This psychological detective novel explores the once largely unacknowledged-not only soldiers get post-traumatic stress disorder: that child abuse whether it is overt or covert incest, is a time bomb. Lily's Odyssey unfolds with the inevitability, impact, and resolution of an ancient Greek play. The dialogue rings true, the journey conveyed with moods and half-tones, to portray fragmented Midwestern characters with poignancy. From child to grandmother, Lily's voyage is told with lyricism, humor, and irony through a poet's voice to distill American life in religion, marriage, and family. A contemporary odyssey without maps by a woman short listed for the 2009 Eric Hoffer Award for Best New Writing, a National Federation of State Poetry Societies Award Winner.

Lily Page, fifty years of age, biddable, amenable, has lived her entire life in the family home in North London’s Islington, brought up after her mother’s early death by her indomitable aunt and classicist father with an implied sense of obligation.

A heartbreaking story about a Nigerian poultry farmer who sacrifices everything to win the woman he loves, by Man Booker Finalist and author of The Fishermen, Chigozie Obioma. "It is more than a superb and tragic novel; it's a historical treasure."-Boston Globe Set on the outskirts of Umuahia, Nigeria and narrated by a chi, or guardian spirit, An Orchestra of Minorities tells the story of Chinonso, a young poultry farmer whose soul is ignited when he sees a woman attempting to jump from a highway bridge. Horrified by her recklessness, Chinonso joins her on the roadside and hurls two of his prized chickens into the water below to express the severity of such a fall. The woman, Ndali, is stopped her in her tracks. Bonded by this night on the bridge, Chinonso and Ndali fall in love. But Ndali is from a wealthy family and struggles to imagine a future near a chicken coop. When her family objects to the union because he is uneducated, Chinonso sells most of his possessions to attend a college in Cyprus. But when he arrives he discovers there is no place at the school for him, and that he has been utterly duped by the young Nigerian who has made the arrangements... Penniless, homeless, and furious at a world which continues to relegate him to the sidelines, Chinonso gets further away from his dream, from Ndali and the farm he called home. Spanning continents, traversing the earth and cosmic spaces, and told by a narrator who has lived for hundreds of years, the novel is a contemporary twist of Homer's Odyssey. Written in the mythic style of the Igbo literary tradition, Chigozie Obioma weaves a heart-wrenching epic about destiny and determination.

These forty-three beautiful and moving short essays seem inspired by whatever is on Carol Smallwood’s mind — library visits, her daughter, the TV show Columbo, “Chick Lit,” or hardware stores. But they remind us that everything in life is a variation on a theme, a different shade in the same tapestry.

A BRILLIANT AND BEGUILING REIMAGINING OF ONE OF OUR GREATEST MYTHS BY A GIFTED YOUNG WRITER Zachary Mason's brilliant and beguiling debut novel, The Lost Books of the Odyssey, reimagines Homer's classic story of the hero Odysseus and his long journey home after the fall of Troy. With brilliant prose, terrific imagination, and dazzling literary skill, Mason creates alternative episodes, fragments, and revisions of Homer's original that taken together open up this classic Greek myth to endless reverberating interpretations. The Lost Books of the Odyssey is punctuated with great wit, beauty, and playfulness; it is a daring literary page-turner that marks the emergence of an extraordinary new talent.

“A world straight from the pages of an F. Scott Fitzgerald novel . . . An extraordinary story about coming of age . . . and discovering who you are.” —Parade Rescued from a Dumpster on the Upper West Side of Manhattan, a discarded diary brings to life the glamorous, forgotten world of an extraordinary young woman . . . Opening the tarnished brass lock of a red leather diary found in the basement of a New York City apartment building, New York Times writer Lily Koppel embarked on a journey into the past. Compelled by the hopes and heartaches captured in the pages, Koppel set out to find the diary’s owner, a 90-year old woman named Florence. Eventually reunited with her diary, Florence ventured back to the girl she once was, rediscovering a lost self that burned with artistic fervor. Joining intimate interviews with original diary entries, The Red Leather Diary is an evocative and entrancing work that recreates the romance and glitter, sophistication and promise, of 1930s New York, bringing to life the true story of a precocious young woman who dared to follow her dreams. “Melds three life-affirming subjects—Florence Wolfson’s journal of life in 1930s Manhattan, Koppel’s discovery of it in a Dumpster decades later, and the meeting of the two women—into one enchanting memoir.” —Elle “[An] amazing story . . . A highbrow fairy tale . . . Much of the book’s emotional power derives from the drama of an old woman reclaiming a past that was almost lost to her . . . Koppel writes with flair.” —Chicago Tribune

Have you ever considered writing or reviewing for the library community? Are you interested in publishing a book on your favorite author or hobby? Do you need to write and publish for tenure? If so, Writing and Publishing is for you. Practical how-to guidance covering fiction, poetry, children's books/magazines, self-publishing, literary agents, personal blogging, and other topics will help you write * As an expert for other library professionals * Creative copy and information about your library * Copy for websites, blogs, and online columns * Bibliographic essays and lists * Book reviews (formal and informal)Writing and Publishing will serve as a great resource, whether in taking the anxiety out of writing or refining your style, you’ll use this book as much as your pen or keyboard!

Dive into the groundbreaking world of "Extreme Biohacking: Pushing the Human Body and Mind to the Limits." This compelling exploration takes readers on a captivating odyssey through the diverse realms of biohacking, offering an in-depth look at the avant-garde techniques revolutionizing cognitive enhancement. From traditional nootropics to mind-bending technologies, each chapter unravels the intricacies of cutting-edge biohacking, showcasing the potential impact on the human potential. The narrative navigates historical contexts, ethical considerations, and speculative futures, providing a comprehensive view of the biohacking landscape. Readers will witness the rise of advanced nootropics, delve into the intricacies of neural implants and brain-machine interfaces, and ponder the ethical dilemmas surrounding DNA editing and genetic modification. Beyond the technological frontiers, the book explores the significance of self-awareness in biohacking, the impact of customized nutrition on cognitive functions, and the integration of biohacking into sports training. Sleep optimization, longevity strategies, and the mind-body connection take center stage, emphasizing the holistic approach to enhancing human performance. Interviews with experts and thought leaders provide invaluable insights, while cautionary tales and success stories from the biohacking community offer a nuanced perspective. The narrative extends into the future, speculating on the role of quantum computing, the need for biosecurity, and the rise of community-driven DIY biohacking movements. In the concluding chapters, the book issues a compelling call to action for responsible and ethical biohacking practices, encouraging readers to engage in open dialogue, collaborative exploration, and evidence-based experimentation. The journey concludes with an empowering encouragement for individuals to explore the boundaries of their own potential—a call to unfurl the wings of possibility in the ongoing odyssey of human enhancement. "Extreme Biohacking" is more than a book; it's an invitation to join the forefront of human evolution. Whether you are a seasoned biohacker, a curious novice, or an intrigued observer, this book promises a transformative exploration into the uncharted territories of human potential. The odyssey continues—pushing the boundaries of the human body and mind.

The sky shines brightly above us and the moon and stars and sun make their revolutions but there is something else that is a constant and that is fear. Fear in all shapes and sizes, from the most minute to the largest, our lives are dictated by the pressures and diversions that fear presents. One way to conquer fear or, I hesitate to say, be chilled to the marrow is to read about it...to experience it through the eyes of another. This book is dedicated to those fears and their purveyors. I hope you enjoy this show, this grand ball of fears and frights with a moment of appreciated bliss. Read on gentle reader and be prepared to shiver with delight.