Growing up in a robotic body, thirteen-year-old Kade Walker has no concept of death. But now killing a madwoman seems like the only way to save the solar system.

The award-winning, New York Times bestselling literary masterpiece of Shirley Hazzard—the story of two beautiful orphan sisters whose fates are as moving and wonderful, and yet as predestined, as the transits of the planets themselves A Penguin Classic Considered "one of the great English-language novels of the twentieth century" (The Paris Review), The Transit of Venus follows Caroline and Grace Bell as they leave Australia to begin a new life in post-war England. From Sydney to London, New York, and Stockholm, and from the 1950s to the 1980s, the two sisters experience seduction and abandonment, marriage and widowhood, love and betrayal. With exquisite, breathtaking prose, Australian novelist Shirley Hazzard tells the story of the displacements and absurdities of modern life. The result is at once an intricately plotted Greek tragedy, a sweeping family saga, and a desperate love story.

The Velvet Underground is arguably one of the most influential American rock bands ever. Based on interviews with former members Lou Reed, John Cale, and Sterling Morrison, as well as others from Andy Warhol's circle of artistic collaborators, Up-Tight is the definitive oral and visual history of the band and its revolutionary, often avant-garde music. Bockris and Malanga's intelligent and entertaining approach-which does not shy away from the drugs, sleaze, and controversy that enveloped the band seemingly from its inception-provides compulsive reading.

SUDDENLY PANTHER AND HAMISH APPEARED AT THE SAME TIME DEMANDING WE HURRY UP AS BREAKFAST WAS BEEN SERVED. PANTHER JUMPED INTO MY ARMS AND SAID. “COME ON ADAM EVERYONE’S WAITING AND WE HAVE THINGS PLANNED FOR THIS MORNING, AND WHY IS IT YOU ARE ALWAYS THE LAST TO APPEAR.” “I AM SORRY BUT MARY AND I HAVE BEEN TALKING.” “YEAH, YOU’RE ALWAYS TALKING, CHATTER AND MORE CHATTER.” “THAT’S ENOUGH FROM YOU YOUNG MAN,” I SAID AS I DROPPED HIM ONTO THE CARPET WHEREBY HE AND HAMISH SCAMPERED INTO THE DINING ROOM INFORMING THE REST OF THE FAMILY WE WERE COMING. I LOOKED OVER AND SAW FATS WHO HAD A BIG GRIN FROM EAR TO EAR. I THOUGHT WHAT’S HE GOT TO BE SO HAPPY ABOUT THIS TIME OF THE MORNING. PERSONALLY, FOR MYSELF I DIDN’T FEEL IN THE MOOD CONSIDERING MARY WAS INTERFERING IN MY THOUGHT PATTERNS MAKING ME WELL AWARE THAT I WOULD NEED TO TELL THEM WHAT SAINT BERNADETTE DISCUSSED WITH ME. I DECIDED TO SIT AND GET BREAKFAST OVER WITH AND TRY AND FIND A SOLUTION. IT WAS TIME TO FIND A SOLUTION I NEEDED TO SET UP A DIALOGUE WITH MEMBERS OF THE FAMILY ESPECIALLY NOW THE GEESE ARE FLYING AROUND. WHAT’S THAT ALL ABOUT, WHY?

With Illustrations

A comprehensive history of the influential cult band draws on dozens of new interviews and previously undiscovered archive sources, tracing their initial lack of success before they inspired and were championed by such artists as David Bowie. Original.

The acclaimed author of A False Spring profiles athletes famous and obscure in this captivating and incisive anthology Once a young pitching prospect with the Milwaukee Braves, Pat Jordan went on to become one of America’s most revered sports journalists, writing for Sports Illustrated, Esquire, the New York Times Magazine, and a host of other major league publications. The Best Sports Writing of Pat Jordan showcases his finest journalism, with twenty-six extraordinary articles covering virtually the entire range of professional sports in America—from baseball, football, and basketball to boxing, tennis, and Formula One racing. Jordan offers indelible portraits of some of the most legendary sports figures of our time, exposing the imperfections often obscured by the bright lights of fame. He explores the miracle of the Williams sisters and their brash, charismatic father, Richard, and turns his unflinching gaze on such controversial sports personalities as Roger Clemens and O. J. Simpson. Other highlights include a poignant account of Duke basketball legend Bobby Hurley’s rehabilitation after a devastating car accident, a profile of transsexual tennis star Renée Richards, and fascinating side-trips to the Professional Poker Tour, the child beauty pageant circuit, and a depressed, blue collar town in Pennsylvania where high school football offers the only solace.