Amazing Magic Tricks by Thomas Canavan
The Art of Medicine Healing and the Limits of Technology by Herbert Ho Ping Kong
Eerie America Travel Guide of the Macabre by Eric R. Vernor and Kevin Eads
1 girl +
1 prom +
3 guys = Prom Impossible
Cassidy decides her senior year, including prom, will be about Michael, the boy destined to be her soul mate. One problem. He hasn’t figured that out yet.
But certain events meant as innocent pranks—that weren’t completely her fault—introduce her to Zeke, the reformed bad boy. And cutting deals in the boys’ bathroom with Jasper, the hottest guy in school, lands her in a complicated web of half-truths.
At the end of the year, she’s dateless the day before the big night but risks a lot more than her pride if she can’t fix her mistakes.
Prom Impossible is a modern-day Shakespearean romantic comedy in the world of teens, true love, and life.
Jules crouched next to me in the scratchy bushes outside of Michael’s house. Lately, she’d been extra nice. Total guilt complex. I wasn’t complaining.
Only two people knew about my love for Michael: Jules and my brother, Carter. He guessed it from my swoony expressions over certain heart doodles in my room. Talk about nosy. And Jules knew from the very start because for years we’d been more than just cousins. We were best friends even though she was slightly more popular. Okay, a lot more.
She nudged me. “Spying on the biggest dork in school? That’s the big emergency?”
“Hey, he’s got potential. And I’m not spying. I’m observing the behavioral patterns of my future boyfriend.”
She giggled. “Well, he might be kinda cute behind all the dorkiness. I’ll give you that. And I’ve never had a chance to get to know him. Maybe he’s cool.”
I’d known Michael since he peed his pants the first day of kindergarten from pure nerves and the fear of asking how to find the bathroom. We’d been on and off friends and engaged in frequent conversations about Smaug, Aragorn as an alpha male, and Gollum’s greatest moments.
We were destined to fall for each other with a passionate forever-kind-of-love. Someday, he’d take me in his arms and sweep me off my feet with the most romantic, passionate kiss in history.
“This is crazy,” Jules whispered. Then in an act of complete betrayal, she grabbed some pebbles and pelted the downstairs window.
“What are you doing?” I jerked her arm away but it was too late.
“Helping you. I assumed that’s why you called me. You said it was an emergency. You said you couldn’t do it alone.” She stood and brushed the dirt off her shorts. Before I could complain she hugged me. “You can do it, Cass. Good luck!”
A window slammed open.
“Who’s there? I’ve got my death ray gun that can sizzle your brain in three seconds and I’m not afraid to use it.”
“Oh. My. God.” She stifled a laugh. “He’s all yours.” And with that Jules shoved me into open view.
What was the hardest thing about writing this book?
The hardest thing was being willing to say it was finally “finished.” I had the idea for the book a few years ago, had started and stopped several times. Parts of it had been completely taken out, others totally rewritten, and the desire to continue to try to perfect it was, at times, overwhelming. It felt like a constant merging of new and old, and the editing cycle felt tortuous and endless at times. Being able to say “this is it” and “I’m done” was both the hardest, and most liberating, part of this experience.
Which of your characters can you relate to the most?
I’ve had everyone from my dentist’s girlfriend to reviewers I don’t know ask, “This is semi-autobiographical, right?” And while it’s not, the main character is probably the one I relate to the most… that, followed by Yafeu. Is it a little awkward to say that I most-relate to the two main romantic protagonists?
Which part of the book was the easiest to write?
What is currently “the end” actually flowed the easiest and has the fewest revisions. When I finally decided where it was going to end, the writing part came easily.
Which actors would play the main characters in the movie version of the book?
For the female lead – some undiscovered Asian American actress who currently feels stuck in bit parts. For Yafeu, I would go with John Boyega.
Which songs would be on the soundtrack of the movie version of the book?
Passenger’s “Let Her Go” and Cher and Peter Cetera’s “After All”
Any future books in the works?
Yes! I have three children’s books (in addition to one that’s already out) as well as two mini-short story collections. I’m also writing a new novel, set primarily in 1930s Shanghai, so that I hopefully won’t have to continue to answer the question, “This is semi-autobiographical, right?”
Marie is a former teacher, education evaluator, and engineer. A lifelong student, she has degrees in degrees in chemical engineering, teaching, an MFA in writing, and a doctorate in educational leadership. Her writing focuses on bilingual and English-only children's books that feature mixed families, as well as literary and contemporary fiction focused on Asian and Asian American characters.
How do you tell your child that you won’t be there when they grow up? UNWELL is the raw, honest story of a mother who writes to her unborn child, sharing her decision of choosing not to be a mother. She doesn’t choose abortion. Nor does she consider adoption. Instead, she decides to give her child a fighting chance in life, without the angst and drama that’s shaped her own bittersweet life.
With a poignant lack of emotion, the young mother shares her life story. As the child of Asian parents who moved to America early in her life, the mother shares how her life disintegrated after her parents’ divorce. From upper middle class suburban to sharing her mean aunt’s house to a one bedroom apartment in a shabby neighborhood, this mother endures the indignity that comes with the change of status. From her father’s absence to her mother becoming a married man’s mistress, her story reads like a tragic Victorian novel set in the 21st century, but that’s where the similarity ends—she is definitely not a shy country miss and she certainly did not take the easy way out.
This amazing story chronicles the life of a woman who fought for everything she got, faced her demons and made the hard choices. Her fortitude and candor are disarming, her avant-garde views strangely endearing. You’ve never read a book like this and probably never will again. Get your copy today and take the literary journey of a lifetime. Through this glimpse into the life of a woman of integrity, sacrifice and love, you’ll feel her pain, live her failures and cheer for the meager joys that come her way. But the one thing you’ll never do… is forget her. Or her story.
Anna Banana can't settle down tonight, even though her stuffed animal friends are tired and just want to sleep. They suffer through delay after delay and excuse after excuse, until Anna Banana is finally sleepy. And then . . . it's time for their revenge! Anna Banana is about to get a taste of her own medicine. Anna Banana is a fantastic character—a lively little girl and a fearsome tyrant to her stuffed animal pals. The first of two picture books featuring this character, Sleep Tight, Anna Banana! is sure to be a hit with the youngest of readers . . . and with their parents!MY TAKE:
ARE YOU NUTS?READ IT IF:
You'll find that the commonest number of petals on a flower is five.
The first in a new brand series, Go Green! is not only a guide for families to take steps towards transforming their lives to live a healthier, greener and more sustainable lifestyle, it also explains sustainability in a simple and fun way, putting the concept into perspective for children and families by showing easy and fun ways of making sustainable choices. Jam-packed with fun facts, tips and unique green activities, Go Green! takes readers through detailed green practices that include: understanding your ecological footprints; the three R’s of sustainability (Reduce, Reuse, Recycle); creating seasonal crafts; the importance of eating locally; how to grow your own organic garden; and so much more. Further, the book explains that adopting a sustainable lifestyle will not happen overnight. It starts with one step, then another, and another. The important thing is to remember that you are on your way, no matter how slow the journey feels, or how difficult the steps. Go Green! breaks down this complicated process into easy-to-achieve individual steps for the whole family.MY TAKE:
What did the snowman say toREAD IT IF:
the other snowman?
Can you smell carrots?
