the intently serious playfulness that percolates from the mind of a self-described “romantic Zen hedonist” and “stray dog in the banquet halls of culture.”

Theodora the duck sets a good example for her friend Chad, but who is the odd duck?

A duck marvels at how wonderful it is to be a duck, with feathers, webbed feet, and wings that can fly, from the time he is hatched until he becomes a dad.

Announcing a brand new idea in publishing books for babies: the completely durable, completely safe Indestructibles. Published on the same paper-like material used in shipping envelopes, Indestructibles are 100% baby-proof: chew-proof, drool-proof, and rip-proof. That's because Indestructibles not only will not tear or turn gummy with teething, but they are also completely washable. Indestructibles are also energetic, beautiful, and created just for baby. The printing material reproduces color artwork with uncommon depth, and with no residual inkiness; the artwork, paintings by Kaaren Pixton and reminiscent of Eric Carle, is happy, each page a simple, colorful image of an animal or bird or insect against a rich, textured background. The effect is 3D-like and completely visual. There are no words, making each perfect for parents and babies to look at together, with mom or dad telling the story. Three titles launch the series: Creep! Crawl! about animals that crawl, Flutter! Fly! about animals that fly, and Wiggle! March! about farm animals—books babies can really sink their teeth into.

Emily, a serious girl, meets a duck who helps her see the more humorous side of life.

The Catcher in the Rye," written by J.D. Salinger and published in 1951, is a classic American novel that explores the themes of adolescence, alienation, and identity through the eyes of its protagonist, Holden Caulfield. The novel is set in the 1950s and follows Holden, a 16-year-old who has just been expelled from his prep school, Pencey Prep. Disillusioned with the world around him, Holden decides to leave Pencey early and spend a few days alone in New York City before returning home. Over the course of these days, Holden interacts with various people, including old friends, a former teacher, and strangers, all the while grappling with his feelings of loneliness and dissatisfaction. Holden is deeply troubled by the "phoniness" of the adult world and is haunted by the death of his younger brother, Allie, which has left a lasting impact on him. He fantasizes about being "the catcher in the rye," a guardian who saves children from losing their innocence by catching them before they fall off a cliff into adulthooda. The novel ends with Holden in a mental institution, where he is being treated for a nervous breakdown. He expresses some hope for the future, indicating a possible path to recovery..

The Third Book of the SuperPower Series “SuperPower The Ability to Fly or to Become Invisible: The Golden Eagle has Yielded” begins at the memorial service for the Steele brothers. The Martin twins and their paramours pay their respects to their adversaries who died in front of them on their way to a life-time incarceration. Encountering the treachery and blatant lies from the Steele family, Myrena Gorgona a SuperPower SuperModel forms a new feminine SuperPower organization she calls the “Lemnian Deeds Federation.” She opposes the two male dominated, operated SuperPower groups: the DODGE (Department of Defense Genetically Engineered) Initiative and the ‘Golden Eagle’ Organization. The Lemnian Deeds welcomes all SuperPowered individuals and non-SuperPower females as the non-SuperPower males survive as domesticated servants. -How does the DODGE Initiative and their adversary the ‘Golden Eagle’ Organization deal with Myrena Georgia and her new ‘Lemnian Deeds’ Federation?’ -Follow the new recruits of the ‘Lemnian Deeds’ Federation having new SuperPower abilities and experiences. -Does the old adage “the enemy of my enemy is my friend” hold true?

Fly patterns, step-by-step tying instructions, and fishing tips from hardcore West Coast and Great Lakes steelheaders. Includes over 30 tiers from around the country, ranging from British Columbia to Great Lakes. Features in depth analysis on topics such as important fly design characteristics, unconventional wisdom at the vise and on the water, and tying and fishing the popular style of fly known as Intruders. 14 patterns tied in detail with over 400 step by step images Fishing and tying tips Choosing the right materials Gallery of flies from famous anglers and tiers such as April Vokey, Lani Waller, Ed Ward, and Trey Combs

The definitive resource for tiers and anglers interested in the rich tradition of steelhead flies. Learn the histories of these classic flies, as well as how to tie them. • Covers steelhead flies from their origins in the 1890s up through the mid-1970s • Includes flies that remain popular today, as well as forgotten classics that were once popular or that exhibit stylistic merit • Contains 350 beautiful full color photos

New Yorker writer and author of The Library Book takes readers on a series of remarkable journeys in this uniquely witty, sophisticated, and far-flung travel book. In this irresistible collection of adventures far and near, Orlean conducts a tour of the world via its subcultures, from the heart of the African music scene in Paris to the World Taxidermy Championships in Springfield, Illinois—and even into her own apartment, where she imagines a very famous houseguest taking advantage of her hospitality. With Orlean as guide, lucky readers partake in all manner of armchair activity. They will climb Mt. Fuji and experience a hike most intrepid Japanese have never attempted; play ball with Cuba’s Little Leaguers, promising young athletes born in a country where baseball and politics are inextricably intertwined; trawl Icelandic waters with Keiko, everyone’s favorite whale as he tries to make it on his own; stay awhile in Midland, Texas, hometown of George W. Bush, a place where oil time is the only time that matters; explore the halls of a New York City school so troubled it’s known as “Horror High”; and stalk caged tigers in Jackson, New Jersey, a suburban town with one of the highest concentrations of tigers per square mile anywhere in the world. Vivid, humorous, unconventional, and incomparably entertaining, Susan Orlean’s writings for The New Yorker have delighted readers for over a decade. My Kind of Place is an inimitable treat by one of America’s premier literary journalists.