Pushups in the Prayer Room


Norm Schriever - 2012
    Throughout his journeys he touches down in more than 20 countries in 6 continents, spanning 70,000 miles total, or the equivalent of almost three times around the equator. There is never a dull moment on this wild and irreverent adventure, whether Norm is evading armed carjackers in a high-speed chase in the barrios of Venezuela, exploring ancient wonders of the world like the pyramids, the Great Wall, and Machu Picchu, almost landing in Bolivian jail for mistakenly being accused of cocaine trafficking, or witnessing the holiest sites on earth in Jerusalem. Along the way, Norm encounters a broad spectrum of human existence and experiences a blossoming of consciousness and spiritual growth that he never anticipated. What started out as a wild, raucous party trip evolves into a man's quest for his life's purpose in the world. Pushups in the Prayer Room: A Year Backpacking around the World is an honest, no-holds-barred account of that year-long odyssey around the globe. Norm's writing, which is enlightening, gritty, filled with self-deprecating humor, yet always authentic, picks you up and carries you along on that crazy journey.

Everybody Knew: A Boy. Two Brothers. A Stolen Childhood.


Michael Clemenger - 2009
    "And which of us do you prefer, Michael? You can tell me, it won't get back to Brother Price."'Michael Clemenger was handed over as a baby to the unloving care of a religious-run children's home. Aged eight, he was transferred to St Joseph's Industrial School.Chosen as their 'favourite' by two Christian Brothers, Michael endured years of sexual abuse at the hands of both men. Brother Price struck at night, while Brother Roberts took pleasure in a weekly bathtime ritual. Although everybody at the institution knew, even the two Brothers' 'protection' did not save Michael from merciless beatings by other sadistic men charged with his care.Despite the unbelievable trauma of his early life, Michael emerged unbroken and determined to make something of himself. Everybody Knew is a story of remarkable spirit and courage.

...then just stay fat.


Shannon Sorrels - 2012
    Oz and Bob Greene -- definitely not your traditional this-is-how-to-lose-weight manual.A multi-degreed certified personal trainer and owner of an award-winning fitness training and nutrition studio in Phoenix, Sorrels has heard every excuse for not exercising and committing to a weight-management program: I’m too busy I’ve been out of town TV was good last night I had to go out to dinner a lot this week I’ve been sick The conference lunch had bad food choices My job is stressful I’m PMSing I’ve been busy I’m backed up (and I don’t mean scheduling) They made me a cake I’m too busy I need wine I’m genetically fat My family is sick I’m allergic to South African bee pollen My car is at the shop My dog is sick These are new shoes My metabolism thinks I’m starving My child failed a test Dunkin' Donuts had a sale I usually weigh-in in the morning The soft serve yogurt with Oreo toppings was for calcium I’m too busy My cat is sick Beer helps me relax My tree fell over I forgot to wash my workout clothes I’m tired These are different clothes My pinky nail fell off My fridge died; I had to eat it all The moon is out of phase with Jupiter I’m too busyAnd to the people who made those excuses, she has wanted to say, “…then just stay fat.”Sorrels knows of what she speaks. The word “diet” has been part of her vocabulary since she was 9 years old. She spent many years upset, depressed, frustrated and confused. She lost weight and then gained it back. She read books, listened to tapes and joined programs. She fumbled around until she figured it out, and when she did she changed careers and started Physix.She also found a way to share her thoughts and frustrations: writing.This book isn’t a step-by-step weight-loss or fitness plan. There already are plenty of those, and Sorrels doesn’t agree with most of them anyway.Instead, it is intended to motivate and entertain, spur some heated debates – and maybe even put an end to all of the excuses.

Never Give in to Fear: Laughing All the Way Up From Rock Bottom


Marti MacGibbon - 2010
    With brutal honesty, humor, and clarity, the author vividly describes her experiences as she rides her downward spiral: a near-miss with a notorious serial killer, a series of tragically hilarious misadventures in the California drug world, and a terrifying account of imprisonment at the hands of Japanese organized crime, to name a few. This revised and re-edited version contains three additional chapters that introduce readers to quirky characters, insights into standup comedy, resilience and recovery, and deliver an inspiring message about healing, hope, and courage to change.

White House in a Gray City: A Memoir of an Orphan Jewish Boy Who Survived The Holocaust (WW2 True Story)


Itzchak Belfer - 2019
    In 1912, Korczak established a unique orphanage that is to this day a beacon for educators. There he gave children the freedom to develop and manage their talents. They learned about mutual responsibility and caring and how to create a righteous human society. Korczak was murdered by the Nazis at the Treblinka Death Camp when he refused to abandon his children. I will never forget those times; this is a memorial volume The author, Itzchak Belfer, was raised and educated in Korczak's orphanage. We read of his flight from the Nazis through the Polish forests to Russia to become the only survivor in his large family and his attempt to immigrate to Israel, only to be waylaid in a Cypress deportation camp, where he studied art. Then of his renewed life in Israel, where his art commemorates Janusz Korczak, the Holocaust, and the family he lost. Scroll up now to get your copy of White House in a Gray City!

I Talk Too Much: My Autobiography


Francis Rossi - 2019
    . . This is Francis Rossi as you have never seen him before. Status Quo have sold over 100 million records worldwide, including 65 hit singles and 32 hit albums. The legendary band's career has mirrored the evolution of rock music. From the struggles of the flower-power '60s, the highs of the denim-clad '70s, the coke- and tequila-induced blur of the '80s, to fighting for musical integrity in the '90s and '00s and a fresh lease of life from new band members in recent years, Rossi has been there for the entirety of Quo's turbulent history.In I Talk Too Much, Rossi will reveal the truth behind one of the biggest rock bands of all time, as well as the personal highs and lows of a career spanning over 50 years. He lifts the lid on the man behind the music - from humble beginnings in Forest Hill and being labelled a has-been by the press in his twenties to opening Live Aid in 1985 - and why he's still going strong at seventy. Along the way he has fathered eight children with three mothers and beaten both alcoholism and cocaine addiction. Rossi comes clean about the time he almost left the band, what he really thinks about the music industry today and the complexities of his fifty-year friendship with Rick Parfitt.Painfully honest, riotously funny and frequently outrageous, I Talk Too Much covers the glory years, the dark days and the real stories behind the creation of some of the greatest rock music of all time.

Rose Mountain Bears Complete Box Set (Books 1-5)


Sarah J. Stone - 2018
    It was one of the few untouched sanctuaries left in the state. That’s why it was supposed to be preserved, but congress had other ideas when they sold a chunk of the land to a logging company. Marie didn’t have any business investigating it. She was a waitress making five dollars an hour plus tips. She could barely pay her electric bill, much less afford a trip out to her mother’s cabin, but the best things in life were always risky. She didn’t think she’d be in danger. She certainly didn’t expect a bear raking its claws across her shoulder or biting into her neck. What happened after that wasn’t possible. Her body changed shape, and her mind faded away into a place where there was nothing but desire and reaction – pure animal instincts. She was a bear now, and she was losing control. The only thing stopping her from killing was a savage stranger that had invaded her mother’s cabin. His name was Bran, and he was there to kill her… Book 1: Losing Control Book 2: Coming Home Book 3: Seeking Redemption Book 4: Untold Truths Book 5: Finding Solace

Diary of a Wimpy Villager: Book 2 (An unofficial Minecraft book)


Cube Kid - 2015
    In this diary of a villager boy, you'll catch a glimpse of their secretive lives and find out how they survive in their hostile world. What's behind the calm expressions? What mystical knowledge do they possess? You'll never know by asking them. Dive into this book for the answer. This is Book 2 of the Wimpy Villager series—a great series for gaming fans of all ages! Grab the first book before starting this one! Disclaimer: This is book is not official. It is not endorsed, authorized, sponsored, licensed or supported by Mojang AB, Microsoft Corp. or any other entity owning or controlling rights to the Minecraft name, trademarks or copyrights.

The Chinaberry Tree


Lauren Alexander - 2011
    The family is powerful for the same reasons it is vulnerable. There are deadlines for nurturing and restoring relationships, and, with its intricate makeup, it takes the entire family to save itself. THE CHINABERRY TREE is a rare memoir of a family at war with itself. It lays bare the erosion of the author's family of origin in the absence of divorce and any criminal or heinous behavior. Perception is the pivotal force in the family. This innovative memoir offers a slideshow viewing of the interwoven dynamics that fueled the author's original family life: harmony, humor, separation, sorrow, discord, despair, surrender and death. The youngest of four children, the author presents each and every family member, including herself, from the unusual viewpoint of an insider with no agenda, an insider spreading out pieces of a puzzle with no intention of finding the missing ones. Making no pretense of telling the whole story, she revisits her life within the family. The author began writing THE CHINABERRY TREE long before her family's fate had run its course. In the end, the author discovers that the undying family bond she counted on was a deep-rooted myth she cultivated amidst all the evidence to the contrary. In ruins, the family finally loses its power over her and the grief the author thought she would carry to her grave is put to rest.

Elephant Girl: A Human Story


Jane Devin - 2011
    Born unwanted and raised without love, the child-author invents a rich inner life to see her through years of trauma. Leaving home at 16, the teen-author struggles to find happiness and a sense of place in a world that feels confusing and unfamiliar. Then, years after stumbling into an adulthood mired in tragedy and broken dreams, the woman-author finds herself at a crossroads. The choice she ultimately makes is as stunning as it is brave.Told in unflinching and often lyrical prose, Elephant Girl goes beyond a singular life story to speak of powerful, universal truths and the ability of the human spirit to redeem itself.From the soul of a broken child and the heart of a resilient woman comes a story about turning imagination into possibility and scars into art. - Rosie O'Donnell, Talk Show Host In a culture of bootstraps and bromides, it has become unfashionable to talk about the long-term effects of child abuse and being raised without love or nurture. Unlike psychologist Harry Harlowe's infamous experiments with monkeys and maternal deprivation - where all his subjects ended up abnormal or dead from what has been termed "emotional anorexia" -abused children are supposed to be more resilient. In fact, a significant number of people insist that child abuse isn't really that big of a deal and that such children will eventually enter into adulthood with the same knowledge and tools as those who were not abused, or at least be able to gain them quickly and easily. Less acknowledged is the fact that there can be long-term and even lifelong physical, social and emotional consequences of child abuse. Oftentimes, the one affected doesn't even realize what those consequences are until well into adulthood. High anxiety, hyper-vigilance, thwarted sexuality and brain damage that went undiagnosed until the age of 46 were just some of the after-effects experienced by the author of Elephant Girl: A Human Story. The story of Precious ends with her teenage years. Jeannette Walls concludes Glass Castles as a college student. In A Child Called It, Dave Pelzer is removed from his abusive home by age 12 and eventually finds a loving foster family. In contrast, Elephant Girl: A Human Story is about what happens when there is no clear path to follow, no outside guidance and no dramatic rescue-when the only life-saving graces are imagination, self-determination and, ultimately, an undefeatable sense of hope. This is not an easy story to read. Those who enjoy reading about miracles or quick solutions will surely be disappointed. Those looking to cast blame or buoy their belief that they could have done better will find plenty of ammunition. However, those who are willing to see beyond the convenience and labels of bootstraps and bromides - who believe that human experiences are diverse and complex - will find much to relate to in this rarely told story.

From Victim to Hero: The Untold Story of Steven Stayner


Jim Laughter - 2010
    Steven’s story inspires and exemplifies the goodness and strength within the human spirit. The trauma experienced by the family is shared, giving insight of the impact on the marriage, children, and friends. Whether in abuse or abduction, From Victim to Hero portrays the grooming, lying and strategies used by predators to convince and coerce their victims into compliance. This book reiterates the three principles victims must realize – 1. Nobody has the right to hurt you. 2. It’s not your fault. 3. You don’t have the right to hurt others. Buy this book. Share it with your children. Keep them safe.Ed Smart (father of kidnap victim Elizabeth Smart)President, Surviving Parents CoalitionIn this book, From Victim to Hero, Jim Laughter expresses Steven’s heart and brings to light the extraordinary spirit of a young man that endangered himself because he believed rescuing Timmy White was the right thing to do.Diane L Brown, Founder/DirectorSafety Kids, Inc.

Perfect Storm


A.J. Newman - 2018
    Three apocalyptic events occur at the same time. North Korea and Iran take advantage of a devastating cosmic event to mask their EMP and cyber-attack on the USA and its allies. . Our hero, Tom Horn fled to Arizona years ago to keep Drug Cartel hitmen from killing him after they killed his family. Tom and the citizens of Stony Creek live through the grid collapse, EMP destroying electronics, and destruction from the strike of thousands of meteors as they try to overcome the post-apocalyptic nightmare. Tom lives through this Perfect Storm of apocalyptic catastrophes only to have the Cartel find him. . How do Tom and his friends survive the apocalypse? How does Tom deal with the Cartel? Can the citizens of Stony Creek pull together or will they erupt in chaos because only a few of them were prepared? Read EMP: Perfect Storm to find out how this hero and community work to survive.

Endless Perfect Circles: Lessons from the little-known world of ultradistance cycling


Ian Walker - 2020
    

Detached


Wendi Starusnak - 2014
    I can never let anyone know the horrible things that my father did or the secrets that my family had kept hidden for years. If anyone ever found out then that would mean they would also know what I did. I’m not even sure if I have fully come to terms with all of that yet myself. But I had to get it all out of my head and write it somewhere. So here it is: the worst of what happened in my life (hopefully) and the terrible secrets that I found out in the year 1976.

Baby on Board


Cathy Woodman - 2016
    Star is struggling with the intense training regime Nicci has put together, and even Nicci isn't feeling quite herself. Is the moment she has worked so hard for going to be ruined before it's even begun?Luckily, Nicci's husband, Matt, is by her side to support her. As well as being able to use his knowledge as a vet to look after Star, he might just be able to make Nicci see what is really important . . .