Publisher: Berkley Pub Group
Check Library Catalog Pub Date: 08/01/2006
ISBN-13: 9780425212400
ISBN-10: 0425212408

Usually I hate the “predestined lifemate” plot in romance, but Robin D. Owens puts a fresh fun face on it. On the planet of Celta, humans have evolved to possess psychic powers. Rand T’Ash has crafted a beautiful Heartgift to give his Heartmate- the only problem is she doesn’t want it, or him. A great mix of scifi and romance. I also liked the animal “familiars” and how they talk just like you’d think cats and dogs would.

Publisher: Penguin Group USA
Check Library Catalog Pub Date: 05/01/1999
ISBN-13: 9780886777999
ISBN-10: 0886777992

When the Earth discovered faster-than-light space travel millions set out to colonize new planets. What no one realized is that the trip would cause genetic mutations more alien than anyone could have imagined… I really enjoyed this book because it took humanity and made other people the aliens, whether because of physical or mental differences.

Publisher: Right Stuf International, Inc
Check Library Catalog Pub Date: 2008
ISBN-13: 9781570327865
ISBN-10: 1570327866

Akari travels from her home on Earth to the ocean-covered planet Aqua (formerly Mars). Her goal is to become a gondolier in the city of Neo-Venezia. This anime doesn’t have much in the way of plot, but each episode features beautiful visuals and music, along with interesting characters. A great show to watch when you want to relax and enjoy some upbeat TV.

Publisher: Sparknotes
Check Library Catalog Pub Date: 01/25/2008
ISBN-13: 9781411498730
ISBN-10: 1411498739

This adaptation of Hamlet manages to simplify the language while still maintaining the formal tone of Shakespearean English. One thing I enjoyed about this graphic novel was that the writing left in all the bawdy humor people sometimes forget is in a Shakespeare play (at one point Hamlet even throws up an obscene Elizabethan hand gesture- crazy!). The art is fantastic, very effective at conveying the emotions of the characters and scenes.

Publisher: Oxford University Press
Check Library Catalog Pub Date: 07/01/2005
ISBN-13: 9780195152166
ISBN-10: 0195152166

Although this book specifically discusses the similarities between military and Stoic ethics, it is also, in passing, a better primer on Stoicism than any of the dozen books that are explicit introductions to this ancient system of philosophy. Although we think of a “stoic attitude” being one of thick-skinned tolerance for emotional or physical pain, the ancients thought of Stoicism as such deep appreciation for the wonder of life and our short chance to experience it, that any difficulties encountered during our time on earth were as nothing. Discontent, whining and petulance became, to their way of thinking, so much ingratitude. To have character was to keep in mind that the balance between good and evil in life was so weighted in favor of the former that the latter had to be treated as insignificant. The soldiers’ ability to “suck it up,” deal with it, get on with business and shut up about difficulties is their inheritance from the Stoics.

Table of Contents  

Publisher: Harvard Univ Pr
Check Library Catalog Pub Date: 06/01/1925
ISBN-13: 9780674991453
ISBN-10: 0674991451

Many philosophers were such poor writers (or muddled thinkers) that one can grasp their ideas only through the medium of the secondary literature, where scholars have come to an interpretation of the philosophers and then written their own, clearer, expositions. Not so with Epictetus. Written in the 1^st century, these transcribed (by a student) lectures are a summing up of Stoicism, especially its ethical doctrines, and spoken with such verge and with such an emphasis on the practical application of Stoic ideas that readers cannot help but reinterpret their own ideas and attitudes in their light. What is the good? What is character? How important are possessions? Is power necessary? Reputation? Read and see how he answers these and dozens of other like questions, and learn why the richest and most powerful sent their sons to study with him, who was among the poorest and weakest.

Publisher: Harvard Univ Pr
Check Library Catalog Pub Date: 06/01/1928
ISBN-13: 9780674992405
ISBN-10: 0674992407

Publisher: Knopf
Check Library Catalog Pub Date: 05/01/2003
ISBN-13: 9780375825446
ISBN-10: 0375825444

Juli thinks Bryce is the most perfect boy ever – she just can’t stay away from him.  Bryce thinks Juli is a pest – he jumps over a fence to hide from her.  Their story starts this way as new neighbors, but a lot changes from 2^nd grade to the 8^th grade.  You just might find yourself laughing out loud when each endearing character reveals their side of the story.

First Chapter  

Publisher: Super D / Phantom Sound & Visi
Check Library Catalog Pub Date: 11/18/2008
UPC: 00634904531324

This British songstress belts out beautiful, bendy, and bluesy tunes like they’re nothing on her amazing debut album recorded at age nineteen.  No wonder she won two Grammy awards.  My favorite track is “Tired” – the edgy tempo change slows down yet gets you moving.

Publisher: Anchor Books
Check Library Catalog Pub Date: 08/26/2008
ISBN-13: 9780307388926
ISBN-10: 0307388921

Why is Chuck Palahniuk so good at writing novels that get made into movies?  This one is about Victor Mancini, a sex addict who cons rich people to save him from his fake chokes and uses their charity money to pay his mom’s mental hospital bills.  Then he falls in love with Dr. Paige at the same hospital.  Now that’s some twisty drama in this dark comedy

First Chapter  

Publisher: Koch Records
Check Library Catalog Pub Date: 2009
ISBN-13: 9780999234747
ISBN-10: 0999234749

French composer Colais devised a creepy lullaby style of music which builds in menace as the action intensifies in the stop motion animated feature film release.  The music features choral arrangements in a nonsense language and is eerily beautiful throughout.  They Might Be Giants contributed the cleverly written "Other Father Song" which briefly lightens the mood of this terrific album.

Publisher: Sub Pop
Check Library Catalog Pub Date: 06/03/2008
UPC: 00098787077728

The Fleet Foxes leaped into national prominence with their Saturday Night Live performance.  This Seattle group mixes influences all over the musical map from folk sound of Neil Young and Bob Dylan to the pure pop of the Beach Boys.  The result is a strangely cohesive and rich harmonic sound with haunting rural lyrics.

Publisher: Tor
Check Library Catalog Pub Date: 08/05/2008
ISBN-13: 9780765316981
ISBN-10: 0765316986

Scalzi revisits the events from his Last Colony from the perspective of the 15 year old Zoe.  Zoe is like many 15 year olds in that she is less interested in what her parents are doing and more interested in her boyfriend, her sarcastic best friend and her bodyguards.  Her bodyguards happen to be an alien race and also happen to worship her because of her biological father’s invention which gave their race sentience.   When her family is pitted against a murderous alliance of alien races, the Obin may be their only hope for survival.

First Chapter  

Publisher: Quirk Books
Check Library Catalog Pub Date: 04/08/2009
ISBN-13: 9781594743344
ISBN-10: 1594743347

What happens when you combine the class conscious satire of Austen with ultraviolent zombie mayhem?  A mashed up mess of a book where the familiar characters of Elizabeth and Mr. Darcy physically spar with zombies and with each other over the disparities of class in their society.  This is the sort of book that either instantly delights or dismays the reader.  For those of us who like both zombies AND Jane Austen, our book has finally arrived.

Publisher: Delacorte Press
Check Library Catalog Pub Date: 03/11/2008
ISBN-13: 9780385732789
ISBN-10: 0385732783

High school students Emily and her best friend Philip are so obsessed with the Broadway show that they see the Saturday matinee every week (thanks to a secret “loan” from Emily’s grandmother).  When the show threatens to close Emily and Philip become obsessed with uncovering the identity of the musical’s anonymous author.   This is a joyously wacky book chock full of allusions to musicals but can be enjoyed by all readers looking for an enjoyable light adventure.