Book picks similar to
Caesar: On Deaf Ears by Loren Spiotta-DiMare
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21 Yaks and a Speedo - How to achieve your own impossible
Lewis Pugh - 2013
Lewis Pugh knows oceans. He was the first to complete a long distance swim in every ocean of the world, and has pioneered more swims around famous landmarks than any other person in history. He swam across the icy waters of the North Pole to highlight the melting of the Arctic Sea ice, and across a glacial lake on Mount Everest to draw attention to the impact of climate change on the Himalayan glaciers. It was there that he met his first yak. Trekking behind them up the icy slopes, watching them cross skeletal bridges over dizzying ravines, and listening to them breathe outside his tent each night, Lewis got to think about the things he most admires in a yak. And found that those qualities were not unlike the ones that enabled him to meet his own challenges - and achieve things that people believed to be impossible.In 21 Yaks and a Speedo, Lewis shares his ability to dream big dreams, build crack teams, and get the job done. You'll be inspired by his devotion to excellence, his loyalty to his crew, and his belief in never giving up. These are 21 strategies Lewis used to achieve what no one thought was possible. The principles are simple but effective. Stick by them, he says, and you will achieve your own impossible.
Ruffian: A Race Track Romance
William Nack - 2007
Since winning her first race a little more than a year earlier, the unbeaten, unflappable Ruffian had literally raced her way into the hearts of a nation. One of those hearts belonged to Newsday turf reporter William Nack.As a boy in Illinois, Nack had carried in his pocket a trading card of his hero, Swaps, the winner of the 1955 Kentucky Derby. As a young soldier in Vietnam, Nack tuned out the midnight bomb blasts by listening to racetrack broadcasts from Santa Anita. Now, fresh off the publication of his astonishing biography of Secretariat -- described by Seabiscuit author Laura Hillenbrand as "the gold standard of horse books" -- he found himself smitten once again.But tragedy struck that summer's day at Belmont Park. After charging from the gate, Ruffian stumbled and shattered her right foreleg. She had to be put down. Nack's heartbreaking run with thoroughbred racing's most famous filly will soon be immortalized in a made-for-TV movie to be broadcast on ESPN and ABC. In this moving, lyrical memoir, he relives the afternoon that forever changed his love affair with the track.
The Meaning Of Sports
Michael Mandelbaum - 2004
In keeping with his reputation for writing about big ideas in an illuminating and graceful way, he shows how sports respond to deep human needs; describes the ways in which baseball, football and basketball became national institutions and how they reached their present forms; and covers the evolution of rules, the rise and fall of the most successful teams, and the historical significance of the most famous and influential figures such as Babe Ruth, Vince Lombardi, and Michael Jordan. Whether he is writing about baseball as the agrarian game, football as similar to warfare, basketball as the embodiment of post-industrial society, or the moral havoc created by baseball's designated hitter rule, Mandelbaum applies the full force of his learning and wit to subjects about which so many Americans care passionately: the games they played in their youth and continue to follow as adults. By offering a fresh and unconventional perspective on these games, The Meaning of Sports makes for fascinating and rewarding reading both for fans and newcomers.
Chocolate for a Teen's Soul: Life-Changing Stories For Young Women About Growing Wise and Growing Strong
Kay Allenbaugh - 2000
She was a stray; my mother found her and brought her home to me. We spent 19 full years together. Always the perfect cat, she died in her sleep when she was growing too frail for fun. She must have known I would never have had the strength to put her to sleep myself. I was (understandably) devastated when she died -- and my phone rang off the hook. Many of my friends had grown up with my cat, too, and were calling to express their grief. The weeks after her death are a weepy blur, but one conversation stands out in my mind. A woman I wasn't very close to called to tell me about the death of her dog. There was something overwhelmingly comforting about her story. Even though she didn't know me or my "kitten" well, her shared experience just made me feel less alone. Shared stories are the idea of Chocolate for a Teen's Soul by Kay Allenbaugh. "Rich stories, like chocolate, not only make you feel good, they can also serve as comfort through confusing times," she writes in her introduction. (Allenbaugh is apparently a chocolate freak; she has also written Chocolatefor Woman's Soul, ...for a Lover's Heart, ...for a Woman's Heart, ...for a Mother's Heart, etc.) Her collected stories, written by women young and old and bundled by theme in chapters like "Onward and Upward," "Making Memories," and "What Is This Thing Called Love?", are not always uplifting -- and therein lies the strength of Chocolate for a Teen's Soul. The emotional range of Allenbaugh's selected stories is impressive. One girl explains how the death of her great-grandfather gave her the strength to ask a popular boy to dance with her. Experiencing death taught her to "make each moment count." Which is also why she is capable of handling it when he turns her down. (Never fear, another cute boy comes along in a moment.) Another young woman writes of a teacher who doubts her poetry skills and forces her to stand up and defend herself for the first time in her life. Yet another girl writes about fear, roller coasters, and her father. There are, of course, the perennially interesting tales of first loves, as well as the now ubiquitous but unfortunately necessary essays on abuse (by a boyfriend) and eating disorders.Allenbaugh wasn't satisfied to leave it at that. She smartly chose to vary the voices in her book. Hence the story written by a mother coming to terms with her daughter growing up. Or the wonderful story of a woman who fled Soviet-occupied Hungary. This "global" story demonstrates the universality of adolescent worries; she, too, thinks about clothes and friends.Allenbaugh has bound together a delightful mix of stories. Her goal, as stated in her introduction, is to mentor teens with her stories, and surely she has succeeded. The bulk of her success lies in her somewhat quirky sensibility. In the middle of Allenbaugh's "Love" chapter is a delightful story, "Grooming Nisha." This is no first-kiss tale but rather the experience of a girl who raises seeing-eye dogs -- caring for them until they are old enough to perform their duties. She details the bittersweet pain of giving Nisha up. There is also a story on the death of a family dog.Which leads me right back to my kitten. Sometimes, especially when you are 14, the word "love" means romantic love. Friends are surely sympathetic if you and your boyfriend break up. But what about if your kitty dies? Adults usually understand that kind of pain better. In Chocolate for a Teen's Soul, Allenbaugh opens up the definition of love and of other experiences. She teaches and offers comfort in the form of shared experience...just like that acquaintance of mine did.
--Alexandra Zissu
Who Was Albert Einstein?
Jess M. Brallier - 2002
Everyone has heard of Albert Einstein-but what exactly did he do? How much do kids really know about Albert Einstein besides the funny hair and genius label? For instance, do they know that he was expelled from school as a kid? Finally, here's the story of Albert Einstein's life, told in a fun, engaging way that clearly explores the world he lived in and changed.
Skippyjon Jones, Class Action
Judy Schachner - 2011
School is for dogs, his mama tells him. It's where they go to get trained. But nothing can stop Skippy-once inside his closet, he finds himself on the playground of his imagination, surrounded by dogs of all kinds. He bays with the beagles, learns French with the poodles, and checks out a Chihuahua book from the library. And when a bully starts sending shiver-itos down the spines of the little yippers, Skippy saves the day and earns the biggest gold star.
The Dog Whisperer with Cesar Millan: Lessons from Cesar's TV Dogs and Their Owners
Jim Milio - 2008
Cesar Millan has become the household name in dog rehabilitation. His #1-ranked National Geographic television show "Dog Whisperer with Cesar Millan" has become appointment television for fans with dogs and often those without them, too. Millions of viewers tune in every week, host Cesar-watching parties at their homes, and marvel over last week's episode at their local dog parks. Now, following his bestselling books, "Cesar's Way" and "Be the Pack Leader," this episode guide will help newcomers and fans alike relive every moment from the show's first three seasons and learn some crucial dog behavior secrets in the process."Dog Whisperer with Cesar Millan: The Ultimate Episode Guide" features 150 compelling stories of the dogs Cesar has met and mastered -- from NuNu the demon Chihuahua to Wilshire the firehouse Dalmatian. Easy to use and packed with Cesar's trademark wisdom, "Dog Whisperer with Cesar Millan" features: organization by behavioral problem (i.e., aggression, phobias, obsessions) notable quotes, advice, and tips from Cesarphotos of Cesar, the dogs he has met, and the people whose lives he's changed production secrets from behind the scenes of the showupdates on how the dogs and their owners are getting along todayReaders will be fascinated to learn how Cesar diagnosed and treated each dog's problem behavior and how he coached the owner to rectify it. The book's accessible format also includes indexes organized by breed and dog name. "Dog Whisperer with Cesar Millan" is an essential addition to any dog lover's library.
Eating Fractions
Bruce McMillan - 1991
Eating Fractions by McMillan, Bruce
Long Way Back
Charley Boorman - 2017
His world crashed down after he smashed his right ankle and causing severe damage to his left fibia and tibia. It was unclear if he would ever walk properly again, let alone ride a motorbike. Charley recounts the ambulance ride, the numerous operations in a Portugese hospital, the medivac flight back to London, and his journey of recovery. As his inability to walk for several months provokes introspection, Boorman recounts his childhood, where his passion for motorbikes began, and the formative influences in his life—from his father, a famed director, to his longtime friend Ewan McGregor, and Sean Connery’s son Jason, who introduced him to bikes. These touchstones give him strength on the long way back to health.
Dinosaur Bar-B-Que: An American Roadhouse
John Stage - 2001
In DINOSAUR BAR-B-QUE: AN AMERICAN ROADHOUSE you'll find the secrets to their succulent pit-smoked specialties in recipes you can fire up in your own backyard. Join Spiceman John Stage on a journey into the world of low and slow barbecue and fast and furious grillin'. Along the way, you'll soak up the Dino vibe as John shows you how to rev up traditional barbecue sauce to create such dishes as World Famous Dinosaur Ribs, Black & Blue Pan-Seared Beef Tenderloins, or Drunken Spicy Shameless Shrimp with Brazen Cocktail Sauce.• Full-color photography struts the eclectic decor of this honky-tonk rib joint (world's best bathroom graffiti and tattoo art included), and brings you up close and personal with some of its most colorful denizens.Awards2002 National Barbecue Association Award WinnerReviews“There's good eatin' here. . .we're making the Sweet Potato-Crusted Mahi-Mahi tonight.” —Tulsa World“Top 25 Editor's Choice Picks for 2001” —Amazon.com“One last look at summer grilling cookbooks . . . John Stage's DINOSAUR BAR-B-QUE: AN AMERICAN ROADHOUSE captures the slow-cooked-barbecue smell that hits you two blocks away from his 'genuine honky–tonk rib joint' in Syracuse, New York. . . . No matter the season, this cookbook (with more than 100 recipes) will quickly become a dog-eared, sauce-stained favorite.” —Amazon.com“I come from a place where barbecue is not food; it is a way of life. It is a philosophy of human nature. I have rarely had any as good as this.” —President Clinton on Dinosaur Bar-B-Que (September 1, 2000)“Though I learned to cook under the watchful eyes of several grandmothers in the apartment building where I lived in Rome, Italy, I now can smoke a mean pork butt thanks to John Stage.” —Nancy Radke“Without a doubt, DINOSAUR BAR-B-QUE will quickly become a dog-eared favorite on your kitchen bookshelf.” —Amazon.com“So, what made this book take off faster than a Hog flying down Interstate 5? Get your copy and find out why everyone is snapping up this unique instruction manual.” —Santa Cruz Sentinel“Real barbecue recipes for serious eaters.” —Food Network“Handsome yet funky . . . it's also a fun read.” —Buffalo News“Awesome!”—Arlington Advocate“It looks like some folks are having a darn good time there.” —Charleston Post & Courier“[A] kicky book with attitude . . . the jived up flavors and combinations in this book are barbecue heaven!” —Scott Fine's Great Grilling Recipes (formerly On The Grill)
On the Night You Were Born
Nancy Tillman - 2005
The moon stayed up till morning. The geese flew home to celebrate. Polar bears danced.On the night you were born you brought wonder and magic to the world. Here is a book that celebrates you. It is meant to be carried wherever life takes you, over all the roads, through all the years.This debut picture book by Nancy Tillman has touched the hearts of readers of all ages, from the youngest readers, to new mothers, to grandparents. A New York Times and Publishers Weekly bestselling book, On the Night You Were Born is sure to be a beloved addition to family libraries.
Tuna Melts My Heart: The Underdog with the Overbite
Courtney Dasher - 2015
Now the charming and unconventional pooch has his own book, filled with more than a hundred all-new photographs and witty commentary to give fans an intimate and hilarious look at the Internet’s most prized pup. Tuna’s cartoonish looks—with an exaggerated overbite, a recessed jawline, and a wrinkly neck—are truly one of a kind. And yet his quirky appearance is no match for his unique perspective on life, overcoming his proclivity for staying in bed all day to keep his eye on the (bacon-flavored) prize. Teaming up with his owner, Courtney Dasher, Tuna shares a behind-the-scenes look at his daily exploits, which include sleeping, sunbathing, wearing bow ties, playing with toys, and melting hearts. Packed with witty and endearing images of this ridiculously adorable pup, Tuna Melts My Heart is sure to delight the underdogs in us all!
The Mother-in-Law: The Other Woman in Your Marriage
Veena Venugopal - 2014
In this witty, acute and often painfully funny book Veena Venugopal follows eleven women through their marriages and explores why the mother-in-law is the dreaded figure she is.Meet Deepa, whose bikini-wearing mother-in-law wont let her even wear jeans, Carla whose mother-in-law insists that her son keep all his stuff in his family home although he can spend the night at his wifes, Rachna who fell in love with her mother-in-law even before she met her fiancee only to find both her romances sour and Lalitha who finds that despite having had a hard-nut mother-in-law herself, she is turning out to be an equally unlikeable Mummyji.Full of incisive observations and deliciously wicked storytelling, The Mother-in-Law is a book that will make you laugh and cry and understand better the most important relationship in a married womans life.
My Story
Ronnie Kray - 1993
Following on from Our Story, Ron Kray fills in the gaps and gives his version of the murders of Jack The Hat McVitie and George Cornell, describing his bisexuality and his marriage in Broadmoor and clarifying many of the misconceptions about the years when he and Reg ruled the London underworld, shot enemies at will and simultaneously socialized with some of the most glittering politicians, celebrities and hostesses of the time.
If You Give a Dog a Donut
Laura Joffe Numeroff - 2011
. . Dog is off on a backyard adventure!The exuberant dog who first appeared in if you give a pig a party is now the star of his very own book. Written in the irresistible “If You Give…” tradition, if you give a dog a donut is another home run from the beloved team of Laura Numeroff and Felicia Bond.